Apparently today there is a 'No Kings Day' protest going on across the country. Because if there's anything that characterizes the modern world in general and America in particular, it's an excess of irresponsible royal authority. Like most protests, it's a costly, dangerous, over-elaborate way for many people to declare as a body "I'm a … Continue reading “When the King Enjoys His Own Again”
Current Events
Sunday Flotsam
1. I seem to be doing a lot of Sunday flotsams these days. 2. The first requirement for intelligent political discourse is to distinguish political thought from political rhetoric. That is, we have to set aside the buzzwords and loaded language ('racist', 'imperialist', 'exploitative', 'equality', and, especially, 'liberty') and make it clear what concrete realities … Continue reading Sunday Flotsam
Saturday Flotsam: Easter Events and Amerigo Vespucci
1. Of course, the major news this week is the death of the Holy Father. My own opinion of Pope Francis's pontificate is completely irrelevant; let us all pray for his soul and for the upcoming conclave. 2. That and... 3. I successfully made it through a 'Black Fast' this Triduum; fasting from Holy Thursday … Continue reading Saturday Flotsam: Easter Events and Amerigo Vespucci
Friday Flotsam: Classic Films and Some State of the Union
1. We’re approaching the part of the year where I start shifting from thinking how I can make this year better to thinking how I can make next year better. 2. Last week’s movie night, courtesy of one of my co-workers, was Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. To say “they don’t make them like this … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: Classic Films and Some State of the Union
Saturday Flotsam: Prayers for the Pope and Tycoons
1. I think I crushed one of my students' spirit a little bit when I told the class that Braveheart was mostly made up. 2. Prayers for the Holy Father, who sounds like he's on his way out. Whether immediately or in another year, all accounts are that he won't be here much longer. Now, … Continue reading Saturday Flotsam: Prayers for the Pope and Tycoons
‘Snow White’ Trailer Comments: The Musical
The cursed Snow White remake is finally going to be released in a couple months. I don't think anyone who doesn't run a YouTube channel of some sort is planning to go see it. Meanwhile, the disastrous trailer that came out a few months ago has been getting some comments that are certainly going to … Continue reading ‘Snow White’ Trailer Comments: The Musical
Sunday Flotsam: More Teaching and Some Fire Thoughts
1. From today's sermon: St. Augustine said that, "Peace is the tranquility of Order." That's a line to build a frame of life on! And, as you can tell by the fact that this is going up two days late (again), I lack order in my life. Something I need to work on. 2. Back … Continue reading Sunday Flotsam: More Teaching and Some Fire Thoughts
Wednesday Politics: Post-Election Thoughts
First I have to get this out of the way: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgWr3hNXPhk And this: My main reaction has been simply an appreciation of the storybook quality of the events. Six months ago I would have said that Trump didn't stand a chance in Hell of being re-elected, and that the smartest thing he could have done … Continue reading Wednesday Politics: Post-Election Thoughts
Some ‘West Side Story’-Based Immigration Thoughts
My school's going to be doing West Side Story this year for its spring musical, and accordingly I revisited the film version last night (the Robert Wise version, naturally). The story prompted some thoughts. The set up is a retelling of Romeo and Juliet among the street gangs of New York City, with the conflict … Continue reading Some ‘West Side Story’-Based Immigration Thoughts
Civil War Parallels at the Everyman
My first Everyman post in a while is now up. It's a foray into contemporary politics, looking for historical parallels. Specifically, I look at the likelihood of America dissolving into another civil war by comparing it to one of our previous ones: More and more the idea is in the air that the United States … Continue reading Civil War Parallels at the Everyman
Serpent's Den 