Racquetball practice

I take Bailey to her Tiny Tots gym class on Friday mornings. The rec center’s racquetball courts line the hallway that leads to the gym. Bailey likes to look in the windows while we pass and watch people play.

This afternoon we were killing time at home. She picked up her big green ball and a stick then asked me to play racquetball with her. I switched out her stick for an actual racket. We did this for over a half-hour. Here’s a taste. Good times.

She doesn’t know it yet but it will be tennis for her before racquetball. Promising forehand though, don’t you think?

Discrimination to protest discrimination?

Members of the American Philosophical Association have petitioned the organization to punish religious colleges or universities that require their students to abide by ethical standards that include the prohibition of engaging in homosexual acts. So far the petition has gathered over 1000 signatures, mostly people from academia.

The petitioners believe that religious institutions should not be able to act on their moral beliefs. The idea that “you can have your beliefs, you just can’t live by them” is tyranny in the guise of “enlightenment.”

Religious discrimination is now officially en vogue in academia. Not that it hasn’t been for a while now, they are just more brazen about it.

(hat tip: Francis Beckwith)

Proud daddy moment

I took Bailey to the park yesterday to enjoy this great spring-like weather we have been having. We don’t normally go to this park so it was a change from our usual outing. We were the only two at the playground for a few minutes before two other mothers arrived separately. One had two young children, the other had what looked to be a three-year old boy.

The playground at this park has a slide with vertical 8 foot ladder. I had been helping Bailey climb it before the other kids got there. And by help, I mean spotting her to make sure she didn’t fall while telling her she didn’t need my help. She got the hang of it quickly before deciding she would rather play on some of the other equipment.

A few minutes later the three-year old boy started climbing the ladder. He got about halfway up and then got scared. His mom encouraged him to keep going but she had to lift him off. Bailey watched what happened then decided it was time climb it herself. She ran past the boy and climbed straight up the ladder.

The mother pointed to her and said, “See? She isn’t afraid.” Yep, she made me proud. These two pictures were from her next trip up the ladder. Pretty good for a being just past two.

Bailey at the bottom of the ladder.
Bailey at the bottom of the ladder.
Reaching the top
Reaching the top

Score 1 for me

In Decemeber I predicted that global cooling will be viewed as more proof of global warming.

The U.K.’s Telegraph didn’t let me down with their headline yesterday that read, “Snow is consistent with global warming, say scientists.” This headline is in response to a week that saw the biggest snowfall in London since the 1960’s.

The money quote:

But despite this extreme weather, scientists say that the current cold snap does not mean that climate change is going into reverse. In fact, the surprise with which we have greeted the extreme conditions only reinforces how our climate has changed over the years.

The globe is not warming, at least not in ways outside of natural variations that have taken place for millennia. That is why the alarmists have changed terms from “global warming” to “climate change.” That way they can continue shout alarms and call for government control no matter which way the weather turns.

25 random things

Rules: Once you’ve been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you.

1. I served four years of active duty in the USMC. Joining was one of the best decisions I have ever made.

2. I was the one who gave the ultimatum to get married. Thankfully, she agreed. Another of the best decisions I have ever made. One for which I am thankful everyday, most especially since we have had our daughter with whom I am totally smitten.

3. I converted to the Catholic Church in 2005.

4. If I could, I would live on pork lo mein or the classic turkey dinner.

5. My birth certificate shows four names. I only use three when I write my “full name” on legal documents.

6. Years ago I had success on the Atkins diet but quit when I realized I couldn’t live without being able to eat mashed potatoes.

7. I have only one more test to complete to get my Master’s degree.

8. I am an introvert – significantly so according to the Myer’s Brigg’s indicator. I wish I wasn’t.

9. I’m looking for a new job, preferably in the Las Cruces, NM area. Anyone need a tech writer?

10. I am one of the two funniest people I know*. My friend Darin is the other (the only person who can regularly make laugh until I get tears.)
*(Your results may differ.)

11. I am currently reading The Creative Habit by Twyla Tharp, and The Hand of Chaos by Margaret Weis & Tracey Hickman.

12. My favorite recipe for spaghetti includes Velveeta. I learned how to make it from my Grandma but she made it better.

13. My cholesterol is in the “good” range. (Just got the test results back)

14. My glucose is a little high. Doc says to cut back on the carbs and sugar, but life without root beer is like…well, life without root beer.

15. Considered giving up the Internet for Lent this year, but realized that would be impossible with my remaining grad school commitment.

16. Not used to our dog Cowboy being gone. Still get the urge to take him outside before I go to bed.

17. I was a talk radio junkie until I got an iPod and discovered podcasts. Now I’m a podcast junkie.

18. Favorite musical artists: Steve Taylor, The Sundays, and Hootie and the Blowfish.

19. Favorite drink: rum and Coke. Haven’t had one in over 8 years. Wow, has it been that long? (sigh).

20. Favorite cake: Rum cake. Had some last month.

21. Was known to skip class in high school to go play racquetball.

22. Want to start a podcast. I’m thinking of a skeptical examination of conspiracy theories. The outlandish claims about the Jesuits are some of my favorites. Like the claim that it was Jesuits actually masterminded 9/11 using the CIA/FBI to execute the plan.

23. Grew up in Phoenix, AZ. I do NOT miss the heat. Much prefer the experience of all four seasons that I get in Colorado.

24. I believe that Christmas actually is “the most wonderful time of the year.”

25. Is proud to have a daughter. It is more rewarding than I ever imagined.

A new age? Not yet.

President Obama was inaugurated yesterday as the 44th President of the United States of America. No, it was not the signal of an ending to racial prejudice. If there was any hope that it would be, that was banished by Rev. Joseph Lowery when he closed the inaugural ceremony benediction by saying:

we ask you to help us work for that day when black will not be asked to get in back, when brown can stick around … when yellow will be mellow … when the red man can get ahead, man; and when white will embrace what is right. That all those who do justice and love mercy say Amen.

The reverend forgot that over 350,000 men (overwhelmingly white) from the Union side died in the Civil War fighting for an end to slavery. Yes, discrimination continued and it was whites who walked with Martin Luther King Jr. to obtain equal civil rights. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was passed by a congress and signed by a President that was again overwhelmingly white.

Notice how Lowery portrays race relations. Black, yellow, and red have no obligations to act while white people are assumed to be universally wrong and the contributions of those white people who struggled against racial prejudice are ignored. Who is the racist?