Life and Death, Laws and Principles

Posted on January 22, 2021 by Brian H. Gill

On the whole, I prefer being alive. Particularly when I consider the alternative.

I don’t consistently enjoy the moment I’m in: whatever is “now.” Relishing some of the “nows” I’ve experienced would have been reason for concern, and that’s another topic.

But life, being alive? That’s good. Even when it’s been bad.

Remembering that life can feel good helped me talk myself out of my first suicidal impulse, decades back. So did remembering that I’m very stubborn. I’ve mentioned that before. (January 22, 2019, July 7, 2018)

But that’s not what I’m talking about today.

Awkward

If it was just me thinking that ‘alive’ was better than ‘dead,’ I might have a hard time convincing myself that my preference mattered.

Mattered to anyone other than myself and the folks around me, anyway.

Thing is, it’s not just me.

As a Catholic, I’m expected to see human life as special, sacred, a gift from God. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2258, 2260)

As if that doesn’t make things awkward, I should also see every human being as a person.

A real person, a neighbor, someone who matters: created in the image of God. Someone I should — must — love. No exceptions. (Genesis 1:27; Matthew 5:43–44, 22:36–40; Mark 12:28–31; Luke 6:31, 10:25–37; Catechism, 1789, 2258, 2260)

As a platitude, ‘love thy neighbor’ seems sufficiently fluffy. Acting as if I think it matters is where it gets hard.

Particularly when doing so means being counter-cultural.

Our Rules, Unchanging Principles

Dick Orkin's Chickenman, opposing crime and/or evil.I drive on the right side of the street and stop at intersections marked with a red octagon: because my culture’s rules say I should.

And because the rules make sense.

Folks in some parts of the world drive on the left side of streets for the same reason.

Minnesota traffic regulations are an example of positive law, rules we make up. And change, when our circumstances change.

Positive law had better change as our societies change, or we’d be stuck with rules that no longer make sense. (Catechism, 1957)

Then there’s natural law: ethical principles written into reality’s source code. Natural law doesn’t change. When positive law reflects natural law, life works better. Ideally, positive law — rules we make up — would reflect natural law. (Catechism, 1950-1974)

When positive law, our rules, doesn’t quite match natural law, we’ve got problems. Which may have inspired Chickenman’s ongoing quest: opposing crime and/or evil. (June 6, 2020)

Homicide, Hammurabi and Motives

Law code of Hammurabi, recorded on a clay tablet.Murder, killing an innocent person, was a bad idea when folks like Ur-Nammu and Hammurabi enforced their law codes.

It still is. Which is why it’s illegal. It was, at any rate, as defined in 2020 Minnesota Statutes Section 609: and probably still is.

What’s changed over the millennia is how murder gets defined. Which depends partly on who is, legally, a person.

I strongly suspect that killing a slave would be at most the equivalent of a misdemeanor in many cultures. Equivalent, maybe, to burning autumn leaves in a smokeless zone.

Happily, my culture outlawed slavery about a century and a half back. We’re still working through issues stemming from that practice, but I think there’s hope that we’ll resolve them. For one thing, slavery is now unfashionable. And that’s yet another topic.

One more thing. Slavery is a bad idea and we shouldn’t do it. Ever. (Catechism, 2414)

But my culture still thinks that killing some innocent folks is okay. Provided that they’re too young or too sick to deserve life. That’s a bad idea. (Catechism, 2270-2275)

Motives for our legal homicides may seem nice.

Slogans like “every child a wanted child” and “death with dignity” may no longer be in vogue, but I’m guessing that the ideas are still in play.

I’m glad to be in a family whose members aren’t likely to kill me because they feel sorry for me. And that’s yet again another topic.

Fitting In: Or Not

Daniel Lewis Lee: killed July 14, 2020My awkward circumstances don’t stop with how I see abortion and euthanasia.

I see all human life a precious, sacred. Even when the human has done something very wrong.

That puts me at odds with a fair fraction of folks who’d reasonably be expected to agree with me over whether or not it’s okay to kill someone who’s too young or too sick to matter.

Maybe my life would be easier, if I ditched my principles and settled into one of my culture’s sociopolitical pigeonholes. Easier, maybe. But I think it would be a bad idea.

I’ve talked about this sort of thing before:

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A Gallimaufry: Politics and Prayer, A Dragon and Turkeys

Posted on January 21, 2021 by Brian H. Gill

I woke up this morning, which is always a good thing.

My memory tells me that Friday night, January 1, I didn’t sleep. At all. Maybe I dropped off for a few minutes to an hour, but even then I didn’t get nearly enough sleep.

Three weekends and most of a week after my all-nighter, I’m starting my eighth day of one-a-day ‘journal’ posting.

I’ve had insomnia a few times, so Saturday’s mental fog wasn’t surprising.

Neither was Sunday’s. I’m nearly 70, and don’t bounce back the way I did in my youth.

I’ve also been coming down with what may be a cold, making progress with my ‘Marlowe’s Faustus’ and ‘strange new worlds, life, etc.’ series: and noticing that America’s presidential inauguration hasn’t made the sky catch fire.

Not that I expected it would.

Politics and Melodrama, Heroes and Villains: or Making Sense

March 15, 1915: Billy Sunday giving another rip-roaring performance.My social media connections being what they are, denouncements of fascists and heathens have been clogging my feeds.

I suppose that’s inevitable.

My interests are varied. Or unfocused, from another viewpoint. Folks who share my interests but not my lack of political zeal may feel strongly about the depravity of ‘those people’ and demi-divinity of some hero.

Who ‘those people’ are varies. So does the current he-who-can-do-no-wrong. But I see precious little difference in the emotional tone expressed by viciously-virtuous partizans on both/all sides.

I’m not entirely happy about the November election’s outcome. But I’m not overwhelmed by despair. I’d better not be. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 844, 1501, 2091)

One of these days I’ll probably talk about priorities, hope and all that. But not today.

Maybe I could get more attention — maybe even become an influencer — by picking a side in the current political brouhaha and writing like a caffeinated melodrama hero.

That options strikes me as a bad idea on several levels.

Instead, I’ll keep doing what I have been doing. That includes praying.

Prayer: It Couldn’t Hurt

Which brings me to a prayer that I added to my daily routine last year. It’s written for groups, so I changed pronouns like “we” and “our” to “I” and “my” where appropriate.

“Prayer for Our Country

“Most Holy Trinity, we put the United States of America into the hands of Mary Immaculate in order that she may present our country to You. Through her we wish to thank you for the great resources of this land and for the freedom which has been its heritage.

“Grant us peace, and may all citizens respect one another. May the Holy Spirit give our President wisdom to lead our country in ways that are pleasing to You.

“Enlighten our Congress and civic leaders and instill in them knowledge and understanding to enact laws that protect the sanctity of life — from the unborn to the elderly;and promote the good of all people.

“Make all of us aware of our responsibility as citizens to uphold the principles of life, liberty justice and equality.

“Send Your Holy Spirit upon our beloved country. Make us people of faith in time of uncertainty. Make us people of hope in times of trouble. Make us people of compassion with those who are less fortunate. Make us people of peace in our homes, our communities, our country and our world. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”

(From a handout at Parishes on the Prairie Area Catholic Community; Our Lady of the Angels, Sauk Centre, Minnesota. (2020))

Responsibility, Life, Liberty, Justice, Equality and All That

A few more points about that prayer.

First: no pressure.

Second: yes, it’s on the long side.

Third, principles — including life, liberty justice and equality — matter.

Fourth, and this one’s important: I’ve been praying for my country’s President, Congress and other civic leaders. And all of us non-bigwigs, too.

I don’t recall ever thinking that calling down a dyspeptic god’s wrath on ‘those sinners over there’ was a good idea. That’s no great virtue. It’s probably due to my having a smidgen of self-awareness, and that’s another topic.

Tuesday, Thursday and Two Turkeys

'We Survived Thanksgiving, Right?' (2016)Political sound and fury aside, this has been a pretty good week for me.

I slept something like 10 hours Tuesday night, and still felt tired Wednesday.

Feeling tired isn’t in my “pretty good” category, getting around 10 hours sleep is.

I did pretty much the same last night, and don’t feel nearly as fogbound today. Experience suggests that I’m getting caught up from the January 1 thing.

Now, about that dragon playing a video game and the two troubled turkeys. I’ve enjoyed making pictures, have been trying to restart that activity — and that’s yet another topic, for another day.

My next “Faustus” post won’t write itself. Which, if that happened, would be disturbing. And yet again another topic.

Hagar the Horrible 'End of Civilization as We Know it.' (February 25, 1973)“Gallimaufry” can mean jumble or medley, has an interesting history —

ENOUGH! Here’s the usual link list, and I’m taking a coffee break:

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Another Wednesday: Reading, Wondering and Writing

Posted on January 20, 2021 by Brian H. Gill

Wednesday is one of my ‘busy’ days.

Busy, by the standards of some retired guy living in central Minnesota.

Monday was a ‘busy’ day this week, too: thanks to an appointment at the eye clinic Monday morning. My task glasses’ frame needed fixing.

I needed an appointment to get in. They’re open, and dealing with pandemic realities by keeping the doors locked and having folks make appointments for routine and not-so-routine visits.

This afternoon, I plan to be at the Eucharistic Adoration chapel, for my weekly hour.

That makes today ‘busy,’ by my standards, since my weekly hour at the chapel bisects the afternoon.

Afternoons are when I usually get most of my writing done, and any interruption of routine can affect whether, how much, and how long I write. And whether what I write survives the next day’s review.

But I won’t get much of anything done if I keep writing this. So I’ll add my usual related-and-otherwise link list of other stuff I’ve written, and stop. For now.

BUT FIRST. I nearly forgot.

My current/today’s writing project is the second of a series of essays about Christopher Marlowe’s “The Tragical History of the Life and Death of Doctor Faustus.”

Good grief, that’s a long title. No wonder most folks these days call it “Faustus.” Or, like me, possibly because I’m on the wordy side, “Dr. Faustus.”

My working title for the next ‘Faustus’ essay is “Dr. Faustus: World’s. Worst. Negotiator.”

Enough! Here’s that inevitable link list:

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Sunshine, Snow, and Inauguration Day Looming

Posted on January 19, 2021 by Brian H. Gill

Webcam: Sauk Centre MNIt’s a sunny Tuesday afternoon here in Sauk Centre, Minnesota.

It’s 8°F outside, -13°C.

At that temperature, water is a mineral. Which is normal for this time of year here in central Minnesota.

The sun is setting, which again is normal for this time of place, day and year.

That picture is from my webcam: “Webcam: Sauk Centre MN.” It’s not, admittedly, the most dramatic or catchy title ever. But it’s descriptive and accurate. It’s also working more often than not these days. The webcam, I mean.

And my news feed is clogged with headlines about today’s American president, and the chap who will become president tomorrow. Which may or may not be normal. But it’s pretty much what I expected.

On the other hand, I’m not sure what I expect in headline news after the inauguration.

Coming Attractions — Detractions — Headlines — Whatever

'TDNN Totally Depressing News Network: What's Wrong With the World.I figure that American news media hasn’t finished ringing the changes on how they see the chap who’s currently president.

That may or may not last for another few weeks, months or — I hope not — years.

As for the person who’s stuck with being America’s president after the inauguration, I strongly suspect that we’ll see mostly good news. I could be wrong about that.

A less diligently gloomy tone would be a nice change of pace.

On the other hand, I remember a time when American news services rejoiced in the excellence of our new president.

That was unsettling. And, like pretty much everything else, it passed.

Meanwhile, I’m looking forward to the next year.

Which will, I predict, be just like last year. Except for how it’s different.

More and less related posts:

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Death at the Capitol: “Something Isn’t Working”

Posted on January 18, 2021 by Brian H. Gill

America’s 2020 presidential election is over. Its aggravation isn’t.

I’m one of the many folks who opted to vote by mail. Election results weren’t entirely good or bad news from my viewpoint.

This month’s news hasn’t been all bad.

Even my corner of social media has simmered down a bit.

I still see expressions of angst and anger over the fascists and/or pawns of the New World Order, but nowhere near as often.

But an item in this month’s news was disturbing.

Storming the Capitol: Dealing With Uncertainty

Edison Lee comic: does anyone even know what truth looks like any more?Nearly two weeks later, I’m still not sure what happened during the “2021 storming of the United States Capitol.” Not in detail.

I’m pretty sure that someone planned the incident. What America’s traditional news media describes does not seem like the actions of a disorganized “mob.”

And I’m quite sure that several folks were killed during the incident. Maybe by the “mob,” by Capitol security, or by others.

And I’m pretty sure that eventually we’ll learn more of the what and who. And maybe even the why of that incident.

For the moment, America’s traditional news media assures me that the current president’s supporters planned and executed the attack.

And that it’s the current president’s fault.

Assorted folks on social media have their own ‘what-who-why.’

As for me, I think that I don’t have enough data to form a reasoned opinion. And that what I do know is disturbing. More disturbing, in a way, than traditional news media’s version.

I talked about that, weekend before last:

“…Other possibly-significant results include at least two social media services banning the American president. And, maybe, the start of a renewed and urgent discussion of restrictions for non-traditional news services.
“I gather that these actions are intended to defend democracy. By silencing folks who lack sufficient enthusiasm for my country’s proper rulers.
“Not that anyone’s been quite that blunt about it….”
(January 9, 2021)

I remember when stopping dissent in the name of ‘national security’ was in vogue.

I didn’t like it then.

Maybe ‘defending democracy’ will become the new ‘national security.’ I hope not.

Serenity, Reason, Respect — and Present Reality

Ideally, folks who don’t agree would discuss their differences. Calmly, reasonably and with mutual respect.

We don’t live in an ideal world. I keep saying that, and that’s — you guessed it — another topic.

I was going somewhere with this. Let me think. Presidential election. Voting by mail. Sound and fury. Traditional news media and insufficient data. Right.

I’m not entirely happy the 2020 state and national election results. But I’m not entirely unhappy with them.

“…A Yardstick for Lunatics….”

“…Beatniks and politics, nothin’ is new
A yardstick for lunatics, one point of view….”
(“Incense and Peppermints,” Strawberry Alarm Clock (1967) via Genius.com)

Political alignment quiz results.I’m even less wildly enthusiastic about my country’s big political parties.

The small ones, too, for that matter.

About that.

A couple years back, I took several of those political online quizzes.

Compiling the results was — interesting.

I learned that I’m a right-wing liberal libertarian. 😉 Which isn’t surprising. Over the decades, I’ve become more and more unimpressed with politics and politicos.

But Timothy Leary’s “…drop out” advice isn’t an option. It doesn’t make sense. It didn’t, to me, when I was young. Maybe I’ll get back to that.

Back, briefly, to those quizzes. Each had maybe 20 questions. That’s not nearly enough to be thorough. So each quiz sampled a different slice through my beliefs.

I’ve been called “some conservative guy.” That’s accurate. If “conservative” means not being on the same page as today’s American establishment. But if it means desperate yesteryearning for a ‘good old days’ that never existed? And that’s yet another topic.

Next, why I don’t simply ignore politics.

Basically, it’s because I’m a Catholic. And a convert who has been learning what the Church has been saying.

Love of Country — Within Reason

Being patriotic is a good idea. That may take some explaining.

Back in the Sixties, I associated “patriot” with folks whose blind devotion to their views was equaled only by their hatred of commies, Catholicism and rock music.

They helped me learn to love rock and roll, and that’s yet again another topic.

Dictionaries give several definitions of “patriot,” including —

Patriot

But I’m a Catholic, not a Dictionarian. If “Dictionarian” wasn’t a word before, it is now. Still more topics.

I’m a Catholic. There are things I should believe, and act as if I believe.

I should love God and my neighbors. And see everyone as my neighbor. Everyone. No exceptions. (Matthew 5:43–44, 7:12, 22:36–40, Mark 12:28–31; 10:25–27, 29–37; Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1789)

I’m also obliged to do what’s possible in public life. That includes recognizing humanity’s solidarity and respecting authority. Within reason. (Catechism, 1778, 1915, 1897-1917, 1939-1942, 2199, 2238-2243)

I should also love my country. Within reason. But letting love of country slop over into worship of country is a bad idea. A very bad idea. (Catechism, 2112-2114, 2199, 2239)

I like being an American, so maintaining a ‘love of country’ isn’t hard. Usually.

But there are times when it takes effort. And reminding myself that there’s more to America than jingoistic chauvinists and folks who enjoy thinking that they’re in charge.

“Something Isn’t Working”


(From Vatican Media, via Catholic News Agency, used w/o permission.)
(“Pope Francis gives his general audience via livestream June 17, 2020.”
(CNA))

“Pope Francis ‘astonished’ by disruption at US Capitol”
Hannah Brockhaus, CNA (January 9, 2021)

“Pope Francis has said he was surprised by the news of the incursion of pro-Donald Trump protestors into the U.S. Capitol Building this week, and has encouraged people to learn from the event in order to heal.
“‘I was astonished, because they are a people so disciplined in democracy, right? But it’s a reality,’…
“….’Something isn’t working,’…”

“Pope Francis asks Immaculate Virgin Mary to intercede for US after Capitol violence”
Courtney Mares, CNA (January 10, 2021)

“Pope Francis prayed Sunday for the United States, asking the Immaculate Virgin Mary to help foster a ‘culture of encounter’ after the recent violence at the U.S. Capitol Building.
“‘…I pray for those who lost their lives, five lost in those dramatic moments,’ …
“…’…violence is always self-destructive. … I urge the authority of the state and the entire population to maintain a high sense of responsibility in order to calm the spirits, promote national reconciliation and protect the democratic values rooted in American society,’ the pope said….”

“U.S. Bishop Chairman Urges Peace Following Reports Warning of Plans for Additional Violence at State Capitols and U.S. Capitol”
Chieko Noguchi, Miguel Guilarte; Public Affairs Office; USCCB (January 16, 2021)

“Following the violence at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, and reports of an FBI bulletin warning of ‘armed protests’ in state capitals and Washington, DC, in the coming week, … Archbishop Paul S. Coakley of Oklahoma City, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, urged peace.
“The full statement is as follows….”

Options

Alfred Gale's 'Pictorial Illustration of the Cause of the Great Rebellion' and 'Pictorial Illustration of Abolitionism.' (ca. 1865)I think the Pope’s right.

“Something isn’t working.”

America’s going through a rough patch.

We’ve been through worse. Like the War Between the States. (June 1, 2018)

A civil war could happen again. I hope it doesn’t. War breaks things and kills people. Sometimes it’s unavoidable, and I’ve talked about that before. (May 23, 2020)

I’m pretty sure we’re not at a point where our only option is mass homicide.

I also think I can do something besides wait for the next debacle. So I’ll keep praying. And reading, writing — and doing my best to make sense:

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