Year: 2004

Bush, in his speech last night, said something I firmly agree with. He said the war in Iraq represents a struggle between two visions, “one of tyranny and murder, the other of liberty and life.”

The true tragedy of the Bush Administration is that he doesn’t realize the rest of the world is increasingly uncertain which one we are. We are an occupying force, mistreating its captives, claiming that we’re restoring control of the nation’s fate to itself while making clear that 130,000 troops are staying right where they are, with more to come if we decide it’s needed.

What’s frightening is that more than 40% of Americans still don’t grasp that.

By the way, check out this link. It’s eerily hypnotic. I think it’d make a great screensaver.

PAD

All right, you can listen to an excerpt of the Spider-Man 2 audiobook here.

…did we mention that the Spider-Man 2 novelization comes out tomorrow? And that you can pre-order it? Okay, then. Soft sell over, true believers.

A thirty two year old circus performer plunged to her death at Ringling Bros. over the weekend. At the moment, no criminal prosecution is being looked at, and it’s seen as a tragic accident (although why the hëll there was no net under her remains totally bewildering. Then again, even when used, nets can be missed or you can land wrong, break your neck, and adios.)

She has (had) two young children who are being trained to join the act.

Sooner or later, somehow, somewhere in this country, luck is going to run out and a child circus performer is going to be killed.

At which point no one will say there’s no investigation of criminal prosecution. No one is going to say, oh, it’s a tragic accident in a high risk profession.

Instead there’s going to be a thundering of outcries over child endangerment. Investigations will be launched. Social services will be brought in. Children will be taken from their parents. And anyone under the age of eighteen will be banned from any act more hazardous than juggling. All the safety harnesses in the world don’t matter because, sooner or later, something’s gonna break.

So circus families might as well take the initiative now and stop using kids in anything remotely high risk…before the odds, and the law, catches up with them.

PAD

Richard Biggs, one of the sweetest guys in the world, who played Dr. Stephen Franklin on B5, just died.

Apparently Rick woke up, rolled out of bed…and collapsed. Aneurysm, massive stroke, there’s no final word yet.

I’m horrified to learn this. I was supposed to see Rick at the Motor City Con but he wasn’t able to make it, so I didn’t, and now I won’t get to again. My condolences to all his family.

And folks, remember, seriously…majority of heart attacks occur first thing in the morning. So when you wake up, do so slowly. Move your feet and arms slowly, get the blood circulating. Don’t make your heart go from 0 to 60 in a few seconds.

Ðámņ. ÐÃMN.

PAD

A news item in today’s paper said that London residents are being stricken with a mysterious illness that’s rendering them mute.

Fortunately enough, both Tony Head and Allyson Hannigan are in London at the present time. I’m sure that if Sarah Michelle Geller can be talked into heading out there, the three of them should be able to attend to it in no time.

PAD

The penultimate issue in the “Odyssey” storyline. Out this week. Whad’ja think? (Not that it, y’know, matters much in the long run…)

PAD