I think that Armageddon is upon us...

I actually have something nice to say about the Shrub. I hate typing it. I feel dirty. I feel awful that I have to praise that insane Texan Christian who's re-enacting the Crusades in the Mideast and waging war at home on our privacy and social rights.

But I have to give him props for canceling the loans to the third world nations and proposing increasing aid to Africa.

I think I need to wash myself off now to feel clean again.

Anyways, I have to say that I'm pleased to hear that. I know critics are seriously questioning whether the aid will go through in a Republican Congress as well as the impact of the programs that Bush may support -- I mean, supporting abstinence programs instead of AIDS education is just plain stubborn and bullheaded. But there's some relief. It may be PR, but there's some relief.

I'm hopeful that we've got our heads out of our collective asses for now. And in a way, I'm glad that attention was brought to the situation (yes, I have to give Bono and Brad Pitt props for just getting people's attention, even though I feel dumb about it).

The funny thing is that I'm kinda psyched now about the Live8 concert. The publicity is reaching its frenzied moment and I'm riding the wave with everyone else. I've got it locked on TiVo and am interested to see what performances we'll get. I'm amused with rumors that Sir Paul McCartney threatened to walk unless he got to close. The thought of U2 dressed like Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band? Hysterical. I'll be giggling gleefully if they do that. Will Destiny's Child's Michelle do another face plant?

I'm glad that attention is being paid to this. I'm glad that people are taking a moment to listen and even though my cynical side doesn't believe anything long-term will come of this, I'm just glad that something is being done -- even with political, musical and ego motivations behind it. Sometimes I can forgive the idea of the ends justifying the means.

Now if Bob Geldof can stop looking like Gollum, all is well.