I believe there's a clear relationship between the increasing obesity and the growing passivity of our citizenry. In Julius Caesar Act 1, scene 2, 190195, Shakespeare's Caesar exclaims, "Let me have men about me that are fat, /Sleek-headed men and such as sleep a-nights. /Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look, /He thinks too much; such men are dangerous."

There you have it, from the clear mind of Thomas Sowell. For another interesting trend in America, Google "U.S. Obesity Trends Trends by State 1985-2009". Not only are many of us OK with giving up our freedom to get what someone else has, we are getting fatter in the process. As a country, we Americans are surrendering our freedom and our responsibility for convenience--for entitlements and for bad food. If we won't take responsibility for our bodies, I can't see us taking responsibility for anything more abstract.

FYI: for any Tom Sowell fans out there, Mr. Sowell supports Tim Pawlenty for president in 2012. Definitely worth learning more about this man of substance.

OK! Pawlenty, Herman Cain, and Ron Paul. I'll support any one of those three for president in 2012. Come to think of it, I'll support even a stem cell against Obama in 2012.

Mark Steyn is one of my absolute favorite contributors to National Review Online. However, I agree with E Archer that FDR was the big crook who really started America on our downward spiral. The fact that Obama hasn't any supporters who are non-union and non-governmental-employee is scary. Too many people out there still need to wake up.

Col. West, I sure wish I'd had *your* parents to raise me. You're a lucky man. It's interesting how people from intact families whose mother and father paid attention to their children's upbringing often become political conservatives. Indeed, they have something worthy of conservation.

Sounds like Madison was talking about Narcissists, and we've got a textbook case in the White House right now.

@charley, J.Carlton, Amen. Bush's lax stewardship allowed for Obama's election, and Obama has accelerated America's decline as his full-steam-ahead first priority. We need Hermain Cain or Ron Paul in 2012!

Support Boeing's new plant in South Carolina, a Right to Work state. The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB--aka Big Labor) is trying to get the Federal Government to force Boeing to relocate its Right to Work South Carolina facility back to Washington State, which is NOT a Right to Work state. This would force all Boeing employees to pay union dues or lose their jobs. The days are evil, folks!!!

*Sniff* I didn't appreciate Reagan when he was in office. Kimo is right, we could certainly use another Reagan. I'd love to see either Herman Cain or Ron Paul get the GOP nomination.

I'm with Ron Paul when he calls for an audit of the Fed, and of all those gold-plated tungsten bars in Fort Knox. Grrr.

Then, you have the matter of the guy who boarded a US Air plane wearing only women's panties and a bra. I'm sure he was *hoping* someone would question his offensive dress so he could pop the airline a fat lawsuit. This whole minority rights bull shite has been taken too far.

Excellent article on the background behind Greece's economic disaster. Google: NAPOLEON LINARDATOS The Greek Way of Sorrow How a charismatic politician with the slogan Change launched Greece on the path to ruin

Excellent article on the background behind Greece's economic disaster. Google: NAPOLEON LINARDATOS The Greek Way of Sorrow How a charismatic politician with the slogan Change launched Greece on the path to ruin

Excellent article on the background behind Greece's economic disaster. Google: NAPOLEON LINARDATOS The Greek Way of Sorrow How a charismatic politician with the slogan Change launched Greece on the path to ruin

2012's should be an interesting election. We must carefully choose a Republican candidate who is a person of substance, who has done things besides run for office. Herman Cain comes to mind, as does Tim Pawlenty. I'm tired of Obama's fiats, and of his end runs around Congress. Can you imagine what that Narcissist will do if elected for a second term? Our first duty as Americans is to oust Obama in 2012.

BTW, off-topic, but the best article I've read about the primrose path to national bankruptcy. Do an online search for: NAPOLEON LINARDATOS The Greek Way of Sorrow How a charismatic politician with the slogan Change launched Greece on the path to ruin

Col. Travis was a real man. What he said is what life ultimately boils down to. I'm gonna be honest and say I am not yet ready to lay down my life for freedom. I know that, in saying this, I am a coward. Hopefully, I will change that sooner rather than later. Also, I know I have plenty of company, since America would not be where she is now were every single American a person of heart like Col. Travis.

"The whole idea of a 'champion' (political or religious) who will 'save us' is absolutely contrary to a free people." Well, said, Archer!!! While a 'champion' initially might appear to be a godsend, ultimately it would be enervating.

Dig more deeply. Money is just a number. Why do people amass it? For security--because we are fearful and insecure. The only antidote is to embrace the inevitability of one's own death.

We certainly do live in an artistic dark age. Seriously.