Mary Magdalene Podcast

A Fresh Air cast from a religious scholar Bart D. Ehrman, who is also an expert of the gnostic gospels (Even the gospel of Mary Magdalene).  Timely considering our recent lecture for Mom's birthday.

Migranine Cure Through Diet

Denise and I heard this on NPR this morning.  The interesting points seem to be the number of healthy foods which cause the migraines, in combination with changes in the atmosphere and stress.  One of them includes the protein in soy, which can cause a delayed migraine up to 72 hours later (what?  vegeburgers?).  Others include bananas, citrus, nuts, and cheese, and caffine.  This link also contains the sound file if you want to listen.

Motivational Quote Of the Day

Never think that God's delays are God's denials. Hold on; hold fast; hold out. Patience is genius.
Comte de Buffon

Grateful Dead Sing the National Anthem

What is surprising to me is that it didn't last for an hour like most of their live concert songs; also, very good harmony at the ending.

A Great Link in My Life

Found this quote, and it reminded me of Gammy's birthday.  What a great celebration in Love and Friendship.

It is a mistake to try to look too far ahead. The chain of destiny can only be grasped one link at a time.
Sir Winston Churchill

Neptune From the Voyager Spacecraft

This composite illustration is of the planet Neptune, as seen from its moon Triton. Neptune's south pole is to the left; clearly visible in the planets' southern hemisphere is a Great Dark Spot, a large anti-cyclonic storm system. This three-dimensional view was created using images from the Voyager spacecraft.

Open Letter to President Bush from Reknown Physicists

I like the second sentence, "As members of the profession that brought nuclear weapons into existence..."

Dear Mr. President:

Recent articles in the
New Yorker and Washington Post report that the use of tactical nuclear
weapons against Iran is being actively considered by Pentagon planners
and by the White House. As members of the profession that brought
nuclear weapons into existence, we urge you to refrain from such an
action that would have grave consequences for America and for the world.

1800
of our fellow physicists have joined in a petition opposing new US
nuclear weapons policies that open the door to the use of nuclear
weapons in situations such as Iran's. These policies represent a
"radical departure from the past", in the words of Linton Brooks,
National Nuclear Security Administration director. Indeed, since the
end of World War II, US policy has considered nuclear weapons "weapons
of last resort", to be used only when the very survival of the nation
or of an allied nation was at stake, or at most in cases of extreme
military necessity.

...And a Refreshing Difference of Opinion

This writer argues points why war with Iran is not inevitable. Most seem to revolve around the president's lack of domestic and international political capital.

Scary Regime Change Talk from Washington

A New Yorker article which I find extremely scary, but a necessary read; although, not just regime change.

Some operations, apparently aimed in part at intimidating Iran, are already under way. American Naval tactical aircraft, operating from carriers in the Arabian Sea, have been flying simulated nuclear-weapons delivery missions—rapid ascending maneuvers known as “over the shoulder” bombing—since last summer, the former official said, within range of Iranian coastal radars.

The other frightening part is a power vacume in Iran opens the door to extremist organizations. The group with the strongest ties to the region is Hezbollah, which recently won a popular election in Lebanon.

Also an Oogle Earth article showing potential nuclear processing plants in Iran.

Oreo Sculptures

Here's an interesting art project, Oreo sculptures.
This one seems very remarkable (again, amazing the ways children find to express themselves).

Why Developing Software is Fun

Although, I'm by no means an expert, here is an expert's view of why this trade is rewarding (From The Mythical Man-Moth).

Fourth is the joy of always learning, which springs from the
nonrepeating nature of the task. In one way or another the problem is
ever new, and its solver learns something: sometimes practical,
sometimes theoretical, and sometimes both.

Study of Math Processing in Children

"...the brian dedicates a region to understanding maths by as early as four-years-old." The ability of the mind is remarkable, especially in children. However, a side observation of the study recognizes that "...children showed this (math) activation largely on the right hand side of the brain, whereas adults showed similar activation on both sides." The research indicates that more complex mathmatical understanding comes with symbolic operations learned during and after school.

Tree Huggers Unite

To go further with the eco baby post yesterday, I thought you would enjoy this blog (I subscribe to it in my aggregator).

Raising a Green (Eco) Baby

Perfect for the recycling parent. The top tip for feeding the baby in the eco style? Breast feeding of course. "...no harmful chemicals, energy or transportation". You also save over 600 dollars in formula milk and equipment. i still can't see using real diapers with 3 kids.

Another Guitar Set

Another new photo set Denise had on the camera of Daddy and Isaac laying one down.

Fifth Birthday Guitar Party

I bought a pro account at Flickr, so we can look at lots of photo sets of Isaac, Leo, and the kids. Check out Isaac's guitar party. Doesn't he look at home with the guitar in his hand?

Isaacs Digital Perspective

Here are the pics from Isaacs new digital camera. Interesting what catches his eyes, like bright colors.

Birthday Party

What a great party we had this weekend. I saw this quote today, and it reminded me of how special my family is; but more than just peace. Peace, and Love, and Excitement, and Wonderment, and Healing, and so much more.

More pictures to come!! But thank you all for an incredible time.

Susan Partnow
"It is within the families themselves where peace can begin."

Absurdities of English Poem

Interesting poem for those of us attempting to learn to read, and for those of us who rely heavily on the spell checker.

When the English tongue we speak.

Why is break not rhymed with freak?

Will you tell me why it's true

We say sew but likewise few?

And the maker of the verse,

Cannot rhyme his horse with worse?

Beard is not the same as heard

Cord is different from word.

Cow is cow but low is low

Shoe is never rhymed with foe.

Think of hose, dose,and lose

Dr. King

Today is the anniversary of Dr. King's assassination in Memphis, TN on 4/04/1968. His last speech was titled "I've been to the mountain top".

Two passages from this famous speech seem striking
The Nobel prize winner of 1964, spoke regarding peace, "Men for years now have been talking about war and peace. But now no loner can they just talk about it. It is no longer a choice between violence and nonviolence in this world; it's nonviolence or nonexistence."

Then in the famous last paragraph of his final speech, "...And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over, and I've seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the Promised Land. And so I''m happy tonight; I'm not worried about anything; I'm not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.

Here is also the wikipedia article which discusses the time line, as well as conspiracy theories.

Osama bin Laden Compared to the Crusaders

The most interesting line in this piece regarding bin Laden's legacy is this statement. "Both bin Laden and the Crusaders transformed the evil of vengeance into a virtue."

In some ways, bin Laden is a historical anomaly. He is a natural byproduct of Wahhabi theology but hardly a theologian himself. Despite his many speeches and writings, he does not seem keen about leaving behind a legacy of interpretations or a coherent system of thought that would inspire generations of Muslims after he is gone. Something of a theological parasite, he seems content with tapping into everything cruel and intolerant in the vast Islamic tradition. Likewise, his revolutionary credentials are suspect; although he speaks of ending oppression and injustice, his vision is full of nightmares. Revolutionaries usually promise a better world after destroying the old—there is at least the hint of a utopian dream that draws in young idealists. The rhetoric of defensive jihad suggests that bin Laden sees himself as a different kind of revolutionary—a national liberator or freedom fighter—and indeed, many secular Muslims and Christian Arabs do sympathize with him on that basis.

But between the three choices—theologian, revolutionary, or Crusader—bin Laden is most like a Crusader. The Crusades were ostensibly about gaining control of holy sites, but in reality this was just an excuse for waging war without the constraints of morality. Not bothering with such technicalities as who actually lived on the land, the Crusaders believed that their acts of unmitigated aggression were defensive wars, and, like bin Laden, the Crusaders thrived on narratives of victimization. Both bin Laden and the Crusaders transformed the evil of vengeance into a virtue. Bin Laden fancies himself the defender of Islam, and Crusaders fancied themselves the defenders of Christendom. But most tragically, the Crusaders and bin Laden exploited their religious traditions to commit atrocities in God’s holy name.