Been an interesting last few days.  Glad to see the USA1 Venice Cup controversy resolved.  I sponsored a petition on the subject and whether or not it made any difference, things played out as suggested in the petition.  Enjoyed the discussion on BBO Forums about my letter to the Editor about BIT-UI by novices. 

Even had a chance to read Watership Down over the weekend.  I vaguely remembered the film from my childhood and wanted to see if it had the same kind of impact on me as an adult.  Good read.

Unfortunately, I haven't been playing much bridge since San Antonio and the bridge I have played hasn't been very good.  Now that the firestorm on BBO forums has subsided, I plan to change that.

One interesting habit that people on the Forums seem to have is assigning motives/beliefs to other people that they haven't expressed.  People there seem to particularly enjoy doing that to me.  They assume that because I loathe the Cheney/Bush administration that I'm a partisan Democrat.  Not true.  I'm sure the following sentiments have been expressed more articulately by others, but I'll take a crack anyway.

What makes America great?  Is it that this particular land mass has magical properties?  Is it that our population is smarter or stronger or wiser or braver or better-looking than the population of other countries?  Is it that we spend more on our military than the next 10 or 15 countries on the list put together?  Is it that our God(s) are better than their God(s)?

Clearly, none of the above.  What makes America great is the principles upon which it was founded and which, in theory, it continues to be guided, and the sacrifices made by those defending those principles.  If America becomes a communist dictatorship, or a theocratic oligarchy, it will no longer be great.

The Cheney/Bush administration has done more to diminish America's greatness than any other administration in US history.  That's why I vilify them.  That's why I support the Democrats (the enemy of my enemy is my friend.)  When the threat they pose is gone, my unwavering support for Democrats will go with it.  But until it does, I will continue to worry a lot more about the lurking cobras than about the mongoose running around crapping on my carpet (here I'm referencing another favorite childhood film of mine, Rikki-Tikki-Tavi.)