I'll take a shot of 80 proof poetry. Make that two!

I thought I'd take a moment to capsule some divergent thoughts about this week that seem to be flying about lose like stray arrows aimed at no one in particular or at least the hunter has had a few to many shots of 80 proof poetry.

Entering the week, there was lots in the international press and increasing references on the domestic front about the Downing Street Memo. The basic premise of course is that President Bush had his sights set on Iraq long ago and that the Administration manipulated intelligence information to build a case for attacking Iraq. None of this surprises me based on things we have historically already pieced together. What is significant is that it seems to point to the fact that British officials were aware of this as well ( as it was happening) and still Tony Blair became joined at the hip (or perhaps the brain) with Bush on this. It of course causes me to wonder why Blair fell into line so easily. Did Bush have pictures of Blair and sheep in compromising positions?

So here is a big surprise - Poll: Majority Says War in Iraq a Mistake 53 percent of Americans now say the war in Iraq was a mistake. 56 percent disapprove of how Bush has conducted the war. HOWEVER - good news for the President. If you are a suburban - male - Republican, there is a chance you may actually support the war. Well, that is the strongest base of support for it.

Now get this... Iraq-Like Regime not appropriate for Syria so says US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. Wow... yeah, cause like where would we find the troops?

Speaking of troops... Poll Finds Most Oppose Return to Draft. A majority of Americans are opposed to reinstatement of the draft. Now, I don't think there was any ground swell of support growing for it anyway, but I'll bet a lot of people find the concept less palatable given how Bush has taken the United States into Iraq. Despite the recruiting problems, nearly 70% of Americans say they oppose reinstatement and almost half of those polled were strongly opposed. Notably, the poll also finds that a majority wouldn't encourage their own children to enlist - highlighting the problems faced by the military as recruiting is in a slump.

Rumsfeld claims US not losing Iraq war. American troops killed since the invasion of Iraq in March 2003 rose to 1,731 with six new casualties today. Other casualties of Iraq.

My contribution to water cooler talk this morning was "only in America..." in reference to this headline: Justices Rule Cities Can Take Property for Private Development. Of course I quickly recanted that statement. There are plenty of totalitarian governments that will do this.

And after a group of neo-conservative Republicans try to do a hatchet job on funding for public radio and television broadcasting - the House beat back the cuts with a 284-140 vote to restore $100 million in funds.

Thursday, former Republican National Committee co-chair, Patricia Harrison, is named president and chief executive of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.... gee, it gets pretty clear where all this was coming from. By the way- there was still a loss of some funding the budget even with $100 million restored.

And don't you just love it. We have a economic issues - a war - a national deficit out the wazoo and some in Congress want to spend time on votes to ban flag burning. A vote that is nothing more than GOP members trying to get record votes on something so that can point fingers at others later and question their patriotism.

What a week... I need a shot or two of 80 proof poetry.

Holy Batcave... The weekend is almost here!

Went to see Batman Begins last night. I did not see the previous Batman movies and only did a smattering of the comics as a kid. The storyline is great, I don't know if the basis for it existed in the comics or not. My wife enjoyed it as well. We both agreed this is on to see at the theater and not wait to bring home and see. I think it needs the large screen experience to really make it work right. Lot of dark screens that just would not work well on a smaller TV screen.

So glad it is Friday... This has not been a good week for writing. Not that I haven't tried. Just the results have been disappointing. Monday, June 27th - 8pm is Open Mic at Writers Place. Need to decide what to read.


batman
poetry
open mics
movies

Smooth with a bit of an after-kick

Last night I experienced Starbucks new Coffee Liqueur. It was a real thumbs up experience. Surprisingly so because it's base coffee is the House Blend. Of all the Starbucks Coffee blends, it is perhaps one of my least favorite. Alas, they've found a way to improve it!

I had a shot of it over steamed milk with a shot of espresso. It is rich and smooth. Frankly I think I'd enjoy it over rocks. Well, we'll know about that tonight after I get home from work. I'm thinking a shot of it and Irish Cream - over rocks would be good too!

It is funny, because while I like coffee, there are not a lot of coffee flavored products that I do like. Coffee flavored candy is like gag-city. Some of the Starbucks Ice Cream flavors I like - but some I'm not fond of. In general, I do NOT buy coffee flavored desserts. I think this is a throw back to the fact that for years I could not stand coffee and sweets together. The marriage of cream and coffee was a Starbucks thing for me. I normally would only drink black coffee. I think the successful union of the two works only because most of Starbucks coffees that I like are city-roast (dark roast) and have a deep flavor that bleeds through dairy products to keep the rich flavor of the coffee alive.



Starbucks Coffee Liqueur

Express News to step up vigilance after poetry plagiarism

When Sandra Monica Rincon sent a poem to a newspaper who publishes poetry, it is perhaps not surprising that they felt it good enough to publish. After all, the poem was principally the work of Pulitzer Prize-winning American poet Marianne Moore. After realizing this, (subsequent to publication by the paper) Rincon was reached was by phone for comment, only she hung up.

In the biography submitted to the newspaper, Rincon described herself as a poet and actress. Well, I guess she thought she could play Marianne Moore.


poetry

31st Wedding Anniversary....

Cathy ~ I love you!

Lowell, inside out - The Boston Globe - Boston.com - Books - A&E

My reading list just took on another massive expansion. This time in one book - 852 pages long.

The Letters of Robert Lowell I suspect is worthy of a read. The William H. Pritchard review in The Boston Globe certainly wet my thirst for such. Though I'm not likely to shell out the $40 retail price, I will be hoping it comes to a library near me soon.

poetry
books
poets

Distractions

I took my eyes off
The monotony
Of asphalt ribbon.
For a moment,
Easter-green frosting
Amply spread about
The roadside landscape
Satisfied a hunger
In my belly
For something
Besides the mundane.