Back after a Hiatus

Hi there Hog fans - lotta water under the bridge (historical reference to Wonder Warthog circa 1965). Things are slow in the environmental engineering/blogging (or more properly blog reading) universe. Got accepted to the Jeopardy tryout in Orlando (may get on - better than spending retirement money), tore my leg up in the MS150 charity ride (getting better), and doing interesting projects. Politically, things are improving slightly - Gonzo's about gone, Wolfie is gone, Dubya, still obstinately there. Per NTodd, W's at 34% approval in Rasmussen, maybe we can get him impeached. More anon, especially if I get on Jeopardy.

Bush's Great "All In" Moment - Die is Cast

This is Bush's 'all in' moment -- the die is cast, and he's dared Congress to stop him. That's what the surveillance without court orders is all about, it's a giant f#ck you to the country. If Congress and the courts don't respond to stop Bush and Co., that's it for American democracy.

Followup to the Bugman

Last post we explored the imminent collapse of Tom DeLay, the Texas Bugman. Now it looks even better -- for him and his little dog (Jack Abramoff), too! Last month I discussed this with a local sachem of the Democratic Party, and assured him that the Abramoff/Scanlon/DeLay connection would be even more important than the money laundering. I believe I'll be proven correct, but keep an eye out.

Watching the Bugman Collapse

The blogosphere (y!sctp) has been all atwitter about the serial indictments of Tom DeLay (R-Tammany Hall). While fun, it all seemed to be a house of cards with Tom's new hot shot defense attorney DeGuerin asking to have the charges dismissed. So then Ronnie Earle goes "here's another couple for good measure," and one of the new indictments, money laundering, has a potential life sentence (heungh, heungh). My take is that, as was implied, Ronnie and the Bugman's original lawyers had a nice plea bargain all ready to go (after all, he signed a waiver of the stature of limitations), and the new broom, DeGuerin, decided to go all Clarence Darrow. That may have led Ronnie to go to his original plan with the charge with the harsher sentence. All lawyers want to weigh in on this?

Answering the skippy challenge

One of the best, skippy the bush kangaroo, challenged political blogtopia (ysctp) to give 'til it felt good for Katrina relief, and then blog about it (no credit for good intentions). EK sent $25 to Mercy Corps and $25 to Joanna (courtesy of World o' Crap), and now I'm blogging about it. Just wish it could be more.

Really honor the fallen, the Viking way

Sorry for the long absence -- been in the Prius going to Little Rock, and otherwise enjoying myself.

Dubya is saying we have to stay the course to 'honor the fallen,' and I have no problem with this, but I think it would be more efficient to do it the Viking way: select 100 soldiers, marines and sailors at random from active units in the US, lead them over Iraq War graves in Arlington National Cemetery and slit their throats. Same effect and saves transportation costs.

London Calling, 7/7/2005

It appears that al Qaida has struck in London, with the Underground getting the biggest hits. I love the city, and believe its people among the bravest in the world -- blitzes in two World Wars, IRA bombings, now this, cannot stifle a city that's also suffered a couple of plagues (1348 and 1667), and at least one burning. So what to do; there's only one answer -- road trip. Costing out the flight, I can go in September for $400 round trip air fare so a four day weekend is definitely in the offing. I'll the Science Museum, the Geology Museum, the Imperial War Museum (both London and Duxford), the Victoria and Albert. I'll have more fun than the resta you schmucks.