St. Paddy's Day Roundup

Idaho? No, you da ho. Idaho gov-nah, Dirk Kempthorne, has been nominated by the Dubster to replace Gail Norton as Secretary of the Interior. Apparently they went biking together a few years ago and Dub thinks Dirk will do a "heckuva job" managing our nation's parks and lands. Of course, environmentalists hate this guy, otherwise, why would Dub nominate him? Baby G and I wondered this morning why they call the person who manages the outdoors the Secretary of the Interior? Sounds more like he should be picking out throw pillows and wallpaper. Perhaps next year, green will be the new black? Or on a scary note, it could be vice-versa.

Speaking of green... it's 'green beer' day. Throughout the day, much revelry will be had and much green beer will be consumed. I personally don't fancy beer any color besides caramel or amber. I am going out this evening but will probably stick to mixed drinks. I'll leave the green bud lite to the frat boys.

Speaking of frat boys: an ironic section from the recent National Security Council report. Do I laugh or do I cry? (This is an actual unaltered quote from about halfway down the document.)

"Democracies expand the freedom of their citizens, while the terrorists seek to impose a single set of narrow beliefs. Democracy sees individuals as equal in worth and dignity, having an inherent potential to create and to govern themselves. The terrorists see individuals as objects to be exploited, and then to be ruled and oppressed."

Hmmm...so our freedoms should be expanded eh? Is that why warrentless wiretapping is being freely used on citizens and our library records can be searched? All individuals are equal in worth and dignity? Is that why the Administration has actively blocked gay marriage, is denying students the right to learn to think by instead forcing them to learn to take standardized tests (No Child Left Behind), and is pretending to not want to start unprovoked wars in Iran other countries? I find this report interesting for a number of reasons, but this paragraph seemed to stick out like a sore thumb. How can a security strategy document have this paragraph in its pages and not come across as hypocritical?

In light of such sadness and ill will, we must retain our hope for a better world. Happy St. Patrick's Day. Here's an Irish blessing for all of you, Gentle Readers:

May your glass be ever full. May the roof over your head be always strong. And may you be in heaven a full half hour before the devil knows you're dead.