Just a Little Cranky

2002-10-13T12:08:00.000-05:00

An excellent idea of what Carter should have said upon winning the Nobel 'Peace' Prize is in John Bono's Big S Blog. How much of an honor is it to join the other winners? Ultimately it might get you a recurring scene in a WSJ on-line Best of the Web piece along with Arafat.

2002-09-13T15:24:00.000-05:00

Another example of familial love among our 'civilized' Arab friends!

2002-09-12T12:54:00.000-05:00

The dream team! This teaming of two great public servants should spark interest throughout the country in the presidential elections of 2003. McKinney for president?

2002-09-11T17:03:00.000-05:00

Something to think about--and folks really, really need to think about this. If the Democrats take control of the House of Representatives in this fall's election, John Conyers will be the chair of the House Judiciary Committee. Is that an incentive to go vote? Imagine, if you will, the committee hearings......

2002-09-11T16:51:00.000-05:00

Well, here we are....one year later. Still kicking and, if it's possible, more mad than ever. Last year, on my way to work, I was listening to NPR on the radio and was in transit when the plane hit the Pentagon and when the first tower fell. As I turned west off the main highway, I noticed a huge circular contrail right over the city. A plane had just left the airport, was called back, and made a gigantic perfect circle. This afternoon I took a late break and went out to the west side of the museum to sit under the pines (boy they smell good!) and enjoy the cooler weather. The sky was criss-crossed with contrails and there was a plane heading northeast after having made its swoop over the city. It was high and going higher and leaving behind a sharp indication of its passing. That was a nice feeling.

2002-09-05T23:31:00.000-05:00

Waay too many things today to put me in a snit! The Senate's treatment of Judge Owens. The absolutely sneering nasty rude disdainful.......Donahue. I don't know how many times I can go to the MSNBC site, find the Donahue page, and send them an email via their 'hey, make a suggestion for a show' link. They've made it awfully easy to send them emails. They're looking for great new ideas to make the show even greater. (Usually when you want to complain you can never find an email adddress.) How many suggestions of host replacement are they gonna need? I got the nicest thank you letter, too, inviting me to join in their chat room and just hang out with the gang! I think the next thing is to write sponsors. I told the Old Gentleman tonight that even Colmes--as wrong as he is--is not nearly as obnoxious in his treatment of people as Donahue. As the O.G. has never even watched Donahue he couldn't comment. The mood I was in, it's lucky that dinner was even served.

And that dumb-ass comment by Senator Feinstein that she was embarrassed to be wearing an American flag pin when she was in Europe, obviously surrounded by 'violent' demonstrators against the U.S. I think if she's embarrassed she should leave the service of her country. Perhaps, perhaps there's someone from California who wouldn't fear wearing their country's flag in public--no matter where--who might be a better Senator. But considering how offended lots of Californians (primarily in centers of learning) are about the flag, it may be harder than I think to find a senator who'd be willing to wear the flag in public. It might offend differently-affiliated citizens. Wouldn't want that.

And Senator Carnahan, voting against Judge Owens--primarily because it was the 'party' line--may not serve her well in Missouri this fall. Except in the sophisticated centers of liberal thinking on the east and west coasts of the state, there probably aren't very many people in Missouri who believe telling parents about an incipient abortion by a 14-year old to be a BAD thing. All the skeet shooting in the world by Mrs. C., trying to look like a real sport, cozying up to the Rural Male in MO, probably won't make up for the Rural Parent's attitude toward 'confidentiality' for their teenage girl.

2002-09-04T00:04:00.000-05:00

I've taken a little sabbatical of sorts. One can only remain in a state of high dudgeon for so long. But there have been a couple things lately that have yanked me back. Initially this evening, I read a small article in the Kansas City Star stating that the balance of power has shifted in the Missouri Supreme Court. A recent decision, 4-3, had the liberals prevailing on a decision of eliminating the death penalty for a man who killed his wife and injured 4-5 more people. Felt it was wrong to try the guy at the same courthouse where he demonstrated this serious lack of control. The article continues to quote a M.U. associate law professor who stated, and I'm paraphrasing slightly, that "the conservatives/Republicans are generally the group who support law enforcement and the liberals/Democrats support criminal defendants." And people vote for liberals because......? Makes you wonder.

Another wondrous event.....Stumbled across a charming website whilst running a Google search. You just never know what you'll uncover when you start picking around the Google results that fall far down on the page. One People's Project --the name sounded interesting and, hey, that's what's fun about the internet. These fine folks are fighting fascism and racism and any other ism out there. They have a rogues list of people they find objectionable and racist. Ann Coulter, James Meredith, Sean Hannity, Roy Innis, Trent Lott, Justice Thomas, Rudy Giuliani, Tom Ridge and many more. They have these people (whom I've always figured to be admirable people for the most part) grouped with David Duke and other assorted dingbats who would be classified as racist by most reasonable people. They post a photo, address if they have it, and a dissertation on the racist/fascist activities of the individual. They solicit any information on these people such as license plate numbers, social security numbers, place of business, phone number, film of their activities, etc. They are also soliciting additional people to list. I spend most of my time on the internet checking out eBay, reading the news and blogs, etc., and it always amazes me to find this type of dreck and paranoia. But, hey, it's the U.S., we all got the right of free speech, and if we want to target private individuals and print outrageous accusations and lies on a website, why, by golly! we can. Ain't America great?

I'm still fuming about the websites for the Arab-American youth and the astounding comments they post there. I'd feel so much better if their parents, all those upstanding, patriotic Islamic Americans, in addition to denouncing terrorism around the world, could have a little chat with their charming children about beheading, stoning, revenge against Americans, the joys of watching blood spurt after stabbing.....well, you know. Those kinds of things don't seem like the type of ideas that a parent would approve of in their children. But, in the spirit of multiculturalism, I suppose I should consider their comments simply political commentary by America' youth and nothing to worry about.

So, there's my peevish rant for the day! And I feel so much better for it, too.

2002-08-15T14:15:00.000-05:00

Richard Cohen's article, Blaming of the Shrew (washingtonpost.com) in the Washington Post is a fine example of a liberal's frantic, crazy flailing at the success of Ann Coulter (and also a proof of her thesis).

"Such harrumphing says something not only about Coulter but about her audience. Who are the people who reah such tripe, who listen to talk radio and its chorus of conservtives (nary a liberal on the air) and who buy books such as the one under examination today? .......Being conservtive is like being criminally insane: You can't be held accountable."

He goes so far as to note that Coulter "used David Brock's book on Anita Hill to skewer Clarence Thomas's critics, but fails to mention that Brock himself renounced the book." (Like we can believe Brock.)

2002-08-15T13:42:00.000-05:00

President Bush's speech at Mount Rushmore and reported by FOXNews.com. Quite an idea: Democrats say by negotiating for authority to move unproductive workers out of the security department, the president is casting aside the rights of federal workers.
I kinda think that if they are unproductive they probably shouldn't oughta be trying to save our fannies in the first place.

2002-08-09T17:36:00.000-05:00

Daniel Henninger pretty much nails it on the head in this OpinionJournal - Wonder Land. Everyone should read it...then perhaps read it again.

2002-08-08T23:33:00.000-05:00

I''ve been somewhat frazzled with the rush of events. The Gores missed out on the Boss' big concert for lack of a free pass--Slick decided he'd fight for Israel, but the American Way didn't have the same allure for him back when he migh've sucked up to responsibility just like all those guys I went to school with--we're just sitting here watching the 'skeeters swarming in the back yard and listening to the media gasbags trying to work us up about West Nile Virus--my tiny little IRA is shriveled and dried on the vine--and it's still August in Missouri. I've found a number of horrendous 'muslim youth' websites that have depressed me mightily. I've marked some of them and saved them here to comment on, but so far I don't have the stomach for it. The only really cool thing I've found in the past few days is this wonderful explanation of the difference between conservatives and the 'left' in Mark Steyn's piece in the National Post--

Conservative" has been carelessly appropriated by the media to mean no more than the side you're not meant to like. John Ashcroft is a hardline conservative, but so, according to the press, is the Taliban and half the Chinese politburo and the crankier Ayatollahs. So I think we conservatives ought to make an attempt to reclaim the word "liberal." We believe in liberty, and in liberating human potential. I don't know what you'd call a political culture that reduces voters to dependents, that tells religious institutions whom they can hire, that instructs printers on what printing jobs they're obliged to accept, that bans squeegee kids unless they're undercover policemen checking on whether you're wearing your seatbelt, etc., etc. But "liberal" no longer seems to cover it.

I'm going to try to remember that for the next time someone intimates that I'm one of those folks who want to 'control' everyone's life.

2002-08-08T17:19:00.000-05:00

Taliban And Mujahideen News They're baaaack!

2002-08-08T16:37:00.000-05:00

Jihad Unspun - A Clear View Of The US War On "Terrorism" Unspun......right!

2002-07-29T11:40:00.000-05:00

Michael Novak's got an excellent piece on National Review Online about the Somerset, Pa., miners--'The conservative capitol of the world.'

2002-07-29T11:28:00.000-05:00

Happy Fun Pundit opines on ten ways Bill Clinton is better than George Bush.

2002-07-29T11:23:00.000-05:00

Andrea Harris commented on the story about running drug dogs thru an elementary school and the obvious conclusion that we're not serious about terrorists.
That's it. We are obviously not serious about fighting Islamic terrorists; as far as we are concerned that little building collapse in Manhattan was just a plane crash or something. Liza's getting a new show just like Ozzie! We can't wait to watch! Oh look -- here's a new idea to get rich quick; let's get a couple of fatties and sue the fast food manufacturers! Oh, and don't forget to blather on about Enron/Worldcom/Harker even though you don't know shite about economics, and there's always Israel, who are of course just like Nazis only they use our F-16s!

And we must never forget to never ever make a person of Muslimness feel even the slightest bit uncomfortable about anything whatsoever. Heck, we'll soon be forcing our daughters to wear headscarves in public schools, just so little Akhbar won't feel "different." Anyway, we can't really be bothered to look for terrorists (excuse me sir, do you need help with that? My it's heavy; I didn't know you could buy rocket launchers in bulk) -- we are too busy setting dogs on little Native American kids.

2002-07-28T18:25:00.000-05:00

Mulling over the news of the weekend I find some things offer quite a contrast. The Clintons want the taxpayers to slide them about $3 million to pay their lawyers. Many of the rescue workers in Pennsylvania donated their time and efforts to save the lives of nine men. Clinton gets an umpteen thousand dollar honorarium (perhaps $100,000?) for an hour talk, plus expenses, etc. How much does a hard-working coal miner make per year? Somehow one seems far more priceless than the other. As those workers toiled above ground to save those hunkered way below, how many pols in D.C. were confab-ing with their cronies on a way to make their opponents look like theives, grandma-tossers, and (horrors!) corporate officers! I can only hope that in some little way they (the pols) take note of what real work, sacrifice, love and honor can do in the real world. Most of them can only aspire to that type of heroism. And how gratifying it was to see heroism rewarded with live men this time. It was a nice example of what people of good will can do--city, state, and federal workers alongside those guys from southern Pennsylvania and other states who rallied to save their brothers. Tough and rough guys....the backbone and heart of this country. It kinda gives one hope.

2002-07-26T12:18:00.000-05:00

I have no idea where I came across this--two days have intervened. But Citizens for Legitimate Government is an astonishing site. They say they are a "pro-democracy activist group established to expose the Bush coup d'etat and to oppose the Bush Occupation in all of its manifestations." I dunno......when conservatives jump on left-wing liberals are they as relentlessly mean and nasty as this bunch? These folks are never going "to move ahead" with their lives.

2002-07-25T12:10:00.000-05:00

Found on CNBC TV: Investing - MSN Money:
One of my gripes is that the lawyers are getting off cheap,” author and Brookings Institution scholar Martin Mayer told CNBC this morning.
Perhaps more than the loan officers and business executives, lawyers helped create the shady deals that caved in Enron and others, Mayer said. Only a lawyer could invent Raptors, Mahonias and Yosemites, he said.
“Nobody has asked these lawyers, ‘Did you approve this deal, and what was in your mind when you did so?’” Mayer said.
Just as auditors now seem primarily rubber-stamp approvers of company story lines, lawyers might be cast as enablers of bad business.
“We have a larger problem in this country, which is the loss of shame in the profession,” Mayer said. “Accountants and lawyers, at one point in the game, would tell a CEO, ‘You can’t do that.’ Now, that CEO will just go and get another lawyer or accountant.”

2002-07-25T10:12:00.000-05:00

Glenn Reynolds' article on FOXNews.com points out a real concern:

We're at war. The people in charge of running the war say that we have to trust them: trust their integrity, and trust their judgment.

But how can we trust our government to spot terrorists when it thinks that glow sticks are items of "drug paraphernalia?"

This sounds like a joke, but it isn't. Last year, the Department of Justice and the DEA tried to prosecute concert promoters in New Orleans under the federal "crackhouse law." That law makes it a felony to maintain a building or facility for the purpose of drug consumption. Traditionally, the law has been applied to places that are, well, crack houses. But — calling glow sticks and bottled water "drug paraphernalia" — then-U.S. Attorney Eddie Jordan attempted to jail three New Orleans concert promoters by reasoning that (1) people come to raves; (2) people who come to raves sometimes use drugs; (3) concert promoters must know this (especially in light of the presence of "drug paraphernalia"); and so, (4) a rave must be an event that takes place "for the purpose of drug consumption" under the law.

The federal district court made short work of this claim, dismissing the charges and calling them a violation of the First Amendment. But that hasn't stopped our drug warriors. The drug war has been a massive failure: a waste of money, of lives and of time. It's also been accompanied by extensive inroads on traditional American freedoms: property forfeitures, "no-knock" searches, expanded wiretap authority, and the destruction of financial privacy, to name just a few.

*******

The drug war has been a massive failure: a waste of money, of lives and of time. It's also been accompanied by extensive inroads on traditional American freedoms: property forfeitures, "no-knock" searches, expanded wiretap authority, and the destruction of financial privacy, to name just a few.

These are inroads that have served the agendas of bureaucrats but that haven't done anything to solve the problem that was claimed as their justification. And the drug war's combination of intrusiveness, corruption and ineptitude calls into question the government's ability to carry out the war on terrorism.

Will the drug war serve as a model for the war on terrorism? Some within the federal bureaucracy seem to think it should, and it's easy to understand why: The drug war may have been a disaster for America, but it has been a three-decade gravy train for bureaucrats (emphasis mine). And if Congress can't ride herd on the drug war bureaucracy, it probably won't be able to oversee the terror-war bureaucracy either.

Not being a bureaucrat, I think the drug war is a terrible model. In fact, I think it's an argument against creating a Homeland Security bureaucracy at all. If we can't trust the government to tell a glow stick from a hypodermic needle, then I don't think we can trust it to tell the difference between an American and a terrorist.

I'm willing to support an invasion of Iraq and of other enemy nations like Saudi Arabia or Syria. I'm not willing to support an approach that will turn the United States itself into an occupied country — something the drug war crowd has come a long way toward doing on its own.

2002-07-24T15:53:00.000-05:00

Well, perhaps I won't have to eat Friskies after all.....the market is up a good lick today and that adds a little to my outlook. I doubt it will hold and continue going up--but the relentless sucking vortex was just generally depressing. Did it take the hauling away of the Adelphia guys to add a little spark?

2002-07-23T10:51:00.000-05:00

Spleenville World Domination Headquarters
"Of all tyrannies a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated, but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end, for they do so with the approval of their own conscience." - C. S. Lewis

2002-07-23T10:03:00.000-05:00

Well.....just goes to prove that you just never know! Checked the stats on this little site and found a source of 'bop.gov" and thought I'd see was that was. Bureau of Prisons. Makes ya wonder! Was it George Lucas or Donohue or Coulter, Jesse Jackson, David Bonior or, perhaps, Cynthia McKinney that brought them my way? One of those mysteries of life, I suppose.

2002-07-22T23:26:00.000-05:00

So the polls say that a good number of Americans think the country is "headed in the wrong direction" In what way? What do they mean? We're letting the terrorists win? We've all lost our retirements and it's all Bush's fault? Corporations are corrupt and it's all Bush's fault? I think we're heading in the wrong direction as long as the politicians in D.C. keep futzing around--Republicans showing how centrist they are and how eager they are to embrace all the ideas the Dems come up with. And as long as the Democrats waste everyone's time by blaming the entire mess on the Republican's cozy relationships with business. Isn't it business that provides jobs that provide wages so that people can pay taxes? But wait.....the government can take care of us...somehow.....can't they?

2002-07-21T12:00:00.000-05:00

Curmudgeonly & Skeptical had a clever little item the other day (I'm a little slow on the up-take).

It appears that George Lucas uses a formula to create all those stupid names you see in the Star Wars trilogy and Phantom Menace (Jar-jar Binks,l Obi Wan, etc). to see what your Star Wars name is, follow the steps below...

Your Star Wars First Name:

1. Take the first 3 letters of your last name

2. Add to that the first 2 letters of your first name.

Your Star Wars Last Name:

1. Take the first 2 letters of your mother's maiden name.

2. Add to that the first 3 letters of the name of the town or city you were born in.

There you go! There's your Star Wars Name.-

and so.....Hendi Hasal (and that could easily be someone's REAL name couldn't it?)

2002-07-20T23:15:00.000-05:00

Kathy Kinsley reminded me that tonight is the anniversary of the first walk on the moon. She inquired 'where where you?' I remember sitting in the little upstairs bedroom watching the tiny black and white TV from the edge of the bed. Jason was about three and a half and Daniel was only four months old. But I made them watch it--like it or not. Maybe it made them feel better later on that they had 'seen' it happen. I hope so. It certainly makes me happy that I was able to see that. And so did my grandmother who saw everything from travel by horse to travel to the moon. It was one of those times that you knew that pretty much everyone else in the country was watching, too. Yeah, I know there are still those who think the whole thing was shot in a big hangar in the southwest.....but I've never run into one. It was a wonderful thing to see and it still makes me tingly to remember how we sat there with bated breath to see if it would be okay when the door opened and man's foot hit the moon for the first time. So step outside and take a look at the moon tonight and, if you're old enough, remember what it felt like so long ago.

2002-07-20T11:34:00.000-05:00

Saved for posterity--the shrill, desperate and idiotic rant from the mis-match of Donahue and Ann Coulter. The transcript is even funnier than the actual show because one can read his pathetic attempts to 'slander' Coulter and her attempts to keep him on track. Obviously he didn't invite her to discuss her book. I'm not sure whether he was trying to attract conservative viewers (misfired, didn't it?) or just entertain his dim liberal audience. I only caught about a little more than half of the interview. At one point Ann looked away from him--toward the producers?--as if she was hoping someone would do something--anything--to snap him back to some semblance of rationality. I just can't imagine that MSNBC can tolerate this junk for too long. How about intelligent folks discussing issues like ethics, how the stock market works--and why it's important, serious ideas like freedom, international relations, etc. I bet there are people who would watch a more reasoned discussion. We just move along when these shows bring in a couple of loud-mouths and let them shout at each other. It's even worse when the 'hosts' get to shouting too. When there are so many, many serious things to deal with the networks distract us with petty shouting matches. Enough!

2002-07-19T10:10:00.000-05:00

The ArabNews published an Ode to Cynthia McKinney written by one Israel Shamir. Other blogs (just a couple) indicate that it was a joke/parody. I somehow don't see it that way. If it were a joke, I think it falls short. Not far enough 'over the edge.' Here's a little:

She wanted to uphold the sovereignty of the people and congress of the United States, in face of encroaching servility to the Jewish Lobby.

She is not alone. Another wonderful Afro-American congresswoman, Barbara Lee, cast the only vote against the slaughter in Afthanistan; John Conyers, Jessie Jackson Jr, and Maxine Waters supported the cause of Palestine on different occasions. Ron Paul of Texas voted against all-house resolution sending obsequious greeting to General Sharon. Nick Rahall, John Sununu, David Bonior did not bend. Huh?!

Cynthia was just more outspoken in seeing the evil. She said, "There are many Members of Congress who want to be free. I am one of them. I wanted to be free to vote according to my conscience, but I had been told that if I didn't sign a pledge supporting the military superiority of Israel, no support would come my way. And sure enough, I didn't sign the pledge and no support came my way. I suffered silently year in and year out, because I refused to sign that pledge. And then, like a slave that found a way to buy his freedom...I went to work....I wanted to be free....Free to cast the votes in the United States Congress as I saw fit and not as I was dictated to."

.....It is paramount to rally around her, as the French nobles rallied to Jeanne d'Arc. Whether you are a descendant of African slaves or Muslim immigrants, a son of Confederacy or a Daughter of American Revolution, a freedom-loving Jew or a born-again Christian - it is the time to unite for Cynthia and for America.

What's worse--this goofy paean to an idiot or the idiot herself? The Arab News offers trenchant analysis and stunning essays. Check it out if you want a laff.

If you're interested in reading more of Israel Shamir, his essays can be found on the site www.israelshamir.net.

2002-07-18T22:57:00.000-05:00

Back in the olden days....when I was a young wife and mother.....I would, when I could, watch Phil Donohue's show. When it first started it was a novelty and he seemed like a nice enough guy. Over the years, as other talk shows began to compete, he started pushing a little too hard and the shows were just a window into the lives of folks who couldn't manage to lead decent lives. It got a little old and didn't serve a good purpose, so I quit watching it. Since then I think he's become a typical left-wing do-gooder. Or, I've become a whole lot more conservative. It makes sense that if his experience with the great unwashed convinced him that the average American citizen was too dumb, poorly educated and prejudiced to be allowed to live his life without the guidance of 'those who know better' that he would not hesitate to disparage those who don't agree with him. So....I knew from the get-go what his new cable talk show would be like. I managed to skip right over it in my nightly cruising for news. But today I noted that Ann Coulter was going to be on his show tonight. OK, I thought, that should be a fair contest! It's been a long time since I've seen him, but jeez, what an aggressive, beligerant, denigrating, sneering jerk! This was the first time I've seen Coulter look like she was searching for the exit. Usually she gives as good as she gets, but I think his antagonistic attitude even was off-putting for her--and that's saying a lot! So, now I've seen it and I will never pause there again. I can only hope that a high percentage of the viewing public will feel the same and he can go back to hanging with those oh-so-smart liberals on the left coast who know far better than I how I should live my life, who I should like, how much I owe the government, and how the government can save me from myself.

* * * * * *

Today on a number of blogs, specifically Cold Fury and Jason's blog, there's been a lot of outrage over the tiny kitten who was tormented and tortured by a sub-human a$$. He and his friends were just havin' fun until a neighbor lady noticed, snatched the kitten and called the authorities. The kitten didn't make it. The kind lady has been threatened by the low-life's pals and might have to move--not too easy when she's on disability. The only good thing is that the judge, upon learning that the slimeball had warrants out for burglary, assault and interfering with a police officer, decided to up his bond from $10K to $25K. Unfortunately, he'll probably only have to serve a year or so for this outrage. In my dreams I can imagine him hiking along a trail in the west, stumbling, twisting his ankle--or better yet breaking his leg--and getting a good mauling by a mountain lion. A long, slow, toying-with-the-kill mauling. I only wish.....And while this is going on in neighboring Liberty. MO, there's the case of the woman near Independence who loved cats too much. Neighbors finally complained about her and her 50+ cats and several dogs--all living together in a trailer home. She's gonna get fined and sent back home. Meanwhile several animal shelters are horrendously over-burdened with all these animals, their feeding and care. Many of the animals are probably in such poor health they can't be adopted. What we do to animals is sometimes beyond comprehension--it just makes me weep in sorrow and outrage.

2002-07-17T16:30:00.000-05:00

Prefatory note: I am lucky enough to have found work at an art museum and its exterior is as spectacular as what's inside. It also has expansive grounds. The museum is adding a very large new wing and has removed quite a number of mature trees and dug a very large hole (which will get much, much larger).

Today I went outside in early afternoon for some fresh air. I strolled through the sculpture garden to the east to see what was happening with the large machinery (love to watch some of those big machines!). I turned partly around and spotted a red-tailed hawk sitting atop a Calder sculpture that has been covered as protection from limestone dust, etc. This was under some nice tree cover and in the shade. He knew I was there (about 15 feet away) but kept on grooming, stretching, etc. I walked back to the west and sat for a while and watched him some more. Others out there who spend more time out there said that he has been there and various spots on the grounds close to the building for some time. I got my camera and went back out but he had moved to a tree. I was able to take a few good photos of him, but wish he'd stayed where he was--in clear open space. Others in my department have taken photos of him. The most spectacular view was a couple weeks ago when coworkers were working outside on a scaffold. The hawk landed on the scaffold about 4 feet from a young woman. The resulting slides are terrific. I gather there was a nest on the roof edge and there were young hatched. I think this one is an adult--fairly clear breast with just some streaking. I'll have to check the bird book at home. But, what a nice diversion! A little wildlife activity in the city--and a little more exciting than the occasional view of a chipmunk.

2002-07-17T10:19:00.000-05:00

Had a good little laugh from this noted on Live from the WTC:

One of my co-workers put up a sign saying "If not under God, then who?"

Another co-worker responded with his own sign: "Under Canada, Over Mexico".

2002-07-14T11:25:00.000-05:00

Aaah...a beautiful Sunday with lovely sunshine and moderate weather for a change! I'd like to be outside doing just about anything, but instead have vowed to stay in and continue the 'pitch and toss' exercise I began yesterday. It would be nice to just walk away from it for a little while, but in the state the place is in right now it is hazardous to walk around. Even the animals run into things. So, in the spirit of the new regimen I will proceed to follow through with a project instead of letting it just linger and eventually be subsumed by the next new thing.

This is, I think, just a way to seize a little control. If I don't focus on immediate local problems (like the stuff), I tend to fret even more on the idiocy going on around me. God out of the pledge....AIDS-infected Muppet....whether or not the president made money umpteen years ago in a method that was found to be OK by the feds. These are the kind of things that distract us from the immediacy of the problems we face. Rather than dealing with the primary function of the federal government--guaranteeing the safety of the American public--the pols choose to hold hearings/panels, press conferences, etc.--anything to get a little face time on TV. It's unfortunate that this little unpleasantness (people who hate us with bombs and germs) has to come up right now in the middle of an election season. It's important to them to get a little face-time with the 'sabbath gas-bags' so they can make their local news at home so they can get re-elected so they can stay in office so they can meddle more in the affairs of the citizens. And whatever it is--it's going to take way more money than they're getting now. The folks at home are so helpless they need guidance in their finances, dining habits, entertainment, etc., so we'll just have to come up with some more money from them so we can take care of them. A pox on them......oh, wait, that's something they should be worrying about but it is a little inconvenient right now. So, since about all I can do is write emails, write letters, and 'hitch up my pants and complain about the government.' I will do what I can to make order out of the disorder in my own life. Now I feel better!

I was amazed that my little blog got a link with Kathy Kinsley! Golllly! Maybe someday I can join up with the Bellicose Women. I'm already outspoken, opinionated, and armed on occasion. I just love 'blogs! It's just a wonderful way to get the feel of what's happening--and so gratifying to find such intelligent conversation going on--at least in the ones I read. My day just isn't quite complete unless I can check in with the 'regulars' . Much better information and analysis there than anywhere in the general media. Blog on.....

2002-07-05T15:20:00.000-05:00

Well, we survived the neighborhood fireworks, the roof didn't catch on fire, and the dog didn't have a total nervous breakdown. Even with the television and air-conditioner on he can hear the fireworks. Must remind him of his early life in the 'hood (gun shots?) or someone used to torment him with firecrackers. At the final bathroom call of the day, at midnight, our town was still going at it strong. Poor little fellow was absolutely terrified even when I walked out in the yard with him. I was afraid he was going to head right through the screen!

The cable news channels had a field day yesterday with the LAX shootings. They almost seemed to welcome an 'event' as a self-fulfilling prophecy. I found it interesting that those in Israel who were interviewed saw the event as terrorism while the authorities in L.A. were busy making it seem as if it was just a crackpot gone over the edge. Perhaps it was a domestic disturbance, a disgruntled employee thing, a bad childhood, whatever..... As always we (the USA) try to make excuses for bad behavior or, in this case, plain old terrorism. Just because there weren't others happening simultaneously, it was an isolated thing and not terrorism! I'm sure to those in the immediate vicinity it seemed just like terrorism. After all, a lone martyr in Israel is isolated too.

2002-07-05T12:54:00.000-05:00

USS Clueless has a dandy examination of the ICC business and he nicely explains all the many reasons it's a terrible idea. Who put that thing together anyway? Vague, imprecise, and guaranteed to snare Americans--the underlying idea in the minds of many, I'm sure.

2002-07-04T14:04:00.000-05:00

It's Independence Day! Here at home we are contemplating the meaning of this day then and now in these trying days. I've been pleased to note all the salutations of the day on the various blog sites I visit regularly, including my son's (Hello, Jason!). Many have taken note of the importance of the day by reminding us with the original words just what the United States stands for. It's great that so many are taking time to remind themselves of the basic principles. It's that reinforcement of the standards and virtues of U.S. citizenship that will serve us best in the dangerous months and probably years to come.

Here in our little town today it is a little gloomy--but still humid and hot--and the kids are cruising up and down the street on their bikes and skateboards just barely able to stand to wait until darkness and they can let fly with their grocery sacks of bottle rockets! A number of years ago the city council completely outlawed private fireworks to be consistent with the adjoining town. As a replacement activity, the city and quite a few civic groups decided to host a special town fireworks display, complete with refreshments, the local emergency helicopter, a couple of area bands. The idea was that folks could have their picnics at home or at the park, then spread out on blankets and watch the big show. Then there would be only the huge confined explosions and not the week-long barrage that was the usual routine. This all went fine for a number of years. However this year the festivities were at the city park on JUNE 30. I'm sure they had a good crowd as usual, but while the fireworks were going on there, and all the police officers were keeping track of the parking situation, many of our neighbors were shooting off their own rockets. Since then every evening is punctuated with a number of big bangs and lots of bottle rockets. Tonight will be spectacular and the police will probably only respond to blatant misuse of fireworks. I wonder if they've repealed the no-fireworks law?

The cat and dog are in a perpetual state of terror...you just can't explain to them that they are inside with the doors and windows shut and the air conditioning roaring away, accompanied by some good music, and, therefore, nothing bad can happen to them. They know that the next one will truly kill them. Makes you wonder what their lives were like before they joined us.

Cooking a brisket and actually made some potato salad. Trying to get in the old holiday mode. I miss the old days when family would get together, have fried chicken (fresh outta the chicken yard), tomatoes out of Grandma's garden, rhubarb (was it ready then?) pie to please my mother, and the follow-up fireworks set off by my grandfather. He'd show up with a grocery sack full of stuff and send those Roman Candles off down the hill. He'd nail pinwheels to a fencepost and I'd go through a couple of boxes of sparklers and snakes (do they make those still?). Now that I think about it, what did the cattle and horses think of all this? I never heard of any fence-work being required the next day. After it was all over, we'd sit on the back patio with orange sherbet and listen to 'Taps' being played at the Rotary camp across the valley.

Hope everyone--the Boys especially--has a memorable Independence Day and remembers the good '4th's' they've had. BIG BANG, WHOOOOSH!, POP, POW!

2002-06-27T15:58:00.000-05:00

Here's how some folks celebrate their holidays and the heroism of their leaders. How sad! How hopeless!

2002-06-14T08:10:00.000-05:00

Well, the Jakester suggested I write more...so here we are! My travelling buddy and I headed out from home on Wednesday, not nearly as early as we wanted of course, and only made it as far as Abilene before we pooped out and were lured by the opportunity for good dinner at the Brookfield Hotel there. Thursday morning we were confronted with a huge storm with sheets of rain, gale winds and got soaked on the way to the truck and breakfast. Took hours to dry out. Stayed on I70 rather than our usual wandering around thru Kansas as we had to make up time. We're in Fort Morgan and will today "proceed onward" south a little to Loveland and thence up to Estes Park for the Wool Market. We'll set up shop this afternoon, meet our pals from Dallas, and have dinner. Tomorrow we hope to make lots of money. We are not yet in sight of any smoke or smog from the horrendous fires south and west of Denver. It's been quite different doing all the driving this time--more tiring than I had anticipated. However, there is the pleasure of driving the new truck with AIR and no deisel rumble. Makes a big difference--plus it's not as long as the old Ford and is easier to negotiate in parking lots. We'll see if the technology will let us access the internet from Estes--last year we were reduced to running off the cell phone which makes for slow operation. But...nevertheless, I'll report in again as soon as possible.

2002-06-03T12:02:00.000-05:00

Happy Fun Pundit evidently got plenty of strafing after his suggestion that arming airline pilots was 'a little too late.' Today's expansion on those ideas is excellent. Herewith a sample..... (go read the whole thing!)

Our politicians have decided that it's politically dangerous to tell us to look after ourselves. So they feed us sugar-coated plans to take care of us, and tell us to ignore the war and get on with our lives as if nothing was going on. The government will care for us. And all they ask in return is that we give up a few freedoms here and there.
What they should be saying is that this is war, the enemy is here, and it's time for people to pay attention, learn some fundamentals of security, and take some responsibility. To that end, the government can offer tax credits for self-defense classes, make it easy to get concealed carry permits, give companies tax breaks to pay for security audits by private firms, and set up volunteer programs for citizens to become involved in the homeland security effort.

2002-06-02T23:48:00.000-05:00

I seem to recall that at the end of the elementary school year, back in the day, that I felt ecstatic that summer had arrived. Three months ahead full of comic books, weekly walks downtown to the library, frequent trips to the pool, and long weekends at my grandparents' farm seemed reward enough for having made it through another year. If I did well that year--passing grades with good reports on socialization and improvement in the oh-so-important 'visits with neighbors too much' category, it wasn't noted at home with anything other than, perhaps, a mention of 'hey! now you're going to be a big fifth grader!"

Now, however, I note from the Kansas City Star that the popular thing to do to reward your kindergartner or your 'graduating' sixth grader is to hire a stretch limo to pick her (and a select group of little friends) up on the last day of school for a turn thru the ritzy shopping area with a stop for treats, maybe some roses from the 'boyfriend' and a pit stop for candy at FAO Schwarz. Excluding the treats, the tab is in the neighborhood of a little over $200 for a couple hours. This is evidently a growing trend and it's hard to imagine what the folks will come up with for eighth grade (helicopter? trip to Europe? boob job?) or high school. I learned today that a friend's granddaughter, just graduated from a rural high school, is heading to Mexico with her boyfriend and a couple other couples.

I dunno, either things are truly going to hell in a handbasket or I'm just jealous 'cause I feel I was deprived. Hell, I've never been in a limo and really have no dreams in that direction (they remind me too much of funerals). So, if you want to reward me for a good year, just give me the 200 bucks and I'll figure out a way to entertain myself!

2002-06-01T22:41:00.000-05:00

I get a big kick out of The Sarge and, even though he's over there on the side, would especially recommend him for the reading enjoyment of the Olympia guys. ....or anyone else if there is anyone else.....

2002-06-01T22:15:00.000-05:00

Whew! Hot as hell out there today! Of course, what could be much hotter than an airport runway? It was, however, a most satisfactory outing. There was a nice breeze and, if you were in the shade or in the hangar, it was just fine. The Heart of America Wing of the CAF Ghost Squadron knows how to throw a good open house/fly-in.

Lots of people were eager to see all the old planes. It was a little surprising since today was jam-packed with festivals all over the area. The old Olathe Naval field is now a commercial field and the CAF has a nice location. Today all the planes were outside and the hangar was full of a number of vendors, a nifty display of WWII Army memorabilia overseen by a couple of guys who looked waay overdressed in their combat gear from that era, some vendors, dining tables, plenty of chairs and room for the bands. First up was a super big band with a dandy trio of girl singers. A young couple showed up in uniform to dance--and they were good, too! Later in the afternoon the Olathe Civic Band performed--an inspiring mix of marches and traditional music.

There was a tent set up outside of the hanger with the WWII veterans. In addition to my father, there were about 6 others. I got a kick out of a Missouri National Guard pilot who showed up specifically to meet one of the fellows who had written a book about his adventures in Europe. (I wish I had the know-how to attach a photo of these guys!)

Lots of planes! It was great to stand in the hangar listening to the swing band and see, framed by the hangar door, a wonderfully restored B-25J. The Wing has three PT-19s hangared there, as well as some BT-13 Vultee Valiants. Privately owned planes of the group include a Cessna Skymaster O2-A, an L-2 Taylorcraft, and a PT-17 Stearman, plus others. In addition there were planes there I sure couldn't identify--a Navy turboprop observation plane (currently in use?), a P-51 (?), a Cub trainer? Jeeps, staff cars, ambulances, motorcycles and more! Lots to look at. Lots of takers for the plane rides, too. The B-25 was a hot ticket--but next year I'm saving my money and going to take a ride on one of the BT-19s!

Picked up the first sunburn of the year--but it was worth it! Nobody's blown up anyone else so far today and I'm avoiding the news--trying to stay calm and focused on domestic issues. Tomorrow's another day and I can start it off with a tranquil beginning (watching Sunday Morning on CBS) and escalating to the Sabbath 'gas-bags' on TV later in the morning. I don't doubt they'll manage to irritate me.

2002-06-01T08:28:00.000-05:00

Hot Saturday morning--the first after a lengthy and cool spring. Usually we've had heat well before now--but we were spoiled this year. We're heading west to the airport in Olathe to the Commemorative (Confederate) Air Force Fly-in and open house. In addition to a bunch of old planes, they're having cool swing music by a Glenn Miller (with Andrews Sisters) sound-alike band from Kansas City, and a number of the old fly-boys will be visiting with folks. One such fly-boy is my father and he volunteered to make the identification placards for the tables--featuring colorized WWII photos of the guys along with their service details. One fellow was shot down over Europe and served quite a time in a prison camp.

Should be an interesting outing if we can survive the heat. We're rather like tender houseplants set out on the patio for the first time--I fear the direct rays may wilt us right away.

2002-05-31T17:24:00.000-05:00

So....as you will note from today's postings I am more than a little cranky. I am truly angry about a lot of idiotic things going on out there! What are people thinking? I'd be much better off not paying attention to politics and the war--but I just can't help myself. Obviously, I'm my mother's daughter. She also frets about things she can do nothing about--like why the neighbors painted their shutters that color, how come the postman leaves the mailbox lid open, why the anchorwoman on the local news wears her hair/jewelry/clothes/makeup that way. We both just bat at aggravations....to no avail.

2002-05-31T13:40:00.000-05:00

Pejman Yousefzedeh wrote a fine and well-stated contemplation on the closing of the Ground Zero cleanup effort. His response to the ceremony there is far finer than any I heard on the news or read in the general media. Well done!

2002-05-31T13:06:00.000-05:00

Isntapundit also had a super Memorial Day piece and here's a couple paragraphs. Read the whole thing.

We're in a very different kind of war now, where our enemies are more likely to target civilians than soldiers. Civilians can't win the Medal of Honor, but we can be worthy of the heroism and sacrifice of men like Loren Kaufman. We owe it to them to steel ourselves for the time when we may be called upon to act "without hesitation". As Loren felt his responsibility to his troops, so must we feel a responsibility to all our fellow Americans; our buddies in this war.

Seek in yourself the soul of courage, so that you may be close to it and find it when you need it. Learn to be ashamed of your cowardice. And don't let a day go by without contemplating, in some small way, what you owe to your country, and to those who have gone in its defense. In a war like this, every day is Memorial Day.

There is no excuse for shirking this struggle, this battle which you must fight in your own heart. Even a conscientious objector can win the Medal of Honor; any American, no matter his circumstances or philosophy, may be called on to defend his country, to aid the wounded, to sacrifice for the greater good.

2002-05-31T10:51:00.000-05:00

The MEMRI site offers this godawful piece about Condoleeza Rice. It might even be funny if these people were't such dangerous nutcases. Among the journalistic jewels:

Some have called her an insolent woman, like the dangerous anaconda snake that attacks anyone in its path. She is suited only to work at a nightclub or to make her bed in the heart of the jungles and forests of Brazil, as a predatory woman!

2002-05-30T15:16:00.000-05:00

I've been digesting this dandy Vassar College commencement speech by Tony Kushner since yesterday. Maybe you hadda been there, but just reading the thing made me fume. This morning NPR played a snippet of it included in a group of one-liners from various commencement speeches. If, as the NPR guy said in the introduction, the audience was distracted, tired and/or hung-over and not paying attention, then maybe there's nothing wrong with it. But obviously Mr. Kushner felt he was speaking to an audience that would totally approve of his flip referral to the president as 'evil' and would also appreciate his other denigrating comments. Obviously, four years at Vassar must equip a young person to listen to this address and say 'yes! this fellow is absolutely right.' I think he's an idiot. For what it's worth.

2002-05-30T11:43:00.000-05:00

Dang! You fool around getting ready to go to work and, on a pass thru the living room, you see that Paula Zahn (how did I get on CNN?) is finishing an interview with Bill Bennett and Noam Chomsky. And I missed it! So, after a little poking around on the CNN site, lo! a transcript!

2002-05-29T22:19:00.001-05:00

Happy Fun Pundit offers some insight today that is not quite happy OR fun. His thoughts about airline safety, armed pilots and alternatives offers an interesting viewpoint. I believe he's right about the flying public having quite a bit of responsibility, but I think that those pilots who are trained and wish to fly armed should certainly be allowed to do so. It's kinda like having concealed carry. The bad guys never really know for sure who might be packing heat and this results in more cautious criminals. Likewise, they wouldn't know if there's a marshall on the plane or an armed pilot or especially-determined passengers.

The fallacy about the bullet holes in the plane sucking folks out at 30,000 feet (not the opinion of HappyFun, by the way) is as good as the other movie fantasy that shows the feds with fancy computers and software that can worm its way into international bank accounts, coordinate information throughout the nation, etc. We've been watching too much TV and too many thriller movies--it turns out that all that fancy technology and equipment is just a screenwriter's fantasy and they are generally operating with clunky machines that probably aren't as good as those in the neighborhood law office.

That's enough of my rant for the day. Time to see if I can fix whatever is wrong with the browser that prohibits the Old Gentleman from seeing his Hotmail on this computer. Who knows how these things happen.....it drives me nuts! Deal with computers all day at work (and a variety of coworkers who seem to need a lot of computer help that not's serious enough to call the IT folks) and then come home to NO HOTMAIL! Ack!

2002-05-29T22:19:00.000-05:00

Jonah Goldberg's piece today about the prospects of all-out war with the islamofanatics was entertaining as always, but still offered cause for concern. His reference to the movie Red Dawn was interesting as I know both my sons were quite taken by the adventure possibilities offered by an invasion from one or the other of the Evil Empires of the time. They would be the kinda guys who would take to the woods with the guns, ammo, etc. But, as Jonah noted, it won't come to that. The loonies will keep trying to destroy us by picking around the edges, keeping us off-balance, making us distrust the government (and it does merit watching most of the time), and forcing us to spread our resources too thinly. Of course I think the press often seems to act in collusion with those who have sworn to destroy us. I wish they didn't appear to relish reporting on problems. I sure want to know about the problems, but the news to that effect doesn't need to be announced with the implicit 'see-we-told-you-that-if-Bush-was-elected-things-would-go-to-Hell-in-a-handbasket.' The reports of military unreadiness, lousy equipment, bickering intelligence agencies, and general haphazard security measures don't project much of a strong image for us. (Was it like this in the early 1940s?) I don't know who to be angry with about it either. The various past administrations and the smarmy politicians all bear this responsibility. They were all so busy pandering to the various victim classes that now we do have real victims.

2002-05-29T17:11:00.000-05:00

Break-time check of The Corner on National Review Online unearthed a fun posting (plus lots of follow-up) by Rich Lowry about a country western song, Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue by Toby Keith. It's always fun to observe 'city folks' trying to deal with the out-front aggressive patriotism of some country music. Then he runs a link to the lyrics of Charlie Daniels' In America. Down-home time on NRO (yee-hah!). Must reeeeally be a slow news day.

Fun sighting on the way to work this morning. For about 10 miles I was behind a blue sedan driven by a woman with a cat as passenger. She had rigged up what appeared to be one of those faux sheepskin-covered window shelves from the back of the front passenger seat to, probably, the front dash. The tabby cat was calm and collected, relaxing and facing the driver as if they were having a nice drive-time chat. I'd sure like to know where they were headed and how long it took to train a cat to quietly travel that way. All my experiences with cats in cars generally devolve into moaning and keening punctuated by......gaack.....the ultimate catpuke finale!

2002-05-28T22:18:00.000-05:00

Listening to 'The World' on NPR on the way home this evening.....heard the most unfortunate comingling of musical styles: Palestinian rap.

2002-05-28T15:50:00.000-05:00

Well, see how quickly I figured out a way to get in trouble! Thought I was soooo smart adding a quote from a site with a link and all! Somehow managed to end up with all sorts of fonts in all sorts of quirky bolds and italics--none of which show up that way on the original page or when I viewed the unpublished post. It looked so nice, too! So...my apologies for an unattractive, but still inspiring, post.

2002-05-28T15:30:00.000-05:00

Doing the 'lunch-time' check of NRO and find this dandy entry on Living with Warnings from Dave Shiflett. This excerpt offers an excellent 'keep your chins up' message:

In the long run, however, the best response is to live with a vengeance. We should live thus anyway, of course. It does after all seem truly amazing there is life in the first place. As mentioned before, it's not as if the universe is teeming with hospitable neighborhoods, at least so far as we know. The environment that nurtures us is but a whisker in a boundless dead zone. Go down a few feet and you'll likely hit rock, drive up a modestly high mountain and it's time to don the oxygen mask. Whether this is by design or coincidence is a subject for other times (for the Absolutely True answer, please mail $10), but there's no denying the uniqueness of it all, and that's worth a perpetual toast.

Unfortunately, we are not alone in the universe. A band of crazies is gunning for us. It seems that a fair number of them have moved into our country. They have been lying low, perhaps stealing explosives here and there from construction sites and armories, all the while waiting for The Signal. If our political leaders are right, that time is at hand.

So let every day be Thanksgiving. Cherish the sunrise, and sunset as well. Appreciate the humble pleasures of the pizzeria and movie house. Do not take for granted the smile of a child, the chirp of a bird, the affection of a loved one, the opening bell of the Stock Exchange, the fact that you can buy 30 Budweisers for a song. Don't just look at that dog, bend over and scratch him behind the ears till his eyes roll. Patch things up with an estranged friend or relative. If the warnings don't come true, you can always take it back. Emphasis mine

And if we do come under renewed attack, we are an industrious people. We'll figure out how to whip the crazies and perhaps get their oil in the bargain. In the meantime, the winter winds may be colder and the wolf will paw at the door. As it happens there's a sensible cure for the wolf problem. Open the door, grab the bastard by the ears, drag him in, and eat him.

It's important to keep these sorts of things in mind. Otherwise we'll end up as dithering idiots and become easy marks for the crazies!

2002-05-28T13:19:00.000-05:00

Through a circuitous route of blogs I ended up at EveTushnet's spot where she has a lengthy go at refuting Wendell Berry. I haven't read much Berry for a number of years--and things change in all sorts of different ways over time. A philosophy that seemed awfully attractive a number of years ago seems to have changed when I wasn't looking. That plus the perspective of age and events! In any case, the Tushnet rebuttals deserve a read and I believe I'll have to run thru that lenghty section when I have a little more discretionary time.

2002-05-27T23:50:00.000-05:00

One last check of some favorite sites and I became snagged by LILEKS (James) :: NYC :: 02 Pictures. He had mentioned earlier in the week his photos of 'ghost' buildings in NYC, so when I found they were up I just had to look....then there were the other photos of NYC! I absolutely, positively will quit NOW and go to bed! When I come across writers like Lileks, with their varied interests and capabilities, it just tickles me so! Boy I love the internet!

2002-05-27T23:11:00.000-05:00

Alrighty, then! Now we're cooking, thanks to Jason's expertise in explaining tech-y things to his mom. Trying something like that is just about as dangerous as teaching a relative how to drive. It was not as harrowing as the day spent teaching the Old Gentleman how to edit and file digital photos and how to get items on eBay for sale. Days like that--especially after a long, three-day weekend, are rife with the possibility of familial discord--but we survived and the items are up and for sale and now the only thing left is to see how they do. I can certainly recall how anxious I was on my first postings there. I probably checked their status and how many folks looked 50 times a day. Now, I might check in sometime during the week but generally just pay attention on the last day.

I was quite pleased to note that today--Memorial Day--and the earlier part of the weekend as well, was generally well-observed. There seemed to be far more memorial services, special events, etc., than I can recall from previous years. Caught the tail end of a show featuring Tom Brokaw and Stephen Ambrose about WWII in the South Pacific. After spending a recent weekend at a WWII B29 Bomber Group reunion with all the old fly-boys and their families, it certainly caught my interest. In addition, the re-dedication of the Liberty Memorial in Kansas City--honoring those who perished in the Great War, the War to End All Wars--was a fine thing to see. It was a rare privilege to get a chance to visit it while under renovation a few months ago, and I look forward to a visit soon to see the final result. It was great to see the veterans and families participating in the ceremony there, too. My grandfather successfully negotiated his tour in the trenches of France during The Great War and my father served as a B29 pilot based in Saipan (thanks again to all those soldiers and Marines who made his long trips safer!). I am thankful for their service to our country, but I am thankful also that my sons have reached the age where they are unlikely to be called upon to serve in the military. I know that they would, however, gladly do whatever might be necessary to defend this country. All the men in my family have served in one way or another and I am so fortunate that all have come home safe and sound.

2002-05-27T15:59:00.000-05:00

This is to just give a heads up to the big guy in Olympia that I'm trying to catch up technologically. Not much of a chance of that, however. He will probably have to help the old crab figure out some code work that's a total mystery. So, hello there Jason!

2002-05-26T23:37:00.000-05:00

Oooh! All dressed up and nowhere to go! One can only hope that true inspiration will come and sooner, rather than later, I'll have something pithy and worthwhile to say. Until then....better study this whole phenomenon a little more.