I love this piece by Mark Shea wherein he has a bit of fun comparing the American media – and much of America – to the church at Corinth, and Paul’s letters to them: So wrote the Apostle Paul describing the scuttlebutt about himself in one of his periodic gusts of annoyance with the Church at Corinth. The Corinthians had definite ideas about what an apostle should look and sound like and Paul did not measure up in their eyes.... Read more
Watching Benedict exit the plane in DC and greet President & Mrs. Bush and Jenna Bush,* I was struck by the difference in his body language vs John Paul II. John Paul would greet someone by clasping their hands in both of his and leaning in toward them. Benedict extends one hand and leans slightly back. He’s true introvert, and he looked touchingly surprised at the young people hooting and singing “Happy Birthday” to him. He is nothing like John... Read more
My L’il Bro Thom and I were remembering that as prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith it was evidently part of Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger’s job to read all of the distressing and detailed reports coming from the US as the church investigated the pederasty scandals which roiled us in 2002. Upon becoming pope one of the first remarks Benedict made pertained to “rid the church of filth”. Only Andrew Sullivan seemed not to have understood Benedict’s... Read more
Thanks to reader Dick, who points me toward, the Dartblog and this stunning, glorious rendition of Miss Ella Fitzgerald, singing and scatting her way through “Georgia on my Mind:” Ella has some phrasal passages of impacting length, threaded with soulful scat. She always knew, instinctively, just how thickly she could layer the improvisation on a ballad like this. It is also worth noting that this is truly prime time for Ella: Georgia on My Mind was written for baritone, I... Read more
My piece comparing and contrasting the press’ dire predictions about Pope Benedict XVI with the reality of the man is up at Pajamas Media today. As if making my point for me, Newsweek has two pieces on Benedict, both falling rather heavily “pro” Benedict and “con” Benedict – I think perhaps the press is past understanding that balance means “a little bit of both.” The first piece, by George Weigel, I recommend to you because although it glows for Benedict,... Read more
Glenn Reynolds notes: “IN ADVERTISING AGE, a shocking message to advertisers: “Bashing Fathers and Husbands Isn’t the Right Way for Marketers to Sell Products.” Go figure.” Defenders of the advertising status quo generally put forth the following arguments: Males are “privileged” and “it’s men’s turn,” so it’s OK to portray them this way, and that men simply don’t care how they’re portrayed. Both of these arguments are highly questionable. Young males certainly aren’t privileged. The vast majority of learning-disabled students... Read more
Ed Morrissey has an excellent post up over at Hot Air, in which he warns that the Iraqis are watching us closely, and with good reason. He quotes Vet for Freedom Michael Hunnicutt: I was on the ground in Iraq for 16 months, and in that time I talked to hundreds of Iraqis. Some didn’t like us; some wanted us to leave, but most did not. What they wanted was for America to live up to its word. They wanted... Read more
H/T Julie You Are a Walnut You are down to earth and genuine. Responsible and practical, you are a grown up in all aspects of your life. You probably eat a healthy diet and get enough exercise. And while you’re not wild, you’re not boring either. You’re actually very deep and interesting. What Nut Are You? I don’t know about that nut thing, but my eyes are hazel-green! Your Eyes Should Be Hazel Your eyes reflect: Intellect and sensuality What’s... Read more
I like this ironic photo essay using Obama’s “bitter” words. But it also reminds me that what Obama said wasn’t that far off from Bill Clinton’s trying to turn the Oklahoma City bombing into a narrative about middle Americans, incapable of thinking for themselves, being urged on to hate America by the likes of Rush Limbaugh. Both, in their way, were implying that middle-class Middle America is populated with easily-swayed, unintelligent rubes. Slightly O/T, after the OKC bombing Bill Clinton... Read more
98%ALCOHOLIC I’m not much of a drinker myself, but given my family this is not surprising. Read more
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