Apr
29
Off to Memphis
April 29, 2008 | 2 Comments
The Mississippi Delta was shining
Like a National guitar,
I am following the river
Down the highway
Through the cradle of the civil war,
I’m going to Graceland
Graceland
In Memphis Tennessee
I’m going to Graceland
I’m outta here until Saturday. Have fun, and stay out of trouble.
Apr
28
Shea Memories - October 15, 1999
April 28, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Six days after attending the thrilling game four of the NLDS, I wound up with tickets to games three and four of the National League Championship Series against the Braves. The Mets had dropped five out of six against the Braves in September, not only knocking them out of the division race, but nearly knocking [...]
Apr
28
R.R. Reno on the death penalty
April 28, 2008 | Leave a Comment
R.R. Reno manages to write everything I have ever thought about the death penalty. It’s a perfect encapsulation of my own sentiments. Some choice excerpts:
Although I’ve come to think capital punishment wrongheaded, I welcomed the decision to uphold lethal injection. The death penalty is not a simple matter of justice or injustice. As Avery Cardinal [...]
Apr
25
Forecasting November
April 25, 2008 | 5 Comments
My former professor, Alan Ambramowitz, has an article on TNR that preaches cautious optimism for the Democrats. Ambramowitz is as good as it gets when it comes to analyzing political trends, and I agree with much of what he says here. Clearly the trends favor the Democratic party for the upcoming election, and we could [...]
Apr
25
Of hobbyhorses and obsessions
April 25, 2008 | 7 Comments
For an ex-Catholic, Rod Dreher evidently spends a LOT of time writing about the Catholic Church. Normally I just don’t read Dreher, aka Andrew Sullivan-lite, but I was pointed in his general direction by Pauli at Est Quod Est, and I was also treated to this gem, (written by a colleague of Dreher’s):
They are the [...]
Apr
24
Bleg
April 24, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Is anyone out there familiar with Fr. Gerard Sloyan’s theological writings? If so, please share, preferably by email, but also in the comments section if you prefer.
Apr
21
John Adams
April 21, 2008 | 3 Comments
I have not mentioned but in passing the fantastic HBO mini-series that concluded last night. John Adams the mini-series was adapted from David McCullough’s excellent biography. If you haven’t had the opportunity to watch it, grab it as soon as it comes out on DVD, or else it might still be available right now on [...]
Apr
21
Shea Memories - October 9, 1999
April 21, 2008 | 2 Comments
Mojo rising
Mr. Mojo rising
Gotta keep on rising
The Mets almost choked away their chances at making the playoffs in 1999, but a final weekend sweep of the Pirates mixed with the Reds losing 2 out of 3 to the Brewers led to a wild card playoff game, which the Mets won 5-0. Leiter was masterful in [...]
Apr
21
Laying Low
April 21, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Between finishing up (hopefully) my draft of the dissertation this week, and travelling on business next week, posting might be light for a couple of weeks. I’ll write when I can, but don’t think I’ve gone away if you don’t see many posts.
Apr
20
Enough
April 20, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Jimmy Rollins won the MVP award last year? I didn’t know that. It’s a good thing ESPN spent the last thirty minutes discussing it.
By the way - Joe and Peter, you both have something on your chin. It looks a little sticky. You might want to check that out.
Apr
18
Critics vs. the critics of the critics
April 18, 2008 | 2 Comments
Since the Papal mass yesterday there has been a lot written on the liturgy, particularly the musical selection. Many have criticized the choices - some vehemently - and some in turn have either defended the musical selection or have simply criticized the critics themselves. I don’t think I need to link to all the commentary [...]
Apr
18
A little late, but here are the pics from yesterday (courtesy of the CrankyWife).
Here’s the stadium itself, before everything got underway (or maybe halfway through, I forget).
Behold! The most glorious HD television in all the land:
Here come my brother Sir Knights. I was very jealous.
Here they are, all lined up.
And here’s a shot of the [...]
Apr
17
Playoff action
April 17, 2008 | Leave a Comment
I haven’t paid as much attention to the NHL as I did before I moved to DC and started grad school. For a time hockey was my favorite sport, and the Rangers my favorite franchise. But I just sort of lost track of the sport, focusing most of my sports attention on baseball and football.
But [...]
Apr
17
Pure, unadulterated, sick evil
April 17, 2008 | 4 Comments
That’s the only way to describe this.
Update: The CrankyWife notes in the comments section that this was a hoax.
Apr
17
The Papal Mass
April 17, 2008 | Leave a Comment
I just returned from the Papal Mass. It was a beautiful service in many ways - in some ways perhaps less so. As was the case yesterday, I will post pictures later tonight after I get home - probably not til very late.
Some reflections: There’s definitely something different about being there. Just being in the [...]
Apr
16
Pope Pics
April 16, 2008 | 2 Comments
I may not have been as close to the action as some people, but at least I got to see the Pope and the President, which is an honor in and of itself.
We got to the South Lawn at about 8, and got to stand around for a loooooong time. The most interesting thing to [...]
Apr
16
Lethal Injection case
April 16, 2008 | Leave a Comment
The Supreme Court voted 7-2 (sort of) to uphold the constitutionality of Kentucky’s use of lethal injection. It was actually a plurality opinion given by the Chief Justice. Whatever your view of the outcome, there is nothing sweeter than to read Justice Scalia’s opinion, wherein he rightly rips Justice Stevens a new one.
But of all [...]
Apr
16
The Pope and the President
April 16, 2008 | Leave a Comment
I just got back from the South Lawn of the White where I saw the President’s welcome of the Pope. I’ll have a more detailed post later this evening when I get home and can download my pictures (taken from very far back). It was truly wonderful to be there, and I think my favorite [...]
Apr
15
That explains it all
April 15, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Steve Phillips is a bumbling EX-general manager who offers completely useless analysis on ESPN. Mark Shapiro is a very successful general manager of a very good baseball franchise. This exchange perfectly encapsulates why that is.
How the hell did Phillips ever guide the Mets to a World Series?
Apr
14
If only he were being elitist
April 14, 2008 | 3 Comments
By now you’ve all heard these remarks from Obama, so there’s nothing wrong with re-posting them one more time. In the interest of fairness, I am going to link to the larger quote in context as McQ has done, with the key part underlined.
OBAMA: So, it depends on where you are, but I think it’s [...]