Candlemas is not much celebrated these days, which is unfortunate.
Following the events of Bethlehem--a birth, and angels, and shepherds--life returned to its more normal rhythms. Joseph takes Mary to the Temple of Jerusalem for presentation of their child, to fulfill the traditions of the faith and the day.
Of, course, with this child and family, not much would ever be considered 'normal'.
As found in the account in Luke 2, the day included a divine appointment:
(beginning v. 25) And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,
Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.
And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
One of the great 'Whoodathunkit' moments of history. The old man knew, as bleak as the situation was, that he had every reason for optimism, and that before departing this vale, he would see his hopes realized in the flesh. Not some platitude or good feeling or promise--he was gonna see the Real Deal. All he had to do was wait, remain faithful, and go about his business. And that's what he was doing that same morning; going about his business, just like Mary and Joseph were going about theirs.
So, OS, before heading back to his overcrowded schedule, wants to post a word of hope to all ya'll who are watching a large part of the world beginning to burn down:
Sit tight, you're in safe hands, so go about your business and remain faithful. You never know who you might run into later today, when you least expect it.
And, in honor of the day, the BBC broadcast this week's Evensong from King's College Cambridge. It's an hour of utter beauty and inspiration, and will be archived for a week. Don't ya'll procrastinate, and don't neglect to listen. It'll do your soul good.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Introducing: Sense Of Events
From time to time, it's time to update the list of intrepid bloggers on the right hand side of OldSouth's world-wide junction of wit and wisdom.
Sense of Events is a team effort, led by fellow Tennessean Donald Sensing, who has had a distinguished career in the military, public service, and the Methodist ministry.
He never fails to inform and amuse, and OS tips his hat (with just a wee bit of envy) in Don's direction.
Stay warm and dry, ya'll. It's gonna get ugly this week.
Sense of Events is a team effort, led by fellow Tennessean Donald Sensing, who has had a distinguished career in the military, public service, and the Methodist ministry.
He never fails to inform and amuse, and OS tips his hat (with just a wee bit of envy) in Don's direction.
Stay warm and dry, ya'll. It's gonna get ugly this week.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Well, That Went Over Well... Mubarak's Speech Tuesday Night
Not!
If ya wanna get the crowd of aggrieved citizenry on your side, at least long enough to get them to listen to you for a few minutes, don't begin by calling them hoodlums and vandals. It just irritates them more, bubbah.
OS watched the Al-Jazeera feed. The crowd just went ballistic after Hosni spoke, promising to leave office in September, vowing to die on Egyptian soil, etc. etc.
He may get his wish. Time to head for the airport, Hosni. Your Gulfstream awaits.
Time to send the helicopters to the embassy, Barry. No need to sacrifice any Marines to the mob.
You just can't make this stuff up. Wonder how Hilary's doing just now?
If ya wanna get the crowd of aggrieved citizenry on your side, at least long enough to get them to listen to you for a few minutes, don't begin by calling them hoodlums and vandals. It just irritates them more, bubbah.
OS watched the Al-Jazeera feed. The crowd just went ballistic after Hosni spoke, promising to leave office in September, vowing to die on Egyptian soil, etc. etc.
He may get his wish. Time to head for the airport, Hosni. Your Gulfstream awaits.
Time to send the helicopters to the embassy, Barry. No need to sacrifice any Marines to the mob.
You just can't make this stuff up. Wonder how Hilary's doing just now?
Judge Rules The Health Care Law Unconstitutional, And Obama Sez He Has No Intent To Comply With The Ruling
Obama has crossed the Rubicon.
The White House officials said that the ruling would not have an impact on implementation of the law, which is being phased in gradually. (The individual mandate, for example, does not begin until 2014.) They said that states cannot use the ruling as a basis to delay implementation in part because the ruling does not rest on "anything like a conventional Constitutional analysis." Twenty-six states were involved in the lawsuit.
In other words, 'We disagree, therefore we order the States to ignore the court's ruling. We're in charge, and the law is what we say the law is.'
Wowee...
Denninger has a view on this behavior.
Obama's just gonna double-down and bluff his way through, using the power of the Executive Branch to force his will upon an unwilling Republic and its citizenry.
It's Obama's MubarakMoment.
Heaven help us.
The White House officials said that the ruling would not have an impact on implementation of the law, which is being phased in gradually. (The individual mandate, for example, does not begin until 2014.) They said that states cannot use the ruling as a basis to delay implementation in part because the ruling does not rest on "anything like a conventional Constitutional analysis." Twenty-six states were involved in the lawsuit.
In other words, 'We disagree, therefore we order the States to ignore the court's ruling. We're in charge, and the law is what we say the law is.'
Wowee...
Denninger has a view on this behavior.
Obama's just gonna double-down and bluff his way through, using the power of the Executive Branch to force his will upon an unwilling Republic and its citizenry.
It's Obama's MubarakMoment.
Heaven help us.
Egypt From Tennessee, Tuesday Noon: Mubarak's GulfstreamMoment
Link TV is carrying the Al-Jazeera feed on our satellite TV, and the announcement just came from the State Department that the US ambassador to Egypt has met with opposition leader ElBaradei.
So, it's Mubarak's GulfstreamMoment. As in, load up the State Department Gulfstream with as much of Egypt's bullion as it can safely hold, load up yet another discredited dictator and his suitcase full of antiquities, and find a friendly place to deposit his 82-year-old discredited ass.
The Enterprise carrier group is steaming through the Med toward Egypt, preparing for our ChinookMoment. As in, the helicopters extracting our people from the US Embassy before the angry mobs overwhelm the reinforced Marine guards (who of course, won't be allowed to defend themselves), so that we can avoid a repeat of the Tehran1979Moment, or the Saigon1974Moment. (Anybody else notice how much Obama hates the Marines, until he needs them to save his ass?)
The US, UK and Europe are pulling their people out as quickly as possible. The term is known as 'bugging out'. It's not going smoothly.
It's all like a John LeCarre novel, played out on live TV, except that it's too bizarre even for a gifted novelist to create. A true JeffFoxworthyMoment, whose favorite quote is 'I can't make this stuff up, ya'll!'
And, for today's little RuhRohMoment, these greetings from the Muslim Brotherhood. Waiting in the wings, so they can push the country over the cliff into mass bloodshed. Sweeeeet....
But, the Suez Canal is still open, so all is well with the world. The Dow is up 146 points at noon US Central time.
The Al-Jazeera live stream is here.
So, it's Mubarak's GulfstreamMoment. As in, load up the State Department Gulfstream with as much of Egypt's bullion as it can safely hold, load up yet another discredited dictator and his suitcase full of antiquities, and find a friendly place to deposit his 82-year-old discredited ass.
The Enterprise carrier group is steaming through the Med toward Egypt, preparing for our ChinookMoment. As in, the helicopters extracting our people from the US Embassy before the angry mobs overwhelm the reinforced Marine guards (who of course, won't be allowed to defend themselves), so that we can avoid a repeat of the Tehran1979Moment, or the Saigon1974Moment. (Anybody else notice how much Obama hates the Marines, until he needs them to save his ass?)
The US, UK and Europe are pulling their people out as quickly as possible. The term is known as 'bugging out'. It's not going smoothly.
It's all like a John LeCarre novel, played out on live TV, except that it's too bizarre even for a gifted novelist to create. A true JeffFoxworthyMoment, whose favorite quote is 'I can't make this stuff up, ya'll!'
And, for today's little RuhRohMoment, these greetings from the Muslim Brotherhood. Waiting in the wings, so they can push the country over the cliff into mass bloodshed. Sweeeeet....
But, the Suez Canal is still open, so all is well with the world. The Dow is up 146 points at noon US Central time.
The Al-Jazeera live stream is here.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Egypt, From Tennessee
OS has a huge week ahead of him, so will be very sporadic in his ruminations for his legions of readers...
What Egypt looks like from here, through the glimpses seen via Al-Jazeera, CNN, the papers, etc., is:
These kids in the street don't look like Islamic fundies. They look like really frustrated young people with educations, ambitions, and nowhere to use them. All they've known is this old horse's ass in charge their entire lives, propped up by the US, the UK, and Europe, corrupt to the core, with his boot on the neck of the culture.
They also have access to the outside world and one another via satellite TV, internet, mobile devices, Twitter, etc. etc., and they don't for a minute buy the official line from anybody. They know there's a better life out there, and that freedom is the cure to the problem. They just don't know how to get from where they are to where they want to be. But in the meantime, burning down the offices of the official state party looks like a good place to begin.
They hate the United States, the UK, and Europe for propping up the old horse's ass, 'cuz they know that each barrel of oil transiting the Suez Canal means infinitely more to those places that the quality of any normal person's life in Egypt. OS thinks his country has failed the morality test by refusing to develop its own reserves of oil, coal, gas, and nuclear, thus ending the dependence on oil coming through that canal. Our self-righteous insistence on pristine wilderness above the Arctic Circle is paid for by the young unemployed in places like Cairo and Alexandria.
Shame on us. We know better, and refuse to act on what we know. It is unsurprising to see the Stars and Stripes set ablaze in the streets of Cairo.
Upsetting, yes. Surprising, no.
Religious crazies can appeal to such people, by creating a sense of communal persecution, the prospect of participating in the delivery of divine righteous wrath upon the guilty, and offering the hope of some sort of KingdomOfGodOnEarth with which to replace the current situation. Sane people know that these three items are lies by which unhappy people are seduced, but it looks like a lot of these young people have run out of patience, and think the insane people are the ones running the government, especially the 82-year-old horse's ass.
Here's hoping, here's hoping, here's hoping that they will not listen to the siren song of Islamic fundamentalism, and will insist instead on a government that allows them to live their lives, pursue their dreams for themselves and their families, knows how to hand over power peacefully, and otherwise leaves them the hell alone.
Here's hoping, from Tennessee.
What Egypt looks like from here, through the glimpses seen via Al-Jazeera, CNN, the papers, etc., is:
These kids in the street don't look like Islamic fundies. They look like really frustrated young people with educations, ambitions, and nowhere to use them. All they've known is this old horse's ass in charge their entire lives, propped up by the US, the UK, and Europe, corrupt to the core, with his boot on the neck of the culture.
They also have access to the outside world and one another via satellite TV, internet, mobile devices, Twitter, etc. etc., and they don't for a minute buy the official line from anybody. They know there's a better life out there, and that freedom is the cure to the problem. They just don't know how to get from where they are to where they want to be. But in the meantime, burning down the offices of the official state party looks like a good place to begin.
They hate the United States, the UK, and Europe for propping up the old horse's ass, 'cuz they know that each barrel of oil transiting the Suez Canal means infinitely more to those places that the quality of any normal person's life in Egypt. OS thinks his country has failed the morality test by refusing to develop its own reserves of oil, coal, gas, and nuclear, thus ending the dependence on oil coming through that canal. Our self-righteous insistence on pristine wilderness above the Arctic Circle is paid for by the young unemployed in places like Cairo and Alexandria.
Shame on us. We know better, and refuse to act on what we know. It is unsurprising to see the Stars and Stripes set ablaze in the streets of Cairo.
Upsetting, yes. Surprising, no.
Religious crazies can appeal to such people, by creating a sense of communal persecution, the prospect of participating in the delivery of divine righteous wrath upon the guilty, and offering the hope of some sort of KingdomOfGodOnEarth with which to replace the current situation. Sane people know that these three items are lies by which unhappy people are seduced, but it looks like a lot of these young people have run out of patience, and think the insane people are the ones running the government, especially the 82-year-old horse's ass.
Here's hoping, here's hoping, here's hoping that they will not listen to the siren song of Islamic fundamentalism, and will insist instead on a government that allows them to live their lives, pursue their dreams for themselves and their families, knows how to hand over power peacefully, and otherwise leaves them the hell alone.
Here's hoping, from Tennessee.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
Keeping An Eye On Egypt This Weekend
OS never thought he'd be doing this, but here is the Al Jazeera Live Stream.
It's 5:30 (17:30) CT US time, 1:30 am in Egypt.
Pres. HopeyChangey is expected to make remarks tonight.
Just now, Sen. John Kerry is bloviating from Davos, calling for Mubarak to suddenly stop being the person he has been for the last thirty years. And to think, we could have had this clown for President... He's saying that people's wishes and rights should be respected.
Egypt has turned off the internet internally, and is jamming mobile phone service. Hasn't deterred the mob too much. They're even attempting to block AlJazeera, unsuccessfully.
Obama is on now:
Calling upon the authorities to refrain from violence against peaceful protests--sez the US will stand for them everywhere. (Like Iran, Mr. President?)
'We've been clear that there must be reform. In the absence of reforms, grievances have built up over time. (You think?)'
He is trying to say anything he can to keep the proverbial lid on, maybe talk over the head of the Egyptian government to the street? Mainly platitudes. What can he say at a time like this? The US is inextricably identified as the party that has propped up an odious regime for over three decades. Obama just got around to calling Mubarak tonight. Days after the chaos began. What a leader.
And, the protests have spread to Jordan...
And, in Lebanon...
This is going to get interesting.
It's 5:30 (17:30) CT US time, 1:30 am in Egypt.
Pres. HopeyChangey is expected to make remarks tonight.
Just now, Sen. John Kerry is bloviating from Davos, calling for Mubarak to suddenly stop being the person he has been for the last thirty years. And to think, we could have had this clown for President... He's saying that people's wishes and rights should be respected.
Egypt has turned off the internet internally, and is jamming mobile phone service. Hasn't deterred the mob too much. They're even attempting to block AlJazeera, unsuccessfully.
Obama is on now:
Calling upon the authorities to refrain from violence against peaceful protests--sez the US will stand for them everywhere. (Like Iran, Mr. President?)
'We've been clear that there must be reform. In the absence of reforms, grievances have built up over time. (You think?)'
He is trying to say anything he can to keep the proverbial lid on, maybe talk over the head of the Egyptian government to the street? Mainly platitudes. What can he say at a time like this? The US is inextricably identified as the party that has propped up an odious regime for over three decades. Obama just got around to calling Mubarak tonight. Days after the chaos began. What a leader.
And, the protests have spread to Jordan...
And, in Lebanon...
This is going to get interesting.
Just Because It's Friday: Psalm 42, In Honor Of The 400th Anniversary Of The King James Bible
The King James Bible Trust site is a wonderful place to visit. It reminds us of just what wonderful work the human mind can produce, led in the correct direction.
1 As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.
2 My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?
3 My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God?
4 When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.
5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.
6 O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar.
7 Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.
8 Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the day time, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.
9 I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?
10 As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God?
11 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.
And, as a bonus, Herbert Howells beautiful setting of the opening verses, sung by Worcester Cathedral Choir.
Enjoy, and OS hopes it provides a bit of inspiration for the weekend.
1 As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.
2 My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?
3 My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God?
4 When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.
5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.
6 O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar.
7 Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.
8 Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the day time, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.
9 I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?
10 As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God?
11 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.
And, as a bonus, Herbert Howells beautiful setting of the opening verses, sung by Worcester Cathedral Choir.
Enjoy, and OS hopes it provides a bit of inspiration for the weekend.
Academically Adrift: Limited Learning On College Campuses
OldSouth took The Lovely Mr. OS to lunch yesterday, in celebration of seeing the sun for the first time in two weeks. On the way, we listened in on this chilling interview on NPR:
A new book by a team of researchers reveals some troubling findings: today’s college students are spending 50 percent less time studying than students did several decades ago. And 45 percent of those surveyed say they didn’t have “any significant improvement in learning” in the first two years of college.
We’ll speak to one of the researchers, Professor Richard Arum of New York University. He is the co-author of “Academically Adrift: Limited Learning on College Campuses.”
OS was troubled to hear this, incredulous even, especially given the realities of skyrocketing costs and student loan indentured servitude that students are entering in order to attend college. What kind of kid blows off these sorts of opportunities, especially when the world clamors for a place at our educational table?
Then, after lunch (our first date of the year), Mrs. OS gets a call from one of her college students, who has just been offered one of the best opportunities of her young career, and she was wheedling Mrs. OS, her major professor, to (a) either excuse her from it, or (b) let it be considered an entire semester's work in her major subject. (It's about a week's work to complete, two at most.) Mrs. OS was not willing to do either, but indicated her willingness to factor it in to the overall semester's work. Tearful student, proclaiming how unfair it all is, etc. etc. etc.
Mrs. OS held the line, and told the dean to do likewise via a later email. Another uncompensated hour dedicated to student crisis on a day off...over news that should have made the student dance for joy.
Upper-class students in her major in other universities would kill for this opportunity, we were telling one another.
But, maybe not...Pfft!
A new book by a team of researchers reveals some troubling findings: today’s college students are spending 50 percent less time studying than students did several decades ago. And 45 percent of those surveyed say they didn’t have “any significant improvement in learning” in the first two years of college.
We’ll speak to one of the researchers, Professor Richard Arum of New York University. He is the co-author of “Academically Adrift: Limited Learning on College Campuses.”
OS was troubled to hear this, incredulous even, especially given the realities of skyrocketing costs and student loan indentured servitude that students are entering in order to attend college. What kind of kid blows off these sorts of opportunities, especially when the world clamors for a place at our educational table?
Then, after lunch (our first date of the year), Mrs. OS gets a call from one of her college students, who has just been offered one of the best opportunities of her young career, and she was wheedling Mrs. OS, her major professor, to (a) either excuse her from it, or (b) let it be considered an entire semester's work in her major subject. (It's about a week's work to complete, two at most.) Mrs. OS was not willing to do either, but indicated her willingness to factor it in to the overall semester's work. Tearful student, proclaiming how unfair it all is, etc. etc. etc.
Mrs. OS held the line, and told the dean to do likewise via a later email. Another uncompensated hour dedicated to student crisis on a day off...over news that should have made the student dance for joy.
Upper-class students in her major in other universities would kill for this opportunity, we were telling one another.
But, maybe not...Pfft!
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