O.J.,O.J., all the time

No blog night before last because our computers were down. No blog last night because we were in Seattle late.

Once again it's O.J. all the time. When was it O.J. was first involved in the "incident?" I've lost track. This morning when I finally woke the first thing I saw on the news was the empty courtroom where O.J. was supposed to appear sometime this morning. I was informed with all seriousness that there were 100 seats. Then later I saw the same courtroom with about a dozen people in it, then later when there were about thirty, then later when there were more. I didn't stick with it long enough, however, to actually catch what was said to be at most a five minute appearance by the man himself. It's just O.J. all the time and no doubt will be for a while longer. Having endured his trial for murder and a ridiculous verdict, and then his civil trial and its apparently unenforceable fine, I frankly don't give a damn about O.J. If he deserves jail please put him there and keep him away from the news media.

How many cops does it take to taser a college student? Apparently six, five to hold him down and immobilize him and one to do the tasering. How many times does it take to taser and kill a schizophrenic woman in a wheelchair? Apparently ten times within the space of two minutes. I recall it was not long ago the police tasered a six year old girl. There have been many other instances of what appears to be unnecessary tasering. So what's with this ubiquitous tasering? Are our police not being properly trained to subdue people without tasering them? Are they just irresponsible? Does tasering offer them an easy way to do their duty? If six policepersons cannot subdue one sober college student without tasering him I think something is wrong. I don't know the answer but I do know they have in the past year or so proven (to me, at least) they should not be allowed to have tasers, any more than teen-agers should be allowed cell phones while driving (personally, I don't think adults should be either). If tasers cannot be be used properly and with restraint I think they should not be allowed.

I refuse to ever again comment on Britney, Lohan, or any of the other stupid self-destructive bimbos that are cluttering up the (supposed) news. Did you know there was a "war" going on? Did you know we are going to "win?" What it is we are going to win I am not sure. But one thing we are not going to win is the respect and admiration of the people of the Middle East, no matter how many we torture and kill.

We have found a truly wonderful German restaurant in Seattle, Feierabend, in a somewhat obscure location just off Eastlake near the REI. Authentic German food and many imported German beers. Our lunch was superb, a gigantic Eisbein (Schweinhaxen) with spaetzle and red cabbage (all for $15, a true bargain). One of those rare places you find nowadays that you know you will return to again and again, at least as long as it lasts. Truly fine restaurants don't always last long in the United States, turning over about as fast as used car lots. I guess there is just too much competition from the fast food joints. Who can resist a Wendy's burger with two hamburger patties, a slice of cheese, and six slices of bacon? Or all you can eat pizza? Or all you can eat spaghetti? Or all you can eat most anything? It's the American way to eat (I'm sure the French or Italians shudder at the thought). Do you think there are hot dog eating contests in France or Italy? Somehow I doubt it.

LKBIQ:
"No drug, not even alcohol, causes the fundamental ills of society. If we're
looking for the source of our troubles, we shouldn't test people for drugs,
we should test them for stupidity, ignorance, greed and love of power."
-P.J. O'Rourke, writer.