Back soon

An exit stairwell when walking the city walls perimeter in York, England.

We are on a short break in the Loire Valley. Paris Parfait posts will appear automatically, all being well. Will be back in time for holiday turkey and to wish my fellow Americans a Happy Thanksgiving.

Meanwhile, California Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein has some explaining to do. Lately she's been surprisingly complicit in Bush & Co.'s self-serving agenda. She recommended Michael Mukasey for attorney general, even though he has refused to call the illegal practice of water-boarding "torture."

Then she cast the deciding vote to confirm Judge Leslie Southwick. You may recall Southwick took custody of an eight-year-old girl away from her mother, simply because the mother was involved in a "lesbian relationship." Now Feinstein says she supports immunity for AT&T and other telecoms that helped the Bush administration illegally spy on phone calls and emails of millions of Americans!

I leave you with an excerpt from the poem "Non-commitment" by Chinua Achebe:

"Hurrah! to them who do nothing see nothing feel nothing whose hearts are fitted with prudence like a diaphragm across womb's beckoning doorway to bar the scandal of seminal rage. I'm told the owl too wears wisdom in a ring of defense round each vulnerable eye securing it fast against the darts of sight..."

Comments

[JanePoe (aka Deborah)]

Feinstein's decisions are a betrayal to her constituents. Shame on her. JP/deb

[le petit cabinet de curiosites]

Wish you an Happy thanksgiving and a wonderful time in la vallée de la LOire

[naturegirl]

I am losing faith in the human race! Barbaric treatment of our own and those innocent that cannot speak or have a voice...white whales in coastal waters of Australia being slaughtered for human greed for example!shaking my head in disgust NG

[marita]

sad sad!! don't know this 'democratic'female senator yet all sounds so familiar. wonder what votes can do to change it??

have a great holiday tara!! i'll miss you!

[Passementerie]

Have a wonderful trip! We're back in Dublin right now, but can't wait to return to Paris next week.

Sarah

[Amber]

Hmmm... Don't you know they are all the same, really? I am terribly cynical, I know. But it is true. When "Public Service" becomes as career, instead of a calling...When they become so enmeshed in the political system, and so far from the average American... Very few are really who they say they are.
I wonder what her agenda is.

;)

[jzr]

I mourn for our country and it's people.

[Cherie]

That is one powerful poem. Rings so true!!
Enjoy your vacation in the Loire valley...I'd say remember to take photos but that would be so silly!!! :)

[rochambeau]

Diane F.??? I was shocked, wondering where that vote came from???? What was that was really all about.

Have fun in the Loire Valley.

Xo
Constance

[My Melange]

Bon Voyage! Have a glass of wine for me Tara!

[Yoli]

I agree with the rest Tara, amazing and digusting. I hope you and your family have a happy and healthy Thanksgiving.

[tinker]

I am so fed up, I'm practically speechless at this point, about so many of our 'leaders' and their policies.

Enjoy your time away, Tara, and if I don't see you before then, wishing you and your family a wonderfully happy Thanksgiving~xOxO

[Colette]

Goes to show you really, truly cannot trust anyone anymore. She'll get hers one of these days.

[stephanie]

Ugggh, we so desperetly need fresh ideas, REAL ideas...leadership..

[AnnieElf]

Way ahead of you on this one Tara. I've disliked Feinstein from the get go. Her true colors are now shining through. Keep the flag of protest and truth waving for us.