The state of Nevada's Public Employee Benefit Program released the rate chart for our next year's benefits. In the past a couple with a $500 deductible paid about $18 less a year for coverage than the same couple with a child. Now, however, the scales have tipped, the family of three, five or a dozen will pay $63 dollars less a year than the couple without children. I'm not sure how this will be explained but it should be interesting.

This article suggests both sides of the fight over judicial nominations may gain arguments from the Schiavo case. On the liberal side of the isle the case serves to support the idea that we need strong non-political judges to stand up to Congress. On the conservative side of the isle arguments come that the judiciary has overstepped their role. One important point in all of this is that the courts did what a strong majority of Americans want. Across the board, including evangelical Christians a majority of Americans support the right of a family to make family decisions in private and not have the Congress step in.

Republicans in the Senate are pushing to drop filibusters on judicial nominations so that controversial nominees can be more easily appointed. It is important to remember, however, that the Bush Administration has named judges who can't keep their licenses current for these positions.

Well, I am entering the last few weeks of the ALSE course. We have learned about flotation equipment, first aid and survival kits, body armor and restraint harnesses. Today we talked about helmets and protective eyewear. I am attaching a photo of the class inspecting life rafts and another of me looking goofy with some very expensive laser protective eye glasses.

I have made most of my plans for leave when I get done here. I will be going to New York, Washington DC, Seattle, and Colorado during my time off. I'll be in Colorado from April 13th through the 15th. Hopefully I'll get to do some Skiing. I'll probably also stop by a search and rescue meeting for old times sake.

Life is so easy here right now that I am no longer in any big hurry to leave. On the other hand, I am looking forward to getting to Campbell and getting back in the air.

While visiting Red Rocks yesterday I added a new flute to my collection. It is a beautiful Double Eaglet fro Great Bald Eagle Creations. The Tiger Maple construction is beautiful and the higher range of the flute is a beautiful compliment to the alto flutes in my collection. The Double Eaglet is similar in construction to the Together Forever Eagle Vision flute pictured with eaglet fetishes instead of the pair of eagles.