shanchan’s blog

Yesterday, a photographer for the Associated Press, Bilal Hussein (whoops, wrong last name, sorry buddy, you're in deep shit now!) was released by the US Military, after being held FOR TWO YEARS.  Oh yeah, forgot another fact, he was held that entire time WITHOUT CHARGE.

Guess what? "A U.S. military statement on Monday said Hussein is no longer considered a threat." Oh really? Wow. Thanks.  I'm sure everyone is happy with that.

Now, I realize that our Constitution does not apply to non-Americans, because, God knows, no one else deserves justice but us. But that does not mean that those principles, to a heavy extent, should not be considered important in the way we deal with the citizens of other countries.  Three of my favorite amendments happen to be:

Amendment IV

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Amendment V

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

Amendment VI

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.  

The US Military may have had strong evidence that this guy actually did something pretty bad. We don't know. It's all a big secret. And if they had, don't you think they would have mentioned it? They truly expect us to believe something legitimately changed from the time he was arrested and yesterday? BULLSHIT.

Anyway, the point of all this ranting. I went from reading the above article in this morning's newspaper to learning about a question so important to Nash McCabe, a woman from Pennslyvania, that, given the chance to ask a question of a man who could soon be our President, on national television and in front of millions of voters, she asked it over any other question of real relevance and meaning that voters should hear the answer to before they vote:  

 "I want to know why you don't [wear an American flag pin]?"

Is this truly the country where someone could ask such a question and the answerer is not allowed to immediately tell her to shut the fuck up, go sit in that corner over there, and feel ashamed of yourself? And the rest of the audience does not nod approvingly?

It was nearly 80 today, with perfect blue skies.  What a difference a week makes!  I got the front flower beds cleared out, the tulips are still going nuts.  The magnolia tree also:

Magnificent Magnolia

Magnolia flowers

The big show

Miki started bellowing to go out as soon as the sun came up! Beamer cried at the back door while we were in the back yard, but stuck to the porch, and cried to get right back in.  No tree climbing so far- guess he'll have to remember how much fun being outside is!

Stop trying to take my picture!

Sunshine rocks!

Let me in!

As mentioned several months ago, I participated in the Tomato Nation donorschoose contest Sars holds every fall. One of the great things about donating to donorschoose is that you get thank you cards and photos from the students in the classrooms that specifically benefited.  It really makes you feel like you've done something tangible and truly helpful. I just got one of my thank you packages, and the cards were too cute not to share! I encourage everyone to go to donorschoose and find a project that you want to support- I chose this project, which purchased big electric pianos for a grade school music class, because I love to play the piano. Here are a few:  

Keyboards thanks

The keys are big

They have neat sounds.

This is my face

I can't wait until Friday, when the best show on television comes back for its final season! I'm having a party for my sis, brother-in-law, and fellow fans from work.  Even though my tv isn't HD or anything, they're willing to watch it at my place, although I did have to nag my sister a bit. She says my tv is too small, which I think is unfair since it is a hand-me-down from *her* when they got their giant flat-screen. Not to mention the fact that I sat them down and forced them to watch the miniseries and first two episodes one weekend when they kept putting off watching it. :) And, besides Futurama, it is the only show that Beamer will actually get interested in when it is on:

Edward James Olmos is awesome

Saul *M*F* Tigh

I got to see Barack Obama's stop in Salem after all! My boss's son had gotten tickets, and called him to say that there were lots of extra seats and that they were letting in people even if they didn't have a ticket, so we quickly drove over to the event.  It was really fun, and he is a terrific speaker.  I think he's a smart guy, and I appreciate that he talked to us like we were adults and could understand what he was saying without having to dumb it down.

And I've been sick in bed all week and missed the announcement, and therefore wasn't online to grab one of the tickets! Argh! I'm on the waiting list, you can bet I'll be refreshing my email every five seconds.  I take solace in the fact that for once Oregon's primary is going to matter, and he'll be back.

My twin sister's cat, Pixie, hates me with a passion.  When I first walk into the room or approach her, she's fine, but as soon as she smells me or I talk she gets really angry and hissy/growly.  When we're all in the living room watching a movie or having dinner in the dining room, she sits on her perch and growls whenever I talk.  I think it has something to do with her confusion over someone who looks just like her mommy but is not.  My sister thinks there's another reason: