Fun little graphic. Go ahead, scare yourself: hit "Play".
Thursday, July 01, 2010
Map and Estimates of the Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico - Interactive Map - NYTimes.com
Map and Estimates of the Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico - Interactive Map - NYTimes.com
Monday, February 08, 2010
Friday, February 05, 2010
Wednesday, February 03, 2010
Tuesday, February 02, 2010
Thanks to those who commented
Well, a couple of folks have commented on an old post in the blog. And one spammer (whose comment I deleted).
I'm not sure I completely believe that the blogger who commented isn't a spammer, but I didn't get suspicious until recently, after I had already restarted this blog (I hope it stays restarted).
However, that notwithstanding... thanks, y'all!
I'm not sure I completely believe that the blogger who commented isn't a spammer, but I didn't get suspicious until recently, after I had already restarted this blog (I hope it stays restarted).
However, that notwithstanding... thanks, y'all!
Monday, February 01, 2010
The Prayer Thing Again
sigh
Sad, sad story.
So. Where do we stand on prayer?
If we take the approach that it's a quaint sort of custom or a metaphor or a ritual of some sort, it seems to me that we're denying that we can ask God for something and expect/hope to get it. It seems to me that robs us of something, a direct connection to God as personal caretaker who acts in this world.
I don't think I want God to be so distant that prayer doesn't work.
On the other hand, God gave us brains and free will and we've figured some stuff out, like how to cure some cancers and other diseases and how to fly.
There's that old joke, the punchline to which is, "Well, I sent you the rowboat, and I sent you the helicopter. What more did you want?"
Do we use prayer as a last resort? Do we use prayer in conjuction with secular techniques we've discovered? That sounds reasonable to me.
Oh, and on the legalities: My instinct is that adults who do this sort of thing with their children are neglectful and should be held (criminally) responsible. (Adults who get bitten by snakes and want to rely on prayer are on their own, but when kids are involved....) Of course, that could be a bit of a slippery road. If adults are held legally responsible like this in how they care for their kids, do we reach into the womb with that law? Ai yi yi, tricky.
Lemme toss this out: http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=132113932
In other words: it ain't murder (assuming you get your law from the Old Testament, which a lot of conservatives seem to do, when they quote the Ten Commandments).
Sad, sad story.
So. Where do we stand on prayer?
If we take the approach that it's a quaint sort of custom or a metaphor or a ritual of some sort, it seems to me that we're denying that we can ask God for something and expect/hope to get it. It seems to me that robs us of something, a direct connection to God as personal caretaker who acts in this world.
I don't think I want God to be so distant that prayer doesn't work.
On the other hand, God gave us brains and free will and we've figured some stuff out, like how to cure some cancers and other diseases and how to fly.
There's that old joke, the punchline to which is, "Well, I sent you the rowboat, and I sent you the helicopter. What more did you want?"
Do we use prayer as a last resort? Do we use prayer in conjuction with secular techniques we've discovered? That sounds reasonable to me.
Oh, and on the legalities: My instinct is that adults who do this sort of thing with their children are neglectful and should be held (criminally) responsible. (Adults who get bitten by snakes and want to rely on prayer are on their own, but when kids are involved....) Of course, that could be a bit of a slippery road. If adults are held legally responsible like this in how they care for their kids, do we reach into the womb with that law? Ai yi yi, tricky.
Lemme toss this out: http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=132113932
Exodus 21:22
When people who are fighting injure a pregnant woman so that there is a miscarriage, and yet no further harm follows, the one responsible shall be fined what the woman’s husband demands, paying as much as the judges determine.
In other words: it ain't murder (assuming you get your law from the Old Testament, which a lot of conservatives seem to do, when they quote the Ten Commandments).
No Likee LI Icon in this Template
Template is Blogspot's "Scribe" template, which I generally like, except for that "flower" list icon. Wish I knew how to change it back.
Update: solution is CSS
Update: solution is CSS
list-style: disc inside none;The "inside" is key for the Scribe stylesheet.
More about this blog
So, I've decided to try to start blogging again. Got caught up in life for a while, but I'm going to try to reserve a little time for musing in writing.
Intended blog contents:
Intended blog contents:
- Religion
- Current events
- Technology
In spite of the dramatic title (which I choose to retain), this is not going to be the bare-all blog, so my personal whinings and whatnot will be mostly kept out, I hope. Except, you know... religion is kinda personal.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Possible Democratic voters prefer MCCAIN??
So, I've heard a couple of times of possible Democratic voters who are vaguely dissatisfied with the field of Democratic candidates stating that they'll vote for McCain, as if he's the closest Republican candidate.
What the heck??
Are these people paying attention? Are they real Democrats? How many Democratic voters are crypto-Republicans, NIMBY Democrats? People (you) need to engage in the issues and get traction and realize that if you don't cough up some sort of sacrifice, this country (and world) will continue its slide into evil. You know that thing about evil flourishing when good people stand by.
Sorry. I don't feel like cleaning that up. Where are Amos and Micah when you need them?
What the heck??
Are these people paying attention? Are they real Democrats? How many Democratic voters are crypto-Republicans, NIMBY Democrats? People (you) need to engage in the issues and get traction and realize that if you don't cough up some sort of sacrifice, this country (and world) will continue its slide into evil. You know that thing about evil flourishing when good people stand by.
Sorry. I don't feel like cleaning that up. Where are Amos and Micah when you need them?
Monday, January 28, 2008
Getting Tired of Post-
So, I heard the term "post-racial" used to describe Democratic party politics on NPR today.
I have to say, I'm tired of "post-" this and "neo-" that.
I have to say, I'm tired of "post-" this and "neo-" that.
Cisco's Big Switch - Forbes.com
Cisco's Big Switch - Forbes.com
The return of the Glass House. Will Microsoft be the new IBM, or will its competitors use this development to edge them out? Are we always destined for "good enough", where "good enough" is usually far short of what could be?
The return of the Glass House. Will Microsoft be the new IBM, or will its competitors use this development to edge them out? Are we always destined for "good enough", where "good enough" is usually far short of what could be?
Sunday, January 27, 2008
The world is destroying itself
Just read an essay in the October Harper's on "disaster capitalism". It's basically about the systematic pitting of the haves against the have-nots.
I just heard back-to-back news stories on the BBC (radio) of the violence in Kenya (which I think is regarded as Africa's most "civilized" nation, apart from South Africa) and violence in India between Hindu nationalists and Christians.
And I'm thinking of ethnic "cleansing" (as if) in places around the world.
And I'm wondering if that sort of thing will ever to this nation (the United States). My next-door neighbors are a couple in which he is white and she is Indian (or Pakistani, maybe).
Do we (the world) have to go through this? Is the Age of Enlightenment over? Or has it simply not reached into every corner of the world yet?
Are evil times coming? What sort of world will my children live in?
What should I do in prep for this? Build relationships with people like me (white)? Establish a better relationship with God/Jesus and prepare to follow in His footsteps, meaning: I should be ready to sacrifice myself for what's right?
I just heard back-to-back news stories on the BBC (radio) of the violence in Kenya (which I think is regarded as Africa's most "civilized" nation, apart from South Africa) and violence in India between Hindu nationalists and Christians.
And I'm thinking of ethnic "cleansing" (as if) in places around the world.
And I'm wondering if that sort of thing will ever to this nation (the United States). My next-door neighbors are a couple in which he is white and she is Indian (or Pakistani, maybe).
Do we (the world) have to go through this? Is the Age of Enlightenment over? Or has it simply not reached into every corner of the world yet?
Are evil times coming? What sort of world will my children live in?
What should I do in prep for this? Build relationships with people like me (white)? Establish a better relationship with God/Jesus and prepare to follow in His footsteps, meaning: I should be ready to sacrifice myself for what's right?
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Prayer in church last Sunday
Went to church with my parents last Sunday. Presbyterian church in a conservative-ish middle-class city in North Carolina (no, they're not all conservative and middle-class, but this one is).
This was the prayer that Sunday, and I like it so much I'm putting it in here:
This was the prayer that Sunday, and I like it so much I'm putting it in here:
O God of such truth as sweeps away all lies, of such grace as shrivels all excuses, come now to find us for we have lost ourselves in a shuffle of disguises and the rattle of empty words. We withdraw in arrogance, hide in timidity, disappear in fear rather than reaching out in hope, engaging in humility, risking in faith. Let your mercy move in and through us now, freeing us to love honesty [honestly?], live joyfully, and claim the audacious revolution of Christ and your kingdom. Amen.
Myths of postmodernity and the Emergent Church
Myths of postmodernity and the Emergent Church
Ok, commentses as I reads.
He sez:
I sez: People in the 3rd world, baby. "Postmodernism" is just that: post modern. Take a look at Uganda or Peru or Appalachia.
He sez:
I sez: Hmm, can we distinguish between "I like" and "I'm comfortable"? I think we would all like things to be less chaotic and more predictable, but maybe some can find a way to function and make progress in chaos.
Actually, come to think of it, I think there might be a famous Rudyard Kipling poem about this. Something about "...then you'll be a man, my son." Kind of off-putting, but isn't that about making progress in chaos? And isn't it from the 19th century?
He sez:
The rest of the thing is actually pretty good, and, no, I'm not damning with faint praise.
Ok, commentses as I reads.
He sez:
If we are trying to figure out postmodernity, we really have only the first part. Who truly can stand outside of the context?
I sez: People in the 3rd world, baby. "Postmodernism" is just that: post modern. Take a look at Uganda or Peru or Appalachia.
He sez:
The Postmodern response is, “Exactly, and we like it that way!”
I sez: Hmm, can we distinguish between "I like" and "I'm comfortable"? I think we would all like things to be less chaotic and more predictable, but maybe some can find a way to function and make progress in chaos.
Actually, come to think of it, I think there might be a famous Rudyard Kipling poem about this. Something about "...then you'll be a man, my son." Kind of off-putting, but isn't that about making progress in chaos? And isn't it from the 19th century?
He sez:
I sez: I don't know why he put that in there. I totally believe one can "become" postmodern. If postmodernism flows from modernism, then we can become postmodern. I understand the rest of his text about checking off checkboxes and following procedures. As long as you want to be Zen, you can't be. So? Does that mean you can't achieve it? No.Myth: One can become a Postmodern.
Reality: You can try, but it is difficult.
The rest of the thing is actually pretty good, and, no, I'm not damning with faint praise.
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