O Canada!

When Toronto fans finished the U.S. national anthem after the singer's microphone crapped out before the Leafs' home game against Nashville, we were all impressed.  Oh, those classy Canadians!

Would American hockey fans have done that?  I'd like to think so, but do American hockey fans even know the lyrics to "O Canada"?

Just in case, here is the first stanza:

O Canada!
Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all thy sons command.
With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North strong and free!
From far and wide,
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

P.S.  When I first heard the Canadian national anthem, I swore that it sounded like, "We stand on God for thee."

You Made It! Now What?

Congratulations, Republicans, on winning control of the Senate.  I hope that you comport yourselves admirably and make us all proud.  However, I'm not optimistic.

After all, you are the same folks who swore to obstruct the Obama administration at every opportunity.  Long before the 2012 elections, you vowed to make him a one-term President.  When that failed, you shut down the government for two weeks just before the holidays.  When that failed to achieve your objectives, you launched a fusillade of bile and hatred that was downright shameful.

Now, at last, you control both houses of Congress.  Next objective: The White House.  Then all will be well, right?

Be careful what you wish for.

If you gleaned nothing else from the recent mid-terms, it is this: We have had it with the political brinksmanship that both you and the Democrats have played.  Enough, already, with the pouting, name-calling and finger-pointing.  This is not 3rd-grade recess.  You're supposed to be the grown-ups.

You want to dismantle Obamacare?  Go for it.  But offer a realistic alternative for the millions who need it.

You want justice for Benghazi?  Go for it.  Bring your case to the courts and let a jury decide.

You want the Keystone XL pipeline?  Go for it.  But first, pass a bill guaranteeing that if the pipeline despoils our environment, you go to jail.  How's that for transparency?

You want to ensure that Hillary doesn't win in 2016?

Don't f*** up.