From Mark at Enough About Me:
Walking home, this morning, the sun still barely making a purple glow on the horizon, I looked up into the branches of the oaks that line the streets here. They were black against the sky, and their shapes and the "white space" effect touched me, delighted me, somehow. I remembered, then, how such things delighted me as a child, not because of anything, just because they were.
Yes, where is the lost innocence that delights in things because they are? Read the rest of Mark's post.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Obama - Too Good To Be True? I Think Not
Last night, I read an article in The New Yorker by Nicholas Lemann, titled "Worlds Apart, Obama, McCain, and the future of foreign policy". I won't take you through the whole piece ( and aren't you glad?); it's long, and it's there at the link if you'd like to read it. What struck me in the article is the description of Obama offered by Robert Danzig, a Secretary of the Navy in the Clinton administration, who is now among Obama's foreign policy advisers. He said this about Obama:
“There is a degree of self-reflection, self-awareness, and psychological wholeness he arrived at after going through a period of working through his identity as the son of a father from Kenya and a mother from Kansas”.... “Having worked for two Presidents and with many Presidential candidates during the last thirty years, I have not seen one as psychologically well balanced, and as good about not injecting his ego into a problem.”
That's how I now see Obama. He was not my first choice as the Democratic candidate, because I agreed nearly 100% with Dennis Kucinich's policies. Dennis was my first love, and he will always be my love, but he didn't make the cut. Then, I moved on from Dennis to next best, and I was not completely happy with any of the others. I'd go back and forth, but in my heart, I never really settled upon any of the others, while, at the same time, believing that any of them would be better than a Republican. For heaven's sake, we've had enough of them! Begone!!!
I don't embrace all of Obama's policies: for instance, I'd much prefer a single-payer health care system run by the federal government than Obama's plan. I differ with him on other policies, but laying aside our differences, as I tried to settle on a candidate, Obama seemed a little too good to be true. But as I have observed him over the months since he has been the candidate of choice, I've come to admire him more and more, and I believe him to be the man that he appears to be. He possesses a coolness, a command of himself, and a dignity that I believe is real. And black men growing up in the US, certainly get enough training in staying cool, don't they? If an African-American man wants to succeed, he must never be seen as "the angry black man". That is so absolutely scary to many in the US. Of course, angry white men, which McCain certainly seemed to be last night, put themselves at less at risk when they show anger.
Probably not too many folks changed their minds about whom they will vote for as they watched the debate last night, but, to me, the contrast is stark, and the choice is easy. What puzzles me is the number of undecided voters at this stage of the game.
“There is a degree of self-reflection, self-awareness, and psychological wholeness he arrived at after going through a period of working through his identity as the son of a father from Kenya and a mother from Kansas”.... “Having worked for two Presidents and with many Presidential candidates during the last thirty years, I have not seen one as psychologically well balanced, and as good about not injecting his ego into a problem.”
That's how I now see Obama. He was not my first choice as the Democratic candidate, because I agreed nearly 100% with Dennis Kucinich's policies. Dennis was my first love, and he will always be my love, but he didn't make the cut. Then, I moved on from Dennis to next best, and I was not completely happy with any of the others. I'd go back and forth, but in my heart, I never really settled upon any of the others, while, at the same time, believing that any of them would be better than a Republican. For heaven's sake, we've had enough of them! Begone!!!
I don't embrace all of Obama's policies: for instance, I'd much prefer a single-payer health care system run by the federal government than Obama's plan. I differ with him on other policies, but laying aside our differences, as I tried to settle on a candidate, Obama seemed a little too good to be true. But as I have observed him over the months since he has been the candidate of choice, I've come to admire him more and more, and I believe him to be the man that he appears to be. He possesses a coolness, a command of himself, and a dignity that I believe is real. And black men growing up in the US, certainly get enough training in staying cool, don't they? If an African-American man wants to succeed, he must never be seen as "the angry black man". That is so absolutely scary to many in the US. Of course, angry white men, which McCain certainly seemed to be last night, put themselves at less at risk when they show anger.
Probably not too many folks changed their minds about whom they will vote for as they watched the debate last night, but, to me, the contrast is stark, and the choice is easy. What puzzles me is the number of undecided voters at this stage of the game.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
On The Run
I will be running hither and thither for most of the day, with not much time for blogging. Physical therapy is a marvelous thing. I've completed nearly three weeks now, and my foot and knee are greatly improved. I have little pain, and my knees feel so much stronger. I don't need to worry about taking as much care when I pivot or move quickly. Once my six weeks of PT are up, I shall need to maintain what I've gained, if I want to remain mobile. Spending that much time on myself goes against the grain, but there is no alternative. I see that now quite clearly.
Amuse yourselves while I'm away by gazing at Paul Newman or go read about the brave Lt. Col. Vandeveld, who I believe is a hero. Leave a comment in the event that he drops by (not very likely). Or express your outrage at the violent language at the Palin/McCain campaign rallies.
Amuse yourselves while I'm away by gazing at Paul Newman or go read about the brave Lt. Col. Vandeveld, who I believe is a hero. Leave a comment in the event that he drops by (not very likely). Or express your outrage at the violent language at the Palin/McCain campaign rallies.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Paul Newman - True Story
This picture is worth the e-mail even if you don't take the time to read the story below.
Only women of a certain era will fully appreciate this....true story.
(If you don't understand this, tell your mother, she'll get it!)
A Michigan woman and her family were vacationing in a small New England town where Paul Newman and his family often visited. One Sunday morning, the woman got up early to take a long walk. After a brisk five-mile hike, she decided to treat herself to a double-dip chocolate ice cream cone.
She hopped in the car, drove to the center of the village and went straight to the combination bakery/ice cream parlor. There was only one other patron in the store: Paul Newman, sitting at the counter having a doughnut and coffee. The woman's heart skipped a beat as her eyes made contact with those famous baby-blue eyes. The actor nodded graciously and the star struck woman smiled demurely.
Pull yourself together! She chides herself. You're a happily married woman with three children, you're forty-five years old, not a teenager!
The clerk filled her order and she took the double-dip chocolate ice cream cone in one hand and her change in the other. Then she went out the door, avoiding even a glance in Paul Newman's direction.
When she reached her car, she realized that she had a handful of change but her other hand was empty. Where's my ice cream cone? Did I leave it in the store? Back into the shop she went, expecting to see the cone still in the clerk's hand or in a holder on the counter or something! No ice cream cone was in sight...
With that, she happened to look over at Paul Newman. His face broke into his familiar, warm, friendly grin and he said to the woman, 'You put it in your purse.'
From my brother-in-law.
Disclosure: This is not the picture that came with the email. I could not load the original into Blogger. I liked the other better, but I chose this one to show how handsome he remained in his mature years. He aged well, like a fine wine.
As The Crowd "Warms Up"
From the Scranton Times-Tribune:
1:25 p.m.
Chris Hackett addressed the increasingly feisty crowd as they await the arrival of Gov. Palin.
Each time the Republican candidate for the seat in the 10th Congressional District mentioned Barack Obama the crowd booed loudly.
One man screamed "kill him!"
Supporters have been noted shouting “kill him,” “terrorist,” “off with his head” and other equally incendiary terms about Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama. Others have directly suggested Mr. Obama is a Muslim, which he is not, or a traitor. Some comments even drew rebuke from Republican presidential nominee John McCain.
Other than the lone man, there were no other such outbursts.
Only one lone man? How long will this go on? Where are the authorities? Isn't this somewhat like shouting, "Fire!" in a theater? When will Palin/McCain speak out about this? I'm waiting. I'm waiting.
H/T to TPM.
1:25 p.m.
Chris Hackett addressed the increasingly feisty crowd as they await the arrival of Gov. Palin.
Each time the Republican candidate for the seat in the 10th Congressional District mentioned Barack Obama the crowd booed loudly.
One man screamed "kill him!"
Supporters have been noted shouting “kill him,” “terrorist,” “off with his head” and other equally incendiary terms about Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama. Others have directly suggested Mr. Obama is a Muslim, which he is not, or a traitor. Some comments even drew rebuke from Republican presidential nominee John McCain.
Other than the lone man, there were no other such outbursts.
Only one lone man? How long will this go on? Where are the authorities? Isn't this somewhat like shouting, "Fire!" in a theater? When will Palin/McCain speak out about this? I'm waiting. I'm waiting.
H/T to TPM.
The Bishop Of The Province Of Alternative Universe
Robert Duncan, former Episcopal bishop of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, gave an interview to Christianity Today from the alternative universe in which he functions. The title is "The Comeback Bishop", and it's worth a read. He spoke quite a few quotable words, but those which jumped out and grabbed me were his words about Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams.
How should we best interpret the recent silence of Anglican Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams?
Sometimes silence is golden. Not so long ago I wrote to him and thanked him for his silence. The silence could suggest two things. It could suggest an indifference, which I don't think is the issue. Or it could suggest a diplomatic response in which it's clear that the sands are shifting. The Archbishop of Canterbury and I have had regular contact, and that will continue. He is redefining his own role by his silence. He redefined the role of the Lambeth Conference. Those redefinitions are necessary in light of the emergence of a global communion. The existing Anglican structures are largely colonial. I acknowledge his authority to exercise his role the way he sees it, actually diminishing his role substantially for the future of the communion.
In my humble opinion, the ABC has, on too many occasions, spoken on matters about which he'd better have been silent and not spoken of matters in which his words could have had great influence for good. Also, it's difficult for me to see how the ABC's new concept for a world-wide Anglican "church" diminishes his own role substantially, as Robert Duncan concludes.
Robert Duncan is most certainly not shy about admitting that he will be the primate of the new Anglican province to be established in the US. I suppose the reason for the title of the piece references that admission. Upon reflection, perhaps, I should have titled my post "Bishop of the Province of Spin".
And I haven't even touched upon the matter of the authority of Bishop Clumber, bishop of the One True Diocese of Pittsburgh.
H/T to the Episcopal Café for the link to CT.
How should we best interpret the recent silence of Anglican Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams?
Sometimes silence is golden. Not so long ago I wrote to him and thanked him for his silence. The silence could suggest two things. It could suggest an indifference, which I don't think is the issue. Or it could suggest a diplomatic response in which it's clear that the sands are shifting. The Archbishop of Canterbury and I have had regular contact, and that will continue. He is redefining his own role by his silence. He redefined the role of the Lambeth Conference. Those redefinitions are necessary in light of the emergence of a global communion. The existing Anglican structures are largely colonial. I acknowledge his authority to exercise his role the way he sees it, actually diminishing his role substantially for the future of the communion.
In my humble opinion, the ABC has, on too many occasions, spoken on matters about which he'd better have been silent and not spoken of matters in which his words could have had great influence for good. Also, it's difficult for me to see how the ABC's new concept for a world-wide Anglican "church" diminishes his own role substantially, as Robert Duncan concludes.
Robert Duncan is most certainly not shy about admitting that he will be the primate of the new Anglican province to be established in the US. I suppose the reason for the title of the piece references that admission. Upon reflection, perhaps, I should have titled my post "Bishop of the Province of Spin".
And I haven't even touched upon the matter of the authority of Bishop Clumber, bishop of the One True Diocese of Pittsburgh.
H/T to the Episcopal Café for the link to CT.
Guard Your Reputation, Lord!
From CNNPolitics.com:
At a McCain rally in Davenport, Iowa, the pastor who prayed the invocation spoke these words:
“There are millions of people around this world praying to their god—whether it’s Hindu, Buddha, Allah—that his opponent wins, for a variety of reasons. And Lord, I pray that you will guard your own reputation, because they’re going to think that their God is bigger than you, if that happens,” said Arnold Conrad, the former pastor of Grace Evangelical Free Church in Davenport.
Surpassing strange.
At a McCain rally in Davenport, Iowa, the pastor who prayed the invocation spoke these words:
“There are millions of people around this world praying to their god—whether it’s Hindu, Buddha, Allah—that his opponent wins, for a variety of reasons. And Lord, I pray that you will guard your own reputation, because they’re going to think that their God is bigger than you, if that happens,” said Arnold Conrad, the former pastor of Grace Evangelical Free Church in Davenport.
Surpassing strange.
Monday, October 13, 2008
And Here's Another - Fr. Steve Niskanen
On the same day that Fr. Geoff Farrow spoke from the pulpit in Fresno, California, to say that he could not, in conscience, support Proposition 8, which would ban same-sex marriages, Fr. Steve Niskanen, another Roman Catholic priest, from San Gabriel Mission in the Los Angeles archdiocese, spoke out against the proposition.
From the California Catholic Daily:
Another priest has broken ranks with California’s bishops on the Protect Marriage initiative, telling his parishioners in the church’s weekly bulletin, “I cannot in conscience unequivocally support Proposition 8.”
....
“I deeply respect and submit to the authority of our bishops and the force of traditional Catholic teaching limiting sexual relations to the love and life-giving commitment of heterosexual marriage. But I cannot in conscience unequivocally support Proposition 8 because I cannot in my heart of hearts say with certainty, at this time, that God would not call His gay and lesbian children into a faithful and life-long covenant with one another.”
I offer my prayers and support to Fr. Steve.
UPDATE: The website at the above link allows comments. The majority are against Fr. Steve's action. You may want to leave a few words. Be nice.
From the California Catholic Daily:
Another priest has broken ranks with California’s bishops on the Protect Marriage initiative, telling his parishioners in the church’s weekly bulletin, “I cannot in conscience unequivocally support Proposition 8.”
....
“I deeply respect and submit to the authority of our bishops and the force of traditional Catholic teaching limiting sexual relations to the love and life-giving commitment of heterosexual marriage. But I cannot in conscience unequivocally support Proposition 8 because I cannot in my heart of hearts say with certainty, at this time, that God would not call His gay and lesbian children into a faithful and life-long covenant with one another.”
I offer my prayers and support to Fr. Steve.
UPDATE: The website at the above link allows comments. The majority are against Fr. Steve's action. You may want to leave a few words. Be nice.
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