Well if you ask me...

The Needs of the Many

I’ve been working on Ludlum’s The Bancroft Strategy for the second time. It’s an excellent read.

The Lies of George W. Bush

I’m about 20% through this. It’s not a great book but the details appear to be accurate – and Bush appears to have been the most dishonest man ever to participate in American politics.

The Hobbit

Like most geeks, I’ve read this many times. I’m reading it again in preparation for the trilogy again.

God’s Politics

Scripture is filled with admonitions to fight for peace and justice in our world. To care for the elderly, the sick, the captives, and the poor.

So, why do so many Christians actively support candidates who care very little about those issues? Why do so many Christians actively work against the campaigns of other candidates who seek to represent those who are under-represented? Why have modern American Christians decided to fight for one or two social issues and ignore the rest?

These may not be exactly the questions Jim Wallis raises in his book but they are questions I’ve struggled with for a long time and this book reinforces my stand that Christians should speak up for those among us that need our help. Mr. Wallis sheds light on possible answers to these questions, but more importantly he stresses that not all Christians are represented by the very loud voices which act as though they speak on our behalf. There are many Christians who still stand for peace and justice in the world and we need for our voices to be heard over all the noise.

I understand that these issues transcend religious faith. Many people, Christian or not, myself included, are not necessarily comfortable with a government run solution to every problem. My problem is not working against social programs as much as it is the absence of real Christian debate on the subject. Why are there not more Christians who stand on the scriptures which tell us to care for the poor? Why are more of us not asking – honestly – should we do more as a society for the poor? If we can legislate one moral issue, why not another?

The good news is that this debate is starting to pick up steam. Jim Wallis and others like him have been spreading the word that the religious right does not speak for all religious people.

Every Family Has A Secret

Last weekend we went for a showing of the film Tetro which included free lunch, free Coppola wine, and a Q&A with the director himself via Skype.

The film was fantastic and the Q&A was worth the entire afternoon.

You See, I Have This Condition

Wow, this movie surprised me. It was much better than I expected. I will definitely take time to review this one.

This Execution Type Deal Here

I’ve been telling Billy about Fargo, so I watched it with him. I’ve seen this several times and I’m always entertained.

It Might Get Loud

No time to review this one yet, but it was fantastic.

Only the second movie I’ve ever seen where people clapped and cheered in the middle of the movie.

His Name is Bob

The first rule of Fight Club is that you never talk about Fight Club.

Another movie I watched again so Billy could see it. Definitely not for everyone but a real classic.

Capitalism: A Love Story

Haven’t had time to review this yet, but it was an excellent film. Typical Michael Moore (more sensationalism than documentary) but it is his best work yet.

Great Site: Understanding Science

I’ve been planning to share this site whenever I was in the mood to talk about science.

After yesterday’s post, this seemed as good a week as any.

One of my biggest concerns is that our high school students are graduating without a proper understanding of science and the scientific method. I’m especially concerned for students of Christian high schools, but also for Christians in non-religious schools, and for all high school students. I’m sure some schools do a better job than others, but I think we should be diligent about teaching our own children and doing the best we can to share with other students and parents.

COPUS: Coalition on the Public Understanding of Science.

Is Intelligent Design Science?

On Saturday I finished reading an interesting post at Thinking Christian. It was the latest in a seven part series covering Intelligent Design and Creationism. I don’t agree with everything the author states but he does a great job laying out what he believes to be the difference between the two movements and in some respects he is “thinking out loud” (he may even state as much in one of his comments). After reviewing the entire series again and a few other articles on the same topic, I am now more certain than ever that Intelligent Design has no place in a science classroom – even in a Christian school.

If you’re not familiar with my background, I attended a fundamentalist Christian high school where we were taught the tenets of Young-Earth Creationism. I never really accepted all of that but I do believe in the personal God of the Bible and in His plan for my redemption. I also believe that the universe was brought into existence by God via the big bang and that what we see today is a result of billions of years of evolution since that time. I have no problem with the theory of common descent. As a matter of fact, I see a lot of majesty in the process of evolution – but more on that Wednesday (or later).

Don’t discount me as a creationist kook. I’ve said for years that I am not. I happen to believe wholeheartedly in God but not because I can’t explain the universe. I have a lot more to say about this series and the topic in general. I will try to get my thoughts together for an essay to be published Wednesday, but for now I wanted to share some links.

Are ID and Creationism the Same Thing?

The author makes a great case that they are not, but my problem is that many Young-Earthers claim ID as their movement. This is a huge problem in my mind. As usual, Dr. David Heddle skillfully states my position better than I can here.

Is ID Science, Religion, or Something Else?

Another author points out that the ID movement is a political movement and I have to agree.

So, Science or Not?

Some readers won’t find this article as funny as I did, but it really does drive home the point that ID is not science.

Link Roundup

Obama for Peace: Turn Hope into Action

Help our President live up to his promises and the prize with which he has already been honored.

Why can’t women’s clothing tell us the truth about our bodies</dd>

50 Ways to Never Waste Food Again : Planet Green

Some great tips for those of us trying to be frugal.

How to Talk to Your 43 year-old Son When He’s Only 13

When you speak to your children today, you are also speaking to every day of their future selves. Parenting is outside of time. Take care and take heart in that.

PeaceSigns

A very good summary of different Christian views of peace. The author admits they are generalizations but they are a good start.

PRESS RELEASE: 37SIGNALS VALUATION TOPS $100 BILLION AFTER BOLD VC INVESTMENT – (37signals)

Hilarious!

Oh, FriendFeed is now Facebook’s “official” R&D department!

I’ve loved FriendFeed for a long time and I’ve enjoyed Facebook some recently but I am NOT excited about this deal.

Touch Not the Unclean Thing

I was trying to think of a movies I’ve seen that are related to the topic of peace. I thought of some of the obvious examples, like Ghandi, but the one I remember having a big impact on my thinking was Witness. It was released almost 25 years ago so those of you that haven’t seen it may not be planning on it, but I’m not going to spoil the ending for you because you should definitely watch it.

I saw this in college in a theater full of violence loving students and I’m afraid they mostly missed the point. With Harrison Ford as the lead, I’m assuming that most Americans missed the point too. Pay attention to the real message.

Turn Hope into Action

In keeping with this weeks topic, I found this interesting idea - Obama for Peace: Turn Hope into Action.

If you’d like to see our President live up to his promises and the prize with which he was honored, check out the site.

Monuments to Peace

Yesterdays post reminded me of a great site I wanted to share with you.

Peace Monuments Around the World “contains information about many peace monuments — over time and in all parts of world.”

I find it inspiring.

Obama Wins Nobel Peace Prize – I Agree with Bill O’Reilly?

I hate to be one of millions of voices saying the same thing, but I simply must say something about this.

If you know me, or have read any of my thoughts over the last year, you know that I support President Barrack Obama. I voted for him. As it stands now, I would vote for him again. I don’t support everything he supports but I believe he is the right leader for our nation at this point.

But, like many others, I feel like the Nobel Peace Prize is premature. Along with many of us, the President himself feels that this award was a call to action. A call to follow up his words with deeds. I agree with all of that and I hope it works, but the award should have been given to someone because of his or her accomplishments.

I don’t believe, as some do, that he should have declined the award. The most interesting argument in this regard, though a bit of a stretch in my view, is by Rinku Sen. She writes:

There’s an additional element that affects the struggle for racial justice. Obama talks a lot about personal responsibility for black men. He doesn’t think you should whine and ask for things you’re not willing to earn. Is that just about asking, and never about accepting? Perhaps he will earn it, I’m not saying he won’t, but he hasn’t yet, as he himself acknowledged.
— Obama Should Have Turned It Down

As usual, I also don’t agree with Rush Limbaugh when he claims that this makes our President a laughing stock. He writes:

Folks, the Nobel Peace Prize, we owe ‘em. Our president has become a laughingstock. They are telling jokes about Barack Obama even in State-Controlled Media. ABC is assembling what they think are the funniest jokes that they’re finding anywhere, from blogs to State-Controlled Media sources and so forth and it’s hilarious. Everybody in the world is laughing except the Norwegians, everybody is laughing at our president. You know, I’m a former nominee for the Nobel Peace Prize. I was nominated this year, the year that Gore got the Peace Prize, official nominee. I’m especially qualified to comment on this. I’m much closer to having won a Nobel Peace Prize than any of you people are because I’ve actually been nominated. (laughing) And, by the way, when I was nominated there wasn’t any laughter. No, there was no laughter. There was anger and rage from certain sectors of this country, but there was no laughter. Our president has won the Peace Prize, and he is a standing joke.
— Our President is a Laughingstock: Obama Awarded Nobel Peace Prize

I also don’t subscribe to the notion that Obama won because he is black. Rinku Sen writes:

I’m sure the Nobel committee is very, very smart, but it all made me wonder if they’re so eager to reward the first black president of the U.S. that they wanted to get it done now, just in case he turns out to be a warmonger robbing them of their chance to meet the coolest kid on the block. — Obama Should Have Turned It Down

and this wingnut writes:

I did not realize the Nobel Peace Prize had an affirmative action quota for it, but that is the only thing I can think of for this news. There is no way Barack Obama earned it in the nominations period.
— Barack Obama Wins Nobel Peace Prize: He’s Becoming Jimmy Carter Faster Than Jimmy Carter Did.

What surprised me most about all of this is that I agree with Bill O’Reilly’s comments. I’m pleasantly surprised by his comments on this. He writes:

“Talking Points” does not share the dissent — understands it, but does not share it — because having a U.S. president honored with a peace prize is good for the country. We should want the world to think we are a nation that gives peace a chance, because that’s what we are.

In the past, Teddy Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson won the prize. Jimmy Carter received it after he left office. Yasser Arafat also won the Nobel Peace Prize, if you can believe it. But so did Martin Luther King Jr. and Mother Teresa.

There are times when what’s good for America should trump partisan politics. President Obama was honored Friday, and deserved or not, the world is hearing “America” and “peace” in the same sentence. That’s good.

— Talking Points — Monday 10/12/2009

There are a lot of negative things one might say about this development but I have to agree that this is good for America.

Link Roundup

The Case Against Apple–in Five Parts

Jason raises some excellent questions – questions many of us have been talking about for years.

The 7 vices of highly creative people

So, your bad habits might be a sign of creative genius.

Happy (alleged) Birthday Mr. President

Very funny.

Five Ways to Fix Netflix

An interesting list of suggestions which actually reinforce what an excellent service NetFlix is.

Why My Wife Doesn’t Cook Dinner

So many people fail to consider opportunity costs. This is a simple example of how that might lead you to do the wrong thing.

Should Wedding Party In Viral YouTube Video Get A Cut Of Music Sale Profits?

No, they should not. I understand the point being made here and I agree that if anyone is going to claim right to profit it might be them but this is where the absurdity of intellectual properties leads

Why The FCC Wants To Smash Open The iPhone

Smash it open!

Great Site: How To Become A Hacker

While digging through my notes looking for a great site to post today I ran into this gem – How To Become A Hacker

I read this years ago but the information is still extremely valuable.

A Lottery for Smart People?

A group of credit unions in Michigan has come up with Freakonomics dubs a “lottery for smart people.”

I can’t remember the last time I saw an idea that was as bad as this but seems right the first time you hear it.