(no subject)

This is in response to davidould's questions in this old thread about contradictions I perceived in the writings and acts of Paul. This response was long and important enough to merit a new post and a new thread.

Answering your questions will involve rehashing some of the discussions I've had recently in communities like challenging_god. If you've kept up with my posts there none of this will be new to you.


( predestination vs. choosing salvation )

( food sacrificed to idols )

( antinomianism vs. theonomy )

( freedom from law vs. moral pronouncements )

(no subject)

Another way the U.S. is the world's biggest exporter of death and destruction:

The United States maintained its dominance in the international arms market last year, especially in sales to developing nations, according to a new Congressional report.

The United States was the leader in total worldwide sales in 2002, with about $13.3 billion, or 45.5 percent of global conventional weapons deals, a rise from $12.1 billion in 2001. Of that, $8.6 billion was to developing nations, or about 48.6 percent of conventional arms deals concluded with developing nations last year, according to the report. from NYTimes, U.S. Remains Leader in Global Arms Sales, Report Says

Edit: Just mentioned on top_debater by vriane:

The ace of spades? Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld gets the honor in a new French deck of cards. President Bush is the king of diamonds and Osama bin Laden the joker.

The game takes a jab at the famous deck of cards created for U.S. soldiers hunting down ousted Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein and other leaders from the deposed regime. from French card deck names 'most dangerous' U.S. leaders

I watched the second half of the Democratic debate yesterday. Gen. Clark was unimpressive, his answers too vague and litered with platitudes. Ambassador Moseley-Braun held her own but seemed too focused on social issues. Sen. Edwards came across as "a man of the peepul," but a couple of times moved his answers away from questions and onto prepared campaign snippets. Rep. Gephardt did the same. Rev. Sharpton raised some good points, as did Sens. Kerry and Graham. I didn't see much of Sen. Lieberman, but from what I saw, he appeared flustered and unpolished. Rep. Kucinich also said some good things, I was especially impressed with his commitment to peace and abolishing the death penalty. He and Gov. Dean struck me as the most original thinkers of the bunch.

Overall, my conclusions are:
Gen. Clark better get his act together soon, or he will fade just as quickly as he leapt to the top.
Rep. Kucinich is most qualified of the ten to be President and least likely to convince 51% of Americans to vote for him.
Gov. Dean is still the dynamo here.
Sen. Lieberman's heart doesn't seem to be in this anymore. I think he will drop out after NH and IA and endorse Gephardt.
Rev. Sharpton is the most interesting and charismatic speaker of the bunch.

(no subject)

I haven't been able to stop laughing at this blonde joke.

(no subject)

Once upon a time, in her former incarnation iamdreaming was the 69th person to "friend" me.
gentlemaitresse is the 169th.

Don't ask me why permutations of 69 should catch my attention or seem worthy of note. ;-p

Welcome, ma'am. :)

And welcome to the dozen or so people who have friended me recently. (It's amazing what being accused of having a Satanic essence and spreading blasphemous deceit can do for one's friends list!) I like to point out from time to time that I have a lot of entries that struck me as profound or meaningful stored as memories and organized by subjects which might be of interest.