It's been a while...

... but I thought I'd stop by and jot down a few thoughts:

I was watching a wonderful edition of "Globe Trekker" the other night. It was a journey through Mozambique. I watched these people, living in what I would consider abject poverty. No lights, no clean water, dirt everywhere... and they were beautiful. BEAUTIFUL. And it made me think... that old saying about beauty being in the eye of the beholder is crap. It isn't. Because we are trained in what to see as beauty. We are raised to see it in certain ways. We are not brought up to think for ourselves. In beauty or anything else.

I don't want us to loose in Afghanistan. Iraq? I could care less. We shouldn't have been there in the first place. The sooner we get out the better. But the government (as was) in Afghanistan allowed Al Qaida to attack us from within their borders. We were right to go in there. Should have never taken our eye off the ball in that country. Just another example of Bush/Cheney incompetence, but that's neither here nor there. They are gone and now all that's left is to clean up their mess. But if we loose the real, legitimate war... what does that make us look like on the global stage?

I don't want to live in a nation that is irrelevant to the global community. I was raised in the greatest, richest, most desirable nation to live in that has ever existed on this planet. And I like it that way. I don't want to live in a second or third world country. I don't know how. Maybe that makes me a sissy, but there it is.

I don't like the thought that Europe and Asia are surpassing us in all areas, education, technology, health, jobs, standard of living... but they are. Our infrastructure is crumbling, our kids aren't learning. Look at us! We are America. We should have the best schools, the best roads, the best access to the best health care, the cleanest water, the safest and most affordable food... on and on and on... but do we? No. We do not. And the saddest thing of all is that there are so many people in this country who are so stupidly racist and ideologically biased that they would rather we fall into the abyss than that we succeed under the guidance of a black Democratic President. Instead of trying to help him govern, certain elements of our society are working hard to insure that he fails. That we ALL fail.

And I hate alcohol. I really REALLY do. It's stupid. And I'm constantly amazed at how many people equate having a good time with having an alcoholic beverage.

I am very blessed in my friends. They keep me sane and give me a reason to keep going. Thank you all so much.

And thanks for the Wasabi Peas, Bunny! After I gobbled up all the ones you sent I went out and found some at the Kroger. And then the other day I was able to visit my Oriental market and they carry the very kind you sent me... I bought 5 packs and I'm nearly all finished with them, too! New addiction. Thank you very much. :)