The Ash Can School was a group of American painters devoted to commonplace subjects. They typically painted journalistic scenes of the city like this painting by John Sloan of children building a snowman in a Greenwich Village alley. One cat spies on the children while another simply huddles on the fence.
Today's Running Discussion Topic - Mithraism
Q - What is Mithraism?
A - Ancient Persian religion popular among Roman military which preceded Christianity by approximately 600 years?
Q - Who is Mithra/Mithras?
A - Ancient Persian god of light and truth; sun god?
Q - What similarities exist between Mithraism and Christianity?
A - Numerous
1) Mithra was born on December 25th as an offspring of the Sun.
2) He was considered a great traveling teacher and masters.
3) He had twelve companions as Jesus had twelve disciples.
4) Mithras also performed miracles.
5) Mithra was called "the good shepherd, "the way, the truth and the light, redeemer, savior, Messiah."
6) He was identified with both the lion and the lamb.
7) Mithras seems to have owed his prominence to the belief that he was the source of life, and could also redeem the souls of the dead into the better world ...
8) The ceremonies included a sort of baptism to remove sins, anointing, and a sacred meal of bread and water, while a consecrated wine, believed to possess wonderful power, played a prominent part.
9) The sectaries of the Persian god, like the Christians', purified themselves by baptism.
10) The disciples of Mithra formed an organized church, with a developed hierarchy.
11) They possessed the ideas of Mediation, Atonement, and a Savior, who is human and yet divine, and not only the idea, but a doctrine of the future life.
12) They had a Eucharist, and a Baptism.
13) In the catacombs at Rome was preserved a relic of the old Mithraic worship. It was a picture of the infant Mithra seated in the lap of his virgin mother, while on their knees before him were Persian Magi adoring him and offering gifts.
14) He was buried in a tomb and after three days he rose again. His resurrection was celebrated every year.
15) Mithra had his principal festival on what was later to become Easter, at which time he was resurrected.
16) His sacred day was Sunday, "the Lord's Day."
17) The Mithra religion had a Eucharist or "Lord's Supper."
-----Original Message-----
From: Gary
Sent: Wednesday, January 05, 2011 10:27 AM
To: xxxxx
Cc: xxxxx
Subject: RE: Today's Running Discussion Topic - Mithraism
Probably why Mithraism hasn't caught on is that it doesn't lend itself well to blasphemy.
Like when you hit your thumb with a hammer, it's much more satisfying to say "J**** C***** !" than it'd be to say "Mithra!"
Regards/Gary
Securing the Washington Monument from terrorism has turned out to be a surprisingly difficult job. The concrete fence around the building protects it from attacking vehicles, but there's no visually appealing way to house the airport-level security mechanisms the National Park Service has decided are a must for visitors. It is considering several options, but I think we should close the monument entirely. Let it stand, empty and inaccessible, as a monument to our fears.
An empty Washington Monument would serve as a constant reminder to those on Capitol Hill that they are afraid of the terrorists and what they could do. They're afraid that by speaking honestly about the impossibility of attaining absolute security or the inevitability of terrorism -- or that some American ideals are worth maintaining even in the face of adversity -- they will be branded as "soft on terror." And they're afraid that Americans would vote them out of office if another attack occurred. Perhaps they're right, but what has happened to leaders who aren't afraid? What has happened to "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself"?
//SNIP//
The empty monument would symbolize our war on the unexpected, -- our overreaction to anything different or unusual -- our harassment of photographers, and our probing of airline passengers. It would symbolize our "show me your papers" society, rife with ID checks and security cameras. As long as we're willing to sacrifice essential liberties for a little temporary safety, we should keep the Washington Monument empty.
It's our reaction to terrorism that threatens our nation, not terrorism itself. The empty monument would symbolize the empty rhetoric of those leaders who preach fear and then use that fear for their own political ends.
At the Coombes school in southern England, the playground looks like an arboretum. Narrow paths snake through the shrubbery past apple, willow and walnut trees. There is a pond, two labyrinths, a garden and plenty of good spots to dig for worms. Lessons often take place outside.
It is the creation of Sue Humphries, an educator who, over four decades, transformed the once barren yard into a verdant outdoor classroom because of her conviction that sitting in chairs is not the best way for children to learn. There is mounting scientific evidence that she is on to something and it has become part of a growing outdoor movement that could transform the way school yards are designed and built.
Studies suggest that interacting with nature can help children pay attention, motivate them to learn and improve both classroom behaviour and scores on standardized tests. Neuroscientists and psychologists are investigating why nature is good for young brains and how being around trees and shrubs helps recharge the circuitry that children use to focus on a page of fractions or a spelling test.
Russian painter Marc Chagall painted a dream-like vision of Paris through the open window of his studio. His cat seems to sit on the edge between dream and reality.
