By DAN K. THOMASSON, Scripps Howard News Service

A key figure in the early days of the Reagan administration tells of one of the first meetings the new president had with his military and security advisers. Speaking of the Soviet Union, Reagan is supposed to have asked how the U.S. sized up with the Russians.

It looks as though Saddam Hussein, as has been increasingly suspected, pulled off the mother of all bluffs --one that not only changed the course of history but set off a chain reaction so violent it is anyone's guess where and when it will end.

His detractors would like to tell you that the administration of George W. Bush did little to promote racial and gender diversity -- that it generally was the same old power structure of middle aged and beyond white guys. The young Barack Obama on the other hand would do much better, giving a wide range of Americans the opportunity to serve.

Getting the American press to agree on anything is said to be one of those exercises in cat herding, nearly impossible, particularly if there is a competitive edge to be gained. The smell of fresh news blood is always first and foremost in the nostrils of journalists. That at least is what an army of critics believes and there is plenty of evidence to back up the assessment.

One can't help but think there is considerable danger in Barack Obama's unswerving determination to alter the nation's health care landscape at what may be a cost most Americans can't even fathom.

One doesn't have to be a fan of Sarah Palin and her family to be offended by David Letterman's utterly tasteless, senseless remarks about her trip to New York City. Somewhere in there may be a clue as to why NBC picked Jay Leno instead of him to replace Johnny Carson on the Tonight show all those years ago.

It is difficult not to feel sympathy for those auto dealers who have been singled out for closing by General Motors and Chrysler in their effort to regain viability through streamlining. Many have been in the business nearly as long as the manufacturers whose products they sell.

It seems that New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg thinks President Obama doesn't make very much money. Of course, he is correct, considering the job Obama holds is the most important in the world. It hasn't been enough for a very long time, in fact, particularly when measured against the compensation of corporate heads, movies stars and under educated athletes.

It's just another typical day in the neighborhood filled, as Walter Cronkite used to say, "with the events that alter and illuminate our times."

This town loves nothing so much as the prospect of a good battle over a Supreme Court nominee. Endless hours are devoted to speculation about the chances of Senate confirmation and every stone on the candidate's path through life will be turned over by the press, opposing forces and just plain acquaintances who want a moment in the spotlight.