Just got word a few minutes ago that my Grandpa just went on to be with the Lord.

posted by J.M. Branum at 3:15 PM | link

Take a look at a very futuristic looking car at the Japan Auto Show
posted by J.M. Branum at 12:57 PM | link

U.S. President George W. Bush and Chinese President Jiang Zemin wear traditional style silk jackets as they walk to an informal meeting at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leader's summit in Shanghai, China, on Sunday, Oct. 21, 2001. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu) [more]

posted by J.M. Branum at 5:16 PM | link

OK, here's a whole slew of interesting articles icq'd to me from Aaron Young.

From MSNBC:

• First, brand all the children: Cyber-liberties swept away by tidal wave of security concerns - This is an excellent op-ed piece Brock Meeks. I am glad to hear more folks speaking up for civil liberties in our time of retreating from the American vision of freedom and democracy.
  
• Worries about a fate worse than anthrax - an op-ed piece by Chris Matthews that discusses how Gen-X'ers are responding to the anthrax scare.

From Yahoo News:

• The Air War - op-ed piece by Bill O'Reilly on how corporate America is using the tragedy to maximize profits and screw the American people.
  
• Help Wanted: NASA to pay $11/hour to stay in bed

posted by J.M. Branum at 5:07 PM | link

Back in San Marcos. I had a good trip back home and got to see my Grandpa. It's hard to tell how much time he has left (maybe hours, maybe weeks), but it does seem like he has a lot more peace than he had before. (Thanks Aaron and everyone else who is praying for him and my family.)

No links today from the newspaper, but may post some later today. It does look like a very mixed bag in the situation in Afghanistan. I am very, very glad that thus far Bush is taking a very restrained approach and is doing his best to not hit civilian targets. (very different policy than that which we have in Iraq), but I am concerned that this could be a situation where we ease ourselves into a Vietnam-style war. (Remember Vietnam began with just a few miliary advisors.)

As a matter of principle, I am opposed to all forms of war, but if we are going to do a war, then I think Bush has done a good job of keeping it controlled. Time will tell.

posted by J.M. Branum at 4:01 PM | link

I got to see Madison Greene live in Austin last night! It was a glorious show, but I'll have to tell about it later when I have more time. I'm actually in Oklahoma now for a couple of days (drove from Texas overnight) as my grandpa has taken a turn for the worse. It sounds like he doesn't have much time left so I thought I had better make a quick trip home. Please keep him (his name is Lawrence) in your prayers that he would have peace in his last days. I know he is looking forward to seeing his wife again (they were married for 69 years until she passed on about a year ago), but I also know there are some fears there. It is so sad to me that one can live all your life for the Lord, but in the end be fearful that you might have failed in some way. I think that is the greatest tragedy of legalism. I know God is waiting to welcome my Grandpa into heaven, I just wish that my Grandpa could be reassured His heavenly Father is waiting at the gate to let him in.
posted by J.M. Branum at 4:05 PM | link

Zmag.org has an excellent series of essays on the 9/11 attacks and their aftermath.
posted by J.M. Branum at 3:59 PM | link

Yesterday was a very, very, very good day pedi-cabing. Definitely my best money day so far.

However, I had something happen that really hit me hard. I had a couple that wanted a ride to a downtown hotel. When we got to our destination, the girl went in to get change from the valet while the guy stayed out with me. He noticed my button "No to war: No to Racism" and said, "well I don't know about that button. The racism thing is ok, I mean I hate everyone the same but the war I don't agree with." He then went on to explain that he is soldier from Ft. Hood (nearby in Killeen, TX) and that he thinks we ought to "kill all of those sandn*****s and let God sort them out."

I didn't know what to say. I have been trying to control my anger since the last time I went off on a racist bigot who was a passenger, so all I said was "well I respect who think war is a good idea, but for me my religious beliefs don't support violence of any kind."

After I left I was pretty upset. I was taught to respect all servicemen. Even now as a pacifist, I still do my best to honor and respect those who chose to fight. To me, they are doing what they're consciences say is right and are willing to die for their beliefs. Since I also strive to live and die for my convictions, I have to respect those who are willing to do the same, even if they see things differently.

However, this bigot shook me to the core. I later couldn't help but wonder if that was what Timothy McVeigh might have said before he went to fight in Desert Storm. What in the **** is going on with the US military?! I feel like calling up the CO at Ft. Hood and asking him where this soldier got this hate philosophy and if they're going to actually let him go over to Afghanistan. How can the American people have confidence in American GI's to not target civilians when folks like this are given guns and the authority to use them. I know most soliders are not racists, but I don't understand how such a blatant one is still in the service.

I would love to hear any responses to anyone in the service... I will gladly publish your thoughts here. I want to know if what I experienced is common or is an fluke instance and is not representative of those who serve.
posted by J.M. Branum at 3:10 PM | link