Safe Haven

Have you heard about the moving of the body of Nathan Bedford Forrest ? Memphis is moving it. I can't say I blame them. It was likely placed with prominence during a time when everything Forrest did--postwar helping to found the Klan included--was viewed as a good thing. If you keep scrolling, you might conclude that at least this man was capable of virtue and kindness. On his best day, he would probably qualify as a paternalist toward his black neighbors, which is unacceptable to us today, as it should be. When people are involved in things of great historical import, they don't often see the full implications of what they are trying to do. There undoubtedly were black people sympathetic to the Confederate cause, because of some personal assessment of a more immediate concern (like, say, the destruction caused by Union "invaders," or having been personally discipled by Robert E. Lee) who just wouldn't even see the big picture (that Union victory would help them...

...we need more of  in politics. Frankly, being wrong about something is less a crime than being opportunistically and dishonestly right about a thing. When I read about guys like this, I think, "I'm not against liberals, per se; I'm against unprincipled liars." In a rare attack of good sense, then-Senator Obama said that this man mentored him and inspired him. Were it truly so! I don't even know this double-tongued person that appears on my TV from time to time. If you say something like, "I believe marriage is between a man and a woman" in 2008, and attempt to wax eloquent about how your Christianity affects that determination, you'd better say the same thing in 2014, OR explain how you were improperly related to the source(s) of revealed truth, and why the change in your views has taken place. This is actually the worst lie of the Obama presidency, because he is 1. flippant about the fact that truth from God *cannot* change; 2. because God can...

Politics only runs part way on sentiment. Income inequality at certain extremes *is* immoral. But this tells us nothing about the methods of addressing it. This is the reason I'm not a progressive: they seem to think caring is enough; they seem to think their opponents are not those of good will. It seems none can fathom even that possibility. Socialism destroys self-determination as surely as crushing poverty. You want to further empower a government that puts its own people to death unjustly, by abortion, and by capital punishment. You want to further empower a state apparatus which has overseen the expansion of extreme poverty at greater levels than we saw in 1965. You tell us that our greatest enemies are banks and corporations, but I say no, our greatest enemies are government that takes our wealth and wastes it, having the gall to demand more, and a lack of virtue. Let it be understood that we do not aim for unregulated commerce. Rather, we understand that no coercive force c...

[Oh, no. When the president says this, he's not clear at all!--ed.] I'll try to do better. Not long ago, an "ism" used to be a bad idea that had some portion of truth, but had twisted some aspect of human life, becoming dangerous in large doses. Now, our "isms" are completely fictional; people are asking us the equivalent of believing in unicorns. I'm not sure what "cisgenderism" is exactly, but I call it "reality." I read another stupid word today: "ageism." Now, I certainly believe it's possible to unjustly discriminate against an aged person, (or a young one) but the word itself is a fig-leaf to cover the fact that old people aren't supposed to be working. We are indeed too individualized, too atomized, if our elders continue working out of necessity. That's a discussion for another day. I like smart women. Thoughtful, feisty, independent women. You know what, though? Pretty much the peak of womanhood i...

After he beat Andy Murray to win Wimbledon, I wrote that it reminded me of Kinshasa in 1974. (let the reader understand) That was 3 years ago. Here we are again. Roger's in the quarterfinals at Wimbledon, and with a little help, he could win it again. He could hit #1 again; don't bet against it. I can't even begin to explain what a joy it is to watch him. Honestly, I don't remember much from his soul-crushing dominant phase; it happened, but it's a point on a resume. Now is the time to watch him, if you haven't. He's still absurdly great, but at the height of competition, he has to fight. He's not unbeatable. Just like Ali from 1974-1978. Ali is the greatest fighter who ever lived, but he won our hearts when he wasn't, if that makes sense. Let Roger Federer win your heart. I'm not missing a point until he's done; it's the perfect expression of why I watch sports: when icons become human, sports transcends itself. The ones we love for...

I'm sure that beautiful, prominent Catholic married couple who lectures on chastity has helped a lot of people. I'll just bet they are holier, more prayerful, and better than me. I guess that novena worked. I was going to say "like a charm." Anyway, my reaction when I see anything of theirs: I don't care. Please shut up. You know what? The truth is, they had about a 0% chance of not being married. If either one of them told me they struggled with their singleness, I would laugh at them. Maybe one day, I could be persuaded to be sorry. But not today. Where are the freaks and the ugly people? I'd listen to them. I already know what they are like. I get them. Generally speaking though, you are just reinforcing the same cultural messages, Catholic media world. You're not reaching me. Really, you're not even close.

It's a life motto. Of course, it needs qualification, in light of Christ. Sin is ever and always my only regret. Apart from that, I have never been ashamed to say what is on my heart to say. If you are reading this, you know that. Whenever people in the world say, "he lived life to the fullest," I note with some chagrin that the person to whom they are referring often died of a drug overdose, or a stupid stunt. That isn't living; that's just finding a quick thrill, because you can't see how alive everything is. If you can brush your teeth to the glory of God, you aren't far from the Kingdom. Everyone has worry and frustration. Sometimes, you don't even realize that's what you feel until you do the wrong thing. Ask for mercy and pardon, and move on. Don't live halfway; decide who you are, and spend every second being that person. A lot of people are afraid that if they are themselves, no one will like them. It isn't true. Well, you mig...