In the wake of the massive FEMA patronage scandal that has proven fatal for tens of thousands of Gulf Coast residents, we're faced with examining how these rubes get confirmed in the first place.

Apparently Michael Brown faced a grueling 42 minute confirmation hearing during which he was grilled about possible nuclear disasters in Connecticut by then-Chairman "Joementum" Lieberman. Nothing about his lack of any even remotely related experience in emergency management. Way to go Joe!

The Democrats can use this with the Roberts nomination as a justification for a lengthy and deliberate confirmation process that a Supreme Court appointment deserves. Especially a lifetime appointment. Especially for Chief Justice.

Senate Democrats should rightly assert that they don't want to make the same mistake twice(or six times, as is apparently the case). The country just witnessed the horror of the hasty confirmation of an unqualified Bush-appointed hack for a time-limited position. Just think of the damage that could be wrought by a lifetime appointee. We just want to be eeeeexxxxxxxtttttttrrrraaaaaaaa sure that history doesn't repeat itself in even more new and horrifying ways.