did you hear that click? i think the buzz word is cheney. did you hear that?!

I'd like to welcome the U.S. Department of Justice to my blog. Last time you were only here for 24 seconds. You should feel free to stay and hang out for awhile. Witness the great Constitutional right to free speech in action.

I have a distinct feeling the ethics bill that was passed yesterday is another example of Washington giving America the illusion some serious policy-making has been going on, but in reality it's a watered down piece of legislation. I predict (and I'm always wrong about these things so don't give it too much weight) this will be the way just about everything is going to go until the midterm mess is over.

I'm still pretty shocked that Jill Carroll was released today. I remember driving to Saugatuck one night and listening to a report on NPR about her. I remember saying "She's dead. She has to be dead. They're just going to find her body somewhere in a few weeks." I keep wondering if this will end up being politicized and who'll jump on it first. Will she? Has she already by insisting she was not treated badly? Will the left use it to gather some sympathy for the situation over there? Will the right use it as an example of how prayer really does work? I've obviously been overthinking this and it was brought to my attention through a short series of emails:

Me: I'm still shocked that Jill Carroll was released. That's madness.
Someone else: Yeah. and now she has a lifelong career option of lecturing and at least a few books out of the experience. Like those damn hostages from the eighties. That bitch has it made.
Me: That bitch just endured 3 months of forced captivity. I would think the least she could get out of it is a comfortable future. I wonder how she'll play this. I wonder if there will be a little more sympathy for the conflict in general. As opposed to the very American us vs. them mindset we seem to be in.
Someone else: Heheheheehehehe I know. What a bitch. It won't make any difference. You know, people have their politics. I guess if anything it might move along the growing discomfort with the war but thats happening anyway. I don't know. Fucking politics
Me: I wonder. She had the entire country focused on her release until we got distracted by the new season of American Idol. She has been very insistent that she was treated well. This doesn't really have anything to do with politics. Though it easily could. I wonder who'll exploit it first...or if she'll do that all on her own.
Someone else: who knows. Maybe she'll become a guest host on American Idol. If I were her I'd take the opportunity to do a "liberals uncovered" spread for playboy wearing only that sexy headcover thing. You know, the towel.
turn-offs: being imprisoned for 3 months
turn-ons: being released from 3 months of captivity

Just so you know, I did mention that mayhaps it was in poor taste to go down that road less than 24 hours after she'd been freed. But, more importantly, it's a pretty shining example of how I'll take hold of something and think it to the point of ridiculousness. Thanks for pointing that out.

And finally: Happy Birthday to Travis! May your golden birthday be splendid! May we survive the challenge ahead of us without killing ourselves or others! May Bell's Amber be rained down upon you in copious amounts! Thanks for being so hospitable and having an apartment that is filled to the brim with good karma and good conversation!

And today, thanks for the unexpected ride that ensured I was not late for work.