Gene Edward Veith Jr.'s Blog, page 201

The Mafia will protect New York from ISIS

ISIS is so bad that normal “bad guys” are against them.  The Mafia has announced that it will help protect New York City from ISIS. From Gangs of New York: Sicilian mafia offers Big Apple protection from ‘psychopathic’ ISIS — RT USA: The son of a New York mob boss has given Islamic State a [Read More...]

He has come to you

The word “advent” derives from the past participle form of venire, the Latin word for “to come,” plus ad, which means “to.”  So the term literally means “has come to.”  The season of Advent, which we have now entered, means that Jesus “has come to” us, to you. This reminds me of what Luther says [Read More...]

We all think we’re losing

Among the more interesting findings in the recent Pew study of attitudes towards government is this:  Most people think their side is losing. This is true across demographic, racial, and ethnic lines.  Liberals think they are losing to the Conservatives, and Conservatives think they are losing to the Liberals.  (Democrats are more confident than Republicans, [Read More...]

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Waiting in line

We reportedly spend about two years of our lives just waiting in line.  It seems like much more than that, especially with the Christmas holidays and all of those lines at checkout counters and airports. After the jump, an excerpt and link to an article about the psychology and mathematics of waiting in line.  Wherein [Read More...]
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Planned Parenthood shootings

A gunman attacked a Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado Springs, killing three people (including a police officer) and wounding nine. Prediction:  This will be blamed on the Planned Parenthood videos and the subsequent attempts to defund the abortion providers.  Also that pro-abortionists will associate other pro-lifers with “terrorists” and attempt to make all criticisms of [Read More...]

Russian Orthodox declare “holy war” against terrorism

The Orthodox church has once against assumed its traditional role in Russia, giving moral support to the reigning regime.  Now in support of the Russian military intervention in Syria, the church has declared a “holy war” against terrorism. Could any of you Orthodox readers explain the relationship between the various branches of your church?  I [Read More...]

Al Qaeda vs. ISIS

An Al Qaeda suicide bomber killed six ISIS leaders, including the leader of the Golan Heights faction.  It turns out, the two terrorist organizations have a bitter rivalry and have been battling each other in Syria. Al Qaeda has been eclipsed by ISIS in the public perception of the West, but reportedly wants to re-establish [Read More...]

Most illegal immigrants are shielded from deportation

Although the Supreme Court struck down President Obama’s amnesty program that he was imposing by executive order, his other executive orders on immigration are still in effect, protecting some 80% of illegal immigrants from deportation.  Basically, agents have been told not to bother sending back undocumented immigrants unless they commit crimes or are a threat [Read More...]

Gratitude day

Happy Thanksgiving!  Luther described gratitude as “the basic Christian attitude.”  One of the words for the Lord’s Supper, “Eucharist,” means simply “thanksgiving.”  (UPDATE:  The Greek word, in turn, means, literally, “good gift.”  And the word for “gift” is related to the word for “grace.”  The “Eucharist” thus connotes God’s good gift and God’s good grace.  [Read More...]

The psychology (and benefits) of gratitude

The field of psychology has usually concentrated on trying to understand aberrations and psychological problems.  But now a strain is concentrating on “positive psychology,” seeking to understand mental well-being.  A key aspect is gratitude.  People who have an attitude of thankfulness show a whole range of other positive traits, not only psychologically but physicially! From [Read More...]