There is an AP article over at CNN.com that goes into some details about the relationship between Shankar and Norah Jones. It’s interesting because I think it explains a bit about why there isn’t really much mention of Shankar in the Norah Jones stories and why his other daughter isn’t mentioned much either.

At least he’s very honest. It’s nice to know they made up before she made it big, too. Not that there would be much chance of her wondering if he was just hoping to ride her coattails.

Anne just forwarded an article from the Toronto Star about the experiences of a Canadian Indian woman traveling through U.S. customs. The U.S. Immigrations official at the immigration checkpoint in Chicago decided her passport looked “funky” and essentially offered her jail plus a several day wait to contact Canadian officials or a return trip to India. The suspicion is that the officer looked at her skin color, and looked at her last name, Cruz, and decided they didn’t match. If he had even the smallest clue, he might have known that there are many Christian Indians who take Christian last names. Many of those Christian Indians were influenced by the Portuguese presence in India, and therefore have Portuguese last names (this woman’s maiden name was Fernandez).

I hate this type of ignorance, and this experience and the fear of having this type of experience is why I’m against most types of simple profiling. Race was very likely a key factor in arousing the officer’s suspicions, and his ignorance resulted in the situation deteriorating to the point that it did. If we want to profile, if we believe all the terrorists fit certain profiles, then we should profile in depth. Airlines have to turn over ticket purchase information, they have to turn over passenger lists, and modern technology allows that to happen at the start of the often 6+ hour flight times of most international flights. There isn’t any need for this to happen.

Looks like we are not the only “cool” blog site out there… just ran across this posting regarding the possibility of war on another blog site. Here is the quote ( I suppose one must also be a LOTR fan to fully appreciate this joke)

MINAS TIRITH (Gondor News Network) - Thousands of peace activists took to the streets of Minas Tirith and other cities of Middle Earth today to protest what they termed a rush to war with Mordor.

“We need more time for diplomacy,” said a key member of the Middle-Earth Security Council, Saruman the White. “I am not convinced by the evidence presented by my esteemed colleague, Gandalf the Grey, or that the Dark Lord Sauron presents an imminent danger to the peoples of the West.”

Many of the people protesting war in Mordor agreed with Saruman’s remarks. “Sauron says he’s destroyed his Rings of Mass Destruction (RMD) and that’s good enough for me,” said one fellow carrying a sign that said “Elrond is a Balrog.” Another demonstrator urged, “Give the RMD inspectors more time. There’s no reason to rush to any judgment just because Mount Doom is belching lava, the Dark Tower is rebuilt, and Osgiliath has been decimated.” A third protester piped up, “I haven’t heard a single bit of convincing evidence connecting the Nazgul with Sauron. I think they destroyed Osgiliath on their own initiative without any support from Sauron. Besides, it’s understandable they’re angry with Gondor. We haven’t done nearly as much for the Orcs and Goblins and Easterlings as the Nazgul and Sauron have. It’s understandable they throw their support to them. It’s our own fault really.”

As the protesters continued their march through the city, they chanted, “No blood for Mount Doom,” voicing a common sentiment that the leaders of the Western peoples are really seeking to get their hands on the powerful Mount Doom, where the One Ring of Power was allegedly forged.
Gandalf the Grey was unavailable for comment. A spokesman said he was in an undisclosed underground location, which sources have revealed is codenamed: Moria.

Have you noticed how nobody is covering the fact that Ravi Shanker had TWO daughters nominated from Grammy awards? Anoushka didn’t win, but still! What a story!