Virgin territory in Colorado

I just got back from a week in Albuquerque for business and on our return trip (yes we drove! - 8 1/2 hours each way) we drove up Hwy 141 from Dove Creek through Naturita and Gateway. Wow, what a beautiful stretch of highway! With the passes north of Durango a little dicey, we decided on 141 versus going through Moab. It took about the same time, but it certainly was much prettier driving through the canyons than that ugly stretch of road on I-70 between Hwy 191 in Utah and Grand Junction.

Try it sometime. I think you'll be surprised. Oh, and the Mexican food was awesome!

Truly a time for change

Finally, it's here on our doorstep! The day that many have been waiting for! No, not the new phone books (thanks to Steve Martin as "The Jerk"), it's the day that officially ends what is arguably the worst presidency since WWII and maybe ever (even when compared to the one month term of William Henry Harrison who caught the flu during his inaugural speech - we should have been so lucky). And tomorrow we look to the future and what is possible. Only time will tell, not some crazy apocalyptic prediction, as to the success of our next president.

With Israel pulling troops out of Gaza, I'm reminded of the Iranian hostage crisis and how the Iranians thumbed their noses at Jimmy Carter only to free the hostages on Reagan's watch. Is this because Israel knows that they need to start fresh with a new US administration or just that they've done all the damage that they planned to do in the first place? We'll probably never know, but at least it's a step in the right direction.

Congratulations to the millions that have made the pilgrimage to Washington DC for the inaugural. Believe that there are many millions that will be there in spirit willing this new president to create a better life for all, a better union for this country and a better standing in the world.

Thank you to Jon Stewart and the crew at The Daily Show

As we watched the show from last week that pimped on the media coverage of the Obama children going to school for the first day, we realized that The Daily Show folks carp on the media nearly as much as everyone else combined. For good reason!!! Manufacturing news out of the school lunch menu at Sidwell Friends School is just pathetic. And it wasn't just one news outlet that needed filler, it was nearly ALL of them! How about doing more in-depth reporting on where all the TARP money is going or the latest on what is happening in Afghanistan or analysis of the current Palestine-Israel conflict (not opinions, but facts)?

All I can say is a big "Thank you" to Jon Stewart for doing your best to keep the honest. And Aasif Mandvi's piece on Sanjay Gupta was HYSTERICAL!

Where in the White House is "W"?

So here's my question of the day (or two or three): What is our illustrious, infamous President since the transition started? Is he taking advantage of Nixon's bowling alley before it get torn down to make room for a basketball court? Is he wandering the halls, opening doors to rooms he's never seen having the Secret Service give him a private tour of the White House before he must depart at 10:00 AM January 20th? Is the lame duck feeding the ducks?

George (if I can call you that - everyone else feels that they have to call you Mr. President), I'm wondering if you're earning your keep these last weeks of the most disastrous presidency in modern times. Or are you just taking inventory of all the precious items that are going in the moving truck? Doesn't look like there are any more arrows in the administration's quiver for the economy (I know let the next guy handle it...) and it looks like Gaza will just burn like Lebanon.

Here's a suggestion: since your approval rating is below 50%, I think that you should have to forgo your pension after you leave office. And I'm talking about all pensions that you would receive from public service, not just the presidency. I'm sure that even Texans are embarrassed to be seen with you. Try what other ex-presidents have done to earn a living - write a book, make a few speeches - oh wait, you're not real good at these things are you. Time to put a thinking cap on, be a little entrepreneurial - oh wait, you were a big failure at that too.

Well, George, I think you better enjoy these last days in the glory of your administration because you're going to be out there with the rest of us, trying to find work, making a living, getting credit and spoiling grandchildren (I'm sure they are on the way soon). And make sure you check out Clinton's closet for any skeletons you may be leaving behind. Oh wait, they don't have a room big enough for your skeletons. Just make sure that the movers don't take them down to Crawford (the picture is from official "western" white house website). Looks like the Bentley is already there.