I know in my heart if I did what he did, I'd expect to be convicted and executed. Scooter did it or Cheney did it or Armitage did it - or they all did it. Do I really have to type that exposing Valerie Plame is to put into grave jeopardy the lives of her countless contacts throughout the world.

It's immoral, unethical, illegal and topically off-limits in the history of our nation, in regards to a White House doing such shite. In other ways it is very similar to how the administration has "used" the Dept. of Justice in these political firings. The president is supposed to and allowed to use PLUM BOOK employees. Period. That's what the friggin' PLUM BOOK is for!

BUSH SUPPORTERS SEEM TO THINK THE RUNNING OF OUR NATION IS SOME SORT OF POLITICAL GAME. THE MORE THEY CAN INCITE LIBERALS OR DEMOCRATS, THE MORE THEY ENJOY THE GAME. Unfortunately, we're not playing for trophies. The death toll mounts. The debt mounts. The animosity has become staggering, both here and from our allies abroad.

All this - this! - is that "smirk" you always see on the president's face. It's almost like a Napoleonic complex. I mean this was the first time the GOP has had full control of the government (all branches and agencies) since 1931 and like those Texans love to say, "they became nigger rich," with power.

Funny, I was thinking about our nation's decline last night, as I generally do daily. It occurred to me how qualified Bush Senior was and how unqualified Bush Junior is. And, how the only thing this Bush president has in common with the first one is name recognition. That is the sole reason he won the nomination in 2000. Up until now at least, there has never been a less qualified candidate. Bush even looks like a baboon. He has few, if any, elocutionary skills. But it doesn't stop there, now many in the GOP want a mayor from NYC as their standardbearer. That is laughable.

By the by, as I always say, Bush Senior was very qualified to hold office, though not my candidate.  Al Gore is the most qualified person out there to lead our nation now, whether one likes him or not. Compare Gore's experience with men like Rudy Guiliani or any Republican or Democrat in the field. There is no comparison.

Continuing on Gore: Early this year, I predicted he would announce on 07/07/07. I'm still hoping he will. However, I predict Gore will hint at it (pre-announce) on Larry King Live TONIGHT at 9 p.m. Eastern. Admittedly his Live Earth concert this Saturday is an overpriced flop. GREAT tickets at the Meadowlands are available at $348. Nosebleeders are $173 and $83. London is the only venue sold out. (www.liveearth.org). It's a solid line-up. I'm not a Police fan, but Roger Waters and the reunion of the Smashing Pumpkins - who have been tearing up festivals for the last six weeks on the Continent, would pique me, as I did see the SP finale about seven years ago and I love their less-electric more-timid ballads.

The Live Earth concert will stream live on the Internet at the above url on Saturday. It will be on NBC in many cities from 8-11 p.m.; on Bravo from 9 a.m. Saturday through 2:30 a.m. Sunday; also on Sundance, MSNBC, CNBC, Telemundo, MUN2 and Universal HD at various times. All times Eastern Daylight.

 - Dusty Nathan