New virus attacks your IM account

From ARS Technica

"The Internet security company IMlogic is reporting on a new virus, titled IM.Myspace04.AIM. The virus, once it infects its host, disables anti-virus software and software firewalls, then sends out instant messages to everyone on the host computer's buddy list.

"The user of the host computer is unaware that this is happening, and does not see any of the outgoing messages. However, people on that user's buddy list will start seeing instant messages from the host's computer. For all intents and purposes, these IMs seem to be coming from someone the user knows and trusts already.

"The messages are simple, consisting of phrases such as "lol thats cool" and urging the "buddy" to click on a "cool" link, which is a download address for the virus. If the user queries the bot about the link, the virus will respond: "lol its not a virus."

December 9, 2005

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Your mother told you not to do this!

She warned you to never discuss religion or politics. But what happens when a society or government eradicates all traces of its Christian past? Do religion and politics have to be adversaries? Is it even possible to have a civil debate about this?

The Cube and the Cathedral: Europe, America, and Politics Without God - BL65 P7 W3 2005

Truth and Tolerance: Christian Belief and World Religions - BR127 R3813 2004

The Right to be Wrong: Ending Culture War over Religion in America - BR516 H33 2005

Liars! Cheaters! Evildoers! Demonization and the End of Civil Debate in American Politics - JA85 .2 U6 D45

 

 

November 16, 2005

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FUS Students in the news

The Catholic News Agency features a story today about a group of FUS students who are working to end human trafficking. It mentions the group's visit to the UN last March and the recent talk here on campus by Dr. Laura Lederer, senior advisor on human trafficking for the US State Department.

Kudos to FUSA and Solidarity for all their work.

Catholic students work to end human trafficking

November 9, 2005

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"Praying for College Success"

Inside Higher Ed is reporting today that religious and spiritual undergrads tend to be more engaged in social and collegiate activities.

November 7, 2005

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Champions

 

Looking for some inspiration this weekend? Try one of these videos:

 

The Rookie - VHS  -  PN1997 .R66

The Pistol: The Birth of a Legend - VHS  - PN1997 .P75

Chariots of Fire - VHS - PN1997 .C42

 

Or get your inspiration in print:

Champions of Faith: Catholic sports heroes tell their stories - Thomas O'Toole

BX4669 .O86 2001

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This book shouldn't be in the library!!

 

Sometimes patrons question why there are certain items in the John Paul II Library. Why would we have a book by Judy Blume here? Why are there R-rated videos in the collection? And Harry Potter? The Da Vinci Code? Shouldn’t these be taken off the shelves and out of circulation?

 

First, remember that nearly everyone here on campus is over 18. They are legally adults. They have the right to decide for themselves what they chose to read or watch. 

 

Next, there are many different reasons why an item is on the shelves. Sometimes a book or video is in the collection because a faculty member requested it for a class. Sometimes you need to read a book like The Da Vinci Code in order to refute its claims.

 

What about our students who are studying to become teachers? They will need to know if a certain book by Judy Blume is appropriate for a junior high class, a senior high class – or no one at all. How can they decide if they haven't read it first?

 

If you are tempted to "accidentally" misplace a book in order to protect your fellow Franciscans, please remember that this may be an item that someone needs. Hidden, misplaced or (heaven forbid!) stolen items will be replaced using funds that could have been spent to purchase something else that we need - like The Bad Catholic’s Guide to Good Living.

 

October 13, 2005

 

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The tsunami, hurricane Katrina and now the earthquake that has devastated northern Pakistan and India leave us to wonder about the paradox of a loving God and human suffering. Here are some books and videos to help you make sense of it all.

The doors of the sea: where was God in the tsunami? - David Bentley Hart

BT160 .H38 2005  

Many were quick to judge the tsunami as proof of God's nonexistence or His judgement on the earth. The author "clarifies the biblical account of God's goodness, the nature of evil, and the shape of redemption."

 

When God doesn’t make sense – James Dobson   BT732.7 .D62 

Dobson reflects on God's mysterious ways and shows how He works through all circumstances, good as well as bad.

 

God at Auschwitz? - John M. Oesterreicher    BM645.H6 O3   

Reflections on the Holocaust and God's presence with His people Israel through it all.

 

The tears of God: Our benevolent creator and human suffering - Wilfrid Harrington  BT153.S8 H3

 

What to do when life doesn't make sense (video) - Father Benedict Groeschel BV 4909 .G86  

Fr. Groeschel addresses how Christians should address the mystery of tragic events, the problem of evil and the role of suffering.

 

October 10, 2005

 

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You’re through with mid-terms and you just don’t want to think about anything serious. Or think about anything at all. Here are some DVDs that won’t strain your brain this weekend:

 

Shrek - PN1997.5 .S48

Shrek 2 - PN1997.5 .S49

Galaxy Quest - PN1997 .G24 2000

Monsters Inc - PN1997.5 .M66 2002

Veggie Tales - Minnesota Cuke and the search for Samson's hairbrush

PN1997.5.V34 M6 2005

 

 

October 6, 2005

 

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So you’ve been in philosophy class long enough to realize that phenomenology has nothing to do with the study of ESP, crop circles or other phenomenon like that. But ethical personalism? Transcendental objectivity? The hermeneutic structure of resoluteness? What does it all mean?

Okay, nobody said it would be easy but here's something that might help. This series of books will give you an overview of major philosophers and their beliefs.

 

Aristotle in 90 minutes - B485 .S783 1996

Descartes in 90 Minutes - B1875 .S87 1996
Dostoevsky in 90 Minutes - PG3328 .S77 2004

Kafka in 90 Minutes - PT2621.A26 Z89434

Kierkegaard in 90 Minutes - B4376 .S77 1997

Locke in 90 Minutes - B1296 .S77 1999

Nietzsche in 90 Minutes - B3317 .S73 1996

Rousseau in 90 Minutes - B2137 .S77 2002

Sartre in 90 Minutes - B2430.S34 S77 1998

Socrates in 90 Minutes - B316 .S75 1997

St. Augustine in 90 Minutes - B655.Z7 S77 1997

Thomas Aquinas in 90 Minutes - B765.T54 S764

September 30, 2005

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The recent release of the movie The Exorcism of Emily Rose has raised questions about movies that are based on real-life events. How factual are they? How much of the true story is sacrificed to keep the film at a reasonable length – or punch up the story? You might be surprised that some of the movies you thought were factual are somewhat shady. Here are some books that you’ll find interesting:

History Goes to the Movies: A Viewer's Guide to the Best (and Some of the Worst) Historical Films Ever Made - Joseph Roquemore - PN1995.9 H5 R67 1999

This book examines the movies Spartacus and Dances with Wolves among others. The author takes Oliver Stone, director of the movie JFK, to task for littering it with so many factual errors that it "makes Cinderella look like a BBC documentary." Not to be missed.

 

Based on a true story (but with more car crashes): fact and fantasy in 100 favorite movies - Jonathan Vankin and John Whalen - PN1995.9.H5 V36 2005

The subtitle, But with more car crashes, refers to the movie The French Connection. The true story behind the movie was tense and gripping but not visually exciting. So the movie was loaded with car chases and crashes for suspense. A fun look at some of the best and the worst examples of "true" stories.

 

Past imperfect : history according to the movies - Mark C. Carnes, editor - PN 1995.9.H5 P3

This book is a series of essays about historical movies written by famous authors and historians as well as media critics. Some of the movies featured include Gone with the Wind, Mutiny on the Bounty, A Man for All Seasons, and Patton.

September 27, 2005