JMBzine.com
















by J. M. Branum

JMBzine.com is a free and independent media outlet protected by the Bill of Rights, First Amendment.

ABOUT ME:
  • 27 yr old male
  • jesus disciple
  • 2d yr. law student
  • peace activist
  • an okie green
  • former austinite
  • writer

    Email: jmb(at)jmbzine.com

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    favorite L-student blogs

    - Sua Sponte -
    - Janeway speaks -
    - Omer Poos -
    - Mellow-drama -
    - Zipsix.com -


    blogs by L students, Pre-law geeks, and recent L school grads

    - AndrewRaff.com -
    - gTexts -
    - Mad Tea Party -
    - disLEXia -
    - Method2Madness -
    - Tarheel Pundit -
    - Waddling Thunder -
    - Ambivalent Imbroglio -
    - damn the muse -
    - Jeremy's weblog -
    - Jewish Buddha -
    - Liable -
    - Math class for poets -
    - Off the fence -
    - Paul's Boutique -
    - thelifeoferin -
    - retrorocket -
    - The Rattler -
    - Santagati.com -
    - beingkate.com -
    - Statonlaw.net -
    - Antioch Road -
    - Volokh -


    Austin blogs

    confessionalism.com
    Bedheaded
    emoomega
    Indieandra
    kaci archer
    goodmorning
    Creamy


    Music I adore

    The Magnetic Fields
    Robert Earl Keen
    The Great Divide
    Madison Greene
    Miranda Stone
    UHQ
    Bill & VOL
    Five Iron Frenzy
    Brave Saint Saturn
    The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
    Belle & Sebastian
    Cake



    Music I dig

    Steve Earle
    Calibretto 13
    Nickel Creek
    Gillian Welch
    S. Austin Jug Band
    Jim's Big Ego
    The Decemberists
    Echoing Green
    Cross Canadian Ragweed
    Guardian
    Finch
    Natalie Merchant
    Rusted Root
    The Asylum Street Spankers
    Barenaked Ladies
    Blues Traveler
    Jimmy Eat World
    Lenny Smith
    Alison Krauss
    Cherokee Nat. Children's Choir
    Delirious
    Duncan Sheik
    Iron Butterfly
    Austin Lounge Lizards
    Bela Fleck
    Bad Faces Clan
    Bob Marley
    Bruce Hornsby
    Fleming and John
    Element 101
    Ballydowse
    The Crossing
    Havalina Rail Company
    Godspeed you...
    Jeff Buckley
    Nick Drake
    They Might Be Giants
    The Beatles
    Guster
    AZX
    Pedro the Lion
    Ani DiFranco
    Bob Dylan
    Hank Williams III
    Junior Brown
    Lucinda Williams
    Weird Al Yankovitch
    Brooke Axtell
    Cross Movement
    Gin Blossoms
    Creed
    Shaded Red
    Waterdeep
    Acapella/AVB
    Eli
    K.C. Clifford
    Stryper
    Randy Thompson
    The Elms
    Superchic[k]
    Joy Electric
    Juliana Theory
    Pep Squad
    The Insyderz
    Save Ferris
    Walela
    O.C. Supertones
    Danielson Familie
    Third Day
    Echoing Green
    Chicago
    The Gypsy Kings
    Fold Zandura
    PFR
    MxPx
    Jimmy Buffett
    Jennifer Knapp
    Rick Altizer
    Bob Wills...
    Luke Brindley
    Blink 182
    Green Day
    Phish
    The Cranberries
    Peter, Paul & Mary
    Mamas and Papas
    John Denver

    Internet Radio (don't R.I.P.)

    JMBzine.com Radio
    KTSW - College Radio
    Radio New Braunfels
    Texas Rebel Radio
    Radio1Austin.com
    KHYI.com
    KOKF.com




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    • Friday, January 31, 2003

    The practice of Law:




    posted by JMB at 1:07 PM |     link |


    Thursday, January 30, 2003

    The road goes on forever...



      Life has been busy lately for me. I'll update y'all on the details later, but one thing that has come up is especially of note. . .

      It appears that I might be transfering to another law school next fall.

      I really had hoped to stay at OCU for my entire Law school career but after a recent meeting with the financial aid folks (who are shaking me down to pay them more money) I just don't think it makes since any more to stay, especially when OU's tuition is much, much cheaper (around $220 per credit hour instead of $600). I'm still mulling it over right now, but as it stands I think I'll either be transfering to OU or switching to OCU's night school program in the fall. Who knows though? Life keeps surprising me.

    posted by JMB at 10:46 PM | link |


    Wednesday, January 29, 2003

    Kurt Vonnegut to speak at OCU



        The Oklahoma City University’s Distinguished Speaker series will present best-selling author Kurt Vonnegut Jr. at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 12 in the Henry J. Freede Wellness and Activity Center, NW 27th and Florida. The event, which is sponsored by Oklahoma City University, is free and open to the public. For more information, call (405) 523-4956.

        Previous speakers in the OCU Distinguished Speaker series include Jonathan Kozol, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., George F. Will, Anne Simon, Sister Helen Prejean, and Morris Dees.


      More info at: http://www.okcu.edu/banners/vonnegut.asp

    posted by JMB at 4:48 PM | link |


    War strikes OCU Law



      This morning in our section's announcements I heard that my friend Aaron C. (don't remember how to spell his last name) got word yesterday that he is being deployed tomorrow to the Middle East, and that he was gone today because he was getting a marriage license this morning. (He and his fiance, also an OCU Law student want to get married before he departs tomorrow morning.)

      Aaron really is a good guy. We got to know each other last semester when we both were running late in turning in a major assignment last semester, and since then we always give each other a hard time about issues like the death penalty. We didn't really see eye to eye very much on politics, but I really did like him as a friend. He was always super-friendly and very encouraging.

      If you have a moment, please say a quick prayer for him that he would come home quickly and safely.

    posted by JMB at 12:19 PM | link |


    Today:



      The last 24 hours or so have been an emotional roller coaster for me. I'll start with the good and the move to the bad.

      The good was that yesterday afternoon (Tuesday) KTOK (OKC's main AM talk radio station) picked up a story that I broke in a letter to the editor to this week's Oklahoma Gazette (I'll post the whole story on this later today on the Poliblog.) It was very cool that the story got picked up, and even cooler that it was the lead story. --- It was also a good day yesterday weatherwise. It was in the high 60's-low 70's here in OKC, so I had a glorious time in the afternoon bicycling.

      At the same time it has been a difficult time as well. I have really been struggling with my faith again, particularly in wrestling with the subject of suffering. It seems to be a recurring theme in my life (not that I have been suffering... actually I have been incredibly fortunate in the relative ease of my life of late) but rather in the lives of others that I care about. In my church family, we have had several folks who have had absolutely terrible things happen to them and their families' lately, and one of my closest of friends has had a horrible time of it lately.

      Last night (Tuesday) these things were pressing on my mind a lot when driving home from work at 11pm, so I started praying. As I talked to God I frankly felt very unsatisfied about these circumstances, particularly in one situation a friend has been dealing with.

      As I prayed about it, I started thinking about the book of Job in the Bible, but the more I thought about it that made me mad too. Job was totally dumped on, it seems to me. He was faithful to God, yet he has his entire family, property and health taken away because God wants to prove something to the Devil. (that's how it seems to me)

      That just seems wrong to me. I know the intellectual arguments for what is going on in Job, but they do not satisfy my own heart. It seems like Job is just a pawn that God and Satan are both trying to use for their own purposes. Certainly in the end, Job is "rewarded" in the end with new children and more property than he had before, but really does that really make things right? Can you really "replace" children who die?

      I don't know. At one point I think how can I really believe in a god who acts this way, yet at the same time I can't imagine a world without God. Despite the ugliness, despite the bone-crushing suffering there is still good in this world. There is still beauty. I can't give up on Godd, yet I find it hard to begin to understand what he is up to.

      Anyway, by the time I finished the commute back to Newcastle I wasn't at peace about it particularly but I guess I at least expressed it all to God, and went to bed pretty fast.

      What was strange though was that last night in my dreams I was crying. That is all I remember from the dream was crying. I have no memory of what I was crying about, only that it was in someway tied to what I had been praying about the night before. And here is what is wierd, when I woke up I realized that I actually had been crying in my sleep, which is very odd in that I am not the kind of person who cries easily when awake.

      Now today (Wednesday), I do have hope in a way but also have some huge doubts. I do believe that God answers prayers yet it bothers me that He seems to be so capricious about whether and how He answers those prayers.

    posted by JMB at 12:19 PM | link |


    Yesterday:



      I wrote this post on the 28th, but am posting it today on the 29th)

      January seems to be crawling by so slowly! I am so sick of school and am so sick of cold windy weather. This winter has not be very fun at all. Last winter was much better, as we at least had a few decent snows (it was so wonderful to be out at the farm when the snow is piled up high), but this winter it is just bitterly cold (as cold as 10 degrees this last week) with the nastiest biting wind that chills the soul and freezes my bones.

      I can tell this weather is getting to me as I dreamed about Austin a few days ago. In the dream I was sitting on a slope out at Zilker park wearing a hawaiian shirt and shorts (my normal attire 9 days out of 10 when I lived in Austin). The sun was incredibly warm and the sky was SO BLUE!

      In the dream I remember thinking, this is such a good day! Then... I woke up.

      Of course I know my life is here now in Oklahoma and I do feel good about that, but there is no doubt about it that sometimes Austin calls to my soul. There is no doubt about it, that Austin changed me and has made me who I am. When I moved to Austin in 1997 I was a very dogmatic conservative who was scared of the big city (you'll laugh when I say this, but I actually bought a gun during my early time there because I was nervous to be living downtown).

      By the time I left Austin (Dec. 2001), I was a Green party member and a pacifist, whose job was driving a bicycle taxi all over downtown Austin from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m.

      What is strange though about it all, is that to me it seems that OKC and Austin have now changed a lot. Austin as I knew it mostly in the last 90's is dying. The activist community is not what it once was (a good example is that OKC has been having much bigger anti-war protests over the last few months than what Austin has had) and there seems to not be the same energy there once was. I'm not sure what is causing that, but I do think part of it is the both the diminishing economy (and hence less jobs for everybody, including those in the activitst community) but part of it too is the growing pro-corporate/yuppie vibe that has grown so oppressive there.

      I am sure that someday Austin will come back stronger than ever but right now things are not looking good there to me.

      At the same time, OKC (always competing with Nashville to be the belt buckle of the Bible belt as they say) is changing radically. Ethnic and racial diversity is now growing rapidly (OKC has one of the biggest Vietnamese communities in the region, and to me has faster growing Hispanic neighborhoods than many areas of Texas), and there is a growing insurgence of alternative viewpoints, ranging from the Gay & Lesbian community (who now have one of their folks in office as a County Commissioner if I remember right, and secured the right through litigation to display their banners on city streets during Gay pride month --- btw, before you jump my case, I'm not saying I endorse homosexuality. What I am saying is that I believe they should have equal rights and protection under the law. Free speech belongs to all, even those you might not agree with all of the time.) to the burgeoning Anti-war movement (with almost daily small protests taking place along with larger actions such as the recent peace march/vigil that had 2,100 in attendance.

      In a way, I think OKC is becoming what Austin was in the 1970's - 1990's. OKC is still backwater enough to not get the yuppies' attention (lets cross our fingers that OKC never does get their attention) but is now developing enough of an independent vibe that cool things are happening.

    posted by JMB at 12:18 PM | link |


    Monday, January 27, 2003

    The practice of Law:




    posted by JMB at 3:32 PM |     link |


    Christian Spirituality:




    posted by JMB at 1:37 PM | link |


    Random:



    posted by JMB at 1:36 PM | link |


    Friday, January 24, 2003

    Today:



      Sorry for my lack of posts lately. My laptop decided to act up on me (charger died), so I ended up having to get a new battery and charger

      Not much new to tell. I very much hate property but I think everyone else does too. I don't understand why the prof has taken what should be a very interesting subject and turned into turbid mass of incomprehensible rules.

      Tomorrow is Saturday (woohoo!) which will be nice. I'll be traveling to Holdenville, OK in the afternoon for our Oklahoma Green Party State Executive Committee meeting, and then after that to work at the OCU Law Library computer lab. I'll likely post more then.

      One last thing, if you're in OKC be sure and pick up a copy of the Oklahoma Gazette. They are running my letter to the editor on Governor Henry's flip-flop on the death penalty this week and hopefully (crossing my fingers) my letter to the editor opposing the lottery next week. (I'll post the letters to the POLIBLOG tomorrow.)

    posted by JMB at 9:33 PM | link |


    Wednesday, January 22, 2003

    L-school Update:



      Well I got my Torts grade, and it was lower than expected. It was not a bad grade but not near as good as I expected (Torts was my strong subject). I think probably what hurt me was that it was my first exam and I was a bit more nervous for that one.

      Oh well. Overall I can't complain too much. I definitely feel like some of those panic-prayers before the exams were answered.

    posted by JMB at 3:38 PM | link |


    L-school update:



      Today has been interesting thus far. When I got to school this morning I ran into a friend who asked if I had looked at my grades yet (today was the ETA for most grades to be posted). I told him, "nah, I can't look at them because I got a grade hold for owing OCU money."

      He replied, "well hey Ol' (whats-his-name) here had a hold but they let him know his grades."

      Bam, I was out of there like a gunshot heading to the registrar. (so much for my supposed zen-like resolve about not looking at my grades) As it turned out I was pleasantly surprised. One of my grades (Torts) wasn't in yet, but the other grades were much better that I expected. My guess is that Professors Contracts and CivPro must have been hitting the bottle while grading and my test was at the bottom of the stack when they were in a better mood. The best part though was LR&W. I had expected a D in there (actually some fear that flunk it) but instead got a C!!!!!!!!!

      Now I just have to wait a few hours for Professor Torts to turn in her grades. I really do feel good about that class (I thought that was my best one) but that will probably be where I'll be disappointed.

      On a side note, while scanning a few of my favorite L-school blogs I stumbled across Suasponte's post on her weekend getaway. Parts of it are downright poetic with metaphors that leap off the page. My oh my, I would give my left arm to write like this.

    posted by JMB at 11:42 AM | link |


    L-school update:



      Thus far, Criminal Law is most definitely my favorite class with Contracts II running second (I like it much better this semester than I did last semester). Civ Pro II isn't bad but I don't look forward to going to class, and the other two Property and LR&W II are torture.

      LR&W is incredibly boring (no fault of the prof, she is super-nice... it is just hard to liven up "how to research legislative history" or the "difference between practicioner and law review citation" styles") but tolerable as at least I can read email or something. Property on the hand is both boring and hard. I think what I find so hard about it is that it is so rules-based and abstract.

      This is really stupid really. From reading the casebook (and talking to other folks in other Property classes), Property is actually a really interesting subject with a great deal of philosophical and moral questions to deal with. Taking Property out of that context and turning it into a hyper-abstract field like Geometry is inexcusable in my book.

    posted by JMB at 11:41 AM | link |


    Christian Spirituality:


    • O Spirit of the Living God, by Henry H. Tweedy (1868-1953)

        O Spirit of the living God, Thou light and fire divine,
        Descend upon thy Church once more, And make it truly thine!
        Fill it with love and joy and power, with righteousness and peace,
        Till Christ shall dwell in human hearts, And sin and sorrow cease.

        Blow, wind of God! With wisdom blow until our minds are free
        From mists of error, clouds of doubt, which blind our eyes to thee!
        Burn, winged fire! Inspire our lips with flaming love and zeal,
        To preach to all thy great good news, God's glorious commonweal!

        Teach us to utter living words of truth which all may hear,
        The language all men understand when love speaks loud and clear;
        Till every age and race and clime shall blend their creeds in one,
        And earth shall form one brotherhood by whom thy will is done.

        So shall we know the power of him who came mankind to save,
        So shall we rise with him to life which soars beyond the grave;
        And earth shall win true holiness, which makes thy children whole,
        Till, perfected by thee, we reach creation's glorious goal!


    • From an email sig line...
        A dead thing can go with the stream...
        but only a living thing can go against it.         -G. K. Chesterton


    posted by JMB at 11:41 AM | link |


    The Arts:



    posted by JMB at 11:39 AM | link |


    Tuesday, January 21, 2003

    Austin Theatre



      I received this via the Hope Arts Listserve:

        Adam & Eve: In Retrospect, by W. David O. Taylor & C. Brie Walker (Hope Arts)

        On the afternoon of preparations for Adams 500th birthday party, Eve banters with the girls about her husbands mannish ways, while in the room next door Adam sighs and joshes with the boys. Suddenly they are interrupted with the memory of their expulsion from the Garden and the dreadful moments that followed. The traumatic experience induces reflection on both the struggle and poignancy of marriage. Tickets $5.

        Sunday, January 26- 2:00pm
        Thursday, January 30- 9:15pm
        Friday, January 31- 7:00pm
        Sunday, February 2- 4:15pm

        Make reservations by calling 479-PLAY (479-7529). The very groovy Blue Theatre, 916 Springdale Road, is easy to find and just minutes from downtown! Head east on 7th Street past I-35. Once you've crossed Pleasant Valley, the next light is Springdale. Take a left onto Springdale and look to your left for the Goodwil sign. As soon as you cross over the railroad tracks, take a left into the complex of Goodwill warehouses and head toward the THEATRE sign at the back. Or take Airport to Springdale
        (East Austin) and turn West onto Springdale. The theatre will by on the right, behind the Goodwill.

    posted by JMB at 6:02 PM | link |


    More linkbacks...



      Thanks go out to Earl.strain.at for linking to my old term paper The Blogging Phenomenon: An overview and theoretical consideration. Here is how Earl described the paper:

        kommunikationstheoretische betrachtung von blogging


      BTW, this is a side note from a design perspective but I love the color scheme he uses on his site. The shades of green and gray he uses are really pleasing.

      (Please note that the paper is now available in Word .DOC format for easier printing. However, I do ask that if you want to link to the paper from your blog that you link to the web version of the paper so that I'll be able to track how many people look at the paper with my counter. Thanks!_

    posted by JMB at 5:36 PM | link |


    Random:



    posted by JMB at 10:25 AM | link |


    Christian Spirituality:




    posted by JMB at 10:24 AM | link |


    NYC:




    posted by JMB at 10:24 AM | link |


    Science:




    posted by JMB at 10:24 AM | link |


    Music:




    posted by JMB at 10:24 AM | link |


    Austin:




    • Great Plains Air is now offering new non-stop service to Austin from several cities (including OKC)... btw, my understanding is that the State of Oklahoma is a major investor in Great Plains Air.

    posted by JMB at 10:24 AM | link |


    Monday, January 20, 2003

    Today



      . . . was a delightful day. No school due to Martin Luther King, Jr. day so I had a luxurious time of sleeping in this morning (no getting up at 6:30 a.m. for the long commute) and in the afternoon working on my garden as the weather was absolutely magical (high in the 60's).

      Garden-wise, my chores today consisted of driving over to TG Farms in Newcastle, OK to get some wheat straw hay bales (killer price by the way, $1 each for the 3foot by 18 inches kind). I then took them out to the garden and used them as the border for an addition to my raised vegateable beds. (so now my garden consists of a U-shaped raised bed with about 90 square feet of growing area... my hope is to expand that to 200 square feet by the spring).

      After that I laid down some old newspaper (it is important to use the b/w pages only, no color ink because they use funky chemicals for the colors that aren't proper for an organic garden) in the section of the bed, and then started hauling dirt/compost from the compost pile to the bed to fill it. I still have lots of work to do to fill up the bed with enough dirt but I got a good dent in it anyway.

      The day is almost over now. I really dread going back to school tomorrow but at least I get to start the day with my favorite class, criminal law.

    posted by JMB at 10:28 PM | link |


    In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day





    Photo from AfricanAmericans.com



    posted by JMB at 9:38 PM | link |


    Saturday, January 18, 2003

    A good day



      Today was an extremely satisfying day for me, as we had the Spiritual Walk for Peace today in downtown OKC. (More information on the walk and other information on today's International Day of Action against the War in Iraq can be read on my seperate political blog.) We met at ??? church near the OKC National Memorial site. After a series of prayers we began our silent vigil walk around the memorial (we did not go into the memorial out of respect for the memorial and for those who may be visiting it) stopping every block or so to be led in prayer by ministers from different faith traditions (Those that I recall include Catholic, Mennonite, Methodist, Islamic, and the Native American Church).

      It was a moving experience for me, partially because of the location (being at a place where I saw the aftereffects of horrible carnage of the OKC bombing 8 years ago) but mostly because it was so good to see so many other people present united for peace. My guess at the numbers present were around 1,000 (I tried to count the crowd in rough blocks of 20), but I was later told by one of the event organizers that they estimated the crowd at 2,000.

      At a later time, I will post more accurate numbers and also hopefully some pictures from the vent.

      It was also a good day as I ran into several friends from the Green party, including two folks who are on the State Executive Committee with me. We had a great time visiting afterwards and ended up heading to Bricktown for some mexican food and to window shop at the American Indian jewelry shop.

    posted by JMB at 5:17 PM | link |


    Friday, January 17, 2003

    Reciprocal Links:








    posted by JMB at 11:39 AM | link |


    All Things Middle Earth




    posted by JMB at 11:37 AM | link |


    Food:



    • The Onion: McDonald's Stock slides as more consumers turn to food

      The world's leading purveyor of semi-synthetic digestibles, McDonald's became a franchise in 1955 and quickly expanded across the U.S., thanks to innovative marketing, low prices, and exemption from FDA regulations, given that its products fall outside the scope of the agency. McDonald's has proven a popular favorite among busy, on-the-go Americans lacking the time for genuine food.

    posted by JMB at 11:37 AM | link |


    Quote:



      Defend the lowly and the fatherless, render justice to the afflicted and needy. Rescue the lowly and poor, deliver them from the hand of the wicked. Psalm 82, 3-4

    posted by JMB at 11:37 AM | link |


    Thursday, January 16, 2003

    JMBzine Format Change



      I have decided to make yet another format change in JMBzine. The rationale behind this is that my readers (from what I can tell from email and icq messages I receive) fall into two very different groups.

      The first group is composed of folks who are interested in the random stuff of my everyday life as a Law student, part-time preacher, and lover of way too many hobbies. These folks include lots of old friends, other Law students, college students thinking about going into law and random folks who wander in to see what I'm up to.

      The second group of folks are into commenntary and links on politics and policy issues. My focus in these things is on civil liberties and issues of peace and justice in this world.

      The difficulty is that with a few exceptions, most of my readers fall clearly into one of these two camps. Group#1 folks often are not interested in and sometimes even are antagonized by my political views. Some of these folks are people whose friendship I care about deeply and I really don't want to offend them unneccesarily, especially if they are not really looking for the politics posts but end up reading them because those posts are mixed in with the posts that they are interested in. Also, frankly I sometimes get carried away with anger towards some of the messed up things in this world. I am trying (often unsuccessfully) to channel that anger towards injustice and not the people carrying out the injustice, but I know some of my readers would rather not see that inner struggle published for the world to see.

      At the same time, Group#2 folks simply may not care about what I think about Lord of the Rings, music, or law student life, and that is totally cool. I am just tickled pink that they want to read and engage with what I have to say on political issues. (But I do caution this group, that LOTR, music, etc do influence my politics very much. If you want to understand my views on justice and peace, you might be well served to spend some time reading the non-politics stuff.)

      So, to try to serve both components of my readership better I will be spinning off my political and policy discussions and links over to a new blog*. I haven't picked a name for it yet but want to use the words "Justice" and "Peace" somehow in it (If you have any ideas for a name, please shot them over my way.). There of course will be some overlap between the two blogs (art, music, and spirituality often have political elements, and to the extent that my personal life touches on politics, JMBzine will still hit on those things.) but for the most part anything beyond brief announcements on things political will go to the political blog.

      The new blog will probably begin in the next day or two. I'll let y'all know as soon as it is up. Added 4:37 p.m. CST: The POLIBLOG is now online.

      * For long time readers, you might say "Didn't you do this before?" --- Yes, a few months back I tried to split this blog into 3 thematic blogs which was a horrible disaster. I think though that this spin-off will work because it will only be two blogs that will be easily updated hopefully daily.


    posted by JMB at 11:21 AM | link |


    Wednesday, January 15, 2003

    Today:



      I'm sorry for the lack of new material lately but I have been slammed trying to complete my Oklahoma Bar Association registration and background check. I am still amazed at how thorough the background check was, wanting to know every job I ever worked, every speeding ticket, and even every residence, plus at least one reference from every locality that I have ever lived. It seems like complete and utter sillyness to me. I can't see how my job performance at Taco Mayo 10 years ago will have anything to do with what kind of lawyer I will be... oh, and not only that but I had to submit a passport photo and 2 sets of fingerprints.

    posted by JMB at 3:48 PM | link |


    More backlinks



      Thanks to weblog.balti.at for commenting on my paper das Blogging Phaenomen:

        Weblogs sind Massenphaenomene
        James M. Branum schreibt in seinen Artikel ueber das Blogging Phaenomen. Im Teil 1 geht er auf Blogs, deren Historie und die moeglichen Einteilungen ein, im Teil 2 bietet er Untersuchungsmoeglichkeiten an, wie das Phaenomen erforscht werden kann.
        Posted by Sonya / Dienstag, Januar 07, 2003 / Link


      Also, thanks go out to Monolog.antville.org for giving the paper a link!

    posted by JMB at 3:48 PM | link |


    Tuesday, January 14, 2003

    Lotsa dicta




    posted by JMB at 10:54 AM | link |


    Letters at 3 A.M.




    posted by JMB at 10:52 AM |     link |


    In Memory



      I received this by email today. I'm posting it to honor Brother George's memory.

        CPTnet
        January 10, 2002
        BAGHDAD, IRAQ: Body of CPTer killed in Iraq begins journey to Canada despite
        UN sanctions

        by Doug Pritchard

        The body of George Weber, 73, who was killed in a highway accident near Basrah in southern Iraq on Jan. 6, 2003, has begun its journey home.

        Weber had been part of a Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) delegation visiting hospitals, schools, churches and mosques in Iraq to hear first-hand from Iraqis about the devastating impact of the Gulf War, thirteen years of economic sanctions and ongoing bombings by the U.S. and its allies. Bombs fell on the outskirts of Basrah on Jan. 5 as the delegation arrived in the area.

        Family and friends of Weber were shocked to learn that the UN sanctions against Iraq, supported by both the United States and Canada, also restricted the "export" of his body from Iraq. Reynald Doiron, spokesperson for Canada's Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, told CPT on Jan. 7 that while this restriction was technically in effect, Canadian officials were attempting to get the UN to allow the transfer of his body on a humanitarian basis. Permission was granted on Jan. 8 and the body was flown to Amman, Jordan on Jan. 9 in the company of fellow CPT delegation member James Loney, 38, from Priceville, ON.

        When George Weber first arrived in Baghdad, he went to the market and ordered a made-to-measure suit for $100, in order to support the sanctions ravaged Iraqi economy. He was to pick it up on his return from Basrah.

        Jim Loney picked up the suit when the delegation returned to Baghdad in order to honour George's commitment. Upon hearing about the suit, his wife Lena said that George should wear it for his journey home.

        Weber's body and Loney are due to arrive at Toronto's Pearson Airport late on Jan. 10 and will then travel to Weber's home town of Chesley, ON. A funeral service for Weber will be held in Chesley at 2 pm on Jan. 13 in St. John's United Church.

        The next CPT delegations to Iraq depart North America on Jan. 11 and Feb. 1.

    posted by JMB at 10:51 AM | link |


    Monday, January 13, 2003

    Thoughts from Blogistan



      I found Joe Chambers' blog from one of my favorite L-student blogs Nikkiesq. His most recent post writen from I think Missouri is rather compelling. Here are a few excerpts from it that seemed especially insightful...

        Last night I couldn't get to sleep because I kept on hearing what I thought were B2 bombers flying over head. You see, my parents live about 10 miles from Whiteman Air Force base where 22 B2-Spirit bombers are located. They fly all the way from here to the middle-east to bomb, then head back all in one 14 hour mission. It's freaky to think that from the middle of the U.S., the heart of America, pilots are flying across the globe to drop a couple of bombs, then return to the safest place in the world.


      It doesn't seem real does it? Yet, the war is already taking place, with those stealth planes flying non-stop (with aerial refueling) for missions over Iraq. It seems so surgical, so remote, that pilots could be eating at Burger King in Missouri one day, the next day dropping bombs in Iraq that might hit their target or might veer off and kill innocent civilians, and then the next day the pilot is back at Burger King again.

      I don't blame the pilot as he is just obeying orders, but I do blame our leaders that they have made death and destruction so routine, so mundane, so removed.

        The other day a boat sunk off the coast of Bermuda and the lone survivor was picked up by a U.S. Hospital boat on its way to the Gulf.
        Donald H. Rumsfeld just ordered 62,000 more troops to pack their bags for the middle-east. My Dad's parishioner that trains the B2 bomber pilots had to be taken off the lectionary schedule because he's doesn't think he'll be able to make it on Sunday's for the next few months. My best friend Patrick, who is active, just got back from desert training. Aaron, another best friend who is in the reserves, just received his order of desert battle-dress camo. Pretty soon we'll start seeing tanks on railroad cars painted in that oh so familiar design we saw in '91.

        Folks, we're going to war, and I'm pissed off! 12 years ago it scared me. Now, I am absolutely in outrage that the U.S. is doing this. Two of my best friends will be deployed. Moms will have to say goodbye to their sons and daughters and send them to the unknown. Innocent people will die, and nothing will be resolved. This is not a just war. This is ludicrous. This is painful. This is scary.

        Will I be drafted? No, probably not. Will you? No, probably not. Does this effect us? You bet it does! WE are America. NOT him. Not Bush. Not Rumsfeld. Not Washington D.C. We, Americans, make up America, and THIS is not what we want. This must be stopped. Now.


      This blog post speaks volumes as Joe's blog isn't a political blog. Normally he talks about just life in general, yet this situation has moved him to break the general groove of his blog and say this. This gives me so much hope, that maybe Americans are beginning to question this unjust war. I just hope and pray that our leaders will hear the voices of the growing numbers who want peace.

    posted by JMB at 6:57 PM | link |


    Today:



    • NewsOK/AP: Henry takes over as 26th governor

      Oklahoma has a new governor today. Since the state capitol is only a mile or so from OCU I decided to attend today's inaugural ceremonies.

      The ceremonies were quite thrilling. At the beginning they had a processional with the Chiefs of 39 of Oklahoma's Indian nations, followed by all of the members of the state legislature, then followed by the members of Oklahoma's judicial branch (I mean the appelate level... btw, one thing which was funny was the emcee kept saying the Court of Civic Appeals (instead of "Civil Appeals"). Also on stage were four of Oklahoma's former governor (Boren who is now President of OU, George Nigh, David Walter, and Henry Bellmon), and also some of Oklahoma's congressional delegation (I saw Lucas and Istook but there may have been more of them there as well)

      As for the program it was pretty good. The Famous 45th Infantry Division band performed, along with an excellent gospel choir, and some famous opera singer that I've never heard of but who is from Oklahoma. The colors were presented by the Kiowa Black leggings society (a Kiowa veterans honorguard group) who were dressed in full regalia. There were also numerous prayers throughout the program (2 Christian, and 1 Jewish) and a very religious tone throughout.

      Of course the highlight of the program was hearing our new Governor, Brad Henry (D) speak. He was very gracious towards outgoing Governor Frank Keating (R) and was very positive about the future of the state. (It's unfortunate that he thinks the lottery is the answer though... thankfully he didn't use his speak to promote that dreadful idea today at least.)

      I have to say in retrospect that no matter what I think of the politics involved, it is a victory for the people when ever a new slate of officials are sworn in. Today we had a political change of power (Governorship going from Republican to Democrat) but no blood was shed, and violence was used. Instead the people's wishes were respected and power is transferred peacefully and seamlessly. I guess this sounds sapily patriotic but I can't help but feel good about that.

    posted by JMB at 4:11 PM | link |


    L-prof quote:



      Heard today in Contracts:

        Having consideration is like pregnancy. Either you have it or you don't.

    posted by JMB at 4:11 PM | link |


    From Dictionary.com



      Word of the Day for Sunday January 12, 2003
      gloaming \GLOH-ming\, noun:
      Twilight; dusk.

      The children squealed and waved and smiled, their teeth flashing white in the gloaming.
      --Evan Thomas, Robert Kennedy: His Life

      It was the gloaming, when a man cannot make out if the nebulous figure he glimpses in the shadows is angel or demon, when the face of evening is stained by red clouds and wounded by lights.
      --Homero Aridjis, 1492: The Life and Times of Juan Cabezon of Castile (translated by Betty Ferber)

      Arrived at the village station on a wintry evening, when the gloaming is punctuated by the cheery household lamps, shining here and there like golden stars, through the leafless trees.
      -- Margaret Sangster

    posted by JMB at 4:11 PM | link |


    Sunday, January 12, 2003

    US and World Politics/Policy:





    Oklahoma Politics/Policy:




    • NewsOK: Fund shortage leaves districts without options --- This article discusses in depth the funding crisis of Oklahoma public schools, including significant discussion about the fate of my alma mater, Newcastle High School. I think it is high time that the state consider making up this short-fall. My suggestions are: (1) Raise all state taxes by 10%, (2) Release all non-violent drug offenders, and require that future non-violent drug offenders be given probation instead of jail time, (3) Cut state legislator pay by 50%. There is no reason that Oklahoma pays one of the highest legislative salaries in the state.

    • NewsOK: Plan refuels Confederate flag debate --- I personally favor flying the Confederate battle flag of the Cherokee Braves at the captiol, along with the other 13 flags of nations that once had sovreignty over Oklahoma. History is history and whitewashing it is not good. Flying the flag as a historical display does not mean that the state supports the values of Confederacy (just as it is not endorsing the policies of Napoleonic France either) only that it remembers its past.

    • NewsOK: City officers won't face federal charges --- This is outrageous! I can not believe that these OKC cops will get away with their racist beating of a black suspect like this. Watch the video clip if you haven't seen it and ask yourself if this is the way officers of the law are supposed to behave. I find this completely repugnant and wrong that these cops will get off off of the Federal civil rights charge. Let's hope that Oklahoma county DA Lane will have the guts to do what the Federal prosecutor should have done.

    posted by JMB at 3:39 PM | link |


    Quotes for Today





      Here are two quotes from William Cobbett that were sent to me by AJY. I really think both are profound...

    • Thousands upon thousands are yearly brought into a state of real poverty by their great anxiety not to be thought poor.

    • The Christian religion, then, is not an affair of preaching, or prating, or ranting, but of taking care of the bodies as well as the souls of people; not an affair of belief and of faith and of professions, but an affair of doing good, and especially to those who are in want; not an affair of fire and brimstone, but an affair of bacon and read, beer and a bed.

    • This next quote is one I found from a website giving biographical information on William Cobbett:

        William Cobbett, Thirteen Sermons (1822)

        All property has its origin in labour. Labour itself is property; the root of all other property; and unhappy is that community, where labourer and poor man are synonymous terms. No man is essentially poor: poor and rich are relative terms; and if the labourer have his due, and be in good health, in the vigour of life, and willing to labour, to make him a poor man there must be some defect in the government of the community in which he lives. Because the produce of his labour would of itself produce a sufficiency of every thing needful for himself and family. The labouring classes must always form nine-tenths of a people; and what a shame it must be, what an imputation on the rulers, if nine-tenths of the people be worthy of the name of poor! It is impossible that such a thing can be, unless there be an unfair and an unjust distribution of the profits of labour. Labour produces every thing that is good upon the earth; it is the cause of every thing that men enjoy of worldly possessions; when, therefore, the strong and the young engage in labour and cannot obtain from it a sufficiency to keep them out of the ranks of the poor, there must be something greatly amiss in the management of the community; something that gives to the few an unjust and cruel advantage over the many; and surely, unless we assume the character of beasts of prey, casting aside all feelings of humanity, all love of country, and all regard for the ordinances of God, we must sincerely regret, and anxiously endeavour to remove, such an evil, whenever we may find it to exist. The man who can talk about the honour of his country, at a time when its millions are in a state little short of famine; and when that is, too, apparently their permanent state, must be an oppressor in his heart; must be destitute of all the feelings of shame and remorse; must be fashioned for a despot, and can only want the power to act the character in its most tragical scenes.


      Cobbett wrote those words in the Nineteenth century but them seem more relevant today than ever before. Our society truly is "greatly amiss in the management of the community" when there exist such "an unfair and just distribution of the profits of the labour."

    posted by JMB at 3:23 PM | link |


    Today



      Today has been a nice day for the most part. Most of it I spent doing a bit of housecleaning, but also spent a quite bit of time rebuilding my Lego city (I'll post pictures later... it is very cool. Most of the city is now a giant building built to be a little like the Prancing Pony inn in Bree (from Lord of the Rings), but I've also added mini-parking garage as my city has way to many cars and not enough places for them to park.) --- The real reason though I decided to rebuild the city was because it was sprawled out over one desk (4'x2-1/2' I guess) and I needed some of that space to start growing seedlings for my spring garden under flourescent lights. I've also been watching the DVD extras of The Lord of the Rings throughout the day. I really liked the cast's commentary on the movie (they seemed to so genuinely enjoy being together and talking about the movie, and I loved Liv Tyler's enthusiasm of her part in the movie)

      I gotta say that every penny of that DVD was worth it. I had hesitated for quite awhile to buy it (I wanted it bad but couldn't cough up $28 for it) but yesterday the urge overtook me (hence I'll be eating rice and beans next week hehehe). I am so amazed at what a treasure trove it is.... but I'm also still mad that Tom Bombadill wasn't in the extended version of it. I know, I know, Peter Jackson says Bombadill's story didn't work to advance the plot, but I still argue he was a major role in the book given the space dedicated to him (More than was given to Arwen I might add, but I do like the movie's expansion of her character) and Gandolph's comments on his importance later on (in "The Return of the King.").

      Oh well, nothing can be perfect except God, but I will say Tolkien's work comes mighty close to being the Holy Writ and that is why it seems almost sacrilegious to leave out such an important character.

      Which reminds me... one bit of triva I found out from DVD is that LOTR was the 2nd most read book of the 20th Century, 2nd only to the Bible. That is pretty amazing.

      Talking about the Bible, this evening I've been working on tomorrow's sermon for church. It's taken from Hosea 6:1-3. I love that passage, especially the last verse of it. I really feel like that I'll be preaching to myself more than anyone, as I need to embrace those words whole-heartedly.

    posted by JMB at 12:30 AM | link |


    Good news




    • MSNBC: Tree-sitter hauled from 400 year-old oak --- BTW, take a look at the picture of that tree and compare it to that of some of the trees from LOTR. It looks to me like that the developer there in California is wanting to cut down Lothlorien and replace it with another bit of Mordor. Bravo to Quigly for taking his stand for one of God's most beautiful of creations.

    • MSNBC: Governor clears Illinois death row, also see AP/Myway: Gov. Ryan Clears Illinois' Death Row

      This is incredible news, and I would have to echo what others are now saying, that Governor Ryan should be considered for the Nobel Peace Prize. Ryan's pardons/commutations have done more to stop the injustice of the death penalty than anything else other since that 1970's Supreme Court ruling (sorry, I don't know the cite to it).

    posted by JMB at 12:29 AM | link |


    Friday, January 10, 2003

    War vs. Liberty




    • MSNBC: North Korea pulls out of nuclear pact

    • Military.com/AP: All Marines Must Remain On Duty

        Preparing for possible war against Iraq, the Marine Corps has taken the unusual step of stopping all Marines from leaving the service for the coming 12 months, officials said Thursday. . .


      Remember when you join the military you sell your life to Uncle Sam. Even if you sign on the dotted line for X number of years, it doesn't really matter. They can keep you longer if they want. You will be bound to the letter of the law on your commitment to them but they are free to bend and break their commitment to you as they see fit.

    • MSNBC/Washington Post: INS registration stirs panic, concern --- Some Muslim foreign nationals risk arrest to meet deadline

        One man, a Moroccan living in Arlington who asked that his name be withheld, said in an interview that he had put off registering for nearly two weeks.

        “Every day I’d say, ‘I’ll go today,’ and every day I was too scared,” said the 34-year-old man, who arrived on a tourist visa with his wife four years ago and has two U.S.-born daughters.

        He said a local restaurant that wants to hire him as a chef sponsored him for a green card two years ago. But because that application is pending, and because his tourist visa has long expired, the man knew that he risked deportation if he registered.

        After arriving for his interview Tuesday morning, the man said he was handcuffed, placed in leg irons and taken to the Stafford County Jail. He was released Wednesday night and faces a hearing on his future.

        "I couldn’t believe it was happening,” the man said. “It was like being in a terrible dream. . . . My youngest daughter was born only a month and a half ago, and my wife doesn’t speak good English. If something happened . . . who was going to help them?”


      What kind of life will his daughter have? (I should add this daughter is an American citizen since she was born here.) Why is it that this man will be punished because he decided to do the right thing and register?

    posted by JMB at 12:10 PM | link |


    Powell shows true colors, wants war at any cost



    • MSNBC: U.S. says ‘smoking gun’ not needed --- Administration puts emphasis on cooperation, not discovery of evidence in Iraqa

        Secretary of State Colin Powell told NBC News that a “smoking gun” wasn’t necessary, while White House spokesman Ari Fleischer asserted that United States knows “for a fact” that Baghdad has produced weapons of mass destruction. . .


      Why isn't a smoking gun neccesary, and if the US "knows for a fact" that Baghdad has weapons of mass destruction then where is the proof?

      Let's cut the B.S. and tell it like it is. Either there is solid proof of weapons of mass destruction (the "smoking gun") or not. If there are such weapons, then the UN needs to be apprised of that fact, and then the UN must assess the seriousness of the situation and take appropriate action based on the situation. (Mere possession of chemical weapons is not enough if Iraq does not possess the capabilities to use those weapons, such as a missle with a chemical warhead.)

      IF however there is no solid evidence (which to me is the most likely possibility), then this "hunt for weapons of mass destruction" is a big joke, and the war is really about oil and getting Dubya reelected.

      In my mind though, the only way to prove that this war isn't about oil and politics is show the proof. Put it on the table. Until I see it, I am forced to make the obvious conclusion about this war and this administration.

    posted by JMB at 11:20 AM | link |


    Thursday, January 09, 2003

    Thinking about the spring



      Yesterday's warm spell (already gone today, the wind was howling most of the day at 40+ MPH) got me thinking about my plans for gardening this spring. I even got out my seed mail-order catalogues and had a blast picking things to order this year.

      So in that light (and for Aaron & Brandy, and anyone else who are starting gardens this spring for the first time in their new home(s)) here are some links to places to order seeds. Most let you order on-line, but I suggest ordering a print catalogue (in most cases free) to thumb through as they are more fun and contain tons of valuable instructional information on gardening.

      These first few are the "old stand-bys," and are companies my grandparents and parents always ordered from. These catalogues carry a little bit of everything and are geared towards your "mainstream/non-organic" gardener for the most part. The last time I checked, Gurney's and Henry Fields were the cheapest, Henry Fields a little more, and Burpees the highest. Most mostly sell seeds, but some also sell fruit trees and perenial plants (esp Burpees)

    • Park Seed Company

    • Gurney's Seed & Nursery

    • Burpees

    • Henry Fields

      The next bunch are geared more towards organic gardeners, ranging from small home gardens to larger commercial gardens for market. These are your best bet if you are looking for heirloom varieties and more unusual items. (It is also good to patrionize these folks as many of them use environmentally friendly responsible farming practices.) Some of these guys are also a good source for gardening tools. (Often their catalogues are more detailed than the first group listed above and lists more detailed scientific information on growing things.)

      The big negative to this group of catalogues is that their seed runs a bit more than the prior group.

    • Territorial Seed Company - By far the best catalogue of any of them. I recommend ordering their catalogue even if you're not sure if you want to get seeds from them or not, as their catalogue is a treasure trove of information.

    • Johnny's Selected Seeds

    • Abundant Life Seed

    • Pine Tree Seeds - a good option though for trying out new varieties, as Pine Trees sells smaller seed packets that cost less. Pine Tree also has dirt cheap s/h on their orders

    • Totally Tomatoes - a great source for tomato and pepper seeds and plants

    • Vermont Bean Seed Company

    • Seeds of Change - focuses on providing open-pollinated varieties of heirloom varieties for seed savers

    • Peaceful Valley Farm Supply - another good source for open-pollinated heirloom varieties

      Last but not least, here is a good resource for investigating the reputation of mail-order garden supply and seed companies...

    • The Garden Watch Dog

    posted by JMB at 7:49 PM | link |


    Would Bush and his pals still want to go war with Iraq if their kids could get drafted?



    • Washington Post: Some Democrats Urge Broad U.S. Military Draft

      While I am 100% opposed to compulsory military service, I gotta say these Democrats have a good point. Listen to this excerpt from the story....

        (Reps. Charles Rangel of New York and John Conyers of Michigan, both Korean War veterans) . . .called on Tuesday for bringing back the military draft, saying political leaders would be more wary of sending troops to Iraq if their children were going to help do the fighting.

        The Bush administration quickly dismissed the idea as unnecessary and unwise, and it was expected to gain little traction in the Republican-led Congress.


      No surprise there since Bush, Cheney, Ashcroft, and Lott all dodged the draft during their youth by using their elitist connections. If they were truly opposed to war, they should have served their years of civilian C.O. service state-side like thousands of others did.

      As always the fat cats send poor folks to fight their wars, while keeping their own sons safe at home.

        . . . (Rangel and Conyers) said the nation must debate whether it should continue with a fighting force comprised disproportionately of people from low-income families and minorities.

        Their bill would require military or national service for men and women, ages 18 to 26, without exemptions for college or graduate studies.

        "I believe that if those calling for war knew that their children were likely to be required to serve -- and to be placed in harm's way -- there would be more caution and greater willingness to work with the international community in dealing with Iraq," Rangel said at a news conference.

        "It has unfortunately become the duty of someone else's child to go to war and die as the privileged evade the tragic consequences of war," Conyers said in a statement.


      One thing I very much agree with is this proposed draft would be of both genders. No excuse for Dubya's daughters. They should have to enlist too.

      This of course is all a media stunt. There will be no draft (at least not right now as Iraq will be "easy" war for the US to win) but there will be continued exploitation of the poor and minority communties who will be forced to participate in this war through the virtual draft caused by poverty and over-zealous military recruitment efforts.

      I for one am sick of military recruiters preying upon high school students, especially when they lie to them about how the military will provide them a wealth of education opportunities and experience that will be applicable in the civilian world.

      Military recruiters should be banned by law from high school campuses but of course the law is actually the exact opposite. Today schools are forced by law to violate student privacy by giving information on EVERY student to Uncle Sam. Even parents can't opt their children out of this information gathering requirement.

    posted by JMB at 4:35 PM | link |


    From a flyer seen on the OCU campus...



      Spiritual Walk for Peace
      Saturday, January 18
      12:00 noon
      from St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral (NW 7th and Robinson)
      Oklahoma City

      A silent walk around the Alfred P. Murrah Building site in downtown Oklahoma City in conjunction with other peace gatherings across America will express oppostition to war with Iraq. The walk will begin at St. Paul's Cathedral, with brief stops for prayer at several other houses of worship and at the "Jesus Wept" memorial statute. Walkers will return to St. Paul' for coffee and conversation.

      In Oklahoma City, we know that one bomb is too many.

      Please join us.

      The Spiritual Walk for Peace is sponsored by a coalition of individuals from local faith and conscience groups, houses of worship, and faith traditions. For more information call, 405/524-5577 or 405/843-9495.

    posted by JMB at 8:39 AM | link |


    Wednesday, January 08, 2003

    Attention Austin Music Fans!



      My sister in the Lord and old-Hopite friend Brooke Axtell is playing at the Steamboat in Austin on Saturday night, Jan 11th, 9:00 pm. I would highly recommend checking her out. (If you haven't heard her before listen to her music at the website above. I love most of her music, but her new songs in particular are very cool. She and her band have definitely reinvited themselves and I like what I am hearing!)




    posted by JMB at 7:56 PM | link |


    Grades



      I've been asked three times today from classsmates if I have received any of my grades yet.... hehehe what is funny is I wouldn't know if my profs had turned in one of my grades because I am behind a tuition payment and have one of those "grade holds" where they won't give you your grades until you pay up. So, I am happily at the present moment ignorant about my grades.

      I do want to know what my grades are eventually (I don't think I could pull what that guy did in the Paper Chase when he threw his report card in the ocean). I just don't know how I feel about sharing the results with my classmates. If I do end up doing well, then likely the other person will feel bad, and if I did badly (the more likely possibility) they'll think I'm a dumb***... and if I refuse to tell them, then they'll start thinking I'm anti-social or worse the guy who broke the curve.

      Either way seems bad to me, so at the presesnt moment I'm thankful for the excuse of a grade hold.

      But since you are my internet audience (and I think few if any of my classmates will ever see this), I expect to make a D in LR&W, a C of some variety in Civ Pro, and anything from a C- to an A- in Contracts, Legal Analysis, and Torts (It'll all depend on the curve.) And I am satisfied with that, as long as I get at least a couple of grades above C.

      On another subject, a couple of my classmates showed up to the 9 a.m. class today pretty well schnockered. I am surprised they even made to class, but I have to say maybe they had the right idea. It would have to be an improvement over socratic torture when sober. ;-)

    posted by JMB at 6:06 PM | link |


    Day One



      Law school has started back up again. First day's classes (Property and Contracts II) both went well. I am going to try to intelligently participate more in class discussions this year, if for no other reason than to have a better chance of getting the "class participation" bump in the final grade.

      Weather here in OKC has been goregous today. Likely close to 70 would be my guess. It was quite nice to sit out on the Quadrangle (I think that is what they call it here) and do my reading for Crim Law's first meeting tomorrow. --- Which remind me... the reading thus far is interesting but my oh my is a mindful. I did not realize how difficult theories of punishment are to parse and understand. At this point I have no idea where I stand and thus far the main options (retributivism and utilitarianism) are insufficient. Hopefully class tomorrow will help me to understand this more clearly. (Interestingly the casebook actually quotes C.S. Lewis a good bit.)

    posted by JMB at 5:38 PM | link |


    Random Linkage




    • Pepysdiary.com --- A project to put Pepys' famous diary online one day at a time in blog format. (Thanks to Hot Buttered Death for this.)

    • NY Times: U.S. troops in South Korea encounter increased hostility

    • Thanks go out to Elearnspace.org and HIRSHgarden for linking to my old term paper --- The Blogging Phenomenon: An Overview and Theoretical Consideration

    • Utexas.edu: An Exercise in Democracy --- Deliberative Polling shows value of informed citizens --- An interesting concept, but one that I think is flawed by the information presented to the "polling sample." This actually is a similiar problem as that of our adversarial justice system. In this system, each side presents facts and persuasion within a set of ground rules to the best of its ability to a jury which is supposed to be impartial. The problem is that lawyers do break the rules (of course the judge is there to prevent that from happening, but all the same forbidden information is often heard by a jury, and a judge's admonishment to a jury to "disregard the response to that question" only serves to wake up the jury and cause them to consider the forbidden information more fully. And of course, there is also the limiting factor of differing abilities of counsel on each side.

      But I would say that an adversarial method of presenting information to a polling sample (in this case, a "jury" of public opinion) in which advocates of the differing points of view give arguements for their points of view is much better than a supposed impartial expert presenting "balanced" information on a point of contention.

      Overall though, I do think this more deliberate method of polling is much better than that which is currently used.

    posted by JMB at 5:33 PM | link |


    The drums of war are beating justice and liberty to death




    posted by JMB at 5:18 PM | link |


    News from those in the struggle for peace



      Here is a portion of the latest email update from SOA Watch (www.soaw.org). Please keep these couragous men and women in your thoughts and prayers.


        1) Trial Update

        The largest group of defendants ever is set to stand trial for speaking truth to power at the SOA. Come to Columbus to support our friends as they face up to 18 month in prison for their nonviolent acts of solidarity.

        In addition to these federal cases, Karl Meyer, who last year completed a six month prison sentence for crossing the line, faces city charges for refusing to allow the police to search him before entering the protest site. Karl will be arraigned in absentia on January 17th and unless the charges are dismissed at that time, scheduled for trial.

        Two of the defendants were tried and sentenced in December. Dave Tarbell was sentenced to 3 months in prison and a $500 fine. Vincent Jackson was sentenced to 12 months of probation and a $2,500 fine.

        Those slated for jury trials include Rachel Shiveley, who took a wrong turn onto the base and was charged with running a police barricade. Charity Ryerson, Jeremiah John and Andrew Olive are charged with destruction of government property. In addition to the charges above, which carry a maximum sentence of 12 months in prison, they are also charged with trespassing and so face up to 18 months in prison. The defense attorney for Andrew Olive is still seeking witnesses in his case. If you saw someone pick boltcutters up from the ground after the bolt had been cut, please get in touch. Visit http://www.soaw.org/new/article.php?id=556 for details.

        The two large group trials consist of people charged with trespassing for crossing onto Ft Benning property as part of the solemn funeral procession. Each of the two trials will begin with a festival of hope and resistance featuring speakers, musicians and a commissioning service for the defendants. The morning of, there will be a procession from the Howard Johnson to the courthouse. During the trial itself, there will be opportunities for supporters to rotate in and out of the courtroom and maintain a vigil on the courthouse steps. In previous years, supporters have come together to plan a nonviolent direct action at Ft. Benning during the trial.

        We know that many of you have been waiting for these details and apologize for the delay. It was not until this morning that these dates were confirmed. Our defense attorneys had previously filed a motion for judge Faircloth to be recused from the case due to his obvious bias. This morning we were notified that Judge Faircloth himself ruled against the motion that he be recused from the case. Just another example of the injustice we are up against.

        Come to Ft. Benning and support the SOA 86! Please contact Jeff Winder (jwinder@soaw.org, 202-234-3440) in the SOA Watch office in Washington, DC, if you are planning to come to Georgia for the trial and would be able to help with the support work.

        For short bios of the defendants visit:
        http://www.soaw.org/new/article.php?id=540

        For the trial schedule and logistical information visit:
        http://www.soaw.org/new/article.php?id=554

        For actions to take in solidarity with the SOA 86 visit:
        http://www.soaw.org/new/article.php?id=129

        Call for witnesses in the case of Andrew Olive:
        http://www.soaw.org/new/article.php?id=556

        ________________________________________________

        2) Action Alert

        SOA Watch prisoner of conscience Janice Sevre-Duszynska returned home after completing a three-month prison sentence to find a letter from her employer, Henry Clay High School, where she has taught English as a second language for the past 12 years. In this letter, Interim Schools Superintendent Duane Tennant terminated her employment, calling her arrest and imprisonment for nonviolent protest, “insubordination and conduct unbecoming a teacher.”

        Janice is a person of integrity and a skillful, dedicated teacher. The termination of her employment is unfairly detrimental not only to Janice; but to her students as well. This action is part of a disturbing nation-wide trend towards the criminalization of dissent and is a threat to activists everywhere.

        An appeal hearing will be held on January 22nd. Act now to support Janice in regaining her employment. Send a letter of support for Janice to the editor of the Lexington Herald-Letter and a copy of that letter to the Interim Schools Superintendent. Letters to the editor generally should be no more than 250 words.

        Letters to the Editor
        hleditorial@herald-leader.com

        fax: 859-255-7236

        Letters to the Editor
        Lexington Herald-Leader
        100 Midland Ave.
        Lexington, KY 40508

        cc: to Dr. L. Duane Tennant,
        Interim Superintendent
        Fayette County Public Schools
        701 E. Main St.
        Lexington, KY 40502

        email: dtennant@fayette.k12.ky.us
        phone: 859-384-4104
        fax: 859-381-4303


      For more information on the vital work of SOA Watch and their mission to close the US school for terrorist training, WHISC at Ft. Benning, GA visit www.soaw.org.

    posted by JMB at 4:51 PM | link |


    Those crazy brits



    • This came in today via email from 24-7prayer.com. This excerpt is a riot...

        In the midst of so many crises I’ve been wondering why so many wives of world leaders – from Nancy Reagan and Lady Di to Cherie Blair - seem to resort to astrology and New Age wacko stuff. My hunch is that they know the truth about their husbands and are terrorised by the notion that world peace lies in the hands of a man who can’t remember the name of the cat and farts in his sleep. They need to believe that a higher intelligence is pulling the strings of power than the one struggling with flat-pack furniture in the garage.

    posted by JMB at 8:34 AM | link |