A Few Questions For Monday Morning

I have a few questions... simple questions but ones that perplex me.

I am proud of the kind of food critics my children have become. Over the years, Jeanine and I have encouraged them to think about the food they are eating. It has it's drawbacks, though. Do other people's children ask for a specific style of sandwich cut? Zachary insists on triangles. Jake likes rectangles. Who can keep this straight at 7:30AM?

Does anyone else get up in the morning and look with joy for the newspaper on the front step? For eight years, I dreaded what would be on the headlines. Now, I find myself eager to see the news. Very strange.

I noticed yesterday that Ben's mustache is coming in. I also noticed mine is, too. As he edges into manhood, I'm edging into menopause. I'm wondering... will we start shaving at the same time?

The Republicans don't like the stimulus plan being presented by the Obama administration. Why is anyone surprised? A bunch of pork crazed maniacs when in power, suddenly the GOP is claiming purity. Please. Like a two year old caught with donut sugar on his face saying someone else ate the last one, do they really think anyone believes them?

You know you've been married a long time, perhaps too long, when you can anticipate being blamed senselessly for years to come. Jeanine insists I moved a cable of hers- you have no idea who many cables there are in this house due to her studio- and I know that for the next thirty years I will be blamed for it's disappearance. Does she think I went out back, dug a hole and buried it? And to what end?

With Gitmo soon to be shut down, does anyone else wonder if war crime indictments might be forthcoming? We as a country are quick to put to trial other leaders- will we have the courage to put our own leaders on the witness stand?

What do you think?

Obama to Close Guantanamo

The headlines of the New York Times today brought tears to my eyes.

"Obama to Shut Guantánamo Site and C.I.A. Prisons"

It really is a new day, a new era. Finally, we can lift our head up high again. Finally, we are not acting like terrorists. Finally.

Or should I say, At Last.

As the detainees are set free, sent home, horrific stories will be told. We need to listen. We need to teach our children what our forefathers knew- there is no safety when you hand over your freedom. When you let your government take away your civil liberties, everyone suffers. It is our responsibility to live free, to fight back when our freedoms are being taken away, even under the guise of "Patriotism."

We know better. We must remember how many have died to protect those freedoms.

Most of all, there is no peace when you torture people.

Torture. Plain and simple. We tortured people for years. Now we will have to be held accountable.

I heard a commentator on NPR complain that the crowd booed when Bush was announced on stage Tuesday. No respect for the office, he said.

Bullshit. Bush had no respect for the office. He deserved to be booed and it was a glimmer of the kind of protest we desperately needed while he was in office.

It happened. At last.

No one threw a shoe.

No more torture under this administration. Obama signed the order before midnight on the day he was sworn in- it was of utmost urgency.

It was.

Released Hostages

The released hostages from Columbia are a sight for sore eyes, I am sure. Their families, waiting 5 and a half years have been rewarded with their loved ones, in one piece.

And yet we continue to hold our hostages in Guantanamo. No trials, no contact with family, tortured regularly... so when we think of the terrorists in Columbia, we best go take a peek in the mirror.

We are no better.

Release Guantanamo Prisoners NOW

Today, in solidarity with people across the world, I am asking for the closure of the prison at Guantanamo. Going on seven years without being charged with a crime, seven years with no legal representation, seven years of torture, is a national disgrace.

We should all be ashamed. Horrified. There is no justification. None. It makes us less safe and grows anti-American sentiment.

The following video is an interview with a British citizen held over a year without being charged. If he were not a British citizen, he would still be there.



Please go to the ACLU site and sign the petition.