Beautiful Horizons

The Modern Republican Party

Just say no to no child brides. The mind reels.

Time to Let Go

Full disclosure: I worked with both Beverly Willett and her ex-husband (who shall remain nameless as his name is not mentioned in the article) at ASCAP. I had a good working relationship with both of them and was somewhat surprised when I heard that they had split.

I can understand Beverly's grief and anguish, but, at the risk of sounding callous, which is not my intent, I cannot fathom what she believes that she could accomplish by fighting her ex to remain married to her?

This was a man who I would have never thought would have moved out of New York City, yet he moved to New Jersey, according to Beverly, to wait a year in order to take advantage of that state's no-fault laws. On what possible basis does she think he would have changed his position and stayed with her?

Beverly, with respect and compassion, please find a way to put this behind you. You're getting hammered in the comments to that post and the post that ld me to your post at Lawyers, Guns and Money. I understand your anguish, but for your own good, please move on. This is hurting you far worse than you can imagine.

Why Is Anyone Surprised By This?

Lula unenthusiastically offers asylum to Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, the Iranian woman sentenced to death by stoning for adultery:

"I have to respect a country's laws, but if my friendship and regard I have for the president of Iran and the Iranian people is worth something, if this woman is causing discomfort, we could take her in in Brazil," he said.

I can understand Lula's interest in wanting to be willing to talk to all on any issue, but he's showing a bit of naivete here; principally the fact that Ahmed Ahmadinejad doesn't run Iran. All he had to do was google who runs Iran to get this.

In addition, it certainly seems like the quasi-official media in Iran is mocking Lula:

While no Iranian government officials commented on the Brazilian president’s plea, Jahan News, an ultraconservative news service in Iran that is regarded as credibly reflecting the government’s thinking, said Sunday that it was a “clear interference in Iran’s domestic affairs.”

Jahan also said that the Brazilian offer was made “under the influence of foreign media” and that the defendant, Sakineh Ashtiani, 43, might not be stoned to death because Iran’s judiciary was reviewing the lower court’s sentence. She could be hanged instead.

Memo to Lula: the government of Iran is brutal and repressive. It's the same sort of government you rebelled against in your own country. They've played you in the past and they just mocked you. Bear that in mind the next time they need a favor from you. Perhaps telling it like it is might be a better route to take in the future. He certainly