Politics as Usual

John Ashcroft announced his resignation today saying "he objective of securing the safety of Americans from crime and terror has been achieved" but refusing to lower the national alert system from Yellow to Blue. Ashcroft added "I believe that my energies and talents should be directed toward other challenging horizons" [for "challenging horizons" read "lynching black people"]. [Full Letter]

Federal cabinet members are not the only ones turning in resignations. Right here in New Jersey, Governor McGreevey will be leaving after announcing this past August that he was a Gay American. Republicans have criticized McGreevey for prolonging his time in office. McGreevey criticized the Republicans' choice of brown loafers with black suits.

Meanwhile on the other side of the world, a state of emergency was declared in Iraq. We're left wondering why now after months of chaos, kidnappings, suicide bombs, and general disorder the Iraqis only declared the state of emergency now. Then we realized it was after the November election.

Iraq will still be holding an election in January, the first since the occupying forces entered the country two years ago. Elections under Saddam Hussein were considered unfair because only his name appeared on the ballot, not unlike the 2008 ballots in the United States.

Also in the Middle East, Yassar Arafat's condition only seems to worsening. His death may bring chaos to an already unstable situation. On the bright side, if all out war does break out, former McGreevey aid and accused lover Golan Cipel may finally leave Israel and return the United States where he can answer the hard hitting questions: Does McGreevey wear boxers or briefs?