When it comes to the statements from the Bush administration regarding Iraq these days, I can't decide if they have bought into the Big Lie philosophy wholesale, or if they just really believe in their hearts that the American People are as dumb as rocks and could never possibly process the abstract thoughts required to recognize contradictions and obvious falsehoods. The fact alone that Bush recently announced that of course there is no connection between the terrorism of 9/11 and Saddam Hussein, after an entire campaign of weaving the two together to sell a war, is enough to make my brain jump out of my skull and run for the hills. Unbelievably, Bush and his administration in subsequent speeches and press conferences (including Bush's recent address to the UN) have continued to insinuate a tie between the two!

In an editorial by Molly Ivins earlier this month, she expressed similar frustrations, leaning toward the "they must think we're as dumb as rocks" theory:

I am tired of being asked to swallow lies by this administration. For $87 billion bucks, the least we deserve is some candor. I want to know who was responsible for the whole weapons of mass destruction fiasco, and I want to see some accountability for it - resignations and firings.

As a side note, I saw Molly Ivins speak tonight, and I have to say I was impressed. She blended a solid knowledge of current political events with southern-style wit and charm, and handled an intense Q&A session with finesse.