Why is it so hot? And what is America doing in a handbasket?

I just love the direction this country has taken. First, the President's "public" speeches are by invitation only. Then, private citizens are having their phones tapped without court order. Okay, the President says he has that power in time of war.

First, when did Congress issue a declaration of war? Since they didn't, and as I understand the Constitution, Article 1, Section 8 - "The Congress shall have the power...to declare war, grant letters of marque and reprisal, and make rules concerning captures on land and water" - we are not "at war". Also, this Article would also seem to imply the thte President doesn't have the power to determine what happens to those prisoners of war/enemy combatants/terrorist/brown-skinned-guys-we-don't-know-if-they-are-a-threat-but-we-will-detain-them-anyway.

Second, following the administration's resoning, what isn't within the President's power during a time of war? Reading your 1st class domestic mail? What if you are suspected of being a terrorist/terrorist supporter/terrorist sympathizer/anti-Bush administration. (They are the same, right?) How about the assasination/targeted killing/murder of a suspected terrorist/et al.? Anything to keep us safe, right? All it takes is being suspected...no longer innocent until proven guilty? We can't take the chance that they might not be guilty, right? The ends justify the means?

How about he rise of the secret police?

"And I'm proud to be an American,
where at least I think I'm free..."

One of the the joys of not being a single parent

What a Dog!

New hobby/pastime/activity

Okay...I know. How many "hobbies" have I gotten all excited about, rushed out and bought the requisite equipment, only to use it once and move on to something else? Rock Climbing, Astronomy, etc. But this is different, I promise.

My new thing is Geocaching. Basically, its modern-day treasure hunting with a GPS device. Somoene hides a container (maybe big, maybe small) in a public place. Inside is at least a log, usually there are items inside as well. Then the "hider" posts general coordinates on the above website and hints as to the cache's location/how it is hidden/etc. Your job is to find the cache, sign the log, take an item and leave an item. Then you post back to the website when you found the cache-what your experience was like (did you like the hunt, was it hidden well, etc.), what item you took, what item you left, etc.

It is a great family activity...kids love it. You get outdoors, get to walk/hike, enjoy the thrill of the hunt. Then later you hide your own and enjoy that side of it as well...how well can you hide something/how good are your hints?

Okay, so I haven't yet actively hunted a cache. I know where there are a few located very near my house and I did obtain the requiste equipment. My lovely wife got me a GPS device for Valentine's Day. Nothing says I love you like a nifty electronic toy! Either that or she has forever negated the wonderful excuse of "I got lost."

Down boy!

The result of abstinence?

Good Boy!

For you pet lovers out there...