Tribute to Silas...

This is Silas (and Bear Bear). Silas belongs to my friends Kristi. I have often thought that Silas was a sort of phenomenon...no other cat could be so big, so manipulative, so terrifying. I have often pondered whether Silas is the feline equivalent of Damien (yes, Omen reference). I thought Silas was one of a kind...until I read a recent CNN.com story about a cat named Lewis. In many ways, Lewis seems to be Silas' twin. The evil tendencies described in the article could have easily been describing Silas! To Silas' credit, he has never attacked the Avon Lady. But...Silas is in an indoor cat and he HAS attacked our friend Lisa's daughter (not to mention nearly every other person he has come into contact with)!

That being said, on behalf of Kristi and Silas, let me also say that Kristi loves him dearly and claims that he is a different kitty around her. He gives her kisses, lets her carry him around and generally loves her (when he's not scratching and scarring her face while she sleeps:). On a serious note, please say a little prayer for Kristi and Silas. He recently swallowed a large string that has not passed and could cause serious problems to a kitty's digestive system. Here's to Silas! You may terrify everyone you meet, but you do mean a lot to Krisit and we love you and hope you pass the string soon!

The Boys

I've just realized that my posts are lacking the "Beagles." So, here is a recent picture of my boys--Ruben (in front) and Kobe (in back). They rule our house...and our hearts. Ruben is 3 now and Kobe is 2. We got Ruben when he was just 5 weeks old and adopted Kobe from a Beagle rescue over a year later.

Both are named after famous black men. Ruben comes from Ruben Studdard--we were fierce Idol fans at the time. Kobe takes his name from Kobe Bryant. The foster family named him after the famed basketball player because he (not fixed at the time) kept forcing himself on their female beagles (and obviously Kobe Bryant's trial was going strong at the time). Despite some hiccups from time to time, I do think that we've been blessed with the best pets in the world! An example...two times in the last year things have happened in my life to bring me to an uncontrollable sobbing state. Both times, Ruben made a b-line to jump on my lap and lick the tears off of my face until I stopped crying (or at least eased up a bit). He then proceeded to stay planted on my lap until he was sure that he was okay.

Invitation for Law Enforcement to Break the Rules

Our criminal justice system is set up, in part, to deter crime. Similarly, laws and policies are in place to deter police misconduct and to ensure that our citizens enjoy the protections of the 4th Amendment as established by our forefathers. Today our High Court succeeded in chipping away these protections and essentially inviting our law enforcement to break the rules. In other words, the "knock and announce" rule founded in the 4th Amendment is still exists and police should not violate it, but if you do, no harm no foul for the defendant! I would love for our courts to hold that "you really shouldn't drive while impaired, but if you do, no penalties!"

I could obviously write a treatise on this subject, but all I will say is RIP 4th Amendment!

In Support of the Chicks...

I was never more proud to be a country music fan as when Natalie Manes made her infamous announcement to a London audience about Mr. Bush. Go Natalie! Of course, the response of country music fans reinforced the stereotype of this fan base—redneck, narrow-minded, and uber-conservative.

I haven't bought a CD in years, but plan on making a trip this week to buy the Dixie Chick's new one. I hate that they are being persecuted for exercising one of the greatest rights of our great nation--the Freedom of Speech. The problem is that their fans equated being critical of the President to NOT supporting the troops, which any rational being would recognize is pure B.S. Am I proud of our President? NO. Do I support our troops? Absolutely--that is the most ridiculous question!

The ability to question the authority in our country...also known as Checks and Balances is what what truly makes our nation the greatest on Earth. I applaud the Dixie Chicks for standing by their beliefs, for questioning authority, and for not allowing themselves to be defeated by the masses!

Getting a Late Start

I apologize to those of you who keep checking to see if and when I'll finally actually write something. Well, it seems that today is the day! It's also a sad day. You'll notice that the Blog Title has been changed...we are no longer expecting a baby. That is not completely true...we still are expecting to have a baby, but turns out that our first baby just wasn't meant to be born. Gee, I sound so calm and at peace with it. Well, let me tell you--I am NOT!

Time to change the subject...
CNN.com reported today that Senator Feingold stormed out of a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing after a shouting match with Senator Specter. The feud was sparked by the order of the day, which happened to be the committee voting to take a Constitutional Amendment banning gay marriage to the Senate Floor for debate. The measure passed 10-8 (I haven't checked the partisan support behind the vote yet). Apparently Senators, including Specter, who do not support the Amendment nevertheless voted to take it to the full body for debate. Specter claims that it is an important issue which merits a Senate debate. We all know that statement is a bunch of crap. This is the 2004 election all over again! Republicans are bringing this issue to the forefront to help bring out voters for the upcoming mid-term election. This same strategy (call Karl Rove what you will, but this strategy was brilliant) brought conservatives out of the woodwork to vote two years ago and kept Mr. Bush in the White House. (If you don't know me...he will always be Mr. Bush to me:)

I am just so frustrated by this and other neverending political tactics that bog down our government and do NOTHING to help our country. I am no longer a naive college student who is so excited and humbled by our political system. Ten years ago my dream was to be a part of this system...in fact, to one day be elected to the Senate. Needless to say, reality has set in a bit over the past ten years. Since law school and our move to Tennessee, I find myself outside the political world, looking in...and I don't like what I see. I still vote. I still encourage others to vote and always will. I still stand up for what I believe in and try to educate others on what I consider to be political issues. But, I am too often disgusted by what is happening in Washington and no longer harbor any dreams of one day serving my country in that capacity. I do not think it is possible to truly serve a constituency...to do so would mean only being elected to one term. Let me say that I am not only upset with Republican politicians, but just as many Democrats. How many Democrats in Congress voted to renew the Patriot Act? Very few even put up a fight, even after they had ample time to reflect and realize the dangers this legislation poses to our country.

No, I may never get to serve my country in the Legislature, but I will continue to serve and honor the Constitution everyday. I will continue to be a voice for those accused of crimes and ensure that their civil rights and liberties are protected at every stage and for this opportunity, I am truly grateful. I may not have my dream, but I feel as if the work I'm doing now is just as important, if not more so, than what is being done (or not being done) in Washington.