Glenn Greenwald at Salon discusses the various flips by Obama supporters on key questions of war crimes, torture accountability, and civil rights and liberties issues, noting how, in the case of Matt Yglesies, "what was once lambasted as 'Constitution-shredding' under George Bush is now nothing more than: Obama's 'civil liberties record hasn’t been exactly what I would have wanted.'" Of particular interest is Mr. Yglesies's commentary that none of this should have been anything other than expected.
I actually tend to agree with that assessment, particularly after the long-lambasted pre-election reversal on retroactive immunity for illegal domestic spying by the telecommunications companies at the request of Mr. Bush's White House. But, as Mr. Greenwald asks:
I don't expect good answers on this from Obama supporters, but, well, the questions are obviously valid.
While we're on this topic, we have this little tidbit out over the holiday; it appears that Mr. Obama ordered the Office of Personnel Management not to comply with a Federal court order because that order would have required medical benefits for the wife of a lesbian employed by the Federal courts. As longtime readers may recall, I spent a lot of time lambasting Mr. Bush's administration for refusing to comply with legal decisions and court orders; this is Mr. Obama adopting Mr. Bush's contempt for the judiciary yet again.
It's particularly galling to me, of course, because not only is it another defiance of the court system and another broken campaign promise, but it's also yet another administration attack against GBLT rights being fought in the courts. And also because the head of OPM is one of the few openly-gay members of the Obama administration. Michelangelo Signorile at The Gist asks, "Is this how openly gay appointees must operate within the Obama administration -- not as advocates on behalf of civil rights but rather as lackeys charged with blocking equal rights for their own kind? That, if true, is enormously troubling."
In this way, Mr. Obama's administration is acting no differently than that of Mr. Bush. Yes, yes, believe me, I know, DOMA and Mr. Obama's enthusiastic defences of it in court; but the judge knew that too, and issued the order in full consideration of DOMA, and under the auspices of the broader Federal Health Benefits Act, which discusses family in general, not just married couples, according to the judge. The Obama administration reaction will be interesting; they have 30 days to respond again.
I actually tend to agree with that assessment, particularly after the long-lambasted pre-election reversal on retroactive immunity for illegal domestic spying by the telecommunications companies at the request of Mr. Bush's White House. But, as Mr. Greenwald asks:
I've been reading many arguments from Obama supporters over the last couple of weeks insisting that Obama can't possibly give civilian trials to all Terrorism suspects because having to free detainees whom they can't convict in court would be politically catastrophic; but doesn't that same reasoning justify Bush's decision to open Guantanamo and hold terrorist suspects without charges? After all, how could Bush afford to risk acquittals any more than Obama? [And] doesn't that mean that Bush and Cheney got a bad rap all these years for their so-called "Constitution-shredding," and that the ultimate responsibility for their abuses lies not with Bush, Cheney David Addington and John Yoo, but rather with Tom Daschle, Bill Frist, Harry Reid, Denny Hastert and Nancy Pelosi? ...Long-time readers here may note that I have been particularly critical of Mr. Reid.
I could understand and accept a lot more easily this blithe acquiescence to Obama's record if it weren't for the fact that progressives and Democrats spent so many years screaming bloody murder over Bush's use of indefinite detention, military commissions, state secrets, renditions, and extreme secrecy -- policies Obama has largely and/or completely adopted as his own. One can't help but wonder, at least in some cases, how genuine those objections were, as opposed to their just having been effective tools to discredit a Republican president for partisan and political gain.
I don't expect good answers on this from Obama supporters, but, well, the questions are obviously valid.
While we're on this topic, we have this little tidbit out over the holiday; it appears that Mr. Obama ordered the Office of Personnel Management not to comply with a Federal court order because that order would have required medical benefits for the wife of a lesbian employed by the Federal courts. As longtime readers may recall, I spent a lot of time lambasting Mr. Bush's administration for refusing to comply with legal decisions and court orders; this is Mr. Obama adopting Mr. Bush's contempt for the judiciary yet again.
It's particularly galling to me, of course, because not only is it another defiance of the court system and another broken campaign promise, but it's also yet another administration attack against GBLT rights being fought in the courts. And also because the head of OPM is one of the few openly-gay members of the Obama administration. Michelangelo Signorile at The Gist asks, "Is this how openly gay appointees must operate within the Obama administration -- not as advocates on behalf of civil rights but rather as lackeys charged with blocking equal rights for their own kind? That, if true, is enormously troubling."
In this way, Mr. Obama's administration is acting no differently than that of Mr. Bush. Yes, yes, believe me, I know, DOMA and Mr. Obama's enthusiastic defences of it in court; but the judge knew that too, and issued the order in full consideration of DOMA, and under the auspices of the broader Federal Health Benefits Act, which discusses family in general, not just married couples, according to the judge. The Obama administration reaction will be interesting; they have 30 days to respond again.
Some thoughts on Precious after having seen it and in comparison to the book...which I am surprised I haven't heard more about.
http://scottwoods.livejournal.com/33261
http://scottwoods.livejournal.com/33261
Ok. I have now featured in FIVE people's dreams. I really like the idea that there's a subliminal me, going around and invading your heads at whim, having strangely chaste sex in the bath with you, working with you and kicking ass, or throwing fabulous parties! Subliminal me is a lot cooler than real me. I am in favour of all this.
Had a lovely night. Coming back along Mortimer Street / Goodge Street, where I used to work and where my XH and I used to sneak off for drinks togehter at lunchtime because he worked over in Cavendish Square. What was Nice Irmas is now re-zoned as a pizza place. The world's best greasy spoon is now a "sushi/fusion" bar; and the cheese shop you had to cross the street to pass in the summer is gone completely. On the train, there was a gaggle of 20-somethings on the tube all dressed up for an 80s night. And Trio's "Da Da Da" comes on my iPod and I suddenly had one of those moments where you feel all happily smug and cognoscenti-y, because that track - any 80s track - for me feels as fresh as those little green leaves you find curled all innocent inside a cauliflower before you cut it. The ones that have never seen sunlight yet, and that squeak when you snap them.
Out of the train like I used to: like a greyhound from a trap, picked the right doors to get up the stairs ahead of the crowd which means I can see all the adverts on the walls instead of having to catch snatches of them between other people's bags and coats and build an understanding of each one in instalments. Up the escalator without breaking stride. All that walking's paying dividends.
I don't know if I get a week like this, or if this is the last day for a month or three. It doesn't matter. For one day I get to hit my normal pace. It's good enough.
Had a lovely night. Coming back along Mortimer Street / Goodge Street, where I used to work and where my XH and I used to sneak off for drinks togehter at lunchtime because he worked over in Cavendish Square. What was Nice Irmas is now re-zoned as a pizza place. The world's best greasy spoon is now a "sushi/fusion" bar; and the cheese shop you had to cross the street to pass in the summer is gone completely. On the train, there was a gaggle of 20-somethings on the tube all dressed up for an 80s night. And Trio's "Da Da Da" comes on my iPod and I suddenly had one of those moments where you feel all happily smug and cognoscenti-y, because that track - any 80s track - for me feels as fresh as those little green leaves you find curled all innocent inside a cauliflower before you cut it. The ones that have never seen sunlight yet, and that squeak when you snap them.
Out of the train like I used to: like a greyhound from a trap, picked the right doors to get up the stairs ahead of the crowd which means I can see all the adverts on the walls instead of having to catch snatches of them between other people's bags and coats and build an understanding of each one in instalments. Up the escalator without breaking stride. All that walking's paying dividends.
I don't know if I get a week like this, or if this is the last day for a month or three. It doesn't matter. For one day I get to hit my normal pace. It's good enough.
Juan Martin del Potro beats Robin Soderling in three sets and will face Nikolay Davydenko in Sunday's final at the World Tour Finals in London.
World number one golfer Tiger Woods delays giving an interview to police about a car accident for a second day.
Floods in Saudi Arabia kill around 100 people after the heaviest rainfall in years, with Jeddah badly affected.
A government minister blames Indonesia's recent string of natural disasters on people's immorality.
The man accused of killing Meredith Kercher is "incapable of taking part in an alleged sexual misadventure" which led to her death.
Um.
The Doctor's supervillain speech there was... Well, I excitedly recited my litany from when I saw The Invasion of Time: "he's the Doctor and I trust him, he's the Doctor and I trust him..."
Saw the last death coming a mile away. Also, apparently he's seeing phantom Ood now? At least they made a passing reference to the Ice Warriors.
Also, dear gosh, if they're low on oxygen, PUT THE FRAKING FIRE OUT! I don't care how pretty it is, it's just STUPID.
Come on Christmas! I heard that cloister bell!
The Doctor's supervillain speech there was... Well, I excitedly recited my litany from when I saw The Invasion of Time: "he's the Doctor and I trust him, he's the Doctor and I trust him..."
Saw the last death coming a mile away. Also, apparently he's seeing phantom Ood now? At least they made a passing reference to the Ice Warriors.
Also, dear gosh, if they're low on oxygen, PUT THE FRAKING FIRE OUT! I don't care how pretty it is, it's just STUPID.
Come on Christmas! I heard that cloister bell!
vague noodling about lj and my nerves, but not enough to post about. realized that I havent done any serious music listening lately, so threw chung king's we travel fast and some bjork in the player.
actually, i do have a thought to post about.
when did boundaries in online interactions suddenly become unhip?
actually, i do have a thought to post about.
when did boundaries in online interactions suddenly become unhip?
- Mood:
contemplative - Music:bjork, joga
The scenario: A couple gets divorced shortly after they have a baby together. By some bizarre and twisted act of fate, the father gets custody. The court has ordered that Mom gets to see the child every weekend during daytime hours. Mom, however, would like to have the baby sleep over at least one night a week. Dad refuses, saying that it would mess up the child's routine.
Do you think it's fair for the father to withhold sleepovers? Do you think that a man who would do such a thing has control issues? Is Mom's bonding with the child negatively affected by this restriction? Does your answer change if the child is less than six months old as opposed to one year old? What about two or three years of age?
Do you think it's fair for the father to withhold sleepovers? Do you think that a man who would do such a thing has control issues? Is Mom's bonding with the child negatively affected by this restriction? Does your answer change if the child is less than six months old as opposed to one year old? What about two or three years of age?
Here are today’s stats for the fabulous urban fantasy adventure about a neurotic vampire/thief and her wealthy blind client, now with Bonus! Cuban drag queen and military intrigue:
Project: Bloodshot
New Words Written: 4985 (Some added last night; only about 4000 today)
Present Total Word Count: 94,570 words
Goal: Draft Zero by December 12 -ACCOMPLISHED
Things Accomplished in Fiction: Wrapped it up, baby. Wrapped up all of it. This, ladies and gents and all others, is a Draft Zero.
Things Accomplished in Real Life: Virtually nothing. This has been eating my brain and I had to get it out, out, out. And now - best of all - I have almost 2 whole weeks to batter this puppy into a Draft One before sending it back to Anne! [:: does a little dance ::]
Reason for Stopping: BECAUSE I CAN.
[Crossposted to/from my website. If you'd like to comment, you can do so either here or there.]
Catching up. I went to see Superior Donuts by Tracy Letts (author of August: Osage County) last week. Not at all bad, but as with his earlier play, the beginning is slow and annoying and it takes awhile to adjust to the slow pacing.
Older middle-aged widower (Michael McKean, who is terrific) owns a dying donut shop in Chicago that was opened by his father decades earlier. The play opens with two cops who frequent the shop there before it's open because it's been vandalized. Ambitious next-door neighbor wants to buy him out and expand his electronics biz. Young African American kid comes looking for a job and brings trouble. Female cop flirts with the owner, thugs threaten the kid, the owner is all angsty over being a draft dodger during Vietnam. I enjoyed it, although as my theater companions pointed out, a fight scene was utterly unconvincing and unnecessary. Definitely worth seeing before it closes in a few weeks.
Last weekend and this weekend I started watching the Buffy spinoff, Angel, with David Boreanaz. First disc with four episodes left me doubted I'd continue (jeez, I loathe Cordelia). But...since I had the second disc home I figured I'd give it one more chance, as I remember that Cordelia grew on me during Buffy. And yes, the next four episodes hooked me, especially with Buffy playing a prominent (and very moving) role in the 8th episode. Tears fell. ;-).
Last week I also watched the french film I've Loved you So Long, which features a brilliant performance by Kristin Scott Thomas that should have won her an Oscar, yet didn't even get her a damned nomination. Woman (Thomas) gets out of prison after serving 15 years for murder, and moves in temporarily with her sister and the sister's family. It's utterly riveting and moving as the viewer sees Thomas's character slowly move back into the world. Highly recommended.
Last night watched Sunshine Cleaning about two sisters who in desperation to earn a living, open a biohazard removal/cleaning service-ie. they clean up after violent and non-violent but messy deaths. I enjoyed watching Amy Adams and Emily Blunt and appreciate that the story is about the working poor trying to make a go of it (rather than the usual middle and upper middle classes) but it's only ok, not great. Worth a look.
And I finally saw Juno, which I liked quite a bit. It really is a smart, sassy little movie, just like its heroine. Good acting.
During the two movies, my DVD player started going weird. Power shut off and I had to replay fast forward to get to where I was--at first I thought it was the DVD but nope, it happened with both discs...and then the damned thing turned itself back on...uh oh. A DVD gremlin. I managed to watch both movies, with the interruptions but have just ordered a new DVD player. The old one lasted 6 1/2 years, which isn't too bad.
Older middle-aged widower (Michael McKean, who is terrific) owns a dying donut shop in Chicago that was opened by his father decades earlier. The play opens with two cops who frequent the shop there before it's open because it's been vandalized. Ambitious next-door neighbor wants to buy him out and expand his electronics biz. Young African American kid comes looking for a job and brings trouble. Female cop flirts with the owner, thugs threaten the kid, the owner is all angsty over being a draft dodger during Vietnam. I enjoyed it, although as my theater companions pointed out, a fight scene was utterly unconvincing and unnecessary. Definitely worth seeing before it closes in a few weeks.
Last weekend and this weekend I started watching the Buffy spinoff, Angel, with David Boreanaz. First disc with four episodes left me doubted I'd continue (jeez, I loathe Cordelia). But...since I had the second disc home I figured I'd give it one more chance, as I remember that Cordelia grew on me during Buffy. And yes, the next four episodes hooked me, especially with Buffy playing a prominent (and very moving) role in the 8th episode. Tears fell. ;-).
Last week I also watched the french film I've Loved you So Long, which features a brilliant performance by Kristin Scott Thomas that should have won her an Oscar, yet didn't even get her a damned nomination. Woman (Thomas) gets out of prison after serving 15 years for murder, and moves in temporarily with her sister and the sister's family. It's utterly riveting and moving as the viewer sees Thomas's character slowly move back into the world. Highly recommended.
Last night watched Sunshine Cleaning about two sisters who in desperation to earn a living, open a biohazard removal/cleaning service-ie. they clean up after violent and non-violent but messy deaths. I enjoyed watching Amy Adams and Emily Blunt and appreciate that the story is about the working poor trying to make a go of it (rather than the usual middle and upper middle classes) but it's only ok, not great. Worth a look.
And I finally saw Juno, which I liked quite a bit. It really is a smart, sassy little movie, just like its heroine. Good acting.
During the two movies, my DVD player started going weird. Power shut off and I had to replay fast forward to get to where I was--at first I thought it was the DVD but nope, it happened with both discs...and then the damned thing turned itself back on...uh oh. A DVD gremlin. I managed to watch both movies, with the interruptions but have just ordered a new DVD player. The old one lasted 6 1/2 years, which isn't too bad.
Things are better today; thanks, y'all :)
A boat accident on a lake in the Democratic Republic of Congo leaves at least 73 people dead, Red Cross officials say.
World number one golfer Tiger Woods faces police questions after a car accident near his home in Florida.
I am pausing to refuel with chocolate sorbet between bouts of cleaning. It's been a while since the apartment got a thorough scrubdown, a side effect of busy lives and several bouts of illness. My hands feel puckered and smell a bit like soap and that mix of scents that cleaning product manufacturers like to label as "fresh". I feel motivated to straighten up today because we have a Christmas tree now--a small, live, potted one, whose post-holiday fate is yet to be determined but whose roots-in-dirt liveliness pleases me greatly. It's the first time I've had a Christmas tree that I feel personally invested in for some time; I've contributed to the trimming of others' trees, but this one I ventured out for, selected, and wedged into my car (yes into, not onto, I told you it was fairly small) all by myself while ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif)
vrax rested up after a busy holiday with the kids.
There will be purple and blue lights and the scent of aspen spruce in our home, and maybe I'll make some brownies tonight. In a few weeks there will be our own, bizarre, idiosyncratic Buddhist-Pagan-Magician Yuletide with menorah and maybe pizza. Perhaps the Hogfather will come and leave us rashers of bacon. I'm terribly contented.
vrax rested up after a busy holiday with the kids.There will be purple and blue lights and the scent of aspen spruce in our home, and maybe I'll make some brownies tonight. In a few weeks there will be our own, bizarre, idiosyncratic Buddhist-Pagan-Magician Yuletide with menorah and maybe pizza. Perhaps the Hogfather will come and leave us rashers of bacon. I'm terribly contented.
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Page Summary
- solarbird : Some of the lies of Mr. Obama [+0]
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blackfolk :: scottwoods : "Precious" thoughts? [+0] - chiller : (no subject) [+4]
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bbcnewsworld : Battling Del Potro reaches final [+0] - bbcnewsworld : Golfer Woods faces police queries [+0]
- bbcnewsworld : Saudi flood deaths 'rise to 100' [+0]
- bbcnewsworld : 'Immorality causes disasters', says minister [+0]
- bbcnewsworld : Kercher accused 'is a victim too' [+0]
- mayamaia : Finally watched Waters of Mars. [+0]
- dewhitton : 11:36 [+4]
- delux_vivens : mmm. [+3]
- booju_newju :: hexkitten : (no subject) [+92]
- cmpriest : Well hot damn. [+3]
- warrenelliscom : (no subject) [+0]
- ellen_datlow : movies (and some theater) [+7]
- coyotegoth : (no subject) [+0]
- bbcnewsworld : Congo boat sinking leaves 73 dead [+0]
- bbcnewsworld : Golfer Woods faces police queries [+0]
- transfiguration : Domestic Saturday [+0]
- james_nicoll : These don't all look practical [+3]