D&D... many moons later

I Am A: Lawful Good Elf Ranger Paladin


Alignment:
Lawful Good characters are the epitome of all that is just and good. They believe in order and governments that work for the benefit of all, and generally do not mind doing direct work to further their beliefs.


Race:
Elves are the eldest of all races, although they are generally a bit smaller than humans. They are generally well-cultured, artistic, easy-going, and because of their long lives, unconcerned with day-to-day activities that other races frequently concern themselves with. Elves are, effectively, immortal, although they can be killed. After a thousand years or so, they simply pass on to the next plane of existance.


Primary Class:
Rangers are the defenders of nature and the elements. They are in tune with the Earth, and work to keep it safe and healthy.


Secondary Class:
Paladins are the Holy Warriors. They have been chosen by a God/dess to be their representative on Earth, and must follow the code of that deity, or risk severe penalties. They tend towards being righteous, but not generally to excess.


Find out What D&D Character You Are, courtesy of Zinious Software corporation




Detailed Results:

Law & Chaos:
Law ----- X X X X X X X X X X X X X X (14)
Neutral - X X X X X X X (7)
Chaos --- X (1)

Good & Evil:
Good ---- X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X (22)
Neutral - X X X (3)
Evil ---- (-3)

Race:
Human ---- (-4)
Half-Elf - X X X X X (5)
Elf ------ X X X X X X X X X X (10)
Halfling - X X X (3)
Dwarf ---- (-6)
Half-Orc - X (1)
Gnome ---- X X X (3)

Class:
Fighter - X (1)
Ranger -- X X X X X X X X X (9)
Paladin - X X X X X X (6)
Cleric -- X X X X X (5)
Mage ---- (0)
Druid --- (-1)
Thief --- (-5)
Bard ---- X X X X X X (6)
Monk ---- X X X X (4)

Reflectivity

Today, on the Feast of Corpus Christi,
our eldest son turns 8...

Way to go, beloved son!!

Some weeks scream: PRAY!!!!!

Please pray for the Bradicich, Lee, and Ehrman families.

Thank you!
S

Update: Also please pray for the Spurgins and Hansons.

Goofy Quizzes

So, being bored on a Thursday, I took a couple of quizzes I saw on friends' blogs.

I really,really thought I'd get Catcher in the Rye. I mean, it was, without a doubt, my favorite book in High School.

Boy was I in for a surprise!

You're Anne of Green Gables!

by L.M. Montgomery

Bright, chipper, vivid, but with the emotional fortitude of cottage
cheese, you make quite an impression on everyone you meet. You're impulsive, rash,
honest, and probably don't have a great relationship with your parents. People hurt
your feelings constantly, but your brazen honestly doesn't exactly treat others with
kid gloves. Ultimately, though, you win the hearts and minds of everyone that matters.
You spell your name with an E and you want everyone to know about it.


Take the Book Quiz
at the Blue Pyramid.

Yikes! For the record, I had/have a GREAT relationship with my parents. As for the rest, maybe that's why I don't feel like talking much anymore. Hmmm...

Also, very freaky, this one:

Your Score: The Rationalist

You scored 30% Romantic!

You have a few Romantic characteristics, but not many. You are most likely a Rationalist. You are moderate and restrained. You believe in logic, pragmatism, and tradition. And why not? Those things have worked pretty well so far, unlike a lot of these ridiculous so-called "Romantic" notions. If it were up to the Romantics, you suspect, we'd all still be living in caves. It's people like you who have brought structure, discipline, and stability to the world.

Link: The Romanticism Test written by johnnyampersand on OkCupid Free Online Dating, home of the The Dating Persona Test

Wouldn't have guessed that one in a million years. I must be getting old.

Ruffling Feathers...

Let me be upfront - I love the Great Universal Church. My sister went to seek her vocation with a Benedictine order three years ago and I helped out by buying her house and moving. It wasn't exactly what I wanted - but I did it for her benefit in the end. I support my church, my Bishop, and various organizations with whatever I can.

I don't mean to be a trouble-maker... but this has really bothered me for a while.

Legion of Christ and Regnum Christi - I have trouble with them. The people I've met and know are GOOD faithful people - but the organization seems much more controlling of it's members than any other order.

They're the only order I'm aware of that has a help-network for people that leave the order.

They're the only order that has been banned or severely restricted in six dioceses in the USA.

They're the only order that requires secrecy in their teachings. I believe they have a stated requirement of obedience to their leader Maciel above normal church-law, and must take private vows not to criticize actions of superiors and to report on those who did

They're the only order whereby consecrated women(akin to nuns) don't take public vows, only private. Thus they are not afforded protection through Canon Law.

And their leader Marcial Maciel has for 40 years been avoided accusations of sexual impropriety and drug abuse. Though the investigations have not been public, at this present day the church has censured his ability to perform public masses, or speak to the press.

They do have many good works - but I believe that they have a predatory tendency - and that really bothers me in this day and age.

My own experience with the them is very limited. A good friend of mine is in RC - and seemed happy - though I never, ever hear from her anymore. I made the mistake of calling it a cult upfront. Perhaps that is uncharitable of me.

And I only say this because a close friend of my family in Mexico had his daughter removed during the night from RC. Very cloak and dagger. Her father was a friend of the Pope, and was high up in another church lay organization.

I hadn't really thought of it for several years until a few months back when a friend of mine (A youth minister) confided in me that he was troubled by a tradition in the church. I spoke with him for hours - but he was afraid to speak with his Priest for fear. I've never experienced this feeling - being a convert. I'm Catholic because I came to believe in the One Truth, not the other way around. Thankfully he did speak with a good spiritual director!

Our youth SHOULD be joining orders - but it should be a true vocation, a willful response to the call of God. The reported tactic of using the "Will of God" to pressure youth into service is an abuse of authority, in my opinion. Obedience to our Church rests on our freely given Love of God.

I know that there is plenty of good in the organization, but all I can say is that I avoid them for the time being. Perhaps I am wrong, and for the good of the Church, I really hope I am. If I have offended, forgive me.

Jolly Ol' England

Don't use the word "grass", walk through your front door, make sarcastic remarks to the neighbors, or wear a single golf glove.

You'll for certain get an ASBO.

ASBO is not related to tennis elbow, nor a difficult-to-yield hunting bow.

No, it's an Anti Social Behavior Order. You see, in the land of Churchhill and Tolkein if you happen to inadvertently threaten someone through the use of a single golf glove - you could be ordered by a Judge to change your behavior. It's a totally open-ended sentencing with no proof of evidence required. Any rumor, lie, or shifty eye look is Good Enough(tm).

Picking your nose in public? ASBO!
Unsuccessful suicide? ASBO!!
Calling a politician a stinkin' liar? ASBO!!!

Why, I can't think of a single thing that I couldn't fix with as ASBO. Being American, I think I need an ASBO gun. It's time to start picking off the bums, people that cut me off on the road, and pretty much anyone who glanced at me funny.

Heck, we could have an "American Asbo" contest on TV and people could be voting for it. That would make it Democratic and all. That way the poor Indian kid with funky hair could finally win.

More ridiculous fun here.

sources:
A 13-year-old was served an order banning him from using the word "grass" anywhere in England and Wales. (Source—Statewatch ASBOwatch)

In February 2003, a 16-year-old boy was banned from showing his tattoos, wearing a single golf glove, or wearing a balaclava in public anywhere in the country. He was also forbidden from congregating in public places in groups of more than three people. (Source—Statewatch ASBOwatch)

In May 2003 a 19-year-old was banned from entering his own home on his release from prison. (Source—Statewatch ASBOwatch)

The oldest recipient of an order to date is an 87-year-old who among other things is forbidden from being sarcastic to his neighbours (July 2003). He was subsequently found guilty of breaking the terms of his order on three separate occasions. He awaits sentencing but the judge has already made it clear that "there will be no prison for an 88 year old man". (Source—Statewatch ASBOwatch)

Can you feel the Spin?

I got the feeling that all the questions directed towards Paul were in the line of "How can you be a Republican?"

Isn't this the Republican party - the party of conservatives?

How can you, on the one hand say "I believe all life is sacred" and on the other hand say "We need to kill more people to make the world SAFER?"

We're not any safer - it's foolish. It's a toxic response to fear. What makes America great isn't fear - it's Crossing the Patomac. It's the battle of Midway, the War of 1812, and the defeat of Hitler.

The Iraq War has nothing to do with those wars - they're not even in the class. It's an unreasoned response, based on lies. It's not a Just War, in any reasonable discussion. That's not to say Iraq was a haven of peace - but our tactics of an all-out war are only leading to a larger threat of growing terrorism. Our own CIA has recently come to the same conclusion.

I supported Bush when we attacked Afghanistan - it was the right thing to do. But where are we headed now?

The only thing that makes us as a People safe is our liberty and freedom. The more we vote against these two inalienable rights the less safe we become. We are safer because we demonstrate to the world that WE THE PEOPLE will die for these ideals. Not just the Army, but all of the Republic. And that means sacrifice.

It's the American way. We may have to die for freedom, but our famlies and children will reap the benefits.

Which brings us about to Islamic Fundamentalism. We can't ignore this - but at the same time a War in Iraq is not the solution. We can't win this battle on foreign soil. And in all honesty I believe the only way to win is to stand for Freedom, respond to threats and attacks, and most of all leave Iraq.

We should leave Iraq because there is no principle reason to continue. We have no further obligation to the people of Iraq, because we have already won their chance for freedom. The operation is complete. Sadaam is gone. Let them win their own freedom now.

And lest we forget - we did not win the Cold war by winning in Vietnam, nor North Korea. We won by sharing our freedom and liberty foremost to the Soviet people. We won by having a strong defence, and extremely prudent use of our offence.

All people respond to freedom and liberty with joy. All people respond to war with hatred and revenge. You can't defeat human nature.

Lastly, Dr. Paul is right - our foreign policy is one (of many) of the causes for 9/11. That doesn't make it any better - but let's at least be honest. Osama stated these same reasons in his 1997 Fatwa against the USA.

Be a Real Conservative.