Currently, in Afghanistan

I just found out about the story of a Christian jailed in Afghanistan who is awaiting execution for the crime of converting from Islam.  The story can be found over at www.ncregister.com.  Here's a copy of the letter that I sent to the appropriate politicians:

I have recently read an article about the plight of a prisoner in Afghanistan.  His crime is apparently being a Christian convert from Islam in a land where punishment for such conversion is death.  He somehow got a letter out that partially describes his incarceration and abuse by inmates and guards alike.  The following is an excerpt from the letter.  The full letter can be found at the Barnabas Fund (http://www.barnabasfund.org/Said-Musas-handwritten-letter.html).  His English is rudimentary but it is possible to understand what he is saying. 

“My name is Said Musa 45 years old. I have been working since 15 years as a Physiotherapist in I-C-R-C [International Committee of the Red Cross] orthopaedic centre in Kabul, Afghanistan. About four and a half months before by security force of Afghanistan I [was] captured, due to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, Saviour of the world.

...Since that time I am in jail. The authority and prisoners in jail did many bad behaviour with me about my faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. For example, they did sexual things with me, beat me by wood, by hands, by legs, put some things on my head, mocked me ‘He’s Jesus Christ’, spat on me, nobody let me for sleep night and day. Every person spat on me and beat me. Also the prosecutor wrote something wrong against me. He told from himself something wrong against me on my file.

Supposedly, our embassy has expressed concern and called for his release.  This needs more than concern.  After all, if this kind of government is going to be the result of our war on terrorism, what exactly are we or anyone else gaining from this war?  If we are going to let them set up such draconian laws, fine.  But we should get out now and let them fend for themselves instead of finding ourselves propping up yet another dictatorial regime in the name of national security.  Better still, we should enforce a minimum standard of human rights so that such things simply do not happen in countries that we support. 

Eugenics lives!

Just read the link.  It brings to mind all the reasons why I oppose the present administration and fear for our civilization.  Seriously, just read it, I can't really add anything to it.

Congressman endorses indoctrination

Sienna Communications

The other day, I signed up for a cell phone with Sienna Communications.  They're a Catholic run company that offers plans for about the same price as the big guys (less in some cases) without a contract.  Yes, you can still get a free phone when you sign up as well, although you will pay more for a better phone than would from say Verizon.  However, the best part is that they will donate 5% of your bill goes to the pro-life charity of your choice.  So you get to yak on the phone and do a good deed at the same time.  That's the kind of multitasking I can get behind.  Anyway, check 'em out.  Also, check out the charity I chose donate to, Rachel's Vineyard.  They do lots of good work help people deal with the grief that often follows an abortion.
Almost forgot to give out the proper credit, I found out about them in an add in the National Catholic Register.
One last thing, I don't have the phone yet, so I'll let you know in a week or so how it all works out.

Toy Story 3

Okay, I know the movie has been out a while now and I am unlikely to add anything of substance to great review by Steven Greydanus at www.ncregister.com so this will be short and sweet.
First, let me say that Pixar can virtually do no wrong. Everything they touch is gold so far as I am concerned and this movie is not exception. Once again, Woody, Buzz, Jessie, and some of the others (only some because many, such as Bo-Peep have left over the years) go through the trauma of Andy entering another stage in life. This time, Andy is heading to college and must at last "put away childish things." Naturally, the toys are terrified of what will happen, all except Woody and (to a lesser extent) Buzz who have faith that Andy will simply put them in the attic and perhaps they will be brought out of storage to play with his own kids someday. Suffice to say that isn't quite what happens and through a misunderstanding wind up at a day care center ruled by the tyrannical Lots o'Huggin Bear. Of course it seems like paradise at first and the everyone but Woody plans on staying. Woody however, recognizes a duty to Andy and he leaves. Before long though, he returns to aid in his friends' escape.
Along the way, we are treated to numerous examples of the importance and value of friendship in the standard non-cheesy Pixar way. In particular there is a moment in which all of the toys are literally staring death in the face. There simple gesture of solidarity (I'm blatantly ripping this off from Greydanus by the way) hits you right between the eyes, which just might shed a tear or two. Speaking of tears, if the end of the movie doesn't result in at least a watering of the eyes, you sir are not a human being (I almost ripped off Screenrant's wording there but they're right). I won't tell you what it is save for the fact that the toys and Andy do eventually separate and everyone apparently lives happily ever after.
As for the bad, there is very little here to talk about. Mostly it lies in the fact that there is some repeat material here. From the trailer, you already know that Buzz gets reset, thinking that he is a real Space Ranger again. Of course, this was the major thrust of the first one and we saw it again in the second one when another Buzz toy was unboxed. We also have a parallel between Stinky Pete and Lotso, both angry older toys who were slighted in some way and so rejected the natural order of the toy world and sought to impose their anger on others. They both have different reasons and ways of going about but they're off the same assembly line. Finally, there is the theme of rejection of being left behind as Andy moves on, be it to other toys (Toy Story 1), or simply growing up and moving past toys altogether (Toy Story 2 and 3). However, because the way that Pixar manages to not only add something new but to actually move the theme farther and deeper (except perhaps in the case of Buzz. There it's just something new.) where as lesser studio would simply repeat almost the exact same plot (Major League 2 anyone?) I'm not going to quibble a whole lot on this.
So, should you go see it? My only question is, why haven't you already?