Author: Wick

So I’ve been reading the section of “The Brothers Karamazov” famously known as the “Grand Inquisitor”. I’d often heard of this book, and this section, but had never read it. Until last year, I read “Crime and Punishment“, and realized it was the same author, which made me want to give it a shot.

The book itself is a pretty good, although slow/full read. You know how through an entire day you have a TON of thoughts that actually go through your mind? Well, Dostoyevsky is pretty good at actually fabricating every one of those thoughts for an entire range of characters, and delivering them well. Once you figure out that for some reason, every character is referred to by more than one name…which is a bit confusing at first. 🙂

In “The Grand Inquisitor”, it’s a poem written by a Karamazov where Jesus has returned around 1500 AD just to check things out. It’s during the Spanish Inquisition. He was captured, and ends up being locked up and questioned by a Cardinal of the Catholic church. The conversation goes all over, but focuses on Jesus’ interaction in the wilderness and the three temptations….and what actually occurs when Jesus rebukes satan in each instance, as opposed to accepting the offer.

It turns out to be incredibly appropriate fodder for the thinking Caputo’s book has been allowing me to chew on. In particular, focusing on Jesus not as powerful Lord over a New Creation Kingdom that somehow “trumps” what is currently….but rather subverts many of the things we try and latch onto it. In response to all of the accusations of the Cardinal, Jesus gives the response of a simple kiss. No defense. No argument to make sense of it all. No miraculous proof of how it’s all justified, etc.

I know people spend a ridiculous amount of time reading/thinking/writing about all of this. So I won’t summarize/say much more than I have. As it stands I’ve probably already offended someone who thinks I’ve completely butchered it all. But word. I have enjoyed/will continue to enjoy finishing the book. Good stuff.

If you’re like me, the media over the past few months has focused on so much ridiculous stuff; that even when you’re watching it….you’re probably not actually watching it. From Michael Jackson’s last hours alive, to John or Kate Plus 8, to the endless other stories they play up to make us drool for more drama; it doesn’t take long to forget you’re watching actual news, and not entertainment.

Because of this, many of us are missing out on the issue of Healthcare Reform. Not because the news isn’t talking about it….they certainly throw a few dramatic stories out there to bait us. But it gets lost in the rest of the drama. And not because we haven’t heard about it – we’ve probably all gotten a few forwards from well meaning people warning us that Obama wants to let old people “just die”, and is going to use tax-payers money to fund abortions (both WAY false, of course).

So where is a source of information we can go to that talks about Healthcare Reform?

Here are a couple you may find helpful:

1. Cover All Families – Faith-based group dedicated to informing people on facts and truths involved. Why should health care be reformed? What’s being proposed? Etc. They have a few printable resources that you can use to read yourself, share with others, or discuss with your small group.

2. FactCheck.org – A general “fact-checking” website for all things related to current politics. It’s deep in resources/articles/information right now concerning these health care concerns. Check the “Wire” for the most recent updates.

3. Politifact – Another general “fact-checking” website. This one focuses on accountability and honesty in statements/promises made. They even use little graphics that are pretty easy to understand/grasp at a quick glance, as well as link to other places/previous statements and promises made.

4. Your Local Newspaper – It’s interesting to see the range of issues covered, and how the current state of healthcare is impacting our own communities. You’ll notice that in our local newspaper, they ran this article, and this article in the same week. I give a lot more credit to the doctor in one of those articles – you decide which one. 🙂

An update from the “ONE VOICE” Luncheon yesterday…which I recommend to anyone in ministry around the city. Awesome free food, and you get a chance to sit down with others in ministry, school board members, school faculty and district leadership, principals, vice principals, and our Superintendent.

Here are some encouraging stats from Decatur Public Schools:

– Our drop out rate has decreased to 1.6%

– Our graduation rate has increased to 87.7%

– We’ve changed bus transportation providers to “First Student“, a company very committed to on-time service and strong community involvement/interaction.

– Members of “One Voice” Clergy (even the Pastor of the Universalist Unitarian Church, in case Hemant reads this) who have received a badge are permitted to enter schools, walk the halls, visit lunch times, and even attend a class with a student at any Decatur Public School!!!

I also had a meeting as a member of the Decatur Parking and Traffic Commission. A few locations for proposed “STOP” signs were discussed, as well as overall updates on the city/budget. Some things I learned:

– Placing a “STOP” sign, or any other sign really, costs the city around $200.

– These signs have a life span of approximately 7 yrs.

– Placing too many of them can cost a lot of money to replace every 7 years, as well as reduce how often people take them seriously. They must be warranted due to visibility issues, high traffic volume (attempt to keep accidents below 1.5 accidents per million vehicles entering an intersection), or other safety concerns.

– The word “fiduciary” can be used in some conversations.

– The city has over $400,000 in traffic/parking violation fines (here are a few) still outstanding that we have not collected yet. They are going to step up on their methods of collecting, before paying a large amount to find out if we should raise parking rates yet. Makes sense. 🙂

I enjoy participating as a citizen/father/youth pastor/etc. Thanks Decatur.