Out Like a Lamb . . .

Okay, I'm back. Because of the unfortunate turn of events in my family, don't expect me back before Wednesday. So far, we're taking our loss pretty well, but it's still something of a shock. In fact, I've already lost my grandmother, my step-grandmother, and an aunt in the past four years. I hope I don't have to go through this again any time soon.

In the meantime, though, I'm glad to hear that Jill Carroll of the Christian Science Monitor has been released from captivity in Iraq. She is now coming out strongly against Bush for leading the nation into war on false pretenses. But then it is her job as a reporter to tell the truth.

Also, Abdul Rahman, the Afghan convert to Christianity, was let go for violating Islamic law on a technicality and is now living in exile in Italy. It only goes to show how futile democratizing the Middle East is. Except for Turkey, Islamic-majority countries have no tolerance for non-Islamic or secular beliefs, even as the West welcomes a diversity of religions and beliefs in its civilization. I don't see why Rahman would want to live in a place like Afghanistan anyway, if they can't accept his newfound faith.

Not very acerbic tonight, I know. You understand why.

Out like a lamb indeed . . .