Category: Uncategorized
Einstein and Religion
Andrew Sullivan posts a great quote from Einstein on the relationship between science and religion that is very insightful and very comforting, in a way. It gives religion the respect I think it deserves when considered in the cosmic magnitude in which it is properly placed. In other words, it characterizes religion as something vastly larger than abject devotion to some old guy with a long, white beard. God is beyond comprehension, but also necessary to understand “what it all means.” Why is there anything? The God that is discussed in popular religion is dramatically inadequate to what we ascribe his/her role in existence.
This is my favorite sentence in the longer quote:
[I]t seems to me that science not only purifies the religious impulse of
the dross of its anthropomorphism but also contributes to a religious
spiritualization of our understanding of life.
Immigration
The immigration issue leaves me cold. I just can’t get emotional involved. I’m struck by the intense emotional exhibited by both sides, but particularly those most vehement against illegal immigration. I think I’ve just figured out why they are so intense. I think they view American citizenship as some kind of precious possession and the illegal immigrants are stealing it, which enrages them.
I differ with them in that I look at American citizenship as a lucky break, an accident of birth. So, when someone unlucky enough to be born poor in Mexico comes over the border, I don’t take it personally. And I don’t consider them evil.
I know there are practical reasons for seeking a way to control immigration. And I recognize the resentment felt by those whose jobs are threatened by illegal immigration (these, of course, are the people desperatey trying to protect the ability of Americans to pick fruit and vegetables, bus tables in restaurants and clean hotel rooms).
But I do think the anti-immigrant forces are in some ways un-American. But I also think George Bush is generally un-American, except, oddly, on this one issue.
Go figure.
The Godfather
I concluded my issues management course at the George Washington Graduate School of Political Management with class entitled “Issues Management and the Godfather.
Oh, I wish I had this video for the course. It is priceless.
Hillary
Hillary Clinton had a great come back on the Today Show today. Matt Lauer was trying to get her denounce Jimmy Carter for his entirely justified critique of George W. Bush. To paraphrase:
“Doesn’t President Carter’s comments cross a line in criticizing a successor?” Lauer said.
“Well, I’ve said some pretty critical things myself,” says Hillary.
“Yeah, but you’re not a former President,” Lauer said.
“Not yet,” say Hillary with a smile. Laughter could be heard among the crew.
Nice one.
When you’re hot, you’re hot
Amazing how, when things are going good, the media finds all kinds of ways to validate that premise. A year ago, the Democrats, according to the media, couldn’t get out of their own way. Even with the multiple disasters plaguing the Republicans, there was not way the Dems could win the House and the Senate was totally out of reach. Our own incompetence and infighting would preclude our ability to take advantage of the problems facing the Republicans. Of course, we were also told that Republican juggernaut would protect them from electoral disaster.
What a difference an election makes. Case in point is today’s front page story in the Washington Post on how the Democrats are way ahead of the Republicans on the Internet.
I guess we now benefit from the media’s pack mentality. I’ll take it.
Heroes
One of the amazing things about George W. Bush is how he has revealed as heroes people for whom I’ve had nothing but contempt over the years. That’s the real dividing line in this Administration. People who subordinate their will to King George and prosper (or get the Medal of Freedom) and people who have an independent will and are destroyed (the list is too long to show here, but some examples, Paul O’Neil, Colin Powell, John Dellulio, etc., etc.) Who’d have thought that Ashcroft could be a hero, but you’ve got to admire the guy for his sickbed repudiation of Gonzalez and Card.
Well, here’s another. Ron Paul. It’s a testament to the decline of the Republican Party that Guiliani apparently got the boost from his exchange with Paul at the debate. But, the fact is, Paul was right. And click the video below to see him elaborate.
Les Miserables
I saw Les Miserables. I may be one of the last people to see the play. Don’t have time for a full review. It’s a spectacular work of art. Every word is sung and since I barely got there in time to take my seat, I didn’t get a chance to read the plot digest, which would have helped. It’s a little complex and confusing at the beginning.
The most powerful moment in the entire performance is when Jean sings “Bring Him Home” to a sleeping soldier. What a killer! I first heard this song at the Memorial Day Concert on the Capitol lawn by the guy to created the role on Broadway. It is a gut wrenching prayer asking God to ensure the safe return of the soldier. You couldn’t help but think of soldiers currently in Iraq. While the actor was singing, you could hear sniffling all throughout the theater and many people daubing their eyes.
A great play.
The Parthenon
A couple of years ago, I visited the Parthenon in Athens, Greece. It was a thrilling experience to be standing on the Acropolis, the huge 
elevated rock on which the Parthenon was built. I was struck by how poorly the Greeks preserved their historic artifacts. I think they were trying to improve the site, but much of it was simply piles of rocks. The Parthenon itself was basically a shell. Nothing inside, just rows of columns and some roof-type structures perched precariously on top. But there was nothing inside. Now I know why.
The interior of the Parthenon is in the Britsh Museum. There is a huge room with wall sculputures running down either side. At either end, there are a number of very impressive statues from the historic site.
If I was the Greeks, I’d be pretty pissed. I made this comment to a number of my British colleagues and one said, “Yeah, but if it wasn’t for us the whole thing would have been burned down.”
Rosetta Stone
The British Museum is the oldest museum in the world. The sheer number of artifacts is stunning. And they go back as far as you can go in human history, thousands and thousands of years.
The first thing you encounter coming in one door of the museum is the Rosetta Stone. In my ignorance, I didn’t know it was a real thing. Here it is. Created in 196 BC, it’s got Greek and Egyptian versions of the same text, which allowed researchers to beging to translate hieroglyphics for the first time. Discovered in 1799, it took 20 years to translate it.
St. Paul’s Cathedral
I have had a recurring nightmare all my life that I am ascending a very narrow, steep flight of stairs to some very high place, getting more and more anxious as I go up. By the time I reach the top, I am literally on my stomach, clutching the stairs and the floor at the top landing. The fear of heights is paralyzing. I have not had the dream in a long time, but it remains in my psyche.
Which brings me to St. Paul’s Cathedral. An amazing structure, which I believe provded the model for the dome of the U.S. Capitol. One of the coolest features is that you can go up to the dome of the cathedral, which provides the best available view of all of London.
Needing to get that picture I went up and the dream came back to me in force. There are 197 steps to get to the balcony inside the dome that overlooks the sacristy. I could not get near the railing to look down. But you have to walk along the balcony to continue the climb to the outside peak of the dome. I hugged the wall around the balcony.
The stairs to the top get narrower and narrower and at one point, both shoulders are touching walls. So, you get to combine your claustrophobia with your acrophobia. Then, you get to a wrought iron spiral staircase that provides a helpful view downward, way downward. Then, out you come for a stunning view. A few snaps and back down you go. quickly.
I expect that dream will be returning.
