I hope this is temporary, but just wanted to comment on the news of the day, which, for me, does make even our beloved A's and their bid for the postseason pretty inconsequential. Maybe this weekend's games will light my fires again, but as of now I am horrified and ashamed to be an American citizen--  more so that at any point in my life. More than the JFK assassination, the Vietnam War, various riots and scandals.

What people are doing to other people-- rapes and other crimes-- is horrific enough. But the utter failure of our institutions to anticipate this, to plan, and then to deliver on their fundamental promise to our people is simply staggering. Since leaders and representatives of both parties are involved, this is not a partisan comment, though undoubtedly the impact of our diversion into Iraq must be part of the accountability.

This is not Somalia. It is not Europe after WWII. It is not Afghanistan. It is the United States of America. People in Indonesia are rightly saying, after a much more orderly handling of an even more desperate situation after the tsunami hit, "who is the civilized country, after all?

Precisely.

So I may be away from this space for a few more days. The fun and games just isn't the same right now. Say a prayer for New Orleans.