Trick & Treat

Today my whole office got decked out in Halloween gear except for me. My little group was 2 or 3 people last year and it never seemed like it was worth the trouble. Unexpectedly, the additional people have made this a livlier more spirited bunch and now, I look like the Halloween grinch (though a spiffy business casual one). The scariest costume at lunch went to the guy dressed in a nice business suit. He wore a badge that said "Official A". For those of you not following the indictment stories that closely, it was how Rove was referenced in Libby's indictment.

Favorite Halloween memory. Seeing Nightmare on Elm Street 3 back in high school. Totally stupid movie, but very entertaining when you're a high school nerd.

Not much ado.

I haven't felt much like bloggin recently. It's been work work work or rest up so I can work work work some more. I could write about going to the pumpkin festival or taking a hike last week, but these are pretty normal experiences that have no meaning as stories. I could write about politics some more, but I am fearful of becoming a rant instead of a thought. I could write about the misery of work work work, but who wants to put up with my whining. Do I want a more exciting life? Sometimes, but for the most part I'm content right now just to let things continue to flow.

Pure Unadultered Rumor

Maybe you'll see it here first. There's some speculation going on that Cheney is ultimately going to take the fall for the Valerie Plame investigation. Some people believe his resignation is imminent. I guess on some level it validates some of the anger and hate targeted towards the Junior regime. It would feel like some measure of justice finally being done. On another level, I think they have treated America with impunity and the crazy Junior regime will continue to do so.

And Condi as Vice President? That's really only a slight improvement.

Tribal Soverignty

Does anybody wonder if Bush could answer a question about tribal soverignty better today than back when he was campaigning for president? Put simply, this is the notion that all rights and powers not negotiated between the indiginous people and the U.S. reside in the tribes. It's a pretty important notion somewhat analagous to the 10th amendment and power residing in the people. Just hoping to share some knowledge with the President if he comes across my blog.

Some thoughts from Gandhi's grand daughter.

At the moments I'm reading a book called the Future of Peace by Scott Hunt. It's a good read and I would recommend it, but for those who don't have time to go through it I'll summarze some things here and there. It also gives me notes to look back at one day.

The forward is by Ela Gandhi's grant daughter. She writes of what he taught her and the conditions necessary to achieve peace.

1. People in power, be it political, economics, religious, or civic need to develop a holistic view of peace. We must be able to share experience and funds, and develop the community's capacity to meet the future.

2. We can not expect government to change things on its own. We are responsible.

3. We need to build a culture of nonvoilence among our children and youth and promote a culture of resistance to injustice.

4. We need to creat a culture of work and recognize dignity of work so we can meet our own needs as well as the whole community's.

5. We need to develop a new identify so that we can be rid of racism and sexism and begin to love all people.

6. We should be vigilant to the needs of the community and lay a foundation for a more equitable society where everyone has access to opportunities.

Lofty goals, but something to think about.

Harriet Who?

New Chief Justice Roberts gets to show his stripes off right away. The first matter before the new court involves the Oregon assisted suicide law. In my best John McLaughlin "Is Mr. Roberts (a) a Strict Constructionist that will interpret that the state has the authority to issue its own laws in this regard (the conflicting Federal law argument is mostly a smoke screen) or (b) a conservative right winger who will pander to the religious right who wanted to keep Terry alive. We'll see. Either way he wins some supporters and loses others, not that he's in a position to care anymore.

In regards to Bush appointee 2, this is a hide the ball trick going on. She's got no record other than attorney client documents. No one seems to no what to make of her lack of record but no one really has any objections either. I can't say if she's a Scalia type conservative or a rational human being, however, I'm coming down against her at this point. The only thing I know so far is that she is loyal to Bush. Given Bush v. Gore or Bush v. any other case in the world, I think she does not exclude herself for conflict of interest and she votes whatever way Bush wants her too. She's never been a judge. I find it hard to believe that she would be the most qualified person for this position.

Sick in the head.

It's been a few years since I've had a cold of any note. But this weekend, I found myself battling a small cold. This means I spent my time at home watching the Yankees triumph over the Sox, sucking cough drops, and quarantined to the guest bedroom. Sunday I felt a little better, but and Monday I came to work and felt still better. But not yet fully recovered. This sucks. Bad little evil germs. Can't wait to feel like myself again. I could use a nap right about now.

Crushing your past

I know a few people going through job transitions, relationship transitions or what not right now. That's life. That's good. It helps people grow from the frightened and confused people they are now to slightly less frightened and slightly less confused future versions of themselves.

Transitions are an act of faith. It takes something to keep putting one foot in front of the other. With every step you leave behind something that was once you. You throw away all the trophies on your mantel and all the news clippings in your scrapbook. You crush these things into dust and throw them behind. None of it means anything anymore.

Learn and good luck in your journeys.