Learn your ABCs with Mr. Sandwich!

It isn't much fun greeting an MSM story like it's the cure for the common old when it's nothing more than responsible journalism, but that's the way is these days.

Since the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, President Bush has been able to deflect criticism of his counterterrorism policy by repeatedly noting the absence of any new domestic attacks and by citing the continuing threat that terrorists in Iraq pose to U.S. interests.

But this line of defense seemed to unravel a bit yesterday with the release of a new National Intelligence Estimate that concludes that al-Qaeda "has protected or regenerated key elements of its Homeland attack capability" by reestablishing a haven in Pakistan and reconstituting its top leadership. The report also notes that al-Qaeda has been able "to recruit and indoctrinate operatives, including for Homeland attacks," by associating itself with an Iraqi subsidiary.

This whole "Bush is a success because we haven't been attacked again" line has been a standard GOP line since Afghanistan and Iraq started going downhill a couple of years ago. Now, if you're over the age of eleven and neither a winger nor a highly-paid journalist, it's obvious that this argument should be dismissed out of hand. If you're in one of the other demographics, here's a simple illustration:

A: "My miraculous invention is guaranteed to rid the entire city of killer lizard people."
B: "That's ridiculous."
A: "Have you seen any lizard people?"

At least the under-11 set will get it now.