http://bigelowrs.gather.com Recent Articles on Gather by Bert B. en-us Copyright Gather Inc 2009 Sun, 03 Jan 2010 06:49:24 GMT 2010-01-03T06:49:24Z en-us Copyright Gather Inc 2009 http://www.gather.com/images/header/logo_gather.gif http://www.gather.com/ http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977947746 Almost exactly four years ago, December 19, 2005, I wrote my first article for Gather.  The title was simply " Messiah ."  It's a discussion of Handel's wonderful oratorio and the effect . . . Tue, 15 Dec 2009 09:00:37 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977947746 Bert B. 2009-12-15T09:00:37Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977945216 The Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles recently elected the first openly gay bishop since the national church lifted a ban that kept gays out of its highest ordained ministry, a move that deepened . . . Sun, 13 Dec 2009 19:51:57 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977945216 Bert B. 2009-12-13T19:51:57Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977876423 In an article on the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) web site, writer Kimberley Daniels warns her readers to steer clear of Halloween candy. She says that “…most of the candy . . . Thu, 29 Oct 2009 19:43:12 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977876423 Bert B. 2009-10-29T19:43:12Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977871795 E-cigarettes. Have you heard of them? When I first saw the name, I thought: Wow! How does that work? Do I log onto their web site and have a smoke by sucking on my mouse? It’s . . . Tue, 27 Oct 2009 06:35:21 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977871795 Bert B. 2009-10-27T06:35:21Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977867811 It's fundraiser time at KUSC, our local classical music station, so I am doing what I always do...loading the CD player up and turning it loose every night.  We have a new cat, and I think he . . . Sat, 24 Oct 2009 06:14:06 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977867811 Bert B. 2009-10-24T06:14:06Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977860950   People who are opposed to abortion view the fetus as a human being. They believe that human life is sacred, and that destroying it, even in its earliest forms, is a mortal sin. Many “pro-lifers” . . . Tue, 20 Oct 2009 03:00:36 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977860950 Bert B. 2009-10-20T03:00:36Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977859596 On my 76 th birthday, the world will end. The date that has been positively identified for this event is December 21 st , 2012. Before I delve into the various justifications for this latest . . . Mon, 19 Oct 2009 07:38:42 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977859596 Bert B. 2009-10-19T07:38:42Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977852357 My experiences here on Gather have included a number of interchanges with devout Christians. Most of these have been pleasant enough, but I am a nonbeliever, so many of them were somewhat . . . Wed, 14 Oct 2009 03:06:40 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977852357 Bert B. 2009-10-14T03:06:40Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977835805 This is a continuation of an earlier piece. There was clearly a lot more to say on this subject, so…here’s Part 2…and it may not be the last. Here is a link to the first part: . . . Fri, 02 Oct 2009 16:24:37 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977835805 Bert B. 2009-10-02T16:24:37Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977828636   This is the fifth in a series of fictional discussions with my imaginary friend Al. To understand the background for this piece, I recommend that you read one or more of the previous . . . Mon, 28 Sep 2009 00:54:25 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977828636 Bert B. 2009-09-28T00:54:25Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977818459   Note: I am not a currency or arbitrage expert. I have studied this subject only briefly, and I think I understand how it works. I welcome comments and corrections from more knowledgeable readers. . . . Sat, 19 Sep 2009 05:32:53 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977818459 Bert B. 2009-09-19T05:32:53Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977801693 The speaker was elderly and distinguished-looking, with a mane of carefully-coiffed white hair. He was speaking to an even older audience in an auditorium in a retirement community. “Make . . . Sun, 06 Sep 2009 03:48:05 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977801693 Bert B. 2009-09-06T03:48:05Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977767127 The confirmation vote for Sanya Sotomayor was 68-31. There are 60 Democrats in the Senate. Therefore, 8 Republican heroes voted for confirmation of a liberal, Hispanic judge with 17 years . . . Sat, 08 Aug 2009 02:20:52 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977767127 Bert B. 2009-08-08T02:20:52Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977699700 They don’t understand the problem. Or if they do they are in denial. Who am I talking about? I went out for a walk this afternoon. A fairly long walk. More than 5 miles. The first . . . Wed, 03 Jun 2009 02:39:17 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977699700 Bert B. 2009-06-03T02:39:17Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977690975 Arnold Schwarznegger is the governor of California. He got the job by promising to solve the perennial budget crisis that my state has faced every year for as long as I can remember. Our former . . . Mon, 25 May 2009 03:33:05 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977690975 Bert B. 2009-05-25T03:33:05Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977682093 Kara Neumann of Weston Wisconsin died on Easter Sunday. She died of diabetic ketoacidosis, a result of undiagnosed and untreated juvenile diabetes.  This is a treatable disease, and Kara should . . . Thu, 14 May 2009 02:54:37 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977682093 Bert B. 2009-05-14T02:54:37Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977665871 Kathleen Sebelius has a job I wouldn't take for any amount of money. She is the governor of the state of Kansas. She is also Obama's pick to head the department of Health and Human Services. . . . Sat, 25 Apr 2009 19:59:27 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977665871 Bert B. 2009-04-25T19:59:27Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977647613 I went to my local electronics store today to buy an SD card for my wife's camera.   After browsing around, I ended up buying a 4-gigabyte card for about eight bucks.   That works out . . . Mon, 06 Apr 2009 04:41:20 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977647613 Bert B. 2009-04-06T04:41:20Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977629411  DUM de DUM DUM The story you are about to read is true; some of the names have been changed to protect the innocent.   My name is not Friday and I am not a cop. If you don't . . . Wed, 18 Mar 2009 16:49:08 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977629411 Bert B. 2009-03-18T16:49:08Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977625754 Didn't he learn anything from Reagan and the Bushes?   They proved that if you cut taxes to the rich and wages to the working people everybody is better off.   Reagan also knew that those . . . Sun, 15 Mar 2009 19:29:40 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977625754 Bert B. 2009-03-15T19:29:40Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977621432  Republicans are suddenly up-in-arms, opposing Congressional earmarks.   The latest budget includes 8,570 disclosed earmarks worth $7.7 billion.   John McCain is nearly apoplectic, blasting . . . Thu, 12 Mar 2009 04:32:12 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977621432 Bert B. 2009-03-12T04:32:12Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977615391  That's what former Republican Presidential candidate Mike Huckabee says about Obama.   Referring to Obama's proposed budget, he said, "Lenin and Stalin would love this stuff. . . . Thu, 05 Mar 2009 21:11:41 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977615391 Bert B. 2009-03-05T21:11:41Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977609471 This is the third and last of a set of articles that discuss moral dilemmas. Here are links to the first two: False Moral Dilemma No. 1 - Torture False Moral Dilemma No. 2 - Collateral . . . Sat, 28 Feb 2009 04:45:03 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977609471 Bert B. 2009-02-28T04:45:03Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977603720 Moral or ethical dilemmas are often presented in an attempt to manipulate us to accept a particular point of view, no matter how distasteful we find it. In many cases, the dilemma is bogus, based on . . . Mon, 23 Feb 2009 05:59:33 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977603720 Bert B. 2009-02-23T05:59:33Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977598336 Moral or ethical dilemmas are often presented in an attempt to manipulate us to accept a particular point of view, no matter how distasteful we find it.   In many cases, the dilemma is bogus, . . . Wed, 18 Feb 2009 05:27:22 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977598336 Bert B. 2009-02-18T05:27:22Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977597177 The recent economic meltdown has brought some slimy little creatures out from under the rocks.   Our political system, with its reliance on mass media, has spawned a new species of commentators . . . Tue, 17 Feb 2009 05:20:59 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977597177 Bert B. 2009-02-17T05:20:59Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977590329   I went to my doctor today to discuss my weight. I am 20 pounds overweight. He told me that the solution is to gain ten pounds.   Our economy is in the toilet. The . . . Tue, 10 Feb 2009 20:34:59 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977590329 Bert B. 2009-02-10T20:34:59Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977578109  Pope Benedict XVI, otherwise known as Joseph Ratzinger, is deemed infallible when it comes to matters of church dogma.   According to the Church, God tells him what to say, and he cannot . . . Thu, 29 Jan 2009 04:20:02 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977578109 Bert B. 2009-01-29T04:20:02Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977539230   Listening to the rhetoric from Republican Senators like Mitch McConnell (Kentucky), Bob Corker (Tennessee) and Richard Shelby (Alabama), one would think that the domestic auto companies were . . . Thu, 18 Dec 2008 19:52:36 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977539230 Bert B. 2008-12-18T19:52:36Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977535679 Moral Relativism and Inalienable Rights Moral Relativism and Inalienable Rights - Continued My previous articles on this subject (links above) have generated a long debate and a comment thread . . . Mon, 15 Dec 2008 05:40:17 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977535679 Bert B. 2008-12-15T05:40:17Z