Three Reasons To Dump Windows [I]

Just occasionally I have a go at nagging Windoze users into thinking about Linux. Usually it's prompted by an article like the one I reference here which is the first part of three adding up to ten reasons.

the first part dealing with security, desktop usage and software installation

. It adds up to discussing * MS Windows default security settings,
* general desktop usability,
* and software installation process.
Having spent days in a school which uses windows and suffers under it, I'm also a bit gung-ho about it.

polishlinux.org � Ten Reasons To Dump Windows [I]

Filed in: Linux, Windows, comparison, OS, desktop

Taking Power Entries on reforming the Lord's

I have an entry in the Taking Power [follow links from title] consultation on constitutional change. Now I'd love it if you would visit and give me a good rating, but I'm interested to note how many of the entries echo my own proposal:

my proposal is to have non-geographical constituencies which exclude party political representation

. It seems that the main differences are the how and exactly who, but those are differences I could live with. I just think that having non-geographical constituencies which would give some kind of representation to community and issue groups would be really healthy. See what you think.
Taking Power - Have your say about how Britain is run � Entries:
Filed in: politics, UK, Lord's, reform, voting, representation

Forgiveness versus Hate

A testament to a communally owned ethic of forgiveness.

It is common for the Amish to invite car drivers who have killed one of their community members to the funeral. Such a compassionate response reveals a belief that each individual is responsible to counter violence by expressing comfort - a sort of prayer in action.

Of course, it's not to say that people do not struggle in that set of communities with the practical inner work involved in forgiving, but at least they have a community that values what they try to do and offers the support and tools to do it. Our society is retributive and so the tools and encouragement to do the inner work of forgiving is largely not around. This translates to the militarisation of our international relations. Because we do not value peacemaking we do not become skilled in it. We do not have the background to know how to think about doing it or the commitment to do the things that need doing in between times of overt conflict.

The biggest fault of the Just war theory is to sap the energy and resources to build reconciliatory lifestyles and politics. Arguably.

The Left Coaster: Forgiveness versus Hate:
Filed in: forgiveness, Amish, prayer

Supermarkets accused over organic foods

At one level this is not surprising, but it does reinforce that idea that basically it really is profit that they are after and if that means being economical with the truth, well, so be it. As the former head of the Soir Association said.

There are lots of loopholes in the regulations and in practice these are being heavily exploited," said Mr Woodward, who is now chief executive of an organic food research foundation. "Organics is increasingly becoming industrialised and the consumer will one day wake up and see this stuff is not what they think it is.

On the other hand, it could be seen as a means to drive down prices by market forces. The issue is whether in doing so the product actually changes and we are left with the food equivalent of designer jeans where the most valuable thing is the label, in this case "organic". Oh and a load of exploited workers.
Environment Unlimited | Food | Supermarkets accused over organic foods:

Filed in: organic, agriculture, farming, supermarkets

The end of the doctrine of Limbo

Now this is pretty significant, on the quiet, don't you think?

This week a 30-strong Vatican international commission of theologians which has been examining Limbo began its final deliberations. Vatican sources said that it had concluded that all children who die do so in the expectation of “the universal salvation of God” and the “mediation of Christ”, whether baptised or not. The theologians’ finding is that God wishes all souls to be saved, and that the souls of unbaptised children are entrusted to a “merciful God” whose ways of ensuring salvation cannot be known. “In effect, this means that all children who die go to Heaven” one source said.

I think that this means that the kind of sacramental theology on which the idea of limbo was based, is now definitively out for the RC's. Now the recognition that extra Ecclesiam salis est is in keeping with a somewhat inclusivist stance on such matters to be found in post VatII writing on other faiths and 'separated bretheren', but I feel that this is the final plank to secure that understanding.
Pope to end doctrine of Limbo:
Filed in: Roman_Catholic, limbo, doctrine, Pope

The Amish -an introduction

Recent tragic events have brought the Amish into public view. I was just saying that if I was an RE teacher now, I'd bethinking seriously about whether I could do a set oflessons on the Amish becausse it could meet a lot of curriculum 'targets' and be topical. And this article would be just the kind of thing to use as a resource. Some of it is really helpful, like this;

they do not have electricity, not because electricity is in itself evil, but because of its impact within the home. They will not have television, not because it is intrinsically heinous but because they do not want their children exposed to sexual and violent images. They travel by buggy to keep the community together and avoid the dissipating social influence of the motor car.

The Amish Community: Another Country:
Filed in: Christian, Amish, Mennonite, anabaptist

French philosophy teacher in hiding after attack on Islam

I'm surprised not to have heard of this until now. A French philossopher is in hiding after giving a frank personal appraisal of the character of Muhammed in terms that were far from complementary.

In a comment piece in Le Figaro on September 19, he said Muhammad was "a merciless warlord, a looter, a mass-murderer of Jews and a polygamist". He called the Qur'an "a book of incredible violence" and contrasted what he said were Christianity's peaceful roots and Islam's violent ones, adding: "Jesus is a master of love, Muhammad a master of hate." He said this year's ban on g-string bikinis at Paris's artificial beach, Paris Plages, was an example of the "Islamicisation" of minds in France. Egypt and Tunisia banned the edition of Le Figaro.

Of course the proper course of action by those who disagreed would be to refute it with evidence, which is how one French group saw it too,

The French Human Rights League criticised Mr Redeker's "nauseating" ideas and "hateful discourse" while condemning the threats against him. "You don't fight the ideas expressed by Mr Redeker by turning him into a victim," it said.

.... And of course a further factor needs to beborne in mind,

France has the largest Muslim population in Europe and is battling to improve community relations and end violence such as the recent defacement of mosques in Quimper and Carcassonne, in which they were painted with swastikas and slogans including "France for the French".

EducationGuardian.co.uk | Schools special reports | French philosophy teacher in hiding after attack on Islam:

Filed in: Islam, France, liberty, censorship, offence