1000 buffalo stampede

Auschwitz was liberated 60 years ago today. [CNN has a wealth of material on the remembrance and the Holocaust] [1].

I read through it. It wasn’t as if I was unfamilar with the subject. The rabbi at my childhood synagogue, and a good portion of the congregation, were Nazi concentration camp survivors. I read through it, and more.

Some things should never be forgotten.

*Edit*: I found the following quote off the CNN site, credited to Rabbi Jonathan Sacks. I found it to be a powerful message, and wanted to share:

“The lessons of the Holocaust are simple to understand, however hard they are to live. Never blame others for your troubles. A society is as large as the space it makes for the stranger. Cherish life. Fight for the rights of others.”

[1]: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4210841.stm

I was reminded by a commentor [via their blog today] [1] that:

“Don’t hastily criticize your senator or politician because you don’t like how they appear to be fighting after a casual glance. Please by all means call them on their cowardice, yet don’t pretend to understand their strategy.”

To which I respond: neither should you assume you understand your senator’s strategy, or that it’s a particularly good or skillful one, simply because you’re an ardent supporter of theirs. In fact, I’d say the current results suggest otherwise.

The game of political science is all about pretending to understand the strategies. It’s what political wonks and pundits do all day and all night. They all pretend to understand. Not only am I going to pretend I know – I’m going to pretend I’m right.

Besides, in all fairness, I don’t think it’s about me pretending to understand Senator Boxer’s strategy. It’s really about me criticising Senator Boxer. Well, yea, I understand some people get touchy when their preferred candidates get involved. Oh well, I suppose that’s going to happen …

[1]: http://scaramoucheblog.blogspot.com/

Interestingly enough, while my pals in my home state are trying out public LAN parties (and therefore moving closer to the guinness-pub-gaming trinity), my current state of California is putting in wifi access in its state parks. According to Reuters:

California State Parks officials said on Friday that SBC Communications Inc. (NYSE:SBC – news) would install Wi-Fi links in 85 state parks over the next six months.

Let’s see … six months or so out. Yep, that’s about time for my annual Big Camping Trip ™ and the start of the camping season. Nifty.

That’s what they said, down at the New Haven Advocate. ["This LAN is URL Land: Cool freaks run amok at the Space"] [1]. Regardless, thanks to a link on the sly from a good friend, I’ve become aware that my friends are up to gaming trouble back in my home state of Connecticut. Trouble of the LAN party kind.

Not only that, but it looks like [our own little Vito G.] [2] has gotten himself the title of FragSpace’s Sponsorship Promoter and Marketing Director. Very impressive.

Looks like the old gang is up to some new (to me) tricks, and making some waves. Good goin’, ya’all. Even if the Advocate did give it a real lame title.

Oh, yea, and how do I know they’re *my* friends, you ask? Simple:

“It’s a blast, being able to see who you’re blowing up,” co-organizer Greg Pellegrini says with a smile.

And there you have it.

[1]: http://newhavenadvocate.com/gbase/Lifestyle/content.html?oid=oid:96312
[2]: http://www.1000buffalo.com/wp-stats.php?author=Vitto%20G.

Apparently, the Democrats, in addition to loosing the election, have lost their minds. I think we can agree that Dr. Rice is going to be confirmed as Secretary of State. The Senate’s said so.

But, it seems that the confirmation vote has been delayed to next week, until next Wednesday. 9 (plus more, I’m sure) hours of debate. Why? [According to CNN] [1]:

“Senate Democrats objected to a full Senate vote on Thursday, saying they wanted more time for floor speeches.”

That’s right. Let’s delay the vote, so they have time for floor speeches

Hey, Senator Boxer and Co. News flash – I’m not paying you to make friggin’ floor speeches. The Senate is not your personal stage to yammer on-and-on and posture. Run your floor speeches on your own time. You want to present something to America – hold a friggin’ press conference.

“While acknowledging that Rice will be confirmed eventually, some Democrats want to show they are ready to fight the president in his second term — amid grumbling that party leaders did not stand up to Bush in his first term.”

Right – the way to show your willingness to fight is to pointlessly create and drag out a battle that’s you’ve already acknowledged you won’t win. Because… that’s going to show you’re willing to fight. For anything. Yea, that’s gonna make you look smart. Uh-huh.

“Senate Republicans hope the move will backfire because Americans looking for bipartisanship will be turned off by the maneuver.”

Hey, well, whadda ya know?

And, to top it all off, isn’t it just the height of gall for a bunch of Senators to attack the integrity of Dr. Rice. I mean, I’m no Bush Administration Fan, but, ah, let’s see: elected politicians attacking the integrity of … well, anyone. I mean, really. Politicians …

[1]: http://www.cnn.com/2005/ALLPOLITICS/01/20/rice.confirmation/index.html