Edwin's City of Lakes Blog

Yes, America has been very successful at planting democracy: Afghan may get death penalty for converting to Christianity. Yes Mr President, "democracy is on the march" in the Mideast. If Afghanistan is the success you claim, then why bother? This is a success? The death penalty for becoming a Christian. The Taliban couldn't have been any worse. I am sure the families of the Americans killed will be reassured to know that Afghanistan is safe for democracy and safe for the state-sanctioned murder of an innocent man.

On the other hand, perhaps Afghanistan has got it right. We need a constitutional amendment allowing capital punishment for those who try to marry homosexuals or otherwise "defame" Christianity. Yes we too can have the theocratic dream. I am sure Mary Kiffmeyer, Michelle Bachman, Pawlenty and their ilk would love that.

I failed to mention my election as a delegate to the Senate District 62 DFL Convention (in the Cities, we use senate districts as the equivalent to county unit conventions outstate). Sen Skoglund is retiring (unfortunately) so I am now more popular than the prom queen as I get calls from the six or so candidates for Minnesota Senate vying to be his successor. I hope to get elected to the 5th Congressional District DFL Convention at the Senate District Convention, but we'll see.

Many, many events have transpired since I last wrote. Some highlights.

• Two weekends ago, my friend "Richard" ended up in the hospital in Rochester, Minnesota. After a party he hosted at his place I was cleaning up a bit and he was lying down on the couch. After complaining of thirst and heat he began a type of complete muscular "lock-up" and contortion. I called 911, then he ended up at the hospital in Decorah, then was taken to Rochester to the Mayo. There was of course a blizzard at the same time. Adventures ensued (like waiting for an ambulance in Canton after Richard started having seizures on the drive home). By the way, an EMT and Fillmore County Sheriff's deputy were on the scene in Canton in minutes and an ambulance sent from Harmony was there in ten. This is better than the response time in Decorah, where the ambulance was in the same city and they have there own police department. Another point for Minnesota.
• I went to Roscoe's for the first time since 2002 and had a lot of fun. I have reached a point that I realize that no one cares how bad a dancer you are at the bar. I went again this past Friday.
• I have been hanging around my friend Allison Kimball more lately. She is the head of Luther Democrats and a really funny and wild woman. Unfortunately she is graduating this year and moving to South Carolina where her dad lives. South Carolina!
• Speaking of South Carolina, last week the dean from Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary was at a Diakonos (group for those considering some type of rostered ministry or equivalent) dinner. I go to Diakonos when I can—even when I wrestle with "the Church" and church—because the speakers always give me much to chew on. I had never given LTSS even the slightest thought, but after his presentation my interest has been piqued and I would like to visit.
• Christian Crusaders had a very homophobic sermon from The Rev Homer Larson yesterday. Since I was working, I had to listen to it. I don't yet know what to think and I pray that KWLC will cease to air this program. Otherwise, we should just bite the bullet and have Fred Phelps on the air. By the way, the sermon text on the Christian Crusaders' website neatly abridges the particularly heinous portion of Rev Larson's message.
• Micah and Eireann Lorsung came up and visited briefly last Tuesday. It was nice to see Eireann, and as usual we had fun gently poking fun at Micah. Next time, I hope he can come and visit for more than three hours.
  

That's a brief journey into my reality as I type this at 06:00 CST. I got up early to do homework and wash some clothes, so that is now what I will attempt to do.

Some first-year pulled the fire alarm, leading to the second evacuation of the building tonight! Ah! I hate them.

Today is Ash Wednesday or as I heard a PK at Luther call it the "first day of guilt season", which is an apt description I think. I went to the service in the Center for Faith and Life and it was ok, but the hymns were poor choices. Anyway... I don't know yet what I will give up. I think I will combine it with a diet and give up pop and snackish foods. That'll probably last for all of a day.

This Saturday be sure to listen to my show at 08:30 Central Standard time at kwlc.luther.edu, it will good.