My friend Tom made a quick trip to Viet Nam--I picked him up at the airport today.

For people of my generation, Viet Nam was the great mistake--a lesson in hubris that politicians should remember (and that George Bush has chosen to forget), and a weird jungle nation. Tom tells me what he noticed was that there were no old people. For most of Viet Nam, unlike much of America, the war is ancient history--no more relevant to them than the Spanish-American War is to us (how many people still curse the Spaniards for what they did to the Maine?). I have several Vietnamese friends who urge me to visit that fascinating nation and I'd like to do so one day. I remain grateful to the universe that my draft number was 355. If I ever go, I'd prefer to pay for my ticket rather than have the Army handle that for me.

Speaking of foolish politicians, I thought this "Guess whether it's Bush or McCain" contest was eye-opening. http://www.Bush-McCainChallenge.com/?id=12589-6990849-M9_9BW. I didn't do very well--anything over 50% would be pretty good, I think. Check it out.

Also speaking of politicians, I was happy to see H. Clinton running for President. We white men certainly haven't set a record of excellence and it would be refreshing to have a woman. Members of my family and some of my best friends are Hillary supporters. I think the time has come (if it hadn't come weeks or months ago) when we have to wonder whether Hillary's decision to soldier on is less about winning the nomination in 2008 and more about destroying the Democratic candidate to clear the way for Hillary to run in 2012. Being married to a President doesn't give anyone the right to become President, and if you expect the party to rally around you, it's probably wise not to do your best to destroy the party. Step down, Hillary. You gave it your best shot.

I did write my 10 pages today. When I brought Seth back into the story, things picked right up. Unfortunately, this did lead to the tragic demise of Ivan, Natalie's love interest. I seem to have a nasty habit of killing my characters (I killed Ivy in VEIL OF THE GODDESS something like three times). Good thing this is fiction--or I'd be heading for jail.

I got some more work done on submissions while I waited for Tom at the airport (and during breaks during the day). I'm also reading A WORLD TOO NEAR by Kay Kenyon.

I'm going to make DEADLY TRADE by Michael Paulson the www.BooksForABuck.com book of the day. Deacon Bishop is back, hunting for a missing man. But if he finds him, will his client kill the man? Before long, Bishop has to worry about his own survival--let alone those of a stranger. Hard-boiled detective fiction--only $3.99. Learn more, read the free excerpt, or buy the entire eNovel here: www.booksforabuck.com/mystery/mys_07/deadly_trade.html. (Available in HTML, Adobe Acrobat PDF, Palm DOC, Mobipocket and Microsoft Reader formats). Here's the cover (cover design by Karen Leabo):

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