On the one hand, we’re overjoyed, as this puts the lie to President George W. Bush’s October assertion that Iran was plotting to start World War III by acquiring nuclear technology. And it undercuts clearly any case for attacking — much less invading — Iran before the leader of the War Party finally leaves office in early 2009.

And we’re happy that, once more, a pattern has been exposed: Middle Eastern would-be strong leader boasts and pretends that it has nuclear weapons because he knows that’s the only way to get respect from world leaders. Would-be strong leader gets boxed in by sanctions, and the world discovers that, in fact, he’s got nothing. Where have we heard that one before?

But we’re a little concerned, too. After all, this national intelligence estimate comes from our intelligence community, a key member of which said it was a "slam dunk" case that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction before the United States invaded that country in 2003.

They were wrong then. What if they’re wrong now, only this time in reverse, and Iran really does have a nuclear program? And how can we trumpet how wrong Bush is on Iran with evidence compiled by the same people who were so wrong on Iraq?

Or did it? Rogers apparently told Gibbons that finding other places to cut would make him a hero. "You know, if you cut the prison system, everybody will cheer for you. If you cut the higher education budget, everybody will want to lynch you."

They don’t want to lynch Gibbons now? Sorry, did we write that out loud?

Anyway, credit Rogers with one thing: Creativity. He’s clearly learned the obvious: Gibbons is not a man who appreciates appeals to reason. So Rogers has decided to appeal to the governor’s vanity instead. A clever move, Mr. Chancellor! You can be a charmer when you want to be.

The only problem: It’s probably not true. Unless you are currently a student at a state school, or the parent of one, cuts to the university system are probably regarded by the beknighted masses as more or less benign. But cuts to the prison system? That hits a sore nerve long worried by Republicans about the breakdown in law-and-order. Why, it’s tantamount to being soft on crime!

(Truly, it’s not. If Gibbons commuted the sentences of all non-violent offenders whose crimes didn’t affect children or seniors, he’d save a lot of money. But Gov. Soundbite is no more going to go there than he would confess to taking bribes to facilitate defense contracts for his friends in Northern Nevada. Allegedly.)

In addition to raising taxes (also a non-starter with Gibbons), Rogers mentioned using the Rainy Day fund, forgoing a cost of living raise for state workers to avoid layoffs, cutting other state budgets, including prisons and highway construction, and …

Wait, what? Did he say cut highway construction funds? Is he mad? Has he seen rush hour around here? Hell, if we followed Rogers advice, we’d have the most highly educated people around, all sitting in traffic trying to get two miles down the freeway! Again, if you poll the masses, they’d prefer swiftly moving traffic and dumber kids. Those slot club points aren’t going to rack themselves up, baby!

Let’s face facts here, people: We’re fucked. Taxes are coming in at far less than we expected, which means we don’t have the money to pay for all the checks the Legislature wrote last session. Gibbons managed to win the election, and he seems intent on elevating a bumper sticker philosophy to the status of Holy Gospel According to Grover Norquist. People such as Rogers — who have the state’s best interest at heart and are possessed of genuinely good ideas for reform — aren’t being heard by Gibbons. (Ironic, since Rogers helped the guy get elected.)

So the only thing to do is cut. And it’s virtually guaranteed that when we cut, it will hurt.

Today, that somebody is Ian Zabarte of the Western Shoshone National Council, who was quoted in the Review-Journal thusly: "A moral people with ethical scientists cannot condone the use of such practices to benefit the nuclear industry," Zabarte said. (emphasis added)

"The only thing that scares me as much as [U.S. Sen.] Hillary Clinton as president is [state Sen.] Dina Titus as majority leader."

Poor Heck! He’s suffering from the common Republican fear of strong, powerful women. And he knows Titus is targeting his district in an attempt to wrest control of the Senate from the evil Emperor Palpatine … um, sorry, from Senate Majority Leader Bill Raggio.

Well, we’ve got some advice for Heck: Buck up, man! You’re supposed to be able to deal with your fear. You’re a doctor, for God’s sake! Hell, you’re a tactical physician! You roll with SWAT! That’s no place for pussies! And, let’s not forget, you’re a friggin’ officer in the United States Army reserve! A commanding officer! A full-friggin’-bird colonel! Is that any way to inspire the men, walking around telling people how scared you are of Hillary and Dina?

Set an example, why don’t you?