I thought it fortunate to have learned how to shift gears on a Porsche 911....so many years ago........ I think that was the model. It would have been about 1967. Advertised as zero to 60 in under six seconds on a 2 liter engine. I'm lucky to be alive.

But now lets change gears. It is 2005 for a few more days and a street car now built by VW is out there for sale. The fastest production car in the world is the 2 seater Bugatti Veyron 16.4 with an 8 liter 16 cylinder powerplant, seven speed transaxle shiftable from the steering wheel. One thousand and one horsepower - zero to sixty MPH in 2.5 seconds, 125 MPH in 7.3 seconds, 255 MPH in 55.6 SECONDS, 922 pound feet of torque. With an engine of this size, it sits inches from the right shoulder of the driver. It takes ten radiators to dispel the heat.

There's a second ignition key to the left of the driver's seat.

The key functions only when the vehicle is at a stop. A checklist then establishes whether the car - and its driver - are ready to go for the maximum speed beyond 250 m.p.h. If all systems are go, the rear spoiler retracts, the front air diffusers close and the ground clearance, normally 4.9 inches, drops to 2.6 inches.

So, don't be thinking you are shopping this Christmas for someone who has everything. Oh, you are probably wondering about the manufacturer's list price: $1,200.000. With God all things are possible.

The City of Boston was probably thinking itself fortunate as the trains and buses stopped in NYC. Little did they know it was a ruse put into place by none other than George Steinbrenner. Yes, while the buses and subways were not running in or out, George stole the King's Jewels from Boston: Johnny Damon. I think the Sox earned themselves another curse.

While the battery is being charged fresh from the box, our tri-colored cocker spaniel -Traveler- has locked herself in the main bathroom. For the life of me, is that the hair dryer I hear? She has always been the one to primp. Good thing we have another full bath. Like very few females, she has a gaze that melts the hearts of hardened criminals.....a local lockup is nearby. Hinky, our chocolate and white stud cocker, acts disinterested but if the truth were known - he has always been suspicious of technology ever since he met MR SPARKY.

Mr Sparky is the name we have provided to a shock collar he has had to wear in the past. While in Alaska it proved handy in keeping him from tracking wolves and bear. It works off a proximity sensor, so when he gets too far from the unit, he will hear a rythmic beep from his neck. If ignored, if he does not retreat several paces, Mr Sparky taps him not so gently. It works every time.

My wife of 35 years showed an interest in the camera herself. First the camera, then the invoice. Although she did not say so, she wanted to know if the Camera with lens and accessories exceeded the price I had told her. As always she fully expected that it had. I did not disappoint her.

Many conservatives are totally mystified by the question of what encourages liberals to take political positions that are obviously off the beam. It’s a thorny proposition to explain it without, at the same time, falling upon obviously wrong thinking like “liberals are just slow”, or “they want to tear down our country”, but sometimes we resort to those explanations out of pure frustration over how far off the bearing they are found.

After all, when they govern this nation, they bring her by the lee and only the level headed conservative nature taking charge can get her to sail with bone in her teeth.

Their presidential loses become the jetsam of Congress or some other political post, perpetuating the wrong thinking regionally.

But what is the reason? Why do seemingly good, intelligent people take a bend of mind that cause so much harm in the face of all the facts?

Today, John E. Jones III ruled that a Pennsylvania school board's policy of teaching intelligent design in high school biology class is unconstitutional because intelligent design is clearly a religious idea that advances "a particular version of Christianity." The crux of the article concerns the book "Pandas" which explains to students that intelligent design suggests there are two kinds of creation, natural and intelligent. Intelligent creation must then be supernatural. THE CASE

The particular Christian organization behind Intelligent Design is "Christian Fundamentalism" which pointedly teaches its theological doctines within intelligent design.
Please note the fundamentalist. He is the minister bending over.

The Judge determined from the evidence and confirmed by IDs "Wedge document" who the backers of ID are and the Christian intent of their efforts. Their stategy is to eventually replace the natural with their brand of supernatural. Christian fundamentalism is a part of the new Christian orthodoxy. They propose as all Othodox Chistians do the inerrancy of the Bible....a laughable standard to defend.

Let it be known that there are a world of Christians not aligned with these folks who do not go before the courts of this land as wolves in sheeps clothing. We are direct, instead of devious; we are certainly in your face about the truth.

The truth held by all the real sheep this Christmas season is that Christ is the Creator and as Creator, He set the rules; And the rules are science. Those who do not believe this message, we leave you to believe what you will. But, please do not confuse us with those who use slight of hand and deceit in the courts, putting a stain on the rest of us.

Being an experienced certified public school principal, I have come to know public school law. To the extent that intelligent design "is clearly... a particular version of Christianity" or any other religion, and where a school board gives preference to it, the case is made against intelligent design.

Try to understand that Judge Jones can be right in stopping the the favored influence of the Christian Fundamentalists and at the same time uphold the US Constitution in this matter.
Again: THE CASE