(no subject)
News: Here is a story from this week. An IDF soldier was sentenced to 11 days of military jail this week and suspended from his command course for... eating a bacon sandwich. To make the context even worse, this is an American soldier who made aliyah so he could serve in the army, and was living with his grandmother at a kibbutz where she made him the sandwiches to take to the base, which he ate, not knowing it wasn't allowed (I mean, hell, it's been ten years for me, but even I definitely don't remember any actual military rules about eating non-kosher food on base.)
Anyway, while there are compromises that need to be made in order to maintain an (imbalanced) balance between a Jewish and democratic country, this was definitely one of the most ridiculous, dumb, enraging things I've heard the military do when it comes to (not) practicing religion.
Following the public outcry, the army decided to revert the jail time into detention. And then, a few days later, the army canceled his punishment and reinstated him into the course, and -most shockingly - issued an apology, which included the words: "Bottom line, we were wrong."
Guys, I honestly don't remember the IDF publicly issuing an apology that included the words "we wore wrong" for, like, anything ever. This whole ordeal has been kind of a weird farce, and while I really am satisfied with the resolution, this situation shouldn't have happened to begin with, and is just a scary example of the growing... religious-ification of the army, which is not comforting. At all.
Work: Our company has some challenging times coming up ahead. Our CEO gave a company talk today talking about the challenges, and how we'll have to work hard to succeed in the upcoming period. It was basically a motivational lecture encouraging us to, you know, work hard and put in hours. AT the end of the meeting, every employee was handed a gag "survival kit", which included: a laundry bag (for when we need to sleep in the office), towel (for wiping the sweat), band aids, herbal headache eye drops, herbal anti-stress pills, and... rolling papers. The "haha here is a joke because we want you to laugh about working more" is not really my type of humor, but I admit the rolling papers did crack me up.
Book progress: I have reached 100 pages in Ancillary Justice! It is progress, at the very least. SLOWLY BUT SURELY.
Music: I've been listening to nonstop Zulu playlists in the past few days, and enjoying them very much. If anyone has recs for like, artists/albums they like, please feel free to share :-)
Weather: is perfect. There is perfect weather. I don't know how long it will last, but it's so, so nice outside. Y'all should come visit :D
comments on Dreamwidth.
Anyway, while there are compromises that need to be made in order to maintain an (imbalanced) balance between a Jewish and democratic country, this was definitely one of the most ridiculous, dumb, enraging things I've heard the military do when it comes to (not) practicing religion.
Following the public outcry, the army decided to revert the jail time into detention. And then, a few days later, the army canceled his punishment and reinstated him into the course, and -most shockingly - issued an apology, which included the words: "Bottom line, we were wrong."
Guys, I honestly don't remember the IDF publicly issuing an apology that included the words "we wore wrong" for, like, anything ever. This whole ordeal has been kind of a weird farce, and while I really am satisfied with the resolution, this situation shouldn't have happened to begin with, and is just a scary example of the growing... religious-ification of the army, which is not comforting. At all.
Work: Our company has some challenging times coming up ahead. Our CEO gave a company talk today talking about the challenges, and how we'll have to work hard to succeed in the upcoming period. It was basically a motivational lecture encouraging us to, you know, work hard and put in hours. AT the end of the meeting, every employee was handed a gag "survival kit", which included: a laundry bag (for when we need to sleep in the office), towel (for wiping the sweat), band aids, herbal headache eye drops, herbal anti-stress pills, and... rolling papers. The "haha here is a joke because we want you to laugh about working more" is not really my type of humor, but I admit the rolling papers did crack me up.
Book progress: I have reached 100 pages in Ancillary Justice! It is progress, at the very least. SLOWLY BUT SURELY.
Music: I've been listening to nonstop Zulu playlists in the past few days, and enjoying them very much. If anyone has recs for like, artists/albums they like, please feel free to share :-)
Weather: is perfect. There is perfect weather. I don't know how long it will last, but it's so, so nice outside. Y'all should come visit :D
comments on Dreamwidth.