Break, Blow, Burn, Blog

Just Started A Tumblr Site

Check it out, my new Tumblr site.  No registration, no fees, no exams.  Pure pleasure.

Carla Bruni Criticizes Pope Bendict XVI Concerning Condoms

Looking good, Carla Bruni, looking good.  See just how good here!

And I’m referring to your brain and your heart, Ms. Bruni-Sarkozy.  You’re certainly looking a whole lot better than the most recent version of (all I know is the stuff I heard growing up and I haven’t had any time to develop a critical facility while I was messin’ with my hair and frettin’ over my nails), that is, “Miss California,” Carrie Prejean.  Watch out, Sarah Palin.  Carrie Prejean may decide to run for the White House!

A Little History on a Great Song by Bob Dylan

This article by David Simon in The New Yorker (Jan. 26, 2009) provides a very interesting background concerning one of my favorite Bob Dylan songs.  A short article well worth the read.  In addition, here is a quality version of Dylan singing his song.  (This clip was on television?  Note the pinups on the wall in the first 2-6 seconds of the clip.  And what's being rolled in those papers?)

Dear Vatican Officials:

Dear Vatican Officials:

Does this mess come to a close at some point?

After centuries of throwing vitriol at all forms of sexuality, please get this straight.  There are those of us who care about stopping human suffering more than we ever could care about your club, no matter what claims you make for your tribe.  We are outraged about the well-documented number of cases that show abuse of children in the church.  The millions and millions of dollars your Church has had to pay to victims of sexual abuse is public knowledge.  We are not outraged about homosexuality; that's your obsession.  We are not impressed by your peculiar ideas that advocate squashing all forms of sexuality.  Your celibacy rules are laughable.  You refuse to acknowledge the problems already waiting for those who submit themselves to that bizarre, unnatural restriction.   

The great Joni Mitchell has a very intelligent and spiritual song (provided here through video) that addresses a problem in the church that does not go back far in history.  That is an appalling part of the history of the Catholic church, yet you choose to attack homosexuals?  What two adults of the same sex freely choose to do together in private is one thing: it's not my business, and it's not your business either.  (Freedom for all, as far as we can manage it, is, in part, my business.)  But what an adult in a holy robe chooses to do to someone--whether male or female--who isn't even of legal age is another thing entirely: a crime.

Theodore Dalrymple on The False Apology Syndrome from Andrew Sullivan's Great Blog

I take the following straight from andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish for October 11, 2008 (Sullivan himself is recommended reading):

Sullivan quotes Theodore Dalrymple on apology projection:

The False Apology Syndrome flourishes wherever there has been a shift in the traditional locus of moral concern. At one time, a man probably felt most morally responsible for his own actions. He was adjudged (and judged himself) good or bad by how he conducted himself toward those in his immediate circle. From its center rippled circles of ever-decreasing moral concern, of which he was also increasingly ignorant. Now, however, it is the other way round. Under the influence of the media of mass communication and the spread of sociological ways of thinking, a man is most likely to judge himself and others by the opinions he and they hold on political, social, and economic questions that are far distant from his immediate circle. A man may be an irresponsible father, but that is more than compensated for by his deep concern about global warming, or foreign policy, or the food situation in Africa.

I appreciate the way Dalrymple isolates and damns the phony here.  The first time I saw this idea was in a poet's book of prose on poetry.  If only I could remember which poet and give credit.  Marvin Bell?  Philip Levine?  Louis Simpson? 

Sean Hannity (Because You Need to Know)

As a public service, I offer you this insightful, funny piece from dickipedia.

Nora Ephron on "Hillary the Admonisher"

Well said, Ms. Ephron.

Academe Is Guilty of Institutional Cowardice

Not as old a story as the date on the article might lead you to think.  Good luck to you, Richard Reynolds.

John McQuaid Gets it Right: On the Obamas & The New Yorker Cover

Recommended reading:

John McQuaid (of THE HUFFINGTON POST) offers intelligent commentary--amidst all the stupidity--concerning the "controversial" cover illustration on the latest issue of THE NEW YORKER.  

Please tell me the American electorate is smarter than so many think who are wringing their hands over this cover.  Please tell me we haven't become a nation of morons with teddy bears.  If this cover ends up "hurting" Obama, then everything was already lost because too many of us cannot think or aren't even the slightest bit aware of what's going on. 

I, in particular, appreciate McQuaid's last two sentences.  I've seen enough of that fear of self-expression concerning "what words can be uttered and images can be shown": that fear comes from uneducated conservatives and uneducated "liberals" (that is, people who like to think of themselves as liberals but do not really believe in free expression).