Links and....uh, more links

Always good reading from the Japan Times.

This article in the Japan Times on the 30th anniversary of the Vietnam war and the lessons that have apparently not been learned, has nothing to do with Japan, but I really found it interesting.

And then there is this article about a Japanese film documenting the Iraq war. I haven't seen the film, but the article itself is worth reading as it shows a different view of the "Iraqi liberation" then commonly depicted in the mainstream U.S. media. To quote briefly:

When the Americans arrive in Baghdad and are met not by cheering masses but by people yelling epithets, he captures on tape a lone woman screaming at the tanks in English: "You f***ing cowards hiding behind your big machines. Go to the hospitals and see all the children you have killed."

These are issues worth thinking about, especially as the man responsible for all those dead children is going to speaking at Calvin soon.

Speaking of which, a couple more quick thoughts on Bush coming to Calvin, throwing in some things I thought of since my last post.

1. This is somewhat the logical conclusion of what I stated in my previous post, but allow me to connect the dots.
The extent of our protest against Rehnquist, such as it was, was simply to point out the reasons he was objectionable as a speaker to us. Because these charges were not widely known, simply writing Chimes articles alerting people to the controversy was enough to cause a big stir.
This year's graduating class is obviously going to have to take things one step further, because simply stating that they don't approve of Bush is almost a given for any liberal or pacifist. I don't really know what the best thing to do is, but n order to make themselves heard above the racket is going to take some boldness and creativity, and I don't envy the task they have in front of them.

2. Another big difference between this and the Rehnquist affair is that the internet is obviously much more involved this time. I mean I'm writing on the internet, on the last post I linked to all of my friends who had written something, and a quick search of the internet will indicate just about every Calvin Alumni or student with a blog is writing about Bush's visit. And my impression is most of them aren't happy, but you can do your own survey I guess.

Of particular interest perhaps are:

This forum set up as: A place to dialogue and organize for those opposed to George W. Bush commandeering Calvin's 2005 Commencement. Anyone in the Grand Rapids area should check it out.

I don't know this guy, but according to his blog, the Democrats and Liberals at Calvin are discussing their protest options. That's always good to hear.

Also for those in the GR area: Media Mouse promises to post any protest information as they get a hold of it. A good site to keep your eye on.


Here's something from the other side of the fence-Someone upset by Bush speaking at Calvin, but not for the same reasons we are: Calvin College? Have you even heard of Calvin College? It's an evangelical liberal arts college in Michigan with a graduating class of 900. Every aspect of student life at Calvin is mired in the Christian Reform-based church. Perhaps, since Bush failed with Terri Schiavo and faith-based funding, this is his way to keep the GOP in the good graces of the evangelical right. It's hardly illegal for Bush to speak at Calvin, but it certainly bears notice. We guarantee you won't see him speak at Gratz College

Wonder if he knows how those of us from Calvin feel about it?