Yesterday was my wife's 28th birthday. We celebrated by going out to her parents' house in the Shenandoah Valley, and going out to a nice Italian restaurant named Venice out here in Winchester.

We also hung out in her parents' hot tub. That was pretty fun. It also motivated me somewhat to clean out our porch. I think there'd be room to build a bigger porch and put our own hot tub there but we'd have to figure out a way to prevent it from being an 'attractive nuisance' as I think my insurance-selling aunt would put it.

My foot's still hurting just a little but I think I might be able to manage going to the grocery store. Rebecca's been getting on me about that for the past few days -- we'll see how my foot is after the drive. I think sitting around with no shoes helps a lot. I 'borrowed' a cane from Rebecca's dad but we'll see if I need to make good use of it.

The major news item is Saddam Hussein being sentenced to death. Since he was the law he acted in an lawful manner (regarding Iraqi law.) On the other hand, would a UN trial have turned into a 'let's bash America' session? Probably so. The US has done quite a bit to be ashamed of over the years, but the person on trial is Saddam Hussein, not the US goverment.

Of course releasing the verdict this close to the election provides the GOP with some warm fuzzy feelings. Of course if we hear about giant riots in the Sunni parts of Iraq, this will erase all those warm fuzzy feelings and give more evidence to the Democrats who believe (as I do) that our continued presence in Iraq is not helping the situation.

I'm still voting for Jim Webb. He promises to be one of the more conservative Democrats in the Senate, and more importantly, an independent voice, as opposed to the computer program that George Allen really is.

Jim Moran has done sufficiently well to earn my vote for re-election -- I am also voring for Moran to help bolster the Democrats' chances of retaking the House, which I think acts as a much-needed check on Republican power. I suspect Thelma Drake (2) down in the Virginia Beach area will lose, and after that, Frank Wolf (10) and Tom Davis (11) are in some danger. Either of them losing will be a hit below the waterline for the Republicans.

On the gay marriage amendment, I'm not sure this is an issue where a Christian majority can force their will on non-believers. Anyone that believes the few gays who want to get married are an imminent threat to marriage, in a world full of temptations to heterosexual couples, is kidding themselves. Britney Spears has done more damage to marriage than any gay who wants to get married. In addition, there is evidence that a similar amendment in Ohio has led to some discriminatory things being done to unmarried heterosexual couples -- I'm going to vote no.

The second VA amendment strikes some un-Constitutional (with the US Constitution) language about churches not being able to incorporate. I'll vote for that, it's a no-brainer.

The third VA amendment allows localities to provide exemptions from real estate taxes if they like what the owner is doing with the property. If federalism is a good idea on the national level, it's a good idea on the state level. I'll probably vote for that.

There's five bond referenda: Parks and Rec, Metro and Transport, Community Infrastructure, Utilities (expanding sewer lines) and Schools. I'll have to read the Arlington County Taxpayers' Association website and see if they have an issue with the bonds other than "Waaah! The gubmint is spending money!"

The County Board has an open seat. Chris Zimmerman seems to be a decent guy, but I'd like to see a Republican and/or a Green on the board if only to provide some balance. I'll have to look at Josh Ruebner and Mike McMenamin and see what ideas they have.

The School Board has Ceceilia Espenoza squaring off against Sally Baird. I honestly don't know who to vote for here. I'll have to check their websites.