Be Careful What You Wish For!

I often wonder if either politicians or the media "get it". The current news cycle seems to be little more than whether or not we should torture. Chris Matthews almost drools at the thought of really getting the bad guys. It's frightening.

There are always the "What if you knew the bad guys had information about an imminent attack. Would you torture them to get the details?" questions. Gene Robinson is the only one I've heard question, to Lynn Cheney no less, just how anyone would have that information in the first place.

There has been little discussion regarding just what actually comprises torture other than water boarding. Then the discussion turns even more political. Has Obama waffled on the release of "enhanced interrogation" photos? What ever became of the promise of transparency in this administration?

As M*A*S*H's Colonel Potter would say, "Horse pucky"! Obama's military commanders strongly urged him to reconsider his inclination to release the photos. Wisely, he listened. Reconsidering and changing ones mind is not waffling! It's showing good judgement when a wise argument has been made.

Why anyone would want to see what we've actually done or contracted to have done is beyond me. That isn't the point. It's the perception the rest of the world will have. More importantly the perception the Islamic world will have. It needs no help to make it more negative!

Forget the argument as to whether or not torture actually works. I'm sure there are times it does and times it does not. The point the military commanders are trying to make is that our enemies can and will give worse than they get. To put our service men and women at greater risk than they already are would be irresponsibly reckless.

Photos speak volumes and are fair game to be interpreted in any manner the observer wishes, be it accurate or not. Those so anxious to have them released would do well to remember not only the Islamic rage that accompanied the Abu Ghraib fiasco but also the emotions that are stirred, even today, of the Holocaust atrocities. The Jewish community will never let it go. Why should the Islamic community be any more generous with what they see as a total humiliation of their religious beliefs.

Jon Stewart summed it up one night when he explained he understood the rage and shared the same blood lust, but the point he made is one we should all consider. This country is better than he is.

I will never understand a culture that is so fanatical that it will stone to death it's own people. And worse. Or behead captives like Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl and so many others.

I do understand that flame of hatred is no ember. It is burning strong and flares out of control frequently. Why should we add fuel to it by releasing photos which would be proof positive that there was a day our country was not better than the sum of it's peoples' rage?

U.S. 95 Sentries

For a little over a month U.S. 95, the north/south route through Idaho, has been getting a bit of badly needed repair through the Coeur d'Alene area. It is a highway we travel daily and we've watched the work progress with a great deal of interest.

Each intersection is getting new curbing and sidewalks that comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Plus about seven miles of resurfacing. This is a $4.5 million "pavement preservation project" . I was curious as to what pavement preservation projects are since the surface is being ground off and a new one applied. That doesn't seem like preservation to me. It does seem like a shell game designed to allow for federal funding.

Be it federal money or state money or a combination thereof is moot. It's our tax dollars. That brings me to the point of our curiosity. Everyday, at every intersection, regardless of it's state of completion, stands a solitary hard hatted sentry. I have never seen one with a chair of any sort, nor a lunch bucket. Not a port-o-potty in sight. I've never seen one sitting on the ground.

All construction is at night. There is no construction what-so-ever Friday and Saturday. The intersections seem to be well marked and coned. Yet even on the week ends there stand those sentries!

I asked a store clerk nearby one day and was told she thought it was to keep people from walking on or defacing freshly poured concrete yet they stand where none has yet been poured.

This leads me to believe it is some sort of safety issue, but what? Not many of the intersections have people crossing frequently. Those that do have traffic lights and ample room to avoid the construction area. So what's the deal?

Essentially these people are being paid - to do nothing! I've heard of "make work" but this is ridiculous. "Work" is missing from the equation! If this is where our stimulus money is going, it is stimulating something more than my curiosity. It's stimulating the need for a plausible explanation!

Saints Alive!

Some days are just plain better than others. Today was one such.

I had to talk with our vet this morning and mentioned Bacchus had an eye that was bothering him. Off we went to get some ointment and a chance to see two of his favorite ladies. Our vet and a Saint loving tech who has often assisted with him.

To our delight she had her brand new puppy at the clinic due to a sore paw and a house left empty. I felt pretty comfortable having them meet. After all his doctor was right there. For you Bacchus fans, enjoy. You'll understand why I love this doctor.

Like A Dog Meowing?

Watch out Susan Boyle, you've got competition! Wow. I've got to start watching Britain's Got Talent. It's true!

This time it's a young Welsh waiter who looks every bit the part of an androgynous rocker. When he chats with the judges the tone of his voice is that of a normal young man. What you will hear is the last thing you'd ever expect.

Two years ago Paul Potts, a tenor, sang the same song, Nessum Dorma, and is now what this young man aspires to be - a worldwide performer. It brings to mind what a trouser role in reverse might be given the opportunity.



A few more contestents like Potts, Boyle and now Pritchard, some enterprising composer should pen an opera around Britain's Got Talent winners!

Powell And The Moderates Versus The Republicans

Opinionating along political lines is getting more and more difficult these days. It's akin to being a moderate in either party.

I've always considered myself pretty much a middle of the road type, finding merit where it may be regardless of party. These days however, to look for it is considered betrayal and finding it is nigh on to impossible.

The Democrats, regardless of what they say, are the party of big government and even bigger spending. I have no idea what the Republicans are any more. It's hard to be an equal opportunity commenter when you can't pin down what they stand for in order to comment on it! What's more contrast it.

One part of the party, represented so well by Dick Cheney, clings to times past. He makes the circuit of Sunday talk shows quite frequently trying to convince us the policies of the current administration have put the country at high risk. On the other hand he tells us on Face the Nation , in his continuing effort to discredit Colin Powell, that he didn't realize Powell was still a Republican! How can he be so positive about the state of our national security now that he is no longer privy to current briefings yet not know one of the most respected men in the country has indeed remained a Republican?

How, too, can he endorse the blatherings of Rush Limbaugh, the titular "head" of the Republican party, over the thoughtful insight of Powell? He may not agree with Powell, but to side with Limbaugh's way of thinking, for instance, the reason for Powell's endorsement of Obama was because they are both black, seems to me to be a man out of touch with reality. Or is it just bitter spite? Limbaugh? Hannity? Ingraham? Please! They are not the voices of any party I could be interested in. They preach devisiveness!

Then we have the listening tour with Jeb Bush, Romney and Virginia Representative Eric Cantor trying to find out how to attract people to the big tent. I have a few suggestions. Get over Roe versus Wade and Gay Marriage issues. And quit allowing the religious right be the loudest voice with all their dictates. Moderates and independents will never even look at the tent unless it becomes more broad based.

They also need to get over Ronald Reagan. He was a good man, and to the Republican way of thinking he was the right man for his time. But that time is long past; the country and the times are vastly different.

At the moment I find it extremely frustrating that the Republicans are so totally rudderless. It's like we have the Democrats without opposition. There are certainly no ideas coming forth to counter everything being protested.

The Democrats should be sitting in the catbird seat, but no. They can't find common ground among themselves. Now that the first 100 days hyperbole is over, it makes me wonder just how long it will be until the nation is totally frozen in it's tracks.