Why didn't Count Dickula think of this while there was still time?

Constitutional amendment could allow Vladimir Putin to stay in power for decades

MOSCOW -- As if to counter the mood of democratic change in the United States, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev yesterday launched a constitutional amendment that would allow him and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin to remain the legal leaders of Russia, with little chance for challenge, through the next two decades.

The change, introduced in the State Duma, raises the presidential term of office to six years from four, beginning with the next president. It would allow Mr. Putin, who stepped down from the presidency this year after he reached the constitutional two-consecutive-term limit, to run again in 2012 or 2016 for two more terms totalling 12 years. Officials close to Mr. Putin say he will likely do so.

That change, along with other proposals that would make it extremely difficult for political parties other than Mr. Putin's United Russia to put up top-level candidates in elections, virtually guarantees the reign of Mr. Putin - widely considered to be the true leader behind Mr. Medvedev's presidency - either as prime minister or president for a period that could last as long as 22 more years.

apart from the smoldering ruins left behind, what will LoC have left to whine about?

what part of "general time horizon" don't they understand?

Well, for starters, they don't seem to understand that referring to it as a "horizon" stipulates that we're talking about something which recedes as you approach it.

BAGHDAD (AP) -- Iraq wants to eliminate any chance U.S. forces will stay here after 2011 under a proposed security pact and to expand Iraqi legal jurisdiction over U.S. troops until then, a close ally of the prime minister said Thursday.

Did you catch that? "Horizon," my friends...

You go to the convention with the nominee you have

L.A. Times: One Republican strategist with close ties to the campaign described the candidate's closest supporters as "keeping their fingers crossed" in hopes that additional information does not force McCain to revisit the decision. According to this Republican, who would discuss internal campaign strategizing only on condition of anonymity, the McCain team used little more than a Google Internet search as part of a rushed effort to review Palin's potential pitfalls. Just over a week ago, Palin was not on McCain's short list of potential running mates, the Republican said.

fool us three times...

Bush Thinks McCain Can Defend President's Legacy

Hard to pick a favorite line here.

The rezzz-i-dunce has become convinced that McCain will be an effective and strong defender of the Bush legacy in the general election campaign this fall, White House advisers tell U.S. News...

Bush believes that over the past seven years, his politics have strengthened the country, especially his moves to cut taxes, fight tarrrrism, and insist on victory in the Iraq war. Bush believes McCain is loyal to those goals and will strongly defend Bush if McCain proceeds to lock up the Republican presidential nomination, as expected.

"I know him well," Bush said. (Has he looked within his soul? ed.) "I know his convictions..."