The new lawmakers are in Washington

Some of the freshmen lawmakers seem to be a curious lot. Many of them were recruited to run because they were moderate or could be perceived as moderates to voters in conservative states.

Discontent with Bush and Iraq made their election a relatively easy task -- a task that could be just as easily reversed in two years.

The following are comments posted about the article here titled, Freshmen lawmakers begin orientation.

The comments mock orientation classes by Democratic leaders in congress.

Obfuscation 101 by Senator Clinton. How not to answer unscripted, spontaneous questions and new variations of how to say "I do not recall".

Ethics in Real Estate 101 by Senator Reid. How to make millions of dollars on property you transfer to shell corporations and get away with it. Prerequisite for course is completing Revising Campaign Disclosure and Ethics Forms 101.

Public Relations 101 by Senator Schumer. How to get maximum television exposure, no matter the subject and your knowledge or experience. Guest lecture by Al Gore and Senator Kerry.

Sexual Harassment 101 by Senators Kennedy and Dodd. How to do a waitress sandwich and get away with it. How to eliminate pesky campaign workers who've outworn their welcome. Special Field trip to Chappaquiddick and Oldsmobile driving course.

While the preceding comments were intended to be humorous, there is a lot of truth to the words.

Back to the linked article in the Seattle Post Intelligencer:

A former NFL quarterback, a seven-fingered farmer and a '70's rocker who posed half-naked on an old album cover began learning Monday how to be members of Congress.

Hall, a New York Democrat, ran an unorthodox campaign featuring a singing duet on Comedy Central and a number of concert rallies with famous friends such as Bonnie Raitt.

They are a curious lot indeed. But can any of them get re-elected?