Midnight bombshell: Secretary of State Powell, Deputy Armitage, and a considerable number of department staff members to resign one the first day of Bush's second term if he is re-elected. This announcement was "leaked" to the Washington Post from inside sources on a Sunday night. The timing is strange and today official State Department spokesmen are rushing to the media to deny the report. But, it seems to reflect the continuing saga of Bush officials manning the life boats and leaving the sinking ship. Will Bush let Powell remain in place for another 18 months or is this a challenge that will offend him, leading to an earlier Powell departure? Who is likely to replace Powell? Bush's White House fabulous person and "close" confidant, Condoleeza Rice, seems to be heading the list. Following her is head Neocon trumpet and current Rumsfeld deputy, Paul Wolfowitz. Either way, it seems the days of the often futile attempts to control the Bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld foreign policy adventures into world-wide imperialism are soon to be over, unless the Bush crowd can be removed by the people in the 2004 election.