Wednesday, September 28, 2005

oh, i bet they were just DYING for a chance like this one:
Lawmakers seek to ease oil restrictions in the wake of Rita

"Sponsors of the Republican energy package said the measures were needed to address the vulnerabilities exposed by hurricanes Katrina and Rita to the nation's energy system, especially the country's shortage of refineries and the concentration of oil and gas resources in the central and western Gulf of Mexico."

suuure... >_<

Monday, September 26, 2005

i really liked this line from this op-ed article:

Hurricane Katrina, of course, was different, because it was so devastating and because it devastated a city most Houstonians love. New Orleans is like a rowdy cousin to us...

also:
- doulas ("wise women of childbirth") making a comeback, particularly for low-income teenage mothers

Sunday, September 18, 2005

Well so Kristan wont feel lonely, ill ask a very open-ended question: What do you guys think about marriage now and marriage in the future?

Thursday, September 15, 2005

and now on the homefront...

uh oh guys, better enjoy astroworld while you can: Astroworld will close forever at end of 2005 season

(hey! get this purple offa here! pooooost!)

(...)

(please?)

Wednesday, September 14, 2005

Differing opinions on how to rebuild New Orleans

how do you retain the character of the past but keep moving into the future?

Tuesday, September 13, 2005

Senators begin to question first Supreme Court nominee in 11 years

well, i like what he says, anyway:

"I will remember that it's my job to call balls and strikes, and not to pitch or bat."

"I have no platform. Judges are not politicians who can promise to do certain things in exchange for votes."

ooo, and this is interesting. i'll admit that i didn't know it:

Mr. Brownback noted that if Roe was overturned, it would not ban abortion, but return the issue to the states.

Kristan @ 3:13 PM [link]    

oh my god: 11 children found in cages

and if that isn't a fantastic argument for why foster parents shouldn't be "compensated" with money for each child they house, i don't know what is.

(i thought THE CHILD was supposed to be the compensation!! so many good people want to adopt, and these are the people who get to take care of kids instead? my goodness...)

Monday, September 12, 2005

Iran takes firmer position on nuclear program: will not suspend activity, warns West not to refer case to U.N. Security Council

Some Western diplomats concede that the atomic energy agency has not reported any "smoking gun" evidence of an Iranian nuclear weapons program, but they cite the agency's conclusion that Iran has failed to disclose everything about its nuclear activities as evidence of its bad faith, and they call that a basis for taking the case to the Security Council.

how do we know they're doing anything wrong? it reminds me of when i was younger and telling my mom the truth but she wouldn't believe me and i had no way of proving it, especially since in the past i'd lied, so really, why should she? (because i was telling the truth!)

but then again, in my little scenario, the stakes aren't nearly as high. shouldn't iran realize why "the West" can't just trust them and give (almost) unrestricted access to their sites so we can verify their story (of developing nuclear energy, rather than nuclear weapons, for their own citizens)? then everybody feels better, and they can continue.

politics just get in the way so much sometimes.

Kristan @ 11:57 AM [link]    

Mississippi towns in ruin, overshadowed by New Orleans

"We have an opportunity now to make it an absolutely unique place," he said. "God has come in and wiped the slate clean for us."

the article also talks about how the region had just been revitalizing in the past few years due to the new coastal gambling industry (i.e. casino boats). i found that really interesting, because on the one hand, i personally am not a fan of gambling (almost against it, i guess) but on the other hand, these casinos are really the only hope for these cities. it's not that my judgment matters, just that it makes me think.

Wednesday, September 07, 2005

Same sex marriage wins vote in California

seems like they did some tricky things to get it through...
but now we'll see if schwarzengnaejrewkejhr;ekla vetos or not

Tuesday, September 06, 2005

aww guys, are we (collegenet) dead?? -_-,

--

Houston finds business boon after Katrina

not only was i interested because it's big news and it's houston, but also because aisha posted in her lj about how she feared some of the possible repercussions for houston following katrina

i can see both sides, and i'm not sure whether i think ultimately houston will win or lose. (all i know for sure is that new orleans lost. hardcore.)

also of interest:
- cherynobyl 's after effects may have been overestimated
- world of warcraft is so popular it may be hurting rather than helping the game industry