UPDATE: Might not be our fault after all. Still, it doesn't say much for the effectiveness of the no-fly zone.
In a world where letters have been displaced by IMs and text messages, it's nice to see that someone still takes the time to put pen to page.
Meanwhile, Venezuela becomes eerily similar.
At least there will be chocolate.
Tick, tock... I find it increasingly difficult to even consider voting for Obama again:
Equally important, an exercise in unilateralism will establish a dangerous precedent in presidential war-making for his successors to exploit. By repudiating the 60-day restriction on his power, Obama opens the way for future presidents to launch "limited" wars that are far more ambitious than the rather modest Libya incursion. As a former constitutional law professor in Chicago, the president surely must understand the long-term consequences that would follow from eroding the checks on presidential power to wage war. Indeed, such a legacy stands in stark contrast to his assurances on the campaign trail in 2007 that "[t]he President does not have power under the Constitution to unilaterally authorize a military attack in a situation that does not involve stopping an actual or imminent threat to the nation."
That said, it's not as if the Republicans are fielding any viable alternatives. I may very well have to stop mocking Haiti for electing someone named "Sweet Mickey" if this keeps up.
I'm unhappy to see that Gates will be leaving his post as Secretary of Defense come the summer. Not really an ideal time for it I would say. I consider him to be an effective realist and a needed foil to Clinton's more...shall we say expansive view of executive authority in war time. Anyways, here's a rundown of contenders for the job.
Looks as though dumb criminals aren't the only ones posting foolish things to Facebook. Personally, I hate the thought of police departments establishing policies against officers posting things. Not because of the First Amendment frankly (though that is an issue of course). But because these are public employees with guns who are entrusted with enormous powers. I happen to think that the public at large has a compelling interest in knowing who these people are. I think it's a deadly serious interest to be honest:
Media coverage is often what prompts a department into action. The Indiana State Police initiated its policy after WTHR in Indianapolis discovered photos of drunken revels on a trooper’s Facebook page. One showed the trooper, Chris Pestow, with a .357 Magnum pointed at his head. He also posted a comment about a homeless man beaten by police officers in California, saying, “These people should have died when they were young, anyway, i’m just doing them a favor,” according to the report by WTHR.
Yeah views like that. Definitely knowing them is in the public interest.
Aw, this made me sort of sad: Of wishbones, sacred dust and beer. That said, I'm sure I wouldn't want any of that dust falling in my pint glass but then, I certainly have the option of not sitting beneath filthy wishbones.
The part of me that's optimistic about human nature finds it surprising that members of Congress actually have to state that they shouldn't be paid during a government shut down. That seems like it should go without saying. Of course they shouldn't be paid. That's obvious. Sadly, the part of me that's cynical about human nature finds it completely unsurprising that the legislation that would stop their paychecks has stalled in the House.
Speaking of Rich Bastards: Oh how fun! Forbes has put together a list of the 15 Wealthiest Fictional Characters. Nerds everywhere will be crushed to discover that Smaug gets beat out not only by Scrooge McDuck but...sigh, Jed Clampett. Evidently oil wealth beats a dragons hoard these days.
Speaking of Rich Bastards: Well, maybe not bastards but they've certainly been presented that way. A gold star to whoever can figure out who this describes:
From what I read, they blame the Republicans as much as the Democrats for our bloated government. They favor gay marriage, drug legalization, a smaller defense budget and fewer U.S. foreign adventures.
You might also want to consider their nefarious, right wing conspiracy to undermine the PATRIOT Act, support the arts and fund medical research.
Damnit. Due to the NFL lockout, I've been considering following arena football. Just to give me something to do. Tickets are cheap and Pittsburgh has a team going by the simply awful moniker "Pittsburgh Power". I know: ugh. Anyways, to add insult to injury it appears as though that's been screwed up as well.
What the hell is going on in my old neighborhood? Yikes...
Dad Bait: Not to mention the area around where I spent my childhood summers!
Kacee Bait: Yeah, he's lost it.
More Kacee Bait: Just because Republicans keep talking about turning back the clock and restoring the world to the way it was in the good, old days.
I'm notably fascinated by archeology. It's amazing to look to the ancient world and wonder at how things were used and why great projects failed. This qualifies.
Speaking of the Internet: Wow. Let's chalk this up as a real world example of the Butterfly Effect.
Let's end things with...
Interesting Question: What do you feel is a reasonable compensation for someone wrongfully convicted and imprisoned? On my end, I think that Louisiana compensating people with only $15,000 a year for time spent in prison is simply ridiculous if not offensive. But how would you put together a reasonable amount? Would you base it on a prisoners income at the time? What if they were a struggling medical student? Would you base it on projected future earnings? I think this is a pretty important question to answer as more and more prisoners are exonerated due to improvements in DNA testing.
No comments:
Post a Comment