What are we doing in Iraq?

Here is a great video clip from Andy Rooney on the current situation in Iraq. I agree. IMHO this war was completely uncalled for, never just, or justified by the current administration. My hope is that Colin Powell has not ended his political career by standing up to these war mongers and stepping out of the mess in 2004 (username/password="talkpast" for NYTimes access).

Prince Albert...King of Ice

Fall Festival at CVCC

We had a great time at the Fall Harvest Festival at church. Here are some photos to prove it!

The Fish Rots From The Head?

Have you ever heard this expression? Its new to me, but this week I've heard it twice. Our library just ordered a new book by this title. And then I read an interesting editorial with the same title this morning. What's it all mean?

Speaking of the editorial above... I am worried about the philosophical foundation of capitalism. It seems we have moved towards a global opinion that unregulated capital markets lead to efficiencies that work to everyone's advantage. I disagree. The evidence I see around me, and granted I've not conducted any academic research in the field, seems to indicate that unregulated capital markets maximize the innate greed in the human heart. This causes political, business, and NGO leaders to put their own self-interests above those of the collective. While some (notably Ayn Rand) argue that self-interest is the only ethic that can move society forward, I'm not convinced. I recognize that the religious convictions that motivate my ethics are not viable for much of the world's population. However, there must be a philosophically sound ethic that can motivate human behavior beyond self-interest.

Why I like my "HoosierDoo"

First, I should just admit it. I have no style. I wear button down collars (so East-coast and up-tight), laced shoes with socks, and worst of all...pleated pants! So, some of my BSM students have been "encouraging" me to begin the long and winding journey towards fashion with my hair. A few weeks ago they brought me some hair products (like this and this)...

After looking it over for a week I decided I had no idea what to do with this kind of thing (where do I start? Should my hair be wet or dry? Do I comb it?...). So two of my students became stylists last week and helped me with my first SoCal Doo (here's the video and some snapshots will be posted later). Wisely, they decided to use the American Crew for this video.

However, the next week I tried to do it myself using Murray's Pomade. I followed their instructions and applied it to wet hair on Tuesday morning at 6:30am. I figured by class time (6pm) it would be mostly gone. What I didn't realize is that this stuff never comes out of your hair! I've now washed my hair 12 times using Pert, a bar of Dove Soap, and even Palmolive Dishwashing Detergent. This stuff never comes out. I checked out the ingredients to see why it is so persistent. Murray's is composed of petroleum, mineral oil, and fragrance. That's it. It's basically nice smelling West Texas Crude!

I wonder if I called some of my old wildcat buddies in Midland if they would have a tip for getting this stuff out? I'm seriously thinking about getting a traditional HooseirDoo (the classic IU basketball player doo... like this and this or this...) just to get rid of this stuff!

You know you're a cynic when...

I registered this year as a Permanent Absentee Voter (PAV) in the state of CA. This allows me the freedom to vote at my leisure without having to go to the polls on a certain day and time. It also gives me time to carefully read the ballot propositions (there are 13 of them in this mid-term election!).

However, as I was filling in my ballot today I kept thinking I wonder who will open this envelope, and what if they don't like my position on certain propositions? Will they simply throw my ballot out? Or mark it somehow so it will be invalidated?

Isn't that sad? Perhaps I've just watched a few too many Michael Moore films, but I'm increasingly distrustful that the institutions we've designed to protect our freedoms are doing their job. In fact, I increasingly worry that these institutions have grown so used to wielding power that they serve no greater purpose than to keep their own party, coalition, or issue in power.

This feeling is being reinforced by my current reading list. I just finised an excellent little essay from Princeton University Press on the role of spin in modern rhetoric and am in the middle of Tempting Faith. Both of these books reinforce my cynicism and make me even more cynical. Perhaps I should change my reading list? Any recommendations for a thoughful book that would lighten my spirits?

Photos from Mark & Mike's Excellent (or at least OK) Adventure are here...

Photos of Mark & Mike's Excellent (or at least OK) Adventure are here...

Shanon, Mary and Spencer

Yesterday we spent the day with Mary in Duncan.  She's doing so well.  She's been in a SNF for the last month.  She's in good health and her spirits are improving.  I have more to say about the challenges of again, but I'm out of time right now. 

After a full day with Mary (and Shanon--my favorite cousin), we went to dinner with Shanon in Chickasha.  We had a terrific time catching up.  I only wish Bort and Rhonda had joined us.

Finally, we ended with Spencer and Tyler in Binger.  We hung out until about 1am, then Mark and Spencer made a Wal-Mart run to El Reno while I came home and went to bed.  Much fun...

We're here...

Mark and I arrived in OKC today. We met up with UL for dinner at one of Dad's favorite places..."Casa Juanita's". It was a fine feast of Mexican cousine! We had a wonderful visit with UL and talked about the Air Force, the Tuba, the Criminal (not the thief) on the cross, preaching, family, and how to memorize the minor prophets. It was a wonderful evening.

After dinner, Mark and I picked up a Cherry Limeade and drove to OC to see the campus improvements. It looked nice, but the highlight was seeing Brent & Bort's names on the "Fat Cat Donor" plaque in the student center. At least one of us has finally amounted to something.

I'm off...

Last week were final exams in Malibu so I have a light week of teaching this week, but a heavy week of grading. To celebrate I'm going to OKC with my brother to visit all of our grandparents. I'm really looking forward to seeing Mark and catching up. It's been nearly 20 years since we had time together like this. Amazing.

On the other hand, I'm not looking forward to seeing my Grandmother who was recently put into a nursing home. She is so unhappy there. I'm afraid she's goign to ask Mark and I to do a "Little Miss Sunshine" and break her out of there! I'll post photos here next week...

You heard it here first...

As I "officially" announced at the PU Faculty Conference yesterday, "Contrary to the rumors you may have heard, the business school fully supports the mission of the university."

:)

You know you live in LA when...

You get an announcement like this from your 7-year old's soccer coach...

 

 

Today, September 30th, Action Shooters will be taking action photographs during your games.  They will wear shirts that identify them as "Action Shooters"....They are not to be confused with paparazzi....They will sell the action photos on Oct 7th at the Bluffs, Webster and MHS.  Any coaches that have families that are paparazzi sensitive please be on notice.  

Thanks, MS