Category: Event

Right Answer, Wrong Number

The Cambodian genocide is one of the darkest chapters in human history. Now, more than 30 years later, criminal trials are being conducted and high ranking members of the Khmer Rouge regime have been convicted of their complicity in the genocide. Sadly though, the head of the most notorious prison/torture center in Cambodia, ‘Duch’, has only received a 35 year sentence for his crimes. Nearly half that time will be removed, so Duch will only serve 19 years. It is hard to imagine how the brevity of this sentence can be justified. My hope is that this type of sentence does not establish a precedent for the similar trials being held around the world.

More than 10 000 deaths under his responsibility = 35 years in jail. Stunning.  

 

FDO

 

Kudos Argentina

CNN has reported that Argentina has agreed to legalize gay marriage. Yes, highly Catholic Argentina. It's heartening to see that it's not only the US and Western Europe  where this kind of progress is being made.

I still subscribe to the belief that by 2020, gay marriage will be legal in at least half the states of the US.

FDO 

Six Weeks Fallen

 

The once sturdy oak

Now exists in triad

Oddly mangled logs on the ground

It has yielded its form

To become a different kind of conduit

 

No longer a respite for birds

It shelters a thin, shedding snake

Some small colony of ants

Leaf chewing grubs

 

All while wearing a brand new crown

Of white, spreading flower

Perfectly fit to the majesty

Of a still sturdy oak

© Gayle Force Press 2010

 

Indiana Pacers Draft Strategy

Chad Ford (via Mike Wells) on the Indiana Pacers draft strategy:

The Pacers are willing to give up their pick – No. 10 – in next week's draft to get a player that will help them immediately.

The Pacers wouldn't be searching for a point guard if they had taken [Ty] Lawson instead of Tyler Hansbrough last year. Lawson, who was the Pacers' second option, averaged 8.3 points and 3.1 assists last season.

Lawson, Jrue Holiday, Jeff Teague, Darren Collison and Eric Maynor were all still available when the Pacers picked at No. 13.

That’s what I’ve been saying! There are two conventional methods for making draft choices in the NBA. One is 'Talent'. Identifying the best available player and choosing that guy regardless of external circumstances. The second is 'Need'. This means determining what your team needs in order to fill a gap or serve a particular purpose.

Last year, the Pacers were in position to choose either method. They were a bad team with low expectations. Two positions, center and point guard, were obvious holes that needed to be filled. More broadly, they lacked high level NBA talent and had only a few players who were well suited for the style of Coach Jim O'Brien.

With their lottery pick, Larry Bird drafted Tyler Hansborough, a superstar collegian who was clearly not the most talented player on the board. Most of the folks who were excited about his selection were not convinced about his NBA potential but instead raved about his NBA readiness. This presumes then that the Pacers were trying to fill an immediate need with Hansborough. Except that power forward, Hansborough's only viable NBA position, was a position of strength for the Pacers! Troy Murphy was one of the league's few double-double (double figures in points and rebounds) guys AND he fits perfectly into O'Brien's offense as a top level 3 point shooter.

Instead of choosing for talent or need, Bird seemed to be choosing the guy he liked the most. Whether that affinity is about personality, style, work ethic or some other factor, it was a silly choice. For a team that has virtually no chance at improving itself through free agency, making smart trades and excellent draft selections is paramount. Next week, the Pacers have a chance to begin making good on the progress the team showed at the end of the year. They can't afford another miss.

FDO

 

 

Presentation Struggles…

I’m presenting at an education conference next week. While I’m expecting to enjoy it, I’ve discovered an interesting challenge. My dual topics are the utility of horrific images and the value of exploring controversial issues.

 

In my upper level elective classes, we often watch very disturbing movies, look at disquieting pictures, read challenging articles, discuss uncomfortable propaganda and ask unanswerable questions. My brain understands the connections involved and the value of using material that sparks discomfort. During the course of a semester, my students understand what we’re accomplishing. They get it. Most of them give strong feedback and feel as though the grow from the way class is organized.

 

Even though I’ll be using some material from classes to demonstrate what I try to do and why we use material others shy away from, it’s going to be hard to translate a semester’s worth of resources, relationships and experiences into a half hour presentation. Challenge!

 

FDO

Last Night’s Travels

A friend is fighting a losing battle with Canada. Here's a poem about heading towards Toronto.

FDO

Last Night’s Travels

 

Driving on the highway into Etobicoke

Hoping to find somewhere to get off

Finally the sign for Queens Land

 

© Gayle Force Press 2003

Sad but True- Social Reform Legislation Edition

 

"There's no denying this (Health Care Reform) is certainly the biggest and by almost any definition the first major social legislation in the United States in almost five decades."

Thanks for the reminder, Josh Marshall. It's gonna feel good.

 

FDO

Thanks!

Thanks to all those who attended the Myths party. It was an incredibly fun and warm event. I read several poems and received great feedback. Hopefully the folks who bought books will let me know what their favorites are. Thanks again!

FDO