Surviving The Storm

Yes, it has been a long time since I posted, and partly because I was too busy to do more than check email occasionally.

But more than that, because we were caught right in the heart of The Big Storm on December 14, which left us without power for a week, and internet access for two weeks.

Here in the Pacific Northwest, the occasional high winds, and steady rains, are expected. But we generally avoid winds higher than 50 mph. However, on the 14th, a lot of things converged, as the meteorologists say, and caused some of the most dramatic weather we have had in recent memory.

It really started back in November with flooding that closed school for two days. We were lucky -- no flooding where we live, up a large hill, and no power outages.

But then on the 13th we had the second incidence of high winds in five days, with predictions of higher winds and heavy rains for Thursday, the 14th. One of my offspring was performing in "Nutcracker" in Seattle. #1 had a performance that night, and we had tickets to watch the amazing Patricia Barker dance Clara in one of the three final performances before she retires at the end of the season. Partnered with the incredible Stanko Milov, it was a must-see. And having a child in the production on the same evening was irresistible.

So we set off at 3:30pm so our member of the infantry would be there by 6:30. Oh, I think I forgot to mention: There was a Seattle Seahawks game that evening, as well. And any time there is a Seahawks game downtown Seattle on a weeknight, traffic is horrific. We stopped at McDonalds' for an early dinner, I had packed a cooler with sandwiches and other food for what we anticipated might be a long drive home, and in the trunk was an overnight bag just in case we didn't make it home.

So we headed off downtown, ready to sit in heavy traffic for much of the trip. And heavy the traffic was, compounded by some flooding on the road. But we eventually made it, and early, even. Our cast member safely delivered to the Stage Door, we headed up to McCaw Hall to wait for the performance to start (and late, at that, to allow all the people caught in traffic to make it in), and watch the wind and rain blow outside.

The performance, of course, was wonderful. At the end, as the houselights came up, the announcer thanked everyone for coming and announced that Mercer Street was closed. We found out later that it was underwater in places. We pulled out the snack "lunch" I had packed, and the kids munched while we inched our way out of the parking garage.

The DOT had already announced that the 520 bridge between Seattle and "the Eastside" would be closed by 11:00pm because of the predicted high winds. When we came out of the parking garage, we realized that the heavy traffic would mean that the bridge, if not already closed, would close either before we were on it or while we were on it. Not wanting to deal with that possibility, we used the Tom Tom to give us a route to the I-90 bridge, the other way across, although not as direct home for us. And thank goodness for the Tom Tom. It took us through a deserted downtown to an entrance to I-5 (which connects with 90) that was barely being used, and we were quickly on the bridge across Lake Washington.

And what a tense drive it was. Although the bridge remained stable in spite of being a floating bridge, our windshield was regularly slapped by waves that washed up over the side of the bridge. But we made it across, and headed for home.

When we arrived home, the power was out, and many branches were already on the ground. The wind was howling and roaring, and you could hear trees cracking, although none of ours. We dressed for bed by flashlight, and tucked #1 and #2 in bed. Fortunately, they slept. We didn't, too concerned that a tree would fall on the house. By about 5am, the winds had begun to die down, so we did doze.

The next morning, our yard looked like there had never been a storm at all. But all around us, it looked kind of like a war zone. We knew not even to ask when power would be restored. Dh went out to get gas for the small, efficient generator, and cancelled every other errand becuase it was too dangerous. Just to get to the main highway, he had to drive under three huge trees suspended from power lines.

We were lucky. We had a generator that provided television and power to keep batteries charged. We have gas hot water and a gas range, so I was able to cook, and we had hot water. But even with all that, we were still unhappy -- we had no internet access to compensate for last-minute Christmas shopping, and it started to get cold in the house, even with the fireplace burning.

Early Saturday morning, I heard my husband get up and start the fire in the fireplace. I must have dozed off, because what seemed only a few minutes later, but was more like 45 minutes, he crawled shivering back into bed and announced, "I don't think the fire makes enough difference. I took a cable from my workbench in the garage and something something something to run the furnace." At that moment I realized -- the furnace was running. What a clever man I married! So from that day we had heat.

Later that day I threw out almost everything in the refrigerator, and had a cooler on the back porch for a small amount of fresh food. I confess I grew weary of cooking on the stovetop, but we ate pretty well. Everyone was happy with grilled cheese sandwiches, so we had a lot of them.

On Sunday our member of the infantry had a 5:30 pm performance. We all piled into the car and headed into Seattle, where there was light and heat. We went to the local coffee shop and dh used the wireless available, although it was pretty sporadic. #2 and I finally went back to the Stage Door at McCaw Hall, to the waiting room where we could watch the performance on a monitor with the sound from the auditorium piped in. When #1 came up at intermission, ready to leave, we went to a Seattle Red Robin with an amazingly treacherous parking lot, and had a hot meal. I am not a big fan of Red Robin, but I have a new favorite -- the California Chicken Burger without bacon and pickle. It was right on Elliot Bay, and a cozy place. When we got home, of course, the house was dark, but it was warm. Even without power on for those few hours, the house stayed warm enough.

However, Brinks seemed surprised that we were still without power, and had tried several times to call us because of a low battery alert. Dh patiently 'slpained that we had no idea when we would have power restored, so to wait at least until Friday before the called about low battery again.

By Thursday I was ready to beg dh to take us to a hotel for the duration (at least he and #1 got out of the house for "Nutcracker" performances), when late in the morning the septic alarm started buzzing. Looking up I cried, "We have power!"

It was amazing how quickly I forgot the struggle of living in a house made for power without power. I went to the grocery store for a few lunch items, then went back in the late afternoon to stock up and replenish the frozen and fresh foods. Ironically, the heat was off -- dh was at work, and I turned off the generator when it came back on. Eventually the furnace was returned to the house circuit, and it was like we never lost power.

Except for internet access. Which didn't get restored until the following week. Given that I do so much of my family communication through email, it was frustrating, to say the least. Plus dh had a difficult time working from home, since he used his Blackberry for access. He was very happy when he could finally once again play Battlefield II online interactive.

We put the Christmas tree lights on the tree on the 22nd, the ornaments on the 23rd, and hung the stockings on the 24th. Santa came as scheduled, and all was well.

Woo hoo!!!!

Go Democrats!

Today, as I have enjoyed the Democrat's victory in the House, and now, it appears, the Senate as well, I have felt more than anything a huge sense of relief. Relief that the balance of powers is back in place, where it was meant to be.

So now, we can all relax, knowing that the checks and balances are back at work.

Of course, I am thrilled that there are Democrats making laws for the next two years. But enough of the amnity and anger. This is the greatest nation in the world -- we need to stop squabbling like children, and start acting like it again.

On Being a "Nutcracker" parent

This year my 10-year-old auditioned for and was cast in the Pacific Northwest Ballet's annual holiday event, "The Nutcracker." Only students at the ballet's school are eligible to audition, and not everyone is chosen.

So it was with great pride, excitement, and trepidation, that we launched ourselves into being a Nutcracker family, something hundreds of families have done over the years.

As a Nutcracker parent, I need to make sure my dancer is at rehearsals on time, as well as performances. Plus I need to make sure the shoes are purchased and labeled, snacks are packed, homework is finished in spite of rehearsals, and we all still enjoy Christmas.

The production depends heavily on parent volunteers, and acknowledges that -- parents who volunteer for performances need to apply makeup, help with costumes, and other things, in addition to the obvious kid minding. I guess I should be grateful that I don't have to worry about learning how to make girl's curls for the party scene, although I have a sneaking suspicion everyone is supposed to learn how to do hair curls to help out.

I feel a little odd about all of this. How I would have been thrilled and panicked if I had been cast in the professional production of anything when I was 10, and so I can't help be a bit envious. But not too much -- I'm not a dancer!

I thought just today that it is so exciting to see the start of something exciting for life, to be set to experience a whole new world as a temporary member of a professional company. And to dance each performance on a fine stage, in front of a paying audience, with a live orchestra -- what could be better?

I can tell you -- being the parent watching the child's stage thrills can be better.

The Trouble With Loyalty

Rajiv Chandrasekaran, in a piece in The Washington Post that he adapted from his book, "Imperial Life in the Emerald City," (Knopf 2006) explores how the missteps and huge errors made in Iraq have largely been due to the selection of personnel based on loyalty to President Bush vs. experience and qualifications.

"...To recruit the people he wanted, [Jim] O'Beirne ['a political appointee who screens prospective political appointees for Defense Department posts'] sought résumés from the offices of Republican congressmen, conservative think tanks and GOP activists. He discarded applications from those his staff deemed ideologically suspect, even if the applicants possessed Arabic language skills or postwar rebuilding experience..."

It has been apparent, almost from the beginning of Bush's presidency, that he values loyalty above all else. Condoleeza Rice, his former national security advisor is a prime example. Although arguably qualified for the position, she reached it after Colin Powell, one of the finest military minds and men to serve our country, left the administration after being marginalized because he was first loyal to the United States, not to G. W. Bush.

And there is the problem with loyalty. President Bush needs and wants people to be, first and foremost, loyal to him. But where does that leave the United States? Effectively without a leader. Why? Because the president needs to be loyal to America, and remember that he is elected by and for the people.

I like to joke that he's not an American, he's a Texan. But seriously, he seems to not understand what it means to be in public service, and has surrounded himself with people who are there to serve the man, not the presidency.

Bill Clinton understands it. Al Gore and John Kerry understand it. Ronald Reagan even understood it. John McCain, Bob Dole, Ted Kennedy, Harry Reid, and Arlen Specter get it. Abraham Lincoln, John Adams, George Washington, FDR, Theodore Roosevelt, John Quincy Adams, and John Kennedy understood.

The first loyalty of the public servants must be to the nation, not to the person in office. The presidency must be treated with respect and humility by the officeholder first, who in turn demands respect for the office in all who serve it.

No wonder the Katrina aftermath and the Iraq war is such a debacle. No wonder, five years after 9/11, Osama bin Laden is still at large. We are being led by a man who has placed his personal agenda way above national sovereigncy.

Perhaps the election this November will replace the president's enablers in Congress with people who are determined to return this nation to greatness by returning its people to greatness.

Perhaps our president simply needs to be reminded that he is a citizen, elected to serve the citizens.

Child molestation has nothing to do with sex

So, yet another teacher who molested a student is in the news. And since it is a woman teacher, and the boy is a teenager, it is suddenly seduction.

Sexual contact with someone under the age of 16, or even 18 in some states, is rape. Why? Because, over and over, it has been proven that human beings do not reliably make good choices while they are still growing up.

So, I look at these instances, and questions immediately leap into my mind:

• Don't they teach ethics to teachers in college any more? Since when does someone obtain a teaching degree without having drilled into their heads that it is their responsibility to set and maintain limits?
• How did these women get married in the first place?
• If this were a man seducing a student, would anyone even be having this conversation?

There is no romance in this. There is no "seduction." There is no reasonable choice. It is irresponsible, it is criminal, and rapists belong behind bars.

Vikings Beat Washington!

It's the first Monday night game of the season, and the opener of a double header (new, like it's new to ESPN) was Minnesota vs. Washington. In an excellent victory, the Vikings managed to defeat the Redskins at home in the opener.

I confess that, although I am in the Pacific Northwest and I always enjoy watching the Seahawks, my heart is with the Vikings.

And, tonight, watching the Vikings win their first road game, it warmed my heart and made me proud to stayed a Vikings fan all these years. What their final record will be at the end of the season remains to be seen. But with Brad Johnson at quarterback (again...), this team of players who never stopped playing hard and well will end the season performing their best.

Skol, Vikings, let's go!

Rosie's Back

Rosie O'Donnell is coming to "The View." And am I glad.

I rarely watch "The View," especially once the funny and smart Meredith Viera left to become the new cohost on "The Today Show."

But I'll be watching now. Why? Because Rosie O'Donnell will be a cohost. Rosie has a knack for being genuine, warm, funny and honest when she is on television. But more than that, she doesn't create an on-air persona that is drastically different from who she is.

I like to hold up Rosie as a role model to my daughters. She is a successful woman who is, first and foremost, true to herself. When she has a problem, or makes a mistake, she accepts responsibility and works to fix it. She uses her fame to help children, and without a lot of fanfare, through the For All Kids Foundation.

She shops at Target, for goodness' sake.

She works hard to be a good parent, a loyal friend, and one of those comedians who can be contemporary, biting, and raunchy, but can also be very funny without the raunchiness.

For four years she had me watching daytime television -- I never missed the Rosie O'Donnell Show from the first to the last episode. After she ended her show, I stopped watching daytime talk shows. I don't even watch Ellen Degeneres, whose show is always delightful, and who I think is the funniest woman on the planet. But she's still not Rosie. (Hey, maybe now that the kids are in school, I'll have time to watch Ellen...)

So, welcome back to television, Ro, we've missed you. Maybe you can teach Elizabeth Hasellbeck that all parents are pretty much the same, regardless of political and religious differences, and lifestyles. And maybe you can balance Joy Behar's acerbic wit with your own brand of humor. And maybe you can make Barbara relax again.

And remind everyone that nice people can be funny, smart, outspoken and passionate.

Summer is almost over

Summer is waning. The nights here in the Pacific Northwest are cooling down, and the leaves are starting to turn color.

It's an odd thing about fall here. In the Midwest, the leaves turn color and fall in a short period of time, usually three to four weeks. But one good stiff breeze over a day or two can knock pretty much all the leaves off the trees in one fell swoop.

But here, although the color starts to appear, the cycle of color and, well, falling, can last for three months. Fall lingers, gently guiding us to the cold bleakness of winter with a warm quilt of color to warm our memories.

I have always loved the autumn, because it means the start of school. One of the things that makes me happy about having children is that it gives me a place in the order of the year for me to celebrate new beginnings in the fall, instead of in the spring, when nature celebrates the beginning.

I love the cool, crispness of a fall morning. I even like the soft rain that falls here in the fall, so different than the driving, chilling rains in the Midwest. Those do come in late November, but by then we are focused on Christmas and winter, so I can complain about the winter rains, pretending it's still not autumn.

I love the odors of fall -- the smell of a school, newly sharpened pencils, pungent burning leaves and the spicier smell of wood smoke from chimneys. I love the sounds and smells of football on a Saturday afternoon or a Friday night. The smell of leather jackets and wool. All these feel like new beginnings.

When I was in school, I saw the start of school as a time of new beginnings, to make new friends, to reinvent myself, to enjoy a kind of rebirth.

Maybe as a Christian, I feel that tug of new beginnings. Martin Luther chose a day in late fall to deliver a death sentence and new life to the church when he posted his 95 Theses on the day before All Saints Day. And as the year reaches an end, we anticipate the birth of the Savior, instead of the death of the year.

Whatever the reason, I think of fall as a beginning, not as an ending. So here is to new beginnings, whatever they may be.

Treasure Hunters

Treasure Hunters, the summer reality series, had its season finale tonight. And, like a lot of reality show season finales, it was a bit anticlimactic.

Unlike other reality shows, where the people become the stars, from start to finish it was the hunt that was the star. Of course we cared about the teams, but we didn't keep watching to see the players -- we watched to see if we could outsmart them and figure out, first, the location of the next clue.

Our household started out pulling for Team Miss USA. Although they were a bit girly at times (they kept harping on the fact that they were weaker than the men because they were women), they were persistent, skilled in teamwork, and, like pageant queens, great at thinking on their feet.

After they were eliminated, our focus turned to Team Air Force. Especially with Brooke on their team, they were the team to beat from the beginning. A great example of teamwork, they were referred to as robots as their methodical, unflustered approach week after week placed them first or second.

But, in the end, it was the geeky, comparatively physically challenged Geniuses who found the $3million treasure. Because from start to finish, the star was the hunt. And the hunt was about the clues. And, in spite of the physical challenges, the clues were for the thinking man or woman.

And that's what made it so much fun to watch. Because if you know American History, you could quickly solve the riddles. Solving the riddles was the fun part.

So after the Geniuses were revealed as the winners tonight, we didn't really care about listening to the teams hash over their experience. In fact, we didn't really even care what the amount of the pot was. We just wanted to see them face one last challenge. Thankfully, ten viewers ran a mini-treasure hunt through DC, which made watching worthwhile.

I don't really care that much about the teams (although it was pretty sweet when Frances remarked, "Now my grandparents can retire," even without knowing the size of the kitty), but I'd watch another season in a heartbeat. But the question is: will Genworth Financial want to put up another treasure?

"An Inconvenient Truth"

Last night we went to see "An Inconvenient Truth." In case it doesn't sound familiar, it is a documentary film about Al Gore and his slide presentation on Global Warming. (Yes, the caps are intentional.)

Although I have been aware of global warming for years, it was still devastating to see the reality of what our modern society is doing to the world around us. To see the dramatically rapid decline of the polar ice caps and glaciers is sobering and moving.

Gore maintains that this is not a political issue, but a moral one. And I agree with him. Raised in a Christian household, attending a church where we sang, among other hymns, "This Is My Father's World," I was raised with a strong sense of responsibility toward the land. I was taught that the world, since Adam and Eve, has been man's to care for and keep safe.

Of course it probably helped that my parents came from families filled with farmers, and a respect for the land was necessary for survival, but I learned the lesson well without living on a farm myself.

We must take action NOW to reverse the effects of global warming. Unfortunately, we have a government to mired in special interest influence that they will never, or, at least, not soon enough, require responsiblity for this crisis. After all, the industries who would be most affected financially by the requirement to change are a big part of those special interests.

Stephen Colbert likes to say, "I don't let the facts get in the way of the truth." And, right now, that seems to be the attitude our government has taken. Unfortunately, reality isn't a comedy show.

What disappoints, and sometimes, angers me, is that this same administration so firmly in the pocket of the industries who oppose changing their ways, ride under the mantle of "Christianity." However, their brand of Christianity is not mine. President Bush, who so vigorously champions any form of human life, refused for a long time to believe global warming existed. He refuses to sign the Kyoto Treaty. He allows rape and pillage of our natural resources and decimation of our land and ecosystem. Obviously he does not see himself as a steward of the earth, but of the material wealth of the wealthy.

As Al Gore points out in his slide show presentation: What good is the wealth if there is no planet?

Watching Discovery Land

Today the Space Shuttle Discovery landed safely at Kennedy Space Center.

What a thrill it was to see the shuttle launched on the 4th of July. But it was more exciting seeing the shuttle land safely today.

After Columbia exploded on her return two years ago, the future of the space program has been in doubt. Not by me, or by the people I know who know that the future is space. But by a lot of people who wonder why we are in space at all.

So, welcome home, Discovery! We are happy to see you here, and eager to see you return soon to space.

Is World War III starting?

North Korea is developing nuclear missiles and refuses to stop. Israel is (seemingly gleefully) attacking Gaza with abandon, and ignoring the United Nations. Iraq is a mess, Iran is a bigger threat, and there doesn't seem to be a world leader who can handle this.

Well, there used to be. Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton; even George Bush Sr., would be able to sit and talk diplomatically. Our president makes friends easily, but he's not a world leader in that sense.

Not that I can blame much of this on Bush, either. While it is possible that he started some of it by invading Iraq, it seems more likely that it's all coincidental.

I hate that my children have to experience this. I hate that I have to experience it. I hate that the "Greatest Generation," just like the generation that fought "The War To End All Wars" has to see another world conflict escalate out of control.

Am I scared? You bet. Do I have an idea of how to solve it? For once, no. I can only hope that the various countries involved will find ways of their own to de-escalate before it becomes a free for all.

And if it does? I shudder to think. Annhialiation? It can't be ruled out.

Being a liberal and a patriot

It seems these days that being a critical of the government means being un-American. It reminds me a lot of the 1960s during the Vietnam War, when opposing the war implied hating the United States.

Why is disliking a war unpatriotic? Since when is the president infallible? Or the Congress? Are we really so weak that our government will collapse under the critical scrutiny of the people?

I consider myself a progressive and a liberal. Although liberal-progressive has taken on the meaning of very left, that's not necessarily the case. Theodore Roosevelt was a progressive and a conservative. Although I suppose nowadays he would be considered a moderate and disliked in his own party for being a progressive. But I have opinions that range on the political spectrum, although they all fall left of the current president's.

But first and foremost, I am a patriot. I cry when I sing or hear patriotic songs, and can proudly sing more than one verse of both "America The Beautiful" and "The Star Spangled Banner." I enthusiastically cheer when the United States wins medals in the Olympics. I put my hand over my heart for the national anthem, and can recite the Pledge of Allegiance, the Gettysburg Address, and the Preamble to the Constitution. I vote in every election. I cry when I hear "I Am An American" recited at Purdue University football games. I even know most of the U.S. Flag Code. I have seen violations of the code by people who would call me anti-American.

To be a patriot means to love and be loyal to one's country. I burn when I am, directly or indirectly, accused of being disloyal. Yes, I am a liberal. And I am a liberal because I love America. I believe that we should take care of our own. We should preserve our land, glorious and beautiful. We should keep the air clear, the water pure, the wildlife safe.

We have a moral and ethical duty to our country and our world to lead the way in preservation of our wonderful freedom and land. And we have the moral and ethical duty to keep a discerning eye focused on the government of the people. Because it is by and for us.

I believe that the original Patriots, who had the courage to found a new nation, had this in mind. God bless the United States, the Glorious Experiment, on its 230th birthday.

A week in Hawaii, and I forgot how to blog

Spring break, April. We spent a week on Maui at the Fairmont Kea Lani Resort in a two-bedroom villa (with its own plunge pool on the private patio), just vacated by David Hasselhoff. We could still smell his cigar smoke. We figured, his kids were probably on spring break, too. We enjoyed the plunge pool, enjoyed the beach, enjoyed the pool, and enjoyed the company of friends.

But the problem with being on Maui is, it made me relax and forget how to do a lot of things. Alas, blogging went by the wayside.

And what a time to stop blogging! One quick note about the Republicans last week, but for the rest of April and May, I let the pundits and the comedians do the commentary.

However, today I have to try to jump in again. Tom DeLay has left office, prompting a lawsuit mania as the Democrats try to prevent him from one last evasion. The #2 Al-Queda guy in Iraq is dead, which has to strike a mighty blow to the terrorists. Tim Eyman failed to get enough signatures for his initiative to neutralize the gay rights bill that took affect this week in the state of Washington. The World Cup has started, but that really just means a little more variety in the sports coverage at night. Even the spousal unit, an expatriat Ozzie, doesn't pull for Australia in it. The Republicans, who are starting to remind me a bit of Nero fiddling while Rome was burning, wanted to waste time in the Senate debating Constitutional rights banning gay marriage (defeated quickly), flag burning (not that anyone does that any more in this country!) and the ever popular "death tax."

And we went to Disneyland to celebrate an offspring's 10th birthday, and experience the magic of the 50th Anniversary. I will try to find time to blog that trip, but for now let me say, it was fabulous.

Now school is almost out for us, the next two weeks packed with activities, and I've forgotten what it's like to get a good night's sleep....

And the walls came tumblin' down...

The Bush administration is scrambling. With a plunging approval rating, and attacks within his own party, the president is in trouble.

Part of me, as an anti-Bushie, wants to rejoice. But the other part, the patriot and American, is sad. Sad, because I believe that, as the elected leader, the president should have the support of the citizens whenever possible. And sad, because this president has done nothing to improve the well-being of the nation, but done many things to destroy it.

With a tax cut that primarily benefits the wealthy, a war that WE started, for the first time in the history of the nation, an inability to defeat the true enemy, terrorism, a hiring pattern of rewarding loyalty instead of competence, and a single-minded determination to destroy the environment, there is little or nothing about this president that I don't find embarrassing.

About the only thing I find I like about this president is that his kids act like normal kids.

I am sure he is a congenial, nice person to meet. But so is my postal carrier, but I don't think that alone qualifies him to be president.

I am so afraid for this nation right now. Afraid that the current people in power, in all branches of the government, will so abandon the good of the country as to become irreparable. Afraid that the people will continue to ignore what's happening, and not stand up and demand that the elected officials whose salaries we pay be held accountable for abandoning the good of the country.

I can't believe Tom DeLay is gone...

And it's only taken, like, two years!

I thought it would never happen. I figured that DeLay was so powerful he'd find some way to weasel out of the charges being lobbed at him (way to mix the metaphors, eh?) and run for president. But, lo and behold, he actually figured out, for himself, that running for re-election might be a bad thing.

In a way, it's too bad for the Democrats. With DeLay running, they stood a chance of swaying enough voters to get a predominantly Republican (oh, wait -- all the Texas districts are predominantly Republican, thanks to Tom DeLay and his federal help to the Texas Republicans...but wasn't that against federal law? Guess not, nothing ever came of it...) district to elect a Democrat. Now the Republican party will find a new candidate.

All this is good for 22nd district -- they, like all Americans, deserve to choose between two ethical candidates, and not be represented by someone who abuses his power.

Which brings me to another point. I never will understand why the Republicans didn't go running, screaming, away from DeLay. This is a party that embraces conservative values. One of those values, I have always thought, was a strict adherence to the law. Tom DeLay, as majority leader, was censured twice for unethical behavior. When he campaigned for my current representative, I spoke out about it.

Still, I thought that, even with the apparent atmosphere of corruption in his office, as evidenced by recent revelations by former staff members, that he would find some way of letting it wash around him without touching him.

The United States Congress, indeed the whole government, should act with dignity and in accordance with the law. Certainly that is no less than is expected of the average citizen. I am glad the Tom DeLay has chosen not to run again for office. Whatever the outcome of the indictments facing him, the Congress is better off without him.

I try not to speak harshly about people, only their points of view. But nothing makes me madder than a Christian who spouts "Christian ethics" and turns out to be breaking the very rules he is elected to uphold.

March Madness

It's March, and time once again for the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament. And it's not March Madness without my two cents.

I don't have a winner picked this year, since my perennial favorite, Purdue, isn't in it. But it's good to see that, once again, we are reminded of just why single-elimination tournaments are so much fun to watch: anything can happen.

Already there have been "upsets;" that is, teams have been losing that weren't predicted to lose. Since those predictions are generally subjective, there is a certain satisfaction in seeing them proved wrong.

Basketball really is a game that can be won by a team that is not loaded with talent, but heart. And by a small school that doesn't have deep pockets for extracurricular sports.

Why Al Franken shouldn't run for senator in Minesota

Maybe I have a wish to be back in Minnesota lately, I don't know; but lately I seem to be spending a lot of time writing about Minnesota people.

Al Franken, Saturday Night Live alum, comedian, author, host of the Al Franken Show on Air America Radio, is considering running for senator from the state of Minnesota. He has been considering the move since his friend, the great Senator Paul Wellstone, was tragically killed in a plane accident days before the general election in which he was running for re-election.

Al Franken is a good Minnesota boy who, as part of Franken and Davis comedy team, moved to LA and eventually to New York, where he lived until recently when he moved back to Minnesota. In the meantime, he gained status as a member of the Jewish Ivy League east coast liberal elite. Even though Minnesota progressive liberal trumps it any day.

I love Al Franken, and all he does. And I think he would be an effective senator. However, I think that running for Senate would be a mistake. Why? Because it would limit his voice and influence. Right now, I truly believe that he has more influence as an intelligent, articulate radio talk show host than he would be in the US Senate.

Of course I wholeheartedly agree that Norm Coleman, who handily defeated Walter Mondale after a ten day campaign to replace the dead Wellstone, need to be replaced, and preferrably by a Democrat.

But Al Franken isn't the one who should do it. (And, if he does run, I think he'll win.) We need Al too much to bury him in the politics on the Hill.

Daunte Culpepper

The Minnesota Vikings traded Daunte Culpepper to the Miami Dolphins today for a 2nd round draft choice.

It is another indication about what a big waste of time Culpepper was for the Vikings. No doubt he will be happier at Miami, and possibly even will excel.

Ironically, he will be replaced, at least for the time being, by the backup quarterback, Brad Johnson. Brad Johnson is the guy who should have been starting quarterback instead of Culpepper in the first place, and saved the Vikings last year by winning seven out of nine games.

The Vikings are a mess, no question. I sure was glad I had the Seahawks to fall back on, especially once that stupid drunken orgy boat thing on Minnetonka happened. But, as I remain a Twins fan, so too I remain a Vikings fan, holding out for that Lombardi Trophy from a Super Bowl win.

We'll see. For now, I'm just glad it's baseball season.

Update on that suspended teacher

Remember the teacher who was put on leave for making political statements? In a class where critical discussion is standard, it should be okay for a teacher to express opinions to inspire discussion. Apparently the investigating school officials agreed, and reinstated him.

We should never be so firm in our opinion that we are afraid to teach our children to consider other viewpoints.

Kirby Puckett

Kirby Puckett died yesterday, the day after suffering from a stroke. At 45, he is the second youngest person in baseball to die already a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame.

I grew up loving baseball, and I grew up a Twins fan. By the time I was five, I was a die-hard Harmon Killebrew fan, and I could name the starting lineup. Over the years, the highlight of my year was that trip to see the Minnesota Twins with my grandfather at Metropolitan Stadium. The joys of baseball in that ballpark is an essay to itself.

After I left college and started working in Minneapolis, I went to an occasional game, and watched the Twins faithfully on television. When the Twins went into the Metrodome, I even kept attending games as they had horrible seasons and played like a high school pick up game.

But then, the Twins started forming a talented team -- Kent Hrbek. Gary Gaietti. Dan Gladden. And Kirby Puckett.

I don't clearly remember the first time I saw Kirby Puckett. I do, however, remember the first time I saw him hit a home run. A short, squat, powerful-looking player with a goofy batty stance, he hit it into the stands in what seemed to be an afterthought. His swing seemed to say, "I just hit this enough, but wait until I really hit the ball."

His outfield skills matched his hitting. People quickly figured out that no game was ever over as long as Kirby Puckett was playing.

In 1986 and 1987, there were many evenings when my roommate and I would hop the bus and head downtown to a game. We'd buy $3 upper deck seats, get a hot dog and popcorn, and some coffee or soda, and sit in left field. It was cheaper than a movie, even with the concessions. By late summer of 1987, we were buying our tickets in advance. Baseball fever had hit the Twin Cities, because the Twins were on their way to the World Series.

In late September of 1987, the Twins beat Detroit, in Detroit, to clinch the ALCS title. That evening, the Twins organization announced that there would be a free welcome home pep fest that evening in the Metrodome. Doors would open a couple of hours earlier. Armed with our Homer Hankies, we went down and joined a packed house to welcome back the Twins. We learned later that the Twins had only expected, and planned for, two to three thousand people. But denied the chance to be at the historic pennant clincher, we wanted to celebrate.

The Twins' plane was late returning from Detroit, but no one left, and people kept coming. The excitement was palpable, and did not dissapate, even as the hour grew later and later. I think it is the only time I've seen people enthusiastically do the wave multiple times in a row without faltering. Between the organ and the announcer, we were content to wait.

Two hours after the team was supposed to arrive, they finally reached the Metrodome. When they entered the field, it was to a thunderous roar that did not stop. The players, one by one, were introduced to a surge of the continuous roar. But when Kirby Puckett was introduced, it was clear who was the most beloved Twin.

When he was playing, people would ask, "Besides Kirby Puckett, who is your favorite Twin?" Because he was everyone's favorite.

No one played baseball liked Kirby. As a ballplayer, he was the best, and he seemed to make everyone around him better. He was the catalyst in a remarkable team.

I miss Kirby. I just hope that when he arrived, Bob Casey was on hand to announce, "Kirrrbyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy Puckett!"

A teacher in Colorado has been put on leave after a student in his American history class, tired of his "left-wing rants" recorded 20 minutes of discussion in class about President Bush's State of the Union address and brought it home to his father. An investigation is being made into what was said, and whether or not it violated school policy against teachers expressing their own beliefs.

That this happened in a history or social studies class caught my attention. Certainly teachers should refrain from expressing political opinions in class. In a math class or an English class, it would be inappropriate, deliberately manipulative, and superfluous. And when a history teacher argues with a student, disparaging the student's beliefs, it's inappropriate.

But, perhaps what is happening here is something different. Could the teacher have been attempting to present an objective critical commentary on the State of the Union address? Have we reached a point where we are intolerant of hearing any other opinion than our own? What happened in the forty minutes of classtime not recorded? Did the teacher open the floor to discussion?

My senior year in high school, I took a required course in Government, what some schools call Civics. I lived in town with a mix of conservatives and liberals in a primarily conservative state. Our teacher, Mr. Garland, was a hard-line conservative. He stood up at the beginning of the semester and announced that, in this one class, he would express his opinions to provide balance to our discussions. His rationale? Six of us were the children of active Democrats. His assumption was that we would dominate the class with our opinions, and intimidate anyone else who wanted to speak.

In fact, he was wrong. We were all intelligent kids, who had been raised to believe in fair political discussion. Sure, we had our opinions, but we voiced them respectfully, and listened to other students' points of view. We also listened to Mr. Garland's opinions, and argued with him. He challenged what we believed, and forced us to defend our beliefs beyond mere rhetoric.

If we lose the ability to think critically about our government, we are in danger of losing the rights guaranteed by the Constitution. That teacher, in an appropriate setting, should be allowed to apply critical analysis and alternate viewpoints to any partisan speech that takes place in the political arena, and teach his students to do the same thing.

I just wonder, though: If he had ranted against the Democrats, and in support of the president, and a student had complained, would he have still been put on leave?

Actress Jessica Alba is suing Playboy magazine after they placed a photo of her on the cover without her permission. Her lawsuit states that her photo on the cover of Playboy implies that she poses nude inside the issue, something she would never do. Playboy defends their use of her photo on the cover as a part of a "sexiest star of the year" feature, and does not claim to have nude photos of the actress inside.

Playboy spokeswoman Lauren Malone said, “Many celebrities have appeared on the cover of Playboy, but not nude, including Claudia Schiffer, Paris Hilton, Goldie Hawn, Raquel Welch, Barbra Streisand, Brooke Shields and Donald Trump (my italics)..." Thank God for that!

Would you like to see this man nude?

David and Maddie: Why I Love Moonlighting (at least, the first three seasons)

Once in a blue moon, a television series comes along that gives me a thrilling satisfaction, that meets and exceeds not only my expectations, but my hopes and dreams. In fall of 1996, it was "Blue's Clues," arriving just in the nick of time to reassure me that my infant daughter would be watching the show I would have created.

But eleven years earlier, back when getting coffee still meant from a pot, it was "Moonlighting."

In an era when nighttime television was dominated by soap operas and buddy detective shows, comedy was consigned to family sitcoms and romance replaced by sex and dysfunction. That is, until the premiere of "Moonlighting."

So what do I love about Moonlighting? I love that, in the 1980s, a show was allowed to be intelligent, funny, irreverent, and original. That it gave us two characters who were so right for each other that the fans went berserk every time there was a hint of another romantic interest. (Let's face it -- it takes a lot to not like Mark Harmon!)

It is filled with literary and contemporary cultural references. It seemed like it was written by my contemporaries (it was). In its own wacky way, it was more real life in its realm of fantasy than the night time soaps. The office staff looked like real people. It's quick, witty, and always acknowledges the audience, whether by breaking the 4th wall, or David reminding Maddie they're on television. ("Get serious? Maddie, I just touched your rear end. If I get any more serious, they're gonna move us to cable!")

I love "Moonlighting" because I fell desperately in love with David Addison, but desperately wanted to see him with Maddie. I love it because I couldn't predict what David and Maddie would say. I love it because, for three years, I could sit down and watch Hawksian comedy. I love it because, from the first episode, Maddie was David's and David was Maddie's, and Cybill Shepherd and Bruce Willis played them that way. I love it because I thought it was a niche show written just for me, and I'm not the only one.

But mostly, I love "Moonlighting because, when I saw it, I slapped my forehead and cried, "Why didn't I think of this?"

Lisa was robbed!

Friday night when Lisa Rinna was eliminated from "Dancing With The Stars" my girls sobbed. I had tried to prepare them for the possibility, but she danced so beautifully on Thursday night that they just couldn't believe it.

My older daughter was so distraught that the only way I could get her to calm down was to suggest she write a letter to Lisa. She asked if she could send her an email instead. I found an email contact for Lisa at the website of her talk show on Soapnet, and she happily typed away at a heartfelt note. Like most talk shows, the communication is one way. But I think the mere act of writing was enough to help her resolve her disappointment.

Still, Lisa Rinner has worked so hard, and danced so well, that it is a shame we won't get to see her dance one more time. There is no question that Jerry Rice has improved enormously, but there is a difference. Everyone knows that he is not on par with Stacy & Tony, or Drew & Cheryl, but Lisa had the potential for 10s.

The finals, without Lisa, just won't be the same.

Plumbing & frozen pipes in thePacific Northwest

I live in the Seattle area, and, for the past couple of days we have had an arctic air front hovering around, creating colder than normal temperatures. Lows in some places have even gone as low as the teens, although the lowest I've seen at our house is 21F.

Late this morning, I happened to glance out the front window of my house, and saw a river of water running down the driveway on a sunny, clear day. What the -- I went to check to see if the spigot for the outside hose had burst. When I opened the door to the garage, I discovered a small waterfall from the ceiling. The water was running under the garage door, and out.

Fortunately for us (at least, this time, the floor is slightly slanted, and the door doesn't seal shut completely, or the garage would have been ankle deep in water. Instead, there was just a little pooling. I turned off the main water valve (which, coincidentally, we had replaced last year after it sprung a leak and caused all kinds of damage inside our home, since it is, ineplicably, in the hall closet) and called my husband, who was in Canada for the weekend. He happened to be driving, and turned around and headed home.

After digging fruitlessly for the business card for the plumber we'd used before (who had someone at our house in 90 minutes on an evening phone call), we finally figured out the name, and I called. They have been busy with emergencies for cold complications (mostly burst pipes), but he was able to promise someone in four hours. Then I called the drying people, who had done an amazing job preserving our hardwood floors.

Turns out it was -- you guessed it -- a burst pipe. And, surprise! it was plastic (well, pvc), even though the exposed pipes in the garage were copper. So they will replace a majority of the pipe. The good news is, we were able to turn back on the main water valve, because there is a shutoff valve in the garage for the exterior water fixtures, so we can use the toilet. And the sink. And the tub.

Of course, this doesn't happen very often in other parts of the country where the weather is sub-freezing for most of the winter, and people insulate their pipes and bury them. But it's an added cost most people (and builders) think isn't necessary here.

So, thank God for plumbers! And for people who specialize in drying out saturated wood so preserve the integrity of a house. Because, otherwise, we would all have to rely on our own ability, or lack thereof, to fix our own leaks.

Why Alberto Gonzales Won't Recuse Himself

By now it seems pretty apparent that lobbyist Jack Abramoff's influence with the Republican Party was widespread. A photo recently released from the White House, shows Abramoff with President Bush.

A group of Democratic senators wrote a letter to Alberto Gonzales, the Attorney General of the United States, that he resign. Remember, Gonzales was Chief White House Counsel before he became Attorney General.

In spite of that, which, it seems to me, as well as others, presents at least the appearance of conflict of interest, if not in reality. But Alberto Gonzales doesn't think it is necessary.

Not necessary? Why would someone who is a member of the Republican Party, the party of the Religious Right and, one would therefore surmise, one of ethics, not care about a conflict of interest? Aren't fundamental Christians the most ethical of all people?

The reality is, scandals like Abramoff's influence in the party may embarrass them, but it doesn't concern them.

The only thing that is important to the Republicans, including George Bush, is making abortion illegal, and prohibiting marital rights for gays.

So how does this relate to Alberto Gonzales? Gonzales doesn't think there is a conflict of interest. Why? Because he doesn't care about this investigation. He cares about ensuring the "culture of life" becomes the standard.

The reality is this: Jack Abramoff got what he wanted, when he wanted. That should scare the heck out of the Republicans, and they should be scurrying to distance themselves from him and anyone in the administration he dealt with, and try to salvage their own careers. But they won't. Because they know that their supporters are only interested in two things -- banning abortion and banning gay marriage. And, I suppose, disintigrating the Democratic Party. Alberto Gonzales won't recuse himself -- he doesn't have to.

Just when the joke gets good

Today, sadly, Harry Whittington, the man caught in Dick Cheney's birdshot fire, suffered a heart attack as a result of a piece of birdshot that lodged in his heart. Obviously, it is not appropriate to joke about this now, since the man's life is in a little more serious condition than he was yesterday.

Of course, any time anyone over the age of 70 is injured, it is graver than if a younger man suffers the same fate.

Of course everyone hopes for his recovery. I don't think anyone, even Cheney's worst critics, want to see the the veep in the position of being charged with some kind of manslaughter.

Still, though, I wouldn't want to be hunting with Cheney.

Cheney's Shootin' Party or "Quayle? Is he here?"

As if everyone else hasn't already jumped in about Saturday's, er, "shooting incident" (Read what the late night talk show comedians said on Monday night):

When I first starting reading about this yesterday, I started laughing. It is like a free gift! I couldn't wait to turn on The Daily Show tonight, but it didn't take long for the jokes to start. Especially after the details started to emerge.

No wonder they kept it from the press as long as possible. He was hunting at what amounts to a dude hunting ranch, run by Republican supporters, it was unpublicized, and Cheney made a bunch of bonehead mistakes? Embarrassing!

Now, of course, the discussion has gone beyond what an idiotic mistake it was, and how Cheney isn't the hunter he claims to be, to how long the incident was kept secret. Given that he was hunting without a proper license in Texas, and that he was wearing headphones, almost puts him in the category of Britney Spears driving with her 4-month-old baby in her lap.

Chances are, Britney won't make that mistake again. But here's betting that the vice president will be back hunting again as soon as his schedule allows.

Children's birthday parties

Today I took my girls to a birthday party. The space was great -- big, with lots of games to keep everyone busy, as well as a lot of space for running around as five and six year olds are wont to do. The host family generously invited siblings, as well.

Ironically, the party space was in Snoqualmie, and we passed Carly's memorial spot on the way, which always tugs at my heart. Carly was 16 when she and another girl were killed in a car crash, on the way home from a church group meeting. One girl, thankfully, survived with superficial wounds. Carly was a bright, shooting star, and was the light of her family.

But back to the birthday. It was a pretty good party, but there were a few things about it that bugged me. I admit these are pretty selfish.

First, there didn't seem to be much of an information flow going. At the bar there were ice cream sundaes, punch, and sandwiches, but no announced it. I sort of figured it out on my own after seeing ice cream dipped and served. The only thing that was really announced was singing Happy Birthday and cake, and then it was largely left to the parents there to round up kids. That, and the group photo. And, even then, it wasn't clear which kids were to be in the photo and which ones weren't.

Present opening was not announced, either, and the birthday girl was stuck in a tiny space with the kids all crowded around. And while the mom hung out at the ice cream bar, and seemed to be taking care of the cake and ice cream, the children pushed closer and closer until some other parents organized them. Even then my little one cried because none of the crowding children would widen the circle to allow her in to watch. Finally the grandpa lifted her over to the other side of the group, behind the birthday girl, so she could see. Gone to waste was a big stage, with stairs, where she could have sat while the kids spread out.

I also confess I felt a bit like a fish out of water. I spent the majority of my time standing alone, watching other adults chat with each other. The few times I approached anyone, the conversations were, for the most part, brief and superficial. Eventually I got involved in a lengthy conversation with the birthday girl's grandpa, who was interesting, and kind, and interested in what I had to say. Children seem to have an easier time, generally just accepting unknown children to join in the fun. None of the parents who did not already know me seemed the least inclined to strike up a conversation, even in proximity, but just give me one of those coldy curious, "So who are you?" looks.

On the other hand, the cake was great, and there was plenty for everyone.

Bye, George Hamilton -- Lisa rocks!

After last night's Dancing With The Stars, there was little doubt that George Hamilton had reached his limit. In fact, it is good to note that last week, when it was announced that Tia Carrere (my 6-year-old's favorite) was eliminated, you could see George turning to Edyta, his partner, and Edyta whispering furiously in return.

No doubt he had secretly been hoping to be eliminated then, before the challenging Viennese Waltz. (In which, I would like to say, Tia Carrere would have rocked. One can't help but think that, given another couple of weeks of dancing, she would have been in the final four.)

We loved George -- he was elegant, and brave, and amusing, and gave great performances, reminding us that over 60 really isn't that old. But, even so, broken ribs and an arthritic knee make it difficult to achieve the speed required in ballroom dancing.

But, tonight, we were still on the edge of our seat, waiting to see if George's fan base would do in Lisa Rinna. All along I have been pulling for Lisa. Ever since her wonderful turn as Logan's mother on last season's "Veronica Mars," I have been a fan. Given how hard she seems to work at everything she does, I expected her to be a strong competitor.

And now, she has won the hearts of my girls. I think seeing her with her daughters clinched it for them -- any time little girls are involved, that's enough for mine. Up until last night, the girls insisted that they wanted George to make it to the final two, although they continued to say they wanted to see Stacy win.

But tonight, when George was eliminated, they were jumping up and down screaming, "Lisa's still in it!"

And I hope she wins it all. She has tough competition -- Stacy is such a natural that she never even looks like she's breaking a sweat when she is dancing like a pro. And Drew is right next to her in competence. But let's face it. Stacy and Drew have the advantage of the resiliency and stamina of youth.

Don't get me wrong -- it is obvious the two of them welcome challenge, and work hard to deserve perfect scores. But it's just so much more fun to watch someone over 40 kick butt on the dance floor.

It's one thing, like Fred Astaire or Gene Kelly, to start dancing young and be dancing your socks off well past 40. But, like in almost any sport, it is vastly different to start competitive dancing past 40, and excel.

Lisa has our votes.

On Liza

The latest episode of BRAVO's "Inside the Actors' Studio" featured Liza Minnelli in a special two-hour program, referred to by James Lipton as a master class. And that's what it seemed to be.

In addition to being interviewed, and somewhat guardedly candid about her childhood, Minnelli sang three songs, chosen specifically to demonstrate various challenges in performance singing.

Although it would have been interesting to listen to her speak at length about her personal life, and everyone is dying to know all the juicy tidbits about her marriages, especially to David Gest, it was much more interesting listening to her speak with authority about her craft. Notably, more people than usual were visibly taking notes while she spoke. Sprinkled throughout her conversation with James Lipton were nuggets of practical performance advice.

Minnelli related this story: When she was a girl, she asked her father what acting was. He said he didn't know. But the next day he came back to her and said he had given her question a lot of thought. And he thought acting was hearing something for the first time, and saying something for the first time. Which is, of course, acting in a nutshell. That ability to take and, night after night, present a story as if it's happening now.

She talked about how lucky she was to have Fred Ebbs as a friend, and how she gives him credit for creating her performance persona, with the songs he and John Kander wrote for her. And how lucky she was to have the same great dance coach for life, since she was age 5, and for being able to find great, talented people, and learn from them.

One thing I inferred from her comments is: Stealing from other performers happens. But it should only happen when you have tried other things, and someone else has created a gesture, or a look, or other piece of business that is exactly right for that moment. Is it really stealing? Or is it taking the best of what someone else has done, and use it to create the most dynamic moment possible? To make the work the most important thing?

To watch someone like Liza Minnelli, who has remained successful as a performer, and been given accolades and awards through a four-decade career, reminds us that there is no substitute for hard work and a dedication to professionalism. It also makes one wonder why we are so willing to be sidetracked by someone's personal life, and allow it to color our thinking about their talent.

Because, when it comes down to it, the main difference between celebrities and us is that we don't go through our lives under the constant scrutiny of the public eye. Given that ninety percent of what we hear is untrue, and ninety percent of the remaining ten percent is truthiness -- someone's version of the truth -- perhaps we need to be a little more empathetic. How many of us would enjoy having the paparazzi follow us around and interpret our lives for everyone to read?

More young actors today should take a look at how Minnelli approaches her work, and learn from it. Because, no matter what the decade, or what the circumstance, she is always Liza with a Z. And she knows it, and is always respectful to that.