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"One should either write ruthlessly what one believes to be the truth, or else shut up."

Arthur Koestler 

Monday
Jan272014

Are You A Gang Member? Part 1

I was reading an article that asked this question. One paragraph in particular jumped out. 

Ishmael Cisneros, a member of the notorious global crime syndicate, the Mara Salvatrucha, better known as MS-13, says that once you join a gang, “your mind closes off to the rest of the world and you’re capable of doing anything for the gang…don’t get caught up in the world of gangs, especially for those that think there’s something good in it. It’s all lies.”

I think the reason it jumped out at me was that I was embarrassed. I have been a gang member--many times. Oops. So I will give three rather embarrassing personal examples over the next week. The first of these is that I used to be a member of the gang called Republicans. 

There is great comfort in not having to think. Seriously. Thinking is hard. You know what the correct answer is already, no need for pesky things like facts to get in the way. You watch the correct news network, and condemn the incorrect news network. This reinforces what you already think. Charles Krauthammer is always right. 

When you see a news report, and the speaker has an (R) after their name, we already know almost everything we need to know, we will hear the truth. Our template, as I call it, is set. If someone from your gang is up for election, you will vote for them, even if you have to hold your nose to do so. 

Don't misunderstand. I have not joined the rival gang called Democrats. I see no reason to leave the Bloods to join the Crips. I find the competing gang just as amusing. Well, maybe a little more so as I used to be a Republican. Old templates die hard. 

The whole process is almost useless. Remember what Ishmael said in my quote, "It's all lies." 

Do what you think best, but as for me, I will no longer be a gang member. 

Sunday
Jan262014

If You Had a Vineyard

I have posted this before. It is one of my favorite songs, yet one of my wife's least favorites.

How happy is God with the US? 

Note that I recieve a commision if you use this link. Your price is not affected.

 

Saturday
Jan252014

A Disquieting Thought

I have been thinking about the death of Jesus and thinking about watching The Passion. It has been in my Netflix queue for years, yet I never have seen it. His death is difficult to think about. 

Here is how the message describes His Death in Matthew 27

27-31 The soldiers assigned to the governor took Jesus into the governor’s palace and got the entire brigade together for some fun. They stripped him and dressed him in a red toga. They plaited a crown from branches of a thornbush and set it on his head. They put a stick in his right hand for a scepter. Then they knelt before him in mocking reverence: “Bravo, King of the Jews!” they said. “Bravo!” Then they spit on him and hit him on the head with the stick. When they had had their fun, they took off the toga and put his own clothes back on him. Then they proceeded out to the crucifixion. 

32-34 Along the way they came on a man from Cyrene named Simon and made him carry Jesus’ cross. Arriving at Golgotha, the place they call “Skull Hill,” they offered him a mild painkiller (a mixture of wine and myrrh), but when he tasted it he wouldn’t drink it.

35-40 After they had finished nailing him to the cross and were waiting for him to die, they whiled away the time by throwing dice for his clothes. Above his head they had posted the criminal charge against him: this is jesus, the king of the jews. Along with him, they also crucified two criminals, one to his right, the other to his left. People passing along the road jeered, shaking their heads in mock lament: “You bragged that you could tear down the Temple and then rebuild it in three days—so show us your stuff! Save yourself! If you’re really God’s Son, come down from that cross!”

41-44 The high priests, along with the religion scholars and leaders, were right there mixing it up with the rest of them, having a great time poking fun at him: “He saved others—he can’t save himself! King of Israel, is he? Then let him get down from that cross. We’ll all become believers then! He was so sure of God—well, let him rescue his ‘Son’ now—if he wants him! He did claim to be God’s Son, didn’t he?” Even the two criminals crucified next to him joined in the mockery.

The disquieting thoughts of the crucifixion led me to other disquieting thoughts. The soldiers were just being soldiers. They were just following orders. Sure they killed people, but they were enemies of their country, they deserved to die. Didn't they? Can we really condemn them for doing their job, a necessary job, and enjoying it? Rome needed soldiers to protect the people in the empire, and such service in defense of one's country is honorable. 

These thoughts led to my final disquieting thought. When these heroes of the state returned home, did the people back home thank them for their service? 

Thursday
Jan232014

Skyrim

Of course my desire to play the game that has this as a theme song has nothing to do with my plans to run Windows on my Mac. 

Sunday
Jan192014

Windows Runs the World!

After watching this, I am reconsiderinmg the plan to "bootcamp" my Mac so it can run windows.