An Orthodox perspective

I have gradually been working my way through Daniel B. Clendenin's Eastern Orthodox Theology: A Contemporary Reader. At the moment I am in the middle of an article by John Meyendorff, who was dean of St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary from 1984 until his death in 1992. It is titled "Doing Theology in and Eastern Orthodox Perspective."

One of his central points is that for the Orthodox theology cannot be done in isolation, as an abstract academic exercise, but must always be done within a community of living faith. On the issue of dogma, he contrasts Orthodox methodology with that of the post-scholastic Roman Catholic Church. He also stresses the narrow scope of what is formally defined.

I think I would be faithful to the Orthodox general feeling on the matter if I said that in the Orthodox church formal doctrinal definitions are concerned only with essentials, without which the whole New Testament vision of salvation would not stand. This was certainly the case for the dogmas of the seven ecumenical councils, including the decree of Nicea II (787) on the veneration of icons, which in fact was not so much a decree on religious art as an affirmation of the reality of the incarnation; that is to say, it was a statement that Christ was a historical person--visible, depictable, and representable. On the other hand, particular signs such as the bodily glorification of the Virgin Mary after her death (the dogma of the assumption)--alluded to in some patristic writings and liturgical hymnology, and reflecting a belief in an eschatological anticipation of the general resurrection in her case--are simply not a matter for formal definition, but for reverence and pious respect.

[Emphasis mine]

Even in the formal definitions of the seven ecumenical councils, definitions are more markers of what goes too far or not far enough than statements that capture the truth and pin it down.

What I hope to underline here, however, is the issue of what is, indeed, considered central and dogmatic for the Orthodox as distinguished from what may be true but is neither defined nor required (not to mention what is debatable or indifferent).

When accusations are made that our Presiding Bishop or The Episcopal Church at large has abandoned the historic faith, the counter challenge is on target: Where do you see TEC rejecting the Nicene or Apostolic Creed, the sacraments, the Scriptures, or (to round out the Chicago-Lambeth Quadrilateral) the historic episcopate locally adapted? That we have strong arguments swirling about on the interpretation of Scripture is undeniable, but that is quite different from renouncing Scripture. If it were not important for all parties it would not be generating that level of discussion.

I have heard jokes about people trying to "out-pope the pope." Nowadays we seem to have various Western Christians trying to "out-orthodox the Orthodox." It is a rather arbitrary and pretentious exercise. I grew up in a religious atmosphere that was a collection of Protestant flavors more rigid than Eastern Orthodoxy. Over time I have become far more comfortable with the parameters of a generous Orthodoxy than with any modern self-styled "orthodoxy."

This illustrious festive day is the day which the Lord hath made; let us all be glad and rejoice herein with joy. For, lo, the Giver of Life is risen; Hades hath been despoiled. And the apostolic choir hear the tidings of joy today, while the doubting one, even Thomas, hath touched the Master's side and by this touching hath proclaimed Christ to be of two natures, God and human.
--Thursday of the Second Week, Pentecostarion

--the BB

Aren't you glad you paid attention?

On Monday evening I posted a guide to distinguishing the red, green, white, and black flags that resemble each other. Now one of them shows up as we have just had our first visitor from the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Welcome! Salaam!

Map courtesy of Perry-Castañeda Library Map Collection

The UAE is a federation of seven states, termed emirates: Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah, Sharjah, and Umm al-Quwain. Abu Dhabi is also the name of the capital city.

It is an oil-rich and strategically located federation. Because of the wealth and opportunity there, the UAE have an unusual demographic. "An estimated 85 percent of the population is comprised of non-citizens." Additionally there is roughly a 2 to 1 male-to-female sex ration because of men flocking there to work. [Wikipedia]

Here is your visual tour of Dubai:


Welcome to UAE! (United Arab Emirates) 2007


And here is your dance music video:
U.A.E. Arab national music and dance Dubai


Enjoy.
--the BB

Senhor, tem piedade de nos

Tibet Orders Post-Riot Propaganda Drive
The Associated Press - 1 hour ago
BEIJING (AP) - More than 1000 people have been arrested or surrendered after deadly rioting last month in the Tibetan capital, and trials will be held before May, the city's deputy Communist Party secretary said.
China again cues up its propaganda machine International Herald Tribune
More than 1000 detained over Tibet riots Sydney Morning Herald

Out of sight before the Olympics
Channel 4 News - 1 hour ago
China jails a leading human rights campaigner, Hu Jia, for three and a half years. A Chinese dissident and outspoken critic of Beijing's policy on Tibet has been jailed - in a case that's likely to become a focus for human rights campaigners in the ...
Chinese Rights Activist Is Jailed New York Times
Chinese Court Sentences Civil Rights Activist to Jail Voice of America

Des députés européens réclament la libération de Hu Jia
TSR.ch - Il y a 29 minutes
Des députés européens ont dénoncé jeudi la condamnation du dissident chinois Hu Jia à trois ans et demi de prison et réclamé sa libération. "C'est avec déception et indignation que nous, au Parlement européen, avons pris connaissance de la condamnation ...
Un dissident bouddhiste emprisonné pour subversion en Chine Le Point
Le CIO refuse de commenter la condamnation du dissident Hu Jia Le Parisien

China jails rights activist outspoken on Tibet
Reuters - 2 hours ago
By Chris Buckley BEIJING (Reuters) - A Buddhist Chinese dissident outspoken on Tibet and other sensitive topics was jailed for three-and-a-half years on Thursday, a conviction likely to become a focus of international rights campaigns ahead of the ...
Chinese Rights Activist Is Jailed New York Times
Chinese Court Sentences Civil Rights Activist to Jail Voice of America

NATO Summit in Bucharest
Afghanistan will be a priority for the Nato summit in Bucharest
BBC News - 17 hours ago
Spring has come early in Afghanistan this year and the warmer weather has brought more fighting between the Taleban and international forces.
Video: Ground reality for Canadian troops in Afghanistan -3 Apr 08 AlJazeeraEnglish
Canadian PM In Romania For NATO Leaders' Summit AHN

L'Otan invite seulement la Croatie et l'Albanie à adhérer
L'Express - Publié depuis 1 heure
L'Otan invite la Croatie et à l'Albanie à entamer des négociations d'adhésion à l'Alliance atlantique mais la Macédoine, l'Ukraine et la Géorgie devront patienter avant de pouvoir les rejoindre. Les chefs d'État et de gouvernement des Vingt-Six réunis ...
Otan : la Géorgie et l'Ukraine devront attendre Le Figaro
Croatie et Albanie officiellement invitées dans l'Otan, Macédoine ... Le Monde

Bush Wins NATO Backing on Europe Missile Shield
New York Times - 1 hour ago
President Bush with Prime Minister Gordon Brown of Britain and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice at the NATO summit in Bucharest, Romania, on Thursday.

So, which is it? See dueling headlines below.

Bush wins Nato membership for Ukraine and Georgia
Times Online - 1 hour ago
A compromise deal over the Nato membership aspirations of Ukraine and Georgia has finally been reached after tough bargaining by the United States.
Nato denies Georgia and Ukraine
BBC News - 3 hours ago
Nato has confirmed it will not offer membership to Georgia or Ukraine but agreed to review the decision on the ex-Soviet republics in December.
NATO refuses Macedonia invitation to join for now Reuters
Bush regrets Macedonia not invited to join NATO Xinhua

Here's the answer:

Officials said that the Americans had initially suffered a setback over Ukraine and Georgia but that the alliance statement registered a formal promise that they would eventually be invited into Nato, providing Mr Bush with a mini-victory over his more cautious colleagues.

NATO refuses Macedonia invitation to join for now
Reuters - 2 hours ago
BUCHAREST (Reuters) - NATO refused Macedonia an invitation to join the alliance for now on Thursday after Greece vetoed the decision in a dispute over the former Yugoslav republic's name.
A bad day for Bush in Bucharest Guardian
Macedonia disappointed over NATO entry denial Xinhua

Putin scores major diplomatic victory by blocking NATO's expansion ...
International Herald Tribune - 1 hour ago
AP BUCHAREST, Romania: By scuttling the NATO membership bids of two of Russia's westward-looking neighbors, Vladimir Putin won what is arguably his biggest diplomatic victory even before he arrived at an alliance summit.

Zimbabwe
Africa press hopeful on Zimbabwe
BBC News - 1 hour ago
A day after official results hand Zimbabwe's opposition a majority in parliament, one pro-government paper urges political parties to unite to find a solution to the country's problems, while another calls on the victors to serve the whole of society.

'Relaxed' Robert Mugabe appears in public for first time since ...
Times Online - 1 hour ago
Robert Mugabe today made his first public appearance since last weekend's elections although there has been no official word on whether he will have to contest a run-off vote to save his 28-year-old presidency.
Mugabe Faces Pressure to Step Down The Associated Press
Mugabe Foes Win Majority in Zimbabwe New York Times

Le régime zimbabwéen prêt à un second tour pour sauver Mugabe
Le Point - Il y a 28 minutes
Le pouvoir zimbabwéen s'est déclaré jeudi prêt à un second tour à la présidentielle afin de sauver le chef de l'Etat Robert Mugabe en ballotage, et mis à mal par la défaite de son parti aux législatives. Le pouvoir zimbabwéen s'est déclaré jeudi prêt à ...
Zimbabwe: première apparition publique de Mugabe depuis les élections Romandie.com
Mugabe prêt à reconnaître sa défaite TF1

Mugabe knows it's over
Melbourne Herald Sun - 1 hour ago
ZIMBABWE'S President Robert Mugabe has admitted to his family and advisers that he has lost the most important election of his 28-year rule.

Cyprus
Cyprus to open partition crossing
Aljazeera.net - 7 hours ago
Part of a street in Nicosia that symbolically divides the Cypriot capital is set to open for the first time in 44 years. A crossing on Ledra Street, which runs through a UN-controlled buffer zone in the world's only remaining divided capital, ...
Frantic work to prepare Ledra Street for opening Cyprus Mail

Japan - United States
New rules for US troops in Japan
BBC News - 9 hours ago
By Chris Hogg US military officials in Japan have introduced new restrictions on personnel after a serviceman admitted killing a Japanese taxi driver.
US Sailor Arrested for Murdering Japanese Taxi Driver Enews 2.0

Myanmar - India
Opposition Party Urges 'No' Vote on Myanmar Charter
AHN - 12 hours ago
Yangon, Myanmar (AHN) - Myanmar's main opposition party on Wednesday urged voters to reject an army-backed constitution, turning next month's referendum into the country's first contest for ballots in nearly 20 years.
Burma constitution leaked amid 'No' vote push Times Online

India signs pact with Myanmar to build a seaport and ...
International Herald Tribune - 2 hours ago
AP NEW DELHI: India has agreed to build a multimillion-dollar seaport and transportation system in Myanmar as it presses ahead with investment in its much-criticized neighbor.
India and Burma in transport deal BBC News
India and Myanmar signs accord on transport corridor project Newstrack India

U.S. Economy
US Initial Jobless Claims Rose 38000 to 407000 (Update2)
Bloomberg - 1 hour ago
By Bob Willis April 3 (Bloomberg) -- The number of Americans filing first-time claims for unemployment benefits unexpectedly increased last week and total benefit rolls rose to the highest level since July 2004.
Jobless claims hit 2-year high Monterey County Herald

ATA Airlines Shuts Down After Filing for Bankruptcy Protection
FOXBusiness - 2 hours ago
ATA Airlines, the Indianapolis-based low-cost air carrier, shut down operations early Thursday after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
ATA Airlines shuts down Honolulu Advertiser
ATA Files for Bankruptcy The Associated Press

Details Of The Deal
Forbes - 4 hours ago
It's a good thing Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke's mantra is "transparency." On Thursday, lawmakers expect him to help clarify the still murky details of the Fed's rescue of Bear Stearns three weeks ago.

Iraq
Iraq's Sadr calls for massive anti-US march
Africasia - 2 hours ago
Iraq is tense after more than a week of clashes between security forces, in some cases backed by US troops, and Sadr's Mahdi Army militia.
Iraq says will not block Sadr march if peaceful Reuters
Al-Sadr wants mass protest against US in Iraq Radio Netherlands

No early return from Iraq for our soldiers
This Is Lancashire - 1 hour ago
By Deborah Lewis EAST Lancashire soldiers' hopes of returning home early from war-torn Iraq have been dashed following an escalation in voilence.
Marine taped abusing puppy in Iraq News Record
Iraq's initial force buildup stage focuses on counter-insurgency World Tribune

Iraq's Benchmarks
American Enterprise Institute - 55 minutes ago
Done--there are no "safe havens" in Iraq for outlaws. US and Iraqi conventional and special forces have targeted Sunni and Shiite militias and criminals from Kurdistan to Basra, including Sadr City.
Iraq violence will not change US troop plans Alsumaria
US general warns of Iraq troop cut PRESS TV

US Cites Gaps in Planning of Iraqi Assault on Basra
New York Times - 1 hour ago
By MICHAEL R. GORDON, ERIC SCHMITT and STEPHEN FARRELL This article was reported by Michael R. Gordon, Eric Schmitt and Stephen Farrell and written by Mr.

Ireland
The last days of the Teflon taoiseach
BBC News - 3 hours ago
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern will go down in history as a key figure in bringing peace to Ireland. But his decision to leave office is unlikely to keep him out of the news, with difficult times ahead at a judicial tribunal investigating corruption.
Video: In Cash Scandal, Irish Prime Minister Quits AssociatedPress
Cowen likely to become next Irish PM Belfast Telegraph

Colombia
Betancourt: la mission humanitaire est arrivée en Colombie
nouvelobs.com - Il y a 2 heures
AP | 03.04.2008 | 14:19 L'avion acheminant la mission humanitaire censée approcher des FARC et des leurs otages, dont une Ingrid Betancourt présumée grièvement malade, s'est posé jeudi en Colombie, at-on appris d'une source à l'Elysée. ...

Cyprus
Chypre: un passage symbolique ouvert dans la liesse au coeur de ...
Romandie.com - Il y a 3 heures
NICOSIE (AFP) - Un nouveau point de passage à travers le no man's land symbolisant les décennies de division de Chypre a été ouvert jeudi dans la liesse à Nicosie, augurant d'un nouvel élan dans les efforts de réunification de l'île. ...
Réouverture de la rue Ledra, symbole de la partition de Chypre L'Express
Une nouvelle brèche s'ouvre dans le mur qui divise Chypre Courrier International

Kenya
Kenya parties break deadlock over coalition Cabinet
Mail & Guardian Online - 2 hours ago
Kenya's feuding political factions on Thursday announced the deadlock over a coalition government had been broken and that the new line-up would be announced on Sunday.
Kenyans reach coalition deal The Times
Kenya power-sharing cabinet to be named Sunday -Odinga Reuters South Africa

Al Qaeda
El número dos de Al Qaeda llama a intensificar los ataques contra ...
Impulso Baires - hace 12 horas
Madrid - Pide en un mensaje en Internet “atacar a los judíos dentro y fuera de Israel”. El número dos de Al Qaeda, el egipcio Ayman Al Zawahri, ha hecho un llamamiento a “atacar a los judíos dentro y fuera de Israel”, y refiriéndose a las Naciones ...

Health
Green tea helps beat superbugs
Hindu - 31 Mar 2008
Green tea can help beat superbugs according to Egyptian scientists speaking today (Monday 31 March 2008) at the Society for General Microbiology’s 162nd meeting being held this week at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre.
Green Tea Boosts Antibiotics for Superbugs U.S. News & World Report
Intake Of Green Tea Boosts Antibiotics Effectiveness – A Study TopNews

They nailed Thee to the Cross, O Thou Life of all creation. Though Thou art the Master immortal, they counted Thee a dead man. And rising the third day, Thou didst raise up Adam from corruption with Thyself. For this cause, the hosts of Heaven cried unto Thee, O life-giving Christ, our Savior: Glory to Thy divine suff'ring and death. Glory to Thy resurrection, Lord. Glory to Thy condescension, O Thou only friend of mankind.
--Thursday of the Second Week, Pentecostarion

--the BB

Catapulting the propaganda - updated

Attorney General Michael Mukasey gave a speech to the Commonwealth Club this past weekend.

Officials "shouldn't need a warrant when somebody with a phone in Iraq picks up a phone and calls somebody in the United States because that's the call that we may really want to know about. And before 9/11, that's the call that we didn't know about. We knew that there has been a call from someplace that was known to be a safe house in Afghanistan and we knew that it came to the United States. We didn't know precisely where it went."

The press played up how, at his following comments, the AG got all choked up. Let's skip the emotion, real of faked for effect, and focus on what he said.

If there was a call from an al Qaeda safe house in Afghanistan into the US prior to 9/11/2001, then the government did not need a warrant to listen in, according to then current law. So if they knew about such a call and did not act on it, the level of malfeasance is staggering.

If there was such a call, why was it not mentioned at any point in the 9/11 Commission's investigation? It such a call was not mentioned because it never really happened, this would be the worst sort of public lying to achieve a political goal.

Either of these options should be alarming.

And in any case, it hardly touches upon the issues that are actually relevant to FISA law.

But it clearly constitutes highly emotional fearmongering. And is highly misleading.

Again, did anyone in their right mind really believe he would not be a Bush toady once appointed as Attorney General?

To reiterate the issue, in Maddow's words:

MADDOW: The implication of Mukasey‘s story here is that these pesky, restrictive FISA laws kept us from tapping that call from Afghanistan and blocked us stopping 9/11. That‘s complete bull pucky. The laws then, the laws now, the laws since the FISA court has been in existence; the laws have said that you can tap without a warrant that kind of communication from outside the United States into the U.S., particularly if you knew it was an al Qaeda safe house and it had a link in terrorism.

What Mukasey said is either a terrible lie about the law or it‘s terrible admission about the Bush administration leaving us unprotected on 9/11.

Glenn Greenwald encapsulates it this way:

Mukasey's new claim that FISA's warrant requirements prevented discovery of the 9/11 attacks and caused the deaths of 3,000 Americans is disgusting and reckless, because it's all based on the lie that FISA required a warrant for targeting the "Afghan safe house." It just didn't. Nor does the House FISA bill require individual warrants when targeting a non-U.S. person outside the U.S.

Danger durden has a great post on this up at Daily Kos, including commentary on this issue by Keith Olbermann and Rachel Maddow. There is also information provided (including a very good form letter) for contacting the House Judiciary Committee, urging them to call AG Mukasey in to testify under oath on what he's talking about here.

Did the government have all the tools it needed and still do nothing?
Is the government making shit up to scare us?

The answer may well be "both of the above" but I think it is reasonable to demand answers.

UPDATE:
Glenn Greenwald follows up on this issue. Lee Hamilton, c0-chair of the 9/11 Commission would not comment but Philip Zelikow, the executive director of the commission, responded with this:

Not sure of course what the AG had in mind, although the most important signals intelligence leads related to our report -- that related to the Hazmi-Mihdhar issues of January 2000 or to al Qaeda activities or transits connected to Iran -- was not of this character. If, as he says, the USG didn't know where the call went in the US, neither did we. So unless we had some reason to link this information to the 9/11 story ....

In general, as with several covert action issues for instance, the Commission sought (and succeeded) in publishing details about sensitive intelligence matters where the details were material to the investigative mandate in our law.

Glenn comments:

That's polite Beltway talk for saying that nothing like what Mukasey described actually happened. Does anyone on TV other than Keith Olbermann care that the Attorney General of the United States just invented a critical episode about 9/11 that never actually happened -- tearing up as he did it -- in order to scare Americans into supporting the administration's desired elimination of spying restrictions and blame FISA supporters for the 9/11 attacks? We still ought to hear from Hamilton and/or Kean.

[Emphasis mine]

--the BB

Heart thread - 4/2/2008 - Updates (2)

We have updates, all of which warrant ongoing prayers and good thoughts.

From Eileen (via OCICBW):
I'm doing ok. I went to the doctor for a follow up yesterday, to get my tape off my incision, etc. He says things look good, and that I am healing well.

Mentally, I'm so so. I'm mostly just glad to be alive. I'm partly sad that the baby is gone... and I'm partly feeling guilty that I feel relieved it's gone. It's a sort of mish-mosh womany thing, but there you have it.

I'm sleeping shittily...

(Husband) is being good to me. He just went back to work today, and his mom, my mom and the girls at work have been setting us up with meals, as (husband) isn't much of a cook, and I'm supposed to be a lump (which I am doing...I promise).

Thanks for caring...
Eileen

You may send her love directly at her blog.

From Freedom Bound (also via OCICBW):
HI folks,

Thanks so much - you really are fab!

we're doing ok - sorting 4 years of material stuff out etc. Hurts like hell, but as others have said it's better dealing with the pain together than just hurting each other.

I love you folk, and appreciate all this more than you can know. :-)

FB
xxx

From my chum Tad (via e-mail):
Many thanks for your prayers. I think I'm on the recovering side of things today. I see my doctor today and hopefully he will OK the treatment received from the docs in Texas. [I have since learned that his local doc did approve continuing the treatment begun in TX.]

I failed to note yesterday that it was the wedding anniversary of my sister Shirley and her husband Jack. He seems to be holding his own after the bleeding spell for which y'all were praying earlier.


UPDATE:
I just received an e-mail from my colleague Pamela in Oakland (who is recovering from her detached retina surgery, so thanks for your prayers on that).

I am writing to let you know that Roussel ... fell today about 5 pm in her driveway (while trying to carry up the recycling) and broke her right hip. Fortunately, she had LifeLine around her neck and an ambulance came quickly. I saw her this evening in the ER at Summit Hospital in Oakland. She was awake and was very alert though on morphine for the pain and was nauseous. The doctors plan to operate on her hip tomorrow.

Roussel is a very dear friend who turned 90 not that long ago. For many years she taught English literature at Mills College but I met her after her retirement and only know her as a very wise, loving, and prayerful woman.

UPDATE 2:

Caminante requests prayers for Naomi, Emilee, and Seth--three children afflicted with cancer.

For those we Love

Almighty God, we entrust all who are dear to us to thy never-failing care and love, for this life and the life to come, knowing that thou art doing for them better things than we can desire or pray for; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

--the BB

Credibility at the highests levels: why we don't have it

Senator Feingold calls Mike McConnell to task:

Dear Director McConnell:

I have received a copy of your March 28, 2008, speech at Furman University. In it, you described Senate action on the FISA Amendments Act of 2008, stating:

"We had a bill go into the Senate. It was debated vigorously. There were some who said we shouldn't have an Intelligence Community. Some have that point of view. Some say the President of the United States violated the process, spied on Americans, should be impeached and should go to jail. I mean, this is democracy, you can say anything you want to say. That was the argument made. The vote was 68 to 29."

As you correctly noted, the bill was the subject of vigorous debate. Many members of the Senate expressed serious concerns about the lack of checks and balances included in the legislation and the potential impact of the new authorities on the privacy and civil liberties of Americans. Many Senators were also concerned that retroactive immunity for companies alleged to have cooperated with the President's warrantless wiretapping program would undermine the rule of law.

However, I am not aware of any Senator saying or suggesting that "we shouldn't have an Intelligence Community" or that President Bush "should be impeached and should go to jail." I would therefore appreciate your providing a list of all statements made by Senators during the debate that you believe support these assertions. If there are no such examples, you should issue an immediate correction and an apology.

While all sides of this debate deserve to be heard, to falsely attribute statements to United States Senators serves only to mislead the American people. It also undermines your credibility and that of the position of Director of National Intelligence.

Sincerely,

Russell D. Feingold
U.S. Senator

[Emphasis mine]

Yes, they're making shit up, as this administration has tended to do from the beginning, and spouting it out there for public consumption on the assumption, I am guessing, that no one will pay enough attention to verify whether they are lying or not.

Remember the old rule: If their lips are moving....

In the same speech, McConnell asserted that the Senate would agree with the White House. And why shouldn't he assume that? Unless they grow spines and uphold the rule of law. What a concept.

h/t to mcjoan, once again.
--the BB

China makes 94

Welcome to yesterday's very first visitor from China! Glad you stopped by.

This brings the virtual flag collection up to 94. 100 cannot be too far away. Unlike oil prices and death tolls, this is one case where a rising number feels good.

How many of you have ever heard of the Jesus Sutras?

The Jesus Sutras, or the Lost Sutras of Jesus are early Chinese language manuscripts of Christian teachings brought to China during the 7th century by Alopen, a Persian bishop of the Assyrian Church of the East.

The sutras date from between 635 AD, the year of Christianity's introduction to China; and 1005, when the Mogao Cave, near Dunhuang, in which they were found was sealed. Four of the sutras are said to be located in private collections in Japan, while one is in Paris. Their language and content reflect varying levels of adaptation to Chinese culture, including Buddhist and Taoist influences. [Wikipedia]

I found Martin Palmer's book on them and was quite fascinated. Such a great shift in imagery and a true inculturation of the Gospel. What also fascinated me is that the missionaries came to China right around the time St Cuthbert was born, so we are talking about a mission contemporaneous with a favorite western saint and the whole golden era of Northumbria.

Beijing will be the site of the 2008 Olympics, and this is occasion for lots of tension worldwide, as the headlines featured here indicate. I hope the athletes will be able to compete in peace. My own sympathies with minorities and the use of orange for a wordless protest are evident here.

While I criticize governments here, my own and others, this is nonetheless intended as a safe space for people from every land and culture, where we can celebrate the varied riches all peoples bring to the human experience. I thus greet with joy visits from China and pray for the well-being of the Chinese people.

And now for some music.
Chinese music - traditional pipa solo 霸王卸甲 by Liu Fang 劉芳琵琶
It's very emotional and powerful playing - a pipa solo style par excellence, by the internationally acclaimed pipa virtuoso Liu Fang. The pipa has only four strings, and is referred to as Chinese lute or guitar, though the playing techniques are quite different. (10:54 min)



Chinese music: Flute, Banjo, Citer and Erhu


A touch of classical Chinese opera:


Enjoy!
--the BB

Leli vangeli bo ayisilo lokudlala

Header translation from Ndebele: "This Holy Gospel, it should not be taken lightly."
[With no guarantee that my orthography is "ortho."]

Zimbabwe
Opposition Claims It Won Majority in Zimbabwe Vote
New York Times - 2 hours ago
By BARRY BEARAK HARARE, Zimbabwe - The main opposition officially claimed victory Wednesday in the presidential election and urged President Robert G. Mugabe to concede, saying its tally showed challenger Morgan Tsvangirai had won a slim majority.
Mugabe's Zanu-PF loses majority BBC News
Mugabe's Ruling Party Loses Parliamentary Majority (Update2) Bloomberg
Zimbabwe: MDC Wins Elections Black Star News

There is an extensive article on Robert Mugabe at Wikipedia.
The home page for the MDC (Movement for Democratic Change) is here.

Правящая партия Зимбабве проиграла парламентские выборы - избирком
РИА Новости - 1 час назад
МОСКВА, 2 апр - РИА Новости. Избирательная комиссия Зимбабве обнародовала первые официальные итоги прошедших 29 марта парламентских выборов - правящая партия потеряла большинство в парламенте, сообщает в среду агентство Франс Пресс. Оппозиционная партия "Движение за демократические перемены" (MDC) получила 105 из 210 мест в парламенте. Таким образом, "Африканский национальный союз Зимбабве - Патриотический фронт" (ZANU-PF) - партия президента Робета Мугабе - потеряла большинство и получила всего 93 ...

Zimbabwe: le parti de Mugabe perd le contrôle du Parlement
La Tribune.fr - Il y a 25 minutes
Le parti du président zimbabwéen Robert Mugabe a perdu le contrôle du Parlement, selon les derniers résultats officiels communiqués mercredi. Un peu plus tôt, l'opposition avait déjà annoncé la victoire de son candidat à l'élection présidentielle. ...
Le président zimbabwéen Robert Mugabe susceptible de s'accrocher L'Express
Au Zimbabwe, Mugabe a officiellement perdu les législatives Libération

US urges Zimbabwe gov't to respect will of people Reuters South Africa
Mugabe must step down with dignity - Tutu The Times

Pierde Mugabe oficialmente mayoría en el Parlamento de Zimbabwe
El Universal (México) - hace 2 horas
09:02 El presidente de Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe, parece haber perdido la mayoría en el Parlamento del país africano, ya que los primeros resultados de las elecciones del sábado pasado arrojan que los sufragios favorecen al partido de la oposición. ...
La oposición se declara vencedora en las elecciones de Zimbabwe Milenio
Zimbabue: oposición canta victoria y dice que se terminó la era de ... Prensa Libre (Guatemala)


U.S. Economy
Bernanke Says US Economy May Slip Into a Recession (Update3)
Bloomberg - 2 hours ago
By Scott Lanman April 2 (Bloomberg) -- Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke acknowledged for the first time that a US recession is possible because homebuilding, unemployment and consumer spending will deteriorate.
Stocks Hold Gains As Bernanke Speaks The Associated Press
Stocks Mixed as Bernanke Speaks BusinessWeek

Senate nears compromise on housing rescue bill
Reuters - 1 hour ago
By Kevin Drawbaugh WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The US Senate edged closer to consensus on Wednesday on a bipartisan bill to help homeowners hit by the mortgage crisis, with agreement seen on a tax break for home builders and other measures.
Senate may vote on housing aid Wednesday MarketWatch
The stealth bailout in the works for homebuilders Los Angeles Times

NATO Summit: Ukraine - Georgia - Afghanistan


Ukrainian leaders strive for NATO membership, citizens unsure they ...
International Herald Tribune - 1 hour ago
AP KIEV, Ukraine: When they sit down for dinner, Leonid and Yelena Adrov don't just talk about their daughter's grades or summer vacation plans.
Video: Russian bases would boost global anti-missile defences - Bus RussiaToday
Bush Asks NATO Leaders to Embrace Policies New York Times

NATO expansion rift widens ahead of summit
Sydney Morning Herald - 1 hour ago
The United States stepped up calls for Ukraine and Georgia to be put on track to join NATA ahead of the start of an alliance summit on Wednesday dominated by the alliance's expansion.

Les dirigeants de l'Otan réunis pour un sommet indécis
Le Parisien - Il y a 26 minutes
Les dirigeants des 26 pays devront, notamment, décider si l'Ukraine et la Géorgie pourront obtenir un statut de candidat officiel à l'alliance militaire occidentale. Les dirigeants des 26 pays de l'Otan ont entamé mercredi soir à Bucarest un sommet ...
Le sommet de l'OTAN dominé par l'Afghanistan La Tribune.fr
L'Ukraine et la Géorgie pourraient ne pas rentrer dans l'Otan L'Express

Francia y Alemania no comparten idea de Bush en la OTAN
Milenio - hace 5 horas
Bush a su llegada Rumania. Foto: AP En anticipo a una cumbre de tres días de la OTAN, Bush hizo intensa campaña en favor de las dos ex repúblicas soviéticas, que comparten fronteras con Rusia a lo largo de importantes rutas de petróleo y gas. Bucarest. ...
RESUMEN 1-Bush presiona OTAN por Ucrania, Georgia, Afganistan Reuters América Latina
Rechaza el gobierno de Rusia el eventual ingreso de Ucrania y ... La Jornada (México)

Nato summit: George Bush abandoned over Ukraine and Georgia
Times Online - 48 minutes ago
President Bush was today being abandoned by his closest allies as his appeal for Ukraine and Georgia to be earmarked for Nato membership met with opposition from Britain, France and Germany.

Will Nato summit bring Afghan deal?
BBC News - 41 minutes ago
By Alastair Leithead Spring has come early in Afghanistan this year and the warmer weather has brought more fighting between the Taleban and international forces.
Harper 'optimistic' about getting extra troops for Afghanistan Canada.com
Harper meets with Karzai in run-up to NATO summit CTV.ca

Iraq
Iraqi city appears relatively calm
CNN - 3 hours ago
BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- Security forces in the southern Iraqi city of Basra hunted militants Wednesday in a stronghold of a powerful Shiite militia.
Video: Al-Sadr Tells Followers to End Violence in Iraq AssociatedPress
Iraqi army show of force in Basra BBC News

Pastor Who Visited Iraq Settles NY Case
The Associated Press - 15 hours ago
NEW YORK (AP) - Federal prosecutors have settled a dispute with a clergyman who defied government regulations and visited Iraq in 2003 to protest the pending US-led invasion, a lawyer for the clergyman said Tuesday. Under the agreement, the Rev.

Iraq UK troop reduction delayed
BBC News - Apr 1, 2008
There are no current plans to reduce the number of British troops based in Iraq, Defence Secretary Des Browne is expected to tell MPs.

Special Article
The Statesman - 20 hours ago
With the US economy in a huge slump, with the US army bogged down in Iraq and in Afghanistan, and with the tattered record of the Bush administration tainted by misinformation through its entire first term, the odds would be daunting for any candidate.

Al-Sadr Stronghold Brims With Confidence
The Associated Press - 2 hours ago
BAGHDAD (AP) - Black banners announcing the deaths of Mahdi Army fighters plaster the streets. Scores of Shiite militiamen gather at the funeral of a fallen comrade as a US helicopter gunship hovers above.
Iraqi army show of force in Basra BBC News
US: Some Iraqi troops still not up to the task Middle East Online



Tibet - China - India
For India, Tibet Poses Some Delicate Issues
Washington Post - 1 hour ago
By Rama Lakshmi NEW DELHI, April 1 -- Angry Tibetans in India chanted all kinds of anti-China slogans last month when they gathered to protest the crackdown in their homeland.
Exile Tibet radio claims China steps up jamming of news broadcasts International Herald Tribune
China Alleges Tibetan 'Suicide Squads' The Associated Press

Paulson urges China to have dialogue on Tibet
Reuters - 3 hours ago
By Glenn Somerville BEIJING, April 2 (Reuters) - US Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson raised the sensitive topic of unrest in Tibet during a visit to Beijing on Wednesday, urging a resolution to the issue through dialogue.
Chinese, Indian FMs hold phone talks on bilateral ties Xinhua

Le dalaï lama réclame une pression internationale sur la Chine
L'Express - Il y a 3 heures
Le dalaï lama, chef spirituel des Tibétains en exil, a demandé mercredi une pression internationale sur Pékin pour arrêter la répression militaire chinoise qui s'intensifie, selon lui, dans les régions de Chine peuplées de Tibétains. ...
La Chine multiplie les accusations contre le dalaï-lama Le Point
Pour Wen Jiabao, les canaux entre Pékin et le dalaï-lama restent ... Le Monde

Veteran leaders urge China to talk to Dalai Lama
Reuters South Africa - 1 hour ago
JOHANNESBURG, April 2 (Reuters) - A group of former world leaders including Nelson Mandela and Jimmy Carter urged China on Wednesday to negotiate with the Dalai Lama to find a peaceful solution to political unrest in Tibet.
India warns Dalai Lama over protests The Australian

China discloses protest in Muslim region
International Herald Tribune - 4 hours ago
By Howard W. French SHANGHAI: Acknowledging a recent protest in the region, the Chinese government has announced that Islamic separatist groups are seeking to foment unrest in the Muslim, northwestern region of Xinjiang.
Muslim extremists attempted 'uprising' in Xinjiang: China Hindu
Tibet unrest spreads to Muslim separatists in China Times Online

Le dalaï-lama cible de la Chine
Le journal du dimanche en ligne - Il y a 14 heures
En réaction aux manifestations au Tibet, les autorités chinoises semblent avoir décidé de concentrer leurs attaques sur la personne du dalaï-lama. La Chine lui impute ainsi l'organisation du soulèvement à Lhassa et l'accuse de fomenter des ...
En Chine, quelques voix bravent le tabou tibétain Le Figaro
Participation du Conseil régional de Bretagne aux JO de Pékin Agence Bretagne Presse

Ireland
Ireland's Ahern to resign, but peacemaker legacy likely to endure
Christian Science Monitor - 1 hour ago
Amid an inquiry of his personal finances, the prime minister announced Wednesday that he would step down May 6. By Michael Seaver | Correspondent of The Christian Science Monitor Dublin, Ireland - On the eve of the 10th anniversary of Northern ...
Irish Premier Ahern to Quit After Decade in Power (Update5) Bloomberg
Irish Prime Minister Announces Resignation Voice of America

War Criminals Working for the White House (John C. Yoo edition)
When Laws Don't Apply
Washington Post - 3 hours ago
Our Readers Who Comment are up in arms today about John C. Yoo's 2003 legal memo that said military interrogators could ignore laws against tactics often regarded as torture when questioning al-Queda captives because the president's authority as ...
Presidential powers said to sanction torture Seattle Times
US Memo justifies harsh interrogation United Press International
Note: As a California native I am personally ashamed that Yoo is allowed to teach law in Berkeley.

US interrogation memo made public
BBC News - 48 minutes ago
The Pentagon has declassified a legal memo from March 2003 which approved the use of harsh interrogation techniques for terror suspects held abroad.
Memo gave Pentagon exemption from criminal laws Guardian
Pentagon: Bush's authority trumps torture law Telegraph.co.uk

Environment
Ignoring the Supreme Court
Washington Post - 13 hours ago
THE BUSH administration never had any intention of doing what the Supreme Court commanded it to do a year ago today: regulate greenhouse gas emissions.

EPA delays carbon-dioxide move UI The Daily Iowan (subscription)
States sue EPA over global warning El Paso Times

Astronomy
Astronomers see 'youngest planet'
BBC News - 5 hours ago
By Paul Rincon An embryonic planet detected in a far off galaxy could be less than 2000 years old, astronomers say. The ball of dust and gas, which is in the process of turning into a Jupiter-like giant, was detected around the star HL Tau by a UK team ...
Have astronomers spotted the youngest known planet? New Scientist (subscription)
Baby planet found around star HL Tau Telegraph.co.uk

Colombia - France - Spain - Switzerland - Slovenia
L'Élysée annonce qu'une mission humanitaire en Colombie a débuté
L'Express - Il y a 54 minutes
Une mission humanitaire menée conjointement par la France, l'Espagne et la Suisse a débuté en faveur, notamment, d'Ingrid Betancourt, otage des Forces armées révolutionnaires en Colombie (Farc) depuis 2002, a annoncé l'Élysée. ...
Betancourt : la mission humanitaire est lancée Le Parisien
La Suisse agit pour les otages des FARC swissinfo.ch

Betancourt needs urgent treatment
BBC News - 5 hours ago
The Colombian hostage Ingrid Betancourt needs a blood transfusion within hours to stay alive, according to her son. Lorenzo Delloye says his mother has hepatitis B and a skin disease, which require a blood transfusion "in the coming hours".
Son says Betancourt has hepatitis B and needs a blood transfusion ... CNN
France hopes doctor can reach Betancourt swiftly International Herald Tribune

Desea Eslovenia pronta libertad de Betancourt
Milenio - hace 41 minutos
El mandatario de Eslovenia, Danilo Turk dijo que ‘me gustaría ver a Ingrid Betancourt liberada. Espero que las Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia lo hagan sobre una base humanitaria’. Lima, Perú.- El mandatario de Eslovenia, Danilo Turk, ...

Archaeology
Stonehenge révèlera-t-il ses mystères?
BRANCHEZ-VOUS.com - Il y a 4 heures
Le très célèbre site mégalithique anglais de Stonehenge est l'objet de fouilles archéologiques poussées depuis lundi dernier. Les opérations visent à percer le secret du mystérieux alignement circulaire concentrique constitué de pierres géantes. ...
Les mystères de Stonehenge bientôt résolus? TSR.ch
De nouvelles fouilles pour percer le mystère de Stonehenge AFP

Chad - Sudan
Khartoum accuse le Tchad d'avoir bombardé un village soudanais
Romandie.com - Il y a 42 minutes
KHARTOUM - Khartoum a accusé mercredi l'armée tchadienne d'avoir bombardé un village soudanais dans la région du Darfour, et affirmé qu'une roquette tirée depuis le Tchad avait touché une unité militaire soudanaise, en violation d'un récent accord de ...
Tchad/combats: 21 rebelles morts Le Figaro
Au Tchad, les rebelles somment la France de ne plus soutenir ... Le Monde

Comoros
La France « déroule le tapis rouge » à Mohamed Bacar
Afrik.com - 31 mar 2008
Le président déchu de l’île d’Anjouan, aux Comores, a été relaxé samedi par le tribunal de Saint-Denis de la Réunion, pour vice de forme. Mohamed Bacar et 22 de ses hommes qui, fuyant Anjouan, avaient débarqué le 26 mars à Mayotte avant d’être ...
Bacar relaxé par la justice française Le Figaro
Affaire Bacar : comment sauver un chef d’Etat déchu ? Témoignages.re


When Thou was crucified, O Christ, the tyranny of the enemy was destroyed and his might was trampled down; for neither an Angel nor a human, but Thou Thyself didst save us. O Lord, glory be to thee.
--Wednesday of the Second Week, Pentecostarion

--the BB

McPhony - campaign law violation

The only way John McCain can have so much "credibility" with the media is if they have conspired to give him a pass on damn near everything.

I am proud to say I was one of the signatories on the petition urging the FEC to do something about his breaking the campaign laws.



As Jane Hamsher says at Firedoglake:

This morning at a McCain event in Alexandria, McCain was introduced as a "hero" because of his work in campaign finance reform. Right. The guy who helped to write the law now doesn't want to obey it, just because there's nobody around to enforce it (thank you George W. Bush for gutting the FEC). The McCain campaign's defense is "Obama did the same thing," but that's a crock. John McCain applied for public financing. Obama never did. John McCain was accepted into the public financing system. Obama never was. The chairman of the FEC, David Mason, says McCain is therefore still in the system and bound by its limitations, but McCain is just ignoring him.

It goes to McCain's character. He believes the law is for someone else, not for him. He's chiding Obama for not agreeing to public financing, even as he's 4 million dollars over the $54 million spending cap imposed by the public financing system.

For Thee But Not For Me. The John McCain story.

If you feel like joining in, click here.
--the BB