Update-y
I have work to do for tomorrow/later today. Therefore, I'm wasting time on the internet.
What do I think about the U.S. mid-terms?
I refuse to engage in romantic fantasies about the Democratic party. They are materially identical to the Republicans, and besides which they don't have very much control over foreign policy. As such, expect war in Iran in 2007. (Before that, Iraq will be under the thumb of a military strongman who doesn't rely on Shia fundamentalists for support. This requires that Saddam be executed fairly promptly, as one can imagine what he'd say about such a development.) There might be a slow-down in the erosion of political rights as a result of this election, but the Democrats won't address the fundamental economic injustices in the system.
I would also be unsurprised to see the draft return to the United States; Rumsfeld finally falling on his sword suggests a break with the compact, professional model of the U.S. Army. The time-table for this is unclear as yet.
Why do I even care about U.S. mid-terms?
Parochialism in politics is self-defeating. What happens in Washington affects us all, and so we all have some awareness of it.
Do I have a life?
Not really. I'm being slightly more positive about my relationship regrets - earlier this week, I gave Ngoc a (belated) birthday present as something of a peace offering. This was modestly successful, but a full explanation will have to wait. Clelia and I went to the pictures on Tuesday, but I think I've spent too long deliberating to end up as anything other than her friend. It's probably for the best, considering what happened the last time I started seeing someone I was only somewhat interested in.
Haven't seen that much of my RL friends recently. Ran into Regan on campus earlier this week and had dinner. We spotted a guy trying hard to look like Trotsky walking past, which was highly memorable. Also hung out with Ben and Sam, but preached more to them than I really ought to have.
Anything else?
I haven't gotten on to figuring out how to move pictures from my phone to my hard drive. I'm thinking about walking to Hawkes' Bay when the weather turns around. I may have become a football fan, even to the extent of following particular teams. The easiest stuff to watch here is English, Spanish and UEFA, with a little Italian - any guesses on who I like?
What do I think about the U.S. mid-terms?
I refuse to engage in romantic fantasies about the Democratic party. They are materially identical to the Republicans, and besides which they don't have very much control over foreign policy. As such, expect war in Iran in 2007. (Before that, Iraq will be under the thumb of a military strongman who doesn't rely on Shia fundamentalists for support. This requires that Saddam be executed fairly promptly, as one can imagine what he'd say about such a development.) There might be a slow-down in the erosion of political rights as a result of this election, but the Democrats won't address the fundamental economic injustices in the system.
I would also be unsurprised to see the draft return to the United States; Rumsfeld finally falling on his sword suggests a break with the compact, professional model of the U.S. Army. The time-table for this is unclear as yet.
Why do I even care about U.S. mid-terms?
Parochialism in politics is self-defeating. What happens in Washington affects us all, and so we all have some awareness of it.
Do I have a life?
Not really. I'm being slightly more positive about my relationship regrets - earlier this week, I gave Ngoc a (belated) birthday present as something of a peace offering. This was modestly successful, but a full explanation will have to wait. Clelia and I went to the pictures on Tuesday, but I think I've spent too long deliberating to end up as anything other than her friend. It's probably for the best, considering what happened the last time I started seeing someone I was only somewhat interested in.
Haven't seen that much of my RL friends recently. Ran into Regan on campus earlier this week and had dinner. We spotted a guy trying hard to look like Trotsky walking past, which was highly memorable. Also hung out with Ben and Sam, but preached more to them than I really ought to have.
Anything else?
I haven't gotten on to figuring out how to move pictures from my phone to my hard drive. I'm thinking about walking to Hawkes' Bay when the weather turns around. I may have become a football fan, even to the extent of following particular teams. The easiest stuff to watch here is English, Spanish and UEFA, with a little Italian - any guesses on who I like?