By This Will All Know

I am a Lutheran (LCMS to be exact, not the ones who get in the news all the time). I have been a Lutheran for 4 months and 16 days. I did spend a lot of time in the Lutheran church before I changed from my previous state of non-denominational to my current, more liturgical one.

I purpose to organize some thoughts by writing this out on my blog. First off, I do not think denominations matter all that much. I am a political scientist of sorts, and being a political scientist of the United States I strongly believe in freedom of religion. Thus, I do not have problems with differences of opinion and all that kind of thing. I am not going to sit here and tell anyone what denomination they should join, or what non-denomination. I am not going to say that any one denomination is more right than any other. I think that is silly.

Sometimes, though, people do talk about their own denomination as if it is somehow better than the others around it. I completely respect people's opinions. I also respect the natural human desire to like best that which we choose to like best. There is nothing wrong with preferring one denomination of Christianity above another. That's how we got all these different types in the first place. Personally, I think that denominations allow us to see Christian principles from slightly different perspectives. No one person can have a complete picture of what God intended with the body of Christ. But many different ideas can come together and weed out the terribly wrong ideas by working through the truth that is in God's word. Evenutally something resembling a more complete picture can come of this. Without freedom of religion and the liberty to debate different ideas this cannot happen. That is my political notion of the church. Then again, that is me, that is how I think. I am only a humble wannabe politician and what I know best is politics. I do not pretend to know more. Frankly, when it comes to issues of the church I am the most ordinary layperson you could find. In fact, one might say that my views are hampered by my political ideas. You can forgive me, I am sure, we are all human after all, and that's why we need God.

Ealier today, I listened to some music by my favorite artist eLi. I decided to go read up on his website since I had not checked it in a while. I would not mind another eLi concert, dontcha know. eLi's writings reminded me of a verse in John 13:34-35: "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

It does not matter what denomination you are a part of. People are not going to recognize you for being a Lutheran or a Catholic or a Baptist or a non-denominational or anything else. They are going to recognize that you are a disciple of Christ by whether or not you love other disciples of Christ and whether you show that love. The fact is, we can sit and say as much as we want that our particular denomination is better. That may not show any love for other disciples of Christ. But most of all, it is not the way people will recognize whether or not we are followers of Christ.

As a disclaimer of sorts I would like to add a note on the subject of truth. I believe that if a person confesses that Jesus Christ is their risen savior, that he died and took the punishment for their sins, then rose again so that said person could have eternal life then they are a Christian. Yes, there are other important beliefs, for an outline you might read the Apostles or the Nicene Creed. I am not arguing about denominations that do not confess at least that which I wrote above (meaning that Jesus died for their sins and rose again portion). I make no point about things that are completely outside of God's word (i.e. the Pope, or the beliefs of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints). Minor differences of doctrine, so long as they do not affect the main point, do not matter in this argument. In fact, that's the point of the whole thing.

And that's all this embarrassed, little layperson with no understanding has to say on that matter.

Stupid Spammers!

I am feeling a bit livid at the moment. First off, I am just having an angry day in general, second off, some idiot spammer decided to hit up my blog. I have changed the comment settings. You can still comment anonymously, but you must "word verify" your comment. This ensures that you are indeed a person. Just so my faithful readers know. I apologize for the inconvenience, but I really hate spammers.

Too Good To Pass Up

Here is an article by Thomas Sowell on the rising oil prices. I think it is insightful and funny.

Pence on Life

This post is a thinly veiled plug for Mike Pence. The intro portion is my take on the right to life especially as regards abortion.

Even as a small child I was steeped in pro-life views. Once a year the Michigan Right-To-Life organization held a rally at the capitol in Lansing. My parents never missed that event until we moved far away from Lansing. Every year they packed me, my twin and my two older sisters up and took us to the rally. We would stand there outside the capitol building -- it was usually raining -- and listen to speech after speech. I could never see the person giving the speech being a small child to begin with and in a crowd. The eery experience of standing in the rain listening to a disembodied voice talk never bothered me too much. But I was always hungry and hoped my parents would take us out for burgers afterwards. When my twin and I were a little older we went to an event remembering the 25th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. We had to stand in a line up of children, representing the aborted lives from each year since the court case's decision. There was even a pregnant mommy for the current year. I felt honored as I stood there with Maria. We were some of the fortunate, our parents chose life.

I do not blame everyone or even anyone who has had an abortion. We have all done wrong, including myself. I also realize that much of the literature out there and the words of doctors tell us that what a woman carries inside her womb is nothing but tissue and not a human life yet. It is deceit, and perhaps one must lie to oneself to believe it. But at the same time I am saddened that people are deceived like this.

One of my profs explained it best when he pointed out that the only certain line a person can draw for the beginning of life is conception. Any other line is arbitrary. Think on that for a moment, you must have some sort of evidence if you decide that the second trimester is where life begins. You must have some reason based upon your scientific findings if you say that implantation in the euterus is where life begins. Only conception is a clear solid line drawn regardless of someone's idea about life. I know, it coincides with my belief, but that is not the point. That is because I believe that "all men (=humans) are created equal." The word created means that from the moment that all the components were there that would make that a human it is equal to all other humans. Those components were there at the moment of conception. Equality is, necessarily, not the subject of this post and I may address in a future post.

Here are Congressman Mike Pence's words addressing the subject of stem cell research before Congess a few months back. It has given me another reason to support Pence. He asks that we regard the sanctity of life for two specific reasons: the overall moral repugnance of creating a life only to destroy it and the wrongness of forcing millions of people to fund something they are against. Pence's words prove his pro-life views. He speaks against something more perverse than abortion, but it is obviously because he believes that all humans have a right to life.

In another statement Pence addressed the death of Terri Schiavo. He argued that her life was taken wrongly. In order to combat what happened Congress should ensure that others in like situations cannot have their lives taken without due process of law. Pence upheld both the Constitution and the right to life.

Finally, he argued for the Laci Petersen Act in a gentle and non-threatening manner. But he still managed to put in a firm say for life.

Three more reasons why I support Mike Pence.

Abortion is a highly controversial issue. If someone wishes to argue with me on it, it would best be done in private. You may disagree with my post, but if you put something rude and obscene on my website I will delete comments and make necessary amendments to change anonymous commentary. That is just a small admonition that I hope will not become a reality.

Laughing 'Til The Tears Come

You have got to read this. It is one of the funniest things I have seen in a long time. Prepare yourself to roll on the floor and laugh out loud.

I Do Not Hate Interviews Anymore

I had my interview today. It went very well. I owned that interview. In fact, the interviewer acted as if he had already decided to hire me. It was awesome. He did say at the end that he had a couple more people to interview, so he could not be certain of his hire yet. But I should expect to hear more by the end of the month and he told me who to contact in case they do not call back for a while.

At one point he took me out and showed me my cubicle. And I did not even have to ask him to see it.

I am very optimistic that I might get a job soon. Even if I do not get this job, I, at least, made a good showing in the interview. That counts for a lot and sets me on the road to doing well at interviews in the future. I am happy. I feel like I am on top of the world!

A Second Chance

I learned that I was turned down for that job I interviewed for a few weeks ago. At least I no longer have to wonder about whether or not I got it. I am not worried. God will care for me and Craig. That is the most important thing to remember.

Besides, in the process of turning me down I have been asked to interview for a different position at the same place. So I will interview this week and I am excited about that. Perhaps it will work out this time. Either way, at least I am getting interviews instead of just putting in applications.

A Little Fuzzy Cute Thing

I had to post this:

My family's guinea pig had a baby recently.

A Thought

I had a thought concerning my most recent post. By the time I get to elected office I will have left behind such a paper trail that the media will have the ability to make quite a stink about me. Maybe having a politically oriented blog is not the safest road to take.

Oh well . . . I enjoy this too much to stop! And some things need to be said.

Conservatism Through My Eyes

I write this post as a preliminary of many thoughts to come. Writing another post on Mike Pence interests me, yet I would like to talk about a few things in general first.

You have seen me use this word "conservatism" several times and you may be wondering what gives. What do I mean by that? Perhaps even what does conservatism mean to the average American. What is a conservative?

A conservative, many would have us believe, is nothing more than your average, ignorant hick. That's why they're conservative. A more thoughtful person would pull out the common dictionary definition. A conservative is someone who attempts to keep the government and social structure as it is now rather than employing radical changes. Someone who believes in moral absolutes at least to the point where they realize that government is fallible. Another idea is that a conservative attempts to make America what it was when it was founded. That is to say, a conservative tries to draw the country back to an outdated, horse and buggy system of government.

Each one of these views leaves out important aspects of conservatism. Each one lacks essence.

Take the first, if conservatives are merely hicks than what would you call Clarence Thomas? Numerous examples of educated, city dwelling conservatives exist. This argument is so lame as to make it nearly unaddressable.

The second argument leaves a vast amount of information to be understood. Conservatives seek to maintain the traditional government. They desire to keep the government from expanding its power too much. Government has flaws because it is made up of people and people are misguided by human nature. This is all true. Yet there are many different types of conservatives. They all approach the subject of government a little differently. Naturally, confusion reigns when you try to describe and explain each of the ten different types of conservatives, and the next person you ask may only have six different types of conservatives stereotyped. As a result, a discussion of the differing appproaches would not be helpful. Suffice it to say the second argument is an overall approach to the topic. One that seeks only information and not persuasion.

The third argument then, may be the most useful. A conservative attempts to make America what it was at its founding. In all seriousness I say, "What a shortsighted individual!" So much has happened since America's founding that no person ever born can make the United States what it was then. The Civil War carried with it the weight of nationhood. It descended upon a young country and sent the structure of a republic toward its doom. Following that came the progressives. They constructed the administrative state and guided the nation into modernity. The administrative state added an economic welfare state, which then gave way to another kind of welfare state. Through all of this various philosophies of government contended. The idea of making America what it was at its founding is shortsighted only because it leaves aside many facts that have shaped the nation I live in today.

I regret to say that a true conservative must remember the new traditions that have arisen from the progressive and administrative age. Reconciling these things with the vision of conservatism is one of the toughest tasks of today. The road stretches ahead and generations to come will travel its paths. When I look at the government as it is I agree that it has taken too much power from the people. It is no longer "government of the people, by the people and for the people." But much of that power cannot be taken back. How do you give power to people who have forgotten that they once wielded the power to rule themselves? The true reform of government may not be to change the actual institutions or redo the structure. After all, Reagan vowed that he would abolish the Department of Education and it remains.

The founders started our government on a path of tension. Tension between structure and human nature. Most of them recognized that human nature is fallible, government is made up of humans and, therefore, government is fallible. Most of them realized that power is corruptible, government claims power, therefore, government is easily corrupted. They sought a balance within government to keep power struggling against itself so that no one part of the government could rule over the rest. Their actions were admirable and made a lot of sense. Yet that balance has been upset many times from various sides. Restoring government to its original structure would ignore those upsets. Even during the early years the power swung like a pendulum out of wack. Many times the country almost collapsed upon itself. And many times it struggled up again. Each time new traditions arose and new questions stormed in. With these new traditions the general public increasingly lost interest in government. Today most people do not pay attention to government except at tax time or elections. The fact is, Tocqueville was right about the democratic man. The democratic person retreats within himself or herself, until he or she is nearly alone among all the other democratic citizens.

If the government is to change to a more conservative way then people must realize that it is their burden to change it. No one will change it for us. Conservatives must do this. In agreeing to help with the grassroots movement I have joined I understand that it is not the government's mind which must be changed, it is the mind of the general public. It is the attention of orinary, American citizens that must be sought. Their hearts and minds alone will turn the way our country goes.

Conservatism is thus a leaning toward limited government, and a true perspective on human nature. It takes into account the founders' points about good government. Yet it recognizes the truth of all the changes that have befell this country. And in the end it knows that those who can implement change are not those who live in the bubble that is government. They are the nameless, faceless, voting public.

Hair

Here is my new hair for all to see. This is a much better photo than the one on my lj account. Anyway, I wish that I was posting a photo of me going to work in the morning. But a haircut will have to do.

New Stuff!

I have a new haircut, yes, horror of horrors, I am a girl with short hair. It's so much nicer than my old hair. I left it long for about five years. It was time for a drastic change.

I have a new name. Hurray! I got my new driver's license and other identification stuff that has to be on file. Of course, the most fun thing about this was getting the people to put my maiden name as a second middle name. I now have four names. It took a while to get that to work. First they kept telling me that I could not just change my name like that. That is utterly ridiculous. If people can do hyphenated names they can add a middle name. Besides, my best friend added her maiden name as a middle name! So I knew it was possible. They finally realized that it was the stupid computer programs that would not accept a name that long, not that it was illegal or anything. This happened just as I was beginning to think I might have to just let it lie and work up the money to get a court order and have it changed. My driver's license had to accept my two middle initials instead of names, because I have a really long name now. It makes me happy. I am such a fan of my maiden name that I could not just ignore it. I could have done the hyphenated thing with a clean conscious I suppose, because of my Latino roots. That's normal in many countries. But this is how I really wanted my name to be and this is how it is.

I wish I had a new job, but I still have not heard back and I am edgy these days. I still have time to hear back, but I hate waiting! I keep praying and trying to put my trust in God over this whole job thing. It is hard to wait for something that seemed right when it started and remains up in the air for so long. I began applying for other jobs. My heart is not in that though, because I still feel the job in Indy is the right one.

Why Americans Need Help

I just discovered this article by Victor Davis Hanson. He is a writer/journalist who almost always has good ideas. The article discusses how we view history in the United States. I thought it made some excellent points. Hanson argues that we twist history and use it for political purposes. Since most Americans are not up on their history these days, it's very easy to get away with saying all manner of outrageous things. I hear it on a daily basis. I'm not the best with history unless it has to do with politics, so I am probably as guilty as any of letting outrageous statements slide. Anyway, great article, read it. I am stoked about finding Victor Davis Hanson's personal website as well. You will find a link down with my other political links.

Waiting for the Ring

This post has nothing to do with getting engaged since I am already married and have both my rings. It also has nothing to do with funny short people who have hair on the tops of their feet and are formally known as Hobbits. And nothing to do with a big, creepy, red eye wreathed in flames.

I am just frustrated because I do not have a job yet. I sit here all day waiting for my phone to ring and praying that I will get the perfect job for me. At least, it seems like the perfect job for me. But still no ring. Now I am almost jumping up and down in frustration. Please, please, please, I need a job and I want that job. I feel like a three year old or something. Except that there is much more on the line than whether or not I get a piece of candy in Meijer. There are loans to be paid and bills that keep coming.

Worst of all I am terribly restless. I need stress. I never thought I would say that, but it is true. In order for me to be happy with my life I need at least some stress. I do not need too much stress, I need just enough stress. I enjoyed working at Meijer even though it was stressful because when work was over I could leave the stress go home and vege-out. I had a reason to feel relieved and tired. I was not too stressed to work on my other projects. In fact, I had more reason to work on my other projects because they were stress reducers. Here I am tired with no reason, I do nothing but sit around, make food and read. I need a continuous project. I have things that I could do, but since I feel no challenge from the working part of my life to relieve stress I do not do those things.

My only ongoing theme seems to be waiting for the phone to ring.

The Draft Pence Movement

I had a meeting with two very interesting people this morning. They are part of a grassroots movement to elect Congressman Mike Pence for president in 2008. This was all interesting because Mike Pence himself has not decided to run for president. These two young people are starting a conservative movement to draft Mike Pence for president in 2008.

I have decided to join this cause and I will share my reasons for that.

A couple weeks ago I got a message from facebook telling me that a person in Indiana wanted to be on my "friends" list on the facebook. I thought, "Cool, I will finally know someone in Indiana." I checked out his profile and found that he was "very conservative." I thought "Cooler, this is a conservative in Indiana!" After a few days I received an email from my new friend. In this email he explained that he and his brother and a lot of other young people are working in a movement to draft Mike Pence for president. Furthermore, this is a grassroots movement where they travel around the country talking to people at colleges and spreading the message of conservatism. So today I invited two total strangers over to my apartment to discuss the conservative movement.

After coming to this town I discovered that most people's political ideals are far and away from my own. If you look at the post "Trim the Trees or Die" you will notice the differences between my views and the views of those who live in this town. It is rather depressing to realize that you are almost one of a kind. That you are surrounded by people who automatically assume you are pro-choice, you think trees look better when they are causing car accidents, and you hate George Bush. So when I saw the chance to get involved with something conservative I jumped.

These two young men entered (after knocking of course) our apartment, at first glance they looked almost exactly the same and are the same height. "Is one of you older or are you twins?" I asked. They are twins. No kidding. Just like me and Maria. One is quieter, one is more outgoing. But both are very interesting guys. They went to school together and seemed like best friends.

We started talking about conservatism, conservatism and Christianity, Christianity, and eventually got around to Mike Pence. We discussed why Christians should be involved in politics. And we heard about what a humble man Mike Pence is. He has moved up in leadership in the House very quickly, and he even turned down a leadership position because it went against his beliefs. This is a man who puts his principles before himself and any desire for power. He is in politics because that is where God wants him.

I am so impressed by the stories these two young men told me. To think that you can go into politics without the hunger for power driving you. Even when I fully believe that God wants me to be involved in politics; even when I see the principles God has convicted me about as higher entities than myself; even though I understand responsibilty and how terrifying it is, I cannot escape the desire for power. To realize that a humble person who really does hold to his principles is in office is an encouragement to me. But it is more than just that. It shows me that there is hope for this country and there is hope for good people to get involved in politics on a higher level. It shows me that you do not have to allow elected office to corrupt you and draw you into its ever downward spiral away from great principles. Like many I have often wondered if I can actually cheat a system that's very incentives are corrupt.

Mike Pence's story shows me that with God it is possible to live in the system and not be a part of that system. The story these two young men told was of a person convicted by God and brought back into politics years after he first tried to run for office. Now his message to people is not that of a politician, but that of a man saved by grace. He has prospered and risen to a position of authority not because he pushed people and drove them from their positions, but because God has blessed him. And that amazes me.

You may think that this is really cheezy. However, no one can say anything bad about Mike Pence. People who question him in anger do not rile him up. He answers them in kindness. Furthermore, he brings a positive message to young people. He speaks at youth conferences quite frequently and if you ask some young person in the DC area what they think of him they will tell you how much they like him.

If you check the side links you will see that I am linked to the blogs of the two people who told me about Mike Pence and the reviving of the conservative movement. We will continue to persuade others about Mike Pence. In the meantime I intend to research Pence thoroughly and post on him every once in a while. Good information is a part of good persuasion and I am looking to persuade my United Statesian readers.

Home Again

This past weekend mine and Craig's good friends Matt and Amber were married. The wedding was in Detroit. We drove more than six hours to be there. And it was definitely worth every hour plus all the caffeine it took to keep us both awake through the entire wedding and reception.

Several of our other friends were there as well including Bonnie and Amy, Josh and Gloria, and Casey and Andy. It was like a small class reunion. We missed Foley, Natalie, and anyone else who I might have forgot to add to this list. That may very well be the last time our group is almost all together in one place again. How sad.

Still, the wedding was awesome. The ceremony was beautiful. The food at the reception was great. We had tons of fun dancing. Craig and I can cut up the dance floor a bit. Although I have to say, Matt's friend Belal (sp?) was probably a better dancer than either of us. During several songs Craig, Belal and another friend of Matt's went out there and put on the moves. It was hilarious. They put their suit collars up and danced around out there. Then, to show off even more, Belal decided he would dance the rumba with me, of all people. It was fun even though I barely remember the rumba. I also have not danced with someone other than Craig since . . . well, since last year when I went to Vermont with the debate team and we all went Latin dancing. That was kind of weird. You get used to one person's style and leading after a while.

After the wedding we found a hotel at which to crash for the night. Then it was on to my old workplace to get some wedding photos. And then we went to my family's home for dinner.

Now I am back in my new home, much the worse for wear and with a scrapbook to work on.

To any of my good friends from the Dale who read this, I just want you to know you are the best friends a person could find and I miss you all so much. We will find a way to road trip out to see you all someday when I am making money instead of just spending it.

I Hate Interviews!

So, my interview was this morning. It took a long time to drive up there. Finding a parking place in the overcrowded visitors ramp was quite a feat. But at least I did not have to pay. I only found the parking garage because I accidentally ended up in the left turn lane on a one way street and had to go around the block. The entrance to the garage was down a street I had passed by. Furthermore, the parking garage did not even look like a parking garage except on the side with the entrance. So I guess you could say that God was watching out for me.

Finding the right room in the building was interesting. I have been in some screwed up buildings before, but never as bad as this one. I finally found room W072 between room W046 and W032! And I was still two minutes early! Yay! Good first impression for being early.

The interview started well. Being both Hillsdale alums we had lots to talk about. Toward the middle he asked me a question which I did not understand and could not answer. It was a stupid question anyway. Did I ever mention that I hate interviews. So then I had to do a writing sample to prove that I can write business-y emails and stuff. I think those turned out great. If they go by my paper trail they will have every reason in the world to hire me. But I was a little disoriented in the interview and I knew it.

I know that I am somewhat reserved when I first meet someone. Many people call this "shy" or "timid," but I maintain it is RESERVED. I choose not to be over exuberant. I choose to figure people out before I completely open up to them. I choose to be a little hesitant at moments. And I choose to mess up and destroy every interview I have to face! I hate interviews.

I am just praying that they are desperate enough to hire me. My past work experience is good and it shows me to be a responsible person willing to do tons of work all the time. I can deal with people, I can deal with research and I can make decisions. That is all they need.

And I could not answer that one stupid question . . .

In the end, God is still in control. If He wants me in this job, He will put me there, whether I make a few initial mistakes or not.

Scrutinizing Nonsense

I am never sure why the New York Times insists on publishing outright nonsense in its editorials. After reading the article linked in this post title I could only wonder, "They pay people to write this stuff?" I guess so, but they sure do not pay them to research it. Every time I read a New York Times editorial I am so annoyed that I do not usually finish reading it. This time I actually did finish the article. And I would like to make a few comments. First I will quote the article, then I will write my response. The colors differ, so you can figure out what's going on.

Quotation from the article:
" If [Roberts] is a mainstream conservative in the tradition of Justice O'Connor, he should be confirmed. But if on closer inspection he turns out to be an extreme ideologue with an agenda of stripping away important rights, he should not be. "

What's a an "extreme ideologue?" And what rights are they referencing? Perhaps they give us an answer . . .

"If extremists take control of the Supreme Court, we will end up with an America in which the federal government is powerless to protect against air pollution, unsafe working conditions and child labor."

The rights? Okay, child labor was outlawed in the early 1900s when we supposedly had a more "extremist" Court. Workers unions took care of unsafe working conditions. I highly doubt the court would start striking down federal laws on working conditions anyway, since it has to do with interstate commerce. And air pollution, hold on, how often does the Supreme Court make decisions about air pollution?

"He dissented in an Endangered Species Act case in a way that suggested he might hold an array of environmental laws, and other important federal protections, to be unconstitutional. "

Another right! And the Constitution has an entire section on endangered species and why they must be protected . . . or NOT. To me this just says that the man thinks for himself.

"Compared with many of the possible nominees whose names have been circulating, he has a thin record on controversial subjects. This may have helped him win the nomination because it gives the other side so little to work with. But it also puts a greater burden on the Senate to determine what kind of justice he would be."

Or it puts a greater burden on annoying, stupid reporters and editorialists with no understanding of research to make the American people uncertain about the nominee? Furthermore, Roberts has a lot of experience in law and a decent record of writings on issues of the day. His paper trail is hardly "thin."

"There are also serious questions about the attitude of Judge Roberts toward abortion rights. As a lawyer in the first President Bush's administration, he helped write a brief arguing that Roe v. Wade should be overturned."

As a pro-lifer I do not mind if he did help write such a brief. Speaking to a probably liberal NY Times writer I would point out that liberalism holds a relativistic view. That means that more than one opinion exists on most issues and more than one opinion is valid on just about every issue. Apparently not "abortion rights." And the editorialist who knows so much left out the fact that when confirmed as a circuit court judge Roberts said he would uphold Roe because it was law.

"President Bush did the country a service by making his nomination early enough for the Senate to have ample time to investigate the judge's record and hold hearings."

Translation: Isn't it exciting that those of us who know absolutely nothing about the Supreme Court or the federal government can pick this guy apart for an entire month before his hearing starts? Wouldn't you like to be the writer of the next "Bork's America?"

"It would be irresponsible to take a position on the nomination of Judge Roberts until his background is carefully reviewed, and until senators have a chance to question him at length."

Anyone but a New York Times editorialist should not make a hasty decision about this guy. Even if you do bother to go read up on him, remember that you should "carefully" research his background and make up your mind along with those who obviously did no research whatsoever!

"The nomination of a new Supreme Court justice is a great moment for the nation, providing new vigor to a great American institution. The entire country has a stake in the outcome."

And don't forget to throw some random thing in at the end to make this sound like you were trying to be inspiring.

More Than Ten Years

President Bush has chosen John G. Roberts for his nominee to the Supreme Court to replace Sandra Day O'Conner (who announced her retirement on July 1st). At least that appears to be the case.

Speculators (otherwise known as reporters) have been hashing this out all day. Most assumed that GWB would choose another woman for the nominee. This has been talked of a lot since First Lady Laura Bush suggested that it would be nice to replace O'Conner with another woman on the court. I agree with the First Lady, but I think Bush should have chosen Priscilla Owen. That would have been somewhat explosive, considering it took him three tries to get her elevated to her current judicial status. And if you put her name into Google you will get nothing but reports that badmouth her. Nobody wants another confirmation hearing like that of Bork in 1987.

Roberts appears to have a squeaky-clean and conservative record. He has written against Roe v. Wade, but he has also stated that he must uphold it because it is law. You can read more about him in the above link, and you can read more about the process as it occurs here.

After years of filibusters and total crap, I certainly hope these hearings will be quick and clean. In May, Bush reached the Gang of Fourteen deal, which is supposed to help stop filibusters in relation to confirmations. We will see how that goes, won't we? Personally, I find it amusing that Democrats are so gung ho for filibusters. I would point out that the most famous filibuster was the 57 day filibuster that attempted to block the Civil Rights Act of 1964. I think that was the longest filibuster ever, but I could be wrong. The late Senator Strom Thurmond holds the longest one person speech in a filibuster (or anyting on the Senate floor). He held out for 24 hours and 18 minutes. During that speech Thurmond urinated into a spitoon located near him on the Senate chamber's floor. Anyway. That's just a bit of trivia. I find it odd that so many can uphold something that has been used for so much wrong. The filibuster has been a hindrance to freedom many times. It is most well known for the moments that southern Senators held out against civil rights legislation, even civil rights legislation that banned public lynchings. Yet the ones who were and are against the way it was used in the past are the ones who leap at the chance to filibuster a court nomination now.

What To Say?

I am having one of those days where all kinds of ideas, words, and potential writings boil inside of me, yet I do not know what to say. I have been thinking about the Iraq war. I have tried putting the London bombings into perspective. I have been reading about the Supreme Court potential nominees. The whole Karl Rove thing bores me silly, but I read it. I have kept up with the news like a good poli-sci graduate. Still, at the moment I do not really care about the news.

Moving to a new place is a cool experience. But it took until I was almost completely settled to start reflecting on what has happened to me over the past several months. I sit here day after day finishing up wedding related things (like those thank yous that still sit in boxes on my tabletop), and trying to find a job. I spend my free time reading my friends' blogs to keep up on their lives. (That is, when I am not spending time with Craig.) And that is my dilemma! I have to keep up with my friends' lives online! I am not with them anymore. I am within road tripping distance of most of my friends. Some are farther away than others.

The horror. This is how it is going to be for the rest of my life! The friends I made at school will probably never be within walking distance of my home again. We spent the most responsibility free four years of our lives together! And now there are bills, bills, and more bills.

To think, four years ago I did not know any of these people and had no indication that I ever would! How things change! A wise person once said to me, "It does not matter how long your life is, at the end it will always seem like it went by so fast." That is how I feel about college. At the beginning everyone has the same thought, "Four years, that will take forever!" And at the end, you can only look back and wonder that it all happened so fast yet meant so much.

That is, unless you hated your college experience, or unless you were an immature jerk and you realize that now. Okay, that was random.

Back on topic. I miss my friends! I think the weirdest time will be when we do not all return to the Dale in the fall. Then, naturally, I will be asked to come back to Hillsdale and judge some debates, or judge debates in my area. And I will see nothing but students who were in classes other than my own! But the campus will still look the same.

At Random

Foley wrote this so I am posting this description of me to my blog, so here goes:

Esther
1. Well, I like everything about you, but I'd have to say your consideration for others is at the top!
2. 7:50 am because that's about when you had to take a shower in the morning and I had to try to be out by then.
3. Hmm, only one? Faithful
4. Oh, man, we've had a lot of memorable momments. Let's see, the Mickey Dance is at the top, but I think the best was after we both went to bed, but we'd talk for hours and then get upset because we had to get up early for class.
5. Blue, definitely. One because of your eyes, two because you just look stunning in it!
6. I've always wondered if you had grown up with lots of money would you still be so practical with it?
7. Put this in your blog!

It answers the following questions:

1. If I were to apply an o'clock to you, I'll tell you what it would be.
2. I will try to name a single word that best describes you.
3. I'll tell you the most memorable moment I've had with you.
4. I will tell you what color you remind me of.
5. I'll then tell you something that I've always wondered about you.

Other news. Yesterday I watched "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory". If you know me in real life than you probably know that I have anticipated the arrival of this movie to the big screen. In fact, if you know me well enough you know that I anticipated it so much I thought it came out 17 days before it actually did appear in theatres. I was stunned watching this movie. It was not at all what I had expected.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory outdid any imaginations I had about it. It was better than I thought it would be. I have heard so many people whine and say things like, "Johnny Depp would never make a good Willie Wonka," and "How can you replace Gene Wilder?" I completely understand this viewpoint, after all, most remakes suck. But this one was better than the original.

Chances are, if you have read some reviews, or if you have watched some previews you're thinking "Johnny Deep was trying to act like Michael Jackson!" Yes, even Roger Ebert agrees with this diagnosis. Okay, so let's put this in perspective. Roald Dahl wrote a story about a kid named Charlie who goes to a chocolate factory that is owned by a reclusive man in a tall hat. His wardrobe in the book is similar to that in the movie. He is an adult who has created a giant, dreamlike palace of candy and lives there alone. Hmm, does this sound like Michael Jackson? Yes. Except for the candy part. How is it not supposed to sound like Michael Jackson? The only way for that to happen would be if you made Willie Wonka into a muscular or tubby African-American man with a beard. From my own perspective, I did not think Johnny Depp's Willie Wonka was creepy at all. I thought he was hilarious. I thought he was a great overgrown child whose father did not allow him to eat candy when he was a kid. He did not remind me of Michael Jackson in the slightest and his responses to those around him were much like a child who does not know how to act would respond.

On a side note I really liked the flashbacks that Willie Wonka had into his own childhood. I cannot imagine someone putting headgear like that on a kid. It was hilarious, and you could feel his painful embarrassment just watching him.

The acting all around was amazing. The kid who played Charlie did a remarkable job. All the kids were good. And I thought the punishments that the monstrous children went through were less creepily done than in the older version of this movie. The Oompa-Loompas were hysterical. Their musical numbers cut the place up, and Willie Wonka's response to their singing was great. He'd start dancing a little and whatever parent whose child just arrived at a tragic moment would just glare fireballs at him. It was so funny.

The visual effects were amazing. That room with all the candy just made you wish you were there eating and enjoying to your heart's content. The little suits that the Oompa Loompa's wore were so cute. And the Oompa Loompa's were NOT orange! That made me happy. Also that one part where they travel on the barge through the tunnel did not nauseate me. In the Gene Wilder movie, that was really creepy.

One other thing that I liked better than the older version was the pace. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory moves a little faster. I think I could watch it over several times and not get bored, whereas if I watch the old one more than twice a year I am bored out of my mind by it. All in all, "Charlie" kept the charm of "Willie Wonka," while adding some things that made it a better movie.

I recommend this movie. Unless you really hate Tim Burton (it is Tim Burton at his very best, and who else could do dark, slightly morbid Roald Dahl so well?), go watch it.

Awesomeness

Happy blue it is today!

I just got off the phone with a government office in Indy. I have a job interview in one week!

To make this even better the job interview is with a Hillsdale College alum whom I have spoken to on the phone countless times! He told me flat out that he thinks I am overqualified for this job. Furthermore, he advised that it is one way to get a better job in his agency, and in Indiana politics in general. That means that I am basically a shoo-in. What Hillsdale graduate with a poli-sci major would not hire another Hillsdale graduate with a poli-sci major? None, of course.

I am so thankful, God willing, I will have a job in not too long at all. I have been praying about this so much and this may be the answer that God is giving me.

Trim the Trees or Die!

This unexplained statement describes the town where I now live extremely well. As it happens, the people of Bloomington would rather die than trim the trees. All along the narrow streets of the city overhanging trees block motorists' vision. They cover road signs -- including speed limits and school crossings. They block the streets that may be on either side of you, so that a driver cannot tell where a street is until he or she is already driving past. Sometimes when coming up on a stop and looking past the stop I am not sure if the road I am on actually keeps going or if I have reached its end. Furthermore, the city government has allowed large trees to grow up through the power lines. Some of these trees have entwined themselves through the wires. If one of them fell it would most likely land in the road, bring down live wires and probably a few smaller trees as well. They also have no shoulder to their roads. And that would be fine, except that nobody mows the tall grass and bushes away from the road edge. Visibility is limited at best.

Who could possibly be this stupid?!

It's nothing more than your common, ordinary, everyday hippy. They're everywhere here. And they flatly refuse to trim their bushes. "Let the beautiful trees grow," they say, "killing them is bad." Who says you have to kill the trees to trim them away from the roads and power lines?!

None of this would be so bad, however, if people actually knew how to drive. Now I am from Michigan, I am not from a place filled with paragons of excellent driving. I am from a place where most people drive too fast, weave around one another on the exressway and pull out in front of other cars whenever possible. At the same time, there is a major difference between Michigan and Indiana drivers. Michigan drivers try to avoid accidents, Indiana drivers just don't care. For example, driving yesterday I saw three accidents in the making and three accidents after the fact. I have never seen so many traffic problems before. And it was apparent to me that the people driving just did not care what they did. They don't have a death wish or anything, they just don't give a rip if they or somebody else gets into a terrible accident. They do nothing to avoid accidents. I am not sure if they know how to avoid them.

When I drive I do something which I refer to as "behavior modification tactics." This means I make other people change the way they drive, at least while I am around. I honk my horn (something no one in America does!), I move in front of idiots who try to pass me on the right, I slow down in front of tailgaters until they either pass me or realize they have to stop tailgating to get me to go faster. This works in Michigan, but in Indiana, nobody cares!

I am partially amazed and partially not surprised by all this. But if I have to live here for the rest of my life I am going to have a public temper tantrum and rant at everyone around me about how stupid they are when they get into a car.

And why can't they just trim the trees back away from the roads?!

Home From Paradise

Maui is the most beautiful island I have ever experienced. A little more to the point, it is the most beautiful place I have ever been. Lush, green beauty covers the island and the sun shines all day long. The scent of the sea permeates every breeze. Lovely, unimaginable beauty.

Then I saw my home state of Michigan again. I know, it rains or snows three quarters of the time. And three quarters of that fourth quarter there is nothing but clouds in the sky. The sun rarely shines in that fair state. But its beauty to me overpowers the immediate beauty of Maui.

I am crazy. Let me explain.

Michigan is the smell after the rainfall, the soft, fertile scent of growing grass and trees. It is the smell of dark topsoil awaiting the plough. The weather, while some might call it stereotypical is true weather. It changes in a heartbeat from good to bad and back again. But it is weather. You can feel the power in each thundercap and rejoice in the strength of a torrential downpour or a blowing snowstorm. The beauty of the wind as it sweeps across the rippling fields of corn or wheat or soybeans is comparable to the waves lapping toward the Maui shore. Unpredictable, in winter or summer, the weather gives one no room for boredom. While the intense cold of the winter months has been more difficult to bear with each passing year, I love the knowledge that unlike the warm weather crowd, I am no wimp. And despite the terrifying and capricious way I have described my home state, there is something more you ought to know. I can tell you every change in the weather before it occurs. I can look at the clouds and tell you how soon it will rain or if it will rain in the place where you are. I can test the wind -- direction and speed -- and know what tonight or tomorrow will bring. I can smell the air and tell you a hundred different things. And I can look at the sunset and know if tomorrow will be warm or cold, and if so how warm or cold it will be. That is part of what I love about Michigan. But there is more.

In a way the waters make the state.The lakes, though a bit fishy, are perfect mirrors when the wind stops. The cleanness of the white sand piled in dunes along the beaches of the Great Lakes surpasses the dirty, sticky sand of the Pacific Ocean. When you duck beneath the waters of any lake you come out clean, with no taste of a salt overdose in your mouth. The fishing, oh the fishing! While I would love to experience deep sea fishing, nothing will ever take away the joy of sitting in a canoe casting my line and reeling it in, hoping for a bass, bluegill or walleye. In Michigan you can never be more than half a mile from a water source. If a lake is not available a stream or river angles across the road. A marsh or bog may sit idle in the brimming summer heat.

Then there are the trees and the wildlife. Climbing trees is such a joy. And who can climb a palm tree? I don't know, but I can climb just about any tree in Michigan. Sitting in the dimness of a woodsy glade, watching small Bambis play, or squirrels chatter, or birds sing is a fine occupation. Building forts in the woods is also fun.

It is a wonderful place to be a child. You come home covered in mud or grass stains, but you had fun getting that way. And besides, you're still not self conscious enough to care who notices that your clothes never come clean and your hair is always untidy.

I suppose if I had grown up in Detroit I might have a different perspective. But different or not, I think I would always love Michigan more than Maui.

And those were my thoughts when I returned home for half a day. I gathered the last of my things, and promptly moved down to Indiana. Indiana is (pardon my language) crap, compared to Michigan. And the people are freakin' weird! But here I am, with my wonderful husband, happy as a clam.

If you are someone I know in real life and do not have my new phone number, let me know. I will get it to you.

Yeah, the wedding was great, the honeymoon wonderful and we are settling into married life quite well. I will go back to my good old political posts soon.

P.S. If you want to see a few wedding pics go to my friend Foley's (on the right among "Friends") blog.

The Vanishing Game

I will be married on Friday to the man of my dreams. On Sunday he and I will head to Maui on our honeymoon. Then a week later we will fly back and drive down to our apartment in Indiana.

Those of you who know me will see me this week at least until I leave from my wedding. To those of you who read my blog, whether you know me in real life or just on the computer, you will not see a new post on here until I come back.

I will vanish for almost two weeks, because who wants to keep up with a weekly couple of posts right after their wedding anyway?

Tagged

Foley tagged me, so I have to answer this charge. This is hardly a political thought, but you know me, I can make anything into politics. Why, the other day Craig and I were discussing whether or not Shakespeare was anti-semitic (watching The Merchant of Venice with Al Pacino). Craig thought Shakespeare was not, and I thought that everyone at that time was. Then I remembered my Shakespeare on politics class. And I commented, "He might not have been anti-semitic considering his uncommon understanding of politics," or something like that. Shakespeare is so deeply political that all I see in his writing anymore is the political . . .

Anyway, for the tagging!

"Things you enjoy, even when no one around you wants to go out and play. What lowers your stress/blood pressure/anxiety level? Make a list,post it to your journal... and then tag 5 friends and ask them to post it to theirs."

1. Reading my Bible and/or praying. Just thinking about God and everything He has done usually lowers my stress level.

2. Being near Craig, or hearing his voice.

3. Reading politics. Studying politics. Thinking politics. Writing politics. Talking politics. This also puts me into a heightened mode, so I do not notice that people around me are bored sick.

4. Writing in general. I am working on one epic and one novel. Those really help when I am stressed.

5. Hanging out with my awesome friends. Laughing with friends is especially relaxing.

Now I am going to tag people to answer this question. I want to tag Craig, Maria, Alexandra, and Finn & Joe. If you are my friend, or read my blog, and would want to be tagged, then consider yourself tagged and respond accordingly.

A Moment of Quiet. . .

. . . and a thought:

"'Is it true that one man can take upon himself the sin of another? Can he save him that way? Is it really true?'"
"'Yes. If the sinner will accept salvation, it is true."
. . .
"'The man who is the cause of the suffering can be saved by the man who bears it, if the tortured man for love's sake takes the sin upon himself together with the pain. That's the way it is. It is quite simple, if the sinner for love's sake will accept his salvation.'"

~Elizabeth Goudge, The Child From the Sea, (New York: Pyramid Communications, Inc., 1971), pp. 264-5

(Only a poli-sci major would cite a source in Chicago Manual style after quoting a very good book. Anyways, that quotation just reminded me of someone who did bear the sin and the pain "for love's sake.")

I'm a Monster!

I took a political quiz called Determine Your Political Philosophy. It says this is what I am:

My #1 result for the SelectSmart.com selector, POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY--determine your philosophy, is Left-wing Neoliberal (Clinton)

Fortunately for it after putting five different types of liberal in there my sixth was this:

My #6 result for the SelectSmart.com selector, POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY--determine your philosophy, is Right-wing Neoliberal (Thatcher)

There had to be something seriously wrong with that quiz. The answers I gave it were definitely not the liberal answers and it labeled me five different kinds of liberal. Either that test was totally off or I am a total misfit and my true liberal streak will soon show itself. Noooooo! I cannot even comprehend such a thought! It can't be, I can't be liberal!

Stupid personality quizes. I refuse to take another one from that company.

Darth Vader Is Not So Strange

I know, what I am saying seems utterly incomprehensible. Also, nobody likes it that Hayden Christensen played the young Darth Vader, he's a sissy with a baby face and did a terrible job, especially in Episode II. He ruined Darth Vader's prestige, mystery, and power with his pathetic-ness.

Okay, thank you very much, I have heard enough of your argument. I beg to differ, but not to change the subject. This is going to be very controversial, so prepare to be outraged.

Darth Vader is only different from a normal human in one way, he is kept on life support in a black suit (and he has the deep, awesome, compelling voice of James Earl Jones . . . ). Other than that he is completely human, and acts like almost anyone in his circumstances would. My evidence and argument will explain.

Take a look at Anakin Skywalker's childhood. He was a small, cute boy with lovely blue eyes. As Weird Al has pointed out he was quite a lady's man, hitting on Padme (who was played by the prettiest, worst actress EVER) the first time they met. He acted in the interests of others, without a thought for himself. Yet he did get a thrill from the attentions of others at his amazing talents. In attitude he was an average child. Perhaps a little more giving and caring than most children. And he hated change, in his hatred he could not deal with change, face it, or realize when it had happened. He always seemed strained in the face of transitions, desiring something out there (peace) that he could not grasp. He went from one moment of change to the next hoping and aching for peace and quiet yet continually seeking turmoil without realizing it because he could not be content.

As he grew Anakin began to feel terrible pangs of loss. The love of one's own is not a wrong thing, but he realized his feelings through acts of vengeance and a deep abiding fear of losing those he cared for. The fear of change combined with his natural love for his own to keep him from becoming the trusty Jedi that Obi Wan sought to make him. Anakin's trust in his own power to keep anything from happening to what was his strengthened. It added to the fears in his life.

In the third episode, Anakin is forced to face changes that he cannot consider quietly or logically. His fear of change eclipses when he sees the death of Padme in his dreams. And because of this fear he brings about the future he sees.

Probably everyone has gone through a period of time in which they were terrified at the thought of losing a friend or family member. Terrified even to the point of mental paralysis. Loss is a natural phenomenon of life, as Yoda pointed out. Furthermore, we all enjoy thinking about our own special talents and abilities. Anakin certainly has no monopoly on that. And finally, human beings dislike instability. Change we can often take, but we like some sort of stability or permanence. The same home, the same job, the same friends nearby. Especially children love stability and routine, Anakin was very immature.

Still you wonder, he went from that whiny, obnoxious boy to the great and powerful black-masked Darth Vader? Actually, no. He went from that whiny, immature boy, to a whiny immature man in a black suit. Darth Vader was never any different from Anakin. The thing that Anakin has done is reveal the mystery and power of Darth Vader. And it has shown it to be exactly what it is. Darth Vader was never mysterious, never deeper or cooler than Obi Wan or Yoda. In fact, he is probably less mysterious than either of them.

The fact is, people are often drawn to the bad characters thinking they are deep and mysterious. Then when disillusioned by the fact that they are not, they think, "George Lucas ruined Darth Vader!" George Lucas simply gave us the truth about Darth Vader. He was an ordinary person who responded to normal human emotions in an immature and extreme manner. Thus, he lost everything he feared to lose and became evil for years to come. But if you remember some of the things that Luke said to his father in later years you will remember that Anakin was always confused. He acted as he did because he was continually faced with decisions that he had to make and he was impulsive in his immaturity. He never grew or changed beyond the moment that he realized he had destroyed Padme.

So if you think that Darth Vader is strange, think again. And if you think that Hayden Christensen turned Darth Vader into a whiny, immature, pathetic wimp, maybe you are right. After all, that's all Darth Vader ever was.

News Release

I want my diploma! I want my diploma! Why does it take so long for those people to compute grades and send out diplomas?

The news seems to be at an all time low. I think I missed all the good stories during my finals week. I was so tired that I failed to read up on the stuff coming out of Iran, I have no idea what happened in Lebanon earlier this semester, and I paid no attention to the whole fillibuster thing going on in the Senate. So, I think I will discuss something pertinent to the news.

It takes oodles of time to keep up on what's going on in this world. I know many people who keep up on some portion or other. I have friends who can rattle off all the economic news of the day. I have friends who can tell you exactly what's happening in the American government and why it matters domestically. I have friends who keep up on what person could run against Hillary in 2008, because that's such a major concern. I have friends who can tell you every miniscule victory that Republicans win around the country. Then there's my former debate coach who knows crap about everything and likes to point out why Karl Rove has no conscious. I have heard some people talk about how news is bad for people especially as Christians and we should not keep up on it. While there are verses in the Bible stating that those who fear God ought to bar evil from entering their minds, I tend to disagree with the way this is interpreted.

My approach to the news differs. I agree that as a Christian I ought to be careful what I put into my head, however not so extreme as to exclude all news. I also believe that if you keep up with the news for the right reasons it is acceptable. Some people attend to the events of the world simply because they want personal gain. Either they want a certain position, or they want to show off to all their friends. Showing off is more common. It is possible to become almost addicted to current events. I mean, take a look at Rush Limbaugh. And the fact is everyone has a different opinion about any given current event. Most of us assume that our opinion is right and get annoyed at people with other opinions.

In short, this is a messy subject that appears to have no straight answers. How should we look at the news? How should we view the world? What is extreme when it comes to watching the passage of events? Is it right to censor everyone who reads a newspaper? Personally, I have seen Christians grow angry at other Christians for buying a newspaper. And I have seen other Christians revel in the news until they know every sick detail about every person or event that could be called "newsworthy."

Neither of those options seems appropriate to me. I read the news so that I can know the arguments surrounding various events, and so that I know what is going on around me. Someday I may be in a position where I will have to remember many of the things that happened in my lifetime and it would be unfortunate if I had to catch up on everything all of sudden because I was too slow to pay attention while it was happening. Besides, if you wait and catch up later you do not immerse yourself enough so that you know all the paradigms of your entire history. That is to say, catching up never works as well as just knowing at the time. This does not answer the universal questions either. To what extent should a Christian be informed about the world around them?

The Bible says to be as shrewd as serpants and as innocent as doves. To me that means that we should understand human nature in the course of great events, and act in a way that is self controlled. Essentially, as Christians we should know what is around us, but not become like it. This does not mean that we ignore the pain of our fellow man because it is evil to read a newspaper. Nor does it mean that we read about another's sorrows in a lighthearted or happy way. Many is the person I know who will turn to me in response to some horrible event in say Africa and say, "I'll just stay in the USA," or, "Glad I don't live there." That is a callous response, God asks us to be thankful of our circumstances, not gleeful at the misfortunes we miss out on. Neither extreme is appropriate. I would point out that Jesus himself did not ignore the events of his time on earth as a man. He sought first God's kingdom. That perhaps is the most important point. In understanding events we should seek first the kingdom of God, and then we will not be acting according our own interests. We will know not so that we can ignore, laugh at, or look better than others. We will know so that we can respond to God's callings with understanding, instead of ignorance.

Thus, in response to these all important questions, I suggest that we understand human nature even as we read the news, and ask God to help us control our own. Hold God's purposes above the events of this earth, but do not ignore those events, for God's purposes may be found within them as well.

It's Over Now

I cannot go back to Hillsdale without remembering that I will never be an undergrad there again. What a sad thought. My friends and I said goodbye several times and went our separate ways. I am sure that we will all be friends for a long, long time, but I am saddened that we will not be in the same place anymore. Perhaps if some of us are close by we can go up for homecoming. But then again, I never really cared about homecoming.

Two days ago I took those final steps across the stage in the sports complex. Dr. Blackstock handed me a diploma cover with a letter inside and told me he hoped I would do well in life. I hugged Dr. Arnn (to his surprise) and he told me that, "It is good to know you." It is strange to say that I will miss Dr. Arnn. I spent three and a half years disliking him, finally got to know him and decided that he is a really cool person. I then proceeded down the stairs, got my picture taken and was intercepted by my fiance's mom. Thoroughly confused I turned to find Dr. Wolfram standing there at the head of a line of poli-sci profs. I thought Wolfram was econ so I nearly skipped him until Dr. Craig told me I had to start at the front of the line. So I shook hands with Dr. Wolfram, gave a bear hug to Dr. Craig, did not even see Dr. Morrissey as he shook my hand, and was kissed on the cheek by Dr. Eden much to my own surprise. Before I finally got to my Dad, Tony Frudakis came out from the crowd and shook my hand and congratulated me. That was incredibly thoughtful of him since I am not an art major, but only took sculpting from him. Then I saw my Dad, and went back to my seat with Regina, Anthony and Josh.

After graduation I got lost in the crowd, lost my fam, found Craig's fam, found my fam. And finally got lots of photos taken.

I will miss everyone so much. College is over and it has left me with a feeling of relief, joy, satisfaction, closure, and lingering sadness. My friends have become a family to me, a family that I will miss more every day. Fortunately I made good friends in college, which means we will keep in touch. Furthermore, Matt is awesome and can make us a website. When I get further info I'll post that in the links section.

Now I go to do work, or cry, or think, or just let my mind meander through the memories of my last four years of life. It was a time that had its stresses, and those will never become nostalgia. But also a time that had its fun, its joys, and its awesome, wonderful times full of living life to the fullest and hanging out with people who are definitely top dogs, yo. I am prepared to move forward in life, I could not go back for another year, but I will miss what has passed.

So Long and Thanks for All the Papers, Exams, Quizzes, Assignments . . . ad nauseum (or: Ode to Hillsdale College)

This is it, one of my last two days as a student at Hillsdale College. Tomorrow, I shall walk across that vast stage with thousands of people staring at me. I will be wearing a long black gown and a silly looking square cap. I will shake hands with Dr. Arnn (an awesome teacher and good person). He will hand me an empty diploma cover as professional photographers snap a photo which I will never see. But you can bet they will drag that photo out when I get to be president, man.

Then there will be closure. I could just leave now, I could just walk away from this place, but that would mean, no closure. I would feel like I still belonged here. And I really do not want that. So, in retrospect, I would like to dedicate this post to my beloved alma mater, and may many more students grace its walkways and struggle for endless, sleepless nights within its halls until they too graduate and realize that life on the outside is just as high pressure as life on the inside.

This is for the papers, the tests and the exams
This is for the long, long days hidden away in my room
Typing or studying, trying to cram my brain with info
The last minute hours that became my life in Hillsdale

This is for the rain that embraced us with a passion
It is an awesome territory with beauty beyond compare
But weather equals crazy in the place I chose to be
And weather kept me studying for the lack of else to do

This is for the students, my friends and mostly my fiance
They made the journey worth it every time I made them laugh
Without them for the moments when homework turned insane
I surely would have short circuited before a year had passed

This is for my profs, the ones I could not stand
But mostly for the ones that gave their all to teach me
I learned more from them than dry, ancient information
I learned how to live my life and how to be a statesman

This is for the experiences I could not have found elsewhere
My teacher Mickey Craig, the student of Harry Jaffa
My internship with Istook, my hero in the House
My job with the debate team, all the kids I got to know

This is for the words that echo in my soul
Things have been heard and read in every class and book
The principles I take to weave through years to come
This is for my Hillsdale, I'll miss you, yeah it's true

And this is how I feel on the day before I go
Sad, wistful, and silent as I have ever been
Yet joyful in the knowledge that I finally made it through
With a heart so full of memories and a head so fit for life.

Well, I coulda told ya!

I guess I am a part of red America. I took another quiz called "What Political Persuasion Are You?" It stereotyped me, so I refuse to show the results. I am not as hardcore as it stated. This one seems fairly accurate. Anyways, I do not usually post personality quizzes, and probably never will again (unless it asks my thoughts on Aristotle), but I thought this fit in with the overall nature of the blog. Enjoy.

Your Political Profile

Overall: 80% Conservative, 20% Liberal

Social Issues: 75% Conservative, 25% Liberal

Personal Responsibility: 100% Conservative, 0% Liberal

Fiscal Issues: 100% Conservative, 0% Liberal

Ethics: 50% Conservative, 50% Liberal

Defense and Crime: 75% Conservative, 25% Liberal

How Liberal / Conservative Are You?

Why Won't It All Go Away?

The reign of the papers has ended, and so begineth the reign of the final examinations. I have clawed upwards from beneath the great pile of books and papers, and at last have rejoined the land of the living. Only to discover that, I have three finals to take, I am dead tired, and I crave guacamole. Go figure.

STRESS

When your prof comes in and declares to your entire class, "I want to create a stressful environment for you for the next two weeks," you know it's time to hide under you desk and scream, or just get up and walk out. Of course, the peaceful alternative to all this is to take the crap he gives you, turn it in when he asks and participate in the incredibly stressful exercise of strategic assessment in front of the entire college board of directors/whatever you call the big-wigs here, that this course requires. I pride myself in being a very intense individual who never takes the easy way out and always stands up for myself and my beliefs . . . So, I will see you all sometime, two weeks from today when I can crawl out from under this immense pile of papers and books and do something besides homework.

Goodbye for now. Look for me in Purgatory, I do not believe in it, but it surely must be a lot like a certain small private college I know only too well.

Life Is Not a Trip

Friendship is a strange, yet interesting phenomenon. Have you ever had a friend disappear for years and years, then suddenly contact you out of the blue? Yeah, they usually want money, but perhaps there's more to their phone call or email than just green smelly paper.

A friend who went to Costa Rica with me four years ago suddenly emailed me this week. The funny thing is, I rarely think about that trip, but I had thought about this particular friend only yesterday. I had wondered how he was and what turns his life had taken since that trip that seems so long ago. Many of the things that happened in Costa Rica still occur to me on a regular basis. But most of my memories center around the natives of Costa Rica with whom I shared the gospel, or the lessons I learned from that trip.

I rarely think about the kids who went with me, the ones who were just like me. The ones who lived every moment of the trip in continual awe of God, realizing that the things we went through exceeded our wildest expectations of what could happen on an eight day mission trip in a country that is not so far away. We prayed, and walked, and talked, and learned; and we were inspired by the coolest most positive youth leaders I have ever had the opportunity of meeting.

At the end of it all I got up and gave an inspiring testimony before 1500 people who I did not even know. And they cheered me and encouraged me and talked to me as if I suddenly had some sort of maturity.

That trip was awesome, but it was a trip. It did not last. I keep in close contact with one person from that trip and I have not seen him since the trip because he lives in another country. I did keep in contact with another couple friends for a while, but even that did not last. I still remember my team in a lumped together, nostalgic sort of way. We all wanted to have a reunion mission trip back to Costa Rica, but we all went on to do other things and walk other paths. That's how life is, it's not a trip. You get to know people along the way. Some of them stay with you forever, some of them will always be a part of your life. But some of them move on to other paths and you forget their friendship.

Still, it is good to remember those times and those friendships. Beware memories that trap you and make you unhappy with where you are in life. But cherish those memories that return at exactly the right moment and help you move forward once again with renewed vigor. Sometimes things happen that recall friendships lost or ended, and in the recall you can find either wistful longing, or encouragement for the future. There have been many memories that steeled me to act in a way I knew I should act, that taught me the right way to be, that came back in the nick of time to help me grow in the way that God wanted me to grow.

One small thing that I have learned in life, is that one should always cherish one's frienships because the older you get, the fewer true, close friends you have. The friends worth spending time with are the ones you must stick with. And sometimes, it seems you have lost the friends who would have been very good for you to keep. Then as you go along your way, you will either find better friends, or the old friends will mysteriously turn up in your inbox.

Two Things to Say

1) Read this article, it will make you cry. At least, I hope it will make you cry. If it does, cry in a good way. Cry in response to the truth that this article expresses. No, I am not saying I agree with the office of pope, only to the example of God's love that the late John Paul II gave us.


2) When you're done crying, this is totally hilarious.

Just a Man

Leading the way.

Pictured above you can see Pope John Paul II whose passing we have begun to mourn this day. I occupy the odd position of being a Protestant (and almost a Lutheran) who happens to respect the Pope to a great degree. Let me explain.

Many is the time that I have mentioned the Pope only to hear someone say, "He's just a man." I disagree. The Pope was not just a man, he was a man who did some great things in his life. He was a man who pointed to a deeper, sterner morality. He was a man who rejected the moral relativism that charged into society in the 1960's. He was a man who stood against Soviet communism in the face of a world that believed no form of government was better than another. He was a man who championed human dignity and understood that everyone is equal. He understood that every person is endowed with certain rights and ought to be treated as if that were true. More than this, he spoke out about those rights. You were never uncertain about what Pope John Paul II believed, nor what he believed in. To have such a man become an international figure at the time that he did caused much to change in the world.

Many things have happened since Karol Wojtyla was chosen for the papacy in 1978. The world changed drastically since that time. Communism remained strong in 1978. Culturally the world had changed following Vatican 2. You can read all about his life in an article by William Kristol. Kristol shows the importance of John Paul II's papacy on the world at large in his well written essay. John Paul II gave more to the world than a commentary unhindered by politics and rich with a true understanding of good and evil. He gave more to the world than merely a very active pope who cared deeply about human suffering and fought to preserve morality. In a way, he gave the world a commission.

The photo above expresses a certain symbolism about the Pope's life that must be understood. Slowly, head bent, he steps forward, and what do we see? We see humility and suffering. We see an office taken and used for good to draw mankind forward towards a greater light. We see a way pointed out to us, perhaps one that many cannot follow. He showed us a different life, one that many may be searching for as I write. In taking that way of life he asks that we rise above being just people and realize that we have a choice. We can choose to live our lives without paying attention to anything but our own wants and needs. Or we can choose to live our lives in making the world a better place.

Meditation on truth and morality should not lead us down a despondent path. John Paul II realized this. His life echoed a deep sense of joy even as he said "Be not afraid!" at the beginning of his papacy. He rose above the temptation to despair about where the world is going. He chose to make the world a better place; to put his belief in truth and morality--his belief in God--to practice. As the Pope he could have looked down upon humanity and acted above them. Instead he worked for every person's rights, and strove for the common person. Not long before he died, he heard that young people had enmassed outside of the Vatican, "I have been waiting for you," he said. No doubt he had, no doubt he knew that someday someone would have to carry on his legacy. To bend beneath that weight of humility and strive to define the world around them by declaring what was good and what was evil. By clearly believing in what they spoke out for in more than words alone.

That is the commission of John Paul II, a man. Just a man in a position to make the world a better place and actually attempting to do that. He was just a mortal man, who believed in an immortal God and tried to do His will.