I read the news today, oh boy...
While I usually don't think to much of the news -- yes, I care what's going on in the world and I like to be an informed voter; however, most of the news often seems irrelevant to my life, and I've yet to find a news source with either a) unnoticeable slant or b) slant I like -- two articles in the local paper caught my attention today.
I'm sure you all know the story of Jessica Lynch, the American soldier taken prisoner by the Iraquis during the recent war. She's recently returned to the U.S. and is now recovering in a Virginia hospital near her home. She's already received offers for interviews from ABC, NBC, and CBS. CBS, the article goes on to say, is a subsidiary of Viacom, Inc. which also owns media establishments like MTV and Simon & Schuster Publishing. The offer from CBS included enticements like an episode of TRL dedicated to her, the chance for her and her friends to co-host an hour-long music program, and interest in a book on "her journey from Virginia to Iraq" (or something like that).
Now, my heart goes out to the poor girl for all she's been through. She's only 20, and the article says she needs a walker right now. (I'm not sure if that's temporary or permanent.) I can't even begin to imagine all she's gone through. And, if I were in her shoes, I don't think I'd want to talk about it -- certainly not for a long time, at least. I don't think I'd want to be in the public eye at all. Why can't they leave here alone, at least until she's home and out of the hospital??
I'm not trying to minimize what she's been through, or shunt her aside, at all. I believe she deserves to be recognized for everything; she probably deserves a medal. (I don't know the full story, but I know that she's certainly gone "above and beyond" her duties.) She certainly deserves to have all the interviews she wants ... but only if she wants them. She shouldn't feel pressured to speak (to the public -- speaking to militaray authorities, etc. would certainly be different)* if she doesn't want to. And the whole MTV thing? That's just weird, I think. Am I off base here?
*In typing this, I was just reminded of the end of GoF. I think I might have problems... :D
In other news... I don't know if this story has made the national news yet (I'd be interested to know), but there's a pattern in a hospital window that seems to resemble Mary holding Jesus. (I can't find a link to a picture, sorry, but here's one article.) According to the hospital, it's condensation from a leaky pipe. I've seen a picture, and it could be just about anything. Rorshach, anybody?
I'm of two minds about this: Sure, it would be neat if Mary really had chosen to manifest herself. It's happened before... And if people draw courage and inspiration from this, if it reinforces (or kindles) their faith, then that's a good thing, right? Who am I to pee in their Cheerios?
At the same time ... I really think it's just mist. It's hardly a stunning linkeness (in fact, according to the article linked above, people differ on details of the image). And the town isn't exactly in a time of crisis or struggle of faith or anything. So, why here? Why not someplace that needs it, like prior apparitions? (And, as my rule-observant side wants me to note, until the Vatican approves it, it's not an apparition. It's just an interesting pattern.) Any thoughts?
I'm sure you all know the story of Jessica Lynch, the American soldier taken prisoner by the Iraquis during the recent war. She's recently returned to the U.S. and is now recovering in a Virginia hospital near her home. She's already received offers for interviews from ABC, NBC, and CBS. CBS, the article goes on to say, is a subsidiary of Viacom, Inc. which also owns media establishments like MTV and Simon & Schuster Publishing. The offer from CBS included enticements like an episode of TRL dedicated to her, the chance for her and her friends to co-host an hour-long music program, and interest in a book on "her journey from Virginia to Iraq" (or something like that).
Now, my heart goes out to the poor girl for all she's been through. She's only 20, and the article says she needs a walker right now. (I'm not sure if that's temporary or permanent.) I can't even begin to imagine all she's gone through. And, if I were in her shoes, I don't think I'd want to talk about it -- certainly not for a long time, at least. I don't think I'd want to be in the public eye at all. Why can't they leave here alone, at least until she's home and out of the hospital??
I'm not trying to minimize what she's been through, or shunt her aside, at all. I believe she deserves to be recognized for everything; she probably deserves a medal. (I don't know the full story, but I know that she's certainly gone "above and beyond" her duties.) She certainly deserves to have all the interviews she wants ... but only if she wants them. She shouldn't feel pressured to speak (to the public -- speaking to militaray authorities, etc. would certainly be different)* if she doesn't want to. And the whole MTV thing? That's just weird, I think. Am I off base here?
*In typing this, I was just reminded of the end of GoF. I think I might have problems... :D
In other news... I don't know if this story has made the national news yet (I'd be interested to know), but there's a pattern in a hospital window that seems to resemble Mary holding Jesus. (I can't find a link to a picture, sorry, but here's one article.) According to the hospital, it's condensation from a leaky pipe. I've seen a picture, and it could be just about anything. Rorshach, anybody?
I'm of two minds about this: Sure, it would be neat if Mary really had chosen to manifest herself. It's happened before... And if people draw courage and inspiration from this, if it reinforces (or kindles) their faith, then that's a good thing, right? Who am I to pee in their Cheerios?
At the same time ... I really think it's just mist. It's hardly a stunning linkeness (in fact, according to the article linked above, people differ on details of the image). And the town isn't exactly in a time of crisis or struggle of faith or anything. So, why here? Why not someplace that needs it, like prior apparitions? (And, as my rule-observant side wants me to note, until the Vatican approves it, it's not an apparition. It's just an interesting pattern.) Any thoughts?