As an indication of the cynicism of the American public, a recent survey of opinions on the "Star Wars" universe showed villainous Darth Vader had a higher favorability rating than President Obama and all potential 2016 presidential candidates, Democrat and Republican. If either party can just come up with a Luke Skywalker ...

Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Md., the top Democrat on the Oversight committee conducting the IRS scandal hearing, is not shy about partisan namecalling, but he hasn't taken the trouble to learn the names of his fellow committee members. In a recent session he turned to the chairman, Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., and said, "one member on your side, the gentleman, I don't know his name ... " He also doesn't know what's been going on inside the IRS, or won't admit it.


A bug removal team was called in at a Senate office building and it had nothing to do with eavesdropping on affairs of state. A woman acting as a placeholder in line for a committee hearing was removed after she was found to be infested with bedbugs. Senators' office were on lockdown temporarily, but a women's restroom where bugs were discovered was closed for two days.