I've got a column to write here, but first let's get something over with, OK?
Everybody who knew George W. Bush would be a terrible president from the get-go, go ahead. Let out a little snicker.
Quietly mutter to the world around you, "I told you so."
Now get a hold of yourself and keep reading.
I understand it's a frustrating time right now to care about America. As Bush's approval ratings read more and more like the winter temperature report for Inkster, North Dakota, it's easy to feel disappointed.
Alarmed.
Incensed.
In fact, you might be so troubled that you find yourself thinking along the same lines as the Democratic mayor of Salt Lake City, Rocky Anderson (the very same Democratic mayor of Salt Lake who, eight years ago, was sworn into office against a skyline of flying pigs).
On the anniversary of the Iraq War several weeks ago, Anderson said at a rally, "President Bush is a war criminal. Let impeachment be the first step toward national reconciliation - and toward penance for the outrages committed in our nation's name."
These outrages Anderson refers to are doubtlessly Bush's allowance of torture, approval of illegal wiretapping and use of false evidence to justify a war.
"Yikes!" you say. Sounds like grounds for impeachment to me. Surely with a laundry list like this, you'd continue, Bush's arraignment is imminent.
You'd also be mistaken.
President Bush will not be impeached, and given the current political climate, nor should he be. The fact of the matter is that presidential impeachment is just about as credible as the U.S. justice system right now - which is to say, not very.
As the past has shown us, the proceedings play out more like a lively game of "political gotcha" rather than a process that brings about healing.
Fortunately, Democrats understand that national reconciliation does not involve finger pointing. Instead, they understand that to reverse the damage Bush has inflicted during his two terms, they must create an Iraq War policy that makes sense.
So far, Democratic effort has been commendable. Under Pelosi, Democrats have proven to be everything Bush is not: respectful of public opinion toward the war, astute in understanding that its policy needs discipline through a withdrawal-date and adept in unifying policy-makers on such a divisive topic.
Tell me, where have all the flip-flopping Democrats gone?
Bush, in reaction to the massive mobilization of the Democratic voice has been, to say the least, mulish. He promises to veto any spending bill for the Iraq War that includes a withdrawal date.
Despite all that has happened, Bush has not yet realized that in the real world, there is a difference between what we want to do and what we can do.
And unfortunately, winning the war does not fit in to the "can do" equation.
Over the coming months, the Democratic Party has the chance to renew public trust in government. They can achieve this by proving that shared dissent of Bush's war has not thrown them together by accident. They must unite to bring forward such measures as national health care and a vigorous energy efficiency plan.
What Democrats' continued cohesiveness shouldn't include is bringing impeachment down on Bush. The future of this country most definitely relies on Bush's absence from politics.
So take it easy. I know Bush hasn't done the greatest job, but all the "I told you so's" in the world aren't going to change the past. Let the acknowledgment of Bush's ineptness be enough to teach us to choose our leaders more carefully next time.
Reach the reporter at: rservis@asu.edu.
