I do year in review

How'd the first year of oversight go? I compiled a list of the good, bad, and ugly of 2008:

As the year draws to a close, it will be tempting for pundits—liberal and otherwise—to despair at the Democrats' inability to wield their new congressional leadership to affect real and swift change in the country. After all, the war in Iraq not only continues, but 2007 was its deadliest year. FISA presents a greater danger to American civil liberties today than it did when the Democrats took their gavels in January. And the radiant vision of Karl Rove being escorted down Pennsylvania Avenue to jail never came to pass.

But there have been successes, too. Many have emerged as part of an aggressive oversight effort, which has dragged a number of scandals out of the shadows and into the cleansing daylight.

Give it a read. Meanwhile, I still have some Christmas cheer to rid myself of. Back later.