*Marc Leepson's "Capturing the Flag", in the Opinions section of The Washington Post of July 6th includes:But what exactly does this overabundance of flag-embossed merchandise mean -- for our campaigns and our culture? There is something off-kilter about revering the ideals that our flag embodies, attempting to ban its destruction, then using it as a political club or sitting down in a flag-patterned lawn chair, tucking into red-white-and-blue-frosted cupcakes and dabbing our mouths with a Stars and Stripes napkin. Does the flag embody American idealism, American cynicism or American comfort? Which values, precisely, have captured our flag?A foreign-born citizen, I am bemused by the jingoism that exists about our flag. Respect the flag, of course, but not to the degree of making it a fetish. Yet the same people think nothing about dishonoring it every day by using geegaws and chochkes depicting the flag. Latest craze is waving gigantic flags during games and sporting events. Bigger is better? Ya Habibi.U.S. History.orgSection 8c. reads:"The flag should never be carried flat or horizontally, but always aloft and free."See: Another Photo Opportunity for the Buffoons in Congress June 22, 2005

*From Across the Pacific to Heartland AmericaMany of you enjoyed the July 4th fireworks. The display of images created by craftsmen and chemists never fails to impress the viewers. Over the years the fireworks have become very sophisticated. Most of the fireworks that we admire come from China.Fireworks are considered hazardous cargo and designated under two categories by IMO and U.S. Code of Federal Regulations -- Class 1.4G and Class 1.3G Explosives, the latter being the more hazardous. Special requirements apply to carriage of such cargo by land and sea (prohibited for transportation by air).Large volume of fireworks shipments arrive every year during the month of June. This year was no exception. QualityOne Logistics of California was involved with transportation of a number of shipments from China for importers in different parts of the country. All shipments were needed for display on 4th of July and arrival of the ships from China posed tight deadlines.This is about two 40' ocean containers with Class 1.3G Fireworks from Liuyang, China (a major fireworks manufacturing center), to Inman, Kansas, in heartland America -- a distance of more than 7,000 miles by sea and land.From the factory in Liuyang the containers were trucked to Beihai on the coast and loaded on a feeder ship for HongKong where they were transferred to a large container vessel for carriage to the United States. Danske Line of Copenhagen provides regular, fast service from China to all coasts of the United States. Because of the location of Inman, the fastest and most economical route was via the port of Los Angeles, California. The containers were discharged at Los Angeles and then put on an intermodal freight train to Dallas, Texas. QualityOne specializes in shipments to and from China, and had made arrangements for through movement from Beihai to the importers' warehouse which included trucking from Dallas to Inman.As it sometimes happen in travel, transportation and in other areas, best laid plans go awry. Checking the progress of the containers on the freight train as it moved from Los Angeles, it became obvious that getting the containers to Inman in time for the importers to prepare for July 4th would be touch and go. Mandatory certification (for drivers) and special insurance coverage are required for motor carriers to qualify for carriage of such hazardous shipments. There are not too many of them and shipments intended for July 4th place heavy demands on their services.The containers were due to arrive at Dallas on Sunday, June 29th. Southern Freight (the trucking company chosen for carrying the containers to Inman) informed us that it would not be possible for them to move them before Tuesday, July 1st. at the earliest. Dallas to Inman is 428 miles, about 8 hours' drive under optimal conditions. The importers, Sky Color Display, felt that receipt of the containers late on Tuesday would not allow them enough time to unload them and set up the fireworks. They offered to drive to Dallas and receive the shipments. That, too, presented problems. The importers would have required an interchange agreement with the steamship line to move the containers, and they would have had to return the empty containers to the rail ramp at Dallas which would have been quite expensive. Michael Huntsinger at Southern Freight offered a solution. Huntsinger said he could move the containers on Monday morning (June 30th) from the rail yard to Southern Freight's terminal and transload the cargo from the two ocean containers to Sky Color's trucks. Steve Bell of Sky Color accepted the plan; felt that it would work.....give them sufficient time to make the necessary arrangements before July 4th.For the operation to proceed as planned there was need to obtain "rail pick up numbers" from Danske Line to enable Southern Freight to remove the containers from rail yard. That was accomplished early on Monday morning. Huntsinger confirmed that Sky Color Display's equipment and crew were in position and everything was "go". The transloading operation was completed without hitch and Sky Color's trucks departed for Inman before noon. It was gratifying to get an e-mail from Betty Bell of Sky Color that said: "received our products".In this particular case, efficient and prompt response from all concerned -- at Danske Line's North American Rail Operations, Southern Freight, Dallas, and Sky Color -- made it possible to meet the deadline. Note: Fictitious names of individuals and organizations were used for this post. Comments Unknown — 2008-07-07 I'm Michael from Liuyang China(Liuyang is center of fireworks in the world),and now work for one of largest fireworks company.We have been manufacture professional fireworks and consumer fireworks for many years. www.myspace.cn/liwenquan66 michaelli66@hotmail.com Anonymous — 2008-10-18 Shipping of 1.3G fireworks has become a big trouble. Dominator Fireworks of Liuyang China has successfully shipped many containers, contact us at www.dominatorfireworks.com

*Messenger of "Change" -- What Change?Barack Obama's recent actions make it clear that deep down he is no different from other politicians. Back in 2000, G.W. Bush's message about being a compassionate conservative won him support. Bush turned out to be anything but compassionate and it took a long time for people to see him for what he is. Barack Obama's promise of "change" resonated with voters. He sounded sincere....different. The primary reason for many of us to back Obama was his position on the war in Iraq and Hillary Clinton's lack of clarity on various issues. Four months before the election Obama is proving that when it comes to flipping and flopping he can be as adept as Hillary Clinton and John McCain. For this voter the Obama glitter is fading. Didn't expect him to fulfill all his promises if he became president. The president is a part of the system that prevails, and the system is far from ideal. It was late president Calvin Coolidge who reportedly said "The business of America is business". No matter who is in the White House, the major corporations and their lobbyists have tremendous influence in enacting legislations which affect ordinary Americans. It is disappointing to watch the Senator from Illinois quickly backing off from his earlier positions. One gets the feeling that the status quo will basically remain unchanged.Obama let his supporters down by:Reversing his position on campaign financing. His explanation does not cut it. See"Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Bundlers" by Ruth Marcus in The Washington Post.He supported inclusion of immunity for the telecom companies in FISA (Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act) although he is now saying that he will "try to strip that provision.His foreign policy team consists of long-toothed dinosaurs from past administrations. Madeleine Albright and Warren Christopher stand out. Albright is especially suspect. Her hands are far from clean. What kind of message does that send? Albright is an older and heavier Condoleezza Rice.

*Summer arrived and with it a heat wave. Last week, temperature in many parts of the San Francisco Peninsula climbed over 100 degrees°F (38°C). The weekend, however, turned out to be pleasant. By Saturday evening one could feel the cooling effect of the coastal fog. Four days later, it felt almost wintry when I went out for a run this evening in my neighborhood in San Mateo.On Sunday, June 22nd, it was pleasant walking on the Coastal Trail beyond the Golden Gate Bridge. The bridge was enshrouded in fog, barely visible from some points. Wild flowers still abundant along the path.Golden Gate Bridge, I© MusafirGolden Gate Bridge, II© MusafirGolden Gate Bridge, III© MusafirWild Flowers (Who's got a name?)© MusafirVetch© MusafirVetch© MusafirA water bug named Naya© MusafirSummer nightSummer night--even the starsare whispering to each other.--Kobayashi Issa

*Ten days before summer solstice the weather has become warm and sunny. The wind picks up force in the afternoon but no longer chills the bones.A good time for runners and walkers. Some spring flowers still to be found, especially in the preserves along skyline. Buckeye trees in full bloom. Last weekend Sarbajit Ghosal and I hiked at Purisima Creek Redwoods Preserve. Took Whittemore Gulch down to the creek bed; had our sandwiches and then hiked up Harkins Ridge to return to the North Ridge Parking Lot. Very enjoyable. To the west there was mist hanging over the coastline at Half Moon Bay, so the Pacific was only faintly visible. Friends starting out on Toyon Trail, Foothills Park, Palo Alto, Ca.© MusafirOn the Toyon Trail, Foothills Park, Palo Alto, CA.© MusafirA Variable Checkerspot, Harkins Ridge Trail© MusafirCheckerspots feeding© MusafirWild Blackberries at Harkins Ridge Trail© MusafirCalifornia Hedge Nettle© MusafirWild Iris, Harkins Ridge Trail© MusafirSG looking out toward the Pacific from Harkins Ridge Trail© Musafir"That's the best thing about walking, the journey itself. It doesn't matter much whether you get where you're going or not. You'll get there anyway. Every good hike brings you eventually back home."- Edward Abbey ...

*Sign of the TimesNot much good news these days. But reports about the declining sales of SUV's and General Motors' plans to unload the Hummer Division indicate that automobile manufacturers and lovers of SUV's are being forced to move away from the ugly, eco-unfriendly vehicles. That is cause for rejoicing.On April 20, 2005, my blog read:The Cars We Drive And What they Tell About UsThe brutish, extra-wide Hummers make me think of the owners being mean, selfish and arrogant---typical Bush Republicans. This article from The NY Times confirms that I am not far from the truth. Too bad that some Democrats like the ugly, gas hogging monstrosity on wheels."Among Hummer buyers, the Republican-to-Democrat ratio was a whopping 52 to 23."(NY Times)Three years later, in Guardian UK June 7, 2008The average SUV owner, according to studies cited in Bradsher's book, is "apt to be self-centred and self-absorbed, with little interest in their neighbours or communities." In addition, they are "insecure and vain. They are frequently nervous about their marriages and uncomfortable about parenthood. They often lack confidence in their driving skills ... they tend to like fine restaurants a lot more than off-road driving, seldom go to church, and have limited interest in doing volunteer work to help others.

*Democrats and Election 2008Barack Obama is the Democratic nominee to face John McCain in November.Concern about the economy now takes top place among voters. The war in Iraq continues to be an issue -- no longer the foremost one. But for this voter, and many others, Hillary Clinton's support for the Iraq War Resolution, and failure or refusal to admit that it was a mistake, became the focal point of support for Obama.Among the vast number of reports about Hillary Clinton's loss the one that struck a chord was by Beth Fouhy, Associated Press."WASHINGTON - On her first campaign visit to New Hampshire, in February 2007, Hillary Rodham Clinton was confronted by a voter who demanded she explain her 2002 Senate vote authorizing the U.S. invasion of Iraq.I want to know if right here, right now, once and for all and without nuance, you can say that war authorization was a mistake," Roger Tilton asked Clinton. "I, and I think a lot of other primary voters — until we hear you say it, we're not going to hear all the other great things you are saying."Clinton replied, as she would repeat in the ensuing months: "Knowing what we know now, I would never have voted for it."Her refusal to admit error failed to satisfy Tilton, a 46-year-old financial analyst from Nashua even though he loved her position on health care and capping Iraq troop levels."We had opposed the war, marched against it long before the first pair of boots landed on the ground in Iraq. At that time the deception about non-existent WMD was largely unknown to the general public; there were only suspicions. We were vindicated. The coffins, however, continued to come back from Iraq and civilian death toll kept mounting.Come November, if McCain should prevail, are we going to regret our position? Some of us might. Many Democrats fear that Obama cannot win in a national election because he is black. The fact that racism exists is undeniable. Whether it is going to be a deciding factor is something we'll have to wait to find out.

*"Birds do it, bees do it"“How did sex come to be thought of as dirty in the first place? God must have been a Republican.”---Will DurstRob Stein, Washington PostProponents of sex education programs that focus on encouraging abstinence are launching a nationwide campaign aimed at enlisting 1 million parents to support the controversial approach.The National Abstinence Education Association, a Washington-based advocacy group, said that it sent e-mails last week to about 30,000 supporters, practitioners and parents to try to recruit participants and plans to e-mail 100,000 this week as part of the first phase of the $1 million campaign.The e-mail is promoting the Parents for Truth campaign, which the group hopes will eventually involve 1 million parents nationwide to lobby local schools to adopt sex education programs focusing on abstinence and to work to elect local, state and national officials who support the approach."There are powerful special interest groups who can far outspend what parents can in terms of promoting their agenda. But we recognize that parents more than make up for that by their determination and motivation to protect their own children," said Valerie Huber, the group's executive director.The campaign comes as Congress is debating whether to authorize about $190 million in federal funding for such programs, which have come under increasing criticism because of a series of reports that concluded they are ineffective. Such criticism has prompted at least 17 states to refuse federal funding for such programs.No wonder. The current incumbent of the White House -- one of the biggest hypocrites to come down the pike -- who had committed "youthful indiscretions" is a champion of abstinence. One needn't ask what his indiscretions were. We don't know what the leaders (men and women) of the abstinence only campaign did in their youth. Angels are said to have no memory. Good for them. Or, like G.W. Bush, one fine morning they found god, became born again and stopped thinking of sex outside marriage. They want to protect our children from the dangers of sex education that includes safe sex practices. To them, condoms are bad; prayers are the answer to combat the primeval urge.Touchy area....sex. It would be interesting to hear what position do the contenders in the race for the White House take on this issue. They would rather stay away from speaking about it to escape ire of the Bible thumpers. Remember Bill Clinton's craven surrender in the Jocelyn Elders controversy? Dr. Elders, who was confirmed as surgeon general by the senate in 1993, made a public statement about the benefits of masturbation, and the sky fell down. When she refused to resign, Bill Clinton fired her in December 1994.

*It Is the Money * Soldiers' PayUnlike George Tenet, who danced around the edges in his book, At the Center of the Storm, excerpts from former presidential press secretary Scott McClellan's What Happened: Inside the Bush White House and Washington's Culture of Deception pulls no punches about the president, his key cabinet members, and all others who played a role in deceiving the American people about going to war against Iraq.Dana Milbank in The Washington Post "We set up a massive political operation that was aimed at really continuing that permanent-campaign way of governing," he informed the listeners of National Public Radio's "Morning Edition." "We got caught up in the excesses of the permanent-campaign culture in Washington, D.C.," he explained to viewers of NBC's "Today" show. By nightfall, he was on MSNBC's "Countdown" with Keith Olbermann, discussing "these partisan excesses that have existed . . . because of the permanent campaign in Washington, D.C." Just as they had through the middle years of the Bush presidency, the airwaves again echoed with McClellan's litanies yesterday. Coming from a former member of the inner circle, McClellan's book made waves and will continue to do so for a while. But for some of us the excerpts produced a yawn and a sense of revulsion. McClellan was a member of the team during and after the grand deception. No matter how he tries to wiggle and explain his silence, McClellan's failure to do the honorable thing by leaving his job and speaking out is inexcusable, and the overwhelming feeling is that it is all about money.What next? Perhaps Colin Powell -- another member of the inner circle who suffered in silence and then commented about being duped -- is writing a book. Although General Powell has spoken out about being deceived and kept out of the loop, he has been restrained in his criticism of the president. He received shoddy treatment but at this stage the good soldier might not stoop to the levels of Tenet and McClellan. *Shabby Deal for Soldiers - Suicides and PTSDNews about high suicide rate amongst soldiers of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars took me back to what I wrote last November about returning soldiers, Tolls of War: PTSD and Blake Miller, the Marlboro Man One wonders whether Bush and Cheney ever think about the dead and injured soldiers. Knowing what they did to begin the war it is hard to picture them as being affected by the high price paid by soldiers. It has been reported that the president shows emotion at times. Well, knock me down with a feather.If Bush and Cheney were Democrats the Republicans would have called for impeachment. No, they put on a circus about Bill Clinton's diddling of Ms Lewinsky and a stained blue dress but when it came to Bush and Cheney they became like the three wise monkeys: Seeno evil, hear no evil, speak no evil. A pox on them all.Reuters NewsWASHINGTON, May 29 (Reuters) - The U.S. Army on Thursday said suicides among active duty troops in 2007 had reached the highest level on record, due partly to the stress caused by deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.The Army announced that 115 soldiers, including 22 National Guard and Army Reserve troops, killed themselves last year. That marked a 12.7 percent rise from the 102 suicides recorded in 2006. There were 85 Army suicides in 2005.It was the highest number of actual suicides in the military force since record-keeping began in 1980 and Army officials said the rate has remained at about the same level since, with 38 confirmed suicides recorded for 2008 as of last Monday.The Army also said there were 935 suicide attempts in 2007. * The Washington PostBy PAULINE JELINEKThe Associated PressWednesday, May 28, 2008; 2:02 AMWASHINGTON -- The number of troops with new cases of post-traumatic stress disorder jumped by roughly 50 percent in 2007 amid the military buildup in Iraq and increased violence there and in Afghanistan.Records show roughly 40,000 troops have been diagnosed with the illness, also known as PTSD, since 2003. Officials believe that many more are likely keeping their illness a secret.

*Pray for their Multimillion Dollar Empires and Jet-setting LifestyleApparently, the investigation headed by Senator Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) of the Senate Finance Committee into lavish spending by tax-exempt televangelists is beginning to hit them where it hurts. Now Grassley and members of the committee are under attack.Excerpts from the report by Jacqueline L. Salmon of The Washington Post:"You've got a Baptist senator attacking six Pentecostals," said Doug Wead, a conservative blogger who served as President George H.W. Bush's liaison to the evangelical community and was an informal adviser to the current President Bush. Wead has appeared on Copeland's national television show, "Believer's Voice of Victory," to defend him. "The timing is not good for the Republican Party."There is no question that "The timing is not good for the Republican Party". Part of the problems facing the party is its cozy relationship with such organizations and disregard of issues that are of concern to the American people.Being Pentecostals satan is never far from their thoughts, and they brought him out. They need heavy guns to stop Grassley. Mention of the devil might bring the flock out of the woodworks to rally against those who dare question the perks of the televangelists. God is silent; probably sick of what they do in his name."Copeland has said that Grassley is aiming at him because of his Pentecostal doctrine and has suggested that the devil is behind Grassley's effort."Satan has an agenda," Copeland said in a recent broadcast. "He is looking for a way to drive a wedge and get strife between one another."Under Investigation (CBS News)The six ministries identified as being under investigation by the committee are led by: Paula White, Joyce Meyer, Creflo Dollar, Eddie Long, Kenneth Copeland and Benny Hinn. Three of the six - Benny Hinn, Kenneth Copeland and Creflo Dollar - also sit on the Board of Regents for the Oral Roberts University. Comments Anonymous — 2008-05-26 Grassley's investigation is out of place and should have began using the proper channels if he truly wanted to investigate these organizations properly. Copeland has ASKED the IRS to conduct an investigation and allow Grassley the information then. Copeland is doing the right thing standing up for his beliefs. Other Christian leaders have banded behind him as well realizing that the future implications could be scary if Grassley is given access to such information. musafir — 2008-05-26 Thank you for your thoughtful comments. When I composed the post I did think of disturbing implications for First Amendment rights. Yet, my revulsion for the fraudsters made me go ahead. Fraudsters will always be there and so will be dupes who fill up their coffers. Grassley’s efforts might…just might have a restraining effect on organizations that raise money in the name of god and spend most of it on perks for the office holders. As to IRS taking action to prevent abuse of tax-exempt status by religious organizations…..not going to happen. Anonymous — 2008-05-27 Despite the fact we may not agree with their teachings - I think that the implications concerning First Amendment rights definitely take priority here. Copeland should continue to stand his ground in this process! Anonymous — 2008-05-27 Cole - I have to agree with you. I personally do not agree with all of Copeland's teaching. I do however, have a huge concern over the effects the decisions in this case could have on all of our future. As you say Ty, it's been good to see other Christian leaders stepping up behind him, and I hope we see more do the same.