Happy new year! I know it’s not the best pic, but I like it anyway. It’s Shain Park in Birmingham on the evening of New Year’s Day as I passed by on my way out of town.
The lavish lights, those crazy stone globes, the empty park waiting with open arms – gotta love it. And I do love Shain Park. There’s always something going on there, even when there’s not. In the summer, kids are playing the musical bench, people splash at the fountain or take pictures, others sit on the benches or lay on the grass reading…. It’s just such a pleasant, inviting urban space.
Anyway, it’s official now. 2012.
I have high hopes for twenty-twelve despite the bunch of clowns running for president, and even in spite of our president’s flourishing signature capping off 2011. Yup, it was just yesterday the president signed the National Defense Authorization Act into law despite “serious reservations.”
I find that deeply troubling. If you actually have “serious reservations,” how about, um, don’t sign it into law. This law (which was also supported by Levin, Stabenow and Miller) allows for indefinite detention of U.S. citizens by the military without trial.
How is it that this could come to pass? Where is the outrage among the citizens? For that matter, where is the concern among the citizenry?
Nor do I find much comfort in promises of “broad discretion” in its interpretation.
Okay, people. It’s 2012. Be engaged.
