Lord Of The Rings:

Too long. It's a bladder buster. But it's also the best of the trilogy. At least we didn't have a half hour of talking trees to deal with. Lots of really bad guys and the requisite monster which this time is an arachnid.

Our Family

From Chicago arrived safely. This has been a tense time for us but now we can enjoy the rest of the Christmas season.

Huge Earthquake In Iran

News reports say at least 4000 killed and could go as high as 20,000. It's interesting to note that this was a magnitude 6.7 quake. The recent California quake was a 6.5. I know the Richter scale is logarithmic but there could not be that much difference in strength. But there's a huge difference in damage and death toll: only 3 in California and 4000 or more in Iran. The difference? Structural integrity of homes and business buildings. A lot of the buildings in Iran are mud or stone huts and collapse easily. The state of California has enforced earthquake building regulations for decades and the difference shows. Of course, most of the people in Iran are dirt poor and building regulations would be a moot point.

Oh, And By The Way

All this terrorist alert thing is driving the cows mad.

Air France

Is flying to L.A. again. What's unclear to me is why they would question 6 suspects then let them go. No way to tell if that's a French thing or not but I suspect the U.S. wouldn't have agreed if there was a shred of evidence. On the other hand, how can these people be on the terrorist watch list then walk.

Not Much Excitement

Here today. We'll be having most of our Christmas celebration over the next three days after our daughter and her family arrive from Chicago.

London, The Beagle Has Landed

Or not. It's not looking good for the European Space Agency's Beagle 2 Mars Lander. No contact through either Mars Odyssey or Jodrell Bank. Bad news for this mission and the latest search for life on Mars.

Christmas Day, 2003

Last night was the best Christmas Eve service we have been to in a long time. Traditional carols, candlelight and a shortwinded preacher. What else could you ask for? There was even a couple of dancers on the platform; quite a step forward for a Baptist congregation. I left feeling better but there was still that nagging worry in the back of my head about the terror alert.

After the service, we went to our son's home for chili and cornbread ,an unusual Christmas repast but remember, this is Texas. Spent the evening with them and our grandson and were back home in bed by 11:00 PM.

Santa didn't visit us last night, though. He's waiting until next Sunday night when the whole family can be together.

The Terrorist Alert

Is getting worse. Air France canceled several flights today that were scheduled to arrive at LAX. Most of the chatter seems to be centered around New York, Washington, DC, and L.A. Our government seems to be taking this very seriously and it looks like France is doing the same thing. Maybe they will lay aside their animousity toward the U.S. and help us through this thing.

On the other hand, I'm worried about this especially with my daughter and her family flying to Houston on Friday.

More Notes From The Campaign Trail

There's a lot of good stuff at RealClear Politics, especially about Howard Dean's obfuscation in regard to his brother being in the military. Charlie Dean, Howard's brother, was an anti-Vietnam war activist who was captured and later killed in Laos. He never served in the military and it's unfortunate that Dr. Dean has decided to use this occasion to further his political goals.

Lots of other good stuff there, too.

As If We Needed This!

California was hit by a magnitude 6.5 earthquake earlier today. Three people reported dead but it could get worse.

Update: News reports are now saying only two dead but lots of injuries.

Ralph Nader

Surveys the public. He's thinking of running for President again. Here's my answer to question 1.

*1. Would you support a Ralph Nader candidacy for President regardless of who the Democrats or Republicans nominate?
Yes
No

NO, NO, NO, AND no need to answer any more.

Via Instapundit

Notes From The Campaign Trail

Howard Dean thinks he shouldn't be attacked by his fellow Dimocrats:

This campaign needs a little character transplant," Dean said. "You shouldn't believe what other people say.

Wonder who's character is he's talking about?

Dick Gephardt says GWB is destroying our schools:

George Bush is deliberately setting up public schools to fail so he can say there is no choice but to take money away from public schools. There's only one way to fix No Child Left Behind, and that is to leave George Bush behind," Gephardt said Saturday at New England College in Henniker.

I think maybe he should worry more about getting eyebrows.

And our favorite General, Wesley Clark? He's gonna beat something out anybody who says he's unpatriotic:

I'll beat the s—- out of them," Clark told a questioner as he walked through the crowd after a town hall meeting Saturday. "I hope that's not on television," he added.

Substitute any letters you choose for the dashes and read all about it here.

Time Magazine

Selects the American soldier as the "Person Of The Year". Which I think is beyond doubt. But they still can't give up their anti-Bush policy by saying the troops are a "bright, sharp instrument of a blunt policy". Too bad they have to taint their selection in this manner.

Orange Alert

Is what Homeland Security says we are now under. I expected this because of the holiday season but I'm still bummed out because my family has to travel to Houston from Chicago.