• "Sometimes I wonder whether the world is being run by smart people who are putting us on or by imbeciles who really mean it." -- Mark Twain
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    Totem at Butchart Gardens

    Sooke Harbour looking toward Olympics

    Japanese Garden

    Butchart Garden

    Chef Conference at Sooke Harbour House

    Valerie in Whites?

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Nobel Peace Prize Winner Barak Obama

barak-obama
Originally uploaded by blvesboy

Mike and I were still in bed, just waking up and gathering our strength to face the day. NPR was on in the other room and suddenly we were sitting straight up, straining to see if we heard correctly: President Barak Obama awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
We heard correctly. [...]

Interview: Terry Gross and Max Blumenthal

Worth listening to.  An interesting discussion about the Republican right and their plan to delegitimize President Obama’s presidency.   Goes into the history of the rise of the extremists in the GOP and their current activities.
Listen to it here: Terry Gross

An Open Letter to Joe Wilson

Dear Mr. Wilson:
Thank you for your service to our country.
Thank you, too, for reminding us, as did President Obama, that dissent and discussion and vigorous debate are vital elements of American democracy.  Unfortunately, your lack of decorum and your outburst will sweep that reminder right out to sea as the tsunami of outrage and criticism [...]

President Obama at Notre Dame Gradutation – Speech

Thank you, Father Jenkins for that generous introduction. You are doing an outstanding job as president of this fine institution, and your continued and courageous commitment to honest, thoughtful dialogue is an inspiration to us all.
Good afternoon Father Hesburgh, Notre Dame trustees, faculty, family, friends, and the class of 2009. I am honored to be [...]

Choosing what we sow.

Conversations these day are tough. We bombard each with fear, despair, disillusionment and division. People are stressed. They are frightened about the future; about tomorrow. How will we pay for college? How will we afford the house? Republicans are stupid. Liberals are dangerous. Talk show hosts are [...]