Tomorrow I begin the fall semester at the illustrious University of Minnesota. The campus is about a mile away from the recent bridge collapse so things should be rather interesting... Otherwise, I have 5 courses at 16 credit hours. I'm taking 3 political science courses, a history one and a global studies course that focuses on globalisation and non-state actors. I'm actually excited about all of them, surprisingly. I think my layabout lazy summer was just what I needed to get my head back in the game. That and a new laptop!
Today, a bridge collapsed here in my hometown. Currently, the death toll stands at seven.If you want to help call (612)871-7676. This is the Minnesota (Minneapolis) Red Cross. Thanks, Anderson.
At 6.05 local time, a bridge that spanned the Mississippi river in Minneapolis, collapsed into the river. It is believed at this time that 50 or so cars and various vehicles were involved, including a school bus carrying 60 children.
The Department of Homeland Security has ruled out any connection to a terrorist act. The NTSB will, of course be investigating. It is unknown if current redecking work that the bridge was undergoing at the time is a factor in initiating the collapse. This will be an event that will affect the area in many ways for an unforseeable length of time. When considering the economic and environmental impacts, it gets downright daunting. In addition, the traffic patterns are daunting...
The local police department has stated that operations are moving from a rescue one to a recovery one. There may be dozens of people still trapped underwater. The liklihood of their survival is slim to none. Divers will not be able to persue any further efforts until morning when there is light available.
There is little that I can add on a personal note. I was at work at the time of the collapse. This was a bridge I used every day to get to and from school. I received six phone calls from friends checking to make sure I was not in the area.
One of the big stories I have heard is how much Minnesotans pitched in to help. THe civilian who directed traffic; the men who helped the children off the bus; The woman wiuth the rope tied around her waist checking cars; the people who helped the injured as the firefighters pulled them out: each of them did us proud.
As I sit here trying to take in all the news, I started perusing the webstes to see how far reaching the news is.
Here are some websites.
A Google map look at the bridge
Red Cross
BBC
CNN
SwissInfo
The National Ledger
The New York Times (Video)
MSNBC
Fox
The Reading Chronicle
Local News KARE, Twin Cities, Star Tribune, WCCO, KSTP
I just read from one news outlet that we're now up to 9 dead, 60 injured.
India Times
TV New Zealand
Jerusalem Post
China News
al-Jazeera
WikiNews
Wikpage
There is nothing new and informative about this post. It is purely personal. As everyone who isn't living under a rock must know by now, the final installment of the Harry Potter series was released on July 21, at the stroke of one minute past midnight. For many of us who've trudged through the series as it was released and those who came late as well, we were just bursting to know if he (Harry, Voldemort or both) died. I still won't tell simply because there are still those (some of whom I live with) who've yet to complete the story. Suffice it to say, I now am melancholic. There are still many little threads that we the readers will undoubtedly spend the next weeks, months... years... contemplating.
I continue to peruse the book to reread all the choicest bits. There were some really rocking scenes and some twists. Many of the things we (we as in the rabid Potterhead community at large) predicted came true.
Anyways... I just feel like an enormous part of my life is over and I'm a little sad about that. Its a good thing to see it through to the end but it still feels bittersweet. I'll go drown my sorrows in some champaigne now.
Independence Day is over. Hope ya got all the fireworks shot off and every body stayed safe.Recently, a 1 hour 34-minute video done by Ayman al-Zawahiri has been released to the Muslim world. According to a terrorist expert, it is akin to a "fireside chat". These radio broadcasts were created by Franklin Delano Roosevelt during the very rough period of the Great Depression. In the video, al Qaeda's number two guy, al-Zawahiri, called for more young men in Iraq and Afghanistan to join in the jihad. He also rebuked Fatah for not being on better terms with Hamas. He said "We say to you, now that you are in control of Gaza, you should remember two things: One is that being in power is not a goal in itself, but the goal is, rather, to implement the rule of Allah". I think that is an interesting statement. Muslims are not about national territory and identity. Islam has within it a tenet that we are ruled only by Allah and that our earthly governments are only substitutes for Allah. Implying this tenet to another terrorist group is interesting. Also, where the hell do they get off? What, like al-Qaeda is the biggest, baddest terrorist group so they get to tell the other terrorists how to play in the sandbox? Ridiculous!
All right moving on past that hopeless pile of shit. Remember the Russian ex-Spy who died, Alexander Litvinenko? Well, Great Britain is still persuing the case. Good on them! They requested Russia extradite Andrei Lugovoi, the prime suspect in Litvinanko's murder by radioactive exposure to polonium-210. It took Russia five weeks to conclude that they woulod not extradite the man in question because they feel that no Russian National would tried. Extradition of any foreign citizen is not allowed by their constitution, according to the Russians. Mr. Lugovoi has denied any involvement in the murder and has even made statements that the British secret service is involved in Litvinenko's demise. He says it s more likely that Britain's own MI6, a rival Kremlin opponent or the Russian Mafia was involed. Remember that Litvinenko was investigating the murder of a Russian journalist and that others have also subsequently died and been shown to be exposed to the isotope that killed Mr. Litvinenko. This case continues to build and intrique.
I'm just not even apologizing.... Today is our nation's birthday. I try to take the time every year to think about our country. In my ever so recent past, I've begun to reflect on what nation, the idea of nationness if you will, and how it affects my life. The nation is really a formal state one which carries laws that are governed as long as you/I as an entity occupy territory on said sovereign land. To call something a nation is to imply a self-governing body/bodies that create laws and enforce them. The sovereignty is thereby associated with territory and you/I may elect/be born as citizens of that state.
OK.... what does that mean? It means being a part of a nation/state is far different from the sovereign lords of old. In the era before the treaty of Westphallia, you owed allegiance to the lord/king/keeper of the realm. Their rulership was granted by God and they ruled with heavy hands. The nation/state made equality before the law a much more relevant possibilty. At the same time, nation/state would require our allegiance. Instead of going off to fight the petty war of some sovereign, we would pick up arms against another nation/state. We would defend our national territory from the curs of a foreign invader/oppressor. Many times, we, the United States of America, would fight over ideology or government systems. Fighting for one's country is far different than fighting for one's lord.
In the USA, we have also the Dream. The Dream is not about two cars in every farage. Its about the ideals that we as a nation/state were founded on. The idea of universal justice, oppurtunity, liberty, and freedom. Our nation was radical and took the Democratic apporach toward building the republic. The idea that many could be united as one was a powerful idea. Democracy as a large part of government practice had been for the most part dead since Caesar. To revive such a form of government was definitely a surprising move on the part of the newly made nation. But it was a part of the American Dream. For to have an aristocratic class that was heirachized and formal would work against all that men and women of the revolution had given their lives for. So... I'm one of those people.
On the 4th of July, I take the time to sit back and think about how unique we were. How radical, how liberal, how bold to make such decisions as to not have a king and rule by majority. Ever onwards, the Union faced crises that may have torn it apart. We have also had some our most exhilerating moments such as World War II and landing a man on the moon. But the idea of striving onwards whether to the prairies of the midwest or to desegregation, we are always pushing to move ourselves forwards.
The Dream still lives. Sure, its wrapped in the disguise of iPhones, iPods and I. but it is still there. So today, I lift a can of beer (Samuel Adams!) and salute... a lot of people. Here goes:
The Revolutionaries for coming up with this idea that is the USA.
The Confederates for reading that part about states' rights and taking it seriously.
The Yanks for forgiving the Rebs.
John Adams for being obnoxious and disliked (that cannot be denied).
George Washington for refusing to be a King.
Benjamin Franklin for conceding that the Eagle would be a better emblem for our country.
Thomas Jefferson for writing the Declaration of Independence (even if it wasn't that original). Thomas Paine for giving us all his two "sense".
Honest Abe for being forthright.
William Jennings Bryan for just being himself.
FDR for being the right guy at the right time. Only a cripple could lead a country out of its darkest hour.
The Greatest Generation. Words will never be able to convey what these millions of Americans did nor the grace and humility they did it with. Our nation will forever be shaped by these souls who came of age during the depression, went with little or none at all, and then ran off to free the world. To you I say thank you for being the Best Americans you could. Thanks for making this country what it is. Happy 4th of July!!!
And one last thing... Happy Birthday Steve Rogers, and thank you. A member of the Greatest Generation who did what countless others did but on the pages of a comic book. Be you dead or alive, Captain America, I still believe in that dream. And I miss ya. We need you now more than ever. To remind us that doing the right thing is more important than the best thing.Now, bring on the fireworks
Recently, Rosie O'Donnell has made a spate of accusations on the mid-morning women's show The View. Some of these allegations are that the British troops being held in Iran currently, were there in Iranian waters to help kick start a conflict between the the west i.e. the US and the UK, and Iran. She also has rehashed the 9/11 conspiracy. I call that beating a dead horse.
While Miss O'Donnell has the right to free speech and can make unsubstantiated claims, she has raised the dander on many commentators, namely Bill O'Reilly. He has spent countless minutes of his evening broadcasts slamming Miss O'Donnell. He also has the right.
Why I decided to comment on this? There are requests - nay, demands - for Miss O'Donnell's head on the proverbial silver platter. She is being vilified. She has been demonized.
My question: Had she been a 1) thin 2)blonde 3) beautiful and 4) straight woman, would this be happening to her? The bias against overweight people is one that is incredibly overlooked and even more difficult to prove. But I can't help wondering because of a woman I love to hate: Ann Coulter.
Miss Coulter spews out enough toxicity to make the Lake Erie of 20 years ago look crystal clear. She has little to add to the Body politic and nothing substantial to add to the discourse promelgating the airwaves. Her vitriolic nonsense is bought by rabid fans who like the name calling and angst that floods out of her. Her calls for women (which she may be.... we aren't sure) to not have the vote notwithstanding....
So, considering the ire that Coulter raises and the fact that she is continually brought on channels like Fox to put forth her insight into the political system, what makes Rosie any different? Maybe it's the fact that she has a real day-to-day job... Ann Coulter just pops up occasionally. She has no permanant outlet on TV. She has her webstie and blog....
Is it because Rosie is a lesbian? I actually don't think this it. In the arena of entertainment (which, let's face it, they are ALL in.... even Bill O'Reilly, which he owns up to), being a homosexual does not work against you.
But being overweight does. Some can make it: Roseanne Barr and Camryn Manheim are a couple. It's rather rare. And when you put your neck out and say something wholly controversial: woe be unto you.
I'm not siding with Miss O'Donnell. I do only so far as this: She has that right. We all do. But lets be honest: would we be calling for her termination if she were a supermodel? And if people can honestly say that it has nothing to do with it, we need to evaluate other talk show hosts and commentators whose shows are also hate-filled and worthless.
While Miss O'Donnell has the right to free speech and can make unsubstantiated claims, she has raised the dander on many commentators, namely Bill O'Reilly. He has spent countless minutes of his evening broadcasts slamming Miss O'Donnell. He also has the right.
Why I decided to comment on this? There are requests - nay, demands - for Miss O'Donnell's head on the proverbial silver platter. She is being vilified. She has been demonized.
My question: Had she been a 1) thin 2)blonde 3) beautiful and 4) straight woman, would this be happening to her? The bias against overweight people is one that is incredibly overlooked and even more difficult to prove. But I can't help wondering because of a woman I love to hate: Ann Coulter.
Miss Coulter spews out enough toxicity to make the Lake Erie of 20 years ago look crystal clear. She has little to add to the Body politic and nothing substantial to add to the discourse promelgating the airwaves. Her vitriolic nonsense is bought by rabid fans who like the name calling and angst that floods out of her. Her calls for women (which she may be.... we aren't sure) to not have the vote notwithstanding....
So, considering the ire that Coulter raises and the fact that she is continually brought on channels like Fox to put forth her insight into the political system, what makes Rosie any different? Maybe it's the fact that she has a real day-to-day job... Ann Coulter just pops up occasionally. She has no permanant outlet on TV. She has her webstie and blog....
Is it because Rosie is a lesbian? I actually don't think this it. In the arena of entertainment (which, let's face it, they are ALL in.... even Bill O'Reilly, which he owns up to), being a homosexual does not work against you.
But being overweight does. Some can make it: Roseanne Barr and Camryn Manheim are a couple. It's rather rare. And when you put your neck out and say something wholly controversial: woe be unto you.
I'm not siding with Miss O'Donnell. I do only so far as this: She has that right. We all do. But lets be honest: would we be calling for her termination if she were a supermodel? And if people can honestly say that it has nothing to do with it, we need to evaluate other talk show hosts and commentators whose shows are also hate-filled and worthless.
Hey, new blogger. Let's see what this looks like and if its worth the hype.
I do however, want to comment on something.
Well, Somethings!
First, I really let myself get away from doing this.... again. My apologies.
Second, I do not like Ann Coulter. And its not because I'm liberal and she ain't. I have no problems with people who completely oppose me politically. I have a quite a few close freidns who do. My problem with Ann is she is way smarter than what she uses. But she relies on swagger and elitist shananigans to get her point across. Very rarely (if ever) have I seen her use the proper debate skills in an argument. I suppose her education in law included how to win a fight without proving anything. She also has a hard time being able to look into the camera when replying to people. She can stare arrows into it when she's waiting to be called on but when speaking she tends to look up randomly and frequently. She also tends to use extraneous information against people that have little to no bearing on the argument in question. I suppose this is also the trick snarky lawyers learn in Sleeze 101.
My qualm of late with Ms. Connecticut and never had to work for anything I have is her "joke" against Edwards. My qualm isn't use of the word faggot or the connection to Isaiah Washington. Its how she could connect it to John Edwards. She says that is the joke; that he is a married man with kids so it doesn't apply. That doesn't make it ironic... or any form of humor actually, that I know of. In other words, it was stupid. She says it was a joke, but honestly, I think it was an insinuation she is not willing to stand by.
Now, Bill Maher made comment about the VP and how he'd be happy (?) if he were dead. That a lot of people would be happier. That certainly makes Ann Coulter seem like a bad day at the circus. Bill! Come on!!!! Save that for the playground. To wish that the second in line dead is pretty serious and I wouldn't be surprised if men with guns weren't following your every move. Ya know, secret service agents waiting for you to prove them right. Watch yourself!!! In this day and age with a Patriot act and unchecked powers, who knows where you could end up. Guantanamo?
I do however, want to comment on something.
Well, Somethings!
First, I really let myself get away from doing this.... again. My apologies.
Second, I do not like Ann Coulter. And its not because I'm liberal and she ain't. I have no problems with people who completely oppose me politically. I have a quite a few close freidns who do. My problem with Ann is she is way smarter than what she uses. But she relies on swagger and elitist shananigans to get her point across. Very rarely (if ever) have I seen her use the proper debate skills in an argument. I suppose her education in law included how to win a fight without proving anything. She also has a hard time being able to look into the camera when replying to people. She can stare arrows into it when she's waiting to be called on but when speaking she tends to look up randomly and frequently. She also tends to use extraneous information against people that have little to no bearing on the argument in question. I suppose this is also the trick snarky lawyers learn in Sleeze 101.
My qualm of late with Ms. Connecticut and never had to work for anything I have is her "joke" against Edwards. My qualm isn't use of the word faggot or the connection to Isaiah Washington. Its how she could connect it to John Edwards. She says that is the joke; that he is a married man with kids so it doesn't apply. That doesn't make it ironic... or any form of humor actually, that I know of. In other words, it was stupid. She says it was a joke, but honestly, I think it was an insinuation she is not willing to stand by.
Now, Bill Maher made comment about the VP and how he'd be happy (?) if he were dead. That a lot of people would be happier. That certainly makes Ann Coulter seem like a bad day at the circus. Bill! Come on!!!! Save that for the playground. To wish that the second in line dead is pretty serious and I wouldn't be surprised if men with guns weren't following your every move. Ya know, secret service agents waiting for you to prove them right. Watch yourself!!! In this day and age with a Patriot act and unchecked powers, who knows where you could end up. Guantanamo?
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