Paul Wolfowitz to Iraq

US Representative Walter Jones suggested that we send Paul Wolfowitz to Iraq as mayor of Baghdad, since he was one of the main planners of the war to begin with.
Good idea!

The Blotter

Missing Trails

Viime talven myrskyt olivat niin tuhoisat Washingtonissa, etta noin puolet Cascade-vuorten vaellusreiteista on tuhoutunut. Puita on kaatunut poluille ja joet ja vuoripurot ovat huuhtoneet osan teista pois. Osavaltiolla ei ole tarpeeksi rahaa kunnostaa polkuja, joten vapaaehtoisille olis paljon toita.

Local News | Mission impassable: Get to wilds | Seattle Times Newspaper

Kasvukipuja

Tytto tayttaa kymmenen ensi kuussa. Han ei halua tulla isoksi. Ian muuttuessa kaksinumeroiseksi, koko maailma tuntuu muuttuvan: viattomuus katoaa lapsuuden mukana. Tytto vaistoaa taman, eika ole viela valmis siita luopumaan. Han haluaisi aina olla yhdeksan, ja mekaan emme koskaan saisi vanheta. Ehka taustalla onkin kuoleman ja lopullisuuden pelko. Siihenkin tottuu, mutta se ei koskaan katoa.

Celtic Tiger

Ireland has become so successful economically in the past 15 years, that others from around the world come to the green island to try to learn, and to wonder. Finland has had similar success in the past 15 years; what I'd like to know is, who are happier - the Irish or the Finns? Both are known to be melancholy and heavy in the drinking department, but has economic success made people think more positively about life?

BBC NEWS | Europe | Europeans admire 'Celtic Tiger'

Carter Blasts Bush

President Carter criticizes George W. Bush's administration as the worst in American history in international relations. I certainly agree with him. Bush has shown such disregard and lack of understanding of any diplomacy or foresight. How do you spell 'idiot'?

Carter Blasts Bush on His Global Impact | The Huffington Post

The Last Temptation of Al Gore

There are many who wish that Al Gore were to run for president in '08. I may be one of them. He is beyond politics and seems to really understand the responsibility of a nation, of America, to be a real global leader, not just a bully.

The Last Temptation of Al Gore | TIME

US evangelist Jerry Falwell dies

I remember when Moral Majority was just gaining support in America in the early 80's. Jerry Falwell was its leader. He spoke of family, God and Country. It all sounded good at the time - I considered myself one of God's own.

But when fellow church-members talked about how women should not have the right to vote because it causes strife within the family - let the man decide - I thought, how bizarre. They also talked about how the sooner you kill the enemy, the better off he is - less time to commit sins and face judgment. I thought, how bizarre.

BBC NEWS | Americas | US evangelist Jerry Falwell dies

The Blog | Jane Smiley: Are We Done Yet? |

Jane Smiley speaks the truth about Wolfowitz and the rest. Read below!

The Blog | Jane Smiley: Are We Done Yet? | The Huffington Post

Republican Scandals

It's hard to keep up with all the scandals created by the republicans in power. Check the link to remind yourself of them all.

An illustrated guide to Republican scandals. - By Holly Allen, Christopher Beam, and Torie Bosch - Slate Magazine

Brazil's New Saint

The Pope has created a new saint: Friar Galvao, the first Brazilian-born saint ever. He performed miracles in the 18th century.
Wow, am I excited.
Let's keep the volatile Brazilian Catholics in line by giving them some candy...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6645555.stm

Tony Blair

Mr. Blair is leaving after ten years as prime minister. It's too bad he got involved with Bush's war in Iraq - he could have been so good and so respectable. How will he be remembered now? Not many believed Bush when he spoke of the need for war, but when Tony Blair spoke, he was articulate and sounded reasonable - why shouldn't we do it?

Too bad, Tony.

Kyynelten viljaa

Elamani vilja on kypsa, mutta kimmeltava sato
on kyyneleita,
jokainen jyva on kyynel.
Ei ole muuta. Kyynelten vilja tahkii pelloillani.

Lapseni, kuka ompeli nopeasti katoavaa paivaasi,
loistavia hetkiasi, tiheasti, tiheasti.

Mita han valmisti sateilevilla poluillasi elamasi kankaasta.

Tuulelle mekkoa, katoamisen surupukua.

Helvi Hamalainen