Iraq, where's my beer?

This is a very exciting time to be in America. As the chill begins to take hold, and opportunities for after-hours recreation dwindle, I like to kick back with a beer or two and watch real reality TV - the president, the media, the 2008 presidential hopefuls, and, of course, the Iraq war.

Prez Bush gets skewered by the media everyday, CNN usually the destroyer-in-chief. Last night, he addressed the nation on topics of war and got skewered a little more by the Democratic candidates. It's an extravaganza of opinion, opposition, and often a public admonishment of this very tired president. But then his long stay in office has given him enough experience to handle it. No big bother in his last days.

Of course, there was absolutely nothing new in last night's address to the nation. The supreme commander spoke of Iraq's leaders' desire to "enter into a long-term partnership with the United States", and that it will extend "well beyond" his presidency. Zealous CNN reporters had already leaked it as predictions, as they stood by for well over an hour before the national broadcast. Ho hum.

Some 2008 presidential candidates then appeared on Larry King Live and did what they had to, depending on whether they were Ds or Rs.

As I watch CNN's "best team of political analysts" bloody the president's face, get war veterans to square off against each other, and have the 2008 clowns do a little jig here or a little hop there, my beer finishes up pretty quick. And ever since Gen. Petraeus appeared on television, man! I've been downing them real fast.

This is reality TV. It's fun. It's free. It's almost gladiatorial. And for someone watching from the gallery, it's time to fill up.