AP: Gonzales Signed Off on Firings
So read the headlines this morning.
I guess it's news that the White House Counsel and the Attorney General did their jobs?
[Link]
The obvious witch hunt aside, the foolishness of the situation is that none of this would even be an issue if the Attorney General had not admitted to bungling the firings in the first place.
I guess it's news that the White House Counsel and the Attorney General did their jobs?
[Link]
The obvious witch hunt aside, the foolishness of the situation is that none of this would even be an issue if the Attorney General had not admitted to bungling the firings in the first place.
War with Iran?
Earlier today a Russian newspaper citing unnamed sources raised the spectre of an American military build up in the Persian Gulf. Of course, the natural leap of logic for any foreign paper is that the U.S. is preparing to invade another country.
[Link]
[Link]
But here's a better question- is this really news?
The President announced the build to the entire world way back in January during his State of the Union address. In fact, this pledge came to fruition only yesterday when the U.S. held massive war games involving more than 100 aircraft and 15 carriers. The only thing which has changed between now and then is capture of 14 British marines by the Iranians. I have no doubt the Administration is sympathetic towards the Brits predicament but I wouldn't necessarily peg the operations as a call to arms.
I suppose there's no real observation to make at this point. But I will close with a word of caution- always be skeptical of unnamed Russian sources.
GOP Bloggers March Straw Poll
The GOP Bloggers, of which I am apart, is offering up their latest straw poll for your participation.
As you can see from the right, "I Like Mike" (Huckabee) but feel free to cast your vote for the GOP candidate of your choice.
As you can see from the right, "I Like Mike" (Huckabee) but feel free to cast your vote for the GOP candidate of your choice.
Song of the Week: Wasted
The Pax Plena song of the week comes to you via country music Grammy Award winner (and Native Oklahoman) Carrie Underwood and is titled Wasted.
Most analyses of this song seem indicate that it is rooted in the dark theme of alcoholism. This assumption certainly isn't a stretch given the title but more than this the song is apt for any circumstance in which the will to live outweighs the will to mourn. It embodies a classic notion of personal resolve that an individual can recover from wasted years, from being jaded, even from depression through a personal decision to live again.
Musically, there are various elements at work which make the song a powerful piece not the least of which being Underwood's voice which is at times both soaring and contemplative- an atypical combination, indeed, for country music. Speaking as a fan, country music often inhabits the extremes of the style spectrum. It tends to be either really up-beat or fairly mellow. This song in particular seems to meld the two well.
The video below is a performance of Underwood's hit. It has been hailed by critics as one of the best country music videos released in recent years. Shot in black and white, the video tells the story of two lovers, their break up, and how the situation is ultimately resolved.
Enjoy!
Wasted
Standing at the back door
She tried to make it fast
One tear hit the hard wood
It felt like broken glass
She said sometimes love slips away
And you just can't get it back
Let's face it
For one split second
She almost turned around
But that would be like pouring rain drops
Back into a cloud
So she took another step and said
I see the way out and I'm gonna' take it
I don't wanna' spend my life jaded
Waitin' to wake up one day and find
That I've let all these years go by
Wasted
Another glass of whisky but it still don't kill the pain
So he stumbles to the sink and pours it down the drain
He says it's time to be a man and stop living for yesterday
Gotta face it.
Cause' I don't wanna' spend my life jaded
Waitin' to wake up one day and find
That I've let all these years go by
Wasted
Oh I don't wanna' keep on wishing, missin'
But still every morning' the color of the night
I ain't spending no more time
Wasted
She kept drivin' along
Till the moon and the sun were floating side-by-side
He looked in the mirror and his eyes were clear
For the first time in a while
Hey, yeah,
Oh, I don't wanna' spend my life jaded
Waitin' to wake up one day and find
That I've let all these years go by
Wasted
Oh I don't wanna' keep on wishing, missing
But still every morning' the color of the night
I ain't spending no more time
Wasted
Oh, I don't wanna' spend my life jaded
Waitin' to wake up one day and find
That I've let all these years go by
Wasted
Yeah, yeah
Oh I don't wanna' keep on wishing, missing
But still every morning' the color of the night
I ain't spending no more time
Wasted
Most analyses of this song seem indicate that it is rooted in the dark theme of alcoholism. This assumption certainly isn't a stretch given the title but more than this the song is apt for any circumstance in which the will to live outweighs the will to mourn. It embodies a classic notion of personal resolve that an individual can recover from wasted years, from being jaded, even from depression through a personal decision to live again.
Musically, there are various elements at work which make the song a powerful piece not the least of which being Underwood's voice which is at times both soaring and contemplative- an atypical combination, indeed, for country music. Speaking as a fan, country music often inhabits the extremes of the style spectrum. It tends to be either really up-beat or fairly mellow. This song in particular seems to meld the two well.
The video below is a performance of Underwood's hit. It has been hailed by critics as one of the best country music videos released in recent years. Shot in black and white, the video tells the story of two lovers, their break up, and how the situation is ultimately resolved.
Enjoy!
Wasted
Standing at the back door
She tried to make it fast
One tear hit the hard wood
It felt like broken glass
She said sometimes love slips away
And you just can't get it back
Let's face it
For one split second
She almost turned around
But that would be like pouring rain drops
Back into a cloud
So she took another step and said
I see the way out and I'm gonna' take it
I don't wanna' spend my life jaded
Waitin' to wake up one day and find
That I've let all these years go by
Wasted
Another glass of whisky but it still don't kill the pain
So he stumbles to the sink and pours it down the drain
He says it's time to be a man and stop living for yesterday
Gotta face it.
Cause' I don't wanna' spend my life jaded
Waitin' to wake up one day and find
That I've let all these years go by
Wasted
Oh I don't wanna' keep on wishing, missin'
But still every morning' the color of the night
I ain't spending no more time
Wasted
She kept drivin' along
Till the moon and the sun were floating side-by-side
He looked in the mirror and his eyes were clear
For the first time in a while
Hey, yeah,
Oh, I don't wanna' spend my life jaded
Waitin' to wake up one day and find
That I've let all these years go by
Wasted
Oh I don't wanna' keep on wishing, missing
But still every morning' the color of the night
I ain't spending no more time
Wasted
Oh, I don't wanna' spend my life jaded
Waitin' to wake up one day and find
That I've let all these years go by
Wasted
Yeah, yeah
Oh I don't wanna' keep on wishing, missing
But still every morning' the color of the night
I ain't spending no more time
Wasted
Peyton Manning on SNL
Peyton Manning, quarterback for the Super Bowl Champion Indianapolis Colts, was the guest host of Saturday Night Live yesterday evening- along with Country music star Carrie Underwood who looked radiant as always.
[Link]
Here's a clip from the show. It is one of the funniest clips I have seen from SNL in a long time.
[Link]
Here's a clip from the show. It is one of the funniest clips I have seen from SNL in a long time.
Pimpin' Ain't Easy, but Neither is Being a Republican
Former "Pimp of the Year" Matthew "Knowledge" Thompkins of the Bronx, NY was sentenced to 23 years in Federal prison yesterday.
It's hard to imagine a more disgusting person.
Thompkins employed prostitutes as young as 14 years old in cities across the United States- including New York, Philly, Vegas, Atlantic City and Youngstown, Ohio of all places.
[Link]
Incidentally, Thompkins sentence is two years less than the sentence currently facing Scooter Libby.
[Link]
Is more difficult to be a pimp in New York City or a Republican in Washington, DC?
It's hard to imagine a more disgusting person.
Thompkins employed prostitutes as young as 14 years old in cities across the United States- including New York, Philly, Vegas, Atlantic City and Youngstown, Ohio of all places.
[Link]
Incidentally, Thompkins sentence is two years less than the sentence currently facing Scooter Libby.
[Link]
Is more difficult to be a pimp in New York City or a Republican in Washington, DC?
Time Magazine Reports Good News in Iraq
It has to be the single most shocking story of the Iraq war. Fighting every convention of the past four years, Time Magazine is reporting signs of progress in Iraq to the American people.
Here's an excerpt from the article:
It must have been a tremendous challenge for the writer to offer a more qualified, optimistic prognosis. The stilted paragraph structure is one which can only be taught by an academic. But perhaps the bigger question is why Time would report any good news when so many now hope to see our mission fail. Maybe the new guy didn't get the memo- bury good news; publish bad news.
My own cynicism toward the press aside, the story marks a significant turn in coverage on the war. Even though Drudge didn't run a siren, the quietly touted story offers some long absent food for thought to the naysayers of the President's Iraq surge plan. Maybe, just maybe, victory isn't such a bad goal after all?
Here's an excerpt from the article:
With two-fifths of its current "surge" in troop strength in place, the U.S. military under the fresh command of Army General David Petraeus is seeing a few signs that new tactics are contributing to America's goals in Iraq. Granted, amid the smoke and carnage swirling around Baghdad, it's way too soon for conclusions. Any assessment at this time could be overturned with the next huge truck bomb or mosque attack. But certain indicators are encouraging. People are returning to central Baghdad's vast Zawra Park, the Washington Post reported Thursday. Petraeus, in a New York Post interview published Wednesday, said "major improvements" are happening in Baghdad "but we still have a long way to go."
[Link]
It must have been a tremendous challenge for the writer to offer a more qualified, optimistic prognosis. The stilted paragraph structure is one which can only be taught by an academic. But perhaps the bigger question is why Time would report any good news when so many now hope to see our mission fail. Maybe the new guy didn't get the memo- bury good news; publish bad news.
My own cynicism toward the press aside, the story marks a significant turn in coverage on the war. Even though Drudge didn't run a siren, the quietly touted story offers some long absent food for thought to the naysayers of the President's Iraq surge plan. Maybe, just maybe, victory isn't such a bad goal after all?
Edwards Announcement Looms
Good Thursday morning. To my friends in Brazil, hola. Thanks for dropping by. Stateside, as you can see from the headline above, the major political news is a noon-time announcement by former Senator John Edwards. The press conference is expected to focus on the health of his wife Elizabeth who has struggled in recent years with breast cancer.
As the world turns in DC, most politicos expect it to include either a withdrawal from the 2008 Presidential race or an intent to scale back appearances to sped time with his presumed ailing wife.
[Link]
Washington, by definition, will always be more concerned with the political intrigue of any story than the personal drama as it unfolds in the life of an individual. But here's one instance when this partisan is only too willing to set aside politics.
The lost subtext of today's announcement is that any decision made by Edwards is ultimately derived from concern for his wife- a reality of far greater importance than even the highest office in the land. I firmly disagree with Edwards on nearly every matter of policy but I wish him, his wife, and their children all the best.
Family always comes before politics.
As the world turns in DC, most politicos expect it to include either a withdrawal from the 2008 Presidential race or an intent to scale back appearances to sped time with his presumed ailing wife.
[Link]
Washington, by definition, will always be more concerned with the political intrigue of any story than the personal drama as it unfolds in the life of an individual. But here's one instance when this partisan is only too willing to set aside politics.
The lost subtext of today's announcement is that any decision made by Edwards is ultimately derived from concern for his wife- a reality of far greater importance than even the highest office in the land. I firmly disagree with Edwards on nearly every matter of policy but I wish him, his wife, and their children all the best.
Family always comes before politics.
Newsweek on Attorney Firings
In their column released today, Newsweek's Richard Wolffe & Holly Bailey offer up the latest sacrament of vitriol over the U.S. Attorney firings. The final product, like most items in Newsweek, reads somewhere along the lines of DNC talking points and Al Gore's over-hyped PowerPoint presentation. Their disgust for Bush is bested only by their disingenuous use of sarcasm and improper use of the word irony.
[Link]
I suppose as an amateur I am being a bit improper myself by critiquing paid, print columnists. Then again, neither has the wherewithal to actually write their own column so in some ways, the piece offered by Wolffe and Bailey is a bit like being lumped together at the kids table during Thanksgiving.
It's cute. But the grown-ups table is reserved for the likes of George Will and even Howard Fineman once in a blue moon.
Even so, consider this excerpt discussing the President's presser yesterday evening:
It's almost laughable but for the fact that they were actually salaried at some point to come up with this stuff. Apparently, nothing bespeaks professional journalism these days quite like exclamation points and faux ellipses.
The unfortunate point lost on the duo for want of sarcasm is that the President more than adequately addressed Democrats' issues with the attorney sackings. The obvious result today is that Democrats are, indeed, more interested in politics than fact.
Accordingly, Wolffe & Bailey (Beetle & Bailey?) are careful to make no mention of the Dems political motivations and conveniently ignore the point that it is within the President's power to fire his political appointees.
But in the end, perhaps the joke is on me. No one expects much in the way of journalistic integrity from Newsweek or the media in general. After all, their column is no worse that this week's installment from Charlie Cook who deftly concludes of 2008: no one knows.
[Link]
I suppose as an amateur I am being a bit improper myself by critiquing paid, print columnists. Then again, neither has the wherewithal to actually write their own column so in some ways, the piece offered by Wolffe and Bailey is a bit like being lumped together at the kids table during Thanksgiving.
It's cute. But the grown-ups table is reserved for the likes of George Will and even Howard Fineman once in a blue moon.
Even so, consider this excerpt discussing the President's presser yesterday evening:
Reasonable, right? It almost sounded convincing. But wait! Who was it that had provided those confusing and incomplete explanations in the first place? Hadn't it been ... the president and the attorney general? And hadn't previous administrations agreed to let key aides testify before Congress under oath? Meaning, the level of cooperation was perhaps slightly less "extraordinary" than the president presumed.
It's almost laughable but for the fact that they were actually salaried at some point to come up with this stuff. Apparently, nothing bespeaks professional journalism these days quite like exclamation points and faux ellipses.
The unfortunate point lost on the duo for want of sarcasm is that the President more than adequately addressed Democrats' issues with the attorney sackings. The obvious result today is that Democrats are, indeed, more interested in politics than fact.
Accordingly, Wolffe & Bailey (Beetle & Bailey?) are careful to make no mention of the Dems political motivations and conveniently ignore the point that it is within the President's power to fire his political appointees.
But in the end, perhaps the joke is on me. No one expects much in the way of journalistic integrity from Newsweek or the media in general. After all, their column is no worse that this week's installment from Charlie Cook who deftly concludes of 2008: no one knows.
Today: Do fat babies grow into fat adults?
The Today Show (via MSNBC) posed the question above in an article found under its health section.
The answer was an unsurprising, yes.
Bush Backs Gonzales
Word on the street is that President Bush called Attorney General Alberto Gonzales this morning to offer his firm support as the hullabaloo over the AG's firing of eight U.S. Attorneys grows.
[Link]
All of which means, it's probably only a matter of time before Gonzales gets the gate. Just recall what happened the last time President Bush offered his firm support for a cabinet member. He didn't last the weekend.
The AP provided this snippet of analysis from former House Majority Leader Tom Delay:
Here's hoping the Administration takes his advice this time.
[Link]
All of which means, it's probably only a matter of time before Gonzales gets the gate. Just recall what happened the last time President Bush offered his firm support for a cabinet member. He didn't last the weekend.
The AP provided this snippet of analysis from former House Majority Leader Tom Delay:
"And the Bush administration sort of showed their weakness when they got rid of Don Rumsfeld," the Texan said on NBC's "Today" show. "... This is a made up scandal. There is no evidence of wrongdoing whatsoever. ... They ought to be fighting back."
Here's hoping the Administration takes his advice this time.
Song of the Week: Chattanooga Choo Choo
The Pax Plena song of the week hearkens us back to a bygone era of contrasting simplicities- when good and evil were objective and when America could fight a war on two fronts and win with only good ole' American resolve.
The year was August 21, 1941 less than four months before America's entry into World War II and the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor. Glen Miller's orchestra had just ushered in a brand new era of big band swing and its new hit Chattanooga Choo Choo was the hottest song going. Fresh off the silver screen and into the radios and theaters of audiences across North America, the Milton Berle film Sun Valley Serenade introduced our swing classic to the world.
The song is about a train trip taken from New York City to Chattanooga, TN back when Chattanooga was the kind of town folks ought to visit- when some three railways catered to the city's transportation needs. It explores a now lost mode of travel and an increasingly passé notion of commitment. But the music will be as familiar to listeners as any sound of Americana- which only reinforces the view that the song has become somewhat of an American institution unto itself.
Chattanooga Choo Choo melds the breezy vocals of Tex Beneke (who would go on to provide the vocals for most of the Glen Miller Orchestra's biggest hits) with the big band sound of trombone, trumpet and tenor sax melody. Most notably, the background accompaniment infuses the opening strains with train engine sounds which help to blend seamlessly lyric and score. Like most swing songs, the tune is played to an up beat rhythm just right for dancing. If anything, the song was marketable in the Rainbow Room's golden age.
Listening to the song some 65 years later, the ultimate contribution it makes to the lexicon of music is its sentimental recollection of America's lost innocence. It calls to mind the days before Islamofascism, the War on Terror and even the Greatest Generation. It conjures up memories of a time when the mere mention of satin and lace was enough to raise eyebrows, long before the days of quick flights, 24-hour news cycles and even shorter marriages.
The link at the bottom provides a brief You Tube video from Sun Valley Serenade and features the song as performed back in 1941. Enjoy!
Chattanooga Choo Choo
Pardon me, boy
Is that the Chattanooga choo choo?
Track twenty-nine
Boy, you can gimme a shine
I can afford
To board a Chattanooga choo choo
I've got my fare
And just a trifle to spare
You leave the Pennsylvania Station 'bout a quarter to four
Read a magazine and then you're in Baltimore
Dinner in the diner
Nothing could be finer
Than to have your ham an' eggs in Carolina
When you hear the whistle blowin' eight to the bar
Then you know that Tennessee is not very far
Shovel all the coal in
Gotta keep it rollin'
Woo, woo, Chattanooga there you are
There's gonna be
A certain party at the station
Satin and lace
I used to call "funny face"
She's gonna cry
Until I tell her that I'll never roam
So Chattanooga choo choo
Won't you choo-choo me home?
Chattanooga choo choo
Won't you choo-choo me home?
[Link]
The year was August 21, 1941 less than four months before America's entry into World War II and the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor. Glen Miller's orchestra had just ushered in a brand new era of big band swing and its new hit Chattanooga Choo Choo was the hottest song going. Fresh off the silver screen and into the radios and theaters of audiences across North America, the Milton Berle film Sun Valley Serenade introduced our swing classic to the world.
The song is about a train trip taken from New York City to Chattanooga, TN back when Chattanooga was the kind of town folks ought to visit- when some three railways catered to the city's transportation needs. It explores a now lost mode of travel and an increasingly passé notion of commitment. But the music will be as familiar to listeners as any sound of Americana- which only reinforces the view that the song has become somewhat of an American institution unto itself.
Chattanooga Choo Choo melds the breezy vocals of Tex Beneke (who would go on to provide the vocals for most of the Glen Miller Orchestra's biggest hits) with the big band sound of trombone, trumpet and tenor sax melody. Most notably, the background accompaniment infuses the opening strains with train engine sounds which help to blend seamlessly lyric and score. Like most swing songs, the tune is played to an up beat rhythm just right for dancing. If anything, the song was marketable in the Rainbow Room's golden age.
Listening to the song some 65 years later, the ultimate contribution it makes to the lexicon of music is its sentimental recollection of America's lost innocence. It calls to mind the days before Islamofascism, the War on Terror and even the Greatest Generation. It conjures up memories of a time when the mere mention of satin and lace was enough to raise eyebrows, long before the days of quick flights, 24-hour news cycles and even shorter marriages.
The link at the bottom provides a brief You Tube video from Sun Valley Serenade and features the song as performed back in 1941. Enjoy!
Chattanooga Choo Choo
Pardon me, boy
Is that the Chattanooga choo choo?
Track twenty-nine
Boy, you can gimme a shine
I can afford
To board a Chattanooga choo choo
I've got my fare
And just a trifle to spare
You leave the Pennsylvania Station 'bout a quarter to four
Read a magazine and then you're in Baltimore
Dinner in the diner
Nothing could be finer
Than to have your ham an' eggs in Carolina
When you hear the whistle blowin' eight to the bar
Then you know that Tennessee is not very far
Shovel all the coal in
Gotta keep it rollin'
Woo, woo, Chattanooga there you are
There's gonna be
A certain party at the station
Satin and lace
I used to call "funny face"
She's gonna cry
Until I tell her that I'll never roam
So Chattanooga choo choo
Won't you choo-choo me home?
Chattanooga choo choo
Won't you choo-choo me home?
[Link]
Photo courtesy of Classic Photos.com
Obama Ad Stuns Team Clinton
The media is mostly heralding the YouTube video below as a watershed moment in campaign advertising. The spot features a scene from Apple's 1984 Super Bowl ad and shows a female runner shattering the screen of a big brother figure droning on to an audience of mindless followers.
[Link]
The Obama spot, however, presents the big brother figure as Sen. Hillary Clinton who spouts her typical drivel of empty platitudes into the camera.
The clear message is that Clinton represents the old while Obama the new.
Unfortunately, the video couldn't be further from the truth. Barack Hussein Obama is nothing more than liberal politics as usual.
[Link]
The Obama spot, however, presents the big brother figure as Sen. Hillary Clinton who spouts her typical drivel of empty platitudes into the camera.
The clear message is that Clinton represents the old while Obama the new.
Unfortunately, the video couldn't be further from the truth. Barack Hussein Obama is nothing more than liberal politics as usual.
Democrats Inconsistent on Attorney Firings
The AP is reporting that this week promises to bring much in the way of political tumult as House Democrats launch a probe into the firing of eight U.S. Attorneys by Attorney General Alberto Gonzales.
[Link]
The issue is really only interesting for policy wonks and folks within the Beltway but the media and the Democrats (forgive the redundancy) intend to present the firings as a Bush Administration scandal on the level of Watergate.
Like most works of fiction, the story is far more spin and hyperbole than reality and fact. Here's a brief run down of things likely to be omitted in the press next week:
The point remains that U.S. Attorneys are political appointees who serve at the pleasure of the President.
As political appointees, the President possess complete authority to hire and fire them as he sees fit. With this power vested in the Executive branch, Democrats can complain but it remains the case that all U.S. Attorneys recognize the tenuous nature of their political appointment.
And anyone who thinks political appointments are not tenuous should just ask Don Rumsfeld. As my Grandpa would say,'them's the breaks.'
While the Democrats can make many arguments saying the firings were unfair, they cannot justifiably call them a scandal. Then again, no one said House Democrats possess the capability for linear thought.
Moreover, the firing are not without precedent. Some of you may recall that 14 years ago, a certain President named Bill Clinton along with his Attorney General Janet Reno fired all 93 U.S. Attorneys as they were investigating political ally Dan Rostenkowski on mail fraud charges.
Rostenkowski would eventually go to jail, but he would not wait there long. He was soon pardoned by President Clinton.
In the end, it was satiric website ScrappleFace which had the best summary of the situation in its Sunday news roundup:
Fair enough. They should have started with Patrick Fitzgerald.
[Link]
The issue is really only interesting for policy wonks and folks within the Beltway but the media and the Democrats (forgive the redundancy) intend to present the firings as a Bush Administration scandal on the level of Watergate.
Like most works of fiction, the story is far more spin and hyperbole than reality and fact. Here's a brief run down of things likely to be omitted in the press next week:
The point remains that U.S. Attorneys are political appointees who serve at the pleasure of the President.
As political appointees, the President possess complete authority to hire and fire them as he sees fit. With this power vested in the Executive branch, Democrats can complain but it remains the case that all U.S. Attorneys recognize the tenuous nature of their political appointment.
And anyone who thinks political appointments are not tenuous should just ask Don Rumsfeld. As my Grandpa would say,'them's the breaks.'
While the Democrats can make many arguments saying the firings were unfair, they cannot justifiably call them a scandal. Then again, no one said House Democrats possess the capability for linear thought.
Moreover, the firing are not without precedent. Some of you may recall that 14 years ago, a certain President named Bill Clinton along with his Attorney General Janet Reno fired all 93 U.S. Attorneys as they were investigating political ally Dan Rostenkowski on mail fraud charges.
Rostenkowski would eventually go to jail, but he would not wait there long. He was soon pardoned by President Clinton.
In the end, it was satiric website ScrappleFace which had the best summary of the situation in its Sunday news roundup:
"If we had canned the lot of you, like President Clinton did when he took office, no one could accuse President Bush of favoritism," said Mr. Gonzales.
[Link]
Fair enough. They should have started with Patrick Fitzgerald.
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Come snow or shine, it's St. Patrick's Day here in Boston!Although my Native American roots preclude me from fully appreciating the luck of the Irish, it's hard not to enjoy all of the fervor which comes along with imbibing alcohol and wearing green.
For those interested, Wikipedia has a fun, brief history of the unofficial holiday- spare Ireland where it is the Official National Holiday (think American 4th of July but with lots of leprechauns).
Contrary to popular thought, St. Patrick did not chase the snakes out of Ireland even according to legend and according to biology no snakes were ever there (I would normally make a Kennedy joke about snakes here but I am feeling gregarious today).
Instead, St. Patrick's Day actually marks the death of St. Patrick himself who was a much beloved missionary to Ireland and responsible for converting many Celtic Druids to Christianity. The significance of the Shamrock is that St. Patrick used it to explain the Trinity to the Druids. Three elements, one entity. Easy enough.
[Link]
I'm not sure how we have traversed the plain from the shamrock as trinity to St. Patty's Day as green beer but like all holidays it seems to work.
Happy St. Patrick's Day.
Spring Break on Ice
During my senior year of college, I spent Spring break traipsing about the South Canadian plain managing a quick stroll on the still frozen Lake Champlain.At the time, I considered the trip my final, purely northeastern novelty.
Little did I know that it would not be my last spring break spent on ice. Fast forward to March 2007, and you'll see the winter wallop which has taken the Boston metro area by force.
And prompted my early release from work. Sometimes blessings can be most unexpected.
[Link]
Even so, my major disappointment in this storm is how it has rendered void most of my plans for St. Patrick's Day. Last year I enjoyed green beer from Kennedy's in Downtown Boston. This year, my plans included a trip to Southie for the annual parade. Let's just say all plans are on hold.
Fortunately for some dear friends back in OK, the weather is expected to be sunny and warm there and this is just as well. They are set to be married on St. Patrick's Day.
For now, I will be glad for them from afar and thankful that they will not be married here in Boston.
March Madness Predictions
You know March madness is upon us when even the National Review will deign to run an op-ed discussing the American rite.
[Link]
I mostly agree with Kane Webb's summary of office types who join the company tourney pool. I'm normally a 'homer' by his reckoning but this year, with no hometeam to back, I'm more of the 'chicken-scratch kid.'
And accordingly, I'm picking the KU Jayhawks.
Final score: 78-70 over Georgetown.
Pope Benedict XVI: Bringing Back the Oldies
Since today is more or less music day here at Pax Plena, here's a bit of news about some phat jamz coming soon to a St. Peter's Basilica near you.
Pope Benedict XVI (otherwise known as B16 to his dawgz) announced to the Catholic world today that he would like to see the Gregorian chant make a comeback during Mass.
[Link]
No explanation was given for why the Supreme Pontiff seeks a return to music of the 14th and 15th century. Most of the Catholic faithful will have to chalk this one up to papal infallibility.
When asked if the music of 14th century monks would be out of touch with today's worshipper, the Pope replied, "Who said church music ain't hip?"
Pope Benedict XVI (otherwise known as B16 to his dawgz) announced to the Catholic world today that he would like to see the Gregorian chant make a comeback during Mass.
[Link]
No explanation was given for why the Supreme Pontiff seeks a return to music of the 14th and 15th century. Most of the Catholic faithful will have to chalk this one up to papal infallibility.
When asked if the music of 14th century monks would be out of touch with today's worshipper, the Pope replied, "Who said church music ain't hip?"
Song of the Week: Somewhere in Between
Taking a brief interlude from country and blue grass groups, the Pax Plena song of the week comes to you courtesy of alternative music group Lifehouse and is titled Somewhere in Between.
Through minor chords and repetitive melody, the song commends an obvious sympathy for anyone living amid one of life's crossroads and waiting for the next steps to become clear. It's mellow tenor communicates that the ultimate message of the song is as much one of grace as it is one of transition. The unspoken lesson seems to be that time has a way of effecting the change for which we wait. We initially reach a point of questioning, "why am I losing sleep over this" until we arrive at the conclusion we are "somewhere in between." This place has many locales be it in between anger and forgiveness, sorrow and joy, or tumult and peace. Still, during these periods we find grace through the Philippians sense of working out our own salvation as we confront the obstacle in debating "what is real and just a dream."
In some sense, our entire lives are devoted to this Pauline task. Desmond Tutu told me at breakfast many years ago "There's only one way to eat an elephant- one bite at a time." This maxim is true for life. It is a point both obvious and inevitable in the song but it's instructive for anyone waiting, praying, seeking or yearning and finding themselves somewhere in between.
Somewhere in Between
I cant be losing sleep over this, no I can't
And now I can not stop pacing
Give me a few hours, I'll have all this sorted out
If my mind would just stop racing
Cause I cannot stand still
I cant be this unsturdy
This cannot be happening
This is over my head but underneath my feet
Cuz by tomorrow morning I'll have this thing beat
And everything will be back to the way that it was
I wish that it was just that easy
Cuz I'm waiting for tonight
Then waiting for tomorrow
And I'm somewhere in between
What is real, and just a dream
What is real, and just a dream
What is real, and just a dream
Would you catch me if I fall out of what I fell in
Don't be surprised if I collapse down at your feet again
I don't want to run away from this
I know that I just don't need this
Cause I cannot stand still
I can't be this unsturdy
This cannot be happening
Cuz I'm waiting for tonight
Then waiting for tomorrow
And I'm somewhere in between
What is real, and just a dream
What is real, and just a dream
What is real, and just a dream
Through minor chords and repetitive melody, the song commends an obvious sympathy for anyone living amid one of life's crossroads and waiting for the next steps to become clear. It's mellow tenor communicates that the ultimate message of the song is as much one of grace as it is one of transition. The unspoken lesson seems to be that time has a way of effecting the change for which we wait. We initially reach a point of questioning, "why am I losing sleep over this" until we arrive at the conclusion we are "somewhere in between." This place has many locales be it in between anger and forgiveness, sorrow and joy, or tumult and peace. Still, during these periods we find grace through the Philippians sense of working out our own salvation as we confront the obstacle in debating "what is real and just a dream."
In some sense, our entire lives are devoted to this Pauline task. Desmond Tutu told me at breakfast many years ago "There's only one way to eat an elephant- one bite at a time." This maxim is true for life. It is a point both obvious and inevitable in the song but it's instructive for anyone waiting, praying, seeking or yearning and finding themselves somewhere in between.
Somewhere in Between
I cant be losing sleep over this, no I can't
And now I can not stop pacing
Give me a few hours, I'll have all this sorted out
If my mind would just stop racing
Cause I cannot stand still
I cant be this unsturdy
This cannot be happening
This is over my head but underneath my feet
Cuz by tomorrow morning I'll have this thing beat
And everything will be back to the way that it was
I wish that it was just that easy
Cuz I'm waiting for tonight
Then waiting for tomorrow
And I'm somewhere in between
What is real, and just a dream
What is real, and just a dream
What is real, and just a dream
Would you catch me if I fall out of what I fell in
Don't be surprised if I collapse down at your feet again
I don't want to run away from this
I know that I just don't need this
Cause I cannot stand still
I can't be this unsturdy
This cannot be happening
Cuz I'm waiting for tonight
Then waiting for tomorrow
And I'm somewhere in between
What is real, and just a dream
What is real, and just a dream
What is real, and just a dream
Pelosi Blows Off Peace Activists
In a story which has escaped national headlines on all major networks, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi refused to meet with peace advocacy group Code Pink who camped outside her San Fransisco home early this morning.
[Link]
As a brief point of order, it seems a bit suspect that protests against President Bush, hundreds of miles away in Latin America, made news while protests against the Speaker of the House outside her home generated little more than a yawn from the press.
But media bias aside, it's always a tragedy when Democrats are so quick to ignore their liberal base. It's particularly tragic for Republicans who would win every election if the Dems did pay more attention to the radical-left of their party. Far from taking any measures to mollify Code Pink, Pelosi's Democrats seem to be content with feeding leftists empty platitudes like her non-binding resolution opposing the war.
For liberals out in San Fransisco, this has to be especially frustrating. Looks like Nancy left her heart in Washington instead.
Outsourcing Match.com
Outsourcing as smartly defined by Wikipedia is "the delegation of non-core operations from internal production to an external entity specializing in the management of that operation." Although I am loathe to paraphrase, a New York Times article yesterday seems to indicate that outsourcing is exactly the trend for a growing number of on-line daters.
[Link]
In fact, not only are certain aspects of the on-line dating process outsourced, but an entire service industry around the phenomenon has evolved to pick up the slack. Perhaps expectedly, the range of services offered by external companies primarily caters to the cyber-romantically challenged.
One site, for example, offers sittings with a professional photographer for those who can't quite smile without looking goofy (or smile without blinking in the case of your truly). For a fee, the photographer will be glad to take the picture-perfect profile shot or 'touch up' an existing profile photo.
Another site offers writing advice to cyber-daters as they tweak their information for the best turn of phrase. Clichés such as 'laid-back' and 'relaxed' are ubiquitously banned along with any references to 'exploring the city' and willingness to 'try new things.'
Prices fall anywhere from $39 to $1500.
The entrepreneurial spirit in these United States is clearly alive and well but what's amusing about the whole lot is the lengths to which people will go to perfect the art of deception. Rest assured, however, it is only a deception. Here are a few thoughts.
[Link]
In fact, not only are certain aspects of the on-line dating process outsourced, but an entire service industry around the phenomenon has evolved to pick up the slack. Perhaps expectedly, the range of services offered by external companies primarily caters to the cyber-romantically challenged.
One site, for example, offers sittings with a professional photographer for those who can't quite smile without looking goofy (or smile without blinking in the case of your truly). For a fee, the photographer will be glad to take the picture-perfect profile shot or 'touch up' an existing profile photo.
Another site offers writing advice to cyber-daters as they tweak their information for the best turn of phrase. Clichés such as 'laid-back' and 'relaxed' are ubiquitously banned along with any references to 'exploring the city' and willingness to 'try new things.'
Prices fall anywhere from $39 to $1500.
The entrepreneurial spirit in these United States is clearly alive and well but what's amusing about the whole lot is the lengths to which people will go to perfect the art of deception. Rest assured, however, it is only a deception. Here are a few thoughts.
Recent musings have led me to conclude that on-line dating truly caters to the most passive men in our society. For women, I submit the scenario on-line is fairly status quo to life: guys hit on girls. Not a huge stretch in logic. Some might even call it commonsense.
E-flirting, however, attracts passive men because for them nothing is at stake. There's no risk of embarrassing rejection as might be found in actually striking up a conversation with someone new because any interest is indicated electronically. Similarly, rejection is indicated in the much more emotionally manageable milieu of electronic message or by silence. But either way, no harm, no foul.
The contradiction of online dating itself is that while it encourages the passive to be bold (or bolder than sitting at the table during junior prom), it cannot supplement for a relationship undertaken IRL- in real life for those less web savvy. This in turn leads to the deceptive element of outsourcing on-line dating. A professional photographer will not actually make you any more attractive. A professional photo will not compensate for the disappointment a date feels when they see your ugly mug smiling back across the table. In addition, a plagiarized profile will not earn you points for articulation when your date discovers that your ability to carry on a conversation is somewhere around the level of Peter Griffin.
But here's the most compelling argument- who wants to spend more money than the $59 it costs to join in the first place?
E-flirting, however, attracts passive men because for them nothing is at stake. There's no risk of embarrassing rejection as might be found in actually striking up a conversation with someone new because any interest is indicated electronically. Similarly, rejection is indicated in the much more emotionally manageable milieu of electronic message or by silence. But either way, no harm, no foul.
The contradiction of online dating itself is that while it encourages the passive to be bold (or bolder than sitting at the table during junior prom), it cannot supplement for a relationship undertaken IRL- in real life for those less web savvy. This in turn leads to the deceptive element of outsourcing on-line dating. A professional photographer will not actually make you any more attractive. A professional photo will not compensate for the disappointment a date feels when they see your ugly mug smiling back across the table. In addition, a plagiarized profile will not earn you points for articulation when your date discovers that your ability to carry on a conversation is somewhere around the level of Peter Griffin.
But here's the most compelling argument- who wants to spend more money than the $59 it costs to join in the first place?
Not that I would know...
Rudy Giuliani on Abortion?
Below is yet more proof that politicians will tell any lie to get elected.
In the first video, which appears to be a campaign piece released by a supporter, ex-NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani says of abortion, "I hate it." But in the second video taken while Giuliani was running for mayor in '89, he advocates public funding for it.
His team no doubt has a makeover underway, but with flip flops like these that image will be hard to improve once his views are more widely known.
Rudy Giuliani Now:
Rudy Giuliani Then:
In the first video, which appears to be a campaign piece released by a supporter, ex-NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani says of abortion, "I hate it." But in the second video taken while Giuliani was running for mayor in '89, he advocates public funding for it.
His team no doubt has a makeover underway, but with flip flops like these that image will be hard to improve once his views are more widely known.
Rudy Giuliani Now:
Rudy Giuliani Then:
Democrats Howl for Attorney General's Resignation
It was really just a matter of time before Democrats started whining for another cabinet member to go.
Last time around, President Bush caved and fired Defense Secretary Don Rumsfeld.
Let's see if he does the same to Attorney General Alberto Gonzales.
[Link]
Last time around, President Bush caved and fired Defense Secretary Don Rumsfeld.
Let's see if he does the same to Attorney General Alberto Gonzales.
[Link]
Reuters Runs Birthday Tribute to Osama bin Laden
By now you've probably heard that Democrat Candidates have withdrawn from a scheduled debate hosted by Fox News because of the network's perceived conservative bias.
There's really no surprise there. Democrats are masters of withdrawing from commitments.
What remains a bit unclear is which media organizations Democrats prefer. If they prefer a network which gives time to anyone, then perhaps they should consider a debate hosted by Reuters.
After all, it was Reuter's (via CNN) which ran today's birthday tribute to Osama bin Laden.
[Link]
There's really no surprise there. Democrats are masters of withdrawing from commitments.
What remains a bit unclear is which media organizations Democrats prefer. If they prefer a network which gives time to anyone, then perhaps they should consider a debate hosted by Reuters.
After all, it was Reuter's (via CNN) which ran today's birthday tribute to Osama bin Laden.
[Link]
Giuliani's Hurdles
My morning read of the New York Times led me to a political memo by Adam Nagourney discussing potential stumbling blocks for Rudy Giuliani en route to the GOP Presidential nomination.
The memo submits that Giuliani's chief obstacle may be his association with New York City as an enclave of liberalism.
[Link]
This is in part true.
But it is only the least of reasons for which the former NYC mayor will not win the GOP nomination.
The more compelling reasons are, in fact, quite pithy: Abortion. Gun Control. Gay Marriage.
The memo submits that Giuliani's chief obstacle may be his association with New York City as an enclave of liberalism.
[Link]
This is in part true.
But it is only the least of reasons for which the former NYC mayor will not win the GOP nomination.
The more compelling reasons are, in fact, quite pithy: Abortion. Gun Control. Gay Marriage.
NYT: Democrats Rally Behind a Pullout From Iraq in ’08
For Democrats, the New York Times headline above casts an unfortunate incongruity on their newly minted plan for defeat just announced today. Only the Democrats are more apt to rally behind a plan for losing a war than behind a plan for winning one.
[Link]
So much for the Dems' tough talk on foreign policy. If Democrats are tough on foreign policy, we might as well call Ann Coulter culturally sensitive. I haven't had much to say about Coulter lately, but as an aside, it was actually Dennis Miller who summed up the Ann Coulter comments best:
Touché .
[Link]
So much for the Dems' tough talk on foreign policy. If Democrats are tough on foreign policy, we might as well call Ann Coulter culturally sensitive. I haven't had much to say about Coulter lately, but as an aside, it was actually Dennis Miller who summed up the Ann Coulter comments best:
So I don't like Edwards, but I think Ann should have split the difference and called him a maggot. This way you get five sixths of the word and you get none of the headaches.
[Link]
Touché .
Return of Global Cooling?
Probably not.
But with temps like these, global warming prognosticators look a lot like Chicken Little.
Song of the Week: Much Too Young To Feel This Damn Old
The Pax Plena song of the week comes to you courtesy of country music legend Garth Brooks and is titled Much Too Young To Feel This Damn Old.
It pretty much sums up life as a twenty-something but no one can sing it quite like Garth.
Much Too Young To Feel This Damn Old
This ol' highway's getting longer
Seems there ain't no end in sight
To sleep would be best, but I just can't afford to rest
I've got to ride in Denver tomorrow night
I called the house but no one answered
For the last two weeks no one's been home
I guess she's through with me, to tell the truth I just can't see
What's kept the woman holding on this long
And the white line's getting longer and the saddle's getting cold
I'm much too young to feel this damn old
All my cards are on the table with no ace left in the hole
I'm much too young to feel this damn old
The competition's getting younger
Tougher broncs, you know I can't recall
The worn out tape of Chris LeDoux, lonely women and bad booze
Seem to be the only friends I've left at all
And the white line's getting longer and the saddle's getting cold
I'm much too young to feel this damn old
All my cards are on the table with no ace left in the hole
I'm much too young to feel this damn old
Lord, I'm much too young to feel this damn old
It pretty much sums up life as a twenty-something but no one can sing it quite like Garth.
Much Too Young To Feel This Damn Old
This ol' highway's getting longer
Seems there ain't no end in sight
To sleep would be best, but I just can't afford to rest
I've got to ride in Denver tomorrow night
I called the house but no one answered
For the last two weeks no one's been home
I guess she's through with me, to tell the truth I just can't see
What's kept the woman holding on this long
And the white line's getting longer and the saddle's getting cold
I'm much too young to feel this damn old
All my cards are on the table with no ace left in the hole
I'm much too young to feel this damn old
The competition's getting younger
Tougher broncs, you know I can't recall
The worn out tape of Chris LeDoux, lonely women and bad booze
Seem to be the only friends I've left at all
And the white line's getting longer and the saddle's getting cold
I'm much too young to feel this damn old
All my cards are on the table with no ace left in the hole
I'm much too young to feel this damn old
Lord, I'm much too young to feel this damn old
Hillary Fakes the Talk Down South
Yet more proof Hillary Clinton will do anything to get elected. Perhaps, "say anything to get elected" is the better way to put it.
Her Southern accent is about what one would expect from a girl who went to Wellesley. Every resident of Selma, Alabama should feel insulted.
Her Southern accent is about what one would expect from a girl who went to Wellesley. Every resident of Selma, Alabama should feel insulted.
Al Gore Avoids Airport Security
Former Vice-President Al Gore Jr. breached airport security in Nashville yesterday (good 'ole BNA) after an American Airlines employee provided Gore's entourage direct access to the airport gate- without going through security.Fortunately for Gore and the public, no cavity searches were required to correct the situation.
[Link]
Talk about liberal entitlement- Gore wins one Oscar and thinks he can avoid security. He'll have to learn that security checkpoints are but an inconvenient truth.
*Photo Courtesy of Drudge.
Only in America: Keeping the Faith
There were a couple of headlines on the state of society and religion which prompted a few thoughts this afternoon.
According to the latest Pew Research survey, some 42% of Americans identify themselves as Christians first and Americans second. The numbers released today seem to underscore a growing concern among secularists that a large portion of the American population more closely resembles French Muslims than say British Christians. Simply put, Americans are more fundamentalist in their religious beliefs and identity than our brethren across the pond.
[Link]
Almost as if to combat the finding, the press wires have been abuzz with news that Titanic director James Cameron (an American no less) is set to release a new documentary highlighting his discovery of Jesus' tomb- a claim which could significantly undermine the Christian faith as it proclaims Christ's physical resurrection from the dead.
The documentary has already sparked a flurry of denunciations from most major Christian denominations (though word on the street is the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire is a big fan), and the ridicule of leading Israeli and American archaeologists.
William Dever formerly of the University of Arizona "considered the dean of biblical archaeology among U.S. scholars," said:
Of course, Cameron's finding would be a rather interesting discovery, indeed, if not for the minor point that the six ossuaries (coffins) in question were discovered some twenty-seven years ago.
Just for the record, Dever is an avowed secularist with over 50 years experience excavating ancient sites in the Middle East.
The stories plucked from today's headlines seem to accentuate a basic, long-standing tension between secularists and Christians pointing out why the two are so often skeptical of one another.
The Pew study makes clear that America is religiously more conservative than Europe- a point many on the left would rather not recall. Such numbers also make it easier for the same to cast this subset of the population in a similar light to some of the more fundamentalist elements of French Muslims for example.
Meanwhile, stories like the discovery of Christ's tomb seem to make the case for Christian Believers to distrust secular elements in the entertainment and media industries entirely- a group which is especially prone to publicizing such stories to the angst of American Christians.
The question I consider most valuable from all of this, perhaps surprisingly, is the following: Is this tension really a bad thing?
On some level, I think the religious fracture within the United States only speaks to the durability and vitality of the American experiment. Where else can so many agree on so little and still find themselves sharing common values?
We disagree on many things within our society but the continuing public discourse on faith and its clear role in informing our political conversation has historically been amicable and consistent- albeit one of tenuous agreeability to chat at all, rather than a formal collusion to agree on anything.
In short, here in America we typically agree to disagree and let the chips fall where they may- perhaps to the bewilderment of many in the Western World.
According to the latest Pew Research survey, some 42% of Americans identify themselves as Christians first and Americans second. The numbers released today seem to underscore a growing concern among secularists that a large portion of the American population more closely resembles French Muslims than say British Christians. Simply put, Americans are more fundamentalist in their religious beliefs and identity than our brethren across the pond.
[Link]
Almost as if to combat the finding, the press wires have been abuzz with news that Titanic director James Cameron (an American no less) is set to release a new documentary highlighting his discovery of Jesus' tomb- a claim which could significantly undermine the Christian faith as it proclaims Christ's physical resurrection from the dead.
The documentary has already sparked a flurry of denunciations from most major Christian denominations (though word on the street is the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire is a big fan), and the ridicule of leading Israeli and American archaeologists.
William Dever formerly of the University of Arizona "considered the dean of biblical archaeology among U.S. scholars," said:
I've know about these ossuaries for many years and so have many other archaeologists, and none of us thought it was much of a story, because these are rather common Jewish names from that period...It's a publicity stunt, and it will make these guys very rich, and it will upset millions of innocent people because they don't know enough to separate fact from fiction."
[Link]
Of course, Cameron's finding would be a rather interesting discovery, indeed, if not for the minor point that the six ossuaries (coffins) in question were discovered some twenty-seven years ago.
Just for the record, Dever is an avowed secularist with over 50 years experience excavating ancient sites in the Middle East.
The stories plucked from today's headlines seem to accentuate a basic, long-standing tension between secularists and Christians pointing out why the two are so often skeptical of one another.
The Pew study makes clear that America is religiously more conservative than Europe- a point many on the left would rather not recall. Such numbers also make it easier for the same to cast this subset of the population in a similar light to some of the more fundamentalist elements of French Muslims for example.
Meanwhile, stories like the discovery of Christ's tomb seem to make the case for Christian Believers to distrust secular elements in the entertainment and media industries entirely- a group which is especially prone to publicizing such stories to the angst of American Christians.
The question I consider most valuable from all of this, perhaps surprisingly, is the following: Is this tension really a bad thing?
On some level, I think the religious fracture within the United States only speaks to the durability and vitality of the American experiment. Where else can so many agree on so little and still find themselves sharing common values?
We disagree on many things within our society but the continuing public discourse on faith and its clear role in informing our political conversation has historically been amicable and consistent- albeit one of tenuous agreeability to chat at all, rather than a formal collusion to agree on anything.
In short, here in America we typically agree to disagree and let the chips fall where they may- perhaps to the bewilderment of many in the Western World.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
The Conservative Blog Network
