THE COLD WIND BLOWS FROM THE EAST as the silver-tipped clouds waft across the half-moon portending a change from our summer-like days. With the final tallies of both Montana and Virginia a collective sigh was breathed and the nation seemed to recollect it's thoughts of this last election.

Rumsfeld at last is relieved of duty. I can still picture the shocked looks on the faces of the newscasters. Then the quick looks and a clipped discussion almost amongst themselves to this effect: that George Bush had decided 'by himself' to accept Mr. Rumsfeld's resignation. Vice President Cheney was upset about not being 'in the loop'..'Cheney is consulted on all decisions'...'Gates his Dad's friend'...and a pensioning pause as the panel looked like a deer caught in the headlights of an oncoming semi-truck before recovering to their esteemed analysis. (Tell me that one of you, the computer- elite, has that somewhere. I'll be looking tonight.)

Yes to me that was the real news. A long overdue definitive rift in the admixture. In my simple minds eye, I see Mr. Rumsfeld as a solder following his orders, even up to his resignation photo-of. Loyalty is an admired trait out here on the plains, but it can also be a fault, especially in high-end politics as Mr Bush is maybe painfully learning.

But he can't fire a Vice President.

And we can't rest, basking in the Indian Summer sun awaiting 'a business as usual Congress'. We are now now engaged in a real crossroads of how we conduct our business with our Represenatives and communicate between ourselves in conducting that business. Now is the time to turn up the heat.