Fairfax Circuit Court Rulings

The trial court has issued its long-awaited ruling on the constitutionality of the Virginia division statute and responded in a separate opinion to five questions as to the scope and impact of its earlier rulings. Both opinions are available from the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia here.

These rulings no doubt will be appealed. They are not much of a surprise given the tenor of the judge's prior written decisions in this case. But it is sad that the judge did not demonstrate full understanding of the issues at stake here, not just for the Episcopal Church and these parishes in Virgina but for all churches. No matter which side one is on, these rulings do not bode well for the principle of separation of church and state which, for many, is critical to First Amendment rights of free speech, association, and exercise of religion. The government simply has no business deciding how a church is to resolve disputes over property and the authority to create or dissolve parishes and dioceses. It remains to be seen whether appellate courts will step back and think seriously about these issues in a neutral fashion or will be swayed by partisan considerations and/or a desire to defer wholly in these matters to the Virginia legislature. Sure do miss the kind of Republican judges who knew how to stand above the fray and to truly think and act judiciously.

¡Viva España!

¡Viva España!
Cantemos todos juntos
con distinta voz
y un solo corazón

¡Viva España!
desde los verdes valles
al inmenso mar,
un himno de hermandad

Ama a la patria
pues sabe abrazar,
bajo su cielo azul,
pueblos en libertad

Gloria a los hijos
que a la Historia dan
justicia y grandeza
democracia y paz

I don't know about the "la patria" and "Gloria a los hijos" stuff but I do have a soft spot for Spain, having spent a few months there during a difficult time in my life. They played well in the quarter-finals and I hope I can catch some of today's semi-finals match on the late night rerun.

I didn't know about the Marcha Real and its wordlessness since 1978. How... well, Spanish. Here it is.

I suppose it would be corny to say I left my heart in Santiago.... This place, only there were roses when I was there in early winter.

And we sleep inside this machine

- Brand New Lyrics

"Jesus Christ" by Jesse Lacey and Brand New.

Jesse and this band are the favorites of my teens. In fact, I have attended two of their concerts (not entirely by choice). I may have even heard this song performed but I've always had a great deal of difficulty hearing lyrics in rock music, so I pretty much get only the tones and the rhythms.

Wondering what to make of this song and the artist. [Note to Dennis: "He is a well-known fan of Morrissey and The Smiths.]

For the Bible Tells Me So

For the Bible Tells Me So is going to be shown twice next week at a local movie theater, sponsored by our Pride organization. In anticipation of the event and the open forum to follow, we were loaned a dvd copy to see at home.

I'd read glowing reviews and comments about the film before, yet, even so, I was surprised at how powerful it was. It comes across on many levels, to Christians, to parents, to children, to gay and straight. So many stories, so many remarkable individuals.

While there is much I could comment on, what hit most forcefully in the end was simply the character and witness of Bishop Gene Robinson. There are days when I want to give up on the church and would just as soon focus on civil rights and justice in the secular world. But somehow whenever I hear or read what Gene has said, I sense something so much larger than him. And those scenes of his consecration, the strains of what I hear as "our" music, reinforces not just my joy and pride that this happened in the Episcopal Church, but my faith as well. He carries with him a mantle of saintliness -- not in the popular sense of coming close to perfection but rather a glow of the holy. Listening to him is as if being touched by the light.

As Lambeth approaches, I can only wonder that his person and his voice are not going to be at the heart of the gathering, in direct communication with bishops from around the world, those who need to hear and see him most. He will be there on the outside and I'm sure will be a powerful witness in other kinds of ways. I can only pray that the likes of the Archbishops of Canterbury and York will let him into their hearts and act accordingly.

Meanwhile, back on this side of the pond, this wonderful film is finding its way to all sorts of out of the way places, like our city. I can only say thank you Bishop Robinson.

[I'd strongly recommend viewing this film at local theaters, supporting pride organizations, and/or purchasing the dvd from the link provided above. However, for those unable to see it otherwise, it appears to be available at google videos here, as well.]

Leaving Egypt

From "Leaving Egypt" by Miriam Adahan:

Egypt -- in Hebrew, Mitzrayim -- literally means a "place of narrowness." It was a place where people were enthralled by flashy materialism, were fascinated with death, and were lacking in reverence for life. It was a society which believed that only those people in the most exalted positions were deserving of honor, and that they were justified in their arrogant disregard of and cruelty toward those who were beneath them. It was a place in which we lived in physical slavery and bondage.

Within each of us there is also a spiritual Mitzrayim, from which we must extricate ourselves daily. This coming out of Mitzrayim is accomplished by breaking out of our narrow boundaries and demonstrating our reverence for God, for the Godliness within man, and for the lasting values of Torah. As we will see, this is a difficult transition.

. . . .

In order to reach emotional maturity, a child must leave this Mitzrayim -- mentality. He must learn to look within himself for his sense of worth and joy, must develop tolerance and respect for his fellowmen, not just those at the top or those who agree with him, and must stop using manipulative control tactics to force others to change.

Many people never make the transition. They remain enslaved in a spiritual Mitzrayim, constantly condemning those who don't measure up or compulsively seeking approval to make themselves feel loved and successful, while feeling like losers deep inside. They alternate between an angry Pharaoh-mode (i.e. oppressing others in an attempt to feel superior) and a depressed slave-mode (i.e. allowing themselves to be oppressed and stifled, because they feel helpless, hopeless and inferior).

Read it all at InnerNet Magazine.

What I did on JetBlue

Watched Colbert.

These were exceptional:

How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb

I've always thought this was one of the greatest movies ever made. I believe I first saw it when it came out in 1964, along with Fail Safe, the straight dramatic version of a similar crisis. I was only 11 at the time, so it was only years later (college, I imagine) when I began to fully grasp Kubrick's genius (not to mention the art of Peter Sellers -- whom I didn't recognize in multiple roles the first time I saw the movie).

I bought a DVD of the film only last year and tried to get my kids to watch it (tough sell - black and white AND the Cold War - ancient, ancient history). But who would have thought it was so contemporary after all.

From today's CNN News:

In August, a B-52 bomber flew from North Dakota to Louisiana with the crew unaware that six nuclear-tipped missiles were on board. Four officers were relieved of duty afterward, including three colonels.

"Air Force Officials ousted over nuclear gaffes"(CNN, June 5, 2008)

What made the movie so biting in the 1960's was that we were still in the midst of the Cold War so, despite all the zaniness, the movie was only a few steps away from what could really happen. Now, the bite has come back to haunt us.

[Aside from the recent Air Force incidents, does General Jack D. Ripper remind anyone of any of our current crop of religious wing-nuts? "Fluids, it's all about fluids," you know.]

For a flavor of the original, see this trailer. For diehard fans or others who would like some background, see this documentary on the making of the film, beginning with Inside the Making of Dr. Strangelove - Part 1.

Preaching it

I am hoping this speech does not fade from our collective memories in the rush of politics as usual. I note on some of the blogs and forums I frequent, everyone seems reluctant to say much, some out of express reservations about the candidate, some perhaps reluctant to get caught up in too much enthusiasm, too much trust in such high promises and ideals.

I certainly understand why many do not want to get their hopes up or, at least, need to remain skeptical of any and all politicians. Already there are some who are unhappy with how Obama has dealt with his church affiliation and relations with his pastors; others who had their heart set on Hillary. However, among loyal Democrats and others who fundamentally agree with much that Obama is campaigning for, I wonder why there are not more expressions of sheer joy at hearing a speech like this.

Maybe it is just nostalgia on my part for some of the great speech givers of the recent past -- Julian Bond, Barbara Jordan, Mario Cuomo, Bobby Kennedy, JFK and others. But for me it goes beyond a love of nice sounding words or memories of particular individuals. It hearkens back to a time when many people really believed that government could and should aspire to do good -- not solve all problems or change human nature, but at least try its best to serve people, to find new ways of doing things when needed, to value old ways that have had some success, and not just provide the stage for those trying to clamor for more and more power, where there is not much left to do but watch the tumult and the gymnastics.

I don't know if Barack Obama will be elected or, if elected, whether he will succeed in bringing the people of the country together, ending the war in Iraq, and refocusing our energies on much needed work at home and, at the same time, be mindful of the needs and concerns of the rest of the world, whose resources we consume at such a frightful pace. But I do know that we need more people, voters and politicians alike, to talk about dreams again, to not give up and give in to the politics of hate and division. We need to believe again, not to have uncritical faith in any one individual or party or set of programs, but to believe in the capacity of human beings to plan for and accomplish good things. Yes, it requires humility on our part and the grace of God, but even though humans alone cannot bring forth the Kingdom on earth, neither can we afford to be mired in despair, cynicism, and inertia.

So, whether any of us agree with all of Obama's programs or even choose to vote for him, let us at least embrace the ideals he speaks of so eloquently. Here's hoping.

Senator Barack Obama, St. Paul, MN, June 03, 2008:

The other side will come here in September and offer a very different set of policies and positions, and that is a debate I look forward to. It is a debate the American people deserve. But what you don't deserve is another election that's governed by fear, and innuendo, and division. What you won't hear from this campaign or this party is the kind of politics that uses religion as a wedge, and patriotism as a bludgeon – that sees our opponents not as competitors to challenge, but enemies to demonize. Because we may call ourselves Democrats and Republicans, but we are Americans first. We are always Americans first.

Despite what the good Senator from Arizona said tonight, I have seen people of differing views and opinions find common cause many times during my two decades in public life, and I have brought many together myself. I've walked arm-in-arm with community leaders on the South Side of Chicago and watched tensions fade as black, white, and Latino fought together for good jobs and good schools. I've sat across the table from law enforcement and civil rights advocates to reform a criminal justice system that sent thirteen innocent people to death row. And I've worked with friends in the other party to provide more children with health insurance and more working families with a tax break; to curb the spread of nuclear weapons and ensure that the American people know where their tax dollars are being spent; and to reduce the influence of lobbyists who have all too often set the agenda in Washington.

In our country, I have found that this cooperation happens not because we agree on everything, but because behind all the labels and false divisions and categories that define us; beyond all the petty bickering and point-scoring in Washington, Americans are a decent, generous, compassionate people, united by common challenges and common hopes. And every so often, there are moments which call on that fundamental goodness to make this country great again.

So it was for that band of patriots who declared in a Philadelphia hall the formation of a more perfect union; and for all those who gave on the fields of Gettysburg and Antietam their last full measure of devotion to save that same union.

So it was for the Greatest Generation that conquered fear itself, and liberated a continent from tyranny, and made this country home to untold opportunity and prosperity.

So it was for the workers who stood out on the picket lines; the women who shattered glass ceilings; the children who braved a Selma bridge for freedom's cause.

So it has been for every generation that faced down the greatest challenges and the most improbable odds to leave their children a world that's better, and kinder, and more just.

And so it must be for us.

America, this is our moment. This is our time. Our time to turn the page on the policies of the past. Our time to bring new energy and new ideas to the challenges we face. Our time to offer a new direction for the country we love.

The journey will be difficult. The road will be long. I face this challenge with profound humility, and knowledge of my own limitations. But I also face it with limitless faith in the capacity of the American people. Because if we are willing to work for it, and fight for it, and believe in it, then I am absolutely certain that generations from now, we will be able to look back and tell our children that this was the moment when we began to provide care for the sick and good jobs to the jobless; this was the moment when the rise of the oceans began to slow and our planet began to heal; this was the moment when we ended a war and secured our nation and restored our image as the last, best hope on Earth. This was the moment – this was the time – when we came together to remake this great nation so that it may always reflect our very best selves, and our highest ideals. Thank you, God Bless you, and may God Bless the United States of America.

Full text here.

Nothing too serious

For the Mad Priest crowd:



Above: High school graduation party 2007
Sister Marie Therese, Sister Jane Margaret, and the graduate.



Below: Still Life with Resident Predators



I still haven't figured out why one would use these to slice fruits or vegetables, especially since this pair has lately had a run in with geese excrement, which the birds have left behind when shooed from the practice field. I think we'll toss the perishables now rather than try to use them for dinner.

Thought of the Day

Two prayers:

Serenity Prayer: Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.

- Rehnhold Niebuhr

Stress Prayer: Grant me the stubbornness to struggle against things I cannot change; the inertia to avoid work on my own behaviors and attitudes which I can change; and the foolishness to ignore the differences between external events beyond my control and my own controllable reactions. But most of all, grant me a contempt for my own human imperfection and the limits of human control.

Neil Fiore, Overcoming Procrastination (originally published as The Now Habit, Tracher/Putnam 1989) at p. 86.