01/12/2006
Two Brothers
Over at Gutsy Faith, author, publisher, father and youth worker Jeff Edmondson has some great thoughts, including comments on Farris Hassan and Bono.
Meanwhile, in the Sweptover land my ancestors passed through on their way to Penn's Woods, (or was it the other way around? My wife would know) author, father, follower of Christ, and interstellar wordsmith Scott Lyons hammers out a poem that even I like. And I don't like poetry.
Blessings, brothers!
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12/23/2005
The 12 Catastrophes of Christmas
If you're in need of a good laugh, Lileks writes of the twelve catastrophes of Christmas. I especially enjoyed catastrophes six and eight.
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12/12/2005
A new blogroll entry (subtitle: Yes, this is rocket science)
Add another blogger to the "people at work who blog" column. Jeff Edmondson is our Youth Publisher and an all-around good guy. He's just getting his blog off the ground, so drop by and see what he's got to say.
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11/13/2005
Back online
Blogspirit was down most of Friday as far as I could tell. Saturday was Bible quizzing for Eldest (she took a 3rd place ribbon and one of our 2.5 teams took first overall - but it's not about the competition - we're excited that they're hiding the Word in their heart). Youngest was at Grandma's and went on "Jam calls" with a friend from their church, who happens to be Wonderful Wife's former supervisor - way back when, before Youngest was bornded into the world.
Stopped at the library to tell Wonderful Wife how Eldest did with her quizzing. The local nature center was there with some birds of prey so we stayed for the show. Let's see. There was a Great Horned Owl, a Barn Owl, one of those little falcons that's related to a Peregrine (I know the name is stored in here somewhere, I just can't access that file right now), and a Red-Tailed Hawk.
I was glad to hear President Bush defending his decision to go to war. If you think he lied about WMD, let's talk about 1) the definition of lie; 2) what President Bill Clinton, Vice President Al Gore, Senator John Kerry, and any number of Democrats said about WMD in the late '90s and early '00s; 3) what the consensus was among world intelligence communities in the same time frame; 4) how many children does a dictator have to have killed or imprisoned before we say "Enough!"?
I think they call that a run-on sentence. I tend to do that when I feel strongly about something I guess. You could call it a rant.
Anyway, the text of President Bush's speech is here (via Instapundit). Time for me to get ready for the day. May be back later with links to fill in the Clinton/Gore/Kerry trail. Or google Bill Clinton Saddam Hussein Iraq weapons.
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11/08/2005
New links
I've added new links to my blogroll: spriggs.blogspot.com and joedonahue.org. These are the programmers from work that I blogged about earlier.
Check them out - they update more often than I do and they have a broader range of interests than me.
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10/06/2005
Check out Zimmerzblogz
Buddy Matt Zimmer has a good post on real love. Quote:
...in a world where sticks and stones may not break bones but name calling really hurts, in a world where some come to Sunday worship and sing "it's all about You Jesus" but inside it's really all about them, these words from Jesus really press in on a person.
Preach it, brother!
Herein is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us...
1 John 4:10
Update: The link was broke, but it ain't no more.
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07/14/2005
Good News
This Washington Post article seems like very, very good news.
In a striking finding, predominantly Muslim populations in a sampling of six North African, Middle East and Asian countries also shared to "a considerable degree" Western nations' concerns about Islamic extremism, the survey found. Many in those Muslim nations see it as threat to their own country, the poll found.
"Most Muslim publics are expressing less support for terrorism than in the past. Confidence in Osama bin Laden has declined markedly in some countries, and fewer believe suicide bombings that target civilians are justified in the defense of Islam," concluded the Pew Global Attitudes Project.
There are still some barriers to overcome, as indicated in the article. On the whole, the news is welcome in this man's world. Read the whole thing.
Via Instapundit.
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07/08/2005
Rule Britannia... or Cool Britannia?
James Lileks, in that oh-so-subtle Lileks Manner, ponders the past, the present, and the future of Britannia. Long may she live.
[Warning: Lileks subtlety can sometimes be graphic.]
Be sure to listen to the music clips. They're worth the time.
We all need to take time, especially now, but always, to look for that which transcends.
My post about the personal significance of July 8th might be a little late...
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07/07/2005
Overflowing riches
One of the unwritten treasures of the blogosphere is that blogs have archived history. So often, we jump from blog to blog without really bothering to score a hit on the hoarded gold and jewels in their archives.
Well, tonight, I was searching for something I had read on Barbara Curtis' blog, and found this article, which isn't exactly what I thought I remembered, but that's good, right? 'Cause now I'll go back and root around in the vault some more.
After the tragedy in London today, maybe we all need to take some lessons in leadership to heart.
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Tragedy in London
You probably don't need to read my blog to know what happened in London this morning. Instapundit has lots of links, of course, as do others. The Belmont Club has good analysis.
Also found on The Belmont Club today: this animated map of coalition military deaths in Iraq. While it provides an interesting picture, I don't know that it really provides quantitative data. The animation loaded quickly (less than 30 seconds) on my 26.4k dial-up connection.
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The state of Christian publishing
Author Dan Edelen over at Sky Blue Sanctuary Cerulean Sanctum mulls over the state of Christian writing/publishing/fiction. While I'm not 1) a published author nor 2) technically in the publishing field, it is an area of great interest to me.
Some thoughts from my limited experience:
1. While the booming "Christian" book market is making headlines in a lot of places, I think the boom is limited in a sense. There have been a couple of explosively popular books, such as The Purpose Driven Life, that have sold mega-jillions of copies. What I haven't seen is a sustainable interest in a wider variety of products that would indicate a growing depth. That's just an observation, and not based on quantifiable data. Like I said, I'm not in publishing per se.
2. While the quality of much Christian fiction is lamentable - yea, even worthy of a Jeremiad - I have seen some improvement over the past years. An example would be the works of W. Dale Cramer, including Hard Ground (see my brief review in the sidebar), his second, which I felt was considerably better than his first (Sutter's Cross, also in the left sidebar), which wasn't bad at all. I've got Cramer's third novel, Levi's Will, on hold at the library (I don't buy books very often, not with WW working in the library). Another author I've enjoyed, for all his over-use of explosive verbs and energetic adverbs, is James Byron Huggins. I've read everything he's written except his first, A Wolf Story, and I've enjoyed the manly-man characteristics every time. Okay, so he's not Hemingway, but I'm not sure Hemingway was Hemingway. And he's not Faulkner, but I didn't care for the Faulkner stuff I read. So I'll stick to my shallow manly-man Huggins stuff.
A. WW enjoys the Mitford series by Jan Karon, and a number of other authors mining the same vein. I think there is a goodness to the Mayberry genteelness that attracts a lot of people - mostly women. WW thinks I'd enjoy them, but I'm too manly-man to try.
3. The trend in publishing in general, both Christian and secular - to more centralized control in a few publshing houses - can be seen as a bad thing or a good thing. If someone can figure out what viable niche(s) are being discarded and work to fill them with quality product, they have the makings of an opportunity. Blessings on whoever finds those niches.
So those are my 3 1/2 cents worth on a topic I care about but have nowhere near Dan's expertise.
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07/06/2005
Blue skies in the sanctuary
Blogging dad Dan Edelen has completed his series on business. I really need to read it all, and to make it easy, Dan has compiled a page of links to help us find it.
He also has a thoughtful post that echoes something I've pondered, namely:
Maybe we've done it all wrong. The amount of money I pay in insurance alone is criminal, but I'm probably underinsured compared with most people. I spend money to make sure nothing happens to my stuff, to my wife, to my child, or to me. Almost every insurance man I know is a backbone in his church. We talk about wise stewardship of the things God has given us, for sure, but what if our insurance was meant to come from the community of Christ instead? Should my house burned down, what if it was that community--a community that lived directly around me comprised of the saints of God--that shouldered that burden with me. And what if I shouldered theirs? Doesn't that make so much more sense than what we have now? [emphasis mine]
I think he's on to something here. He keeps thinking out loud, and comes up with this:
Sales of iPods continue unabated and people risk being oddballs if they don't have one. But what if we stopped working so hard to buy the massive overload of gadgetry we are told we must have in order to define ourselves or to keep us from being seen as out-of-step? Is out-of-step the worst label we could bear? Could we recover some portion of a life without these things, a life that has more of God in it and less Nokia or Sony or Dell?
Dan is a deep thinker and challenging. Read the whole thing.
He's got more going on, but I'll give you time to finish the first assignment. Back later.
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07/04/2005
Why so underrated?
Instapundit referred to this article earlier this week. Key quote, also noted by Glenn Reynolds:
In person Mr Bush is so far removed from the caricature of the dim, war-mongering Texas cowboy of global popular repute that it shakes one’s faith in the reliability of the modern media. (emphasis mine)
I know, there I go again bashing the media. Except in this case, it's the media bashing itself!
In reading the article, I also found the lede telling of the President:
THERE has probably never been a president, there may not have been a human being, who observes punctuality with the sort of fanaticism that President George W. Bush brings to every aspect of his life.If you are on time for a meeting with the President you are late, we were told as we prepared for our interview in the Oval Office yesterday to preview the G8 summit at Gleneagles next week.
Sure enough, a full nine minutes before the allotted time for our appointment, the door of the most famous room in the world opens and a genial President steps forward to greet us.
Ok, take note that the President of the United States of America, probably the most in-demand person in the world, and maybe the most punctual person ever, is nine minutes early for an interview. Then later:
The formal interview over, Mr Bush is once again in expansive mood. I am under firm instructions from my wife to pick up a souvenir of the trip and so I ask him if he would mind signing a picture of my daughters posed beside a cutout of Mr Bush himself.
“Oh, we can do better than that,” he says. He reaches into the drawer of the Resolute desk and diligently begins writing out greetings on presidential cards. I find myself in the faintly exhilarating position of dictating terms to the President of the United States; admittedly, only the names of each of my five children, but for a moment, it’s heady stuff.
Not content with dispensing the presidential autograph, Mr Bush reaches into a cabinet full of memorabilia and produces lapel pins and, for my colleague, a baseball with the presidential seal.
And as he reminisces fondly about his sporting youth, a remarkable realisation dawns: this most punctual President has waxed way beyond the scheduled time for our visit.
He comes early, stays late, goes above and beyond the call of duty, is generous, kind, comfortable, and self-depricating.
How is it that this man is so continuously misunderestimated? Maybe it's intentional?
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07/02/2005
President Bush's Approval Ratings
What did you think of the President's prime-time speech? Or did you not watch it?
I'll be honest. I didn't get to watch it. Had the kids at the Incredible In-laws and then home to bed. Guess I was part of the "record low turnout" mentioned in this Captain's Quarters post. Keep scrolling.
I thought this headline, mentioned in the above post, captures the media reaction:
One might as well say that "brakes fail to stop some trains", or "education fails to prepare some students for real life". "Some" doesn't say much, does it?
Via Instapundit.
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06/13/2005
With six you get blogrolled!
I've been blogrolled! That means that a link to my blog has been added to another blogger's list of regularly read blogs. Barbara Curtis is the blogger in question, and I want to take this opportunity to congratulate her on winning an award for this article.
The award she won is the Evangelical Press Associations "Higher Goals In Christian Journalism Award".
Congratulations, Barbara, and thanks for the blogroll!
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06/08/2005
Need a laugh?
Blogging dad Scott Lyons of Swept Over has a great and funny post that you won't want to read while eating.
You've been warned.
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06/06/2005
John Wesley
Most people don't realize that blogging has been around since the 18th century.
Don't believe me? Read John Wesley's blog.
Being a Wesleyan-Arminian, I just might make this one a regular read.
Hey, I wonder if Jacobus Arminius had a blog, too?
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06/05/2005
Europe, et. al.
This was an interesting read.
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06/03/2005
Can dads be home with the kids?
Christian at-home-dad Dan Edelen has a thought-provoking post on the way Christian culture interacts with dads that stay home.
Whenever the Church devises mid-week events for parents, the at-home dad gets a sinking feeling because "parent" is not really the word they intend, unless the sole definition of "parent" is "mother of the children." Simply showing up for such an event throws the organizers into chaos.
Lots more where that came from.
I'm not an at-home-dad in the technical sense, although I have solo flights three nights a week and every other Saturday while Wonderful Wife serves the library-going-public and the family budget. But we've talked about the possibility, and I would be open to the idea if it was feasible for us.
My dad ran a small business from home, which meant we started working for him at an early age (as soon as I could count to 50). I remember his schedule as being more flexible than other dads. His recollection is that he worked all the time. I know he worked hard, but sometimes his work was done from home, and we frequently worked alongside - sometimes by choice, sometimes by force, most often by bribery.
Although we didn't have anything like an ideal family or a happy childhood, I've thought that the age-old motif of the family business/farm/trade has the smell of a God thing. It is the parents that God charged in Deuteronomy 6:
"Now this is the commandment, the statutes and the judgments which the LORD your God has commanded {me} to teach you, that you might do {them} in the land where you are going over to possess it, 2 so that you and your son and your grandson might fear the LORD your God, to keep all His statutes and His commandments which I command you, all the days of your life, and that your days may be prolonged. 3 "O Israel, you should listen and be careful to do {it,} that it may be well with you and that you may multiply greatly, just as the LORD, the God of your fathers, has promised you, {in} a land flowing with milk and honey.
4 " Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one! 5 " You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 " These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. 7 " You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. Deuteronomy 6:1-7, NAS
I recognize that this is a complex world and there are no easy answers that fit all situations. I'm not suggesting that everyone conform to an Old Testament model of living. I know I'd last about a nano-second if that was the command. What I am suggesting is that maybe I can be more open and supportive to dads that fit this model.
I think it's a good thing.
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06/02/2005
That's it in a nutshell
Lileks daughter Gnat proves that you don't need to be an adult to understand Star Wars:
We had our weekly meal in the deserted food court; Gnat got a Dark Vader Kid’s Meal toy. She was stunned to find another toy inside the costume.
Who’s this?
That’s Annakin. He’s the bad boy who became Darth Vader.
Why?
Because he was selfish and angry.
Why is he wearing this? She was clearly confused; this was like giving her a Santa figurine that cracks open and reveals Dora the Explora.
Because he got in a fight and was hurt, so he had to wear the suit to help him walk and breathe.
Who hurt him? Yoga?
No. Yoda taught the guys who taught him a lesson.
How did he get a light saber?
I think he went to the light saber store.
How did he get there?
By land speeder, I guess.
How did he get a lan speeder?
At the land speeder dealership.
How did he get there?
By Tie Fighter, I imagine.
How did he get a Tiefiter?
I don’t know, hon. By walking onto the flight deck and saying “prepare my Tie Fighter for departure,” I guess. He’s Darth Vader, he could just show up and drive whatever he wanted. People were scared of him
She finished her hamburger and made a little drama where the Dark Vader figure argued with the Annakin figure and had a little duel. Yes, that’s pretty much six movies in a nutshell.
Of course, she' very bright.
More from Lileks, this time on the CIA airline story:
Hugh also discussed this New York Times story about the Secret CIA Airline. I admit I am confused about the reasons for running the story; it would seem an odd thing to reveal in wartime, unless of course you didn’t believe this was wartime. Stories like this come not from the Vietnam template but the 80s template, which is much more vivid to the mind of a modern reporter.
Read the whole thing, as they say.
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05/31/2005
Picking a fight with giant Glenn Reynolds
I don't want to do this, for a couple of reasons. First, I know I'm way out of my league in terms of intellectual firepower. Second, I think the target is a reasonably good guy in most respects, not a Philistine. Finally, I just don't have time to dig up the research to support my position, but I know it is out there.
But I have to take issue with Glenn Reynolds' position on pornography. He being a libertarian and all that, he doesn't seem to have a problem with it. Me, being a Theocratic thug or some such, I think that pornography causes a lot of problems - both relationally, between men and women, husband and wife, and so on - and perhaps more importantly, in terms of feeding the unreasonable fantasies of some sickos and perverts who just can't get enough.
How many kids need to be abducted, mutilated, and murdered before people follow the pornography trail of the criminals that get their kicks so sickly?
Some times, Professor, you just have to say something is wrong, and not "a personal choice" or "private matter".
Well, I've slung my little pebble. I'm sure the giant won't even feel it.
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05/29/2005
Progress in Washington?
Was there progress in Washington this week? A small group of Republicans and Democrats reached an agreement that would allow an up-or-down vote - or some sort of vote - on Bush judicial appointees. But was it progress?
Well, one nominee was approved. I guess that was a small step forward. A very small step.
Is it too much to ask for the Dems to grow up?
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05/28/2005
European dis-union
Some time back, I had posted about the rise (slow and slight) of evangelicalism in France here. The Christianity Today article I referenced mentioned Nicholas Sarkozy, a name I recognized when I read it on Instapundit. Professor Reynolds has that name on his blog again, this time in reference to this weekend's vote on the European constitution.
THE leader of France’s ruling party has privately admitted that Sunday’s referendum on the European constitution will result in a “no” vote, throwing Europe into turmoil.
“The thing is lost,” Nicolas Sarkozy told French ministers during an ill-tempered meeting. “It will be a little ‘no’ or a big ‘no’,”
Mom taught me not to rejoice at other's failures, but I think this is actually a good thing. The European constitution had become a monster of political correctness and inept bureaucracy. I'm not entirely opposed to the idea of European unity, I'd just like it to make some sense.
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Smash is angry
Citizen Smash is angry and who can blame him?
I’m declaring my emotional state in the title so that everyone is clear about the tone of this monologue. I could express my anger by venting, flaming, or ranting (it would be much easier than what I am about to attempt, and might have some therapeutic value), but it would also turn off the very people I’m trying to reach.
Having tried to write fairly and logically myself, I appreciate the self-control exhibited in this post.
Many people have criticized Newsweek and other media outlets for publishing unconfirmed allegations (often from anonymous sources) of Koran desecration and other prisoner abuses at the Guantanamo prison camp. I have joined in this chorus of criticism. I understand and appreciate that the media has an important watchdog role to play, and I would hope that they take that responsibility seriously. False or exaggerated allegations can have far-reaching consequences. It’s easy to destroy reputations, but very difficult to rebuild them.
Media irresponsibility is disturbing in general, and the Newsweek episode is particularly grating – but that’s not why I’m angry today.
So why is he angry? Follow the link.
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05/26/2005
How news happens
Journalist Michael Yon reports from Iraq on how and why you see what you see on the evening news.
I'm tempted to give you his conclusion, but I'll encourage you to read the whole thing - and learn what it has to do with you.
In the meanwhile nibble on the opening graph:
The media is an industry; but their business is not to report news. The industry needs a captive audience to beat the bottom line. The product is advertisement.
That rings true.
Wonderful Wife and I have commented many times that media does not exist to entertain and inform, but to sell. We're trying to teach the kids the same principle. For example, why does the news go to commercial with a teaser: "Coming up after the break - will the weekend weather be a rainout? And why is Michael Jackson's lawyer asking for help? Stay tuned for more." They just want you to watch the commercials.
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05/22/2005
Heroes in Uniform II: Appreciating Marine mothers
When I was in high school, I wanted to join the Marines. Since 9/11, I've often wished I had.
In honor of National Military Appreciation Month, let's say thank you to the ones that have brought our soldiers into the world - their moms - who also sacrifice when they say goodbye to their sons and daughters.
Chaplain Ryan, stationed in Fallujah, has this to say about the impact his mother had on his upbringing:
My Mother is one of the greatest respected Kindergarten teachers in Nashville, TN. She has taught Kindergarten at the same school for over 30 years. She is an incredible woman, and an even better Mother. However, I think you need a little insight into what my home life was like. My Mother was the meanest Mother in the whole world! While other kids ate candy for breakfast, I had to have cereal, eggs, and toast. When others had a Pepsi and a Twinkie for lunch, I had to eat sandwiches. And you can guess my Mother fixed me a dinner that was different from other kids, too. Mom insisted on knowing where I was at all times. You'd think I was a convict in a prison. She had to know who my friends were, and what I was doing with them. She insisted that if I said I would be gone for an hour, I would be gone for an hour or less.
Read the whole thing. Then thank God for all the mean mothers out there.
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05/20/2005
Father of the fatherless
When I was 17, my mother passed away, following a number of strokes and the removal of a brain tumor. My father, who I think was having trouble dealing with the loss, not to mention the doctor and hospital bills, began to spend more and more time away from home on business trips. About six months after mom died, dad moved from our rented house in Pennsylvania to Florida, leaving my sister and I alone in the six-bedroom house, without sufficient heat or money to pay utilities.
It was my senior year of high school.
Fortunately for me, my older sister quit a good job in a hospital in Philadelphia to take a lower-paying job managing a kennel. At the kennel, the family would provide us a place to live and me, a weekend job cleaning up. I'm forever grateful to my sister Barbara for that sacrifice. I don't know how I would have made it had she not stepped in to help.
Another Barbara, Curtis this one goes by, has an excellent post on her own experience of fatherlessness. An excerpt:
I remember the day my dad left. He knelt and hugged me and cried. The skimpy dress of a five year old girl couldn't protect me from the chill that gathered around my arms and legs. The scratchy tickly whiskers - would I feel them no more? The arms that felt so safe - would they be gone forever?
What would it be like not to have a father?
Read the whole thing. You'll be glad you did.
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05/18/2005
Newsweekgate
Ever since Watergate, Americans have had the need to name every scandal "Whatever-gate", so let's call this one Newsweekgate.
It has become huge news, with lots of information flowing through the blogosphere and MSM. Chrenkoff, who is leading the charge on at least one flank, has much more on the subject.
Some of his thoughts:
1) The allegations are at least a couple of years old
the stories of flushed or otherwise desecrated Korans are a few years old now, and he points to a March 2003 "WaPo" article quoting a group of Afghan prisoners released from Guantanamo, who claimed that
American soldiers insulted Islam by sitting on the Koran or dumping their sacred text into a toilet to taunt them.
2) If the allegations have any basis in fact, these actions (desecrating the holy book of religious extremists) seem not-so-bright and counterproductive
If true in any way, the tactic strikes me as stupid and counterproductive. Taunting religious sensibilities of people already thought to be religious fanatics doesn't sound like a great way to break them or get useful information out of them.
3) While the allegations have floated for a couple of years, no violence occured. It seems that the supposed weight given by an ill-supported story of an official American investigation touched off the violence.
I think the difference is that this time "Newsweek" did not report just the claims of detainees but the supposed conclusions of an official American investigation.
4) Some experts agree with Afghan president Karzai's opinion that the riots were incited for political purposes.
In addition, some experts are agreeing with President Karzai that the riots were far from spontaneous, and are pointing their fingers at Caliphate enthusiast called Hizb ut-Tahrir. Coincidentally, this is the same group that the Uzbek dictator Karimov is conveniently blaming for inciting the recent troubles in his country.
Read the whole thing.
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Frontline on Lebanon
PBS' Frontline is on and they're talking about the Cedar Revolution. We're just about 15 minutes into the program, and I've been a little distracted when Youngest needed assistance (she's supposed to be asleep, but never is by this time), but what I've heard thus far is accurate.
Tonight was Eldest's final piano lesson. At least for the summer. Her teacher, Shonda, will be moving to Champion, OH. Shonda's husband, Ben, graduated seminary about a week and a half ago. He's one of the lucky ones - he already has a position lined up as an Assistant Pastor. Ben is very bright and talented. I understand he's self-taught at drums and now gives lessons. Shonda is a great piano teacher, especially for someone in her mid-20's. I wish them well.
While Eldest is in piano, Youngest and I play on the church playground outside, weather permitting. Tonight, in honor of the last lesson, we three lingered on the playground awhile. I think the highlight for Eldest was when we found a soccer ball and played a little soccer. She had a lot of fun.
Youngest talks a mile a minute. No, two miles a minute. You've never heard a four-year-old spill so many words. Some mornings, like today, she trots into the kitchen, clutching her bear, or her doll, or her horsey, and we do breakfast together. She really seems to enjoy the one-on-one time, and so do I. This morning, I caught her sneaking sideways glances at me as she munched her cereal bites. It's nice to be looked up to, and I want to cash in on that while I can.
I mentioned that our men's Wednesday night group at church is reading "What a Difference a Daddy Makes" by Kevin Lehman. I'm almost halfway through and it has some good thoughts.
One of the things that I struggle with as a dad is that I want to do the right thing, but I don't always know what the right thing is. It's not like I have good instincts there or anything. So the book has been helpful.
New topic. I have been enjoying blogging, but I haven't felt like I'm getting better at expressing my viewpoints. Especially some of the social commentary stuff like I wrote about Newsweek and George Lucas. Be patient with me, I'm working on it. I am also open to comments and critique. I've also found that I have a million ideas and only 1/10th of the time I need to follow up on them.
Thanks for reading.
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05/17/2005
Responsible Journalism
I don't have much time to watch world news, and most of my news comes from weekly print publications like Time and Newsweek, or from the internet. I don't know if the story about unrest in Afghanistan has made much of a splash, but I was disturbed this week to read that there were riots and death due to a Newsweek article that said the Moslem holy book, the Q'uran, had been abused by guards at Guantanamo Bay.
Glenn Reynolds reports on a Reuters article that indicates Newsweek is apologizing for the story and any errors it contained.
"We regret that we got any part of our story wrong, and extend our sympathies to victims of the violence and to the U.S. soldiers caught in its midst," Editor Mark Whitaker wrote in the magazine's latest issue, due to appear on U.S. newsstands on Monday.
Whitaker said the magazine inaccurately reported that U.S. military investigators had confirmed that personnel at the detention facility in Cuba had flushed the Koran down the toilet.
The Reuters report says that 16 people died and more than 100 were injured because of this story. If any good can come from this, it would be that the media will learn to be more responsible in their journalism.
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Why Vader wore the mask
I was reading Arthur Chrenkoff tonight, and I realized why Star Wars' Darth Vader wore the mask/helmet thingie: he was ashamed of the pea-brained politics of George Lucas.
Chrenkoff shares a personal vignette from his early life in Communist Poland:
I most fondly remember watching the first trilogy in the late 1970s and the early 80s at the movies, when I was a boy living in the then communist Poland. Your space saga of Luke Skywalker and his fight against Darth Vader, the Empire and the Dark Side has proved as big a hit on the other side of the Iron Curtin as it did in the West.
You might be aware that all of us who saw the "Star Wars" trilogy throughout the communist world saw it as an entertaining, yet still nonetheless powerful commentary on the current world events. We simply couldn't escape the conclusion that the militaristic and freedom-crushing Empire with its legions of stormtroopers is a futuristic version of the Soviet Empire, which had conquered and enslaved hundreds of millions of people like myself.
I never saw the parallels, myself, but I was pretty young. If people living under oppression see Democratic hope in the heroics of Luke Skywalker and my favorite scalliwag, Han Solo, you would think that maybe the author, producer, director would be thinking at least something like it. You'd be wrong. He quotes Lucas' remarks from the Cannes Film Festival:
"In terms of evil, one of the original concepts was how does a democracy turn itself into a dictatorship,"...
"The parallels between what we did in Vietnam and what we're doing in Iraq now are unbelievable.
Did you catch that? Chrenkoff makes the point succintly.
to you, the Empire was the United States of America, and if that's the case, then the brave rebels could only be all those people around the world fighting the American Empire - the Castros, Che Guevaras, Ho Chi Minhs, Pol Pots, and by extension, the Brezhnevs and the Mao Tse Tungs of this world. You, of course, live in the Free World, and as such you have the right to believe that your country is the most powerful force for evil operating in the world. But just for the sake of completeness and historical accuracy . . .
Read the whole thing.
I'll go see the movie, to be sure, but I'll be interpreting it in a Chrenkoffian paradigm, not one borrowed from Ole' George.
01:25 Posted in Blog | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email this
05/16/2005
Responsible Journalism
I don't have much time to watch world news, and most of my news comes from weekly print publications like Time and Newsweek, or from the internet. I don't know if the story about unrest in Afghanistan has made much of a splash, but I was disturbed this week to read that there were riots and death due to a Newsweek article that said the Moslem holy book, the Qur'an, had been abused by guards at Guantanamo Bay.
Glenn Reynolds reports on a Reuters article that indicates Newsweek is apologizing for the story and any errors it contained.
"We regret that we got any part of our story wrong, and extend our sympathies to victims of the violence and to the U.S. soldiers caught in its midst," Editor Mark Whitaker wrote in the magazine's latest issue, due to appear on U.S. newsstands on Monday.
Whitaker said the magazine inaccurately reported that U.S. military investigators had confirmed that personnel at the detention facility in Cuba had flushed the Koran down the toilet.
The Reuters report says that 16 people died and more than 100 were injured because of this story. If any good can come from this, it would be that the media will learn to be more responsible in their journalism.
Here is Newsweek's report on the story.
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05/13/2005
A Pattern is Beginning to Emerge
I've been blogging about a month and a half now, and I'm starting to notice a pattern in my blogging habits. During the week, when I'm more rushed, I tend to do more true blogging - bits and pieces here and there, quick links to something I read somewhere.
On the weekends, I think maybe I get in a little more personal stuff, more of the me of me that is me.
If you care, that is my quick thought for now.
I really do hope to have more to say later. And more time to say it.
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05/12/2005
Good Thoughts on Government
Norwegian blogger Arne Olav has some very excellent thoughts on security and the government's role re: natural disasters and terrorism.
I couldn't have said it better and agree with every word. Replace Norway with America or England or Australia or Pakistan, and it's completely transferrable IMHO.
If you follow the link in his post, the article he refers to is in Norwegian, which I can't read. Just FYI.
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05/09/2005
How to Get to Heaven
Our Sunday School class is studying the Gospel of Matthew and right now we're on the Beatitudes.
"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Matthew 5:3-11, NIV
I've always thought of this section of Scripture as being "entrance requirements" - you know - to get to heaven, you've got to be poor in spirit, mourning, meek, hungering and thirsting for righteousness, etc.
This study has opened my eyes to a new interpretation, that the beatitudes are blessings of the Kingdom of heaven, rather than entrance requirements. This seems to fit with the setting, the tone, and what I think was probably the purpose of the author.
So instead of trying to make myself poor, mourning, meek, etc., I can receive these blessed traits by faith.
I am oversimplifying 1) because we're just getting started; and 2) because I don't have time to write much more, but I am excited by this discussion.
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Is There a Hippo on Campus?
Earlier, I wrote about a Denomination Selector I found by googling. Out of curiosity, I went to the homepage of hippocampus extensions and checked out their "About" page. I think their purpose is both admirable and ambitious.
What are you doing?Hippocampus Extensions is an online magazine that investigates the interaction of truth and the human experience, that is, the word of God and our rebellious hearts.
Philosophically, we want to fight against three A's of postmodernism: ambiguity, anonymity and apathy.
The postmodern life-liver loves:
ambiguity because it is easy,
anonymity because it covers shame, and
apathy because food, clothing and shelter are readily available.
We want to be:
specific about how to live well,
public in our recommendation of the gospel, and
enthusiastic about love and holiness.
Practically (and therefore spiritually), we aim to fight against sin, the world and the devil. These three enemies will distract us from the Word of God, entangle us in stupid patterns of life, and prevent us from living thankful, blameless lives until the return of our Saviour.
Say it quicker? We want you to know God.
What is a hippocampus extension?
There are at least two possible meanings:
the hippocampus (really) is a part of the brain which “plays an important role in the formation of long-term memories”1.
We want to get the truth about Jesus into your long-term memory so that, when it matters, you will know how to act in a way that is worthy of him.
Secondly, we want to try and resolve the specific problems that we all have in knowing how to best live for God's glory. That is, we want the tensions in your hippocampus to become ex-tensions. We can only do this by serious study of the Scriptures which contain all the wisdom and instruction we need.
1 Penguin Dictionary of Psychology, entry on the hippocampal formation.
Kudos.
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05/08/2005
But I'm a Nazarene!!!
I found this "Denomination Selector" on this website.
Your results for Christian Traditions Selector
Send your comments to Pete, the creator of this selector.
Rank Item Percent
1: Pentecostal/Charismatic/Assemblies of God (100%)
2: Methodist/Wesleyan/Nazarene (91%)
3: Anabaptist (Mennonite/Quaker etc.) (83%)
4: Baptist (non-Calvinistic)/Plymouth Brethren/Fundamentalist (77%)
5: Baptist (Reformed/Particular/Calvinistic) (69%)
6: Church of Christ/Campbellite (61%)
7: Seventh-Day Adventist (53%)
8: Congregational/United Church of Christ (48%)
9: Eastern Orthodox (48%)
10: Presbyterian/Reformed (48%)
11: Anglican/Episcopal/Church of England (45%)
12: Lutheran (45%)
13: Roman Catholic (25%)
Powered by SelectSmart.com
It says I most closely align with a Pentacostal/Charismatic/AOG belief system, with Methodist/Wesleyan/Nazarene ranking 2nd at 91%. I think there were some distinct flaws in the structure of the instrument, but it was interesting. For example, question 4 deals with the issue of tongues, or glossalia, and I answered
"The word "tongues" in the N.T. means actual languages, and was primarily a first-century sign to validate the apostles' commission from God, and largely ceased once the N.T. was written."
I think that I might have gotten tagged as a Pentacostal because I prefer a contemporary worship service, but I don't think it is the "most suitable for Sunday worhsip service."
Also, several of the questions didn't offer a true "Nazarene" answer, unless you count "I Don't Know", which really isn't the correct answer. So there are some flaws, but it was fun. I noticed it's in beta, so hopefully a final version would kick out some of the bugs.
I thought it funny that the guys on the hippocampus website both got 100% Nazarene rankings, but didn't seem too impressed with their results. If you read this, don't worry guys, that test no more makes you a Nazarene at heart than eating at McDonalds would make you a french fry.
16:51 Posted in Blog | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email this
05/07/2005
Why Ask Why?
I came across this blog on the Blogspirit Christian community page. There are good insights in this post.
I asked why I didn't have a bigger house.
And I saw a family of six, who'd just been evicted from their tiny shack, and were forced to live on the street.
I asked why I had to work.
And I saw a man who couldn't find a decent job, because he'd never learned to read.
08:01 Posted in Blog | Permalink | Comments (2) | Email this
05/06/2005
Festival of Praise II: One God
In America, we tend to think of Europe and Scandinavia as sterile with regard to faith. We hear criticism of the U.S. and the Christian faith coming from Europe, we hear stories of how liberal some Scandinavian countries are, and we just write them off.
I've discovered a community of Christian bloggers in Norway that has opened my eyes to how God is alive and at work in that part of the world. Here's one small example:
Wednesday we had a church meeting, and I shared about living in the Holy Spirit and to see a Spirit filled church. The power of God was toughing people and people got healed. A young man, who came to the Lord last year brought his mother to the meeting, and before the meeting was over she confessed Jesus as Lord with a loud voice, and she got born again and will be baptized. I was so exited to see how the Holy Spirit touched people and to see the power in the Gospel in action.
God is good
This is from a pastor's blog called The Eagle's Nest.
And here is an interesting story from a vibrant, joyous group of Christian students:
Today we where invited to a girl called Laura for dinner. She is one of the students which is a part of the christian student group called " krossis". After dinner about 10 of the students came over to have fellowship with us. We started off praising God with both piano and gitar, singing songs and worsipping God.
This is when suddenly the lady next door knocked at the door, more...
We share one faith, one Lord, one Spirit. To God be the glory.
12:28 Posted in Blog | Permalink | Comments (1) | Email this
05/05/2005
Writer's Bloque
I'm dry, parched like a bit of shoe-leather washed up under tumbleweed in an arroyo. I need a word to slake my thirst, a sentence to wet my whistle. No thoughts. No inspiration. Nothing. Can't think. Can't write. Just blather of a non-consequential nature. And when you're using words like non-consequential, you know you're dredging the dregs.
I've been thinking about changing the name of my blog to the kitchen table. When I was a kid, the kitchen table was the place to be, especially when we had company. When I was 6, the TV died, and we never replaced it. Dad said it warped the mind, and maybe he was right.
If dad had a guest, they would sit around the table and talk politics, current events, or whatever for hours. I would sit quietly by, basking in the glow of warm conversation, occasionally squeaking up to poke a thought into the mix. Sometimes I'd get hushed, sometimes just a nod.
But the kitchen table was the place I wanted to be if we had guests like Mr. Jim.
Mr. Jim was a bit of a self-taught naturalist. He brought us an army manual on survival skills, and I read that thing cover to cover. I don't know why - maybe it was the cold war, but I wanted to know how to survive on my own. I read about what plants were edible (but I don't like vegetable matter in my diet much); how to survive in the snow (but I don't care to be cold and wet); how to signal for help if stranded (but I'll get myself out of this mess, thank you very much). Mr. Jim and his wife, Mrs. Jim, had two kids: Jimmy and ... oh, what was the little girls' name? They would come to visit at Christmas and stay for several days. They had a VW van with a pop-up roof that served as a camper of sorts. Even in the winter, it was home when they came to visit.
Then there was The Man With The Chinese Mustache. And Mr. Knightley. And Mr. Wallen-Ticonis (I am absolutely sure I butchered the spelling badly). There are others too. Faces I can vaguely remember, names that I can't. They all had one thing in common - they welcomed the chance to talk about what was going on in the world - what was good, what was bad, and what could be done about it.
Then there were the people we took in. I'm not sure why we did this, but there were several families, bare acquaintances, really, that came to stay with us for several months. I treasured the intrusions, truth be told. Here we had built-in playmates, worldly guests with a treasury of experience outside my little family circle. Like a dog on the edge of the flickering campfire light, I would listen, watch, and absorb as the cigarette smoke curled lazily, filling the room.
All this set a backdrop of rich, often colorful (read expletive-laden) discussion in my childhood. Then, in the middle of my teen years, dad brought home a pilgrim. No, not one of the guys in funny hats. This one had long hair and a beard. I think his name was John, and he had dropped out of Bible College in Indiana because God told him to walk to New Jersey. So he built a hollow cross, about 12 feet long, of wood, put a wheel on the bottom, put a couple of changes of clothes inside, and shouldered it cross-country, over highways and byways, until he met up with dad.
The way I remember the story, John – I’ll call him that – was on the turnpike when dad drove by in his ’72 Ford F-150 pickup. Something told dad, not a particularly religious man, mind you, to turn around and pick this guy up. So he did, and brought him home. I was out by the pool when the crunch of truck tires on gravel let me know he was home. Dad made some introductions, John spent the night, and in the morning, dad took him back out to the turnpike and sent him on his way. In the between time, John and I had a talk about God.
I wasn’t giving much thought to God myself in those days. Maybe He was real, maybe not. I didn’t know. I figured He was probably okay with the way I was living. Or maybe not. But somehow, when John asked me if I believed in God, it made me think a little more. Because here was a guy that said he heard “the voice” telling him what to do. Here was a guy that seemed pretty cool to a would-be hippie, who was tuned in and turned on to a Higher Power than I was. Here was a guy that set out, on faith, to walk almost halfway across a continent with the clothes on his back and a cross on his shoulder. Here was a guy that said his next mission was to backpack across Europe to the Middle East and tell people about Jesus.
So what’s the moral of the story? You tell me. I’m the one with writer’s bloque, remember?
12:50 Posted in Blog | Permalink | Comments (1) | Email this
05/04/2005
Pray for Our Troops
This breaks my heart.
Pray for our troops, and for the Iraqis they are protecting. Pray for their families, and especially for those who have lost loved ones.
It's far away, and unless you've been there of someone you love is there, it doesn't often hit you, like it didn't hit me until I saw that picture. The sudden clenching in the pit of my stomach told me it's real.
16:30 Posted in Blog | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email this
05/02/2005
Festival of Praise
For a couple of weeks, I've been thinking of starting a "Festival of Praise" - a roundup of links to stories of miracles, answers to prayer, and other reasons for praise. I hope to start this in the near future. If you have any stories, I'll start collecting them now.
I'm also thinking about a "Festival of New Life" or "Second Chances" about lives God has changed through Jesus Christ. Again, I'm taking submissions.
These would be along the order of the "Carnival of ..." posts found frequently on Instapundit, except I don't feel comfortable using the Carnival monikker for something as uplifting as this. Maybe I'm uptight...
Update:
Thanks to a reader, Debra (see comments), tipped me off to this story, about two teens lost at sea for six days. Praise God for finding the lost - literally, in this case. Fox News has video here.
12:50 Posted in Blog | Permalink | Comments (1) | Email this
Heroes In Uniform I
Yesterday, I mentioned that I would be posting stories about heroes in uniform - brave men and women who sacrifice for our freedom. This is the first installment in that series.
All this is in recognition of National Military Appreciation Month.
Sergeant's gutsy push nets Navy Cross
Submitted by: MCB Camp Pendleton
Story Identification #: 2005428172051
Story by Lance Cpl. Joseph DiGirolamo
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. (April 28, 2005) -- Entangled by an ambush of more than 50 insurgents, and showered by dozens of rocket-propelled grenades, Sgt. Willie L. Copeland III didn't automatically take cover - he took charge.
Sorely outnumbered by insurgents, he led a fierce counterattack while safeguarding his Marines from heavy enemy fire, according to battlefield accounts.
Read More>>>
Hat Tip: Patriot Voices, who also has a listing of fallen heroes.
12:35 Posted in Blog | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email this
Extreme Makeover Update
It was a month ago today that I blogged about the Extreme Makeover with a Kansas City connection. in case you were wondering, the program will air next Sunday, May 8th. 8:00 Eastern, 7:00 Central time on ABC. Locally, they're running a 1-hour special prior to the show.
My in-laws church, which provided parking space for the TV and construction crews, and indoor eating facilities, will host an Extreme Makeover viewing party Sunday night. They're expecting an insane number of visitors.
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05/01/2005
More Than a Month
Today is Military Appreciation Month the 1st. I'm hoping to spotlight several soldiers during the month. Check back often.
Well, I've been blogging more than a month, although I've not managed to post something every day. Today's posting is necessarily lame, as it is a day of rest, and I'm trying to.
Much to report this week. Tonight is Eldest's musical at church. Friday night after dinner, we went to the Fabulous in-laws, and Eldest wanted to look at kansascityhelpwanted.com to find out what kind of jobs were available. Then she wanted to do a test online to see what kind of job she would like. Surprise, surprise! She would like to be a music teacher or singer. We never knew.
This is our one and only tulip - or was, as it passed it's prime some weeks back and lost it's petals. We had a rather weak crop of daffodils, but should have quite the garden of daylillies come June or July.
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04/30/2005
Life Today
Dinner at Pizza Street with the fabulous in-laws last night. Not many people are blessed with in-laws this good. I know, I know, there was the pie in the face thing on Tuesday, but really, they are wonderful people.
Today, Eldest has practice for her musical, which is Sunday night at church. She has a small solo part, which she has had memorized since before her tryouts. She loves her choir and choir director, and at this point in life, wants to be a choir director/music minister when she grows up.
This afternoon, that same busy, busy child has another birthday party to go to. I never went to so many birthday parties at 9! Or at 19!
As for me, I get to play with Youngest. We'll run a few errands, maybe watch some cartoons, play Barbies or Polly Pockets. For lunch - fast food - we pick Eldest up from choir because of Wonderful Wife's work schedule.
This afternoon, during naptime, I'll try to squeeze in a lawn mowing.
It's been unseasonably cool in KC this week. Highs in the 40s some days. Never above 62. We've had a lot of clouds and sprinkles, but few showers. I think I've gotten 1/4 inch of rain. We've had frost warnings a couple of mornings, but no frost at the homeplace.
Well, more later if I have time. Chao.
07:26 Posted in Blog | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email this
04/29/2005
Bush's Social Security Plan
I've long thought, without much objective support, that MSM types choose headlines based on a desired impact, which flows, intentionally or otherwise, from their biases.
This AP story on iwon.com is a perfect example of what I mean: Bush's Social Security Plan Cuts Benefits
And this USAToday.com headline follows suit:
Bush continues reform pitch
Pushes plan to cut Social Security benefits
But check out what appears in the body of the message:
Under Bush's approach, future Social Security checks would increase more quickly for the lowest-income retirees than for everyone else. Though Bush promised that middle- and upper-income retirees would get benefits "equal to or greater than the benefits enjoyed by today's seniors," [emphasis mine] they would be smaller than what the system is now promising for the future.
So in other words, everyone would get at least what they would expect to get if nothing changed, and the poor would get more, but the rich would get less of an increase. Does that sound like a benefit cut to you?
Lileks, who should know, since he's worked for various media outlets since 1976, says that the MSM doesn't get together and plan to mislead. There's no left-wind media conspiracy. I'm sure he's right.
But when polls consistently show that media-types are 90% or more registered Democrats, and that they tend to be politically active, and that major news articles and stories tend to favor liberal and/or Democrat views, it seems hard to refute the charges of bias.
Back to my main topic, which is the President's Social Security Plan, I definitely favor privatization. I'd love to have the opportunity to invest all or a portion of my Social Security tax deduction, and/or my employer's matching in a private account. The much more knowledgable pension and investment types that I meet and have talked with about this are also on board.
So that's where I stand on this issue.
12:29 Posted in Blog | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email this
How to Make Friends
"Are too!"
"Am not!"
"Well, you're stupid and your mother dresses you funny!"
"I know you are, but what am I?"
Whack. One of us hit the other and the daily fight was on. We were in fourth grade, just a couple of Catholic boys being boys. But we hated each other. Really hated each other. John and I fought every day for two years. In the classroom. On the playground. On the bus. Of course, this was in the "good old days" before "zero tolerance policies" on school violence.
When I say we fought, I mean we fought dirty. Fists, feet, knees, elbows, heads, and teeth. Any and every body part was a weapon. We threw each other over bus seats. We jumped up and down on each others' ribs. We bit fingers, arms, and hands.
But we never had a clear winner. We were, I guess, equally matched. About the same size, both of us small and wiry, we fought to a standstill every day.
Somewhere along the way, I don't really know where, we became inseparable. The bitter rivalry turned to a grudging admiration that cemented the bond between us through several moves and school changes. Only after high school, when John joined the Navy and did two or three consecutive tours, an interval during which I became a Christian and changed just about all of my associations and habits, did we fall away.
I've often thought about how we fought so fiercely before we burried the hatchet and became friends. I was reminded of this the other day when I read Barbara Curtis' article "Waging Peace". In this piece, she quotes her husband, Tripp: “Well, I think when you’ve been through a conflict with someone and resolved it, your relationship will be much stronger in the end,”
Jesus said:
"...if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.
"Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. I tell you the truth, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny."
MT 5:23-26, New International Version
Those who think that faith is for wimps never tried to follow Jesus' advice. It takes more strength of character to "go to your brother" who "has something against you" than to leave it fester, or worse, to try to blame it on the other.
Perhaps I should post this blog in the political community, rather than the Christian.
05:55 Posted in Blog | Permalink | Comments (1) | Email this
Military Appreciation
You probably know that Memorial Day is the last Monday in May, but did you know that the whole month of May is National Military Appreciation Month? Neither did I, until the other day.
I appreciate our troops. I appreciate their sacrifices, and those their families make for our freedom. I'm planning to do some concrete things this May. I'll probably write a letter as part of "A Million Thanks." I think I'd also like to take the family to a military base to say thank you in person to returning troops.
This morning on the radio, I heard about a local church that is offering free automobile maintenance for the families of deployed soldiers. I think that's a great idea.
Anyway, expect to hear more from me about National Military Appreciation Month. I'm looking forward to it.
03:35 Posted in Blog | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email this
04/28/2005
My Rant
One more quick thought before I log off and move on.
My rant against James Lileks yesterday didn't get a response from "the great one". Perhaps because it was shamelessly self-serving. I've often thought that the most successful people are the ones that whole-heartedly pursue what they believe is true and right, rather than seeking fame, or fortune, or popularity.
Anyway, I had a brief spike in traffic today, but that's probably due to today's post rather than yesterday's.
Mr. Lileks, if you're reading this, I appreciate your comments about the Bratz Baby Mommaz and Homies Dogs. You've said it much better than I ever could. And I hope you're feeling better.
22:21 Posted in Blog | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email this
Some Technical Blogging Things
I'm trying to figure out RSS - Really Simple Syndication - which, if I understand it, is a way to increase readership of your blog by syndicating it so that it is picked up as a link on "aggregators". I'm not sure if I get it yet. If you have any advice (Ron?), I'd appreciate your help.
I'm also a little stumped by trackbacks, which, I think, are links that you insert in a blog that let others know you've linked to the post you're linking to.
I'm tired, and not absorbing much information. Should go to bed...
...sweet bed...
...sleep good...
...bed soft...
...pillow soft...
...
22:08 Posted in Blog | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email this
So What Good is a Blog?
So what good is a blog? And do blogs have any business applications?
This businessweekonline article is by far the best I've read on the topic. Key quote:
How does business change when everyone is a potential publisher? A vast new stretch of the information world opens up. For now, it's a digital hinterland. The laws and norms covering fairness, advertising, and libel? They don't exist, not yet anyway. But one thing is clear: Companies over the past few centuries have gotten used to shaping their message. Now they're losing control of it.
Want to get it back? You never will, not entirely. But for a look at what you're facing, come along for a tour of the blogosphere.
As the authors Stephen Baker and Heather Green indicate, blogging just might be the electronic equivalent of Gutenberg's printing press. Or, they might dwarf that alltogether. Why? Because even with the press, you needed someone to do the printing for you. And you needed to be able to read and write - or rich enough to pay a scribe. Blogging is cheap, easy, and available to a largely literate population. If the printing press brought about the Protestant Reformation, it also brought the First and Second Great Awakenings, the colonization of the new world, the birth of a nation, and the Industrial Revolution. Think about it - how much of this last 565 years would not have happened the way it did if information was not widely available?
Baker and Green's thoughts on RSS (Really Simple Syndication):
Why does this matter? Think of the implications for businesses of getting an up-to-the-minute read on what the world is thinking. Already, studios are using blogs to see which movies are generating buzz. Advertisers are tracking responses to their campaigns. "I'm amazed people don't get it yet," says Jeff Weiner, Yahoo's senior vice-president who heads up search. "Never in the history of market research has there been a tool like this."
The innovation that sends blogs zinging into the mainstream is RSS, or Really Simple Syndication. Five years ago, a blogger named Dave Winer, working with software originally developed by Netscape, created an easy-to-use system to turn blogs, or even specific postings, into Web feeds. With this system, a user could subscribe to certain blogs, or to key words, and then have all the relevant items land at a single destination. These personalized Web pages bring together the music and video the user signs up for, in addition to news. They're called "aggregators." For now, only about 5% of Internet users have set them up. But that number's sure to rise as Yahoo and Microsoft plug them.
In time, aggregators could turn the Web on its head. Why? They discourage surfing as users increasingly just wait for interesting items to drop onto their page or e-mailbox. Internet advertising, which traditionally counts on page views and clicks, could be thrown for a loop. Already Yahoo is packaging ads on the feeds. Google is testing the waters.
But here's the really insidious part. If you set up your own aggregator page, such as my.yahoo.com, and subscribe to feeds, you soon discover that blog and mainstream postings mingle side by side. Feeds zip through the walls between blogs and the rest of the information world. Blog posts are becoming just part of the mix, swimming on the same page with the Associated Press, and yes, BusinessWeek.
On Podcasting:
It's an overnight sensation. Before podcasting, only about 150 people a month bothered to download the audio files of Morning Stories, a show on Boston's public station WGBH. After the station switched to podcasting in October? Eighty thousand. Chalk it up to the bloggers. They pushed podcasting to their own circles, and it grew from there.
The lengthy BusinessWeekOnline article deals largely with the business impact and application of blogs. Read the whole thing if you have any curiosity. I found it worth the time. I've also bookmarked (but not blogrolled - yet) their new blog,