A minor

In a comment below, Patrick asked a good, honest question:

What do you find objectionable about some of the 'other' parties, such as the Libertarian or Constitution parties? I know the argument is 'why vote for someone who can't win' but I feel that a vote for a third party is at least a vote against the two party system which we're so entrenched in. It may take a long time for people to recognize them as legitmate, but Rome wasn't built in a day.

Since I'm not yet registered to vote in Louisiana, it's really a moot point for me this time around, but I'll take a stab at answering anyway. I think the platform of the Libertarian Party tends to be only one step removed from anarchy - not that that's necessarily or always a bad thing* - but the anarchist tendencies of the party are enough to keep me from, say, registering Libertarian (if that were even an option, which I don't think it is in Louisiana) or voting consistently Libertarian. And while I agree with much of the platform of the Constitution Party, there are other parts of it that I find incredibly idealistic and insupportable (e.g. the whole notion of restoring America's pure and perfect Christian foundations, as bequeathed to us once and for all in the infallible and inerrant U.S. Constitution**).

This isn't really an answer to your question, but overall I find the platforms of both the Libertarian and Constitution parties to be about as objectionable as the Republican or Democratic platforms. And, I should add that in principle I have no problem with voting third-party. (By the way, the VotePact strategy looks interesting.) But I will say this: I recently watched a PBS documentary on 2004's third-party frontrunners, and I would vote for Badnarik (Libertarian) or Nader (Independent/Reform) before Peroutka (Constitution), just given my impression of their levels of competence. Maybe the filmmaker spun Peroutka in a subtly negative way or something (although the presentation appeared rather objective), but Peroutka struck me as completely inadequate for the office of President. Suffice it to say that if by some divine joke he won, he would be impeached his second day in office. And honestly, the same might well be true of Nader. Badnarik on the other hand - he seemed like a pretty capable yet humble man who'd be up to the task (although, of course, he'll never win).

I hate our two-party system, and I'm always tempted to vote third-party just to be a statistic. But I'd like to be able to oppose the two-party system in another, more radical way. I'd like to see a "none of the above" or "abstain" vote as an option on the ballot. I'd much prefer to be one of those statistics than to [a] vote for an unconscionable Republican or Democratic candidate or [b] vote for some idealist with too much time on his hands who wants me to help fund his vain project.

But maybe I'm the idealist. I'm certainly a perfectionist, imperfect as I am.***

Endnotes:
* See e.g. this site or this page, although I just found the latter via Google and thought the page title looked interesting; I haven't read it yet, so can't vouch for its quality.
** Cf. Google's cache of this recent post by Jeff Meyers, "The Myth of Our Christian Constitution," which favorably links a piece by Gary North (after the usual qualifications).
*** One of these days someone (like maybe Alastair) needs to teach me how to create linked endnotes.

Conscientious Abstainer

For some messed up reason I feel a bit ashamed about my decision to abstain from voting in the presidential election this year, so much so that I've been reluctant to mention it here (in part, lest someone should follow my example against his or her conscience, or lest someone who's really just too lazy to go vote should feel justified). But when it comes right down to it, I cannot in good conscience vote for either of the leading presidential candidates, much less any of the third party alternatives. So I have decided to abstain from voting for president - again.

Today I was somewhat encouraged by the fact that I'm not alone in my decision. Thanks to a post on Touchstone's Mere Comments blog, I learned that both Catholic philosopher Alasdair MacIntyre (Notre Dame) and Evangelical historian of Christian thought Mark Noll (Wheaton) have made the same decision.

In any case, I'm not proud of my decision, but I'm glad I'm not alone. Mark another down as, "conscientious abstainer."

Addendum: If you would like to see what others are saying in support of / in opposition to the decision to abstain, I just saw this conversation on Jon Barlow's blog.

Our Bishop Takes a Stand

From his Convention address Saturday:

What I see in this, is that should the Episcopal Church as we know it, reject the opportunity to be a part of the Anglican Communion, and take a separate path from that of the Anglican Communion world wide, then I see no other choice as your bishop than to take the path that leads us to a common place of understanding within the wider church, the Anglican Communion, under the authority of the See of Canterbury, and in alignment with the structure that would be provided by the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Anglican Consultative Council. To do otherwise, would be a compromise of my faith, to that which I believe in, and the vows I made when ordained and consecrated as a Bishop of the Church and the Anglican Communion.

Per Dr Harmon+: "Read it all as well as this background article."

Update: +MacPherson interview

Last night I happened to catch Elvis Costello on Leno. Ever since a certain conversation, I can't look at Elvis Costello without getting just a little introspective. Why? Because according to Patrick, who's known me for a long time, I am recorded for all posterity (at least for a moment) as being:

1 part Elvis Costello
1 part Grady from Sanford and Son
1 part Mr. Rogers

Wow.

At any rate, I feel like it's time for another round of Triangulate! I'll start (with the artists of the three CDs that have been in my car lately - taking the easy way out - yeah, whatever). I am:

1 part Remy Zero
1 part Audioslave
1 part Creedence Clearwater Revival

Here it is. See especially Section D (pages 50-60). Also, see the preliminary reflections of the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church (USA) regarding the Report.

Update: +N Tom Wright interview and article

The Anglican Reformation of the 21st Century?

On the "eve" of the release of the so-called Eames Commission Report (whatever its consequences), I believe we are living in the early stages of what may later be known as "the Anglican Reformation."

As Anglicans, our existence as a distinct communion of the catholic Church stems from the English Reformation. But what we are experiencing—and are about to see in full bloom, hopefully—is a worldwide reformation, a reformation from the global South that can be described as Anglican but not necessarily English. Our converts (from the British Empire days) have become our betters, and now the African and third-world Anglicans are leading us in the way of the truth (while some of our own kick and scream and divorce themselves from their more honorable heirs). Because of this, I seriously doubt the histories will remember our era as the Second English Reformation—rather, it will be a new birth, a new movement of the Holy Spirit, a new thing altogether that produces new entities, fellowships and ministry opportunities.

If we know our history, we know that in times like these there are two types of Christians: those who separate from the old institutions, working for reformation from the outside, and those who remain in them, working for reformation from the inside. Different individuals are called to different ministries—"some prophets, some teachers, some evangelists." But we work toward a common goal, and in the end, in the histories, we are known as being pretty much on the same side.

Tragically, this is often because we all end up in the same position, literally on the same "losing" side. In the end, we are unable to save the sinking ship, and even those who stayed aboard in a valiant effort to resurrect the damned thing, well, they end up dead (or at least unable to save the ship). And so all the faithful are left in a new entity that exists as an unsuccessful protest movement that was unable to accomplish its attempted reforms.

One would hope that subsequent generations might be granted more success in their efforts. Whether this will be the case in the Anglican Reformation remains to be seen.

Almighty and everlasting God, in Christ you have revealed your glory among the nations: Preserve the works of your mercy, that your Church throughout the world may persevere in steadfast faith in the confession of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (The Book of Common Prayer [1979], p. 235, Proper 24)

More Kids, You Ask?

Originally uploaded by Aminor.

I suppose this blog should come with a warning now: Mommy armed with camera and not afraid to use it. Sorry for all you who aren't interested in seeing countless photos of our kids. Um, it's for the grandparents. Yeah, that's it.

Originally uploaded by Aminor.

Oregon Coast
Originally uploaded by Aminor.

Here's an oldie of Deacon and Jon livin' it up on the coast before they got tied down with wives and children.

McSweeney's Lists

Thanks to Barlow for mentioning McSweeney's - some great stuff. Here are a few selections for your sampling pleasure:

1. A List of Five Favorite Heresies of the Roman Catholic Church, Disguised in the Form of Unused Episode Titles for the Hit Situation Comedy Friends, and Their Dates. By Alex East.

2. E-mail Addresses It Would Be Really Annoying to Give Out Over the Phone. By Michael Ward.

3. McSweeney's Recommends. "Here is where we will be recommending things to you. There will be many different kinds of things, from films to hairstyles, all of which have been researched, tested, and submitted to a month-long stay at a resort for people who appreciate the finer things in life, before finally being voted on in a democratic manner resembling that of our forefathers. We will add new recommendations as such time allows, and there will be no accounting for personal taste."

First, on the title: Now that I'm back in Louisiana, I guess I should start talking/typing like a Louisianan. And I was told when I was in Idaho for my sister's wedding that I was making good progress, although I was also told that Idahoans are, generally speaking, full of it. In any case, I would like to here declare that I will never - ever - stoop to saying "Git-r-done" (although I will type it for educational purposes). God help me.

Now, to the point: Look at what Hollie has done! She's taken this place and turned it from an infrequently updated text-only blog to a blog with both text and photos. Well done, honey. Many daughters have done well, but you excel them all (at least for me - not to make unromantic qualifiers, but life is forcing me gradually, slowly to be more and more of a realist - or something. Plus, I don't think Proverbs 31 is as much about the everywife as it is about an ancient Near Eastern ~~queen~~ noblewoman or the eschatological Church. But I digress....)