The title of this post was the name of a TV show hosted by Archbishop Fulton Sheen.
It was so popular that it got better ratings than Milton Berle. Sheen, so far as
I can tell, was a very holy man and was responsible for leading a lot of people
into the Church. There’s
apparently some momentum for starting his cause for canonization. I’m all for
it.
What do love forlorn, teen pregnancy, drowning one’s sorrows in a shotglass, and Deity’s identity crisis have in common? They’re all subjects tackled by the internet’s newest wannabe proliferators of indie folk-rock: The Guilded Lilies. Or maybe it was the subject matter that tackled them… At any rate, as our friend Smedley says, head on over for a good cry, a good chuckle, or hopefully both. And always remember, what we lack in musicianship, can often be made up for in volume.
I’m glad some effort
is being made to keep the U.N. accountable.
Congress May Block UN Budget Over Oil-for-Food Probe
More than 100 members of Congress will try to block some United States funding of the United Nations unless U.S. officials are allowed to begin an open and complete investigation into a U.N. humanitarian program in pre-war Iraq — sooner rather than later.
Rep. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) noted Monday that it has been more than a year since the public first learned of fraud and abuse allegations directed at the U.N.’s oil-for-food program in Iraq. Flake and his colleagues are unhappy with the U.N.’s apparent lack of progress in its investigation of those charges. Now they are actively promoting existing legislation that would punish what they see as willful inaction.
This really bugs me. Once I have recorded material in my posession, I should be permitted to do whatever I please with it, provided I don’t violate any copyrights or harm someone (Other reasonable restraints of 1st amendment rights might also apply.).
From Public
Knowledge:
H.R. 4586 The Family Movie Act
The provisions were included in H.R. 4077 as passed by the House. The original House version of this bill provided an affirmative right for those who used technology to skip objectionable material, such as profanity, violence, or other adult material, in the audio / video works that they legally purchased. This is a right that most believe manufacturers of technology and consumers already have�regardless of H.R. 4077. The entertainment community has hijacked this provision and turned it against consumers and the tech community. Now, the affirmative right to watch and skip parts of the content that a consumer has legally obtained only exists if certain conditions are met: no commercial or promotional ads may be skipped. Additionally, technology manufacturers must provide a notice at the beginning each showing stating that �the motion picture is altered from the performance intended by the director or copyright holder of the motion picture.� This sets the functionality of the everyday VCR and TiVo on its head.
(Thanks, Jollyblogger)
Miracle on 34th Street endeared Macy’s to celebrators of Christmas, at least
the secular holiday.
Now, Macy’s is saying “bah humbug” by refusing to use the phrase “Merry
Christmas” in their advertisements and store displays.
It doesn’t bother me too much that Macy’s won’t acknowledge Christmas. I don’t expect
a secular organization to do so, especially in today’s litigious society. What bothers
me is the rampant consumerism among Christians.
Companies like Macy’s shouldn’t be making millions of dollars off this or any holiday.
The gift-giving at Christmas has gotten way out of control. Christians are far too
greedy and attached to the “things” of this world. I understand the importance
of expressing our love and appreciation for friends, family, and neighbors, but
I think Christians could find better ways to spend money at Christmas. Remember
Matthew 25? There are many who are hungry, thirsty, naked, sick, imprisoned, and/or
lonely. The millions we waste on frivolities could be used to help them. Christ
calls us to give until it hurts. This is unlikely to go over well with some people,
but Jesus knew that when he told us that we must hate our families to follow Him.
There are countless other verses from Scripture that I’m sure you know that call
followers of Christ to reject the impermanent things of this world and embrace the
permanence of the Lord’s kingdom.
In past years I’ve given out the typical toys, gadets, etc that one expects for
Christmas, but this year will be different. I’ve been feeling increasingly convicted
to live more simply and give more to those who have less. My gifts this year will
start to reflect this conviction. I will only be purchasing gifts that are needful
to my friends and loved ones. Next year, I hope to make gifts and/or donate to charities
in others’ names. It won’t be easy, because I’m a selfish, sinful person, but I
really want to get away from greedy consumerism. I really think all Christians need
to think more carefully about why they go into debt every year buying wants when
so many go without needs.
The tile of this post, by the way, refers to a song by Stan Freberg. Read the lyrics
here.