Amos, all...

I must confess that once, many many years ago, I was, for one single year, a member of the Illinois Young Republicans College Federation.

Yes, I know. But I was oh so young and foolish. I only went to one meeting, and that was only to get someone from our college elected president of the IYRCF. Even the head of the college's Young Democrats went that year. And they made is sound so wonderful, with everyone getting enough to eat and everyone working together and no one being better than anyone else. I didn't know then that they were...you know, Republicans!!!

I've confessed this sin to my priest and he assigned me a penance of three Our Fathers, three Hail Marys, and a stay in Purgatory "until the Sun no longer gives its light and the stars no longer shine." I also have to be scourged through seven churches and make a pilgrimage, on my knees, to the top of Croghpatrick -- starting from Illinois, too.

My sin has been forgiven by God. I hope that everyone here can be as merciful.