Late, Great Christmas Pics

My New Favorite Character on Lost

There is so much mystery surrounding Miles and even conjecture that he may be the baby in Pierre Chang's video and last week's episode. Wouldn't it be cool if Miles were born on the Island and this gives him the ability to communicate with the dead? An why, in his introductory episode, after he left the gang-banger's room and went back downstairs, were the pictures in different frames?

This season, the second to last, has been promised as one that answers more questions than it raises. Can't wait!

Twelve Hours in Office

"Barack Obama, the US president, has requested a 120-day suspension of the military tribunals being held at the US' controversial Guantanamo Bay detention centre.

Judges at Guantanamo are expected to rule on the president's request later on Wednesday, trial sources told the Reuters news agency."

This is wonderful news for Canadian Omar Kadr, who was captured, held and tortured beginning at fifteen years old. Edney, his attorney, came to speak to us regarding his case last autumn. It was sobering to hear the "progress" of Kadr's case over the years, specifically the lack of judicial procedure and habeas corpus (right of accused to know charges against them). His trial was supposed to begin in October of last year but a new judge delayed the proceedings until January. Trial finally got underway two days ago. With Obama's order for delay, Kadr's lawyers may finally be able to review the particulars of his case while the President's administration works on providing Kadr a fair and legal trial.

President Barack Hussein Obama

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My favorite part:

"As for our common defence, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals. Our Founding Fathers, faced with perils we can scarcely imagine, drafted a charter to assure the rule of law and the rights of man, a charter expanded by the blood of generations. Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for expedience’s sake. And so to all other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born: know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman, and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and that we are ready to lead once more."

Take that, Bush administration! We will no longer fear for fear's sake.

Georgia

Farewell to Bush

Vanity Fair has a long article on the eight year Bush administration, as told by his cabinet and staff. Once you start reading, you don't want to stop. I first saw this on Bitch PhD and, like was said on that blog, you have to quiet the part of your mind that screams, "Why didn't they tell us this at the time????"

http://www.vanityfair.com/politics/features/2009/02/bush-oral-history200902

And yes, some day I will start embedding. No one is "real" blogger until they can master the embed. I suck.

No Laptop Equals No Blog Posts

Well, that is not literally true, as I am--ahem--blogging right now. But my laptop did break on the very first day of the spring semester. In fact, I didn't make it past the first class on the first day. So, while I wait for my computer to be fixed (thank you, two year warranty!)there has been a lot going on I haven't blogged about.

First of all, I wanted to post pics of our snowy Christmas on Vancouver Island. We got three feet of snow, something rare on the West Coast even in Canada, and while driving conditions were as awful as you can imagine and the ferry trips took all day, we had a lot of fun sledding and making snow angels and awoke to a breathtaking icy mountain view on Christmas morning.

Secondly, the same Mormon off-shoot that were seized in Texas last summer has a branch here in B.C. Naming the place "Bountiful", the FDLS has lived here practicing polygamy involving young girls since the Second World War. Canada has been unsure of how to act, as the Canadian Charter guarantees freedom of religion. It was a situation resulting in a detente for decades and I figured I would be a five year Bar-call before any legal action was taken.

But I was wrong. Last week, police arrested the leader of Bountiful (who has 28 wives) and another dude (two wives). As it happens, I have been volunteering my Fridays with a local chapter of a legal action and education non-profit since last summer. And they are intervening in the case against these polygamers. Which means I get to help draft legal arguments to present to the court. This case will probably go all the way up to the Supreme Court of Canada (eventually--I will be a lawyer by then!) I have a unique perspective on cults and am very happy I can bring that, alongside my "legal training" (such that its been) to the brainstorming table. Its very, very satisfying.

We also got our grades from last term this week! I am so very satisfied with those little numbers! Yay! So, now its time to focus on maintaining this average and finding a summer job.

In other spring term news, the dinner I am organizing for 100 Women Lawyers in March is well underway (whew! never again!) and the '80s prom I have been struggling to put together is coming along nicely now. I got a dress--a electric purple and blue taffeta monstrosity with giant puffed sleeves. Rad!

All this to say, things are good. Very good. And while life is never perfect I have to recognize how peaceful and happy my life is right now. I will try to remember to enjoy it.

Oh, and the inauguration is coming up next week! Happy days are here again!