On War Progress

As expected, the surge didn't mean anything. Just more distraction as the whole place disintegrates.

Too many things to opine about.

Issue 1. The shooter.

Cho was born in Korea, but raised in the US. Ultimately, he's a product of our American culture so those trying to marginalize him as a foreigner and pigeonhole him into a stereotype are getting it wrong. Not suprisingly, he's been the victim of that odd for of socialization called "bullying". So were the Columbine kids. I would hope the people who bullied Cho for his differences are feeling some remorse for their actions, but part of me just doesn't think that is the way of bullies. But bullying can not excuse any of the suffering that the people of Virginia Tech are now suffering. It's a factor and probably something that can be addressed at a later date, but never an excuse. After Monday, I've been trying to avoid coverage of this story. I can't help think the media cares more about ratings than anything else anymore.

Issue 2. The morons.

Gonzales did not save his job through his testimony. He apparently can't even remember yesterday. The question is did he save Rove's. One interesting note about the AG's turmoil is that IMF head and former Rumsfield gunner, Wolfowitz, is not getting as much coverage as he might deserve. His is the simplest kind of scandal, he was sleeping with someone that reported to him, and that woman has been promoted. By all accounts, his ladyfriend is actually a fairly qualified individual (though can anyone explain the taste in men?) but his involvement in her promotion and advancement was still unwarranted and unnecessary. His board is asking for his resignation, but he's another Bushie that should go.

Issue 3. The Court

Most of the medical community agrees that the old men on capitol hill really shouldn't be in the business of telling doctors what the safest procedures are. That's a medical decision. But somehow, Congress crafted a law that bans some procedures even if there are reasonable medical reasons for that treatment. This new law has no exception to protect the life of the mother. But this is just one small step. This just opens the floodgate so we can argue about this divisive issue again for the next twenty years. And the composition of the court suggests, that the pro-life contingent will win much more than they will lose.

Today's thoughts.

In the twisted lexicon of Junior, "Supporting the troops" means keeping the US troops out in the sandbox, under equipped, fighting a war with no clear goals or objectives. It sound like supporting the troops means leaving them out there to die. Does anyone have any sense of what would be "success" to Junior? We've had a couple of constitutions and a couple of elections in Iraq that have changed nothing. What is the next mythical turning point?

And those who want our troops to come home safely and out of harms way? They are are trying to "legislate" war? No. Really, they are supporting the troops.

On to another news bit. Wow. 32 college students dead. The world is just real random and real sad sometimes.

Bye Kurt

If you haven't read Kurt Vonnegut because you happened to grow up in one of those school districts that believed his books should be banned, do yourself a favor and pick up one of his books. He has a brilliant and funny way of looking at things that will make you want to cry. Slaughter House Five is one of the best anti-war novels ever. I was reading up on some of his recent doings just a couple weeks ago as I was thinking about my own writing.

And no, he didn't really write that suncreen thing.

Grandma and Basketball

The other day I was chatting with my grandma. Real chat. Telephone chat. Not that computer stuff that passes for conversation these days.

Anyway, I asked her what she was doing, and she said she was watching the basketball game on tv. And as she watched it, part of her imagined that her grandkids were probably parked in front of the tv watching the same game. After all, we were the ones that introduced her to the joys of the NBA.

Anyway, she likes watching the game for the action, but she can't really speak to strategy or anything else. She can only name three players in the NBA. One, Yao Ming. Every Chinese person in the world seems to know that name. Two, Shaq. Three, Kobe.

It's my fault. At home down in LA watching TV with her, I pointed out the big guy and said that's Shaq. I also pointed out Kobe and said, his dad played in Japan and named him Kobe for Kobe beef. She immediately corrected by pronnounciation. It sounds like Kobay, not Kobee.

She was very disappointed when the rape story broke. (Yes, I meant rape, and not alleged rape.) She said, "That guy has embarassed his family for generations to come."

Okay, here's the thing that's bothering me about all of this. I was in LA and I was watching the only thing on TV with my Grandma. Now she's probably under the mistaken impression that I'm actually a Lakers fan. Argh.

Big Basketball Game tonight.

Don't bother me for the next few hours, I'm going to be watching the game. One team features Odin, the patriarch of the Norse Gods of Vahalla, God of the Heavens and Skies and thrower of Thunder. The other team features Noah, survivor of 40 days and 40 nights of rain. A guy who can count to two and matchmaker extrordinaire. Should be fascinating, but ultimately, I'm going with the team with the Ark.