The day after.

One of the problems with writing this junk every day (or nearly every day) is that sometimes, I have to follow something interesting and insightful with something else. Usually, it pales by comparison. That's where the flower photos come in handy.

Of course, the Coca-Cola 600 was delayed a day by rain, then shortened today by more rain proving that God answers all prayers, but sometimes the answer is "no." Either that or he doesn't pay attention to auto racing, or he figured the best way to make the race safe was to cancel it. Or maybe He just doesn't like wasting expensive gasoline and rubber by-products for our entertainment? I'm not sure. Maybe they should look into the credentials of that guy who did the invocation yesterday.

KOMODO ISLAND, Indonesia – Komodo dragons have shark-like teeth and poisonous venom that can kill a person within hours of a bite. Yet villagers who have lived for generations alongside the world's largest lizard were not afraid — until the dragons started to attack.

The stories spread quickly across this smattering of tropical islands in southeastern Indonesia, the only place the endangered reptiles can still be found in the wild: Two people were killed since 2007 — a young boy and a fisherman — and others were badly wounded after being charged unprovoked.

Unprovoked? That's like those circus elephants that start stomping the customers. They're animals. Just like the elephants, Komodo dragons are animals.

"How could the dragons get so aggressive?" Hajj Amin, 51, taking long slow drags off his clove cigarettes, as other village elders gathering beneath a wooden house on stilts nodded. Several dragons lingered nearby, drawn by the rancid smell of fish drying on bamboo mats beneath the blazing sun. Also strolling by were dozens of goats and chickens.
"They never used to attack us when we walked alone in the forest, or attack our children," Amin said. "We're all really worried about this."

You really have to keep the wandering goats and chickens out of the way where there are animals whose surname is "dragon." That's why people are so surprised by the attacks. Who'd figure a dragon would attack anyone? They never used to attack anyone. They're moody, I guess.

Too much thinking for a holiday - but here goes...

We're faced with a lot of conflicts as humans. Today, for example. NASCAR held its annual Coca-Cola 600 auto race in Charlotte, North Carolina. Prior to the race was where the conflict occurred.

A religious figure (a pastor or clergy of some sort) came out to offer the invocation, thanking his God for providing the world and whatever else is involved in making the country great. Then, a group of bagpipers played "Amazing Grace." After that, a half dozen Marines fired 5 shots in the air (blanks, I'm hoping) and a bugler played "Taps." Back and forth it went, from warfare to God. Maybe they're the same thing?

Then, someone sang "The Star Spangled Banner," another song glorifying war (one that we lost) and paying homage to a flag. As the song went on, some warplanes flew over the track at a dangerously low level. I guess that's designed to make us (a) be thankful for warplanes and (b) be glad that they weren't dropping anything on us.

The lines between God, country and war are fuzzy at best, and days like today serve to confuse us even more. Sure, I'm thankful that those men and women are over there defending us - from what, I have no idea. I hear the words "defending us" but I'm never quite sure what it means. This isn't World War II or some global conflict. It's largely a group of people who use religion as a shield and have decided to sacrifice their lives for it. I'm talking about them.

Generally, when some scandal occurs and someone does something scurrilous, we wonder, "What is this teaching the children?" I think the same things when I see clergy and objects of war sharing a stage on television.

Then there's the race. Can't forget the race. It's another tribute to America, where giant cars that nobody but professionals own run 600 miles in a a circle and use about 600 gallons of gasoline - excuse me - racing fuel. It's all about America. God, war, the country and driving fast in a circle and crashing sometimes. And it's broadcast on Fox, which seems to make sense somehow.

And to top it off, the winner gets a 225 pound trophy from Coca Cola. More excess. A trophy that cannot be lifted. The perfect end to a perfect day. In the middle of a recession.

UPDATE: The race has been postponed until Mondy due to rain. It appears as though God wasn't watching after all.