For the safety of the United States of America

Bush, in yet another of his nauseating fundraising speeches, says that unlike The Enemy, “We believe in dissent in the public square.” Unless of course you do it in hearing of Bush or Cheney, in which case you’re arrested for “assault.”

He also said, “vote Republican, for the safety of the United States of America.” Not surprisingly, he seems to forget the difference, subtle though it may be, between Al Qaida and the Democratic Party: “I’m optimistic we will prevail in the great ideological struggle of the 21st century. You are witnessing historic times, and this is a historic election. You’re witnessing a struggle between moderation and extremists, tyranny and freedom. You’re witnessing a struggle between those who would impose their dark vision on others and people who just want to live in peace.”

Or possibly that’s the Republican Party he’s describing.

Anyway, this morning he also signed the appropriations bill for the Dept. of Homeland Security, which for some reason he did outside in Arizona, sitting behind what looks suspiciously like my cheap IKEA table.