friend of the built environment

Whilst I admit that airlines may have been a bit lax with security until (and since) 11 September, I think it’s complete idiocy that people are suing airlines for the terrorist attacks. The attacks did not occur because of the airlines, which could be the only viable case for a judgement against them. The attacks [...]

The best thing about the latest WTC replacement proposal is that the designers start out by declaring their particular memorial to the World Trade Center be temporary. I find it inspiring and comforting that the people of New York appear, for the most part, to be shrugging off the rhetoric of the odious Giuliani and [...]

One recent politician’s ad in particular has annoyed me as I drove around Fresno the past couple of months: It shows a certain State Assembly candidate with his ugly daughter and two ugly sons and his rather homely wife, all lovvy dovvy for the camera, with the heading “He’s one of us!”.
Oh, is he? Well, [...]

Whilst I am increadibly amused by the bomber’s confession, the article brings up yet another thing that annoys me about things today: the constant labeling of all behavior as a “mental illness”. Is it just me or is every flaw in a person considered an illness these days?
I’m sorry, but to be able to plan [...]

I agree with the Court. The majority of lawmakers and the majority of Americans think the 1954 version of the Pledge is better. This is because most lawmakers and most Americans are faith-based ballast. America is a secular state, and its laws should all be secular. America should have no institutions, laws or representatives that [...]

With the writer’s block and yearning to be closer to a certain someone getting the better of me this morning, I will leave it to Chuck to provide the Independence Day entry.
For those of you reading this from America, I embrace you as my fellow countrymen, and hope you share the unbending love I possess for the [...]

If that guy wins his lawsuit , I’m leaving the country. [This was a commenary on the obese man from NY who was suing McDonalds for making him fat]

I have an idea for the next series of [anti-smoking] ads. They should buy ad time at the Superbowl.
Black television screen. White lettering. No music, just words. 
“This ad cost {insert millions of dollars figure here} to air” 
“It was paid for with taxes on cigarette sales.” 
“We have 9 billion dollars left over.” 
“When you smoke, you’re sending [...]

Finally I find someone who put two and two together on the whole Pledge of Allegiance issue: the problem isn’t the forcing of children to Pledge in public schools, but the public schools themselves…

I am so incredibly pissed off about the idea of hate crimes. In general. First of all, why is it that you should get a lighter sentence for committing a crime just because you’re a fucked-up person? And what exactly will the guvmint constitute “hate”? Basically, hate crime laws would allow congress or the courts [...]

It is often baffling to me how small-thinking our leaders are when it comes to the issue of immigration. It’s a hotly debated topic these days, but it seems that neither “side” of the issue have the concept down correctly, nor understand the wider implications of the issue.
The “left” views immigration negatively due to its [...]

I feel physically ill. Freedom in America takes another giant step backwards, as the arbitrary whims of an unaccountable government with unlimited power, imprisons one more of the world’s most productive and admirable women.
All for the love of the humdrum and humble. Once again, the totalitarian state needn’t be made by revolution, when it can simply [...]

Well Said. I’ve often found it a bit queer that endorsing an individual candidate or issue almost invariably chains one to a whole slew of platforms upon which one is expected to stand and defend without question. Sort of the mild trepidation I felt standing in line to marry my husband and chatting uncomfortably with the sods [...]

David’s car was broken into Saturday night for the second time in less than a year. He is always careful not to leave anything of value in the car to avoid tempting unfortunate people with Earthly delights. However, the person or persons that have broken into it these past couple times don’t seem to have [...]

“Jesus died for our sins. That sacrifice should not have been in vain. Thus, let us all go forth and sin as much as we possibly can.”
- “Anonymous” post at InTheFaith.com