tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9911054329615689872024-03-12T22:07:08.922-07:00JenMc's BlogJennifer McKitrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01825652450956714208noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-991105432961568987.post-29907792196625309952012-06-28T13:57:00.001-07:002012-06-28T14:14:14.920-07:00Necessity Conference<a href="http://www.unl.edu/philosophy/necessity-conference" target="_blank">http://www.unl.edu/philosophy/necessity-conference</a>Jennifer McKitrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01825652450956714208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-991105432961568987.post-84275606364246006472011-11-13T10:33:00.000-08:002011-11-13T10:54:20.624-08:006x6<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDvlm2W1Fjck9SXlQF7WO-XZHavR8UAHYZ6mSORssqi4TZhmK4igpgpHiX7iE3iZBuObPb2x2P4xncXz9-RlZbxWkj77HsJ4OEN30WnxvSAAR4F0LDVyP8Hi-NpbVTZMxj87Yo1iswwCA/s1600/IMAG0036.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 120px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDvlm2W1Fjck9SXlQF7WO-XZHavR8UAHYZ6mSORssqi4TZhmK4igpgpHiX7iE3iZBuObPb2x2P4xncXz9-RlZbxWkj77HsJ4OEN30WnxvSAAR4F0LDVyP8Hi-NpbVTZMxj87Yo1iswwCA/s200/IMAG0036.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674553663176301842" border="0" /></a>My latest charity project is "6x6." I make and collect six by six inch squares, and crochet them together in six rows of six squares. With the joining and border, the blankets come out roughly 40" square. They make nice lap blankets or baby blankets. I've donated blankets to nursing homes, church auctions, and various children's charities.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5TQ9d8pNkXi0DXao-X6zUVleCa6aAvHxjvCmP9oCnI5BrGT-OQA5YyhLMcMhgKPpKDoSSYB89NXVTWfz25j8QmXQOsuYEkjRIOAaqeY5VQHGseHaOqAdH9X8xbuPqwa-0COBOB_ncZ3Y/s1600/IMAG0033.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 120px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5TQ9d8pNkXi0DXao-X6zUVleCa6aAvHxjvCmP9oCnI5BrGT-OQA5YyhLMcMhgKPpKDoSSYB89NXVTWfz25j8QmXQOsuYEkjRIOAaqeY5VQHGseHaOqAdH9X8xbuPqwa-0COBOB_ncZ3Y/s200/IMAG0033.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674553282813065042" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkh_P4hSCT5axtvyNTehNhp8ZhbjMuhyphenhyphenCdLdz6APfF8OrDM7RPH3ayyDK1WqrO6hLnuQSXoy8JFJazDXJYAxUfTa8VHEvYMHsQE0ulZbd1DlQ-BhSkn5PAAzXm2Ihfjsa3yVReVidwUhA/s1600/IMAG0034.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 120px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkh_P4hSCT5axtvyNTehNhp8ZhbjMuhyphenhyphenCdLdz6APfF8OrDM7RPH3ayyDK1WqrO6hLnuQSXoy8JFJazDXJYAxUfTa8VHEvYMHsQE0ulZbd1DlQ-BhSkn5PAAzXm2Ihfjsa3yVReVidwUhA/s200/IMAG0034.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674553286333878914" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn9Jb8gIWWXcmC2ONbKtlOuG9gN9UNu7UBj03ppWcP51jdyzFE4j25BQ3scIOSIwV12dqD8LyedL3u4YgqaEU0Pr-t1Ae9x7KGcCZYUevzDNqQbxNRXeVMd9frMyDbEabK4SB3MZvUwi8/s1600/IMAG0035.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 120px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn9Jb8gIWWXcmC2ONbKtlOuG9gN9UNu7UBj03ppWcP51jdyzFE4j25BQ3scIOSIwV12dqD8LyedL3u4YgqaEU0Pr-t1Ae9x7KGcCZYUevzDNqQbxNRXeVMd9frMyDbEabK4SB3MZvUwi8/s200/IMAG0035.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674553291732082642" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdiLo4tVtDCj49G7ows9EgCwtJrddxsVK_YIMzhzrk5_PH-__bu8qt1OMAyQ-_n4nKu3S1PvKs26tuvt3wfiK8rjKboNgif2DBFs41tPqzX6PO2tNEPDkbhN2zPfUU4mfyov7kb8TOSoA/s1600/IMAG0028.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; 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width: 200px; height: 120px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj060aNidEgwT41y0-wTqMPk-12tkxeP8hdJN_-7CG_BbStDCa3zq4TYt1gz6Y9m9biRxdukjhU6dPmfZWq1j9Fq1aXbYzGwUc3cR_FVbKh3A5ACZqooau-hxoqv5iGZGHQ-oCuEueo9hQ/s200/IMAG0027.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674552454393554482" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDx6to9RMcOMG4GDRAaFA08h08Y-D1o_m-7bWUUVBiyRP4yEsPqG2VUrjcxIfapNdtYMhIK6sybTOijSw-oCVPLNAxARtdSIOiV-iLMH-9Ca0w6kwEVjp0jlv7gpbwpFbla4ZtAYnOaL4/s1600/IMAG0026.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 120px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDx6to9RMcOMG4GDRAaFA08h08Y-D1o_m-7bWUUVBiyRP4yEsPqG2VUrjcxIfapNdtYMhIK6sybTOijSw-oCVPLNAxARtdSIOiV-iLMH-9Ca0w6kwEVjp0jlv7gpbwpFbla4ZtAYnOaL4/s200/IMAG0026.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674552448519708322" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEingVr1g2KzjtE5ycco9IaBNJed0ZHzLFQSzOKEqxWKBB17qaANc-nOfg9dMww5oLCBbynI-ZKGYKcNPaq038QXl_aywWAsoeWhuUbKnhBStuJamsY4jVa8QYwrc_5hwz5qa6Hjv-yozns/s1600/IMAG0029.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 120px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEingVr1g2KzjtE5ycco9IaBNJed0ZHzLFQSzOKEqxWKBB17qaANc-nOfg9dMww5oLCBbynI-ZKGYKcNPaq038QXl_aywWAsoeWhuUbKnhBStuJamsY4jVa8QYwrc_5hwz5qa6Hjv-yozns/s200/IMAG0029.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674553275509946466" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1NVjdkWNqGH9WM6jIsWdFevuyHwDMwR2cTuEXWSWxuuhzDGv5Njn2zHgFCJEjOA3cW9-8-GNTqr0uTfMilKoX05Cvs5Z2-wIar0mSHYFK-fQeI6PwTWkAk_5u4v3UEkn6D2CFrdmHWqY/s1600/IMAG0025.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 120px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1NVjdkWNqGH9WM6jIsWdFevuyHwDMwR2cTuEXWSWxuuhzDGv5Njn2zHgFCJEjOA3cW9-8-GNTqr0uTfMilKoX05Cvs5Z2-wIar0mSHYFK-fQeI6PwTWkAk_5u4v3UEkn6D2CFrdmHWqY/s200/IMAG0025.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674552450642795298" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7HsMVAubtnW-LWS_z8zTlbsIXVPKSQxACNkQDObcQ6n7Kt7WzEBIXEG-bBpcNW0NpD33MypsQwyDjTbgZPH3y5kjTo_y_f8job-4ZvQklAKfHULQJQZcEBDzWzfoWkz988sOO_TQXfjU/s1600/IMAG0022.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 120px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7HsMVAubtnW-LWS_z8zTlbsIXVPKSQxACNkQDObcQ6n7Kt7WzEBIXEG-bBpcNW0NpD33MypsQwyDjTbgZPH3y5kjTo_y_f8job-4ZvQklAKfHULQJQZcEBDzWzfoWkz988sOO_TQXfjU/s200/IMAG0022.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674551695200649794" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVFrVRcKAi_FaTRMYEb1ucFrWEdbOJu4k9wMne02mW_w1-dRtWfxkkWa6fAM_XqvboqrniRHKzRkxb6_PMy8lnNWqHJ-ziSRJWhnwDo4jsTJg8SOMqmZ6LFS4oO9hWCbxLLWaEYSp1CAA/s1600/IMAG0024.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 120px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVFrVRcKAi_FaTRMYEb1ucFrWEdbOJu4k9wMne02mW_w1-dRtWfxkkWa6fAM_XqvboqrniRHKzRkxb6_PMy8lnNWqHJ-ziSRJWhnwDo4jsTJg8SOMqmZ6LFS4oO9hWCbxLLWaEYSp1CAA/s200/IMAG0024.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674552432352346082" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw0G-fWgR9BxkvkcjFyEOQBsony9w3pu8G8Bq_opZ81siePEpXien-24Y1vIj6CQjI00VCcpk8da4IdJRICX1i0YzOCv7L5mBeGm4_UvDwPmgQfI2r41wRhyphenhyphenI5WAFJ7p2ytnBnngLJVhI/s1600/IMAG0023.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 120px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw0G-fWgR9BxkvkcjFyEOQBsony9w3pu8G8Bq_opZ81siePEpXien-24Y1vIj6CQjI00VCcpk8da4IdJRICX1i0YzOCv7L5mBeGm4_UvDwPmgQfI2r41wRhyphenhyphenI5WAFJ7p2ytnBnngLJVhI/s200/IMAG0023.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674551933039024978" border="0" /></a>Jennifer McKitrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01825652450956714208noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-991105432961568987.post-17374966903806648492011-04-26T06:44:00.001-07:002011-04-26T06:44:52.084-07:00Long time no see.I haven't posted in over two years. Does anyone care?!Jennifer McKitrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01825652450956714208noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-991105432961568987.post-58656961887183522762009-03-16T21:03:00.000-07:002009-03-17T21:26:24.251-07:00Talk about missing the point!It seems to me much of the criticism about executive compensation has been misplaced.<br /><br />What's supposed to be so horrible about CEO's getting big bonuses?<br /><ul><li>"They just don't get it." </li><li>"They're idiots."<br /></li><li>"They don't understand that people are hurting and angry."</li><li>"They're insensitive to public perceptions."<br /></li></ul>That might be true. But is that really the problem? Is that what's important -- whether or not CEO's know or care what we think?<br /><ul><li>"They don't deserve it."</li><li>"It's rewarding failure."</li></ul>OK, imagine this... Suppose that certain executives at these companies had been working really hard, doing their best, etc., etc. And let's even suppose they're not the people who had made bad decisions, but they are doing their darndest to repair the damage. And suppose we had good evidence that, if it weren't for their work, things would be much worse. Given the circumstances, they might be described as moderately successful in their endeavors. <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Even if this were the case</span>, how would you feel if millions of taxpayer dollars that was intended to help save their companies was used to give them bonuses instead? Myself, personally, would still not be happy about it. (I find it implausible that the bonuses, in the current environment, actually help the company be more profitable.)<br /><br />On the other hand, suppose that a private company that has taken no bailout money decides to give a reckless and irresponsible exectutive a multi-million dollar bonus that he doesn't deserve. This might be a bad idea for many reasons. It will probably be bad for the company, and in turn, bad for everyone who depends on that company. But, hey, if they want to shoot themselves in the foot, that's more or less their problem. Investors and other people who depend on this company should be aware and take caution. If such practices are harmful to companies, companies that are determined to engage in them should fail.<br /><br />In sum:<br />Bonuses for well-meaning, "deserving" executives for bailed out companies -- Grrr!<br />Bonuses for reckless, undeserving executives for private (un-bailed-out) companies -- Oh well.<br /><br />Ergo: <span style="font-weight: bold;">The executives' being undeserving is irrelevant to how bad an idea the bonuses are!</span><br /><br />So why are the bonuses so horrible? In my opinion, it's because they constitute the transfer of vast sums of wealth from millions of Americans who can't afford it to a privileged few, which serves no other purpose than the interests of the few (who also happen to have been a lot better off in the first place).<br /><br />Who cares what they do or don't understand, what their motives are, or what they do or do not deserve? I don't.<br /><br />This has got to be the biggest rip-off perpetrated against the American people in the history of our country. And all people can complain about is that the beneficiaries of this scam are <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">insensitive and undeserving</span>?!<br /><br />But if we stop talking about the character flaws of CEO's, we'll have to start talking about the people who just handed them billions of dollars that we don't even have. I mean, it's not as if they broke into Fort Knox and stole it.<br /><ul><li>"This is a red herring. It's such a small percentage of the bailout (or TARP or whatever) money. Complaining about it is great political theater, but in the big picture, the bonuses are irrelevant."</li></ul> OK. Here's how to get away with wasting a billion dollars: First, spend a trillion dollars. Then, when someone asks about how a billion of it was spent, point out that that that is only .1% of the total. (Recall that the same kind of response was made in defense of various parts of the stimulus package. It is so huge that to complain about multi-billion dollar expenditures looks like knit-picking.)<br /><br />The sums of money here are just beyond my comprehension. But I'm not supposed to worry about amounts that are far more than I could earn in 10 lifetimes, because it's a drop in the bucket of what the U.S. taxpayers are on the hook for. And this is supposed to make me feel better why?Jennifer McKitrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01825652450956714208noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-991105432961568987.post-34645702126616780702009-02-16T19:30:00.000-08:002009-02-16T19:38:39.441-08:00How Stimulating!I thought that an adjective used to describe something that stimulates was "stimulating."<br /><br />As in a "stimulating conversation" or "that jump in the lake was so stimulating!"<br /><br />But with respect to the Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Act, commentators wonder and debate about whether various parts of the bill will be "stimulative."<br /><br />I guess that is the proper way to describe something that stimulates.<br /><br />Besides, talking about whether the package will be stimulating sounds vaguely perverse.Jennifer McKitrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01825652450956714208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-991105432961568987.post-57717260432978748832009-01-19T16:18:00.000-08:002009-01-19T16:20:21.401-08:00I can't watch the news"What do you think he's going to say in his speech?"<br />"What does this moment mean to who-he-whats-it?"<br />"What's Michelle going to wear?"<br /><br />I can't take it anymore!<br /><br />Luckily, the Australian Open is on ESPN2.<br />I recommend it highly.Jennifer McKitrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01825652450956714208noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-991105432961568987.post-49176396236403920952009-01-16T09:07:00.001-08:002009-01-16T09:09:33.283-08:00Plane Makes Emergency Landing on Hudson RiverNo fatalities, no serious injuries.<br /><br />END OF STORY!!!<br /><br />OK, fine, maybe you want to know what went wrong with the plane, and how they managed to save everybody, etc.<br /><br />But a 24/7 news story? Why?<br /><br />Forget about those 1000 people who have died in Gaza in the past two weeks.<br />155 <span style="font-style: italic;">Americans <span style="font-weight: bold;">almost</span></span> died in <span style="font-style: italic;">New York <span style="font-weight: bold;">yesterday!!</span></span>Jennifer McKitrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01825652450956714208noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-991105432961568987.post-14048796183905258262009-01-15T12:38:00.000-08:002009-01-15T14:00:36.209-08:00Tortured Logic<ol><li>Water boarding is torture.<br /></li><li>The Bush administration authorized water boarding.<br /></li><li>Authorizing torture is a punishable offense.<br /></li></ol>Therefore... ?<br /><br />What's the rationale for denying the claim that someone from the Bush administration is liable to criminal prosecution?<br /><ul><li>We should look forward, not backward (Obama)<br /></li></ul>I tried telling that to the judge when I was in traffic court: "That speeding I did -- that's in the past. The important thing is that I will obey the the speed limit in the future." It didn't fly.<br /><br /><ul><li>We shouldn't criminalize policy disagreements (Holder).</li></ul>But what if it's someone's policy to break the law? It's not their disagreeing with you that's criminal -- it's the crime that they committed.<br /><br /><ul><li>The Bush administration didn't know that what they were doing was illegal.<br /></li></ul>Ignorance of the law is no excuse. I told the judge in traffic court that I didn't know that going 60 mph on that particular stretch of road was illegal, but that didn't work either.<br /><br /><ul><li>The Bush administration acted in accord with legal council that said that what they were doing was legal.</li></ul>Oh! The <span style="font-style: italic;">lawyers</span> said it was OK! Why didn't you say so? So, if I hire a lawyer to tell me that speeding is legal, I can drive as fast as I want?! Yippee!<br /><br />It seems to me that the laws that protect people from being tortured should be at least as strong as the laws that protect people from my driving too fast.<br /><br />And it seems to me, if something is against the law now, and the reasons it is against the law were in play at time t, then that thing was against the law at time t.<br /><br />So, are there any reasons that make water boarding against the law now that weren't in play in the last several years?<br /><br />A different administrative "policy"?<br /><br />What was that I heard, once upon a time, about a separation of legislative and executive branches...? If Obama's policies can deem water boarding to be against the law when it was previously not a punishable offense, then it would seem that they would be justified in not having those policies if that were their prerogative.<br /><br />Lucky for us, they're nice guys.<br />Let's hope so, since they seem to basically agree with the Bush administration about the executive being above the law.<br /><br />It reminds me of when my co-worker opined that our boss was a very judgmental person. When I told her that he didn't seem that way to me, she said "Well, it's not obvious, since most of his judgments are positive."Jennifer McKitrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01825652450956714208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-991105432961568987.post-62231187642331934102009-01-13T13:11:00.000-08:002009-01-13T13:28:45.827-08:00Charlie RoseOne of my new favorite shows in Charlie Rose on PBS.<br />It's basically an interview show. Find out more here:<br /><a href="http://www.charlierose.com/">http://www.charlierose.com/</a><br />When I first stumbled across it, I thought it was sort of boring, old-fashioned, and a little annoying.<br />But more often than not, I leave my tv on PBS late at night, and would find Charlie Rose there, conducting a calm, thoughtful, intellectual, in depth and often enlightening interview.<br />Last night, I caught part I of his interview with David Sanger, talking about his new book, The Inheritance. I'm not one to run out and buy a book after listening to someone on a book tour, but I want to read this book!<br />On the other hand, I did catch Kate Winslet on there twice, talking about her recent films -- The Reader and Revoloutionary Road. Gosh, she is a little too impressed with herself.Jennifer McKitrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01825652450956714208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-991105432961568987.post-85150972703157644452009-01-05T17:32:00.000-08:002009-01-05T17:46:07.920-08:00Bush family mourns death of 18 year old white house cat.That was an AP headline.<br />I like cats.<br />I would be sad if one of my cats died.<br />It's interesting to find out about what the Bush family finds worth morning in the waning days of the Bush administration.Jennifer McKitrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01825652450956714208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-991105432961568987.post-34938162254549825952009-01-04T17:20:00.000-08:002009-01-04T17:25:29.970-08:00Knit till it hurts!I finally got a little free time so I wanted to get some knitting and crocheting done.<br />I over did it, and now I have repetitive stress issues on the right side of my upper body, especially my forearm and wrist. I had to give it a rest today, and it really bumbed me out. It made me start thinking, if God really hates me, he will give me arthritis in my hands so I can't spend my retirement years knitting.Jennifer McKitrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01825652450956714208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-991105432961568987.post-68735555501761772392008-12-23T15:57:00.000-08:002008-12-24T11:28:47.121-08:00Warren PieceRick Warren of Saddleback Church is to deliver Convocation at the Presidential Inagueration.<br />He has stated on the church website that unrepentant homosexuals are not welcome at his church. He supported California's Proposition 8 which rescinded the right of same-sex couples to wed.<br /><br /><br />Maybe the government shouldn't be in the marriage business.<br />Any maybe religious prayers should not be said at state functions.<br /><br />But given that the government is in the marriage business, and given that prayers are said at state functions, I think that the views held by those who deliver prayers at state functions can sometimes matter, and in this case, they do.<br /><br />When a religious figure presides at a state function, he plays a certain symbolic role, and is accorded a certain status. He is speaking as spiritual leader, or moral authority. Perhaps you don't consider him your spiritual leader, and you do not recognize his moral authority. But by picking Warren for this role Obama has in effect asked the American people to see him as a spiritual leader and a moral authority, or at least communicated the idea that he sees Warren as an appropriate fit for that role. It is an expression of respect for his spiritual and moral leadership.<br /><br />If a religious leader speaks at a state function, and the speaker is known for regarding, treating, and arguing that other people should treat some members of the citizenry as undeserving of the full rights and privileges granted to other citizens, then that view is implicitly sanctioned as at least tolerable by those who are responsible for putting him in the role of spiritual and moral authority at the state function. Imagine having a preacher that has spoken out against interracial marriage at the inauguration. What kind of message would that send?<br /><br />There are those who think that Warren's views are tolerable and even commendable. I don't agree, but we can have that argument another day. What troubles me is those who say they disagree with Warren about same-sex marriage, but think having him speak at the inauguration is not a problem.<br /><br />Some of the arguments of the apologists:<br /><ul><li>Obama said he would talk to leaders of Iran and North Korea, and that was supposed to be OK. Rick Warren is not nearly as bad as those guys, so this should be OK too.<br /></li></ul>I'd have no problem with Obama talking to Rick Warren. Even without pre-conditions. I'd be happy for them to negotiate if they had something to negotiate about. But you wouldn't put Mahmoud Ahmadinejad or Kim Jong-il up there to sanction this big important national event. Why not? I'm not saying Warren is part of the axis of evil, but whatever reason you would have for not wanting a bad guy to cloud your big day should apply to Warren as well.<br /><ul><li>Obama is "reaching across the aisle" just like he said he would. </li></ul>But Warren isn't a Republican congressman that liberals need to negotiate with in order to get legislation passed or something. Political negotiations among lawmakers on various sides of the same-sex marriage issue is probably a good and necessary thing, pragmatically. Perhaps reaching out to their constituents, the evangelicals and the like, is part of that process. But putting someone in what is considered a position of honor is not a matter of being willing to talk and negotiate with them. Its symbolic meaning is much more than that.<br /><ul><li>We can disagree about policy without being disagreeable.</li></ul>It's not like we're disagreeing about a gas tax holiday. We're disagreeing about the permissibility of some people being denied rights that other citizens have, of treating some people as second-class citizens, of denying some committed monogamous couples privileges and benefits granted to others merely on the basis of their genders. I can't blame gays, lesbians, and allies for being a tad disagreeable at the moment.<br /><br />And I'm not saying Obama should be disagreeable to Warren. If you discuss same-sex marriage, or any other controversial issue with Warren, by all means, behave like a perfect gentleman. But if you find your opponent's views morally problematic, don't put him up on a pedestal and ask for his blessing.<br /><ul><li>In the long run, this will do more good than harm for gays and lesbians.</li></ul>Hmmm.<br />Well, that's a prediction, and a counterfactual. (We'll never be able to compare the world where Warren spoke at the inauguration to the one where he didn't.) But apart from existential doubts about possible worlds, I don't know why we should think that's true. What can be accomplished for gays and lesbians that is less likely to happen without an anti-gay marriage minister speaking at the inauguration? Is it placating the opponents? or galvanizing them? Is it mobilizing the supporters? Or were they already mobilized after passage of Proposition 8?<br /><br />And furthermore, it's a crassly consequentialist argument. I'm not saying consequentialism is crass, but consider this analogy. After Jessica Lunsford was abducted and murdered, her father became an activist and got Jessica's Law passed in many states, and (suppose for the sake of argument) numerous would-be victims of child molesters and predators are better off as a result of this course of events.<br /><br />...and therefore there was nothing wrong with John Couey abducting, raping, and burying Jessica alive?<br /><br />I'm not saying there's anything equivalent to abduction, rape, and murder going on here.<br />My point is that inviting Warren speak at the inauguration could be bad in itself, even if, by some strange course of events, it turns out to have good consequences.Jennifer McKitrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01825652450956714208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-991105432961568987.post-18089734359859608402008-12-20T14:05:00.000-08:002008-12-20T14:06:13.729-08:00It is better to give than to receiveSo if you really want to do something nice for someone, encourage them to give you something.Jennifer McKitrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01825652450956714208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-991105432961568987.post-25075938145565156582008-12-19T19:59:00.000-08:002008-12-19T20:53:11.269-08:00Be careful what you wish for!Bush's "right of conscience" rule would allow those working in health-related facilities that receive federal funds to refuse treatment based on moral, rather than scientific, grounds.<br /><br />Apparently, the intent of this rule is to protect those apposed to contraception and abortion from having to participate in procedures that they consider immoral.<br /><br />But this would seem to cover<br /><ul><li>the Jehovah's Witness who refuses to facilitate blood transfusions or organ transplants<br /></li><li>the Christian Scientist who regards anything but prayer therapy to be immoral</li><li>The Scientologist who finds fault with most mental health treatments<br /></li><li>the euthanasia-ist who objects to administering life-sustaining treatment to terminally ill patients</li><li>the vegan working in the hospital cafeteria!<br /></li></ul>There are people who think that it's morally problematic for those in industrialized nations to expend so many resources on having their own biological children given global poverty and overpopulation. There are racial purists who think it is wrong to bring children of mixed race into the world. By the same standards, they would be justified in refusing fertility treatments, prenatal care, etc.<br /><br />The lesson is, when you want moral views to get special consideration, unless you are going to dictate <span style="font-style: italic;">which</span> moral views get special consideration, you set yourself up for giving special consideration to views that you don't agree with.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><br /></p>Jennifer McKitrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01825652450956714208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-991105432961568987.post-11378103182186410772008-12-09T10:13:00.000-08:002008-12-09T18:32:54.597-08:00Don't Know Much About Economics...But as far as I can figure...<br /><br />The plan of the Trouble Asset Relief Program is that the US government borrows money from China so that they can lend it to banks so banks can lend it to consumers/taxpayers.<br /><br />(China should just open up banks in the US and lend directly to consumers. Cut out the middle men! Especially ones that spend the money on spa retreats for their clients.)<br /><br />So basically, the government is putting taxpayers in debt so that money can be lent to same taxpayers, with interest.<br /><br />If enough taxpayers pay back the bank, the bank can pay the government, and the government can pay back China, and if there's any left over, it will "benefit the taxpayer," whatever that means.<br /><br />(Another short cut: If you really want to benefit the taxpayer, reduce the amount that they have to pay on their loans now, rather than giving them a promise of a cut of the profits made off their own interest payments.)<br /><br />Now, if not enough taxpayers pay their loans, the bank can't pay back the government, but the government still has to pay back China, so where will they get the money? From taxpayers!Which taxpayers? The ones who were unable or unwilling to pay their loans? Unlikely. For the others (and subsequent generations), after they're done paying back any money that they may have borrowed, they still have to pay back the money that someone else borrowed. That sounds less like being financially responsible and more like being a sucker.<br /><br />Another thing...<br />If the Big 3 are good for the money, why can't they get regular loans?<br /><br />Credit is tight, I know. But the government already gave billions to financial institutions so they could make loans. I guess the banks figure they shouldn't risk the taxpayer's money that way. That would be irresponsible!<br /><br />But what do I know?Jennifer McKitrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01825652450956714208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-991105432961568987.post-20055576609107640042008-11-04T09:03:00.000-08:002008-11-04T09:11:11.329-08:00Vote!...if you want. It doesn't really matter.<br />My polling place is in walking distance from my house. I arrived shortly after 8 AM. I waited in line about 1/2 hour, here in the battleground state of Nebraska. No ID required. If you know the name and address of a registered voter and beat them to the poles, you could vote instead of them. Vote early and vote often -- that's what I always say.Jennifer McKitrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01825652450956714208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-991105432961568987.post-31095166524685965602008-10-31T13:31:00.001-07:002008-10-31T13:35:22.900-07:00Happy Halloween!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRHBRwFvmJQQziklouMbbRrayeQOzwC31WRmTfAomatt-rg_EwwoGGSQDq4vrf8Kf5sbVO-77JUkuAK2XjlZpIqgr14drQsV4BW0F38DHQrKAJZ_DI8nu-Pf-MdQ8eaFPpbmT7XkvHKpQ/s1600-h/DSC00592.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRHBRwFvmJQQziklouMbbRrayeQOzwC31WRmTfAomatt-rg_EwwoGGSQDq4vrf8Kf5sbVO-77JUkuAK2XjlZpIqgr14drQsV4BW0F38DHQrKAJZ_DI8nu-Pf-MdQ8eaFPpbmT7XkvHKpQ/s320/DSC00592.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263418778749848466" border="0" /></a>I started my Ravelry account, but I had trouble posting my pics on it. I had to put my pictures on Flicker first or something, but I didn't have a Flicker account, and so I went to do that, and it crashed my computer. So I haven't really done much with my Ravelry account yet. But I will when I get some time.Jennifer McKitrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01825652450956714208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-991105432961568987.post-77384329441845748592008-08-23T13:26:00.000-07:002008-08-23T13:30:09.058-07:00Back to SchoolThe Fall semester is upon us. I've been pretty busy since I got back from England. I taught a 5 week summer course and tried to tie up lots of loose ends. I didn't get it all done so I'm going to be even busier. I start teaching my fall class on Monday. I'll be teaching a seminar Wednesday which will cut into my Wednesday night knitting at B&N.Jennifer McKitrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01825652450956714208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-991105432961568987.post-83210276709222207822008-07-31T04:08:00.000-07:002008-07-31T04:14:06.879-07:00RavelryI just joined the waiting list for Ravelry. Finally! For those of you who don't know, it's a website for knit and crochet where you can talk about knit and crochet, post pictures, and much more. So, I'm going to start posting my knit and crochet pics there and leave this blog for other stuff (if there is any other stuff!) I'll post my Ravelry user name when I get on.Jennifer McKitrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01825652450956714208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-991105432961568987.post-86926793684313782552008-07-28T19:48:00.000-07:002008-07-28T19:55:18.456-07:00Baby Socks<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzxDAcT5FJZh148a2p9jaFR-q4QGvvVwbfcIFewULZiooKZx2Kz6iut-v6F14e7MNLJ8Mc0p7v-ExEf-GEJD8RU51PnYNQSe1l8cLwsk5FblJS5J8b9i7ZVEtiuTjS19G09OF1ShGWl20/s1600-h/DSC00997.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzxDAcT5FJZh148a2p9jaFR-q4QGvvVwbfcIFewULZiooKZx2Kz6iut-v6F14e7MNLJ8Mc0p7v-ExEf-GEJD8RU51PnYNQSe1l8cLwsk5FblJS5J8b9i7ZVEtiuTjS19G09OF1ShGWl20/s320/DSC00997.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228263323221988930" border="0" /></a>9 pairs of baby socks for Sewing for Babies. <br />The striped ones are made with Red Heart Strata. The solids are Caron Simply Soft.<br />I varied the ribbings and heel flaps a little.<br />The purple one is all garter stitch from the ribbing down. It makes a cute puffy little bootie.Jennifer McKitrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01825652450956714208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-991105432961568987.post-88288768514680562862008-07-24T20:16:00.000-07:002008-07-24T20:31:36.706-07:00All the Shawls<span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span>In case you didn't know, afghans for Afghans latest campaign is to collect shawls for mothers of newborns treated at a hospital in Kabul, and I've been working on them all Summer, pretty much.<br />Shawls are due at the a4A collection center in a week, so I'm going to stop making and start sending them now.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsy0atsL-P6jRYqR-VQ5POxoQ2wlZrJujVypX20_Vq7BnCE15h_0UYMKdZ4MMsHi3VWbM8IAJV9vHjdDuV40MWH2kCGK0nWXEKofD8wTVqjRVZOKvzXJEzpdUe0IMXOLGD8HCPRpS1h_4/s1600-h/BB's+099.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsy0atsL-P6jRYqR-VQ5POxoQ2wlZrJujVypX20_Vq7BnCE15h_0UYMKdZ4MMsHi3VWbM8IAJV9vHjdDuV40MWH2kCGK0nWXEKofD8wTVqjRVZOKvzXJEzpdUe0IMXOLGD8HCPRpS1h_4/s320/BB's+099.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226786032703203410" border="0" /></a>There's 8 in all. 4 were knit with The Ultimate Sweater Machine. (It's not just for sweaters, obviously.) I crocheted borders on 3 of those, and knit a garter stitch border on the 4th. 3 are all hand crocheted and one is hand knit.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1msnCsUXT_2koyODhryY1MX8jXLRtxccj3xLQjhUit-lc7htSVuNyAdq8ZGXjQbBIrHPUSbeaDQvN2JHmI7ZCZPQhSL8ZwcfpHz5rZC-ZS3tof8gr5gGRKTGm568dTAq51dPSryTSEjo/s1600-h/BB's+092.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1msnCsUXT_2koyODhryY1MX8jXLRtxccj3xLQjhUit-lc7htSVuNyAdq8ZGXjQbBIrHPUSbeaDQvN2JHmI7ZCZPQhSL8ZwcfpHz5rZC-ZS3tof8gr5gGRKTGm568dTAq51dPSryTSEjo/s320/BB's+092.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226785847478210898" border="0" /></a>Here's Fuzzy (my other cat, not the one who had the tumor) sitting on one of the crocheted shawls before it was finished. Needless to say, all shawls come with a little cat hair.<br /><br />The chest next to the chair is fill with, you guessed it, YARN!Jennifer McKitrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01825652450956714208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-991105432961568987.post-38059467793434238442008-07-13T13:12:00.000-07:002008-07-13T13:23:25.292-07:00England picsI didn't bring my camera to England, but I bought a disposable. The quality is not great, but better than nothing.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAw8r4BfFTD5ovKvDRnTrMHfO1Hh3qMBtxxh-_W1nZkX6TwIB1LEmx2dhx_GD7G-SUrooaUgRzLX-dOYi-T-5_1r2jweysXhyphenhyphenahdfqAXaqBHB97moPPBWBIohGC4rYGF6v-KikNByNTjA/s1600-h/813389-R1-046-21A_023.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAw8r4BfFTD5ovKvDRnTrMHfO1Hh3qMBtxxh-_W1nZkX6TwIB1LEmx2dhx_GD7G-SUrooaUgRzLX-dOYi-T-5_1r2jweysXhyphenhyphenahdfqAXaqBHB97moPPBWBIohGC4rYGF6v-KikNByNTjA/s320/813389-R1-046-21A_023.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222596044163093506" border="0" /></a>Guarding the entrance to Center Court at Wimbledon<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqlr6FmqEdhhlhu2Yu0r7-7bmKUFlu7Lstg5d9ocGVVEtOXA1_jGC9GHsCfuWvdUbNEwvtdqL-SxBJGr3KhNHEHUTkZ563kqHp5xrE6sMPdnB-7AGcMv2OQBppO8HFBC4gGtFbm2ammKw/s1600-h/813389-R1-044-20A_022.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqlr6FmqEdhhlhu2Yu0r7-7bmKUFlu7Lstg5d9ocGVVEtOXA1_jGC9GHsCfuWvdUbNEwvtdqL-SxBJGr3KhNHEHUTkZ563kqHp5xrE6sMPdnB-7AGcMv2OQBppO8HFBC4gGtFbm2ammKw/s320/813389-R1-044-20A_022.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222595816273873394" border="0" /></a>Me at my 3rd row seat on Court 1.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIVMr7RLjIwErvae6aeehfheMTuisGiop7vpwOb8_ToafE-8uUGE8ust9KSRtK6kwqE1ukr50lJXjPdzAkfUaHXBDuJN9POd8roljBkRnWtANjGZUh6nqPffXDQj7q4B1HeYLxVM1q1mY/s1600-h/813389-R1-038-17A_019.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIVMr7RLjIwErvae6aeehfheMTuisGiop7vpwOb8_ToafE-8uUGE8ust9KSRtK6kwqE1ukr50lJXjPdzAkfUaHXBDuJN9POd8roljBkRnWtANjGZUh6nqPffXDQj7q4B1HeYLxVM1q1mY/s320/813389-R1-038-17A_019.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222595613300887330" border="0" /></a>Arnauld Clement in action.<br />-----------<br />Some of the historic architecture of Oxford<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFq54tAYrXMPhGHN5gRGY5OmDgbHsQ0WZDDByW8dBUIQD95T_fOi33V5AfLJ6Ty4lH9ID3yfsQQrU3mom6MXfOWrjGfJE7GHxNSTXJT_U8FkgWWcKrT9PzeqNTgeTlGldWczsVDSACz_I/s1600-h/813389-R1-010-3A_005.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFq54tAYrXMPhGHN5gRGY5OmDgbHsQ0WZDDByW8dBUIQD95T_fOi33V5AfLJ6Ty4lH9ID3yfsQQrU3mom6MXfOWrjGfJE7GHxNSTXJT_U8FkgWWcKrT9PzeqNTgeTlGldWczsVDSACz_I/s320/813389-R1-010-3A_005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222595322045452722" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGv-ZGjAAvojKodQLBceYY3T6YbP5ziE6zM2jakJvLzTh82qcmTXyEazgTomssw6edJ7UPxp-6s1hOms83zTynxFRtKjwdawhpJU1hhqQUjjDewsQJLwl-XEVn_eWH71d2l0INS00JUZ4/s1600-h/813389-R1-008-2A_004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGv-ZGjAAvojKodQLBceYY3T6YbP5ziE6zM2jakJvLzTh82qcmTXyEazgTomssw6edJ7UPxp-6s1hOms83zTynxFRtKjwdawhpJU1hhqQUjjDewsQJLwl-XEVn_eWH71d2l0INS00JUZ4/s320/813389-R1-008-2A_004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222595076362462162" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1EjHO20llGQtD6BoMvp_KAP6ry0-61LdUGB_Rcm3Gm9LjVUgQugWLoD40TFwNasvuz64ahilxYqKpydELF3SxOBtFwLHmB6GPrhjfxvemZal1JOHAO7R4tExm-eFhpBoiaRm9g31PSuI/s1600-h/813389-R1-006-1A_003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1EjHO20llGQtD6BoMvp_KAP6ry0-61LdUGB_Rcm3Gm9LjVUgQugWLoD40TFwNasvuz64ahilxYqKpydELF3SxOBtFwLHmB6GPrhjfxvemZal1JOHAO7R4tExm-eFhpBoiaRm9g31PSuI/s320/813389-R1-006-1A_003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222594913418448546" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5-0ybq6rwL7chv1BiH7WbK8Zf17s8cSBy8ThS7lDAcZgpHAe8H3VUpRiNiqbYWwZaVJrT03Ctteaxm_8wXXLBg8ZRjnqLic_Yl54VOjemb9VRck-PEVb-iOt3A1pGaynLMGUlQfKB2Vc/s1600-h/813389-R1-004-0A_002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5-0ybq6rwL7chv1BiH7WbK8Zf17s8cSBy8ThS7lDAcZgpHAe8H3VUpRiNiqbYWwZaVJrT03Ctteaxm_8wXXLBg8ZRjnqLic_Yl54VOjemb9VRck-PEVb-iOt3A1pGaynLMGUlQfKB2Vc/s320/813389-R1-004-0A_002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222594747501352882" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_-NMQZYymky3eUMe4a7gNWuysyWWlszdDeGahlgH2m3fjz-IrqQous7RfqhgnG4ouYp_64Up6HYayYxWZZTkbdfstT6PpAc8Ch-dWdIWx_zj-J__p2MnD2GR-YACMGpUMTTCT1QTHf6A/s1600-h/813389-R1-002-00A_001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_-NMQZYymky3eUMe4a7gNWuysyWWlszdDeGahlgH2m3fjz-IrqQous7RfqhgnG4ouYp_64Up6HYayYxWZZTkbdfstT6PpAc8Ch-dWdIWx_zj-J__p2MnD2GR-YACMGpUMTTCT1QTHf6A/s320/813389-R1-002-00A_001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222594590888946834" border="0" /></a>Jennifer McKitrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01825652450956714208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-991105432961568987.post-5806364825269343642008-07-10T05:38:00.000-07:002008-07-15T15:40:08.130-07:00Back from England<p>In England, I:<br />went to see a <a href="http://www.wimbledon.org/en_GB/news/photos/2008-07-03/200807031215100611765.html?glryid=2008-07-03/200807031215118966359">men's quarter-final match</a> at <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Wimbledon</span>.<br />went to <a href="http://www.liberty.co.uk/what_s_in_store/home/dress_fabrics_haberdashery">Liberty</a> and bought some yarn<br />went to a play <a href="http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/stage/theatre/article4280177.ece">"In My Name"<br /></a>went to art museums, including<br /><a href="http://www.tate.org.uk/britain/">Tate Britain </a><br /><a href="http://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/">National Gallery </a><br /><a href="http://www.npg.si.edu/">National Portrait Gallery<br /></a>took 2 cruizes down the Thames<br />walked <a href="http://www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/kensington_gardens/">Kensington Gardens</a> and toured <a href="http://www.hrp.org.uk/kensingtonPalace/">Kensington Palace<br /></a>toured the <a href="http://www.hrp.org.uk/toweroflondon/">Tower of London</a> and the <a href="http://www.towerbridge.org.uk/TowerBridge/English">Tower Bridge</a><br />toured <a href="http://www.shakespeares-globe.org/tourexhibition/">Shakespeare's Globe Theater</a><br />washed down some fish and chips with a pint of Guinness<br />drank several Pimms with lemonade<br />saw the new Indiana Jones movie in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leicester_Square">Leichester Square</a><br />saw a gay pride parade<br />went to Oxford, toured the city, gave a paper</p><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyT73jBObQmHxDply70uGcaUxu_2nlavxrge5Xd7xSHFrUgQdiZChDwz2QjTkrkYEPeAoVnDPsWJ7fJuLQflw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Jennifer McKitrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01825652450956714208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-991105432961568987.post-42523829291454189682008-06-28T16:27:00.000-07:002008-06-28T16:38:38.029-07:00Did you find everything OK?Cashiers always ask "Did you find everything you were looking for?" or something like that.<br />Why?!<br />Are they just curious?<br />If I wanted to be a jerk, I'd like to ask "Why do you ask? What if I didn't?"<br />I did a lot of shopping today. I went to several stores, Walgreens, TJ Maxx, JCPenny, you name it.<br />At every check-out, someone asked me that.<br />On every occasion, I said, quite sincerely, "No..." and went on the explain what I failed to find.<br />On every occasion, the cashier had absolutely no follow up, no help to offer, no suggestions.<br />They just shrug and say "Oh..."<br />Except at Walgreens. The person at the register with an assistant manager tag on showed no signs of noticing that I had answered his question.<br /><br />another pet peev got his nourishment today.Jennifer McKitrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01825652450956714208noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-991105432961568987.post-72129221037673246672008-06-27T18:04:00.001-07:002008-06-27T18:19:01.337-07:00cherries... CHERRIES!!!Think "poppies... POPPIES!!!" from The Wizard of Oz.<br />This is a good year for cherries in Nebraska.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyWi42g0tVFuPxq4RQYouWnvxJ9xbQ73tMcLH7SKKAzUKZuZx9cRTKppRhM4n5KeZ4hkNHr9fGU4KbcfHvhaCC-WiuntoQ4eZ_9J8Cy8Faj7A4ThjyTbN2YI8SFOCbSEva6Gz71f78RtQ/s1600-h/BB's+087.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyWi42g0tVFuPxq4RQYouWnvxJ9xbQ73tMcLH7SKKAzUKZuZx9cRTKppRhM4n5KeZ4hkNHr9fGU4KbcfHvhaCC-WiuntoQ4eZ_9J8Cy8Faj7A4ThjyTbN2YI8SFOCbSEva6Gz71f78RtQ/s320/BB's+087.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216733133293705618" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHLSybEsWPSigVTBbI4b_VVSem6CDTqdV0rwNTMTwMQ1RV9-jACLbx6WJn5nH1Ju9PVP-YdQM_qF4jE4c70p8QIVTZTXwYOX8S8soPCm-Yx_83f4JbDE4GJfdlEfwIcW4FurUUISCATQU/s1600-h/BB's+083.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHLSybEsWPSigVTBbI4b_VVSem6CDTqdV0rwNTMTwMQ1RV9-jACLbx6WJn5nH1Ju9PVP-YdQM_qF4jE4c70p8QIVTZTXwYOX8S8soPCm-Yx_83f4JbDE4GJfdlEfwIcW4FurUUISCATQU/s320/BB's+083.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216733001450268882" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZH3KuynZSru3qbqqD_Uk5tq5NDiRmyJzQvZRSqH9ZXtaxEmCfBXTH9NuMaPix4_1xuqPeIU4-923uuxihyphenhyphenYXaVBqBP8qwmo9CJEtWTMEptBLFB21165zpEqRY2tW3K-DANXSQtkhLk8w/s1600-h/BB's+082.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZH3KuynZSru3qbqqD_Uk5tq5NDiRmyJzQvZRSqH9ZXtaxEmCfBXTH9NuMaPix4_1xuqPeIU4-923uuxihyphenhyphenYXaVBqBP8qwmo9CJEtWTMEptBLFB21165zpEqRY2tW3K-DANXSQtkhLk8w/s320/BB's+082.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216732838935612178" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhORpE3uWkuNUn_47pov3M06veLrcIpE6LVTND8k666DjTKx3bOG4fW6s7mlMn68AQvAg-hyTTlIZ4C6UeNVcmOJM2XMXqHXHXtCFG5dUIRvFh80ehd-kHxG7XmO0TsnIbw0pIbpTQzET0/s1600-h/BB's+088.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhORpE3uWkuNUn_47pov3M06veLrcIpE6LVTND8k666DjTKx3bOG4fW6s7mlMn68AQvAg-hyTTlIZ4C6UeNVcmOJM2XMXqHXHXtCFG5dUIRvFh80ehd-kHxG7XmO0TsnIbw0pIbpTQzET0/s320/BB's+088.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216732602993202738" border="0" /></a><br />Life is a bowl of cherries.<br />And a couple of peppers too.<br />But these were cherry-picked.Jennifer McKitrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01825652450956714208noreply@blogger.com0