A poster over at Josh Marshall's made an interesting point.

Bush sending in more troops is not "doubling down". In gambling parlance, someone doubles down when they have won and feel the odds are in their favor to double their winnings.

That does not apply to Bush's great Iraqi adventure.

As was pointed out, a better bit of terminology would be "double of nothing". In that case you've made a bet and lost. But in a deperate attempt to recoup your losses you take another shot at what has been a losing proposition for you to that point. It's my sense that double or nothing-ers are losers who don't have the good sense to know when enough is enough.

I've written about Bush being dangerous when cornered. He has demonstrated an amazing ability toward self-destruction, and as President toward national destruction. He's such a classic "dry drunk" that I feel no compunctions about doing a Bill Frist and diagnosing him from afar.

Think about the story of the frog in the pot. Then think back to the pre-Bush years. Hell, even consider a few years ago. The U.S. situation domestically and internationally just continues to deteriorate. And now as a lame duck and cornered, Bush has no constraints on his meglomania. He has never respected the public, and has zero respect for the recent election. I suspect the next six months are going to be quite bloody, quite expensive, and in a real sense terrifying. And if the economy tumbles, watch out.

I think I'm working through my depression over the situation right now so as to be ready for the fight come January. I find myself extraordinarily angry at superficiality in the media, people who drive ginormous SUV's, and conspicious consumption (although personally as guilty as anyone of the later). As the war blows up, ordinary citizens pressuring Bush and especially Congress is going to be on the agenda. Enjoy the holidays (even while a lot of grunts overseas won't be) and get ready to report for battle after the first of Jan.