Arguably Pertinent, Though Perhaps Random, Thoughts

• Poll finds Americans most patriotic. If I was more patriotic, I might say that this is because the United States is the greatest nation on earth. But I won’t. Am I proud of my American heritage? Sure. But my ultimate loyalties lie elsewhere. And I’m concerned that many American Evangelical Christians flirt with nationalistic idolatry in their patriotism.



• Eight teams left in the World Cup tournament. I predict England through to the final and Brazil to be defeated by France.



• Built to Spill are here in the Springs on July 9th. After feeling let down that Pearl Jam were going to be in Denver after we left for Ireland, and then feeling excited that they’ll be in Denver before we leave, and then feeling completely anguished at the $100+ ticket price . . . I’m ready to see a great show for 13 bucks. I’ve always heard that Built to Spill are incredible in concert, but I also think that their latest album isn’t quite as conducive to a live show like Keep it Like a Secret was. We’ll see.



• Africa: While the world watches Sudan with fragile hope for the future, another British reporter gets in with Ugandan rebel and war criminal, Joseph Kony. The Lord’s Resistance Army has allegedly murdered 10,000 innocent people, abducted around 25,000 children to turn them into gun-slinging killers, and has driven approximately 2 million Ugandan villagers into refugee camps. The situation has been documented brilliantly by three college students in order to raise awareness of the situation in Uganda. Head over to the Invisible Children web site to learn more. (In particular, check out the video report on the Global Night Commute. Amazing.)



• It’s not “Ireland.” It’s “Éire.” It may be a little difficult for the rest of the world to get used to that one.

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