ahhhhh but Karleen, the thrill isn’t about sex, it’s the venture - the power, the surge to keep from "getting caught."

Wayyyyyyyyyyyy back, Letterman appeared to be absolutely full of himself, but that’s how sociopaths rise to the top, but all that can be replaced by baking powder! Our TV and print is full of this - we wonder what’s happened to those under 50, now? It’s obvious. He’s milking his perceived fans for all he can get, and dragged two innocents with him - it served him well to be a "father," but he couldn’t pull off the "daddy" stuff, or the husband role.

How men like that one can even dream of being Romeos, is beyond me!  

I agree with your stance on people airing their personal lives "on the public stage," M C. It seems every where we turn, now, radio, TV, newspaper, periodicals, that reality ‘couple’ with the 8 children are figthing, spewing, and fuming at or about one another, esp. the mother! I had watched that show once, and her snide remarks, and expressions made toward her spouse made me shut off the TV - nothing’s worth watching that is hideous, IMHO - now she’s being praised and her ‘side’ taken by the women’s talking heads programs - I’m not so sure there not 2-sides to such atrocious marriages. In this case in point, I’m surprised the court has let her have custody of the children during this time - it’s obvious she’s marketing left and right, and dragging the little ones along on her cable station provided trips. Must be nice - for all but the children. Where is CPS?

Callie, case in point if any help at all - a friend of mine runs a business that helps consumers with their electronic/computer needs, at home, and in their physical location. He is dedicated, competent, and successful; however, his business relies on his two banks credit lines - he cannot afford to stockpile equipement in hopes of selling it, or he would have been out of business 10 years ago! Thus, he relies on his local banks (2 of them).

One day, he was at my home running a credit card transaction for something I needed, and had to take another step first - it was before President Bush nationalized the banks and after the CRASH - he called one of his banks … they did NOT have the funds to advance him because they were holding "the line." His other bank did approve his advance.

Simple example, but it illustrated how local banks support our small businesses on an minute by minute basis - yes, there are the "too big to fail" conglomerates interested only in pacifying their stockholders, and themselves at the tops, but those are the institutions the "little banks" have to go through at times before communicating with the Federal Reserve each night to report deposits (which determine the amount of loan money they receive the next AM).

Had the banks not been bailed out small business in the US would be gone, now - that was a great part of the "spending spree during the last 9 months."

I have no reason to defend our POTUS, other than offer respect; however, our banks were nationalized by President Bush, and interest killed our nation, and all of world finance - and it started here! As "paper (including mortgages)" was sold over and over again there was a commission paid to each ‘agent,’ over and over again - until the principle was useless (aka "housing"). (I am not critising the nationalization of our banks!)

In fact, the seat of that demise was with President Reagan’s Secretary of State who’s goal was Wall Street - he did not serve President Reagan, he led him!

Lee, those who are corrupting the Conservative Party are two loose-cannon factions, and it’s sad, in many ways - they’re protesters, period - a new factor on the ‘streets.’ They copy, paste, memorize, and shout down others. Amazing concept now termed revangers. Now there is every indication of "Pride before the fall," and this new socio-political group is not helping the Conservatives, or their multitudinous causes, at all.

http://www.amazon.com/Death-Conservatism-Sam-Tanenhaus/dp/1400068843/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1255183165&sr=1-1

Canuck,  with little deep knowlege on Afghanistan, some things are very clear, and bear concern, in light of articles, and following comments, like Peek puts out.

The Taliban IS Afghanistan, something few Americans realize - not Al-Qaeda, but Taliban! The Afghans want the US out - they want their government OUT - they’ve been occupied far too long (a word no one wants to use since this started), but that’s the simple truth, however complex it is. The most dangerous parts of that country are in the capitol because no once can control the throngs making IEDs there (review the deaths). It’s a breeding ground for everything threatening our world — along with N. Korea, and Iran.

There is no allegiance to the Qu’ran there … ask any devout Muslim - just because someone is from the Middle East and proclaims Islam does not mean they adhere to Islamic Law - no more than our Christians do here and abroad (www.quran.org.uk ).

Articles like Peek puts out are all over the place like the ground tornadoes - to stir up dirt and harm — just not very intelligent, lacking respect, at best.

 "We are now far too clever to be able to survive without wisdom." ~ E F Schumacher

Laura, I’m at the point with this mess, watching it for 9 years, that I’m beyond comprehension about how they even got to that point if it wasn’t for having others abet their actions. Nothing is accomplished in a vacuum! Back in 2000, I reported a terrific loss to the state securities board (in person no less), and the SEC … no response from the SEC, but the state literally told me, "He’s high on our radar … " but did nothing for me! (And, "they" robbed me while I was in chemotherapy for 4 years and saw me WITHOUT A HAIR ON MY HEAD!)