I must've read that Joseph Welch quote about decency a dozen times in the last couple weeks, but if there was ever a time for it to be bandied about, it's definitely right now. Remember how right after 9/11 the U.S. was going to undergo a “new sobriety” and stop being so frivolous about everything? Back then that meant that Collateral's release would be held up for six months, but that was then, and everything's normal again now, so Abu Ghraib – cited by name – can provide the fodder for some fucking cop-show that was on tonight. In terms of pure nausea the last few weeks – what with the beheadings and Bush's speech to the U.N. and the rampant cluelessness – is making last April seem like a kinder, gentler time. It's unbelievable.