Wednesday, May 17, 2006
Slippery Slope and the Patriot Act
Wednesday, May 17, 2006 | Original Musings by
Jen
originally posted on myspace.com on May 17, 2006
The slippery slope is an argument for the likelihood of one event given another. Invoking the "slippery slope" means arguing that one action will initiate a chain of events that will lead to a (generally undesirable) event later.
There are a lot of slippery slope arguments that I always find interesting, because it forces me sometimes to draw a line in the sand and say "I believe this" but "I do not believe in this". For example, a common one is about gay marriage.... if we allow gay marriage then next we'll have to allow polygamous marriage (which I don't believe).
A slippery slope argument that is on my mind today is that a small decrease in liberty will grow larger over time. Once we allow small liberties to be taken away, then it'll be easier in the future for more to be taken away. This is one slippery slope argument I can support.
Daily in the news we hear about our phone records being gathered, easedropping without warrants, and even our library records. After the Patriot Act was passed, a book club I belong to will not keep your previous orders (supposedly) on record more than 90 days. Simply because if compelled, they would have to release those records. If they don't have them, there is nothing to give to the government.
This is not the first time in our history where liberties that have taken decades to build up have been taken away from citizens. Hindsight makes the shameful internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II and the FBI's ruthless prosecution of civil rights leaders in the 1960s and 1970s universally condemned. We must be mindful of those lessons today.
George Orwell was right after all. In 1984 (one of my favorite books), Orwell wrote his book as a cautionary tale to underscore the insidious danger of slowly eroded individual liberties. His Thought Police may not yet be on the march, but it's not hyperbole to point out the eerie parallels with today's America. In America today, Big Brother is watching.
Ben Franklin said, "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." I'll admit, after 9-11, I was more ok with the Patriot Act than I am now. I had reservations, but believed in the "greater good." I was alone in Minneapolis in my apartment, pregnant, and wondering why can't the government protect us. How far my opinion has changed since then and I question more. The so-called "Patriot Act" scares me, as does the wiretapping and eavesdropping stories we're hearing about lately. I fear that like the Galactic Senate in Star Wars (Revenge of the Sith), we're letting liberty die... to thunderous applause.
I am reminded of a news story within the last year of a pizza parlor in Israel. They were having a grand reopening on the 1 year anniversary of a bombing that killed about a dozen patrons, including school age children. Some of the patrons that were injured and witnesses the day of the bombing were present at the reopening event. In the interviews with each of them the overwhelming theme was that they were there to show the terrorists that the survivors were not scared and the terrorists did not win.
Mark Twain said once, "that courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear - not absence of fear". If we are to be courageous and stand up to threats again us and our country, then we can not allow our fears erode our freedom. THAT is how we fight terrorism.
(oh, and obviously spell check was not used, but hopefully you get the point....)
The slippery slope is an argument for the likelihood of one event given another. Invoking the "slippery slope" means arguing that one action will initiate a chain of events that will lead to a (generally undesirable) event later.
There are a lot of slippery slope arguments that I always find interesting, because it forces me sometimes to draw a line in the sand and say "I believe this" but "I do not believe in this". For example, a common one is about gay marriage.... if we allow gay marriage then next we'll have to allow polygamous marriage (which I don't believe).
A slippery slope argument that is on my mind today is that a small decrease in liberty will grow larger over time. Once we allow small liberties to be taken away, then it'll be easier in the future for more to be taken away. This is one slippery slope argument I can support.
Daily in the news we hear about our phone records being gathered, easedropping without warrants, and even our library records. After the Patriot Act was passed, a book club I belong to will not keep your previous orders (supposedly) on record more than 90 days. Simply because if compelled, they would have to release those records. If they don't have them, there is nothing to give to the government.
This is not the first time in our history where liberties that have taken decades to build up have been taken away from citizens. Hindsight makes the shameful internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II and the FBI's ruthless prosecution of civil rights leaders in the 1960s and 1970s universally condemned. We must be mindful of those lessons today.
George Orwell was right after all. In 1984 (one of my favorite books), Orwell wrote his book as a cautionary tale to underscore the insidious danger of slowly eroded individual liberties. His Thought Police may not yet be on the march, but it's not hyperbole to point out the eerie parallels with today's America. In America today, Big Brother is watching.
Ben Franklin said, "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." I'll admit, after 9-11, I was more ok with the Patriot Act than I am now. I had reservations, but believed in the "greater good." I was alone in Minneapolis in my apartment, pregnant, and wondering why can't the government protect us. How far my opinion has changed since then and I question more. The so-called "Patriot Act" scares me, as does the wiretapping and eavesdropping stories we're hearing about lately. I fear that like the Galactic Senate in Star Wars (Revenge of the Sith), we're letting liberty die... to thunderous applause.
I am reminded of a news story within the last year of a pizza parlor in Israel. They were having a grand reopening on the 1 year anniversary of a bombing that killed about a dozen patrons, including school age children. Some of the patrons that were injured and witnesses the day of the bombing were present at the reopening event. In the interviews with each of them the overwhelming theme was that they were there to show the terrorists that the survivors were not scared and the terrorists did not win.
Mark Twain said once, "that courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear - not absence of fear". If we are to be courageous and stand up to threats again us and our country, then we can not allow our fears erode our freedom. THAT is how we fight terrorism.
(oh, and obviously spell check was not used, but hopefully you get the point....)
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Friday, May 12, 2006
Funniest Story on Jon Stewart
originally posted on myspace.com on May 12, 2006
.. so, I'm watching Jon Stewart last night (yes, I'm still on hiatus from watching network news at 10.... whole different rant, I mean, blog).... and saw one of the funniest stories in awhile.... Turns out there are two tribute bands of Kiss that feature little people. They obviously have a strong rivalry and aren't scared to expose it. Can the world handle two dwarf Kiss tribute bands??? Time will tell..........
What I can tell you is that when two rival bands of dwarves (or Little People) fight, nobody wins. Well, I guess unless you happen to witness it in person. In that case I bet it'd be hilarious. Anyway. The 4'4" lead singer of the KISS tribute band Mini Kiss, Joey Fatale, is denying reports that he tried to sneak past security at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas to confront 4' "Little" Tim Loomis of Tiny Kiss for ripping off his idea for a group. It's not revealed how Fatale attempted to get past security, but it's assumed he either crawled under a snack cart, hid beneath a blanket in a baby carriage, or stuffed himself in somebody's guitar case like they do in the movies.
While Little Loomis claims he had Fatale thrown out of the hotel, Fatale insists that he left on his own. The two men used to be friends (Little was the original drummer for Mini before starting Tiny). The f-bombs were flying last night and the rivalry is intense....
You know..... it's a shame like a little tiny thing like this would come between them. I'm a teensy bit upset. Granted it's a small world, but a little competition never hurt anyone. Hopefully they grow from this. Because life is short
::: snicker snicker ::::
.. so, I'm watching Jon Stewart last night (yes, I'm still on hiatus from watching network news at 10.... whole different rant, I mean, blog).... and saw one of the funniest stories in awhile.... Turns out there are two tribute bands of Kiss that feature little people. They obviously have a strong rivalry and aren't scared to expose it. Can the world handle two dwarf Kiss tribute bands??? Time will tell..........
What I can tell you is that when two rival bands of dwarves (or Little People) fight, nobody wins. Well, I guess unless you happen to witness it in person. In that case I bet it'd be hilarious. Anyway. The 4'4" lead singer of the KISS tribute band Mini Kiss, Joey Fatale, is denying reports that he tried to sneak past security at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas to confront 4' "Little" Tim Loomis of Tiny Kiss for ripping off his idea for a group. It's not revealed how Fatale attempted to get past security, but it's assumed he either crawled under a snack cart, hid beneath a blanket in a baby carriage, or stuffed himself in somebody's guitar case like they do in the movies.
While Little Loomis claims he had Fatale thrown out of the hotel, Fatale insists that he left on his own. The two men used to be friends (Little was the original drummer for Mini before starting Tiny). The f-bombs were flying last night and the rivalry is intense....
You know..... it's a shame like a little tiny thing like this would come between them. I'm a teensy bit upset. Granted it's a small world, but a little competition never hurt anyone. Hopefully they grow from this. Because life is short
::: snicker snicker ::::
Monday, May 01, 2006
Remember when 30 was old?
originally posted on myspace.com on May 1, 2006
Here I am a 2.5 months into the "last of my 20s". Yes, on Feb 24th of next year, I will start a new decade in my life. So, I've spent some time lamenting all the things on my to-do list that I didn't get done by time I'm 30 (or will not have time to get done). Poor Johee, I think I was quite sour on the ski trip on my birthday weekend b/c I couldn't get past all the things I hadn't done.
I could list all the things here, but I'm sure you have your own list and know what I'm talking about....
So I spent the month following my b'day pondering all those things and basically feeling sorry for myself.... then I snapped out of it and realized I love my life. Sure, I haven't checked off all the boxes yet, but some bumps and detours in life happen (actually those bumps in the road ARE life). In my case, my biggest detour was Abigail, and I have to say most of what I listed above did not get accomplished because of her. Am I bitter? HECK NO! Having her was the best thing to happen to my life. I asked myself, why can't the daily flexibility that I am required to exercise with her be applied to my own life and goals? Of course it can.
So, that is the first thing about 30 closely approaching that went through my mind and realized I spent WAY too much energy on that lamentation.
The next thing that occured to me is that 30 seemed so old..... as a kid I always considered anyone in their 30s to be very, very old......
Yes, 30 seemed so OLD..... yet, here I am closely approaching 30 and still enjoy vegging out in front of the xbox once in awhile and playing video games. I still watch cartoons. It used to be transformers and looney toons - but it was just replaced by Family Guy and Adult Swim. I notice it most when I end up behind a group of giggling moronic prebuscent teenagers while in line at the local Starbucks. I used to be one of them and I remember it like it was yesterday. Yes I still giggle, but not like I did back then which I suppose is as it should be. Once in awhile, I still have trouble focusing in church even... that's ok when you are 7 or 14, but 29???
I thought when you were "old" you knew so much (like when I was one of those giggling girls). I don't know what Aardvarks eat when my daughter asks and I don't know why slugs are slimey. Thank goodness for Google. I also can't always answer her questions to life.... I wish I could, I have a few of my own that need to be answered.
30 is also when athletes are considered "old." The best athletes in the world are revered as heros if they compete past 30. Well, I'm not an athlete. Being that I am in no where near the shape an athlete is...what does that make me?
:::: long pause ::::
I'm sorry...I forgot what I was saying. (that's not related to old age, is it?)
I will no longer be a woman in my late 20s, but a woman in my 30s. I have always looked to woman in their 30s as wise and so put together. It seemed to me, that women just know what they are doing by that point. Maybe this is why I am hesitant to turn 30. I so do not know what I am doing (do you think I'm fooling my daughter?).
The ride has been fun and if I would have achieved all those things on my checklist, would my life have been over or would a new list have evolved? I want to grow as an individual. I feel it is just as important for me to grow as it is to help my daughter grow
Mark Twain once quipped, Age is a matter of mind; if you dont mind, it doesnt matter.
It's taken a little bit or reflection and time, but I'm starting not to mind..... (but check back with me next Feb....)
Here I am a 2.5 months into the "last of my 20s". Yes, on Feb 24th of next year, I will start a new decade in my life. So, I've spent some time lamenting all the things on my to-do list that I didn't get done by time I'm 30 (or will not have time to get done). Poor Johee, I think I was quite sour on the ski trip on my birthday weekend b/c I couldn't get past all the things I hadn't done.
I could list all the things here, but I'm sure you have your own list and know what I'm talking about....
So I spent the month following my b'day pondering all those things and basically feeling sorry for myself.... then I snapped out of it and realized I love my life. Sure, I haven't checked off all the boxes yet, but some bumps and detours in life happen (actually those bumps in the road ARE life). In my case, my biggest detour was Abigail, and I have to say most of what I listed above did not get accomplished because of her. Am I bitter? HECK NO! Having her was the best thing to happen to my life. I asked myself, why can't the daily flexibility that I am required to exercise with her be applied to my own life and goals? Of course it can.
So, that is the first thing about 30 closely approaching that went through my mind and realized I spent WAY too much energy on that lamentation.
The next thing that occured to me is that 30 seemed so old..... as a kid I always considered anyone in their 30s to be very, very old......
Yes, 30 seemed so OLD..... yet, here I am closely approaching 30 and still enjoy vegging out in front of the xbox once in awhile and playing video games. I still watch cartoons. It used to be transformers and looney toons - but it was just replaced by Family Guy and Adult Swim. I notice it most when I end up behind a group of giggling moronic prebuscent teenagers while in line at the local Starbucks. I used to be one of them and I remember it like it was yesterday. Yes I still giggle, but not like I did back then which I suppose is as it should be. Once in awhile, I still have trouble focusing in church even... that's ok when you are 7 or 14, but 29???
I thought when you were "old" you knew so much (like when I was one of those giggling girls). I don't know what Aardvarks eat when my daughter asks and I don't know why slugs are slimey. Thank goodness for Google. I also can't always answer her questions to life.... I wish I could, I have a few of my own that need to be answered.
30 is also when athletes are considered "old." The best athletes in the world are revered as heros if they compete past 30. Well, I'm not an athlete. Being that I am in no where near the shape an athlete is...what does that make me?
:::: long pause ::::
I'm sorry...I forgot what I was saying. (that's not related to old age, is it?)
I will no longer be a woman in my late 20s, but a woman in my 30s. I have always looked to woman in their 30s as wise and so put together. It seemed to me, that women just know what they are doing by that point. Maybe this is why I am hesitant to turn 30. I so do not know what I am doing (do you think I'm fooling my daughter?).
The ride has been fun and if I would have achieved all those things on my checklist, would my life have been over or would a new list have evolved? I want to grow as an individual. I feel it is just as important for me to grow as it is to help my daughter grow
Mark Twain once quipped, Age is a matter of mind; if you dont mind, it doesnt matter.
It's taken a little bit or reflection and time, but I'm starting not to mind..... (but check back with me next Feb....)
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