Wow, I’m really not sure what to say about this one.

First of all, my thoughts go out to all those who were injured, all those who lost their lives or that of a family member, to all the rescue workers, and to anyone who may still be trapped in the debris. May God bless each and every one of you.

I know virtually nothing about bridge design or engineering, so I’ll leave the speculation experts, but I just can’t believe that a major bridge on a major arterial could be in such a condition that it would collapse with little or no warning.

Coming from someone who lives near Portland, a city full of bridges crisscrossing two different rivers, I find the idea that a bridge declared safe in an inspection just two years ago can fail in such a sudden, catastrophic manner. I understand that bridges fail in earthquakes, tsunamis, fires, and even windstorms, but something like this happening (what current reports seem to peg as) purely out of the blue is simply mind boggling. Especially in the United States, where we have some of the best engineers and the largest highway system in the world.

Let’s hope that we learn from this incident and take extra care to inspect and repair bridges that have even the slightest problem that could lead to a collapse.

I’d include links, but there are far too many to include in this post. If you want more information, Google it or try the footnotes at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I-35W_Mississippi_River_Bridge

Edit (8/2/2007) - Now it seems that the bridge was not, in fact, entirely safe. According to Wikipedia, it was rated as “structurally deficient” in 2005 and a 2006 inspection found “numerous problems, including fatigue cracking.” I find this both very disturbing and surprising, especially considering that early news reports said the bridge was in fine shape. Let’s just hope this helps prevent future collapses.

Apparently it is in New York City where a man has been arested for placing two Korans in toilets at Pace University, and Muslim groups are applauding the blatant violation of the First Amendment.

From Newsday:

NEW YORK (AP) A 23-year-old man was arrested Friday on hate-crime charges after he threw a Quran in a toilet at Pace University on two separate occasions, police said.

Stanislav Shmulevich of Brooklyn was arrested on charges of criminal mischief and aggravated harassment, both hate crimes, police said. It was unclear if he was a student at the school. A message left at the Shmulevich home was not immediately returned.

The Islamic holy book was found in a toilet at Pace’s lower Manhattan campus by a teacher on Oct. 13. A student discovered another book in a toilet on Nov. 21, police said.

Muslim activists had called on Pace University to crack down on hate crimes after the incidents. As a result, the university said it would offer sensitivity training to its students.

Source: http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/newyork/ny-bc-ny–vandalismquran0727jul27,0,6882662.story

Now don’t get me wrong on this one, I’m not advocating that people should go out and throw Korans down the toilet, I’m simply shocked that an act of such clear free speech is being charged as a hate crime. I am aware that the Koran is very sacred to Muslims, but that doesn’t change the fact that this man has every right to his free speech provided - a sacred right to any real American.

Regardless, of how people view it, I see only a few ways he should be charged - if anything - for this crime.

Destruction of property because the Koran did not belong to him, perhaps a civil suit if he violated a student conduct code, and trespassing if he was not a student.

I’m sorry, but destroying a book is simply not a hate crime. Killing someone because they are black is a hate crime, beating someone up because they are gay is a hate crime, raping someone because they are a woman is a hate crime, calling people names because of some characteristic is a (very mild) hate crime. A hate crime - at least in my mind - is something that causes direct suffering of a specific person, and destroying a book simply won’t cut it.

Thanks to LittleGreenFootballs: http://littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/?entry=26436&only&rss

As I’m sure many of you know, there have been news stories and rumors going around recently that a number of major Republican Presidential Candidates may not be partaking in the CNN/YouTube Debate on September 17th.

I’d like to add my voice to the thousands of others calling for all Republican candidates to join in the debate and show the American people that you’re willing and ready to answer tough questions to our faces instead of spewing useless rhetoric to major media personalities.

Beyond adding my voice to the list, I encourage all readers - regardless of party affiliation or citizenship - to sign the petition located below and at http://www.savethedebate.org and tell the candidates that you want them to answer our toughest questions this September.

The YouTube Debate format may be unusual, but that’s no reason for any candidate to skip out on a unique chance to impress the voters.

Read the rest of this entry »

I am well aware that it has been months since I’ve actually posted anything, and I am sorry for that. I guess I’ve just never bothered to make myself actually post something.

I have, however, created a new theme for this site, which I think is a real improvement over the old one - far more open and inviting, if I do say so myself.

Check back in the near future for more updates.