the turtle speaks

Sep 22

“From the days of our founders the social contract of the United States has been equal opportunity. A newborn child bears no responsibility for the circumstances of her birth and yet is often destined to a life of advantage or disadvantage based on those circumstances. The American commitment to equal opportunity is not being fulfilled. With what we know, it is morally offensive not to act.” George Kaiser, Tulsa billionaire and über-philantropist, from a Forbe’s article

Sep 5

Cutting back on TV is like cutting back on soda (or high-sugar of any kind). Once you’ve done it, even moderate amounts don’t taste good. Quote of the day:

When television is good, nothing — not the theater, not the magazines or newspapers — nothing is better.

But when television is bad, nothing is worse. I invite each of you to sit down in front of your own television set when your station goes on the air and stay there, for a day, without a book, without a magazine, without a newspaper, without a profit and loss sheet or a rating book to distract you. Keep your eyes glued to that set until the station signs off. I can assure you that what you will observe is a vast wasteland.

You will see a procession of game shows, formula comedies about totally unbelievable families, blood and thunder, mayhem, violence, sadism, murder, western bad men, western good men, private eyes, gangsters, more violence, and cartoons. And endlessly commercials — many screaming, cajoling, and offending. And most of all, boredom. True, you’ll see a few things you will enjoy. But they will be very, very few. And if you think I exaggerate, I only ask you to try it.

- FCC chairman Newton N. Minow speaking to the convention of the National Association of Broadcasters.

I love this quote. The kicker? It’s from May 9, 1961. When there were three television networks and the world was still inventing color. Wonder what Minow would say about the state of the medium today (he’s 85).

Trivium: the S. S. Minnow from Gilligan’s Island was named in “honor” of his assessment.

Aug 25

“Millions long for immortality who do not know what to do with themselves on a rainy Sunday afternoon.” Susan Ertz, Anger in the Sky (1943)

Aug 11

“Oh they say I come with less than I should rightfully possess.
I say the more I buy the more I’m bought.
And the more I’m bought the less I cost.” Joe Pugg

Aug 4

“To use Richard Dawkin’s justly famous metaphor, “memes” like “human rights” and “human dignity” may not indefinitely continue replicating themselves once the Christian “infinite value of every life” meme has died out.” David Bentley Hart (p. 237)

Jul 24

“Is it surprising that so many American Christians are obsessed with hell when mass incarceration and capital punishment are the way the nation does justice?” Kim Fabricius

Jul 23

“

Why then do we think that this [hoping for change in the pagan faith] is sufficient and do not observe how the kindness of Christians to strangers, their care for the burial of their dead, and the sobriety of their lifestyle has done the most to advance their cause?…

For it is disgraceful when no Jew is a beggar and the impious Galileans [Christians] support our poor in addition to their own; everyone is able to see that our coreligionists are in want of aid from us.

”

Julian the Apostate, Roman Emperor, in a letter to Arsacius the priest, AD 360

Those pesky Christians…being kind to strangers, taking care of the pagan poor, their high regard for life. Sounds like a lot of work. Couldn’t they have found some doctrine to fight over or some network to boycott?

Jul 18

“The traveler sees what he sees. The tourist sees what he has come to see.”

G.K. Chesterton

I cite this as great travel advice, despite my admission of having an agenda while visiting Ireland. And, as always, if you need travel assistance, contact the lovely helpful Katie @ http://kalikosmos.com

Jun 7

“I think there ought to be a reality show where they tape someone having to watch reality shows and not be affected by it.” Steve, my insightful coworker, during a painful preview of a future network reality show.

Apr 27

“Who was it that said that forgiveness is giving up all hope of having had a different past?” Anne Lamott, Traveling Mercies

Apr 15

“The word “christian,” when applied to anything other than a human being, is just a marketing term.” Derek Webb

(Source: twitter.com)

Apr 6

“This culture is on an extraordinary pace toward needing things to be more efficient. But that is a value that is ultimately antithetical to the gospel. I’ve never heard of efficient wisdom, efficient love, efficient suffering, or efficient compassion. So what does it mean that we inhabit a world that is so dominated by this ideology of efficiency? That’s my interest in asking, what does it actually mean? How is it shaping you without your knowledge or permission right now?” Shane Hipps

Feb 27

“By the way, what have you done that’s so great? Do you create anything, or just criticize others work and belittle their motivations?”

Steve Jobs, responding to a critical tech-writer.

Regardless of what you think of him and his view of technology and entertainment (of which I’m generally supportive), this quote from Steve should be instructive for everyone.

Feb 22

“It is a curious thought, but it is only when you see people looking ridiculous that you realize just how much you love them.”

Agatha Christie

This explains why my wife loves me, even though she’s seen me dance.

the turtle speaks

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