Comments for Chris Michael Kirk

Comment on Bienvenidos by Adventures in Nicaragua

Adventures in Nicaragua — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 12:44:02 +0000

[...] spent St. Patrick’s Day making his way to the town of Diria to begin his solo adventure in Central [...]

Comment on Abstinence Kills by Jillian

Jillian — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 02:10:00 +0000

Chris, I agree but have one more thing to add. There are lots of ways to make money. There are alternatives to robbing a bank. Unless I’ve missed something horribly important (and, seriously, tell me if I have), there isn’t an alternative to sex. Unless I’ve missed something. . .

Comment on Abstinence Kills by CMK

CMK — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 21:39:17 +0000

I think you’ve struck on something key, Steven. When we assign moral weight to decisions they carry an emotional value which often clouds judgement, particularly if one ascribes to the idea that violating moral statutes will result in eternal damnation. I can understand why parents with this ideology would be afraid to teach their kids about condoms because in this view there is something worse than AIDS or teenage pregnancy–hell.

Having said that, there is another hole in your analogy. The percentage of kids who rob banks is rather low in comparison to the percentage of kids choosing to have sex. Further, robbing banks is an unnatural state while sexual activity, though ill advised for certain people at certain times is a natural process. We were made to be attracted to one another and propogate the species.

Comment on Abstinence Kills by Steven

Steven — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 21:17:25 +0000

Jillian, I’m not saying I agree, disagree, or even have an answer, but I do have an analogy to chew on. What if you substitute a different problem for sex before marriage. Let’s use “robbing a bank”. Do you think it is a good approach to sit your kids down and say, “son, someday you are going to need some money. There will come a day when you are going to want to steal that money from a bank. Your mother and I do not want you to do this. Money was meant to be earned not stolen. BUT! If you do decide you are going to rob a bank there are some things you need to remember: 1) Always plan an escape route so the police don’t catch you. 2) Spray paint a water gun to look like a real gun. That way if you do get caught, the judge can’t tack on an armed robbery charge. 3) Always work alone. You don’t want the baggage of making sure someone else can keep up with you.

I guess this analogy is only applicable if you view sex before marriage as a moral decision.

Comment on Abstinence Kills by Jillian

Jillian — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 18:42:36 +0000

I think honesty is really the best policy. Every parent wants their kid to wait for marriage, I’m sure. But the ones who actually believe it will happen need to have their heads examined. Be honest with your kids. Tell them, “this is how it is, and this is what you do if you decide to have sex… but here are the reasons why I think it’s best to wait.” Give the kids a choice, but don’t assume they’ll figure out what safe sex is on their own. That’s just dumb. That’s just ASKING for grandkids.

Comment on Question: Today’s Friend by Jillian

Jillian — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 17:55:32 +0000

I think we already did it. We voted! Be patient, there’s only, what, three weeks left?

Comment on Quick Hits: 11/14/08 by ross boone

ross boone — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 17:29:13 +0000

Chris! thanks for the link, man. I just now noticed it. how are you? I’m in Colorado with the family. Merry Christmas!!

Comment on Question: Walmart Desolate by CMK

CMK — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 17:11:52 +0000

Good point. I don’t intend to paint all CEO’s as greedy. However, I would argue that the system of unchecked capitalism requires CEO’s to only consider the financial bottom line with disregard for social or environmental biproducts. As Isaiah describes here, the system is built on building something bigger and bigger, taking over smaller companies, acquiring and using more resources, etc. Having said that, there are some companies which embrace a “double bottom line” mentality, which I believe is more sustainable and life-giving to the economy. Finally, I’m less interested in holding individuals accountable (i.e. CEOs or poor people) and instead consider the systems of inequity and insanity which influence those persons.

Comment on Question: Walmart Desolate by Steven

Steven — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 15:35:18 +0000

I find it interesting that when it comes to welfare, you won’t use a blanket statement like, “lazy” to describe the lower class. But when it comes to capitalism you don’t mind using “greedy” to describe CEOs of successful corporations. Why is that? I’m not saying that you should let them ALL off the hook, but why do you give fewer CEOs the benefit of the doubt?

Comment on Question: Black Friday Eve? by ross boone

ross boone — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 05:12:48 +0000

maybe you’d like this video too. it’s a good followup for the video you posted, Chris.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVqqj1v-ZBU

or search “advent conspiracy video”

My dad came out and spent a lot of money on me for my bday and christmas. It was for clothes i really did need (well, not all of them) but Chris, you know that 400 dollar ipod i’m sure you were going to buy me this year, you can just give the money to trees for life or something.

That seems the best way to gift, doesn’t it, by giving what people need to people who really need it.

great, great thoughts, Chris. talk to you soon brother.