Wait a minute. Republicans say deficits are bad? That used to be GOP policy but starting with Reagan, every Republican President has been running a deficit. Bush II did when the economy was strong. Clinton had the last balanced budget, even made a profit. Obama is not running a deficit so he can support programs dear to the Democratic soul. He was forced to go even deeper into debt in order to get us out of the hole dug by his predecessor. OK, so he is spending it on schools, health care and (badly needed) infrastructure improvements. Bush II would have gone as deeply into debt but would have shoved the money into the gaping mouths of the arms industry and more tax brakes for the super rich.

Has the NRA distanced itself from Poplawski? If not, they better do so quickly. On the other hand, it matters not to the True Believers. Never would they accept that the NRA's ravings have set the stage for this tragedy.

What is it with these people? They seem to have a deep distrust of the American government. Any government. That puts them in the same camp with anarchists. The USA, among all civilized countries, is the most violent, with the highest murder rate. One reason is the ready access to guns. These rules would make imminent sense:

1. All weapons are registered by the States. Possession of an unregistered weapon is a criminal offense. Nobody convicted of a crime is allowed to register a weapon. That could be used the same way as tax offending Mafia was dealt with in earlier times.

2. No automatic weapons and no semi-automatic long guns are permitted. Responsible hunters shouldn't use them anyway. What other reasons are there to own such a weapon?

3. Require all gun owners to secure their weapons in such a way that no unauthorized people (Children!) have access.

4. Weapons may be sold only by licensed dealers or from one registered owner to another.

None of these proposals violate the second amendment.

Hasn't it registered to the NRA that the Mexican criminal gangs are getting most of their weapons from the USA? Where is their sense of responsibility?

Should President Obama be assassinated, the NRA will bear some responsibility.

Before I am accused of being anti-gun, I am a hunter and own weapons.

Hopefully, this will end Palin's ambitions for higher office.

On the other hand, perhaps she impressed those who are enamored by her.

While not on the front pages these days, over population is the greatest threat to survival of Homo Sapiens. Global warming and terrorism are now perceived to be the major threats but in reality, both are influenced by over population.

Abortion certainly is not the best way of birth control but it is still better than unwanted children. Regrettably, especially in the USA and in the Catholic Church, abortion is being equated to murder and thus out of the question. Could it be that many who oppose abortion feel that unwanted pregnancy is just punishment for fornication? Can we expect a Supreme Court ruling that life starts with the exit from the womb in a condition that allows for survival and not with conception?

I recently asked a friend (Catholic Priest) what he thought of the eight-year old girl who was pregnant with twins after being raped by a family member to a Catholic Priest (the Catholic Church excommunicated the doctor who performed an abortion). He defended the decision because "murder is never an option".

Religious zealots have again torpedoed a good program. Amazingly, all too many people will vote only on a candidates position on abortion. What messed up values!

Do I ever like your sarcasm. It would be funny were it not so sad. Keep it up, Establishment and you will accomplish what 150 years of Marx couldn't do: Sour the American people on Capitalism and make them embrace Socialism.

How much deeper must the Grand Old Party fall before it recovers? As a former Republican it pains me to hear the ignorant utterings of the O'Reilleys, Roves, Limbaughs, and Krauthammers. Here we have a President who just returned from the most successful foreign trip a US President has taken in many years and all they can do is attempt to tear him down. In one week, President Obama undid much of the damage his hapless predecessor caused in eight years. Yes, he may be giving up some American sovereignty, but that is the price to pay for better international cooperation. That is a small price.

I do hope that the GOP will recover and again become a respectable party because the USA needs two strong political parties. Perhaps it is the same as with an alcoholic who needs to hit rock bottom and admit to himself that he has a problem before he can recover. I would hate for the GOP to go the way of the British Liberals.