Middle East in Another Transition--to What?

Just some brief thoughts here, as there are certainly more informed people trying to guide and shape the chaos in the Middle East. Is there any more troubled area on Earth? Possibly some areas of Africa, but it seems that the suffering never ends in the Middle East.

So we have another conflagration between the Palestinians and Israel. But in my humble and limited opinion, this one seems particularly lopsided. Yes, Hamas was firing rockets at Israel. If I were living in one of those targeted towns Israeli towns, that would disturb me. But did any Israelis die? If so, I can't find any info on that. Despite the low (or nonexistent) death toll, Israel responds with force out of proportion to the crime. For 10 or so days now, they have bombarded Gaza--killing more than 500 people by some counts.

More than 500 people and many of those civilians! And how many Israelis have died? 4--that's all I can find. This makes no sense. Sure, Israelis have a right to defend themselves. But the Palestinians have a right to live. And will killing 500 Palestinians bring an end to this neverending conflict? Come on--it's only going to make the Palestinians more bitter against Israel and strengthen the position of its enemies. There's blame to go around on all sides, but this tactic by Israel isn't going to stop the killing. It might enter a new phase, perhaps. We might see new developments in a situation that seems to have been stuck--but an end? Not even close.

On a bit brighter note, the U.S. occupation of Iraq is slowly coming to end. On January 1, the U.S. began transferring security of the 4-square-mile area to the Iraqis. The U.S. flag was also lowered from Saddam Hussein's former palace and replaced with the Iraqi flag for the first time since 2003. As 2009 progresses, more buildings within the Green Zone will transfer to Iraqi control and use as U.S. personnel move elsewhere.

I maintain that our occupation of Iraq was a huge mistake and completely unnecessary. But at least things are coming to an end of sorts. All foreign troops are supposed to exit Iraq by 2011, with some remaining in an advisory role (whatever that means). So Iraq is in a transition, one that I hope will usher in some form of peace for this country and the wider region.

Call me crazy and deluded, but I keep hoping for peace.

Middle East in Another Transition--to What?

Just some brief thoughts here, as there are certainly more informed people trying to guide and shape the chaos in the Middle East. Is there any more troubled area on Earth? Possibly some areas of Africa, but it seems that the suffering never ends in the Middle East.

So we have another conflagration between the Palestinians and Israel. But in my humble and limited opinion, this one seems particularly lopsided. Yes, Hamas was firing rockets at Israel. If I were living in one of those targeted towns Israeli towns, that would disturb me. But did any Israelis die? If so, I can't find any info on that. Despite the low (or nonexistent) death toll, Israel responds with force out of proportion to the crime. For 10 or so days now, they have bombarded Gaza--killing more than 500 people by some counts.

More than 500 people and many of those civilians! And how many Israelis have died? 4--that's all I can find. This makes no sense. Sure, Israelis have a right to defend themselves. But the Palestinians have a right to live. And will killing 500 Palestinians bring an end to this neverending conflict? Come on--it's only going to make the Palestinians more bitter against Israel and strengthen the position of its enemies. There's blame to go around on all sides, but this tactic by Israel isn't going to stop the killing. It might enter a new phase, perhaps. We might see new developments in a situation that seems to have been stuck--but an end? Not even close.

On a bit brighter note, the U.S. occupation of Iraq is slowly coming to end. On January 1, the U.S. began transferring security of the 4-square-mile area to the Iraqis. The U.S. flag was also lowered from Saddam Hussein's former palace and replaced with the Iraqi flag for the first time since 2003. As 2009 progresses, more buildings within the Green Zone will transfer to Iraqi control and use as U.S. personnel move elsewhere.

I maintain that our occupation of Iraq was a huge mistake and completely unnecessary. But at least things are coming to an end of sorts. All foreign troops are supposed to exit Iraq by 2011, with some remaining in an advisory role (whatever that means). So Iraq is in a transition, one that I hope will usher in some form of peace for this country and the wider region.

Call me crazy and deluded, but I keep hoping for peace.

Last Night's Dream: I Caused the Lindsay/Samantha Break-Up!

I'm sure I have more important things to worry about, like the crisis in Gaza, but apparently, my subconscious has other plans.

So last night, I had this crazy dream about how I was dating Lindsay Lohan and hiding drugs for her girlfriend Sam. I kid you not (does Sam do drugs? I have no idea. It was a dream, people!) Normally, you don't put much stock in the power of dreams, right? And then I see this news!

Whoa, I never intended to break them up! Because in my dream, even though I was dating Lindsay, I knew she was still with Samantha, and Samantha was cool with Linds and I being together. Polyamory is very trendy these days.

I guess after that beach picnic the 3 of us had, everything went sour. I should've known something was up. Lindsay acted like she was cool with all, but no. I had bought a gift for Sam but not for her! Lindsay is such the attention whore.

Anyways, she played it off. But then at the Chick-Fil-A, I realized I was still holding onto the crack that Samantha had bought for herself (does she not have pockets?). I had to keep this from Lindsay because--I guess she would want the crack for herself? As we walked out the door, I tried to slip the crack to Sam but dropped it on the floor.

Then there was some dream interlude about comic books and my mother--and then I'm outside driving away with Lindsay while Sam is on her knees in Chick-Fil-A still searching the floor for the crack!

See--their break-up is all my fault! Or maybe it was the cough medicine I had.....

Last Night's Dream: I Caused the Lindsay/Samantha Break-Up!

I'm sure I have more important things to worry about, like the crisis in Gaza, but apparently, my subconscious has other plans.

So last night, I had this crazy dream about how I was dating Lindsay Lohan and hiding drugs for her girlfriend Sam. I kid you not (does Sam do drugs? I have no idea. It was a dream, people!) Normally, you don't put much stock in the power of dreams, right? And then I see this news!

Whoa, I never intended to break them up! Because in my dream, even though I was dating Lindsay, I knew she was still with Samantha, and Samantha was cool with Linds and I being together. Polyamory is very trendy these days.

I guess after that beach picnic the 3 of us had, everything went sour. I should've known something was up. Lindsay acted like she was cool with all, but no. I had bought a gift for Sam but not for her! Lindsay is such the attention whore.

Anyways, she played it off. But then at the Chick-Fil-A, I realized I was still holding onto the crack that Samantha had bought for herself (does she not have pockets?). I had to keep this from Lindsay because--I guess she would want the crack for herself? As we walked out the door, I tried to slip the crack to Sam but dropped it on the floor.

Then there was some dream interlude about comic books and my mother--and then I'm outside driving away with Lindsay while Sam is on her knees in Chick-Fil-A still searching the floor for the crack!

See--their break-up is all my fault! Or maybe it was the cough medicine I had.....

A Great Way to Start 2009

Finally back home from our little mountain retreat and had a great time--which feels good to say since my partner and I had a very rough 2008. So maybe the new year has better things in store.

I didn't take very many photos, but I liked this guy here I saw all decked out on the sidewalk. Very dashing, no?

Let's see, favorite parts about the getaway. It was very cold and windy, which was a nice change. And it snowed New Year's Day! The next photo is of some folks trying out the sledding.

Best part was the food! We had a great New Year's Eve dinner (mmmm, roasted figs wrapped in prosciutto) and managed to find a place that served the traditional Southern black-eyed peas and collard greens for New Year's Day. Gotta bank up some good luck and money for 2009! And our lunch yesterday was excellent--best Monte Cristo sandwich I've ever had (crispy, crunchy with powdered sugar and strawberry jam).

And excellent mountain vistas! Seems I did most of the driving and couldn't get in many good photos, but trust me--the views were breaktaking. It was also nice to see a few of the area ski slopes lit up at night, twinkling in the distance.

This last photo is of some buildings in town all decorated for the holidays (across a lake).

So I'm crossing my fingers for more good things in 09!

A Great Way to Start 2009

Finally back home from our little mountain retreat and had a great time--which feels good to say since my partner and I had a very rough 2008. So maybe the new year has better things in store.

I didn't take very many photos, but I liked this guy here I saw all decked out on the sidewalk. Very dashing, no?

Let's see, favorite parts about the getaway. It was very cold and windy, which was a nice change. And it snowed New Year's Day! The next photo is of some folks trying out the sledding.

Best part was the food! We had a great New Year's Eve dinner (mmmm, roasted figs wrapped in prosciutto) and managed to find a place that served the traditional Southern black-eyed peas and collard greens for New Year's Day. Gotta bank up some good luck and money for 2009! And our lunch yesterday was excellent--best Monte Cristo sandwich I've ever had (crispy, crunchy with powdered sugar and strawberry jam).

And excellent mountain vistas! Seems I did most of the driving and couldn't get in many good photos, but trust me--the views were breaktaking. It was also nice to see a few of the area ski slopes lit up at night, twinkling in the distance.

This last photo is of some buildings in town all decorated for the holidays (across a lake).

So I'm crossing my fingers for more good things in 09!

Heading to the Mountains to Ring in 2009

I'll be gone for a couple of days as my partner and I are headed to the hills. We have a special place we like to go every now and then, and we've spent a couple of New Years Eves there. Very quiet (and cold) but we like it. Maybe we'll see some more snow, too.

So Happy New Year everyone. I hope 2009 brings you much love and peace.