When governments are gone
I came across a quotation this morning from Prof Lawrence Lessig, which I thought had a relevance to our current political climate - where basically all MPs (and especially those of the governing party) are damned and vilified. There is an assumption, spoken or implied, that if only we could get rid of the current crop of politicians, then all would be well. Lessig said:“When government disappears, it's not as if paradise will take its place. When governments are gone, other interests will take their place.”Clearly there is a need for reform and for change at the heart of our parliamentary system. But we should resist the simplistic and dangerous calls akin to "a plague on all their houses". If the mainstream parties and politicians are swept away, then the vacuum will be filled by others who are far more dangerous - others like the British National Party.Our media and commentators should exercise a degree of responsibility in their dash to sell papers and grab ratings. There are more serious things at stake.Labels: Media, Politics
On MP's expenses
I have to confess that I haven't really been following the outrage about MP's expenses all that closely. I'm more than a bit jaded by the media agenda, and I tend to suspect the motives of most journalists - print or TV/radio or (of course, dear reader) bloggers!So here is a handy summary from Bishop Alan, which I found extremely helpful. Amongst his observations:"What's interesting is that some MP's have obviously interpreted the rules using their own moral instinct about what it was right or wrong to claim, whilst others have had no scruple about doing anything, however bizarre, as long as it didn't actually contravene the rules."The full post is here: MP's expenses chocolate bunny rageThe answer is in our own hands. But we need to make informed judgements about our politicians - and how we do that, given the standard of media and public debate ...? Well, I just don't know.Labels: Media, Politics
True Community
We had a marvellous Morning Prayer service at one of our churches last Sunday, devised and led by a fellow Reader. It was inspired for a number of reasons - not least because it was the day of the church AGM!
The focus was on community, as expressed in our church and in Jigsaw Kids Ministries - mission partners we support in the Philippines. So it was particularly good to read this today from Henri Nouwen's Bread for the Journey:
When we dismiss people out of hand because of their apparent woundedness, we stunt their lives by ignoring their gifts, which are often buried in their wounds.
We all are bruised reeds, whether our bruises are visible or not. The compassionate life is the life in which we believe that strength is hidden in weakness and that true community is a fellowship of the weak.Labels: Church, Reflective, Theology
Couldn't resist!
Sorry, I just couldn't resist pointing out that England's alleged "wicket-keeper" Matt Prior conceded 35 byes in the West Indies' First Innings of the current test.Yes, 35 byes.(Dropped at least one vital catch too)."Is this a record?" you ask. Well, not quite. But as the BBC's Oliver Brett points out:"When Frank Woolley gave up 37 byes in a Test innings, not only did he don the gloves at the grand old age of 47, he was deputising for the injured Les Ames!"Rather puts Prior's ineptitude in its proper context, doesn't it?Anyone but Read?Labels: Cricket, Rant
C of E tweeting for Lent
You may have noticed that I have signed up on Twitter. (See twitterings on right of page). This has a number of "benefits" ...I can bombard the mildly-interested with a stream of details about my (in)activities!I can appear to be updating my blog with something approaching regularity (!!)I can appear to be busy, and even "in touch" with new developments on the Web!Appearances, as we know, can be defective.But the point of mentioning Twitter is that it is just one of the means the Church of England is using this year to promote its "Love Life, Live Lent" campaign. If you would like to keep Lent by doing "simple acts of generosity and thoughtfulness", take a look at this from the CofE website.Church gives out 'tweets' for Lent explains how you can take part using Twitter, Facebook etc - or just go to the "Love Life, Live Lent" website.Time I looked busy again!Labels: Church, Fun stuff, Theology
Quote of the day
The blog is in danger of gathering cobwebs again - what my son calls "a cobWebsite", so ...Along the lines of "the person who never made a mistake never made anything", here is a quotation I happened across, which develops the theme:“It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all – in which case, you fail by default.”
J K Rowling, speaking at Harvard University.
Labels: Fun stuff, Reflective
Packer People
I spent some time this afternoon doing something I could never have imagined not so many years ago. “Back in the day …”, that is when I was a lot younger than I am now, speaking to someone “abroad” on the telephone was difficult and expensive! The lines were often poor and, all in all, there was just too much cost and effort involved. Yet today – through the wonders of Skype – I’ve been chatting to a guy from Dubuque, Iowa, who is actually a very familiar voice – Ross Janes.
Ross and his friend Wes produce an excellent podcast called Packershow – and many of us Packer fans listen every week to their extremely informed, sometimes controversial, always entertaining views about the Green Bay Packers. Ross and Wes are always keen to involve their listeners in the show – one of them, Patrick Castleberg, produces a regular comment piece every week – and so Ross is exploring ways of recording interviews with the Packershow faithful. Hence our conversation today.
Whether my interview comes to anything is by the by. The real joy was talking to Ross about some of the things we share: the Packers, of course, but also our faith and our families and our different, but related lives. In short, Ross is a real class act, and it was a privilege to get to know him a little better! (Ross' blog is here, by the way.)
The Packershow community is growing – you can find out more at http://packershow.com/ The shows are available every week during the season, and on other key occasions in the off-season, like before the NFL draft. You can get them from the site, or subscribe using iTunes. 
The guys have promised a discussion soon of the impending defensive changes for the Pack, so if (like me) you really need to learn more about the 3-4 defense and who Dom Capers is – tune in to Packershow! Or if you just want to hear some enthusiastic and knowledgeable fans talking about their favourite (favorite!) team - go to http://packershow.com/
When he was appointed as Head Coach of the Packers, Mike McCarthy talked of his wish to attract to the team not just good players, but “Packer People”. Ross and Wes and Patrick - and so many more new friends – are truly Packer People!
Labels: American Football, Fun stuff
