On this very bright and sunny, cool but refreshing day in Cleveland, Ohio; our great city has the amazing opportunity and fantastic burden of hosting President George W. Bush today on the 3rd Anniversary of the Iraq War!

Now, I know you're all expecting to have a parade with streamers and firetrucks and kids with candy for this type of event, but George is actually just speaking to a crowd of probably-almost-completely supporters at the Cleveland City Club. Now, I want to point out that I enjoy attending City Club events as they offer an opportunity for average folks to purchase a ticket to eat a healthy, filling meal and then ask questions to the guest speaker following their remarks. However, I have a feeling that today's general audience won't be as aggressive with questions to the world leader at the "citadel of free speech."

For all of you that are interested in listening to El Presidente's remarks, I believe the City Club speeches and question/answer periods are broadcast live on Channel 5, but I may be mistaken by the channel number.... it's definitely one of the local stations. And then the cable access channel usually replays it constantly throughout the week.

Things to look out for in Bush's speech: 1) The number of time he mentions the words "freedom" and "democracy." 2) The number of ways that he can use metaphors to describe ways that we can all "stay the cause" in Iraq. 3) The ways that he demonstrates the personal sacrifice of local soldiers and Marines that were killed in Iraq; my favorite is when he points to a family in the crowd that is physically "staying the cause" as a personal ally in the war on terror with Bush. 4) The wildcard---making reference to someone that doubts his explanation for going to war or staying at war as a terrorist sympathizer or actual hater of freedom. This is worth the most amount of points, and will most likely be awarded to Sen. Russ Feingold this week by Dubbya.

Things to think about: Why is it that when we look at the thousands that died on September 11th, we are continually told that it was an unforgiveable tragedy.... but when we look at the thousands of American servicemen and women AND civilians that died in Iraq over the past 3 years, we are told that it's a sacrifice..... and why is that we never talk about the thousands of Iraqis that have died over the past 3 years during the "pursuit of freedom and democracy?" Should we define their deaths as tragedy or sacrifice? I'm awaiting a response today.... maybe it will come right? Probably not.

Remember folks...... this is an Iraqi process now.