I have a question for Mike over at Theological Corner: If you prove God’s existence through reason, as you have in parts one and two of a recent post, does he exist absent reason? That is, if man – the only reasoning beast we’re aware of – did not exist, would God? Or does that wade into humanistic centrism?

Mind you, I’m not arguing against the existence of a higher power. I believe (despite the contempt I often show for organized religion). It’s just an idea that occurred to me on reading his recent posts.

Perhaps it’s a topic to discuss over a game of Texas hold ‘em.

Still, Mike (and notable others) have gotten me noggin-scratchin’ an awful lot about religion lately. I continue to put myself in the agnostic category, with a moral and spiritual framework borrowed from Buddhism, but I get a charge from debates about faith (though not near the charge I get from discussions on politics…).

The Red Cross is mobilizing a massive effort to aid areas smashed by Katrina. Whip out that card, and put your plastic where your sympathy and compassion are. Don’t just sit there watching the desctruction porn on the 24/7 news channels.

Just $100, what I felt I could afford, isn’t much. But, maybe it’ll help stock one of those food trucks for a desperately needed lunch somewhere in Louisiana.

I remember as a kid the Red Cross visiting my neighborhood after a freak tornado rushed through dozens of homes. The white trucks blessed us with donated Big Macs and that awful diluted McDonald’s orange drink. It wasn’t much, but it was hot food, and we were grateful for it. As a kid, I didn’t quite grasp that a gracious donor had helped make that visit possible.

I hope my donation, and yours, can help such efforts until people in affected areas can once again stand on their own.

I return to St. Petersburg next week. As I start my new job, and get settled in a life there, it occurs to me that life also has a social aspect.

In that vein, I want to hear from St. Petersburg and greater Tampa Bay bloggers. I’ve already heard from David over at Poor Richard’s Anorak. I’m sure there are others.

I’m thinking of a discussion group/salon/coffee klatch. Nothing too formal — just folks getting together. Political, social and religious leanings aside, I think we could learn and grow from the support and input of other Web writers. Click my name below to email me.

Why do people use “constructed” (11 letters), when “built” (five letters) works just fine? I’ve seen this often lately, and my message to reporters, newscasters and editors is: knock it off.

I know the Web, in effect, pulls the rug out from under arguments for word economy, if only because it does away with scarcity of column inches. It’s still no excuse to use a 50 cent word when a nickel word will due.