Difference Between Humans and Animals, Part VIII

Pointed out by Tyler Cowen, I've come across not another difference, but a similarity. This comes from David Hume, an 18th century Scottish philosopher in his Treatise of Human Nature:

It is plain, that almost in every species of creatures, but especially of the nobler kind, there are many evident marks of pride and humility. The very port and gait of a swan, or turkey, or peacock show the high idea he has entertained of himself, and his contempt of all others. This is the more remarkable, that in the two last species of animals, the pride always attends the beauty, and is discovered in the male only. The vanity and emulation of nightingales in singing have been commonly remarked; as likewise that of horses in swiftness, of hounds in sagacity and smell, of the bull and cock in strength, and of every other animal in his particular excellency. Add to this, that every species of creatures, which approach so often to man, as to familiarize themselves with him, show an evident pride in his approbation, and are pleased with his praises and caresses, independent of every other consideration. Nor are they the caresses of every one without distinction, which give them this vanity, but those principally of the persons they know and love; in the same manner as that passion is excited in mankind. All these are evident proofs, that pride and humility are not merely human passions, but extend themselves over the whole animal creation.

Here's part one, two, three, four, five, six, and seven of this continuing series.

Takeaways from Madison's Montpelier, Part II

This is the second post in a series about my experience at the Center to for the Constitution which is located on the grounds of President James Madison home. The first post in the series can be found here. I should remind you, these are my thoughts on the week, not necessarily those of the center. That said, here is part two of my takeaways:


Education is not about making students more like the teacher. Instead, it's about bring out what is already inside the student.

One way to win a debate is the control what is debated. James Madison was an expert in this. Not only did he write George Washington's inaugural address, he also wrote the House of Representatives' reply and then wrote Washington's reply to that.

Every revolutionary wants to be the last one you ever need. For that reason they are establishment oriented. In fact, they may even be the next opposition to the next revolution.

You should have the social freedom to not be passionate.

You should feel the personal freedom to not know if you're right.

Republics should not be concerned with what the majority want. Americans today don't understand this.

Believe it or not, it was generally accepted at the conference that George H. W. Bush was the most Constitutional president of recent history. Meaning that he allowed Congress to make law while he enforced it.

Politicians who run on an anti-government platform will probably not be able to effective use the position.

Maybe the most important question for a potential president: how do you interpret Article 2 of the Constitution? That is, what do you think your job is?

People who don't know their job, start to do other people's job, all the while neglecting theirs. This is true for presidents and principals.

One speaker stated that "the opposite of slavery is not freedom, it's citizenship". I haven't decided if I agree.

Constitutional citizenship has a very Old Testament covenant feel. Americans/Christians are people of the book.

Almost all Americans are mostly unfamiliar with what the Constitution says, even me.

Madison's original plan for the Constitution was much more like a parliamentary system.

We should not pledge allegiance to the flag. We should pledge allegiance to the Constitution. For me that is better, but I'm still uncomfortable. Is there anything worth pledging your allegiance to? God? Family? Community?

Government will always be bound by, and must work within, human nature. This is why I am weary about governmental action, it is very unnatural (in the biological sense of the word).

Patriotism is something I only vaguely understand. No matter what most people say, I think that is true of them as well.

Five out of the first six presidents were from Virginia, partially due to the 3/5ths Compromise.

To James Madison the Bill of Rights were not needed because the government was already limited from taking those specific rights. In fact, he worried that by listing them future generations would assume those were the only rights specifically protected.

The role of the government is to provide "comfortable preservation" for its people. Nothing else.

If I asked you where you were from what would you say? Most likely you'd name the state where you live. That's American states' rights culture at work.

Habits are simultaneously one of man's greatest weaknesses and strengths.

In a meeting, the most prepared get their way.

Frederick Douglass on education: "Once you learn to read, you will be forever free."

Back from St. Michael's Conference

Thank you to all who attended and all who did their part to make it a success. We had 65 Michaelites and I taught courses on Angels, Survey of the Apocrypha, and the History of the Prayer Book. Here are some pics and vids.

Above and below, yours truly opens up the talent show with a jazzy rendition of the national anthem.

Above, Austin DeLaVergne of Trinity Church in Dublin is beloved by the conference.

Above, the purgatorial council on the deadly sins game.

Above and below, yours truly celebrates a High Mass for a votive of Christ the King.

Our first St. Mike's wedding!!!! Actually, it was part of the seven sacraments segment of the pageant.

The light of truth shines down from above.

Above, prayers for healing on Wednesday at the votive of St. Raphael the Archangel.

Living in a fantasy land

There are people out there who believe all kinds of strange things. There are those who believe that anyone but Lee Harvey Oswald shot President Kennedy, that we never really landed on the moon, that President Obama is not a natural-born citizen, and that dioceses cannot dissolve their union with the General Convention of the Episcopal Church, USA. Apparently those in that last group, at least, believe that people might appeal decisions they win in court.

Now while I would expect a news agency like the Associated Press to be unbiased (or at least try to be), I don't necessarily expect the press releases of the Diocese of Fort Worth and its counterpart to be unbiased reports. But I would expect them to not loose touch with reality.

So while I was amused by some of the spin in the press release from Bishop Ohl's group, I was totally blown away by the ending. This was the last sentence: "No decision has been made whether either the Episcopal faction or the Southern Cone faction will appeal the decision to the Texas Supreme Court." I could understand why the Episcopal faction would appeal, since their whole strategy has been hinging on this, but the Southern Cone faction appealing the decision they won? Are you kidding me?

Note what the Court of Appeals actually said in its conclusion:
"We conditionally grant the writ of mandamus and direct the trial court to modify its order of September 16, 2009 to follow the mandates of rule 12 and to strike the pleadings filed by Mr. Nelson and Ms. Wells on behalf of the Corporation and the Fort Worth Diocese and bar them from appearing in the underlying cause as attorneys of record for those named plaintiffs. If the trial court fails to do so, the writ will issue."

That means the pretender group (Bp Ohl, et al) will have their pleadings stricken by Judge Chupp (or by the higher court through the Writ if he does not take advantage of the opportunity). And attorneys Nelson and Wells are barred from representing the Diocese and Corporation because they were not hired by Bp Iker, et al.

If they still want to sue, they will have to file a new suit as a group of individuals, but they will not be able to bring the suit as THE Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth and the Corporation of the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth because none of those individuals are officers in these entities.

It would be best if, when they regroup and re-strategize, they just decide not to file the lawsuit.

UPDATE: The trial judge has now followed through with the ruling from the Appeals Court and tossed the TEC group out of court. But, of course, "No decision has been made whether either the Episcopal faction or the Southern Cone faction will appeal the decision to the Texas Supreme Court."

Alisa - Le Marais - Paris

Alisa
"I am a student in Fashion Management.
For me Fashion is not very important.
Today, my look is minimalist Rock.
I love plenty of things. I hate snobism.



I wear a Top by COS
Shoes by ANN DE MEULEMEESTER
Pants by JEROME R
Bag by YSL
Sunnies by GIVENCHY
Perfume by MARGIELA

Marcela - Place Vendôme - Paris

I work as Stage Designer in Paris Opera
"For me Fashion reflects the mood of the day
My look is a working day look
If I had 1000€ I would buy a RICK OWENS Jacket
and MC QUEEN Shoes ...
I love smile. I don't like not kind people...
My message to the world:
Try to be the one you would like to meet".

Outfit by KRISTOFER KONGSHAUG
Shoes by URBAN OUTFITTERS
Sunnies by RAY BAN
Perfume= "Angel" by T.MUGLER

Clémence - Place Vendôme - Paris

Clémence
"I am just graduated of a Fashion School.
For me Fashion is a way of Life. My look
is Rock-Chic. I love to be always on the
movement. I hate to be bored. My message
to the world: Stay cool. Be Fashion !"

I wear a jacket by LEVI'S
Leather shorts by ABERCROMBIE FITCH
Shoes by SURFACE TO AIR
Bag by BALENCIAGA
Perfume "Flower Bomb" by VIKTOR&ROLF

Tatiana - Place Vendôme - Paris

Tatiana
"I am a Fashion student at Studio Berçot
For me Fashion is game. My look is sober.
I love to laugh and to have fun.I hate people
that don't give you a break. If I had 1 000€
to spend in Fashion Stuff, I would buy the last
Alexander Wang Bag with cloves. My message
to the world: Live your life to the max !"



I wear vintage Skirt top-shirt and jacket.
Shoes by Zara
Headband selfmade
Bag by AA
Perfume "Alien" by T.MUGLER

Black Fashion Models 2009

The current issue of Italian Vogue looks at how the fashion industry has moved past the rail thin negative size models to the lack of black models in the industry.

In a move that is causing the industry to take a deep look at itself the July issue of Italian Vogue features only black models shot by fashion photographer Steven Meisel. Mr. Meisel is also the photographer behind Madonna’s infamous 1992 book, “Sex”.

black fashion models
black fashion models
black fashion models
black fashion models
black fashion models

Fashion Models 2009

Tao Okamoto. Tao Okamoto, Japanese (1987), mysterious, elegant. She had long hair, now it is short. Very professional, very perfectionist.

models interested in being featured, interviewed or photographed can inquire via e-mail: models (at) asianglam.com - of course replace (at) with @

Fashion Models
Fashion Models
Fashion Models
Fashion Models
Fashion Models

South Carolina, Case Study for Democracy's Failure

I've always been clear about my lack of faith in the power of democracy to create desirable government. Whether it's celebrating political apathy and the benefit it brings or explaining the less than honorable reasons why I or the millions of other people voted, I'm clearly not a fan. Recently, my home state of South Carolina presented us with a real world example of the main problem with democracy.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Alvin Greene Wins South Carolina Primary
www.thedailyshow.com

In case you didn't figure it out, the problem with democracy is the voters.

Takeaways from Madison's Montpelier, Part I

I spent last week in the foothills of Virginia at James Madison's home, Montpelier. I attended a tour and lecture series, along with forty other social studies teachers from around the country, on "James Madison and Constitutional Citizenship". I should preface with a reminder that these are my reflections on the week, not those endorsed by the center. That said, here's the first part of my takeaways:

 Because the trip was paid for by the National Endowment for the Humanities (am I a hypocrite?), we were reminded that we were here "in the interest of the American people, at the expense of the American people". Now if we can just get our students to believe that.

Answering the wrong question with the right answer is still wrong. Figure out what needs to be figured out.

Government is not oppressive, the people are.

All learning is counterintuitive, if it wasn't you'd already know it.

Ignorance in the mind is tyranny in the state.

The US Constitution is written in the present tense. We are "We the People". Or as Jefferson put it "the earth belongs to the living".

It makes much more sense for the president to take his oath of office on the Constitution than the Bible.

James Madison, unlike his more famous counterpart Thomas Jefferson, was a powerful speaker not because he was overly emotional or great with language, but because we was well read, well prepared, and well respected.

If you are considering a law, first ask yourself: "is the problem worth coercion". Sometimes it is, sometimes it isn't.

James Madison, "the father of the Constitution", did not want the rhetoric of the original drafters of the Constitution to be used to interpret it in the future. He wanted the Constitution to be interpreted by each successive generation. This really calls into question the phrase "strict constructionist". This can be seen in how Madison deals with the National Bank over time.

Who benefits from complicated constantly changing law? Lawyers.

We discern truth by holding it up to every argument. We then are the jury.

Madison is America's best pragmatic reformer. Guess who's second best?

There is value to be found in the gray. Black and white issues are easy, embrace the complicated.

"Common sense" comes from our common heritage.

Though the founding fathers did not free slaves, it was probably politically impossible, they made sure not to protect its future. In fact, the 5th Amendment even applied to slaves.

When Madison speaks about tyranny he knows what he's talking about. On slave holding Montpelier, he is a tyrant.

To Madison, prudence is the most important characteristic of a good citizen. Mine would probably be indifference toward issues that don't concern you.

Not only was it legal, but also possible that Marquis De Lafayette, a french born American citizen could have been president. Here's Article II, Section 1, Clause 5: "No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution".

The Tea Act, which eventually led to the Boston Tea Party, actually made tea cheaper to the colonists. It was the smugglers that would be hurt by it.

In nature we are all equal. We must agree on that before we create a political system.

One speaker asked this question: "Do you love your ideology more than you love your country?" I'm not sure what my answer would be.

The point of being a representative republic was to prevent mob rule. In the 1700's the mob was the lower class.

One of the most unique things about America is that we made ourselves.

The Constitution is the past restraining the present from harming the future.

Andy of Style Scrapbook - Paris

Andy of Style Scrapbook

Dress by H&M
Shoes by H&M
(both next collection)
Belt by MOSCHINO
Sunnies by D&G

Denni the Chic Muse - Paris

Denni the Chic Muse

Blazer and Dress by D&G
Shoes by TOPSHOP
Perfume: "Idole" by ARMANI
"Fashion is everything for me. I want to be a Stylist ...
I love Paris & New-York and I don't like brown color.
If I had 1 000 €, I would buy a BALMAIN Jacket.
My message to the world: Be Happy and always move on !"

Andrea - Montorgueil - Paris

"I study to be a photographer.
For me Fashion is change. Today, my look is
very casual. I don't like people who are late.
I love to take pictures of my friend, Pauline.
(3 posts under). If I had 1 000€ I woul buy
an Alexander McQueen dress. My message
to the world: You don't know me yet, but I will
become a famous photographer !"



I wear shorts and T-Shirt by H&M
Shoes by POTI PATI
Silk Scarf by ETAM
Watch by SWATCH
Bracelets selfmade
Perfume: "Chance" by CHANEL

Enigmatic Boy - Paris Fashion Week

Nina - Place Vendôme - Paris

Nina
"I am a Fashion & Design Student
For me, Fashion is representing the way you feel
and the opportunuty to wear clothes that make you feel
better. Today, my look is confortable casual-chic.
I love to dance. I hate exams. If I had 1 000€ to spend
in Fashion Stuff, I would buy a leather jacket, but I don't know
which one because at this moment I can't offer this to me, so
I don't look at it ...."



I wear a jumpsuit by H&M
Shoes by SUPERTRASH
Bag by URBAN OUTFITTERS
Necklace by H&M
Perfume "Just Her" by ROBERTO CAVALLI

Pauline - Montorgueil - Paris

Pauline
"I am a student in HighSchool
For me Fashion is a game where you can choose
your character. I have no idea about what my look is ...
I love LaDurée's Macaroons
I don't like to talk about me
If I had 1 000€ to spend in Fashion,
I would buy Sartore SR1731 shoes
and a one life leather jacket.
My message to the world:
Protect Pandas and grow bamboos !"



I wear a T-Shirt by NAF-NAF
Skirt by H&M
Shoes by ASH
Belt from my mother
Bag by ZARA
Glasses by YSL
Jewels from London
Watch by SWATCH
Perfume: "L'Oriental" by L'EAU JEUNE

Right Foot Challenge

Try this,

It is Amazing.

HOW SMART IS YOUR RIGHT FOOT ?

You have to try this please, it takes 2 seconds. I could not believe this!

It is from an orthopedic surgeon.....
This will confuse your mind and you will keep you trying over and over
again to see if you can outsmart your foot, but you can't.

It is pre-programmed in your brain!


















1. While sitting in front of your computer, lift your right foot off the floor and make
clockwise circles.

2. Now, while doing this, draw the number '6' in the air with your right hand.

Your foot will change direction.

Poems written by husband to wife

I wrote your name on sand it got washed.
I wrote your name in air, it was blown away, then,
I wrote your name on my heart & i got Heart Attack.
******************************************************
God saw me hungry, he created pizza .
He saw me thirsty, he created Pepsi .
He saw me in dark, he created light .
He saw me without problems, he created YOU.
******************************************************
Twinkle Twinkle little star
You should know what you are
And once you know what you are
Mental hospital is not so far.
******************************************************
The rain makes all things beautiful.
The grass and flowers too.
If rain makes all things beautiful
why doesn't it rain on you?
******************************************************
Roses are red, Violets are blue
monkeys like u should be kept in zoo.
Don't feel so angry you will find me there too
not in cage but laughing at you.
******************************************************

Amazing Animal Facts

-A cat can run about 20 kilometres per hour (12 miles per hour) when it grows up.
This one is going nowhere today - it is too lazy !.

-A cheetah can run 76 kilometres per hour (46 miles per hour) - that's really fast!
The fastest human beings runs only about 30 kilometres per hour (18 miles per hour).

-A cheetah does not roar like a lion - it purrs like a cat (meow).

-Did you know Sailor, Dead Leaf, Paper Kite, Blue Striped Crow, Julia and
Great Egg Fly are all names of BUTTERFLIES.

-The largest frog in the world is called Goliath frog.
Frogs start their lives as 'eggs' often laid in or near fresh water.
Frogs live on all continents except Antarctica.
Frogs belong to a group of animals called amphibians.

-There are more than 50 different kinds of kangaroos.
Kangaroos are native of Australia. A group of kangaroos is called a mob.
Young kangaroos are called joeys.

-A chameleon's tongue is twice the length of its body.

-A chimpanzee can learn to recognize itself in a mirror, but monkeys can't.

-A rat can last longer without water than a camel can.

-A woodpecker can peck twenty times a second.

-A zebra is white with black stripes.

- Porpoises and dolphins communicate with each other by squeaking, growling,
moaning, and whistling. Porpoises and dolphins are mammals.
There are about 40 species or kinds of porpoises and dolphins.
Most porpoises and dolphins navigate by using "echolocation".
The largest member of the dolphin family is called an orca or killer whale.

- The hippopotamus gives birth under water and nurses its young in the river as well,
though the young hippos do come up periodically for air.

-A cow gives nearly 200,000 glasses of milk in her lifetime

The world's largest rodent is the Capybara.
An Amazon water hog that looks like a guinea pig, it can weigh more than 100 pounds.

The world's smallest mammal is the bumblebee bat of Thailand, weighing less than a penny.

- Dolphins sleep with one eye open!

-At 188 decibels, the whistle of the blue whale is the loudest sound produced by any animal.

- The fastest dog, the greyhound, can reach speeds of upto 41.7 miles per hour. The breed was known to exist in ancient Egypt 6,000 years ago

-A cat sees about six times better than a human at night because of the tapetum lucidum , a layer of extra reflecting cells which absorb light.

-A cat uses whiskers to determine if a space is too small to squeeze through. The whiskers act as antennae, helping the animal to judge the precise width of any passage.

-A cat will clean itself with paw and tongue after a dangerous experience or when it has fought with another cat. This is an attempt by the animal to soothe its nerves by doing something natural and instinctive.

-The grizzly bear can run as fast as the average horse!!

- The female lion does more than 90% of the hunting while the male simply prefers to rest. !!

- A jellyfish is 95 percent water!

- At birth, a panda is smaller than a mouse and weighs about four ounces.

- Dogs and cats, like humans, are either right or left handed... or is that paws?!

- A giraffe can clean its ears with its 21-inch tongue!

- A crocodile cannot stick its tongue out.

-A cat's jaws cannot move sideways.

- An ostrich's eye is bigger than its brain.

-An ostrich's eye is bigger than its brain.

- All polar bears are left handed.

-Ants don't sleep.