1. Happy President's Day.
2. Maybe because I played hooky form church yesterday, but I was reflecting upon the meteors which fell in Russia and other places across the planet late last week and I ran through Matthew 24:29 in my head where it was written "the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of heaven will be shaken." Just wondering.
3. Yesterday was the second successive week without football, but the hockey felt great with the Penguins winning a close game against the Sabers. Baseball is coming.
4. I was amused by the newspaper article about two brothers who won $75,000 in the lottery and then accidentally blew-up their house during the drug induced celebration. Certainly there has to be a better way to celebrate.
5. I saw the movie Escape from Planet Earth over the weekend. It is OK for kids.
6. I was shocked that the temperature outside my window was 19 degrees this morning. I thought I would be seeing warmer temperatures.
7. I bought a pasta maker last summer and I used it for the first time yesterday. It was fun and the pasta was grey--although there certainly was a lot of it. I am amazed that it took almost eight months before I took it out of the box and used the pasta maker.
8. I think I finally received my the last statements necessary to accomplish preparing my taxes on Saturday. Now I have to decide what week I want to be totally depressed about how much I am paying for the dysfunctional government that I am receiving.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Monday, February 18, 2013
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Two Apologies Don't Make a Right
Caution: This is a religiously oriented entry suitable for Sunday reading.
A couple of weeks ago I read about how the president of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS) had requested and received and apology from the LCMS pastor who jointly participated in the interfaith memorial service held in the aftermath of the tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut.
I used to be a member of the LCMS--that does not make me an expert, but this episode does confirm some of the reasons that I chose to leave the fiercely conservative, almost to a fault, reclusive branch of Protestantism.
I was amazed that the president of the synod has now apologized for asking for the apology. A New York Times article details the situation:
The problem is that the LCMS prohibits their pastors from participating in multi-faith public expressions of religion. They do not want to give the impression that there are many paths to salvation. Yet--while they may grasp a tactical situation, they miss the strategic--if no one is there to represent the path to salvation (and don't misunderstand, I'm not saying that the LCMS way is the one true way) then how are people supposed to hear the good news?
The New York Times article goes on to write about it this way from the words of the President of the LCMS:
We get dirty doing work. The type of shenanigans represented by the LCMS in this case makes all Christians look petty.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
A couple of weeks ago I read about how the president of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS) had requested and received and apology from the LCMS pastor who jointly participated in the interfaith memorial service held in the aftermath of the tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut.
I used to be a member of the LCMS--that does not make me an expert, but this episode does confirm some of the reasons that I chose to leave the fiercely conservative, almost to a fault, reclusive branch of Protestantism.
I was amazed that the president of the synod has now apologized for asking for the apology. A New York Times article details the situation:
"The Rev. Matthew C. Harrison, president of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, had sought, and received, an apology from the Newtown pastor, the Rev. Rob Morris, for violating the denomination’s prohibition against joint worship with people of other faiths. But in the face of intense criticism, Mr. Harrison this week apologized himself.
“I naïvely thought an apology for offense in the church would allow us to move quickly beyond internal controversy and toward a less emotional process of working through our differences, well out of the public spotlight,” Mr. Harrison wrote on the church’s Web site. “That plan failed miserably.”
The problem is that the LCMS prohibits their pastors from participating in multi-faith public expressions of religion. They do not want to give the impression that there are many paths to salvation. Yet--while they may grasp a tactical situation, they miss the strategic--if no one is there to represent the path to salvation (and don't misunderstand, I'm not saying that the LCMS way is the one true way) then how are people supposed to hear the good news?
The New York Times article goes on to write about it this way from the words of the President of the LCMS:
“One view is that by standing side-by-side with non-Christian clergy in public religious events, we give the impression that Christ is just one path among many,” he wrote. “Others view participation as an opportunity to share Christ and to truly love a hurting community, which may not happen if we are not participating. We struggle with the tension between these two views.”My view? If Christians are withdrawing from the hurt and pain of the world when people need them most because we are worried about how it is going to look, then what good are we? Standing in the darkest places of life providing hope and encouragement to people filled with grief and sadness can never be wrong, can it? In my view, it is the difference between being on the front lines of the battle or hiding away in seclusion and advising others on what they are doing wrong.
We get dirty doing work. The type of shenanigans represented by the LCMS in this case makes all Christians look petty.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Saturday, February 16, 2013
Springtime is Getting Close Because . . .
- The Orioles have started training in Sarasota and this year, unlike many other springtimes, there is a real sense of excitement about the prospects for this team based upon their success last year.
- Football season has ended.
- We were supposed to get two snow storms this week which produced rain with only a smattering of snow.
- The crocus and daffodils are showing in the gardens
- I feel a need to open the pool, even though my designated date is still 70 days away.
- I am watching the sunrise on my way to work
- It is not dark when I arrive home, in fact I'm beginning to think about starting yard work
- I've been looking at the pool supply catalog and planning the assault on my credit card to have everything in place for opening day.
- We enjoyed two 50 degree days this past week.
- I have my tickets to Orioles Opening Day.
- Ash Wednesday is behind me and Easter in ahead.
- The reservations have been made for summer vacation.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
- Football season has ended.
- We were supposed to get two snow storms this week which produced rain with only a smattering of snow.
- The crocus and daffodils are showing in the gardens
- I feel a need to open the pool, even though my designated date is still 70 days away.
- I am watching the sunrise on my way to work
- It is not dark when I arrive home, in fact I'm beginning to think about starting yard work
- I've been looking at the pool supply catalog and planning the assault on my credit card to have everything in place for opening day.
- We enjoyed two 50 degree days this past week.
- I have my tickets to Orioles Opening Day.
- Ash Wednesday is behind me and Easter in ahead.
- The reservations have been made for summer vacation.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Friday, February 15, 2013
Rocket Powered Wagon
While in Huntsville the other day, I was able to take a few moments out of my much too busy day to expand my mind by making my first ever visit to the Marshall Space Flight Center Space and Rocket Museum. I highly recommend a visit there for anyone fascinated by space flight and rockets.
There is a revealing and interesting exhibit at the museum devoted to the Von Braun who really became the driving force behind the US space program in the years following his escape from the crumbling Nazi Germany at the end of World War II. Had he not made the decision to surrender to the American, he and many of his associates would have become Soviet scientists helping their space program.
One of the items in the museum which caught my fancy was a rocket powered wagon that Von Braun experimented with as a child.
It is a simple wagon equipped with six strap on rockets. The story goes that,
"At the age of 12 he tried his first practical rocket experiment. He strapped six rockets to a small wagon, and lit them up. The wagon performed beyond his wildest dreams and careened about crazily, trailing a tail of fire like a comet. When the rockets finally burned out, ending their sparkling performance with a magnificent thunderclap, the wagon rolled majestically to a halt. The police, who arrived late for the beginning of his experiment, but in time for the grand finale, were unappreciative. They took young Wernher into custody. Fortunately, no one was injured and he was released to the Minister of Agriculture, his father. So began a career in rocketry that changed human history."
I had to smile at the thought of the unmanned wagon wildly careening down the street powered by rockets. And then, I realized, that in today's America such a raw display of genius and creativity would be met with jail time and law suits. How different our society has become. ALthough I recognize that we no longer need to have children "kick the tires and light the fires" of their wagons to better understand how rockets work, I wonder where we a stifling that raw creativity with our stodgy, incredibly law oriented society.
I will treasure the image of a boy watching his wagon shoot off down a street in early-20th century Germany powered by two home made rockets. Raw creativity and genius.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, Md
There is a revealing and interesting exhibit at the museum devoted to the Von Braun who really became the driving force behind the US space program in the years following his escape from the crumbling Nazi Germany at the end of World War II. Had he not made the decision to surrender to the American, he and many of his associates would have become Soviet scientists helping their space program.
 |
| Rocket Powered Wagon on Display at the Marshall Space Flight Center Museum |
One of the items in the museum which caught my fancy was a rocket powered wagon that Von Braun experimented with as a child.
It is a simple wagon equipped with six strap on rockets. The story goes that,
"At the age of 12 he tried his first practical rocket experiment. He strapped six rockets to a small wagon, and lit them up. The wagon performed beyond his wildest dreams and careened about crazily, trailing a tail of fire like a comet. When the rockets finally burned out, ending their sparkling performance with a magnificent thunderclap, the wagon rolled majestically to a halt. The police, who arrived late for the beginning of his experiment, but in time for the grand finale, were unappreciative. They took young Wernher into custody. Fortunately, no one was injured and he was released to the Minister of Agriculture, his father. So began a career in rocketry that changed human history."
I had to smile at the thought of the unmanned wagon wildly careening down the street powered by rockets. And then, I realized, that in today's America such a raw display of genius and creativity would be met with jail time and law suits. How different our society has become. ALthough I recognize that we no longer need to have children "kick the tires and light the fires" of their wagons to better understand how rockets work, I wonder where we a stifling that raw creativity with our stodgy, incredibly law oriented society.
I will treasure the image of a boy watching his wagon shoot off down a street in early-20th century Germany powered by two home made rockets. Raw creativity and genius.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, Md
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Valentine's Day
Happy Valentine's Day.
Ok, so it is a bit trite and a manufactured holiday which has been overtaken by the greeting card industry to turn a profit.
But like so many holidays, if we can get by the history and the homage to the saints of the catholic church named Valentine, there is a thread of good contained within as we remember, recognize, and honor those whom we love and admire.
It is good also to consider and remember the history of the day and the stories of those who caused the day to be named for them. In this sense, the day has a history much like that of President's Day--which we celebrate on Monday, but which is really the fusion of two former holidays--Washington's and Lincoln's birthdays into a single day to honor the pPresidents of these United States.
Give your love a kiss and say Happy Valentine's Day. It is good for the soul and probably the relationship. That the day has its roots commemorating a man who was martyred for marrying Christians is also nice to know.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Ok, so it is a bit trite and a manufactured holiday which has been overtaken by the greeting card industry to turn a profit.
But like so many holidays, if we can get by the history and the homage to the saints of the catholic church named Valentine, there is a thread of good contained within as we remember, recognize, and honor those whom we love and admire.
It is good also to consider and remember the history of the day and the stories of those who caused the day to be named for them. In this sense, the day has a history much like that of President's Day--which we celebrate on Monday, but which is really the fusion of two former holidays--Washington's and Lincoln's birthdays into a single day to honor the pPresidents of these United States.
Give your love a kiss and say Happy Valentine's Day. It is good for the soul and probably the relationship. That the day has its roots commemorating a man who was martyred for marrying Christians is also nice to know.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Turning Points of History
I had the opportunity to review three student projects for History Day at Chris's middle school. I was amazed at how the students were very focused upon war and battles as turning points in history to the exclusion of the geopolitical circumstances which caused the opposing sides to choose military action to resolve their disputes.
Two of the projects were about the U.S. Revolution--and were reports focused on the Battles of Lexington and Concord. The other project that I reviewed was about the Vietnam Draft. I was amazed at the lack of context that the projects displayed. Taken outside of the historical context of the time, the battles seem to be turning points and yet--they are just battles in wars. I longed for a sense of completeness which would portray the battles as an extension of the conflicts which were occurring in the economic and political spheres of the time.
Did the Intolerable Acts result the Battles of Lexington and Concord and are these battles truly turning points in history? Or, are the results of the conflict of the period to be found in our Bill of Rights? And also in our Constitution which became a template for many other similar constitutions around the world? Were these Battles turning points in history? I think not. They represented turning points of thought and helped to create a nation out of the Declaration of Independence.
How was the Vietnam Draft a turning point in history? I'm not sure. Conscription has been around for centuries in many countries. Yes, it was bad. I had a lottery number. But the draft was not the turning point of the period, the entire ill-advised war in Vietnam was the turning point--and if a battle can be a turning point, it was perhaps the Tet Offensive which galvanized U.S. public opinion against the war. Terminating the draft would not have changed public perceptions of the war.
I am a worried that our students are not being provided with a comprehensive, thought provoking history curriculum that stimulates thought and understanding by providing context and completeness.
That written, I enjoyed my experience and the opportunity to interact with the students. I found them to be inquisitive and engaging. I look forward to doing it again next year.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Two of the projects were about the U.S. Revolution--and were reports focused on the Battles of Lexington and Concord. The other project that I reviewed was about the Vietnam Draft. I was amazed at the lack of context that the projects displayed. Taken outside of the historical context of the time, the battles seem to be turning points and yet--they are just battles in wars. I longed for a sense of completeness which would portray the battles as an extension of the conflicts which were occurring in the economic and political spheres of the time.
Did the Intolerable Acts result the Battles of Lexington and Concord and are these battles truly turning points in history? Or, are the results of the conflict of the period to be found in our Bill of Rights? And also in our Constitution which became a template for many other similar constitutions around the world? Were these Battles turning points in history? I think not. They represented turning points of thought and helped to create a nation out of the Declaration of Independence.
How was the Vietnam Draft a turning point in history? I'm not sure. Conscription has been around for centuries in many countries. Yes, it was bad. I had a lottery number. But the draft was not the turning point of the period, the entire ill-advised war in Vietnam was the turning point--and if a battle can be a turning point, it was perhaps the Tet Offensive which galvanized U.S. public opinion against the war. Terminating the draft would not have changed public perceptions of the war.
I am a worried that our students are not being provided with a comprehensive, thought provoking history curriculum that stimulates thought and understanding by providing context and completeness.
That written, I enjoyed my experience and the opportunity to interact with the students. I found them to be inquisitive and engaging. I look forward to doing it again next year.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
In Between Sunday
Sunday was a unique day. I did not watch any sporting events, or even part of a sporting event on television.
There was no football--the Ravens won it all last week. I'm still in shock and awe over that outcome.
I chose not to watch the Penguins lose a second game in two days to the Devils. And I stayed away from the Syracuse basketball game. These were the only games in which I had any interest. But, I took a sports hiatus in preparation for the resumption of my favorite sport: baseball.
I actually got some of the small projects started and some others further along around the house. It was kind of surreal.
I did make a trip to Home Depot after church. It was my second trip in two days for the all important "stuff."And now there are a number of mid-winter projects underway.
It was an in between Sunday. No sports and all work.
I know that opening day for baseball is coming soon, I have my tickets in hand and am ready to go. Until then, I will dream of baseball, hot summer days, and a World Series ring.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
There was no football--the Ravens won it all last week. I'm still in shock and awe over that outcome.
I chose not to watch the Penguins lose a second game in two days to the Devils. And I stayed away from the Syracuse basketball game. These were the only games in which I had any interest. But, I took a sports hiatus in preparation for the resumption of my favorite sport: baseball.
I actually got some of the small projects started and some others further along around the house. It was kind of surreal.
I did make a trip to Home Depot after church. It was my second trip in two days for the all important "stuff."And now there are a number of mid-winter projects underway.
It was an in between Sunday. No sports and all work.
I know that opening day for baseball is coming soon, I have my tickets in hand and am ready to go. Until then, I will dream of baseball, hot summer days, and a World Series ring.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Monday, February 11, 2013
Monday Musings - February 11, 2013
1. Using the restroom during my flight from Anchorage last Friday, I noticed something truly weird.. There was an ashtray built into the door. I know I remember hearing something about it being a violation of federal law to smoke on an airplane. Why build an ashtray into the door?
2. My latest "crisis" is that the wine refrigerator has decided not to work. It is amazing how dependent I have become upon an appliance that I rarely consider. New parts are on order based upon internet troubleshooting.
3. I was reading the comments attached to an article about Federal Worker's pay and was appalled at the lack of understanding that some with vociferous opinions display about subject.
4. Watching the northeast prepare for the blizzard, I was happy not to be included in the fun.
5. Cold weather is preferable to snowy weather. Palm trees on the beach are the best, though.
6. It is February. Baseball Spring Training gets underway this week. Yay, I can almost smell the scent of opening day.
7. I saw a flock of Robins yesterday who have returned. Spring is closer than we think!
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
2. My latest "crisis" is that the wine refrigerator has decided not to work. It is amazing how dependent I have become upon an appliance that I rarely consider. New parts are on order based upon internet troubleshooting.
3. I was reading the comments attached to an article about Federal Worker's pay and was appalled at the lack of understanding that some with vociferous opinions display about subject.
4. Watching the northeast prepare for the blizzard, I was happy not to be included in the fun.
5. Cold weather is preferable to snowy weather. Palm trees on the beach are the best, though.
6. It is February. Baseball Spring Training gets underway this week. Yay, I can almost smell the scent of opening day.
7. I saw a flock of Robins yesterday who have returned. Spring is closer than we think!
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Signs of the Times
Occasionally, while shopping, I run across items that make me smile.
This sign caught my eye the other day and I can imagine many potential uses for it.
Think, for example, I could display this sign while waiting in a store and looking at display items to kill time instead of being accosted by the sales staff. Of course, it was a bit frustrating to be in Home Depot the other day and have three staff members ask me if I needed help--because I didn't. But it seems that when I need help, none are ever around.
Think about displaying this sign when a conversation begins to run long because the other participant begins to include too much detail that is only peripherally related to the problem. Seriously, what's the purpose?
I did not buy the sign--because it could be considered insulting or in poor taste if I posted it in a work area.
But, I still enjoy thinking about it potential uses.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
This sign caught my eye the other day and I can imagine many potential uses for it.
Think, for example, I could display this sign while waiting in a store and looking at display items to kill time instead of being accosted by the sales staff. Of course, it was a bit frustrating to be in Home Depot the other day and have three staff members ask me if I needed help--because I didn't. But it seems that when I need help, none are ever around.
Think about displaying this sign when a conversation begins to run long because the other participant begins to include too much detail that is only peripherally related to the problem. Seriously, what's the purpose?
I did not buy the sign--because it could be considered insulting or in poor taste if I posted it in a work area.
But, I still enjoy thinking about it potential uses.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Saturday, February 9, 2013
Flying Home -- Children on the Airplane
Before boarding my flight to Minneapolis form Anchorage, I was concerned about the family with two small children in the waiting area. The children were screamers. Not just your average run of the mill unhappy children, but first class, top of their lungs screamers.
Their ability to create tension once on the plane was unsurpassed. The small children screamed so loud above the volume of the music in my earphones that often I could not hear the song. Who knew kids could scream with such intensity for so many hours. I was numb and trapped in the airplane at 39,000 feet.
Their ability to create tension once on the plane was unsurpassed. The small children screamed so loud above the volume of the music in my earphones that often I could not hear the song. Who knew kids could scream with such intensity for so many hours. I was numb and trapped in the airplane at 39,000 feet.
I don't know whether I felt worse for the parents or the other 200 plus passengers on the flight. And one kid was a toddler. It was a five hour flight. I actually was trying to determine how much hearing loss would occur if I turned up the Billy Joel music I was listening to in order to effectively mask the noise.
The only one relaxing on the flight was Sweetie, the golden lab working dog seated behind me. She didn't seem to mind the noise. I couldn't even read my book or think of anything other than getting off the plane and hoping that they were not heading to Baltimore. Which, thankfully, they were not.
I tried playing solitaire on my iPad, what a disaster, I couldn't even think about the cards.
Maybe if the airline had offered free alcohol I could have overcome the noise. Or shared it with the parents. Suffice it to say, it was the longest five hour flight I have ever taken and those kids set a record for the number of hours they agitated over 200 other people who were trapped in the aircraft with them.
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
