"They're off and running. . ."

Our nation is engaged in a life-and death struggle against a religion-based enemy who has sworn to kill us all, the price of oil has skyrocketed, people are dying because they can't afford health care, illegal aliens are streaming over the border, many of them bent on no good, and Congress has decided to discuss HORSE RACING.

Horse racing began in the dim, dark past, when one fellow boasted his horse could run faster than some other fellow's. Which horse was faster was probably irrelevant; it was more a case of machismo. Their friends soon discovered that this was an opportunity for gambling, the world's second oldest form of entertainment.

Then, a private industry developed around this "sport," and big money began to change hands. Eventually, the government began to take note, because where there's money, there's the opportunity to tax it.

Last week, the House Subcommittee on Blah-Blah-Blah stuck its nose into horse racing with a mind to further regulation. Their topics included synthetic track surface and steroid use. They are completely ignoring the fact that this is a private industry, and if the public perceives that the animals are being mistreated, they won't attend, and the whole enterprise will collapse. Also ignored is the fact that the industry understands the problem, and is doing something about it. And forgotten are the honest trainers and breeders who are relying on the industry financially, and don't need government interference to do what is right.

Get China out of Tibet, and Congress out of the horse racing business.