Dancing with Myself

Finally, I understand!

My YouTube Question for Hillary Clinton

Do you think that the Imperial Presidency is wrong or do you simply believe the wrong person is emperor?  If you become President, what will you do to help restore the balance of power between the Presidency and the Congress?

What, you were expecting a soft-ball question?

An update:  It would appear that I'm not the only person who is concerned about Hillary and the Imperial Presidency.  Steve Chapman, someone with whom I am not familiar, is also concerned.

John Edwards is a Moral Coward

That was a non-answer, John. John Edwards continues to hide behind his wife on the subject of same-sex marriage. "I don't, but my wife does" is not an acceptable answer. He's equivocating, trying to have it both ways. Heads up, John: your wife is not running for office, you are. The best answer to that question was from Bill Richardson who spoke about what is "achieveable."

I believe that churches should get out of their partnership with government and stick to what churches do best, ministering to the spiritual needs of their congregants. Partnership contracts should not be validated by ministers in a church setting. That's government work, not spiritual. Then the churches could go about their business of blessing couples who choose to bind themselves to each other spiritually.

Gays and lesbians are pretty hip for the most part. We know that same-sex marriage is a wedge issue used quite successfully by Republicans. It is also a moral issue. Do individuals have the right to form contractual relationships regardless of someone else (even the majority's) religious beliefs? The first question Mr. Edwards needs to answer is do they? He said "no." Okay, the follow up question is "what other reason do you have for opposing it?"

Damn that new alarm clock!

At 4:42 a.m. this morning, I was shaken out of bed (literally) by a 4.2 earthquake on the fault that runs under my home.  Ah, the pleasures of living in California. 

Happy Birthday Me!

My good friend, Lee Halbrook of Monroe, Louisiana, and I standing on the deck at Bob and Juan's Bastille Day Party this past week-end. 

They surprised me with a cake.  That's Bob in the white shirt.  We go back quite a few years now. 

This is Jessica.  She and her partner, James, recent arrivals from Austin, Texas, live next door to Bob and Juan.  She's wearing a t-shirt that says "I'm with Houston, 7-17-47=60."  About of a dozen of my friends had similar t-shirts.

This is James and Jessica before she put on the t-shirt.  We hit it off well.

This is me and Juan, the other host.  To see all of the pictures, go here.  The photographs are all courtesy of Michael Ackerman, a new buddy. 

If you haven't figured it out yet, I turn 60 this Tuesday, July 17.  I've been celebrating the occasion since June 29.  I've got two more days of company and then I'm done. 

Kinda like the song goes, "They're gonna make me go to rehab, but I said, no, no, no." 

I'm not sure if I know how to act like 60.  Anyone with a clue, be sure to fill me in.  I never thought I'd live to be 40, and then I was sure I'd never see 50, but here I am at 60, going strong.  I  have most of my hair, most of my teeth and can still dance all night.  I have noticed that it takes me a bit longer to recover these days.

Cheers to all, and thanks for the many good wishes.

Lady Bird Johnson

A great lady has passed.  Claudia Alta Taylor, known to the world as Lady Bird Johnson, has passed away.  I had the great pleasure of knowing Mrs. Johnson back in the 1970s in Austin, Texas.  She was a great lady.  I knew her because of another great lady, Mary Kaltman, who ran the White House food services for the Johnsons. In the post-White House years, Mrs. Johnson invested in a restaurant with Mary where I was privileged to work.

I will forever think of her and bless her name when I drive across Texas and see the many bluebonnets she encouraged Texans to plant.  When I notice the absence of billboards, I'll remember her work in keeping them regulated. 

My condolences to her two daughters, seven grandchildren and many, many great-grandchildren.  We were blessed to have her for so many years.

Impeach Cheney

It'll send a warning to the other bastards in the Administration.

Once there's an even stronger Democrat majority in the Senate and Congress in 2008, Bush can be stripped of all the trappings that former Presidents take with them.  We can even pass a law then that denies him the right to even use the word President.  He's the worst petty crook ever to hold the office of President, and if the Democrats in Congress and the Senate don't respond accordingly, I for one will be looking for a third political party willing to give voice to my outrage.

Most Outrageous Quote of the Day

The president believes pardons and commutations should reflect a genuine determination to strengthen the rule of law and increase public faith in government. - Tony Snow

There's bullshit and then there's audacious bullshit.  You decide.

Has anyone heard whether or not Libby has his old job back?