"The Marine Corps has not asked for complete autonomy," says Rep. Walter B. Jones, the North Carolina Republican who introduced the legislation. "Nothing structurally needs to change in their relations with the Navy, which has served both branches well. The Corps only asks for recognition. Having served their nation proudly and courageously since colonial days, the leathernecks have earned a promotion."

CLIMATE EXPERTS

We were listening to Sen. James M. Inhofe, Oklahoma Republican, discuss President Obama's first federal budget, which as he pointed out this week includes an enormous redistribution of wealth for pet projects and programs under the "umbrella of clean energy."

He revealed that the number of lobbyists seeking to influence federal policy on climate change - "That is what we are talking about here," the senator said - has grown more than a whopping 300 percent in five years.

"This represents more than four lobbyists for every member of Congress," he says, every one of them "clamoring for new taxpayer-funded subsidies."

ALL IN THE FAMILY?

Given the current economic crisis, numerous headlines of late have asked: "Could Obama be the new Roosevelt?"

There's nobody better able to answer that question than James Roosevelt Jr., grandson of Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

American University's School of Public Affairs is celebrating its 75th anniversary with a two-day conference next Thursday and Friday, with the opening keynote address by Mr. Roosevelt.

The grandson of the 32nd president of the United States is president and CEO of the Tufts Health Plan.