Thursday, April 16, 2009
Great Article
Here is a splendid article on the Constitution and the abuses there of. Walter Williams ladies and gentlemen.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
In case you hadn't heard.
Did anyone else notice, yesterday, the statement put out by the Department of Homeland security. The report warned police forces of the imminent rise in 'right wing extremism.' Here is a passage from the report:
Right wing extremism in the United States can be broadly divided into those groups, movements, and adherents that are primarily hate-oriented (based on hatred of particular religious, racial or ethnic groups), and those that are mainly antigovernment, rejecting federal authority in favor of state or local authority, or rejecting government authority entirely. It may include groups and individuals that are dedicated to a single issue, such as opposition to abortion or immigration.
So watch out all of you who hate abortion and pray and work for its end. Watch out if you think illegal immigration should be stopped or aliens should be given ways to free citizenship that don't involve breaking the law. Also, watch out if you are a veteran because with their elite fighting skills you are evidently more likely to join extremist militias. That little tid bit is also mentioned in the report. Basically, if you have any opinion that is opposed to the new Marxist regime you are at risk of joining a right wing militia and breaking the law. Seems reasonable to me. Of course by writing this and several other pro-life blogs I'm probably being watched right now.... tell the people my story!
I better watch out myself. Next thing I know they'll be breaking down my door and hau
Right wing extremism in the United States can be broadly divided into those groups, movements, and adherents that are primarily hate-oriented (based on hatred of particular religious, racial or ethnic groups), and those that are mainly antigovernment, rejecting federal authority in favor of state or local authority, or rejecting government authority entirely. It may include groups and individuals that are dedicated to a single issue, such as opposition to abortion or immigration.
So watch out all of you who hate abortion and pray and work for its end. Watch out if you think illegal immigration should be stopped or aliens should be given ways to free citizenship that don't involve breaking the law. Also, watch out if you are a veteran because with their elite fighting skills you are evidently more likely to join extremist militias. That little tid bit is also mentioned in the report. Basically, if you have any opinion that is opposed to the new Marxist regime you are at risk of joining a right wing militia and breaking the law. Seems reasonable to me. Of course by writing this and several other pro-life blogs I'm probably being watched right now.... tell the people my story!
I better watch out myself. Next thing I know they'll be breaking down my door and hau
Monday, April 13, 2009
That's how you know.
I don't know whether it was the chip crumbs on the old thrift shirt, the unwashed hair, or the fateful words from the television somewhere in the background, "you're watching Lifetime," that made me realize that I need some direction. With the last rejection from graduate school all but inevitable and the job market looking bleak, I am currently on the hunt for a new direction. Standing at a cross roads can indeed be a daunting task, many directions to chose from with no apparent goal in sight.
But, as I watch the next episode of Ice Road Truckers coming up, let it be known, that while there is an unopened box of purple girl scout cookies in the cabinet that everyone knows about, I will not be the one to open it.
The Easter season is one of hope and renewal. So, perhaps this is my opportunity to rise with the season to a new beginning of sorts.
"An inconvenience is only an adventure wrongly considered," after all. G. K. Chesterton.
Cheers.
But, as I watch the next episode of Ice Road Truckers coming up, let it be known, that while there is an unopened box of purple girl scout cookies in the cabinet that everyone knows about, I will not be the one to open it.
The Easter season is one of hope and renewal. So, perhaps this is my opportunity to rise with the season to a new beginning of sorts.
"An inconvenience is only an adventure wrongly considered," after all. G. K. Chesterton.
Cheers.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Wisdom courtesy of Thomas Sowell
"Barack Obama seems determined to repeat every disastrous mistake of the 1930s, at home and abroad. He has already repeated Herbert Hoover's policy of raising taxes on high income earners, FDR's policy of trying to micro-manage the economy and Neville Chamberlain's policy of seeking dialogues with hostile nations while downplaying the dangers they represent. "
"...his favorable reception during his tour in Europe may be the most enthusiastic international acclaim for a democratic government leader since Neville Chamberlain returned from Munich in 1938, proclaiming 'peace in our time.'"
"How a man who holds the entire population of a country as his prisoners, and punishes the families of those who escape, can be admired by people who call themselves liberals is one of the many wonders of the human mind's ability to rationalize. Yet such is the case with Fidel Castro."
http://www.tsowell.com/columns.htm
"...his favorable reception during his tour in Europe may be the most enthusiastic international acclaim for a democratic government leader since Neville Chamberlain returned from Munich in 1938, proclaiming 'peace in our time.'"
"How a man who holds the entire population of a country as his prisoners, and punishes the families of those who escape, can be admired by people who call themselves liberals is one of the many wonders of the human mind's ability to rationalize. Yet such is the case with Fidel Castro."
http://www.tsowell.com/columns.htm
Friday, April 3, 2009
Catholicism in LOST
For a while, I've wanted to write a blog about the Catholic imagery in the T.V. show LOST on Abc. While, to my knowledge, none of the writers or creators of the show are Catholic, nor is the show's message a Catholic one, it is interesting that relatively sound Catholic doctrine lies below the surface in numerous episodes. Also, admittedly, I will be ignoring the show's philosophically anti-Catholic elements, most notably pre-destination and reincarnation. So, while I cannot say the show is "Catholic" by any stretch or logic, it does have interesting Catholic elements.
The three most recognizably Catholic characters in LOST are Charlie, Desmond, and Mr. Eko. Lets begin with Charlie. In his very first flashback, the means by which all characters display how they became who they are on the island, Charlie was in the confessional seeking forgiveness and direction. The priest advised Charlie by telling him that he always has a choice when it comes to moral decisions, that our lives are a series of choices, and that our choices shape who we are. In addition, Charlie portrays the Christ like quality of total sacrifice. When the original group of passengers were trying to get off the island, Desomond revealed to Charlie that the only way that would happen is if Charlie made the ultimate sacrifice. So, after turning off the jamming signal to the island, to allow it to be discovered, Charlie drowned as a result. Not, it is worth noting before making the sign of the cross and stretching his arms out in a Christ like symbol of sacrifice.
Similar to Charlie, Desmond shows the same sacrificial nature at the end of the second season. Desmond most resembles, in my opinion, the apostle Peter. Peter is dominated by cowardice and over-compensation for much of his life. He denies Christ, his master, runs from the crucifixion, and is constantly saying the wrong thing at the wrong time. And yet, he is the man Christ chose to make Rock, the rock which the church still stands on today. Ultimately, Peter gives his life in a similar manner to his Master. He gives himself up to death and willingly sacrifices himself for the love of others. Desmond, prior to his days in the hatch was dominated by his cowardice. He runs from Penny, he runs from the army, and he runs away from the monastery. However, when he resolves himself to love, specifically the love of Penny, he overcomes his cowardice and makes the ultimate sacrifice. He makes the sign of the cross, says "I love you Penny" and turns the key. He turns his fail safe key to save all of the others on the island, maybe in the world. He gave up his life to "save the world." And thus, the true meaning of sacrifice, the true meaning of love.
Desmond also spends a significant amount of time at a Catholic monastery in Scotland prior to meeting Penny. The priest who advises Desmond provides some sound insight on vocation. He says to Desmond, "The Lord tests our faith in many ways." In addition he explains to Desmond that maybe he isn't cut out to be a monk and that the Lord has bigger plans for him later (like "saving" the world). After his dismissal from the monastery, Desmond asks, "What am I supposed to do now," and the priest responds, "whatever comes next." In addition to the advice on vocations that Desmond receives, he also acquires his habit of calling everyone "Brother" at the monastery. Desmond always responds to the "callings" he receives in his life, rarely understanding them. After he overcomes his cowardice, he is fully able to trust the Lord's providence and act according to Love. For as St. John says, "God is Love." As a side note, I love the scheme that he has read every Dickens novel with the exception of one because he wants it to be the last thing he reads before he dies.
Finally we come to Mr. Eko, who has a most unusual connection to the Church. His brother is a devout African priest who serves his community steadfastly, administering the Sacraments, most obviously Reconciliation. Mr. Eko, on the other hand, was a drug dealer and a villain in the true sense of the word. His brother pleads with Eko to reform his life, but Eko refuses, resulting in the death of his brother. As a penance of sorts, Eko impersonates his brother and impersonates a priest. While deeply misguided his attempts are, he tries to make up for what he has done, even going to the extent of building a church on the island and Baptising Aaron. This character is the main flaw of the Catholic imagery in LOST in that the writers do not understand that just anyone can't be a priest just by saying that they are one. In addition, the Bishop of the diocese would immediately recognize Eko as an impostor and stop his faux ministry.
However, Mr. Eko's character does reveal the spiritual and emotional consequences of pride and refusal to seek forgiveness for one's sins. When he encounters the 'ghost' of his brother, the priest, on the island Eko refuses to ask for forgiveness and says, "I did my best with what I was given." This statement immediately results in his death at the hands of the smoke monster. Unlike Desmond and Charlie who give themselves in love for the betterment of others, Eko's refusal and turn into self results in destruction. His character is complex in that he does feel remorse for his life, but yet he refuses to take that regret and remorse to the healing end of asking for forgiveness.
In addition to these three main characters, Catholic imagery appears in other instances as well. Most notable of the images are the statues of the Virgin Mary found on the island in the second season. The statues were filled with drugs and were being used by drug smugglers who crash landed on the island. Ironically, or perhaps by purpose, Charlie was at one time a drug addict and forced to confront his demons. But, Charlie trusts his faith and resolves to turn away from temptation and throw the drugs into the ocean. I like to think that this represents how the Blessed Mother is always watching out for us, protecting us through her intercession. I'm sure the writers of the show were not thinking this but, it is a logical conclusion don't you think.
Most recently, the newest season of LOST had the most profoundly Catholic moment of any thus far. Benjamin Linus and Jack, the hero of lost were in a Catholic church discussing their plans to return to the island. Jack, previously had been seen as a 'man of science' refusing to believe in the island's mysterious powers or in any external powers of will. Ben points out a picture of St. Thomas the Apostle placing his fingers in the side of the risen Christ. Ben remarks how prior to the Passion of Christ, Thomas expressed a willingness to accept crucifixion if it meant standing at the side of Christ. Ben remarks how it is a shame that Thomas is not remembered for this comment but only for his doubt. Ben also remarks that Thomas needed to be convinced, he needed to be convinced of Christ's divinity. Jack asked, "and was he convinced?" to which Ben replied, "everyone is convinced eventually." Of course Ben was referring to the island, but this scene very purposefully and obviously has a double meaning and can be quite profound depending on the context.
I hope I have sufficiently expounded on this topic and that someone reads it and is interested by it ... if not, this exercise in nerdiness on my part was at least fun for me. I know many of you, probably Stephen, will remark on how allegory is horrible and a poor substitute for the authentic story of the Gospel. This is true, of course. But, I am only expanding on Catholic imagery in a T.V. show and saying, "Huh, that's interesting." And that's all I'm really trying to say.
Cheers.
The three most recognizably Catholic characters in LOST are Charlie, Desmond, and Mr. Eko. Lets begin with Charlie. In his very first flashback, the means by which all characters display how they became who they are on the island, Charlie was in the confessional seeking forgiveness and direction. The priest advised Charlie by telling him that he always has a choice when it comes to moral decisions, that our lives are a series of choices, and that our choices shape who we are. In addition, Charlie portrays the Christ like quality of total sacrifice. When the original group of passengers were trying to get off the island, Desomond revealed to Charlie that the only way that would happen is if Charlie made the ultimate sacrifice. So, after turning off the jamming signal to the island, to allow it to be discovered, Charlie drowned as a result. Not, it is worth noting before making the sign of the cross and stretching his arms out in a Christ like symbol of sacrifice.
Similar to Charlie, Desmond shows the same sacrificial nature at the end of the second season. Desmond most resembles, in my opinion, the apostle Peter. Peter is dominated by cowardice and over-compensation for much of his life. He denies Christ, his master, runs from the crucifixion, and is constantly saying the wrong thing at the wrong time. And yet, he is the man Christ chose to make Rock, the rock which the church still stands on today. Ultimately, Peter gives his life in a similar manner to his Master. He gives himself up to death and willingly sacrifices himself for the love of others. Desmond, prior to his days in the hatch was dominated by his cowardice. He runs from Penny, he runs from the army, and he runs away from the monastery. However, when he resolves himself to love, specifically the love of Penny, he overcomes his cowardice and makes the ultimate sacrifice. He makes the sign of the cross, says "I love you Penny" and turns the key. He turns his fail safe key to save all of the others on the island, maybe in the world. He gave up his life to "save the world." And thus, the true meaning of sacrifice, the true meaning of love.
Desmond also spends a significant amount of time at a Catholic monastery in Scotland prior to meeting Penny. The priest who advises Desmond provides some sound insight on vocation. He says to Desmond, "The Lord tests our faith in many ways." In addition he explains to Desmond that maybe he isn't cut out to be a monk and that the Lord has bigger plans for him later (like "saving" the world). After his dismissal from the monastery, Desmond asks, "What am I supposed to do now," and the priest responds, "whatever comes next." In addition to the advice on vocations that Desmond receives, he also acquires his habit of calling everyone "Brother" at the monastery. Desmond always responds to the "callings" he receives in his life, rarely understanding them. After he overcomes his cowardice, he is fully able to trust the Lord's providence and act according to Love. For as St. John says, "God is Love." As a side note, I love the scheme that he has read every Dickens novel with the exception of one because he wants it to be the last thing he reads before he dies.
Finally we come to Mr. Eko, who has a most unusual connection to the Church. His brother is a devout African priest who serves his community steadfastly, administering the Sacraments, most obviously Reconciliation. Mr. Eko, on the other hand, was a drug dealer and a villain in the true sense of the word. His brother pleads with Eko to reform his life, but Eko refuses, resulting in the death of his brother. As a penance of sorts, Eko impersonates his brother and impersonates a priest. While deeply misguided his attempts are, he tries to make up for what he has done, even going to the extent of building a church on the island and Baptising Aaron. This character is the main flaw of the Catholic imagery in LOST in that the writers do not understand that just anyone can't be a priest just by saying that they are one. In addition, the Bishop of the diocese would immediately recognize Eko as an impostor and stop his faux ministry.
However, Mr. Eko's character does reveal the spiritual and emotional consequences of pride and refusal to seek forgiveness for one's sins. When he encounters the 'ghost' of his brother, the priest, on the island Eko refuses to ask for forgiveness and says, "I did my best with what I was given." This statement immediately results in his death at the hands of the smoke monster. Unlike Desmond and Charlie who give themselves in love for the betterment of others, Eko's refusal and turn into self results in destruction. His character is complex in that he does feel remorse for his life, but yet he refuses to take that regret and remorse to the healing end of asking for forgiveness.
In addition to these three main characters, Catholic imagery appears in other instances as well. Most notable of the images are the statues of the Virgin Mary found on the island in the second season. The statues were filled with drugs and were being used by drug smugglers who crash landed on the island. Ironically, or perhaps by purpose, Charlie was at one time a drug addict and forced to confront his demons. But, Charlie trusts his faith and resolves to turn away from temptation and throw the drugs into the ocean. I like to think that this represents how the Blessed Mother is always watching out for us, protecting us through her intercession. I'm sure the writers of the show were not thinking this but, it is a logical conclusion don't you think.
Most recently, the newest season of LOST had the most profoundly Catholic moment of any thus far. Benjamin Linus and Jack, the hero of lost were in a Catholic church discussing their plans to return to the island. Jack, previously had been seen as a 'man of science' refusing to believe in the island's mysterious powers or in any external powers of will. Ben points out a picture of St. Thomas the Apostle placing his fingers in the side of the risen Christ. Ben remarks how prior to the Passion of Christ, Thomas expressed a willingness to accept crucifixion if it meant standing at the side of Christ. Ben remarks how it is a shame that Thomas is not remembered for this comment but only for his doubt. Ben also remarks that Thomas needed to be convinced, he needed to be convinced of Christ's divinity. Jack asked, "and was he convinced?" to which Ben replied, "everyone is convinced eventually." Of course Ben was referring to the island, but this scene very purposefully and obviously has a double meaning and can be quite profound depending on the context.
I hope I have sufficiently expounded on this topic and that someone reads it and is interested by it ... if not, this exercise in nerdiness on my part was at least fun for me. I know many of you, probably Stephen, will remark on how allegory is horrible and a poor substitute for the authentic story of the Gospel. This is true, of course. But, I am only expanding on Catholic imagery in a T.V. show and saying, "Huh, that's interesting." And that's all I'm really trying to say.
Cheers.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Me too.
Today, when I was at work I was eating my lunch sandwich, as I always do. I made the sign of the cross, said a prayer, made the sign of the cross again and began to eat. Then I noticed that one of our students was staring at me. She is in a wheelchair, mostly deaf, and only says a few words from time to time. However, she is very sharp and joyous, often laughing and smiling.
After I said my lunch prayer, she looked at me and made her own sign of the cross and smiled. I turned my head a little bit, not expecting her to even notice me, nor to know what I was doing. She put her hands together as people do when they pray. I nodded, to confirm that I actually was praying. Then she nodded back. She smiled again, pointed to herself and said, "Me too." Then she laughed a bit and went back to what she was doing.
Even if she isn't talking to me, she's probably having much more meaningful conversations.
Cheers.
After I said my lunch prayer, she looked at me and made her own sign of the cross and smiled. I turned my head a little bit, not expecting her to even notice me, nor to know what I was doing. She put her hands together as people do when they pray. I nodded, to confirm that I actually was praying. Then she nodded back. She smiled again, pointed to herself and said, "Me too." Then she laughed a bit and went back to what she was doing.
Even if she isn't talking to me, she's probably having much more meaningful conversations.
Cheers.
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