Word comes from the journal New Scientist that the discoverers of three species of slime-mould beetle want to name them after U.S. President George W. Bush, Vice-President Dick Cheney and Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. Though the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature is worried that the names might be seized upon by comedians -- safe guess -- the entomologists who identified the bugs insist they are conservatives and intend the designations Agathidium bushi, Agathidium cheneyi and Agathidium rumsfeldi as a compliment. There is a long tradition of honouring people by naming insects after them, including Nelson Mandela (parasitic wasp), Brian Mulroney (dung fly) and The Far Side cartoonist Gary Larson (owl louse).

How fitting.

"The difference between a democracy and a dictatorship is that in a democracy you vote first and take orders later; in a dictatorship you don't have to waste your time voting."

Charles Bukowski

I just returned from watching Hotel Rwanda. It was OK, but not especially informative - essentially an African Schindler's List.

The book Shake Hands With The Devil was a much better account.

Today I saw a mini torch designed to flame Creme Brule. It was on sale @ Sonoma and watchmacallit for $ 80.00! A standard plumbers torch is $20.00.

Never underestimate the potential for conspicuous consumption. I must go back and re-read Thorsten Veblen's
Theory of the Leisure Class.

I watched Clinton speak at the DNC last night. He really is an articulate man.

" Strength and Wisdom are not opposing values ".

Toronto is really quiet today. I guess everyone is watching the soccer game. The Portugese and Greek neighbourhoods should be wild this afternoon.

Me, I'd rather watch paint dry.