Bush approves transition planning. The long national nightmare is almost over.

The first piece of good news to come out of the Bush White House in eight years:

A piece of paper that President Bush signed Thursday helps ease his way out of the White House when his term ends and clears the way for his successor.

For seven years and nearly nine months has signed virtually every memo or order or piece of legislation imaginable. He even vetoed a few bills, but the directive he put his name on Thursday was one that few talk very much about. Basically, it's the executive order that turns the keys to the White House over to whomever is elected president on Nov. 4.

Whomever is elected better be Barack Obama -- and he is inheriting an unbelievable mess in the U.S. and the world because of George Bush, Dick Cheney, John McCain and the rest of the Republican hacks.

But, the Bush presidency will be over. Thank god.