juliesBlueSkyFalling's blog

I feel it’s behind the times to engage in this did Saddam/didn’t Saddam have WMD. It’s behind the times because war just sucks, it’s unjust and doesn’t solve anything. I must, however, engage people from their standpoint. So, I’ll engage this question because some say this new report about WMD in
Iraq is significant and justifies the war. And we all must admit, no matter how we view the significance of the report that we are very interested in what weapons Sadam had, because it indicates who he’s capable of attacking.

I’m an introspective, five foot and one half inch tall thirty-something who can go unnoticed except for red streaks in my hair. I make drawings that render my hopes for social justice, and so I’m drawn to the social justice committee at my parish. The meetings provide a wonderful reflection on Catholic social teaching. Also, I like to sit in the window seat, in the living room of the Parish Center, where the elusive Seattle sun will shine at times.

Today, Ask Amnesty hosted an online discussion on the psychological impact of torture on Guantanamo detainees, with Scott Allen, M.D. of Physicians for Human Rights as their guest. I followed the discussion in an air-conditioned office, drinking hot coffee and munching on biscotti. It’s hard to comprehend that many short miles away, torture takes place. Below is a brief outline of what made an impact on me during the discussion. I’ve put some expressions in bold, which seem to me very effective in defining the injustice of torture. I hope to remember these terms whenever I’m in a position to advocate against torture. It occurred to me, too, during the discussion, that I should be more bold about putting myself in the position to advocate against torture. Dr. Allen addressed well the fundamental argument often utilized to defend torture, that torture yields intelligence information. He answers, “The idea that torture yields reliable information is highly questionable as victims will often say whatever it is they think their interrogators want to hear to stop the torture. Torture has led to false and misleading testimony with devastating consequences (including a much cited but later recanted account of links between Al Queda and Iraq). This "utilitarian" justification for torture rests on a faulty foundation.” One question stood out as the most interesting: what psychological effect might the torturer experience? Dr. Allen didn’t cite any particular effect, but he acknowledged torturers may suffer psychological damage. He call torture a "lose-lose" situation for both the torturer and the victim. I always wondered if torturers agreed to accept such a morose role because it gave them an outlet for their pre-existing mental disorders and because everyone, healthy or not, will seek out roles that bring them approval for their behavior. One participant pointed out the contraction that while the United States proclaims to protect “freedom, justice, and rights for all individuals,” our country embraces the practice of torture. Dr. Allen agreed, and called the policy “a ‘weak’ strategy in the war on terrorism.” I have to admit that I haven’t been the strongest advocate against it. After watching the Michael Moore movie, in which the FBI infiltrate an anti-war group who meets in a small, shabby, private living room while they shared homemade cookies and their opinions in opposition to war, I haven’t been too quick to take center stage. I’ve been rather happy to limit my advocacy to letter-writing from home. Dr. Allen, however, pointed out that while often discouraging, our government is still “a participatory democracy,” and the risks are nominal compared to the risks imposed by governments in other countries around the world.

Finally, here is one significant statistic shared during the discussion: While we know that three detainees committed suicide this past week, we don’t know the number of attempted suicides. Reports from the press do suggest that suicide attempts at Guantanamo have run much higher than in normal prisons, which could signify of the distress, desperation and deterioration of the detainees there.

My mom is conservative and Catholic. She believes that Rush is right. The way women sit when they wear pants offends her; they violate the rules of chastity, she says. She knows that I violated her fundamental rules about sex outside of marriage (because I had an illegitimate baby,) and that I think John Stewart is funny and dead-on. I also wear pants. 

I'm not a fan of the $12, 000 backyard grill that's become the latest thing in the Jones' garden. Grills like the KALAMAZOO, found in The New York Times article "Pimp My Grill," are no “match” for Dad’s favorite, rusted, kettle-style charcoal grill- the one he frantically painted with flammable paint when Mom suggested he replace it. My Dad’s grill cooked burgers that were an ode to his ego; they lured my entire extended family to our house. I'm not impressed that the KALAMAZOO guzzles a standard tank of propane in 2 1/2 hours; has 154, 000 B.T.U. capacity; and, looks like something out of Martha Stewart's kitchen. Owners should be required to obtain a license to operate this weapon of mass destruction. It’s environmentally unfriendly, and might distract consumers from genuine opportunities to foster kinship.

Several bloggers post comments to my comments when I mentioned that I volunteer with Americorps. They want feedback about my experience. Seems like a good topic for a post.

I recommend Americorps. It's a guaranteed $1000 education award as long as you complete the term of service and required paperwork. It looks good on you're resume. Volunteer work can be relative to many different majors, and I recommend choosing something that does relate, even if it's a remote relationship. If your a computer geek, teach computers to kids or those in job training programs. If you are a communication major, work with an organization that will let you recruit volunteers or fundraise.

I heard on NPR that some San Franciscans accept rides from strangers to downtown at designated pick-up locations. The ride is free since the arrangement befits the driver who, otherwise, would be subject to tolls, and banned from the car pool lane.

There's a few rules of etiquette. Car pool hopefuls should form a line, and accept rides on a first come, first serve basis. It is acceptable to decline a ride from a two-person vehicle. Girls often feel more comfortable when there are three people in the car. Also, a rider shouldn’t talk unless the driver initiates conversation.

Kevin, The Homeless Guy Blog, says,

...Everyone else that becomes homeless does so because of some kind of mental, emotional, psychological problem that they are unable to cope with. These people usually become part of the "chronically homeless" population. Their homelessness can last indefinitely. If they escape homelessness it's usually because someone from outside of homelessness bails them out and takes them in off the streets. These homeless people are also much more likely to experience more than one homeless episode, and become dependent on institutional life.