Global Warming - Carbon Dioxide - Environment - Climate Change - Air Pollution - New York Times

Global Warming - Carbon Dioxide - Environment - Climate Change - Air Pollution - New York Times

Am I really reading this in the NY Times? A column that suggests that the carbon offset game is a nearly worthless charade? Could it be merely a 'feel good' option for folks who can afford it?

Skeptical? You bet I am.

I think the carbon offset business is a way for people to make money off global warming (the brokers who run these exchanges) while contributing almost nothing to reducing greenhouse gas [GG] emissions. Planting a few trees here and there or investing in a windmill somewhere on the prairie tells me we really aren't serious about solving the problem, assuming that man can solve it (doubtful under the best of circumstances).

Any solution should have measurable goal s , e. g., reducing GG emissions by 'x' tons annually will reduce the rate of temperature increase by 'y' degrees annually. Why don't I get that information from anywhere?

A Saudi Prince Tied to Bush Is Sounding Off-Key - New York Times

A Saudi Prince Tied to Bush Is Sounding Off-Key - New York Times

Insightful reporting and analysis of a very important relationship...the U.S. and Saudi Arabia. I think the Saudis don't much like the anti-fossil fuels initiatives around the world from their biggest customers, so they will be less cozy with the West in the future. Of course, China is always available as a customer.

We need more reporting from the American media about the geo-politics of an economy determined to be more energy efficient and using less oil. (Well, not actually less oil for a long, long time, but the rate of growth in usage by the West will be curtailed.)

Vudu Casts Its Spell on Hollywood - New York Times

Vudu Casts Its Spell on Hollywood - New York Times

VuDu's idea, if it flies, is Nirvana for couch potatoes. However, it's unlikely that the Big Guys like Microsoft, Google, Yahoo, Amazon, etc. will sit idly by and let this happen. I think Vudu will be bought by one of them or Vudu becomes a patent licensing company, assuming the patents are granted.

In any event the idea is right. No one wants to rely on the PC as intermediary for digital video. The instant-on feature and peer-to-peer networking to deliver the video makes sense as long as the broadband connection can support the download speeds for HD movies.

This is where the world is headed and Verizon's FioS service may be a direct competitor to VuDu for HD content on demand. I'm assuming the VuDu licensing deals with the studios are not exclusive.

Gmail - Circuits: Is It Time for An Online Code of Conduct?

Gmail - Circuits: Is It Time for An Online Code of Conduct?

I agree with Pogue in this piece about a Code of Conduct proposed by Tim O'Reilly. Comments should be identified with the person making them. Anonymity, in most cases, should not be the standard when posting online.

"...There's room for argument over some of his points -- true to form, most bloggers' first reaction was to criticize it -- but one point, I think, is unassailable:

"3. Consider eliminating anonymous comments."

That's it, baby. People don't go to psychotic extremes when their names or e-mail addresses are visible."

WIndows Home Server

I linked to this Ed Bott post because when the time comes, I want Windows Home Server!

Microsoft hits a home run with Windows Home Server by ZDNet's Ed Bott -- Almost without exception, the first reaction when people hear that Microsoft is working on Windows Home Server is, "Why would I want that?" After they see it, the first reaction is much simpler: "I want that." In this post and accompanying image gallery, I supply details about why you'll want Windows Home Server on your home network.

Vermont House Rejects Impeachment Resolution

Yesterday, the Vermont House of Representatives voted on a resolution to impeach the President and the Vice President of the United States. Below is the roll call as published by the Burlington Free Press.

The Iraq war has churned up strong anti-war views among Vermonters. I certainly do not support impeachment and I do not support any Congressional action that establishes a timetable for withdrawal. That is foolhardy and represents the very worst sort of politicing ( I suppose that the one thing the proposal does is to send a message to Iraq to get their house in order. But I think the far stronger message it sends to terrorists is that some Americans and their leaders do not have the will for a long, tough fight against terror.

For those who support Iraq withdrawal on a timetable I have a question. Please describe your plan for the war on terror and your strategy for handling the Mid-East fallout if/when America prematurely withdraws? To advocate withdrawal without a plan is a head-in-the-sand approach.

The yes votes below certainly identify those Vermont legislators who would rather spend time on a frivolous diversion. Meanwhile, they are unable to tackle the major issues facing the state. Kudos to those who voted 'no.'

---

IMPEACHMENT ROLL CALL VOTING

NO: Joe Acinapura, R-Brandon; Steve Adams, R-Hartland; David Ainsworth, R-Royalton; George Allard, D-St. Albans Town; Margaret Andrews, D-Rutland City; Kenneth Atkins, D-Winooski; Albert Audette, D-South Burlington; Joseph Baker, R-West Rutland; Clement Bissonnette, D-Winooski; Bill Botzow, D-Pownal; Carolyn Whitney Branagan, R-Georgia; Christopher Bray, D-New Haven; Patrick Brennan, R-Colchester; Cynthia Browning, D-Arlington; William Canfield, R-Fair Haven; Harry Chen, D-Mendon; David Clark, R-St. Johnsbury; Gregory Clark, R-Vergennes; Alison Clarkson, D-Woodstock; John Clerkin, R-Hartford; Jim Condon, D-Colchester; Michel Consejo, D-Sheldon; Timothy Corcoran, D-Bennington; Gale Courcelle, D-Rutland City; David Deen, D-Westminster; Dennis Devereux, R-Mount Holly; Andrew Donaghy, R-Poultney; Anne Donahue, R-Northfield; Joyce Errecart, R-Shelburne; James Fitzgerald, D-St. Albans City; Margaret Flory, R-Pittsford; William Frank, D-Underhill; Avis Gervais, D-Enosburg; Gary Gilbert, D-Fairfax; Reginald Godin, D-Milton; Martha Heath, D-Westford; Steven Howard, D-Rutland City; Richard Howrigan, D-Fairfield; Richard Hube, R-Londonderry; Cola Hudson, R-Lyndon; Peter Hunt, D-Essex; Tim Jerman, D-Essex; William Johnson, R-Canaan; Kathleen Keenan, D-St. Albans City; Bill Keogh, D-Burlington; Duncan Kilmartin, R-Newport City; Thomas Koch, R-Barre Town; Patti Komline, R-Dorset; Joseph Krawczyk, R-Bennington; Michele Kupersmith, D-South Burlington; Leigh Larocque, R-Barnet; Steve Larrabee, R-Danville; Kathy LaBelle LaVoie, R-Swanton; Richard Lawrence, R-Lyndon; Judith Livingston, R-Manchester; John Malcolm, D-Pawlet; Ann Manwaring, D-Wilmington; Michael Marcotte, R-Coventry; Norman McAllister, R-Highgate; Virginia McCormack, D-Rutland City; Patricia McDonald, R-Berlin; Francis McFaun, R-Barre Town; Harry Monti, D-Barre City; Anne Mook, D-Bennington; John Morley, R-Barton; Mary Morrissey, R-Bennington; Linda Myers, R-Essex; Pat O'Donnell, R-Vernon; Harvey Otterman, R-Topsham; Kitty Oxholm, R-Vergennes; Janice Peaslee, R-Guildhall; Kathy Pellett, D-Chester; Albert Perry, D-Richford; Mary Peterson, D-Williston; Dave Potter, D-Clarendon; Heidi Scheuermann, R-Stowe; Ernest Shand, D-Weathersfield; Loren Shaw, R-Derby; Shap Smith, D-Morristown; Will Stevens, I-Shoreham; David Sunderland, R-Rutland Town; Donald Turner, R-Milton; Leo Valliere, R-Barre City; Richard Westman, R-Cambridge; Scott Wheeler, R-Derby; Philip Winters, R-Williamstown; Kurt Wright, R-Burlington VOTING YES Janet Ancel, D-Calais; Jon Anderson, D-Montpelier; William Aswad, D-Burlington; Denise Barnard, D-Richmond; Margaret Cheney, D-Norwich; Sarah Copeland-Hanzas, D-Bradford; Susan Davis, D-Washington; Johannah Donovan, D-Burlington; Robert Dostis, D-Waterbury; Sarah Edwards, P-Brattleboro; Alice Emmons, D-Springfield; Debbie Evans, D-Essex; Gail Fallar, D-Tinmouth; Michael Fisher, D-Lincoln; Patsy French, D-Randolph; Maxine Jo Grad, D-Moretown; Sandy Haas, P-Rochester; Helen Head, D-South Burlington; Carol Hosford, D-Waitsfield; Jim Hutchinson, D-Randolph; Willem Jewett, D-Ripton; Mitzi Johnson, D-South Hero; Warren Kitzmiller, D-Montpelier; Tony Klein, D-East Montpelier; Mark Larson, D-Burlington; Joan Lenes, D-Shelburne; Lucy Leriche, D-Hardwick; William Lippert, D-Hinesburg; Jason Lorber, D-Burlington; Steven Maier, D-Middlebury; Richard Marek, D-Newfane; Cynthia Martin, D-Springfield; Linda Martin, D-Wolcott; Jim Masland, D-Thetford; Jim McCullough, D-Williston; Virginia Milkey, D-Brattleboro; Alice Miller, D-Shaftsbury; Sue Minter, D-Waterbury; Mark B. Mitchell, D-Barnard; John Moran, D-Wardsboro; Michael Mrowicki, D-Putney; Floyd Nease, D-Johnson; Betty Nuovo, D-Middlebury; Michael Obuchowski, D-Rockingham; Hilde Ojibway, D-Hartford; Scott Orr, D-Charlotte; Carolyn Partridge, D-Windham; Christopher Pearson, P-Burlington; Peter Peltz, D-Woodbury; Daryl Pillsbury, I-Brattleboro; Ann Pugh, D-South Burlington; Dexter Randall, P-Troy; John Rodgers, D-Glover; David Sharpe, D-Bristol; Kristy Spengler, D-Colchester; Donna Sweaney, D-Windsor; Ira Trombley, D-Grand Isle; Rachel Weston, D-Burlington; John Zenie, D-Colchester; David Zuckerman, P-Burlington NOT VOTING Donald Bostic, R-St. Johnsbury; Robert Helm, R-Castleton

Panama Map

Tentative voyage destination on the 10&2.

Tribal Gaza

This excerpt from a NY Times story today depicts how far the Palestinians have to travel to be capable of governing a "Palestinian State." The Israeli decision to leave Gaza allows the world to see the current state of affairs following the election of Hamas, a terrorist organization. As in much of the Middle East, tribal loyalties are more important than politics or democratic governance. Violence seems to be a way of life.

"Also in Gaza, around 200 men from the Abu Sharkh tribe, many armed with rifles and M16s, pushed their way into the parliament building, firing in the air, and carrying the body of 38-year-old Hassan Abu Sharkh on a stretcher.

The protesters briefly left Abu Sharkh's body in the plenum, pushing aside guards, chanting that the killers be bought to justice.

Abu Sharkh was shot in the head on Sunday, and his body dumped in a nearby park. Two other Palestinians were killed in internal fighting on the same day.

Such slayings have become a serious problem in Gaza, and killers are rarely bought to justice.

Smugglers and clansmen settle differences with guns, and bands of self-styled vigilantes have killed suspected pimps, prostitutes, drug dealers, owners of music shops, internet cafes, pool halls -- activities which could divert people from worship -- and women suspected of sexual misconduct. Bystanders are often wounded or killed.

On Monday, a 12-year-old boy was shot dead in northern Gaza by a stray bullet fired by gunmen, while in a separate incident a 5-year-old girl suffered serious head wounds when she was hit by another stray bullet."

Removing Crapware from New PC

Saved as a reminder when I do finally spring for a new Vista PC

Held Hostage on Earth and in Space

Think about this future scenario:

China has become the world's leading economic power, producing the majority of goods for the world and by far the richest country on earth. Meanwhile, the U.S. and Europe are bogged down in a world wide war on Islamic terror with declining birth rates at home and a green, no-growth service economy largely committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions while China pays little attention to global warming.

Because China needs Mid-east and Africa oil to fuel its growth and the higher expectations of its increasingly wealthy populace, it agrees to pay more for oil than the West can afford because we have not yet weaned ourselves from our oil addiction. Some of this oil revenue is used to fund the radical Islamists. China decides to raise prices for its manufactured goods and the West slowly finds itself in tightening financial straits ever more reliant on China to fund its national debts.

Then a spark ignites a war someplace on earth over natural resources and China and the West find themselves on opposite sides of the conflict. The conflict escalates and China now decides to blackmail the West by threatening to shoot down the Global Positioning System satellites upon which the world has come to rely for both military and civilian applications. China has developed its own GPS system at this point.

The U.S. has not developed a similar capability to destroy satellites in orbit, according to this story in the NY Times today. What is our response to China's intimidation?

Google Docs and Spreadsheets

Google spyware? Fine by me… by ZDNet's Christopher Dawson -- A reader of one of my last posts, "Google Presentations…one more step in the right direction", did not share my enthusiasm for Google Apps: "More Google spyware One more way for Google to build their database about you. Or, you could just use Google for search, and keep their database at that!" I have to say, however, [...]

I haven't taken the leap to Google Apps on my own domain, but I avidly use the components, Gmail, Docs and Spreadsheets, and Calendar. I find them all to be compelling tools for what I do. I agree with the post above. I have long ago relinquished the idea of anonymity while using the Web or its services. A person should have no illusions that how s/he uses the Internet is strictly private. I won't let privacy paranoia interfere with efficiency and ease of use.

I find the convenience and usefulness of the tools (did I mention free?) overwhelmingly more beneficial than the fact that information about my search and use patterns lives on Google servers subject to review, analysis and even subpoena. However, I do not entrust my most sensitive documents to unencrypted external servers. I want them available on my PC or in a safe deposit box in hard copy, or both.

Although I'm looking forward to the release of Windows Home Server later this year, I remain a fan of storing and sharing docs online. I also believe that Web 2.0 apps are still in their infancy and will grow exponentially, particularly as mobile broadband expands.

Vista PC Moving Day

Helpful hints from Larry Magid for moving from Windows XP to Vista

Bush Speech on Darfur Genocide

Here is a transcript of Bush's speech about the next steps the U.S. will take to halt the Darfur genocide. What better place to speak to the issue than at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington DC. I f the world is serious about "Never Again," they and we must do more to stop this killing.

Can anyone doubt that the heart of man is evil?

NY Times Nonsense

This editorial about the tragic VA Tech shootings is off the mark. As we've come to expect from the Times, they think guns kill people. No, people kill people. Nevertheless, expect a big push for gun control.

The other nonsense in this terrible event is the criticism that by some magic, the police should have immediately 'locked down' a 2,600 acre campus with hundreds of buildings. Most of the mainstream media has joined in this foolish 'lockdown' tirade. It can't be done. Consider locking down a city of 25,000 between 7:15 and 9:00 am after a double murder. It can't be done. The criticism is unwarranted, but the media believes they must find something to criticize the authorities when bad things happen. The media live in Lala land where they think the government can protect people from everything as this editorial states.

What Passes for Journalism

An email sent to a friend

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
You know me, Jane. I'd read this...and I did. Now what do I do? Write, I guess.

I have little faith that the media present the facts and stories they should. I believe most of it (video, at least) IS infotainment. How else to explain the fixation with Anna Nicole Smith, Imus, and any number of pop culture subjects that matter little in comparison to the really important issues that face us (On TV those issue usually scroll by at the bottom of the screen on the cable news shows). I suppose people feel powerless to influence the big issues, but they can relate to the humanness of celebrities.

All broadcast media has a bias. The honest ones admit what it is. Those that say they are unbiased are full of shit.

Because I distrust of the media is one reason I write a blog. It forces me to think and write and ponder various issues that I read about or see on TV/Internet.

We have to remember that TV is primarily entertainment. The Internet is a better source of information because it has more contributors (The piece barely mentioned the Internet other than Google search.)

The piece leans toward "A Great Conspiracy Theory" I don't buy that because Man is too diverse to be able to manipulate us for decades. Certainly, I'd agree that man has an evil heart, not good as many believe. If good, why have we had war continuously someplace on this planet for the last 4,000 years, as those who study such things have recently stated?
+++++++++++++++++++++

Winter Storm Warning!

Seems more like March than mid- April! Right now (10:00 am) we have light rain with temperature about 37 degrees F.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++

	Winter Storm Warning
Statement as of 4:02 AM EDT on April 15, 2007 ... Winter Storm Warning remains in effect from 8 am this morning to 6 PM EDT Monday... A Winter Storm Warning remains in effect from 8 am this morning to 6 PM EDT Monday for the Saint Lawrence valley... the entire Champlain Valley... the Adirondacks of northern New York... as well as north central and northeast Vermont. Widespread rain and snow is expected to overspread the region during the morning hours today. As temperatures cool tonight... precipitation will change to all snow... which will fall heavily at times through Monday morning. Some mix of sleet is possible over north central and northeast Vermont. As milder air filters into the region during the day on Monday... snow will once again mix with... and possibly change to rain at times across the region. Total snow accumulation is expected to vary widely during this event... with the heaviest totals of 10 to 20 inches over the Adirondacks. Elsewhere... 6 to 14 inches is possible across the Champlain Valley and the Saint Lawrence Valley. North central and northeast Vermont will see totals ranging from 7 to 14 inches... with the highest amounts across north central portions of Vermont... to include the western slopes of the Green Mountains. Please stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio... your local media... or go to www.Weather.Gov/Burlington for further updates on this weather situation.

Verizon's VoIP Patent Litigation

This column describes the patent pain exemplified by the recent decision for Verizon and against Vonage in the recent litigation where Verizon sued Vonage for patent infringement. Here is just one of hundreds of cases where companies are defending their business against those who would take some of it using technologies different than those of the incumbent.

The U.S. patent situation is enormously complex and costly, particularly when creating patentable IP, or legally defending them when infringed by others, or administered if they are to licensed.

Some would argue that today's U.S. patent system is broken, inefficient and unable to keep pace with galloping technology. Many game the patent system and others (think Asia) choose to ignore it. Some on the cutting edge of technology may not even bother to file for patents because the technology is moving so fast they believe the patent will be useless because it will be overtaken by new ideas and discoveries.

Nevertheless, the patent system is what it is and small technology R&D companies must play in this sandbox effectively or risk an infringement lawsuit that may devastate their business because of the cost to defend it. Also, they must decie how to invest limited resources to apply for patents in order to protect their ideas and technology or risk losing a potentially lucrative revenue stream from licensing.

Does Spelling Matter?

fi yuo cna raed tihs, yuo hvae a sgtrane mnid too


This is floating around the Internet and I thought it was interesting. I thought of my old high school English teachers and how much they would not appreciate it! In addition to requiring the first and last letter to be correct, the number of letters in each word and punctuation must also be correct. Also very helpful is the number of three letter words used.

Cna yuo raed tihs? Olny 55 plepoe out of 100 can.

I cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The phaonmnealpweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it dseno'tmtaetr in waht oerdr the ltteres in a wrod are, the olny iproamtnt tihng is taht the frsit and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it whotuit a pboerlm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Azanmig huh? yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt! if you can raed tihs forwrad it

Imus Bites the Dust

I have found Imus generally repulsive the few times I've tuned in to snippets of his morning radio show. He always seemed infatuated with himself and those voices on the show surrounding him were co-conspirators in the garbage frequently served up. I'm not sad to see him go.

This NY Times story effectively analyzes hell week for Imus as he lost his job. This one from another perspective is also thoughtful, if a bit brash.

His comments about the Rutgers women's basketball team were wrong. I hope this incident will shed the same bright light on the garbage lyrics of rap and hip-hop music from performers of this junk genre. Will the advertisers, media and music companies stand up, decry that crap with the same loud voices as they have with Imus...and refuse to promote and sell it? If they don't, they will be rightly labeled as money-grubbing hypocrites.

Nasty racial and sexual language is wrong and bad for our culture irrespective of which race employs it. Making money from it is worse yet.

New Proposal for 700 Mhz Spectrum

The spectrum to be available in 2009 and the auction preceding the allocation of it will have very important implications for wireless broadband. I'm not sure I like the idea of public safety agencies sharing spectrum for use in an emergency. This would mean that private users would not have it available to them in that same emergency, when they may also need it.

I think the spectrum should be allocated in such a way that both the private sector and public safety people have the ability to use their bandwidth even in an emergency. Perhaps Markoff oversimplifies the dynamic allocation process, but best efforts should be exerted by the FCC for satisfying both public and private demands with their own slice of spectrum.

Muslims and Terror

Muslims and Terror

I don't know any Muslims personally. I wish I did so I could talk with them about what they believe and question them about radical Islam vs mainstream Islam. As I think about the the West's fight against terrorism spawned by Bin Laden and other radicals who want our way of life destroyed and to see us dead because they consider us infidels, I wonder why Muslims do not speak out more clearly about the hijacking of their religion. Are they afraid for their lives? Are they confused about the meaning of various parts of the Quran? What do they have to say about jihad?

I am wary about condemning the religion as violent if only a small number of radicals have distorted it. But without strong voices within Islam condemning the radicals, then leaders of the 'non-violent' majority stand to lose credibility and my respect. It's as if a minority of true Christians were radical enough to advocate killing all Buddhists and attempt to destroy the culture and religion of Japan. As a Christian, I would speak out against such terrorism against another religion.

Silence by Islamic leaders in the face of jihad is unacceptable in today's world. Unless mainstream Muslims speak openly and clearly against terror spawned by radical Islamists, the religion itself will be painted as violent.

In an age of spreading nuclear know-how, a dirty bomb set off in New York or other major U.S. city would certainly cripple our economy. All possible measures must be taken to prevent that. And Americans must understand the consequences of not preventing it. I saw a movie on TV recently that had radical Islamists setting off a dirty bomb in London as the main plot. It was spellbinding. To think that a city may not be destroyed physically, but rendered uninhabitable for decades or centuries amounts to the same thing.

For people to avoid considering this unpleasant (devastating?) possibility is to live in ignorance or denial. Bush doesn't talk in explicit terms about the ramifications of this possibility, rather in generalities about another 9/11 as he argues that Iraq in tatters would provide the breeding ground and resources (oil/money/sanctuary) for further attacks on America. I'm sure he doesn't want to alarm the populace, but is that wise when the consequences are so devastating?

Consider what our national response would be if a dirty bomb were set off in NYC, KC, Boston or LA. Would retaliation be the military choice while we were coping with the disaster? If so, where and how would we retaliate? Would we drop a nuke in the border regions of Pakistan? On Iranian nuclear facilities? What would we do? Without any viable response, would the terrorists have won the battle, if not the war?

Prevention is the only practical alternative, but under what terms and conditions? That's a legitimate debate as habeas corpus, the Patriot Act, border security, illegal immigration and other issues come into the prevention equation. For either party to politicize the threat of terror for personal or leadership gain is unacceptable. If the threat is real, then rational Americans had better shed their labels at the door and get down to the business of prevention at all costs.

As my mind contemplates these things without certainty in the results of man's actions, nevertheless I have hope that God in his wisdom has my future in His hands. Without that confidence, I would be frustrated and fearful. While I may lack confidence in the outcomes for America from our response to the terror threat, I have faith in my eternal future.

What Millionaires Think and Do

This excerpt from Thomas Kostigan's article on www.marketwatch.com. Interesting conclusion about the effects on financial markets by retirees' active mindsets and lifestyles. However, he fails to take into account the fact that institutional investors who vastly outnumber the individual investors in the stock market. Their mindset is to make money...period.

"...Northern Trust studied more than 1,000 households across the country with $1 million or more in investable assets. The company's Wealth in America report notes that aside from financial goals, millionaires in retirement first and foremost seek an active lifestyle.

Sixty-four percent of millionaires surveyed said it's important to pursue personal interests and hobbies in retirement, while 61% cite traveling in the U.S. and abroad as a goal in retirement. Enjoying an active lifestyle is important to 53% of millionaires, while a sizeable number (30%) plan to volunteer in their communities and find personal enrichment through continuing education.

I'm assuming this is why health care is of such importance to people -- they want to remain healthy to remain active. And I am also going to make the leap and say this is why the stock markets will remain healthy too. The vigorous lifestyle mind set goes part and parcel with a growth mentality rather than a more passive income-oriented personality.

If what I assume is true, then there isn't going to be much of an economic slowdown anytime soon as the baby boom generation continues to retire, mostly because they aren't really looking to retire at all.

Muslims and Terror

I don't know any Muslims personally. I wish I did so I could talk with them about what they believe and question them about radical Islam vs mainstream Islam. As I think about the the West's fight against terrorism spawned by Bin Laden and other radicals who want our way of life destroyed and to see us dead because they consider us infidels, I wonder why Muslims do not speak out more clearly about the hijacking of their religion. Are they afraid for their lives? Are they confused about the meaning of various parts of the Quran? What do they have to say about jihad?

I am wary about condemning the religion as violent if only a small number of radicals have distorted it. But without strong voices within Islam condemning the radicals, then leaders of the 'non-violent' majority stand to lose credibility and my respect. It's as if a minority of true Christians were radical enough to advocate killing all Buddhists and attempt to destroy the culture and religion of Japan. As a Christian, I would speak out against such terrorism against another religion.

Silence by Islamic leaders in the face of jihad is unacceptable in today's world. Unless mainstream Muslims speak openly and clearly against terror spawned by radical Islamists, the religion itself will be painted as violent.

In an age of spreading nuclear know-how, a dirty bomb set off in New York or other major U.S. city would certainly cripple our economy. All possible measures must be taken to prevent that. And Americans must understand the consequences of not preventing it. I saw a movie on TV recently that had radical Islamists setting off a dirty bomb in London as the main plot. It was spellbinding. To think that a city may not be destroyed physically, but rendered uninhabitable for decades or centuries amounts to the same thing.

For people to avoid considering this unpleasant (devastating?) possibility is to live in ignorance or denial. Bush doesn't talk in explicit terms about the ramifications of this possibility, rather in generalities about another 9/11 as he argues that Iraq in tatters would provide the breeding ground and resources (oil/money/sanctuary) for further attacks on America. I'm sure he doesn't want to alarm the populace, but is that wise when the consequences are so devastating?

Consider what our national response would be if a dirty bomb were set off in NYC, KC, Boston or LA. Would retaliation be the military choice while we were coping with the disaster? If so, where and how would we retaliate? Would we drop a nuke in the border regions of Pakistan? On Iranian nuclear facilities? What would we do? Without any viable response, would the terrorists have won the battle, if not the war?

Prevention is the only practical alternative, but under what terms and conditions? That's a legitimate debate as habeas corpus, the Patriot Act, border security, illegal immigration and other issues come into the prevention equation. For either party to politicize the threat of terror for personal or leadership gain is unacceptable. If the threat is real, then rational Americans had better shed their labels at the door and get down to the business of prevention at all costs.

As my mind contemplates these things without certainty in the results of man's actions, nevertheless I have hope that God in his wisdom has my future in His hands. Without that confidence, I would be frustrated and fearful. While I may lack confidence in the outcomes for America from our response to the terror threat, I have faith in my eternal future.