My first reaction to LadyJean's post of, 22 Nov 03 - 12:14 AM, was that she must live in Camberwick Green, or Trumpton. But then I read her opening sentence:

"Having just frozen my plump Presbyterian buns off handing out Dean literature, I offer the following."

Forming the conclusion that she must have been suffering from mild hypothermia to "offer" what followed.

"Howard Dean had two terms as president (8 years right?), during which he balanced the federal budget while making sure that federal income taxes were fair and equitable." Magic wand stuff that, those taxes you mentioned, who decided what was fair and equitable? to whom?

"He also guaranteed that every American had full health coverage, which lead to a boom in small businesses, which, as Dean predicted, created jobs." The link between health coverage and the boom in small businesses please? Unless, of course, they were small law firms specialising in malpractice suits. The American attitude of "Hell let's sue somebody" is one of the major things that paralyses your legal system, your medical set up, your insurance set up.

"Americans enjoyed genuine civil liberties," Aaaw, how nice, compared to the miserable tyranny under which you all live now.

"... while under the able direction of Secretary of Defense Wesley Clark, U.S. Troops exited a democratic Iraq, to focus on tracking down AlQuaida leaders. By May of 2007, the organization was essentially defunct." Well at this point your circulation must have been returning, your present government estimates that what you say will be done in Iraq in eight years can be achieved in a period of two to five years. On Al-Qaeda, I believe it may take longer - going after Bin Laden is not solely a military operation.

"Dean's insistance on inspecting cargo containers in U.S. ports stopped the last major attack, when they located the makings of a "dirty nuke" in the port of San Francisco, in 2005." Obviously a bit of a remission here. Your point of interception is too bloody late. Your current governments insistance that containers are checked prior to loading at point of departure makes much more sense - you should also, as a matter of course check them on landing, having first verified the bona fides of their delivery destinations while the containers were in transit.

"Dean's instance on a fair and equitable foreign policy, lead to the United States becoming, once again, the hope the free world." Again Aawfy nice hen, but fair and equitable to who? Counter to what you and others believe, the United States of America is recognised throughout the world as not only the hope of the free world, but the hope of those who live in countries who aspire to freedom.

"It was, of course, unpleasant for several right wing dictators who were used to the support of the United States government. But nobody felt sorry for them." Bet your ass that some of those not involved in the establishment of the fair and equitable foreign policy who also felt a bit let down would cosy up to them and give them some comfort.