Bush's "small ball" career needs an asterik

Since the band done packed up and grabbed the first available lifeboat outta Dodge, there is very little left to do but watch Dubya try to steer what's left of ship around with an iceberg jammed in its backside. This entails locking a bit of that world-famous tunnel vision on "kitchen table issues," or what Bush administration aides call the smaller issues that hardly matter to the public-at-large and requires no act of Congress. This is similar to President Clinton in the later years of his second term, when the GOP regained control of Congress.

Trying to look proactive on something as the clock runs out on the worst presidency in the history of the United States of America, Bush announced a permanent ban on commercial fishing of striped bass and red drum on federal waters, which brought little applause, or reason for applause, as commercial fishing these two species is always a no-no, with Bush's plans only coming to fruition if the current ban is eliminated. That's just how proactive Bush is going to be, ladies and gentlemen, as he sprints to the finish, he's gonna ban stuff a second time around, just to make sure it sticks.

Bush has also mentioned opening up more airspace, so that travel on Americans can be a little easier during the holiday season. In fact, he issued an executive order to do just that. Another meaningless gesture, as the FAA can open or close airspace at its discretion. Yep, no executive order needed. I'm waiting for the announcement any day that water will remain moist (if not necessarily protected), thanks in no small part to another piping hot executive order from our decider, helpful to the end as he limps off to the judgments of history.

If you can believe it, Bush was on a roll, saying he was all for giving the FDA new powers to recall unsafe foods. So, does that mean the powers the FDA had before was worthless? Does this mean they can do something other than recall anything with a "made in China" label on it. This must be a good thing...sigh.

While I'm sure former White House press secretary Tony Snow no doubt enjoys spending an evening combing through some of the asinine things he said in the line of duty, I wonder of he remembers his "small ball" remark, made after the Democrats gained control of Congress last year. While it was his contention that President Bush was not going to play "small ball," let's be brutally honest here, people. Can it get much smaller than this?