2005.01.04 -- Editorial
This column is so important, that I decided to re-run it again just to be sure I make the point. In the mean time, I'm celebrating New Years, and wish you a Happy New Year too!

The column was first presented in September, but amazingly the list has continued to grow, and so it is now presented with updates. 2005.12.28 -- Editorial

The column was first presented in September, but amazingly the list has continued to grow, and so it is now presented with updates.

2005.12.21

Except, I find it a little odd that back when Richard Nixon was president, illegal wire tapping was referred to as "Watergate" and forced the criminally minded president to resign. Now, we are told that such activity is for our own good...have trust, big brother is only trying to help.

2005.12.14 -- Photo Op

In the Photo Op below you'll notice that I have followed the arrival of the circus for the last ten years. That's five times I've been privy to the arrival of the great circus train that in and of itself has become a national institution. In order to be sure that I get the best seat in the house for that event, I have usually set up camp in about the same spot so that I can stand vigil awaiting the arrival, and finally the departure, of the circus train. This year, I even decorated my tent for the Christmas season. Yahoo doormay! Eat that Scrooge! Click for a blow-up.
ADDENDUM: You may have also noticed that my tent is homeland approved by Tom Ridge himself, who suggested duck tape and plastic for security preparedness. And, that's exactly what it is. Some decisions are better made by the experts.

2005.12.06 -- Photo Op

For several years now, on the arrival of the circus, it has been my ritual to watch and photograph the circus animals as they leave their train and head to the arena where they will be performing. It seems that for the past five appearances, appearing once every other year for ten years, I have always had the pleasure of upgraded camera equipment making my interest in the massive pachyderms all the more justified. This was the first time I've had a good quality digital camera, and so all the better. I don't anticipate my schedule will allow me to pursue any additional shots of the circus with all the clowns and trapeze artists, so enjoy this photo of the long trunked beasts.

They say "nothing is sacred" which roughly translated means “everything is political," and it is with some irony that I recall that not long after the last appearance of Barnum in our town in 2003 that there were reports leveled of animal cruelty toward the elephants. I don't even remember the details, and while I certainly do hope that the keepers of all the circus animals exercise due care, it has always seemed a little odd to me that some people can get so worked up about the animals, when we do such a poor job of taking care of the people in this world. I don't suppose the two are mutually exclusive, but it still seems odd to me.

The most recent and glaringly obvious example of this reality is right in today's newspaper. It seems W Bush still can't bring himself to legally condemn torture of "enemy combatants." He says we don't torture people anyway, but then the point is all t he more poignant, why not reaffirm our own civility? Senator John McCain, a war veteran who was tortured, also recently appeared in Huntsville, and he continues to promote legal condemnation of torture by our country. It seems to me he's got the first hand experience to understand what it's all about, and therefore the full understanding of what it could mean to our own soldiers who might be taken captive and subsequently tortured in retaliation for our inability to speak and act honorably -- even in a time of war.

Don’t misunderstand, I’m a tree hugger by nature, and I will continue to roundly condemn our government for gross irresponsibility in regard to conservation and the environment; but, enemies or not, it still seems a little odd to me that some people are more concerned for the elephants than they are for other people.

2005.11.23

2005.11.16 -- Editorial

2005.11.09 -- Editorial

2005.11.02 -- Editorial

2005.10.26 -- Photo Op

I decided to take a Holiday this week and so make this presentation just for fun. Huntsville's Big Spring Jam was back in September, so I just dusted off this photo of the Black Crows. Outdoor stages rarely are left without a screen backdrop, however, Jam planners apparently intended to show off the construction in Big Spring Park that will ultimately make events in the park less enjoyable. In spite of that, the unusual backdrop did make for an enticing photo opportunity adding an industrial grunge quality to the scene. [Click for a blow-up.] 8 x 10 digital prints can be purchased via e-mail:
[ gallery@tocc.tv Place "gallery" in SUBJECT line! ].

2005.10.19 -- Editorial

2005.10.12 -- Editorial

2005.09.28 (2005.09.24)