Naomh Aingeal

2003-12-01T19:45:00.000-05:00

Today, December 1st, is World AIDS Day.

Both my Politics thesis and my Religion thesis have to do with debt in Africa, and I can't help but wonder if we didn't make these poor countries pay their debt over and over again in the name of 'economic responsibility' and 'prevention of the slippery slope of debt cancellation' if they would have more money and resources to protect and treat people who fall victim to this disease.

I know someone with AIDS, and I can't help but wonder how his life would be different if he was from Soweta, South Africa instead of Baltimore, Maryland. Would he even still be alive today?

AIDS is treatable. We the West have the resources and technology to treat this disease. Yet, we don't allow low-cost medications to be developed for these countries because we bow to the call of the pharmaceutical industry's bottom line. Is a CEO's vaction to Cape Town more important than the entire nation of South Africa or Zambia's health and life?

Is it?

2003-07-26T23:14:00.000-04:00

"Never tell a young person that anything cannot be done. God may have been waiting centuries for someone ignorant enough of the impossible to do that very thing."
--John Andrew Holmes

2003-07-24T21:38:00.000-04:00

Ok, so... profound question time...

There is a box of Ho-Hos. You can take one package out and it contains two chocolaty roll-ups. Now, here's the question --

Is each package a Ho-Ho - which means that each of the little rolls would be a Ho *OR* is each little roll called a Ho-Ho and so it is a package of Ho-Hos?

2003-07-23T15:48:00.000-04:00

US to offer proof Hussein sons died

Posted: Wednesday, July 23, 9:09am EDT in The Christian Science Monitor

The United States will provide proof to the public that Saddam Hussein's sons Uday and Qusay were killed in a fiery battle at a Mosul mansion, the top US commander in Iraq said Wednesday.
Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez told a news conference that dental records, X-rays, and four former senior figures from the Hussein regime helped establish certainty that the two sons were killed in the four-hour gunbattle.

Sanchez said that the coalition would provide proof "in due time" to the Iraqi people that Uday and Qusay, second only to their father in power in the ousted regime, were dead.

The US commander defended the decision to kill the suspects hiding in the house, saying they had repeatedly fired on troops trying to enter the fortified second floor of the palatial villa.

-------
Good. I was hoping that they would pursue dental records instead of just the Ace of Diamonds happy words. Maybe now I can stop hearing 'the sky is falling, the sky is falling' over and over in my head *lol*

2003-07-22T16:46:00.000-04:00

The US is reporting the they are 'certain' that Uday and Qusay Hussein were killed in Mosul, Iraq earlier today (ABCNews Report). They say that they have people who have confirmed that they are not body doubles, but the DNA tests aren't in.

This is probably just nitpicking from a polisci student who watches too much news but, if the DNA tests aren't in yet, how are they 'certain'? And truthfully, where are they getting the DNA to test against? I don't know if Iraq keeps blood tests and dental records. So again, how can they be 'certain'?

Maybe this is all stemming from the previous 'certainty' over Iraq purchasing Uranium from Niger, as was so eloquently stated in the State of the Union address in January. Don't feed me crap, because the people are going to find out. And you can't expect everyone to take the blame for what you should've said was uncertain, Mr. President. You are ultimately responsible for what you say... not your scriptwriters, not the CIA, not MI-6 or Tony Blair, not George Tennet, not Condy Rice, not the public overreacting... you.

So now I feel almost Chicken Little - esque. I want to believe those two are dead but... Are you Certain that you're Certain? Why should I believe it this time?

2003-07-19T16:50:00.000-04:00

Pirates of the Carribean was wonderful. It's good for a laugh and I just love pirates all together. One of my guitly pleasures, mateys.

So, I found a new yarn for the very belated birthday gift (henceforth referred to as the VBBG). It's soft and thinner than what I was using before, and I found it in a wonderful shade of burgundy. I'm excited. I think I'll have to make one for myself after I finish this one.

On this topic, I really wish that I was better at crochet than I actually am. I taught myself a few weeks ago, and I know you can't be just fantastic at anything after just a couple of weeks, but one of the other guards at the pool also crochets and she does wonderful work. We were working on scarves at the same time. Her fingers move faster and with such accuracy that it just makes my head spin.

I was reading in Poise's blog about her making an afghan for the homeless, and I would love to do something like that. But, I just have to horrible idea of how it would turn out - missed stitches and the like. I wonder if it would be possible to donate scarves... would that be as needed?

2003-07-18T16:15:00.000-04:00

Another day off. This is quite surprising... considering usually I go 9-10 days without even a single day off. I can't say that I'm not enjoying it - although we'll see what my tune is when I get my paycheck next week.

I'm excited. I'm going to see Pirates of the Carribean tonight. Everyone who's seen it who I've talked to has really enjoyed it. And I'm never one to turn down anything Depp.

I'm working on a new scarf. It's burgundy and soft - two of my favorite things! But, I cannot keep this one. It's a gift. A very belated birthday gift, but the original gift I was working on just didn't turn out as well as I would like for it to have been. I'm kind of nervous giving this friend something that I've actually made because she (and her entire family) are really crafty and I don't want it to be seen as... subpar, I guess. We'll just have to see.

2003-07-17T17:41:00.000-04:00

I was supposed to meet my boss at 8 this morning so that L and I could go and get the camp supplies before we had to open the pool. He strolls in at five till 9 and says, oh I thought there was someplace I was supposed to be earlier - 8, wasn't it? And he chuckles and walks off.

Old male idiot. Little lifeguard girls don't need any respect, even though we were the ones who he told to get there at 8 (an hour earlier than we normally come in) and he has the audacity to not show up. People like that irk me.

2003-07-15T17:30:00.000-04:00

I just had to post this quiz because it made me laugh so much...

Threat rating: High. The Bush administration is
concerned that it may not get a second term.
Therefore, we are going to change the rules so
that each Democrat vote only counts as 0.2
votes because Democrat is a shorter word than
Republican

What threat to the Bush administration are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

2003-07-15T14:54:00.000-04:00

I feel so awful. I know that a friend is going to think that I totally forgot her birthday - which by the way was early June. Take a looksee at the calendar. Oi.

The thing is, I didn't forget it. My internet has been fritzing and I haven't been able to find her address. And she doesn't check email during the summer... at least, I think that's what she told me. And I'm working on her gift as we speak, it's just taking a little while longer than I suspected that it was going to.

I guess it'll end up being more of a 'welcome back for senior year' than 'happy 21st'.

2003-07-14T18:52:00.000-04:00

Unconcious Mutterings - Week 23

Natalie:: Portman
Concrete:: Angel
AIDS:: quilt
Rubber hose:: up your nose
Paper clip:: Office Space
Route 66:: get your kicks
Summer camp:: 4 ambulances, 2 fire trucks, and a MedEvac helicopter in an hour (wanna hear the story?)
Coin purse:: looking for a change
Orion:: 's belt
Instigate:: my brother

2003-07-14T18:38:00.000-04:00

I keep on looking for something profound to post. Alas, as I sit here watching The Simpsons... well, that should explain it. I take that back because on many occasions, The Simpsons are more profound than most of the crap on TV.

I got my blue parking sticker today. For those who do not know the significance of the Blue Parking Sticker, it is for Senior parking. It's the first real sign that I'm on my last year in college, and I'm not terribly thrilled about that. Now that I don't enjoy being the top man on the totem pole, but it means that I'm only a year away from 'the real world'. I don't want to join the real world. I'm not ready for it. I like being a fadult (fake adult - I get to live on my own, but Dad still pays the bills). I'd like to stay a fadult as long as possible.

2003-07-06T23:08:00.000-04:00

Lesson of the Day: Most people only respect you when it is convenient for them.

I am a lifeguard. My job is to keep you safe. You may not agree with my decisions, but they are my decisions to make. I take my job seriously and you will thank me for that when someone is in trouble in the water. However, I'm sorry that I have to inconvenience you by closing the pool when there is, what I believe to be, a hazardous material spill.

One of our thermometers had come out of the plastic casing, so we were keeping it behind the desk... where only staff is allowed. Someone took the thermometer and put it in the baby pool toy box, thinking they were being funny. So, of course, some little kid steps on it and cuts their foot. So while the other guard is fixing her up (it was a clean cut, pretty shallow... nothing terribly out of the ordinary and nothing a little peroxide and a band-aid wouldn't fix up nicely), I go over to the baby pool and find broken glass and little silver beads all around the pool deck. Now, I'm pretty sure that they don't put mercury is thermometers any more - sure enough to risk mercury poisioning for you and your children? No.

So, the other guard and I talk and we decide that the safest course of action is to close both of the pools and let Public Safety deal with it because the pools share a filter and mercury is horribly poisionous. This is the overly cautious thing to do - what I've been hired to do.

And the people freak out like they've never freaked out before. God forbid we interrupt and inconvenience their afternoon. So they start bitching. One parent even asked 'What's the big deal about a little bit of mercury?' Luckily, I didn't have to answer this idiotic question because one of the fathers goes 'It's poisionous, you dolt.'

One of the families who is there everyday - even though they have their own pool at home - goes 'it's nothing, you're wrong, stop freaking out' and proceeds to go into the roped off area and play with the beads. This is a grown man who should have a little bit more respect for me than that. If he gets hurt, I'm the one who is liable. But, do they listen to me to stop doing - everything? No. Stupid little girl doesn't know what she's talking about. I almost busted out my cert cards right there and said 'see? prevention of transmittable diseases. you show me yours' but I didn't - I restrained myself.

Our club manager finally gets there and says 'I don't know what you're freaking out about. You're wrong. Stop overreating, it's just ball berrings.'

I don't like being made to feel stupid when I'm following OSHA regulations and safety precautions and doing the job that you hired me to do. Who in their right mind would use silver ball berrings in a thermometer that resemble spilled mercury? That's just idiotic, and I was doing what I thought was best. So the manager reopened the pool, made us feel like 'stupid little girls' and the other guard and I left right then. Then, he calls my house asking where the accident report is. Um, it's in the Accident Report Binder - where they always go. We're responsible enough to do our job.

So, if it does turn out to be mercury, the pool will get sued and up and faster than you can say 'local lawsuit' - but I'm exempt. I closed the pool. I was overruled.

But I can sleep tonight. No matter what I did, it would have to be something I could live with. And I would rather have a couple of idiotic parents acting like children because I inconvenienced their day then to open the paper tomorrow and see a headline that read 'Five Children Die From Mercury Poisioning at Local Pool'. I had to live with my decision, so I followed OSHA precautions and did what I did. And what saddens me is that people can't respect that - especially if it means that they'll have to entertain their children themselves for a couple of hours out of their Sunday instead of just dumping them on me.

They'll probably just have the nanny play with them anyway.

2003-07-05T20:48:00.000-04:00

Unconscious Mutterings - Week 21

Trolling:: the Teeter
Profile :: Photo
Tin:: Cat on a Hot...
Phenom:: an old ABC sitcom that like me and 2 other people watched
Mug shot:: my old driver's licence
Tubular:: Bill and Ted
Six Flags:: America (it's the one near me ^^)
Pickup:: Country
Auction:: Silent
Astonishing:: Gasp and Astound, Batman!

Wanna Play?

2003-07-04T18:41:00.000-04:00

Happy Birthday Everyone!

(Ok, don't look at me odd. It's the 4th of July... US Independence Day... a nation's 'birthday'... Well, it was cute when a five year old told me that today.)

I have spent my day at the pool. For those who do not know, I'm a lifeguard this summer. So, we're playing games and having relays and it's really a lot of fun. I'm scorched though. Please, reapply your sunblock. It's not fun to resemble a lobster. People end up walking up to you and asking 'hey, got butter?'. And once it gets to that point... well... you're beyond hope.

Once everyone started leaving... oh, around 4 pm... the guards start getting bored. There are seven of us there today - the whole team. So of course we're all getting punchy about this time. Me and another girl are watching the deep end and the other five are chilling in the shallow end. We're getting bored and I look over and see one of our guards waving a wooden stick. Like a wand. Now, this guy is huge - college football player. So, I look over there, pull up one of the small flags and show him how it's done. "Swish and flick! You need more flick!" I end up yelling.

(FYI: For those who don't know where 'swish and flick' comes from, please go pick up the Harry Potter series. 5 out of our 7 guards read and enjoy it - and we're all between the ages of 17-21. Quite fun.)

So, he swishes and flicks and ends up yelling Avada Kedavra. By now the kids are enjoying this little reparte because 95% of these kids have been reading The Order of the Phoenix all week (good book, go read). "Oooh, the killing curse! He got you!" the kids were yelling at us. So, I end up Crucio - ing him (Another curse... pain... lots of pain... your intrails become your extrails... oh wait, wrong movie ^^) Once we went on our rest break, he comes up to me and goes 'I never thought that actually worked... but my nose started bleeding.' Maybe *I* should be going to Hogwarts *lol*

Now all I have to do is find some fireworks tonight and I am set. Happy 4th everyone!

2003-06-17T16:06:00.000-04:00

Unconscious Mutterings - Week 19

Arbitrary:: Law
Sweatshop :: Shoelaces
Cotton ball:: Q-Tip
Intimate:: Protection
Forgotten:: Wallet
Photography:: Film
Secretary:: Desk
Stadium:: Seating
Purpose:: Meaning
Shoe box:: Dog

Wanna Play?

2003-06-17T16:02:00.000-04:00

Rain rain go away... Why does it keep on having to rain? So, since it was basically a dreary day we didn't have anybody at the pool. So Lee Ann and I crocheted. I'm making a blanket :) Sometime I'll have to put up a picture of what it is eventually going to look like... I'm only on the second stripe so you really can't tell what it's going to be yet. But then again, how many long straight things do people really crochet? It's too wide to be a scarf, so what are people expecting that it's going to be?

2003-06-16T20:13:00.000-04:00

So, I'm lifeguarding. And I can already tell that there will be some moms who will drive me up the wall. But I can't say anything, or truely kick anyone out because they are paying members dues and if their child is breaking the rules and endangering others all I can do is sit them in time out in a chair and hope that the parent agrees with me. If not, I could lose my job. Wonderful.

2003-06-07T20:02:00.000-04:00

It's raining again... I have come to hate rain... I get paid for sunny days. Pay is good. Therefore, rain is bad.

Watched the Belmont Stakes today. I'm a Funny Cide fan, so it hurt when he lost the Triple Crown. I was really rooting for him too. Oh well... some things are just not meant to be.

On a side note... is it your family's job to drive you absolutely insane?

2003-06-01T21:23:00.000-04:00

Unconscious Mutterings - Week 17

Tattoo:: needles
Sunburn :: ouch!
Jaguar:: vroom vroom
Trousers:: the British
University :: only four years... unfortunately
Express:: my pants
Suicide:: dark
Slide:: Goo Goo Dolls
Rain:: She's My Kind of...
Bulletin board:: political cartoons

Wanna play?

2003-05-28T12:54:00.000-04:00

It's raining, it's pouring...

It has been raining here since Friday, and we're not really supposed to see sun for another couple of days. Oh joy. You know, there is a reason I don't live in London or Seattle... I'm not a big fan of rain. Sure, it's nice every now and then, but I can understand how people would get depressed looking out there window and seeing day after day just gray and deary skies.

Wait... I think I see a bit of sunlight trying to peak out...

Nevermind. It's just the glare from my lamp on the window.

2003-05-26T15:02:00.000-04:00

Happy Memorial Day

We cherish too, the Poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led,
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies
--Moina Michael

In an attempt the discount the widely held idea that the only reason for this day is the last day off before the end of the school year or the beginning of the summer season, I'm going to share a bit of history.

Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day and is observed in order to honor those who have died in service to the United States. It was first observed on May 30, 1868 when the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers were decorated to honor their service in Arlington National Cemetery. The holiday was not recognized by all states until after WWI and, since 1971, has been observed on the last Monday in May.

Since the late 50's on the Thursday before Memorial Day, the 1,200 soldiers of the 3d U.S. Infantry place small American flags at each of the more than 260,000 gravestones at Arlington National Cemetery. They then patrol 24 hours a day during the weekend to ensure that each flag remains standing.

And since 1998, on the Saturday before the observed day for Memorial Day, the Boys Scouts and Girl Scouts place a candle at each of approximately 15,300 grave sites of soldiers buried at Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park on Marye's Heights (the Luminaria Program).

It's not just a day off from school, or an inconvenience because a paper isn't published. Americans, it's time we remembered what this day was really about. Everyone knows a veteran... most of us are related to at least one. So, before the barbeque, thank a veteran and take a moment to remember those whom we can't thank anymore because they gave the ultimate sacrifice - their life - so that you might have a safer life. They deserve no less.

Source: http://www.usmemorialday.org/backgrnd.html

2003-05-25T18:24:00.000-04:00

Unconscious Mutterings - Week 16

Badminton:: my roommate, Jenny
Obsessive compulsive :: disorder
Prosthetics:: leg bat
Sophistication:: ladies
Hiphop :: wicka wicka
Stammering:: stuttering
Property taxes:: obscene
Lowrider:: all my friends...
Blowtorch:: nifty!
Formality:: overrated

2003-05-23T02:14:00.000-04:00

What's So Wrong With Medical Marajuana?

The governor had a bill before him yesterday that would lower the penalty on possession on medical marajuana. He passed it, much to the disdain of the current White House administration and it's policies.

Now, I'm forced to ask... why is this such a bad thing?

I'm going to preface this by saying that I am a firm supporter of legalizing marajuana for medical usage. In fact, I think that any drug or herb should be able to be prescribed by a licensed medical doctor for the use of pain prevention and management. Why is this such a big deal? Who are you to say that 'no, cancer patient, you can't use marajuana to ease your pain because somehow, someway it might hurt you or fall into the wrong hands *dun dun dun*'? Think of all of the things that you can already get, prescribed by a doctor, but is not found at your friendly neighborhood pharmacy... morphine, codine, and a multitude of other narcotics that if used by the common person would cause addiction, harm, and likely death - but when used under the supervision of a medical professional can effectively ease a patient's pain and limit suffering while they are healing, or to calm a person's passage into death when they have a terminal illness.

And the terminal illness thing... why can't the doctor give them whatever will make them more comfortable? Are they afraid the patient will die?

If you have a person in unbearable pain sitting in front of you, isn't it cruel to withhold something that might ease their pain? That's what a doctor's job it... to heal. To ease pain and suffering. To fix it. If morphine will fix that pain, give me morphine. If Tylenol will fix it, give me Tylenol. If marajuana can fix it, give me marajuana.

This isn't legalizing drugs, as our current Drug Czar so lovingly puts it. It is making a valuable pain killer available to licensed medical professionals who are knowlegable about its uses and benefits, as well as dangers, who can prescribe it to patients who need it. Jimmy from the street is going to get it no matter if doctors can prescribe it or not. People get addicted to Xanax, OxyCotin, etc... but that doesn't mean that the medical community should not be allowed to prescribe it to people who really need it.

By saying that it should be legal for medical use, I am NOT saying that I approve of illegal drug usage. I'm not saying that the United States should legalize it for the everyday user and allow Hemp shops to be set up all along Times Square. No... I'm not saying that at all. But it should be available for medical tests to see what it is and is not effective against. Maybe it has no medical use whatsoever (although tests with glaucoma patients have already shown otherwise), but at least find that out for sure. If it is effective, allow doctors to use that medical breakthrough to help people. Isn't that what being a doctor is all about?

Don't condemn someone to live in constant and chronic pain just because you have a moral and prejudicial opposition to a plant that has been misused by some. Who knows... you could be the next person that the doctor says, 'Sorry... I wish I could prescribe this to help you, but...'

2003-05-21T18:10:00.000-04:00

Quotable Wednesday

"First they came for the Communists - so I said nothing. They they came for the Social Democrats, but I was not a Social Democrat - so I did nothing…And then they came for the Jews, but I was not a Jew - so I did little. Then when they came for me, there was no one left who could stand up for me."

-Pastor Niemöller as quoted in Terrorism and War by Howard Zinn

2003-05-21T18:06:00.000-04:00

Unconscious Mutterings - Week 15

Naked:: Quidditch
Singular:: Wireless
Particle:: Evaporator
Unified:: Countries
Lion:: Hearted
Capitulate:: Romeo
Quantum:: Physics
Celestial:: Sailormoon
Motion:: Emotion
Delight:: Dixieland

2003-05-21T15:21:00.000-04:00

Tuition Break For... Illegal Immigrants?!

Just purusing the local paper, and I turn to the Maryland section and find a nice little article on the bills on the Governor's desk and what will get passed and vetoed blah blah blah. So, I'm looking through and I see one on his desk is for lowering the tuition for illegal immigrants.

Lowering college tuition for illegal immigrants?!

I think the main word that bothered me there was illegal. So I read on. It will lower tuition to the in-state cost to any illegal immigrant who has attended Maryland schools for at least three years.

What the hell?! How did this happen? Number one, illegal immigrants. I am all for immigration into this country... please, it's the land of opportunity. But you have to do it legally. What kind of character does it say for you if you sneak into this country without even bothering to try to do it legally and then bitch and moan about how bad you have it here? I hate to break it to the illegal immigrants, but you are not citizens here and are not entitled to the benefits granted to citizens, and I'm damn tired of people thinking that they are. On another note, how did they get accepted into Maryland public schools in the first place? When I moved here I had to provide the original birth certificate, social security card, and immunization records just to get the interview with the principle. And that was for standard public elementary school. If you are illegal, you don't have any of these things. Unless you bought them on the black market, which involves a whole nother set of the laws being broken.

Why don't we encourage people to become citizens and make there be ramifications if not done legally instead of ignoring an entire section of the legal code and making exceptions? I pay taxes and I pay for the public universities in my state and I don't want my money going to fund tuition cuts for people who are not citizens of even the country and therefore do not pay taxes themselves. Who thought that this would be a good idea? Call me closeminded, call me mean, I don't care. I just don't think it's right.

Edit (6:06 pm): The Governor vetoed the bill today. Seems he agreed with my reasoning.

2003-05-21T14:32:00.000-04:00

I guess this is just the year for crappy commencement speeches. I'm not saying the one at Meredith was bad... actually, I quite enjoyed it. We had Judy Woodruff from CNN come. She went to Meredith for her first two years before transferring to Duke to finish a political studies program (Meredith didn't have one yet). She was funny and short... a big plus.

NC State on the other hand... Phil Donahue and 'Take A Liberal to Lunch'. That was the point of his speech. It sounded downright hateful to the entire administration in the White House right now and to anyone who didn't agree with him. People got up and left, leaving their robes in their seats in protest. That can't be the sign of a good speech. And to top it all off, Chancellor Fox got up and basically appologized for Donahue's speech after he sat down. That would suck to have your commencement speaker be a pompous ass who only wanted a forum to share his political beliefs because his show was cancelled due to no viewer interest.

And poor Washington College. Linda Hamilton... who only went there for a year and was told she would never be a good actress... and, let's face it, she's not... came and talked. Well, talked for as many pages as she had remembered to bring with her. Really... you should remember those sorts of things... like your speech.

2003-05-17T18:39:00.000-04:00

Inconsiderate people piss me off. You would think that my father would respect me enough not to pick up on the phone while I'm having a conversation with Brian and just start talking to my boyfriend. It just makes me mad because it's a total lack of respect. And I get that a lot here at home. And Brian's best advice is "Well, you're old enough that if you don't like it just go get an apartment." Oh yeah, that's a viable option... *snickers* With what paycheck? I don't make enough to afford an apartment here. And get my parents to pay for it? "Hey Mom, I hate living here so will you pay for me to move out?"

Laughable.

2003-05-17T00:45:00.000-04:00

Life at home is quiet. I don't have to go into work until Monday, so yay. Mom and I ended up watching 'Two Weeks Notice' tonight. Complete fluff and predictable script, but it was cute nevertheless. We turned it off just as the last hour of the Daytime Emmy awards were on. We flipped in just as they were doing the In Memorium segment. And I'm completely reliving my childhood here. It was Big Bird, Grover, that Elmo character and two more muppets that aren't as good as the original cast but have found favor with today's five year olds who don't really know what good muppets are (Oscar the Grouch, Snuffy, or the Count anyone?) So, they're singing the Mr. Roger's songs while a photo show of clips from his show are playing in the background.

Yes, I cried with Fred Rogers died. I grew up on Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood. That one of, if not the best, children's program on television... and still is. Who says that an educational program isn't fun? He sure made it fun. Look... I'm getting teary-eyed just thinking about it. All of this for a man I never knew. But even that statement isn't true. He was a friend... a constant and smiling face that almost everyone my age remembers from when they were younger. He was a friend I looked forward to seeing and playing with in the mornings or afternoons, depending on where I was living at the time.

And then LaVar Burton presented the lifetime achievement award (Art Linkletter, by the way) and I went back to Reading Rainbow, another of my favorites. Again... whoever says that children don't like educational programming never sat a child down in front of quality programming. Give kids some credit, wouldn't you?

2003-05-15T22:54:00.000-04:00

Being waitstaff really does let you see what people are really made of. I worked a cocktail party for the Governor and then helped in the kitchen at the Country Club for the big Republican shindig afterwards. Ok, at the cocktail party I met some of the nicest little old ladies and the bitchiest 24 year old trophy wife who thought I was something she scraped off the bottom of her stilletto.

Honey, I'm a member too. I'm doing this because it was my choice. I have to support my Papa John's habit somehow. We're not all trust fund babies, you know. Which is exactly what the bartender kept on bitching about... I didn't find it terribly appropriate to set him straight. Poor fellow... I guess ignorance is bliss.

I did get to shake hands with Governor Erlich. That was the most unimpressive moment of the entire night - especially after he was an hour late to his own party. Yes, I'm the hired help. I know this. I'm sorry I didn't contribute money to your campaign, but I sure as hell voted you into office. He didn't even give me more than a sideways glance and a scowl when shaking my hand. He was the most uninterested person I have ever shook hands with. I mean, I know I'm not a contributor, but I'm you're contituency. I am the voting public. I don't have a monetary stake in whether you get elected or not (well, that's an erroneous comment, but you know what I mean). You could've at least smiled. Looked pleased to get to meet a voter. Is that too much to ask? I don't think so. I put you in and I can sure as hell take you out in four years.

And then his speech at the club, slated for 10 minutes, became a 40 minute speech. That would've been alright... if it was interesting. He didn't smile. He didn't look happy to be there. He said flat out. "People ask me if this is fun. No. Is it a challenge and rewarding responsibility? Yes." If you're not having fun being a politician, why the hell are you doing it? I want someone in there who enjoys their job. Yes, I want you to have fun being Governor. Responsible too, but have fun. Are you in it for the money? The glory? The name recognition? How trite. Again, I will remember that comment in four years.

I wouldn't have been treated that way if I didn't have on my uniform, and that's what makes me the angriest. I am a voter, just like all of those people sitting at the table. Their votes count no more than mine - YOUR vote counts no more than mine. But I can change my mine. Fickle public, America is. We remember slights, and insults... You, Gov. Erlich, didn't think I was important when you met me. I'm not. But I am a voter, and that makes me important, especially to someone who makes his livelihood at my bequest.

A voter is a voter is a voter. Whether it's the voter who buys you commercial air time or brings you your coke with lunch. A little bit of respect - a smile, for God's sake - is all we ask. If you don't think highly of your constituency, what makes me think that you're making the best decisions where I'm concerned? I mean, if you don't even care... only care in name...

I will remember this come November. And everyone I tell this story to will as well. Amazing how one little slight can travel so far. Maybe you should watch out next time and at least act like you care about ALL of the citizens of Maryland. Your job depends on it.

2003-05-14T22:34:00.000-04:00

My poor sister. Having to deal with tempermental old rich women at the garden center. She's at the end of her rope, and I don't blame her (a while ago, a drunk woman in her pink caddy convertable drove through the greenhouse. These are the types of people she gets to deal with.). So, she's having a wonderful day today... crazy people calling her...

Sister: Hello, Garden Center, can I help you?
Crazy Lady: Yes, do you know where Joe's Garden is?
S: Um, I've never heard of Joe's. It is in Easton?
CL: Of course not... it's in Preston.
S: *pause* Ma'am... I've been to Preston twice in my life. It's not someplace that I'd like to revisit, and no, I don't have the number.
CL: *pause* Well... do you know the number of the sign place?
S: And what sign place would that be?
CL: The one near Wal-Mart... it's been there for like 20 years.
S: *Wal-Mart has only been there for 7 frickin' years, lady* No ma'am, I don't know.
CL: Well, do you have a phone book?
S: Yes, ma'am.
CL: Can you call them for me?
S: *frickin' crazy lady...*

*dials sign place*
Sign Lady: Hello?
Sister: Where are you?
SL: Um, I'm at my desk... stuffing envelopes.
S: Uh... no, really. Where are you?
SL: Seriously! I'm at my desk.

Turns out the sign place was under a bank that has only been there for 3 years. My poor sister... but I still think that the sign lady had the best line ever!

2003-05-13T16:44:00.000-04:00

Finally... home sweet home. I went to talk to my summer boss this morning. I'm working at a Country Club and I'm doing an assortment of things. 'Oh, what do you want to do this summer?' 'I'll just take the variety pack, thank you.' Anyway, I'm lifeguarding and snackbaring and working in the club house busing and waiting eventually. Ok, so I've never waited tables before. Guess what my first party is? Oh, just a little get together with the governor and 200 of his closest friends. No problem there. And before that? Oh, I get to solo help out at the cocktail party at the hostess' house. No pressure there, nope, not at all.

I'm not nervous. Nope.

2003-05-09T15:39:00.000-04:00

I am done... *yay*. I am officially a Senior. Scary, huh? One more year until I have to become a real person and graduate and such. But anyway... My professor was 20 minutes late to my exam today. Boy's really lucky we didn't decide to leave. I mean, 20 minutes. Check your watch. Yeesh.

But now it's time for packing and waiting for Beaz to get back from Mexico tomorrow.

2003-05-08T12:38:00.000-04:00

It's a gloriously sunny day today. So, I'm going to take my Foreign Policy notes and study outside... maybe get a tan at the same time. Ah, sunshine is a wonderful thing.

2003-05-07T23:55:00.000-04:00

I turned in my last Ren & Ref paper today. I'm really proud of it... it was a really interesting one, too. Prove that the dramatic break in Western Culture came at the time of the Scientific Revolution as opposed to the Renaissance or Protestant Reformation. I used Political Theory and Educational Practices. It was really enjoyable *lol*

Well, I leave the state on Sunday after graduation. Said goodbye to one of my friends tonight. Thought I would get to do more with her, and left without so much as a hug... oh well. I guess I'll see her in August.

Now I'm trying to download songs because I'm the resident Sam Goody :) Paige had better appreciate this... oh, I know she does...

2003-05-07T12:38:00.000-04:00

Treat Iraq's Dark Chapter Like Holocaust - Remember
-John Hughes, Christian Science Monitor

When CNN news executive Eason Jordan went public in the New York Times last month with hitherto untold stories of horrendous torture in Iraq, he was doing the world an important service.

His article raised a storm because he'd kept silent about the torture for a dozen years while lobbying the Saddam Hussein government for CNN access and facilities. Mr. Jordan argued that to have told his story earlier would have jeopardized the lives of Iraqis and CNN staff in Baghdad.

I wish he'd told what he knew earlier, but even belatedly, it was important corroboration of the fact that Hussein's regime ranks with Hitler's and Stalin's and Pol Pot's and with those of a bunch of other contemporary tyrants from Bosnia to Rwanda in its cruelty to its own people...

Even if weapons of mass destruction are never found and the connection to Al Qaeda is never established beyond all doubt, putting an end to this despicable regime has been a noble cause.

Now the question is: What are we to do in the aftermath?

Read the Rest...

2003-05-07T03:30:00.000-04:00

Quiz Time

You are Draco! Draco Malfoy. You are the
embodiment of a good Slytherin (good
Slytherins? Oxymoron, anyone?) in so many
ways. And you are a Malfoy. You were a
Slytherin before Slytherin was a Slytherin,
weren't you?

Which Slytherin Are YOU?
brought to you by Quizilla

2003-05-07T02:10:00.000-04:00

Imagine there's no heaven,
It's easy if you try,
No hell below us,
Above us only sky,
Imagine all the people
living for today...

Imagine there's no countries,
It isnt hard to do,
Nothing to kill or die for,
No religion too,
Imagine all the people
living life in peace...

Imagine no possesions,
I wonder if you can,
No need for greed or hunger,
A brotherhood of man,
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world...

You may say Im a dreamer,
but Im not the only one,
I hope some day you'll join us,
And the world will live as one.

--Imagine, John Lennon

2003-05-06T17:04:00.000-04:00

Ok, I'm ready for some good news now. I didn't know that I had 'please, screw me over' tatooed on my forhead.

I got my grade for IPE... 92. A 93 is an A is Dr. Piazza's screwed up little "I'm the only professor in the department who's cool enough to use a 7-point scale" world. So, all I want is the chance to do something to get that one measley little point. He likes me. He makes exceptions for everyone, so I figure he'll let me write a little paper or something for the point.

"Oh... sorry. Nope, nothing you can do. If I did it for you, I'd have to do it for everyone. Got to be fair, you know. Better luck on Foreign Policy, though."

Asshole. Asshole asshole asshole. I work my ass off in that class, I got to class, I turn in my fucking work on time... But does that mean anything? Hell no. But the girl without the class attendence, she's getting an A. He knows I work hard in that class, and dammit I deserve the A. It's just cause he's told us flat out that he hates giving A's... so he's going to be the ONLY PERSON in the department to go to a 7-point system. Here's my big question... if it's such a brilliant idea, why the hell isn't it catching on? Why doesn't any one else jump on your little bandwagon?

I swear he was the kid who got swirlies in middle and high school and now's he's just on some bitter Napoleon complex fueled power trip to show everyone who made fun of the little geek that he's got the power now. We didn't do anything to him, why the hell take it out on us?

I need a nap... this isn't worth the tears.

2003-05-05T18:19:00.000-04:00

Personal Haiku -

Studying for tests
My brain in pain from knowledge;
Sleep now optional

2003-05-05T13:48:00.000-04:00

Honesty is not always the best policy.

I had a message from the Club on my machine last night. "I think we can offer you some hours, but not as many as you'd probably like." You know, if I hadn't mentioned that I was up for an internship in Annapolis (which I didn't get, thank you very much) I could've been hired on the spot for a full time guarding job. But no. Instead, I had to tell him the truth that I didn't know if I could get the internship and I might only be able to work weekends and my reward for my honesty is probably being offered to fill in when people can't come and having to find a second job in an already shitty economy - and I'm not living right now where I need to find a job so I can't even start looking for another week and most places have already hired their summer help. And I'm going to end up with a shit job again that only pays minimum wage. And this minimum wage is not going to be able to give my any spending money past the first month of school, and I'll have to miss the big spring break trip or summer road trip because I'm broke... just like this year. And everyone will be out having fun, making memories, and general merriment and thrill of their youth and I'll be at home. Missing out.

Yes, I have a fatalist attitude right now. Yes, I know it's probably not that bad, but currently when I hope for the best I end up being the statue instead of the pidgeon and I'm damn tired of it.

2003-05-03T13:15:00.000-04:00

Ethical Test: Follow up

Ok, so I decided that the right thing to do was to not give her my notes. She didn't have a real excuse for not going to class - just that she'd always been out late the night before - and she really was missing a week of Tuesday's worth of notes... and it's only a Tuesday/Thursday class. So... I decided it was a grasshopper and the ant kinda deal. It wasn't fair that I would be used and just assumed that I would give her the notes and I had to go to class and she didn't.

I had that test this morning too. I think it went well. I got my paper back as well - "The Long Road to Self-Sustainability: The Case for Aid and Debt Relief in Africa." I got an A... my professor said that it was 'intelligent and eloquent'. Ah, praise... how I love thee *lol* Anyway, I worked hard on it and it paid off. Now maybe I can pull off an A in the class... that would be wonderful.

Off to pack... talked to my dad last night and he said 'oh, it is the week before graduation... I'll come down tomorrow and we'll get you mostly moved out.' Have I packed anything? Of course not. I've been writting papers and studying for the evil IPE test. I have T-5 hours until he gets here. Guess I should start...

2003-05-02T16:28:00.000-04:00

Ok, ethical test.

Girl you know (a casual friend, nice person) who's in one of your classes never comes to class. It's at 9:30... it's not that early. She doesn't come to class... the times you've seen her in class you can count on one hand. Day before the final she calls you and asks if she can copy your notes. Now, this is a hard class. And she says that she was always busy until like 11pm the days before class. So that's why she didn't go to class. But you've gone to class, taken notes, struggled to turn things in on time. What would you do?

2003-04-30T13:19:00.000-04:00

Words of Wisdom for this afternoon...

"We only become what we are by the radical and deep-seeded refusal of that which others have made of us."
-- Jean-Paul Sartre

Thanks to my Angela and my Stacey for their words of wisdom on a pretty bummed out-sounding post. I don't know what hit me... an attack of some kind. I'm feeling much better today. Don't like being in the dumps... although it does give me a valid excuse to go buy new shoes, but then, I'm always looking for excuses to do that. My weakness - what can I say? Anyway, I've come to a realization - Gerald Ford became president. If Ford can become president by accident, then I have just as good of a shot as any. And I have a friend who went somewhere as non-distinguished as Old Dominion and has a really nifty job in the government... you know, one of those that if they told you what they really did, they'd have to kill you? Yeah, a job like that would be cool.

2003-04-30T01:14:00.000-04:00

It's hard realizing that you're less than what you wanted to become.

I have one more year until I get my B.A. in International Political Studies. I'm coming up to the time when I have to apply to graduate schools and scholorships and as I look at the applications for everything that I've wanted to do, and I have to step back and realistically say 'I don't qualify. I'm not good enough.' Ever since we started learning about Clinton in 1992, I have wanted to be a Rhodes Scholor. I wanted to go to Oxford and study. And I'm sitting here, looking at the application and the people who've won and I'm just not good enough. I haven't worked with refugees in Bhuran for many years, or set up AIDS hospitals for orphans in South Africa. I'm not a Truman or Goldwater Scholor... I'm not even in any of the honor societies on campus. My GPA isn't just a hair and a freckle under 4.0 (although it's by no means poor). I can't stand up to Harvard, Yale, Duke... all of the schools that just drip with Rhodes Scholors.

It's sad to have reached the point that 'I can be whatever I want to be' is no longer applicable. I'd love to go to Harvard Law. But that won't happen. That's a pretty safe bet. Has my course been laid out for me already? Is there no way to differ from what seems to lie ahead? I don't want to be ordinary - I'm tired of being ordinary.

But how does one become extraordinary?

2003-04-25T15:45:00.000-04:00

Didn't get the internship. Oh well... I make more lifeguarding anyway. I'll deal.

Had the day of celebration yesterday. Saw a lot of people get honored and awarded who didn't deserve it. Saw a few people get honored who really did deserve it. Talked to my advisor about my concerns. Can't do anything about it, but it made me feel better just to vent. It still sucks, but hey... sometimes you're the pidgeon and sometimes you're the statue.

2003-04-23T18:00:00.000-04:00

The Department of History and Politics now sends out rejection letters for scholorships. I didn't get the senior scholorship, but I did get a letter that said "Sorry but we didn't want to give it to you, but hey! Come out and see who DID get it!" Honestly, I don't really care to celebrate whomever got it. That doesn't help my tuition one slim dime. Oh well, maybe I'm just bitter.

And I didn't hear from the state government about the internship. I was supposed to hear today and I didn't. I guess I'll call them in the morning, get my rejection and call the club and see if they'll still let me guard this summer instead.

This really wouldn't bother me so much if I wasn't so sleep deprived. But getting only 8 hours in the past three days does wonky things.

2003-04-22T12:40:00.000-04:00

You know, it really sucks when you work really hard on a paper and think you have it, only to get it back with an 88. And I really wanted an A in this class, too.

Back to reading Emma's War I guess...

Edit1: I love Lacey - "It could be worse... you could have no arms."

2003-04-22T01:33:00.000-04:00

Back from Easter break. Nothing like going home for a weekend to make you appreciate free laundry. I mean, I don't have to hope and pray that I have enough quarters (or any money on my campus ID for that matter) to get me clean clothes for the week so I don't have to look like something that my suitemate drug off the street. And food. Homecooked food. Mmmm. Nothing like Momma's cooking. Even just a sandwich at home is exponentially better than anything here.

On that note, a quote for the evening before I go tackle 250 pages of 'Emma's War' -

"Love... is all that you can't leave behind." - Walk On, U2

2003-04-17T02:22:00.000-04:00

Well, we didn't find it before 4:30 so the Seniors took us to where it was hidden. I don't feel at all bad for not finding it... the clues had hardly anything to do with where it was hidden (which was taped and turned into a fake muffler under one of the Senior officer's little sis's car) See, I thought only the President and VP of the Senior class was supposed to know where it was. Wouldn't this mean that the lil sis knew? I didn't know a Sophomore could know. Oh well. I feel slightly cheated... I think I would feel better if I didn't think that the clues were a cop-out. Oh well. It's over.

After we won Cornhuskin' (if you look at the points, we shoulda won if not for thost 5 participation points that they didn't tell us about until AFTER the fact) and Stunt, I guess it was good that the Seniors 'won' something *lol*

2003-04-16T12:39:00.000-04:00

Quiz Time

You're a Sun siren: You're positive, confident, and
organized, and you don't let others stand in
your way. Your natural charm and magnetism make
you a born leader. You can be bossy, and you're
stubborn about staying in control of a
situation, but only when you're convinced
you're helping people. Your charisma guarantees
that you won't spend many Saturday nights
alone. In fact, you're used to being the center
of attention wherever you go. You're great at
dishing out advice to your pals- often before
they ask for it! Yet you do inspire them to be
the best they can be. You're tremendously loyal
and generous to your guy. When you're in love,
you give 110 percent, and you're rarely the one
to call it quits. But you need a mate as strong
as you are to be truly happy.

What Do Your Looks Reveal About You? (7 Possible Detailed Outcomes)!
brought to you by Quizilla

2003-04-14T20:04:00.000-04:00

It's Monday and we still haven't found that stupid crook.

(FYI: It is a Junior/Senior tradition since 1907 for the senior class to hide a 6' shepherd's crook somewhere on campus, provide clues, and give the Junior class a week to find it. If it's not found before the Senior Picnic, the Seniors will show the Juniors where the crook was hidden. If the Juniors find it, the Seniors must march the crook in at Class Day - day before graduation - with a black ribbon, indicating that the Juniors won the Crook Hunt.)

We spent 7 hours on Saturday scouring the campus for that stupid thing. It's 6' tall! You should be able to notice it somewhere. Oi. But we're determined. The Juniors will find that darn stick. And until then... I'll just have to work on my Ren/Ref paper that's due tomorrow instead of obsessing over an inanimate object.

2003-04-11T16:35:00.000-04:00

Courtesy Call

The following is courtesy of Sinfest Online Comic... one of the funniest comics around. Check it out.

Wartime News:
· Former 3rd Rock from the Sun star French Stewart changes his name to Freedom Stewart. "It's my patriotic duty," says actor.
· Pro-neutral demonstrations get heated in Switzerland.
· U.S. Military orders 300,000 cans of whoop-ass. "There's a war in every can!"
· Rodney King still wondering why we can't all just get along.
· Geraldo Rivera reveals location of the Bat Cave. Is immediately banished from Gotham.
· "Operation: Iraqi Freedom" renamed "Operation: Who's Your Baghdaddy?"
· Latest Saddam video only available on Betamax. Is it up to date? Experts weigh in.
· Geraldo Rivera reveals Colonel's Secret Recipe. Is banned from all KFC establishments.
· "Axis of Evil" renamed "Bunch of Bastards."
· Geraldo Rivera goes into hiding. Then reveals his own undisclosed location.

2003-04-08T03:33:00.000-04:00

Quotable Tuesday

'Life,' you say, 'is a club where they won't stand for squawks, where they deal you only one hand and you must sit in. So even if the cards are cold and marked by the hand of fate, play up, play up like a gentleman and a sport. Get tanked, grab what's on the buffet, use the girls upstairs, but remember, when you throw box cars, take the curtain like a dead game sport, don't squawk.'

- Nathanael West

2003-04-07T22:46:00.000-04:00

U.S. Strikes on Word of Saddam Meeting

By MATT KELLEY, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON - An American bomber struck a residential complex in Baghdad on Monday after U.S. intelligence received information that Saddam Hussein (news - web sites), his sons and other top Iraqi leaders might be meeting there, U.S. officials said.

continue story here

I hope they got them. That would be a wonderful way to end this quickly. Just get it all over with... all of the kooks in one spot. May sound callous, but that's how you've got to look at this. Rid the world of an evil man as quickly as possible... and this would be very fast. Although, I highly doubt that ALL of them would be in the same place at the same time with troops in Baghdad. That just seems too... neatly wrapped up for me.

2003-04-07T21:29:00.000-04:00

Joke Time

A long time ago, Britain and France were at war.

During one battle, The French captured an English major. Taking the major to their headquarters, the French general began to question him. The French general asked, "Why do you English officers all wear red coats? Don't you know the red material makes you easier targets for us to shoot at?"

In his bland English way, the major informed the general that the reason English officers wear red coats is so that if they are shot, the blood won't show and the men they are leading won't panic.

And that is why from that day to now all French Army officers wear brown pants.

And the France jokes just keep coming in, folks. They were funny before, but they are even better now. Some ring of truth in that last joke is the best part :)

2003-04-07T12:49:00.000-04:00

Quotable Monday

"If there is no wind, row." - Latin Proverb

2003-04-07T10:41:00.000-04:00

Participation Positives

-Class Doll Co-Chair :)
-Rum Runners with girl friends
-good reviews on your stories
-presentations that go fabulously

2003-04-06T16:48:00.000-04:00

I just got back from Becca's recital today. Ah, she was wonderful. I loved her german pieces. She wants to be an opera singer, you know. I think she'd make a fine opera singer... she has the diva part down to an art! Just kidding... gotta love Becca.

2003-04-04T14:56:00.000-05:00

Ugh, so tired. Got to bed at 6am, got up at 9am. However, my presentation went fabulously. I rocked Vietnam, yo. But now I'm going to curl into bed, watch General Hospital and take a nap. Oh, glorious nap... maybe knit...

2003-04-04T05:52:00.000-05:00

It's 6am and I still haven't gone to bed. Trying to get together this stupid presentation on Vietnam. I hate honors. It makes me lose sleep. I'd really rather have sleep.

2003-04-03T00:23:00.000-05:00

Cartoon Time

Gotta love the pure idiocy that is Peter Arnett and Geraldo Rivera. Yo, Arnett... do you really think that giving interviews for Iraqi television and going on Al-Jazzera and saying that the US is wrong is going to impress your employers (NBC & National Geographic). So sorry. Your career is over. Shoulda known better. And Rivera... discrete is the key word. Don't tell WHERE THE TROOPS ARE! That's just like saying 'hey, come shoot me now!' Idiot. Your career at Fox is over now. Good luck getting another one.

Point of Information: 'Frag' refers to the act of attacking and usually killing your commanding officer in protest... usually because a soldier doesn't want to be there. This happened a lot at the end of Vietnam. And now you know :)

2003-04-02T01:26:00.000-05:00

I read the most hateful op/ed piece today. It was from the NC State Technician and entitled 'Race: the Next World War'.

And, I quote...

"White people... are ignorant."

And this guy is complaining of people calling him racial slurs by email for writing pieces like this. How does he expect people to take the fact that he, in his hunt not to be looked down upon for the sole reason that he is black, catagorizes all white people as being 'ignorant'. Grow a backbone, stop playing the victim, and STOP dragging women into your little pity party of 'woe is me, the world hates me because I'm a person of color'. I don't look down on myself for being a female, and you shouldn't tell me that I should.

"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." --Eleanor Roosevelt

Try following that one.

2003-04-01T13:23:00.000-05:00

I have been in such a 'Will Smith' mood as of late... at least it's a nice diversion from the chants that I've been listening to in order to get inspired for the HP fic I'm working on. I mean, really, one can only take so many Salve Reginas, Ave Marias, and what not.

And might I say that 'Nod Your Head' from MIIB is a wonderful piece :)

2003-04-01T01:32:00.000-05:00

Participation Positives
albeit a couple hours short of Monday...

-chinese food
-hugs after a fight with someone who means the world to you
-friends who'll anonymously leave a rose outside your door with the words 'with this rose, you are hereby inducted into the Society of Unrecognized Intelligence' because you were upset that you didn't get an invite into the honor society you wanted into
-editorial cartoons
-new pictures to put up on the shelves
-bamboo plants named 'Hutch'
-Will Smith playing very loud
-Excel (hey, if you had to compare the GDPs of different international trade regimes, you'd be thankful for it too!)

2003-03-31T20:56:00.000-05:00

Cartoon Time

2003-03-31T03:46:00.000-05:00

Quotable Monday

"Anyone wishing to lead a quiet life had done badly to be born in the 20th century." -- Leon Trotsky

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." -- Margaret Mead

"For the rest, nothing is more ridiculous than the virtuous indignation of our bourgeois at the community of women which, they pretend, is to be openly and officially established by the Communists. The Communists have no need to introduce community of women; it has existed almost from time immemorial." -- Karl Marx & Friedrich Engles, The Communist Manifesto

2003-03-30T22:29:00.000-05:00

I am in the South. It is Spring. Therefore, it should be warm. Au contraire, mon amie. It was SNOWING today. Cold. Lots of cold. And the best response...

Me: Why oh why can't it be warm?
Stacey: Because Mother Nature is a fickle bitch.

Well, there's not much I can add to that. Amen, sister.

2003-03-29T14:51:00.000-05:00

World News

Suicide Bomber Kills Four US Soldiers in Iraq
Hassan Hafidh, Reuters... Read it at Yahoo! News

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - An Iraqi suicide bomber killed four American soldiers at a military checkpoint on Saturday and Iraq promised there would be more such attacks on invading U.S. forces...

Let's start this out with the obvious question - what civilized nation uses suicide bombers to make a point? The answer - none. Fringe paramilitary groups, such as the Irish Republican Army and the Palestinian Liberation Organization/Hamas/Islamic Jihad do. Civilized nations? No. And don't even try to call them 'suicide bombers'. Their objective is not to kill themselves, it is to kill as many people as possible without regard for human life - anyones. A more correct term would be 'homicide bomber' because their main objective is to kill others.

This is nothing more than an act of cowardice. These people claim that we are the barbarians and infidels when we aim for buildings or high-ranking officials and proclaim themselves heroes when they strap on an explosive and blow up whoever gets in their path after the fuse runs out. You disgust me.

2003-03-29T13:48:00.000-05:00

At the Car Wash...

What are the merits of having a car wash in the rain? I dunno... but we did. I got honked at, stared at, soaked, and laughed at. Hey, it could've been worse. And now I'm dry and snug as a bug in a rug and enjoying a rousing lunch of popcorn.

2003-03-27T13:33:00.000-05:00

Scenes from a College Paper

France: Friend or Foe?
Rebecca Lee, Meredith Herald, 3/36/2003

France has been involved in US foreign policy since before our young country’s inception. They gave us aid in the Revolutionary War, and later we returned the favor by helping liberate them from Hitler in WWII. They were one of our first “friends”.

And this is how friends treat each other?

From the very beginning, France has called for a prevention of war and the continuance of inspections. This is respectable; no one wants to jump to war, including the Bush Administration. They continued this stance after Bush and Secretary of State Powell spoke and presented evidence to the UN. They have taken the ‘anti-war’ stance so far as to threaten to veto any bill that comes to the Security Council if it gives any indication of ever saying that there could possibly be a reason to invade Iraq. In fact, the French rejected British Prime Minister Tony Blair’s suggestion of six disarmament tasks for Hussein to prevent war even before Iraq did. At the mention of anything Iraq related, France seems to say “no” without bothering to read the document set before them.

French President Jacques Chirac has been very vocal about the US and British decision to go ahead without UN, or more importantly French approval. The evidence that Powell presented was not enough to convince France of a threat and wanted to show this disapproval by flaunting its veto power. They called for more evidence – of course, people have said that the last time France called for more evidence, it came marching in under the Nazi flag.

The same thing has happened this time. On Sunday night, Coalition forces discovered a 100 acre chemical production facility in An Najaf, 90 miles south of Baghdad. This facility is suspected to be a production site for illegal chemicals weapons because of the heavy military presence inside and the electric fence outside. The UN inspectors have no record of this plant. If all is how it seems, the US will have evidence that Iraq possesses unaccounted for illegal chemical weapons and its government has been lying to the UN, just as is has for 12 years.

Does this change France’s opinion? No – at least at the writing of this. A friend would admit that they were wrong and rally to support their friend and ally and protect those who need protection, the Iraqi people. Instead, France employs insults and a superior attitude. In the end, France will join in at the last minute when success is immanent and demand recognition for their help in the victory, ala Charles de Gaulle in the liberation of France in WWII. Seems that France sounds more like a mooch than an ally.

2003-03-26T14:40:00.000-05:00

HSB

Also known as Honor Society Bullshit.

We were trying to get a chapter of the national politics honor society Pi Sigma Alpha on campus. All good, right? And I meet all the criteria so I'm thinking, great! I finally get to be 'honored' for something. Well, I'm in Foreign Policy today and I see Margaret writing out a check to PSA.

They've already selected the people.

What the hell criteria did I not meet? I met all of the ones that I knew about. 10 hours of politics and a 3.0 or 3.5 average in those classes - I don't remember which... but it's moot. I am an International Politics major. My major GPA is 3.71. For all politics classes, it's a 3.571 because of one I took just for shits and giggles (well, determining what I would think of law school... I'm still not sure). I have taken over 21 hours of JUST politics courses. This is ridiculous... one of the girls in my FP class was invited and she's not even a frickin' major! She's a psych major. God... this just pisses me off...

2003-03-26T09:39:00.000-05:00

Wednesday What Ifs

1. What if your best friend asked you to go on Jerry Springer with him/her?

I would be afraid... very afraid. But, being the good friend that I am, I would go with her under the condition that I was allowed to wear a long black wig and call myself 'Skittles'.

2. What if you found out your mother/guardian was dancing in a strip club in order to pay for your food and clothing?

I would get a job so fast it would make her head spin.

3. What if you discovered that your significant other had a crush on someone you hate?

My boyfriend is much to smart to ever TELL me something like that... but I would make him spend time with her and me together to show him was a brat she really was.

4. What if you found out your father was having an affair with your best (female) friend?

They would both be out of my life. That's just a line that you don't cross.

5. What if your best friend revealed that he/she was legally married to an animal (as in a horse or a dog), and claimed that they truly loved them as though it were a person?

I would tell her 'good for you' and pray that she wasn't planning on any babies.

2003-03-25T02:35:00.000-05:00

Quiz Time

find your inner PIE @ stvlive.com

2003-03-25T02:20:00.000-05:00

What Academy?

It's amazing... with all of the important things that have been going on in the world, I completely forgot that the Oscars were on on Sunday night. That makes me feel good... it means that people's attentions are focused on real issues instead of who takes home a little golden paperweight for the mantle. I mean, really, can you say with accuracy who won last year for the major catagories? How about the year before? However, a bigger number of people can tell you that Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf ran the Iraqi theater in '91 (however, I highly doubt that anyone besides vets and intellectuals would call it a 'theater', but hey, that's a nitpicky point and one that is easily gotten rid of).

It shows me where our loyalties lie, and that makes me happy.

2003-03-25T02:01:00.000-05:00

Fun Patriotic Song of the Day

"I Raq and I Roll"
-Clint Black - download the song here

You can wave your signs in protest
Against America taking a stand
The stands America's taken
Are the reason that you can

If everyone would go for peace
There'd be no need for war
But you can't ignore the devil
He'll keep coming back for more

Some see things in black or white
Others only gray
We're not begging for a fight
No matter what they say

We have the resolution
That should put'em all to shame
But it's a different kind of deadline
When I'm called in the game

Chrous:
I Raq, I rack 'em up, and I roll
I'm back and I'm a high-tech GI Joe
I pray for peace, prepare for war
And I never will forget
There's no price too high for freedom
So be careful where you tread

This terror isn't man to man
They can be no more than cowards
If they won't show us their weapons
We might have to show them ours

It might be a smart bomb
They find stupid people too
And if you stand with the likes of Saddam
Then one just might find you

I rock, I rack'em up, and I roll
I'm back and I'm a high-tech GI Joe
I've got infrared, I've got GPS and I've got that good old fashioned lead
There's no price too high for freedom
So be careful where you tread

Now you can come along
Or you can stay behind
Or you can get out of the way
But our troops take out the garbage
For the good old USA

Nothing like Country music to say exactly what people are thinking deep down, no matter what they say. :)

2003-03-24T15:49:00.000-05:00

Participation Positives

-online opportunity to read hundreds of international papers to get a better grip on what the world thinks
-lunch with friends
-beach music
-the first couple of sunny, warm days of Spring
-Irish Cream Coffeemate
-skirts... what better way to celebrate a warm day

2003-03-24T15:45:00.000-05:00

I just discovered this, so I thought I'd share. If you want coverage of the war in Iraq without all of the human interest, personal and hypothetical commentaries - just straight facts as they happen - check out War in Iraq, Day by Day put up by the BBC News World Edition.

I'd also like to recommend the BBC for intelligent and basically unbiased news coverage of any world event that you are likely to be researching or interested in. Because they are publicly funded, they do not have to adhere to one major funder's ideology *cough Ted Turner and CNN* and they don't have to answer to advertisers *cough ABC/NBC/CBS/Fox*.

So, check out the BBC. That's my news plug for the day.

2003-03-24T10:19:00.000-05:00

Iraqi chemical plant in desert was camouflaged against aerial photos
Mon Mar 24, 6:54 AM ET, Yahoo! News, AP Wire

JERUSALEM (AFP) - An Iraqi chemical plant captured by US troops and which may have been producing weapons of mass destruction was camouflaged to avoid detection by spy satellites or spotter planes.

A correspondent of Israeli daily the Jerusalem Post was with the US troops who discovered the plant near Najaf, some 160 kilometres (100 miles) south of Baghdad, and described the abandoned facility.

"It wasn't immediately clear what chemicals were being produced here, but clearly the Iraqis tried to camouflage the facility so it could not be photographed from the air, by swathing it in sand-cast walls to make it look like the surrounding desert," the daily's correspondent said.

The 100-acre (25-hectare) site was surrounded by an electrical fence and had been booby-trapped against the approaching US troops. One US soldier was injured by a hidden explosive charge while entering the complex, the paper said.

"The mostly abandoned buildings inside the complex are long cavernous structures built of blue corrugated metal that called to mind chicken coops.

"The surrounding barracks resemble an abandoned slum," the daily said.

Around 70 Iraqi soldiers, including a general, surrendered to the US forces.

The paper said the complex was the "first Iraqi installation (to be captured) that appears to have produced chemical weapons."

The coalition forces also seized documents in English, Arabic and in Cyrillic script, it said.

The US-led coalition launched military action against Iraq (news - web sites), charging that it was illegally developing weapons of mass destruction. Any discovery tending to substantiate those charges would sharply boost its cause.

Well, lookat that. They found one. Previously unfound by UN inspectors. How could you NOT find a 100 acre electrical fence 90 miles south of Baghdad? It's just ridiculous. And in responce to this, Iraqi forces beat and executed the POWs that they were holding. Oh, yeah, that's a smart idea. The best way to calm an angry dog is to kill her puppies. Sure, that'll make us take a step right back. If they think that, they've got a hell of another thing coming to them.

2003-03-23T22:53:00.000-05:00

Doing the Internet Rounds

The Complete Military History of France

-> Gallic Wars - Lost. In a war whose ending foreshadows the next 2000 years of French history, France is conquered by of all things, an Italian.

-> Hundred Years War - Mostly lost, saved at last by female schizophrenic who inadvertently creates The First Rule of French Warfare; "France's armies are victorious only when not led by a Frenchman."

-> Italian Wars - Lost. France becomes the first and only country to ever lose two wars when fighting Italians.

-> Wars of Religion - France goes 0-5-4 against the Huguenots

-> Thirty Years War - France is technically not a participant, but manages to get invaded anyway. Claims a tie on the basis that eventually the other participants started ignoring her.

-> War of Devolution - Tied. Frenchmen take to wearing red flowerpots as chapeaux.

-> The Dutch War - Tied

-> War of the Augsburg League/King William's War/French and Indian War Lost, but claimed as a tie. Three ties in a row induces deluded Frogophiles the world over to label the period as the height of French military power.

-> War of the Spanish Succession - Lost. The War also gave the French their first taste of a Marlborough, which they have loved every since.

-> American Revolution - In a move that will become quite familiar to future Americans, France claims a win even though the English colonists saw far more action. This is later known as "de Gaulle Syndrome", and leads to the Second Rule of French Warfare; "France only wins when America does most of the fighting."

-> French Revolution - Won, primarily due the fact that the opponent was also French.

-> The Napoleonic Wars - Lost. Temporary victories (remember the First Rule!) due to leadership of a Corsican, who ended up being no match for a British footwear designer.

-> The Franco-Prussian War - Lost. Germany first plays the role of drunk Frat boy to France's ugly girl home alone on a Saturday night.

-> World War I - Tied and on the way to losing, France is saved by the United States. Thousands of French women find out what it's like to not only sleep with a winner, but one who doesn't call her "Fraulein." Sadly, widespread use of condoms by American forces forestalls any improvement in the French bloodline.

-> World War II - Lost. Conquered French liberated by the United States and Britain just as they finish learning the Horst Wessel Song.

-> War in Indochina (Vietnam/Cambodia/Laos)- Lost. French forces plead sickness, take to bed with the Dien Bien Flu

-> Algerian Rebellion - Lost. Loss marks the first defeat of a western army by a Non-Turkic Muslim force since the Crusades, and produces the First Rule of Muslim Warfare; "We can always beat the French." This rule is identical to the First Rules of the Italians, Russians, Germans, English, Dutch, Spanish, Vietnamese and Esquimaux.

-> War on Terrorism - France, keeping in mind its recent history, surrenders to Germans and Muslims just to be safe. Attempts to surrender to Vietnamese ambassador, fail after he takes refuge in a McDonald's.

The question for any country silly enough to count on the French should not be "Can we count on the French?", but rather "How long until France collapses?"

2003-03-23T20:49:00.000-05:00

I Stand Corrected

This is why I don't tamper with languages I don't very often *lol*. I have been informed by a reader in Ireland that the correct translation of the blog's title is not "Beautiful Angel" - that got shot out a wihle ago, or "Holy Angel" - which would correctly be 'Aingeal naomh'. I've gotten my words mixed up and the new, improved, and correct translation is 'Saint Angel'. I can live with that :)

2003-03-22T16:59:00.000-05:00

2003-03-22T15:16:00.000-05:00

Selective Combat

Tipping Encouraged: Warfare is changing. So should the anti-war movement.
By William Saletan, Slate, bloghdad

Pause for a moment to contemplate the wonderful transformation of warfare that seems to be unfolding before our eyes.

In the last 24 hours, we've all seen pictures of Iraqi soldiers surrendering without firing a shot. We've heard on-air eyewitness accounts of white sheets thrown over Iraqi tanks to signal soldiers' intention not to fight. We've seen no reports of a highway of death or of massive bombing on the scale of the Kosovo war. The humanitarian catastrophe predicted by anti-war politicians and protesters isn't happening.

This morning's Washington Post carries an intriguing report on the underlying military strategy.

According to a senior Bush administration official, surrender negotiations were underway yesterday between U.S. officials and a number of Iraqi unit commanders. "What they're trying to do right now is to punish the regime and give forces a chance to capitulate," this insider said. "It's a selective use of force to see if you can separate the people from the regime." … Another defense official agreed with that description of the war plan, saying that the first day of strikes—which also have targeted some headquarters buildings of the Republican Guard, some of Hussein's most loyal troops—have been intended "to see if we can try to tip things, first."

Maybe this strategy will fail. If it does, we'll have to go back to the usual strategy of killing people until the other side gives up.

But if it succeeds, consider the ways in which it will change the nature of warfare. Today's technology enables us to hit targets more precisely and from greater distances. It allows us to put fewer soldiers in the field, where they're vulnerable to conventional as well as chemical or biological weapons. It gives us the ability to communicate more quickly and widely with the population of a target country, making clear that we're after their dictator, not them. We don't have to roll tanks into their towns to show them our firepower. They know about it from television, radio, or their neighbors. We can win by "tipping," not crushing. We spent centuries developing the ability to kill people. Now we're developing the ability not to. Regime change is no longer a euphemism.

Better yet, this strategy works only against a repressive regime. If the people support the regime, it's much harder to separate the two. The nation's soldiers are more likely to fight, and the people are more likely to help them. Moral error produces military failure, forcing the politicians of the attacking country to worry as much about the former as about the latter.

The theory has one flaw. Just because we have the ability to spare people's lives doesn't mean we have the will. Our military is so powerful that our generals could massacre the Iraqis if they wanted to. That's where restraining institutions are needed.

If you're an anti-war protester or politician, this theory of warfare should change the way you think and act. Your efforts to generate resistance to the war before there is any evidence of killing, much less atrocities, contribute to the political strength of the enemy regime. You encourage uncertainty about the war's outcome, increasing the likelihood that the regime's soldiers will fight and die. You make it more difficult to separate the regime from its people. You frustrate the tipping and bring on the crushing.

If you want to minimize the killing, stop resisting the war. Instead, do what you can to make the war transparent and to hold your government accountable for unnecessary deaths. Help the media and human rights organizations monitor the battlefield. Help them get reports and pictures to the people of your country and the world. Build an incentive system that will strengthen your government's will to spare lives. Its ability will do the rest.

How wonderful would that be? To be able to remove a threat and only the threat without the possibility of hurting innocents? It would bring an entirely new face to the protest movement and direct peeple to focus on humanitarian aid and service rather than standing with signs pro or con - which, in the long run, does nothing of any good nowadays. It's not the 60's - we can't keep using 60's methods to get a point across. It would put an end to war as we know and fear it now. Here's to a beautiful theory in hopes that it becomes a beautiful reality.

2003-03-22T00:35:00.000-05:00

Support Our Troops pt. 2

The local news just came on after the game (UNC-W v. UMD... so torn, UNC-W winnin would've rocked, but I really want an ACC team to win... oh well, UMD won anyway, solves my problem). Anyway, the story after that was the defacement of the Vietnam Memorial by war protesters. They grafittied the monument and planted posters in the ground. Now, veterans are guarding the memorial to prevent any more defacement.

How callous and disrespectful can you be?! What does it say about you when you, advocating peace, deface and disrespect a monument erected to honor those who have served and gave their lives just so you could HAVE the right to carry about and express your opinions any way that you see fit? Were you one of those who spat upon them when they returned in the first place? You shame me. You shame me as an American - as a human being. Where is the decency that you demand that the government show to Iraq and other soveriegn nations? Where is it? Practice what you preach. How can you expect others to show respect when you insist upon spitting upon those who have given their lives for your freedom? Lead by example.

You call yourself a pacifist. You lie. You are just as much of a hate-monger as those you protest against. You disgust me.

2003-03-21T16:41:00.000-05:00

Support Your Troops

No matter how you feel about the legitmacy of this war, the Bush Administratino, remember that those men and women you see on TV are family members, friends, sons and daughters, fathers and mothers. Do not take your anger on the situation out on them now or when they come home. These are the people who voluntarily are willing to give up their lives for you. They do it for all of us who are here in the homeland and they do it with pride. Show the same pride and support our troops - if not for yourself, but for the little girl who holds up a sign that says 'Please Support My Daddy' at Ft. Brag, NC or for your friend who is waiting for her fiance to come home, or the couple down the street who's daughter just shipped out. Don't make yourself out to be an ass. You don't have to support the war, but support your troops... they're doing it for you.

2003-03-21T14:41:00.000-05:00

Confirmed: Saddam Hussein made video
Posted: Friday, March 21, 10:19am EST - Christian Science Monitor

US intelligence officials said Friday it was almost certainly Saddam Hussein, not a look-alike, who appeared in a video recording on Iraqi television a few hours after he was targeted by an American air strike.

It is unclear whether the message was recorded before or after the strike, however. Officials said some reports indicate Saddam pre-recorded several speeches to air during fighting.

The video showed Saddam, in military uniform, reading from a steno pad and exhorting Iraqis to fight American invaders. Intelligence officials said that an analysis of the speaker's voice, inflections and facial movements led them to believe it was Saddam.

While Saddam read the date - March 20 - during his speech, that could have been pre-recorded. He did not speak specifically of the attack on him or other events that would positively confirm the message was recorded after the attacks.

CIA and military analysts were vigorously reviewing this and other clues about the fate of Saddam, his inner circle and his two powerful sons who were also targeted in the attacks. Senior officials cautioned Friday that they do not know whether Saddam or his sons are alive or dead.

US intelligence believes they were inside a residential compound bombarded by American forces. Government officials were examining a request for medical attention that could indicate injuries to the senior Iraqi leaders.

It makes perfect sense for him to have pre-recorded message. It was possible - probable - that we'd get him and at least incapacitate him. So, keep the 'fighting spirit' Iraqui people! Your illustrious president is still with you!

*snicker*

2003-03-21T02:09:00.000-05:00

I have a 5 page critique of More's Utopia due at 11am tomorrow and have I started? No. Guess I'm not sleeping tonight.

This is what I get for being such a slacker.

2003-03-19T23:40:00.000-05:00

Crossroads

"Have you asked of yourselves what's the price you might pay? Is it simply a game for rich young boys to play? The color of the world is changing day by day..."

-Enjolras Les Miserables

Well, it's started. He didn't want to leave and spare his life... instead he's willing to risk the lives of millions of innocents by forcing them to stand against the mightiest military in the world armed with sticks and stones and possibly a biological weapon to save his Republican Guard for when the tanks roll into Baghdad. I pray that he gets his rewards for his worldly actions swiftly.

2003-03-19T23:29:00.000-05:00

2003-03-19T23:15:00.000-05:00

Quotables - Wednesday

"Going to war without France is like going deer hunting without your accordian."

-Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf

2003-03-19T10:32:00.000-05:00

We Have Brains

This week's collab topic is simple or pure agony. Are there feminist men in your life? Do they call themselves feminists? If not, how do you know they are? Tell us a little about them.

Well, right off of the bat, I can tell you that my male professors (at least in the Department of History and Politics - I'm International Political Studies) are feminists. Obviously, why would they be teaching at a women's college if they didn't believe in the equality of women? I also truely believe that my father is deep down a feminist. I've had aspirations to be a lawyer, astronaut, pilot... whatever... and he has never once told me that I couldn't. In fact, he's told me that he doesn't want for me to settle for something because people tell me that that's what I should do. "You'll never be happy unless you go for your dream and take it - no matter what any idiots may tell you." I wish someone would tell that to every little girl. Hey, she may want to stay at home and raise the kids while her husband goes to his 9-5 everyday, and that's alright. Another may want to run her own brokerage, and that's alright too. And it's sad, but comments like this sound more effective coming from men because it is an assertation that you're not going to be held back because you're - well - a girl.

2003-03-19T01:38:00.000-05:00

Wednesday What-Ifs

1. What if you could have one super-human power -- what would it be?

I'd want to fly! How cool would that be... wouldn't have to pay $2.00/gal for gas, that's for sure. :)

2. What if you had the ability to change one thing about the past -- what would it be?

Some of the really stupid things I've said. Hurtful things mostly... I'd take them back. And I would've swallowed my fear and taken a chance with someone a few years ago instead of letting someone beat me to it.

3. What if you could read people's thoughts -- whose would you read, and what would you look for?

I'd read my mother's. I have no clue what's going on in her head. That and my boyfriend's... boy pulls some things out that I just have no clue where they came from *lol*

4. What if you could stop time for one hour (this includes freezing people in their tracks -- you're the only one "alive") -- what would you do?

I'd go nosing around places I'm not supposed to go... I'm a horribly nosy person.

5. What if you could predict the future -- what do you see?

A lot of messy things in the Middle East...

2003-03-19T00:12:00.000-05:00

Stupid Things To Say - Wednesday Edition

Ok, we're sitting at dinner in the dining hall and Sarah is looking at a map that our darling Beaz had mailed to her. A map of London, in fact. So, Becca and I are looking at it, pointing out things we'd like to see if we ever visited. I get fascinated by Victoria's Gatwick Express or something like that.

Me: Victoria's Gatewick Express? What on earth is that?
Merrily (has been to London before): Do you mean Gatwick?
Becca: Yea... can't you speak? Pronouce it right *snicker*
Me: Well, it's not... never mind.
Becca: No, you have to say it now.
Me: It was stupid.
Becca: Please?
Me: *sigh* I was about to say, it's not like I have much experience reading English.

I thought they were all going to pee themselves. You know how it makes sense in your head. You're looking at the map of another country so, yes, a viable excuse would be that you don't speak the language. Then, I realize - you idiot, you speak English and have for 21 years.

I am never going to hear the end of it *lol*

2003-03-18T22:32:00.000-05:00

Plays With Dolls

That's right. I'm running for Class Doll Co-Chair with Paige and also for the Senior Rep. spot on Honor Council. I want to get the downlow on the seedy underbelly of this campus. I'll be in the know - the one to go to for information that people shouldn't have. Just kidding. Honor Council would be something great to have of the resume, especially since I want to do something in the political sector. And Doll... one of the many traditions that come with a women's college. Wasn't a big fan of the traditions when I first came here, but now I've been sucked in. It's just like...

*virtual sucking noise*

Yeah, like that :)

2003-03-18T18:14:00.000-05:00

Quotable Tuesday

"War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling, which thinks that nothing is worth war, is much worse. The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself."

-- John Stuart Mill

2003-03-18T13:43:00.000-05:00

I think that once you have nothing that you'd die for, you have nothing left to live for. Because, how can you really judge the worth of something against anything but the lengths you would go to keep it - including the ending of your own life? If it is not worth your own life, which is one if not the most valuable things a person can give, what real worth does it have?

Just something to think about in these times of ours.

2003-03-17T21:56:00.000-05:00

"War is hell, but that's not the half of it, because war is also mystery and terror and adventure and courage and discovery and holiness and pity and despair and longing and love. War is nasty; war is fun. War is thrilling; war is drudgery. War makes you a man; war makes you dead."

-- Tim O'Brien, "How to tell a True War Story"

2003-03-17T21:16:00.000-05:00

48 Hours

Bush gave his speech tonight. 48 hours for Saddam and his sons to leave Iraq to prevent war. It's actually longer than I thought would be given. I was expecting 24 hours, max. But I can live with the two-day theory. It was short and too the point... only 15 mintues. For a speech of this importance, that's a lot shorter than I expected it to be. And, in all seriousness, I was impressed. Now, I believe that Bush is an intelligent man - you don't get a B average at Yale if the only you have going for you is Daddy's pocketbook. But, he's not the most eloquent speaker. Colin Powell is much more talented, and Tony Blair... that man is just a fabulously eloquent and endearingly believable speaker. He has a beautiful way with words. Anyway, my Blair-loving aside... I found tonight's speech to be the best one that I've ever heard the president give. It was believable, succinct, eloquent... I was really impressed. He put the cards on the table... and for the first time I feel like he put them all along with reasons. He spoke to the people and the military. He impressed me tonight.

I just wonder what would happen if Saddam actually fled. I don't think we'd know what to do with ourselves. But I don't see that happening...

2003-03-17T15:37:00.000-05:00

Bush to Give Hussein a Final Ultimatum

It's tonight. 8pm. US President Bush will more than likely announce that Saddam Hussein has until tomorrow morning to step down and leave the country or face the wrath of the US Military. Boats are circling from Turkey through the Red Sea towards Kuwait and Qatar. Gen. Franks has declared that the US is prepared and ready to go as soon as the president gives the signal.

I'm going to quote FDR on this one. "I hate war." But it's inevitable. Everyone knows that... even though the president keeps on jumping between 'disarmament' and 'regime change' as the motives for invasion. But then, who needs a solid reason? If they would just say "We're giving him a chance to disarm. If that doesn't happen, he will be considered dangerous and untrustworthy. So, to prevent his regime from returning to power after the forced disarmament, he must be disposed," it would be a good reason for a lot of people. You gave him a chance - he didn't take it. Now it just looks like the US is being Imperialistic and that we have the authority and the audacity to think that we can choose a soveriegn nation's leaders for them. That's possibly the worst PR move in... well, I can't even think when something has been so stupid.

It will also be interesting to see how tomorrow will be different from today - being in war and all. I am 21 years old. I have never lived through a major war. I was 9 when we first dealt with Saddam in a military venue. I was 11 during Somolia. And the other, smaller, "wars" - ex. Grenada, Panama, Nicaragua, Haiti - hardly even made it onto the radar. I remember seeing a lot of media in the first two. Bombs over Tel Aviv in '91 and Marines in the streets of Mogadishu in '93. But other than that, I didn't really care. I shouldn't have had to because I was so young. I've never seen a WWI or II, Korea, or Vietnam. And though I hardly think that Iraq '03 will suffer Vietnam Syndrome, I wonder if there will be marches in the streets. Boys in bodybags coming home. Pictures of the Iraqui people who were either placed in front of tanks by the Hussein regime or accidentally caught in the crossfire.

They've kicked Fox News out of Iraq, and the other major outlets are all pulling most of their teams out. Will we know what's going on? Or will it become a victim of the new censorship in our post-9/11 country. Will we just hear soundbites and people's opinions on what's going on instead of seeing it for ourselves? Is that an entirely bad thing?

Too many questions that I just don't have the answers to.