This will be my last post on this because there are better lists for this discussion. The only pertinent information that is needed by the average bird watcher is to not approach any sick or dead bird without the proper protective gear (gloves and face mask would probably suffice for average contact).

Short reply to the two political issues brought up - Katrina. By far the most ineptitude was shown by the mayor of New Orleans and the governor of the state. Add to that the fact that the whole disaster was due to the corruption of local polititians who misused government grants that could have kept the water containment intact is unforgivable. Interviews that I have heard from National Guard make it obvious that the national response to that disaster was much greater and faster than for other similar disasters in Florida. Also, not that the original estimates for death were about 20,000. The quick response from the administration is largely responsible for keeping that at about 10% of estimates.

Iraq - If Bush were the only one saying that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction and IF that had been the number one reason for the war, then your argument would have some merit. However, everyone from Clinton, Kerry and most of the democratic side of the isle in congress are on record as recommending swift forceful action in Iraq and they based their advice on weapons of mass destruction. It's a little late to put that all on Bush. If you want the truth - if Clinton had been on his toes instead of sitting at his desk with his pants down - 9/11 would never have happened and all this would have been avoidable.

That's my two bits.
Ron McCluskey,
Cheny