Why is everyone so shocked by this? This is just another example of someone on the Left accidentally letting their facade down and saying what they really believe which is at odds with the great majority of America. In spite of their rhetoric to the contrary, I have long believed that most on the Left believe that those who go in the military are at best ignorant dupes and at worst bloodthirsty war-mongerers. In fact, there was a great book written about this phenomenon called "Keeping Faith".

Unfortunately, the larger problem is that (as anyone who works for the government will tell you) in the government, sick leave abuse is rampant. Many employees regularly use their hours as quickly as they accumulate them and retire with zero hours or close to it. So over the course of a 20 plus career, people who are responsible, conscientious employees, in effect wind up working an extra year with the same lifetime compensation. They are short-changed for being good workers and are viewed as fools by their co-workers who take a 3-day weekend every month. Yes, the cash out is ridiculous but supervisors need to start cracking down on abuse and asking questions. And liars should be disciplined or fired. Of course that rarely happens.

The 9th Circuit ruled against it......yawn....... This almost guarantees a reversal. In fact, if you're ever not sure of a legal issue, check what the 9th Circuit says. The opposite will usually be correct.

Not interested.

The level of ignorance regarding history and civics among our legislators is not much better than the population in general. Survey after survey bears this out. I'm always reminded of the Eddie Murphy movie, "The Distinguished Gentleman", where Murphy plays a con-man who cons his way into getting elected to congress. In one scene he walks into his office and one of his staffers is sitting at a desk reading a tourist pamphlet titled, "How Our Laws are Made". Maybe we should send copies of this pamphlet to these congressmen - or maybe DVDs of School House Rock. Of course, to quote

And 90% of them will be re-elected. So who are the idiots? The idiots in Washington or the idiots who say they "disapprove" and still vote for them or stay home. Every single one of them should be voted out and the new group should be put on notice that they have 2 years to balance the budget or they're gone. I just love this government mentality where it doesn't matter how messed up you are or how bad your performance is. Don't worry, it's ok, we'll just shuffle things around. Private sector - pack your desk - get the F out. Next. No soup for you!

So let me get this straight - Lott says something complimentary at Thurmond's birthday party regarding Thurmond's constitutional, not racial, opposition to the Civil Rights Act and Lott is run out on a rail. However, democrat after democrat are tripping over themselves to gush over an ex-Klansmen who opposed the Civil Rights Act because he was a racist and as recently as a few years ago used the "N-Word" and that's ok. "Fleeting" - try he was a high ranking leader who recruited many others.

So let me get this straight - Lott says something complimentary at Thurmond's birthday party regarding Thurmond's constitutional, not racial, opposition to the Civil Rights Act and Lott is run out on a rail. Democrat after Democrat are tripping over themselves to gush over an ex-Klansmen who opposed the Civil Rights Act because he was a racist and as recently as a few years ago used the "N-Word" and that's ok. President Clinton has now dismissed his Klan leadership and recruiting role as "fleeting". Amazing.

Happy New Year All!

To “Voter Right”:

Repeal the 17th Amendment. I agree wholeheartedly. I am increasingly of the opinion that the popular election of senators may be the single most damaging amendment to the constitution. I am currently reading “New Deal or Raw Deal”, a revisionist history of the New Deal and FDR. What an eye-opener. Of particular interest were the rise of unprecedented political patronage and the resistance of many senators to it. Of particular note was Okalahoma Senator Thomas Gore who in opposing the New Deal wrote his constituents that their telegram “shows how the dole spoils the soul. Your telegram intimates that your votes are for sale. Much as I value votes I am not in the market. I...

The Republican Party is destroying modern conservatism – that is the philosophy of limited government, federalism, and free-markets, that is in part responsible for turning America into the greatest economic, military, and cultural power in the history of mankind. They are as rotten to the core corrupt, awash with taxpayer dollars and political patronage, as the are the Democrats.

Our nation is headed over an economic cliff. When the Democrats are driving the car we are moving at about 100 MPH. When the Republicans get behind the wheel they slow it down to about 90. Either way we are going over. The issue is no longer Republican or Democrat – conservative or liberal – it’s math. The course we are on is demonstrably and...