Interesting how the "VT" symbol for Virginia Tech made it on to the uniforms, cars, or other stuff of various athletes in the aftermath of the tragic shootings on that college's campus. We are a nation of sympathizers, but we also have short memories. I guess that it is good to show support for whatever might be the current cause celeb. In the end, our empathy for the parents of those students, or for the owners of the euthanized horse Barbaro, may show one's humanity, but it does little to change bad results or the course of future events.
Theoretically, citizens can raise their voices and usher in change at the ballot boxes. But it generally takes a ground-swell of dissatisfied voters to say, "enough". Or an extended period of collective misfortune that demands blame. Can societal systems secure us from the nutcase? At what price? The ACLU vs. the Department of Homeland Security. The combination of technology and science will make lots of things possible, but where will the lawyers draw the line?
The CSI crime shows illustrate how much were are being watched even today. (I saw a new set of cameras in Bettendorf this AM high atop the traffic signals at Middle and 18th. Just watching.) But just like at VT, who's at fault when a variance is detected? The perpetrator, or the watcher who does not react "properly"? The psychologist who did the interview, or the supervisor who signed off on the "no-action" memo? The chain of responsibility has many links. No wonder the line of applicants for the position of Walmart Greeter is so long.
The NBA draft lottery is tonight. This is the event where they draw straws (balls actually) to see who gets the first pick in the upcoming draft. That pick will most certainly be either Greg Oden of Ohio State or Kevin Durant of Texas, both very gifted players who, absent the new rule that required a minimum of one year of college, would have gone to the NBA out of high school a year ago. While it is unlikely that either of these players will lead a team to a title next year, getting such a talent in the draft can translate into the beginning of a run of many good years into the future. Surprisingly, some consistently bad teams have be able to mess up their drafts year after year.
All for today. I'm off to the practice green at Palmer Hills to chip and putt.
Have a great evening. Buenos noches/dias to 4.
Be careful out there,
Philosophy, History and Commentary from Lt. PC
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we're finally up and running on the internet again. we have been without for several weeks now. i am unable to access my personal email or the blog at school, for obvious reasons. i just did a quick recap on what i've missed. i'll start commenting a little more to pick up the slack. matt had a friend fix our desktop, but then when someone else came over to get us on the web, the keyboard wouldn't work. tonight we have the juice flowing through my laptop. it was an easy deal for the computer guy to figure out, but far too complicated for either matt or i. we're looking at 10 days of school left. the last two are finals, so i hardly count them. i don't really 'teach' on those days. i would argue that a lot of the students have already checked out. my classes after lunch are almost unmanagable. the air conditioning at work is also set to a balmy 78. what's the point?
matt and i had a good weekend in wisconsin. the twins game was great; i got to see my first grand slam! both of our hotels were good, and the race was one of the better organized that i've participated in. i think that tends to happen when you are in a smaller city and have fewer runners. not that there's less to coordinate, but fewer 'distractions'. (read: traffic)
for those who are wondering, the wedding ivites will be going out at the end of the week. let's just say they have been a labor of...um...love?
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