Back home, but still very occupied!

We got back tonight, but it will be another early night as we plan on unloading the truck tomorrow.

No major mishaps, although there have been some adventures so far, including (but not limited to) the sighting (not by us) of a monkey in the road, a case of drunk and disorderly (again, not us, and fortunately, no authorities were involved), double dipping (definitely not us), and an enabling neighbor. Details to follow.

I'm quite proud of myself for driving all the way back by myself--it's been years since I did a long road trip--although there were a few scary moments when the rain came down so hard I could barely see Ken's taillights. We had walkie-talkies with us, so we were able to keep each other company and I was able to share my usual jokes at certain points. (A large wooden statue at a Route 66 shop has arms that slowly rotate, so I always do that as we drive by. When we cross the Mississippi, I like to say, "The mighty Mississippi. Old Man River. The Big Muddy." in a dramatic voice. Got to do that twice. When driving by a big Doppler radar ball, both of us mention the Super Double Viper Doppler in homage to all those news stations with their Super Doppler. We're weird, I know.)

I also amused myself by interspersing some new CD's (The Fratellis, The Plain White T's, The Ting Tings, the new Pretenders, Ludo, the latest Dandy Warhols) with listening to conservative talk radio and talking back to the nonsense I heard them spew. I think I caught all the players at some point: Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, that Savage guy (who kept mentioning "Ein Volk [with the V pronounced as a V, rather than the proper German pronunciation with an F] Ein Reich, Ein Obama"--hahaha!), Laura Ingraham, and my personal fave, Sean Hannity, who asked his guest, "So what's the deal? Do Hillary and Bill like Obama?" What a gossip queen! Maybe the President can have Rahm pass notes from him to Hillary and Bill that say, "Do you like me? Check yes or no."

Hm, guess I missed O'Reilly and Gallagher, but the others were entertaining enough. I can only take so much blather, anyway.

We've still got plenty of work to do this week, so my reading and commenting will be limited for a little while longer. Ken's mom and stepdad seem to be really excited about their new place and about being up here. It's been stressful for them, as moves always are, but I think that now that the time has arrived, they're excited to get up here.

More soon. Miss you guys!

I'm conscious, and I object, your Honor!

In today's online edition of our local paper, I was a little pissed off disturbed to read a story about one of our local college's turn in the national spotlight.

This was thanks to conservative talk radio host Mike Gallagher, who questioned the patriotism of Goshen College, because they do not play the national anthem during sporting events. From the South Bend Tribune story by Dave Stephens:

Gallagher questioned how Goshen College could say the "Star-Spangled Banner" is undesirable and still accept federal student aid.

"How does a college like Goshen deal with, like, teaching history, or teaching about the Revolutionary War, or World War II?" Gallagher asked.

Gee, I don't know, Gallagher. How do YOU deal with, like, talking about religious tolerance? Oh yeah...you DON'T! Because it doesn't exist for you!

Goshen College is a Mennonite college. The Mennonites, along with the other Anabaptist religions (including the Amish), are pacifists. They do not believe in war, and they are conscientious objectors in times of war. This doesn't mean that they can't teach about it in their history classes, you numbnuts. Not all Mennonite colleges choose to not play the national anthem at sporting events, but this is Goshen College's policy, and it is based on the tradition set by the group that founded the college. They believe in the separation of church and state, and for the 114 years of their existence, this has been their policy. It is their choice, and to imply that they are not patriotic or that they should not receive federal student aid is intolerance of the worst sort. The Amish and the Mennonites are a large and important part of our community, very kind and decent people, and I find this guy's comments incredibly offensive.

Check this, Gallagher...you can still love your country and not love war. To question this religious group's patriotism because of their personal relationship with their God is abhorrent to me. I had hoped that the rejection of hate-filled propaganda and venomous rhetoric in the recent campaign would have sent a message to Gallagher and others of his ilk, but apparently not. Conservative talk radio seems to be about furthering hate, disseminating misinformation, and generally telling all of us that we are dead wrong if we don't fall into goose-stepping line with their own beliefs.

What's next, Gallagher? Planning on assaulting an Amish guy? Bitchslapping a Buddhist? Hitting a Hutterite? Clouting a Quaker? Big man.

For the record, I'm not a pacifist. I believe there are times when a show of force is necessary. But I will never ridicule or question anyone's patriotism because of their religious beliefs, or because of their own personal moral code. The guy was way out of line on this one.