November 2008 Archives

Wal-Mart Employee Trampled to Death

People killed a man to get in to Wal-Mart...Wal-Mart?

I can guarantee this is not how Our Lord wanted his birthday celebrated.

....It is Sloth that whispers into our willing modern ears, telling us to postpone marriage and childbearing till our careers are solid and we're "financially stable." Sloth is the voice confiding that other forms of human "union" -- i.e., those without the rigors of real marriage -- will be easier on us no matter what the Bible says. And it is Sloth, finally, that seduces us into shirking the public consequences of believing just what we believe - that tells us we should just give up, go along and get along like the rest of the folks, and put up with the fiercely held untruths of our time.

Hambet's teacher has suggested that he read and memorize some poems. Any suggestions of poems or collections? (Yes, "If" is on the list, but for the future.) Hambet, believe it or not, is seven years old.....

This is from Vox Nova:

President-elect Barack Obama,

As American Catholics, we, the undersigned, would like to reiterate the congratulations given to you by Pope Benedict XVI. We will be praying for you as you undertake the office of President of the United States.

Wishing you much good will, we hope we will be able to work with you, your administration, and our fellow citizens to move beyond the gridlock which has often harmed our great nation in recent years. Too often, partisan politics has hampered our response to disaster and misfortune. As a result of this, many Americans have become resentful, blaming others for what happens instead of realizing our own responsibilities. We face serious problems as a people, and if we hope to overcome the crises we face in today’s world, we should make a serious effort to set aside the bitterness in our hearts, to listen to one another, and to work with one another

One of the praiseworthy elements of your campaign has been the call to end such partisanship. You have stated a desire to engage others in dialogue. With you, we believe that real achievement comes not through the defamation of one’s opponents, nor by amassing power and using it merely as a tool for one’s own individual will. We also believe dialogue is essential. We too wish to appeal to the better nature of the nation. We want to encourage people to work together for the common good. Such action can and will engender trust. It may change the hearts of many, and it might alter the path of our nation, shifting to a road leading to a better America. We hope this theme of your campaign is realized in the years ahead.

One of the critical issues which currently divides our nation is abortion. As you have said, no one is for abortion, and you would agree to limit late-term abortions as long as any bill which comes your way allows for exceptions to those limits, such as when the health of the mother is in jeopardy. You have also said you would like to work on those social issues which cause women to feel as if they have a need for an abortion, so as to reduce the actual number of abortions being performed in the United States.

Indeed, you said in your third presidential debate, “But there surely is some common ground when both those who believe in choice and those who are opposed to abortion can come together and say, ‘We should try to prevent unintended pregnancies by providing appropriate education to our youth, communicating that sexuality is sacred and that they should not be engaged in cavalier activity, and providing options for adoption, and helping single mothers if they want to choose to keep the baby.’”

As men and women who oppose abortion and embrace a pro-life ethic, we want to commend your willingness to engage us in dialogue, and we ask that you live up to your promise, and engage us on this issue.

There is much we can do together. There is much that we can do to help women who find themselves in difficult situations so they will not see abortion as their only option. There is much which we can do to help eliminate those unwanted pregnancies which lead to abortion.

One of your campaign promises is of grave concern to many pro-life citizens. On January 22, 2008, the 35th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, when speaking of the current right of women in America to have abortions, you said, “And I will continue to defend this right by passing the Freedom of Choice Act as president.”

The Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA) might well undermine your engagement of pro-life Americans on the question of abortion. It might hamper any effort on your part to work with us to limit late-term abortions. We believe FOCA does more than allow for choice. It may force the choice of a woman upon others, and make them morally complicit in such choice. One concern is that it would force doctors and hospitals which would otherwise choose not to perform abortions to do so, even if it went against their sacred beliefs. Such a law would undermine choice, and might begin the process by which abortion is enforced as a preferred option, instead of being one possible choice for a doctor to practice.

It is because of such concern we write. We urge you to engage us, and to dialogue with us, and to do so before you consider signing this legislation. Let us reason together and search out the implications of FOCA. Let us carefully review it and search for contradictions of those positions which we hold in common.
If FOCA can be postponed for the present, and serious dialogue begun with us, as well as with those who disagree with us, you will demonstrate that your administration will indeed be one that rises above partisanship, and will be one of change. This might well be the first step toward resolving an issue which tears at the fabric of our churches, our political process, our families, our very society, and that causes so much hardship and heartache in pregnant women.

Likewise, you have also recently stated you might over-ride some of President G.W. Bush’s executive orders. This is also a concern to us. We believe doing so without having a dialogue with the American people would undermine the political environment you would like to establish. Among those issues which concern us are those which would use taxpayer money to support actions we find to be morally questionable, such as embryonic stem cell research, or to fund international organizations that would counsel women to have an abortion (this would make abortion to be more than a mere choice, but an encouraged activity).

Consider, sir, your general promise to the American people and set aside particular promises to a part of your constituency. This would indicate that you plan to reject politics as usual. This would indeed be a change we need.

Sincerely,

Deal W. Hudson
Christopher Blosser
Marjorie Campbell
Mark J. Coughlan
Rev. James A. Nowack
Craig D. Baker
Susan DeBoisblanc
Megan Stout
Joshua D. Brumfield
Ashley M. Brumfield
Michael J. Iafrate
Natalie Navarro
Matthew Talbot
Paul Mitchell
Todd Flowerday
Henry C Karlson III
Adam P Verslype
Josiah Neeley
Michael J. Deem
Katerina M. Deem
Natalie Mixa
Henry Newman
Anthony M. Annett
Mickey Jackson
Veronica Greenwell
Thomas Greenwell PhD
Robert C. Koerpel
Nate Wildermuth

New, Online Signatures:
Mary Ruebelmann-Benavides
Jesus Benavides
Steve Dillard
Toby Danna
William Eunice
Mark Shea
Fr. Phil Bloom
Christopher Gant
Robert King, OP.
Peter Halabu
Kelly Clark
Mark Gordon
Linda Schuldt
Michael Mlekoday

Professor Vader explains Pythagorean Therom.

Hat tip to my brother Ed. He's an engineer. He gets a big kick out of math humor.

(Between you and me, Pythagorean therom was one of the few parts of geometry I had no problem with.)

Merry Tossmas!

I love the little kid at the end.

From Jill Stanek:

Reading your article brought back most of what I felt after the election. I have never felt so hopeless and depressed. I cried harder than I have since losing my earthly father and hero, Pop, 4 years ago.

Every time I had even a slight thought about Obama, my eyes welled and I'd find myself on my knees crying out to God. The whole thing really had me going for at almost 3 days, I couldn't shake the feeling of doom for millions of babies... America... the world!

I didn't watch the news. I didn't want to talk to people, not even my husband. I was glad my pro-life (Democrat) son who came home to work and vote McCain/Palin was tied up working on his laptop. I didn't want to put on a happy face for him either....

I couldn't eat! The day after the election I stayed balled up in bed for half the day, which is very unusual for me. I'm usually up at 5am every day, 6am on weekends. I was so terribly sad.

I finally got up and with great panic started searching my Bible for Scripture and I prayed and prayed, face down on the floor. With every prayer and Bible reading I became strengthened, but just a little bit at a time.

Still shaken, I started calling my best and closest pro-life friends. First on my list was Alveda King [pro-life leader and niece of Dr. Martin Luther King]. While she also admitted to a deep sadness, she reminded me we must not limit God. Others I called had similar things to say and offering Scripture.

If we believe God is who He says He is, then we must also believes He knows who Barack is and what is at stake in an Obama presidency.

GOD has comforted me, mended my heart and strengthened me. I thank my LORD and SAVIOR for such loving sisters and brothers in CHRIST.

And I thank you, Jill. Reading the article this morning reminded me again that we have a big fight ahead of us, but we serve a big God - the BIGGEST!

I am happy God has chosen us to serve in this fight, this great mission.

The first part I so can relate to. As for the second, other people's hope brings me hope. What else is there?

Feel the love. There are so many meeting of the minds taking place:

I asked her about our own PP center near historic Fisk University. This particularly infuriated her for some reason and led the pastor to get involved by raising "reparations" and the cruelty of America's heritage. I am now clearer on what is meant by "spreading the wealth."

How to build up your brain:

Positive social connections

New learning

Healthy diet

A daily multiple vitamin

Fish oil

Learning music

Regular exercise

Dancing (of course, without drinking)

Positive thinking

Gratitude

Meditation

The simple mom blog has an Epson printer to give away. I wish I were a big enough blog name to get an Epson printer to review and another one to give away, but alas, I'm not even able to get a review copy of Crunchy Cons from that guy in Dallas.

So I'm just going to maximize my chances of winning by telling you about it (and mentioning that I do read this site for more than just the giveaways.)

The Inauguration Rosary

American Papist has the details about how the election of a black president might inspire us to elect a black pope.

Yesterday I wanted to hide. Today I want to slit my throat.

I have to say, some of the comments are awesome:

I am so bloody sick and tired of EVERYTHING going by what shade of skin folks have....

Seriously, WHY?!?! I don't dislike Obama 'cus he's black, I dislike him because he's socialistic and won't defend babies.
I don't love B16 because he's German, I love him because he's a good Pope.
Foxfier

I am glad when not everyone in the world has gone nuts.

I have read from many people that we, all of us, democrats, republicans, pro-lifers and pro-choicers alike should rejoice because at least now we have a black president. Yet, all I want to do, as I described to friends, is take my bed to some foreign country, move it there and hide under it.

I have been trying to formulate a blog post about race in this election, but decided against it as it is a tricky subject. People who do not think that often about race might not get what I am trying to convey, especially in the midst of my jumbled pregnancy-brained writings. So I decided against it on a few occasions for fear I might word something wrong, not get my point across and end insulting everyone. But now that I have back-up, here's the gist of it: I found myself personally hurt beyond a level I thought was possible as the presidential should not be so personal because many black people boldly stated that they were voting for a black president simply because he is black. Wow. this is not a racial victory, all it is is a litmus test to bring to the forefront how racially ill and divided we are.

Before I say something truly stupid (again, words escape my pregnancy mind), LaShawn Barber stated everything I have been feeling much better than I could:

I read quite a few music and book author blogs, and most of the bloggers are Obama-supporting liberals. I can almost see them patting themselves on the back as they try to convince themselves race means nothing to them and that Obama’s presidency signals the beginning a new era of diversity, tolerance, blah, blah, blah. But they’ve got it twisted. Voting for Obama because he represents some post-racial ideal is to inject race into the equation...

...It the end, it doesn’t matter why white people voted for Obama. He’s the leader of the free world now (shudder). Who I am to interfere with their “I voted for a black man because I don’t care about race” back-patting?

Steele asks what Obama’s election means to blacks. Well, I doubt it will do anything to decrease illegitimacy among blacks (70 percent; as high as 80 percent in some urban areas), or decrease child killing, or strengthen families and communities, or much of anything. It’s a proud moment for many blacks, to be sure, but having a black man in the White House will not motivate black Americans to wait until marriage to have babies, to stop killing their babies (and at three times the rate of white women), or to stop uttering the word racism whenever they don’t get their way...

...As long as families (the foundation of society) are in shambles, conditions won’t improve much. But with Obama in office, white liberals can feel good about themselves and blacks can feel proud, fatherless children and dead babies be damned.

In his in his Mandatory post-election rant. I am glad I am not alone.

Facebook people, let's pray for Barack Obama's conversion.

Fight FOCA

I propose we all pray for our new president and vice president. He will needs God's grace to make the right decisions, and we can only benefit if he does.

In the meantime, if anyone wants to do a "Convert Obama Novena" with me, I'm game. Maybe ask for the Intercession of the Holy Innocents? St. Paul?

Update: Totally missed Peony's post.Just having my coffee now.

God is very pleased with those who recognise his goodness by reciting the Te Deum in thanksgiving whenever something out of the ordinary happens, without caring whether it may have been good or bad, as the world reckons these things. Because everything comes from the hands of our Father: so though the blow of the chisel may hurt our flesh, it is a sign of Love, as he smooths off our rough edges and brings us closer to perfection. -- St Josemaria Escriva

Te Deum laudámus:
te Dóminum confitémur.
Te ætérnum Patrem,
omnis terra venerátur.
Tibi omnes ángeli,
tibi cæli
et univérsæ potestátes:
tibi chérubim et séraphim
incessábili voce proclámant:
Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus,
Dóminus Deus Sábaoth.
Pleni sunt cæli et terra
maiestátis glóriæ tuæ.
Te gloriósus
apostolòrum chorus,
te prophetárum
laudábilis númerus,
te mártyrum candidátus
laudat exércitus.
Te per orbem terrárum
sancta confitétur Ecclésia,
Patrem imménsæ maiestátis;
venerándum tuum verum
et únicum Fílium;
Sanctum quoque
Paráclitum Spíritum.
Tu rex glóriæ, Christe.
Tu Patris sempitérnus es Filius.
Tu, ad liberándum susceptúrus hóminem,
non horrúisti Virginis úterum.
Tu, devícto mortis acúleo,
aperuísti credéntibus regna cælórum.
Tu ad déxteram Dei sedes,
in glória Patris.
Iudex créderis esse ventúrus.
Te ergo quǽsumus,
tuis fámulis súbveni,
quos pretióso sánguine redemísti.
Ætérna fac cum sanctis tuis
in glória numerári.
Salvum fac pópulum tuum, Dómine,
et bénedic hereditáti tuæ.
Et rege eos, et extólle illos
usque in ætérnum.
Per síngulos dies benedícimus te;
et laudámus nomen tuum
in sǽculum, et in sǽculum sǽculi.
Dignáre, Dómine,
die isto sine peccáto nos custodíre.
Miserére nostri, Dómine, miserére nostri.
Fiat misericórdia tua,
Dómine, super nos,
quemádmodum sperávimus in te.
In te, Dómine, sperávi:
non confúndar in ætérnum.

Well, without using a calculator, everyone believed Obama when he claimed to pull magic money out his ass to right our nations economic wrongs.

And now I'm afraid.

I'm afraid of the wide scale genocide and ethnic cleansing that will stepped up because of FOCA. I'm afraid for those of us who do not believe in abortion, what it would mean. Increased abortion means increased devalue of life. Increased "sex ed", increased pressure for everyone to contracept. Increased valuing a child only on a dollar sign basis.

I'm afraid of some stupid plan to turn Iraq into Vietnam just to prove a point. I am afraid of what is going to happen to our boys over there while the president and congress enact some stupid policy along the lines of Murtha's slow bleed, or something else that will make Americans helplessly sit by and watch and think "you can't do that!"

I am going to stop now before I start spewing my crazy conspiracy theories. When Clinton won, I just kind of shrugged my shoulders and said "Oh well, maybe he will do something about health care like he said." This time, I am genuinely afraid.

We need to up our prayers. And we need to pray for our Church leaders so they continue what they started in this campaign to be the voice of right and sanity in the times we will be coming up against.

8:05:  CNN is calling South Carolina for McCain
— never mind that only 1% of the votes are in and those votes are going for Obama. What???? Okay, I'm giving up on liveblogging and putting Hambet to bed.

7:30:  per CNN:  McCain ahead in Indiana, Florida, Virginia.

7:25:  CNN is reporting early returns from Virginia show McCain in the lead (55%-45%)! 

7:20 PM: I'm doing some paperwork, Hambet is supposed to be doing his homework, and husband Posco is watching CNN. With a miniscule percentage of the returns in, Wolf has called Vermont for Obama (3) and Kentucky for McCain (8)

Why the Black Panthers are "guarding" polling areas in Philadelphia? No link, saw it on the news. Hopefully it will come out later. But I didn't know there were Black Panthers left after 1960-whatever (and the guys on the news looked pretty Baby-Boomeresque). But they were there telling Fox News Correspondent, Rick Leventhal, to leave, and called the police on he and his crew. Freedom of speech, freedom of the press...