tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post7655513223654449410..comments2024-03-18T21:33:35.309-07:00Comments on One Cʘsmos: Faith in Reality and the Light of BeliefGagdad Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14249005793605006679noreply@blogger.comBlogger78125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-25633204950340954442010-07-02T20:58:39.456-07:002010-07-02T20:58:39.456-07:00"I think tomorrow will be Music Post Day.&quo..."I think tomorrow will be Music Post Day."<br /><br />Cool! I have a rehearsal tomorrow afternoon in the nearby "big city" tomorrow so I may be late to the game.<br /><br />I look forward to it!Jackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06708393262849661076noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-63379332453659856622010-07-02T20:26:26.072-07:002010-07-02T20:26:26.072-07:00Yup. That four justices can vote against the plai...Yup. That four justices can vote against the plain meaning of the Constitution is just astonishing.<br /><br />Reminds me of something Scalia once said: what is the "moderate position" between what the Constitution says and what the left wants it to say?Gagdad Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14249005793605006679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-85140648264550357612010-07-02T20:07:58.252-07:002010-07-02T20:07:58.252-07:00Speaking of Thomas's... though I suppose one o...Speaking of Thomas's... though I suppose one of a somewhat less exalted position, Justice Thomas <a href="http://blogs.wsj.com/law/2010/06/28/is-his-gun-control-concurrence-justice-thomass-finest-hour/" rel="nofollow">hit it out of the judicial park again</a> with his Opinion in the recent Gun Rights case, and again shows himself to be twice the judicial mind than either of the more renowned (and timid) 'originalists' Scalia, Roberts or Alito are.<br /> <br />Only Thomas ventured to state what the others suspect to be true, but aren't willing or able to support, that the sleight of hand that has over a hundred years of creaking precedent attached to it, the magical 'due process' clause, along with willfully anemic interpretations of the 'Privileges and Immunities' clause of the 14th amendment, are simply excuses for rationalizing desired results out of the constitution, while the full understanding of the Privileges and Immunities clause, is the only proper conduit for the Federal Bill of Rights to be applied within the states, and the only method which won't also unleash an erosion of the powers of the states. <br /><br />I'm only mid-way through his concurring opinion, but he slams it home over and over again, proving once again that only someone who has an understanding of the philosophy of Natural Law, as the Classical Liberal Founding Fathers did, is going to be able to understand the Constitution and reasonably apply its timeless principles, while the more doctrinaire 'originalists' are left flatfooted and still trying to prime their time machine of original intent ("One million gigawatts! Marty, we don't have one million gigawatts!"), asking WWFD (What Would the Founders Do?!), instead of ‘What does this concept <i>mean?</i>’.<br /><br />Ok, diversion over, back to the music.Van Harveyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08470413719262297062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-36431586342409785682010-07-02T19:46:03.188-07:002010-07-02T19:46:03.188-07:00Cosmic Troll should read C. S. Lewis's Miracle...Cosmic Troll should read C. S. Lewis's <i>Miracles</i>, specifically the chapter titled <i>A Chapter Not Strictly Necessary</i>.greynifflerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02681797294152035949noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-44310527283207329452010-07-02T19:42:07.097-07:002010-07-02T19:42:07.097-07:00Memo to Tigtog: new limited edition release from ...Memo to Tigtog: new limited edition release from Rhino Handmade: the giant <a href="http://www.rhino.com/shop/product/vanilla-fudge-box-of-fudge" rel="nofollow">Box o' Fudge</a>. Pretty much the complete crapus, I mean corpus: <br /><br />"For a brief moment in 1967, Vanilla Fudge stood at the swirling center of the pop-music universe, satisfying fans searching for transformative musical experiences with its symphonic psychedelic rock. Sweetened by intricate vocal harmonies and classical flourishes, The Fudge’s innovative mix of rhythm and blues shone brightly as a new era of heavy music was dawning at the start of the 1970s."Gagdad Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14249005793605006679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-18198043206326691122010-07-02T18:46:51.991-07:002010-07-02T18:46:51.991-07:00It really, truly was. :)It really, truly was. :)Susannahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16381272662339466736noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-55103579236677711272010-07-02T16:23:53.830-07:002010-07-02T16:23:53.830-07:00Was your wv really purety? Because I was going to ...Was your wv really purety? Because I was going to say "only someone as pure as Thomas."Gagdad Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14249005793605006679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-33718021374736885152010-07-02T16:22:12.604-07:002010-07-02T16:22:12.604-07:00-- in your conception of things, is the Yes? ever ...-- in your conception of things, is the Yes? ever fulfilled (eschatologically speaking)?<br /><br />I would hope so, either in the beatific vision or in heaven -- or moksha, or infused contemplation, or whatever one wishes to call it,. <br /><br />There is a beautiful story about Thomas's assistant, Reginald, who testified that after Thomas' death, he heard a voice say to him, "You have written well of me, Thomas. What will you have as your reward?" "Only thyself, Lord." That's the kind of guy who gets the BV in this life.Gagdad Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14249005793605006679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-48714386166165703932010-07-02T16:13:16.349-07:002010-07-02T16:13:16.349-07:00"The Yes! signifies the real presence, while ..."The Yes! signifies the real presence, while the Yes? signifies the necessary absence that will be perpetually filled by faith."<br /><br />This is a very good way of expressing it.<br /><br />"The real negative only occurs when positive and negative -- the already and the not yet -- are no longer polarized but at equilibrium."<br /><br />You've stated this before, but it's an insight I would never have had apart from your blog. Or perhaps I would have expressed it in more "saturated" terms?<br /><br />Bob, in your conception of things, is the Yes? ever fulfilled (eschatologically speaking)?<br /><br />Van, I grew up in the South, surrounded by "all types" in the Church. I just wanted to assure you that the thread of "intellectual" Christianity has always been alive and well, even in the Bible Belt, that supplier of TBN-style, name it/claim it preachers. :) But the are also the <a href="http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/TasteAndSee/ByDate/2010/4555_John_Pipers_Upcoming_Leave/" rel="nofollow">John Pipers</a> of the church, who refuse to sell the good news, and who stay honest and accountable.<br /><br />I agree with the later assessments of Tammy Faye/Garofalo, BTW. I can't see associating Garofalo with naivete. <br /><br />wv: purety :)Susannahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16381272662339466736noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-49734408419645005472010-07-02T16:05:58.506-07:002010-07-02T16:05:58.506-07:00This particular box, which covers 1972-1975, is po...This particular box, which covers 1972-1975, is post-all of those names, with the exception of Isaac Hayes. That's what makes it such an interesting listen -- lots of great stuff you've never heard before. 10 CDs and over 200 tracks of cosmo-American soul.Gagdad Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14249005793605006679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-19619105832627906832010-07-02T15:57:30.132-07:002010-07-02T15:57:30.132-07:00To Gagdad re: Stax
Good times. Otis, Sam and Dave...To Gagdad re: Stax<br /><br />Good times. Otis, Sam and Dave, Booker T & MGs, Wilson Picket, and Issac Hayes. Great house band, great individual sound (because the floor was uneven). Most importantly, the owners were connected to the grassroots that spawned the music both from a discovery point of view and a retail point of view. Perfect test circle to discover greats. Between Stax and Muscle Shoals the sound of southern soul and R&B was chronicled. Too bad they did the deal with CBS, it killed them.Tigtoghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03290914498892961024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-21453870816558220772010-07-02T15:41:13.047-07:002010-07-02T15:41:13.047-07:00I think tomorrow will be Music Post Day.I think tomorrow will be Music Post Day.Gagdad Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14249005793605006679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-2542737075226426282010-07-02T15:38:08.142-07:002010-07-02T15:38:08.142-07:00As a matter of fact, Junior Walker was the only Mo...As a matter of fact, Junior Walker was the only Motown artist who performed more in a Stax style....Gagdad Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14249005793605006679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-46491147040237150102010-07-02T15:37:21.175-07:002010-07-02T15:37:21.175-07:00I meant Tigtog. But ge will do as well.I meant Tigtog. But ge will do as well.Gagdad Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14249005793605006679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-41379418531132051952010-07-02T15:36:55.214-07:002010-07-02T15:36:55.214-07:00GE: Speaking of soul and heaven, at this moment I...GE: Speaking of soul and heaven, at this moment I'm in soul heaven -- listening to the complete Stax singles, '72 to '75, as seen in the sidebar. The end of the classic era before the emergence of disco. Good way to celebrate America!Gagdad Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14249005793605006679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-73540727064870710252010-07-02T15:28:27.971-07:002010-07-02T15:28:27.971-07:00TO ge re:
"erratum: not
And then shoot him ...TO ge re: <br /><br />"erratum: not<br />And then shoot him for he runs now<br />rawther<br />And then shoot him 'fore he runs now""<br /><br />Actually it is "fo". Don't argue with Junior Walker.<br /><br />appropriate wv: rapyrTigtoghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03290914498892961024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-54126130495172302662010-07-02T15:20:27.150-07:002010-07-02T15:20:27.150-07:00erratum: not
And then shoot him for he runs now
ra...erratum: not<br />And then shoot him for he runs now<br />rawther<br />And then shoot him 'fore he runs now"gehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02015936407999495181noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-73052284306502617972010-07-02T15:19:47.074-07:002010-07-02T15:19:47.074-07:00Magnus said "Secondly, Hell is a place of dar...Magnus said "Secondly, Hell is a place of darkness. There is no place in Hell where you can get an overview or perspective. The worldview from Hell is fragmented, incoherent and unbalanced. Even if you have acquired specialized knowledge, even religious knowledge, it lacks direction and connection with neighboring knowledge. This is the opposite of the joy of insight that was mentioned before. There is no way in Hell to expand your perspective on reality."<br /><br />Excellent comment.<br /><br />And one way to put yourself in that place this side of the grave, is to erase the structure of reality from around you, essentially replacing windows with paintings and sketches, and the way to do that is through language. Blur the meaning of words, or your confidence in the possibility of their having real meaning, as modern philosophy from Hume forward explicitly does, and you are by virtue of that, bit by bit, dis-integrated from reality and communion with your fellows.<br /><br />Talk about painting yourself into a corner.Van Harveyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08470413719262297062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-29002232959414321772010-07-02T15:13:20.018-07:002010-07-02T15:13:20.018-07:00Of course they do - as above, so below. I just did...Of course they do - as above, so below. I just didn't know that was a naturally occurring form of cauliflower.<br /><br />I'd still call it Mandelbroccoli, though.juliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15975754287030568726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-82754528269721076042010-07-02T15:06:00.781-07:002010-07-02T15:06:00.781-07:00Mandelbroccoli?
No, a romanesco broccoli, showing...Mandelbroccoli?<br /><br />No, a romanesco broccoli, showing a naturally occurring fractal. Its how things grow. All things.Tigtoghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03290914498892961024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-49594737692401337342010-07-02T14:55:04.684-07:002010-07-02T14:55:04.684-07:00Tigtog said "Cool, I have a picture now."...Tigtog said "Cool, I have a picture now."<br /><br />I would have guessed the shape.<br /><br />The pointy things are a bit surprising though.<br /><br /><br />(sorry, couldn't resist)Van Harveyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08470413719262297062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-66740146528653554212010-07-02T14:50:15.618-07:002010-07-02T14:50:15.618-07:00Hell has certain characteristics, even when we are...Hell has certain characteristics, even when we are only partly immersed in it, such as can be the case in this life, where we are anchored to the physical world but may still experience Heaven or Hell to some degree through the immersion of our mind.<br /><br />First, obviously, Hell is a state of suffering. The ordinary person whose mind is contaminated by Hell is usually complaining, repeatedly, about his personal suffering and the perceived injustice against his person. This is different from what we may call "worry on God's behalf", exemplified in the Bible by Lot suffering daily by the ungodly life he saw in Sodom.<br /><br />Secondly, Hell is a place of darkness. There is no place in Hell where you can get an overview or perspective. The worldview from Hell is fragmented, incoherent and unbalanced. Even if you have acquired specialized knowledge, even religious knowledge, it lacks direction and connection with neighboring knowledge. This is the opposite of the joy of insight that was mentioned before. There is no way in Hell to expand your perspective on reality.<br /><br />Thirdly, Hell is loveless. Those who suffer there, have no energy left for others. They are consumed by their own despair, and the idea of giving to others is meaningless to them. Why is no one doing anything for me? Why am I being treated like this? That is on their mind, and so there is no room for "What can I do to alleviate the suffering of others?", "How can I share my happiness?", "I need to become more pure so I can radiate love, hope and courage to those around me".<br /><br />Well, that should suffice. When we hear ourselves say words from Hell, or even think them, it is time to run like the devil is after us. Because, unfortunately, that can happen.Magnus Itlandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18445902788427523461noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-28809269508661695692010-07-02T14:50:08.440-07:002010-07-02T14:50:08.440-07:00Mandelbroccoli?Mandelbroccoli?juliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15975754287030568726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-33792717633161405642010-07-02T14:49:05.526-07:002010-07-02T14:49:05.526-07:00Hope this isn't insensitive, but is that the f...Hope this isn't insensitive, but is that the front or the back?Gagdad Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14249005793605006679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-75985949224703229122010-07-02T14:46:46.615-07:002010-07-02T14:46:46.615-07:00Cool, I have a picture now.Cool, I have a picture now.Tigtoghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03290914498892961024noreply@blogger.com