Your True Halloween "Tales of the Unexplained" Story for the Day
Actually, it's only inexplicable if you reject the Church's view of the demonic. Materialists will doubtless come up with lame "explanations" for it. But the reality is that the demonic exists. The even greater reality is that the power of God is real.
By the way, for my money, one of the biggest mistakes the Church has made is picking the 20th Century as the time to downplay and eliminate the office of exorcist. Like burning the lifeboats on the Titanic as a signal flare.
Happily, Peter's Barque can't sink. Unhappily, people can still drown.
Friday, October 31, 2003
A reader writes:
Feel free. I'm too swamped.
Is anybody either in the blogosphere or other media maintain a publicly accessible dossier (work in progress) on the Paul Shanley case?
The reason I ask is because I believe it will be, for AmChurch, the trial of the century.
If the Vanity Fair article last year on Shanley paints an accurate picture, his defense (apart from the circumstantial specifics) will revolve very much around primacy of conscience and all the wretched paphernalia of the "Spirit of Vatican II'. For example, his "conscience" on at least one occasion would not allow him to sigh the boilerplate oath of compliance with the Magisterium that is supposedly part of the orientation package of every incoming Pastor.
I welcome the Shanley trial as an opportunity to put AmChurch itself on trial, as well as the pestilential subculture which Shanley represents.
It will be a key test of media attitudes. John Geoghan, for the Boston Globe and the liberals, was an easy hate- a smelly old homproletarian, a shanty Irish dirty old man. Shanley, on the other hand, incarnates the Glamor of Evil. He once was a Boston Globe media hero. And where did he get the $750,00 for bail? Does NAMBLA have a war chest for major poster boys?
Let's have a Shanley Watch.
Feel free. I'm too swamped.
How to tell me apart from a Lefty
Some folks take my criticism of Israel as a "list to the Left". This highlights one of the ways in which modern political discourse has robbed us of categories in which to think Christianly. Unlike garden variety Leftism, I have no doctrinaire notion that Israel or the US is always wrong. On the whole, I think Israel is to be supported for the simple reason that every people, including the Jews, have a right to a home. It's just that I think the same thing about Palestinians. That comes, not from Leftism, but from the same Catholic social teaching that always puts the family at the center of its thinking. One thing families require is a home. Leftism as a rule hates the family, hence its enthusiasms for abortion, destruction of virginity, destruction of marriage, endless sexual experimentation and social engineering, etc.
If you want the key to my social thinking, go here. I'm not for Left or Right in any doctrinaire way. I'm for the Family. At present, the Left has mutated into the enemy of the family by and large, which is why I am, at present, largely an enemy of the Left. But when the Right opposes the Family (and it does sometimes) I am an enemy of the Right too. That does not transform me into a Lefty. It just means I am what I've always been since I came to understand the heart of Catholic social teaching: a champion of the family.
Some folks take my criticism of Israel as a "list to the Left". This highlights one of the ways in which modern political discourse has robbed us of categories in which to think Christianly. Unlike garden variety Leftism, I have no doctrinaire notion that Israel or the US is always wrong. On the whole, I think Israel is to be supported for the simple reason that every people, including the Jews, have a right to a home. It's just that I think the same thing about Palestinians. That comes, not from Leftism, but from the same Catholic social teaching that always puts the family at the center of its thinking. One thing families require is a home. Leftism as a rule hates the family, hence its enthusiasms for abortion, destruction of virginity, destruction of marriage, endless sexual experimentation and social engineering, etc.
If you want the key to my social thinking, go here. I'm not for Left or Right in any doctrinaire way. I'm for the Family. At present, the Left has mutated into the enemy of the family by and large, which is why I am, at present, largely an enemy of the Left. But when the Right opposes the Family (and it does sometimes) I am an enemy of the Right too. That does not transform me into a Lefty. It just means I am what I've always been since I came to understand the heart of Catholic social teaching: a champion of the family.
Since So Much Nonsense is Being Uttered about Mary Magdalene Right Now...
Here is a little portion of Lesson 26 of the study of John that Scott Hahn and I did for Catholic Exchange's Catholic Scripture Study:
Here is a little portion of Lesson 26 of the study of John that Scott Hahn and I did for Catholic Exchange's Catholic Scripture Study:
Who Was Mary Magdalene?
Mary Magdalene is a figure over which there has always been a certain amount of controversy. Often she is portrayed as a converted sinner in religious art, particularly in the Western Church. For the Western tradition has tended to see the Scripture as suggesting that the "sinful woman" of Luke 7:36-50; the sister of Martha and Lazarus (Luke 10:38-42; John 11); and Mary Magdalene are all one and the same person. Meanwhile the Eastern Church has always tended to distinguish these three figures. Both views are permissible, but we would tend to argue that the Western Church's take is more probable given the scriptural data.
In the first place is the striking act of the anointing of Christ's feet by a woman. If Mary of Bethany and the sinful woman are two entirely different people, then it's an odd coincidence that both should choose to perform such a memorable gesture and that Jesus should be so moved by it that, in Mary's case, he would declare that her gesture would be told for all time (Matthew 26:13). Indeed, John is so impressed with Mary of Bethany's gesture that he simply calls her "Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair" before he has even told her story in chapter 12 (John 11:2) (as though she were widely known by this act and were unique for having done it--a characterization that would make no sense if it had been done by more than one woman).
Also notable is that immediately after Luke relates the story of the sinful woman who was forgiven much and therefore loved much, he introduces us to Mary Magdalene in chapter 8 and describes her as "Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out" (Luke 8:2). It is arguable that John makes clear Mary of Bethany's identity with the sinful woman and Luke does not because Mary was still alive while Luke was writing but had died by the time John composed his gospel. However, if this is so, then the record also suggests that if the sinful woman and Mary of Bethany are the same person, so Mary of Bethany and Mary Magdalene are the same person too. If not, it is surely a remarkable coincidence that Mary of Bethany (who sat at Jesus' feet as a disciple, anointed him for his burial, and was commended by Jesus with the words of Matthew 26:10-13) should share the same name as the devoted disciple who stood at the foot of the cross, assisted at his burial and was the first to hear the voice of the Risen Christ, who simply called her "Mary". It looks very much like Mary first anointed Jesus' feet as a penitent, then again in gratitude for the raising of Lazarus, and finally she attempted to anoint him after his death. It was an act entirely in character for her, so much so that John identifies her solely by that gesture.
Also worth noting is the ambiguity of Mary's name "Magdalene". While it has often been assumed to mean she or her family from Magdala near the Sea of Galilee, it also has other possible meanings. Some have suggested that it derives from a term (recorded in the Talmud) that means "curling women's hair," and is a reference to an adulteress. Still other scholars have suggested that it is related to the Hebrew word "migdol" which means "temple" (suggesting that Mary may have spent much time at the Temple praying).
Sad News
Mike Yaconelli, one of the founders of the delightful Christian satire magazine The Wittenberg Door (nee "The Door") was killed in a car accident.
One of the place I first got my start in writing was the The Door (which explains a lot).
May his soul and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Mike Yaconelli, one of the founders of the delightful Christian satire magazine The Wittenberg Door (nee "The Door") was killed in a car accident.
One of the place I first got my start in writing was the The Door (which explains a lot).
May his soul and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Something to Horrify You for Halloween
Absolutely positively guaranteed to make you stupider too.
Sandra Miesel should call them and demand equal time. I especially like that Elaine Pagels comes off as the Voice of Reason compared to the other theologians they interview.
Absolutely positively guaranteed to make you stupider too.
Sandra Miesel should call them and demand equal time. I especially like that Elaine Pagels comes off as the Voice of Reason compared to the other theologians they interview.
Naughty humor
Just got this from a reader:
Just got this from a reader:
"The actions taken by the New Hampshire Episcopalians are an affront to Christians everywhere. I am just thankful that the church's founder, Henry VIII and his wife Catherine of Aragon,
his wife Anne Boleyn,
his wife Jane Seymour,
his wife Anne of Cleves,
his wife Katherine Howard,
and his wife Catherine Parr
are no longer here to suffer through this assault on traditional Christian marriage."
The Paradox of Conservative Christian Enthusiasm for Toppling the Despotisms in Places Like Iraq and Syria
...is that it will very likely result in the destruction of the Church in those places.
Not a popular observation. And besides, for most Evangelicals the Churches in those areas don't count since they are typically one of the ancient apostolic Churches and therefore of dubious authenticity as true born again Christian churches. But still, it is worth taking into consideration in one's deliberations.
Much as it is is worth considering that not every action taken by Israel is automatically justified by the fact that Israel is doing it. Many of the Palestinians whose houses are indiscriminately bulldozed are Christians. It is passing strange that Christians, so alive to Muslim ill-treatment of defenseless Christians are positively cheering to see their Christian brothers and sisters be treated so on the theory that Israel simply cannot possibly do anything wrong ever and that all criticism of Israeli treatment of Palestinians is anti-semitism or, worse, defiance of God's clear charter for a secular state with full abortion right laid out in the book of Ezekiel.
I support Israel's right to exist, just as I support any nation's right to exist. But I think it very peculiar to think this necessarily means supporting Israel's right to do whatever it likes in order to win. As peculiar as supporting the Palestinian terror network's right to do whatever they like in order to win.
Fulminations of rage at my lib peacenik Euroweenie betrayal of all that is good and right welcome below. As you fulminate, however, please pay careful attention to what I have actually said, not on what you assume I must be implying, nor on some grand world strategy you think I have. Also, bear in mind that not a few Israelis think much the same thing. Of course, some guys just deal with that by declaring any Israeli who disagrees with them "self-hating Jews". That's one strategy for not having to deal with substantive criticism.
...is that it will very likely result in the destruction of the Church in those places.
Not a popular observation. And besides, for most Evangelicals the Churches in those areas don't count since they are typically one of the ancient apostolic Churches and therefore of dubious authenticity as true born again Christian churches. But still, it is worth taking into consideration in one's deliberations.
Much as it is is worth considering that not every action taken by Israel is automatically justified by the fact that Israel is doing it. Many of the Palestinians whose houses are indiscriminately bulldozed are Christians. It is passing strange that Christians, so alive to Muslim ill-treatment of defenseless Christians are positively cheering to see their Christian brothers and sisters be treated so on the theory that Israel simply cannot possibly do anything wrong ever and that all criticism of Israeli treatment of Palestinians is anti-semitism or, worse, defiance of God's clear charter for a secular state with full abortion right laid out in the book of Ezekiel.
I support Israel's right to exist, just as I support any nation's right to exist. But I think it very peculiar to think this necessarily means supporting Israel's right to do whatever it likes in order to win. As peculiar as supporting the Palestinian terror network's right to do whatever they like in order to win.
Fulminations of rage at my lib peacenik Euroweenie betrayal of all that is good and right welcome below. As you fulminate, however, please pay careful attention to what I have actually said, not on what you assume I must be implying, nor on some grand world strategy you think I have. Also, bear in mind that not a few Israelis think much the same thing. Of course, some guys just deal with that by declaring any Israeli who disagrees with them "self-hating Jews". That's one strategy for not having to deal with substantive criticism.
"Even before the war, I said to Colin Powell, 'Mr. Secretary, we are very, very grateful to (long pause) ..... Osama bin Laden.'." He's convinced that if the Twin Towers had never happened, soon "the whole of Islam would have been hijacked."
These are the Muslims we need to support, strengthen, befriend and encourage.
These are the Muslims we need to support, strengthen, befriend and encourage.
And as for those of you that are left, I will send faintness into their hearts in the lands of their enemies; the sound of a driven leaf shall put them to flight, and they shall flee as one flees from the sword, and they shall fall when none pursues. - Leviticus 26:36
Part of a larger section in Leviticus which enumerate the covenant blessings and curses for the nation. A nation that forgets God can look forward, perhaps, to prosperity. It can pile up a lot of things, but it can't have peace of mind. God promises that.
Part of a larger section in Leviticus which enumerate the covenant blessings and curses for the nation. A nation that forgets God can look forward, perhaps, to prosperity. It can pile up a lot of things, but it can't have peace of mind. God promises that.
Gracious, what a surprise!
Muslims persecuting Christians in Egypt. However, it's just Christians fortunately, so it doesn't matter. besides, they probably deserve it as punishment for the time some embittered ex-Catholic in US had his knuckles rapped by Sister Whosit in third grade. All part of the karmic balance of things.
Muslims persecuting Christians in Egypt. However, it's just Christians fortunately, so it doesn't matter. besides, they probably deserve it as punishment for the time some embittered ex-Catholic in US had his knuckles rapped by Sister Whosit in third grade. All part of the karmic balance of things.
How the Piskies Got Where They are Today
Sometime your purpose in life is to serve as a warning to others.
Sometime your purpose in life is to serve as a warning to others.
Har de Har Har
Argentinians practice blasphemy. But since it's all in good fun only a sourpuss could fail to laugh.
I also don't find tripping blind people funny. No sense of humor at all.
Argentinians practice blasphemy. But since it's all in good fun only a sourpuss could fail to laugh.
I also don't find tripping blind people funny. No sense of humor at all.
Finally: A Reason to Really Sympathize with French Antipathy to America
Of course, the whole thing is ultimately an import from Ireland as I understand it. So, on behalf of My People, I apologize.
Of course, the whole thing is ultimately an import from Ireland as I understand it. So, on behalf of My People, I apologize.
Thursday, October 30, 2003
Why I Love Kathy Shaidle's Stuff
Her take on the Exorcist as a western:
The woman is just so refreshingly direct. Who could not appreciate that?
Her take on the Exorcist as a western:
Max von Sydow doesn't ramble on about Marxist eco-feminist paradigms or call for a group hug. And at the end, he doesn't take a Hawaiian sabbatical. He does his duty, and dies. Before that, he personifies an ever-merciful God, loving the real Regan hiding beneath the pea soup and obscenities.
The woman is just so refreshingly direct. Who could not appreciate that?
Harrius Potter et Philosophi Lapis
More proof of the utter Satanic evil of these books! Using the language that Jesus himself spoke to seduce our young!
(or wait... didn't Jesus speak King James English?)
Hmmm... will they translate the Latin doggerel spells into English?
More proof of the utter Satanic evil of these books! Using the language that Jesus himself spoke to seduce our young!
(or wait... didn't Jesus speak King James English?)
Hmmm... will they translate the Latin doggerel spells into English?
Bill Cork, who periodically erupts in anger at me for reasons I don't quite understand
notes that an article I linked is written by a guy with less than savory credentials, but then goes on to draw all sorts of conclusions about me that are not particularly warranted.
For my part, I appreciate the heads up about the author, about whom I knew nothing. I will be wary of him in future. I do not, however, regard Islam as a diseased spirituality simply on the basis of this article. I regard it as diseased because it has a tendency to produce despotisms, it's borders are continually bloody, it tends to create people who fly planes into skyscrapers and lots of other people who cheer for that, and it tends to create backward cultures who blame their backwardness on the Jews because the repressive regimes they live under deflect their anger that way (and at us) rather than allow it to be directed at themselves.
Anyway, thanks for the heads up about the author, Bill. Wish I knew why I irk you so much.
notes that an article I linked is written by a guy with less than savory credentials, but then goes on to draw all sorts of conclusions about me that are not particularly warranted.
For my part, I appreciate the heads up about the author, about whom I knew nothing. I will be wary of him in future. I do not, however, regard Islam as a diseased spirituality simply on the basis of this article. I regard it as diseased because it has a tendency to produce despotisms, it's borders are continually bloody, it tends to create people who fly planes into skyscrapers and lots of other people who cheer for that, and it tends to create backward cultures who blame their backwardness on the Jews because the repressive regimes they live under deflect their anger that way (and at us) rather than allow it to be directed at themselves.
Anyway, thanks for the heads up about the author, Bill. Wish I knew why I irk you so much.
The intelligent Camassia Continue to Wrestle with the Gospels
I love to see people like this really chewing with the challenge of the Faith. God grant us millions more.
FWIW, here's my reply to Camassia:
FWIW, I think G.K. Chesterton has the best (and most countercultural--at least in a Protestant and post-Protestant culture which tends to see the Church as separate from, a corruption of, and even in active opposition to the "Jesus of history"). He says, "it is the Gospel that is the riddle and the Church that is the answer."
For a fuller take, go here.
A helpful thing to remember is that the gospels are not the foundation and the epistles and the Church mere commentary and window dressing. In the minds of the New Testament writers, the Church is simply the continuation of what Jesus began. And it is not even *our* continuation of it. It is Jesus himself, continuing him work through his body. That is why Luke prefaces Acts by describing his gospel as relating what Jesus "began" to do and teach (clearly implying that Acts will now relate what he did next. Similarly, the Risen Christ's words to Paul ("Why are you persecuting *me*?") form the basis for Paul's entire doctrine of the Church.
It is in this light that Jesus mysterious parabolic words and acts and the even more mysterious statement that everything hidden will be revealed is to be read. Christ was the riddle, the Church is the answer to the riddle.
Oh, and Disputations (a very worthwhile daily read) has a take on this as well.
I love to see people like this really chewing with the challenge of the Faith. God grant us millions more.
FWIW, here's my reply to Camassia:
FWIW, I think G.K. Chesterton has the best (and most countercultural--at least in a Protestant and post-Protestant culture which tends to see the Church as separate from, a corruption of, and even in active opposition to the "Jesus of history"). He says, "it is the Gospel that is the riddle and the Church that is the answer."
For a fuller take, go here.
A helpful thing to remember is that the gospels are not the foundation and the epistles and the Church mere commentary and window dressing. In the minds of the New Testament writers, the Church is simply the continuation of what Jesus began. And it is not even *our* continuation of it. It is Jesus himself, continuing him work through his body. That is why Luke prefaces Acts by describing his gospel as relating what Jesus "began" to do and teach (clearly implying that Acts will now relate what he did next. Similarly, the Risen Christ's words to Paul ("Why are you persecuting *me*?") form the basis for Paul's entire doctrine of the Church.
It is in this light that Jesus mysterious parabolic words and acts and the even more mysterious statement that everything hidden will be revealed is to be read. Christ was the riddle, the Church is the answer to the riddle.
Oh, and Disputations (a very worthwhile daily read) has a take on this as well.
Greg Popcak is posting an interesting series on the stages of religious devotion
I think somebody should do a series on the stage of religious devotion as Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, and Acceptance.
These are the stages of dying posited by Kubler-Ross. Dunno how sound her analysis is, but since, as the Greeks noted, the love of wisdom is the practice of death and, as God himself revealed, our lives are a long process of entering into Christ's death (culminating with our own death), I suspect there might be something fruitful there.
I think somebody should do a series on the stage of religious devotion as Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, and Acceptance.
These are the stages of dying posited by Kubler-Ross. Dunno how sound her analysis is, but since, as the Greeks noted, the love of wisdom is the practice of death and, as God himself revealed, our lives are a long process of entering into Christ's death (culminating with our own death), I suspect there might be something fruitful there.
Earthquake Strikes in Fire Zone
Maybe electing Schwarzenegger was a bigger mistake than we realized.
Seriously, prayers for the people affected by the fires, including some of the good folks who man the guns for Catholic Exchange.
Maybe electing Schwarzenegger was a bigger mistake than we realized.
Seriously, prayers for the people affected by the fires, including some of the good folks who man the guns for Catholic Exchange.
Latest Schindler Take on Things on Fr. Rob's site
He's back in Michigan now. Thanks for your help in getting him to FLA.
He's back in Michigan now. Thanks for your help in getting him to FLA.
Is it just me
or is there a certain theme emerging in press images of Bush?
Speaking of which, here's a nervous Chattering Class Take on Bush's Evangelical Faith. It's always difficult to read stuff like this, since the people writing it tend to come from that strata of society that regards any Christian faith as a horror. But I do think there is something worrisome about a public figure taking himself too seriously as God's Man for the Hour. I don't know that Bush himself does this but it is patently obvious that others do it for him and it is difficult for fallen man to resist the temptation to believe one's own press clippings, particularly when the destiny of the world hangs on your decisions.
For myself, I regard Bush as a rather humble and simple (in the best sense of that word) man. I also think he is far more intelligent than the dumb Chattering Classes can grasp. But I also recognize the danger that Marcus Aurelius faced. He was a good man, a great man--and he knew it. It's the same danger Bush has to face and overcome, and that job ain't done till you're dead. The Evangelical urge to canonize him before that final checkout procedure has take place can have unfortunate effects.
or is there a certain theme emerging in press images of Bush?
Speaking of which, here's a nervous Chattering Class Take on Bush's Evangelical Faith. It's always difficult to read stuff like this, since the people writing it tend to come from that strata of society that regards any Christian faith as a horror. But I do think there is something worrisome about a public figure taking himself too seriously as God's Man for the Hour. I don't know that Bush himself does this but it is patently obvious that others do it for him and it is difficult for fallen man to resist the temptation to believe one's own press clippings, particularly when the destiny of the world hangs on your decisions.
For myself, I regard Bush as a rather humble and simple (in the best sense of that word) man. I also think he is far more intelligent than the dumb Chattering Classes can grasp. But I also recognize the danger that Marcus Aurelius faced. He was a good man, a great man--and he knew it. It's the same danger Bush has to face and overcome, and that job ain't done till you're dead. The Evangelical urge to canonize him before that final checkout procedure has take place can have unfortunate effects.
"Would Jesus download mp3's?", or, the ethics of making digital copies
The only music files I've downloaded are things which I have on vinyl and don't want to buy the CD for. I figure it's not theft since I paid for the music, I just can't listen to it cuz our turntable is busted. But I think taking property you haven't paid for has a name: theft.
The only music files I've downloaded are things which I have on vinyl and don't want to buy the CD for. I figure it's not theft since I paid for the music, I just can't listen to it cuz our turntable is busted. But I think taking property you haven't paid for has a name: theft.
But, but...
"Simply stated, there is no doubt that Saddam Hussein now has weapons of mass destruction." Dick Cheney 8/26/2002
"We know for a fact that there are weapons there." Ari Fleischer 1/9/2003
Yeah, I know. Intelligence isn't an exact science. It would have been nice if the people making these utterly confident statements had said, "According to our best intelligence, it looks like Saddam has WMDs." But they didn't. Instead they said this and I based my judgments about the justice of going to war upon them.
Now, of course, I'm in the position of wondering what to do the next time they assure me with absolute certitude that there is an imminent threat.
That's the main problem here. Caesar has a complete monopoly on the information necessary in order to make an intelligent judgment about the justice of a given war. I'm in no position to know what threat Country X poses. I have to take Caesar's word for it. So it's particularly critical that Caesar not squander his trust with false assurances of absolute certitude about things he is not, in fact, certain of.
"Simply stated, there is no doubt that Saddam Hussein now has weapons of mass destruction." Dick Cheney 8/26/2002
"We know for a fact that there are weapons there." Ari Fleischer 1/9/2003
Yeah, I know. Intelligence isn't an exact science. It would have been nice if the people making these utterly confident statements had said, "According to our best intelligence, it looks like Saddam has WMDs." But they didn't. Instead they said this and I based my judgments about the justice of going to war upon them.
Now, of course, I'm in the position of wondering what to do the next time they assure me with absolute certitude that there is an imminent threat.
That's the main problem here. Caesar has a complete monopoly on the information necessary in order to make an intelligent judgment about the justice of a given war. I'm in no position to know what threat Country X poses. I have to take Caesar's word for it. So it's particularly critical that Caesar not squander his trust with false assurances of absolute certitude about things he is not, in fact, certain of.
Rome Criticizes Islam
St. Blog's Comments Box Experts on Rome Flummoxed
"But we know everything there is to know about Rome. They are pursuing a cowardly Euroweenie policy of capitulation! We just know it! How can they surprise us like this?"
St. Blog's Comments Box Experts on Rome Flummoxed
"But we know everything there is to know about Rome. They are pursuing a cowardly Euroweenie policy of capitulation! We just know it! How can they surprise us like this?"
More Bad News for Dems
Those candidate guys, I forget their names, will be really upset by this. Now they have to pin all their hopes on lots of American troops dying. That's more or less how Liberalism operates these days. All its hopes are pinned on the death of children, the death of brave troops, the death of the economy, or just opt for surefire crowd pleasers like the death of the disabled...
Those candidate guys, I forget their names, will be really upset by this. Now they have to pin all their hopes on lots of American troops dying. That's more or less how Liberalism operates these days. All its hopes are pinned on the death of children, the death of brave troops, the death of the economy, or just opt for surefire crowd pleasers like the death of the disabled...
Wednesday, October 29, 2003
A House Swept Clean and Empty
The only realistic response to a diseased spirituality like Islam (or much of Western culture) is a healthy spirituality. Europe needs a full-throated Catholic revival or Europe will discover that supernature also abhors a vacuum.
The only realistic response to a diseased spirituality like Islam (or much of Western culture) is a healthy spirituality. Europe needs a full-throated Catholic revival or Europe will discover that supernature also abhors a vacuum.
A reader writes:
Thanks. I don't believe in party lines as a rule. They tend to trap you in human agendas when the goal is to be free to follow the gospel where it leads.
Correction (and if you will go back through my blog you will see that this is so). I do not refer to gay activists as brownshirts. I refer to gay activists and gays who intimidate, shout down, bully, threaten, muzzle, physically harm and even kill as brownshirts. My point with them and with their apologists in the media is exactly the same one I made to conservatives this evening: power tends to insulate us from our sin. Right now, gays and their supporters have unprecedented power and command some very important positions in the media (see "Sullivan, Andrew"). Those who behave this way are given a free pass from both the media and from most members of the gay subculture (given the soft-sell and downplay I constantly encounter when I document gays who behave like brownshirts). Why? Because gay activists (much like the conservatives I was warning) have found their place in the sun and are using their power to do evil quite often. When they do, I call these tactics of intimidation, threats and violence by their proper name: brownshirt tactics. If people who are offended wish me to stop naming such acts by their proper name there's a simple way to do so: complain more loudly about the threats, intimidation, bullying and violence than about those who name it for what it is.
On the contrary, I do not vilify people who struggle with this. Indeed, I think very highly of, for instance, David Morrison and support his work with Courage. I likewise admire and respect Eve Tushnet and think her both one of the most intelligent Catholics I know and one of the best. In fact, I don't even vilify those, like Andrew Sullivan, who have abandoned any struggle and simply chosen to pretend homosexual practice is fine with God. That choice is ultimately between him and God. I don't approve of it, but it's not my business to tell Andrew or any gay where he stands with God.
Nope, what I vilify is the ugly tendency gay activism has shown to use intimidation, bullying, abuse, lies, and violence to achieve its ends and to try to *force* me, not merely to say, "It's your business, not mine" but "I think what you are doing is just fine!" The fact is, I know it's not fine. It is a matter of grave sin and I will not be bullied into saying otherwise.
This is pure Cult of Victimhood thinking. The Nazis, after all, were themselves once marginalized. It's what made it possible for them to get away with brownshirt tactics since they had suffered so after the war. Remember: the "Horst Wessel Song" was a paean to a Nazi martyr. Remember the Nancy Kerrigan principle: Just because you're a victim doesn't mean you can't be a jerk too. When a gay person is treated unjustly, he deserves justice. But when he uses his unjust treatment as an excuse to bully, intimidate, threaten, lie, or do physical violence, he's just another brownshirt and the excuses won't wash.
I don't describe a "class of people" (by which you presumably mean "all gays") in decrying gay brownshirt tactics. I decry gay brownshirts: those people who seek to impose the acceptance of sin on our culture and who use intimidation, muzzling of free speech, threats, physical violence and even, on occasion, death in order to do so. I further, and especially, decry those in the media who choose to overlook, obfuscate, smear, and ignore substantive criticisms of this in order to give such brownshirts a free pass.
And you can bet your bottom dollar that Andrew Sullivan, Agonizer Over Truth, won't link to *this* blog entry.
I appreciate your thoughts on the war, which show a great deal of balance and a willingness to depart form the "conservative line" on occasion. Today's post was actually balanced as well, and I wish I had read it more carefully before commenting. Most of the time, I can admire your use of rhetoric even when I disagree with you.
Thanks. I don't believe in party lines as a rule. They tend to trap you in human agendas when the goal is to be free to follow the gospel where it leads.
On a different note, one thing that always stirs my ire though, and maybe contributed to my reaction today, is the constant reference to gay activists as "brownshirts".
Correction (and if you will go back through my blog you will see that this is so). I do not refer to gay activists as brownshirts. I refer to gay activists and gays who intimidate, shout down, bully, threaten, muzzle, physically harm and even kill as brownshirts. My point with them and with their apologists in the media is exactly the same one I made to conservatives this evening: power tends to insulate us from our sin. Right now, gays and their supporters have unprecedented power and command some very important positions in the media (see "Sullivan, Andrew"). Those who behave this way are given a free pass from both the media and from most members of the gay subculture (given the soft-sell and downplay I constantly encounter when I document gays who behave like brownshirts). Why? Because gay activists (much like the conservatives I was warning) have found their place in the sun and are using their power to do evil quite often. When they do, I call these tactics of intimidation, threats and violence by their proper name: brownshirt tactics. If people who are offended wish me to stop naming such acts by their proper name there's a simple way to do so: complain more loudly about the threats, intimidation, bullying and violence than about those who name it for what it is.
In some ways, I'm reacting as much to this as anything. On the one hand, you have written that you accept the possibility of the position that orientation may not be entirely a choice. On the other, you seem to vilify those who suffer with this condition.
On the contrary, I do not vilify people who struggle with this. Indeed, I think very highly of, for instance, David Morrison and support his work with Courage. I likewise admire and respect Eve Tushnet and think her both one of the most intelligent Catholics I know and one of the best. In fact, I don't even vilify those, like Andrew Sullivan, who have abandoned any struggle and simply chosen to pretend homosexual practice is fine with God. That choice is ultimately between him and God. I don't approve of it, but it's not my business to tell Andrew or any gay where he stands with God.
Nope, what I vilify is the ugly tendency gay activism has shown to use intimidation, bullying, abuse, lies, and violence to achieve its ends and to try to *force* me, not merely to say, "It's your business, not mine" but "I think what you are doing is just fine!" The fact is, I know it's not fine. It is a matter of grave sin and I will not be bullied into saying otherwise.
I just don't see how you can equate a marginalized people with the Nazis.
This is pure Cult of Victimhood thinking. The Nazis, after all, were themselves once marginalized. It's what made it possible for them to get away with brownshirt tactics since they had suffered so after the war. Remember: the "Horst Wessel Song" was a paean to a Nazi martyr. Remember the Nancy Kerrigan principle: Just because you're a victim doesn't mean you can't be a jerk too. When a gay person is treated unjustly, he deserves justice. But when he uses his unjust treatment as an excuse to bully, intimidate, threaten, lie, or do physical violence, he's just another brownshirt and the excuses won't wash.
I'm not gay, and I'm not trying to argue here about the morality of homosexual acts. I'm just talking about the rhetoric used to describe a class of people deserving some compassion simply because they are struggling human beings who image God.
I don't describe a "class of people" (by which you presumably mean "all gays") in decrying gay brownshirt tactics. I decry gay brownshirts: those people who seek to impose the acceptance of sin on our culture and who use intimidation, muzzling of free speech, threats, physical violence and even, on occasion, death in order to do so. I further, and especially, decry those in the media who choose to overlook, obfuscate, smear, and ignore substantive criticisms of this in order to give such brownshirts a free pass.
And you can bet your bottom dollar that Andrew Sullivan, Agonizer Over Truth, won't link to *this* blog entry.
I s'pose I should expect this when I make a pain of myself about a cartoon
However, I think we have here a failure to communicate (to a certain degree).
RWFG misunderstands me at several points, beginning with my question about whether anybody thinks American conservatism is eternal. I didn't think the article claimed that. I merely was noting that the article seems to me to exhibit some of the small seed-like qualities which, when they take root and bloom, will destroy American conservatism just as the small seedlike hubris that was present in American liberalism 50 years ago has grown up to destroy it. In short, I was observing that human beings are never more in danger of the sin of pride than when they are really and truly right. I get that notion from the instructive story of the origin of the Pharisees, which I touch on here.
That is not to demand perfection of purely secular things. It is, however, to urge people not to put ultimate trust in purely secular things. Being as how this is a Catholic blog, that's part of what I do.
RWFG sez: "I'm also massively unconvinced by Mr. Shea's implicit "a pox on both your houses" moral-equivalence stance toward politics. It strikes me as imprudent and makes the perfect the enemy of the good. American conservatism is definitely imperfect sub specie aeternitis, but Catholics and Christians can find much common ground and get a serious hearing without contempt for our very existence and the belief that we are the enemy as such -- the "keep your rosaries off my ovaries" attitude. With conservatism, the spirit is willing, even if the flesh is sometimes weak; with liberalism, the spirit is in total league with the Enemy. *That* is what the culture war (on which Mr. Shea does brilliant service on the side of the angels) is all about; whether Christianity can inhabit the public space or whether progress is measured by how thoroughly it can be repudiated. There is an absolute difference here between the two dominant ideologies and parties, and Christians should not kid themselves about who their friends and enemies are."
I really regret it if I am giving the impression that nothing less than Perfection will satisfy my too fine political tastes. I certainly don't mean to. I recognize that politics is the art of the possible. However, I also recognize (as some of my readers do not) that politics is not salvific, nor is a political alignment necessarily indicative of one's standing before God. And I recognize that some in the blogosphere have not been content to merely disagree with the Magisterial office when it says things that challenge them. They have felt the compulsion to dismiss and insult the Holy Father and the teaching of the Church as ridiculous and contemptible. If I were writing a blog that was heavily read by liberals certain of their utter righteousness (as liberals tend to be, particularly when they are arguing with conservatives) I would put rather more emphasis on the way in which liberalism fails to square with what I regard as the touchstone for where we stand with God: the revelation of Christ in the Catholic faith. However, I am not writing for such an audience.
Instead I am writing for a largely conservative audience that is tempted, as it finds its place in the sun and gains earthly power, to forget that it too is fallen and to treat the Faith with just as much contempt in those times when the Church fails to endorse conservative hobby horses or even actively opposes them. And so I periodically remind this audience that when Paul says "all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God" he means business and that we--we conservatives who are largely on the right side of the culture wars--are as prone to corruption as the rest of the race. That's not "moral equivalence", it's simply the second most important fact about the human race (after our being made in the image of God) and one to which pride blinds us.
Which brings me to Tolkien. The point of LOTR is not that power is intrinsically evil. God, after all, is all powerful but not evil at all. But power is intrinsically dangerous for fallen creatures, and we are fallen. Our abiding temptation as sons of Adam and Eve is to imagine ourselves to be different than Those People Over There. If we were given Power, we wouldn't misuse it. Not We.
That is, perhaps, true of the most humble among us. But then people who climb to the top of political heaps don't tend to be those people, do they?
Finally, regarding South Park. My point was not that the show is bad. I'm sure that, like the Simpsons, I would enjoy it a great deal since I have a taste for wicked satire and the skewering of sacred cows. For the same reason, I enjoy Mencken and Twain and, insofar as they attacked evils and cant I applaud that. But there is a difference between tearing down and building up. And the danger for us fallen humans is that we can so gleefully tear down that we miss the one thing in the condemned old building that was really worth saving.
So, for instance, in condemning the rotting hulk of liberalism, we risk saying things like, "with liberalism, the spirit is in total league with the Enemy". It's not far from that to rejecting anything that a liberal approves as intrinsically evil. And from there, to "satirizing" real victims (because liberals make a Cult of Victimhood) and so, to the spectacle of laughing at homeless people that has always embarrassed me as the most regrettable feature of Limbaugh's show.
In a funny way then, I agree with you, RWFG. I'm all for seeing what is positive in merely human things, even when those things are imperfect, and sometimes grossly so. The reason liberalism became so corrupt is that it was right about so much for so long that its adherents could no longer imagine those who opposed them as anything but stupid or evil. In its fallen pride, it rendered itself incapable of even imagining that conservatives who oppose it could also have real goods that they were trying to defend. The reason it became incapable of doing this is because it wielded largely unchallenged power for a very long time and did not have to practice self-examination as a result. That's why power is dangerous to fallen creatures. It insulates us from having to look at ourselves and discover that we are indeed fallen (which is something we are eager to be insulated from in any case).
However, I think we have here a failure to communicate (to a certain degree).
RWFG misunderstands me at several points, beginning with my question about whether anybody thinks American conservatism is eternal. I didn't think the article claimed that. I merely was noting that the article seems to me to exhibit some of the small seed-like qualities which, when they take root and bloom, will destroy American conservatism just as the small seedlike hubris that was present in American liberalism 50 years ago has grown up to destroy it. In short, I was observing that human beings are never more in danger of the sin of pride than when they are really and truly right. I get that notion from the instructive story of the origin of the Pharisees, which I touch on here.
That is not to demand perfection of purely secular things. It is, however, to urge people not to put ultimate trust in purely secular things. Being as how this is a Catholic blog, that's part of what I do.
RWFG sez: "I'm also massively unconvinced by Mr. Shea's implicit "a pox on both your houses" moral-equivalence stance toward politics. It strikes me as imprudent and makes the perfect the enemy of the good. American conservatism is definitely imperfect sub specie aeternitis, but Catholics and Christians can find much common ground and get a serious hearing without contempt for our very existence and the belief that we are the enemy as such -- the "keep your rosaries off my ovaries" attitude. With conservatism, the spirit is willing, even if the flesh is sometimes weak; with liberalism, the spirit is in total league with the Enemy. *That* is what the culture war (on which Mr. Shea does brilliant service on the side of the angels) is all about; whether Christianity can inhabit the public space or whether progress is measured by how thoroughly it can be repudiated. There is an absolute difference here between the two dominant ideologies and parties, and Christians should not kid themselves about who their friends and enemies are."
I really regret it if I am giving the impression that nothing less than Perfection will satisfy my too fine political tastes. I certainly don't mean to. I recognize that politics is the art of the possible. However, I also recognize (as some of my readers do not) that politics is not salvific, nor is a political alignment necessarily indicative of one's standing before God. And I recognize that some in the blogosphere have not been content to merely disagree with the Magisterial office when it says things that challenge them. They have felt the compulsion to dismiss and insult the Holy Father and the teaching of the Church as ridiculous and contemptible. If I were writing a blog that was heavily read by liberals certain of their utter righteousness (as liberals tend to be, particularly when they are arguing with conservatives) I would put rather more emphasis on the way in which liberalism fails to square with what I regard as the touchstone for where we stand with God: the revelation of Christ in the Catholic faith. However, I am not writing for such an audience.
Instead I am writing for a largely conservative audience that is tempted, as it finds its place in the sun and gains earthly power, to forget that it too is fallen and to treat the Faith with just as much contempt in those times when the Church fails to endorse conservative hobby horses or even actively opposes them. And so I periodically remind this audience that when Paul says "all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God" he means business and that we--we conservatives who are largely on the right side of the culture wars--are as prone to corruption as the rest of the race. That's not "moral equivalence", it's simply the second most important fact about the human race (after our being made in the image of God) and one to which pride blinds us.
Which brings me to Tolkien. The point of LOTR is not that power is intrinsically evil. God, after all, is all powerful but not evil at all. But power is intrinsically dangerous for fallen creatures, and we are fallen. Our abiding temptation as sons of Adam and Eve is to imagine ourselves to be different than Those People Over There. If we were given Power, we wouldn't misuse it. Not We.
That is, perhaps, true of the most humble among us. But then people who climb to the top of political heaps don't tend to be those people, do they?
Finally, regarding South Park. My point was not that the show is bad. I'm sure that, like the Simpsons, I would enjoy it a great deal since I have a taste for wicked satire and the skewering of sacred cows. For the same reason, I enjoy Mencken and Twain and, insofar as they attacked evils and cant I applaud that. But there is a difference between tearing down and building up. And the danger for us fallen humans is that we can so gleefully tear down that we miss the one thing in the condemned old building that was really worth saving.
So, for instance, in condemning the rotting hulk of liberalism, we risk saying things like, "with liberalism, the spirit is in total league with the Enemy". It's not far from that to rejecting anything that a liberal approves as intrinsically evil. And from there, to "satirizing" real victims (because liberals make a Cult of Victimhood) and so, to the spectacle of laughing at homeless people that has always embarrassed me as the most regrettable feature of Limbaugh's show.
In a funny way then, I agree with you, RWFG. I'm all for seeing what is positive in merely human things, even when those things are imperfect, and sometimes grossly so. The reason liberalism became so corrupt is that it was right about so much for so long that its adherents could no longer imagine those who opposed them as anything but stupid or evil. In its fallen pride, it rendered itself incapable of even imagining that conservatives who oppose it could also have real goods that they were trying to defend. The reason it became incapable of doing this is because it wielded largely unchallenged power for a very long time and did not have to practice self-examination as a result. That's why power is dangerous to fallen creatures. It insulates us from having to look at ourselves and discover that we are indeed fallen (which is something we are eager to be insulated from in any case).
Michael Schiavo is failing to win friends
He is, however, influencing people, though not in the way that he intended.
I think I'm glad I missed this hour of Quality Viewing.
He is, however, influencing people, though not in the way that he intended.
I think I'm glad I missed this hour of Quality Viewing.
Just to be clear...
I'm not trying to distance myself from Cdl. Ratzinger. I'm quite happy to be associated with him since what little I know of his theology, I think is quite good. But the emphasis here is "little". I don't know his work very well at all, and so am ill-equipped to be the goose-stepping mind-numbed devotee of all things Ratzingerian that Sullivan takes me for. I'm much better suited for being accused as a Lewisite, a Chestertonian, or a Paulite. But, of course, all such sectarian labels are to be rejected. I really just want to be a non-revisionist Catholic. Since that appears to be Cdl. Ratzinger's aspiration as well, I'm happy to share a place with him on Sullivan's Enemies List.
I'm not trying to distance myself from Cdl. Ratzinger. I'm quite happy to be associated with him since what little I know of his theology, I think is quite good. But the emphasis here is "little". I don't know his work very well at all, and so am ill-equipped to be the goose-stepping mind-numbed devotee of all things Ratzingerian that Sullivan takes me for. I'm much better suited for being accused as a Lewisite, a Chestertonian, or a Paulite. But, of course, all such sectarian labels are to be rejected. I really just want to be a non-revisionist Catholic. Since that appears to be Cdl. Ratzinger's aspiration as well, I'm happy to share a place with him on Sullivan's Enemies List.
Fr. Rob Johansen Posts the Schindler's Response to Michael Schiavo
It turns out there are actually other views of this case than the one NPR and CNN want you to have.
The Blogosphere: Smashing the Mainstream Media Hegemony
It turns out there are actually other views of this case than the one NPR and CNN want you to have.
The Blogosphere: Smashing the Mainstream Media Hegemony
Trying to put things a different way
Shortly after Dallas, some wags made light of the fact that bishops were upset because people weren't falling all over themselves in gratitude for their incredibly belated attempts to enact minimal standards of justice with respect to rapist priests. One wag referred to the "Working to Rape You Less" program post-Dallas and averred that, on the whole, it was an improvement, but not exactly something you want to cite as an example of the bishops tremendous moral leadership.
Now, I'm glad as all get out that Bush and the Repubs have, at long last, passed a Partial Birth Abortion ban. I'm very happy that the state has, at long last, gotten to the point where it no longer will stand for this barbarism. But am I really supposed to hail the "Working to Crush the Skulls and Suck out the Brains of Newborns Less" legislation as evidence of the Republican party's tremendous moral leadership? Especially when, upon signing this, the President effectively telegraphs the message that the prolife community better be grateful cuz that's about all he's willing to exert leadership to achieve?
Okay, I'm grateful. I'm also grateful that the bishops finally figured out the rapist priests should be handed over to the cops, not sheltered and lied about. But one does feel the persistent nagging hope that something more than this move up to the level of ancient Carthaginian morality might be achieved. Call me a cockeyed optimist.
Shortly after Dallas, some wags made light of the fact that bishops were upset because people weren't falling all over themselves in gratitude for their incredibly belated attempts to enact minimal standards of justice with respect to rapist priests. One wag referred to the "Working to Rape You Less" program post-Dallas and averred that, on the whole, it was an improvement, but not exactly something you want to cite as an example of the bishops tremendous moral leadership.
Now, I'm glad as all get out that Bush and the Repubs have, at long last, passed a Partial Birth Abortion ban. I'm very happy that the state has, at long last, gotten to the point where it no longer will stand for this barbarism. But am I really supposed to hail the "Working to Crush the Skulls and Suck out the Brains of Newborns Less" legislation as evidence of the Republican party's tremendous moral leadership? Especially when, upon signing this, the President effectively telegraphs the message that the prolife community better be grateful cuz that's about all he's willing to exert leadership to achieve?
Okay, I'm grateful. I'm also grateful that the bishops finally figured out the rapist priests should be handed over to the cops, not sheltered and lied about. But one does feel the persistent nagging hope that something more than this move up to the level of ancient Carthaginian morality might be achieved. Call me a cockeyed optimist.
"John Paul has striven to embody the meaning of truth being love, born out of faith in and as witness to Jesus."
The remarkable thing about this perfectly true statement is that it was written by a Muslim journalist. Read the whole thing. For those of my readers who labor under the misconception that the Pope does not bear witness to the gospel to adherents of Islam, multiply this guy by several million.
The remarkable thing about this perfectly true statement is that it was written by a Muslim journalist. Read the whole thing. For those of my readers who labor under the misconception that the Pope does not bear witness to the gospel to adherents of Islam, multiply this guy by several million.
Partly apologetic and partly puzzled
In my grumble below about Bush and the Republican arms-length treatment of prolifers I was, I think, unfair in saying that they don't do "anything". Obviously, the passage of the PBA ban was something and the overtturn Clinton's relaxing of Reagan's Mexico City Policy and on abortions in military hospitals was something.
But what it was not was aggressive or leaderly. My point was "Just compare the all out effort to lobby for War with Iraq" to the sort of "Well, what can anybody really do" passivity of Bush on this matter--a matter which kills far more Americans each week than 9/11 did. However, I was wrong, strictly speaking, to say the Repubs don't do "anything."
I am, however, puzzled by the remark of one commenter that, in making this criticism, I "really buy into the whole characterization of Bush by the Left!" I don't get this. The Left sees the PBA as tantamount to Bush's desire to strap all women everywhere to tables and forcibly impregnate them with the sperm of SS men. I think Bush has done the absolute bare minimum that human can accomplish in the defense of human life. I don't see how I'm buying into the Left's characterization of Bush as a "prolife fanatic". Hopefully my reader can help me understand what he meant, cuz I think I must be missing something crucial in his point.
In my grumble below about Bush and the Republican arms-length treatment of prolifers I was, I think, unfair in saying that they don't do "anything". Obviously, the passage of the PBA ban was something and the overtturn Clinton's relaxing of Reagan's Mexico City Policy and on abortions in military hospitals was something.
But what it was not was aggressive or leaderly. My point was "Just compare the all out effort to lobby for War with Iraq" to the sort of "Well, what can anybody really do" passivity of Bush on this matter--a matter which kills far more Americans each week than 9/11 did. However, I was wrong, strictly speaking, to say the Repubs don't do "anything."
I am, however, puzzled by the remark of one commenter that, in making this criticism, I "really buy into the whole characterization of Bush by the Left!" I don't get this. The Left sees the PBA as tantamount to Bush's desire to strap all women everywhere to tables and forcibly impregnate them with the sperm of SS men. I think Bush has done the absolute bare minimum that human can accomplish in the defense of human life. I don't see how I'm buying into the Left's characterization of Bush as a "prolife fanatic". Hopefully my reader can help me understand what he meant, cuz I think I must be missing something crucial in his point.
A reader sez:
I have a high degree of confidence in our military's practice of ius in bello. As I've mentioned, I come from a military family and know what our guys are made of, which is very good stuff indeed.
What has concerned me is the ius ad bellum aspect of the war, which is the province of politicians. As I've said, it's because I revere the troops that actually fight the war that I want to be sure we are really acting in obedience to Christ when we send them to go get killed and to kill.
A while back there was a big discussion on your blog about coersion being used against Iraqis to get information (I believe the specific case was a note being left for an iraqi officer saying "we have your family, turn yourself in.") Well, as it would turn out, such cases are being prosecuted. The military is trying to do this stuff right....
I have a high degree of confidence in our military's practice of ius in bello. As I've mentioned, I come from a military family and know what our guys are made of, which is very good stuff indeed.
What has concerned me is the ius ad bellum aspect of the war, which is the province of politicians. As I've said, it's because I revere the troops that actually fight the war that I want to be sure we are really acting in obedience to Christ when we send them to go get killed and to kill.
Apparently I'm a "Ratzingerite" (whatever that is)
I've never read Ratzinger. I suppose I should if I'm going to live up to my rep as one of his worshipers.
As to gays, I don't hate 'em. I do however, hate it when gays a) try to force people to approve of homosexual practice, b) intimidate those who don't, c) beat up those who don't or d) kill those who don't. Much as I hate it when neanderthals intimidate, beat up and kill gays. A foolish consistency of my hobgoblin-haunted mind, I suppose. I also note the frequent and frequently obfuscated connection between gay priests and the abuse of "youths" (commonly known as "boys" in common parlance). Much as with the case of heterosexual rapists, I don't think such people deserve a pass and I do think that their immersion in a culture of sexual license does have something to do with their acting with sexual licentiousness.
I would like nothing better than if gays just got on with their lives and didn't insist on declaring those who regard their activities as sinful to be "hateful". But since some gays push this agenda of intimidation, I push back and refuse to be intimidated.
I've never read Ratzinger. I suppose I should if I'm going to live up to my rep as one of his worshipers.
As to gays, I don't hate 'em. I do however, hate it when gays a) try to force people to approve of homosexual practice, b) intimidate those who don't, c) beat up those who don't or d) kill those who don't. Much as I hate it when neanderthals intimidate, beat up and kill gays. A foolish consistency of my hobgoblin-haunted mind, I suppose. I also note the frequent and frequently obfuscated connection between gay priests and the abuse of "youths" (commonly known as "boys" in common parlance). Much as with the case of heterosexual rapists, I don't think such people deserve a pass and I do think that their immersion in a culture of sexual license does have something to do with their acting with sexual licentiousness.
I would like nothing better than if gays just got on with their lives and didn't insist on declaring those who regard their activities as sinful to be "hateful". But since some gays push this agenda of intimidation, I push back and refuse to be intimidated.
For those of you in Western Washington, Mark Your Calendars for November 15
Fr. Spitzer, in case you want to know, is a blast.
The National Parents Commission Presents
FATHER ROBERT SPITZER
President, Gonzaga University
Chief Author, HEALING THE CULTURE
In an Afternoon of Reflection:
"A Catholic Vision for the 21st Century"
Saturday, November 15, 2003, 1 – 4 p.m.
Snoqualmie Room, Seattle Center
Second & Mercer, Seattle
Send registration and check to:
Robin Bernhoft, Chairman
National Parents Commission
3616 Colby Avenue #760
Everett, WA 98201
Suggested donations:
Family $50 ($45 if received before November 1)
Adult 25 ($20 if received before November 1)
Student 10 ( $8 if received before November 1)
Children under twelve free
On-site Registration also available at the Snoqualmie Room, 12 –1pm (Make checks payable to National Parents Commission, a tax-deductible Catholic educational apostolate)
Fr. Spitzer, in case you want to know, is a blast.
This should be interesting
Amy responds to Andrew with pertinent facts and direct questions. I wonder if he will reply.
Amy, sorry for making you cringe. I can be tactless (though not, I think, substantially wrong in my analysis of what constitutes what Fr. Neuhaus has called the "pole star of Sullivan's journalism"). But you are right, we are not a monolith and Sullivan's attempts to claim such reveal how his agenda drives the way in which he has tried to portray you in order to dismiss you.
Amy responds to Andrew with pertinent facts and direct questions. I wonder if he will reply.
Amy, sorry for making you cringe. I can be tactless (though not, I think, substantially wrong in my analysis of what constitutes what Fr. Neuhaus has called the "pole star of Sullivan's journalism"). But you are right, we are not a monolith and Sullivan's attempts to claim such reveal how his agenda drives the way in which he has tried to portray you in order to dismiss you.
A reader sez:
I'm no lawyer, but this is clearly a lie in Terri's case. The reality is, she was being forced to starve and it was not at all clear that this was her will. She is neither comatose nor in a PVS. There is plenty fishy about her husband's reluctance to use the monies due her for her rehab and his eagerness to put her to death.
I'm open to comments from my lawyerly readers.
The most dangerous lie told on Larry King was, I believe, told by Felos.
When asked what happens if Terri's Law is not thrown out by the courts, he said it will mean that, '... the state has the right to come in and FORCE YOU to have ANY medical treatment THEY want, AGAINST YOUR WILL!!!!!!!!!' [melodramatic emphasis added, but the words themselves are accurate; I transcribed it off tape.]
This goes completely against my understanding of the law, which I thought was very specific about when, and to what type of invervention, it would apply. This would also, I suspect, be one of the easiest lies to expose, for someone with the proper authority and forum. In my limited trolling this morning, I haven't yet found someone who touches it. This is a lie, right? If this lie is not exposed, it could have a dangerous effect on public opinion, reinforcing the 'right to die' myth about this case.
Who should speak out on this? The Schindlers' lawyers? The legislature? Jeb? All of the above?
I'm no lawyer, but this is clearly a lie in Terri's case. The reality is, she was being forced to starve and it was not at all clear that this was her will. She is neither comatose nor in a PVS. There is plenty fishy about her husband's reluctance to use the monies due her for her rehab and his eagerness to put her to death.
I'm open to comments from my lawyerly readers.
Andrew Sullivan is really pissed off at me and Amy
When you reject and attack the Faith, Andrew, you should expect people who don't reject it to disagree with you.
A reader adds:
When you reject and attack the Faith, Andrew, you should expect people who don't reject it to disagree with you.
A reader adds:
Should we be really surprised? Note how his rhethoric is beginning to esclate: Woytila supporters, Ratzingerites, fanatics, anti-intellectualism etc etc. Very slowly he's drifting to the attitude:I'm smart; you're dumb for obeying the magisterium. He progressively becoming protestantized. Just watch the evolution.
Tuesday, October 28, 2003
I wish he'd pour all his "The Hell with What People Think" Leadership Energy That He Poured into the War with Iraq Rampup into this Effort
...but instead we get the normal Republican "Humor the Prolifers but Be Passive about Doing Anything" schtick.
...but instead we get the normal Republican "Humor the Prolifers but Be Passive about Doing Anything" schtick.
Like Lawrence Welk Playing the Beatles
or Al Gore dancing the Macarena, Dems attempt to become hep to you young people.
Cringemaking.
or Al Gore dancing the Macarena, Dems attempt to become hep to you young people.
Cringemaking.
Famous Last Words
"Come back to me in five months. If we haven't found any, we will have a credibility problem." - Charles Krauthammer
"Hard to imagine." - Paul Wolfowitz
"Come back to me in five months. If we haven't found any, we will have a credibility problem." - Charles Krauthammer
"Hard to imagine." - Paul Wolfowitz
Professor Bainbridge on our Imprudent Strategies in Iraq
I've pissed off so many people with my slower-than-molasses-in-January cogitating about Iraq and our accidental imperialism that I'm starting to feel like I owe some big essay in which I try to put together my mulling. I will eventually try to get to that. At present, however, I am finishing a study of Hebrews with Scott Hahn that will go up at Catholic Exchange pretty soon. Then I have at least three big projects I have to get going on, as well as columns and articles to write, books to read to my kids, hikes to go on and mouths that get hungry morning, noon, and night. So I hope you understand.
I've pissed off so many people with my slower-than-molasses-in-January cogitating about Iraq and our accidental imperialism that I'm starting to feel like I owe some big essay in which I try to put together my mulling. I will eventually try to get to that. At present, however, I am finishing a study of Hebrews with Scott Hahn that will go up at Catholic Exchange pretty soon. Then I have at least three big projects I have to get going on, as well as columns and articles to write, books to read to my kids, hikes to go on and mouths that get hungry morning, noon, and night. So I hope you understand.
Something for the season
When I was an Evangelical, we of course shunned Halloween. Way too pagan. Instead we had Harvest Parties to celebrate the turn of the seasons, the beauty of nature and the richness of God's Providence. Eventually, it occurred to somebody to turn it into a costume party and come as something fun and unscary or even as somebody out of the Bible.
Say! That made sense! Since this was the time of year when crops were being harvested, you could also key off this to celebrate the harvest of all the saints and souls in the kingdom of God. You could call it.... oh, what's the name I'm looking for?....
Over and over, my Evangelical background acted as a preparation for being Catholic.
When I was an Evangelical, we of course shunned Halloween. Way too pagan. Instead we had Harvest Parties to celebrate the turn of the seasons, the beauty of nature and the richness of God's Providence. Eventually, it occurred to somebody to turn it into a costume party and come as something fun and unscary or even as somebody out of the Bible.
Say! That made sense! Since this was the time of year when crops were being harvested, you could also key off this to celebrate the harvest of all the saints and souls in the kingdom of God. You could call it.... oh, what's the name I'm looking for?....
Over and over, my Evangelical background acted as a preparation for being Catholic.
The Final Version of the "Jesus Christ Celebrates 33rd Anniversary as God Incarnate" piece
It ran in the National Catholic Register a few days ago.
It ran in the National Catholic Register a few days ago.
Monday, October 27, 2003
Liberalism once again proves....
that no one becomes more obsessed with law n' order, authority, smashmouth power, and cracking down than a liberal who declares ideological war on those with incorrect thoughts and the gumption to act on them.
that no one becomes more obsessed with law n' order, authority, smashmouth power, and cracking down than a liberal who declares ideological war on those with incorrect thoughts and the gumption to act on them.
Conservatives Finding Their Place in the Sun
And, for my money, revealing (inadvertantly) the flaws, pride and hubris which will eventually destroy conservatism just as it has destroyed liberalism.
Try, seriously, to square the worldview of contempt which informs South Park with Catholic teaching. Can't do it. But testosterone-driven conservatism will ignore this girly girl concern for Christian morals (and I'm not talking about "bad language" here) and will, in its pride, repudiate the Faith when it gets in the way of what all fallen men and women want: power.
The Ring corrupts *everybody*.
Unless, that is, you seriously believe that American conservatism is eternal.
I don't believe anything but the kingdom of God is eternal.
And, for my money, revealing (inadvertantly) the flaws, pride and hubris which will eventually destroy conservatism just as it has destroyed liberalism.
Try, seriously, to square the worldview of contempt which informs South Park with Catholic teaching. Can't do it. But testosterone-driven conservatism will ignore this girly girl concern for Christian morals (and I'm not talking about "bad language" here) and will, in its pride, repudiate the Faith when it gets in the way of what all fallen men and women want: power.
The Ring corrupts *everybody*.
Unless, that is, you seriously believe that American conservatism is eternal.
I don't believe anything but the kingdom of God is eternal.
Georgie Anne Geyer on the Colliding Worlds
Evangelicals are in rather a lot of turmoil in trying to figure out what to do with America as it faces Islam. Many of the moral critiques of American culture they make are also not lost on Islamic culture as it regards the US with horror. So there's this curious double vision which draws on "America the Light and the Glory" mythos yet which is starkly countered by America the exporter of mass death for babies, experiments in new forms of evil, and unprecedented levels of sheer rottenness that even the most zealous jingoist has trouble just explaining away.
The ticket, I think, is that Evangelicals *love* America and when you love something, you can't help but see what it *could* be.
Fools say love is blind. In reality, love is the only thing that sees. There is so much about America to love--and therefore so much frustration when America betrays its promise.
I would be very interested to know, from a good Muslim, not some foaming Bronze Age fanatic--what he loves about Islam. Surely, it must be there. Nothing that cannot evoke love of the heart could survive this long among so many.
Evangelicals are in rather a lot of turmoil in trying to figure out what to do with America as it faces Islam. Many of the moral critiques of American culture they make are also not lost on Islamic culture as it regards the US with horror. So there's this curious double vision which draws on "America the Light and the Glory" mythos yet which is starkly countered by America the exporter of mass death for babies, experiments in new forms of evil, and unprecedented levels of sheer rottenness that even the most zealous jingoist has trouble just explaining away.
The ticket, I think, is that Evangelicals *love* America and when you love something, you can't help but see what it *could* be.
Fools say love is blind. In reality, love is the only thing that sees. There is so much about America to love--and therefore so much frustration when America betrays its promise.
I would be very interested to know, from a good Muslim, not some foaming Bronze Age fanatic--what he loves about Islam. Surely, it must be there. Nothing that cannot evoke love of the heart could survive this long among so many.
My Good Friend Secret Agent Man Offers a Defense of Lawyers (or is it an Indictment of Public School Teachers and Bankers?)
Honest, SAM. I don't mean to tar all lawyers. When I said the devil wears judicial robes these days I was getting essentially the same point that First Things did in its famous issue on the End of Democracy and the judicial usurpation of politics. One of the most telling remarks to come out of the Schiavo case was the liberal pol who complained that it was outrageous that the legislature should dare to act in this matter and take authority away from the court. Don't these upstart lawmakers realize we live in a judicial monarchy and not a democracy?
Honest, SAM. I don't mean to tar all lawyers. When I said the devil wears judicial robes these days I was getting essentially the same point that First Things did in its famous issue on the End of Democracy and the judicial usurpation of politics. One of the most telling remarks to come out of the Schiavo case was the liberal pol who complained that it was outrageous that the legislature should dare to act in this matter and take authority away from the court. Don't these upstart lawmakers realize we live in a judicial monarchy and not a democracy?
Sounds like Michael Schiavo made a spectacle of himself
And Larry, surprisingly, demonstrated some testicular fortitude. Excellent!
One reader writes:
Scrappleface, at any rate, was majorly unimpressed with Schiavo's bid for victim status.
And Larry, surprisingly, demonstrated some testicular fortitude. Excellent!
One reader writes:
Despite fears that Larry King would soft-ball Michael Schiavo, Larry showed a little bit of spunk. During the last 20 minutes of the program, Larry asked some rather indicting questions. In one segment, Larry asked Schiavo why Terri's parents would be motivated to keep Terri alive - to which Schiavo responded: "To make my life miserable." Yeah, you go there, Mike. It's all about YOUUUUU, don't you know! Jackass. Near the end of the program, the issue of Terri's "vegetative state" came up. Schiavo's lawyer, George Felos, was all ready with his official letters from his various death camp doctors. He proudly held them up for his viewing audience to see. But it seems that Larry didn't bite. In fact, Larry seemed to show some real moxy by challenging Schiavo to let CNN cameras go in and film Terri. He did this not once but three times! What did Felos say? "Oh no, we can't do that. Terri has a right to privacy." I almost choked on my popcorn.
Scrappleface, at any rate, was majorly unimpressed with Schiavo's bid for victim status.
Fair and balanced
Fox News is going to do an interview with people who want to help Terri live. It'll be on Hannity and Colmes tonight.
The media monopoly that hitherto would have only given us "Michael Schiavo: Compassionate Husband or Heroic Martyr?" is being broken. Thank God.
Fox News is going to do an interview with people who want to help Terri live. It'll be on Hannity and Colmes tonight.
The media monopoly that hitherto would have only given us "Michael Schiavo: Compassionate Husband or Heroic Martyr?" is being broken. Thank God.
Any questions, Bishop Lynch?
". . . the omission of nutrition and hydration intended to cause a patient's death must be rejected."
-- Pope John Paul II, Ad Limina Address to the Bishops of California, Nevada, and Hawaii, delivered on October 2, 1998, in Rome (full text available at Catholic Information Network).
". . . the omission of nutrition and hydration intended to cause a patient's death must be rejected."
-- Pope John Paul II, Ad Limina Address to the Bishops of California, Nevada, and Hawaii, delivered on October 2, 1998, in Rome (full text available at Catholic Information Network).
Hapless Bench of Bishops: "Try to overlook the word 'startling'"
Operation Stumblebum continues. Just remember, it's not as bad as it looks.
"Wagner's music isn't as bad as it sounds." - Mark Twain
Operation Stumblebum continues. Just remember, it's not as bad as it looks.
"Wagner's music isn't as bad as it sounds." - Mark Twain
Thin-Skinned Islamofascists on the March!
Read this.
Doesn't really come across as Der Sturmer does it?
Ah, but there you'd be wrong. It turns out that, for the thin-skinned Islamofascists, merely questioning some of the extremist connections of Islamic groups is "hate" and they are pulling out the stops to get Rod Dreher fired.
You might want to drop Keven Anne Willey, Rod's boss, a line and rebut the "Destroy Rod" agitprop from the Islamofascist enemies of free speech.
Read this.
Doesn't really come across as Der Sturmer does it?
Ah, but there you'd be wrong. It turns out that, for the thin-skinned Islamofascists, merely questioning some of the extremist connections of Islamic groups is "hate" and they are pulling out the stops to get Rod Dreher fired.
You might want to drop Keven Anne Willey, Rod's boss, a line and rebut the "Destroy Rod" agitprop from the Islamofascist enemies of free speech.
Steve Greydanus of Decent Films.com will be on EWTN's "The Journey Home" Tonight
Both Steve and Marcus are friends so I think I will try to watch over the web. Steve's a really interesting guy and a convert to the Faith to boot!
The show's on 8:00 pm Eastern.
Both Steve and Marcus are friends so I think I will try to watch over the web. Steve's a really interesting guy and a convert to the Faith to boot!
The show's on 8:00 pm Eastern.
A reader asks:
I haven't heard anything.
Anyone? Anyone?
Have you heard people saying the National REview Board is going to say 8% of priests are guilty, or accused, or whatever ... and that it's likely to get rounded up in the media to 10%?
Bishop Gregory said that people will be "startled" by the Natinal Review Board report ...
I haven't heard anything.
Anyone? Anyone?
A reader writes:
What the Grand Turk failed to accomplish is now being done by the Europeans themselves.
You've often referenced my prediction, Mark, that we'll see gladitorial games in the US within 20 years. Well, now I've got a new prediction for you: we WON'T see such games in Europe.
Why? Because Europe will finally have been conquered by Islam by then. And not by force of arms.
How much do you recall of the history of the Maryland colony? All of the New England colonies had churches established by law and various forms of civil disability were imposed on dissenters from those churches -- especially on Catholics whose faith was practically outlawed. Maryland, on the other hand, (founded by Catholics) had freedom of religion and even welcomed religious refugees from the other colonies. Trouble was, when these Protestant immigrants from out-of-state came eventually to outnumber Catholics in the Old Line State...well, surprise, surprise, they voted to repay their Romish hosts by outlawing Catholicism in Maryland, too!
So here's a lesson for apostate European Christians: when Islam becomes the majority religion in Europe, when Muslims become the only people on your continent who believe in anything anymore, they're going to use your own liberal and democratic principles to vote you out and Islam in.
Here's the REAL puzzler, though, for us theological types: would this be a good thing or a bad thing? After all, which is worse? -- a continent rotten with infanticide, patricide, usury, adultery, sex slavery, sodomy, idolatry, pornography, avarice, luxury, and irreligion -- or a continent that keeps good moral order but does so by means of a false and Christ-hating religion?
Which religion, in other words, is more like the truth -- Islam or paganism?
I, myself, am inclined to believe that God will give the victory to the Amalekites...er, I mean the Muslims. And a remnant of Israel (the Church) will atone for their faithlessness by going into captivity in Babylon (perhaps literally).
Speaking of which...
Your prayers are appreciated for us Sheas. Not to go into detail, but if you could shoot up prayers that God would provide, I'd appreciate it.
Your prayers are appreciated for us Sheas. Not to go into detail, but if you could shoot up prayers that God would provide, I'd appreciate it.
A reader says:
Odd woman. I don't much care for horror and so have never read her. I'm glad she's back in the Church, but I have a feeling she probably has a lot of "issues" that will need attention. Prayer for her, as for everybody, is highly recommended.
On NPR's Weekend Edition Sunday, the hostess interviews Anne Rice, the authoress of those wacked-out vampire books. Ms. Rice says that she returned to the Church in 1998, after 30 years on the outside. Very moving comments about the Eucharist. But then she admits to speaking to the "psychic" John Edwards.
Just thought you might be interested in hearing it.
Odd woman. I don't much care for horror and so have never read her. I'm glad she's back in the Church, but I have a feeling she probably has a lot of "issues" that will need attention. Prayer for her, as for everybody, is highly recommended.
A reader asks:
Dunno.
I saw this article on Terri's site and wonder why we haven't heard more about this investigation. Does anyone in Florida know whether this investigation has begun? It would seem that Michael's attorney would be making motions right and left to interfere with obtaining medical records, etc. If findings backed the allegations of physical abuse, this could possibly turn the tide. Again, does anyone know if this probe is actually now taking place?
Dunno.
John Lindblom, the second guy from the right, is the author and a friend at Blessed Sacrament
He's one of the driving forces behind our parish's Young Adult group and is a great sign of hope for the future of the Church--not least because he's fluent in... Chinese!
He's one of the driving forces behind our parish's Young Adult group and is a great sign of hope for the future of the Church--not least because he's fluent in... Chinese!
While the search continues for the gazillions of WMDs we were absolutely certain Iraq had...
Other weapons of mass destruction are happily embraced and encouraged. So good to see Iraq finally embrace mass murder that we can affirm as a fundamental human right. It's about time we made it possible for each private Iraqi to be able to do what was hitherto restricted to only a few butchers and sadists. That's called progress, y'see?
Other weapons of mass destruction are happily embraced and encouraged. So good to see Iraq finally embrace mass murder that we can affirm as a fundamental human right. It's about time we made it possible for each private Iraqi to be able to do what was hitherto restricted to only a few butchers and sadists. That's called progress, y'see?
A reader asks:
I know they support Planned Parenthood and, at least here in Washington, decided to persecute the Boy Scouts for their failure to adhere to the standards of Catholic seminaries in the 1970s and 80s. But I have no documentation.
Anyone? Anyone?
On some recent blog entries I've seen some criticism on the United Way. We're in the middle of a compaign here and I'd like to have some concrete responses when I say that I can't support them.
Do you know of some documentation or links that speak to some of their problematic policies?
I know they support Planned Parenthood and, at least here in Washington, decided to persecute the Boy Scouts for their failure to adhere to the standards of Catholic seminaries in the 1970s and 80s. But I have no documentation.
Anyone? Anyone?
Terri Schiavo Roundup
"I had a great problem with the idea that Michael could... get the money and then basically change his position... I was rather struck by the coincidence of that."
George Felos, majorly creepy attorney who claims to have soul-talked to other of his past victims, refuses to answer whether or not he soul-talked with Terri.
Columnist Herman Goodden tries to alert Canadians to the possibility that all is not well here.
Meanwhile, media pulls out the stops to lionize everybody that wants to kill Terri:
Pontius Greer is a wise, old, deeply religious guy who's sensitive. Only cold-hearted Pharisees could criticize such a grandfatherly figure.
Newsday makes the best of a bad job, considering the facts about what a creep Michael Schiavo is and tells us he "decided to stop being selfish" and kill her (not their words).
But the award winner for best puff piece goes to the Orlando Sentinel for dubbing Michael Schiavo the "gentle giant" (sorry, no link).
And tonight, he get to take the national stage, free of any troubling input from Terri's family, to make the case for judicially killing his non-comatose, non-PVS wife.
Larry King, it should be noted, takes phone calls. Please e-mail the show immediately to ask Larry King when Terri Schindler-Schiavo's parents and her brother and sister will be appearing.
I'm encouraging a North American phone flood into Larry King's show to put the heat on Mr. Schiavo. Be sure to be evasive about your question when you get the screeners at CNN. Don't lie. But don't make it obvious that you are there to ask non-softball questions like Larry's. Then when you get on the show, have a concise and damaging question ready to read. Go to www.terrisfight.org for data. The phone number for Larry King Live is 1-800-676-2100.
Meanwhile, Fr. Rob Johansen, who is actually there, gives a rather different picture.
"I had a great problem with the idea that Michael could... get the money and then basically change his position... I was rather struck by the coincidence of that."
George Felos, majorly creepy attorney who claims to have soul-talked to other of his past victims, refuses to answer whether or not he soul-talked with Terri.
Columnist Herman Goodden tries to alert Canadians to the possibility that all is not well here.
Meanwhile, media pulls out the stops to lionize everybody that wants to kill Terri:
Pontius Greer is a wise, old, deeply religious guy who's sensitive. Only cold-hearted Pharisees could criticize such a grandfatherly figure.
Newsday makes the best of a bad job, considering the facts about what a creep Michael Schiavo is and tells us he "decided to stop being selfish" and kill her (not their words).
But the award winner for best puff piece goes to the Orlando Sentinel for dubbing Michael Schiavo the "gentle giant" (sorry, no link).
And tonight, he get to take the national stage, free of any troubling input from Terri's family, to make the case for judicially killing his non-comatose, non-PVS wife.
Larry King, it should be noted, takes phone calls. Please e-mail the show immediately to ask Larry King when Terri Schindler-Schiavo's parents and her brother and sister will be appearing.
I'm encouraging a North American phone flood into Larry King's show to put the heat on Mr. Schiavo. Be sure to be evasive about your question when you get the screeners at CNN. Don't lie. But don't make it obvious that you are there to ask non-softball questions like Larry's. Then when you get on the show, have a concise and damaging question ready to read. Go to www.terrisfight.org for data. The phone number for Larry King Live is 1-800-676-2100.
Meanwhile, Fr. Rob Johansen, who is actually there, gives a rather different picture.
So I get to work late
It's the set of the Lord of the Rings and the hobbits are in some big storm. I step off to the side of where they are shooting, Peter Jackson yells "Cut!" and then turns to me and starts berating me and accusing me of stealing company funds. He produces some small monofilament leaders with hooks attached for trout fishing with salmon eggs and claims I spent production company $$$ to buy them. I assure him of my innocence and that I wouldn't spend LOTR monies to buy my fishing gear.
Then I wake up.
Odd way to start the day.
It's the set of the Lord of the Rings and the hobbits are in some big storm. I step off to the side of where they are shooting, Peter Jackson yells "Cut!" and then turns to me and starts berating me and accusing me of stealing company funds. He produces some small monofilament leaders with hooks attached for trout fishing with salmon eggs and claims I spent production company $$$ to buy them. I assure him of my innocence and that I wouldn't spend LOTR monies to buy my fishing gear.
Then I wake up.
Odd way to start the day.
Saturday, October 25, 2003
Whenever I hear the word "lifestyle" I reach for my Bible
In the most abortion-crazy culture in the world, more selfish Boomers and Gen Xers than ever opt to a) have no kids themselves and b) make it unbelievably expensive and prohibitive to adopt.
It's a good thing Muslims aren't like this or it could lead to real evil.
In the most abortion-crazy culture in the world, more selfish Boomers and Gen Xers than ever opt to a) have no kids themselves and b) make it unbelievably expensive and prohibitive to adopt.
It's a good thing Muslims aren't like this or it could lead to real evil.
As you read this....
remember this.
Also, before instantly taking the NY Times' word for it, note that the biblical evidence that Mary Magdalene, the "sinful woman" and Mary of Bethany are the same person is rather persuasive.
However, one can see why a Jesus who says, "There is no such thing as sin" would hold such appeal for the chattering classes who make and consume the culture that is the stock in trade of the NY Times.
remember this.
Also, before instantly taking the NY Times' word for it, note that the biblical evidence that Mary Magdalene, the "sinful woman" and Mary of Bethany are the same person is rather persuasive.
However, one can see why a Jesus who says, "There is no such thing as sin" would hold such appeal for the chattering classes who make and consume the culture that is the stock in trade of the NY Times.
Fr. Rob Johansen Reports from the Front Lines of the Culture
She's neither "comatose" nor in a "persistent vegetative state".
Pete Vere also files a couple of reports.
She's neither "comatose" nor in a "persistent vegetative state".
Pete Vere also files a couple of reports.
Take a good hard look at this painting
It turns out that this is Jan van Eyck's way of trying to warn the world that Vladimir Putin is the Antichrist!!!
A fine specimen of AIWAK Syndrome.
It turns out that this is Jan van Eyck's way of trying to warn the world that Vladimir Putin is the Antichrist!!!
A fine specimen of AIWAK Syndrome.
Friday, October 24, 2003
A reader sez:
The really scary part is that the AARP is "weighing" the possibility of coming out anti-nutrition and hydration. Apparently they haven't heard that (1) Terry is neither in pain, vegitative, not terminally ill; she's just a disabled woman living with a brain injury; (2) Terri did not sign any Living Will, NRO or anything else and (3) Food and water are not "medical interventions"--- they are what everyone needs to live. And Florida law defines it as "criminal abuse" for a caregiver to deprive a medically dependent person of food and water.
I think it's time to Unleash the Power of the Blog on this. Everybody's got to contact the Florida AARP --- and I mean RIGHT NOW --- and tell them they must not side with Terri's would-be killer.
AARP Florida State Office Locations
(Their state legislative office is in Tallahassee.)
St. Petersburg
400 Carillon Parkway
Suite 100
St. Petersburg, FL 33716
Telephone: 727-571-2277
Fax: 727-571-2278
E-mail: flaarp@aarp.org
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Miami
3350 SW 148th Avenue, Suite 120
Miramar, FL 33027
Telephone: 954-499-4132
Fax: 954-438-7871
E-mail: flaarp@aarp.org
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tallahassee
200 West College Avenue, Suite 305
Tallahassee, FL 32301
Telephone: 850-222-7344
FAX: 850-222-8968
E-mail: flaarp@aarp.org
I admire her for sticking her thumb in the eye of our anesthetic culture of death...
...but there is always the danger that people, instead of taking the point about their muffled brutality and repenting of it will simply say, "You know, she's right. Let's stop playing games and start learning to enjoy killing. Life's too short. If we're going to be a murderous culture, then we should learn to affirm that, relax, and have fun with it."
SS troops used to laugh while they did their butchery. Such things can happen.
Personally, I predict arena games to the death on TV within my lifetime.
(Thanks to Amy for finding this.)
...but there is always the danger that people, instead of taking the point about their muffled brutality and repenting of it will simply say, "You know, she's right. Let's stop playing games and start learning to enjoy killing. Life's too short. If we're going to be a murderous culture, then we should learn to affirm that, relax, and have fun with it."
SS troops used to laugh while they did their butchery. Such things can happen.
Personally, I predict arena games to the death on TV within my lifetime.
(Thanks to Amy for finding this.)
Thanks, but I've already earmarked my gift to go to Catholic charitable organizations
I prefer my money to feed the poor, not to be used for lap dancers to entertain monsters the night before the monsters fly jet planes into skyscrapers.
Speaking of which, Rod Dreher does a nice expose on Islamic Minister of Propaganda Dr. Sayyid M. Syeed, the general secretary of the Islamic Society of North America. Amazing how vicious this guy gets when the light of truth shine on him a bit. Do it again! It's fun!
I prefer my money to feed the poor, not to be used for lap dancers to entertain monsters the night before the monsters fly jet planes into skyscrapers.
Speaking of which, Rod Dreher does a nice expose on Islamic Minister of Propaganda Dr. Sayyid M. Syeed, the general secretary of the Islamic Society of North America. Amazing how vicious this guy gets when the light of truth shine on him a bit. Do it again! It's fun!
The Prophet Gene is Upset that People Dare to Oppose him
I don't get the complaints that boil down to saying "Conservatives dare to act as well as talk."
I don't get the complaints that boil down to saying "Conservatives dare to act as well as talk."
Media Tipping Point Alert
A reader sez:
Yep. The gloves are off. Keep praying. St. Michael, the Archangel defend us in battle...
A reader sez:
Well, the (relatively) even-handed coverage was nice while it lasted, but I think today's article in the Times will quickly become the big-media party line -- i.e., feeding Terri is a win for "the religious right," and thus it must be a bad thing. This was inevitable, of course, although having Randall Terry in the middle of everything hasn't helped. (I'm sorry, but I find it hard to stomach Terry. If he didn't exist, the pro-death forces would have had to invent him as their caricature of a crude, self-righteous, self-promoting Bible-thumper. Yes, he who is not against us is with us. But I wish this guy could be held out of camera range a little more often.)
Yep. The gloves are off. Keep praying. St. Michael, the Archangel defend us in battle...
Shea's Law: The More Profoundly Corrupt a Society is...
...the more certain it is that heaven is a civil right.
I *hope* for heaven. I don't know that I'm going there. In the words of St. Joan, "If I am not in state of grace I pray God put me there and if I am in a state of grace I pray God keep me there."
...the more certain it is that heaven is a civil right.
I *hope* for heaven. I don't know that I'm going there. In the words of St. Joan, "If I am not in state of grace I pray God put me there and if I am in a state of grace I pray God keep me there."
Requiem
May his soul and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace through Christ our Lord.
May his soul and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace through Christ our Lord.
This is hilarious
A "news" piece that is ostensibly about Scalia's take on the Lawrence decision that morphs into a hit piece on ISI and its sinister agenda of Judeo-Christian global conquest funded by colossi behind the Vast Right Wing Conspiracycan'tyouseethepattern???they'retunnellingunderyourHOUSE!!!!!!!
A "news" piece that is ostensibly about Scalia's take on the Lawrence decision that morphs into a hit piece on ISI and its sinister agenda of Judeo-Christian global conquest funded by colossi behind the Vast Right Wing Conspiracycan'tyouseethepattern???they'retunnellingunderyourHOUSE!!!!!!!
There is something fundamentally suicidal about the liberal project
and PBS bears that out. When engaging Christianity, it is unfailingly hostile, despite the enormous solidity of the Christian truth claims. When engaging the religious culture which really would be completely fatal to liberalism, it bends over backwards to put state funding at the disposal of Islamic evangelization.
Weird.
Personally, I begin to suspect that we really do utterly fail to understand that all the evil powers of the world really are ultimately arrayed against the Church of Christ and the gospel and that things like the terrorist war on America are only important to Screwtape insofar as they affect the fortunes of the Church and the salvation of souls. This is why "Money explains everything" or "it's all about politics" analyses so often fail to explain. This thing is clean opposite to PBS alleged secular ideology. It is not clean opposite to Ephesians 6:12.
and PBS bears that out. When engaging Christianity, it is unfailingly hostile, despite the enormous solidity of the Christian truth claims. When engaging the religious culture which really would be completely fatal to liberalism, it bends over backwards to put state funding at the disposal of Islamic evangelization.
Weird.
Personally, I begin to suspect that we really do utterly fail to understand that all the evil powers of the world really are ultimately arrayed against the Church of Christ and the gospel and that things like the terrorist war on America are only important to Screwtape insofar as they affect the fortunes of the Church and the salvation of souls. This is why "Money explains everything" or "it's all about politics" analyses so often fail to explain. This thing is clean opposite to PBS alleged secular ideology. It is not clean opposite to Ephesians 6:12.
I thought this struck just about exactly the right balance
By the way, if you arent' subscribing to First Things, well.... why not?
By the way, if you arent' subscribing to First Things, well.... why not?
Terri is responsive
"I was in front of her and I'm kissing her on the cheek, and she doesn't like that," said a smiling Bob Schindler after visiting his 39-year-old daughter Terri Schiavo.
He said he then asked, "'Do you want me to kiss you again?' She goes, 'Uh-uh. Uh-uh.' That's what I got from her."
Thursday, October 23, 2003
Slate: Inadvertently Winning People to the Pro-life Cause
One "atheist Democrat" reader was so revolted by this piece he commented that he wished there was a hell for this guy.
I don't wish hell for anybody, but I am glad that as the Culture of Death pulls off the gloves they remove the possibility of muffling everything in euphemism. That may yet win some hearts for the truth, albeit by accident.
One "atheist Democrat" reader was so revolted by this piece he commented that he wished there was a hell for this guy.
I don't wish hell for anybody, but I am glad that as the Culture of Death pulls off the gloves they remove the possibility of muffling everything in euphemism. That may yet win some hearts for the truth, albeit by accident.
Happy News
I'm hearing through the grapevine that the Knights of Columbus in Salem Mass. are putting the kibosh on the "Festival of the Dead" thing that was going to be held at their hall. One gets the impression that some unthinking lower level functionary rented the place out after a phone call and didn't do much checking on who these strangeoids were.
At any rate, if the story's true then kudos to the Knights for rescinding the agreement. Next time, find out who's using your facility when you rent to them.
I'm hearing through the grapevine that the Knights of Columbus in Salem Mass. are putting the kibosh on the "Festival of the Dead" thing that was going to be held at their hall. One gets the impression that some unthinking lower level functionary rented the place out after a phone call and didn't do much checking on who these strangeoids were.
At any rate, if the story's true then kudos to the Knights for rescinding the agreement. Next time, find out who's using your facility when you rent to them.
Relapsed Catholic Surges into the Lead!
... in the "Find Amazingly Weird Crap on the Internet" Contest.
Curse you, Shaidle! I'll defeat you yet!
... in the "Find Amazingly Weird Crap on the Internet" Contest.
Curse you, Shaidle! I'll defeat you yet!
Ministry of Newspeak Issues New Directive to Media Regarding Partial Birth Abortion
It's not "Partial Birth Abortion". Its "what critics call" or "so-called" or "the misleadingly named procedure foes of abortion call" partial birth abortion.
Mainstream media obeys the new nomenclature directives with rigid orthodoxy.
The other prong of the counter-offensive is launched.
It's not "Partial Birth Abortion". Its "what critics call" or "so-called" or "the misleadingly named procedure foes of abortion call" partial birth abortion.
Mainstream media obeys the new nomenclature directives with rigid orthodoxy.
The other prong of the counter-offensive is launched.
David Morrison Offers an Intelligent Dissent
but I dissent from it, for reasons Amy largely lays out here.
I'm not a keep them alive at all costs" type. I'm a "don't starve people to death on the word of a guy who has tons of conflict of interest evidence against him and who reportedly has demanded know when the 'bitch' would die" type.
Note to commenters: this is the sort of case that generates lots of passion. If you choose to argue with David's comments then keep it civil or take it elsewhere. David's a good guy.
but I dissent from it, for reasons Amy largely lays out here.
I'm not a keep them alive at all costs" type. I'm a "don't starve people to death on the word of a guy who has tons of conflict of interest evidence against him and who reportedly has demanded know when the 'bitch' would die" type.
Note to commenters: this is the sort of case that generates lots of passion. If you choose to argue with David's comments then keep it civil or take it elsewhere. David's a good guy.
Just to get the facts straight...
"Terri is reportedly in stable condition, responsive but sleepy. Despite media reports, friends of the family tell us that she is aware of what is occurring around her. They are also demanding an investigation into allegations made publicly by her father that she may have been the victim of abuse. Such allegations have been aired on national radio and on an internet news services.
We have no knowledge of this, and cannot confirm it. But the suspicions are enough to warrant a guardian for this poor woman -- disabled for the past 13 years -- and an investigation. "Terri will be out of danger only when Michael is no longer her guardian and no longer has access to her," claimed her lawyer, Patricia Anderson, bluntly. Under the new new passed by the state legislature, a legal guardian will be named.
We have many e-mails from those close to the situation who also express fears. We urge prayers for all involved, including her husband. Whatever he is or isn't doing, whatever he has or has not done (and we should be very cautious with this), the whole affair has been macabre -- a good fit for Halloween -- and demands continued intercession, especially the Rosary. The will to see her dead, it seems, has not yet been broken.
The Schindlers, Terri's parents, have issued the following statement in response to one earlier released by Michael Schiavo:
We, the Schindler family, wish to respond to the statement of Michael Schiavo published by the media on October 20, 2003.
Mr. Schiavo's statement is an exercise in self-justification that completely rewrites the true history of his efforts to have our Terri put to death by starvation and dehydration.
Here are the facts that Mr. Schiavo has hidden in his statement:
- Terri, on Mr. Schiavo's orders, has had no therapy of any kind since the Fall of 1991.
- At a medical malpractice trial in November 1992, Mr. Schiavo swore to the jury that he would devote any jury award to Terri's care and rehabilitation and he promised under oath that he would take care of Terri for the rest of his life.
- After securing an award of over $700,000 for Terri's care, Mr. Schiavo did an about-face, and has spent the last 10 years in a determined campaign to cause Terri's death.
- This campaign began within a few months of the malpractice award, when, in mid-1993, Mr. Schiavo had a `do not resuscitate` order placed in Terri's medical chart.
- In June of 1993 Mr. Schiavo refused to allow treatment of an infection Terri had developed, later admitting under oath that he expected the infection to progress to a fatal sepsis that would kill Terri.
- In 1995, contrary to his promises to the jury that he would honor his marriage vows, Mr. Schiavo, who still pretends to be Terri's `loving` and `grieving` husband, began living with another woman, by whom he has conceived two children out-of-wedlock.
He calls this woman his fiance, even while his wife Terri lays starving and dehydrating to death in hospice for the terminally ill - to which he consigned her three years ago so that she would receive no therapy.
It was not until 1998, when Mr. Schiavo hired Mr. Felos, that Mr. Schiavo suddenly `remembered` that Terri had made some vague remarks about not wanting to be sustained on anything `artificial` if she became incapacitated.
When he promised the malpractice jury back in 1993 that he would take care of Terri for the rest of his life, Mr. Schiavo said nothing to the jury about Terri not wanting to be sustained on anything ``artificial.''
Mr. Schiavo's crocodile tears and his statement that ``I struggle with'' the court's order to starve and dehydrate Terri defy belief. That order is the end result of Mr. Schiavo's utter determination to see Terri dead so that he can marry his ``fiancee.''
Even though he has no Court order authorizing his actions, Mr. Schiavo has not only removed the feeding tube that has sustained our Terri for 13 years, but has also ordered that no attempt be made to feed Terri by mouth, even if she could be trained to take sustenance orally.
On Saturday, October 18, 2003, one of Mr. Schiavo's team of lawyers refused to allow our Terri to receive her final Holy Communion. This lawyer would not even allow Msgr. Malanowski to place a miniscule piece of the Host on her tongue. Perhaps Michael fears that if Terri can swallow a piece of the Host, the whole world will know he is starving a helpless woman who can take sustenance by mouth. 7 Mr. Schiavo has spent the great bulk of Terri's malpractice award on legal fees for Mr. Felos, in an effort to have Terri killed. He spent nothing on Terri's therapy and rehabilitation---contrary to the promises he made to the jury, under oath, more than ten years ago. We cannot allow Mr. Schiavo's lies to go unanswered. We pray that God will see to it that justice is done and that our Terri's life is delivered from the clutches of this ruthless man, who dares to pretend that he is grieving with us over what he has done to Terri. October 21, 2003 Robert Schindler - Mary Schindler - Robert Schindler. Jr. - Suzanne Schindler Carr
Welcome to the virtual Catholic Community of Our Lady of the Enneagram
"We are a post-modern Catholic Community moulded on principles of pan-optic theology and Sophia restoration. Membership is automatic upon logging onto this site thus allowing you to experience full active and conscious participation in this inclusive non-judgemental, non-dicriminating, post-patriarchal, neo-feminist, depapalised, mono-lingual church."
Pan-optic theology?
"We are a post-modern Catholic Community moulded on principles of pan-optic theology and Sophia restoration. Membership is automatic upon logging onto this site thus allowing you to experience full active and conscious participation in this inclusive non-judgemental, non-dicriminating, post-patriarchal, neo-feminist, depapalised, mono-lingual church."
Pan-optic theology?
A really beautiful tribute to the heroes who defend us
Some people want to know why I'm so insistent about my concerns over the justice of the war with Iraq. The answer is simple: I come from a military family. I spent a good chunk of my childhood being raised on military bases. My father and both my brothers were in the Air Force. My Dad fought in WWII and both my brothers were in Vietnam (one during the Tet Offensive). People who fight in wars get killed sometimes and I revere our troops and don't want to them (or anybody) get killed if its not absolutely necessary.
Some people want to know why I'm so insistent about my concerns over the justice of the war with Iraq. The answer is simple: I come from a military family. I spent a good chunk of my childhood being raised on military bases. My father and both my brothers were in the Air Force. My Dad fought in WWII and both my brothers were in Vietnam (one during the Tet Offensive). People who fight in wars get killed sometimes and I revere our troops and don't want to them (or anybody) get killed if its not absolutely necessary.
A General with rather typical Evangelical views of Islam
...is, of course, regarded as a far greater menace than Osama bin Laden by the mainstream media.
...is, of course, regarded as a far greater menace than Osama bin Laden by the mainstream media.
While the Pharisees Show off Their Newly Botoxed Whited Sepulchers and Labor to See that Terri Schiavo and all such Inconveniences are Cleanly and Quietly Murdered...
...penitents on death row make a remarkable act of penance.
“Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the harlots believed him; and even when you saw it, you did not afterward repent and believe him."
...penitents on death row make a remarkable act of penance.
“Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the harlots believed him; and even when you saw it, you did not afterward repent and believe him."
Thanks to my pal John Lindbloom, the University of Washington Daily actually publishes something nice about JPII
This is something like getting "An Appreciation of Jewish Culture" published in Der Sturmer.
This is something like getting "An Appreciation of Jewish Culture" published in Der Sturmer.
The
Empire
Strikes
Back
The media, now alert to this case, will pull out all the stops to see that she's killed.
Happily, not everybody in the media is eager to kill her.
Keep praying, but prepare your heart for the fact that we are very likely fighting a long defeat here.
Empire
Strikes
Back
The media, now alert to this case, will pull out all the stops to see that she's killed.
Happily, not everybody in the media is eager to kill her.
Keep praying, but prepare your heart for the fact that we are very likely fighting a long defeat here.
Wednesday, October 22, 2003
Before I sign off though, just a reminder to keep praying for Terri
George Felos, the attorney who is attempting to murder her through the judiciary, does us the helpful favor or reminding us that we really are in a war with the demonic and with those willing human agents of powers and principalities in heavenly places who love death and want to kill us.
This is one seriously creepy dude and he is calling on Help to do his work.
We should call on the infinitely greater help of Christ and his saints:
St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle.
Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him we humbly pray.
O Prince of the Heavenly Host, by God's divine power,
thrust into hell Satan and all the other evil spirits
who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls.
Holy Spirit, Spirit of Life, reign supreme over Terri's life and save those who seek her death from final damnation. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
"This kind does not come out but by prayer and fasting."
George Felos, the attorney who is attempting to murder her through the judiciary, does us the helpful favor or reminding us that we really are in a war with the demonic and with those willing human agents of powers and principalities in heavenly places who love death and want to kill us.
This is one seriously creepy dude and he is calling on Help to do his work.
We should call on the infinitely greater help of Christ and his saints:
St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle.
Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him we humbly pray.
O Prince of the Heavenly Host, by God's divine power,
thrust into hell Satan and all the other evil spirits
who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls.
Holy Spirit, Spirit of Life, reign supreme over Terri's life and save those who seek her death from final damnation. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
"This kind does not come out but by prayer and fasting."
The House Swept Clean and Empty is Beginning to Get New Occupants
Secularism is a transitional state. The inevitable habit of the human heart is worship. When the worship of God is banished, Other Things command our worship instead.
Secularism is a transitional state. The inevitable habit of the human heart is worship. When the worship of God is banished, Other Things command our worship instead.
Not "Pessimistic", Realistic
As I feared, American media with the historical perspective of fruit flies are finally confronting the fact that the War on Terror is going to take the rest of our lives (and possibly our children's lives) and they are not having the stomach for it.
This is one of the reasons I'm irked about the "We Know They've Got WMDs!" ramp-up to war when we knew no such thing. You spend your emotional capital too fast and get everybody hyped up and then you don't have it when you need it. (This is, of course, in addition to my increasing dubiousness about the justice of war with Iraq.)
A sheep people with no historical memory and an instant gratification mindset is not a people that will be able to fight the War on Terror over the long haul. What is needed is not the beer and brass bands patriotism of our initial "We'll pay any price to avenge 9/11!" flush of rage. It's a set will, a clenched jaw, and the will to press on. We are setting ourselves up for failure. We are not the people who fought WWII. We are the fat, dumb, narcissistic Baby Boomers and their heirs who are so very much smarter than our parents. I hope we can become that people again.
As I feared, American media with the historical perspective of fruit flies are finally confronting the fact that the War on Terror is going to take the rest of our lives (and possibly our children's lives) and they are not having the stomach for it.
This is one of the reasons I'm irked about the "We Know They've Got WMDs!" ramp-up to war when we knew no such thing. You spend your emotional capital too fast and get everybody hyped up and then you don't have it when you need it. (This is, of course, in addition to my increasing dubiousness about the justice of war with Iraq.)
A sheep people with no historical memory and an instant gratification mindset is not a people that will be able to fight the War on Terror over the long haul. What is needed is not the beer and brass bands patriotism of our initial "We'll pay any price to avenge 9/11!" flush of rage. It's a set will, a clenched jaw, and the will to press on. We are setting ourselves up for failure. We are not the people who fought WWII. We are the fat, dumb, narcissistic Baby Boomers and their heirs who are so very much smarter than our parents. I hope we can become that people again.
The Rundown on What Happened Yesterday in Florida
It has been a damned nice thing - the nearest run thing you ever saw in your life. - The Duke of Wellington after Waterloo
It has been a damned nice thing - the nearest run thing you ever saw in your life. - The Duke of Wellington after Waterloo
Thank you, Jimmy Carter, Nobel Peace Prize Winner
I'm sure glad the Pope's reputation wasn't sullied by contact with that prize.
I'm sure glad the Pope's reputation wasn't sullied by contact with that prize.
The great advantage the Manufacturers of Culture have...
...in our post-literate culture, is that all they have to do is wait for a little time to pass and they can re-shape history however they like. They are now doing it to Reagan, they will soon do the same to John Paul.
A historically ignorant people are sheep. And the genius of American culture is that Screwtape has actually gotten us to pride ourselves on our ignorance of the past and our currency with What's Hot (meaning, whatever present lie the Manufacturers of Culture tell us to buy).
...in our post-literate culture, is that all they have to do is wait for a little time to pass and they can re-shape history however they like. They are now doing it to Reagan, they will soon do the same to John Paul.
A historically ignorant people are sheep. And the genius of American culture is that Screwtape has actually gotten us to pride ourselves on our ignorance of the past and our currency with What's Hot (meaning, whatever present lie the Manufacturers of Culture tell us to buy).
Dem Martinet Outraged by PBA Ban
"Howard Dean, a medical doctor, Vermont's former governor and the early front-runner in the campaign, expressed outrage at the Senate's decision to prohibit a valid medical procedure. "As a physician, I am outraged that the Senate has decided it is qualified to practice medicine," Dean said in a statement. "This bill will chill the practice of medicine and endanger the lives of countless women."
"Vote for ME! I eagerly want to stick scissors into the brains of newborn babies!"
That this man is a frontrunner for President is itself one of the most damning indictments of our culture that I can possibly imagine. That we have had to fight tooth and nail to achieve even *this* modest step away from being worse than Carthage is appalling.
"Howard Dean, a medical doctor, Vermont's former governor and the early front-runner in the campaign, expressed outrage at the Senate's decision to prohibit a valid medical procedure. "As a physician, I am outraged that the Senate has decided it is qualified to practice medicine," Dean said in a statement. "This bill will chill the practice of medicine and endanger the lives of countless women."
"Vote for ME! I eagerly want to stick scissors into the brains of newborn babies!"
That this man is a frontrunner for President is itself one of the most damning indictments of our culture that I can possibly imagine. That we have had to fight tooth and nail to achieve even *this* modest step away from being worse than Carthage is appalling.
Speaking of our friends, the Saudis...
A possible link between their major export next to oil--Al-Quaeda--and Iraq. We'll see.
A possible link between their major export next to oil--Al-Quaeda--and Iraq. We'll see.
At Last! Weapons of Mass Destruction Have Been Found in the Hands of a Regime Known to Support Terrorists!
I eagerly await the beating of war drums. After all, we know they are trying to acquire them, and they helped to kill 3000 Americans.
I eagerly await the beating of war drums. After all, we know they are trying to acquire them, and they helped to kill 3000 Americans.
Seattle Weather: A Study in Bipolar Disorder
Day before yesterday we had *buckets* of rain all. day. long. Yesterday.... blue skies. Warm temperatures. As lovely and October day as you could ask for. By evening, gathering clouds with sinister hints that the weather gremlins were about to have another inexplicable temper tantrum.
On the bright side, our lawn is green and happy again.
Day before yesterday we had *buckets* of rain all. day. long. Yesterday.... blue skies. Warm temperatures. As lovely and October day as you could ask for. By evening, gathering clouds with sinister hints that the weather gremlins were about to have another inexplicable temper tantrum.
On the bright side, our lawn is green and happy again.
What a self-sacrificial hero!
Caring nothing for his own power, the Prophet Gene announces himself to be at the "center of the Church", while simultaneously scolding those who stand in the way of his naked quest for power about their need to die and get out of the way:
"If indeed this is the work of God ... then it's a crisis that calls for the church to be its very best self, and not worry about risking itself for the right thing," Robinson said. "Sometimes there are things worth risking your life for. It was Jesus who said if you want to save your life, you have to lose it."
A man of towering humility.
Caring nothing for his own power, the Prophet Gene announces himself to be at the "center of the Church", while simultaneously scolding those who stand in the way of his naked quest for power about their need to die and get out of the way:
"If indeed this is the work of God ... then it's a crisis that calls for the church to be its very best self, and not worry about risking itself for the right thing," Robinson said. "Sometimes there are things worth risking your life for. It was Jesus who said if you want to save your life, you have to lose it."
A man of towering humility.
A reader writes:
MMMMMMayyyybe. I'm inclined to think she just a typical kill-crazy Dem when it comes to abortion, and typical apostate Puritan American who doesn't like contemplating the aesthetics of what she's supporting. It's not killing children the Abortion Party dislikes, it's *talking* about it.
I heard a snippet of Barbara Boxer's statement on the Senate floor re: the PBA ban. She was upset about all the talk about killing children that she had heard. I hope her discomforture is long-lasting and perhaps prompts in her a change in heart.
MMMMMMayyyybe. I'm inclined to think she just a typical kill-crazy Dem when it comes to abortion, and typical apostate Puritan American who doesn't like contemplating the aesthetics of what she's supporting. It's not killing children the Abortion Party dislikes, it's *talking* about it.
Dick Morris Allegedly Had a Conversion to the Faith
Problem is, it's Moloch worship.
One of the many happy fruits of the Stupid Party's capitulation to power over principle in the Schwarzenegger victory.
If the Stupid Party follows his advice it can, and will, go to hell.
Problem is, it's Moloch worship.
One of the many happy fruits of the Stupid Party's capitulation to power over principle in the Schwarzenegger victory.
If the Stupid Party follows his advice it can, and will, go to hell.
Tuesday, October 21, 2003
Possible Very Bad News
Pete Vere calls again to say they have reportedly taken Terri to the hospital where Mike Schiavo works and she is being denied hydration. They are also reportedly denying the family access to her.
Unbelievable.
Pete's still trying to separate fact from rumor, so don't take this as gospel. However, it's worrisome enough that Chris Ferrara is on his way over to the hospital.
If this is true, then it appears obvious to me that this is some kind of conspiracy to kill. It can't be an accident that they would send her to the hospital where the man who is trying to kill her works.
Keep praying!
Update: Apparently, Terri is now being rehydrated. Schiavo apparently threatened the hospital staff with suit, but the Gov made it clear that they were immune from suit if they helped Terri.
Main problem is, the Schindlers and friends are barred from knowing what's going on. All info is coming for Schiavo and Co. Please pray that the power of death, broken by the Risen Christ, will be defeated here.
Pete Vere calls again to say they have reportedly taken Terri to the hospital where Mike Schiavo works and she is being denied hydration. They are also reportedly denying the family access to her.
Unbelievable.
Pete's still trying to separate fact from rumor, so don't take this as gospel. However, it's worrisome enough that Chris Ferrara is on his way over to the hospital.
If this is true, then it appears obvious to me that this is some kind of conspiracy to kill. It can't be an accident that they would send her to the hospital where the man who is trying to kill her works.
Keep praying!
Update: Apparently, Terri is now being rehydrated. Schiavo apparently threatened the hospital staff with suit, but the Gov made it clear that they were immune from suit if they helped Terri.
Main problem is, the Schindlers and friends are barred from knowing what's going on. All info is coming for Schiavo and Co. Please pray that the power of death, broken by the Risen Christ, will be defeated here.
Just got off the phone with Pete Vere, Chris Ferrara and Monsignor Thaddeus Malanowski
Much rejoicing. Monsignor said they got the word at 3:30 this afternoon. He says there are about 150 people there from all denominations
Interestingly (and a splendid illustration of the way in which peculiar pastoral situations can warrant thinking outside the box), the monsignor said he was contacted by a woman who had been praying for Terri and who said the Blessed Mother told her, "You tell the priest to take the precious blood and bless her on her forehead and hands."
Dunno whether Mary really spoke to the woman but given that Terri was barred by Caesar from receiving any liquids, the Monsignor made what I regard as a reasonable pastoral judgment call, he did indeed choose to anoint her forehead and hands with the Precious Blood in the trust that some would be absorbed through her skin.
She's on her way to a hospital in Clearwater. No word on whether they given her an IV yet, but given that the order says "immediately" my guess is they have.
Word is that Schiavo is now suing Bush. Tough beans. Let Schiavo be on the defensive.
By the way, in addition to shutting down the Florida Legislature phones and email, you've also done a fine job of making your voice heard in the chancery, Pete tells me. Just thought you'd like to know.
Much rejoicing. Monsignor said they got the word at 3:30 this afternoon. He says there are about 150 people there from all denominations
Interestingly (and a splendid illustration of the way in which peculiar pastoral situations can warrant thinking outside the box), the monsignor said he was contacted by a woman who had been praying for Terri and who said the Blessed Mother told her, "You tell the priest to take the precious blood and bless her on her forehead and hands."
Dunno whether Mary really spoke to the woman but given that Terri was barred by Caesar from receiving any liquids, the Monsignor made what I regard as a reasonable pastoral judgment call, he did indeed choose to anoint her forehead and hands with the Precious Blood in the trust that some would be absorbed through her skin.
She's on her way to a hospital in Clearwater. No word on whether they given her an IV yet, but given that the order says "immediately" my guess is they have.
Word is that Schiavo is now suing Bush. Tough beans. Let Schiavo be on the defensive.
By the way, in addition to shutting down the Florida Legislature phones and email, you've also done a fine job of making your voice heard in the chancery, Pete tells me. Just thought you'd like to know.
This is for all you who helped in this struggle
Paste it on your fridge, cuz you helped this happen by your prayer, phone calls, emails and refusal to capitulate to the Culture of Death. Thank God for you all!
I'm gonna go have me a Baskin-Robbins Chocolate Fudge Milkshake tonight! L'Chaim!
Paste it on your fridge, cuz you helped this happen by your prayer, phone calls, emails and refusal to capitulate to the Culture of Death. Thank God for you all!
I'm gonna go have me a Baskin-Robbins Chocolate Fudge Milkshake tonight! L'Chaim!
Statement By: GOVERNOR JEB BUSH
Regarding Theresa Schiavo
TALLAHASSEE- "Like the tens of thousands of Floridians who have raised their voices in support of Terri Schiavo's right to live, I have been deeply moved by these tragic circumstances. I understand the limitations cited by the judges who have declined to hear the later stages of this case. However, any life or death decision should be made only after careful consideration of all related facts and conditions. For that reason, I appreciate the extraordinary action of the Legislature today, and will use the discretion they have granted regarding the restoration of nutrition and water to Terri Schiavo.
"The conflict among family members over the best interests of this young woman has made us all acutely aware that uncertainty in these situations can, and does, compound the tragedy. I hope all Floridians, and any others who have followed this case, will ensure their best interests are clearly documented in a living will or other directive to spare their families a similar anguish.
"My thoughts and prayers remain with Terri and those who love her."
# # #
STATE OF FLORIDA
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 03-201
WHEREAS, on October 21, 2003, the Florida Legislature passed House Bill 35-E (to be published as Public Law 03-418), signed this date by me, authorizing the Governor to issue a one-time stay in certain cases where, as of October 15, 2003, the action of withholding or withdrawing nutrition or hydration from a patient in a permanent vegetative state has already occurred and there is no written advance directive and a family member has challenged the withholding or withdrawing of nutrition and hydration; and
WHEREAS, under House Bill 35-E a person may not be held civilly liable and is not subject to regulatory or disciplinary sanctions for taking any action to comply with a stay issued by the Governor pursuant to House Bill 35-E; and
WHEREAS, in the case of Theresa Marie Schindler Schiavo, Robert Schindler and Mary Schindler, the parents of Theresa Marie Schindler Schiavo, have requested that the Governor enter a stay prohibiting further withholding or withdrawing of nutrition or hydration; and
WHEREAS, a court has found that Theresa Schiavo is in a persistent vegetative state as of October 15, 2003; and
WHEREAS, Theresa Schiavo had no written advance directive as of October 15, 2003; and
WHEREAS, nutrition and hydration have been withdrawn from Theresa Schiavo, and continues to be withheld as of October 15, 2003; and
WHEREAS, the Schindlers have challenged the withdrawal and withholding of nutrition and hydration as of October 15, 2003; and
WHEREAS, an immediate and urgent need has arisen to address the removal of nutrition or hydration, because death due to lack of nutrition and hydration is imminent;
NOW THEREFORE, I, JEB BUSH, Governor of the State of Florida, by