t has been fully two years since gay marriage was made legal in Massachusetts. Has it harmed conventional, traditional, heterosexual marriage in that state? Our president recently began pushing for the failed Constitutional amendment claiming that gay marriage is a "national question that requires a national solution." Is there any question that the chief executive is playing politics with this; trying to divert attention from high gasoline prices, the "culture of corruption" (as the Democrats refer to the Republicans), the war on terror and the war in Iraq)? Think it over, the President, having ignored the subject for a full two years, has stirred up the issue just as the November election is taking center stage.

The death of the Al Qaeda leader in Iraq, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi is a significant achievement, and it couldn't have happened to a more deserving cold bloodied killer, but it is most doubtful that it will make a dramatic change in the continuing warfare in Iraq - any more than the capture of Saddan Hussein or the killing of his two sons was a turning point. It is too soon to know with any certainty how Zarqawi's death will alter the insurgency, but his influence on global jihad is likely to continue to inspire some militants. Apparently Al Qaeda websites are praising their martyr's rise to paradise. Bigger news this week was the fact that Iraq's fractious government was able to use the news to announce nominees to head three key ministreis; defense, national security and interior. Parliament approved them speedily.

This morning I saw my first Jeb Bush for President bumper sticker. It was on the back of an old, beat-up, yellow Volkswagon.
It wont happen, will it?

I felt lonely on Tuesday morning - I voted, here in Los Angeles. Phil Angelides beat Steve Westly. What a foul campaign these two worthy candidates ran. The real winner is probably the incumbent, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. The Republican surely loved the level of advertising these two candidates ran in attacking each other. And, frankly, he is probably delighted that his challenger for the governorship of California is a very bright and experienced public servant who appears to have had something of a charisma bypass. He has five months during which Arnold will have to falter, the Republican and Bush popularity will need to continue to diminish, then he could possibly win...and probably become a fine governor