Today's Whimsies

I've been reading about Gohan and Aochan (here). Aochan is a 4-foot long rat snake and Gohan is a hamster who was placed in the snake's cage to be it's next meal. The snake decided not to eat the hamster and they have shared the cage ever since. A friend has a 5-foot long corn snake (close relative to the rat snake) and I cynically think that the hamster is simply too big for it to eat--at the moment. One day there may be a follow up announcement of Gohan's demise at the jaws of the snake. On the other hand I hope it's true, that it's a case of cross-species friendship--I love such stories whether it's hamster/snake, hippo/tortoise or human/vampire *g*

A very sweet fic is being written by spikes_heart and liliaeth. It's called Heartsongs. It's post-NFA and Spike has shanshued and become a human child growing up as Angel and Nina's adopted son. A lot of characters from both series are present. There's some plot and angst and schmoop and great writing. Check it out.

Alert

Now for the bad news--a new federal law states that when you annoy someone on the Internet, you must disclose your identity. Here's the relevant language:
"Whoever...utilizes any device or software that can be used to originate telecommunications or other types of communications that are transmitted, in whole or in part, by the Internet... without disclosing his identity and with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten, or harass any person...who receives the communications...shall be fined under title 18 or imprisoned not more than two years, or both." (read more here). Is a nom de courriel considered an identity? Otherwise I hope anyone I've annoyed will forgive me *tries to remember all previous e-mails and comments*

1984 is happening in 2006. I fear the Founding Fathers must be turning over in their graves. The right of free speeech is being threatened almost daily. I'm so angry and scared at what's happening in our country. I hope the so-called majority comes to its senses in the fall elections and votes those bastards out of office.