Congress expended a lot of energy debating how to solve the energy crisis before running off for summer recess for five weeks. It ended up accomplishing nothing. Now Congress is back and seemingly ready for more of the same. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., will present an energy bill next week that would expand offshore drilling. But Republicans rejected the legislation on the basis of the outlines Pelosi released Tuesday. Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., will hold hearings today with an eye to bringing energy bills to a vote sometime next week. But don't expect anything to happen. ...more

September 15, 2008

Senate Democrats promised a series of votes next week on offshore oil drilling as Republicans agreed Monday to let the Senate proceed on a defense bill that had been bottled up because of partisan disputes over the country's energy priorities. ...more

September 9, 2008

The Obama camp teases McCain about his federal tax relief on gasoline during the summer vacation period. Somewhat later, Obama suggested we check our tire pressure. The McCain clan belittled his idea as too little and too late. Individually or together, both made sense to the "little people" who scrimp and save throughout the year for a break at the beach or a picnic in the mountains. ...more

August 17, 2008

In the Aug. 14 edition of Highlands Today there was a letter written by Randy Ludacer. Mr. Ludacer's hot button appears to have been activated by an innocent comment Sen. John McCain made about his battle with Sen. Barack Obama. McCain said: "I know how to win wars." Mr. Ludacer completely misunderstood the comment, although the media did not. ...more

August 16, 2008

In a possible breakthrough on energy, a bipartisan group of senators Friday unveiled a compromise that would preserve the oil drilling ban off the West Coast while easing restrictions on exploration off the East Coast and in the Gulf of Mexico. ...more

August 2, 2008

I don't recall the last time three major TV networks sent their anchors on a foreign visit. ...more

July 26, 2008

I'm disappointed, but that's not why I'm angry. I don't think Hillary Clinton lost just because of sexism. I think the part that has angered women so much was the sexism by the media, in particular, and the lack of outrage voiced by everyone concerned, especially those in the Democratic Party, especially leadership. ...more

June 15, 2008

Avoiding casualties in Iraq is more important than bringing troops home, Republican John McCain said Wednesday, feeding an outcry from Democrats who quickly declared him to be out of touch with the public and the needs of the military. ...more

June 12, 2008

The fate of $600-$1,200 rebate checks for more than 100 million Americans is in limbo after Senate Republicans blocked a bid by Democrats to add $44 billion in help for the elderly, disabled veterans, the unemployed and businesses to the House-passed economic aid package. ...more

February 7, 2008

A top Senate Democrat unveiled a $156 billion economic stimulus package on Monday that awards rebates to senior citizens living off Social Security and extends unemployment benefits, setting up a clash with the White House and House leaders pushing a narrower package. ...more

January 29, 2008