Rifle shots in Texas. 1963. 2006.

[DeepModem Mom]

I'm travelling, and have very limited computer time. But I was talking on the phone to my Gen Y kid, about the heightened effect the Cheney shooting gives to the sense of everything being out of control in our country, and, given our power, the helpless gut feeling that no one is in charge, certainly no one competent, or with the best interests of the nation in their heart.

"Yep," she says. "It's over. We're at the vomitorium stage. That's what empires do. Our vice-president has just shot a man while engaging for entertainment in a blood sport."

I said, "Well, will we ever be like Britain, maybe a better place, with less power?"

"Maybe. But another empire will rise, and it will start all over again."

Not such happy thoughts for this day. But I'm not sure things have been "in control" in our country, with people of competence and dedication leading our nation, since the rabid Republicans started their long march. Eisenhower maybe, Kennedy. LBJ became mired in Vietnam. Nixon, Reagan. Carter destroyed. Clinton disabled.

Climate change. Iraq, Iran. Scandal, avarice. Destroying the heritage of our nation's land, our wildlife. Katrina. Lies, cover-ups, character assassination. A press no longer free. The exit from government of dedicated professionals. Rifle shots in Texas. 1963. 2006.