gdp's Comments

A Miscellany Of Tasteful Music : Mizar: Belo More

Sat, 8 May 2010 03:57:43 +0000

Vlado, thank you for correcting me. If I recall correctly, the Čapovski family came from Greek Macedonia. This makes the song that much more personal. I await the new album with tremendous interest.

A Miscellany Of Tasteful Music : Dr. Abdelwahab Abdelfattah - "Qahqaha" Comic Music

Sat, 20 Mar 2010 21:42:27 +0000

I thought you might!

A Miscellany Of Tasteful Music :

Sat, 13 Mar 2010 19:45:05 +0000

Silly Soviet. Haven't you gone the way of the brontosaur yet? Read this link and figure out why we find Eduard amusing.

A Miscellany Of Tasteful Music :

Sat, 13 Mar 2010 19:31:29 +0000

Loser.

Pravoslav in America : Patriarch Kirill: No independent church in Ukraine

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 01:14:32 +0000

Ukraine, as a country, IS independent. It is NO LONGER part of the Russian state, despite the cackling of nationalists who want their empire back. The American Orthodox Church SHOULD be in existence, and there should be no ethnic ghettos in this country. This is precisely the attitude that makes Americans who are not Orthodox see our faith as little more than "ethnic Catholics," I'm not anti-ROC, but I'm certainly anti-Putin, anti-Medvyedev, and anti-Russian imperialist butting their noses in countries that they were sent away from in 1991. What the Church should concentrate on is one of two things: a) develop good relations and accept them as equals; or b) let the ROC support the imperial ambitions of Russia to take what isn't theirs anymore.

Pravoslav in America : Islamic Civilization in Peril

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 03:58:22 +0000

Dear Johan, You're most welcome. Your questions have been fair and pointed. I would make the assumption that you don't believe much in religion, or at least not in what the Catholic Church teaches. I've no doubt that your research on Galileo will surpass mine. What I'd request is that you take a look at the documents from an ecclesiastical point of view. The RCC, in my opinion, made the apology more to honor Galileo than to grovel over a judgment made three centuries past, though secular media took it as such. Regarding love, I'd have to say no one does more to help the world than Christians do. But with their size comes the opportunity for abuse. This is something that all of us, no matter what faith (or non-faith) we possess must look out for. As for Christianity maintaining relevance in the modern world, we're doing fine as individuals. The churches should make sure to keep up, or at least hold true to good doctrine, rather than simply change with the times.

Pravoslav in America : Islamic Civilization in Peril

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 01:46:09 +0000

Dear Johan, There are indeed errors and bad behavior in Christianity. I'll be the first to grant you that. Galileo's situation, however, shouldn't be counted in that hall of bad judgments, as Galileo was judged more for obstinacy, despite the pleading of his friend the Pope. Most of the proclamations of clerical ignorance come less from the minds of atheists, who despite their intellect in the sciences, tend to be woefully ignorant to Church history, but to English Protestants looking for anything, true or not, to attack Rome with. You seem to be as intelligent as you are kind in your words, so as someone whose intellect is so great, I behoove you to take the time and do the research on the history of science and the Catholic Church. Orthodoxy has its own love of science, but something tells me your interests, quibbles and curiosity may lean more toward Rome than to my Constantinople.

Pravoslav in America : Islamic Civilization in Peril

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 02:42:36 +0000

Dear Johan; There's really no question involved outside of whether Islam will be once again compatible with the modern world as it was, and comfortably so in many aspects, until the 12th Century. They had a forward looking vision at one time, and it came crashing to an ugly halt. A pity, that. Allawi makes some good points, I think, in that he sees some truly beautiful aspects of the Islam he grew up in, but realizes that it's been a struggle for the "hard-core" to adapt to the rest of the world. Christianity had no real problems with science, though thanks to ridiculous items such as the concept of a "flat Earth," meant originally as an allegory, being made into ignorance of our living on a sphere, and other such twaddle. In terms of a political aspect, Islam in itself isn't quite the problem from what I see, and not being a Muslim, I can only offer an observation after living among them some years ago. The problems tend to lie from a more cultural reason. It seems that even if the bedouin has left the desert, the mentality of the desert never quite left the bedouin. There is so much that is tribal, protective to the point of violence of family honor, and other issues that seem to be keeping Arabs from turning into a unified bloc rather than squabbling oil barons. They still have a chance to modernize, and I hope they do.

Pravoslav in America : Ark of the Covenant Story was Bad Translating, Hype

Thu, 9 Jul 2009 23:31:57 +0000

Dear Johan; I must say I'm no theorist per se. I'm simply someone with an opinion. Those like yourself who choose to read it can make of that what you will. In terms of Palin's effectiveness, until her resignation, her popularity was quite high, despite the fact that she was savaged in the press. Why? She kept oil companies in check, made sure Alaskans received money from these companies rather than what happened under the previous governor, who was seen more as a crony to "big oil" than a representative of his constituents. Her popularity will certainly drop because of her abandoning the post. She chose to do it, and she will have to live with the ramifications of her decision. It may seem as a copout to you, Johan, and I understand why you would think so. She certainly did bail on her post. No one will argue that, if she wanted higher office, this would be a good idea. What I'm thinking is that she wants to make enough money to take care of her legal costs and then see what happens in the future. It doesn't seem like the RNC will back her for a run at president anyway, so any discussion of her running in 2012 may be moot. We'll see Best regards to you as well, Rudy

Pravoslav in America : Ark of the Covenant Story was Bad Translating, Hype

Thu, 9 Jul 2009 02:33:27 +0000

Johan, It is not a matter of me being a fan of anyone, to be honest. I appreciate her effectiveness in governing Alaska before she was torn to shreds by the wild pack of dogs amusingly referred to as "the Press." I cannot say one way or another if it was wise for her politically to do so, but there is something one must keep in mind. She's been an honest member in this process, even if her opponents snidely insult her on every level. If she really wanted to just step down from office to get out of the crushing bills from the frivolous lawsuits and spare her family any more thrashing, then she is doing what she feels is the right thing, and I'll buy it. If she chooses to run for President, I have no problem with that, either. Will she get my vote? If she can prove herself over a campaign. I have no dog in the fight as it currently stands. Good meeting you, Johan. Rudy

Pravoslav in America : My thoughts on the Tridentine Mass and Hollywood Catholics

Wed, 1 Jul 2009 02:57:21 +0000

I noticed that that was the concensus among Catholics attending the Tridentine Mass. They were very much against the Liberation types, and for the most part, so am I. I can see where people would want the Novus Ordo, but my preference has always looked toward tradition, and in not ruining what has worked simply for the sake of change.

Pravoslav in America : Reason vs. Faith: the Battle Continues

Wed, 1 Jul 2009 02:55:53 +0000

Heh, I guess I need to read more on Luther, then. Interesting...

Pravoslav in America : My thoughts on the Tridentine Mass and Hollywood Catholics

Wed, 1 Jul 2009 02:55:26 +0000

Thanks for the acton link!

Pravoslav in America : My thoughts on the Tridentine Mass and Hollywood Catholics

Wed, 1 Jul 2009 02:55:11 +0000

Dear Simone; I used to live in the area, and was located in Germantown, Maryland for a while. I loved it there, and would not mind visiting again! I would love to visit St. John The Beloved, then. I was absolutely pleased not only with the Mass, but with the quality of people attending it. Serious, devout, but full of wisdom and smiles. I liked the company very much. I agree with your words on the Church - it is the defender of Man's dignity, even if man is sometimes too foolish to acknowledge it.

Pravoslav in America : "Ark of the Covenant" about to be unveiled in Ethiopia?

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 02:37:37 +0000

Who says it's fake? The problem right now is that one spoke without authority. I see many protestants poo-pooing the idea, but they have offered nothing serious yet about where the Ark is. I'll be happy to read the links you sent, but I'll give you fair warning that as an Orthodox Christian (not Ethiopian), I am not terribly keen on sites that bash Catholics or Orthodox. But again, thanks for the information. I'll check it tonight.

Pravoslav in America : On the Emergent Church, Brian McLaren, and Homosexuality

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 19:41:56 +0000

Simone; Another enlightening response, thanks! I will continue to spend time with the links to the documents you sent me. I want to see us, as Churches (and indeed lungs), together. It seems we have much in common, which I thank God for! Please, by all means, feel free to comment here and add to this site. As I am not a Catholic, it would greatly benefit my site to have "active eyes" commenting, or even correcting, my general observations. And sure, I'm more than pleased to add you to my blogroll!

Pravoslav in America : On the Emergent Church, Brian McLaren, and Homosexuality

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 07:55:56 +0000

Simone; I respect your opinion on the matter. However, I made a conscious choice to leave the Catholic Church after witnessing years of the liberal disease taking its toll within its cathedrals locally. I can only go by what I see, and though I don't hold the leadership responsible for what the overly liberal elements did to (in my opinion) taint the Church, there still seems to be a divide as to how Vatican II should be seen. Obviously, your view is that it is Conservative. You are giving the Church the benefit of the doubt. I cannot join you in this, unfortunately. It is not because I have ill will toward the Vatican. I'm extremely happy to support fellow Christians in any endeavor that will benefit the Cross. It is also my wish that one day my Church and yours unite to bring honor to Christendom. But there is much that needs to be settled in both our camps. And as for you, tc, by all means, pull away on that quote! I stand by what I say. I'll be adding Simone's to my list as well, as her wisdom and love of the Church is immense.

Pravoslav in America : On the Emergent Church, Brian McLaren, and Homosexuality

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 02:45:28 +0000

Hello Simone; I am going simply by the experiences I had in Catholicism, especially that of my youth in Southern California. I've read some of the documents, and yes, they can have an interpretation that would look conservative, and for this I'm pleased. The fact that so much of the Catholic laity chose to go to Liberation Theology and other abominations. For me, the proof is not in documents necessarily, but in the Church's actions. They'll fix the mess eventually, I'm confident of this.

A Miscellany of Tasteful Music : Store spins at 33 rpm in a megabyte world

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 05:13:25 +0000

Perfect! Gilligan as lo-fi icon! I love that idea, mate! Digital is overrated for things like Jazz, so I get what you're saying.

Pravoslav in America : Cleric 'must deny' views on rape

Wed, 28 Jan 2009 23:53:53 +0000

Hmm, for some reason, I remembered Hamza being mentioned during this spat. Many thanks for the correction. And I'm pleased to see the saner members of Australia's Islamic community have seen fit to brand this man a nut.