The Real Awards That Really Matter

Oscar schmoscar. Who really cares who wins what when its all about overpaid, pampered, spoiled, drunken, drug using clowns. Better by far, and far more meaningful, are the Annual Razzies. This year’s nominees are listed here. My picks are:

Worst Picture- Bratz
Worst Actor- Jim Carrey
Worst Actress- Lindsey Lohan
Worst Prequel/Sequel- Alien v. Predator: Requiem
and Worst Director- Chris Siverston

Pakistan And YouTube

Apparently the powers that be in Pakistan aren’t fond of the now infamous ‘Danish cartoons’ and have, in response, banned YouTube. Now while I’m all for banning YouTube (and Wiki, come to think of it)- I think one should have a good reason for it. What has YouTube to do with cartoons of Mohamed? Are they animated now?

A better reason to block YouTube is that it encourages the mundane and so infuses in people the incorrect belief that their plays, songs, games, weddings, dances, etc. are of any interest whatsoever. Or because it encourages kids to beat one another up so they can have their 15 seconds of fame. Or because it encourages foolish preachers to imagine that their maladroit ramblings might actually be of interest to someone outside their inner circle. Or most of all because it is simply a thief of time. (Unlike reading here- which is the second best use of time ever). Those are adequate reasons to ban the Dreckish site.

So, Pakistan, I’m with you on the ban- just not on the why of it.

‘An Insufferably Condescending Defense’

That’s the phrase that Patrick O’Hannigan uses to describe Bishop Wright’s comments concerning the Rowan Williams affair. The essay appeared a couple of days ago- but it’s still worth reading (and isn’t it odd that essays even a few days old now are seen as in need of defense that they might still be read!)

Read the whole thing- but note with delight such snippets as this

As one who characterized what the Bush administration did in response to the attacks of 9/11 as “astonishingly immature,” and as a champion of what some Protestants call the “new perspective on Paul,” Wright has long been controversial. The man knows what the back of a podium looks like, and can usually dream up something sonorous and theological before his first cup of coffee. But what he had to say in defense of Rowan Williams was spectacularly ill-considered.

And this

Wright huffed, “We should be grateful that we have an Archbishop capable of such work, not demand that his every word be instantly comprehensible by the casual uninformed onlooker.”

And oh yes this

Wright’s tone was more irksome than his surprising failure to grasp the idea that Sharia law grows like kudzu wherever it gains a foothold, precisely because Islam does not make the Christian and Enlightenment distinction between church and state. Moreover, the under-remarked aspect of Wright’s “you people just don’t understand” defense is that it’s lifted from the same playbook that some Episcopalian and Anglican leaders have used to criticize conservative African bishops who think homosexual conduct is sinful even if a bishop in New Hampshire says differently.

And this excessively delightful dig

Had Rowan Williams been as technical as Tom Wright claims he was being, he would not have shared his thoughts so willingly with a non-specialist at the BBC. Had the people arguing with the archbishop been as immune to nuance as Wright seems to believe they are, Williams’ cautious advocacy of Sharia law would not have been parodied as quickly and skillfully as it was.

And the brilliant conclusion

In short, we must look to none other than legendary lisper Daffy Duck for a deft description of the defense offered by the Doctor of Divinity in Durham, because it’s “dethpicable.”

Bravo Patrick!

Why Hasn’t Chris Tilling Been Blogging?

Perhaps because he’s been in Japan, at school.  Now at least the curtain is pulled back a bit on the mysterious and enigmatic Tilling.

A Blog To Watch

There’s a blogger down in Brazil that is doing a fine job- a very fine job indeed- of keeping up with things. Drop by and check out Cláudia Andréa Prata Ferreira’s blog. I’ve added a link to the list. She describes herself thusly:

Professora Doutora do Setor de Hebraico do Departamento de Letras Orientais e Eslavas da Faculdade de Letras da UFRJ e do Programa de Pós-Graduação em História Comparada (PPGHC) do Departamento de História da UFRJ.

When The Name Doesn’t Match the Behavior

The Pastor of ‘Peace Baptist Church’ was stabbed 3 times after a meeting of the Church- which has been embroiled for months in controversy. The Post Tribune reports

The pastor of a church embroiled in a months-long public controversy was stabbed three times Thursday night as he left a meeting with members of his Peace Baptist Church. Marty L. Henderson, 50, suffered cuts to his arm, leg and abdomen after a church member from the opposing faction demanded Henderson shake his hand, the police report states.

Yikes! Now that’s a person unfamiliar with both the meaning of the word ‘peace’ and the way that differences should be settled when they arise in the community of faith.

Lynell Sartin, 66, allegedly punched the pastor and stabbed him with a folding knife, the report states.

Now that’s a lot of rage- and self centeredness.

Henderson is being challenged by some of his members over control of church assets. Several deacons are suing Henderson and other deacons.

Alas, another congregation that can’t get along- because of money. The love of money really is the root of all evil.