Wanted: Responsible Leaders

Don't you find it interesting that Bush promised to restore trust and integrity to our government if he was elected. Yes, Bill Clinton was a liar---but his lies were never about things that affected any of us personally (unless you happen to be Hillary or Monica). But think of the ways that Bush's lies and irresponsibility have effected us (and will continue to affect us for years to come).

1. Rising gas prices because Bush fails to see the need for any type of energy policy other than drilling for oil in Alaska and maintaining an ongoing war in the Middle East.
2. Rising debt with irresponsible tax cuts and spending.
3. Science and medical policies being decided by religion instead of facts and common sense.
4. Failed foreign policy because Bush is unwilling to admit that the whole Iraq thing was one big mistake. I know it will never happen, but think how much good will Bush could gain for the U.S. if he stood up and just said, "I screwed up. There weren't any weapons of mass destruction there. We made a messier country even messier. I'm sorry, please help us get out of this mess!"

I could go on, but my heart is pumping too fast at the moment.

Columns: Wanted: Adult in the White House

2004 Election Mess, Yet Again

I can't believe that we are still finding out more about the 2004 Ohio election mess. Are other states this crooked, and Ohio politicians are just unbelievably sloppy? Or is Ohio just more crooked than the rest (with the possible exception of Florida)? I can't say that I have much faith in the future of Democracy. The country has grown too big, and the powerful have grown to powerful, and the apathetic have become too apathetic. Bah Humbug!

The Columbus Dispatch - Election

Virtual Wanderlust

I've been using the Internet for over 10 years now, and it still manages to amaze me. What has captured my attention now? Google Earth! Google Earth is a satellite map of every place on earth wrapped around a virtual globe. It has absolute amazing control over visual perspective, including zooming, rotating, and tilting. With the amount of control that I have over what I am looking at it seems to be the closest thing to actually being there.

I have spent the last several days zooming around the world. Today, I took a trip up the Alaska Highway, climbed Mt. McKinley zipped down to Tierra Del Fuego at the southern tip of South America and then I explored the streets of Paris (reliving my backpacking trip their from 10 years ago). I saw the Eiffel Tower, the Pompidou Centre, and ran through the fountains of La Defense once again. Where will my wanderlust will bring me to tomorrow?

Independence Day Ambivalence

I'll admit it, I enjoy watching things blow up. I also enjoy hot dogs, potato salad, and beer. The Fourth of July should be my dream holiday, but it isn't. Like most holidays I get sucked in even though my better judgment tells me not to.

I headed downtown to watch the big fireworks celebration. Everything was fine and dandy, until I found myself in the middle of a throng of people shouting U.S.A. It made my stomach turn. After 5 years of Bush, I really don't know what is so great about this country that I want to shout its name out.

Check out this great editorial by Howard Zinn who discusses Independence Day and nationalism much more eloquently than I do.