I just received this in one of those annoying serial emails.  Couldn't resist posting it...

There's a reason he refuses to accept repayment of TARP money.

Stuart Varney, The Wall Street Journal, 04/04-5/2009

I must be naive. I really thought the administration would welcome the return of bank bailout money. Some $340 million in TARP cash flowed back this week from four small banks in Louisiana, New York, Indiana and California. This isn't much when we routinely talk in trillions, but clearly that money has not been wasted or otherwise sunk down Wall Street's black hole. So why no cheering as the cash comes back?

Barocky Road...

I laughed; I cried...

I dunno... It just hit me somehow.

Should I apologize?  I don't know.  I honestly don't know.

I'm still laughing.

You can find Shirah's other stuff at her blog,  Ma vie, raconté....

Plato's Take on Politics

My Honors course this semester is entitled Ancient World, and appropriately so, because we are simultaneously investigating the development of culture through the ancient civilizations of Egypt, Mesopotamia, India, Greece, Rome, and China. Most of us have studied these ancient civilizations individually at some point or another-- but rarely do we compare and contrast them all on one time line.

Right now we're just moving into ancient Greece; today's preparatory reading includes an excerpt from Plato's Republic. This specific piece is called the "Allegory of the Cave" -- many of you may be familiar with it. If you're not, let me briefly put it in context: Plato was a student of the great Greek philosopher Socrates. Shortly after Athens government was defeated in the Peloponnesian Wars, Socrates--who flagrantly disliked the new regime and wasn't afraid to say so--was brought to trial (at over seventy years of age) for "subversive behavior, impiety, and atheism". He was condemned to die by drinking hemlock, a poisonous herb.**

Although Socrates was a great thinker, and took on students who would become themselves great philosophers, Socrates never wrote down any of his theories, conjectures, or ponderings. What we know of him is only what was recorded by his students. Plato especially seemed to have an affinity for his teacher, and went on to write most of his treatises as dialogues wherein Socrates delivers the major philosophical arguments of the text.

Ok, so now to get to my point. In Republic, Plato has Socrates impart this wisdom...

...I think this is one.

I ran across this video, and I have to say, It affected me.  Here's the deal:  I gripe a lot about the failed politics of our once great nation.  I have issues with many of our post-modern materialistic Christian churches.  I wish people were more aware of the imminent dangers of Islam in our society.  I tend to complain a lot.  But really, God has truly blessed me.  I have six beautiful children and a loving wife.  Materially, I lack nothing.  We are housed and well fed.  And I'm middle class, which means most Americans are as fortunate as I am.

So I dare you to watch this video.  If it doesn't motivate you to give to this cause, it should at least give you pause to reflect on how good God has been to you...

Tell you what --These surgeons are good people. I don't care what you say... These are good people. The people running this organization are doing good work. This is the kind of thing that defines goodness.

I ran across this statement while perusing the Federalist Papers.

...The influence of factious leaders may kindle a flame within their particular States, but will be unable to spread a general conflagration through the other States. A religious sect may degenerate into a political faction in a part of the Confederacy; but the variety of sects dispersed over the entire face of it must secure the national councils against any danger from that source. A rage for paper money, for an abolition of debts, for an equal division of property, or for any other improper or wicked project, will be less apt to pervade the whole body of the Union than a particular member of it; in the same proportion as such a malady is more likely to taint a particular county or district, than an entire State.

Kinda reminds me of U.S.A. 2008.  I am truly thankful that I was born in such a great nation.  I am truly proud to be a citizen of the greatest nation on earth.  But I am truly saddened by what our country has become.  Dear Publius: how could you have forseen the great enabling of the forces of evil brought on by the various modern technologies which have at the same time so enhanced our quality of life?  To your credit, I say this:  You knew what a man is made of, and you did and said what you could to warn us of our self-destructive tendencies.  It is we who have failed in diligence.  Popular rule just seems to have certain inevitable flaws.

"I met a new girl at a barbecue, very pretty, a blond I think. I don't know, her hair was on fire, and all she talked about was herself. You know these kind of girls: 'I'm hot. I'm on fire. Me, me, me.' You know.  'Help me, put me out.' Come on, could we talk about me just a little bit?"

--Garry Shandling

...Just checking.

I'm not sayin'...

                    ...I'm just sayin'...