Many politicians are wisely arguing that when it comes to medicine, they should heed medical doctors. They are also clear that when it comes to science, they should look to the scientific consensus. Before anything else, yes. There is a place for dissent from a consensus, for an outside gadfly, but a pandemic is not that time. Oddly, the wise advice that one should heed experts in their field ends when it comes to deciding what to do. Becoming a medical doctor does not make... Read more
We cannot talk intelligently about a crisis if we do not have the right vocabulary. To do the right thing, we need to be able to distinguish all the different parts of complicated problems that pop up in our broken world. One distinction is intention. Actions can lead to intended consequences, but sometimes there are unintended consequences. Generally, a person is not morally responsible for unintended consequences. Another helpful ethical category is active versus passive actions. To do a thing is different from not doing a thing! Thinking more... Read more
They had opening day in 1938, but in the shadow of World War II and in an economy still mucking about in a Great Depression. We might not have baseball during the 2020 pandemic, but we do not face Hitler and “Brother can you spare a dime. . . “ America always has failed to live up to our ideals, they are very high ideals after all. The brutal unemployment of the period combined with disappointment in the outcome of... Read more
Sometimes the right language can help us make better decisions or think more carefully about problems. Unless we are lucky or suddenly inspired, the best answers come from great questions. Since we cannot count on luck or demand inspiration, the wise person tries to get the right vocabulary to frame those questions. Intended versus Unintended Consequences with Other Important Terms (Primary/Secondary, Active/Passive) As citizens discuss what to do about the present pandemic, there is a helpful distinction we can make... Read more
The ranks of homeschooling parents has grown. If this was not a voluntary choice, here are five things Hope and I learned while homeschooling four children from birth to adulthood. If we would have been able to send our children to a relaxed, excellent, jolly, classical school , then we would have. So we ventured into homeschooling, made our share of mistakes, but somehow ended up with four well balanced, academically prepared (college graduate!) adults. We do not agree on everything,... Read more
Concrete takes time to make, takes time to be shipped, takes time to use. During the floods of Tropical Storm Harvey, I noticed we all forgot an important distinction: physical objects often take much longer to make or transport than virtual objects. We heard when we needed relief that “stuff” was on the way, people were making things we needed, but (sometimes) forgot that while money can be donated (with today’s technology) instantly, getting goods takes longer. Money we got quickly: the... Read more
Thee alone I follow, Lord Jesus, Who heals my wounds. For what shall separate me from the love of God, which is in Thee? Shall tribulation, or distress, or famine? I am held fast as though by nails, and fettered by the bonds of charity. Remove from me, O Lord Jesus, with Thy potent sword, the corruption of my sins. Secure me in the bonds of Thy love; cut away what is corrupt in me. Come quickly and make an... Read more
Thee alone I follow, Lord Jesus, Who heals my wounds. For what shall separate me from the love of God, which is in Thee? Shall tribulation, or distress, or famine? I am held fast as though by nails, and fettered by the bonds of charity. Remove from me, O Lord Jesus, with Thy potent sword, the corruption of my sins. Secure me in the bonds of Thy love; cut away what is corrupt in me. Come quickly and make an... Read more
Thee alone I follow, Lord Jesus, Who heals my wounds. For what shall separate me from the love of God, which is in Thee? Shall tribulation, or distress, or famine? I am held fast as though by nails, and fettered by the bonds of charity. Remove from me, O Lord Jesus, with Thy potent sword, the corruption of my sins. Secure me in the bonds of Thy love; cut away what is corrupt in me. Come quickly and make an... Read more
Thee alone I follow, Lord Jesus, Who heals my wounds. For what shall separate me from the love of God, which is in Thee? Shall tribulation, or distress, or famine? I am held fast as though by nails, and fettered by the bonds of charity. Remove from me, O Lord Jesus, with Thy potent sword, the corruption of my sins. Secure me in the bonds of Thy love; cut away what is corrupt in me. Come quickly and make an... Read more
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