A thinking Republican.

The rest of her colleagues in the GOP have been remarkably disingenuous throughout this exercise, so it should come as no surprise that they continue as such. Snowe is the true conservative here. Her position on the so-called "public option" is as a last resort--i.e.: if market reforms instituted in the final bill do not result in a regeneration of a now demonstrably stagnant insurance market. True conservatives have never been against prudent government involvement in the marketplace; only against substituting government where viable markets either exist or can be stimulated to exist. The latter is (still) an open question, even if bloated 30% overheads presently indicate that the health insurance "market" is anything but.

Blind rejection is not a responsible alternative position. The problems--now and ahead--are real, even when you close your eyes to them. In that regard, it seems to me that the true children of the '60s that never grew up are those that call themselves Republicans or conservatives. Unfortunately, they insult the proud, hard won legacy of both.

Next week, the MSM is going to go to bat for the National Enquirer, excoriating the White House for failing to call on their reporters or inviting them to press events. "Who is the President to decide which is a legitimate news organization," cried Jake Tapper.

Memo to the U.S. MSM: I watch the BBC and use my wifi radio to listen to a number of offshore stations (CBC, DW, etc.) to find out what's really going on in my country. Try watching the NBC Nightly News at 6:30 ET and then the BBC World News America at 7:00 ET. You will find that the difference in scope, intelligence and focus is jarring.

If there's change in any significant aspect with this administration thus far, one must use a microscope to find it. Yes, much of the rhetoric is different (or at least sounds different). But from financial and banking policy, to public works (read that as "lack thereof") to health policy (leave the wolves in charge of the henhouse) to war policy, there's much less "change" here than what I voted for. Granted, the American system almost ensures (enshrines?) incrementalism. But opportunities have been ignored and lost already and more will be. I suppose what has surprised me most about Obama and his administration is its timidity. When one compares that to the outrageous (but largely successful) overreach by the preceding administration, it's enough to make a grown man cry, scream and then cry again.

...should have told Tiger that he had to say something. My choice--had it happened to me and I was THAT famous--would have been to say that "Elin and I had an argument, just like millions of others do, and I studidly stormed out, got in my car, gunned the engine and proceeded to hit the hydrant. The car was locked; I was dazed. Elin broke the window, unlocked the car and helped me out. That's it. The topic of the argument is private."

Given Woods' good reputation, I think that would have ended it. Most would have said, "He's right. It's private." Instead, he gave the vultures a reason to pursue.

Which they will. But I'm finished right here.

... can actually read it for comprehension.