Had a very lively and insightful conversation with a conservative last night. His insight: it's counterproductive to say the word "objective truth" in an argument any longer. It only has the effect of saying "but I really mean it!" since, in his view, liberals are all about relativism. I wouldn't disagree.
Why is this important? For conservatives to recover their movement, which had been based so much on proving the consistency of their positions with objective reality, the path forward was to tell more stories that illustrated objective truth within the more colorful lives of the subjective people all around us. Christ, he said, after all, taught in parables, not debates.
Something to this, definitely.
Monday, November 17, 2008
More microtrends
9. Pro-semites - never has Jewishness been so fashionable, with US gentiles seeking them out for marriage and participating in their customs
10. Cougars - post-menopausal women dating much younger men
11. Older dads - new dads over the age of 45 are said to be more relaxed and interested in the lives of their kids, but still parenting into their 60s
12. hard of hearing - not just an aging phenomenon; 1/3 of those are young, a result of the noisier world we live in (ex: airplanes, hair dryers, cellphones, iPods)
13. pets - the increase in pets has shot up in the same percentage as the decrease in homes with children; most of the increase generated by single women; the top 1% of pets live better than 99% of humanity
14. single women - statistically, 3% of heterosexual women will never find a mate in the US, victims of a few trends, including a rise in gay men
15. pampered parents - US parents have become more permissive: no longer letting babies cry it out, no longer spanking, no longer withdrawing privileges after children say "I hate you" or use illegal drugs
10. Cougars - post-menopausal women dating much younger men
11. Older dads - new dads over the age of 45 are said to be more relaxed and interested in the lives of their kids, but still parenting into their 60s
12. hard of hearing - not just an aging phenomenon; 1/3 of those are young, a result of the noisier world we live in (ex: airplanes, hair dryers, cellphones, iPods)
13. pets - the increase in pets has shot up in the same percentage as the decrease in homes with children; most of the increase generated by single women; the top 1% of pets live better than 99% of humanity
14. single women - statistically, 3% of heterosexual women will never find a mate in the US, victims of a few trends, including a rise in gay men
15. pampered parents - US parents have become more permissive: no longer letting babies cry it out, no longer spanking, no longer withdrawing privileges after children say "I hate you" or use illegal drugs
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Microtrends by Mark Penn, 2007
I checked out this audiobook from the library - it's fascinating. Penn, who assisted Bill Clinton's campaigns and coined the term soccer moms, claims there are 70 microgroups in the US who account for more than 1% of the population and represent future changes in society. Businesses and politicians who can meet their needs will prosper.
Some examples:
1. Moderate Muslims - Penn says the typical American Muslim looks like the typical American in terms of conservative/liberal breakdown, religious adherence, education. This is different than in Europe, where Muslims are markedly more fanatical, where 1 in 7 say suicide bombing is OK and more than half don't believe Arabs flew plans into the WTC.
2. Internet marrieds - the stigma with online dating has waned, and more people -- especially urban liberals -- are turning to the Internet to find the One.
3. Ardent amazons - these are highly physical women, typically 5'7" and 175 lbs, who are thriving in professions such as firefighting, law enforcement, and the military. Surprisingly, 75% are conservative and most are rural.
4. Sun haters - this is the new anti-tobacco campaign; they go to extreme lengths in clothing to protect against sun exposure, because of fears that skin cancer will overtake lung cancer as the #1 cancer
5. Latino Protestants - though 70% of Latino immigrants are Catholics, a huge number are Protestant; not mainline, but Pentecostal. The Pentecostals have a sophisticated marketing and precinct machine much like the Democrats of the 1800s.
6. 30 Winkers - they sleep less than 6 hours a night routinely, due to work, long commutes, kids, or health problems. As a result, they demand late-night services.
7. Extreme commuters - they commute longer than 1.5 hours each way in order to enjoy a rural or remote lifestyle on the weekends
8. Commuter couples - Usually high-end professionals, they live in different places Monday through Friday but fly home to be together on the weekends - and report high marital happiness and low infidelity.
more to come...
Some examples:
1. Moderate Muslims - Penn says the typical American Muslim looks like the typical American in terms of conservative/liberal breakdown, religious adherence, education. This is different than in Europe, where Muslims are markedly more fanatical, where 1 in 7 say suicide bombing is OK and more than half don't believe Arabs flew plans into the WTC.
2. Internet marrieds - the stigma with online dating has waned, and more people -- especially urban liberals -- are turning to the Internet to find the One.
3. Ardent amazons - these are highly physical women, typically 5'7" and 175 lbs, who are thriving in professions such as firefighting, law enforcement, and the military. Surprisingly, 75% are conservative and most are rural.
4. Sun haters - this is the new anti-tobacco campaign; they go to extreme lengths in clothing to protect against sun exposure, because of fears that skin cancer will overtake lung cancer as the #1 cancer
5. Latino Protestants - though 70% of Latino immigrants are Catholics, a huge number are Protestant; not mainline, but Pentecostal. The Pentecostals have a sophisticated marketing and precinct machine much like the Democrats of the 1800s.
6. 30 Winkers - they sleep less than 6 hours a night routinely, due to work, long commutes, kids, or health problems. As a result, they demand late-night services.
7. Extreme commuters - they commute longer than 1.5 hours each way in order to enjoy a rural or remote lifestyle on the weekends
8. Commuter couples - Usually high-end professionals, they live in different places Monday through Friday but fly home to be together on the weekends - and report high marital happiness and low infidelity.
more to come...
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Freakonomics
I just listened to a great book by renegade economist Stephen Levitt. An oldy but goody - I think it came out in 2004. He became famous for making the connection between the liberalization of abortion in 1973 and the dramatic drop in crime rates in the 1990s - claiming that future criminals had been aborted en masse.
Economists are great like that. They say things people are unwilling to say.
It also had a preplexing chapter on the black-white education and earnings gap, as well as the 8 things that parents do that have a statistical outcome on child educational performance. Some very surprising results. Stay-at-home mothering, for example, had no impact.
Economists are great like that. They say things people are unwilling to say.
It also had a preplexing chapter on the black-white education and earnings gap, as well as the 8 things that parents do that have a statistical outcome on child educational performance. Some very surprising results. Stay-at-home mothering, for example, had no impact.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Five Lessons Learned for 2012
1. Get lots of small donations.
2. You don't need to be as specific as Bill Clinton was. You can run a whole election being general, giving good speeches, and win.
3. Stay poised and presidential, gracious. You don't need to go negative to win.
4. Endorsements do count. Line them up early (Kennedy) and late (Powell).
5. You don't need to be a moderate to win. You can be an extremist and have lots of past baggage, as long as you downplay it.
2. You don't need to be as specific as Bill Clinton was. You can run a whole election being general, giving good speeches, and win.
3. Stay poised and presidential, gracious. You don't need to go negative to win.
4. Endorsements do count. Line them up early (Kennedy) and late (Powell).
5. You don't need to be a moderate to win. You can be an extremist and have lots of past baggage, as long as you downplay it.
Why Obama Won
Pundits are saying he had this great fundraising campaign, and McCain had missteps. I think it's even simpler than that. I think people had two things in their minds:
- Obama looks more fit to confront our problems. He's young, handsome, ambitious. McCain is old and broken, something we're reminded of every time he tries to raise his arms.
- Give the black guy a chance.
Of course the pundits can't be this blunt on TV.
- Obama looks more fit to confront our problems. He's young, handsome, ambitious. McCain is old and broken, something we're reminded of every time he tries to raise his arms.
- Give the black guy a chance.
Of course the pundits can't be this blunt on TV.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Blowout
The media are falling over themselves finding every clue possible that, in early county returns, that Obama is going to overperform the polls and the Democrats obtain a supermajority. Maybe the very original post I had on the topic, when Obama first got the nomination, and I said McCain would get 5 states, maybe it will be closer to this if all this hype comes true.
Then hopefully it will re-energize pro-lifers to get more engaged than they've even been before.
Then hopefully it will re-energize pro-lifers to get more engaged than they've even been before.
Eve of Obama
Today we vote. The perception since McCain halted his campaign to focus on the financial crisis has been that Obama will win. The state-by-state polls project that he will win by a wide margin -- 318 electoral votes. The general feeling you get is that he will win, but that McCain is closing and it'll be closer than you'd expect.
I should be happy, right, being a progessive? The feeling among my liberal friends is that this is going to be a big whoosh of fresh air after years of war, expanded presidential powers, lower standing in the world, and a recent recession. There is the added hope that a supermajority in Congress will ensure any pro-abortion justice will be confirmed no problem, as well as a glut of open judge positions.
But what is a Catholic to think? Time for four years of re-engaging in public life like never before. And praying for Obama's conversion. I say McCain tops 200 electoral votes.
I should be happy, right, being a progessive? The feeling among my liberal friends is that this is going to be a big whoosh of fresh air after years of war, expanded presidential powers, lower standing in the world, and a recent recession. There is the added hope that a supermajority in Congress will ensure any pro-abortion justice will be confirmed no problem, as well as a glut of open judge positions.
But what is a Catholic to think? Time for four years of re-engaging in public life like never before. And praying for Obama's conversion. I say McCain tops 200 electoral votes.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Gallup: highly religious people more liberal (small "l")
October 8, 2008
Worldwide, Highly Religious More Likely to Help Others
Pattern holds throughout the world and across major religions
by Brett Pelham and Steve Crabtree
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Gallup Polls conducted in more than 140 countries worldwide between 2006 and 2008 show that those whose responses identify them as highly religious are more likely than less religious respondents to report that they have engaged in each of three "helping behaviors" in the past month. In all four major global regions, for example, highly religious people are more likely than those who report being less religious to report having donated money to a charity in that time.
The pattern is similar when Gallup asked respondents whether they had volunteered their time to an organization in the month prior to being surveyed. Though the overall numbers are lower here in all regions except Africa, highly religious respondents are again more likely to say "yes" than those who are less religious.
One question these findings raise is the degree to which highly religious people reserve their charitable activities for members of their own religious communities. After all, many religions encourage -- or even require -- members to donate their time or money to their local faith-based organizations. Are highly religious people also more likely than those who are less religious to say they've helped a stranger in the past month? The answer is yes -- though the differences are smaller in this case.
The "religion effects" we see in these questions are consistent not only across the major global regions, but also consistent across the world's largest faith traditions, including Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Judaism. Among respondents who identified with each of these major religions, those who fall into the highly religious category are more likely than those who are less religious to say they've engaged in all three helping behaviors, with differences for helping a stranger ranging from 7 percentage points among Buddhists to 15 points among Jews.
Bottom Line
We cannot conclusively attribute these helping behaviors to the direct influence of religiosity. It's possible, for example, that these differences occur because inherently helpful people may be inherently attracted to religion.
But it does make intuitive sense that religious people around the globe are likely to engage in helping behaviors. After all, selflessness is a principle tenet of many religious traditions: One of the five pillars of Islam is zakat or almsgiving, for example, similar to the long-standing practice of tithing among Christians. Important principles of Buddhism include Sila, which requires people to treat others as they would prefer to be treated themselves, and Dāna, which loosely translates as "generosity."
However, the tendency of highly religious people around the world to say they donate their time and money does seem more impressive when you consider that, from a global perspective, those people are consistently poorer than those who are less religious. Among those highly religious respondents worldwide who reported their annual incomes to Gallup, the average figure (converted into international dollars) was about $10,000. Among those less religious respondents who reported their incomes, the average was about $17,500. Seen in this light, the data presented here offer compelling evidence of the role of religious dedication in helping to encourage supportive, community-oriented behaviors in areas where they may be most needed.
Survey Methods
Results are based on telephone and face-to-face interviews conducted between 2006 and 2008 with at least 2,000 adults in most countries. Because most analyses focus on large numbers of participants (e.g., more than 40,000 highly religious people in Africa), confidence intervals were only a fraction of a point (i.e., less than ±1 percentage point). In addition to sampling error, question wording and practical difficulties in conducting surveys can introduce error or bias into the findings of public opinion polls.
Worldwide, Highly Religious More Likely to Help Others
Pattern holds throughout the world and across major religions
by Brett Pelham and Steve Crabtree
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Gallup Polls conducted in more than 140 countries worldwide between 2006 and 2008 show that those whose responses identify them as highly religious are more likely than less religious respondents to report that they have engaged in each of three "helping behaviors" in the past month. In all four major global regions, for example, highly religious people are more likely than those who report being less religious to report having donated money to a charity in that time.
The pattern is similar when Gallup asked respondents whether they had volunteered their time to an organization in the month prior to being surveyed. Though the overall numbers are lower here in all regions except Africa, highly religious respondents are again more likely to say "yes" than those who are less religious.
One question these findings raise is the degree to which highly religious people reserve their charitable activities for members of their own religious communities. After all, many religions encourage -- or even require -- members to donate their time or money to their local faith-based organizations. Are highly religious people also more likely than those who are less religious to say they've helped a stranger in the past month? The answer is yes -- though the differences are smaller in this case.
The "religion effects" we see in these questions are consistent not only across the major global regions, but also consistent across the world's largest faith traditions, including Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Judaism. Among respondents who identified with each of these major religions, those who fall into the highly religious category are more likely than those who are less religious to say they've engaged in all three helping behaviors, with differences for helping a stranger ranging from 7 percentage points among Buddhists to 15 points among Jews.
Bottom Line
We cannot conclusively attribute these helping behaviors to the direct influence of religiosity. It's possible, for example, that these differences occur because inherently helpful people may be inherently attracted to religion.
But it does make intuitive sense that religious people around the globe are likely to engage in helping behaviors. After all, selflessness is a principle tenet of many religious traditions: One of the five pillars of Islam is zakat or almsgiving, for example, similar to the long-standing practice of tithing among Christians. Important principles of Buddhism include Sila, which requires people to treat others as they would prefer to be treated themselves, and Dāna, which loosely translates as "generosity."
However, the tendency of highly religious people around the world to say they donate their time and money does seem more impressive when you consider that, from a global perspective, those people are consistently poorer than those who are less religious. Among those highly religious respondents worldwide who reported their annual incomes to Gallup, the average figure (converted into international dollars) was about $10,000. Among those less religious respondents who reported their incomes, the average was about $17,500. Seen in this light, the data presented here offer compelling evidence of the role of religious dedication in helping to encourage supportive, community-oriented behaviors in areas where they may be most needed.
Survey Methods
Results are based on telephone and face-to-face interviews conducted between 2006 and 2008 with at least 2,000 adults in most countries. Because most analyses focus on large numbers of participants (e.g., more than 40,000 highly religious people in Africa), confidence intervals were only a fraction of a point (i.e., less than ±1 percentage point). In addition to sampling error, question wording and practical difficulties in conducting surveys can introduce error or bias into the findings of public opinion polls.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Barack Hussein Obama's faith
I read a Time article on this subject, and it really wasn't clear what he believes in at all. I couldn't find anything clearly Christian. And apparently no one in South Africa, of all places, believes he isn't a Muslim.
Which led me to do some research into this credible source.
Which led me to do some research into this credible source.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Off air rest of September
It's crunch time on the business side, so it's time to cut back on the blog for a while. At least, we'll see if I have the self discipline to do so.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Sunday, September 7, 2008
McCain up by 3 or 4
We will see if Palin survives her first TV interview. Then, how McCain does in the first debate. Those two successes would be required to sustain this bump.
I think Obama needs to keep painting McCain as Republican establishment. But that alone won't do. He needs to shift the conversation away from Palin by coming up with something radical and substantial, like an economic plan to put American businesses and the dollar back in first place. That would do it, but it wouldn't satisfy the leftist base.
I think Obama needs to keep painting McCain as Republican establishment. But that alone won't do. He needs to shift the conversation away from Palin by coming up with something radical and substantial, like an economic plan to put American businesses and the dollar back in first place. That would do it, but it wouldn't satisfy the leftist base.
Godfather
I became the godfather of a boy for the sixth time today. I think our friends look at all our girls and want to make sure I have my boys.
The stated duty of the godfather is to aid the father in raising the child as a Catholic, a son of Mary. Up until now I've done this just by praying for them. But we live in fat times. I think I need to help these men stretch for more, to give more. They all have it in them.
The stated duty of the godfather is to aid the father in raising the child as a Catholic, a son of Mary. Up until now I've done this just by praying for them. But we live in fat times. I think I need to help these men stretch for more, to give more. They all have it in them.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Election prognostication
It looks like Obama is slightly ahead in terms of electoral votes and popular vote, since he's ahead in previously red states Colorado and New Mexico, and McCain hasn't pulled over any blue states. Some polls put them even on the popular vote.
But McCain has the momentum. Everyone is talking about Palin.
This is going to be closer than I thought. I originally said McCain would only get five states. That's obviously changed. 16 years ago I also underestimated the governor from Arkansas.
I still say Obama takes it, once Palin comes down to earth.
But McCain has the momentum. Everyone is talking about Palin.
This is going to be closer than I thought. I originally said McCain would only get five states. That's obviously changed. 16 years ago I also underestimated the governor from Arkansas.
I still say Obama takes it, once Palin comes down to earth.
Aquinas on natural proofs of the existence of God
From the Summa Theologica, written in the 13th century. No one has improved on these since. The existence of God can be demonstrated through natural reason, apart from religious texts.
"I answer that, The existence of God can be proved in five ways.
The first and more manifest way is the argument from motion. It is certain, and evident to our senses, that in the world some things are in motion. Now whatever is in motion is put in motion by another, for nothing can be in motion except it is in potentiality to that towards which it is in motion; whereas a thing moves inasmuch as it is in act. For motion is nothing else than the reduction of something from potentiality to actuality. But nothing can be reduced from potentiality to actuality, except by something in a state of actuality. Thus that which is actually hot, as fire, makes wood, which is potentially hot, to be actually hot, and thereby moves and changes it. Now it is not possible that the same thing should be at once in actuality and potentiality in the same respect, but only in different respects. For what is actually hot cannot simultaneously be potentially hot; but it is simultaneously potentially cold. It is therefore impossible that in the same respect and in the same way a thing should be both mover and moved, i.e. that it should move itself. Therefore, whatever is in motion must be put in motion by another. If that by which it is put in motion be itself put in motion, then this also must needs be put in motion by another, and that by another again. But this cannot go on to infinity, because then there would be no first mover, and, consequently, no other mover; seeing that subsequent movers move only inasmuch as they are put in motion by the first mover; as the staff moves only because it is put in motion by the hand. Therefore it is necessary to arrive at a first mover, put in motion by no other; and this everyone understands to be God.
The second way is from the nature of the efficient cause. In the world of sense we find there is an order of efficient causes. There is no case known (neither is it, indeed, possible) in which a thing is found to be the efficient cause of itself; for so it would be prior to itself, which is impossible. Now in efficient causes it is not possible to go on to infinity, because in all efficient causes following in order, the first is the cause of the intermediate cause, and the intermediate is the cause of the ultimate cause, whether the intermediate cause be several, or only one. Now to take away the cause is to take away the effect. Therefore, if there be no first cause among efficient causes, there will be no ultimate, nor any intermediate cause. But if in efficient causes it is possible to go on to infinity, there will be no first efficient cause, neither will there be an ultimate effect, nor any intermediate efficient causes; all of which is plainly false. Therefore it is necessary to admit a first efficient cause, to which everyone gives the name of God.
The third way is taken from possibility and necessity, and runs thus. We find in nature things that are possible to be and not to be, since they are found to be generated, and to corrupt, and consequently, they are possible to be and not to be. But it is impossible for these always to exist, for that which is possible not to be at some time is not. Therefore, if everything is possible not to be, then at one time there could have been nothing in existence. Now if this were true, even now there would be nothing in existence, because that which does not exist only begins to exist by something already existing. Therefore, if at one time nothing was in existence, it would have been impossible for anything to have begun to exist; and thus even now nothing would be in existence — which is absurd. Therefore, not all beings are merely possible, but there must exist something the existence of which is necessary. But every necessary thing either has its necessity caused by another, or not. Now it is impossible to go on to infinity in necessary things which have their necessity caused by another, as has been already proved in regard to efficient causes. Therefore we cannot but postulate the existence of some being having of itself its own necessity, and not receiving it from another, but rather causing in others their necessity. This all men speak of as God.
The fourth way is taken from the gradation to be found in things. Among beings there are some more and some less good, true, noble and the like. But "more" and "less" are predicated of different things, according as they resemble in their different ways something which is the maximum, as a thing is said to be hotter according as it more nearly resembles that which is hottest; so that there is something which is truest, something best, something noblest and, consequently, something which is uttermost being; for those things that are greatest in truth are greatest in being, as it is written in Metaph. ii. Now the maximum in any genus is the cause of all in that genus; as fire, which is the maximum heat, is the cause of all hot things. Therefore there must also be something which is to all beings the cause of their being, goodness, and every other perfection; and this we call God.
The fifth way is taken from the governance of the world. We see that things which lack intelligence, such as natural bodies, act for an end, and this is evident from their acting always, or nearly always, in the same way, so as to obtain the best result. Hence it is plain that not fortuitously, but designedly, do they achieve their end. Now whatever lacks intelligence cannot move towards an end, unless it be directed by some being endowed with knowledge and intelligence; as the arrow is shot to its mark by the archer. Therefore some intelligent being exists by whom all natural things are directed to their end; and this being we call God.
"I answer that, The existence of God can be proved in five ways.
The first and more manifest way is the argument from motion. It is certain, and evident to our senses, that in the world some things are in motion. Now whatever is in motion is put in motion by another, for nothing can be in motion except it is in potentiality to that towards which it is in motion; whereas a thing moves inasmuch as it is in act. For motion is nothing else than the reduction of something from potentiality to actuality. But nothing can be reduced from potentiality to actuality, except by something in a state of actuality. Thus that which is actually hot, as fire, makes wood, which is potentially hot, to be actually hot, and thereby moves and changes it. Now it is not possible that the same thing should be at once in actuality and potentiality in the same respect, but only in different respects. For what is actually hot cannot simultaneously be potentially hot; but it is simultaneously potentially cold. It is therefore impossible that in the same respect and in the same way a thing should be both mover and moved, i.e. that it should move itself. Therefore, whatever is in motion must be put in motion by another. If that by which it is put in motion be itself put in motion, then this also must needs be put in motion by another, and that by another again. But this cannot go on to infinity, because then there would be no first mover, and, consequently, no other mover; seeing that subsequent movers move only inasmuch as they are put in motion by the first mover; as the staff moves only because it is put in motion by the hand. Therefore it is necessary to arrive at a first mover, put in motion by no other; and this everyone understands to be God.
The second way is from the nature of the efficient cause. In the world of sense we find there is an order of efficient causes. There is no case known (neither is it, indeed, possible) in which a thing is found to be the efficient cause of itself; for so it would be prior to itself, which is impossible. Now in efficient causes it is not possible to go on to infinity, because in all efficient causes following in order, the first is the cause of the intermediate cause, and the intermediate is the cause of the ultimate cause, whether the intermediate cause be several, or only one. Now to take away the cause is to take away the effect. Therefore, if there be no first cause among efficient causes, there will be no ultimate, nor any intermediate cause. But if in efficient causes it is possible to go on to infinity, there will be no first efficient cause, neither will there be an ultimate effect, nor any intermediate efficient causes; all of which is plainly false. Therefore it is necessary to admit a first efficient cause, to which everyone gives the name of God.
The third way is taken from possibility and necessity, and runs thus. We find in nature things that are possible to be and not to be, since they are found to be generated, and to corrupt, and consequently, they are possible to be and not to be. But it is impossible for these always to exist, for that which is possible not to be at some time is not. Therefore, if everything is possible not to be, then at one time there could have been nothing in existence. Now if this were true, even now there would be nothing in existence, because that which does not exist only begins to exist by something already existing. Therefore, if at one time nothing was in existence, it would have been impossible for anything to have begun to exist; and thus even now nothing would be in existence — which is absurd. Therefore, not all beings are merely possible, but there must exist something the existence of which is necessary. But every necessary thing either has its necessity caused by another, or not. Now it is impossible to go on to infinity in necessary things which have their necessity caused by another, as has been already proved in regard to efficient causes. Therefore we cannot but postulate the existence of some being having of itself its own necessity, and not receiving it from another, but rather causing in others their necessity. This all men speak of as God.
The fourth way is taken from the gradation to be found in things. Among beings there are some more and some less good, true, noble and the like. But "more" and "less" are predicated of different things, according as they resemble in their different ways something which is the maximum, as a thing is said to be hotter according as it more nearly resembles that which is hottest; so that there is something which is truest, something best, something noblest and, consequently, something which is uttermost being; for those things that are greatest in truth are greatest in being, as it is written in Metaph. ii. Now the maximum in any genus is the cause of all in that genus; as fire, which is the maximum heat, is the cause of all hot things. Therefore there must also be something which is to all beings the cause of their being, goodness, and every other perfection; and this we call God.
The fifth way is taken from the governance of the world. We see that things which lack intelligence, such as natural bodies, act for an end, and this is evident from their acting always, or nearly always, in the same way, so as to obtain the best result. Hence it is plain that not fortuitously, but designedly, do they achieve their end. Now whatever lacks intelligence cannot move towards an end, unless it be directed by some being endowed with knowledge and intelligence; as the arrow is shot to its mark by the archer. Therefore some intelligent being exists by whom all natural things are directed to their end; and this being we call God.
Pascal's Wager
Here are the thoughts of the French soul...
"If I saw no signs of a divinity, I would fix myself in denial. If I saw everywhere the marks of a Creator,
I would repose peacefully in faith. But seeing too much to deny Him, and too little to assure me,
I am in a pitiful state, and I would wish a hundred times that if a God sustains nature
it would reveal Him without ambiguity.
We understand nothing of the works of God unless we take it as a principle
that He wishes to blind some and to enlighten others.
Endeavour then to convince yourself, not by increase of proofs of God, but by the abatement of your passions. You would like to attain faith, and do not know the way; you would like to cure yourself of unbelief, and ask the remedy for it. Learn of those who have been bound like you, and who now stake all their possessions. These are people who know the way which you would follow, and who are cured of an ill of which you would be cured. Follow the way by which they began; by acting as if they believed, bless yourself with holy water, have Masses said, and so on; by a simple and natural process this will make you believe, and will dull you—will quiet your proudly critical intellect...
Now, what harm will befall you in taking this side? You will be faithful, honest, humble, grateful, generous, a sincere friend, truthful. Certainly you will not have those poisonous pleasures, glory and luxury; but will you not have others? I will tell you that you will thereby gain in this life, and that, at each step you take on this road, you will see so great certainty of gain, so much nothingness in what you risk, that you will at last recognize that you have wagered for something certain and infinite, for which you have given nothing."
"If I saw no signs of a divinity, I would fix myself in denial. If I saw everywhere the marks of a Creator,
I would repose peacefully in faith. But seeing too much to deny Him, and too little to assure me,
I am in a pitiful state, and I would wish a hundred times that if a God sustains nature
it would reveal Him without ambiguity.
We understand nothing of the works of God unless we take it as a principle
that He wishes to blind some and to enlighten others.
Endeavour then to convince yourself, not by increase of proofs of God, but by the abatement of your passions. You would like to attain faith, and do not know the way; you would like to cure yourself of unbelief, and ask the remedy for it. Learn of those who have been bound like you, and who now stake all their possessions. These are people who know the way which you would follow, and who are cured of an ill of which you would be cured. Follow the way by which they began; by acting as if they believed, bless yourself with holy water, have Masses said, and so on; by a simple and natural process this will make you believe, and will dull you—will quiet your proudly critical intellect...
Now, what harm will befall you in taking this side? You will be faithful, honest, humble, grateful, generous, a sincere friend, truthful. Certainly you will not have those poisonous pleasures, glory and luxury; but will you not have others? I will tell you that you will thereby gain in this life, and that, at each step you take on this road, you will see so great certainty of gain, so much nothingness in what you risk, that you will at last recognize that you have wagered for something certain and infinite, for which you have given nothing."
Friday, September 5, 2008
Freedom and truth
Is it liberating to be a nihilist, to be free from the constraints of cultural mores and belief systems, free to chart your own course?
Certainly.
That is, to the extent that these belief systems are false.
If God does exist, and his laws define the path to liberation, then straying from that path necessarily leads to delusion, and enslavement to that delusion.
True freedom depends on truth. "The truth shall set you free," as it says on the left wall of the entrance into CIA headquarters.
If God does exist, and he does, then the nihilist lives in a temporary cacoon from which his wings will never spring.
Certainly.
That is, to the extent that these belief systems are false.
If God does exist, and his laws define the path to liberation, then straying from that path necessarily leads to delusion, and enslavement to that delusion.
True freedom depends on truth. "The truth shall set you free," as it says on the left wall of the entrance into CIA headquarters.
If God does exist, and he does, then the nihilist lives in a temporary cacoon from which his wings will never spring.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Pat Buchanan 1992 RNC speech
My conservative friends look with great fondness on this speech. They wished Palin would have stepped up to the plate like this, but wiser heads prevailed.
Sarah Palin 2008 RNC speech
Her selection was one of the boldest strategic moves I've seen in a Presidential election... and this speech was amazing. My favorite parts were the family shots, the smiling shots at Obama, and the endearing part about how she got starting running for the PTA. It made me want to throw my own hat into the ring.
This is really going to be a fun election. I'm not so down on it anymore.
This is really going to be a fun election. I'm not so down on it anymore.
Barack Obama 2008 DNC
What I like about him is his graciousness. He's also fun to watch. A conservative friend of mine told me last night that he saw this live, and said Obama knocked it out of the park. This is going to be a fun race. Glad it's not Hillary.
Obama at the 2004 DNC
I remember this speech clear as day. I looked at my wife and said, Wow. There's their next man. I did, really.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Philosophy in the mountains
There is nothing like getting away, flushing out the system, surrounded by nature and good company. The men concluded this week that it all boils down to this question: If you believe that God exists, then you do not determine your own truth. If you don't believe he exists, then you are only honest if you become a nihilist.
Everything else in between is a compromise, a lack of courage at accepting the natural conclusion of your starting point.
Everything else in between is a compromise, a lack of courage at accepting the natural conclusion of your starting point.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Black and white Olympians
OK, so all the men in the 100m final were black. And all the swimmers in the finals of every race except the one medley relay were white.
The usual liberal argument is that black guys don't have any money, so they gravitate toward basketball and track where they spend all their time in the projects. They can't afford to go to the country club pool, so they don't.
I'm not your usual liberal. I think there are slightly different body types that go along with the different skin color. And, at the pinnacle of athletic performance, every little advantage counts.
The white swimmers have long torsos and short legs, and some bouyant baby fat. The black sprinters, long legs and no extra fat to weigh them down.
The usual liberal argument is that black guys don't have any money, so they gravitate toward basketball and track where they spend all their time in the projects. They can't afford to go to the country club pool, so they don't.
I'm not your usual liberal. I think there are slightly different body types that go along with the different skin color. And, at the pinnacle of athletic performance, every little advantage counts.
The white swimmers have long torsos and short legs, and some bouyant baby fat. The black sprinters, long legs and no extra fat to weigh them down.
Usain Bolt world record 9.68
The guy is impressive. But pulling up at the finish line while winning the gold and breaking the world record. What was that? It didn't seem very Olympian, even if he was just trying to have a fun time.
Safe, legal, and pervasive
This just in... the 2008 Democratic Party platform has been changed to drop the word "rare" from its abortion plank. Here's what it says now:
“The Democratic Party strongly and unequivocally supports Roe v. Wade and a woman’s right to choose a safe and legal abortion, regardless of ability to pay, and we oppose any and all efforts to weaken or undermine that right.”
And they were trying to make room for pro-lifers under their big tent? Not very liberal of them.
Perhaps this is because in Hillary's New York, 72 of every 100 unborn babies are destroyed.
“The Democratic Party strongly and unequivocally supports Roe v. Wade and a woman’s right to choose a safe and legal abortion, regardless of ability to pay, and we oppose any and all efforts to weaken or undermine that right.”
And they were trying to make room for pro-lifers under their big tent? Not very liberal of them.
Perhaps this is because in Hillary's New York, 72 of every 100 unborn babies are destroyed.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Working on vacation
One of the great things about consulting is you can work anywhere, anytime. If the family is staying in a hotel room someplace, I can get up an hour or two earlier, bill some time, and essentially pay for the day's room and board.
But that's the temptation, too, that never quite leaves you. Or me, at least. A big week of vacation coming up, and a looming book deadline. So tempting to crank out some chapters in the wee hours.
Am I liberated, or enslaved?
But that's the temptation, too, that never quite leaves you. Or me, at least. A big week of vacation coming up, and a looming book deadline. So tempting to crank out some chapters in the wee hours.
Am I liberated, or enslaved?
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Another way the Pill illiberates women
From the Times:
From The TimesAugust 13, 2008
The Pill may put you off smell of your man and ruin your relationshipMark Henderson, Science Editor
To millions of women it has been the great liberator over the past four decades, allowing them the freedom to control their fertility and their relationships. But the contraceptive Pill could also be responsible for skewing their hormones and attracting them to the “wrong” partner.
A study by British scientists suggests that taking the Pill can change a woman’s taste in men — to those who are genetically less compatible.
The research found that the Pill can alter the type of male scent that women find most attractive, which may in turn affect the kind of men they choose as partners. It suggests that the popular form of contraception — used by a quarter of British women aged between 16 and 50 — could have implications for fertility and relationship breakdowns.
The findings, from a team at the University of Liverpool, add to growing evidence that the hormones in the Pill influence the way that women assess male sexual attractiveness.
Times Archive 1965: The Pill
One need not take too seriously the suggestion that depression sometimes occurs because the Pill is too safe
Should my boyfriend be screened for sexual health?
I want to take my new beau to be screened, but he says it's unromantic. What should I do?
Background
Do I need protection during oral sex?
I'm embarrassed to have sex when I'm sober
Does size matter?
Sex Advice: Can a hot kitchen make me infertile?
A 15-year-old friend is pregnant after a drunken one-night stand
Related Links
Women will find theory smells distinctly off
Truly, madly, chemically in love
The Pill: it liberated a generation with little harm done
The Pill is thought to disrupt an instinctive mechanism that brings together people with complementary genes and immune systems. Such a couple, by passing on a wide-ranging set of immune system genes, increase their chances of having a healthy child that is not vulnerable to infection.
Couples with different genes are also less likely to experience fertility problems or miscarriages. Experts believe that women are naturally attracted to men with immune system genes different to their own because of their smell.
Commenting on the latest study, the researchers said that it could indicate that the Pill disrupts women’s ability to judge the genetic compatibility of men by means of their smell.
They said that this might not only impact on fertility and miscarriage risk, but could even contribute to the end of relationships as women who stop or start taking the Pill no longer find their boyfriend or husband so attractive.
Several previous studies have suggested that women tend to prefer the smell of men who are different from them in a cluster of genes called the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), which governs the immune system. Some of these studies have also found that this effect is not seen among Pill users.
The latest study, published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society, has now assessed the impact of Pill use in the same women, both before and after they began using oral contraception. A group of 97 women was tested, some of whom started taking the Pill during the course of the research. All had their MHC genes tested and were asked to sniff T-shirts worn in bed by men with different patterns of MHC genes.
Unlike some previous studies, the research did not find any preference for dissimilar MHC genes. However, when the women started taking the Pill their preferences shifted towards the scent of men with more similar genes to their own.
This suggests that Pill use has an effect on perceptions of scent attractiveness, even if there is no underlying female preference for similar or dissimilar MHC genes.
Craig Roberts, who led the study, said: “The results showed that the preferences of women who began using the Pill shifted towards men with genetically similar odours. Not only could MHC-similarity in couples lead to fertility problems, but it could ultimately lead to the breakdown of relationships when women stop using the Pill, as odour perception plays a significant role in maintaining attraction to partners.”
The research also found differences between women in relationships, who tended to prefer odours of men with different MHC genes, and single women, who tended to prefer the smell of MHC-similar men.
This could potentially indicate that if women are tempted to have an affair, they are more likely to choose a man with very different genes, to maximise the diversity of any offspring that they might have.
The scientists said that more work was needed to explain the way various studies have obtained different results on whether women naturally prefer men with different or similar MHC genes. They also cautioned that the importance of scent in human mating preferences remains uncertain.
The research backs up an earlier study of how women’s perceptions of partners can alter when taking the Pill. Psychologists from St Andrews and Stirling universities found that women on the Pill tend to prefer macho types with strong jaw lines and prominent cheekbones.
However, women who are not taking that form of contraception seem to be more likely to go for more sensitive types of men without traditionally masculine features.
A blessing - or a burden
“I sometimes think that being widowed is God’s way of telling you to come off the Pill” Victoria Wood
“No woman can call herself free who does not own and control her body. No woman can call herself free until she can choose consciously whether she will or will not be a mother” Margaret Sanger, nurse and birth control activist
“The Pill, to a great degree, made possible the (hetero)sexual revolution. Yet those who developed oral contraceptives did not intend to promote what the majority of Americans at the time called promiscuity” Beth Bailey, historian
“The freedom that women were supposed to have found in the Sixties largely boiled down to easy contraception and abortion; things to make life easier for men, in fact” Julie Burchill, columnist
“In destroying the power of giving life, through contraception, a husband or wife is doing something to self. This . . . destroys the gift of love in him or her” Mother Teresa
From The TimesAugust 13, 2008
The Pill may put you off smell of your man and ruin your relationshipMark Henderson, Science Editor
To millions of women it has been the great liberator over the past four decades, allowing them the freedom to control their fertility and their relationships. But the contraceptive Pill could also be responsible for skewing their hormones and attracting them to the “wrong” partner.
A study by British scientists suggests that taking the Pill can change a woman’s taste in men — to those who are genetically less compatible.
The research found that the Pill can alter the type of male scent that women find most attractive, which may in turn affect the kind of men they choose as partners. It suggests that the popular form of contraception — used by a quarter of British women aged between 16 and 50 — could have implications for fertility and relationship breakdowns.
The findings, from a team at the University of Liverpool, add to growing evidence that the hormones in the Pill influence the way that women assess male sexual attractiveness.
Times Archive 1965: The Pill
One need not take too seriously the suggestion that depression sometimes occurs because the Pill is too safe
Should my boyfriend be screened for sexual health?
I want to take my new beau to be screened, but he says it's unromantic. What should I do?
Background
Do I need protection during oral sex?
I'm embarrassed to have sex when I'm sober
Does size matter?
Sex Advice: Can a hot kitchen make me infertile?
A 15-year-old friend is pregnant after a drunken one-night stand
Related Links
Women will find theory smells distinctly off
Truly, madly, chemically in love
The Pill: it liberated a generation with little harm done
The Pill is thought to disrupt an instinctive mechanism that brings together people with complementary genes and immune systems. Such a couple, by passing on a wide-ranging set of immune system genes, increase their chances of having a healthy child that is not vulnerable to infection.
Couples with different genes are also less likely to experience fertility problems or miscarriages. Experts believe that women are naturally attracted to men with immune system genes different to their own because of their smell.
Commenting on the latest study, the researchers said that it could indicate that the Pill disrupts women’s ability to judge the genetic compatibility of men by means of their smell.
They said that this might not only impact on fertility and miscarriage risk, but could even contribute to the end of relationships as women who stop or start taking the Pill no longer find their boyfriend or husband so attractive.
Several previous studies have suggested that women tend to prefer the smell of men who are different from them in a cluster of genes called the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), which governs the immune system. Some of these studies have also found that this effect is not seen among Pill users.
The latest study, published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society, has now assessed the impact of Pill use in the same women, both before and after they began using oral contraception. A group of 97 women was tested, some of whom started taking the Pill during the course of the research. All had their MHC genes tested and were asked to sniff T-shirts worn in bed by men with different patterns of MHC genes.
Unlike some previous studies, the research did not find any preference for dissimilar MHC genes. However, when the women started taking the Pill their preferences shifted towards the scent of men with more similar genes to their own.
This suggests that Pill use has an effect on perceptions of scent attractiveness, even if there is no underlying female preference for similar or dissimilar MHC genes.
Craig Roberts, who led the study, said: “The results showed that the preferences of women who began using the Pill shifted towards men with genetically similar odours. Not only could MHC-similarity in couples lead to fertility problems, but it could ultimately lead to the breakdown of relationships when women stop using the Pill, as odour perception plays a significant role in maintaining attraction to partners.”
The research also found differences between women in relationships, who tended to prefer odours of men with different MHC genes, and single women, who tended to prefer the smell of MHC-similar men.
This could potentially indicate that if women are tempted to have an affair, they are more likely to choose a man with very different genes, to maximise the diversity of any offspring that they might have.
The scientists said that more work was needed to explain the way various studies have obtained different results on whether women naturally prefer men with different or similar MHC genes. They also cautioned that the importance of scent in human mating preferences remains uncertain.
The research backs up an earlier study of how women’s perceptions of partners can alter when taking the Pill. Psychologists from St Andrews and Stirling universities found that women on the Pill tend to prefer macho types with strong jaw lines and prominent cheekbones.
However, women who are not taking that form of contraception seem to be more likely to go for more sensitive types of men without traditionally masculine features.
A blessing - or a burden
“I sometimes think that being widowed is God’s way of telling you to come off the Pill” Victoria Wood
“No woman can call herself free who does not own and control her body. No woman can call herself free until she can choose consciously whether she will or will not be a mother” Margaret Sanger, nurse and birth control activist
“The Pill, to a great degree, made possible the (hetero)sexual revolution. Yet those who developed oral contraceptives did not intend to promote what the majority of Americans at the time called promiscuity” Beth Bailey, historian
“The freedom that women were supposed to have found in the Sixties largely boiled down to easy contraception and abortion; things to make life easier for men, in fact” Julie Burchill, columnist
“In destroying the power of giving life, through contraception, a husband or wife is doing something to self. This . . . destroys the gift of love in him or her” Mother Teresa
Saturday, August 9, 2008
NPR - liberal's voice
Apparently 99% of American journalists are for Obama, up from 95% for Kerry. This makes us liberals a little uncomfortable. Because the media, after all, is a public good, and it should be fair.
But deep down, this makes us a little smug, too. It reinforces our self perception that we are more enlightened.
I don't know if this is anywhere more exemplified than on NPR, or the BBC. You tune in, and it feels liberal. Thoughtful. Global.
There isn't any of the nationalistic, NASCAR, over-the-top statements you get on Limbaugh.
But deep down, this makes us a little smug, too. It reinforces our self perception that we are more enlightened.
I don't know if this is anywhere more exemplified than on NPR, or the BBC. You tune in, and it feels liberal. Thoughtful. Global.
There isn't any of the nationalistic, NASCAR, over-the-top statements you get on Limbaugh.
Liberal mecca: the farmer's market
I don't know why it is, but in whichever city I am, the farmer's market is a haven for liberals. Not that I ask anyone their political affiliation, but you can tell: gay couples, women without makeup, just the "no boundaries" feel of it. I get the same feel whenever I'm in a Whole Foods store, or the most high-end grocery store in an urban area.
Maybe this is why: for all of the athiests among us liberals, the religion of staying healthy and tending to the environment is our communal worship, our way of relating to each other.
Maybe this is why: for all of the athiests among us liberals, the religion of staying healthy and tending to the environment is our communal worship, our way of relating to each other.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
The IT guy
I met a new client yesterday. I'd forgotten to pray about the first meeting, but out of habit, was seeking ways to relate, to connect. It turned out both our wives were having pregnancy-related difficulties. I wouldn't have found this out had I not shared my situation first. But, that broke the ice.
At the end of the meeting, when we were parting, going in opposite directions, at a safe distance, his last words to me were that he would pray for me.
I like that about IT guys.
At the end of the meeting, when we were parting, going in opposite directions, at a safe distance, his last words to me were that he would pray for me.
I like that about IT guys.
Saturday, August 2, 2008
The abortionesses
Yesterday morning I attended a Mass at a new chapel overlooking an abortion clinic, one of the handful in town stationed conspicuously in black neighborhoods. Kneeling in the adoration room, the only thing between you and the entrance to the abortion facility forty feet away is the tabernacle and two corner windows. I felt a little dizzy.
Later that night was my high school reunion. I went with mixed intentions - in hopes of seeing people I'd lost touch with, and to see how other people turned out.
All of the girls from my old neighborhood were there. To the girl, they went to public schools, started having sex early, and before they were married, had had at least one abortion. One, who aborted in ninth grade, had left the Church, married, became a pro-life advocate, had kids, divorced, and remarried. Another married after two abortions, renewed her Catholic faith, had four kids, but intentionally stopped there. One, who had aborted twice, including her future Catholic husband's first child, caught him in an affair, and is on the path to divorce. Another married, had two kids, intentionally stopped, but is still married.
If only their parents were paying attention to how early they had gone so far off course.
Later that night was my high school reunion. I went with mixed intentions - in hopes of seeing people I'd lost touch with, and to see how other people turned out.
All of the girls from my old neighborhood were there. To the girl, they went to public schools, started having sex early, and before they were married, had had at least one abortion. One, who aborted in ninth grade, had left the Church, married, became a pro-life advocate, had kids, divorced, and remarried. Another married after two abortions, renewed her Catholic faith, had four kids, but intentionally stopped there. One, who had aborted twice, including her future Catholic husband's first child, caught him in an affair, and is on the path to divorce. Another married, had two kids, intentionally stopped, but is still married.
If only their parents were paying attention to how early they had gone so far off course.
Friday, August 1, 2008
Episcopals, the UN, and Catholics
I stopped in the Episcopal church's bookstore down the street from the UN. The Episcopal church has liberally and explicitly equated its current mission with the UN's Milennium Development Goals.
Says their bishop:
“But Episcopalians tend to be better educated and tend to reproduce at lower rates than some other denominations. Roman Catholics and Mormons both have theological reasons for producing lots of children.” Episcopalians, she said, aren’t interested in replenishing their ranks by having children—indeed, “it’s probably the opposite. We encourage people to pay attention to the stewardship of the earth and not use more than their portion.” Applauding her parents’ decision to leave the Catholic Church and become Episcopalians when she was nine, Bishop Schori added, “I think my parents were looking for a place where wrestling with questions was encouraged rather than discouraged.”
Says their bishop:
“But Episcopalians tend to be better educated and tend to reproduce at lower rates than some other denominations. Roman Catholics and Mormons both have theological reasons for producing lots of children.” Episcopalians, she said, aren’t interested in replenishing their ranks by having children—indeed, “it’s probably the opposite. We encourage people to pay attention to the stewardship of the earth and not use more than their portion.” Applauding her parents’ decision to leave the Catholic Church and become Episcopalians when she was nine, Bishop Schori added, “I think my parents were looking for a place where wrestling with questions was encouraged rather than discouraged.”
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Global Capitalism and Moral Values
A great article on JPII's economic vision -- and a blueprint for Catholic liberals.
April 5, 2005
Moral Values and Global Capitalism
John Paul II's Economic Ethics
By MARK ENGLER
New York City
A steady feature in Pope John Paul II's obituaries has been mention of his unwaveringly conservative stances on issues such as abortion, birth control, gay rights, and the ordination of women. While these positions were sources of consternation for many American Catholics, they far from represent the whole of John Paul's ethical beliefs. Particularly in his teachings about the global economy, the Pope advanced a vision of social justice that challenges narrow political debate about "moral values."
Many commentators have highlighted the Pope extensive travels throughout the world and his use of advanced telecommunications to spread his message. Less noted is the fact John Paul's vision of globalization sharply countered the pro-corporate triumphalism spread by "free trade" boosters.
Reflecting on the process of globalization during his 1998 visit to Cuba, the Pope contended that world is "witnessing the resurgence of a certain capitalist neoliberalism which subordinates the human person to blind market forces." He claimed that "[f]rom its centers of power, such neoliberalism often places unbearable burdens upon less favored countries." And he remarked with concern that "at times, unsustainable economic programs are imposed on nations as a condition for further assistance."
Coming at a moment when protests against the type of "structural adjustment" mandated by the U.S.-dominated World Bank and International Monetary Fund were beginning to make headlines, the targets of John Paul's condemnation were not mysterious. Because of such economic policies, the Pope argued, we "see a small number of countries growing exceedingly rich at the cost of the increasing impoverishment of a great number of other countries; as a result the wealthy grow ever wealthier, while the poor grow ever poorer."
John Paul elaborated his arguments in his 1999 exhortation, Ecclesia in America. There he asserted that the increasing global integration of the current era presents an opportunity for progress. "However," he warned, "if globalization is ruled merely by the laws of the market applied to suit the powerful, the consequences cannot but be negative." He spoke out against "unfair competition which puts the poor nations in a situation of ever increasing inferiority."
The Pope's sentiments reflected the church's wider understanding of political economy. In a 2001 address to the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, John Paul reiterated the faith's teaching that "[e]thics demands that systems be attuned to the needs of man, and not that man be sacrificed for the sake of the system." Furthering this idea, the Pope insisted on "the inalienable value of the human person" who "must always be an end and not a means, a subject, not an object, not a commodity of trade."
John Paul also pointed toward an alternative to the vision of market fundamentalism that is "based on a purely economic conception of man" and "considers profit and the law of the market as its only parameters." He contended that "solidarity too must become globalized."
When he received members of the European Automobile Manufacturers Association in 2001, he called for "ethical discernment aimed at protecting the environment and promoting the full human development of millions of men and women, in a way that respects every individual's dignity and makes room for personal creativity in the workplace."
Most specifically, the Pope strongly supported the Jubilee 2000 coalition's call for thorough-going debt relief for the developing countries. He stated in 1998 that "the heavy burden of external debt... compromises the economies of whole peoples and hinders their social and political progress."
"If the aim is globalization without marginalization, we can no longer tolerate a world in which there live side by side the immensely rich and the miserably poor, the have-nots deprived even of essentials and people who thoughtlessly waste what others so desperately need. Such contrasts are an affront to the dignity of the human person."
The Pope's economic teachings were consistent with his views of political life. John Paul is rightly remembered for championing the democratic rights of people in his native Poland and elsewhere behind the Iron Curtain. Some US neoconservatives have sought to distort this legacy by presenting the Pope as an intellectual sidekick to Ronald Reagan. But John Paul's conception of democracy was not one of unchecked individual rights. Rather, he asserted that free citizens must have "a firm and persevering determination to commit [themselves] to the common good."
In this regard, John Paul operated within the moral precedent set in the Second Vatican Council's statement on The Church in the Modern World. Here the church argued that "the state has the duty to prevent people from abusing their private property to the detriment of the common good. By its nature private property has a social dimension which is based on the law of the common destination of earthly goods. Whenever the social aspect is forgotten, ownership can often become the object of greed and a source of serious disorder."
Many observers have speculated that the next Pope may be the first to come from the global South. While sharing John Paul's social conservatism, several of the most prominent candidates from the developing world (including Latin American Archbishops Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Buenos Aires, Argentina, Oscar Andrés Rodríguez Maradiaga of Tegucigalpa, Honduras, and Claudio Hummes of Sao Paulo, Brazil) also hold in common with the departed pontiff an outspoken concern for global economic justice.
It is far from certain that one of these candidates will become the next Pope. Nevertheless, John Paul's economic ethics represent a legacy that will continue as an important current within the Catholic Church--and that should give pause to anyone who believes moral values are the exclusive province of the right.
Mark Engler, a writer based in New York City, is a commentator for Foreign Policy In Focus. He can be reached at engler@democrayuprising.com.
Research assistance for this article provided by Jason Rowe.
http://www.counterpunch.org/engler04052005.html
April 5, 2005
Moral Values and Global Capitalism
John Paul II's Economic Ethics
By MARK ENGLER
New York City
A steady feature in Pope John Paul II's obituaries has been mention of his unwaveringly conservative stances on issues such as abortion, birth control, gay rights, and the ordination of women. While these positions were sources of consternation for many American Catholics, they far from represent the whole of John Paul's ethical beliefs. Particularly in his teachings about the global economy, the Pope advanced a vision of social justice that challenges narrow political debate about "moral values."
Many commentators have highlighted the Pope extensive travels throughout the world and his use of advanced telecommunications to spread his message. Less noted is the fact John Paul's vision of globalization sharply countered the pro-corporate triumphalism spread by "free trade" boosters.
Reflecting on the process of globalization during his 1998 visit to Cuba, the Pope contended that world is "witnessing the resurgence of a certain capitalist neoliberalism which subordinates the human person to blind market forces." He claimed that "[f]rom its centers of power, such neoliberalism often places unbearable burdens upon less favored countries." And he remarked with concern that "at times, unsustainable economic programs are imposed on nations as a condition for further assistance."
Coming at a moment when protests against the type of "structural adjustment" mandated by the U.S.-dominated World Bank and International Monetary Fund were beginning to make headlines, the targets of John Paul's condemnation were not mysterious. Because of such economic policies, the Pope argued, we "see a small number of countries growing exceedingly rich at the cost of the increasing impoverishment of a great number of other countries; as a result the wealthy grow ever wealthier, while the poor grow ever poorer."
John Paul elaborated his arguments in his 1999 exhortation, Ecclesia in America. There he asserted that the increasing global integration of the current era presents an opportunity for progress. "However," he warned, "if globalization is ruled merely by the laws of the market applied to suit the powerful, the consequences cannot but be negative." He spoke out against "unfair competition which puts the poor nations in a situation of ever increasing inferiority."
The Pope's sentiments reflected the church's wider understanding of political economy. In a 2001 address to the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, John Paul reiterated the faith's teaching that "[e]thics demands that systems be attuned to the needs of man, and not that man be sacrificed for the sake of the system." Furthering this idea, the Pope insisted on "the inalienable value of the human person" who "must always be an end and not a means, a subject, not an object, not a commodity of trade."
John Paul also pointed toward an alternative to the vision of market fundamentalism that is "based on a purely economic conception of man" and "considers profit and the law of the market as its only parameters." He contended that "solidarity too must become globalized."
When he received members of the European Automobile Manufacturers Association in 2001, he called for "ethical discernment aimed at protecting the environment and promoting the full human development of millions of men and women, in a way that respects every individual's dignity and makes room for personal creativity in the workplace."
Most specifically, the Pope strongly supported the Jubilee 2000 coalition's call for thorough-going debt relief for the developing countries. He stated in 1998 that "the heavy burden of external debt... compromises the economies of whole peoples and hinders their social and political progress."
"If the aim is globalization without marginalization, we can no longer tolerate a world in which there live side by side the immensely rich and the miserably poor, the have-nots deprived even of essentials and people who thoughtlessly waste what others so desperately need. Such contrasts are an affront to the dignity of the human person."
The Pope's economic teachings were consistent with his views of political life. John Paul is rightly remembered for championing the democratic rights of people in his native Poland and elsewhere behind the Iron Curtain. Some US neoconservatives have sought to distort this legacy by presenting the Pope as an intellectual sidekick to Ronald Reagan. But John Paul's conception of democracy was not one of unchecked individual rights. Rather, he asserted that free citizens must have "a firm and persevering determination to commit [themselves] to the common good."
In this regard, John Paul operated within the moral precedent set in the Second Vatican Council's statement on The Church in the Modern World. Here the church argued that "the state has the duty to prevent people from abusing their private property to the detriment of the common good. By its nature private property has a social dimension which is based on the law of the common destination of earthly goods. Whenever the social aspect is forgotten, ownership can often become the object of greed and a source of serious disorder."
Many observers have speculated that the next Pope may be the first to come from the global South. While sharing John Paul's social conservatism, several of the most prominent candidates from the developing world (including Latin American Archbishops Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Buenos Aires, Argentina, Oscar Andrés Rodríguez Maradiaga of Tegucigalpa, Honduras, and Claudio Hummes of Sao Paulo, Brazil) also hold in common with the departed pontiff an outspoken concern for global economic justice.
It is far from certain that one of these candidates will become the next Pope. Nevertheless, John Paul's economic ethics represent a legacy that will continue as an important current within the Catholic Church--and that should give pause to anyone who believes moral values are the exclusive province of the right.
Mark Engler, a writer based in New York City, is a commentator for Foreign Policy In Focus. He can be reached at engler@democrayuprising.com.
Research assistance for this article provided by Jason Rowe.
http://www.counterpunch.org/engler04052005.html
Is Obama a true liberal?
From the other side of the aisle - the Investor's Business Daily:
...Of course, Obama is too smart to try to smuggle such hoary collectivist garbage through the front door. He's disguising the wealth transfers as "investments" — "to make America more competitive," he says, or "that give us a fighting chance," whatever that means.
Among his proposed "investments":
• "Universal," "guaranteed" health care.
• "Free" college tuition.
• "Universal national service" (a la Havana).
• "Universal 401(k)s" (in which the government would match contributions made by "low- and moderate-income families").
• "Free" job training (even for criminals).
• "Wage insurance" (to supplement dislocated union workers' old income levels).
• "Free" child care and "universal" preschool.
• More subsidized public housing.
• A fatter earned income tax credit for "working poor."
• And even a Global Poverty Act that amounts to a Marshall Plan for the Third World, first and foremost Africa.
His new New Deal also guarantees a "living wage," with a $10 minimum wage indexed to inflation; and "fair trade" and "fair labor practices," with breaks for "patriot employers" who cow-tow to unions, and sticks for "nonpatriot" companies that don't.
That's just for starters — first-term stuff.
Obama doesn't stop with socialized health care. He wants to socialize your entire human resources department — from payrolls to pensions. His social-microengineering even extends to mandating all employers provide seven paid sick days per year to salary and hourly workers alike.
You can see why Obama was ranked, hands-down, the most liberal member of the Senate by the National Journal. Some, including colleague and presidential challenger John McCain, think he's the most liberal member in Congress.
But could he really be "more left," as McCain recently remarked, than self-described socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders (for whom Obama has openly campaigned, even making a special trip to Vermont to rally voters)?
Obama's voting record, going back to his days in the Illinois statehouse, says yes. His career path — and those who guided it — leads to the same unsettling conclusion.
The seeds of his far-left ideology were planted in his formative years as a teenager in Hawaii — and they were far more radical than any biography or profile in the media has portrayed.
A careful reading of Obama's first memoir, "Dreams From My Father," reveals that his childhood mentor up to age 18 — a man he cryptically refers to as "Frank" — was none other than the late communist Frank Marshall Davis, who fled Chicago after the FBI and Congress opened investigations into his "subversive," "un-American activities."
As Obama was preparing to head off to college, he sat at Davis' feet in his Waikiki bungalow for nightly bull sessions. Davis plied his impressionable guest with liberal doses of whiskey and advice, including: Never trust the white establishment.
"They'll train you so good," he said, "you'll start believing what they tell you about equal opportunity and the American way and all that sh**."
After college, where he palled around with Marxist professors and took in socialist conferences "for inspiration," Obama followed in Davis' footsteps, becoming a "community organizer" in Chicago.
His boss there was Gerald Kellman, whose identity Obama also tries to hide in his book. Turns out Kellman's a disciple of the late Saul "The Red" Alinsky, a hard-boiled Chicago socialist who wrote the "Rules for Radicals" and agitated for social revolution in America.
The Chicago-based Woods Fund provided Kellman with his original $25,000 to hire Obama. In turn, Obama would later serve on the Woods board with terrorist Bill Ayers of the Weather Underground. Ayers was one of Obama's early political supporters.
After three years agitating with marginal success for more welfare programs in South Side Chicago, Obama decided he would need to study law to "bring about real change" — on a large scale.
While at Harvard Law School, he still found time to hone his organizing skills. For example, he spent eight days in Los Angeles taking a national training course taught by Alinsky's Industrial Areas Foundation. With his newly minted law degree, he returned to Chicago to reapply — as well as teach — Alinsky's "agitation" tactics.
(A video-streamed bio on Obama's Web site includes a photo of him teaching in a University of Chicago classroom. If you freeze the frame and look closely at the blackboard Obama is writing on, you can make out the words "Power Analysis" and "Relationships Built on Self Interest" — terms right out of Alinsky's rule book.)
Amid all this, Obama reunited with his late father's communist tribe in Kenya, the Luo, during trips to Africa.
As a Nairobi bureaucrat, Barack Hussein Obama Sr., a Harvard-educated economist, grew to challenge the ruling pro-Western government for not being socialist enough. In an eight-page scholarly paper published in 1965, he argued for eliminating private farming and nationalizing businesses "owned by Asians and Europeans."
His ideas for communist-style expropriation didn't stop there. He also proposed massive taxes on the rich to "redistribute our economic gains to the benefit of all."
"Theoretically, there is nothing that can stop the government from taxing 100% of income so long as the people get benefits from the government commensurate with their income which is taxed," Obama Sr. wrote. "I do not see why the government cannot tax those who have more and syphon some of these revenues into savings which can be utilized in investment for future development."
Taxes and "investment" . . . the fruit truly does not fall far from the vine.
(Voters might also be interested to know that Obama, the supposed straight shooter, does not once mention his father's communist leanings in an entire book dedicated to his memory.)
In Kenya's recent civil unrest, Obama privately phoned the leader of the opposition Luo tribe, Raila Odinga, to voice his support. Odinga is so committed to communism he named his oldest son after Fidel Castro.
With his African identity sewn up, Obama returned to Chicago and fell under the spell of an Afrocentric pastor. It was a natural attraction. The Rev. Jeremiah Wright preaches a Marxist version of Christianity called "black liberation theology" and has supported the communists in Cuba, Nicaragua and elsewhere.
Obama joined Wright's militant church, pledging allegiance to a system of "black values" that demonizes white "middle classness" and other mainstream pursuits.
(Obama in his first book, published in 1995, calls such values "sensible." There's no mention of them in his new book.)
With the large church behind him, Obama decided to run for political office, where he could organize for "change" more effectively. "As an elected official," he said, "I could bring church and community leaders together easier than I could as a community organizer or lawyer."
He could also exercise real, top-down power, the kind that grass-roots activists lack. Alinsky would be proud.
Throughout his career, Obama has worked closely with a network of stone-cold socialists and full-blown communists striving for "economic justice."
He's been traveling in an orbit of collectivism that runs from Nairobi to Honolulu, and on through Chicago to Washington.
Yet a recent AP poll found that only 6% of Americans would describe Obama as "liberal," let alone socialist.
http://www.investors.com/editorial/editorialcontent.asp?secid=1501&status=article&id=302137342405551
...Of course, Obama is too smart to try to smuggle such hoary collectivist garbage through the front door. He's disguising the wealth transfers as "investments" — "to make America more competitive," he says, or "that give us a fighting chance," whatever that means.
Among his proposed "investments":
• "Universal," "guaranteed" health care.
• "Free" college tuition.
• "Universal national service" (a la Havana).
• "Universal 401(k)s" (in which the government would match contributions made by "low- and moderate-income families").
• "Free" job training (even for criminals).
• "Wage insurance" (to supplement dislocated union workers' old income levels).
• "Free" child care and "universal" preschool.
• More subsidized public housing.
• A fatter earned income tax credit for "working poor."
• And even a Global Poverty Act that amounts to a Marshall Plan for the Third World, first and foremost Africa.
His new New Deal also guarantees a "living wage," with a $10 minimum wage indexed to inflation; and "fair trade" and "fair labor practices," with breaks for "patriot employers" who cow-tow to unions, and sticks for "nonpatriot" companies that don't.
That's just for starters — first-term stuff.
Obama doesn't stop with socialized health care. He wants to socialize your entire human resources department — from payrolls to pensions. His social-microengineering even extends to mandating all employers provide seven paid sick days per year to salary and hourly workers alike.
You can see why Obama was ranked, hands-down, the most liberal member of the Senate by the National Journal. Some, including colleague and presidential challenger John McCain, think he's the most liberal member in Congress.
But could he really be "more left," as McCain recently remarked, than self-described socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders (for whom Obama has openly campaigned, even making a special trip to Vermont to rally voters)?
Obama's voting record, going back to his days in the Illinois statehouse, says yes. His career path — and those who guided it — leads to the same unsettling conclusion.
The seeds of his far-left ideology were planted in his formative years as a teenager in Hawaii — and they were far more radical than any biography or profile in the media has portrayed.
A careful reading of Obama's first memoir, "Dreams From My Father," reveals that his childhood mentor up to age 18 — a man he cryptically refers to as "Frank" — was none other than the late communist Frank Marshall Davis, who fled Chicago after the FBI and Congress opened investigations into his "subversive," "un-American activities."
As Obama was preparing to head off to college, he sat at Davis' feet in his Waikiki bungalow for nightly bull sessions. Davis plied his impressionable guest with liberal doses of whiskey and advice, including: Never trust the white establishment.
"They'll train you so good," he said, "you'll start believing what they tell you about equal opportunity and the American way and all that sh**."
After college, where he palled around with Marxist professors and took in socialist conferences "for inspiration," Obama followed in Davis' footsteps, becoming a "community organizer" in Chicago.
His boss there was Gerald Kellman, whose identity Obama also tries to hide in his book. Turns out Kellman's a disciple of the late Saul "The Red" Alinsky, a hard-boiled Chicago socialist who wrote the "Rules for Radicals" and agitated for social revolution in America.
The Chicago-based Woods Fund provided Kellman with his original $25,000 to hire Obama. In turn, Obama would later serve on the Woods board with terrorist Bill Ayers of the Weather Underground. Ayers was one of Obama's early political supporters.
After three years agitating with marginal success for more welfare programs in South Side Chicago, Obama decided he would need to study law to "bring about real change" — on a large scale.
While at Harvard Law School, he still found time to hone his organizing skills. For example, he spent eight days in Los Angeles taking a national training course taught by Alinsky's Industrial Areas Foundation. With his newly minted law degree, he returned to Chicago to reapply — as well as teach — Alinsky's "agitation" tactics.
(A video-streamed bio on Obama's Web site includes a photo of him teaching in a University of Chicago classroom. If you freeze the frame and look closely at the blackboard Obama is writing on, you can make out the words "Power Analysis" and "Relationships Built on Self Interest" — terms right out of Alinsky's rule book.)
Amid all this, Obama reunited with his late father's communist tribe in Kenya, the Luo, during trips to Africa.
As a Nairobi bureaucrat, Barack Hussein Obama Sr., a Harvard-educated economist, grew to challenge the ruling pro-Western government for not being socialist enough. In an eight-page scholarly paper published in 1965, he argued for eliminating private farming and nationalizing businesses "owned by Asians and Europeans."
His ideas for communist-style expropriation didn't stop there. He also proposed massive taxes on the rich to "redistribute our economic gains to the benefit of all."
"Theoretically, there is nothing that can stop the government from taxing 100% of income so long as the people get benefits from the government commensurate with their income which is taxed," Obama Sr. wrote. "I do not see why the government cannot tax those who have more and syphon some of these revenues into savings which can be utilized in investment for future development."
Taxes and "investment" . . . the fruit truly does not fall far from the vine.
(Voters might also be interested to know that Obama, the supposed straight shooter, does not once mention his father's communist leanings in an entire book dedicated to his memory.)
In Kenya's recent civil unrest, Obama privately phoned the leader of the opposition Luo tribe, Raila Odinga, to voice his support. Odinga is so committed to communism he named his oldest son after Fidel Castro.
With his African identity sewn up, Obama returned to Chicago and fell under the spell of an Afrocentric pastor. It was a natural attraction. The Rev. Jeremiah Wright preaches a Marxist version of Christianity called "black liberation theology" and has supported the communists in Cuba, Nicaragua and elsewhere.
Obama joined Wright's militant church, pledging allegiance to a system of "black values" that demonizes white "middle classness" and other mainstream pursuits.
(Obama in his first book, published in 1995, calls such values "sensible." There's no mention of them in his new book.)
With the large church behind him, Obama decided to run for political office, where he could organize for "change" more effectively. "As an elected official," he said, "I could bring church and community leaders together easier than I could as a community organizer or lawyer."
He could also exercise real, top-down power, the kind that grass-roots activists lack. Alinsky would be proud.
Throughout his career, Obama has worked closely with a network of stone-cold socialists and full-blown communists striving for "economic justice."
He's been traveling in an orbit of collectivism that runs from Nairobi to Honolulu, and on through Chicago to Washington.
Yet a recent AP poll found that only 6% of Americans would describe Obama as "liberal," let alone socialist.
http://www.investors.com/editorial/editorialcontent.asp?secid=1501&status=article&id=302137342405551
Top 20 albums of all time
Here's the list the Yahoo article cited. Interesting formula they used. Kind of heavy on the 1970s and 80s.
#20. Faith - George Michael
Play Album
Year: 1987 Units Sold: 10 Million
SPV: $9.19 Rating (Stars): 4 Grammys Won: 1
Calculated value per unit based on the formula: $9.79
.
#19. Appetite For Destruction - Guns N' Roses
Play Album
Year: 1987 Units Sold: 15 Million
SPV: $8.81 Rating (Stars): 4 Grammys Won: 0
Calculated value per unit based on the formula: $9.81
.
#18. Purple Rain - Prince
Play Album
Year: 1984 Units Sold: 13 Million
SPV: $8.74 Rating (Stars): 4.75 Grammys Won: 2
Calculated value per unit based on the formula: $9.82
.
#17. Houses Of The Holy - Led Zeppelin
Play Album
Year: 1973 Units Sold: 11 Million
SPV: $9.10 Rating (Stars): 4.5 Grammys Won: 0
Calculated value per unit based on the formula: $9.93
.
#16. Born In The U.S.A. - Bruce Springsteen
Play Album
Year: 1984 Units Sold: 15 Million
SPV: $8.91 Rating (Stars): 5 Grammys Won: 0
Calculated value per unit based on the formula: $10.29
.
#15. Nevermind - Nirvana
Play Album
Year: 1991 Units Sold: 10 Million
SPV: $10.07 Rating (Stars): 4 Grammys Won: 0
Calculated value per unit based on the formula: $10.67
.
#14. Van Halen - Van Halen
Play Album
Year: 1978 Units Sold: 10 Million
SPV: $10.23 Rating (Stars): 4.25 Grammys Won: 0
Calculated value per unit based on the formula: $10.84
.
#13. Rumours - Fleetwood Mac
Play Album
Year: 1977 Units Sold: 19 Million
SPV: $9.52 Rating (Stars): 5 Grammys Won: 1
Calculated value per unit based on the formula: $11.47
.
#12. The Wall - Pink Floyd
Play Album
Year: 1979 Units Sold: 23 Million
SPV: $10.20 Rating (Stars): 4.75 Grammys Won: 1
Calculated value per unit based on the formula: $12.51
.
#11. The Joshua Tree - U2
Play Album
Year: 1987 Units Sold: 10 Million
SPV: $11.50 Rating (Stars): 4.5 Grammys Won: 2
Calculated value per unit based on the formula: $12.54
.
#10. Metallica - Metallica
Play Album
Year: 1991 Units Sold: 14 Million
SPV: $12.08 Rating (Stars): 4.25 Grammys Won: 1
Calculated value per unit based on the formula: $13.38
.
#9. Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin
Play Album
Year: 1969 Units Sold: 10 Million
SPV: $12.83 Rating (Stars): 4 Grammys Won: 0
Calculated value per unit based on the formula: $13.60
.
#8. Hotel California - Eagles
Play Album
Year: 1976 Units Sold: 16 Million
SPV: $12.00 Rating (Stars): 4.75 Grammys Won: 0
Calculated value per unit based on the formula: $13.81
.
#7. The White Album - The Beatles
Play Album
Year: 1968 Units Sold: 19 Million
SPV: $12.00 Rating (Stars): 5 Grammys Won: 0
Calculated value per unit based on the formula: $14.39
.
#6. Led Zeppelin IV - Led Zeppelin
Play Album
Year: 1971 Units Sold: 23 Million
SPV: $12.42 Rating (Stars): 5 Grammys Won: 0
Calculated value per unit based on the formula: $15.44
.
#5. Abbey Road - The Beatles
Play Album
Year: 1968 Units Sold: 12 Million
SPV: $14.94 Rating (Stars): 4.25 Grammys Won: 1
Calculated value per unit based on the formula: $16.23
.
#4. Physical Graffiti - Led Zeppelin
Play Album
Year: 1975 Units Sold: 16 Million
SPV: $14.31 Rating (Stars): 4.75 Grammys Won: 0
Calculated value per unit based on the formula: $16.38
.
#3. Thriller - Michael Jackson
Play Album
Year: 1982 Units Sold: 27 Million
SPV: $13.49 Rating (Stars): 4.5 Grammys Won: 4
Calculated value per unit based on the formula: $17.39
.
#2. Dark Side Of The Moon - Pink Floyd
Play Album
Year: 1973 Units Sold: 15 Million
SPV: $16.08 Rating (Stars): 5 Grammys Won: 0
Calculated value per unit based on the formula: $18.57
.
#1. Songs In The Key Of Life - Stevie Wonder
Play Album
Year: 1976 Units Sold: 10 Million
SPV: $16.84 Rating (Stars): 5 Grammys Won: 2
Calculated value per unit based on the formula: $18.71
http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/yradish/15499/the-top-20-albums-of-all-time-for-real
#20. Faith - George Michael
Play Album
Year: 1987 Units Sold: 10 Million
SPV: $9.19 Rating (Stars): 4 Grammys Won: 1
Calculated value per unit based on the formula: $9.79
.
#19. Appetite For Destruction - Guns N' Roses
Play Album
Year: 1987 Units Sold: 15 Million
SPV: $8.81 Rating (Stars): 4 Grammys Won: 0
Calculated value per unit based on the formula: $9.81
.
#18. Purple Rain - Prince
Play Album
Year: 1984 Units Sold: 13 Million
SPV: $8.74 Rating (Stars): 4.75 Grammys Won: 2
Calculated value per unit based on the formula: $9.82
.
#17. Houses Of The Holy - Led Zeppelin
Play Album
Year: 1973 Units Sold: 11 Million
SPV: $9.10 Rating (Stars): 4.5 Grammys Won: 0
Calculated value per unit based on the formula: $9.93
.
#16. Born In The U.S.A. - Bruce Springsteen
Play Album
Year: 1984 Units Sold: 15 Million
SPV: $8.91 Rating (Stars): 5 Grammys Won: 0
Calculated value per unit based on the formula: $10.29
.
#15. Nevermind - Nirvana
Play Album
Year: 1991 Units Sold: 10 Million
SPV: $10.07 Rating (Stars): 4 Grammys Won: 0
Calculated value per unit based on the formula: $10.67
.
#14. Van Halen - Van Halen
Play Album
Year: 1978 Units Sold: 10 Million
SPV: $10.23 Rating (Stars): 4.25 Grammys Won: 0
Calculated value per unit based on the formula: $10.84
.
#13. Rumours - Fleetwood Mac
Play Album
Year: 1977 Units Sold: 19 Million
SPV: $9.52 Rating (Stars): 5 Grammys Won: 1
Calculated value per unit based on the formula: $11.47
.
#12. The Wall - Pink Floyd
Play Album
Year: 1979 Units Sold: 23 Million
SPV: $10.20 Rating (Stars): 4.75 Grammys Won: 1
Calculated value per unit based on the formula: $12.51
.
#11. The Joshua Tree - U2
Play Album
Year: 1987 Units Sold: 10 Million
SPV: $11.50 Rating (Stars): 4.5 Grammys Won: 2
Calculated value per unit based on the formula: $12.54
.
#10. Metallica - Metallica
Play Album
Year: 1991 Units Sold: 14 Million
SPV: $12.08 Rating (Stars): 4.25 Grammys Won: 1
Calculated value per unit based on the formula: $13.38
.
#9. Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin
Play Album
Year: 1969 Units Sold: 10 Million
SPV: $12.83 Rating (Stars): 4 Grammys Won: 0
Calculated value per unit based on the formula: $13.60
.
#8. Hotel California - Eagles
Play Album
Year: 1976 Units Sold: 16 Million
SPV: $12.00 Rating (Stars): 4.75 Grammys Won: 0
Calculated value per unit based on the formula: $13.81
.
#7. The White Album - The Beatles
Play Album
Year: 1968 Units Sold: 19 Million
SPV: $12.00 Rating (Stars): 5 Grammys Won: 0
Calculated value per unit based on the formula: $14.39
.
#6. Led Zeppelin IV - Led Zeppelin
Play Album
Year: 1971 Units Sold: 23 Million
SPV: $12.42 Rating (Stars): 5 Grammys Won: 0
Calculated value per unit based on the formula: $15.44
.
#5. Abbey Road - The Beatles
Play Album
Year: 1968 Units Sold: 12 Million
SPV: $14.94 Rating (Stars): 4.25 Grammys Won: 1
Calculated value per unit based on the formula: $16.23
.
#4. Physical Graffiti - Led Zeppelin
Play Album
Year: 1975 Units Sold: 16 Million
SPV: $14.31 Rating (Stars): 4.75 Grammys Won: 0
Calculated value per unit based on the formula: $16.38
.
#3. Thriller - Michael Jackson
Play Album
Year: 1982 Units Sold: 27 Million
SPV: $13.49 Rating (Stars): 4.5 Grammys Won: 4
Calculated value per unit based on the formula: $17.39
.
#2. Dark Side Of The Moon - Pink Floyd
Play Album
Year: 1973 Units Sold: 15 Million
SPV: $16.08 Rating (Stars): 5 Grammys Won: 0
Calculated value per unit based on the formula: $18.57
.
#1. Songs In The Key Of Life - Stevie Wonder
Play Album
Year: 1976 Units Sold: 10 Million
SPV: $16.84 Rating (Stars): 5 Grammys Won: 2
Calculated value per unit based on the formula: $18.71
http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/yradish/15499/the-top-20-albums-of-all-time-for-real
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Monday, July 28, 2008
Lavender lights atop the Basilica
I was passing through Minneapolis and stopped at the magnificent Basilica of St Mary, first basilica in the US. I noticed the outside lights lighting the dome were lavendar. Looking online, this parish has a GLBT outreach effort. The local gay pride festival meets in a park across the way from the Basilica. I can't think there is only a coincidence here. I think this is really remarkable. I've never seen anything like it, anything so prominent.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
The Calvinist
So this Calvinist and I have been having gradually more intense theological discussions while our girls attend classes together. The school we're at is about 90% Catholic, and he's been more than happy to deal some cards on the table.
I mentioned to him I really enjoyed RC Sproul and the late D James Kennedy. I truly do - I like their intellectual depth. He was happy about that, because those guys are on his end of the spectrum of Calvinism. He was explaining to me that one of the disputes within his tradition is over whether man cooperates with God's grace or is completely passive and contributes nothing.
Being Catholic of course I am in the cooperating side of that question. But apparently that is seen as the more liberal of the two, not where RC is.
TBD.
I mentioned to him I really enjoyed RC Sproul and the late D James Kennedy. I truly do - I like their intellectual depth. He was happy about that, because those guys are on his end of the spectrum of Calvinism. He was explaining to me that one of the disputes within his tradition is over whether man cooperates with God's grace or is completely passive and contributes nothing.
Being Catholic of course I am in the cooperating side of that question. But apparently that is seen as the more liberal of the two, not where RC is.
TBD.
The Buddhist Catholic
So the other woman with us at lunch -- if I can avoid it I don't like to dine alone with women not my wife -- called herself a Buddhist Catholic. From Belgium, Catholic schools all her life, she was never really catechized, and so she's been drawn to Buddhism, and is trying to mix them. After learning I was going on a men's retreat, she said Catholics really don't do that in Europe. Except for Opus Dei she said. The Pentecostal chided her gently for not practicing her faith.
Question: is it liberal to be a non-practicing Catholic? I think people mix these two types of people together too easily. I think to be a liberal Catholic is to stand for something positive. It isn't to be less of a Catholic.
Question: is it liberal to be a non-practicing Catholic? I think people mix these two types of people together too easily. I think to be a liberal Catholic is to stand for something positive. It isn't to be less of a Catholic.
The Pentecostal
I had lunch today in San Francisco with a Nigerian Pentecostal from London. We spoke about the Lambeth conference going on in London. She mentioned with some not fully hidden pride how the Nigerians were leading the boycott of the meeting over the gay US bishop. She went on to describe how Nigeria, being the most populous country in Africa, was looked up to as a leader for the whole continent, that Catholics and Anglicans dominated the country. She was very glad to hear I was going on a men's retreat.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Liberal Catholic father of four
I had a very nice poolside conversation with a father of a bunch of children, all older than mine. I asked him how his kids turned out faith-wise. He said it's intact. But, the exterior is a little rough, and you might not be able to tell. One of the boys is in to hip hop. The father warned him about the lyrics and the subculture, but what can you tell a young man. His other boy was intent on having a more diverse experience than an all-white suburban high school, so sought out a public school with as he put it "gays and lesbians and color". We both sympathized with the desire for diversity, but, well, not so narrowly put.
The Scientologist
I had lunch with a liberal Catholic gentleman of a man whose former Catholic wife left him to pursue her Scientology ambitions. He described it as a pyramid scheme that sucks the family's finances. You have to pay to attend the Sunday services, which are billed as "courses". Fortunately she is not allowed to bring the children to them without his permission. Nonetheless, a very sad situation that I would say may have occurred while the husband was working too much and not noticing slight changes at home or nipping them in the bud. After all, men like peace at home so much they are liable to let things go on for much too long before noticing and taking action.
The Unitarian
Flying home I sat next to a cheerful woman about to get married in a non-church setting. She and her fiance were raised by Lutheran parents. Her parents fell away and raised her Unitarian, which she still is. She says she can tell when she misses the Sunday service, where they explore all kinds of different perspectives. It grounds her. She asked for my advice on marriage, and I said she should have kids within the first two years. She was also pleasant about asking what attracted me so much to Catholicism. I have to say, I couldn't think of anything brilliant, so I said it was the depth and the liberation. I said I wish everyone could experience the release of confession.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Anglicans & the UN
I stopped in at a Manhattan bookstore today run by the Episcopal Church. Of course all the attention in the broader news is on their impending approval at the Lambeth Conference to allow women bishops. Until now, they've only tolerated a few dioceses ordaining women bishops, not sanctioned it officially.
But what I found more interesting is that the Anglican Communion has made the UN's Milennium Development Goals their blueprint for evangelization.
I agree with many of the MDGs, don't get me wrong. Good old fashioned liberalism.
But I find this a bit odd. Kind of Masonic.
But what I found more interesting is that the Anglican Communion has made the UN's Milennium Development Goals their blueprint for evangelization.
I agree with many of the MDGs, don't get me wrong. Good old fashioned liberalism.
But I find this a bit odd. Kind of Masonic.
Friday, July 4, 2008
The moral vacuum of agnosticism
So we all know people who say: I am a spiritual person, not a religious person. Which is kind of like saying, I want to believe and hope in a higher force, but I don't believe there are any hard rules about right and wrong. A lot of my liberal friends are of this mindset.
And yet, these people do kind of live their lives by a sort of moral code, seeking to tell the truth, most of the time, not to steal or cheat, most of the time, not to gossip or slander, mostly. And, they do get passionate about certain political positions.
But at the root of it, they have nothing they can articulate about what is their standard for right and wrong, their criteria for living and believing a certain way.
This is called a vacuum. And, nature abhors a vacuum.
And yet, these people do kind of live their lives by a sort of moral code, seeking to tell the truth, most of the time, not to steal or cheat, most of the time, not to gossip or slander, mostly. And, they do get passionate about certain political positions.
But at the root of it, they have nothing they can articulate about what is their standard for right and wrong, their criteria for living and believing a certain way.
This is called a vacuum. And, nature abhors a vacuum.
Wall-e
We took one of our kids to see Wall-e, because it looked like a cute movie about a romance between two robots.
It was bizarre. A very adult commentary on the ill state of the world, with very dark undercurrents, a disjointed plot, and no real joy at the end like we used to see in the great movies.
Even our kid said, "And what was the point of that movie? It was weird."
Thumbs down.
It was bizarre. A very adult commentary on the ill state of the world, with very dark undercurrents, a disjointed plot, and no real joy at the end like we used to see in the great movies.
Even our kid said, "And what was the point of that movie? It was weird."
Thumbs down.
The Mason
I spent an enjoyable evening with a formerly active Freemason -- you know, the organization that opposes Christianity in general, and Catholicism in particular. He was aware that both the Missouri Synod of Lutherans and Catholic Church forbade their members to be masons. But he thought that Catholics could now be members, since he knew of several. And, he couldn't understand what was so bad about the masons, since they did so much charity work. Her personally didn't see the conflict between his mainline Protestant upbringing and being a mason.
Despite this, he is a perfect gentleman, with many human virtues. Welcome to the prayer list sir.
Despite this, he is a perfect gentleman, with many human virtues. Welcome to the prayer list sir.
The French want Obama
From the Daily Kos:
"But right now, in French eyes, there's a single good American: the Democratic Party nominee, Barack Obama. His book, "The Audacity of Hope," is on bestseller lists. His face is everywhere, sometimes in socialist realist images evoking Che Guevara.
"An online committee for his election has drawn all-star support, including the fashion designer Sonia Rykiel, the Paris mayor Bertrand Delanoë, the writer-philosopher Bernard-Henri Lévy, and Pierre Bergé, the partner of the late Yves Saint-Laurent.
"The French have always cherished a class of people called "les bons Américains." These good Americans were those truest to a Gallic idea of what the United States should be, and in recent years those at the furthest remove from the aberrant folk who elected George W. Bush."
So, the French also wanted Gore and Kerry. Not sure this helps him.
"But right now, in French eyes, there's a single good American: the Democratic Party nominee, Barack Obama. His book, "The Audacity of Hope," is on bestseller lists. His face is everywhere, sometimes in socialist realist images evoking Che Guevara.
"An online committee for his election has drawn all-star support, including the fashion designer Sonia Rykiel, the Paris mayor Bertrand Delanoë, the writer-philosopher Bernard-Henri Lévy, and Pierre Bergé, the partner of the late Yves Saint-Laurent.
"The French have always cherished a class of people called "les bons Américains." These good Americans were those truest to a Gallic idea of what the United States should be, and in recent years those at the furthest remove from the aberrant folk who elected George W. Bush."
So, the French also wanted Gore and Kerry. Not sure this helps him.
Obama says no mental health late-term abortions
So, instead of having any abortion at any time for any reason -- Obama's previous position -- he has in fact clarified today that there are some abortions he can't stomach. These would include where the child, who is viable outside the womb, has a knife stabbed into the back of her skull and her brains sucked out (without anethesia of course, because she is not a "real" person, only tissue), because the mother was feeling overwhelmed by the situation. How liberal of Obama to spare the life of 0.01% of children scheduled to be aborted.
Yet Obama maintains that he opposes giving treatment to those children who are born alive following a botched abortion. From the press today:
-- In the interview with Relevant, conducted on Tuesday, Obama also defended his opposition to restrictions on induced abortions where the fetus sometimes survives for short periods. Obama voted against such a bill when he was in the Illinois Senate. He has said he supported a federal version of the law that contained more specific language because he feared the Illinois proposal would have applied to all abortions.
"There was a bill that came up in Illinois that was called the 'Born Alive' bill that purported to require life-saving treatment to such infants. And I did vote against that bill," Obama said Tuesday. "The reason was that there was already a law in place in Illinois that said that you always have to supply life-saving treatment to any infant under any circumstances, and this bill actually was designed to overturn Roe v. Wade, so I didn't think it was going to pass constitutional muster."
Legal abortion has no place inside the truly liberal heart, which finds room for both the mother and the child.
Yet Obama maintains that he opposes giving treatment to those children who are born alive following a botched abortion. From the press today:
-- In the interview with Relevant, conducted on Tuesday, Obama also defended his opposition to restrictions on induced abortions where the fetus sometimes survives for short periods. Obama voted against such a bill when he was in the Illinois Senate. He has said he supported a federal version of the law that contained more specific language because he feared the Illinois proposal would have applied to all abortions.
"There was a bill that came up in Illinois that was called the 'Born Alive' bill that purported to require life-saving treatment to such infants. And I did vote against that bill," Obama said Tuesday. "The reason was that there was already a law in place in Illinois that said that you always have to supply life-saving treatment to any infant under any circumstances, and this bill actually was designed to overturn Roe v. Wade, so I didn't think it was going to pass constitutional muster."
Legal abortion has no place inside the truly liberal heart, which finds room for both the mother and the child.
Obama leads in... Montana!
Dubya won conservative Montana by 20 points in the last election, and McCain is losing it by 5 right now. I'd earlier said McCain would get 5 states. I'm starting to reconsider. Will be McCain be the Republicans' Mondale, and only win his home state?
Monday, June 30, 2008
"Quality time"
My wife read to me an excerpt, purportedly true, of a man who'd been keeping a daily journal. Apparently his son was keeping a journal at the same time. Somehow it came to the point that someone was reading both journals side by side, years later.
One day the father had taken his son fishing. The fish weren't biting, they didn't catch anything, not much was said between them. The father wrote in his journal that it was a pretty dull day.
The son wrote in glowing terms how it was the best day of his life.
I'm noting a small but growing trend among my liberal friends of the wives feeling confident enough in themselves to take a break from the career and be at home for the kids. They are confident enough that they no longer have to prove anything to anyone that they could re-enter the workforce any time and make a killing. But the kids thrive when they're home, they know it, and they go for the dream of staying home.
And with mom's example, Dad follows not far behind in cutting short the "surge" hours at work.
But there is still a narrow-minded portion of our liberal friends who still see things in such black-and-white terms about putting kids in daycare so that Mom can succeed, and if someone needs to stay home, Dad should consider it.
We have to have the confidence to accept the possibility that there are inborn differences between the sexes. This is not a limiting reality, but a liberating one.
One day the father had taken his son fishing. The fish weren't biting, they didn't catch anything, not much was said between them. The father wrote in his journal that it was a pretty dull day.
The son wrote in glowing terms how it was the best day of his life.
I'm noting a small but growing trend among my liberal friends of the wives feeling confident enough in themselves to take a break from the career and be at home for the kids. They are confident enough that they no longer have to prove anything to anyone that they could re-enter the workforce any time and make a killing. But the kids thrive when they're home, they know it, and they go for the dream of staying home.
And with mom's example, Dad follows not far behind in cutting short the "surge" hours at work.
But there is still a narrow-minded portion of our liberal friends who still see things in such black-and-white terms about putting kids in daycare so that Mom can succeed, and if someone needs to stay home, Dad should consider it.
We have to have the confidence to accept the possibility that there are inborn differences between the sexes. This is not a limiting reality, but a liberating one.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Why Christian?
Within the diverse crowd that calls itself liberal are a good number of those who don't believe in God. I was once such a person. I thought that when I died, I would cease to exist. And, you know, I really didn't worry about it, because it seemed so long away.
But I still sought the truth. I was restless about finding the truth. Especially about the big questions: Why am I here? Where did I come from? Where am I going? I had a strong instinct that the answers to these questions had to be very simple.
And so I think the questions and answers are still very simple. Jesus of Nazareth did walk the earth. Either he was God, as he said he was, or he wasn't. And he started a church. Either it became what was later called the Catholic Church, as the Church claims, or it became something else. Either the Church gives us the best answers we have this side of death to those questions -- why am I here, where did I come from, where am I going -- or no one really has those answers.
I say Jesus was God, his church was and is the Catholic Church, and the Church calls us to give all of ourselves every moment of the day to God and neighbor. This is love -- a total self donation. It is the origin and destiny of every human being who says "yes".
But I still sought the truth. I was restless about finding the truth. Especially about the big questions: Why am I here? Where did I come from? Where am I going? I had a strong instinct that the answers to these questions had to be very simple.
And so I think the questions and answers are still very simple. Jesus of Nazareth did walk the earth. Either he was God, as he said he was, or he wasn't. And he started a church. Either it became what was later called the Catholic Church, as the Church claims, or it became something else. Either the Church gives us the best answers we have this side of death to those questions -- why am I here, where did I come from, where am I going -- or no one really has those answers.
I say Jesus was God, his church was and is the Catholic Church, and the Church calls us to give all of ourselves every moment of the day to God and neighbor. This is love -- a total self donation. It is the origin and destiny of every human being who says "yes".
Friday, June 27, 2008
1%
That's what the economy grew in the last quarter, revised UPWARD from 0.9%. Defying all the journalists, Buffet, and Greenspan himself.
Yet Wall Street tanked today. What's going on? What's the real story?
Yet Wall Street tanked today. What's going on? What's the real story?
The conservative big tent
In the middle of confession yesterday with my good pastor friend, a conservative, I realized something. Either he thinks I'm on his side, because I'm pro-life, or, like another Christ, he truly doesn't care. Anyhow, I don't detect any distance or walking on egg shells like you normally detect around political opposites trying to be polite around each other.
I just wish he would be harder on me in confession. He's practically liberal.
I just wish he would be harder on me in confession. He's practically liberal.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Liberal themes on Broadway
When I was sitting in the audience of a show on Broadway yesterday, I couldn't help but wonder what the conservatives in the audience must be thinking. The show in front of us, Mamma Mia, had plenty of references and undercurrents that downplayed marriage, upplayed sex, and took some wisecracks at Catholic upbringing. I even had to wince a little. It was a great show, great singing, but it left a taste in my mouth.
Is being liberal really about doing whatever you want, with whomever, with no one to judge you? Is that what we're really about?
Is being liberal really about doing whatever you want, with whomever, with no one to judge you? Is that what we're really about?
Friday, June 20, 2008
Deliverance dueling banjo scene
Don't know how many of my liberal friends have seen this movie. Dems won't retake the South until they start going to NASCAR again.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Dems = Love; Reps = Fear?
My liberal friends have been too polite to name this so starkly. But I think this presumption underlies our whole view about the superiority of our approach to life: that we are the party of love, and conservatives are the party of fear.
And, since mercy, not justice, is the predominant theme of the gospel, we believe our wing of Catholicism will prevail in the end.
The only thing keeping us back from winning is our deal with the devil on abortion rights. I can see why we empathize with the poor women in trouble, but I honestly can't explain, after spending so much time among the liberal family, why we fail to humanize the unborn among us.
It would be quite natural for us to champion their cause, too. And then we would have quite a lasting political majority.
And, since mercy, not justice, is the predominant theme of the gospel, we believe our wing of Catholicism will prevail in the end.
The only thing keeping us back from winning is our deal with the devil on abortion rights. I can see why we empathize with the poor women in trouble, but I honestly can't explain, after spending so much time among the liberal family, why we fail to humanize the unborn among us.
It would be quite natural for us to champion their cause, too. And then we would have quite a lasting political majority.
Time to drill in Alaska? Time for nuclear?
We progressives I believe share two main ideals about energy policy: that we should personally stop doing the things that use too much energy (like driving SUVs), and we should look for friendly energy sources such as sun, wind, and water.
Our approach admittedly has weaknesses. On the former matter, we tend to want to impose our restrictions on others, such as the bone-headed zero-population notion, and in so doing, violate our own love of freedom. We also lose our appeal to moderates that way.
On the latter point, we just haven't found efficient ways to provide all of our remaining needs for energy. It makes us cringe to think of interrupting the pristine Alaskan wilderness, especially after the Valdez, or of creating new nuclear waste sites. But I think McCain has us cornered on this one. We really don't have better alternatives at $4 a gallon.
Our approach admittedly has weaknesses. On the former matter, we tend to want to impose our restrictions on others, such as the bone-headed zero-population notion, and in so doing, violate our own love of freedom. We also lose our appeal to moderates that way.
On the latter point, we just haven't found efficient ways to provide all of our remaining needs for energy. It makes us cringe to think of interrupting the pristine Alaskan wilderness, especially after the Valdez, or of creating new nuclear waste sites. But I think McCain has us cornered on this one. We really don't have better alternatives at $4 a gallon.
Should married Catholic men wear cologne?
I was just wondering this in Mass this morning. I usually wear cologne as a professional thing to do in a business setting. But I'd mistakenly doused it on this morning. And I was sure the women near me could smell it. Which got me thinking, why I am doing this, anyway? I don't need to attract the attention of a woman. And, the pit stick is to fight the BO. So why do we do this?
I don't really have a good answer, other than as a backup for the pit stick.
Maybe just put it on for special occasions to make me feel more on top of my game.
I don't really have a good answer, other than as a backup for the pit stick.
Maybe just put it on for special occasions to make me feel more on top of my game.
UK high school girls' pact to get pregnant
A sad tale of 17 girls who felt no love in their families, and sought this love from babies they agreed to all raise together.
http://wbztv.com/local/gloucester.high.school.2.751873.html
The problems here are bigger than the typical liberal/conservative debate over contraception distribution in schools. In this case, no amount of birth control education or supplies would have made a difference.
http://wbztv.com/local/gloucester.high.school.2.751873.html
The problems here are bigger than the typical liberal/conservative debate over contraception distribution in schools. In this case, no amount of birth control education or supplies would have made a difference.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Why people gloomier than the economy?
So says a news analysis today:
"The last time consumers were this miserable, in May 1980, the jobless rate was 7.5 percent and inflation was 14.4 percent. Now those numbers are 5.5 percent and 4.2 percent respectively."
Why is this so? People disproportionately let the price of gas and food, and the value of their homes, affect their economic outlook. Plus, they're worried about all the press on the financial crisis, and they've simply had it too good for two decades and don't remember what a real recession is like.
So this was probably a good thing to happen to us.
"The last time consumers were this miserable, in May 1980, the jobless rate was 7.5 percent and inflation was 14.4 percent. Now those numbers are 5.5 percent and 4.2 percent respectively."
Why is this so? People disproportionately let the price of gas and food, and the value of their homes, affect their economic outlook. Plus, they're worried about all the press on the financial crisis, and they've simply had it too good for two decades and don't remember what a real recession is like.
So this was probably a good thing to happen to us.
Yves St. Laurent and my wife's jeans
The death of this fashionista reminded us of this man's great influence: it was he who brought us pants worn by women, and later women's jeans. A radically liberal idea at the time, it's kind of funny to see the most conservative women embracing this change. One of my wife's conservative girl friends confirmed that pants are much more comfortable than skirts and dresses. (I personally think they both look degrees of magnitude more beautiful and captivating in dresses.)
This huge change only serves to embolden us liberals that conservatives will eventually get used to all of our new changes through the passage of time. The revolution of Yves St Laurent spurs us on to propose the liberal world without boundaries.
And yet, even the liberal Catholic has his boundaries, which are sometimes hard to reconcile with everything liberal.
This huge change only serves to embolden us liberals that conservatives will eventually get used to all of our new changes through the passage of time. The revolution of Yves St Laurent spurs us on to propose the liberal world without boundaries.
And yet, even the liberal Catholic has his boundaries, which are sometimes hard to reconcile with everything liberal.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
European Union is neither
So, the Irish have rejected the new EU constitution, which France and Germany sought to use to counter US influence in the world by creating the United State of Europe that they controlled. Not to mention that the constitution made no mention of Europe's Christian heritage. Not to mention the prospect of admitting Turkey, a decidedly non-European state that oppresses Christianity.
Bravo for Ireland.
Bravo for Ireland.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Tim Russert a good liberal
A number of my conservative friends did not know Russert was an old-style liberal -- because he spared neither conservative nor liberal on his show. He got to the core of an issue and stuck with the facts, scarcely revealing his own liberal soul. This is the mark of a true journalist -- and peacemaker.
Someone should make a hall of fame of "good" liberals both we and conservatives could agree on. Russert would be on that list.
Someone should make a hall of fame of "good" liberals both we and conservatives could agree on. Russert would be on that list.
Gay marriage in California no gain for progressives
I don't know if I have one progressive friend who understands my reluctance to embrace this slowly accelerating movement to recognize gay civil unions and marriages. Either my own liberal credentials are questioned, or my comments are met with silence or simply ignored.
I think we are progressive Catholics have to seriously ask ourselves what does it mean to be Catholic. What does it mean to be another Christ. During his encounter with the Magdaline, he did not say to her your lifestyle is OK, let alone granting her a certificate sanctioning it. He said go and sin no more.
Sin is a hard thing for my liberal friends to deal with, because it means there are sinners in need. It feels condescending, so we don't like it.
But conservative Catholics will rightly question our commitment to our shared faith if we go willy nilly over the cliff of hyberbole surrounding these latest developments. This is not a good development for us.
I think we are progressive Catholics have to seriously ask ourselves what does it mean to be Catholic. What does it mean to be another Christ. During his encounter with the Magdaline, he did not say to her your lifestyle is OK, let alone granting her a certificate sanctioning it. He said go and sin no more.
Sin is a hard thing for my liberal friends to deal with, because it means there are sinners in need. It feels condescending, so we don't like it.
But conservative Catholics will rightly question our commitment to our shared faith if we go willy nilly over the cliff of hyberbole surrounding these latest developments. This is not a good development for us.
Rights for Guantanamo prisoners
The recent landmark Supreme Court ruling extending rights to the terrorists at Guantanamo will be a challenge for conservative Catholics to swallow. On the one hand, most of these men at Gitmo are in fact enemies of the United States and the freedoms it just extended to them.
On the other hand, we as Catholics believe all men are created in the image and likeness of God and are worthy of dignity, even if they are murderers and child molesters of the worst kind.
We progressives are accused of being soft on criminals in the sometimes naive hope of their redemption and rehabilitation. But now the challenge has been put to conservatives to explain why there should be a place in the world where the US can treat people without the protection of our Constitution, even if they mean us harm.
I doubt we will see much in the National Catholic Register about this one.
On the other hand, we as Catholics believe all men are created in the image and likeness of God and are worthy of dignity, even if they are murderers and child molesters of the worst kind.
We progressives are accused of being soft on criminals in the sometimes naive hope of their redemption and rehabilitation. But now the challenge has been put to conservatives to explain why there should be a place in the world where the US can treat people without the protection of our Constitution, even if they mean us harm.
I doubt we will see much in the National Catholic Register about this one.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Weather God's wrath?
Every time we have a series of major disasters -- this year being the flood in Burma, earthquake in China, and the extended winter in the US followed by lots of tornados -- it spawns commentary on these things being punishments on the world.
It's a good question. God is in charge of the universe, no doubt. And we're doing a lot to displease him these days. And he wiped people out in the Bible who were not shaking out well.
But what would it take for the Father of mercy to impose such widespread pain upon people by intervening in the natural order he set up? For these massive losses of life and property to end up in the win column.
It's a good question. God is in charge of the universe, no doubt. And we're doing a lot to displease him these days. And he wiped people out in the Bible who were not shaking out well.
But what would it take for the Father of mercy to impose such widespread pain upon people by intervening in the natural order he set up? For these massive losses of life and property to end up in the win column.
Oldest Christian church discovered in Jordan
One more piece to the puzzle...
***************
Archaeologists in Jordan have unearthed what they claim is the world's first church, dating back almost 2,000 years, The Jordan Times reported on Tuesday.
"We have uncovered what we believe to be the first church in the world, dating from 33 AD to 70 AD," the head of Jordan's Rihab Centre for Archaeological Studies, Abdul Qader al-Husan, said.
He said it was uncovered under Saint Georgeous Church, which itself dates back to 230 AD, in Rihab in northern Jordan near the Syrian border.
"We have evidence to believe this church sheltered the early Christians -- the 70 disciples of Jesus Christ," Husan said.
These Christians, who are described in a mosaic as "the 70 beloved by God and Divine," are said to have fled persecution in Jerusalem and founded churches in northern Jordan, Husan added.
He cited historical sources which suggest they both lived and practised religious rituals in the underground church and only left it after Christianity was embraced by Roman rulers.
The bishop deputy of the Greek Orthodox archdiocese, Archimandrite Nektarious, described the discovery as an "important milestone for Christians all around the world."
Researchers recovered pottery dating back to between the 3rd and 7th centuries, which they say suggests these first Christians and their followers lived in the area until late Roman rule.
Inside the cave there are several stone seats which are believed to have been for the clergy and a circular shaped area, thought to be the apse.
There is also a deep tunnel which is believed to have led to a water source, the archaeologist added.
Rihab is home to a total of 30 churches and Jesus and the Virgin Mary are believed to have passed through the area, Husan said.
***************
Archaeologists in Jordan have unearthed what they claim is the world's first church, dating back almost 2,000 years, The Jordan Times reported on Tuesday.
"We have uncovered what we believe to be the first church in the world, dating from 33 AD to 70 AD," the head of Jordan's Rihab Centre for Archaeological Studies, Abdul Qader al-Husan, said.
He said it was uncovered under Saint Georgeous Church, which itself dates back to 230 AD, in Rihab in northern Jordan near the Syrian border.
"We have evidence to believe this church sheltered the early Christians -- the 70 disciples of Jesus Christ," Husan said.
These Christians, who are described in a mosaic as "the 70 beloved by God and Divine," are said to have fled persecution in Jerusalem and founded churches in northern Jordan, Husan added.
He cited historical sources which suggest they both lived and practised religious rituals in the underground church and only left it after Christianity was embraced by Roman rulers.
The bishop deputy of the Greek Orthodox archdiocese, Archimandrite Nektarious, described the discovery as an "important milestone for Christians all around the world."
Researchers recovered pottery dating back to between the 3rd and 7th centuries, which they say suggests these first Christians and their followers lived in the area until late Roman rule.
Inside the cave there are several stone seats which are believed to have been for the clergy and a circular shaped area, thought to be the apse.
There is also a deep tunnel which is believed to have led to a water source, the archaeologist added.
Rihab is home to a total of 30 churches and Jesus and the Virgin Mary are believed to have passed through the area, Husan said.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
No heterosexual AIDS pandemic after all
The head of the World Health Organization's HIV/AIDs section, Kevin de Cock, bravely admitted today what some politicians did not want to do.
*******
Threat of world Aids pandemic among heterosexuals is over, report admits
A 25-year health campaign was misplaced outside the continent of Africa. But the disease still kills more than all wars and conflicts
By Jeremy Laurance
Sunday, 8 June 2008
...Dr De Cock said: "It is very unlikely there will be a heterosexual epidemic in other countries. Ten years ago a lot of people were saying there would be a generalised epidemic in Asia – China was the big worry with its huge population. That doesn't look likely. But we have to be careful. As an epidemiologist it is better to describe what we can measure. There could be small outbreaks in some areas."
In 2006, the Global Fund for HIV, Malaria and Tuberculosis, which provides 20 per cent of all funding for Aids, warned that Russia was on the cusp of a catastrophe. An estimated 1 per cent of the population was infected, mainly through injecting drug use, the same level of infection as in South Africa in 1991 where the prevalence of the infection has since risen to 25 per cent.
Dr De Cock said: "I think it is unlikely there will be extensive heterosexual spread in Russia. But clearly there will be some spread."
Aids still kills more adults than all wars and conflicts combined, and is vastly bigger than current efforts to address it. A joint WHO/UN Aids report published this month showed that nearly three million people are now receiving anti-retroviral drugs in the developing world, but this is less than a third of the estimated 9.7 million people who need them. In all there were 33 million people living with HIV in 2007, 2.5 million people became newly infected and 2.1 million died of Aids.
Aids organisations, including the WHO, UN Aids and the Global Fund, have come under attack for inflating estimates of the number of people infected, diverting funds from other health needs such as malaria, spending it on the wrong measures such as abstinence programmes rather than condoms, and failing to build up health systems.
Dr De Cock labelled these the "four malignant arguments" undermining support for the global campaign against Aids, which still faced formidable challenges, despite the receding threat of a generalised epidemic beyond Africa.
Any revision of the threat was liable to be seized on by those who rejected HIV as the cause of the disease, or who used the disease as a weapon to stigmatise high risk groups, he said.
"Aids still remains the leading infectious disease challenge in public health. It is an acute infection but a chronic disease. It is for the very, very long haul. People are backing off, saying it is taking care of itself. It is not."
Critics of the global Aids strategy complain that vast sums are being spent educating people about the disease who are not at risk, when a far bigger impact could be achieved by targeting high-risk groups and focusing on interventions known to work, such as circumcision, which cuts the risk of infection by 60 per cent, and reducing the number of sexual partners.
There were "elements of truth" in the criticism, Dr De Cock said. "You will not do much about Aids in London by spending the funds in schools. You need to go where transmission is occurring. It is true that countries have not always been good at that."
But he rejected an argument put in The New York Times that only $30m (£15m) had been spent on safe water projects, far less than on Aids, despite knowledge of the risks that contaminated water pose.
"It sounds a good argument. But where is the scandal? That less than a third of Aids patients are being treated – or that we have never resolved the safe water scandal?"
One of the danger areas for the Aids strategy was among men who had sex with men. He said: " We face a bit of a crisis [in this area]. In the industrialised world transmission of HIV among men who have sex with men is not declining and in some places has increased.
"In the developing world, it has been neglected. We have only recently started looking for it and when we look, we find it. And when we examine HIV rates we find they are high.
"It is astonishing how badly we have done with men who have sex with men. It is something that is going to have to be discussed much more rigorously."
The biggest puzzle was what had caused heterosexual spread of the disease in sub-Saharan Africa – with infection rates exceeding 40 per cent of adults in Swaziland, the worst-affected country – but nowhere else.
"It is the question we are asked most often – why is the situation so bad in sub-Saharan Africa? It is a combination of factors – more commercial sex workers, more ulcerative sexually transmitted diseases, a young population and concurrent sexual partnerships."
"Sexual behaviour is obviously important but it doesn't seem to explain [all] the differences between populations. Even if the total number of sexual partners [in sub-Saharan Africa] is no greater than in the UK, there seems to be a higher frequency of overlapping sexual partnerships creating sexual networks that, from an epidemiological point of view, are more efficient at spreading infection."
Low rates of circumcision, which is protective, and high rates of genital herpes, which causes ulcers on the genitals through which the virus can enter the body, also contributed to Africa's heterosexual epidemic.
But the factors driving HIV were still not fully understood, he said.
"The impact of HIV is so heterogeneous. In the US , the rate of infection among men in Washington DC is well over 100 times higher than in North Dakota, the region with the lowest rate. That is in one country. How do you explain such differences?"
*******
Threat of world Aids pandemic among heterosexuals is over, report admits
A 25-year health campaign was misplaced outside the continent of Africa. But the disease still kills more than all wars and conflicts
By Jeremy Laurance
Sunday, 8 June 2008
...Dr De Cock said: "It is very unlikely there will be a heterosexual epidemic in other countries. Ten years ago a lot of people were saying there would be a generalised epidemic in Asia – China was the big worry with its huge population. That doesn't look likely. But we have to be careful. As an epidemiologist it is better to describe what we can measure. There could be small outbreaks in some areas."
In 2006, the Global Fund for HIV, Malaria and Tuberculosis, which provides 20 per cent of all funding for Aids, warned that Russia was on the cusp of a catastrophe. An estimated 1 per cent of the population was infected, mainly through injecting drug use, the same level of infection as in South Africa in 1991 where the prevalence of the infection has since risen to 25 per cent.
Dr De Cock said: "I think it is unlikely there will be extensive heterosexual spread in Russia. But clearly there will be some spread."
Aids still kills more adults than all wars and conflicts combined, and is vastly bigger than current efforts to address it. A joint WHO/UN Aids report published this month showed that nearly three million people are now receiving anti-retroviral drugs in the developing world, but this is less than a third of the estimated 9.7 million people who need them. In all there were 33 million people living with HIV in 2007, 2.5 million people became newly infected and 2.1 million died of Aids.
Aids organisations, including the WHO, UN Aids and the Global Fund, have come under attack for inflating estimates of the number of people infected, diverting funds from other health needs such as malaria, spending it on the wrong measures such as abstinence programmes rather than condoms, and failing to build up health systems.
Dr De Cock labelled these the "four malignant arguments" undermining support for the global campaign against Aids, which still faced formidable challenges, despite the receding threat of a generalised epidemic beyond Africa.
Any revision of the threat was liable to be seized on by those who rejected HIV as the cause of the disease, or who used the disease as a weapon to stigmatise high risk groups, he said.
"Aids still remains the leading infectious disease challenge in public health. It is an acute infection but a chronic disease. It is for the very, very long haul. People are backing off, saying it is taking care of itself. It is not."
Critics of the global Aids strategy complain that vast sums are being spent educating people about the disease who are not at risk, when a far bigger impact could be achieved by targeting high-risk groups and focusing on interventions known to work, such as circumcision, which cuts the risk of infection by 60 per cent, and reducing the number of sexual partners.
There were "elements of truth" in the criticism, Dr De Cock said. "You will not do much about Aids in London by spending the funds in schools. You need to go where transmission is occurring. It is true that countries have not always been good at that."
But he rejected an argument put in The New York Times that only $30m (£15m) had been spent on safe water projects, far less than on Aids, despite knowledge of the risks that contaminated water pose.
"It sounds a good argument. But where is the scandal? That less than a third of Aids patients are being treated – or that we have never resolved the safe water scandal?"
One of the danger areas for the Aids strategy was among men who had sex with men. He said: " We face a bit of a crisis [in this area]. In the industrialised world transmission of HIV among men who have sex with men is not declining and in some places has increased.
"In the developing world, it has been neglected. We have only recently started looking for it and when we look, we find it. And when we examine HIV rates we find they are high.
"It is astonishing how badly we have done with men who have sex with men. It is something that is going to have to be discussed much more rigorously."
The biggest puzzle was what had caused heterosexual spread of the disease in sub-Saharan Africa – with infection rates exceeding 40 per cent of adults in Swaziland, the worst-affected country – but nowhere else.
"It is the question we are asked most often – why is the situation so bad in sub-Saharan Africa? It is a combination of factors – more commercial sex workers, more ulcerative sexually transmitted diseases, a young population and concurrent sexual partnerships."
"Sexual behaviour is obviously important but it doesn't seem to explain [all] the differences between populations. Even if the total number of sexual partners [in sub-Saharan Africa] is no greater than in the UK, there seems to be a higher frequency of overlapping sexual partnerships creating sexual networks that, from an epidemiological point of view, are more efficient at spreading infection."
Low rates of circumcision, which is protective, and high rates of genital herpes, which causes ulcers on the genitals through which the virus can enter the body, also contributed to Africa's heterosexual epidemic.
But the factors driving HIV were still not fully understood, he said.
"The impact of HIV is so heterogeneous. In the US , the rate of infection among men in Washington DC is well over 100 times higher than in North Dakota, the region with the lowest rate. That is in one country. How do you explain such differences?"
Friday, June 6, 2008
English baby survives abortion, mother glad
When will our liberal brothers see the light?
Baby Miraculously Survives Abortion, Expected to Live 'Normal' Life
Thursday, June 05, 2008
A mother who decided to abort her son because he may have inherited a life-threatening kidney condition is overjoyed that he survived the procedure.
Jodie Percival of Nottinghamshire, England, said she and her fiancee made the decision to abort baby Finley when she was eight weeks pregnant.
Percival's first son Thane died of multicystic dysplastic kidneys — which causes cysts to grow on the kidneys of an unborn baby — and her second child Lewis was born with serious kidney damage and currently has just one kidney, the Daily Mail reported.
Click here for a photo of baby Finley.
"I was on the (birth control pill) when I became pregnant," Percival, 25, said. "Deciding to terminate at eight weeks was just utterly horrible but I couldn't cope with the anguish of losing another baby."
A short time after the abortion, Percival felt a fluttering in her stomach. She went to the doctor for a scan and discovered she was 19 weeks pregnant.
"I couldn't believe it,' Percival said. "This was the baby I thought I'd terminated. At first I was angry that this was happening to us, that the procedure had failed. I wrote to the hospital, I couldn't believe that they had let me down like this.
"They wrote back and apologized and said it was very rare," she added.
Dr. Manny Alvarez, managing health editor for FOXNews.com, said Percival's situation is actually quite common.
"Women that have early terminations in weeks six, seven and eight, many times the pregnancy is so small that doctors miss removing the baby," Alvarez said. "The danger is that the failed attempt can damage the baby. That is why these patients who get early terminations need follow-ups."
Another scan a week later confirmed the baby also had kidney problems, but doctors told the couple the baby was likely to survive, so they decided he deserved another chance at life.
In November, Finley was born three weeks premature. He had minor kidney damage but is expected to lead a normal life.
Click here for more on this story
Baby Miraculously Survives Abortion, Expected to Live 'Normal' Life
Thursday, June 05, 2008
A mother who decided to abort her son because he may have inherited a life-threatening kidney condition is overjoyed that he survived the procedure.
Jodie Percival of Nottinghamshire, England, said she and her fiancee made the decision to abort baby Finley when she was eight weeks pregnant.
Percival's first son Thane died of multicystic dysplastic kidneys — which causes cysts to grow on the kidneys of an unborn baby — and her second child Lewis was born with serious kidney damage and currently has just one kidney, the Daily Mail reported.
Click here for a photo of baby Finley.
"I was on the (birth control pill) when I became pregnant," Percival, 25, said. "Deciding to terminate at eight weeks was just utterly horrible but I couldn't cope with the anguish of losing another baby."
A short time after the abortion, Percival felt a fluttering in her stomach. She went to the doctor for a scan and discovered she was 19 weeks pregnant.
"I couldn't believe it,' Percival said. "This was the baby I thought I'd terminated. At first I was angry that this was happening to us, that the procedure had failed. I wrote to the hospital, I couldn't believe that they had let me down like this.
"They wrote back and apologized and said it was very rare," she added.
Dr. Manny Alvarez, managing health editor for FOXNews.com, said Percival's situation is actually quite common.
"Women that have early terminations in weeks six, seven and eight, many times the pregnancy is so small that doctors miss removing the baby," Alvarez said. "The danger is that the failed attempt can damage the baby. That is why these patients who get early terminations need follow-ups."
Another scan a week later confirmed the baby also had kidney problems, but doctors told the couple the baby was likely to survive, so they decided he deserved another chance at life.
In November, Finley was born three weeks premature. He had minor kidney damage but is expected to lead a normal life.
Click here for more on this story
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Lesbian PDAs
Interesting run-down of crack-downs on gay public displays of affection:
"It all depends on the degree," Mark Ackerman said as he waited for a hot dog outside Safeco Field before Wednesday's game. "Even for heterosexual couples."
Since the incident, Guerrero's job and her past have come under scrutiny. She works at a bar known for scantily clad women and was a contestant on the MTV reality show "A Shot at Love With Tila Tequila," in which women and men compete for the affection of a bisexual Internet celebrity.
"People are saying it's 15 more minutes for my career," Guerrero said of the ballpark furor, "but this is not making me look very good."
In 2007, an Oregon transit agency chief apologized after a lesbian teenager was kicked off a bus when a passenger complained about her kissing another girl.
Also in 2007, a gay rights group protested a Kansas City, Mo., restaurant they said ejected four women because two of them kissed, and a Texas state trooper was placed on probation in 2004 for telling two gay men who were kissing at the state Capitol that homosexual conduct was illegal in Texas.
"It all depends on the degree," Mark Ackerman said as he waited for a hot dog outside Safeco Field before Wednesday's game. "Even for heterosexual couples."
Since the incident, Guerrero's job and her past have come under scrutiny. She works at a bar known for scantily clad women and was a contestant on the MTV reality show "A Shot at Love With Tila Tequila," in which women and men compete for the affection of a bisexual Internet celebrity.
"People are saying it's 15 more minutes for my career," Guerrero said of the ballpark furor, "but this is not making me look very good."
In 2007, an Oregon transit agency chief apologized after a lesbian teenager was kicked off a bus when a passenger complained about her kissing another girl.
Also in 2007, a gay rights group protested a Kansas City, Mo., restaurant they said ejected four women because two of them kissed, and a Texas state trooper was placed on probation in 2004 for telling two gay men who were kissing at the state Capitol that homosexual conduct was illegal in Texas.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Two-year recession?
This, from the pessimists on Wall Street who are human and need to justify their recent mistakes by saying things are going to be really bad for everyone, because things are really bad for them.
Subprime debacle may spark 2-year credit recession
By Walden Siew
NEW YORK (Reuters) - A "credit recession" sparked by the U.S. housing market downturn and excesses in structured finance may last more than two years, and the financial sector will undergo "massive consolidation," leading Wall Street strategists said on Wednesday.
The fallout from deteriorating subprime mortgages and the broader housing and credit crisis will eventually lead to a healthier market, but not until after a prolonged purging process, Jack Malvey, Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc's (LEH.N) chief global fixed-income strategist, said in New York.
"We're going through a tough spell with regard to credit," Malvey said at a Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association conference.
The "subprime debacle" due to years of excess and easy credit will be followed by years of tight credit, Malvey said
Subprime debacle may spark 2-year credit recession
By Walden Siew
NEW YORK (Reuters) - A "credit recession" sparked by the U.S. housing market downturn and excesses in structured finance may last more than two years, and the financial sector will undergo "massive consolidation," leading Wall Street strategists said on Wednesday.
The fallout from deteriorating subprime mortgages and the broader housing and credit crisis will eventually lead to a healthier market, but not until after a prolonged purging process, Jack Malvey, Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc's (LEH.N) chief global fixed-income strategist, said in New York.
"We're going through a tough spell with regard to credit," Malvey said at a Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association conference.
The "subprime debacle" due to years of excess and easy credit will be followed by years of tight credit, Malvey said
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Economic power shifting from US to Asia
We should dust up on our Cantonese and Hindi.
Amid economic slowdown, signs of new world order
By Mark Trumbull
http://news.yahoo.com/s/csm/20080602/ts_csm/ameristuck
The world economy is cooling this year thanks to a slowdown in the United States, but something new is playing out: This slowdown is serving to amplify a shift in financial power toward Asia and developing nations.
Countries such as China and India are now big enough to help guide the global economy. In the past, a sharp downshift in the US and Europe would decisively slow the rate of global growth.
This time, emerging markets appear poised to grow collectively by 6.7 percent this year, according to recent forecasts by the International Monetary Fund. As a result, the IMF sees world gross domestic product (GDP) growing 3.7 percent, even though the US might experience a recession.
Amid economic slowdown, signs of new world order
By Mark Trumbull
http://news.yahoo.com/s/csm/20080602/ts_csm/ameristuck
The world economy is cooling this year thanks to a slowdown in the United States, but something new is playing out: This slowdown is serving to amplify a shift in financial power toward Asia and developing nations.
Countries such as China and India are now big enough to help guide the global economy. In the past, a sharp downshift in the US and Europe would decisively slow the rate of global growth.
This time, emerging markets appear poised to grow collectively by 6.7 percent this year, according to recent forecasts by the International Monetary Fund. As a result, the IMF sees world gross domestic product (GDP) growing 3.7 percent, even though the US might experience a recession.
Billionaire universities
If mammon is our goal, send the kids to the Ivies. This in from Forbes Magazine:
For every one opening at Harvard's undergraduate college, there were 14 hopeful high school applicants. Despite the daunting odds, there's good reason to try to win one of those coveted acceptance letters.
Harvard is consistently ranked as one of the top schools in the country. Its $35 billion endowment makes it the best-funded college in the United States.
Oh, and there's this: Harvard students are more likely to become billionaires than graduates of any other college.
Of the 469 Americans on Forbes' most recent list of the world's billionaires, 50 received at least one degree from Harvard. The school has produced 20 more current American billionaires than No. 2 on our list, Stanford University.
More from Forbes.com:
• In Pictures: The Billionaire Universities
• In Pictures: Meet the Fashion Billionaires
• In Pictures: The Top 10 Cities for Billionaires
Harvard's billionaire alumni are an accomplished group. They include Microsoft Chief Executive Steve Ballmer, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and media tycoon Sumner Redstone.
Stanford University trails Harvard, but still boasts 30 billionaire alumni. These include Nike co-founder Philip Knight and discount brokerage mogul Charles Schwab.
Fittingly, the California university, which has produced so many ultra-wealthy businesspeople, was founded by one. The grieving railroad tycoon Leland Stanford decided to found a university after his only son died of typhoid fever. With considerable land and money donations from the Californian, the school opened its doors in 1891.
Following Stanford is the University of Pennsylvania, with 27 graduates. Notable members of the group include real estate king Donald Trump and SAC Capital founder Steven Cohen.
Rounding out the top five are Yale, with 19 billionaire graduates, and Columbia University, with 15. The top school from the Midwest is the University of Chicago, ranked seventh, with 10 grads. No. 1 from the south is Duke, with eight.
For every one opening at Harvard's undergraduate college, there were 14 hopeful high school applicants. Despite the daunting odds, there's good reason to try to win one of those coveted acceptance letters.
Harvard is consistently ranked as one of the top schools in the country. Its $35 billion endowment makes it the best-funded college in the United States.
Oh, and there's this: Harvard students are more likely to become billionaires than graduates of any other college.
Of the 469 Americans on Forbes' most recent list of the world's billionaires, 50 received at least one degree from Harvard. The school has produced 20 more current American billionaires than No. 2 on our list, Stanford University.
More from Forbes.com:
• In Pictures: The Billionaire Universities
• In Pictures: Meet the Fashion Billionaires
• In Pictures: The Top 10 Cities for Billionaires
Harvard's billionaire alumni are an accomplished group. They include Microsoft Chief Executive Steve Ballmer, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and media tycoon Sumner Redstone.
Stanford University trails Harvard, but still boasts 30 billionaire alumni. These include Nike co-founder Philip Knight and discount brokerage mogul Charles Schwab.
Fittingly, the California university, which has produced so many ultra-wealthy businesspeople, was founded by one. The grieving railroad tycoon Leland Stanford decided to found a university after his only son died of typhoid fever. With considerable land and money donations from the Californian, the school opened its doors in 1891.
Following Stanford is the University of Pennsylvania, with 27 graduates. Notable members of the group include real estate king Donald Trump and SAC Capital founder Steven Cohen.
Rounding out the top five are Yale, with 19 billionaire graduates, and Columbia University, with 15. The top school from the Midwest is the University of Chicago, ranked seventh, with 10 grads. No. 1 from the south is Duke, with eight.
Monday, June 2, 2008
Cage fighting
OK, I admit I stooped down into the red world and watched a cage fight, dubbed Mixed Martial Arts. You know, you have to occasionally monitor the "other side." Here is part of a commentary from one writer on the four things wrong with the MMA championship:
"The Ear. What, you’ve seen an ear like that before? When everyone predicted this would be a freak show, no one thought the Colossus would take it to heart. His cauliflower ear was massive, this huge ball of blood and puss hanging off his head.
Ah, didn’t anyone think to mention he might want to drain that thing before Kimbo whacks him upside the head and makes it explode? Which, of course, happened.
Pre-fight, as the cameras zoomed in on that monstrosity everyone watching was horrified, fascinated or laughing uncontrollably. It was something out of a summer comedy; I kept expecting Verne Troyer to appear in the scene. CBS’s Gus Johnson declared it an “alien life form.”
This was the stuff that pained longtime fans. For the average person just looking for something to watch, though, this train wreck was wildly entertaining. At the very least, it was memorable. Not everyone is concerned about the integrity of cage fighting."
Comment: It really was a big ear.
"The Ear. What, you’ve seen an ear like that before? When everyone predicted this would be a freak show, no one thought the Colossus would take it to heart. His cauliflower ear was massive, this huge ball of blood and puss hanging off his head.
Ah, didn’t anyone think to mention he might want to drain that thing before Kimbo whacks him upside the head and makes it explode? Which, of course, happened.
Pre-fight, as the cameras zoomed in on that monstrosity everyone watching was horrified, fascinated or laughing uncontrollably. It was something out of a summer comedy; I kept expecting Verne Troyer to appear in the scene. CBS’s Gus Johnson declared it an “alien life form.”
This was the stuff that pained longtime fans. For the average person just looking for something to watch, though, this train wreck was wildly entertaining. At the very least, it was memorable. Not everyone is concerned about the integrity of cage fighting."
Comment: It really was a big ear.
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