About Funky Dung
Who is Funky Dung?
29-year-old grad student in Intelligent Systems (A.I.) at the University of Pittsburgh. I consider myself to be politically moderate and independent and somewhere between a traditional and neo-traditional Catholic.
I was raised Lutheran, spent a number of years as an agnostic, and joined the Catholic Church at the 2000 Easter Vigil.
Why Funky Dung?
I haven't been asked this question nearly as many times as you or I might expect. Funky Dung is a reference to an obscure Pink Floyd song. On the album Atom Heart Mother, there is a track called Atom Heart Mother Suite. It's broken up into movements, like a symphony, and one of the movements is called Funky Dung. I picked that nickname a long time ago (while I was still in high school I think), shortly after getting an internet connection for the first time. To me it means "cool/neat/groovy/spiffy stuff/crap/shiznit", as in "That's some cool stuff, dude!"
Whence Ales Rarus?
I used to enjoy making people guess what this means, but I've decided to relent and make it known to all. Ales Rarus is a Latin play on words. "Avis rarus" means "a rare bird" and carries similar meaning to "an odd fellow". "Ales" is another Latin word for bird that carries connotations of omens, signs of the times, and/or augery. If you want to get technical, both "avis" and "ales" are feminine (requiring "rara", but they can be made masculine in poetry (which tends to breaks lots of rules). I decided I'd rather have a masculine name in Latin. ;) Yeah, I'm a nerd. So what? :-P
Wherefore blog?
It is my intention to "teach in order to lead others to faith" by being always "on the lookout for occasions of announcing Christ by word, either to unbelievers . . . or to the faithful" through the "use of the communications media". I also act knowing that I "have the right and even at times a duty to manifest to the sacred pastors [my] opinion on matters which pertain to the good of the Church, and [I] have a right to make [my] opinion known to the other Christian faithful, with due regard to the integrity of faith and morals and reverence toward [my and their] pastors, and with consideration for the common good and the dignity of persons." (adapted from CCC 904-907)
Statement of Faith
I have been baptized and confirmed in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I, therefore, renounce Satan; I renounce all his works; I renounce all his allurements.
I hold and profess all that is contained in the Apostles' Creed, the Niceno- Constantinopolitan Creed, and the Athanasian Creed.
Having been buried with Christ unto death and raised up with him unto a new life, I promise to live no longer for myself or for that world which is the enemy of God but for him who died for me and rose again, serving God, my heavenly Father, faithfully and unto death in the holy Catholic Church.
I am obedient to the Magisterium of the Catholic Church. That is, I promote and defend authentic Catholic Teaching and Faith in union with Christ and His Church and in union with the Holy Father, the Bishop of Rome, the Successor of St. Peter.
Thanks be unto Thee, O my God, for all Thy infinite goodness, and, especially, for the love Thou hast shown unto me at my Confirmation. I Give Thee thanks that Thou didst then send down Thy Holy Spirit unto my soul with all His gifts and graces.
May He take full possession of me for ever.
May His divine unction cause my face to shine.
May His heavenly wisdom reign in my heart.
May His understanding enlighten my darkness.
May His counsel guide me.
May His knowledge instruct me.
May His piety make me fervent.
May His divine fear keep me from all evil.
Drive from my soul, O Lord, all that may defile it.
Give me grace to be Thy faithful soldier, that having fought the good fight of faith, I may be brought to the crown of everlasting life, through the merits of Thy dearly beloved Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Behind the Curtain: an Interview With Funky Dung (Thursday, March 03, 2005)
I try to avoid most memes that make their way 'round the blogosphere (We really do need a better name, don't
we?), but some are worth participating in. Take for instance the "interview game" that's the talk o'
the 'sphere. I think it's a great way to get to know the people in neighborhood. Who are the people in your
neighborhood? In your neighborhod? In your neigh-bor-hoo-ood...*smack* Sorry, Sesame Street flashback.
Anyhow, I saw Jeff "Curt Jester"
Miller's answers and figured since he's a regular reader of mine he'd be a good interviewer. Without
further ado, here are my answers to his questions.
1. Being that your pseudonym Funky Dung was chosen from a Pink Floyd track on Atom Heart Mother, what is you
favorite Pink Floyd song and why?
Wow. That's a tuffy. It's hard to pick out a single favorite. Pink Floyd isn't really a band known for
singles. They mostly did album rock and my appreciation of them is mostly of a gestalt nature. If I had to
pick one, though, it'd be "Comfortably Numb". I get chills up my spine every time I hear it and if
it's been long enough since the last time, I get midty-eyed. I really don't know why. That's a rather
unsatisfying answer for an interview, so here are the lyrics to a Rush song. It's not their best piece of music,
but the lyrics describe me pretty well.
New World Man
He's a rebel and a runner
He's a signal turning green
He's a restless young romantic
Wants to run the big machine
He's got a problem with his poisons
But you know he'll find a cure
He's cleaning up his systems
To keep his nature pure
Learning to match the beat of the old world man
Learning to catch the heat of the third world man
He's got to make his own mistakes
And learn to mend the mess he makes
He's old enough to know what's right
But young enough not to choose it
He's noble enough to win the world
But weak enough to lose it ---
He's a new world man...
He's a radio receiver
Tuned to factories and farms
He's a writer and arranger
And a young boy bearing arms
He's got a problem with his power
With weapons on patrol
He's got to walk a fine line
And keep his self-control
Trying to save the day for the old world man
Trying to pave the way for the third world man
He's not concerned with yesterday
He knows constant change is here today
He's noble enough to know what's right
But weak enough not to choose it
He's wise enough to win the world
But fool enough to lose it ---
He's a new world man...
2. What do you consider your most important turning point from agnosticism to the Catholic Church.
At some point in '99, I started attending RCIA at the Pittsburgh Oratory. I mostly went to ask a lot of
obnoxious Protestant questions. Or at least that's what I told myself. I think deep down I wanted desperately
to have faith again. At that point I think I'd decided that if any variety of Christianity had the Truth, the
Catholic Church did. Protestantism's wholesale rejection of 1500 years of tradition didn't sit well with me,
even as a former Lutheran.
During class one week, Sister Bernadette Young (who runs the program) passed out thin booklet called "
Handbook for Today's Catholic". One paragraph
in that book spoke to me and I nearly cried as I read it.
"A person who is seeking deeper insight into reality may sometimes have doubts, even about God himself.
Such doubts do not necessarily indicate lack of faith. They may be just the opposite - a sign of growing faith.
Faith is alive and dynamic. It seeks, through grace, to penetrate into the very mystery of God. If a
particular doctrine of faith no longer 'makes sense' to a person, the person should go right on seeking. To
know what a doctrine says is one thing. To gain insight into its meaning through the gift of understanding is
something else. When in doubt, 'Seek and you will find.' The person who seeks y reading, discussing,
thinking, or praying eventually sees the light. The person who talks to God even when God is 'not there' is
alive with faith."
At the end of class I told Sr. Bernadette that I wanted to enter the Church at the next Easter vigil.
3. If you were a tree what kind of, oh sorry about that .. what is the PODest thing you have ever
done?
I set up
WikiIndex, a clearinghouse for reviews
of theological books, good, bad, and ugly. It has a long way to go, but it'll be cool when it's finished. :)
4. What is your favorite quote from Venerable John Henry Newman?
"Ten thousand difficulties do not make one doubt."
5. If you could ban one hymn from existence, what would it be?
That's a tough one. As a member of
the Society for a Moratorium on the Music of
Marty Haugen and David Haas, there are obviously a lot of songs that grate on my nerves. If I had to pick
one, though, I'd probably pick
"Sing
of the Lord's Goodness" by Ernie Sands.
“The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.”
It is implicit in this statement that any just search shall require a warrant, and explicit what the requirements for such a warrant are. These requirements were not met. His actions were illegal. His actions require impeachment, removal from office, and prosecution to the full extent of the law.
I’ve heard (but cannot confirm) that Roman Catholic groups have been targeted for examination because the Catholic church leans toward “communism.” Any comments on this?
Given the Church’s teachings on subsidiarity, I find that unlikely.
The Catholic Workers have been under surveilance by the FBI, not the NSA.
Without speaking specifically toward Phonetapgate (which this may become) or to the morality of actions like it, I do have a couple thoughts:
1) whether or not the US Constituion forbids such actions, there is no natural right, inscribed onto the Cosmos, to inviolable privacy of phone conversations;
2) the small numbers of people being monitored (if such numbers are true) suggest both prudence and necessity;
3) it is in the perceived interests of (most of) the American people, that the American Empire survive;
4) to maintain the existence and hegemony of the American Empire, the US gov’t has performed many unsavory (and objectively immoral) actions over the years, e.g., in its Indian policies, various military “maneuvers” of WWII. In comparison, the NSA tapping a few phones (which we have to admit is not objectively immoral) doesn’t even rise to the level of a blip on the radar screen;
5) if you want perfect freedom from gov’t intrusion, i.e., a land where the theory matches up with the practice, then you probably want to live in a small insignificant principality nestled in the Alps, and not in the richest Empire in the history of the world.
Now whether the US need or ought be such an empire… THAT (to me) is the interesting question.
My $0.02
Steve, your reasoning is largely flawed.
1)Our right to not have private documents examined without due process is as fundamental as any of the other rights enshrined in the Constitution. There is no reason to separate this out and say it is somehow less innate than other rights.
2-5) There is absolutely no situations where a legitimate wiretap needed to protect our country would require such a lawless action.
We have a closed court in which to secret warrants based upon classified intelligence. If there is need for an immediate tap it can be legally done so provided that a warrant is sought wihtin 72 hours.
There are only two reasons he could be resorting to such procedures. Either he is using them to pursue unwarranted surveillance, or he simply has a pathological arrogance that compels him to extend his power illegally. Or possibly some combination of the two.
It is the pattern that bothers me. The current administration’s response to everything is always to try to increase the power of the presidency.
And they planned to do it before 911 in at least one case. The idea to change our foreign policy to preemption was in the works before 911, but it was easily accepted afterward.
I am not necessarrly against the Patrioit Act on a countinued temporary basis, but I have not head of one case where it allowed us to foil a terror plot. But accoring to Bush “it is an important good law”. Basically he said trust me.
Just as a note it’s important to be clear that these wire taps without warrants were not authorized by the Patriot Act. There are two distinct issues. One of a questionable law and the other of an illegal action.
John:
1) you simply misunderstand what I mean by “natural right”, i.e., rights that go beyond mere contract, that would exist even if the Magna Carta or John Locke or James Madison had never existed.
2-5) you seem to miss my point that there is law higher (or lower, depending on your perspective) than mere postive law, i.e., the law of necessity, which is really a simple corollary to the law of raw power. If we lived in a more noble society, and were perhaps surrounded by more or less equally noble societies, then perhaps (perhaps) security and the continued existence of the Empire could be ensured by strict adherence of all parties to positive law. Unfortunately we don’t live in such a society, and haven’t since the time of Monroe arguably Jefferson, but rather a World Power with “strategic interests” (to be understood as either “exploitable resources” or “competitors in exploitation”) in very nearly every region of the world (save perhaps for East Africa). Like it or not, we have all shared in the fruits of American enforcement of its “strategic interests”, and we shouldn’t therefore complain too loudly when a few folks get a bloody nose.
Yes, Christians are (and ought to be) to the Empire as the soul is to the body. But here I think the “soul” is most righteously employed in curtailing those “strategic interests” to a more reasonable level.
My point was that these searches in no way advance “the Empire”. This has nothing to do with America’s security nor with it’s place in the world.
This is not a situation to be cavalier and say that we are doing what is necessary to advance our nation.
It does nothign to advance our nation and has the potential to do a great deal to rot our nation.
And as far as natural rights go. There’s no need to enter into fuzzy concepts of rights not enumerated. The base assumption of our system is that the rights enumerated by our laws are a set entirely within the set of natural laws. If we have a grey area in our law we must turn back to those principles, but in a clear cut case there is no need to go to such effort.
My point was that these searches in no way advance “the Empire”. This has nothing to do with America’s security nor with it’s place in the world.
This is not obvious. Who are we, at best not fully informed (at worst intentionally misled) plebes, to say what is necessary for the dark cynical powers to perpetuate on our behalf? Please understand, John, I am no fan of the dark cynical powers and would advocate and prefer, even to the extent of trading in my “benefits”, a society better scaled to that which might naturally arise, where dark and cynical powers (e.g., CSM from X-Files 🙂 ) might not be “necessary”. But, alas, we are very far from being such a society, and our very clamoring for National Action (of one kind or another) continues to militate in this wrong direction. In short, the interests of justice and peace would be served far better if the Federal Gov’t were nearly irrelevant and the UN even less so.
My $0.02
What do you all think of the public’s attitude at this point. Are we fed up, have we had enough, or are we still willing to give up some privacy, some rights, and some powers in exchange for security?
(I’m just trying to get a feel for attitude here, I’m not claiming that any of these measures has made us more secure)
Whether you like the state of the law or not, relevant and controlling federal court precedent clearly establishes that Bush’s acts were completely legal.
please cite such precedents
I’m willing to accept that you may be right, Nathan, but I’d like to see those precedents. Anyhow, like I said, Bush’s actions might have been legal, but they may not have been ethical or in keeping with the spirit of the 4th amendment. If his actions were indeed legal, then perhaps we’re in need of another amendment.
“The Department of Justice believes – and the case law supports – that the president has inherent authority to conduct warrantless physical searches for foreign intelligence purposes and that the president may, as he has done, delegate this authority to the attorney general,” Clinton Deputy Attorney General Jamie S. Gorelick said in 1994 testimony before the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.
That same authority, she added, pertains to electronic surveillance such as wiretaps.
More recently, the U.S. Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court — the secretive judicial system that handles classified intelligence cases — wrote in a declassified opinion that the court has long held “that the President did have inherent authority to conduct warrantless searches to obtain foreign intelligence information.”
(http://www.washingtontimes.com/national/20051222-122610-7772r.htm)
Frankly, the supposed outrage over this seems curiously selective. No one raised an objection to Clinton’s wiretaps of Americanss in peacetime, but Bush’s wiretaps of the enemy in wartime are a scandal. Perhaps I have grown cynical over the last few decades – but were a member of the other party in office, I suspect those who object to the current situation would be conspicuously silent just as they have been for previous such incidents.
Foreign! Foreign intelligence purposes!
The president as commander in chief may authorize spying on foreign soil. That is within his rights, and not a violation of the Fourth Amendment.
Conducting such searches in the United States is highly questionable, and performing them on American Citizens is simply illegal.
“Conducting such searches in the United States is highly questionable, and performing them on American Citizens is simply illegal.”
So then what about Aldrich Ames?
“Frankly, the supposed outrage over this seems curiously selective.”
I simply didn’t know about it in 1994, nor did I know squat about politics back then (I was in 10th or 11th grade).
Spy Agency Mined Vast Data Trove, Officials Report
The above link is from yesterday’s NYTimes and delineates far more extensive activity than was previously acknowledge since the original wiretap story broke.
In addition, the pre-existing case law is not entirely on point with the current situation. There have indeed been limited allowances of this kind during the initial stages of warfare, but the extent of this recent activity doesn’t fit within those parameters.
Whether Clinton did the same thing or not is irrelevant, unless that’s how a people should be justifying their actions. This is not how responsible parties should conduct themselves, and that statement would stand (I hope) even if I were a fan of Bill Clinton (which I am unabashedly not).
The legality of this particular wiretap situation is suspect. It may or may not be within the legal allowance of executive power, but the legitimacy of it is far from obvious — hence we have a judge well-versed in this specific area of law who has apparently resigned in protest.
By the way, my favorite parsed explanation in that article surrounds this Presidential assurance:
Oh, and have a merry Christmas Funky, and everyone else too.