Marvels and Mysteries

A bit out of blogging sorts these days - failing to mark September 11th yesterday. Originally, the second day of law school. Now, five years later, the first as an admitted lawyer. It is well to recall the classic newstory that the Onion broke in the days that followed. And I usually enjoy reading various attempts to place unfolding history in context on the yearly solemn occasion. By far the best of this go-round is a lengthy essay by wordsmith Martin Amis in the Observer.

A piece more than worth its time. I find myself especially fond of the boldness in his conclusion:

We allow that, in the case of religion, or the belief in supernatural beings, the past weighs in, not at 2,000 years, but at approximately five million. Even so, the time has come for a measure of impatience in our dealings with those who would take an innocent personal pronoun, which was just minding its own business, and exalt it with a capital letter. Opposition to religion already occupies the high ground, intellectually and morally. People of independent mind should now start to claim the spiritual high ground, too.

Then to close with the Conrad quote, eminently well placed. It is truly eery, watching this fundamentalist President attempt to stand so starkly opposite the ideological rigidity of the horrorists. Yet for all its absurdities, the world spins on.


Happy to report that news from the home front hospital wing is still cautiously hopeful. In tonight for another round, and the old gunner is in good spirits and form. We await the cardiac tests to weigh fitness for surgery. Bruised, battered, unbowed - and gently teasing the nurses still (except for Ron). We should all be so fortunate at 90. Just love to see him be able to get out of that bed...