Mental Solstice

Whatever Happens in St. Petersburg, Stays in St. Petersburg?

The rules for the G8 meeting in St. Petersburg, are obviously not the same for a quickie weekend trip to Las Vegas, as GWB (hopefully) is learning. However, it may be too late for our clueless leader. He's been caught on tape acting like the whole meeting was akin to a DKE alumni reunion.

Of course, fraternity reunions aren't complete without the fraternity sweetheart. In this case, that would be German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Poor Angie, she had to undergo an impromptu neck massage by BMOC, Big George.

I have mixed feelings about shows of affection between non-committed persons. I have male friends that I greet with a hug and big kiss on the cheek (mind you, we're southern). And if they came up with an impromptu neck massage, I would not necessarily reject it. But in all of these instances, it is in the presence of my husband, and/or in the presence of other friends. As far as coworkers, or superiors, I would say that I have felt comfortable with some similar showing of affection, but not with others...and definitely not in a one-on-one situation.

In this case, unless I'm just really wrong, his gesture was inappropriate. I cannot imagine Chancellor Merkel and the frat boy having developed the kind of relationship that a neck massage was welcomed, unless it was offered to the male leaders of the conference as well. Her reaction speaks a thousand words.

I'm so embarrassed right now by our leadership...wake me up in 2008!

A Toast to Armageddon?

A picture is worth a thousand words. All you need to ask is what is in the bottle on the table in front of George and the bottles in the ice bucket on the back wall? Putin looks as if he's saying, "Sit down George, no more shots for each bomb Israel lobs at Lebonon, this isn't a college drinking game."

Hat tip to The Democratic Daily

Grapes of Wrath

Two weekends ago, we went to see "An Inconvenient Truth". Wow, what a powerful movie! I have no scientific acumen, whatsoever, and yet I completely understood Mr. Gore's points.

An aside, although I say science is not my thing, I made an "A" in Earth Science in college, which even my "Magna Cum Laude" mom was not able to achieve (I'm sorry, I have to get a dig in where I can, which right now equals a four-by-six grave plot, for all it's worth, especially since I plan to be cremated).

Back to the movie, Al makes a point, that for all our hand-wringing about Iraq, terrorism, and domestic issues, it is all for naught, if we do not take care of our planet, which is gravely ill.

However, if you're not inclined to see the movie, or "go green" yet, let me point you to an article by CNN. Our grape crops are at risk as a result of global warming:

Areas suitable for growing premium wine grapes could be reduced by 50 percent -- and possibly as much as 81 percent -- by the end of this century, according to a study Monday in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

I'll be dead by the end of the century, probably of liver disease, but I want our younger generations to experience the great joy I've had of sampling our earth's grape crops. Thus, I ask you to go see "An Inconvenient Truth", or rent it when it comes out on video. And...make adjsutments where you can.

Tip of the hat to my wonderful friend, Tim.

Baghdad Burning

I've been aware of this blog for sometime, but now I'm compelled to recommend it specifically. "Riverbend" is a twenty-something Iraqi woman who blogs about her family's day-to-day survival in Baghdad. Especially heart-wrenching is her latest post. I can't describe it, and I can't do it justice...all I ask is that you go read it yourself.

Tip of the hat to TalkLeft.

A Conundrum

After 22 years, Alan Newton is being released from a prison conviction for a rape he didn't commit. Mr. Newton persisted in his proclamations of innocence, to the point that he refused to participate in a sexual offenders program, even though it would have meant an earlier release for him. Despite numerous requests from his representatives, the police department insisted no evidence existed that would exonerate him. However, the Innocence Project, with assistance from a surprising source, the DA's office, was finally able to locate a rape kit for the case that contained DNA evidence not belonging to the convicted man. The kit was exactly where it should have been, although the police department denied its existence.

Nearly twenty more cases similar to Mr. Newton's exist in New York.

What a horrible thing for men to give up years of their lives because of a misidentification. On the other hand, what a horrible thing for the victims to find out many years later that their attacker still walks the streets. And to think if the police were to re-open the investigation of their case, how shaky their confidence must be to participate in such. I'm sure they question themselves and the authorities charged to protect them. What a horrible nightmare for all involved.

Tip of the hat to TalkLeft.