People are trying to get things active again over there and I wish them well. Having never been a Live Journaler, probably not going to start now.

Labels: technology

In brief, the rather dubious document seems to attack a lot of straw men for reasons that are, well, unclear.

And yet I have never heard any Catholic in my parish (or from any other parish, for that matter) talk about Mary as if she is “co-Savior”, or to confuse the role of Mary with the unique, saving work of Christ. Rather, we understand that Mary is unique in her relationship with her Son, always cooperating with perfect love and joy in His saving work. Yes, some Marian piety can be quite strong in its language and tone—just read some of the works of St. Alphonsus Liguori, who is a Doctor of the Church—but the concerns expressed by the document are curious. Put another way: is this a serious problem in the Church today? And, if it is (say, perhaps in certain countries), is it right to use a chainsaw to perform delicate pastoral surgery?

Cardinal Fernandez seems to be, well, up to something.

Labels: catholic

Remember to get your prayer lists in for All Souls day on the 2nd!

Labels: catholic

I am a big believer in feeding pigeons (and well honestly I don't mind the rats too much) but these theoretical pigeon feeding stations seem like a good way of keeping our flying friends well fed without also providing a rat banquet. Hopefully it comes to fruition.

Labels: local, New York

I'm currently reading Israel in Egypt, a review from the perspective of an Egyptologist on where the evidence sits for Israel's journey into and out of Egypt. It seems most of the in-vogue theories are from biblical scholars wit no knowledge of the Egyptian language or latest archeology. I think it's pretty good but not being fluent in Ancient Egyptian, it's hard to say if the author is right. Regardless, would recommend.

Labels: books, religion

Looks like the city of Jerusalem is trying to forclose on the Armenian Orthodox property by charging them a tax that they have been exempt from. Probably warrants a nuclear response.

Labels: eastern orthodox

For reasons apparent to no one the MTA, instead of either investing in electrification or using standard EMU technology, is paying Siemens to invent a battery powered locomotive. Truly bizarre.

There are multiple superior, proven train options that can handle the different types of electrification on PSA. Improving connectivity between Midtown West, the Bronx, and Southwestern Connecticut is only possible with the right trains, but battery locomotives will condemn new Bronx riders to slow, unsatisfactory service, and worsen existing service on the New Haven Line. Furthermore, the rationale for acquiring new trains is inscrutable, given that the MTA already purchased M8s for PSA.

Labels: local, trains

If you believe this article, this is more or less mandated by the laws of economics, as goverments get more desperate for money, and interfere more and more in the banking system.

First of all: avoid government bonds. Investors in government debt are the ones who will be robbed slowly. Within equities, there are sectors that will do very well. The great problems we have – energy, climate change, defence, inequality, our dependence on production from China – will all be solved by massive investment. This capex boom could last for a long time. Companies that are geared to this renaissance of capital spending will do well. Gold will do well once people realise that inflation won’t come down to pre-2020 levels but will settle between 4 and 6%.

Labels: economics