Today's Outrage [Nov 19, 2004]

An 81-year-old Haitian minister, who happens to be a relative of the novelist Edwidge Danticat, has died while in the custody of the U.S. Department Of Homeland Security. It's a horrible story that's probably only coming to light because of the connection to Danticat. Perhaps it will open some eyes, as it did mine, to the hypocritical and unjust way our government treats Haitian immigrants. This old man escaping political persecution is about as much a threat to our "national security" as my cat. The "War On Terror" diminishes us all daily. Condolences to Ms. Danticat and her family. Maybe this incident will lead to some sort of policy change, but with a lover of torture nominated to head the Justice Department, I fear we can only expect more of the same.

Here endeth the lesson. And here's hoping that my beloved Phoenix Suns, whose point guards hail from Canada and Brazil, goad Kobe into two technicals and an ejection tonight. It's a very strange feeling to root for a team that other teams actually fear. Go Purple!