Thursday, December 23, 2004
Sometimes...
The world just makes me want to scream. It's almost depressing. It seems like every time I actually sit down to watch the news, the most exciting thing is that there has been another murder. The anchors show no compassion for the families of victims; they are only interested in ratings. Every year, it seems the chances of the criminals responsible for the horrid crimes (murder, rape, kidnapping, or combinations thereof) are slimming, whilst it is the minor criminals who get caught. And even when the murderers and such get caught, they get let out after only a few years, if they go to prison at all. Technicalities and fancy lawyers get them free. Our prisons have turned from places to punish the guilty and keep them from society into posh resorts, or at the least a better place to live, including cable television. And if you are a famous and/or rich person who commits a crime, the chances of getting convicted are even slimmer (O.J. Simpson). And if you do go, you usually get a place that has low security and nice accommodations (Martha Stewart). Every year, it seems this country becomes less safe.
Where has Justice gone?
Why are so few criminals properly punished?
Why do murderers walk free?
Why is crime still going up?
What can be done?
The sad answer to the last question is: very little. Just vote for people who have a tough stance on crime, and hope and pray it works out. Justice is losing ground. It doesn't seem as fashionable anymore. Now, defending yourself, your family, and your property with physical/lethal force often brings worse penalties than committing simple crimes.
No wonder the movie The Punisher appeals so much to me, at least at times. Can I completely condone the actions the title character took? No. But by the same token, I don't believe I can wave my hand, sniff my nose, and dismiss it as the actions of "a horrid sinner." I believe the character represents a man pushed past his breaking point. I have a feeling that if what happened to him, happened to me, and the official law did nothing, I might end up doing what he did. The same is true to a degree with Batman. Both characters are human. No special powers, no alien genetics. Just human skill, ingenuity, and determination. Though different in many ways, they are also very similar. And perhaps that is why I find both to be very intriguing.
I think one of the reasons it appeals is because I want so much to do something in this world. I long to be able to help stop injustice. But I can't. I wish I could, but...
Any thoughts on this subject are appreciated.
And speaking of justice, what is it with the Kansas City area in Kansas and Missouri being incredibly cold but getting no snow, when Texas is getting snow all over? Where is the justice in that?
Return Desk (4)
Where has Justice gone?
Why are so few criminals properly punished?
Why do murderers walk free?
Why is crime still going up?
What can be done?
The sad answer to the last question is: very little. Just vote for people who have a tough stance on crime, and hope and pray it works out. Justice is losing ground. It doesn't seem as fashionable anymore. Now, defending yourself, your family, and your property with physical/lethal force often brings worse penalties than committing simple crimes.
No wonder the movie The Punisher appeals so much to me, at least at times. Can I completely condone the actions the title character took? No. But by the same token, I don't believe I can wave my hand, sniff my nose, and dismiss it as the actions of "a horrid sinner." I believe the character represents a man pushed past his breaking point. I have a feeling that if what happened to him, happened to me, and the official law did nothing, I might end up doing what he did. The same is true to a degree with Batman. Both characters are human. No special powers, no alien genetics. Just human skill, ingenuity, and determination. Though different in many ways, they are also very similar. And perhaps that is why I find both to be very intriguing.
I think one of the reasons it appeals is because I want so much to do something in this world. I long to be able to help stop injustice. But I can't. I wish I could, but...
Any thoughts on this subject are appreciated.
And speaking of justice, what is it with the Kansas City area in Kansas and Missouri being incredibly cold but getting no snow, when Texas is getting snow all over? Where is the justice in that?
Monday, December 20, 2004
The Boy is Back in Town
So. We come to it now. My first post since arriving at home. (Yeah, I know. It took a while. Bite me.)
On that dreary Thursday morning, Barbour and I loaded into his vehicle and began that long-awaited journey: We were finally going home. Home. A place I haven't seen in over 4 months. People I haven't seen for just as long. We made good time, and I arrived at home at approximately 7:30 PM. The house was empty. My family was off at the basketball game of the older of my two brothers. They arrived home about an hour later. I have been enjoying home ever since.
I haven't done much, other than bum around and go to church. I did spend a bit of time out Friday by going and seeing a play put on by my young adult group. It was fairly entertaining. I have a feeling that the rest of my time here will consist of this casual laziness. I intend to enjoy every minute of it.
On another note, I would like to add my congratulations to some friends of mine, my hopes for a blessed life for them, and a hearty "It's about time!"
I hope that everyone else is enjoying their break as much.
Until next time!
Return Desk (4)
On that dreary Thursday morning, Barbour and I loaded into his vehicle and began that long-awaited journey: We were finally going home. Home. A place I haven't seen in over 4 months. People I haven't seen for just as long. We made good time, and I arrived at home at approximately 7:30 PM. The house was empty. My family was off at the basketball game of the older of my two brothers. They arrived home about an hour later. I have been enjoying home ever since.
I haven't done much, other than bum around and go to church. I did spend a bit of time out Friday by going and seeing a play put on by my young adult group. It was fairly entertaining. I have a feeling that the rest of my time here will consist of this casual laziness. I intend to enjoy every minute of it.
On another note, I would like to add my congratulations to some friends of mine, my hopes for a blessed life for them, and a hearty "It's about time!"
I hope that everyone else is enjoying their break as much.
Until next time!
Wednesday, December 15, 2004
Victory!
It is finished. My semester is over. No school until January. Of course, I still have the IMPACT Retreat in January to go to. *Grumbles incoherently in deep voice.*
Soon I go to watch Return of the King. Specifically, the Extended Edition.
Tomorrow, I return home. After five months, I get to see home. My family. My friends. All this and more. I can hardly wait. Don't take this the wrong way, people, but I can hardly wait to get out of here. I want to experience the feeling of non-confinement that comes with being home. Even if it is for only two and one half weeks or so.
I also feel better about next semester. None of my classes look to be quite the soul-devouring ordeal that Data Structures has been. I think I will have more fun next semester with my classes.
Just so all know: sometime tonight or tomorrow, I will be shutting my computer down for the break. I may or may not be on IM at home. I have a good enough connection, but I don't know how often I will be in. I will at least attempt to keep this blog updated as best I can.
Onward into the night!
Return Desk (1)
Soon I go to watch Return of the King. Specifically, the Extended Edition.
Tomorrow, I return home. After five months, I get to see home. My family. My friends. All this and more. I can hardly wait. Don't take this the wrong way, people, but I can hardly wait to get out of here. I want to experience the feeling of non-confinement that comes with being home. Even if it is for only two and one half weeks or so.
I also feel better about next semester. None of my classes look to be quite the soul-devouring ordeal that Data Structures has been. I think I will have more fun next semester with my classes.
Just so all know: sometime tonight or tomorrow, I will be shutting my computer down for the break. I may or may not be on IM at home. I have a good enough connection, but I don't know how often I will be in. I will at least attempt to keep this blog updated as best I can.
Onward into the night!
Sunday, December 12, 2004
Home Stretch
That's what I'm in. The home stretch. I have just a bit of assignments and such to finish up for Data Structures. I only have finals on Tuesday. I go home Thursday. I can hardly wait for it to be over. It will be so nice to finally rest.
Trans-Siberian was uber-incredible-coolness. Wheeler, Gallagher, and Barbour all have good accountings of the evening. I will leave it at "much coolness." It was so worth the money. Heck, the amusement I got in the car was almost worth that.
I have to honestly say, this is just about how I have been feeling, when I'm not specifically distracting myself with games or orchestras and such.
FINALS SCHEDULE
Monday:
Jack squat.
Tuesday:
9:45: Data Structures (Yeah, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death...)
12:45: Speech (Bah. Easy.)
6:00 World Literature Through Film (You know, this doesn't even qualify as a final. I'm just going to show up, and apparently I'll get food. What a deal.)
Wednesday:
More jack squat.
Thursday:
Hitch a ride home with Barbour.
Because everyone else has.
Later I will post on the unique experience of Thursday night, when I presented in WLTF.
Hm. That's it for now.
Return Desk (1)
Trans-Siberian was uber-incredible-coolness. Wheeler, Gallagher, and Barbour all have good accountings of the evening. I will leave it at "much coolness." It was so worth the money. Heck, the amusement I got in the car was almost worth that.
I have to honestly say, this is just about how I have been feeling, when I'm not specifically distracting myself with games or orchestras and such.
FINALS SCHEDULE
Monday:
Jack squat.
Tuesday:
9:45: Data Structures (Yeah, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death...)
12:45: Speech (Bah. Easy.)
6:00 World Literature Through Film (You know, this doesn't even qualify as a final. I'm just going to show up, and apparently I'll get food. What a deal.)
Wednesday:
More jack squat.
Thursday:
Hitch a ride home with Barbour.
Because everyone else has.
Later I will post on the unique experience of Thursday night, when I presented in WLTF.
Hm. That's it for now.
Thursday, December 02, 2004
Idiots in Senate
Gah. I imagine most or all of you have heard this already, but I feel like writing it down, maybe to help me vent, and also to make it a little clearer.
In Senate today, two senators had the audacity to present a letter wherein they "resigned" from their duty to watch the cart in MSC-1 once a month (hereafter called MSC-1 duty). Now, everyone knows that MSC-1 duty is part of being a senator. These two know it. They've done this duty for months. But apparently, since it isn't directly in our student constitution or by-laws, they don't have to do it. It's on the form we sign when we agree to be senators, but somehow, they apparently managed to never sign or see that form. But agreement is still implicit when one becomes a senator. They are shirking duty and responsibility on the issue of technicalities. If they really don't like these duties, they can stop being senators as far as I am concerned. I will admit, I don't really enjoy MSC-1 duty. But I still do it. I make sure to be prompt, if not early. I do the best I can, because it's my duty. If you can't tell already, duty and responsibility are huge things to me. I can't quite grasp what it would take for these two to come to us, and tell us they want out of this duty, simply because they don't like it, and hey, guys from their floors don't show up down there anyway. No thinking on the fact that this would establish a precedent that would end up with about 4 people still doing duty down there, if it got out of control. But the worst part is the fact that this letter wasn't asking permission. It was simply polite information. They told us clearly that they would no longer perform this duty, whether we approved to accept this letter or not. The unmitigated audacity and gall this took... They showed a complete lack of respect for the ideas of Senate, as well as the other senators. They basically said, "We are better than you guys and don't have to do this. We want to just be in Senate, and let you take care of the rest of this stuff." I didn't speak up at all for fear of losing my temper. I really hope there is a way we can remove them from Senate. I don't believe they deserve to be in Senate any more.
That's my rant for now. Later.
Return Desk (1)
In Senate today, two senators had the audacity to present a letter wherein they "resigned" from their duty to watch the cart in MSC-1 once a month (hereafter called MSC-1 duty). Now, everyone knows that MSC-1 duty is part of being a senator. These two know it. They've done this duty for months. But apparently, since it isn't directly in our student constitution or by-laws, they don't have to do it. It's on the form we sign when we agree to be senators, but somehow, they apparently managed to never sign or see that form. But agreement is still implicit when one becomes a senator. They are shirking duty and responsibility on the issue of technicalities. If they really don't like these duties, they can stop being senators as far as I am concerned. I will admit, I don't really enjoy MSC-1 duty. But I still do it. I make sure to be prompt, if not early. I do the best I can, because it's my duty. If you can't tell already, duty and responsibility are huge things to me. I can't quite grasp what it would take for these two to come to us, and tell us they want out of this duty, simply because they don't like it, and hey, guys from their floors don't show up down there anyway. No thinking on the fact that this would establish a precedent that would end up with about 4 people still doing duty down there, if it got out of control. But the worst part is the fact that this letter wasn't asking permission. It was simply polite information. They told us clearly that they would no longer perform this duty, whether we approved to accept this letter or not. The unmitigated audacity and gall this took... They showed a complete lack of respect for the ideas of Senate, as well as the other senators. They basically said, "We are better than you guys and don't have to do this. We want to just be in Senate, and let you take care of the rest of this stuff." I didn't speak up at all for fear of losing my temper. I really hope there is a way we can remove them from Senate. I don't believe they deserve to be in Senate any more.
That's my rant for now. Later.
