Hobbit Houses, Worship, Misogynists & more

I’m finding it very difficult to concentrate with a houseful today, so here are some quick-and-unrelated things you may have missed – stick with it, I know there are some things below which will inspire you:

“Prime Minister, how much more clearly do we have to speak, before you understand us?”

Wait for the reading of Dr. Seuss at the end.

What we’re seeing in England is that huge government spending, high taxation and socialist policies don’t work. Why are we bringing them here?

Could British Christians be sued for having Crucifixes in their homes?

Obama in Cairo: David P. Goldman aka Spengler posts the most thoughtful and comprehensive analysis of the Cairo speech I have yet read.

Obama’s embrace of a declining culture and his abandonment of America’s principal ally in the Middle East are gestures without precedent in American history. The consequences are incalculable; the only certainty is that the outcome will be very different than the one for which the president hopes. In the meantime, American Jews have the opportunity to consider how easily manipulated they were, and how complacent in their exercise of influence. Obama won them over with token gestures, including a Passover Seder at the White House. But he has thrown them under the bus on the only real issue of substance for Jews, namely the security of the state of Israel.

Don’t miss it.

Lorie Byrd: Taking no prisoners with The Rush Standard. She reminds the press, who are shocked, shocked, at the Rhetoric of Rush, that the Orations of Olbermann and others have been out-of-control for a while:

Olbermann said President Bush was accomplishing what Bin Laden was trying to do to America? That sounds pretty close to what Rush Limbaugh said. In fact, it is almost indistinguishable.

Yes, it’s partisan, but it’s also true, and you’ll want to read it all.

Also partisan and very true: Feminism has long-ceased being about advancing the cause of women. Melissa Clouthier looks at how political expediency defines which women are championed, and which can be fantasy-raped or oppressed without so much as a raised eyebrow. Can you guess which women are which?

The Religious Left: Engaging in some unusual bickering. It seems, ultimately, to be all about the Benjamins.

Speaking of religion and the left: When Bush mentioned religion, it was “scary” but Obama talks about Jesus more than Bush did, and it worries the left and the press? Not at all. The Atheists are still comfortable and keeping the faith with him. Just saying.

George Tiller: Patrick O’ Hannigan on George Tiller’s Murder and how it is resonating with the “Abortion is a blessing” crowd. Also, a Lutheran explains Tiller’s church connections in ways that have not previously been spelled out, to my knowledge. I found it very interesting. I wonder what Bonheoffer would have thought of him?

Orthodox Liturgical Worship: A Baptist Minister says it’s not for Lightweights!:

Saint Anthony the Great isn’t just old school. It’s “styli and wax tablets” old school. We arrived ten minutes early for worship and the room was already filled with people lighting candles and praying. There was one greeter. I said, “We don’t know what to do.” She handed me a liturgy book and waved us inside.

Pews? We don’t need no stinking pews! Providing seats for worshipers is SO 14th century. Gorgeous Byzantine art, commissioned from a famous artist in Bulgaria. Fully robed priests with censors (those swinging incense thingies). Long, complex readings and chants that went on and on and on. And every one of them packed full of complex, theological ideas. It was like they were ripping raw chunks of theology out of ancient creeds and throwing them by the handfuls into the congregation. And just to make sure it wasn’t too easy for us, everything was read in a monotone voice and at the speed of an auctioneer.
…I LOVED IT. Loved it loved it loved it loved it loved it.

In a day when user-friendly is the byword of everything from churches to software, here was worship that asked something of me. No, DEMANDED something of me.

Behold, something greater than yourself.

A Dying Priest: Finds a teachable moment. A must read, via Deacon Greg

Speaking of Deathbeds: “tell me about the Trinity”

ACLU: America, tear down those crosses!

What Hath Toni Morrison wrought?: The inevitable line and the debatable.

Disproving the narrative that Christians “hate science”: The Vatican visits the Big-Bang Machine and says, “The Church never fears the truth of science, because we are convinced that all truth comes from God.”

Previewing Obamacare: Look to the North! Also, Merkel 1 – Obama 0

Catholic Health Care Networks: is this one complicit in abortions?

Do people still watch this bitter, unfunny misogynist?

Twitter: Changing how we live?. You can follow me on Twitter, btw, here. I didn’t think I’d like it. But when you have an opinion on everything, as I do, it’s too addictive.

Unemployment: Yid with a Lid says The Big O Owns It.

Bank Stress Tests: Unncessary sequels

Hmmm…are we really protecting the wolf at the door? Is Obama Ozymandias? Hmmmm….

Not a big Hobbit Fan, but: This house is very cool, and I’d live in it.