Hi there, Blog reader. In the tradition of the late, great Sidney J. Harris, here are thoughts from my basement bunker here on the lovely-and occasionally ugly--working class northwest side of Chicago:

- For all you Condolezza "Dr. Clark" Rice fans out there, as you can tell from the tough questions (finally!) in tonight's press conference, Condi's testimony didn't quash questions about the administration's role in 9/11 attack.

- The Bush administration's contempt for Clinton caused them to undervalue important terrorism advice, procedures, and warnings from the previous administration.

- The Bush administration's contempt for the UN caused them to undervalue the weapons inspectors efforts, and overvalue input from crooked characters with their own agenda like Achmed Chalabi.

- I didn't think this was possible, but Ann Coulter gives blonde bimbos a bad name.

- Oil is Republican crack!