Waking up to NPR

I have got to stop listening to NPR in the morning before I get out of bed. The past couple of days have started to news of the Israelies bombing the hell out of some more defenseless Lebanese. Thus, my first thoughts involve monosyllablic words of Anglo-saxon origin. In order to alleviate this situation, I thus propose this open letter to Prime Minister Olmert and the General Staff of the IDF (Israeli Defense Force.)

To Minister Olmert;

It troubles me, that you have authorized the wholesale destruction of southern Lebanon in order to erase Hezbollah as a threat to your country. I realize that Hezbollah's existence and recent actions constitute a clear and present danger to the national security of the state of Israel. What troubles me, however, is that you have chosen to respond to terrorism with terrorism. Hezbollah launches rockets at Israel's cities indiscriminately killing and that is just what we would expect from terrorists. When the IDF responds in kind by destroying civilian infrastructure and civilians it becomes a terrorist organization as well. For a nation intimately familiar with the evils of terrorism to then use terror against the civilians of a peaceful nation is unthinkable. Are we that unimaginative, that we must continue to use the old, broken system of dealing with terrorism? Can we not think of a better way?

Sincerely,
Harry Conner

Going Home

This afternoon I watched the movie "Cars" at the old(er) movie theater in my hometown of Grand Prairie, TX. Now, before you run off with visions of a 1920's cinema palace with deep pile carpet and gilded everything I must warn you that the old(er) movie theater in my hometown is a Cinemark 16 Multiplex. The only thing old fashioned about it is the lack of stadium seating.

When the theater was built in my youth, it was state of the art and exciting. Its construction meant that we didnt' have to drive to Arlington to see a movie. (Not that I saw many movies in the theater as a kid what with my family's annual income and my parents strict isolationism.) It was the theater where I remember seeing my first PG-13 movie (Batman Returns). It was(is?) the theater of my childhood. There is something oddly comforting about that. It was almost on par with wrapping up in an old blanket.

Oh, and about the movie. When I drive home to Abilene tomorrow, I'm jumping off I-20 at Weatherford and taking hwy 180 out. It's much more scenic, I highly recommend it.

Friday Update

Just thought I'd let all my faithful reader's know what's going on in Hairyworld. It's been pretty rainy in King Fred's kingdom recently, but I am devoting more energy to the spiritual disciplines of prayer and reading so it is to be expected.

>Harry