Travelin’ Shoes

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Nearly everything we own is in storage, and what is left will be there soon. In a few days we’re going to hit the road. At this stage—looking forward—the trip is little more than bare bones. A window of time, maps, travel books, tickets purchased and bits of advice. All potential and possibilities. As Dr. Frank-N-Furter said, “Antici……pation.” The plan at this point is to load up the car and spend a few weeks traveling across Canada, perhaps as far as the Maritimes, Canada’s eastern provinces. Faye’s two brothers live along the way, one in Alberta and one in Ontario. … Continue reading →

Home of the Brave

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When did we become such cowards? What is the big deal about bringing the prisoners at Guatanamo to the US? The US has more prisoners per capita than any other country. If there is one thing we know how to do it is incarcerate people. This letter sent to Talking Points Memo from a Dutch reader puts it rather succinctly: If you live outside of the US, or the US centric bubble. then the incredible stupidity of the this viewpoint is obvious. Where does the World Court reside? It resides in the Hague in the Netherlands. the Netherlands has a … Continue reading →

Ironic

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I saw this headline on CNN yesterday: Canadian Farmer gives Swine Flu to Pigs. Here in Canada we’ve been reassured that it is still safe to eat Canadian pigs. However, one might want to avoid Canadian farmers. It is always nice when Canada makes the international news. A while back I mentioned the severed feet that were washing up on the coast of British Columbia. Another headliner: last summer a one Greyhound passenger decapitated another one. (If you’ve ever ridden Greyhound, doing the same may have crossed your mind.) These stories get more thorough treatment in the Canadian press, of … Continue reading →

The First Coming

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I had every intention of following up my last post, a parting shot at the outgoing administration (I’m averse to even naming it now), with a forward-looking piece on the implications of the new Obama administration. But a warm glow settled over me and I dozed off. My blissful state was slightly disturbed by Obama’s recent unsuccessful attempts to tango with Congressional Republicans over the Stimulus Bill. That will teach him to dance with the one who brung him. The Bill passed anyway, so who needs ‘em? Maybe next time Congress can get things done with less drama. The Republicans … Continue reading →

Asses and Elbows

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Today is Bush’s last day in office. Those words bring me more happiness than I can express. I’d like to breathe a sigh of relief and say “We survived,” but a lot of people—Americans, Iraqis and many others—didn’t, thanks to Bush’s policies and actions. Yes, almost 3000 people were killed by al Qaeda in New York on 9/11™. It was an attempt to terrorize the US, which, I’m sure, has succeeded far beyond Osama bin Laden’s wildest hopes. Terrorism is the tool of the weak; it relies on the reaction of the victim to do most of the work. The … Continue reading →