Saturday, July 20, 2002 :::
With Berkeley's Greek moratorium on alcohol, enacted after a disasterous 4/20 weekend, members of the Greek community are forced to evaluate their role in the school, and how much they are required to cooperate with the Interfraternal Council. Calstuff, who recently attended the Greek Committee on Standards this week, takes a look at some of the issues at hand.
The University and IFC cannot always look the other way, especially not in the face of gross violations of policy. However, implementing "standards" seems like too much of a tradeoff of autonomy for order. I would like to see change come from within the individual houses, not through force. Saying that Fraternities need to have a higher average GPA (pardon the redundancy) doesn't quite make sense to me. It makes far more sense to encourage a higher GPA in the house through support from national chapters, who can offer scholarships and recognition.
::: posted by Andrewski at 6:25 PM
Thursday, July 18, 2002 :::
In case you ever feel frustrated with America, look at the alternatives. A man in Pakistan was sentenced to death for the crime of blasphemy. Basically, he said publicly that he was Jesus and that Islam was a false religion.
Sentenced to death! Can you imagine it? Never forget that your right to say rediculous things is protected in this country, a right not protected elsewhere in the world.
One of the stranger things about this article is that it says Christian groups are defending his right to say he's Jesus.
::: posted by Andrewski at 6:15 PM
Who needs another Law and Order repeat when there's CNN? The latest courtroom drama revolving around alleged 9/11 conspirator Zacarias Moussaoui involves his rejected guilty plea. Saying he swore an oath to bin Laden and that he has [sic] "many, many information to give the American people about an ongoing conspiracy", it looks like Moussaoui doesn't quite understand what he's doing. Obvously eager to do whatever it takes to save his life, he's making himself into a valuable informant. Following John Walker Lindh's plea bargain from last weekend, I'm very curious to see how this pans out. If Moussaoui is guilty, he must pay dearly (we still don't have our sacraficial lamb) and if he's telling the truth about the knowledge he has, we may have to bargain with him. Unfortunately, since he's rejected all five of his court-appointed lawyers, insisting he will represent himself, this whole thing could smack of mistrial. But who's willing to file an appeal on an alleged 9/11 terrorist?
::: posted by Andrewski at 1:43 PM
Wednesday, July 17, 2002 :::
It's summer, and that means if you're not toiling in the salt mines or retaking O-Chem, you're probably sitting at the computer reading humorous articles. Well, God knows how you found my site, but I do have the means to point you in the right direction to continue your search for the Ultimate Funny.
Calstuff's Kevin posted a great new Squelch article, and also has the scoop on an ASUC Squelch Party proposed bill "In Support of Making Trees Cooler".
Conan O'Brien's class of 2000 speech to Harvard. Highlight: Students of the Harvard class of 2000, 15 years ago I sat where you sit now. And I thought exactly what you are now thinking. What’s going to happen to me? Will I find my place in the world? Am I really graduating a virgin? Still have 24 hours. Roommate’s mom very hot. Swear she’s checking me out. There was that Rob Lowe movie.
And, thank the maker, The Onion is back from hiatus. "Imagine it! Painting a dog!"
::: posted by Andrewski at 10:57 PM
Bin Laden is dead! Possibly. No, there's no evidence and no real reason to think he's dead, but this guy seems to be somewhat leaning into the "dead" category.
FBI Counterterrorism chief Dale Watson: "I am not really sure of the answer ... I personally think he is probably not with us anymore but I have no evidence to support that."
Thanks, Dale! Next up, Israel may or may not be engaging in peace talks, the President might sign some bill, and pigs could quite possibly fly because we have zero evidence to the contrary. Non-news of the day, brought to you by some product that you may or may not want to buy.
::: posted by Andrewski at 8:36 PM
Tuesday, July 16, 2002 :::
Fantastic link from In the Meantime, outlining why Bush's huff and puff over "corporate accountability" sounds so ridiculous. This article provides fiercely accurate evidence as to why Bush appears ever more, day after day, like a failed businessman.
::: posted by Andrewski at 12:42 AM
Harrison Ford was on Leno tonight. The guy just turned 60, and looks like my grandpa. It's nearly impossible to imgaine this is the same guy who was Han Solo, Indiana Jones, Rick Deckard, Jack Ryan... was this really that hotrod punk in American Grafitti? Leno dared him to crack a bullwhip like he used to back in the day, and handed the empty, shell of a man a "custom made, kangaroo leather bullwhip". Ford stands up looking embarassed, cajoled by the audience, and takes a tentative swing. The bullwhip doesn't crack; Instead, it knocks the cups of ice water off Jay's desk and onto the chairs. Jay dives behind his desk. Ford looks sad, defeated. They cut to commercial.
What's the lesson? Poor Indy...
If you liked the American Crusade card of the WTC/Reichstag fire, you'd probably like this Indy article. It states, among many interesting things, that John Walker Lindh ("American Taliban" to you, me, and every news outlet everywhere) was framed. By who, it doesn't say. In addition, it links to this Newsmax story that says FEMA is ready to evacuate millions of Americans in anticipation of nuclear, biological, and chemical attacks. This is all very reassuring.
Thanks to Clam, who provides links that I am too lazy to seek out myself.
::: posted by Andrewski at 12:29 AM
