Would you mind it if I asked you to do us, international listeners, to do us a favor? (I hope this sounds formal and kind enough for you not to feel offended.) It’s just that maybe you haven’t realized. Please… Please… Please… Don’t make any comments about Lost or 24, or any other series for that matter. I personally stopped listening to the podcast as soon as you mentioned Locke. Locally we’ve only seen the first 4 episodes of season 3. And… it’s happened to me already that I got to learn about Mr Eko’s death in another podcast about “Family Life” “24″ hasn’t even started yet!

Thank you very, very much for putting together such good shows.

Regards,
Mona, A listener who wants to go on listening to you.

Making the statement against a crime against humanity is clear enough, I visited Dachau in 1995- it made a graveyard at night during Holloween seem pleasant by comparison. The action of the people of that camp was evil but had you asked every anyone there you would get the same answer, the same answer that came out of Nurrenberg, “I was just following orders from my superiors”. While it is right to take a stand, does being a good soldier and follow orders make you evil?

I think that Slytherin house is in similar circumstances. Voldemort has evil intentions and finds people, the death eaters, who will follow orders within Slytherin house. This makes the death eaters culpable to Volemort’s crimes but taking Slytherin house down because of the death eaters therein is, well, also evil. Its prejudice.

I AM AGAINST WAR. But lets make something clear about peace. It’s the absence of war not the antithesis. Diplomacy, debate, comprimise are not conflict free but nonviolent ways to resolve conflict. I agree with Democritus when he disagreed with Homer- that the end of Strife would spell the demise of humanity. Stopping Nkorea and Iran is like stopping Umbridge in the book. Put them in a position where there own faubles are their undoing. This is exactly whats happening in NKorea where we got them to shut down Nuclear weapon production in favor of fuel oil. Its their own mistake they rely on a particular type of fuel oil to generate electricity- oil they can’t make domestically!. Iran is trickier it seems, and violence may be an intractable conclusion. But that doesn’t make Iran evil. It doesn’t make Iranians evil (most of them want to move to the West so bad- its unimaginable.)

You call out the Muslim extremist but are you aware of how much a minority they are within the global muslim comunity? I’m sure you do and you know that most, way most, of the Muhammedians aren’t our enemies and we should be vigilant against isolating them with brush stoke name-calling like “Axis of Evil”. Lets not forget there is a minoritive faction within the domestic Christian community that want to strip away our rights- take Harry Potter out of libraries. Are we going to say “they’re Christians it’s OK” or are we going to stand up and say “This is NOT Christian and it’s NOT OK”?

I did notice that Order did parallel our times serendipitously. The Quibbler parallels the media, so does the Daily Profit. When the D/P was publishing anti-Harry articles everybody believed them. When the Quibbler published a pro-Harry article everybody believed that. This shows me two things. One that “the People” (the ones you say have all the power) adopt the the most recent view and change to agree with the next new veiw. Environmentalism is really impeded by this. The second is the veiw that if you are not working with the media you must be against “the People”. Harry wasn’t answering his critics in the D/P but when he did in the Quibbler, he got support.

I didn’t mean to insult Aaron with my tongue-in-cheek nonsequitor about gender uncertaintes on the internet. That was not my intentions, nor was that a “come on”.

How can you remain so optimistic about our people having the power not the government, when in any given election year, only about a third of the people who “can” vote do so? What kind of representation of power is that? Supposing a Dem was pres durring 9/11 i feel that Afghanistan would have been invaded but I don’t think Iraq would have. I could be wrong but knowing the intell was nonsense i don’t see the Dems showing the backbone to lie to America like that. They like to lie about more spineless things like infidelity.

TTFN

Also: Truth in History.

I never heard Baltimorons, never. I’ll use it eventually.

Aaron said some very complimentary things and i thank ‘him?’ (i hate assuming gender online). I must ask if your agreement is a result of my arguments logos (logic) or pathos (emotion)? (Aristotle would have found the word pathology a contradition of terms.)

Fortescue wasn’t tapped because of Ice cream, Death Eaters prefer cheesecake! Its much more decadent. Lucius likes his plain (he calls it pure), Bellatrix is a sucker for chocolate. V loves rasberry topping. McNair is a bit odd, he likes pumpkin- that’s why he sliced one when he couldn’t execute buckbeak. Avery like Peaches- becasue hes a woss, while strawberry topping is a fave of both Crabbe and Goyle. Ice cream for Death Eaters? Indeed!

Calling the Slytherin house a dark arts fininshing school and everybody in it evil, arouses the same problem: it puts Slughorn on a bad foot defending the “virture” of their ambitions, and the students like Blaise Zabini in an awful position being the target of scorn, and fear, and- ultimately- prejudice.

No I don’t think all Slytherins are bad, nor that all Gryffindors are good (Percy is a letch), nor are all Hufflepuff’s loyal and industrious (Zacharias Smith is a tool- he should be called “Stanley”).

The folly of painting people with such broad brush strokes could be a theme in this series; not just are there the two I mentioned but also, in Prisoner, Did anybody think Lupin would hurt a fly, or Scabbers be a DE? In Goblet, did anybody think Moody wasn’t Moody? Or that he was just deploying brutal tactics to prepare the students, when he was really getting his rocks off torturing kids? Prior to Order, we tought the Ministry was vigilent but fair, was that descision premature? How about thinking that Skeeter was incapable of doing anything out of heart? Did anybody think the likes of Luna or Neville would be good in a fight? They were. Finally in Prince did we suspect Harry would take advice from some book? Did we think the Prince was good or dangerous? Up until sectumsepra I was convinced the potions book was Lily’s and left in Slughorn’s care like James left his cloak with D. Boy was i wrong!

JKRowling is an expert of bait and switch with our expectations so no I can’t say Slythereins are a bad lot. Crab, Goyle, Malfoy are the children of death eaters and are facing terrible decisions. Will they follow their parents or not? Malfoy to some extent already has and is now in great peril. Voldemort will think of nothing of torturing him to remain loyal until Draco dies or captured. Bye the bye, Umbridge isn’t evil just incompetent.

and hilariously funny! ^^

I like that progastronation. Very punny.

I feel bad because you put so much effort into the Umbridge argument and honestly- I agree with you. I personally don’t hold a strong opinion either way as to what house Umbridge belonged to (and like you noted, I didn’t like OoTP so I have only read it 3 times and most arguments from that book will be over my head anyway) and alll of your proofs worked for me. I wish I had energy to refuge you just for the sake of good conversation, but you were quite comprehensive in your research. Well done. I don’t know if your argument proves a point about all Slytherins being evil but I get up really early on Mondays and right about now is the time that I am falling over my desk with exhaustion- so you might just have to explain it to me with. very. little. words.

As far as the horcrux thing goes. While I agree that Olivander MAY hav fled in order to avoid forced into working for the DE, we just don’t know. We may never know. Then again, for all we know, Olivander was never really a good guy (maybe not a bad guy either)- maybe he went with the DE willingly because they made him an offer he couldn’t refuse. Who knows. Perhaps HP anda the DH will answer that. Perhaps not.

As far as Fortescue goes, Here is my theory and I will stand by it. Just because the DE are bad, doesn’t mean they don’t have sweet tooths (or teeth- whatever, I’m tired!). Who wouldn’t want good old Florean on their side? It is obvious to me that the DE kidnapped Fortescue and are holding him at their headquarters to make icecream for them at their every whim. I definitely see Bellatrix as a Rocky Road kind of gal and I think it is obvious that Voldy would like mint-chocolate chip, no? I think that is perhaps the most plausible prognostication that has ever come out of my mouth. Don’t you?

I do appreciate all of your contributions- keep them coming. I will admit, I have heard/read the wand theory before but that just gives you more credibility:)

I agree with aaron on his points to you (Aaron- using the big words now, by the way?!?)

P.S. I just can’t think that hard on structuring a reply to a blog, but I surely appreciate that you can. (That is mean’t to be a compliment)

Are you offended if your are called a “Canuck”?

I’m asking because I don’t when called a Pennsyltucky, from Pennsylvannia. We are Pennsyltuckies.

I am not convinced that Olivander was kidnapped I think he just fled. He wouldn’t want to be strong armed into working for V and i think he would go into hidding than have anymore of his wands be used for evil. Yes V would want him but he wouldn’t want to be recruited or killed- just like Slughorn.

Nagini:
Sorry Gregg I would rather error for aggreeing with D than error by disaggreeing. Secondly, Harry and Vodemort’s connection was able to include Nagini when he was attacking Arthur. Seeing what a snake sees is a step up for a normal parselmouth, in my veiw, but the legilimancy connection coupled with horcruxness is more credible to my mind. Lastly, Nagini’s vemon is severly deadly to Arthur- perhaps cursive- but is restoritive to V. If Nagini is a horcrux and contains V’s soul this makes more sense TO ME than not.

Having reasserted my argument i would like shoot down a Gryffindor connection. This being the final book introducing a new character or relic this significant seems like a stretch while revisiting a readily forgotten detail from a previous book- like Olivander’s display wand- makes perfect sense to me. I’m not saying nor implying anyone is wrong. Reintroducing something previously-the snake- is more impactive than introducing something new- that’s all. Also Gryffindor holds courage as a defining trait is not to be overlooked. Vodemort attack a newborn!! What greater act of cowardice is there than that: kicking a kneasle? Not even close! I think V’s yellow belly disqualifies him from obtaining a legit relic of G. Not my most compelling reason but I think it is an important footnote.

Little credence is given to Forescue at this point and i am not surprised. it is a stretch but what other reason might he have for closing up and leaving is there? Madam Malkin is still making money, Florish and Blotts too. The twins Weasley are making a killing and not just because of shield apparell. Fortescue is so engaging to people, speciffically Harry in Prisoner, I feel that that charisma would have translated back in the day when Tom was working for B&B. They became chumy and Tom rewarded him with the cup. Fast forward V had to learn of the fate of the diary and i think that, above all, that is why Draco was tapped. Everybody failed at the M/M but Lucius did him one further disgrace. Once learning this I think V had a lackey approach Fortesque and “casually” inquire about the cup to learn if it is still safe. IF this has happened that would be a cue to vamoose like little else.

I learned of Proggs only recently- In February, so i am glad that my contributions are having an impact. I am taking credit for the Olivander display wand possibility until i know it came from someone prior. Fortescue- nobody but me has that and nobody probably wants it!

TTFN

The converse would also be true that Umbridge is happy to employ Slytherins because she wants to punish Gryffindors. In Order, when McGonicall returns, she adds points to G house because of the battle at M/M. She also rewards Ravenclaw for Luna’s participation. Correct me if I’m wrong but they had no points at that point either. (this is a safe bet for me- you hate Order.) If that’s true then one can’t say she just wanted to punish G house but almost all the houses. It was also mentioned that Hufflepuff had little or no points either. I don’t think she wanted to give her squad deduction power if she wasn’t ok with only Slytherins having house points.

HP lexicon’s unofficial motto is ‘cannon above all.’ They make no guesses, no assumptions; they take the books and JKROWLING.com information above all other sources. As a matter of predicting things unknown-prognosticating- i would think arguing the merits of Umbridges’ house would be a subject your site wouldn’t shy away from.

So let me put the evidence:

1) She sent the dementors against Harry confessing that SHE had the onions to act- everybody else SAID they wanted to expell Potter but SHE ACTED. Her willingness to take ambitions one step further is a compelling argument.

2) G house is Slytherin’s biggest rivial in Quiddich so when the opportunity to ban Potter, George, and Fred, arises its too much to turn down. If she is just M/M first and foremost then why ban Fred who had been restrained by the chasers three. But if she is a Slytherin she has to ban all three to better position S house over their great rivals. Also Slytherin’s Quiddich team had been reinstated the same day all activities were banned, but the others, particularly G house, took some time.

3) When She wanted Harry to tell her what he knew of Sirius she resorted to Veratiserum and, when that didn’t work, Cruciatis – justifying a desparate measure for a desparate need. Does that sound like Hufflepuff thinking to you?

4) When trying to blow up WWW fireworks only to learn that amplyifies their sound, she comments to Filch not to do that- implying as it was written- that Filch the squib recomended it. who differs responsibilty when the opportunity arises?

5) When Hermoine was feeding her the “weapon in the forest” red herring, she didn’t want Malfoy to follow her thinking he might procure the weapon for himself. This might be a strech, but not a great stretch, to say the same thought crossed her mind- to use the weapon for her ends, then saying she wants to see this weapon. If she just wanted to turn the weapon over to the M/M, knowing about it would be enough, but deploying the weapon would need her to inspect it.

6) Oh know she didn’t! She calls the centaurs mixed breeds. She calls Hagrid a dangerous half-breed. She passes laws impeding werewolves from employment. These are biases of purity, she might not be as extreme in regards to muggleblood- we can’t say, but there is deffinitely an “speciesist” attitude in her thinking. Ron deffends house elfs but he doesn’t insult centaurs and Hagrid- I just don’t think Umbriges’ speciesm as a trait common amongst non-Slytherins.

In conclusion I just think that if one had to place Umbridge in a house when she was a student, the evidence of how she acts as an adult is compelling that she was a Slytherin and carries that favortism forward. Yes, this isn’t a lock- Percy doesn’t fit G house as much as his siblings yet he is a Griffindor. Houses are about choice- Harry and Hermoine where given choices (Griffindor versus Slytherin/ Ravenclaw respectively). Others like Ron and Malfoy had decided that choice before wearing the sorting hat. None the less you have my arguments I leave you to your own measure.

Doasis- I am going to stand up for Greg here, lately he has been working hard not to actually interrupt me during the news lately. And as far as his comments during the news, I actually like them. I look at them as part of our weekly Harry Potter discussion. But I do appreciate your concern. As far as Delores Umbridge goes-according to the HP Lexicon, it is unknown whether Umbridge was in Slytherin but she did “employ” Slytherins in her inquisitorial squad. My only thought with this is that she was a very big part of the Fudge ministry who were doing anythign and everything in their power to quash the rumors/talk that Voldemort had returned. Harry was at the heart of the rumors. It would make sense that the Slytherins would be happy to help her especially when the majority of the people she was punishing were Gryffindors.

Kimba- I agree with you about Slughorn. I think he also definitely falls into the category of being out for himself- he is always connecting himself with high powered wizards/witches, name dropping, etc. But once again, that doesn’t make him evil.

OK, the Punch buggy game. Everytime we see a Volkeswagon Beetle, the first one who calls out “punchbuggy ____________(the color of the beetle) no punch back” gets a point. Technically you are supposed to punch the person on the arm, but we don’t do that with our kids.

As far as the horcrux discussion goes- good thoughts both Doasis and Greg in T (sorry Greg, you are always going to have to have that little suffix after your name…)- as far as teh wand goes. It might have been ravenclaw’s but I also think that the DE kidnapped Olivander not just because of that wand, but more so that they have him on their side. He is the best wandmaker- why wouldn’t the bad guys want him working for them? Also, they might have him working on a new/powerful wand for Voldemort since his and Harry’s wands cancel eachother out.

Sandusky, huh. Isn’t that where “Tommy Boy” took place? Greg?

Welcome Back, Spenser. Let’s not encourage the Greg/Hermione thing. It just disturbs me.:)

Same to you, Paige