"41"

The 300 Spartans who stood and fought the battle against the Persian hordes in the Battle of Thermopylae knew from the outset that victory was near-impossible; their hope lay in inspiring others, with their bravery, to continue to fight back. On that basis, they won, as the Persians payed dearly for their attempts to subdue the Greeks. One might say that the 300 saved Western democracy, for if Greece fell in toto, from where would the inspiration of our forefathers be gathered?

Now we have the 41...the 41 Republicans who are fighting a losing battle against reconciliation in the Senate, knowing every amendment they offer will go down to defeat, hoping only to slow the advance, unveil their enemy's machinations, and find a chink in their armor.

Leonidas: No retreat, no surrender. That is Spartan law. And by Spartan law, we will stand and fight... A new age has begun: an age of freedom! And all will know that 300 Spartans gave their last breath to defend it!

Well, a small victory has been won, at least:

Senate Republicans learned early Thursday that they will be able to kill language in a measure altering President Barack Obama's newly enacted health care overhaul, meaning the bill will have to return to the House for final congressional approval...Democrats described the situation as a minor glitch, but did not rule out that Republicans might be able to remove additional sections of the bill.

Make them vote again, and again. Force every bit of chicanery out into the open. And when it is all over, and what few changes have been made, and the dust has settled and the remainder of the invading hordes bang their shields, the 41 will be held in high honor. Mocked by the Democrats, scorned by the media (Where is Scott Brown?, The Boston Herald sneers...he's fighting for your freedom, on the front lines...), scowled upon by the mighty King Obama, the 41 held strong, exposed the truth about their adversaries, and gave their all so that others may see the fight is not in vain.

Xerxes/Obama: Unlike the cruel Leonidas, who demanded that you stand...I require only that you kneel.

The 41 will not kneel to Barack Obama and the Democrats. Nor will the rest of the American people. After all, we are all Spartans now...

Haroo!