On Friday, Bush started his one-trick-pony act in Annapolis, giving the commencement speech at the Naval Academy's Navy Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. When not making quips about bad grades, he gave himself a big pat on the back for all the money he was determined to spend on high-tech weaponry for future wars.

Then, he got into his sad little political spiel, once again connecting the dots between 9/11 and Saddam Hussein, blowing smoke to obscure the facts. "When I spoke to the Class of 2001, none of us imagined that a few months later we would suffer a devastating surprise attack on our homeland, or that our nation would be plunged into a global war unlike any we had known before. Today, we face brutal and determined enemies -- men who celebrate murder, incite suicide, and thirst for absolute power. These enemies will not be stopped by negotiations, or concessions, or appeals to reason. In this war, there is only one option -- and that is victory," he declared, ignoring the fact that HE was the one asleep at the wheel and vacationing when bells and whistles should have been clanging and tweeting before the Twin Towers came down.

Ah, but Dubya had an even grander vision to deliver to the indoctrinated: "Our nation is pursuing a clear strategy for the war on terror. We're using every available tool to disrupt terrorists and their organizations. We are taking the fight to the enemy abroad so we do not have to face them here at home. We're denying the terrorists sanctuary, and making clear that America will not tolerate outlaw regimes that provide safe haven and support to terrorists. We're using all elements of national power to deny terrorists the chemical, biological and nuclear weapons they seek. We will not allow mass murderers to gain access to the tools of mass destruction. And we're stopping terrorists from achieving their ideological victories they seek, by working to spread the hope of freedom and reform across the broader Middle East. We understand that free nations do not support terrorists or invade their neighbors. We understand to make the world more peaceful and our country more secure, we will advance the cause of liberty."

(NOTE: WHAT chemical weapons? WHERE? Free nations don't invade their neighbors? Hel-looo?)

Since his nose didn't appreciably grow, Bush continued: "Thanks to the men and women of the United States military, our strategy is working -- we are winning the war on terror. Since September 11, 2001, we've removed brutal regimes in Kabul and Baghdad that supported and harbored terrorists. We helped launch Afghanistan and Iraq on the path to lasting freedom by liberating over 50 million people. Both these nations have now chosen their leaders in free elections, and their courage is inspiring democratic reformers across the broader Middle East to rise up and claim their liberty.

"To stop the spread of weapons of mass destruction, we broke up the world's most dangerous nuclear trading network. (NOTE: I missed that. Did you miss that?)...We have gone after al Qaeda and other terrorists with relentless determination, disrupting their communications, planning, training, and financing. We have put the enemy on the run, and now they spend their days avoiding capture, because they know America's Armed Services are on their trail.

"And we will stay on their trail. The best way to protect our citizens is to stay on the offensive. In the last few weeks, we've dealt the enemy a series of powerful blows. In Afghanistan, we brought to justice scores of terrorists and insurgents. In Pakistan, one of Osama Bin Laden's senior terrorist leaders, a man named al-Libbi, was brought to justice. In Iraq, we captured two senior operatives of the terrorist Zarqawi. And in recent days, our forces have killed or captured hundreds of terrorists and insurgents in Baghdad and Western Iraq and near the Syrian border. Across the world, our military is standing directly between the American people and the worst dangers in the world, and Americans are grateful to have such brave defenders."

He then made a few references to grads who were currently doing the Quagmire, including an undercover Navy Seal, offering a fairly puzzling statement: "If he's out there listening, I've got a message for that courageous Navy Frogman: thanks for defending America, and thanks for taking such good care of my bride."

Sometimes, I just have to draw a blank and call it a day.

Bush went the rah-rah route, cajoling the grads to join his PNAC mind-meld: "In this time of unprecedented dangers, we need you to take on two difficult missions at once: We need you to defeat the terrorists who want to destroy what we stand for and how we live. And at the same time, we need you to transform our military for the 21st century, so we can deter and defeat the new adversaries who may threaten our people in the decades ahead.

"The lesson of September 11th is clear: new dangers can arrive on our shores without warning. In this era of surprise, we cannot know for certain who might attack us, or where, or when. But we can anticipate how we might be attacked, and we can transform our capabilities to defend our citizens and deliver justice to our enemies."

For the record, the way Homeland Security has failed to strengthen our borders, our ports, our chemical factories, our nuclear facilities (wherein the warning sirens don't have back-up generators should the electricity go off), our airports and our nation's railway system, in this "era of surprise," the next attack might come from a guy named Biff Hannibal "mushing" a hundred slow-moving elephants down from Alaska. And it would probably be the Canadian Mounties who'd spot them.

But, Bush was just warming up. On Saturday, he went full-throttle on his justification rant, giving a radio address in honor of the fallen...or pushed.

He read letters from two of those killed in action, effectively using the patriotic words of the Bushwhacked as a cynical selling tool. "This Memorial Day, we remember Sergeant Peralta, Sergeant Swisher, and all who have given their lives for our nation. And we honor them as we continue to wage the war on terror and spread freedom across the world. The people of Iraq and Afghanistan are determined to secure their freedom, and we will help them. We're training Iraqi and Afghan forces so they can take the fight to the enemy and defend their own countries, and then our troops will return home with the honor they have earned.

"Throughout our history, America has fought not to conquer but to liberate. We go to war reluctantly, because we understand the high cost of war."

No, George, the FALLEN know the high cost of war -- you never did, since you opted out of fighting the war of your generation, and you never will. Nor, will most of your advisors and cabinet members and puff-chested PNAC putzes who also decided to take a pass on Viet Nam. War was for the little guys and gals to fight. Death in combat was below the conservative elite. They had careers to pursue. They had great thoughts to espouse. The more things change, the more they stay the same.

Since irony is in short supply stateside these days, it should be noted that, shortly before Memorial Day, two years ago, Bush did his Top Gun masquerade party routine and, under a banner reading "Mission Accomplished," declared major combat in Iraq over. Approximately 160 troops were dead at that time. It's increased tenfold during Dubya's delusional march of freedom.

On Memorial Day itself, as two Iraqi suicide bombers blew themselves up along with about thirty other victims and at least four U.S. troops died, Bush appeared at Arlington, once more quoting from letters penned by the young, the innocent, the gullible and the decidedly dead. Basking in the tears and applause of (mostly) military families, he, once again, showed himself to be a super, albeit shameless, leader.

"Another generation is fighting a new war against an enemy that threatens the peace and stability of the world. Across the globe, our military is standing directly between our people and the worst dangers in the world, and Americans are grateful to have such brave defenders. The war on terror has brought great costs. For those who have lost loved ones in Afghanistan and Iraq, today is a day of last letters and fresh tears. Because of the sacrifices of our men and women in uniform, two terror regimes are gone forever, freedom is on the march, and America is more secure," he lied.

"....And we must honor them by completing the mission for which they gave their lives, by defeating the terrorists, advancing the cause of liberty, and building a safer world."

If Bush's speechwriter had a fact checker? All of Bush's speeches would read: "Hiya. Gotta go."

The blood shed in Iraq by the American military has nothing to do with spreading freedom or protecting American lives. It has everything to do with greed and avarice and conquest. Period.

A little history, here.

Memorial Day was originally called "Decoration Day," when the graves of those killed in the Civil War were honored in the 1880s. In 1868, it officially was proclaimed by General John Logan as "Memorial Day," May 30th.

In 1915, inspired by a poem, "In Flanders Fields," Moina Michael conceived of an idea to wear red poppies on Memorial day in honor of those who died serving the nation during war. Eventually, the tradition spread, both stateside and in Europe. In 1922, the Veterans of Foreign Wars became the first veterans' organization to nationally sell poppies. Within two years, they were selling artificial poppies made by disabled veterans to benefit disabled veterans.

Memorial Day was observed on May 30th until 1971, when Congress decided it would be swell to make it the last Monday of May, (part of the National Holiday Act) thus assuring everyone of a three day weekend when they could barbecue, drink and watch sports events.

Gradually, the parades dwindled, the cemeteries were ignored and the poppies were forgotten (except in Afghanistan). The VFW, in it's 2002 Memorial Day address said: "Changing the date merely to create three-day weekends has undermined the very meaning of the day. No doubt, this has contributed greatly to the general public's nonchalant observance of Memorial Day."

Today, the three-day weekend is used by callow politicians as the equivalent of a three card Monte game.

Shuffle the dead and wounded. Bet you can't find the real reason we invaded Iraq. Hah! Didn't think so.

But, back in the day, Memorial Day was special. Everyone was connected by the sacrifices felt by families nation-wide. They all wore their poppies, inspired by a poem written in 1915 by a Canadian doctor named John McCrae, who, overwhelmed by the carnage around him in Belgium, penned the poem, "In Flanders Fields."

"In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields."

This Memorial Day weekend, TV ratings for the Indy 500 were up 40%.

Welcome to BushWorld.

Where war isn't hell. It's just a hell of a prop.