You may have heard about this story where a Canadian on a layover in New York was kidnapped by U.S. officials and deported to Syria through Jordan. By allowing this man to be turned over to a country that openly violates human rights, we are equally responsible for this man’s sorrow. When the American officials realized he would not be able to provide any of the answers they wanted they acted as judge and jury, convicting him of terrorism and committing him to unreasonable and inhumane torture. We should apologize to this man, his wife and his two young children but I know that will never happen.
Proverbs 16: 18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
Our treatment of foreigners since 9/11 is despicable. I am simultaneously thankful and ashamed that this man gets to tell his story. We have not stooped to the low point that China and Syria so often do. We do not commit heinous acts like the ones mentioned in this story on our own soil, but it is clear that we willingly release people into the hands of countries that have no such qualms. I pray that we are treating the men at Guantanmo Bay humanely. It may be treasonous to say this: If we aren’t, I hope those men get a chance to tell their stories, too.
Here’s a McSweeny’s parody that starts off as boring as McSwys but gets really funny at the end. Be sure to read to the very end or you’ll miss gems like this:
A Really Long Title, to Be Referred to Henceforth Only by Its Initials By Dave Eggers
Israel has decided that the right to live in your own home is a priviledge for some Palestinans. After encircling the village of Jubara, the Iraeli military have decided that the people living there need a special new permit to live in their houses.
The notices told of an unprecedented new order: everyone must apply for a special permit to remain in Jubara — the village has about 300 residents. The notices did not specifically mention expulsion, but Palestinian officials and villagers said they understand this to be the implied threat.
…
“We do not intend to dislocate people from their homes. Yet we need to take into consideration that people who do not need to be near the fence are not near the fence,” said Maj. Sharon Feingold, an army spokeswoman.
This is so much poorly disguised b.s. and it’s being enforced with rifles paid for from my pocket.
Looks like somebody did it.
How long until this ends up in Bloody Mary mix? Easy way to sneak that morning-after nic fix without violating no-smoking ordinances.
Just wanted to throw up a useful list of sites that may help you locate hotspots if necessary. I’ve had luck with Node DB, but the rest I haven’t had a chance to apply in the field.
Node DB
EZ Goal
WiFi Hotspot List
WiFi 411
WiFinder
Not an endorsement of any of the above; just a list. In addition, almost all large bookstores and chain coffee shops have access points. IMO, they’re not that bad of a deal, about $6 for an hour or $10 for all day, but YMMV.