Third night...

I slept poorly last night, as well as the previous two nights. I can't really put my finger on why. I don't think it's Tuesday's attack, or at least I'm not doing a continuous replay of the footage in my sleep the way I did in January 1986 when Challenger and every soul aboard her bought the farm.

One thing that did cross my mind: an "aha" realization that reaffirmed what I heard a drill instructor say back when being in boot camp was the start of seeing the world.

There are no dangerous weapons, only dangerous people.

The actions of both the recent terrorists, who were apparently able to achieve their ends through the use of a few sharp edges, and of the hostages on United 93, who apparently improvised something to thwart the plans of their captors, seems to confirm the truth of SSgt. Jensen's utterance.

The FAA can ban pocket knives and go on to ban fingernail clippers, ballpoint pens, crayons, eyeglasses, belts, wallets, keys, coins, all metal objects, all rigid objects and what have you, but these measures will all miss the mark if the object is to thwart someone who is determined... and dangerous.

Cheers...

From Russia...

Atop the Kremlin:


At the U.S. Embassy:


Cheers...

Why I feel bad...

Among other reasons: I'm coming down with something, probably the result of darting from one air-conditioned volume to another (that being the way of life in this part of the country), and sleeping in an air-conditioned house (where it's too cold to sleep with a light cover, too hot with a blanket).

I'm in the MCC, where the temperature has been optimized for computer health, I'm wearing a jacket, and I do not feel so hot. My throat is definitely scratchy, and I've got two grams of C coursing through my veins.

I think I'll go get something hot to drink.

Cheers...

Observed at the National Prayer Service...

Folks who might be feeling troubled by the idea of a National Prayer Service and how it might have served to exacerbate relations between Christians and Muslims should take heart in the appearance of and words spoken by Muzammil H. Siddiqi at the service.

Cheers...