Obama to Congress - I'll Whoop 'Em, Don't Mess With Me



Charming. [ugh.] Given the amount of ignorant crap he's spouted on the campaign trail, I'm sure he didn't realize that actually happened some 150 years ago.

On May 22, 1856, [Preston] Brooks beat Senator Charles Sumner with his Gutta-percha wood walking cane in the Senate chamber because of a speech Sumner had made three days previous criticizing President Franklin Pierce and Southerners who sympathized with the pro-slavery violence in Kansas ("Bleeding Kansas"). In particular, Sumner lambasted Brooks' kinsman, Senator Andrew Butler, who was not in attendance when the speech was read, describing slavery as a harlot, comparing Butler with Don Quixote for embracing it, and mocking Butler for a physical handicap.

Elsewhere in Obamaland, we have this creepy piece: Is Obama an enlightened being?

No, it's not merely his youthful vigor, or handsomeness, or even inspiring rhetoric. It is not fresh ideas or cool charisma or the fact that a black president will be historic and revolutionary in about a thousand different ways. It is something more. Even Bill Clinton, with all his effortless, winking charm, didn't have what Obama has, which is a sort of powerful luminosity, a unique high-vibration integrity.
...
Here's where it gets gooey. Many spiritually advanced people I know (not coweringly religious, mind you, but deeply spiritual) identify Obama as a Lightworker, that rare kind of attuned being who has the ability to lead us not merely to new foreign policies or health care plans or whatnot, but who can actually help usher in a new way of being on the planet, of relating and connecting and engaging with this bizarre earthly experiment. These kinds of people actually help us evolve. They are philosophers and peacemakers of a very high order, and they speak not just to reason or emotion, but to the soul.

This is where I stand firm and start screaming from the rooftops: STAY AWAY!!! HE IS NOT THE MESSIAH!!! MESSIAH HAS COME IN THE PERSON OF JESUS FROM NAZARETH!!!

Yeesh, liberal ignoramus freakazoids!

12And I will keep on doing what I am doing in order to cut the ground from under those who want an opportunity to be considered equal with us in the things they boast about. 13For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. 14And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. 15It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.--2 Corinthians 11:12-15

ETA: Jonah has a great humor piece on this at NRO.

US, British diplomats attacked in Zimbabwe. The US is ticked off, but apparently not enough to actually do anything about it. Un-frickin'-believable. Later in Zimbabwe, aid operations were suspended because of Mugabe's paranoia claims the aid is only going to those in the opposition.

***

On the scourge of rising food prices:

Ethiopians drink from cup of sorrow

CHINA: 'Food Scarcity Creating New World Order'

Regulators to keep closer eye on food speculators

Indicted Saudi Gets $80 Million US Contract ?!?!? Somebody needs to lose a job over this.

Accused 9/11 mastermind asks judge to be executed. I'm all for it. No sense in our being all hardheaded and trying to play his little mind games. He deserves death, let's kill him. And why tf is he not shaven and in an orange jumper?

Police plan checkpoints in D.C. neighborhood You know, there is an easier way to reduce crime: let people bear arms to defend themselves. Sure, the lefties will continue to whine, but when do they not?

***

Over in the Middle East:

Olmert Hints U.S. Action on Iran Nukes is Near

(IsraelNN.com) Prime Minister Ehud Olmert hinted after his meeting with U.S. President George W. Bush Wednesday that U.S. action against Iran is imminent. While he avoided saying anything clear and specific on the matter, Olmert did mention a "timetable" and said action would take place before Bush leaves the White House.

My suspicion is that this is all talk, but to what end? They don't really think they're going to psych out Ahmamadjihadi, so they?

Speaking of the lawn gnome, he's been a busy boy this week. In a speech in Iranian tv, he said, "...thanks to God, the countdown for the decline of America's demonic power has begun." And during the UN food summit, he told attendees that food and fuel prices are kept artificially high by greedy powers with "devilish motivations" who should be replaced with "righteous and justice-seeking managers."

***


Obama, Black Liberation Theology, and Karl Marx
Part 1
Part 2

It’s because you have an obligation to yourself. Because our individual salvation depends on collective salvation. Because thinking only about yourself, fulfilling your immediate wants and needs, betrays a poverty of ambition. Because it’s only when you hitch your wagon to something larger than yourself that you realize your true potential and discover the role you’ll play in writing the next great chapter in America’s story.--Obama's Wesleyan commencement speech

Obama clarifies united Jerusalem comment. When he said 'divided', he meant with barb wire, not that it should actually belong to Israel, which had it for a capital three thousand years ago. No, a united Israel would be too divisive!

Researching water problems for an upcoming post, and found this little gem:

"The only voice the oysters have (is) us."--Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla.

I didn't vote for him! Honest!

*headdesk*

Duck and cover, people! Weather service warns of tornado outbreak

OMAHA, Nebraska (AP) -- Severe storms popped up over the Great Plains on
Thursday afternoon as forecasters warned of a potential tornado outbreak that
could rival that of a June day in 1974 when 22 people were killed.

Earth science geeky warning time:

3.7 quake in New Mexico yesterday, away from the usual fault lines.

3.6 in Illinois today, presumably an aftershock from the April 18 quake.

5.3 aftershock in China. Death toll there is up to 69k+.

5.4 in Peru.

Earthquake Preparedness Guide. Quakes are not like hurricanes, snowstorms, or even tornadoes; you don't always get warning. Don't assume you're safe just because you're not on a major fault, either--they can happen wherever.

Ugh, yuck, and retch.

The obamanation's speech last night... just... gag.

The journey will be difficult. The road will be long. I face this challenge with profound humility, and knowledge of my own limitations. But I also face it with limitless faith in the capacity of the American people. Because if we are willing to work for it, and fight for it, and believe in it, then I am absolutely certain that generations from now, we will be able to look back and tell our children that this was the moment when we began to provide care for the sick and good jobs to the jobless; this was the moment when the rise of the oceans began to slow and our planet began to heal; this was the moment when we ended a war and secured our nation and restored our image as the last, best hope on Earth. This was the moment – this was the time – when we came together to remake this great nation so that it may always reflect our very best selves, and our highest ideals. Thank you, God Bless you, and may God Bless the United States of America.

This man really believes he is a savior, a messiah. Speech such as this is dangerous, for those who know no better will believe the hype, pouring all their HOPES and dreams into his grandiose, yet empty rhetoric. Be on your guard; watch that no one deceives you.

Also, now that he's the nominee, Hamas has realized that their endorsement doesn't look good for him, so they've 'unendorsed' him. Oh, sure they're muttering something about AIPAC and Jerusalem, but does any thinking person really take Hamas spin seriously?

And his good friend Tony Rezko, the Syrian-born real-estate guy who's been fundraising for him, has been convicted of fraud, money laundering, and bribery. Obama's response? You guessed it: He's "saddened"; "This isn't the Tony Rezko I knew."

Does he even have any prominent supporters left to disown?

***

The March of the Tornadoes continues: Severe Storms Blamed for 3 Deaths Across the US.

US flotilla leaving Myanmar coast with aid aboard : A month after the storm, and the junta still won't let in aid. :(


" In what has been seen as a bid to secure geopolitical security at a time when oil prices are skyrocketing, Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah launched a three-day Muslim conference Wednesday aimed at making peace within Islam.

If successful, the conference, which brings together Shi'ites and Sunnis, would set the stage for a future interfaith mega-conference among members of the three monotheistic religions - Christianity, Islam and Judaism. "

Abdullah, I think, is mostly interesting in keeping peace so he and the royal family can continue to make money. Still, Sunnis and Shi'ites hanging out is like cats and dogs living together. I'd rather they stay at each other's throats and leave the rest of us alone, but based on what we know is coming, that isn't very likely to happen.

Central Asia: Locust Invasion Worsens Region's Food Woes

It's summertime here in La Florida, and the grasshoppers are back, landing on your shoulders, eating our gardens, becoming splatters upon our windshields...

Could be worse, though. Locust swarms are still a very real problem in much of the world, and could exacerbate the current food crisis.

***

Deadly floods in Belize after tropical storms

Alma and Arthur, oh my!

***

Stiff upper lip best way to deal with shock

A new study suggests this. I've suspected it all along. I always feel worse talking about painful issues. Much better to carry on normally as much as possible, deal with the grief and anger as it comes naturally, rather than reliving the trauma.

***

More Run on Empty as Gas Prices Rise

Idiots. I've seen a lot more of this locally, and what the article doesn't mention is that an abandoned car by the side of the road is a GREAT target for thieves. Unless you genuinely don't have the money to fill up your tank, there's no reason to let it run down to empty. Go ahead and fill up before the price rises again. Besides, driving around on fumes can damage your fuel pump. (I learned that the hard way.)

***

Weird news department: Ky. and Ohio battle over boulder pulled from river

Apparently it was a landmark for some time, had all kinds of nifty historical graffiti, and now it's been removed.

***

In the "ugh" category, as of tonight, Obama has the delegates to clinch the nomination. Hillary's not giving up, and I'm not sure if that's good or bad. Frankly, I think I could live with her as president; she's somewhat reasonable, and certainly brighter and more experienced than Barry. I hear a lot of conservatives who think she's the stronger candidate against McCain, but I'm not so confident. Never underestimate the charisma, or the messianic fervor of BHO supporters.

What the bloody blue blazes is going on across the pond?!

Christian preachers face arrest in Birmingham

The evangelists say they were threatened with arrest for committing a "hate crime" and were told they risked being beaten up if they returned. The incident will fuel fears that "no-go areas" for Christians are emerging in British towns and cities, as the Rt Rev Michael Nazir-Ali, the Bishop of Rochester, claimed in The Sunday Telegraph this year.

This was foretold 2000 years ago, but seeing it happen in Western society, in a country that produced so many evangelists, makes my stomach churn. It's war, and it will only grow worse as the end approaches. Put on the full armor, and prepare for what is to come.

Earthquake rattles Philippines, Taiwan
"A strong 6.4-magnitude earthquake has rocked the northern Philippines and southern Taiwan, the US Geological Survey said."

And just for kicks, check out the Latest Earthquakes in the World, past 7 days. Normally, you'd have a pretty busy ring around the Pacific Rim, and some boxes in Hawaii and Puerto Rico, and maybe a handful of >5s elsewhere, but for the last few days it's been boxy all over.

More on the Indianapolis tornado.

Insurers see greater risk of hurricanes and charge more.

Countries agree to cluster bomb ban. Fortunately, neither the U.S. nor Israel signed this piece of silliness. I want all options available should they become necessary.

Egypt finds massive arms cache in Sinai. But I'm sure the Palestinians in Gaza were only going to use them for self defense, right? Right?

TS Arthur makes landfall.

DNC Michigan/Florida delegate deal. Say it with me, friends: Den-VER! Den-VER! Den-VER!

Killing Her Softly. Mark Steyn takes on demographics and sex-selected abortion outside the West. As usual, he gets it right and makes a good read, if sad.

***

I really would like to add some thoughtful commentary here, but I'm completely tired and I've got church in the morning.

Tropical Storm Arthur forms near Belize coast

And the Atlantic hurricane season is under way! Wheee!!!!

Meanwhile, TS Alma is doing some pretty harsh stuff in Nicaragua.

And in the great state of Eurabia...

Britain should negotiate with leaders of al-Qaida as part of a new strategy to end its violent campaign, one of the country's most senior police officers has said.

Speaking to the Guardian, Sir Hugh Orde, head of the Police Service of Northern Ireland, said the experiences of his force tackling the IRA had convinced him that
policing alone - detecting plots and arresting people - would not defeat al-Qaida inspired terrorism.

Perhaps he should spend a little more time studying islamic terrorism. It's a bit tougher to negotiate with people who are cool with dying--look forward to it, actually--than it is to negotiate with fairly sane people whose set of demands do not include all infidels dying.

They're having a bit of trouble with people angry about food and fuel prices over there, too.

More from the terrorrism front: an imprisoned Al-Qaeda member accused the Saudis of bankrolling his unit. He's not exactly what one would call a reliable witness, but such a claim warrants looking into.

In China, 200k people evacuated while they try to drain the quake lake. And aid workers in Burma are still finding it difficult to help victims of Nargis.

Zimbabwe's in the grip of evil (and how dare they invoke the name of my Savior!), and Peru's maoist narcoterrorists rise again.

The weather in the Midwest may be affecting the corn crop (because prices aren't high enough). And another rash of high winds overnight sent the Illinois legislature to the Capitol basement; more storms expected this evening.



And here at home... don't go in the water! You might get a brain-eating amoeba and die!

This makes my skin crawl:

Every adult in Britain should be forced to carry 'carbon ration cards', say MPs

How it would work:

Every adult in the UK would be given an annual carbon dioxide allowance in kgs
and a special carbon card.

The scheme would cover road fuel, flights and energy bills.

Every time someone paid for road fuel, flights or energy, their carbon account would be docked.

A litre of petrol would use up 2.3kg in carbon, while every 1.3 miles of airline flight would use another 1kg.

When paying for petrol, the card would need to swiped at the till. It would be a legal offence to buy petrol without using a card.

When paying online, or by direct debit, the carbon account would be debited directly.
Anyone who doesn't use up their credits in a year can sell them to someone who wants more credits. Trading would be done through specialist companies.

Can we get just a little more Orwellian? And hey, instead of carrying around all these cards, why don't we use biochips? We could put them on our foreheads or our right hands, to simplify things. Britain, you've some serious problemas.

***

Meanwhile, in the MidEast...

Iran in Secret Talks With al Qaeda, U.S. Officials Say

Although U.S. officials rarely talk publicly about them, these militants are considered to be among the most dangerous terrorists in the world. Adel is on the FBI list of Most Wanted Terrorists and is a suspect in the 1998 bombings of the U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania. The State Department has put a $5 million bounty on his head through the Rewards for Justice program; the only al Qaeda figures with higher bounties are Osama bin Laden and his deputy, Zawahiri.

Iranian authorities detained these militants in 2003, and they have been under what one U.S. official called "loose house arrest" in Iran ever since. The U.S. government quietly sent messages to Iran through the Swiss government, requesting that the al Qaeda figures be turned over to their native countries for interrogation and trial. Iran has refused.

Al Qaeda is no fan of Shi'ite Iran. So exactly what they do they have in mind?

And if that weren't enough...

Chertoff: Hezbollah Makes Al Qaeda Look 'Minor League'

"Someone described Hezbollah like the A-team of terrorists in terms of capabilities, in terms of range of weapons they have, in terms of internal discipline," Chertoff told FOX News. "To be honest, they make Al Qaeda look like a minor league team.

"They have been more disciplined, and they've been in some senses more restrained in the kinds of attacks they carry out ... in recent years, but that's not something we can take for granted," he warned.

And they're taking over Lebanon, folks.

***

6.2 quake in Iceland, but no one seems to be injured.

China's got a chemical fire, along with flooding in the quake zone. People are scavenging for scrap metal, trying to get money so they can buy what they need.

Tornadoes in Nebraska, knocking out power and closing a section of interstate.

T.S. Alma of the Eastern Pacific hits Nicaragua.

***

6The angel said to me, "These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants the things that must soon take place."

7"Behold, I am coming soon! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy in this book."

20He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming soon."
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

21The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God's people. Amen.

Today's bad news roundup is brought to you by the letter C, the letter J, and the number 7. :)
/irony

Expert Explains High Number of Tornadoes / 2008 could set records for tornado deaths

Massive evacuation in China "quake lake" flood zone

Moderate quake in Iran

Myanmar's junta keeps democracy activist locked up

Gut Superbug Causing More Illnesses, Deaths

And, via lgf: Muslim group to help keep peace in Miami's Overtown. Because it's always a good idea to have outside groups driven by an ideological agenda help with law enforcement, right? I mean, the Nation of Islam is a lovely organization for these guys to be associated with, yes?

***

And on a different, note, I've been studying a lot of the prophets lately, and today was Deborah. She was one cool chica, wasn't she? I think she's my favorite woman in the Bible, and the one I identify with most. It's clear she was respected and had wisdom, as she was a judge in Ephraim. Barak wouldn't do what he was supposed to, and Deborah had to push him into it kicking and screaming. Story of my life. (heh.)

As you all no doubt know by now, there was another 6.0 aftershock in China Sunday, which leveled more homes and damaged others. 1.2 million people may be evacuated due to flooding from "barrier lakes", and now they're going to try to blast them and drain the water. Good luck with that.

Before that, Saturday night, there was a 5.6 in Colombia. 11 dead thus far, and 5000 affected by damaged homes or buildings.

Tornadoes * all across * the Midwest * this weekend. And possibly more tonight. They say the normal tornado season only lasts two more months, but it started early this year, IIRC.

And then there's this: folks moving out to the country to prepare for the end of civilization. Srsly. I've been railing about tough times coming and the need to prepare, but some of these folks seem a bit... eager... for the meltdown and everybody running to them for help. Aside from that, though, good on them for taking initiative, rather than demanding other people (*cough*government*cough*) provide for them.

"The U.N.'s lead food aid agency said yesterday it has raised the money to cover an emergency funding shortfall due to soaring world food and fuel prices, thanks in large part to a last-minute $500 million donation from Saudi Arabia." I don't trust the Saudis any further than I can throw them, and the same goes for the UN, which is so corrupt and easily bought. I've got a feeling this is gonna bite us in the rear sooner of later.

Rattlesnake bites are getting deadlier. Experts are baffled.*

Maybe I'm wrong, maybe I'm paranoid, maybe I'm just crazy.

Maybe I'm not.

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.




In Flanders Fields
By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918) Canadian Army

IN FLANDERS FIELDS the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

A Black Market Grows In Rice
Usually, when I think of smuggling, I think of what tv and the movies have shown me--drugs, gems, exotic animals, artwork, etc. Not so much your basic commodities.

Leaky New Orleans levee alarms experts
Oh, but I'm sure it's no big deal. Why do we have so many people living on floodplains?! it's every bit as stupid as building on barrier islands.

Chinese death toll up to 51,000. I can't even wrap my mind around that. At least China has allowed aid, which is much more than I can say for the Burmese junta.

Tornado hits Colorado The video of this thing is freaky-scary. Looking at it, and at the destruction caused, I'm amazed there's only been one death.

NOAA says 16 named storms and five major hurricanes this year. Given their record the past two years, I'm skeptical, but given the deadly weather this year, I'm preparing.

***

Israel engages in indirect peace talks with Syria. Yes, Syria, which blatantly supports Hamas and Hizbullah, want the Golan Heights, and Olmert is willing to discuss it. Modern Israel captured the Heights after Syria used them to shell civilians and launch terrorist attacks. The area was a part of ancient Israel, known then as Bashan. Furthermore, the Heights are home to the headwaters of the Jordan and Lake Kinneret, which provides 30% of Israel's water.

Oh, yeah, did I mention Obama thinks these talks are just lovely, and so does Hillary?

Many thoughts and prayers for Ted Kennedy and family.

Burma's still not letting very many people get the aid they so desperately need.

40, 000 dead, 5 million homeless now in China.

Ammo costs are rising.

White House denies Iran attack report. Iran is gonna be the one to watch for the rest of the year, I think, Iran and Russia.

Court: Paper money discriminates against the blind

This makes me very uneasy, and I don't think it's just because paper money from elsewhere in the world looks like Monopoly money. It's a gut feeling, that with everything else unfolding, that this won't end well.

Senator Obama is an idiot who thinks Iran is "tiny" and not a threat to the US.

Iran in the 18th largest country in the world by area (bigger than Alaska) and has 70 million people. Given that 19 men managed to kill 3000 in the course of a few hours one clear September morning, I think maybe we ought to assume that it doesn't take many to cause massive destruction, yes? And Senator Waffle is apparently unaware of what's going on in Lebanon. Further more, some are now suggesting Iran could start a new arms race.

At least John McCain gets it.

Speaking of Waffleman, this is a piece of doublespeak genius, straight from his own website:

Asked whether his idea of meeting with hostile nations consisted of "from the
get-go of the President of the United States" or lower level aides, Obama said,
"The latter. Understand what the question was. The question was a very specific
question. Would you meet without preconditions? Preconditions as it applies to a country like Iran for example was a term of art. Because this administration has been very clear that it will not have direct negotiations with Iran until Iran has meet preconditions that are essentially negotiations with Iran until Iran has met preconditions that are essentially what Iran used and many other observers would view as the subject of the negotiations. For example, their nuclear program. The point is that I would not refuse to meet until they agree to every position that we want. But that doesn't mean that we would not have preparation, and the preparation would involve starting with low level-lower level diplomatic contacts, having our diplomatic corps work through with Iranian counterparts, an agenda. But what I have said is that at some point I would be willing to meet. And that is a position, I mean, what's puzzling is that we view this as in any way controversial, when this has been the history of U.S. diplomacy, until very recently.

Seriously.... what? It makes me long for the days of questioning the meaning of "is".

3 wounded in LA church festival shooting

Before being taken away Diaz was asked by a reporter with KNX-AM why he did it. "I don't really have too much to say about that. It's a personal thing between me and the church," Diaz said.
When asked if Diaz has an issue with the church, he responded: "The church has an issue with me."

Yeah, man, 'cause you shot several of their people. Yeesh. At any rate, it appears to be a domestic violence issue, but there does seem to be issues that haven't been brought out yet.

Thousands flee China quake area over flood fears Rubble damming rivers + lots of rain = bad news. Throw in another 5.7 aftershock, and it's a wonder people can function at all.

U.N. racism investigator to visit U.S. from Monday Cause clearly, they've resolved all the problems in Rwanda and the like, yes? A few old articles on this Doudou Diene dude here and here. I'm sure he will turn up absolutely nothing, right? No bias there! Where's that sarcasm font?

Jordanian professor suggests arming suicide bombers in Israel with small nukes. No hatred like Jew hatred!

Republicans Go to War With Obama Over Foreign Policy Views
Maybe there are enough voters paying attention to this to make a difference? I wish I felt more hopeful.

***

US unveils deals with Saudi on nuclear power, oil protection

The White House said Washington and Riyadh were also to sign an agreement
on nuclear cooperation that would clear the way for Saudi Arabia to receive
enriched uranium for its reactors, without the need to master the fuel nuclear
cycle itself as Iran has done.

I'd cry, but it takes to much energy and I always feel worse afterwards. And it's not like they're going to repay us by pumping more oil to lower prices.

I think one of the things that bothered me most about seeing this on the news tonight was that sick look on Bush's face, like Oliver asking for some more gruel. 15 of 19 of th 9/11 hijackers were Saudis. The kingdom has been funding madrassas that ship Wahabbism around the globe, and we're not only funding them with our oil usage, we're now giving them uranium.

Not to mention--oh, yeah--bin Laden, who says the core of jihad is the situation in "Palestine." Grr...

***

Even before the chinese earthquake, the country was dealing with a deadly hand, foot, and mouth disease. It hasn't gone away.

Wow, this is not that far from me.:
3.1-Magnitude Earthquake Hits Southwest Alabama
(USGS summary)

China quake toll could reach 50K
Burma cyclone toll at 78K

I'm greatly amused by the whole "appeasement" flap. Obama's such a big, self-centered sissybaby, isn't he? He's even reiterating he wants unconditional talks with Iran, but is still whining about Bush and McCain's comments.

How is it people are still falling for this garbage?!

News stories I care about today:

Heavy rains head toward cyclone-devastated Myanmar
New Cyclone Forming Off Myanmar Coast

China: Troops rush to plug 'dangerous' cracks in dam
Remarkable Rescues as Quake Death Toll Rises

Rebuilding unlikely in tornado-hit Superfund town

Fla. Manhunt Nets First Arson Suspect

Lebanon's '300'

I feel great today! Except when I change position--walking is fine, bending over to pick blackberries or leaning back to clean fan blades leave me out of breath or make my head spin or both. ugh. But it's soooo much better than the vomiting, or even the coughing and hacking.

Early summer brings my happy!

I feel fifty times better today than yesterday! About time, too.

Summer is here, with a vengeance. Oh, sure, it was nice and cool yesterday, but it's back to hot and muggy today.

Stories of interest, with less emphasis on gloom and doom:

Giant Pythons Could Spread Quickly Across South. Yay! Exotic snakes might take over! heh. There used to be a snake in our garden that matched the description of an anaconda. It certainly wasn't as big as the ones I've seen in zoos--more like a king snake or an oak snake. But what on earth would an anaconda of ANY size be doing here?

Old gas pumps can't handle ever-rising prices. I like the old pumps. They're so much friendlier seeming than the cold digital displays. But more and more stations around have become pay-before-you-pump thanks to the increase in drive-offs, and I'd assumed the old pumps would have to be replaced for that reason alone. Apparently, it's not the only problem.

Isn't India contributing to the global food-price rise? One of the more interesting articles on the subject.

More Homes Threatened by Florida Fires They look to be deliberate, and I hope they catch the arsonist(s). Bad enough to set fires in good weather; in drought conditions it's extremely dangerous.

Satellite mapping of the aftermath of Nargis Wow. Just.... wow.

Perhaps more later.

Hezbollah's street fight just a first step
The Region: As Lebanon turns into Gaza

Sigh.

Wildfires Force Evacuations in Central Florida
Mid-Atlantic rain prompts evacuations, outages

Wish I had some good news right now. Maybe these germs have got me in a funk. LOL.

Oh, man. The cyclone in Burma wasn't enough, now an earthquake in China, and a series of aftershocks continues. 900 students trapped under their collapsed school, 80% of buildings collapsed, damage to a chemical plant releases 80 tons of liquid ammonia. Furthermore, the Reuters article goes on to point out that this is one of China's most fertile areas, but relies on 2000-year-old flood control.

More to come as I find it. I'm going in search of first person reports asap.


********

In other disaster news, the first US aid reaches cyclone victims, finally. Situation there is still awful.

Another string of tornadoes this past weekend. This year has been twice as bad for tornadoes in the US as last year.

I'm not even going to go into the Hizballah takeover of Lebanon until tonight.

Prepare, people. Prepare.

A few stories so far today.

Today is Mother's Day. I thought this article says what I want to say best.

So on this Mother's Day, 100 years after it all began, think of the Jarvis women. Think of Anna, and make a donation in your mother's name to an organization that supports mothers in all their endeavours.

Or give Anna Jarvis what she fought so hard to create - a day with no shopping, no donations, no greeting cards. Sit down with a pen and a piece of paper, and write a love letter to your mother. Tell her what she means to you, what you love about her. Don't fret if words aren't really your thing - she already knows that, and will value the effort all the more.

If it's too late - if the brunch is done and the shrink-wrap is already off the patio furniture - write the letter anyway.

Which do you think your mother will treasure for the rest of her days? It won't be the patio furniture.

ugh, i hate being sick. slept all day thursday, threw up all that night, managed to sit up for about five hours friday, had a horrific case of acid reflux that kept me up all last night, and slept till noon today. been running a high fever too, which is very unusual for me. whatever it is i've got, kids, make sure you don't catch it.

[my arms are propped up as i type, and it's too difficult to reach the 'shift' key.]

worldwide weirdness--more twisters. more on the way.
when pelicans attack
3.1 quake near tupelo, mississippi. [haven't seen any news stories on it yet]

Cyclone death well over 22,000 and 41,000 missing.

The eruption of Chaiten has forced a full evacuation, with ash drifting aall the way across Argentina and into the Atlantic. I'm wondering what effect that will have on agriculture there.

***

UPdate: Now this is just creepy.

Charlotte, N.C. — “Tomorrow, we shall achieve the victory, that the kingdom of
God may come on earth as it is in heaven, and all those who love the Lord and
will vote for Obama, say Amen.”
“AAAMMMMEEENNN!”

The entire "Obamessiah" gives me the willies. While personality cults have a long history, this is the first I've ever witnessed so closely. And it makes my skin crawl to see people toss good sense to the wind and run after and pledge themselves to a fallible human being, seeking rescue in a way that only God can provide.

Government Report Answers Who Lives, Who Dies in Flu Pandemic

Cyclone kills 10,000 in one Myanmar town

Mogadishu rocked by food demonstrations

Erupting volcano prompts new evacuation in Chile

How much time do we have left?

Wars, rumors of wars, famines and earthquakes in various places...

What's missing? Pestilence!

I'm being a bit facetious here. Still, given everything going on in the world today, I don't take it too lightly.

Today, May 1, is the National Day of Prayer.

Almighty God, Maker of Worlds, Father of Truth, Giver of Life, Ancient of Days:

I come before You today thanking You and praising You for what You have done, what You are doing, and what You will do.

Thank You for the gift of Your Son who took my place on Calvary. I praise You that he has overcome death and now sits at Your right hand, and will rule the nations with an iron rod. Thank You for providing for me, for watching over me, even before I was Yours. I praise You for my family, for my friends. Thank You for placing me in a country that allows me to worship You, and thank You for Your hand upon our history.

Lord God, may Your kingdom come and Your will be done. I ask for peace in Your holy city Jerusalem. May those who love her be secure, may there be peace within her walls, and security within her citadels. I ask for Your continuing hand of protection over Israel and her inhabitants; may You continue to bless and uphold her.

Father, I ask You to bless, protect, and watch over Your children around the world. Comfort those in affliction, under persecution. Awaken those who are comfortable, complacent, apathetic. Prepare all of us for what You have in store. Give us the wisdom to help others.

Father, I ask for Your hand of mercy upon the sick, the hurting, the lonely. I ask for Your healing of body, mind, and spirit. I ask for the release of the captives and Your love toward those who mourn.

Forgive me for the times I fail You, O Lord. Remove from me my pride and rebellion, make me into Your servant that I may carry out Your will. Forgive my people, my nation, for sinning against You. I ask for an outpouring of Your Spirit to gather in the harvest while there is time. Bring us to repentance, bring us to You, Father.

Unto You be all glory and majesty and dominion and praise forever and ever. I ask all this in the blessed Name of Jesus our Redeemer, the Lamb of God, the Lion of Judah.

Come, O Lord.

Amen.

Huh. Apparently there's no known fault near Reno?

I get this... time is winding down. Too much going on for me to think otherwise, now. Whether you agree with that or not, it makes sense to prepare for any disaster.

lgf: New DNC Ad Shows US Troops being Blown Up

I haven't felt so sick since the Wright clips first surfaced. :(

This just in: Men's and women's bodies react differently to exercise.

Also, the sky is blue and the Pope is Catholic. *eyeroll*

Obama is claiming he is "outraged" by Wright. I ain't buyin' it, but we'll see how this goes over. Anybody familiar with the story is likely wondering why this didn't happen earlier.

British former Muslim "bullied" for converting to Christianity

Lord, have mercy. Creeping British Islamification meets creeping British thugocracy.

The UK needs a Churchill.

So, yesterday when I said I'd be miserable in Reno right now?

Heh. I mean, it's not funny-haha, but funny-weird.

Looking at the earthquake site, I count at least 6 quakes of 3.+ in the last day or so across Nevada.

Hmmm...

Ugh.

Mugabe's rounding up children and babies, now.

Somebody needs to off this guy, yesterday.

I really should have gone on to get a degree in earth science. This stuff fascinates me.

4.7 quake in Reno last night, following more than a hundred earthquakes yesterday and a couple months of increased seismic activity. 100+ quakes in one day? Yeesh. And looking at the USGS list, I've counted ninety so far today, and it's not yet two-thirty out there.

Given how uncomfortable I get with prolonged thunder or bombing (tests at Eglin AFB), I believe I would be pretty miserable if I were out there.

Oh, my.

Dr. Richard Benkin is convinced that, in the fall of 2006, he gave
Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Obama an ideal opportunity to prove his
touted “special sensitivity to injustice.” But, Dr. Benkin says, in failing to
come to the aid of a Bangladeshi journalist whose only “crime” was trying to
build peaceful relations between Muslims and Jews in the Middle East, Mr. Obama
displayed a shocking disregard for basic human rights in a part of the world
controlled by extremist Islamist ideology.
***
Mr. Choudhury had been charged by the Bangladeshi government with
blasphemy, sedition, treason, and espionage on behalf of Israel. His real crime
was that he had condemned terrorism and exposed the growing strength of Islamist
radicals in Bangladesh. He had urged the Bangladeshi authorities to recognize
Israel so that the two countries could establish trade and diplomatic relations,
and he advocated genuine interfaith dialogue based on religious equality.
***
Three weeks after Mr. Kirk became involved in the case, Mr. Choudhury was
released from prison. Mr. Choudhury and Dr. Benkin assume the Bangladeshi
government was reluctant to risk losing the annual $100 million it receives in
US foreign aid.
But although the Bangladeshi Ambassador in Washington had
promised also to have the charges against Mr. Choudhury dropped, that did not
happen.

Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury--The Moslem Hero of Moderation

"People are punished for crime, for creating anarchy and for putting humanity into horrifying terror. But, could we ever believe that someone would be arrested, tortured and imprisoned for 17 long months just for being in favor of global peace, inter-faith dialogue, ending religious hatred and thinking of everything good and noble for mankind? In my case it did happen and after being released on bail keeping their keeping the sedition charge very much alive. According to the allegations, my crime is: I am a living contradiction to today’s phenomenon in the Muslim world, a Zionist, a defender of Israel and a devout, practicing Muslim living in the second largest Muslim country in the world.”

These are not mere words! These are all facts. Such a courageous statement comes from the very heart of a Moslem journalist in Bangladesh named Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury, who has been facing sedition, treason and blasphemy charges in his own country since 2003, for confronting radical Islam, for advocating interfaith understanding between Moslems, Jews and Christians and for demanding relations between Israel and the Moslem Bangladesh.

Bangladesh also has one of the highest population densities in the world, is extremely poor, and has been under a military-backed regime since January of 2007 (those they've pledged new elections by the end of this year.

I would very much like to know what on earth the good senator from Illinois was thinking. Or even if he was thinking.

Ah, summer. I love this time of year.

I've got the doors and windows open right now, listening to the crickets and the whippoorwills.

I can remember as a teenager, in the days of 97c-a-gallon gas, driving around just about dark just for the heck of it. Smells of honeysuckle and barbecue and cool night air and freshly turned earth, Toby Keith on the radio, watching for deer and armadillos on the road. Maybe stopping by the creek for a quick dip, that sugar-white sand squeaking under my bare feet...

Yeah, I'm feeling nostalgic.

Things that interest me from around teh interwebz...

Global Food Riots (NRO)
Rice Shortages Provoke Panic at Home and Riots Abroad (ABC)
Glitch means you pay for gas you don't get (MSNBC)
China overtakes US as world's biggest user of internet (TimesOnline)

This is just plain scary:
Official: Syrian Nuclear Reactor Was Weeks From Functioning (FOXNews)

I don't recall seeing anything so crazy as the rising food prices. But then, I am still young (despite those crow's feet I see when I smile) and do not have a long view of the world yet.

I suppose if Granny and Grampa could make it through the Depression, we ought to be able to handle a recession, no? It's the people in poorer countries who live on dollars a day that I am concerned about. I can easily make do with less; it's another matter when you have so little to start with. :(

Report: Iran's president says oil prices too low

GRRRR......

This might be one of the things that ticks me off the most about rising gas prices--Middle Eastern Islamo-nuts are profiting. And OPEC is happy with it, don't you know.

I guess it's times like these that I kinda wish I didn't live so far back in nowhereville. I wind up staying at home far too much because I can't afford to drive anywhere, and I can't get anywhere without driving.

When are we gonna get those transporters Star Trek promised me, huh?

5.2 earthquke rocks Illinois

Unusual to have one that strong, but mild quakes are fairly common along the New Madrid fault. What really interested me was how far it was felt. According to the USGS,

"Earthquakes of comparable size are felt over greater distances in the East than
those occurring in the West," said Harley Benz, seismologist for the USGS.
"Earthquakes in the central U.S. are infrequent, but not unexpected."

I guess that's due to rock type or not so much folding in the crust or something like that. It's a reminder that the midsection of the country shouldn't be complacent when it comes to building codes and preparedness. None of us should be.

UPDATE: Aha! ABC's article explains:

While the crust of the earth in the western United States is full of
fractures, there is less geological activity in the Midwest and the Eastern
landscape.

The soil there is stronger, more continuous, which means that
seismic waves -- uninterrupted by fractures -- can travel much farther and why
people in Georgia felt the morning's quakes, according to Seeber. The geology,
therefore, also makes the Midwest and the East more vulnerable.

"It's well-known the same size earthquake can do a lot more damage in the eastern
U.S., where there's not geologic activity," Seeber said. "In the eastern U.S.,
the rocks are stronger. The waves go through and go for a longer distance."

Storms Pound Midwest With Rain, Snow

Man, the heartland has really taken it on the chin this year, haven't they? I wonder how this year compares to '93. My thoughts and prayers are with everyone out there.

UPDATE:


This from the USGS WaterWatch site: http://water.usgs.gov/waterwatch/?m=flood%2Cmap&r=us&w=real%2Cmap All kinds of ways to play with the data, if you're interested in that sort of thing, as I am.

http://hotair.com/archives/2008/04/07/video-voice-of-god-inspires-couple-to-chase-their-dreams/

Excuse me while I hurl.

***

Spring has well and fully arrived here. The pecans and persimmons are the last trees to leaf out, and they're full of new growth. The mockingbirds are singing every morning now, and the whippoorwills have begun calling at night. Dogwood blooms hang like lace in the forest, and the swamps are full of froggy choruses.

***

Honor.

Is it something we as a society still value? It's something I've been chewing on a lot lately. It certainly isn't something that gets talked about much, and the only time I seem to hear it any more is when mentioning "honor killings" or maybe the Medal of Honor, or the McCain campaign. I think that's sad. Honesty, integrity, and fairness are all quite lovely ideals, and society is doomed when we begin to devalue such attributes.

*chuckle*

Teen tries to rob 84-year-old former Marine, gets what he deserves

I love it when justice is served. :)

LiveLeak Restores Fitna

Good on them! For anyone not following this story, they had removed the film for security reasonns after receiving death threats. Apparently, they've beefed up security and have restored the video.

The idiocy of radical Islam. If it weren't so deadly, I'd laugh.

***

On a somewhat related note, a friend of mine is shipping out for Iraq this week. Sorta figured it would happen from the time he enlisted last fall, but I still have that tiny knot in my stomach.

I first heard of the conversion of Magdi Allam this weekend. God bless you, my new brother.

A little bit of spring!
Yeah, they're messing up my page, but I'm too lazy to resize them right now.

Ferraro Offended By Comparison to Pastor Wright

“What this man is doing is he is spewing that stuff out to young people, and to younger people than Obama, and putting it in their heads that it’s OK to say ‘God damn America’ and it’s OK to beat up on white people,” she said. “You don’t preach that from the pulpit.”

I can't believe I'm agreeing with Geraldine Ferraro, of all people, but I am. I guess we're both just typical white people, huh?

ROTFL.

You know, I had thought fairly well of Obama until all this came out. I never would have voted for him, as he's way too liberal, but he seemed like a pretty nice guy, at worst vapid and inexperienced; like Earth, mostly harmless.

Not so much any more. Let's put aside Wright's comments and look at the way Obama handled it: 'the chuch is not that controversial' became 'he's a crazy uncle' became 'I've never heard those kinds of comments and if it's true I denounce them" became 'Yes I heard controversial remarks but it's time to change the subject and move on."

If Hillary weren't his opponent, I think Bill Clinton would be proud of young Barack.

Supreme Court hears arguments in DC gun ban

This should be an interesting one. I firmly believe we have an individual right to keep and bear arms, and I hope the court rules that way.

***

We had a really interesting discussion Sunday night, about the economy, the election, and about the growth of Christianity around the world. God has blessed us, and we take it for granted all to often. And by we, I mean me.

We're in for a heavy spiritual battle here at my home. Much time in prayer is needed.

Apparently, the rising gas prices have begun to cause a panic. At least in my hometown.



Six pumps, all with the same sign. Everyone filling up before the price rises again, or thinking perhaps it's cheaper here than in the next community... Either way, it adds up to a very unsettling situation.

It's not as bad as it could be. I remember the shortages after Katrina, being afraid of being stranded at work or at home because no station around had any gas--it was pretty creepy and scary. I don't think that's where we're headed anytime soon, but I pray we don't have any nasty hurricanes in the Gulf this year. I'd like our well and refineries to stay up and running, thank you very much.

***
Absolutely gorgeous day today. Up to the mid-eighties and breezy. I'll be off to the beach in a couple of weeks! Maybe not in the water, but lying in the sun would be lovely.

Dutch to legalise gay sex in public park
But dog owners must now keep their pets on leashes or face a fine.

I'd make a bad pun on the name "Netherlands", but it seems overkill.

I'd say I'm shocked, but I'm not really. I know their rates of emigration are pretty high already, and I'm really curious how this is going to fly with their Islamic populace.

Re: Jeremiah Wright

I refuse to dignify him with a title.

He's not blaming 9/11 on bad Middle East policy, he's blaming it on America's moral failings.

Same as Jerry Falwell.

But the same people who condemned Falwell are standing up for Wright.

Because they like Obama and refuse to think clearly about who they're getting in this candidate.

God have mercy on them, 'cause I sure can't work up any.

Obama's Pastor: God Damn America, U.S. to Blame for 9/11

I really wanted to put some thought into this, but I've just seen a few folks I would have considered friends say they agreed with the monster.

It's hatemongering, pure and simple. It is the same as if they'd agreed with Fred Phelps.

Heartsick now.

Take-your-gun-to-work Law in Florida? Legislature is working on it.

I agree with the AFL-CIO spokesman. (Now there's a sentence I don't write too often!):

The Florida AFL-CIO agrees that the issue isn't about guns but has reached a
different conclusion. A person's Constitutional rights, like having a gun,
shouldn't end when a person enters a business, said Rich Templin, a spokesman
for the AFL-CIO.
"Big corporations are basically saying that your rights as
citizens stop at the boundaries of our property," Templin said. "If you want to
have a job here, you have to give up some rights. If you want to shop here, you
have to give up some rights."

This was a pet peeve of mine where I used to work. It was not a nice neighborhood in a not-so-nice city, and I thought I ought to be able to keep a gun in my car if I wanted to. Of course, that was in Alabama, but I can't do anything about their laws. Florida's, I can.

Well, since I've been following the case...

Brother Charged in Memphis Mass Shooting, Judge Denies Bond

What really blows my mind was that in the first story, prosecutors were still deciding whether to seek the death penalty. I hope that's just a matter of covering their butts, because that's a no-brainer.

On the global warming front... http://www.dailytech.com/Researcher+Basic+Greenhouse+Equations+Totally+Wrong/article10973.htm

You mean warming here on earth is linked to warming on Mars?!? and what happened in the long distant past will likely happen again?!? Oh, shock and horror! {Where's that sarcasm font when you need it?}


*****

Life here right now is just ducky. Spring has finally come, the fruit trees and azaleas are blooming, baby animals are being born... this is maybe my favorite time of year. With Easter being this early, it may be difficult to find dogwoods for the traditional bouquet at church, but we'll make do somehow. :)

Sermon yesterday was... whoa. Ever have those when you feel like someone's looking over your shoulder during the week? Not that I felt preached at, just that it touched so much of what I've been feeling and sensing for the past few weeks. Time winds down. Are we ready when the clock stops?

California court: Home school parents must have teaching credential

This makes me want to hit something. Parents should have the right to educate their children as they see fit, and if that means doing it themselves, they should be allowed to.

Police ask for help in Memphis murders
Not such a great background for the adults. Poor kids are under guard.
Meanwhile, it gets weirder.


***

I liked Huck. Didn't figure he'd win, but he represented my beliefs better than the other candidates. Here's a nice wrap-up article.

Frank Buckles, the last U.S. military veteran of WWI, honored at the White House today.

Blast in Times Square recruiting station. It's terrorism, let's not pretend otherwise, but it smacks of domestic moonbats, not jihadis. I hope they catch the bastard.

Police find 6 bodies in Memphis home
4 adults, 2 children reportedly shot; 3 wounded children also found

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23458503/

I don't want to hear about another mass murder. I don't want to!

This story makes me sick. You've heard it by now; Texas girl gets her friends to help her kill her family 'cause her parents wouldn't let her see her boyfriend. Dad, shot five times, manages to crawl to neighbors house and get help.

It's one of those stories where you just know there's more to it. Most teenagers, if they took any action, would run away together. Given the church shootings in CO not that long back, and what I've seen in my own family, and Matt. 10:21, it's difficult for me not to wonder. I hope I'm wrong. :(

***

In other news, it's Super Tuesday (redux) and I'm intrigued by the Democratic race. I'm rooting for Hillary, for two reasons. 1--I think she'll be easier for John McCain to beat in the general election, and 2--quite frankly, I think she'd be less likely to gamble with our national security than Obama. She's won Rhode Island, he's won Vermont, and they're still neck and neck in Texas. She's leading in Ohio right now, with only a third of precincts reporting.

UPDATE 1: Hillary takes Ohio. Texas still too close to call.

And now, the things Ive been chewing on lately...

The Pew Forum released its survey on religion and public life recently. I think we're beginning to see that "falling away." The number of people I've encountered lately who are clueless or hostile to Christianity is pretty amazing. Shouldn't be, but it is. I can also remember when afterschool programs shut down early on Wednesday, because it's a church night; now, they even hold practices on Sunday morning. And the sharp rise in food prices due to wheat and corn shortages is worrisome. Not the kind of worry that keeps me up at night, but the kind that makes me chew the inside of my lip when I think about it.

I don't know. I feel like things are winding down, that time is winding down, and that we who believe should be kicking it into high gear.

But what, exactly, is "high gear?"

I'm tired of the programs. I was reading some site the other day that talked about "Christians making an impact on the culture" and as many times as I've heard that phrase, it really, really hit me wrong this time. It isn't about the culture; it's about souls, about lives, about bringing an increase to the Kingdom.

If we ban gay marriage but do not lead others to Christ, we have accomplished nothing.

If our protests lead to the cancellation of a slimy tv show, but we do not lead others to Christ, we have accomplished nothing.

Though we increase our membership to thousands and raise millions for new pretty buildings, but do not lead others to Christ, we have done nothing. Nothing!

I'm so guilty of this! :( I have a terrible fear of strangers, and I'm all too likely to get defensive over my faith, rather than going on the offensive for Him. It is time for me to put aside my whiniy, pitiful excuses and speak out for Him.

We must train church members, truly disciple them, teach people that it isn't about us--it's about God. What is His plan? How do we fit in?

Oh, my. Eight months between entries really is slacking, even for me.

I thought about posting a time or two during the primary season, before we voted here, but I just couldn't work up the energy. Liked Fred, but I don't think he wanted the job. Couldn't in good conscience vote for Giuliani or Paul. I remembered Mitt's 'conversion' to pro-life and thought well of him for it, but I found out that afterward his state health care plan was funding abortions. Plus his rhetoric didn't line up with his record. Ugh. Not a fan of RINO McCain. Wound up voting Huck, since he had the best record on abortion, and gun control, and I felt like he says what he thinks.

I'm voting McCain in the general election. We're still at war, and still at risk from terror, and quite frankly, he's got a fine record on national defense, and an acceptable one on most of the other issues that really matter to me. I really bleeping hate McCain-Feingold, but it pales in comparison to HillaryCare or, God help us, Obama's global tax.

Immigration is a "meh" issue for me. What little I've been able to find regarding historical immigration laws suggests that we had something pretty darn close to open borders when my ancestors arrived ("free whites"--I'd like to throw that open to all races) and I think folks coming today deserve the same fair shot. I'm a bleeding heart on this; I believe with all my heart the promise of liberty to all--"Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free..." I'd like to see enforcement of our laws and the deportation of people who are here working on other people's ID, but I'd also like to see a liberalization of our immigration laws. I believe we have more to fear from foreign students on expired visas than from Jose the migrant worker.

Of course, back then you didn't have to worry about visas and social security numbers and paying income taxes. Thanks, liberals! it's your bureaucracy that's made it so hard for people to do it the legal way!

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070509/ap_on_re_us/fort_dix_plot

I don't know whether to laugh or cry. On the one hand, it sounds like something out of a dumb crook story. On the other hand, when the pizza boy declares jihad, it's a bizarre yet disturbing reminder that the enemy is willing to adapt and use our own culture to destroy us.

Been such a long week, I don't even know where to start.

I've been having trouble sleeping lately. Laregly because my sinuses have been acting up and I've been running a fever forever, it seems like. Could also be due to the fact that I haven't eaten a decent meal with vegetables and everything since I don't know when. Started taking vitamins again and that's helped, some. At least I've avoided any bizarre dreams.

Didn't get as much accomplished as I would have liked. Can't get behind the wheel when your head's all foggy from sleep deprivation. But I did get enough blackberries picked to make a cobbler, and I baked cookies several times this week. [hmm, I guess I know why my diet isn't working.] Next week I'm going to work on cleaning out my bookcase. It would be nice to have room to actually put some books in it. :)

With all the time I've had on my hands lying in bed staring at the ceiling, I've been doing a lot of thinking. Mostly on the nature of adulthood. Why does it seem like we keep extending adolescence? I guess it was some of the post VT discussion that brough it to mind, people complaining that college kids' medical records couldn't be released to their parents. Thing is, these "kids" are 18 and over. They are legally adults. They can vote, they can drive, they can work and pay taxes. If parents want their offspring to agree to certain responsibilities in exchange for financial assistance, that's fine, but why should they be legally responsible for someone of that age? Does. Not. Compute.

I've been so busy lately. I keep thinking, "hey, I should post about so-and-so," but then I get distracted by shiny objects and forget.

Nancy Pelosi absolutely broke the law and should resign or face impeachment. Will it happen? Of course not. And I suspect that the next Democratic preisdent is going to really frickin' regret it when a Republican speaker returns the favor. ;P

Speaking of presidents, I'm really liking Fred Thompson. I hope he runs. I don't trust McCain, Giuliani's too liberal, and Romney's a flip-flopper. In fact, if one of those three is the final candidate, I may have to vote Libertarian.

Above average hurricane season predicted this year, but that's what they said last year. This year, I suspect they're going by actual weather patterns rather than covering their arses in case of another Katrina. At the same time, theNOAA is predicting continuing drought for this area. We had a solid rain today, but the way I've noticed groundwater levels dropping, it will take more than a couple of inches every other week to keep things green.

I've managed to incorporate more exercise into my life and I've started drinking more water. Next goal: eating at least three servings of fruits and vegetables every day.

I tried going to bed earlier, but despite my best efforts, my body wats to stay up late and sleep in in the morning. But then, I already knew it didn't respond well to reprogramming.

Dreams can be kinda freaky...

Ever have one of those dreams that you're sure must mean something, that they're simply so bizarre your subconscious must be screaming to get your attention?

I had one of those last night.

It was at a forties-era schoolhouse, now closed, in the middle of the woods. I had the impression it was kept up, though, to some extent, because it was in the middle of a nice square clearing, and the grass around it was green and mostly weed-free. I was there with my two closest friends from high school (CA and JF, both female), a couple of friends from elementary school (JP-female, PD-male), and my brother, only he was about nine or ten. It was around two in the afternoon in early May, hot but not miserably so.

So far, all of this has a strange internal logic. There *are* empty shools around here, and while they're not usually way out in the woods, they can be off the beaten track, the communities they once served dead or dying. And the elementary school I went to had so dwindled in numbers by the time that I went through that some sections had been shut off totally. Sine Mom was a parent volunteer, I spent a lot of time after school exploring those places with my brother and those two friends.

At any rate, the six of us are there, at this school, split up, looking around, trying to find a way in. The building was on a slight hill, and had a raised foundation; in the back it was waist-high off the ground, and a porch went all the way around; the railing seemed to have been broken off long, long ago. There were lockers up against the walls (yes, on the outside)--dark green, three-tier lockers, the kind you have to bring your own lock for. I was opening all of them, hoping somehow something interesting had been left inside one, until I came to some that had the doors standing wide open and books inside. Not just any books either--textbooks and teacher's guides, new ones. I looked into the door of the classroom that was right there--but the desks and the globe I could see looked as if they hadn't been touched in a while. CA came and told me she'd circled the whole building and all the doors were locked and could I please tell my little brother to stop following the girls around and making fun of them.

Then JP wanders around, and tells us there's an upper window on another side that's open, and if one of us will give her a boost, she thinks she can get in and open a door. CA goes to help her. I stay, and try the door knob--tada! It's unlocked. I don't say anything, but I go on inside. A door on the other side of the room opens to the gym; lil' bro and PB have found a medicine ball and are trying to play dodgeball with it.

JF appears out of nowhere and asks me if I've found the bathrooms yet. I haven't, but the next door we see goes to a locker room. I wonder if it's the boys' locker room; although there are no urinals, the first toilet isn't in a stall at all, and the stalls there are are not quite chest high, and don't hide much of anything--in fact, they seem more like horses' stalls! To make it worse, there are women using them, women I don't know, who haven't shown up previously in this dream. I look at JF, and she looks at me.

"I don't need to go that bad," she says.

We open the door and go back outside. Yes, the door now goes outside. It opens up right beside the lockers with the books. We sit in the shade and talk about how much we wish we had some ice cream and then start doing flips and stuff off the railing. (which wasn't there before.) Eventually everyone else shows up (except the women from the restroom) and we all go find the playground, which is ond enough to have some kickass, highly dangerous equipment. And as it gets almost to sunset, a tractor shows up and we get to ride home on it.

***

I'm guessing it's my inner child needing attention, or something. Maybe I need to take a break and goof off more. Aside from the bathroom bit, the whole general feeling was about exploration and play. Although, put that way, it sounds kinda dirty. Hmmm...

Well, I've gone through this blog and deleted quite a bit of material which I've decided in retrospect that I'm unhappy with because it was either too personal or too wishy-washy or didn't reflect what has been on my mind more of late. I suppose I could have left more up for the sake of history, but that's better left on my hard drive, in my opinion.

But I did decide to leave the "rebel" post, as it is still relevant. Also, I quoted de Tocqueville and it makes me look all smart and stuff. ROTFL. I regret that I haven't been reading as much, lately. Or rather, I have, but more to entertain myself than to stimulate my mind.

***

Life has taken a few twists as of late. I have a couple of new job options, some of which are better than others, and some of which are so tangled in paperwork I despair of ever getting them all filed out. I've been avoiding my resume, too--I think that's the worst part. I don't like talking about myself, and I always feel like I'm BSing when I list my strengths. I'm uncertain in new situations and with new people. I don't know why; I know full well I'm damned smart and capable of doing almost anything anyone asks of me. But convincing others of that seems like an overwhelming, impossible task.

***

Valentine's Day is coming up in just a few weeks, and merchandise is everywhere. I've never enjoyed this holiday, but it's different this year. In the past, I was always annoyed at the implication that I must be unhappy because I am single which is just silly. I *liked* having all that freedom; I could flirt with anyone and never be serious about it, I didn't feel the need to answer to anyone. This time it's different--I went and got my heart broken and now I don't feel single, I feel alone.

It sucks. I miss him. Stupid poopyhead man.