It rained hard yesterday. All day. Still, I had errands to run, so it gave me a chance to test my rain gear. The temperature stayed at 45 degrees most of the day, and I was way overdressed as far as warmth is concerned. The rain coat performed great, the pants good, but I need some waterproof overshoes for my feet, and some better gloves. While these gloves are polyester and waterproof, they still retain coldness when they get wet. It wasn't a big deal yesterday, but if the temp dips below 40, like it is today, it would be a big problem if it rained.

While I was riding in the rain, a young lady, attractive with compassionate eyes, offered to give me a ride. I smiled, thanked her kindly, and rode off. I know how it looks when you see someone riding in the rain. You think they're miserable. In reality, in my own case anyway, nothing could be further from the truth. I'm probably more comfortable on my bike in my warm, dry clothes, than most people huddling close to the heater in their car, hoping it will hurry and warm up. Plus, I never have to worry about scraping my windshield, or leaving early because I have to get gas.

Today reassured me also, this time concerning my cold weather gear. It's about 23 degrees, and I've been on my bike most of the morning and early afternoon. The only possible problem I foresee is my face. I don't want to obstruct my peripheral vision too much, but if it's cold and windy, I'll have to cover it more than I did today.

I seldom watch TV. I believe it's poison, subtle (and not so subtle) brainwashing, and, in many instances, is meant to dictate our behavior, by portraying what "normal" people are supposed to be like. The implication is: If you're not like this, something is wrong with you.

That said, last night, I watched NBC's prime time lineup. The last time I watched TV was about four months ago, and I was shocked by the change in climate. I'm talking political. Four months ago, no network would dare mention anything contradicting the Bush regime's policies. Last night, however, a Law and Order episode actually spoke out against torture, even citing Gitmo.
Strange how the tides can turn so fast. Conservative tide going out, Liberal tide moving in. Most of the American public are just pieces of driftwood being carried out and brought back. Eyes closed. Unaware. Blue pills.

The biting wind and the cold (the temp. was about 30 degrees today) made the first part of my ride today a little uncomfortable. Well, at least the first 10 minutes or so. Something strange happened after that. You might call it something similar to a runner's high. At 30 degrees, no cold nor wind permeated my bones, causing me to shiver or feel miserable. I felt alive, almost euphoric. After my body warmed from the exercise, cold, fresh air flowed effortlessly into my lungs, causing me to feel sorry for the people tucked inside their steel cocoons, isolated from sensory input, and looking at me like I'm crazy. I wouldn't trade this feeling for the world.

Still, the temperature here does dip below 30 degrees, and I'm wondering about the comfort level when it gets to the teens. Then, there's the rain. Many obstacles to kick, but I feel up to the challenge. I believe having the appropriate gear and apparel is the key.

What happened to the US? How did we so quickly shift from being a beacon of freedom, liberty, and democracy (in the public's eyes, anyway) to the Evil Empire? Yes, we can all attack Dubya, Dick, Rumsfeld, and Condi, but that's too simple. They're easy targets. Fact is, even after Abu Graib, more than 3 million voted these people back in office, even if you factor in voter fraud. More than 30% still back the President today.

I mean, we have a vice-president who is openly pushing for torture, and nobody's calling for impeachment? This is the US?! The same nation who used to consider denying most favored nation status for China because of its human rights abuses.

Then we have the game of semantics, where Bush openly declares, "We do not torture." The administration's definition of torture, however, does not include such techniques as waterboarding, in which a person is strapped to a board and submerged under water until he believes he is drowning. This same stuff was done during the Inquisition. There have been several documented cases of people dying while under interrogation. We're talking about autopsies revealing broken ribs and the like. This is not torture? How much more severe can it get?

Today we've got Condi in Europe trying to bully other nations into being quiet about "alleged" secret CIA prisons in nations where torture is permitted. How is this going to help us? The leaders of Europe are surely not so stupid as to go along with Bush's definition of torture. If anything, her visit will only fuel the anti-americanism currently rampant throughout the world. A sentiment largely for which she and her bosses are responsible.

I'm not strictly a pacifist. For instance, if someone had a child buried in an underground box with limited oxygen. If torturing that person would guarantee information to save that child, I'd be the first to advocate that course of action. Torture, it has been proven, does not produce reliable results, as far as eliciting specific information. What it does do, quite effectively, is to intimidate the populace. I guess that's what really concerns me about all this. Either our leaders are so stupid as to believe in the effectiveness of torture, or they're out to intimidate. I find neither prospect palatable.

If we don't start hearing about impeachment of Cheney, along with an international investigation of possible war crimes, I foresee a Dark Age, complete with modern-day racks and thumbscrews, here in what used to be America. The media, which shows signs of growing some balls in recent weeks, might be the savior we so desperately need. Our nation is very rapidly approaching the point of no return, and I fear that apathy and ignorance among the sheeple are the mighty gash in the side of the Titanic. We're all about to feel the chill of the icy waters of the North Atlantic as she goes down.