Gin Rummy

Why is Donald Rumsfeld still in office? Is he just such an aggressive buffoon that no one wants to call him out and risk a confrontation? Does he have naked pictures of other powerful people? Why is no one holding this guy accountable?

The other day, our esteemed secretary of defense talked about lessons from history. (http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/08/29/rumsfeld.ap/index.html) In particular, he mentioned failed attempts to appease Adolf Hitler. "I recount this history because once again we face the same kind of challenges in efforts to confront the rising threat of a new type of fascism" he said.

Rumsfeld may have a point here. Fascist regimes tend to rise to power surreptitiously, gradually usurping the liberties of the citizens. Messy revolutions draw a lot of opposition, but no one objects as little freedoms disappear here and there. Until, one day when it's too late, people wake up in the midst of a pernicious dictatorship and say, "How did this happen?"

So, I have a question for Mr. Rumsfeld. Were you comparing Adolf Hitler to yourself, George W. Bush, Dick Cheney, or all three?

I Took the Plunge

Well, after 5 times out using rentals, I finally decided to shell out for a surfboard of my own. It's a 9'6" Modern board. I'd post pics, but, alas, no digital camera (maybe my next major purchase). We went out in my friend's Jeep Liberty, and I left the board at her house afterwards. So, I haven't been able to see how funny a 9'6" longboard will look strapped to the top of a Honda Civic.

I'm proud to say that I rode one wave all the way in to shore on my new board. Other than that, the waves weren't too good yesterday. Apparently, I'm a good teacher, though, because my friend who had never surfed before stood up 2 1/2 times.