“‘The whole thing is a movie,‘ says Alan Moore. The comic-book visionary behind such epoch-changing works as ‘Watchmen,’ ‘V for Vendetta’ and ‘From Hell’ is actually talking about the war in Iraq. But the statement could sum up his view of the ceaseless complexities of 21st century life, where reality TV and celebrity culture have usurped individuality, and the human body has become not much beyond more information needing to be assimilated.

Every once in a while we are horrified by a beheading (albeit one seen only on videotape) and human culture remembers that it is not much more than a vulnerable collection of flesh, bone and nerve endings. ‘This is what wars are; it’s not Hollywood,’ Moore cautions. But ultimately we return to the womblike safety of our media universe with its push-button wars and Internet porn, where sex and death are hidden behind splashy corporate graphics.” Salon

“The overwhelming tide of support Bush enjoyed after 9/11 has decidedly turned, and the third of the electorate that identifies itself as moderate is no longer rallying behind their man. Like Sen. Joseph McCarthy was 50 years ago, Bush is poised for the fall from power….Bush too looked invincible after the 9/11 attacks and the war in Afghanistan. With help from his advisers, Bush too intimidated critics into silence by challenging their patriotism. And Bush too eventually over-reached, insisting on a war in Iraq that has now blown up in his face.” — Mark Hertsgaard, author of The Eagle’s Shadow: Why America Fascinates and Infuriates the World TomPaine.com