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April 16th, 2013
01:28 PM ET
My Take: Light will conquer darkness in Boston
By Danielle Elizabeth Tumminio, Special to CNN Boston (CNN) — At 4 a.m. on Patriot’s Day, I huddled in the cold and dark on the Lexington town green that’s across from the church where I work as a priest, awaiting the reenactment of the first battle of the American Revolution. As the sun rose, a small group of haggard colonists assembled. None were in military uniform; they seemed to have difficulty forming a straight line. And when the British marched towards them with their elegant uniforms and disciplined formation, they outnumbered the colonists more than 2-1. It looked to be a slaughter. As the “shot heard 'round the world” fired, the colonists scrambled, some dying in the skirmish and others retreating, running away to safety. To the casual observer like myself, it looked like defeat — defeat of their hopes for freedom, liberty and democracy; defeat of goodness and light. But that defeat turned out to be the call that brought out reservists from all over the Boston area. Ordinary colonists left their homes to hide behind trees with their weapons, haunting the British as they marched back to Boston. The efforts of those ordinary men and women eventually led to victory for our country and the ideals it sought — and continues to seek—to embody. Less than 12 hours after I attended the reenactment, I heard a different “shot heard 'round the world,” this time a few miles from my home where I was working. The Boston Marathon bombing shook me, as it shook many of my fellow Bostonians. It was a reminder that our world carries hazards and injustice. An 8-year old boy dies. Marathon runners have their legs amputated. Since the blast, I’ve heard some people say this changes everything for Boston, for the marathon, for Americans’ sense of safety in the world. I don’t agree. Our world is scary, unstable, dark as 4 a.m. on the Lexington town green. In the collective history of humanity, it’s been a long time since there hasn’t been tragedy — a life taken too soon, a body hurt by a bomb or a gun or a crippling disease. The Boston bombings are nothing new. They are simply one more reminder that, at some level, our world is not secure, even though, as comedian Patton Oswalt famously posted on Facebook Monday, “If it's one person or a HUNDRED people [who bombed Boston], that number is not even a fraction of a fraction of a fraction of a percent of the population on this planet. You watch the videos of the carnage and there are people running TOWARDS the destruction to help out.” It creates a paradox for me as a religious leader to acknowledge the seemingly eternal presence of this darkness while I stand with the fundamental Christian tenet that light overcomes it. That paradox can test any person’s faith, rendering hope complex, messy. That paradox challenges me as I think about this Sunday morning, and what I will preach to my congregation as I stand in the pulpit of my Lexington church. So what I will tell them is this: I will not deny the darkness. I will not deny its power. But I will remind them — and perhaps myself a little bit too — to think about tragedy the same way our forebears did. It may seem we are outnumbered in our battle against evil. It may seem we’re standing alone and haggard, outgunned like those militiamen who fought for our country’s independence 238 years ago. Yet just as in those early battles of the Revolution, there are reservists who want the light to win. There are ordinary people who step out into danger, into darkness, to shine a light. On the day of the marathon bombings, bystanders who could have protected themselves rushed to help the injured. Doctors, nurses, and their assistants worked overtime to make sure that those affected received the care they deserved, while law enforcement officials sought justice on the city’s behalf. Bostonians came out to offer marathoners juice and a bathroom, even as officials told them to stay indoors. A nearby restaurant called El Pelon Taqueria gave out free food, drinks, cell phone charger outlets, and the 9-year old daughter of the owner, Addison Hoben, decorated to-go bags with the words, “It’s going to be alright” and “We’re not afraid.” Those are some of our nation’s reservists, though not all of them by far. Many of us shine light into the dark in quieter ways: by volunteering at a soup kitchen or a prison, by donating blood, by sitting in the waiting room during a friend’s surgery, by caring for an aging parent. Not for naught did the famous Mr. Rogers — who was also a Presbyterian minister — say the words that have been so often quoted in social media since the bombings: “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’ ” What I will tell my congregation Sunday is that I believe in the power of darkness, and I believe that humans can do horrible things. But I also believe that light will eventually outshine the dark, that the reservists among us are fighting a war to defeat violence and evil, and that one day they will permanently win it. That is what makes me a Christian, and it is also what makes me an American, the descendant of the patriots who gave their life on the Lexington battle green so many years ago.
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The CNN Belief Blog covers the faith angles of the day's biggest stories, from breaking news to politics to entertainment, fostering a global conversation about the role of religion and belief in readers' lives. It's edited by CNN's Daniel Burke with contributions from Eric Marrapodi and CNN's worldwide news gathering team.  |
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Editor's note: Danielle Elizabeth Tumminio is an ordained Episcopal Church priest and author of "
All religions even the souless religious are all worshipping Satan. Feed Satan the truth and watch him turn on the wicked (Psalm 75:10) The rich have many friends and it's called do me a favor. Favor and grace are two different things! Just like in the days of Noah and lot, who both found grace. *Genesis 6:8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord *Genesis 19:19 Behold now thy servant hath found grace in thy sight,...
"Genesis 6:8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord *Genesis 19:19 Behold now thy servant hath found grace in thy sight,..."
The stories found in the Book of Genesis, Chapter 1-12, such as the flood story, the record is quite different: the time period under consideration is much more ancient. The factual bases of the stories are hidden from our view archaeologically. The stories remain a part of folk traditions and were included in the Bible to illustrate and explain theological ideas such as: Where did humans come from? If humans were created by God (who is perfect and good), how did evil among them come to be? If we are all related as children of God, why do we speak different languages? It must be remembered that the Bible is primarily a book of religion, a guide to faith. it was not a book of history, poetry, economics, or science. It contains all sorts of literary genre, which are used to teach about the relationship between God and mankind. Even biblical history is edited history: events were chosen to illustrate the central theme of the Bible. The Biblical writers did not pretend they were giving a complete history; instead they constantly refer us to other sources for full historical details, sources such as "The Annals of the Kings of Judah" (or Israel).
It is therefore not possible to try to "prove" the Bible by means of checking its historical or scientific accuracy. The only "proof" to which it can be subjected is this: Does it correctly portray the God-human relationship? In the best analysis, the Bible is a religious book, not an historical document.
Feed Satan, Kevo?? Is Satan like a Chia Pet?
Real gods don't make kangaroos swim across oceans.
What secret weapon / guns can mankind use to defeat grace and truth? Our spiritual weapon is truth, grace is a gift of God from the Father. Judgment begins at the house of God. (Jeremiah 17:18) *Romans 4:3*
And not a shred of evidence to support your wild delusion.
How will people who've never heard of the bible use this spiritual weapon?
Judgement is a bad joke, an empty threat
Satan. Destroyed gods divine plan with a 15 minute conversation. Join the winning team!
My condolences for the family who lost their loves one and got the loved ones injured... can't imagine what type human can do this action... this is totally insane....
Peace be upon all of you...
Same hindu secular , filthy self centered kind, droning innocent human around the globe to spread hindu Judaism, filthy secular ism of hindu animals ignorant secular s by nature. Bunch of hindu monkeys, criminal self centered, pretending to be human.
GO AWAY, MOHAMMAD A. DAR, YOU RACIST SISTER-TOUCHING PSYCHO
ISM ISM ISM HINDU INCEST LOVER ISM
I believe they have a suspect in custody...a HUMAN..... no reason to take it out on God.
No they don't.
They lied about the suspect. Your god could have stopped this from happening if it's as all powerful and knowing as Christians claim but it did nothing because it doesn't exist.
Apparently the press is doing its usual impressive job of fact-finding.
This is a religious blog. Why click on it and bother to read and comment if your atheist? Nobody's bagging on your for being atheist, it's your choice. I've noticed they all hate when people try to push religion on them, even if it's a small push. But then they get online and whoa! They turn around and do the exact same thing by pushing their own atheist beliefs in usually a belligerent inappropriate manner. Grow up.
It's a BELIEF blog, not a RELIGIOUS blog. Why click on it? Because it entertains me.
also, BOB, atheists are not trying to legislate their beliefs, but christians certainly are
Where man fails...God shines. The human spirit is still alive...
HEY NOTORIOUSB.O.B. – SOMEONE MIGHT GIVE A RAT'S ASS ABOUT ANYTHING YOU SAY IF YOU WOULD LEARN THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN YOU'RE AND YOUR.
THIS ISN'T 'THE RELIGIOUS BLOG', YOU HALF ASSED NET NANNY.
Where man fails...God shines, that's why it's called an ass-hole!
You're busting on me over a grammatical error and calling me a net nanny? I love how people get on here and say things they wouldn't dare say to someone's face. Coward. This half a$$ will bust your whole a$$ son.
OH LOOK – AN INTERNET TOUGH GUY. CALLING YOUR BLUFF, YOU ILLITERATE DBAG PENCILNECK BITCH. YOU GOT NOTHING, UPSTAIRS OR DOWN. WHY WOULD ANYONE SAY THINGS TO YOUR FACE WHEN IT'S OBVIOUS YOUR ASS IS THE SMARTER HALF?
GRAB YOUR ANKLES AND CLUTCH YOUR PEARLS, PRECIOUS.
Ok, yeah it says "Belief Blog" at the top. But this particular post is from a priest. Thus I referred to it as "religious blog". And yeah, I wrote your instead of you're. Get off my nuts.
WHAT NUTS, EXACTLY?
The one's that were tapping your mom's a$$ last night
PROPER SPELLING WOULD HAVE BEEN 'ONES'; ONE'S TURNS YOUR IDIOT N00B SENTENCE INTO 'THE ONE IS THAT WERE TAPPING YOUR MOM'.
YOU MOUTHBREATHING WINDOW LICKER
MY MOM DOESN'T LOOK ANYTHING LIKE A FARM ANIMAL SO I'M PRETTY SURE SHE'S OUT OF YOUR LEAGUE. GO FISH.
"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" Romans 8:28-31
Trust me Capslock, she really appreciated it. Said your old man wasn't hitting it right.
JUST AS I FIGURED; YOU'VE GOT NOTHING, CANDY ASS.
*1st Thessalonians 4:13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethen, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. *Isaiah 42:7 To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house. *Matthew 8:12 But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Isaiah 8:21-22)
" But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
Because your god is a jerk.
Kiss my ass like a sniveling toadie you I will torture you forever. Because I love you.
how is the Christian God not pinhead!
After the blast it was humans who helped while the gods stood idle. The gods of the world stood idle while an 8 year old was torn to shreds. I have no use for useless gods.
A blast caused by humans, felt by humans and dealt with by humans.
Why blame any diety for the actions of man?
Why credit any deity with the good actions of man?
"A blast caused by humans, felt by humans and dealt with by humans.
Why blame any diety for the actions of man?"
Yet your deity still stood by and did nothing, it didn't make some stumble over the device to stop it from blowing up, it didn't inspire someone to stop this killer, yup...nada, nothing.
You would have to ask someone that has done that.
"Yet your deity still stood by and did nothing, it didn't make some stumble over the device to stop it from blowing up, it didn't inspire someone to stop this killer, yup...nada, nothing."
Whose deity? Are you guessing again?
"Whose deity? Are you guessing again?"
No different than Christians guessing about their god. LOL!
"No different than Christians guessing about their god. LOL!"
Ah, so you are saying you are as ignorant as they are. Nice to know you consider yourself their equal.
It was not their own doing, but truth absolute God, foundation of human "HIS DESIRE" spirit, made them move instantaneously in direction of truth absolute GOD, foundation of american consti tuion. to defy soul, desire pleasing hindu secularism, filthy self center ism of a hindu terrorist, criminal self centered, not as you hind absurd by laying it on truth absolute GOD, hindu monkey, stupid atheist.
SEGOY AND THE RACIST HINDU TROLL SHOULD GET A ROOM
Calm yourself capslock.
JAM YOUR CRYBABY ASS INTO THE NEAREST BUTTCRACK SIDEWAYS, SEGOY
Soooo..not calm eh?
"Ah, so you are saying you are as ignorant as they are. Nice to know you consider yourself their equal.'
Lycidas is that you using a different handle?
Hey Huh?
Yep....felt a little earthseaish today and used this old handle.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xN0FFK8JSYE
A sh!tty song by a sh!tty band. What was your point with this video?
Atheists have become the bargaining chip for the Satanists who rule the world. And the proud people will walk after their gods and own devices. (Micah 4:5) *Jeremiah 18:12*
Your crap babble quotes are pathetic and useless.
I am a religious nut job and I love to post childish comments on the belief blog.
HIND ISM, SECULAR HIND, ISM, HIND HIND
The Bible has noble poetry in it... and some good morals and a wealth of obscenity, and upwards of a thousand lies
I bet you thought that made sense.
Well, they got someone already. Will it be a Muslim dingbat, or a right wing Christian maniac?
One of Sarah Palin's Tea Party Patriots.
The low tech aspect, the lack of a suicide bomber, and the fact he easily could have gotten a higher body count would tend to indicate a domestic dumb-dumb.
hinduism, ignorance of hindus losers.
I'm guessing that is a Fox News employee.
It's nice to see so many enjoyig themselves at this tragic time and at the expense of those who have been hurt or killed. Brava.
come on christian, we will know at 5,...i got 500 riding on this.
HEY SEGOY
FEEL FREE TO GET THE HELL OFF THE INTERNET AND GO DO SOMETHING TO HELP YOUR FELLOW MAN, THEN
I always am amazed that people like Segoy think freedom of speech should stop "in times like these."
@ISLAM FOUNDATION OF BULLSH.IT
I point out stupidity, cruelty and idiots as I see fit. Seems more than a capslock numbnuts like you can do.
I hope this taught you something about yourself, see...I helped my fellow man now. Thank you for that chance.
TYPICAL POMPOUS ARROGANT HOLIER THAN THOU TRASH
But Segoy, you are doing it too. You are doing exactly what you condemn.
@Pretzels will save your everlasting soul- I am sure many many things amaze the likes of you. In no way did I tell you to stop now did I? I was merely using my freedom of speech to point out how stupid everyone who thinks it's a good time to make jokes about something serious is.
Many are no better than the Westboro Baptist ppl. All you guys need are some signs saying, "The Odds are it's a Christian" and stand by the bomb site. But it's easier for cowards to hide behind their computers instead of ho,ding signs now isn't it?
@Larry- Not really. My comments are not making light of a serious situation. And in case anyone thinks differently, most people on here are to be taken seriously. Especially those trying ignorantly pointing fingers at religious people when there is no evidence to back it up yet besides their bias opinions.
@ISLAM FOUNDATION OF BULLSH.IT- sorry..I can't hear you. Could your write in larger and more bold capslock?
Almost all terrorist acts in the U.S. have been done by people who had, at least in a significant part, a religious motive. WTC, Oklahoma City, the Atlanta Olympics bombing, religion is almost always a major motive.
SEGOY YOU'RE THE WORST OF ALL, YOU FINGER POINTING, SNOTTY BITCH
Segoy is a hypocrite in denial.
God- "Almost all terrorist acts in the U.S..."
The reason why this was a decent comment is because it was done in a none snarky manner than the others. I can respect a comment done like this where others are just being jerks.
BULLSHIT YOU HYPOCRITE – ON ANY OTHER DAY YOU'D CRY ABOUT THAT TOO
HOW'S YOUR FORECASTED PERSECUTION LEVEL TODAY, CRYBABY?
What made you think that your condescending approval was necessary?
@capslock- so far the only person that has defined themselves by religion or lack thereof is you. Seems you feel more persecuted than anyone on here for some reason.
Obviously you know very little. I can always respect a pov that is thought out and takes into consideration of others and their feelings on certain matters.
"What made you think that your condescending approval was necessary?"
I didn't nor thought you would need it anyway. Merely making an observation on your comment. Your views on that observation were not important.
KEEP MAKING PATRONIZING ASSUMPTIONS, SNOTRAG; YOU LOOK DUMBER BY THE MINUTE.
whatever the voices in your head tell you capslock....whatever they tell you....just go with it
One time while vacationing in the Middle East I saw a muslim by the side of the road with his arm all the way up a camel's butt. "Car trouble? I asked."
Atheists are worst than wild animals because atheism is stupidity in Full bloom.
The animal referred to as "Salero21" is one of nature's most primitive-minded creatures.
We have, finally been able to identify this common animal:
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Family: Cricetidae
Subfamily: Arvicolinae
Tribe: Lemmini
Why are Christians so illiterate?
@Field Guide – LOL
And yet basing your life off of the words in one book written 2000 plus years ago makes no much more sense.
Really? Atheists are stupid?
You atheists will all get the butt flu and butt polio you deserve.
@Salero21
Please tell me how you know you have the right god?
Ther are hundreds to choose from.
It appears that Salero is off his meds again.
There is no reason to talk down to others for their beliefs, least of all in this country which upholds to the freedom of religions. I believe in the Creator but do not uphold to any religion. We have free will to believe whatever we wish. Whether or not you believe in Him(Her or It) or not is and always will be your choice. For me I need no proof, that is why it is called faith. I see proof in every sunrise and sunset, in every cloud and flower, in ever star and child's eyes. Darkness exists only in the abscence of Light. I do not believe that religion has a monopoly on good. As a species given Free Will, we have the ability to do great deeds and the ability to do horrible ones. It is our choice, some choose good, some choose to commit horrors like this one. If we as a species unite together and let love, tolerance of each others beliefs, and goodwill rule our hearts and minds our collective Light will outshine the dark. We were given charge over this world and we abuse the power bestowed upon us every day. Change will have to happen eventually, for we will either rise or fall as One.
Religions are hinduism corruption of truth by hindu Jews, criminal secular s, self centered and hindu criminal kings to justify hinduism, racism, borrowed from animals, secular s, self centered by nature, Believe in truth, live by truth, because truth absolute, constant is LORD GOD of universe, nothing can exist without, and foundation of American consti tution.
There can be many names for One God. But there is only One path. And that path is love. Love of life, love of your fellow man and love of Him. You don't have to believe in God, for He believes in you.
I don't think She gives a rat's ass about your infinitesimal self
WORD LOVE MEANS submission, and there is no other truth, but Truth absolute.
ALLAH, AL, The, LA, limit H, most high, or absolute, Arabic
ELLOHIM, EL, The, LO, quantified limit, IM in possession of. Aramaic
ELLAH , EL, The, LA, limit, H most high or absolute. Hebrew
All off shoot of language of truth, LATIN.
Love, submission to hindu monkey ism, ignorant secular ism, is not way of human, but of hindu animals, stupid atheist by nature.
"I" in Islam means "I, Muslim, am stupid and angry". "S" is for the suicide bombs we send out. "L" is for the lameness of my thinking, "A" is for the assholes that Muslims are. "M" is fr the murderers that we are.
Put it all together and is spells "shit-for-brains."
hinduism stupidity of a hindu atheist by faith, son of hindu monkey, stuipd secular by nature.
"There is no reason to talk down to others for their beliefs"
Paul,
People get respect, beliefs have to sink or swim on their own merits. The idea that religious belief should get automatic respect is a fallacy and does a disservice to mankind.
ISM HIND, MONKEY DONKEY ISM, HIND HIND HIND
ha! that's funny.. a representative from the true force of darkness on the planet claiming to bring illumination!
hilarious!
tolerance of this level of religious idiocy has to end.
and it is.
Your delusions are just too funny.
The Comedian is smarter than you are.
If you need to see light in the darkness look no further than towards the people running towards danger to help those out. Those who helped out proves the light is better than darkness. It doesn't matter your faith. If you find your faith strained by dark things happening then maybe you didn't really have any true faith in the light.
Sly, you really ought to study the topic of theology before issuing such a critical statement. Religion does not exist in the absence of reason. You should read Summa Theologica or at least Aquinas' 5 ways. I would also suggest learning to reason more clearly. Cartoons do exist as a creation of individuals. They are not figments of people's imaginations. Granted, the topics contained therein may be considered fantasy, but they do exist a posteriori.
Thomas Aquinas supported putting heretics to death, I could not care less what he thought about theology or anything else. His opinions were cr@p and he was an immoral asshat.
Psalm 10:17-18 ESV / 8 helpful votes
O Lord, you hear the desire of the afflicted; you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, so that man who is of the earth may strike terror no more.
Wow, AH, a quote! You don't get any more convincing than that, nosireeebob
You're quote didn't work. Shiites lash out after Pakistan bombing kills 81 happened today.
Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn!
Let us praise God. O Lord...
...ooh, You are so big...
...So absolutely huge.
Gosh, we're all really impressed down here, I can tell You.
Forgive us, O Lord, for this, our dreadful toadying, and...
And barefaced flattery.
But You are so strong and, well, just so super.
Fantastic.
Amen.
Let's not forget that this article is about a SERIOUS TRAGEDY where innocent lives were taken/severely altered unjustly, and we need all agree that is absolutely UNACCEPTABLE, regardless of our walks of life!
http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2013/04/16/my-take-light-will-conquer-darkness-in-boston/comment-page-2/#comment-2285897
I have been following some comments from time to time, since I can not attend to this all the time, and I detect constant ridicule about the existence of God!
Regardless of ALL scriptures, belief systems out there, and whats & whys, my ALWAYS EVIDENCE that THERE IS A GOD is:
!!!This Universe and Life in it ARE “Prima Facie” EVIDENCE about God!!!
vic: we got some other christians saying god did this because america had fallen away from him. were thse lives "innocent", if they part of a fallen america?
What I PERSONALLY believe:
John 3:16-17
"16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him."
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
http://www.biblegateway.com/
Jesus: "Obey me or I will torture you forever!"
What love.
"What I PERSONALLY believe"
How else does anyone believe but personally?
"!!!This Universe and Life in it ARE “Prima Facie” EVIDENCE about God!!!"
That's the usual cop-out presented from believers for evidence.
In addition, this is a very deistic argument, but you are a believer in Christianity. How do you jump from a deistic argument to believing in a specific religion?
Also, Vic: It is your omniscient god who set up this entrapment to begin with
"16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him."
What a nice lesson to teach our kids: I want to forgive you for your wrongdoings, but first I have to sacrifice your older brother.
that He gave His only begotten Son
----
I don't get why an omnipotent God has only 1 son? I'm not very powerful at all, and I have 2!
What the foK does religion have to do with this newstory? Religion is some grown-ups cartoons – they watch them on Sunday morning. Cartoons, and God, have nothing to do with reality. The Boston weather forcast was also irrelevant, as were the Celtics.
No ... this is about hateful Americans, and one of them, likely a right wing Tea Party member, decided to kill some folks. Happens every day.
Maybe if religious folks pulled their heads out of the sand once in awhile, they could contribute to helping make America safer. Or, just go back to the cartoons. That is your right.
The US Govt is going about a disciplined investigation, not presuming who did this and why. You jump to conclusions and make unfounded accusations. Pretty bad when you're less competent that the Govt.
Reading comprehension is a valued quality on Internet blogs. I'm not sure which is more disappointing – your inability to read my comments (clue: word 'Most Likely'), or your assertion that all of us should restrain from any comments because 'someone is investigating'.
Maybe is wasn't a Tea Bagger, but I'll bet it was! Domestic terrorists have killed a whole lot more folks than that ex-CIA agent who Bush hired (clue: Bin Laden).
I won't be forming my own opinion on the tragedy in Boston until I hear what Sarah Palin has to say about it. Afterall, she is my moral compass and my guiding light. I hope she is for you as well.
Lol. Not.