What color is the sky in Dick Cheney's world?

In response to a request from the National Archives (per an order signed by President Bush), Vice-President Dick Cheney refused to provide information because, according to the Federal Times, Cheney argued that “the Vice President’s Office is not an entity within the executive branch.” (Cheney is claiming that he is president of the Senate and, therefore, not a member of the executive branch.)

Article 2, Section 1 of the U.S. Constitution says: "The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America. He shall hold his Office during the Term of four Years, and, together with the Vice President, chosen for the same Term..."

Sic transit gloria transitus

The summer solstice arrived at 18:06 GMT today, 2:06PM EDT. In Oulu, where my mother's family came from, the sun will be up for 22 hours. Meteorological summer began on June 1^st, but the start of astrological summer is still special. (The English-language version of the Helsinki newspaper is taking its summer vacation now until the end of July.) The kids in town had their last day of school yesterday. Even for those of us who hear but a faint echo of "No more pencils..." can still look up summer as a big, empty canvas that we can paint with the mud on our feet.

Tomorrow's a marker day for me as well. Even though I stopped working in April, tomorrow is the official end of my employment at my former company. I miss some of the people and some of the work, but am certain that leaving was the right thing to do. And, looking to the horizon. I don't yet have a schedule or even a plan for returning to work. Getting there, in large part, depends on how we define what or where there is.

In the meantime, we have plenty to do, particularly in the cleanup in and around Huck's house. Each thing, at the house and at the camp, seems to have a story or pose an interesting question. Among the things that I meant to ask him:

Why is there a 2lb. coffee can on the wall the broom closet in the camp, held in place with three hefty screws? It's a handy place to put stuff, but screwing coffee cans t the wall certainly isn't going to put California Closets into Chapter 11.

What color is the sky in John Bolton's world?

Speaking about the U.S. obligation to assist refugees of the Iraq war, former U.N. ambassador John Bolton said:

"Our obligation was to give them new institutions and provide security. We have fulfilled that obligation. I don't think we have an obligation to compensate for the hardships of war.'' -- Operation Freedom From Iraqis - New York Times