Improved Clinch

Pope Francis Wants to be Friends Too

Back in January 2011, I noted that pastor/columnist Chuck Baldwin had arrived at the point in his life where he was reaching out to unbelievers, atheists, also intent, like him, on retaining American liberty, in a post I titled Now He Wants To Be Friends, gently berating Baldwin for previously supporting Christian cliques, to the exclusion of all others.

Today I see that Pope Francis is also now reaching out to atheists, or at least admitting that they can be good.

Pope Francis says atheists can be good

Both Baldwin’s and Pope Francis’ realizations are positive developments for individuals living the life of faith, though rather belatedly offered for consideration to the Christian community. As I said back in 2004, I Enjoy My Atheist Friends A lot. A subject I reconsidered later in 2004 in a post titled Hanging Out with the Wrong Crowd? or The Same as Me?, and then offered further thoughts on in 2010 in a post titled Go To Hell - Don’t Be To Certain.

On Muddleheaded Brilliance

Yesterday, Rico put up a post at Theo Spark’s place titled Ann Barnhardt. Brilliant.

Having a measured admiration for Ann Barnhardt myself, I decided to click over to Ann’s place to see what was so brilliant about her recent post.

Rico did not name the specific post of Ann’s which he considered so brilliant, but I am fairly certain Rico was referring to the post titled America is over. OVER. Here’s how I can tell., though my choice for the brilliant post would have been the post titled The Van Down by the River is very comfortable., wherein Ann provides some details on her withdrawing her monetary support from the state by minimalizing (Barnhardt does not utilize permalinks, so you’ll have to scroll her site to read the posts).

While Miss Barnhardt does not parse her words in her post American is over. OVER. Here’s how I can tell., as Rico acknowledges, and there is clarity in her words, I think Ann exhibits a muddleheadedness in her struggle, and advocacy for struggle, against the state when she makes this statement.

When abortion is a capital offense and sodomy is a felony, you let me know. Otherwise, I’ll be in the van down by the river praying for God’s Perfect Justice to rain down upon the U.S. This evil has to end. This cannot go on.

The above statement of Miss Barnhardt’s clearly displays the disconnect in Ann’s thinking. One cannot advocate for starving the state, or withdrawing yourself from the state, while at the same time advocating for a powerful state with the coercive power to kill and/or imprison individuals whose behaviors personally displease you. Her view, in the above quote, is not brilliant, but muddleheaded.

Philosophize or Chop Wood?

I recently read an essay by Michael Gibb, lecturer in philosophy at University College, Oxford University, titled Armchair woodsmen.

Gibb’s essay waxes eloquently and philosophically on Lars Mytting’s recent book Hel Ved which explores the many aspects of sourcing, chopping, storing, drying and burning wood, though, unfortunately, in the Norwegian language.

In large part in his essay, Gibb ponders whether just his knowledge of the subject of chopping, storing, drying and burning wood is an adequate substitute to being an actual woodsman. Philosophize or chop wood? That is the question. A question I’m fairly certain Sam Harris would advocate strictly philosophizing on.

While I would be very interested in reading Mytting’s recent book, if it was available in the English language, the only philosophizing I’ll be doing about chopping, storing, drying and burning wood will be around a wood fire,

or, as the following image illustrates, putting any philosophy inherent in chopping, storing and drying wood into living action.

Woodpile image credit.

Django Goes to Texas, or, More Precisely, Pulp Fiction Defined in Photos

A Family Track Standout

Congratulations to my niece, Sarah, for being named MIAA’s most valuable female runner, and a for being a record setter at that.

Rehab and Fishing Reports

Since I went into rehab mode, on March 25th, I’ve diligently been attacking the many things which need doing at the house the Lovely Melis and I are ensconcing our daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter in. Fortunately, most of what needed doing at the rehab house was cosmetic. Unfortunately, the cosmetic condition of the house was similar to the personal hygiene habits of the 18th century.

While the house’s rehab is not 100% complete, it is now clean and livable, and we have moved the kids from our home into the rehabbed house. I put in the last of 6 new windows, yesterday, and now my list of things which need to be done at the house is much more manageable, at least from a pressed for time standpoint. Good thing, too, because the season of rising trout is in full swing here now, and will be beckoning me daily.

The opening of trout season, here in the State of Michigan, was last Saturday, April 27th, and for the 18th year in a row I was north for the occasion at my little trout camp, Two Arrows. I spent six days in camp, and experienced a plethora of weather conditions, including snow, and while the catching of trout left a bit to be desired, for a variety of reasons, the fishing was excellent. I’ll be headed back in the not too distant future. Here’s a few pics to enjoy.

Happy Birthday Jeep Wagoneer

The conveyance known as the Jeep Wagoneer has turned 50 years old. Happy Birthday. Many manufacturers have copied the idea behind the Jeep, but none have really matched its popularity over the years.

Jeep’s Wagoneer, progenitor of the modern SUV, turns 50

Here’s a photo of the rear end of my Jeep Wagoneer, affectionately referred to as Woodrow. She’s a mere 31 years old.

Have the Chinese Been Reading Clavell’s “King Rat?”

Rat meat sold as mutton: Crackdown sparks dozens of arrests in China

It seems a number of individuals have been as enterprising as the King in Clavell’s King Rat.

I Don’t Hate, I Despise

I recall a number of occasions when I said, more like shouted, “I hate you, mom,” or dad, or one of my brothers or sisters, or some other person close to me, in a fit of anger, or disappointment, or plain old foolishness. It appears, that if one lives down in Palm Beach, Florida, if someone overhears you saying you “hate” the government, or some government flunky now, you could very well receive a visit from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office newly formed prevention intervention unit, courtesy of Floridian’s own tax dollars, state and senate members, and the oh so progressive Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw. I despise them all. Is that alright, or should I expect a visit from Palm Beach Florida’s prevention intervention unit?

Palm Beach County sheriff gets $1 million for violence prevention unit amid questions about civil liberties, care for mentally ill