Process in Pakistan

Colin Mason's A Short History of Asia speaks about the growing trend toward something called "Controlled Democracy." Certainly this is what exists in Pakistan, where there are democratic institutions, such as a parliament, elections that are contested, etc., but where the real power rests with Musharraf and the (apparently) still loyal army elites. It's nice for our politicians to say that the trend toward democracy must continue in Pakistan, but a certain care must be exercised and a sober course negotiated.

The sudden fall of the government might have the potential to allow the growing terror from Waziristan to topple what's left of the institutions of democracy. What would that nation have then? Pakistan has 165 million people. It's a large nation, and the breakdown of social order there would be a catastrophe. Faced with a radical state of the Khmer Rouge/Kampuchea nature on its border, what would India do? Or Pakistan's other neighbors?

This is not an endorsement of any further weakening or abrogation of electoral process in Pakistan. The community of nations--and our politicians--should exercise restraint and do what's possible to encourage the existing government to deal responsibly with the influential parties in that nation.

By the way: no one's said much about the practical problems of securing the nukes. Surely we have some agents/agencies in contact with the Pakistani army about the realities on the ground where these are concerned.

Mrs. Bhutto

The assassination is no less a tragedy for its lack of surprise. If and until the Pakistani administration credibly arrives at some resolution of culpability and proper justice for this act, it must remain suspect, and U.S. policy must hold it to account for this behavior. In this regard, it was disconcerting to hear President Bush mention "extreme elements" in his terse statement this morning. Do we know something already or are we building a cover for Musharraf? Is this a way to apply pressure and provide support to Musharraf to act against the extremists? Or, are we shamelessly and cynically applying another fig leaf to replace the one that blew off with this murder? I'd honestly guess at this point that if there was not severe pressure prior to this, there is now. "Allies" are friends, but not necessarily friendly--nor do they have to be in order to accomplish a level of common cause.

Christmas Message from Ephraim the Syrian

As quoted by Pope Benedict in his Wednesday audience about a month ago:

The Lord came to her
To make himself a servant.
The Word came to her
To keep silence in her womb.
The lightning came to her
To not make any noise.

The shepherd came to her
And the Lamb is born, who humbly cries.
Because Mary’s womb
Has reversed the roles:
The One who created all things
Wasn’t born rich, but poor.

The Almighty came to her,
But he came humbly.
Splendor came to her,
But dressed in humble clothes.
The One who gives us all things
Met hunger.

The One who gives water to everone
Met thirst.
Naked and unclothed he came from her,
He who dresses all things with beauty.

“On the Nativity”
Ephraim the Syrian (306-373 CE)

Why we teach

"And even if they are demanding answers, the young are not afraid of them; more to the point, they even await them."

--Pope John Paul II

A Christmas Wish

I wish I could take the credit for this Christmas blessing, but it was passed along by a co-worker. However, I can't think of a better sentiment, and pass it along again--

We will celebrate again the glorious birth of Jesus Christ on December 25th.

The dirt poor condition of His arrival to human form has not, does not, diminish Him.

He's still the King.

We're so dog-gone fortunate He's called us to travel with him.

May we all find under "our tree" a measure of grace for each and every day of our trip together in faith, with hope.

Merry Christmas!

Happy 2008!

I think I get it...

Saw this handmade sign pointing down a side street on the way home today:

"GOSPLE REBIBLE".

No further comment.

New toy

... but not a toy! Bought and received my Christmas present, and it's pretty spectacular. I'd been reading about the Asus eeePC, and decided to invest the $400. to get hold of one. Seems like this ultraportable laptop, the size and weight of a trade-type paperback novel, will be the next thing. I showed it to the tech folks at school, and they were stunned by its completeness as a general-purpose laptop computer and its tiny size. I'm writing this entry on it. I'm still a little clumsy with the downsized keyboard, but getting better with it. Here's a link to Wikipedia's entry on this machine: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ASUS_Eee_PC.

Benedict XVI and the Environment

I love the rhetorical language in this news piece--"surprise attack" and "condemns," etc.

Benedict would be what's called a moderate on this issue. He doesn't deny the need to pay attention, but considers human needs and human problems as the priority item. End of discussion.

Joyous Hanukkah!

Everything about the Jewish faith extends beyond its juridical limits into the roots of human civilization, especially in the West. The struggle to practice one's faith and conform to lawful dictates of conscience, and the premises themselves upon which the legitimacy of that struggle is founded, are (in Thomas Cahill's expression) truly "gifts of the Jews." So as Christians we bow with humility and gratitude in this season to our elder siblings in faith and culture.