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January 7 post

 Yesterday was the--well, anniversary, but not celebration or commemoration--of the "protest" that got out of hand, shall we say, in 2021.  It was shameful and Donald Trump's role was even more so, but I do notice that:

1. it didn't affect reality in any way; Joe Biden still became president, and we still have democratic republicanism (we are not really a true democracy, thank goodness);

2.  it did not involve enough people to be a real insurrection;

Of course, on the other hand, it was violent, deadly for some, and of no effect in convincing a slight majority of the electorate that DJTrump should not be president now.  The alternative just didn't light enough people's fires, I guess. Sigh.  

It was also a happy day for my family a year ago: the birth of our little girl, the first new baby on my side of the family in 22 years or more, and in maybe 10 on my husband's side.  She is the light of our lives, and she wants to walk like the other children, but she is careful child although quite amusing and loving. 

As a recommendation, I suggest Curtis Chang's Good Faith podcast, and this week's episode with Ericka Anderson on alcoholism and Christians.  Some might say that is a oxymoron, but it is not.  In my conservative branch of the Christian community, drinking is either verbotten, taken for granted as just not done, or hidden away. Southern Baptists just don't serve alcohol at their Bible studies.  Coming from a family with alcoholism on both sides, I stayed away from it for most of my life.  But that is hardly everyone's experience. This podcast is worth listening to, although I got ill-disposed when statements were made that "no drinking allowed" was legalistic.  Seems like good policy to me.  There might be legalism involved in some cases, but there more likely is a sense that there is a quick step from allowing it to promoting it, and some people, many people, don't need to be encouraged to drink and then find themselves in a struggle in it. 

Ms. Anderson's story makes it clear she had a serious problem with drinking, and she is now four years sober.  Wasted years might have been saved with a bit of "legalism," it seems to me. I can no longer drink at all due to a medication for my kidneys, and I would like a glass of wine sometimes, so I understand the pull.  It relaxes and "calms" a bit, but why not find another method, such as cognitive therapy, meditation and reflection, prayer, and Scripture contemplation? 

Alcohol has a toxic and now we know carcinogenic effect, so why not be in one's right mind?

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