I like laugh. How his or anyone's laugh is doesn't matter. Laugh is great.

Un- BELIEVABLE!! comment by Perrino.

Someone like Perino just doesn't get the big picture. Who cares if Republicans win or Democrats win if the United States devolves as a nation?

Sure- WIN AT ALL COSTS, BABY- is a catchy phrase. One wise old gent with only a high school degree once told  me, "Today (20 years ago he said it but today much, much worse) when a politician comes to me for money, I ask why. They tell me what they want to do. They win and then the FIRST day they are in office, they begin running for a second term."

That is Perino's world. Jaded, corrupt, but love of power and seduced by the power and the lobbyists are her world.

NO THANKS!! Give me Ben Carson. It doesn't mean I would vote for him for anything, but the peace he talks about, I love the man for it. Conservatives need a man like him.

I doubt wind farms can can eliminate any avian species.

Corn, you ever wonder exactly what is an acceptable source of energy to the whacko big tent Democrats?

I can only think of solar, but if you do that by eliminating the others, nuclear, wind, tide, geothermal, oil, etc., you have to use up a whole desert to get the amount of heat required to supplant any source of energy.

Funny thing about electric cars while we are at it. Very pollutant free aren't they? Except when you calculate the energy needs to juice up the batteries.

So, you have the big tent. That means those uncomfortable with any of the so-called hot buttons (I mean you can't disagree or there wouldn't be a big tent, would there?) just don't say anything.

The whole premise of the big tent Democrats is loss of freedom, isn't it? Freedom to speak out for one.

I used to send the kids to snowmobile safety class when they were 12 or so.  I figured the class would teach the young 'uns the dangers of speeding, how to turn, brake and maintain the machine.

Instead, the class was devoted to avalanche safety, which is a good thing and don't take me wrong, but these are kids riding with their parents.

I personally never traveled anywhere near avalanche hazard areas, though they existed in our area.

Yes, it was the State of Washington.  Classes were free so sorry Spin.

Now that is what I'm talking about. Nice job Judith and Damian in giving such an interview from someone in the middle of the action.

It still seems everyone in the "Beltway" intelligence community is still getting a pass from other observers of international affairs.

Something is afoot in the administration that scares the beejeebers out of me; I don't know what it is is probably a main reason.

Just the fact it was in the bill is sanity defying.

This post is complementary to the nationwide coverage of the Colorado legislator opining on rape and the women who don't need a gun.

Hmmm, Colorado and Washington. Weren't those the two states which legalized marijuana? Something must be in the air (pun intended).

True, I love the class of the original Lady Sanford, but what the heck?  If everytime a guy has an affair it disqualifies him from public office, the Democrats wouldn't have anyone running for office.

Still, throw him in with the rest and see who comes out the R candidate.  I still remember talk of him being in the running for President.  He's gotta have some smarts (that leaves me a lot of wiggle room by using 'some'.

Pseudo, I think you were agreeing with me. No question Pope Benedict was well-qualified and a good man.

4th ballot does mean consensus after the first three ballots. I hope the next conclave deliberates as well.

One thing for sure- the new pope will be holy and beloved.

As for Pope Benedict, he was named pope as a bridge to the next one. He was old and the cardinals knew he wouldn't be able to do much.

In my recollection, the cardinals couldn't decide on their choice for a young cardinal to elevate to pope, so they settled on Benedict.

Well, the time has come. Will the cardinals be able to coalesce around one cardinal to elevate or will they punt as they did with Benedict? That is the question.

And that is not taking anything away from Pope Benedict.

It is papal politics. You just can't get away from it- neither the government or the home or the office, it is all around us.

Either NO, or ARE YOU JOKING? to the headline.

The reelected Ecuadorian president was a shoo-in for reelection. But, to insure his reelection he debased his opponent (Romney?), he controlled the press (MSM) and he gave out goodies (Santa Claus). Sound familiar?

Nice job. Nothing to add except this is my fave podcast.

You caught the effervescence of Rick Steves in one word- jerk. Well done.

And I am saying this from personal experience of his private life.

Swat here-

Sorry Rob. This is not a good thing. Two cases in point- Oregon and Washington.

Over the last say 30-40 years say, whenever there has been an emigration from California (there has been three or four of them), the formerly purple states of Oregon and Washington would get their influx of Californians. And yes, as expected, they were rude, presumptuous, arrogant, didn't know how to drive, and demanded more and more government. Ergo, now Oregon and Washington are blue, blue states.

Don't you think Texas is going to end up the same way? As usual, just opining from outside the box.

Very engaging Damian. As I was perusing for the next episode of Levy-Counsell,, I scanned through this thread. Very good.

Still like the history lessons and the take of on-the-ground people like you and Judith.

I am not sure of your gun control ideas for here in the States, but hey, that is why they make Brits.

As for gun control in the States, I am becoming more and more convinced the government needs to stay out of the "assault weapons" and other guns.

Sure, originally, gun were to protect the citizenry and for the militia.

However, as we see the burgeoning influence of the Arabs and extreme Muslims and their ability to stroll through the sieve we call the border, count me in as one who will fight for fewer gun laws. The government can't protect us from these yahoos, so maybe I can.