It would be a dangerous delusion were a confidence in the men of our choice to silence our fears for the safety of our rights; that confidence is every where the parent of despotism; free government is founded in jealousy, and not in confidence; it is jealousy, and not confidence, which prescribes limited constitutions to bind down those whom we are obliged to trust with power; that our Constitution has accordingly fixed the limits to which, and no farther, our confidence may go; and let the honest advocate of confidence read the Alien and Sedition Acts, and say if the Constitution has not been wise in fixing limits to the government it created, and whether we should be wise in destroying those limits; let him say what the government is, if it be not a tyranny, which the men of our choice have conferred on the President, and the President of our choice has assented to and accepted, over the friendly strangers, to whom the mild spirit of our country and its laws had pledged hospitality and protection; that the men of our choice have more respected the bare suspicions of the President than the solid rights of innocence, the claims of justification, the sacred force of truth, and the forms and substance of law and justice. In questions of power, then, let no more be said of confidence in man, but bind him down from mischief by the chains of the Constitution. . . .

. . .

When Barack Obama nominated Hillary Clinton as secretary of state, he made her appointment contingent on her husband revealing the contributors to his foundation in order to avoid any questions about potential conflicts of interest. The foundation subsequently disclosed its donors– after refusing to list them for a decade– and it turned out they included many “governments, corporations and billionaires with their own interests in U.S. foreign policy”. . . .

Not since endorsing horse slaughter have I received so many angry emails from readers of this blog as I have in response to my recent posts about the lamentable American soccer team. Really, American soccer fans need to lighten up; the anti-horse-slaughter crowd had a much better sense of humor. Also, fans might want to channel some of their energy and passion into more enlightened causes than soccer, such as ending world hunger and homelessness. . . .

From Politico: . . .

Because of an editing error, “The Less You Know” [Readings, June], an abridged transcript of a December 19, 2005, telephone conversation between Bernard Madoff and executives of the Fairfield Greenwich Group (FGG), mistakenly suggested that FGG permitted Madoff to remove funds directly from its accounts. The edited transcript also erroneously implied that Madoff was operating FGG’s fund. Furthermore, the Fairfield Greenwich Group has advised Harper’s Magazine that it was at the time of the conversation fully cooperating with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and that it notified the SEC about the phone call and all aspects of the conversation with Madoff. We regret the errors. . . .

The Daily Show and the Colbert Report were both unmissable last night. . . .

Yesterday I posted an item describing a picture (sent to me by several sources) of former President Bill Clinton posing for the camera with Gulnara Karimova, daughter of the dictator of Uzbekistan and a woman widely accused of corruption and thuggery. I didn’t post the picture because I wasn’t sure who owned the rights, but a reader emailed me to say that I could find a copy at Gulnara’s personal website, so here it is. (Incidentally, for a taste of just how vile Gulnara is, spend a few moments on her site.) . . .

I received dozens of replies to yesterday’s post about why I hate the American soccer team and was so happy to see it seize defeat from the jaws of victory in the Confederation Cup final against Brazil. The replies were overwhelmingly negative and a few were nasty (”You are embarrassing to our nation, the sport and journalism”). I’ll publish a few below. Thanks to everyone for writing, even Matt Horton, who sent that last comment (and I published the most civilized sentence of his tirade). . . .

Often enough, commentators talk about the prospect that some foreign prosecutors will open criminal cases against Americans involved in some of the Bush Administration’s criminal enterprises, such as the operation of the torture black sites. But such cases are not speculative. They are already pending, and the most advanced of them is now coming close to the conclusion of the trial phase. In Milan, Italian prosecutors are pursuing kidnapping and assault charges against 26 American officials—CIA officers, diplomats, and a military attaché—in connection with the seizure and torture of a radical Islamic cleric known as Abu Omar. According to some observers, the case will conclude by the end of the summer. . . .

From the New York Times: . . .

Two trusted sources have sent me a picture of former President Bill Clinton posing for the camera with a woman who the sources say is Gulnara Karimova, daughter of the dictator of Uzbekistan, one of the world’s worst regimes. The picture is undated but was clearly taken recently. I haven’t published it because I don’t know who owns the rights, but I have compared it with photographs of Gulnara on the web and it certainly appears to be her. . . .

I used to work at the Los Angeles Times and still read it online regularly, although I rarely see a hard copy. I was just in Los Angeles for a week and was surprised to see that — despite Sam Zell’s best efforts to destroy it — it’s still an exceedingly good newspaper. . . .

Americans almost always interpret international sports victories as demonstrations of national superiority, so it was wonderful to watch the U.S. soccer team’s massive choke in the Confederation Cup final against Brazil. Ahead 2-0 at the half, the Americans watched helplessly as Brazil scored three goals in the second half to win. (Actually four, but the referee blew a call and failed to credit what I, watching the game on television, could see was an obvious goal by Kaka.) . . .

From the Wall Street Journal: . . .

Iraq held its first National Sovereignty Day in honor of the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraqi cities. A celebration was held with poets and singers in Baghdad's al-Zawraa park and former Vice President Dick Cheney said that he was worried that the withdrawal would “waste all the tremendous sacrifice that has gotten us to this point.” Two hundred Iraqis were killed or wounded in the last ten days of June. CNN The Washington Times A federal court judge in New York City sentenced Bernard Madoff to 150 years in prison, calling Madoff “extraordinarily evil” and noting that none of the financier's family members, friends, or associates had pleaded for leniency on his behalf. NY Times Honduran President Manuel Zelaya was exiled to Costa Rica by the military as part of a coup d'etat under the direction of the Honduran Supreme Court; he was replaced by Roberto Michelletti, who took power in what he called “an absolutely legal transition process.” BBC News Steve Jobs returned to Apple with a new liver. NY Times Google CEO Eric Schmidt said that attempts by governments to censor the Internet were futile, and that governments censored “at their own peril.” Telegraph The New York Times revealed that, for seven months, it had sought to keep news of the kidnapping of one of its reporters by the Taliban out of the media, and had worked closely with Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales to suppress news of the kidnapping. The New York Times Spanish fertility researchers advised professional cyclists to freeze their sperm, BBC News and the sheriff of Los Angeles County was considering whether to distribute condoms to all L.A. jail inmates, rather than just the gay ones. LA Times . . .

The chief judge of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals acted preemptively in an apparent effort to head off challenges to his colleague, torture lawyer turned judge Jay Bybee. On Friday, public interests groups in California filed a judicial misconduct complaint against Bybee based on his focal role in creating legal memoranda designed to protect torturers against criminal prosecution. Judge Alex Kozinski handed down a decision stating that judges of the court of appeals could not be held accountable for any crimes they may have committed before they came on the bench—at least not through the court’s own internal disciplinary mechanisms. Bybee had prepared the torture memoranda for the Department of Justice while his nomination to the federal bench was in the process of being cleared, and some critics have seen evidence of a quid pro quo arrangement under which he prepared the memoranda in order to get the appointment as a federal judge. Bybee is now the subject of a criminal investigation in the Spanish Audiencia Nacional—making him the first American federal appeals court judge to continue on the bench after becoming the subject of a criminal proceeding. John Roemer of the Daily Journal reports:(subscription required) . . .

Verde que te quiero verde. Verde viento. Verdes ramas. El barco sobre la mar y el caballo en la montaña. Con la sombra en la cintura ella sueña en su baranda, verde carne, pelo verde, con ojos de fría plata. Verde que te quiero verde. Bajo la luna gitana, las cosas le están mirando y ella no puede mirarlas. . . .

Vita brevis, sensus ebes, negligentiæ torpor et inutiles occupationes nos pancula scire permittent. Et aliquotients scita excutit ab animo per temporum frandatrix scientiæ et inimica memoriam præceps oblivio. . . .

Dear Michael, . . .

. . .

Why was Paul K. Charlton, the man appointed by George W. Bush in 2001 as U.S. attorney in Arizona, fired from his job in the immediate wake of the 2006 election? Charlton was pursuing a corruption investigation into G.O.P. Congressman Rick Renzi. Karl Rove and his acolytes in the White House were deeply concerned that information about the investigation could cost the G.O.P. a vital seat in the House. That fact seems clearly to have played a major role in the decision to fire Charlton. But it seems that political meddling with the Renzi case was not limited to Charlton’s firing. . . .

While the collapse of the Justice Department’s prosecution of former Alaska Senator Ted Stevens and the criminal probe targeting the Department’s senior prosecutors responsible for political cases have gained some recent attention, the story of prosecutorial misconduct in high-profile political cases over the last eight years remains largely unexplored. On Friday, June 26, a forum in Washington will focus attention on these cases and will revive the call for Congressional probes and an internal accounting within the Justice Department. . . .

Steve McNair and a woman were found shot to death Saturday in a Nashville residence.

A Puget Sound resident reeled in what is believed to be a Humboldt Squid Friday. Fish & Wildlife officials say it's the largest they've seen in the area.

It's been more than a week since 10-year-old McCleary resident Lindsey Baum disappeared.Photos of Lindsey

Supporters and critics alike say the former GOP vice presidential candidate's resignation is an inexplicable move for a high profile Republican.

A Seattle police officer was dragged roughly 50 feet by a car early this morning in a confrontation just south of 1st Avenue and Lenora.

Organizers are expecting 50,000 people at this year's Chase Family Fourth at Gas Works Park.More July 4 events

To prevent fires and accidents, many cities in the metro Puget Sound region have banned not only the discharge of fireworks, but also the sale of them. 

Organizers are expecting 50,000 people at this year's Chase Family Fourth - 15,000 more than usual. More Fourth of July events

The surprise announcement stirred speculation that she would focus on a bid for the 2012 Republican nomination for president.

It's been one week since 10-year-old McCleary resident Lindsey Baum disappeared.Photos of Lindsey

San Juan Island's Fourth of July celebration will include special presentations by the Lummi Indian Nation, the Friday Harbor Fire Department's 100th birthday, and activities, entertainment and fireworks in Friday Harbor and Roche ...

Harry Manx Friday Harbor for San Juan Community Theatre on Monday February 1 concert. Gruvr.com lets you set a reminder for this show,see concert map,get directions,discuss with fans near Friday Harbor . No registration needed.

The boar war that was averted on San Juan Island Los Angeles Times The history books don't say whether the dead pig had a name. There's also no mention of whether the ... and more »

Examiner.com Scenic flight on a seaplane combined with whale watching makes a ... Examiner.com Kenmore Air has teamed up with San Juan Safaris to offer a great day trip to the San Juans that includes a scenic round trip flight to Friday Harbor aboard ... and more »

San Juan Islands offer top rate fireworks show Seattle Post Intelligencer will be offered at the Port of Friday Harbor . The Friday Harbor Fireworks Show, with a 100 shot finale in honor of the town's Centennial, is scheduled for ... and more »

A Lummi canoe will arrive on Friday Harbor's shore Friday, noon, for the beginning of three days of participation in the town's centennial Fourth of July celebration. The arrival and welcoming ceremony are public events. ...

At 644 feet 2 inches, it is believed to be the largest cruise ship ever to anchor in Friday Harbor waters, Harbormaster Tami Hayes said. The ship has a beam (width) of 97 feet 2 inches and a draft (the part of the boat that's submerged) ...

We appreciate Airlift Northwest recognizing this need by stationing a crew at Friday Harbor for the third consecutive year. This is a very positive relationship that provides superior service for people on the islands who experience a ...

Examiner.com Luxury residential ship, The World, to drop anchor in Friday ... Examiner.com Cruise ship, The World, set to call in at Friday Harbor July 5th and 6th. The luxury residential ship, The World, will be dropping anchor in Friday Harbor ... and more »

Massive cruise ship condominium to visit Friday Harbor . by Tim Flanagan on July 1, 2009. The story comes to us from Captain Richard Rodriguez's BitterEnd blog. He calls it a sign of the coming apocalypse. ...

Examiner.com Fourth of July activities in the San Juans Examiner.com Here's a sampling of events in the island: 4th of July Parade - Friday Harbor starts in downtown Friday Harbor at 10:30am. Antique Fire Apparatus-Car Show ... This week in the San Juans, events on Orcas, San Juan and Lopez ... Examiner.com all 3 news articles »

These photos of the Friday Harbor Collection really should be hanging in an art gallery and preserved forever, don’t you think? Sonia’sgift amazes me. She opened the package at the post office and impulsively drove to a local garden and ...

Day Six. A few pictures & a couple of anecdotes. She downloaded her pictures and sat beside him with the computer. Please note, He is a BOTANIST/oceanographer. She says to him, “See these pink flowers?” He says, “Hmmm. ...

Waiting for a ferry at Orcas Island and pondering our incompetence Seattle Times We've been sitting here, living on Island Time, waiting for a ride to Friday Harbor , for four hours. But who's counting? About two hours after taking my ... and more »

Examiner.com Get ferried away to the San Juan Islands part 2 of 3 Examiner.com Ferries arrive at Friday Harbor on dynamic San Juan Island, the most populated and popular of the four ferry-served islands. As legend has it, ... and more »

The San Juan Islands are a great place to celebrate the 4th of July. Why not ride the passenger ferry from Port Angeles to Friday Harbor to experience the.

Examiner.com Sail from Friday Harbor on the tall ship The Adventuress Examiner.com The much-loved tall ship, The Adventuress, will be in Friday Harbor on Sunday, June 28th for a three-hour public sailing from 1 pm to 4 pm. ... and more »

Examiner.com Friday Harbor Homeschool Field Trip Examiner.com Last week we visited Friday Harbor with a group of 30 other homeschooling families. We travel annually and last year we were in Portland. ... and more »

Seattle-to- Friday Harbor ferry route in jeopardy Seattle Times There might be no private foot ferry between Seattle and Friday Harbor this summer, pending the outcome of a state hearing Tuesday. ... and more »

The World, which is a luxury residential cruise ship, is docking for the holiday weekend in the San Juan Islands . The ship is a 644 foot, 12 deck beauty. The ship is not a traditional cruise ship. Rather, the passengers on board are ...

An online forum and community resource for poets of the San Juan Islands . Share works-in-progress, get feedback, list your poetry event, inspire others and be inspired. Welcome! ...

Canoes regularly plied the marine highway between the San Juan Islands and what is now Canada and mainland Washington state. Communities on the islands had different names then — p'kweekh-EEL-wuhlh, WH'LEHL-kluh, EH-leh-luhng, SMUH-yuh. ...

Airlift Northwest will again base one of its helicopters at Friday Harbor Airport this summer to expedite emergency services for residents and visitors in the San Juan Islands . The helicopter will be at the airport during the day on ...

For the second year, visitors to the San Juan Islands will get a welcome break this Fourth of July holiday weekend when Washington State Ferries offers free parking at the Anacortes ferry terminal July 3 – 6. ...

National Independence Day Parade – Washington D.C. If you’re into large crowds then viva the

On San Juan Island, you can see Canada. I had to take a ferry there. I only stayed there one night but I mowed a 7 acre lawn. I like riding the lawn mower. I only drove through about 1/2 of the island. It sure is nice and peaceful on ...

Pink! . .

June 27, 2009  How many of you have a front porch with a some comfortable chairs? I know it is the

J. R. sailing Clipper After an uneventful morning, I found myself simply going with the motions of r

June 22, 2009 A couple days later we were off again – this time S/V CUTTHROAT is cruising with

Living in the area there are so many natural hidden treasures at your finger tips. So many natural retreats to take in the beautiful scenery this area has.

San Juan Islands . Six more jobs targeted in pending $1 million budget cut · JOURNAL OF THE SAN JUANS Jun 22 2009, 10:50 AM · UPDATED; 2009 Eastsound Solstice Parade · ISLANDS SOUNDER Jun 20 2009, 1:06 PM · UPDATED; Oh... the places they ...

What constitutes great customer service? It’s a terrific question to ask friends or colleagues. Ev

I'm planning on taking 5 or 6 days to bike the San Juan Islands . Does anyone know of a book or a website that can give me a trip plan. I'm looking for the best routes to take so I can tour the islands on the best roads. ...

Fort Stevens was built in 1863…during the Civil War.  It remained in service until 1947…

The summer ferry schedule starts on Sunday, June 21 and when the seasons turn warmer, Pacific Northwest waters glisten and dance, and the inviting sea mist beacons travelers to the San Juan Islands . The ferry-serviced islands in ...

I painted again today… and finished a small piece.  (yay!)  I’m quite pleased with mysel

  Summer 1987     “Wings” Under Sail San Juan Islands We chartered “Win

Jill shared with us an excerpt from an article by David R. Carlin. The article is in reference to Pr

This pocket-sized coupon book offers 136 coupons for entertainment bargains in Seattle. Any way you

George Washington Inn’s webcam has been added to an interesting Swiss website that will take t

For the weekend, Mar, Sallie, Fede, BK & I headed up north for the Tour de Lopez bike ride once

Chinook salmon fishing circa 1900 (North Cascades National Park archives).

Yesterday Bernie and I made it outside for a nice hike. We did a large loop walking on both dirt roa

1. The Anglo-Zanzibar War: the shortest war in history, only 40 minutes long Fought between the Unit

Grace .

  Yesterday we went for a hike up to Pine and Cedar Lakes in the Chuckanut Mountains. I chose it fo

Travel writer and ecologist Don Pitcher knows the best way to experience the San Juan Islands, from