Observations on the News

I’m in a good mood (no headache today), so I’ll bring you another installment of (drumroll) “Observations on the News”:

• From the “Just the Facts, Ma’am” Department: The Los Angeles Times is reporting how a conservative high-school teacher, upset when one of his students used B.C.E. instead of B.C., has created Conservapedia, subtitled “A conservative encyclopedia you can trust. The truth shall set you free.” Reminds one of Fox News, but I digress. Conservapedia gives conservative definitions — and I don’t mean “conservative” in the sense of minimal. Rather, the definitions are in line with the bible-belting, hard-line Republican philosphy. It is also small and loaded with spelling errors… but still, people believe what they read on the networks. Sigh. Of course, if someone were to (ahem) ensure the entries were “fair and balanced” (in the correct (I was going to say “right”) sense of the word….
• From the “And you better give a ‘Hail Mary’ as you flip that guy off” Department: According to USA Today, ‘da Pope has issued 10 Commandments for Drivers, feeling it was necessary to address the pastoral needs of motorists because driving had become such a big part of contemporary life. The document, issued by Vatican’s Office for Migrants and Itinerant People, also warned that automobiles can be “an occasion of sin” — particularly when used to make a dangerous overtaking maneuver or when used by prostitutes and their clients. The document suggested prayer might come in handy — performing the sign of the cross before starting off and saying the Rosary along the way. The Rosary was particularly well-suited to recitation by all in the car since its “rhythm and gentle repetition does not distract the driver’s attention.”

  So what are these commandments?

  1. You shall not kill.
  2. The road shall be for you a means of communion between people and not of mortal harm.
  3. Courtesy, uprightness and prudence will help you deal with unforeseen events.
  4. Be charitable and help your neighbor in need, especially victims of accidents.
  5. Cars shall not be for you an expression of power and domination, and an occasion of sin.
  6. Charitably convince the young and not so young not to drive when they are not in a fitting condition to do so.
  7. Support the families of accident victims.
  8. Bring guilty motorists and their victims together, at the appropriate time, so that they can undergo the liberating experience of forgiveness.
  9. On the road, protect the more vulnerable party.
  10. Feel responsible toward others.

  Alas, I’m not sure these will be of much help, although in Boston and Los Angeles, who knows?

• From the “He Tossed a Coin” Department: The Los Angeles Times is reporting the death of Guy de Rothschild, the dynamic patriarch of one of the world’s dominant banking families, at the age of 98. Now, I have a soft spot for The Rotshchilds, as it was the musical story of their life (M/L: Bock/Harnick) that introduced me to the world of musical theatre. Who were the Rothschilds? For generations, the Rothschilds had been economic advisors to European royalty, heads of state and even popes. Rothschild’s ancestors settled in Paris and started a French banking branch in 1817 that financed wars and railroads, mining and archeology. The family became one of the richest and most powerful in the world.
• From the “Feed the Drama Llama” Department: Livejournal has announced their perm account sale will start Thursday… with predictable drama from the Strikethrough 07 crowd, especially after barakb25’s post. Still, I’ll likely get one.