Foxes Have Holes...

As our plane descended last week, the South Dakota countryside looked like a white sheet of unlined paper – unscratched and inviting. There were no red lines of taillights; no cars trying to squeeze into a stream of speeding drivers. It was nice. We exited the airport and started to drive. And as we drove, for the first time in six months, my knuckles were not white. In the fading sun the snow on the hills turned pink and grey, and I reflected on the goodness of appreciating a place.

As a native Coloradoan, I can say that we are, at times, state-centric. We’ve joked about a Texan quota, bemoaned the implants from the west coast, and suggested drawing the state line along the Front Range. When we moved to Virginia, I was quick to notice the many (negative) differences: the heat, the rush-hour parking-lot traffic, the abruptness of the people, the shortness of tempers, and the lack of coniferous trees. I often sighed. It was so… East coast.

Then I came to discover that some people in D.C. did not appreciate that I was from Colorado. “It’s so empty,” someone said. “It’s okay if you like to be rugged.” I was told by a colleague about the GAO field office, “Honestly, I don’t know why we have an office way out there.” She emphasized that it was quite far from East-coast civilization, as if Denver were still filled with cowboys and saloons. Another co-worker pointed out that even though “remote,” one could survive because Denver did have a Banana Republic and several J.Crews.

Not long ago, I realized that as a Christian, I am perpetually far from Home. The book of Hebrews reminds us that like Abraham, we are sojourners until Heaven and the Kingdom come. This did not mean I was to be “homeless” and literally living on the street (although it could) but that my eyes were to be fixed on the heavenly, spiritual Kingdom of God. This revelation, and the ensuing struggle to relinquish control of the location of my temporary, earthly “home,” had not yet been tested. And then we moved.

And there I was, racing in my high heels for a spot on the metro. Every day jostling through the Chinatown morning crowds, walking in the shadow of D.C. with the nation’s Capitol building to my right, the Washington Monument somewhere behind me, federal buildings lining the sides of the street. It was here that my assertion was tested, and in the end, it could still stand.

Can you believe it, in its uniqueness, in its differences, even D.C foreshadows heaven. It is not filled with the pine trees of Colorado or the snow-covered hills of South Dakota. But it is its own place, and it is good.

I’m reminded of a statement by C.S. Lewis: “Heaven is that place where all that is and all that happens issues from God’s creative genius. In that sense, it is like earth, except that in our present earth even nature groans, waiting for its deliverance….”(Beyond the Shadowlands)

If we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and our hearts set on returning Home, we are liberated to follow Him… “wherever He goes.”

EC

A Ham or an Artichoke for Dinner, Honey?

Only Spengler could pull this one off: In a Christmas column dealing with human-animal relationships, he works this money quote into the mix:

"Most cultures do not change; they persist until their best-used-by date, and then are destroyed by their enemies or die of their own despondency. Fundamental cultural change - a change as it were in human nature - appears in human history as a response to revelation."

The column is worth reading in detail, as is one of the essays Spengler references, Michael Wyschogrod's The Revenge of the Animals.

Wyschogrod (a conservative Jew) speculates that God "would prefer a vegetarian humanity." Diet, as it relates to our spiritual life, is an issue most Christians think little or not at all about. I am amazed at how fiery some Christians can get at the comment: "I feel convicted to become a vegetarian." Think of the reaction if the comment were: "I feel convicted to eat a strict kosher diet -- I don't believe Jesus abolished all dietary requirements in the law."

I think the key question is: When the risen Christ commands Peter to "kill and eat," is he aboloshing all dietary requirements (or even all dietary concerns) for Gentile Christians, OR is he more broadly exposing Peter's limited, ethno/nationalistic vision of what new Christ followers must do in order to be saved (i.e. follow the Levitical law)?

BC

Hucka-gotta-be a Communitarian?

BC wonders if Mike Huckabee isn't an American version of Europe's Christian Democrats?

A New Batch of Mustard Seeds

Many of us who pray for unity in the Body of Christ don't do enough reflecting on what that unity looks like. I've speculated in the past that any future ecumenism in the Body won't come primarily from meetings, conferences and letters of agreement from church leaders -- though these are still highly significant, and historic, efforts.

Instead, we are more likely to see more what is occurring today -- what John Allen Jr. of the National Catholic Register (one of the most astute observers of Catholic Christianity, and global Christianity in general) calls "the ecumenism of daily life" -- detailed here in his recent column, "Springtime for Ecumenists: A Realistic Assessment." From Allen:

The great irony is...the ecumenical movement is actually among the most phenomenally successful currents in global Christianity in at least the last 100 years. It may not have achieved full, visible communion, but it has swept away centuries of prejudice and broken down denominational ghettoes in what can only seem historically like the blink of an eye.

Today, for example, Catholics and Protestants around the world pray together, work together, celebrate when their kids marry one another, and in general no longer see one another as bogeymen. While anti-ecumenical attitudes certainly persist (for example, in some sectors of the surging Pentecostal movement across the global south), the few remaining places where Catholics and Protestants are at one another's throats strike mainstream believers on both sides as not only anachronistic but almost incomprehensible. Much the same point could be made about Catholic/Orthodox relations.

If proof is needed, I offer the case of Hill City, Kansas, the tiny western Kansas town where my 93-year-old grandmother resides. Grandma, if prompted, tells stories about the time Protestants tried to stop construction of a Catholic church in town, not wanting the papists to get a toehold. (I have no idea how much truth there is to that memory, but the point is that reflects an era not so long ago in which such things were common.) Today, by way of contrast, her greatest point of pride about her pastor, Fr. Don McCarthy, is that he's well-liked by the Protestants too. There's almost no religious initiative of consequence in town that isn't ecumenical, such as the time in 2004 that the Ministerial Alliance, a coalition of the various Christian denominations, pooled $1,800 to rent the local cinema for free showings of "The Passion of the Christ." For three nights, Catholics, Methodists, Presbyterians, Pentecostals and Lutherans sat shoulder by shoulder, then went out for coffee, pie, and conversation.

In microcosm, that tells the story of the runaway success of what experts have come to call the "ecumenism of daily life."

Our not-so-distant ancestors would be utterly shocked by the level of harmony among Christians today. For those of us who desire to see a more united Body, our current assessment reads like a GAO report: "Some Progress Has Been Made, but Much Remains to Be Done." (By far the best treatment of discerning a road to Christian unity is Peter Kreeft's message "Ecumenism Without Compromise").

But even after all the "ecumenism of daily life" you can handle, what is the dirty little secret behind greater Christian ecumenism? What will bring Christ-following Catholics, Protestants and Orthodox together irrevocably?

Persecution. And I'm not talking about having to say "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas." I'm talking about hard persecution, not soft.

I think TC's comment in the previous post is very relevant, because he highlights the trend of many young Christians ignoring fixed church buildings altogether, and meeting in homes, or gyms, or whatever structure they can find. The early Church did this because they had to in order to avoid imminent arrest, or death. Why are young people doing it today?

At least one (and many other) Christian leaders are predicting difficult times ahead, and preparing for a small, dedicated Body living in the world as a "Creative Minority."

BC

Putting the "Cult" back in Culture - Part I

Cult: Etymology: French & Latin; French culte, from Latin cultus - "care, adoration," from colere "to cultivate"
1: formal religious veneration : worship 2: a system of religious beliefs and ritual; also: its body of adherents

Our little family lives just down the bike path from Cameron Station, a master-planned, neo-traditional development complete with its own main street, pre-school, farmer's market, large park and town hall where residents can vote and conduct other basic public business. Cameron Station has all the typical high points of "quality of life" - walkability, security, outdoor recreation opportunities, and so on.

Yet there's one thing I find missing as I stroll or drive around the community, making the place feel at best, lacking something, at worst, contrived. Cameron Station is missing a House of Worship.

Developments like Cameron Station are popping up all over the country, and I find this trend enormously positive. Make no mistake -- the "New Urbanist", neo-traditional community style generally produces very desirable places to live and work. Stapleton, Lowry and Belmar in Denver, Dawley Farm Village and Northern Lights Community in South Dakota, serve as examples. But the neo-traditional style is lacking a significant component of traditional communities: religion -- and by "religion", I refer to its original meaning, derived from and related to the word "relationship" (with God).

I realize the need for developers to turn a profit. They wouldn't be in the business if they couldn't earn a living. But the trend to eliminate the religious element from considerations of urban planning/development only contributes to the general spiritual corrosion in so many communities (for a series of wonderful examples, choose almost any country in Western Europe, where developers are in the business of converting unused Houses of Prayer to one-bedroom condos and dance clubs).

Cities across the U.S. are trying to attract the so-called "Creative Class" -- Young, single professionals working in IT, education, graphic design, writing, filmmaking, architecture, and so on. Like most ideas, this one has an element of truth: The new economy demands a healthy dose of Creative Class occupations in any locale that wants to advance, or even survive. This trend naturally leads to urban planning and development for singles: condos, edgy art districts, and uber-hip restaurants. What is left behind? Churches, schools and parks are ignored -- in other words, the things that often bind a family to a specific place are almost disregarded entirely.

So what happens to these hip-locales? Young, talented folks move in -- and promptly leave after a few years (maximum) when they are ready to settle down with a family. The "community" produced is temporary, transient and superficial. Joel Kotkin, urbanist guru, addresses this topic in his recent op-ed "The Rise of Family-Friendly Cities." It's worth a quick read.

I know, many of you are saying: BC is changing his tune now that he has a family. And many of you are absolutely correct, and let me make it clear that I have moved a full five times in the last five years. But hey, this isn't politics -- I reserve the right to change my mind.

BC

The Great Republican Schism

Coming around the bend, in the fall of 2008 and beyond, we have the Great Republican Schism.

BC

"Maybe it's not what he wants from you either."

Huckabee must be a contender, if the respectable conservative National Review (which endorsed Mitt Romney) is spewing this type of invective -- try to choke down some of the venom emanating from Lisa Schiffrin:

Everything that happens, Huck, all those reporters are going to want you to say something, everywhere you go, 24/7. And lots of people will act based on what you say. And not all of them have lots of love in their heart, Huck. That bait shop on the lake — it's looking good. You'll be surrounded by nice neighbors, real Christians, and you can be the smartest guy in the room. You can go out running every morning. Remember Huck — Jesus wouldn't be dumb enough to go into politics.You were right on that one. Maybe it's not what he wants from you either.

Well, here's to high school politics. Go get 'em Huck (and by the way -- COOL IT on the Lou Dobbs-like rhetoric on immigration -- I thought you weren't mad at anybody? Stick with authenticity, not linking hands with scaremongers)

BC

Read, and Weep, All Ye Bluegrass Fans

Nickel Creek, spunky bluegrass band from SoCal, recently concluded their farewell tour, which started here in D.C. and finished in Nashville.

EC and I had the good pleasure of seeing Nickel Creek perform at Denver's hallowed Fillmore Auditorium (on less-than-hallowed Colfax Avenue).

Also, music fans: Be sure to browse NPR Music beta, an enormously content-rich site full of public radio's best tunes.

BC

Governor Romney's Speech (follow up)

Romney's Religious Conundrum

Mitt Romney delivered his "I'm a serious-but-not-that-serious Mormon" speech today in College Station, Texas. Intending a JFK-like address on how his religion interacts with his duties as a public official, most of Romney's speech reads like a (well-written) civics lesson in religious pluralism.

And let me say at the outset: Romney could very well be a fine President (though I would certainly not vote for him in a primary). One of my biggest objections to Romney is that he seems to be the Republican version of John Kerry -- a stuffy, aristocratic fellow trying desperately to look like a common Joe -- who would ultimately be beaten soundly by the Democratic nominee.

One of the primary differences between JFK's and Romney's speech is that Kennedy actually declared he would resign his office if there was a fundamental conflict between his beliefs as a Catholic and the duties of the Presidency. That is a startling claim, and I couldn't imagine a candidate today making it. (Kennedy actually made a much more vigorous case for a bright line between Church and State than Romney - so don't take this as a full endorsement of JFK's Houston speech over Romney's more moderate stance).

But Romney's religious problem is intractable: Many of the voters to which he is appealing want a candidate whose actions as President are informed directly by their (Christian) faith. Because Romney is self-conscious about his religion (and broad public acceptance of it), he feels the need to make the opposite claim: that his Mormonism will not directly influence how he governs the country from the Executive Branch. How this furthers his cause with politically conservative Christians is not at all clear.

BC

Missionaries Wanted - Location: Paris

Via Spengler, a call for missionaries where they perhaps are needed most:

Secular liberalism, the official ideology of almost all the nations of Western Europe, offers hedonism, sexual license, anomie, demoralization and gradual depopulation. Muslims do not want this. In Africa, Christian missionaries go to Muslims and offer them God's love and the hope of eternal life. But I am aware of no Christian missionaries active in the Muslim banlieue (outskirts) of the Paris suburbs or the Turkish quarters of Berlin. By contrast, there is indeed a war with Islam, and it is being won in parts of the world where Christians wage it on spiritual grounds. No Christian army has had to march in its support. Europe, meanwhile, is losing ground to Islam because it declines to fight.

I agree. There are already thousands of Christian missionaries in sub-Saharan Africa, and most of them are Africans. Who would think to be a missionary (or "tentmaker") in majority-Muslim suburbs of Paris, Rotterdam and Berlin? Not many, apparently.

BC

"In order to do good, you may have to engage in evil."

These words come from Robert McNamara, former president of Ford Motor Company, Secretary of Defense, and president of the World Bank. Whenever we watch the documentary of McNamara's career, The Fog of War, EC shakes her head when McNamara makes this statement. The Fog of War ranks as one of my favorite movies, of any genre or time period. It's a simple film: Documentarian Errol Morris simply asks McNamara to reflect on his life, and explain the lessons he's learned. McNamara comes up with 11:

1. Empathize with your enemy.
2. Rationality will not save us.
3. There's something beyond one's self.
4. Maximize efficiency.
5. Proportionality should be a guideline in war.
6. Get the data.
7. Belief and seeing are both often wrong.
8. Be prepared to reexamine your reasoning.
9. In order to do good, you may have to engage in evil.
10. Never say never.
11. You can't change human nature.

These sound like pithy, almost trite statements (practically from some MBA program), but taken in the context of the film and the background McNamara provides, each is powerful and has left a lasting impression on my mind. I don't agree with every conclusion, but the questions posed by such a towering figure of the 20th century cause me to reflect deeply on the lessons offered, especially as they relate to politics -- not "politics" as in running for office, but the old, "classical" definition: The common deliberation of how to best use public resources in order to achieve the good life.

The most startling of McNamara's lessons is number 9. (The most useful is number 1, but that's for another blog). McNamara was intimately involved in the eventual use of using incendiary bombs dropped by low-flying B-17s on Japanese cities during WWII.

Some argue the decisively destructive impact of this tactic on civilian populations sealed the victory for the Allied powers, sparing the U.S. the necessity of a D-Day-like land invasion of Japan, which would have cost thousands of American lives. Others argue it was an unnecessary and breathtakingly cruel crime of war. So McNamara poses the question: "How much evil must we do in order to do good?"

All of this came to mind last week when I saw an analysis by Anthony H. Cordesman, an influential but relatively unknown fellow in Washington. Cordesman lays out various plausible scenarios regarding conflict in the Middle East - specifically, a nuclear exchange between Israel and Iran. Some of Cordesman's conclusions of the possible devastation, summarized well here, include:

• 16 million to 28 million Iranians dead within 21 days, and between 200,000 and 800,000 Israelis dead within the same time frame.
  
• Israel would need to keep a "reserve strike capability to ensure no other power can capitalize on Iranian strike."
  
• This means Israel would have to target "key Arab neighbors" -- in particular Syria and Egypt.
  
• Israel's options include a limited nuclear strike on the region . A full-scale Israeli attack on Syria would kill up to 18 million people within 21 days, making Syrian recovery impossible.
  
• A Syrian attack with all its reputed chemical and biological warfare assets could kill up to 800,000 Israelis, but Israeli society would recover.
• An Israeli attack on Egypt would likely strike at the main population centers, with a death toll likely in the tens of millions. A strike would destroy the Suez Canal and almost certainly destroy the Aswan dam, sending monstrous floods down the Nile to sweep away the glowing rubble. It would mean the end of Egypt as a functioning society.

An Iran-Israel nuclear exchange is only one of 11 plausible scenarios envisioned by Cordesman in the decade of 2010-2020 -- but the potential consequences of such a 2-3 week tit-for-tat would be fantastically devastating. As Cordesman telling states, "The only way to win is not to play." For all the cavalier rhetoric emanating from Tehran, Washington and Tel Aviv, Cordesman's scenarios should inspire sober meditation on the 11 lessons of Robert McNamara.

BC

The Prince of Darkness Breaks the News

Robert Novak is shocked, shocked that Mike Huckabee is not a libertarian. It's a shame someone as learned as Novak would conflate the terms "libertarian" and "conservative."

But never mind Novak--Huckabee stole the show (again) at the CNN/YouTube Republican debate on Wednesday. From a purely oratorical standpoint (forget about policy for the moment) the former Arkansas governor had the crowd roaring, and the other candidates looking stiff.

I tell ya, I'd really like to see a Huckabee v. Obama race. It could snap the country out of a national political funk.

BC

Wind on the Way

Via the Jim River Report and South Dakota Politics, news today that Governor Rounds and Senator Thune will be in Aberdeen (SD) on Monday to announce the arrival of a new wind turbine facility.

I think it's probably time to establish a Mayor Mike Levsen Day in Aberdeen.

Cheers,

BC

The Aberdeen American News says: A wind turbine plant? You don't know that for sure. But probably, yeah, that's what it is. -BC

To the Wedding DJ...

...all I'm saying is that you should've played this song at the wedding dance. That's all I'm saying.

BC

This Present Darkness

"This is fundamentally a religious war...Under no circumstances should we forget this enmity between us and the infidels. For, the enmity is based on creed." -Osama bin Laden

"To win a gunfight, first you have to bring a gun, and to win a religious war, you had better know something about religion...None of the political leaders of the West, and few of the West's opinion leaders, comprehend this." -Spengler

"The war horse is a false hope for salvation, and by its great might it cannot rescue." -Psalmist

"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." -St. Paul

Have a great weekend, everybody.

-BC

Just Down the Road

In The Wild Olive's first stab at guest commentary, we have a story from TC in Tea, South Dakota, just outside of Sioux Falls. As TC's account demonstrates, Biblical principles often appear clear on the page -- but in practice, moral choices on how best to further the Kingdom of Heaven are often difficult to discern. Read the account below and tell me -- what would you do in this situation, and on what basis?

Earlier this summer, an adult store, make that "super" store, was opened just a short mile outside of Tea on the way to Interstate 29. Much protest ensued from the locals over Olivia's, which touted itself as a good, upstanding, reputable business that would be beneficial to the local economy. It's actually a sister store to its Sioux Falls counterpart, Annabelle's.

A lot of people were making uneducated, emotional statements about how the store would ruin the community, hurt their children, and among other things, encourage drunken driving (apparently from the potential customers who would drive to the 24-hour store while 3 sheets to the wind during odd hours of the night). Lincoln county, and the city of Tea, currently have no restrictions or regulations on these types of adult businesses, so legally, everything has been done by the book, and the owner/manager has been fairly accommodating to local suggestions (he voluntarily changed the building color from bright purple to egg shell white, and changed his sign out front to display "Olivia's" in large letters, instead of "Adult").

Now, before you think I'm promoting places of this nature, let me just say that I am not personally in favor of a store like this opening anywhere, anytime. While it is a free country and people can do what they like within the confines of the law, verifiable studies have shown that these SOB's (that's Sexual Oriented Businesses, not Sons of... well, you know the rest) have secondary effects on a community such as increased criminal activity, property devaluation and urban blight. Even if all the evidence pointed the opposite direction (that such a store was actually good for the community), I would still, because of my own personal faith and convictions, not want a store like this open in my, or anyone else's, community.

Olivia’s is one of those “bold” types of businesses. But a few weeks ago, something equally bold appeared in the same vicinity. Olivia's is on the north side of 271st St, and on the south side of the road is a corn field. Directly across from Olivia's, on the south side of the road, just between the corn field and the ditch, popped up what appeared to be a large, 12-foot wooden cross (which is conveniently the very first thing Olivia’s customers see as they exit the store). At first I thought it might have been something to do with the electrical or telephone lines, but after driving by again during my lunch break, it was unquestionably the instrument used by the Romans to crucify Jesus Christ.

A number of thoughts crossed my mind, but here are two that stuck out...1) "What is the point? That cross is only going to add fuel to the fire for store advocates that think Christians are closed-minded, legalistic hypocrites." The other thought on the opposite end of the spectrum was...2) "Now that is encouraging to see someone taking a firm stand against such a deceptive and destructive business."

Unfortunately, thought number 1 may have been confirmed. A couple days after the cross was erected, it lay flat on the ground. Someone had apparently come by and taken it down. Not just pushed it down, no, this was a clean, chain-saw looking cut that left the cross lying in the dirt below with a 2 foot section still stuck in the ground. It lay there for about a week. It was almost depressing to see this symbol of hope and redemption lying there defeated, but at the same time I thought to myself, "Congratulations to whomever put that thing up because now you have someone that much farther from wanting to know Jesus."

Later in the week, as I drove by Olivia's on my way to work, I noticed that a skid loader and 3-4 workers were out messing around with the fallen cross and a second, deeper hole had been dug in between the power lines. I thought they must be getting ready to lay some wire, or do some other type of public utility work. But, when I came back for lunch, there stood the old rugged cross. Only this time it was a couple feet shorter with reinforced steel at the base and metal strips covering the center beam and cross-beam. No chain saw was going to bring this bad boy down! So, for now, there it stands, unless someone comes up with another clever way to bring it down, vandalize it, or who knows what else.

I don't know exactly what the person's original intentions were for putting up the cross or who it was directed towards (the owner, the customers, the drivers who pass by, etc.), but I do know this...

When I drive by the two symbols I thank God that I live in a country of free enterprise, and free speech. I thank God that I have another (better) option to look at besides the glaring adult superstore. I'm thankful as I drive through the middle of two very bold signs; one reminds me how fallen I am, along with the rest of mankind, and the other reminds me of how gracious God is, allowing me to be a member & participant in His eternal kingdom.

So, if you are a fellow disciple of Jesus, what are we to do with something like this? I think we ought to start by praying. Pray for the owner, workers and customers of the store, that they would encounter the one, true living God and be changed forever. Pray for those who put up the cross, the churches & Christians of this community, that they would be effective (not deflective) witnesses for the Prince of Peace. And lastly, pray for my safety as I drive by the two landmarks, deep in thought contemplating the meaning of it all, that I would pay attention to the road in front of me and the cars around me. I'm 10+ years removed from my last fender bender and I certainly don't need a new one on my record!

TC
A Local Update: This last weekend a neighbor reported there was a man with his wife and children standing together by the cross, facing Olivia’s in silence as the husband/father held a Bible outwards and upwards towards the store. Repelling the darkness, or repelling those who need the light? You decide and let me know.

The (Orthodox) Gladiator

Russell Crowe, welcome to the Body of Christ. The Eastern part, specifically.

BC

Faith in the Flesh

Today over our post-church bagels I read an interesting article in Commentary Magazine that resonated with some experiences I've had at work. The article, entitled Faith in the Flesh, was written by R.R. Reno, a devout Christian and professor of theology at Creighton University. (Unfortunately the online version is subscriber only so I can't link to it here.)

Reno reflects on the complexity of outward faith as his observant Jewish daughter comes of age. Many of his thoughts are raw as he writes of watching his wife and children apply their Jewish faith to their physical bodies -- through circumcision and kosher lifestyles. He wonders at his own Christianity and his ability to apply his faith so tangibly to his life. He wonders if, in the Christian faith, nothing needs to be submitted to God "other than the fine sentiments of the heart."

"My daughter... however, could not eat cheeseburgers, and her friends found this remarkable. Her very mouth was trained and set apart, day by day. And me? Jesus teaches that what goes into the mouth is not important; what matters is what comes out. And yet what came out of my mouth seemed so generic, so easily molded into the progressive platitudes of our age."

Reno's observations got me thinking about a recent exchange with one of my superiors at work, who is Jewish. Over dinner on a business trip we were describing our religious backgrounds, and she told us about the tight community she has through her Jewish temple. Judaism, she pointed out, is based on community and is not focused on proselytizing. This made sense to me, and I told her so. After all, I said, the Jewish people simple are: they are God's chosen people. There is no going out to bring in more chosen people. As Christians, we are also sons and daughters of God, but we each have to ask to become adopted into that family, and we believe that anyone can ask. I understood the silent skepticism at the table. Indeed, Christianity is simple sounding. It is simple, says C.S. Lewis, but it is not easy. Or at least, it's not supposed to be.

Reno asks: "Has modern Christianity rejected the very idea that God's commandments can shape or control how we use our bodies?"

He quotes a passage from a book written by an Orthodox Jewish rabbi during the Holocaust:

"How many noblemen bowed down before the cross in a spirit of abject submission and self-denial, confessed their sins with scalding tears and bitter cries, and in the very same breath, as soon as they left the dim precincts of the cathedral, ordered that innocent people be cruelly slain."

If our Christian faith is as easy as confessing our sins with "scalding tears and bitter cries" and then marching out and proceeding to gratify the desires of our flesh... I cannot blame my Jewish colleague for her skepticism over "simple Christianity."

My Jewish colleagues are marked and known by their outward expressions of faith -- through circumcision and kosher lifestyles. People know they are Jewish because their lives literally look different. Reflecting on this has made "circumcision of the heart" a very interesting analogy. Yes, it sounds nice. But circumcision hurts. It leaves a scar.

And in the end, shouldn't it also make me look different?

-EC

What's your Walkscore?

Our capacity in America to simply "move down the street" (or to the next subdivision) if we dislike our current neighborhood is limitless. Yet I have never heard complaints from anyone who lives or has lived in a community that is both safe and walkable -- that is, a neighborhood with wider than average sidewalks, clean and safe walking/bike trails, and accesible-by-foot-or-bike amenities, such as grocery stores, schools, restaurants and parks.

How walkable is your locale? Plug in your address at http://www.walkscore.com/.

Our neighborhood here in west Alexandria, Virginia registered a measily 45 out of 100, while our previous address in uptown/downtown Denver, Colorado scored an 89.

I would probably dispute the low rating for our place in Alexandria: we live adjacent to a clean, safe bike/walking path with easy access points to a library, pharmacy, large park, weekly farmers market, grocery store, restaurants, a gas station, dry cleaners and other services all within a 10-20 minute walk or 5 minute bike ride down a tree-lined path.

Most people think downtowns when they think walkability. But making new suburban developments pedestrian-friendly is a trend gaining momentum, says Joel Kotkin in his latest essay, The Suburban Archipelago, which calls for a "smart sprawl" strategy in future suburban and exurban (and beyond) development.

BC

BC Becoming Catholic: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

As many of you know, I am planning to join the Roman Catholic Church, and am taking RCIA (Rite of Catholic Initiation for Adults) classes once a week at St. Rita church here in Alexandria. I know -- questions arise - and believe me that I am working through them myself. But here are a list of Frequently Asked Questions, and some preliminary responses. I suspect I'll be writing more about this topic in the future, and what follows is far from the summation of my thoughts on the subject. But please read on for an appetizer.

1. Why are you rejecting Protestant/ELCA/Evangelical/Charismatic Christianity? I'm not. I grew up as an Evangelical Lutheran Christian, and later migrated to a more non-denominational and Charismatic Protestant Christianity. I can personally attest that God is moving in a powerful way though many of these churches. And guess what? There is good news. I can be a Catholic without ceasing to be an Evangelical and a Charismatic - I am "Evangelical," in emphasizing the need for a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and the need to be "born again" in his image, and an emphasis on spreading the Gospel, in both word and deed. "Charismatic" in pursuing and embracing real manifestations of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, including prophesy, wisdom, knowledge, discernment, administration, tongues, interpretation of tongues, teaching, and so on. Many Catholics describe themselves as Evangelicals in the former sense, and of course the Charismatic Catholics have been around for a few decades now. So I do not reject my spiritual past. I reaffirm my desire for an Evangelical and Charismatic walk with Christ, in addition to integrating the contemplative beauty of the millenia-old Catholic Liturgy and Sacraments. In many ways I feel as though I am adding to my Christian faith by joining the Roman Catholic Church, not subtracting from it. EC and I love Church at the Gate, New Life Church, Power Invasion, Pathways Church -- how could we ever say we reject these churches? Never. At my Grandma Nelson's funeral last winter, I talked about the need for us, the grandchildren, to carry on the spiritual heritage Grandma Nelson helped pass to us - a deposit of faith rooted in the Bible, prayer and worship. I reaffirm that statement, even (and especially) as I join the Roman Catholic Church, an indisputabley significant piece of Christ's Body on earth.

2. What about all that Catholic-bashing you used to revel in? Many of my thoughts and statements about Catholic Christianity were repulsive and, most of all, ignorant. I've had to repent of backbighting and critical thoughts/words against Christians of all stripes. That I will call myself a Catholic Christian by next year is proof that the God we serve has an ironic sense of humor.

3. What about reverencing Mary and Saints, Purgatory and other "creative" theological concepts? They are not so creative as they initially seem. Even if you disagree with many of the concepts, you have to recognize that many of them are as old as any in Christianity, dating to the earliest days of the Church in the decades and centuries after the Apostles. Rumors swirl in Protestant communitites about "what the Catholic Church teaches". I recommend reading the Church's Catechism (a guide for clergy in teaching their local parishes) and the writings of the current Pope Bendict. Peter Kreeft (see sidebar), George Weigel and Scott Hahn are also exceptionally clear and reputaple sources. It's always better to hear from the horse's mouth than to "Google it" and hope for the best.

4. Are you really ready to submit to the Pope, and all that rigid hierarchy? It is true that the Roman Catholic Church is not a democracy. Submission to a Church has always been something I thought I would chafe under. However, I have to ask: "What am I actually submitting to?" The best way to accomplish this, again, is to go to the horse's mouth: the Catechism, the Pope (derived from the Italian word for father, "papa"). Many non-Catholic Christians looking for a Mary-worshipping, indulgence-peddling Pope are sorely disappointed by the current Pope Benedict, because he embodies Christo-centric Christianity (is there any other legitimate kind?). For a dose, check out his first book as Pope, Jesus of Nazerath, and his first encyclical, "God is Love."

5. Why are you embracing mindless, repetitive rituals? Don't you HATE the Liturgy? I remember disliking liturgy growing up. It seemed just that -- repetitive. But I've found the full Liturgy of the Catholic Church to be an enormously rich mode of worship. "Ritual" is a word that needs to be saved -- at the current rate, it could be disparaged out of existence in many Christian circles. Ritual is as old as the Body of Christ -- even older, as Jewish life has been fused with ritual-as-worship since its inception thousands of years ago. Surely there is a balance between ritual and the more spontateous acts of worship and prayer? I think so.

6. Is this because of Ted Haggard? No, we love New Life Church, and Pastor Ted - who clearly has some sin issues to work through in his life. God has used New Life in a powerful way, and is continuing to do so.

7. Is this because you are being pressured by EC's family/EC herself? Nope. In fact, EC didn't even know I was even considering this until about two months before telling other family and friends. The decision was made out of personal, private, secret prayer. I can't emphasize that enough.

8. You must be becoming a Catholic because you want family unity. Family unity will be a consequence, but is not the cause of me becoming Catholic. Don't confuse an effect with a cause.

9. Do you think ALL Christians should become Catholic? Only if God is leading you to do so - and this is discerned in prayer. If not, I wouldn't recommend it. Becoming Catholic for any flippant reason, even for the sake of marrying someone who is Catholic, is dangerous if it is not done in obedience to God. Obedience in all things, and above all things, folks.

10. Ok, so you are becoming a Catholic Christian. What do you have in common anymore with me, an Evangelical/Charismatic/Pentecostal/Protestant/Non-denominational Christian? We are priveledged to be members of the Body of Christ. We are brothers and sisters in Christ. We have the same Head, and the same Bridegroom: Jesus Christ! What an incredible, unbreakable bond! Therefore: the only thing that would fully sever us from each would be if we choose to reject Christ, God made Flesh -- our very Head in Common. Theological differences will remain, and I would encourage debates amongst believers, so long as they are done in love with a common agenda for apprehending the Truth. Otherwise - are we to quarrel about opinions? NO. Body of Christ, pray for Unity!

I'd love to see comments posted, but if you don't feel comfortable doing that, feel free to e-mail me here.

BC

And now for something completely different

From a good ol' band called Wilco, and a good ol' song.

BC

Another one...

Ok, I need to stop reading the newspaper.

Any news columns out there about how nice, noble and decent Washington, D.C. is? Any at all?

BC

"Where the action is..."

Oh my...something I read tonight written by a Georgetown professor laid another few pounds on top of an issue that already weighs heavy on my mind.

Today, I was just thinking this thought: Ultimately, at the political level of life, the greatest potential for affecting some sort of desired change -- "where the action is," so to speak -- is in two places:

1) At the "highest" level of national government: in foreign affairs, diplomacy, national security, defense and war -- and

2) at the "lowest" (or "most fundamental") level of government: the school board, the county commission, the city council, the mayor's office and perhaps even the state capitol (depending on the state and the policy issue).

Much of what lies between these two poles -- Congress, much of the Executive Branch, the scores and scores of regulatory agencies -- seem to me, at the present time, the embodiment of "rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic."

p.s. Don't despair -- I really do like my job quite a lot, for this season of life -- ok that's enough ruminating for the night. ;)

BC

DHE - Dept. of the Heavens & the Earth

Via the Crunchy Conservative, here is a blog devoted to "green conservatives" (with Robert Cizik, government affairs guru at the National Association of Evangelicals, as one of the blog's contributors).

As EC knows, I hate the term "environment." Why? It's stale, boring and abstract. How about "the heavens and the earth"? It's worked for millenia -- why now do we refer to our natural world as "the environment"? Would Genesis 1 have the same poetic rhythm with "In the beginning, God created...the environment"?

How about it, GAO? From now on, the Division of Natural Resources & Environment (NRE) will be called the Division of the Heavens & the Earth (DHE)?

For a very intriguing, self-critical report from within the environmental movement, check out "The Death of Environmentalism." It's a fascinating case study on how public policy goals cannot be achieved in the long-term without a spiritual vision, moral imagination, or some kind of broad cultural narrative. Wonkish, technical policy/legal/budgetary proposals aren't enough -- you need the so-called "myth-makers" as well.

BC

A Shadowy Third Candidate?

At the beginning of the day today, this story was barely a blip on the news ticker -- but by about mid-afternoon, the blogs (and major news outlets) were buzzing over a secretive conference held last weekend in Salt Lake City by the Council for National Policy, a small group of influential Christian conservatives including the likes of Jim Dobson and the Family Research Council's Tony Perkins. The fruit of the conference was a bit startling, and could have major political ramificatons:

"If the Republican Party nominates a pro-abortion candidate, we will consider running a third-party candidate."

Read: if Guiliani is the GOP nominee, we will draft our own candidate.

Who that candidate could be remains to be seen -- what also remains to be seen is if social conservatives are only raising a political storm now but will acquiese in support of a Guliani candidacy when push (i.e. "Hillary") comes to shove.

Interestingly, the drive for a third-party candidate came primarily from "a South Dakota businessman named Robert S. Fischer "was the driving force" behind the resolution." The Politico article notes he is based in Rapid City and owns a furniture business. Anybody have an idea who this gentleman is (any of our West River readers, perhaps)?

I've been saying (as well as others) for a little while now that a schism is coming in the Republican party -- primarily between traditional (crunchy?) conservatives and libertarians/classical liberals.

To be sure, the Dobson crowd represents an older school conservative -- a God, Guns 'n' Gays agenda, one might say. The latest iteration of traditional conservatism might be better represented by politicians like Mike Huckabee, Sam Brownback and Christopher Smith, and commentators like Rod Dreher, or perhaps even David Brooks.

But Guliani doesn't quite fit either mold. He is bullish on security, economically and socially liberal, and restricive on Second Amendment issues.

In other news, Newt is out -- but both he and Bill Clinton think Mike Huckabee could be the GOP's dark horse candidate.

I like Mike. Who do you like?

BC

Snakker du Norsk?

Last night EC and I finally got to watch Sweet Land (given to us by a Sweet Nanny). I won't say much here other than I highly recommend the movie, especially to those who grew up in the Upper Midwest -- Sweet Land is the anti-Fargo. Fargo was hilarious precisely because it took every stereotype of the Upper Midwest and multiplied by 100. Sweet Land portrays the region and its history with dignity, humor and beauty - as it is.

BC

"Out of balance."

Talking about the war in Iraq is an inevitable powder keg for conversation. Certainly lessons can be learned by studying the lead up to the war, if done so by honestly assessing the complexity of the last 5-7 years, and of course without partisan slant. At the moment, Congress (and Washington in general) is strategizing, posturing and maneuvering like mad about how to proceed in Iraq.

In a hearing during last week's House Armed Services committee meeting, Army Chief of Staff George Casey and Army Secretary Pete Geren gave a sobering testimony, summarized here by Congress Daily. A few crucial words from Casey:

"the next several decades will be ones of persistent conflict" and the Army cannot accurately predict when and where the next war will occur, Casey said, "we are consumed with meeting the demands of the current fight and are unable to provide ready forces as rapidly as necessary for other potential contingencies."

and this, which the original Congress Daily story included:

"We could not, at the present time, respond to a full-spectrum conflict."

It was indeed a sobering testimony, especially given current buzz regarding Iran (would ground troops be necessary to ensure a strike on Revolutionary Guard headquarters and nuclear facilities was thorough?) and an increasingly widespread belief that the U.S. is on an inevitable collision course with China in the coming decades of the 21st century.

Some suggest Iran (and their Syrian allies) are, in fact, shaking in their shoes at the moment - especially given Israel recent strike DEEP in Syrian territory, which took out...what? No one really knows but speculation is all over the map. How deep and veiled was this strike? It sounds like the Israeli Air Force fighter pilots could've landed in Damascus, grabbed a coffee at Starbucks and kept rolling to their target without any Syrian taking notice.

BC

Sanctuary from Downtown

Today for the first time I went to daily Mass at St. Mary's.
As it turns out, the little church changed the shape of the GAO.

According to GAO history, in 1941 after Congress had authorized $9,850,000 for the acquisition of a GAO headquarters building, the government purchased plots from individual property owners on the block and began to raze the structures. But St. Mary’s was so well established in the neighborhood that planning officials did not hold out much hope for buying the church property. In the end “the Commissioners of the District of Columbia closed and vacated G Place up to the point where the St. Mary's church property began. They designed the GAO building around the church.” Overhead pictures show the irregular shape this forced the building to become.

The church sits on the northwest corner of 5th and H Streets and is just around the block. As I turned the corner this afternoon to enter, I saw several other crisp and serious professionals striding to the front doors, entering quickly. Outside the D.C. world buzzed with traffic and panhandlers, with clicking high-heeled shoes and jostling crowds of people hurrying past with their heads down. Upon entering the church, that busy world was gone. The dark suits were kneeling, the clicking shoes silent. The service was quick – just 30 minutes of prayer, Scripture and fellowship. Soon I was back outside again, my high heels clicking. I was thankful for that church today as I slipped back into my chair, and I’m still laughing at God’s irony. In a building full of perfectionists the corners don’t quite line up….

EC

Taking bets on the next 50 years...

I got this brief interview from my brother a couple of weeks ago, and I need to blog about something after a long absence, so here goes. The subject of the interview is Jeremy Rifkin, who claims the titles "economist, philosopher and professor," and more generally, "social critic."

There is no shortage of people making predictions about the coming decades, and I try to pay some attention to these people -- and yes, that includes a near-religious devotion to reading anonymous "Spengler" every week. (sidenote -- Spengler is expanding his reach, writing an essay in next month's First Things titled "Christian, Muslim, Jew.")

Rifkin is certainly of a different stripe than Spengler. He addresses three general issues here, from a futurist's perspective: 1) Urban life, 2) The transformation of work, and 3) Europe.

1) Rifkin states,

"For the first time in history, a majority of human beings will be living in vast urban areas, many in megacities and suburban extensions with populations of 10 million or more, according to the United Nations."

This is certainly true. Megacities will get bigger and bigger, but many (including Joel Kotkin) see the most rapid relative growth occuring in smaller and mid-sized cities, with populations between 25,000 and 800,000. If you live in one of these cities in the next fifty years, get ready for a growth spurt, according to Kotkin. (For a couple of sobering, dystopian commentaries on the explosive growth of megacities, especially in the developing world, see John Robb's "The Coming Urban Terror," from last month's City Journal and a 1994 Robert Kaplan essay in the Atlantic, "The Coming Anarchy"). Rifkin also states:

"It’s no accident that as we celebrate urbanization of the world, we are quickly approaching another historic watershed: the disappearance of the wild."

This is a popular view, but I'm not sure it's based in reality. Much of continental Europe is returning to wilderness, where wolves sometimes outnumber humans. Central Africa is becoming increasingly wild, as wars and horrific natural conditions drive thousands to coastal cities. It's maybe more accurate to say that the wilderness around these new megacities, like Lagos, Nigeria, is being completely and irrevocably destroyed.

2) Rifkin has faith in technology to give the world a European-like 30 hour work week. In fact, Europe should be the model for the U.S. , according to Rifkin. Rifkin is an economist. He should know the nations of Europe are struggling and striving to keep up with (especially) U.S. and East Asian economic growth. They don't impose absurd mandatory 35 hour (maximum) work weeks either, a la our neighbors in France -- but Sarko might change this -- GO SARKO, GO).

3) Ok, I delved into Europe on number 2, and will again here. Again, Rifkin likes the European model. What he doesn't mention are plummeting birthrates, aging populations, and bloated bureacracies that make D.C. look like a well-oiled machine. Rifkin also makes this nebulous statement:

"The dream that’s emerging is the first attempt, as feeble as it is, to create something akin to global consciousness."

"The dream" he's talking about is the European Union, the same one that offered French and Dutch voters a 300-page constitution, only to have it soundly rejected.

Finally, Rifkin comments on Islam in Europe:

"I think the dream will succeed or fail based on the ability of Europe to integrate Islam. Europe’s dream is to be a global public square, with unity in diversity, where people of the world can live together with a common dream of inclusivity, sustainable development, human rights and building peace. However, to accomplish this, Europe must effectively integrate North Africa and the Middle East, and especially Islam. If it fails, the world is going to take a step back, and we may not achieve that kind of global consciousness. Then the question is who else can develop this dream, if it isn’t Europe?"

Rifkin is living in a cocoon of wishful thinking (or maybe I'm just cranky tonight, who knows).

Europe is facing an existential crisis, and will continue to do so for the next 50 years - it would face the crisis with or without radical strains of Islam within its borders.

And "integrate North Africa and the Middle East"? Europe? Really?

If this is your benchmark for success, Mr. Rifkin, I can predict the future for you: the world is most definitely going to "take a step back" in the next 50 years. Read the Kaplan article for the goods.

BC

DoD Invades GAO

Learning from the fall of Rome

A few nights ago BC, his sister and I ate out at a local pizza restaurant. We had leftovers, and as we filled the box with our slices someone pointed out that we should take the rolls, too. We laughed as we compared ourselves with my grandma, who would not only take the rolls, but the crackers and probably the creamer as well.

My grandma grew up at a time when wasting food wasn't just irresponsible, it was not an option. I've never known that form of want, but what about the next generation, and the one after that?

Saving leftover dinner rolls might not be the height of fiscal responsibility. But re-evaluating the mindset of present-tense living with long-term forecasting is probably something I need to re-learn.

It was also one theme in a recent report by my boss , who compared America today with the decline of Rome.

According to Comptroller General David Walker, "the Roman empire lasted 1,000 years, but only about half that time as a republic. The Roman Republic fell for many reasons, but three reasons are worth remembering: declining moral values and political civility at home, an overconfident and overextended military in foreign lands, and fiscal irresponsibility by the central government. Sound familiar?"

He also said:

"In many respects, our quality of life has never been better. We're living longer, we're better educated, and we're more likely to own our own homes. But as many of you already know from your own families, we also face a range of quality-of-life concerns. These include poor public schools, gridlocked city streets, inadequate health care coverage...."

Starting next week I'll begin work for the GAO. According to Walker, my job will be in part to "take steps to ensure the American Republic is the first to stand the test of time." This means not only cutting budgets and identifying areas of government at high risk of "waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement," but addressing a long-term focus for fiscal responsibility in government spending.

It is, after all, the baby sleeping on my lap who will grow up in the America that Walker says is "in decline."

I suppose I better start with myself. Whether that means adding creamer to the box with the rolls or adopting a much more conservative family budget, I need to be thinking of Hada's children's children's lives, not just mine....

On top of my game

For those of you I've talked to recently on the phone while driving with one hand behind the seat holding the pacifier while "listening" to you and saying, "uh huh, yeah," and trying to focus on the coversation and the crying baby and the D.C. drivers on the THAT'S MY EXIT road.... I'm sorry.

Motherhood: should require a Ph.D.

-EC

Gov. Romney Interview With Jan Mickelson

As the Iowa straw poll looms tomorrow, BC and I have been discussing certain characteristics of Mitt Romney that we find interesting, and well, kind of creepy. His performance in several debates is eerily reminiscent of scenes from The Manchurian Candidate. David Brooks of the NYT said today, "I suspect the Romney campaign would do even better if it let the real Mitt Romney out to play." But according to Mitt, the "real" Romney must stay indoors, because, he says, "a candidate for president of the United States must always be 'on.'"
Does this mean that the "real" Romney has to stay "off" in order to win voters?
This video has been circulating as an example of a rare unplugged Mitt moment. The content of the exchange regards Romney's Mormonism.
Watch the clip. What do you think: When it comes to his Mormon faith, how should Mitt Romney "play?" And could it, indeed, should it have an effect on his candidacy for President?

-EC

Wrapped around whose finger?

Hadassah is officially smiling now. She's coy, though, and she makes you work for it.

Excuse me, she says. I'd like to be fed, burped, rocked, changed, swung around in circles, serenaded in an alto, read to from periodicals, strollered beneath tree shadows... okay, NOW if you pinch my cheeks one more time with that goofy high voice...

And her mouth widens into the biggest grin you've ever seen.

Energy is suddenly not an issue.

Another round, Hada!

-EC

God v. Country?

In the past, I've been frustrated with conservative critics who disparage Muslims' ability to assimilate into the United States. From their own interpretation of the Koran and the theology of Islam, these critics determine that Muslims cannot possibly be loyal Americans, because their ultimate allegiance is to Allah and Mecca (never mind that there is virtually no religious hierarchy in Mecca, or most anywhere else). Many of these conservative critics would also claim Christianity as their religion of choice, or at least a familiar American version of it.

So why am I frustrated? People who criticize Muslims for proclaiming ultimate allegiance to Allah over the State need to ask themselves a simple question: "Am I a Christian?" If the answer to that question is "yes," then at the end of the day, it is implied in the very nature of being Christian that your ultimate allegiance is to the God of the Old and New Testament, the One Triune God of Father, Son and Holy Spirit -- not to the United States.

If this sounds shocking (I can hear the shouts of "theocracy!" now), I suggest you ask yourself if you are serious about your allegiance to God (that's a hard statement, and I feel some conviction coming on). After all, any country, even the most righteous, will deviate from God's will from time to time. True, these two allegiances are most likely rarely mutually exclusive. Indeed, our goal as Christians is to bring the two into as close of alignment as possible (i.e. the will of God and the actions of America, in all of its many spheres of life).

To illustrate the point, I like to pose this plausible hypothetical: The scene is 60 years into the future. The U.S. has drifted into a thoroughly secular, anti-Christian culture. This secular, anti-Christian culture is pervasive in society, making the America of the early 21st century look like a Great Awakening. Christians are an increasingly persecuted minority -- churches must register with the federal government if they want to worship freely, and all sermons and readings must be cleared by bureaucrats in Washington. The soft persecution of the 2020s is rapidly developing into overt and state-sanctioned suppression of American Christians. Our children and grandchildren are feeling the brunt of Washington's heavy hand.

As America becomes godless, China booms with Holy Spirit-fueled fervor. The Communist Party crumbles under the weight of 1 billion Chinese Christians, whose decades of peaceful protests culminate in assuming seats in a newly elected democratic government in Beijing. China is the largest Christian nation on earth, and its economic and military power are preeminent.

Enter Taiwan, which the U.S. has for decades sworn to defend against any Chinese aggression. Taiwan, unlike the Great Dragon to the north, has gone the way of Europe and North America -- toward a godless, secular culture hostile to Christians in particular. After a few years of China attempting to exert greater control over Taiwan, the Taiwanese army decides to pick a fight, knowing it has Uncle Sam at its back. War commences between Christian China and atheist America.

Who do you want to win this war? Are you a patriot, or a Christian?

All this to introduce one of the most intriguing columns yet by anonymous Spengler:

"Christianity Finds its Fulcrum in Asia."

Read it twice.

BC

Water Buffalo and their Children

Absolutely unbelievable video here from a safari in Africa...watch for Water Buffalo, Lions and Crocodiles...yes, they're all there, and they're all fighting for a little baby water buffalo.

BC

Landed in D.C.

FYI: I officially arrived in Alexandria last Thursday afternoon, and am now headed to the airport to pick up EC, baby daughter and mom-in-law. I've spent the last day running errands, investigating the neighborhood, getting lost once or twice in Northern Virginia.

Before I sign-off: Michael Gerson, former Bush speechwriter and current fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, wrote a clever little piece in this morning's Washington Post on the differences between a conservative and libertarian political philosophy.

The clever part? He uses two MMORPGs (that's "Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games") to compare and contrast the two political persuasions. One game is Lord of the Rings Online -- the other is Second Life. Both are enormously popular, though I don't think any have as many users as World of Warcraft, which, Gerson notes, boasts 8 million (yes, that's 8,000,000) players worldwide.

A couple of selected quotes:

Libertarians hold to a theory of "spontaneous order" -- that society should be the product of uncoordinated human choices instead of human design. Well, Second Life has plenty of spontaneity, and not much genuine order. This experiment suggests that a world that is only a market is not a utopia. It more closely resembles a seedy, derelict carnival -- the triumph of amusement and distraction over meaning and purpose.

Columnists, like frontier trackers, are expected to determine cultural directions from faint scents in the wind. So maybe there is a reason that The Lord of the Rings is ultimately more interesting than Second Life. Only in a created world, filled with moral rules, social obligations and heroic quests, do our free choices seem to matter. And even fictional honor fills a need deeper than consumption.

Read it all here.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: there is a coming seismic shift in the Republican party that will pit Second Life-libertarians (who today wrongly call themselves "conservatives") against Lord of the Rings-conservatives, of which I think Gerson is one.

BC

Jeep, Don't Fail Me Now

I am rapidly driving across our great and sovereign nation, so there is little time to blog. I really enjoy seeing the country, however -- it never ceases to amaze me how geographically massive and diverse America is. Tonight I am in Morgantown, West Virginia, a mountain town/college town tucked in between beautiful rolling Appalacian hills. Tomorrow I make the final descent into the D.C. Metro (known by some affectionatly as "Gondor" or "Mordor, depending on your perspective, though certainly not "The Shire").

As I'm sitting in my hotel tonight I got a chance to listen to a thought/prayer-provoking message delivered by Pastor Steve Hickey of Church at the Gate in Sioux Falls, SoDak, titled the Days of Noah. It's worth a listen, and I'd be interested in people's thoughts.

Also worth perusing is the link on the sidebar titled "Spengler"--a pseudonymous writer for the Asia Times, who has garnered something of a cult following for his fairly uncommon insights into world affairs. The trick is that people have been trying to figure out who he actually is for about four years now. Guesses range from "Orthodox Jew living in Australia" to "American Evangelical Christian" to "German philosophy/theology professor" to "Henry Kissinger."

Check out his fictional dialogue between Russian President Vladamir Putin and President Bush on Russo-American relations.

Both hilarious and disturbing, this Spengler.

BC

Kansas Cliches, Debunked

Kansas, like its Midwestern cousin to the north, Iowa, sports a pretty bland reputation -- you know the drill: Whenever anyone wants to summarize the boring, the flat, or the prudish in America -- they reference Kansas.

Well my friends, I like Kansas. Specifically, I like Lawrence, home of the University of Kansas and lively Massachusetts Avenue (similar in character to Boulder's Pearl Street or Madison's State Street). The folks who cite Kansas as painfully mainstream or bland have probably never heard of Lawrence, where the dreadlocked and hipper-than-thou far outnumber the crewcutted and straight-laced (new words abound).

I wish I had brought a digital camera to post a few images of the prairie city of 80,000, but unfortunately (fortunately?) all our possessions have been boxed and prepared for the move to Virginia.

Before walking around the streets of downtown Lawrence a bit, I ate at the Free State Brewing Company, a bustling two-level brewpub housed in a historically-renovated building. If asked, "BC, what kind of eating/drinking establishment is your type of place?" I would probably respond, "A place like the Free State Brewing Company in Lawrence, Kansas." (Again, pictures would be useful here).

Gotta run, folks. Time to prepare for another day on the road tomorrow: Onward through America's Midwest, to Indianapolis, Indiana.

BC

On the move....

We are gearing up for a move to Alexandria, Virginia next week, where EC and I are starting new jobs this summer. I'll begin as a Legislative Correspondent in the U.S. Congress (yep, somehow got a promotion before I started) on July 9th, and EC will start as an Analyst for the Government Accountability Office's Natural Resources & Environment division on August 21st.

Hada Mae is of course oblivious to all the moving boxes in our apartment. Quote from Hadassah: "As long as there is ample supply of milk and naps in D.C., I am strongly in favor of the move. And remember to vote Brownback and/or Huckabee in '08." (oops, she's been listening too much to her dad lately).

Therefore posting will continue to be light, probably for the next couple of weeks at least -- though I am entertaining the idea of a travel blog as I drive from Denver to D.C., stopping in Lawrence, KS, Indianapolis, IN, and Morgantown, WV before landing in Alexandria. We'll see how the trip goes.

Protestant Vs. Catholic Heaven

Ok...one more...I can't resist.

After this, I promise, no more deviations from the economic development stuff.

BC

Brief Interlude: "Evangelical Catholics"

Before proceeding with the economic development series below, these two links are worth checking out, one from GetReligion, and the other from the K Street Catholic in D.C.:

"What is an evangelical Roman Catholic?"

and

"Evangelical Catholicism," from Rev. Jay Scott Newman

BC

Northern Plains Economic Development, Pt. 1

What better way to spend a late night with a restless 5 lb. baby than to write a few blog posts? Diaper changed? Check. Stomach full? Check. Burped? Check. Clean onesie? Check. Smack dab next to dad's chest? Check. Yet there is some life crisis happening, so *we* are both wide awake. Onward!

Much talk surrounds the future of the Northern Great Plains. Depending on who you are paying attention to, you may believe in either the inevitable decline and abandonment of the region, a slow bleed of America's northern interior -- or you may see an unprecedented economic, demographic and cultural renaissance on the horizon.

Given the recent biofuels boom and economic surge of cities like Fargo and Sioux Falls, most observers currently lean toward the latter. But the region is in a moment of both crisis and opportunity. Consequently, communities across the Northern Plains are vigorously planning for the distant future--something perhaps unthinkable only 15-20 years ago.

Most communities' economic development strategies today derive from two schools of thought:

1) The first is the "Creative Class" theory espoused by economist Richard Florida. Florida suggests successful cities possess "the three T's": Talent, Tolerance and Technology. "Talent" refers to young, single,"creative" professionals who thrive in the 21st century economy (everyone from graphic designers to writers, architects to university professors, software designers to folk musicians). These workers are attracted to places with a high level of outdoor amenities, third-places, music scenes and certain "Tolerant" attitudes: that is, broad acceptance and celebration of "diverse" individuals, especially those who choose alternative sexual lifestyles, whom Florida views as among the most "creative" and therefore most economically desirable. The basic thrust of Florida's idea is that cultural and recreational amenities come first -- and then a dynamic economy, as uber hip, "creative class" workers pour into your city limits.

2) A second school of economic development thought comes from Joel Kotkin, an urban policy and demographics authority with the New America Foundation. Kotkin's approach is essentially the opposite of Florida's: if you don't have quality schools, updated physical and high-tech infrastructure, low crime rates, decent home prices and economic mobility -- don't even think about spending thousands of public dollars on some annual local film festival designed to improve your city's "hipness."

That is, cultural riches follow economic success, and not the other way around. This cultural maturity will lead to even greater economic vitality, but it is not the primary driver of a city's success.

Over the next few days, I'll take a look at the following three approaches to economic development strategy on the Northern Great Plains, including: Aberdeen, South Dakota's "Creative Class" strategic plan, Kotkin's region-wide assessment of the Great Plains, and finally, a scenario planning approach proposed by Northern Great Plains, Inc, of Fargo, North Dakota:

1. "Creative Class" Strategic Plan for Aberdeen (by Florida)
2. Heartland Development Strategy (by Kotkin)
3. Meadowlark Project (Scenario Planning Approach for Policy Development)

BC

"Public Policy: Where law, business and politics meet."

DU's Institute for Public Policy Studies gets a nod today on ColoradoPols, the insider-driven blog of note in the Rocky Mountain state.

I am not yet nostalgic for the rigors and hoop-jumping of graduate school -- but hey, graduation was only a week ago, so let's give it some time. PhD, anyone? I think I just heard someone who lives in our apartment mention the word "PhD", and it wasn't me....or our 3-week old daughter.

BC

Oh Gorilla, Grant Us "Energy Independence"

As many South Dakota-based readers know, a deep-pocketed but anonymous entity has been trying to purchase large tracts of land near Elk Point in southeast SoDak for months. Clearly big development plans were afoot.

Code-named "Gorilla," the secret project had everyone from local landowners to the Wall Street Journal buzzing about what the new development might be.

Yesterday, the announcement came: Dallas-based Hyperion Resources is planning to build an "eco-friendly oil refinery," as reported here in the Argus Leader and here in the WSJ. Apparently the Elk Point site is preferred by Hyperion, but not necessarily the final choice.

From the Argus story:

"The project would refine 400,000 barrels of oil into low-sulfur gasoline and diesel fuel each day, enough to serve South Dakota, Iowa and Nebraska, said Richard Benda, state tourism and development secretary. During four years of construction, the project would create an average of 4,500 jobs, Phillips said. Once built, it would employ 1,800 full-time workers earning between $20 and $30 per hour, he said."

As the article goes on to note, this massive "energy center" could coincide with another oil-related project in the state: TransCanada, a Calgary-based energy infrastructure behemoth, has plans to place an underground oil pipeline (the Keystone Pipeline) through eastern South Dakota. From the Argus:

"A Canadian firm, TransCanada, is planning a pipeline that would move 435,000 barrels of crude oil per day under South Dakota by 2009. Trans-Canada spokesman Jeff Rauh said Wednesday that the pipeline is not related to Hyperion, and the two companies have not met.He did say TransCanada always is looking for new customers and could expand its daily volume to 590,000 barrels. Rauh said a spur line of 30 miles or so to meet Hyperion's refinery would be possible."

The pipeline and its proposed route actually would pass over some Carson farmland west of Langford, SD. Needless to say, we will be paying attention in the coming months and years.

BC

Farm Bill, 2007 Iteration

Any readers interested in tracking the progress of the 2007 U.S. Farm Bill, currently winding its way through Congress, should check out Farm Policy, a balanced, fairly comprehensive blog covering the bill's particulars.

The link can also be found in the right column under "Ag and Natural Resource Policy."

BC

Real "Energy Independence"?

Politicians (typically congressmen and women) routinely cite "Energy Independence" as a laudable national goal. What exactly this glossy slogan means is another issue altogether. Most policymakers would argue that deriving all sources of energy consumption from domestic production is virtually impossible in today's globalized economic system. Renewable energy is highly touted, but for the foreseeable future, ethanol, biodeisel, wind turbines, solar panels and the like will cover a growing, but minimal level of our national energy needs.

Enter Western North America: specifically, Colorado, Utah and northern Alberta. Colorado and Utah have as much oil as Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Venezuela, Nigeria, Kuwait, Libya, Angola, Algeria, Indonesia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates combined. Northern Alberta, similarly, holds more oil than all of the Arabian peninsula. The challenging part is mining and extracting the oil, as it not the slippery liquid kind, but the gooey, pasty or rocky variety. But the technology is evolving rapidly. Some estimates say the oil deposit in Colorado and Utah alone could supply U.S. energy needs for another century. Combined with the energy resources of our friendly neighbor to the north, a $20 per-barrel oil market could be just as likely in the coming decades as doomsday "peak oil" predictions. The geopolitical ramifications are, of course, enormous if Chevron, Shell and others pull off an inexpensive and efficient method of mining, extracting and refining the new black gold.

Remember the Middle East, and how we used to spend a great deal of time securing pipelines, production facilities and oil refineries there? Back in the good old days of the early 21st century?

BC


Hmmm...
Scroll a little further down in that linked article for the cons: "the techniques will drain water supplies, scar the landscape and require so much power the skies will be choked with smoke from coal-fed generators."
Yikes. I'm with the Western Colorado Congress on this one -- let's invest that money in research for renewable energy instead. I'm also with former Governor Lamm:"It doesn't excite me because I think they're about to indelibly change our state."
Nope. Not good. Not good at all.
EC

Huckabee on Evolution, and Creation

I'm not sure if anyone caught the third GOP presidential debate last night -- EC and I just watched it tonight on CNN.com. We're finding it very difficult not to like Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee quite a lot. Part of me thinks: this guy is too reasonable, too grounded, and too witty...to be President of the United States. Check this video on Huckabee's eloquent response to a question about evolution and the Biblical Creation account.

BC

New Monastics and the St. Benedict Option

Here's a fascinating interview (from Speaking of Faith) with Shane Claiborne, founder of the New Monasticism: Christians from a variety of backgrounds who chose to live in intentional communities, relocating to what they call "the abandoned places of Empire." Claiborne's community settled in poverty-stricken, hollowed-out North Philadelphia.

EC and I have a couple of friends moving from Colorado Springs to Minneapolis, in order to start just such an intentional community. We ourselves have been (and continue to be) tempted by this lifestyle. At the very least, the New Monastics' emphasis on simplicity and service we hope to incorporate into our own daily lives--even in extraordinarily non-simple Washington, D.C. What a challenge...

BC
p.s. New Monasticism seems in some ways to be the opposite of what Rod Dreher of the Crunchy Con calls "The St. Benedict Option"--that is, calling on Christians to intentionally leave cities and organize themselves into new rural communities.