Chief Justice

The ongoing debate in the US over the appointment of a new Chief Justice is both surprising and alarming. In the US style of government, the court is a part of the checks and balances which are supposed to insure that a governing party does not do something fundamentally wrong. However, this is exactly what is being eroded right now.
The conservative elements which worked to get Bush re-elected now claim that they have the right to dictate law. They do not want Specter, who is a Republican, but left-leaning, to become Chief Justice. They are afraid that he will not nominate ultra-conservative judges for appointment to the Supreme Court. Ultimately, they want decisions such as Roe vs Wade overturned so that they can influence the policies both on a political front a swell as on a judicial front.

These are scary times for the US. When the people at large can influence court decisions we have to start questioning...

Northern Lights

On my journey up to Kelowna tonight, during a dark phase of the road, I was witness to the Northern Lights. Been a while since I have seen them.

When I lived in Yellowknife, one of the highlights of living there were the Northern Lights. During the cold of the winter the lights were spectacular and I would spend much time outside, watching them light up the sky. I miss that so it was a treat to see them again.

Have to plan more trips through dark highways in the middle of knowhere.