Friday Mishmash

Alex the Sphinx

Thanksgiving Day Alex was less interested in eating turkey than he was in harassing me—except when I watched Dallas maul Tampa Bay on TV. During the game, Alex parked himself across the room from me and pretended to be the Sphinx—except when he followed me each time I went into the kitchen during breaks in the game and, later, when he decided to abandon his Sphinx characterization and bounded onto my chest, where he curled up and watched at least some of the game.

What is Xanthone?

I keep getting emails about Xanthone and, except for what I read in Wikipedia and a medical article, I have no idea what they’re talking about.

Iraqi Civil War?

As of the writing of this post, the toll of the five car bombs and mortar shells fire into Baghdad's Shiite district yesterday was 161 people dead and 257 wounded. The talking heads on yesterday’s TV news suggested that the responsible parties for this massacre are Sunnis and that, within a few days, Shiites will retaliate by murdering an equal or greater number of Sunnis. An eye for an eye; tit for tat; death for death.

Back in February I wrote about projections of a civil war in Iraq. For the most part, “those in the know” rejected the suggestion—and many still do. However, with the death toll of Sunnis murdering Shiites and Shiites murdering Sunnis now exceeding a hundred a day, what else does one call this except a civil war?

Misconceptions about Islam

Professor Faisal Rifai has written an informative article entitled Correct Misconceptions about Islam. In it, he points out, among other things, the close relationship that Islam has with Judaism and Christianity. He also challenges the view of Evangelical Christians who claim to have an exclusive God for Christians. Reading this short article is well worth your time.

The Wood Songs Old Time Radio Hour

If you have never listened to or watched the Wood Songs Old Time Radio Hour, which originates in Lexington, Kentucky, and is broadcast on Public TV and Webcasts, you may want to consider tuning in. It, along with Prairie Home Companion, are two programs that I try not to miss. The advance for the November 27^th Wood Songs broadcast reads:

MICHAEL MARTIN MURPHEY had one of the biggest pop hits of the 70's called Wildfire. He then became a major hit maker on country radio with songs like "A Long Line of Love" and others. In 1983 he was voted as the CMA Best Male Vocalist of the Year. Today, Michael is one of the premier cowboy/western artists in North America and tours the world with a vast array of songs that include his hits plus the songs of the old west. He comes to WoodSongs for a Special Event that would be great for the entire family.

If I could afford $10.00 for the ticket and gasoline for a 160 mile round trip, I would love to go to Lexington and sit in the audience of this performance.