Schlosser Nation
So, about a month or so ago I got to see Eric Schlosser speak at Borders. He's the man who wrote Fast Food Nation and he's on a book tour for another book called Chew On This written by he and his fact checker from his previous books, Charles Wilson. Chew On This is basically Fast Food Nation for kids.
Anyway, there was security there because Mr. Schlosser has been threatened by lots of people, like the retailers of america, the farmers association and other organizations with real names. But what was great was that he emphasized the right to choose what you eat. What he really wants is to make people aware of the full truth, instead of what they get from billions in advertising, which is that McDonalds fries count as vegetables. He was big on personal choice and personal responsibility, almost Libertarian. I really liked that.
Most people asked about health concerns. I asked about social justice for the workers preparing the food. And about Chick-fil-a. It turns out that they have a generally respectable opinion on the company, which was refreshing because it tastes so good.
On Saturday my roommates bought a big screen TV. And I played "Cornhole" for the very first time. It is harder than it looks.
Darfur
This is in response to a discussion at Bob's blog.
What needs to happen in Darfur? Personally, I think that we need an international (preferably UN sanctioned) intervention force large enough to go into the Darfur region and provide security for the people there. Take the estimated number of soldiers it would take to secure the area, double it, and send them in, with the authority to defend both themselves and any people coming under attack. After securing the area, they should disarm the militias that are causing the violence in the first place, making sure they aren’t in a position to start things up again when the intervention force leaves.
Why this can’t happen: First of all, Sudan. Many African countries and the UN want to send in an African intervention force, but Sudan is hesitant to allow them into its sovereign territory. Since the UN is a body that is restricted by the sovereignty of its members, an “invasion” is out of the question, despite the fact that the militias are most likely loosely controlled, if not directed, by the government in Khartoum.
There’s also the issue of committing troops, whether US or otherwise, to die for a cause that doesn’t directly affect us. After Somalia, it is unlikely that any President will ever risk our troops for purely humanitarian causes again, regardless of the flaws inherent in our presence in Somalia in the early 1990s.
There’s a lot of room here to talk about the issue of unilateral action and the defense of human rights, Somalia and Rwanda, but genocide will never break the sovereignty of the Sudanese government because no one gives a shit. It is too costly (politically and economically) to invade a country to stop the killing of a few hundred thousand people, most of whom live in extreme poverty and will all probably die before the age of 40 regardless. We can’t see it on our streets. It doesn’t keep us from getting to work (gas prices) or our own soldiers from coming home (Iraq).
How do we persuade our representatives to care about the issue? I think telling them that we care about it is all we can do. If we care, and contact them, they have to care, because they depend on us for their jobs. They do actually represent us. Sure, one voice isn’t much, but that’s why we’re doing it, not just you, or me, or George Clooney or Bono. All together, we are a thunderstorm. If our voices and the sanctity of life don’t sway them, then relate Sudan to the war on terror (a very real correlation). It’s my belief that the only true way to eliminate the terrorists is to leave the world, and all the terrorists supporters, with little reason to hate us. We do that by giving them aid and food, so why not security and protection, and perhaps the promise of a life where going to look for firewood doesn’t carry the risk of gang rape.
Dear Sir or Madam Representative, I care about the genocide in Darfur. It needs to stop because it goes against the principles this country was founded on. I realize we cannot commit troops or much money to any sort of intervention force, but I urge you to use all time and influence possible to get the Sudanese government to allow an international security force into Darfur to stop the killing. This is a time when a positive US image abroad is vital to both the war on terror and our security at home. Please make a stand to show the world that we care about more than just ourselves. Don’t let this be a time we say “never again” again. Thanks.
Those are my thoughts on Darfur. Despite being already longwinded, I could probably go on for a bit longer, because the complexity of everything means that saying “we should send in an intervention force” is ignorant, because it’s a temporary solution. In the long run, with good policy and perhaps a sense of companionship, we need a stable Africa, where the leaders step down from power when they lose an election and a well-paid, standing army can provide constant security against internal and external threats.
Where did I go wrong here? Where did I go right? Are there better ways?
Seven Brides for Seven Horcruxes
Patrick- I understand your reasoning for choosing a bear or a mountain lion as North America's greatest predator, but I would have to disagree. Certainly a bear or lion would be the most intimidating and most powerful choice, but that's like choosing a giant ogre or troll over an elven assassin. Think about that? Those wolves, they're thick as thieves, sneaking about, stealing chickens. By the time you realize they've surrounded you, it's too late.
Bob is asking what should be done about Darfur. I plan on submitting my ideas, and I would encourage you to do the same. Maybe together we can come up with a realistic suggestion for our congresspersons.
Thanks Lyndsey, for the promotion. More work for the same amount of money. A real treat.
Over this past weekend, while moving Talya to her new residence in Akron, I may have listened to a total of 9 or 10 hours of Harry Potter on my iPod, audiobook style. Sadly, I'm not burned out, but I may have permanently damaged my brain. Last night I had a dream while my alarm was going off that I had to get up to keep Malfoy from getting more polyjuice potion. And I want to use a British accent and say things like "loads more" or "That's just it, isn't it?" which seem to pop up more in Harry Potter than other places, like TV.
Next time, I need to tell you about Eric Schlosser.
Canis Lupus
Right now, I am watching "Growing Up Wolf" on Animal Planet. I really like wolves. There's something distinctly different about them from domesticated dogs. Besides their slinky grace, I'm fascinated by their complex social structure. They're also the coolest predators of North America. I also heard Hugh Jackman (of X-Men fame) studied the way wolves hunt for his role as Wolverine. Anyway, enough dork talk.
Wait, actually, dork talk may be all I have to offer. The other day, a guy on the "El" train (not the The train, but elevated) was reading Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, which I have already read and am currently working through the audio version. I got to chatting with him about it and other good fantasy works. It was a really nice conversation, and the second one I've had on the train because of Harry Potter. But then I had to leave, because it was my stop. And most of the time, taking the El during rush hour sucks.
Has anyone seen the USA show The 4400? It's about 4400 people who were abducted over the course of the last 60 years, but now all of them suddenly returned at the same time, and some have special powers, or something. It sounds like something that is totally awesome, and it's produced by Ira Steven Behr, the main creative force behind Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Bob, I am directing this at you, if you haven't already seen the show.
Owls are a hoot!
