February 1, 2004

A good summary of human rights abuses resulting from the Bush doctrine, and how things could have been handled differently   America's approach to human rights [Economist: Opinion] Excerpt: Around the globe, America's human-rights policy has visibly softened, subsumed under the all-encompassing banner of the “war against terrorism”. And at home, the Patriot Act, military commissions, Guantánamo and the indefinite detention of American citizens have placed America in the odd position of condoning deep intrusions by law, even while creating zones and persons outside the law. At this point, you are surely asking: “Why did this happen?” and “What can we do about it?” People living outside America sometimes suggest that the reason is rooted in the American national culture of unilateralism, parochialism and an obsession with power. With respect, let me urge you to see it differently. The Bush doctrine, I believe, is less a broad manifestation of American national character than of short-sighted decisions made by a particularly extreme American administration.   4:49:49 PM    comment []

Tragedy chalked up to God's Will instead of Poor Planning   At Least 244 Muslim Pilgrims Die in Stampede [New York Times: International News] Safety measures were in place at the site -- one where fatal stampedes have been frequent -- but ``caution isn't stronger than fate,'' said Saudi Hajj Minister Iyad Madani. ``All precautions were taken to prevent such an incident, but this is God's will.'' This is exactly the kind of erroneous and dangerous thinking I was referring to yesterday. Common sense and reason get tossed out the window when people start using "God's will" to explain everything. This incident, unfortunately, is typical of the way in which preventable tragedy is dismissed as the work of some metaphysical force.   4:38:30 PM    comment []

Super Bowl Prediction   What the heck. I'll say, Patriots 21 Panthers 17.   10:34:56 AM    comment []

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