Hal Crowther writes a scathing attack on the current state of American politics. He pulls no punches in his contempt for the present leadership and its supporters.

>“I don’t think it’s accurate to describe America as polarized between Democrats and Republicans, or between liberals and conservatives. It’s polarized between the people who believe George Bush and the people who do not. Thanks to some contested ballots in a state governed by the president’s brother, a once-proud country has been delivered into the hands of liars, thugs, bullies, fanatics and thieves. The world pities or despises us, even as it fears us. What this election will test is the power of money and media to fool us, to obscure the truth and alter the obvious, to hide a great crime against the public trust under a blood-soaked flag. The most lavishly funded, most cynical, most sophisticated political campaign in human history will be out trolling for fools. I pray to God it doesn’t catch you.”

EAST STROUDSBURG, Pa. — A man crashed a stolen car through the front of a Target store, drove around the store for a bit and then drove back out before police were able to arrest him, authorities said. No one was injured.

The driver, Patrick Tosh, 52, of Wilkes-Barre, told police he did not remember anything about how he ended up driving the Subaru Forester, which was listed as stolen, Stroud Area Regional Police Detective Douglas Knowles said.

Tosh drove through glass double doors at the Target in Stroud Township about 11 p.m. Friday, continued through the store, and drove back out another main entrance, police said. There were about 40 employees in the store at the time.

Tosh was arrested in a nearby parking lot a short time later.

Tosh, who was arraigned Saturday morning on charges including burglary, reckless driving, receiving stolen property and criminal mischief, was not driving under the influence and he had no known history of mental illness, Knowles said.

Employees said the store would be closed for several days while the damage is repaired.