Toby Keller - Night Photography Blog

Terror and our Way of Life

This is an excerpt from the Baltimore Sun, as seen on Commondreams.org, written by Leonard Pitts, Jr.: We are often told that terrorists threaten our "way of life." We hear this so often that it's jolting to realize it's not true. Oh, they threaten our lives, certainly. Your life, mine. But our "way" of life? No. Granted, that's a broad and vaguely defined term - but still, no. Whether you take it to mean things frivolous (baseball, MTV, fireworks on the Fourth) or things fundamental (freedom of speech, equality under the law, the native idealism of our national character), there is no way suicide bombers and fanatics with box cutters can destroy our way of life. Unless we let them. Unless we, in fear, knuckle down and destroy it ourselves. This, I think, was the line drawn by four GOP senators and the former secretary of state. A line that says, finally, beyond all politics and partisanship and manipulation and fear: enough. I don't mean to minimize the threat terrorist fanatics pose to your life and mine. But vital as it is that our lives be protected, there are things that matter more. Meaning the essential character of our nation. Experts say torture is an unreliable tool for interrogation; it often produces false confessions. But even if that were not the case, even if we had to choose between saving Americans and preserving America, it should be an easy call. Kill me before you kill my country. Leonard Pitts Jr. is a columnist for The Miami Herald. His column appears Sundays in The Sun.

Climbing at Gibraltar

Went up to Gibraltar yesterday to do some climbing. My buddy Jeremy was up from OC, and we brought a couple friends who had never climbed before. We did a 5.9 on Toxic Wall called "Bolt Ladder". I almost took a nasty lead fall 8 feet above the last bolt, but managed somehow to save it. My forearms were shot - I hadn't climbed in a year. It was a great day, anyhow... ended with a pool party in Hope Ranch with new friends; we sat in the jacuzzi and watch the sunset over the ocean and the Channel Islands. Aaaah, California.

From top: Dave all geared up; Me getting ready; Jeremy sucking it up after depositing last night's dinner (read: Jagermeister) by the side of the road.

Hendry’s, Full Moon

Shot at Hendry's beach, SB, with a Nikon D70, Tamron 11-18mm lens. Exposures ~ 5 minutes.