Perspective

Victor Davis Hansen does a good job of bringing us back to reality.  We do need to count our blessings.

Thank goodness, after all of the various shenanigans on Capital Hill and at the New York Times yesterday.  My personal view is that the New York Times issued the story on the "spying" to derail the extension of the Patriot Act and other legislative action on the Hill as Congress tries to break for the holiday.  In fact, the Washington Post reports:  "In yesterday's debate, several senators said the New York Times article showed that congressional and judicial curbs are needed on executive branch powers. "Mr. President, it is time to have checks and balances in this country," thundered Sen. Patrick J. Leahy (Vt.), the Judiciary Committee's ranking Democrat. "We are a democracy!""  Michelle Malkin and PowerLine have good wrap ups on the overall scene.