politics « fruitful faith

rights and responsibilities

By Dale, on January 6th, 2012%

Three recent events, a complaint about a sermon, a movie about Margaret Thatcher and a FB conversation about gun laws, have me reflecting on the tendencies of ‘left-wingers’ and ‘right-wingers’. Both left and right folk will express concern for both ‘rights’ and ‘responsibilities’, but at different times.

On the topic of social welfare: the left emphasise the ‘rights’ of the . . . → Read More: rights and responsibilities

theory & practice

By Dale, on October 13th, 2010%

They’re meant to reinforce one another.

I just had lunch with a friend, and we talked about how much fun it was learning the 5 different fretboard patterns of pentatonic (five-tone) scales on the guitar. When his practice was less developed, music theory had seemed boring and irrelevant to him, but now it was exciting and directly relevant.

It’s like . . . → Read More: theory & practice

owned

By Dale, on December 28th, 2009%

Have you ever thought about what it means to say that you own something? . . . → Read More: owned

patriot bible!?

By Dale, on June 4th, 2009%

Noooooo!!!!!

Hat tip Halden.

teleology & ethics

By Dale, on May 26th, 2009%

The word ‘teleology’ (from Greek τελος ‘telos’ – meaning ‘goal’, ‘end’, ‘purpose’ or ‘that toward which things tend’) is not a street-level term. However, the concept of a purpose, goal, function or ‘end’ to things most certainly is. It’s a common as anything. Teleology is blindingly relevant.

. . . → Read More: teleology & ethics

american millionaire stimulus?

By Dale, on February 14th, 2009%

Recent US stimulus package = nearly a trillion US dollars.

Compare that with a comment I randomly saw on this post:

10% of 10 million US millionaires’ funds = a trillion US dollars.

American millionaires investing in the American economy? A novel concept indeed.

Full comment quote:

1 trillion is taking 10% of the net worth of ten million millionaires . . . → Read More: american millionaire stimulus?

stinking stimulus

By Dale, on February 11th, 2009%

Anyone who has a knee jerk (i.e. less than critical) reaction to political events in general and the recent U.S. stimulus package in particular, should shut up and think before ranting.

That said, I just don’t like the thought (much less the passing) of the new stimulus package (and I’m not at all anti-Obama – to be crystal clear). $US838 . . . → Read More: stinking stimulus

wisdom for a divisive issue

By Dale, on January 22nd, 2009%

Obama’s recent statements on the 36th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, remind us all (like it or not) of the immensely divisive issue of abortion. The article says…

. . . → Read More: wisdom for a divisive issue

costs here and there

By Dale, on January 6th, 2009%

Want to have a baby in New Zealand? That will cost you… nothing at all. Diane and I have had various scans, midwife services, ante-natal classes, additional support and of course, the birth and subsequent more-than-normal care (heck, we’re even going to be reimbursed for the cost of petrol/gas to and from the hospital!) for our precious 7-week premature Thomas . . . → Read More: costs here and there

an end of the pax americana?

By Dale, on November 6th, 2008%

Obamas turn has come to rule the American empire.

Will it continue to be a mass-consuming empire of greed?

Only time will tell.

Here is a thoughtful, timely and read-worthy critique by Brian Walsh entitled:

Barack Obama: A Post-Imperial Presidency?

And yes, the same question could’ve/should’ve been asked had McCain won the election…

fruitful faith

threshing floor

latest pickings