Story in Higher Ed, Library Journal, International Herald Tribune. This video of the incident is really viscerally repulsive. Maybe it's because I identify with the student and something like this happening in the UM Library seems so unthinkable.
First: What sort of police society assumes that people are going to always have ID with them? "Where are your papers?" -- Hmmm....remind anyone of Apartheid South Africa/Nazi Germany/Soviet Russia....? I certainly don't always have my student ID when I'm in the library
Second: Library administrators agree, fairly universally, that libraries should be open-access--a public university library, in particular, should not feel like there are "no trespassing" signs. The UM library is restricted to students after midnight, but that is mainly because there is not enough staff to keep it open to everyone.
Third: Repeatedly tazing a student after he has already been handcuffed (while trying to leave the building), when he couldn't possibly fight back, just because he won't stand up, is simply brutal. I wouldn't want to go with a couple of police officers who wouldn't identify themselves, either.
Fourth: I, personally, find racial profiling repulsive. I know many Americans disagree with me.
Fifth: Thank goodness for cell phone cameras.
Ultimately, it seems the cops just didn't like the attitude to authority the student was displaying. My brother thinks most cops go into the business because they are power-hungry and dumb. Maybe he's right. No one should get tazed because of an attitude.
Friday, November 17, 2006
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Oh, What a Wonderful, Wonderful Day!
Dark chocolate shown to be as effective as aspirin for preventing blood clots and heart attacks!
Yes, I think about food alot. That's because I am a glutton.
Yes, I think about food alot. That's because I am a glutton.
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
$160,000 Truffle
1.5kg truffle bought by a Hong Kong businessman for 125,000 euros. Mmmmmm.... Seriously though--think how much good wine and chocolate you could buy for that! I think the redistribution of wealth happens naturally because wealth seems to breed stupidity in spending habits.
Sunday, November 12, 2006
Peeping Tom
Julio is an anomalous cat. He shares most of my personality disorders, but especially the narcissism. He also likes running water (most cats, actually, prefer to drink from running water because, unlike dogs, they prefer clean water in nature, which would usually come from a river or a stream). So we often let him in the bathroom with us while we shower and he will bat at the water or sit on the sink. But yesterday he just sat right in front of the shower and WATCHED me like some Victorian gentleman at the Moulin Rouge. (I think I've mentioned before that our shower curtain at home is clear). Very unnerving.
You will note that, for modesty's sake, I represented myself as the typical female symbol in crosswalks, etc. (I was not actually wearing a tulip skirt). I think I may start a campaign to represent women in more realistic attire. How about a school girl in jeans with a ponytail? Or a businesswoman in a suit? Also, note that when only one figure is represented, it is always male.
You will note that, for modesty's sake, I represented myself as the typical female symbol in crosswalks, etc. (I was not actually wearing a tulip skirt). I think I may start a campaign to represent women in more realistic attire. How about a school girl in jeans with a ponytail? Or a businesswoman in a suit? Also, note that when only one figure is represented, it is always male.
Saturday, November 11, 2006
Oh Dear...I Really Need to Watch My Waistline
The Dante's Inferno Test has banished you to the Third Level of Hell!
Here is how you matched up against all the levels:
Take the Dante's Inferno Hell Test
Here is how you matched up against all the levels:
| Level | Score |
|---|---|
| Purgatory (Repenting Believers) | Low |
| Level 1 - Limbo (Virtuous Non-Believers) | Moderate |
| Level 2 (Lustful) | Very Low |
| Level 3 (Gluttonous) | High |
| Level 4 (Prodigal and Avaricious) | Moderate |
| Level 5 (Wrathful and Gloomy) | Moderate |
| Level 6 - The City of Dis (Heretics) | Low |
| Level 7 (Violent) | Low |
| Level 8- the Malebolge (Fraudulent, Malicious, Panderers) | Moderate |
| Level 9 - Cocytus (Treacherous) | Moderate |
Take the Dante's Inferno Hell Test
Yes, I do have better things to be doing...
Which perhaps indicates that I am NOT obssessive-compulsive. Did anyone else get diagnosed as "high" in four areas?
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
The Concert
So when I went to Cedar Point I said that I doubted the experience measured up to recreational drug use. Not so with the Decemberists in Pontiac. Initially it was similar. Getting lost trying to find it, standing in line with a bunch of tobacco-puffing, disease-ridden suburban teenagers, being branded like criminals according to age, crowding into a building populated by hawkers of alcohol and promotional paraphernalia. And then there was the waiting....and waiting...and waiting....Mother always told me that I would have to wait a lot in life, but I never used to believe her.
The venue was Clutch Cargo's in Pontiac. From the pictures of former online, I was hoping it was a shabby, slightly dangerous warehouses in downtown Detroit. But Pontiac is a sleepy little suburb by a lake, and Clutch Cargo's is a renovated church. It was not at capacity, which made me slightly discontent that Ticketmaster had gotten 11 smacerkoos from me in convenience charges.
I have never been more pleased with my stature--we stood about 15 feet from the stage and I had a panoramic view over the heads of the undermenchen. We were also equidistant from the stage and the speakers, which, according to heresay, is the ideal location.
As I said, we were waiting...about 8:00 Alasdair Roberts, from Glasgow came out to open. They were good--very Scottish, very folksy, but they didn't make me forget that I was getting too warm and had been standing on cement for an hour surrounded by a homogeneous group of young people in fake vintage t-shirts drinking beer out of plastic cups (SO frat boy).
Then we had to wait some more while the crew tuned the Decemberists' many, many, many instruments...I think that they are squandering their newfound wealth on progressively more wonderful instruments. There were also beers (NOT in plastic cups) set out for everyone but the drummer, who, it appeared, got a whole bottle of wine.
Finally Colin's voice came over the speaker system, commanding us to greet our neighbors and admire the architecture. They came out, dapperly-attired, and started playing with a big sound that shook the cement floor.
They played a fair mix from all of their albums, not necessarily in the following order:
Shankhill Butchers (appropriate for post-Halloween and Election Day), July, July!, I'm an Engine Driver, O Valencia, Legionnaire's Lament, Sons and Daughters, 16 Military Wives...a lot from the Crane Wife, but I don't have all the numbers down yet--I'm not sure if it was Crane Wife #1, 2, or 3. I was disappointed they didn't play Grace Cathedral Hill.
At one point, they had the audience chant "bombs fade away." Nice sentiment, it probably won't be terribly effective to sing them away, but what the hell, I thought, it couldn't hurt.
They finished up with the Cautionary Tale, and Chris, John, and Mary wound through the crowd with percussion instruments and re-enacted the beheading of Anne Boleyn. Finally, Colin finished with Red Right Ankle.
The beat was loud and infectious, but the lyrics were still discernible. We were amazed by the proficiency of all the musicians with nearly all the instruments. Chris would pick up Colin's mandolin, Jenny played everything that had keys, John fiddled around with the hand organ. Nate mostly stuck to bass...but someone has to do it.
One of the most versatile musicians up there was Mary--who is evidently not "officially" a part of the band. She played viola, keyboard, and rocked with a guitar. If she is on trial, they should definitely add her. I think they had a bigger sound with six, and that's not just because of the speaker system.
The venue was Clutch Cargo's in Pontiac. From the pictures of former online, I was hoping it was a shabby, slightly dangerous warehouses in downtown Detroit. But Pontiac is a sleepy little suburb by a lake, and Clutch Cargo's is a renovated church. It was not at capacity, which made me slightly discontent that Ticketmaster had gotten 11 smacerkoos from me in convenience charges.
I have never been more pleased with my stature--we stood about 15 feet from the stage and I had a panoramic view over the heads of the undermenchen. We were also equidistant from the stage and the speakers, which, according to heresay, is the ideal location.
As I said, we were waiting...about 8:00 Alasdair Roberts, from Glasgow came out to open. They were good--very Scottish, very folksy, but they didn't make me forget that I was getting too warm and had been standing on cement for an hour surrounded by a homogeneous group of young people in fake vintage t-shirts drinking beer out of plastic cups (SO frat boy).
Then we had to wait some more while the crew tuned the Decemberists' many, many, many instruments...I think that they are squandering their newfound wealth on progressively more wonderful instruments. There were also beers (NOT in plastic cups) set out for everyone but the drummer, who, it appeared, got a whole bottle of wine.
Finally Colin's voice came over the speaker system, commanding us to greet our neighbors and admire the architecture. They came out, dapperly-attired, and started playing with a big sound that shook the cement floor.
They played a fair mix from all of their albums, not necessarily in the following order:
Shankhill Butchers (appropriate for post-Halloween and Election Day), July, July!, I'm an Engine Driver, O Valencia, Legionnaire's Lament, Sons and Daughters, 16 Military Wives...a lot from the Crane Wife, but I don't have all the numbers down yet--I'm not sure if it was Crane Wife #1, 2, or 3. I was disappointed they didn't play Grace Cathedral Hill.
At one point, they had the audience chant "bombs fade away." Nice sentiment, it probably won't be terribly effective to sing them away, but what the hell, I thought, it couldn't hurt.
They finished up with the Cautionary Tale, and Chris, John, and Mary wound through the crowd with percussion instruments and re-enacted the beheading of Anne Boleyn. Finally, Colin finished with Red Right Ankle.
The beat was loud and infectious, but the lyrics were still discernible. We were amazed by the proficiency of all the musicians with nearly all the instruments. Chris would pick up Colin's mandolin, Jenny played everything that had keys, John fiddled around with the hand organ. Nate mostly stuck to bass...but someone has to do it.
One of the most versatile musicians up there was Mary--who is evidently not "officially" a part of the band. She played viola, keyboard, and rocked with a guitar. If she is on trial, they should definitely add her. I think they had a bigger sound with six, and that's not just because of the speaker system.
Sunday, November 05, 2006
Goddess Eyes
Em said I couldn't put this on my resume because it would fit better on a personals site.
Four posts today because one of my most avid readers was complaining.
Four posts today because one of my most avid readers was complaining.
Things Overheard Even in Ann Arbor
"The Palestinians, maybe they are the descendents of the Philistines."
Um...maybe...and maybe I'm the descendent of a Visigoth.
Um...maybe...and maybe I'm the descendent of a Visigoth.
Why I Love Searching for Secondary Sources:
Robson, C. 2001: Men in wonderland: the lost girlhood of the Victorian gentleman.
Princeton University Press.
I'm going to have to check that out someday just to see what in the world it is.
Princeton University Press.
I'm going to have to check that out someday just to see what in the world it is.
Ephemeral Male Victorian Role Model of the Day
Charles Eliot Norton
About the annexation of the Philippines and the beginning of overseas American expansion:
"She has lost her unique position as a potential leader in the progress of of civilization, and has taken up her place simply as one of the grasping and selfish nations of the present day [bringing upon herself] the misery and burdens that war and standing armies have brought upon the nations of the Old World."
About the annexation of the Philippines and the beginning of overseas American expansion:
"She has lost her unique position as a potential leader in the progress of of civilization, and has taken up her place simply as one of the grasping and selfish nations of the present day [bringing upon herself] the misery and burdens that war and standing armies have brought upon the nations of the Old World."
Saturday, November 04, 2006
Mal d' Archive: A Willian Impression
1. I like using [sic].
2. I chortle silently when I find something that supports my thesis.
3. If I had an Oedipal complex, who would be my intellectual "father"? I'm afraid we all know who.
2. I chortle silently when I find something that supports my thesis.
3. If I had an Oedipal complex, who would be my intellectual "father"? I'm afraid we all know who.
Thursday, November 02, 2006
I'm Going to Hear the Decemberists!
Believe it or not, it will be my first rock (well, ok, indie pop) concert. Lots of classical venues, but no popular ones. So I think I can justify the expenditure. I mean, Pink Floyd and the Beatles are gone, so who else would I want to see? I'll just have to forgo another set of designer jeans (and you think I'm joking).
Which reminds me, I should post on the opera Romeo and Juliet...I got discouraged the other day because I couldn't find pictures, and I like pictures.
So I have decided I am uncool for three reasons:
1) The Decemberists are just about the ONLY Indie group I like. The rest just don't sound good. And I'm sorry, but I still like music to sound good.
2) I have never been to a concert before (vestige of homeschooling?).
3) I am excited about something.
Which reminds me, I should post on the opera Romeo and Juliet...I got discouraged the other day because I couldn't find pictures, and I like pictures.
So I have decided I am uncool for three reasons:
1) The Decemberists are just about the ONLY Indie group I like. The rest just don't sound good. And I'm sorry, but I still like music to sound good.
2) I have never been to a concert before (vestige of homeschooling?).
3) I am excited about something.
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Lost, Lost, I've Lost My Alma Mater
I just need to stop reading Veith's blog, but I keep wanting to believe that he is a thoughtful Christian since he is essentially the only hope our former school has left.
But posts like this are upsetting not only because of what Veith says, but because there is only one moderate in the whole platoon (appropriate word?) of comments; the rest sound like raving lunatics.
Have I just been in A2 too long, or is it not sheer madness to suggest that the only alternative to the war in Iraq is A-bombing the country or having our "own women and children suffer the violence of the enemy?" (btw--have you noticed the tendency to bring the women and children into it every time someone is being illogical?) Yes, of course, we went over there to bring democracy (since there weren't any weapons of mass destruction and the guy who perpetrated 9/11 is still somewhere out there under the Afghani stars), but if we don't succeed, we'd best just blow the whole damn thing up.
Of course, I am coming from the liberal mindset. I do, in fact, see soldiers as perpetrators or victims, but mostly perpetrators.
But posts like this are upsetting not only because of what Veith says, but because there is only one moderate in the whole platoon (appropriate word?) of comments; the rest sound like raving lunatics.
Have I just been in A2 too long, or is it not sheer madness to suggest that the only alternative to the war in Iraq is A-bombing the country or having our "own women and children suffer the violence of the enemy?" (btw--have you noticed the tendency to bring the women and children into it every time someone is being illogical?) Yes, of course, we went over there to bring democracy (since there weren't any weapons of mass destruction and the guy who perpetrated 9/11 is still somewhere out there under the Afghani stars), but if we don't succeed, we'd best just blow the whole damn thing up.
Of course, I am coming from the liberal mindset. I do, in fact, see soldiers as perpetrators or victims, but mostly perpetrators.
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