Guilt Trip

I know it is wrong to lie and to cheat, but I need to make a living. I do feel bad about it (not that I care much about feelings, they are after all for the weak). There are a million and a half responses the whole "Catholic Guilt" thing, but none of them are worth putting in to words because I am not guilty because I am Catholic, rather I am Catholic because I am guilty. Thus, God is not religious, but religion is directed to Him.
All the same I feel bad about not getting around to setting up links to others peoples blogs and sites. Here is the reason. I have a dying Sony Notebook, and a AOL dial up connection that was burried ten weeks ago. So I hope that elucidates my online behavior.

Get $100 !!!

Did I mention that if any of you send a paying customer my way, then you get a hundred bucks. That should be enough motivation for the both of us.

The Buzz ... For Sarving Scholars.

Since I have been out of the loop for a few months I want hear all the news out there. First, and this question is for a Mr. Peterson or a Ms. Smith, What is up with this Michael M. Uhlmann, and should I check out his new article in first Things, (for you in my class who cannot remeber the editor of First Things gave a lecture our freshmen year, and for everyone else a memeber of its advisory board gave a lecture last year). Second, what is up with this conference at Notre Dame this november 18-20. I want to go, but although it says Haldane is going to be there in the advertisments it does not say that he will be there on the web. Joe, I'm looking at you to explain this; for all of you who will be there, the greatest living philospher will be there as well. As for the greatest living philoopher, Alasdair MacIntyre, he is also going to be at CUA to give a lecture. So, make you plans for D.C. fit with the lecture. If only his lecture was around the same time as W's second inaguaral adress, right? Please pass on any info about events to me, so I'll at least know what I am missing.

Fall

Things that are great about fall.

• I was born in fall so, even at my age, I associate this time of year with getting free stuff.
• Driving fast down streets with leaves on the ground. (It's like being in a Luxury car commercial.)
• That cold crisp air that freezes the #$!& out of you.
• Not being in California any more.

You cannot be serious Punster, unless of course you re undecided between the Republicans and the Libertarians (for reference, see Punster's comment to the Political animal). Ok. Reason one, Stem cells. Kerry again and again has lied about embryonic stem cells, and argued for un-ethical research. Bush has a much more, shall I say it?, nuanced and ethical position. Two, cloning. Kerry believes in cloning for therapy (yes this is intimately wrapped up with the first argument). Now as the report form the Presidents Council on bioethics (despite the name a very bi-partisan group, see bioethics.gov) points out this allows for too many un-ethical exploitations. Three, Judges. As stated tonight (during the debates, by Bush, which ended not thirty minutes ago), and well proved over the last four years, the only party that has a "litmus test" for judges is the "democratic" party. (If you are wondering why I put their name in quotations, see any news article about what they are trying to do to Nader). Four, funding for AIDS and family planning across the globe. On this point you either agree with Bush and vote for him or you disagree with him and vote for Nader, there should be no alternative. Fifth, only the religious and culture minded Bush team will be able to face the world in the coming century. Lets face it Europe, from Iberia to Russia, is no longer the center of the world. The new axis of history is Africa, Oceania, and Latin America (Do I need to remind the people who where listening to Cardinal Arinze five months ago about this?). Any Kerry team will not be able to face this. They talk of more of "more the same" well what about there outdated Euro-centric view of the world.

After several weeks of poverty and un-employment, I decided to take a low-paying customer service job. In all it is a fun job and the money is not too bad. However, I just got a really good job this week. So now I have to go and explain to my manager that I-have-to-quite-even-though-you-just-hired-me-and-I-am-still-being-trained-and-I'm-screwing-you-over-sorry-about-that. The other option is to try to keep both jobs, until my availability becomes such a problem that I have to quite the first job. Which is the route that I prefer; I just hope it works. As for My real job, it is really exciting. Also it was the easiest job interview I have ever had. The manager just talked the whole time about how it can be funny work, and then he finished by saying 'I think we going to go with you'. I didn't say more then ten words the whole time.

On another note, If any of you are going to be in town for Halloween, I inherited a huge party at my place. (You inherit a party when the person who lived in your apartment previous to yourself threw an annual party, and people are going to sow up at your house with beer on Halloween whether you like it or not.) So if any of you are interested in a 18 hour drive feel free to come. Also, could I get contact info on Gingras and Pauline so I can invite them?

Intellectual Treats

Last night I was coming home from a concert and I stopped for a cup of coffee. At the register they had the usual assortment of mints, juices, and energy bars. And then I saw something that made me say 'WOW, am I really seeing this?' to myself. It was an energy bar called Neitzchie's Will To Power Bar.