Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Hey!
This guy just called me a swabbie doxie. Why am I laughing? Read the whole comment party where the sputtering, childish non-Navy guys pout about Sailors.
Discovery Times
SouthieBoy recommended this and I did just finish watching a really interesting story on Hamas.
Last Day of the Symposium
I know I haven't blogged about Sunday yet, but I will. In some ways Sunday kinda shook me. Plus, Sunday night didn't end very well. Today I have just been trying catch up on everything I put on hold for the last couple of days.
Sunday, February 26, 2006
The Politics of Fear (Saturday)
The Midnight Knock: Living Under State Terror
I missed most of this one because I could not drag my behind out of bed at 0700 in order to be in my seat at 0900. Although I did get there in time for the Q&A. I found the most compelling speaker to be Monique Skidmore talking about Burma. Guess, I never really thought much about Burma. It sounds pretty bleak.
Extremism and Ideology in South Asia
Here the discussion centered on India, Pakistan and Kashmir.
Identity Crisis: Europe, Immigration, and the "Other"
Really liked this one. The opening statements led to a spirited debate of assimilation vs. segregation of Muslims in Europe and how different countries have different Muslim populations with different goals. The overall conclusions were that the younger generations being courted by the Salafists and extremists knew relatively little about their religion and that the current talk of Muslims ignored that fact that Muslims have been present in Europe forever.
I was sorry to see from the program that Professor Prins was gone. I worried that no one could fill his shoes. This was unfounded. Todays irreverent and engaging speaker was Felipe Fernandez-Armesto. He disagreed with nearly everyone on the panel and was extremely amusing in explaining why.
Transcending Fear: Profitable Security Solutions for Oil, Climate and Proliferation Problems
Now this guy had something to say which should interest us all. He was explaining how to become free of our oil addiction by 2050 through conservation and alternative fuels. He wrote a book, I might get it, lol, it might be way way over my head.
Shifting Paradigms: The Changing Nature of Terrorists and States
This panel discussed the legalities of chasing the terrorists, respecting other countries sovreignties, etc. There was a whole discussion of "what would you do if Osama walked through the door?". Where would you get the legal authority to arrest him? Where are you trying him? Can you just shoot him? (Hell, yes, gimme a gun - and stand back, I've never fired one). How bad we are not to recognize the ICC. How naive we are to object to placing ourselves under someone elses juristiction. Blah, blah, blah. Jack Blum stated with outrage and incredulity "Did you know that we insist that no American service member can be held responsible for his actions except by our own military courts?" Duh! Baby, that's why we don't join the ICC.
It was tough at times being the only conservative in the room.
Last but not least - The Necessity of Torture? Ethics and Utility
Here we go - out comes Abu Ghraib, a big club to beat us over the head with. The personification of the military was Commander Gibb of Annapolis. He's never been in combat, he's never been to Gitmo or Iraq. He took it well and I went up afterwards to shake his hand. During the Q&A I got up and asked him to contrast Abu Ghraib and the other cases being discussed. In particular Hentie Botha, a police officer from South Africa who described routinely torturing with his supervisors approval and protection. Whereas at Abu Ghraib it was a fellow soldier who turned in Lyndie, and Graner and the others, the Army investigated, and prosectued the miscreants. That every service member I know was angry about it. Therefore the acceptence of torture and mistreatment was not systemic in the military. (What I wanted to say was the the SecDef did not send that stupid cow Lyndie to torture people in secret. If he wanted that he would have sent me and it would have stayed secret) CDR. Gibb fumbled at first, but recovered and stated that yes, things were better because most soldiers, marines and airmen (he never mentioned sailors in any of his remarks - maybe he doesn't know they are in Iraq too) agree torture is wrong and fruitless and now leadership is more watchful and taking preventative actions.
After this lecture, on my way out the Russian panelist from Friday night Peter Roudik stopped me to say he got my point and agreed with me. I was kind of taken aback. He seemed to want to talk more (probably recognized a girl who likes a good police state) but I was kinda flustered. LOL. I know that's not like me. Anyway, I dashed off.
Now I am off to the shower so I can be in my seat for todays concluding lectures.
I missed most of this one because I could not drag my behind out of bed at 0700 in order to be in my seat at 0900. Although I did get there in time for the Q&A. I found the most compelling speaker to be Monique Skidmore talking about Burma. Guess, I never really thought much about Burma. It sounds pretty bleak.
Extremism and Ideology in South Asia
Here the discussion centered on India, Pakistan and Kashmir.
Identity Crisis: Europe, Immigration, and the "Other"
Really liked this one. The opening statements led to a spirited debate of assimilation vs. segregation of Muslims in Europe and how different countries have different Muslim populations with different goals. The overall conclusions were that the younger generations being courted by the Salafists and extremists knew relatively little about their religion and that the current talk of Muslims ignored that fact that Muslims have been present in Europe forever.
I was sorry to see from the program that Professor Prins was gone. I worried that no one could fill his shoes. This was unfounded. Todays irreverent and engaging speaker was Felipe Fernandez-Armesto. He disagreed with nearly everyone on the panel and was extremely amusing in explaining why.
Transcending Fear: Profitable Security Solutions for Oil, Climate and Proliferation Problems
Now this guy had something to say which should interest us all. He was explaining how to become free of our oil addiction by 2050 through conservation and alternative fuels. He wrote a book, I might get it, lol, it might be way way over my head.
Shifting Paradigms: The Changing Nature of Terrorists and States
This panel discussed the legalities of chasing the terrorists, respecting other countries sovreignties, etc. There was a whole discussion of "what would you do if Osama walked through the door?". Where would you get the legal authority to arrest him? Where are you trying him? Can you just shoot him? (Hell, yes, gimme a gun - and stand back, I've never fired one). How bad we are not to recognize the ICC. How naive we are to object to placing ourselves under someone elses juristiction. Blah, blah, blah. Jack Blum stated with outrage and incredulity "Did you know that we insist that no American service member can be held responsible for his actions except by our own military courts?" Duh! Baby, that's why we don't join the ICC.
It was tough at times being the only conservative in the room.
Last but not least - The Necessity of Torture? Ethics and Utility
Here we go - out comes Abu Ghraib, a big club to beat us over the head with. The personification of the military was Commander Gibb of Annapolis. He's never been in combat, he's never been to Gitmo or Iraq. He took it well and I went up afterwards to shake his hand. During the Q&A I got up and asked him to contrast Abu Ghraib and the other cases being discussed. In particular Hentie Botha, a police officer from South Africa who described routinely torturing with his supervisors approval and protection. Whereas at Abu Ghraib it was a fellow soldier who turned in Lyndie, and Graner and the others, the Army investigated, and prosectued the miscreants. That every service member I know was angry about it. Therefore the acceptence of torture and mistreatment was not systemic in the military. (What I wanted to say was the the SecDef did not send that stupid cow Lyndie to torture people in secret. If he wanted that he would have sent me and it would have stayed secret) CDR. Gibb fumbled at first, but recovered and stated that yes, things were better because most soldiers, marines and airmen (he never mentioned sailors in any of his remarks - maybe he doesn't know they are in Iraq too) agree torture is wrong and fruitless and now leadership is more watchful and taking preventative actions.
After this lecture, on my way out the Russian panelist from Friday night Peter Roudik stopped me to say he got my point and agreed with me. I was kind of taken aback. He seemed to want to talk more (probably recognized a girl who likes a good police state) but I was kinda flustered. LOL. I know that's not like me. Anyway, I dashed off.
Now I am off to the shower so I can be in my seat for todays concluding lectures.
Saturday, February 25, 2006
The Politics of Fear (Friday Night edition)
This will be quick. I have to be back in my seat at 0900 tomorrow.
Tonight's topics were:
Keynote Address: Nobel Peace Laureate Shirin Ebadi
This was awful! The woman claimed to be advocating peace yet she asked if America didn't bear some responsibility for 9/11 because we funded terrorist schools in Afghanistan (WTF!) and blamed Denmark for the riots. She softly denounced the embassy burnings as more or less bad strategy, but said nothing about the deaths that have been caused. She also rebuked us for calling it Islamic Terrorism. Whatever, yeah, you're a religion of peace, yada,yada. The mids from Annapolis sitting in my row looked uncomfortable when she was getting a standing ovation and stood with the crowd. That's OK, they're young. I on the other hand.....am old. I don't give a fat rat's ass. I sat and didn't clap and scowled.
Occidentalism and Orientalism, Cabot Auditorium
This guy was interesting. He also spoke of the cartoons. Much more reasonably though.
So Who's at Guantanamo, Anyway?, Cabot Auditorium
This guy boiled my blood. He is working on some cases at Gitmo, in particular, the Weegers. He gave just enough misinformation so it sounds like W and Cheney are keeping them at Gitmo for their own private amusement. Also he stated that W wants to bug everyone's bedroom and tap everyone's phone. Just blatant nonsense. I got up to speak, but I was so peeved, it wasn't good. Again, no clapping, no standing for me, just scowling.
Then the panel.
Fault Lines: The Tension between Security and Civil Liberties
Really interesting. They got a late start and went on until 2300 hours. Again Professor Prin was my favorite. But I really liked Ms. Levush and Peter Roudik as well.
Tonight's topics were:
Keynote Address: Nobel Peace Laureate Shirin Ebadi
This was awful! The woman claimed to be advocating peace yet she asked if America didn't bear some responsibility for 9/11 because we funded terrorist schools in Afghanistan (WTF!) and blamed Denmark for the riots. She softly denounced the embassy burnings as more or less bad strategy, but said nothing about the deaths that have been caused. She also rebuked us for calling it Islamic Terrorism. Whatever, yeah, you're a religion of peace, yada,yada. The mids from Annapolis sitting in my row looked uncomfortable when she was getting a standing ovation and stood with the crowd. That's OK, they're young. I on the other hand.....am old. I don't give a fat rat's ass. I sat and didn't clap and scowled.
Occidentalism and Orientalism, Cabot Auditorium
This guy was interesting. He also spoke of the cartoons. Much more reasonably though.
So Who's at Guantanamo, Anyway?, Cabot Auditorium
This guy boiled my blood. He is working on some cases at Gitmo, in particular, the Weegers. He gave just enough misinformation so it sounds like W and Cheney are keeping them at Gitmo for their own private amusement. Also he stated that W wants to bug everyone's bedroom and tap everyone's phone. Just blatant nonsense. I got up to speak, but I was so peeved, it wasn't good. Again, no clapping, no standing for me, just scowling.
Then the panel.
Fault Lines: The Tension between Security and Civil Liberties
Really interesting. They got a late start and went on until 2300 hours. Again Professor Prin was my favorite. But I really liked Ms. Levush and Peter Roudik as well.
Friday, February 24, 2006
Favorite Quote of the Day
I found this by way of the Townhall.com people. They just had the quote and I Googled to find the article.
"Enough now with this turning the other cheek! It's our duty to protect ourselves," Monsignor Velasio De Paolis, secretary of the Vatican's supreme court, thundered in the daily La Stampa. Jesus told his followers to "turn the other cheek" when struck.
Read the whole article here.
"Enough now with this turning the other cheek! It's our duty to protect ourselves," Monsignor Velasio De Paolis, secretary of the Vatican's supreme court, thundered in the daily La Stampa. Jesus told his followers to "turn the other cheek" when struck.
Read the whole article here.
Multitasking
Too many late nights this week and it's catching up with me. I overslept this morning, was late to work and still haven't gotten my behind in gear. I don't know how other people do it.
The Politics of Fear
Tufts University is hosting an EPIIC (Education for Public Inquiry and International Citizenship) Symposium this week. I was invited to attend and wasn't quite sure how that came about. I missed last night opening lecture but made it for tonight's topic "Causes and Consequences of Anti-Americanism". I found it hugely interesting. Although a common thread was the bemoaning of the fact that America acts in it's own best interest first and foremost. Sometimes that coincides with our espoused ideals or the interests of other countries/peoples and sometimes it doesn't. I'm not going to apologize for that. Our foreign policy should be about us first! The most interesting speaker was Professor Gwyn Prins. When he spoke it was funny, knowledgeable and highly enjoyable. He referred to us as an imperial power and then spoke about how that wasn't necessarily a bad thing. I agree. We are and I won't shy away from it. My least favorite was Professor Winn, very dour and super critical of the U.S. While no one was rah-rah for the U.S, most agreed we were mostly a force for good. Overall, more fair to the US as the lone superpower and less critical to the current administration than I expected. Most points brought up against the Bush Administration were legit.
When I was leaving I asked one of the students running things how I had come to be invited (remember, my Mum was sure it was a setup and I was about to be whisked off to Gitmo because of all my poking around on the Internet). She asked if I was on the Cambridge Forum mailing list and that was it. I jokingly brought up my mother's Gitmo remark. A gentleman standing nearby misunderstood and told me to "keep fighting Gitmo". I laughed and told him that he misunderstood.........that there were maybe a dozen people in the lecture hall as conservative as me.......and they were in uniform. There was a small group of students from Annapolis and another group from West Point with their faculty advisors.
Tomorrow night "Fault Lines: The Tension Between Security and Civil Liberties"
When I was leaving I asked one of the students running things how I had come to be invited (remember, my Mum was sure it was a setup and I was about to be whisked off to Gitmo because of all my poking around on the Internet). She asked if I was on the Cambridge Forum mailing list and that was it. I jokingly brought up my mother's Gitmo remark. A gentleman standing nearby misunderstood and told me to "keep fighting Gitmo". I laughed and told him that he misunderstood.........that there were maybe a dozen people in the lecture hall as conservative as me.......and they were in uniform. There was a small group of students from Annapolis and another group from West Point with their faculty advisors.
Tomorrow night "Fault Lines: The Tension Between Security and Civil Liberties"
Thursday, February 23, 2006
More Port Stuff
I am 180 degrees from where I was last week on this port deal. Some more stuff that sets my mind at ease can be found here and here.
I do think this was an enormous political blunder. The only way out now is to give Congress their 45 days of grueling hearings, liveshots, etc.
I do think I fell, hook, line and sinker for Chuck Schumer's boogie man.
Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa.
I do think this was an enormous political blunder. The only way out now is to give Congress their 45 days of grueling hearings, liveshots, etc.
I do think I fell, hook, line and sinker for Chuck Schumer's boogie man.
Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa.
Small Technical Difficulties
....kept me from my wake up call. I would appreciate the opportunity to say these things at 1630.
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot
How! How? How the fuck are we responsible for this?
Shiite Leader Cites U.S. in Shrine Blast
The rest of this crackhead story is here.
Shiite Leader Cites U.S. in Shrine Blast
The rest of this crackhead story is here.
UAE Deal
Ok I have been ranting/blogging about this deal since 02/13/06. I have found it to be very alarming. Every day a few more people express alarm as well. All along certain people have told me it's not that big a deal (SouthieBoy, The Chief). So I have been trying to keep an open mind. Now that I have read more about it at the CounterTerrorism Blog and listened to this story on NPR Morning Edition, I am starting to rethink my position. It is unfortunate that once again, the White House has not put out the best information in their own defense. The SecDef's words last week really bear this out. This issue was slow to build (10 days at least to my knowledge), there was plenty of time to head a lot of us off at the pass with facts. Why are they so tone deaf on this stuff. Is Karl Rove ok? He most definitely does not have his finger on the pulse of the American people.
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
Monday, February 20, 2006
Yoga
Tonight I was the only one in yoga class. The teacher said it would be a one on one lesson. That's a good thing, right? Wrong!!!!!! That just means I can't cheat and wimp out. There she was, hovering over me. Making me suck in my gut. Reach higher. Stretch longer. Work harder. I am going to shower and wait for Jack Bauer to entertain me.
I need someone to scrub my back.
Tonight's body lotion........Biotone Lavender and Calendula.
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