“You’re doing a lot to help the refugees,” one woman asked. “What are you doing to protect our Christian values?” That is an amazing question -- almost eloquent in its obtuse blasphemy. Over here, in one distinct category, is this matter of helping refugees. And then, way over here, is a wholly separate and distinct category of "our Christian values." Read more
Sadly, new and better photos from Ceres reveal that its strange white spots are probably not sunlight reflected off the wreckage of an alien spacecraft. But we do have proof of one spacecraft now in the vicinity of that asteroid. Also: No reason to watch season two of "True Detective" when you can just watch "Terriers" instead; Mike Huckabee's strange understanding of history gets even stranger; Muggletonians; and see you in the funny papers. Read more
"It wasn't simply Raymie's age and innocence that had allowed his mother's influence to affect him so. It was his spirit. He didn't have the killer instinct, the 'me first' attitude Rayford thought he would need to succeed in the real world. He wasn't effeminate, but Rayford had worried that he might be a mama's boy -- too compassionate, too sensitive, too caring. ..." Read more
This quality of being literally priceless -- of being beyond the realm of sale -- is a recognizable concept and, as such, it requires a term, a word that allows us to refer to it. Language finds words for things. Here is a thing that requires a word. If Wendell Berry's word -- "sacred" -- will not do, then what word should we be using? Read more
"Sacred" does not mean that something "is beyond question." It means that something is beyond price. To say that nothing is "sacred," then, is to say that everything is for sale. This is not just a deeply cynical thing to say about the world, but a bitterly cynical thing to say about oneself. Read more
"You go to jail if you believe in God and stand fast for your beliefs," televangelist Pat Robertson said. Robertson is not in jail. Do the math. Also: A Canadian "mugshot;" police still think toxicology justifies shooting unarmed citizens; and why I won't be convinced until I see a "blood moon" on Rosh Hashanah. Read more
Some random thoughts as we settle back in after Protecting Your Signature Day, including: the reviews are in on Kim Davis' Orval Faubus impersonation; the 450th anniversary of the founding of our Christian Nation; Owls eat Lions; and "Everybody's Gone to the Rapture." Read more
"You have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who oppress you? Is it not they who drag you into court? Is it not they who blaspheme the excellent name that was invoked over you?" Read more
Academic studies of moral panics emphasize the function of demagogues, "moral entrepreneurs," and credulous media accounts. Those all play a role, but they all play largely the same role -- that of recruiting volunteers. Without a critical mass of such volunteers volunteering -- choosing, deciding -- to play along, then would-be demagogues and moral entrepreneurs can never be anything more than cranks. Read more
"Aliens residing among you shall ascend above you higher and higher, while you shall descend lower and lower. They shall lend to you but you shall not lend to them; they shall be the head and you shall be the tail." Read more
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