Lightning delays

My apologies for the continuing delays in more postings on government. The reason for the delay yesterday, which is extending into today, is that I had a lightning strike with a power surge near my home. Of course, I was out and about at the time. Despite surge protection at the entry to the house wiring, despite an UPS standing guard on one computer, and an UPS with VPR on the other computer, I still... [Read more]

research

Overboard Red Sox fans

I meant to continue the posting on government today, but some matters have come up. I will try to return to my posting on government tomorrow. In the meantime, please glance at the above comic. Mind you, I knew that the Boston Red Sox fans are a hard-core group, but I think that the cartoon above is just a mite over the top. GRIN. Hey Red Sox fans, loosen up just a little, you could be a Chicago Cubs... [Read more]

trademarks

An aside on traditions

This post does not directly follow yesterday’s post on government. Rather, it is an aside on tradition that will help with our understanding of government. I am currently reading a fiction book for relaxation. It is set in old Russia at an indeterminate time. It is sometime after the arrival of Christianity, but far enough away from Kiev to still have a population that also follows the old gods.... [Read more]

Rulers are God’s ministers

For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. Therefore you must be subject, not only because... [Read more]

language

Unemployed? Take the job of an illegal immigrant

The Colbert Report Mon – Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c Arturo Rodriguez www.colbertnation.com Colbert Report Full Episodes 2010 Election Fox News About three weeks ago, the United Farm Workers launched an interesting initiative, which Father Orthoduck is glad to support. The video above is from the 8 July Colbert Report. It had to do with illegal farm workers. The UFW wants to... [Read more]

A small excerpt from a history of child-raising

After the Talmud posting on child-rearing, I was doing some research into child-raising. I found the following quote. I should warn those who are easily shocked that it is a tough quote. Infant abandonment was also a fairly common phenomenon in early modern Europe. During the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries the typical foundling (enfant trouvé, French; expósito, Spanish; gettello, Italian; Findelkind,... [Read more]

Is there a place for tough love?

I must admit that the Geico advert above has been my favorite one so far. I thought of it today when I was talking with a member of Alcoholics Anonymous. This person has been part of AA for over two decades, and has not “slipped” for years. As we were talking, s/he commented that s/he misses the “old” Alcoholics Anonymous. As s/he put it, back then the members would be tough... [Read more]

The Talmud on the raising of children

Due to a blog post on another site, I did some research on what the Talmud said on the raising of children. Why did I do that? Because too many people today will quote Scriptures like, “spare the rod and spoil the child,” and will insist that this means that the godly thing to do it to administer strong spankings as necessary. After all smacking someone with a birch rod hurts! I have no... [Read more]

On the Orthodox in this country becoming “Greek”

The Episcopal Assembly of all Orthodox bishops in North America was held back in May. Both before and after the event, bloggers of various types have been busy condemning the event. The charges of Greek takeover are rampant. For instance, one blogger states: Underlying this article is the equation of the “Greek Orthodox Church” in Greece and the US with Phanar. Sorry but I have absolutely... [Read more]

Jesus’ childhood

The Gospels are silent about Jesus’ childhood. I agree with those who say that the emphasis by the Gospel writers was on the Incarnation, the Ministry, and the Death, Resurrection, and Ascension of Our Lord Jesus Christ. With the exception of the Lukan story of a 12 year old Jesus at the Temple, no stories are told after infancy and before ministry. Even the Lukan story serves to point out that... [Read more]

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