TEACHING SCIENCE IN LOUISIANA

See A Doonesbury Retrospective.

The successful defense last week of a three-year-old Louisiana law is casting a spotlight on how conservative groups are seeking to circumvent a federal ban on the teaching of creationism in public schools.

The Louisiana Science Education Act, which allows teaching contrary to science on the grounds it promotes critical thinking, is increasingly serving as an inspiration to religious conservatives in other states. Its defenders decry the “censorship” of nonscientific ideas and advocate allowing teachers to teach “both sides” on certain scientific theories.
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With the law intact, Louisiana is the state that has gone the furthest in approving legislation that opens the door to allowing alternatives to science taught in its schools

 The text of the Louisiana Science Education Act. 

At least, Louisiana teachers are not forced to teach non-science.  

DIAMOND JUBILEE - ELIZABETH II (MORPH SEQUENCE)

My brother-in-law sent me the link to the video, which I think is a rather nicely done tribute to the Queen in honor of her Diamond Jubilee.

WEEKLY REMINDER

I'm late this week. Sorry.

HOLY CROSS DAY

Luiz Coelho, Jr., who painted this crucifix, was ordained a deacon last week in the Episcopal Anglican Church of Brazil.

Luis' crucifix is truly fine devotional art.  Luis also wrote the lovely icon of the Madonna and Child titled "Lady Enthroned" pictured on my sidebar, which is in a place of honor in my house.  I've lost touch with Luis and knew of no way to communicate with him to ask his permission to use the picture of the cross, which was included in today's Morning Prayer at The Daily Office West.   I hope he doesn't mind.

Collect of the Day: Holy Cross Day 

Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ was lifted high upon the cross that he might draw the whole world to himself: Mercifully grant that we, who glory in the mystery of our redemption, may have grace to take up our cross and follow him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

Prayer for Mission

Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for your love’s sake. Amen.

UPDATE: I'd forgotten that Luis is a Facebook friend, so I've written to him to ask permission after the fact.

UPDATE 2: Luis said it was fine for me to use the icon.

MESSAGE FROM OCCUPY FAITH NYC

 

OWS has asked us to help them. Their call for assistance is clear and strong…

“We need Occupy Faith’s spiritual presence especially now—it is an ingredient of the power OWS can rightfully claim on behalf of individual dignity.” –

~Lisa Fithian, OWS organizer

Since the first days of Occupy Wall Street one year ago, people of faith allied with the movement because of our frustration with an unjust society, our desire to speak truth to power, and our hope that a better world is possible. One year later we have learned many lessons, we have had to go back to the drawing board again and again, but underneath it all remains the knowledge that real change will not come through business as usual, but only when we learn how to stand together and make our common dreams a reality.

So this September 15th-17th, we ask for everyone who was inspired by the Occupy phenomenon not only to celebrate what happened, but to think forward 10 years, to consider what we would need to be doing now for the kind of real change we will want to see then. That is why here at Occupy Faith, we are calling for a truth commission: a way to pull back the veil of shame and get people talking about what their lives actually looks like under our broken economic system. We're calling it "A People's Investigation of Money, Debt, and Power," and in the days and weeks ahead we will be giving you more information about how you and your communities of faith can get involved. Because now is the time for all people of faith to have faith in all people, to remember the power of sharing our stories, and to know that the only antidote for the insanity and alienation of our culture is the cultivation of a Beloved Community in the here and now.

So join us this coming weekend - join us as we celebrate how far we've come (who would have believed a year ago that an escalation of tactics in Zuccotti Park would turn into a global movement?), and join us as we look ahead to the future. Year one is over, but year two is just getting started. See you in the streets.

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Occupy Faith actions on the #OWS anniversary
 

A People's Investigation
Saturday, September 15
12 pm - 4pm
Washington Square (possibily moved to Foley Square)
Occupy Faith will introduce the A People's Investigation experience. This approach to pursuing truth and justice consists of 3 phases: 1) Gathering stories of loss 2) Naming the themes and compiling recommendations and 3) pursuit of transformative advocacy. In this session, you will learn how to gather stories of pain and loss and contribute them to a website for the world to see. This will be our beta launch so let's work together and figure out the best methodology.

Interfaith Service
Sunday, September 16
10 am - 12:30 pm
Zuccotti Park

We will begin the service with the blowing of the Shofar by Apostle Leeds, as our call to interfaith worship, and each minister shall take turns in the presentation of prayers on behalf of the people present, of the city and state of New York, the Country, and the world. It shall be our mandate in the worship service to set forth the moral imperative of the OccupyMovement from a faith perspective and we'll speak to the heart of America, to the condition of our country, and the corruption and greed both in Wall Street and in our government. Service will include prayer, songs, hallowing of Zuccotti Park, sermon, blessing of the NYPD. 

Training after Music Concert
Sunday, September 16
6 pm
Foley Square
Civil disobedience training will immediately follow the concert's conclusion with a possibly of thematic break out activities

Procession
Sunday, September 16
7 pm
Occupy Faith reps will end the Foley Square concert with brief remarks and lead a procession to Zuccotti Park. Occupy Faith supporters will stand behind the speakers. Procession will continue until the Rosh Hashana service begins at 7:30 pm.

#S17 Morning Action
Monday, September 17
Meet 6:45 am, Direct Actions at 7 am
"Red Cube" across from Zuccotti Park
This location is one of thefour organizational zones OWS is using that ring the financial district for a 'people's arrest'. We will offer prayer and strengthen occupiers presence. We will then process to three other zones in support. Each zone has a security check point for access to the Stock Exchange. OWS emergency media contacts us for immediate presence at any zone needing special help and presence. For those participating in these actions, please send your cell # to George Packard, geopackard (at) gmail.com. It is critical to keep connected during this deployment as we may have to be nimble or loose in structure and potentially leave Occupy Faith members in each zone as we make the circuit. Click here to read more about #OWS' #S17 plans.

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Occupy Faith Draft Statement - 9/12/12

"Occupy Faith sets forth a moral and faith-based imperative for the Occupy movement.  We heed the voice crying in the American wilderness for justice; we have a heart for the poor, the powerless, the disenfranchised; we uphold the laborer of every class in the value and righteousness of her or his labor; and we summon the American conscience to stand up for equality and social and economic justice for all." [Read more.]
 

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Greensboro Declaration

Today the Council of Elders release their Greensboro Declaration. The Council of Elders encourages faith communities to unite on the weekend of September 30 and, in their own sacred spaces, use this declaration as a basis for faith discussion. Click here to read the full declaration. 

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Note from me - June Butler (aka Grandmère Mimi):
I thought seriously about going to NYC, but since I am a part-time mom to the children of my son, who is a single dad, I could not put the trip together.  Any of you who are in or near NYC, I urge you to be present if at all possible.

ROMNEY - BACK TO THE ECONOMY

Romney is back to campaigning on the economy, as well he should be, since he has revealed himself as lacking even minimum skills in handling a foreign affairs crisis.  The Republican candidate stepped in it when he ventured into pontificating on foreign policy.  I ask you: Would you want this man at the helm of the ship of state in the midst of a violent storm?

The economy shows signs of slow improvement as evidenced by the soaring stock market yesterday, which is still on the rise today.  Romney and the major players in his campaign contributions are richer, which should be some consolation for them, though not particularly good news for the campaign.  It's not easy to run against an improving economy.

Mitt Romney is promising to reduce taxes on middle-income Americans.

But how does he define "middle-income"? The Republican presidential nominee defined it Friday as income of $200,000 to $250,000 a year and less.

Really?  Folks I know with incomes at and above $200,000 appear pretty damned well-to-do to me. 

The picture shows Romney waving good-bye.  (I hope; I hope!) 

SAD BUT OFTEN TRUE

Click on the cartoon for the larger view.

"molly and sexual harassment" from nakedpastor.

INFATUATION VS. LOVE

Infatuation is when you think that he's as sexy as Robert Redford, as smart as Henry Kissinger, as noble as Ralph Nader, as funny as Woody Allen, and as athletic as Jimmy Connors.

Love is when you realize that he's as sexy as Woody Allen, as smart as Jimmy Connors, as funny as Ralph Nader, as athletic as Henry Kissinger, and nothing like Robert Redford - but you'll take him anyway.


Cheers,

Paul (A.)

A LONG LONG TIME

 

Incredible!  I'm grateful for our 51 years together.  When the milestones come, I often think, "Well I am still here, still around."  On the anniversary occasion, "Well, here we both are, still around."

I searched YouTube for a good version of a romantic song we slow-danced to back in the day, and I found The Platters, "If I Didn't Care,"  The Platters were greatly influenced by the earlier singing group, The Ink Spots, whose music I loved when I was growing up and who first recorded the song. 
 

 

If I Didn't Care

If I didn't care more than words can say
If I didn't care would I feel this way?
If this isn't love then why do I thrill?
And what makes my head go 'round and 'round
While my heart stands still?

If I didn't care would it be the same?
Would my ev'ry prayer begin and end with just your name?
And would I be sure that this is love beyond compare?
Would all this be true if I didn't care for you?

MONOLOGUE: If I didn't care honey child, mo' than words can say. If I didn't care baby, would I feel this way? Darlin' if this isn't love, then why do I thrill so much? What is it that makes my head go 'round and 'round while my heart just stands still so much?

If I didn't care would it be the same?
Would my ev'ry prayer begin and end with just your name?
And would I be sure that this is love beyond compare?
Would all this be true if I didn't care for you?

MITT ROMNEY FAILS THE 3:00 AM TEST

The 3 a.m. phone call is shorthand for the unforeseen emergency that requires both a quick reaction and the beginning of longer second- and third-stage responses. Often the most important immediate decision is not to react immediately. There are times when every minute counts, but not usually. The first impulse, the first wave of fragmentary information, the first set of available options -- these often turn out to be misleading.
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In short, when faced with a 3 a.m. test, he reacted immediately, rather than having the instinct to wait. And after he waited, he mistook this as a moment for partisanship rather than for at least the appearance of statesmanlike national unity. The irony, of course, is that resisting the partisan impulse today would have been the greatest possible boost to his horse-race prospects two months from now.

Think of this temperament and these instincts in a command role, and with stakes much higher than they were today. 

Keep in mind that Romney made his first statement criticizing the president last night, even as the embassies were under attack and the situation was changing moment by moment.  Then today at his press conference, he stood by his statement of last night.