Don't bother looking for a theme

On the Money
A federal appeals court today ruled that the government has violated the rights of blind and visually impaired individuals by not printing paper money that is distinguishable to those Americans.
Next week they will rule that the back-up warning devices on garbage and cement trucks violate the rights of the hearing impaired.

From Mansion to Manse
You may remember Jim McGreevy, the former governor of New Jersey who left office after disclosing that he had an ongoing relationship with a male lover. He's now involved in a knock-down divorce battle with his soon-to-be ex, and they're fighting about how much alimony he should pay. He's claiming relative poverty because of his new career choice, the ministry. Yep, Mr. McGreevy plans to be a pastor in the Episcopal Church. But wait! There's more! He's going into youth ministry.

A Peek Behind the Curtain
(with a nod to the Wizard of Oz)
I got an unsolicited email today. Don't know how they got my address. It's from SermonSpice.com, a site where pastors can purchase videos, timers and dynamic backgrounds for use on Sunday mornings. If that surprises you, check out SermonCentral.com, one of many sites where you can download complete sermon outlines, or SermonIllustrations.com for just the right story to spice up that sermon you snagged off the internet.
Thank God we're out of the dark ages when pastors had to do their own work - studying the biblical text (including the original languages), reading the commentaries, and spending time in prayer asking God to help them bring biblical truth to life. And imagine what it was like before we had digital media to assist the Holy Spirit in engaging the hearts and minds of people each week.
Sorry. My core commitments are showing.
NOTE: I am not opposed to using the technology available to us. But at some point Sunday morning seems to be all sizzle and no steak.

Underground Science Class
A water main broke here a couple of days ago down near Mesa and the sink hole it created in the middle of the street has created traffic jams for commuters in the area.
But here are sink holes! (skip the video. Foul mouth)

As long as we're below grade, here's a Nova (PBS) page about an escape tunnel that Allied airmen dug out of a Nazi prisoner of war camp during WWII. It's interactive and the tunnel is pretty impressive.


American Aristocrat
The big news story of the day is the diagnosis of Sen. Kennedy's malignant brain tumor. Everybody is stepping up to say wonderful things about the senior senator from Massachusetts. OK, we haven't heard from the family of Mary Jo Kopechne. Or hundreds of thousands of aborted children.
Sen. Kennedy and his family are in for tough times in the days and months ahead and that's sad. But it's also hypocritical to pretend that he's any kind of an American hero.

Conundrum
The Pistons are playing the Sixers for the Eastern Conference Finals. What if I want them both to lose?
With the Suns long gone and the Cinderella Hornets eliminated I'm reduced to going back to the Lakers. That's OK; they still play a fun-to-watch version of the game and Kobe can put on a show.

Route As Yet Undetermined
Josh W. and I are going on a ride tomorrow. We're going to leave about 9:00, before it gets too hot, and head north where the elevation is sufficient to keep things 20 degrees cooler. We haven't decided if we'll head for Prescott, Jerome or Sedona or all-of-the-above. They all provide good twisties and interesting places to have lunch and talk shop.
Sticky side down!