Crapper was a brand name like asking for a: Kleenex or a Tums, or Scott towel or a Kim wipe, or an ipod, Hitler, Einstein, Jacuzzi, Crock Pot, Breathalyzer, Zamboni , Chapstick, Ping Pong, Popsicle, Q-tip, Roller-Blades, Scotch Tape, Sharpie, Realtor, Tupperware, Velcro, Weed Eater, White-out (wite-out), Band-Aid, Dumpster, Xerox, Post-it, Plexiglass, Styrofoam, Formica, Frisbee, Windbreaker, etc. etc. all brand names.

The original point was spot on, crapper was not originally associated with feces and thus not the swear/dirty/soapy mouthwash word it is evolved in. It is funny that people find it backwardly humorous that a man named Crapper was associated with toilets. He was associated with the successful improved designs of flush toilets to an extent that poor Mr. Harrinton is long forgotten but Mr Crapper's name has reached legend status.

;o)

A short VA comment. As a veteran I keep up with these things. During the Bush years (I believe he qualifies as a conservative), he "supported our troops" (remember that rallying cry?) by cutting the VA budget and sending the money to Halliburton and Blackwater. VA staffs were cut, building plans scrapped, and many, many veterans were turned away. The money was restored in the next administration but the 7 year backlog was there. The VA in many areas was (is) swamped and staffing is lacking having been dismissed during the Bush years. Building plans have be restored but these take time. There is no excuse for the falsification of records done in Arizona, but that is an isolated case. This is another inherited tragedy laid on the lap of the current administration.

I am very proud of the deer in my avatar. He was a noble game animal and he ate very well from my freezer. I made good use of the meat and as he was an older buck he had pretty much already passed his genes on to many future generations of deer to come. Probably you are not into hunting and I am perfectly fine with that but please don't try to put a bad connotation on hunting. In reality it is one of the safest and more noble of the sports available to us. The fact that that deer is hanging from my garage ready to be skinned and made into meat is also a testament that if the world ever really goes to pot at least I will be able to feed my family with my skills of hunting, fishing and trapping. Many in the world today can't say that. If it wasn't for the food store they would probably starve to death.

Last, you say I make good points yet you try to demean me by taking a personal shot at me because I do something different than you though it is still honorable and lawful. Oh yes, it didn't make me mad at all. I am honored you noticed the avatar and commented on it. Hopefully this year I will have a similar but different photo to be proud of.

Dennis

I understand your comments. I think the current administration is taking responsibility for this (and other) issues. The VA has to replace all the personnel lost during Bush II - these are jobs that pay less well than the private sector so when you release those willing to work under this pay restriction it is harder to find replacements. Thus fewer people to see these many new arrivals at the VA door. Perhaps you would be willing to tell your congressperson to increase the pay scale at the VA which is under a rigid government payscale ladder.

I was raised very conservative, and exsposed conservative ideals, and the Party was never wrong. Then college opened life's door, and I began to perceive the workd differently, swung over to being very liberal. Now after years of life's lessons and diverse experiences I'm an Independent. Both liberal and conservative philosophies have some good beneficial ideals, but both are mostly poor non productive platforms with interests too narrow to benefit society as a whole. For me it's become an analysis of each individual argument as both parties spew manure pretty thick. I take the good from each and trash the rest. Should one believe either party has an elevated value over the other and not capable of wading through mire, then perhaps they're better off in whichever camp of their choosing remaining blind to their own failures while pointing accusing fingers at others. It's a fundamental aspect of American society...have at it. :-)