Schneider said Sheehan had worn a T-shirt with an anti-war slogan to the speech and covered it up until she took her seat. Police warned her that such displays were not allowed, but she did not respond, the spokeswoman said.

"To change how we power our homes and offices, we will invest more in zero-emission, coal-fired plants; revolutionary 1970s solar and wind technologies; and clean, safe scary, dangerous nuclear energy."

"We will choose to act confidently aggressively in pursuing the enemies of freedom American global domination -- or retreat from our duties in the hope of an easier life," Bush said. "We will choose to build our prosperity by leading controlling the world economy -- or shut ourselves off from trade and opportunity."

"The road to victory is the road that will take our troops home to an early grave," Bush said. "As we make progress on the ground, and Iraqi forces increasingly take the lead approach the November elections, we should be able to further decrease our troop levels -- but those decisions will be made by our military commanders public relations campaign managers, not by politicians in Washington, D.C. American citizens."

1. I'm healthy.
2. I have good eyesight.
3. I have a roof over my head. (Even if there are mice up there, too.)
4. I have two beautiful kitties.
5. Luna came with me on my morning hike today, all the way to the top of the hill. It was so cute.
6. I have a great new computer.
7. I have more than enough to eat. (Even if that causes its own set of problems.)
8. I will soon have a perfect smile.
9. I live in a beautiful place.
10. Valentine's Day is coming! (Oh, wait, that goes on the Reasons to be Miserable list.)
11. That's it, I'm out of ideas.
12. ...?
    

1. Nonviolence is a way of life for courageous people.
2. Nonviolence seeks to win friendship and understanding.
3. Nonviolence seeks to defeat injustice, not people.
4. Nonviolence holds that suffering can educate and transform.
5. Nonviolence chooses love instead of hate.
6. Nonviolence believes that the universe is on the side of justice.

This is Democracy's Last Stand, so get ready to filibuster, or plan on finding new work. It's time we had 2 political parties in this country -- we're all sick of Republican and Republican-Lite.

First, I thanked him for his service as a Sargeant in the Army Reserves. Then, I asked him about Iraq. Like most, he wanted to share, but hesitated, realizing that neither I, or anyone else that hadn't been in Iraq, could never understand his experiences. He merely stated, "It was a life changing experience."

A few more points he made:

• The Iraqi people, one on one, were very nice.
• The Iraqi people tell the soldiers, "Thank you very much for removing our dictator, but you can leave now. We'll handle our own country."
• Iraq is very tribal and will not change any time soon.
• The country is now being run by corrupt politicians.
• It's all about money.
• Outside of a fifty mile square, Iraq is a very dangerous place for American soldiers.
• American soldiers are both bored and scared.

1. Anything hazelnut-flavored. Hazelnut just smells and tastes like dirty socks to me.
2. Peanut butter and chocolate ice cream. I am bizarrely picky about peanuts. I will eat creamy peanut butter, peanuts on Thai food and Reese's peanut butter cups, but I think peanut butter ice cream and peanut butter M&Ms are revolting. Peanut breath -- don't get me started.
3. Sea urchin. Years ago in San Francisco I tried sea urchin sushi and it was the nastiest thing I have ever tasted. I still don't know if it was bad or if that's the way it's supposed to taste. Otherwise, I love sushi.
4. Pears. I really wish I liked pears. They're beautiful and elegant and shapely .... mostly I just don't like the gritty texture.
5. Chili. I won't actually refuse to eat chili -- I'm just terribly ambivalent about it, and beans in general. They bore me. (I like black beans, though.)
6. Whey. I'm lactose-intolerant and whey is concentrated lactose. You'd be amazed at how many processed foods it's hidden in -- breads, frozen waffles, potato chips and other snack foods ....
7. Martinis. OK, a martini isn't really a food, but I'm running out of ideas. Martinis are another one of those things I wish I liked, but I just don't. They taste like lighter fluid to me.
   
8. Bizarre disgusting things like monkey brains. Not that I've ever been offered monkey brains, but if I were, I would refuse them. Even if it was a cultural faux pas and an insult to my hosts. I would draw the line.
9. ... Can't really think of a 9 or 10. I'm a pretty adventurous eater and will try most things -- Rocky Mountain oysters, regular oysters, tripe, ethnic foods of all varieties, exotic fruits and vegetables, spinach, Brussels sprouts. Bring 'em on. I've even eaten badger and frogs I killed myself (21 years ago, on a survival course. I didn't kill the badger by myself, but I helped. I still feel kind of guilty ...).