The situation in Zimbabwe continues to deteriorate as talks of a transitional or power-sharing government drag on. Soon there will be nothing left to transit or share.
theMK
Reflections From a Hospital Bed
1 month ago
19 August 2008
The newpaper industry's big Owee
As a fan of the radio talk show host Hugh Hewitt, I've been fascinated by his insight and involvement in the new media vs. old media conflict. This article just adds fuel to the fire, more newspapers!
theMK
theMK
16 August 2008
An August update on Gpa
Hello all family,
Here is an update on Gpa.
I hope this is informative. Feel free to give me a call with any questions.
theMK
Here is an update on Gpa.
I hope this is informative. Feel free to give me a call with any questions.
theMK
06 August 2008
Scratch songs for worship
Hey CCR worship team! Here are the scratch songs for you to practice with. Either play or download.
See you Sunday!
theMK
See you Sunday!
theMK
04 August 2008
Society, Violence, & Grandstanding
This is the first truly personal posting I've put up in awhile. That will change in the near future (as in more truly personal postings). There are some things I'd like to put up on my lovely wife of 4 years & my trip to Crater Lake National Park as well as some things I've been chewing on.
Now, to the matter at hand. At the beginning of July, the 4th to be precise, a man and his family were attacked at ValleyFair (an amusement park) in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area while on a family outing. I will spare you all the details here. You can read.
There are a few points regarding the incident I'd like to highlight. First, my original source, Ignatius Piazza, founder & director of FrontSight Firearms Training Institute, makes what to my mind is a powerful and compelling argument for providing yourself and your family with the means and training to safely and properly defend yourself faced with a similar situation. I believe he lists correctly the three options of response you have in a situation such as this towards the end of his post.
Second, I think that Katherine Kersten of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune presents a good argument for her points as well in commenting on the beating. She correctly identifies some of the characteristics and factors that surround a case such as this; namely narcissism, materialism (this is strongly implied, not directly stated), lack of restraint, and violence. I particularly like this quote:
"This idea -- that life is about doing, and getting, what we want -- is widespread today. The narcissistic belief that our personal desires trump both social norms and duties to others fuels problems that range from family breakdown to drug abuse to corporate corruption."
I believe one thing that is missing is the direct connection with the lack of self-restraint and violence. This is the only gripe I have with Kersten's commentary. I believe that violence exercised with great self-restraint is a very useful tool to society. Piazza makes this point well and fills in where Kersten is lacking.
The editorial regarding the beating put out by the Star-Tribune unfortunately fell flat on it's face halfway through. Instead of offering thoughtful, creative solutions or even just a heartfelt consolation to the victim & his family, the editors used it as an opportunity to grandstand for their candidate.
Another article, this one by Jim Adams, addresses another controversial issue, hate-crimes. Apparently this incident has aroused the creatures of the fever-swamp and the cry has been heard to charge the perpetrators of the crime with a hate-crime. This has happened under the erroneous assumption that the black perps attacked a white family. This situation only highlights the ridiculous notion that some crimes are more hate-filled than others, and of course the difference is the color of the skin. This beating was obviously not hate-filled because everyone involved is black! At least, that's what the law says. Put the same situation in different context, i.e. inter-racial, & for some reason or another you end up with a different outcome to it. It's so ridiculous, moronic, & illogical that it makes me want to puke! People are people. Crime is crime. There is enough of a challenge to keep Justice blind in our society without imposing shades of color into the system.
Finally, the most recent update by Jim Adams adds a little more detail to the picture. Thankfully at least one of the perps are now facing charges of assault in the 1st degree. The injured father is facing the possibility of lifelong injuries resulting from the assault.
This leads back to Piazza's post and response to the situation. Had this father not only had the willingness and desire to protect his family, but the means and training to use it the outcome could very well have been different. Perhaps nothing would have transpired when the father showed a willingness to use a firearm. Perhaps...but we will never know. And we never know when it might be us.
theMK
Now, to the matter at hand. At the beginning of July, the 4th to be precise, a man and his family were attacked at ValleyFair (an amusement park) in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area while on a family outing. I will spare you all the details here. You can read.
There are a few points regarding the incident I'd like to highlight. First, my original source, Ignatius Piazza, founder & director of FrontSight Firearms Training Institute, makes what to my mind is a powerful and compelling argument for providing yourself and your family with the means and training to safely and properly defend yourself faced with a similar situation. I believe he lists correctly the three options of response you have in a situation such as this towards the end of his post.
Second, I think that Katherine Kersten of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune presents a good argument for her points as well in commenting on the beating. She correctly identifies some of the characteristics and factors that surround a case such as this; namely narcissism, materialism (this is strongly implied, not directly stated), lack of restraint, and violence. I particularly like this quote:
"This idea -- that life is about doing, and getting, what we want -- is widespread today. The narcissistic belief that our personal desires trump both social norms and duties to others fuels problems that range from family breakdown to drug abuse to corporate corruption."
I believe one thing that is missing is the direct connection with the lack of self-restraint and violence. This is the only gripe I have with Kersten's commentary. I believe that violence exercised with great self-restraint is a very useful tool to society. Piazza makes this point well and fills in where Kersten is lacking.
The editorial regarding the beating put out by the Star-Tribune unfortunately fell flat on it's face halfway through. Instead of offering thoughtful, creative solutions or even just a heartfelt consolation to the victim & his family, the editors used it as an opportunity to grandstand for their candidate.
Another article, this one by Jim Adams, addresses another controversial issue, hate-crimes. Apparently this incident has aroused the creatures of the fever-swamp and the cry has been heard to charge the perpetrators of the crime with a hate-crime. This has happened under the erroneous assumption that the black perps attacked a white family. This situation only highlights the ridiculous notion that some crimes are more hate-filled than others, and of course the difference is the color of the skin. This beating was obviously not hate-filled because everyone involved is black! At least, that's what the law says. Put the same situation in different context, i.e. inter-racial, & for some reason or another you end up with a different outcome to it. It's so ridiculous, moronic, & illogical that it makes me want to puke! People are people. Crime is crime. There is enough of a challenge to keep Justice blind in our society without imposing shades of color into the system.
Finally, the most recent update by Jim Adams adds a little more detail to the picture. Thankfully at least one of the perps are now facing charges of assault in the 1st degree. The injured father is facing the possibility of lifelong injuries resulting from the assault.
This leads back to Piazza's post and response to the situation. Had this father not only had the willingness and desire to protect his family, but the means and training to use it the outcome could very well have been different. Perhaps nothing would have transpired when the father showed a willingness to use a firearm. Perhaps...but we will never know. And we never know when it might be us.
theMK
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