Cead Mile Failte and Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I'm on my way to TBA, but I did manage to get the news done before I left for my third annual trip to this huge progressive gathering in DC.

I was searching for a really profound Irish blessing for all of you, but when Kerstin and I came across this one, we decided it was our favorite.

Well, I don't suppose anyone can argue that would be a blessing. Enjoy the news.

The photo at the beginning of the newsreel is one I took on my last trip to Ireland. It's just outside the village of Glenbeigh on the Ring of Kerry in County Kerry. Funny that the Irish name counties after US Senators, isn't it?

You can watch the full Commerce, Science and Transportation hearing at the committee website. There was a lot of news this week, the Senator is trying to close an offshore tax loophole, lift the AIDS travel ban, help veterans keep their homes, help fishermen keep their jobs, and generally do all that great Senator stuff he does. He also talked to a bunch of bloggers (including me and Kerstin), wrote an essay for the Washington Monthly, and added a bunch of cash to the budget to assist small businesses.

A big thank you and Happy St. Pat's Day to the artist whose music I used -

The song, Irish Soldier Laddie is quite lovely, and I hope Dan O'Donnell doesn't mind that I used it. I couldn't find anything on his site to the contrary, so I'll just give him a plug here and hope that's OK. And Dan, I do hope you make it to Ireland some day. Here's another photo from my last trip to tide you over. It's from just outside Glenbeigh.

If any of you happen to be in South Florida and find yourself in need of a good traditional Irish musician, Dan's website indicates that he does gigs for the following occasions:

Ethnic (any) Festival, Fair, Snipe Hunt, Hoe Down, Wake, Wedding, Divorce, Anniversary, Baptism, Confirmation, Ordination, Excommunication, Mitzvah, Circumcision, Mass, Exorcism, Revival (of anything), Seance, Resurrection, Coven Gathering, Viagra Party, Deflowering Rites, Rain Dance, Orgy, Barn Dance, Barn Raising, Barn Burning, Peace Rally, Revolution, Hunger Strike, Sit In, Riot, War, Protest (anything) Rally, Convention (any), Inauguration, Impeachment, Debutante Ball, Barbecue, Clambake, clipping your toenails ...

Sounds like my kinda guy. Here's one more picture for Dan and the rest of you.

Torc Waterfall, Killarney National Park, Killarney, Ireland