Cause/effect

Bush's comments at a food bank yesterday. Pay attention, kids. This is what's known as passing the buck.

People oftentimes say, well, I want to help; I don't know how. Well, we're trying to help you find out how. I hope people around this country realize that agencies such as this food bank need money. They need our contributions. Contributions are down. They shouldn't be down in a time of need. We shouldn't let the enemy affect us to the point where we become less generous. Our spirit should never be diminished by what happened on September the 11th, 2001.

Quite the contrary, we must stand squarely in the face of evil by doing some good. And part of doing good is not only dedicating your time and talent to help, but to reach into your wallet so that those of us who hurt among us have a chance to heal and to be a part of the American experience.

And for those interested in why donations are down, I urge you to connect the dots here, here, here and here.

Perhaps, like Scrooge in "Christmas Carol," Bush needs to be visited by a trio of ghosts to point out that a reason why the modern version of the Cratchit family suffers is because of his economic cruelty and incompetence. At the very least, Bush should have cut them a check as a national sign of unity and leading by example. I mean, I figure there's at least $17.5 billion he could have freed up right away. That should help feed a few people.

P.S. The archives are back, and there was much rejoicing throughout the land.