For the Record ...

Did very little yesterday. The pets were fed, we were fed, Kathy and Travis were fed, and then we went to bed. Not all together, mind you.

YOUR SISTER’S TEAMS:
NFC: Detroit Lions (0-1) /Philadelphia Eagles (1-0)
AFC: Oakland Raiders (0-1) /New England Patriots (1-0) /New York Jets (1-0)

MY TEAMS:
NFC: Carolina Panthers (0-1) /Philadelphia Eagles (1-0)
AFC: Miami Dolphins (0-1) /Pittsburgh Steelers (1-0)

The first weekend of games is over, and a few facts emerged. The Raiders may be the most hapless team in the league, the Packers are a close second, and players seem to be working in fifth gear. The games I saw all included lightning-quick passing defense. Teams are swarming the receivers with gang tackles, and that opens up running lanes.

Moving Picture of the Day
A drag-and-drop map quiz of Africa and the Middle East. The Stans ruined my curve.

In the News
We watched the President's address last night, and it sounded like a weak book report. Bush had to say something or he'd appear aloof. What he said last night had no meat to it. Until the end.

The attacks were meant to bring us to our knees, and they did, but not in the way the terrorists intended. Americans united in prayer, came to the aid of neighbors in need, and resolved that our enemies would not have the last word. The spirit of our people is the source of America's strength. And we go forward with trust in that spirit, confidence in our purpose, and faith in a loving God who made us to be free.

That sounds like Crusade-talk, a mistake he made initially after 9/11 when he actually used the word "crusade" to describe our response. When he talks of "the spirit of the people," it introduces a vague reference that becomes concrete, that of a communal faith, one shared religion. And that last sentence sounds no less than "we're gonna Christianize the hell out of you." I'm not paranoid about state/church theories, but this is a final word that sends the wrong signal to me, not to mention those who already think we're trying to force American Christianity on the world. We cannot waltz into the Middle East again and proclaim to bestow God-blessed civilization on them. That's just a rationale for colonialism. If that's what this administration thinks 9/11 ultimately means -- an opportunity to occupy and proselytize -- then they really are a clueless batch, and we need to get them out of office.

Finally, not for nothing, but five years after Pearl Harbor, Word War II was over. Just how committed are we to win this War on Terror, and is it a war or a foreign policy? I'm not sure it's anything more than an excuse.

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