Members of the anti-war group Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW.org) arrived at Ft. Lewis this morning to support Lt. Ehren Watada's (thankyoult.org) refusal to deploy to Iraq.

By noon, the anti-war veterans were well on their way to setting up "Camp Resistance," where they plan to spend the next month or so waiting for Lt. Watada's expected court martial. If all goes well, the military will decide against trying Watada's case. But this would be an admission that Watada's refusal of deployment is lawful: it would be an admission that refusal is the right thing to do (which it is.) And that's the whole point. This trial is actually less about Ehren Watada's refusal than it is about the lies and deception that entered us, as a country, into an immoral, unnecessary, unjustified and illegal act of military belligerence.

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This afternoon I had the pleasure of meeting two working cats, Pierre and Whisper (I hope I got their names right). They work at Jamie Lee and Company. Pierre kept me company while I waited before my appointment time, he greeted me and then allowed scritches, he was even gracious enough to lay out on the chair next to me within easy reach. Whisper then laid out on my lap while my hair was cut, kept me company and properly weighted down. They are both cats of generous proportions (plump) and spirit. Next time I really should bring some catnip.

Last time I took my own cat to the vet up on the west side, we were assisted by their working cat. My cat was not impressed but the vet cat helped keep me distracted and relaxed in a time of some distress.

I know I've seen cats elsewhere downtown but don't recall specifics. I count neighborhood cats as Oly working cats also, especially the ones who meet and greet and keep watch.

Know of any Oly working cats? Please let us know.

Meow. And if cats ruled the world, or at least our town, wouldn't we all be better for it?

Update: It would be really catty of me to not include dogs, so okay, they be included. I am such a cat person. But I do acknowledge the importance of dogs doing doggie things. Woof.

Go read Rain is still wet on John G. Bell's local blog. Gave me a smile this morning.

A couple of weeks ago the city council talked about "Neighborhood Connections," small, city endorsed paths, that connect neighborhoods through right-of-ways. So, where are these walking paths that have the lawful stature as a paved street? Check out the above map, maybe there is one near you.

To be honest, it was hard to tell exactly where these paths were because some don't exist yet (they're part of new construction) or the descriptions were just horrible.