Dr. Drew's Infrequent Blog

18 September 2006

Our Dr. Knuth in History News Network

Alumni/Students/Fans of Dr. Knuth should check out an editorial she wrote that appeared in History News Network. You can even add a comment.

17 September 2006

The Lt. Watada Court Martial as a Free Speech Issue

I haven't written on the The Lt. Watada Court Martial in a while. Unfortunately that does not mean that nothing has happened. This eloquent son of Hawaii is being prosecuted by the Defense Department for speaking out against the war. According to his support group, Friends and Family of Lt. Watada:


If convicted of all charges, Lt. Watada could now face over eight years in prison, more than six of them for publicly voicing his opposition to what he considers an illegal and immoral war.


I join them in asking you to send a personal note requesting he be allowed to serve in Afghanistan (no, he's not a CO) or some other duties, and not to be pubished for taking a position as a citizen-soldier. Please write to:

Commanding General
Fort Lewis and I Corps
Lt. Gen. James M. Dubik
Bldg 2025 Stop 1
Fort Lewis WA 98433

According to the suppport group:

Lt. Gen. Dubik can be reached via his aide at 253-967-0022, and/or call the Ft. Lewis switchboard at 253-967-1110. We are aware that these numbers often refer "Lt. Watada's supporters" to the Fort Lewis Public Affairs Office at 206-967-7166.

I think that he and his family deserve a lot of credit for taking this position.

Professor Yehuda Bauer @ the University of Hawaii

For those of you in Honolulu who are interested in hearing one of the leading scholars of the Holocaust and Genocide Studies, UHM Historian Peter Hoffenberg passed on the schedule of Professor Yehuda Bauer's talks the University of Hawaii this October.

October 9 from 7 until 9 in Orvis Auditorium:
"The Relationship Between the Holocaust and Other Genocides"
Introduction: Dean Aviam Soifer, Wm. Richardson School of Law

October 11 from 7 until 9 in Orvis Auditorium:
"World War II and the Contexts of the Holocaust"
Introduction: Prof. Herbert Ziegler, UHM History Department

October 12 from 3 until 4:30 in Poli Sci Seminar Room,
Saunders Hall
:
"The Instrumentalization of the Holocaust"
Convenor: Prof. Manfred Henningsen, UHM Political Science Department

October 16 from 7 until 9 in Orvis Auditorium:
"Darfur: Genocide and International Politics"
Introduction: Prof. Manfred Henningsen

October 18 from 12:30 until 2 pm in Sakamaki Hall A201, History Department Library: "Recent Holocaust Scholarship"

October 18 from 7 until 9 in Orvis Auditorium:
"Is Genocide Preventable?"
Introduction: Prof. Robert Littman, UHM Classics Department

October 19 from 12:40 to 1:30 in the Moot Court Room,
Wm. Richardson School of Law
:
"The Politics of Genocide Prevention"

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FYI: There are a few points on which I disagree with Profesor Bauer, but he is an eloquent speaker in the sense of an British senior lecturer; and he certainly provides a good deal to think about.

Hanauma Bay

* *  Hanauma Bay  * *

Yesterday I decided to take a break by driving out to the Blowhole. I haven't been there in a long time. It was amazing The sound, the fresh air, and the sights were spectacular.

Before doing work in a cafe in the Koko Head Marina, I decided to check out Hanauma Bay for the first time. (Kamaina get in free except for $1 parking). The obligatory movie is a bit slow, but it has an amazing beach and coral reef. There were very few people there too, so it was truly ideal. Next time I'll have to bring a bathing suit instead of my camera.