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Ted, thanks, as always, for your kind words of support. I admit to struggling with how much to post on Vision, because it seems there are many who would rather not talk about religion, period. Unfortunately, many of them seem to lump all expressions of faith, or of Christian faith, into one category -- the category of the delusional, behaving "that way" just because, well, that's what religion does to a guy. So, then, why bother discussing something both so odd and so personal? It's almost unseemly.<br><br>What I try to do when I write on Vision, and I will continue to do so, is focus on a local example of bad religion and worse behavior when one is presented. If Doug Wilson makes a horrendously mean-spirited joke on his blog, I'll point it out, if for no other reason than to try to differentiate real Christian character from what we see too often in Moscow. That goal, both relevant to Moscow and vitally important to me, would seem to be appropriately expressed on this forum. The ennui I sense in Moscow and on Vision saddens me, but the lack of engagement isn't personal and I don't take it that way.<br><br>However, even I know when I've gone on too long on a site whose readers don't much care, and so I began "Prevailing Winds" to do more fully, more robustly, "that thing I do." Believe me, though -- I haven't left Vision at all (is that a collective sigh of lament? relief?).<br><br>Take care,<br><br>Keely<br><br><br><br><br><hr>Date: Sat, 9 Aug 2008 23:57:33 -0700<br>From: starbliss@gmail.com<br>To: kjajmix1@msn.com<br>Subject: Re: [Vision2020] taking it off-line<br>CC: vision2020@moscow.com<br><br><div>keely et. al.</div>
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<div>I have received several "take it off-line" private responses to my Vision2020 posts; from some who, it appears, object to freedom of speech, and the "slant" of my posts, which I attempt to base on clear fact and reason based thinking, expressed in language I hope also demonstrates a respect for the beauty and power of language. Not that I largely succeed in these lofty aspirations, but I try.</div>
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<div>They must mean, "take if off-list," as in the Vision2020 list, given any communication over the Internet, whether private or not, is "on-line." To take communication "off-line" would mean not using a "line." Not even a phone line... Talk about misuse of language!</div>
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<div>I disagree with some of your theological ideas; but you have impressed me with your eloquence and nuance in language, focus on compassion, and respect for the dignity of the human personality, whether man or women...</div>
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<div>For what it's worth, I am saying do not let whoever these critics are bother you...</div>
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<div>Far too many people in the US remain silent and conformist, even among those who know very well the harm being done in their name by the government or otherwise, to protect their privileged place in the social/economic order... And this applies to some of privilege on the Palouse, who avoid taking dramatic, public and substantive positions on issues that might jeopardize their career, financial gains, or social status, when they damn well know better...</div>
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<div>The banality of evil...</div>
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<div>Yes, I also manifest this failing; sometimes I protect my personal life, rather than risk the consequences of public protest, regarding major problems or injustices, that are being facilitated or at least not honestly confronted by the powers that be... </div>
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<div>There is often no guarantee that protest will not do more harm than good... Is this a valid rationale to remain silent? I don't think so...</div>
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<div>Ted Moffett</div>
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<div><span class="EC_gmail_quote">On 8/9/08, <b class="EC_gmail_sendername">keely emerinemix</b> <<a href="mailto:kjajmix1@msn.com">kjajmix1@msn.com</a>> wrote:</span></div>
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<div>Good afternoon, Visionaires,<br><br>I know some of you have been hoping I'd either go away completely with my "religious stuff," or at least keep it to a minimum. And while I can't promise that -- it does, after all, come up a lot in Moscow -- I have started a blog on which I plan to write more prolifically about . . . well, you know . . . that kind of stuff:<br>
<br><br>I'm obviously not a pro at the whole design thing, and yes, the picture is iffy, but it's time to get started and so I'd invite you to check out . . .<br><br><a href="http://keely-prevailingwinds.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://keely-prevailingwinds.blogspot.com/</a><br>
<br>I hope the "comments" part is working. If you choose to comment, be brief and, if you feel like it, be nice. Or not.<br><br>Keely<br><br>
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