Checksum Arcanius

Europe, long lauded as more progressive than the US, struts its compassion with laws like this “sunshine directive.”

Of course it would be more funny if the US were not headed down the same path.

In other news, I get to register for classes at the UW today. I have yet to report on the business trip – expect that in the near future – and there is much interesting news on Katrina, including the forced evacuation of people for their own good. It just keeps getting better down there.

I am a strong believer that the federal government really shouldn’t be spending $27 billion to fix up Florida and $10.5 billion to fix up the Gulf States after hurricanes. Through various types of insurance, the private sector provides a system for providing money after a disaster that places the payment burden on those that take the risk. People that chose to live in the dangerous areas should pay the insurance premiums, not those that chose to live in places where disasters are less likely to occur.

On the other hand, the scope of suffering in Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana truly is unprecedented in this country and in this age. Although I’m disturbed by the complete sense of victimization and seeming inability of these people to help themselves, I don’t I don’t believe they should be forced to fend for themselves. I encourage anyone who has the means to make a donation with to the Red Cross Hurricane relief fund by clicking the image above.

South Africa anti-rape condom aims to stop attacks
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How’s this for a dumb place to put a city in the first place:

Thanks to Science Museum of Minnesota for this image

And the result…

Amid the sympathy, however, there was criticism.

Experts in the Netherlands expressed surprise that New Orleans’ flood systems failed to restrain the waters.

With half of the country’s population of 16 million living below sea level, the Netherlands prepared for a “perfect storm” soon after floods in 1953 killed 2,000 people. The nation installed massive hydraulic sea walls.

“I don’t want to sound overly critical, but it’s hard to imagine that [the damage caused by Katrina] could happen in a Western country,” said Ted Sluijter, spokesman for the park where the sea walls are exhibited.

— Seattle Times, September 1, 2005

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The Hurricane known as Katrina exposed the weaknesses of a city below sea level as well as the weaknesses of a society largely free of a moral compass. Just as the flooding, though horrific, was inevitable, without morality, a good society without a good economy seems to be an impossibility. I recall clearly a night at BYU in the basement of Deseret Towers’ W Hall having to stare down those who would have wantonly stolen from a distressed vending machine until the repairman arrived. In New Orleans, it is worse, with gangs looting everything from basic supplies to flat-screen TVs. The destruction is agonizing even if inevitable, and the desolation of civilization is distressing, though perhaps it should have been expected. With government assistance already fueling so much dependency, should anyone really expect a response other than “when is the help coming?”

I have an ealy appointment tomorrow, so this is all tonight.

Four weeks ago, I landed hard on the inside part of my heel on my right foot after jumping in an attempt to catch a Frisbee (I missed it). Afterwards, my foot hurt, and got me to limping for the rest of the day. Indeed, much of the next week it continued to bother me, although I was still able to play because I could run o the ball of my right foot and it wouldn’t hurt. Two weeks later, I was becoming concerned, so I decided to see my doctor about it. An X-ray later, he said that the bones were fine – I was the proud owner of a deep bruise.

All I’ve got to say is that the bruise is really, really deep. Now four weeks later, my foot is still sore, and my mobility is still limited. I can run, but not well, and my max speed is maybe 85% of what it should be. It is my acceleration was hit the hardest. While the doctor said that playing on it shouldn’t make it last any longer, I don’t know if I should trust that assessment, considering every time I run around on it, it hurts a lot. On the other hand, sitting around is hardly an attractive option.