Immigration at lunch

From an article on the immigration bill currently going through congress, from the BBC:

"The Mexican government also thinks its nationals who live illegally in the US would struggle to get by without a driving licence."

I really don't understand this. If someone enters a country illegally.... so you broke a law to get in..... that country is just supposed to look the other way? It's supposed to make things easier for you to live and work there illegally?

I don't know how you can make that arguement and keep a straight face. Maybe its a skill you learn in politics.

It's a difficult subject to consider. On one hand I sympathize with those who have a hard life, and who want to take advantage of economic opportunities in other lands. But at the same time, if you circumvent the law to do it, I don't think you deserve the benefits. It's not fair to the people who work within the system.

And then, am I a bad person for not wanting to give everything I have to those who are less fortunate? 'Cause sometimes it seems like that's the place the US is in. On one hand, we are supposed to give of our tremendous wealth to other countries. but at the same time, that wealth should be given with no strings attached, becasue then we are being a "big bully". And God forbid we don't intervene when the world thinks we should, even if we think we shouldn't , because then we are shirking our duties. What about the people in our country who are startving, homeless, abused? Should those be neglected in favor of others? Do we cut domestic programs so we can increase foreign aid? How do you balance this?

How 'bout we solve our deficit by calling in all the loans we'vve given out over the past 100 years?

I don't know why I am rambling so much, but people, whether it be in the US or elsewhere, who whine becasue they think governments or the world owes them something, that they "deserve" something for nothing, really aggravate me. In this country at least, our constitution gives us not the right to be happy, but the right to pursue happiness. In other words, here's an opportunity. What you do with it is up to you. In my opinion, it's when that original opportunity gets taken away that it is the government's responsibility to step in and help. This could be because an area is so economically depressed that education and basic human needs such as food and shelter have become impossible to achieve, or if a country is being repressed under an abusive military rule.

Now... in the latter case if you are going to go in and fix things you had better have the rest of the world supporting you. We no longer live in an isolated time. Also, the people of that country had better want you there. If they don't then we are just imposing our way of life on someone who doesn't want it, and then we are the oppressors.

But then, what do I know? I'm not a politician. I don't have any formal knowledge of world politics. So maybe these are just ramblings of a confused and frustrated madwoman.

Trapper John

Ok, so first of all, life is sucky and its all my own fault. I won't go into details, but I've lost another 5 pounds on my diet, and its primarily from stress. Not eating will do that to you. The only other reliable social situaiton I've found for helping my diet is starting a new relationship, because I always fool my new guy into thinking I eat like a bird, ordering salads and such. Its not until later that I reveal my ability to eat a double order of fries with a bottle of ketchup at 2 in the morning at the Village Idiot.

On a much more interesting note:

There is an article on the Onion website

http://www.theonionavclub.com/feature/index.php?issue=4106&f=3

about TV spin-offs. It's kind of interesting, and brings back memories of a lot of shows from the 70's and 80's. It also made something in my brain click. When watching the show "Trapper John, M.D." I never realized that the title character was Trapper from "MASH". What was I thinking?

Links

All SFW (unless you actually want to be productive)

http://www.gigapxl.org/gallery.htm
A homemade camera that takes 4 GIGApixel pictures....the detail is out of this world.
(via Overcaffeinated.com)

http://www.aseltine.com/rhee/
33 reasons why you shouldn't post your picture on the internet

http://www.scienceteecher.com/physformlrg.html
Math and science t-shirts

An artist of note

One of my favorite authors is Neal Stephenson. Stephenson's primary genre is science fiction, but his works, especially the recent ones, go far beyond what you think of as tradtiional sci-fi. I've found his novels to be complex and though provoking, as well as fun read. But, I must warn you, they are not necessarily an easy read. I was first introduced to Stephenson by a friend who described him as "a poor man's Pynchon". Now, if you've ever read the works of Thomas Pynchon you may or may not be groaning. Pynchon is a difficult auhtor. By this I mean that I often find myself going back to reread paragraph after paragraph so that I can, by understanding the myriad of references within, truly understand where the author is going. I started Pynchon with "The Crying of Lot 49", and then progressed to "Gravity's Rainbow". That is the first book that ever beat me. I'm pretty sure it was becasue I didn't sit down and read it continuously, but about 75% through the book I took a haitus and never got back to it. Gravity's Rainbow is complex enough that a separate book has been published just to guide you through it. I also have "Vineland" sitting on my "to read" shelf.

But I digress. This post is about Stephenson. I highly encourage everyone to take a look at his works. Not only that, but he gives interesting interviews as well as essays. Here are some links to show you what he is like:

Stephenson's homepage
This site gives you a bit of info on the author and his works

In the beginning...
This is an essay, very interesting, contrasting the differences between computer operating systems and their cultures

Reason Interview
A recent interview with Stephenson where he talks about current issues and his new trilogy, "The Baroque Cycle", which I am currently working my way through

Enjoy!

An artist of note

One of my favorite authors is Neal Stephenson. Stephenson's primary genre is sciecne fiction, but his works, especially the recent ones, go far beyond what you think of as tradtiional sci-fi. I;ve found his novels to be complex and though provoking, as well as fun read. But, I must warn you, they are not necessarily an easy read. I was first introduced to Stephenson by a friend who described him as "a poor man's Pynchon". Now, if you've ever read the works of Thomas Pynchon you may or may not be groaning. Pynchon is a difficult autor. Byt his I mean that I often find myself going back to reread paragraph after paragraph so that I can, buy understanding the myriad of references within, truly understand where the author is going. I started Pynchon wiht "The Crying of Lot 49", and then progressed to "Gravity's Rainbow". That is the first book that ever beat me. I'm pretty sure it was becasue I didn;t sit down and read it continuously, but about 75% through the book I took a haitus and never got bakc to it. Gravity's Rainbow is complex enough that a separate book has been published just to guide you through it.

But I digress. This post is about Stephenson. I highly encourage everyone to take a lok at his works. Not only that, but he gives interesting interviews as well as essays. Here are some llinks to show you what he is like:

Stephenson's homepage
This site gives you a bit of info on the author and his works

In the beginning...
This is an essay, very interesting, contrasting the differences between computer operating systems and their cultures

Reason Interview
A recent interview with Stephenson where he talks about current issues and his new trilogy, "The Baroque Cycle", which I am currently workign my way through

Enjoy!

Allelujah!!! Praise the Boomstick!!!!!

Yippee!! I am literally dancing in my chair..... Ikhrebgiuergiuvr;wrebq; ivgqersiuc... that describes how excited I am...

http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/index.php?Show=3270&Template=newsfull

An interview with Sam Raimi has confirmed that 1) yes, he is remaking Evil Dead, but it is going to be a remake of Evil Dead 1&2 as a single movie with a new cast and crew.... and 2) ..... wait for it....

ASH IS BACK!

There will be an Evil Dead 4, the sequel to Army of Darkness, starring that movie god, Bruce Campbell.

* insert sounds of extreme happiness that is connfusing my coworkers even after I explain *

Yippeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!