Current events dictate that the foreseen apocalypse is nearing, just read on...
The Police reunite for the Grammys... And they won't be pulling you over in your gramma's oldsmobile, either. Hopefully, a little bit of Synchronicity will be in order!
A Resurrected Castro Meets with Chavez... There's no other way this previously thought to be dead dictator could travel to Venezuela. And to meet with President Hugo Chavez. Obviously, to barter for the fountain of life. I think we all know the fountain of life is in Paraguay, right Jenna?
US Under Pressure to Stop Saying No... What these poor fleeing Iraqis don't realize is that the US spent most of the 1980s learning how to Just Say NO. The only Yes we know is the one who sang "Owner of a Lonely Heart."
Bush Accused of Distorting Evidence on Global Warming... Oh, c'mon! There are obviously much bigger fish to fry! Hmmm... maybe the bigger fish are too tainted.
Harry Potter Strips... Oh, dear! The world is coming to an end! Eeeeck! Wa..wa..wa...wait! Oh, my. Haaaary Paaahhhhhter! Oh, yeeees! The end times are near.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
The Best of 2006
It's 2007! And it is time to review the best of 2006. Let' s see what 06 gave us:
Best Science Book Edit: Pluto, formerly known as a Planet
Best Moment in Satire: Stephen Colbert at the White House Correspondent's Dinner
Best Dictionary Addition: Truthiness, again, thanks to Stephen Colbert
Best Political Coup: Democrats winning majority in both House and Senate
Best Presidential Boo-boo: "The only way we can win is to leave before the job is done"
Best Repetitive Ad: Head On, apply directly to the forehead; Head-On, apply directly to the forehead...(repeat, repeat, repeat)
(My) Best Epiphany: One who looks for the truth in the world will look forever and never find it. One who looks for the truth within, will see the truth for what it is to them.--Me
Best Reincarnation of Edward R. Murrow: Keith Olbermann
Best Time Person of the Year: Me (And you thought it was going to be You! Kind of selfish, isn't it!!)
Oh, I could go on, but I'll end it there, because 2007 is already here and it is beginning to be such an excellent year already.
Best Science Book Edit: Pluto, formerly known as a Planet
Best Moment in Satire: Stephen Colbert at the White House Correspondent's Dinner
Best Dictionary Addition: Truthiness, again, thanks to Stephen Colbert
Best Political Coup: Democrats winning majority in both House and Senate
Best Presidential Boo-boo: "The only way we can win is to leave before the job is done"
Best Repetitive Ad: Head On, apply directly to the forehead; Head-On, apply directly to the forehead...(repeat, repeat, repeat)
(My) Best Epiphany: One who looks for the truth in the world will look forever and never find it. One who looks for the truth within, will see the truth for what it is to them.--Me
Best Reincarnation of Edward R. Murrow: Keith Olbermann
Best Time Person of the Year: Me (And you thought it was going to be You! Kind of selfish, isn't it!!)
Oh, I could go on, but I'll end it there, because 2007 is already here and it is beginning to be such an excellent year already.
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Jews for Peace
When I first saw the headline "Unorthodox Jews" I admit that I thought they were addressing the issue of the Menorah at Seattle's international airport, but once I read that it was about rabbis attending a holocaust denial conference I thought hell was freezing over. Surely, the Messiah is coming again soon.
Apparently, these rabbis were not there to deny the holocaust, as they believe that it was a part of God's will. They were there because they feel that the current state of Isreal is not a part of God's will and should be dissolved so Jews and Palestinians can live peacefully again.
That is a noble cause. Living peacefully. Let's be honest, can anyone live peacefully in the Middle East? That part of the world has been a hot bed for violence since day one. If peace does happen anywhere in the Middle East, that will be God's will. In the meantime, if rabbis can work for peace, maybe imams can work for peace, too. And then, maybe the rest of the world will follow suit...
Peace in our day? Don't hold your breath. Who knows, though, it might just be on the horizon.
Apparently, these rabbis were not there to deny the holocaust, as they believe that it was a part of God's will. They were there because they feel that the current state of Isreal is not a part of God's will and should be dissolved so Jews and Palestinians can live peacefully again.
That is a noble cause. Living peacefully. Let's be honest, can anyone live peacefully in the Middle East? That part of the world has been a hot bed for violence since day one. If peace does happen anywhere in the Middle East, that will be God's will. In the meantime, if rabbis can work for peace, maybe imams can work for peace, too. And then, maybe the rest of the world will follow suit...
Peace in our day? Don't hold your breath. Who knows, though, it might just be on the horizon.
Monday, November 27, 2006
Pope's Turkey Visit is This Week!
Pope Benedict XVI's trip to Turkey is this week! Apparently, the article I read from last week made it sound like it was to happen last week, which, of course, it didn't. I was just one week ahead of the times.
Or maybe the Vatican has decided to postpone the trip to this week, as many of the media spinners and satirical news shows like The Daily Show and The Colbert Report had the week of Thanksgiving off to truly enjoy some turkey. Good thing, because all the talk this week will be about what to do with that leftover turkey.
Speaking of leftover turkey, the pope's visit to Turkey will likely not be a leftover affair. And hopefully, Pope Benedict XVI will not use leftover remarks during his speeches in Turkey, as he did several months ago during his German lecture that sparked the Muslim controversy with the pontiff. (Just because the pope quoted from an old byzantine saint that claimed Islam was a violent religion, doesn't mean that Muslim need to prove it, does it??)
After reading stories about this historic visit, I realize that this visit has more to do with the future of Turkey, than the remarks the pope will make. Sure, each word that the pope speaks in this Muslim country is going to be scrutinized to pieces, but this visit is bigger than that. It is going to deal with differences between what the pope represents and the Muslim people. Look at it this way, Turkey has more to lose than the pope if this visit goes down horribly.
So, it's going to be all about differences in ideals and religion, right? It's more than just those basic issues. It's about civilization. Western civilization vs. Eastern civilization, specifically. Right now, Turkey is vying to become a part of the European Union (EU). Turkey officials apparently feel that it would be advantageous for them to be a part of this economic union.
However, to connect with the EU, Turkey would be connecting with predominantly Christian countries. Not only are they Christian, but they are a part of Western civilization, a culture that most Muslims would consider repulsive. It is a clash of cultures.
Beyond the clash, it is about Turkey's past, present and future. Turkey is a historically pivotal country between Western and Eastern civilizations. Turkey is where Christianity saw its rise into prominence with mandated state and country religion, thanks to Emperor Constantine, and it is this role that changed Rome's stance from burning Christians to embracing them. It was at this point in history that Turkey (Byzantine Empire) affected both Eastern and Western civilizations.
Then, Turkey's Byzantine traditions were taken over by the Ottoman empire and changed from Christianity to Islam. Another pivotal moment for Turkey, as Constantinople changed to Istanbul and the Haghia Sophia, Church of Holy Wisdom, was converted to a mosque with minarets and all (and within the last century has been restored and is now a public museum).
Turkey is now facing another pivotal moment. On one side, there's the East with primarily Muslim belief, culture and government states. They offer Turkey their traditions and views of proper Muslim societies, along with isolated cells of muslim extremists. On the other side, is the West, with their free-thinkers, Christian fundamentalists, and (perspectively corrupt) capitalist (and some socialist) countries with their advanced technologies and crazy middle classes.
My personal hope is that the pope sees this visit like a good samaritan. I also hope that Muslims in Turkey will show and prove to the pope that their beliefs are not about violence. Non-violent, peaceful acts can go a long way to prove a point of non-violence. I also hope that Turkey's decision is what truly is best for its country considering their prospects with the EU and working with both Western and Eastern neighbors.
Last thoughts:
I do hope that the pope can enjoy Turkey this week. And I do hope that Turkey will enjoy the pope's visit.
Or maybe the Vatican has decided to postpone the trip to this week, as many of the media spinners and satirical news shows like The Daily Show and The Colbert Report had the week of Thanksgiving off to truly enjoy some turkey. Good thing, because all the talk this week will be about what to do with that leftover turkey.
Speaking of leftover turkey, the pope's visit to Turkey will likely not be a leftover affair. And hopefully, Pope Benedict XVI will not use leftover remarks during his speeches in Turkey, as he did several months ago during his German lecture that sparked the Muslim controversy with the pontiff. (Just because the pope quoted from an old byzantine saint that claimed Islam was a violent religion, doesn't mean that Muslim need to prove it, does it??)
After reading stories about this historic visit, I realize that this visit has more to do with the future of Turkey, than the remarks the pope will make. Sure, each word that the pope speaks in this Muslim country is going to be scrutinized to pieces, but this visit is bigger than that. It is going to deal with differences between what the pope represents and the Muslim people. Look at it this way, Turkey has more to lose than the pope if this visit goes down horribly.
So, it's going to be all about differences in ideals and religion, right? It's more than just those basic issues. It's about civilization. Western civilization vs. Eastern civilization, specifically. Right now, Turkey is vying to become a part of the European Union (EU). Turkey officials apparently feel that it would be advantageous for them to be a part of this economic union.
However, to connect with the EU, Turkey would be connecting with predominantly Christian countries. Not only are they Christian, but they are a part of Western civilization, a culture that most Muslims would consider repulsive. It is a clash of cultures.
Beyond the clash, it is about Turkey's past, present and future. Turkey is a historically pivotal country between Western and Eastern civilizations. Turkey is where Christianity saw its rise into prominence with mandated state and country religion, thanks to Emperor Constantine, and it is this role that changed Rome's stance from burning Christians to embracing them. It was at this point in history that Turkey (Byzantine Empire) affected both Eastern and Western civilizations.
Then, Turkey's Byzantine traditions were taken over by the Ottoman empire and changed from Christianity to Islam. Another pivotal moment for Turkey, as Constantinople changed to Istanbul and the Haghia Sophia, Church of Holy Wisdom, was converted to a mosque with minarets and all (and within the last century has been restored and is now a public museum).
Turkey is now facing another pivotal moment. On one side, there's the East with primarily Muslim belief, culture and government states. They offer Turkey their traditions and views of proper Muslim societies, along with isolated cells of muslim extremists. On the other side, is the West, with their free-thinkers, Christian fundamentalists, and (perspectively corrupt) capitalist (and some socialist) countries with their advanced technologies and crazy middle classes.
My personal hope is that the pope sees this visit like a good samaritan. I also hope that Muslims in Turkey will show and prove to the pope that their beliefs are not about violence. Non-violent, peaceful acts can go a long way to prove a point of non-violence. I also hope that Turkey's decision is what truly is best for its country considering their prospects with the EU and working with both Western and Eastern neighbors.
Last thoughts:
I do hope that the pope can enjoy Turkey this week. And I do hope that Turkey will enjoy the pope's visit.
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Poetry is not dead, yet...
Sometimes it is an engaging glance
happened just perchance;
Or an alluring smile
elevating spiritual ectasy for a while.
More than magic that transcends
it is love that our spirit's tether rends.
Weightless adulation releases the soul
and we are aloft, soaring above it all.
Awe...
For just a moment, until the moment is gone
I will enjoy the love of my beloved's song.
happened just perchance;
Or an alluring smile
elevating spiritual ectasy for a while.
More than magic that transcends
it is love that our spirit's tether rends.
Weightless adulation releases the soul
and we are aloft, soaring above it all.
Awe...
For just a moment, until the moment is gone
I will enjoy the love of my beloved's song.
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