Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Strange Beliefs


It's not widely known, but there are a small number of churches that use handling snakes as part of their religious services.  Several states, including Alabama, have laws against the use of snakes in houses of worship.

Thursday, June 21, 2012

The Tea Party

The Tea Party advocates an approach to government that is unduly simple-minded; just eliminate government programs and reduce taxes with little heed as to the fallout.  We've seen some of this here in Alabama; fortunately, they are only a part of the mechanism of government.

I'm for a responsible conservatism; one that addresses governmental concerns in a pragmatic manner and adapts itself to real world needs.  I'm not for an idiotic approach that goes willy-nilly into uncharted waters.    For better or worse (very often for better), state and national government has assumed or been handed a set of responsibilities.  These are not easily backed away from.  Sometimes we just need to suck it up and raise or continue taxes.

And the rhetoric: some of the Tea Party spokespersons are shrill and insulting.  We need some national and state comity.  After all, in the final analysis, we got each other.





Thursday, June 14, 2012

Having a Zen Moment: From the Sublime to the Ridiculous


After experiencing the sublime, here's the ridiculous: 

Here are the most ridiculously paid college presidents:


Now I don't go in much for this class warfare crap; but there has been some emphasis given to CEOs' salaries.  What about university CEOs?

I'm not thrilled that the Auburn guy made the top ten.  But the UCF guy?  Does he produce auriferous feces?

Sunday, June 3, 2012

2012 Hurricane Names

Here is the list of hurricane names to be used in 2012.  It is not specified what happens if William is followed by another one.

Alberto
Beryl
Chris
Debby
Ernesto
Florence
Gordon
Helene
Isaac
Joyce
Kirk
Leslie
Michael
Nadine
Oscar
Patty
Rafael
Sandy
Tony
Valerie
William