Michael Barone whips another salvo of unadulterated wisdom at you, post-Saddam-Iraq-style.

I'd forgotten about Bush's non-negotiables: right to property; free speech, assembly, press, elections, trial by jury. And the way Barone's talking, State may have finally lost the administrative battle with Defense - another good sign that Iraq won't be managed by the people who have, for decades, done business with Arab dictators and loved every minute of it.

Knee-slapper: In the restroom, the amiable fiftysomething we all affectionately call "Ski Bum" stopped me.

"Did you hear?" he said, eyes wide. "Saddam Hussein killed both of his sons."

"Killed them, or 'was killed with them?'" I asked, wondering if I'd somehow missed breaking news.

"Killed them. With his bare hands." A grin split his face. "Caught 'em drinking Busch Beer."