American Left actually fights back this time.

Again and again for years now we've seen the pattern; Clinton hounded by vicious attacks culminating in an impeachment for a blowjob, Kerry swift-boated and the very word 'Liberal' turned into invective. The response, to quote a great line from 'The West Wing' has been for - 'American Liberals to curl up in a corner and whimper, 'Please stop. Don't hurt me.''

From the perspective of Canada, where we have a robust and frankly dominant progressive majority and a far more civil political environment, it's been exasperating to watch.

Now, with the farcically propagandistic right-wing fantasy of ABC's The Path to 9/11 the American Left including the previously somnolent Democratic Party have risen up and said no.

No to blaming 9/11 on Clinton and giving Bush a pass. No to using 9/11 for despicable partisan gain. No to outright lies, distortions and fictions designed to impugn real people like Madeline Albright. Just... no.

Crooks and Liars is giving this the kind of coverage Fox or CNN gives run-away brides or murdered beauty pageant toddlers or even Paris Hilton. This time the Swift Boaters are being called on their lies.

The American political season has just heard it's starting pistol. Expect the invective and fury and political ads on American channels that make you want to throw stuff at the TV, to start ...now.

At least this time it looks like it won't be the one-sided bitch-slapping it's been the last few years.

Update: Gazetteer makes an excellent point about how this whole situation makes the argument for an effective arms length public broadcaster.