I love you I love you I love you
Cole @ 8:34 PM
0 comments |
Too Hot To Handle
May I have your attention please?
Updates!
A fair justice system can only work if given the power; if a person (and all the people) relinquish any personal power to allow the system and its components to make and govern the decisions involving criminal behaviour and punishment. When any man decides to take this power into his own hands, no matter the circumstance, he is causing the system to fail and, by example, promoting criminal behaviour against it.
The simple fact that someone felt the need to establish a system to regulate criminal justice - and enough people agreed that it came into existence - seems indicative to me that a large percentage of people or perhaps simply a large percentage of those with any authority, recognize that in order for justice to be fair, it must be impartial. If someone cared enough to voice that perhaps "an eye for an eye" isn't always the best answer or that perhaps letting someone who was a victim, either directly or indirectly, of an action decide or even mete out the punishment might be unfair to the person who committed the offense, then perhaps there is good reason to care. I think there is.
At this point, it feels appropriate to clarify that a fair justice system, in my mind, is fair not only to the victim but also the criminal. Should a child caught stealing a candy bar be put to death? Should a first time offense be considered as grave as a repeat offense? Should a youth be punished in the same manner as an adult?
I believe that a fair justice system needs to take into consideration all the factors surrounding a situation and decide on punishment to the criminal or retribution to the victim accordingly. A fair decision cannot be made "by the book" because no crime is the same and, undoubtedly, the creativity (or insanity) of the human mind will find a way to create new or elaborate upon old crimes in new and horrific ways.
So somebody agreed and these opinions became law; some of them even were worked into the building blocks of our country in the way The US Constitution. The justice system, which I'm sure was never simple, was cemented as a complex machine made up of innumerable parts including but not limited to law enforcement, the penile system and the judiciary branch which all deal with punishing criminals for the crimes they commit and - in some senses - preventing crime before it happens, correcting criminal behaviour after the fact and assisting victims of crime.
Due process has also become an integral part of this system ensuring that the rights of even someone who commits are crime are respected. But in order for any part of this machine to function correctly, it must be assisted by any number of other correctly functioning parts.
A prison cannot house a criminal if a judge does not make a sentence and a judge cannot sentence a criminal without a jury's decision that a criminal is guilty which cannot occur if the criminal is not apprehended by law enforcement and brought to trial. So on and so forth.
And even if all of these parts are functioning perfectly, the system itself is still not perfect because although the system may function as a machine, its key components are human beings, mostly like our selves. Thus, the justice system will always be "victim" to individual and collective emotions, views, opinions and ethics or morals - all of which are ever changing and so shall be the justice system. This, however, is not always a negative thing; as times and crimes change, so must the way with which we deal with crimes and the criminals and victims involved.
And the best way to deal with them is in a professional manner: impartial and polite. The easiest way to do this is to be impartial, to be outside the influence of the crime, the criminal or the victims. This is nearly impossible. Even someone who is not affected by something will have thoughts on it, opinions about it and feelings regarding it. This is to be expected.
What makes the justice system work is that those within it abide by certain rules. They must recognize a behavioural (and perhaps ethical code) which is even more strict than that to which their non-judicial peers must adhere. They must walk on egg shells and keep their emotions in check, no matter how strong they may be.
Those in the justice system are in a position of authority and, generally, a position which is respect by most: friends, family, community and country. It is their responsibility, even more so than anyone else's, that the justice system is allowed to function smoothly and, ideally, we would be able to depend upon these people to be the last people who would work against this system.
But they do. Law enforcement agents such as security and police officers will cause unwarranted harm to criminals even after they are in custody. Members of the supposedly impartial jury will vote one way or another because of race, religious or sexual orientation without even listening to the case at hand. Prison wardens and guards will deny inmates even the necessary food and water to survive.
All of this and happens and the effect is much larger than simply a broken bone or hungry stomach: the detrimental effect of this is actually the cutting down of the effectiveness of the justice system. And it should not be tolerated. In a position of authority, one who acts in such a manner is as guilty of the criminal than whom they regard themselves better. Their actions should be regarded carefully and whether jury member, prison guard or police officer, just punishment should be exacted.
In these positions, one must hold his head high and be the bigger man, regardless of whether the criminal hurt your friends or family or a peer in the work force. Upon entering the justice field, you have an obligation to hold yourself to higher standards than the rest of the population and failure to do so cannot be excusable.
In order for the system to work, we must trust the system; we cannot take justice into our own hands without reducing the overall effectiveness of the justice system which is supposed to make our country a safer, more productive place and those involved with the justice system are especially liable for actions which may work against it.
Cole @ 9:27 AM
0 comments |
The simple fact that someone felt the need to establish a system to regulate criminal justice - and enough people agreed that it came into existence - seems indicative to me that a large percentage of people or perhaps simply a large percentage of those with any authority, recognize that in order for justice to be fair, it must be impartial. If someone cared enough to voice that perhaps "an eye for an eye" isn't always the best answer or that perhaps letting someone who was a victim, either directly or indirectly, of an action decide or even mete out the punishment might be unfair to the person who committed the offense, then perhaps there is good reason to care. I think there is.
At this point, it feels appropriate to clarify that a fair justice system, in my mind, is fair not only to the victim but also the criminal. Should a child caught stealing a candy bar be put to death? Should a first time offense be considered as grave as a repeat offense? Should a youth be punished in the same manner as an adult?
I believe that a fair justice system needs to take into consideration all the factors surrounding a situation and decide on punishment to the criminal or retribution to the victim accordingly. A fair decision cannot be made "by the book" because no crime is the same and, undoubtedly, the creativity (or insanity) of the human mind will find a way to create new or elaborate upon old crimes in new and horrific ways.
So somebody agreed and these opinions became law; some of them even were worked into the building blocks of our country in the way The US Constitution. The justice system, which I'm sure was never simple, was cemented as a complex machine made up of innumerable parts including but not limited to law enforcement, the penile system and the judiciary branch which all deal with punishing criminals for the crimes they commit and - in some senses - preventing crime before it happens, correcting criminal behaviour after the fact and assisting victims of crime.
Due process has also become an integral part of this system ensuring that the rights of even someone who commits are crime are respected. But in order for any part of this machine to function correctly, it must be assisted by any number of other correctly functioning parts.
A prison cannot house a criminal if a judge does not make a sentence and a judge cannot sentence a criminal without a jury's decision that a criminal is guilty which cannot occur if the criminal is not apprehended by law enforcement and brought to trial. So on and so forth.
And even if all of these parts are functioning perfectly, the system itself is still not perfect because although the system may function as a machine, its key components are human beings, mostly like our selves. Thus, the justice system will always be "victim" to individual and collective emotions, views, opinions and ethics or morals - all of which are ever changing and so shall be the justice system. This, however, is not always a negative thing; as times and crimes change, so must the way with which we deal with crimes and the criminals and victims involved.
And the best way to deal with them is in a professional manner: impartial and polite. The easiest way to do this is to be impartial, to be outside the influence of the crime, the criminal or the victims. This is nearly impossible. Even someone who is not affected by something will have thoughts on it, opinions about it and feelings regarding it. This is to be expected.
What makes the justice system work is that those within it abide by certain rules. They must recognize a behavioural (and perhaps ethical code) which is even more strict than that to which their non-judicial peers must adhere. They must walk on egg shells and keep their emotions in check, no matter how strong they may be.
Those in the justice system are in a position of authority and, generally, a position which is respect by most: friends, family, community and country. It is their responsibility, even more so than anyone else's, that the justice system is allowed to function smoothly and, ideally, we would be able to depend upon these people to be the last people who would work against this system.
But they do. Law enforcement agents such as security and police officers will cause unwarranted harm to criminals even after they are in custody. Members of the supposedly impartial jury will vote one way or another because of race, religious or sexual orientation without even listening to the case at hand. Prison wardens and guards will deny inmates even the necessary food and water to survive.
All of this and happens and the effect is much larger than simply a broken bone or hungry stomach: the detrimental effect of this is actually the cutting down of the effectiveness of the justice system. And it should not be tolerated. In a position of authority, one who acts in such a manner is as guilty of the criminal than whom they regard themselves better. Their actions should be regarded carefully and whether jury member, prison guard or police officer, just punishment should be exacted.
In these positions, one must hold his head high and be the bigger man, regardless of whether the criminal hurt your friends or family or a peer in the work force. Upon entering the justice field, you have an obligation to hold yourself to higher standards than the rest of the population and failure to do so cannot be excusable.
In order for the system to work, we must trust the system; we cannot take justice into our own hands without reducing the overall effectiveness of the justice system which is supposed to make our country a safer, more productive place and those involved with the justice system are especially liable for actions which may work against it.
Cole @ 9:27 AM
0 comments |
On Sunday morning, as I was getting ready for work, the fire alarm went off. Everyone in the building had to exit the building while the fire department and a handful of other people showed up, checked the place out, decided it was fine and let us back in.
On Tuesday it happened again, only - this time - they asked for the residents of apartment 96 - our apartment. As it turns out, both times, the alarm that went off was the one in our apartment and it was apparently caused by me taking a shower which we thought was quite odd but I guess the detectors were pretty old (about as old as I am!) so they were replaced and hopefully this doesn't happen again.
I got a lot of shit at work on Tuesday because by my supervisor and one of the managers lives in the same building as we do.
This was after a long weekend without the internet. It went down again and after contacting tech support and doing everything they said - all to no avail - they sent someone out on Monday who unhooked the router and plugged the modem directly in which was something I'd always done a hundred times. And it worked. He then proceeded to lecture me and treat me as though I couldn't possibly know anything about computers because I have a vagina.
Today at work was hell. Not in the "Oh! Dealing with customers can be such a hassle" way but in the "Someone incorrectly entered something into the computer which caused a bunch of cashiers to rip off a bunch of customers unknowingly on top of call ins, stalled cars and every other possible stroke of bad lucky imaginable" type of way. My feet are killing me; I need new shoes. Come to think of it, I could use more pants, tops and socks, too.
I'm technically working a part time shift but it feels more like full time. There's a lot less time for Rian and I and it really bothers me sometimes. I'd like to ask for less hours but I know we really don't have enough staff there to work it out. If we did, the new girl (that's me!) wouldn't be working so much anyway.
Cole @ 9:02 PM
0 comments |
On Tuesday it happened again, only - this time - they asked for the residents of apartment 96 - our apartment. As it turns out, both times, the alarm that went off was the one in our apartment and it was apparently caused by me taking a shower which we thought was quite odd but I guess the detectors were pretty old (about as old as I am!) so they were replaced and hopefully this doesn't happen again.
I got a lot of shit at work on Tuesday because by my supervisor and one of the managers lives in the same building as we do.
This was after a long weekend without the internet. It went down again and after contacting tech support and doing everything they said - all to no avail - they sent someone out on Monday who unhooked the router and plugged the modem directly in which was something I'd always done a hundred times. And it worked. He then proceeded to lecture me and treat me as though I couldn't possibly know anything about computers because I have a vagina.
Today at work was hell. Not in the "Oh! Dealing with customers can be such a hassle" way but in the "Someone incorrectly entered something into the computer which caused a bunch of cashiers to rip off a bunch of customers unknowingly on top of call ins, stalled cars and every other possible stroke of bad lucky imaginable" type of way. My feet are killing me; I need new shoes. Come to think of it, I could use more pants, tops and socks, too.
I'm technically working a part time shift but it feels more like full time. There's a lot less time for Rian and I and it really bothers me sometimes. I'd like to ask for less hours but I know we really don't have enough staff there to work it out. If we did, the new girl (that's me!) wouldn't be working so much anyway.
Cole @ 9:02 PM
0 comments |
I have a job. I'm not super excited but after a day, I don't hate it so that's good, right? I'm cashiering at a place on base and my job consists mostly of currency exchange (USD to Yen and back), check cashing and club (credit) card payments. I was quite nervous as they gave me money and put be on the register immediately after I arrived and had the tour of the place (which didn't help - those back halls are confusing!).
It was definitely a different form of training than Wal-mart where I had to to do hours of computer-based training and watching over others cashiers' shoulders until I was almost ready to murder because it was not helping. I admit, I would have preferred to work on the register in training mode but I think I caught on pretty fast.
It was a long day, though: over 9 hours before I could leave. I haven't done that much standing for a while and my feet were killing me by the time I got home. I need new shoes. )= I was also quite sore when I woke up this morning.
It sucked being away from Rian, too. On days when we both will work, we'll barely have a chance to see eachother and I am not looking forward to that. Still, it's nice to be out of the house sometimes and I'll be making some money. It's not the best in the world but I was honestly surprised that I didn't hate it.
I was a bit disappointed because after I was hired, my supervisor had offered me another, better sounding position but had not offered it to existing employees so she had to rescind the offer.
Anyway, aside from that I've been really bitchy lately. Rian and I got into (and still are in?) a spat earlier because it's such a nice day and I just want to be outside, but not by myself. I know there's nothing to do but I'd be find just wandering around off base looking for something to do - and if we find nothing, that's cool too - but Rian just doesn't like to do that. It just escalated from there and it shouldn't have.
But I think my overall bitchiness is related to the fact that I'm much more confident these last few days. I've been taking the time to "doll myself up" and feeling quite good about it. I did have a frustrating time trying on some potential tops for work, earlier, but aside from that I've been in a pretty good mood and I think Cole in a good mood equates to Cole feeling more aggressive and, ultimately, being bitchier.
It bugs me, a bit. Mostly, everyone else seems fucking stupid and needs to shut the hell up and/or die (preferably a quiet death - thank you!) so my time on forums and The Pork has been limited. (Speaking of, Cradz - the admin - had issues so the release of The Pork 4.0 has been delayed yet another 3 weeks)
On the plus side, Wendy will be here next month (and for my birthday!) which should be cool. They actually have a Disneyland tour set up then and I am hope-hope-hoping we can go! That would be super cool!
PS. Happy birthday internet.
Cole @ 7:48 PM
0 comments |
It was definitely a different form of training than Wal-mart where I had to to do hours of computer-based training and watching over others cashiers' shoulders until I was almost ready to murder because it was not helping. I admit, I would have preferred to work on the register in training mode but I think I caught on pretty fast.
It was a long day, though: over 9 hours before I could leave. I haven't done that much standing for a while and my feet were killing me by the time I got home. I need new shoes. )= I was also quite sore when I woke up this morning.
It sucked being away from Rian, too. On days when we both will work, we'll barely have a chance to see eachother and I am not looking forward to that. Still, it's nice to be out of the house sometimes and I'll be making some money. It's not the best in the world but I was honestly surprised that I didn't hate it.
I was a bit disappointed because after I was hired, my supervisor had offered me another, better sounding position but had not offered it to existing employees so she had to rescind the offer.
Anyway, aside from that I've been really bitchy lately. Rian and I got into (and still are in?) a spat earlier because it's such a nice day and I just want to be outside, but not by myself. I know there's nothing to do but I'd be find just wandering around off base looking for something to do - and if we find nothing, that's cool too - but Rian just doesn't like to do that. It just escalated from there and it shouldn't have.
But I think my overall bitchiness is related to the fact that I'm much more confident these last few days. I've been taking the time to "doll myself up" and feeling quite good about it. I did have a frustrating time trying on some potential tops for work, earlier, but aside from that I've been in a pretty good mood and I think Cole in a good mood equates to Cole feeling more aggressive and, ultimately, being bitchier.
It bugs me, a bit. Mostly, everyone else seems fucking stupid and needs to shut the hell up and/or die (preferably a quiet death - thank you!) so my time on forums and The Pork has been limited. (Speaking of, Cradz - the admin - had issues so the release of The Pork 4.0 has been delayed yet another 3 weeks)
On the plus side, Wendy will be here next month (and for my birthday!) which should be cool. They actually have a Disneyland tour set up then and I am hope-hope-hoping we can go! That would be super cool!
PS. Happy birthday internet.
Cole @ 7:48 PM
0 comments |
This is a fun post. Below, see Rian.
"What is he doing?" You might ask or perhaps the phrase "Why is he under your coffee table?" crosses your mind. Fear not precious visitor! I can answer all of these and many more question!
You will notice that this is not just a picture of Rian beneath our coffee table. No! I would not bore you with such a mediocre form of entertainment. This fine piece of art is numbered for your visual pleasure! Read on to learn the significant of these numbers.
If you will direct your attention to numbers 1, 2 and 3, you will see Batman paraphernalia. If you didn't know, which I highly doubt you did, Rian loves Batman. More than he loves me? We hope not. In order is a Batman wallet, place mat and fleece blanky.
Going on, class, you will see numbers 4 and 5 both focus on the specimen - in this case a certain husband of Mexican origin.
Number 5 simply exists to point out that this is his butt. Unfortunately, I am not a butt-girl myself but maybe you are. Either way, it's his butt and I guess it looks okay there. Number 4 is a general reference to said husband, his placement beneath the coffee table and the reason he is there.
"Who put him there?" you might ask. "He did!" I would respond. Yes, boys and girls of the jury, my husband, in a moment of not-so-rare immaturity decided he was hurt, crawled beneath the coffee table, put his hands over his head and began to chant these words: Nobody loves me.
Number 6 is the open DVD case of 24 Season 1 which I had just finished watching (or was in the process of) at the time this picture was taken. I liked it. I liked season 5 better, I think but I am a Kiefer fan. How can anyone not be? Who doesn't loveThe Three Musketeers and/or The Lost Boys? That's right. No One. Zip. Nada. Zilch.
With that, class, I conclude this presentation.
Cole @ 1:13 PM
0 comments |
"What is he doing?" You might ask or perhaps the phrase "Why is he under your coffee table?" crosses your mind. Fear not precious visitor! I can answer all of these and many more question!
You will notice that this is not just a picture of Rian beneath our coffee table. No! I would not bore you with such a mediocre form of entertainment. This fine piece of art is numbered for your visual pleasure! Read on to learn the significant of these numbers.
If you will direct your attention to numbers 1, 2 and 3, you will see Batman paraphernalia. If you didn't know, which I highly doubt you did, Rian loves Batman. More than he loves me? We hope not. In order is a Batman wallet, place mat and fleece blanky.
Going on, class, you will see numbers 4 and 5 both focus on the specimen - in this case a certain husband of Mexican origin.
Number 5 simply exists to point out that this is his butt. Unfortunately, I am not a butt-girl myself but maybe you are. Either way, it's his butt and I guess it looks okay there. Number 4 is a general reference to said husband, his placement beneath the coffee table and the reason he is there.
"Who put him there?" you might ask. "He did!" I would respond. Yes, boys and girls of the jury, my husband, in a moment of not-so-rare immaturity decided he was hurt, crawled beneath the coffee table, put his hands over his head and began to chant these words: Nobody loves me.
Number 6 is the open DVD case of 24 Season 1 which I had just finished watching (or was in the process of) at the time this picture was taken. I liked it. I liked season 5 better, I think but I am a Kiefer fan. How can anyone not be? Who doesn't loveThe Three Musketeers and/or The Lost Boys? That's right. No One. Zip. Nada. Zilch.
With that, class, I conclude this presentation.
Cole @ 1:13 PM
0 comments |
I've added the breadcrumbs script to every page in the links section so if you find yourself lost, you're a moron. d=
I redid the entire darklinks page, making it into a whole subsection. I've cleaned up a few links but there's still 200+ links to search. I think the pages look pretty sleek and will be adopting that style over the entire site.. eventually. There may still be some broken links and if you run across them, please let me know!
I've also (or am currently in the process of) cleaned up or edited these pages: affiliates, button wall, and hostees.
I was reading an article about the whole Web2.0 movement and it compared characteristics of Web1.0 versus Web2.0 and I thought it quite interesting. I am definitely a Web1.0 girl. I can't help it; it was still thriving when I first entered the scene.
This website, a personal website, is evidence of that. Blogs are the new personal website and while I would be miserable without my blogs, I recognize that a blog really isn't anything without a personal website behind it and I will continue to add personal, educational and entertaining content to this website until I shut it down - which I do not see myself doing anytime soon.
Cole @ 2:38 AM
0 comments |
I redid the entire darklinks page, making it into a whole subsection. I've cleaned up a few links but there's still 200+ links to search. I think the pages look pretty sleek and will be adopting that style over the entire site.. eventually. There may still be some broken links and if you run across them, please let me know!
I've also (or am currently in the process of) cleaned up or edited these pages: affiliates, button wall, and hostees.
I was reading an article about the whole Web2.0 movement and it compared characteristics of Web1.0 versus Web2.0 and I thought it quite interesting. I am definitely a Web1.0 girl. I can't help it; it was still thriving when I first entered the scene.
This website, a personal website, is evidence of that. Blogs are the new personal website and while I would be miserable without my blogs, I recognize that a blog really isn't anything without a personal website behind it and I will continue to add personal, educational and entertaining content to this website until I shut it down - which I do not see myself doing anytime soon.
Cole @ 2:38 AM
0 comments |
