Have a happy Christmas eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve eve!
26.12.10
16.12.10
Yes, Soldiers Are People
This is a "The Whirling Dervish" piece originally published by Speakeasy September 27, 2006.
It was Saturday night when the call came. A friend was enjoying the weekend when that phone call came. Her cousin in Iraq was riding in a Humvee when it ran over a mine and exploded.
No one was sure what had happened to him, exactly; he might not live through it. Almost certainly, he would lose his legs. All anyone could do was wait for news, a special kind of hell for those of us on the home front.
Sunday was met with good news: He was alive and, while his legs sustained several fractures, amputation was not necessary. Even with the broken eye sockets, it was as close to the best case scenario one could ask for. Relief washed over like a gentle wave.
That is, until the next bit of news came in: that he would not be coming home. Not only was he staying in Iraq, he is only staying in the hospital for 10 days before being sent back out. A guy who signed up for the reserves because he wanted money for college, a guy who was blown up just days ago, a guy who should, must, needs to come home, is being dumped back on the field with injuries that will take to months to heal.
And that is saying nothing about the mental damage that he has sustained. He should have access to the best therapy, yet he will get nothing. We can only speculate as to the damage being done there. Of course, he has no desire to stay over there; who would? This is his second injury sustained in Iraq; he had been shot in the leg before.
With Secretary of State Donald Rumsfeld extending the tour of duty for 4,000 soldiers recently, it is obvious the Army is under incredible strain. Hard decisions have to be made for the military good.
But at some point, we’re not treating these people like humans anymore. They’re just cogs in the machine, used until they can’t be and thrown out. America does not have the best track record in dealing with veterans, but one has to wonder if someone decided the best solution is to limit the number of people that come back.
That is not a suggestion that the Pentagon is deliberately trying to kill off soldiers. However, it is a suggestion that the price is becoming too high when people can get blown up and they can’t be sent home or even given sufficient time to heal. With each passing week, the Bush Administration has more questions it needs to address about Iraq. Such treatment of the men and women that signed up to defend the country is decidedly un-American and being sent to die in a battle that seems more like a Roman war of expansion than a defensive operation.
It’s easy to point the blame at Rumsfeld and Bush on this, and undoubtedly many people will. However, that might be a part of the problem. Most Americans have buried their heads in the sand, complaining of news stories in the papers and on TV. They don’t want to see it; they don’t want to acknowledge it. They just want to blame the guy sitting in the Oval Office and his cronies and be done with it. They ignore the fact that their doublethink allows the people making the decisions to keep severely injured people in a combat environment. Say what you want about Cindy Sheehan, but she forced people to pay attention; forced the president to acknowledge her. That’s powerful. That’s responsible.
So why aren’t most of us doing it? Are we really that afraid to take responsibility for our actions? Sure, you walk around with that trendy “NOT my President” bumper sticker, but the actions of the military represent us, reflect us, whether or not you support it. During Vietnam, people reacted with outrage, but with Iraq, people simply aren’t reacting anymore. Until they do, more soldiers that should be coming home and being sent back out. And while they might not be killed with a bullet, they’re dying on the inside at the very least.
It was Saturday night when the call came. A friend was enjoying the weekend when that phone call came. Her cousin in Iraq was riding in a Humvee when it ran over a mine and exploded.
No one was sure what had happened to him, exactly; he might not live through it. Almost certainly, he would lose his legs. All anyone could do was wait for news, a special kind of hell for those of us on the home front.
Sunday was met with good news: He was alive and, while his legs sustained several fractures, amputation was not necessary. Even with the broken eye sockets, it was as close to the best case scenario one could ask for. Relief washed over like a gentle wave.
That is, until the next bit of news came in: that he would not be coming home. Not only was he staying in Iraq, he is only staying in the hospital for 10 days before being sent back out. A guy who signed up for the reserves because he wanted money for college, a guy who was blown up just days ago, a guy who should, must, needs to come home, is being dumped back on the field with injuries that will take to months to heal.
And that is saying nothing about the mental damage that he has sustained. He should have access to the best therapy, yet he will get nothing. We can only speculate as to the damage being done there. Of course, he has no desire to stay over there; who would? This is his second injury sustained in Iraq; he had been shot in the leg before.
With Secretary of State Donald Rumsfeld extending the tour of duty for 4,000 soldiers recently, it is obvious the Army is under incredible strain. Hard decisions have to be made for the military good.
But at some point, we’re not treating these people like humans anymore. They’re just cogs in the machine, used until they can’t be and thrown out. America does not have the best track record in dealing with veterans, but one has to wonder if someone decided the best solution is to limit the number of people that come back.
That is not a suggestion that the Pentagon is deliberately trying to kill off soldiers. However, it is a suggestion that the price is becoming too high when people can get blown up and they can’t be sent home or even given sufficient time to heal. With each passing week, the Bush Administration has more questions it needs to address about Iraq. Such treatment of the men and women that signed up to defend the country is decidedly un-American and being sent to die in a battle that seems more like a Roman war of expansion than a defensive operation.
It’s easy to point the blame at Rumsfeld and Bush on this, and undoubtedly many people will. However, that might be a part of the problem. Most Americans have buried their heads in the sand, complaining of news stories in the papers and on TV. They don’t want to see it; they don’t want to acknowledge it. They just want to blame the guy sitting in the Oval Office and his cronies and be done with it. They ignore the fact that their doublethink allows the people making the decisions to keep severely injured people in a combat environment. Say what you want about Cindy Sheehan, but she forced people to pay attention; forced the president to acknowledge her. That’s powerful. That’s responsible.
So why aren’t most of us doing it? Are we really that afraid to take responsibility for our actions? Sure, you walk around with that trendy “NOT my President” bumper sticker, but the actions of the military represent us, reflect us, whether or not you support it. During Vietnam, people reacted with outrage, but with Iraq, people simply aren’t reacting anymore. Until they do, more soldiers that should be coming home and being sent back out. And while they might not be killed with a bullet, they’re dying on the inside at the very least.
15.12.10
AMPlify Your Apathy
This is a "The Whirling Dervish" piece originally published by Speakeasy May 17, 2006.
For the first time in recent memory, chalkboards and bulletin boards across campus are free from a barrage of advertisements for Student Senate elections. This is a welcome change from the constant harassment and annoyance of years past, when students could rarely pass a day without being accosted by a group of people in T-shirts representing some party.
There is only one registered party this year, Amp. It’s appropriate, because Amp consists of the same people that win the elections every year. This time around, no one is bothering to run against them. Maybe it is because this group always wins and other people don’t feel like losing. Then again, maybe it’s because nobody else sees Student Senate worth it.
If Amp is running unopposed, why are they still trying to give us newspapers telling us to vote for them? After all, the only people voting are the people running and their friends. There aren’t going to be enough people writing Leon Williams in as president to threaten Morgan Allen. If there is no competition, why the T-shirts? Is it because they want to feel cool wearing them?
Student Senate has long claimed to represent the student voice. But why should OU students look to their senator to be their “voice” when Roderick McDavis is an email away and when he makes himself available to the public weekly? Student senators would like to think they’re doing something important, and some of them are. Appropriating funds to student organizations is an important task. Aside from that, it’s all an exercise in hubris.
After all, it was only in 2003 when Katie Simpson was removed from her position as vice president in the face of student protest, simply because she was in the rival party. So do these people represent “our” voice or their own?
By the way, the president gets free tuition for the year. There’s no way to justify that, especially when student trustees get no such benefit.
So let them have their little election and lord over Student Senate the way the kids who were really excited about Model UN in high school did. In a week, everyone will just go back to ignoring them again.
Redemption for Han Solo
From the “long overdue” department, Lucasfilm and Twentieth Century Fox announced the first three “Star Wars” movies are coming to DVD in their original theatrical form. That means no special edition, no Hayden Christensen at the end or “Return of the Jedi,” the original Ewok celebration song and that Han, not Greedo, shoots first. Non-geeks probably don’t realize the significance of this, but for those of us that grew up in a galaxy far, far away, this is the best news that we ever could have gotten. Fans have long complained about George Lucas’ constant tinkering of the movies and the changes made in the special editions of the original trilogy. It will be not at all surprising to see sales of this DVDs surpass sales of the special edition DVDs, even if Lucas is pulling a Disney and selling the movies for a limited time.
Is it too much to hope for a public apology and retraction of “Revenge of the Sith” to come in the near future as well?
It’s like they don’t have a Father’s Day or something
Last year for Mother’s Day, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (say that five times fast) gave away tote bags to women 18 and older. Baseball teams have long used promotions like this as a way to lure people into the ballpark to spend $4 on a hot dog, so this is far from unusual. However, someone feels this is discrimination and is suing the Angels for age and sex discrimination. Well, it’s about time men started to fight back against the injustices levied against them by society. We’re not going to take this lying down. If wives and mothers are going to be dragged to the ballpark on the one holiday devoted to them, they’d better not get treated nicely or anything. That’s just wrong. Thankfully, the Angels have come to their senses and offered bags to the first 25,000 adults of both sexes. Then again, the kids still aren’t getting anything. Looks like another lawsuit is in order.
Postscript: My feelings about Student Senate's ineptness are still intact. The best part was when a computer security flaw resulted in Social Security numbers going public. In 2003, the same year they were busy playing politics, a Senator exposed the very security flaw. Instead of doing anything about it, he was kicked out of Senate and suspended from the university.
For the first time in recent memory, chalkboards and bulletin boards across campus are free from a barrage of advertisements for Student Senate elections. This is a welcome change from the constant harassment and annoyance of years past, when students could rarely pass a day without being accosted by a group of people in T-shirts representing some party.
There is only one registered party this year, Amp. It’s appropriate, because Amp consists of the same people that win the elections every year. This time around, no one is bothering to run against them. Maybe it is because this group always wins and other people don’t feel like losing. Then again, maybe it’s because nobody else sees Student Senate worth it.
If Amp is running unopposed, why are they still trying to give us newspapers telling us to vote for them? After all, the only people voting are the people running and their friends. There aren’t going to be enough people writing Leon Williams in as president to threaten Morgan Allen. If there is no competition, why the T-shirts? Is it because they want to feel cool wearing them?
Student Senate has long claimed to represent the student voice. But why should OU students look to their senator to be their “voice” when Roderick McDavis is an email away and when he makes himself available to the public weekly? Student senators would like to think they’re doing something important, and some of them are. Appropriating funds to student organizations is an important task. Aside from that, it’s all an exercise in hubris.
After all, it was only in 2003 when Katie Simpson was removed from her position as vice president in the face of student protest, simply because she was in the rival party. So do these people represent “our” voice or their own?
By the way, the president gets free tuition for the year. There’s no way to justify that, especially when student trustees get no such benefit.
So let them have their little election and lord over Student Senate the way the kids who were really excited about Model UN in high school did. In a week, everyone will just go back to ignoring them again.
Redemption for Han Solo
From the “long overdue” department, Lucasfilm and Twentieth Century Fox announced the first three “Star Wars” movies are coming to DVD in their original theatrical form. That means no special edition, no Hayden Christensen at the end or “Return of the Jedi,” the original Ewok celebration song and that Han, not Greedo, shoots first. Non-geeks probably don’t realize the significance of this, but for those of us that grew up in a galaxy far, far away, this is the best news that we ever could have gotten. Fans have long complained about George Lucas’ constant tinkering of the movies and the changes made in the special editions of the original trilogy. It will be not at all surprising to see sales of this DVDs surpass sales of the special edition DVDs, even if Lucas is pulling a Disney and selling the movies for a limited time.
Is it too much to hope for a public apology and retraction of “Revenge of the Sith” to come in the near future as well?
It’s like they don’t have a Father’s Day or something
Last year for Mother’s Day, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (say that five times fast) gave away tote bags to women 18 and older. Baseball teams have long used promotions like this as a way to lure people into the ballpark to spend $4 on a hot dog, so this is far from unusual. However, someone feels this is discrimination and is suing the Angels for age and sex discrimination. Well, it’s about time men started to fight back against the injustices levied against them by society. We’re not going to take this lying down. If wives and mothers are going to be dragged to the ballpark on the one holiday devoted to them, they’d better not get treated nicely or anything. That’s just wrong. Thankfully, the Angels have come to their senses and offered bags to the first 25,000 adults of both sexes. Then again, the kids still aren’t getting anything. Looks like another lawsuit is in order.
Postscript: My feelings about Student Senate's ineptness are still intact. The best part was when a computer security flaw resulted in Social Security numbers going public. In 2003, the same year they were busy playing politics, a Senator exposed the very security flaw. Instead of doing anything about it, he was kicked out of Senate and suspended from the university.
14.12.10
Still a Long Road to Equality
This is a "The Whirling Dervish" piece that was originally published by Speakeasy on February 9, 2006. This is one of the more significant pieces I wrote. Apparently, my take was a bit controversial, as I attracted the ire of the OU Democrats. Page counts for this piece was double what it normally was to that point and continued to climb after that. More below.
It’s been just over a week since the death of Coretta Scott King, and it’s still leaving its mark on the nation. Unfortunately, the echo of her funeral will ultimately be an ugly one. Civil rights leaders decided her funeral was the best time to blast Bush for policy decisions instead of sticking to the matter at hand, which ostensibly was honoring the life of Mrs. King.
Once, there were sacred places and occasions that transcended politics. Funerals, churches, sporting events were places people were expected to check their grudges at the door. Now all bets are off. Bringing in candidates to give stump speeches at Sunday congregations? Sure. Protest the Iraq war at a funeral? Hey, go for it.
It takes a lot to make President Bush look like the dignified one, but the Rev. Joseph Lowery and others managed to pull it off. If you want to make your statements, do it outside. The media weren’t going anywhere. Such petty tactics cheapens the occasion. Would Coretta or Martin Luther have stooped to such a level? No, so why decide not to follow their example?
Of course, we’re not walking on a yellow brick road to racial equality and harmony. Some people have decided to celebrate Black History Month by setting fire to nine Alabama churches, four of which serving black congregations. The KKK would be so proud.
King’s death and funeral has led me to wonder if there are any prominent black leaders that are able and ready to assume the lead of the still-going civil rights struggle. What’s telling is that while the racial gap has lessened 40 years later, the struggle is still yawning. The logical choice would be Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, a young, charismatic man who could very well make a run at the White House sometime within the next 20 years.
What is coming out of the White House right now, however, will do little to bridge that gap. The budget proposal Bush submitted to Congress this week is bound to go over very poorly. What strikes me is the bill passed by a thin margin (216-214). Thirteen Republicans, including local Bob Ney, voted against the budget, which includes significant cuts in Medicaid and Medicare funding, along with the usual cuts to taxes for the wealthy, student loans and welfare. However, there is a strong chance the House will not pass this budget. Let’s pray it does not.
So, I just noticed I predicted Obama running for president. Cool. Anyway, OU Dems Mark Gaffney posted a comment attempting to blast me. However, he lacked the ability to actually do so, instead coming up with fallacious points like this one: "The media critics, not the invited guests of the memorial, are responsible for politicizing Mrs. King’s funeral. Any assertion to the contrary only further illustrates this truth." Remember, anyone who disagrees is wrong. This was right after he accused me of presuming only my opinion was right.
It’s been just over a week since the death of Coretta Scott King, and it’s still leaving its mark on the nation. Unfortunately, the echo of her funeral will ultimately be an ugly one. Civil rights leaders decided her funeral was the best time to blast Bush for policy decisions instead of sticking to the matter at hand, which ostensibly was honoring the life of Mrs. King.
Once, there were sacred places and occasions that transcended politics. Funerals, churches, sporting events were places people were expected to check their grudges at the door. Now all bets are off. Bringing in candidates to give stump speeches at Sunday congregations? Sure. Protest the Iraq war at a funeral? Hey, go for it.
It takes a lot to make President Bush look like the dignified one, but the Rev. Joseph Lowery and others managed to pull it off. If you want to make your statements, do it outside. The media weren’t going anywhere. Such petty tactics cheapens the occasion. Would Coretta or Martin Luther have stooped to such a level? No, so why decide not to follow their example?
Of course, we’re not walking on a yellow brick road to racial equality and harmony. Some people have decided to celebrate Black History Month by setting fire to nine Alabama churches, four of which serving black congregations. The KKK would be so proud.
King’s death and funeral has led me to wonder if there are any prominent black leaders that are able and ready to assume the lead of the still-going civil rights struggle. What’s telling is that while the racial gap has lessened 40 years later, the struggle is still yawning. The logical choice would be Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, a young, charismatic man who could very well make a run at the White House sometime within the next 20 years.
What is coming out of the White House right now, however, will do little to bridge that gap. The budget proposal Bush submitted to Congress this week is bound to go over very poorly. What strikes me is the bill passed by a thin margin (216-214). Thirteen Republicans, including local Bob Ney, voted against the budget, which includes significant cuts in Medicaid and Medicare funding, along with the usual cuts to taxes for the wealthy, student loans and welfare. However, there is a strong chance the House will not pass this budget. Let’s pray it does not.
So, I just noticed I predicted Obama running for president. Cool. Anyway, OU Dems Mark Gaffney posted a comment attempting to blast me. However, he lacked the ability to actually do so, instead coming up with fallacious points like this one: "The media critics, not the invited guests of the memorial, are responsible for politicizing Mrs. King’s funeral. Any assertion to the contrary only further illustrates this truth." Remember, anyone who disagrees is wrong. This was right after he accused me of presuming only my opinion was right.
13.12.10
Say it Ain't So, Rocky
This is a "The Whirling Dervish" piece originally published by Speakeasy October 27, 2005. I only offer this because I predicted the fourth "Rambo" movie.
There are good ideas, like having Quentin Tarantino as a guest director during the filming of “Sin City.” There are bad ideas, such as casting George Clooney as Batman. And then there’s the idea to make a sixth “Rocky” movie.
While Hollywood is a place where mystifying decisions are made all the time, this one is one of the most stupefying. When this was announced, was there honestly anyone that thought they couldn’t wait for this? Or did everyone react with an appropriate mix of dread and skepticism at the prospect of seeing a 60-year-old Stallone in the ring? Is anyone else hoping that he won’t be killed?
What’s more, his wife, Adrian, will be dead. Well, there goes half the dialogue. What is he supposed to half-coherently mumble about now? There really isn’t a good way to look at this. And how can there be a sixth “Rocky” when everyone agreed that “Rocky V” should havenever happened?
This has the potential to kill the previous “Rocky” movies. Kids who have never seen the other movies before might see this one first, and they’ll never want to see another one again. And that’s a shame, because the first three movies in the franchise are great to watch. It’s hard not to get inspired by Balboa’s determination. It’s hard not to watch “Rocky III” and think “Wow, that Mr. T. was one tough dude. This is even better than those 1-800-COLLECT begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 1-800-COLLECT end_of_the_skype_highlighting commercials he did."
“Rocky” is one of those movies fathers show to their sons as they get older. But this almost seems like the joke in “Spaceballs” in which the movie critic reviewed “Rocky 5000.” Sly, it’s not too late. Just make the fourth Rambo movie- also a bad, bad idea- and spare us. Nobody watched “The Contender.” Nobody wants to see a geriatric Rocky Balboa getting his brains beat in by Roy Jones Jr. And you just know Stallone is going to make Rocky win that match somehow. He won’t be able to resist. And that’s just ridiculous. Who would believe it? Evander Holyfield is a young buck at 43 by comparison and he’s staggered around the ring like he just ate the worm the last few years.
Record Hurricane Season
It’s somewhat surprising scientists aren’t using this insane hurricane season to twist the arms of people and make them admit global warning is real and a problem. Three massive hurricanes this year are no coincidence. The newest one, Wilma, was the most powerful ever in the Atlantic Ocean and further proof people shouldn’t give bad names to hurricanes.
After it battered central America, it has its way with Florida, with scientists predicting it won’t lose much strength over land. Well, isn’t that wonderful? I think Los Angeles is going to fall into the ocean next week the way we’re going.
There have been so many tropical storms in the Atlantic this year they’ve actually run out of names. They have now started to use Greek letters. Hurricane Alpha, the year’s 13th storm, set a new record. Hey, this is a problem! There are reasons hurricanes appear. Perhaps we should look at why and try to mitigate the causes.
Afghan Iraq?
Speaking of hiding one’s head in the sand, Condoleezza Rice said she wants the U.S. to follow the “Afghan model” in Iraq. This is a fantastic idea. Allowing local warlords to take control of various portions of the country, rampant drug trafficking, continuing to fight rebels in remote areas and having no reasonable way to leave in the foreseeable future is a winning plan everyone can get on board with.
While the recent earthquake in Kashmir is a tragedy by any stretch of the imagination, it’s possible some positive consequences could come of it. Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf said he is ready to open the Line of Control on the India border to allow as much aid as India is willing to send across the border, a move the Indians welcomed. If anything good can come of this, perhaps the two countries can finally start building a bridge over that wide chasm between them. Everyone there could use peace.
There are good ideas, like having Quentin Tarantino as a guest director during the filming of “Sin City.” There are bad ideas, such as casting George Clooney as Batman. And then there’s the idea to make a sixth “Rocky” movie.
While Hollywood is a place where mystifying decisions are made all the time, this one is one of the most stupefying. When this was announced, was there honestly anyone that thought they couldn’t wait for this? Or did everyone react with an appropriate mix of dread and skepticism at the prospect of seeing a 60-year-old Stallone in the ring? Is anyone else hoping that he won’t be killed?
What’s more, his wife, Adrian, will be dead. Well, there goes half the dialogue. What is he supposed to half-coherently mumble about now? There really isn’t a good way to look at this. And how can there be a sixth “Rocky” when everyone agreed that “Rocky V” should havenever happened?
This has the potential to kill the previous “Rocky” movies. Kids who have never seen the other movies before might see this one first, and they’ll never want to see another one again. And that’s a shame, because the first three movies in the franchise are great to watch. It’s hard not to get inspired by Balboa’s determination. It’s hard not to watch “Rocky III” and think “Wow, that Mr. T. was one tough dude. This is even better than those 1-800-COLLECT begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 1-800-COLLECT end_of_the_skype_highlighting commercials he did."
“Rocky” is one of those movies fathers show to their sons as they get older. But this almost seems like the joke in “Spaceballs” in which the movie critic reviewed “Rocky 5000.” Sly, it’s not too late. Just make the fourth Rambo movie- also a bad, bad idea- and spare us. Nobody watched “The Contender.” Nobody wants to see a geriatric Rocky Balboa getting his brains beat in by Roy Jones Jr. And you just know Stallone is going to make Rocky win that match somehow. He won’t be able to resist. And that’s just ridiculous. Who would believe it? Evander Holyfield is a young buck at 43 by comparison and he’s staggered around the ring like he just ate the worm the last few years.
Record Hurricane Season
It’s somewhat surprising scientists aren’t using this insane hurricane season to twist the arms of people and make them admit global warning is real and a problem. Three massive hurricanes this year are no coincidence. The newest one, Wilma, was the most powerful ever in the Atlantic Ocean and further proof people shouldn’t give bad names to hurricanes.
After it battered central America, it has its way with Florida, with scientists predicting it won’t lose much strength over land. Well, isn’t that wonderful? I think Los Angeles is going to fall into the ocean next week the way we’re going.
There have been so many tropical storms in the Atlantic this year they’ve actually run out of names. They have now started to use Greek letters. Hurricane Alpha, the year’s 13th storm, set a new record. Hey, this is a problem! There are reasons hurricanes appear. Perhaps we should look at why and try to mitigate the causes.
Afghan Iraq?
Speaking of hiding one’s head in the sand, Condoleezza Rice said she wants the U.S. to follow the “Afghan model” in Iraq. This is a fantastic idea. Allowing local warlords to take control of various portions of the country, rampant drug trafficking, continuing to fight rebels in remote areas and having no reasonable way to leave in the foreseeable future is a winning plan everyone can get on board with.
While the recent earthquake in Kashmir is a tragedy by any stretch of the imagination, it’s possible some positive consequences could come of it. Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf said he is ready to open the Line of Control on the India border to allow as much aid as India is willing to send across the border, a move the Indians welcomed. If anything good can come of this, perhaps the two countries can finally start building a bridge over that wide chasm between them. Everyone there could use peace.
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About Me
- Monty
- I am who I think I am, I am who you know I am, I am who I want to be, who I was, who I could be, who I can't be. I am.
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