Soggy fishies

Tonight, Michael put one of his Goldfish crackers in my mouth. It was soggy. I didn't know how to say no. I didn't know where he had put it before it was in my mouth.

Merry Christmas from Mike, Molly and Pat

I've always loved Christmas music. Well, everything but "The Christmas Shoes" and "Dominick the Donkey." Here are two Christmas songs I hope Michael holds dear to his heart. I love U2's version of this song. It makes you realize it's still good to believe in thing even as you grow up. "Little Drummer Boy" is my favorite Christmas song. I love the idea of adding "Peace on Earth" theme to it.

A gift from Tolkein

Gandalf talks to Frodo about violence.

Emerson on nonviolence

Peace cannot be achieved through violence, it can only be attained through understanding.
-- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Dr. King and the spirit of nonviolence

“Nonviolence means avoiding not only external physical violence but also internal violence of spirit. You not only refuse to shoot a man, but you refuse to hate him.” --
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Dr. Franklin's thoughts on peace

I hope...that mankind will at length, as they call themselves reasonable creatures, have reason and sense enough to settle their differences without cutting throats; for in my opinion there never was a good war, or a bad peace. 
-- Benjamin Franklin 
Why am I posting quotes about nonviolence?

On Jesus, Gandhi and nonviolence

As a child, I thought strength and courage were shown through the ability to dominate someone or something.
I thought peaceniks and pacifists were people who lacked the courage to fight.
Things changed in college. First, I read about the philosophy of Jesus, someone I thought I knew. There was a moment in the book that talked about Jesus' pacifistic teachings. Turn the other cheek. Blessed are the peacemakers. All that stuff. It was hard for me to accept those teachings. The ideas that you don't fight back, that diplomacy is a worthwhile tool, weren't macho enough.
The book didn't dwell on those teachings and, well, neither did I.
But a seed was planted.
Growing up, my father always told me I could buy a book whenever I wanted. He didn't really say so in words, but through his actions. If I went to a store and asked for a toy, a CD or a movie, I usually wouldn't get it if I didn't have my own money. But if I asked for a book, he always bought it.
When I moved to State College for my junior year at Penn State, I spent a lot of time in the bookstore. I was supposed to buy textbooks, but there were these other books that interested me. I called my dad, hoping to give him a list of possible Christmas presents.
Instead, he said, "Buy them. Don't go crazy, but buy the books you will read and I'll pay you for them."
It was a conversation that changed my life.  There were so many things I wanted to learn about.
I was interested in politics and picked up Bob Woodward's "Shadow," which examines the legacy of Watergate. It fostered a love of journalism that still grows in me today. I have also read every book Woodward has written. I picked up "The Three Musketeers," and "Don Quixote" hoping to read a classic tale or two. To this day, they are two of my favorite novels.
But the biggest purchase was a collection of the writings of Gandhi. I had no connection to the man, but something called me to that book.
It is, to this day, the hardest book I have ever read (Well, other than "Walden," which I still haven't finished). It challenged me in ways I never expected.
It sparked a respect for the politics and way of life that is nonviolence.
I realized, through Gandhi's simple prose, that it often takes more courage to not lash out. It also got me respecting nonChristians more than I ever did - which interestingly made me understand the teachings of Christ more deeply than before.
Don't get me wrong, I do think there are times when you have to act out to protect yourself. I'm not 100 percent in agreement with Gandhi. Because I don't have the courage to be.
I'm afraid to die. I'm afraid for the people I love to die. It is that fear that allows me to think it is OK to turn to violence when necessary.
Of course, I think soldiers serve a valiant purpose when they defend our country, which makes me think it's an even greater sin when leaders send them into danger for reasons that are not solely for our country's or an protection or defend human rights on a global scale.
Of course, I think a police officer has a duty to protect the public and a person the right to defend his or her home.
But I still believe that non-violence is the right course of action nearly 100 percent of the time.
After Friday's attack on a Connecticut school, and the feelings of rage it brought out in me, I feel the need to recommit myself to the ideas of nonviolence. It's why I'm publishing a quote espousing nonviolence every day.
I can only hope it will make me a better father, husband and citizen.