Futurelawyer

#TBT - Questions And Answers

The next time that someone tells you something that you are not allowed to question, whether scientist, cleric, or anyone else, remember this Richard Feynman quote. Feynman recognized that nothing is absolute, and we don't really "know" anything. This is the ultimate statement of his science and his physics; but, it applies to every human endeavor. As lawyers, we are trained to know that. 

"I would rather have questions with no answers, than answers which cannot be questioned."

What's Next? Selling Naming Rights For The Vatican?

Vatican Rents Out Sistine Chapel to Porsche For Corporate Event - First Time in 600-year History. Are you kidding me? I am all for the liberalization of the Church's attitudes and rules about marriage and other man-made restrictions on Catholics. I draw the line, however, at renting the Sistine Chapel to Porsche. Now that I think about it, however, the new Diocesan Cathedral here in town would make a great car dealership. The dealership couldn't be open on Sunday; but, the rest of the week I never see anybody in there anyway. We could move all the cars to the parking lot, and have a drive in Mass. I can see the signs now: "A car deal made in heaven!" Or, "These cars are what God would drive!" While we are at it, let's get the priests and nuns out selling cars. They don't make very much money, and they could add to the retirement fund. Jeez.

 

In Other Words, It's Better Than Your Neighbor's Xmas Light Display

The Crab Nebula Is a Swirling Cloud of Electric Purple Light. This image of the Crab Nebula got me thinking about the Xmas Light displays that seem to populate the suburban landscape this time of year. We Americans seem to take our joy in increasing the number of lights every year. I have nothing against this in principle (fun is fun); but, my idea of front yard displays is a couple of blow up figures that take 5 minutes to hook up, and a string of hanging lights that look like they took more than 3 minutes to hang on last year's hooks. Perhaps we should be looking skyward for our Christmas inspiration. Up at whatever God we believe in. Peace on earth. Please.

All My Heroes Are Nuns

Obituaries | Jacksonville.com. I was sorry to learn of the passing of Sister Margaret Victor, the Sisters of St. Joseph nun who terrorized me into obedience and studiousness in the Sixth Grade at St. Paul's School in Jacksonville, Florida in the 1950s. One of my schoolmates remembers that we called her the "Evil Eye" because of her withering stare. I credit her insistence upon discipline to much of my success and ability to focus diligently on tasks. I find it interesting that we don't much consider life influences until one of them passes from this earth. The obituary photo shows the softer habits that nuns have adopted in recent years. In the Fifties and Sixties, their brows were covered in starched white, and their collars looked like starched torture. I always attributed the stern demeanor to the uncomfortable clothes. However, the schoolhouse discipline that is missing from modern day education made us into better students, and, ultimately, better human beings, better prepared for the challenges of adult life. Thanks, Sister Margaret Victor. Go with God.