We’re fast approaching the end of 2009, and the end of the first decade of the 21st century as well. To say that a lot’s happened in this departing decade would be an understatement. I won’t waste time making resolutions for 2010, because I think they’re a waste of time and would rather spend my time setting goals for myself. So far, even though 2009 got off to a bad start with the loss of my job, I started school and am progressing towards my goal of becoming Cicso certified as well as gaining various other certifications that I’m hoping will help me re-enter the work force and put some income in my pocket so that I can live, if not in the lap of luxury, at least comfortably. This decade has had a fair mix of good and bad. I’m sure future years and decades will as well, but I can always hope for more good than bad. I’d like to wish everyone lots of prosperity, of whatever kind you need, in this coming civil year, and I hope you all get to spend time concentrating on the things that are important to you and your goals. Happy 2010, everyone.
AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND — The Christmas season in sun-kissed New Zealand is normally a chilled-out, festive time more likely to involve beaches and barbecues
than robust debates on the story of Jesus’s birth.
But this year, many here are caught up in the latter (on the beach and around the barbecue, of course), because of a billboard outside St. Matthew-in-the-City,
a towering neo-gothic Anglican church on a bustling street in downtown Auckland.
The poster features Mary and Joseph in bed and apparently naked under the sheets. Joseph looks dejected, while Mary gazes sadly toward the heavens.
The caption reads: “Poor Joseph, God was a hard act to follow.”
The church insists that the billboard is an attempt to spark a discussion about faith in an increasingly secular nation. Some say it has at least prompted
a laugh or two.
I’m not a Christian, but even I can see where this would be considered offensive and unnecessary. I think the church could have achieved its goal of sparking discussion about the birth of Jesus, or told people they didn’t need to believe in supernatural things, in a different manner. But at least it’s not the non-Christians who will get tarred for this. The church decided to come up with this all by themselves. I suppose they get points for originality though.
On Friday, Memphis resident Muhammad Ibrahim entered seven businesses and informed them that if they didn’t close, he would blow them up. Then, when the police pull him over, they discover that he has been telling people that he wants to conduct jihad in Memphis. The police arrest him, and he kicks out the back window of the cruisor and has to be subdued according to reports. Normal people would expect his bail to be quite high. But initial reports say that he was released on $100 bond. Yes, that’s right, there aren’t any missing zeros. That really is $100. Court records now show that his bail is $50000. Ed Morrissey reports that he has left a message with the Shelby County DA’s office to clarify whether the original reports were wrong, and will post updated information once he finds out anything new.
I’d say I’m shocked, but I’m not. I suppose it could have been some Christmas generosity part on the judge, but if it was, what was going through the judge’s mind, especially given the incident earlier in the day? Are people stupid or is it just me? More as it becomes available.