Safe Haven

I was with some brothers in Christ this morning, praying the Divine Mercy chaplet, and I looked out the car, seeing all the other people on their way, wondering if somebody was really struggling. Maybe at that very moment, they feel totally alone, as if no one cares if they live or die. Cars are like sanctuaries. You might pick up a work colleague or two, but honestly, the people you ride in cars with are your people. Have you ever seen someone driving alone, and wondered? I'd like to think we are dropping Divine Mercy bombs on people when we pray for them. You know that person who would be most annoyed at the very thought of imploring Heaven on their behalf? Pray for that person. That disdain is the leading edge of this , and there's no worse outcome. The singer Jewel said she believed bathrooms were sanctuaries as well, and I think she's right. [This is totally random.--ed.] We need people, but we need quiet also, to hear God who loves us. Let's be intercessors ...

 Here's an idea: The GOP House and Senate will pass the "Land Of The Free Act", ostensibly to prevent foreigners and terrorists from having access to our ERs and things, by forcibly deporting all migrant Mexicans, no matter what. We'll trot out Boehner and McConnell to talk about how important it is. Smart, good people will say that it's going to be harmful, expensive, and at best, like dropping a nuclear bomb on an hill of fire-ants. The supporters will say, "Don't you care about keeping us safe?!" and Boehner will say,--after we've nearly forced it through both chambers at record speed--"We have to pass the bill to see what's in it." Also, a chemical tagging system we will use to track our targets, paid for by a new compulsory fee, has the unintended effect of killing spotted owls and other waterfowl. Numerous environmental, religious, and community groups protest, objecting to being compelled to participate. Boehner figures, ...

Call it boasting, and maybe it is, but I'd rather endure a thousand Hells than corrupt these little ones!  I just can't even take it. I think I met Fr. Gerber once. Thank you, Fr. [Sigh]

I took your survey; let's see if you can tell which one is me! I suppose I would rank as a "critic," although that sounds absurd in my ears. Christ and Pop Culture is better than Christianity Today. I believe in your mission, and I like your tone, although my main criticism is that I know you don't want that tone to be an end in itself. If this magazine had a genesis as a cultural counter-reaction to the rise of the Religious Right--even if not consciously from the Left--this would explain the criticism from the Right, some of which I share, when I'm in the mood. I think the most important thing to say is that the Religious Right can't be faulted for being involved; they can be faulted (maybe) for losing the message of Christ while they became involved. Art makes culture, and culture makes politics. As I think about it, it's not only the political Right that lost the true Christian anthropology; the Left did, too. You're not only speaking into a cu...

5. I really like Steve Nash. Doesn't his retirement announcement feel about 2 years too late? Is it harsh to say that? 4. I love Charles Barkley. I think he might be the frankest, funniest guy on TV. 3. Does CBS really think "The Late, Late Show" still matters without Craig Ferguson? Contrary to the thinking of TV executives, we will not laugh at any British person. Ferguson was legitimately hilarious. 2. Yes, I will cop to having the maturity level of a 12-year-old. Quit kidding yourself; you laughed at him. 1. I was once fond of saying that I was from the Republican wing of the Republican Party. With apologies to Mr. Reagan though, if I have to live in a political world where I have to take Ted Cruz (or Rand Paul) seriously, then perhaps I am "The Establishment," and I'm OK with this. It's not that he never says things I agree with; it's that he follows those things with either: (1) moonbat crazy things, or (2) the worst political optics o...