A New Top Ten?

"What is objectionable, what is dangerous about extremists is not that they are extreme, but that they are intolerant. The evil is not what they say about their cause, but what they say about their opponents."

      - Robert F. Kennedy (1925-1968), U.S. Senator (D-NY)

John Hawkins on his Right Wing News weblog, has put together a list of The 10 Worst Quotes From The Democratic Underground for 2003. Here are some excerpts from a few of them:

"It's sad, really, that as despicable as they are, Saddam's family seems to be the lesser of two evils when you compare them to the wretched little b*stard occupying the White House and destroying America in the process..." (posted by thermodynamic)

"Wonderful news...I'm gratified to learn that he paid the ultimate price for his sins of warmongering. This guy was scum...no false sadness from me, only happiness that someone as mean and vicious as Mike Kelly got what was coming..." (jackswift on the death of Michael Kelly in Iraq)

"Rove/Bush/Cheney are going to instigate some MIHOP (made it happen on purpose) terror attack...maybe California, whereby Californians will be clamoring for a 'strong' governor to protect us!" (posted by CaptainMidnight)

"As for when the plane hit the Pentagon and the other plane went down in that field in Penn, I screamed at the TV, 'Get the WH, for God's sake you missed the WH.' " (posted by LiberalLibra)

"The only way to get rid of this slime bag WASP-Mafia, oil baron ridden cartel of a government, this assault on Americans and anything one could laughingly call 'a democracy,' relies heavily on what a sh*t hole Iraq turns into...(soldiers) need to die so that Americans can get rid of this deadly scum." (posted by Starpass)

Read the whole thing, and if the ten that Hawkins has chosen aren't enough for you, the Democratic Underground website has more of these classy comments.

What We Have

"Most human beings have an almost infinite capacity for taking things for granted."

 - Aldous Huxley (1894-1963), English novelist and essayist

Tomorrow morning Lisbeth and I are driving up to North Carolina to spend Christmas with my mom, my brothers and their wives, children and grand-children. This trip will be a little more special because our two sons are flying in from Fort Worth and San Francisco to be with us. It will be the first holiday in many years that the four of us have been together. I'm excited about the possibilities.

Before I take off I want to leave you with a couple of thoughts.

The first one concerns the fragility of life. During the holiday season, most of us get together with loved ones for awhile, sometimes willingly, sometimes reluctantly. We exchange gifts, say our thank-you's, then go back home assuming we'll see each other again next year. But who knows? Tomorrow may be the last time we'll be together.

Think about that as you experience the day, and perhaps give those you're with the benefit of letting them know how they're special to you. If you have any unresolved issues with anyone, maybe spending a few moments talking about forgiveness and new starts would be appropriate. A warm hug and "I love you" might be a good way to begin. You can take it from there.

The second thing is to ask you to think about all the good things you have in your life that you take for granted. Too often we fret over the things we don't have and forget about the blessings we do have. I was watching Dr. Phil the other day, and he challenged one of his guests who seemed to think she had hardly anything to be grateful for, to write down 100 blessings she had every day for seven days. Tall order, I'd say, but maybe worth a try. How long would your list be? A lot longer than you think, I would imagine.

If you'll be traveling, drive safely. If you'll be staying home, take care of yourselves, and by all means have a wonderful time as you celebrate this holiday season with those you care about. See you next week.  

Club Soda

"Wanna fly, you got to give up the shit that weighs you down."

    -Toni Morrison, American novelist

Today, I'm adding a link to my "Favorite Sites" sidebar that will take you to the new webpage of a friend of mine who lives near Atlanta, Georgia. Her name is Nan Shaw, and you can read about her extensive credentials and accomplishments right here.

Nan, and her husband, Gary, established this site to help promote their personal development group which they call Club Soda. She and Gary bring 50 years of experience to this effort, and plan to provide consistent support to anyone who wants to replace unhealthy habits or addictions with new, life-enhancing practices. They will offer an opportunity for anyone in the world to attend their daily sessions, with complete anonymity if desired.

There is a fee involved, and Nan and Gary require at least a one-year commitment from anyone who enrolls, mainly because it takes at least a year to develop any kind of firm foundation for resisting the urge to think an addiction is "cured" when a little progress has occurred. Their webpage furnishes more information about the program, and provides a daily "hors-d'oeuvre." These are short essays, about real-life experiences, and each leaves you with a key point to consider.

Why do I bring all this to your attention? For several reasons. First, I know Nan and Gary personally, and have witnessed the talent and expertise they both possess. Second, there was alcoholism in my father's family, and as a child I saw the effect it had, not only on my immediate family, but on that of my grandfather's. Third, I know that people who are addicted have as one of their greatest challenges the admission that they, in fact, actually have a problem. If this post enables even one person to come to that realization and seek help, than it will be of value. I hope you'll take a few minutes and visit the site.

 

Putting a Face On Tragedy

"A man is called selfish, not for pursuing his own good, but for neglecting his neighbor's."

- Richard Whately (1787-1863), English writer and social reformer

Several weeks ago I wrote about World AIDS Day.  I was reminded of much I said in that post when I caught the end of the Oprah Show today. Oprah's trip to deliver presents to 50,000 children in South Africa last Christmas was aired, with her expressed objective being to help these youngsters forget their troubles for a little while. From what I saw, she was successful. The joy they expressed as they opened their gifts, played games, and got warm hugs from Oprah and her entourage of volunteers was heart-warming. I got choked up and couldn't help thinking how short-lived their joy would be, for this was just one day in each of their lives.

I do not believe that we here in the U.S. are really aware of the devastation this plague is causing in the world. Three million people are dying every year and thousands of children are being orphaned, many with no one to take care of them. They're left to fend for themselves in whatever way they can. While our government has promised significant help in fighting this disease, it won't be enough. The problem is simply too huge. Oprah is one of the people who is stepping up to this challenge. I think we should help her.

She has established a charitable foundation called Oprah's Angel Network which will have as one of its main goals addressing the tragedy that AIDS is causing throughout the world. She promises the money will be spent to make a difference in someone's life. I believe her. Why not take some of the money you were going to spend on yourself this Christmas and drop it in the mail for these kids? 

If You Love Words

"I don't give a damn for a man that can spell a word only one way."

     - Mark Twain (1835-1910), American writer and humorist

My wife and I were having dinner with a friend the other night, and the conversation turned to writing. She's a retired journalist, but continues writing to keep herself sharp. She told us she's working on an article about the founder, Robert Beard, and CEO, Paul Payack, of YourDictionary.com, for the Bucknell World Alumni News. Her enthusiasm for their website was contagious, so I pulled it up when I got back home.

This site has been recognized as the pre-eminent language portal by dozens of organizations around the world, and is chock-full of useful information for those who enjoy words or writing. It features a dictionary, of course, but there's also a translator, tutorials on languages, glossaries for everything from golf to geology, a synonym and antonym finder, grammar guide, rhyming links for you poets, quotations, and help with word games like Scrabble and Anagrams.

You can enter "The Agora" and discuss any aspect of the language with professional linguists or check out "The Library," where there are special guest articles available for your edification. "How the Zero Was Discovered," and "How Is A Hippo Like A Feather?" were two I saw when I logged on...two things we all need to know.

If you hate writing, or don't feel creative, there's a "Non-Writing Center" that includes aids for writing memos, complaint letters, and country music, if you're so inclined.

Anytime you are looking for just the right word, need a definition, have a grammar question, or want help with etymology, YourDictionary.com, would be a great place to start your search. Give it a visit. I think you'll find it as interesting and helpful as I have. While you're there, sign up for their "Word of the Day." It's an entertaining way to enhance your vocabulary.

What's Best for Dems? Good News or Bad?

"Be careful that victories do not carry the seeds of future defeats."

- Ralph W. Sockman (1889-1970), American religious leader 

Bruce Reed, over at the Washington Post, provides us with a slightly different twist on how the country's recent good news may impact the Democrats' chances of winning the White House in 2004. Most would say adversely, right? Well, Bruce begs to differ:

"Voters who still have problems they want their president to solve will resent hearing about all he has done--or worse, voters might agree and decide to give the president a gold watch, the way Britons retired Winston Churchill after he won them World War II."

Mr. Reed, who worked on Bill Clinton's re-election in 1996, bases much of his theory on something the former president used to say, "Elections are about the future, not the past." He thinks that the Bush administration is sacrificing the solution of "tomorrow's problems to gain today's headlines," and that will leave the Republicans worse off over the long haul.

He feels the new Medicare law is unpopular, that Saddam Hussein's capture will make Americans feel safer and less in need of someone like Bush to defend them, and the deficits won't allow the president to fund a second term agenda. He cites problems such as high health care costs, fewer jobs, and bigger mortgages as enhancing his party's chances.

"Democrats have better answers than Bush--or should be embarrassed if they don't--to all these questions. Of course, none of these problems will elect a Democrat until we make solving them our central mission in 2004."

Reed may have a point, but from where I sit, I don't see any of the Democratic candidates backing off their "George Bush is the devil" theme long enough to talk about issues and solutions. Perhaps after the convention, this will begin happening. I think most of the American people would view that as a refreshing change. I know I would.

Have You Taken Any Viagra?

"Love is like an hourglass, with the heart filling up as the brain empties."

      - Jules Renard (1864 - 1910), French dramatist and author

If you're in need of a good laugh and have the time, go see Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton in their new movie, Something's Gotta Give. You won't regret it.

Nicholson plays an aging bachelor, Harry Sanborn, who never dates anyone over 30. While cavorting with his current fling, Marin (Amanda Peet), he has a heart attack. Marin's mom, Erica Barry (Diane Keaton), has dropped in just moments before the tragic event and provides CPR until Harry is whisked to the ER, where he ends up on a gurney in front of Dr. Julian Mercer (Keanu Reeves). As Mercer preps Harry for his treatment, he asks him if he's taken any viagra. Harry says he hasn't and what follows is hilarious.

Mercer releases Harry, but warns him that he cannot travel for awhile, so Erica gets stuck caring for him in her home. Though he's a reluctant patient and she a reluctant nursemaid, somehow they fall in love with each other. Complications arise, however, when Dr. Mercer gets a crush on Erica too, and Harry has trouble committing. You know how these relationship things go. They're almost always a mess, and this one's no exception.

Keaton is every bit as good in her role as Nicholson, maybe better. There are many comical scenes, lots of chemistry, and tenderly romantic moments. For all you gals who think older men always want a younger woman, this one's for you.

 

Another Disenchanted Democrat

"We often give our enemies the means of our own destruction." 

- Aesop, legendary Greek fabulist, 6th century B.C., from "The Eagle and the Arrow"

Tolik, at Free Republic, has posted an article by Orson Scott Card, a Democrat and author of over 50 books, that is so close to how I feel about the Democratic campaign for president, I could have written it myself. It originally appeared in the Rhinoceros Times, a small newspaper published in Greensboro, N.C., where Card lives. The title of the essay is "The Campaign of Hate and Fear." You can read it here.

Card wonders why any Democrat would think the Democratic candidates' rants against President Bush will ever play positively with the general public, and predicts a debacle for the party in 2004. He is extremely critical of how his party's candidates use the war against terrorism as a part of their platform:

"And the most vile part of this campaign against Mr. Bush is that the terrorist war is being used as a tool to try to defeat him--which means that if Mr. Bush does not win, we will certainly lose the war. Indeed, the anti-Bush campaign threatens to undermine our war effort, give encouragement to our enemies, and cost American lives during the long year of campaigning that lies ahead of us."

Card gets his licks in about about the media too:

"...the media are trying as hard as they can to pound home the message that the Bush presidency is a failure--even though by every rational measure it is not."

He concludes by suggesting, as Senator Zell Miller (GA-D) has, that America profits most when parties nominate candidates who are interested in compromise, centrism, and good government. His desire is to see a candidate nominated for president who will offer an improvement over the Republican policies that don't work, and right now he doesn't see one.

Reality or Fantasy?

"Believe those who are seeking the truth. Doubt those who find it."

     - Andre Gide (1869 - 1951), French essayist and novelist

I've always considered myself an environmentalist. My late father was born and grew up on the land, and from an early age he taught me to respect our natural resources. I must admit, however, that I don't support some of the destructive things that people are doing these days in the name of environmentalism. I sometimes wonder if saving the environment is really what motivates them, or if it might be something less noble. 

I also find myself questioning many of the claims being laid on the table about greenhouse gases and global warming. The science on these phenomena seems to be all over the board, making it virtually impossible to determine what is true and what is false, and the media and EPA are of little help in sorting it all out.

Michael Crichton, a popular author, recently gave a speech about environmentalism to the Commonwealth Club in San Francisco. He made this observation:

"The greatest challenge facing mankind is the challenge of distinguishing reality from fantasy, truth from propaganda. Perceiving the truth has always been a challenge to mankind..."

He went on to say that many of the facts environmentalists have put forth over the years are simply wrong, and cited examples: we're becoming over-populated, half of all species on the planet will be extinct by 2000, DDT is a carcinogen, second-hand smoke is a health hazard and global warming is melting the polar ice-caps. He says he is able to refute all these claims with science, and concludes with a recommendation to shut the old EPA down and create a new organization that will be more ruthless about acquiring verifiable results on environmental matters.

Read the whole thing. It will stimulate your thinking about this subject.

Dire Consequences

"As always, victory finds a hundred fathers, but defeat is an orphan."

     - Count Galeazzo Giano (1903 - 1944)

One of my all-time favorite columnists is Victor Davis Hanson. He has written an op-ed at National Review Online, titled "Critical Mass." I think anyone who is interested in what's happening in the Middle East should read it.

Hanson's premise is that at some point in any conflict, the ultimate outcome becomes clear:

"...the pulse of the war really quickens, as allies, neutrals, and observers all scramble to adjust their allegiances to match the inevitable verdict to come on the battlefield...no one wishes to lose, or even be associated with defeat."

He cites case after historical case to support his theory: Athens/Sparta, the U.S. Civil War, WW II, and the fall of the Soviet Union. In each of these conflicts, countries began lining up with the perceived winners as the victor became evident, valuing power over principles as they did so. This, Hanson feels, will begin happening in the Middle East as our military continues to isolate, capture and kill the extremists operating in Iraq. 

He further suggests that Syria and Iran, who now allow terrorists to cross their borders and operate in Iraq, should consider the consequences if another attack occurs on U.S. soil:

"...if there were another September 11, then all voluntary restrictions on the use of the full extent of American power would be off--and the response would be too terrible to contemplate." 

I don't know about you, but I interpret "response" to mean the annihilation of Damascus and Tehran, and that's frightening to consider. But what would we do if a nuclear device were detonated in San Francisco? Sit around and wait for another strike, or retaliate in kind? I think we know the answer to that, and hopefully Mr. Assad and Ayatollah Ali Khamenei do too.

The Head of the Snake

"To defeat an army, you must capture the leader."

      - Du Fu (c.712-c.770), Chinese poet, Tang Dynasty

By now, everyone in the U.S. knows that Saddam Hussein has been captured. In the shots I saw of him on television, he looked pretty bedraggled, which is to be expected if you've been living in a hole. It's a pretty big come-down for a guy who was accustomed to living the "high-life" in his palaces and limos.

DNA tests have been conducted, so we know for sure it's Saddam. Some of the Iraqi Governing Council members were able to visit him, and also confirmed his identity. They had an opportunity to confront him face-to-face about his past deeds, but he was defiant and showed no remorse for the innocent lives he has taken.

Time magazine's Brian Bennett has written about Saddam's initial interrogation which you can read here. Bennett says $750,000 in cash, weapons, and a briefcase containing a letter from a Baghdad resistance leader were found in the hole where Saddam was hidden.

"Contained in the message...were the minutes from a meeting of a number of resistance leaders who came together in the capital. The...names found on this piece of paper will be valuable and could lead to the capture of insurgency leaders around the Sunni Triangle."

We know there are others, but now that we have their leader, let's hope their resolve diminishes and they realize the futility of continuing their attacks. I really believe this will be a turning point in the war despite opinions to the contrary.

The Iraqi people were elated. Josh Chafetz at OxBlog posts a note from Patrick Belton, one of his friends stationed in Nasiriyah, describing their reaction. Read it. It speaks for itself. 

Head Honcho On the Line

"A desk is a dangerous place from which to view the world."

     - John LeCarre, from The Honourable Schoolboy, 1977

For those of you who are still out there making a living, Neil Cavuto at TownHall.com has written an interesting column about CEO's taking the time to get close to their customers. He tells the story of Michael Dell, CEO and founder of Dell Computer, taking customer calls at his company's help desk.

"He apparently never let on who he was, so customers calling in had no idea to whom they were speaking. But there he was--the big guy, the rich guy, the 'real' Dell dude politely and professionally answering their questions."

Cavuto surmises that most corporate bosses today have no idea what's going on down on the firing line with either their customers or their employees, and that this is not good for America's long-term competitiveness.

He may be right. Having worked in three different companies over a period of 34 years, I can't remember ever having my CEO visit the facility where I was working. Perhaps this is not typical, but I tend to believe it is.

In today's fast-paced world, with many companies struggling to survive, I would think it would be even more important for top management to understand what their customers are thinking. I'm sure the pressures of running a large company make this difficult, but I believe the payoff for a CEO who schedules time for meetings with customers would be immense. David Neeleman, the CEO of the new airline, JetBlue, does this, and the company's bottom-line reflects his effort.

It goes without saying that CEO's need to understand what's going on with their employees too. This can be difficult, for many subordinates are afraid to give bad news to the chief. Only when they understand there's no reprisal for telling the truth will the truth be told, and creating that type of environment is a challenge indeed.

Iraqis March Against Terrorism

"When something important is going on, silence is a lie."

    - A. M. Rosenthal in the New York Times

Did you know that two days ago, on December 10, thousands of Iraqis hit the streets of Baghdad and marched to protest the terrorists who are disrupting their lives? No? Then take a look at Zeyad's December 10th and 11th posts on his blog, Healing Iraq. There are many excellent pictures accompanying his report.

Did our media report on this event? With few exceptions, no, and when they did, it was buried off the front page or inside other stories. Glenn Reynolds, at InstaPundit, linked to a post about this by Roger L. Simon, and Simon is upset. Bill Hobbs, at HobbsOnline A.M. also weighed in, and linked to a Rocky Mountain News story, written by Bill Johnson. I hope you'll read it.

Would better coverage have occurred if the marchers had been protesting President Bush or the American presence in Iraq? Reynolds, Simon and Hobbs seem to think so. I think so too, but who knows?

Why do omissions such as this occur? Jim Miller on Politics has some thoughts worthy of consideration. While I don't agree with all that he suggests, I do think the major media have an agenda, as most of us do, and their reporting is presented in ways that will support that agenda.

The Time You Have Left

"If you have anything better to be doing when death overtakes you, get to work on that."

- Epictetus (55 AD - 135 AD), Roman slave and philosopher

I've lost several friends to cancer this year, and have other friends who are successfully fighting the disease. One thing I noticed about those I lost was their desire to live life as fully as possible, up until they physically couldn't carry on. They truly savored the time they had left.

My friends who are now getting treatment are doing the same thing. They're playing, working, traveling and helping with an energy that is amazing to behold. I did that too when I was going through chemo-therapy. Though I was weak and dehydrated, and often didn't feel like doing anything, I found myself "out there," staying busy, using up each day in a positive way.

This often happens when you're faced with your mortality. I'd heard about living in the moment, relishing each day and living your dreams, but none of this had real meaning for me until I was told I had Stage 3 cancer. At that moment, it all became clear. All of a sudden I had a thirst to do the things I'd put off for too long, and I wanted to live. Something, I must admit, I'd been taking for granted.

While we're making a living, rearing children, fighting traffic, and hearing bad things on the news every evening, we have a tendency to allow the day to overwhelm us. It uses us, instead of us using it. It's hard to get out of this rut. Contracting a life-threatening disease can be a wake-up call, but why does something like that have to happen to make us aware of how we're using our time? Why can't we stop, take a deep breath, and promise that we're going to spend our days in ways that make us whole, drink in each moment as if it were our last, and be good to ourselves?

Bernie Siegel, in his book, Prescriptions for Living, talks about this and suggests asking yourself a question: If you knew you only had fifteen minutes to live, what would you do? Choose your pleasure. Now go do it.

Oh, Shit!

"We need a bigger boat!"

- Sheriff Brody (Roy Schieder) when he first saw the Great White Shark in the movie, Jaws

A friend of mine emailed me several pictures and this one was my favorite. I found myself wondering how I would have reacted had I been in the surfer's place. Can you imagine your terror?

How could anyone possibly get a shot like this?! Being curious, I searched Google using the photographer's name, and found this site where his technique was revealed. I must admit I was a little disappointed, but I'd bet the surfer in the photo has no complaints.

A Chance to Help

"Even if it's a little thing, do something for those who have need of help, something for which you get no pay but the privilege of doing it."

    - Albert Schweitzer (1875-1965), physician, humanitarian

As I've said before, we are blessed to live in the U.S., and I think we should share our blessings with others who are less fortunate. There are many ways to do this, but I saw a few this evening that I believe are worthy of your consideration.

Glenn Reynolds, at InstaPundit mentioned a post by Chief Wiggles, one of our soldiers who is in Iraq. Wiggles has been approached by an Iraqi man who fears for the lives of four children who live near him, and has asked for help. Read about the situation here, then let your heart be your guide.

This man approached Wiggles because he had heard about the work the Chief had been doing for the children of Iraq. Wiggles established Toys for Iraq, a project to collect toys, school supplies and other necessities for the kids over there. It's a worthwhile effort, and I urge you to participate if you can. All the info you need can be found in the link above. 

You may be wondering if Wiggles is legit. He is. Read about him here, or view this MSNBC video clip in which he is interviewed by Joe Scarborough. The download will take awhile with a modem.

I realize my blog isn't widely read like InstaPundit, so I ask each of you to spread the word. Just email this link to those in your address book.

Blogs, Wikis and RSS Feeds

"As long as one keeps searching, the answers come."

        - Joan Baez, American folk singer

Recently, I cited a column written by John Dvorak in which he predicted the demise of the personal weblog.  Now Cade Metz has written "Take Back the Net," which appears in PC Mag's December 30 issue. It takes the opposite view.

"With blogs, short for Web logs, anyone can now stream ideas onto a Web page in a matter of seconds. With wikis, named after the Hawaiian word for quick, entire groups can easily post and edit pages, freeing the users from the constraints of discussion groups. With RSS, anyone can easily syndicate material across the Web and alert readers to updated content on his or her site."

It's an interesting way to spend 30 minutes and will provide you with ratings on several blogging services, including BlogSpot, Xanga and TypePad. Wikis, which I'd never heard of, are also rated. They are simple web-sites that are built by all members working together. Blogs are web-based diaries. Wikis are web-based bulletin boards. His favorite wiki service is EditMe.

Finally, Metz talks about RSS (Really Simple Syndication), which our AOL Journals provide. RSS allows a blogger to distribute recent posts to readers. I'd like to find out how this works.

I continue to be amazed by all the new ways we have to communicate with each other. As more people "tune in," I believe we'll become closer. That has to be a good thing.

The Inhumanity of Man

"The devil's an optimist if he thinks he can make people any meaner."

     - Karl Kraus (1874-1936), Austrian writer and satirist

This morning I read this AP story written by Niko Price. It was about the mass graves in Iraq, and it made me sick to my stomach.

"The killers kept banker's hours. They showed up for work at the barley field at 9 a.m., trailed by backhoes and three buses filled with blindfolded men, women and children as young as 1. Every day, witnesses say, the routine was the same: The backhoes dug a trench. Fifty people were led to the edge of the hole and shot, one by one, in the head. The backhoes covered them with dirt, then dug another hole for the next group. At 5 p.m., the killers - officials of Saddam Hussein's Baath Party - went home to rest up for another day of slaughter."

I simply cannot fathom how it would feel to see my loved ones--my wife, my boys, my brothers or my friends, led to the edge of a ditch and shot in the head, and to know I would follow them shortly.

Americans can't relate to this. We've never had to experience anything remotely like it, and hopefully never will. But millions of people in our world have experienced it. The Holocaust was worst, but more recently there have been others. Over a million died in Cambodia, under the Pol Pot regime, and millions more have died in Africa.

I'm truly conflicted about how the U.S should deal with these atrocities. My heart tells me we should do all we can, including military intervention, to stop them. My head tells me that getting involved is too complex, too costly and too dangerous. I don't think we should be a "white knight," and go it alone, but I fear that most major countries in the world have little interest in the problem, and wouldn't join in combating it. So do we just stand by, and continue watching innocent people die, or do we stand up to these monsters, and stop their killing? What do you think?

When Tears Are All That Help

"Sorrow makes us all children again."

- Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882), American author and poet

Several years ago, when my wife and I were still working, we attended an evening play.  After an enjoyable night out, we left for home in separate cars, since we had met each other at the theater after work.

On the way, I decided to stop at the supermarket for some things we needed, so Lisbeth arrived at our house a little while before I did. I left the market, drove to our sub-division, and about 1/2 block from our driveway a little brown and white ball of fur ran in front of me.

Even though I slammed on the brakes, I was unable to stop, and that sickening thud you hear when you hit an animal came from beneath my car. Though I didn't want to think it, I knew instinctively that I had just run over our little dog, Gabby. I threw the door open and ran back to her. She was dying. She cried to me for a moment, then was quiet. I was stunned.

By this time, Lisbeth, hearing the screeching tires, had run to the end of our drive, seen what had happened, and burst into tears. I left Gabby to hold her, but was of little solace. She had let our puppy out to go to the bathroom and was blaming herself for the incident. I felt equally to blame for not anticipating that Gabby might be outdoors.

I finally got Lisbeth to go back inside, then went to retrieve our dog. Carrying her limp little body to the house was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. I was able to hold my tears until I buried her, but then I broke down. Now it was Lisbeth who was trying to console me.

A few days later I thought of an earlier time in my life when I was about 10 years old and lost my mutt bull-dog, Bootsie. I remembered seeking comfort from my Mom and crying in much the same way as I had with Gabby. Maybe it's good that occasionally we become a child again, and react to life's hurts with our heart rather than our head. Grief needs to be dealt with, and tears may be the best way to start. 

The Flap Over the Turkey

"To escape criticism--do nothing, say nothing, be nothing."

    - Elbert Hubbard (1856-1915), U.S. author

President Bush's recent Thanksgiving Day trip to visit our troops in Iraq has generated much praise, and much criticism. I intended to keep my opinions to myself, but there have been so many barbs flying back and forth, I thought I might as well jump into the fray too.

Oliver Willis's post probably summarizes most of the negative things that have been said about the secret flight, and what went on in the tent at the Baghdad Airport. Be sure to click on "comments" at the bottom of the post to get a flavor for what Willis's readers think.

Citizen Smash also has a post with many links to other critics and applauders of the event. It's worth a look-see, but it will take a little time to read.

Balloon Juice puts in his two-cents-worth. He talks about the turkey centerpiece in this post, and the British Airways sighting of Air Force One in this one. Both are must-reads.

I mustn't leave InstaPundit out of this. He weighs in here. Check the comments.

Oh, you haven't heard about all this flapdoodle? Well, gee, you must not get out very much. It's in about every weblog I read, but you know what? I'd wager that few of those who've been writing about it were actually there when it all happened. This guy was. My vote's with him.

Afghans Search for Democracy

"Taking a new step, uttering a new word is what people fear most."

 - Fyodor Dostoyevsky (1821-1881), Russian novelist, journalist

I read this Washington Post article by Pamela Constable this morning, and found myself remembering all the times I've been in a room with a diverse group of people, trying to get past everyone's differences so that a conclusion could be reached that would be beneficial to all. It was never easy, but what the Afghans face is a mountain compared to any debate I ever had.

I believe their task may be more difficult than that faced by the framers of our own Constitution, for, unlike the Afghans with the Taliban, we had risen against our oppressors, and wanted to create a different kind of government for ourselves.  

Too, there were only 55 delegates in that three-and-a-half month meeting in Philadelphia, as opposed to the 500 who will form Afghanistan's constitutional assembly. That those 55 men could come to an agreement was, according to George Washington, "little short of a miracle." I wonder what old George would have said about getting 500 people to come to an agreement?

Most of the delegates, "...want democracy, but only if it is according to Islamic law." They have also agreed that women should be able to participate in the assembly, but there are few female candidates. Will these women speak up, when their tradition has placed them in a subordinate role to men? To say there are differences in the demands of the various political and religious groups would be a huge understatement, so whoever is facilitating this thing had better have some moxie.

Despite the potential stumbling blocks, the fact they have reached this point in such a historic process is a great achievement. Let's wish them a successful assembly, and hope they can get past their differences for the sake of their country's future.

Sacrificing for the Wife

"If it is your time, love will track you down like a Cruise missile. If you say, 'No, I don't want it right now,' that's when you'll get it for sure. Love will make a way out of no way. Love is an exploding cigar which we willingly smoke."

      - Lynda Barry, artist, novelist, playwright

A couple of weeks ago as we sat and watched the credits for Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, Lisbeth turned to me and said, "You owe me two chick-flicks for coming to see this with you." I don't think she liked it.

I had planned to install a new CD-RW drive in my computer today, but when I thought about all that involved I decided it could wait. I remembered Lisbeth's mandate, and suggested taking in a movie. "Sure, but only if we can see Love Actually," she told me.  A "luv" film. Yuk! 

As I watched set after set of new characters passing across the screen in the first third of this film about love and relationships, I found myself wondering if there would ever be a point to the whole thing. I thought about leaving, but decided that would be unwise. Know what I mean?

But things began coming together in the second half of the movie. My favorite scene was when Jamie (Colin Firth) found himself in a Portuguese restaurant searching for Aurelia (Lucia Moniz) with her family trailing behind him. Hugh Grant was England's very un-political Prime Minister. His meeting with the U.S. president (Billy Bob Thornton...think about that) was a winner too.

All in all, it wasn't a bad afternoon, and I've only got one more girl's film to see to have my debt paid in full. Calendar Girls, a female Full Monty, is her choice. Naked, older women? Hmmm, that might be pretty good. 

The Letter

"The years teach much which the days never knew."

    - Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882), American author

This afternoon I was rummaging through some old files looking for an important paper, and found a letter that I had written to my dad on Father's Day almost 20 years ago. I sat and read it, and as I did, I decided I wanted to share it with you.

I wrote about Pop in an earlier post, and made an attempt to describe how difficult it was for us to express our feelings for each other. After he recovered from his heart attack we did a little better, but not much. In order to avoid the face-to-face discomfort we both felt when I told him I loved him, I would sometimes just write him a letter. He rarely acknowledged any of them, but when he did, it was with a simple, "Thanks for that letter, son."

At his funeral, less than four months after I wrote the Father's Day note, some of his brothers and I were talking about the things we remembered most about him. One of them almost casually said, "He sure was proud of that letter you wrote him."

When I asked what he was talking about, he continued, "The letter you wrote him on Father's Day when you couldn't be with him. He carried it in the pocket of his coveralls, and showed it to everyone who would read it. It really meant a lot to him."

I thanked my uncle for what he had told me, excused myself, and pondered what I'd been told. Something mysterious was at work at that moment, helping me to better understand who my father really was, and how he felt about me. What drew me to my uncle at that particular moment? What prompted him to mention the letter? 

I cannot answer those questions, but I do know this. Everything we do for others matters. It matters to us, and it matters to them. It may not be apparent at the time, but it has an impact, sometimes far beyond what we could ever imagine.

(The letter appears in the following post.)

The Letter (Continued)

June 17, 1984

Father's Day

Dear Pop,

Well, this is number 43. That's a lot of Father's Days! If I were home with you today we'd probably be having breakfast at church. Ham and eggs!

I need to thank you for so many things, Pop. The way you brought me up working my ass off, even though I hated it at the time, was one gift I didn't think was a gift, but it was. It's stood me in good stead all the time I've been making a living for myself and my family. I thank you for that.

You always seemed willing to let me make my own decisions, and take the consequences for them. I know you sometimes didn't agree with what I did, like buying that red MG, but you were always ready to put your name on the dotted line when I needed help.

You gave me a love of the outdoors which has enabled me to remain sane in an insane world. I remember following you when you ran rabbits, hunting quail with you and fishing for hours on end trying to catch a bass. One thing I learned from doing that was persistence! One more cast and we might catch the big one!

I owe you a lot, Pop. I won't ever be able to repay you and you probably wouldn't want me to anyway. We don't always find the time to say how much we appreciate what you did for us, so I'm saying it now--on this 43rd Father's Day. I'm just thankful that you're still alive and well so that I can.

It never ceases to amaze me how much energy and endurance you have. Uncle John was the same way and I always admired that. I just hope that I'm half as strong and active when I'm your age.

I love you, Pop. I don't say that much because it seems like it embarrasses both of us even though we know how we feel about each other. You mean a lot to me. I just want to think that I'll mean as much to my boys when they're my age and I'm yours.

Take care of yourself and give Mom a hug. Wish I could be with you today and hand this to you in person.

Your oldest,

Ronald 

Losing Our Brothers and Sisters

"If the world is cold, make it your business to build fires."

       - Horace Traubel (1858-1919), American writer

Today is World AIDS Day and I wasn't even aware of it until I wandered into the den while my wife was watching the Oprah Show. Something made me plop down on the sofa and for the next thirty minutes or so, I listened to Oprah and her guests talk about how this terrible disease is ravaging victims in Africa, China and India. People are dying at the rate of 8,000 a day, 3 million a year, and this trend is expected to get worse before it gets better. This Mercury News article will give you a picture of the overall situation. 

What I heard made me want to get involved somehow, so I've spent the last couple of hours looking for more information on AIDS and searching for a means to help out. I thought I'd share what I found with any of you who might want to do something too.

The site I found to be most informative is the Why Africa? - DATA site. It will take you a little time to read through the various parts of this page, but when you've finished you'll have a better appreciation of the magnitude of the problem in Africa and why we need to join together in seeking a solution.

Several other sites are worth mentioning as well. I visited the Avert.org webpage, Aids Orphans in Africa site and the AIDS.ORG page. All of these will enhance your awareness of this disease and provide you with a means to get involved in helping its victims if you're so inclined.