1945

As George Bush moves his lips again about the war in IRAQ, I watch the numbers of the dead still climbing. How stupid are we supposed to be ? How long is " until IRAQ can defend itself " really translate to in REAL NUMBERS ? What should we use as a measure when they insist we must have patience ? Days, months, years, decades, generations ? Are we really prepared to trust this man with the lives of our sons and daughters, nieces and nephews, grandkids and neighbors ? Has he EARNED that trust ? I think he's exploited it, and I am wary now of any time he says " trust me " .

I don't. I can't. I won't.

The new nominee for the Supreme Court is another example of " trust me " ... and ultimately, why we should NOT. What we DO know about Miers, is that she belongs to an extremely conservative, evangelical church. What do you THINK that means for gay rights and abortion rights ? What do you THINK that means for the growing interest this administration has in executive power and privilege ? I do not believe we will have an election in 2008. I've said it before, and I'll keep saying it until it is 2009 and I have been proven wrong. I don't think the issue for this administration is really abortion. I think the issue is about power and privilege that includes the right to cancel an election if there is a terror " threat " or event. People say " that could never happen here " ... Why do you think Bush is trying so hard to change the role of the military in domestic situations ? Do you really think they are considering the outbreak of avian flu ? I think they are considering only the possibility of an uprising, when the election is cancelled. We already have the Patriot Act, which gives them the right to declare an individual an " enemy combatant " . The make-up of this Supreme Court is more important than ever when it comes to the questions of executive power and privilege. If they can focus the debate on social issues, it is unlikely people will see the REAL goal of this administration in shaping this country for decades to come.

The Patriot Act, control of the media, control of Congress and control of the court. Doesn't that shake people up a bit ? Do you really think this administration is focusing on " hot-button social issues " ? This administration is exploiting good Christian people and taking advantage of their support based on issues that matter to them. But when it comes right down to it, they will throw us all under the bus when the time comes.

On a lighter note, fall is everywhere now. From the cool mornings, to the glistening drizzle on the trees, to the leaves that are changing color and then falling to the ground. If it weren't so beautiful I'd think it was nothing but work. Our birch tree is a prolific shedder of leaves. They cover the lawn and taunt me on days I prefer to stay inside. Today again, the beauty will win out over the duty ...

The kids are coming for the weekend beginning tonight. It should be a nice change here to have them with us. We are hoping to go to WolfHaven this Sunday to visit the wolf we " adopted " for Blake last Christmas. It is a sanctuary of sorts, and it sounds like an adventure for sure.

NEXT weekend, Kelly and I will celebrate our fifth anniversary down at the Oregon Coast. We haven't gotten away together for quite some time. I look forward to being away from the electronic world for a while. Cannon Beach is beckoning, as well ... strolling through an artsy town is always such a joy for me. We'll be staying at the beach, and I really look forward to the time alone. I can't say enough about the opportunity for a re-connection, of sorts. Ahhhhh ....

And soon enough, it will be Halloween and all that it means and implies ! The kids have their costumes and I think Kelly has something in mind too. Now I have to figure something out ... Hmmm ... Sounds like a good project for today ;)