When I first started visiting Las Vegas about six years ago I looked into slot machines from time to time. I didn't have a habit of winning when I bet, which wasn't often. But I adopted this line, which I have since heard often from others: "It doesn't matter if I win or lose. It's entertaining just being here and trying this."

I now notice that I am careful to say that I don't have any particular animosity toward Republicans, just against the neocons who have "hijacked" the party. True or not, this hijacking, this, I notice, has also become a party line. I hear it from the talk radio hosts on AirAmerica and I read it in the articles in the left press.