If they call it a party, why is everybody so miserable? What you see here is a representation of a day in the U.S. Senate, in 1856, when Rep. Preston Brooks of South Carolina attacked Massachusetts Sen. Charles Sumner with his gold-handled cane. Things are not quite so physical anymore, but they're not much better, according to Joe Reeder, a Washington lawyer and former assistant secretary of the Army. Reeder, writing in the current edition of the AARP Bulletin, has a remarkably simple idea that he believes would help to soften the bitterness across the aisle in both houses of Congress. His solution? Get rid of the aisle. Seat everybody alphabetically either by last name or by state. And if Arlen and Olympia can't get themselves settled and pay attention to Senate business, then maybe Olympia will just have to switch seats with Richard. Or Arlen with Debbie. Or somebody will have to go sit in the hall until Joe comes along and gives them a talking to. Not that Joe doesn't have HIS problems, as we all know. It's actually a neat, common-sense, no-cost real solution to a real problem, so you know it'll never get anywhere in Washington. You can fantasize along with Joe Reeder here: http://bulletin.aarp.org/opinions/othervoices/articles/opinion_break_up_the_political_parties.html

     WHAT'S FOR DINNER! Nicole Reynolds is a city-born-and-raised singer-songwriter who went to college and heard about all the horrible things farmers did to their animals and so she became a vegetarian. She's done well in the music world, with successful tours and four albums to date. It was while she was on tour that she heard of WWOOF, Worlwide Opportunities on Organic Farms. The opportunities are to provide unpaid labor in exchange for room and board. Reynolds worked on several European farms, then came back to the U.S. to work on Three Cheers Farm in Northeast, Pa. Three Cheers has a small sheep operation, and Reynolds learned that it is possible raise animals in such a way that she's comfortable using them as a food source. She's no longer a vegetarian. Lancaster Farming staff writer Chris Torres went to New Jersey to visit Reynolds. You can read his story in our current edition, or check it out here: http://www.lancasterfarming.com/node/2942
For a sample of Nicole's song stylings, go here: http://www.nicolereynoldsmusic.com/videos.html


    The news business - there'll always be ups and downs.  http://www.bing.com/videos/watch/video/yo-yo-imposter-sneaks-onto-tv-show/6dgq8oq