(Ir)religiosity

I haven’t blogged much about politics since the election, mainly because I’ve lost some interest and grown a little tired, but I couldn’t help it after reading this.

Dick Cheney is now blaming former counter-terrorism chief Richard Clarke for the “failure” (seems more like suppression to me) in intelligence leading up to 9/11.  Here’s the exact quote: “You know, Dick Clarke. Dick Clarke, who was the head of the counterrorism program in the run-up to 9/11. He obviously missed it.”

That’s right.  This is the same Dick Clarke who issued at least seven memos earlier in 2001 to both the State Department and the White House, one coming less than a week before September 11, warning of potential and even imminent terrorist attacks.

When pushed about the memos Cheney tersely replied, “That’s not my recollection, but I haven’t read his [Clarke's] book.”

Seriously? Since the memos were a major part of the 9/11 Commission, an investigation under which Cheney was called to testify (and refused to do so under oath of course), I highly doubt that he “doesn’t recall” their subject matter.  Given their gravity that seems pretty ridiculous to me.

I just don’t get it.  Do they really think we are that stupid?  I am so sick of this passing-the-buck type mentality and I’m tired of career politicians placing blame on someone lower on the food chain in order to save their own asses (one of the many reasons why I don’t like food chains).  It’s disgusting.  And when it comes to something like 9/11 I find it particularly repugnant.

And, as usual, I agree with Jon Stewart‘s analysis (starts around 1:50):

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• Richard Clarke Reminds Cheney and Condi of Their Incompetence (emptywheel.firedoglake.com)
• Richard Clarke speaks the truth: ‘The Trauma of 9/11 Is No Excuse’ (crooksandliars.com)
• Richard Clarke Slams Cheney, Rice: “The Trauma Of 9/11 Is No Excuse” (huffingtonpost.com)

Recently I had to write a short “spiritual autobiography” for one of my seminary classes that described a significant event in my faith journey thus far.  Below is what I wrote, a brief snapshot of my narrative.

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During high school and my early college years I spent a few weeks of the summer leading worship for United Methodist district camp.  Music and guitar playing are two of my deepest passions.  I grew in the church and have always looked back on my experience at camp fondly so I could think of no better way to spend my time and to use my talents than to help kids in their own faith journeys.

I have many great memories of those years, but one, the most recent in fact, remains especially salient.  And really, it doesn’t have a whole lot to do with camp at all, only what transpired in the days following.

One of the young girls that week (I’ll call her Jenny) she couldn’t have been more than 14 or 15 years old at the time, came forward during one of the worship services toward the latter part of the week to give her ‘testimony.’

Fighting back the tears, she spoke of how she was born in a prison to a substance-abusive mother and a physically-abusive father.  As a toddler and a young child she was passed between foster parents and her biological parents like a piece of property. She was traumatized and abused both emotionally and physically.  She was told that she was worthless and would amount to nothing.

Eventually, she was adopted into a loving, Christian family.  She finally had a good father figure, a man who was, in her words “the daddy she had always needed.”  She was introduced into a community of reconciliation and healing.  She became a disciple of Jesus Christ.  In fact, she and her best friend were to be baptized on the same day.  Her life was changed.  And then, just like that, her life was turned upside down. Read the rest of this entry »

…the great satan.

I’m not a superstitious person at all. But I couldn’t resist this. I digg a lot. There’s a link to my digg account at the top of the right sidebar, along with links to some other places I hang out regularly. Except Myspace, I’ll probably be nixing that soon.

Anyway, I was digging the other day and came across this story, which is pretty funny in and of itself, but before I clicked to digg it, I noticed the number of diggs. That’s right. 666. 6-6-6. Too funny.

Not too shabby for guy that keeps a man-sized safe in his office.

~bh ><>