Uhhhh ...

And to kind of prove my recent rant about how review scores are not really all that informative, I give you the strangest example I have encountered. Check out the following: http://fanfiction.portkey.org/profiles.php?authorid=200I

S/he has six stories up, and only two of them have any kind of text whatsoever. All of the others have disclaimers, but absolutely nothing else. Does this strike anyone besides me as peculiar? Here's one of the disclaimers, for you, dear Liss:

A/N: A sort of random fic. The idea for the Marriage Charm is sort of inspired by something in Lissanne's wonderful fic called "Love is a Battlefield" on schnoogle. Enjoy!

Only, of course, there is nothing about a Marriage Charm or anything else, because the disclaimer is about all there is. And -- maybe it's just me who doesn't recall, it's been a long time since I read the full text of LIAB, but ... what Marriage Charm?????

In any case, to the point of this entry. Is this person is having problems uploading their stories? Or are they maybe testing out summaries to see if they will appeal to people? I don't know, I've never heard of such a practice but I suppose it could be. Or are they just really starved for feedback or what? But here's the amazing thing: Despite having no text whatsoever, many of the "blank" fics have gotten ratings of 10. Or a 7. To "encourage" them to start writing. Of course, there are also a couple of abusive reviews (probably from people sick of seeing this person "post" a story with no actual story), but this whole thing has been a really odd discovery for me.

Does any know this author and can shed some light here?

In conclusion -- Jade, you should feel badly that anyone would give "Our Winter" a 9, when it's this long, brilliant epic, and this person's disclaimer is worth a 10. Clearly you're doing something wrong. <snicker>

In support of our troops and affected peoples everywhere...

I haven't weighed in about the situation in Iraq prior to this point, because I honestly didn't -- and still don't -- feel that I have much to offer by way of clear and articulate thoughts. Jade and I have discussed this at length, and I think those conversations have settled any need in my soul to talk about it here.

What I would like to share, however, are some words by people who are far more eloquent than I can ever be ... and while none are able to sum up the various struggles I have with this issue, they have each helped to inform my general view and provide a platform for thoughtful discourse.

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In support:

Warning "this is not the time to falter," Blair predicted that recoiling from military force at this point would only encourage other tyrants and weaken the international community. "Tell our allies that at the very moment of action, at the very moment they needed our determination, that Britain faltered?" he asked rhetorically. "I will not be party to such a course." -- from the LA Times

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In dissent:

( U.S. Diplomat John Brady Kiesling's Letter of Resignation )

This is possibly the most eloquent statement of dissent I have seen regarding the issue of Iraq. The full text can be found in the cut link above, or you can go to the original NY Times page: http://www.nytimes.com/2003/02/27/international/27WEB-TNAT.html

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Whatever my feelings about the conflict in Iraq, there is absolutely no question about my absolute support for all the soldiers who are/will be involved. If you're interested, go here to see what we can do to send them a little cheer: http://trooptrax.com/

And because we may need a little cheer, I advise going to christhetoken's LJ entry here: http://www.livejournal.com/users/christhetoken/55556.html because it's just about the only thing wrt this situation that's made me laugh, and maybe you need a laugh, too.

Finally, I do wish for peace, no matter what is before us.

I would rather fail in a cause that will ultimately succeed than succeed in a cause that will ultimately fail. -- Woodrow Wilson