Quote for the Day

He [ Abba Nilus] also said, 'If you want to pray properly, do not let yourself be upset or you will run in vain.' 

-- Sayings of the Desert Fathers

Quote for the Day

He [Abba Nilus] also said, 'Whatever you have endured out of love of wisdom will bear fruit for you at the time of prayer.'

 -- Sayings of the Desert Fathers

I Was Hungry . . .

Self-regulation for Financial Institutions?

Libor Manipulation Probed by Five State Legal Offices 


Visa, MasterCard in $6B credit card settlement 


Wells Fargo $175M discriminatory lending settlement 


These headlines are a consequence of government regulation of financial institutions.  If it were not for such governmental regulations and their enforcement, we would not be subjected to such headlines.  Business practices of financial institutions would not change, but we would not be forced to learn about these practices.  We could maintain our bliss.

So, if you dislike reading such headlines and seeing the bottom line of big financial institutions suffer due to punitive government actions, join the cry by the leaders of finance for less government regulation and fewer rules imposed upon these institutions.  They should be allowed to self-regulate themselves.  Trust them.

And if you follow their logic regarding self-policing, you should support cutting government budgets by doing away with our police, prosecuting attorneys, judges and prison staffs.  Let the criminals regulate themselves and keep us and our possessions safe.  Think of the tax savings we could have.  Trust them.

As for me, I’ll cry for outside regulation in both cases.  I don’t trust them.  I trust the testimony of their actions.

Pascal and Climate Change

Not Faux news, but don't blame the messenger for the message. (A news report on climate change)

I suggest that climate change doubters consider an update of Pascal's wager. Remember Pascal said that if we wager that there is no God and are right, we've gained nothing. If we wager that there is no God and we're wrong, we lose everything. If we wager there is a God and we lose, we lose nothing. If we wager there is a God and win, we win everything. So, it is better to wager that there is a God.

In the same way, if we wager climate change is not taking place and win, we win nothing. If we wager climate change is not taking place and lose, we contribute to the destruction of our world. If we wager climate change is taking place and it is not, we lose nothing and may even gain from a more constructive life style. If we wager climate change is taking place and win, we can reverse the course of destruction and save our world.

Which is the wiser wager? Count the costs.

Quote for the Day

Abba Nilus said, 'Everything you do in revenge against a brother who has harmed you will come back to your mind at the time of prayer.'

 -- Sayings of the Desert Fathers

Quote for the Day

A soldier asked Abba Mius if God accepted repentance. After the old man had taught him many things he said, 'Tell me, my dear, if your cloak is torn, do you throw it away?' He replied, 'No, I mend it and use it again.' The old man said to him, 'If you are so careful about your cloak, will not God be equally careful about his creature?' 

-- Sayings of the Desert Fathers