The Angry (and hysterical) Left, Part 2

This week’s glance at the almost comical demise of the Democratic leadership comes from one of our beloved Senators from Massachusetts, Edward “Ted” Kennedy.

“We have doubled the number of deaths from asthma this year than we had five years ago, doubled the deaths for children. I wonder why that is? I don't know what you tell the mother when they see the children having that intensity…where will this nominee come out? Will he come on out for that mother who has a child that's got asthma or that parent who's seeing the pollution that's taken place in a pond -- in a lake and whose child has been affected by those kinds of poison?”
- Sen. Kennedy’s speech on the Senate floor yesterday in his feeble attempt to postpone the vote to confirm Sam Alito to the Supreme Court

“In another area of controversy, Judge Alito's views on issues of particular concern to women should give every woman pause -- from his role in striking down a key provision of the Family and Medical Leave Act, to his opposition to the privacy of women's reproductive decisions. He was unwilling to accept the full constitutional right of privacy recognized by the current Supreme Court. Judge Alito's testimony failed to resolve the very serious concerns that he's itching to overturn Roe v. Wade. He said that he will keep an "open mind" on the issue -- but that is no comfort to those who know his record. That record includes his 1985 memo to the Reagan Administration's Solicitor General, advising that the best way to undermine Roe was to chip away at its protections. We have every reason to believe that he will do exactly that if confirmed to the Supreme Court.”
- Sen. Kennedy, in a speech to the President, as to why Alito should not be confirmed to the Supreme Court (because of his pro-life, anti-abortion leanings)

So I got to thinking and researching, and this is what I’ve found.

There are approximately 5,000 deaths annually among children as a result of asthma. (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease)

However, according to The Alan Guttmacher Institute, a branch of Planned Parenthood (whose statistics are more reliable than the CDC), there are between 1.5 and 1.7 million abortions per year.

Thankfully, ol’ Ted and his keen eyes has realized these disproportionate numbers and is working hard to make sure Sam Alito, the heartless misguided SOB that he is, doesn’t get a chance to carry out his evil campaign to silence the voice of this nation’s asthma inflicted.

Mondays with Murray

From a recent phone conversation:


Murray: I can’t wait until I’ve got a house. Right, now, I spend a lot of my time driving around looking for where I’m going to eat.

Sleuth: Man, you’ve been eating out a lot lately, huh? That’s expensive isn’t it?

Murray: Yeah, but I see it as an investment in my body.

So that's why I like sports...and who I am?

Play as the clue to ontological explanation:

"This suggests a general characteristic of the nature of play that is reflected in playing: all playing is being-played. The attraction of a game, the fascination of its exerts, consists precisely in the fact that the game masters the players. Even in the case of games in which one tries to perform tasks that one has set oneself, there is a risk that they will not "work," "succeed", or "succeed again," which is the attraction of the game. Whoever "tries" is in fact the one who is tried. The real subject of the game (this is shown in precisely those experienecs in which there is only a singel player) is not the playter but instead the game itself. What holds the player in its spell, draws him into play, and keeps him there is the game itself."
- Hans-Georg Gadamer

A Bit O' History

I was inspired by Noel's comments today. Apropos, Noel. So while we're on the topic of inflated self appreciation (i.e. New Yorkers) and historical memory loss, let's talk about the Volunteers. This is a bone I've had to pick for a while, and my parents recent tour of San Antonio, including the Alamo, has reminded me of a bit of history that often goes unnoticed.

The entire state of Tennessee has built its identity around their beloved "volunteer soldiers"(c.f. Univ. of Tennessee), who either fought at the Alamo or in the Battle of New Orleans. In fact, while Texans are known for their big egos, Tennesseeans aren't far behind - after all, in their mind, if you don't mess with Texas, then you sure as hell don't mess with Tennessee, because it was Tennessee that "singlehandedly" put Texas on the map.

But before the state that I've "lived in" for the past six years gets too excited, they should try a slice of this humble pie:

Lt. Col. William Travis - shortly after arriving in San Antonio he took control of the Texas regulars and by the time of the Battle of the Alamo was also commanding the volunteers (yes, that group of renegade Tennesseeans). He died alongside Bowie, Crockett and other famous names in American folklore defending the Alamo. Remember, this was the top dog at the Alamo.

James Bonham: The courageous solder (i forget his rank) that snuck through enemy lines on multiple occassions in an effort to get word to the reinforcement troops to hurry to the Alamo.

Andrew Jackson: Commanded the Volunteers at the battle of New Orleans (a much better leader than the Big Easy's current Ray "school bus" Nagin) and later became TN's first congressman and a U.S. president.


All of these men: South Carolina natives. Long live the Palmetto State.

Chuck Norris facts

The wild boyz on Second South have recently begun a bulletin board shrine to Chuck Norris. The facts they have have enshrined thus far are pretty hilarious. In keeping with the spirit of creativity, as well as Scott Steere's desire for more original, Covenant related Chuck Norris facts, Manville Tabletalk offers the following little known CN facts:

1. The only person Wallace Anderson is afraid of is Chuck Norris.

2. The reason Crossman retired is because he heard Bryan College had recruited Chuck Norris for soccer.

3. Chuck Norris was once did a roundhouse kick and created an alternate inverse universe. In this universe, he called heaven Second South and hell Second North.

4. The only time Chuck Norris ever showed signs of weakness was after eating in the Great Hall.

5. When Chuck Norris sneezes, Lookout Mountain gets fog.

Nonsense from the Angry Left, Part I

House Democrats proposed two bills in 2005 to bring the Fairness Doctrine back, -- and as a law, rather than a mere regulation.

(The Fairness Doctrine was an FCC regulation that required radio and later television stations to cover "vitally important controversial issues of interest in the community served by the broadcaster" and to provide "opportunity for the presentation of contrasting viewpoints on such issues." It essentially served to suppress any non-liberal media).

The not-so-subtle target of these bills? Talk radio, like Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity, and FoxNews.

Rep. Louise Slaughter of New York, who introduced the first of the two bills, says that right-ruled radio is a grave threat to American freedoms, "a waste of good broadcast time, and a waste of our airwaves." People "may hear whatever they please and whatever they choose," she tells PBS's Bill Moyers, in a statement as incoherent as it is illiberal. "And of course they have the right to turn it off. But that's not good enough either. The fact is that they need the responsibility of the people who are licensed to use our airwaves judiciously and responsibly to call them to account if they don't."


In other words, people can't be trusted with freedom but need the supervision of a paternalist government.


(summary from today's Wall Stree Journal Opinion Journal article entitled "Shut Up, They Explained," by Brian Anderson.)

Why we like Notre Dame, and why we won't apply to Tennessee

Seeing as how we're in the midst of applying to law schools, we have spent a lot of time lately considering what it actually means to BE a lawyer. Why do we want to practice law? What drives us toward the legal profession? What kind of attorney do we want to be?

Likewise, what law program is going to best help us accomplish those goals?

Let's be honest, lawyers don't have the best reputation. Google the words lawyer and/or attorney plus joke and you'll get 17.6 million hits. Compare that to the 10.6 million for preacher and/or minister plus joke, and the 13.5 for doctor plus joke.

If we say lawyer, you think:
(a) A man who helps you get what's coming to him,
(b) A mouth with a life-support system, or
(c) A slick talking SOB who's basic creed is something like "A man is innocent until proven broke"

Not exactly what we aspire to be.

Which is why we WILL NOT apply to Tennessee's law school (besides not wanting to graduate with a wardrobe that might be confused with the Adopt a Highway folks). Their goal seems to reinforce the negative stereotype:

"The College of Law teaches its students to think, write, and speak like lawyers, providing them with a complete legal education." - University of Tennessee Law School Dean (also, the Dean eerily resembles Red Forman from That 70's Show)

Contrast with Notre Dame's purpose statement:

"Perhaps the most prominent aspect of the Anglo-American legal tradition at Notre Dame is the focus on law not just as another job option, but as one of the ancient healing professions. Like doctors who are called to their vocation to heal the ills of the body, and like the clergy who are called to heal the ills of the spirit or soul, Notre Dame lawyers are called to heal the ills of society - to seek justice and peace among nations, within communities, and between individuals."

Go Irish.

Carolina athletics and the War of Northern Agression

Life must have been great in antebellum South Carolina.

The Panthers just got manhandled by Seattle in the NFC Championship game. Seattle's defense shut Carolina down from the opening snap, Delhomme completed more pases to Seattle than he did to Carolina, Steve Smith was double teamed most of the, and the only Carolina receiver to make any decent plays was Carter - too little, too late. Granted we were playing most of the game with our fourth string running back, an our lack of success in the backfield allowed the Seahawks to cover our receivers even tighter. But still, we looked pathetic.

Which has me wondering yet again, why do my Carolina teams always lose in the big games? It's at times like these I question God's goodness. But despite my doubt and questioning, during another dark night of the sporting soul, I cling to the one thing that can sustain me through the ups, well mostly downs, of my state's athletic ineptness.

Being a Carolina fan is God's way of placing me in an accelerated sanctification program.

Anybody can cheer for Alabama or Michigan or (gag me) Tennessee football when its a team that wins year in and year out, and gets a championship title often enough to satisfy their hungry fans. I mean, you have a bad season as a Duke or North Carolina basketball follower, and all you have to do is go back a few years to their most recent championship, and all is well on Tobacco Row. Hurricanes can't destroy the 5 College Baseball World Series tittles LSU has, all within the last 15 years.

So let's be honest. Its not hard to cheer for a team that always wins, or has a longstanding tradition of success. But try cheering for the team that always chokes and never lives up to expectations.

The Gamecocks haven't beaten Clemson since 2001, including the worst lost against our rivals in school history in 2003. South Carolina's basketball team won the school's first national championship in ANY major sport last year, but it was the freaking NIT (which is basically the game the scrubs get together on the playground after all the good players got picked on the big court), but has thus far this season followed with a sub par year. Gamecock soccer is consistently a contender, and even won the Conference USA tournament this year, only to get ousted from the NCAA tournament early on by Wake Forest. Even USC's baseball team, a perennial powerhouse, which has been to the World Series 3 of the last 4 years, hasn't won the big one yet, and lost in the championship game against Texas in 2002. The Panthers choked against New England in 2004. And then the pitiful performance by the Panthers tonight.

Only the truly righteous can maintain a steadfast comittment to a team that consistently lets them down. Patience. Loyalty. Forgiveness. Self-control. Unrequited Love. Joy despite hardship. These are the marks of the righteous. Funny, these are also the marks of a Carolina fan.

Which is why, despite the frustrating loss of Panthers tonight, I take solace in my A+ from Sanctification class.

So why do my teams suck? And why do I care so much? It wouldn't be so bad if I was a nonchalant observer. But apparently the words "sport" and "nonchalant" do no coexist peacefully in my world. I can't watch a game on tv without getting emotionally involved. I mean, I can't even enjoy a friendly game of football without competing against my previous performance, and being utterly frustrated when I underperform. I'm never satisfied unless I feel like I've played as well as I know I am capable of playing. And i will never be fulfilled until one of my teams wins the big one. Until that time, I will continue to utter expletives under my breath, yell loudly at the the players on the TV as if my armchair coaching will have some inspiring effect, and throw things on occasion. And in the process, get sanctified.

Life must have been good in antebellum South Carolina. Then that dang war came, and we haven't been able to win anything since.

Fore!

Road trip soundtrack

I uncovered a gold mine today: The U.S. Department of Transportation. More particularly, the Federal Highway Administration.

Why?

Because my (and your) tax dollars have been well spent by at least one of our beloved government officials, who, under the auspice of the U.S. of A. government, has compiled a fairly exhaustive list of the greatest Road Songs ever written. You can check it out here:

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/infrastructure/roadsong.htm

Thankfully, this project was not based on the arbitrary whims of some apathetic arbiter of asphalt. No, there are important critera that must be met if your favorite cruising music is going to make the Road Songs list. Observe:

1. Songs about musicians being "on the road" don't qualify unless they actually mention roads.
2. Songs about cars, rather than roads, also don't quality.
3. A song can qualify if it mentions a highway even if the rest of the song is about something else.

So far, I have only noticed one oversight on The List. Glaringly absent is the greatest highway song of them all, "Free Love Freeway," by David Brent from the BBC's The Office.

Once you check out this tasty lick, I think you'll agree that no road trip will be complete without a dose of David Brent:

http://homepage.mac.com/elliottday/theoffice/sounds1/freelovefull.mp3

Happy cruising.

F this

In my opinion, the F word is one of the foulest words in the English vocabulary. An onomatopoeia of sorts, it takes something incredibly beautiful and makes it completely crass and devoid of any real meaning.

But as an expletive, some would argue that often it is the only word that fits the situation - so I've been thinking, and as best as I can figure, there are only eleven times in history where the "F" word has been considered acceptable for use.

They are as follows:

11. "What the @#$% do you mean, we are sinking?"
-- Capt. E.J. Smith of RMS Titanic, 1912

10. "What the @#$% was that?"
-- Mayor Of Hiroshima, 1945

9. "Where did all those @#$%ing Indians come from?"
-- Custer, 1877

8. "Any @#$%ing idiot could understand that."
-- Einstein, 1938

7. "It does so @#$%ing look like her!"
-- Picasso, 1926

6. "How the @#$% did you work that out?"
-- Pythagoras, 126 BC

5. "You want WHAT on the @#$%ing ceiling?"
-- Michelangelo, 1566

4. "Where the @#$% are we?"
-- Amelia Earhart, 1937

3. "Scattered @#$%ing showers, my ass!"
-- Noah, 4314 BC

2. "Aw c'mon. Who the @#$% is going to find out?"
-- Bill Clinton, 1998

1. "Geez, I didn't think they'd get this @%#*^ing mad."
-- Saddam Hussein, 2003

Let me know if you can think of any others.

Us vs. Rick Warren

Here's our response to the Purpose Driven Life, by way of one C.S. Lewis as he discusses what he sees as the false dichotomy that is often created between books of piety and books of theology/doctrine...

"For my own part I tend to find the doctrinal books often more helpful in devotion than the devotional books, and I rather suspect that the same experience may await many others. I believe that many who find that "nothing happens" when they sit down, or kneel down, to a book of devotion, would find that the heart sings unbidden while they are working their way through a tough bit of theology with a pipe in their teeth and a pencil in their hand."

Now that's what we're talking about.