It looks like a busy day on Capitol Hill with the Senate set to confirm the first Black woman, and the fourth woman overall, to the Supreme Court and set to vote to end trade relations with Russia and ban oil imports from that country. This is one of the rare days when I miss working for Congress, as I did from 1981 to 87 as a press secretary to one Congressman, chief of staff for a second, and special assistant to the ranking member of the House Science and Technology.

Back then, building coalitions and bipartisanship were typical tools to pass legislation, set budgets, and accomplish things. No more and no real regrets for leaving.

It is the role of a newspaperman to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.
-- Finley Peter Dunne