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It's been a weird week in the world. In a way, Sunday night was a day I never saw coming. I am, of course, referring to Bin Laden's death. As I was watching CNN, it was like I was watching a movie. Two dozen of our secret forces fly into a secret compound going after America's number one most wanted for ten years. Like any movie, there were set-backs when one of the helicopters started malfunctioning and had to make an emergency landing. However, the Americans prevailed, storming the compound, first to engage in a battle with Osama's "henchmen". After a victorious firefight, the American forces broke through, engaged in a firefight with him, and when he would not surrender, literally shot him through his eye socket. As I watched the TV I didn't know how to react. Do I respond, like a human, and feel bad about a death? No, I didn't really feel the need to feel sorry for Osama. However, I also thought it was mildly inappropriate to run into the streets chanting USA and celebrating like it was VE day. I suppose at the end of the night, primarily, I felt relief. Meaning, I hope this is the beginning of the end of the "War on Terror". Many, including me, thought with Obama's inauguration, that would be the beginning. Unfortunately I was incorrect. I hope that this is a wake-up to many Bin Laden wanna be's that Bin Laden's evil terrorism will only result in pain.
If you're like me, you have always thought one thing about public universities in Texas. They are too anti-straight people. Thank goodness that state house representative Wayne Christian, sponsored by the Young Conservatives of Christian, created a new law for any public universities in Texas that if they have funding for "alternative" centers that promote information and awareness for the LGBT community, they must now provide equal funding for a "traditional" center. This bill passed the Texas house by a 110-24 vote. Let's be clear about this. This is a slap in the face of the LGBT community by the Republican lawmakers in Texas. It is amazing to me that in 2011 we still have states in our union that are this bigoted. The goal is not to actually provide funding for a traditional center but limit any funding for the young LGBT community. Sigh.
Refreshed. In the past 12 months of work I had only used one day of vacation. I think that is why I really enjoyed spending the past five days in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. For those who are not aware, Allie's parents moved a few weeks to a suburb 17 miles South of downtown Cincinnati in Northern Kentucky. We spent the long weekend there exploring the area and helping them move in. Here were some of the highlights:
Brigham Young is one of the finest academic institutions in the United States. Besides in the classroom, this historic Mormon university has had legendary football teams and currently a top five basketball team. However, the decision to suspend center Bob Davies for the remainder of the season for coming to the team and admitting that he had pre-marital sex with his girlfriend is absurd. Instead of welcoming him back with an open hand, they punched him with a closed fist. I have read before about BYU's "honor code". Besides no pre-marital sex, there is no alcohol, drugs (including caffeine) or my favorite... cursing. Not only is Davies kicked off the team, he might be suspended from school. Now you me, I'm a big 1st amendment/free speech/free market kind of guy and I believe that a private institution like Brigham Young University should be able to operate as they please. However, the kid made a mistake, owned up to it, and I feel that the punishment should be a slap on the wrist, not a suspension for the whole season. I might think it's silly if they did something like suspend him for 1/2 of a game, however, this punishment is beyond absurd and I think sheds an awful light on the University.