Publicity Stunt in Annapolis.

Did anyone realize there is a middle east peace conference going on right now? Does anyone think any sort of peace accord is going to be reached through this conference? Does anyone think this conference is going to lead to meaningful discussions that will eventually lead to a peace accord anywhere in the next five years?

Everyone wants peace in that region of the world. Despite all their actions to destabalize the region, on some level, I think even, Junior and Condi would like to see a lasting resolution to the Isreali-Palistinian conflict. And no, these complex problems aren't solvable all at once, but they've set a really low bar for expectations in the next couple of days. Isreal only agreed to sit at the table if everyone agreed not to talk about anything essential.

It almost doesn't matter what is said or done at the conference. Condi and Junior will pose for pictures with Middle Eastern leaders and declare the conference a "__(fill-in big adjective here i.e. complete, resounding, unparalleled,)_" success. Even though not a whit will have changed.

It's weird. It's a show. It's almost more important that everyone appears like they're talking than they actually talk. The diplomats will get some coverage and legitamacy at home (and probably a good meal). And Junior will get some credit for facilitating talks to cover up the warts from everything else he touches there.

Monterey for the weekend.

I'm beginning to think the trick to vacation planning is just to take a day here and there rather than trips that last a week or longer. There's less worry about the work on your desk before and after your return. Yet, there is still the getting away part. The good part.

This weekend the family went down to Monterey where Wifey was involved in a conference. Little J and I had lots of time to ourselves. The first day we walked along the coast to the aquarium. The Monterey Aquarium is one of the best places to be and I probably haven't been there in five years. There is so much to do and see. But little J seemed much more interested in people watching than fish watching or otter watching. At one point one of the otters was literally inches in front of her and she didn't care. The next day we went out hiking at Point Lobos. Beautiful place where the land meets the sea in majestic fashion. Completely awesome and poorly describable. Little J enjoyed this for a while, but eventually, she fell asleep in her backpack. I guess you can do that when you're being carried around. Ate lots of seafood, the sustainable kind.

So even if J was only somewhat appreciative, I had a good time. Got to hike around and sea a lot. Also, I need to thank some coworkers. One had a free pass at the aquarium saving me a couple bucks and another suggested the hiking spot.

It's a pretty good crowd for a Saturday
The manager gives me a smile
Because he knows that it's me that they're coming to see
To forget about life for a while.

I took Wifey to see Billy Joel for her birthday. He's looking like a grandpa these days, but he can still sing and he really still is the Piano Man. I wonder if he knew when he wrote that song, that he would be writing his legacy, that it was the way people would always think of him. In some ways it would be great to be able to define yourself that way.

This was only our second time out since the little one came along. Wifey's parents came over and when the baby wasn't looking, we snuck out of the house. We had a nice dinner and a nice concert, and Wifey called home less than 10 times. Though, I think she did check her phone for messages after every song.

What it's like at a convention.

I just got back from 5 days at a convention of people in the same general industry as myself. Fascinating. I've been at my particular place of employment for roughly six years. And I see no real impetus to change. In general, this gig works for me. But I found myself surround by people who do similar work, but they view this industry as a career and not just a job. A career? Do I have one of those? I could be here or somewhere else for the next thirty years and I don't think I'd ever look at what I do as a career. It's always just felt like a job.

So this forum gave me the opportunity to meet like-employed people from across the country. It gave some insight into how my place of employment stood as an institution, and where my particular office stood compare to others and even how my particular job function compared to others. Did I think about where else I'd like to go? How I could advance up the career path? Not really. I think I just appreciated again where I am, and think about things I could improve right here where I am.

Five days of classes. Some good. Some bad. Some interesting entertainment. Mostly good. Keynote speaker. Just bad. Really bad. Many contacts. I'm sure I'll hear from some of them. Much food. Even more alcohol. Mucho booze.

Quick Hits

I'm a little disappointed in myself for not hitting a bunch of random topics in the last month or so. There really is too much in the office to do these days. So I'm not going to get into these things as much as I'd like and this may still end up too long.

1. Waterboarding is torture. Anything where you are drowing or causing someone under your control to reasonably believe they are going to drown that's torture. And as mentioned before, torture has been proven note to work. Torture is properly illegal. Even if I had a guy with a nuclear bomb in New York city and I knew torture would get him to reveal the location in time, I'd torture him, but I'd acknowledge it was illegal and face the consequences for it. I wouldn't try and pretend that it's always been legal. The reason that this is an issue at all is if the prospective AG speaks the truth and says waterboarding is torture, he'll need to go prosecute people who have done it and Junior will have to pardon even more clowns.

2. It's bad enough that over population, poor planning and greenhouse gassing have mean people are somewhat responsible for the huge fires down in LA. It's sadder to think that some of these were intentionally set. What's that about? My family down there hasn't suffered too much, but they have lost power sporadically.

3. Governments at the federal and state level have responded much better to the fires then they did to Katrina. The reasons for that are many, but one that can't truly be dismissed is race. I know you don't want to believe it, but it's true.

According to a recent Harvard study, Katrina victims are displaying unusual patterns of post tramatic stress disorder. Usually as time goes on, the stress levels and the number of people stressed out subsides a bit. Makes sense. For some reason Katrina victims are suffering more today and in greater numbers than two years ago. I realize it's a huge project, but I can't help thinking still more could be done.

4. If you didn't catch the news, FEMA held a fake news conference to discuss the fires in Southern California. No reporters showed up on such short notice so FEMA employees ask itself questions like "Are you happy with FEMA's response so far?" Rather audacious. But I think it's somewhat symptomatic of how Junior views the media. It's just something to be manipulated to score points for his side, truth be damned. And however much the media made a stink about this, they did not make enough.

5. Are you an enemy combatant? It seems like if they have enough evidence against you, you'll probably get treated like a US citizen. If they don't have enough or if they have evidence that could never be tested in court, you're then an enemy combatant and locked away without jury, trial, or access to an attorney or even charges. That seems to be the way the argument is going.

6. Blackwater "contractors" granted immnity. Again, the law seems to be whatever is most convenient.