We usually think of ourselves as a nation of with great civil liberties by labeling these things as exceptions. But it seems like we never go more than a few years without some excuse for massively denying civil liberites to huge numbers of people and subjecting them to arbitrary authority.

Well, I do think there has been a steady progress (due to liberals and progressives IMO), but I'm concerned that there is a backslide right now. Due partly to the 'War on terror' (A proper war should be on a proper noun), partly to distribution of wealth, and partly to religous fundamentalism particularly when exploited politically.

One of my friends just used the Motivation Poster tool to make this of his daughter. I'm dying.

I just wish we could figure out a way to get Dick Cheney to take Rove hunting.

Don't forget the replacing his buckshot with Folger's crystalshollowpoint ammo part.

Calm~ma for Allyson.

The single greatest road trip song for me is Van Morrison's "Into The Mystic". It's got a definite forward momentum, but it's also mellow and a bit plaintive. It's perfect for long stretches of prairie or tundra or just vasty open spaces.

Just avoid "Blue Bayou" as driving music at all costs. Linda Ronstadt was nearly responsible for my tragic death one sleepy morning.

Squeeze is great driving music.

ita - print this out and take to the Center. [link]

For those who care, the bug of the day was definitely a house centipede, and thanks to Theodosia's intel, I'm letting it live so it can kill other oogy bugs for me.

You're a better person than. Those walking paisley swatches with false eyelashes stuck to them give me the wiggins something fierce.

He could tell him they were looking at his claim, Frank.

Ha!

Don't forget to breathe, Allyson.

There's a meditation practice where you breathe thirty-six times and count, really focusing on your breath. It helps sometimes.