The point that is being bounced around in the posts above is an interesting one, and, I think, largely a matter of degree.

With NCLB, Bush really violated the republican ideology of hands-off government, and went too far, I think, in dictating to the states.

Here in Vermont, we led a national trend towards equalizing education, while maintaining local control. Does it always work? No. Does everyone agree to how it is implemented? No. Are we in the top five states in terms of childhood education across the board? Yes. ANd NCLB is hurting, not helping, by dictating standards that are out of step with the most effective teaching methods.

At the same time, I think the federal government has an obligation to step in in cases of egregious violations of good conduct, racism, sexism, etc, and federal involvement should be considered from this angle (implemanting title IX, etc with a firm hand).

Ron Paul is an interesting character, but his positions render him a charicature.

On another note: Glenn, you said this:

"That, of course, assumes that all opposition to abortion is necessarily religious -- a proposition that is plainly untrue and which, I believe, not even pro-choice organizations would assert"

Maybe not all, but most opposition to abortion has religious roots, especially amongst the most rabid of anti-abortion foes. Of course so-called "pro-choice" organizations would dispute this - They would like to appear mainstream in the face of an increasingly unbelieving America.

Insanity is hereditary - Your kids will drive you crazy

But they don't. It's just the media and the party machines perpetuating this myth. Do you really think voters in California, or Georgia, or anywhere else are looking to voters in these two states to guide them? No. Remember that McCain beat Bush in NH in 2000.

These states are wannabees and has beens at the same time

Iraq, Iraq, Iraq, crazy wild fires, Blackwater, Guantanamo, Abu Gahrab

All this under a born again president

Maybe we need a little LESS god

Now, THAT'S the TICKET

that is next to the small town that I live in, there will be a memorial service today for a 21 year old soldier who died just last week.

He was married last year

So when I hear words like this:

"We're going to have to review our strategy"

I hear:

"We're going to watch more of your children die"

When they are on our payroll

"Feminists"?

I think the better word would be racist. Or Bigot. Or something like that.

My parents never hit me. I have two young boys, and I don't hit them. Hitting is wrong.

THis was not really a conscious decision, nor one that my wife and I even ever really have spoken about.

The older boy (Now your typical 4yo manaic) Needs only to get "The Look" - From across the table, the room or the yard - and sometimes accompanied by speaking (not shouting) his name with a particular sharp inflection, and he stops in his tracks, and if necessary, I call him over and we discuss it, or he goes to his room, depending on the offense.

Have I been tempted to hit him? You betcha. Have I resorted to shouting? Yep, but this is is not as effective as the rapport I have developed as described above, in the long run.

Having said this, I have to say that in my opinion, this is no place for the government. Child abuse is a terrible thing, but I don't think that this law would reduce abuse, nor would it catch more true child abuse, which can take forms both physical and otherwise. A delicate issue for society and families, for sure.

You imply that FoxNews is part of the mainstream media. Please stop doing that. The more that the idea that Fox is a news station gets repeated, the more that people will believe it.

Without you people in the media ascribing even more undue importance to it.

Another anonymous coward posing as a member of the military.

Anon says the military was "angry at Bill Clinton for using them for other purposes than what their main job was"

Yeah, I hate it when the president sends our military to a foreign country with the full backing and support of the UN and runs a successful campaign and gets the hell out.

We don't get too much trouble from the old Czek republic anymore, now do we? That's called peace, and a job well done.

The main job of the military is to do what the commander in chief (i.e. POTUS) tells them to do. Perhaps if they were able to apply a little more critical analysis, our men and women would not be fighting and dying for a bunch of fucking lies.

Regarding the job of the military - I understand the difference - I was more responding to Anon's assertion about the "job" of the military

Regarding your second paragraph to me, I agree - "Mutiny" is a big ugly word for an 18yo - or a 28 or a 38 yo for that matter. I have to admit that I muddled my thoughts a little on that response. I really wanted to make 2 points.

One, about who the military supports politically (And why they would support Bush (awol Guard) vs. Gore or Kerry (decorated vets)

Two, and this is directed to you, also, is that the military is made up of more than 18 year olds. It is made of of people who are very smart, very experienced. These people either did not speak up, were ignored (and there are quite a few in this catagory) or were co-opted into this game of Bush's for reasons I cannot fathom. i.e.: Colin Powell, who I used to respect.

Whatever that is.

Is Icky

But only for a little while

Bush was hoping war with Iran would carry him, and the republicans, through 2008.

Oops

Now it's time to pay the piper

...into slot