Why Can't Congress Do Its Personal Best? - by Sybil Sage

Switching between events in Washington and Vancouver was confusing. There was more discord and hostility demonstrated by America's elected officials than there was among the competing athletes, who, unlike our politicians, were hoping to do their personal best, as opposed to members of Congress, clearly determined to annihilate "the other side."

Among the Olympic contenders, only Russian figure skater Evgeni Plushenko was a sore loser, dubbing himself the "platinum medal winner" and carping about his opponent. It's as if he'd been coached by Fox TV to ignore the results and try to undermine the opponent who'd outscored him. Evan Lysacek, judging by his grace under pressure and ability to take the high road, may have have been mentored by President Obama.

Missing from both events was the pre-program red carpet with Joan Rivers and Melissa commenting on wardrobe choices, decidedly less colorful at Blair House than at the Olympic Stadium.

After watching the Health Summit, America might want to turn the Washington Mall into a large "kiss and cry" area.