Sunday, October 30, 2011

I stand a little bit corrected...

From the fine folks at The Guardian via the fine folks at Boing Boing comes news that British Christian groups are vowing to protect the Occupy London protesters in front of St. Paul's Cathedral by forming a protective prayer ring.

And just who are they protecting the protesters from? From the Church itself! With "senior leadership" intent on seeking injunctions to have Occupy London protesters forcibly removed, a few right-thinking Christians have called bullshit.

The canon chancellor of St Paul's, Dr Giles Fraser, and the Rev Fraser Dyer, who works as a chaplain at the cathedral, have resigned in protest. The groups vowing to protect the protesters issued the following statement:


"As Christians, we stand alongside people of all religions who are resisting economic injustice with active nonviolence. The global economic system perpetuates the wealth of the few at the expense of the many. It is based on idolatrous subservience to markets. We cannot worship both God and money."


Meanwhile, the bishop of London, the Right Rev Richard Chartres and the dean of St Paul's, the Right Rev Graeme Knowles wouldn't answer when asked if they would commit to opposing the planned eviction.

Chartres said it was irrelevant for him to take a stance, telling journalists: "I honestly have no part in it, because St Paul's and the Dean of Chapter are in charge." And yet apparently he does have a part in it because here is is addressing the protesters while Knowles looks on thoughtfully. So which is it Bish? Are you the guy or not?



What leadership! (And totally dig the evil banker suit behind them!)

Jonathan Bartley, the director of the influential religious thinktank Ekklesia, said "To evict rather than offer sanctuary is contrary to what many people think the church is all about."

*By the way, in the British Roman Catholic Church, the term "The Right Reverend" refers to bishops while "The Most Reverend" is reserved for archbishops. "Asshole" may be commonly used to refer to the whole lot of them.

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Longshoremans Local 374



It was a good night to watch “On The Waterfront.” It was cold and rainy, a scrappy kind of night. And I was in the right mood.





And in 2011, 57 years after its release, “On the Waterfront” is equally timely and dated.




Timely because the fight against power, tyranny and corruption resonates and reflects the 99% ethic of the Occupy movement. Dated because of the abdication of responsibility by the Catholic Church for social justice and morality.



Karl Malden’s Father Barry, as the moral center of the movie, is unrecognizable. A crusading priest today? Show me one. While the Pope crusades agains condom use in AIDS torn Africa, local clergy remain circumspect about molestation and abuse but are firm and engaged in the fight against equality and justice for the marginalized.



What a difference 57 years makes. The roles are the same but the players are unrecognizable. Father Barry? What a laugh.

Thursday, October 27, 2011

TFWOTD (Tim Foil’s Word of the Day)

I received an e-mail from a colleague today that used the word “swivet.” Swivet is defined as a fluster or panic as in When I lost my job I was in a terrible swivet.

Go forth and use accordingly!

Monday, October 24, 2011

It's not just me...right?

I'm almost embarrassed to share this because it means revealing to the world that I spent part of my time on Sunday, October 16 looking at Parade Magazine. Flipping past the ads for weight loss shakes and commemorative plates I came across this cartoon:



Is this as insensitive as I think it is? Could it possibly be? I must be reading this wrong because I googled my heart out to try and find some backlash online but there was nothing.

Until now! TMUOTF breaking news on the cyber-thingy!

LittleFoil Vs.The Brambles



As a supporter of the arts and as one being supported by the arts, I submit the following whimsical video for your consideration...

Thursday, October 6, 2011