While We're Away

OK, so I'm leaving the country in your hands (Bambino and I head out this afternoon). While we're gone, don't think it's non-stop-party time, though. Below is a "to do" list of five things we expect to be completed by time we get back. You're all adults (well, most of you), so I'm sure you can work out amongst yourselves who's best suited to do what, but we'll be checking in (as best we can) during our journeys, so don't leave it all to the last minute.

Here, in no particular order, are the things we'd like to see upon returning to the US:

1. Maintain a healthy national respect for habeas corpus, for all human beings, no matter what. I know that Lincoln suspended it during the Civil War, but let me make this easy for you...Bush is NO Lincoln and he never will be, so stop suggesting that makes it OK. This means, defeat the CYA detainee treatment bill Bush is muscling through the Congress to ensure he can't be tried for war crimes. (EXTRA: If you find the time, try Bush for war crimes).
2. Get the ambitious "Christian" leaders who attended the Family Research Council/Focus on the Family/American Family Association "Values Voters" summit to come up with a "rally the base" message that doesn't hinge upon fear, hatred, or intolerance. You know, help them pick an issue that Christ would approve of.
3. Give each Democrat serving in Congress a spine implant. And a few could use a personality implant while you're at it.
4. Car pool, buy a hybrid, take the bus now and then...Do what you personally can to lessen the pollutants contributing to the greenhouse effect. At least do more than you're doing right now. If that's just not your thing, consider instead buying some new ocean-front property. I hear good deals are to be had in Ohio.
5. Don't be afraid. No matter how high they raise the terror alert, and even if (God forbid) terrorists do strike...buck up, handle it like adults, and look out for each other. (I'll repeat that one because if I come back and hear any of you forgot this one, there will be consequences...you hear me???) LOOK OUT FOR EACH OTHER. And most importantly, keep our civil liberties intact. Fight for them tooth and nail. In the end, as a nation, they are our greatest treasure. Lose them, and the rest doesn't matter anywhere near as much.

OK, that's it. Do these right and we'll bring you all back some juicy sheep eyeballs as a pressie. See you soon!

e_ & b

PS. Image above of Tash Rabat, ancient inn on the Silk Road, about an hour outside the Kyrgyz / China border. We'll be visiting (but not staying...it's a national monument now). I'm so excited!!!