Four years later, I am still stunned by conservative talk show host Laura Ingraham's words.

Sunday May 4th, 2003 on CNN's Reliable Sources:

"Speaking as a woman, and listening to the women who called into my radio show, seeing President Bush get out of that plane, carrying his helmet, he is a real man. He stands by his word. That was a very powerful moment."

And while that is an infuriating remark, and I am very tempted to shoot back with something about how Bush doesn't have a dick worth anything, or how Ingraham should put her foot in her mouth, I can't. Because Ingraham was right about one thing - women would decide the 2004 election. Indeed. And they went for the jerk over the Bostonian with no swagger. And that, in retrospect, shouldn't have surprised anyone. It didn't surprise this Bostonian.

When I think of the term 'real man,' I think of iconic movie stars (yes, I know they are not real, but they simulate real men). I think of stars who were a 'man's man.' I think of American stars like Washington, Bogart, Clooney, Lancaster, DaFoe, Poitier, Peck, Braugher, and Penn. But they have nothing on an asshole from Texas with a rich daddy.

If only Howard Dean had won the 2004 nomination. If only the media didn't destroy his campaign. If only Dean had whipped Bush in those debates. He damn would have, if he was given that chance.

If only...

I cannot wait for Olbermann to speak tonight.

UPDATE: I had forgotten how the President was fetishized by his PR stunt. We need to remind people of the codpiece. His crotch seemed well stuffed.

I wonder how my fellow U Mass alum, Bill Pullman felt about his Independence Day character being the inspiration for Bush's carrier landing.

And why didn't he go all the way and ride an F-18? Too risky? How much more risky than a trainer? It would have been more bad-ass.

And irony is not dead. Because he didn't take-off or land the plane, but rather steered the plane during flight, Bush mimicked some of the actions of the 9/11 hijackers. Welcome to the club, Dubya.