WORLD: March 8, 2003 COVER STORY
What we don't know can hurt us
What the press teaches about Islam and other religions is not nearly as important as what it leaves out of its reporting
TheWBALChannel.com - News - Senate Committee Kills Priest-Report Bill Bill Would Have Limited Confessional's Confidentiality
MOMMENTARY thinks I'm unsound on babies in church. Maybe I've been going to churches where the kids are louder. I don't object to "children just standing up and sitting down, or turning around, or playing with the hymnals." It's noise that's unacceptable - banging the hymnal repeatedly on the pew while Mommy looks bewildered and fails to interfere; running up and down the aisles, giggling wildly and shrieking; or repeated screaming (one holler is ok, five in one service is the limit, repeated shouting for more than one minute straight, and the kid must be removed from the church.) I don't think this is unreasonable in the least. Maybe I haven't made clear what kind of behavior I'm discussing.
Co. Offers Dogs Designer Hair Products
ATLANTA (AP) - John Paul wants to do for your pooch what he did for your 'do.
Paul, co-founder Paul Mitchell salon products, decided to branch out with a new line of designer hair products - for dogs.
His new line, John Paul Pet, offers a variety of formulas for every pet care need, including a tea tree treatment and an oatmeal conditioning rinse, priced $5.99 to $8.99.
ATLANTA (AP) - John Paul wants to do for your pooch what he did for your 'do.
Paul, co-founder Paul Mitchell salon products, decided to branch out with a new line of designer hair products - for dogs.
His new line, John Paul Pet, offers a variety of formulas for every pet care need, including a tea tree treatment and an oatmeal conditioning rinse, priced $5.99 to $8.99.
(Big) Red Faces at Cornell Over E-Mail Error
Virtually everyone who has used e-mail knows the feeling: You press the send button and realize that you just sent something embarrassing to someone by mistake.
That happened to Cornell University on Wednesday: It sent welcoming letters to 1,700 high school students who had submitted early-decision applications, including nearly 550 who had already been rejected in December.
Virtually everyone who has used e-mail knows the feeling: You press the send button and realize that you just sent something embarrassing to someone by mistake.
That happened to Cornell University on Wednesday: It sent welcoming letters to 1,700 high school students who had submitted early-decision applications, including nearly 550 who had already been rejected in December.
Oh wow! It's an article about the Mantis! This is so good I am going to link it on my about me page.
The Atlantic | March 2003 | Caring for Your Introvert by Jonathan Rauch
So you know someone who needs hours alone every day? Who loves quiet conversations about feelings or ideas, and can give a dynamite presentation to a big audience, but seems awkward in groups and maladroit at small talk? Who has to be dragged to parties and then needs the rest of the day to recuperate? Who growls or scowls or grunts or winces when accosted with pleasantries by people who are just trying to be nice?
The Atlantic | March 2003 | Caring for Your Introvert by Jonathan Rauch
So you know someone who needs hours alone every day? Who loves quiet conversations about feelings or ideas, and can give a dynamite presentation to a big audience, but seems awkward in groups and maladroit at small talk? Who has to be dragged to parties and then needs the rest of the day to recuperate? Who growls or scowls or grunts or winces when accosted with pleasantries by people who are just trying to be nice?
Guardian Unlimited | Special reports | The Saddam and George show
Humorous account of the potential debate between GW and Saddam. Pretty cute. Via Disordered Affectations.
Humorous account of the potential debate between GW and Saddam. Pretty cute. Via Disordered Affectations.
My Kingdomality Personal Preference Profile is: The Discoverer.
Your distinct personality, The Discoverer, might be found in most of the thriving kingdoms of the time. Your overriding goal is to go where no one else has ever gone before. Regardless of the number of available natural problems to be solved, it is not unusual for you to continually challenge yourself with new situations or obstacles that you have created. You are an insatiable explorer of people, places, things and ideas. You thrive on constant change and anything new or different. On the positive side, you can be creatively rational as well as open minded and just. On the negative side, you might be an impractical and indecisive procrastinator. Interestingly, your preference is just as applicable in today's corporate kingdoms.
Your distinct personality, The Discoverer, might be found in most of the thriving kingdoms of the time. Your overriding goal is to go where no one else has ever gone before. Regardless of the number of available natural problems to be solved, it is not unusual for you to continually challenge yourself with new situations or obstacles that you have created. You are an insatiable explorer of people, places, things and ideas. You thrive on constant change and anything new or different. On the positive side, you can be creatively rational as well as open minded and just. On the negative side, you might be an impractical and indecisive procrastinator. Interestingly, your preference is just as applicable in today's corporate kingdoms.
Mysterium Crucis had a post awhile back on the supreme importance of Benadryl:
"Well, Christmas was a lot more fun this year than last year. None of that bothersome existential despair to throw a wrench in my crass materialism. No need to knock back the maximum allowable dosage of Benadryl to stop from twisting and turning in my sleep, haunted by nightmares of a cold and meaningless universe (Wouldn't that make a great ad? Benadryl: It makes the suicidal nihilism go away!)"
I'm not particularly suicidal or nihilistic lately, but I get no decent sleep without the Benadryl. Instead I spend the night thinking about how behind I am on work assignments. Yuk.
"Well, Christmas was a lot more fun this year than last year. None of that bothersome existential despair to throw a wrench in my crass materialism. No need to knock back the maximum allowable dosage of Benadryl to stop from twisting and turning in my sleep, haunted by nightmares of a cold and meaningless universe (Wouldn't that make a great ad? Benadryl: It makes the suicidal nihilism go away!)"
I'm not particularly suicidal or nihilistic lately, but I get no decent sleep without the Benadryl. Instead I spend the night thinking about how behind I am on work assignments. Yuk.
Paul VI School Dean Resigns Over Photo On Lurid Web Sites (washingtonpost.com)
So are there any non-perv Catholic leaders?
So are there any non-perv Catholic leaders?
Awesome news - Court Rules for Abortion Protesters The Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that federal racketeering and extortion laws were improperly used to punish aggressive anti-abortion protesters, lifting a nationwide injunction that barred people from interfering with clinic business.
Mirror.co.uk - BLAIR SET TO BECOME A CATHOLIC Senior figures in the Catholic Church in England, and friends of the Blairs, say he has wanted to convert for some time but will wait until he leaves office. Mr Blair will have a private audience with Pope John Paul today after his war summit in Rome with Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.
BBC NEWS | World | Asia-Pacific | Philippines bishop bans pregnant brides Bishop Jose Sorra said that for a woman to marry in church when she was visibly pregnant was contrary to the meaning of Christian marriage.
Professor Protests Arrest with Hunger Strike
"I'm crucified today because of who I am, a stateless Palestinian," Al-Arian, 45, said in a statement read by his daughter Leena, 17, at a small rally by his supporters in front of the U.S. courthouse in Tampa. He started his hunger strike when he was arrested on Thursday.
Crucified - that's a good one.
"I'm crucified today because of who I am, a stateless Palestinian," Al-Arian, 45, said in a statement read by his daughter Leena, 17, at a small rally by his supporters in front of the U.S. courthouse in Tampa. He started his hunger strike when he was arrested on Thursday.
Crucified - that's a good one.
CNN.com - Police: Snowball fight led to girl's shooting - Feb. 24, 2003 A man whose daughter was hit with a snowball by a group of girls returned to the scene and opened fire with a gun, critically wounding a 10-year-old youngster, police said.
Yahoo! News - Song Stuck in Your Head? You're Not Alone Songs that topped the list as being most likely to stick around in someone's head included the Baha Men's "Who Let the Dogs Out?" and the Chili's restaurant jingle about Baby Back Ribs.
We had a really nice experience at St. Leo the Great Catholic Church on Sunday. They just renovated the church, but it's very nice, and not destroyed. The tabernacle is in the right place. The people sang along with the music, which was modern but reverent and clearly intended as an aid to prayer. The homily was good - an examination of moral lessons we can extract from the story of the paralytic being lowered through the ceiling to Christ which even mentioned the unrecognized Christian martyrs of Sudan, 2002. Nice job St. Leo.
Must watch this little movie for a laugh. Requires speakers. You will be rewarded by the phrase "burninating the peasants." Thanks Victor for the link.
"Normally, I'd have to go to the bowling alley to meet a woman of your character." - Old Oligarch, in an imaginary conversation with No Doubt's Gwen Stefani
(minutes later)
Old Oligarch illustrates, via a brief dialogue, the challenges faced by the Old Testament patriarch Moses.
(O.O. as Moses:)"And there shall be no sexual union with crabs, or birds, or rocks!"
(O.O. as random Israelite:) "What about birds?"
(Moses:) "NO!"
(minutes later)
Old Oligarch illustrates, via a brief dialogue, the challenges faced by the Old Testament patriarch Moses.
(O.O. as Moses:)"And there shall be no sexual union with crabs, or birds, or rocks!"
(O.O. as random Israelite:) "What about birds?"
(Moses:) "NO!"
Justices Clear Way for Abortion Rules The Supreme Court cleared the way Monday for an Indiana state law that places some of the nation's most severe restrictions on abortions, including requirements that a woman be counseled face-to-face about the risks and offered pictures of what her fetus might look like.
The high court turned down an appeal from abortion clinics in Indiana claiming the in-person counseling sessions would force some women to forgo abortions or to risk their health by postponing the procedure far into pregnancy.
The high court turned down an appeal from abortion clinics in Indiana claiming the in-person counseling sessions would force some women to forgo abortions or to risk their health by postponing the procedure far into pregnancy.
Hit & Run: "I Didn't Realize What All Was in It" The New York Times has a hilarious story describing how members of Congress are only now discovering, to their dismay, the requirements of the "campaign finance reform" law they voted for last year. "We sometimes leave our audiences in a state of complete shock," says a lawyer who teaches the intricacies of McCain-Feingold to Democratic legislators. The seminars elicit "a sort of slack-jawed amazement at how far this thing reached." A lawyer who runs similar sessions for Republicans says, "There's an initial stage where the reaction is, 'This can't be true.' And then there's the actual anger stage."
So... what's on TV tonight?
If you were a room in a house, what room would you be?
Via Chris at Rosa Mystica.
Here's my Tarot Card. Fr. Jim said it was ok.
 |
WATER OF AIR. You're aloof, depressed and seasoned. You'd make a good psychologist, executioner, black widow, arsenic poisoner, heretic queen or commentator. You're too witty for your own good. Have to get up early in the morny morn to fool you, as you spot lies a mile away. And WOE TO THOSE who dare attempt such a stupid move. You're Jamie Lee Curtis in Halloween, when she cuts Michael's head off. You're Anne Robinson, the host of The Weakest Link! |
FT January 2003: The Virtue of Hate - Contrasting the Jewish and Christian perspectives on forgiveness. Really good.
The Lutheran Church Of The Redeemer
This is the church that my maternal grandfather led as pastor for 20+ years. He oversaw the building of the presently standing church.
This is the church that my maternal grandfather led as pastor for 20+ years. He oversaw the building of the presently standing church.
FT February 2003: The Persistence of the Catholic Moment Neuhaus - "The question is whether Catholicism will be Catholic."
The Crisis of Liberal Catholicism - Here is the symposium and article by Peter Steinfels referred to by Neuhaus in the piece above.
The Crisis of Liberal Catholicism - Here is the symposium and article by Peter Steinfels referred to by Neuhaus in the piece above.
The Party of Unbelievers THE RELIGION GAP--the tendency of religious conservatives to vote Republican and of atheists, agnostics, and non-churchgoers to vote Democratic--is large, relatively new, and systematically underreported in the media. For while half the story, the GOP activism of religious traditionalists, is boringly familiar, the other half, the secularists' preference for the Democrats, passes nearly unnoticed in the prestige press.
Via the not-dead Little Latin, Less Greek.
Via the not-dead Little Latin, Less Greek.
Russia Faces Abortion's Complications (washingtonpost.com) Used as Birth Control in Soviet Times, Practice Has Led to Widespread Infertility
Flappers 2 Rappers The Roman Senate is jumpin' salty all over the place so Mark the Spark showed on the scene, faced all the studs, wild and other wise, and shook up the whole Scene as he BLEW:
Hipsters, Flipsters, and Finger-Poppin' Daddies
Knock me your lobes!
I came here to lay Caesar out,
Not to hip you to him.
The bad jazz that a cat blows,
Wails long after he's cut out.
The groovy, is often stashed with their frames,
So don't put Caesar down.
Hipsters, Flipsters, and Finger-Poppin' Daddies
Knock me your lobes!
I came here to lay Caesar out,
Not to hip you to him.
The bad jazz that a cat blows,
Wails long after he's cut out.
The groovy, is often stashed with their frames,
So don't put Caesar down.
Death Toll Rises to 95 in R.I. Club Fire The governor praised rescue workers for their professionalism at the emotional scene.
"Every time they bring someone out, they stop, take off their helmets, with the chaplain and they are praying over each individual person," Carcieri said.
I wonder how many people would agree that this is professional behavior.
"Every time they bring someone out, they stop, take off their helmets, with the chaplain and they are praying over each individual person," Carcieri said.
I wonder how many people would agree that this is professional behavior.
Democrats riled by race-, gender-biased bake sale The sale, held on Bruin Walk on Feb. 3, offered cookies at different prices depending on the customer's race and gender. Black, Latina and American Indian females were charged 25 cents for cookies that cost males of minority descent 50 cents. White females were charged $1, and white males and all Asian Americans were charged $2.
Students selling the cookies were assigned name tags portraying them as "Uncle Tom," "The White Oppressor" and "Self-Hating Hispanic Race Traitor."
Students selling the cookies were assigned name tags portraying them as "Uncle Tom," "The White Oppressor" and "Self-Hating Hispanic Race Traitor."
Alan Boyle's Cosmic Log When bad things might happen: What’s the best way to handle planning for low-probability, high-impact events like an asteroid strike ... or a terror attack?
In my husband's blog post on his high score on the vocab test circulating through the blogosphere, there is a misspelled word. Can you find it?
So sue me. I was hungry!!!
Hungry Wild Hogs Damage Fla. Town
PALM CITY, Fla. (AP) - Palm City has gone hog wild. Hordes of huge, hungry, wild hogs have been running rampant in this town 35 miles north of West Palm Beach, scarring yards as they search for worms and roots and causing thousands of dollars in damage.
Hungry Wild Hogs Damage Fla. Town
PALM CITY, Fla. (AP) - Palm City has gone hog wild. Hordes of huge, hungry, wild hogs have been running rampant in this town 35 miles north of West Palm Beach, scarring yards as they search for worms and roots and causing thousands of dollars in damage.
Study Finds Ghost at N.C. Statehouse
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - A haunted Statehouse? Paranormal researchers who set up shop in the state Capitol in November have released findings that include a sighting of a specter in Reconstruction-era clothing sitting in the third chair in the third row of the old House chambers.
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - A haunted Statehouse? Paranormal researchers who set up shop in the state Capitol in November have released findings that include a sighting of a specter in Reconstruction-era clothing sitting in the third chair in the third row of the old House chambers.
Culture & Lifestyle Vatican Opens Files From Start of Nazi Period
Later records won't be released for several years
In an effort to address critics who say the church didn't do enough to stop the horrors of the Holocaust, the Vatican is opening its archives from 1922 to 1939.
Later records won't be released for several years
In an effort to address critics who say the church didn't do enough to stop the horrors of the Holocaust, the Vatican is opening its archives from 1922 to 1939.
WNDU-TV: News Story: St. Mary's says funding pro-choice trip was wrong - February 14, 2003 Some students support the funding, like Lauren O'Brien. "I think it's a good idea, aside from the fact we're a Catholic college and not suppose to believe in abortion."
Mary Watrobka says St. Mary's is not just a Catholic college. It's also a women's college.
Wow.
Mary Watrobka says St. Mary's is not just a Catholic college. It's also a women's college.
Wow.
Unspeakable Conversations If you read only one thing this week, make it this - a Not Dead Yet activist's reflections on a series of interactions with Peter Singer.
French Get Taste of American Hostility at DC Rally -- 02/14/2003 (CNSNews.com) - The French Embassy in Washington, D.C, was the site of protests Thursday, as dozens of American college students asked France to end its obstructionism at the U.N. Security Council regarding how to deal with Iraq and its dictator, Saddam Hussein.
The students, mostly from nearby American University and Georgetown University, waved flags, held signs, sang patriotic songs and led chats. Several people driving by honked their horns and yelled out their support, although the students were met with some disapproval.
The students, mostly from nearby American University and Georgetown University, waved flags, held signs, sang patriotic songs and led chats. Several people driving by honked their horns and yelled out their support, although the students were met with some disapproval.
Google Buys Web Publishing Tool Blogger Internet search company Google Inc. has agreed to acquire Pyra Labs, the handful of Web developers who helped jump-start the personal publishing phenomenon known as blogging, Pyra's founder said on Sunday.
Yahoo! News - Living without oil Good overview of the topic. Here's a fun quote from the article: Cornell University scientist David Pimentel, author of a study showing ethanol consumes more energy than it produces, calls it "unsustainable, subsidized food burning."
Eve Tushnet would never read my blog. Her blog has gotten too big, and she's forgotten all about us little people. Right Eve?
Single supporter braves snow to hear Moseley-Braun speech
If Carol Moseley-Braun means what she says about campaigning for president in Iowa one voter at a time, Tom Hanson had all of her attention Saturday.
If Carol Moseley-Braun means what she says about campaigning for president in Iowa one voter at a time, Tom Hanson had all of her attention Saturday.
The Salt Lake Tribune -- More U.S. Women Edging Closer to Combat Positions She had thought she would be around awhile with her husband and 2-year-old son, guarding the general's office. Then the call came last month asking if her bags were packed.
Marty Haugen will be performing a concert at St. John the Evangelist Parish - Silver Spring, MD on 2/21 at 7:30 pm. I think it might be time for a good old-fashioned protest, with signs like:
Choose one:
"Not in the dark of buildings confining,
Not in some heaven, light years away,
But here in this place the new light is shining,
Now is the Kingdom, now is the day. '- Haugen
OR
Heaven is the ultimate end and fulfillment of the deepest human longings, the state of supreme, definitive happiness.
- The Catechism of the Catholic Church
Choose one:
"Not in the dark of buildings confining,
Not in some heaven, light years away,
But here in this place the new light is shining,
Now is the Kingdom, now is the day. '- Haugen
OR
Heaven is the ultimate end and fulfillment of the deepest human longings, the state of supreme, definitive happiness.
- The Catechism of the Catholic Church
Another Mass ruined by a selfish idiot, who caused me to commit several sins just thinking about the noise his/her child made throughout the entire Mass.
The situation is different if there is one poor parent (usually the mom) attending Mass with more than one child. If one child is being loud, in this case, it's hard for the parent to leave without rounding up all the kids and creating even more of a ruckus.
However, in every case of scream-itis I have seen, either two parents are present, or there are only one or two children. In this situation, it's extremely easy for one parent to get up with the screaming child and leave. Why they don't do this, but rather sit there, as if dead, while the child climbs over them, banging on the pew, etc, I will never understand.
Others have made the point that if one says something to the parent involved, that person may leave the parish and even the Church. What of all the other parishioners who leave the parish, and even the Church, seeking a community of respectful reverent people who make an effort to silence their children in God's house?
The situation is different if there is one poor parent (usually the mom) attending Mass with more than one child. If one child is being loud, in this case, it's hard for the parent to leave without rounding up all the kids and creating even more of a ruckus.
However, in every case of scream-itis I have seen, either two parents are present, or there are only one or two children. In this situation, it's extremely easy for one parent to get up with the screaming child and leave. Why they don't do this, but rather sit there, as if dead, while the child climbs over them, banging on the pew, etc, I will never understand.
Others have made the point that if one says something to the parent involved, that person may leave the parish and even the Church. What of all the other parishioners who leave the parish, and even the Church, seeking a community of respectful reverent people who make an effort to silence their children in God's house?
News Shoot-'em-up computer games are more complex and subtle than many people think and are positively good for players, according to researchers who say there is a "deep community" and culture surrounding the software.
ABCNEWS.com : Surgeon: Michael Jackson A 'Nasal Cripple' Using a photograph from Michael Jackson's youth, computer experts produced an artificially "aged" image showing what he might have looked like at the age of 44.
Zorak, on seeing a sign for GIANT BOOK SALE: "Hmm, I wonder if that's a giant book sale or a sale of giant books."
O.O.: "Maybe the books are about giants."
(later)
O.O.: "That particular pet salon is not a place where dogs are groomed, but rather a place where dogs sit around and discuss the latest trends in continental philosophy."
O.O.: "Maybe the books are about giants."
(later)
O.O.: "That particular pet salon is not a place where dogs are groomed, but rather a place where dogs sit around and discuss the latest trends in continental philosophy."
Most-Married Woman in Ohio Wed 10 Times - Connie Post has seen an awful lot of dresses, wedding cakes and bouquet tosses.
No big surprise: Post, wed 10 times, is apparently Ohio's most-married woman.
"I do believe in marriage and I think the way I've lived my life proves it," she said.
No big surprise: Post, wed 10 times, is apparently Ohio's most-married woman.
"I do believe in marriage and I think the way I've lived my life proves it," she said.
Sea Lions Alex and Zachary Guard U.S. Ships
MANAMA (Reuters) - Despite having cutting-edge technology and weaponry, the United States Navy has turned to two California sea lions named Alex and Zachary to help protect its ships in Gulf waters off the coast of Bahrain.
Naval officials said Tuesday the sea lions would be used to locate and mark divers or swimmers that could pose a threat to U.S. warships off Bahrain, headquarters of the navy's Fifth Fleet.
The sea lions have been trained to carry a special clamp in their mouths which they can attach to a suspicious person.
MANAMA (Reuters) - Despite having cutting-edge technology and weaponry, the United States Navy has turned to two California sea lions named Alex and Zachary to help protect its ships in Gulf waters off the coast of Bahrain.
Naval officials said Tuesday the sea lions would be used to locate and mark divers or swimmers that could pose a threat to U.S. warships off Bahrain, headquarters of the navy's Fifth Fleet.
The sea lions have been trained to carry a special clamp in their mouths which they can attach to a suspicious person.
The Leaven: The Newspaper for the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas on the priest shortage. Again via Mark Shea.
beliefnet: Seven Heroes, Seven Faiths A look at the astronauts' different spiritual paths--and their communities' different ways of mourning.
Via Mark Shea.
Via Mark Shea.
We went to Holy Transfiguration Melkite Greek-Catholic Church today, where I was introduced to Paul Weyrich, the proto-deacon there. He summed up the church's philosophy as "more incense, less nonsense." We'll probably attend again in the future, as it is good n' orthodox and very close by.
A number of bloggers have been posting their five guilty pleasures. When I first considered doing this, I thought: "Maybe it would be easier to post five non-guilty pleasures." But here goes:
1.COPS (the TV show) - I love watching stupid people get arrested, especially those who think the cop will buy the excuse that "This is my friend's cocaine/illegal gun/stolen car."
2. Music:
New Wave/Techno/Electronic music such as Devo, New Order, Moby, Orbital, Depeche Mode.
Blues/Country such as Robert Johnson (any man who sings a song called "Dead Shrimp Blues" is all right by me), Johnny Cash, Muddy Waters, CCR (ok, the genre's bleeding out a bit).
Third category that I can't give a good name to: The Pixies, The Breeders, The White Stripes, Beck (I guess I could stretch it and throw in Led Zeppelin).
3. Animals. I freaked out a colleague who asked me what my ideal job would be when I told him running a "retirement home" for old greyhounds. (Keep in mind that given the job context, a number of my other potential ideal job candidates weren't the best response to give at that time.) (His response was teaching theater to high school students. See, I can work with ANYONE.) I love animals - dogs, cats, chickens, llamas, bunnies, turtles, ducks, pigeons, etc. Basically any animal that is mildly intelligent and not poisonous is great fun. What makes this a guilty pleasure? Nine times out of ten, I prefer animals to people.
4. Making promises I know I will not keep. That's a particularly bad one. This guilty pleasure is highly correlated with the guilty pleasure of sleeping too much.
5. Awful puns.
1.COPS (the TV show) - I love watching stupid people get arrested, especially those who think the cop will buy the excuse that "This is my friend's cocaine/illegal gun/stolen car."
2. Music:
New Wave/Techno/Electronic music such as Devo, New Order, Moby, Orbital, Depeche Mode.
Blues/Country such as Robert Johnson (any man who sings a song called "Dead Shrimp Blues" is all right by me), Johnny Cash, Muddy Waters, CCR (ok, the genre's bleeding out a bit).
Third category that I can't give a good name to: The Pixies, The Breeders, The White Stripes, Beck (I guess I could stretch it and throw in Led Zeppelin).
3. Animals. I freaked out a colleague who asked me what my ideal job would be when I told him running a "retirement home" for old greyhounds. (Keep in mind that given the job context, a number of my other potential ideal job candidates weren't the best response to give at that time.) (His response was teaching theater to high school students. See, I can work with ANYONE.) I love animals - dogs, cats, chickens, llamas, bunnies, turtles, ducks, pigeons, etc. Basically any animal that is mildly intelligent and not poisonous is great fun. What makes this a guilty pleasure? Nine times out of ten, I prefer animals to people.
4. Making promises I know I will not keep. That's a particularly bad one. This guilty pleasure is highly correlated with the guilty pleasure of sleeping too much.
5. Awful puns.
O.O. says: "I'm the white Prince." (Rethinks.) "That doesn't go on the blog."
Zorak: "Oh, yes it does."
(Two minutes later) O.O.: "Fromage is the only French word that isn't dirty."
Zorak: "Oh, yes it does."
(Two minutes later) O.O.: "Fromage is the only French word that isn't dirty."
O.O.'s response to seeing the Homeland Security logo for the first time: "Stop that, I'm changing!"
What NOT to do at the company happy hour: Our company has a number of happy hours to celebrate various things, which include company-provided alcohol and snacks. At the last one, an anonymous staff member was found 5 hours after the event ended by the late-night maintenance staff, passed out naked in one of the conference rooms. How does one explain that one to the boss?
My theory about the media's coverage of criticism of the Harry Potter books and efforts to promote strict theories of creationism is that they are two of the most stupid arguments put forward by Christians. Hiding behind "the media's duty to cover all sides of an issue," the media is covering all sides of those issues on which the "Christian" perspective is backward or uninformed, while failing to provide balanced reporting on those issues on which Christian perspectives are more nuanced, challenging, and important.
Finally getting around to this:
The space program, as far as I can see, is designed to construct unbelievably expensive machines and launch them into space, where they explode, malfunction or lose contact with Earth. It is even less valuable than the nation's education program. If space exploration and research are so valuable, then all the people and companies who benefit from it should fund it. It is not a role of the government except insofar as it advances military research, and insofar as it does we can fund it. However, launching John Glenn into space so that the Baby Boomers can feel good about their golden years is Right Out.
That said, obviously it's a sad thing that several bright people died last week. But that tragedy shouldn't drive us into continued blindness about the actual value of investing in the space program.
The space program, as far as I can see, is designed to construct unbelievably expensive machines and launch them into space, where they explode, malfunction or lose contact with Earth. It is even less valuable than the nation's education program. If space exploration and research are so valuable, then all the people and companies who benefit from it should fund it. It is not a role of the government except insofar as it advances military research, and insofar as it does we can fund it. However, launching John Glenn into space so that the Baby Boomers can feel good about their golden years is Right Out.
That said, obviously it's a sad thing that several bright people died last week. But that tragedy shouldn't drive us into continued blindness about the actual value of investing in the space program.
PETA's Peace Plan (washingtonpost.com)
Our friends at People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals have outdone themselves this time, sending a deferential letter to Yasser Arafat about a Jan. 26 Jerusalem bombing in which a donkey -- but no human beings -- died after being strapped with explosives and detonated.
"Your Excellency," PETA President Ingrid Newkirk wrote in the note faxed on Monday to Arafat's headquarters in Ramallah. "We have received many calls and letters from people shocked at the bombing. . . . All nations behave abominably in many ways when they are fighting their enemies, and animals are always caught in the crossfire. The U.S. Army abandoned thousands of loyal service dogs in Vietnam. Al-Qaeda and the British government have both used animals in hideously cruel biological weaponry tests. We watched on television as stray cats in your own compound fled as best they could from the Israeli bulldozers. . . . If you have the opportunity, will you please add to your burdens my request that you appeal to all those who listen to you to leave the animals out of this conflict?"
Yesterday we asked Newkirk if she considered asking Arafat to persuade those who listen to him to stop blowing up people as well. "It's not my business to inject myself into human wars," she replied.
Via The Rat.
Also, on the same page, James Carville is referred to as a "shouting head" (rather than a "talking head.") Wish I had thought of that one.
Our friends at People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals have outdone themselves this time, sending a deferential letter to Yasser Arafat about a Jan. 26 Jerusalem bombing in which a donkey -- but no human beings -- died after being strapped with explosives and detonated.
"Your Excellency," PETA President Ingrid Newkirk wrote in the note faxed on Monday to Arafat's headquarters in Ramallah. "We have received many calls and letters from people shocked at the bombing. . . . All nations behave abominably in many ways when they are fighting their enemies, and animals are always caught in the crossfire. The U.S. Army abandoned thousands of loyal service dogs in Vietnam. Al-Qaeda and the British government have both used animals in hideously cruel biological weaponry tests. We watched on television as stray cats in your own compound fled as best they could from the Israeli bulldozers. . . . If you have the opportunity, will you please add to your burdens my request that you appeal to all those who listen to you to leave the animals out of this conflict?"
Yesterday we asked Newkirk if she considered asking Arafat to persuade those who listen to him to stop blowing up people as well. "It's not my business to inject myself into human wars," she replied.
Via The Rat.
Also, on the same page, James Carville is referred to as a "shouting head" (rather than a "talking head.") Wish I had thought of that one.
TownHall.com: Conservative Columnists: Jacob Sullum - Right after Eve and I were discussing the theory of jury nullification, Jacob Sullum takes it on. Good read.
Christianity Today Magazine - God's Own Dictionary You won't believe the words that didn't exist until the first English translations of the Bible.
Christianity Today Magazine - Saving Black Babies Abortion has cost 13 million African American lives.
Christianity Today Magazine - Heresy at Wheaton? Student finds theological error in school's statement of faith.
NBCSandiego.com - Family - Pope Warns Against 'Inauthentic' Families
Church Officials Preach At World Conference On Families
POSTED: 10:54 a.m. EST January 27, 2003
VATICAN CITY -- Pope John Paul II is warning against what he calls "inauthentic" versions of family, stressing that marriage between a man and woman is the only true basis for a family in God's eyes.
The pope made the comments after the conclusion of the Roman Catholic world conference on families in the Philippines, where church officials preached against divorce, abortion and gay marriage.
The pontiff, speaking from his studio window above St. Peter's Square, said a family that isn't based on traditional marriage is an inauthentic "caricature" that cannot offer humanity life, hope or a future.
Church Officials Preach At World Conference On Families
POSTED: 10:54 a.m. EST January 27, 2003
VATICAN CITY -- Pope John Paul II is warning against what he calls "inauthentic" versions of family, stressing that marriage between a man and woman is the only true basis for a family in God's eyes.
The pope made the comments after the conclusion of the Roman Catholic world conference on families in the Philippines, where church officials preached against divorce, abortion and gay marriage.
The pontiff, speaking from his studio window above St. Peter's Square, said a family that isn't based on traditional marriage is an inauthentic "caricature" that cannot offer humanity life, hope or a future.
ABCNEWS.com : Feminists Call for Ban on Abortion Michaelene Jenkins has always considered herself a feminist, but 18 years ago she stopped believing that abortion should be legal — after she had one herself
Can XM Put Radio Back Together Again? (TechNews.com) Can XM Put Radio Back Together Again?
Heard Avril Lavigne's 'Complicated' just a wee bit too often? You can thank Lee Abrams, the man who shackled FM radio to the tyranny of mass market research. The 'Moses of programming,' they call him.
Heard Avril Lavigne's 'Complicated' just a wee bit too often? You can thank Lee Abrams, the man who shackled FM radio to the tyranny of mass market research. The 'Moses of programming,' they call him.
Online Work Balances Play, Survey Finds (TechNews.com) Employees with Internet access at home spend more time there doing work for their companies than they spend online for personal reasons at their offices, a survey released yesterday found.
OpinionJournal - HOUSES OF WORSHIP The existence of profanity is odd evidence of the persistence of religion even for people who think they are secular. Cursing rests on the assumption that the spiritual realm is real. It is ironic to hear people who do not believe in God continually invoking him in their speech. Those who believe that, if there is a God, he is nonjudgmental and omni-nice can be heard calling down divine wrath on persons and things that make them angry. Meanwhile, status-conscious teenagers and fastidious socialites use barnyard imagery that used to mark the vulgar and déclassé.
Words have meaning, even if those who use them do not know what it is.
Words have meaning, even if those who use them do not know what it is.
Back now. Sorry Victor for the lack of posting. Unfortunately work tomorrow will be nuts I'm sure, so probably not too much posting then. In the meantime could I ask anyone with a spare moment to pray for two people I know, one with physical illness and one with emotional pain. A Hail Mary would be really helpful, as both are at the point where nothing but God's love will be able to assist.
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