tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39763482024-03-14T03:30:38.078-05:00Catholic FatherA Catholic Convert in Northern KentuckyAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00210245334156318187noreply@blogger.comBlogger59125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3976348.post-17272950455408744682009-09-29T13:39:00.002-05:002009-09-29T13:39:56.140-05:00What you need to know about angelsInsight Scoop (the blog of Ignatius Press) has a great post about angels that draws from Peter Kreeft, the brilliant philosopher and thelogian from Boston University. Kreeft's book Angels (and Demons) explores the topic in great detail. Here's an excerpt:<br />
<blockquote><strong>The Twelve Most Important Things to Know About Them </strong><br />
<br />
1. They really exist. Not just in our minds, or our myths, or our symbols, or our culture. They are as real as your dog, or your sister, or electricity.<br />
<br />
2. They’re present, right here, right now, right next to you, reading these words with you.<br />
<br />
3. They’re not cute, cuddly, comfortable, chummy, or “cool”. They are fearsome and formidable. They are huge. They are warriors.<br />
<br />
4. They are the real “extra-terrestrials”, the real “Super-men”, the ultimate aliens. Their powers are far beyond those of all fictional creatures.<br />
<br />
5. They are more brilliant minds than Einstein.<br />
<br />
6. They can literally move the heavens and the earth if God permits them.<br />
</blockquote><br />
See the rest of the list and some Q&A by clicking <a href="http://insightscoop.typepad.com/2004/2009/09/the-12-most-important-things-to-know-about-angels.html">HERE</a>.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00210245334156318187noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3976348.post-56037194551397426032009-09-05T21:11:00.002-05:002009-09-05T21:13:57.261-05:00Food for Thought<a href="http://charactercounts.org/michael/2009/08/what_you_do_is_what_youll_get_1.html">Great article</a> by Michael Josephson that highlights a couple of very simple keys to success for children.<br /><br /><blockquote>If you want to help your children do well in life, there are a few things you can do. A high proportion of high achievers have two things in common: lots of books in their house and an emphasis on reading, and a family tradition of regularly eating dinner together.<br />Filling a house with books surrounds children with endless and varied opportunities and challenges to explore and learn. Books provide knowledge and seeds of wisdom about morality and character.<br /><br />Eating dinner together assures that parents have an opportunity to participate in their kids’ day-to-day lives and help shape the way they think and react. Coordinating schedules so everyone eats together requires an effort to elevate family time above other things and instills in children a sense of belonging.<br /><br />But we can do more than promoting reading and family discussions to offset the bad influences to which our kids are exposed. Everything we do to or in front of our children matters; what we allow, what we encourage, and what we do ourselves teaches our children how to live and conveys powerful messages about values.<br /><br />So be sensitive with what you say and how you say it, what you read and what you watch on TV. And be careful with how you handle relationships and deal with emotions like disappointment, anger, and frustration. Because what you do is what you’ll get.</blockquote>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00210245334156318187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3976348.post-85192653496115795682009-08-18T19:24:00.003-05:002009-08-18T19:27:34.786-05:00Back to School - for the first time!Tonight marks the last night of freedom. The kids are getting ready for bed, preparing for the big day back. This year, the youngest of the 3 will start Kindergarten. He gets a bit of a reprieve - he doesn't have to start until Friday. Although he's the only one excited about it. Since I work from home, I'm really going to miss having him around. Mom, however, will be an absolute wreck! At least for a day or two. Then, we'll be like empty-nesters for 3 hours each morning. Granted I'll be working, but it's NEVER just the two of us in the house. OK, very seldom. It should be very interesting, to say the least!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00210245334156318187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3976348.post-30129727095258252872009-05-07T12:54:00.002-05:002009-05-07T13:03:06.110-05:00First Communion GiftsMy son (2<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">nd</span> of 3, oldest boy) made his First Communion last weekend. We had a small party for him afterward, and he received several rosaries, prayer books, and a crucifix. <div><br /></div><div>On Monday, my wife helped with the 2<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">nd</span> grade's reading program, and a lot of the kids naturally shared what they got. One little girl said she got $550!! My wife asked if she also got a rosary or a prayer book, and she said no. While she didn't get any religious items, she did get a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Webkin</span> and some pajamas. I thought that was sad.<div><br /></div><div>I don't mean to judge, but I would just expect that the gifts would match the occasion. I stressed to my son several times that this was just the first of many, and they're all just as important. Hopefully more so as his appreciation for the Eucharist continues to grow.<br /><div><br /></div><div>What about you? What kinds of gifts did you or your kids receive for First Communion? Do you have any favorite gifts that you like to give for First Communion?</div></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00210245334156318187noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3976348.post-71338081909610065122009-05-01T10:51:00.002-05:002009-05-01T11:18:18.596-05:00Feast of St. Joseph the WorkerToday is the feast of St. Joseph the Worker. Personally, I'll be praying a little extra today to St. Joseph. In the past, his intercession has been directly responsible for a job change that came with a nice pay raise, and separately, another pay raise. Each of these times, our family was facing the prospect of our stay-at-home mom having to go back to work. <div><br /></div><div>I didn't often pray to the saints for intercession for specific things, but in these cases I did. And St. Joseph answered! Less than a month after my first "direct" ask of St. Joseph to intercede, I was offered a new position at work that cam with a 25% pay raise. I wasn't looking for this job, I hadn't heard about it, it just fell in my lap!<div><br /></div><div>St. Josephe was a wonderful Protector of the Holy Family, and he protects our families today. I'd encourage anyone to make St. Joseph the patron saint of their career! God Bless!</div><div><br /></div><div>And thank you, St. Joseph!!</div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00210245334156318187noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3976348.post-49855099556967850162009-02-05T18:44:00.002-05:002009-02-05T18:46:54.077-05:00Michael DubruielMichael Dubruiel, author and husband of Amy Welborn has passed away. This <a href="http://amywelborn.wordpress.com/2009/02/03/michael-dubruiel/">LINK</a> to Amy's blog explains that he collapsed while working out and couldn't be revived. <br /><br />Please pray for the repose of his soul, and for his wife and children.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00210245334156318187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3976348.post-13711401672635317222009-02-01T17:13:00.005-05:002009-02-01T17:43:19.307-05:00Bigotry against Kentucky homeschoolersAn <a href="http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20090201/NEWS0108/902010374/1055/NEWS">article in the Cincinnati Enquirer</a> describes a bill proposed by Jack Westwood that would allow homeschool students to participate in high school sports. The key to the issue is this:<br /><blockquote>"These families still pay taxes," said Westwood, one of the Legislature's staunchest conservatives. "It would be fair to let them play."</blockquote><br />But here's the opposing view:<br /><p></p><blockquote><p>Grant County schools superintendent Mike Hibbett believes it should stay that way.</p><p>"I have nothing against home-schooled students if they feel that is what they need," said Hibbett, a former coach in the Boone County schools.</p><p>"But if you choose to home school, you choose not to be a part of the public schools. Why should a home-schooled student be allowed to pick and choose what they want to be a part of?</p><p>"I'm all about the fairness, and this wouldn't be fair to our students," he said. "I'm absolutely against it."</p></blockquote><p></p><p>These people "choose" not to be part of the public schools because they feel it is in the best interest of their child. So how it is not "fair" to the students in the public school? What is it that they're being deprived of? And for what it's worth, Grant County isn't exactly know for academic excellence in the state of Kentucky. (Did he really say he's "all about the fairness?")<br /></p><p>And then we've got a board member from another Northern Kentucky school district:</p><p></p><blockquote><p>Campbell County Board of Education member Mike Combs of Alexandria said Northern Kentucky legislators should concentrate more on equitable funding for local school districts "instead a bill about kids who do not even go to the school being allowed to play for the school."</p><p>"How can a school have an athletic program that is OK for the home-school student but be so bad it cannot be considered for academic reasons?" Combs said.</p><p>"To preclude the academics from our schools but take advantage of the athletics and have a law passed to force our cash-strapped schools to deal with the desires of a 'few who asked' is not the answer for success in the field, the classroom or on the court."</p></blockquote><p></p><p>Combs answers his question with the quality of his own school. Any parent who cares about their child, AND is able to homeschool them, would either do so, or find some other option. There is NO WAY in hell I would EVER send my child to Campbell County High School. It's a last resort for those with no other options.<br /></p><p>First of all, it's not a funding issue. These parents are paying their taxes to fund the school. The issue is one of misplaced pride in a school that isn't deserving of any. Mike should worry more about getting meth and heroin out of his school, and less about good families who want to provide athletic options to their children. The school is <a href="http://www.schooldigger.com/go/KY/schoolrank.aspx?&level=3">ranked 68th</a> out of 169 in the state. In case that sounds decent, keep in mind that this number includes many districts below the federal poverty level, which Campbell County is not.<br /></p><p>(Grant county is 74th. Also, these rankings don't include private schools, which would push them even lower. In contrast, Highlands High School, also located in Campbell County, was ranked 4th in the state.)<br /></p><p>Secondly, the district's job is to ensure that every child in their boundaries receives an education. Why take offense if someone feels that they are better able to provide that education in the home? If funding is truly his concern, these people are doing him a favor! Their paying their taxes, but not receiving the service. Since they would pay their athletic fees like any other student, how is this a problem?</p><p>The problem is low-level beauracrats wanting to maintain a system that is broken. They don't like it when folks realize it and find a better way to solve the problem. I live in Campbell County and send my kids to parochial school. If that wasn't available, I'd homeschool them. The public schools in this county aren't fit to teach my children.</p><p>Finally, I love the Tim Tebow mention. I would have thought that would shut a lot of these idiots up, but apparently not. Given the lack of success of these two schools, I'd think either of them would take all the help they can get!<br /></p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00210245334156318187noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3976348.post-16550214605296290232009-02-01T17:03:00.002-05:002009-02-01T17:11:14.005-05:00The truth about the "green" movementFrom the <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,486390,00.html">Times</a> in Britain:<br /><span name="intelliTxt" id="intelliTXT"><blockquote>Jonathon Porritt, who chairs the government’s Sustainable Development Commission, says curbing population growth through contraception and abortion must be at the heart of policies to fight global warming. He says political leaders and green campaigners should stop dodging the issue of environmental harm caused by an expanding population.</blockquote><br />These people simply hate their own humanity. I love the environment, but I'm careful to identify as a conservationist, not an environmentalist. The key part of that word being "mental". None of these liberal issues stands alone. <br /><br />I'm so sick of the term "environmental footprint". One of these days, someone's going to say it in front of me and I'm going to snap. This world was made for us. And it's to be used by us - responsibly. Killing people because of an imagined danger to the planet is, literally, insane. <br /><br />Click <a href="http://www.kusi.com/weather/colemanscorner/38574742.html">HERE</a> for an excellent column on the origins of the "global warming" crisis. It's from the founder of the Weather Channel, and is eye-opening.<br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00210245334156318187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3976348.post-64137771942501101342009-02-01T16:14:00.003-05:002009-02-01T16:24:16.520-05:00Bias is all in the wording<span style="font-family:arial;">Here's how the <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090201/pl_nm/us_usa_stimulus_senators">Reuters wire story</a> words it:</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><blockquote><span style="font-family:arial;">The Obama administration and Democrats have already cut two provisions in the bill passed by the </span><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1233501024_7" style="font-family:arial;">House of Representatives</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> without a single Republican vote. Dropped from the bill was $200 million to fix up the </span><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1233501024_8" style="font-family:arial;">National Mall</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> and </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" >millions for family planning that Republicans said would fund contraceptives.</span><span style="font-family:arial;"> [Emphasis added.]</span></blockquote><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Here's what <a href="http://www.rules.house.gov/111/LegText/111_hr1_text.pdf">the proposed bill</a>, HR1, actually said on page 147:</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><blockquote><span style="font-family:arial;">1 (4) not less than $335,000,000 shall be used as</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">2 an additional amount to carry out domestic HIV/</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">3 AIDS, viral hepatitis, sexually-transmitted diseases,</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">4 and tuberculosis prevention programs, as jointly de-</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">5 termined by the Secretary and the Director;</span></blockquote><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">What is easily the #1 way that Democrats prefer for "preventing" the spread of AIDS and other sexually-transmitted diseases? That's right, contraceptives. Specifically, condoms. But this is just a Republican accusation. And cutting it is a concession to show that Dems are reaching out in a spirit of bipartisanship. Give me a break.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00210245334156318187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3976348.post-22175313174176098052009-01-08T14:08:00.002-05:002009-01-08T14:16:02.913-05:00What recession?Apparently the economy isn't that bad. According to the American Family Association, Pepsi managed to find a millions dollars to donate to homosexual activist groups. $500,000 went to the Human Rights Campaign, and the other $500,000 went to the <span><span style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:-1;">Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG).<br /><br />AFA's request of PepsiCo was quite simply to remain neutral in the culture wars. That request was flatly refused.<br /><br />Click <a href="http://www.afa.net/boycottpepsico/pepsionemillion.htm">HERE</a> to sign an online boycott pledge, and get contact info for the various brands owned by Pepsi. </span></span><span style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:-1;">Pepsi's products include Pepsi soft drinks, Frito-Lay chips, Quaker Oats, Tropicana, and Gatorade. Personally, I'll have no problem giving them up, and will be glad to do it. <br /><br />How sad that the good Quaker Oats name should be dragged into all of this. What would Wilford Brimley say?<br /> <a href="http://www.afa.net/pdfs/pepsico_paper_petition.pdf"><strong><br /></strong></a></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00210245334156318187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3976348.post-17515389964605364312008-12-03T10:14:00.002-05:002008-12-03T10:48:49.840-05:00Catholic School ValuesI don't know if this will come out right, but here goes. My kids go to a decent Catholic school. They go to Mass twice a week and are reasonably well-prepared (by they school - I do my part as their primary catechist) to receive the Sacraments. It's not like it's a "bad" place.<br /><br />But having said that, it's not like it's a great place either. What I've found in four years there, is that aside from the opportunity to go to Mass, there is little to identify the school as something special. In fact, the local public school seems to be more family-focused than our Catholic school! A couple of examples:<br /><br />We always start on a Wednesday. For decades, those first three days were half-days. But for the last two, they've switched to full days. I don't care so much <em>that</em> they changed it, as I do <em>why</em> they changed it. The principal made the decision because she had so many parents complaining that they had to rearrange work schedules to accomodate their own children. Now, I understand that in some families, both parents have to work. But this is just one more way that we've changed our identity to accomodate those with secular values. While some of the families have to do it to get by, many others just do it drive a Lexus, or "keep my sanity". <br /><br />Another thing is the way that parents are pushed away from the school. At the public school, parent-helpers are invited in to assist the teachers with class parties and projects. Not at our Catholic school! Parties are off limits for parents. One teacher explained that some of the kids would get upset that their mom had to work and couldn't be there. So we don't let any come?! At what point is the kid going to have to understand that either mom is making a sacrifice to serve the family in another way, or that she just would prefer the extra cash that comes in from that second job? We make sacrifices so that my wife can stay home, partly to be available for these kinds of things. As a convert, I thought we were trying to live out traditional, Catholic values. And again, I make a distinction between those that must work and those that choose to.<br /><br />At a recent "Mother's Club" meeting, the audience was reminded that Christmas break would be a little longer this year, a full two weeks. The response? A collective groan. I don't get it. What kind of mother wouldnt' <em>want</em> to have that extra time with their children? Instead, they sit around and complain about it. These are the same moms who want to be "involved" in everything, and compete to sign up for room mother, and have their name linked with as much as they can, but when it comes down to it, they only want the school to offer activities that suit their schedule, and complain when they have to slip back into the role of parent. It's funny, only a few are available to assist with the Reading Program, but when a field trip pops up, all of a sudden everyone is able to get off of work and expects that they and their clicque will be the chosen few who get to chaperone.<br /><br />I've been on the parish Board of Education for five years now, but that's just an exercise in futility. In two years as Chair, I couldn't enlist another soul to help make some minor changes. The principal runs the school, which she usually does a good job of. Kind of like a benevolent dictator. But that just means there's no accountability. The pastor thinks she does a great job, so he doesn't seem to question anything.<br /><br />I guess I just need to get over it, or be more patient. And believe me, I try. But it's just when I see some of these simple, basic things - about putting family first, or not watering down sacramental prep - I just have a hard time with it. Maybe that's just something converts have to learn to accept. I hope not.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00210245334156318187noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3976348.post-79174378715595234702008-12-02T14:08:00.003-05:002008-12-02T14:21:21.832-05:00Fired for opposing "gay rights"Here it comes. As has been predicted for years, we're losing our rights to free speech. If you don't buy into the "gay" agenda, you're a bigot, and don't deserve to hold a job. <a href="http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20081202/NEWS01/312020035/1055/NEWS">LINK:</a><br /><blockquote>A University of Toledo administrator who was fired after criticizing gay rights in a newspaper column is suing the school for violating her free speech rights.<br />...<br />Dixon wrote in a newspaper column in April that gay rights can't be compared to civil rights because homosexuality is a choice. The university says Dixon's statements damaged her ability to perform her job.<br /></blockquote><br />So how exactly does this affect her ability to do her job? Is it that she's no longer accepted by her HR peers, the same people who have pushed this agenda in universities and corporations across America?<br /><br />What they feel the need to silence is the truth. She's absolutely correct - this is not a civil rights struggle. Blacks at that time were denied basic legal protections. Homosexuals are not denied any rights whatsoever. This whole push for homosexual "marriage" is a joke. You have a loud minority who don't understand what marriage is, or why it is recognized by the state. Even though they can't produce the benefits that a marriage provides to society, they want it anyway. Don't know what it is, but I gotta have it!<br /><br />Toddlers handle rejection better than these activists; look at the Prop 8 protests around the country. (And notice that I say activists, not homosexuals. Most of the fuss is coming from straight people with a deeply-embedded guilt complex that has to manifest itself in some way. Well-to-do white liberals find all kinds of ways to express this. Can you count them?)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00210245334156318187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3976348.post-28710009826824261392008-12-01T14:25:00.002-05:002008-12-02T20:55:47.174-05:00Say it ain't so, PlaxicoWhat is wrong with Plaxico Burress? I mean, how dumb can you be? <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081202/ap_on_sp_fo_ne/fbn_giants_burress_shot">LINK:</a><br /><blockquote>Burress shot himself in the right thigh in the VIP section of the Latin Quarter<br />nightclub about 1 a.m. Saturday, police said. He did not have a permit to carry<br />a handgun in New York. </blockquote><br />Why would he NEED a permit to carry a handgun? First of all, if you don't think you can go out and enjoy an evening without fearing that some situation might arise that will require you to have your piece with you, you're probably not planning well. But beyond that, the man makes millions. Why wouldn't he just HIRE a bodyguard who can handle those kinds of things? I mean, was he really planning on shooting someone himself if the opportunity, er, need arose?<br /><br />And I love his lawyer. Remind me to call that guy if I ever do something that stupid. He says:<br /><blockquote>"He is standing tall. He is a mature adult," said Benjamin Brafman, his defense lawyer. </blockquote><br />Dude, last time I checked, mature adults don't carry loaded guns in their pockets to go to the club. At the very least, wouldn't a mature adult make sure the safety was on? I can't imagine him doing any jail time (BTW, isn't a $100,000 bond a little much in this case? Where's he gonna hide?), but it will be interesting to see how this plays out.<br /><br /><em>Update:</em> The Giants just suspended him for four games, which is the rest of the regular season. That's awkward. Didn't he kind of already punish himself? You know, when he took that bullet in the leg? From that gun he had in his pocket?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00210245334156318187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3976348.post-69703461736859384382008-11-20T23:28:00.002-05:002008-11-20T23:30:58.304-05:00Children dying in Haiti, victims of food crisis<a href="http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20081120/capt.42805ce573e84146a996582cc9133f30.aptopix_haiti_food_crisis_xre301.jpg?x=235&y=345&q=85&sig=3l.45HqRlZMgiChpFeZ5mw--"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 235px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 344px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20081120/capt.42805ce573e84146a996582cc9133f30.aptopix_haiti_food_crisis_xre301.jpg?x=235&y=345&q=85&sig=3l.45HqRlZMgiChpFeZ5mw--" /></a><br /><div>The 5-year-old teetered on broomstick legs — he weighed less than 20 pounds, even after days of drinking enriched milk. Nearby, a 4-year-old girl hung from a strap attached to a scale, her wide eyes lifeless, her emaciated arms dangling weakly.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>In pockets of Haiti accessible only by donkey or foot, children are dying of malnutrition — their already meager food supply cut by a series of devastating storms that destroyed crops, wiped out livestock and sent food prices spiraling.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>At least 26 severely malnourished children have died in the past four weeks in the remote region of Baie d'Orange in Haiti's southeast, aid workers said Thursday, and there are fears the toll will rise much higher if help does not come quickly to the impoverished Caribbean nation.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>From the Associated Press. The rest of this tragic story can be found <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081121/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/cb_haiti_food_crisis;_ylt=AnlFaPfA5e0PtdZYtjl3SREDW7oF">HERE</a>.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00210245334156318187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3976348.post-78982497769583908282008-11-19T22:54:00.004-05:002010-01-28T15:25:04.763-05:00An Open Letter to President-Elect Barack ObamaNovember 14, 2008<br />
<br />
President-elect Barack Obama,<br />
As American Catholics, we, the undersigned, would like to reiterate the congratulations given to you by Pope Benedict XVI. We will be praying for you as you undertake the office of President of the United States. <br />
Wishing you much good will, we hope we will be able to work with you, your administration, and our fellow citizens to move beyond the gridlock which has often harmed our great nation in recent years. Too often, partisan politics has hampered our response to disaster and misfortune. As a result of this, many Americans have become resentful, blaming others for what happens instead of realizing our own responsibilities. We face serious problems as a people, and if we hope to overcome the crises we face in today’s world, we should make a serious effort to set aside the bitterness in our hearts, to listen to one another, and to work with one another.<br />
One of the praiseworthy elements of your campaign has been the call to end such partisanship. You have stated a desire to engage others in dialogue. With you, we believe that real achievement comes not through the defamation of one’s opponents, nor by amassing power and using it merely as a tool for one’s own individual will. We also believe dialogue is essential. We too wish to appeal to the better nature of the nation. We want to encourage people to work together for the common good. Such action can and will engender trust. It may change the hearts of many, and it might alter the path of our nation, shifting to a road leading to a better America. We hope this theme of your campaign is realized in the years ahead.<br />
One of the critical issues which currently divides our nation is abortion. As you have said, no one is for abortion, and you would agree to limit late-term abortions as long as any bill which comes your way allows for exceptions to those limits, such as when the health of the mother is in jeopardy. You have also said you would like to work on those social issues which cause women to feel as if they have a need for an abortion, so as to reduce the actual number of abortions being performed in the United States.<br />
Indeed, you said in your third presidential debate, “But there surely is some common ground when both those who believe in choice and those who are opposed to abortion can come together and say, ‘We should try to prevent unintended pregnancies by providing appropriate education to our youth, communicating that sexuality is sacred and that they should not be engaged in cavalier activity, and providing options for adoption, and helping single mothers if they want to choose to keep the baby.’”<br />
As men and women who oppose abortion and embrace a pro-life ethic, we want to commend your willingness to engage us in dialogue, and we ask that you live up to your promise, and engage us on this issue.<br />
There is much we can do together. There is much that we can do to help women who find themselves in difficult situations so they will not see abortion as their only option. There is much which we can do to help eliminate those unwanted pregnancies which lead to abortion.<br />
One of your campaign promises is of grave concern to many pro-life citizens. On January 22, 2008, the 35th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, when speaking of the current right of women in America to have abortions, you said, “And I will continue to defend this right by passing the Freedom of Choice Act as president.”<br />
The Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA) might well undermine your engagement of pro-life Americans on the question of abortion. It might hamper any effort on your part to work with us to limit late-term abortions. We believe FOCA does more than allow for choice. It may force the choice of a woman upon others, and make them morally complicit in such choice. One concern is that it would force doctors and hospitals which would otherwise choose not to perform abortions to do so, even if it went against their sacred beliefs. Such a law would undermine choice, and might begin the process by which abortion is enforced as a preferred option, instead of being one possible choice for a doctor to practice.<br />
It is because of such concern we write. We urge you to engage us, and to dialogue with us, and to do so before you consider signing this legislation. Let us reason together and search out the implications of FOCA. Let us carefully review it and search for contradictions of those positions which we hold in common.If FOCA can be postponed for the present, and serious dialogue begun with us, as well as with those who disagree with us, you will demonstrate that your administration will indeed be one that rises above partisanship, and will be one of change. This might well be the first step toward resolving an issue which tears at the fabric of our churches, our political process, our families, our very society, and that causes so much hardship and heartache in pregnant women.<br />
Likewise, you have also recently stated you might over-ride some of President G.W. Bush’s executive orders. This is also a concern to us. We believe doing so without having a dialogue with the American people would undermine the political environment you would like to establish. Among those issues which concern us are those which would use taxpayer money to support actions we find to be morally questionable, such as embryonic stem cell research, or to fund international organizations that would counsel women to have an abortion (this would make abortion to be more than a mere choice, but an encouraged activity).<br />
Consider, sir, your general promise to the American people and set aside particular promises to a part of your constituency. This would indicate that you plan to reject politics as usual. This would indeed be a change we need.<br />
Sincerely,<br />
Deal W. Hudson<br />
Christopher Blosser<br />
Marjorie Campbell<br />
Mark J. Coughlan<br />
Rev. James A. Nowack<br />
Craig D. Baker<br />
Susan DeBoisblanc<br />
Megan Stout<br />
Joshua D. Brumfield<br />
Ashley M. Brumfield<br />
Michael J. Iafrate<br />
Natalie Navarro<br />
Matthew Talbot<br />
Paul Mitchell<br />
Todd Flowerday<br />
Henry C Karlson III<br />
<br />
Adam P Verslype<br />
Josiah Neeley<br />
Michael J. Deem<br />
Katerina M. Deem<br />
Natalie Mixa<br />
Henry Newman<br />
Anthony M. Annett<br />
Mickey Jackson<br />
Veronica Greenwell<br />
Thomas Greenwell PhD<br />
Robert C. Koerpel<br />
Nate Wildermuth<br />
<br />
New, Online Signatures:<br />
William Simon<br />
Deacon Keith Fournier<br />
Mary Ruebelmann-Benavides<br />
Jesus Benavides<br />
Steve Dillard<br />
Toby Danna<br />
William Eunice<br />
Mark Shea<br />
Fr. Phil Bloom<br />
Christopher Gant<br />
Robert King, OP.<br />
Peter HalabuKelly Clark<br />
Eric Giunta<br />
Mark Gordon<br />
Linda Schuldt<br />
Michael Mlekoday<br />
Bryan McLaughlin<br />
Victoria Hoffman<br />
Jonathan Jones<br />
Jim Janknegt<br />
Marcel LeJeune<br />
Fr. John Zuhlsdorf<br />
Ken Hallenius III<br />
Zach Gietl<br />
Megan Bless<br />
Kathy Myers<br />
Timothy M. Mason<br />
Kevin Koster<br />
John Anthony D’Arpino<br />
Brian Desmarais<br />
Mary C. Borneman<br />
Sylwia Matlosz<br />
Stephen Lewis<br />
Susan Boedefeld<br />
David Turner<br />
Fr. Loren W. Gonzales<br />
Barbara Emge<br />
Adam Mateo Fierro<br />
Matthew Hardesty<br />
Mark DeFrancisis<br />
Heather Barrett<br />
Sally Hultgren<br />
Esther C. Gefroh<br />
Brian Murphy<br />
Joe A. Potillor, Jr.<br />
Daniel H. Conway<br />
Andrea Brown<br />
Allan Hebert<br />
Brandon Charles Markey<br />
Chris Altieri<br />
Nick van Zee<br />
Chad Toney<br />
Michael Enright<br />
Susan Windley-Daoust<br />
Lisa Pieson<br />
Lisa Commerford<br />
Erica Ford<br />
David Nickol<br />
John Elfering<br />
Paul Zummo<br />
Alena Chovanec<br />
Brian T. Coughlin<br />
Darren Krakowski<br />
Anthony F. Miller<br />
Joe Schriner<br />
Clayton Emmer<br />
Thomas L. McDonald<br />
Justin Nickelsen<br />
Joseph S. Arena<br />
Nicholas J. Hardesty<br />
Eric McIntosh<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Cross-posted at:<br />
<a href="http://dealwhudson.typepad.com/deal_w_hudson/2008/11/open-letter-to-president-elect-barack-obama.html">DealWHudson (Theocon)</a><br />
<a href="http://insidecatholic.com/Joomla/index.php?option=com_myblog&show=An-Open-Letter-to-the-President-Elect.html&Itemid=127">Inside Catholic</a><br />
<a href="http://populisthope.blogspot.com/2008/11/open-letter-to-barack-obama.html">The Hopeful Populist</a><br />
<a href="http://catholicanarchy.org/?p=707">Catholic Anarchy</a><br />
<a href="http://the-american-catholic.com/2008/11/17/open-letter-to-president-elect-barack-obama/">American Catholic</a><br />
<a href="http://giftofself.blogspot.com/2008/11/ccfa-obama-letter-clarion.html">Gift of Self</a><br />
<a href="http://adamvsblog.wordpress.com/2008/11/17/open-letter-to-president-elect-barak-obama/">Adam V’s Blog</a><br />
<a href="http://regularthoughts.blogspot.com/2008/11/catholic-petition.html">Thoughts of a Regular</a> <span style="color: #3366ff;">Guy</span><br />
<a href="http://www.ratzingerfanclub.com/blog/2008/11/open-letter-to-president-elect-barack.html">Against the Grain </a><br />
<a href="http://defendingmybeanfield.blogspot.com/2008/11/open-letter-to-president-elect-barack.html">Defending My Bean Field</a><br />
<a href="http://boundandfree.wordpress.com/2008/11/17/an-open-letter-to-president-elect-obama/">Bound and Free</a><br />
<a href="http://suicideofthewest.com/?p=741">Suicide of the West</a><br />
<a href="http://proecclesia.blogspot.com/2008/11/credit-where-it-is-due-open-letter-to.html">Pro Ecclesia * Pro Familia * Pro Civitate</a><br />
<a href="http://www.southernappeal.org/index.php/archives/5408">Southern Appeal</a><br />
<a href="http://www.earlychurchfathers.org/fullcircle/index.php?entry=entry081117-133044">Full Circle</a><br />
<a href="http://www.onenationundergod.org/ms_open_letter_obama.html">One Nation Under God</a><br />
<a href="http://dprice.blogspot.com/2008/11/definitely-worth-shot.html">Dyspeptic Mutterings</a><br />
<a href="http://crankycon.politicalbear.com/2008/11/17/an-open-letter-to-barack/">The Cranky Conservative</a><br />
<a href="http://tobiasdanna.blogspot.com/2008/11/open-letter-to-president-elect-obama.html">Astonished, Yet at Home!</a><br />
<a href="http://laughterandhumility.wordpress.com/2008/11/17/an-open-letter-to-president-elect-barack-obama/">Laughter and Humility</a><br />
<a href="http://markshea.blogspot.com/2008_11_01_archive.html#5457096985093295443">Catholic and Enjoying It </a><br />
<a href="http://catholicliberal.wordpress.com/2008/11/18/online-petition/">The Catholic Liberal</a><br />
<a href="http://adsaeculum.blogspot.com/2008/11/open-letter-to-president-elect-barack.html">Ad Saeculum</a><br />
<a href="http://pewlady.blogspot.com/2008/11/open-letter-to-president-elect-obama.html">The Lady in the Pew</a><br />
<a href="http://moss-place.stblogs.org/archives/2008/11/an-open-letter.html">Pansy and Peony</a><br />
<a href="http://lexetlibertas.wordpress.com/2008/11/18/an-open-letter-to-president-elect-barack-obama/">Confessions of a Liberal Traditionalist</a><br />
<a href="http://janknegt.eccwireless.com/blog.html">James B. Janknegt’s Weblog</a><br />
<a href="http://marysaggies.blogspot.com/2008/11/open-letter-to-president-elect-barack.html">Aggie Catholics</a><br />
<a href="http://wdtprs.com/blog/2008/11/adding-my-name-to-an-open-letter-to-president-elect-barack-obama/">What Does the Prayer Really Say</a><br />
<a href="http://blog.hallenius.org/post/60355925/an-open-letter-to-president-elect-barack-obama">100% of Your RDA of Ken</a><br />
<a href="http://tmason47.typepad.com/yellow/2008/11/our-open-letter.html">Yellow Blog Journalism</a><br />
<a href="http://blackbiretta.blogspot.com/2008/11/open-letter-to-president-elect-barack.html">The Black Biretta</a><br />
<a href="http://rockintraddy.blogspot.com/2008/11/open-letter-to-president-elect-barack.html">The Rockin’ Traddy</a><br />
<a href="http://holycookie.blogspot.com/2008/11/open-letter-to-president-elect-obama.html">The Holy Cookie</a><br />
<a href="http://www.overheardinthesacristy.net/?p=2225">Overheard in the Sacristy</a><br />
<a href="http://theschoolofmary.blogspot.com/2008/11/adding-my-name-to-open-letter-to.html">The School of Mary</a><br />
<a href="http://thepracticingcatholic.wordpress.com/2008/11/18/take-actionopen-letter-to-president-elect-barack-obama/">The Practicing Catholic</a><br />
<a href="http://hicatholicmom.blogspot.com/2008/11/open-letter-to-president-elect-barack.html">A Catholic Mom in Hawaii</a><br />
<a href="http://truthbloggedhere.blogspot.com/2008/11/open-letter-to-barack-obama.html">Verbum Veritatis</a><br />
<a href="http://thisoldchurch.blogspot.com/2008/11/open-letter-to-president-elect-barack.html">This Old Church: Behind Enemy Lines</a><br />
<a href="http://www.catholicmountain.com/profiles/blogs/an-open-letter-to">Catholic Mountain</a><br />
<a href="http://fidetrat.blogspot.com/2008/11/us-catholics-open-letter-to-pres-elect.html">The Lazy Disciple</a><br />
<a href="http://www.doxaweb.com/blog/2008/11/open-letter-to-president-elect-barack.htm">The Weight of Glory</a><br />
<a href="http://phatcatholic.blogspot.com/2008/11/open-letter-to-president-elect-barack.html">PhatCatholic Apologetics</a><br />
<br />
Media Coverage<br />
<a href="http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=14375">Catholic News Agency</a><br />
<a href="http://www.catholic.org/politics/story.php?id=30613">Catholic Online</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00210245334156318187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3976348.post-41417986013412511782008-11-14T14:43:00.002-05:002008-11-14T14:53:40.554-05:00Obama's Idea of "Change"Saw this on Politico <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/politico/20081114/pl_politico/15617;_ylt=At2gQYbGKaZlTYKKoIc6DioDW7oF">today</a>, via Yahoo:<br /><blockquote>Here's how you can tell the campaign is over and the transition has begun: Barack Obama's aides now wear suits and ties, their desks are in the Federal Building on 6th Street in Washington — and Clintonites are everywhere. [snip]<br />Thirty-one of the 47 people so far named to transition or staff posts have ties to the Clinton administration, including all but one of the members of his 12-person Transition Advisory Board and both of his White House staff choices.<br /></blockquote><br />I guess if by change he meant a change back to the 90's, then he was right. Within the first year, a lot of people are going to fuming that they've been sold a bill of goods. Obama is not going to deliver on his promis of change. HE CAN'T. He never took the time to tell anyone what he talking about. All he kept going on about was change, and hope, and things being better. He was never so foolish as to define it. That may work well for his Socialist heroes, but thank God that in this country we get an election every four years. And don't forget mid-term elections between that. Change is coming alright...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00210245334156318187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3976348.post-36512720236133122392008-11-14T14:26:00.002-05:002008-11-14T14:43:19.055-05:00Activists attack Mormon ChurchesThe <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081114/ap_on_re_us/suspicious_powder;_ylt=AjkrUwFjwQ59rv.63DMFSr8DW7oF">AP is reporting today</a> that Mormon temples in Los Angeles and Salt Lake City have received envelopes containing a white powder, clearly intended to recall the anthrax attacks of 2001, and intimidate the Mormon Chuch for its efforts to prevent homosexuals from attempting to marry in California. Excerpt:<br /><blockquote><p>Letters containing a suspicious white powder were sent Thursday to Mormon temples in Los Angeles and Salt Lake City that were the sites of protests against the church's support of California's gay marriage ban.</p><p><br />[snip]</p><p><br />The temple in downtown Salt Lake City, where the church is based, received a similar envelope containing a white powder that spilled onto a clerk's hand.<br /></p></blockquote><br />Aren't these the people demanding tolerance? Care to show any evidence of it? As always, the only view to be tolerated is the liberal agenda. The rest of us are closed-minded bigots. My favorite line comes at the end:<br /><blockquote>Authorities are looking into several theories on who sent the letters and why.</blockquote><br />Seriously? Not sure why? My hope is that's meant to mean which particular homosexual activist group did it. They need someone to lash out against, and the Mormons seem to be the target of choice. What about Obama's mandate of "change"? Doesn't that apply to them? Doesn't the democratic will of the people count for anything?<br />These people are driven by hatred. There is nothing that is beneath them in this fight. I predict there is more of this to come.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00210245334156318187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3976348.post-65521409664203984812008-11-13T22:58:00.003-05:002008-11-13T23:14:01.860-05:00No communion for Obama supportersA South Carolina priest is making <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081113/ap_on_re_us/obama_catholics;_ylt=AmnoBkIDgpuBXmziZV1socMDW7oF">headlines</a> for telling those in his parish who voted for Obama that they shouldn't receive Communion until after they've confessed their sin in the Sacrament of Penance. As always, the MSM is alarmed. Honestly, I don't see why.<br /><br />No Obama supporter can truly call themselves Catholic. This goes beyond any partisan differences. Obama is a staunch and unrepentant supporter of abortion on demand. Anyone who supports that has, in fact, rejected the teachings of the Catholic Church. Why then would they want to receive Communion? If for no other reason than that it's a visible sign of their unity with the teachings of the Church? I would think they'd want to be as far from that as possible.<br /><br />The only reason I can imagine is that it's a cultural thing. They grew up Catholic, their family is Catholic, and they'll always see themselves that way. But the plain fact is that they're not. I humbly suggest that they do the honroable thing, and leave the Church. There are plenty of Protestant denominations that would match their thinking. Some even have an imitation of Holy Communion so it can still "feel" like home. (Isn't that what's really important, anyway?)<br /><br />I'd hate to see anyone walk away from the grace found in the Catholic Church, but they've already done it. I just ask them to be honest about it. Don't be so arrogant as to think you're going to change 2000 years of consistent Church teaching to suit your twisted agenda.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00210245334156318187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3976348.post-50530699237972572532008-11-05T13:51:00.002-05:002008-11-05T13:54:16.047-05:00So do we worship science, or not??From the <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081105/ap_on_el_ge/ballot_measures;_ylt=ArZL82pE1Cz0jUu8.X0FfzIDW7oF">AP</a>:<br /><blockquote>A first-of-its-kind measure in Colorado, which was defeated soundly, would have<br />defined life as beginning at conception.</blockquote><br /><br />The biological sciences have known and taught for decades that life begins at conception. How can a civil law possibly refute that? I'm trying to keep up here: science is infallible in describing the origins of the universe, but not in defining the origin of a person? Am I missing something here?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00210245334156318187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3976348.post-19026619849736100232008-11-05T09:26:00.003-05:002008-11-05T09:45:06.909-05:00Milestone?It amazes me (not surprises, amazes) that almost every article on Obama's election focuses on his race? Was that really the goal? To elect a black man, even if of mixed race? So are we done with race as a dividing issue now? Is it put to rest? Why is there so little talk of his actual policies? Is it because he has none? Is it because he speaks so eloquently of "change", without ever defining it? So he can be all things to all people? <br /><br />Well, he got it. Now the free ride ends. He's going to have to take a stand on something besides killing babies (although he'll stick with that stand). I think Democrats are going to see that he's not the panacea they hoped for. Only Jesus is, yet they still seem to be a little confused on identity there. After the Democratic hangover wears off, they're going have to ask themselves tough questions about why their man hasn't delivered on his promises, on their expectations. There will be plenty of excuses, plenty of continued Bush-blaming, but the bottom line is that the change they seek will not occur. The exception of course is on life issues. Regrettably, there will be plenty of losers in that regard.<br /><br />Blacks in particular are giddy that a black man has finally been elected. But what happens when they realize that he isn't going to help <strong>them</strong>? That his welfare policies will continue to keep the ghettos full. That his abortion policies will continue to kill their future, literally. That those same policies will encourage the view of women as objects.<br /><br />The disappoint will come. But none of the blame will be his. Yes, we have a black president. But do we have a good one? I don't care what the President looks like on the outside. I'm concerned with what he's made of inside.<br /><br />P.S. - Why did we never see this kind of support for Alan Keyes? Keyes would make an excellent president, regardless of the color of his skin.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00210245334156318187noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3976348.post-56879892368704645962008-10-31T13:33:00.002-05:002008-10-31T13:36:32.804-05:00Why Pro-Life?<p>There is an excellent article at the St. Therese Parish website by their Parochial Vicar, Fr. Paul Berschied on the importance of pro-life issues in the election. Here's an excerpt:</p><blockquote>We sometimes forget that Mozart was the product of woman of ill-repute and that<br />Oprah Winfrey is a product of rape. These two individuals are certainly great<br />successes in human terms and they are not the only ones that can be cited. Have<br />we killed by abortion the person who would have cured cancer or developed an<br />alternative fuel for industry or found the cure for some other disease, or<br />brought about a modern invention that would help the progress of human<br />development?</blockquote>~~Fr. Paul Berchied<br /><br />(H/T: <a href="http://saintthereseparish.blogspot.com/">St. Therese Parish</a>)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00210245334156318187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3976348.post-55723042285974799102008-10-24T21:35:00.002-05:002008-10-24T21:37:05.005-05:00On the value of life<span style="font-size:+1;"><span style="font-size:+3;"><b>"O</b></span>ne day, please God, when the stranglehold on public opinion in the United States has been released by the extremists for whom abortion is the center of their political and moral life, our nation will, in my judgment, look back on what we have been doing to innocent human beings within their mothers as a crime no less heinous than what was approved by the Supreme Court in the "Dred Scott Case" in the 19th century, and no less heinous than what was perpetrated by Hitler and Stalin in the 20th. There is nothing at all complicated about the utter wrongness of abortion, and making it all seem complicated mitigates that wrongness not at all. On the contrary, it intensifies it."<br /><br />~~Edward Cardinal Egan<br /><br />(Source: <a href="http://www.cny.org/archive/eg/eg102308.htm">http://www.cny.org/archive/eg/eg102308.htm</a>)<br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00210245334156318187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3976348.post-49247181543734871452008-10-23T23:26:00.001-05:002008-10-23T23:26:47.019-05:00Do Your Best"Don't measure yourself by what you have accomplished, but what you should have accomplished with your ability."<br /><br />~~John WoodenAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00210245334156318187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3976348.post-63685773160725834382008-10-23T18:36:00.003-05:002008-10-23T18:41:22.489-05:00"Private matters""Error about God cannot be a private affair. It can only lead to a diminished and distorted life for everyone. God’s will is the sole reason for our existence; be wrong about His will and we are inescapably wrong about the reason for our existence; be wrong about that, and what can we be right about?"<br /><br />~~Frank Sheed, <em>Theology and Sanity</em>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00210245334156318187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3976348.post-51549234403166056202008-10-22T18:34:00.000-05:002008-10-23T18:37:45.651-05:00St. Therese Quote“Perfection seems simple to me. I see it is sufficient to recognize one’s nothingness and to abandon oneself as a child into God’s arms.”<br /><br />~~St. Therese of LisieuxAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00210245334156318187noreply@blogger.com0