Utilitarianism

I posted the following question as my Facebook status.


What if science determined that the cells of down's syndrome children were the best cells for fighting cancer, and that it required the death of the child to "harvest" those cells?

Here's the comments:

Please help out my pal!

A wonderful Reformed Christian friend of mine has recently been separated from her husband because of his unfaithfulness. She is now trying to support four children without any support from him and very little from her family. I'm desperate to help her. Please help support with whatever you can. Please email me for more details.

Han Solo P.I.

New Devotional Blog - with contest

Head over to http://devotionalchristian.com/ and sign up for their contest.. oh yeah and read their links!

6 weeks plus

It's been six weeks since I've heard from a certain friend who is going through some serious personal issues. Six weeks since I was sure of their safety and comfort. I understand that they're probably uncomfortable airing their problems to the world, but I need to know they're ok, I need to be assured that they're breathing... I can't stumble around the net looking for answers.

Don't abandon us, don't abandon me, and don't abandon God. You taught me so much and gave me a place to learn and grow, I owe you. I know you may feel alone and the desire to crawl into a different shell is ever present, especially given the circumstances, but there are people who truly love you and worry about you and yours.

I Grieve - Peter Gabriel

UPDATE - thanks, missed you... need you around. I cannot tell you how much you mean to me and others. You're not alone.

Calfskin ESV Bible Give-Away

The "Boomer in the Pew" blog has just celebrated its first birthday and is giving away a beautiful calfskin ESV. This Bible retails for $239.99, and is available free to one "Boomer in the Pew" readers, courtesy of the folks over at Crossway.

Can He Figure It Out!?

Law & Order

#prosapologian

This says a lot.

but soft, what light thru yonder window breaks

NOM NOM NOM - SEND MORE TOURISTS!

British Planes that Didn't Stink

B-57 Canberra

As a follow up to my post about silly British aircraft, I wanted to highlight at least one British plane that didn't stink, and some American failures. The above aircraft is the English Electric Canberra, intended as a high-to-mid altitude bomber, the Canberra caught the attention of the USAF who was, at the time, considering the Martin XB-51.


Martin XB-51

The XB-51 had been designed with certain specifications in mind, but by the time of implementation, the needs had changed and the Canberra outperformed the XB-51 in most areas and better fit the role.

The USAF chose the Canberra over the XB-51 and designated it the B-57 Canberra. The Canberra, similar in shape as the famous U2 spy plane, fulfilled multiple roles within the US services including reconnaissance and attack/bombing during the early 1950s.

Martin, the developer of the XB-51 actually picked up the license to build the B-57 and was the US source for the plane.

The B-57 Canberra is still in use by NASA as a high-altitude research aircraft designated as the WB-57, NASA's two aircraft are the only ones still flying in the world today.

Bachelor #2

'Nuff said.

British Aircraft... just an observation

In keeping with the title of this blog, I have an observation:

I love to read books about aircraft history. I've noticed, however, that those written by Brits always highlight the British aircraft (go figure) and each section usually ends something like "... but the programme was in the end, a failure, as the American plane was more robust, more economical and actually arrived during the right decade." occasionally followed by, "... but the plane did find some success in the Empire's armed forces which spend an unbelievable sum keeping them in flight to this very day."

Pictured above is the Hawker Siddeley Nimrod, a most... unique... looking aircraft that handles maritime patrol duties for the UK. The Nimrod was based on the de Havilland Comet, a plane with an infamous past. Now sure, the US has lots of planes (B-52 anyone) that have been updated etc. for ages, the B-52 is a classic example. But in the history of flight it seems that the UK has had more than its share of crazy machines.

The Bristol Brabazon was a beast of a plane, nearly the size of a modern 747 but able to carry only 100 passengers... you do the math. First prototype was built in 1949, by 1953 it was obvious the bird was a loser and the project was canceled. Fortunately, this is one plane that didn't end up in the military ranks.

-- Update --
Someone in #pros mentioned all the pre-(and during)-WWII British planes that were successful, and I admit the Brits had some great aircraft. However, post-WWII there are very few notable examples. Regardless, my point is that Britain seems to have more than its fair share.

Inside the new house

The New Kitchen

The Grill & Instant Deck...


The loft


The Guest Bedroom


The Computer Room (A work in progress)


The dog... in the loft


The Living Room

Home Sweet Home

Outside


New Home Owners


In Our Kitchen


Living Room


Shaina, Mom, Micah & Dad

When iPods Attack

PWNED!

The best blonde joke ever!

This is the best blond joke ever at Veritas Redux...

Book Tag
I've been tagged by my bro and sis at Theomony so here goes:

1. How many books do you own?
Hundreds... mostly theology,
sci-fi, travel or dog-care books. That said, many of my books have been thoroughly tasted by Max. He has in fact eaten through parts of Charles Hodge's Systematic Theology third volume as well as my old NASB and even some Doug Wilson books. (Good dog! ;) ) I try and trade my old books in for credit at a local used book store.


2. What was the last book you bought?
I was given a copy of The ShadowFox Chronicles by the author, Julie Staples, as to what book I last bought... that would probably have been Christian Apologetics by Cornelius Van Til, along with The Calvinistic Concept of Culture by Cornelius' nephew Henry Van Til. I've not read much of the second book.




3. What was the last book you read?
Christian Apologetics by Cornelius Van Til.
Currently reading The ShadowFox Chronicles.







4. What are some books that meant a lot to you?

Commentary on Galatians - Martin Luther
Luther's exposition of the Gospel vs Legalism is still the standard, no matter what my FV friends say.




Starship Troopers - Robert Heinlein
Prior to reading this novel I was interested in Japanese animation, especially of the giant robot type. Heinlein's classic seems to have been the inspiration for much of that, especially the older Gundam series. I've owned a copy of this book since I first read it.



Ender's Game - Orson Scott Card
The little guy does good... sort of. Classic Sci-Fi book by the Mormon author, Card. The other books in this series were not as good (in my opinion.)

Movie due out 2006?



Rabbit (? not sure) - not sure of author
When I was a child, my favorite book was this wordless book about a rabbit and a carrot. I've dreamt of the images in that book and yet cannot remember the title or author.

5. Tag! You're It:SpideyGeek

I'm a nobody. It seems that at least a few times every quarter I have to remind myself of this fact. I'm a lazy, uneducated, gluttonous nobody. I don't say this to make you feel sorry for me or to gain sympathy, but simply to recognize and acknowledge that the depression and anger I sometimes feel when I cannot grasp, do not agree, or feel inadequate in something is a direct result of my failure to do more than I have.

I could put more effort into everything I do, but I just don't. So when I discuss something with someone and they don't understand or agree with my point of view, the anxiety and anger I feel is really uncalled for. The fact of the matter is that I'm honestly not nearly as intelligent as I think I am, or believe I am.

I often wonder then why I am interested in the things I am, and desire to engage others in those things. I've often thought of the disabled kid I knew in high school who was thrilled just to be able to tell anyone who'd listen what day it was. With more excitement than most can muster for their favorite subjects, this kid would exclaim "It's Wednesday!" How blissful it must be to know exactly what day it is and not care about what you do, or do not know.

More on this later... I've got to get back to getting things done.