"My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going, I do not see the road ahead of me, I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you.
"And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it. Therefore, I will trust you always, though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone."
Thomas Merton, Thoughts in Solitude
(Hat tip: Boar's Head Tavern)
Tuesday, March 29, 2005
A GGB must read
Dennis Prager gives us an overview of why the Judeo-Christian tradition is to "choose life."
In light of Prager's comments, George Felos' statements about Terri Schiavo looking "beautiful" in her dying takes on an added dimension of creepiness.
(Hat tip: Boar's Head Tavern)
In light of Prager's comments, George Felos' statements about Terri Schiavo looking "beautiful" in her dying takes on an added dimension of creepiness.
(Hat tip: Boar's Head Tavern)
Thursday, March 24, 2005
So who's really suffering here?
I visited the official Terri Schiavo Web site yesterday. Watched the videos. I'm not a doctor, nor do I play one on TV, but here's the official GGB diagnosis:
Prior to having her feeding tube removed, Terri Schiavo was not suffering.
She didn't appear to be in pain or agitated. I think Terri is unaware of the fact that she is disabled. In fact, I think she's one happy camper as long as she's kept comfortable and has human contact. (Her "lighting up" at seeing her mother was an unmistakable emotional response and not just a reflex, IMHO.) Meanwhile, her family seems to be devoted to her care.
So ... who's really suffering here? Michael Schiavo.
Terri's beating heart stands in the way of his marrying his longtime fiancee' and the mother of his two children. Her beating heart stands in the way of whatever financial benefit he may gain from her death. Michael doesn't want Terri to be put out of her misery, he wants to be put out of his own misery.
The fact that the judicial system has not declared him unfit to be her guardian is a crime, an absolute crime. And all the mewling about how often this case has been run through the courts is making me ill. The fact that some people consider judges the final arbiters of TRUTH scares the dickens out of me.
Time for Jeb to call in the cavalry. If it's not too late.
Prior to having her feeding tube removed, Terri Schiavo was not suffering.
She didn't appear to be in pain or agitated. I think Terri is unaware of the fact that she is disabled. In fact, I think she's one happy camper as long as she's kept comfortable and has human contact. (Her "lighting up" at seeing her mother was an unmistakable emotional response and not just a reflex, IMHO.) Meanwhile, her family seems to be devoted to her care.
So ... who's really suffering here? Michael Schiavo.
Terri's beating heart stands in the way of his marrying his longtime fiancee' and the mother of his two children. Her beating heart stands in the way of whatever financial benefit he may gain from her death. Michael doesn't want Terri to be put out of her misery, he wants to be put out of his own misery.
The fact that the judicial system has not declared him unfit to be her guardian is a crime, an absolute crime. And all the mewling about how often this case has been run through the courts is making me ill. The fact that some people consider judges the final arbiters of TRUTH scares the dickens out of me.
Time for Jeb to call in the cavalry. If it's not too late.
Wednesday, March 23, 2005
What she said
Mincing no words as usual, Rachel Lucas at Blue-eyed Infidel has some of the most potent and cutting statements I've seen about Terri Schiavo's slow death by starvation and dehydration:
Would it be okay if someone walked up to her bed right now and punched Terri in the face? Why not? Why can't someone just physically beat on her until she dies. She can't defend herself any more than she can feed herself. The courts have declared that she is to die, so why not speed it up? Choke her. Put a pillow over her face. You don't even have to be violent about it, just use tape to close off her nostrils and cover her mouth completely. It will only take a few minutes.
And this:
If society thinks it's okay to let her die, then fine. Let her die. I'm a big fan of not letting living things suffer when they don't have to. Which kinda is the main reason I think starving her to death is wrong.
And it's also the reason why I think that you are completely [expletive deleted] insane - not to mention a rotten human being - if you truly think it's wrong to let her live in a PVS state because she is capable of suffering by persisting in that state, but it's okay to starve her to death, because she is incapable of suffering from the long, slow, painful death of dehydration and starvation.
Read the whole thing here.
Would it be okay if someone walked up to her bed right now and punched Terri in the face? Why not? Why can't someone just physically beat on her until she dies. She can't defend herself any more than she can feed herself. The courts have declared that she is to die, so why not speed it up? Choke her. Put a pillow over her face. You don't even have to be violent about it, just use tape to close off her nostrils and cover her mouth completely. It will only take a few minutes.
And this:
If society thinks it's okay to let her die, then fine. Let her die. I'm a big fan of not letting living things suffer when they don't have to. Which kinda is the main reason I think starving her to death is wrong.
And it's also the reason why I think that you are completely [expletive deleted] insane - not to mention a rotten human being - if you truly think it's wrong to let her live in a PVS state because she is capable of suffering by persisting in that state, but it's okay to starve her to death, because she is incapable of suffering from the long, slow, painful death of dehydration and starvation.
Read the whole thing here.
Don't hand me no lines, and keep yer hands to yourself
Undies and T-shirts for the chaste:
Fox Features - Fashion Takes a Vow of Chastity
OK ... the T-shirts I can understand, but if you're down to your skivvies before your date gets the message ... ???
(Hat tip: Boar's Head Tavern)
Fox Features - Fashion Takes a Vow of Chastity
OK ... the T-shirts I can understand, but if you're down to your skivvies before your date gets the message ... ???
(Hat tip: Boar's Head Tavern)
Other voices on Michael Schiavo
Michael Schiavo's behavior leaves much to be desired. According to Evangelical Outpost, the Schiavo case also exposes some horrendous problems with family law.
And the Jollyblogger gives us another perspective on Michael Schiavo -- this time from the Cross.
And the Jollyblogger gives us another perspective on Michael Schiavo -- this time from the Cross.
Tuesday, March 22, 2005
All things considered -- the Terri Schiavo case
The coverage of the Terri Schiavo case is driving me nuts.
I honestly don't know what to believe about this poor woman's condition. Each side has accused the other of cherrypicking witnesses and "experts" to support their own agenda. I don't know enough about the science of brain injury to ascertain whether Terri is still "with" us at all and, if she is, to what degree.
Nevertheless, there are a few things I just cannot in good conscience overlook:
1. We should not be starving human beings to death. I don't care if Terri has the mental capacity of a turnip, you don't do that to human beings.
2. I find the testimony of those involved in therapeutic and rehabilitative services compelling. I don't understand why a judge hasn't ordered and enforced some sort of regimen of therapy to try to improve her condition. (If any readers know of such an order, let me know.)
3. Michael Schiavo cannot mock his marriage to Terri by living with and having children by a live-in girlfriend and yet simultaneously claim that as her "husband" he has first dibs on her life-or-death decisions. That just doesn't wash.
It's this last point that haunts me. Yes, he has turned down cold, hard cash to keep his wife alive, but please ... why doesn't he just divorce her, live happily ever after with his cupcake and wash his hands of the whole mess? If Michael Schiavo had cared for this woman in his living room for the past 15 years instead of locking her away in a hospice (which is for people with six months or less to live, by the way), I'd be much more inclined to believe that he has this woman's best interests at heart.
But I just don't believe it. I just don't.
It looks like this may be the last stop for Terri. She's been without food and hydration for five days now.
God have mercy on us all.
I honestly don't know what to believe about this poor woman's condition. Each side has accused the other of cherrypicking witnesses and "experts" to support their own agenda. I don't know enough about the science of brain injury to ascertain whether Terri is still "with" us at all and, if she is, to what degree.
Nevertheless, there are a few things I just cannot in good conscience overlook:
1. We should not be starving human beings to death. I don't care if Terri has the mental capacity of a turnip, you don't do that to human beings.
2. I find the testimony of those involved in therapeutic and rehabilitative services compelling. I don't understand why a judge hasn't ordered and enforced some sort of regimen of therapy to try to improve her condition. (If any readers know of such an order, let me know.)
3. Michael Schiavo cannot mock his marriage to Terri by living with and having children by a live-in girlfriend and yet simultaneously claim that as her "husband" he has first dibs on her life-or-death decisions. That just doesn't wash.
It's this last point that haunts me. Yes, he has turned down cold, hard cash to keep his wife alive, but please ... why doesn't he just divorce her, live happily ever after with his cupcake and wash his hands of the whole mess? If Michael Schiavo had cared for this woman in his living room for the past 15 years instead of locking her away in a hospice (which is for people with six months or less to live, by the way), I'd be much more inclined to believe that he has this woman's best interests at heart.
But I just don't believe it. I just don't.
It looks like this may be the last stop for Terri. She's been without food and hydration for five days now.
God have mercy on us all.
Thursday, March 17, 2005
End those nasty litterbox odors with ... Jesus!
I'm still deciding what I think about this:
NBC10.com - News - Couple Sells Candles That Smell Like Jesus
NBC10.com - News - Couple Sells Candles That Smell Like Jesus
Tuesday, March 15, 2005
Buckblogging
Veering from the usual politics and religion ...
I'm renting the entire 10-disc series of Buck Rogers in the 25th Century from Netflix. Keep in mind that I was 9 when this series went on the air and probably 11 or 12 the last time I saw an episode. Oh, my, my, my ... the things you pick up a quarter-century later ...
1. A lot of the episode titles sound like porn movie names: "Unchained Woman." "Planet of the Slave Girls." "Planet of the Amazon Women." (I have a feeling that was deliberate.)
2. The show's writers apparently thought music wouldn't develop much in five centuries past disco and Earth, Wind & Fire.
3. Those food discs they eat in the 25th century must contain Cortislim or something. No one except the bad guys have any body fat. Even Dr. Huer looks pretty buff for a dude his age.
4. Gil Gerard's wardrobe is a laugh riot. It's either that white spandex Federation uniform or tunic-and-leggings combos that make him look like a refugee from Robin Hood: Men in Tights. Not to mention that in every other scene, he must show his chest hair or be (practically) naked. Not that I'm complaining.
5. Speaking of which, I still think Gil Gerard is hot.
I'm renting the entire 10-disc series of Buck Rogers in the 25th Century from Netflix. Keep in mind that I was 9 when this series went on the air and probably 11 or 12 the last time I saw an episode. Oh, my, my, my ... the things you pick up a quarter-century later ...
1. A lot of the episode titles sound like porn movie names: "Unchained Woman." "Planet of the Slave Girls." "Planet of the Amazon Women." (I have a feeling that was deliberate.)
2. The show's writers apparently thought music wouldn't develop much in five centuries past disco and Earth, Wind & Fire.
3. Those food discs they eat in the 25th century must contain Cortislim or something. No one except the bad guys have any body fat. Even Dr. Huer looks pretty buff for a dude his age.
4. Gil Gerard's wardrobe is a laugh riot. It's either that white spandex Federation uniform or tunic-and-leggings combos that make him look like a refugee from Robin Hood: Men in Tights. Not to mention that in every other scene, he must show his chest hair or be (practically) naked. Not that I'm complaining.
5. Speaking of which, I still think Gil Gerard is hot.
I'm back ... I think
Sorry for the dearth of posts lately, sports fans. The GGB's schedule has ratcheted up a few notches, and my home computer has serious "issues." I try to keep the day-blogging to a minimum, so ....
Monday, March 07, 2005
DUH of the Day
Canadian tourist discovers that Communist dictatorships actually try to control the lives of their citizens, and CNN has the story.
(Hat tip: Babalu Blog)
Babalu Blog: The Honeymoon is Over
(Hat tip: Babalu Blog)
Babalu Blog: The Honeymoon is Over
Thursday, March 03, 2005
The gospel according to Coppertone
This is an actual excerpt from Revolve, a Bible repackaged to look like a teen fashion magazine, complete with beauty secrets like this one:
As you apply your sunscreen, use that time to talk to God. Tell him how grateful you are for how he made you. Soon, you’ll be so used to talking to him, it might become as regular and familiar as shrinking your pores.
I kid you not.
Revolve was the best-selling "Bible" of 2003. Its publisher, Transit Books (division of the usually dignified Thomas Nelson ), said this ain't your daddy's NIV. They created this bible-zine because teens said traditional Bibles were "too big and freaky looking."
I could comment further, but I think you know what I'm thinking.
As you apply your sunscreen, use that time to talk to God. Tell him how grateful you are for how he made you. Soon, you’ll be so used to talking to him, it might become as regular and familiar as shrinking your pores.
I kid you not.
Revolve was the best-selling "Bible" of 2003. Its publisher, Transit Books (division of the usually dignified Thomas Nelson ), said this ain't your daddy's NIV. They created this bible-zine because teens said traditional Bibles were "too big and freaky looking."
I could comment further, but I think you know what I'm thinking.
Tuesday, March 01, 2005
Connecting the Oscar dots
Now, don't get me wrong. I like movies. Liberals make some of the best of them. But do you think they're getting the picture, so to speak? Note these two headlines:
Rock Can't Prevent Oscar Ratings From Sinking Like a Stone
Oscar Audience Applauds Louder for Fahrenheit 9-11 Than Passion
As Ben Stein would say, "Anyone? Anyone?"
Rock Can't Prevent Oscar Ratings From Sinking Like a Stone
Oscar Audience Applauds Louder for Fahrenheit 9-11 Than Passion
As Ben Stein would say, "Anyone? Anyone?"
Friday, February 25, 2005
I loathe the body electric
It's after midnight at a trendy local club -- the kind of place I visit maybe once a year. I realize how woefully out of touch I am with the club scene when I can't help noticing all the bursting bustlines on young women who probably don't have the DNA for it. Of course, when you're trying to diet yourself into supermodel shape, the boobs are often the first to go. Next stop before the tanning salon and the hoochie mama clothes: the plastic surgeon.
Has the sexual revolution caused us to hate our bodies? I mean really. Is all the dieting and surgery and fake this and that really evidence that we just LUV ourselves and can't get enough of our own pulchritude? Or is it self-loathing disguised as self-improvement?
Maybe anorexia and chronic obesity are two sides of the same coin. Maybe the plastic surgery craze has the bizarre compulsion of cutting as its shadowy sister.
Few generations before us have been so obsessed with the flesh. We worship sexuality and ask it to give us more satisfaction, pleasure and importance than it is capable of.
Then when it fails to live up to our godlike expectations, we knife it into submission ... or into oblivion. We starve it into perfection or gorge it beyond recognition.
Sex as a commodity demands a level of consumer satisfaction that sex as a unifying force does not. One depends on perfection and novelty -- the other allows for flaws, imperfections and weakness.
Think about it.
Has the sexual revolution caused us to hate our bodies? I mean really. Is all the dieting and surgery and fake this and that really evidence that we just LUV ourselves and can't get enough of our own pulchritude? Or is it self-loathing disguised as self-improvement?
Maybe anorexia and chronic obesity are two sides of the same coin. Maybe the plastic surgery craze has the bizarre compulsion of cutting as its shadowy sister.
Few generations before us have been so obsessed with the flesh. We worship sexuality and ask it to give us more satisfaction, pleasure and importance than it is capable of.
Then when it fails to live up to our godlike expectations, we knife it into submission ... or into oblivion. We starve it into perfection or gorge it beyond recognition.
Sex as a commodity demands a level of consumer satisfaction that sex as a unifying force does not. One depends on perfection and novelty -- the other allows for flaws, imperfections and weakness.
Think about it.
Enough already!
This is starting to make me cranky:
High School Teacher Accused of Sex with Student
And don't give me that BS that this is every schoolboy's dream. These women need a power trip and they're getting it by seducing teenagers. Gag.
High School Teacher Accused of Sex with Student
And don't give me that BS that this is every schoolboy's dream. These women need a power trip and they're getting it by seducing teenagers. Gag.
Thursday, February 24, 2005
Wednesday, February 23, 2005
A GGB public service announcement
Disturbing. Profoundly disturbing. Please read, even if you don't have teenagers of your own:
Michelle Malkin: The new youth craze - self-mutilation
Michelle Malkin: The new youth craze - self-mutilation
Tuesday, February 22, 2005
::Eyes rolling::
It's one of those days my home state embarrasses me:
Yahoo! News - Court Rejects Appeal on Sex Toy Sales Ban
Yahoo! News - Court Rejects Appeal on Sex Toy Sales Ban
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