That would be a good title if Henry James collaborated with Dr. Suess. Having made that declaration, I thought it would be a good idea to read one of James' most famous "nouvelles", his 8,000 word The Turn of the Screw. This is a good length of a book to commit yourself to as you await the arrival of your next full length Civil War battle history, via Amazon's free standard shipping (3-5 busines days).
Reading James in the wake of Hemingway is like driving a school bus - albiet a very stylized one, with Victorian arm chairs instead of bench seats - after having just driven an Italian sports car. His writing is dense, slow, and plodding. The sentences go on, and on, and on. At the end, you are left wondering if he was actually mocking the circumspect way people approached sex and morality in his day. In fact, upon further consideration, he was.
This was no ghost story. Someone asked me if the book scared me. That person, a close relation of the older generation, grew up in an era that had its share of scary movies (Frankenstein, Dracula, etc). But after having seen The Sixth Sense and Signs, a few English spooks puttering about a country house in 1898 won't give me nightmares.
Rather than being about ghosts then, The Turn of the Screw is about how when people try too hard to shield children - and adults - from sin and temptation, they often end up causing more harm than good. I feel now like I just ate a big bowl of spinach salad. I really didn't enjoy it, but I feel better for it. I may read James' The American one of these days (I started it and put it down about 15 years ago); but only if Amazon is really, really late on a delivery.
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
Friday, August 19, 2005
The Sun Also Rises
Re-read Hemingway's The Sun Also Rises this week after twenty-two years since the first time I read it. Re-reading a book like that is a great way to sensitize yourself to how much wisdom and experience you gain as you get older. It is a completely different - and better - book the second time around. On the first read, I viewed it as a great travelogue that gave me an intense desire to hang out in sleepy Spanish towns, drink the wine of the country, and fly fish. On this read, it fed the same compulsion, but also allowed for reflection on current and past friendships and the nature of women. Two of the most complicated and intriquing subjects known to man. Again, a strong book recommendation.
After two novels this month, I feel the Civil War jones coming back. Will read part two of Rhea's account of Grant's 1864 overland campaign next. The first part, read last fall, dealt with the Battle of the Wilderness. Now we are on to Spotsylvania, to be followed by North Anna River and finally Cold Harbor. Intend to have the whole series done by mid-2006.
After two novels this month, I feel the Civil War jones coming back. Will read part two of Rhea's account of Grant's 1864 overland campaign next. The first part, read last fall, dealt with the Battle of the Wilderness. Now we are on to Spotsylvania, to be followed by North Anna River and finally Cold Harbor. Intend to have the whole series done by mid-2006.
Added Preposition
A missing preposition has been added to the description of this blog. Hat tip to the woman from the waterside compound.
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
Shantaram
I posted a review of two books I read earlier this summer on July 16, and the response was so underwhelming, that I thought I would post another. As loyal readers may recall when I wrote that review, I said that a friend had lent me a novel of almost 1,000 pages, and that the review would be posted long about November. So what am I doing here, on August 8, a mere three weeks later?
As it turned out, the book, Shantaram, By Gregory David Roberts, was only 933 pages long. Yet they were about the best 933 pages I’ve read in any novel for at least the past ten years. Every now and then in life, the perfect book comes along at the perfect time, and this was one of those cases. Shantaram was only recently released, and supposedly a movie of the same name is coming out next year. Much to my chagrin, Johnny Depp is slated to play the main character. As you might imagine, we are not big Johnny Depp fans, notwithstanding his half-decent Keith Richards impersonation.
Anyway, I don’t want to give much of the story line away. Basically, Shantaram is a semi-autobiographical account of a man who escaped from a maximum security prison in Australia, fled to Bombay in the early 1980s, and created a new life for himself working for the Bombay mafia as a counterfeiter and black market currency trader, living in the slums, operating a free clinic for the people who lived in the the slum, and fighting the Russians in Afganistan. As action-packed as all this sounds, and it is as action-packed as they get, the book has much more to do with the our purpose in life, the meanings of love, hate and forgiveness, and how people struggle with and overcome the very difficult challenges that we all inevitably face from time to time. It demands a fair amount of deep introspection and reflection – between detailed accounts of knife fights and all manner of intrigue.
The book was recommended by PH, and he’s never steered my wrong on a book before, nor I him, and I won’t steer you wrong either.
The next posting will deal with more mundane topicality. I still have that big backlog from June to deal with. It’s been a busy, busy summer. But some free time is coming up over the next three weekends, so expect lots of new stuff and a new name for the blog as well. We are still evaluating ideas, so keep those cards and letters coming.
As it turned out, the book, Shantaram, By Gregory David Roberts, was only 933 pages long. Yet they were about the best 933 pages I’ve read in any novel for at least the past ten years. Every now and then in life, the perfect book comes along at the perfect time, and this was one of those cases. Shantaram was only recently released, and supposedly a movie of the same name is coming out next year. Much to my chagrin, Johnny Depp is slated to play the main character. As you might imagine, we are not big Johnny Depp fans, notwithstanding his half-decent Keith Richards impersonation.
Anyway, I don’t want to give much of the story line away. Basically, Shantaram is a semi-autobiographical account of a man who escaped from a maximum security prison in Australia, fled to Bombay in the early 1980s, and created a new life for himself working for the Bombay mafia as a counterfeiter and black market currency trader, living in the slums, operating a free clinic for the people who lived in the the slum, and fighting the Russians in Afganistan. As action-packed as all this sounds, and it is as action-packed as they get, the book has much more to do with the our purpose in life, the meanings of love, hate and forgiveness, and how people struggle with and overcome the very difficult challenges that we all inevitably face from time to time. It demands a fair amount of deep introspection and reflection – between detailed accounts of knife fights and all manner of intrigue.
The book was recommended by PH, and he’s never steered my wrong on a book before, nor I him, and I won’t steer you wrong either.
The next posting will deal with more mundane topicality. I still have that big backlog from June to deal with. It’s been a busy, busy summer. But some free time is coming up over the next three weekends, so expect lots of new stuff and a new name for the blog as well. We are still evaluating ideas, so keep those cards and letters coming.
Saturday, July 16, 2005
Book Recommendations: Franklin and Washington
Just finished two books that I recommend to anyone interested in American History. The first, Benjamin Franklin: An American Life, by Walter Isaacson, is an excellent study of a complex man who many regard as the first modern American.
Franklin was a successful businessman who, by the time he was 42, had enough money to devote his life to the things he liked to do, without concern for money. He was a great believer that people, voluntarily cooperating in groups, can accomplish much good for society. For example, he started the American Philosophical Society, founded the country’s first volunteer fire department, municipal police force, and even a private militia during the French and Indian War, to defend Philadelphia during a time when the Quaker dominated assembly would provide no funds for the defense of the colony. The Philadelphia Associators, as they were called, played a key role in the revolution in 1776 and 1777 as well.
Franklin became one of the great applied scientists of the day as well. We all know about his flying the kite in the thunderstorm, but the practical benefit of that experiment was his invention of the lightning rod, which saved thousands of lives throughout the US and Europe. He was the first person to describe positive and negative charges of electricity, and first used the term “battery” to describe a device that could store electricity.
Franklin was also an incredibly successful diplomat, both in England before the Revolution, as the agent of Pennsylvania and later other colonies, and in France during and immediately following the Revolution. He was the only person to have signed all three of the most important documents of that era: The Declaration of Independence, The Constitution, and the Treaty of Paris. He was a master communicator and manipulator of the media, and was probably two centuries ahead of his time in that department. Franklin also seemed to have maintained an unhealthy obsession with teenage girls well into his old age, and treated his wife with indifference while he pursued love interests in three countries. His son, William, became estranged from him and died an unhappy man, after being exiled to England for siding with the British during the Revolution. When Franklin died, he put significant funds into trusts that were to be administered by the Cities of Philadelphia and Boston to promote scientific advancement. The final grants of money from his endowment were awarded to inner city kids for their science projects in 1990.
Washington’s Crossing, by David Fischer, is a magnificent account of one of the most dramatic times in the history of this country. If you have even a vague understanding the events leading up to Washington’s crossing of the Delaware on Christmas night, 1776, the subsequent battles of Trenton and Princeton, and their critical role in the survival of this country, you should read this book. It will dispel many notions that have somehow made it into our popular mythology. Chief among these misconceptions are that the Hessians were all hung over from a night of Christmas celebrations when they were attacked – they weren’t; or that the battles were really minor skirmishes in the grand picture of the war. The winter campaign was a major military conflict and completely turned the war around from an almost certain defeat for the Americans to a decided advantage for the Americans, in many respects. It is one of the best page turners I’ve read in months. Washington emerges as the great leader of men and brilliant strategist that most people have lost sight of after two hundred years of his secular-patriotic sainthood.
Not sure what I’m going to read next. A friend lent me a novel so I think I am going to dive into that, but it is almost a thousand pages long so look for a review of that in, say, November.
Franklin was a successful businessman who, by the time he was 42, had enough money to devote his life to the things he liked to do, without concern for money. He was a great believer that people, voluntarily cooperating in groups, can accomplish much good for society. For example, he started the American Philosophical Society, founded the country’s first volunteer fire department, municipal police force, and even a private militia during the French and Indian War, to defend Philadelphia during a time when the Quaker dominated assembly would provide no funds for the defense of the colony. The Philadelphia Associators, as they were called, played a key role in the revolution in 1776 and 1777 as well.
Franklin became one of the great applied scientists of the day as well. We all know about his flying the kite in the thunderstorm, but the practical benefit of that experiment was his invention of the lightning rod, which saved thousands of lives throughout the US and Europe. He was the first person to describe positive and negative charges of electricity, and first used the term “battery” to describe a device that could store electricity.
Franklin was also an incredibly successful diplomat, both in England before the Revolution, as the agent of Pennsylvania and later other colonies, and in France during and immediately following the Revolution. He was the only person to have signed all three of the most important documents of that era: The Declaration of Independence, The Constitution, and the Treaty of Paris. He was a master communicator and manipulator of the media, and was probably two centuries ahead of his time in that department. Franklin also seemed to have maintained an unhealthy obsession with teenage girls well into his old age, and treated his wife with indifference while he pursued love interests in three countries. His son, William, became estranged from him and died an unhappy man, after being exiled to England for siding with the British during the Revolution. When Franklin died, he put significant funds into trusts that were to be administered by the Cities of Philadelphia and Boston to promote scientific advancement. The final grants of money from his endowment were awarded to inner city kids for their science projects in 1990.
Washington’s Crossing, by David Fischer, is a magnificent account of one of the most dramatic times in the history of this country. If you have even a vague understanding the events leading up to Washington’s crossing of the Delaware on Christmas night, 1776, the subsequent battles of Trenton and Princeton, and their critical role in the survival of this country, you should read this book. It will dispel many notions that have somehow made it into our popular mythology. Chief among these misconceptions are that the Hessians were all hung over from a night of Christmas celebrations when they were attacked – they weren’t; or that the battles were really minor skirmishes in the grand picture of the war. The winter campaign was a major military conflict and completely turned the war around from an almost certain defeat for the Americans to a decided advantage for the Americans, in many respects. It is one of the best page turners I’ve read in months. Washington emerges as the great leader of men and brilliant strategist that most people have lost sight of after two hundred years of his secular-patriotic sainthood.
Not sure what I’m going to read next. A friend lent me a novel so I think I am going to dive into that, but it is almost a thousand pages long so look for a review of that in, say, November.
Sunday, July 03, 2005
Monday, May 23, 2005
Thank You Very Mulch
We spent the first weekend back home working on the house. The WB and I worked in the front yard. I mulched, and he helped by filling up his little wheel barrel with dirt, then dumping it out, and then repeating the process. He no doubt enjoyed the process, and I couldn’t have been happier. For the record, it takes about 51 cubic feet of mulch to take care of the average front yard. You have to first edge around the flower and tree beds with a flat handled shovel, which is dirty, tiresome work. The Dog spent both days perched in the front yard, watching the people and cars go by, chasing the occasional small animal, and contemplating our next posting, which will be on the judicial nomination controversy.
Since we were out in front of the house all weekend, everyone – and I mean every last person – in the neighborhood stopped by to say hi. So sometime about mid-afternoon Saturday, we invited one couple and their kids to come by Sunday evening to cook out hamburgers and hotdogs. We then felt that if we were going to invite them, we should invite some of the other neighbors and have a little cook out. To make a long story short, we ended up having 25 adults and 16 kids over Sunday evening and the party went on till the late hour of 9:30 pm. It was a great party and about a ton of food, beer, and soda was consumed. This ended up being our “thank you” party to let the folks in the neighborhood know how much we appreciated their help over the last few months. Our neighbors showed what the word community means over the last few months, and we are exceedingly grateful for their thoughts, help and prayers.
Since we were out in front of the house all weekend, everyone – and I mean every last person – in the neighborhood stopped by to say hi. So sometime about mid-afternoon Saturday, we invited one couple and their kids to come by Sunday evening to cook out hamburgers and hotdogs. We then felt that if we were going to invite them, we should invite some of the other neighbors and have a little cook out. To make a long story short, we ended up having 25 adults and 16 kids over Sunday evening and the party went on till the late hour of 9:30 pm. It was a great party and about a ton of food, beer, and soda was consumed. This ended up being our “thank you” party to let the folks in the neighborhood know how much we appreciated their help over the last few months. Our neighbors showed what the word community means over the last few months, and we are exceedingly grateful for their thoughts, help and prayers.
Friday, May 20, 2005
Railroad Earth Show at the State Theater, May 19, 2005
Saw Railroad Earth at the State Theater last night. I was joined by friends JM and AF, plus his friend Smilin’ Bill from Atlanta. Cousin-in-Law CB and his crew from Baltimore made the trip as well. A good time was had by all. I’m not intimately familiar with RRE’s material, as I don’t listen to them at home or in the car all that often, so I didn’t recognize many of the songs. It was, though, the fifth time I had seen them so I was quite familiar with their jamgrass style. It was relaxing to hang out with friends, sip some bourbon drinks, and get into the excellent music.
The crowd at the State was a friendly mix of people ranging from grey-haired bluegrass types, twenty, thirty and fortyish professionals, college kids, and about a dozen people who might be still be in the denial stage following Jerry Garcia’s death, which was ten years ago this summer. The latter group included one young man who stood in the rain in front of the theater in a neon, tie-dyed poncho, Birkenstocks and neon face paint, selling some sort of psychedelic artwork. I’m fairly certain he is the same guy I saw the night before dressed up as Chewbacca, waiting in line for Star Wars tickets as I drove by the Lee Highway Multiplex.
As much fun as the show was, and I will see them again at the State to be sure, RRE is a festival band, and best enjoyed that way. Their tightly meandering notes beg to be heard echoing across the fields, woods and hills on a summer afternoon.
The crowd at the State was a friendly mix of people ranging from grey-haired bluegrass types, twenty, thirty and fortyish professionals, college kids, and about a dozen people who might be still be in the denial stage following Jerry Garcia’s death, which was ten years ago this summer. The latter group included one young man who stood in the rain in front of the theater in a neon, tie-dyed poncho, Birkenstocks and neon face paint, selling some sort of psychedelic artwork. I’m fairly certain he is the same guy I saw the night before dressed up as Chewbacca, waiting in line for Star Wars tickets as I drove by the Lee Highway Multiplex.
As much fun as the show was, and I will see them again at the State to be sure, RRE is a festival band, and best enjoyed that way. Their tightly meandering notes beg to be heard echoing across the fields, woods and hills on a summer afternoon.
Wednesday, May 18, 2005
Tuesday, May 17, 2005
The Dog Responds to Reader
A thoughtful reader provided some interesting feedback on the Pope Musings of last month. The Dog and I have not had much time to provide the reflective response that the feedback has deserved. When we have had time, we have forgotten that we still had that base to cover. Anyway, we opened up a box of dog treats and some Indian food from a local restaurant last night, and re-read the feedback. So here goes.
The reader began noting considerately that the posting had allowed him the opportunity to, in his words, “hold a mirror up to myself and to explore how I could feel such thorough respect for someone with whom I often disagreed strongly”, referring to Pope John Paul II. We appreciate that sentiment, as we think the same way. But too often, positions on issues seem to be based on reasons other than what right or wrong. It is difficult to respect people who clearly do not take their stands on issues based on their view of right and wrong.
For example, John Kerry last week voted to continue funding the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. So now he can say he voted for it, before he voted against it, before he voted for it. If John Kerry really was against the war during the campaign, as he said he was, then he should have remained consistent and voted against it again. If he was not against the war, then he was simply posturing during the campaign to energize his left wing base. The evidence suggests that unlike John Paul II, Kerry takes positions on life-and-death matters based on tactical political considerations, rather than on his core beliefs.
Just the other day, Kerry was in the newspapers condemning the proposal to close the Otis Air National Guard Base on Cape Cod, saying, “Otis is the number one base for homeland defense on the entire East Coast. . . . It simply makes no sense to close Otis in the post 9/11 world."
Otis (not to be confused with Otis the Frog Boy) is an F-15 base, and John Kerry recommended canceling the F-15 program in 1984. If John Kerry had his way, there wouldn’t even be an Otis Air Force base to close. John Kerry is not an example of the kind of man I can respect in a political disagreement. I do respect someone like Harry Truman (sorry to have to go that far back) because he actually believed that expanding the New Deal and forming the United Nations were the right things to do. I oppose both of these policies in general, but I respect Truman as a man. (This is an ironic example, because Truman couldn’t have been elected to the Senate if today’s standards were in place in the late 1930s, due to his ties to the Pendergast machine in Kansas City.)
Is there anyone else I can respect? Well, yes. On a personal level I have certain friends, including the reader, whose opinions I respect because they are thoughtful and come from a good place. I am always open to someone showing me how I might be wrong. But the political views promulgated by contemporary politicians seem to come less and less from a view toward what is best for the country and humanity at large. Too often, policy positions are based on what is good for the party, special interests, or worse, blind hatred toward people who hail from a different segment of society. The Democrat Party, as much as I can’t stand its current incarnation, is not unique in this regard. The Republicans can end sugar quotas tomorrow if they wanted to, but they won’t. The Central American Free Trade Agreement should be fast tracked as soon as possible, but it won’t be. I do, however, believe that the leftists in this country exhibit far more hatred toward conservatives than the other way around.
Hillary Clinton, oddly enough, is attempting to position herself as a reasonable person who actually bases her opinions on right and wrong. I can’t believe that I am writing this, but compared with Harry Reid, Barbara Boxer, and John Dean, she actually looks like a grown-up. If she can avoid outbursts in front of her extreme constituents, she may actually have a chance in 2008. Our money is on George Allen, though.
The reader also asks, “Is simply not caring what your detractors have to say always the best way to go?” No. I might have put that too starkly. Any good leader should consider all reasonable points of view. But I chose the word “detractor”, instead of “adversary” for a reason. A detractor is someone who attacks the person in question ad hominem. An adversary is someone who attacks the ideas put forth by the other person. A good leader listens to arguments against his ideas, but ignores the personal attacks. Harry Reid called George Bush a “loser” last week. Al Gore says he "betrayed" the American people. Kerry said Bush "F'ed up" Iraq (he used the original vernacular in Rolling Stone). When was the last time you heard George Bush refer to an opposing political leader with such language?
Policies should be based on certain bedrock principles. Those values should rarely change. If they do, they should evolve slowly and deliberately. Some of my core beliefs are: free markets are the best way of allocating resources and should be regulated with a light hand; rule of law – not of men - is the foundation of a successful society. People should be rewarded for working hard and taking risks, and not be given incentives to not work. Evil in the world exists all around us, and can only be defeated through strength and the credible threat of violence – whether from a policeman's or homeowner’s handgun, or from a B-52. (Some of the Dog’s core beliefs are: all squirrels are bad and should be chased; all dogs should be taken for a walk at least once a day; and the sofa is always more comfy than the dog bed. )
Our reader stated that my thinking was “inconsistent was when you were castigating American Catholics for criticizing (John Paul II) for not changing his views while at the same time criticizing America for imposing its views on the world. You called this hypocrisy. I don't see that. I see that as consistent, criticism of the Pope and criticism of America for unyielding positions and actions in world affairs. Again, maybe I didn't follow your thinking, but I took issue with that.”
My argument here may need restating. I was pointing out a double standard that I doubt many left wing American critics of the Catholic Church have considered. American leftists criticize America for imposing its views on the world. I understand that position, and it is a good basis for a debate. But at the same time, the same people criticize the Catholic Church for not reforming to align with the values of modern, American Catholics.
Catholics in most of the rest of the world, particularly in Latin America, Africa, and Southern Europe, are far more conservative in their religious beliefs and follow Catholic dogma to a much greater extent than the average American Catholic does. So who are we to impose our values on the rest of the world? I don’t argue that the American Catholic’s viewpoints are wrong, per se, I just find it to be a double standard if at the same time they criticize us for promulgating freedom in the world. That is why part of my thesis is that if an American Catholic doesn’t like the core values and teaching of the Church, he or she might want to consider whether they are in the right church. If it is hubris to tell the rest of the world that they should adopt US-style democracy, isn’t it also hubris to tell the rest of the world to adopt US-style religious standards? I argue that the average person in Central America would be more upset with the US if Americans forced the Catholic Church to permit abortion on demand than they are about our opposition to the Kyoto Treaty.
The reader closed with the declaration, “And let the record show that the left has no monopoly on hypocrisy.” The Dog has so entered that statement into the record.
The reader began noting considerately that the posting had allowed him the opportunity to, in his words, “hold a mirror up to myself and to explore how I could feel such thorough respect for someone with whom I often disagreed strongly”, referring to Pope John Paul II. We appreciate that sentiment, as we think the same way. But too often, positions on issues seem to be based on reasons other than what right or wrong. It is difficult to respect people who clearly do not take their stands on issues based on their view of right and wrong.
For example, John Kerry last week voted to continue funding the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. So now he can say he voted for it, before he voted against it, before he voted for it. If John Kerry really was against the war during the campaign, as he said he was, then he should have remained consistent and voted against it again. If he was not against the war, then he was simply posturing during the campaign to energize his left wing base. The evidence suggests that unlike John Paul II, Kerry takes positions on life-and-death matters based on tactical political considerations, rather than on his core beliefs.
Just the other day, Kerry was in the newspapers condemning the proposal to close the Otis Air National Guard Base on Cape Cod, saying, “Otis is the number one base for homeland defense on the entire East Coast. . . . It simply makes no sense to close Otis in the post 9/11 world."
Otis (not to be confused with Otis the Frog Boy) is an F-15 base, and John Kerry recommended canceling the F-15 program in 1984. If John Kerry had his way, there wouldn’t even be an Otis Air Force base to close. John Kerry is not an example of the kind of man I can respect in a political disagreement. I do respect someone like Harry Truman (sorry to have to go that far back) because he actually believed that expanding the New Deal and forming the United Nations were the right things to do. I oppose both of these policies in general, but I respect Truman as a man. (This is an ironic example, because Truman couldn’t have been elected to the Senate if today’s standards were in place in the late 1930s, due to his ties to the Pendergast machine in Kansas City.)
Is there anyone else I can respect? Well, yes. On a personal level I have certain friends, including the reader, whose opinions I respect because they are thoughtful and come from a good place. I am always open to someone showing me how I might be wrong. But the political views promulgated by contemporary politicians seem to come less and less from a view toward what is best for the country and humanity at large. Too often, policy positions are based on what is good for the party, special interests, or worse, blind hatred toward people who hail from a different segment of society. The Democrat Party, as much as I can’t stand its current incarnation, is not unique in this regard. The Republicans can end sugar quotas tomorrow if they wanted to, but they won’t. The Central American Free Trade Agreement should be fast tracked as soon as possible, but it won’t be. I do, however, believe that the leftists in this country exhibit far more hatred toward conservatives than the other way around.
Hillary Clinton, oddly enough, is attempting to position herself as a reasonable person who actually bases her opinions on right and wrong. I can’t believe that I am writing this, but compared with Harry Reid, Barbara Boxer, and John Dean, she actually looks like a grown-up. If she can avoid outbursts in front of her extreme constituents, she may actually have a chance in 2008. Our money is on George Allen, though.
The reader also asks, “Is simply not caring what your detractors have to say always the best way to go?” No. I might have put that too starkly. Any good leader should consider all reasonable points of view. But I chose the word “detractor”, instead of “adversary” for a reason. A detractor is someone who attacks the person in question ad hominem. An adversary is someone who attacks the ideas put forth by the other person. A good leader listens to arguments against his ideas, but ignores the personal attacks. Harry Reid called George Bush a “loser” last week. Al Gore says he "betrayed" the American people. Kerry said Bush "F'ed up" Iraq (he used the original vernacular in Rolling Stone). When was the last time you heard George Bush refer to an opposing political leader with such language?
Policies should be based on certain bedrock principles. Those values should rarely change. If they do, they should evolve slowly and deliberately. Some of my core beliefs are: free markets are the best way of allocating resources and should be regulated with a light hand; rule of law – not of men - is the foundation of a successful society. People should be rewarded for working hard and taking risks, and not be given incentives to not work. Evil in the world exists all around us, and can only be defeated through strength and the credible threat of violence – whether from a policeman's or homeowner’s handgun, or from a B-52. (Some of the Dog’s core beliefs are: all squirrels are bad and should be chased; all dogs should be taken for a walk at least once a day; and the sofa is always more comfy than the dog bed. )
Our reader stated that my thinking was “inconsistent was when you were castigating American Catholics for criticizing (John Paul II) for not changing his views while at the same time criticizing America for imposing its views on the world. You called this hypocrisy. I don't see that. I see that as consistent, criticism of the Pope and criticism of America for unyielding positions and actions in world affairs. Again, maybe I didn't follow your thinking, but I took issue with that.”
My argument here may need restating. I was pointing out a double standard that I doubt many left wing American critics of the Catholic Church have considered. American leftists criticize America for imposing its views on the world. I understand that position, and it is a good basis for a debate. But at the same time, the same people criticize the Catholic Church for not reforming to align with the values of modern, American Catholics.
Catholics in most of the rest of the world, particularly in Latin America, Africa, and Southern Europe, are far more conservative in their religious beliefs and follow Catholic dogma to a much greater extent than the average American Catholic does. So who are we to impose our values on the rest of the world? I don’t argue that the American Catholic’s viewpoints are wrong, per se, I just find it to be a double standard if at the same time they criticize us for promulgating freedom in the world. That is why part of my thesis is that if an American Catholic doesn’t like the core values and teaching of the Church, he or she might want to consider whether they are in the right church. If it is hubris to tell the rest of the world that they should adopt US-style democracy, isn’t it also hubris to tell the rest of the world to adopt US-style religious standards? I argue that the average person in Central America would be more upset with the US if Americans forced the Catholic Church to permit abortion on demand than they are about our opposition to the Kyoto Treaty.
The reader closed with the declaration, “And let the record show that the left has no monopoly on hypocrisy.” The Dog has so entered that statement into the record.
Tuesday, May 10, 2005
Harpers Ferry Hike and Shaq
Took advantage of the nice weather Saturday, May 7 (partly cloudy, windy, high in the 70s) to hike up Maryland Heights opposite Harpers Ferry. Brother EB and friend JK came along, and the Dog as well. I assigned her the task of carrying her own provisions, which seemed to make her happy as she likes to feel like she is contributing. We started near ATC HQ, about a mile above the railroad bridge over the Potomac. After walking down the hill through town, past Hilltop House, crossing the bridge and going about a quarter mile up the C&O towpath, we reached the trailhead. The trail is a five mile loop hike, with a fairly steep uphill grade for the first half (and, of course, an equally steep grade downhill for the second half), gaining 1,100 feet in 2.5 miles. On the way up, we passed old civil war gun emplacements and powder magazines. On the top are the ruins of the Union fort, including a 100-pound battery (a very large cannon for its day), that commanded the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers for much of the Civil War. On the way back down is a spur trail - about a half mile round trip from the main trail – that leads to the cliffs overlooking Harper’s Ferry, with a spectacular view up and down the Potomac, and up the Shenandoah. This is one of the more scenic vistas available within a few hours of DC and well worth the trip. For those who want to do this hike, I recommend paying the park service fee and parking your car near the railroad bridge in Harpers Ferry, unless you want to cap off your day hike with a one-mile uphill hike, like we did. It would have been worse if any of the taverns in Harpers Ferry allowed dogs, which they don’t. Doing that last uphill leg with cool muscles and a belly full of beer would not have been much fun. As it stood, we waited until we got back to Ashburn, only 35 minutes away, to quaff a few cold ones. Next time, I may leave a six-pack in a cooler in the trunk.
No observations on the world today, although a minor rejoinder on the Kwame Brown posting is in order. Sports divas, as I've said, are the bane of professional sports. Shaquille O’Neal has proved that point in the past several days. He is “boycotting” the media for several days because he wasn’t voted MVP this year. I just can’t root for a player who behaves like that, regardless of how talented he is. Michael Wilbon wrote a relatively balanced piece in today’s Post on the subject. Wilbon could have gone further in refuting any insinuations of racism, and his criticism of Shaq was more circumspect than it needed to be, but at least he set the facts out on the table. Steve Nash earned the award fair and square, and that’s the way it goes. Shaq had a strong case, but he came up short in the voting. He has every reason to be disappointed. However, Mr. O’Neal would be doing himself and the rest of us a favor if he would react with a little grace and dignity, and check his attitude at the door.
No observations on the world today, although a minor rejoinder on the Kwame Brown posting is in order. Sports divas, as I've said, are the bane of professional sports. Shaquille O’Neal has proved that point in the past several days. He is “boycotting” the media for several days because he wasn’t voted MVP this year. I just can’t root for a player who behaves like that, regardless of how talented he is. Michael Wilbon wrote a relatively balanced piece in today’s Post on the subject. Wilbon could have gone further in refuting any insinuations of racism, and his criticism of Shaq was more circumspect than it needed to be, but at least he set the facts out on the table. Steve Nash earned the award fair and square, and that’s the way it goes. Shaq had a strong case, but he came up short in the voting. He has every reason to be disappointed. However, Mr. O’Neal would be doing himself and the rest of us a favor if he would react with a little grace and dignity, and check his attitude at the door.
Friday, May 06, 2005
The bathroom mirror and shelf pictures explained
Some of our regular readers may have been puzzled by the pictures posted last week showing a bathroom mirror and a shelf over our kitchen door. Not to worry. This blog is not being transformed into a vehicle for publicizing obscure decorative details of our house. It just so happens that the dog's Mom has not emptied her email inbox recently and can't receive emailed pictures. Because she is in the hospital taking care of our little buddy, I thought I'd post some pics of recent projects I've worked on around the house. This way, I could demonstrate to her that I've done more useful things than conversing with our dog, eating M&Ms and watching the History Channel. She was the only intended audience for those pictures. If I ever get the steel shelves done in the basement, I may post pictures of them as well. So don't panic if you see them sometime next week.
Thursday, May 05, 2005
Philosophical Differences
So the Wizards dumped Kwame Brown over "philosophical differences". The Dog and I bristle when such threadbare, cynical nonsense is proffered by sports management to explain a situation that is already well known to the general public. It is insulting to the fans, and makes the parties involved in the decision look like they have something to hide.
Philosophical differences? I am imagining a heated debate between Eddie Jordan, the Existentialist, and Kwame Brown, a disciple of Nihilism, as reported in the Washington Post:
Anyone watching the Wizards lately knows that they are playing as a team. They look almost old school. There is no room for a Kwame Brown on a team like that. Now, I am not naive. Kwame's play has been terrible, and he has fallen far short of expectations. If he were averaging 30 points and 10 rebounds a game, the Wizards would be loath to let him go for any reason, "philisophical" or otherwise. But the pooch and I hope that this little episode sends a message, if to nobody else than the kids who are watching and modeling themselves after these players.
So we are hopping on the Wizards bandwagon. In the meantime Kwame, don't let the door hit you on your way out.
Philosophical differences? I am imagining a heated debate between Eddie Jordan, the Existentialist, and Kwame Brown, a disciple of Nihilism, as reported in the Washington Post:
Coach Eddie Jordan, in a closed door meeting with Brown today held firm to his position that existence holds precedence over essence, and man is totally free and responsible for his acts.I am the first to admit that I am a fair weather professional basketball fan. When the Wizards are in the playoffs, I'm interested. When they are not, I'm not. Hence, I have not followed the sport for many years. A big part of my indifference is the attitude of players like Kwame Brown. I won't go into this anymore than necessary, but professional sports is almost ruined by spoiled "sports divas" who get paid millions before they have paid any dues or proved themselves whatsoever. Basketball, probably more than any other sport, has been debased by this phenomenon (setting aside professional football wide-receivers for a moment).
"This responsibility is the source of the dread and anquish that encompasses mankind", Jordan stressed to the 23-year old former prodogy.
Brown would not have any of it, maintaining, in his words, that "All values are baseless and nothing can be known or communicated".
"I guess we have a philospohical difference then", sighed Jordan.
"I guess we do, Coach", mumbled Brown as he got up and strutted toward the door and out of the organization.
Anyone watching the Wizards lately knows that they are playing as a team. They look almost old school. There is no room for a Kwame Brown on a team like that. Now, I am not naive. Kwame's play has been terrible, and he has fallen far short of expectations. If he were averaging 30 points and 10 rebounds a game, the Wizards would be loath to let him go for any reason, "philisophical" or otherwise. But the pooch and I hope that this little episode sends a message, if to nobody else than the kids who are watching and modeling themselves after these players.
So we are hopping on the Wizards bandwagon. In the meantime Kwame, don't let the door hit you on your way out.
Tuesday, April 19, 2005
Thursday, April 14, 2005
The Bells I Hear
Scientists say that after a major earthquake, such as the one that caused the recent tsunami in South Asia, the Earth literally rings like a bell long after the earthquake is over. Sensitive equipment can detect reverberations coming from the Earth’s core for weeks after the event. Geologists studying ruptures in the landscape can easily calculate the magnitude of past earthquakes hundreds and even thousands of years after the quakes occurred.
O Captain! my Captain! our fearful trip is done;
But O heart! heart! heart!
Here Captain! dear father!
* * *
One hundred and forty years ago tonight, a man shot Abraham Lincoln in the back of his head. He had been enjoying the theatrical comedy, My American Cousin, in Ford’s Theater.
As most Americans know, Lincoln died at dawn the next day. His death came less than a week after Lee surrendered at Appomattox, and on the same day that General Johnston asked for terms from General Sherman in Raleigh.
One hundred and forty years ago tonight, a man shot Abraham Lincoln in the back of his head. He had been enjoying the theatrical comedy, My American Cousin, in Ford’s Theater.
As most Americans know, Lincoln died at dawn the next day. His death came less than a week after Lee surrendered at Appomattox, and on the same day that General Johnston asked for terms from General Sherman in Raleigh.
Savoring the relief that victory brought after four desperately stressful years, Lincoln took a carriage ride with his wife that last morning. He remarked to her that he felt alive for the first time in many years. He talked of visiting Europe, California, and the Rocky Mountains after his Presidency. With the incredible weather we are having today, it is easy to imagine how he must have felt. A day like today makes a person want to make big, wonderful plans.
Around this time in April every year, I think more about the Civil War than I usually do. It was in this month that the conflict began and ended. Each year of the war, April marked the time when the roads were drying out, which meant that the summer campaign season was only weeks away. The armies would be busy striking their winter camps, refitting their equipment, and thousands of horses would be returning from their winter grazing lands, far from the front. Men would be preparing to die.
All this activity took place amidst the incredibly beauty and mild climate of Virginia in the springtime. When I visit the Civil War battlefields and historical markers, my imagination allows me to be feel connected to the events that happened there. There is nothing supernatural about what I am talking about. I read the stories, understand who was where and when, and then I orient myself to the present landscape. If you look close enough, you can often see the trenches and rifle pits. In certain locations throughout Virginia, bullet holes can still be seen on the sides of houses. The Crater in Petersburg is one of my favorite spots.
With the exception of minor skirmishes in five or six locations, Lincoln’s assassination was the last, violent lurch of the four year cataclysm that rocked the United States to its core. The reverberations are still with us, all throughout our society. I can hear the ringing well, especially in Virginia, and especially in April.
The Factual Dog does not go much for poetry. We leave that in more capable hands. So we urge our readers not to come to expect it too often. Today is different. We will end with something written long ago to mark the events of April 14-15, 1865.
O Captain! My Captain!
Around this time in April every year, I think more about the Civil War than I usually do. It was in this month that the conflict began and ended. Each year of the war, April marked the time when the roads were drying out, which meant that the summer campaign season was only weeks away. The armies would be busy striking their winter camps, refitting their equipment, and thousands of horses would be returning from their winter grazing lands, far from the front. Men would be preparing to die.
All this activity took place amidst the incredibly beauty and mild climate of Virginia in the springtime. When I visit the Civil War battlefields and historical markers, my imagination allows me to be feel connected to the events that happened there. There is nothing supernatural about what I am talking about. I read the stories, understand who was where and when, and then I orient myself to the present landscape. If you look close enough, you can often see the trenches and rifle pits. In certain locations throughout Virginia, bullet holes can still be seen on the sides of houses. The Crater in Petersburg is one of my favorite spots.
With the exception of minor skirmishes in five or six locations, Lincoln’s assassination was the last, violent lurch of the four year cataclysm that rocked the United States to its core. The reverberations are still with us, all throughout our society. I can hear the ringing well, especially in Virginia, and especially in April.
The Factual Dog does not go much for poetry. We leave that in more capable hands. So we urge our readers not to come to expect it too often. Today is different. We will end with something written long ago to mark the events of April 14-15, 1865.
O Captain! My Captain!
by Walt Whitman
The ship has weather'd every rack, the prize we sought is won;
The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting,
While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring:
But O heart! heart! heart!
O the bleeding drops of red,
Where on the deck my Captain lies,
Fallen cold and dead.
O Captain! my Captain! rise up and hear the bells;
O Captain! my Captain! rise up and hear the bells;
Rise up - for you the flag is flung - for you the bugle trills;
For you bouquets and ribbon'd wreaths - for you the shores a-crowding;
For you they call, the swaying mass, their eager faces turning;
Here Captain! dear father!
This arm beneath your head;
It is some dream that on the deck,
You've fallen cold and dead.
My Captain does not answer, his lips are pale and still;
My Captain does not answer, his lips are pale and still;
My father does not feel my arm, he has no pulse nor will;
The ship is anchor'd safe and sound, its voyage closed and done;
From fearful trip, the victor ship, comes in with object won;
Exult, O shores, and ring, O bells!
But I, with mournful tread,
Walk the deck my Captain lies,
Fallen cold and dead.
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