The name is an acronym. It stands for Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism. Obviously someone thought they were being clever. IMO it is a misnomer; there are few things less Patriotic than this act.

Posted at December 13, 2005 11:15 AM in response to Update on the PATRIOT Act

Deadwood was the best television I have seen in a very long time. I would say the characters seem to savor their lines and it would be fitting for them to do so as some of it is written in iambic pentameter. I am certain the characters of Rome will prove to be as three dimensional as we have come to expect from an HBO series. Sopranos, Deadwood and Six Feet Under have all needed a few episodes to really rivet the audience.

Posted at August 29, 2005 10:54 PM in response to Rome?

Being a straight female, I hesitate to even attempt an answer to whether gays want to be just accepted or become ordained leaders. But it seems that acceptance, genuine acceptance, would automatically allow for ordination. For many people there is a huge difference... but there shouldn't be. Since we are all sinners, to try to prioritize sins, so as to make one group seemingly more sinful than we are, only adds to our own inventory of sin. Because, for all any of us know, G-d is most displeased by self-rightousness. And if any sin precludes a person from serving as a leader then all sins should have that effect.

I have been an Episcopalian all my life and have never seen the divisions we are now experiencing. It is painful for all of us, but it is also confusing to those of us who fully embrace our gay brothers and sisters. We are none of us perfect, but all have talents which could be offered in G-d's service. I mourn the loss of those talents when our gay brethern are turned away.

Posted at June 12, 2005 8:11 PM in response to Broken Communion