Dear Family,

Sorry I haven't posted in a while.

C, about the furor the pope's statements caused: I think at this point everyone is so trigger happy that if any statements from either side (more 'conservative muslim' or 'western' sides) are made that could be construed as negative, regardless of context, all hell breaks loose. I mean, considering the fact that a text written hundreds of years ago created such a stir when quoted is pretty fantastic. But we must look at the quoter. It doesn't help that he is the #1 representative of traditional western religion (besides Bushie -haha).

But does that mean we should all back down and not make a peep either way about people who disagree with our way of life? Well, no. No appeasement. At this point, everything is pretty fubar anyway, so these things will happen no matter how much tiptoeing around occurs. However, I don't know if fighting radicalism with no holds barred disregard for the other side is healthy either. So I guess I think it will not ultimately be of much importance. If the pope were tied to any one government or were a member of the press (like to cartoons of Mohammed) it would have been more of a big deal in my eyes.

Classes are going okay. Things are tough. need much moral support. Have my first exam next Monday, in Physics. It's kind of mini exam - only 1/2 of our first exam: our teacher is nice enough to break up the first exam into two parts so that people who are struggling in the beginning and kick ass later don't bomb the course because they failed the entire first exam. This way they only fail 1/2 of the first exam.

Just a weird side note: I have a certificate from US Airways for two $99 roundtrip companion tickets, as long as i purchase a roundtrip for $250 or more. That means that I, plus two others (three people total) could fly anywhere in the contiguous US or Canada for around $450 (minimum). That's pretty cheap - if anyone was thinking about flying anywhere, and maybe making it a family affair, let me know.

Gotta keep doing Chemistry homework.

love to all,
H
- posted by H @ 9/22/2006 02:25:00 PM