1.31.2005
Hope Is A Waking Dream
An Iraqi woman holds up her hand and shows a purple finger, indicating she has just voted, as she leaves a polling station in the centre of Az Zubayr, southern Iraq. Iraqis turned out to vote Sunday in their country's first free election in a half-century, defying insurgents who launched deadly suicide bombings and mortar strikes at polling stations. (AP Photo/Andrew Parsons/Pool) (January 30, 2005)
1.29.2005
Say It Ain't So(sa)
Can't say I didn't exactly see this coming, but I am still in a state of shock. On one hand, Sammy's relationship with the organization was fractured. However, on the other hand, he is a living legend and guaranteed Hall Of Famer with a few more productive seasons left. I will miss him, all Cubs fans will miss him . . .
BALTIMORE -- The Orioles and Cubs have completed a deal that would send slugger Sammy Sosa to Baltimore for second baseman Jerry Hairston and two minor leaguers, according to a team source, pending physicals for Sosa and Hairston.
The Orioles had no official comment on the deal, but they are apparently on the verge of bringing one of baseball's premier power hitters to Baltimore. Sosa, who is in the Dominican Republic, is expected to come to Baltimore early next week for his physical.
Sosa had a difficult relationship with Cubs manager Dusty Baker and his numbers were down from his previous sparkling years. He has been on the trading block for months and the Orioles have been rumored to be interested, but had been scared off by Sosa's salary.
1.28.2005
Isn't It Ironic . . . Don't You Think ?
I had a rather odd experience today.
I initially chalked it up as coincidence, but then I thought to myself, "no wait, maybe it was irony" (not like Alonis Morissette 'fly in the chardonnay' type of irony, which is actually unsanitary, not ironic). By now I'm confused, what's the difference between the two ? This began to really eat away at me for some stupid reason. So I had to do a little research to compare and contrast the two words. This what I came up with thanks to a helping hand from Mr. Websters :
co·in·ci·dence
Pronunciation: kO-'in(t)-s&-d&n(t)s, -s&-"den(t)s
Function: noun1 : the act or condition of coinciding; the occurrence of events that happen at the same timeby accident but seem to have some connection.
iro·ny
Pronunciation: 'I-r&-nE also 'I(-&)r-nE
Function: noun 1 : the use of words to express something other than and especially the opposite of the literalmeaning; incongruity between the actual result of a sequence of events and the normal or expected result.
With that said, I will leave it up to you; Ye Ole Wise Blog Reader Person, to come up with the answer as to whether the following experience I had today is either irony or coincidence. Here we go . . . The day started off like any other. Cup of fresh coffee, check. Bowl of Quaker Oats (with frozen berries), check. NPR Morning Edition coming through nice and clear on the computer speakers, check. Email open and ready to go, check.
While perusing my daily NY Times I came across a good article on the mafia and the 'Last Don', Joseph C. Massino. I am really intrigued by all of the mafioso, organized crime, Soprano stuff. Anyway, in the article was a word I have never seen before in my life. This doesn't happen very often, that is what started this dilemma. The word is omertà, as in not a sell-out or a rat. Well, that's a new one to me.
As the day goes on I am playing with my new word, like a Christmas day toy. Proud that there are new things out there, having fun with it (ok, I'm a little weird . . . so what). As the shock of my discovery just begins to subside, a co-worker of mine hands me a CD to listen to. The bands name is The Belles; the album title . . . that's right, Omerta.
SON OF A ! ! ! What are the odds ? ? ?
Now my question to you, Ye Ole Wise Blog Reader Person, is that coincidence or irony ?
The Bane of My Existence
What I don't understand about myself is that I decide one way, but then I act another, doing things I absolutely despise. So if I can't be trusted to figure out what is best for myself and then do it, it becomes obvious that God's command is necessary.
But I need something more! For if I know the law but still can't keep it, and if the power of sin within me keeps sabotaging my best intentions, I obviously need help! I realize that I don't have what it takes. I can will it, but I can't do it. I decide to do good, but I don't really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. My decisions, such as they are, don't result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time.
It happens so regularly that it's predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. I truly delight in God's commands, but it's pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge.
I've tried everything and nothing helps. I'm at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn't that the real question?
The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does. He acted to set things right in this life of contradictions where I want to serve God with all my heart and mind, but am pulled by the influence of sin to do something totally different.
Who Am I?
I will be saved, and I will save.
I will be loosed, and I will loose.
I will be wounded, and I will wound.
I will be born, and I will give birth.
I will eat, and I will be eaten.
I will hear, and I will be heard...
I am a lamp to all who behold me;
a mirror to all who perceive me.
I am a door to all who knock at me;
I am the way, to you, a traveler.
Finding a real Jesus...
Freedom From The Press
On the heels of the $240,000 Armstrong Williams scandal, the contractual obligations of another commentator cheerleader have been exposed. In 2002, syndicated columnist Maggie Gallagher staunchly defended the Bush marriage initiative in any venue that would give her space without disclosing that she was under a $20,000-plus contract with the Department of Health and Human Services to promote the proposal.
After the Armstrong Williams debacle, White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan rebuffed questions about whether there were additional commentators on the government dole, saying, "I'm not aware of any others that are under contract."
Yesterday, it was revealed that a third conservative syndicated columnist has been paid off by the Bush administration. Michael McManus was paid $10,000 to promote President Bush's marriage initiative, the same program Maggie Gallagher was paid to promote.
1.21.2005
Gluttony Kills More Than The Sword
A look at this week's festivities by the numbers:
$40 million: Cost of Bush inaugural ball festivities, not counting security costs.
$2,000: Amount FDR spent on the inaugural in 1945 ... about $20,000 in today's dollars.
$20,000: Cost of yellow roses purchased for inaugural festivities by D.C.'s Ritz Carlton.
200: Number of Humvees outfitted with top-of-the-line armor for troops in Iraq that could have been purchased with the amount of money blown on the inauguration.
$10,000: Price of an inaugural package at the Fairmont Hotel, which includes a Beluga caviar and Dom Perignon reception, a chauffeured Rolls Royce and two actors posing as "faux" Secret Service agents, complete with black sunglasses and cufflink walkie-talkies.
400: Pounds of lobster provided for "inaugural feeding frenzy" at the exclusive Mandarin Oriental hotel.
3,000: Number of "Laura Bush Cowboy cookies" provided for "inaugural feeding frenzy" at the Mandarin hotel.
$1: Amount per guest President Carter spent on snacks for guests at his inaugural parties. To stick to a tight budget, he served pretzels, peanuts, crackers and cheese and had cash bars.
22 million: Number of children in regions devastated by the tsunami who could have received vaccinations and preventive health care with the amount of money spent on the inauguration.
1,160,000: Number of girls who could be sent to school for a year in Afghanistan with the amount of money lavished on the inauguration.
$15,000: The down payment to rent a fur coat paid by one gala attendee who didn't want the hassle of schlepping her own through the airport.
$200,500: Price of a room package at D.C.'s Mandarin Oriental hotel, including presidential suite, chauffeured Mercedes limo and outfits from Neiman Marcus.
2,500: Number of U.S. troops used to stand guard as President Bush takes his oath of office.
26,000: Number of Kevlar vests for U.S. soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan that could be purchased for $40 million.
$290: Bonus that could go to each American solider serving in Iraq, if inauguration funds were used for that purpose.
$6.3 million: Amount contributed by the finance and investment industry, which works out to be 25 percent of all the money collected.
$17 million: Amount of money the White House is forcing the cash-strapped city of Washington, D.C., to pony up for inauguration security.
9: Percentage of D.C. residents who voted for Bush in 2004.
66: Percentage of Americans who think this over-the-top inauguration should have been scaled back.
alternet.org
1.17.2005
Reconnecting
I just returned from a longer than expected trip to Springfield, Missourah to visit my closest friend, former roommate, and all around great guy, Jeremy. Initially, I was to be gone only from Saturday afternoon to Sunday afternoon. However, our visit just got deeper and more fun by the hour, so I stayed until Monday morning. He invited me down to keep him company (and to catch up) while his wife Aubra is in Thailand for a multi-week photo shoot for a mission’s organization, AGWM. Before we got married and moved to KC, my wife Jenae also worked for AGWM for several years as the host and lead reporter for a monthly world missions video program that was distributed internationally within the denomination.
A common thread connecting Jeremy with those of you living around KC, with Jacobs Well, and / or Waterdeep fans; is that Jeremy was the original Waterdeep archivist and was the lead singer of a band called ZOË with Waterdeep keyboardist Christena Graves before she joined Don & Lori & crew. Shortly thereafter, Jeremy then formed a very cool group called Stillwater Rhythm. That is when we lived together and subsequently for the first time in my life I was brought into a true understanding of community and what it looks like to have an authentic life in Christ with other people.
I had a good time visiting the town that I spent the majority of my adult life in. It is unbelievable I lived there from '93 - '01, 8 freakin years. The town is still very limited and very conservative. However, they are making great strides in their downtown revitalization (yes they have a "downtown"). They have even built a brand new baseball stadium, which will be the future home of the St. Louis Cardinals Double A team. It is sad that a town the size and mentality of Springfield has blown past KC with the commitment to downtown revitalization. I really hope our city can get it together before Warrensburg, Sedalia, and Clinton passes us up as well.
I had a great weekend, it is so good to reconnect with close friends.
1.13.2005
Earl The Pearl
I get so excited when I discover a new (to me) and valuable website, especially if it is a website of a friend. Such a thing just occurred today. I was perusing a discussion group I belong to, when I came across a link posted by my friend, my mentor, my former pastor, my wedding official; Mr. / Dr. / Professor / Pastor / Dude / Earl Creps. The link was to his new (and first I am assuming) website . I cannot state just how freaking cool and dang smart this guy is. Hope you all can check in on him from time to time . . .
1.12.2005
Broken For Community
* I have made a conscious decision to slightly alter the direction of my blog (for at least the foreseeable future) to contain less news, current events, quotes, etc. and to bring forth more of me; my thoughts, my questions, my observations, my experiences, my fears, my celebrations, my life. Until inspiration strikes, I will leave you with a very powerful article I came across today, enjoy . . .
Broken for community
by F. Kefa Sempangi
by F. Kefa Sempangi
Unless we are broken, we are of no use to God. And unless we are broken, we are of no use to the community of believers of which we are a part. Hardly any of us can go to his or her Christian community and say, "This is my body which is broken for you. I am laying all my professional skills, abilities, and economic resources at your disposal. Take them and use them as you see fit." We cannot say this, because we are not broken. We are too proud to give our lives away to people who are not perfect. We don't want to lose ourselves for sinners. We want to find the perfect person and the perfect community, but we never find them.
So, like Judas, we make only a partial commitment to the body of believers to which we belong, and we find our identity in our rebellion from them. Unlike Paul who clearly saw his identity - "an apostle of Jesus Christ" - in terms of his function in the body, we see our identity in how we are different from the body and opposed to it.
If we are following Jesus, we cannot wait for the perfect community. It was while we were yet sinners that Christ allowed his body to be broken for us. Jesus lays the foundation for community life in the midst of betrayal: "the Lord Jesus Christ, the same night in which he was betrayed, took bread..." He gave thanks and broke it and gave it. Our commitment to one another in community can be no less than his: "This is my body broken for you."
Quote Of The Week
"The arrogance of power must be countered with reason, force with dialogue, pointed weapons with outstretched hands, evil with good."
- Pope John Paul II, in his address Monday to an annual gathering of world diplomats.
zenit.org
- Pope John Paul II, in his address Monday to an annual gathering of world diplomats.
zenit.org
Are We Programmed For Kindness?
Study Finds Genetic Basis For Human Kindness
Jan. 11, 2005 - Do humans have a "goodness gene?" Is there something inside us that genetically pushes us to reach out to the people who were devastated by the tsunami that struck southern Asia? Or do we do it because we have seen others suffer, and our culture has taught us the meaning of social responsibility?
The old "nature vs. nurture" debate just won't go away, as revealed by a number of studies in recent scientific journals and the sometimes nasty debates that follow.
Over the years the pendulum has swung back and forth between two extreme positions. Either we are what our genes tell us to be. Or we are what our culture has taught us to be.
The truth certainly lies somewhere in between, with opinions ranging all the way from "genetic determinism," in which genes are everything, to "free will," in which we have the freedom to shape our own sense of social responsibility regardless of our genetic composition.
ABC News
The Search For Nothing Is Over
The hunt for biological, chemical and nuclear weapons in Iraq has come to an end nearly two years after President Bush ordered U.S. troops to disarm Saddam Hussein. The top CIA weapons hunter is home, and analysts are back at Langley.
In interviews, officials who served with the Iraq Survey Group (ISG) said the violence in Iraq, coupled with a lack of new information, led them to fold up the effort shortly before Christmas.
Four months after Charles A. Duelfer, who led the weapons hunt in 2004, submitted an interim report to Congress that contradicted nearly every prewar assertion about Iraq made by top Bush administration officials, a senior intelligence official said the findings will stand as the ISG's final conclusions and will be published this spring.
President Bush, Vice President Cheney and other top administration officials asserted before the U.S. invasion in March 2003 that Iraq was reconstituting its nuclear weapons program, had chemical and biological weapons, and maintained links to al Qaeda affiliates to whom it might give such weapons to use against the United States.
1.11.2005
The Doctor Is In
From the desk of Governor Howard Dean, M.D.
I'm Running
As I have traveled across our country, I have talked to thousands of people who are working for change in their own communities about the power of politics to make a difference in their own lives and in the lives of others. Every group I have spoken to, I encouraged them to stand up for what they believe and to get involved in the electoral process—because the only sure way to make difference is to step up and run for office yourself.
Today, I'm announcing my candidacy for the Chairmanship of the Democratic National Committee.
I'm Running
As I have traveled across our country, I have talked to thousands of people who are working for change in their own communities about the power of politics to make a difference in their own lives and in the lives of others. Every group I have spoken to, I encouraged them to stand up for what they believe and to get involved in the electoral process—because the only sure way to make difference is to step up and run for office yourself.
Today, I'm announcing my candidacy for the Chairmanship of the Democratic National Committee.
The Democratic Party needs a vibrant, forward-thinking, long-term presence in every single state and we must be willing to contest every race at every level. We will only win when we show up and fight for the issues important to all of us . . . After all, new ideas and new leaders don't come from consultants; they come from communities.
1.09.2005
Pinch Me, I Must Be Dreaming
Crossfire is cancelled:
CNN/U.S. President Jonathan Klein sided Wednesday with comedian Jon Stewart, who used a "Crossfire" appearance last fall to rip the program as so much hackery.
"I think he made a good point about the noise level of these types of shows, which does nothing to illuminate the issues of the day," Klein said. Viewers need useful information in a dangerous world, he said, "and a bunch of guys screaming at each other simply doesn't accomplish that."
1.08.2005
Quote of the Day
"Get some devastation in the back."
- Sen. Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN), quoted by the AP, to a staff photographer taking a picture of him before leaving tsunami-stricken southern Sri Lanka.
1.06.2005
10 Worst Album Covers of All Time
A friend of mine sent me a link the other day that has kept me entertained with what has become my first top ten list. I guess “bottom 10” would be more appropriate, since it goes from “really bad” to “crime against humanity” . . .
Let’s get down to business, shall we?
Let’s get down to business, shall we?
1.05.2005
Virtual Confession
We have left undone those things which we ought to have done;
and we have done those things which we ought not to have done.
- Confession / Book Of Common Prayer / Liturgy of the Anglican Church
www.comeclean.com
and we have done those things which we ought not to have done.
- Confession / Book Of Common Prayer / Liturgy of the Anglican Church
www.comeclean.com
Go Big Red
Surprising Cornhuskers Lead Recruiting Race
by Tom Lemming - Special to ESPN Insider
With just about one month left in recruiting, the nation's teams are getting down to the serious stage of recruiting. In addition to some of the usual suspects making late runs at top classes, surprising Nebraska and Iowa have jumped into the top 5. Remember, the rankings are projections and based not only on current commitments, but also based on probable signings. Here's how I see things as of Jan. 4:
by Tom Lemming - Special to ESPN Insider
With just about one month left in recruiting, the nation's teams are getting down to the serious stage of recruiting. In addition to some of the usual suspects making late runs at top classes, surprising Nebraska and Iowa have jumped into the top 5. Remember, the rankings are projections and based not only on current commitments, but also based on probable signings. Here's how I see things as of Jan. 4:
The Cornhuskers now lead the way, and it could be awfully tough for anyone to catch them. All-American DL Ola Dagunduro of Compton Community College is their latest big catch. They would also like to get commitments from DB Reggie Smith, DE Barry Turner and WR Nyan Boateng.
1.04.2005
Martha Loses Decorating Contest In The Slam
It's hard enough to spend the holidays in the hole, but I imagine the festivities in a federal prison aren’t all that wonderful, even if it is Christmas. I'm sure it's even harder to take if you are Martha Stewart and your team just lost a prison holiday decorating contest. That’s right; team Martha, lost the prison holiday decorating contest.
How’s that taste Martha? You made billions of dollars showing people how to make their holiday decorations and cakes, and cookies, but some other cons in the hole won the contest. Each prison team was given $25 worth of glitter, ribbons, construction paper and glue to build displays based on the theme ‘peace on earth’. Martha and her fellow cons made paper swans. The other team of hardened criminals made a nativity. They won. Scoreboard.
Maybe she is losing her touch; maybe being on the inside has stymied her creativity. Maybe she isn’t going to be the same person when she gets out. Maybe all her cakes will taste like crap. Maybe people will think all her decorations are ugly. Maybe she will be like that guy from Shawshank and do better living on the inside and never want to come out.
Hey, if she is losing to some felons in a paper swan making contest, then something is going on. Hey, only a few more months Martha. She's scheduled to be out in early march and I am sure all of your papier-Mâché skills will come back in no time. Martha Stewart lost a decorating contest? That would be like OJ losing a ‘killing people’ contest.
jimrome.com
How’s that taste Martha? You made billions of dollars showing people how to make their holiday decorations and cakes, and cookies, but some other cons in the hole won the contest. Each prison team was given $25 worth of glitter, ribbons, construction paper and glue to build displays based on the theme ‘peace on earth’. Martha and her fellow cons made paper swans. The other team of hardened criminals made a nativity. They won. Scoreboard.
Maybe she is losing her touch; maybe being on the inside has stymied her creativity. Maybe she isn’t going to be the same person when she gets out. Maybe all her cakes will taste like crap. Maybe people will think all her decorations are ugly. Maybe she will be like that guy from Shawshank and do better living on the inside and never want to come out.
Hey, if she is losing to some felons in a paper swan making contest, then something is going on. Hey, only a few more months Martha. She's scheduled to be out in early march and I am sure all of your papier-Mâché skills will come back in no time. Martha Stewart lost a decorating contest? That would be like OJ losing a ‘killing people’ contest.
jimrome.com
1.03.2005
The Tsunami: A Wake-up Call
We do not need to weep for those who have died. We need to weep and pray for all those who remain alive, for the millions who are suffering hunger and thirst, and facing diseases such as cholera and malaria. Many will surely suffer excruciating deaths.
World leaders have criticized our president for his initial lame pledge of support for the countries stricken by the tsunamis. What would happen if we counteracted their justified concern by pulling all of our troops out of Iraq and Afghanistan, and sending them on to southern Asia to provide disaster relief?
Meanwhile, we ought to ask ourselves how much time we are still spending considering the meaning of this disaster and praying about it.
We are reminded in these lines from Psalm 46, we have a place to turn:
God is our refuge and our strength, a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we shall not be afraid, even though the earth be removed;
and though mountains are carried into the midst of the sea . . .
though its waters are troubled and roar;
though mountains shake with its swelling;
though nations rage, and kingdoms are moved . . .
Be still, and know that I am God
The Tsunami: A Wake-up Call
World leaders have criticized our president for his initial lame pledge of support for the countries stricken by the tsunamis. What would happen if we counteracted their justified concern by pulling all of our troops out of Iraq and Afghanistan, and sending them on to southern Asia to provide disaster relief?
Meanwhile, we ought to ask ourselves how much time we are still spending considering the meaning of this disaster and praying about it.
We are reminded in these lines from Psalm 46, we have a place to turn:
God is our refuge and our strength, a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we shall not be afraid, even though the earth be removed;
and though mountains are carried into the midst of the sea . . .
though its waters are troubled and roar;
though mountains shake with its swelling;
though nations rage, and kingdoms are moved . . .
Be still, and know that I am God
The Tsunami: A Wake-up Call
1.02.2005
Bono's American Prayer
This is the defining moral issue of our time.
This is a defining moment for us: For the church; for our values; for the culture that we live in.
God is on his knees to the church on this one. God Almighty is on his knees to us, begging us to turn around the supertanker of indifference on the subject of AIDS.
I think our whole idea of who we are is at stake. I think Judeo-Christian culture is at stake. If the church doesn't respond to this, the church will be made irrelevant.
People have been perverting the Gospels and the Holy Scriptures since they were first written - mostly the church. This AIDS emergency actually is just such a valuable example of everything that's wrong and perverted about Christianity today.
And millions of children and millions of lives are being lost to greed, to bureaucracy, and to a church that's been asleep. And it sends me out of my mind with anger.
I implore the church to reconsider grace, to put an end to this hierarchy of sin. All have fallen short. Let's stop throwing stones at people who've made mistakes in their life, and let's start throwing drugs.
Christianity Today, March, 2003
This is a defining moment for us: For the church; for our values; for the culture that we live in.
God is on his knees to the church on this one. God Almighty is on his knees to us, begging us to turn around the supertanker of indifference on the subject of AIDS.
I think our whole idea of who we are is at stake. I think Judeo-Christian culture is at stake. If the church doesn't respond to this, the church will be made irrelevant.
People have been perverting the Gospels and the Holy Scriptures since they were first written - mostly the church. This AIDS emergency actually is just such a valuable example of everything that's wrong and perverted about Christianity today.
And millions of children and millions of lives are being lost to greed, to bureaucracy, and to a church that's been asleep. And it sends me out of my mind with anger.
I implore the church to reconsider grace, to put an end to this hierarchy of sin. All have fallen short. Let's stop throwing stones at people who've made mistakes in their life, and let's start throwing drugs.
Christianity Today, March, 2003
About Me
- Name: doug
- Location: KC:MO:USA:EARTH
father. son. brother. husband. friend. boss. subordinate. teacher. student. wise. foolish. empathic. self-absorbed. protester. supporter. idealist. realist. unconscious. alive.
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