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Why I don’t buy lottery tickets

Ron Dauphin — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 13:20:36 +0000

There are millions of reasons why winning a lottery would be fantastic. I do occasionally fantasize about the great things I would do with a big win: pay off my mortgage, make life easier for my kids, donate substantial sums to my church and many worthy causes. But I’ve never bought a ticket and I have no intention of doing so.

One of the reasons state lotteries get established is a promise of funding for important government functions such as education. I’ve always felt this was trickery, in that states have to fund education anyway, and I’ve seen no evidence that our children or teachers actually benefit from lottery income. Those who buy lottery tickets with thoughts of helping educate children are, in my mind, paying taxes twice.

But the biggest reason I stand against the lottery is the tremendous damage that such gambling can do to individuals and families. Clearly it’s the poor who buy the majority of lottery tickets in hopes of a big win to improve their lives. It’s the poor who can’t afford those tickets, yet that ticket represents a thimbleful of hope that is hard to resist. For me, just looking at the odds of winning makes a ticket purchase seem like a waste of money and irresponsible stewardship. And how do we, as a state, justify “improving education” on the backs of the poor?

Jonah Lehrer, a writer for Slate, explores the facts. The money quote:

A household with income under $13,000 spends, on average, $645 a year on lottery tickets, or about 9 percent of all income.

Virtual choir, real music

Ron Dauphin — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 03:30:46 +0000

The internet can bring people together in very interesting ways. This virtual gathering of choir geeks is the result of auditions through webcams for music selected and conducted on video. Those selected recorded their parts following the direction of the video-conductor and a very minimalist piano part. There wasn’t much to work with at all, yet the finished product is delicate and somewhat haunting.

Background here.

[via Daily Dish]

An idea that just needs to happen

Ron Dauphin — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 04:19:24 +0000

Wind turbines mounted on roadway lights, powered by the wind of cars rushing past.

I was on a stretch of highway late at night recently where the lights were not working. There was a snow storm, and I could hardly see beyond my dashboard. And yet, the power required to light roadways seems like such a waste of energy. So here’s a solution, at least in theory. Is there any downside, beside light pollution?

[via Engadget]

In the Travel section

Ron Dauphin — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 01:13:27 +0000

It’s been a rough week, but here’s a bright spot. The Cleveland newspaper, The Plain Dealer, picked up one of my Holy Land photos to include in their Travel section. If you have the Sunday paper (July 5), it’s on page 2 of Travel.

Sunrise on the Sea of Galilee

More Holy Land photos are found here.

Sign of the times

Ron Dauphin — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 01:23:44 +0000

Yes, it’s a joke. Available for purchase on Amazon.com. I’m thinking about ordering one for those busy weekends when parking at church is nearly impossible!

Just do it…

Ron Dauphin — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 03:42:30 +0000

It’s the beauty of the American electoral system. Ignore the biting television ads, the postcards, the last minute rallies, the robo-calls, and the newspaper hits. Kids from Atlanta’s Ron Clark Academy have got it right: “You can vote however you like.”

[via The Stranger]

Snow days

Ron Dauphin — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 03:45:44 +0000

Teachers and students huddled around TV sets in the early morning hours the past two days, hoping and praying their school system had called a snow day. For Olmsted Falls schools, there were two in a row. The church office follows school closings, so we’ve had a break too. It looks like there was about 14 inches of snow piled in my driveway over the past 24 hours.

I pulled on some jeans, thick socks, and boots and carried the garbage out to the curb this morning while the snow was still fresh and clean and the sounds of the world seemed muffled into a blessed hush. I hate to even leave footprints in that pure whiteness that blankets the world like a fluffy down comforter. Everything looks different and new and pure. Of course, I destroyed the mood and the neighborhood silence when I used my cantankerous old snowblower to clear the drive and sidewalks and then scraped the front porch with a shovel.

There’s something about a snow day that tells me to build a fire in the fireplace, make a pot of tea, and settle in. Then, after I’ve read the morning paper and checked email, it gets boring and I’m ready to pull on the boots again and go for a walk. I love the beauty of snow frosting the evergreens in my neighborhood.

Update on TV converters

Ron Dauphin — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 18:53:56 +0000

I’ve learned that if you subscribe to cable, your older TV will work just fine. Apparently the cable companies convert the signal for you, and you won’t need a digital converter. About the only folks who will need the converter are those who receive television through rabbit ears or rooftop antennae. And, though I shouldn’t make assumptions, if that’s you, you’re probably not reading this blog. So, I have two coupons coming…for nothing. If you need one, let me know. Umm…but you’re probably not reading this blog.

About the banner

Ron Dauphin — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 22:35:45 +0000

I was overwhelmed by the number of volunteers and the amount of food collected at Olmsted Falls’ annual “Turkey Hunt” food collection for the needy. Tables were piled with canned and boxed foods that will go to needy families in time for Thanksgiving. It was a well organized and inspiring kind of event, both ecumenical and intergenerational, and I couldn’t resist snapping photos. The banner is cropped from a larger picture, below, that shows people in action. For more photos of Turkey Hunt 2007, click here.

L’shanah tovah

Ron Dauphin — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 18:48:36 +0000

It’s not a name; it’s a greeting, meaning “for a good year.” Happy new year to our Jewish brothers and sisters! It’s Rosh Hashanah, the beginning of a new year in the Jewish culture. I was privileged to attend Rosh Hashanah services as a guest today of Beth Israel, West Temple, and really enjoyed the music, scripture readings and traditions that I witnessed.

Jewish folk show great reverence for the scriptures. When the scroll is taken from the ark, it is ceremonially uncovered and the rabbi and temple leaders parade with it through the congregation. Those who wish can touch the scroll with their prayer book or prayer shawl. It’s really cool to wear a yarmulke too, that little hat for men that shows reverence in God’s presence. I’ve always wondered how they stay on so well, but the one I borrowed stayed on just fine. If you’ve never been to a Jewish service, there are usually a box of yarmulkes at the back for those who don’t have one.

It’s a great experience to share in worship with those of other faith expressions. Our Confirmation Class will have that opportunity in the spring when they attend a Seder feast. I’m always reminded of how much we have in common with our Jewish forebears–Jesus, of course, probably attended Rosh Hashanah services just over 2000 years ago. The scripture readings this morning were familiar and comforting. Some readings were in Hebrew, but most in English. The prayers, like those in the Christian tradition, acknowledged God’s goodness and our need for repentence and a fresh start.

And then we were blessed, using one of my favorite benedictions. Maybe it will bless you today too.

May the Lord bless you and keep you; may the Lord’s face shine upon you and be gracious unto you; may the Lord’s countenance be upon you and give you peace. — Numbers 6:24-26