Rats deserting a sinking ship?

Colin Powell resigned this morning. Apparently several more are supposed to follow. Is this a sign that they know Bush's second term is doomed and they're jumping ship before they get pulled down too? Or is Bush clearing out any dissenting, more moderate voices? (I know that Ashcroft is hardly a moderate, but it sounds like Gonzales is at least as far right, possibly more).

Also, what the hell is up with this? I didn't see the story at the time, but Jesus Christ! I'm starting not to believe his stupid act anymore. I read right after the election that he loves being underestimated, and I believe it's true, because he can get away with so much more if people think he's too stupid to be effective. It's also very demoralising to us to be beaten by such an apparent moron.

It's long been a secret fear of mine, which I don't talk about too much for fear of being thought paramoid, that Bush isn't planning to relinquish the presidency at the end of his term. Is it possible for the US to end up with a religious dictatorship? The way that things are currently going, I think the answer is yes, absolutely. And to 51% of Americans, I say fuck you, you asked for it. But even though the other 49%, along with the rest of the world, did not, we're going to suffer for it anyway.