Such funny times we live in. Hundreds of thousands of people getting killed left and right--just makes you chuckle. The National Intelligence Estimate determines Iran doesn't have a nuclear weapons program, so the President gets all huffy and demands that Iran explain itself. Rumor has it that Iran may even be considering an unprovoked, pre-emptive peace initiative. Don't worry, though, we're on top of it--we'll stop 'em. The latest contribution to this theater of the absurd was the President's compassionate intervention in the subprime mortgage mess. This President isn't going to look the other way while hundreds of thousands of people end up broke and homeless due to the predatory practices of the elite. Nosirree, this isn't Katrina. The President'll throw out a lifeline. "I have a message for every homeowner worried about rising mortgage payments," he announced from the White House. "The best you can do for your family is to call 1-800-995-HOPE. That is 1-800-995-HOPE." Ha, such a joker! The number gets you to the mailbox of Erin and Ron at Freedom Christian Academy. They must be fuming! What a prank George pulled on 'em! Probably wiped out their system! But that's George for you--always fooling around with people's lives. Bush's laid-back, unregulated idea of government comes down to setting families up so that the best they can do is call a wrong number. --Llyd Wells