"Shouldn't decisions be left to individuals when possible, or should government decide what you have for dinner, and who your children date? Your statement puts no limits on government. " I think you misunderstood my comments. I'm not saying that morality should be legislated, but that we all have values, and that these values come into play whenever we take a decision. We elect people to represent us, whom we trust to act in our interest, and keep their promises. How do you trust someone without questioning what their values are? How do you know how they will view the issues they will legislate on? In political terms, it's often called Character. As for your observation that decisions should be left to individuals, I agree...

Instead of taking sides in the split between conservatives, we'd be better off healing the rift. Social conservatives realize that you can't take values out of decision-making, which is what legislation is about. Everyone has values. Conservatism extends beyond government, and that is where social conservatism is most important. Not everything is a matter of law. Fiscal conservatives need to respect this, just as social conservatives need to respect the fact that socialism is based on theft, and hence immoral. No matter what, fighting with each other is counterproductive. We need to realize that it benefits none of us to alienate a third of conservative voters and hand victory to the liberals. If we fight each other...

NBC has ethics?

Whether the Republicans get corrupted is up to the people who sent them there. The question now is whether we will stand behind them when the leftists start attacking.

Carol, PA is quite conservative, but not red. There is still a very strong tradition of voting Democrat. Mostly, it's because of the unions from all the industry that once was in PA. My hope for this election is that people all over the country who vote Democrat because of tradition, finally wake up and see what the dem party is really about.

Time to put the pressure on the Republicans. This law has to be overturned, not amended and made more palatable. Start gearing up for the next round of Primary Elections, and get some better Republicans in the running!

That's the last thing we need. I spent 20 years in uniform, because it was what I wanted. It was hard work to keep the volunteer military focused and performing. I can't imagine how much productivity you'd get from people who didn't want to be there, and could rightly claim that they had no obligation at all. If people have issues and work is the answer, don't corrupt the military to do it. let them get a job at McDonalds.

I see your point Hologram5, but must disagree. In whatever education system we have, the people running it need to have the power to set and enforce standards of behavior. I do not argue that schools should replace parents. In fact, I would argue against it very strongly. Since the schools are essentially taking the child from the parents, they do need to be held accountable for what happens to that child while in their care. Saying that it's not their responsibility does not cut it with me. They took on the responsibility when they mandated that the parents turn over the children. Ultimately, what no one has even mentioned, is that the true solution is getting rid of public education altogether, and going to a market based...

tj, Based on the experience I had, it was wiser to not comply. You'd be getting the beating if you let them smear you with crap or not. At least in my case, they knew they could taunt and hit me, but I wouldn't do what they told me to. They stopped the threats.

Tyler Clementi was a college student, as were the individuals who did this to him. They are adults and should be treated as such; not simply bullies.