Saturday, March 29, 2008
Lowdown on Lodi
Because I have an active fantasy life, I thought about how I would have handled the San Joaquin morass were I a litigation prone Presiding Bishop. First, I would have tried to cut a backroom deal with the existing Standing Committee. The deal would have been as follows: Recognition of the Standing Committee (hereafter SC) provided they 1) call a diocesan convention forthwith, 2) at that convention repudiate the last conventions actions, 3) select a mutually agreed upon and agreeable retired bishop to serve as bishop pro tempore and 4) step down, opening the field for fresh elections. They would be free to run for the Standing Committee.
I would have had Mr Beers and certain trusted associates get into communication with wavering parishes and attempt to bribe and/or strongarm the waverers into loyalty. I would have accepted Bishop Schofield's resignation and treat it as a resignation from the Episcopal Church, not just from the House of Bishops(hereafter HoB). I would have a resolution of the HoB with the required numbers for an abandonment vote accepting the resignation. This is both a tad more gracious and preserves the 815's litigation positions.
I would allow free and open elections at the Diocesan Convention, including those for the SC and a search committee to find a permanent bishop. However, behind the scenes, I would make it clear that any candidates for the same had better be loyal to the Episcopal Church or else.
That is how a competent thuggish Presiding Bishop would have handled things.
From a power political perspective, the Presiding Bishop is making too many enemies and fighting on too many fronts. If you really want to make an example of someone 'pour encourager les autres', then it's best to pick and chose one target rather than pursue all of the offenders.
If it were really up to me, I would have said to Bishop Schofield "Good luck on your new venture, go in peace and go with God". And I would have gone about gathering the remaining Episcopalians into an adjacent diocese. There would have be no litigation. But what do I know? I have these odd notions about how people are much more important than property and how it's better to let the property go than to behave unlovingly.
I would have had Mr Beers and certain trusted associates get into communication with wavering parishes and attempt to bribe and/or strongarm the waverers into loyalty. I would have accepted Bishop Schofield's resignation and treat it as a resignation from the Episcopal Church, not just from the House of Bishops(hereafter HoB). I would have a resolution of the HoB with the required numbers for an abandonment vote accepting the resignation. This is both a tad more gracious and preserves the 815's litigation positions.
I would allow free and open elections at the Diocesan Convention, including those for the SC and a search committee to find a permanent bishop. However, behind the scenes, I would make it clear that any candidates for the same had better be loyal to the Episcopal Church or else.
That is how a competent thuggish Presiding Bishop would have handled things.
From a power political perspective, the Presiding Bishop is making too many enemies and fighting on too many fronts. If you really want to make an example of someone 'pour encourager les autres', then it's best to pick and chose one target rather than pursue all of the offenders.
If it were really up to me, I would have said to Bishop Schofield "Good luck on your new venture, go in peace and go with God". And I would have gone about gathering the remaining Episcopalians into an adjacent diocese. There would have be no litigation. But what do I know? I have these odd notions about how people are much more important than property and how it's better to let the property go than to behave unlovingly.
Friday, March 28, 2008
TSA and jewelry
The blogosphere is expending much pixelage on the incident in Texas involving the woman with nipple piercings. Gloria Allred is involved.
I have to confess my first thought on hearing about it was: "Of course they're dangerous. You could put your eye out."
I have to confess my first thought on hearing about it was: "Of course they're dangerous. You could put your eye out."
New motto for 815
As a bunch of aging hippies, they should even remember it: "We had to burn the village to save it."
My recommendation is to modify to say: "We had to sell that church to save it."
My recommendation is to modify to say: "We had to sell that church to save it."
Faith of Our Fathers, Sort of
You’re St. Melito of Sardis! You have a great love of history and liturgy. You’re attached to the traditions of the ancients, yet you recognize that the old world — great as it was — is passing away. You are loyal to the customs of your family, though you do not hesitate to call family members to account for their sins. Find out which Church Father you are at The Way of the Fathers! |
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Fitna: Islam in the Netherlands
This is the movie by Geert Wilders that was pulled by Youtube. It's an examination of extremist muslims in Europe generally and in the Netherlands specifically.
This is a slow download (the hosting site is getting slammed right now), but if I could highlight a single post on this blog and say "Look at this!" this would probably be the one.
[Addendum: If the link has gone bad again, here is a link that should work]
U2 "Bad"
Youtube is currently very slow to 'share' videos. This is a test. I am posting it at 4:05pm EST via code embed.
Besides, it's U2 and an excellent version of one of their better songs.
Edit: Well it posted at 3:59 pm EST. Make of that what you will......
Interesting Survey
The last election pretty much eliminated what remaining faith I had in public opinion polls, but Gallup has released the results of a survey they did on the Second Amendment. As usual, the wording of the questions is almost more interesting than the responses.
Thursday Morning Pulse Pounder
If this doesn't get you going this morning, then aught else will.
(Yes, I've linked to it before.....)
Policeman vs. Fireman
This is the first of six videos on Youtube. All are funny and none of them are safe for work.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
The Hit Parade Continues
The Living Church reports that 815 is gearing up to try the former bishop of Quincy, Bishop McBurney. This will be the full version, not the 'Lite' one used for Bishops Schofield and Cox.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Why I Like Country Music
And it has almost all the critical elements: Getting drunk, prison, shotguns, pickups, dogs and smoking. All it lacks are Mom and trains. And it's home made (unofficial) video!
(H/T Tam)
Monday, March 24, 2008
Soul Revealing
On Sarah Hey's recommendation I bought Mikhail Pletnev's conducting of the Russian National Orchestra of all nine of Beethoven's symphonies. I have just finished listening to all of them.
I can honestly say, I've never heard Beethoven like this before. That is both good and bad. The reviewers over at Amazon pretty much hit the nail on the head.
But, for me, the defining bit for Beethoven is the last movement of his last symphony. I've always never really cared for Karajan's version. He is technically perfect, but I've always thought it lacked something, somehow. Pletnev lacks nothing. He brings to the Ninth the soul, the fire, the passion that such a piece demands.
I'm exhausted, devastated, alive and at peace all at once. Give it a listen. You will either love it or hate it. I can guarantee you will not be indifferent.
I can honestly say, I've never heard Beethoven like this before. That is both good and bad. The reviewers over at Amazon pretty much hit the nail on the head.
But, for me, the defining bit for Beethoven is the last movement of his last symphony. I've always never really cared for Karajan's version. He is technically perfect, but I've always thought it lacked something, somehow. Pletnev lacks nothing. He brings to the Ninth the soul, the fire, the passion that such a piece demands.
I'm exhausted, devastated, alive and at peace all at once. Give it a listen. You will either love it or hate it. I can guarantee you will not be indifferent.
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