Wednesday, May 11, 2005
Book Chat Was Fun
Well, I had a lot of fun at my book talk yesterday.
The group was quite friendly and receptive, making me feel very welcome.
I have to admit, I was a little nervous as I started, and there were some acoustic problems (it was one of those rooms that just seems to absorb sound, so I understand a couple of people couldn't hear me too well), but overall I think the attendees found it interesting.
Most people bought a copy of the book, so that was quite gratifying.
One of the women in the group is also leader of a reading club, and she suggested that the group's next book might be mine, and then they'd invite me for a Q&A session. I'd love to do that!
All in all, a delightful afternoon. Thanks again to those who attended.
The group was quite friendly and receptive, making me feel very welcome.
I have to admit, I was a little nervous as I started, and there were some acoustic problems (it was one of those rooms that just seems to absorb sound, so I understand a couple of people couldn't hear me too well), but overall I think the attendees found it interesting.
Most people bought a copy of the book, so that was quite gratifying.
One of the women in the group is also leader of a reading club, and she suggested that the group's next book might be mine, and then they'd invite me for a Q&A session. I'd love to do that!
All in all, a delightful afternoon. Thanks again to those who attended.
Monday, May 02, 2005
Congressional Ethics
One of the things that I find amusing about the controversy surrounding Tom DeLay (he's Speaker of the House, a Texas Republican, in case you haven't been paying attention) is that it's an excellent illustration of the Party That Cried Wolf.
I live in Texas, and I try to stay on top of events, but I can't honestly tell you whether there's any serious basis for the charges against DeLay (he's accused of ethics violations).
But one thing's for sure--the public seems so tired of the endless carping from the Democrats (and other liberals) that they're simply tuning out all this noise.
After enduring a non-stop volcano of bile from the Left, with cries that Bush is the world's first combination moron/evil genius, and every Bush nominee is a Bible-thumping "theocrat," and every Republican elected official defrauded his way into office, the Hysteria Card has simply been played too many times.
I mean, who cares? When airhead Nancy Pelosi talks about ethics violations, can anyone take her seriously? The same person who's made innumerable unfounded charges on everthing put forth by the Bush administration--does she have anything that remotely resembles credibility?
So it looks like the shrill scandal-mongering has backfired (just as it did for the Republicans with Bill Clinton; he was so ceaselessly maligned that when there was evidence of genuine wrongdoing, it got lost in the hoopla of Monica Lewinski).
Serves 'em right, really.
Now maybe both sides will learn from this, and shut up and get to work on doing their jobs.
I live in Texas, and I try to stay on top of events, but I can't honestly tell you whether there's any serious basis for the charges against DeLay (he's accused of ethics violations).
But one thing's for sure--the public seems so tired of the endless carping from the Democrats (and other liberals) that they're simply tuning out all this noise.
After enduring a non-stop volcano of bile from the Left, with cries that Bush is the world's first combination moron/evil genius, and every Bush nominee is a Bible-thumping "theocrat," and every Republican elected official defrauded his way into office, the Hysteria Card has simply been played too many times.
I mean, who cares? When airhead Nancy Pelosi talks about ethics violations, can anyone take her seriously? The same person who's made innumerable unfounded charges on everthing put forth by the Bush administration--does she have anything that remotely resembles credibility?
So it looks like the shrill scandal-mongering has backfired (just as it did for the Republicans with Bill Clinton; he was so ceaselessly maligned that when there was evidence of genuine wrongdoing, it got lost in the hoopla of Monica Lewinski).
Serves 'em right, really.
Now maybe both sides will learn from this, and shut up and get to work on doing their jobs.
