NO HALLOWEEN?

You have got to wonder about the School District in Washington State (Puyallup)
that has chosen to forego any recognition of Halloween because a few area Wiccans have complained about the rather wicked portrayal of Halloween witches. You see, many Wiccans are witches and most of them (I'm pretty sure of this) do not have green skin or long noses with warts on them. Nor do they wear pointy witch hats. I'm guessing too that most of them do not use a broom as their preferred mode of transportation.
This would seem to be political correctness gone crazy. Do you think these Wiccan kids don't see all the other Halloween displays around town? Is there anything that anyone could ever do with which someone somewhere would not find offense? I wonder if the cafeteria at the schools in Puyallup are considering a ban on meat so as not to offend vegetarians? Maybe sports should be abolished so wimpy kids are not offended and perhaps testing should be eliminated as well so those who are not all that smart are not offended when they get a "C" and other kids get higher grades.
What about the parent who is offended by the Wiccans because his child wanted to wear a Tinkerbelle costume to the school Halloween party that now will not be held? The child is sad, the parents are mad, but thankfully the Wiccans are happy. Maybe we should change Halloween Day to a celebration of the Wiccans and all they stand for. Happy Hallo-Wiccan!

RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!

I never imagined that gerbils lived anywhere other than in cages in people's homes. But hey, believe it or not, there are some gerbils (probably hamsters too) that are wild and that live off the land much like rabbits or squirrels. In fact, in China giant gerbils are being blamed for damaging an area of grassland that's larger than Switzerland. These giant gerbils can grow up to 16 inches long and weigh 20 lbs or more. Now I don't know about you, but the thought of giant gerbils running amok sounds damn scary. I hate to be an alarmist and I hate to start a major scare, but if I were on of the one billion people living in China I would run for my life and all of you that really are there should too.

Kinda Cool

While sitting, lift your right foot off the floor and make clockwise circles. Now, while doing this, draw the number "6" in the air with your right hand. Your foot will change direction and there's nothing you can do about it.

A GOOD QUESTION

I heard an interesting question the other day. Is it better to have a huge voter turnout, one that includes a large percentage of the "stoned slacker" crowd, or would it be best if elections were decided only by those who are "well informed?"

Most are of the opinion that everyone should vote whether they pay attention to the issues or not. However, having millions flock to the polls who are more concerned with the new design of the Mountain Dew cans than in they are in the issues of foreign policy, economic growth or the makeup of the Supreme Court may not be such a good thing.

I'm just repeating the question, not providing an answer. I would be equally comfortable arguing either side.

IS HALLOWEEN A HOLIDAY?

A couple of communities in this area have chosen to designate tonight (Saturday) as the night for trick or treating rather than tomorrow which is actually Halloween night. Today's newspaper published letters from some angry townsfolk who are appalled that anyone would have the nerve to tamper with a "holiday."
This brings to mind a couple of questions. One being: Why would anyone get so upset as to write a letter to the editor over such a minor 'issue'? Another: Is Halloween really a 'holiday' or is it just a day we designate to dress in costume, troll for candy and drink a lot? (People who need an excuse to drink a lot are weak. Strong-willed people like me need no excuse.)

Another day

Saturday is here and the countdown continues until election day. I am amazed by the amount of vitriol we see toward the President. I can understand not wanting another four years of a Bush administration, but the vile hatred toward a man who I think is a good and honest man is extremely distasteful.
Calling President Bush a liar, an idiot, a racist, a corporate tool, Cheney's minion or a religious zealot does nothing to further what might be a rational discussion about the candidates.
Similarly, that kind of invective hurled toward Senator Kerry is off-putting as well.
Either man would serve as a fine President. The checks and balances we have in place that allow for congressional and judicial oversight over the executive branch of our government will serve us well as they have for 228 years.
We must clean up the mess in Iraq. We must not give in to terrorists. Why is it that so many Americans are worried that our actions in the Middle East will further anger those who already hate us? These Islamofacists have long since pegged out in the Red Zone of hatred toward our country and our way of life. Trying to appease them in ANY way is a waste of time. The only reason they seem to hate us more now is because we actually did something in response to 9/11. They loved it when we stood by and only voiced opposition to the first Trade Center bombing, the attack on the SS Cole, the African Embassy bombings and the brutal attacks on US servicemen in Somalia. Swift, in your face military aggression is all these people understand. We should all be grateful that we have a President who "gets it."