This is usually the hour, usually the mood, for me to write something long and possibly insightful, skipping happily from one area of my demented psyche to the next.

But.

I am wrought by an exhaustion that permeates my bones.

However I do have two thoughts that have nagged me of late:

1) With all the focus on American border control, my mind naturally drifted to Trinidadian border control - or at least the concept of it. Does it even exist? Are there legal boundaries for non-Trinidadians to cross in order to work or pay taxes in Trinidad? Are we being invaded, unchecked, by Venezuela? Hola?

2) If you think Trinidad - and our religious leaders - are all "happy happy / love love" because we live on the "sugar" island, I have a story for you. I spoke to a Muslim family member of mine soon after 9/11 about the anti-American sentiment in other parts of the world, curious to hear what the "inside track" was on our local Muslim community. The result was a combination of low-grade horror and disbelief. According to the account, the preacher (his official title escapes me, Imam?) publicly supported the attacks, and the congregation (whether via blind service or uncomfortable conformity) raised no objection, reacting approvingly as he went on. My kinfolk, although claiming those views were not his own, admitted a number of local Muslims do feel similarly, and that's just "how it was." He goes to Mosque to honor his beliefs and others do the same, some get caught up in the politics, some don't. Now, however wonderful that notion may seem, alarms bells MUST be ringing somewhere. Add to that, soon after the attacks (at a UNC gathering) a Muslim leader mentioned Bin Laden positively in his opening words. Que?

Justin | 4:27 AM