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| Quotes & Quips |
| Compiled By Jack Nichols
A New Thousand Year Cycle of History
The world's six billion people, most of them non-Christian and many of them
preoccupied with terrorism, computers, diets, bank accounts, politics and the perils
of the future—rode their turning blue planet across time's invisible line today
and, by common consent, looked into the dawn of a new millennium…What they
saw first was a party. It was garish, glittering and global, and millions setting
religious considerations and personal concerns aside, joined in the festivities
to celebrate the conjunction of a new year, a new century, and a new thousand year
cycle of history.
Robert D. McFadden—"The World Pauses to Mark Milestone"—New York Times, January 1 More About the Unembarrassed Ignoramus He (Archbishop Pell) manipulated the point and then began telling priests in the archdiocese that I was advocating polytheism, which is vastly different from registering its importance in other cultures. He invents excuses as to why people aren't fit to address his precious young clergy ... He is well-known to delist, demote and undermine priests who have progressive ideas, but I think this is the first time he has extended his dead hand of authority beyond the clergy to the intellectuals. Dr. Pell's support for the fundamentalist Christian (Ex-Gay) group Catholic Courage is another example of the draconian nature of his ideas and the mind-numbing simplicity of the man. Associate Professor David Tacey of La Trobe University-- after invitations for him and another prominent Australian Catholic intellectual, Professor Max Charlesworth, to give speeches were withdrawn at the direction of Archbishop George Pell. The Age newspaper, December 29
Young Flesh Forever? I didn't buy the hype last summer that Hollywood was finally discovering the sex appeal of older actresses…Piffle! Hollywood will always like young flesh. Maureen Dowd— "Kelly's Hot Mama's"—New York Times, December 29 McCain's Military Myopia
Like most Americans, I don't know that John McCain has had the
opportunity to think critically about this policy since it was
implemented. I talked to him about many specific cases where the policy was
implemented where soldiers were unnecessarily harassed or hurt.
Steve May—State Representative (R-Arizona) after a private meeting with Republican Presidential candidate John McCain whom he was unable to convince that "Don't Ask, Don't tell" is a failing policy. Arizona Republic, December 30. Gentleman's Reply to a Marriage Proposal I'm sorry, Jim. I love you, but I hate Vermont. William Haefeli—cartoonist in The New Yorker, January 10 Comfort for Those in Need of a Daddy
Do we want a free society or a patriarchal one? My question is not
rhetorical. Patriarchal. From the Latin pater, father. As in father
knows best. A patriot, then, is someone who serves the fatherland.
The notion of the father as chief of chiefs is prehistoric. From this
tribal conceit derives monotheism: the idea of a single god-creator who has
created at least half of us in his image…Although the notion of one god
may give comfort to those in need of a daddy, it reminds the rest of
us that the totalitarian society is grounded upon the concept of God
the father. One paternal god, one paternal leader. Authority is abolsute.
Gore Vidal— quoted in the The Nation, January 10/17 Truer Christian Spirits The South Melbourne Restoration Community has amicably severed its ties to the U.S. group Exodus International, which it has represented in Australia for eight years. The main reason behind the split is the church's belief that God would prefer Christians to take care of the poor and the downtrodden rather than try to convert homosexuals into heterosexuals. Martin Daly— "Australian church leaves Exodus over gay cure policy" The Age, January 2 Bumbling Bigot Bauer
On Monday, Bauer, a Republican presidential candidate, managed to link
the two (gay couples' rights and terrorism) by saying, "I think what the
Vermont Supreme Court did last week was worse than terrorism." Worse than
terrorism? Reasonable people can disagree on the court's decision. But if
Bauer truly believes that that's worse than terrorism, perhaps he should
travel to Oklahoma City and talk to the families of the 169 people murdered
in the bombing of the federal building. It might do wonders for his
perspective.
Editorial— "Worse Than Terrorism?" San Antonio Express-News, December 30 Human Hear, Human Do Most people would never have engaged in monogamy if they had never heard of monogamy spoken of. Adam Phillips—Monogamy, published by Pantheon Books |
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