And as the week ends - April 22, 2007
April 22, 2007
As the weeks ends and another begins, it is time for another round of musings on events, trends and people in the news and out of it..
The Supreme Court decision banning partial birth abortions in the last trimester creates a legal precedent and a moral conundrum. How far back in a pregnancy can you go to know with some or any certainty that we not taking a life- and who makes that determination – the parent or the legal system? I was talking to my colleagues about the apparent inconsistency of anti-abortion advocates who are also pro-death penalty. Even if you argue that the latter is handed out to vicious criminals are we not playing God in both instances? It is inevitable that expectant mother will seek the anonymity of abortion in Mexico or Canada – abortions will continue while we harbor the delusion of protecting human life.
Talking of death penalty, it is time we look at the prison terms we hand out for criminals – a 19 year old Dallas student, a first time offender, was handed 15 years in prison for drug possession. Do we seriously expect that person to ever contribute to society? No excuses for the drug but seriously why can manslaughter get away with 5-10 years? Is taking human life not worse than selling drugs?
Earlier this week, we were mute spectators to the tragedy that unfolded at Virginia Tech. Why the media tried to explain the actions of a madman is beyond me. NBC News decision to broadcast the tape was based on economics and not on ethics. The gunman achieved in death what he could never do while alive – got his bizarre points across thanks to the media’s desire to scoop their competitors. In all the media interviews, students and faculty talked about the sense of humor that many of the victims had – its’ amazing how the power to make someone smile can leave such an indelible mark.
On the topic of media, I have to mention Peggy Noonan, a columnist for the Wall Street Journal. Her Saturday columns always have a different and refreshing perspective on people and events. In her article yesterday, she compares the sanitized sighs we have heard from our leaders and wonders if we are becoming a colder culture, and a colder country. Something to think about….
Ms. Noonan’s column quotes Thoreau: He said he didn't have to read newspapers because if you're familiar with a principle you don't have to be familiar with its numerous applications. If you know lightning hits trees, you don't have to know every time a tree is struck by lightning.
We have become jaded – things do not shock us anymore – we are just resigned to it. Only the score of the victim counts jars our sensibilities and makes us sick and want to pay attention.
The Duke rape case against four members of the Duke lacrosse team ended in dismissals. An arrogant and ambitious prosecutor was brought to his knees. He exploited a frat party gone wild and layered on racist overtones to garner publicity. A lawyer friend told me that had the defendants been poor they would have plead to something, to avoid financial ruin. That’s sad.
In Dallas, the city released almost 13 prisoners, who had served in excess of 200 years, after DNA verification. Most of the prisoners were black or minorities. Is our system of justice under attack from politically motivated prosecutors that are more interested in pursuing an agenda at the expense of justice?
An article I read recently about China reminded me how the country’s prosperity had not reached the masses. Over a billion people eke out a living in abysmal poverty and the draconian law of one child per family has resulted in an aging population that is even worse than the approaching baby boomer retirement burden in this country. I expect that the next recession – which will not happen until after the 2008 Summer Olympics - is going to lead to massive social unrest in China – the Chinese miracle might be a mirage.
But things are not all bad – the Dallas Mavericks are in the playoffs and this is their year of redemption. Barry Bonds is only 19 home runs removed from eclipsing Hank Aaron’s home rum record. The Dow Jones is up – but do not ask me why – and the spring is finally back in the air and my eyes are welling up with tears……. from allergies.
But I am smiling – when you smile, not only do you feel happy but you bring a ray of light into the lives of others.
As the weeks ends and another begins, it is time for another round of musings on events, trends and people in the news and out of it..
The Supreme Court decision banning partial birth abortions in the last trimester creates a legal precedent and a moral conundrum. How far back in a pregnancy can you go to know with some or any certainty that we not taking a life- and who makes that determination – the parent or the legal system? I was talking to my colleagues about the apparent inconsistency of anti-abortion advocates who are also pro-death penalty. Even if you argue that the latter is handed out to vicious criminals are we not playing God in both instances? It is inevitable that expectant mother will seek the anonymity of abortion in Mexico or Canada – abortions will continue while we harbor the delusion of protecting human life.
Talking of death penalty, it is time we look at the prison terms we hand out for criminals – a 19 year old Dallas student, a first time offender, was handed 15 years in prison for drug possession. Do we seriously expect that person to ever contribute to society? No excuses for the drug but seriously why can manslaughter get away with 5-10 years? Is taking human life not worse than selling drugs?
Earlier this week, we were mute spectators to the tragedy that unfolded at Virginia Tech. Why the media tried to explain the actions of a madman is beyond me. NBC News decision to broadcast the tape was based on economics and not on ethics. The gunman achieved in death what he could never do while alive – got his bizarre points across thanks to the media’s desire to scoop their competitors. In all the media interviews, students and faculty talked about the sense of humor that many of the victims had – its’ amazing how the power to make someone smile can leave such an indelible mark.
On the topic of media, I have to mention Peggy Noonan, a columnist for the Wall Street Journal. Her Saturday columns always have a different and refreshing perspective on people and events. In her article yesterday, she compares the sanitized sighs we have heard from our leaders and wonders if we are becoming a colder culture, and a colder country. Something to think about….
Ms. Noonan’s column quotes Thoreau: He said he didn't have to read newspapers because if you're familiar with a principle you don't have to be familiar with its numerous applications. If you know lightning hits trees, you don't have to know every time a tree is struck by lightning.
We have become jaded – things do not shock us anymore – we are just resigned to it. Only the score of the victim counts jars our sensibilities and makes us sick and want to pay attention.
The Duke rape case against four members of the Duke lacrosse team ended in dismissals. An arrogant and ambitious prosecutor was brought to his knees. He exploited a frat party gone wild and layered on racist overtones to garner publicity. A lawyer friend told me that had the defendants been poor they would have plead to something, to avoid financial ruin. That’s sad.
In Dallas, the city released almost 13 prisoners, who had served in excess of 200 years, after DNA verification. Most of the prisoners were black or minorities. Is our system of justice under attack from politically motivated prosecutors that are more interested in pursuing an agenda at the expense of justice?
An article I read recently about China reminded me how the country’s prosperity had not reached the masses. Over a billion people eke out a living in abysmal poverty and the draconian law of one child per family has resulted in an aging population that is even worse than the approaching baby boomer retirement burden in this country. I expect that the next recession – which will not happen until after the 2008 Summer Olympics - is going to lead to massive social unrest in China – the Chinese miracle might be a mirage.
But things are not all bad – the Dallas Mavericks are in the playoffs and this is their year of redemption. Barry Bonds is only 19 home runs removed from eclipsing Hank Aaron’s home rum record. The Dow Jones is up – but do not ask me why – and the spring is finally back in the air and my eyes are welling up with tears……. from allergies.
But I am smiling – when you smile, not only do you feel happy but you bring a ray of light into the lives of others.
posted by Mahesh Shetty | 1:58 PM
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