I haven't hit up the ol' blog recently, but I've been so damned busy! Writing, covering events and whatnot, reveling, laughing, hoping and dreaming...it's been a real rollercoaster.
One thing of note did happen to me, though. I met Dennis Haskins, who is perhaps better known as Mr. Belding from TV's Saved By The Bell!
As someone who spent much of high school watching at least three consecutive episodes of said show (you know, it was on after school -- we'd snack, go outside for a covert smoke, etc.), I must say it was a thrill.
Haskins even left a message on my voicemail, so I could prove it to those who would be naysayers.
Priceless...

So anyway, I went up to Mackinac Island for a friend's wedding this past weekend, and what a remarkable place (to a certain extent). I don't much care for touristy things, but I was slightly impressed at the geography of the island, as well as its historical significance. For example, I can just picture the British (who held the fort during the War of 1812) shelling American ships as they went through the Straits.
However, I didn't care for the overpowering smell of horse dung and urine. Call me delicate if you must, but it was pretty foul. It sort of reminded me of turn-of-the-century Lower East Side in NYC, when rivers of raw sewage ran free in the gutters.
Ah, history. It ain't pretty, but I love it anyway.

Thank God the ol' Billster pointed out my spelling errors. So I was all like, "Sorry, Your Majesty, but where I come from, "Bill" has three L's!"
His words: "I wish I never angled to get on your site."

My friend Bill points out today that, in the face of such carnage and destruction, Israel is showing remarkable restraint. You know, I can think of another Western-style democracy known for its remarkable restraint in the face of heinous acts. That's right, I'm talkin' 'bout the U.S. Many nations, I'm sure, would have levelled as many Arab nations as possible in the wake of September 11, if they had the capabilities to do so. We, on the other hand, proceeded slowly but surely towards the nation that harbored the enemy, took them out, and stopped while we studied what our next move should be.
All the more reason why we support Israel. They are the U.S., except smaller, a few thousand miles away, and surrounded on all sides by people who want them dead.

Anyone who doubts that the U.S. is right in methodically (or slowly, depending on your view) planning to take out Saddam Hussein should read this Economist article. It's a thoughtful, painstaking look on why, simply put, Saddam Hussein is the worst leader in the world today. My favorite line is this: "But wishful thinking in the face of mortal danger is bad policy."