By DAN K. THOMASSON, Scripps Howard News Service

WASHINGTON - With apologies to James Whitcomb Riley:

WASHINGTON - Unfortunately, the government's decision to prosecute the mastermind of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks in a civilian court and the prospect of an eventual traumatic trial of the mass murderer of 13 persons at Fort Hood, Tex., hold the distinct possibility of exacerbating already virulent anti-Muslim sentiment in this country.

WASHINGTON - The midterm congressional elections are a year away, but unsurprisingly, Republicans vanquished at the polls by the Obama landslide last fall are already talking about the possibility of reclaiming the House. Are they whistling past the party graveyard or do they actually have reason to be optimistic about the possibility of resurrection?

WASHINGTON - A few weeks ago I walked into the pharmacy of one of those "we sell everything and cheaper" places to fill a 14-pill prescription for a cancer patient. The smaller amount of a chemotherapy drug was needed to round out a course of treatment linked to a radiation regime for a brain tumor.

WASHINGTON - About the only consistent thing in this burg over 46 years of observation is that a whole lot of the politicians that run it never seem to learn from the past. When it comes to corruption, they just keep thinking they can beat the odds.

WASHINGTON - Among the more disappointing aspects of Barack Obama's young presidency is his seeming inability to come to a decision over what to do in Afghanistan. As the violence and U.S. death toll escalates, Obama continues to dither over whether to send more troops as requested by his chief man on the ground, Gen. Stanley McChrystal.

Among the oldest of political adages is the warning that one should never get into (expletive) match with someone who buys ink by the barrel. While that may not be as true as it was when newspapers ruled the daily news menu, it certainly still holds firm for those who own television networks and have a large Internet presence.

WASHINGTON - New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has given new meaning to the great American tradition of buying elections. The billionaire two-term mayor has become history's all-time champion for spending his own money as he runs for an unprecedented third term.

The first daylight robbery of a bank took place in 1866 in Liberty Missouri. The robbers were Jesse James and his pals, including his brother, Frank, and their allies, the Youngers.

Every few weeks comes a tale from one school or another so unbelievably stupid that it makes one shudder with disbelief at the lack of judgment in the administration of the American education system.