andersonfam.org

This is what I *don’t* like seeing in the forecast for the 2nd week of April:

general minnesota, ugh, weather

Well – I guess that’s it, folks. The infallible Pope Benedict XVI recently decreed (regarding Christian communities borne out of the 16th century reformation):

According to Catholic doctrine, these Communities do not enjoy apostolic succession in the sacrament of Orders, and are, therefore, deprived of a constitutive element of the Church. These ecclesial Communities which, specifically because of the absence of the sacramental priesthood, have not preserved the genuine and integral substance of the Eucharistic Mystery cannot, according to Catholic doctrine, be called “Churches” in the proper sense.

(link)
Brilliant!

Seriously, though. The publication of this statement, in one swift blow, will serve to decimate the Catholic-Protestant relations that Pope JPII strove so diligently to improve. What good could this possibly do for the Catholic church? Does he think that due to his edict, people will flock to Catholic churches around the world cause they desire to go to a “real” church? I think not. Exclusionist doctrines like this (no matter what denomination/religion/group they’re set forth by) only serve to create further discord among the earth’s populace.

Uncategorized faith, ugh

Pirate Myths Uncovered. No “arrrrr”, no plank walking. Bah.

Via kottke.

general general, ugh

First…whomever decided to change Daylight Savings Time (cough, cough, ***head_jerk_towards_washington***) needs to have a stern talking to. I’ve always thought that DST was stupid, and now added on top of that is the fact that poor Sysadmins like myself all across the country are having to scramble to get their systems patched to reflect the changes. Ugh.

Second…because someone at the RIAA didn’t think they were making enough money already, they recently convinced the Copyright Royalty Board to push through a drastic increase the royalty rates for small independent internet radio stations. This increase, which amount to over 100% of the annual revenues of most internet radio stations, will undoubtably serve to kill off all current internet radio stations as well as prevent future stations from starting. Bill Goldsmith, the owner/operator of one of the stations I’ve been listening to for 5 years now, Radio Paradise, has taken the helm on this issue and is advocating on behalf of the hundreds of other internet radio stations that will be affected by this change. Bill has posted a blog entry, where he, in a very detailed post, outlines the details of this decision. It’s not a short entry, but it’s well worth your time. Please go read it.

After you’ve read the synopsis, do something about it. Bill laid out several recommendations as to what you can do to help prevent this. Those recommendations are here. Me personally? I signed the online petition, sent emails to my representatives (Coleman, Klobuchar, and Bachmann), and sent them all snail-mail letters this morning. If you care at all about this, I’d really appreciate if you’d take a few minutes to do the same. The RIAA has pushed consumers/musicians around enough…it’s time to play hardball.

general blog, general, internet, music, politics, ugh, work

Senator Chuck Hagel, speaking on the President’s “surge” plan:

“We better be damn sure we know what we’re doing, all of us, before we put 22,000 more Americans into that grinder.”

It’s about time someone (read: republicans) took a stand on this. As EKM said in an IM conversation today, “It’s really too bad there were no republicans saying that in 2003.” I am, by no means, qualified to know or comment on whether or not it makes military or strategic sense to send in more troops. I just hope that this debate moves forward and that the governing bodies do the hard work of really determining the best course of action.

…via 28thavenue.net.

general general, politics, ugh, work