The Root of all Evil

Just now back from a visit to the dentist who was kind enough to administer my first-ever root canal. The procedure wasn't nearly as bad as everyone claims it to be, the drilling and filing notwithstanding. It seems that there's a considerable amount of misconception floating around about root canals. I told several people about the procedure when it was scheduled last week and the common reaction was whimpering and falling to the floor into the fetal position. Not something that inspires confidence, particularly with those like myself who are highly allergic to pain. So I went in there this morning with visions of the Bill Murray/Steve Martin root canal scene from the 1980s movie "Little Shop of Horrors." But all my anxiety was for naught as the worst part of the whole thing was that Wicked Contrivance they use to lever the mouth open for an ungodly period of time. So one more visit to the dentist next week and it will be over with for another six months.

Saturday Afternoon

A warm and cloudy Saturday afternoon here in Norfolk. I haven't been terribly productive today other than taking care of laundry and running to the grocery store for a few things. And of course there was the requisite visit to Starbucks.

My agenda for today is actually quite full, between research for an upcoming presentation and other assorted projects and such for class. Not really in the mood yet to get going on this so I'll probably hold off a bit and wait for inspiration. In the meantime I may make a trip to Barnes and Noble in search of a book or two for my trip next month (just under four weeks away. yay!) as I'll need something to occupy my mind on the flights. I'm seriously considering Richard Dawkins' new book on evolution. Should be the perfect thing for passing the time unless I'm seated amongst a herd of creationists.

The Reign of Witches

Like many other Americans of liberal leanings, I'm still recovering from reelection of W. With almost 60 million Americans voting for the Chimp-in-Chief, it is self-evident that as a nation we are our own worst enemy. We should not fear the remote specter of a WMD when so many of us constitute a much more immediate concern: a WMS (Weapon of Mass Stupidity), by far more threatening to constitutional rights and security at home and harmony abroad than any man-made contrivance.

It is difficult not to be disouraged. We as a nation should have known (and possibly did know) better as evidenced by the fact that most Americans thought the nation was on the wrong track. But fear is a powerful thing. It brings out some primeval herd mentality that clouds the judgement and sends a frightening percentage of the populace retreating into ancient superstitions for salvation and clamoring towards a strong leader for protection, even if doing so entails surrendering individual liberty and, like the leader himself, losing the ability to reason.

Something said by Thomas Jefferson in either 1797 or 98 is so fitting in dark week since Election Day....

“A little patience, and we shall see the reign of witches pass over, their spells dissolve, and the people, recovering their true sight, restore their government to it's true principles. It is true that in the meantime we are suffering deeply in spirit, and incurring the horrors of a war and long oppressions of enormous public debt. If the game runs sometimes against us at home we must have patience till luck turns, and then we shall have an opportunity of winning back the principles we have lost, for this is a game where principles are at stake."

Watch and Wait

Polls closed almost an hour ago here in Virginia. Probaby not too long before we have a projected winner of this state. Nationally at the moment the Chimp in Chief has 34 electoral votes to Kerry's 3.

Ugh. It's going to be a long night. Dunno if I can stand the suspense.