March 24, 2005

Thoughts
Thorongil

I haven't posted in a while, but I still check back and I have a few thoughts.

On the handgun debate, I am no expert, but I feel that wide access to handguns will overall make people safer. In countries with access to handguns, your house is generally less likely to be robbed while you are in it. The robbery rate may be the same, but you are not as likely to be hurt. I think there are strong arguements on both sides and it's fun to discuss. Remember that a revolution may someday be necessary if an Orwellian state arises (in the US or elsewhere).

Has anyone heard of the Tolkien Ensemble? They play folksy acoustic Tolkien music. I have two of their albums and I like them a lot. They have put most of the poems in the LOTR to music and you can find their CDs on Amazon. Just don't order 'At Night in Rivendell' because it's out of stock.

I finished the book Les Miserables a few months ago, and it now ties for my favorite book. The play is also very good.

If you haven't read it, I highly recommend Mere Christianity by CS Lewis. It's fairly short (tiny compared to Tolkien) and gives a good outline of the 'basics' of Christionity. It gave me many thing to think about, and it is worthwhile to read even if you just want to know where Christians are coming from.

On the flipside if there are readers from other beliefs that would like to recommend a book that helps explain or summarize them, I would be happy to read it.

I got the animated ROTK for Christmas. It's awful and very fun to watch. (If you have seen it you know what I mean)

If anyone has made it down here, I would like to know if there is anyone in history who especially inspires you. (like Jesus or Ghandi, don't say the Beatles)

I really like U2.