The US Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns ate beef for lunch today before greeting the press with the news that a second case of mad cow disease had been confirmed.  This animal was born domestically, and not imported from a contaminated Canadian herd as the previous mad cow one was. While I agree that there's no evidence of wide-spread contamination of the beef supply, the Ag Secretary's public statements don't give evidence of a well functioning logical mind.  Not mad, maybe.  Just shallow and short-sighted. Human health was not at risk, Johanns said to the press. Because, he reasoned, the [...]

The Supreme Court today blessed (5-4) the conspiracy of big business and big government to act against individuals.  (Text of the decision.) The Court decided that it is perfectly Constitutional for a government to take your home from you and to hand the property to other private people the government likes better, people who will make their own money from it. What an dangerous stretch of governmental authority in furtherance of concentration of economic wealth!This horrible alliance of corporate and governmental greed is stunning.  It’s the kind of act that induced our forbearers to call for a new government of, [...]

The Goat finished previews and opened Wednesday. The Chronicle loved it. They published a rave review yesterday after a   feature story on the ACT/Albee feud was printed earlier in the week. My applause for the production isn't dependent on validation by the Chronicle, but I am glad to see them join in. The evening deserves full houses and an extended run.  Their stories should help.

Friends last fall took a romantic trip to sunny, peaceful Aruba.  They went to the same crime-free paradise that is suddenly horrified by the disappearance of the 18-year-old high school student Natalee Holloway.  The island whose Prime Minister is personally involved in searching for the Alabama girl.  The destination resort who reports only one homicide for 2004.  The place with baking tourists on the beach eager to cluck-cluck and say they're concerned for Natalee but feel so safe themselves. Except in real life Aruba is a dangerous, crime infested place.  They have done great with their PR machine, and precious [...]

... or, the shortest distance between two points is a ... See the latest earthquake map at the US Geological Survey .

Something bright and shinny for fellow play goers.  And, thanks to Harlan for sharing the link. Click on Will to receive your very own custom-made Shakespearean insult.  Or, if you prefer use the kit and create your own literary insult.

I go to great lengths to help my clients get customers, but I really didn't intend to become a victim to give the attorney a new client.  But, the guy driving the jeep-like vehicle that bashed our car Sunday might need a good lawyer!  After the $1,300 estimate from the body shop, I won't feel too bashful about making sure that the guy owns up or has to call Perry Mason.

... and you need a lawyer!  How do you find one?  What do you look for? This week I'm doing a web site for a local defense attorney.  He's good, energetic, and passionate about protecting Constitutional rights. I envision preppy drunk drivers and upscale addicts pacing in the holding cell surfing the web on their Blackberries, Googling for attorneys.  I wonder what phrases they're using?  "I'm innocent!"? "Let Me Out of Here!"?  Or, maybe "Frame Job" ? I'll appreciate ideas and suggestions -- whether from personal experience or not!

Yesterday while we were out squaredancing a jeep-like black vehicle repeatedly backed into our car parked on Diamond at 19th in the Castro. This bashing damaged our hood and we cannot open it! The two "burly" white, 40-ish "gay leather looking" guys in the other vehicle appeared angry and seemed to deliberately back into our car.  (We had left about 4 inches of space -- the most we could and stay out of the red zone. When we parked the car, there was 6" - 12" between the black vehicle and the one in front of them. But, it shouldn't matter, [...]