Wednesday, February 25, 2004

First Amendment Rights

I started laughing today while I was studying. I don't know why I remembered this today. Last year during a Con Law discussion, I don't even remember what about, someone in the class raised their hand and asked, "What about our first amendment right to happiness?"

Now I had said (and continue to say) plenty of idiotic things in class, but after that one I didn't feel so bad. I wouldn't guess there are many who could recite the guarantees of the first amendment (or any of the first ten) without some kind of refresher. However, considering this was a Con Law class, it was particularly embarrassing for everyone involved. Oh well. The nice thing about situations like this is that I am sure no one can remember who said it (me included), just that it was said.

Lets all do what we can to protect our first amendment right to happiness.

What Ice Cream Flavor are You?

You scored 44.4% Butter Pecan
Butter Pecan ice cream types are organized, put-together, and generally valued for their fairness, efficiency and lack of pretension -- you won't see a Butter Pecan type putting on airs. In fact, it may be hard for a no-nonsense Butter Pecan type like you to express yourself at all, even though you’re privately quite sympathetic and observant. No doubt you like to plan ahead and take charge, which means you're often over-committed. When it comes to romance and relationships, you’re most compatible with your own kind -- other Butter Pecan types who appreciate hard work and good sense.

I’m also 22% Strawberry, and 11% of Chocolate, Chocolate Chip, and Vanilla. I’m a mut.

Link to the quiz.

Tuesday, February 24, 2004

Comanches Crusaders and Schools

"The Pentagon has spent $6.9 billion on the RAH-66 Comanche, an armed reconnaissance and light attack helicopter, since it began development in 1983. More than two decades later, it has only two of the helicopters, officials said."

"Army acquisitions chief Claude Bolton said he expected to incur termination fees of between $450 million and $680 million to Boeing and Sikorsky, far less than some analysts had said. "

I applaud the DOD's decision to scrap the Comanche. However, where did all the money go, and what purpose do the termination fees serve? As dependent as aerospace contractors are on military projects, when we have half a trillion dollar debt, doesn't 5-700 million in termination fees seem excessive? Especially in light of this quote from the Washington Post:

"The Army would have spent $14 billion on the Comanche program through 2011 without getting aircraft significantly more capable than the upgraded Apaches it already plans to buy, Army officials said. "

SO, in summary, the money is spent, there is no improvement over what we already have, and we have to pay half a billion plus to cancel the contract. I need to get into weapons research.

I understand that military equipment takes years to procure and lots of money to develop, but this seems outrageous, especially on the heels of the Crusader cancellation, after 11 billion dollars had been spent (wasted?).

I can't even believe I (generally a big fan of military spending) am saying this, but how far would 18 billion dollars go in our schools?


Monday, February 23, 2004

REALITY TV

Why do people want to go on reality TV? 99 percent of all people who go on reality TV look like idiots. I just don't understand it. I am watching Fear Factor, and thinking, why? Is the money worth it? Is the fame (or notoriety rather) worth it? There is a snowman's chance in hell that I could win 50 thousand dollars. I think I will eat this plate of worms coated in rotten cheese.
I guess that is what I get for watching network TV.

Sunday, February 22, 2004

GRACIAS

Hats off to SCM for her wonderful party, enjoyed by all.

CHAINSAWS

A good friend wakes me up Saturday so that I can go with him to purchase a chainsaw. Not being one to pass up such an opportunity, I quickly found my way to his house where we loaded up and went chainsaw shopping. We found ourselves looking longingly at some Husqvarna saw, but settled for something more practical for him as he will not likely use it more than a few times. We returned home, assembled the saw, and proceeded to cut down every tree in his yard. My friend, (now affectionately called "the lumberjack") was thrilled to be rid of them. It was great fun, I even brought home a slice of the biggest trunk myself. I love being a spontaneous shopper.

Re: Church

*Crossing fingers that nothing I said in my talk today shows up on this list*

Church

Yang and I spoke in church today. I am glad it is over. I don’t know why I get so nervous about speaking in church. I think I was less nervous arguing for moot court last year than I was this morning. Anyway, I know Yang did excellent (he sang a beautiful song in addition to his talk), and I think I did okay. At the very least, I am still alive. Plenty of people came up to me after and told me it was wonderful. However, I can’t really gauge the quality of my speaking ability from those comments. People are just too nice. I could have talked about Harry Potter the whole time and I am sure I would receive the same compliments. I wish I had critical feedback from a panel of judges- like first year moot court. “Well, Yin, you looked confident but your intro was really weak.” “You were too stoic when you related that first story, but way too emotional during the other story.” “Perhaps you should use less scripture and more policy.” “Yin- you are just not believable. Perhaps you should try and avoid religious speaking.” Yeah. On second thought, maybe it is best to just receive compliments from the really nice people in the congregation.

Friday, February 20, 2004

Get Your Groove On

A post over at Times and Seasons got me thinking of the rock songs that inspire me. In high school, “Hammer and a Nail” by Indigo Girls helped me keep my priorities straight.

Gotta get out of bed
And get a hammer and a nail
Learn how to use my hands
Not just my head- I’ll think myself in to jail…

Unfortunately, this song just makes me feel bad now that I am in law school. I am using my head way too much lately, and I definitely need to get outside more.

During finals, the rock song that inspires me most is “The Eye of the Tiger.” I find that humming it helps me internalize lists and rules. I feel courage in the face of inevitable defeat.

I usually start humming “Hey ya” by OutKast when my mind is mush from studying too hard for too long because I don’t have to think about the lyrics.

Lately, the song that inspires me most is “Into the West” by Annie Lennox. I love combination of her haunting voice, the thoughtful lyrics, and the song’s connection to Hobbits and Valinor.

What about you? What is the rock (hip hop, country, alternative) song that inspires or motivates you?

Thursday, February 19, 2004

The “A”rrrggh Paper

If I knew then what I know now….
I absolutely love the appellate brief issue Johansen’s first year writing class is working on. It involves the Alien Tort Claims Act and whether businesses can be held liable for torts committed against aliens outside the U.S. Fascinating stuff. I could write a novel about this issue. Unfortunately, I chose my A paper topic last September, before I knew about ATCA. My actual topic is as interesting as the ingredients list on a box of Cheerios. *sigh*

PEPSI MUSIC

How clever! Will the Convenience Store Industry Association of America (CSIAA) begin to file suits to put an end to the madness?!

FALLING LAPTOPS

I dropped my computer this morning. Luckily it appears the only damage is cosmetic, and with a little super glue and possibly some heat it should be back to normal. I have been fairly pleased with this computer, all except it is so flimsily built. I wish Dell would start using something other than this rubbery plastic for its cases. Its a little disconcerting that you can pick up one corner of my laptop and it will raise off the desk 3/8ths of an inch before any of the other corners will lift off the table. I see it is becoming more reasonable to procure a civilian version of the military "hardened" laptop. When these get a little faster with a little more memory- or a little cheaper, sign me up.

GAY MARRIAGE:

I think she is right, though I would hate to see the inbox of her email knowing what I know about Utahns.

Wednesday, February 18, 2004

MISSILE LAUNCHES

Nothing sucks worse than having the PR fireworks display go wrong.
Hobbit

I would LOVE to be a lawyer working on this negotiation!
CHANGING OIL

A good friend went to a quick-change place and had a horrible experience. I am not terribly surprised. I thoroughly enjoy going to these quick change places and toying with the "mechanics." My favorite is the PCV test. Often they come in with a shiny little silver piece of metal and say, "Your PCV valve is bad, and you need to have it replaced. We have one in stock and it will only be 45 dollars." Of course if you don't replace it, you will get bad gas mileage, you will have terrible emissions, you could get serious engine damage, you might be liable to any passengers for hydrocarbon exposure, you could be liable for the breakdown of the mideast peace process, etc...

I enjoy responding with a small test. If they can tell me what a PCV valve is (specifically what the PCV stands for), what its purpose is, and how they know it is bad, then I will indulge their pseudo-mechanic wishes and allow them to change it out.

Anyway, my friend had his transmission fluid changed (because if he didn't, it would surely start a spiral of events leading to the breach of the Hoover Dam) and they didn't reconnect a return hose correctly. This was not an operation that required tools, we were able to fix it with only our hands. What does that say about their "mechanics" that a couple of geeky law students were able to reconnect it without any trouble.

Anyone who has been to these places know my other favorites as well. "You need a new radiator cap." "Your air filter is so bad I am surprised your car even runs." "You definitely need to have your radiator flushed because it is just about to rust out and when that happens the engine will fall out of your car." "Your belt has more cracks in it per inch than the manufacturer allows, you need a new one." Curiously, there are never any suggestions on major work that needs to be done. I think it is somewhat telling that you never hear, "You are going to need your main seals replaced, and we have those in stock now."

Oh well, I will continue to go because it is easier and cheaper than doing it myself. I just wish they would take the effort used in finding quick and easy things to replace on the car and put that effort into finding a me a donut while I wait.
IRAQ

Meet the Press by Thomas Friedman (Registration required, so excerpt provided below)

The situation in Iraq is fast approaching the tipping point. The terrorists know that if they can wreak enough havoc, kill enough Iraqis waiting in line to join their own police force, they can prevent the U.N. from coming up with a plan for elections and a stable transfer of U.S. authority to an Iraqi government. Once authority is in Iraqi hands, the Baathists and Islamists have a real problem: They can't even pretend to be fighting the U.S. anymore. It will be clear to all Arabs and Muslims that they are fighting against the freedom and independence of Iraq and for their own lunatic ideologies. Which is why they are desperate to prevent us from reaching that tipping point. Their strategy is to sow chaos, defeat President Bush and hope that his Democratic successor will pull out. Which is also why at this moment the most important statement on Iraq that can be made — one that could even save lives — is nothing President Bush could say. No, the most important statement on Iraq right now could only come from the likely Democratic presidential nominee, John Kerry.

I really like Friedman’s writings on Middle East politics. However, sometimes I think he defines things as too cut and dry (too black and white). I like the point he made above, but I fear that he is not correct. I believe the Baathists and foreign (non-Iraqi) Islamists will continue fighting after authority has been transferred to an Iraqi government. They will not give any credence or legitimacy to the new government. I think it will always have the ‘western puppet regime’ stain.

I took Middle East politics in 2001. It was taught by a wonderful professor at BYU. She was liberal by BYU standards, but fairly moderate compared to the greater academia. We spent approximately two weeks studying Iraq’s governmental and security structure under Hussein. It was shocking- it is shocking. We also studied the popular form of Arab/Islamic government- the paternal system. Ibn Saud was the greatest, most successful example of the paternal system. He was the father of his country and he cared for it. I love the story about when Ibn Saud met with Roosevelt. Roosevelt invited Ibn Saud to board the USS Murphey. Ibn Saud agreed, but insisted upon bringing along his tent, which he pitched on board, his attendants and his sheep. Hussein is a good example of the paternal system gone wrong. Rather than a father, he was a megalomaniac. He didn’t love his people, he feared them. Thus, he repressed and tortured them.

I have always secretly desired to be a foreign relations political advisor to the president. However, I would hate to be an advisor to any president about what to do in Iraq. I believe this is our mess and we have to clean it up. I also believe that we have enormous potential to leave Iraq as a stable and effective nation. I just don’t know how we will accomplish that.

Tuesday, February 17, 2004

COOKIES and SINGING

I made some cookies this evening that were far too greasy. Didn't have the right amount of flour I think. Having given up on the cookies, I think I am just going to go to bed. There is so much I should do, but very little I feel like doing. I am getting lazier as I get older. I need to be writing a talk I have to give on Sunday. In order to keep everyone awake during my talk, I am going to sing. There is often signing during typical meetings, but for a speaker to sing during a talk is rather unorthodox (but not entirely unheard of). I have found whenever I unexpectedly break into song, one of two things happen--either those around me cover their ears in horror, or they stare in shock and wonder (not because I'm good, but rather because they wonder why is this person suddenly singing). Either way, the results will be a congregation full of people wide awake.
LOTR

I really hope Lord of the Rings: Return of the King wins best picture. I think it has a good shot. I have always loved watching the Acadamy Awards, though I do not always care about the movies. (I like the celeb fashion show). The only other time I have really cared about a movie winning was when Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon was up for best picture. Sadly, it lost. Come on, Acadamy. Do the right thing this time.
CELL PHONES

I have decided that I generally don't like people with cell phones. Don't get me wrong, I have had them myself. Several of them. The first one I ran over with a tractor, and to my relief and amazement, it still worked afterwards. Admittedly they are very useful, and I will undoubtely own one again in the near future. However, there are several things about the average cell phone user that bother me-

Objection 1.
Seems that every phone now has some motion-alert function. Why do we need ringers anymore? There may be situations where ringers serve some purpose, but they are few. I am sitting here in class, when across the room a distorted William Tell Overature perks up from wihtin someones bag. Nervous glances and reddened faces ensue. The perpetrator discovers her phone and quickly shuts it off, whispering sorry to those around her. All completely unneccessary. It is probably worth noting, my all time tacky favorite ringer is definately the Hallelujah Chorus.

Objection 2.
When Yin and I lived in China, we quickly tired of the lack of cell phone etiquette. People screaming into their phones while at dinner is just innapropriate. There are few situations where people need to have their phone with them while at a restaurant, and if they do, see objection 1. In those rare situations, when when it rings, get up and leave the restaurant to speak, don't make those around you suffer.

Objection 3.
This one is more just personal thing... People who walk around with their hands free talking to people look like morons. Hands free are for the car, not the grocery store. There are very few situations where using one hand to hold the cell phone has resulted in serious injury or fatalities while driving a shopping cart.

Objection 4.
The antennas and covers that light up? DUH!

These are just a few that come to mind right now. I may have to add to this later.
Blogging is interesting. I enjoy regularly reading a few choice weblogs, but I cannot escape the feeling of being a sneak- a voyeur, even. (It is the same feeling I have when I go through clients’ medical histories at work). Yet despite feeling like a sneak, I still read other blogs. I can feel a connection to someone I don’t even know, or I can argue (in my head) with someone I have never met. Blogging seems like a lonely way to express feelings. I have always been a people person. I love to talk face to face with family, friends, and my spouse. Yet, despite the anonymous face of a blog, I want to have one. I have the support of Yang, to balance out my craziness. Dave shared his approach to blogging. I like that style, but I fear I am no where near honest enough (or thoughtful enough) to pull it off. Thus, I will try to post a good mix of things interesting, funny, thoughtful, and honest.
I don't particularly like Dean, yet I feel a bit for the guy. Whatever your take on his political ideologies, there is no denying he had passion.

Monday, February 16, 2004

I have found a summer program for Yin. I think she will particularly enjoy the skinning and shooting. Gracias JBBang for the link.