Tuesday, February 28, 2006

Good thing we detained all those suspicious dark-skinned people of a non-Christian religion after 9/11. I don't know what we would have done with the court time, the money paid out to those wronged and the lack of good press otherwise!

On that day in September, I remember sitting on a hill, looking up at the pretty blue sky and its complete lack of air traffic, and wondering who we were going to hate because of what had happened. I hoped that it wouldn't lead to a downward spiral of hate and violence, because I feared where that would lead us.

It has led us here. Our country, that received so much sympathy at the losses we suffered that day, has lost its place of respect in the world to an extent that I never would have guessed possible. We have committed so many human rights violations, so many ill-advised plans for our "safety," that a lot of what I used to believe about my country has vanished in a puff.

I remember learning about the Japanese Internment camps and thinking how good it was that we knew better, that this wouldn't ever happen again. I remember thinking about how awful we treated American Indians when forming our country, and being glad that we knew we were wrong and wouldn't do it again. That's why they were teaching us about these things, right? So we wouldn't be doomed to repeat them?

If that's not what we've done, if this isn't the same sort of prejudice, hate, ignorance and disregard for human lives and freedoms, I don't know what is.

I'm reminded of the "pro-life" stance on abortion, and how they're working to end all termination of "human life." Where do they stand on this war that has taken so many already living, breathing, thinking people? Would they let a woman abort a fetus if it were an Arab? If they knew it would be a terrorist? Let's tie in with another hot issue in Wisconsin... Would they care about the abortion if the fetus were gay?

We are a horrifyingly hypocritical nation right now. I feel betrayed.

Thursday, February 23, 2006

Who would Jesus hate?
or
A law student in Mills
or
Where were you when I needed you?

All really good ideas I've had for blogs. I'm sure sometime in the future there will be a way to blog just by formulating ideas while walking to Starbucks and trying not to freeze because you were too stupid to bring a coat in Wisconsin in February. I'm sure that technology will exist, designed for that situation specifically. In fact, it will be invented by me, I just don't know it yet.

The first blog title would go with an article about how I just don't understand how some people call themselves Christians. Examples from today's headlines would be the "christian" stance on abortion and gay marriage. In Germany, when they outlawed abortion, they also made sure that there was financial and medical support available for pregnant women and their children; they aimed to end workplace discrimination against women taking maternity leave; they realized that protecting society's interest in potential life meant more than just calling women getting abortions whores. I don't think Jesus focused many talks on his policy of loving your neighbor except for the ones who have abortions or are gay. I wonder if they would be against aborting a gay fetus? Maybe they'd blame the mother for that, too.

Second blog title would go with my thoughts from attending my first concert in Mills for a long time. It makes me realize how much I've changed from law school and life these past few years.

Third would be thoughts on friendship and hypocrisy, and some more about how much I've changed. I've recently discovered that a few friendships I thought would withstand anything were really only friendships when I was happy and life was easy for me. I think that those kinds of friendships probably resulted from my thinking I wasn't worth being treated better. That said, I have been very fortunate to have MANY loving, giving, wonderful people in my life who HAVE seen me through the hate and ugliness that dominated my existence for a while. I'll be interested to see what patterns emerge from friendships I begin at this point in my life or later, to see if the changes I see in myself are also reflected in my relationships with others.

Now, it's time for sleep.
~Kristen

Tuesday, February 21, 2006

Meditation for the day:

May I be filled with loving kindness.
May I be well.
May I be peaceful and at ease.
May I be happy.

- Ancient Tibetan Buddhist Meditation

Thursday, February 16, 2006

I'm taking today as a snow day. One class was canceled, one I slept through, and the last one I'm planning on sleeping through as well. I think I might be getting sick anyway.

In any event, I read about something today that I wanted to pass along:
Pay It Forward

This sounds like a wonderful idea. When I have a job I think I'll start my own.

Kz

Tuesday, February 14, 2006

Why Love is Important

It doesn't matter who, it doesn't matter what religion or gender or race, love is good and healthy and life-giving.

http://www.hrc.org/

I liked the slide-show.

~Kristen
Adventures

This past weekend, my parents took me to Toronto, Canada to watch a preview showing of LOTR the musical. It was pretty awesome! I didn't know where we were going until we got to the gate at the airport. I knew we were going somewhere but had no idea where. We didn't have a ton of time there, but we did enjoy a couple of nice meals, a walk around the entertainment district, and a visit to the CN tower before returning to Wisconsin. It was just the perfect length of a February vacation. I'll post some pictures later this week.

I also got a very pretty purple sparkley necklace. Very, very sparkley.

In other news, Happy Valentine's Day. It's hard to really celebrate on a Tuesday night when I have class until 7:30pm, but Mike and I will have a romantic meal that he'll cook and maybe I can get him to give me a backrub. That would make a great Tuesday night.

This weekend is my 25th birthday (the 18th) and Mike and my one-year-of-dating day (the 19th). This weekend I will also have several interviews with Madison public interest firms. Friday night is the UWMBDA Valentine's Day ball. Busy times!

For now, back to discussing substantive due process, privacy rights and contraception. Whoo hoo!

~Kristen

Saturday, February 04, 2006

Oh, Great Spirit,
whose voice I hear in the winds
and whose breath gives life to all the world, hear me.
I am small and weak.
I need your strength and wisdom.
Let me walk in beauty and make my eyes
ever behold the red and purple sunset.
Make my hands respect the things you have made
and my ears sharp to hear your voice.
Make me wise so that I may understand
the things you have taught my people.
Let me learn the lessons you have hidden
in every leaf and rock.
I seek strength, not to be superior to my brother,
but to fight my greatest enemy - myself.
Make me always ready to come to you
with clean hands and straight eyes,
so when life fades, as the fading sunset, my spirit will come to you
without shame.

- Chief Yellow Lark, Lakota American Indian
From a wonderful little book I found called "Prayers for Peace,"
compiled by B. Martin Pederson, ISBN 1-932026-04-5