Free Republic

Judith Zweifel told a judge Monday that she already had 432 days in jail to think about her actions in sexually assaulting an 11-year-old boy in Florissant over a nine-month period in 2004 and 2005. "I will have to live with that for the rest of my life," said Zweifel, 38, adding: "I know saying I'm sorry will never be enough." It wasn't enough for St. Louis County Circuit Judge John F. Kintz. As the victim and his family looked on, the judge gave Zweifel, formerly of Florissant, 14 years in prison.

In his book "What's the Matter with Kansas?" Thomas Frank asked how it is that working people in a red state like Kansas can consistently vote against their own economic interests. Indeed, getting the vote of low- and moderate-income people - particularly, males - has been a phenomenal accomplishment of the current breed of Republicans. The Karl Roves and Jim Dobsons of the world have cleverly used religion, abortion and outright homophobia to get folks to ignore their self-interests and elect candidates who do vote for so-called "family values," of course, but also work overtime to make life comfortable for...