As to the election results, short of someone rolling over and announcing that they singlehandedly falsified half a million votes for Bush in Florida and then presenting signed affidavits to that effect from Mother Theresa, the Pope, and Jesus Christ himself, there's never going to be any resolution on the election. Both sides can (and probably will) continue to claim alternating vindication until sometime well into the 28th century.

Yes, the 'latest' article said that they'd found that Gore won. Earlier, another article said Bush won. Somewhere in all this is still the fact that we're still talking about numbers that give one side or the other an edge well within 1%-2% of the total vote - a number that's still within the 3%-4% margin of error somehow considered 'acceptable'.

As to Cheney keeling over mid-term... I doubt it would happen, and I doubt it would really affect the 'presidency' that much. While I'm sure that Cheney has a direct effect on Bush Boy's decisions, he's surrounded himself with enough industry and right wing cronies who will surely keep him on the straight path of corporate joy. All replacing Cheney would do would be to put another bought politician in the ranks. Heck, replace him with Gore. Nothing whatsoever would change, and then ol'Shrubbie would actually be able to claim a real attempt at "bipartisanship".

To heck with all this. Next election, I'm starting a write in campaign for the homeless guy living in the shrubs in front of the polling place. Hey, if he wins, it means one less homeless and unemployed person...

M