I agree with your "hack" pick. Hastert is an ass, though. He is one of the biggest idiots in Congress.
Mike M. | Homepage | 12.02.05 - 11:33 am | #

I don't like Hasert much, but I'm always somewhat bemused by the debate of Christmas trees. While nativities, etc. are undeniably church-state issues, I don't remember reading about any pine trees in Bethlehem at the time of Christ.

Of course, that's because the Christmas tree's origins date back to pagans in early Midieval Germany. The tradition didn't take hold in the United States until the early 1800's, and was called by William Bradford a "pagan mockery." A 1659 law in Massachusetts made it illegal for people to decorate for Christmas, trees included.

Kind of ironic then that it has now become part of what many on the right perceive as the "war against Christmas".

Thus concludes our random history lesson for the day .
Michael McKain | 12.02.05 - 11:55 am | #

I agree wholeheartedly with your analysis of the Christmas tree debate.
I really have little opinion of Hastert, but I suspect anyone could call any member "one of the biggest idiots in Congress." I take such slanders with a grain of salt. There are some members for whom I might agree with that statement, even in my own party, but in general, it's easy to judge any of them and apply such labels simply because you disagree with them. And yes, I do it on occasion, so I am not meaning to be hypocritical, just saying it's easy to call anyone an idiot, but it doesn't make it correct or necessary.
He was picked because there really weren't many heroes this week. He was the only person who stood out in my mind at all for having done anything positive this week, and the sheer number of Canada posts this week drove Ryan and I away from the concept of an "All Canada" edition. WHO was picked because I hate such things. They can ban smoking in the workplace, but it is wrong to regulate what employees do when they're not on the clock. It's an infringement upon civil liberties.
Jess | 12.02.05 - 3:11 pm | #

I like both picks, and unfortunately, the WHO thing does not surprise me.

Good job so far, Jess! Keep up the good work.
Ryan S. | Homepage | 12.02.05 - 4:33 pm | #

I just noticed that it posted the last line all wrong, and I don't know why. Ooops.
Jess | 12.02.05 - 5:20 pm | #

I've got a hearty debate going on on my site about the "holiday tree" issue.

Saw your fantastic rating on TTLB! Nice work!
Mellora | Homepage | 12.02.05 - 6:54 pm | #

Thanks Mellora! Gotta spread the conservative message!
Ryan S. | Homepage | 12.04.05 - 4:44 pm | #