Here on the South Carolina coast, the insistent rhythm of the surf, the muscular sunshine coupled with the steady, cooling sea breeze, the night skies offering magical displays of heat lightning, have all been a much needed balm as the political season has reached a turning point. This morning as I ran, I came across a large box turtle in the middle of the road. As I lifted and carried her to the side of the road she had been aiming for,she tucked in her head and protested mildly, waving her legs and eliciting a smile and an attempt at explanation from me.

Here's an interesting read from Neil Degrasse Tyson. Dr. Tyson's conclusion is, I think, already known by many, but his path to that conclusion is what's somewhat different.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/06/opinion/06tyson.html?_r=1&ref=opinion&oref=slogin

Let's see what the ramifications of this will be. Obama should get much heightened scrutiny now, and have many more questions to answer.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-rezko-verdict-web,0,2256058.story

Hillary Clinton conceded nothing tonight, and I'm glad of that. After tonight, Obama's pledged delegate total will be well short of the number required to secure the nomination, as will Hillary's. The super d's may endorse, but, as we all know, the votes are not cast until August, and a lot can happen between now and then. Obama is a train wreck waiting to happen. After the travesty of democracy and justice that was the RBC decision, Hillary should take her case to the credentials committee.

Tom Rinaldo has posted an open letter to Hillary Clinton in which he posits the "test" of what can be lost and what can be gained by Hillary continuing her campaign. This is my invitation to the CCN community to state what can be lost, besides the nomination and the GE, by Hillary giving up the fight, and what can be gained by her continuing the fight. Many here have already made eloquent statements on this subject, but today, I thought it might be good to have a place put all these thoughts together. Have at it, if you're so inclined.

I'm including this note with a pair of shoes to the DNC today. Thanks, Tricia, for letting us know about the Walk A Mile In Our Shoes action!

Dear DNC Members:

From the Philly Enquirer, a very interesting breakdown of the various popular vote tallies, and where they might lead. On another note, do any of the opposition camp's tactics regarding votes remind anyone of a certain aspiring state senator's tactics a few years ago regarding ballot petition signatures?

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/opinion/20080523_In_most_inclusive_count__Clinton_has_the_numbers.html

An overcast sky threatened rain as my daughter Leah and I walked briskly the half mile or so from our parking place at the Centre College Campus to 424 Maple Avenue, the home of Greg and Melissa Caudill, and the site of Bill Clinton’s appearance in our little town of Danville, KY. We were hoping that the surrounding streets being cordoned off, meaning people would have to walk some distance, and the impending rain, would not adversely affect attendance at President Clinton’s front porch gathering.

It was a day made in heaven. Brilliant sunshine, pleasantly warm, the wonderful, pungent scents of sourmash and aging bourbon whisky carried on the breezes through the idyllic rolling countryside of Maker’s Mark distillery in Loretto, KY. As we stood in the long line of people snaking along one side of Whisky Creek, across the covered bridge, and back along the other side, I tried to estimate the size of the crowd. Surely must be a couple thousand, I thought, though I later heard an “official” estimate of a thousand.

It was raining, heavily at times, as my family and I made the 1 1/2 hr. drive to John Hardin High School in Elizabethtown, KY, to hear Bill Clinton speak on behalf of his wife, Hillary. During the drive, I thought about all the ups and downs of this campaign, the array of forces aligned against Hillary, where the race is now, and Hillary’s remarkable determination through it all. Any worries I had about Kentuckians’ enthusiasm for Hillary, because of the media’s continual reporting of her purported demise, were immediately dispelled upon entering the gymnasium.