Monthly Archives: October 2010

Slouching towards Bethlehem?! Get a Grip

By Robin Bates | Published: October 4, 2010

“We are starting to wonder whether Congressional Democrats lack the courage of their convictions, or simply lack convictions,” stated a recent New York Times editorial. The editorial was displeased that the Democrats were afraid of standing up against the Bush tax cuts, due to expire by the end of this year. What with cowardly Democrats […]

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Washing Away Michael Vick’s Sins

By Robin Bates | Published: October 3, 2010

Spiritual Sunday In a follow-up to yesterday’s post on football quarterback Michael Vick, I want to elaborate further on Coleridge’s argument for penance. Penance is not only the right thing to do. It also can make you feel very, very good. Coleridge gives us images in Rime of the Ancient Mariner that drive this point […]

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The Ancient Mariner’s Lessons for Vick

By Robin Bates | Published: October 2, 2010

Sports Saturday Last Saturday’s  post on Michael Vick as escape artist generated one of the most interesting discussions this website has seen. If you haven’t read the comments, I recommend that you go back and do so (although I will repeat some of them here). One particular line of inquiry brought up the issue of […]

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Comparing Jane Austen and Frank Capra

By Robin Bates | Published: October 1, 2010

Film Friday Teaching Sense and Sensibility in my Jane Austen First Year Seminar is giving me the chance to once again relish the magnificent way that the author dispenses poetic justice. This time through, I found that the ending of the novel reminds me of the ending of Frank Capra’s It’s a Wonderful Life. Since […]

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