• Hot Off The Presses - Religion

    Strict Father Sky Vs. Nurturing Mother Earth

    What was that just now about parenting models being the framework for every kind of ideological framework?  Evangelicals seek to oust leader over global warming | Chicago Tribune WASHINGTON — More than two dozen evangelical leaders are seeking the ouster of Rev. Richard Cizik from the National Association of Evangelicals because of his "relentless campaign" against global warming Yeah. And that bit about Falwell preaching that global warming is a myth is referenced. He should go evangelize the Inuit for a year, that guy, and walk a mile in their mukluks. Or travel 1200 miles by dogsled, like this group.…

  • Episcopal - Hot Off The Presses - Politics, Schmolitics - Religion

    Remember The Theory of Everything

    I already knew this, but it bears repeating:   Our view of God, strict or nurturing, divides us – Nashville, Tennessee – Saturday, 03/03/07 – Tennessean.com A battle of two moralities is roaring in this country — really, a battle between two views of God — and it explains nearly everything, and nearly everyone ignores it. An unspoken conflict of attitudes toward parenting — Strict Parent model vs. Nurturing Parent — shapes the showdown between conservatives and liberals across the board, whether at worship, in Congress or on the Iraq war.   [tags]God, Nurturing Parent, Strict Parent, liberals, conservatives[/tags] 

  • Hot Off The Presses - Politics, Schmolitics

    The Injustice Department Firings

    The juicy bit: the former New Mexico US Attorney has stated that he was pressured to investigate Democrats before the November elections.  Because, after the elections, they'd be in a much better position to investigate political shenanigans and inappropriate White House meddling with the Justice Department. Now they have less than two years to really screw things up, appointments-wise.  White House Backed U.S. Attorney Firings, Officials Say – washingtonpost.com Since the mass firings were carried out three months ago, Justice Department officials have consistently portrayed them as personnel decisions based on the prosecutors' "performance-related" problems. But, yesterday, officials acknowledged that…

  • Books - Uncategorical Weirdness

    Needful Things: Prayers and Supplications

    I keep meaning to purchase the New Zealand Prayer Book because it’s got some amazingly beautiful and poetic liturgy in it. Also, things like the Night Prayer and little gems like this: For People Critically Ill, or Facing Great Uncertainty God of the present moment, God who in Jesus stills the stormand soothes the frantic heart;bring hope and courage to N,as s/he/they wait/s in uncertainty.Bring hope that you will make her/him/them the equalof whatever lies ahead.Bring her/him/them courage to endure what cannot be avoided,for your will is health and wholeness;you are God, and we need you. Good, eh? Speaking of…

  • Episcopal - Good and Joyful Things

    Almost Live: the Presiding Bishop’s Webcast

    This is long. LONG. Here, why don’t you go get a latte, while I fulminate quietly to myself. I almost missed the live webcast by the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, ++Katherine Jefferts Schori. Stupid time difference. Fortunately, it’s now available as a regular on-demand webcast. There are specific issues I want to hear her address, but I’m a little worried that she’s just going to offer some delicious tidbits of Anglican fudge. And now, the webcast. I’m not really clever or fast enough on the analytical side to comment seriously on it as I watch, but I’ll probably…

  • Hot Off The Presses

    This Is How They Support Our Troops

    Walter Reed patients told to keep quiet – Army Times Soldiers at Walter Reed Army Medical Center’s Medical Hold Unit say they have been told they will wake up at 6 a.m. every morning and have their rooms ready for inspection at 7 a.m., and that they must not speak to the media. “Some soldiers believe this is a form of punishment for the trouble soldiers caused by talking to the media,” one Medical Hold Unit soldier said, speaking on the condition of anonymity. It is unusual for soldiers to have daily inspections after Basic Training. Soldiers say their sergeant…

  • Home Improvement

    Home Sick

    Rats rats RATS. One of the issues that came up in the staff meeting last week was the problem of people who come to work sick. One of my cow-orkers has been down with strep and a cough the last week or so, and since the policy is you can’t be out more than 3 days in a row without having to get a doctor’s note and or go on salary continuation, people tend to come back too soon. Now it seems the annoying sensation at the back of my throat has become something that feels like the beginnings of…

  • Episcopal - Good and Joyful Things

    Well and Truly Listening: Talk of the Nation

    NPR : The Episcopal Church and the Rift over Homosexuality I'm currently listening to today's Talk of the Nation, recorded earlier today. First guest: Rt. Reverend Catherine Roskam, bishop suffragan of New York. She starts off well by stating clearly that discussing the blessing of same-sex marriage is off the table. She also tries to explain how the Anglican Communion isn't really a top-down, patriarchally governed church.  She stresses that there are more important issues that we ought to be facing in the Communion, such as how women are treated.  Caller: Jean from Utah is an Episcopalian. Feels strongly that…