My deepest sympathies to those in Europe who were affected by the latest despicable and cowardly acts of terrorism against innocent civilians. Contrary to what the right-wing radio hatemongers would have you believe, liberals get no amount of satisfaction when events such as these are visited upon the citizens of our governments, no matter how horribly misguided and corrupt these governments may be. It makes me sick to think that there are people in this world who are capable of doing such things, and it also makes me sick to hear the “leaders” of the United States and Great Britain shying away from any and all accountability for actions they have taken in the past five years, by claiming that they are doing better than ever in the war against terror. Days like today give us pause to hold our loved ones dear, and to realize that we are all vulnerable, and that the best we can do is live our personal lives as honorably and as nobly as we can. Hopefully, by setting our own personal example, we will affect others to do the same. In the end, we all have to accept accountability for our own actions, just as the terrorists will have to be held accountable for theirs — now, or in the afterlife.

I highly recommend checking out David Sirota’s blog today, which lays out the case so well about how our governments have continually failed us with their lack of leadership. I have heard so often from people in public forums and elsewhere claiming that Bush is so brilliant because he is “fighting the war OVER THERE instead of here.” I hope we can put that 9th reason for invading Iraq to rest. What will the justification be now?