golden age of radio, hello starling, and the animal years in that order

I want someone to tell me "All the other girls here are stars, you are the Northern Lights." I cannot help myself. I love that line (compliments of Josh Ritter, by the way). Who woulda thunk that I'd have a sappy romantic streak in me?

I was wrong about the visit from Pete Hoekstra. He was here talking about his recent trip to Iraq. I'm not sure how I missed her, but Krista was here covering it for the Sentinel and wrote a nice piece for them (yeah, you're probably going to have to register to read it, but it's worth it.) I can't believe it, but I find myself agreeing with him. It is frustrating that there is a lack of urgency regarding Iraq forming a unified government. The problem, of course, stems from the United States attempting to impose democracy on a country that wasn't ready for it. By definition one cannot impose democracy. It has to come from society. One would think after years of "democratizing" other countries we would have learned that pretty important fact, but I guess history can't really teach us very much anyway.

35 people were abducted in Iraq in 2 days with no real understanding as of why.
Those wacky Frenchmen are at it again with big old protests regarding the new labor law.
And it looks like G.W.B. is taking some advice from people and shaking up his staff. Hiring a new chief-of-staff this late in the game is a risky move, but absolutely necessary if he has any hope of breathing some life into his administration. Unfortunately he just hired someone else from the inside, but at least it's symbolic. Wow. Is it me, or does it seem like I've softened up a bit on the old George? It's just so sad to see a man who had a such a clear-cut mandate to govern fall so far and fast.

Yeah, I can't even type that with a straight face.