Another-Fine-Mess | This Just In

CHARLESTON: A REFLECTION
Dylann Roof, the alleged perpetrator of the killings in Charleston in 2015 will soon very likely be convicted and sentenced. Since then, there was the Pulse nightclub shooting, many instances of police violence against unarmed black men, and reactive violence against the police themselves. Here we reprise a reflection on Charleston's tragic instance of racial hatred. If you read it, please do so with these later stories in mind as well.
We wish this reflection was not still so relevant.

GOOD NEWS FOR A CHANGE

The empty tomb and Jesus' bodily resurrection lead some disenchanted folks . . . often those whose early understandings of Christianity were shaped (and distorted) by Fundamentalist, literal interpretations of the Bible . . . to reject the entire Christian faith. For them, the Risen Christ is nothing other than "Zombie Jesus," and in some ways, who can blame them for that snarky point of view.

But what if the Easter proclamation is more centrally about this: what if . . . in the midst of all the truly and ever-mounting accounts of the bad news in the world that leads us to ennui, anxiety and despair . . . there is HOPE? Easter proclaims that the bad news the world keeps hurling at us isn't the last word! Sure, that's maybe even harder to believe than an empty tomb. It, too, is a real "scandal." But it's Easter's hopeful truth.

TRANSFORMATION . . . into some form of NEW LIFE has the last word . . . within us, and in the world's structures of power. Sort of like the often-cursed dandelions . . . New Life pushes its way up through the cracks in the pavement, the world's life, and our own. New Life triumphs.

Want some examples of that sort of GOOD NEWS?
Want to contribute some good news of your own for a change?
Then click on either image of these dandelions!

"Against stupidity the gods
themselves contend in vain."
~ Friedrich von Schiller

For several years, we have annually reprised our animated photo essay on Congress' addiction to playing with fire by refusing to give advice and consent on Supreme Court nominees, blaming the other side while refusing to listen to them, and other mischief.

To Congress' refusal to act like grownups, we have to add many others of us who, in the wrenchingly awful Presidential campaign and election, have only suceeded in imitating them.

Playing with matches is all well and good until a small fire starts, is whipped into a conflagration, and lives and history go up in smoke.

Many have already lit the fire . . . .

LAST SUPPER RED - The Synaptic Edition
"Synaptic?" Say whaaaa? Surely you jest!
Who . . . us? Don't be silly. Leave being silly to us.
We're professionals.

Enjoy the photo of Naked Toes Winery above (where Last Supper Red wine is produced) and click on it to download this brand new edition right now!

JE SUIS CHARLIE!

Following the murders in Paris, which initially prompted these reflections, events designed to (supposedly) counter such atrocities have been organized.

The American Freedom Defense Initiative's organizing a contest to draw cartoons of the prophet Muhammad is an example.

These reflections apply to their efforts as well as to those of Charlie Hebdo.

Click Here for 2 Reflections About
the Assault on Freedom in Paris