In some quarters of the modern Catholic world, it appears that abortion, while still technically a sin, isn’t anything we can’t respectfully agree to disagree over. I get that it’s complex. I understand the emotions involved. I don’t condemn those who struggle, or who have been thrust into the issue of abortion through no fault of their own. With that said, there’s a difference between that and saying people who are Catholic or Christian and who lobby for abortion rights... Read more
Is looked at here. I haven’t put much thought into the goings on in France. Like most European countries, France is secular, liberal and generally free. But like most European countries, that sense of freedom is a little different than the open ended, anything and everything freedom that the U.S. possesses. Even when people talk about doing something like this in America, it’s outrage from shore to shore. It actually happened in France. Of course they backed off, because the... Read more
American Style: We watched this with our youngest while back, and my older boys – having come in contact with modern educational standards – dropped their jaws. We had it when they were little, but didn’t watch it that much. When we watched it this time, they said wow, did you really learn that Westward expansion was a good thing? When they were in school, this was compared to Lebensraum. Manifest Destiny? That’s like praising Mein Kampf. Did we really think... Read more
In this joint declaration. It appears that Shia Muslims and Catholic leaders signed a joint declaration rejecting weapons of mass destruction, terrorism, and extremism. As well as indiscriminate sanctions. That’s fine. I usually assume most people want good and not bad. Most don’t want to hurt people. Most don’t want carnage and death and destruction. And yet, what most people want as often as not isn’t what drives history. Many of those sad periods we study either began with,... Read more
And it might be habitable. Who knows, some day when we are able to perfect a self-sustained, long term settlement in Antarctica or under water, we can then look to the stars. Read more
Or not. Over here, the Washington Post draws links between the Louisiana floods we’ve not heard much about and what we should think about Global Warming. Over here, the always enjoyable Michael Flynn reminds us that most of these weather catastrophes we hear about have happened before. Sometimes far worse than we’re seeing now. One little trick I’ve caught is the tendency meteorologists have of sliding ‘historic’ in when what they mean is ‘as bad as really bad times in... Read more
Just saw the news. Sad. I’m sure this will receive much coverage and many stories over the next few days. For my generation, he was a staple. Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein, Silver Streak, Stir Crazy, and of course the tripped out children’s favorite Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. With no need for bizarre makeup or quirky special effects, Wilder pulled off the eccentric in a way Depp couldn’t reach. That was Wilder’s gift. On one hand, he had a... Read more
Seen here in one of my favorite cinematic treatments of the story, Jesus of Nazareth: I like this scene. It contrasts the ragtag disciples and John in camel’s hair with the posh affluence and decadence of Herod’s court. At his court festivities you have the power players, the beautiful people, the ones who matter and get all the headlines, indulging in all of their hedonistic glories. By contrast you have John in rags, chained to the prison walls, belting out the Prophets for... Read more
Is kicked around by Dale Price, in response to a rather hefty analysis of Amoris Laetitia in light of previous teachings on the subject. Religion isn’t easy. Personally, sometimes I wish I wasn’t a believer. Life is so much easier when you get to pick and choose. Religion demands a final answer to ‘who do you say I am.’ And then, of course, you’re supposed to live the answer. Not that we remain static. The world changes, knowledge changes, times... Read more
I mean, Stop White People. Heh. They’ve changed the name and insisted it’s not racist, so that’s good enough. I’m sure a program titled Stop Black People would just need to change it’s name and all would be well. Read more
Daffey Thoughts
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