International Justice: One Small Reason

Here’s one small reason why international justice is important.  By “small,” I mean the girl, not the reason.

(HT: Adam Powell)

“Something Isn’t Quite Right”

I’m currently taking two two-week seminary classes: Exegesis of Deuteronomy in the morning and History of Israel in the afternoon.  There are a ton of great things I’m learning that I’d love to post about, but there’s really no time.  So, this:

Graham Poll, a 42-year-old English referee who’s working the World Cup, just retired from international matches due to a recent mistake when he gave a Croatia player three yellow cards in a game before sending him off.  You’re supposed to get kicked out when you get two.  Fortunately, Poll’s mistake didn’t affect the outcome of the game.  It was an honest mistake, and I don’t think he’s a bad referee because of it.  But I thought this quote about his international reffing experiences was pretty funny:

“None have gone right, none have worked for me, for various reasons,” Poll said. “We say in life one thing goes wrong it’s unlucky, if two things go wrong then maybe you’re really unlucky, but if it’s three then you have to look at yourself and say something isn’t quite right.”

I don’t believe in luck, but there’s some wisdom in the principle here.  Sometimes it’s not your fault.  But you know, after two or three times, maybe you should consider the possibility that it is. :)

(HT: ESPN)

Sign of the Times

(HT: Mark Driscoll)

Architecture for the Poor

Since my youngest brother Greg is majoring in architecture in one of the top architecture programs in the nation (Oklahoma State University), this kind of thing interests me:

Design Like You Give a Damn: Architectural Responses to Humanitarian Crises

The description reads:

The greatest humanitarian challenge we face today is that of providing shelter. Currently one in seven people lives in a slum or refugee camp, and more than three billion people-nearly half the world's population-do not have access to clean water or adequate sanitation. The physical design of our homes, neighborhoods, and communities shapes every aspect of our lives.Yet too often architects are desperately needed in the places where they can least be afforded.

Edited by Architecture for Humanity, Design Like You Give a Damn is a compendium of innovative projects from around the world that demonstrate the power of design to improve lives. The first book to bring the best of humanitarian architecture and design to the printed page, Design Like You Give a Damn offers a history of the movement toward socially conscious design and showcases more than 80 contemporary solutions to such urgent needs as basic shelter, health care, education, and access to clean water, energy, and sanitation. Featured projects include some sponsored by Architecture for Humanity as well as many others undertaken independently, often against great odds.

Design Like You Give a Damn is an indispensable resource for designers and humanitarian organizations charged with rebuilding after disaster and engaged in the search for sustainable development. It is also a call to action to anyone committed to building a better world.

Proceeds from the sale of this book will support the work of Architecture for Humanity.

Just another reminder that pretty much anything you love or are good at or are studying can help the poor and needy if you just try.

(HT: Anthony Bradley)