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# A US update: still crazy yet more sane...
- URL: https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/18591/
- Published: 2006-12-08T10:12:45.000Z
- Updated: 2019-02-14T22:35:41.000Z
- Author: openDemocracy Supporters
- Tags: #en, #Migrated, #Import 2026-04-09 18:23

**by Tan Copsey**

News out of the US today has focussed on the entirely unfamiliar experience of a senate confirmation hearing marked by, of all things, a prospective Bush administration official telling the truth. [Robert Gates](http://www.slate.com/id/2154941/nav/tap1/?ref=opendemocracy.net) abandoned the party line and admitted the US was not winning the war in Iraq. In the process he portrayed himself as just the type of honest broker who might get something done. And whilst scepticism should abound given some of the previous shenanigans he’s been [involved in](http://www.fas.org/irp/offdocs/walsh/chap%5F16.htm?ref=opendemocracy.net),you can definitely say one thing for Gates - he’s got a very professional PR team.  
  
The strangeness of these events make today’s other regurgitations seem bland and normal. But screw it, Salon yesterday linked to the [weirdest clip](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IrE6FMpai8&ref=opendemocracy.net) of Rudy Giuliani in drag having his breasts (?) fondled by Donald Trump. The fact that the clip seemed to be real caused bemused yelps from resident oD New Yorkers. Continuing on a theme of muckraking the hypocrisies’ of god-fearing Republicans - Dick Cheney’s lesbian daughter [is pregnant](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2006/12/06/cheneys-lesbian-daughter%5Fn%5F35667.html?ref=opendemocracy.net), but sadly the child will be born out of wedlock, thanks in part to the efforts of her father. Oh and George Bush Senior is a sensitive [emotional man](http://www.salon.com/ent/video%5Fdog/politics/2006/12/05/h%5Fw%5Fchokes%5Fup/index.html?ref=opendemocracy.net), Congress feel that actually working will be [detrimental](http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2006/12/6/1578/71779?ref=opendemocracy.net) to their family lives, and tragically George (face of evil Hollywood liberalism) Clooney has [lost his pig](http://news.independent.co.uk/world/americas/article2042966.ece?ref=opendemocracy.net) – struck down by a vengeful Republican god. 

That’s all folks.