So, (e:jim)'s update has reminded me that I have not updated.

Basically, I am off the meds because the doctor's appointments and bills became to much to deal with. My doctor was great, but their office staff was a wreck.

I promised my dear wife I would start over again with a new doctor.

Does anybody know a good doc, with an organized/efficient front office and billing system?

And Jim, I am sorry that the other stuff stopped working for you. The Ritalin, for the short time that I was on it, worked sometimes and not others. I only felt bad if I drank too much coffee with it, or took my doses to close together.

I am downloading the newest version of Ubuntu right now. Windows will live on in a partition of my harddrive, but hopefully, I will use it infrequently.

I am more excited about changing an OS than a person should be, but I am glad to stop complaining about crazy Microsoft and actually start doing something about it.

I give credit to Open Office and Firefox for demonstrating how much better Open source can be, and to Vista, for convincing me that a different OS couldn't be much worse. Also to Ubuntu for making a live CD easy to test out and for making installation look easy (we'll see how easy when I am done)

Our government has admitted to torture, in general, but hasn't "named names" or prosecuted it. In my opinion, the Obama administration is failing to do its' duty here. While the "low-level" guys MIGHT have an excuse, the higher ups do not. Prosecution will be difficult, but if we do nothing, there is no deterrent to future torture.

To avoid trials, I would be willing to offer amnesty for all people that made a full reporting and apology for any involvement in torture. Following that period of amnesty, there should be a full investigation and trials.

To me, this is not a left/right thing. It's a humanity thing, a security thing, and a rule of law thing. There is never a reason to torture a person. Every time we condone torture, we gain enemies and alienate allies. Every time we ignore our laws and our values, we weaken them.

I've wanted to try Linux for the longest time. Now I really have. I downloaded an Ubuntu live CD last night, and am making this post right now from my home computer running it.

(e:Janelle) is more fond of windows than I am, so we will not install it on the home computer, but I do anticipate that I will install it on my laptop sometime soon (I have one windows game that doesn't work on the home computer--I've got to wear that out a little, first)

Everything works great, everything looks great. It's fast and its easy and there is all kinds of stuff for free.

My only beef is that the internet looks different. I think it's the fonts.

I don't know if you can see the difference in this screen shot:

hmm. can't upload the screenshot. nevermind.

That's the other thing you can't tell from the live disk--how the plug-ins and other necessary downloads work. I am still growing in my confidence though.

. . . but I did something different for Palm Sunday. Here it is:



At first, we like God.

Because we think God is going to save us.

At first, we like God.

Because we are sure that God is on our side.

At first, we like God.

Because God can act now, quickly, and decisively.

So we shout, "Hosanna." "Save us."

And God does.

And we celebrate.

But notice--

His War Horse is not a Horse.

He's on a pack animal. And a borrowed one, at that.



Now look, he goes to the Temple.

We wave our branches higher.

He's going to save us our religion.

He's going to save our country.

He's going to take back the land for God.

We've wanted God to come. Now God is here. Victory will be ours.

"Save us," we shout. "Hosanna" "Blessed is David's Kingdom."


David built God's temple.

You are going to tear it down?

David defeated God's enemies.

You are going to feed them?

David took the land for God.

Your Kingdom is not of this world?

David took God's throne.

You are taking the cursed cross?

At first we liked you.

But you aren't going to save us.


A grain of wheat must die?

The first must become last?

We must take up a cross?

No!

You are not like David.

You are not like God.

You are the anti-King.

You are the anti-God.


You cannot save us.

You will destroy us.

You must be stopped.

"Save us?"

We were so foolish.

We have no King but Caesar.

"Crucify him."


"Save Us," cries the crowd.

"Take up your cross," replies Jesus.

It sounds silly,

But to people-in-salvation,

the cross is the power of God.