It seems that most women's groups are not about women but more about liberal politics. Being free to kill a baby in their womb is the line in the sand for many women, yet hundreds of thousands of poeple have such difficulty adopting that they buy babies in foreign countries. What do I know? I am just a caveman. Yet even late term atrocities, tear jerking proceedures, are untouchable to many women's groups. This is the evolution of our society. Is it any wonder that our country is in decline?

If I remember correctly, the Republicans did have control of both houses AND the Presidency 2003-2005. How did that go?

 Exactly right, Sajak. Give them what WE want. Unfortunately I am at a loss for who WE is. Everybody hates Obamacare. The Tea Party rises up and sweeps Republicans into office in 2010. Ostensibly this would lead to more sensible budgets with smaller government and the repeal of Obamacare. What happens next...every few months an increase in the debt limit. Those that are battling the increase are demonized as if they had created the debt to begin with. Than we get the primaries and who looks like the certain nominee, why it's the birth father of Obamacare--Mr Romneycare himself. How did this all happen? I do not know. But one thing I do know. Next year I will become an Independent.

"Today, the editors declare with manly frankness, "this is major change of position for us."  But actually, the Times' position in totally consistent: filibusters are good, or bad, depending on who's in the White House."

Not who, as in which person, but who, as in which political party.

A.J. I understand and agree with you up to a point. At about 3% total contribution only extremely high earners have come close to paying enough to cover their eventual take on medicare. Not quite so on Social Security however. At 12% of 100M maximum for 45 years with compounded growth doubling the total every 10 years or so on average, SS is actually a bad deal for all but very low wage earners. Especially so since one never owns the principal and thus cannot leave it to one's family after passing. But that is beside the point. Bottom line...none of this is fair, life is not fair.

Blew or blown as a derivative of blow, one of the Presidents favorite previous (I hope) pastimes...as opposed to the color, blue. Yea, I get ya, Brian.

I have been a cat lover for 40 years. We had dogs as pets when I was young, and I think dogs are great.. But as a single adult, I found that cats were easier to deal with because of litter box convenience. I agree with Claire. Cats are definitely in tune with humans. In total I have raised and been cared for by six cats. Very significantly, one of them was with me and my wife for 25 years and she was an adult when I got her. We currently have two, Gracie and Teena. We call them our girls and we love them dearly. It actually is difficult for us to travel for lengthy periods because of our emotional attachment to them, but like I said, they are our "girls". I wish I had pictures to upload. They are much cuter than me, as you might imagine from my portrait to the right.

My wife and I saw the trailer on this movie the other night. We shall see it. Thanks for your recommendation.

Good questions and good points. But is it true that Bain Capital made lots of money on 80% of the failed companies in which they invested? If true, their success rate would be 80% of 30%, which is 24% added to the 70% successful companies, making an eye popping grand total of 94% successes. You couldn't do better unless you invested in an Obama supported green energy project. May I ask, where do you get your facts?

What a beautiful smile.

 After an illustrious career in which Joe Paterno no doubt helped many a young man to achieve beyond their own expectations, he disgraced himself by his seeming lack of awareness of events happening in front of him. I have no doubt that the evil being perpetrated by his assistant was not even in the scope of Paterno's imagination. Yet there it was, and all of the young boys will suffer harm for years as a result. What a shame, what a tragedy for everyone involved. N.P. you are correct, now is just a time to offer condolences and say a prayer. Thanks for the post, R.J. Even though I am probably older than your father, I enjoy your podcasts. Keep on with your examination of life and go out and be yourself. Good will certainly follow.

So what do you think? With a media so anxious to show the Republican candidate as an imbecile under a magnifying glass, can we really say that debates do not mean much anymore? It's not just the moment of the actual debate, it's the viral you tube replays as well. Who would (with an obvious change of reference from Mormon to divorce) have come out ahead in the mock debate you proposed in your post? In a campaign, which candidate will give speeches with enough emotion to motivate voters? And, of course, who will interact with the media more positively? And where does Rick Santorum fit into these answers?

You, Mr. Nobody, oughta be on TV.

This is pretty shocking. They didn't even have bad weather to blame. As depressing as this entire process has been for me over the past few months, what now can be named "The Iowa Debacle"  just adds more manure to the pasture. All of the speeches and time and money spent by the candidates, all of the money wasted by news organizations, all of the energy spent analyzing by pundits and bloggers, all of it for naught. What a joke these Iowa caucuses...what a joke our elections have become. What a sad joke our country is becoming. Sorry folks, I don't like being such a downer, but I have said this before and it just gets more magnified weekly. With all the people in this great country how could we possibly end up with an Obama, Romney, Gingrich or Santorum as our only choices for President?

BK, you might scroll down to my post below. The video of Barbour's interview with Baer is there. Bret seems as outraged as the Governor seems nonplussed.

Thanks for your comments folks. The general theme is agreed to by all, so far. It would be interesting to hear what Peter Robinson has to say, although I can't imagine how one can make this incident smell any better than it does. As I stated above, Haley Barbour, who is normally pretty darn adept at communicating, seems very defensive in the interview with Baer. I agree wholeheartedly, Dave. This is an absolute "slam the door on his political career" move. He could have done that without tormenting the poor families of the victims. These murderers were without one iota of a doubt totally guilty. Their crimes were horrendous and they left misery behind that exists, even more so, thanks to the Governor.