Just read this on the 'net:

"The United States will work with other nations to establish a new framework on greenhouse gas emissions for when the Kyoto Protocol expires in 2012," George Bush, the president, said on Thursday. " from Google News

Are these the same Protocols that His Smugness didn't agree to a few years ago?

Between this and his speech that we had to do more to fight AIDS in Africa, etc. it appears that G.W. wants to shift the evening news from looking at Iraq every night.

Of course there was also this:

"The U.S. ground forces commander in Iraq says he might need more time to assess the impact of the new security plan, beyond the September assessment President Bush and the Congress are expecting. Lieutenant General Ray Odierno made the statement Thursday during a news conference via satellite with reporters at the Pentagon. " from Voice of America News

Maybe we'll know by sometime around mid-November of '08!

It probably should not come as a surprise that anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan, would like to return to a ‘normal’ life. She has been the public face of the movement since the death of her son, Casey, in late 2004.

I hope that she is able to find some solace in knowing that she inspired so many people over the past years. Let’s also hope that the media (right-wing, main stream & alternative) will give her some ‘peace’ and allow her to go about returning to a life outside the spotlight. Sadly, I expect the FOX network & like-minded types to use this as an excuse to bash her once again.

Quick political rant here, so feel free to move along.

If you didn’t hear the “Special Commentary” by Keith Olbermann the other evening regarding the betrayal of the Democratic base by their representatives, you should go over to the Countdown link. Either read the transcript or watch the video.

I’m totally in agreement with Olbermann’s sentiments on how the electorate has been stabbed in the back by the Senate leadership. This is not why we voted to give them a majority!

It appears that only Chris Dodd (my former Senator and a man I’ve had the pleasure of meeting twice) and John Edwards of the Democratic candidates stepped up when it counted. Clinton and Obama appeared to wait until it was safe to cover their butts. Shame on both of them!

If I’m misreading this feel free to set me straight, but I think that Third Party may be the way to go, being a lost cause or not.

I know I haven’t been political lately, at least I haven’t posted anything here of a political nature. I’m still ranting at the TV and reading a number of progressive blogs & sites. Naturally, I spend my morning commute listening to KTLK out of Los Angeles, one of the Air America Radio affiliates.

There’s probably not a whole lot I could add to any current political debate that other folks haven’t written about far more intelligently than I could ever hope. I mean I think we should pull out of Iraq (the sooner the better for all concerned); I’m totally confused by the immigration debate, finding good & bad points on all sides; I’m in favor of impeachment, but don’t see it happening, nor anything changing until January of 2009.

As it stands my ‘favorite’ Democratic candidate changes from day to day, if not from one editorial to another. As laughable as the guys over on the GOP side may be, I can’t honestly say I’m excited about any of the dozen or so Dems who appear to be running. As I posted on THE Tony Isabella’s message board, there’s a reason I end up voting for some Third Party candidate almost every election cycle.

Oh, if I haven’t gotten around to it yet within the next few hours or so I’m probably going to link to the Stephanie Miller Show webpage. Stephanie and mooks, Chris and Jim, are the best morning show on the air out here, IMHO. Sure, the show is full of juvenile jokes about farting, private parts and Hooters coming to the Big Beaver, but she’s a chick so it’s okay!!

I’ve met some interesting folks in my career as a Librarian. There have certainly been a good share of researchers, authors (real & wannabe), poets (ditto) and other types. This includes fellow staff and the patrons I’ve dealt with for over twenty years. I’ve also encountered musicians, artists, craftsmen & women and people engaged in the most fascinating things.

When working in Forest Hills at the Queens Public Library my co-worker Michelle was planning on hiking the Appalachian Trail. She had gone along parts of it, as well as other trails around the eastern parts of America. She was even doing her part to maintain the place, cleaning up sites and rest stops along the way as she went.

Well, it seems that she’s finally going on this grand adventure and is blogging about it along the way. Whether of not you share her interest you have to admire her for what she’s doing. You’ll also get a kick out of reading what she’s been doing each day. You can read what Michelle (or Bird Legs, if you will) is up to by clicking on her link "Michelle's Trail Journal" over on The Left.

I love those Geiko commercials, so how could I not post this. It was sent to me by a guy I served with for a short time.

The Navy...it's not just a job, it's $1.75 a day!

They've finally begun posting new reviews over at the Joe Bob Briggs website. You can see my review of "An Innocent Among Them" by Jack Allen.

Click over to www.joebobbriggs.com and see what else might interest you.

For those keeping track of such things, I just wanted to let everyone know that I’ve passed my background check. That was the final step to my actually staying on here at the library. Not that I was really worried, unless one of my sisters turned me in for something!

While I’m at it I have a request.

Would the person who posts anonymous replies to my stuff let me know what I ever did to you? I have a couple of guesses who you might be, but you’re welcome to drop me a line via e-mail and we can chat about this.

Hope the rest of you have a good day!

Donna and I love playing Bingo, so it was probably only a matter of time before we decided to check out one of the nearby casinos. Also, as folks who've been following this blog know I absolutely love casinos in general, so any excuse to check out a new one is fine by me.

This past Saturday we drove up to the San Manuel Indian Bingo & Casino in Highland. It was our second trip up there and we had a good time, even without winning a thing. We got there early for the Matinee (twenty games starting at 2:00pm) and stayed for the later games (another twenty) which begin at 4:00pm. Five plus hours of Bingo might not be your idea of a good time, but we enjoyed ourselves and would certainly recommend the place. It's clean and the folks are friendly enough, but just remember that smoking is allowed in half the Bingo Hall and much of the casino.

Head over to www.sanmanuel.com and check it out for yourself.

It would be too easy to use this opportunity to say negative things about Jerry Falwell. Not that I’ll be shedding a tear for the man, considering the many hurtful and unjust things he has said about others. Still the man did have an effect (for better or worse) on the national scene for the past couple of decades.

Condolences to his family and those who did share in his beliefs.

A Mother's Day wish to Kristina's mom, my wife Donna.

I know this day will be difficult as it's the first after the passing of her mom, Marilyn Zillini.

Hugs and a wish for a joyous day to all the Moms out there in the blogosphere!

I have never met Julia Sweeney but have to admit to being impressed by what she has accomplished. The latest is, of course, publicly 'coming out' as an Atheist. I've added her blog to my list over on The Left and recommend reading what she has to say about not only that, but also her battle with cancer and other things.

You would think that after over twenty-five years of doing apa-hacking and a decade of posting online that I would remember that what I find amusing others may not. Witness my post here yesterday.

There's a reason that I'm not doing stand-up and also why I rarely post on the forums I read. I was never a darling on Usenet.

Just a hint to those working in libraries or thinking about it.

Do NOT tell a teenage patron that losing a Library Card will result in jail time!

While you may find it amusing, the patron does not always get the joke.

I wanted to remind you that today is the National Day of Reason, so take a moment to think about why we should be thankful that not everybody is afraid to search and discover new things. Scientists and individuals are casting aside old ideas and superstitions, seeking new ways to look at everything.

Take a moment to think of the words in John Lennon's song, IMAGINE. If you do look up don't 'imagine' some angry, jealous entity staring back.

Click on www.nationaldayofreason.org and see some of the people and groups doing their part in showing us a new direction.