Whither Das Cubs?

It's been real quiet out in Arizona, which may be a good thing after all of the whispering and hand wringing about Kerry Wood and Mark Prior. Woody appears to be set to start putting pressure on his cleaned up knee, and Prior is set to throw in a Cactus League game next week. Still, as a Cub fan, I'm fully expecting Wood's arm to fall off about 1-2 starts into the season, and for Prior to get hit by something about 5-6 starts into the season. It's probably a good thing that the Cubs have such trouble winning, as a I believe it was Nostradamus who made the following prophecy:

When the little bears from the windy place raise the flag of triumph, know ye that the end of days come.

Time Running Out for Ex-Governor?

I've been following former governor George Ryan's trial with much interest. Closing arguments are scheduled to end tomorrow and the it will be interesting to see what the jury does with the evidence. The federal government has produced a case largely based on circumstantial evidence -- but the circumstances are pretty damning -- less than $7,000 in bank withdrawals over his time in the governor's mansion -- strange for a man who loved the high life, sweetheart deals with political allies, probable fundraising violations, thwarted ethical investigations and the coup de grace, what Ryan knew about the bribes for licenses scandal that played a part in the fiery death of a minister's children (though rhis has been glossed over so as not to inflame the jury). Ryan's defense team has pounded on the fact that the governor has been unfairly and maliciously persecuted by the government that the circumstances of the disputed events, while seemingly damning, are in fact merely coincidental, and that the governor is in fact a man of high character, evidenced by his freeze on the death penalty in Illinois shortly before his term of office ended.

I think he's guilty. I find it impossible to believe that a man who not only survived, but thrived in the world of Illinois politics for 40 years was a mere dupe of his benefactors and political allies. Guilty or not, it's unfortunate that his legacy will be one of corruption instead of taking a necessary stand on the death penalty.

Basketball

I usually play hoops on Wednesday night at the church I go to with an over 30 crowd. I played last night for the first time in about a month -- I expected to be extremely rusty, but actually was en fuego -- I could do no wrong offensively or defensively. Boy it's fun to have a few games like that! I'm not a good player, but competitive in the crowd I play with. I've noticed that when I take a few weeks off, my first week back is usually pretty good -- it's generally downhill after that. Maybe I'll take a couple weeks off before I play again to test the theory...

Karl Rahner

Karl Rahner, S.J.'s, interpretation and expansion of Catholic theology influenced the Second Vatican Council and is considered essential to a modern understanding of Catholic faith. Rahner's theology is also rejected by many dogmatic Catholics for his theory concerning the "Anonymous Christian" -- non-believers who may attain salvation through the grace of God and their earthly works. I have never been comfortable with the idea that moral, spiritual people who live good lives will be denied heaven. Nor, however, had I been able to square that idea with the gospel teachings that the way to heaven is through Jesus alone. When I studied Rahner in high school and college philosophy, it suddenly made sense.

Here are some of his thoughts:

Anonymous Christianity means that a person lives in the grace of God and attains salvation outside of explicitly constituted Christianity... Let us say, a Buddhist monk... who, because he follows his conscience, attains salvation and lives in the grace of God; of him I must say that he is an anonymous Christian; if not, I would have to presuppose that there is a genuine path to salvation that really attains that goal, but that simply has nothing to do with Jesus Christ. But I cannot do that. And so, if I hold if everyone depends upon Jesus Christ for salvation, and if at the same time I hold that many live in the world who have not expressly recognized Jesus Christ, then there remains in my opinion nothing else but to take up this postulate of an anonymous Christianity.

In the torment of the insufficiency of everything attainable we eventually learn that here, in this life, all symphonies remain unfinished.

How often I have found that we grow to maturity not by doing what we like, but by doing what we should. How true it is that not every 'should' is a compulsion, and not every 'like' is a high morality and true freedom.

Grace can and does have a history.

In death the relationship we have with the world is not abolished, but is rather for the first time completed.

Here Comes Trouble

Kerry Wood, currently rehabbing his shoulder, has arthroscopic knee surgery set for Tuesday. Cubs claim it's no big deal, but it's all a big deal with Woody. Says here that a problem with the wheels leads to continued problems with Wood's arm mechanics as he tries to compensate for a weak knee by overthrowing with that arm across the body motion. Not an encouraging start to 2006...

Millenium

Got the first season of Chris Carter's show Millenium (spelling?) from Netflix. I remember watching this show at times when it came out and liking it, but I wasn't a regular viewer -- it's pretty dark, and at the time I was a devotee of Carter's other show, the X-Files. I missed out is all I can say. The premise is that the lead character, Frank Black (no not from the Pixies) is a retired FBI profiler of serial killers, who hangs it up because he's too good at what he does -- he actually has visions of what the killer sees (a la Will Graham from Red Dragon). The twist is that he's been contacted to come out of retirement by a "consultant" group called the Millenium Group, who assists the authorities on particularly baffling serial killer cases. The Millenium Group, however, believes that these killers, rather than being random psychopaths, are driven by the forces of hell on earth (i.e., Satan) bent on bringing about the apocalypse of Revelations. May sound out there, but it's compelling...

The Squid and The Whale

Caught this indie flick over the weekend. Good movie, but tough to watch. It's about a family breaking up after years of the husband and wife being lousy to each other. It shows how the parents and their two sons suffer, particularly by making bad choices it seems. There were parts that were truly funny and bits that were hard to watch because they were raw and painful -- the younger son (who's pre-teen) acts out by drinking, smoking and something more politely reserved for private conversation. Good acting, particularly by the boys who play the sons. It's definitely not for delicate sensibilities (like Mom! :))

Here We Go Again

What would spring training be without Cubs pitchers on the shelf? Kerry Wood is still rehabbing, and Mark Prior is rumored to have shoulder problems.

Krushchev

I'm currently reading a biography of Nikita Krushchev by William Taubman. I find Khrushchev as fascinating as any historical figure of the 20th century, as a man, a politician, a statesman, and a Cold War leader. The man is as complex and contradictory as they come both in his motives and his methods. More to come as I get farther into the book...

Hiatus Over

Taken a little longer posting break than I like to. It's been busy around the Tarzan household and with the Tarzan business. Just finished a history of the Middle East written by a former BBC (I think) correspondent. It was concise, well written and contained a wealth of information about the roots of the current conflict between the U.S. and Europe, Arab and Persian nations and Islam. Colonialism and neo-colonialism, combined with Islam, explain much about the current problems the U.S. and Europe are experiencing in the Middle East. It also discusses the roots of Islamic fundamentalism and terrorism as an accepted weapon against the West. It's a great book that gives one a lot to think about in the modern context.

The GAO Preliminary Statement On Katrina

This preliminary report from the GAO takes the federal government (particularly FEMA) to task for massive failures in preparation, planning, and response to Hurricane Katrina. What's chilling is the implication the report makes for our readiness for any new potential terrorist attack...

McSweeney's Does 24

Snippets from

"About Me"
on Jack Bauer's Friendster Profile.
BY JACK RUENPRAPAN

Catch the full article at the link to McSweeney's Internet Tendency

- - - -

I don't have a lot of time to explain right now, but you're going to have to trust me.

During my years of covert government service, I have gone through hell and back. Yes, I am proud to have served my country, helping to avoid many horrific tragedies. Rules are meant to be followed, but I have a history of insubordination. While the methods I employ may seem harsh, I always have one goal in mind: saving lives. In the process, I have had to make some tough decisions, often within seconds, in order to avert disaster.

To my friends: I'm sorry for not telling you everything. It's not that I don't trust you, but we are operating on a strict need-to-know basis. But when I'm in a jam, I hope I can count on you. Whether it's illegally hacking passwords of suspected terrorist financiers or keeping your mouth shut about my smack habit, I really appreciate everything. And if you ever find yourself unavoidably chained to a weapon of mass destruction counting down to zero, you know I'm the first one there with an ax. You can even use my belt to stop the bleeding while I radio Division for help. Sorry I can't stick around to accompany you to the emergency room, but there's still work that needs to be done, so get me that chopper. And set up a perimeter right away.

To my enemies: If I need information from you, seconds count. So apologies in advance if I have to break your thumbs or threaten to kill your family; I empathize with you. Believe me, I've been tortured plenty of times myself, and I know interrogation ain't no picnic. Please listen to me very carefully: I will DO WHATEVER IT TAKES to stop this assassination/nuclear bomb/horrible karaoke.

- - - -

Been A Long Week...

Haven't blogged for almost a week -- between work, considering new work options (got a couple of interviews next week to explore some new possibilties), illness and a major wireless router breakdown requiring the crack help of the Geek Squad (they don't actually roll like the Mod Squad, which was disappointing), I haven't had much time or accessiblility to the Century of Futility.

First, work. Week started with a bang -- new contracts, a new project with a colleague, and plenty of closings over the next three weeks, and ended with a whimper -- likely lost one contract because the appraisal came back way too low, and lost my condo deal, which will entail a future hit. Not too pleased with the way the day went as I write this.

Second, new work. Interviewing with a headhunter on Monday, and for a position with a firm in Wheaton. Interested in seeing what's out there.

Third, illness. My little man caught a cold Tuesday and was up all night with breathing problems and a fever -- he'd cough, cough, cough and wake himself up -- he couldn't have gotten more than two hours of sleep all night. He went to the doctor Wednesday, and has bounced back nicely, but the hardest thing for me as a parent is when I'm powerless to help (like when Sammo can't breathe), particularly because my kids are still young enough to think Mom and Dad can fix anything. Then, on Thursday, my wife calls me. From the hospital. Seems she had a bad dizzy spell at work that she thought may have been an allergic reaction. She's fine, thankfully, but again, there's the powerless problem.

Fourth, Geek Squad. While Sammo was getting sick, so was our computer system. The wireless router somehow got unconfigured (deconfigured, discombobulated?) completely shutting down the home office. Which happens to be THE OFFICE. Thankfully, Geek Squad rolled to the rescue for a total of $129.00

That's the week in a nutshell. Stay tuned for next week's episode, same Bat-time, same Bat-channel.

The "New" Supreme Court

I've been purposely holding off commenting on the selections of John Roberts and Samuel Alito to the high court -- mostly because I wanted to see how the process played out. The "vetting" process by the Senate is badly flawed. The fact of the matter is, I'm most interested in knowing how a particular judge intereprets the law -- not in their personal politics. As a matter of course, most judges put their personal beliefs aside in reaching a decision on a case, and there was clearly no evidence that either Justice Roberts or Justice Alito would use their new role to advance private political agendas. While a judge's interpretation of an unprecedented case may be informed by their background, most judges who make it to courts of appeal or the federal bench at all are solid jurists who apply the law, not their opinions to the case. This is why the Republicans missed badly on Justices Kennedy and Souter, and why the Democrats made themselves look like fools when they spent their time pontificating during the confirmation hearings of the new Justices -- they failed to fully appreciate (or care) that candidates for the highest bench in the land are by and large going to interpret the law as it exists -- not as they wish it to be. Legislating from the bench is the quickest way to stall your career as a judge (Justice Scalia being the obvious exception). So while it's way too early to uncover any trends from Justices Roberts and Alito, I'm not too concerned that they'll be listening to a political party rather than the Constitution in deciding cases. They seem much more pragmatic than dogmatic.

Karl Barth

Here are the thoughts of yet another significant theologian -- Swiss born Karl Barth. Many consider Barth to be the most inlfuential theologian since Thomas Aquinas. Here's a sampling of his thoughts:

[God] is not deaf, he listens; more than that, he acts. He does not act in the same way whether we pray or not. Prayer exerts an influence upon God's action, even upon his existence. That is what the word 'answer' means. ... The fact that God yields to man's petitions, changing his intentions in response to man's prayer, is not a sign of weakness. He himself, in the glory of his majesty and power, has so willed it.

Joy is the simplest form of gratitude.

Man can certainly flee from God... but he cannot escape him. He can certainly hate God and be hateful to God, but he cannot change into its opposite the eternal love of God which triumphs even in his hate.


Laughter is the closest thing to the grace of God


Jews have God's promise and if we Christians have it, too, then it is only as those chosen with them, as guests in their house, that we are new wood grafted onto their tree.

Religion is the possibility of the removal of every ground of confidence except confidence in God alone

Grace must find expression in life, otherwise it is not grace.

Men have never been good, they are not good and they never will be good

It may be that when the angels go about their task praising God, they play only Bach. I am sure, however, that when they are together en famille they play Mozart.

All sin has its being and origin in the fact that man wants to be his own judge. And in wanting to be that, and thinking and acting accordingly, he and his whole world is in conflict with God. It is an unreconciled world, and therefore a suffering world, a world given up to destruction.

Super Seahawks! (Meaning Steelers Win!)

Going with the Seahawks for the Super Bowl win -- thus guaranteeing a Steelers victory in the game, which should make all the Pry-wins in and around the 'Burgh joyful! I think it will be a good game -- the teams match up well, and if Shaun Alexander can get going, the Seahawks will make it tough on the Steeltowners. No other analysis -- just going with my streak of (bad) luck to bring it home for the Terrible Towelers...

Celluloid You Can't Refuse

Watched The Road to Perdition the other night -- one of my favorite gangster films. Every actor in it hits his mark perfectly -- Tom Hanks, Paul Newman, Jude Law, Daniel Craig (the new James Bond!) and as Tom Hanks' son, Tyler Hoechlin. Just a great movie about an "honorable" hit man who gets involved in a double cross and has to go on the lam to protect his son. Got me thinking about my favorite mob movies of all time -- the ones I've seen, in no particular order...

A Bronx Tale -- DeNiro, Chazz Palmintieri, a father's battle with the Mob for the soul of his son...

Bugsy -- Vegas, Baby, Vegas! And Warren Beatty. And Ben Kingsley... And Annette Bening

Carlito's Way -- Al Pacino in all his bluster as a "reformed" Latin gangster who just keeps getting pulled back in

Donnie Brasco -- Johnny Depp as a federal mole who nearly joins the mob before he beats them -- and destroys Al Pacino in the process

The Freshman -- Marlon Brando and Matthew Broderick in just a great comedic riff on the Godfather

The Godfather -- The saga of the Corleone family begins -- Brando, Pacino, James Caan, Robert Duvall. A flawless movie...

The Godfather Part II -- The saga of the Corleone family is complete (forget III) -- Brando, Pacino, DeNiro, Duvall, Diane Keaton. Francis Ford Coppola makes a flawless sequel

Goodfellas -- DeNiro, Joe Pesci and Ray Liotta; Pesci in his career-making role. Brutal but you just can't avert your eyes.

Johnny Dangerously -- Michael Keaton pre-Batman. Hi-lar-i-ous.

Miller's Crossing -- The Cohen brothers do the Irish mob noir-style. Gabriel Byrne in his best role (Usual Suspects is a close second), Albert Finney, Marcia Gay Harden and John Turturro

Once Upon a Time in America -- DeNiro and James Woods in Sergio ("Spaghetti Western") Leone's last film about the rise of the New York mob.

On the Waterfront -- Brando again with Karl Malden and Rod Steiger. One of the greatest movie soliloquys of all time by Brando's Terry Malloy: "You don't understand. I could've had class. I could've been a contender. I could've been somebody instead of a bum, which is what I am..."

The Untouchables -- Sean Connery's Oscar-winning turn as cynical Chicago cop Jimmy Malone. Kevin Costner as Elliot Ness, Andy Garcia, Charles Martin Smith and DeNiro again, as Al Capone. Brian DePalma's best film.

The Road to Perdition

A Natural History of Peace

An interesting article from Foreign Affairs on whether human beings are innately peaceful or war-like. A hopeful article that acknolwedges that "[c]ontrary to what was believed just a few decades ago, humans are not "killer apes" destined for violent conflict, but can make their own history."

Hamas and the Future of Palestine

What to say about the ascendency of a terrorist organization to political power? Democracy should prevail in the Middle East, but what to make of the fact that the Palestinians have chosen -- and chose the political arm of Hamas, whose charter advocates the destruction of Israel? I think the rub here is not to look at this decision by Palestinians as a vote solely in favor of terrorism. Hamas leaders' have avoided the corruption that plagues Fatah, the organization built by Yasser Arafat. Hamas has also done a much better job in creating social services and taking care of the impoverished Palestinian population than Fatah.

At the same time, how can America support the legitimate results of democracy and encourage continued efforts at state-building in the West Bank and Gaza Strip while condemning the terrorist acts of Hamas, which remains unrepentant for its use of violence and terror and advocation of Israel's destruction, and continues to refuse to rule out the continued use of violence to achieve its aims? The key may be to be pragmatic. Recognize the value of democracy as a legitimate end in itself, even when the result is unfavorable to our interests. Refuse to accept the platform and actions of terror sponsored by Hamas and take the actions necessary to deal with (and prevent) such acts. Many observers opine that Hamas may moderate its views by becoming part of the system -- much in same way the IRA did in Northern Ireland (albeit, it remains a work in progress) when its political wing, Sinn Fein was able to join the national government. This situation remains a thorny problem that bears careful observing and the use of pragmatism.

Congressman Seuss

Just got this off of Solosez e-mail, an ABA resource for solo practitioners. don't know who wrote it, but it's great!

That Abramoff!
That Abramoff!

I do not like that Abramoff!
"Would you like to play some golf?"
I do not want to play some golf.
I do not want to, Abramoff.

"We could fly you there for free.
Off to Scotland, by the sea."
I do not want to fly for free.
I don't like Scotland by the sea.
I do not want to play some golf.
I do not want to, Abramoff.

"Would you, could you, take this bribe?
Could you, would you, for the tribe?"
I would not, could not, take this bribe.
I could not, would not, for the tribe.

"If we strong-armed corporations
Into giving you donations?
They'd be funneled to your PAC.
Would you then cut us some slack?"
I would not, could not, cut you slack.
I do not care about my PAC.
I do not want to play some golf.
I do not want to, Abramoff.

"A plane! A plane! A plane! A plane!
Would you, could you, for a plane?"
I could not, would not, for a plane.
Not for a bribe, not for the tribe.
Not for donations from corporations.
Not for my PAC, not for some slack.
Not from any schmoe named Jack.

"Would you help us buy some ships
Perfect for quick gambling trips?
Talk to people in the know
For a little quid pro quo?

Oh come now, don't be a snob.
Let us give your wife a job."
I will not help you buy some ships.
I do not wish for gambling trips.
My wife does not need a job
Even if she is a snob.

We do not like bribes, can't you see?
Why won't you just let me be?

"You do not like bribes, so you say.
Try them, try them, and you may.
Try them and you may, I say."
Jack. If you will let me be

I will try them, then you'll see.
Say.... I do like playing golf!
I like it, I do, Abramoff!
I do like Scotland by the sea.
It's such a thrilling place to be!

And I will take this bribe.
And I will help the tribe.
And I will take donations
From big corporations.

And I will help you buy some ships.
And I will take quick gambling trips.
Say, I'll give anyone the shaft
As long as it involves some graft!

I do so like playing golf!
Thank you! Thank you,
Abramoff!