"Burma" or "Myanmar"?
James Fallows at The Atlantic argues that we should call the troubled nation "Burma." Here's his reasoning: "Myanmar is the name invented 18 years ago by the benighted junta...when it seized power through force. When Westerners say 'Myanmar,' they're not being culturally respectful to the people of a beautiful but oppressed nation."
http://jamesfallows.theatlantic.com/archives/2007/09/for_once_im_with_bush_on_a_lan.php
Friday, September 28, 2007
Dissenting Opinions
Peggy Noonan states that "Americans should not fear talking--and listening--to those whose views we loathe." There is, she says, "So much silencing. It seems so weak, so out of keeping with who we are." Here's the full article:
http://www.opinionjournal.com/columnists/pnoonan/?id=110010659
Peggy Noonan states that "Americans should not fear talking--and listening--to those whose views we loathe." There is, she says, "So much silencing. It seems so weak, so out of keeping with who we are." Here's the full article:
http://www.opinionjournal.com/columnists/pnoonan/?id=110010659
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Funny Sign
"Except for ending
slavery, fascism, nazism, and communism,
war has never solved anything."
-- from a sign held up at an anti-war protest,
apparently by someone protesting the protest
"Except for ending
slavery, fascism, nazism, and communism,
war has never solved anything."
-- from a sign held up at an anti-war protest,
apparently by someone protesting the protest
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Ethics
Learning From the Iraq War
The Iraq war is a teachable moment for Christians, opines David Gushee at Christianity Today: "[Evangelicals] must become more discerning when our nation's leaders advocate a military solution...In addition, we need to carefully rethink just-war theory. At its best, this post-biblical resource establishes rigorous criteria that help Christians apply critical thinking to any claim that it is time to go to war...But sometimes just-war theory produces predetermined results depending on the prior loyalty of the person employing the theory."
Link: http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2007/september/35.90.html
Myanmar Mess
Here's the latest news on the violence that is going on in Myanmar (Burma):
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/M/MYANMAR?SITE=FLROC&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
Here's the latest news on the violence that is going on in Myanmar (Burma):
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/M/MYANMAR?SITE=FLROC&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
An Amazing Survival Story
"The RPG that had plowed into Moss' lower abdomen stretched from one hip to the other...."
One soldier survived being impaled by an unexploded rocket-propelled grenade thanks to an incredibly brave medic and soldiers: http://abcnews.go.com/2020/Story?id=3603057&page=1
"The RPG that had plowed into Moss' lower abdomen stretched from one hip to the other...."
One soldier survived being impaled by an unexploded rocket-propelled grenade thanks to an incredibly brave medic and soldiers: http://abcnews.go.com/2020/Story?id=3603057&page=1
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Is it possible...
to attain worldwide liberty without using violent means? The former director of the White House Office of Strategic Initiatives answers that and other questions at http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2007/october/11.21.html .
to attain worldwide liberty without using violent means? The former director of the White House Office of Strategic Initiatives answers that and other questions at http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2007/october/11.21.html .
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Urging Reconciliation in Iraq
Top US commander in Iraq General David Petraeus is stating the need for reconciliation in Iraq -- and the need to love ones enemies:
http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/5729
Top US commander in Iraq General David Petraeus is stating the need for reconciliation in Iraq -- and the need to love ones enemies:
http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/5729
More Women Leaders = Less Wars?
If women were in charge of the world, would there be more peace and less war, as some people believe? Michelle Maulkin argues against that concept in this post: http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=OTQzNWEwNzE1ODc4MmE4ZWYxMzNiNzE5Yjc5NGViMTg=
If women were in charge of the world, would there be more peace and less war, as some people believe? Michelle Maulkin argues against that concept in this post: http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=OTQzNWEwNzE1ODc4MmE4ZWYxMzNiNzE5Yjc5NGViMTg=
Articles of War
The book, "Articles of War," is inspired by the author's grandfather's WWII service. An amazon.com review states, "[The author] is especially acute in his examination of the psychology of bravery when faced with devastation. His minimalist prose, which captures the panic, horror, carnage, and chaos of war, packs more emotional and descriptive punch than its simplicity would denote."
For information on this book and other military-related reading ideas, see
http://www.denverlibrary.org/booksmedia/books/onebook.html
The book, "Articles of War," is inspired by the author's grandfather's WWII service. An amazon.com review states, "[The author] is especially acute in his examination of the psychology of bravery when faced with devastation. His minimalist prose, which captures the panic, horror, carnage, and chaos of war, packs more emotional and descriptive punch than its simplicity would denote."
For information on this book and other military-related reading ideas, see
http://www.denverlibrary.org/booksmedia/books/onebook.html
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Hello, Netherlands!
The Dutch military Christian fellowship has a new website -- check it out at: www.ncok.nl. (No worries -- for those who don't speak fluent Dutch or Frisian, there is an English link!)
The Dutch military Christian fellowship has a new website -- check it out at: www.ncok.nl. (No worries -- for those who don't speak fluent Dutch or Frisian, there is an English link!)
Friday, September 14, 2007
International Prayer Gathering!
This Saturday is the Association of Military Christian Fellowship's annual Day of Prayer, when international military Christians gather around God's throne in prayer for military ministry. To view the complete prayer bulletin, which has prayer items from more than 100 nations, seehttp://www.amcf-int.org/newsletters/07/amcf07_3.pdf.
This Saturday is the Association of Military Christian Fellowship's annual Day of Prayer, when international military Christians gather around God's throne in prayer for military ministry. To view the complete prayer bulletin, which has prayer items from more than 100 nations, seehttp://www.amcf-int.org/newsletters/07/amcf07_3.pdf.
Iraq News Roundup
The U.S. Benchmark Assessment Report says that meager gains have been made in Iraq:
http://i.a.cnn.net/cnn/2007/images/09/14/iraq.progress.report.pdf
Here's the full text of President Bush's 9/13 speech: http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2007-09-13-bush-speech-text_N.htm
President Bush says 5,700 troops will be home by Christmas; the BBC reports this as "no change of course": http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/6994405.stm
The U.S. Benchmark Assessment Report says that meager gains have been made in Iraq:
http://i.a.cnn.net/cnn/2007/images/09/14/iraq.progress.report.pdf
Here's the full text of President Bush's 9/13 speech: http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2007-09-13-bush-speech-text_N.htm
President Bush says 5,700 troops will be home by Christmas; the BBC reports this as "no change of course": http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/6994405.stm
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Boredom by Day, Death by Night
The book Boredom by Day, Death by Night: An Iraq War Journal by Sgt. Seth Conner, USMC, is a quick read that looks into a soldier's life in Iraq. It's also jarring, as one paragraph will be profanity-laced while the next will contain a prayer. Yet it's a very honest portrait of what the journey to faith can look like for many people: moving away from the futility of a party-lifestyle and into a life full of longing for God and service to others.
The editor explains the paradoxes of this soldier's journal by stating, "Readers may be surprised at the way Seth recounts a lurid party life in the first entry, but then talks about how he wants to follow God in the next...," writes Wesley English. "For as long as I've know him, Seth has had a strong desire to follow God...But Seth has always been morally weak. When he's not surrounded by others to lift him up in his faith, he often gives in to his weakness."
Many Christians -- whether soldiers or civilians - can relate to the faith struggles this young Christian has had, so if you can stomach the profanity I'd recommend this book as a good look into both Iraq and one soldier's journey to faith.
For info, see http://www.trippinglightpress.com/.
The book Boredom by Day, Death by Night: An Iraq War Journal by Sgt. Seth Conner, USMC, is a quick read that looks into a soldier's life in Iraq. It's also jarring, as one paragraph will be profanity-laced while the next will contain a prayer. Yet it's a very honest portrait of what the journey to faith can look like for many people: moving away from the futility of a party-lifestyle and into a life full of longing for God and service to others.
The editor explains the paradoxes of this soldier's journal by stating, "Readers may be surprised at the way Seth recounts a lurid party life in the first entry, but then talks about how he wants to follow God in the next...," writes Wesley English. "For as long as I've know him, Seth has had a strong desire to follow God...But Seth has always been morally weak. When he's not surrounded by others to lift him up in his faith, he often gives in to his weakness."
Many Christians -- whether soldiers or civilians - can relate to the faith struggles this young Christian has had, so if you can stomach the profanity I'd recommend this book as a good look into both Iraq and one soldier's journey to faith.
For info, see http://www.trippinglightpress.com/.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
9/11 Myths Exposed
"Healthy skepticism, it seems, has curdled into paranoia," Popular Mechanics states in an article that takes on some of the myths about 9/11:
http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/military_law/1227842.html
"Healthy skepticism, it seems, has curdled into paranoia," Popular Mechanics states in an article that takes on some of the myths about 9/11:
http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/military_law/1227842.html
Doubts and the Christian Faith
Many people, both Catholics and Protestants, were disturbed to learn that Mother Teresa experienced doubts and disappointments in her Christian walk. An excellent opinion article at the L.A. Times, however, gives a balanced perspective on those doubts: "Almost from the beginning, those who worshiped God worried that he had deserted them. In the Hebrew Bible, the psalmist cries: 'My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?' -- a sentiment echoed by the dying Jesus in the New Testament...To the nonbeliever, the coexistence of belief and unbelief can seem to offer proof of cognitive dissonance. To the believer, however, it can be perceived as a consequence of a world in which the reality of a good God is manifest at some times and excruciatingly elusive at others."
Read the whole article at: http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-ed-teresa1sep01,0,3503.story?coll=la-opinion-leftrail
Many people, both Catholics and Protestants, were disturbed to learn that Mother Teresa experienced doubts and disappointments in her Christian walk. An excellent opinion article at the L.A. Times, however, gives a balanced perspective on those doubts: "Almost from the beginning, those who worshiped God worried that he had deserted them. In the Hebrew Bible, the psalmist cries: 'My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?' -- a sentiment echoed by the dying Jesus in the New Testament...To the nonbeliever, the coexistence of belief and unbelief can seem to offer proof of cognitive dissonance. To the believer, however, it can be perceived as a consequence of a world in which the reality of a good God is manifest at some times and excruciatingly elusive at others."
Read the whole article at: http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-ed-teresa1sep01,0,3503.story?coll=la-opinion-leftrail
Monday, September 10, 2007
Military Service and Christian Witness
"Seven U.S. Army and Air Force officers who appeared in a Christian Embassy promotional video may be reprimanded, but that would not be enough for some critics," reports Christianity Today: http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2007/october/2.19.html
"Seven U.S. Army and Air Force officers who appeared in a Christian Embassy promotional video may be reprimanded, but that would not be enough for some critics," reports Christianity Today: http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2007/october/2.19.html
General Petraeus' Letter
Conditions in Iraq are, according to General Petraeus in his letter to the troops, "the most challenging that I have seen in over 32 years of service." Here's the full text of his letter:
http://www.weeklystandard.com/weblogs/TWSFP/CG%20Note%20to%20the%20Troops%20-%2015%20Mar%2007.pdf
Conditions in Iraq are, according to General Petraeus in his letter to the troops, "the most challenging that I have seen in over 32 years of service." Here's the full text of his letter:
http://www.weeklystandard.com/weblogs/TWSFP/CG%20Note%20to%20the%20Troops%20-%2015%20Mar%2007.pdf
Sri Lankan Military Ethics
The Sri Lankan MOD has issued an interesting press release on military ethics and the soldier's responsibility: http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20070910_02 .
The Sri Lankan MOD has issued an interesting press release on military ethics and the soldier's responsibility: http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20070910_02 .
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
Iraq: Varying Opinions
The Problem Is...: "The major problem in Iraq is back in the United States," begins an excellent report on Iraq from the well-informed folks at Strategy Page: http://www.strategypage.com/qnd/iraq/articles/20070905.aspx
The Surge is working: http://wcbstv.com/topstories/local_story_247203227.html
The Surge isn't working: http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2007/09/thirteen-ways-n.html
The Problem Is...: "The major problem in Iraq is back in the United States," begins an excellent report on Iraq from the well-informed folks at Strategy Page: http://www.strategypage.com/qnd/iraq/articles/20070905.aspx
The Surge is working: http://wcbstv.com/topstories/local_story_247203227.html
The Surge isn't working: http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2007/09/thirteen-ways-n.html
God's Shoulder & President Bush
"I've got God's shoulder to cry on," President Bush told the author of a new book, Dead Certain: The Presidency of George W. Bush: http://www.charlotte.com/nation/story/263361.html
"I've got God's shoulder to cry on," President Bush told the author of a new book, Dead Certain: The Presidency of George W. Bush: http://www.charlotte.com/nation/story/263361.html
Religious Freedom World-Wide
A CT interview focusing on religious freedom around the world says that the situation in Latin America and Eastern Europe has improved, but other areas show little improvement or deterioriation: http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2007/september/17.21.html
A CT interview focusing on religious freedom around the world says that the situation in Latin America and Eastern Europe has improved, but other areas show little improvement or deterioriation: http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2007/september/17.21.html
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