The Hot Seat

Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing had happened. - Winston Churchill

Saturday, September 24, 2005

Random Baloney on a Sleepy Saturday Afternoon

It's been a while since I've done a personal post.

It's probably because I'm not a very personal person much of the time. I probably spend more time think about Iraq policy than thinking about how my day's been.

I just ...do it.. I guess.

..but under my admirable titanium exterior lies a heart of flesh...

Or so I've been told, and I'm inclined to believe it because these donuts next to me are really talking about now and even though I shouldn't....

So while I eat here's some food for thought.

I love complaints.

I mean it. I like making them. I like hearing them, I love the tone of a person with a complaint.

Don't get me wrong, I hate whining and whiners with a passion. There is nothing more annoying than a person complaining out of proportion to a trouble.

..but the well poised, appropriate complaint is a thing of beauty.

I have never been with the endlessly cheery "just be grateful" crowd. It runs directly counter to the core of my being to let a problem stand unanswered. It's probably what keeps me doing well in school, I'm an engineering major so it's likely what will keep me going in life.

Something wrong...must fix.

That is my mindset in a nutshell.

It's why I joined the student government, it's why I work as a tutor, it's part of the reason I participate at America's Debate.

So something to learn about me, if you have a complaint.. I wouldn't just bother to hear it.

I want to hear it, so out with it.

I fixed a problem with the sidebar, which though it seemed to work fine with Firefox, wasn't so hot on IE.

Hopefully that's done if there is any problem with the site that bugs you, feel free to complain to your hearts content.

If there's anything I say at AD that gets on your nerves, PM me and we'll talk about it.

If those who know me personally have a problem with something I do or don't do, say so.

I like to know I'm making myself useful so the complaint box is officially open.

Monday, September 19, 2005

German Deadlock and North Korean Breakthrough

...and you though the two party system was the only one vulnerable to close elections.
Stalemate after German election

So now the game is on to see what party, if any will lead Germany's government.

Afghanistan, the other nations holding an election recently has finished voting an tallies are expected next month. Although there were attacks on voters no deaths were reported.

..and finally a surprising bit of news from the hermit kingdom.
North Korea Says It Will End to Nuclear Program
The link goes to a WashingtonPost.com discussion that should start at 11:00a Central (12:00 Eastern) today to discuss that situation as well as Iran.
From the Post:
While Iran remains defiant over its nuclear program, North Korea announced that it will end its nuclear program in exchange for aid and recognition from the U.S. and its allies. The announcement came during the six party talks involving North Korea, the U.S., Russia, China, Japan and South Korea. The announcement marked the first breakthrough in the talks, which had stalled several times since they began in 2003.



Let's hope this lead to better security in the region and eventual hopes for the collapse of the North Korean ruling structure, so that North Korea could share in the prosperity and freedom that it's southern counterpart enjoys.

Saturday, September 17, 2005

Afghan and German Elections

At this very moment the Afghan people are engaged in an exercise to elect a parliamentary government. Results are due in next October because there are thousands of candidates and tens of thousands of stations to sort out. Even pre-results this will be a monumental event for Afghanistan which will have its first full democratic government by the end of this year.

A more established democracy in have early elections as well. Germany's government is in the balance with substantial economic and foreign policy implications.

An of course the UN World Summit ended in a "compromise" government. Compromise, as usual, means no bold reforms.

That said the results that did come through are substantial if not exactly controversial. The restructuring of the Human Rights Council into a commission which does not include rights violators in well on track
From the BBC:
The 35-page final document establishes a new Peacebuilding Commission to help countries make the transition from war to peace, and agrees there is an international responsibility to protect people from genocide, war crimes and ethnic cleansing.[...]

It sets up a new Human Rights Council, and condemns terrorism "in all its forms and manifestations, committed by whomever, wherever and for whatever purposes" - though the summit failed to settle on a definition of terrorism.

Correspondents say disagreements have meant some of the anticipated advances have been dropped or watered down.
Link


and the student government blog is soon coming, certainly before the first senate meeting on Monday.

Wednesday, September 14, 2005

Moving Right Along...

Yep, I'm still around.

I've been somewhat busy again with school and scheduling but I almost have things worked out to the point where I get at least a couple hours a week to think about blogging.....

...Enough of my lies let's get to some truths.

True: I figure I'm a shoe-in for student government, seeing as there where four slots for senator and four people running.

True: For any Oakwood students that happen to read this blog (Ha!) I'm be starting a separate blog just for my own reports from student government. At least once a week and when situations arise I will post a report. Suggestions and comments are welcome from anyone.

True: On the political side the UN World Summit has started and I'll be watching and blogging.

From the BBC:
Monarchs, presidents and prime ministers are attending the largest global summit in history at the United Nations headquarters in New York.

About 150 world leaders are at the 2005 World Summit, which marks 60 years since the founding of the UN.

The summit was preceded by bitter negotiations and an eventual compromise deal on plans for UN reform and proposals to tackle global poverty.

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said the watered-down deal was a "disgrace".
Link


So, heap-big summit with much tension off the bat, I'm all ears.

Look like the US government is pretty intent on not working to alleviate global poverty. Or rather they are committed to the goals, just not any specific way to accomplish them...

Stay tuned.

Friday, September 02, 2005

Astrodome Closed

I'll assume you're relatively up to speed on the sinking of New Orleans. I'll do a back post on that as soon as I get my though together.

For now simply a heads up. The Astrodome over-estimated the amount of people it could hold and now several bus loads of refugees are without a place to stay. This situation is clearly entirely out of hand for now. I've been wondering whether there are any facilities in nearby Jackson, Miss.

Dallas and San Antonio are trying to find space as well.