Dating Game

January 25, 2007

Suicide car bombing kills 26 in Baghdad
14 killed in central Baghdad bomb attack
4 troops abducted, killed in Iraq attack
7 U.S. troops killed in Iraq
Iraqi authorities say 250 militants killed
Iraqi army kills leader of Shiite cult
On Shiites' holiest day, 44 dead in Iraq
Car bombs, mortars kill 14 in Iraq
Attacks, bombings kill 62 across Iraq
2 Killed as U.S. Helicopter Is Shot Down Near Baghdad
Truck bomber kills 135 in deadliest Iraq blast
Bomb and mortar attacks in Iraq kill 31
7 die after U.S. helicopter crashes in Iraq
Iraq health official detained, four Marines killed
Report: U.S. airstrike kills 5 Kurds
Suicide bomber kills 30 near Tikrit
Blasts kill at least 80 in Baghdad
Bomb blasts kill 11 in northern Iraq
63 killed in blasts amid Baghdad sweep
Militants hit Iraq base, kill 2 U.S. GIs

I don't want to seem morbidly obsessed with the dead/dying/wounded in Iraq, or even the sorrowful state of Iraq in general. That wasteland and her troubles are probably no different or worse than the deathtraps of Pakistan, Palestine, & Sudan, to geopolitically namedrop the more obvious, though the examples would be exhaustive.

There is at least one distinguishing point in regards to Iraq, and that difference is that as voters (the American ones I have especially in mind), they/we affirmatively consented to be in Iraq and the resulting consequences. Which is not to say Americans (and I) did not also consent to Pakistan, Palestine, etc. through the electoral and political process. But Iraq was explicitly on the table back in 2004, and it was, even if by slim majority, plainly an act of authorization and confirmation.

Which is very, very painful to take. The list above, similar to the previous one of a couple entries or so ago, copied and pasted off of the more or less headlines from Yahoo.com, with a starting date of the compilation for a bit of context, probably argues that it is much more painful for others than myself to take. I won't dispute that. The list shows essentially more or less something new and immeasurably horrible happens each and every day. Or something new, horrible, revealed and worthwhile for Yahoo headlines each and every day. Who can guess the other bloodshed, undiscovered or unfit for headlining, that transpires each and every day.

The list is not a body count; that is hardly the type of hell I would voluntarily or regularly submit to. Or for that matter, neither the diligence nor discipline to undertake. Quick eyeball calculation: the sum total is too fucking many.

I built the list instead as a sort of reminder, chiefly to myself. I don't want to get sanctimonious about my views regarding Iraq. But I need to be reminded that these things are happening; that it is happening to all parties: Americans, militants, terrorists, civilians, the innocent, the culpable, and their loved one; or there are victims on multiple sides and in multiple degrees of association separated from the poor fucks with limb/organ shredded or charred. And a reminder not to forget or ignore.


February 14, 2007


I fear I might be secretly homophobic. I mean, I recognize that Tim Hardaway's remarks regarding John Amaechi have a real and deep hatred for fags that is quite contrary from my own views. I mean, I don't hate gays, basically I think they are just like everyone else, neither better nor special. I am just indifferent to a person's sexual orientation in regards to whether to like that person, or not.

But (and seriously no pun intended), I do think there is a relevant issue with having gay folks in the locker room. I mean basically it boils down to supposing you as a heterosexual individual and having a spouse, significant other, or child who plays a team sport and within that context, would you consider it acceptable to have a member of the opposite sex in that same locker room as your spouse, significant other or child, using the same whirlpool or shower. I think obviously not, and in so far as practice, definitely not, because the facts are that these locker rooms, showers, and facilities are separate. And the reason is sex based, or fear of sex based.

So I think there is some semblance of an argument in Tim Hardaway's hate. Fear of sex has been an acceptable basis for excluding people from a locker room.1 Why can't a dude be afraid of sex too? I don't think people who are opposed to Hardaway's comments are arguing for an end of separate bathrooms for men and women. Or, they are not arguing that when it comes to separate facilities, there is not a legitimate sex-based reason for fear.

I can concede that the whole notion of fear of sex and separate facilities is or can be outdated.2 The Verhoeven movie Starship Trooper, and presumably the Heinlein source book which I haven't read, have men and women, as part of an enlightened future society, lathering and rinsing in the shower together. Until total equality, homophobia can be assumed and tolerated, sort of like with sexism. Perhaps. Though in regards to Hardaway's comments, accepting or recognizing that homophobia exists in practice is not rationale to hate.

Specifically about Amaechi, I wonder if he also reveals whether he is recipient or distributor in the homosexual relationship. This is somewhat rhetorical because I do not inquire so much because I am actually interest in finding out his top-or-bottom-ness but because I want to know how much I can/will relate to him. As may or may not be known, I'll be sitting for the winter NY bar exam shortly. Even for the most brilliant of individuals, it would be fair understatement to say the bar exam and its preparation is difficult and deadly. For me, who would have a hard time reaching even competency, passing the bar exam is a mightily high hung fruit. With that, and after seeing my results for a couple of simulated Multistate,3 it's foreseeable that I may have more in common with Amaechi than would be prior to the bar exam. It's likely and probable that I'm going to get sod-o-mize-d by the bar exam. Or, redundantly, I'm seriously fucked.


February 19, 2007


or 183 days or so and counting.

I was listening to NPR the other day, as I on occasion have time, attention, and patience to.4 NPR called to attention a new PBS Frontline special, called News War, which I gather has something to do about the government's interference, infringement, or influence on the gathering and dispensing of news.

Anyway, a part I connected to was that News War will focus on the trial and example of Josh Wolf, who I beforehand did not know nothing about. The short version of the Josh Wolf story is that he's an anarchist, he is also a blogger, his site focuses in part on the crisis caused by globalization, JWolf captured some video of demonstrations/protests during the G8 in SF,5 the video was posted on the aforementioned site and then the news world, the government subpoenaed him to compel production of the video, JWolf refused, he's been jailed for contempt since September 22, 2006.

I thought I really had a more concrete point to make regarding this but, let's see.

One, there will always be those who won't see harm in turning over the video to the government. No reason to keep things confidential, why bring problem on oneself, the government is always right, etc., regardless of rights.

Two, bloggers are invoking journalist privileges. And going to the slammer.

Three, the (federal) gov't is picking on bloggers.

Four, the courts are basically bitches.

Five, according to the Supreme Court, and Justice Douglas, “[f]reedom of press, freedom of speech, freedom of religion are in a preferred position.”6

Six, the current administration consistently makes me sick that laws exist because the executive branch hides behind the color of law while oppressing rights, other laws, individuals, and nations.

Seven, without knowing anything about the dude, might Josh Wolf be a juvenile and actually dangerous asshole?7

Eight, assuming seven, his decision to not betray his sources (and sacrifice) is superhuman and noble.

Nine, while it may be presumptuous without more investigation, and despite seven, to say this, still, free Josh Wolf!


February 20, 2007


Boom. Blood splatter. Limbs. Death-soaked. Bullets. Iraqs. Americans. Another dead.
Moms. Sons. Fathers. Sisters. Love. Dirt. Next day. More dead.

Mercy. And reprieve.




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1 My understanding is that there are restrictions to access to locker rooms in women professional sports, restrictions that do not exist when it comes to access to men professional sports team.

2 I do believe modesty and intimacy is a valid argument, but intimacy can be achieved even when bathrooms are unisex by having separated stalls at least.

3 200 multiple choice questions in 6 hours, which is what the second day of the bar exam consists of .

4 NPR via podcast, which I have been getting into and is really an awesome vehicle for sharing.

5 Summer 2005.

6 Jones v. City of Opelika, 319 U.S. 105 (1943).

7 From the little I quickly (from his site and other sources) gathered, he's not much of a threat, just another kid hooked on to the internet. Anarchist seems to be an easily applied label.