I finally had a chance to watch George Clooney's historical film, "Good-Night and Good Luck" with my son last night. The historical parallels between the McCarthy era and the present administration and the clash between the politically powerful and journalistic truth was truly chilling. Unfortunately until recently we didn't have any one as brave or as trusted as Edward R. Murrow to stand up and call a spade a spade. Thankfully despite the very real consequences of standing up to Senator McCarthy in 1954, the chairman of CBS, William Paley backed his war-tested anchor man and allowed Murrow to publicly challenge Senator McCarthy for the first time on his TV documentary series "See It Now." Murrow and his staff cleverly chose to run news-reel clips of Senator McCarthy using his own words and bully pulpit against him, thereby allowing McCarthy to hang himself in the court of public opinion.

The closest we've come recently to such journalistic bravery is Keith Olberman's editorial in reaction to Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld's speech to members of the American Legion. Olberman correctly pointed out that it is a proud American tradition to challenge our government and authority and the majority of the American public aren't aiding and abetting the enemy by questioning or opposing the war in Iraq. My heart is heavy with the knowledge of the lives that could have been saved if only more members of the main stream media had loudly and persistently questioned the rational BEFORE we invaded Iraq. None of the reasons stated three years ago ring true today but the Bush administration brushes those lies aside saying to question their rational isn't productive and it politicizes the war. I actually heard a high ranking member of the Bush administration say that he didn't find it productive to examine the past, apparently he likes repeating mistakes in the hope of a different outcome.

The rhetoric spewed forth by President Bush and his administration grows shriller by the day. As the disparity between reality and their political manuevers grows wider it's growing more difficult for the president and his minions to deny the truth that is clearly visible to all.

President Bush visited New Orleans this week to talk about the progress made in rebuilding the city, while just outside his camera shot lay piles of garbage and flooded, vacant homes. Military leaders and Defense Secretary Rumsfeld talk about progress in Iraq as the casualties mount and the individual death tolls from car bombs grow. They have all lied so much that only the true believers can suspend reality to retain their support for the President.