Safe Haven

I think a lot about our socio-political culture, because I like politics, and more importantly, I like people. An important concept in politics is called "framing". One frames the issues or the opponent in such a way to make the political situation more favorable to one's own position. Your average Democrat knows that defending the senseless murder of innocent children in the womb is almost impossible, so she frames the issue with euphemisms. Euphemisms, recall, are words to obscure or soften the blow related to something morally unacceptable or otherwise unpleasant. Important people know that telling the truth about abortion would turn most sensible people against it and the Democrats faster than admitting they mostly agree with Bernie Sanders on economics. "The right to choose," "women's rights" "reproductive freedom," these are all euphemisms for abortion. One doesn't have to convince all the people, or even most of them, that ...

You finish it. I know that Dr. Murray has been telling us that class divisions are becoming more pronounced, and technology allows us to wall ourselves off from ideas and people we don't like. This is the reason our politics is so nasty: we lack a shared culture, and we are not motivated by reason, but by emotion. Each coalition looks over and says, "They aren't like us," and so no method or tool of destruction is off the table. One side thinks the president is a secret Muslim who hates all that we stand for, and the other side thinks their opponents are constructing gulags for racial minorities, gays, and poor people. That's what really bothers me: I don't have to exaggerate that much. I wish it were just a plea for civility, but it can't be. The Democratic Party is the abortion party. That's what they exist to defend. Democratic elected officials can compromise nearly every other tenet of progressive thinking, but not that one. This is why Republ...

I was enjoying the Facebook members' forum for Christ and Pop Culture, where someone mentioned the horror film, "It Follows." And it got me thinking: What would a horror movie I could relate to be like? [Creepy, Old Voice-Over Guy] This spring...one man [blood-curdling screams from D.G. Hart, Leithart, Mathison, etc.] takes your theology where it doesn't want to go! This absurdity...is a nightmare! [Bryan Cross laughs maniacally] "It Follows." Coming to theaters near you. And...scene!

We've been arguing about cakes and conscience for a while now, and that's not an unworthy activity, but how I respond to the illiberal tendencies of some who don't really believe in any sort of freedom says a lot about who I really believe God is. Do I really believe that sexual sin, including homosexual practices, separates me and others from God? Do I really believe that to be with God in Heaven is the reason I live? Do I really believe that sinners are hiding from the God who loves them? If I believe this, then I must believe what I once wrote: "You don't stop existing, you know. And most people know that they want to like themselves, and even that they're supposed to. So they have to construct a reality where they are happy, and where they are good. That's why the public space is so absurd: some people are trying really hard, and they have a lot of shame." Tell you what, guys: If you are so wounded that you need to throw me in jail, or rui...

I think they could win the AL East. Everybody says they're too old, hurt, and thin in the starting rotation. Bupkus. In three months time, we'll be talking about breakout pitching star Nathan Eovaldi, along with Tanaka and Pineda. The Yankees offense doesn't terrify, but it's good enough. Really. And while much has been made of the decline of CC Sabathia--perhaps rightly so--if he posts 16-10, 4.20 ERA, you'd take it. And he can do that. They'll catch it well, too. Saving runs is as important as scoring them these days. They'll figure out who the closer is, also, and it will be fine. Most importantly, the manager isn't some fool. I have no idea how I'd order the top 5 managers in baseball, but Joe Girardi is one of them. If it's close, he'll push them over the top. Yes, I actually believe this.