Value of Mothers and Fathers

I will probably write in more detail about this later, but it's worth noting the recent article in USA Today that covered the fall of birthrates and the implications that will have on the future of the world.

Phillip Longman's book, Empty Cradle, is a fascinating read and very believable. He concludes that, unless secularists are given incentives, the future will belong to what he calls "fundamentalists" who are inspired by their religions to have children. As a liberal, secularist, Longman worries about this.

I find the implications fascinating. While intellectuals have been busy trying to solve various problems of the world, they have forgotten our basic work, to repopulate the earth. I have strong religious beliefs regarding this, but the economic and social issues are also very interesting. Europe has made a long-term blunder and its countries are in danger of losing their national identity, or will soon be in danger of it.

What is most encouraging about Longman's book is the need he expresses to give more credit to the value of parents and particularly mothers. It's clear from his conclusions that motherhood has been way undervalued. Hopefully that will be recognized in the future. Empty Cradle, is a fascinating read and very believable. He concludes that, unless secularists are given incentives, the future will belong to what he calls "fundamentalists" who are inspired by their religions to have children. As a liberal, secularist, Longman worries about this.

I find the implications fascinating. While intellectuals have been busy trying to solve various problems of the world, they have forgotten our basic work, to repopulate the earth. I have strong religious beliefs regarding this, but the economic and social issues are also very interesting. Europe has made a long-term blunder and its countries are in danger of losing their national identity, or will soon be in danger of it.

What is most encouraging in this is that people are starting to realize the great value of motherhood and fatherhood. There is no greater accomplishment.

Media Plays Into Saddam's Hand

Saddam Hussein took the stand for the first time today in his own trial and, predictably, the former dictator went into a diatribe against the court. He also encouraged the Iraqi insurgency to continue fighting. Like sheep, the media played into his hand and Saddam's message was sent repeatedly worldwide. Saddam does not need a public relations firm, the media basically do his work. The insurgency is no doubt encouraged and boistered by Saddam's message.

The media are skilled when interviewing public figures, to sort through the talking points and sound bites and ignore the spin and rhetoric. When they do run with talking points, they analyze them, downplay them, or explain the motivation behind them. Why can't they do that with dictators?

Of course the media has a responsibility to tell the story, but, as I've said before, they should have the greater good in mind and as their primary concern. Instead, their concern is with getting beat by their competitors, and we are worse off because of it.

Mike Wallace

The legendary journalist Mike Wallace is apparently retiring. He's been quite an institution at 60 Minutes. With all that is happening with blogs and other new media and with some of the top newsmen retiring, it will be a different news world five to ten years from now or less.

Possible Water on Saturn and New Exploration of Mars

Saturn moon.
























Mars. (courtesy NASA)

A Good Woman

I do not know anything about Dana Reeve's personal life, but judging by her public life, she was a good woman. She died today at the age of 44 of lung cancer. Although predominently a smoker's condition, Reeve did not smoke.

What impressed me about her was how she stood by her husband, Christopher Reeve, after his accident and to the end of his life.

Then when she announced she had lung cancer, she acted with grace a dignity. With all the nonsense we witness from stars, it's nice to see some with class.

Cold Welcome in Pakistan

President Bush is facing a very cool reception in Pakistan, a sharp contrast to the one he received in India, Pakistan's rival. Perhaps the people in India realize the importance of having the U.S. as a friend, whereas the Pakistanis are still reeling from the cartoon controversy.

This article shows a picture of Pakistanis burning a U.S. flag. Many (if not all) of these protestors are likely the same people who are outraged by cartoon depictions of their prophet. I realize to Muslims depictions of Muhammed are very disrespectful and more offensive than the burning of a flag, but can't they see that burning a U.S. flag is very disrespectful to us?

Differences will always exist among people on Earth, but we can still coexist if we just have respect for each other. People don't always expect others to agree with everything they say, often just showing respect will do. Blatant acts of disrespect such as flag burning do nothing more than incite more hatred on both sides.

Our Friends in India

It seems Pres. Bush's trip to India is going very well. I read the Indians view him favorably and the trip has been very productive. This is a very good development. There is so much anti-Americanism today in the world today, but much of it is from countries that will not be as influential in the future as India will.

We have a great opportunity to see firsthand a country like India move into the mainstream.

Children of Tomorrow

This article, and Longman's book Empty Cradle, are worth a read. This is what happens when we try to change natural laws. Longman is concerned about the future generations because the conservatives are having all of the children. Those who are willing to sacrifice are rearing the major slice of the next generation; that is a very good thing.