Anniversary Tributes

Twenty one years ago, at age 13, this lovely creature married my cousin Jim. He is, as anyone would be, damned lucky to have her. She is smart, funny. Her smile and laugh melt hearts and make those around her happy too. She is fearless, kind, loving and treats all creatures with respect. (One of Jim's favorite stories which she hates, is about how she, alone with no experience handling snakes, caught a full grown copperhead and moved it to safety. ) She climbs mountains, in spite of her acrophobia . She also writes, teaches yoga, travels, runs an office does a bunch of stuff I don't even remember. Her biggest fault [being more hard headed than even Jim] is also a virtue. Jim is a sarcastic cynic, but his heart still soars like a hawk whenever he sees her, and he grins in spite of himself.



Angus, I apologize if I've ruffeled your feathers lately. This is for you and yours.
Three years ago at age 4, this lovely creature married Angus MacGregor. He is, as anyone would be, damned lucky to have her. She is a rare breed. Her smile and bleat melt hearts and make those around her happy too. She is kind, loving and treats all creatures with respect. She climbs mountains with all of the skills of her species. Her biggest fault [having more horns than even Angus] is also a virtue. Angus is a bitter, combative, hothead, but he does love Nanny and the kids.

With Christmas Over, Virgil Returns to His Jewish Roots-Happy Chanukah

It was rough this year with Chanukah (Pronounced Like It's Spelled) starting on Christmas Day. Clan Fergus, from which the Snoddys arose, owe their existence to a union between the ancestors of Thorfinn Hausakluif, who ruled Orkney (a story for another time), and Clan MacCabee, of the far South, long before Scotland was a nation.
Clan MacCabee played a key role in starting the Chanukah tradition.
Virgil and all the Snoddys wish you and yours, a Happy Chanukah. Take part in the celebration. Christians who participate have been known to see the light, if not lights.

I'm a private person and my beliefs are a private matter, but so those of you who never read Miss Manners will stop asking, the answer is NO! The fact that I have Scots-Hebrew roots (Clan MacCabee) and am a follower of Judaism does not mean that I'm not a born again Christian. (And NO, I'm not one of those nut headded “Jews for Jesus.”) There is no inconsistency. As Anonymous reminded us in his or her comment to Virgil's Christmas Message, “‘May the good Lord He bless you and keep you in health And remember that Jesus was a Jewboy hisself.’ From Richard's version of ‘The Tramp On The Street.’" Give a listen to a sample.

Christmas Day SURVIVAL

"Christmas is an important day for everyone to practice hypocrisy . . . Miss Manners is so excessively polite that she rarely has the wicked pleasure of offending people, and you must allow her to relish the sensation for a moment before she explains what she means and spoils the effect. . . .
For Multigenerational Families Who Gather for Christmas Reunions: Do not relax and be less than a thoughtful houseguest, or allow your immediate descendants to do so, on the grounds that these people are related to you. Blood is not necessarily thicker than water, and it generally helps at this time of year to have a little Scotch in both."

THE FRIST SHALL BE LAST

Virgil's Christmas Message

Unlike Mary, the only contemporaneous image of Jesus still in existence is the one here. How he looked is not important, but opinions vary on what is. One group believes that his death is most important because it will save us all in the afterlife. Some of these think that it’s important to assign blame to groups or individuals, (ie. Judas, the Romans, the Jews, or, in Richard Friedman’s case, Santa Claus) for his death even though his death was necessary for them to saved. (To hear Richard sing it, click here) Others in this group think that Judas, or whoever caused his death, was performing a necessary service and should not be blamed.
Another group believes that his life, as an example on how to live our lives here and now, is most important. His death is important only to show us that values are worth dying for and focusing on his death and making him an icon or idol to be worshiped, is at odds with and obscures his message.
Another group believes that what you believe is unimportant. Having faith in the beneficence of the universe, or your kinship with others is.
Ole Virg, having been Church of Christ, Presbyterian, Buddhist, Methodist, and Lutheran at various times, and at times simultaneously, believes it all.
Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and Happy Festivus. (Thanks to Rita for telling me about festivus)

Sharbat Gula

Though I said that I would explore the connections between this girl, Zoroastrianism, and the Virgin Mary, when I actually went to the link that Pie-cruster provided and again saw her face and heard her story, I couldn’t do it. This was a terrified 12 year old girl leaving her country and all that she had behind to escape a war with the occupying Soviet army. Using her to make these links would diminish her humanity and the suffering she endured. I wish her peace in the remainder of her life and hope that she, a Muslim, would not be offended that her image is used as a Christmas reminder of the message of the “Prince of Peace” and the horrors of war. We now know that her name is Sharbat Gula. Steve McCurry found her again about 20 years later. This is her picture at the approximate age of 32.

Mary Christmas

Some think that mothers, instead of their children should be honored on the child's birthday. How about both? Without Mom-no kids. Without Mary-no Jesus and no Christmas. Exact likenesses of Mary can be found on Virg n' Mary.

BUSH TO USE PLENARY POWERS TO SHUT DOWN JUDICIAL AND CONGRESSIONAL BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT.

“It’s a temporary measure until America is safe and the war on terror won” according to a White House Spokesman. “When judges on the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court have question the legality of secretly listening in on telephone calls and reading e-mails of U.S. citizens without court authorization and with one going so far as resigning in protest, the Court is hurting the war effort and demoralizing our troops.” he said. Ditto with Congress. “Their meddling insistence on being informed and their talk about impeachment, though well intentioned, makes Congress just as dangerous to America as the A-Rab terrorists.” He pointed out that both the Courts and Congress, by their actions could lead ordinary citizens to question the administration and harm the war effort.

Patel Happy At State-Poo Poos Controversy

Tsu-la-s-gi, “Mahatma the Toe,” Patel loves being a place kicker for the Arkansas State University football team. He thinks that the controversy over the team mascot is silly. “Its really flattering, being one of a hundred or so guys, and having the whole team named after my people,” joked Patel. Patel, a freshman from Bhind, did not play in last night’s 31-19 loss to Southern Mississippi in the New Orleans Bowl.

Mr. Patel's sister, Indira Mankiller, e-mailed me to complain that I didn't point out that the game was a lot closer than the score. My apologies to Indira and the Indians. They put up a good fight, and we're all proud of them.
Indira also said that, "from Bhind to Mumbai," Tsu-la-s-gi was affectionately known as “Gator.” "He was always a tough little rascal," she said.

Some Intelligence afterall ...

Occasionally our judicial system DOES work! Judge Jones should be applauded in showing some REAL intelligence. After all, "Intelligent Design" is just creationism and religion in disguise ... and certainly does not belong in a science classroom. The people in Pennsylvania should finally have something to be proud of! Kansas ... take note!

Christmas Is For All Children.

"PLEASE DON'T DO THE “NAUGHTY AND NICE” THING WITH YOUR CHILDREN! Never exclude a child from the holidays because of improper behavior. Don’t pretend that you are going to do so to keep them in line. Don’t even joke about it. Show them affection matter how they have acted. Children, and adults, need to know that they are loved unconditionally. They are given presents because this is the season to give and they are important. They receive gifts because they are your children and you love them. Like grace, gifts are not earned."

Some objected to my including comments to the "Misquoting Jesus" post discussing the painting with Nora’s above. They have a point. I have removed them. The best theologians that I have available are now looking at the burning theological issue in the painting for a post after Christmas. If you have ideas, e-mail me or simply add a comment to “Misquoting Jesus" below.
Virg

"We do not torture."

TORTURE(D) REASONING by Mike Gauldin Arkansas Times 12/15/2005
"King Henry VIII . . . did not think it at all inhumane to have a counterfeiter boiled alive or to cut off the extremities, including the heads, of sundry enemies in prison without a fair trial. Some of Henry’s enemies, after all, were of a new and particularly thoughtless kind — religious zealots." "What the king lacked . . . but what George W. Bush has had were gifted speechwriters . . . When he was pressed during his Latin American tour about all the stories of soldiers and government agents torturing detainees in secret prisons, already confirmed by governmentsfrom Scandinavia to the Mediterranean, President Bush declared, 'We do not torture.'”
Ernest Dumas
Torturers at the top, Arkansas Times 12/15/2005

Remember it, write it in red crayon on the bathroom wall, tattoo it onto your acid tongue because those very words rang throughout the land like a bleak bell, like a low scream in the night, like a cheese grater rubbing against the teeth of common sense when Dubya mumbled them during a speech not long ago, and it was, at once, hilarious and nauseating and it took all the self-control in the world for everyone in the room not to burst out in disgusted laughter and throw their chairs at his duplicitous little head.
By Mark Morford, SF Gate Columnist
Friday, December 16, 2005

THIS CRAPO DEMOCRAT MAKES ME BLANCHE

Sen. Blanche Lincolon co-sponsored Mike Crapo's Endangered Species bill. Please call Sen. Lincoln's office (202-224-4843) or e-mail her from her website at http://lincoln.senate.gov/webform.htmland let her know how you feel. Remind her that Virgil's cousin is chomping at the bit to run against her.
Under the guise of "reforming" the Endangered Species Act, The bill will set back our efforts to protect threatened species by decades.
Our only hope is to pressure our senators to act more responsibly than our representatives.
More information at:
http://www.eande.tv/transcripts/?date=100605
Thanks to, Ellen, Emily and Sandy for alerting us and providing the facts on the bill.

technorati tag: endangered species act

Zoroastrianism

"Zoroastrianism is the oldest of the revealed world-religions, and it has probably had more influence on mankind, directly and indirectly, than any other single faith." Mary Boyce.
It may have been the first monotheistic religion.Their theology has had a great impact on Judaism, Christianity and other later religions, in the beliefs surrounding God and Satan, the soul, heaven and hell, savior, resurrection, final judgment, etc.
The Zoroastrian god Mithra, born on December 25, was said to be the "covenant-maker." Mithra died, was buried in a rock tomb, and resurrected. His day was the first day of the week, called Sun-day. Mithraists used the sign of the cross made on the forehead and had a communion ritual similar to the Christian one.
It’s prophet, Joaquin Murieta, aka Don Diego Vega, pictured above, is believed to have given Zoroastrianism its name.

Misquoting Jesus

“Scholar Bart Ehrman's new book explores how scribes -- through both omission and intention -- changed the Bible. Misquoting Jesus: The Story Behind Who Changed the Bible and Why is the result of years of reading the texts in their original languages.”

From Fresh Air from WHYY, December 14, 2005

The Rock Star's Burden

"THERE are probably more annoying things than being hectored about African development by a wealthy Irish rock star in a cowboy hat, but I can't think of one at the moment."

New York Times Op-Ed
By PAUL THEROUX
December 15, 2005

Christmas-Have a Good One, But Be Careful Out There

Sixty per cent of families fight on December 25, research has found. Twenty-five per cent said rows peak soon after eating.

Strange as it may sound, some people are allergic to Christmas - or at least to its trappings.

This is also a good time to read A Life Reclaimed at
http://snohwomen.blogspot.com/2005/12/life-reclaimed.html

Jesus Accepts Us All, Including Focus on the Family Members

This is true, despite reports to the contrary.

Merry Christmas Holidays

Holidays, I'm told, means holy days. Christmas means Christ Mass, which may sound a little too Catholic, but many other denominations have adopted it as a holiday. We are one and this is the season to respect everyone's beliefs. For the rest of this month, I choose to be a Christian.
I shall also be evangelical. "liberal evangelicals can help the larger culture. We need go-betweeners, people who can speak to the Rush Limbaughs and the Al Frankens." Dallas Morning News Editorial, Thanks to Truth Girl.

This is What happened to them.

Except for Pete & Mike, the others should be here somewhere. Not sure about the mystery woman so I left her up. Baby pics of Orve, who obviously hasn't changed much in the last 58 years and of Joe V. who hasn't changed much either have been removed at the request of those who are offended by naked babies. (Thanks to Martha for sending it. ) The original pics have been moved to Virg n' Mary.

We're Ahead 30,000-2140*

Bush says 30,000 Iraqis killed since war began*

"I would say 30,000 more or less have died as a result of the initial incursion and the ongoing violence against Iraqis," the president said. "We've lost about 2,140 of our own troops in Iraq."*

*Disclaimer-The score is for informational purposes only it may compare Iraqi civilian deaths with American Military. The Iraqi numbers may include only civilians and the numbers do not include some combatants including "Coalition" forces or American & Western civilians killed. It also does not include wounded and maimed and unreported or missing.

How the liberals stole Christmas

How the liberals stole Christmas (or) A visit from St. Dick
By Kevin Horrigan ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH Sunday, Dec. 11 2005

Twas the month before Christmas

And as I lit candles,

Conservatives stirred -

They were onto a scandal.

"They want to kill Christmas!"

Came the cry from the right:

"They want to axe Bethlehem

And O! Holy Night!

"They're after the Christ child

And Joseph and Mary

And shepherds and wise men;

These liberals are scary."

Who? I said. Who

Is behind these cruel plots?

"Well, we're not really sure,

But we heard it on Fox.

"Fox fair and balanced;

Esteemed, and most highly.

We're not really sure -

It was prob'ly O'Reilly."

So I grabbed the remote

And clicked over to Fox

And there snarled O'Reilly.

(Imagine my shock):

"The liberals, the commies,

The A.C.L.U.

They want to steal Christmas

From me and from you.

They say 'Happy Holidays'

And acknowledge the Jews

By throwing in Hannukah."

I was really confused.

"And what's this with Kwanzaa?"

The O'Reilly elf said.

"Some guy made it up,

Made it up from whole cloth.

And somewhere the pagans

Are worshipping trees

And Muslims turn eastward

On rugs on their knees."

"The Democrats did it,"

He said with a roar.

"It was Kerry and Biden

And Clinton and Gore."

And then with a smirk

He fired heavy artillery:

"If you want my opinion,

I bet it was Hillary."

I sat there in silence,

Stunned in my jammies.

My pulse was just racing

My hands were all clammy.

Who can save Christmas

From plots so barbaric

That turn Jesus' birthday

To a season generic?

What will happen to Christmas?

Should I recycle my creche?

And toss out John's gospel

'Bout Word become flesh?

Should I toss out the angels?

They could get me arrested.

I was, lo, sore afraid

And my soul greatly tested.

Who will save Christmas?

George W. Bush?

Who will save Christmas

When shove comes to push?

We could call the Marines

But they've all been assigned.

This disaster needs FEMA.

Oh . . . never mind.

Then I heard a weird jingling

From somewhere in back

And grabbed for the pistol

I'm licensed to pack.

I pulled back the slide

And quick chambered a round

And yelled out "Freeze dirtbag!

Don't dare make a sound!"

The guy, he was balding

And wore a blue suit.

He was driving a pickup

That said "Brown & Root."

His eyes they were squinting,

His voice, slightly nervous

Said, "Richard B. Cheney.

I'm here, at your service."

I was stunned at the sight

Of the man who's the veep.

And I thought I was dreaming,

In some weird right-wing sleep.

I heard him cough softly

Then say, "It's not fiction.

"First Comet is venison.

"And next I'll shoot Vixen."

"I killed off the reindeer,"

He softly exhaled.

"And I sent Santa off

To a black CIA jail.

This secular nonsense,

We'll end it, right quick.

I've got other priorities

Or my name's not St. Dick."

He said, "Christmas's really

Just all about loot

You can stuff in your bag

And then dis-t'-ri-bute

To friends and to donors

And pals who are cronies,

It's not about children

Or Democrat phonies.

"The trick that I've learned,"

St. Dick said like a Scrooge,

"Is avoiding the blame.

Instead, get you a stooge,

So the stooge takes the heat

As you make dead certain

That the goodies pile up

Inside Halliburton."

"So we'll blame it on liberals,

And commies and gays.

We'll blame it on Democrats

And folks who don't pray."

We've got Bill O'Reilly

To stir up the base

While we haul all our loot

To an undisclosed place."

Then he turned with a wink,

Jumped back into his pickup.

He nodded his head

And then said with a hiccup:

"I'll tell you one thing

Gives me great satisfaction:

'The liberals stole Christmas'

Is a dandy distraction."

They All Look Alike

Muriel Degauque

It does not follow that if the Republicans have lost the confidence of the country, the Democrats have won it.

Enough of the Waiting Game By Anna Quindlen

Doing a Rape Victem a "Favor" Doesn't Save His Job

"Katie was a girl and not only was she was a girl, she was horrible. She couldn't kick the ball through the uprights." Coach Gary Barnett Feb. 2004

Coach Barnett continued for two more seasons as Colorado's head coach until he was let go yesterday after losing to Texas 70-3.

John's been gone 25 years!

You may find the material on this website interesting on several levels ... the life and music of Lennon, as well as his death at the hands of Mark David Chapman. This website contains considerable material (some of which may be controversial) that supports the view that Chapman may NOT have been a "deranged fan" but rather someone set-up to assassinate Lennon. Is this just another conspiracy theory? ... or is there some substance to it? How about leaving a few Comments? BTW, the link to the www.john-lennon.com website appears related to the Lovearth Network sites of Mark R. Elsis of MyCountryRightOrWrong fame. If you are interested in pursuing some of these other sites, go to: http://www.lovearth.net/ You will NOT find any of these sites pro-Bush! In fact there is plenty of Bush villification to go round here! Anyway, give John a moment of silence and thought sometime today ...

CHENEY MAY HAVE USED INTERCOM SYSTEM TO GIVE CATEGORICAL DIRECTIVES TO PRESIDENT BUSH IN A VOICE THE PRESIDENT BELIEVED TO BE GOD’S.

Bree’s Biggest Blunder?

Can you believe she confessed to Andrew of all people?

Dictionary of Republicanisms

pro-life adj. Valuing human life up until birth [Kevin Weaver, San Francisco, Calif.].

WE HAVE YOUR CAT TOO

Some hacker, probably a competing bloger jealous of this blog's popularity , posted a picture here of a dog being held hostage. It has been removed. Virgil is an animal lover, (see profile) and no animals have been harmed in any way in the creating or maintaining this blog.

December 1 is World Aids Day

World AIDS Day Celebration

One central truth of Buddhism is that all life is suffering. The Buddha understood this truth when, after a very sheltered and privileged childhood and young adulthood, he suddenly encountered, for the very first time, old age, and sickness, and death. He was bewildered. As we are. The Buddha spent the next six years asking why there was all this suffering? How can it be helped? And, if this is the nature of our lives, what does it mean to be human? His enlightenment grew out of asking these questions, the same questions that we ask, some 2,500 years later.

Paradoxically, there is another central truth, and that is the pure joy of our everyday existence. To be alive, even for too brief a time, is such an incredible gift. We are struck with wonder and amazement. And there, tucked among the undeniable sorrows of life, we find friendship, love, and community. We help others, we act with compassion, we care, we forgive. We have a thousand opportunities to make some small difference, and we learn to appreciate every hour and every day that is given us. Life is made precious by our understanding of our very human vulnerability, by our awareness of our mortality, and by those mysteries which we try, together and alone, to fathom.

I want to share with you tonight a contemporary Buddhist poem called “The Human Route.” It, too, is full of questions.

Coming empty-handed, going empty-handed – that is human.

When you are born, where do you come from?

When you die, where do you go?

Life is like a floating cloud which appears.

Death is like a floating cloud which disappears.

The floating cloud itself originally does not exist.

Life and death, coming and going, are also like that.

But there is one thing which always remains clear.

It is pure and clear, not depending on life and death.

Then what is the one pure and clear thing?

When you are alive, you have form and substance. After you die, there is no trace. The four elements disperse as in a dream. To understand the Buddha and eminent teachers, retire to the place of light. The sun is setting over the Western mountains. The moon is rising in the East.

I’ll close now, by repeating the four Great Vows of Buddhism:

Sentient beings are numberless; we vow to save them all.

Delusions are endless; we vow to cut through them all.

The teachings are infinite; we vow to learn them all.

The Buddha way is inconceivable; we vow to attain it.

Written on December 1, 1999, by Dr. Barbara Taylor of the Morning Star Zen Center in Fayetteville , Arkansas.

"[T]he CIA has mistakenly obscured hundreds of thousands of pages of critical intelligence information with black highlighters."

ANOTHER BLOW TO FREE SPEECH-ARCHITECT OF "COMPLETE REHABILITATION" OF CRIMINALS SACKED FOR SINGHING TO PRESS

Hanging is a means of "complete rehabilitation." "I'm changing their character to a different one because I believe in rebirth and they will be better men next time." "With me, they (the prisoners) don't struggle. I know the real way. If it's a raw guy, they will struggle like chickens, like fish out of the water." Darshan Singh

Mr Singh, 74, who has carried out hundreds of executions in a career spanning 48 years, was denied the opportunity to hang Austrailian drug smugler Nguyen Tuong Van claims he had been sacked for speaking out.

Medical Breakthrough but . . .

read the fine print.