Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Like the last scene of Men in Black, or a matryoshka doll
Most of the specific theories in this article go way, way over my head, but the overarching idea is cool enough to make me momentarily put aside my deadline at work and post it here. If only the Enterprise were real, we could find a way to go investigate the fascinating possibility that everything in our universe - all that we could ever hope to experience and know - is somehow entirely contained within something else...
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Treacherous waters
Here is an issue that I don't think is getting nearly enough attention: the recent catastrophic flooding in Pakistan. Not only is this a humanitarian crisis of epic scale (latest estimates are that the more than 15 million people have been displaced or otherwise affected, and access to ample clean water and food is scarce), but it presents a troubling security issue as well.
Pakistan was not a particularly stable country to begin with, saddled with an unpopular, corrupt central government and constantly battling a vicious insurgency. Now, forced to cope with a horrific natural disaster and a disappointingly anemic international response, the nation seems more vulnerable than ever. Not that crumbling states are ever a good thing, but, in light of Pakistan's hefty nuclear arsenal, this should be of special concern.
The Washington Post has compiled a list of organizations on the ground that are helping. I donated $100 to the American Red Cross. In their automatic "thank you for your support" email, they said that they had been able to make an initial commitment of $250,000. I don't know much about the cost of relief supplies, but I am savvy enough to recognize that this is a pathetically low sum in the face of the staggering level of need. Please consider giving generously.
Some stunning before and after NASA satellite photos of the inundated city of Khewali are here.
Pakistan was not a particularly stable country to begin with, saddled with an unpopular, corrupt central government and constantly battling a vicious insurgency. Now, forced to cope with a horrific natural disaster and a disappointingly anemic international response, the nation seems more vulnerable than ever. Not that crumbling states are ever a good thing, but, in light of Pakistan's hefty nuclear arsenal, this should be of special concern.
The Washington Post has compiled a list of organizations on the ground that are helping. I donated $100 to the American Red Cross. In their automatic "thank you for your support" email, they said that they had been able to make an initial commitment of $250,000. I don't know much about the cost of relief supplies, but I am savvy enough to recognize that this is a pathetically low sum in the face of the staggering level of need. Please consider giving generously.
Some stunning before and after NASA satellite photos of the inundated city of Khewali are here.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Streetcars and public education
After dinner a week ago, some volunteers from the Fenty campaign knocked on our door to encourage us to attend the Ward 4 Democratic straw poll taking place that night. With nothing else to do, Joe and I finished our dessert (ice cream) and hopped in the car.
Never having been to a straw poll before, neither of us really knew what to expect. The volunteers had touted the possibility of free refreshments (nope) and, hoping for some face time with the mayor (also no), we brought a copy of the Washington Post's editorial endorsement for him to sign. We thought it might look good on our bulletin board, next to the autographed Vic Vickers poster from Alaska and the floating Princess Diana head.
The evening turned out to be quite an experience. I have never seen so many people, all so excited about local politics, crammed into one place. After struggling to find a nearby parking space along the street, we had to wait in a very long line to cast our vote. The poll was not just for the mayoral race - supporters and volunteers for a variety of city council posts were crawling all over the place, offering literature, stickers, and an earful.
What I liked the best, I think, was the fact that all of the candidates, aside from Fenty and Gray, were working the line of voters themselves. We had a lengthy discussion with Vincent Orange, a former council member who is running against Kwame Brown for the chairmanship. I'm supporting Fenty, despite the fact that I think he's a jerk, because I respect his accomplishments and I really like the work that Michelle Rhee is doing with DC Public Schools. The guy in front of us in line was asking all of the candidates about their position on streetcars, something I hadn't even thought about as an issue, but which I strongly support. It was really interesting to hear everyone stake out their positions.
Never having been to a straw poll before, neither of us really knew what to expect. The volunteers had touted the possibility of free refreshments (nope) and, hoping for some face time with the mayor (also no), we brought a copy of the Washington Post's editorial endorsement for him to sign. We thought it might look good on our bulletin board, next to the autographed Vic Vickers poster from Alaska and the floating Princess Diana head.
The evening turned out to be quite an experience. I have never seen so many people, all so excited about local politics, crammed into one place. After struggling to find a nearby parking space along the street, we had to wait in a very long line to cast our vote. The poll was not just for the mayoral race - supporters and volunteers for a variety of city council posts were crawling all over the place, offering literature, stickers, and an earful.
What I liked the best, I think, was the fact that all of the candidates, aside from Fenty and Gray, were working the line of voters themselves. We had a lengthy discussion with Vincent Orange, a former council member who is running against Kwame Brown for the chairmanship. I'm supporting Fenty, despite the fact that I think he's a jerk, because I respect his accomplishments and I really like the work that Michelle Rhee is doing with DC Public Schools. The guy in front of us in line was asking all of the candidates about their position on streetcars, something I hadn't even thought about as an issue, but which I strongly support. It was really interesting to hear everyone stake out their positions.With such a long line to vote, we hardly got to see any of the forum between Fenty and Gray. From what I did see, they bickered like a pair of bratty, contentious schoolchildren, which was kind of silly. Gray ended up winning, even though Ward 4 is Fenty's home district and one of his strongholds. Though the results of the poll do not bode well for the upcoming primary in September, it was, nevertheless, gratifying to see such a strong turnout. Democracy is alive and well in the District.
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