Pardon the lack of posting. I’m spending my days up at the new digs de-Laura-Ashley-ing it, then my nights back here at the condo packing and preparing for Monday’s move.

Deep thoughts are on hold. :)

Exceprt from a commentary in today’s NYT by the Dalai Lama:

I believe that we must find a way to bring ethical considerations to bear upon the direction of scientific development, especially in the life sciences. By invoking fundamental ethical principles, I am not advocating a fusion of religious ethics and scientific inquiry.

Rather, I am speaking of what I call “secular ethics,” which embrace the principles we share as human beings: compassion, tolerance, consideration of others, the responsible use of knowledge and power. These principles transcend the barriers between religious believers and non-believers; they belong not to one faith, but to all faiths.

Read more here.

I couldn’t agree more; I find it very frustrating when Christians seem to think that ethics and ethical behavior belong exclusively to Christianity. I’ve met ethical Christians. I’ve met (extrememly) unethical ones too. The same follows for people of other faith, and of no faith at all.

Where I really see this thought — that ethical behavior does not require Christianity — is in the education sector. It seems that many would believe that the only way to teach ethics (or good citizenship, or whatever you want to call it) is by teaching religion in school. I disagree. I’ve started listening to the new book by former president Carter, and he fairly eloquently expresses how science and religion don’t contradict each other; they’re simply not in competition. Now, if only I can express the same thoughts when/if any discussion of intelligent design comes up when my brother’s family is here to visit…

…but most likely, I’ll sit back, smile, and not say a damned thing. My sister-in-law is pretty strict on her ideas, and that’s fine. For her. As long as she stays out of my head (and my daughter’s), it’s all good!

My online mommy group is probably the most calm online community I’ve ever known. Everyone is very supportive of each other. We’re friendly. We don’t argue.

Earlier today, a forward to the list pushed my buttons, and I responded in what I considered to be a reasonable manner. Instead of trying to explain, it’s probably easier to just show the flow of conversation.

Here’s the forwarded email, minus the formatting. That’s a pity, because the 18 to 36-point font, combined with red, teal, and blue text (with lots of underlining) adds *so much*. Mmmm. Klassy.

RED ON FRIDAYS

Very soon, you will see a great many people wearing Red every Friday. The reason?

Americans who support our troops used to be called the “silent majority”.

We are no longer silent, and are voicing our love for God, country and home in record breaking numbers.

We are not organized, boisterous or over-bearing.
We get no liberal media coverage on TV, to reflect our message or our opinions.
Many Americans, like you, me and all our friends, simply want to recognize that the vast majority of America supports our troops.

Our idea of showing solidarity and support for our troops with dignity and respect starts this Friday -and continues each and every Friday until the troops all come home, sending a deafening message that..

Every red-blooded American who supports our men and women afar,
will wear something red on Fridays.

By word of mouth, press, TV — let’s make the United States on every Friday a sea of red much like a homecoming football game in the bleachers.

If every one of us who loves this country will share this
with acquaintances, co-workers, friends, and family,
Then it will not be long before the USA is covered in RED
and it will let our troops know the once “silent” majority is on their side more than ever, certainly more than the media lets on.

The first thing a soldier says when asked “What can we do to make things better for you?”
is…We need your support and your prayers.

Let’s get the word out and lead with class and dignity, by example;
and wear something red every Friday.

WE LIVE IN THE LAND OF THE FREE, ONLY BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE.

If your blood runs red, then wear red on Fridays to show support of our troops.

If you take your freedom for granted,
and you are willing to just let others fight for your freedom with no respect from you,
then just ignore this message and just delete it.

MOST OF ALL - GOD BLESS AMERICA

This email bothered me on several front, but I replied about one specific one. Having someone tell me “if you don’t think just exactly the same way I do you’re anti-American (or unchristian, or any other list of adjectives)” just pisses me off.

My response:

While I understand the sentiment behind this forward, I found it semi-offensive just the same.

Just because I lean toward liberal,
just because I think that our current president is doing a terrible job,
just because I don’t think we belonged in Iraq…

…doesn’t mean that I don’t stand behind our men and women in uniform. I don’t support this war. I do support our people. There’s a big difference, and the final statement of this email simplifies things into such simplistic, idiotic black/white, lazy-minded hooey that it’s irritating. As easy as it is to assume that any other “good” people *must* think the same way you do — in general, not just you, Tiff — there are a wide variety of opinions out there, even on a group so small as this one.

Off my soapbox. My point is that when the posts begin to get into the political realm, they probably don’t belong here.

I wasn’t as clear as I should have been, but I felt that I got the point across. Apparently, I didn’t, as another person told me how rude my reply was, because after all, we *know* that (original sender)’s husband is military, and she’s just trying to show support. Um, yeah. Whatever.

Support the troops all day. Send a million emails talking about ways to help them out. Just don’t berate other people in the process, please.

The back-and-forth went a couple emails with this one person, and I doubt she gets my meaning. After a little time away from the computer screen, I have it a bit clearer now. If this thread continues, I’ll start one to this effect:

Appropriate/Inappropriate

Okay: I support the troops.
Not Okay: If you don’t support the troops, you’re an un-American evil commie who’s on the side of terrorism.

Okay: I think President Bush is doing a good job.
Not Okay: If you aren’t on the President’s side and think he does no wrong, you hate freedom.

Okay: Let’s wear red to show our support of the troops.
Not Okay: If you don’t wear red, you’re a lazy non-supporter who hate our troops.

You get the idea? It works the other way too:

Okay: I don’t think we should be at war in Iraq.
Not Okay: If you’re in favor of this war, you’re a violent idiot.

It’s a party game! Add your own examples in the comments section.

I surfed over to Zeke’s site today (I don’t believe I’d ever really read his posts before, just many comments on some of the blogs I frequent) and followed this link to Christianity Today. CT is not exactly the kind of reading I typically pick up; as I’ve mentioned before, I sometimes wonder if I actually *am* a Christian. What’s more, when I wonder, I’m not particularly concerned about the answer…hmmm, I wonder what that means?

From the CT article:

Reflecting on our conversation, I remembered a remark by [C.S.] Lewis, who drew a distinction between communicating with a society that hears the gospel for the first time and one that has embraced and then largely rejected it. A person must court a virgin differently than a divorcée, said Lewis. One welcomes the charming words; the other needs a demonstration of love to overcome inbuilt skepticism.

That really resonnates with me.

Earlier today, Maya and I ventured out to Babies ‘R’ Us to pick up a couple items (a TV control protector among them). While there, I wandered to the crib bedding section; I’m considering keeping her new room (we move in 2-1/2 weeks) the color it is, so I wanted to see how expensive/difficult it would be to change her bedding. (Answer: paint is cheaper.)

Anyway…as I got closer to the back left corner of BRU, I heard a shrill voice. As I approached closer, I heard detail: a mother yelling at her two daughters (who were riding in the basket of the shopping cart), telling them how bad they were, threatening to throttle them, and generally losing it. I walked past, then hugged Maya and whispered to her that I would strive to never speak to her that way. We continued to browse, but we just couldn’t get away from angry-mommy. Her kids were doing normal kid things…reaching out to touch anything within reach. Dropping a toy out of the cart. Pretty much, just letting it be known that they were bored.

From the mom’s reaction, you’d have thought they were drawing blood and tearing the store down. She took their behavior incredibly personally and was extremely reactive and emotional. I thought about saying something, but I didn’t. I went to another side of the store in the hopes that she’d leave so we could shop in peace.

My reaction to her “style” of “parenting” (I use both terms very loosely) was palpable. I felt anxious. Dizzy. Worried. My heart absolutely broke for the two girls, who really weren’t doing anything abnormal for the 2-5yo range I’d guess they were in. I wonder how being treated like evil, bad, treacherous little girls will affect them as they mature? After I left the store, I realized that I pitied the mother. It’s likely that she grew up with a parent(s) who treated her the same way, and she simply doesn’t know any better.

Oh…right…I had a couple points:

I hate the idea of abortion, but I’m pro-choice. I (briefly) considered termination when I first discovered my pregnancy, but realized that it would be a very bad decision for me. That said, I’m very glad that it WAS an option. I can never feel that my daughter is a burden placed on me without my consent. I don’t feel forced to be a parent; it was my choice. I chose to bring her into my life.

Now that she’s here, it’s also my choice how to respond to her on a day-to-day basis. There are times that she’s frustrating, but even then, if I look past the immediate circumstances, I can see what’s happening: she’s learning her world. She’s learning cause (if I do this) and effect (mama does/doesn’t do that). She’s an experimental scientist. Knowing what she’s doing makes it a lot easier to sit back, tell her “no,” sympathize with her frustration, and ride out the tantrums when they inevitably hit.

There are days that I wonder if maybe I really just am blessed with this wonderful child. I wonder if she’s ridiculously easy, and if I’m just getting off light. But at the same time, I recognize that another parent might find her to be spoiled and difficult. It’s all about interpretation, and I made the decision that I will enjoy being a parent. I hope I never lose sight of that.

From The Gates are Open:

Lazy are the Poor in Society, for they can’t see that if they were in the will of God, they’d be rich by now.

Sentimental are they who mourn, for don’t they know that we’ll see that person in heaven…pull it together, this is a Joyous “sending out” day.

Read the rest here.

Courtesy ninjanun:

quotation marks You scored 53% Sociability and 88% Sophistication!

There is a lot more to you than meets the eye. You certainly get plenty of “action,” but you’d be happier if those who lusted after you were more selective. You hate being used as a general intensifier; haven’t these people ever heard of underlining? Italics? And yes, you remember the cruel words Mr. Joyce directed at you. But you let none of this get you down; those who abuse you are destined for a “special” reward, sooner or later. You feel particularly warm toward periods, commas, exclamation points, and question marks, and usually wish to have them next to you. Parenthesis can sometimes trouble you.

The waiter talked about religious people today and told a story of his Godfather’s speech at an anti-abortion rally.

Check it out. It’s worth reading.