I hate, daresay, loathe Baby it’s Cold Outside. Say what you want, but it’s obviously about taking advantage of a woman. I don’t know how you could read the lyrics and think otherwise.… Read the rest
There’s a reason smoking is hard to quit
I used to smoke. A lot. Three packs a day of Camels. And not the “what, you wearin’ panties?” filtered cigarettes either. I smoked filterless Camels. Nothing was going to get between me and that sweet, carcinogenic flavor of Turkish tobacco.… Read the rest
Rebranding Coming Soon
Sometime in the near future I’ll be doing a semi-routine rebranding of the site. (To quote the Goth girl Raj flirted with on Big Bang Theory, “Not that anyone cares.”)
The style will most likely stay the same, but the title will change from “The Midwestern Crank” to something less… cranky.… Read the rest
Anatomy of a Modern-Day Political Ad
Ominous music plays
Did you know that (Opponent name) (supports / opposes) (abortion / gun control / same sex marriage)? Even worse they want to (raise / lower) (your / upper class) taxes.
Cheerful music plays
(Candidate name) doesn’t, (he / she / they / xi) promise to stand up for you and your right to (abortion / gun control / same sex marriage).… Read the rest
Churches Are Not Businesses. Pastors Are Not CEOs.
I was saddened to learn that America’s number one killer of men has struck again. This time it took the life of Southern California megachurch pastor Andrew Stoecklein.
… Read the restPastor Andrew Stoecklein of Inland Hills Church (Chino, Ca) took his own life this weekend.
Book Review: Accidental Saints by Nadia Bolz-Weber
Being new to attending, and possibly joining, my local ELCA church, I was quick to ask which books would aid me in understanding Lutheran theology. I was pointed toward Accidental Saints by “Rockstar Lutheran” Nadia Bolz-Weber. I wasn’t unfamiliar with her ministry, having seen a few of her “blessed are…” videos online.… Read the rest
Book Review: “Abandoned Faith: Why Millennials Are Walking Away and How You Can Lead Them Home”
I started reading this book some time ago and put it down. I picked it back up a couple days ago and remembered why I initially took a break from it. From my published review on Goodreads:
… Read the restI have personally walked away from evangelicalism.
Not All Police Shootings are Unjustified.
More protests expected Monday after body cam video released of South Shore police shooting
Look. You shoot an unarmed kid in a hoodie? That’s unacceptable. You shoot an unarmed kid in a playground? That’s unacceptable. You choke a guy to death on the street for selling cigarettes?… Read the rest
Frozen Weirds Me Out
Does anyone else find Frozen to be incredibly depressing?
Two sisters are best friends. One develops powers she can’t control or understand and has to shut her sister out as a response. The upset younger sister doesn’t know why, and thinks her older sister just hates her.… Read the rest
Little House on the (Title Redacted)
Purging Laura Ingalls Wilder from the Canon
… Read the restOne problem with censoring and expunging certain books and authors for their retrograde attitudes is that, ironically, it covers up and blinds us to the very evils they are accused of.
Some anti-slavery books, such as Uncle Tom’s Cabin and Huckleberry Finn, are now considered racist because of their racial language and their “stereotypical” depictions of black people. And yet these were the books that woke up Americans to the evils of racism!