Headlines

Headlines:

So I opened up the news today, and I see the following headlines:

Dems: Texas Governor Should Reject Secession.

Guns: A Better Investment Than Stocks.

Just what are you people doing back there?

Lex Naturalis

Lex Naturalis:

An ongoing (and interesting) discussion in the thymos post, below, makes me want to revisit the concept of "natural law." What is it? How do you know if something is or is not according to the law of nature? Is it important that things should be?

Here is the wikipedia article, which explains a number of versions of the concept that have existed over the years. Which is your favorite?

Bumped:
1 in custody, 3 overboard.

"Defense Department officials confirmed that one pirate is in custody. A U.S. official said the status of the other pirates is unknown but they were reported to "be in the water."

Heh. Now I know that supposedly merchantmen are not supposed to be carrying weapons these days, but something tells me that the guys in the water have extra holes in them.

Still, compliments to the crew.

UPDATE:
Finally.

An American ship captain was freed unharmed Sunday in a U.S. Navy operation that killed three of the four Somali pirates who had been holding him for days in a lifeboat off the coast of Africa, a senior U.S. intelligence official said.

I was wondering how long this farce was going to go on. Now. Start bombing the pirate ports until they get the idea that this is not a healthy occupation.

Happy Easter

Easter MMIX

This is the second Easter in a row I've spent in Iraq. This morning's service at sunrise was nice, and it is good to spend part of the day in reflection. Just as at Christmas, there is a positive sense that we are doing good works here, and that faith is in harmony with those works.

For those who would like to spend a moment in reflection, a brief piece on the joys of monasticism. (H/t: Southern Appeal.) Life in Iraq is not dissimilar -- there is hard work and good work from rising to the end of the day, clean living, plenty of exercise, and the sins of the world are suppressed by a stern rule (the UCMJ and General Order #1). I have to admit that there is real happiness that comes from such a life, though for me the permanent sacrifice of family and home is not what I desire.

Of course, some prefer the life that the Holy Clerk of Compmanhurst was so ready to witness. As for me, I am glad to have done what I have done; but I don't wish to do it forever. I'd like to spend next Easter in Hungary. Or at home, with such fare and such friends as Richard found at St. Dunstan's well.

Ruthless

Ruthless:

"U.S. warships and helicopters stalked a lifeboat holding an American sea captain and his four Somali captors Sunday, while his crew briefed FBI agents about how they fought off the pirates who boarded their ship."

In 1986, this was a joke.

UPDATE: Now we're talking.