Reasonably Logical

The NY Times article linked below profiles the Ruth Ellis center in Detriot. It also mentions some of the other GLBT friendly and GLBT focused shelters across the nation. I am getting a bit tired of every article I read on the issue using the same few stories though. If I didn’t read everything published on the topic it wouldn’t be an issue, but since I do, I notice the repeats. It isn’t like there aren’t plenty of other stories out there that are just as bad.

Gay Youths Find Place to Call Home in Specialty Shelters
By IAN URBINA
May 17, 2007

Well, after four years, I’m finally done. This last weekend I went through the graduation ceremonies at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. I am graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science with the International Minor in Japan Studies.

I attended three graduation ceremonies, not including the “campuswide” one. (Which isn’t actually the entire campus at once.) Of the three, the one that meant the most to me personally was the Lavender Graduation hosted by the LGBT Resource Office. At that ceremony, I received a award (the “Unsung Activist” award) for my work in the GLBT community and had a chance to say good bye to many of my friends who are also graduating.

The other event I actually cared about was the Computer Science graduation reception. I had a chance to say good bye to friends (different ones, well mostly) and introduce my dad to a number of people who have been important to my time here.

The final ceremony I participated in was the College of Engineering commencement. Why did I do that again? Oh yeah, the pictures. Took way too long and was utterly pointless. I did find out that I was supposed to have gotten an extra sash for my International minor though. I picked that up today (Tuesday). Oh I did wear my rainbow tassel from the LGBT graduation for the engineering one. Technically I wasn’t supposed to, but f*** that. It was important to me.

I’m going to miss the friends I’ve made here in Champaign-Urbana. I’ll even miss the town and the area itself. I won’t miss the university at all. (Still slightly bitter on that one.)

I won’t celebrate (life is sacred, however it is misused), but honestly, I can’t claim I’ll miss him. What has amused me though is watching the GLBT press react to his death. There is a very clear sense of “we’re jumping for joy, but politeness doesn’t allow us to say that” in all the press releases I’ve seen. As a sample, check out the ones from Triangle and NGLTF below.

Update: Well, some folks aren’t being polite any more. I just saw the commentary from Jeff Montgomery at Triangle. Well said!

Triangle Foundation:

“Our condolences go out to Rev. Falwell’s family. Whether the family is straight or gay, the passage of a loved one is always a challenging and difficult time.”

“In the wake of Rev. Falwell’s passing, it is our strong hope that his followers transform their misunderstanding and attitudes regarding their gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender brothers and sisters. It is a sad thing that Rev. Falwell spent so much of his time and energy while alive as a leading voice in the struggle against LGBT civil rights. We can only hope that the death of such an anti-gay voice will eventually lead to a healing of the fear and hostility against us that Rev. Falwell actively promoted.”

NGLTF:

“The death of a family member or friend is always a sad occasion and we express our condolences to all those who were close to the Rev. Jerry Falwell. Unfortunately, we will always remember him as a founder and leader of America’s anti-gay industry, someone who exacerbated the nation’s appalling response to the onslaught of the AIDS epidemic, someone who demonized and vilified us for political gain and someone who used religion to divide rather than unite our nation.”
— Task Force Executive Director Matt Foreman

Farewell, Falwell - Commentary by Executive Director Jeff Montgomery

A pathetic, small-minded man has died. Granted, he was given a national platform from which to promote his dangerous, anti-GLBT crusade, but Falwell was nothing more than a cynical salesman who preached suffering and death for GLBT people and that AIDS was “God’s punishment” for homosexuality. Despite the platform he attained, Jerry Falwell was nothing but a huckster for the anti-GLBT industry.

Jerry Falwell will stand as a prime example of homophobia run amok, with tragic results, supported by mainstream media and acceptance. While our condolences go out to those that loved him, we can only hope that they, and Falwell’s followers, will correct the many misunderstandings about the humanity of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transender people that Falwell went out of his way to foster.

The media reports he died from heart failure, which presumes he had a heart to begin with. If that’s so, it failed long before his passing.

But then again, if you’re reading this you already know. The new (and hopefully permanent) site is: blog.philipreames.com

The main reason for the move is to allow me to put ads on the homepage. What can I say? I’m a greedy capitalist. I didn’t want to let that blog traffic go to waste.

After reading the article below, I’m having trouble deciding if this is a good thing or not. I understand why Brazil did it, but what impact will this have on the willingness of pharmaceutical companies to develop medications? We’ll have to wait and see.

Brazil breaks patent on HIV drug -
Yahoo! News
http://news.yahoo.com/s/po/20070505/co_po/brazilbreakspatentonhivdrug

After the 15th or so time being asked (via email or IM) what I’m doing after graduation, I decided it was time to write this up. It’ll save me a lot of typing in the long run.

In July, I’ll start work with FactSet Research in Norwalk, Connecticut. For those who can’t be bothered to look that up, its all of an hour from New York City, which - as you can imagine - I’m happy about. I’m moving out there at the start of July. Before that, I’m doing some traveling for fun. This is my last summer off after all.

First, I’m going to NYC/CT to look for apartments. I’ll be there for five days. Next, I’m going to Orange County to see my dad and help with my little brother’s (not by blood, but might as well be) Eagle Project. After that, I come back to Illinois for a day, then its off to Europe for 3 1/2 weeks. In Europe, I’m going to be doing the classic backpack/hostel trip. It should be a real blast! I’m flying into London and out of London and other than that, I’ll figure it out as I go.

I’m moving and want to get rid of some of the computer parts I’ve accumulated over the last four years. All prices are negotiable.

An Enstruction CPS-RF remote - FREE
- This was required for one my classes a year or so ago. If not one takes it, I’m tossing it.

The Thermaltake Armor Case - $100
- bought less than a year ago, great condition
- $150 new on NewEgg

Ultra Win-600PS Power Supply - $75
- bought less than a year ago for around $150, great condition

Maxtor MaxLine Plus II 250 GB Hard Drive - $80
- NOTE: I am selling this drive for less than it is worth because my system reported errors on the drive. I believe the IDE expansion card was at fault and the drive passes a low level diagnostic, but I make no gaurantees.

Samsung SP1604N 160 GB Hard Drive - $50
- Great condition

Samsung SP0802N 80 GB Hard Drive - $30
- Great condition

Western Digital 80 GB Hard Drive - $30
- A slightly older drive than the others, I bought this one used about two years ago. I’ve never had any problem with it and it has served me well.

2 Channel (4 drive) PATA IDE Expansion Card - $10 each
- NOTE: One channel is flaky and unreliable
- No cables included

1 Channel (2 drive) PATA IDE Expansion Card - $10
- Good condition
- No cables included

4 Old 10/100 Ethernet Cards - $5 each
- One has an old BNC connector as well

2x Removable Hard Drive Rack - $15 each
- Still in the packaging. I RMA’d them after a power surge a few years back, but never opened the replacements.

2x DDR400 PC3200 512MB Memory Sticks - SOLD
- Bought used a year ago and never used.

Hauppauge PCI TV Tuner Card w/all accessories - (SOLD)
- 4 years old
- I don’t know the model number, but it has one TV tuner and can record video (640×480) to disk in a custom format (which can be converted to AVI)

Well, as seems to happen every year, there has been a string of laptop thefts from popular study spots and offices. Don’t leave your laptop unattended.

The University Police Department would like to inform our community about
eight reports of laptop computers being stolen from campus buildings since
April 27, 2007. In each instance, the owner of the computer has left their
possessions unattended for brief periods of time. Computers have been
taken from study areas, unlocked offices, classrooms and the Illini Union.
Thefts have occurred between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.
Additionally, purses and wallets have been taken under similar circumstances.

We realize many are studying for final exams and it is easy to become
complacent about securing items. It is imperative that everyone secure
their possessions or ask a trusted friend to watch them even for brief
trips to vending areas or restrooms. University of Illinois Police
officers are conducting additional walking patrols throughout campus. We
seek your assistance in preventing the thefts and encourage everyone to
report suspicious individuals to the police.

Chief Krystal Fitzpatrick