The medieval Cathars were accused of being the “Great Heretics” of Languedoc in southern France. But they were Christians of spiritual dissent seeking perfection. They didn’t care if you had intercourse outside marriage. They were tolerant of Jews and Muslims. In sharp contrast, the Roman Catholic Church, popes, bishops and the entire hierarchy were the unchristian heretics. … [Read more...]
Gorsuch portends return of court to Scalia reaction
“I won’t ever forget that the seat I inherit is that of a very, very great man, Antonin Scalia.” — Justice Neil Gorsuch Perhaps that epigraph says all you need to know about Justice Gorsuch. His confirmation by the Senate metaphorically returned Scalia to the Supreme Court. President Trump’s appointment of Gorsuch hurts most Americans, bringing back the reactionary 5 … [Read more...]
Vermeer exhibit stints on a masterpiece
A book reviewer for the Wall Street Journal recently spent an exhausting 1,000 words on an exhibit of the works of Dutch painter, Johannes Vermeer (1632-1675). He did not even mention Vermeer’s masterpiece, “Girl with a Pearl Earring.” The exhibition, “Vermeer and the Masters of Genre Painting,” will show in the Louvre in Paris until May 22. The exhibit travels to Dublin and … [Read more...]
Faith forum missed story of Good Samaritan
I was annoyed to read in the Faith Forum Sunday (March 19) that the learned theological panelists, writing about the “the coolest story” in the Bible, astonishingly ignored the story of the Good Samaritan. Luke 10: 29-36 (King James Version [1611]): “…who is my neighbour?...And Jesus answering said, a certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell among thieves, … [Read more...]
The art of writing
Wishelle Banks, a UNR journalism student of mine in the mid-1980s, reminded me recently of Craig Vetter’s advice on teaching writing. His thesis: “I can’t teach you to write. Nobody can. Everybody who ever learned this wretched craft taught himself. Few learned PhDs can teach the art. Writing is thinking. To come up with one simple, interesting or funny thought is hard … [Read more...]
Bard’s birds & author’s books I’ve read
“Shakespeare’s Birds” by Peter Goodfellow. Illustrated by Peter Hayman. Kestrel Books, England. 95 pages, 1983. This book combines my love for Shakespeare and bird watching. Fifty different birds are mentioned in a fascinating short book. Shakespeare’s bird imagery is wonderful. Beatrice runs like a lapwing. Marc Anthony is a doting mallard. And Juliet alludes to … [Read more...]
Women mount the barricades
Women metaphorically mounted the barricades last month for the Women’s March on Washington, demonstrating to achieve six goals: a better health plan, right to abortion, paid family leave, equal pay to men and ending domestic and sexual violence. 1) The Affordable Care Act guaranteed access to birth control, maternity care and breast-feeding supplies. These vital services are … [Read more...]
Tweeter-in-chief
President Trump is governing by Tweeter—most of it with horrible orders and much of it untrue. Examples of his felonious tweets: 1) “Mexican immigrants are criminals, drug dealers and rapists.” 2) “Reporters are enemies of the people.” 3) “The heavy Arab population in New Jersey cheered the crash bombing of the World Trade Center on 9/11. It was on television. I saw … [Read more...]