The real shame of the Rev. Jeremiah Wright is not that he full-throatedly levels hateful accusations against America every bit as irrational as the earth is flat, the sun rises in the north and two plus two is six. America has digested worse than Rev. Wright.

Before we even begin, let me assure you I detest as much as you do the guy whose only contribution to the dialogue is to sit there listening and frowning like his underwear's bunched up too tight who eventually interrupts to say, "But you just don't get the point!" Very seldom is there just one point. There are usually many points.

Did I hear it right? Are the French going to protest the Chinese murder of innocent Tibetans by staying away from the opening ceremonies of the Beijing Olympics? Just the opening? And then, on with the fun?

And am I further hearing Americans debating straight-facedly whether or not that's too severe a sanction? We dare not provoke the Chinese. This is beyond psychedelic.