Internal Monologue

It's been a while since I've done any baby blogging. Here's Quinn at his new water table in the back yard: Photo by Sarah Taylor Lots more cute pictures of Quinn can be found in our latest album in our public gallery .

The Democratic party does seem to be coalescing : WASHINGTON -- Slowly but steadily, a string of Democratic Party figures is taking Barack Obama's side in the presidential nominating race and raising the pressure on Hillary Clinton to give up. Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota is expected to endorse Sen. Obama Monday, according to a Democrat familiar with her plans. Meanwhile, North Carolina's seven Democratic House members are poised to endorse Sen. Obama as a group -- just one has so far -- before that state's May 6 primary, several Democrats say. Helping to drive the endorsements is a fear that the Obama-Clinton contest has grown toxic and threatens the Democratic Party's chances against Republican John McCain in the fall.

Kevin Drum has a series of posts on this subject. Here's his latest: In urban warfare like this it's frequently hard to figure out who's "won" and who's "lost." Often both sides lose. In this case, though, it certainly looks as if Maliki has lost more than Sadr. Both sides have taken casualties, but Sadr doesn't appear to have lost any ground; he's forced Maliki to come to him to ask for terms; he's successfully projected a statesmanlike image throughout; and politically he seems to be in stronger shape than before. Maliki, conversely, appears by all accounts to have launched an ill-timed mission with inadequate troops and then been unable to close the deal. The Iraqi army and the redoubtable Gen. Mohan al-Furayji, the much lauded leader of the regular forces in Basra, are both looking pretty banged up in the bargain too. This could all change tomorrow, but right now that's about where we stand. It's increasingly hard to see ho

It looks like Harry Reid wasn't wrong when he said " Things are being done ." Now Speaker of the House Nacy Pelosi is saying that the Democrats should have a nominee shortly after the last primary : While signing autographs, [Pelosi] answered two reporters' questions, including if she thought the uncommitted Democratic superdelegates, who will likely be the deciding factor in the nomination fight, should make their preference known by July. "It will be much sooner, right after the public has voted," Pelosi said. (via Drdemocrat on DailyKos ) This is good. I don't see how Clinton can win the nomination. But either way, I'm glad that folks like Reid and Pelosi are signaling that they're not going to let this drag on once all the primaries are done. And I want to reiterate my stance that I will support either Clinton or Obama. I prefer Obama , and think that Hillary doesn't have a realistic chance of winning. And I think she should concede the

I don't really see any other way of construing things. It's painful to be reminded of it, but there it is . The recent political campaign has shifted our focus away from the US government's depraved tactics. But the reality is still there. My government tortures people as a matter of official policy.

Can be found here . A sample: "Gods Rest Ye, Unitarians" (UU Version) Gods rest ye, Unitarians, let nothing you dismay; Remember there's no evidence there was a Christmas Day; When Christ was born is just not known, no matter what they say, O, Tidings of reason and fact, reason and fact, Glad tidings of reason and fact. Our current Christmas Customs come from Persia and from Greece, From solstice celebrations of the ancient Middle East. This whole darn Christmas spiel is just another pagan feast, O, Tidings of reason and fact, reason and fact, Glad tidings of reason and fact. There was no star of Bethlehem, there was no angels' song; There could not have been wise men for the trip would take too long. The stories in the Bible are historically wrong, O, Tidings of reason and fact, reason and fact, Glad tidings of reason and fact! As our minister, Bill Hamilton-Holway , once said in reference to Jesus Christ: We believe in the glory. Alleluia! But w

When I was a child, I pined for D&D stuff & video games. Now I'm an adult. I pine for the time to play with all my D&D stuff & video games.