Priceless

Parking at Municipal Garage in Annapolis - $2.50

Lunch for two at Buddy's Crabs and Ribs - $58.00

Spending a Friday roadtrip with Dad - Priceless

How much vacation time do you have?

W's about to go on a 5 week vacation. Yep, 5 weeks. He's been on the job for 4 1/2 years, and he gets a 5 week vacation? I can see if he'd never taken any time off, but he's already take a total of 319 days for vacations, that's almost a whole year!! Or 20% of his total time in office. Lazy SOB.

How's that Mandate?

From the USAToday:

President Bush's job approval ratings have hit the lowest point of his tenure and the number of Americans with an unfavorable opinion of him has reached 50% for the first time, according to a Gallup poll released Friday....

Coolest site ever!!

Just found this great little site, Feeling Retro. If you were born sometime in the 60's, these toys should bring back some great memories. Some are especially poignant for me, including my best friend "Gunky" (I couldn't pronounce monkey).

I really had a great childhood (thanks Mom and Dad). Tons of friends, lots of toys, playing outside until it got dark in the summer, not afraid of being abducted - though we did have an urban myth back in the day (the mid-to-late 70's) about The Man In The Van, a guy who supposedly drove around in a white panel van looking for kids to steal. We spent hours outside, playing kickball, king of the mountain, war (with bb guns and cap guns - somehow, no one ever got really hurt) in the model homes being built in our sub-division. We were fit back then, well most of us, and even if we did get Atari later on, we still spent most of our time outdoors. Aaah, nostalgia!

I still remember everyone's names, 30 some years later - David Clinton, Chris Daniels, Trevor Evans, Rodney Speaks, Jeff Parker, Pat Cooper, Alex Lombardo (who moved to Hong Kong in the 4th grade), Jay Gholson. I remember being terrified of everyone's older brothers (especially Trevor's brother Brett - man, he was a sadistic SOB), though Jeff's brother Dwayne was like a big brother to most of us, looking out for us and making sure no one picked on us too much. We'd have sleep overs, with the inevitable "fart contests", which my baby brother inevitably won (he had the advantage of still wearing training pants, so if something more than methane came out, so be it)! Is there any wonder why boys and girls don't like each other when they're 7-10 years old? Though, I have to admit, I did have a crush on Jana Lauchenstrader (sp?) up the street, as well as Tammy Brandt, but I think we all had a crush on Tammy Brandt.

On Saturday mornings, Dad would make breakfast, and we'd run to the den and turn on the TV to watch "real cartoons", not thr 1/2 hour long commercials they have now. Then, we'd pile into the car (an aircraft carrier sized Chevy Impala Wagon! - I was oldest, so I always got the tailgunner seat) and head to either the library or drive into the city and visit the Smithsonian. Unless, of course, it was soccer season. And yep, I'm still playing.

Non-White Woman Missing

From the Allspinzone:

Missing Pregnant 25 YO Mother Alert (Non-White Division)
TO: Ms. Nancy Grace, Headline News / CNN Host

Dear Ms. Grace,

Latoyia Figueroa is still missing after 8 days. And as tragic as the Natalee Holloway case might be, Natalee doesn't have a seven year old child wondering where she is, nor was Natalee (to the best of our knowledge) 5 months pregnant.

Here's an overview of the important details in this “missing woman” case:

1) Latoyia (we should only use her first name) is not white.
2) She does not have blonde hair.
3) She was not scheduled to get married last weekend.
4) She's from West Philadelphia.
5) There may actually be a lead or two in her case.
6) HER UNBORN BABY, HER UNBORN BABY, HER UNBORN BABY.
7) To the best of our knowledge, no one from Texas has yet offered to bring in cadaver dogs to search for Latoyia, nor have forensic dive teams volunteered to scour the Schuylkill or Delaware rivers.
8 ) Also to the best of our knowledge, the FBI hasn't been requested to participate in the investigation (even though Philly actually is in the US of A), nor have any DNA samples been rushed to Washington, DC.
9) HER UNBORN BABY, HER UNBORN BABY, HER UNBORN BABY.

I hope this enough for you to run with - certainly, the crackerjack CNN research team available to you can fill in any speculative details or obscure leads of prurient interest. While it's doubtful that Latoyia's family can offer $100 reward, much less $1 million (as has Natalee's), I'm sure they'd still have an undying gratitude for any of your viewers who could turn up a lead on Latoyia.

Perfection

Just sitting here, listening to some tunes, and my favorite song of all time is playing. "God Only Knows" by the Beach Boys. It's just perfect - the lyrics, the music, the harmonies. Everything about it works. It was on my list of songs to play at my wedding reception, but I don't think it got played.

Take a listen. You'll be happy you did.

One could only wish

Take a look at Sunday's Doonesbury.

Interesting take on Roberts

Here's an interesting look at SCOTUS nominee John Roberts from BagnewsNotes.

Today's lesson

This is for the self-righteous folks who love to quote scripture and tell us how to live our lives,complain about folks on welfare, and worship the almighty dollar:

And if your brother becomes poor, and cannot maintain himself with you, you shall maintain him; as a stranger and a sojourner he shall live with you. Take no interest from him or increase, but fear your God; that your brother may live beside you. You shall not lend him your money at interest, nor give him your food for profit. I am the Lord your God, who brought you forth out of the land of Egypt to give you the land of Canaan, and to be your God. (Leviticus 25:35-38)

The community of believers were of one heart and one mind. None of them ever claimed anything as his own; rather, everything was held in common. With power the apostles bore witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great respect was paid to them all; nor was there anyone needy among them, for all who owned property or houses sold them and lay them at the feet of the apostles to be distributed to everyone according to his need. (Acts 4:32-35)

That's my boy!!

Just wanted to give a shout out to my baby brother and his band, Los Able Minded Poets. Their website is up an running. Check it out.

W's SCOTUS Nominee

So, W has finally picked a nominee for the Supreme Court. And the timing has nothing to do with the Rove story, right? Right. Anyway, the thing that jumps out at me about Roberts isn't his politics - did we really thing W would nominate another Thurgood Marshall - but rather this: He's only been a judge for 2 years!!! 2 friggin' years folks!! You can't tell me he's the most qualified person in this country to sit on the Supreme Court when he has next to no judicial experience. Damn, this is just ridiculous.

I'm back

From Canada, that is. I had a wonderful time - the FW's family is really awesome, and just as welcoming as her family in Ireland.

Canada is a beautiful country, at least the parts I saw (Ottawa, Kitchener/Waterloo and Goderich). Visiting Canada was a bit strange, I have to admit. Everything seemed familiar, but was just a bit off - enough to make you tilt your head a bit. Remember that Seinfeld episode when Elaine met the "Bizzarro Jerry"? It was like that. The 1st thing I noticed was the French radio stations and the bi-lingual road signs. It was also interesting to drive through small farm towns and see the Maple Leaf flying, when my brain was expecting to see the Stars and Stripes (or even the Stars and Bars - I'm a Virginian). There's also a general lack of pigment. Every time I saw another black face in Ottawa, we'd do the "Brother Nod" - the universal Black Man acknowledgement when there aren't too many of us around - seen most commonly on college campuses and hallways across corporate America. Stopping to eat in small diners in rural Ontario, I'd get a few looks, but mostly I was told because they're just not used to seeing a black face except on TV, not any "what the hell are you doing here" looks.

More on my Canuck travels later.

Hot, Hot, Hot!!!

So today it was 101 degrees in Ottawa (at least according to the thermometer in the car). Yikes!! We toured Parliement today and saw the changing of the guard. Very cool. Aunt Rita is something else! She's an 82 year old nun and has been running circles around us. I have no idea where she gets this energy! Yesterday, we arrived in Ottawa around 3:00 pm after driving from Syracuse. At 3:13, Aunt Rita had us back in the car, headed downtown. No time to rest, no sir! We had an agenda we had to keep. We had a great time yesterday - crossed the river into Quebec and went to the Museum of Civilization. Very cool. Later, we went back into Ottawa (after getting lost in Quebec looking for the new casino - Why can't they use English signs in Quebec? Had dinner at a Scottish pub, then went to the light and music show at Parliement. Very nice.

We have 7 hours of driving tomorrow as we head to Kitchener. More later.

Almost there

We've stopped in Syracuse tonight on our way to Ottawa. It was a beautiful drive up 81 today, until we caught up with the storm that hit DC on Friday around Scranton.

Leaving early tomorrow AM, will write much more once we reach Ottawa.

Canada, eh 

Headed to Canada

The FW and I are headed to Canada tomorrow - driving from DC to Ottawa. Her father's family all live in Ontario, so we're going for a little family visit. I've never met this side of her family before - they're all pretty old and weren't able to come down for the wedding, except for Aunt Rita, who we're going to visit 1st in Ottawa. I'm bringing our laptop along, so I'll keep updating as we travel around Ontario. Should be pretty interesting.

Attack in London

As you're all aware, there was an attack in London this morning. Just got an e-mail from my friend Shona:

"Hey guys

Thank you, its mad. We're waiting in work at the
moment for the transport to start again to get home.

We knew it would happen at some point but its very
scary when it does.

S x."

For more 1st hand accounts of the attack, check out The Guardian's Blog.

For ECAG

I thought it was a wonderful gesture by the Yankees to erect a statue of Bernie Williams in centerfield.

Then I realized that WAS Bernie Williams.

Love ya, Denhardt!

Wahoowa! 

The Declaration of Independence

In CONGRESS, July 4th, 1776.

The Unanimous Declaration of Independence of the thirteen united States of America.



When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the Powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, having its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. Such has been the patient suffrance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

He has forbidden his Governors to pass laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, has utterly neglected to attend to them.

He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their Public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.

He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative Powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the meantime exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.

He has endeavored to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migration hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.

He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary Powers.

He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.

He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people, and eat out their substance.

He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.

He has affected to render the military independent of and superior to the Civil Power.

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their acts of pretended legislation.

For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:

For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from Punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:

For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:

For imposing taxes on us without our Consent:

For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:

For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offenses:

For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighboring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies:

For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally, the Forms of our Governments:

For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with Power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever:

He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.

He is at this time transporting large armies of foreign mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.

He has constrained our fellow Citizen taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavored to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attention to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which would inevitably interrupt our connection and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the name, and by authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the Protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

Happy Independence Day!! 

It's gonna be a long summer

So today, Sandra Day O'Connor resigned from the Supreme Court. Folks, it's about to get really, really ugly. Will W do the sensible thing and nominate a moderate, much like O'Connor herself? Or will he give the wingnuts what they want, a hardline conservative? My heart tells me he'll do the right thing for the country and appoint a moderate. My brain says no effin' way he'll do that. Just what the country needs now, more hatred, from both sides. Yeah, I'm a liberal, but I don't agree lock-step with everything the Dems do. For instance, I think it's a mistake to make abortion rights such a huge issue. But then again, I'm a man and will never have to worry about getting pregnant, unless something extraordinary occurs in science (remember "Junior" with the Governator?). Yep, it's gonna be really ugly.

By the way, I can totally understand why Matthew Perry got hooked on Vicodin. I'm taking it now for the pain from having my 4 wisdom teeth pulled. The best way I can describe is that it's like living in a marshmallow. Totally, totally mellow and relaxed. Not a care in the world. I can still feel the pain, but it's like it's happening to someone else, not me. It's almost like an out of body experience. I've just taken my 1st of the day. I'm trying not to take too much, but the pain has won out this time. I only took 2 yesterday. The 1st night, I was eating them like candy. Can't wait until the pain goes away.

This is my dog Kaleb, who, in my humble opinion, is the best dog in the world. I had my 4 wisdom teeth pulled yesterday and have been at home all day in horrible pain (helped somewhat by Vicodin). Well, Kaleb has not left my side this whole time. When I'm on the couch, he's there with me. When I'm in bed, there he is. I don't know what I'd do without him and the FW. 

Out of commission

I won't be posting much today or tomorrow - getting my wisdom teeth pulled this afternoon and will be out of commission for a day or so (yeah, I'm a wimp).

I can't get enough of this

I'm sitting here crying, I'm laughing so hard:

No. 17
1998: After Houston takes Turkey's Mirsad Turkcan near the end of Round 1, Majerus compares Turkcan to Moses Malone and officially gets cut off by the bar at Vancouver's GM Place.



(Note: This was the same draft where Majerus described Kings pick Jason Williams by gushing "He's got great 'feel for the game,' and you can't coach 'feel for the game.'" We later found out that Williams also had great "feel for the bong.")

More draft greats

No. 37
2001: The Clips trade the rights to No. 2 pick Tyson Chandler to Chicago for Elton Brand. That's right, after 47 years, Elgin Baylor finally made a good trade! Watching the draft live, Dad and I immediately start stockpiling water and canned goods and preparing for the apocalypse.

The Sports Guy

One of my favorite lunchtime activities, other than eating, is reading the Sports Guy's (Bill Simmons) column at espn.com. Today, he ranked the top 60 NBA draft moments. My favorite:

No. 45
2004: Before the draft even starts, Bilas describes Dwight Howard as "very ball friendly" and announces he has graded potential draftees in a number of categories from 1 to 5, including "Intangibles," prompting my buddy Jacko to wonder, "How do you rank intangibles from 1 to 5? Intangibles are the great unknown. And yet he ranks them. Is he clairvoyant?"

Flip Flop Much?

From Thinkprogress.org

1999, George W. Bush criticized President Clinton for not setting a timetable for exiting Kosovo, and yet he refuses to apply the same standard to his war.

George W. Bush, 4/9/99:

“Victory means exit strategy, and it’s important for the president to explain to us what the exit strategy is.”

And on the specific need for a timetable, here’s what Bush said then and what he says now:

George W. Bush, 6/5/99


“I think it’s also important for the president to lay out a timetable as to how long they will be involved and when they will be withdrawn.”

George W. Bush, 6/24/05:

“It doesn’t make any sense to have a timetable. You know, if you give a timetable, you’re — you’re conceding too much to the enemy.”

And now baseball?

So now the GOP is threatening Major League Baseball. George Soros, a big Democratic donor, is part of an ownership group that wants to buy the Washington Nationals. But Republicans don't want him to have it. Read it here.

So it was okay for W to own the Rangers, but it's not okay for one of us to own a team? It's a slippery slope my friends.

Let me explain my anger

at Karl Rove's recent remarks. I'm a liberal. I'm proud to be a liberal. Without liberals, women wouldn't be allowed to vote, we wouldn't have public education, there'd be no 5 day work weeks, or sick leave, an integrated military, neighborhoods or school systems, health care for the poor and elderly. Hell, without liberals, Jeb Bush and Clarence Thomas wouldn't have been allowed to marry their wives. And when we were attacked on 9/11/01, I was ready to strike back. And we did - in Afghanistan.

So don't tell me I'm helping getting our troops killed. I lived about a mile south of the Pentagon that day. My apartment stank of the smoke from the explosion for days. I drive by the Pentagon every day on my way to work, and for too long, that black scar served as a reminder to me of that day.

This mess in Iraq has nothing at all to do with 9-11, and we all know it. So don't say liberals want our troops to die and are in collusion with the enemy. You're getting desperate, and know that you're living in a house of cards. The emperor has no clothes, ladies and gentlemen.

Hey Karl Rove,

If we liberals really wanted to get our troops killed in Iraq, we'd support your fucked up war! By the way, aren't Jenna and Barbara Bush eligible to enlist in the military? W, if this war is so righteous, why aren't your kids fighting?

F*** You, Rove

So, Karl Rove thinks liberals are aiding and abetting the enemy?

You know what I say to that? F*** you!! It's so apparent now what this administration wants - no dissent. Republican Party = God = right. It's like I woke up in an alternate universe, except it's real.

Contact your Representative or Senator now and ask them if they agree with Rove!!

Is Tom Cruise Darth Sidious?

You tell me!

Happy Summer!!

It's now officially summer, so crank up the A/C!!

Glad to be an Episcopalian

Just read the Rev. John Danforth's op-ed in today's NY Times. Danforth was once Senator (R) from Missouri and he's also an Episcopal priest. Reading this, it reminds me of the ideas and beliefs my father instilled in me:


It would be an oversimplification to say that America's culture wars are now between people of faith and nonbelievers. People of faith are not of one mind, whether on specific issues like stem cell research and government intervention in the case of Terri Schiavo, or the more general issue of how religion relates to politics. In recent years, conservative Christians have presented themselves as representing the one authentic Christian perspective on politics. With due respect for our conservative friends, equally devout Christians come to very different conclusions.

It is important for those of us who are sometimes called moderates to make the case that we, too, have strongly held Christian convictions, that we speak from the depths of our beliefs, and that our approach to politics is at least as faithful as that of those who are more conservative. Our difference concerns the extent to which government should, or even can, translate religious beliefs into the laws of the state.

People of faith have the right, and perhaps the obligation, to bring their values to bear in politics. Many conservative Christians approach politics with a certainty that they know God's truth, and that they can advance the kingdom of God through governmental action. So they have developed a political agenda that they believe advances God's kingdom, one that includes efforts to "put God back" into the public square and to pass a constitutional amendment intended to protect marriage from the perceived threat of homosexuality.

Moderate Christians are less certain about when and how our beliefs can be translated into statutory form, not because of a lack of faith in God but because of a healthy acknowledgement of the limitations of human beings. Like conservative Christians, we attend church, read the Bible and say our prayers.

But for us, the only absolute standard of behavior is the commandment to love our neighbors as ourselves. Repeatedly in the Gospels, we find that the Love Commandment takes precedence when it conflicts with laws. We struggle to follow that commandment as we face the realities of everyday living, and we do not agree that our responsibility to live as Christians can be codified by legislators.

When, on television, we see a person in a persistent vegetative state, one who will never recover, we believe that allowing the natural and merciful end to her ordeal is more loving than imposing government power to keep her hooked up to a feeding tube.

When we see an opportunity to save our neighbors' lives through stem cell research, we believe that it is our duty to pursue that research, and to oppose legislation that would impede us from doing so.

We think that efforts to haul references of God into the public square, into schools and courthouses, are far more apt to divide Americans than to advance faith.

Following a Lord who reached out in compassion to all human beings, we oppose amending the Constitution in a way that would humiliate homosexuals.

For us, living the Love Commandment may be at odds with efforts to encapsulate Christianity in a political agenda. We strongly support the separation of church and state, both because that principle is essential to holding together a diverse country, and because the policies of the state always fall short of the demands of faith. Aware that even our most passionate ventures into politics are efforts to carry the treasure of religion in the earthen vessel of government, we proceed in a spirit of humility lacking in our conservative colleagues.

In the decade since I left the Senate, American politics has been characterized by two phenomena: the increased activism of the Christian right, especially in the Republican Party, and the collapse of bipartisan collegiality. I do not think it is a stretch to suggest a relationship between the two. To assert that I am on God's side and you are not, that I know God's will and you do not, and that I will use the power of government to advance my understanding of God's kingdom is certain to produce hostility.

By contrast, moderate Christians see ourselves, literally, as moderators. Far from claiming to possess God's truth, we claim only to be imperfect seekers of the truth. We reject the notion that religion should present a series of wedge issues useful at election time for energizing a political base. We believe it is God's work to practice humility, to wear tolerance on our sleeves, to reach out to those with whom we disagree, and to overcome the meanness we see in today's politics.

For us, religion should be inclusive, and it should seek to bridge the differences that separate people. We do not exclude from worship those whose opinions differ from ours. Following a Lord who sat at the table with tax collectors and sinners, we welcome to the Lord's table all who would come. Following a Lord who cited love of God and love of neighbor as encompassing all the commandments, we reject a political agenda that displaces that love. Christians who hold these convictions ought to add their clear voice of moderation to the debate on religion in politics.

Travelogue

Today, while cleaning up some files on my PC, I came across some e-mails I sent to friends and family a couple of years ago while the FW (Fab Wife) and I went to London and Ireland for Xmas and New Year's. Of course, she wasn't the FW back then, just the FF (Fab Fiance'). Anyway, I'm going to post them below, for posterity's sake:

Hi all,
Well, today jetlag got the better of us, as we didn't wake up until 11:00 am, despite the alarm going off at 7:00. Our tour of Parliament was cancelled, as they are closed for Christmas. Oh, well. Anyway, we decided to walk around the part of town we are staying in (Bloomsbury). It was a bit wet - okay it was really, really wet - but we toughed it out. Had a pretty lunch at Cafe London on Southampton Road, then walked over to see the house Dickens lived in (pretty appropriate for Xmas, eh?) Went to the drugstore for Amber to get some contact solution (loads of fun) and took a nap around 4:00.
Tonight, we met our friends Emily and Shona for dinner and drinks at Piccadilly Circus. They took us to a pretty cool little bar, then we went to a fantastic Thai restaurant for dinner. And the portions were normal sized, not our crazy American super sized dinners!! Afterwards, we went to Soho for more alcohol!! You wouldn't believe the number of drunks we've seen stumbling down the street - and the bars and pubs close at midnight!!
Tomorrow, we're headed to see Arsenal play Middlesborough, the real reason we're in London!! After the match, we're going to visit Amber's Aunt Hillary, who lives very near Highbury (Arsenal's stadium). Her son, my future cousin-in-law, is also a huge Arsenal Supporter. Guess it's a family trait!!
I'll fill you in tomorrow night our journey to my soccer Mecca!!
love,
Charlie

Greetings from London, everyone.
Well, today was the day I've been dreaming about. I was at Highbury Stadium, home of Arsenal Football Club - Premier League and FA Cup Champions. Amber and I took the Tube to Finsbury Park in Islington, North London, where the team is based. Think of Adams Morgan, but substitute West Indians for Latinos. Very cool. About time I saw some color here!! Anyway, we met Jeff Lancaster, our connection for the tickets at the Moray Arms Pub. The owners, Sheila and Pat, are an older couple from Cork in Ireland. Jeff is great, by the way. He has 6 season tickets, and offers any Yanks who may be in London 1st dibs on any extras he has available. After downing a few pints with Jeff, we headed to the stadium. Oh, my God!! I was in heaven. Finally, after years of supporting Arsenal, we were at Highbury. Not only that, but our seats were in the famous North End, right behind the goal, 12 rows back. Words cannot describe how awesome it was to be there. I took a whole roll of film, and will have the prints scanned when I get home so I can share them with you. That may help show how close we were to the field. Arsenal didn't play their best game, but they still won comfortably, with a superb diving header from Sol Campbell just before halftime and a sublime finish from Robert Pires just before the game ended. After the game, we went with Jeff to Arsenal Fish and Chips for an after game meal. Delicious!!! The cod was fantastic, and Amber enjoyed her fried rice with veggies. We then headed over to the Gunners Pub for another pint. The pub is wall to wall Arsenal memorabilia. Awesome!! We then went to visit Amber's (and soon to be my) Aunt Hillary and her kids Paul and Siobhan. Again, we went to a couple of pubs and had the best time! It's great having relatives over here!
Tomorrow, we head to the South Bank of the Thames and will take a ride on the London Eye. I have no idea what else we're going to do, but we'll keep you posted, I promise. On Monday, we leave for Dublin.
love,
Charlie & Amber

London - Day 3
Well, today we become something that all of us who live and work in DC hate - tourists!!! I booked tickets for us on the London Eye (www.londoneye.com). It's a huge Ferris Wheel on the south bank of the Thames that you can see the whole city from. Each "flight" takes about 30 minutes. It was pretty amazing. Can't wait to see the pix we took. Afterwards, we walked across Waterloo Bridge to Parliament and Westminster Abbey, followed by a stroll through St. James' Park to Buckingham Palace (at which Amber informed me it's my duty to buy her a palace. Uh Oh!). And the strangest thing happened while we were watching the ducks and swans - the sun came out!! Woo Hoo!! Didn't know it actually happens in London, but sure enough, the clouds cleared, the sun came out, and people started smiling!
Amber's not feeling to well today. She's had a sore throat the last few days and today she has no voice - something you'd think I'd be happy about, but amazingly am quite bummed over ;-). She took a long nap after our day of walking around, and we're about to get some dinner.
We leave tomorrow for Dublin. Don't know how much access I'll have to the 'net while in Ireland, but I'll try to keep you posted on my adventures of driving on the left side of the road.
love,
Charlie
PS - I think I've discovered the secret behind the whole idea of the English being reserved and having a "stiff upper lip". It's because they never see the sun and are suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder!! Seriously! Other than 2 hours this afternoon, it's been dark and raining non-stop. And not a regular rain. More like a fine mist that just soaks you to your core. And this would also explain why they drink so much. They'd put any fraternity back at UVa to shame!

Hello all,
We got to Dublin yesterday afternoon - only a 45 minute flight from London. The 1st thing that I noticed when we got off the plane was the amount of smoke!! More smokers here than in London, if that's possible. Amber's Aunt Ellen and Uncle Charlie met us at the airport and drove us to their home, our base in Dublin. They're really good people. After dinner, more of Amber's family came over and we proceeded to talk and drink. And drink. And drink. And a little more drinking. I think by night's end, I ended up doing UVa proud by drinking 10 pints of Guinness, along with a shot of Jameson’s, and God knows how much German wine. The Ricards (Amber's family) were duly impressed by their "Yank" cousin!!
Today, we're just walking around the city with Amber's sister Vienna, whose also in Dublin. She's on her way home from spending the past 2 years in Ghana with the Peace Corps. Activism runs in the family!! We're in the Temple Bar area, kinda like Georgetown. Very trendy. Tonight, Uncle Charlie is taking me to his favorite pub to show me off and buy me a "real" Guinness (the stuff last night was canned). I'll let you know how it goes!
I won't be writing again for a few days, so everyone have a very Merry Christmas.
Charlie

Howdy,
We've just arrived in Killarney, in southwest Ireland after driving all day from Galway. We got to Galway Friday night, and I, Charlie Hundley, stayed in a hostel. Never again!! I don't think the concept of showering has caught on in Europe, at least not among people under 30!! We hit a few pubs in Galway, and yesterday morning, caught a ferry to Inishmore, largest of the Aran Islands (off the coast of Ireland). Inishmore has only 800 inhabitants, and they survive mainly by fishing and knitting the famous Aran Sweaters (Mom, Dad - you got me one last year for Xmas). We got a great tour of the island from Tom O'Toole, who was about 100 years young! He knew everything there was to know about the history of the island, and was full of wisecracks. We toured Dun Aengus, a 2500 year old fort on the south shore of the island, on a very steep cliff. Can't wait to see how the pictures turned up. Since nothing was open on the island but the pubs, we created our very own pub-crawl and ran into a guy who lives in Mt. Pleasant!! Small world, huh? We left this morning and drove south about 4 hours to see the Cliffs of Moher, but the fog was so thick we couldn't see our own hands, much less the cliffs, so we hit the road again and are now in Killarney. Tomorrow, we do the Ring of Kerry and we head back to Dublin on Tuesday morning, about a 5 hour drive.
If I don't write back before Wednesday, have a safe and Happy New Year. We'll be home Saturday afternoon, and can't wait to see you all.
Charlie

Just in case you forgot

or were distracted by the missing teen in Aruba, Schiavo's autopsy, or any other "important" news, 1714 Americans have died in Iraq to date, including 5 today. But hey, if you've got a yellow ribbon on your car, everything's okay!!

Englin wins!

Yep, David Englin won the Democratic Primary to run for the House of Delegates. It was a close one, Libby Garvey gave a strong showing and only lost by 366 votes. Turnout was very, very low. In our precinct, David won by 2 votes, thanks to the FW (Fabulous Wife) who drove home from the polling station to pull 2 of our neighbors down to the polls just before they closed!! Did I mention how much she rocks?

Happy Flag Day

Wave it, fly it, burn it, do what you will. It belongs to you!

More on dinner with the BR

Okay, back with more on dinner with the BR. Over the course of our conversation, he asked didn't I care if we (the US) weren't the #1 economic power in the world. I have to admit, I've never thought much about that. But my heartfelt answer was that no, I didn't care. If we're #1, that means some other nation is dead last, and that's not right. This isn't some game we're playing. We're all citizens of the earth - national boundaries are artificial.

Rome used to be #1, Britain was #1, Egypt, Greece, Mali, and Mongolia have all been #1. Even Iraq has had its moment in the sun. I don't think folks in Finland, Sweden or other European nations with high standards of living care too much that they're not #1. They're just concerned with making sure everyone within their borders are taken care of and have a good life. BR also said that this is the 1st time that our technological advantage is evaporating. I responded that all of the nations I mentioned before also had a technology advantage - their weapons and means of waging war. The Roman legions, the British navy, the rifles Europeans used to enslave entire continents. Having a technological advantage doesn't impress me very much. You know what, our main tech advantage is still our military. Other countries have computers, cell phones, etc. But we have the best military, right now. That's what separates us - our ability to kill others more efficiently. He looked at me like I was crazy.

Saturday Night

So Saturday night, the Fabulous Wife (FW) and I went out to dinner with her Former Roommate On the Hill (FROTH) and her new beau. We ate at a wonderful new restaurant (Del Merei Grille) in Alexandria. The food was great, the company was fun. Just one thing - the new beau is a Black Republican (BR). Now, there's nothing that bothers me more than BRs (not completely true, just using some hyperbole). I just want to shake some sense into them. "Don't you get that the leaders of your party wanted to keep us down? That it was against their objections and obstruction that we got the right to vote, to live where we want to live, to marry who we want to marry, to go to equal schools? That the leaders of your party, who were all Dems in our lifetime, switched parties because they couldn't stand the fact that the Democratic party became the party of the oppressed? What the hell is wrong with you???!?!?!?!"

But, because I promised FW that I would be on my best behavior, I almost bit my tongue off during dinner. BR owns his own software firm, so he's pro-business. Among his varied ideas are 1) We need to do something about India, because they're going to overtake us economically. By this he means send in special forces to disrupt India. Maybe start a war between them and Pakistan. 2) Do the same to China, 3) abolish minimum wage, because it's the workers fault that companies outsource work overseas. Just crazy ass shit like that. I finally lost it and went off on him, but in a, for me at least, subdued manner. I'll fill you in later, but I said something along the lines of life being about more than making money, that we as citizens need to show some altruism, and eveyone on earth has a responsibility to assist those less fortunate that ourselves. What some might call crazy liberal talk.

Brilliant

So, as I've posted earlier, I met Nick Hornby last night. And now I'm reading his latest book, "A Long Way Down". I'm only on page 37, but as my English friends would say, "It's brilliant"!

“Traditional American values are progressive values”

So says David Englin, who is running for the Democratic nomination for the the House of Delegates seat in the 45th District. Which just happens to be my district. He's a good guy, and the only candidate that actually came and knocked on our door. He talked to me and my wife at length about a number of issues and really impressed us. So much so that we threw a cookout for him to meet other people in our neighborhood and my wife has become a volunteer for his campaign, knocking on doors in the horrible heat and humidity we've been suffering through. Grassroots is the only way we're going to make a change in this country and David understands that fact. He takes pride in being a Progressive.

As Raising Kaine states, Englin is running as a proud progressive who, nevertheless, describes himself as politically in sync with both Governor Warner and DNC Chair Howard Dean. Englin describes himself as a “fiscally responsible Democrat…concerned with social justice and tolerance” and interested in “promoting fresh new ideas to improve people’s lives.” Englin believes the death penalty should be abolished, that localities “should be able to enact their own reasonable gun safety measures,” and that the so-called “Dillon Rule” (restricting localities from making their own decisions) should be repealed. Englin supports Metrorail to Dulles, exploring “creative new ideas” for solving the region’s transportation mess, and looking to “additional dedicated revenue sources for transportation.” He supports maintaining “the current car tax structure” to avoid “the kinds of financial problems we had before Mark Warner turned things around.” More than anything, Englin says he is running to protect his five-year-old son Caleb’s future “if the Republicans in the House of Delegates have their way.”

Another nice evening

So tonight, I was at Olsson's Books in Arlington, VA to see my favorite author, Nick Hornby (Fever Pitch, High Fidelity, About a Boy, How To Be Good). He was reading from his newest book, A Long Way Down. It was very, very cool to meet and hear him. I always thought he'd have a Posh accent for some reason, like Hugh Grant or Tony Blair. Nope, he's a true Islington man, with a proper working class accent. And he's a little fella, no taller than 5ft. 5in. or so.

The store was packed, I don't think they expected a crowd quite so large. A bunch of Arsenal fans were there, of course. The Arsenal America club was in full force. I posted a note on the forum a few days ago letting them know he would be here in town. As he was signing my books, he told me he thinks Arsenal are in for another long summer. Afraid he's probably right on that count. He also believes English football is changed for good because of the money Abramovich has pumped into Chelsea. He doesn't see how other clubs will be able to compete with them. I hope he's wrong. I hate Chelsea!!! He did agree with me that once Arsenal's new stadium is completed (next year) they'll be able to make and spend alot more money.

So, Tuesday night I saw the Nats beat the A's. Tonight, I met Nick Hornby. Not a bad week, eh?

Nats

Went to the Nats game last night vs. Oakland. They won 2-1 and are still in 1st. Had a great time, but damn it was muggy - which is why they invited beer, right? Gotta love DC in the summer. Just one negative thought. Could someone, please, spend a few bucks and fix the broken seats at RFK?

Bizzaro World

So my wife and ex-wife met yesterday. A bit weird. Tara came over to get some little ceramic bears she used to collect and I've had for the past 5 years in a box. We e-mail every now and then and I told her I found the box of bears. She doesn't work too far away from our place, so she stopped by yesterday on her way home from work to get them. She and Amber got along fine (don't know what I was expecting, actually). They even started sharing tips about me - truly strange. Hmm.

Things are getting better in Iraq

At least that what W and friends are telling us. I have a feeling they may be a bit off on this one:

Suicide bomb attacks kill 19 in Iraq

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Insurgents killed at least 19 people in three suicide car bomb attacks on Thursday, one targeting the bodyguards of Iraq's Kurdish deputy prime minister and another killing a deputy provincial governor...

Since a new Shi'ite Islamist-led cabinet was announced in late April there has been a sharp escalation in insurgent violence, and the number of suicide bombings has soared.

More than 700 Iraqis and 78 U.S. soldiers were killed in May, making it the deadliest month in Iraq since January.

I wish I had written this

But I didn't, it's from the King County Journal:

Kids should be taught both sides of controversial topics.
Let's require that science classes teach that a flood covering the Earth would have left an even layer of silt in the substrata around the globe -- but that no such layer exists. And that any such flood would have saturated the soil with salt, making it impossible to grow food -- starving any humans or animals who managed to survive the flood.

Let's have the English classes explore the contradiction of a loving ``ruling person'' who supposedly cares for each of his subjects who nevertheless annihilates whole cities of them -- children included -- because he's irritated with the behavior of some of the adults. Let's teach them that homosexual behavior occurs quite naturally in dozens of animal species.

Do all this and I'll have no objections to lessons exploring the ``weaknesses'' in evolutionary theory.

Hey, Beach Crew

Tuesday morning and I'm back at the office. AAAAAAARRRRRGGH!! We got home around 10:00 last night - traffic was horrible as usual. Just wanted to thank everyone for a great time and for making Sharon feel welcome - she absolutely loved it and will be returning next year, and we (Amber, Kaleb, Sharon and yours truly) plan to stay the whole week next time.

And ECAG, sorry we missed you darlin'. Give me a call since we're in the same time zone for the week!

Pot and Kettle, Part 2

So, it wasn't just Newsweek who had this story. Now the FBI is saying that guards at Guantanamo Bay mistreated the Koran. What do you have to say now, W?

Dems and Special Interest Groups

The folks over at Daily Kos have a great post today about the Democratic Party and special interest groups. What they say mirrors what I believe, we're too often seen as the "party of abortion" or the "party of gun control" etc. We're not, we're the party of the right to privacy, the party of equality under the law. Read it here.

Hello Pot, have you met Kettle?

Is it wrong to laugh every time the administration rants about the Newsweek story?
Evidently none of them would ever make assertions without rock-solid evidence to back it up, and thank goodness, because who knows where that might lead?

Lovin' Cali!!

So, we're visiting our friends in Monterey, CA. Love this place! Drove down to Big Sur yesterday, did some hiking and ate some wonderful food. Going visit the aquarium today and do some kayaking as well.

British Election Update

Well, Duncan didn't win, but he placed a very respectable 2nd, with 34.9% of the vote, closing the gap on the Tories. The Conservative candidate won with 44.5%, while Labour managed 17.3% of the vote in Westbury.

Go Duncan!!

Just wanted to give a shout out to my friend, Duncan Hames, who's running for Parliament today in the UK as a Liberal Democrat. He's good people. He came over last November to volunteer for the Kerry campaign and to see how we Yanks run campaigns. He got 19% of the vote the last time he ran (2000), so here's hoping he makes it this year. We met him through our friend Shona Ferrier, also a Liberal Democrat in the UK. We met Shona and her friend Emily during the 2002 Congressional elections - they came over to volunteer for Van Holling and stayed with us. Great folks - showed me a great time the last few times I went over to London to see Arsenal play.

I'm tempted to try and tell you where the Lib Dems fall on our political spectrum, but there is no "right" answer. They and Labour would be what we consider left of center, with the Tories (Conservatives) on the right, but then again, Labour backed W in the war, so it's not as neat as that. I'm sure if you shoot an e-mail to Duncan, he could fill you in.

And yet more BS

So much for freedom of religion!

Unreal

From "The Daily Kos".

For Chelsea Fans

A Chelski home shirt - £35
Two tickets to a Chelski match - £76
Winning the league title in over 50 years - £260m
Watching the face on Jose Mourino after losing to 'Pool - Priceless

I'm an Arsenal supporter, but I had to cheer for Liverpool yesterday. You can't buy everything, Comrade Abramovich!!

My Senator is an idiot!

Senator George Allen on yesterday's Meet The Press (you'll need Windows Media Player). Yes, he represents the great Commonwealth of Virginia (though, being from California he's a carpetbagger). Yes he went to my school, The University of Virginia. And yes, his father was coach of the Washington Redskins. But he's just a fuckin' idiot!!

A Parable

Have you noticed that all of those on the right who want everyone to know how "Christian" they are, rarely, if ever, quote Christ? They love to spout scripture, more often than not the fire and brimstore stuff. But where's the love that Christ taught? One of my favorite stories from the Bible is the parable of The Good Samaritan. You know the story -

Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he said, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" He said to him, "What is written in the law? What do you read there?" He answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself." And he said to him, "You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live." But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"

Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, ‘Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.’

Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?" He said, "The one who showed him mercy." Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."

To make this parable more meaningful, here's a modern retelling of it I found online:

You are a contributor to and participant in the Conservatives Family Values movement. You have come to a certain American city to attend a big Convervatives Family Values event. On Sunday morning you happen to attend a nearby church before heading home. You are challenged by the guest preacher at the pulpit to answer the question, "Who is your neighbor?" This question came after the preacher had just quoted from Old Testament (Lev 19:18) passage, "Love your neighbor as yourself."

The guest preacher then tells you a story of another Convervatives for Family Values event attendee. He got lost while in that city. While walking through a run-down part of the city, he became ill, fell to the side-walk, and passed-out next to a homeless woman who was on top of a sidewalk grate, from which warm air was coming up to keep her -- and now both of them -- warm on that cold winter day. Soon another homeless man came by, took the man's watch and wallet, and swapped his own beat-up coat, hat, and shoes, for the man's very nice ones.

An hour later a small group of Conservative Family Values event people -- a preacher, a deacon, and some children -- also happen to be passing by there. They saw the unconscious man -- whom they thought was a homeless man sleeping next to his woman partner. As the woman began to stir, the preacher of the group spoke to the deacon and to the children saying what a sinful sight this was and how it illustrated the need for their Conservative Family Values movement. And they continued walking.

A few minutes later a well-dressed gay couple came by, arm-in-arm. They recognized the homeless woman, to whom they offered a bottle of water and a granola bar that one of the men had in a bag. When they tried to stir the man, they realized that he was ill and needed professional attention. He was barely conscious at first. The couple immediately dialed 911 to send for Emergency Medical Services. They took off their coats to cushion his head and to keep him warm until the EMS professionals arrived. The man thanked the gay couple as they told him to let them know if they could be of any further help.

The guest preacher at the pulpit then asks you, "Which of the three acted like a neighbor? The preacher, the deacon, or the gay couple?"

See, the gay couple are the Christians, in the only way that would have mattered to Jesus. They're a model of what it means to lead a Christlike life. Simply put, they love their neighbor - and recognize that a neighbor isn't just someone who lives next door, or looks like them, or shares their beliefs and prejudices. A neighbor is simply another human being - any human being. Jesus' message - that a member of a group you despise may be a better neighbor to you and a better model for neighborliness for you than those whom you respect - is one that many outcasts today can hear with gratification.

The story also offers those who are outcasts something more than mere affirmation. It presents them (as I Black man, I should say us - blacks, gays, immigrants, the poor, etc.), it presents us with a powerful challenge - a challenge to live in a world where many people despise us as fervently as 1st century Christians despised Samaritans, and to love them anyway. It's a challenge not to just say that you love those who hate you; it's a lesson that tells us that to love is to act with love. It is to do.

Who does their market research?

Okay, it's Friday and I have the day off, so I'm watching a little TV. Third Watch on A&E. I love Third Watch, by the way. Anyway, a public service announcement just came on urging kids not to join gangs. It's a good idea, but how many kids are sitting at home watching A&E? It's A&E, people!! C'mon, spend your advertising funds a little better than that!

A little help?

Anyone know anything about Tarot cards? I just ordered a used book and it came in the mail yesterday. As I was thumbing through it, a tarot card fell out - La Mort. Scared the hell out of me. Anyone know what it signifies?

History repeats if we don't pay attention

The following is by Fritz Stern. It's long, but well worth the time. And it's very, very scary. It can happen again, people.

...the rise of National Socialism was neither inevitable nor accidental. It did have deep roots, but the most urgent lesson to remember is that it could have been stopped. This is but one of the many lessons contained in modern German history, lessons that should not be squandered in cheap and ignorant analogies. A key lesson is that civic passivity and willed blindness were the preconditions for the triumph of National Socialism, which many clearheaded Germans recognized at the time as a monstrous danger and ultimate nemesis.

We who were born at the end of the Weimar Republic and who witnessed the rise of National Socialism—left with that all-consuming, complex question: how could this horror have seized a nation and corrupted so much of Europe?—should remember that even in the darkest period there were individuals who showed active decency, who, defying intimidation and repression, opposed evil and tried to ease suffering. I wish these people would be given a proper European memorial—not to appease our conscience but to summon the courage of future generations. Churchmen, especially Protestant clergy, shared his hostility to the liberal-secular state and its defenders, and they, too, were filled with anti-Semitic doctrine.

Allow me a few remarks not about the banality of evil but about its triumph in a deeply civilized country. After the Great War and Germany’s defeat, conditions were harsh and Germans were deeply divided between moderates and democrats on the one hand and fanatic extremists of the right and the left on the other. National Socialists portrayed Germany as a nation that had been betrayed or stabbed in the back by socialists and Jews; they portrayed Weimar Germany as a moral-political swamp; they seized on the Bolshevik-Marxist danger, painted it in lurid colors, and stoked people’s fear in order to pose as saviors of the nation. In the late 1920s a group of intellectuals known as conservative revolutionaries demanded a new volkish authoritarianism, a Third Reich. Richly financed by corporate interests, they denounced liberalism as the greatest, most invidious threat, and attacked it for its tolerance, rationality and cosmopolitan culture. These conservative revolutionaries were proud of being prophets of the Third Reich—at least until some of them were exiled or murdered by the Nazis when the latter came to power. Throughout, the Nazis vilified liberalism as a semi-Marxist-Jewish conspiracy and, with Germany in the midst of unprecedented depression and immiseration, they promised a national rebirth.

Twenty years ago, I wrote about “National Socialism as Temptation,” about what it was that induced so many Germans to embrace the terrifying specter. There were many reasons, but at the top ranks Hitler himself, a brilliant populist manipulator who insisted and probably believed that Providence had chosen him as Germany’s savior, that he was the instrument of Providence, a leader who was charged with executing a divine mission. God had been drafted into national politics before, but Hitler’s success in fusing racial dogma with a Germanic Christianity was an immensely powerful element in his electoral campaigns. Some people recognized the moral perils of mixing religion and politics, but many more were seduced by it. It was the pseudo-religious transfiguration of politics that largely ensured his success, notably in Protestant areas.

German moderates and German elites underestimated Hitler, assuming that most people would not succumb to his Manichean unreason; they didn’t think that his hatred and mendacity could be taken seriously. They were proven wrong. People were enthralled by the Nazis’ cunning transposition of politics into carefully staged pageantry, into flag-waving martial mass. At solemn moments, the National Socialists would shift from the pseudo-religious invocation of Providence to traditional Christian forms: In his first radio address to the German people, twenty-four hours after coming to power, Hitler declared, “The National Government will preserve and defend those basic principles on which our nation has been built up. They regard Christianity as the foundation of our national morality and the family as the basis of national life.”

F****** Liars!!

The Republican party would have us believe that no one has ever stopped a judge from being voted on before. Just yesterday, White House spokesman was asked about the filibuster -

Q: Did you think the Republicans were playing politics when nominees when the Clinton folks had problems getting their nominees through?

MR. McCLELLAN: What has happened in this Senate is unprecedented. There has not been a situation like this, where members of one party have blocked nominees from even receiving an up or down vote on the floor.

Well, thanks to the folks at Crooks and Liars, we have videotape to prove this false. In 1968, Senate Republicans blocked Abe Fortas from becoming a Supreme Court justice. Click here. (you need Windows Media Player).

Check it out

My buddy Sarah has picked up and moved a world away - to Juneau, Alaska to be exact. She's got an awesome blog detailing her adventures in the Great White North - The Juneau Journal. Check it out, and tell her Chaz sent ya!

Don't play poker with a Senator from Vegas!

Frist blinked! Basically, Senator Reid from Nevada, the Minority Leader, offered a compromise to the Republicans over the judicial nominations. The Dems would okay a 7 of W's appoinments, only blocking the 2 most extreme wingnuts. In return, the GOP would not get rid of the filibuster. Frist, of course, said no way to a compromise (how could he do otherwise? He's owned by the religious right). So now the Dems are looking like the party willing to compromise, and Republicans are looking obstructionist. Read about it here.

Does anyone write using cursive anymore?

This is a totally random thought, but does anyone write using cursive anymore? I mean other than signing your name? The reason I'm asking is because my boss asked me to sign something for her and it took me a while to remember how to write a cursive "G"! I remember spending forever as a kid learning to write, and now I hardly ever do it.

Pope Benedict ordered bishops to keep sex abuse allegations secret

From The Observer:

Pope Benedict XVI issued an order ensuring the church's investigations into child sex abuse claims be carried out in secret. The order was made in a confidential letter which was sent to every Catholic bishop in May 2001. It asserted the church's right to hold its inquiries behind closed doors and keep the evidence confidential for up to 10 years after the victims reached adulthood. The letter was signed by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who was elected as John Paul II's successor last week.

Money Quote

"I believe in an America where the separation of church and state is absolute - where no Catholic prelate would tell the president (should he be Catholic) how to act, and no Protestant minister would tell his parishioners for whom to vote - where no church or church school is granted any public funds or political preference - and where no man is denied public office merely because his religion differs from the president who might appoint him or the people who might elect him.

"I believe in an America that is officially neither Catholic, Protestant nor Jewish - where no public official either requests or accepts instructions on public policy from the pope, the National Council of Churches or any other ecclesiastical source - where no religious body seeks to impose its will directly or indirectly upon the general populace or the public acts of its officials."

JFK, April 1962

Pope Benedict and the last election

From Salon.com:

Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger sent a letter to the U.S. bishops, pronouncing that those Catholics who were pro-choice on abortion were committing a "grave sin" and must be denied Communion. He pointedly mentioned "the case of a Catholic politician consistently campaigning and voting for permissive abortion and euthanasia laws" -- an obvious reference to John Kerry, the Democratic candidate and a Roman Catholic. If such a Catholic politician sought Communion, Ratzinger wrote, priests must be ordered to "refuse to distribute it." Any Catholic who voted for this "Catholic politician," he continued, "would be guilty of formal cooperation in evil and so unworthy to present himself for Holy Communion." During the closing weeks of the campaign, a pastoral letter was read from pulpits in Catholic churches repeating the ominous suggestion of excommunication. Voting for the Democrat was nothing less than consorting with the forces of Satan, collaboration with "evil."

Pope Benedict XVI

Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger of Germany, a hard-line guardian of conservative doctrine, was elected the new pope Tuesday evening in the first conclave of the new millennium. He chose the name Pope Benedict XVI and called himself "a simple, humble worker."

Ratzinger, the first German pope since the 11th century, emerged onto the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, where he waved to a wildly cheering crowd of tens of thousands and gave his first blessing as pope. Other cardinals clad in their crimson robes came out on other balconies to watch him.

"Dear brothers and sisters, after the great Pope John Paul II, the cardinals have elected me — a simple, humble worker in the vineyard of the Lord," he said. "I entrust myself to your prayers," the pope said.

The crowd responded by chanting "Benedict! Benedict!"




I'm not Catholic, I'm Episcopalian, aka Catholic Lite, but my wife is Irish Catholic. The head of the Roman Church is an incredibly influential person, and in choosing Ratzinger, the church leaders have shown what they think of free thought an discussion in the Church. Ratzinger served John Paul II since 1981 as head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, which is also known as the Inquisition. In that position, he has disciplined church dissidents and upheld church policy against attempts by liberals for reforms. He turned 78 on Saturday. I know a lot has been made of his being a member of the Hitler Youth, but to me that's not very important. He was a kid during the war (15 when the war ended). What does bother me as a student of religion are his various stances, whether his anti-feminist leaning or his advocating the withholding of communion from Catholic political leaders who are pro-choice, but not on those who are pro-deathpenalty. This, to me, is moral relativism of the sort that many on the right rail against.

Spring in DC

Kornheiser's right, "It's a terrific time for sports in Washington. The Nationals have a better record than the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox. The Wizards have a better record than the Los Angeles Lakers. The Redskins haven't had any players march in and ask to be traded in at least three days. Finally, there's something to do in May, June and July besides wait for Redskins camp to open. That feels good, doesn't it?"

Is your Senator on this list?

Collins (ME)
Hagel (NE)
Snowe (ME)
Smith (OR)
Sununu (NH)
Gregg (NH)
Lugar (IN)
Warner (VA)


All 44 Democrats and Senator Jeffords are on board. So are Senators McCain and Chafee.

These are the swing votes for the "nuclear option" vote the Republican leadership is about to force on the Senate. If you live in one of these states, please write to your Senator and urge them not to vote to kill the filibuster. They're calling it the "tyranny of the minority". Well, our system was set up to give the minority a voice, right or wrong. Don't like it? It's called compromise!!

Happy Jackie Robinson Day!!

Lots going on today, but I just wanted to spread a little good news.

You can find anything on the net!

I did a google search of my grandfather awhile ago, not really thinking I'd find too much - I mean he was a pretty important figure in Charlottesville, VA, but years and years ago, long before the net was around. But I did find this awesome interview of him and my grandmother. What was even cooler, was that they had audio files of the interview.

My grandfather died 10 years ago, so I haven't heard him speak in a long, long time. I was so excited to find this, I e-mailed the interviewers thanking them for doing this. And to my surprise, they mailed me a CD of the interviews! I gave them to my Mom for Mother's Day last year. We can now here Granddaddy talk whenever we want!

Welcome To DC, AKA Tehran on the Potomac

From the NY Times:

As the Senate heads toward a showdown over the rules governing judicial confirmations, Senator Bill Frist, the majority leader, has agreed to join a handful of prominent Christian conservatives in a telecast portraying Democrats as "against people of faith" for blocking President Bush's nominees.

Fliers for the telecast, organized by the Family Research Council and scheduled to originate at a Kentucky megachurch the evening of April 24, call the day "Justice Sunday" and depict a young man holding a Bible in one hand and a gavel in the other. The flier does not name participants, but under the heading "the filibuster against people of faith," it reads: "The filibuster was once abused to protect racial bias, and it is now being used against people of faith."

Against the Republicans? Well you must love Satan!!

It was a great night!

A beautiful spring evening in the nation's capital. Metro was crowded, but not too bad as I headed to the game with my friends Lesley and Kerry. I love how RFK has a Metro stop right at the stadium. Getting into the stadium was a bit rough, what with all the security and what not, but folks didn't really seem to mind. We had great seats, upper deck behind homeplate. A few kinks need to be worked out by stadium staff (hint - it's not a good idea to run out of beer during the 3rd inning), but considering how long we've waited for a team, I'm not complaining. The Nats won the game, 5-3, but that was only part of the story. The big story is that baseball's back, baby!!

Washington 5 Arizona 3 

Baseball's Back!!! 

What a great day!

It's a beautiful spring day here in DC. Not a cloud in the sky, a nice breeze blowing, and for the 1st time in 34 years - baseball is back!! I'm headed to Nationals home opener after work, can't wait. I've waited my whole life for this!

Hmmm

Last week, W said that we should always err on the side of life (referring to Terri Schiavo). But what about folks on Death Row, Mr. President?

I was just thinking...

The following is from my brother, Ken10:

I was just thinking...

So many original hip hop cats grew up wanting to 'fight the power' and proclaim "911 is a joke". So many of us had an uncomfortable feeling of pride and power in our stomachs back in the day. So many of us silently grinned when someone's mother would ask us about "Fear of a Black Planet", not sure we fully understood the concept either...So many of us, thought the fact that more than one of our black "heroes" was popped with crack (again), was just a sign of the times... What is so sad, is that we cannot be surprised. That almighty dollar is more addictive to some of us than crack, or heroin. More relevant to more of us than any sense of religion, or spirituality. Some of us would chase green papers before we stop putting poisonous sodas and fast foods into our bodies, because we're "on the run", "on the grind", "on the hustle", and then wonder we we always feel so tired... but that's another email soon come...the idea that Flava' Flav has so quickly fallen from the ranks of one of hip hop's icons, in perhaps the most influential hip hop group of all time... Public Enemy #1!! Public Enemy #1!
And how many laughed, let alone watched???

Are we forced to eat what is being crammed down our throats, or do we have a right to decide what we digest? And yes we are all guilty somehow, somewhere aren't we??? Who's in charge? Who's in charge of us? Individually? Collectively?



I was just thinking...

One Love,

kenton



Another night,
Another child says goodbye,
And another child attempts to hide,
Another child cries,
And another child asks why,
Another child opens wide,
And another child lies,
Another child sleeps outside,
And another child loses her pride,
Another child alone, flies
And another child fights for life,
Another child dies,
And another night passes you by

Mandate my ass!

Here are the approval ratings for Presidents as recorded by Gallup in the March following their re-election:

Truman, 1949: 57%.

Eisenhower, 1957: 65%.

Johnson, 1965: 69%.

Nixon, 1973: 57%.

Reagan, 1985: 56%.

Clinton, 1997: 59% .

Bush, 2005: 45%

Gimme a break!

The President, after sending hundreds of people to their deaths in TX, now says "The case of Terri Schiavo raises complex issues. Yet in instances like this one, where there are serious questions and substantial doubts, our society, our laws, and our courts should have a presumption in favor of life. Those who live at the mercy of others deserve our special care and concern. It should be our goal as a nation to build a culture of life, where all Americans are valued, welcomed, and protected - and that culture of life must extend to individuals with disabilities."

Um, what about all those people on death row who, because of inept counsel or lack of resources to pay for DNA testing, are condemned to die for crimes they may not have committed?

Tom DeLay's Hypocrisy

From William Saletan, Slate

In 1988, Tom DeLay's 65-year-old father, Charles DeLay, suffered catastrophic brain damage and went into a coma. He had no hope of recovery but evidently reacted when his son entered the room. Although Charles DeLay had no living will, his family concluded that he would be better off dead and wouldn't want to go on living this way. Tom DeLay joined other family members in deciding to withhold dialysis. His father died.

Ugh

The wife and I had a bunch of friends over for dinner Saturday night. Good times - ham, asparagus, rosemary potatoes, 2 different salads, awesome bread and wine. Lots and lots of wine. Maybe too much wine. I haven't counted the bottles yet, but it was at least 7 emptied Saturday night. Wasn't able to really function on Sunday. We went to see my mother-in-law for Easter dinner. Could barely eat. Then went to see my parents. Dad made an awesome turkey. Again, could barely eat. Ugh.

DeLay pulled plug on his own Dad

Tom DeLay had his own father taken off of life support. Read it here.

Holy Crap!

Jeb was ready to send in the troops! Read it here.

Living Wills

I'm not going to put my wife and family through the hell that's going on down in Florida. Here's a link to living wills. Prepare one today. Please.

Senator Frist

From the NY Daily News:


Heart surgeon Frist has pulled the plug regularly



BY RICHARD SISK and KENNETH R. BAZINET
DAILY NEWS WASHINGTON BUREAU

WASHINGTON - Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, who has championed the "rescue" of Terri Schiavo, is a renowned heart surgeon who has pulled the plug on a "regular basis," his office acknowledged yesterday.
But Frist (R-Tenn.) ended life support only when the patient was ruled brain-dead, and he is convinced Schiavo is not brain-dead.

"He certainly has a lot of clinical experience" in the withdrawal of life support, said Frist spokeswoman Amy Call.

Frist, the driving force behind the Senate bill to move Schiavo's case to federal court and a likely 2008 presidential candidate, is under fire for declaring she is not brain-dead after reviewing a video of Schiavo.

"On a regular basis, he's dealt with a diagnosis of brain death," Call said defending Frist, a heart and general surgeon.

Medical ethicists like Dr. Kenneth Prager, chairman of the Medical Ethics Committee at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, say it's "inappropriate" for Frist to make an armchair diagnosis. "A diagnosis should be made bedside by a neurologist. He's not a neurologist, and he wasn't bedside," Prager said.

In a 2002 interview with the Chicago Tribune, Frist recalled moral debate into "Why is somebody dead when there's no brain activity, but everything else is warm and beating?" from the early days of organ transplants. "Finally, we came to a consensus, an ethical framework, that people can generally agree to and have faith in."

The other driving force behind the Terri Schiavo bill, House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Tex.), is accused of using the Schiavo case to divert attention from his own ethics problems. A Texas grand jury has indicted three of DeLay's cronies and is now looking into his campaign finances.

A DeLay spokesman said, "Anybody would be hard-pressed to question Congressman Delay's commitment to life issues throughout his career."

Bush Hypocracy

Just thought you'd want to see the law that W signed as Governor of Texas that allows medical facilities to end life support if the patient can't pay for it.

On Terri Schiavo

This is wrong on so many levels - Congress getting involved in a family matter, the grandstanding of the right wing. What bothers me most is this - the print and broadcast media are not telling people that according to the report prepared for Governor Jeb Bush by University of South Florida professor Jay Wolfson (he was appointed as a guardian ad litem for Terri in 2003) "Theresa's neurological tests and CT scans indicate objective measures of the persistent vegetative state. These data indicate that Theresa's cerebral cortex is principally liquid, having shrunken due to the severe anoxic trauma experienced 13 years ago." What kind of recovery can she have when her cerebral cortex is liquid? Here's what the cerebral cortex is responsible for:

The cerebrum or cortex is the largest part of the human brain, associated with higher brain function such as thought and action. The cerebral cortex is divided into four sections, called "lobes": the frontal lobe, parietal lobe, occipital lobe, and temporal lobe. What do each of these lobes do?

Frontal Lobe- associated with reasoning, planning, parts of speech, movement, emotions, and problem solving

Parietal Lobe- associated with movement, orientation, recognition, perception of stimuli

Occipital Lobe- associated with visual processing

Temporal Lobe- associated with perception and recognition of auditory stimuli, memory, and speech

And this just gets us on a slippery slope. What happens when a woman gets pregnant and wants an abortion and the father doesn't want her to have one? Doesn't matter if the father is her husband, boyfriend, rapist, whatever. He claims he's speaking for the unborn fetus. Will Congress intervene and make her go through with the pregnancy? Even though abortion is legal? Is Congress going to ensure that every American is kept alive, even when they can't pay for it? Just asking.

St. Patrick's Day Aftermath

Ugh, why do I do this to myself? Got to the pub just after 3:00 pm with the Mrs. Started drinking right off. I lost count after the 10th pint of Beamish. What did me in, however, was the Carbomb just before I left Finn Mac Cool's. Somebody shoot me please!!

Where are they from?

Look at this map.

Interesting how most of the hometowns of our kids killed in Iraq are in blue states, even though they're supposedly traitors and not real Americans.

1500

Over 1500 dead Americans now in Iraq. 199 already this year. And Shiites allied with Iran won the elections. Is it worth it?

Virginia Senate Shows Some Sense

Once again, Virginia's Senate has overcome the simpletons in our House of Delegates. 1st, it was the bill to ban baggy pants. Now, after the House approved language to amend Article I, Section 16, which would have inserted a paragraph amid wording on religious liberty composed by founding fathers Thomas Jefferson, James Madison and George Mason and unchanged since 1786. Um, how arrogant do you have to be to think you know more than Jefferson, Madison and Mason? Del. Charles W. Carrico Sr. (R-Grayson), who authored the proposed amendment, said "Our country was built upon the Christian principles of the Bible". Um, maybe he should go back to school. Jefferson, if anything, was a Deist, not a Christian.

Although Jefferson believed in a Creator, his concept of it resembled that of the god of deism (the term "Nature's God" used by deists of the time). With his scientific bent, Jefferson sought to organize his thoughts on religion. He rejected the superstitions and mysticism of Christianity and even went so far as to edit the gospels, removing the miracles and mysticism of Jesus (see The Jefferson Bible) leaving only what he deemed the correct moral philosophy of Jesus. Here are a few quotes from TJ on the subject of religion:

But it does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty gods or no God. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg.
-Thomas Jefferson, Notes on Virginia, 1782

Question with boldness even the existence of a god; because if there be one he must approve of the homage of reason more than that of blindfolded fear.
-Thomas Jefferson, Letter to Peter Carr, August 10, 1787

And this, which refutes what Carrico says about Jefferson wanting this to be a Christian nation:

Where the preamble declares, that coercion is a departure from the plan of the holy author of our religion, an amendment was proposed by inserting "Jesus Christ," so that it would read "A departure from the plan of Jesus Christ, the holy author of our religion;" the insertion was rejected by the great majority, in proof that they meant to comprehend, within the mantle of its protection, the Jew and the Gentile, the Christian and Mohammedan, the Hindoo and Infidel of every denomination.
-Thomas Jefferson, Autobiography, in reference to the Virginia Act for Religious Freedom

See, even while still alive, some folks wanted to change his wording and he said back off!!

On-line scams

I'm sure we've all gotten e-mail scams before. I just got one that's very, very sneaky. It was an e-mail claiming to be from Washington Mutual, saying

"Dear Washington Mutual Customer, Recently there have been a large number of identity theft attempts targeting our Customers.In order to safeguard your account, we require that you confirm your banking details.To confirm your Washington Mutual Account details please follow the link: https://login.wamu.com/logon/logon.asp?dd=secureNote: You have to report this message as "Not Junk Mail" if update link doesn't work.Thank you for using Washington Mutual."

Since I've never had an account with them, I thought it odd that I'd get the e-mail. Maybe it was from an old account I had with another bank that was taken over? Suspicious, I clinked on the link to see what it was. It was a very legit looking website asking me to log in and give my account information. Alarm bells went off in my head. I right clicked on the site to see the properties. The page in my browser looked just like Washington Mutual's (http://ups.wmu.mfrt.net/att/), but the real url was to a site in Braunau, Austria (here it is here - http://ups.wmu.mfrt.net). Sneaky, and evil!! I reported this to the real Washington Mutual site to let them know about it. I'll keep you posted to what happens.

Update - I clicked on the link in the e-mail to see what happens. It asks you to log-in, so I entered a random username and password. Guess what? It works. The next page asks for all kinds of personal information - Name, address, credit card number, expiration date, CVV code... Pretty scary. I wonder how many people have been scammed by this thing?

Can you hear it?

The crack of the bat? It's almost here - spring training starts on Tuesday, and for the 1st time since I was 2 years old, we have a team in DC!!! I haven't bought season tickets - not sure how the wife would feel about that, but I will be going to quite a few games. Blue/Orange line to Stadium-Armory baby!! I'm stoked!

Let me see if I'm getting this

So, the President cut revenue with his tax cuts, then submits a budget that slashes tons of programs because we don't have the money to pay for them, while asking for more money for the war in Iraq? Isn't that like me telling my employer that I'll take a pay cut, then have to pawn my stuff to pay the bills, yet still going out and getting a loan to buy a Rolls?

Social Security Reform

Guess what folks? It's not a nest egg, it's a loan! Under W's plan, if a worker sets aside $1,000 a year for 40 years, and earns 4 percent annually on investments, the account would grow to $99,800 in today's dollars, but the government would keep $78,700 -- or about 80 percent of the account. The remainder, $21,100, would be the worker's. Ain't that great?