>>Sam, some of them do sign up. They just never get sent to where the fighting is. Remember Dubya's stellar military career?
>
>I do, but I can't seem to recall any of Bill Clinton's or Ted Kennedy's.

I am not defending the non-existent military careers of either of them, because there is nothing to defend. Anyone with an ounce of common sense knows they evaded the draft, as did most Ivy Leaguers back then. They had means and they used them. Dubya, a Yale guy who never would have gotten into Yale if not for his family connections, took a slightly different approach to the same end. His military career was a cushy assignment in the Alabama National Guard, a year of which remains unaccounted for. So please, let's not paint this as Republicans and Democrats. It's rich and poor.

A conspicuous exception was JFK, who volunteered (contrary to his father's advice and wishes) and put himself very much in harm's way. The story of PT-109 may have been doctored, amped up, but the basic facts are incontrovertible -- JFK was the skipper and the boat was sunk. He is credited with saving crewmates despite sustaining injuries which left him with a bad lock the rest of his life. Hell of a difference between that and the Alabama National Guard, no matter how much the stories have been spun.

I suspect you have a sneaking admiration for JFK. For a Democrat ;-)

Total change of subject, in light of you being a musician. Have you been watching "American Idol"? I have not been a regular viewer, just watched it sporadically with my daughters two years ago, but have for some reason become addicted this season. They are down to 16 contestants and will be down to 12 after tonight. The non-contenders have for the most part been weeded out, along with some great singers who are out of it as well. I have some favorites. Will not waste your time discussing further if you don't watch the show. I will say that one of my favorites is Gedeon, from right there in Memphis. He got an early reputation for cockiness, along with Simon's wrath -- not hard to do there -- but has been coming on strong as the contest has gone on. Anyone who burns down "A Change Is Gonna Come" and "When a Man Loves a Woman" in consecutive weeks is aces in my book. Those were bold choices because you know you're going to be compared to the originals. I don't think he will be the winner but I like listening to him sing. I also like Lisa (if I had to bet my money would be on her), Mandisa, Paris, Katharine, Taylor, and Chris. But most of them are pretty good at this point.