Thursday, July 24, 2003
Wednesday, July 23, 2003
a common thread
Some of my recent Google searches, undertaken after having read the astonishing book, The Da Vinci Code, by Dan Brown (which I will review later):
The Last Supper dagger [1]
Council of Nicaea
Gospel of Philip Thomas Mary
Another wierd coincidence. While writing this post, this article in the WaPo just came online, summarizing the DaVinci Code, as well as directly addressing some of the threads above. This is a fantastic article!
I think what really intrigues me is the Leonardo connection. His paintings are indeed full of code. Look for recurring images of the "pointing finger", which appears in Adoration of the Magi, The Last Supper, and Madonna on the Rocks. As well other symbols like a claw-like hand, a slashing hand, and deliberate obfuscations of gender (the most prominent example of which, is his most famous painting of all time).
[1] Yes, there is a dagger in the Last Supper. Varying interpretations of the painting claim it is held by "Simon the Zealot" or by Peter. But I've gone over high-resolution photos of the painting, and the hand holding the dagger is disembodied. It does not correspond to any human at the table. Though, it would certainly make sense if it was held by Peter... see the Gospels of Philip Thomas and Mary search above.
And is the figure at the right of Jesus really John? John seems to have a very ... fair demeanour. And long red hair. Remember Leonardo daVinci was a master, and knew how to portray the difference between the sexes. I can't look at that figure and see it any other way, but then again I am free of the pre-concieved notions that may dominate some orthodox Christian viewers of the painting.
The Last Supper dagger [1]
Council of Nicaea
Gospel of Philip Thomas Mary
Another wierd coincidence. While writing this post, this article in the WaPo just came online, summarizing the DaVinci Code, as well as directly addressing some of the threads above. This is a fantastic article!
I think what really intrigues me is the Leonardo connection. His paintings are indeed full of code. Look for recurring images of the "pointing finger", which appears in Adoration of the Magi, The Last Supper, and Madonna on the Rocks. As well other symbols like a claw-like hand, a slashing hand, and deliberate obfuscations of gender (the most prominent example of which, is his most famous painting of all time).
[1] Yes, there is a dagger in the Last Supper. Varying interpretations of the painting claim it is held by "Simon the Zealot" or by Peter. But I've gone over high-resolution photos of the painting, and the hand holding the dagger is disembodied. It does not correspond to any human at the table. Though, it would certainly make sense if it was held by Peter... see the Gospels of Philip Thomas and Mary search above.
And is the figure at the right of Jesus really John? John seems to have a very ... fair demeanour. And long red hair. Remember Leonardo daVinci was a master, and knew how to portray the difference between the sexes. I can't look at that figure and see it any other way, but then again I am free of the pre-concieved notions that may dominate some orthodox Christian viewers of the painting.
game over for Qusai and Ebay
Steven has a roundup of less than enthusiastic reactions[1] to the Big News.
I have to admit that my opinion on the deaths of Qusai and Ebay [2] pretty much are in line with local Houston radio conservative, Chris Baker. We should drag the bodies through the streets to prove they are dead to the Iraqi populace. I mean its fine for we Americans to believe verbatim what our Holy Media say (remember both times Saddam died previously?) but we need to leverage the deaths of the Twins Prime Evil right away for the benefit of the Iraqi audience.
Damn good news, though. It will have an effect on the guerilla war, as Tacitus points out (see this WaPo article for more), and might encourage any fearful Iraqi scientists with some info on those fabled WMDs to speak out at last[3].
[1] I wonder if Bush will confirm it using 16 words?
[2] well, I thought it was funny. thpbt.
[3] they'll probably just confirm that Clinton ridded Iraqof them back in Operation Desert Fox:
seems like Desert Fox was a success, according to the British (whose word the current Adminstration takes very highly. Blair was in charge back then, too).
I have to admit that my opinion on the deaths of Qusai and Ebay [2] pretty much are in line with local Houston radio conservative, Chris Baker. We should drag the bodies through the streets to prove they are dead to the Iraqi populace. I mean its fine for we Americans to believe verbatim what our Holy Media say (remember both times Saddam died previously?) but we need to leverage the deaths of the Twins Prime Evil right away for the benefit of the Iraqi audience.
Damn good news, though. It will have an effect on the guerilla war, as Tacitus points out (see this WaPo article for more), and might encourage any fearful Iraqi scientists with some info on those fabled WMDs to speak out at last[3].
[1] I wonder if Bush will confirm it using 16 words?
[2] well, I thought it was funny. thpbt.
[3] they'll probably just confirm that Clinton ridded Iraqof them back in Operation Desert Fox:
MISSION: To strike military and security targets in Iraq that contribute to Iraq's ability to produce, store, maintain and deliver weapons of mass destruction.
MISSION GOALS: To degrade Saddam Hussein's ability to make and to use weapons of mass destruction. To diminish Saddam Hussein's ability to wage war against his neighbors. To demonstrate to Saddam Hussein the consequences of violating international obligations.
PRIMARY MISSION ASSETS: The operation employs U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps aircraft flying from the decks of the USS ENTERPRISE; U.S. Air Force and Royal Air Force aircraft operating from land bases in the region; and Tomahawk cruise missiles launched from U.S. Navy ships at sea and United States Air Force B-52s.
seems like Desert Fox was a success, according to the British (whose word the current Adminstration takes very highly. Blair was in charge back then, too).
Tuesday, July 22, 2003
yes, comments are hosed.
Looks like comments from today have been hosed. I paid Enetation for this? If there's any impetus that ever dislodges me from Blogger, it will be the desire for a robust copmments system built-in.
better off
We've gotten rid of Saddam. Yay!
but, we'll bring back his version of the SS, The Mukhabarat (Ba'ath Party Intelligence).
I am sure that recruiting cold-blooded murdering thugs who were instrumental in torturing and crushing the civil liberties of the Iraqi people, in order to spy on Iran and Shi'a in Iraq who may be sympathetic to Iran, will go over well among the Shi'a community who often bore the brunt of the Mukhabarat's tender mercies.
Billmon has more.
UPDATE: Tacitus declares my dark cloud to be a silver lining, then finds a dark cloud within it.
but, we'll bring back his version of the SS, The Mukhabarat (Ba'ath Party Intelligence).
I am sure that recruiting cold-blooded murdering thugs who were instrumental in torturing and crushing the civil liberties of the Iraqi people, in order to spy on Iran and Shi'a in Iraq who may be sympathetic to Iran, will go over well among the Shi'a community who often bore the brunt of the Mukhabarat's tender mercies.
Billmon has more.
UPDATE: Tacitus declares my dark cloud to be a silver lining, then finds a dark cloud within it.
Monday, July 21, 2003
too late!
an admirable sentiment by Wolfowitz, but comes a little too late.
whether foreign troops are "interfering" or "helping" largely depends on your point of view, doesn't it?
UPDATE: Atrios brilliantly refers to it as "the End of Irony." I wish I'd thought of that tagline first.
"I think all foreigners should stop interfering in the internal affairs of Iraq," said Wolfowitz, who is touring the country to meet U.S. troops and Iraqi officials.
"Those who want to come and help are welcome," he said. "Those who come to interfere and destroy are not."
whether foreign troops are "interfering" or "helping" largely depends on your point of view, doesn't it?
UPDATE: Atrios brilliantly refers to it as "the End of Irony." I wish I'd thought of that tagline first.
the libertarians fiddled...
It's no longer safe for you fellow bearded men to read left-wing articles while standing in line for coffee. The FBI might just pay you a visit.
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