I attended a meeting of the Tucson Atheists a few days ago and found it very satisfying. Aside from their shared denial of supernaturals the members are all over the intellectual map, of course, but that just makes it more interesting. As usual I tried to rev up interest in atheists becoming more politically aware and active, with limited success so far. But at least I planted the seed and I am not entirely alone in this group. I met a young man named Andrew who is also politically aware and he gave me some good tips to follow. The group seemed interested in what I had to say and showed respect for my academic credentials. I am very encouraged by Obama's retrenchment about not persecuting torturers. Pressing the Washington set to go after the Bush thugs is basic. As a member of one of the most hated minorities in the country, I find it easy to imagine a future in which torture of atheists is considered okay, especially if the fundamentalists gain power. As far as my work goes, I have one more color to run and I will have finished the current print. I am not at all sure that I have achieved the best color scheme possible, but I can't be sure until I see the finished product.