You know what else is offensive?

A couple weeks go I went to Target with the girls, to look for Halloween costumes (Clara ended up being Cleopatra, and Olivia was a black cat).

We had a hard time finding the Halloween stuff (remember this was a couple weeks ago) because it was way in the back, hidden by all the Christmas stuff.

Is it too early to remind you all of this?

Some Random Stuff

That metro-link train crash in LA a couple weeks back? Turns out the engineer was texting railroad hobbyists. Some people put the blame for the accident on the culture of train lovers. Now there's a growing backlash against said hobbyists. I think I better hide my train calender.
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On NPR this morning, they announced that Wal-Mart, in order to stave off a slower-than-usual holiday season, is opening its Christmas shops next week. You know that old saw "Christmas all-year-round"? It may be coming true.

Is it too early to throw out my yearly promotion of www.buynothingchristmas.org?

If so, maybe you should go read this article about the conditions in the Chinese factories in which most of Wal-mart's Christmas ornaments are produced.

Or at least rent What Would Jesus Buy? and watch it before you go shopping.

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Ben Witherington has posted an article by Dr. James Howell on the issue of "Rights vs. Responsibility."

Instead of “rights,” the Bible speaks of “gifts.” There is no “right to life.” Life is a gift, and this may be the compelling reason we do not have any right to destroy life. I do not have “rights” over my own body; God has those “rights.” My body is a gift of God, an instrument to be used in service to God, a temple of God’s Spirit, not a private domain for me to use as I wish. Christians get “responsibility” – which is “response-ability.” God has made us able to respond to God’s gifts. Responsible people do not gripe or whine so much as they get involved, they do something. Citizenship is responsibility, and perhaps the Christians could foster a buoyant hope in America life by simply refusing to play the “rights” card and instead lead the way in taking responsibility for the good stewardship of God’s gifts.

Good reading in today's political climate.
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Scot McKnight on why he remains an Evangelical and doesnt become Orthodox or Catholic.

Thanksgiving Week Note

Apparently one major store is opening at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, so Christmas shoppers can get a head start. And another major chain is opening at 4:00, as the banner ads on the local paper's website so proudly proclaim.

I guess it's time for my annual reminder:Brought to you by the Fine Folks at buynothingchristmas.org