Nazis in the mist

Mama Sun was back today after her sojourn to the south. Even with her sunbeams, it was still chilly, if not outright cold.

At last, I've finished reading the March issue of "Wired." No doubt, the best part was the previously-mentioned piece on "The Onion." Did stumble across an enticing ad in the back for "The twin-turbofan-powered flying saucer - remote controlled - the ultimate couch potato accessory - perfect gift for your 32 year old child!" It is a tad pricey at $75 USD. I'm wondering if this is one of those things that in a few years I'll hate myself for not having ordered. Some years ago, I passed up the chance to buy a chart that was a graphical comparison of "penises of the animal kingdom - including man." Who knows what I may have missed.

Another excellent feature was an excerpt from "The Entertainment Economy: How Mega-Media Forces Are Transforming Our Lives" to be published in March. Makes a perceptive point that there is an on-going "cultural shift in the perception of time." Time now is being viewed, not as a continuum, but as discrete blocks which are then scattered across a week. Although I had skimmed this article at the beginning of my process of reading, I then backtracked and re-read and immediately thought of the fact that this was exactly how I had gone about reading "Wired." Not at one time. But in about ten different segments of unequal lengths. The author goes on to indicate that we expect these niches to be filled with entertainment, and the filling process is now driving the society.

Unfished business from Sunday. Made a quick trip to Barnes and Noble with a friend who is planning to become an Episcopalian, and who was looking for a copy of "The Book of Common Prayer," which to my surprise they had in several types. There was a paperback for $12; a hardback for $24; and a more elaborate edition for more. He looked at the $24 edition, then put it back and commented "I might be religious but I'm not that religious!" Will save thoughts on spirituality and religion, etc. for another day.

Also managed to finish ripping through the latest "Rolling Stone" a couple of hours ago. Good article "inside the war rooms of evangelical intolerance." Mention is made of the anti-gay activist, Rev. Fred Phelps, who had pickets at Matthew Shepard's funeral! Who on earth, would picket a funeral? Especially a funeral for the victim of a hate crime. Why does this remind me of Nazi German in the '30s?

"Wisdom and goodness to the vile seem vile; filths savor but themselves." King Lear, IV, ii

PAX!