Free Republic

FORT LAUDERDALE -- Mayor Jim Naugle has never been shy about voicing his beliefs. He's called some environmentalists "wackos" and said people complaining about high home prices were lazy, beer drinking "schlocks." Now the mayor has shifted his attention to a robotic toilet, saying the invention could have a special edge over a traditional restroom in preventing the "homosexual activity" that he said plagues other public restrooms. The robo-john the city might buy for $250,000 or more allows occupants to stay inside for only a short time before the door opens. Probably not enough time for "illegal sex," Naugle figures.

Thoughts from my USO tour to IraqI've just returned from a trip to Iraq after an initial stop in Kuwait with actor Marshall Teague, who you know from films like ''The Rock,'' ''Armageddon,'' and TV programs like, ''Babylon 5,'' ''Sliders,'' and of course ''Walker, Texas Ranger.'' We went to visit and encourage service members as part of a United Service Organization (USO) tour. I'll share some of the inspiring moments in next Monday's article (and maybe a photo or two)! As in past years, I left the region more inspired by our troops than I believe they were by me....