Kitchen Mesa behind the Dining Hall, and if you climb the trail up Orphan Mesa, you see . . .
Friday, February 29, 2008
God and Man at Yale
Almost 60 years later, this book still accurately describes how religion is seen and dealt with on liberal arts campuses, and will (perhaps sadly) long outlive William F. Buckley -- this tribute includes a good quick overview of its relevance today: http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=MTY0NjFiMWUwNDlmZWY2ODhmNDBhMjFmZWQ2MmUzMzk=
Someone's Packing Their Office in the West Wing
. . . and I helped!
Nancy Nall did the heavy lifting, but i have the mingled satisfaction and disgust at having played a small role in this little revelation:
http://nancynall.com/2008/02/29/copycat/#comments
To "copy" my comment there in part, what does it take for people to figure out that plagiarism is a really, really bad idea in the era of the modern internet? And how thick/dumb/willfully obtuse do you have to be to not figure it out by now? All of which applies to the no-doubt soon-to-be former White House staffer.
Nancy Nall did the heavy lifting, but i have the mingled satisfaction and disgust at having played a small role in this little revelation:
http://nancynall.com/2008/02/29/copycat/#comments
To "copy" my comment there in part, what does it take for people to figure out that plagiarism is a really, really bad idea in the era of the modern internet? And how thick/dumb/willfully obtuse do you have to be to not figure it out by now? All of which applies to the no-doubt soon-to-be former White House staffer.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
From the 2-29 NYTimes
Why the foreclosure crisis marks a sea-change in how Americans look at mortgages and home-ownership:
"Last year the median down payment on home purchases was 9 percent, down from 20 percent in 1989, according to a survey by the National Association of Realtors. Twenty-nine percent of buyers put no money down. For first-time home buyers, the median was 2 percent. And many borrowed more than the price of the home in order to cover closing costs.
“I think I could make a case that some borrowers were ‘renting’ (with risk), rather than owning,” Nicolas P. Retsinas, director of the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University, said in an e-mail message.
For some people, then, foreclosure becomes something akin to eviction — a traumatic event, and a blow to one’s credit record, but not one that involves loss of life savings or of years spent scrimping to buy the home."
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/29/us/29walks.html?hp=&pagewanted=all
"Last year the median down payment on home purchases was 9 percent, down from 20 percent in 1989, according to a survey by the National Association of Realtors. Twenty-nine percent of buyers put no money down. For first-time home buyers, the median was 2 percent. And many borrowed more than the price of the home in order to cover closing costs.
“I think I could make a case that some borrowers were ‘renting’ (with risk), rather than owning,” Nicolas P. Retsinas, director of the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University, said in an e-mail message.
For some people, then, foreclosure becomes something akin to eviction — a traumatic event, and a blow to one’s credit record, but not one that involves loss of life savings or of years spent scrimping to buy the home."
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/29/us/29walks.html?hp=&pagewanted=all
Burrows Cave, Illinois
This is a non-existent place i'd love to write about, but i don't know i want to have to deal with the mail i'd get afterwards: some brave souls have taken on the basics of the narrative, which is worth reading and reflecting on for what it says about the pervasive power of folk tradition and American anti-intellectualism.
Least skeptical:
http://www.prairieghosts.com/burrows.html
Quite skeptical:
http://www.criticalenquiry.org/burrowscave/burrows.shtml
Outright vitriolic, but not without reason:
http://www.flavinscorner.com/falling.htm
and more recently:
http://www.flavinscorner.com/outcave.htm
Oh, you'd like to read something from the credulous side of the scale?
Sure, it's your time, spend it how you will:
http://www.ancientamerican.com/cave1.htm
Least skeptical:
http://www.prairieghosts.com/burrows.html
Quite skeptical:
http://www.criticalenquiry.org/burrowscave/burrows.shtml
Outright vitriolic, but not without reason:
http://www.flavinscorner.com/falling.htm
and more recently:
http://www.flavinscorner.com/outcave.htm
Oh, you'd like to read something from the credulous side of the scale?
Sure, it's your time, spend it how you will:
http://www.ancientamerican.com/cave1.htm
Dems near McCain in Ohio - Cinc'y Inquirer
Clinton's lead in primary narrows
ENQUIRER STAFF REPORTS
Either Barack Obama or Hillary Rodham Clinton would have a tight battle on their hands winning Ohio in the fall against Republican John McCain, although Obama might have a slight advantage, according to a new Ohio Poll.
The Ohio Poll comes as other polling shows Clinton's once formidable lead over Obama in the Ohio Democratic primary continuing to shrink.
The poll, conducted by the University of Cincinnati's Institute for Policy Research, shows that an Obama-McCain match-up today would be a virtual dead heat - 48 percent of the 1,049 registered voters surveyed said they would support Obama, while 47 percent said they would vote for McCain.
Against Clinton, McCain came out with a 4 percentage-point advantage, with 51 percent to Clinton's 47 percent. The poll, conducted last Thursday to Sunday, has a margin of error of 3 percentage points - so both results are within the margin of error.
Two new polls out Tuesday show Obama erasing much of what was once a double-digit Clinton lead in Ohio. A poll from Rasmussen Reports showed Clinton with the support of 49.3 percent of Ohio Democratic voters, compared to 42.5 percent for Obama. A Survey USA poll conducted for four Ohio TV stations, including WCPO in Cincinnati, showed Clinton with a 6-point lead - 50 percent to 44 percent.
ENQUIRER STAFF REPORTS
Either Barack Obama or Hillary Rodham Clinton would have a tight battle on their hands winning Ohio in the fall against Republican John McCain, although Obama might have a slight advantage, according to a new Ohio Poll.
The Ohio Poll comes as other polling shows Clinton's once formidable lead over Obama in the Ohio Democratic primary continuing to shrink.
The poll, conducted by the University of Cincinnati's Institute for Policy Research, shows that an Obama-McCain match-up today would be a virtual dead heat - 48 percent of the 1,049 registered voters surveyed said they would support Obama, while 47 percent said they would vote for McCain.
Against Clinton, McCain came out with a 4 percentage-point advantage, with 51 percent to Clinton's 47 percent. The poll, conducted last Thursday to Sunday, has a margin of error of 3 percentage points - so both results are within the margin of error.
Two new polls out Tuesday show Obama erasing much of what was once a double-digit Clinton lead in Ohio. A poll from Rasmussen Reports showed Clinton with the support of 49.3 percent of Ohio Democratic voters, compared to 42.5 percent for Obama. A Survey USA poll conducted for four Ohio TV stations, including WCPO in Cincinnati, showed Clinton with a 6-point lead - 50 percent to 44 percent.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Cerulean Sanctum
There's a quiz at http://ceruleansanctum.com/2008/02/banking-on-god-the-tithing-poll.html
which i commend to any and all; Dan Edelen is part of a congregation east of Cincinnati in a rural part of Ohio, and does some excellent thinking and reflecting on the Christian life. That, and the poll/click/chart thing is pretty cool, too.
Scroll down and check out the "Preaching For Results" while you're at it.
[Update: Dan has actually put in three polls, including the one i linked, so go to the main page if you're of a mind to and try all three. jbg]
which i commend to any and all; Dan Edelen is part of a congregation east of Cincinnati in a rural part of Ohio, and does some excellent thinking and reflecting on the Christian life. That, and the poll/click/chart thing is pretty cool, too.
Scroll down and check out the "Preaching For Results" while you're at it.
[Update: Dan has actually put in three polls, including the one i linked, so go to the main page if you're of a mind to and try all three. jbg]
A New Yorker Tours India
This link is to part 6 of eight, but the links for the first five are at the start, and the next two aren't posted (at the moment i type this). But i'd call this one as good a place as any to start, and if you like it or are intrigued as i've been by Jay's take on travel through India, then go back to the start and work through.
http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=MDY2ZTg3YjBlMzY5YTliZWQ0OGZjNDhiMjM3OTEzZTU=
I know i'm looking forward to the last two pieces of this meandering report, and meandering is meant as a compliment in this context.
http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=MDY2ZTg3YjBlMzY5YTliZWQ0OGZjNDhiMjM3OTEzZTU=
I know i'm looking forward to the last two pieces of this meandering report, and meandering is meant as a compliment in this context.
No Comment Dept.
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Idaho Senator Larry Craig is currently seeking intern applications for the summer term, which runs from May to August. The application deadline is March 15, however if more time is needed for the application process, please contact Senator Craig's office for an extension.
"Interns have the chance to be an essential part of a working congressional office," said Craig. "They participate in the legislative process as well as ensure that constituent services run smoothly. For those interested in politics, it is an incredible opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look at how our government functions while serving the people of Idaho."
"Interns have the chance to be an essential part of a working congressional office," said Craig. "They participate in the legislative process as well as ensure that constituent services run smoothly. For those interested in politics, it is an incredible opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look at how our government functions while serving the people of Idaho."
OK, this is long and in the New Yorker . . .
. . . but rewards a quick read, or a careful slower one. It's about criminal profilers, and how there's not so much there there as they'd like us to think. Is that to worry the bad guys, or pump up the media attention? You be the judge --
http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2007/11/12/071112fa_fact_gladwell?printable=true
http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2007/11/12/071112fa_fact_gladwell?printable=true
Monday, February 25, 2008
44% of Americans Would Rather Switch Than Fight
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/25/us/25cnd-religion.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin
This story says that the Protestant majority is down to 51% and declining, and of the rest, about 25% is Catholic and 24% is everything else including nuttin'. But of even more interest -- 44% of Americans, if you count Protestant denom switching, have "changed their religion."
To which many of us would say "is that all?"
This story says that the Protestant majority is down to 51% and declining, and of the rest, about 25% is Catholic and 24% is everything else including nuttin'. But of even more interest -- 44% of Americans, if you count Protestant denom switching, have "changed their religion."
To which many of us would say "is that all?"
I Am A Servant - sung by Larry
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75KPMIAUfww
I Am A Servant -- ©Larry Norman Words and Music by Larry Norman
http://www.higherpraise.com/lyrics1/I_Am_A_Servant.htm
I am a servant, I've been listening for my name,
I've been unfaithful, I've been looking at the game,
That I've been playing, and I've been staying much the same,
When you are lonely, you're the only one to blame.
__
I am a servant, I've been waiting for your call,
I've been unfaithful, so I sit here in the hall,
How can you use me, when I've never given all,
How can you choose me, when you know I quickly fall.
Yet you feed my soul, and you make me grow,
And you let me know that you love me,
And I'm worthless now, but I've made a vow,
I will humbly bow before thee,
Oh please use me, I am lonely.
__
I am a servant, getting ready for my part,
There's been a change, a rearrangement in my heart,
At last I'm learning, there's no returning once I start,
To live's a privilege, to love is such an art,
But I need your help to start,
Oh please purify my heart,
I am your servant.
I Am A Servant -- ©Larry Norman Words and Music by Larry Norman
http://www.higherpraise.com/lyrics1/I_Am_A_Servant.htm
I am a servant, I've been listening for my name,
I've been unfaithful, I've been looking at the game,
That I've been playing, and I've been staying much the same,
When you are lonely, you're the only one to blame.
__
I am a servant, I've been waiting for your call,
I've been unfaithful, so I sit here in the hall,
How can you use me, when I've never given all,
How can you choose me, when you know I quickly fall.
Yet you feed my soul, and you make me grow,
And you let me know that you love me,
And I'm worthless now, but I've made a vow,
I will humbly bow before thee,
Oh please use me, I am lonely.
__
I am a servant, getting ready for my part,
There's been a change, a rearrangement in my heart,
At last I'm learning, there's no returning once I start,
To live's a privilege, to love is such an art,
But I need your help to start,
Oh please purify my heart,
I am your servant.
I Am A Servant
Larry Norman died yesterday; a nice tribute at --
http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/larry-norman-tribute
Three good links in the IMonk post, all worth clicking.
http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/larry-norman-tribute
Three good links in the IMonk post, all worth clicking.
On this subject, i'm an agnostic . . .
This is getting lots of buzz on the internet, but i think it's almost creepy -- but the amount of work that went into it had to have been staggering. Anyhow, the music is nice: http://glumbert.com/wii/view.php?name=womenfilm
Sunday, February 24, 2008
How do archaeologists estimate population sizes?
http://www.slate.com/id/2184814
Perhaps you'd have to be as boring as me to find this story interesting, but i am, so i did, and maybe you will, too.
Perhaps you'd have to be as boring as me to find this story interesting, but i am, so i did, and maybe you will, too.
Friday, February 22, 2008
It's mean, but i can't resist. . .
. . .picking some nuggets out of the Clinton campaign financial meltdown story, which has "disgruntled staffers" written all over it -- i'd betcha this is part of why we had the McCain story the other day, to blunt the attention and impact . . . sorry, i mean, balance the influence on the campaign of the two stories.
[from down into the story --]
"Yet the Clinton campaign at times found itself spending money on items that were not ultimately helpful. As part of their get-out-the-vote effort in Iowa, the campaign came up with a plan to have a local supermarket deliver sandwich platters to pre-caucus parties. It spent more than $95,384 on Jan. 1 at Hy-Vee Inc., a local grocery chain in West Des Moines, Iowa, in addition to buying loads of snow shovels to clear the walks for caucusgoers. Mrs. Clinton came in third in the Jan. 3 caucus. It did not snow."
[JBG notes -- a 100K for salami and american cheese slices? That's a lot of bologna . . .]
[from the lead para of the story --]
"Nearly $100,000 went for party platters and groceries before the Iowa caucuses, even though the partying mood evaporated quickly. Rooms at the Bellagio luxury hotel in Las Vegas consumed more than $25,000; the Four Seasons, another $5,000. And top consultants collected about $5 million in January, a month of crucial expenses and tough fund-raising.
[snip] Several of them, echoing political analysts, expressed concerns that Mrs. Clinton’s spending priorities amounted to costly errors in judgment that have hamstrung her competitiveness against Senator Barack Obama of Illinois.
“We didn’t raise all of this money to keep paying consultants who have pursued basically the wrong strategy for a year now,” said a prominent New York donor. “So much about her campaign needs to change — but it may be too late.”
[from down into the story --]
"Yet the Clinton campaign at times found itself spending money on items that were not ultimately helpful. As part of their get-out-the-vote effort in Iowa, the campaign came up with a plan to have a local supermarket deliver sandwich platters to pre-caucus parties. It spent more than $95,384 on Jan. 1 at Hy-Vee Inc., a local grocery chain in West Des Moines, Iowa, in addition to buying loads of snow shovels to clear the walks for caucusgoers. Mrs. Clinton came in third in the Jan. 3 caucus. It did not snow."
[JBG notes -- a 100K for salami and american cheese slices? That's a lot of bologna . . .]
[from the lead para of the story --]
"Nearly $100,000 went for party platters and groceries before the Iowa caucuses, even though the partying mood evaporated quickly. Rooms at the Bellagio luxury hotel in Las Vegas consumed more than $25,000; the Four Seasons, another $5,000. And top consultants collected about $5 million in January, a month of crucial expenses and tough fund-raising.
[snip] Several of them, echoing political analysts, expressed concerns that Mrs. Clinton’s spending priorities amounted to costly errors in judgment that have hamstrung her competitiveness against Senator Barack Obama of Illinois.
“We didn’t raise all of this money to keep paying consultants who have pursued basically the wrong strategy for a year now,” said a prominent New York donor. “So much about her campaign needs to change — but it may be too late.”
The coolest article i've read anywhere this year (so far!)
When Life Goes Cloudy
[the following are just tasty morsels -- the whole thing is worth reading, not too long: go to http://judson.blogs.nytimes.com and scroll down to 2-19-08]
* * *
"All of which raises some fascinating questions. First: have some microbes evolved to enhance the chances that they will be lifted up, up, up, and away? Certainly, microbes differ in their ability to become airborne. Some are, for example, much more likely to be collected onto bubbles moving up through the water of a lake or the ocean, and thus to be lofted when the bubble reaches the surface and bursts.
Second: to what extent do microbes contribute to the formation of clouds? Clouds form when water droplets cling to particles in the air, such as dust or salt or ash — or microbes. (There would be clouds even without microbes; but that doesn’t mean microbes don’t play a part, perhaps an important one. Especially if they can make clouds form at higher temperatures than they otherwise might.) Is it the case that some microbes have even evolved to promote cloud formation?
Finally: do cloud-borne microbes have an impact on the chemistry of the atmosphere? Up to now, it’s been assumed that atmospheric chemistry is affected by physical and chemical processes, not biological ones. But that assumption may be wrong. Tentative but mounting evidence suggests that cloud dwelling microbes may indeed biodegrade some of the compounds in the atmosphere. This could alter the composition of rain and snow; but more important, microbes could be affecting the chemical composition of the atmosphere itself."
* * *
[in Judson's end notes --]
The idea that microbes might have evolved to make clouds was first suggested to me some years ago by my PhD supervisor, the late W. D. Hamilton; his ideas are outlined in Hamilton, W. D. and Lenton, T. M. 1998. “Spora and Gaia, how microbes fly with their clouds.” Ethology, Ecology, and Evolution 10: 1-16.
Excuse me, did you say "Seabury Western"?
Was shutting down their M.Div. program?
Yep.
A Statement from the Leadership of Seabury Western Seminary [Evanston, IL]
http://www.seabury.edu/news/b_20080221_Trustees_announcement.php
[excerpts]
At the same time, all the seminaries of the Episcopal Church face real economic and missional challenges. The stand-alone residential model developed in the nineteenth century is becoming unsustainable for most of our institutions. Bishops, congregations, and seminarians have fewer resources to allot to the education of seminarians. And the cost of theological education has resulted in an unprecedented level of student debt.
[snip]
The Executive Committee affirms that Seabury will no longer offer the M.Div. as a freestanding 3-year residential program. This does not preclude offering the M.Div. in other formats.
The Executive Committee accepts the 3 following recommendations of the Planning Committee:
1. That Seabury will immediately suspend recruitment and admissions to all degree and certificate programs in this time of discernment.
2. That Seabury will enable all current D.Min. students to complete their programs.
3. That Seabury will assist all current M.Div., MTS, MA, and certificate students to find alternative arrangements for the completion of their programs as may be required.
Yep.
A Statement from the Leadership of Seabury Western Seminary [Evanston, IL]
http://www.seabury.edu/news/b_20080221_Trustees_announcement.php
[excerpts]
At the same time, all the seminaries of the Episcopal Church face real economic and missional challenges. The stand-alone residential model developed in the nineteenth century is becoming unsustainable for most of our institutions. Bishops, congregations, and seminarians have fewer resources to allot to the education of seminarians. And the cost of theological education has resulted in an unprecedented level of student debt.
[snip]
The Executive Committee affirms that Seabury will no longer offer the M.Div. as a freestanding 3-year residential program. This does not preclude offering the M.Div. in other formats.
The Executive Committee accepts the 3 following recommendations of the Planning Committee:
1. That Seabury will immediately suspend recruitment and admissions to all degree and certificate programs in this time of discernment.
2. That Seabury will enable all current D.Min. students to complete their programs.
3. That Seabury will assist all current M.Div., MTS, MA, and certificate students to find alternative arrangements for the completion of their programs as may be required.
Things that make you go "hmmmmm....."
http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/myfox/pages/Home/Detail;jsessionid=8BF8862B8DDB114CFB8C769376B0FD75?contentId=5781468&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=1.1.1&sflg=1
. . . even better explained at the Tampa Bay newspaper:
http://www.sptimes.com/2008/02/15/Life/God_wants_you_to_have.shtml
[see my http://knapsack.blogspot.com copy of the 2-23 "Faith Works" column on this challenge!]
. . . even better explained at the Tampa Bay newspaper:
http://www.sptimes.com/2008/02/15/Life/God_wants_you_to_have.shtml
[see my http://knapsack.blogspot.com copy of the 2-23 "Faith Works" column on this challenge!]
Chimayo, New Mexico
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/20/us/20dirt.html?em&ex=1203656400&en=e07f16136e7c7d6d&ei=5087%0A
Check out the slide show; it will make you feel right there in the Sangre de Cristos.
John Tesh? Yep, John Tesh
http://archive.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2007/3/14/154536.shtml
http://www.atlantachristianweb.com/celeb_features/tesh.asp
Neither too long, both very enjoyable reads.
http://www.atlantachristianweb.com/celeb_features/tesh.asp
Neither too long, both very enjoyable reads.
"Costly errors in judgement"
Those are not words you want to see in a story on your campaign, but i was even more chilled by Howard Wolfson's use of the phrase "industry standards" related to Presidential campaigns. If that's how you see elections, i don't want you or your candidate (sorry, Hillary) anywhere near the White House -- link to today's (2-22) NYTimes story @ http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/22/us/politics/22clinton.html?ei=5065&en=0e0a0772289a2b92&ex=1204347600&partner=MYWAY&pagewanted=print
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