July 4, 2007
The Vikings are on the Move: A Religious Rights Rally
As I mentioned earlier, there will be a religious rights rally today in Lafayette Square Park in our nation's capital.
With the backing of our Founding Fathers, Guest Voice to the Washington Post's On Faith column, noted author, and Steerswoman of the Troth Diana L. Paxson says:
America has always been noted for creativity, in religion as in all else. Each new faith, whether immigrant or homegrown, enriches our culture. Today, when Buddhist temples and Islamic mosques may be found in many parts of the U.S., one might wonder why the VA denied a Wiccan veteran the right to have a pentacle on his headstone for ten years, and the Army has still not hired a Pagan chaplain. Paganism does not seek to replace other religions, but Pagan perspectives can revitalize the ways in which we relate to our history, our ancestors, and especially, in this time of climate crisis, to the environment. Rather than resisting, America should welcome the Pagan contribution to our cultural diversity.
Diana Paxson will be speaking, in addition to representatives from Asatru Folk Assembly, Circle Sanctuary, The Troth, The Military Pagan Network, The ADF, Sacred Well Congregation, and the Rev. Barry Lynn of Americans United for Separation of Church and State.
Have a Happy 4th of July!
Technorati Tags: academia, book, culture, living, religion, spirit, virginia
Posted by keg at 1:26 PM
April 17, 2007
Virginia Tech: Guns and Defense
While details are still emerging from yesterday's tragic events on campus, there have been a variety of reactions in the news and articles expressed in the media.
According to Steve Pavlina, there are several common reactions to these types of events:
Interpretations and reactions to such events are heavily culture-bound. In the USA the popular media typically encourages us to react roughly as follows:* Drop into a fear-based state of consciousness. "Oh my goodness. Would you look at that!"
* Feel shock, disgust, or outrage. "Somebody ought to do something about that."
* Experience reassurance the situation is being handled. "I see cars with flashing lights and people in uniformed clothing."
* Do nothing. "Glad that's over. What's on TV next?"
And I have already seen news articles from other countries saying that these types of events only happen in America, because of America's glorification of violence.
Even yahoos in this country have started coming out of the woodwork with finger pointing:
* Dr. Phil blames video games.
* Ken Hamm blames evolution and atheism for the school shooting.
* And some, of course, are questioning Virginia's "lax" gun control laws.
Unlike the first two, the gun control argument is not a joke. There are many people who feel that if there are no guns, then we will all be safe. In fact, it is now somewhat ironic, and very unfortunate, that Virginia Tech itself recently successfully lobbied to prevent the licensed concealed-carry of firearms on public college campuses in Virginia.
Virginia Tech alumni Aaron quotes Tech University spokesman Larry Hincker on the bill's defeat:
I'm sure the university community is appreciative of the General Assembly's actions because this will help parents, students, faculty and visitors feel safe on our campus.
I wonder if Larry now realizes the tragic and foolish consequences of defeating that bill. By not allowing citizens to lawfully be able to defend themselves against killers like Cho Seung-hui, events like Virginia Tech and Columbine will only proliferate, since the killers will have the weapons and know that their victims do not. Note that these mass-killing events occur in "gun-free" zones, such as schools and universities. In fact, reports say that Cho chained shut the doors of Norris Hall at Virginia Tech so that the students and faculty could not escape. Since he knew that no one else would have a gun, and thereby fight back, he could leisurely have his way with the victims.
From an editorial after last summer's shooting at Virginia Tech, graduate student Bradford Wiles comments in an editorial "Unarmed and Vulnerable" on not being armed during such an event:
On Aug. 21 at about 9:20 a.m., my graduate-level class was evacuated from the Squires Student Center. We were interrupted in class and not informed of anything other than the following words: "You need to get out of the building."Upon exiting the classroom, we were met at the doors leading outside by two armor-clad policemen with fully automatic weapons, plus their side arms. Once outside, there were several more officers with either fully automatic rifles and pump shotguns, and policemen running down the street, pistols drawn.
It was at this time that I realized that I had no viable means of protecting myself.
Finally, here is a great episode of Penn and Teller on Gun Control. Pay particular attention to the issue of gun-free zones at about 19 minutes.
There is also a segment of the community who says that you should not have guns also because if you need help, just call the police. After all, the police are there to help you. You also hear this sort of advice from "experts" about car-jackers ("just give them your keys"), hijackers ("just sit in your seat"), and rapists ("just lie there"). In other words, don't fight back.
Forensic psychologist Helen Smith comments on this phenomenon:
Have you noticed that most of the tips you get in recent years for how to survive a violent crime involve an accompanying psychological maneuver of first trying to make you feel impotent? And instead of suggesting remedies to overcome this impotence, these survival tips usually just tell you to give the criminal what they want. But what they typically don't say is that you can get killed using that approach also.
And as we saw with 9/11, and with the students and faculty at Virginia Tech, depending on "someone else" to show up and help you does not always work.
We cannot know what would have happened if someone had tried to fight back against Cho. But we see the result when we prevent the possibility of anyone fighting back. Draconian gun control will only remove the guns from the hands of law-abiding citizens---it will not prevent the Cho's of the world from having them and using them. Moreover, as we have seen at Virginia Tech, the results of preventing citizens from defending themselves and their loved ones will only be tragic.
Technorati Tags: academia, defense, guns, security, virginia
Posted by keg at 4:15 PM
April 11, 2007
Most Dangerous and Livable States
Two interesting lists are The 2007 Most Dangerous States and The 2007 Most Livable States.
Most Dangerous U.S. State (rank = 1): Nevada
Least Dangerous U.S. State (rank = 50): North Dakota
Most Livable U.S. State (rank = 1): New Hampshire
Least Livable U.S. State (rank = 50): Mississippi
Virginia ranks # 36 on the Most Dangerous State list (well below average, where a higher ranking is worse) and # 12 on the Most Livable State list (well above average, where a higher ranking is better).
Where does your state rank?
Technorati Tags: virginia
Posted by keg at 8:14 PM
January 24, 2007
From a Sleepy Town
Lynchburg is normally a sleepy town, except for the occasional tirade, slander, or plea for money by the local evangelical imam. And so I was quite surprised to find that another Lynchburg attraction, the tiny, all-girl's Sweet Briar College sported a Writer-in-Residence program. Moreover, the current writer-in-residence, J.C. Hallman, has written a new book: The Devil Is a Gentleman: Exploring America's Religious Fringe
Technorati Tags: book, lynchburg, religion, virginia
Posted by keg at 10:33 PM
July 17, 2006
Never too Late to Say You're Sorry
This is a brief tale of two women. The first is about Grace Sherwood, who, on July 10, 1706, became the first person to be tried by ducking in the state of Virginia for witchcraft. She was also pardoned by governor Tim Kaine on July 10, 2006. The second is about Belinda Nash, a volunteer at the historic Ferry Plantation House in Virginia Beach, VA, who fought to have the Governor clear Grace Sherwood's name.
Perhaps it seemed like a good idea at the time. To be tried by ducking means you have your thumbs tied to your toes, you have a 13 pound Bible tied to your neck, and then you are tossed overboard into a large body of water. If you float, then that means you are a witch, since the pure water has cast out the evil spirits inside, making you rise to the surface. If you stay at the bottom of the river or lake, then you must have been innocent -- drowned, but innocent.
When Grace Sherwood, age 46, was accused of being a witch in Pungo, Virginia, she was tried by ducking (bound, weighted, and thrown into the Lynnhaven River), but floated to the surface, meaning she was guilty of being a witch. The "Witch of Pungo" served more than seven years in jail for witchcraft, and then lived until age 80.
Belinda Nash researched Grace Sherwood for many years, and felt strongly that her conviction should be pardoned. And so she campaigned and lobbied the governor until the pardoning ceremony, held last Monday where a re-enactment took place in front of the Ferry Plantation House.
From an article in the Washington Post:
"With 300 years of hindsight, we all certainly can agree that trial by water is an injustice," Kaine wrote. "We also can celebrate the fact that a woman's equality is constitutionally protected today, and women have the freedom to pursue their hopes and dreams."
There is a donation form to support the Lynnhaven Parish in making a statue in honor of the Witch of Pungo. The statue is to be placed on the grounds of the Old Donation Episcopal Church, 4449 N. Witchduck Road, Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Posted by keg at 10:57 PM | Comments (2)
July 16, 2006
Tractor Supply and Green Acres
I have noted with pleasure that several new Tractor Supply stores have opened up locally. While Home Depot and those sorts of stores have useful items for, say, painting, or installing a new sink, there are many things that have been hard to find for folks who live out in the country or have a farm. That there are more Tractor Supply stores indicates that people are 'rediscovering' the fact that there is more to life than life in the city.
An article in the Washington Post talks about this rush to Green Acres:
Tractor Supply's stock is worth 29 times what it was a little more than five years ago, and the chain has grown to about 640 stores. It racked up $2.1 billion in sales last year and $86 million in profits. Around Washington, Tractor Supply runs seven stores on the fringes -- in counties such as Charles and Carroll in Maryland, Loudoun and Fauquier in Virginia. Inside are stacks of a free magazine called Out Here. Recent articles ranged from "Sandblasting Made Easy" to how to start a book club.
I noted that the article mentions Icelandic sheep. When I was in Iceland, I really admired the wool from those sheep - much higher quality than what you can find elsewhere. I'll have to check on acquiring some of those. But in the meantime, I'm off to Tractor Supply for some new overalls...
Posted by keg at 5:34 PM
July 6, 2006
Skyline Caverns - Captive Audience
One of the reasons I love Virginia so much is that this state has beautiful mountains, rivers, beaches, rolling hills, forests, four seasons, and even caverns. Truly a state with something for everyone.
So I was astounded to hear reports of weird religious indoctrination at one of this state's geological sites - Skyline Caverns.
The report is that if you take the guided tour of the caverns, in addition to the stalagmites and stalactites, once you have reached some 200 feet down under the surface, the guide plays a recorded evangelical message. Talk about captive audience!
I am all for people being fond of their own set of beliefs, but when you take a geological tour, the last thing I would expect is to hear broadcasts from Jerry Falwell, the Dali Lama, or the Raelians. It would be perfectly fine if, when buying your ticket, you got to choose the Jerry Falwell Tour, the Dali Lama Tour, or the Raelians Tour (instead, I'd ask for the Beatles Tour). But from these other reports, it seems they try to hoodwink you.
As one of the reviewers said, you should probably save your money instead for Luray Caverns.
Posted by keg at 7:45 PM
July 4, 2006
Happy 4th of July, America!
Today we celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence, a truly amazing document that has yet to be matched in terms of providing for freedom and equality under the law.
We could, however, make use of a few more Jeffersons around to help out these days...
Posted by keg at 10:19 PM
