Thanks for the encouragement! The presentation went pretty well. It was a bit smaller than I had anticipated--at least the presentation itself was.
The MPSA conference was set up over four days at the Palmer House Hilton about a block west of Millenium Park in downtown Chicago. The hotel was amazing, quite ornate, and buzzing with political scientists and professorial types wearing name tags that list their associated university in font too small to see without intrusively squinting--but everybody does, haha. I found the hotel, received my registration materials, and found my professor (Professor Kohen) without much trouble. We met for lunch at a nearby Deli to discuss the presentation before I decided to attend another panel to see how it was all done. Each session was about one hour and forty-five minutes and I believe they run 4-5 sessions per day. Within each session there were hundreds of panels each comprised of about three-to-five paper presentations grouped by topic. For example, ours was "Rebuilding Societies and Institutions after War."
So our paper was presented with a mix of other papers, each given about 10-15 minutes to inform whoever wanted to attend about the premise of their work. I discovered that this means for a panel to hold an audience of 10-12 people was pretty good. Including our chair/discussant and the other panelists presenting with us, we probably had about 10 or so people to which we presented, which made it a bit easier I must say. The chair/discussant was the person who directed the panel and had prepared comments in advance for each of the panelists. It's amazing the mix of people and papers you get even when it's all organized in this way. Even when people who attend or chair a panel have no real experience with the type of paper a presenter is doing or the region being covered, many still seem to think they can provide solid critiques and sometimes without having read the paper. It's a bit frustrating at times but Dr. Kohen had become accustomed to this and knew to take it all with a grain of salt. So when one particular audience member more or less accused us of cultural imperialism without having read the paper, (though I desperately wanted to defend ourselves) Dr. Kohen less directly responded to this critique. We did, however, gain some helpful feedback to further prepare the paper for publication.
Anyway, this has ended up longer and full of more detail than I intended. Shortly after finishing the presentation, I took the "L" back to Midway airport and headed back home. It was a ridiculously quick trip that left me missing Chicago a lot and wishing I had more time to spend there. But, as always, it is good to come home to the wife. The experience was a very good one, very educational... I would do it again.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Friday, April 3, 2009
Old Stompin' Grounds
Tonight I head back to Chicago for the Midwest Political Science Association Conference at the Palmer House Hilton Hotel near Millennium Park. It will be a brief trip as I plan on returning tomorrow evening. However, this trip will mark a first in my political science career as I will be presenting a portion of a paper I have been working on with a UNL professor and one of his former students in Virginia for the past several months. It's exciting and a bit unnerving to think I will be presenting a political science paper to professors and grad students from all over the country who will probably know much more about anything I have to say than I do. Not to mention my general fear about public speaking. Still it will be a good and growing experience I have no doubt. For those of you not dozing off already... the paper is about developing reconciliation in post-genocide Rwanda. Fascinating stuff if you ask me--the kind of thing I hope to develop into a career at some point. Here goes nothin!
Monday, February 16, 2009
Banker's Hours
Today I am grateful to be a banker. For today, President's Day, is a holiday that has escaped the recognition of the public school system and yet remains a day of respite from the hazards and exhaustion of occupation (of the working kind) for me. Though I wish I could say I took advantage of this free Monday to soak in every ounce of justified laziness and lethargy, I cannot. However, I have managed to knock off a few items from my running and seemingly endless to-do list as well as a few more pages of "Moby Dick" which has been the bane of my existence for too many months to count--all of which are perhaps a bit more gratifying.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Part II
In a recent sermon, I heard the early church described as liberal with their money but conservative with their bodies--Pastor Tim Keller was cited in this description I think. I was discussing this with a friend who responded with the query, “Is the early church something we necessarily want to imitate.” My response is a profound yes. Though certain cultural differences leave irreconcilable distinctions between the first days of the church and the church today, the calling and goals of the church have not changed. The early church understood something about that calling often missed in the western church culture--the call to serve the oppressed (among many other things unfortunately. Perhaps more on community later).
As a continuation of what was started in my last posting, let me relate this understanding of the early church to the present discussion. I was reading the forward of Tim Keller's "A Reason for God" yesterday, and I was again struck by his self-described, early struggle with the religio-political backwardness of our country. On the one hand, the liberal left who remains predominately morally relativistic yet concerned with social justice. On the other hand, a ‘morally conscious’ right who has all but forgotten the social injustices of this country and world. There's a pressure on moral grounds to assume sides. What could be more immoral than the oppressed? Don't misunderstand me, I maintain my position on the immorality of abortion and gay marriage. I merely think we, conservative believers--the western church, have been too conservative with our money and have forgotten our call to the social injustices of this world. Where 'the liberals,' the moral-relativist left who should have much less cause to pursue social justice have succeeded, the church-going conservatives have failed.
Matthew 25: 41-43
“’ I tell you the truth, whatever you did for the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’ Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’”
1 Corinthians 1:27-29
"But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things--and the things that are not--to nullify the things that are so that no one may boast before him."
Malachi 3:5
“So I will come near to you for judgment, I will be quick to testify against sorcerers, adulterers and perjurers, against those who defraud laborers of their wages, who oppress the widows and the fatherless, and deprive aliens of justice, but do not fear me,” says the Lord Almighty.
Psalm 146:9
The LORD watches over the alien and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.
Isaiah 1:17
learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.
Isaiah 1:23
Your rulers are rebels, companions of thieves; they all love bribes and chase after gifts. They do not defend the cause of the fatherless; the widow's case does not come before them.
It’s not about a political affiliation… it’s about what we should or should not be doing as the body of Christ. Conservativism, the political right, is too often equated with Christianity and the stances we are called to take as Christians in our society. Our calling as believers and as a church stretch beyond the the Conservative and/or Liberal platform.
Last week I heard the sermon by pastor Mike Hsu that seemed to put the final, missing piece into this posting: God’s desire is to redeem ALL of creation, not just souls. The gospel is more than the reconciling of souls to God, it’s about reconciling EVERYTHING to God.
Colossions 1:19-20
For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
Romans 8:20-21
For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.
Through the cross, this then would mean the reconciliation of relationships between conflicting ethnic groups and of souls to God. The redemption of the status of an outcast people restored to a society and an individual’s awareness of their need for the redemptive power of the cross.
Our calling is then not only for souls, but to pursue, through Christ, the redemption of creation—of all situations, circumstances, mishaps, misunderstandings, offenses, injustices, etc. … ALL things!
As a continuation of what was started in my last posting, let me relate this understanding of the early church to the present discussion. I was reading the forward of Tim Keller's "A Reason for God" yesterday, and I was again struck by his self-described, early struggle with the religio-political backwardness of our country. On the one hand, the liberal left who remains predominately morally relativistic yet concerned with social justice. On the other hand, a ‘morally conscious’ right who has all but forgotten the social injustices of this country and world. There's a pressure on moral grounds to assume sides. What could be more immoral than the oppressed? Don't misunderstand me, I maintain my position on the immorality of abortion and gay marriage. I merely think we, conservative believers--the western church, have been too conservative with our money and have forgotten our call to the social injustices of this world. Where 'the liberals,' the moral-relativist left who should have much less cause to pursue social justice have succeeded, the church-going conservatives have failed.
Matthew 25: 41-43
“’ I tell you the truth, whatever you did for the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’ Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’”
1 Corinthians 1:27-29
"But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things--and the things that are not--to nullify the things that are so that no one may boast before him."
Malachi 3:5
“So I will come near to you for judgment, I will be quick to testify against sorcerers, adulterers and perjurers, against those who defraud laborers of their wages, who oppress the widows and the fatherless, and deprive aliens of justice, but do not fear me,” says the Lord Almighty.
Psalm 146:9
The LORD watches over the alien and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.
Isaiah 1:17
learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.
Isaiah 1:23
Your rulers are rebels, companions of thieves; they all love bribes and chase after gifts. They do not defend the cause of the fatherless; the widow's case does not come before them.
It’s not about a political affiliation… it’s about what we should or should not be doing as the body of Christ. Conservativism, the political right, is too often equated with Christianity and the stances we are called to take as Christians in our society. Our calling as believers and as a church stretch beyond the the Conservative and/or Liberal platform.
Last week I heard the sermon by pastor Mike Hsu that seemed to put the final, missing piece into this posting: God’s desire is to redeem ALL of creation, not just souls. The gospel is more than the reconciling of souls to God, it’s about reconciling EVERYTHING to God.
Colossions 1:19-20
For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
Romans 8:20-21
For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.
Through the cross, this then would mean the reconciliation of relationships between conflicting ethnic groups and of souls to God. The redemption of the status of an outcast people restored to a society and an individual’s awareness of their need for the redemptive power of the cross.
Our calling is then not only for souls, but to pursue, through Christ, the redemption of creation—of all situations, circumstances, mishaps, misunderstandings, offenses, injustices, etc. … ALL things!
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Getting Political... Hesitantly
It's time. I've avoided it for long enough. I'm ready.
Let me begin by saying that this is not an effort to convince anyone to join a side. Political affiliation is not the issue, per se. Rather it is the desire to consider Biblical truths as a pretext to taking stances on issues deemed political--knowing where I stand and how I should behave in a culture that is inherently political. The issues considered in the political arena are, more often then not, real and important issues before they are political ones adopted by one or more sides of a contest. Deciding what we believe and how we will respond to that belief are more important than determining which team is right or better.
For nearly a year in Chicago, I was confronted with a decidedly liberal, academic-political culture, the substance of which (you may be surprised to hear) was not all bad. (This is where Johnny feels vindicated in considering me a 'closet liberal.' Which I do not believe I am.) However, I feel particularly justified in deciding for myself where I will stand in the matters of politics--particularly as I pursue a field of political science. I have grown up especially conservative in a remarkably conservative state and culture. The opportunity to encounter something different was and is (I believe) a healthy thing. Now that I have returned to Nebraska, I realize that I am now changed for it.
The liberal left, often cited with disdain in these parts as though it were the embodiment of evil, has a lot to offer Christians and the morally conscious among us. No, all of the things considered among the list of the 'liberal platform' are not in agreement with what I believe to be Biblical and of sound moral repute. Consequently, I am still quite certain that conservatives have generally done well in their stances against issues like abortion and homosexuality--though how they have frequently handled and promoted such positions are questionable indeed. But I digress. Where they have missed the mark and where many Midwestern Christians have also fallen short (in my opinion) is their (and by 'their' I also mean 'my') Biblical consideration for where we should stand on many economic, social and international issues. In consideration of these issues I am motivated particularly by a repeated, New Testament exhortation to the Church, to assist those less fortunate than ourselves...
(In an effort to do justice to what I am about to address, I'm afraid I must go for now. I want the time to think and word this well. Where might I be going with this? I appreciate any thoughts so far.)
Let me begin by saying that this is not an effort to convince anyone to join a side. Political affiliation is not the issue, per se. Rather it is the desire to consider Biblical truths as a pretext to taking stances on issues deemed political--knowing where I stand and how I should behave in a culture that is inherently political. The issues considered in the political arena are, more often then not, real and important issues before they are political ones adopted by one or more sides of a contest. Deciding what we believe and how we will respond to that belief are more important than determining which team is right or better.
For nearly a year in Chicago, I was confronted with a decidedly liberal, academic-political culture, the substance of which (you may be surprised to hear) was not all bad. (This is where Johnny feels vindicated in considering me a 'closet liberal.' Which I do not believe I am.) However, I feel particularly justified in deciding for myself where I will stand in the matters of politics--particularly as I pursue a field of political science. I have grown up especially conservative in a remarkably conservative state and culture. The opportunity to encounter something different was and is (I believe) a healthy thing. Now that I have returned to Nebraska, I realize that I am now changed for it.
The liberal left, often cited with disdain in these parts as though it were the embodiment of evil, has a lot to offer Christians and the morally conscious among us. No, all of the things considered among the list of the 'liberal platform' are not in agreement with what I believe to be Biblical and of sound moral repute. Consequently, I am still quite certain that conservatives have generally done well in their stances against issues like abortion and homosexuality--though how they have frequently handled and promoted such positions are questionable indeed. But I digress. Where they have missed the mark and where many Midwestern Christians have also fallen short (in my opinion) is their (and by 'their' I also mean 'my') Biblical consideration for where we should stand on many economic, social and international issues. In consideration of these issues I am motivated particularly by a repeated, New Testament exhortation to the Church, to assist those less fortunate than ourselves...
(In an effort to do justice to what I am about to address, I'm afraid I must go for now. I want the time to think and word this well. Where might I be going with this? I appreciate any thoughts so far.)
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Sociably Married
Last night we had friends over, many of whom were married, and I was struck by how much this felt like a new phase in my life. Nevermind that in the last month I have been sharing a bed with someone else, constantly consulting that person to make decisions, and repeatedly encountering situations where I have to say no to someone because my time is better served elsewhere and for said other person. But hanging out with other married couples in our home, discussing things that married couples do--weddings, relating to each other, dealing with marriage difficulties, etc.--that was the impetus for my epiphone.
In my mind my life is fairly easily categorized into the social groups I have been surrounded by: Norfolk and its various subdivisions through gradeschool, junior high, and high school; Lincoln and the groups that seemed to subtly change each year as new people were introduced and old ones moved on; Chicago; and now Lincoln again... Lincoln, married. Now I'm starting to relate to people not as just myself, but myself as half of part of a greater whole... and I LOVE that!
I feel it necessary to mention that there are those people in my social circle have spanned many if not all of these social periods in my life, and for them things have not changed too much yet. The history understood between us is not quickly altered.
Overall, I am struck with the sense that this is good. I am where I am supposed to be. God is good. And, in that space of my mind, I am content.
In my mind my life is fairly easily categorized into the social groups I have been surrounded by: Norfolk and its various subdivisions through gradeschool, junior high, and high school; Lincoln and the groups that seemed to subtly change each year as new people were introduced and old ones moved on; Chicago; and now Lincoln again... Lincoln, married. Now I'm starting to relate to people not as just myself, but myself as half of part of a greater whole... and I LOVE that!
I feel it necessary to mention that there are those people in my social circle have spanned many if not all of these social periods in my life, and for them things have not changed too much yet. The history understood between us is not quickly altered.
Overall, I am struck with the sense that this is good. I am where I am supposed to be. God is good. And, in that space of my mind, I am content.
Monday, November 10, 2008
The "Ol' Ball n Chain"
Well, I'm married now. I have three weeks under my belt and so far, so good. The quiet, slow-paced honeymoon in Colorado was just what we needed after a hectic, wedding weekend. And now I enjoy having a wife to come home to... or rather, with whom to come home. Since I totaled my car more than a month ago, Court and I have been driving to work and home together each day. It's actually a great arrangement and really nice to have the same schedule. Doing day-to-day things together is a joy in marriage I've learned to appreciate so far.
However, this is about to change. I am excited to inform you all that I have recently received a promotion. As of November 24th, i will begin as the Full Time, Assistant Supervisor for the branch i used to work for before leaving for Chicago, N. 27th. With this change so will my schedule, leaving me all of two weeks to find another car. But, the raise will be nice and the opportunity to have a supervisory position will help the resume a bit. This position will require a lot more training and work, but it will be good for me.
That said, this does not mean I've abandoned aspirations of research and a future in political science. I'm still doing research for a political science professor, Dr. Ari Kohen at UNL. We're planning to present our publication at the Midwest Political Science Association Conference in Chicago, April 2nd-5th. The opportunity to do research and potentially contribute to a publication is huge for me. We're working on post-genocide Rwanda. I'm currently developing a theoretical distinction between political and personal reconciliation... and the greater necessity of the former for rebuilding Rwanda. There's a lot to do, but I'm enjoying the process.
Well, that should catch us up a bit. Hopefully the next post will come again soon. I'm also hoping for this to be less of a "this is what's going on in my life" type of blog but there usually seems to be so much to catch you all up on that I can't help it. Here's to more thoughtful, clever and eloquent future entries. Cheers.
However, this is about to change. I am excited to inform you all that I have recently received a promotion. As of November 24th, i will begin as the Full Time, Assistant Supervisor for the branch i used to work for before leaving for Chicago, N. 27th. With this change so will my schedule, leaving me all of two weeks to find another car. But, the raise will be nice and the opportunity to have a supervisory position will help the resume a bit. This position will require a lot more training and work, but it will be good for me.
That said, this does not mean I've abandoned aspirations of research and a future in political science. I'm still doing research for a political science professor, Dr. Ari Kohen at UNL. We're planning to present our publication at the Midwest Political Science Association Conference in Chicago, April 2nd-5th. The opportunity to do research and potentially contribute to a publication is huge for me. We're working on post-genocide Rwanda. I'm currently developing a theoretical distinction between political and personal reconciliation... and the greater necessity of the former for rebuilding Rwanda. There's a lot to do, but I'm enjoying the process.
Well, that should catch us up a bit. Hopefully the next post will come again soon. I'm also hoping for this to be less of a "this is what's going on in my life" type of blog but there usually seems to be so much to catch you all up on that I can't help it. Here's to more thoughtful, clever and eloquent future entries. Cheers.
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