February 2006 Archives

I just happened upon these wonderful quotes from the twentieth century Catholic mystic, Simone Weil:

"Yet I still half refused, not my love but my intelligence. For it seemed to me certain, and I still think so today, that one can never wrestle enough with God if one does so out of pure regard for the truth. Christ likes us to prefer truth to him because, before being Christ, he is truth. If one turns aside from him to go toward the truth, one will not go far before falling into his arms ...

But perhaps God likes to use castaway objects, waste, rejects. After all, should the bread of the host be moldy, it would become the Body of Christ just the same after the priest had consecrated it."

— Simone Weil, Waiting on God (1951)

I've been dozing on the news lately, but this piece perfectly highlights the craven hypocrisy of both houses of congress.

There was no unified opposition to Bush when he illegally authorized wiretaps on US citizens, bypassing the constitutional and legal checks and balances designed to protect civil freedoms. But now, they are all of one voice in demanding he block the sale of British port management firm P&O to Dubai Ports World, owned by the United Arab Emirates. It is apparently a matter of grave national security concern that management of the ports of New York, New Jersey, Baltimore, New Orleans, Miami and Philadelphia is suddenly falling into the hands of evil Arab terrorists.

'Zounds, a dog, a rat, a mouse, a cat, to scratch a man to death!

Given the general knowledge skills of congress members, most of them probably couldn't finger Dubai on a map of the world before this week. So why all the fuss? As Bush and others in the administration point out, these ports are already under 'foreign' (British) management. Port security is handled by the US Coast Guard and US Customs Service. How does the sale of P&O to Arab owners impact that or pose a threat to port security? If ownership is an issue, why don't we block Arab-owned airlines, banks, etc from operating in the country? Congress doesn't seem too concerned about the country's reliance on Arab oil, surely a far greater long term threat to national security and economic stability.

And as a Washington Post editorial notes, why single out Dubai for special attention? 'Britain, as events of the last year have illustrated, is no less likely to harbor radical Islamic terrorists than Dubai.'

It sounds a lot like knee-jerk xenophobia and political oneupmanship. Oh that's right, I almost forgot: we're in an election year. The hounds on both sides are gathering, sensing an opportunity to pounce on a weakened Bush to further their own political advantage. What a bunch of whores.

$364 million dollars is the new estimate of how much the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy cost US taxpayers in its first decade.

Approximately 9,500 service members were discharged for homosexuality from 1994 to 2003. Not only did the discriminatory and hypocritical policy leading to these discharges have no valid sociological or psychological foundation, it actually harmed recruiting efforts and military readiness and led to increased costs for recruiting and training replacement personnel.

Personal note: My uncle Mick Poole enlisted for active duty in the Australian army at 16 (he lied about his age to the recruiters). He was killed in action four years later on February 21, 1966 (forty years ago this month) in the Long Hai Hills in Viet Nam, from a massive US landmine blast.

As a young child I grew up in the shadow of Viet Nam, and remember having nightmares of being drafted into the military and dying alone in a swamp somewhere. I couldn't be more opposed to senseless wars and the intense human suffering they cause. As someone who believes that war of the sort waged by modern Western armies is rarely if ever justified on spiritual, moral or humanitarian grounds, I could not imagine becoming a soldier myself. But those who take this path for whatever reason deserve the full respect and support of their country and not treatment as second or third class citizens.

The policy is more expensive than we thought it was, in many ways," said retired Rear Adm. John D. Hutson, a former Navy judge advocate general who was on the panel. "The real cost is the cost in human dignity, in self-respect, and in the image of the military held by the American public, the world community and itself. . . . The dignity of the armed forces is at stake."

Cheney Shoots Fellow Hunter in Texas Accident 

Vice President Cheney accidentally sprayed a companion with birdshot while hunting quail on a private Texas ranch, injuring the man in the face, neck and chest.

Apparently being a well heeled crony of the administration can carry its own risks. Especially if one resembles prey... 

I've been out of town the past ten days. Even with internet access there's always too much going on to be able to keep up with the blog.

First I was at the MCC Men in Ministry Conference in Atlanta. This was the first 'men's' conference I've ever been to, as well as my first conference on ministry in MCC. I went along without any particular expectations of what the experience would be like. As things turned out, it was a very moving and inspirational time for me. I met some wonderful leaders, renewed acquaintances, and had the opportunity once again to explore what ministry might mean for me in the context of my calling. I experienced a profound sense of mutual support, particularly in the small group workshops. I hope that I can bring that sense back with me into my everyday work and ministry.

Last week was an industry trade show in Kissimee, Florida. Early mornings and late nights, and having to present workshops for eight hours across Tuesday and Wednesday. The weather was sunny but I didn't get to experience it being stuck inside all day. My partner joined me and we're finally relaxing for a couple of days at a low budget 'resort' in Orlando. Even so, we'll probably need a break once we get back.

Back to regular programming after the 13th.

The Southern Baptists recently excommunicated Faith Harbour Baptist Church in Baytown, TX in a move that highlights the growing contoversy within evangelical circles over what constitutes the mission of the church.

Is the church essentially a private association of like-minded believers called to maintain a code of holiness and to purge itself (and the world) of moral impurity? Or is it the body of Christ, a living mission and witness to the whole world of God's fathomless love and transformative grace?

The Southern Baptists of Texas Convention expelled Faith Harbour for its refusal to bar a gay Christian support group from using its facilities. The SBTC views the gay group as 'a church that they are hosting in their building which has a female pastor and basically affirms the homosexual lifestyle'.