Too much negativity; I could rant for hours about the messy headlines, (how does the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces not mention the murder of one of his soldiers?) but not now. Here’s some good news:
This is very cool: Our friend, Michael DC Bowen makes a surprising announcement:
If the notion in my mind finds footing it will be that my primary place of online interaction will be at First Things as I slowly put this blog to rest. I think I will find it necessary at times to expand on various ideas that come into my head and for the sake of my own citizenship’s amenuensis go on about something here. But of all the blogs I’ve read and all the communities I’ve seen online over the past decade, this one holds the most promise.
I have been a fan of the “old school Cobb” blog for a long time, as evidenced by the blogroll. Mr. Bowen is absurdly smart and a writer of surpassing skill. I have been humbled and flattered to know he’s read me from time-to-time, and can’t wait to see what he comes up with as he puts “Cobb” to bed. Can’t say I am surprised to find him attracted to First Things, though. Mind on mind kindles warmth.
Catholic Media Awards:Faith and Family informs us that voting has begun!. Yer humble Anchoress is nominated in a couple of categories (including “Most Informative Podcasts” which I think is sort of odd, but sort of nice, too; I actually do plan on getting back to the podcasts as soon as I’m better organized!) You have to register in order to vote, and may only vote once, so – there you go.
Congratulations to Deacon Greg Kandra who has won A Catholic Press Association Award for his piece in America Magazine, which you’ll find here.
Greg has other big doings going on. His nightly news broadcast for The Diocese of Brooklyn and New Evangelization Television banged out its debut episode last night, and it seems to have scored a home-run! Check out this feature! I told you NET really is Good TV!
The Mystic Monks: Not only purveyors of liquid crack, but generous, good guys, too. See? When you buy Mystic Monk Coffee you spread the love. And you get a great cup of java, too.
Okay, not wholly good news. A thought-provoking question. And a bit of a linkfest from Mary Katharine Ham.
I love her name. If I’d had a daughter, she’d have been Mary Katharine!
**How does the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces not mention the murder of one of his soldiers?**
Because to address the matter is to:
(a) have to confront the fact that this was, not merely murder, but an act of terrorism
(b) that such terrorism was committed by a radical Islamist
(c) and that the fact that the FBI was watching him demonstrates the catastrophic failure of his return to a September 10, law enforcement approach to fighting terrorism
Besides, he’s too busy giving his imprimatur to the nuclearization of Iran and making preparations for the Bow and Apology Tour II, the Islamic Version
MOREOVER — Since finding the story in the MSM is so difficult, why talk about it? After all, if the MSM doesn’t report it, it didn’t happen.
And how does the Anchoress not mention the murder of George Tiller? Since we are invited to assume that Obama is indifferent to the death of a military recruiter, are we to draw a like conclusion about Elizabeth Scalia’s callous attitude toward Tiller’s murder?
Answer: No, and no.
[The Anchoress is not the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of whom one under her command has been slain. But to answer your question, I haven't remarked on Tiller because - you may have noticed - I've had some serious problems with the blog and have kept my writing to an absolute minimum. For that matter, I was wholly offline for a few days and was late to the news at all, but when I heard of it I immediately denounced the killing (albeit on Twitter) and prayed for Tiller's family, and for his murderer. Were I president and Commander-in-Chief, you can be sure that I would comment on BOTH slayings in timely fashion. It took Obama less than a day to denounce (rightly) Tiller's murder. But it's been a couple days now, and he still has nothing to say about the slaying of one of his troops. What does it say? I have drawn no conclusions (which makes me wonder at your need for snark). I didn't even "invite" an assumption of callousness...I simply asked what it means when a president ignores such a murder. But it does seem obvious that one murder was a political gift that was immediately exploited, and the other was "messy" and so ignored. Obama - as CIC - owes the family of a man under his commend a public statement that is at least as "griefstricken" as the one he made for Tiller. Or don't you agree? Do you think it is perfectly right for the CIC to say nothing when one of his soldiers is killed in a recruiting station? The Murder of George Tiller is still a top story on the CNN website. The murder of a soldier has disappeared, and you probably do not know his name (it is Long), but theh Tiller murder is going to be used to indict all Christians, while the Long murder will be buried to (presumably) protect Muslims. You'll note that on NPR, when the story was reported, the killers name was not mentioned, and NPR said - vaguely - that "the killing was partially motivated by religion" but made no mention was made of WHICH religion which leaves anyone free to imagine that some mad "Christianist" killed Long, as well. These are the folks you admire, leaving the story half-told, or burying one story (and excusing a CIC falling down on the job) while pushing another one to the nation's detriment. There, Rand...have I written enough to satisfy, now? I wonder if you might understand, vaguely, even, why I am all out of patience with the president and his slobbering press? Admin]
Dear Miss A,
Way to go!
Regards,
Sarah
That guy better put some ice on that… don’t you think, dear Anchoress?
Obama delayed so long on his response to the soldier that I’m wondering if money had something to do with this. Let me explain. I said “money” in the sense that Tiller probably gave thousands of dollars to The One’s campaign. The poor soldier barely had two dollars to rub together (no one goes to serve the country to become rich), and probably didn’t even have any to pay for his own casket.