swords into plowshares

Like most people, I enjoy it when smart people agree with my viewpoints. In a previous post, I express my distaste for our president's actions after 9/11. Mr. Bush called for national vengeance. I believe a true leader would have called for repentance.

I suspect that hidden within our president's call to vengeance is the conviction that God is on our side. We're America, dammit. We're the land of the free. We're one nation UNDER GOD. Surely God is on our side.

The people of Crossings, a Christian organization started in by two seminary professors, remind us that just because we're Americans doesn't mean God is required to be with us.

But if God does bless America, then He can do the opposite. And the story of the OT, the Revelation to John, the hope of the prophets and the promise of the psalms is indeed that the Lord controls the fate of nations, bringing low and raising up, making both weal and woe. So, even though the attack is not proof of God's disfavor against the USA, we would be guilty of the broadest obtuseness and biblical ignorance if we do not at least ask ourselves whether God may have specific cause to be against us. Can you think of any? Given the centers of attack, we could begin looking at our role in world trade and in military affairs. Again, to ask the question is not to have a prejudice in favor of a positive answer. But if we suspect that the answer may be positive, then it would be first of all up to those who believe that God wants to turn His judgment into mercy to begin the repenting, inviting others to join in.

I am one of the crazy people who believes in the positive answer--we, as a nation, have plenty of sins worthy of repentance. And as one who believes with all his heart that God does indeed want to turn God's judgment into mercy, I intend to begin the repenting, and I invite all whom are willing to join in.

For the entire essay quoted above, click here.
For Crossings' website, click here.

blessings,
the preacher

my whisk(e)ybiography

This is not my autobiography. It's my whisk(e)ybiography, my journey which will one day lead to whisky nirvana. The 'e' in whisk(e)y is in parens because like any other religious discussion, nobody can agree. The Scots spell 'whisky,' the Americans 'whiskey'. Makers Mark is an exception, they use the Scottish spelling.

While attending college, I lived with ShoeBlog. Before honouring me with his presence as a roomie, he lived in Scotland for a while, where he acquired a taste for fine scotch whisky. After hearing him rave and rant about the mystical qualities of scotch, I gave in and coughed up 50 bucks, and he went and bought a bottle for us to share. Of course, he suggested I might need a guide for my virgin scotch experience. He graciously volunteered. After spending considerable money and time at the liquor store, he brought back a bottle of Dalwhinnie. I took a sip, and thanks to my guide, I was home.

Now, first things first. Shoe - you suckered me. I figure you ran your mouth about scotch every chance you could because you figured I'd eventually fork out the money to buy a bottle. Well done, my friend.

Anyway, for a year or two I drank nothing but scotch. Then I joined the real world and realized most people can't consistently spend 50 dollars on a bottle of nerve-soother. I had a nasty habit which was costing me too much money. It seemed there were two options: 1) quit drinking. 2) Find something cheaper. Number one seemed more like a really bad idea than an option, so I set out to find something cheaper. My girlfriend (now wife) suggested I try Jack Daniels. She said her father and brothers all drank it. So I gave it a shot.

If fine scotch is beef carpaccio with capers, manchego cheese and radish, good whiskey is ribeye steak. Good Scotch is intricate, delicate, complicated, nuanced. Good whiskey is simple and straight forward, without any frills. I like to be wowed by elegant presentation and preparation at fine restaurants, with the skill of something delicate like carpaccio. But damn, if a home cooked ribeye right off the grill doesn't hit the spot, too.

I drank jack for sevaral years, and not much else, except on special occasions, when I'd drag out a fine bottle of single malt, preferably Lagavulin.



Then something happened which would have made Uncle Jack furious. The folks at Jack Daniels decided to lower the proof of their signature whiskey.

Now, 3% less alcohol isn't going to make or break my night, but the whole thing bothers me. Mind you, I'm a bit of a purist. I think the DH in baseball is a terrible idea. So I'm a bit pissed Jack lowered their proof. I'm suspicious their press release, "We researched it and decided the majority of people wanted a less potent drink" is a big line of bull. What's really going on is that they remembered water doesn't cost anything.

In light of Jackgate '04, I decided to branch out and try some others. I've landed on Makers Mark, a traditional Kentucky bourbon. Curious about the difference between Tennessee Whiskey and Bourbon? Check out this page.

So that's my whisk(e)ybiography, at least to date. Happy drinking everyone.

early retirement

While on vacation, I picked up the latest GQ, a magazine I've never read before. I was entertained by most of the articles in the magazine, so I'm thinking about getting a subscription.

A piece in this month's edition is titled "The (very) Early Bird." It's written by a 28 year old single man who got laid off, and then decided to move into a retirement community to see what retirement holds. "I started thinking. What's going to happen if I finally get to retirement and it sucks?"

Since I can't find the article online, I'll reprint in full a paragraph I found most enlightening:

I've found that once retirees retire, it's not uncommon for them to want to unretire. They've made it past the initial stages of adjustment, and now they're experiencing the onset of restlessness, not to mention residual guilt because they do nothing productive all day long. Doris, who works as a clerk in the Century Village clubhouse, as unretired three times already. "Every time I retire, I realize I'm not happy doing nothing." she says. "So I get a job."

So if retired people aren't happy being retired, why don't we just allow people aged 22-30 "retire." Then once you turn 30, you start working until you die. Fellow bloghead Jason Coleman first got me started about this idea. The more I think about it, I think he's on to something.

During water cooler conversation at work, some of us dream about starting a new political party, titled "the common sense party." (No decision yet on the mascot)

Here's a sampling of the party platforms: Flat tax. Investement in alternative energy. Balanced budget. No religion in government.

More on the common sense party later. For the time being, however, I'm adding mandatory retirement for all people aged 22-30 to the list. Maybe I'll make a run for office in '08.

vacation

My wife, my daughter, and I returned home today from a 4 night, 5 day vacation. It was much needed. I have been working 70+ hour weeks, and was turning into a monster. I was grumpy, didn't see my daughter but for a couple minutes each morning, and the little sleep I did get was interrupted by dreams about work. Isn't that a bitch? I'd wake up in the middle of the night and realize I had been dreaming about work.

We vacationed in Wisconsin Dells. For those of you not familiar, everybody has been to a place like Wisconsin Dells. It's one of those towns that wouldn't exist if people didn't have kids and need a place to get away for a few days on the cheap. Southern France it's not. But it has plenty to keep children busy. It's the epitome of what father would describe as a "tourist trap."

At this point in my life, I'm not picky about vacation destinations. I've been to Europe, and I'd love to go back. My wife and I have vacationed in Puerto Rico, Mexico, Colorado, Maine, San Diego, and Boston. We'd love to travel all over the world, see lots of exotic things, golf in Scotland, sample wine in France, ride camels in Egypt. But for now, with an 18 month old daughter and a tight budget, we're easy to please. We want a place away from home, so the normal distractions of life don't interfere. We want easy entertaining for our daughter. And if there are cheap drinks/golf/hotels/food/shopping, all the better.

all you can't leave behind

Giddie up

Anyone know what this is a picture of? More to come...

duke sucks

It seems I have some UNC fans reading my blog. Duke sucks.

Many congrats to the national champions of college basketball. I'm a little disappointed in the fans, however. When my school won the college hockey championship, we rioted and burned cars. Wussies.

(Make sure to take a look at the link - it's even got pictures to prove how stupid, er...i mean totally cool, we are.

what i'm drinking

Tonight feels like a knob creek night. I enjoy the knob creek. It reminds me of the old stand-by, makersmark, but with a smoother, sweeter finish.

Some of my other blogging buddies will sometimes tell us what they are listening to, i.e. which mp3 is currently receiving heavy air time in their ipod.
Instead of telling you what I'm listening to, I'll tell you what I'm drinking, i.e. which amber liquid is receiving heavy air time in my favorite tumbler.

blogging in iraq

The Star Tribune has a reporter in Iraq who is blogging about his experiences.