The Touchpad is 9.7″ the same size as the iPad, but I couldn’t turn down the deal. PLus I really do like WebOS and am glad not to have to start over and learn my way around Android. I hope it works out…

For a while I was really into the Kindle Fire, but I think would probably get frustrated with the inability to do things “my way” since it’s sort of locked down.

Nice letter. Just wanted to say so far as concerns the Petition-that can be reviewed and co-signed at link below

http://nealsway.com/2011/11/15/chapel-hill-time-for-an-independent-public-safety-review-commission/

there are about 40 co-signers at this point- very good considering that it’s all been via online sources since Wednesday.

Just want to add that voices of many combined are loud. Folks on both sides are entrenched, convinced that either (i) they “know what happened” or (ii) “are satisfied” by the response of the CHPD or (iii) “don’t know” what the CHPD may have known. All parties need more information which will help to shed light on many questions and recommend how such incidents should be handled in the future. Otherwise, this could just blow away like the pepper spray at UC Davis- save for that incident isn’t likely to blow away. That would be a loss for the community.

Thanks for all your activism. I’m becoming better informed as a result of your plugging me in to orangepolitics.com

cheers,

jim

For the sake of history, in November 1918, U.S. President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day. The day’s observation included parades and public gatherings, as well as a brief pause in business activities at 11 a.m. On November 11, 1921, an unidentified American soldier killed in the war was buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C.; the U.S. Congress had declared the day a legal federal holiday in honor of all those who participated in the war. On the same day, unidentified soldiers were laid to rest at Westminster Abbey in London and at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

In 1954 the 83rd U.S. Congress amended the 1938 act that had made Armistice Day a holiday, striking the word “Armistice” in favor of “Veterans.” President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the legislation on June 1, 1954. From then on, November 11 became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.

I am still sad that you fel it necessary to think of our women and men in service the way you do and I hope that all who share your faith are not similarily inclined; many of those whom I know don’t.

I can understand that there were moments in history where a military response was appropriate due to circumstances that were no fault of our own. And I can appreciate that many people who sign up for the military honestly believe they are providing a service to humanity, or were drafted into combat through no choice of their own.

But until we begin to treat teachers and social workers and peace corps volunteers with the same gratitude, and until we can dispense with the nationalistic bullshit that accompanies it, I can’t in good conscience celebrate people in uniform any differently. At least Veterans’ Day exists to remind me to stop and reflect on how strange it is that humanity has advanced so far but can’t stop engaging in senseless murder and misappropriating so much of its wealth away from the common good.