Antigua gets media approval

The Sunday Times of London has declared Antigua and Barbuda to be the "Caribbean's best Island for Families."

The article specifically mentions Antigua Rainforest Canopy Tour, which was the absolute highlight of Alexis' 16 year old daughter's time on the island. Alexis, her father, and her daughter, and I all went on one "tour," which involved wearing a very snug crotch-harness and following young insane men across wide gaps in the forest on tiny metal pulleys, where if one of the many small components broke, we would fall tens of metres (thank goodness it's not hundreds of feet) to grave injury. I personally found it to be an exhilarating and scrotum-tightening experience that I will happily repeat, just as soon as I become 16 years old again. Alexis and I rather preferred the "being on the ground" part of the rainforest, where we could look at mushrooms and ferns with the comforting feeling of gravity holding us securely in place, on our feet. Alexis' dad and I were also quite happy that the tour ends in a place where nerve-calming refreshments were available.

Repeating some political advice:

If you can vote in a primary this week, I urge you to vote for Obama. I'm not thrilled with his record, his lack of experience, or the style-over-substance that seems to characterize him in general. But I truly believe that he has a better chance to win in the November general election than Senator Clinton.

The reasons for this are mostly bad: conservative leaning independents never much cared for her, feel bitter about Monica-gate, or think she's "a bitch." It doesn't matter--what matters is that there are huge numbers of Americans who wouldn't vote for Clinton if she was running against Montgomery Burns, Count Chocula, or Charlie Manson. And if the Republicans nominate McCain (who even I think is the best member of their field) she wouldn't stand a chance. If every registered Democrat voted the party line, the Republicans would still take it.

I'm one to talk: I voted for a third party candidate in 2000 (not even Nader). But now I'm a car-driving meat-eating middle aged man, and I'm scared to death that the extreme right will continue their chokehold on democracy: spying on Americans, torturing prisoners, bankrupting the public schools, overextending the military on follies and lies, trying to overturn roe v wade, and making enemies out of the rest of the world including former allies and brand new states. I don't think any Democrat will magically fix everything, but I think any Republican will continue to make me feel less safe, and more ashamed. Even McCain. Who will win if the Democrats nominate Hillary Clinton.

( bonus endorsement from David Rees: )