A Greyhound named Crow

Crow

All my recent ranting on the political situation, and on the war in Iraq, has taken a backseat, to the news that one of my dogs, a retired, racing Greyhound named Crow, might have a terrible bone cancer, osteosarcoma. This is a very bad cancer to get, because usually by the time it is discovered, it has already spread. It seems to typically come out of the blue, either with a sudden lameness, or a fracture in an other wise healthy seeming dog. No slow buildup...just one minute the dog is running around, and the next it is facing a possibility of death in 1-3 months if not treated. The dog often is fairly young also. Crow is only 8 years old, and it seems that is about the age many of these cases are discovered.

The standard treatment offered is amputation followed by chemotherapy, an expensive and emotionally difficult decision with no guarantees of how long the dog may live. After treatment, they still only give the dog about 3-6 months on average, possibly a year, although in the cancer issue[Fall 2004] of a great Greyhound magazine called, Celebrating Greyhounds in an article on osteosarcoma cases, some of those dogs lived 2, 3 and even 4 years. Of course, from what I have read in the past two weeks those cases don't seem to be that common. You really only have two other options, if you decide to forgo treatment, and those are euthanasia right away, which few would opt for unless the dog was in intractable pain, or a wait and see approach with pain management, until the pain can't be managed anymore.

As of today, still awaiting the report of the bone biopsy that was done last Fri, Dec 3. He is a wonderful dog, and is such an innocent in all of this.

Words from the past from John F. Kennedy on the importance of a separation of church and state

Seeing as how the extreme religious far right seems to have had such a powerful influence, not only on this past election, but also on wanting to exert even more control on the workings of our nation, it would be useful, I think, for all to read, or actually listen to a speech from Sept 12, 1960 that, then Senator John F. Kennedy gave to the Greater Houston Ministerial Association at the Rice Hotel in Houston Texas, where he spoke of the vital importance of keeping a separation between church and state. Here are some excerpts:

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

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

"Finally, I believe in an America where religious intolerance will someday end--where all men and all churches are treated as equal--where every man has the same right to attend or not attend the church of his choice--where there is no Catholic vote, no anti-Catholic vote, no bloc voting of any kind--and where Catholics, Protestants and Jews, at both the lay and pastoral level, will refrain from those attitudes of disdain and division which have so often marred their works in the past, and promote instead the American ideal of brotherhood."

"That is the kind of America in which I believe. And it represents the kind of Presidency in which I believe--a great office that must neither be humbled by making it the instrument of any one religious group nor tarnished by arbitrarily withholding its occupancy from the members of any one religious group. I believe in a President whose religious views are his own private affair, neither imposed by him upon the nation or imposed by the nation upon him as a condition to holding that office."

Something to think about in the strange times we are living in.

The price of war--innocent civilians caught in the middle

In thinking about this war, we must never forget the thousands of innocent Iraqi people who are caught up in this mess, and are trying to find a way to just continue their lives in some manner. We only need to imagine how difficult it would be for us here, if suddenly one day, we were plunged into a life, where electricity was only turned on a few hours a day, and sometimes not at all for long periods of time. Where it was extremely difficult even to leave the house to get food, if you can even find any, for fear one might be shot, perhaps accidently caught in the crossfire. Where your kids would have to be kept home from school, their lives and normal routine disrupted, because of a need to protect them. The terror one must feel when bombs are going off all around you, and you can't figure out where to go within the confines of your home to be safe.

With that in mind, I will mention a blog..Bagdad Burning.. I discovered recently, one that has been mentioned widely on other blogs, in newspapers and on TV. It is written by an Iraqi woman, a professional who worked as a computer programmer before the war. Her blog along with other blogs that she links to, does give an inside view of what an average Iraqi family is experiencing as they try to continue their lives as best they can as the war rages on around them.

In the midst of all the fear and anger, we must not forget the common humanity that we all share. Rather than seeing this war, or any war for that matter, from a removed distance, as a series of military manuevers through various cities, and hearing that this many soldiers died, and this many civilians have died, I think it is very important to look more closely, to never forget about the individuals and their families, whether they be the personal stories of American soldiers, or those of Iraqi citizens. We must never forget the terrible price of war.

Letters Home on HBO

Last night on Veterans Day, I watched the a HBO special called Last Letters Home. It is very simply done, just the families of soldiers who have died in Iraq reading the last letters that they received from their sons, daughters, husbands or wives. It was very moving. There wasn't a political bent to this film, just the sharing of the terrible loss these people have experienced. Those who wrote these letters come alive again through their last words, revealing their hopes for a future, their love for those they have left behind. Through their often teasing words, and their attempts at reassuring their families that they are well, you can sense the fear, and longing for home.

It is impossible to watch this film without being moved to tears, because even though we aren't personally connected to these people, we all share a common humanity. We share the ability to love, and form deep relationships with others. This is what gives our lives meaning. This is our common ground with all, even with those who are called "enemy"by our government. The loss we feel when someone we love dies, or is lost at a young age to war is the same for all. In the present war, the loss for families is the same whether they be American or Iraqi. We need to remember that.

Time to investigate

It has been disturbing that so few have seemed to want to look into, or even talk about, what seems to be serious problems, or even possibly fraud in connection with the 2004 Election. There has been a lot of accusations, and finger pointing, and I think we need a thorough investigation into the matter to separate what is valid and what is not. The press has been very slow to look into, or even question the possibility of fraud, or reports of malfunctioning voting machines, or voter intimidation during this past election. Since when has the press ever been this quiet on anything. I have found this quite strange. Usually, they are right on top of things like this, but there has been only the most minimal mention of problems....well...until recently anyway. To be fair, the NY Times had a very good editorial in last Sunday's paper, finally addressing these very issues, and saying that it is important for all that it be cleared up. I couldn't agree more.

Even some of the political blogs, which have taken a lot of heat during these past few weeks, have appeared to want to keep a lid on this subject. It would seem that many are leery of discussing this much, except on the most superficial level, perhaps not wanting to be perceived as being aligned with a whole bunch of possible crackpots, since no hard evidence has been found yet. In addition, perhaps they feel that it may have the looks of being a sore loser. Regardless of whether it does or not, there seems to be enough being found to justify an official investigation.

I received an email from MoveOn.org this morning asking people to consider signing a petition, and to pressure their Congressmen and Representatives to join with others in Congress who are calling for an immediate investigation into the matter. It is about time. All the muddiness around this whole mess needs to be cleared up. The American people need to believe that when they go to a polling place on Election Day, that their vote counts, and that they can trust that the system will be set up to be as fair, and straightforward, and honest as possible. It is important for all of us to know what really went on.

Where there is smoke, could there be fire?

I felt like I should add a slight correction to my last post in reference to the Diebold voting machines in Ohio. I mistakenly thought they were the machines that voters were using to vote on, but apparently, Ohio mainly uses punch card voting, and the Diebold machines are the central machines used to tabulate the votes that are fed into them from all over the state. Which leads to an interesting piece I found on the Daily Kos site, another political blog site with lots of useful input from not only Kos but many others who contribute to the site. There does seem, at least at this point, that there are some oddities in connection with vote calculation using these machines. I am assuming that those who are even more involved on a political level, are already looking into this, to try to figure out if fraud, or possibly some major malfunction actually took place. Even if it doesn't change the end results by enough to change the election, it is important to look into for future elections, so we have some reassurance that when we cast a vote, it actually counts, and perhaps there should be some kind of paper trail to prove that. From what I have been picking up online, it sounds like this story is going to start to become a bigger one with the main media outlets, as well it should.

The dread of four more years

Well...yesterday certainly was a very depressing day for many of us...actually for close to half the country, although listening to Bush, you'd think that we didn't exist. He seems to feel that the whole country is totally behind him, and he has received affirmation, a mandate now, as he says, for all that has gone on in the last four years.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

I slipped back and forth yesterday from feeling very depressed to absolute rage, and everyone I talked to was feeling the same way. I was told by others who had run into people in the various towns on the Island, that there was a general glumness everywhere, and a real fear, and dread at what this administration has in store for us in the next four years. I heard that chocolate and cigarettes were big sellers, and no one felt like talking much, so stunned was everyone at this unexpected election result.

It had looked like Kerry was actually going to win, after exit polls, and the evening results started pouring in. Of course, anything could happen, but it was looking that way. That was not just hopeful thinking on the part of Kerry supporters. Apparently, even the White House that evening was starting to worry that the huge voter turnout was a sign that Kerry was going to get in, and again, the exit polls were indicating as much. That kind of huge voter turnout, in the past, usually has favored a Democratic candidate.

When Kerry took Pennsylvannia, it seemed almost written in stone, but then we had the delays and problems in Ohio, although it was still looking good for Kerry. Even though I usually stay up for these things, being a late night person, I found I was unusually exhausted by the tension of the last couple of weeks, and the worry about what was going to happen, and so instead, went to bed. I was unable to sleep, so after a couple of hours of restlessness, got back up, turned on the TV to check what had happened. Nothing had changed much, so I went back to bed for another fitful period of sleep. Later, when they said that Ohio had finally turned in Bush's favor, I almost couldn't believe it. Somehow it didn't make sense. The exit polls had indicated otherwise, and in other places those polls hadn’t been off that much from the final results, but there in Ohio, they were more than a little off. Does this not worry people? Does no one question this?

There is a feeling that something has gone wrong somewhere, as far as election results. Something doesn't seem quite right. I am not just saying that because I was on the losing side, but because I do believe this administration might use ANY means to get another four years. They have been lying to us about just about everything, so nothing would surprise me, and I am not alone in those feelings. They lied about WMD in Iraq, in order to pull us into an unprovoked war, which has caused the unnecessary death of thousands on both sides. They have lied to the American people about what they knew, and then had to back pedal when it became obvious to all that they had lied. This administration wants to do what they want to do, and they don't want any of us to question their motives. Do they remember what country this is? This is the United States of America, and we don't tolerate that kind of thing in those who have been put in place to govern.. or at least we shouldn't tolerate it....or overlook it...or become complacent about it.

I have absolutely no trust in Bush or this administration. I believe they feel they have a mandate now to do whatever the hell they want, and if that means trample over the citizenry...for their own good, of course they would say...in the name of protection from terrorists, then they will....and God help you, if you don’t agree. They say they want to reach out to the half of the nation who didn't vote for them, and have them join with them to make the nation stronger, and united. What they mean is, join with us...but just remember one thing...we are doing it our way, and our way only...there will be no compromises. There will be no working out some kind of across the aisle kind of deal. You are either with us, or you are against us, and if you are against us, we will make your life a living hell.

Many of us in this country...remember... almost HALF...felt that with Kerry as President, we could at least try to work toward a better solution for ending this ill begotten war, and at the same time have a better chance of restoring our reputation internationally, after the disastrous last four years. It wasn't going to be easy, no one would deny that....too much damage had been done, but at least it would be a start back to the right path for this country. Bush and his cadre of neo-con manipulators have done this country great harm. In the past, our country had always tried to stand for what is right and good in the world, to defend that, to stand up against and aid those who are oppressed. Because of the tremendous power we wield in the world we have an absolute duty to always take the high road, to set an example for others, but in four years that has all been turned around, so now we look like self centered imperialists out to control everything we can get our hands on, trampling over anyone in our way, and I believe with another four years of this, that approach to international relations will actually put us in far, far more danger than we are already in. I dread to think what the next four years will bring. A huge portion of this country is very worried about this, despite what the election results, and the media might mislead you to think.

Last night, while browsing around some of the political blogs, on one of the forums the subject of the Diebold voting machines, which were used in Ohio, was brought up, and how, apparently( and I don't know this for sure)the software on those machines can be easily hacked into, that the software is not password protected at all, and if someone were so inclined, they could hack it easily to skew the results. This person suggested that if there were any possibility of that, then that might explain the unusual difference between exit poll results as compared to the final outcome in some areas, in particular, those in Ohio. According to their research, in other areas using paper type ballots, the exit polls and final results didn't vary that much, but where these Diebold machines were used, there was quite a variation. If true, it does make one wonder.

Could this possibly be true...that the very machines holding Presidential election results would not be heavily, and securely password protected.....that someone could easily exploit this gaping hole in security on something so important? Those who are discussing this possibility, claim that you wouldn't have to be a super hacker to get into these machines, that even someone with just some basic knowledge of software could do it. If this is true, on one hand I am stunned, and on the other, I guess it wouldn’t surprise me that much after the last four years.

I am not an alarmist by nature. I like to have all the facts, and provable ones at that, before jumping to any wild conclusions, especially in an area of such national importance, but it does seem that this should be looked into carefully, and thoroughly...and quickly. I think there should be no delay in having an independent, trustworthy(and there is the problem) organization investigate this matter. If there is any question, even in the slightest, that results might have been manipulated, then we need to clear that up right away.

Too much is at stake.

We definitely need a new direction...VOTE

I am hoping that all the recent registrations of new voters will mean that there is a chance that the Democrats will actually win this election. I am trying to not contemplate for the moment how bad it could get if the votes are challenged in various states. If that comes about, and many seem to predict it will, then we are in for even more contentious fighting than we have already seen. I don't think I have ever seen such a ramped up preliminary period to an election in my lifetime, and that is going back quite a few years. What has been most disturbing is the amount of sleazy, underhanded, and down right disturbing tactics that, the Republicans seem to be using. It is not surprising given their recent track record, and the Bush administration in particular.

Josh Marshall posted tonight on his excellent website one of the unique methods the Republicans are using in a desperate attempt not to lose this election. And here, he sites yet another method they have decided to use. These things are not to be taken lightly, or chalked up to an overenthusiastic re-election staff. These tactics should give everyone pause, and make it crystal clear what we are dealing with.

Everyone needs to get out and VOTE today. It is a privilege we have in this country, and that privilege should be taken very seriously, and in particular this year. The only way we can begin to change things from the terrible status quo, which will only worsen if Bush is re-elected, is to get out and vote, and voting for Kerry is one way to hopefully start to turn this whole mess around. And a huge mess it is, not to mention the terrible loss of life from this unprovoked, unnecessary war. The loss of life on all sides is just horrible, from the loss of over 1000 American soldiers, to beheadings and executions of innocent people by the insurgents, to the loss of at least 100, 000 Iraqis, based on the latest reports, and there is no end in sight. This situation will not turn around with Bush. He is determined, and convinced with a steely resolve that he is on the right track. He is not, and we need to stop him now. He has blinders on, and his administration operates like a runaway train with no one at the helm. I dread to think what four more years with him, and the neo-cons who direct him, will be like, if he remains. In this country, every four years, we get the chance to change things by voting for a new President.

So....get out today...Tuesday, Nov 2....and VOTE!!!!!!

A journey to Vermont

Robert Frost's stone house in Shaftsbury, VT

I traveled to Bennington, VT a couple of weeks ago to visit my niece who is in college up there, and to hopefully see some spectacular fall foliage. We do get a subtle leaf change here on the Vineyard, but not as colorful a one as Vermont does, so was hoping to see something dramatic. Unfortunately for me, the season was late this year, and there was only the most minimal change while I was there. I did, however, get to visit a really nice little museum, just a few miles up the road in Shaftsbury, VT. It is the Robert Frost Stone House Museum, and is located in a house that was built in 1769, and which became Frost's home from 1920-1929. It is in this house that he wrote one of his most famous poems, "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening", which was part of his Pulitzer Prize winning book "New Hampshire".

Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening

Whose woods these are I think I know
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark, and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

Over the years there have been many interpretations of this poem, from a man stopping for a moment in the middle of his travels to take in the beauty of the moment...this beautiful snowy evening...to a poem about someone contemplating suicide. I suppose that is what art elicits, various responses depending on the viewer, or in this case, the reader. Each gets out of it, perhaps a different thing, something meaningful for them, but perhaps not for someone else.

I don't think I have ever interpreted this poem as one about contemplating death. Even Frost is quoted as saying that this wasn't a death poem. He loved nature, and spent many hours wandering outside in the natural world, and had a great knowledge of plants. He was moved by nature, and wrote a number of poems that used flowers, insects, cows, birches, birds, seasons, butterflies, snow, and any number of other things in nature as their main theme. I share with Frost that love of nature, and know well those moments out there that capture you, like the man in the poem stopping for a moment to take in the extraordinary beauty of the quiet snowy evening before he continues on with his journey. They hold you in thrall, as you pause, amidst some task you were about, to take it in. Those moments are often fleeting, but often feel transforming.

There is a story connected with this poem, which I don't think I had ever heard before my visit to the museum, but I think adds something special. Frost apparently wrote this poem on a hot June morning in 1922, after he had stayed up all night. The story goes that he had come out of the house into the early morning light, and had seated himself down on a stump to take in the scene around him. He had gone way past tiredness, and had entered a kind of heightened state of awareness. The air had a soft feel, and in his euphoric state he felt mesmerized by the beauty of everything around him, and the interconnectedness of it all. He then went back inside, and wrote "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening". It is said that the images in the poem came partly from his memories of his life on his family's farm in Derry, NH which he no longer owned, but where he had spent many happy years. I liked the idea of him writing this beautiful capture of a snowy woods on a cold, dark night while sitting at his desk on a hot June morning.

So, each reader can take from this poem what they will, and in the end that is probably as it should be, but Frost himself was apparently quite impatient with over analysis of his poems...the constant quest by others to place some greater meaning to his simple but beautiful words. In 1954, when asked once again about the underlying meaning of "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening", he said ..."that one I have been more bothered with than anybody ever has been with a poem....in just the pressing it for more than should be pressed for. It means enough without its being pressed. That's all right, you know. I don't say that somebody shouldn't press it, but I don't want to be there. " And he is right, of course.....the poem, in its simple beauty, does mean enough without pressing it for more.

Vice Presidential debate ends in a draw...or does it?

Watching the Vice Presidential debate on Tuesday night, I was glad to see that John Edwards was able to hold his own against a formidable, and dangerous adversary like Dick Cheney. Everyone called it basically a draw, and I generally agree with that assessment. However, when coupled with the fact that Cheney is Vice President of the United States, and a very powerful Vice President at that, who is an old hand at this kind of thing, having been a big player in a number of administrations, and this was the first time for Edwards in this kind of venue, then I think Edwards deserves the edge. He stood his ground, handled himself very well, spoke intelligently, and didn't let himself get thrown by any of the underhanded derisive remarks by Cheney.

Tomorrow's second debate between Bush and Kerry ought to be interesting, considering that Bush has a lot to make up for after his bad performance during the first debate..and that compensation might prove to be his downfall, if he isn't careful.

Great White Shark returns to the sea

On Sept 21, a large Great White Shark was spotted swimming around a fairly shallow bay off of the Elizabeth Islands near Wood's Hole, Massachusetts. It was identified as a female that was about 14 feet long, and weighing about 1750lbs. This was a highly unusual event for this area, since it is not common for a Great White to come in so close to land at this most northern fringe of its range. It had become somewhat trapped in this bay because the only way in or out was through a narrow inlet, which at low tide was no more than 3 feet deep.

The excitement caused by its appearance, had not only the press but tons of people flocking to the area to get a glimpse of it. People were actually canoeing, kayaking, sailing and motorboating out to the shark as it swam around the shallow bay, often foolishly putting themselves in imminent danger by leaning over to try to touch the shark's fin, in some cases nearly tipping over their boats. Although the shark didn't seem too stressed by its predicament, and the nearness of so many people, the Division of Marine Fisheries of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, decided to protect the shark from harassment or injury by restricting access to the bay. Marine Biologist Greg Skomal was able to attach a tag to the shark which will collect data on its environment. After 6 months it will release from the shark, come to the surface, and then begin transmitting the data it has collected via satellite. Little is known about the Great White, so this information could prove very valuable.

During the last couple of weeks, Federal, State, and local officials worked together using various methods to try to help encourage the shark to move back out into the deeper waters where it normally lives. I am happy to report that this afternoon [Oct 4] the shark finally was able to make it out of the bay, and back into its normal environment, to the great relief of everyone. A number of videos were taken of the shark as it swam around the bay, and those, plus more detailed information on the shark can be accessed at the link above.

First Presidential Debate

After watching the first Presidential debate last night, I am sure Bush's advisors had to sit him down for a little talk. He came off very badly...nervous..furtive..angry, and on a one note track all night. It seemed that every other phrase out of his mouth was ..." it is hard work". I found myself feeling embarrassed for him at times. On the other hand, I was glad to see Kerry, who has been my Senator for quite a while, come off with such grace, and poise. He didn't seem thrown by anything, and was able to speak clearly, decisively and intelligently. It was nice to finally see him come across the way I have always seen him, and not the way the Republicans would like to portray him. He definitely had a confident, Presidential air to him, whereas Bush came off like a petulant child, who is upset because someone is questioning his judgement. Well...the truth is, going to war with Iraq was bad judgement...a very costly mistake, most especially in the unnecessary loss of human life because of an unnecessary war. He may even by now, deep down, realize that going into Iraq was more than he bargained for, but for the most part, he seems totally blind to reason, and the chaos falling down around him.....soon to get worse, I'm afraid. And with Wolfowitz and the rest of the neocon pack driving him on like a bunch of rabid wolves, I doubt that he would have the ability to stand up to them.

He calls Kerry a "flip-flopper" because he has changed his mind while voting as a Senator. My view on that, is I want someone who can change their mind on an issue, who can reassess a situation after more information is gathered, who is willing to show some intelligence in analyzing data coming in, and then change the way something is done, if necessary. All this Bush talk of "stay the course", and a resolve not to waver is downright scary, since volatile situations like the Iraq one, are changing all the time, and becoming more dangerous by the day. Marching forward with blinders on and a steely resolve will only worsen the deteriorating situation, and only increase the death toll. A huge mess is what we have created there, and it is going to be hell to fix, if that is even possible. We have lost credibility in the world. This misbegotten war has caused an ever increasing instability in the Middle East, and an ever increasing hatred for the United States. We are not more secure as Bush says, but in much more danger.

I was glad to finally see someone be able to challenge Bush outright on the reason for invading Iraq. Kerry has tried to do this all along, but not very effectively. This time he was able to catch Bush in his delusional statement that he was trying to stop the terrorists by invading Iraq. Nevermind that no Iraqis were part of the 9/11 attack, that there was no indication that Iraq harbored terrorists before we invaded, and that there were no WMD. Nevermind that Saddam Hussein hadn't attacked anyone in 12 years, and probably wasn't really that capable of doing so with the sanctions placed on him. He was a cruel, fanatical dictator who would have hardly tolerated terrorist groups to congregate in his country. Due to those sanctions placed on him, he was contained, and under the watchful eye of the world. He hardly represented the kind of danger that would require a pre-emptive strike, and an all out war. A disasterous war...a terrible mistake, because by removing him, we have opened the door to the very terrorists he would never have tolerated. Not that I don't believe the Iraqi people deserved to be free of his tyranical rule, but not this way.

The excuse to go in was WMD, and terrorism. Did he forget about Afghanistan? About Osama Bin Laden and al-Qaeda, the ones who gladly, and proudly proclaimed that they were behind the 9/11 attack? What was he thinking? One minute, post 9/11, we are in Afghanistan supposedly pursuing Osama, although with very poor strategy, and then suddenly, out of the blue, we take an abrupt left turn, and invade Iraq, and in the process, allow Osama and many of al-Qaeda to escape. Was no one thinking here? Obviously not...although it is pretty plain to see that Iraq is a more desireable place to control, monetarily because of all its oil, and because of its strategic position in the Middle East, than the goat trails of Afghanistan. The neocons had Iraq in their sights since way before 9/11, so what better excuse to use to go in. Just bring up 9/11 every time you want to justify your mission, even if it doesn't fit, because they know that much of the American public, now wrongly equates 9/11 with Saddam Hussein. Just by constantly saying it is so, they have been able to convince a huge number of people that it is so. What a terrible thing, to take the tragedy of 9/11, and just use it to justify an unfair war in a country that had nothing to do with the attack on 9/11, and in the process cause unnecessary deaths to more innocent people...Iraqi civilians and our own soldiers.

What a mess, and a difficult one to get out of easily now. I hate to think of what bigger mess we might be in if Bush gets in for another 4 years. If Kerry wins, he will inherit this terrible situation, but I have more confidence in him, to gather the right people around him, to reach out diplomatically to other nations, and work towards a better resolution. It will not be easy, but we can't let it get any worse, and I feel if Bush gets in, it will all get worse. ..much worse.

A Remembrance of Summer

Bog Garden July 2003

Since we are now at the last day of September heading toward winter, I thought I would post one of my pictures of the bog garden near my pond from the summer of 2003.

Do we need another Blog?

I have considered having a blog for quite a while now, but up until this moment, I sort of backed away from it. Not sure why really...maybe the expectation I feel to hopefully write something interesting, or at least thought provoking for others. I do enjoy reading other people's blogs, and have had a few people suggest to me that I should try it. The people who know me well would tell you that I seem to have something to say on almost everything, and that I am fairly opinionated...very, some would say....hmmm...maybe they were referring to my rants, rather than my musings on various ideas and subjects.

It doesn't take much these days to set off a rant, considering the state of the world, and the bullheadedness of our President, and his cadre of puppet masters who are directing him down a very dangerous road, and dragging us all along with them. Something has to be done, and done quickly before all our credibility as a nation is lost. So....everyone really does have to pay attention to the details...inform themselves, so they can see where the deceptions lie, and how easy it is to fool a public...the majority, it seems...who don't stay informed, either through laziness or lack of interest. So many people don't pay attention to what is going on in the world around them. They don't seem to be aware of the slow, almost imperceptible, eroding away of our basic freedoms in the name of protection. The President, and the neocon group surrounding him, are using fear...fear of terrorists...and especially fear of an act of terrorism here in this country again.. to control and direct the masses, and to strip away basic rights. And people are letting them do it, with barely a whimper. All I can say is, if you do nothing else before Election Day, take some time to find out what is really going on behind the curtain....AND VOTE!!!!!