Privacy

The US government is taking in a mouthful for this Child Online Protection Act. The Act, brought in by the Bush administration, works to make sure that sites with pornography are not available to minors. Critics of this proposal are quick to point out that the methods used to do this involve invasion of privacy for many many people. The Supreme Court declined to rule on it, saying that the decision needed to be put on a full trial to determine if it was constitutional.

This trial is causing quite a stir with subpoenas for search terms of a broad swath of the search engine's visitors. All major search engines were subpoenad. The government claimed that they wanted to find out the terms used in searching were. However, it seems that Yahoo's contribution of this information was not enough. Without actually giving all information about the searchers themselves, this information would seem to be useless. IF the government gets the entirity of the information, then it would seem that an invasion of privacy had taken place. Now, not only does the search engine have your details, so does the government.

So far, only Google is fighting back. Google is also the biggest collector of personal information. So what is next? who knows. It is the next few weeks that will determine how safe the world is from the US big brother.

Now what?

While everyone knows that the US government isn't the the brightest in the intellectual field. It was the latest report, however, that pushed the issue just that little further.

An official report was released claiming that the US had incorporated a policy of torture.

The White House spokesman, Scott Mccellan, without actually reading the 500 page report was quoted as saying. "It appears the report is based more on a political agenda than on facts. The United States of America does more than any country in the world to advance freedom and promote human rights."

I don't know of a single english teacher that would ever let me get away doing a book report on a book i've never read. It is sad when it is allowed in government. It is would also be nice if they actually did some research on some of those "facts".

Lawsuit

I am one of the first to admit that I don't trust my government. Maybe it is too many conspiracy theories or too many classes where I'm taught to be skeptical of everything. But I don't trust my government.

My faith in government dealing has not been increased by the resent acknowledgement that President Bush has misused-used his power, allowing much "eaves-dropping" without any sort of protection to the people he serves.

Recently the ACLU, the Council on American-Islamic Relations, Greenpeace and several individuals came together to file a lawsuit claiming that the Bush administration has abused their privileges in office.

I suddenly feel pride again in my nation. While I don't trust my government, I feel safer knowing that a lawsuit isn't being squashed before it ever begins. At least for the moment, my freedom of speech is still being protected....at least to some degree.

one of those moments

i saw this image on post secrets and i loved it.

i suppose i should put up the disclaimer that i do not now nor have i ever endorsed mentally tormenting mothers.

now that that is out of the way, how funny is the idea of hiding your mother's (or father's) keys?!

well, i loved the idea until i realised that knowing my mother she would take MY keys instead and then actually loose mine. I would then be forced to find HER keys the next time she went out, she would then loose those keys too (for real this time) and i would be without any form of car keys for the rest of eternity...

some how that last thought just kind of ruins the whole idea of hiding the car keys....

Domesticated

As the date of my wedding draws closer and the date of my departure looms overhead, I have been busy making sure all projects are finished up. This includes my 4 (unfinished) sewing projects. It is strange that as one begins nearing the end, more and more things fall into the way to prevent the completion of these projects. This last week it was the sewing machine that decided to end its life with a power surge that killed its wiring. I found it particularly interesting that it chose now to die....but I found a way around this small glitch. I borrowed an even older sewing machine from a neighbour. It is fun to sew on but I must admit, it is a lot more difficult to handle. Thus my sewing adventures are much slower. But, hopefully, I'll slowing get thru my many projects by the end of next month!

Life in context

Celebrity gossip seems to be something that the vast majority of the population just can't get enough of. It is something that we seem to crave to know. We MUST know who is pregnant, who is getting married and who is getting divorced and why! I was particularly appalled when one show mentioned the "painful" divorce of two (unnamed) celebrities. The host then went on to announce that full details of these divorces could be found at their website. What has become of our society when we market the pain of other people?? Have we reverted back to the days of the coliseum?

I've been reading about ancient European Kings and Queens. I was shocked to find the same sort of carnivorous nature displayed hundreds of years ago in royal palaces. Royal and noble families were the target of all manner of gossip, some true some false. Not only was gossip used for entertainment, it was used as political motivator and as justification for less than noble acts.

But what is the point today? Why do we need to know all the intimate details of celebrities lives? Some have suggested that we find out own lives so completely boring that we must immerse ourselves in something that is more fascinating than us. We forget that we have taken ordinary people, given them money and made them into our gods. We don't see that our need for this idol illustrates a hole that desperately needs to be filled.

And like the biblical Joshua, I cry "choose you this day whom you will spend time watching. But as for me I will spend my time enjoying a full life!"

Internal Musings

I was a dark and stormy night when I lay my head against my pillow to sleep. The rain continually beat at my window creating strange shapes that morphed and then submitted to gravity's command, sliding down to collect on my seal.

The clock said 11:30 but it was wrong. As usual the clock had been set for 5 minutes ahead. I don't know why. It must be a family trait. I have often found that I, a million miles away from my father's particulars, set my clock fast. It is just one of those things.

The clock ticked past. Time apparently was moving but my mind was standing still. Every second dragged out like hours and hours were millennia. Would morning ever come?

Questions now poured into my soul from some outside source. The source threatened to drown me. How would I get back? When would I get back? What would it be like when I got there? Would it be like it was before? Should I find a job now? Should I hope for a job later?....The questions only continued and answers stayed at bay.

Time and life are intertwined but for that moment, they did fray.

Is this "American sentiment"?

I was raised to believe that my birth country (the USA) worked for the freedom of all its citizens. I was brought up believing that freedom of speech was encouraged. I was taught that the United States of America wanted people to think for themselves. They encouraged other countries to think for themselves by helping to establish democratic governments. I was taught that the USA worked to include all people. Printed on the statue of liberty are the words:

"Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me.
I lift my lamp beside the golden door."

I believe that once this ideal was not only believed but aimed for. Somewhere along the way, however, the desire for "perfection" has turned the country into the very thing it once fought against.

The birth of the America's began with a war. They fought against a country that wanted to control trading arrangements to the benefit of itself. Today, the USA does the same thing.

If the USA continues on its current path, it will become the very entity that it has fought so long against. It will become a theorocracy, a dictatorship, and a burden. The latest choice for Supreme Court Judge proves this. I do not rant against my country of birth, I rant against the personal freedoms that are being sacrified for "religious" reasons. Was this country not founded on the principle that church and state are separate?

But maybe I am just old fashioned. Maybe I am out of tune with what is needed in this country. Maybe I just don't belong.

Bridesmaid Dress

dresses2
Originally uploaded by narnia_k.

Well, here it is. This is what two of my bridesmaids will look like at out wedding. Click the picture for more pictures of these dresses!

flooding

creek2
Originally uploaded by narnia_k.

i told you i was going to post more pics.

here is a view of the canal directly behind out house. sadly, the poor tree gave its life rescuing much rubbish out of the canal.

i had a look out back today, however, and the canal has gone down. there doesn't seem to be as much water EVERYWHERE as there was a few days ago.

i have much hope that we won't get washed away!

flooding

It started last friday and just hasn't had a chance to really stop. The rain continues to fall and the waters continue to rise from northern california all the way through Oregon. While Oregon's flooding isn't as bad, we're still quite concerned about the rising water level in our canal behind our house. (i'll put up pics later)

But just so you know, there seems to be no immediate threat to us and the only inconvience it seems to have really brought is the fact many roads are closed due to land/mud slides.

Sadly, this is probably the biggest excitement i've had since the Syndey fires that forced me (and a few friends) to stay in Sydney overnight.

But we must be grateful for even the little things;)

Peter Pan

This afternoon I fulfilled a childhood dream, seeing Peter Pan on stage. The Northwest Children's Theatre put on the play with included a huge cast!

The sets were amazing. They were movable sets that turned into all sorts of scenes! It was truly inspiring.

The script was a bit strange. Mainly because the dialog hadn't been updated for nearly a hundred years. This caused a bit of long-winded speeches. The script made up for it by having a lot of choreography. When the Indians were introduced, they did this war dance. It looked really cool.

Speaking of Indians, I was really worried about Princess Tigerlilly. She didn't wear much in the way of clothes, which I may assure you was not a wise idea on a cold day (like today).

over all, I really enjoyed myself. Hurray for children's stories*.

*This in no way indicates that I want children, but merely that I enjoy a good children's story.

Speaking of weddings...

As an admirer of the movies, I had no idea that batman ended his batchlor-hood. Turns out he and catwoman got it on! WHO KNEW?!

When to Marry

My grandmother gave me a poem about weddings. i think it was supposed to be sweet...











WHEN TO MARRY

Marry when the year is new
Always loving, kind and true.

When February birds do mate
You may Wed or dread your fate.

If you Wed when March winds blow,
Joy and sorrow both you'll know.

Marry in April when you can,
Joy for maidens and for man.

Marry in the month of May
You will surely rule the day.

Marry when June roses blow
Over land and sea you'll go.

They who in July do wed
must labour always for their bread

When ereer Wed in August be,
many a change are sene to see

Marry in September's shine
Your living will be rich and fine.

If in October you do marry
Love will come, but riches tarry.

If you Wed in bleak November
Only joy will come, remember.

When December's show fall fast
Marry and true love will last.

Road trip

too cool
Originally uploaded by narnia_k.

The trip to grandma's house was a very exciting 10 hour trip. we saw fog, frost, and snow. Thankfully the roads were pretty clear so no accidents.

AND dad only got lost once!

;)

wanna see more pics of our trip? click the photo!

Praise Santa

I have often heard that Santa Clause and God were thought to be very similar individuals. I have sometimes wondered if Santa Clasue was the "god" we hoped we would find.

Like God, Santa is supposed to judge. He (santa) makes a list of good girls and boys.

Unlike Santa, however, God doesn't give out gifts according to our actions. Santa only gives good little boys and girls gifts. (and isn't it interesting that every parent says that their child is "good"??) God looks at us, realising that we have "all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God". Yet in his mercy, he still grants us the gift of eternal life, if only we want it.

In my human nature, however, i want a judge that will be "fair". i want my enemies to *pay* (prefereably with their own blood) for the sins against me they have committed. Santa, while not taking blood, leaves a lump of coal. Coal, left long enough will turn into diamonds. The gift seems to say, "Just like the coal, your not quite good enough to be worth much". We like the idea that the bad people will have thier nose rubbed in their sins. Yet somehow, we are always the "good" children. We see ourselves as always worthy of the gifts we recieve on christmas. When we perchance get a gift that isn't quite what we wanted we cry out "unfair!" we point to all our noble deeds and claim that we deserve better.

Christ gives His gift to us all. The Christ child was given not just to those who would do what they were supposed to, He was given to all who have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.

Homosexuality

What is it with a society that is terrified of the homosexual male? I was up at my grandparent's house this weekend and found out that while they tolerated homosexual females there was something unacceptable about the homosexual male.

My brother says that it stems from the idea that girls are touchy-feely with eachother anyway, so it doesn't matter when they turn lesbian. Maybe men find the idea of lesbians sexy and thus find it more tolerable. With men, it is a different story. Could it be that they can not find anything sexy about guy on guy and thus can not deem it, in any way, acceptable?

IF this were true, a conclusion that we humans are ruled not by what is right and wrong, but rather by where our hormone levels reside. A case could be made for this argument. According to the National Institute for Working Life, many homosexuals who were working in "manly careers" such as the air force or army, were heavily discriminated against. "manly careers" are also careers that have long held a high level of testosterone and sexual drive.

But National Institute for Working Life also mentioned that homosexuals were also heavily discriminated in church offices. In the church, however, discrimination was much more hidden. Information and meeting times/dates were not given to those known to be homosexual. They were not spoken to. The homosexual, both male & female, was left in nearly complete isolation.

As Christians we are called to love our neighbours. Sadly, Christ forgot to mention that we are only supposed to love our heterosexual, white, Christian neighbours. Any one who doesn't' fit into our pre-conceived notion of "neighbours" is naturally left to the world to devour. But maybe this is just a fitting condemnation for those *stupid* enough not to agree with us.

happiness

Your mad at the dogs
Your mad at me
Your mad at her
But really your mad at you
And until you will realise this,
you will be mad at the dogs
you will be mad at me
you will be mad at her

And you will never be happy

sex & politics

More controversy over the proposed .xxx internet address. The internet Corporation of Assigned Names and Numbers (iCANN) is trying to establish an internet "red-light district" by creating a .xxx, similar to the .com or .net. But controversy has arisen from conseratives in the USA. They claim it will only legitmise the porn industry.

Personally, i embrace the concept. The idea that all porn would be relegated to one area means that not only would it be an easy way to monitor whats the family computer is being used for, it also makes for easy blocking.

True, probably not ALL porn sites will go to the new .XXX sites, but at least it will make stumbling upon is less frequent!

Earthquake

Africa has joined this list of nations struck by natural disasters. The latest event was a 6.8 earthquake in the Congo.

First reports are suggesting that most casualties are children who have had parts of buildings fall on them.

Maybe I'm just more aware of the devastation that is around us now...but it sure seems like the earth is no longer as submissive as it once was...