tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-110186592011-04-21T19:03:54.013-04:00Christian Liberal is not an oxymoronXpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.comBlogger3091100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1142332468935590902006-03-14T05:31:00.000-05:002006-03-15T10:24:03.026-05:00

Well, I've had it up my sleeve for a while now and I can no longer keep a secret. I now officially join the "Big Boys Club" with my own independent website. No more waiting for Blogger to get the stuff in a sock! Yay!Take a look at http://www.xpatriatedtexan.com !I'll continue to use this place for archival purposes. Thanks to everyone who has stopped by along the way.

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1142259910702397702006-03-13T09:25:00.000-05:002006-03-13T09:25:10.753-05:00

Regardless of political or religious affiliation, the news that programs funded through President Bush's faith-based initiatives office should be celebrated. The success of such projects shows that they are badly needed and that America truly does have the compassion to reach out to those within our society that are suffering or in need. It shows that we have not left "the least among us"

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1141932090710270252006-03-09T14:21:00.000-05:002006-03-09T14:21:30.826-05:00

The Reverend Billy Graham once said, "Heaven is full of answers to prayers for which no one bothered to ask."Thanks for that, Billy. I'm sure it's real comforting for people to know that things will be better when they die. Honestly, that's only a half-snarky comment. After all, the promise of salvation is no rubber chicken consolation prize. But we don't live in heaven, and we are charged

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1141828235820855912006-03-08T09:30:00.000-05:002006-03-08T09:30:35.930-05:00

Regular readers (both of you) will have noticed a steep drop in the number of postings here. While no one has written and asked why, I've taken it upon myself to explain. Mostly to assuage my sense of guilt over being a slacker, but also to promote some other things I'm doing that prove I'm not really a slacker.Gee, I've been studying politics too long.First, as you've probably noticed, I've

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1141693134656582012006-03-06T19:57:00.000-05:002006-03-06T19:58:54.686-05:00

Our very own Velveteen Rabbi is hosting the Progressive Faith Blog Carnival.

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1141344622429898222006-03-02T19:10:00.000-05:002006-03-02T19:10:22.526-05:00

In military terms, nothing conveys the total helplessness of a situation as the term "over-run". According to my rememberance, it's the term used by a commander to indicate that gunnery should triangulate on his radio signal and direct their fire at it. The idea is to create a pyrric victory. Once the enemy has broken through your defenses and you can't tell friend from foe even two feet away,

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1141271775047531402006-03-01T22:56:00.000-05:002006-03-01T22:56:15.130-05:00

Nothing like last minute changes to make a man's hair turn gray, fall out, or both.Due to life happening all over the place, our new Carnival host for Sunday (more or less) is Roving Ellipsis. As always, you can submit links and anything of interest to our email - ProgFaithCarnival-at-yahoo-dot-com.I just discovered that a few posts that had been submitted in previous weeks had been picked up by

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1141151321551976412006-02-28T13:28:00.000-05:002006-02-28T13:28:41.670-05:00

Although I hate to do it, I'll start by directing your attention to an op-ed written by Michael Medved. Medved claims that the non-furor of Conservative Christians over Brokeback Mountainshow that they have matured since the release of The Last Temptation of Christ was released. Temptation was greeted with street protest and loud calls for boycot. Medved claims that Conservative Christians

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1141140440951002062006-02-28T10:27:00.000-05:002006-02-28T10:27:21.073-05:00

We can now announce that we have a venue in which to hold the Progressive Faith Bloggers Conference - hopefully the first annual event.We'll be throwing open the curtain at the Montclair State University Conference Center Friday, July 14 through Sunday, July 16. The entire event (without catering or housing) will cost $630. So far, about 40 people have indicated their interest in the event. I

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1141079990546092052006-02-27T17:39:00.000-05:002006-02-27T17:39:50.603-05:00

A belated notice that the Progressive Faith Carnival went up yesterday at Pearlbear's Blog.Next week will be hosted at Feminary. Don't forget to send in your links!

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1140792637470960652006-02-24T09:50:00.000-05:002006-02-24T09:50:37.750-05:00

The greatest goal of mankind, the highest common denominator of civilization, is the thirst for greater justice.The call for justice is recognized as one of the building blocks of civilization. To extend justice, people codify laws and empower governments to enforce those laws. The Law of Moses, Hammurabi's Code, Confucius' Antalects, India's Law of Manu - all of the great ancient civilizations

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1140727443270710382006-02-23T15:44:00.000-05:002006-02-23T15:44:03.386-05:00

If you don't live in New Jersey's Nineth District, you've probably never heard of Steve Rothman (unless you happen to watch the Colbert Report on Comedy Central). In a world of flashy politicians, each scrabbling as hard as they can to build a cult of personality around them, he's always struck me as different. When he talks to his constituents, he's calm and thoughtful and almost shy at times

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1140570362813713922006-02-21T20:06:00.000-05:002006-02-21T20:06:02.910-05:00

Get ready for this week's Progressive Faith Carnival!This week's carnival is hosted by Pearlbear. Submit your links to ProgFaithCarnival - at - yahoo.com.We also need volunteers to host the Carnival for upcoming weeks.

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1140537919062100082006-02-21T11:05:00.000-05:002006-02-21T11:05:19.146-05:00

There is no human emotion that is more understood, more likely to evoke sympathetic response, than simple human pain. Show someone a film of physical pain being inflicted and they will flinch. Show them a film of emotional pain being inflicted and they will clench their fists in anger, clamp their jaw, and even shed tears. It may be a stronger reaction if the person in the film is known to the

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1140010616820720792006-02-15T08:33:00.000-05:002006-02-15T08:36:56.846-05:00

This week's Carnival will be hosted by Virushead. Be sure to get your submission in.

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1139948812444007092006-02-14T15:26:00.000-05:002006-02-14T15:26:52.526-05:00

Ever hear of Heather Wilson? Chances are, you haven't. New Mexico's First Congressional District isn't widely known for creating controversy. That may be changing.A review of her record will tend to blow apart the idea that she is not a "real Republican". She tends to not be independent, but generally conservative and she doesn't generally buck the party too hard. She is, as well, a

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1139858407381976732006-02-13T14:20:00.000-05:002006-02-13T14:20:07.460-05:00

In case you didn't hear, Jersey got a ton of snow. Fortunately, temperatures are rising and it should melt away fairly soon. Fine by me. I'm not crazy about snow the first day, and nothing on earth looks as bedraggled as three-day old snow piled at the foot of a slush puddle.Fortunately, I don't have to worry too much about heating bills. We have nice new double-paned windows that are doing a

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1139783262658559322006-02-12T17:27:00.000-05:002006-02-12T17:27:42.716-05:00

Baraka at Truth and Beauty sets up the Carni this week. Take a break and consider the implications for a bit.

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1139597901486169982006-02-10T13:58:00.000-05:002006-02-10T13:58:21.570-05:00

I saw this tidbit in the news today: The Air Force released new guidelines for religious expression Thursday that no longer caution top officers about promoting their personal religious views.The revisions were welcomed by conservative Christians, who said the previous rules was too strict and lobbied the White House to change them.I've served in the military (though not in the Air Force). I

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1139332405913734232006-02-07T12:13:00.000-05:002006-02-07T12:18:43.566-05:00

I've been thinking some lately about goals. One of the images I carry from my childhood is of a poster in some classroom that showed a bullseye target with several arrows hitting the ground in front of it. The caption read, "If you aim at nothing; you're bound to hit it." There's nothing earthshaking in that statement, but it's a nice visual - and sometimes visual aids make all the

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1139255492850409842006-02-06T14:51:00.000-05:002006-02-06T14:51:32.953-05:00

If you want to know what a man believes, watch him, and ignore everything that comes out of his mouth that doesn't agree with his actions. It's awfully hard to argue for a "Christian nation" when you start from that perspective.I'm not alone in this observation.:"Up to now, the application of religious principles in political debate has been mainly applied to social mores, such as abortion

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1138992995439219222006-02-03T13:56:00.000-05:002006-02-03T13:56:35.530-05:00

I incorrectly linked and quoted the wrong State of the Union address this week. Thanks to Enlighten-NJ for pointing this out. I have no excuse for it, other than to say I'm human and it was a dumb mistake and I accept responsibility for it. My apoligies to everyone.Here is a link to correct that mistake. The paragraph I quoted should have been this one:Our economy is healthy and vigorous and

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1138824183123946042006-02-01T15:03:00.000-05:002006-02-03T14:04:35.223-05:00

NOTE: This post contains an error. Rather than erasing it as if it never happened, I attempt to make amends by reviewing the correct text.I have to admit that I didn't give the President my full attention last night. However, I did review the test of his State of the Union speech, and I found a lot of platitudes and not a few misleading statements. For example:America's economy is the fastest

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1138731349481491622006-01-31T13:15:00.000-05:002006-01-31T13:15:49.566-05:00

*Note of explanation - This is cross-posted from Blue Texas. Carole Keetan Strayhorn is a former Democrat who jumped to the Republican Party to run for Texas State Comptroller. She is now running as an "independent" for the Governorship of Texas. She began her "independent" bid by stating "I am a Republican." My personal feeling is that her connections to the Republican Party preclude any true

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1138723226430142292006-01-31T11:00:00.000-05:002006-01-31T11:00:49.826-05:00

The Progressive Faith Carnival will set up shop at CrossLeft this week. Note the fancy new address to which submissions should be sent:progfaithcarnival - at - yahoo.com. Get them in by Saturday for inclusion.Also, the Carnival of NJ Bloggers is moving to Philomathean. NJ bloggers should submit to: EnlightenNJ - at - gmail.com.

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1138675338974320122006-01-30T21:42:00.000-05:002006-01-30T21:53:34.956-05:00

The Houston Chronicle is amazed that Carole Many Names has started reading their back issues.When Texas Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn issued a report last week criticizing the Texas Residential Construction Commission as a shield for politically-connected homebuilders, she could have been reading from a column the Chronicle's Clay Robison wrote last March.Yeah, well, I'm sure it's been

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1138554533708323302006-01-29T12:08:00.000-05:002006-01-29T12:19:02.116-05:00

The ProgFaithCarnival is up at Think Buddha. Tickets are free, so ride all the rides twice!What a bargain! The Carnival of Jersey Bloggers is also in town! Woohoo! Ride 'em 'til you're sick! Thanks to Smadanek for setting up the shop.

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1138468425840723062006-01-28T12:13:00.000-05:002006-01-28T18:12:24.916-05:00

Ann Coulter has gone too far. "We need somebody to put rat poisoning in Justice Stevens' creme brulee," Coulter said. "That's just a joke, for you in the media."No. It isn't a joke. It's a threat against a Supreme Court Justice that, because he doesn't toe her ideological line, she can openly call for his assassination. According to federal law:Whoever threatens to assault, kidnap, or murder,

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1138390267863728952006-01-27T14:31:00.000-05:002006-01-27T14:31:07.936-05:00

Well, now that sounds like a happy topic!First, to correctly give credit where it is due, the original thought behind this post lies with Socialist Butterfly's DailyKos Diary and with my post today at Blue Texas (also cross-posted to my DailyKos Diary). At times, things just come together where they openly dispell the lies that have been laid at your feet for years.The lie, of course, is that by

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1138290847589074862006-01-26T10:54:00.000-05:002006-01-26T10:54:07.900-05:00

As a Texan in New Jersey, I've often been struck by some of the similarities between the two states. I wish I never found out about this one.Guilty plea: I sent more than 20 women into Hudson club slavery Saturday, January 21, 2006By MICHAELANGELO CONTEJOURNAL STAFF WRITERA woman from Texas admitted in court yesterday she helped smuggle young women and girls from Honduras into this country, then

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1138217591019484302006-01-25T14:33:00.000-05:002006-01-25T20:52:16.860-05:00

This blog is one of about a hundred or so that is being considered for the Koufax award for "Most Deserving of Wider Recognition". Stop in and vote for me! I'll really appreciate it, but so would those other folks listed. I suppose I should tell you to look around and vote for whoever you think deserves it.So, you know, look around and vote for whoever you think deserves it.

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1138111490101841712006-01-24T09:04:00.000-05:002006-01-24T09:04:50.200-05:00

As we get ready for the President's annual State of the Union address, it's important to remember that Governors are also reporting on their accomplishments, or lack thereof. Here's a few snatches of conversation from various states:Governor Jim Doyle of Wisconsin:Three years ago, I stood in this building and put my hand on the Bible. I took an oath to lead this state during a time of challenge:

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1138106959225227132006-01-24T07:49:00.000-05:002006-01-24T08:02:47.920-05:00

The next edition of the Progressive Faith Carnival will be hosted by Think Buddha, so don't forget to submit your links.The next edition of the Carnival of NJ Bloggers will be hosted by Smadanek - so, don't fuhgeddaboudit.

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1138048711085426112006-01-23T15:38:00.000-05:002006-01-23T15:38:31.136-05:00

I've spent most of the last week reviewing Constitutional Law for my comprehensive exam in American Politics. Oddly enough, during this last week, I also had a commenter on Tammany on the Hudson who was crowing about the Conservative members of the Supreme Court being the only ones who are willing to defend property rights, and gave the Kelo case as an example. Rah! Rah! Sis, boom, bah!One of

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1138039319180207292006-01-23T13:01:00.000-05:002006-01-23T13:01:59.216-05:00

Stop by and check it out!

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1137954906186409782006-01-22T13:32:00.000-05:002006-01-22T13:36:56.460-05:00

Check out this week's Carnival of NJ Bloggers. If you blog about or in NJ, sign up now.Thanks to The Center of NJ Life for hosting.

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1137771067886256192006-01-20T10:31:00.000-05:002006-01-20T10:31:07.983-05:00

Most of us that work participate in some type of benefits program. Generally, that includes retirement benefits, health insurance, life insurance, and the like. But, whose benefits are they? Yours? Or the organization for which you work? How about the American dream? To whom does it belong? Does the process of working hard to get ahead, enjoying the benefits of your efforts, and leaving

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1137692244500361682006-01-19T12:31:00.000-05:002006-01-20T10:54:11.373-05:00

Your results:You are Iron ManIron Man 80%Spider-Man 75%Hulk 70%Catwoman 65%Green Lantern 60%Superman 60%Robin 52%The Flash 45%Wonder Woman 43%Supergirl 43%Batman 35%Inventor. Businessman. Genius.Click here to take the Superhero Personality QuizHmmmm, I always did think Iron Man was cool - especially with all the nifty gadgets. I have NO idea how Catwoman (who is technically a villain) ended up in

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1137686740942844232006-01-19T11:05:00.000-05:002006-01-19T11:05:41.030-05:00

Almost everyone I hearing talking about politics agrees that it is somehow meaner, nastier, and generally tougher than it used to be. Generally, I tend to dismiss such observations. Very few people actually know how politics works today - much less how it worked years ago. Comparing campaigns doesn't seem very valuable, either - after all, how much can you learn from comparing the campaigns of

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1137511801858581292006-01-17T10:30:00.000-05:002006-01-17T10:30:01.943-05:00

In all things, there is a balance. Apparently, New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin is attempting to be the balance for the vocal Right. CNN reports:In his speech, Nagin also said "God is mad at America," in part because he does not approve "of us being in Iraq under false pretenses.""He is sending hurricane after hurricane after hurricane, and it is destroying and putting stress on this country," Nagin

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1137469833250942522006-01-16T22:50:00.000-05:002006-01-16T22:50:33.313-05:00

Okay, by now you've heard that Pat Robertson said some incredibly stupid things about Prime Minister Sharon. In case you don't keep up with it, The Pat has now apologized.Fine. He should. However...The Pat's spokeswoman (apparently, women can't teach men, but they can allow men to hide behind them) said, point blank:"This is what the word of God says," Watts told the AP. "This is nothing new

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1137295947963017282006-01-16T13:32:00.000-05:002006-01-16T13:49:02.606-05:00

Despite the rhetoric to the contrary, Samuel Alito's nomination to the Supreme Court of the United States is all but assured. Much will be said about his supposed belief in the doctrine of "original meaning". In general, liberals have consistently opposed this doctrine as being inherently in opposition to their concept of the Constitution as a "living document". This is based, largely, on the

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1137354822104761682006-01-15T14:53:00.000-05:002006-01-16T20:10:37.866-05:00

If you got up really, really, really early; then you could have heard AirAmerica Radio's first nod toward the religious left. It's too early to tell what "State of Belief" will turn into - but the timeslot won't help. Oh, well, at least they have a blog - so maybe we can get them to join the Carnival.Tikun Olam is looking at the Abramoff scandal and its implications among the Jewish community.

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1137168844087257672006-01-13T11:14:00.000-05:002006-01-13T11:14:04.163-05:00

As I mentioned yesterday, Jon Corzine has publically stated that ethics is job one. As a resident of Hudson County, I can only say that it's way past due.The problem is that ethical problems like Hudson County (and, to be honest, every other county in New Jersey) faces are not the result of a few bad apples being in position to enrich themselves. The problem is that a system has developed that

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1137080237689077872006-01-12T10:37:00.000-05:002006-01-12T10:37:17.773-05:00

One of Jon Corzine's strongest campaign planks was his stance on reforming ethics in New Jersey. His appointment of Congressman Bob Menendez as his replacement proved a disappointment for many, including myself, on this matter (although I will stress that there is no hard evidence known to the public that Mr. Menendez has ever been unethical - there is a mountain of circumstantial evidence,

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1136992601994143612006-01-11T10:16:00.000-05:002006-01-11T10:16:42.076-05:00

The odd thing about blogging - or, more specifically, looking for blogs - is that you can miss some really good stuff that's right in front of you.Thanks to Kety for pointing out this missed gem - and it isn't just because I took up the same subject/object.I also found a very thoughtful blog dealing with the academia of Christianity. Also the amusingly named VirusheadFrom north of the border

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1136909842913714112006-01-10T11:17:00.000-05:002006-01-10T11:17:23.000-05:00

The Washington Post reports today that China is selling dollars. How much of our money belongs to China? About $800 billion. Big fat hairy deal. What does that have to do with us?In recent years, the value of the dollar has been buoyed by major purchases of U.S. Treasury bills by Japan, China and oil-exporting countries -- a flow of capital that has kept interests rates relatively low in the

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1136835238890116742006-01-09T14:33:00.000-05:002006-01-09T14:33:58.956-05:00

For those of you who haven't been following the Texas gubernatorial gymnastics competition prelimaries, hold onto your hats. This is starting to look like FUN!First, you have the incumbent - Rick Perry. Perry doesn't exactly have a pack of rabid fans waiting to carry him to victory. What he does have is a lock on the rabid Christian right in Texas. Of course, it's just a shell he wears so he

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1136768292846427802006-01-08T19:58:00.000-05:002006-01-08T19:58:12.943-05:00

Feminary has an eye on The Book of Daniel. CrossLeft does the same. So does Father Jake. The Corner joins the chorus.Let's not forget the other controversy of visual art.Via Negativa looks down a well and sees a book, a baby, and a physicist. What do you see?The Christian Alliance for Progress chips away at the wall of separation between church and science (see how that physicist thing works

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1136653840525789362006-01-07T12:04:00.000-05:002006-01-07T12:10:40.530-05:00

I don't usually blog on the weekends, but this caught my eye and I couldn't help myself. An unopposed lie, oft repeated, becomes accepted as the truth. So consider this my part in holding the public arena to a bit of truth.I really try not to pay much attention to Ann Coulter. She represents a huge problem with American media and the Republican Party in that she is apparently willing to accept

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1136557529274599702006-01-06T09:25:00.000-05:002006-01-06T09:25:29.330-05:00

If you haven't heard the news, Ariel Sharon is, most likely, about to die. Pat Robertson took the opportunity to rachet up the wing-nut rhetoric by claiming that Sharon's cardio-vascular problems were the sudden manifestation of God's wrath. Rather than be anywhere close to repentant, Robertson's spokeswoman says:According to The Associated Press, Robertson spokeswoman Angell Watts said of

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1136478919730246452006-01-05T11:35:00.000-05:002006-01-05T11:35:19.786-05:00

Earlier this week, that bastion of the liberal press, the New York Times published an op-ed by Joseph LaConte entitled "Nearer, My God, to the GOP". It's unlikely that anyone on the right will take notice of such an article, but it gives a very good indication of what the right wing thinks of the gathering Religious Left.If Democrats give religious progressives a stronger voice, they'll only

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1136388011934394472006-01-04T10:20:00.000-05:002006-01-04T10:20:12.013-05:00

Yesterday, I examined one of the roots of modern conservatism, claiming that personal liberty and self-determination have to be balanced against the inherent inequalities of modern life. Obviously, I'm not the first to make such a statement. But if we are going to look at historical conservatism, then why not look to historical liberalism to answer?Thorstein Veblen was a Norwegian-American

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1136325996195766612006-01-03T17:06:00.000-05:002006-01-03T17:06:36.336-05:00

In 1833, a Yale professor named William Graham Sumner wrote a book entitled What Social Classes Owe To Each Other. His writing would, several decades later, become part of the basis for several different veins of conservatism in America. I could try and give you a summary, but Sumner was very capable of saying what he meant:Society, therefore, does not need any care or supervision. If we can

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1136222693367285852006-01-02T12:24:00.000-05:002006-01-02T18:08:50.546-05:00

I remember when it happened. I turned to my wife and said, "He just lost." To John Kerry's credit, he kept it close. But his insistence that he personally thought abortion was wrong, but that he would defend its legality struck almost everyone as disingenuous. It contributed to his image as a waffler, adrift with no anchor or rudder. After all, if you can say you believe something is murder

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1135997630840565472005-12-31T07:50:00.000-05:002005-12-30T21:53:50.866-05:00

I truly appreciate everyone who has stopped by since I started this blog in February. At times, I've been amazed at how many people come by. At other times, I've been frustrated that there weren't more. I hope that the new year brings much happiness and wonder in your lives. All indications here are that, after many long years of preparation, things are ready to start moving. You will be a

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1135969727673280482005-12-30T14:08:00.000-05:002005-12-30T14:08:47.746-05:00

Micah Sifry often says that first thing to remember about writing for the public is that the public will always know more than you do. Even in areas where you think you know something, this remains true. Yesterday, I cross-posted Hoax or Lie over at Daily Kos and was pleased, and very surprised (and equally gratified), to see my post rank tops in the "Recommended Diary" list. This brought

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1135870659237903352005-12-29T10:37:00.000-05:002005-12-29T10:37:39.300-05:00

One of the reasons I began to study politics was that I know some things that the general public doesn't. I don't mean I've witnessed any sort of secret discussions on government conspiracies or anything. I simply mean that I am a graduate of the US Navy's Nuclear Power School and that I have knowledge that people who haven't been in that sort of program do not have. I'm sure everyone who

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1135781931812508372005-12-28T09:58:00.000-05:002005-12-28T09:58:51.863-05:00

From Blue Jersey, I pass along this simple meme:Four jobs you've had in your life: Navy Enlisted Electrician's Mate, Addictions Counselor, Youth Counselor, Adjunct Lecturer of Political ScienceFour movies you could watch over and over: Shrek, Shrek 2, Happy Texas, Harold and MaudeFour places you've lived: Texas, New Mexico, Florida, New JerseyFour TV shows you love to watch: West Wing, Grey's

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1135715098407841532005-12-27T15:24:00.000-05:002005-12-27T15:24:58.416-05:00

A budget is a moral document. It's so self-evident that it seems both enlightening and obvious to say it. Well, duh! It forces you to set priorities. It tells you what you can do, and what you'd like to, but can't.Yeah, but it's more than priorities. It tells you what you think is right and wrong. You value a roof over your head more than a case of beer in your fridge.Our budget is a

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1135644838345598862005-12-26T19:53:00.000-05:002005-12-26T19:53:58.386-05:00

The news is that George Bush wants to start 2006 with a victory - namely: Bush will be after the Senate to confirm Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court in January.Well, if Bush wants a victory, perhaps he should pick a better nominee.Alito's ethics are questionable. So is his insistence that wiretaps don't need judicial oversight. There is simply no place in American politics for someone who

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1135266125919644742005-12-22T10:42:00.000-05:002005-12-22T10:42:05.966-05:00

The Baltimore Sun reports that faith on the internet (registration required) is growing strong. Apparently, the emphasis lies in the concept of pluralism - with organizations who maintain a broad focus and an expansive concept of faith receiving broad support. If you understand that people approach faith from many directions and for many reasons, then you begin to understand why a broad

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1135182482146367012005-12-21T11:28:00.000-05:002005-12-22T13:56:51.113-05:00

The Star-Ledger is joining a growing chorus of people calling for the reigning in of executive power in the Bush Administration. There's good reason.Spying on Americans' phone calls. Shipping foreigners to secret overseas prison camps where torture may be routine. FBI surveillance of environmental and anti-poverty organizations. Keeping a Pentagon database on the activities of peaceful antiwar

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1135108909084082822005-12-20T15:01:00.000-05:002005-12-20T15:01:49.146-05:00

My brother likes to say, "Figures don't lie, but liars do figure." I usually tell my students, "Numbers don't lie - but they generally don't tell the whole story, either." This falls into line with the famous quote, "There are lies, damned lies, and statistics."So everyone is going to try and spin the soon-to-be-released statistics on pregnancy and abortion. There is much to celebrate - such

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1135004838503695782005-12-19T10:07:00.000-05:002005-12-19T10:09:51.293-05:00

"And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."This is how St. Luke describes the reaction of the angels to the birth of Jesus. No Christmas trees, no six-foot plastic bubbles with blowing snow inside, no Santa Claus, no reindeer, and nary a sleigh in site. Peace. Good will

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1134758296355866402005-12-16T13:38:00.000-05:002005-12-16T13:38:16.406-05:00

I am, admittedly, a political junkie. Several times a month, my wife has to tell me, "You're getting too involved. Don't forget you have a family." I need that kind of reminder, once in a while. One of the things that my political junkie-ness has pushed me to do is to become a member in the American Political Consultants Association. A perk to this was a subscription to "The Hill" - which is

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1134574967311931592005-12-14T10:42:00.000-05:002005-12-14T10:44:47.130-05:00

Perhaps no word has been as overused, and under-understood, in the last three years than the word "Progressive". It is often used synonymously with the word "Liberal" - but is that the proper usage?For those of us who move between the worlds of politics and faith (and sometimes inhabit both simultaneously), it is necessary to have an understanding of what the two words mean. After all, how can

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1134517086124923582005-12-13T18:38:00.000-05:002005-12-13T18:38:06.163-05:00

As planning for the ProgFaithBlogCon continues, it provides me with innumerable opportunties for self-examination. Why am I doing this? What do I hope to accomplish? Is there any need for bloggers - who do all of their work behind computer screens - to meet physically? After all, Rachel, Nacho, Andrew, Chris, and I (along with all the other wonderful advisors who have helped out, both

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1134399695120854562005-12-12T10:01:00.000-05:002005-12-12T10:01:35.173-05:00

Have you said "Happy Holidays!" to anyone this year? If so, you could be the anti-Christ. In an effort to stave off the rapture for at least two more weeks, the Committee to Save Christmas is desperately trying to get merchants to use "Merry Christmas" rather than the more inclusive "Happy Holidays".It would be hilarious if it weren't so serious. But it would seem that some are a bit confused

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1134166872669114182005-12-09T17:21:00.000-05:002005-12-09T22:42:29.110-05:00

At the age of 23, Truman Capote burst onto the literary scene with his first novel Other Voices, Other Rooms. The novel was not intentionally autobiographical, but Capote stated that writing the coming-of-age story of a young man-to-be among carnies, emotionally distant relatives, and closeted homosexuals helped him exorcise some person demons and its success gave him a clear purpose in his

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1134001601629406852005-12-07T19:26:00.000-05:002005-12-09T22:42:14.550-05:00

Martin Luther, when facing down the entire Catholic Church, reportedly came to the conclusion, "Either the Church is right, and I will spend eternity in damnation, or I am right, and the entire Church is wrong." By nailing his theses on the door of his church, he dramatically declared his opposition to a Church that had turned away from its eternal call and become entangled in secular power

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1133897876383945472005-12-06T14:37:00.000-05:002005-12-09T22:40:16.820-05:00

When you think of a public voice for people of faith, who's the first person that comes to mind?Is it a blogger? Is it a Jewish celebrant? Could it possibly be someone who abstains from public declarations of faith? There are tons of bloggers out there who are adding their voices to an ongoing effort to provide much-needed balance for the Religious Right.People like:Real Live PreacherThe

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1133799510736924542005-12-05T11:18:00.000-05:002005-12-09T22:39:59.946-05:00

In my religious tradition, we talk of the Lord "putting a burden on your heart". It is difficult to explain to someone who does not share this tradition exactly what the phrase means. It is something like "finding a purpose" in your life, but not exactly. To say I have found a purpose puts the responsibility for doing so with me. I have found my purpose. Therefore I am responsible for

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1133542116892782602005-12-02T11:48:00.000-05:002005-12-02T14:26:35.653-05:00

The United States has now executed 1,000 people since 1977, when the death penalty was "re-instated". Kenneth Lee Boyd didn't want to be remembered this way. I think that is probably understandable, but is it quantitatively better than being remembered for killing your wife and father-in-law?Despite the intracacies of the human mind, this is an occassion for some solid thinking on the issue of

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1133478542307589642005-12-01T18:09:00.000-05:002005-12-01T18:09:02.376-05:00

A bit of music theory:Many voices singing the same notes is called "unison" - that's what you get when the Republicans regurgitate their talking points ad naseum.Many voices singing notes that blend into a harmonious goal are a chorus - that's what you get when a Progressive politician has a blogger watching his every move. Don't take my word, listen to the individual parts of the chorus and

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1133361083475433012005-11-30T09:31:00.000-05:002005-11-30T09:31:23.523-05:00

Yesterday I performed what has become a rather routine activity. I went to my bank, put my paycheck in an envelope, and stuck it in the ATM deposit slot. Man, technology is incredible! I remember as a child sitting in an incredibly long line at the drive-in bank while the adults in my life waited for upwards of an hour to deposit their paycheck. Now that I think about it, they would praise

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1133295302396534792005-11-29T15:15:00.000-05:002005-11-29T19:54:17.953-05:00

As I write this, our country has only recently conducted 999th execution since the death penalty was re-instated in 1977. What could be its 1,000th execution is already scheduled before the end of the week. It is a milestone that should be greeted, in my opinion, with profound sorrow and a spirit of repentance.First, it represents the death of at least a thousand innocents even prior to the

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1132719037142739742005-11-22T23:10:00.000-05:002005-11-23T09:59:58.180-05:00

In case you've missed it, Christians are being persecuted. Oh yeah, I'm serious. Persecuted.At least, that's what Jerry Falwell would have us believe.This follows close on the heels of several public voices of the Republican Party announcing that they are highly offended simply by the greeting of "Happy Holidays", rather than "Merry Christmas".I might take this a bit more seriously as a

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1132591019996612692005-11-21T11:36:00.000-05:002005-11-21T11:37:00.053-05:00

In the last few months, two articles have been published in rather respected publications that call into question whether anyone seeking a career in academia would be well-advised to publish a blog. One was Bloggers Need Not Apply and the other was called Attack of the Career-Killing Blogs. From their titles, it shouldn't be too difficult to figure out on which side the authors were.This has

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1132445773718618482005-11-20T19:16:00.000-05:002005-11-20T10:33:52.356-05:00

I teach my students that there are two ways for a political party to deal with an ideological threat. One is to co-opt their ideas and claim them as your own. The other is to make them seem so far out of the mainstream that only a total nutcase would support them - a process called marginalization. Later in this post, I'll explain why it's important to know that.As near as I can tell, this is

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1132455307438336762005-11-19T21:55:00.000-05:002005-11-19T21:55:07.456-05:00

Ridin' Herd is back! Now you can contribute your own favorite gems from the blogosphere to build a better blog.

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1132419216678547232005-11-19T11:53:00.000-05:002005-11-19T11:53:36.750-05:00

I've come to grips with the reality that there are some aspects of my childhood that will simply not be repeated for future generations. Things like: watching a black-and-white TV with a set of rabbit-ears and having the incredible choice of three channels, watching the McDonald's being built and counting the days until Ronald McDonald would whip out his huge scissors and the first Big Mac in

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1132337205495186432005-11-18T13:06:00.000-05:002005-11-18T13:06:45.633-05:00

I've written several times before that I think pretty much everyone is wrong on Iraq. The President wants to press on, Democrats want out now, and everyone is trying to decide if they should have thought differently several years ago.Democrats, of course, think this is a good issue to win an election. They can barely keep from slobbering all over themselves in anticipation of reversing the

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1132226961499189122005-11-17T06:29:00.000-05:002005-11-17T06:29:21.550-05:00

John Rawls theorized social justice from what he called the original position. The idea is to pretend you don't know what position you are actually in, then pretend like there is an equal chance of you being thrown into any possible position. The idea is that a person would naturally create a system that would tend to be the least punitive to everyone and of most benefit to all.So, if we apply

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1132019297210175352005-11-14T20:48:00.000-05:002005-11-14T20:48:17.220-05:00

On the whole, I haven't been paying much attention to Alito - which is pretty much what the entire county has been not doing, I suppose.The story cites a letter written by Alito when he was trying to get a job in the Reagan Administration:Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito boasted about his work arguing that "the Constitution does not protect a right to an abortion" while trying to become a

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1131988107044446652005-11-14T12:08:00.000-05:002005-11-14T12:08:27.906-05:00

I have a word of advice for my friends in Texas: Don't follow New Jersey.Texas, in case you didn't know, is having a devil of a time fixing it's two main political issues (that are actually one): property tax and school financing. It's the same problem that New Jersey faced in the 1970s - a problem that was supposed to be solved through the implementation of an income tax system to offset the

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1131720651757230182005-11-11T09:50:00.000-05:002005-11-11T09:50:51.836-05:00

In case you missed it, oil company CEO's were asked to testify before Congress this week to defend the profits their companies are racking up. But some are actually defending the oil industry for its profiteering ways. Is it the American public's fault that we use so much gasoline and that we aren't willing to support drilling in ANWR?Of course, it is. Regardless of what the problem is, you

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1131674129383429512005-11-10T20:54:00.000-05:002005-11-12T21:36:35.753-05:00

In my recent post I stated that the ballot initiative that New Jerseyans voted on did not create the office of Lt. Governor. I was incorrect. The office is officially created and will be filled during the next gubernatorial election.

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1131546802549803352005-11-09T09:33:00.000-05:002005-11-09T09:33:22.603-05:00

Yesterday, while electing Senator Jon Corzine as the 52nd Governor of the State of New Jersey, citizens of New Jersey also approved a measure that would authorize a Constitutional Amendment to create the office of Lieutenant Governor. It's important to understand that we don't have a Lt. Governor yet, we've only authorized the State Lege to act on the matter.This is important for two reasons:

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1131504441558284212005-11-08T21:47:00.000-05:002005-11-08T21:47:21.556-05:00

Democrats picked up both wins for gubernatorial races when Tim Kaine, Jr. defeated Jerry Kilgore to become the new Governor of Virginia.Looks like President Bush's duck quit flying a bit early, eh?

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1131504235146042502005-11-08T21:43:00.000-05:002005-11-08T21:43:55.200-05:00

At 9:32 pm, the AP and News 12 New Jersey call the election for Jon Corzine.Congratulations Sentor/Governor-Elect!

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1131372954145203422005-11-07T09:15:00.000-05:002005-11-07T09:15:54.236-05:00

Last week, I posted An Open Letter to a Republican New Jersey Blogger. I asked, very simply, for an answer to unfounded allegations against Jon Corzine. The Letter has gone unanswered. Well, not exactly.It was answered by continuing the slime.Enlighten NJ continues to spread unfounded rumors. The reason is simple - major media is now treating this crap as news. However, Enlighten has a

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1131129510389776452005-11-04T13:38:00.000-05:002005-11-04T13:38:30.390-05:00

One of the vocabulary terms I've been speaking to my students about recently is "narrowcasting". Narrowcasting is a process of selecting which people to contact based on their interest in one particular issue. For example, if I find out that you only care about abortion issues when voting, I'd be a bit stupid to send you a big hunk of tax cut info. It's better to figure out exactly what

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1131056064223244082005-11-03T17:14:00.000-05:002005-11-03T17:14:24.276-05:00

As New Jersey approaches its gubernatorial election with a clear front-runner, the state has two major issues facing it: property taxes and political corruption. Unfortunately, Republicans seeming unwilling to focus on these issues at all.Instead, they are jumping on a smear campaign. What happened is the Star-Ledger, the largest circulating newspaper in the state, endorsed Doug Forrester.

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1130988322522152412005-11-03T06:25:00.000-05:002005-11-03T06:35:48.996-05:00

Yesterday, I posted about a decent blogger who has surrendered his ethics. Nor have I been the only one to notice this latestethicallapse. Of course, I have no idea if the blogger in question ever casts an eye my way (or any of the other liberal bloggers who have caught his ethical lapse), but it is clear that my pleas have not been heeded (in the case they were heard).Enlighten continues the

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1130946298058213472005-11-02T10:44:00.000-05:002005-11-02T10:44:58.110-05:00

When I talk to my students about the image surrounding young people - that they just don't care about the world around them - they are dumbfounded. If I let them, they could go on for an hour straight about how they have given time and what little money they could muster to this cause or to that charity. Then when I talk to them about voting, the classroom usually goes silent. Out of a class

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1130868858461434062005-11-01T13:14:00.000-05:002005-11-01T13:14:18.556-05:00

No, I'm not talking about the Bush Administration. I'm talking about the Roman Catholic Church. I have to say from the beginning, I am not now nor have I ever been a member of the Catholic Church. I also have to say that the members of that church have every right to make decisions through whatever means the church provides. It's their right. They can be stupid if they want to do so. As a

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1130769667049258282005-10-31T09:41:00.000-05:002005-10-31T09:41:07.123-05:00

Doug Forrester is trying to pass himself off as a moderate.This is the same Doug Forrester who invited Karl Rove to campaign for him, a trip in which Mr. Rove said that liberals wanted "therapy and understanding" for terrorists.This is the Doug Forrester who joined hands with his primary challengers and declared "Unity in our Party is everything!" A statement that was cheered by RNC chairman Ken

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1130509230644329162005-10-28T10:20:00.000-04:002005-10-28T10:25:30.650-04:00

Let me start out by saying that I agree that Bill Clinton's moral failings are legendary. It was wrong for him to violate his wedding vows - apparently many times with several different women - and it was wrong for him to lie about it under oath. Politically, I understand why he'd lie about his actions - after all, every single one of us has lied after we got caught with our hand in some cookie

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11018659.post-1130336382274909782005-10-26T10:19:00.000-04:002005-10-26T10:19:42.286-04:00

Jersey politics is always fun. Hudson County politics is even more fun.For example, take the Steve Lipski-Steve Kush feud - the Battlin' Steves. Well, I suppose it shows if you make enough noise - or enough threats - it will finally get noticed:In Hudson County political feuds are often so vicious that if a political shot doesn't kill its victim out right, it is considered a miss. Political

Xpatriated Texanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16202309776546699202noreply@blogger.com2