As I’ve been traveling more, I’ve been facing the sometimes-unpleasant comparative realities of Pittsburgh vs. other American cities. Pittsburgh is not a perfect place. And it might not be as beautiful or special or whatever else I thought it was, in my fanatical youth, when compared to the metropolises of our nation. And there will […]
In Praise of Pittsburgh Read More »
A new book, ‘Wounded Witness,’ offers fresh insight into our present need.
Facing the Crisis of Church Unity Read More »
What “Ad theologiam promovendam” gets right
Theology needs a paradigm shift Read More »
*Here follows some thoughts about a Super Bowl ad that I drummed up while I was pinned beneath a sleeping baby for a few hours, in which I bitterly rant against something in which I have little stake nor control* Everyone’s buzzing about the Super Bowl ad for “He gets us,” an evangelical movement aimed
‘He gets us’—but nobody gets it Read More »
*Apparently-obligatory hot take on a country bumpkin, coming up!* By now I’m assuming you’ve heard the previously-unknown country singer Oliver Anthony’s smash hit, “Rich Men North of Richmond.” The song has gained worldwide circulation in mere days, which was supremely surprising to many (and no doubt Anthony himself). Simply put, the song is a Virginia
Oliver Anthony and the Loss of the Anchor Read More »
*sigh* A little while ago, Catholic Twitter got all in a whirl about race and racism. The twitter accounts with a Vatican flag in their name started posting about their dislike for “teh Blacks,” alleging that Black people are a “subspecies” of humanity, that White people shouldn’t marry someone who isn’t White, and so forth.
Racism vs. love of kin Read More »
A consistent theme of my recent conversations with friends is that I’m more pessimistic about AI than most. Of course, I’m more pessimistic about everything than most people; but normally, I have sufficient company in my bleak and hopeless outlook among many of my bleak and hopeless friends. AI is curiously different. The general feelings
Why I’m scared (and you should be too) Read More »
I recently saw a video from Fr. Mike Schmitz about if I am a “good person,” with the thumbnail “what’s the deal with Catholic guilt?” Fr. Mike always does a good job with his videos, and as usual delivers a compelling presentation of the sensible, middle-of-the-road Catholicism that Ascension Presents tends to preach. However, it
Growing up is just learning all the terrible laws you have to abide by. The annoying piece of paper I found today comes from the process of making this website: the CAN-SPAM act of 2003. The law sets requirements for commercial email, and I’m fine with that being regulated generally speaking. No one wants unsolicited
Today I Hate: the CAN-SPAM act of 2003 Read More »
Clarence Thomas has been the focus (yet again) of widespread media discontent. The two “big” reports are that 1) his wife is an active conservative advocate heavily involved in issues that will soon reach the Supreme Court, especially the 2020 election; and 2) that he received expensive personal gifts from a rich conservative friend which
4 Thoughts on Clarence Thomas Read More »