The alternatives: do nothing, and let the water destroy the structure until it has to be replaced in ten years, or do something now. I prefer to fix it now, because I am reasonably certain my taxes will not go up in the next 18 months. If I knew my taxes were going up in a year I wouldn�t do it, because I wouldn�t know how much money I wouldn�t have. And that would mean no money to the contractor, his three employees, and the supply firm that sells him the bafflingly named items spelled out in the contract.

Of course this is just anecdotal evidence that proves nothing. But I mention it, and will mention it as the work progresses, to remind some: we never see the economic activity that doesn�t happen because taxes are raised. I�m going to spell out the activity that happens because the taxes were lowered somewhat. Draw your own conclusions.--- Lileks.

Roni had knee surgery yesterday and because R.J. wanted to ski today, she could use our help in the toddler-chasing. First thing today, though, we needed to pick up the election equipment. Sacramento County has made this a lot easier. We used to have to drive to Rancho Cordova and the whole county was there. Now our nearest service center, for about 50 precincts, is about two miles away. It's staffed by young people either getting their high school community service, or perhaps in PoliSci at the colleges.

We were through before they officially opened, and brought the stuff home and were on the road 45 minutes before I thought we would be. Of course, Rich did want to stop at the wetlands, which is currently an inland sea, but there were no interesting birds we could see from the levee. Then near Skaggs Island we saw a gazillion night herons, but nowhere to stop and admire them.

We stopped at the new wildlife viewing platform at top of the bay, and found the cache there that was missing the last time. Since it's a new one at different coordinates, we are counting it as a first to find. Next was a small one at the Marina. We have driven up and down this road for almost 30 years and have never seen this lovely place.

OK, we are .5 miles from a cache, .9 miles from Roni, and we have 40 minutes. Piece of cake, right??

We trekked through the mud, mistakenly took a path up to the top of one part of Deer Island, then went back to the road around it, finally got to the place where we had to zigzag up the hill, and walked and climbed and tiptoed around the puddles, and finally, yes, found the cache. At the time we were supposed to be at Roni's. Oops. We left a travel bug, and then went back to the car as quickly as we could. When we were on the level, almost out of the park, Rich slipped and fell flat in the mud. He wasn't hurt, and the GPS only got a little muddy, but his clothing was ruined. Fortunately, he had a change of clothes in the car, so when we got to Roni's he changed.

We'd brought a book of puzzles for Alex, and she really liked it. After she did that for awhile we all got into the car and went to run some errands with Roni. We went to Fresh Choice and Alex was really good. At one point there was a small boy in the next booth playing peekaboo... "hey kid, go down!"

Back at the house, where Alex took a nap, so did her Djadja, and Roni and I talked. Later we watched the Wiggles and Alex dancing along. She is so funny. R.J. called and Roni started the artichokes, and pointed out that they'd scrubbed the kitchen grout. (!! Who IS this child??)

We left when R.J. got home. What a fun day. I realized I forgot to set up to tape Joan of Arcadia, though. Argh.

Gay activists and their judges have every right to revolution. They have every right to make their case. But they deserve to be excoriated when, having thrown their cultural Molotov cocktail and finding that the majority of Americans have the temerity to resist, they cry: Culture war!

Hitchens on Kerry and Edwards.

Political Pop Quiz. Tim Blair goes on about employing the Patrick Cook gambit:

He merely asks: "Do you believe we are at war?" An affirmative answer indicates that conversation may proceed at an adult level. A negative reply requires Cook to excise large words, and to explain any difficult concepts using puppetry and mime.

Mark Steyn adds:

It's been said that America is divided into Sept. 11 people and Sept. 10 people. The former category are those for whom Sept. 11, 2001, changed everything. The latter are those for whom Sept. 10, 1972, changed everything. That's when Bush didn't show up at the Air National Guard base because he was dancing naked on a bar in Acapulco with Conchita the surly waitress. Or whatever. If you think this is the most important issue facing America, feel free to vote for John Kerry, who back in 1972 was proudly serving his country by accusing its armed services of committing war crimes. Or whatever.
...
If Bush loses in November because he can't provide sufficient witnesses to prove where he was on certain weekends in 1972, he'll still have an impressive legacy: He's toppled two dictatorships, neutered a third, and put the squeeze on several more. Yes, Americans are still being killed by Islamists in Iraq. But they're not being killed by Islamists in New York offices, or Washington government buildings, or U.S. embassies and ships.