When I returned home on Thursday, frustrated by the voting behavior of my fellow Americans, I found my daughter watching the John Adams series created by HBO.
I concede my daughter, a mere 12 years old, may not be representative of the typical child of her age. I must also admit it makes me proud to be able to say she chose to watch John Adams rather than turn on some ridiculous cable program. While not all pre-teenagers would choose to watch a series chronicling centuries-old events, she gives me hope.
If my 12 year old can appreciate the lessons found in the history of John Adams and the other Founding Fathers than so can other 12 year olds. Read on . . .
A Cut Above
I’ve always thought Brit Hume was a cut above the rest in the national press. Today, I learn he is moving on to other things. The news is a little old, but I just read it. In Reuters interview with Hume, he says, “I was kind of a nominal Christian for the longest time. When my son died (by suicide in 1998), I came to Christ in a way that was very meaningful to me. If a person is a Christian and tries to face up to the implications of what you say you believe, it’s a pretty big thing. If you do it part time, you’re not really living it.”
Free at last!
In 2009 this country will inaugurate as president a man whose election represents a major alteration in our society.
This president will be a representative of a minority group which has too long been banished to the periphery of society, subjected to ridicule and discrimination, and denied equal rights under the law.
I refer, of course, to smokers. Continue reading Free at last!
48 Liberals Lies About America
I’ve known for a while that certain people credit Gorbachev with the fall of the Soviet Union, instead of Reagan, so I suppose the sting of that lie has worn off for me. But I was shocked to hear that history textbooks accuse Truman of droping the bomb on Japan in order to thump his chest at the Soviet Union. They call it “atomic diplomancy.” And they say FDR knew Pearl Harbor would be attacked but hushed it up in order to have a reason to go to war. Insanity. These are many more lies are discussed in Larry Schwelkart’s new book, 48 Liberal Lies About American History. Book TV has a video of Mr. Schwelkart’s presentation.
Klavan in Afghanistan
Andrew Klavan has a first-hand account of his visit to Afghanistan in City Journal. He contrasts what he found there with current Hollywood movies, and imagines the movie he’d make.
The Only Multipurpose Tool You’ll Ever Need
The vast editorial staff at Brandywine Books noticed the Christmas holidays coming up (Yes, we all noticed at the same time. We are of one mind. Yes, we do usually dress as sheep for Halloween, thank you for asking) and thought to remind our affluent readership (the best-looking readership in the entire blogosphere we are convinced) of the gift you may be seeking for that special, irritating, but loved someone who already has everything he needs (clean underwear).
The only thing to get this person is this knife, a penknife to be precise.
That’s 85 tools in one knife, which means when he’s in the thick of a job, he’ll have every tool he could want–except the one he needs.
In Praise of Crichton
The Wall Street Journal praises Michael Crichton’s perspective.
Crichton, who died this week of cancer, will not be remembered as a brilliant prose stylist. But he knew how to hold reader attention, and he had an inventive mind that led him to write novels — 26 in all, along with screenplays and works of nonfiction — that concerned the problematic intersection of science, technology, public policy and ordinary life. A medical doctor by training, Crichton knew better than to treat scientists and technologists as a priestly class, immune from temptations of fame, profit or power.
Conservative Policy Answers
“What should conservative Christians focus on politically over the next four years?” Several leaders give their answers.
I’ll say simply that we should pray in earnest about politicians, neighbors, and bringing God glory in every area of life. We can also speak the truth politely and thoughtfully. Don’t get mad anymore. Get passionate.
Snippet
Tonight, a snippet from a scene I’ve had in my mind for a long time. It’s basically my memory of a conversation I listened to while working in a shipping and mailing room, years ago. Someday I may work it into a book, if I find a place where it will be of some use.
“People think I don’t know nothin’, but I know a few things,” said Ray as he used the slide to cut a length of corrugated cardboard from a roll at the left of his workbench. He quickly cut the length into short sections, then piled them on top of one another to fill space at the top of the box he was packing. His motions were sure and practiced, though his hands trembled a little.
“They didn’t believe you?” asked Bill, a thinner, younger man. Bill was working at the bench behind Ray, unfolding a fresh carton as he reached for the sealing tape.
“They said it was nothin’. They wouldn’t listen to me. These young snots, they think I’m all old war stories, don’t know what’s goin’ on around me. So what if I like to have a few drinks now and then, fall down sometimes? It don’t mean I’m ignorant.”
“That’s sure enough,” said Bill.
“The apartment was right next to mine. I noticed it before anybody else, but pretty soon everybody could smell it. I went to the manager and told him. He said, no, you’re wrong. He said the guy’d gone on vacation, left some garbage in there.”
“Huh,” said Bill.
Their workbenches were gray. The box conveyer to the left of the benches was gray, too. So were the steel supply shelves, and some genius from the Facilities Office had recently brought in painters to give the walls two tones of fresh gray.
“I told him, I said, ‘I was in the war. I’ve smelled dead bodies before. You listen to me. There’s a dead body in there.’”
Friday Fight: ARRRRGH!
It’s Friday, so let’s watch some live steel combat.
And now for something completely different.
And now, a music video.