First Alberto didn't spend four years at Rice. I have all my yearbooks in my den (Rice-1976-1980) and Alberto is in one only. He transferred from the Air Force Academy probably for his senior year. I likely wouldn't have met him unless at a discipline hearing for my continued problems with authority.

What I can see is Rice back then was a very small school and not RWA until after the Baker School of International Mismanagement. I don't remember Gonzales. I doubt he was a Baker man, (probably Richardson or Brown after it went co-ed) and I doubt he ever joined Club 13. If anyone were to scour the writings of seniors in the Rice yearbook they would find two types: the self serving Miss America type pidgeon droppings of those with an eye on their future toadyism (let a smile be your umbrella) and the honest ramblings of those who, were woken up at noon warned they had to say something to get it into the yearbook and had no idea where they were at the moment let alone where they'd be twenty years and just said what they hoped would be the future we sought we'd face. You know, the one with universal healthcare and beer piped in through our city taps.

Ok. It was when I was rebuilding an engine for a 1978 Triumph Spitfire that I learned the philosophy behind what I wrote for my senior yearbook: "There is nothing worth doing if it can't be done with a beer in your hand." is not only not a good philosophy for success, but a good way to lose your right arm.

I still have that arm, but not the beer. Something tells me I would have an easier time explaining that mental lapse of youth alot better than some airhead spouting Smurflike bon mots, only to watch the umbrella collaps and resign an important post when forced to plead the the fifth, just to protect those who believe an underling makes a far better umbrella than a 'smile.'

Understand, this was the 70's and if we are to be accused of anything our worst crime was doing bong hits while thinking once Nixon's cronies went to jail it would be the last we would ever see of such paranoid war mongering cronyism. I went to work on Carter's campaign honestly believing the American people had learned a valuable lesson and a new worl had dawned. But first came Reagan and I cursed the fact I lost interest in drugs. But at least I didn't think Nixon's evil minions would ever rise again.

Well, we are where we are. But don't call Gonzales a Rice man. He is a transplant placed in our fine college by people with more power than whatever got me and my fellow students in that school. Want a good scoop? Find out why he really left the Air Force Academy and who wrote letters getting him into such an exclusive and somewhat racist school.

Most of her salary goes to the sweets and flowers she has to shower him with every time he "liberates" her.

We liberated Iraq so that they would have the freedom to tell us how much they hate us and wish they would leave. What freedom loving little tykes they are. We are now ignoring them just like we ignore the tens of thousands who disagree with us in America. Ain't democracy grand?

Funny, but I missed the congressional hearing where Paul Wolfowitz told us that we are going to invade Iraq kill thousands of their civilians and several thousand Americans just so they will finally have the freedom to demonstrate their hatred against us. Yeah, worth dying for, eh?

While Iraq seems a remake of Vietnam there is another aniversary that seems sadly prophetic. Thirty years ago the band Genesis released the album Wind and Wuthering. One of the more memorable songs was One For The Vine. It's opening lyrics began as follows:

Fifty thousand men were sent to do the will of one.

His claim was phrased quite simply, though he never voiced it loud,

I am he, the chosen one.

In his name they could slaughter, for his name they could die.

Though many there were believed in him, still more were sure he lied,

But they'll fight the battle on.

Four years later in an illegal and immoral war, they fight the battle on. This is just one of many reasons I and many like me say ending and pulling out today is one day too late.

An Israeli prof, a holocaust survivor, took Derbyshire's advice and rushed the student. He's one of the fatalaties. Those he saved he saved by blocking the classroom door so they could escape. I guess "one in the face" can be just as fatal as one in the "back of the head."