I’d like to know what some of my college instructor friends think about this article.

I’ve had my own share of experiences with instructors who went beyond the class boundaries to criticize the current presidential administration or foreign/domestic policies that have nothing to do with what we’re discussing. One notable exception is my English Lit professor who is a pretty fair-minded guy, and he tends to be more objective about current events than some of his own students, so I don’t mind when he talks about something Bush or the U.S. is doing. For one thing, he actually relates it to a discussion topic; for another, he doesn’t dwell on politics for the entire class session. It’s when the instructor goes half-cocked and starts spouting anti-Bush ramblings which take up valuable class time that I get very annoyed. (And that’s putting it mildly.)

So yes, I would gladly buy a t-shirt that says “Shut Up and Teach,” and I would wear it to class. If anything, the expression on my instructor’s face would be worth it.

(Via JJOSTM)

Since yesterday was the host of much buying, walking, waiting and scrounging in stores everywhere–that sounded so commercial-esque, didn’t it?–I decided not to leave the house. I don’t do big crowds in malls, but I’m not against a good shopping spree like some people are. Yet I’m not so cold as to think of the day in purely capitalist terms. I mean, where’s the fun in that?

But hey, I like waiting for sales as much as the next person. What I’m trying to say is that I’m moderate about the way I shop – call it a mix of generosity on gifts I want to buy for friends and family, and caution about budget limits. I don’t turn my nose up at people who like the bustle and crowd of the Day-After-Thanksgiving-Extravaganza, but I don’t rack up a credit card debt that I’ll have to repay for the next six months, either.

So have fun schmoozing on the turkey leftovers or waiting in line at the mall. Just try not to think of the beginning of the sales rush this holiday season in extreme terms.

Last Sunday we had a guest speaker at our church who spoke about forgiveness. Okay, big deal, you say. Like that hasn’t been preached about before.

Then he pulled out stats like this:

[Everett] Worthington, who is a professor at Virginia Commonwealth University and a pioneer in forgiveness research, has found that people who won’t forgive the wrongs committed against them tend to have negative indicators of health and well-being: more stress-related disorders, lower immune-system function, and worse rates of cardiovascular disease than the population as a whole. In effect, by failing to forgive they punish themselves. Unforgiving people are also thought to experience higher rates of divorce, which also reduces well-being, given that married men and women consistently do better on most health barometers, including longevity.

In contrast people who forgive, Worthington finds, may have better health, fewer episodes of clinical depression, longer marriages and better “social support,” another indicator of well-being. This latter means forgiving people get along better with others, who in turn come to their aid in social-support situations.

I’ve heard the slogan “Never Forgive, Never Forget” tossed around on some blogs, and it’s a saying I dare not adopt, no matter how good my intentions may be to the contrary. It’s not easy to do, of course, this forgiving thing, but it’s worth more than the constant pain of an unforgiving mindset.

This isn’t really a Halloween post, but I’m sure you can find plenty of those elsewhere.

Right now I’m thinking about clashing cultures. Hugo wrote a good post on this subject that prompted a little soul-searching for me; and then I stumbled across this article that served as an extension of Hugo’s post and my reverie. This lil post is only a result of combining the two.

On my mom’s side, I’m a second generation American; on my dad’s side, third generation. I don’t go along with the [ethnicity here]-American hyphen thing. I consider myself an American. End of story. (On earth, anyway. In heaven, I’m pretty sure things aren’t viewed the same way. Don’t worry, this isn’t a last-minute patriotic election rant, either.)

However, I can’t deny my ethnic roots, as much as I’ve tried to and would like to permanently bury them. Impossible, I know, because ethnic pride runs deep on both sides. My mom is a full-blooded Samoan (with a little Tongan and even German thrown in for good measure, or so she tells me); my dad is half-Filipino and half-Samoan. That makes for an interesting mix, which has unfortunately led to barely any acknowledgment of my Filipino heritage, and a dominance of my Samoan heritage, again on both sides.

I only know a few words in Samoan, and no Tagalong. I grew up going to a church that was Samoan-based in the language and in the church membership. My mom never taught me the language, and I do regret that because it’s a beautiful tongue and I love hearing all the women in both sides of the family employ it in casual conversation.

It’s my father who impressed upon me and my siblings the importance of attending college, getting our degrees and getting into fields that would generate large incomes. (All of us kids have bucked that last part and are either unsure about what career we want or we’ve entered fields where a good income isn’t necessarily assured. Disappointing, of course, for my parents, but my dad still urges us to find good paying jobs to support ourselves.) My mom, whether from her culture’s laidback attitude or because she didn’t really attend college herself, couldn’t care either way, so long as her daughters wait until after college before we find husbands. (Again, we’ve let our parents down on this part. One of my sisters just got married this past February and hasn’t graduated from JC yet.)

So the intersection point between expectations, assimilation and ethnic culture was lowered, you could say. That doesn’t mean our parents love us any less. They might not like the paths we’ve chosen for ourselves, but the only thing that separates any of us from each other is physical distance.

And me? Yes, I’ve had issues with my Samoan heritage. I disliked many of the things I saw take place in my childhood church, which my parents still attend. Cultural traditions and family business often came first before God, and the gossip circuit is still alive and well. All of these things disillusioned me about Samoan churches in particular. In a more general vein, I can see that ethnic-based churches serve a purpose here in America, but most of the members of my generation weren’t born in Samoa. We were born here. American traditions and culture have much stronger binds than Samoan ones. That’s just the way it is.

But do I hate my Samoan heritage? Nope. Does it drive me crazy sometimes? Oh, yes, especially when my mom invokes her island childhood to point out to her stubborn children that her word is law under her roof.*

It’s taken me several years to come to terms with my ethnic roots. I haven’t even started exploring the Filipino side of my family yet. Yeah, I am a liberated woman, in more ways than one. I identify myself as Samoan to those who ask about my nationality, but I’m still American first. The olive skin and islander attitude are just parts of the proverbial icing on the cake.

*(My dad sometimes talks about the “Samoan way” of doing things when he’s trying to get us to do things as he likes them done. For instance, about a year ago a couple from church dropped me off at home after the Sunday evening service. My dad was waiting for me at the door. “You should stand in the doorway and see them off,” he told me, getting annoyed when I seemed to pay him no heed. “C’mon, it’s the Samoan way.” My reply: “Sorry, I’m only three-quarters Samoan.” He, of course, was not very happy with me after that.)

Based on one of the discussions from today’s Forum program, here’s a question:

Should legal alien residents (we are not referring to illegal immigrants here) be allowed to vote? Why or why not?

Anyone?

Lots of things happen during this time of the year: school ends until August, some college folks are graduating, Cinco de Mayo is today, Mother’s Day is on Sunday, and Memorial Day is coming up in a couple weeks.

This month is also National Military Appreciation Month. So say thank you to a veteran or an active duty member of the armed forces when the opportunity arises.

UPDATE: More importantly, as my sister reminds me in the comments, today, May 6, is the National Day of Prayer.

This says it all.

Hehe.

(Comic strip paneling via Mike Hendrix)

I don’t normally do this, but it’s been fun watching this side of the blogosphere lately. If you would like to help a good cause, donate to Spirit of America. Currently they have several ongoing projects that are meant to assist our armed forces in Iraq who are helping the Iraqis rebuild their lives.

This does not have to do with the political aspects of the war.
This is a cause to support our troops.

Specifically, the I Marine Expeditionary Force would like to set up seven TV stations within the Al Anbar province to combat the very biased news that Iraqis receive from folks like Al-Jazeera.

There is an ongoing fundraising campaign right now in the blogosphere that’s running until 12:01 AM, Thursday April 29. You can join one of the three blog alliances which are racing to see which group can raise the most money by the end of the challenge. (Nothin’ like a little competition to raise money for a good cause, eh? I’m still playing lone wolf on the blog alliances…unless one of them can convince me somehow that they’re worthy of my company. Y’know, that princess thing again.)

So throw a few bucks SOA’s way. It’ll be worth your while.

UPDATE: I gave in to the Dark Side. I hereby declare that the Victory Coalition is going to kick butt. But that’s just secondary detail, y’all - go donate before Lenore comes to get you.

Y’all know what today is, right?

The only trick I can think of is writing a “You Owe Me A Month’s Rent” Check to my landlady, and I doubt she’d appreciate it, even in the spirit of the holiday.

What’s the best April Fool’s trick you’ve ever pulled or had pulled on you?

Now for some “on holiday” fun:

Good post from Joe Carter on God being a pacifist - or not.

There are a few things he mentions that we’ve been studying in Sunday School, namely submitting to and respecting authority. I’ll be the first to admit that this is easier said than done, especially since it’s so easy to criticize the people who’ve been given leadership positions directly over us. Areas of authority that we’ve been looking at include direct-from-God authority, family authority, church authority and civil authority. I will say this about the entire authority study: the next several months are going to be quite interesting, because exercising submission and respect in a couple of those areas is going to feel more like a chore than a gift.

A lot of blogs are sporting green today, so here’s to them Irish.

I just discovered this post at The Thinklings blog, where Jared asks,

When was your first kiss? (You don’t have to say who it was, if such a thing would be embarrassing or a violation of anyone’s privacy.) And if you’ve never been kissed, please share that too, so we can provide sympathy or derision as appropriate.

I say that with some defiance and hesitation, but mostly with indifference. It’ll happen one day.

I don’t stay on top of political issues on the national and int’l platforms today like I used to, but I do agree with this gal: I hate this “my side, your side” thing. (Via Jay)

Since the Massachusetts supreme court decision and S.F. Mayor Gavin Newsom began issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples last week, there’ve been a slew of posts from around the blogosphere on the topic of gay marriage. Here’s a look at what some folks are saying:

Joshua Claybourn and Joe Carter from The Evangelical Outpost discuss political reality and same-sex fidelity.

Rev. Donald Sensing says Christian traditionalists need to realize we lost this fight forty years ago and suggests we should separate the legal and spiritual aspects of weddings. Michael Williams and Baldilocks also comment on the culture factor in the gay marriage debate.

Don’t miss Josh’s commentary on Mayor Newsom’s contempt for the law. Glenn Reynolds posts on this aspect, too.

Lt. Smash says winning favorable decisions in the courts is a strategy that will backfire socially for gay rights activists. I’m inclined to agree.

Jon Barlow observes that the gay marriage debate is putting a spotlight on the matter of sexual ethics.

Nikkiana offers her input, as well. (This is a great way to procrastinate on homework!)

My mom bought me a watch a week or so ago, and I can’t stand wearing it, for some reason. It’s not that I don’t like the band color (red) or that the watch doesn’t have a little button to make the face glow when it’s dark. Up until now I’ve been using the little clock on my cell phone to keep track of time.

Keep track of time…

Maybe that’s the thing. Maybe it just seems like a big bother.

I wrote about this movie last year, and since it seems like the controversy hasn’t exactly died down, I’ll note with some amusement that none of Mel Gibson’s serious critics have seen the movie yet.

One would think those two terms are synonymous and/or usually work hand in hand, but as Daniel Morris points out, sometimes that’s not always the case.

Only “sometimes"? Hmmm - you tell me.

This is a huge topic that seems to often slip under the radar, but I think it depends on the individual. I, for one, am very tired of college at this point, but I really need that piece of paper. It helps that most of the classes I’m taking this semester are fun and the professors relatively easygoing. But come December - I am so outta there.

I think I prefer Wonkette over Gawker, but then again, I’m not a New Yorker and I do like keeping tabs on what the pundits are saying and politics in general. Nick Denton sure has been busy the last couple of years.

(via G. Reynolds)

If you have a moment to spare, if you enjoy answering silly little “Friday Five” sets, or if you’re just plain bored, answer the questions that follow.

1. How many pet peeves do you currently have and which one seems to have the most influence on you?
2. Do you like polo shirts?
3. How many people are in your immediate family, excluding yourself?
4. Favorite song at the moment?
5. If you could be a Billionaire for a day, how much money would you spend and what would you spend it on?
6. Do you pay attention to the news regularly? Why or why not?
7. What was your favorite comicbook when you were a kid?
8. What is your least favorite logo?
9. How many people do you hate?
10. Why are you still trying to answer these stupid questions?
11. If you had the choice of having a cup of coffee with either Al Franken or Ann Coulter, who would you choose and why?
12. Who is your favorite blogger?
13. Red or blue?
14. If you had to move to the Midwest, which state would you pick? If you currently live in the Midwest, which coast would you pick? Which state on that coast?
15. If you had to go to college (again) for some frivolous reason and money was no object, would you go?
16. Do nerds annoy you?
17. What makes you laugh?
18. What book are you reading right now?
19. Define “odd.”
20. You’re still here? Why!?
21. How many trips to the movie theatre did you make during 2003?
22. Gun or knife?
23. What’s your favorite adjective?

I’m sure someone here (I won’t mention names) has heard of that phrase “Boys are stupid, throw rocks at them” that seems to be appearing on t-shirts for little women all over the place.

An LA-based radio show host led a campaign against a SoCal clothing store chain over the weekend and managed to get them to pull the shirts from their stock. That’s not what I’m after here, but I would like to know what sort of comeback people would use against this phrase if they had an opportunity to voice it.

Well, here’s your opportunity. “Boys are stupid, throw rocks at them” vs. whatever you can come up with. I personally like the “You’re a Feminist? How cute” slogan that someone put in the comments section here. (And please keep it clean.)

Today my youth pastor preached, and in the course of his sermon he shared a story about meeting up with another youth pastor from a church two hours away and having breakfast with him sometime last week.

“I’m a manly man,” he said. “I have no problem hugging guys. This doesn’t mean I’m homosexual or anything.”

This snippet isn’t really relevant to the point he was trying to get across, but it caught my attention.

Do you often find yourself admiring someone of the same sex for his or her looks?

I do. All the time.

It’s not for comparison’s sake, and I’m pretty comfortable with my own sexual orientation to not make anything of it, but I’m wondering if I’m the only one who feels this way. I compliment other women because they dressed nice or because of a particular physical feature.

Maybe it’s because a person’s sexuality makes such a big difference nowadays to certain people that this seems like a taboo, since some of us don’t want to get hit on by someone of the same sex…I’m not bashing lesbians here, but it’s happened.

Turkey & Gravy Soda.

Yes, really.

Nearly a year ago I questioned voting on a certain law based on the morality of the law. Well, tonight I’ve been skimming past news reports about the Massachussetts state supreme court decision on same sex marriage, and that question came up again.

For the record, I will not support state recognition of gay marriage or the allocation of benefits to same-sex couples. Why? Because I believe homosexuality is a sin. I don’t think that view necessarily makes me a homophobe, however, because I don’t hate homosexuals. If you think otherwise, that’s your problem. Of course, I also agree with the people who ask why marriage, both heterosexual and homosexual, should be any of the government’s business.

James Joyner has a good post on the topic, and I’m quite sure there’s more commentary out there in the blogosphere.

P.S. And yes, I know voting to support a law or regulation is different from a judicial ruling, but it concerns the same issue.

Don’t worry, I didn’t forget, even if I did have a regular weekday schedule. Even then, it’s right to honor those who have served in our country’s armed forces and defended our freedoms.

But some people are far more eloquent than I am, so I’ll just point you to them.

And belated birthday wishes to them Marines. Semper Fidelis!

Some of you folks have obviously never seen a Samoan guy walking around in a lava-lava.

Men in skirts ain’t a newfangled fashion fad.

(link via R. Blood)

Anybody else seen the conclusion to the Matrix trilogy yet? I’m seeing it in a few hours with some friends, but I really ain’t as enthusiastic about this film as I am about, say, Return of the King.

Nevertheless, Michael Williams offers some insight on the philosophical bent of the Matrix movies, following up on James Lileks’s review of the third film.

I’ll post a review of my own when I get back from the theatre. In the meantime, here’re Daniel and the Gator’s takes.

UPDATE: Okay, my review - it was a lot better ‘n Reloaded but still not as good as the first one. [SPOILER ALERT] I wasn’t expecting to see the Frenchman again in this one and I would’ve liked to see him taken care of once and for all - I wonder how the “peace” between the Architect and the Oracle (the reps of the two warring factions) will affect him, if at all. Great special effects, of course…but I think I can wait till it comes out on video/DVD before I see it again. I’m waiting for ROTK.

I just noticed while retrieving our mail that there isn’t an apartment #13 in our complex. Ours is 12, and 14 is right around the corner, but no 13. Interesting.

And people think racism is dead?

Think again.

Okay, so it’s supposed to be about the nominees’ ideology. Why then have the Democratic senators on the Senate Judiciary Committee constantly harped on Brown’s religious beliefs (and Brown isn’t the only nominee who’s been unfairly targeted about her Christian beliefs) - and now other blacks are attacking her because she’s black and Republican? What’s the deal here?

This is disgusting to watch, and I’ll tell you why: I may call myself a RINO or a moderate Republican and I’m definitely conservative, but crap like the filibustering is why I’ll never be a Democrat and why I hate all the partisan sniping that goes on between the diehards on the left and right who’re interested in nothing more than making sure their party’s the one in power. It drives me nuts!

UPDATE: Here’s an interesting profile on Brown that appeared in this past Sunday’s issue of the S.F. Chronicle.

I should probably add that this wasn’t meant as a barb at Democrats who read this blog. I’ve been questioning my own political stances lately and realize one thing or another about myself in that regard, but this isn’t directed at any individual or group because of their political affiliations. I’m not a blogging pundit wannabe. If anything, the polarizing political climate today makes me want to stop posting about politics altogether on this site, and I’m apparently not the only blogger who’s moved in this direction.

Now this looks like fun!

Kim du Toit has more info for first-time shooters - which I ain’t yet, but I will be someday.

The only person I saw jumping when I walked across the bridge August 26 was the parachute surfer practicing a few midair leaps below.

People have all sorts of reasons for jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge, but I wonder if they’d actually migrate to the Bay Bridge should a suicide barrier be erected (if ever). Either way, it gives me the willies, thinking about it.

(link via Obscure Store)

“Arnold Schwarzenegger is a charming man. He’s a nice man. But really, he has no idea how to run a state (and you do? -Ed.), and he’s going to be run by the very forces that basically have destroyed so much of California,” [Huffington] said.

Arianna “Huffnpuff” has spoken - and dropped out of the California gubernational recall race.

“She brought color and excitement to the race,” Schwarzenegger is quoted as saying after hearing this bit of news.

Oh, she sure did.

Dude, what is with all this Christian spam I’m gettin’ nowadays?

I found an interesting article in today’s edition of The Miami Herald:

It seems that Hollywood has found a way to appeal to feminists and juveniles at the same time. Let the gals beat up the bad guys. But only if they can pass for Playboy centerfolds.

‘’The problem with so-called girl power in recent Hollywood cinema is the adolescent quality of the notion,'’ said Christopher Sharrett, a communications professor at Seton Hall University in New Jersey. “There’s a tendency to make films about women that are in fact crafted for adolescent boys.'’

Of course, there’s more than one side to this equation. Women have the right to be sexy on camera, and anyone of proper age has a right to look. Anyone who stars in movies is bound to be good-looking. And there’s no reason why young women shouldn’t thrill to the sight of heroines holding their own with heroes on-screen.

But the irony of Lara and the Angels is still hard to miss. Like the Spice Girls before them, they’re selling sex to pay for empowerment.

Heh.

(link via Cold Fury)

A friend of mine got hit with this nasty the other night, so here’s some information to help prevent the same thing from happening to you.

(link via Jeff Jarvis)

Awright, I admit it.

I haven’t exactly been very keen about the California recall because Grey-Out Davis and state politics have never excited me as much as what’s been happening on the national political scene. I didn’t sign the petition to get the recall going. I didn’t care much for the whole deal, even after I heard Larry Flynt had jumped into the race. Matter of fact, some of my more right-wing buddies who didn’t even live in California exuded more enthusiasm for the recall than I did.

And then Ah-nuld, Arianna Huffington and Gary Coleman jumped in, too. Up until yesterday, I thought Ah-nuld would sit this one out because of Maria, but obviously he ain’t.

As Matt Welch put it, “It’s useful to have you think that we’re really that crazy. Same goes for California. We’re plum loco out here … and you’re jealous. Admit it.”

It’s going to cost us $30 million, but hey…since there ain’t much I can do about that at this point, we may as well let things run their course.

And yes, I’d vote for Ah-nuld.

There’re some who think their political party has been hijacked by extremists, there’re some who’re complaining about the prez not being conservative enough* any longer…and then there are some who don’t really care about partisan politics anymore.

I can see why, too. The most significant quote to me was this: “I still cling to my own label, but I am very nearly ready to stop. I think the only reason I still do it is because I would rather label myself than let others do it for me.” (M. Totten)

Me? I’ve always identified myself as either a moderate or moderate Republican or conservative. At one time I was even left-of-center. In the end, however, I don’t think it really matters.

My political views aren’t my God and they never will be.

*=registration required to read

I normally don’t read The San Francisco Bay Guardian, but I made an exception when I came across this interesting story. Two ‘graphs in this article caught my eye:

Despite the jovial atmosphere, the assembled group was dead serious about the threat of hate crimes against queers in San Francisco, and about their right to arm themselves. All of them said they had no qualms about using a firearm to defend themselves against would-be attackers, either at home or on the streets.

San Francisco is the toughest city in California, if not America, in which to be granted a CCW permit. Currently there are only five permits issued to non-law enforcement personnel in the city.

(story via Red Letter Day)

I got around to seeing Matrix Reloaded last Friday, and I think I’ll need to see it again if only because the first time I was too engrossed with the special effects and martial arts scenes. The second time around, I’ll try to focus more on the story itself.

Via bloggenspiel, I came across this Mofo Guide to the second Matrix movie and especially got a kick out of this comment: “The fact that The One comes from the machine world is a brilliant way to write around the fact that Keanu Reeves can’t act.”

No, he’s not a hottie, and yes, I think he’s better at playing his guitar than he is at acting. So there.

From today’s Bleat:

Perhaps it’s a gender issue. Maybe it’s a personality quirk distributed randomly across the sexes, age groups, intelligence capability, place of birth. Maybe it’s just one of those things. All I know is that some people regard standing at the door for 17 minutes an essential component of the goodbye process, and that I am not one of them. If I’m at the door, I want one of two things to happen: you go or I go. If I’m the guest, I’m off. If you’re the guest, rest assured I did not bring you to the threshold to start an entirely new conversation.

It’s not a big thing, and it’s actually a source of amusement around here. My wife knows I’m not a doorway-lingerer like she is, and it does make for some awkward moments. Someone stands and puts on their coat, and I believe that the evening has come to a conclusion. I head for the door. Then an entirely new conversation front opens up, and all movement towards the door stops. What do I do? I’ve now passed the guest and am en route to the door; if I keep moving towards the door, it’ll seem like I want him out, but if I stop and go back, we’ll all stand here for six minutes. And those six minutes will not be subtracted from the 8 minutes we will spend at the door, where we will talk about people I saw six years ago in a Christmas photo card set in front of a fireplace.

I would rather spend an additional half an hour seated at the table, enjoying a beverage, letting the conversation unspool at a civilized pace. Then there’s a lull; people stare into their empty glasses, then pat the table with open palms and put a period to our merry night. We rise and part, warmly. Briskly. Good to see you; off you go.

Or we all move towards the door at a pace that suggests everyone has their leg in an alligator’s mouth, up to the thigh. Am I wrong? Probably. All I know is that we were standing at the front door forever, and Gnat was being an imp, and Jasper was whining for his walk, and every fiber of my being cried out for finality. Eventually goodbyes were tendered once more; wife and child went inside. I walked our guest to his car. And spent five minutes in the driveway talking about investments and real estate.

Oh, shut up. That’s different.

A friend of mine and I were talking about how common our names were yesterday. Amazingly, there is only one Sarah (me) in my church, which has a congregation of about 150-200 people on an average Sunday. What’s more amazing is that I haven’t encountered any other Sarahs in my classes this semester. (A couple semesters ago, I was in a class with two other Sarahs, but the teacher could always tell which Sarah I was - I was the only one that showed up.) Is that crazy or what?

So - how common is YOUR name?

Operation Military Support is an organization that receives names of men and women serving overseas who don’t receive regular mail from home and connects them with volunteers who are willing to send care packages and letters.

If you would like to volunteer, please go to their site for more information.

UPDATE: Here’s another site where you can e-mail a sailor or Marine stationed on one of the warships currently in the Gulf.

Watching the news on TV at this point is a little addicting but very bad for the brain. I think I’m gonna go watch a movie.

It’s that time of year again. C’mon, you know you’ve been waiting for one of them munchkins to arrive at your doorstep.

Yes, it’s Girl Scout Cookie Season.

Personally, I like the thin mints best. What’s your preference?

Leonard Garment does a perfect job explaining the ways in which politics and the arts sometimes don’t mix. Now you know why I was grumbling when the First Lady’s poetry symposium was postponed.

(via Betsy Newmark)

I got to meet Mark Fiore tonight. He’s a political cartoonist with a lovely (read: sarcastic) sense of humor, and tonight he was part of a five-journalist panel on Media and War that our journalism department hosted. Some of the topics discussed included anti-Americanism overseas, the Pentagon’s boot camps for journalists, advertising, journalism as a business, and the “hijacking of patriotism” in the news. The panel fielded questions from the students afterwards, but alas, there was not enough time to catch everyone. One of the last questions put forth by the moderator, our department head John Burks, was what publications the panel members read to stay updated on coverage of the “War on Terror” and the Iraq situation. I’d heard nothing mentioned in their responses about weblogs and online media sources and had wanted to ask the panelists if they used the Net much (especially weblogs) to stay on top of news events. Oh, well - I did get to ask Mark afterwards if he’d ever tried to pull ideas for his cartoons from weblogs (I had InstaPundit in mind while asking this) - he said he was too busy trying to keep editors off his back or fielding emails from well-meaning people with cartoon ideas of their own. But at least he’s aware of the blogosphere’s existence…

The Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) has posted the complete text of Dr. Hashem Aghajari’s speech that is the reason for his current death sentence (which I wonder whether it’ll be in effect for much longer) and the resulting Iranian student protests that have made recent headlines. After a quick read through his speech, I thought the Iranian mullahs make the Pharisees of Jesus’s day look pretty tame. (via Instapundit)

The ideal outfit on a mall outing: jeans, tee, comfortable shoes.

What I see when I get to the mall: women dressed in pantsuits, heels, the full panoply of makeup, dressed to kill, dressed to flatter.

Ehh - is this really the mall or did I just interrupt a fashion show? Sorry, Gisele, didn’t mean to interrupt the Victoria’s Secret parade!

Yes, obviously some of the members of my own sex puzzle me. That or I’m a lot more conservative in my dress code than I realized.

A public figure one should keep a critical eye on: John Poindexter. (via A Small Victory)

A potential bureaucracy one should also be wary of: the Department of Homeland Security. (via InstaPundit)

I could go into a lot more detail with both, but…check it out yourself and draw your own conclusions. (Hey, at least I’m raising public awareness ’bout this stuff, yo.)

Did you vote today?

The polls (for me) were located at my former elementary school. I suppose that’d be something insignificant, if not for the fact that the secretary who used to work in the front office and now volunteers there recognized me. Even better, she still remembered everyone in my family.