Wimps: In Broward County Fl. A school board candidate has filed a criminal complaint against her opponent saying he shook her hand too hard at a debate. Jaemi Levine (D) says her opponent shook her hand too hard.
Thugs: Last Sunday night people broke into the Birkenshaw Methodist Church in West Yorkshire, UK. They slashed the chairs, ripped out the PA wires, tore down the cross, slashed up the hymnals and burned the bibles. In March a Cambridgeshire Church burned to the brickwork when someone set the bibles and prayer books on fire. Must be those evil violent pro-lifers and christo-fascists.
Idiots: Planned Parenthood is trying to get two videos removed from You Tube. The videos show abortion advocated in a debate at Fort Lewis University in Colorado. The group Advocates For Choice maintained that an XY chromosome combination resulted in females, that the fetal heartbeat manifested at 24 weeks, and that women shed fertilized eggs every month. They also tried to dismiss their opponents arguments from science from the debate.
Those Violent Pro-Lifers: Like Roxanne Fernando, who got pregnant and refused to have an abortion. She became so adamant that it forced her boyfriend to severely beat her, and leave her in a snow bank to die, since she wouldn't do the reasonable thing and have an abortion. Or like Lia Mills, a fourteen year old girl who made a pro life speech that got posted to YouTube and then went viral, so that people are forced to make death threats, render her poor treatment from her teachers and the removal of opportunities in school. See, they just create violence and conflict.
TRIUMPHALIST--YOU GOT A PROBLEM WITH THAT?
Saturday, October 30, 2010
You, Know--We might Be Able To Stop This
This month, the USCCB will elect a new president. And habitually, the Bishops elect the current Vice President to be president. The current Vice President is Bishop Gerald Kicanis, and that's a problem, both of perception and fact.
Kicanis was one of the bishops who not only were ineffectual in their dealings with priests who molested minors, but who were egregiously negligent in their dealings with them. He was the Rector of Mundelein Seminary in the 90s. (You might recall that Mundelein was one of the more problematic Seminaries, until after the Apostolic Visitation, and was a notorious "Pink Palace") While there, he approved the ordination of Daniel McCormack, who has since been defrocked and now resides as a guest of the state in prison for his molestations. This wasn't a case of nobody knowing that McCormack was a perverted monster--Kicanis knew. There were three incidents of sexual misconduct while McCormack was in the seminary, one of them involving a minor. But Kicanis, who was the front line defense against ordaining people who shouldn't be ordained, felt that it would be "unfair" to refuse holy Orders to McCormack. So the man was ordained, until he was arrested and removed from the rolls of the priesthood--after abusing at least 23 minors.
Kicanis is also a little to cozy with pro-abortion politicians. He has been praised for taking a "softer stance" on abortion, and has deliberately obfuscated the Churches teaching on the hierarchy of concerns required to vote ones faith. This is not the man we need as President of the USCCB.
I Suggest that we write to our Ordinaries, and express our concerns. I also suggest we mention the fact that we might have a problem financially supporting funding drives that originate with the USCCB if he is the president. Simply put, the one power that we laity have, that the Bishops have to listen to is the power of the wallet. Now is a good time to use it. I plan to mention, as well, that in a time when the Church is hurting for cash, it might not be the brightest move to elect someone who is on record as approving the ordination of a molester--especially considering the current legal moves to hold not just diocesan organizations financially responsible for the scandal, but larger Catholic organizations as well. After all, with several diocese declaring bankruptcy because of damage claims and awards--can we afford to make it look like we really don't care by having the Bishops elect Kicanis their president?
I have been approached by people who ask me how i can be a member of a Church that harbored so many perverted criminals, and that covered it up. I'm tired of being embarrassed and ashamed of what we have done to Christ's Church, and it's time for the laity to make known their concerns. It's Christs Church--his Mystical Body on Earth. And we are a part of it. We need to speak up. After all, we have been able to get the CCHD to at least change it's tune (although the lyrics remain to be seen), maybe we can do something about the USCCB.
Kicanis was one of the bishops who not only were ineffectual in their dealings with priests who molested minors, but who were egregiously negligent in their dealings with them. He was the Rector of Mundelein Seminary in the 90s. (You might recall that Mundelein was one of the more problematic Seminaries, until after the Apostolic Visitation, and was a notorious "Pink Palace") While there, he approved the ordination of Daniel McCormack, who has since been defrocked and now resides as a guest of the state in prison for his molestations. This wasn't a case of nobody knowing that McCormack was a perverted monster--Kicanis knew. There were three incidents of sexual misconduct while McCormack was in the seminary, one of them involving a minor. But Kicanis, who was the front line defense against ordaining people who shouldn't be ordained, felt that it would be "unfair" to refuse holy Orders to McCormack. So the man was ordained, until he was arrested and removed from the rolls of the priesthood--after abusing at least 23 minors.
Kicanis is also a little to cozy with pro-abortion politicians. He has been praised for taking a "softer stance" on abortion, and has deliberately obfuscated the Churches teaching on the hierarchy of concerns required to vote ones faith. This is not the man we need as President of the USCCB.
I Suggest that we write to our Ordinaries, and express our concerns. I also suggest we mention the fact that we might have a problem financially supporting funding drives that originate with the USCCB if he is the president. Simply put, the one power that we laity have, that the Bishops have to listen to is the power of the wallet. Now is a good time to use it. I plan to mention, as well, that in a time when the Church is hurting for cash, it might not be the brightest move to elect someone who is on record as approving the ordination of a molester--especially considering the current legal moves to hold not just diocesan organizations financially responsible for the scandal, but larger Catholic organizations as well. After all, with several diocese declaring bankruptcy because of damage claims and awards--can we afford to make it look like we really don't care by having the Bishops elect Kicanis their president?
I have been approached by people who ask me how i can be a member of a Church that harbored so many perverted criminals, and that covered it up. I'm tired of being embarrassed and ashamed of what we have done to Christ's Church, and it's time for the laity to make known their concerns. It's Christs Church--his Mystical Body on Earth. And we are a part of it. We need to speak up. After all, we have been able to get the CCHD to at least change it's tune (although the lyrics remain to be seen), maybe we can do something about the USCCB.
Hey! Does Anybody Know...
Where I can get a "Lamestream" button for this blog--or, anyone who can make one?
Tom Kratman--"A State of Disobedience"
It's an occasional vice for me, to review a book, as if i were someone important enough in the realm of literature to be listened to. I'm not. I'm just someone who, when they are in possession of a little extra cash, buys books. Not important at all, unless you're trying to sell a book. Then I guess I am important, because I'm part of the market. And when i have few bucks to spend on a book, I tend to look for specific authors or titles, since my economic position isn't quite enough to let me just browse and buy on impulse. (Someday, maybe!)
One of the authors I currently look for is Tom Kratman. Perhaps it's because we share a former profession, that of soldier. Or, it could be because his books are thought provoking. I have reviewed another of his books, A Desert Called Peace, which looks like a simple SF military bang up, but is actually an extended meditation on the Law of Land Warfare. Something that Mr. Kratman is qualified to write, as he is a retired Lieutenant Colonel, an attorney, and a former lecturer on the subject at the War College.
Tom Kratman is developing into one of my favorite authors. His background as an infantryman brings a perspective to his depictions of combat and military operations that lend a realism that is divorced form the sensationalism, or the glorification of violence that often mars the genre of military SF. He is also a conservative man. Not a right wing reactionary, but a thinking conservative. More than anyone since Heinlein, he is able to use the medium of the science fiction novel to express a political or ethical viewpoint, and to expound on principles.
As I said, A Desert Called Peace was a meditation on the Law of land Warfare, (as well as the ineffectuality of Transnational organizations, and the spiritual cost of ruthlessness) masquerading as a military SF novel, much as Starship Troopers was a meditation on citizenship.
In A State of Disobedience, Kratman continues this tradition in a non-science fiction novel that could best be described as "near future history".
It's a story of oppression and rebellion in the United States, one much more believable than Margaret Atwood's A Handmaids Tale. I don't want to toss out spoilers, so I'm not going to describe the plot, but the situation.
In this book, Mr. Kratman, sets forth a nation in which the apparatus of government has grown to the point where presidential appointees with no constitutional checks can wield enormous power and the IRS becomes a tool with which to threaten the recalcitrant. (If you think that's far fetched, familiarize your self with New Deal Washington, and it's attempts to silence opponents. Or just look at the current attempts by progressives to use tax law to silence their opponents.) Law enforcement has become militarized, with a multiplication of agencies having unclear lines of jurisdiction. Again, that's something which we can see around us now. (One thing that dates the book is the conflict caused by the the attempt to use the military itself to enforce law in violation of the Posse Commitatus act. Congress quietly repealed the Posse Commitatus act a couple of years ago.)
The precipitating event for the action and plot of the book is the governments classification of pro-life groups as potential terrorists and violent. (The department of justice has done just that, After this became public the resulting outcry caused the guidelines to be "withdrawn'. Except that less than two months ago it became public knowledge that FBI personnel were teaching local law enforcement agencies that pro-life groups were violent. One of the actions cited as violent was the filing of law suits to defend their freedom of speech.)
Through out the book one finds things that can be seen occurring around s today. I won't mention any more of them or I will give away too much of the book--I would rather you buy and read it!
This book left me with a sense of bleakness; this is a book whose truth is bitter. One finds heroes here, yes, but the heroes die, not victoriously, but in futile attempts to oppose the the force and resources that the government can muster. Not a single battle is won. And here is one of the plums of this book--Kratman understands two of the most important facets of Fourth Generation Warfare: That politics is the extension of warfare by other means, and that the goal is to win the overall war, not battles. Winning battles can be irrelevant. And Kratman understands something else: That victory under such circumstances can only be tragic. Tragic, and only won by the shock and blood of martyrs. He understands that not only must leaders be hard, but must make hard decisions that will stain their hearts, minds an spirits., but that followers must be ruthless with their own lives, placing them into and unfair balance. Like I said, it's a bleak book.
The bleakness continues through the resolution of the narrative. For not only is victory seen to be incomplete, it is seen to be temporary, and in the post resolution--that part of the story that continues after the narrative comes to an end--the reader knows that the process will have to be repeated again, not once, but ad infinitam.
There are two aphorisms and one anecdote that seem to inform this book:
"The tree of liberty requires refreshment, from time to time, with the blood of patriots."
"Eternal vigilance is the price of Liberty"
""What kind of government have you given us, Me. Franklin?" "A Republic, if you can keep it."
Important Stuff I Forgot!: A State of Disobedience, Tom Kratman, Baen Books, 2003 (Oh--BTW, i started reading this and couldn't put it down until I was finished--at 5:30 AM!)
One of the authors I currently look for is Tom Kratman. Perhaps it's because we share a former profession, that of soldier. Or, it could be because his books are thought provoking. I have reviewed another of his books, A Desert Called Peace, which looks like a simple SF military bang up, but is actually an extended meditation on the Law of Land Warfare. Something that Mr. Kratman is qualified to write, as he is a retired Lieutenant Colonel, an attorney, and a former lecturer on the subject at the War College.
Tom Kratman is developing into one of my favorite authors. His background as an infantryman brings a perspective to his depictions of combat and military operations that lend a realism that is divorced form the sensationalism, or the glorification of violence that often mars the genre of military SF. He is also a conservative man. Not a right wing reactionary, but a thinking conservative. More than anyone since Heinlein, he is able to use the medium of the science fiction novel to express a political or ethical viewpoint, and to expound on principles.
As I said, A Desert Called Peace was a meditation on the Law of land Warfare, (as well as the ineffectuality of Transnational organizations, and the spiritual cost of ruthlessness) masquerading as a military SF novel, much as Starship Troopers was a meditation on citizenship.
In A State of Disobedience, Kratman continues this tradition in a non-science fiction novel that could best be described as "near future history".
It's a story of oppression and rebellion in the United States, one much more believable than Margaret Atwood's A Handmaids Tale. I don't want to toss out spoilers, so I'm not going to describe the plot, but the situation.
In this book, Mr. Kratman, sets forth a nation in which the apparatus of government has grown to the point where presidential appointees with no constitutional checks can wield enormous power and the IRS becomes a tool with which to threaten the recalcitrant. (If you think that's far fetched, familiarize your self with New Deal Washington, and it's attempts to silence opponents. Or just look at the current attempts by progressives to use tax law to silence their opponents.) Law enforcement has become militarized, with a multiplication of agencies having unclear lines of jurisdiction. Again, that's something which we can see around us now. (One thing that dates the book is the conflict caused by the the attempt to use the military itself to enforce law in violation of the Posse Commitatus act. Congress quietly repealed the Posse Commitatus act a couple of years ago.)
The precipitating event for the action and plot of the book is the governments classification of pro-life groups as potential terrorists and violent. (The department of justice has done just that, After this became public the resulting outcry caused the guidelines to be "withdrawn'. Except that less than two months ago it became public knowledge that FBI personnel were teaching local law enforcement agencies that pro-life groups were violent. One of the actions cited as violent was the filing of law suits to defend their freedom of speech.)
Through out the book one finds things that can be seen occurring around s today. I won't mention any more of them or I will give away too much of the book--I would rather you buy and read it!
This book left me with a sense of bleakness; this is a book whose truth is bitter. One finds heroes here, yes, but the heroes die, not victoriously, but in futile attempts to oppose the the force and resources that the government can muster. Not a single battle is won. And here is one of the plums of this book--Kratman understands two of the most important facets of Fourth Generation Warfare: That politics is the extension of warfare by other means, and that the goal is to win the overall war, not battles. Winning battles can be irrelevant. And Kratman understands something else: That victory under such circumstances can only be tragic. Tragic, and only won by the shock and blood of martyrs. He understands that not only must leaders be hard, but must make hard decisions that will stain their hearts, minds an spirits., but that followers must be ruthless with their own lives, placing them into and unfair balance. Like I said, it's a bleak book.
The bleakness continues through the resolution of the narrative. For not only is victory seen to be incomplete, it is seen to be temporary, and in the post resolution--that part of the story that continues after the narrative comes to an end--the reader knows that the process will have to be repeated again, not once, but ad infinitam.
There are two aphorisms and one anecdote that seem to inform this book:
"The tree of liberty requires refreshment, from time to time, with the blood of patriots."
"Eternal vigilance is the price of Liberty"
""What kind of government have you given us, Me. Franklin?" "A Republic, if you can keep it."
Important Stuff I Forgot!: A State of Disobedience, Tom Kratman, Baen Books, 2003 (Oh--BTW, i started reading this and couldn't put it down until I was finished--at 5:30 AM!)
Evil Overlord Rules, 98,99,100
These are official Evil Overlord Rules. You can find the entire code at Peter's Evil Overlord List, www.eviloverlord.com . Here are rules for today:
98. If an attractive young couple enters my realm, I will carefully monitor their activities. If I find they are happy and affectionate, I will ignore them. However, if circumstances have forced them together against their will, and they spend all their time bickering and criticizing each other, except during the intermittent occasions when they are saving each others lives at which point there are hints of sexual tension, I will immediately order their execution.
99. Any Data File of crucial importance will be padded to 1.45MB in size.
100. Finally, to keep my subjects permanently locked in a mindless trance, I will provide each of them with free, unlimited Internet access.
98. If an attractive young couple enters my realm, I will carefully monitor their activities. If I find they are happy and affectionate, I will ignore them. However, if circumstances have forced them together against their will, and they spend all their time bickering and criticizing each other, except during the intermittent occasions when they are saving each others lives at which point there are hints of sexual tension, I will immediately order their execution.
99. Any Data File of crucial importance will be padded to 1.45MB in size.
100. Finally, to keep my subjects permanently locked in a mindless trance, I will provide each of them with free, unlimited Internet access.
Forty Days for Life, and Pro Life Victories
This is the time of year for Forty Days for Life, a period of prayer and fasting that is devoted to both the defeat of the Culture of Death and reparations for the crimes of abortion. I've noticed that every year, victories in this battle coincide with the Forty Days for Life.
By now, most people involved in or concerned with the pro-life movement have heard of the Eu's decision to protect conscience rights for medical personnel who have moral objections to providing abortions, even though the original draft of the legislation was intended to make participation mandatory. But now there is a victory in Arizona.
The courts have upheld an Arizona law, passed ten years ago, which requires abortion providers to use licenced physicians to perform surgical abortions. Planned Parenthood has been fighting this law for all ten years. It was noted that the law was based on Planned Parenthood's own official guidelines for practice.
Isn't it interesting, that Planned Parenthood has such guidelines, yet fights them? It makes we wonder how concerned they are with "keeping abortion safe".
By now, most people involved in or concerned with the pro-life movement have heard of the Eu's decision to protect conscience rights for medical personnel who have moral objections to providing abortions, even though the original draft of the legislation was intended to make participation mandatory. But now there is a victory in Arizona.
The courts have upheld an Arizona law, passed ten years ago, which requires abortion providers to use licenced physicians to perform surgical abortions. Planned Parenthood has been fighting this law for all ten years. It was noted that the law was based on Planned Parenthood's own official guidelines for practice.
Isn't it interesting, that Planned Parenthood has such guidelines, yet fights them? It makes we wonder how concerned they are with "keeping abortion safe".
Fund Raising by Religious Organizations
The OSV daily take had a bit up about that yesterday. The author, Russel Shaw, titled the piece "Stop Sending me Pius Trinkets With your Request For Money". He dislikes the practice on two grounds--one, small crucifixes and medals will end up in the trash, or other unsuitable places, and two--elderly "people, who have a wonderfully developed sense of responsibility will feel obligated to send something, whether they are in impoverished circumstance or not. These are not bad objections, whether we share them or not.
But i have a different pet peeve when it comes to fund raising by Religious groups or organizations--misrepresentation. I am always surprised and appalled when I notice it.
Here is a blatant example: Last years flier for the CCHD had one of those heart wrenching tear jerking photos on the front, with the words "The Poor Can't Wait" on the front, and references to the current economy. However, the CCHD does not provide relief for the poor, or directly provide any social services. This was quite simply disinformation. (I was personally pleased when our parish provided just under $30.00 to the CCHD, in total contributions.
When appeals for money come to our house, they go to the Queen of the House for resolution. Most get tossed, to be honest. We are not rich people, and we have to be very selective about who and what we support with charitable contributions. If they originate with religious communities-nuns and so forth--and the Queen doesn't know about them but is intrigued, she asks me. If I don't know about them, I look them up, and try to go to the community in question's web site. It's amazing how many send out materials that show nuns in habits, traditional artwork, and traditional prayers, etc, whose web sites say they are called to "prophetic witness" on behalf of "oppressed minorities" like women who want ordained, New Ways Ministries, abortion rights, etc. it always pays off to look at the groups they are affiliated with and link to. Most people who give them money would probably be appalled.
That's my pet peeve.
But i have a different pet peeve when it comes to fund raising by Religious groups or organizations--misrepresentation. I am always surprised and appalled when I notice it.
Here is a blatant example: Last years flier for the CCHD had one of those heart wrenching tear jerking photos on the front, with the words "The Poor Can't Wait" on the front, and references to the current economy. However, the CCHD does not provide relief for the poor, or directly provide any social services. This was quite simply disinformation. (I was personally pleased when our parish provided just under $30.00 to the CCHD, in total contributions.
When appeals for money come to our house, they go to the Queen of the House for resolution. Most get tossed, to be honest. We are not rich people, and we have to be very selective about who and what we support with charitable contributions. If they originate with religious communities-nuns and so forth--and the Queen doesn't know about them but is intrigued, she asks me. If I don't know about them, I look them up, and try to go to the community in question's web site. It's amazing how many send out materials that show nuns in habits, traditional artwork, and traditional prayers, etc, whose web sites say they are called to "prophetic witness" on behalf of "oppressed minorities" like women who want ordained, New Ways Ministries, abortion rights, etc. it always pays off to look at the groups they are affiliated with and link to. Most people who give them money would probably be appalled.
That's my pet peeve.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Snippets, Bits, and Gobbets
Google, Graft, and Gallybaggers: Google is being investigated by the UK for privacy violations with their Street View and WiSpy cars. Google is being investigated by Canada for privacy violations with their Street View and WiSpy cars. 35 separate State Attorney Generals are investigating Google for privacy violations by their Street View and WiSpy cars.
Google is being investigated by the FTC Wait--the FTC dropped it's investigation of Google on the 27th of October. Hmmmm--It just couldn't be related to the Democratic fund raiser hosted by Marrissa Mayer at 30K a head, could it? Or to the unlimited and undisclosed lobby and business access it enjoys with administration officials. Or the no-bid contracts it has gotten from the same. BTW--Blogger is a Google product.
A New Christian Knighthood: Archbishop Chaput spoke at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. In his lecture, he praised military service, pointing out that while the Church is opposed to violence and warfare, it has always recognized the military as a potential vocation. He went on to speak of how a military life, lived with integrity, restraint and justice could in fact be virtue-that it can be 'enobeling"--his word. Then he said we Christians need to recapture the idea of knighthood, with it's implicit value of radical discipleship, and it's grounding--as is the military profession--in the idea of and willingness to practice sacrificial love. Quite a different message than many of us are used to getting--like the threat of failing senior religion class in high school that was levied against the four guys who planned on enlisting after graduation.
The Thing That Would Not Die!: Well, it seems that ACORN didn't actually dismantle itself, and is still in business. The business of fooling around with elections through voter fraud, apparently. At least, in my opinion. (I can't afford a lawyer if I get sued!) Despite it's chief organizer Bertha Lewis saying it would dissolve it's national structure, it's still sending out direct mail fund raising material. And it's Project Vote is still active. under the direction of Amy Busefink, who is under indictment in Nevada for violating election law. Project Vote is legally a separate entity from ACORN, but according to sworn testimony shares personnel, office space and a budget with ACORN.
ACORN---The Thing That Would Not Die!
I Feakin' DARE you, Time magazine: Time has done it again. published articles which deliberately misrepresent the Churches teachings. And, to make it an even better example of journalistic integrity, they failed to mention that the authorities they cite for Catholic Teaching are affiliated with International Planned Parenthood, and Catholics for Choice--an organization which the Bishops have repeatedly stated to be non Catholic, and that is in fact, anti Catholic.
I dare you to try that with Islam. Or Hinduism. Heck--I dare you to try that with Wicca!
Illinois is Evil: Illinois is not sending absentee ballots to military personnel who are overseas. But the Presidents Home of Record is getting a pass from the Department of Justice. Meanwhile, Cook County--Obama's old stomping ground or Chicago, where he learned his trade, is distributing ballots to the county jail. They aren't even having the inmates ask--they are being hand delivered to them.
Could this be because the the Military tends to vote Republican, and they think that the Jailbirds will vote Democrat?
Why: Why is Vivian Schiller,the NPR executive who fired Juan Williams, involved in a Federal think take/brainstorming session to 'reinvent journalism". And why are the Feds involved in such a thing. proposals include federal subsidies for news organizations. (Have you ever seen a Federal Subsidy that didn't include Federal controls?) And, Why is the Federal Trade Commission getting itself involved in journalism? The justification is because newspapers are failing. I wonder--is that even part of their statutory responsibility? After all, they didn't intervene in the Vacuum Tube Industry. BTW--this is the woman who said Mr. Williams honesty was a "serious violation of our new ethics code" and that he needed to keep his feelings "between himself and his psychiatrist". And the Feds want her take on journalism.
Poor Sad, Confused Europe: MSNBC "World Blog" is reporting that the Europeans don't understand why Americans look to be about to undo much of the 2008 election. They loved Barack Obama. They can't get a handle on what we're upset at. At a time when they are protesting their Governments attempts to reign in spending and the social net, they can't figure out that we want our government to do that. Well, at least enough of us to impact the election in significant numbers. They fail to see that American polity is a balancing act, designed from jump street to limit the power of government, and governments involvement with peoples lives. They also don't have any idea of the tension between those who hold that "the government that governs best governs least" and those who want a strong, statist government that is deeply involved in everyday life. They don't understand us at all. But they love Obama, and thought he would turn the US into a European style state. Now they are sad, and confused, because they would love to have a Chief Executive like Obama.Actually, I'm surprised that the US and Europe haven't killed each other off--like siblings so alike,and so different, that they can't get along.
Balloting Issues Are So Interesting: In Bucks County, PA, it seems that there is some sort of skulduggery going on with the absentee ballots. It looks like an attempt to flood the county elections system with absentee ballots. Of course, once you overstress the system, it becomes much easier to challenge the system. A letter has gone out to voters, urging them to apply for the absentee ballot. It contains the application for the ballot, and a elf addressed,stamped envelope that sends the ballots to a post office box. The post office box is rented by Congressman Patrick Murphy, (D-PA) and is noted for pick up ONLY by Tim Persico and Paul Hampel. Persico is Murphy's campaign manager, and Hample is one of his key volunteers. I wonder why they didn't have applicants send the requests for absentee ballots to the Elections Board?
Evocative Prose: "There is a 'different' sound to the new setting, which perhaps owes something to my love of chant, traditional hymnody and authentic folk music, and nothing at all to the St. Louis Jesuits and all the other dumbed down, sentimental bubble-gum music which has been shoved down our throats for the past few decades in the Catholic Church. And therein might lie the problem... ." This was written by James McMillan, who composed the music for the Papal Masses in the UK. It's part of an article that is on the Telegraph.uk.co blogs page. in this article he recounts how the "liturgy mafia" (my words--I may have just coined a phrase) tried very hard to stop is composition from being used. And, how the Scottish Bishops had to get involved to overrule a committee that had no professional musicians on it. One objection raised was that the music would require a "competent" organist. No kidding. Go over to the Telegraph, at http://blogs.telegraph.co. uk and take a look. The authors name is James McMillan. Tags are James McMillan, papal visit, scotland. Worth reading. BTW--the masses used the new tests for the English Translation of the Missal. Wish I could have been there.
A New Christian Knighthood: Archbishop Chaput spoke at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. In his lecture, he praised military service, pointing out that while the Church is opposed to violence and warfare, it has always recognized the military as a potential vocation. He went on to speak of how a military life, lived with integrity, restraint and justice could in fact be virtue-that it can be 'enobeling"--his word. Then he said we Christians need to recapture the idea of knighthood, with it's implicit value of radical discipleship, and it's grounding--as is the military profession--in the idea of and willingness to practice sacrificial love. Quite a different message than many of us are used to getting--like the threat of failing senior religion class in high school that was levied against the four guys who planned on enlisting after graduation.
The Thing That Would Not Die!: Well, it seems that ACORN didn't actually dismantle itself, and is still in business. The business of fooling around with elections through voter fraud, apparently. At least, in my opinion. (I can't afford a lawyer if I get sued!) Despite it's chief organizer Bertha Lewis saying it would dissolve it's national structure, it's still sending out direct mail fund raising material. And it's Project Vote is still active. under the direction of Amy Busefink, who is under indictment in Nevada for violating election law. Project Vote is legally a separate entity from ACORN, but according to sworn testimony shares personnel, office space and a budget with ACORN.
ACORN---The Thing That Would Not Die!
I Feakin' DARE you, Time magazine: Time has done it again. published articles which deliberately misrepresent the Churches teachings. And, to make it an even better example of journalistic integrity, they failed to mention that the authorities they cite for Catholic Teaching are affiliated with International Planned Parenthood, and Catholics for Choice--an organization which the Bishops have repeatedly stated to be non Catholic, and that is in fact, anti Catholic.
I dare you to try that with Islam. Or Hinduism. Heck--I dare you to try that with Wicca!
Illinois is Evil: Illinois is not sending absentee ballots to military personnel who are overseas. But the Presidents Home of Record is getting a pass from the Department of Justice. Meanwhile, Cook County--Obama's old stomping ground or Chicago, where he learned his trade, is distributing ballots to the county jail. They aren't even having the inmates ask--they are being hand delivered to them.
Could this be because the the Military tends to vote Republican, and they think that the Jailbirds will vote Democrat?
Why: Why is Vivian Schiller,the NPR executive who fired Juan Williams, involved in a Federal think take/brainstorming session to 'reinvent journalism". And why are the Feds involved in such a thing. proposals include federal subsidies for news organizations. (Have you ever seen a Federal Subsidy that didn't include Federal controls?) And, Why is the Federal Trade Commission getting itself involved in journalism? The justification is because newspapers are failing. I wonder--is that even part of their statutory responsibility? After all, they didn't intervene in the Vacuum Tube Industry. BTW--this is the woman who said Mr. Williams honesty was a "serious violation of our new ethics code" and that he needed to keep his feelings "between himself and his psychiatrist". And the Feds want her take on journalism.
Poor Sad, Confused Europe: MSNBC "World Blog" is reporting that the Europeans don't understand why Americans look to be about to undo much of the 2008 election. They loved Barack Obama. They can't get a handle on what we're upset at. At a time when they are protesting their Governments attempts to reign in spending and the social net, they can't figure out that we want our government to do that. Well, at least enough of us to impact the election in significant numbers. They fail to see that American polity is a balancing act, designed from jump street to limit the power of government, and governments involvement with peoples lives. They also don't have any idea of the tension between those who hold that "the government that governs best governs least" and those who want a strong, statist government that is deeply involved in everyday life. They don't understand us at all. But they love Obama, and thought he would turn the US into a European style state. Now they are sad, and confused, because they would love to have a Chief Executive like Obama.Actually, I'm surprised that the US and Europe haven't killed each other off--like siblings so alike,and so different, that they can't get along.
Balloting Issues Are So Interesting: In Bucks County, PA, it seems that there is some sort of skulduggery going on with the absentee ballots. It looks like an attempt to flood the county elections system with absentee ballots. Of course, once you overstress the system, it becomes much easier to challenge the system. A letter has gone out to voters, urging them to apply for the absentee ballot. It contains the application for the ballot, and a elf addressed,stamped envelope that sends the ballots to a post office box. The post office box is rented by Congressman Patrick Murphy, (D-PA) and is noted for pick up ONLY by Tim Persico and Paul Hampel. Persico is Murphy's campaign manager, and Hample is one of his key volunteers. I wonder why they didn't have applicants send the requests for absentee ballots to the Elections Board?
Evocative Prose: "There is a 'different' sound to the new setting, which perhaps owes something to my love of chant, traditional hymnody and authentic folk music, and nothing at all to the St. Louis Jesuits and all the other dumbed down, sentimental bubble-gum music which has been shoved down our throats for the past few decades in the Catholic Church. And therein might lie the problem... ." This was written by James McMillan, who composed the music for the Papal Masses in the UK. It's part of an article that is on the Telegraph.uk.co blogs page. in this article he recounts how the "liturgy mafia" (my words--I may have just coined a phrase) tried very hard to stop is composition from being used. And, how the Scottish Bishops had to get involved to overrule a committee that had no professional musicians on it. One objection raised was that the music would require a "competent" organist. No kidding. Go over to the Telegraph, at http://blogs.telegraph.co. uk and take a look. The authors name is James McMillan. Tags are James McMillan, papal visit, scotland. Worth reading. BTW--the masses used the new tests for the English Translation of the Missal. Wish I could have been there.
Catholic Campaign for Human Development
Well, well, well, It looks like the hand is out of the cookie jar. The CCHD has published new guidelines for the selection of the groups it funds, and will check them more closely to ensure that they do not work against Church teaching, or enter into coalitions and partnerships with groups that do.
The CCHD has issued a list of things they will be doing. And, they have decided to align themselves with the USCCB goals, including as their top three: Protect the life and dignity of the human person, strengthening marriage and family life,
and recognizing cultural diversity. (That last one might bear watching...I can see some Modernist functionary trying to "nuance" some things with that.) It has promised that it's new guidelines are not a cover for "business as usual".
One interesting thing is that they have decided that Catholic Identity is a worthwhile thing, and that they should give a plus to agencies connected to Catholic Parishes and institutions. That's actually quite a departure from their former policies.
Bishop Roger P. Morin (Biloxi, MS) has also apologized to the faithful for some of the agencies and organizations they have funded in the past.
So--eight faithful Bishops and a passel of Conservative Catholic Bloggers can in fact make a huge difference. I hope that the CCHD remembers that we're still watching.
The CCHD has issued a list of things they will be doing. And, they have decided to align themselves with the USCCB goals, including as their top three: Protect the life and dignity of the human person, strengthening marriage and family life,
and recognizing cultural diversity. (That last one might bear watching...I can see some Modernist functionary trying to "nuance" some things with that.) It has promised that it's new guidelines are not a cover for "business as usual".
One interesting thing is that they have decided that Catholic Identity is a worthwhile thing, and that they should give a plus to agencies connected to Catholic Parishes and institutions. That's actually quite a departure from their former policies.
Bishop Roger P. Morin (Biloxi, MS) has also apologized to the faithful for some of the agencies and organizations they have funded in the past.
So--eight faithful Bishops and a passel of Conservative Catholic Bloggers can in fact make a huge difference. I hope that the CCHD remembers that we're still watching.
I'm Proud!
Bryan Combs has a piece up over at the U.S. Catholic website. In it he rants about conservative Catholic Bloggers. He calls us uncharitable. Odd. I thought we were charitable. After all,Charity is the English translation of "charitas", the Latin word that is used as the equivalent of "Agape", Which means the disinterested desire for the greatest good of another. That is best expressed in the Corporal or Spiritual works of Mercy. one of these is to "rebuke the sinner"--that's out of the Catechism, BTW. Another is to 'instruct the ignorant", that's also out of the catechism. I have to wonder though--is he really just upset that people are being straight up, and calling out evil within the the Church? It might be that, After all, we did succeed in getting CCHD to clean up it's act. And then, his little diatribe comes out. It's really interesting to read the comments on it. Most of the "CathCons" are using Church teaching and logic. Most of the "CathProgs" are either twisting Church teaching, or saying we should stop being mean. Except when they say we shouldn't be on "their" site. Odd--the site is subtitled "In Conversation with American Catholics". I guess that means American Catholics who ain't all that Catholic.
I'm proud to be a "Lamestream" CathCon Blogger. Finally, a label that lumps me in with a group I admire. Let's all give it up for LAMESTREAM!
P.S.--Anybody know where I can get a "Lamestream" button for my blog?
I'm proud to be a "Lamestream" CathCon Blogger. Finally, a label that lumps me in with a group I admire. Let's all give it up for LAMESTREAM!
P.S.--Anybody know where I can get a "Lamestream" button for my blog?
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Gemma Arterton
She was in the two modern 'St. Trinian's" movies. She was in Prince of Persia, Sands of Time.
She has potential.
I shall watch her with interest Her Career--I Meant Her Career!
She has potential.
Poll Plug
If you haven't voted in the poll,go ahead and let your opinion be known. It's a little way down, on the right hand side of the page.
This one is proving popular.
This one is proving popular.
Dear Democratic Party of Minnesota
I, as a Catholic, object to your recent political mailing, that depicts a man in a Roman collar--which to almost everyone in the US takes to designate a priest--wearing a button that says "Ignore the Poor".
Your own candidate Sen. Doll, has asked you to refrain from sending any more of them out.
BTW--the Republican Candidate isn't a Catholic Priest--he's a Protestant Pastor who doesn't use a clerical collar. I'm assuming you are so ignorant of Christianity in America, that you can't tell the difference.
The ad is, in it's essence anti Catholic and anti Christian. And it angers me when I pause to think that the worlds largest provider of social services and relief to the poor is the Catholic Church. With Protestant Churches a close second.
In fact, I like this so little, that if the person who made the decision to use this would take responsibility for it, I publicly challenge you to a collegiate rules wrestling match. Winner gets to slap the p*ss out of the loser with a rubber chicken.
Your own candidate Sen. Doll, has asked you to refrain from sending any more of them out.
BTW--the Republican Candidate isn't a Catholic Priest--he's a Protestant Pastor who doesn't use a clerical collar. I'm assuming you are so ignorant of Christianity in America, that you can't tell the difference.
The ad is, in it's essence anti Catholic and anti Christian. And it angers me when I pause to think that the worlds largest provider of social services and relief to the poor is the Catholic Church. With Protestant Churches a close second.
In fact, I like this so little, that if the person who made the decision to use this would take responsibility for it, I publicly challenge you to a collegiate rules wrestling match. Winner gets to slap the p*ss out of the loser with a rubber chicken.
If only I could Be Snarky Enough to Do Them Justice...
...but I can't. I just don't have the skills. However, there are many people brighter than I. and one of them has written well and truly about "The American Catholic Council".
I will only say this--they're planned National Conference in June is meant to "defend" the teachings of Vatican II against those horrible, anti human traditional Catholics who are bent on taking over the Church. So Mr. James Penrice decided to find out what they were talking about. He E-mailed them, asking them to reference what they were talking about in the Documents of the Council.
Dead Silence.
Not a peep out of them to explain what Council Decrees and Documents were at risk. Imagine that--they couldn't justify their call for an American Catholic Church (as opposed to a Catholic Church in America) by the teachings of the Catholic Church.
Of course, it's us Traditionalists, us Conservative Catholics, who believe in the Magisterial Teachings of the Church and in it's hierarchical governance, that are divisive--especially when we aren't good with material schism.
My links still aren't linking, but you can find the article, in which Mr. Penrice takes their "thought' apart as easily as my Granny did Chickens, at www.catholic.org.national/national_story.php?id=38903.
I will only say this--they're planned National Conference in June is meant to "defend" the teachings of Vatican II against those horrible, anti human traditional Catholics who are bent on taking over the Church. So Mr. James Penrice decided to find out what they were talking about. He E-mailed them, asking them to reference what they were talking about in the Documents of the Council.
Dead Silence.
Not a peep out of them to explain what Council Decrees and Documents were at risk. Imagine that--they couldn't justify their call for an American Catholic Church (as opposed to a Catholic Church in America) by the teachings of the Catholic Church.
Of course, it's us Traditionalists, us Conservative Catholics, who believe in the Magisterial Teachings of the Church and in it's hierarchical governance, that are divisive--especially when we aren't good with material schism.
My links still aren't linking, but you can find the article, in which Mr. Penrice takes their "thought' apart as easily as my Granny did Chickens, at www.catholic.org.national/national_story.php?id=38903.
This Election Won't Solve Anything--And Might Make Things Worse
Let's be clear about something--this election isn't about candidates, it's about the underlying philosophy of government. The candidates are just how we go about expressing the debate in the polls. In someways, candidates are simply widow dressing for political parties. (That's why you get blue dog and yellow dog democrats, and groups like the Log Cabin Republicans. Some people just vote party affiliation and don't give a hoot about he person they're voting for.) I sometimes think it would be more honest to use the system found in some countries, where you vote for a party, not a particular candidate.
But we have come to a point where the debate is no longer going to be resolved in the polls. It's deteriorated, and it may be resolved in the streets. Most of us will remember the civil disturbances after the 2000 and 2004 elections, where anarchists and other progressive groups-to be sure, fringe groups-rioted in the streets because they didn't win. We now have that level of rancor on both sides of the fence. In a recent debate in Kentucky, a woman from MoveOn.Org was trying to get close to Republican Rand Paul, to get between him and a camera holding a sign saying "Rand Paul Republicore: Employee of the Month". I have no idea what that's supposed to mean,but it didn't work well for her. She tripped and fell. This attracted the attention of Paul supporters, who saw she was wearing a wig and a hoodie and decided she was in disguise. One whipped off her wig, one stomped on her. I saw the video on the news--it was ugly. At the same rally, and not on video, a Paul supporter, who had recently had foot surgery, also had a poor experience: A supporter of Jack Conway, who is the democratic candidate, saw she was a Paul supporter, and stomped on her foot-which was in a surgical boot. The wound was split back open. This didn't get on the video camera.
The Paul supporters who assaulted the MoveOn.Org person said they thought the disguise meant that she was going to try to harm Paul. The Conway supporter who struck at an obviously injured extremity (without any known provocation) left the immediate area, and so has given no explanation. Here's the problem very clearly shown--the level of vitriol and paranoia has reached a level that precludes any sort of rational process. The middle has disappeared, overshadowed by the extremes.
In 2000 and 2004, there were disorders in the streets of Seattle and Portland, and other cities, because the left end of the political spectrum has no faith in the electoral process, regarding those who do not vote as the progressives think they should as deluded, ignorant or enslaved into voting against their own best interests. We saw that again in 2008, when Proposition 8 was passed in California. But in 2008 we saw a new and ugly dimension added--personal violence, intimidation, extortion, and mob actions based on a quirk of California law that requires all political contributions to be matters of public record. Those who opposed Proposition 8 threatened businesses that had employees who donated with boycotts, disruptions and harassment of patrons if they didn't fire those who donated to Yes on 8 and make contributions to Gay Rights Causes. In one incident, a restaurant whose manager had donated to the campaign was intimidated into firing the manager, and contributing $5000 dollars to Gay Rights to compensate for the managers $50 donation.
So we have evidence that the progressive elements will not accept an electoral result they don't like.
But now, we need to worry about the right end of the political spectrum as well. And the right end of the spectrum's suspicions are not confined to just the fringe--they go deeper than that.
The progressives have no idea of the depth and breadth of conservative anger. Worse, they seem to miss the deep seated fear that many conservatives are feeling, especially regarding their constitutional rights. And this anger and fear is the result of more than legislative agendas. Conservatives fear that the Democratic party, lead by it's progressive elements, intends to usurp the Constitution. It doesn't help that one of the most widely known quotes from President Obama is "We need to get passed constitutional limits". To people who believe that constitutional limits are the cornerstone of the rule of law, that is indeed frightening. It doesn't help that one of the union officials supporting the Democratic Party recently said that conservatives have a "cultish" devotion to the Constitution. It's hard for Conservatives trust that people who say things like that will restrict themselves to legal, constitutional rule if the see the opportunity no get around it. And many, many conservatives feel that the Democratic Party intends to steal the election. And when looked at in a conservative light, the fear is certainly not irrational.
Here's why:
The 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals Tuesday struck down a portion of Arizona Law that requires proof of citizen ship to register to vote. The 9th US Circuit court of Appeals is considered widely to be the most progressive court in the US. It's also the Circuit Court of Appeals that is most frequently reversed by the Supreme Court. Many conservatives think of it as an "activist court" that is the court of choice for trying to force social and governmental change by judicial change. This ruling is seen as part and parcel of that pattern, especially since it flies in the face of all prior precedent. The Courts chief judge, Alex Kozinski wrote that the ruling not only violated all legal precedent, but was flat wrong in it's analysis. This is coupled with President Obama's recent speech tan immigrant group that advocate for and with illegal immigrants 'Together we can defeat the enemy" makes this look like an effort to swamp the Arizona--the whole southwest--with illegals who will vote Democratic.
And Conservatives concerned about the lack of action on proven instances of voter fraud in the 2008 election, are outraged by the Obama Administration's administrative setting aside of the convictions of two new Black Panther Party members for voter intimidation and intimidation of poll workers--offenses caught on video tape, and attested to by sworn testimony. They are even more upset by the Administrations move to cease all prosecution of these two men.
Exacerbating this are recent reports from advanced voting in Nevada and North Carolina, where electronic voting machines have been acting strangely. In New Bern, NC, at least three voters have reported that the electronic machines attempted to record straight ticket votes for the Democratic Party, when the voters voted Republican. One voter stated that when he tried to talk to the republican poll worker about it, he was interrupted by an unidentified man who said if he had complaints about the machine, he was to speak to him, not the observers of election judges. In Nevada, in Clark County which has 75% of the states residents, there have been numerous complaints, from multiple polling places, that the electronic machines in use have Harry Reid's name preselected. What makes this worse is that Mr. Reid's opponent, Sharon Angle, has a campaign attorney who has sent out a letter saying that Mr. Reid "intends to steal the election if he can't win it outright. This has some brows knot in consternation and fear. To muck the waters a bit more, the technicians who are charged with servicing the machines are members of the SEIU--President Obama's favorite union, whose former top lobbyist is now the White House Political Director. And, the SEIU in has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to support the Democratic Party in Nevada.
To many conservatives, this looks bad--like an attempt to finagle the election.
What makes this such an unstable situation, perhaps more than anything, is the fact that all the talking heads and pundits are speaking as if a widespread republican sweep is inevitable. It's not. It's not even most likely. Look at the polls--in many,many races, the margins are not that wide, and in some, the race is a dead heat. Especially in many blue areas, while voter dissatisfaction is rife, party loyalties can be high. Conservatives and Republicans need to keep this in mind--even without skulduggery, this election is not a done deal. Republicans can lose--fair and square.
But they have an expectation that all America will rise up in righteous indignation against the progressives, their policies, and especially Nancy Pelosi and Barack Obama. They have reinforced that perception by reading those talking heads who all agree that after the election, the Democratic Party will lie in ruins and the Republicans shall inherit the earth. That's an event I consider unlikely.
So with the indicators of electoral misconduct that are being reported, the optimism that's been generated by the analysts and columnists on the rights, and the rampant mistrust, I don't think the Conservatives, especially the far right, will take it well if their expectations prove unrealistic. And since I have been hearing conservatives say they think the "liberals" are going to try to steal the election since August, I see potential for social disturbances if the Democrats do well, or even just better than expected Tuesday.
The Left lost faith in and respect for the electoral process in 2000. If the right does the same in 2010 it will mean something. It will mean that both sides have lost faith in the keystone of American Rule of Law. And when people no longer believe in the Rule of Law, they tend to take the Law into their own hands. And when people take the electoral process into their hands without the moderation of Law, you get violence.
Whoever wins this election, I expect to see at least sporadic and scattered outbursts of violence. I would not be surprised if there were attempts on the persons of office holders. I have never been afraid of an election before.
But we have come to a point where the debate is no longer going to be resolved in the polls. It's deteriorated, and it may be resolved in the streets. Most of us will remember the civil disturbances after the 2000 and 2004 elections, where anarchists and other progressive groups-to be sure, fringe groups-rioted in the streets because they didn't win. We now have that level of rancor on both sides of the fence. In a recent debate in Kentucky, a woman from MoveOn.Org was trying to get close to Republican Rand Paul, to get between him and a camera holding a sign saying "Rand Paul Republicore: Employee of the Month". I have no idea what that's supposed to mean,but it didn't work well for her. She tripped and fell. This attracted the attention of Paul supporters, who saw she was wearing a wig and a hoodie and decided she was in disguise. One whipped off her wig, one stomped on her. I saw the video on the news--it was ugly. At the same rally, and not on video, a Paul supporter, who had recently had foot surgery, also had a poor experience: A supporter of Jack Conway, who is the democratic candidate, saw she was a Paul supporter, and stomped on her foot-which was in a surgical boot. The wound was split back open. This didn't get on the video camera.
The Paul supporters who assaulted the MoveOn.Org person said they thought the disguise meant that she was going to try to harm Paul. The Conway supporter who struck at an obviously injured extremity (without any known provocation) left the immediate area, and so has given no explanation. Here's the problem very clearly shown--the level of vitriol and paranoia has reached a level that precludes any sort of rational process. The middle has disappeared, overshadowed by the extremes.
In 2000 and 2004, there were disorders in the streets of Seattle and Portland, and other cities, because the left end of the political spectrum has no faith in the electoral process, regarding those who do not vote as the progressives think they should as deluded, ignorant or enslaved into voting against their own best interests. We saw that again in 2008, when Proposition 8 was passed in California. But in 2008 we saw a new and ugly dimension added--personal violence, intimidation, extortion, and mob actions based on a quirk of California law that requires all political contributions to be matters of public record. Those who opposed Proposition 8 threatened businesses that had employees who donated with boycotts, disruptions and harassment of patrons if they didn't fire those who donated to Yes on 8 and make contributions to Gay Rights Causes. In one incident, a restaurant whose manager had donated to the campaign was intimidated into firing the manager, and contributing $5000 dollars to Gay Rights to compensate for the managers $50 donation.
So we have evidence that the progressive elements will not accept an electoral result they don't like.
But now, we need to worry about the right end of the political spectrum as well. And the right end of the spectrum's suspicions are not confined to just the fringe--they go deeper than that.
The progressives have no idea of the depth and breadth of conservative anger. Worse, they seem to miss the deep seated fear that many conservatives are feeling, especially regarding their constitutional rights. And this anger and fear is the result of more than legislative agendas. Conservatives fear that the Democratic party, lead by it's progressive elements, intends to usurp the Constitution. It doesn't help that one of the most widely known quotes from President Obama is "We need to get passed constitutional limits". To people who believe that constitutional limits are the cornerstone of the rule of law, that is indeed frightening. It doesn't help that one of the union officials supporting the Democratic Party recently said that conservatives have a "cultish" devotion to the Constitution. It's hard for Conservatives trust that people who say things like that will restrict themselves to legal, constitutional rule if the see the opportunity no get around it. And many, many conservatives feel that the Democratic Party intends to steal the election. And when looked at in a conservative light, the fear is certainly not irrational.
Here's why:
The 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals Tuesday struck down a portion of Arizona Law that requires proof of citizen ship to register to vote. The 9th US Circuit court of Appeals is considered widely to be the most progressive court in the US. It's also the Circuit Court of Appeals that is most frequently reversed by the Supreme Court. Many conservatives think of it as an "activist court" that is the court of choice for trying to force social and governmental change by judicial change. This ruling is seen as part and parcel of that pattern, especially since it flies in the face of all prior precedent. The Courts chief judge, Alex Kozinski wrote that the ruling not only violated all legal precedent, but was flat wrong in it's analysis. This is coupled with President Obama's recent speech tan immigrant group that advocate for and with illegal immigrants 'Together we can defeat the enemy" makes this look like an effort to swamp the Arizona--the whole southwest--with illegals who will vote Democratic.
And Conservatives concerned about the lack of action on proven instances of voter fraud in the 2008 election, are outraged by the Obama Administration's administrative setting aside of the convictions of two new Black Panther Party members for voter intimidation and intimidation of poll workers--offenses caught on video tape, and attested to by sworn testimony. They are even more upset by the Administrations move to cease all prosecution of these two men.
Exacerbating this are recent reports from advanced voting in Nevada and North Carolina, where electronic voting machines have been acting strangely. In New Bern, NC, at least three voters have reported that the electronic machines attempted to record straight ticket votes for the Democratic Party, when the voters voted Republican. One voter stated that when he tried to talk to the republican poll worker about it, he was interrupted by an unidentified man who said if he had complaints about the machine, he was to speak to him, not the observers of election judges. In Nevada, in Clark County which has 75% of the states residents, there have been numerous complaints, from multiple polling places, that the electronic machines in use have Harry Reid's name preselected. What makes this worse is that Mr. Reid's opponent, Sharon Angle, has a campaign attorney who has sent out a letter saying that Mr. Reid "intends to steal the election if he can't win it outright. This has some brows knot in consternation and fear. To muck the waters a bit more, the technicians who are charged with servicing the machines are members of the SEIU--President Obama's favorite union, whose former top lobbyist is now the White House Political Director. And, the SEIU in has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to support the Democratic Party in Nevada.
To many conservatives, this looks bad--like an attempt to finagle the election.
What makes this such an unstable situation, perhaps more than anything, is the fact that all the talking heads and pundits are speaking as if a widespread republican sweep is inevitable. It's not. It's not even most likely. Look at the polls--in many,many races, the margins are not that wide, and in some, the race is a dead heat. Especially in many blue areas, while voter dissatisfaction is rife, party loyalties can be high. Conservatives and Republicans need to keep this in mind--even without skulduggery, this election is not a done deal. Republicans can lose--fair and square.
But they have an expectation that all America will rise up in righteous indignation against the progressives, their policies, and especially Nancy Pelosi and Barack Obama. They have reinforced that perception by reading those talking heads who all agree that after the election, the Democratic Party will lie in ruins and the Republicans shall inherit the earth. That's an event I consider unlikely.
So with the indicators of electoral misconduct that are being reported, the optimism that's been generated by the analysts and columnists on the rights, and the rampant mistrust, I don't think the Conservatives, especially the far right, will take it well if their expectations prove unrealistic. And since I have been hearing conservatives say they think the "liberals" are going to try to steal the election since August, I see potential for social disturbances if the Democrats do well, or even just better than expected Tuesday.
The Left lost faith in and respect for the electoral process in 2000. If the right does the same in 2010 it will mean something. It will mean that both sides have lost faith in the keystone of American Rule of Law. And when people no longer believe in the Rule of Law, they tend to take the Law into their own hands. And when people take the electoral process into their hands without the moderation of Law, you get violence.
Whoever wins this election, I expect to see at least sporadic and scattered outbursts of violence. I would not be surprised if there were attempts on the persons of office holders. I have never been afraid of an election before.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
To Any Boatheads that May Be Reading This Blog
Wooden Boat, December 2010, Number 217, Page 99-101. It's brilliant, Retro, high tec improvised simplicity.
It's not for me, but it takes genius to do something like that.
It's a 20' folding trimaran, using lumber yard materials, and a salvaged Hobie 16 rig, with an estimated building cost of $3K. Designed around the footprint of your average discount house dome tent. It even has a table.
I wish I was that smart.
BTW--left the house at 7:45 AM, Got hoe at 8:30 PM, dodged one tornado, and a phenomenal storm, so no time to do real blogging.
Pray for the election, and that common sense may prevail.
It's not for me, but it takes genius to do something like that.
It's a 20' folding trimaran, using lumber yard materials, and a salvaged Hobie 16 rig, with an estimated building cost of $3K. Designed around the footprint of your average discount house dome tent. It even has a table.
I wish I was that smart.
BTW--left the house at 7:45 AM, Got hoe at 8:30 PM, dodged one tornado, and a phenomenal storm, so no time to do real blogging.
Pray for the election, and that common sense may prevail.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Vote on the New Poll
Vote on the new poll. Tell the world how you feel. Vote your gut, not your mind. Your vote counts.
Voting is a civic duty. if you don't vote--don't emote.
Or, you can just check your favorite answer, or the answer closest to your preference, and hope I won't use it as part of some sinister, godless propaganda campaign, designed to further the tentacles of the Evil Vast Redneck Conspiracy--no, not NASCAR, the other one.
Voting is a civic duty. if you don't vote--don't emote.
Or, you can just check your favorite answer, or the answer closest to your preference, and hope I won't use it as part of some sinister, godless propaganda campaign, designed to further the tentacles of the Evil Vast Redneck Conspiracy--no, not NASCAR, the other one.
Dinner Tonight
Was pork chops, peas and potatoes, en la Mode Margey, with toast Rosa Rosa.
Yum.
Leftovers? Are you kidding?
Yum.
Leftovers? Are you kidding?
Can you believe,,,
...That Daughter#1 has forbidden me to teach my three year old Granddaughter to say "Buy Moldy Man Fart Bottles"? She says I have to wait for her to have a boy, and teach that sort of thing to him, because that's appropriate for grandsons, not granddaughters.
How sexist is that?
How sexist is that?
The Poll
Well, in my tiny and unscientific poll, 30% said they were stocking up to have some extra in case they got caught short between paydays after a price increase in food. 30% said they weren't. nobody said they grew enough of their own not to worry about it. 7% said I was a panic mongering reactionary for asking, and 7% said they trusted in the providence of God.
23% said they couldn't afford to buy any extra to put aside.
Unfortunately These 23% are the ones most likely to be hurt by running out of milk or meat or eggs between paydays, and not have enough cash on hand to get some. They will either do without, or put it on their charge card, or do without something else.
That's way it rolls, in America, 2010
23% said they couldn't afford to buy any extra to put aside.
Unfortunately These 23% are the ones most likely to be hurt by running out of milk or meat or eggs between paydays, and not have enough cash on hand to get some. They will either do without, or put it on their charge card, or do without something else.
That's way it rolls, in America, 2010
Tripping to the Obvious
Political Scientists have realized that there is no longer anything like an identifiable "Catholic Vote". Catholics no longer vote in a block tht reflects the positions of their Church. Instead, we vote like everybody else.
Took 'em long enough to notice. The movement's been underway since the early 60s.
i wonder though, how many of us have noticed? And of those of us who have, how many think the loss of the "Catholic Vote" that votes according to the teaching of the Church is a loss to the Republic, and to the Church?
Took 'em long enough to notice. The movement's been underway since the early 60s.
i wonder though, how many of us have noticed? And of those of us who have, how many think the loss of the "Catholic Vote" that votes according to the teaching of the Church is a loss to the Republic, and to the Church?
Church News Round Up
The Carmelites of Wyoming: Have recently celebrated the ordination of two new priests. These Carmelites function, not according to the 1962 missal, but according to the Ancient Carmelite Rite--a rite proper to the Carmelite Order. The ordinations were performed, in the ancient usage, by Bishop James Conley of Denver, in the Cathedral of St. Mary's, Cheyenne, Wy. i would post some photos, but I still haven't made that work. however, it's a beautiful thing to see young priests, in Roman Vestments, with the full tonsure distributing communion.
The Saint Benedict Center: The St. Benedict center is operated by a group that has been in schism since the 1940s, followers of a priest named Feeney. Father Feeney held to a distorted version of "No Salvation outside the Church", and so entered into schism--going outside the Church that he taught was an absolute necessity for salvation. The Bishop of Manchester has appointed a priest to serve the sisters there as confessor and to say Mass and distribute communion. This constitutes a reconciliation with the Church that is long overdue. A large fraction of the Sisters left the Feenyites and reconciled on their own, two years ago, I think.
Institute on Religious Life: Bishop Robert W. Finn of Kansas City/St.Joe Missouri has been elected president of the IRL. The IRL represents some 160+ religious communities, and was founded by Fr. John Hardon, SJ (Whose cause has been initiated). It was founded to preserve the core of the religious life at a time that it was under attack by Modernists under the guise of 'renewal'. This group represents, almost completely, the 20% of religious communities that are receiving 80% or new vocations. Bishop Finn is one of the "good guys" and succeeds Bishop Doran, also one of the"good guys".
Why Abp. Wuerl got the Red Hat: I didn't know this, but it turns out that Abp Wuerl has been one of the movers and shakers of the reform of catechises in the US. A thankless ob that makes the Augean Stables look like a cakewalk. So i must eat my share of crow when i wondered aloud why he got picked.
New Deacons: The Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate have had nine new Deacons ordained. They were ordained by the Titular Archbishop of Thelepte, in the usus antiquitor. If you're unfamiliar with the FFIs, they spring from the OFM, Conventuals, and take their inspiration from St. Maximilian Kolbe,and his work in evangelization. There are a couple of groups coming from the Capuchins, that constitute a de facto reform movement, and a reform of the renewal. I think of the FFIs as the same thing for the Conventuals. (Remember, it was the Conventuals who lost control of the Basilica of St. Francis after letting a Voodoo Guy dance around the altar with a chicken.) If you are in range of Indiana, the FFIs run Mother of the Redeemer Retreat center in rural Monroe County. Check 'em out, or check em' out on the Internet. Interesting guys, with a strong commitment to the Liturgy of the Church.
The Saint Benedict Center: The St. Benedict center is operated by a group that has been in schism since the 1940s, followers of a priest named Feeney. Father Feeney held to a distorted version of "No Salvation outside the Church", and so entered into schism--going outside the Church that he taught was an absolute necessity for salvation. The Bishop of Manchester has appointed a priest to serve the sisters there as confessor and to say Mass and distribute communion. This constitutes a reconciliation with the Church that is long overdue. A large fraction of the Sisters left the Feenyites and reconciled on their own, two years ago, I think.
Institute on Religious Life: Bishop Robert W. Finn of Kansas City/St.Joe Missouri has been elected president of the IRL. The IRL represents some 160+ religious communities, and was founded by Fr. John Hardon, SJ (Whose cause has been initiated). It was founded to preserve the core of the religious life at a time that it was under attack by Modernists under the guise of 'renewal'. This group represents, almost completely, the 20% of religious communities that are receiving 80% or new vocations. Bishop Finn is one of the "good guys" and succeeds Bishop Doran, also one of the"good guys".
Why Abp. Wuerl got the Red Hat: I didn't know this, but it turns out that Abp Wuerl has been one of the movers and shakers of the reform of catechises in the US. A thankless ob that makes the Augean Stables look like a cakewalk. So i must eat my share of crow when i wondered aloud why he got picked.
New Deacons: The Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate have had nine new Deacons ordained. They were ordained by the Titular Archbishop of Thelepte, in the usus antiquitor. If you're unfamiliar with the FFIs, they spring from the OFM, Conventuals, and take their inspiration from St. Maximilian Kolbe,and his work in evangelization. There are a couple of groups coming from the Capuchins, that constitute a de facto reform movement, and a reform of the renewal. I think of the FFIs as the same thing for the Conventuals. (Remember, it was the Conventuals who lost control of the Basilica of St. Francis after letting a Voodoo Guy dance around the altar with a chicken.) If you are in range of Indiana, the FFIs run Mother of the Redeemer Retreat center in rural Monroe County. Check 'em out, or check em' out on the Internet. Interesting guys, with a strong commitment to the Liturgy of the Church.
Anti Catholic Sentiment is Alive and Well in American Law
The 9th US court has decided that the City of San Francisco cannot be sued for passing a resolution defining the Catholic Church as a hate group because it opposes homosexual activity.
The case is being appealed to the US Supreme Court.
The case is being appealed to the US Supreme Court.
Bullying
Since the unfortunate suicide of a young man who had his sexual tryst filmed by his roomate at college, the phrase "bullying gays" has been bounding around in our societies discourse. So, now i'm going to speak my mind on it.
If it had been a young woman, who had her sexual tryst with a male filmed and posted, the argument would be about invasion of privacy, and the dangers posed by posting sexual moments on the 'Net as a prank. The sexual politics would not have come up, and the story would have died by now. But it involved the exact same sort of misconduct with a homosexual, so now it's a crusade. Don't misinterpret what I'm saying: the kids who did this should be expelled and liable to criminal proceedings. Their conduct was inexcusable, against anyone.
But they acted against a homosexual, and there seems to be a double standard at work. if you do something despicable to a heterosexual, involving their sex life--it's a normal crime. If you do it to a homosexual, not only are you liable for your actions, but it's a special kind of crime, with additional penalties. I wish I had the protection from hate speech and hate crimes that's extended to this group. But I don't.
In fact, this event is a stroke of luck for the Gay Rights Movement. It allows them to scream "bullying" at anything that doesn't hold them up as a paragon of wonderfulness.
Try this--The Times Writers Group published a column on Archbishops Nienstedts recent action of refusing communion to an organized group wearing rainbow ribbons and badges who presented themselves--with a photographer and an editor of a student newspaper in attendance--at a Mass at St. Johns Abbey. They simply redefined protest in the column saying that it was no doubt a reaction to the Wisconsin Bishops campaign to explain the Churches teaching on marriage to the Catholics in Wisconsin, which this column described as "mindless and distasteful", but that it wasn't a protest, but a "positive message". The column ignores the Church rule that rainbow sashes, badges and ribbons worn by an organized group is an attempt at politicize the Eucharist, and a direct rejection of Catholic moral teaching that bars those participating from receiving communion. It condemned the action as "Anti-Gay Bullying". Actually, it was Gay bullying, designed from the start to create division and controversy within the Church, and to provide propaganda points to "prove" that anything less than approval of homosexual activity is bullying.
In Moscow, the City Fathers have refused to allow permits for Gay Pride Parades. The EU courts have ruled that the City of Moscow must pay fines and allow the parades--intimidation and financial penalties for not approving of Gay activities. The mayor of Moscow has said he won't comply. This too, is a form of Gay Bullying, by attempting to dictate local ethical and moral standards using a bureaucracy to enforce the will of a sexual minority and demonize the will of the majority of people in Russia. (I wonder, given the strength of Russian nationalism, and the resurgence of the Russian Orthodox Church, if any consideration has been given to what would happen if the Russians simply defy the EU? But then, the approval of sodomy as a lifestyle choice is more important to the Gay Agenda than any other consideration.)
And in California, the Gay Groups HRC and the Courage Campaign are trying to use the courts and the IRS to silence opposition groups by attacking their opponents, saying that they have violated their non-profit status by engaging in politics. And the Gay Groups don't? Once again a double standard. And this is intended to silence groups opposed to gay marriage, which has lost every popular vote it's been put to. So, if the Gay Activists can silence the organized opposition--can stifle free speech by calling it bullying--they reason they can force the acceptence of something many,many people feel is disordered and morally wrong into law.
I have to wonder--who are the real bullies?
If it had been a young woman, who had her sexual tryst with a male filmed and posted, the argument would be about invasion of privacy, and the dangers posed by posting sexual moments on the 'Net as a prank. The sexual politics would not have come up, and the story would have died by now. But it involved the exact same sort of misconduct with a homosexual, so now it's a crusade. Don't misinterpret what I'm saying: the kids who did this should be expelled and liable to criminal proceedings. Their conduct was inexcusable, against anyone.
But they acted against a homosexual, and there seems to be a double standard at work. if you do something despicable to a heterosexual, involving their sex life--it's a normal crime. If you do it to a homosexual, not only are you liable for your actions, but it's a special kind of crime, with additional penalties. I wish I had the protection from hate speech and hate crimes that's extended to this group. But I don't.
In fact, this event is a stroke of luck for the Gay Rights Movement. It allows them to scream "bullying" at anything that doesn't hold them up as a paragon of wonderfulness.
Try this--The Times Writers Group published a column on Archbishops Nienstedts recent action of refusing communion to an organized group wearing rainbow ribbons and badges who presented themselves--with a photographer and an editor of a student newspaper in attendance--at a Mass at St. Johns Abbey. They simply redefined protest in the column saying that it was no doubt a reaction to the Wisconsin Bishops campaign to explain the Churches teaching on marriage to the Catholics in Wisconsin, which this column described as "mindless and distasteful", but that it wasn't a protest, but a "positive message". The column ignores the Church rule that rainbow sashes, badges and ribbons worn by an organized group is an attempt at politicize the Eucharist, and a direct rejection of Catholic moral teaching that bars those participating from receiving communion. It condemned the action as "Anti-Gay Bullying". Actually, it was Gay bullying, designed from the start to create division and controversy within the Church, and to provide propaganda points to "prove" that anything less than approval of homosexual activity is bullying.
In Moscow, the City Fathers have refused to allow permits for Gay Pride Parades. The EU courts have ruled that the City of Moscow must pay fines and allow the parades--intimidation and financial penalties for not approving of Gay activities. The mayor of Moscow has said he won't comply. This too, is a form of Gay Bullying, by attempting to dictate local ethical and moral standards using a bureaucracy to enforce the will of a sexual minority and demonize the will of the majority of people in Russia. (I wonder, given the strength of Russian nationalism, and the resurgence of the Russian Orthodox Church, if any consideration has been given to what would happen if the Russians simply defy the EU? But then, the approval of sodomy as a lifestyle choice is more important to the Gay Agenda than any other consideration.)
And in California, the Gay Groups HRC and the Courage Campaign are trying to use the courts and the IRS to silence opposition groups by attacking their opponents, saying that they have violated their non-profit status by engaging in politics. And the Gay Groups don't? Once again a double standard. And this is intended to silence groups opposed to gay marriage, which has lost every popular vote it's been put to. So, if the Gay Activists can silence the organized opposition--can stifle free speech by calling it bullying--they reason they can force the acceptence of something many,many people feel is disordered and morally wrong into law.
I have to wonder--who are the real bullies?
WTF?
Chen-Wei-yih has spent more than $5K for a bridal gown and banquet. No groom. Nope, not lesbian marriage. She married herself, and will take a solo honeymoon. She says she's expressing "...a different idea within the bounds of tradition."
One commenter on her Internet posting about it said "I think there will be more girls like this." the commenter DivaGirl said.
I don't even know what to say, unless this is just a perfect example of the narcissism of modern culture!
One commenter on her Internet posting about it said "I think there will be more girls like this." the commenter DivaGirl said.
I don't even know what to say, unless this is just a perfect example of the narcissism of modern culture!
Feelings of Betrayal
I come from a long line of Democrats and Union people. But i have finally decided that the Dems are not what they were--if they ever were what they were. I guess it started when I noticed that many of the Dems I knew were pro censorship of political and moral speech. It didn't help that I read a lot about the "New Deal" and some of it's key players as well.
But here are somethings that I have found that explain my leaving the Democratic Party, and the sense of betrayal I feel when I think about them. These are pretty current items, so that I can show what I see is a pattern of anti-democratic actions and feelings in the Party. (Oh--by the way, don't get the idea I'm a republican either. They don't seem to have a handle on a lot of things that are important for liberty, no more than the Dems. The TEA partiers are proof of that, because after you strip away the election year and political obfuscation, they represent a revolution within the Republican party, trying to get the rank and file concerns heard by the machine. A machine every bit as unresponsive and out of touch as the Dems. It's worth remembering, that no matter how you feel about her, Sarah Palin came to prominence by taking on the Republican Machine in her home state, and winning.)
An example that I see as apropos is in New Hampshire. The largest paper in the State, The New Hampshire Union Leader, is refusing to run announcements of Gay Weddings. The publisher states that he bears no animus to Gays, but doesn't believe in Gay marriage. US Senate Candidate Paul Hodes (D) says the paper should "respect state law" and run the announcements. Think about it. Respecting state law doesn't imply compelled speech. Compelled speech isn't free speech, and requiring a paper to run things that it's publisher disagrees with interferes with a free press. If this man becomes a senator, and manages to pass legislation forcing this issue, what then? I know of papers that won't run ads for strip clubs, escort services and such. These businesses work within the state laws. This thinking could lead to such things as a newspaper being compelled to run ads and announcements of say, an amateur wet-T-shirt dildo dancing contest, by his logic. And yes, experience shows that the logic will be extended in such a way. Hodes issued a challenge to Kelly Ayotte (R) to denounce the paper. Ayotte said the government has no business telling a free press what to do. It's a no brainer deciding which candidate is supporting the constitutional provision for a free press. (Oh--once again, we see the Dems opposing a professional, successful woman, while touting themselves as the party that's pro woman. The Schizo mix confuses me. Shouldn't the feminists be behind Ayottte?)
Free communications--freedom of speech, freedom of the press and freedom of association--is one of the cornerstones, perhaps the most important cornerstone, of liberty.
Now, in Virginia, Congressman Jim Moran (D) has decided that his opponent, Patrick Murray is unqualified. He said "What [the Republicans] do is find candidates, usually stealth candidates, that haven't been in office, haven't served or performed in any kind of public service. My opponent is typical, frankly."
Mr. Moran is setting up his own mental categories of what is a qualification for congressional office. He seems unaware that the constitution is the authoritative document, with legal force, stating what constitutes qualification for being a congressman. He also has an odd idea of what constitutes public service, because his opponent does have a record of service--24 years in the military. Apparently, for Dems, the military does not constitute public service. I guess they just see the US military as some sort of employment program, or something. And I am certain that he doesn't realize that to serve in the Military for 24 years requires a person who meets incredibly high standards of performance, not to mention ethical standards that would leave him in all probability, eliminated at the 3-4 year mark.
No, I've lost all trust and faith in the Democratic party, simply because of the things they say and do. Having been raised to believe that the Party is the working classes best bet for freedom and prosperity, it joins the long list of institutions that have failed me and mine, and left us feeling betrayed.
But here are somethings that I have found that explain my leaving the Democratic Party, and the sense of betrayal I feel when I think about them. These are pretty current items, so that I can show what I see is a pattern of anti-democratic actions and feelings in the Party. (Oh--by the way, don't get the idea I'm a republican either. They don't seem to have a handle on a lot of things that are important for liberty, no more than the Dems. The TEA partiers are proof of that, because after you strip away the election year and political obfuscation, they represent a revolution within the Republican party, trying to get the rank and file concerns heard by the machine. A machine every bit as unresponsive and out of touch as the Dems. It's worth remembering, that no matter how you feel about her, Sarah Palin came to prominence by taking on the Republican Machine in her home state, and winning.)
An example that I see as apropos is in New Hampshire. The largest paper in the State, The New Hampshire Union Leader, is refusing to run announcements of Gay Weddings. The publisher states that he bears no animus to Gays, but doesn't believe in Gay marriage. US Senate Candidate Paul Hodes (D) says the paper should "respect state law" and run the announcements. Think about it. Respecting state law doesn't imply compelled speech. Compelled speech isn't free speech, and requiring a paper to run things that it's publisher disagrees with interferes with a free press. If this man becomes a senator, and manages to pass legislation forcing this issue, what then? I know of papers that won't run ads for strip clubs, escort services and such. These businesses work within the state laws. This thinking could lead to such things as a newspaper being compelled to run ads and announcements of say, an amateur wet-T-shirt dildo dancing contest, by his logic. And yes, experience shows that the logic will be extended in such a way. Hodes issued a challenge to Kelly Ayotte (R) to denounce the paper. Ayotte said the government has no business telling a free press what to do. It's a no brainer deciding which candidate is supporting the constitutional provision for a free press. (Oh--once again, we see the Dems opposing a professional, successful woman, while touting themselves as the party that's pro woman. The Schizo mix confuses me. Shouldn't the feminists be behind Ayottte?)
Free communications--freedom of speech, freedom of the press and freedom of association--is one of the cornerstones, perhaps the most important cornerstone, of liberty.
Now, in Virginia, Congressman Jim Moran (D) has decided that his opponent, Patrick Murray is unqualified. He said "What [the Republicans] do is find candidates, usually stealth candidates, that haven't been in office, haven't served or performed in any kind of public service. My opponent is typical, frankly."
Mr. Moran is setting up his own mental categories of what is a qualification for congressional office. He seems unaware that the constitution is the authoritative document, with legal force, stating what constitutes qualification for being a congressman. He also has an odd idea of what constitutes public service, because his opponent does have a record of service--24 years in the military. Apparently, for Dems, the military does not constitute public service. I guess they just see the US military as some sort of employment program, or something. And I am certain that he doesn't realize that to serve in the Military for 24 years requires a person who meets incredibly high standards of performance, not to mention ethical standards that would leave him in all probability, eliminated at the 3-4 year mark.
No, I've lost all trust and faith in the Democratic party, simply because of the things they say and do. Having been raised to believe that the Party is the working classes best bet for freedom and prosperity, it joins the long list of institutions that have failed me and mine, and left us feeling betrayed.
Fox News--Unclear on Cause and Effect
So, making my morning rounds of Main Stream Media, I checked the Fox News Site. Not a lot going on I wish to comment on, except the page itself.
On their "Features and Faces" section they had a link to a story. "Her Sexy Secret", with a blurb saying that there were few things to make a woman feel as powerful as bringing her lover to the brink of Ecstasy. Then a link attached to the blurb saying Teens are having risky sex.
Gee--teens are so anxious to be grown up, that they often imitate the images and ideas they see presented in the media. Fox somehow doesn't see linking sexual prowess to empowerment as contributing to the problem of risky teen sex.
There is a certain...viscosity to the journalistic mind.
On their "Features and Faces" section they had a link to a story. "Her Sexy Secret", with a blurb saying that there were few things to make a woman feel as powerful as bringing her lover to the brink of Ecstasy. Then a link attached to the blurb saying Teens are having risky sex.
Gee--teens are so anxious to be grown up, that they often imitate the images and ideas they see presented in the media. Fox somehow doesn't see linking sexual prowess to empowerment as contributing to the problem of risky teen sex.
There is a certain...viscosity to the journalistic mind.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Smoke and Ash
We've been smelling smoke and seeing drifting ash for last couple of days. Over at Ft. Knox, a training event started a range fire, and the smoke and ash has blown over to us. People don't seem to realize that military ammo and training is, well, dangerous and destructive. That's why it's mostly done on military installations.
I wouldn't be surprised if some one, or a group, raises enough hell to modify the training regimen, or restrict usage of ammunition in some way. They try stuff like that all the time.
They closed down the worlds most advanced (at that time) multipurpose range--everything from handguns to tanks could use it, at once. Cost millions of dollars, it did!--Because a species of woodpecker moved onto the range--after it was open and in use!
Yep, someone will complain, somehow. And the soldiers will suffer from the usual result of curtailed training--someone will kill them because their training wasn't as complete, challenging, difficult and scary as possible.
I wouldn't be surprised if some one, or a group, raises enough hell to modify the training regimen, or restrict usage of ammunition in some way. They try stuff like that all the time.
They closed down the worlds most advanced (at that time) multipurpose range--everything from handguns to tanks could use it, at once. Cost millions of dollars, it did!--Because a species of woodpecker moved onto the range--after it was open and in use!
Yep, someone will complain, somehow. And the soldiers will suffer from the usual result of curtailed training--someone will kill them because their training wasn't as complete, challenging, difficult and scary as possible.
Oh, And by the Way
Rachel Grey, over at Infused Knowledge, won't be posting anymore. She's left to join a convent of the Adorers of the Royal Heart of Jesus Christ Sovereign Priest.
Prayers and sacrifices would be very appropriate, and might even be good for us.
Prayers and sacrifices would be very appropriate, and might even be good for us.
The things that go through my brain while I relax on a Sunday evening.
1--Proteins. Any biological item is made of proteins. That includes grapes. One of the things that's interesting about making wine is watching the texture of the bubbles, as it changes throughout the process, but most dramatically in the first couple of days. The early bubbles are almost foam like, and can have remarkable persistence, to the point that from time to time they can be forced through the fermentation lock that you use to let CO2 escape. The reason for this texture is the proteins present in the must. The yeast need the nitrogen in the proteins to make their own proteins, so they break it down. After that, they use the proteins from the spent yeast cells. Kinda cool.
2--Catholic Rap. You know, the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal are graced with some musically inclined guys. They also have some guys who've been around, who have street smarts. Maybe we could get them to make up some good Catholic Rap, and go around on the streets rappin' to people. *Francis would have done it* I won't suggest this though. I mentioned that with all the really pretty girls in our parish, we should just let the word out and guys would be showing up to meet them, and then be easy meat for conversion. The parish staff wasn't amused.
3--Geee---I had no idea that so many people felt badly about Budweiser. I guess it's a good thing that I didn't mention that I was raised with PBR, and will occasionally drink it, especially if I've been working outside. And I guess people don't realize that without PBR, virtually no hay would get bailed in the State of Indiana, and all the cows would die. Pabst Blue Ribbon--keeps the cows alive in winter.
4--VEBO--VErtical BOdy extraction, is a technique of extracting a patrol by helicopter, when the terrain is to heavily forested to land the bird. Ropes are dropped with a penetrator. The ropes have a figure 8 knot on the end, with a butterfly knot above it. you wear a Swiss seat, and clip into the figure 8 knot, and clip a loop of 3/4" nylon rope to the butterfly. The loop supports your rucksack, and the helicopter flies away with you and your buddies hanging underneath it, with your arms and legs links so you don't spin around. It's the most fun four guys can have leaving the woods, and the most fun you can have and still stay on the correct side of sane. I miss doing things like that, from time to time.
5--Granddaughter moment. The oldest Granddaughter,(six now) was sitting at the table, and I said to her, "Is that a huge snake climbing you chair?" She jumped up, spun around, looked and said 'There's no snake!" To which I replied "Oh, I guess not. I must'v been wrong." She answered me, "Poppo, you need new bifocals!"
2--Catholic Rap. You know, the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal are graced with some musically inclined guys. They also have some guys who've been around, who have street smarts. Maybe we could get them to make up some good Catholic Rap, and go around on the streets rappin' to people. *Francis would have done it* I won't suggest this though. I mentioned that with all the really pretty girls in our parish, we should just let the word out and guys would be showing up to meet them, and then be easy meat for conversion. The parish staff wasn't amused.
3--Geee---I had no idea that so many people felt badly about Budweiser. I guess it's a good thing that I didn't mention that I was raised with PBR, and will occasionally drink it, especially if I've been working outside. And I guess people don't realize that without PBR, virtually no hay would get bailed in the State of Indiana, and all the cows would die. Pabst Blue Ribbon--keeps the cows alive in winter.
4--VEBO--VErtical BOdy extraction, is a technique of extracting a patrol by helicopter, when the terrain is to heavily forested to land the bird. Ropes are dropped with a penetrator. The ropes have a figure 8 knot on the end, with a butterfly knot above it. you wear a Swiss seat, and clip into the figure 8 knot, and clip a loop of 3/4" nylon rope to the butterfly. The loop supports your rucksack, and the helicopter flies away with you and your buddies hanging underneath it, with your arms and legs links so you don't spin around. It's the most fun four guys can have leaving the woods, and the most fun you can have and still stay on the correct side of sane. I miss doing things like that, from time to time.
5--Granddaughter moment. The oldest Granddaughter,(six now) was sitting at the table, and I said to her, "Is that a huge snake climbing you chair?" She jumped up, spun around, looked and said 'There's no snake!" To which I replied "Oh, I guess not. I must'v been wrong." She answered me, "Poppo, you need new bifocals!"
Monteverdi's Vespers
Claudio Monteverdi was an early baroque composer, best know for opera. in 1610, he composed a Pontifical Vespers to be performed (celebrated?) on the evening of the state wedding of the Gonzaga family heir, and his elevation to an order of knighthood.
This Vespers was performed--definitely performed, not a liturgical action at all--today at 5:00 PM in our parish Church. (This performance was allowed, as the music itself was of a sacred character, and the place was respected--not some sort of hoe-down in the knave at all. The Blessed Sacrament was removed from the tabernacle for the duration of the concert, and reposed in the adoration chapel.) Period instruments were used, to include cornettos sackbuts and therbos. One of the musicians told me he had never seen a that many therbos in one place in his life--three of them. A therbo is a 12 string instrument, that is to a lute as a base violin is to a violin (four of it's strings are much shorter--normal length for a lute-- and a the rest much much longer) a cornetto is a devilishly difficult instrument, very few of which exist, and very few people can play--think of a wooden trumpet, long and lightly curved, played like a recorder with six finger and one thumb hole--that has the most wonderful sound! Sackbuts are an ancestor of the trombone, with a more delicate sound, and greater flexibility.
The music was performed by the Choral arts society, with the trebles from Noe middle School--BTW, the school girls were very impressed by our church, and especially by the full relics of St. Magnus and St Bonosa, in cute kind of "Ewwww they have dead people in glass boxes! Let Me see!" Kind of way.
For the best part of two hours, i was treated to music that one very seldom gets to hear, performed to a high standard, in a venue with excellent acoustics made for such vocal arts.
The music, as liturgical music, left something to be desired, with the overly ornamented vocals of Baroque music, and the solo parts being very difficult, with a distinctly operatic nature. It would be impossible to to find a church choir, and clerics, who reached this standard--especially clerics, as you could conceivably use paid choristers, but priest have more to do than practice opera! Moreover, we are not supposed to use instruments that are most often associated with secular music, or music that is very secular in tone, and Monteverdi's Vespers of the Blessed Virgin Mary is definitely an example of secular music moving into Sacred Liturgy, at least for the time. He did base his psalmody on the existing Gregorian psalm tones, but in a highly ornamented fashion.
But as Music!!! If I closed my eyes, it was like being transported on wings made of human voices. The queen of the house looked at the sculpture of the apostles and said it was like listening to saints in Heaven. This was so beautiful, so transporting and ....and something, i don't have words for it...that I'm tempted to give opera (a form of music I just don't like!) another chance. It was so good!
I'm glad I know people in the music community--tickets were $20 a pop,but we were comped three tickets. thank you, Mark.
Also--we did manage to get some people who would never think of entering a Church into...a Church. I saw some people looking at the pieta, and other art works like they didn't know what to think, or perhaps they thought they were pious, overly devotional, and unsophisticated, or maybe just distasteful. There was at lest one obviously gay couple, and one transgendered person. All were in a Catholic Church, under the same roof as the Blessed Sacrament, and the whole time, the perpetual adoration chapel was manned, and people were praying. I'm sure the Holy Spirit isn't going to waste this.
This Vespers was performed--definitely performed, not a liturgical action at all--today at 5:00 PM in our parish Church. (This performance was allowed, as the music itself was of a sacred character, and the place was respected--not some sort of hoe-down in the knave at all. The Blessed Sacrament was removed from the tabernacle for the duration of the concert, and reposed in the adoration chapel.) Period instruments were used, to include cornettos sackbuts and therbos. One of the musicians told me he had never seen a that many therbos in one place in his life--three of them. A therbo is a 12 string instrument, that is to a lute as a base violin is to a violin (four of it's strings are much shorter--normal length for a lute-- and a the rest much much longer) a cornetto is a devilishly difficult instrument, very few of which exist, and very few people can play--think of a wooden trumpet, long and lightly curved, played like a recorder with six finger and one thumb hole--that has the most wonderful sound! Sackbuts are an ancestor of the trombone, with a more delicate sound, and greater flexibility.
The music was performed by the Choral arts society, with the trebles from Noe middle School--BTW, the school girls were very impressed by our church, and especially by the full relics of St. Magnus and St Bonosa, in cute kind of "Ewwww they have dead people in glass boxes! Let Me see!" Kind of way.
For the best part of two hours, i was treated to music that one very seldom gets to hear, performed to a high standard, in a venue with excellent acoustics made for such vocal arts.
The music, as liturgical music, left something to be desired, with the overly ornamented vocals of Baroque music, and the solo parts being very difficult, with a distinctly operatic nature. It would be impossible to to find a church choir, and clerics, who reached this standard--especially clerics, as you could conceivably use paid choristers, but priest have more to do than practice opera! Moreover, we are not supposed to use instruments that are most often associated with secular music, or music that is very secular in tone, and Monteverdi's Vespers of the Blessed Virgin Mary is definitely an example of secular music moving into Sacred Liturgy, at least for the time. He did base his psalmody on the existing Gregorian psalm tones, but in a highly ornamented fashion.
But as Music!!! If I closed my eyes, it was like being transported on wings made of human voices. The queen of the house looked at the sculpture of the apostles and said it was like listening to saints in Heaven. This was so beautiful, so transporting and ....and something, i don't have words for it...that I'm tempted to give opera (a form of music I just don't like!) another chance. It was so good!
I'm glad I know people in the music community--tickets were $20 a pop,but we were comped three tickets. thank you, Mark.
Also--we did manage to get some people who would never think of entering a Church into...a Church. I saw some people looking at the pieta, and other art works like they didn't know what to think, or perhaps they thought they were pious, overly devotional, and unsophisticated, or maybe just distasteful. There was at lest one obviously gay couple, and one transgendered person. All were in a Catholic Church, under the same roof as the Blessed Sacrament, and the whole time, the perpetual adoration chapel was manned, and people were praying. I'm sure the Holy Spirit isn't going to waste this.
11:00 O'Clock Mass--St Martin of Tours,Ordinary Form
The Mass I like most to attend at our parish is the 11:00 ordinary form. Unfortunately, due to the scheduling problems of a fairly crowded and disorganized family, I find that i rarely get to attend that one. Well, I did today, and I hadn't realized how much I missed it!
Here's what I saw and heard:
Prelude: "Pastorale" by Raymond Haan--on pipe organ.
Hail Holy Queen, Latin polyphony in the Baroque mode.
Introit; Latin Chant, proper to the day, from the Liber Usualis
Entrance "Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven (Lauda Anima) English-congregational singing
Hymn:
Kyrie: Missae de Angelis--Greek Congregation, chant
Gloria: Missae de Angelis--Latin, Congregation, chant
Opening Sung
Collect:
Psalm: Sung--(noelchabanel.org/C_30_ord/)
Gospel: Grduale Romanum by choir. Alleluia verse, by choir both Latin/Gregorian
Verses/responses--sung
Preparation From Liber Usualis, proper, chant. Motet: "Ave Maria" (Jacob Arcadelt) choir
of the Altar
Super oblata; Sung
Preface: Sung
Memorial "When we eat this bread..." sung by congregation
Acclamation
Agnus Dei; Mass XVII--Adoremus Hymnal, Chant in Latin by congregation.
Communion: From the Liber Usualis, Latin chant, proper,by the choir.
Hymn "Be Thou my Vison" (Slane) congregation
Anthem "Now to Praise the Name of Jesus" (Michael Bedford) choir--beautiful! So beautiful!
Closing prayer; sung
Closing and blessing; sung.
Closing hymn "My Faith Looks Up to Thee" (Olivet)
Postlude: "Praise the Lord with Drums and Cymbals"
Incense at opening, Gospel an offertory. priest and Deacon in proper vestments, cooridinated, to include Dalmatic. Bells as appropriate, the whole nine yards. The homily was excellent--on sacrifice, the use and need for it, and on offering it up. Good Stuff.
What was your Sunday Service Like? Write it in the Comm Box
Here's what I saw and heard:
Prelude: "Pastorale" by Raymond Haan--on pipe organ.
Hail Holy Queen, Latin polyphony in the Baroque mode.
Introit; Latin Chant, proper to the day, from the Liber Usualis
Entrance "Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven (Lauda Anima) English-congregational singing
Hymn:
Kyrie: Missae de Angelis--Greek Congregation, chant
Gloria: Missae de Angelis--Latin, Congregation, chant
Opening Sung
Collect:
Psalm: Sung--(noelchabanel.org/C_30_ord/)
Gospel: Grduale Romanum by choir. Alleluia verse, by choir both Latin/Gregorian
Verses/responses--sung
Preparation From Liber Usualis, proper, chant. Motet: "Ave Maria" (Jacob Arcadelt) choir
of the Altar
Super oblata; Sung
Preface: Sung
Memorial "When we eat this bread..." sung by congregation
Acclamation
Agnus Dei; Mass XVII--Adoremus Hymnal, Chant in Latin by congregation.
Communion: From the Liber Usualis, Latin chant, proper,by the choir.
Hymn "Be Thou my Vison" (Slane) congregation
Anthem "Now to Praise the Name of Jesus" (Michael Bedford) choir--beautiful! So beautiful!
Closing prayer; sung
Closing and blessing; sung.
Closing hymn "My Faith Looks Up to Thee" (Olivet)
Postlude: "Praise the Lord with Drums and Cymbals"
Incense at opening, Gospel an offertory. priest and Deacon in proper vestments, cooridinated, to include Dalmatic. Bells as appropriate, the whole nine yards. The homily was excellent--on sacrifice, the use and need for it, and on offering it up. Good Stuff.
What was your Sunday Service Like? Write it in the Comm Box
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