Monday morning:

A man in sand-colored camouflage clothing allegedly tried to chain himself to an overpass in Santa Barbar this morning. At the La Cumbre Road off-ramp at Highway 101, around 7 a.m. the man settled in, pulling out a gun and an American flag. He was waving the flag in such a way that he could be seen from the 101 North and South, as well as from La Cumbre Rd., Modoc Rd. and Calle Real, very well-travelled roads in town, especially during the rush hour.

We hit the road to school about 8:10 a.m. to get my 13 year old to the meet-up site for a 2 night camping trip with this 8th grade class. The first choice road was moving very slowly, so I tried 2 other main routes before we turned on the radio to hear what was going on.

I went through short-cuts I knew because of my years living in the area and made it back home in a similar way. But the town's major traffic corridors were turned into a giant parking lot until around 10:10 a.m. when the man finally pinned his flag to the fence overlooking the 101, as well as an Obama-Biden sign. He wrote something on the sign before hanging it up, but I'm not sure what.

What I've managed to find out so far (not confirmed yet) was the ,man was a veteran of the Iraq war/occupation. He was upset by the number of Americans killed in Iraq. My FM progressive rock station had a very good description of the goings on as well as a report that this man fit the description of someone who entered the radio station Friday morning (Halloween) displaying a gun and asking to have access to the air so he could talk about McCain and Palin. He was talked out of this and left the station with no event requiring the police.

Drivers waiting in cars stranded on the freeway were reported to be driving the wrong way off exits and entrances in desperation to get off the 101. My older son, in fact, was stuck about 1 mile from the stand-off, and had to leave his friend in his car so he could find a bathroom! But there was a situation that could have turned almost into highway anarchy, with thousands stuck on their way to work and school, UCSB, SB City College, Westmont College, or other heavily-travelled places.

The SB Police with their K9 patrol car (huge German Shepherd), Highway Patrol, Sheriff's, and SWAT team with armored tank-type vehicles did a good job bringing the event to an end with no one getting hurt. The man is now in custody and can get the help he needs. A couple of friends who appeared on the scene to help said that he has had treatment in the past for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. A great many other veterans from the Middle East will be trying to get back into a routine life at home and it's easy to understand why it can be so difficult. After one has seen and heard the sights and sounds of a war, how can you go back to pretending it never affected you? So my prayers and good thoughts go out to veterans everwhere today.
Thank you for your effort for this country.


Monday evening:

I'm sad to say I know this veteran. After seeing the local report on TV, I am really saddened by the news. I've known E. for about 15 or 20 years. He used to come over to play with my oldest son and the 2 developed a strong friendship. They both love Star Wars. He has been through too much in the last few years. He and a friend signed up to go into the Army, but his friend had misgivings and committed suicide before they were to leave.

E. tried to commit suicide in Iraq. He was there for a longer time than he could handle. His father was in contact daily with E., trying to get him back home for treatment. He finally got home and everyone was happy to see him. People sensed the experience had changed him deeply. E. is 28. He also lost his beloved father recently. The family has been through so much.

Obviously, he was trying to get his message out: he is very unhappy about the war in Iraq. He wants to see Barack Obama as president. So, I'm helping to get his message out now. He feels very passionate about this message. Please listen. Let's stop the killing in Iraq.

Here's one great place to learn the truth about Obama, if you haven't already. 

Can't we all tell, from the campaign, that he and Senator Biden are the best choice to lead the USA?

McCain is no longer up to the job.  I respect him for his service to the country, but he is not in touch in any way with the average American, like you and me.  He is out of touch and seems confused.  He has a serious problem with guilt, resentments, and a temper which may stem from the years in  the prison camp.  I fear his over-reaction to some comment or rumor in a way that could result in a nuclear strike.  I felt the same way with Reagan.  Hearing McCain sing "bomb, bomb, bomb, Iran" to the tune of the classic song from the Beach Boys sent chills down my spine and still does. 

There is no question of Joseph Biden's ability to lead and his extensive experience in government. 

Sarah Palin?  She is a very pretty lady but she has as much ability as I do to be Vice President,  much less, President!  This is a woman who, given the chance, would encourage the laws of the USA which have endured our first 200+ years to be influenced by religious belief.  She is a member of a religious community who speak in tongue and have exorcisms regularly.  Some might consider this a cult.  The lady is not educated or wise; she left the city of which she was mayor millions in debt because of her lack of detail.  She has abused power.  She has participated in cronyism, appointing unqualified friends to positions of responsibility.  That is what Bush did.  Remember Hurricane Katrina?  That was the direct result of cronyism.  She cries out 'foul' about socialism.  Ask any Swede or Canadian if they feel free!  They resent being referred to as people who are not free, as Palin has stated in recent campaign speeches.  Those people have it good.  Yes, their taxes are high, but they are covered against financial catastrophe which strikes due to health costs in the USA.  I know people from Sweden, and they love it.  I hear no complaints.  They are very secure and free.  And abstinence did not seem to work in the Palin family.  Making rape victims pay for the materials required in the investigation is one of the most uncivilized, unkind things I've ever heard.  Sarah Palin is a scandal waiting to happen on any government level.  No, not in 2012, not ever.  No way.  No how.  No Palin.

Vote for Obama-Biden.  If you are in California, vote No on 8.  We don't need a government telling us what we can do with our bodies, in our bedrooms, or who we can marry.  It is the old slippery slope leading to what we have to do with our bodies and who we have to marry. 

Be sure to vote this Tuesday, November 4.  It is the same day for Democrats and Republicans.  And shame on you, GOP party-snatchers!  Sending out fliers telling people the wrong day to vote, or any of the numerous ways you have tried to prevent Americans from voting, is absolutely immoral and, fortunately, the honorable among you are jumping ship.  Good riddance to the neocons and "Moral Majority" who are neither in the majority or moral.