I decided to watch the West Wing on DVD. I loved the show when it aired starting in 1999 and I thought it was time to enjoy it again.

I just finished with the Pilot. The scene where everyone is "making nice" with the conservative right wing christians, bending over backwards to compromise and backfill...and in comes POTUS and tells it like it is, uncompromisingly in support of the Bill of Rights and saying it like it is.

I found myself thinking I wish we had a president like that. One, who, when everyone has finished all the kissing up, can speak the truth and say the right thing, political fallout or no.

Just an actor, but it was a magnificent moment. I'm so tired of reading how once again we've compromised with the far right, jeopardized our rights, ignored our responsibilities--and still they refuse to budge, taking the compromise and, standing firm, demand more. Democrats roll over once again.

Our leadership smiles and shakes hands and makes nice and looks for more compromises to give them. Surely if we give them enough of what they want they will meet us halfway. Sure. Halfway to tyranny.

Sometime you just have to do the right thing.