Farm bill? Oops!

Most congressional supporters of the farm bill have a hard time defending their position with a straight face. Imagine their chagrin when they were forced to go on the record a second time in favor of this multibillion-dollar monstrosity.

A day after voting to override President Bush's veto of the $290 billion farm legislation -- a measure that showers taxpayer largess on producers at a time of record commodity prices -- House leaders decided to pass the bill again after learning that they had mistakenly sent an incomplete version of the law to Mr. Bush.

Opponents of the bill were livid over the gaffe and backers of the legislation were not happy about having to cast another "aye" vote.

When asked how she reacted upon first learning of the mistake, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi responded, "Uncustomarily crude," according to news accounts.

It's all perfunctory. Congress had the votes to override the president, thanks in part to two Nevada House members, Reps. Shelley Berkley and Jon Porter.

Rep. Berkley, a Democrat, said she likes the bill because it provides subsidies to bring "more fresh fruits and vegetables" to Clark County school kids.

Rep. Porter, a Republican who believes that voting like a Democrat will help him retain his seat, claims the bill will save money for Nevada taxpayers and is actually chock full of provisions to keep farmers and large agricultural producers from taking advantage of federal handouts.

You can't make this stuff up.