Elphaba, where are you?

Elphaba. The name of the heroine of sorts in Gregory Maguire's novel Wicked.

This is also the screen name Brett's wife told me she would use were she ever to post on this blog.

This is my official request for her to begin doing just that. Of course, this would mean she would have to start reading this blog.

She would be the perfect addition to an already practically perfect blog. She's intelligent, attractive, and opinionated - how couldn't she fit in here?

She's an elementary school teacher who's off for the summer, so what better way for her to continue enriching her mind, and voicing her opininons?

I think she's reluctant to blog because she's afraid she might make us mad. To that I say, "your husband makes us mad all the time, and we still talk to him." (insert smiley face here). I'm sure I piss off people all the time, and girlfriday doesn't exactly mince words. I mean, really, Lois is the only nice one. It's always been that way.

But I digress.

Come on, Elphaba. Everybody else is doing it.

Does anyone second this?

"I have no response to that"

On a recent episode of "The Daily Show," Jon Stewart interviewed Ramesh Ponnuru, author of the book "The Party of Death: The Democrats, the Media, the Courts, and the Disregard for Human Life." I'm assuming the title is self-explanatory.

Stewart pointed out to him that he, and a lot of other people, would be more willing to listen to his arguments if Ponnuru at least became open to the idea that the government shouldn't be able to tell a woman what to do with her body, at least in the first trimester of a pregnancy.

Ponnuru responded that he doesn't believe it's right to take an innocent life for the well-being of an adult.

Stewart's response was, "well, isn't that how we justify the killing of civilians in Iraq?" Thousands of civilians have died, and we're all supposed to be okay with that because it's for our safety, and for the greater good of our country.

I have no response to that.

Do you?

Why I'm Not Buying the Dixie Chicks' New Album.

And I want to oh so badly. I love the Chicks' music. Up until a couple of years ago, there wasn't a band on the planet I liked I as much as those three girls. Even when Natalie Maines made her now infamous remarks in London, I didn't really care. I didn't take down my giant, framed poster of them hanging in my room. I thought the remarks were cowardly - like Maines would ever have the Thatchers to make that comment during a concert in Alabama - but it wasn't going to keep me from listening to their music.

Until yesterday I was still debating whether or not to purchase the new album. Then I heard some interview clips of theirs, and the Chicks made up my mind for me.

Maines starts out by saying she's never claimed to be "country to the core," which is true. I've often heard her in interviews talk about how she has been more influenced musically by rock music than by country. Then Emily says they really didn't like where country music was being taken. It was all becoming "red neck."

So true. And I would never categorize a song about two women, Marianne and Wanda, "both members of the 4H club, both active in the FFA" who poison Wanda's abusive husband with black-eyed peas, as "redneck." Nor would I call a song entitled "White Trash Wedding" that's about a pregnant young girl marrying her boyfriend, while her disapproving father looks on, "redneck" either. No, those are very rock and roll.

Puh-leeze.

It's like they're trying to convince us that this was their plan all along. "We didn't like the direction in which country music was heading, so we decided to piss off 75% of our fan base just so we could make a rock album." I'm not buying it.

To top off the interview Maines said she would be happy if people just buy this album out of "protest." Stay classy, Natalie.

So apparently it's not all about the music. As much as I want to buy this album, to finally have some new Dixie Chicks songs to belt out as a I drive alone in my car, I have to be honest with myself. If this album is all about protest (and with a single like "I'm Not Ready to Make Nice" as the first cut off the album, it's apparent that it is), and I'm not protesting what they're protesting, then I shouldn't buy it.

But I'm not going to send them death threats, or rent a giant bulldozer just so I can plow over their CD's. I'll still listen to their other three albums, because they will always be three of my favorite albums of all time. But I doubt I'll be buying another album of theirs in the future. And that makes me a little sad.

Of Cookouts

What was yesterday?

I intended to post a little something about remembering, thinking that Memorial Day was about honoring the dead. It turns out Memorial Day began as a national day of remembrance for fallen soldiers.

It felt awkward to write about remembrance when I haven't lost anyone to war.

My grandfather was a navigator in World War II and survived to marry one of the most beautiful women I've known and to produce all of us. My great uncle earned a Purple Heart from service in the Korean War. There are others.

We went to a cookout because we had a day off work. Which makes me wonder: what did you do for Memorial Day?

Jonah Goldberg is picking on Al Gore

Normally this is just doing God's work.

But after reading this excerpt from this article, I have to wonder if Mr. Goldberg speaks a foreign language. As any foreign language student will tell you, grammar and pronunciation are two very different things. And in my case, ne'er the twain shall meet.

My Texan sister knows French better than most Frenchies. She has a strong command of the English language, which helps, but she also understands French grammar. She always has.

Her accent is lacking though. Mine is better, but I spent some time in France. (No fair.)

Of course I can't read a lick of French and was lucky to escape high school and college French with Bs & Cs. But while I was in France I relied on French to communicate with Germans, Spaniards and West Londoners. Taking an interest in and pursuing the elusive French accent might be part of the reason for my success, such as it was.

Mr. Gore may tell petty lies, but that doesn't mean he can't pronounce them properly, non?

Well this is a relief:

"Good news for women: The study that said you are more likely to be killed by a terrorist than marry after the age of forty, is wrong."

Quite possibly the most moronic teaser for an upcoming story on one of those stupid afternoon pseudo-news shows.

Wistfully, she said

I remember a day when there were other contributors to this blog.

"But the truth is that abortion, like having a baby, losing a parent, having sex for the first time, getting married, etc. is a rite of passage."

This is a quote from a writer at Abortion Clinic Days where contributors journal about encounters with women seeking abortions. By expressing resignation and remorse at this "difficult, private decision," this blog is a clever way to romanticize cruelty.

It is also a forum for bashing pro-life extremism.

Though of course they don't realize they are engaging in the same kind of idiotic rhetoric they are so fond of accusing their opponents of. A rite of passage indeed! We may just as soon call the severing of a limb or a felony conviction a rite of passage.

In 2001, after a particularly inflammatory statement by Dick Gephardt, George Will wrote, "All extremists share an attribute: They elevate a single value over all others...Extremists are, in the phrase of the 19th-century historian Jacob Burckhardt, 'terrible simplifiers.'"

"But the truth is..." No, that is not the truth. But it does make you an extremist for saying it is.

Chesterton Smackdown!

Oh, Mr. Chesterton, motherhood is so smallish. It is drudgery defined. I am destined for greater things.

"To be Queen Elizabeth within a definite area, deciding sales, banquets, labors and holidays; to be Whiteley within a certain area, providing toys, boots, sheets cakes. and books, to be Aristotle within a certain area, teaching morals, manners, theology, and hygiene; I can understand how this might exhaust the mind, but I cannot imagine how it could narrow it.

How can it be a large career to tell other people’s children about the Rule of Three, and a small career to tell one’s own children about the universe? How can it be broad to be the same thing to everyone, and narrow to be everything to someone? No; a woman’s function is laborious, but because it is gigantic, not because it is minute..."

H/T Briana's Brain (read it all here). Not really her brain, which I've never seen or tipped my hat to. Though its carrier is formidable.

Joy Inexpressible

Last night during a Bible study on Romans, the minister recalled a dark period of his life when he was living in rebellion against God. He asked his wife if God could forgive his sins, even in his low estate. She said that if Christ knew his sins when He died on the Cross, but still died for him, then He could and would forgive his sins now. He loved him then. He loved him still.

The minister went on: Christ knew we would continue sinning after we were saved, but He still died for us.

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.

I wonder when it will settle in my heart: I was and am the sinner that Christ died for; died for in full knowledge of who I am.

I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.

While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

I sin.
He dies.
I am delivered from wrath.

Tuesday Night Idolatry

Taylor Hicks, Katherine McPhee, blah, blah, etc.

Was it just me or does Chris Daughtery have a halo around his head?

Good News: the Republican Establishment Didn't Want Sali to Win

According to the Idaho Statesman, "Sali was one of the Republican nominees the Democrats were rooting for — for the same reason many top Republican elected leaders supported Keith Johnson and Sheila Sorensen. As conservative columnist Robert Novak wrote last week, Sali is "'detested by the state's Republican establishment for reasons of both conservative principle and his lack of personal skills.'"

This is a good sign. Firstly, because the Statesman found it newsworthy. Secondly, because the Democrats were excited about it, and finally, because the 1st Congressional District loves a candidate who is plain-spoken, rough around the edges and disliked by the so-called Republican Establishment.

I recall a crowded primary in 1994 where a plain spoken, belipsticked long-shot beat out all the Establishment favorites for the nomination then went on to trounce incumbent Larry LaRocco in the general election.

Here's to the 1st Congressional District of Idaho!

Kat McPhee is Going Down, and Someone is Going to Win the Republican Nomination for the 1st CD

I'm certain there are as many Americans interested in the 1st Congressional District of Idaho as there are Americans who voted in tonight's Idol standoff.

At least we all know who is going to win that title tomorrow.

In the meantime, the 1st CD is a toss-up, but you can track the results here. Make your predictions if you like. It's Sorenson or Sali, though Johnson may be a surprise contender.

UPDATE: It's 11:15 and 48% of precincts in the First District are reporting. It's close, but Sali is leading. Too early to call. Luna and Smylie are neck and neck in the race for Public Instruction.

UPDATE: Wasden is spanking Gabbert. With 52% of precincts reporting, Sali's lead grows. Brandt isn't doing well at all. Too bad. Nice guy.

UPDATE: Results haven't updated in a while. Sali still leads, but essentially half the district's votes have yet to be reported! Luna and Smylie are so close: with 65% of precincts reporting, Smylie is leading by 1,000 votes.

FINAL UPDATE: 80% of precincts in the 1st CD are reporting, and Sali has a 3,000+ vote lead over Keith Johnson and Sheila Sorenson, who are only a hundred votes apart. Vasquez is next, but still far behind, and Brandt and Semanko barely register. Luna is going to lose to Smylie. That's not good at all. Hurray for Bill!

OOPS, JUST KIDDING, ANOTHER UPDATE: The Idaho Statesman is reporting that Tom Luna edged Steve Smylie out by fewer than 900 votes. Wowzers.

That said...

Bill Sali is my choice for the 1st Congressional District. Obviously we share the same values, but that is not always enough. (Dennis Mansfield comes to mind as an exception.)

There is another side to Bill Sali that I like. He gets it. When the Legislature cut Medicaid funding for dental care, Bill realized this was a mistake that would cost the State of Idaho a bunch of money. He was right. When uninsured Idahoans don't have access to basic medical or dental care, they show up in the ER for care. Taxpayers, and hospitals, foot the bill.

In 2004, in an effort to find outside-the-box ways to increase access, a group of us proposed legislation to create a new license for retired dentists; a license that would permit them to practice (gratis of course) in hospitals, schools and community-based dental clinics without the financial burden of renewing their license. No fiscal impact, and it received broad support.

There were three bills that the Board of Dentistry supported that year, and they were linked. If one went down, all three would go.

We almost lost them in the House Committee on Health and Welfare. I left in a slump--right before Mr. Sali realized the implications of the vote and saved all three bills.

It was a bit of unrecognized heroism and I won't forget it. I won't forget that a man called a foam-at-the-mouth conservative supported increased access to dental services for the underserved.

You'll always know where Bill Sali stands. If you haven't voted yet, click here for information about Sali. There's an impressive list of endorsements, too.

Primary Follow Up

Word to the wise Democrat: If you're considering a party switch to vote against those you consider more rabidly conservative, think twice. This tactic was unsuccessfully used in the 1998 primary election when one-trick nutcase Jim Pratt garnered 17,926 votes against Congressman Helen Chenoweth.

Not only did it not unseat Chenoweth, it cost Golden Boy and political favorite Wally Hedrick the race for State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Political non-entity Marilyn Howard still reigns.

UPDATE: Red State Rebels is live-blogging from the Dem Headquarters at the Mode Building. "Richard Stallings took the stage a few minutes ago and said that there's word that quite a few Republicans crossed over to vote the Democratic ballot today. The room is filling up!"

Primary Colors

Today is Election Day in Idaho.

It's not always clear who to vote for in a primary. There are no frothing protesters waving "Can Helen, Not Salmon" signs. Lines in the sand are more suggestion than form. And just how pro-gun can someone be?

On the ballot for the First Congressional District: a handful of men, mostly office-holders, and one woman, a former state senator, none of them willing to withdraw from the crowded race in an effort to ensure the strongest Republican candidate possible wins.

This leaves friends who share gossip and sesame chicken at Lincoln Day dinners as short-lived enemies and the average voter in a quandary.

So I suggest that if we cannot agree on who to vote for let us agree on who to vote against: posers.

Give me a starry-eyed, bleeding heart idealist over a politician who runs for office under whichever banner elicits the most votes in that state.

Words mean things. Party platforms were written to help voters distinguish between serious candidates. If you cannot assent to the majority of a party's platform, find another stage.

Sheila Sorenson is not a conservative but she is running as one. She is a Republican only in the broadest sense, which makes her an ideal candidate in New York. This is not mud-slinging. Review her voting record in the Legislature. You won't be fooled.

If you want a Democrat in the 1st CD, vote for Larry Grant in November. But don't waste your vote today.

Separate but Equal

Lavendar graduations for gay and lesbian students. Because your sexual orientation has a lot to do with your study habits.

This drives girlfriday nuts

I've posted on Baby Whisperer, and I'd love feedback on my thoughts. I figure I've posted enough recently on gf to allow myself to announce posts on my own site. It's such a rare event, I wouldn't want any of you miss out.

My List is Somewhat Shorter

Ewan McGregor
Tobey Maguire
Viggo Mortenson
Joaquin Phoenix
Either of the Wilsons
This guy.

I'm game

I call this my "I'm married, I don't have a list ... but this is who WOULD be on my list" list:

Bono
Johnny Depp
Ewan McGregor
Ben Stiller
John Krasinski
Harry Connick Jr.
Colin Firth
Sting
Enrique Murciano
Jared Padalecki

A Change Will Do You Good

The editorial board at girlfriday has unanimously voted to allow anonymous posting for a trial period.

The rule is: use your name. Don't be a coward. If you don't want a blogger account, we understand. But don't leave us to:

(a) guess your identity
(b) guess incorrectly and fire-bomb the wrong house
(c) delete your comment

If you have an account with another kind of blog publisher, please indicate it.

Try it out, non-bloggers. And when we say non-bloggers, we mean Brett.

So as not to ruin my reputation as the most shallow writer on this blog. . .

. . . here is my list of my top 10 favorite men in Hollywood. Superficial? Yes. But feel free to add your own list:

(these are in no particular order - I just can't decide, although Adam probably is number one)

Adam Brody
Matthew Perry
Jon Stewart
Colin Firth
Peter Krause
Ewan McGregor
Jason Bateman
Matthew McConaughey
Vince Vaughn
John Krasinski

Riddle me this:

Why have I wasted my time on this season of American Idol? All it has done is disappoint me.

The Peacock is Going Down

"ALPHABET SHIFTING 'ANATOMY'

ABC pits medical drama against 'CSI,' 'Studio 60'

'Grey's Anatomy' is heading to Thursdays.

As expected, Alphabet web will become a major Thursday night force this fall when it moves mega hit 'Grey's Anatomy' into the 9 pm hour - a move pitting the sudser against CBS' 'CSI' and, for now, NBC's new Aaron Sorkin drama 'Studio 60.'"

Via Variety.com

I Don't Play Tennis.

When I say this, I mean that I don't play well enough to call the game tennis. I don't know the rules. I'm not quick on my feet. I can't hit the ball.

This is pretty straightforward.

It wanders aimlessly in translation, though, when I say it to a man. The first response is, "That's okay. I don't play well either." Then, "You'll fit right in." Finally, "Just have a good time."

This means: I play reasonably well. I know all the rules. I've never competed at any serious level, but I have good eye-hand coordination, tolerable skill and have been playing off and on since I was a boy. I am a competitor and I enjoy playing competitors.

The results are the same. It dawns on the men that I was serious about not being able to play. I become a drain on the team. My best efforts send the ball sailing over the 20-foot fence or slamming into the net. I don't yell or swear; I become humorless, impassive.

Only the most laid back of men don't mind playing with me. The rest will think twice before suggesting a friendly game...of serious tennis.

Tuesday Night Idolatry

Remember people, anyone but Taylor.

There is still 45 minutes to vote.

Scotland Defeats Bulgaria

There is some kind of sweet, sweet irony here.

I doubt you get it.

File under: How DO you sleep at night?

[Amnesty International] called on the government to close a loophole which allows execution equipment to be exported from the UK after it emerged that David Lucas, 58, a farmer of Mildenhall, Suffolk, was making the gallows to sell to foreign governments.

His range of execution equipment includes single gallows, for about £12,000 each, and "multi-hanging execution systems" mounted on lorry trailers, costing about £100,000.

...Mr. Lucas stressed that his business was legal.

"It isn't a sick trade at all," he said. "At the end of the day, business is business."

God bless his pea-picking, enterprising heart. On that Awful Day, Mr. Lucas will be safe. God is a Capitalist.

Via The Scotsman.

"He wore paisley, people."

Here's a really funny article from the Washington Post on why American Idol voters are complete idiots for voting off Chris Daughtry:

...................................................................................


"The departure of rocker Chris Daughtry from "American Idol" means that the squishy middle has won once again. Daughtry was voted off the show this week, leaving behind three uninspired performers who may appeal to the masses but lack any distinctive personal style.

Daughtry glared. He glowered. He did the rock-star growl during which he looked to be at risk of popping his jugular. He wore cool shades. Oh sure, he was cocky. But he should have been. He was the best. America, have you no soul?

Yamin seems like a nice guy. He has a nice voice and he wears a lot of tasteful blazers, which should serve him well should he ever find himself sitting in the human resources office of an insurance agency. McPhee seems like a pleasant girl. She has a pleasant voice. She's a brunette beauty with long legs and nice cleavage -- that she has amiably displayed -- which should all serve her well . . . no matter what. Last month, when Hicks wore that ice-blue Costume National suit, it seemed he had style possibilities. He refused to dye his gray hair and he has an interesting gravelly voice. But then he wore a paisley shirt, sang Wild Cherry's "Play That Funky Music" and writhed on the floor like a Joe Cocker impersonator. He wore paisley, people. He cannot win and he will be discussed no further.

It may be that Daughtry was done in by the system. To attract voters, the contestants must be desperately humble. Aw shucks, pick me! Love me! They must display a freeze-frame grin for the camera and then flail their fingers around like they're practicing Chisanbop to remind viewers of which number to call to cast their vote. Winning "American Idol" requires the perfect balance of mediocrity and humility. The better the voice, the style, the package, the more self-effacing the performer must be. Whoever heard of a humble rocker? Daughtry was doomed.

Now that he's gone, there is a choice of nice Elliott, pleasant Katharine and the paisley karaoke king who shall not be named. As so often is the case, the quality of the candidates makes it hard to go to the polls."

...................................................................................


Here, here! If it's McPhee and Hicks in the final two, I'll vomit. I'd say I won't watch the finale, but I don't think I have that kind of self-control. But I won't enjoy it. How can I watch the rest of this season without Chris? He was supposed to win.

He was supposed to win.

But he's not going to, so it has to be Elliot.

You hear me, people? It has to be Elliot. When voting next week just remember seeing Kat standing next to Chris as they called Chris's name. It was between Kat and Chris, and Kat stayed.

I'm all for an guys-only finale. The last exciting finale was Ruben vs. Clay. Diana Degarmo making it to the top two opposite Fantasia was just a joke, and Bo and Carrie both had boring, mediocre performances on their last night of performing. If Elliot and Taylor can make it exciting, I'm all for that.

As long as Elliot wins.

"He wore paisley, people."

"The fear-mongering we depict in the film reminds me of President Bush and his guys."

Mel Gibson, we hardly knew ye.

It's been an emotional week for me. . .

what with . . .

. . . finding out three of the seven Camden kids are pregnant with twins.

. . . Lorelai making the biggest mistake ever.

. . . Chris being sent home.

. . . contemplating the fate of Grace and her baby.

. . . and Pam and Jim finally owning up to their feelings for each other - by far, the best surprise of the week!

What will next week bring?

. . . saying farewell to an administration I used to love.

. . . hoping Kat goes home, because I've decided to take my anger out on her.

. . . finally finding out if Leo and Grace will end up together.

. . . waiting to see if Eric returns to take Donna back, and discovering the fate of Red, Kitty, Kelso, Fez, Jackie, and Hyde.

. . . watching Seth, Summer, Ryan, and Marissa graduate together.

And, in my real life, school's done. Woo-hoo!

Reflection is Inconvenient; Resort to Name-Calling

More thoughts on the 63 year-old woman who, through the magic of fertility treatment, is on the road to becoming Great Britain's oldest mum…

This Guardian writer posits that nay-sayers of the procedure (and there haven't been many) are sexist.
Those who are horrified should ask honestly whether it is really the fate of her child that concerns them. I hope they are equally worried about every child of problematic mothers too. Or is this just a visceral yuk about old women's bodies that they don't feel about old men's?

The author suggests that cries of, "It's not natural!" are meaningless. After all, nature is a cruel mistress. Disease is an example of this. In fact, overcoming nature is often a sign of progress.

With that loaded argument swept aside, sexism remains as the only source of consternation.

There is a problem with this logic. We cannot compare disease with pregnancy. This doesn't involve the cell-ravaging effects of cancer or the mind-ravaging effects of Alzheimer’s. Honest attempts to eradicate Polio are hardly synonymous with, let's say, cloning. Healing can be distinguished from manipulating.

It's unfortunate that a 63 year old sperm is just as good, so to speak, as a 25 year-old sperm but a 63 year old uterus is different than a 25 year-old uterus. Nature makes the distinction. So should we.

When nature sends women through menopause, nature is sending a message that this woman is past childbearing, and childrearing, years.

I suppose that we are all beneficiaries of the "progress" of conquering nature. I am quite fond of modern dentistry as I am a big fan of my own teeth. But we should be wary about getting too excited about conquering nature. When all of outside nature is conquered, there is only one undiscovered country left, and that is the brave new world of human nature (forgive the mixed metaphors). I prefer to leave that nature unconquered by science.

Sexism is not the only possible explanation for serious reflection on these matters. It is low to imply it.

"A litte perspective?" Too bad it's the wrong one.

Red State Rebels feigns moderation with a post about the Patrick Kennedy car crash.

But please, let's have some perspective. One Democratic congressman gets in some hot water. (OK, maybe two, if you count Cynthia McKinney.) Meanwhile, practically every Republican congressman has financial ties to Tom DeLay, and corruption has run rampant through the White House. Reporting on a troubled Kennedy may be sexy, but it won't erase the fact that the Republicans - under the Bush administration - have set new standards for malfeasance and inept, irresponsible government.

(Hunting accidents are big news at Red State Rebels, but reporting on a congressman driving under the influence of prescription medication is an example of the wolves circling.)

As per usual, the argument goes: Yeah, there may have been some indiscretions here and there, but this is nothing compared to Republicans, who are actually Spawn of the Devil. There are some corrupt Republicans, so they're all bad. Unlike the Dems, which make a few embarrassing missteps but are sweetness and light otherwise.

Julie cites financial ties to Tom DeLay. She is referring to the political action committee, ARMPAC, that he co-founded. This means, unequivocally, that every congressman who has accepted a donation from a political action committee, funded by the donations of companies and private donors alike, has "financial ties" to Tom DeLay. And that means they are corrupt, inept and irresponsible.

This is a blogger trying to help win an election for a Democrat in a state dominated by Republicans who elect congressman that accept donations from ARMPAC.

Forget childhood obesity

We're starting them too late. Instead of couch potatoes, why not turn them into couch tater tots right away? Read all about it.

Good Taste

A virtue entirely lacking among Americans.

Ms. Althouse isn't abundant in it either, it seems.

I've said it before: he is a wordsmith. A doctor and a father and a lot of other serious and wonderful things, he writes too, but I only understand a fraction of it. When I do, I feel like I've been let in on a wonderful secret.

Some recent gems:

It was not Paris that made it good. It was the souls I have learned to love so well that made Paris a place of joy that day. When we travel, we must not forget to pack love. This is the beginning of pilgrimage.

and

Since then I have been thinking alot about revolutions. Not the bloody, political kind. The real ones that happen, large and small, in the hearts of men.

and

It is not what one believes. Or what one thinks, what one has been taught to think...It is what one wants, what one desires.

Here a living soul raises a face, here we raise our hand, fingers spread, palm upward, reaching because we would, future subjunctive, receive...and find, wholly surprised and wholly expected, our palm pressed tight against a scarred and pulsing Presence, a Hand which begins a new world by wiping away our tears.

That last one reminds me of a sermon by Carl Durham. "The battle for the Christian life is won or lost in our desires." If we don't want Christ, and of course that desire waxes and wanes, but if we don't want Christ, then what does it matter what we do?

Pamela Anderson: Ideal Candidate for Pregnancy

The doctor behind the procedure that artificially impregnated a Patricia Rashbrook, a 63-year old British woman, is quoted on CNN as saying:

He said Rashbrook, whom he last saw in November, was "perfect" for the treatment, because although she was 62 at the time, she had a biological age of about 45.

"She came here with her husband, the couple love each other, she is very slim, blonde and in perfect condition, she fits all the criteria for maternity."

Slim and blonde. These are what God looks for in a mother.

Ah, spring

Few things are better on God's green earth than while walking down a sidewalk, you find yourself passing by a lilac bush that's overflowing with vibrant blooms -- their scent is pure divinity.

Gmail is Watching You

Ms. Neidlinger and I have been emailing about the debate that's sweeping the Internet: Skirts v. Pants!

In the email compose mode, Gmail is pushing advertising relevant to our conversation. Am I the only one who thinks this is strange? Here are some examples:

Plus Size Skirt Comfortable Summer Outfits.
Size 14-32 clothing and much more.
www.avenue.com

Dance Skirts and Dresses
Huge Selection of Apparel
Save up to 30% off of Retail.
www.Dancewearsolutions.com

White Skirt
White skirt Online.
Shop Target.com
www.Target.com

Boy, I sure know how to sober this blog up!

Too bad Stephen Colbert doesn't have more to say on the nature of man. But speaking of Stephen Colbert...

OGDEN, Utah — An embarrassed charter school has discovered it booked the wrong Jon Stewart for its annual gala.

The DaVinci Academy thought it had made a deal with comedian Jon Stewart, star of "The Daily Show" and host of this year's Academy Awards, to appear next week.

It sent out 500 invitations to businesses and planned for 900 people.

But last week, it learned that it had booked Jon A. Stewart, a former motivational speaker, businessman and part-time professional wrestler from Chicago...

A Stewart had responded, and through months of discussion there was no indication that they had not booked the Stewart they wanted, officials said.

But last week the Standard-Examiner in Ogden called Jon Stewart's publicist in Beverly Hills, and found that the only place Stewart was scheduled to be the night of the gala was on "The Daily Show." DaVinci leaders were informed of that fact Friday.

"It's been a whirlwind ... but the community has really rallied around with support," said Debbie Legge, president of the school's board of directors. "It's not about celebrities. It's about kids and helping them get a good education."

...The school is offering refunds to those who had purchased tickets expecting to see the comedian. Some already have received refunds.

That is a whopper of a mistake. Worse than being led to believe you're going to receive a serious interview from Mr. Stewart on The Daily Show.

This is a problem with relying on email as your primary form of communication. It would not have been difficult for anyone at DaVinci to pick up the phone and verbally verify the arrangement.

I also think Mr. Stewart the Wrestler should speak. I'd go. For a laugh.

Wherever You Go, There You Are.

The problem with being human is that you are.

Self consciousness is the hardest thing in the world. Didn't Calvin write that there are two things we cannot know apart from God: God and ourselves?

How can we be both Priest and Worm? Kings and Queens and Beggars? Cedars and Grass?

Come and let us reason together. It is an other-worldy reason that God appeals to. Ho, every one that thirsts, come to the waters and he that has no money; come, buy and eat; yea come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.

Oh, good

This should help not only our problems with Mexico, but also their already corrupt nation.

Geez.

Is it possible. . .

. . . that on a campus of over 50,000 students, I'm the only one walking to and from classes listening to Laura Ingraham on my iPod, and laughing outloud to myself as she mocks Jane Fonda, who in an interview with Barbara Walters, is asked who should run for president in '08, and she replies "Baracka"?

Probably so.