Devin on Earth

It was a good weekend. Between a wedding, church, and a long-overdue visit from one set of the kids' godparents (who decided to take our family out to the theaters to see The Pacifier), got lots of non-computer stuff done for the first time in many, many weekends. I didn't even read my blogs, let alone post to mine.

Without further ado, a grab-bag of stuff that jumped out at me as I was catching up tonight with three days' worth of blogs:

• The death of the Pope. He's been a strong leader for the Catholic church, but there have been some spectacular failures on his watch as well. I've been uneasy at all the glowing media coverage I've seen of his death; looks like I wasn't the only one.
  • Patrick Nielsen Hayden shows us a couple of thought-provoking posts by Ken MacLeod (A canticle for Wojtyla) and Jeanne D'Arc (John Paul and Tom Friedman)
  • Christopher Hutchens of Slate offers a more critical look at John Paul II's legacy
  • Mark A. R. Kleiman admonishes those who would nay-say the Pope to wait for a more opportune time. I disagree; it was practice of Roman emperors to have someone walk along with them to remind them that they were human and mortal even as they were being cheered and praised by the crowds. I think it more honest and healthy to remember a man fairly and without glossing over his faults and failures than it is. John Paul did great things during his years on Earth, but he was a man; as Catholic tradition teaches us, he also was a sinner, redeemed by the grace of Jesus Christ. Let us remember his good by honoring how far it took him from the times when he did wrong or allowed it to be done in his name; the contrast makes his accomplishments all the more astounding, as it does for us all, and gives us inspiration to rise above our own failings.
• Canada is taking it on the chin in the blogosphere and deservedly so. Their political leaders have apparently forgotten that politics are politics, even in the middle of secret hearings on corruption, and that bans are made to be broken.
  • Captain Ed tells us about a stunningly stupid move of censorship from our friends north of the border, in a vain attempt to prevent their own citizens from reading the testimony of Jean Brault.
  • Colby Cosh provides more detailed thoughts on the publication ban. (Both links thanks to the Instapundit)
• Two interesting non-political links from Ken Wheaton:
  • The Old Negro Space Program, an award-winning mockumentary of the space program that never was
  • Part 15 of the Nondating Life talks about the importance of punctuality in dates

Enjoy!