Brian's 6 make-up blogs!

National – Today Al Gore received the Nobel Peace prize for his work on informing the world about the dangers of global warming. Gore has done work trying to get the UN and countries around the world to pass legislation to try to counter global warming. In his acceptance speech, Gore said he believed the next US President would shift the country’s focus to this issue. The main idea is to reduce carbon emissions. While this isn’t precisely national news, Gore is from the US, so it’s okay.

Opinion – I’m not sure what to think about this issue. It doesn’t seem likely to me that the amount of carbon emitted by humans would be enough to cause global warming, although I do believe global warming is probably happening due to the earth’s temperature cycles. However, as Christians we are supposed to be good stewards of the earth, and pollution is a problem aside from global warming and I’m all for limiting pollution. Gore is interesting though and I wonder what would have happened if he’d become president.

National - The Episcopal Diocese in California voted on Saturday to split with the national denomination over the issue of homosexuality in the church, and openly gay bishops and leaders. Court disputes over church real estate are likely to follow this decision. About 55 Episcopal churches have spit from the main church in recent years and joined up with overseas Anglican denominations, though courts have mostly ruled against them.

Opinion – I chose to do a blog on this article because my brother Rob (who’s straight btw), goes to an Episcopal church in San Francisco where several of the church leaders are homosexual, and a large percentage of the congregation is as well. While I feel the Bible specifically condemns homosexual relationships, I feel that this is a free country and homosexuals should be tolerated as Christ said to love both our neighbors and perhaps as some may see it, our enemies. The Bible also says that homosexuals will not inherit the kingdom of God. But neither will adulterers or fornicators according to scripture, and one of the best-known Bible stories is that of Christ saving the adulteress (who hadn’t even repented yet!). Paul also says homosexuality should not be tolerated in the church, but while I feel homosexuality is a sin that widens the separation between man and God, shouldn’t homosexuals who want to have a relationship with Christ have a place to worship? Things from a Biblical perspective seem so cut and dry, but Paul was writing to a different people at a different time. Is it right for homophobic Christians to be damning gays who simply cannot take out the thorn in their flesh? I really don't know

National - The New York Philharmonic is headed to North Korea to put on a concert in Pyongyang. The idea is to ease tensions between our country and the communist nation, in an attempt similar to our past Ping-pong diplomacy with China, and other such attempts. The concert was set for February 26 after the Orchestra accepted an invitation from the country’s Ministry of Culture.

Opinion – This is pretty cool, and I think these types of diplomacy are great ideas, whether or not they actually accomplish their goal precisely. It’d be interesting if we’d be able to see any sort of recording of the performance. I’m going to be sure to follow this one.

International – The German interior minister is seeking to ban Scientology on the grounds that the Church of Scientology is an unconstitutional organization that restricts basic human rights. So far he’s done pretty well at convincing others in his department, but it doesn’t seem likely the ban has a chance. Scientologists have in turn struggled to end government surveillance looking into their group and violating their constitutional rights. The interior minister’s report said that scientology, "seeks to limit or rescind basic and human rights, such as the right to develop one's personality and the right to be treated equally," but gave no specific examples of how.

Opinion – I’m still somewhat confused about what Scientologists believe besides crackpot ideas put forward by L. Ron Hubbard. It seems ridiculous that the Interior minister would seek to ban this religion on the basis of human rights when it would violate the freedom of religion even more blatantly to ban it.

International - A new law has been passed in India, which makes it a crime to neglect your parents and elders in India. The idea is to keep the elderly from becoming homeless or ending up alone. It also allows authorities to require families to pay a monthly allowance to the elderly in their families. Violation is punishable by up to a month in jail.

Opinion – My question is, can many Indians afford this? Otherwise, I think it’s not a bad idea. Though, forcing families to take care of the aging is a heavy burden to put on the people if the elderly are overly demanding or ornery. I can’t imagine if my aunt Betty (who isn’t really my aunt but our family is the only family she’s got) had to come live with us. She’s a pistol and would completely invade the privacy of our lives. So maybe I don’t completely agree with it, though I do think if the elderly person is on their own and actually raised their children themselves, it’s reasonable for their children to provide money for them in their old age. It’s a better idea than social security anyways.

International - Former US Ambassador to the UN John Bolton has said that the US Intelligence on Iran’s nuclear capabilities was merely a political ploy to influence policy-making. He has said this contradicting both the President and his own former position. Earlier this year, Bolton was talking about his wish for Regime change in Iran.

Opinion – I don’t know much (what’s new?) about Bolton, but it sounds like he’s the one being political by making this statement. I wonder if he’s just recognizing his own mistake or he’s trying to further discredit the Bush administration for its faulty intelligence. I can’t tell from the article.