November 15, 2012
by In The Sieve
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I’ve waited a week to blog about the presidential election. Part of the reason for the delay is that I wanted to have a little perspective on events. The other reason is that I had foot surgery and I’m not sure that my Percocet influenced musings would have made any sense. On the other hand, even in my compromised lucidity I probably would have still offered more substantive insight than much of what I saw being spewed by pundits from across the political spectrum.
September 11, 2012
by In The Sieve
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In a previous post, I reviewed the RNC platform’s key points in comparison to my personal views. I promised to do the same with The Democratic National Convention’s platform, so here it is.
As acknowledged last time, I know that a platform isn’t written by a party’s candidate. The platform tends to be a summary of a party’s traditional positions worded with a nod to current events. I also know that the platform is more of a reflection of a party’s leadership – the insiders – than it is of the thousands of registered members who don’t go to conventions. That’s why it tends to take traditional positions rather than reveal how a party is evolving. Specific points of the platform may or may not reflect Barack Obama’s priorities. My review is not an evaluation of how accurately the platform represents the President or the majority of the Democratic Party, but whether or not I personally would stand on this platform.
August 29, 2012
by In The Sieve
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A platform has been approved at the Republican National Convention. I thought I’d review some of its key points to see how it lines up with my personal views. I’ll do the same when the Democrats approve their platform.
August 3, 2012
by In The Sieve
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With the protests, counter-protests, kiss-ins, boycotts, and shouting back and forth surrounding a fast food chicken restaurant, I think the conversation has gotten off track. Is this about gay rights? Freedom of speech? Personal values? Community values? All that and more?
Before I can even enter the conversation I feel like I need to list my positions. Maybe that list will be my contribution to the discussion.
I am a Christian.
I do not oppose same-sex marriage.
I eat at Chick-Fil-A because they have good food, friendly service, and outstanding lemonade.
June 27, 2012
by In The Sieve
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First, let me apologize for not posting in a while.
My work schedule has made it difficult to devote the time I feel is necessary to write a thoughtful blog. My solution is to try to write a few shorter pieces and get back in the swing of things.
What I’d really like is some feedback on what I have to say. It would be wonderful to have a dialogue on some of these topics.
Anyway…
I saw this bumper sticker the other day:
I think I know what it means.
April 3, 2012
by In The Sieve
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The GSA mission is to use expertise to provide innovative solutions for our customers in support of their missions, and by so doing, foster an effective, sustainable, and transparent government for the American people.
Thus reads the mission statement of the General Services Administration of the United States’ federal government.
The GSA’s main responsibility is handling supplies and contracts for the federal government so that it can be handled more efficiently than if each government department handled these tasks on their own. This is supposed to save tax dollars.
February 24, 2012
by In The Sieve
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I just watched a panel of political pundits on television arguing over which presidential candidate, including the incumbent, would be the best for business. The debate was less about who would make the best president than it was about what the question really meant.
I question how important it is that a president be “business friendly”.
I know I don’t want government to be business antagonistic. It seems there should be some sort of congeniality between government and business. But do they really need to be friends?
November 26, 2011
by In The Sieve
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This image and its attached quote have been forwarded to my email by well-meaning friends who I am sure sincerely believe this a profound and insightful rallying cry for sensible and compassionate Americans.
Other than an “Amen” or a “We need more like him!” there’s no elaboration for why I’m receiving it. I can see from the email thread that recipients are prompted to pass this on if they believe in things like justice, equality, America, or if they’re a Christian.
I appreciate that I know so many people who care enough about our country to take a political stand but it’s a stand that’s confusing to me.
October 31, 2011
by In The Sieve
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The National Anthem for the fourth game of Major League Baseball’s 2011 World Series was performed by actress Zooey Deschanel. She plays the lead on a new FOX sitcom, New Girl. Not coincidentally, FOX carries the World Series.
Deschanel is best known as an actress but had aspirations of being a singer before her acting career took off. She has released a couple of albums and occasionally sings in her roles. But I doubt many people would have been expecting her to perform the Anthem at a major sporting event.
I’ve seen both positive and negative reviews.
October 26, 2011
by In The Sieve
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Joaquin Phoenix and Casey Affleck spent the better part of two years shooting an unscripted film with an intriguing but possibly flawed premise: what if an accomplished actor decided to turn his back on Hollywood and become a hip-hop artist?
While Phoenix has been brilliant in a variety of movies, most notably as Johnny Cash in Walk the Line, he showed no discernible talent for hip-hop. Affleck starts out filming Phoenix (his brother-in-law) on his own before assembling a crew to shoot a “documentary” they ultimately titled I’m Still Here.