Fair warning: I’m going to write a little about politics tonight. If you’ve read this blog a while, you know that a) we don’t usually do politics, and b) my political beliefs are purely derived from lists of talking points supplied by my fellow Norwegian-American Karl Rove. So consider this fair warning.

But for those of you who are staying, I want to address those Republicans among us who’ve decided to sit out this election—or even to vote for the Democrat—based on a calculation that the Republicans have fallen so low that there’s really no useful difference between the parties. I especially have in mind those who say, “The only way to save this country is to let the Democrats run it for a few years, so we fall into complete chaos and anarchy and everything goes up in flames. From the ashes a new, authentic America may arise like a Phoenix.”

Here’s my view—it ain’t gonna happen that way. Continue reading “Danger! Pleasure Ahead!” is not an effective warning →

Since we’ve been talking about Russell Crowe, I was delighted to see this story over at Dirty Harry’s Place, which reports that Crowe recently made the decision to be baptized. For all I know his theology is far off the mark (or not), but I’m a Lutheran and so believe that baptism in itself possesses efficacy by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Though the state of the Lutheran church today doesn’t provide a lot of evidence, I have to admit.)

And since all of you are passionately interested in the Vikings, I should note that this month’s Smithsonian Magazine includes a cover story about The Sea Stallion of Glendalough, the largest replica Viking ship ever built, which sailed from Denmark to Ireland a while back, and will soon be returning to Denmark.

(The Sea Stallion, by the way, is a copy of a shipwreck found in Denmark. To the amazement of archaeologists, they gradually came to realize that it was a) one big ship, rather than two smaller ones, and b) built in Ireland (this determined by analysis of the wood). There were lots of Vikings in Ireland during those centuries.

I just had to link to this column in the New York Post by Ralph Peters (who, if you’ve been paying attention, is also Owen Parry, author of the Abel Jones mysteries). It harmonizes so well with my own attitude toward my generation, that I have to (metaphorically) wave it around, yelling, “See! See! I’m not the only one who thinks this way! An actual smart guy agrees with me!”

The real reason for my scorn for my fellow Boomers is, of course, founded in my deep, seething resentment over the fact that they got a lot of sex in the ’60s and ’70s, and I didn’t. (Also in the ’80s, ’90s and ’00s.) But that doesn’t make me wrong. If you despise Dan Brown, for instance, not because he writes lousy, heretical novels, but because he once gave you a wedgie in high school, your contempt is nonetheless well placed.

Something about this story pleases me greatly:

A nursing home in Germany built an exact replica of a bus stop in front of the facility. The only difference is that buses never stop there.

It’s a gentle, non-confrontational method for preventing Alzheimer’s patients from wandering off. Good thinking. Compassion. To a degree rarely seen in our day (or any other, probably).

(Hat tip: Evangelical Outpost.)

Well, that was a novel experience. I’m referring to the fact that we had a pleasant weekend. Sunny skies, warm (but not hot) temperatures, both days. Until it rained, both days. But the rain didn’t last long either day, and didn’t interfere (much).

On Saturday I took the (drill) bit in my teeth and went out and did the job I’d determined to do a couple weeks ago, and hadn’t been able to carry through because I’d been out of town two weekends. I’ve still got that tree stump in my yard, uglying up the neighborhood. I figured I could either get somebody to grind it out, or use the stump-rotting chemicals you can buy at hardware stores, which meant I had to buy a decent drill (I have my dad’s drill, which is older than I am, heavy, and packs a whopping 2 amps of power. I discovered it wasn’t up to the job) in order to drill foot-deep holes in which to introduce the deadly stuff. Money-wise it was a toss-up, but I figured if I bought the drill I’d come out of the deal with a new drill, almost as a free bonus.

Spending money, for me, at least at this point in my decline, is something not to be done without prayer and fasting. But a three-week delay seemed adequate.

Got a 6.5 amp Ridgid with variable speed and a cord (I don’t really believe in those newfangled cordless things) at Home Depot. I was able to drill my holes and pour the stuff in without doing myself serious injury. Next I wait four to six weeks for the stump to rot out. Or that’s the product’s claim.

So that was Saturday’s personal triumph.

Sunday was Svenskarnasdag (Swedish Day) at Minnehaha Park in Minneapolis. We set up an encampment and did three combat shows. I lost more than I won this time, but who cares?

It’s goes against many of my deepest held and most sacred personal beliefs to admit it, but I think the girls at Swedish Day are, all in all, prettier than the girls at Norwegian Day. However, they don’t elect a queen at Norway Day (I think). That accounts for it, I’m sure.

Also observed some very strange people, as one is wont to do in city parks. There was an elderly fellow who wore a sarong (no shirt) and a lei. He spoke to me a little, and I got the impression he was not entirely rational (what are the odds?). Also talked to a man, apparently younger than me, who actually used “Keepin’ it real” and “Right on” in conversation. I’m just dumbfounded at that.

On the other hand, people who wear tunics and carry swords probably aren’t in a position to be very critical of strange dress and behavior in public parks.

Hypnotists always tell their subjects to let their minds go completely blank. I think I’d hypnotize pretty easily today. I had a couple ideas for blog posts through the course of the day, but lacked the wit to write them down. They’re gone now.

I’ve read a couple criticisms of Jonah Goldberg’s recent book, Liberal Fascism, from conservatives who’ve said it’s simply uncivil and divisive to use a term like “liberal fascism” (even though it wasn’t Goldberg, but Socialist H. G. Wells, who coined it).

But in recent weeks two Democratic politicians have called for the nationalization of the oil industry.

For those of you who went to public schools in the last 25 years, and thus don’t know any history, nationalizing industry is what fascists do.



This is a troubling story:

A public school teacher taught creationism in his science class and used a device to burn the image of a cross on students’ arms, according to a report by independent investigators.

If it’s accurate it’s appalling. However, as you know if you’ve ever been involved in anything reported in the news, news stories are never accurate, especially in the first reports.

Am I trying to cut the guy some extra slack, just because he’s a believer?

Sure I am.