"Even in the catalogue of depredations that is the Bush Administration’s environmental record—a list that includes the decision to reclassify various forms of mining waste as 'fill' so that it can be dumped in valleys and streams; the attempt to open up millions of acres of public lands (including the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge) for oil exploration; and the so-called Healthy Forests initiative, whose major beneficiary is the logging industry—the President’s assault on the Clean Air Act stands out."

Elizabeth Kolbert examines the Bush administration's curious notion of cause and effect. For instance, praising the Clear Air Act in a speech in which you announce gutting it, and naming "Clear Skies," his sop to midwest power companies.

Speaking of working in a realm outside reality, what was his speech in the UN intended to do? What does teenage prostitution have to do with Iraq? He talks about efforts to stop the proliferation of WMD, yet Bush has refused to sign the non-proliferation treaty. He talks about the good work the UN is already doing in Iraq, and yet they refuse to cede any authority to the UN (nor any security, apparently).

*****

To paraphrase, "The Yankees win the division! The Yankees win the division!" Like Alex Belth and the players themselves, for me, this stuff doesn't get old. Come what may in the post season (and I truly hope it's a Boston/New York ALCS and a San Fran/New York WS), I still love the excitement of watching great baseball played every evening.

That's why I was encouraged to read Alan Barra's piece in the Voice, about the naysayers -- even in New York -- complaining that the Yankees $s takes the fun out of the season. Nonsense. As Barra writes, what are the Yankees supposed to do with all of that sell out crowd money, pocket it or spend it on trying to win? What does Lupika and the other hacks think, that this is a weekend softball game they're playing?

But what a year it was. Wells is definitely not perfect. Jeter's dislocated shoulder in the opener. Steinbrenner bitching. Bernie injured. Rivera injured. Giambi's eye. Steinbrenner bitching. Zim bitching right back at the Boss. No-hit by committee. Rotating right fielders. Weaver's body language. Clemen's odyssey to get to 300 wins. The Red Sox offense. It was an amazing struggle this year, and the Yankees deserved to celebrate the other night. Bring on the Twins, which should be an interesting serious.