Sibling rivalry 'twixt non-siblings

In most years, I could care less if you brass knuckle, numb chuck, black jack, or bamboo shoot each other's fingernails on your way to the Democratic nomination. In most years I'd say that it was good to have a rigorous, spirited set of political contests that not only get to the core of the issue differences you may have but discover just who is tough enough, savvy enough or presidential enough to win my confidence, the majority's vote and the White House. In most years, I'd say there wasn't much difference between the relative stances of the political parties. In most years I'd even say that there wasn't much at stake and that the ship of state would pretty much sail on towards the sunny horizon at relatively the same number of knots regardless of who was at the helm. But with Captain Crunch and Executive Officer Bligh currently on the bridge charting the nation's course straight for the reef, this ain't most years.

John McCain, meanwhile, is already acting Woods-like and sitting in the clubhouse sipping a cool one while you two hackers are barely off the tenth tee. And to make matters worse, I'm sure I'm not alone in saying that I actually like John McCain. Admittedly, one of the reasons I like him is that he, like John Kerry, was a victim of evil genius Karl Rove's repetitive big lie strategy that sunk each decorated war veteran during their respective run-ups against W. McCain is also a maverick, an underdog in his own party and, I believe, a serious and honorable person. If this race was strictly a likability contest, John McCain would be a strong contender and one heck of a lot better leader than the aforementioned cereal box cartoon character.

That said; this isn't simply a likability contest. There are some major new or unfinished issues involved this time around and I find myself on the opposite side of the grumpy old man on most of them. Sure, maybe McCain wouldn't help get Roe v. Wade overturned so we'd have to turn back the clock to the 1957 version of unwanted pregnancy. Sure, maybe he would leave gay relationships up to the States, which maybe would decide that homosexuals aren't really one of the signs of the apocalypse. Sure, maybe he would finally find a solution to the health care mess within the arena of private industry so that families wouldn't have to pick between bread and chemotherapy. Maybe he wouldn't keep us in Iraq until Viet Nam seems like a good war by comparison. Maybe all these things would happen but the odds against it are thicker than Cheney's hidden Halliburton investment portfolio.

So come on you two, make nicer, get to it, get this nominating thing done honorably with the least amount of spilled blood and most importantly, get on to the real issues battle. The last two elections were embarrassing for Democrats and the resulting elected administration was and continues to be painfully embarrassing for the country and dangerously reckless for Americans and the rest of the world.