serialdeviant.org(y)

There’s a nice new Dell laptop available. Gizmodo says, “It might even miss the Dell laptop curse, too, and stand more than 12 months of abuse.” My Dell Inspiron 2500 laptop has survived for 43 months, give or take a few hiccups that haven’t killed or maimed it. My speaker’s broken, though.

There is an online petition (Chinese only, sorry) opposing Japan’s application for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council. My colleagues have just asked me to sign it, signalling my support for China and anger at Japan.

Eh.

“Why?”

“Because Japan shouldn’t get a permanent seat.”

“Why?”

“Because Japan doesn’t deserve to get a permanent seat.”

“But why not? Why are you objecting?”

“They don’t face their history. They refuse to acknowledge history.”

“And China does? China is just as bad at denying history.”

“No. China is nothing like that.”

Like I said. Eh.

Jemaah Islamiyah is regrouping and expanding, despite efforts by Southeast Asian governments to clamp down. Are we beating the bad guys the War on Terror™? Are we winning those hearts and minds?

Is this just a minor setback before we triumph and peace reigns forever and forever amen? Or are we doomed to eternal strife with the darkest parts of humankind?

If Bush fans can laud him for having something to do with developments in Lebanon and Kyrgyzstan, I can condemn him for strengthening terrorist groups in Southeast Asia by his diplomacy-challenged words and deeds. Who can claim credit for one and distance oneself from the other?

With great power comes great responsibility. Can our Dear Leaders see that beyond their own egos, battle scars, and paranoia? Unforeseen consequences can damn us all to hell (and we die).

So is George Bush’s strong and unwavering leadership responsible for this, too? Jittery Lebanese re-arm amid spree of bombings:

Pro-Syrian Christians have accused anti-Syrian Christians of planting the bombs to give the international community an opportunity to intervene.

As Lebanese watch their politicians bicker, they can’t help but remember where such squabbles have led before.

“Everybody is worried. Everybody can feel the tensions. We are living it day by day,” said Mohammed Barakat, 50, a shoe vendor in Beirut’s Shiite-dominated southern suburbs. “We want the politicians to make a solution. Nobody wants war, but we are worried because no solution is in sight.”

Although Lebanese overwhelmingly say they never want to fight again, there are some who remember the benefits of a war that brought employment for jobless young men, as well as lucrative business opportunities for militias in territories they controlled.

…

“All the Lebanese hate each other, you can be sure of that,” Jamous said. “Christian people can’t live with Muslims. This country was created for Christians, but Muslims, they want this country to be only for Muslim people. We cannot live together. We need a solution.”

Most Christians don’t take such an extreme view. But the United States’ support for UN Resolution 1559, which calls for the withdrawal of Syrian troops and for the disarmament of the Hezbollah militia, has convinced Jamous that America will support his goal.

“With George Bush, we have a chance,” he said.

That is precisely why Saleh, the Shiite grocer, decided he should take the precaution of buying a Kalashnikov. If America attempts to fill the vacuum left by the departing Syrians, Hezbollah will fight, he is sure.

“The opposition wants to replace Syria with America, and that will lead to conflict,” he said.

Ya can’t live with ‘em, and ya can’t live without ‘em. Eh. Pro-American supporters in countries like Lebanon might be a little too optimistic over what the Bush Administration can do for them — for all their grand ambitions, the Bushies are only human and (very clearly, as has been amply demonstrated) prone to folly.

Running releases endorphins in the brain. This bloke must be an endorphin junkie — an ultra-marathoner who’s run 262 miles non stop. At least he eats pizza.