Mom does not know who I am. She may recognize my voice... vaguely. And she may sense that we have a certain bond. But Mom does not know who I am.
I struggle to speak with her when Dad insists we talk over the phone. I know why he does this... why he puts her on the phone with me. But Mom does not know who I am. And I don't like hearing the tenor of her voice as she puzzles it out and I try to subtly remind her... hinting around the edges. I don't like to hear her struggle. And I am the source of her anxiety.
I am your son. And I love you, My Mother. Memories of me may dim for now. And that is fine. I know who I am. And I know who you are. And my most loving Mother... I will be with you again.
And you will say, "Matthew. A penny for your thoughts." And we will talk. I will say, "Thank you, Mom, for having me when you were so ill."
And we will know one another. You with your playful eyes. With that spark of life and brightest of smiles. Like a Mother knows her child. And a child knows his Mother.
I love you, Mother.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Have Mercy on Us
O holy night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of our dear Saviour's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
'Til He appear'd and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! O, hear the angels' voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born;
O night divine, O night, O night Divine.
Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,
Here come the wise men from Orient land.
The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friend.
He knows our need, to our weakness is no stranger,
Behold your King! Before Him lowly bend!
Behold your King, Behold your King.
Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother;
And in His name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! O praise His Name forever,
His power and glory evermore proclaim.
His power and glory evermore proclaim.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
The Cosmos in 3-D
I have Five Senses
for which to observe
the likeness of things
the heavens the earth
but clamoring inside me
the sense that must be
many more things
than with eye can be seen
or ear to be heard
or touch to embrace
or smell to suss out
the shape nor with taste
these things that I know must be
... upon me so near
cannot be known with these
so what is the cosmos?
what is it friend
that we clunk about clumsily
until our end
it is to be found outside of the self
the temple of God
the Spirit behold!
need not scores of fingers
or ear to be told
but to be known
the darkness that settles upon each self
brings forth His legions
back into to Light
stave off thine hands
cover thine ears
close thine eyes
and silence thine tongue
listen, touch, taste
see and hear through the One
And you will know too
what distracts as we roam
tripping up needlessly
along the Pilgrim's Road Home
The Cosmos gives way
like beach unto sea
to Heavens Gate!
The Soul longs to be
Where all senses sense
And all shapes announce
what they are
what they are not
Neither seasons, nor distance
nor shadows exist
But Summer and closeness
and shade do persist
It is Jupiter's realm
that we must
to a man
renounce
in order to know
what, where, when
within which we exist.
for which to observe
the likeness of things
the heavens the earth
but clamoring inside me
the sense that must be
many more things
than with eye can be seen
or ear to be heard
or touch to embrace
or smell to suss out
the shape nor with taste
these things that I know must be
... upon me so near
cannot be known with these
so what is the cosmos?
what is it friend
that we clunk about clumsily
until our end
it is to be found outside of the self
the temple of God
the Spirit behold!
need not scores of fingers
or ear to be told
but to be known
the darkness that settles upon each self
brings forth His legions
back into to Light
stave off thine hands
cover thine ears
close thine eyes
and silence thine tongue
listen, touch, taste
see and hear through the One
And you will know too
what distracts as we roam
tripping up needlessly
along the Pilgrim's Road Home
The Cosmos gives way
like beach unto sea
to Heavens Gate!
The Soul longs to be
Where all senses sense
And all shapes announce
what they are
what they are not
Neither seasons, nor distance
nor shadows exist
But Summer and closeness
and shade do persist
It is Jupiter's realm
that we must
to a man
renounce
in order to know
what, where, when
within which we exist.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Believe
In the past 4 or so months, I have had the privilege to attend two Memorial services. I say "privilege" in that to be even a tertiary participant in the send off of a soul is an honor.
Last night, I attended a Memorial service at a non-denominational church in the burbs and during the Summer I attended the funeral at a Baptist church in the inner-city.
As different as these two "Celebrations of Life" were from one another and from what I am accustomed to (in the Latin Rite Catholic Tradition), in the end all differences, whether cultural or denominational vanish as the corporeal "reality" gives way to matters of the metaphysical.
The message that resounds resplendently among the Christian Traditions is remarkable: Ultimate Hope and Trust in the Infinite Mercy of our Creator... trust in the Lord's Promise to those who believe in Him... that we should know Paradise.
The fact of The Ultimate Sacrifice made on our behalf and for our benefit - that of the Sacrifice of the Christ for our sins, whereby we are reconciled with God, the Creator - points to an Author who truly and wholly and without reservation loves His creatures beyond measure. That the sins of Mankind, in all of their depth and breadth and twisted gracelessness, could only be washed away by something greater. That the severity of the accumulated sins from the beginning of time and the present value of all future sins yet to be committed could be washed away in only one manner - by the sacrifice of God at the hands of Man - puts the Glory of God in perspective.
The message is one of amazing Grace. Truly. But that we may believe in the Christ and strive to persevere in our belief and towards Christian Perfection - knowing full well we are incapable of achieving it - enables us to follow the Christ, through His Grace, to Everlasting Life. We are invited, each and every one of us, to forsake the binds of the physical and temporal... to live into our Baptism created anew and robed in the perfection of the Christ... sanctified and bound to the Cross with Him. If we choose to remain tied to the Cross, we are taken to Calvary, Crucified with Him, and God willing, rise to Eternal Life.
This is a Pilgrim's road that we travel. A road of rogues, distractions, temptations, opportunities to commit sin, twists and turns, muddy, rutted well-worn tracks deepened and widened by thieves and harlots, sinful thoughts and words. But that we keep an eye on the Light emitting from the Grace of Holy Spirit in the Living Word, we are lost and cannot find our way. But if we believe and persevere, we are promised that no matter what we will find our way to the Narrow Gate at the end of a Bridge.
And there we will find our Maker's banquet hall - her doors swung wide open to welcome her tired pilgrims home.
In the case of the young woman who was brutally murdered, echoes of the Negro Spirituals could be heard in the song given to God. In the case of the young man struck down before his prime by an unrelenting disease, the tone was modern. But the message delivered was the same. Death is Freedom for those who believe. The end to the temporal is Eternity for those who believe.
At his memorial, the reverend read a message from Steven V. Prior to his death, the pastor asked him: "What would you like me to tell those who attend your send-off?" Steven paused for a second... and where others might be tempted to the long-winded end of the spectrum given the opportunity to deliver a "message from the grave" to a truly captive audience, Steven said only one word. That is, there was only one word he thought important enough to share with us...
He said, "Believe!"
Last night, I attended a Memorial service at a non-denominational church in the burbs and during the Summer I attended the funeral at a Baptist church in the inner-city.
As different as these two "Celebrations of Life" were from one another and from what I am accustomed to (in the Latin Rite Catholic Tradition), in the end all differences, whether cultural or denominational vanish as the corporeal "reality" gives way to matters of the metaphysical.
The message that resounds resplendently among the Christian Traditions is remarkable: Ultimate Hope and Trust in the Infinite Mercy of our Creator... trust in the Lord's Promise to those who believe in Him... that we should know Paradise.
The fact of The Ultimate Sacrifice made on our behalf and for our benefit - that of the Sacrifice of the Christ for our sins, whereby we are reconciled with God, the Creator - points to an Author who truly and wholly and without reservation loves His creatures beyond measure. That the sins of Mankind, in all of their depth and breadth and twisted gracelessness, could only be washed away by something greater. That the severity of the accumulated sins from the beginning of time and the present value of all future sins yet to be committed could be washed away in only one manner - by the sacrifice of God at the hands of Man - puts the Glory of God in perspective.
The message is one of amazing Grace. Truly. But that we may believe in the Christ and strive to persevere in our belief and towards Christian Perfection - knowing full well we are incapable of achieving it - enables us to follow the Christ, through His Grace, to Everlasting Life. We are invited, each and every one of us, to forsake the binds of the physical and temporal... to live into our Baptism created anew and robed in the perfection of the Christ... sanctified and bound to the Cross with Him. If we choose to remain tied to the Cross, we are taken to Calvary, Crucified with Him, and God willing, rise to Eternal Life.
This is a Pilgrim's road that we travel. A road of rogues, distractions, temptations, opportunities to commit sin, twists and turns, muddy, rutted well-worn tracks deepened and widened by thieves and harlots, sinful thoughts and words. But that we keep an eye on the Light emitting from the Grace of Holy Spirit in the Living Word, we are lost and cannot find our way. But if we believe and persevere, we are promised that no matter what we will find our way to the Narrow Gate at the end of a Bridge.
And there we will find our Maker's banquet hall - her doors swung wide open to welcome her tired pilgrims home.
In the case of the young woman who was brutally murdered, echoes of the Negro Spirituals could be heard in the song given to God. In the case of the young man struck down before his prime by an unrelenting disease, the tone was modern. But the message delivered was the same. Death is Freedom for those who believe. The end to the temporal is Eternity for those who believe.
At his memorial, the reverend read a message from Steven V. Prior to his death, the pastor asked him: "What would you like me to tell those who attend your send-off?" Steven paused for a second... and where others might be tempted to the long-winded end of the spectrum given the opportunity to deliver a "message from the grave" to a truly captive audience, Steven said only one word. That is, there was only one word he thought important enough to share with us...
He said, "Believe!"
Friday, December 5, 2008
God Speed, Mr. V
I only met him 3 or 4 times. A tall, sturdy man with a hearty presence and a gentle disposition. Not unlike his older brother, a close friend of mine, Steven was a kind spirit. Bright, funny, generous.
When he was diagnosed with Leukemia, it was hard to believe. How could it be so?
When he went into remission, we all celebrated the hard-fought victory. Those of us who only really knew Steven and of his harrowing vitality through his brother cheered. It seemed this awful chapter was near coming to a positive conclusion. That his wife and child could have him back for the foreseeable future...
But it was not meant to be.
Steven was taken to hospice care on Saturday. His family camped out with him to help him pass through the door. He was in and out of consciousness for the remainder.
Steven passed on to meet his Maker on Thursday morning.
He was a good man, near as I could discern. A gentle, loving, honest soul. A man of faith. A man who did not become angry at God. A man who embraced his sufferings like Christ carrying His most Holy Cross. A man who never lost hope or despaired.
My prayer today is that Steven remembers us to God. My prayer is that the Perpetual Light that now shines on Steven should one day find each of us in the everlasting calm of Eternity with The Author of the Cosmos.
My prayer is for his family. My prayer is for all of us. The entire world.
God Speed, Steven!
When he was diagnosed with Leukemia, it was hard to believe. How could it be so?
When he went into remission, we all celebrated the hard-fought victory. Those of us who only really knew Steven and of his harrowing vitality through his brother cheered. It seemed this awful chapter was near coming to a positive conclusion. That his wife and child could have him back for the foreseeable future...
But it was not meant to be.
Steven was taken to hospice care on Saturday. His family camped out with him to help him pass through the door. He was in and out of consciousness for the remainder.
Steven passed on to meet his Maker on Thursday morning.
He was a good man, near as I could discern. A gentle, loving, honest soul. A man of faith. A man who did not become angry at God. A man who embraced his sufferings like Christ carrying His most Holy Cross. A man who never lost hope or despaired.
My prayer today is that Steven remembers us to God. My prayer is that the Perpetual Light that now shines on Steven should one day find each of us in the everlasting calm of Eternity with The Author of the Cosmos.
My prayer is for his family. My prayer is for all of us. The entire world.
God Speed, Steven!
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Nine Irish Convicts
5/31/76
Dan,
This is the article I mentioned that Dad had among his possessions.
Each time I read it I am more impressed by it.
Jim
NINE IRISH CONVICTS
In the Irish Uprising of 1848, nine men were captured, tried and convicted of treason against Her Majesty, Queen Victoria. All were sentenced to death. The condemned men were:
Patrick Donahue
Charles Duffy
Michael Ireland
Morris Lyene
Thomas McGee
Terence McManus
Thomas Meagher
John Mitchell
Richard O'Gorman
Passionate protests from all over the world persuaded Queen Victoria to commute the death sentences. The men were banished to Australia - as remote and full of prisoners as Russian Siberia.
Years passed. In 1874 Queen Victoria learned that a Sir Charles Duffy who had been elected Prime Minister of Australia was the same Charles Duffy who had been banished 26 years earlier. She asked what hd become of the other eight convicts. She learned that:
Patrick Donahue became Brigadier General in the United States Army.
Morris Lyene became Attorney General for Australia.
Michael Ireland succeeded Lyene as Attorney General.
Thomas McGee became Minister of Agriculture for Canada.
Terence McManus became a Brigadier General in the United States Army.
Thomas Meagher was elected Governor of Montana.
John Mitchell became a prominent New York politician and his son, John Purroy Mitchell, a famous mayor of New York City.
Richard O'Gorman became Governor General of Newfoundland.
------------------------------
"If our democracy is to flourish, it must have criticism; if our government is to function it must have dissent." Henry Steele Commager.
Dan,
This is the article I mentioned that Dad had among his possessions.
Each time I read it I am more impressed by it.
Jim
NINE IRISH CONVICTS
In the Irish Uprising of 1848, nine men were captured, tried and convicted of treason against Her Majesty, Queen Victoria. All were sentenced to death. The condemned men were:
Patrick Donahue
Charles Duffy
Michael Ireland
Morris Lyene
Thomas McGee
Terence McManus
Thomas Meagher
John Mitchell
Richard O'Gorman
Passionate protests from all over the world persuaded Queen Victoria to commute the death sentences. The men were banished to Australia - as remote and full of prisoners as Russian Siberia.
Years passed. In 1874 Queen Victoria learned that a Sir Charles Duffy who had been elected Prime Minister of Australia was the same Charles Duffy who had been banished 26 years earlier. She asked what hd become of the other eight convicts. She learned that:
Patrick Donahue became Brigadier General in the United States Army.
Morris Lyene became Attorney General for Australia.
Michael Ireland succeeded Lyene as Attorney General.
Thomas McGee became Minister of Agriculture for Canada.
Terence McManus became a Brigadier General in the United States Army.
Thomas Meagher was elected Governor of Montana.
John Mitchell became a prominent New York politician and his son, John Purroy Mitchell, a famous mayor of New York City.
Richard O'Gorman became Governor General of Newfoundland.
------------------------------
"If our democracy is to flourish, it must have criticism; if our government is to function it must have dissent." Henry Steele Commager.
Prayer for Right Now
Lord Christ
Have Mercy on us and especially on those who today pass from this world to the next.
Have Mercy on your children who today need the strength to let go.
Have Mercy on those who seek peace from this life.
I beseech thee to stand with those souls who lose their earthly lives today in hopes of rising again to Eternal Salvation.
Be merciful, oh Lord Jesus!
Take them swiftly.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Prayers for Steven
When I was a kid, I had a best friend by the name of Michael. He and I spent every Summer from the time I can remember together. He and I were best friends. More like brothers than friends really. He was the closest thing I had to a kindred spirit.
When I was 15 or so, he died from a very aggressive form of Leukemia. He was part Native American, although his skin was as white as snow... so they could not find a bone marrow donor.
Michael died at 16. And I have been missing him ever since. It has been near 25 years now.
Before I was born, my mother lost her brother to Leukemia. My Uncle John lost his life at 33. He left behind a daughter and wife.
I would offer a prayer to God for all of those battling this disease. I would offer a prayer for all who have fought courageously only to lose their Earthly lives. I would offer a prayer for all who continue to wage this battle.
Almighty Father: Please Bless all those who struggle today in the face of this horrific disease. Please grant unto them the strength to persevere through their trials and to fight with alacrity. Please grant unto them the knowledge that they do not fight in vain. Please grant unto them spiritual and physical fortitude.
Christ Jesus: Please make your presence felt during each procedure, during each moment of doubt, during each treatment. Please stand with our brothers and sisters in Baptism, as they battle doubt, depression, despair. Please comfort each with the knowledge that this Earthly life is only a Pilgrim's road, no matter the outcome of their struggles. Please help them persevere in the Faith. Please help them to understand that when they fight, they demonstrate the highest order of human dignity to each who witness their battles.
Holy Spirit: Please grant unto our suffering brothers and sisters in Baptism the Grace of understanding that in suffering as they do... in suffering with the Christ as He carries the Cross and is nailed the the most Holy Cross... they in fact walk with the Christ and carry His Cross... they grow closer to the Christ Himself and become more and more like the Christ in their suffering. Oh Most Gracious Holy Spirit: grant unto our brothers and sisters a glimpse into the Divine Nature of the Christ Jesus, as they struggle to persevere in Hope, despite their struggles.
Oh, Virgin Mother: Stand with your children today. Lead them to your Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ. Comfort them in their affliction. Hold them close. Let them feel your presence.
Lord God - if it be your Will, heal Steven's body. If it be your Will to call him home, let your Beloved Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ, grant him Eternal Mercy.
We ask this, through Christ, our Lord, Amen
When I was 15 or so, he died from a very aggressive form of Leukemia. He was part Native American, although his skin was as white as snow... so they could not find a bone marrow donor.
Michael died at 16. And I have been missing him ever since. It has been near 25 years now.
Before I was born, my mother lost her brother to Leukemia. My Uncle John lost his life at 33. He left behind a daughter and wife.
I would offer a prayer to God for all of those battling this disease. I would offer a prayer for all who have fought courageously only to lose their Earthly lives. I would offer a prayer for all who continue to wage this battle.
Almighty Father: Please Bless all those who struggle today in the face of this horrific disease. Please grant unto them the strength to persevere through their trials and to fight with alacrity. Please grant unto them the knowledge that they do not fight in vain. Please grant unto them spiritual and physical fortitude.
Christ Jesus: Please make your presence felt during each procedure, during each moment of doubt, during each treatment. Please stand with our brothers and sisters in Baptism, as they battle doubt, depression, despair. Please comfort each with the knowledge that this Earthly life is only a Pilgrim's road, no matter the outcome of their struggles. Please help them persevere in the Faith. Please help them to understand that when they fight, they demonstrate the highest order of human dignity to each who witness their battles.
Holy Spirit: Please grant unto our suffering brothers and sisters in Baptism the Grace of understanding that in suffering as they do... in suffering with the Christ as He carries the Cross and is nailed the the most Holy Cross... they in fact walk with the Christ and carry His Cross... they grow closer to the Christ Himself and become more and more like the Christ in their suffering. Oh Most Gracious Holy Spirit: grant unto our brothers and sisters a glimpse into the Divine Nature of the Christ Jesus, as they struggle to persevere in Hope, despite their struggles.
Oh, Virgin Mother: Stand with your children today. Lead them to your Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ. Comfort them in their affliction. Hold them close. Let them feel your presence.
Lord God - if it be your Will, heal Steven's body. If it be your Will to call him home, let your Beloved Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ, grant him Eternal Mercy.
We ask this, through Christ, our Lord, Amen
Friday, October 31, 2008
Principalities
I had an odd dream last night. And while communicating dreams to others is notoriously boring, I say "bah."
I dreamed that we here in this particular reality are permitted to shift, or rather sneak a glimpse, into alternate realities. Realities distinct from one another as they are distinct from our own. But realities that are nonetheless more "real" or closer to The Ultimate Reality than the one we exist within as physical beings trapped here on Earth.
I dreamed further that these "higher realities" we are given the grace to peer into from time to time are the "Principalities." And that these Principalities exist at the Foot of The Altar of God Himself. But they do not serve solely in order to praise... rather they also serve to obscure... to purposefully obscure the Seat of God Himself. But not in a nefarious way. Rather in a manner in which we, as humankind, are enabled to taste a slight analog of what Paradise is actually like. We are permitted to sip from these Principalities in order that our hunger for The Eternal grows more robust within our souls. And, if I recall the dream accurately, there was some real concern that Humankind simply could not experience the Divine Seat. I mean I took this to mean that it is truly impossible for us... dare I say dangerous in some manner... for humans to even whet our lips in a Water as Pure as that promised by the Christ. So, it is in this context that the Principalities (again, in my dream) are "situated" in the manner they were in my dream.
I also dreamed something awful: I dreamed that there are forces in this reality, working in conjunction with forces not of this reality, that are actively engaged in destroying the Principalities. I don't know what this means, of course, for it was a fanciful dream. But I was given to understand that the motive had to do with restricting the available Principalities a human could glimpse. I was led to believe that the purpose of destroying the Principalities was akin to suffocating Mankind spiritually, by denying humans access to these intermediaries. In my dream, a friend described it thusly: think of a room in which we sit. Imagine numerous vents in the room, each leading to a distinct source of fresh air. Now, imagine if over time those ventilation systems are purposefully collapsed. It would get stuffy and intolerable.
I was also given to understand that these forces of evil were having some significant success. And that it was only when the final Principality was destroyed that the Christ would return.
I dreamed that we here in this particular reality are permitted to shift, or rather sneak a glimpse, into alternate realities. Realities distinct from one another as they are distinct from our own. But realities that are nonetheless more "real" or closer to The Ultimate Reality than the one we exist within as physical beings trapped here on Earth.
I dreamed further that these "higher realities" we are given the grace to peer into from time to time are the "Principalities." And that these Principalities exist at the Foot of The Altar of God Himself. But they do not serve solely in order to praise... rather they also serve to obscure... to purposefully obscure the Seat of God Himself. But not in a nefarious way. Rather in a manner in which we, as humankind, are enabled to taste a slight analog of what Paradise is actually like. We are permitted to sip from these Principalities in order that our hunger for The Eternal grows more robust within our souls. And, if I recall the dream accurately, there was some real concern that Humankind simply could not experience the Divine Seat. I mean I took this to mean that it is truly impossible for us... dare I say dangerous in some manner... for humans to even whet our lips in a Water as Pure as that promised by the Christ. So, it is in this context that the Principalities (again, in my dream) are "situated" in the manner they were in my dream.
I also dreamed something awful: I dreamed that there are forces in this reality, working in conjunction with forces not of this reality, that are actively engaged in destroying the Principalities. I don't know what this means, of course, for it was a fanciful dream. But I was given to understand that the motive had to do with restricting the available Principalities a human could glimpse. I was led to believe that the purpose of destroying the Principalities was akin to suffocating Mankind spiritually, by denying humans access to these intermediaries. In my dream, a friend described it thusly: think of a room in which we sit. Imagine numerous vents in the room, each leading to a distinct source of fresh air. Now, imagine if over time those ventilation systems are purposefully collapsed. It would get stuffy and intolerable.
I was also given to understand that these forces of evil were having some significant success. And that it was only when the final Principality was destroyed that the Christ would return.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Ethanol - It's what's for Dinner
Brother Dan has healthier sensitivities than I typically do... mostly. I would typically not get mega-political on this blog, as I try to keep it reserved for more purely spiritually-oriented stuff. Nonetheless, after careful consideration, I just can't keep my mouth shut on this topic.
For years, I have heard a few of the better conservative pundits speaking occasionally about Ethanol and its disastrous impact on our economy here in the US. But mostly folks are just beaten down when they oppose anything designed or intended to "help mother earth." And much has been written for the past couple years regarding the Law of Unintended Consequences as it applies to this and other topics. And the problems with Ethanol of the Corn variety are well-known, so I will just bullet-point them:
Now, I am a capitalist at heart. I love stories of people who do well for themselves, make a ton of cash, consume expensive things, start/expand their empires and hire more folks. I love it for these most obvious benefits. Yet, however dead-set on the merits of free enterprise (and no I do not mean I support a wide-open completely-unregulated laissez faire) and its litany of fruits for the rest of us, I must say the Ethanol Scam... which is what it is... has NOTHING to do with free marketplace principles. Rather, it is a perfect example of the darkest corners of government policy co-opting by self-interested operators. It is what we get when we embrace laissez faire's twin sister: Marxism. This is the system where the very few know best what policies the dregs would enact if they were wiser and actually knew what was good for them.
And for all of the unintended consequences of the feel-gooders... the "those who are part of the solution"... the "those who do something... anything with well-intentioned hearts a-bleating," and all the hyping of the beneficiaries of this most ill-conceived of scams... I just know deep in my heart that none of them, in particular Al "the Goracle" Gore, GreenPeace, MoveOn, the Sierra Clubbers, the Michael Mores of the world, the Alec "the idiot" Baldwins and their ilk. None of them will be called to task. And, to be fair, let's not forget Newt G, George W Bush, and the rest of the Republican scumbags who have caved into the pressure-profiteers and the "do-gooders"... not one of them will ever confess or be called to account for contributing to this:
Though I am not sure the motives driving ethanol mandates are anything but pure self-interest for the Big-Corn industry and their surrogates in the government (ie. Lugar and Harkin, to name a few), it is often said it is "better to do something than nothing." And, likewise, "if you aren't part of the solution, you are part of the problem." What this boils down to is a juvenile motive that instructs it is better to take action, any action, than to leave "it" be. And this is pure rubbish. Let this be a lesson to those among us who felt pride in promoting this most insidious scam. It is our vote... it is our fingerprint. Next time we should stop and think ahead. Next time we should be content to sit on our hands until an actual and viable alternative comes along.
There is blood on the hands of those whose best-intentions born of Luxury Politics cost other human beings their very lives. And for those who are profiting from this scam... there is likely a special and very warm place in hell. So enjoy your wealth and don't worry about the little people... they'll manage to adapt or die... but they live far away where you needn't pass them on the road. Let them eat Ethanol.
For years, I have heard a few of the better conservative pundits speaking occasionally about Ethanol and its disastrous impact on our economy here in the US. But mostly folks are just beaten down when they oppose anything designed or intended to "help mother earth." And much has been written for the past couple years regarding the Law of Unintended Consequences as it applies to this and other topics. And the problems with Ethanol of the Corn variety are well-known, so I will just bullet-point them:
- Corn-Based US Ethanol is subsidized, and therefore promotes inefficiencies and waste
- Corn-Based Ethanol is a protected product, which promotes artificial constraints, inefficiency, and market manipulation
- Corn-Based US Ethanol is less efficient than your standard Gasoline, requiring a vehicle to use more of it to attain similar mileage as one would get from run-of-the-mill gasoline. So, while the per-gallon emissions might be slightly lower, the aggregate emissions per mile traveled are higher.
- Corn-Based Ethanol is production-intensive and its distribution channels are immature. Thus, more costly to introduce into the marketplace.
- Corn-Based Ethanol is inferior to Sugar-Based Ethanol, more expensive, and dirtier.
- Corn-Based Ethanol as a federal content mandate, therefore the demand is artificial. Consumers would never choose Ethanol independent of these mandates.
- Corn-Based Ethanol is big money and there are many less-than-altruistic players who are making and stand to make tons of money. This has corrupted the core responsibility of our representatives... doing the will of the people, rather than special interest. Additionally, Big-Corn will strive to reduce and/or eliminate alternative and potentially more promising alternatives.
- The promise of Corn-Based Ethanol windfall profits is encouraging a shift away from producing other staple foods.
- Corn-Based Ethanol is driving up the cost of all foods, including one could imagine, Twinkies.
Now, I am a capitalist at heart. I love stories of people who do well for themselves, make a ton of cash, consume expensive things, start/expand their empires and hire more folks. I love it for these most obvious benefits. Yet, however dead-set on the merits of free enterprise (and no I do not mean I support a wide-open completely-unregulated laissez faire) and its litany of fruits for the rest of us, I must say the Ethanol Scam... which is what it is... has NOTHING to do with free marketplace principles. Rather, it is a perfect example of the darkest corners of government policy co-opting by self-interested operators. It is what we get when we embrace laissez faire's twin sister: Marxism. This is the system where the very few know best what policies the dregs would enact if they were wiser and actually knew what was good for them.
And for all of the unintended consequences of the feel-gooders... the "those who are part of the solution"... the "those who do something... anything with well-intentioned hearts a-bleating," and all the hyping of the beneficiaries of this most ill-conceived of scams... I just know deep in my heart that none of them, in particular Al "the Goracle" Gore, GreenPeace, MoveOn, the Sierra Clubbers, the Michael Mores of the world, the Alec "the idiot" Baldwins and their ilk. None of them will be called to task. And, to be fair, let's not forget Newt G, George W Bush, and the rest of the Republican scumbags who have caved into the pressure-profiteers and the "do-gooders"... not one of them will ever confess or be called to account for contributing to this:
Though I am not sure the motives driving ethanol mandates are anything but pure self-interest for the Big-Corn industry and their surrogates in the government (ie. Lugar and Harkin, to name a few), it is often said it is "better to do something than nothing." And, likewise, "if you aren't part of the solution, you are part of the problem." What this boils down to is a juvenile motive that instructs it is better to take action, any action, than to leave "it" be. And this is pure rubbish. Let this be a lesson to those among us who felt pride in promoting this most insidious scam. It is our vote... it is our fingerprint. Next time we should stop and think ahead. Next time we should be content to sit on our hands until an actual and viable alternative comes along.
There is blood on the hands of those whose best-intentions born of Luxury Politics cost other human beings their very lives. And for those who are profiting from this scam... there is likely a special and very warm place in hell. So enjoy your wealth and don't worry about the little people... they'll manage to adapt or die... but they live far away where you needn't pass them on the road. Let them eat Ethanol.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Just Knock
A very close friend's brother received some great news over the course of the last couple days: he is in remission. He was diagnosed with leukemia 4 or 5 months back. And a particularly nasty version of the malicious code, too. I am thrilled to hear that he is one step closer to expunging the corrupted script. As such, I thought to offer the following to God as a giving of thanks. As always with such subjects, it is best to implore the Holy Spirit (the Heavenly Muse) to help my pathetic self, with my human limitations, to rise above if only for a sentence.
Mt 7:7 Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
This is an oft-cited passage from the Book of Good News. And it is an incredible one.
What is meant by it?
I will begin by speaking of the very nature of God. He is timeless. Eternal. He is Truth. Eternal. He is All Good. Eternally so. He is irreducibly simple. He, quite simply, is. He is outside the binds of time or the tethers of space. He simply is. Forever, in both directions. A witness of the now outside of time. He is, was, will be... but all of these things concurrent. This explains his Omnipotence. His knowledge of all that is, was, will be. He transcends all in an infinite and static now. It is important to remove the concepts we are shackled to, such as time and space, in order to glimpse the reality of the Author. Again, we invoke Grace to make sense of the incomprehensible nature of God. We ask for illumination of the murky corners of our limited comprehension.
The trouble people have with God comes quite frequently from a complete misunderstanding of the promises of the Christ. They might comment that they knocked like hell for this or for that... and near as they can tell the Door was no opened. They asked and they did not receive. They sought and found nothing. They conclude that this most clearly articulated promise of Christ must be patent bullshit. And, they turn away still thirsting for a sip of Eternal Life.
Such is a good portion of the nature of man. Confined by his time and confounded by his place. He is, as near he can conceive, a fleeting being. Coursing through time and growing old in his shoes. But it is this very real sense of limitation which makes him give up. And give up too easily. He wants what he asks for. He wishes to find what he seeks. He wants the door opened to him when he knocks. But man wants what he wants, when he wants, and how he wants, because man believes he knows what is best. He believes that his-story is the only theme that matters. And damned be anyone who thinks to be wiser than he.
But God knows ALL. God knows what the larger theme is. He is the Beginning and the End, the Alpha and the Omega. He is the Composer. He is the Conductor. In the Silmarillion by JRR Tolkien, we find the following:
"...thou ... shalt see that no theme may be played that hath not its uttermost source in me, nor can any alter the music in my despite. For he that attempteth this shall prove but mine instrument in the devising of things more wonderful, which he himself hath not imagined."
For those who are not big Middle Earth fans, I beg you to read this book. It is one of the greatest essays on Creation and God that I have ever read. It bests Milton's Paradise Lost for the Modern Reader. In any event, we find that God has assembled his cosmic beings in order that they might carry out Creating the Universe. They will do so by singing, in unison, each his own unique theme, known only to himself. The unfurling of Creation takes place according to the intertwining themes... the Song of Creation. The Creation Song. But Malkor (aka Lucifer) has pride. And he begins to sing his own theme, in order that he might claim a portion of the Cosmic Design as his own. And therein darkness is permitted to seep into our universe.
When we knock, are we doing so as Malkor? Are we knocking and asking for what is in keeping with God's Plan? If we are, the door will be opened and we shall receive. This is a State of Grace. The knowing... the trusting... that if we seek that which is in keeping with God's Will, we will receive. State of Grace is interesting, in that the knocking, the asking, the seeking is a perpetual activity. It is not confined to events, happenings... time and/or space. It is not concerned with that which falls outside of God's Will. It is truly, sincerely asking, knocking, seeking as a State of Being... on the Good Days... on the Bad Days... on the Mediocre Days. If we truly desire to be a part of God's Chorus, we will surely find that we anticipate... we desire in a proper manner... We desire only that which is in keeping with God's Will. Or, if you prefer, we desire only that which God's plan includes. If we are able to step outside of the self... the selfishness... our Hummanness... if we stick to the theme imprinted on us... the unique theme within us, then the Door that we knock upon will be opened, that which we seek will be found, and that which we ask for will be provided us. It is our job to stick to the theme assigned us. To revel in it. And to lend our voice to the greater Theme, the Chorus of the Cosmos, to the Ultimate End which God alone knows... and for which we cannot and should not wish to corrupt.
Mt 7:7 Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
This is an oft-cited passage from the Book of Good News. And it is an incredible one.
What is meant by it?
I will begin by speaking of the very nature of God. He is timeless. Eternal. He is Truth. Eternal. He is All Good. Eternally so. He is irreducibly simple. He, quite simply, is. He is outside the binds of time or the tethers of space. He simply is. Forever, in both directions. A witness of the now outside of time. He is, was, will be... but all of these things concurrent. This explains his Omnipotence. His knowledge of all that is, was, will be. He transcends all in an infinite and static now. It is important to remove the concepts we are shackled to, such as time and space, in order to glimpse the reality of the Author. Again, we invoke Grace to make sense of the incomprehensible nature of God. We ask for illumination of the murky corners of our limited comprehension.
The trouble people have with God comes quite frequently from a complete misunderstanding of the promises of the Christ. They might comment that they knocked like hell for this or for that... and near as they can tell the Door was no opened. They asked and they did not receive. They sought and found nothing. They conclude that this most clearly articulated promise of Christ must be patent bullshit. And, they turn away still thirsting for a sip of Eternal Life.
Such is a good portion of the nature of man. Confined by his time and confounded by his place. He is, as near he can conceive, a fleeting being. Coursing through time and growing old in his shoes. But it is this very real sense of limitation which makes him give up. And give up too easily. He wants what he asks for. He wishes to find what he seeks. He wants the door opened to him when he knocks. But man wants what he wants, when he wants, and how he wants, because man believes he knows what is best. He believes that his-story is the only theme that matters. And damned be anyone who thinks to be wiser than he.
But God knows ALL. God knows what the larger theme is. He is the Beginning and the End, the Alpha and the Omega. He is the Composer. He is the Conductor. In the Silmarillion by JRR Tolkien, we find the following:
"...thou ... shalt see that no theme may be played that hath not its uttermost source in me, nor can any alter the music in my despite. For he that attempteth this shall prove but mine instrument in the devising of things more wonderful, which he himself hath not imagined."
For those who are not big Middle Earth fans, I beg you to read this book. It is one of the greatest essays on Creation and God that I have ever read. It bests Milton's Paradise Lost for the Modern Reader. In any event, we find that God has assembled his cosmic beings in order that they might carry out Creating the Universe. They will do so by singing, in unison, each his own unique theme, known only to himself. The unfurling of Creation takes place according to the intertwining themes... the Song of Creation. The Creation Song. But Malkor (aka Lucifer) has pride. And he begins to sing his own theme, in order that he might claim a portion of the Cosmic Design as his own. And therein darkness is permitted to seep into our universe.
When we knock, are we doing so as Malkor? Are we knocking and asking for what is in keeping with God's Plan? If we are, the door will be opened and we shall receive. This is a State of Grace. The knowing... the trusting... that if we seek that which is in keeping with God's Will, we will receive. State of Grace is interesting, in that the knocking, the asking, the seeking is a perpetual activity. It is not confined to events, happenings... time and/or space. It is not concerned with that which falls outside of God's Will. It is truly, sincerely asking, knocking, seeking as a State of Being... on the Good Days... on the Bad Days... on the Mediocre Days. If we truly desire to be a part of God's Chorus, we will surely find that we anticipate... we desire in a proper manner... We desire only that which is in keeping with God's Will. Or, if you prefer, we desire only that which God's plan includes. If we are able to step outside of the self... the selfishness... our Hummanness... if we stick to the theme imprinted on us... the unique theme within us, then the Door that we knock upon will be opened, that which we seek will be found, and that which we ask for will be provided us. It is our job to stick to the theme assigned us. To revel in it. And to lend our voice to the greater Theme, the Chorus of the Cosmos, to the Ultimate End which God alone knows... and for which we cannot and should not wish to corrupt.
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
'Splain This to Me.
Sorry, but something here doesn't add up for me. I am not an immunologist and I didn't sleep at a Holiday Inn Express lastnight, but this type of relational relativism stuff strikes me as... erm, odd.
Bedbugs in NY
"Bedbugs come out... at night to feed on human blood, biting people in their sleep and leaving large, itchy skin welts that can be painful. They are not believed to carry or transmit diseases." [empahisis Root]
Mosquitos on Wikipedia
"...mosquitos suck blood from other animals, which has made them the most deadly... killing millions of people over thousands of years and continuing to kill millions per year by the spread of diseases."
"Prior to sucking the blood, they inject a mild painkiller, which numbs the host to the pain from the 'bite'." [empahisis Root]
The female mosquito that bites an infected person and then bites an uninfected person might leave traces of virus or parasite from the infected person's blood. The infected blood is injected through, or on, the "dirty" proboscis into the uninfected person's blood and the disease is thus spread from person to person. When a mosquito bites, she also injects saliva and anti-coagulants into the blood which may also contain disease-causing viruses or other parasites. [empahisis Root]
Transmission via Bodily Fluids
"This transmission route is particularly relevant to intravenous drug users, hemophiliacs and recipients of blood transfusions and blood products. Sharing and reusing syringes contaminated with HIV-infected blood represents a major risk for infection with not only HIV, but also hepatitis B and hepatitis C. Needle sharing is the cause of one third of all new HIV-infections and 50% of hepatitis C infections in North America, China, and Eastern Europe."
"The risk of HIV transmission from exposure to saliva is considerably smaller than the risk from exposure to semen" - Wikipedia
Bedbugs in NY
"Bedbugs come out... at night to feed on human blood, biting people in their sleep and leaving large, itchy skin welts that can be painful. They are not believed to carry or transmit diseases." [empahisis Root]
Mosquitos on Wikipedia
"...mosquitos suck blood from other animals, which has made them the most deadly... killing millions of people over thousands of years and continuing to kill millions per year by the spread of diseases."
"Prior to sucking the blood, they inject a mild painkiller, which numbs the host to the pain from the 'bite'." [empahisis Root]
The female mosquito that bites an infected person and then bites an uninfected person might leave traces of virus or parasite from the infected person's blood. The infected blood is injected through, or on, the "dirty" proboscis into the uninfected person's blood and the disease is thus spread from person to person. When a mosquito bites, she also injects saliva and anti-coagulants into the blood which may also contain disease-causing viruses or other parasites. [empahisis Root]
Transmission via Bodily Fluids
"This transmission route is particularly relevant to intravenous drug users, hemophiliacs and recipients of blood transfusions and blood products. Sharing and reusing syringes contaminated with HIV-infected blood represents a major risk for infection with not only HIV, but also hepatitis B and hepatitis C. Needle sharing is the cause of one third of all new HIV-infections and 50% of hepatitis C infections in North America, China, and Eastern Europe."
"The risk of HIV transmission from exposure to saliva is considerably smaller than the risk from exposure to semen" - Wikipedia
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