Sunday, April 25, 2004

Memo to Self...

...the sun will still shine after finals. Focus!

Saturday, April 24, 2004

Ready...set...Study!

Let the games begin. Classes ended yesterday, and tests begin Wednesday (some ambitious souls may even begin testing on Monday). Ahh, finals time. You can smell the stress in the air and cut the tension in the library with a knife. Good luck everyone!

Thursday, April 22, 2004

Japanese Public Opinion

Wow. I had no idea the Japanese public blamed the social workers who were held hostage in Iraq. As the New York Times reports,

"You got what you deserve!" one Japanese held up a hand-written sign at the airport where they landed. "You are Japan's shame," another wrote on the Web site of one of the hostages. They had "caused trouble" for everybody. The government, not to be outdone, announced it would bill them $6,000 for airfare

Hmm. One of the hostages was in Iraq to help the children. She got what she deserved? The government is going to bill them for the airfare? That is so harsh. Even we don’t always bill stupid, careless hikers who get stranded for the search and rescue efforts (although we should).

To the angry Japanese, the first three hostages — Nahoko Takato, 34, who started her own non-profit organization to help Iraqi street children; Soichiro Koriyama, 32, a freelance photographer; and Noriaki Imai, 18, a freelance writer also interested in the issue of depleted uranium munitions — had acted selfishly. Two others kidnapped and released in a separate incident — Junpei Yasuda, 30, a freelance journalist, and Nobutaka Watanabe, 36, a member of a pro-peace non-governmental organization — were equally guilty.

Pursuing individual goals by defying the government and causing trouble for Japan was simply unforgivable. So the single government official to praise them was, not surprisingly, an American one.

"Well, everybody should understand the risk they are taking by going into dangerous areas," said Secretary of State Colin Powell. "But if nobody was willing to take a risk, then we would never move forward. We would never move our world forward.


Amen, Colin.

Um, yeah. America is crazy.

Fantasia and La Toya in the bottom three? Jennifer voted out? I don't know what to say. Maybe I should start voting and counterbalance the massive voting power of the thirteen year olds. Nah - I don't care that much. But still, it defies all logic that John was not sent packing last night. He knows he shouldn't be there, poor kid.

Wednesday, April 21, 2004

And We Have a Counter

Yang and I put our mad contract reviewing skills to work today—we received a counter-offer on *the house*! We have a few minor issues to work out, but this deal may actually happen. To be continued . . .

23 Children Killed

New York Times reports about the latest killings in Iraq.

Three car bombs exploded in front of Iraqi police stations in the southern city of Basra this morning, killing 68 people and wounding 98, the governor of Basra, Waei Abdul Latif, said. The toll included 23 schoolchildren and 9 police officers.

Mr. Latif said he believed the attacks were the work of an alliance between Al Qaeda and extremists in Iraq. He said that the attacks were simultaneous.

"The attacks have the hallmark of al Qaeda," he told reporters in Basra, adding that he expected more violence as the June 30 date for the handover of sovereignty in Iraq nears.
Samir Sumaitey, the Iraqi interior minister, condemned the killings at a news conference in Baghdad.


"The terrorists want to lead Iraq down the path of darkness and chaos," he said. "The Iraqi government condemns this and is determined to find these people and bring them to justice and bring an end to this cancer that is invading the body of Iraq.

"Every child that has been lost represents the future of Iraq."

I wonder what the majority of Iraqis think about this. Who do they blame? What do they want to have happen? Do they blame America for the death of their children? Should they? I wonder how many Iraqis sympathize with Al Qaeda. If they do, will they still sympathize after the death of children today?

In Your Heart You Know He is Right

The title of this post is what Time wrote about Simon Cowell in naming him one of the most influential people of our day. Yes Simon, we know you are right.

Well it is official--I am a fair weather friend. I am leaving the George Huff train because it derailed last night. I thought John did better than George (yeah…John was terrible too). So, unless George pulls himself together next week, American Idol will become the showdown of the divas.

I am starting to be a Fantasia believer. She was undoubtedly the best performer last night. That girl can sing. I am a bit surprised that the judges didn’t mention that Jasmine and La Toya WERE FLAT on the big notes they belted out. Rather, they praised them and threw flowers at their feet. Is it possible that the performance sounds different in the studio than on TV? I promise- those two ladies didn’t hit their high notes and the judges didn’t say a word about it. Hmmm. My prediction is that John is leaving tonight and George or Diana will leave next week.

Tuesday, April 20, 2004

Which New York Times Columnist are You?

Nicholas Kristof
You are Nicholas D. Kristof! You enjoy travelling,
going as far as China, Africa, Alaska, and
Central America for a good story. You use a lot
of quotes and references in your stories. You
tackle tough issues like AIDS and religion,
which makes you controversial among Christians.
You're a good man, Nicholas D. Kristof.


Which New York Times Op-Ed Columnist Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

That is Not Censorship!

Chinese officials responded to criticisms that the national media censored Cheney's speech. They didn't censor Cheney-they just edited his remarks! Rather than "rising prosperity and expanded political freedom" the transcripts simply stated "rising prosperity." That is not censorship. That is editing. They "edited" out discussion of Taiwan, North Korea, and numerous references to political freedom. See the NY Times report here. And the response here.

Monday, April 19, 2004

"Plan of Attack"

I am really excited to read Woodward's new book, "Plan of Attack." Unfortunately, I can't (and shouldn't) read it until I am finished with finals. I watched Woodward's 60 Minutes interview last night and it was fascinating. I am not sure if his account of the days leading to war in Iraq will ultimately help or hurt Bush, but it seems like Cheney has no chance of surviving unscathed. Read the review here.

Saturday, April 17, 2004

Weekend Update

Surprise! We are still here. At the encouragement of Shelley, we will post while the details of our move are ironed out.

Legal Writing is over for the year. It ended on a high note at the Multnomah County Courthouse Tuesday and Wednesday. I was nervous about judging the advocates, but I warmed right up to it once things started. I must say, judging is much more fun than arguing.

American Idol
Finally, JPL was sent packing. John, you are next. Many of my fellow “I watch American Idol” friends have expressed their opinion that Fantasia is the best. I disagree. She does have a refreshingly edgy quality; however, I cannot get over George. (Despite his average performance last week).

Tonight is the JSEBL Banquet. Yang has graciously agreed to accompany me. I am not sure I’ll be welcome because I am dropping law review next year, but I am not one to pass up free food.

Yang and I offered to buy a lovely house in Aloha. I have thought of little else since Tuesday. Unfortunately, the owners have yet to respond to our offer, even though we asked them to do so by Thursday at 8 A.M. Yesterday our realtor told us to mentally move on. (Easier said than done). I refuse to give up hope. It is still a live issue (like a split in the circuits). Maybe next week they will accept our offer without condition! (Yeah, right). *Ohh, house-o, I’ve never really lived there so I don’t really know.* (Sung to the tune of Mexico by James Taylor).

Thursday, April 01, 2004

What now?

Following up on Yin's post, I am fairly disturbed by what has happened in Iraq. I won't post the links, but the pictures are out there.

I can understand there are some in Iraq who feel the need to be Guerrillas. I can respect that. I can respect someone who for whatever reason feels the need to fight against what they consider an occupying force. I may not agree with it, but I can most certainly respect it.

However, what kind of sick individual takes pride in dragging a dead body through the streets, and then hacking at it with shovels and hoes? There is nothing respectable about that. That is animal savagery. Part of me is beginning to wonder if a culture that accepts/condones/promotes that kind of mentality is worth the time. What a mess we have got ourselves into.

Psychological warfare is certainly an effective element of any conflict. I don't credit the Iraqis with being that organized, but it is possible that this is exactly the reaction they wanted.