The music world fights back!
2 Pro-life music videos.
Once again we come to the time of year that reminds us of all the children who should be here but are not. On this annual solemn occasion I offer you a few rays of sunshine to pierce the darkness of the culture of death.
Music has always had a profound effect on the culture of the world, and the world of today is no exception. The problem of course is that a disturbingly huge portion of today's popular music only adds to the destruction of sexuality and the dignity of human life. Two beautiful exceptions are Nick Cannon's Can I Live and Flipsyde's Happy Birthday. Can I Live is the true story of how Nick Cannon's mother planned to abort him, but changed her mind before going through with it. Happy Birthday is a father singing and apologizing to his aborted son.
Watch them. Share them. They are worth every second.
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
BCS Debate Part II:
In yesterday's post, I discussed the historical reasons for why the BCS is a system built for failure. Today, a look at one of the possible solutions: go back to the old system.
The "old system" according to me can be defined as a world with very few bowl games pitting conference champions against each other with some polls saying this team or that team is "the best." It's a national championship in the sense that "high school national champions" are champs: some people who are supposed to know something said they were. This system encourages rivalry games (Big Ten v. Pac-10, etc.) and tradition, as well as accentuating conference play. Bowl games would be rare experiences for any but a "dynasty" team, and would put the focus on those regional rivalries instead of the more national focus of today's system. I like this system more than what we have, mostly because it is sings TRADITION like a fat Russian and doesn't pretend that the "national championship" is what really matters. The rivalry games matter and that's where the focus is.
Having said that, this system is gone forever. There's too much money to be had, and it's likely that we will continue to see the expansion of mediocre bowls, not a contraction. It still doesn't solve the problem of a long lay-off, but then it doesn't need to because the really important conference games are over before the bowl game is played.
Even though it's gone, I prefer old school honesty to BCS pretension.
Stay tuned tomorrow for another possible solution...
In yesterday's post, I discussed the historical reasons for why the BCS is a system built for failure. Today, a look at one of the possible solutions: go back to the old system.
The "old system" according to me can be defined as a world with very few bowl games pitting conference champions against each other with some polls saying this team or that team is "the best." It's a national championship in the sense that "high school national champions" are champs: some people who are supposed to know something said they were. This system encourages rivalry games (Big Ten v. Pac-10, etc.) and tradition, as well as accentuating conference play. Bowl games would be rare experiences for any but a "dynasty" team, and would put the focus on those regional rivalries instead of the more national focus of today's system. I like this system more than what we have, mostly because it is sings TRADITION like a fat Russian and doesn't pretend that the "national championship" is what really matters. The rivalry games matter and that's where the focus is.
Having said that, this system is gone forever. There's too much money to be had, and it's likely that we will continue to see the expansion of mediocre bowls, not a contraction. It still doesn't solve the problem of a long lay-off, but then it doesn't need to because the really important conference games are over before the bowl game is played.
Even though it's gone, I prefer old school honesty to BCS pretension.
Stay tuned tomorrow for another possible solution...
Monday, January 15, 2007
Woot.com, some serious deals and a sweet business model
Woot.com has come on a big hit in the last year, and if you haven't seen it you might want to jump on the bandwagon - but do it before noon or don't bother. Woot has gained popularity because of it's simple model - just one item for sale every day, sell 'em till they're gone (what is woot?). They generally handle electronics, but sometimes there are some random subjects for sale, like pope hats. They don't back order, and once an item is gone, it's gone. There's no schedule for what's coming up next, but the deals I've seen have been very competitive. A great site to check out for spontaneous buys at great prices.
For those afflicted with spontaneous buying disorders, see the post below on financial guides.
Woot.com has come on a big hit in the last year, and if you haven't seen it you might want to jump on the bandwagon - but do it before noon or don't bother. Woot has gained popularity because of it's simple model - just one item for sale every day, sell 'em till they're gone (what is woot?). They generally handle electronics, but sometimes there are some random subjects for sale, like pope hats. They don't back order, and once an item is gone, it's gone. There's no schedule for what's coming up next, but the deals I've seen have been very competitive. A great site to check out for spontaneous buys at great prices.
For those afflicted with spontaneous buying disorders, see the post below on financial guides.
The Great BCS Debate...Part I
Here at 40:20 we don't enter into many debates, but I think it's time to change that. I'm throwing down the gauntlet on the BCS as a total wackjob and that there are only three solutions that are viable. In this first post, why the BCS system is a sham.
If you haven't been paying attention in previous years (i.e. Auburn), let me point you to two games this year which showed why the BCS system is a joke: Ohio State v. Florida and Michigan v. U.S.C. I don't want to talk about the whole Florida/Michigan controversy which supposedly has been put to rest, that's focusing on the smoke and not the fire. Ohio State played in that game after 51 days off. 51 days! That's almost two months! No other professional sport (except maybe boxing or horse racing, which are quite different) asks a team to remain at the top of their game and the peak of their performance for two months without a contest. NFL announcers every single year ponder whether wild card teams will have an advantage over Division champs who had only a single week off, and every year we're told that it factored in somehow when that division champ loses (see Baltimore this year). For anyone who watched those two games, there was one thing that was abundantly clear about both Michigan and Ohio State - they didn't show up. I could have told you Michigan wouldn't show up because they never show up to a bowl game or a California game, and certainly not to a California Bowl game, but Ohio State was a surprise. Tressel is too good a coach for that, and I think the system is to blame for the lop-sided wins that characterized the bowl season this year.
The heart of the matter for me is that the current system is built on a bowl structure that was never meant to produce a true national champion. Sure, there have been polled national champions for the past 100 years, but what teams really cared about were the rivalries, the conference games, and the bowls reflected that. The old bowl system was, well, collegial, and is ill-suited to produce a "true" national champion because that's not what it was made for. If your goal is to crown a national champ, you need a different system.
Part II Tomorrow...
Here at 40:20 we don't enter into many debates, but I think it's time to change that. I'm throwing down the gauntlet on the BCS as a total wackjob and that there are only three solutions that are viable. In this first post, why the BCS system is a sham.
If you haven't been paying attention in previous years (i.e. Auburn), let me point you to two games this year which showed why the BCS system is a joke: Ohio State v. Florida and Michigan v. U.S.C. I don't want to talk about the whole Florida/Michigan controversy which supposedly has been put to rest, that's focusing on the smoke and not the fire. Ohio State played in that game after 51 days off. 51 days! That's almost two months! No other professional sport (except maybe boxing or horse racing, which are quite different) asks a team to remain at the top of their game and the peak of their performance for two months without a contest. NFL announcers every single year ponder whether wild card teams will have an advantage over Division champs who had only a single week off, and every year we're told that it factored in somehow when that division champ loses (see Baltimore this year). For anyone who watched those two games, there was one thing that was abundantly clear about both Michigan and Ohio State - they didn't show up. I could have told you Michigan wouldn't show up because they never show up to a bowl game or a California game, and certainly not to a California Bowl game, but Ohio State was a surprise. Tressel is too good a coach for that, and I think the system is to blame for the lop-sided wins that characterized the bowl season this year.
The heart of the matter for me is that the current system is built on a bowl structure that was never meant to produce a true national champion. Sure, there have been polled national champions for the past 100 years, but what teams really cared about were the rivalries, the conference games, and the bowls reflected that. The old bowl system was, well, collegial, and is ill-suited to produce a "true" national champion because that's not what it was made for. If your goal is to crown a national champ, you need a different system.
Part II Tomorrow...
Consumers Beware - Scary Vulnerability of US Locks
Every one who trusts the security of people or things important to them to locks needs to read this article from Endagaget. The locks that we've all been thinking were, if not impregnable, at least pretty secure have been shown to be vulnerable to a few seconds of work by an 11 year old girl with no training or special equipment (see video here). The process known as "bumping" (explained very well in the article) is basically taking a low-tooth key, inserting it into the lock, hitting the key with something (a hammer, screwdriver, etc.), and turning the handle. It's that simple, and it worked on my apartment door and will work on an enormous number of US homes. Suffice it to say, I always use the chain lock now and will be paying attention when I get my own home.
Great Book for Finances
I'm sad to admit that, after growing up in a great family and getting a degree that included multiple business courses, I was unprepared for the many options that have appeared in my path financially. What to do about Roth IRA's, Mutual Funds, Health Care Savings Accounts and all the rest has been a big challenge, especially while trying to sort out a little something on the side like law school. I found a great book to help out young Christian people get on the road to financial security. It's called the Sound Mind Investing Handbook and was written by Austin Pryor. I highly this book for the neophyte in financies. The book is not great on budgeting itself, that's a bit of a weakness, but it's really focused on how to grow wealth and how to make sense of all the current options in the market.
Best Current Tip From the Book- Take your money out of savings accounts at the bank and put it in money market funds like the Vanguard Prime Money Market Fund. Money Market Funds give you the same stability and security of as insured banks, but offer a higher return on the money. In my case, it was the difference between getting 1.25% from my bank and 5.10% from the Vanguard fund (my current choice). With the easy access the fund gives you to the money, along with checkwritting options for bill payments, this was a no brainer that will pay some modest but substantial dividends immediately.
I'm sad to admit that, after growing up in a great family and getting a degree that included multiple business courses, I was unprepared for the many options that have appeared in my path financially. What to do about Roth IRA's, Mutual Funds, Health Care Savings Accounts and all the rest has been a big challenge, especially while trying to sort out a little something on the side like law school. I found a great book to help out young Christian people get on the road to financial security. It's called the Sound Mind Investing Handbook and was written by Austin Pryor. I highly this book for the neophyte in financies. The book is not great on budgeting itself, that's a bit of a weakness, but it's really focused on how to grow wealth and how to make sense of all the current options in the market.
Best Current Tip From the Book- Take your money out of savings accounts at the bank and put it in money market funds like the Vanguard Prime Money Market Fund. Money Market Funds give you the same stability and security of as insured banks, but offer a higher return on the money. In my case, it was the difference between getting 1.25% from my bank and 5.10% from the Vanguard fund (my current choice). With the easy access the fund gives you to the money, along with checkwritting options for bill payments, this was a no brainer that will pay some modest but substantial dividends immediately.
"...and the darkness has not overcome it."
There is a light bulb in the Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department in Livermore, CA that has been burning since 1901! I caught it on a rerun of Mythbusters last night. If you don't believe me check out the webcam. It is very stimulating!
There is a light bulb in the Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department in Livermore, CA that has been burning since 1901! I caught it on a rerun of Mythbusters last night. If you don't believe me check out the webcam. It is very stimulating!
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Get your TiVo ready!
National Geographic channel is running a program on January 14th showing multiple births while still in the womb. It shows them kicking each other and playing together inside the womb. I have seen a couple clips of the 4-d ultrasound that they use, and I just cannot see anyway that someone could watch it and say that they are not human or that they don't have a personality yet. It should be worthwhile to watch if you get National Geographic channel. Here is a preview.
National Geographic channel is running a program on January 14th showing multiple births while still in the womb. It shows them kicking each other and playing together inside the womb. I have seen a couple clips of the 4-d ultrasound that they use, and I just cannot see anyway that someone could watch it and say that they are not human or that they don't have a personality yet. It should be worthwhile to watch if you get National Geographic channel. Here is a preview.
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
What we won't do for our children!
So last night I spent about 20 minutes on my knees in the bathroom cleaning poop out of a pair of pajamas. Of course my wife does this stuff all the time, but it just reminded me of how much we must really love that little guy. I don't think there are enough poopy outfits in the world to make me not want to have him around.
So last night I spent about 20 minutes on my knees in the bathroom cleaning poop out of a pair of pajamas. Of course my wife does this stuff all the time, but it just reminded me of how much we must really love that little guy. I don't think there are enough poopy outfits in the world to make me not want to have him around.
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Movie Recommendations.
I got to see The Pursuit of Happyness last night, and it is fantastic. It is an especially powerful example of the love of a father. This movie certainly means more to be than it would have before my son was born.
I also saw 16 Blocks this week. It is by no means the same caliber of movie as Pursuit of Happyness, but if you like suspense/drama movies this is a good one that is morally satisfying. For a police drama there is surprisingly little violence and language, and the overall message is one of doing the right thing even when it is hard. I am pretty sure that there was a guy named Jesus once upon a time who taught us the same thing.
I got to see The Pursuit of Happyness last night, and it is fantastic. It is an especially powerful example of the love of a father. This movie certainly means more to be than it would have before my son was born.
I also saw 16 Blocks this week. It is by no means the same caliber of movie as Pursuit of Happyness, but if you like suspense/drama movies this is a good one that is morally satisfying. For a police drama there is surprisingly little violence and language, and the overall message is one of doing the right thing even when it is hard. I am pretty sure that there was a guy named Jesus once upon a time who taught us the same thing.
Anybody like music videos?
Anyone who has spent much time on the internet in the past year has probably heard of the band OK Go. I on the other hand have been oblivious and did not hear about their internet exploits until this week. They have built their popularity by putting homemade music videos on YouTube. The thing that makes this significant though is that they are amazingly creative and in my opinion hilarious. Two of the best are Here it Goes Again and A Million Ways.
Also, if you have listened to music at any point in the past 50 years or so you will probably get a kick out of The Evolution of Dance.
Anyone who has spent much time on the internet in the past year has probably heard of the band OK Go. I on the other hand have been oblivious and did not hear about their internet exploits until this week. They have built their popularity by putting homemade music videos on YouTube. The thing that makes this significant though is that they are amazingly creative and in my opinion hilarious. Two of the best are Here it Goes Again and A Million Ways.
Also, if you have listened to music at any point in the past 50 years or so you will probably get a kick out of The Evolution of Dance.
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Groom of Ecclesia.
When people would ask a seminarian friend of mine if he was dating anyone he would answer, "Yes. Her name is Ecclesia." His name is Kim Schreck from the Archdiocese of Pittsburgh, and he has a website that could be interesting to anyone considering the priesthood. He is attending the Pontifical North American College in Rome, and was ordained a deacon in October. He will be ordained to the priesthood this summer in Pittsburgh. Check it out and maybe send him an email to say you are praying for him.
When people would ask a seminarian friend of mine if he was dating anyone he would answer, "Yes. Her name is Ecclesia." His name is Kim Schreck from the Archdiocese of Pittsburgh, and he has a website that could be interesting to anyone considering the priesthood. He is attending the Pontifical North American College in Rome, and was ordained a deacon in October. He will be ordained to the priesthood this summer in Pittsburgh. Check it out and maybe send him an email to say you are praying for him.
Monday, December 18, 2006
"Come, let us climb the mountain of the Lord."
This passage from Isaiah, which was read not once but twice in this morning's divine office, is very fitting for this day and the tragic death of one of the climbers stranded on Mt. Hood in Oregon. We continue to pray for the safety of the remaining climbers, and we pray for the soul of Kelly James who has just taken an even greater journey than climbing Mt. Hood.
"In days to come, The mountain of the LORD'S house shall be established as the highest mountain and raised above the hills. All nations shall stream toward it;
Many peoples shall come and say: 'Come, let us climb the LORD'S mountain, to the house of the God of Jacob, That he may instruct us in his ways, and we may walk in his paths.'"
- Isaiah 2:2-3
This passage from Isaiah, which was read not once but twice in this morning's divine office, is very fitting for this day and the tragic death of one of the climbers stranded on Mt. Hood in Oregon. We continue to pray for the safety of the remaining climbers, and we pray for the soul of Kelly James who has just taken an even greater journey than climbing Mt. Hood.
"In days to come, The mountain of the LORD'S house shall be established as the highest mountain and raised above the hills. All nations shall stream toward it;
Many peoples shall come and say: 'Come, let us climb the LORD'S mountain, to the house of the God of Jacob, That he may instruct us in his ways, and we may walk in his paths.'"
- Isaiah 2:2-3
She is so shady it's disgusting.
Click the link and you can watch Hillary Clinton's appearance on the Today Show this morning. It is aggravating to just listen to her. She dodged questions left and right, especially questions about running for president, about which she continues to say she has not made up her mind. Despite the question dodging, the most despicable and ridiculous thing she said is that the gauge she uses to decide on issues is how that issue will help our children. This just makes my skin crawl. How can anyone not see the contradiction between this and being pro-abortion?
Both of the polls they showed this morning said that currently she is not a front runner for the presidency or even the democratic nomination. Let's just hope and pray that she doesn't get into the White House.
Click the link and you can watch Hillary Clinton's appearance on the Today Show this morning. It is aggravating to just listen to her. She dodged questions left and right, especially questions about running for president, about which she continues to say she has not made up her mind. Despite the question dodging, the most despicable and ridiculous thing she said is that the gauge she uses to decide on issues is how that issue will help our children. This just makes my skin crawl. How can anyone not see the contradiction between this and being pro-abortion?
Both of the polls they showed this morning said that currently she is not a front runner for the presidency or even the democratic nomination. Let's just hope and pray that she doesn't get into the White House.
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Men and women are different? I never would have guessed!
The Today Show this morning seemed very proud of what they considered to be a groundbreaking discovery: Research shows gender affects how our brains work.
I think anyone who considers this a major discovery would be blown away by Theology of the Body. Do they think the only difference between men and women is body parts? Seeing articles like this gives me a new perspective on the importance of the Pope John Paul's work. I guess I take for granted that I recognize the "language of the body" and that men and women are different to their very cores.
To me it is easy to see how lacking this understanding could lead to many errors about what someone believes about the human person and especially sexuality. Maybe this "groundbreaking discovery" can open some eyes that never would have been opened otherwise. Hey, we can always hope and pray for that anyway right?
The Today Show this morning seemed very proud of what they considered to be a groundbreaking discovery: Research shows gender affects how our brains work.
I think anyone who considers this a major discovery would be blown away by Theology of the Body. Do they think the only difference between men and women is body parts? Seeing articles like this gives me a new perspective on the importance of the Pope John Paul's work. I guess I take for granted that I recognize the "language of the body" and that men and women are different to their very cores.
To me it is easy to see how lacking this understanding could lead to many errors about what someone believes about the human person and especially sexuality. Maybe this "groundbreaking discovery" can open some eyes that never would have been opened otherwise. Hey, we can always hope and pray for that anyway right?
Sunday, December 10, 2006
What American accent do you have?
See. Not all southerners talk like hicks!
Your Result: The West Your accent is the lowest common denominator of American speech. Unless you're a SoCal surfer, no one thinks you have an accent. And really, you may not even be from the West at all, you could easily be from Florida or one of those big Southern cities like Dallas or Atlanta.
Saturday, December 09, 2006
What do you mean there is no discipline?!!!
Mark Foley received no discipline for his "sexual advances to former teenage pages". The speaker of the house, Dennis Hastert, who knew about it but did nothing, received no discipline. What would the reaction have been if Foley had been a priest and Hastert had been a bishop?
My problem is not that Catholics, especially clergy, are held to a higher standard. We should be held to a higher standard, because, if anyone should know better than to sin, we should (CCC 598). All I wish is that the rest of the world, those who hold us to that standard, realized it.
Mark Foley received no discipline for his "sexual advances to former teenage pages". The speaker of the house, Dennis Hastert, who knew about it but did nothing, received no discipline. What would the reaction have been if Foley had been a priest and Hastert had been a bishop?
My problem is not that Catholics, especially clergy, are held to a higher standard. We should be held to a higher standard, because, if anyone should know better than to sin, we should (CCC 598). All I wish is that the rest of the world, those who hold us to that standard, realized it.
Friday, December 08, 2006
Rest in peace, J.B. Hunt.
No he is not just a truck. Johnnie Bryan Hunt is also a man, and he died yesterday at the age of 79. Hunt had been in critical condition since December 2nd, when he slipped on some ice and hit his head. This is a bigger deal to me than to most people, because the J.B. Hunt trucking company, the largest trucking company in the U.S., is based in my area of Arkansas. Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee said about Hunt, "Every night in our state, families sit down to dinner and have the security of a good job because of J.B. We have lost a true friend and leader and most of all, a sincere Christian gentleman."
Besides providing jobs for so many people in our state, he also gave millions to charities and schools. He would also carry around a clip full of $100's that he would give to anyone who looked like they needed food.
Say some prayers for a man who is hopefully now with the Savior whom he lived for.
Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.
No he is not just a truck. Johnnie Bryan Hunt is also a man, and he died yesterday at the age of 79. Hunt had been in critical condition since December 2nd, when he slipped on some ice and hit his head. This is a bigger deal to me than to most people, because the J.B. Hunt trucking company, the largest trucking company in the U.S., is based in my area of Arkansas. Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee said about Hunt, "Every night in our state, families sit down to dinner and have the security of a good job because of J.B. We have lost a true friend and leader and most of all, a sincere Christian gentleman."
Besides providing jobs for so many people in our state, he also gave millions to charities and schools. He would also carry around a clip full of $100's that he would give to anyone who looked like they needed food.
Say some prayers for a man who is hopefully now with the Savior whom he lived for.
Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.
Razorback awards
If you live in Arkansas, you are a University of Arkansas Razorback fan. This year our football team had a better than expected season, although it hasn't ended on such a high note. However there is something to be proud of, and that is Darren McFadden. For all of you who don't have the privilege of being from Arkansas, you probably don't realize just how amazing he is on the football field, because you don't get to see him too often. It is your loss though, because he just won the Doak Walker award as the best running back in the country. He is also one of the three finalists for one of the most coveted trophies in all of sports, the Heisman. Although Troy Smith from Ohio State deserves to win this one, we are still pretty proud of him around here. Look out next year. After all he is only a sophomore.
If you live in Arkansas, you are a University of Arkansas Razorback fan. This year our football team had a better than expected season, although it hasn't ended on such a high note. However there is something to be proud of, and that is Darren McFadden. For all of you who don't have the privilege of being from Arkansas, you probably don't realize just how amazing he is on the football field, because you don't get to see him too often. It is your loss though, because he just won the Doak Walker award as the best running back in the country. He is also one of the three finalists for one of the most coveted trophies in all of sports, the Heisman. Although Troy Smith from Ohio State deserves to win this one, we are still pretty proud of him around here. Look out next year. After all he is only a sophomore.
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Joseph is the man!
I got to see the Nativity Story last night. It was not without its questionable moments – it seemed like the filmmakers did not believe that Mary was without sin – but it was certainly not lacking in truth, beauty, and, goodness.
There was one part in the movie that I honestly have never really considered in the way that the movie opened to me, and that is the faith of Joseph. My favorite part of the movie was seeing the reaction that the people of Nazareth had to Mary being pregnant out of wedlock. The part that I had never considered was that when Joseph decided to accept Mary, he was also accepting that people would think he was the father of the child and also guilty of premarital sex. We know that Joseph is only the adoptive father of Jesus, but the people of Nazareth didn’t. They went from thinking that Mary was unchaste to thinking that Joseph was too. Joseph had to give his “fiat” to that ridicule also. To me, this was beautiful. It showed Joseph’s great love for his wife, for Jesus, and above all for his God. This love and dedication of Joseph was very strong throughout the rest of the movie also. To me it is the organizing structure for telling the whole story, and I found it to be a very interesting and moving perspective.
I expected this movie to be very devoted to Mary and Jesus, and to portray them in the glory that they deserve. I was not expecting the same focus on Joseph, but I was very pleased with it. Seeing his example in this way is a great source of strength for myself, and I feel it would be for any husband and father.
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