G-d Thinks We're Dead

5 year old Abigail, in bed, about to fall asleep: "Mommy, G-d thinks we are dead."
Me: "G-d thinks we're dead?"
Abigail: "Yes, because this is G-d (pointing with her forefinger, making an arch over our heads). We are in G-d's tummy. He swallowed us, so he thinks we are dead."

Why I Am Not A Republican

I spent some time this morning reading the official platform of the Republican Party. You can find it here: http://www.gop.com/2008Platform/.
There were many things that I disagreed with, but a few that really jumped out at me. In the chairman's pre-amble, he details some Republican ideals. Here are a couple: Devotion to the inherent dignity and rights of every person. Distrust of government's interference in people's lives. Faith in the virtues of self-reliance, civic commitment, and concern for one another. How can you hold an ideal that says you distrust the very institution that has been set up

London

Spent a three days touring around London myself while Andy was on a business trip. Remarkable city. One of my favorite things:

http://www.tate.org.uk/about/pressoffice/pressreleases/2008/15818.htm

Visited the Tate, Tate Modern and the National Gallery and the British Museum. Loved every single minute. More later.

$700 Billion Bailout Plan

The $700 billion bailout plan that was signed into law Friday by President Bush is disturbing in many ways. Here's how I see it: the rich parents of a bunch of spoiled brats who take no responsibility for their bad behavior rush to the rescue of their wayward 0ffspring. Ironically, the values that capitalists hold so near and dear to their hearts led us down this twisted path and now, when all goes awry, a giant, paternalistic bail out. I love the rhetoric of the Republicans. Government should be small. Government should just leave everyone alone to live their private lives and not interfere, UNTIL government must interfere, bail us out, prevent a crisis. It is nonsense. The shear hypocrisy is maddening. As I rant about this, my 5-year-old daughter holds out her had and says, "We shouldn't talk about this." because she can see how fired up I get.
And on another subject, regarding the hypocrisy of Sarah Palin: She says children with disabilities will have a friend in the White House if she is elected. A friend? She doesn't believe the government should fund programs for families who have children with disabilities. I thought she believed that "folks" can fend for themselves and that health-care should be left to the free market? I thought she was ripping on Obama and "accusing" him of wanted a national health system? No, not national health. A baby born with down's syndrome to parents who have no health insurance wouldn't be insured based on the policies of a McCain-Palin administration. A friend? She is no friend. OK, that is it for my rant for now.