If The Universe Has a Sick Sense Of Humor, What's That Say About Its Creator?

I understand not everybody can get someone to look after their kid, and so maybe it's unavoidable you have to bring the little one to work. But a library is not the place to bring a squalling, hyperactive toddler! I'm about ready to clothesline the kid next time he runs by.
In other angry news, I still hate the direction Nguyen and Fridolfs went for Warhawk's origin in Batman Beyond Unlimited. Part of that is that killing Vixen was so unnecessary. People have relationships end for reasons other than death. Their priorities change, they change, they decide aren't a good match long-term. It happens.

But the other thing that bugs me is the whole predeterministic aspect of it. Remember that issue of Brave and the Bold JMS wrote? Where Zatanna has the premonition of Barbara Gordon being shot, and rather than do anything about it, she and Wonder Woman take Babara out for a night on the town? The attitude seems to be it's supposed to happen, so it can't be changed. Zatanna's one, half-assed attempt to do so, actually helps it come about because she suggests Barbara should stay home from crimefighting to have dinner with her father more often. And of course, Barbara got shot while having dinner with Jim Gordon.

Yeesh, that was such a dumb story.

Now, here we are with John Stewart, back from the future. He's met his son, the one he had with Shayera (Hawkgirl). He's even told Hawkgirl about it. But John's not going to be led around by the nose, by fate. He's still with Mari (Vixen), he loves her, he's going to stay with her and see how things play out. And that's why they're having dinner at a cafe when Shadow Thief shows up and kills Vixen to get revenge on John. Fate apparently counted on John Stewart being a stubborn fellow.

If he'd only broken things off with Mari, it would have been Shayera getting killed. Which wouldn't have been any better, though it would have made more sense for Shadow Thief to strike at someone he might actually hate. And it would have been a case of someone bowing to what appears to be destiny, only for that to keep it from ever coming about. That seems a little different, the protagonist throwing a wrench into the works by going along with the larger plan.