Non Sequitur presents an interesting cartoon the sentiment of which says that a woman should jump at the chance to marry an unemployed man because of her opportunity to show her support for equal rights.
I've recently noticed what seems like an increased number of radio stories talking about women and their challenges going to Iraq, trying to be mother and soldier, etc. Granted, this has been mostly on NPR but also from other outlets. Frankly, I'm tired of hearing it.
We have an all volunteer military. Every woman going to Iraq signed up of her own accord, be it National Guard duty or regular military. They should have thought about the ramifications on their civilian life before they signed the contracts.
Now, don't get me wrong, I'm sure the challenges are immense and the pressure unbearable. I'm also sure the women featured in the stories I've heard are serving honorably. But, the challenges and sacrifices required of the military are no secret. One may join the military for the benefits, college programs or the opportunity to travel the world. In the end though the military has but one purpose; to travel where required and fight. That's the job.
Women have been fighting for equal rights for at least a century. This is what it looks like. Get over it.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Friday, February 22, 2008
Earthquake in Nevada
As reported on CNN.com a 6.0 earthquake rattled Nevada on Thursday near the town of Wells.
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The story is mostly unremarkable except for this statement near the end.
"It's Mother Nature," said Mitch Smith, owner of the Wells Auto and Hardware store, who was cleaning up spilled paint and other debris. "What good would it do to be upset? We've already decided to have a half-off sale on dented cans of paint."
I know I took ranchers to task in my previous post but you do have to love this kind of spirit in people.
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The story is mostly unremarkable except for this statement near the end.
"It's Mother Nature," said Mitch Smith, owner of the Wells Auto and Hardware store, who was cleaning up spilled paint and other debris. "What good would it do to be upset? We've already decided to have a half-off sale on dented cans of paint."
I know I took ranchers to task in my previous post but you do have to love this kind of spirit in people.
Kill all the wolves
No literally, that's what is about to happen. The U.S. Government is lifting protection from Gray Wolves in Montana, Wyoming and Idaho accoring to this report in the NYT.
Now, I know ranchers and farmers in those states don't like wolves because they do hunt their live stock. Life as a rancher in that part of the country is tough and can be unforgiving. But, killing off a spiecies so we can subdue the land is wrong. There are precious few wild places left in this country. I sympathize with the ranchers but putting an open season on wolves is not the answer.
Now, I know ranchers and farmers in those states don't like wolves because they do hunt their live stock. Life as a rancher in that part of the country is tough and can be unforgiving. But, killing off a spiecies so we can subdue the land is wrong. There are precious few wild places left in this country. I sympathize with the ranchers but putting an open season on wolves is not the answer.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
WBC Protests muted
The Daily Herald reports the whack-jobs from WBC did indeed show up at the funerals of NIU students in Cicero and St. Charles. Apparently the city fathers in St. Charles managed to line up the city's snowplows between the mourners and the protestors. Bravo. It also looks like the city and county had a fairly strong police showing to limit any additional stupidity.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Protests at NIU victim funerals
The Daily Herald reports that members of the Westboro Baptist Church have decided to protest at the funerals of two of the NIU shooting victims today because of a lecture given eight years ago by a preacher who had undergone a sex change. This is the same group that has been protesting the funerals of fallen soldiers. Their message, as near as I can tell (beyond being hateful and vitriolic), is that every tragedy or disaster that befalls America (among other places) is the wrath of God.
The vileness of their actions goes without further comment.
The vileness of their actions goes without further comment.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Grief, Anger, Confusion
How do we begin to understand what happened at NIU yesterday? The short answer is we don't. There is no explanation for what happened or why or to whom or by whom. It was an evil act committed by a man against his fellow men. An act made all the more tragic by the ages of the victims.
The families of the victims are obviously dealing with an inconsolable grief. The family of the shooter also dealing with grief and shame. But the emotions sweep a great distance farther still; the entire NIU community and Alumni, city of DeKalb, members of other Universities and the academic community in general, friends and neighbors of those people, on and on.
We are not the first community of people to deal with grief on a mass scale nor unfortunately will we be the last. But what are the lessons to learn? Should we close down our open society to improve security? Are evil acts against the society a simple reality we must learn to live with? Should we ban first-person shooter video games? Should we require psychiatric testing of all individuals and proactively lock up anybody who shows signs of sociopathic behavior? Should we sit on our hands, wait for the grief to pass and move on with our lives? I'm certainly not smart enough to answer any of these questions. I'm hardly smart enough to think of them.
So as we traverse this valley of darkness I'll offer this:
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
The families of the victims are obviously dealing with an inconsolable grief. The family of the shooter also dealing with grief and shame. But the emotions sweep a great distance farther still; the entire NIU community and Alumni, city of DeKalb, members of other Universities and the academic community in general, friends and neighbors of those people, on and on.
We are not the first community of people to deal with grief on a mass scale nor unfortunately will we be the last. But what are the lessons to learn? Should we close down our open society to improve security? Are evil acts against the society a simple reality we must learn to live with? Should we ban first-person shooter video games? Should we require psychiatric testing of all individuals and proactively lock up anybody who shows signs of sociopathic behavior? Should we sit on our hands, wait for the grief to pass and move on with our lives? I'm certainly not smart enough to answer any of these questions. I'm hardly smart enough to think of them.
So as we traverse this valley of darkness I'll offer this:
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Thursday, February 07, 2008
Friday, February 01, 2008
Here we go...
Headline Berkley, CA (Yes, that Berkley).
Berkeley Finds a New Way to Make War Politics Local
The Berkley City Council has passed a resolution allowing a group called "Code Pink" to use the parking spot outside the Marine Recruiter's office four hours, one afternoon a week, for the next six months. They've also instructed their city attorney to find a way to run the Marines out of town.
So, to the women of code pink. Protest the war, try to change the electorate, use all the peaceful methods at your disposal to protest. DO NOT BLAME THE MARINES, SOLDIERS, SAILORS AND AIRMEN! "Make Out, Not War." Not even original but much more politically correct than "Make Love, Not War." And to the Berkley City Council, shame on you. That's about all I can say, shame on you.
The last thing we need today are a bunch of aging hippies fondly remembering their Viet Nam War protests, spitting on veterans when they return. You know who you are.
This article embodies everything wrong with the supposed Intellectual Elites running our universities. Why have an informed debate and talk about the issues when you can get your city council to pass a meaningless ordinance and blame the soldier. Let's be honest, intellectual honesty in our institutions of higher learning has been dead for some time (see my earlier post about the University of Deleware). This just confirms my worst suspicions.
Oh, by the way, electing Hillary will change nothing. We're in Iraq and we're going to be there for decades. I don't like her but she's smart enough to know pulling out at this point will be counterproductive. Are you?
Berkeley Finds a New Way to Make War Politics Local
The Berkley City Council has passed a resolution allowing a group called "Code Pink" to use the parking spot outside the Marine Recruiter's office four hours, one afternoon a week, for the next six months. They've also instructed their city attorney to find a way to run the Marines out of town.
So, to the women of code pink. Protest the war, try to change the electorate, use all the peaceful methods at your disposal to protest. DO NOT BLAME THE MARINES, SOLDIERS, SAILORS AND AIRMEN! "Make Out, Not War." Not even original but much more politically correct than "Make Love, Not War." And to the Berkley City Council, shame on you. That's about all I can say, shame on you.
The last thing we need today are a bunch of aging hippies fondly remembering their Viet Nam War protests, spitting on veterans when they return. You know who you are.
This article embodies everything wrong with the supposed Intellectual Elites running our universities. Why have an informed debate and talk about the issues when you can get your city council to pass a meaningless ordinance and blame the soldier. Let's be honest, intellectual honesty in our institutions of higher learning has been dead for some time (see my earlier post about the University of Deleware). This just confirms my worst suspicions.
Oh, by the way, electing Hillary will change nothing. We're in Iraq and we're going to be there for decades. I don't like her but she's smart enough to know pulling out at this point will be counterproductive. Are you?
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