If these are the choices we have in the upcoming presidential election, a faked out war hero, pushing the Bush agenda, and a corporate tool talking like a social democrat, you've got to know this country is up the creek or down the shaft.

When a third rate Carney chimp fancies himself a razorback gorilla destined for King Kong status, there’s bound to be trouble. In America’s case, seven and a half years’ worth.

Which brings me to the hurricane of verbal gas George W. Bush has unleashed in the last week or so. “It’s in our national interest that we defeat hopelessness,” he sanctimoniously stated to a British reporter, apparently unaware that a new Harris poll found that 80% of Americans think this country is going down the crapper and only 24% think Bush is doing a good job. (Apparently, 24% of Americans enjoy wearing gorilla suits, too.)

On a whirlwind gasbag tour of both Europe and the states, Bush has redefined, yet again, the word “delusional.” And, as usual, no one has called him on it.