There was, back in the early days of the Tea Party, a movement afoot to make incoming Congressional freshman take a half-day seminar on the Constitution. This is probably a very good idea, given how many idiotic comments members of both houses make about the law of our land. Imagine what could happen if the Legislative Branch learned that separation of church and state is not explicitly stated in the Constitution, that a Tenth Amendment exists, and what the Second Amendment actually says about muskets. Things could change pretty quick: either incoming freshmen would say “Oh, that makes a difference,” or at least they would be forced to admit they don’t agree. But ignorance would no longer acceptable.

But another good idea would be for incoming freshman to take another half-day orientation entitled “Introduction to Military Affairs.” In this course, the different branches of the military would be explained to them, what the Marines do differently from the Army, and so on. But a lot more could cover various aspects of military tradition and conduct.

For one thing, such a course could have prevented the still ridiculous exchange between a member of the military and Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), in which the latter chided the former for referring to her as “Ma’am.” She honestly thought he was being disrespectful, but she could have learned that this is what military members do. Of course, anyone with a three-digit IQ would have figured this out, but it has been a very long time since California elected a senator with a three-digit IQ.

In older days, one suspects a huge majority of the men in Congress served in the military—probably even in a combat role. But today, few have served and as a result, most may have fundamental gaps in their understanding about military affairs. The Air Force has a Space wing? What’s a wing? So the Navy has aircraft carriers and submarines, yes, but why is that not sufficient for projecting American power? Imagine if Sen. Barack Obama had taken such a course; his debate answer to Mitt Romney would have been a whole lot less stupid.

The military still serves two roles for Congress, although most recognize only one. Yes, the military protects the Constitution from threats abroad, which is incredibly important to understand—but the military also makes up millions of voters, most of whom are quite eager to vote. It would be in a Congressperson’s best interest to get it right from time to time, if only to understand the voters.

The Czar of Muscovy

Божію Поспѣшествующею Милостію Мы, Дима Грозный Императоръ и Самодержецъ Всероссiйскiй, цѣсарь Московскiй. The Czar was born in the steppes of Russia in 1267, and was cheated out of total control of all Russia upon the death of Boris Mikhailovich, who replaced Alexander Yaroslav Nevsky in 1263. However, in 1283, our Czar was passed over due to a clerical error and the rule of all Russia went to his second cousin Daniil (Даниил Александрович), whom Czar still resents. As a half-hearted apology, the Czar was awarded control over Muscovy, inconveniently located 5,000 miles away just outside Chicago. He now spends his time seething about this and writing about other stuff that bothers him.