This article was originally published at OpEdNews.com on February 15, 2009

With Abraham Lincoln’s birthday just passed on February 12th the media was replete with praise for him. Unfortunately, this whitewashed view of him is misguided. Rather than being the honest and resolute knight in shining armor that he is made out to be, on closer inspection he turns out to be one of the worst politicians Illinois has produced.

Federal law enforcement agencies have been tracking Americans in real-time using credit cards, loyalty cards and travel reservations without getting court orders for the "hotwatch."

"Armed security guards will be on hand at 36 unemployment offices around Indiana in what state officials said is a step to improve safety and make branch security more consistent.
No specific incidents prompted the action, Department of Workforce Development spokesman Marc Lotter told 6News' Norman Cox."

I actually agree with the fire department letting the house burn down.

The parent-teacher conference is a ritual of American education. It can be as tense as a traffic stop. Or a moment of joy. That's if you show up for it.