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WP: Many no-shows for Ford's service - washingtonpost.com Highlights - MSNBC.com

As with any country, the US has its fair share of faults.  We are not perfect.  We don't have all of the answers to the world's problems.  Just like everyone else, we make mistakes.

However, after reading the above article I am more ashamed of our political leaders than I have been in a long time.  Few of our political leaders bothered to attend former President Ford's funeral.  Yes, as the article states, it is a holiday weekend.  Yes, there are many football games going on (I can't believe someone wanted to know the score of a game!).  Yes, Sadam Hussein was put to death.  Yes, many of them were on vacation.  Did the Supreme Court REALLY need to take a vote to decide if any or all of them would attend?  Is that legislative body so incapable of independent thinking they can't make their own decisions?

But the worst of all is that our living former Presidents and CURRENT President could not be bothered to attend.  People who have read various postings of mine know that I am not a fan of President George W. Bush, but even I was stunned that he felt the need to "clear cedar" on his ranch than to return to Washington for the funeral.  It’s not like he has to pay the airfare - he has his own plane!  On top of that he is quoted as saying about President Ford "He always put the needs of his country before his own."  I find that ironic that Bush, who has a complete staff to take care of his ranch, felt that clearing cedar was more important than the needs of his own country.  Mr. Bush (honorific intentionally left out) you should think about living up to your statements about others.

I fully admit that I was young enough when Ford became President, that I don't remember a great deal of what he did while in office.  But I do know that he didn't ask for the position, he became president through succession during the ending of the Nixon (Watergate) scandal.  But he stepped up to the plate and did his job. 

Regardless of my personal opinion about a specific political leader in any country, one who does their job ethically, humanitarily, and to the best of their ability should be treated with dignity by their country's leaders upon their death.  Not a "phone in eulogy" as Bush did.  Not attending secondary services, and certainly not doing unnecessary yard work on their ranch. 

Everyday people drop what they are doing, travel thousands of miles, and often go to extremes to attend the services of a deceased family member.  While politicians are in a "profession" they are also an exclusive group - much like a family.  They certainly can make the same efforts.  Sorry, but it comes with the job you choose. 

Mr. Bush, ask yourself.  How will you feel if the current President stays home and does yard work when your funeral comes around.  Not a pleasant thought is it?

Has anyone install beta versions of Microsoft Windows Vista?  If so, what has your experience been (yes I know it is a beta version so it would not be bug-free).

I'm thinking about installing it but thought I would get some real world thoughts about installing the operating system this early.

Thanks!!

Paul

Wow - I can't believe how long it has been since I posted something here.  Where does the time go?  I went back to work and it has been crazy.  Long days and a lot of things to fix, but the project is starting to come together (I was hired to fix a completely screwed up project) so that is a good thing.  The best part of all is I have a great manager - nothing at all like the nightmare person that I worked for when I left MS back in February.  Also, it is a project for MS so it is nice to be back!

We had a wonderful summer in Seattle this year.  Lots of sunshine so it was a perfect time to be off work.  I can't remember the last time I had any time off in the summer much less than the whole summer!! :)

I'm getting ready to celebrate my birthday.  40!  I can't believe it - how depressing.  Although my new staff was shocked to find out how old I was - they thought I was much younger so at least I don't look 40.  To celebrate I'm going to take a group of friends up to my favorite hotel in Vancouver BC for the weekend.  The fun part is most of them have birthdays in October too so it really ends up being one big birthday party - although I'm the one who pays for it LOL.  But at least I don't have to worry about any other kind of b-day presents!

Work on the house has been moving along slowly.  I think the last time I blogged I was in the process of having the whole outside of the house redone.  That is finally done and now I'm onto the painting part.  I'm painting part of it myself and I'll have to hire painters to paint the rest because the house is pretty tall in some parts and I'll only go so far up a ladder.  I've got to get my butt in gear though.  We may have had a great summer, but the Fall rains are stating in so I don't have a lot of time to get that done!!

I hope everyone is doing well.  Drop a line and let me know how you are.  Would love to get caught up with all the friends I've met through here!

Paul

The Microsoft Office 2007 Beta 2 is now available for download!  I've downloaded it and love a lot of the new features and look.  Of course it takes a little time to get used to new layouts of new versions of any software.

Even though it is only Beta 2, I've found it to be very stable and reliable.  If you like to work with the latest stuff I'd recommend getting it.

You have the choice of having a CD sent or downloadng.  If you choose the option of downloading keep in mind you are downloading COMPLETE software packages so they are pretty big downloads...and you can choose between many different applications that are either part of Office 2007 or are releaseing with it.

Here is the link to the beta 2 site:

2007 Microsoft Office System Beta 2

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Love makes ‘Brokeback’ Oscar favorite - Academy Awards - MSNBC.com

Funny....I haven't seen the movie yet.  I should get my butt out there and see it.  I've not heard a bad thing about it yet from anyone.

Paul

So I've been thinking about doing Voice over IP (VoIP)...like Vonage.  Does anyone have this type of service (or had).  What do you/did you think of it?  Is the sound quality good?  Is there delay?  A lot of down time?  Stuff like that.

Any info anyone has on this would be greatly appreciated!!!

Paul!