Sorry for being gone for so long without blogging! I would like to have some sort of excuse, but the real excuse is that I can't remember what I wanted to write about for more than 5 minutes.
A semi-excuse is given by the fact that we have been variously sick over the past few days/weeks. Luke has had a constantly runny nose: it cleared up sunday, but was back running today. Eleanor had a stomach ache on Friday, and an ear ache on Sunday, and she's still not back to her old self unless she has regular doses of motrin (ahh, better living through chemistry). Michael was sick on Friday with a bug that laid him so low he didn't even feel tempted to get work done (he sometimes gets more done on "sick" days than on days when he goes in to the office). My nose is running and my head hurts, at least until the motrin kicks in. We are all getting to bed early tonight, I hope.
Another excuse is that I've been reading other people's blogs, and their comments. I especially like vigorous discussion in the comments, and maybe someday I'll be brave enough to join in. Here's what I've been reading:
A semi-excuse is given by the fact that we have been variously sick over the past few days/weeks. Luke has had a constantly runny nose: it cleared up sunday, but was back running today. Eleanor had a stomach ache on Friday, and an ear ache on Sunday, and she's still not back to her old self unless she has regular doses of motrin (ahh, better living through chemistry). Michael was sick on Friday with a bug that laid him so low he didn't even feel tempted to get work done (he sometimes gets more done on "sick" days than on days when he goes in to the office). My nose is running and my head hurts, at least until the motrin kicks in. We are all getting to bed early tonight, I hope.
Another excuse is that I've been reading other people's blogs, and their comments. I especially like vigorous discussion in the comments, and maybe someday I'll be brave enough to join in. Here's what I've been reading:
- Letters from a broad
had some great commentary about views of Christianity, the religious right and youth. I think she probably let our own generation off too easily. One comment was not positive, and she said exactly what I would have said to the commenter, except better. - Thinking Christian has had some interesting discussion about intelligent design, as well as the aesthetics of Christianity. The author always responds thoughtfully to comments, and assumes that they are all written in good faith. I think there is a bit of a vocabulary disconnect between him and some of his critics.
- Helvidius, a Pachyderm
has been writing some compelling pro-life arguments (most of which I agree with, if you are interested in knowing). The author, Theobromophile, is very smart but sometimes I feel as though she is a little bit snide. But the arguments are fun to read, especially the early ones in her pro-life apologetics series. It is interesting to me how many arguments on both sides boil down to: "If you believe this thing that I don't believe, you must also believe all these absurd consequences if you are truly consistent." The response is naturally, "I am not that absurd," but there is insufficient mutual respect for a dialog.
Comments
"Older generations can rightly claim they didn't know any better. But my generation was raised with the idea that energy conservation is important and still had to get that McMansion out in the sprawling suburbs and the giant S.U.V. to drive there."
I was forgtting that other post. I remember in 11th grade doing two speeches that really changed my outlook: one on recycling (which encouraged me to help start a recycling program at my church) and global warming (way back in 1988!). The global warming speech has influenced my choice of cars, but I still ended up with the minvan (carpooling is potentially more energy efficient than a more efficient car).
Right now I'm at a loss about what more to do other than teaching my kids. Eleanor came up with an idea the other day for recycling soda straws by turning them into musical instruments =) Not all that useful, but at least she's thinking.
Just curious, have you ever done a post about separation of church and state? I'd be interested in your thoughts on that.
In regard to the above discussion, I was told by my parents that global warming is a hoax (I'm still not sure that I believe these guys have proven anything with what, 75 years of data?), but I can't afford a McMansion or an SUV. ;)
Lenise
My feeling about the evidence is that even if we don't have enough to satisfy everyone, why would we not try to limit emissions? Lots of really cool technologies are just around the corner (printable solar panels! Windmills! Cars that run totally on electricity for short trips (50 miles)!) so let's make use of it. Even if global warming were a totally natural phenomenon, it would still be worth it to minimize human impact on it.
Probably that is just my skinflint-science fiction side coming through. I personally am waiting eagerly for a hybrid mini van. I'm tired of only getting 20 mpg with all the driving I do =)