See--here's a great example of where I don't "get" evangelism. They've recently found (and documented) a truly isolated tribe of indigenous peoples. Wow. It's hard to imagine.

So why can't we just leave them alone? The airplane that took the picture is probably disconcerting enough to them... I know that Christian evangelism 101 says that we musts go and send missionaries (who may or may not be qualified to do the job) to "save" them. But something about this concept just seems wrong to me... Can't we just let 'em live and carry on?

Alright, I'll bite. But please understand that I don't spend a lot of time pondering these sorts of things. So my thoughts here are off-the-cuff and should be treated as preliminary and open to revision.

On the subject of complying with certain munitions restrictions that were written in 1899, I have a genuine problem with that. (1) Defensive technology has become far more efficient and thus complying with rules written over 100 years ago places our soldiers at a distinct disadvantage when dealing with more modern defensive technologies. (2) Once an individual has opted to take up arms against another individual, he is, by definition, an enemy. He has chosen to utilize violence to express his will, and his will is the immediate and catastrophic end of his opponent. Given that, I believe that his opponent (in this case, a US soldier) has every right to seek the immediate and catastrophic end of the enemy.

Moreover, what is gained by utilizing less effective weaponry? Are we hoping merely to wound the enemy so that he might be "rehabilitated" much like prisoners are allegedly "rehabilitated?" My guess is that the liberal, left-winger is actually deluded enough to believe that this is a viable outcome. I, however, believe that such "rehabilitation" is, at best, a remote possibility that could, under highly unlikely circumstances, be actualized. By what is probable? In other words, has the wound caused him to radically rethink his worldview? Probably not (said with more than just a hint of sarcasm). In any world save for the fantasy world conjured by many liberals, the insurgent is probably even more bitter now that he has suffered a personal loss in addition to any losses that he felt when he originally took up arms to defend whatever it is that he felt the need to defend.

Finally, there is the question of minimizing long term damage. There are many today that believe that a full-on invasion of Japan would ultimately have cost the US and the Japanese far more in terms of lost human lives than the the lives that were lost through the dropping of the atomic bomb. Now this is a far more delicate argument and one that should not be entered into lightly. But my point here is that utilizing ineffective technology for the sole sake of adhering to a document that is out-dated (in terms of technological warfare) lends itself towards the probable prolonging of the conflict and the loss of more human life.

In the end, what many liberals fail to realize is that the diginity of human life must be protected. And we, as Christians, must be willing to take the lives of others if those individuals are committed to taking life in an unjust fashion. And this is why, ultimately, I am not a Christian pacifist. Because the pacifist, while paying lip service to the value of human life, is ultimately unwilling to realize that what one does with one's life either strengthens or diminishes the value of and the right to possess a life in the first place.

Now this is a totally divergent thread-jack, but I'm a little curious. Tonight I read an article stating how our troops were dissatisfied w/ their government issued weapons. (The ammunition, specifically. It just doesn't have enough stopping power, based on the current theater of war and modern armor often used by the enemy.)

Now--remember, we are still limiting ourselves to the Hauge Convention of 1899 (which stated no hollow-pointed bullets) as well as the Geneva Conventions. (All of which, the insurgents are following, I'm sure. Wink wink, nod nod, say no more...) In short, NATO approved rounds are impudent (relatively speaking).

The other issue is barrel length. In close quarters combat, excessive muzzle length is a problem in tight quarters. However, it's also a major factor in bullet velocity--which translates to stopping power. So by limiting muzzle length, we're also impeding our own stopping power. Couple the laws of physics with our self-imposed rules of "humanitarian" war-time killing (i.e., ammunition limitations), we're giving the enemy the upper hand. In short, the M-16 is an antiquated relic. The M-4 is (in many ways) a bad idea, due to it's barrel length. It doesn't follow the simple laws of physics. Why should our guys have to use 3 or 4 rounds, when one should do the job?

Now--I know that S. and I have bantered about this before. But I'm curious... 1) Should we even bother following the Hague and Geneva Conventions, knowing full well that he enemy will not. (Thereby, limiting our ability to effectively wage war and/or protect themselves?) 2) Is following an antiquated policy of state-sponsored-war appropriate, when it risks the lives of our own troops (against a non-state-sponsored threat)? (Kind of a more specific version of #1.)

I think it's pretty apparent where I stand. I'm just wondering if anyone out there has the nuts to suggest that we ought decrease the ability of our troops to defend themselves second to the concept of "nobility during wartime". Stated differently, I'm just wondering if I'm missing something...

I try not to post too much about kids on this site, because I realize that not everyone is there. Moreover, I realize that not everyone finds my kids to be as interesting as I do. Having said that, something happened yesterday that was really funny in a wow-that's-weird kind of way.

I was walking around the house, absent-mindedly singing "It's Not Bothering Me" by VoL. Hadn't heard the song in ages, but for whatever reason, I was singing it. And then, out of nowhere, my son looks at me and says, "Daddy, I like that song." So I asked him if he wanted to hear it and he did. We ended up playing all of "Room Despair."

What's interesting is that this kid has a genuine perspective on music. Some stuff he likes, and other stuff he does not. The funny thing is, I'm starting to actually anticipate things that he will enjoy. And he's only four!

Do you all remember when you started to get into music. I didn't grow up in a house that encouraged music, so I didn't come to it until I was in 7th/8th grade. But here, in our home, we play it all the time and E. really seems to like it. When did you all start getting into music.

Did you all see this letter to the editor in our most recent alumni magazine. I found it most entertaining ...

After receiving my most recent Wheaton magazine, I am proud to say that I have found a wonderful use for it, considering the large size and glossy cover! Here in the northeast, we've been pelted with snow since early December and several of my children's sleds are permanently buried. I am suggesting to my kids that they take my alumni mag out for a sled ride.

I don't see much other purpose for it, as the articles are overwritten, self-righteous, and pretentious. Sadly, the glorious picture they portray of Christianity has been far, far away from any realm of gritty, unforgiving, sad and disappointing real life, for myself and most of the alums with whom I remain in contact.

Greetings All,

Drive-by posting here. Feel free to take what you want and disregard the rest.

Ran across a really interesting two-part interview with Bill Mallonee that dates to October 2007. Oddly enough, after reading the article, it made me want to revisit some of his more recent efforts (efforts I have found to be less than satisfying). Part one is here, while part two is here.

Went to see the new Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. If you at all consider yourself a fan of the orginal Raiders, if you even found some measure of delight in the Temple of Doom and the Last Crusade, I implore you: do not see this film. I can sum it up thusly (spoiler alert!): Indiana Jones survives a nuclear blast by stepping into a conveniently lead-lined refrigerator that is blown hundreds of feet through the air, whilst everything else around it is vaporized into dust. This, of course, occurs in the first ten minutes; and it may be one of the more believable things to occur in this film ... I repeat: do not condescend to see this tripe!

Anyone ever hear of a band called incendio? It's an instrumental crew that straddles the line between latin-fusion and jazz. Kind of interesting. Wish I could hear more than 30 second clips on iTunes. Anyway, a friend of mine is hosting a house show and he has invited me to attend. Apparently, he did this last year and over 100 people showed up. This year, he is expecting around 200 folks.

Cubs are in first place! That is all.

Anybody have one of these growing up?

There's a new translation of the Bible out here. I think it's a bit better than the Good News translation.
And on a completely different thread: Greg, does the whole lack of sleep thing feel easier in Version 2.0? Or is it like every other upgrade where just as you get used to something, they mix it up on you?

You guys see this idiocy?

Liberalism is embarrassing.

BabyGirl 2.0 came to greet us at 7:56 this morning (central time). She made her debut sporting a full head of dark hair, coming in at 19 inches and 8.15 pounds. She let herself be heard.

Mother and the girls are doing fine. And compared to last time, I can't imagine how things could have gone smoother.

Along these same lines, I would like a child with a receding hairline and a tendency to eat too much chocolate cake.

Mining 9/11 for comedic material????

Now that we've cut cable, I've given myself a little more freedom w/ the online purchase of shows and movie rentals. (Heck, two 2-dollar shows is a heckuva lot cheaper than a 40 buck cable bill.) And I gotta tell you--I really dig this ala cart method of TV dining. I've gotten to download Battle 360 off of iTunes; same goes with Dogfights. I've begun experimenting w/ Amazon Unbox being downloaded on TIVO. Hulu is surprisingly good for the network shows that I'll occasionally watch. I like this new system a lot.

The only lacking feature is live sporting events--which may or may not be a big deal to me. I haven't missed the NASCAR races that are only on cable. We'll have to wait and see what happens in the fall...

Two words:
Father's Day.

I enjoyed this article, and thought of you, Greg.

Bernanke's Bind: Fighting Inflation Could Crimp Consumers, Credit Markets

This seemed to be a pretty cogent account for our current economic woes. It's just frustrating to see the economic macro-policies are 180-degrees out of phase relative to biblical management of money and the creation of wealth.

Anyone taken a look at this?

I've only read a couple of pages, but I like it so far...

Hey Guys--I know I've been buzzing the blogs a lot recently; hope you guys don't mind too much. Anyway--I just downloaded Trent's latest, and it's pretty dang good. I never cared for the guy when he was actually popular--but since he's been offering his stuff for free (in Garage Band format, no less), my respect for the guy has increased 10-fold. (Just looking at what he did in Garage Band is, in and of itself, impressive as heck. It was only then did I actually understand his musical genre.)

Anyway--his most recent (free download) release from the forthcoming "Discipline" album is really good. I'm actually tempted to buy it. Which torments me a bit, as it's tough to argue that his music is really toward the glorification of God. Wondering if there are any thoughts from the lurkers... (Give it a listen, if you dare...)

For all you Kitler fans out there--here are 5 Cats that Look Like Wilford Brimley.