"As they passed the rows of houses they saw through the open doors that men were sweeping and dusting and washing dishes, while the women sat around in groups, gossiping and laughing.
"What has happened?" the Scarecrow asked a sad-looking man with a bushy beard, who wore an apron and was wheeling a baby-carriage along the sidewalk.
"Why, we've had a revolution, your Majesty -- as you ought to know very well," replied the man; "and since you went away the women have been running things to suit themselves. I'm glad you have decided to come back and restore order, for doing housework and minding the children is wearing out the strength of every man in the Emerald City."
"Hm!" said the Scarecrow, thoughtfully. "If it is such hard work as you say, how did the women manage it so easily?"
"I really do not know," replied the man, with a deep sigh. "Perhaps the women are made of cast-iron.""
- L. Frank Baum, "The Land of Oz"
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Questions they should be asking the presidential candidates about terrorism and national security. My favorite:
Three criminals from Krypton, freed by a nuclear blast in outer space, have come to Earth with powers and abilities far beyond those of mortal man. Worse, Superman has disappeared. The criminals' leader, General Zod, orders you to kneel before him as a symbol of America's defeat. I'll start with you, Senator Brownback. If the act means saving millions of lives, and perhaps buying time until the Man of Steel returns, would you forsake your belief in Jesus Christ and bow before this evil alien?
HT: Bruce Schneier.
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Comments on "Just a Hypothetical":
4. Milly
- 07/31/2007 11:56 pm CDT
Here’s the answer you would most likely get.
Senator Brownback of the great state of Joe’s Tavern abstains
(note I didn't put a real state so that I wouldn't start something)
5. Chestertonian Rambler
- 08/01/2007 9:18 am CDT
Actually, my guess on probable answer is this:
That is a very good and important question, and well worth an answer. Which is why my plan for pulling out of the war in Iraq is so important....
6. Milly
- 08/01/2007 12:52 pm CDT
. . .. . . Or. . . . . That is a very good and important question, and well worth an answer. That is why I am calling for a full and thorough investigation.
An interesting question. The assumption that has to be answered, though, is whether a coerced or placating act is "forsaking your belief in Jesus Christ," especially when it is simply to buy time.
Foregoing that assumption, though, I think there are three points to consider. First, is the refusal to cede symbolic expression worth the very real result of losing millions of lives, which God considers precious? Secondly, would God consider a insincere act, which is ultimately a deception anyway, to be forsaking him?
Conversely, isn't such an act trusting yourself and others above God? Even in only that tiny respect, you are refusing to trust God and remain faithful to him, choosing instead to trust your own reasoning. Besides, it's likely that if you refused, Zod would kill you anyway and declare himself ruler. Of course, one wonders why the President and his cabinet didn't chopper out as soon as they could to some undisclosed location and remained conveniently at the White House for Zod and his cronies to find.