"For people in America who are a part of my political tradition, our great sin
has often been ignoring religion or denying its power or refusing to engage it
because it seemed hostile to us. For ... the so-called Christian right and its
allies, their great sin has been believing they were in full possession of the
truth,"
“I really believe we ought to try to find some way to encourage that
country to demonstrate to those people who have been opposed to what we're
trying to do, that it's worthwhile for them and their children to come forward
and support this democracy. And if that's amnesty, I'm for it. I'd be for it.
And if those people who are, come forward… if they bore arms against our people,
what's the difference between those people that bore arms against the Union in
the War between the States? What’s the difference between the Germans and
Japanese and all the people we’ve forgiven?” – Sen. Ted Stevens
Man Subsists on Monkey Chow Alone
This reminds me of the time I tried vegetarianism. I literally started craving hamburgers.
Make sure you check out his blog. It's hi-larious.
Home
Lots to catch up on. I think I'll take the night off.
CUP TOMORROW!
UPDATE: CUP FRIDAY! After 10 days of travel I forgot what day it is.
When a supporter in a Venice veterans hall said he once witnessed Ms.
Harris leave her vehicle to escort a turtle across a highway, she became gravely
serious.
"All of my life I have stopped for turtles," she said firmly, even
defensively, as if someone had challenged her commitment to turtle safety
Once Ms. Harris wins her race for a Senate seat, she says, she plans to travel
everywhere with a guide dog. "Before I hire anyone to work for me in the Senate,
I tell them I'm going to do this," said Ms. Harris.
{14:24:36} (MR. INHOFE) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT } AS YOU SEE HERE, AND I
THINK THIS IS MAYBE THE MOST IMPORTANT PROP WE’LL HAVE DURING THE ENTIRE DEBATE,
MY WIFE AND I HAVE BEEN MARRIED 47 YEARS. WE HAVE 20 KIDS AND GRANDKIDS. I’M REALLY PROUD TO SAY THAT IN THE RECORDED HISTORY OF OUR FAMILY,
WE’VE NEVER HAD A DIVORCE OR ANY KIND OF A HOMOSEXUAL RELATIONSHIP. SO
I THINK THAT MAYBE I’M THE WRONG ONE TO THE DOING THIS — TO BE DOING THIS SINCE
I COME WITH SUCH A STRONG PREJUDICE FOR STRONG FAMILIES.
Crossing the Cumberland River
I need to clean my windows.
Lincoln Statue
Lincoln's birthplace is nearby. Win at bar trivia by asking where Lincoln was born. Most will say Illinois.
Actually that's about 30 miles south of Charleston but I liked the picture.
1000 miles later and I enter another Charleston.
Today was a tough drive. Over 400 miles, much of it through the Appalachians. I discovered that I am not a fan of mountain driving. Steering a relatively small car down steep winding grades surrounded by big trucks is funner than any roller coaster.
Now I am off for a little dinner and then back for a little politics.
Arguably the most iconic figure of the late 20th century, has the unknown dissident of Tiananmen Square been found?
Somewhere near the Blue Ridge Mountains north of Lynchburg.
I nearly wrecked taking this one.
Rail fence lane behind the McLean House
As when I visited Manassas several years ago, I was struck by the quiet beauty. The same holds true for Appomattox. It seems so serene for a location of violence.
As I drove westward towards Lynchburg, the road began to wind and undulate. Approaching the foothills of the Blue Ridge, I was reminded of the terrible decision that Robert E. Lee let pass him by. How easy it would have been for him to move his rag tag army into these hills and conduct guerilla warfare. The Union would have spent years rooting out all the rebels. The country would have bled for years.
We still feel the echoes of Appomattox today. The wounds of war still fester at times. But on April 9th, 1865, Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant gave the young country a chance. A chance to survive and move forward.
Visit Appomattox if you are in the area. It's well worth it.
Grant's table.
It's shocking how small the parlor is. The obviously ready to go ranger basically said everybody says that. From the paintings, you expect this massive room that held about 12 men. In reality, it's only about 10X12.
McLean House. Site of the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia
Interesting historical note. Wilmer McLean originally lived near Manassas, Va. After the First Battle of Manassas destroyed his home, he moved to far south Virginia. Then, the final battles of the Virginia campaigns happened in his backyard. Thus leading to the expression, the war started in McLean's front yard and ended in his back parlor.
Entering Brunswick County, Va.
This was a beautiful stretch of road. The picture doesn't do it justice. One minute I was passing rolling farmland. The next I was shooting into a tunnel of trees.
McDowell Pharmacy in Scotland Neck, N.C.
No I am not about to be t-boned. Parking in downtown is in the middle of the road. Which seems odd at first but makes a lot of sense when you see it in action.
