Elizabeth Kucinich talks Ron Paul

As a follow up to the other day’s post, Elizabeth Kucinich praises Ron Paul (via YF). And is Mrs. K a total babe, or what? Wow!

Ear candy

What to call this? Mall-core? Hot Topic metal? It’s undeniably heavy, but a little too catchy, a little too emo, a little too…pretty.

http://www.myspace.com/bulletformyvalentine

The war of the Lamb

Graham begins what promises to be a stimulating series on “nonviolent eschatology.”

Friday metal - Sabbath

‘Nuff said.

“War Pigs” (live in Paris, 1970):

“Paranoid” (from British TV, 1970; song starts about 2 minutes in):

“Die Young” (with Ronnie James Dio on vocals):

Infallible?

Good post and discussion at Derek’s on “ecclessial infallibility.” I’ve long had the suspicion that infallibility, whether papal, ecclesial, or scriptural, really doesn’t do any work. But I’ve been unable to articulate this to my own satisfaction. Maybe a future post.

More stuff I haven’t read yet

An ecumenical symposium of sorts at First Things on the Blessed Virgin Mary:

Edward T. Oakes, S.J.
J. I. Packer
T. M. Moore
Cornelius Plantinga Jr.
Matthew Levering

Huck on the environment

Better than most of the other Republicans (except possibly McCain). Still, I think this is an argument that might appeal to conservative Christians otherwise inclined toward skepticism about climate change:

Do you believe that human beings are the primary drivers of climate change?

The honest answer is I don’t know. And for me, that’s not the issue. Instead of being wrapped into this political discussion of, “Is there global warming, and who caused it?,” what we need to be saying is, “Look, let’s agree that we all have responsibility to present a better planet to the next generation.” Whether or not you want to believe that it’s caused by driving to work, let’s agree that we need to take better care of the planet. Being a conservationist is the proper way to live, whether there is human-based global warming or not.

This still doesn’t go far enough, in my view, because what policies you support will be a function of what you think the facts are. Huckabee’s reluctance to talk about the necessity of government regulation is one outcome of this agnosticism. But I also like this:

This world doesn’t belong to me. I’m a guest here. I don’t have a right to abuse it, any more than I have a right to abuse someone else’s property if they were to let me stay in their apartment for a weekend. It’s a sin against future generations for me to act as if there are no future generations that should enjoy the world as I do.

I love the outdoors. We have a beautiful, magnificent world: rivers and streams and mountains. I find myself overwhelmed when I look at it. I want my great-great-great-grandchildren to one day go out and smell the same fresh air, fish in wonderful streams, and be able to see the same mountains I see. I sure don’t want them to have it in worse shape and wonder why I didn’t do a better job of handing it down to them.

McCarraher on capitalism, consumerism and the declining American empire

Interesting interview with Villanova University prof Eugene McCarraher (via Eric) on consumerism, capitalism, and the decline of the “American empire.” McCarraher’s always a delight to read, even if you don’t agree with everything he says. He pulls no punches and isn’t shy about calling out trendy theological shibboleths.

For more from McCarraher, see here, here, and here.

Bourbon’s moment

Bourbon’s shot at the big time (via).

Recently I’ve been enjoying a bottle of Elmer T. Lee single barrel out of Frankfort, KY. I’ve long been more partial to bourbon than other kinds of whiskey. Though I won’t turn my nose up at a fine Irish whiskey like Bushmill’s.

Spe salvi

New papal encyclical on Christian hope. Haven’t read it yet, but it looks good.