Greek Class

Intermediate Greek – Class 1

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[1]: http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/

The new class started last Thursday. Nice to see everyone again.

I’m too busy to comment on it right now, but it was really an intro to what we’ll be learning and how we’ll be going about it. Pete sounds like he has a good, deliberate plan worked out. I’m both looking forward to it and intimidated. :)

I’m using my new MicroMemo attachment to my iPod to record the classes, and I’ll be posting them here as a service to my fellow students. The first class is here. It’s about 23 Megs; that’s as small as I could get it and still have it listen-able.

**Update:** This is cool… you can now use [iTunes (free for Mac and PC)][1] to subscribe to these recording as a podcast. Just copy the following link, go to iTunes, select “Advanced” > “Subscribe to podcast…”, paste the link, and hit “OK”!

http://www.kpmartin.com/wp-rss2.php?category_name=greek%20class

Quotes

Woodrow Wilson, 28th President of the United States

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“I am sorry for the men who do not read the Bible every day; I wonder why they deprive themselves of the strength and of the pleasure. It is one of the most singular books in the world, for every time you open it, some old text that you have read a score of times suddenly beams with a new meaning. There is no other book I know of, of which this is true; there is no other book that yields its meaning so personally, that seems to fit itself so intimately to the very spirit that is seeking its guidance.”

General

Hiatus

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If Lileks can do it, I can, too. :)

This week I have three crushing, client-facing deadlines (and my well-crafted plans for this morning have already fallen apart), and Intermediate Greek starts, and the kids start school, and I leave for a trade show after Labor Day, and much, much more! Ugh.

So, I’m going to go into hiding for a while. Those of you so inclined could throw a prayer my way. Have a great week!

Faith, Mac

The English Standard Version (ESV)

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[1]: http://kpmartin.www62.a2hosting.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/08/esv-tr.png
[2]: http://www.crosswire.org/sword/servlet/SwordMod.Verify?modName=ESV&beta=true&pkgType=mac

The English Standard Version is a fairly new English translation of the Bible which, as I understand it, tries to be as literal to the text as possible while trying to avoid some of the sometimes wooden phrasing found in very literal translations like the New American Standard. I tend to like this side of the spectrum for Biblical translation, and had been looking forward to the ESV’s release.

Then it came. One day, strolling through a Northwestern Bookstore, I saw I beautifully covered ESV. Nice leather embossed with almost Celtic artwork. Beautiful.

Then I opened it. Ugh.

Under this wonderful cover, these carefully translated words were printed on the worst paper I’ve ever seen. Seriously. I couldn’t believe it. I opened another, then another. I gave up on the leather bound and tried different form factors… all the same dreadful paper.

Now everyone’s used to the wispy thin paper Bibles are often printed on. I am, too. I have a few. But this paper allowed me to see the “shadow” of text even three or four pages deep! I would have bought one that moment – I might have even bought two, one for a gift – but the paper made it nearly unreadable.

Well, while in Arkansas last week (I’ve some story telling to do on *that*), I found a hardcover “pew” version of the ESV which finally had a different and better paper. And I bought it. And I like it. Even though I don’t get the smooth, cushy feel of the leather. sob

Anyway, the ESV has moved from doghouse to acceptable (yes, admittedly on issues of form, but still, reading has to be readable) to downright Make Me Giddy because of [this][1]. That’s a screen grab of the free [MacSword](http://www.macsword.com/). But look carefully. I found a beta version of the ESV texts for it! WOW! With Strong’s!

Right now, NASB is my favorite. Maybe ESV will replace it. It certainly makes me more interested to use it since I have a searchable copy. Though I really hope the Greek will someday be my primary New Testament.

Web

Zombie web site

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I thought I killed it. Long ago. But as I was doing a [vanity search](http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&client=safari&rls=en&q=%22kpmartin.com%22), I found a [live copy of my old site](http://kpm.nwcomputer.com/Christian/M-Cheyne.lasso) running. Hmph. Dawn of the Website. thud… thud… thud… THUD… THUD… GRRRRRRRR!

Politics

Maplewood, politics, the Press, and the Tube

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[hjelle]: http://www.review-news.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=971&SectionID=60&SubSectionID=126&S=1
[1]: http://www.eastsidereviewnews.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=670&SectionID=64&SubSectionID=&S=1
[2]: http://www.kpmartin.com/2006/06/20/more-maplewood-minnesota-fireworks/#comment-1255
[3]: http://www.kpmartin.com/2006/08/07/whew-its-been-a-while/
[4]: http://www.kpmartin.com/2006/07/26/it-seems-the-maplewood-city-council-attention-has-waned/
[5]: http://www.kpmartin.com/2006/04/29/the-local-paper-is-at-it-again/

I’d wanted to comment on some of the Aug. 7th articles concerning the Maplewood City Council in the East Side Review. Since then two weeks have past, and some of my interest has waned, or at least been swallowed up in busy-ness. Nevertheless, the [Mayor’s comments today][2] renewed my interest a little, so I’ll briefly note what I thought was interesting.

First, as I already alluded to, somehow Maplewood City Council member Will Rossbach got some really special treatment in [the first article, *Council member wants new interim city manager*][1]. The article’s writer, Katy Zillmer, seemed to do very little beyond give Rossbach a forum for his views. Of course, it’s perfectly fine that he has a forum for his views, but that’s not news. That’s an editorial or letter to the editor. In fact, there was only one non-narrative quote by someone from a differing perspective (Interim City Attorney Alan Kantrud). And the writer follows that quote with:

> In a follow-up interview Rossbach said he only wanted the council to discuss whether Copeland had the qualifications for the job he was doing.

So Rossbach got a *follow-up interview*? Virtually no other person had any say in this entire article, and they guy who got almost all the ink also got a follow-up interview? Wow. If I ever run for office, I hope I get such favorable reporting.

The article continues (the context is public discussion of the controversial background report of Interim City Manager Greg Copeland):

> “I don’t want to talk about things that I am not supposed to. It is not my mission or desire to do anything to unduly injure Mr. Copeland,” Rossbach said.

Probably just a poor choice of words, but I couldn’t help thinking “so you only want to see that Copeland is *duly* injured?”

Later, in the narrative portion of the article, Council member Rebecca Cave said…

> “You cannot talk about that report.”
>
> “Legally I can talk about it,” Rossbach fired back.

As dramatic as that sounds, legal council says that’s not so certain. I wonder why Council member Rossbach is so willing to ignore his legal council.

OK, suppertime is almost here. I’ve got to finish this up.

Another Maplewood City Council member, Erik Hjelle, got a [letter to the editor published][hjelle] in the same paper. Apparently he didn’t rate a personal scribe-cum-reporter like Rossbach. Anyway, he brought forward a couple of gems.

First…

> Our former Mayor, Bob Cardinal, and City Manager, Richard Fursman, have stated publicly that they were disappointed our city attorney, Patrick Kelly, resigned. While I respect their public and political commentary, I recall their private comments and e-mails that were contrary.

So, is there a reporter around who will ask former Mayor Bob Cardinal, and former City Manager Richard Fursman some pointed questions concerning their current and past opinions of the former City Attorney? Can we ask the city for those emails?

But the second thing is what made my day. I [commented on a KSTP-TV report][4] and brought forward what I considered to be good reasons to be suspect of ‘resident’ Dale Trippler’s on-screen comments, and it appears my instincts beat the reporter’s:

> On July 24, KSTP Channel 5 aired a news story that was false. A Maplewood Planning Commission member was interviewed and stated that city projects are not getting done. The report referenced Gladstone as “stalled” and in “limbo.” On July 10, the “split” council voted 5-0 to start Phase1 of the Gladstone project. On July 17, city staff submitted a $2.5 million grant request to the Met Council for Gladstone. On July 20, a developer announced a proposal to build a 150+ unit Class A development at the St. Paul Tourist Cabin site with $0 public financing. All of this activity occurred in just 10 days.

The TV story *and Dale Tippler’s comments* were on July 24th. All of those events noted by Hjelle happened within two weeks of Tippler’s comments. I think we can all agree right now that it is not only justifiable but wise to think twice about his feedback from now on. Shameful politics from this member of Maplewood’s Planning Commission.

However, I do feel some sense of satisfaction for having [my][5] [suspicions][4] verified.

I’m emailing the reporter again. Just to inform and ask. Not bicker. Not scold. She pretty much only showed one point of view in her report, and a key portion of that view was (in the best possible light) a misrepresentation. Does this make you think about what you see on TV news? It does me. I really wonder if the fast pace of TV news allows facts to really get out. What fact-checking actually takes place?

Also, notice the editor-supplied title to Hjelle’s letter: *Criticism of council ‘un-American’*.

Talk about shameful. He didn’t say that. He said “Attacking our form of government and attempting to negate the will of the people is improper, unjust and un-American.” The only antecedent for “attacks” is politically-motivated and incorrect reporting. Not “criticism”.

Of course, the false *title* became the focus of a number of responses, which would bring me down a rabbit hole of illogic were I to pursue commenting on them. It’s amazing how misdirected and poorly thought out some were.

Anyway, [Mayor Longrie’s comments today][2] also touch on the TV news story, in case you’re interested.

Yes, I wrote some after dinner.

Previously on this topic:

[g]: http://www.kpmartin.com/2006/07/31/reporting-on-the-report-concerning-the-report/
[f]: http://www.kpmartin.com/2006/07/26/it-seems-the-maplewood-city-council-attention-has-waned/
[e]: http://www.kpmartin.com/2006/07/24/maplewoods-city-council-draws-more-attention/
[d]: http://www.kpmartin.com/2006/07/15/maplewood-mn-and-greg-copelands-background-check/
[c]: http://www.kpmartin.com/2006/06/20/more-maplewood-minnesota-fireworks/
[b]: http://www.kpmartin.com/2006/04/29/the-local-paper-is-at-it-again/
[a]: http://www.kpmartin.com/2006/04/20/a-tiny-peek-at-local-politics/

– [Reporting on the report concerning the report][g]
– [It seems the Maplewood City Council attention has waned][f]
– [Maplewood’s City Council draws more attention][e]
– [Maplewood, MN and Greg Copeland’s background check][d]
– [More Maplewood, Minnesota fireworks][c]
– [The local paper is at it again][b]
– [A tiny peek at local politics][a]

General

Bullet points again?

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Sorry, it’s all I have to offer right now. Argh! I have so much on my mind and no time to formulate it into recognizable English prose.

– Thyroid cancer tests: great! As good as they could be. God is good to me. :)
– Just back from Arkansas. Great trip.
– Rebuilt my PowerBook. Zippier.
– Text-based todo lists working pretty well. No calendar sync, though. Still some weak links.
– Three major deadlines at work. Two weeks. Prayers coveted.
– Intermediate Greek starting up soon. I’m excited. And riddled with guilt about how little I’ve studied over the last weeks.
– I’m apparently still the go-to blog for the Maplewood City Council issues. And I’m one long post behind. Preview: A council member proves me prescient. Stay tuned.
– Helen had an outdoor party to which required me killing a bunch of yellowjackets. 1 bottle + duct tape + sugar water = bugicide. (Idea from here.)

General, Politics

Whew. It’s been a while.

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Ken’s Week in Bullet Points:

– thyroid cancer scan looked good to my sharp, though untrained, eye; results later
– work is crazy busy
– 360 miles of driving yesterday… kids at camp (some of ’em)
– MacBookPro good; Entourage dreadful
– the heat is subsiding; ahhhhh
– [todo.txt](http://todotxt.com/), interesting idea… I’m trying it
– Mac [“Leopard”](http://www.apple.com/macosx/leopard/) sneak peak… except for Time Machine, yawn.

But unfortunately the East Side Review has printed up a few more articles concerning the Maplewood City Council and Greg Copeland. Talk about fodder for conversation. Want a preview for the tone of one of the articles? Of the 11 quotes in the first article, seven of them go to Will Rossbach (“Rossbach said” and “Rossbach mentioned”). Four of them, three of which that aren’t his, are just in reporting exchanges during a Maplewood city council meeting; they’re just narrative. That leaves one quote from the city attorney answering the topic. Balance, anyone?

Well, more on the articles later. Really, they are *rich* with material.

Anyway, thanks for visiting. It’s really encouraging to see how many of you stick around and read for a while.

General

Thyroid cancer testing

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First, nothing bad. It’s a check up.

I often have to wonder if I should post something or not. Is it too personal? Is it not “mine” to share?

Well, I’m undergoing testing to verify that the thyroid cancer I had about eight years is still gone. I went back and forth on posting about it, but finally thought I should in case somebody wanders in who’s dealing with thyroid cancer. Be of good cheer. It’s able to be dealt with very nicely.

In fact, dealing with it just keeps getting better. Years ago, in order to verify that there were no cancerous thyroid cells wandering around me, I needed to be completely off my Synthroid, a pill which provides the hormone that used to be created by my thyroid, for weeks. This meant declining into hypothyroidism; being exhausted and generally “down”. This made any remaining thyroid cells hungry for iodine. Which we then provided: radioactive iodine. Which would glow on a scan, showing any place there were active thyroid cells of some kind.

Now, my body can be tricked into craving iodine by a Thyrogen injection. No hypothyroidism needed. And still accurate testing.

So I’m going through that this week, which means my otherwise normal life is interrupted with reminders that I once had cancer. But thankfully, I can say “once had”. All indications are that it’s still gone. It will be nice to have solid verification of that.

Get this, and get it straight: Crime is a sucker’s road and those who travel it wind up in the gutter, the prison, or the grave. There’s no other end… but they never learn.