Burning Issues

Today the Senate failed to pass an amendment to the Constitution which would outlaw the burning of the flag. By a single vote.

Let me say first that I am ever so happy to see our legislature debating such important issues as whether or not people should be allowed to burn a flag. You know, with the huge epidemic of burning flags and all. It is vital that we keep our priorities straight despite such pesky distractions as our increased reliance on foreign oil and sky-rocketing fuel prices, the deterioration of our environment, the growing deficit in our national budget, the mounting death toll in Iraq (both military and civilian), and the countless untruths passed down by our elected administration. Just to name a few.

Second, let me point out that failing by 1 vote means 66 of our 100 senators voted for the amendment. (Constitutional amendments need a two-thirds majority to pass.) In other words, a very large portion actually believe we need this amendment. When did we lose such faith in our country?

I had always thought that this country was strong enough to be able to take anything someone might "say." That's all that burning a flag really is. It's just a form of expression, usually in protest about the policies of our government or the actions of our people. And let's face it, there's a lot to protest about.

But more importantly, what are we so afraid of? So someone burns our flag. Do you mean to tell me that this actually damages us, as a nation, in some way? Are we that brittle? We're the United States of America. We have more flags. And it will continue to wave proudly.

If someone disagrees with the policies of this country so much, if they are so angry that they feel the need to burn a flag to get their point across, will prohibiting that act really change their feelings? Will it make them all of a sudden happy with the way things are? No. It will only limit the means by which they may express themselves. They will just some other method which will be equally as "offensive."

May I remind you that this nation was founded by a league of protestors. The ability to freely question and denounce the policies of our country and its leaders, to express our pleasure, and even more importantly, displeasure, of the way things are is at the cornerstone of our nation's foundation. Protest is not an act of unpatriotism, but rather a key ingredient in a democracy. There is a reason it was written into the very first amendment in our Bill of Rights.

To limit our rights of political expression is unpatriotic.

Philanthropy

I was quite surprised to read this story this morning, especially coming just weeks after the announcement of Bill Gates' intentions to step down from his role at Microsoft to devote the rest of his life to his foundation. That's right, the richest man in the world, who is now going to use his fortune for the betterment of the world, is now being joined by the second richest man in the world with support for what is already one of the biggest philantropic organizations in the world.

I think that's just awesome.

The Longest Day

In case you missed it, today was the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year. So with all that sunshine, I of course....spent most of the day at work. :P They ought to close all the offices during the summer. Especially on nice days like we had today. Yes, when I am president, that will be the new law...

This is also my 100th post for this blog. Pretty spiffy, eh? I the think the Summer Solstice is worthy of having such a place in my blog. And thus, it is so.

Poutine

I got back from Montreal on Tuesday night. Between the 12-hour day at the plant on Saturday, the 18-hour day on Sunday, and the rest of the my time there, I didn't get a chance to do much sightseeing. I did get a chance to check out the mall next to our hotel, where I bought a couple French CDs (I have no idea what they are, but they looked intersting and I think the bands are at least from Quebec.), but that was about it.

I did get to sample poutine though, which is a Canadian delicacy consisting of French fries covered in gravy and cheese. Also had "smoked meat" which I was told was a sort of a local thing. It was pretty much like corned beef. So I at least got to have some local color, and the constant language barrier at least kept things intersting.

So I suppose I will have to go back someday and actually see the city for real, but it was a pretty good trip. I at least got some experience that will come in handy for my upcoming job transfer. And that was really the point of the trip anyway.

French Maple Leaves

This weekend, my work has sent me to Montreal to observation the installation process of a piece of software at a plant we have up here (hoping I can learn something). I've only ever been to Canada once in my life, and that was many years ago. It was also in a part of the country where the predominant language was not French, so this is completely different.

I have travelled in Europe on several occassions, so the idea of going around in a country where I do not speak the language is not new, but it is still interesting. So far, most of the people I have had to deal with (aside from my co-workers from America) are at least bi-lingual, so I haven't run into any communication problems yet. I guess a lot of people at the plant tomorrow are not, however, so this should be fun.

Hopefully, I'll get to see a bit of Montreal for real while I am over here. I sat next to a chiropractor names Judith on my plane ride over here. She grew up in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, but has lived in Montreal now for 38 years now. She had a lot of nice things to say about it. I've heard it's a nice city. I hope my schedule will allow me to check it out some.

We just had dinner at an Italian restaurant across the street from the hotel called Le Four. I had the veal medallions with goat cheese and pasta prima verra. And then the parfait creme de menthe for dessert. Very minty. Excellent food.

I think I like travelling on business.

My House

Speaking of my house, I mentioned putting up pictures earlier. Here you go.

Summer Days

Summer is off to a great start this year. We just had the most spectacular string of warm, sunny days. It was perfect, especially having bought that little convertible pictured down below. Man, that thing is a blast to drive around in this.

Having already taken in 2 barbeques, and a concert by the Hopefuls at the Mill City Ruins Courtyard, I am quite pleased with how it's gone so far and I have great hopes for the rest of this season. We are no longer imprisoned in our cozy, enclosed living spaces or forced to encase ourselves in bulky layers of heavy clothing while we shiver. Summer makes me happy.

I can't wait until I move into my new house, where I will have my own backyard and can go outside and enjoy the sun in peace any time I want. Summer makes me very happy.

Go to Hell

Well, tomorrow is June 6, 2006, or 6/6/06 if you like numbers. Thus, it is only fitting that there be a big party in Hell, just to the west of Detroit. Sounds like they have quite a festival planned. It would probably be a fun time, but it doesn't look like I'm going to make it.

Oh well. I reckon that's a town I will still have to visit some day. If for no other reason than to say I've been to Hell and back.