Sunday, August 28, 2005

Roberts v. the Future - New York Times

Roberts v. the Future - New York Times

"It seems unlikely that John Roberts's confirmation hearings will result in the nominee speaking unguardedly and at length on abortion and other controversies of the moment, or in the Democrats thwarting his confirmation. (Roberts is a conservative; he is also intelligent, able and possesses, by all accounts, a judicious temperament.) What, then, would be the most productive use of his confirmation hearings? It would be illuminating for the senators to ask the man who will be, if confirmed, the first new justice of the 21st century some probing questions about the Supreme Court of the future -- including how, in the broadest sense, it should prepare to handle cases arising from the technological and social changes of the coming decades."

Interesting article suggesting that, in their confirmation hearings for John Roberts, the Senate focus on asking him questions that will reflect how he might decide to vote on issues of the future.

Friday, August 26, 2005

Why I am Not a Conservative

Why I am Not a Conservative

An interesting essay by Nobel Laurete Friedriech Hayek

Saturday, August 20, 2005

Be a rock

The lyrics to a kids' song that was one of my earliest influences for what I wanted to become:

Be A Rock (Audrey and Alex)

(chorus)
Be a rock, yeah, be a winner
If you get your highs from life, you can't go wrong
You've got a mind and it's all your own
So use it well- you gotta stand strong

Hey kids, in the night, don't you see the dangers?
Sometimes your friends can be worse than strangers
You've got a mind of your own (you've got a mind of your own)
You'll have to stand alone
So if you feel that it's wrong, don't be pulled by the crowd

(chorus)

Out on the street, everyone's the prey
Stick to your guns and you'll lead the way
Shadows lurk in the night (shadows lurk in the night)
You've gotta find the light
Hold onto your dreams- they can pull you through

Be a rock- yeah, be a winner
If you get your highs from life, you can't go wrong
You've got a mind and it's all your own
So use it well- you gotta stand strong
Use it well-you gotta stand strong
Be a rock, and stand on your own


Sometimes childrens' songs have the best messages in the most basic form. Not a bad idea, going back to basics every now and then.

"In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." -Thomas Jefferson

Shall we gather?

GATHER AT THE RIVER (Point of Grace)

Sometimes we don’t see eye to eye
We don’t agree, we don’t know why
But Jesus prayed that we’d be one
So for the sake of God’s own son
Can we put away our differences
Lay down our pride
I think it’s time we start turning the tide

(chorus)
Shall we gather at the river of forgiveness
Come together at the waters of love
Flowing like a fountain from the mercy giver
Shall we gather at the river

We have all made enemies of
The ones we’re called by Christ to love
But there’s redemption at the riverside
The water’s deep, the water’s wide
It can wash away our bitterness
The current is strong
I think we’ve been out in the desert too long

(repeat chorus)

We can wade into the middle
Where the healing waters flow
It only takes a little
To heal a wounded soul
It will only bring us closer
Than we’ve ever been before
This is just what Jesus was praying for

Lessons for an Exit Strategy

An article in the Washington Post by former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger analyzing the current situation in Iraq.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/11/AR2005081101756.html

Wednesday, August 17, 2005

Left Behind - New York Times

An Op-Ed article from a man remarkably like President Bush, but who greatly differs from him in the most important ways. Talks about basically how the presidency is not a 9-to-5 job that you can leave on vacation.
Left Behind - New York Times

Biking Toward Nowhere - New York Times

OK, so to be completely honest, Bush is really starting to annoy me. Here's another editorial in the NY Times on the subject.
Biking Toward Nowhere - New York Times

Tuesday, August 16, 2005

A Tale of Two Cities

Pictures from my April trip to Paris and Madrid
taleoftwocities

Show Me the Way

Show Me the Way (Dennis DeYoung)

Every night I say a prayer in the hope that there's a heaven
And every day I'm more confused as the saints turn into sinners
All the heroes and legends I knew as a child have fallen to idols of clay
And I feel this empty place inside so afraid that I've lost my faith

Show me the way, show me the way
Take me tonight to the river
And wash my illusions away
Show me the way

And as I slowly drift to sleep, for a moment dreams are sacred
I close my eyes and know there's peace in a world so filled with hatred
That I wake up each morning and turn on the news to find we've so far to go
And I keep on hoping for a sign, so afraid that I just won't know

Show me the way, Show me the way
Take me tonight to the mountain
And wash my confusion away

And if I feel light, should I believe
Tell me how will I know

Show me the way, show me the way
Take me tonight to the river
And wash my illusions away
Show me the way, show me the way
Give me the strength and the courage
To believe that I'll get there someday
Show me the way

Every night I say a prayer
In the hope that there's a heaven...

Sunday, August 14, 2005

Ecclesiastes

"For who knows what is good for a man in life, during the few and meaningless days he passes through like a shadow? Who can tell him what will happen under the sun after he is gone? A good name is better than fine perfume, and the day of death bettter than the day of birth. It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for death is the destiny of every man; the living should take this to heart. Sorrow is better than laughter, because a sad face is good for the heart."
Ecclesiastes 6:12- 7: 3
RIP Mr. McKeon
7-28-05

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die
A time to plant and a time to uproot
A time to kill and a time to heal
A time to tear down and a time to build
A time to weep and a time to laugh
A time to mourn and a time to dance
A time to scatter stones and a time to gather them in
A time to embrace and a time to refrain
A time to search and a time to give up
A time to keep and a time to throw away
A time to tear and a time to mend
A time to be silent and a time to speak
A time to love and a time to hate
A time for war and a time for peace."
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

"Better a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer knows how to take warning."
Ecclesiastes 4: 13

Someone Tell the President the War Is Over - New York Times

Someone Tell the President the War Is Over - New York Times

Great Op-Ed article from the NY Times about how Bush is handling- or, perhaps, not handling- the war effort.

Thursday, August 11, 2005

Washington, DC pictures

Here are all my pictures from my trip to Washington, D.C. last June. Enjoy!
2005_06_Washington_DC