There is really no need to demean the no doubt heartfelt Christian beliefs of this gal's parents. You and I may not share their beliefs. But that does not necessarily meant that her parents do not honestly, and deeply, believe in their version of right and wrong/ heaven and hell, etc. Sneering at them behind their back, making jokes at their expense, or denigrating their sincerity is not going to solve anything.

This gal just has to be tolerant where her parents are somewhat inflexible and intolerant. She just needs to be a bigger person than they are. And in fact, that's shouldn't really that hard. (And in fact, it seems pretty obvious to this casual observer.)

My ex-girlfriend is going through this very issue now. She had a two year relationship with a woman after we broke up. She's now on her second male relationship since that time. This guy is a Republican, conservative, hunter, Christian -- the full meal deal. (And, no, don't ask me why she's attracted to him. I have no idea.) She has told him that she's "been with" women, but he assumes that it was just experimental. She thinks he'll flip out if she tells him it was a two year deal. That's an interesting distinction that may make a difference to some. Neither her nor there for me as I don't have a dog in the fight with the two of them.

But to me, it doesn't seems dishonest not to mention it. But it does seem dishonest to hide it if the subject comes up. And if a long term relationship is potentially in the offing, honesty does seem to be -- how shall I say this -- at least a tad bit important.

And I'm proud to say that I voted against George Bush -- who in my book is a no good SOB, and you can tell him I said so -- four time. Twice for Governor and twice for President. And I raised hell with my alma matter when they bid to get his Presidential library (although I did suggest if they got it, that the should put a copy of My Pet Goat in a special display case up front).

But I'm proud to be a Texan, too, despite the fact that our State can, at time, be a sinkhole of political ignorance. But make fun while you can. Because it's not going to be a red state much longer. Demographic changes are about to overwhelm the Republican party here, God willing. And hopefully we can put a few things right.

And for the anonymous poster who mentioned Mississippi, we don't say "Thank God for Mississippi." At least not anymore. We realize that they probably have passed us. We used to think of ourselves as "Mississippi with good roads," but they've sort of let the roads go to seed lately, too. But the sun shines of every dog's ass someday. And our day is coming. And if I have anything to do with it, the Republicans will not be happy with the new order. Paybacks are hell, as they say.

Actually, we have two excellent candidates to take on John Cornyn -- Rick Noriega and Mikal Watts. Either would make a formidable candidate. However, I fear that Noriega cannot raise the money necessary to mount a successful campaign.

Here in Texas, a new teacher gets $27,320 from the State. If the local school district has some extra fund, they can supplement that. Needless to say, the poorest districts can afford to supplement the least. Fair to middlin' insurance. And most spend their summers going back to college to get you masters degree, or a new subject matter certification, so they can make a bit more money. One third of new teachers leave the profession after three years. Half by five years.

I don't know about you, but for $27,320, I don't think that's overpaid. In fact, I don't think that's enough to attract even marginally qualified teachers.

So take all your bullshit about how high teacher's salaries are and stick it where the sun doesn't shine. Of shut you damn mouth and let's see you sign up for $27k a year.

Feinstien was never really a liberal. In fact, many of her positions are simply not progressive at all. She has supported intermittently, various anti-consumer tort "reform" measures, also. She's really pretty much a big business Democrat. At least most of the Blue Dogs have some populist streak in them and have supported consumers on civil justice measures.

In addition to knowing little if anything about poker, apparently the reporter knows little or nothing about the law. In almost every state, playing poker is not illegal if it is a game with no "drop" or house take. Therefore a neighborhood poker game is illegal, but one put one where the house takes a dollar (or 10%, etc.) out of each pot, is not legal. Do perhaps Sen. Obama doesn't have a felonious streak after all.

As a loyal Democrat, I hope the judge grants the motion. What could be better than the party than the prospect of a Larry Craig trail and months of the Rethuglican party explaining how a white haired old man (from a State with a governor in their party) arguably just angling for sex is somehow bad, but David Vitter (who happens to live in a State with a Democratice party) actually paying for and getting it it is OK.

Interesting exchange that lends support to something I've been saying for some time: There's not a dime's worth of difference between the ignorant fundamentalists of Islamic pursuasion and those of the Christian bent. The real enemy is the idology of fundamentalism. Period.