The summer doldrums are here, providing us with time to reflect and perhaps look on the bright side of things. Pay no heed to that inconvenient AIDS pandemic sweeping Africa and Asia. Never mind the Bush junta's increasingly vague and annoying terror reminders designed to keep us afraid and in line. Try to ignore that this is, in my expert opinion, the worst season for network television EVER. No siree, it's summer and I've actually found some reasons for faith in the future. In alphabetical order, more or less.

Reason #1: Lance Armstrong
You gotta have one sports story, right? Armstrong is an amazing athlete, a fierce competitor, and a gracious champion. Heck, he even learned to speak French. As a longtime bicycle commuter on the mean streets of Atlanta, GA (voted the worst major city in the USA for cycling, incidentally), I am thrilled that Armstrong is making biking look so wicked cool. Which it is.

Reason #2: The Cassini-Huygens Mission to Saturn & Titan
Have you seen the photos yet? You must, because words fail.
[http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/home/index.cfm]

Reason #3: "Catwoman"
Halle Berry... in a black leather cat suit... with a whip. One word: WOOF! (Sorry about that.)

Reason #4: Dick Cheney
That's right. I think we owe our war-profiteering Veep a hearty thank you for outing the "F word" once and for all. As you know, he told Senator Patrick Leahy to "go f**k yourself," which is basically the official policy of the Bush administration towards anyone who disagrees with it. But then, instead of apologizing to Leahy, not to mention legions of presumably appalled social conservatives, he actually declared that he felt better. Right on, Dick! It's only a matter of time now before hitherto thoughtful and polite Liberals take up the slogan of their unelected second-in-command. Come on, say it with me: "Yo, Dick Cheney! GO F**K YOURSELF!" Feel better now? I thought so.

Reason #5: French Musette
For the two of you who aren't aware of it, I am a professional accordion player. Really. Lately I have been practicing from a book - from Paris, no less - of Musette, which is basically French café dance music. So beautiful, so evocative, and such food for the soul. And I commend to you, if you can find it, a wonderful movie released in 1982 called "Le Bal." Vive la France!

Reason #6: Seymour Hersh
In an era when most reporters/commentators are either "embedded," corporate media whores, or just plain liars, Sy Hersh, who currently works for "The New Yorker," continues to dig out the facts. Sure, he's iconoclastic and not shy about expressing his political opinions; but Hersh is an excellent journalist who still works at getting to the truth of important and controversial matters. That is, in my view, a profoundly patriotic service worthy of our gratitude.

Reason #7: The Kids are Alright
Not mine, of course; never wanted 'em, never had 'em. But I have dear friends who did and do, and their children are becoming really interesting adult human persons. I've also had the opportunity to work with young people in various workshop situations and have found them to be pretty thoughtful individuals, for the most part. This is very reassuring, especially in a society seemingly dedicated to brainwashing its children into being good little drones who will serve as cheap labor, Wal-Martized consumers, and cannon fodder.

Reason #8: National Hip Hop Political Convention Agenda
Adopted in Newark, NJ this past June, this "Five-Point Agenda" is a serious document that attempts to engage the creators and consumers of Hip Hop culture in the following areas: Education, Economic Justice, Criminal Justice, Health, and Human Rights. The political potential here is enormous and worth knowing more about. [www.hiphopconvention.org]

Reason #9: November 2, 2004
Yeah, I know. The Bushoids are going to do everything they can to hold on and they are clearly capable of anything. But Bush is so appalling that the Kerry/Edwards ticket stands a real chance of winning at the polls, in spite of their cozying up to the Judas goats at the Democratic Leadership Conference (DLC). That's assuming we actually have an election, of course; and there's always the October (or whenever) surprise we all know is coming, so stay tuned. Point is, we've got a shot.

Reason #10: Sushi in L.A. (Lower Alabama)
There is now a decent sushi restaurant in Daphne, AL of all places. Interestingly enough, the waitress is Japanese, the busgirl is Anglo, and the sushi chefs speak Spanish. What a great country. Seriously.

I'm don't know about you, but that's about all the optimism I can endure at one sitting, so let me wish you all a great summer. Don't forget your hat and SPF 45; be sure to register to vote, and above all, "don't believe the hype." Enjoy.