Happy Halloween!

I think today is my favorite holiday. It's the only day that ghost stories folkloric tradition is really embraced by a bunch of people, at least ostensibly. And who doesn't like to dress up? Istill needto figure out what I'mgoing to be tonight (oh, by the way,I can't be Zach de la Rocha anymore... he cut his dreads off :P). Halloween conjures up endless memories of nights out trick-or-treating with mom and dad, with friends, and, of course, with candy. Every year I had a blast. Halloween never fails to disappoint. Ever.

That's how come I need to figure out what I'm doing tonight, as well as what to dress as! I'll figure something out. I usually do.

Hope you found your costume already!

"Hark! Hark to the wind! 'Tis the night, they say,
When all souls come back from the far away-
The dead, forgotten this many a day!"
--Virna Sheard

A Wonderful Day

Today was... well, I can't say perfect, because I think there would need to be way more having happened to make today perfect, but today was really great. I'll put it this way: at one point today, I was reading a book under a tree. That's how great it was. Here's how it went:

Woke up, attended my Spanish class slightly unprepared, though it proved inconsequential, then breakfast (around 1130, so brunch). It was there I read the paper. Next was History of American Jazz, a class I'm in love with. Today we learned about Bebop and the end of the swing era, and even a little about Charlie Parker, Thelonious Monk, and Dizzy Gillespie. It was a sweet class, to say the least.

Next, I stopped by the Union to use the computers. I emailed a professor, one I'm not studying under yet, about the possibility of sponsoring me in UCARE (Undergraduate Creative Activities and Research Experiences) next year. It's a program where, during the first year, the student acts as a research assistant under the tutelage of a professor, and the second year that same professor acts as a mentor for the student who then performs his or her own research. The cool thing is that the guy I asked to assist is an amazing man. He's worked for the United Nations High Commission on Refugees, taught in Ireland and Geneva (I think), earned a PhD from Princeton in the 60s, is the Universitys (and, for that matter, one of the countrys) foremost authorities on human rights, has written all kinds of books and articles on human rights.... He's the guy I want to do research with. We have a meeting on Monday.

THEN.... as if that weren't enough... I received an email from the professor I'm working with to institute a class here regarding banned books, including the social context of the banning or the challenging, the reasons for the ban, discussions on whether or not censorship is necessary, etc. He told me this:

"Collin: I have had time to think about the course, and to talk to my AFCON colleagues, and finally to consult the Departmental leadership, and I will now be scheduled to teach it next year as a Special Topics course. I may also propose it for the peermanent curriculum if it works out well enough.
Go Banned Books!
Dr. Bob Haller"

.....

!!!!!!!!!!!

That blew me away! It's actually going to be taught! It's starting out as a Special Topics course, which means it will be offered for one semester, and one semester only. Then, like Dr. Haller wrote, if it goes well, he might propose it to be instituted permanently! Oh man this is so cool. I'm actually going to experience the fruits of my efforts, and, after that, receive a grade in it (and probably have it go towards my minor in English!).

To say the least, it has been a good day. (Oh, and it was probably about 70 degrees farenheit and clear skies all day today.... wonderful. Reading outdoors while leaning on a tree and squinting because th sun reflecting off of the white pages is very bright is a pasttime I wish I took part in more often).

I hope your tomorrow is as good as my today was!

"I only went out for a walk and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in."--John Muir

Interesting Day Thus Far

Well, I finally made it to International Relations today. It was really interesting, and reminded me of why I enjoy that class in the first place. Professor Rapkin lectured on different economic models, including Economic Liberalism, Economic Nationalism/Mercantilism, and one other form, the name of which escapes me. It was great. I wish I knew more about economics.

On my way out of class, I watched a student being arrested. It was.... interesting. One of those occasions where you want to ask a bunch of questions, but it's just not appropriate, you know? Anyway, it turns out, as I'm at the Union now, that it was a mock arrest, part of the "Jail and Bail" program here to discourage DWI. It's an interesting program. Reminds me of a story I heard about an Amnesty International student group and their actions a few years ago. I'll explain later, as I have a class in a little while.

Speaking of which, I'd better get there soon. We have a quiz (calculus). It shouldn't be too bad. I studied a good amount for it last night. Not fun. Anyways, talk to you later.

Oh, and HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY, AUNT KID!!! 23 now, right? Or is it 24?

Hasta

"The charm of history and its enigmatic lesson consist in the fact that, from age to age, nothing changes and yet everything is completely different."--Aldous Huxley

On Abortion

I am resolved that abortion is, without a doubt, one of the most abhorrible, disgusting, and unfortunate practices today.

Yet, I am also certain that a woman's body is nobody's business but her own.

So, here is my dilemma, a debate that rages inside my head at least a couple of times a week. It's frustrating, but I think I've come to my own personal conclusion.

If somebody asks me my opinion of abortion, I'll tell them that I think it's terrible. But, in many cases, it's necessary. A rape victim should never be forced to bear the child of her rapist. Never. If she elects to bear the child, then she is an incredibly powerful woman, and infinitely compassionate. But she needs to have the option. If the mother's life is in danger, the option needs to be available. In that case, abortion is still an evil, but it's the lesser of two (those being 2 deaths or 1).

I think adoption needs to be promoted more. Never should abortion be done because the child is merely unwanted, though I believe to illegalize this is to violate the 14th amendment, which promises equal protection under the law (there is no law stating that there are any medical procedures that men, in particular, must or mustn't participate in, so to make one against women would be to violate this clause). If the mother doesn't want the responsibility to care for the child, the adoption system is just full of caring, loving, willing individuals and couples who are perfectly capable of looking after the child for 20 years, give or take.

Ironically, I think those who are the biggest supporters of abortion are those who fight it so vocally. Pro-Lifers who are always seen and heard are constantly reminding people that this is legal, that it is an option. A more appropriate way to fight this practice, I'd argue, would be to quietly lobby congresspersons with influence. Vociferous advocacy is a noble and, normally, practical means of influence with regards to politics or legislation, but it's a double-edged sword in this specific case. The pro-life movement is one which intends to prevent abortions and to preserve the rights of the unborn, but by focusing on this in such a loud manner, it's almost unforgettable that abortion is a legal option that expectant mothers have.

What I'm most afraid of is that, if abortion is found to be illegal, the number of back-alley, backseat, and coathanger abortions (which still occur, I'm positive) will skyrocket. This is infinitely dangerous to the mother, and in many cases kills her. In such an important decision, advisors need to be available, as well as technology and medicine which will decrease the liklihood of the mother's physical and psychological suffering.

On the issue of partial-births, again, I'm against them, but I'm not sure what I think about abolishing them. See, since the child is essentially out of the body, it's no longer a part of the mother. So, it's really not her choice anymore. What I fear is that, when partial births are banned (which will happen very, very soon), it will snowball into sweeping federal legislation which will attempt to eliminate all forms of abortion, which I would be against.

All in all, abortion shouldn't be promoted. It should be discouraged in well over 90% of pregnancies, I'd suppose. But it needs to be there. It needs to be the quiet one in the corner that nobody really acknowledges unless it's absolutely needed. To conclude, I think I support a woman's choice, but would almost always encourage her to choose life.

"Of course abortion isn't right. But it is even less right to bring unwanted children into lifelong suffering and to strip women of their choice. Making abortion illegal is not the way to prevent it. There is a much larger picture that starts with much deeper roots."--Anonymous

Qonversations (qontinued)

So Q and I spoke for about 2 1/2 hours last night. It was unexpected, but wonderful. (For a prelude to this entry, see below)

A brief synopsis: we're both against abortion, but in respectable and differing ways (that's for another post... suffice it to say we also both support a woman's right to her own body); to us, both raised with a Christian background, evolution just makes sense, being based in logic and science, and having been proven in at least some cases; genetics can be used for the common good, as to rid the world of genetically inherited diseases, such as alcoholism, but a line needs to be drawn (i.e. obesity is a terrible affliction, but do we really want 6 billion 120-170 lb people running around?); stem-cell research is a noble end with a frustrating means, but we decided that, whether legal or illegal, abortions will happen, so why not make the most of the situation and save anothers life?

Again, this was a brief synopsis, but the ideas are there. Like I said, we spoke for over 2 hours. We developed these ideas in detail, spoke on them for a while, and I think came up with and expressed some really interesting perspectives.

They're people like Q who make me really enjoy the out-of-class time I spend here at college. They help me remember the words of Mark Twain: "Never let school interfere with your education" (or something to that effect).

On a different note, I just recently acquired Sibelius v2. It's an amazing music composition program which plays back the notation in MIDI form, and, if you're so inclined and have the corresponding hardware, it's possible to plug in a keyboard and play while the program notates your music for you. Needless to say, I'm already in the process of a rough composition. It's nothing amazing, as I never really learned any advanced composition, but have a weak basis in music theory, as I took the class in high school (I earned a C-). But the interest is there. Maybe I'll take a book out of the library on basic composition. That'd be so sweet.

Anyways, off to get some transcripts so that I can apply for some abroad scholarships.

Talk to you soon! (And hopefully more frequently. This week has been so busy!)

"Music is the language of the spirit. It opens the secret of life bringing peace, abolishing strife."--Khalil Gibran

Qonversations... with a Q

Last night a friend of mine, Q (some call him "Quentin," but his real name is Q) called me up around 1030 and asked if I'd like some company. He stopped by about an hour later, and we were up until around 2am discussing what seemed like everything ever.

We talked about the 2000 presidential race, about abortion, about evolution, about stem-cell research, about football, about genetics, about music, about the Green Party, etc etc etc

Q is a very intelligent man. He's a sophomore, like me, but seems wise beyond his years. Every time he stops by (usually on Thursday nights, and usually so that I can look over some Spanish project he's working on) we end up talking deep into the night about theoretical, rhetorical, or political ideas and happenings. It's always an intellectual treat when Q's by.


If I didn't have a class in 20 minutes, I'd delve more into our ideas on abortion, evolution, genetics, and stem-cell research, as those converstations were endlessly interesting, but alas! I need to get going. Maybe I'll hitcha back in a few hours.

Later

"The people who oppose your ideas the most are those who represent the establishment that your ideas will upset."--Anthony J. D'Angelo

Epitome of "Random"

Today was.... sorta eventful. I went to all my classes, handed in my Spanish paper, worked on some International Relations stuff, ate Japanese food (and, subsequently, have some terrible chest pains), and spent the vast majority of my time awake away from my dorm. That's rare for me. But I'm glad. I'm worried I wasn't here for the guys on my floor, but it's cool. They're big kids.

I'm glad there're only 3 days in this week. That makes me very happy.

I don't know why, but my mind is wandering. I can't focus tonight. Sorry.

I got a new phone over the weekend. It's sooooo snazzy. Flips and everything. It's a motorola. Cool stuff.

West Virginia just beat Virginia Tech.... that means the Huskers jump up a spot. Nice.

Plugging along on People's History of the United States.... one of the best and most important books ever. Ever.

Well, off to write a paper on Benjamin Barber and what he thinks. He's a smart guy. You should check him out.

Alrighty, adios.

"The history of the world is full of men who rose to leadership, by sheer force of self-confidence, bravery and tenacity."--Mahatma Ghandi

Wuttup With Me Lately

Sorry I haven't posted in a while. Lotsa stuff to say. Just news about me. No real deep thoughts tonight.

Well, it's official. I'm having surgery on my hand. On November 7th, I'll have a pin and a screw holding some hand bones (along with a piece from my hip) together. I'll be in a cast for probably something like 12 weeks. It sucks, but so does having a broken hand. At least the cast won't suck for 2 years (I hope), as the broken wrist has.

This means tons of stuff for me. Can't take notes in class by writing, but I can type (I just won't have use of my thumb or wrist). Mom's talking laptop. I think that'd be real cool. I feel like then I'd get more stuff done, too. I always sit down at my computer in my room (a desktop) and get so distracted by stuff. I feel like if I could go to the library or the Union with my own computer, including my own files and stuff, I'd get much more done. But what about my math class? Gotta talk to the prof about that one. I won't be able to write legibly at all, so taking math tests should prove to be a chore. We'll see how things work out.

This is, after all, good news, though. No more pain when I throw a football. I can start working out again. I might even gain some of that lost motion back in my wrist (I'll be able to move it back farther than 40 degrees).

It also means Mom will be flying out to Lincoln, staying (for cheap, thanks to my wonderful sister) in a nice hotel, and hanging out with me until I'm partially recuperated. Then it's back to work for her, and back to school for me.

Also, incidentally, I'm home now. Fall break is so cool. This is totally what I need right now. A break. I've been so busy with papers and tests and programs and paperwork and meetings and eating and trying to find time for friends and sleeping.... anyways. I'm sleeping lots this weekend, and spending my wonderfully abundant time with my girlfriend, my family, my friends, and my dog. It's super duper, to say the least.

Well, this has turned into an exceptionally long post, it seems. Hope everything's going well for you. I'll write back soon, continuing in my series of opinionated lunacy.

Hasta pronto....

"Again and again, the impossible problem is solved when we see that the problem is only a tough decision waiting to be made."--Robert H. Schuller

On Environmentalism

I used to think everyone was an environmentalist. I thought it was routine for every person to recycle. I thought everyone considered reusing things, conserving water, and gas mileage when buying an automobile. I thought everyone was against cutting down the rainforest. Apparently, this isn't the case (makes sense.... the loggers certainly aren't against deforestation... they'd be out of a job).

The reason I'm for the environment is simple: it was here first. It's not like man created it and thus has the authority to destroy it. The stronger argument (though hotly disputed) is that the environment is what created man (as beings adapt to environment to create new species.... evolution... yadda yadda yadda). So, if the environment was here before us, why do we feel the need to destroy it?

Maybe it's not a need. Reading it back, that seems a bit drastic. But what else would it be? If it weren't a need, wouldn't we change our practices and policies? We certainly have the means to... There are plenty of alternative fuel sources, such as electricity (an infinite resource, as far as I know), sunlight (hopefully infinite), and other such natural, endless resources. And why are we cutting down so many trees? Haven't we found things stronger than wood to build homes with? Can't we make paper from papyrus and hemp plants (which grow back much quicker than whole trees)?

My reason for supporting better environmental policies over business and capitalistic policies is very basic: when the idea of capitalism dies, when business is gone, and should the extinction of all species ever come to fruition (...needless to say, I hope it doesn't!), the Earth will still be here. She's gonna outlive us, guys. I promise. But she can't just take care of herself anymore. We need to quit being so selfish and think about bigger things. This doesn't mean recycling your car, riding a bike everywhere you go, and never using paper. This means writing your senator about alternative fuel sources and more emissions regulations. It means supporting your local recycling programs. It means buying an efficient automobile, if you can (please, if you don't need an SUV, opt for the hatchback). It means riding a bike more often, or walking to close destinations (not only is it better for the environment, it's GREAT for your health, too). It means living more considerately, and paying more homage to She who was here way before us, and who, if we're careful, will always be here for us.

Love stuff.

"Humans merely share the Earth. We can only protect the land, not own it."--Chief Seattle

On Anti-Alcoholism

(DISCLAIMER: Please don't think I'm judging anybody other than myself. The following words mean nothing of what I think of you, and everything of what I think about me. I also hope this doesn't come off as self-righteous.... Basically, please don't be offended. It's certainly not the intention.)

Recently, I've been examining myself. I've been thinking about who I am, what makes me different, what makes me the same, the good things, the bad things, the just-so things. Considering my thoughts, my actions, my beliefs, their implementation, etc. It's something I think we all need to do, but some of us (including yours truly) reserve very little time to think about moral or practical self improvement.

When immersed in college culture, it's rare, it seems, to find somebody who practices alcohol abstinence. Most of us drink a bit on the weekends, just enough to get buzzed. However legal or illegal, it's an indisputable staple of University life, and to not embrace it isn't always easy.

But every weekend I'm reminded of different reasons why I refrain from ingesting poison, regardless of how popular it is, or how many of my very good friends here do it. Almost without fail, each weekend I'll see somebody passed out, vomitting, or embarrassingly drunk. Recently, two friends of mine lost something very dear to them, something they'll never get back again (and no, they didn't lose it together) due to alcohol. Inhibitions were lowered, and emotions seemed to take over from there.

It also seems to me to be a waste of time. I've never been drunk, but I can't imagine it being all that much more fun than being sober (and coordinated). Plus, I can't afford alcohol on a regular basis. I can hardly afford concert tickets on a sporadic basis, so buying booze for myself each weekend seems a bit out of the question.

Aside from that, it just seems too dangerous a risk to take. Alcohol poisoning and drunken driving are two very good reasons to leave the cap on the bottle. Good enough for me, at least.

I have a great time at parties where my friends are buzzed a bit. I have fun just watching movies with a bag of chips and a Coke (or Pepsi, if you're on campus [grrrr]). I like to play touch football or listen to some new music. I like to discuss world politics, debated philosophies, religion, and ice cream. I think I'm just lucky enough to not feel like I need alcohol to have a good time. And, though I know many people who don't really "need" it, per say, I suppose I'm also lucky enough to believe that

And those are things for which very grateful, because they keep me out of trouble, they keep me safer, and they make me stand out.

I hope you have a great day :)

"Wouldn't it be the best damn day if we all took time to breathe?"--Marc Roberge, of O.A.R.

I Don't Know Whether to Cry or Break Something

I was just studying in my student union for a few hours (calculus... keep away from it), and as I made my way over to the computers to check on some grades and email and whatnot, I passed a pillar with an advertisement for GLBT (gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender) month, which, of course, October is. It was a poster inside a framed glass cabinet dealie. You know the kind... it's so the ads can't be torn down or vandalized... there's a lock on it... etc.

Well, written over the ad on the glass in black magic marker were the words "Kill All Fags."

I'm so overwhelmed and frustrated and angry and saddened and.. and.... and...

And speechless.

"Hatred is a feeling which leads to the extinction of values."--Jose Ortega y Gasset

No Deep Thoughts Tonight... Just Regular Stuff

Sorry, my brain's dry from watching and playing football all day. Not that playing football really uses up my analytical resources or anything, but I'm sorta tired....

Yesterday was... long, as days go. I woke up at around quarter to 10 in the morning, and didn't go to sleep until 5am this morning. I dunno... not much to say about the day, I guess. Hung out with some friends, got some stuff done. Paid my student bill.... OH! I bought my tickets to the upcoming 311/Alien Ant Farm show at the Pershing! Huzzah, huzzah. I'm pumped. It's gonna be GREAT!

Oh yeah! And every Friday in the Haymarket there's a free jazz show outside in the square by this little coffee shop. It's so cool! You can just buy a chai and chill for a few hours with friends, listening to some local jazz ensembles cover a couple of classics (they played "Someday My Prince Will Come," "All of Me," something by Charles Mingus, and even some bossanova!!!).

Anyways, here I go, off to do stuff with people. What stuff? Not sure. But the Huskers just lost. To MIZZOU. Needless to say, we here on campus are pissed.

So, have a great night!

"If the fans don't come out to the ball park, you can't stop them."--Yogi Berra

Rethinking What's Important About Religion

I've grown tired of people who are religious for the wrong reasons. I think religion can be a very powerful, very positive, very serene thing, but it seems that people all too often focus their energies on the wrong parts of it.

Religion, as I've come to see it, is a set of beliefs based on stories, whether true or untrue, which provides a moral basis for life. But I know so many people who are so supremely focused on the stories and not the morals. It's frustrating, to say the least.

For example, I know a Christian girl who is relatively promiscuous (at least from what I hear). Now, I think she's a great girl. She's smart, she's funny, she's very nice, but she's promiscuous. She's also very religious. She's so religious, in fact, that she once alluded to me that she couldn't see herself taking a course on evolution, one of which I'm in right now (Physical Anthropology... really a fascinating course).

Now, I don't mean to dog on this girl, but it's frustrating that she feels like she can't open her mind to new theories, the likes of which could actually be true, because she's so grounded in her beliefs of the stories, when she, apparently, misses many of the moral points in the book she follows.

I don't want to come off as some pompous ass who's jumping on religion, as I have absolutely no reason to, but I want to know why some people are selective believers. Is it hypocracy? It certainly seems so sometimes (alliteration!!!!). There are people who pray before food they've stolen. Is this right? Is this consistent?

Just thinking....

"Doubt is part of all religion. All the religious thinkers were doubters."--Isaac Bashevis Singer

Lethal Injection... Humane, Right?

Yesterday's New York Times featured an article about the supposed "humaneness" of Lethal Injection, the most common method of administering the Death Penalty in the United States. Real quick (before this gets too long), I want you to read something. It blew me away. Just some exerpts:

"...a growing number of legal and medical experts are warning that the apparent tranquillity of a lethal injection may be deceptive. They say the standard method of executing people in most states could lead to paralysis that masks intense distress, leaving a wide-awake inmate unable to speak or cry out as he slowly suffocates.

In 2001, it became a crime for veterinarians in Tennessee to use one of the chemicals in that standard method to euthanize pets.
...
Pancuronium bromide paralyzes the skeletal muscles but does not affect the brain or nerves. A person injected with it remains conscious but cannot move or speak.
...
In Tennessee and about 30 other states, the chemical is used in combination with two others. The other chemicals can either ease or exacerbate the suffering the pancuronium bromide causes, depending on the dosages and the expertise of the prison personnel who administer them.

A judge here recently found that pancuronium bromide, marketed under the trade name Pavulon, has "no legitimate purpose."
...
In most methods of lethal injection, pancuronium bromide is the second drug in a three-chemical sequence.
The first is sodium thiopental, a so-called ultra-short-acting barbiturate. It can be effective for only minutes. In surgery, it is used to induce rather than maintain anesthesia. Doctors like it because patients who encounter immediate complications awaken quickly enough to be saved.

The third is potassium chloride, which stops the heart and causes excruciating pain if the prisoner is conscious.
...
Carol Weihrer, who underwent eye surgery in 1998, testified for Mr. Abdur'Rahman at the hearing in May. Anesthesia was administered before the surgery, as was pancuronium bromide to immobilize the eye. But the anesthesia was ineffective. Ms. Weihrer testified that the experience was terrifying and torturous. She could not, she said, communicate that she was awake.

'I remember using every ounce of my strength to try to move,' she said.

The surgery went on for hours. She did not suffocate because she was on a respirator.

Ms. Weihrer called the experience 'worse than death.'"
(The article is here.)

So, the next time somebody tells you how they're upset about Lethal Injection letting a convict off too easy, or how it's the "humane" way, please remember Carol Weihrer's words:

"...worse than death."

"The Pavulon [pancuronium bromide] gives a false impression of serenity to viewers, making punishment by death more palatable and acceptable to society."--Judge Ellen Hobbs Lyle

Supreme Court Drops the Ball... Again....

Let me preface this entry by saying that the current Supreme Court is not all bad. They've made some great rulings, two of them coming in the same week this summer. Those were the Texas sodomy case, in which the Court upheld privacy rights, and the other was the University of Michigan's affirmative action case, in which it upheld the principle of affirmative action, but struck down the points-system method used by the University. So, the Supreme Court is capable of being relatively compassionate, and seems to retain at least a little bit of humanity. Both are good signs.

But today's paper tells a different story. It tells about the Court's inability to use precedent correctly, it's submission to political dogmas, and it's complete and utter lack of understanding with regards to the human spirit.

By not hearing the case, not even debating it, the Supreme Court lat stand a ruling from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eight Circuit, which stated that Arkansas officials can, legally and constitutionally, medicate Charles Laverne Singleton to make him sane enough to execute.

The man killed a grocery store clerk in 1979 in perfect mental health (well, as healthy as a murderer can be). He was sentenced to death. In 1987, while in prison, his mind began to deteriorate (he believed that officials had placed a device in his ear, believed his cell was possessed by demons, and believed that his murder victim was alive, waiting for him to marry her). Now that his appeals are all used up, and his number's been called, so to speak, Arkansas wants to give him medication so that he's sane enough to execute (in two 1986 cases, the Supreme Court ruled that executing the insane was prohibited under the "cruel and unusual punishment" clause in the Eight Amendment).

So, now, since these officials want this man dead so badly, they will force him, against his will, to take medication which will then make him eligible for execution.... Does this frustrate anybody else?

The majority opinion for the appelate ruling stated that the court had a choice "between involuntary medication followed by execution and no medication followed by psychosis and imprisonment."

What?

What about medication followed by life-imprisonment? This man killed a woman, and does not deserve to die. He has lived the past 17 years in a mental Hell, complete with demons and false anticipations (he also believed the judge could bring him back to life after his execution). Not to say that this is "punishment enough" and that he should be set free, as he should not be allowed to participate in any part of society outside of prison, but nobody deserves to be so painfully insane. Likewise, nobody has the right to kill anybody else. No man, no government, nobody.

When I'm big, this is the first thing I'm going after. I'll be totally unstoppable. I'm going to save lives. Just watch.

"When in Gregg v. Georgia the Supreme Court gave its seal of approval to capital punishment, this endorsement was premised on the promise that capital punishment would be administered with fairness and justice. Instead, the promise has become a cruel and empty mockery. If not remedied, the scandalous state of our present system of capital punishment will cast a pall of shame over our society for years to come. We cannot let it continue."--Justice Thurgood Marshall, 1990

Israel Attacks Syria, and the U.S. Says... What?

Does this puzzle anybody else?

Israel, yesterday, attacked a 'camp' in Syria, about 10 miles from the capital of Demascus, claiming it was a Palestinian terrorist training camp. Syria's wicked pissed because they say it wasn't a camp, or that it used to be, but was abandoned about 2 years ago. Syria says lots of civilians have been killed (I'm not sure of the numbers). They're even proposing a formal condemnation as a United Nations resolution, with the support of Jordan and Egypt.

Now, the U.S. has "cautioned" Israel regarding the attack, saying that, at the moment, they hadn't yet seen conclusive evidence that the target was certainly a terrorist camp. But I want to know why they say these things when Israel's actions follow right along with U.S. foreign policies.

Think back to October, November, December of 2002, January, February, March of 2003. Remember when Bush, Cheney, and Rumsfeld were all confident that al-Qaeda terrorist training cells were present in Iraq? Remember when that was one of the central arguments for the attack? (note: don't forget that this was not a war, but an attack, as Congress never declared war. The U.S. hasn't officially been at war since Vietnam. Korea, the second Gulf War, and Iraq were all "military conflicts.") Iraq was part of the "War on Terror"! This was a bombing effort with intentions of keeping America safe. And guess how many terrorist camps we found in Iraq? None. Guess how much conclusive evidence we had beforehand? Apparently not enough.

Well, America, Israel is doing the same thing, yet you're not whole-heartedly supporting their actions, a very "do as I say, not as I do" tactic. It's frustrating when my leaders seem to be running in about 12 different directions at the same time. If they support attacking possible terrorist camps, then support it! Don't be afraid of international opinion (hell, you were never afraid before....). You're a hegemon! You rule! What you say goes. So why not attack Syria, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Chechnya, Columbia, India, Pakistan, Turkey... they all might have terrorists... go for it!

"More than an end to war, we want an end to the beginnings of all wars."--Franklin D. Roosevelt

Discussions with Ryan

Tonight a friend of mine, Ryan, came by to help me with Spanish (and he was a huge help). We got on social topics (as we always do...) and he mentioned how incredibly dangerous, depressing, and scary it is to think about what would happen to a person who sees the world for what it is (as we think we do) without a thin veil of laughter in front of it. What happens when we stop laughing at things we want to change and start being overwhelmed and encompassed by them.

I mentioned to him how I'm afraid that surrounding myself in politics will lead me to grow disillusioned and jaded by the political world. I wondered what would happen then, and why I keep doing what it is I do. Why do I focus on things I feel are wrong? Why do I surround myself with news articles about the world's troubles or injustices? Why do I so often debate rhetorical, seemingly intangible topics?

I think it's because I'm committed to changing these things. I am full of hope (strangely enough, the Rhode Island state motto), just about bubbling over with hope. I'm an optimist, an Idealist, politically, and a man who believes in the basically good nature of human beings (or humans being). I feel like I need to know what's wrong so I can work to fix it. Reading the newspaper helps. Everytime I finish reading a new story I feel like I've been mentally armed. I feel like I've just been given more ammunition in my battle for what's right.

Now, I hope I don't come off as some righteous jerk on a high horse. I know not everything I work for is going to be realized. I know that not everyone agrees with me on different issues and topics. And, I know that I don't know everything, and have lots to learn. But I'm looking forward to learning those things, and am glad that I have the drive to. I'm pretty sure I can contribute to making life better for people. I hope I can, anyways.

Have a great day.

"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world."--Nelson Mandela
"Never let school interfere with your education."--Mark Twain

Looooong Day

Oh man. So much has gone on in the past day or so, it's mind boggling. My night last night was full-o-stuff. Check it.

First was the Amnesty International fundraising concert. That was pretty good. We raised some money and some awareness, so it's great. Afterwards, I played some PlayStation with a friend of mine who used to live just down the hall from me last year (we're in different buildings now, and he's rooming with my roommate from last year). Around 1am, another friend and I made our way back to my room to watch Donnie Darko. I'd never seen it before, and I wasn't disappointed at all. It was a great movie, and I think everyone should see it. It was made very, very well.

So, we put the movie in around 2 or so, finished it a bit after 4, and wound up talking for about another hour. So around 5am, Matt, the Duty RA for the evening, appeared in my doorway, groggy and hardly coherent, telling me there was a problem with my "drinking fountain" (all dormitory floors have 2 bubblers on them). I threw some sandals on and rounded the corner, only to find approximately 1/3 of the north side of my floor to be underwater, the bubbler lying helplessly on it's face, disattached (is that even a word?) from the wall. Needless to say, it conjured up all kinds of emotions in me, none of which were whimsy, exhiliration, nor bliss. Matt and I summoned the Duty Residence Director, who then called some maintenance men to reattach the bubbler to the wall so that people don't play with the pipes which happen to be jutting out (people play with stuff.... it's fascinating). We wet-vac'd that water from the hallway, as well as from 3 people's rooms, and filled out an incident report. The great news is that we probably won't be able to find out who did it (drunken punks, no doubt), and my floor is stuck to foot the bill. Hooray.

So, I was up until 7:30 this morning, then awoke at 10:30 for the football game today, which was a bit of a consolation. We trounced (i use that term lightly) Troy State today, 30-0. The first half was horrendous, as we had about 5 prime opportunities to score, and only used one or two of them. It was difficult to watch, but the offense came alive in the second half. Oh, the defense dominated all game. It was amazing! Blackshirts rule.

Well, I'm off to do stuff. Hopefully tonight is less eventful than last night. Talk to you guys soon!

--Collin

"It's good to know that if I behave strangely enough, society will take full responsibility for me."--Ashleigh Brilliant

Ummm.... meh.

Sorry I didn't post up yesterday. Real busy day. I had meetings and study sessions and class and activities and meet-ups and chores and.... it was a good day, mind you, just hectic.

Big test today. Gotta go study for that.

I have nothing to say today. I'm tired and I'm working like a dog. But I can't think of anything interesting to gripe about, or to promote, or to mention. I haven't even read the paper yet today. Maybe that's why.... I'll get back to you after I read the paper(s).

Later

"Were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers, or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate for a moment to prefer the latter." -- Thomas Jefferson

Happy Birthday Cutzy!

I want to take a moment to recognize a very good friend of mine, one who I've known for something like 5 years or so, cuz it's her birthday! She's 19 today, and I just want people to know that, and I'd like to wish her a very happy and healthy birthday. She flaunts great physical beauty (yowza yowza) and an even prettier personality, so, it follows, naturally, that she deserves all kinds of beautiful things.

So, Happy Birthday Cutzy! Hope your 20th year is a great one! (yes, i know she just turned 19, hence, her 20th year is beginning now). 1984 what what!

"All the world is birthday cake, so take a piece, but not too much."--George Harrison

Lord of the Flies Paper

Last week, I wrote and submitted a paper for my International Relations class arguing that the characters in "Lord of the Flies" exemplified Realist and Idealist (or Liberal) perspectives. I thought I'd done a pretty good job presenting my point. But then, yesterday, the TA handed our papers back, and, apparently, I did better than I'd thought.

At the top of the page was a "10," and since the maximum number of points for this paper was 10, I was certainly happy. Then I read through the comments, which were, for the most part, "very good," or "yes!," or "good!" At the end of the paper were the words: "Very good. Best paper. +1 E.C."

I was flattered, to say the least. I guess the TA thought my paper was the best? The coolest part about it is that, in this particular class, we get to pick and choose, out of 200 points, 100-points-worth of things to turn in. That's why whole papers are only 10 points. That 10 points is actually 10% of the student's final grade. So, essentially, that "+1" is a point tacked onto my average.

Needless to say, I was very happy. I'm putting the paper on my fridge :)

"There was the brilliant world of hunting, tactics, fierce exhilaration, skill; and there was the world of longing and baffled commonsense."--William Golding, describing his characters, Jack and Ralph, respectively, in "Lord of the Flies." Jack was the Realist, Ralph the Liberal.