The Third Amendment

A lawsuit has popped up in Nevada regarding homeowners who were ejected from their home during a siege of their neighbour's house by police.

As militarized as the police are getting, I don't think they are soldiers as described by the third amendment to the Constitution.

For reference here is the full text of the relevant article: "No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law."

That's fairly clear and somewhat self-explanatory. Depending upon the facts and circumstances, it's entirely possible that the court may find the police justified in their actions.

Good News For White Democrats

The Supremes just held that section four of the Voting Rights Act is unconstitutional. That doesn't mean that the practise of gerrymandered 'minority/majority' Congressional districts will cease forthwith, but it makes them look  a tad more dubious.

Observation

In 1959 the Episcopal Church had 3,444,265 members and 8,708 clergy. Clergy was .25% of membership.

In 2009 the Episcopal Church had 2,006,343 members and 15,404 clergy. Clergy was .76% of membership. Were the Episcopal church staffed at 1959 levels, the number of clergy would be 5,073.

A causal link between the increase in clergy and the decline in membership is not proven, but it is interesting. In the fifty years since 1959 (the high water mark for membership), membership has declined by 41% and the ranks of the clergy have increased by 77%.

Ignoring theology, the increase in clergy relative to membership has to be putting a strain on finances. It is a truism that a church in financial trouble is less attractive to a prospective new member than a church that is not.

Granted that there has been a boom in part-time and non-stipendiary clergy in the past few decades, how much better would the finances be if two thirds of the currently existing clergy were off the rolls?

Figures from here.

I would like to point out that trimming dioceses and bishops would be an even better bang for the buck than dropping priests. The Episcopal Church has a ludicrous amount of middle management compared to almost every other organization.

The Problem With Movies

Here's a popular musical number from a remake (2003)



Here's the original:



The more modern version is racially integrated. It also has only pretty people.

There are plenty of pretty people in the 1962 version, but there are also what my wife calls 'faces'. That is to say non-pretty people with distinctive looks. In the modern version the mayor and his wife are youthful and very pretty. They are portrayed by Victor Garber and Molly Shannon, both of whom are quite good looking.

In the 1962 version, the mayor and his wife are played by Paul Ford and Hermione Gingold, neither of whom could be described as beautiful. What they did have were faces with character, distinctive voices (hearing Hermione Gingold say 'Balzac' is worth the price of admission) and serious comedic and acting chops.

Somewhere in the forty years between 1962 and 2003 Hollywood lost track of what character actors should bring to a movie and started casting pretty people exclusively.

A Reasonable Request

All she wants is the Sudetenland. Once that simple, reasonable demand is met, then we will have peace.

If you know the process she wants the Bishop of South Carolina to undergo, then you know it's fundamentally flawed and likely to admit of an unfair and unjust result. It's as though it were designed that way.

And yes, I'm well aware that the Presiding Bishop is no Hitler. Hitler was a much better speaker and dresser, was better looking, possessed great personal charm and was a war hero to boot. The Presiding Bishop wears funny hats and is emblematic of the creeping progressive mediocrity that has consumed the Episcopal Church.

Outsourcing, Jersey Style

NJ Senator Bob Menendez (Dem) apparently hired prostitutes when he visited the Dominican Republic. So much for 'Buy American'.

Pumpkin Carving IV

An Example of Bigotry

"I will vote for the Democrat, rather than the Republican, even if he or she is revealed at the last minute to be an ax murderer' - Lionel Deimel.

Next time a progressive blathers on about how open minded and accepting they are, remember Lionel. His opinion is pretty typical of the breed.

His blog is easy enough to find, if you must.

Obama and I

The President and I have something in common it turns out. We both prefer the same Girl Scout cookie. My preference hasn't shifted since I was a tot. Doubtless the fact that it is the most popular brand has nothing to do with his choice.

And it's good to see Politico weighing in on the heavier issues.

As an FYI, if there is a Publix in your area the store brand mint chocolate cookies are an excellent stand in for the Girl Scout variety and much, much cheaper.

The Episcopal Church Stand Tall

Against gun violence of course. For those unclear on how well gun free zones works, here's a helpful video. For those unsure about why such concerns need to be addressed here's another helpful video, by avowed atheists no less.

It's good to know that the Episcopal Church will be discussing such concerns. Because they care, deeply, about important issues that do not concern them in the least.

Values

If ever you want to know what values an organization holds dear, look at what it takes for that organization to kick someone out..

One of the few fun things about Quakers (Society of Friends) is that belief in God or the lack thereof will not make you unwelcome. Joining the Army will.

Denying God in the Episcopal Church will not get you disciplined if you are a bishop. Expressing a legal opinion contrary to the property interests of the Presiding Bishop may very well.

It's important to have your priorities.

It's Deja Vu All Over Again

President Obama's campaign is seeking smaller venues than last election for a more intimate voter experience.

This reminds of something, I just can't quite put my finger on it.

Best explanation of Middle Eastern politics ever

Calvinball. No, really.

Anglican Quote of the Week

"Now I enjoy beating the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams, about the head and shoulders with a stick as much as the next man..."

George Conger

{He even manages to get in a "Yes, Prime Minister" plug!)

Serendipity

Yet another Internet mash up

68 Years Ago Today

Thank God for men such as these.

Nastiness

Porno publisher Larry Flynt recently spewed out a nasty photoshop of pundit S E Cupp. It's a despicable act, but I couldn't figure out why a sociopath would do such a thing. She's a great writer, but she isn't especially prominent. Larry the F doesn't do things that he doesn't think will profit him in some way.

Then it hit me. Playboy has a been slowly sinking for a while. Penthouse is a mere shadow of its 'glory'. Hustler must be taking some hits finally and he's flailing.

Why the difference in declines? The college dorms were wired years ago. But high speed Internet is only now coming to America's trailer parks.

That's gotta hurt.

Running Scared

The Arkansas Democrats have changed the rules for running in their primary. It's their right so to do. They aren't even required to have a primary.

What intrigues me is why. Apparently they were afraid that Pres. Obama might lose.

Since he pretty much has a lock on the nomination right now, why the desire for unanimity? I thought only North Koreans really cared about getting 100% of the vote.

The Avengers

We both liked this movie very much. Unlike most action movies, it actually took a little time to introduce the characters. It was entertaining and kept us engaged for its entire length.

Well worth seeing, I think.

Zuckerberg: The Musical