Colorless Green Ideas

The new pope is Benedict XVI, ne Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger of Munich. Cardinal Ratzinger was a nazi (AA Gunner) during world war II. Apparently the fact that the law automatically registered him to be a nazi, meant that he was one despite his 'deep misgivings'. That, coupled to the fact that his father was a cop, probably gave him some sort of social and leadership position that he didn't ask for, which of course meant that the new pope spent much of his time during the war in a little-bombed section of germany trained on our airplanes and trying to shoot them down. Just as the academics are complicit in the rise of Naziism, I fault Ratzinger for not standing up to them when they called him to service. That said, the ascendancy of Ratzinger is positive: orthodoxy, as Chesterton writes - is not staid but in fact, the most radical of viewpoints. Within context, in the grand scheme of things, Ratzingers wartime hobbies (he never once hit a plane) don't amount to muc

Tiger played one for the ages. I have to confess this was a truly great game. Tiger's new swing seems tuned sharply to rhythm. If he can remove that one component of the swing that keeps him tied to tempo, he'll do ok. The adrenaline, for example - had its effect in the playoff but sheer fatigue was tinkering with things during the stretch home. Thats my view. Whats yours?

Thomas Mann responded to the Dean of a German university, in 1937 by letter- that was written in response having his honorary doctorate rescinded by a German university, since he lost German citizenship. Mann writes - " my work comes from a connection to my nation. it is for germany. that connection should not be sundered so easily" "the sole purpose of the national socialist state is this alone and can only be put to this: to put the german people in readiness for the "coming war" by ruthless repression, elimination, extirpation of every stirring of opposition; to make them an instrument of war, infinitely compliant, without a single critical thought, driving by a blind and fanatical ignorance." "that germany would not have any allies, not one - is a single consideration, but the smallest" " other nations treat us, as a nation as doctors treat a sick man - with utmost tact and caution, with inexhaustible if not very flattering p

What we've been seeing in the American landscape is the slow decline values, position, education standing, ethics and finally - a position as guardian of democracy - The world has decided, for lack of a better way of describing it - that America is no longer the vanguard of democratic regime change. They are looking to China, who was quietly overthrown by the will of its own people - to lead the way. China is a giant machine. The cities spin, churning out endless goods. The government is not truly communist - it appropriates land from its own people, then turns it over to the corporations at minimal expense. Generally speaking, it is an entity that is - mainly because of the accomplishments of a few chinese men, and a great many chinese corporations - has become a new symbol of freedom. But what can we do, as Americans - to lead once again. Simple. We can overtake our own government. Just as Kasparov wants to overtake his. We can VOTE.

This is an historic moment in time. On this day in history, about a hundred years ago, a little kid went outside and played in his front yard. He had alot of fun, there were friends to play with. And he was able to visit them. He did his chores, and he slept well.

What would mother teresa do?