Friday, June 30, 2006
Mid year 2006
Here it is. The first half of aught six is history. I'll be 69 in a few days. I don't feel old but I use to think that 69 was something that I'd probably never reach. Well I am here and still moving. Life is good. I enjoy each day because it is mine; because I claim it when I get up in the morning; because I don't know what tomorrow will bring; and because our family is good to us.
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
More Weather
Yesterday I talked to a lady who said, "I hope the weather returns to normal soon." I replied, "The weather is seldom ever normal. Most people think that normal is average and the average is made up of variations from average, some more extreme than others. So unless we define normal to be within a certain number of standard deviations, plus or minus, from the mean we don't know what normal is.
She looked at me as though I had totally lost it and said, "Well I hope it quits raining soon."
She looked at me as though I had totally lost it and said, "Well I hope it quits raining soon."
Monday, June 26, 2006
Weather
The drive from Silver Spring to Fairfax last night was through some of the worst dirving conditions that I have ever experienced. Let me change that and say that it was the worst. Rain was falling at the rate of 2" per hour, the sewers were not able to handel the water and the roads became streams.
From Kendal Ct to Viers Mill the street was full, curb to curb, and twice that deep at Viers Mill.
At Connecticut Ave and the Beltway the water pressure in the sewer system had lifted a manhole cover and water was spouting 5 feet in the air through the open manhole.
It had stopped raining by the time we reached I66 but Rt 29 was closed at Pan Am and we had to turn around and get back on 66 to Fairfax.
Route 50 was closed between Eds St. and University Dr.
We got 5 inches of rain Sunday and another 1/2 inch between last night and this morning.
From Kendal Ct to Viers Mill the street was full, curb to curb, and twice that deep at Viers Mill.
At Connecticut Ave and the Beltway the water pressure in the sewer system had lifted a manhole cover and water was spouting 5 feet in the air through the open manhole.
It had stopped raining by the time we reached I66 but Rt 29 was closed at Pan Am and we had to turn around and get back on 66 to Fairfax.
Route 50 was closed between Eds St. and University Dr.
We got 5 inches of rain Sunday and another 1/2 inch between last night and this morning.
Friday, June 23, 2006
Imperial VP
Last night on the CNN Situation Room Dick Cheney provided the best evidence yet of why we need Congress to step up to the task of providing a check on the Presidency. The following exchange between John King and Cheney Shows how Imperial Cheney has become.
JOHN KING: “You're also a human being, though. Your poll ratings are lower than the president's. You have an image that, I think it's fair to say, is not positive with the majority of the American people. That doesn't trouble you at all?”
CHENEY: “There's a great sense of freedom when, in fact, you don't have to worry about the polls. We don't worry about the polls. They go up, the polls go down. The fact of the matter is, we're doing what we think is best for the nation. And that's what the American people elected us to do. I think, ultimately, in the final analysis, that history will judge this president as a very successful, very effective leader. And I'm proud to be part of his team.”
CHENEY: “It's the other thing that's working here, John: I'm not running for anything. My career will end, politically, with this administration. I have the freedom and the luxury -- as does the president -- of doing what we think is right for the country. And the advice I give and the positions I take on issues are based upon that fundamental proposition: We're doing what we're doing in Iraq, in terms of here in the U.S. with the terrorist surveillance program and so forth because we think these are essential policies for the nation to follow. We're not trying to improve our standing in the polls, we're not out there trying to win votes for ourselves. Neither one of us will ever be a candidate again. We're doing what we think is right. And I'm very comfortable with that.”
Cheney seems to be saying that since he was elected he can ignore the wishes of the people. He can act as though he was Emperor or King. He knows best and the hell with the rest.
It would be very bad for the United States if anything bad happened to George Bush in the next 2 ½ years.
JOHN KING: “You're also a human being, though. Your poll ratings are lower than the president's. You have an image that, I think it's fair to say, is not positive with the majority of the American people. That doesn't trouble you at all?”
CHENEY: “There's a great sense of freedom when, in fact, you don't have to worry about the polls. We don't worry about the polls. They go up, the polls go down. The fact of the matter is, we're doing what we think is best for the nation. And that's what the American people elected us to do. I think, ultimately, in the final analysis, that history will judge this president as a very successful, very effective leader. And I'm proud to be part of his team.”
CHENEY: “It's the other thing that's working here, John: I'm not running for anything. My career will end, politically, with this administration. I have the freedom and the luxury -- as does the president -- of doing what we think is right for the country. And the advice I give and the positions I take on issues are based upon that fundamental proposition: We're doing what we're doing in Iraq, in terms of here in the U.S. with the terrorist surveillance program and so forth because we think these are essential policies for the nation to follow. We're not trying to improve our standing in the polls, we're not out there trying to win votes for ourselves. Neither one of us will ever be a candidate again. We're doing what we think is right. And I'm very comfortable with that.”
Cheney seems to be saying that since he was elected he can ignore the wishes of the people. He can act as though he was Emperor or King. He knows best and the hell with the rest.
It would be very bad for the United States if anything bad happened to George Bush in the next 2 ½ years.
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
13 Days
If George Bush had read "13 Days" before he went to War with Iraq we might never have been dragged in to the situation that we now have. If he read it now he might find a way out of the current war. He might avoid conflict with Iran and North Korea.
It would be a good thing if all executive branch, all military and all senators and congressmen were required to read this book before assuming office. We might then make every effort to talk rather than fight.
It would be a good thing if all executive branch, all military and all senators and congressmen were required to read this book before assuming office. We might then make every effort to talk rather than fight.
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