I'm thinking the Pope is smarter than we think.

Well it's been a couple of weeks. Pope Benedict quoted an ancient text about Islam being focused on a mission of violence. So some of their fanatical members responded by saying, "we're not violent!" and then burning down a few churchs and killing a Nun.

Coffee club comments mostly focus on what a dumb thing it was to say. Or how ignorant he must be to have offended all those people. But think about this. I can only assume that an organization as big as the hierarchy of the Catholic Church must have dozens if not hundreds of folks on board who's only just is to be "aware!" To feel the pulse, the heartbeat of different societies. Couple that with historians who can quote you line and verse of the development, rise and fall of societies and civilizations for thousands of years. I can't believe that anything his holiness says hasn't been gone over with a fine tooth comb for potential faux pas potential. That each phrase is considered as to what effect it will have on the different groups that make up both the Catholic church, the catholic church (not a missquote or a misstype...look up the word catholic!), or the rest of the political, religious, and sociatial groups.

I think time is going to tell us that his words were carefully chosen and that it may have a much better outcome of finding a solution to some sort of peace than any butt kissing politically correct, count the votes drizzle that comes forth from the mouths of other political and religious leaders. I'm not Catholic, but I think PB is on to something. I think his plan is to meet them face to face. To challenge the 1.1 billion peaceful ones to get out their and shut down the fanatics. In this I support him, and pray for his success every day!

Is this the last great Saturday of the Summer?

WOW, it's bound to happen. We're actually a few days behind. But try as we might, no amount of positive thinking is going to change the fact that any day now, any moment, it'll be time to put on the long underware for another season. It's been a great summer, mostly supported by the almost lack of mosquitos. I remember years where they took over as early as June 12, and made the rest of the season worthless. Yet this year we could be out most every evening and hardly see a one.

2006 the year of the NON mosquito. It needs to go down in the history books.

I hope that you got out for one more ride, for one more walk, or just for one more sit on the porch. I don't mind the change in seasons, but I'd like to hold onto this summer for just a little longer.

Clinton get's the first "A" from me!

Did you see Bill Clinton being interviewed on Larry King Live on CNN last night? I think it was his most shining moment! For a transcipt visit here: http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0609/20/lkl.01.html IF only all the political parties in the USA and perhaps the World could sit down and talk like this! And just to let you know, I'm not particularly a BC fan, however I'm getting a lot closer!