Demoralized

So I’m starting off the day with this message from PostTask: There are 25:07 h left! You could be done by 10:40 am. That’s 10:40am tomorrow morning, and if I work straight through, don’t take any bathroom or meal breaks.  Mind you, I still love the service, because no matter how discouraging reality may be, I’d still rather know than not know.  Plus, it’s free.  What’s not to like?

Based on a message from a reader who got here on a search for CS Lewis’ essay “Why I Am Not A Pacifist” I took another look at Weight of Glory and realized that reading it is hard going for this generation - and to some extent, my own.  Complex sentences, complicated concepts… we are increasingly dumbed down.  (Back when I was writing computer software manuals for large companies I was instructed to write at the 8th grade level.)  It’s a very slow, thoughtful read and these days, most folks aren’t willing to put that much energy into it.  That aside, the concepts in the essay are so cogent that anyone who reads it with an open mind will, I believe, be persuaded that pacifism is an unChristian stance.  John Piper has thoughts along the same lines.

If we can’t keep a thought in our heads long enough to comprehend concepts like those Lewis maps out in detail, how the heck are we ever going to stop nonsense like this non-solution to the non-problem of climate change?

I got an email from a business acquaintance with a link to his new website.  Honestly, I’m torn.  It looks pretty bad, but he’s going live with it so he must be satisfied.  I’m no designer, but I do create websites for a living and I know what works and what doesn’t.  So do I give him a little free-and-unrequested professional advice and risk offending him?  A guy was wandering around the grocery store with his fly unzipped - people were noticing it but nobody was saying anything - and I finally approached him and told him.  (I’m glad he didn’t ask “So why are you looking at my crotch?!” because there’s no good answer to that question.  I wasn’t trying to look… but everyone else was looking and then I noticed… honest!)  This feels about the same way… except it’s not a stranger I’ll never see again, it’s somebody who runs in the same business circles I do and whose feelings I’d rather not hurt, nor those of the person who built it for him, who is a programmer, not a designer.  On the other hand, if you care about someone at all, you’d try to help them, right?  On the other, other hand, I normally get paid for that kind of advice.  To tell, or not to tell - that is the question.  Advice is welcome; comment or email me.

So Hillary is quitting, or not quitting… whatever.  She may be holding out to see what damage the alleged “whitey” video will do but a)if it exists at all, which I doubt the damage is fully mitigated by the “why’d he” defense and b)with a whole network in the tank for a candidate, not to mention pretty much all the print media, it’ll all get swept under the rug.  We’ve had a whole war get hyped/ignored by the press (whichever does our enemies the most good at the time) so the idea of a video of a candidate’s wife saying something she shouldn’t isn’t going to get anywhere.  I can’t help but be amused at how the Hillary supporters are so riled about MSNBC, though.  Clinton News Network, anyone?  And no matter which of the three of them wins, we’re going to have a more socialized government; the difference is one of degree, not kind.

Speaking of the war, you can tell the combat part is essentially won because Excitable Andy is coming back over from the Dark Side.  May he be the start of a trend; but on the other hand, does anyone take him seriously anymore?  His new fanbase of nutroots is going to kick him to the curb for his heresy if he keeps it up; his old fan base has Moved On(tm).  Probably he’s just mellowing out because of the recent gay marriage court victory.  I’m looking forward to seeing who/what he takes his rage out on when CA voters smack it back down.  But not enough to actually, you know, go back to reading his hysterical tripe myself.  I just follow via other bloggers commentary on it.

Jay Tea has a new oxymoron:

Islamic Thinkers Society.

Because if there’s one Society that is utterly inimical to thought, to debate, to inquisition, to challenging fundamental precepts, to making breakthroughs, it has to be Islam.

And I’m still following the demoralizing, but fascinating fall of western freedoms in Canada.  Testimony from yesterday’s travesty of justice:

2:37 PM We’re going through an interview Awan gave on Mike Duffy Live.  He tells Duffy that this isn’t a case of free speech versus minority rights. Rather, he says, Maclean’s can go on publishing what it likes, Steyn can write whatever he likes, just so long as “the Muslim community” gets a right of reply. (I’m paraphrasing. The video of the interview is here.) So really, what they’re proposing (he explains in the interview) is an extension of free speech.

I think I see his point. Every time Maclean’s wants to publish an article some group doesn’t like, they just have to give them an equal amount of space in the magazine. Double the space, at twice the cost to Maclean’s - but zero cost to the complainants. That’s ”free” speech, of a kind.

Here’s Coyne’s liveblog post today - just open a tab and refresh it periodically to see the death of Western Civilization live.

In a few hours I’ll be taking my husband to the surgeon for a follow up visit and we’ll begin the process of finding out just how much permanent damage there is to his right arm; that actually accounts for most of my pessimistic, sour attitude.  But as long as I have it, I’ll take dubious enjoyment in just wallowing in it.  (Come on, you know you do it too!  I’m not the only irrational person in the world.)  Here’s the Rhapsody playlist I usually reserve for rainy days, and if you want to wallow along with me, you can get 25 songs free.  (Another reason to be disgruntled - no affiliate program so even if you click through I get no spiff.  I recommend it anyway,  though.)

You Don’t Know Me	Ray Charles
Stormy Monday Blues	Bobby “Blue” Bland
Don’t Answer The Door - Bobby Bland/B.B. King	Bobby “Blue” Bland
You Got Me (Where You Want Me) - Bobby Bland	Bobby “Blue” Bland
I Smell Trouble - Bobby Bland	Bobby “Blue” Bland
Ain’t Nobody Home - B.B. King	Bobby “Blue” Bland
This Bitter Earth	Bobby “Blue” Bland
Lush Life	John Coltrane
Blue Train	John Coltrane
Try A Little Tenderness	Otis Redding
I’ve Been Loving You Too Long	Otis Redding
These Arms Of Mine	Otis Redding
Pain In My Heart	Otis Redding
I Love You More Than Words Can Say	Otis Redding