Mental Solstice

Funerals

Funerals are rarely fun, certainly not on the level of a good frat party. This is why "W" leaves it up to congressional members to attend. Except for when it's a dead pope, then he attends, probably because he heard they would be serving a fine wine at the service. I realize the POTUS can't attend the funeral of every military person he has sent into battle. However, is it too much to ask that he attend a funeral here and there at Arlington during his regular six-hour workday. Or perhaps in the Crawford, Texas vicinity, when he's busy breaking presidential records for the amount of vacation time taken.

Hat tip to Jesus' General

Another Round, On Me!

I recently posted about how global warming is affecting the world's grapes, and thus, our wine supply. It was very bad news for wine aficionados like myself.

However, I now have good news for the hardcore beer drinkers amongst us. Greenland is launching a beer that contains water from 2,000 year old melting ice caps. Because the water is free of minerals and pollutants, the beer has a very pure, clean taste.

I like beer, almost as much as I like wine. Kind of like the folks that ignore evacuation warnings, and sit there on the coast drinking "Hurricanes", I want to know I'll be able to party-hardy during the Apocalypse.

Hat tip to Wonkette.

Rapture R Us

Okay, I'll admit I'm not the most educated kid on the block. Until a couple of months ago, I thought the "rapture" was something I experienced with my husband on an exceptional Saturday night. However, I've recently learned that it's current prevalent connotation has to do with the end times, which according to this site, is fervently anticipated and hoped for, by the evangelical right-wing in our country, of which our Dear Leader belongs to.

Just in the 15 minutes that I browsed "Rapture Ready", I became more disturbed than when I've browsed the Al Jazeera website. Many of the posts were festooned with "kittens with halos" icons, which simply left me missing all of my former pets, but, somehow, I don't think that's the intent. These folks seem to fervently hope for the end of the world, to the point that they discuss how they're going to break news of the impending big bang to their children. Dear readers, this is scary stuff. These people seem to want to see the end of the world as much as the extremist Islamist...with you, me and every other sane Christian, Jew, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Agnostic, Atheist, etc., caught in between.

However, I'll admit that I left the website merely with an urge to go buy some oil-on-velvet paintings.

Hat tip to Echidne.

Tom Cruise Hearts Mel Gibson

I bet Tom Cruise is thanking his lucky stars right now (or, more likely Xenu). The heat is off of him. He probably thinks he's no longer Hollywood's village idiot, thanks to Mel Gibson's DUI and anti-semitic rant this past weekend.

However, if I were Mr. Cruise, I wouldn't get too smug yet. Mel's actions and comments were disgusting and reprehensible. He didn't come off as anyone I would want to ever hang around with. Nevertheless, we do have to consider that his actions were conducted under the influence of alcohol and in the heat of the moment. Additionally, we need to consider his father's influence on him. The elder Mr. Gibson is a self-admitted anti-semite. While not an excuse for his son, I can tell of innumerable instances where a parent's bigotry has come through a child's (including adult children) momentary lapse of judgment. Bigotry is always inexcusable, but I've always contended that it cannot be totally wiped out in one generation. Sadly, it's an incremental process. Mr. Gibson, thus far, seems to be contrite, and only time will tell as to how he will deal with his demons.

As for Mr. Cruise, what excuse does he have for his odd behavior? Unlike Mel, who seems to be self-medicating (as he admits, with alcohol), Tom does not appear to be medicated enough. All of his actions can only be attributed to pure self-importance and ego...

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.

Happy Summer Solstice!

I've been celebrating the last two or so weeks leading up to today's solstice, hence the lack of posts on this blog. After offering more praise to the pagan gods this weekend, I'll be back up and running next week. I promise. In the meantime, go out and celebrate the beauty of the world!