The aftermath

So brunch went well enough with the girl. She's definitely attractive and I do like her, but I don't know where to go from here. The conversation went smoothly enough, but the Paramount was a little loud. She didn't give me any particular indication that there was interest on her part, but she gave me a hug, told me to keep in touch and specifically asked if I had her number now. So, who knows? I'm willing to give it another try.

Mortality

This evening, my brother told me that my mom has lung cancer. For some reason, I was unexpectedly dispassionate upon hearing it, and when I did feel upset, it was only in brief flashes. I don't know why that is. Am I a bad person? Am I unfeeling? I don't know. My mom doesn't yet know, but my dad thinks that she might have an idea. Two of my aunts on my mother's side passed away from cancer.

So far, there isn't any news regarding my mom's prospects, but whatever happens, I want her to be comfortable. She's had a difficult life raising my brothers and me, and I owe her everything.

My family and I will find out more on Monday.

Well, what is it?

So I think I have a date for Saturday. I say "think" because I've never really been on more than 4 dates in my life. I've always sort of fell into relationships. You know, the "hey, I think I really dig her" sorta thing.

Better'n nothing, right?

U.N. corruption and irrelevance

Kofi Annan's son was involved in the U.N. oil-for-food scandal by accepting payments from Cotecna, the firm responsible for the oil-for-food goods inspections even after his employment has ended. That increases the stain on the U.N. and brings the oil-for-food corruption that much closer to Kofi Annan. When the U.N. cannot enforce its decisions with force and is even complicit in undermining its own sanctions, then the institution is hopelessly irrelevant.

The U.S. is bound to stay in the U.N. to keep up appearances to make as many foreign policy decisions initiated by the U.S. seem like it has "multinational support", but it must never be afraid to take unilateral action when nations (read: France, Russia, and China) obstruct the U.S. from defending its citizens from danger.

An interesting question

From Europe comes the news that the Netherlands is considering mercy killing for those who are determined to have"no free will", which includes children, the mentally retarded, and those in irreversible comas.

It poses an interesting question, reminiscent of Terri Schiavo, the brain-damaged woman who is in a vegetative state for the past 14 years.

In general, I am supportive of the idea, though for anyone to be euthanized should require the consent of a blood relation or spouse, along with the recommendation from the primary physician. However, I would not permit this to happen to the mentally retarded, unless the retardation is so severe that the individual is not even aware of his or her surrounding.

I used to be against doctor-assisted suicide and euthanasia of humans, but I think that was more because of a visceral response to the taking of life. However, I've come to take a more science-based and, I believe, a more rational approach to the subject as time has passed.

Back to posting

I'm back to posting again, and I took the day off to recuperate from the brutal Thanksgiving "vacation".

The Guardian has an interesting article today about an Israeli army checkpoint forcing a Palestinian violinist to play, presumably to prove that he is actually a violinist. The article compares that incident to the Holocaust when the Nazis forced Jewish musicians to play during mass murders. Quite frankly, though, any similarities are superficial only. As much as the Guardian would like to intimate, what the Israelis are doing to the Palestinians are nothing like what the Germans did, and is merely the product of the Guardian's rampant anti-Semitism. The Palestinians forced this situation on themselves by deliberately targeting civilians in the terrorist campaign. And if the Guardian really did consider all life as equal, they would be equally outraged by the taking of innocent Israeli life by Palestinians. It's clear, however, that the Guardian regards Israeli life as sub-human.

Another day off from blogging

Totally need a break from thinking.

I'm back

Got back Saturday morning. I haven't slept in awhile besides the trip on the plane. I went to the gym, then unsuccessfully tried to get some more sleep, then to work. It was a pretty boring time because it was incredibly slow. Fortunately, I had a party to go to after work. The party was cool; it had a 20s theme. Unfortunately, I had just come from work, so I wasn't dressed in the theme. At first, it was awkward since I didn't think I knew anyone besides Jamie and Luis, but a couple of people from Smith were there, including a girl I have a crush on. I have the impression that she's interested in me, but it felt weird, like she was nervous. She's supposed to have a boyfriend, but I don't know her situation right now. I hope to be able to hang out with her in the near future to see the full picture.

At any rate, it's time for bed now. I've work tomorrow.