Thus moot it be . . .

. . . is now over.

It was an epic fail, as we got no submissions, so I guess we shall remain palm pilot circa 2001.

A few years ago the Thinklings adopted a new blog theme (Thinklings Reloaded), designed primarily by the most excellent Stroke. I like our theme, but, as a techno-nerd, I'm increasingly embarrassed by the very 2001 palm-pilot feel of the header image. Plus it might be nice to have a change.

So (even though I haven't exactly cleared this with the other guys) I'm instituting the 2010 Thinklings Theme Contest, for those of you who have mad skills at making things look good.

Here are the rules:

1. Here's what I consider a "theme" - A graphical header, color selections for the sidebar, main post area, text, links, comment area, blockquotes, etc . . ., and any other bonus graphical niceties and font selections you can provide. Regarding the color schemes, I need either cut and pasted jpeg/gif/png examples, or the hexadecimal codes. In other words, don't just say "make the sidebar blue".

2. Send the above to my email, which is nerd AT nerdvana DOT com, except replace the "nerd" with "bill", and replace "nerdvana" with "outofthebloo". If you want to mock up the theme somewhere and pass me a link to it, that would be great too.

3. No existing themes allowed. In other words, don't just grab a Wordpress or Blogspot theme and slap "Thinklings" on it. We want originals.

The contest will remain open for one week.

Now, here's what will happen: I will peruse the submissions and share them with the other Thinklings. Together we will select a new theme, and will begin using it on our blog.

Here's what you'll get if you win: Our gratitude, a post announcing the new theme and an official Thinklings declaration that you "go hard", your name in the theme credits at the bottom of the page, and a $25 Amazon.com gift certificate.

Stroke: I expect at least one submission from you, if you have the time. I am not looking to replace the theme because we don't like it, but just because the header is a little out-dated and the color scheme could probably use a refresh.

I don't know how many of you saw the original soundbites of Jeremiah Wright's controversial statements from the pulpit. In doing research on Black Liberation Theology, for a presentation for my church, I looked up the clips on youtube to see them for myself. I found some that Wright's church wanted me to see.

Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago has posted a little more context as a way of response. Here are much bigger clips from which the controversial sound bites came. They want us to see the context. I think it's worth watching. If you want to understand this sort of thinking, I'd encourage you to take the time.

I don't do this to disparage, but if we want to understand, then we should listen and pay attention. This is how Black Liberation Theology responds to the world and reads the Bible. What flows out of the pulpit, is the natural product of the theology.

America's Chickens - This is the sermon preached the Sunday after 9-11-01


It makes sense if you understand that Liberation Theology views history and social wrongs as the primary emphasis of Scripture. Liberation theology teaches that salvation history is the story of the oppressed vs. the oppressor. And God is on the side of the oppressed. Liberation theology teaches that capitalist countries such as the U.S. do what they do militarily to keep poor people poor, and the rich people rich.

And like the prophet Amos, Liberation Theologians believe they must pronounce judgement on the nations that perpetuate social injustice and violence against the oppressed.

God CURSE America - because the Gov't wages war on the oppressed

As many of you know, a number of the Thinklings, our commenters, and honoraries are into the game of Chess. So, in honor of all the Thinklings Chess activity, I created a chess theme tonight.

I've made it the default for now, and it's also in the Theme Selector drop-down in the navbar. For those of you who have already selected another theme for your Thinklings experience, you can pick the "Chess" theme in the Theme Selector if you want to take a look at this new one.

What do you think?