What Do We Deserve?

A. Unabashed Pacifist:

Did you hear? A Martian peace delegation was denied entry into the U.S. because of terrorism fears.

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,
Jesus did not deserve to die.
Soldiers do not deserve to die.
Children do not deserve to die.
Iraquis do not deserve to die.
Sudanese do not deserve to die.
Murder victims do not deserve to die.
Accident victims do not deserve to die.
People killed in natural disasters do not deserve to die.
Victims of torture or starvation do not deserve to die.
Homeless people do not deserve to die.
Gang members to not deserve to die.
People of other religions or ethnicity do not deserve to die.

"Thou shalt not kill," because no one deserves to die.

Even if I am old and have lived a wonderful life, I do not deserve to die.
But I shall die, because death is natural and has nothing to do with what I may deserve.
If I have life, logically, I will die. I cannot have one without the other. I do not deserve either.
Amen

C. Unquoting Jesus:

"I'm afraid we have to stop seeing each other, Ms. Magdalene. People are beginning to talk."

[Not!]

D: Blog: Biltmore House

First impression – identifying with my simple-living forebears, I think Biltmore typifies the extravagant luxury and self-indulgence of a spoiled young heir to more money than he knew what to do with in a responsible way. The pretentious European-style palace seems totally out of place in the mountains of southern Appalachia. The unknown cost of the monument to a bloated life-style still reflects in ticket prices that make it difficult for middle-class families to enter the grounds of the famous estate.

Second impression – George Vanderbilt spent his money wisely, not wastefully. His extensive lands, amazing house, and fantastic museum-like décor represent the very best – in technology, in building materials, in architecture, in landscape design, in gardens, in forest restoration and management, in the hundreds of works of art preserved and displayed for millions of visitors. Expensive, yes, but done well and with the public in mind. The value of experiencing Vanderbilt’s house and estate surpasses by far what families can experience for comparably or higher priced tickets to any theme park.

Lasting impression – Vanderbilt’s spending, intended initially to create a self-sustaining estate, established something of much greater value: a priceless asset for the community. From jobs it provides area residents, to training, to support of education, arts and crafts, to income from tourists, to forming a strong tax base as a local, family-owned corporation, to providing a regional source of identity and pride. Biltmore cannot be equaled or replaced on the American scene, much less on the physical and economic and social landscape of Asheville and Western North Carolina.

Luxury does not impress me. I despise wasteful, frivolous living and spending. I resent the self-importance and the sense of entitlement one sees too often in very rich people. The impression I carry from George Vanderbilt’s legacy conveys none of that. Instead, I have sincere admiration, respect and appreciation for what he and his descendants have done.