There is an excellent article by Andrew Moravcsik in Newsweek contrasting the Bushite view of America with how others see us. The writer says the difference is nowhere more apparent than in Bush's inaugural speech, with its over-hyped use of the words freedom and liberty.

For many in the world, the president's rhetoric confirmed their worst fears of an imperial America relentlessly pursuing its narrow national interests. But the greater danger may be a delusional America—one that believes, despite all evidence to the contrary, that the American Dream lives on, that America remains a model for the world, one whose mission is to spread the word.

The gulf between how Americans view themselves and how the world views them was summed up in a poll last week by the BBC. Fully 71 percent of Americans see the United States as a source of good in the world. More than half view Bush's election as positive for global security. Other studies report that 70 percent have faith in their domestic institutions and nearly 80 percent believe "American ideas and customs" should spread globally.

Members of the Justice Department gathered today under the infamous blue curtains to bid farewell to Attorney General John Ashcroft. Some of the comments offered up in a jesting manner:

Afterward, guests received a 165-page book titled "Preserving Life and Liberty: The Record of the U.S. Department of Justice 2001-2005."

Ashcroft's parting words:

I will never forget my opportunity to serve alongside you," Mr. Ashcroft said. "I will always give thanks to you and to the Creator for according me this chance to work with nobility."

It's no secret that Donald Rumsfeld has been determined to end the CIA's monopoly on spying. What is news, however, is that acccording to the Washington Post, Rumsfeld put the plan into action two years ago by creating a separate entity within the Pentagon called the "Strategic Support Branch."

Designed to operate without detection and under the defense secretary's direct control, the Strategic Support Branch deploys small teams of case officers, linguists, interrogators and technical specialists alongside newly empowered special operations forces.

Military and civilian participants said in interviews that the new unit has been operating in secret for two years -- in Iraq, Afghanistan and other places they declined to name.

Just caught a glimpse of Rudy Giuilani and his wife Judy at Donald Trump's wedding in Palm Beach. They paused and smiled for the camera as if they were on the red carpet. Judy waved to the crowd as if she was the star of the evening. Amazing.

Guess the couple is practicing for Rudy's run in 2008. The New York Times reports that Gov. Pataki and Rudy both acted like they are presidential contenders, with very different strategies:

The DNC's Western Caucus has been in Sacramento today. The candidates for DNC chair are there, as is Al Sharpton (praising Barbara Boxer) and other Democratic luminaries. Lots of folks are live-blogging the event, including Matt Stoller over at MySimon.Org, JollyBuddah at My DD and Bob Brigham (via Tim Tagaris) at Swing State Project.

Update: The San Francisco Chronicle recaps the points made by the seven candidates who spoke. Somewhat surprisingly to us, Dean said the party should become more centrist while Simon Rosenberg and Donnie Fowler attacked the radical right and urged fighting it. Wellington Webb and Simon made an appeal to bring latinos and African-Americans back to the party. Martin Frost said he wants to beat Karl Rove--and that Dems need to show that they also believe in G-d. Tim Roemer said even though he is anti-abortion he will support the party's position on Roe v. Wade.

Maybe it was the 70 degree temperature in Denver yesterday that turned out so many protesters, but then again, maybe it was our rebellion at being told Colorado is a red state when Denver is such a blue one, but whatever, these pictures of happy, friendly protesters stand in stark contrast to the angry ones we posted yesterday. [Via What Really Happened ]

Check out the home page of Denver Voice as well....great site, great causes.

Nat Hentoff's new column at the Village Voice recaps Alberto Gonzales' unsatisfactory answers at his confirmation hearing, in particular, those on rendition - sending people to countries where they could be subjected to torture..

Here's an account of Rudy Giuliani at the Inaugural festivites, along with his guest Bernie Kerik, whom he continues to support.

Giuliani, in an interview before entering his party, told reporters: "Bernie is a very, very good man. He's gone through a difficult time but he is a person who's done a tremendous amount to help my city, my country."

Television is already unwatchable with wall to wall Bush inauguration coverage. So what ary your plans for tomorrow evening?

Unless I get a better idea, I think I'll watch the videotape I made of MTV's 1993 Inaugural Ball for Clinton. It opened with Don Henley singing "Dirty Laundry" and Leonard Cohen's "Democracy." ("Democracy is coming, to the U.S.A.") He also sang, if i recall correctly, Bob Dylan's "The Times, They Are a Changing."

Ok, so the last two were not great predictions. We can either say "wake me up in 2008" or "let's start working on 2006." I'll think about it tomorrow.

Meanwhile, check out some of the headlines of the foreign press. How's this for confidence in the direction our leader is taking us: World Fears New Bush Era. Here at home, Salon outlines 34 scandals of the first Bush Administration, "every one of them worse than Whitewater."

Ken Mehlman assumed his position today as head of the Republican National Committee. I don't think the differences between the parties have ever been clearer.

We can deepen the GOP by identifying and turning out Americans who vote for president but who often miss off-year elections and agree with our work on behalf of a culture of life, our promoting marriage, and a belief in our Second Amendment heritage," Mehlman said, referring to the party's opposition to abortion, gay marriage and gun control.

Mehlman outlined a four-part plan.

Markos of Daily Kos:

I don't care if someone is a moderate, liberal or conservative Democrat. You could be any of those things and still be a partisan Democrat. The DNC chairmanship is a partisan position. As such, Martin Frost is grossly unqualified for the position.

...To be clear, I don't care what Democrats might have to say to get elected in deep red districts. But if you spend a year distancing yourself from the Democratic Party and sucking up to Bush, Hastert and Hutchinson, then you have no business trying to run the Democratic Party.

He's right. Martin Frost ran for re-election in his Texas District by praising Republicans, as if he were one of them, and hiding his Democratic party affiliation. You can watch this CBS newspiece , featuring one such ad, thanks to Ana at Anatopia. Note that the word "Democrat" is nowhere to be found.

Here are the ad stills, courtesy of Daily Kos.