View from the window

From my vantage point here in the study, I can see that the moon is fading away, just a shadow of its former self; though it’s still casting a decent light from its position over the mountains to the east of us. The cat has just come in and is purring like crazy from her seat next to me. I am now ready for my second cup of coffee and I have read most of the news. Yes, all is normal.

Did I say normal? After looking at the headlines I should come up with a better descriptive word than “normal”. For instance, this is “normal” for Iraq and Afghanistan.

“AP--…reconstruction funds are drying up and they're pulling out, leaving completed projects and unfulfilled plans in the hands of an Iraqi government unprepared to manage either. The Oct. 1 start of the U.S. government's 2007 fiscal year signaled an end to U.S. aid for new reconstruction in Iraq. ... Scores of other projects were canceled, and the "gap" can be seen on the streets of Baghdad, where people spend most of their day without electricity, and spend hours in line for gasoline and other scarce fuels.”

“KABUL (Reuters) - At least six people, including a member of the provincial assembly, were killed in separate attacks in Afghanistan on Sunday, officials said.”

“AFP - Two bombs have torn through the convoy of a high ranking Iraqi interior ministry official in east Baghdad, killing seven people but leaving the official unscathed.”

“BAGHDAD (Reuters…More than 40 U.S. troops have been killed in Iraq this month. At the current pace, October would be the deadliest for U.S. forces since January 2005. Two to three soldiers on average die every day in Iraq, most the victims of roadside bombs.”

Then I read a piece by Joe Klein of Time Magazine… and I was instantly optimistic! It sounds as if there are enough moderate Republicans out there who are sick and tired of the current administrations stranglehold on a free society (ours) and they are willing to vote for the “other guy” just to make certain that the legislative branch is truly a third voice in our government.