Uncategorized

“Danger! Pleasure Ahead!” is not an effective warning

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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 →

Fiction

The Story Before ‘Treasure Island’

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“Author John Drake, a former biochemist and freelance TV producer, has spent years studying Treasure Island line by line, together with books and essays on 18th-century shipping and piracy,” reports Paul Bignell of the Independent. And that makes him think he can write a prequel. Make him walk the plank. (by way of Confessions)

Fiction, Reading

Did They Read to Ender When He Was a Child?

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Last weekend, I finished listening to a great audio edition of Orson Scott Card’s Ender’s Game. I wish I could link you to a sample. The voices were great, and in a commentary at the end of the book, Card says he prefers audiobook to other mediums of delivering story, particularly his stories. The listener can’t skip or skim through a story and miss things, diminishing his experience. In another recording I have through Audible.com, Card says he is glad he listened to Susanna Clarke’s Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell, because he believes he would have skipped parts of it near the beginning and not enjoyed it as much as he did at the end. His family still reads books to each other, like people used to do before TV.

Ender’s Game was a great story. Because I loved it and knowing so many others loved it too, I wonder if one of the heartstrings of humanity is dedicated to stories of brilliant children who face great peril–or to put it more broadly, thinking of The Hobbit and LOTR, stories of the humble, the small or weak, facing insurmountable evil or overcoming persecution. Why do we love those stories? It’s David vs. Goliath in as many settings and circumstances as possible.

Uncategorized

Friday sweepings

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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.

Goofing

A New Robin Hood

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Lars referred to rumors or news–maybe articles, stories, reports, youknowwhatImean–about a new movie on Robin Hood. I’ve seen that it will be called Nottingham, but more importantly, I have uncovered a teaser trailer for this film. It looks a bit rough, but maybe it’s a viral marketing idea. Don’t worry about the name change on Robin Hood. Hollywood feels they have to come up with something original on occasion.

Reading, Religion, Writing

The sub-saga of Saul

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In the comments on my post yesterday, I was reminded of the story of King Saul of Israel. And I thought I’d talk a little about him as an example of a story antagonist.

“Antagonist” is the right word for the role played by Saul in the Saga of David. Saul isn’t a villain. In fact, for a large part of the story, he’s a hero. But he fails where David succeeds, and his choices put him on a collision course with his former protégé. Like a character in a Greek tragedy, he’s brought down by his fatal flaw, but throughout the story he continues to have his sympathetic moments. Continue reading The sub-saga of Saul →

Religion

Denny Denson, Reconciler

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I did not know this man, and I’m sure it my loss. Denny Denson, a pastor in Franklin, Tennessee, for several years, has gone home to the Lord at age 68. He had been a Black Panther in the 70s and left it behind in ’79. Since then, he founded several non-profits and became a pastor.

One of his friends said, “Denny did have a gift of being able to encourage the leadership around him to step up. We realize that it’s impossible to fill Denny’s shoes. We’ve got to step up in our own way.”

Another friend said this:

“Denny Denson had an impact on my life in small ways and in profound ways. I met Denny 12 years ago through the Empty Hands Fellowship,” Bousquet said. “I was in awe that he was a member of the Black Panthers. I once told him I wished I was older so I could have participated in the civil rights movement, but he quickly shattered my idealistic dreams by sharing what a rough time it was.

“I love a quote Denny said that exemplified his life, ‘When nobody stirs up the pot, those at the bottom gets burned,’” Bousquet said. “Denny was always an advocate for the poor and the marginalized in our society. He was the founder and architect of Hard Bargain Mt. Hope Redevelopment. It was so important to him to preserve and revitalize this historic neighborhood because it is a significant part of Franklin’s history. His passion for workforce housing in our community was contagious. He cared deeply for low-income families and sought to be an advocate and a part of the solution to this titanic problem in Franklin.”

Authors

Convicted Murderer of ‘Curious George’ Writer

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Alan Shalleck, who brought Curious George to TV and helped edit 30 books with the character’s co-creator, Margret Ray, was horribly murdered at his home in Boynton Beach, Florida, two years ago. The first man confessed; the second was convicted this week.

Book Reviews, Creative Culture