Friday, February 29, 2008

My Hero: Sgt. Wayne Leyde


Sgt. Leyde has volunteered for a THIRD tour of duty in Iraq. That alone qualifies him as my hero.


However, to add to this he is going to follow through with this tour after winning $1 Million from a scratch and win lotto ticket!


AND! He wants to use that money "...to turn it around and see if I can bless other people with this,"


My Hero.

God Bles Sgt. Leyde


Etch-A-Sketch and Earthquakes..don't mix well

Interesting article by Brian Saint-Paul of Insidecatholic.

The resent tremor in England had us on the West Coast yawning... we're rather use to this kind of thing.

But a closer look shows that "Tragedy has many faces"

More Art by George Vlosich III. This is amazing stuff.

L.A. March for Life, March 15

L.A. Catholic has the latest on this event.

Check out his other posts on "Catholic living in L. A."

WCC +<><

Sirius, XM.... Merge or Not?

Now I've been a Sirius subscriber for quite a while now. You know, that long two hour commute to and from work thing.

Well, I recently purchased a new vehicle with a NAV unit and which has XM on it. Okay, so I thought I’d take advantage of the 3 free months offered. I thought I’d eventually switch over to my Sirius subscription by installing a converter module to the XM ready car unit.

Well, it ends up they don’t make a converter unit for the NAV unit in my new car. I’ve heard it’s coming soon but not any time soon.

Well, I’ve been hearing about this Merger between Sirius and XM for some time now.

MERGE ALREADY…!

I really don’t want to pay for both and I would prefer to have Sirius. They are pretty much the same except XM doesn’t have EWTN Catholic Radio, which is why I’d like to keep my Sirius account.

Dilemma city…

So the merger story goes on…

Static in the satellite readio market

NEW YORK (Fortune) -- The stalled merger between satellite radio duo XM and Sirius has suddenly lurched into the unknown as Wall Street continues to wait for a verdict from regulators.
New York-based pay radio broadcaster Sirius took a new, mysterious turn in the ongoing takeover saga Tuesday, declaring that it will not provide any forecast for its business until the fate of the merger - which was announced nearly a year ago - is determined. That puzzling news comes as XM gets set to report its fourth quarter earnings Thursday. XM, too, is likely to leave investors hanging with no financial guidance for 2008, as well as announce mixed, slightly disappointing results.

MMA Fighting on Prime-Time TV

CBS has decided to infuse it's ratings by broadcasting 4 MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) events on Saturday nights. Not a good thing in my opinion.

UPDATE: Maybe this is why they're doing this: CBS profit falls more than 14%

I’ll have to admit to watching a few of these events which are presently only on Cable channels. I think the one I watched was on some sort of Cable Reality show.

Pretty brutal stuff. My biggest objection is the influence on the kids. You know they are going to imitate this. I mean, come on, they imitated Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and WBF. So what makes CBS thing that they won’t imitate this? I remember some news report of a young boy killing a little girl after applying some WBF moves.

Can you imagine school kids during recess practicing ‘choke holds’ or elbow dislocating arm locks?

You know, we really don’t need to promote this anyway. Yesterday, I read an article that said 1 out of every 100 Americans is behind bars, in prison.

Not a good idea CBS. Now I’m not saying bring “Purple Barney” to Saturday night prime-time, but we’ve come a long way from “The Walton’s”

Keep this stuff as a pay-per-view event which is how it stands now.

Anyway, here’s the story:

“Cage Fighting” slugs its way on to prime-time TV

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - CBS is bringing mixed martial arts, the bone-crunching combat sport popularly known as "cage fighting," to prime-time television this spring, the U.S. network said on Thursday.


Branded as barbaric by critics in the 1990s for its lack of rules, mixed martial arts, or MMA, has evolved into a more mainstream sport that bars biting, eye-gouging, head-butting and strikes to the groin.

But fierce punching, kicking, karate, judo and wrestling moves -- with no protective gear -- are still very much a part of the sport.

One of its biggest stars, the bald, bearded Kimbo Slice, has become a YouTube.com sensation for video clips showing him punching his adversaries into submission within 30 seconds. The sport remains unsanctioned in more than a dozen states.

Beginning in April or May, CBS plans to broadcast four MMA events each year as two-hour live specials airing on Saturday nights, a time period once reserved for such family fare as "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," "The Bob Newhart" and "The Carol Burnett Show." MORE

Thursday, February 28, 2008

Boyd Coddington - American Hod Rod Legend


Boyd Coddington, So Cal Hod Rod legend has passed away. He was 63 years young. The enclosed article says Jesse James and Chip Foose were some that worked with him.



A very talented gentleman. May he rest in peace.

Catholic Exodus...?

I haven't finished reading this fully yet, however it's pretty eye opening statistics....just thought it was interesting and wanted to pass it on.

Pew Survey Shows America's vast Catholic Exodus

Feb. 27, 2008 (CWNews.com) - One out of every ten adult Americans is a lapsed Catholic. From the Catholic perspective that is the most striking statistic among the many furnished in a "Religious Landscape Survey" by the Pew Forum.

Catholics still constitute the single largest religious denomination in the US, accounting for 23.9% of the adult population. (Evangelical churches, taken as a group, are home to 26.3% of the American people; but they are divided among the different Protestant denominations.) Baptists run a distant second, with 12.7%. If they qualified as a separate denomination, the Americans who have deserted the Catholic Church of their childhood would constitute the third-largest religious group in the country, with 10.1% of the population. MORE

Obama - His Terri Schiavo vote

Jeeez, the one decision that I agree with Barack on he said last night he regrets making...!

Go figure....

Obama regrets intervening to save Terri Schiavo

Asked in last night's debate to name a regret, Sen. Barack Obama said he would like to take back his vote authorizing Congress to intervene to save the life of the brain-injured Florida woman Terri Schiavo.

Damming Bishops Part II

Carl at the Insightscoop point this follow up on Joe Feuerherd's tirade against the Catholic Bishops.

Sister Mary Ann Walsh takes him to the wood shed.

Heaven Help Us

Joe Feuerherd's screed against the Catholic bishops for their call for political responsibility epitomizes the incivility of this campaign season, where truth has become a casualty and half-truths the norm.

With demeaning and mocking words, Feuerherd scoffs at the bishops' November 2007 statement "Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship." It urges Catholics not to be one-issue voters but to look at all the issues and make prudent decisions. When up for a vote, it drew virtually unanimous support of the almost 300 active members of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Few decisions get that kind of support.

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

The Messiah Obama

Mark Shea sums up the Gospel Of Barack Obama....


The Gospel of Barack Obama

1:1 As it is written in the AP Manual, "Behold, I send my press corps before thy face, who shall prepare thy way." And so it came to pass that pundits went forth into all that country, preaching a vote of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And lo, these pundits spake by the Spirit of the Age, going into all their towns and cities and declaring:

1:2 "He is not operating on the same plane as ordinary politicians. . . . [He is] the agent of transformation in an age of revolution, as a figure uniquely qualified to open the door to the 21st century." --
Gary Hart

1:3 "Barack Obama is our collective representation of our purest hopes, our highest visions and our deepest knowings . . . . He's our product out of the all-knowing quantum field of intelligence." --
Eve Konstantine

1:4 "This is bigger than Kennedy. . . . This is the New Testament." "I felt this thrill going up my leg. I mean, I don't have that too often. No, seriously. It's a dramatic event." --
Chris Matthews

1:5 "[Obama is] creative imagination which coupled with brilliance equals wisdom . . . . [He is] the man for this time." --
Toni Morrison

1:6 "Obama's finest speeches do not excite. They do not inform. They don't even really inspire. They elevate. . . . He is not the Word made flesh, but the triumph of word over flesh . . . . Obama is, at his best, able to call us back to our highest selves." --
Ezra Klein

Damming Bishops...Not a good Idea

Clements reminds us in his letter to the Corinthians that denying the Bishops of their rightful place of authority is not a good idea to say the least.

Letter to the Corinthians:

The church of God which sojourns at Rome, to the church of God sojourning at Corinth, to them that are called and sanctified by the will of God, through our Lord Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, from Almighty God through Jesus Christ, be multiplied.
Owing, dear brethren, to the sudden and successive calamitous events09-3999--> which have happened to ourselves, we feel that we have been somewhat tardy in turning our attention to the points respecting which you consulted us; and especially to that shameful and detestable sedition, utterly abhorrent to the elect of God
, which a few rash and self-confident persons have kindled to such a pitch of frenzy, that your venerable and illustrious name, worthy to be universally loved, has suffered grievous injury.09-4000--> For who ever dwelt even for a short time among you, and did not find your faith to be as fruitful of virtue as it was firmly established?09-4001--> Who did not admire the sobriety and moderation of your godliness in Christ? Who did not proclaim the magnificence of your habitual hospitality? And who did not rejoice over your perfect and well-grounded knowledge? For you did all things without respect of persons, and walked in the commandments of God, being obedient to those who had the rule over you, and giving all fitting honour to the presbyters among you. You enjoined young men to be of a sober and serious mind, you instructed your wives to do all things with a blameless, becoming, and pure conscience, loving their husbands as in duty bound; and you taught them that, living in the rule of obedience, they should manage their household affairs becomingly, and be in every respect marked by discretion. MORE

Joe Feuerherd, a correspondent for the National Catholic Reporter, and Washington Post, oped writer, spells out his thoughts on the Bishop's statement in "Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship"

CNA has the Story:

Writer votes for Obama, defends his choice saying, "Bishops be damned"

Washington DC, Feb 27, 2008 / 07:58 am (CNA).- A writer who wrote a Washington Post op-ed piece arguing against the U.S. bishops’ criticism of voters who support pro-abortion politicians and ended his article with a curse of the bishops could face canonical penalties for inciting hatred against the bishops.

Joe Feuerherd, a correspondent for the National Catholic Reporter, attacked the bishops’ statement “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship” in the Sunday edition of the Washington Post. In their statement, the bishops noted that voters’ political decisions could affect their salvation.

Feuerherd also criticized the bishops’ efforts to ensure the worthy reception of Holy Communion in the case of pro-abortion politicians who attend Mass.

Mr. Feuerherd's side of the Story:

I Voted for Obama, Will I Go Straight to...?

Like most Maryland Democrats, I voted for Sen. Barack Obama in the recent Potomac Primary. By doing so, according to the leaders of my church, I put my soul at risk. That's right, says the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops -- tap the touch screen for a pro-abortion-rights candidate, and you're probably punching your ticket to Hell. MORE

He ends his piece with:

So what's a pro-life, pro-family, antiwar, pro-immigrant, pro-economic-justice Catholic like me supposed to do in November? That's an easy one. True to my faith, I'll vote for the candidate who offers the best hope of ending an unjust war, who promotes human dignity through universal health care and immigration reform, and whose policies strengthen families and provide alternatives to those in desperate situations. Sounds like I'll be voting for the Democrat -- and the bishops be damned.

Not only in his final analysis does he throw out all the Churches teachings.... that's his free will choice... he also damns the Bishops in a parting shot.

Hmmmmm?

Dr. Edward Peters, JD, JCD weighs in:

Feuerherd's curse cannot be ignored

To wish damnation on an individual or a group is to wish on them the absolutely worst fate conceivable: separation from God forever. CCC 1035.
Catholics possessed of even a rudimentary catechesis know that one cannot invoke upon a human being any greater calamity than damnation, and that it is never licit, for any reason, to wish that another person be damned.

I'm really worried about my fellow Catholics leaving the Churches teachings on the curb in their decisions on the up comming elections.

WCC +<><

Philharmonic in North Korea

I thought this was pretty cool when I read it last night.

N.Y. Philharmonic gets a warm welcome in North Korea

PYONGYANG, NORTH KOREA -- For the musicians of the New York Philharmonic, when the invitation came from North Korea, the answer was not automatic.

They posed many questions:

Is it morally wrong to perform in a country with such an abysmal human rights record?

Would we be in personal danger?Do we need to bring our own toilet paper?

With some queries still unanswered, the orchestra landed Monday in what is essentially terra incognita. Although musicians are often used as cultural ambassadors, seldom has an American orchestra ventured into a country with which the United States has had so few official contacts.

The Philadelphia Orchestra went to China in 1974 only after President Nixon broke the ice. The New York Philharmonic played Moscow in 1988 on the heels of a visit by President Reagan.

"We've had no George Bush, no Condoleezza Rice," said David Finlayson, a trombonist, as the Boeing 747 jumbo jet carrying the orchestra began its landing in Pyongyang. "Lorin Maazel is acting as our ambassador," he added, referring to the Philharmonic's music director.

Indeed, the 77-year-old conductor was treated as an American official at Pyongyang's airport. He walked theatrically down the stairs of the airplane to an accompaniment of clicking camera shutters and was greeted by a line of officials from the North Korean Culture Ministry."We've always been greeted with great affection in closed societies, where we are seen as a lifeline to the outside world," Maazel told reporters at the airport. "I'm a musician, not a diplomat, but I think that music is one area where people can always make contact."The musicians and their entourage of press and supporters -- about 300 people in all -- were escorted to a lavish welcoming banquet at the Grand People's Culture Palace. Round tables were covered with platters of fish jelly, prawn salad and turkey slices in the shape of a floral basket. North Koreans, smiling with hospitality, poured endless glasses of ginseng wine. Women dressed in fluorescent-hued traditional gowns bowed to the arriving guests.

I mean, aside for all the pomp- and circumstances and assuming that some of the ordinary people got to listen to the orchestra, it's a start in breaking down those walls.

... long way to go of course, however remember the old adage: "Music sooths the savage beast"

(P.S. I'm not calling the people of N.K. savage or beast I'm referring to the tension between the 2 sides..)

Monday, February 25, 2008

Vatican Secret Archives...Ssshhhh! Don't tell anyone

I crack up whenever I hear a report on the supposedly “Vatican’s Secret” archives. All those secrets they don’t want anyone to see. By the way they are on display and oh, scholars have always had access to them.

Secret? Ya-right…

And of course you have to mention Galileo. How can you talk about the Vatican without mentioning the Inquisition or Galileo?

Here's the story: Rome Unveils Rare Vatican Documents

ROME (Feb. 23) - If you are inquisitive about the Inquisition, a rare public glimpse of centuries-old Vatican documents will leave you wanting more. There are no heresy trial transcripts or descriptions of torture methods at a show on view in Rome and through March 16. Still, enough curiosities on display allow fascinating insights into how the Vatican once systematically tried to gain control over many aspects of life that had nothing to do with faith

Here’s the scoop on Galileo: Galileo and the Catholic Church

Here's the scoop on the Inquisition: Catholic Dossier 1996

B2 Down


This happened over the weekend. I was surprised to hear one of my babies went down. I worked on this project around the time of 1st flight so it’s hard to here about the accident.

I know the press is playing up the cost of each of these (1 Billion…and some change), however keep in mind that the first one flown in the late 80’s was also delivered as a full flight unit. The B2 has been flying without a major miss-hap or crash in about 20 years. That’s an amazing feat. No other aircraft to my knowledge can make that claim.

Still, there will be a major investigation to find the cause. Can’t afford to loose another.

Here’s the story in case you haven’t read it yet….

B-2 Stealth Bomber Crashes in Guam: Pilot Ejects Safely.

Our Catholic Universities - a Mess....

Life at a Catholic University today is what this article addresses over at the InsightScoop.

Read on for the ugly details...

"Where have the Jesuits gone?"

A February 22nd editorial in The Hoya, the newspaper "of record" at Georgetown University, wonders how it is that a Jesuit university lacks a Jesuit identity:
And maybe this is what the university wanted. On a symbolic level, Jesuit ideals began to depart when the Jesuits moved from their old residence in the traditional heart of campus to a newer one far away from the center of activities. And their old building was left to rot into oblivion in much the same way the memory of their significance decays today.


The truth is, Georgetown doesn’t need a Jesuit at the helm in order to maintain its Jesuit tradition. Even without a Jesuit president, we think the Jesuits should be consulted on policy changes and asked for their unique perspective to help solve campus problems. The Jesuits should also be consulted more on social issues.

This editorial may seem a little hypocritical after we wrote last week how Georgetown should allow the sale of birth control on its campus — we stand by that claim because we believe that being a Jesuit school hasn’t and will never mean simply “Catholic,” or worse, “conservative.” It means that the Jesuits should be leaders in steering the course of the school, not pushed to the side by administrators and faculty. It means openness to ideas, to thinking and to trust. We think it means remembering to lead reasonably, allowing students to control their destinies without hiding behind confining and condescending regulations. It means recognizing that every activity and interaction is an opportunity to learn about the world and not a reason to form a committee or chance to put students in their place.
More

I say there are still some good ones out there, though hard to find. Steubenville in Ohio is one and the new John Paul the Great University in San Diego is another.

Sunday, February 24, 2008

My Meme Response...

Okay, I’m finally getting around to tackling this meme. I worked on it this weekend.hanks

Thanks Trubador for passing this on to me....it was a little work but fun.

First the rules:

(1) Link to the person that tagged you.
(2) Post the rules of the meme on your blog.
(3) Share six non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself.
(4) Tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs.
(5) Let each random person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their website.

My six non-important things about myself:

1. Well, it looks like I have something in common with Trubador, I too have many books underway. Maybe to add to this, I have a “thing” about keeping my books in tip-top shape. I don’t bend or mark the pages in anyway. No ‘dog-earring’ or folding back the paperbacks I own so they stay open by themselves. I absolutely hate to see books I loan out come back to me tattered and torn. Probably a phobia I picked up from one of my school teachers who instilled in me an avid respect for books.

2. I love to watch old movies with my wife, a glass of wine and on cold nights with the fireplace on. Some of my favorites: Rear Window – Alfred Hitchcock (actually everything Alfred Hitchcock…. And now a word from our sponsor, Master and Commander, The Philadelphia Story, The Old Man and the Sea, Sierra Madre, Red October (this one puts my wife to sleep..), Many, many, more. Just watch TBS cable channel. We must have about 100 DVD’s.

3. Didn’t have a real airplane ride until I was 40! We had the Hawaiian honeymoon my wife and I never had ….. too busy, raising a family that is… and too poor to afford it earlier.

4. My first ski lesson was on the slopes of Park City Utah at 18 years old. Strapped on some skis and proceeded to make a run down the bunny slope to the where the ski lift picks up. Skied all but 20 feet, eat it big time and spent the next 45 minutes trying to put my ski back on. A little kid about 6 or 7 swooshed up and said “ Hey mister need some help” … I took off the other ski and walked by up the slope to return my pride, I mean ski’s. Haven’t skied since.

5. I’ve been leading our Parish Men’s Fellowship Group for the past 10-11 years every Saturday morning. A great bunch of guys. We study the early Church Fathers, Church History, The Catechism of the Catholic Church and all things Scripture & Apologetics, to name a few topics. I learn more from them than they do from me…I’ll bring the donuts this week guys!

6. Broke my right ankle about 3 times in the same place. First time playing Basketball, second time cutting the grass in the back yard (stepped in a hole), once stepping off a curb. It stayed weak for a long while. Time heals all wounds and its now back to normal…knock on wood.

My Six Tags:

1. L.A. Catholic adds to the list of so. Cal Catholics. This is always a good place to visit to find out what’s going on with the faith in So. Cal.

2. Michael Barber of “Singing In The Reign” is a Professor at the new John Paul the Great University in San Diego. Michael has some great material on his site which he shares with Brant Pitre. Both are scholars of high integrity. I can learn so much from these guys.

3. The Anchoress has some great insights and is a favorite morning visit for me

4. Todd M. Aglialoro of Insidecatholic.com is on the morning coffee list. I like his coverage of politics …. Catholic style.

5. Fr. Roderick, Priest of SPQN.com from the Netherlands has built up the Catholic Podcast Organization from scratch way back with his first podcast from the steps of the Vatican reporting on the death of Pope John Paul II as thousands kept vigil. It’s grow by leaps and bounds since. He has a whole list of podcasts guaranteed to catch your interest. I love the “Daily Breakfast” show myself.

6. Catholic Analysis is another gem of a blog. A must daily visit. I’m a frequent visitor.

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Satellite Tracker - USA 193

I found this internet site that is tracking the soon to be doomed USA 193 satellite, which is scheduled to be shot down either tomorrow or Thursday.

Link: SATELLITE TRACKER

I'm sure there are other sites as well...

Shame on Bill....

Bill Clinton had a few choice words and a few false allegations to pro-life students from Steubenville, Ohio....

Carl from InsideScoop has the story...(see the video)

Former president Bill Clinton made a campaign stop for Hillary in Steubenville, Ohio on Sunday and found himself greeted by more than 100 pro-life students from nearby Steubenville University. According to eye witnesses accounts, Clinton lost histemper and lashed out at the pro-life students during the speech.

Clinton's heated response came after being questioned on his support of abortion-on-demand.
"I gave you the answer. We disagree with you," Clinton said about the position he and Hillary Clinton hold on abortion.


Clinton relied on the old argument that pr-life advocates want to put women in prison, even though abortion bans have never targeted women because they are a second victim in the abortion process.

"You want to criminalize women and their doctors and we disagree,” he said of the pro-life advocates.

“If you were really pro-life, if you were really pro-life, you would want to put every doctor and every mother as an accessory to murder in prison. And you won't say you want to do that because you know that because you know that you wouldn't have a lick of political support,” he added.

Legal Status for French Embryos

Catholic French citizens taking one more step toward legal status of unborn embryos...

FRENCH CATHOLICS SEEK LEGAL STATUS FOR EMBRYOS

PARIS (Reuters) - France's Roman Catholic Church has called for embryos to be given a clear legal status following a court decision that let parents of miscarried fetuses enter them with a name in the official civil registry.

Groups opposed to abortion in many countries have long argued for a legal status for embryos as the first step towards having courts rule that abortion is a form of murder. Abortion rights supporters vigorously oppose any such status.

But Paris Cardinal Andre Vingt-Trois, head of the French bishops' conference, said establishing this status would not undermine legal abortion in France because of the way the law allowing the termination of pregnancies was constructed.

The Cour de Cassation, France's highest appeals court, ruled on February 6 that a miscarried fetus could be entered into the civil registry if a couple wished to commemorate it that way.

"This means that a fetus has a status," said Vingt-Trois, who is meeting fellow bishops this week to discuss bioethics issues. "What has happened in the past 50 years is that the legal status of the embryo and fetus has been rapidly changed. They have been turned into things.

Dinosaur Bull Frog - Bowling Ball Size


Now this baby gives me the willies....


Imagine this big boy roaming the earth... Madagascar, Africa to be exact.





Taste like chicken....


Monday, February 18, 2008

Blu-Ray vs. HD DVD

Is this the crack in the wall that will decide the fate of Blue-Ray verses HD DVD?

Toshiba may drop HD DVD format - Japanese electronics maker says it has started a review of its HD DVD business, but no decision has been made.

TOKYO (AP) -- Toshiba may pull the plug on its high-definition DVD format but no decision has been made, the Japanese electronics maker said in a statement Monday.

Toshiba Corp. has started a review of its HD DVD business, it said, amid reports by the Wall Street Journal and Kyodo News agency that Toshiba was considering pulling out after losing ground to the competing Blu-ray disc format.

What's your preference?

The Journal, citing people familiar with the situation, reported Sunday that the company is likely to pull out early this week.

Gore 101 Taught in Schools

Global Warming is certainly a hot topic now a days. While some claim the debate closed, others say the last word has not been heard yet.

And indeed there are more scientists that are contesting the "Science of Global Warming" and are adding much needed insight into the actual science of the matter.

So if this topic is still being researched, why the push to enter it as a mandatory curriculum in our schools?

Bill would require California's science curriculum to cover climate change

A Silicon Valley lawmaker is gaining momentum with a bill that would require "climate change" to be among the science topics that all California public school students are taught.

The measure, by state Sen. Joe Simitian, D-Palo Alto, also would mandate that future science textbooks approved for California public schools include climate change.

"You can't have a science curriculum that is relevant and current if it doesn't deal with the science behind climate change," Simitian said. "This is a phenomenon of global importance and our kids ought to understand the science behind that phenomenon."

The state Senate approved the bill, SB 908, Jan. 30 by a 26-13 vote. It heads now to the state Assembly. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has taken numerous actions to reduce global warming, but he has yet to weigh in on Simitian's bill. Other Republicans in the Capitol, however, are not happy about the proposal.

Some say the science on global warming isn't clear, while others worry the bill would inject environmental propaganda into classrooms. MORE


And that's what I say will happen. I've seen it already in my son's classroom. They were shown the infamous "Al Gore Movie" on global warming in class one day, without any formal discussion, class research, class preparation, debate or even a question and answer session after the film. The day after the movie was shown in class, nothing was said about it.

I don't mind the addition to the curriculum of the topic of Global Warming; however I would expect an honest coverage of the science from both ends of the science spectrum.

I fear this new Bill would only brain wash the issue, with only the attempt to capture the youth to ensure a lasting positive bend toward the Al Gore crowd.

Honest debate and research....there is not substitute.

Friday, February 15, 2008

Indiana Jones...May 22

Finally, on May 22 the long awaited forth and last installment.



Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

How to Delete a Satellite...Navy style

Cool article on the up coming Satellite shot...

... interesting

Pius IX and the dogma of the Immaculate Conception

Interesting read I found at Catholic News Agency (CNA)

Historian reveals how Pius IX decided to proclaim dogma of Immaculat Conception

In an article published by L’Osservatore Romano, Italian historian Francesco Guglietta, an expert on the life of Pius IX, revealed how the Pontiff decided to consult with the bishops of the world to proclaim the dogma of the Immaculate Conception on December 8, 1854.

Guglietta points out that the revolution that ended with the proclamation of the “Roman Republic” in 1848 and that forced the Pope to take up residence for nine months in Gaeta, south of Rome, had a profound effect on the Pontiff, who like Cardinal Giovanni Maria Mastai Ferretti, had openly sympathized with the European revolutionary movements.

“During this lapse of time, in fact, Pius IX progressively lost trust in the processes of the ‘revolution’ that were taking place in Europe and distanced himself from the liberal Catholic environment, beginning to see in the insurrection movement, as well as in the ‘modernity’ of that time, a dangerous snare for the life of the Church,” Guglietta writes.

The expert points out that “understanding what happened with the thinking of Pius IX in Gaeta is of significant historic relevance” and is an “area of research not yet explored.” Nevertheless, he said, the Pope’s sojourn in Gaeta was fundamental for his decision of proclaiming the Marian dogma of the Immaculate Conception. MORE

Valentines Day was great...

The wife and I had a great time yesterday. I took half the day off to make sure our plans worked.

We had dinner at Koi Restaurant in West Hollywood on between Melrose Place and La Cienega.

Dinner: Started with Miso Soup, Crispy Rice topped with Spicy Tuna. Then Tuna Tartare with Avocado on Crispy Wontons. Main dishes of Miso Bronzed Black Cod with Medley of Vegetables and a plate of some the best prepared Grilled Lamb Chops, roasted Shishito Fingering Potatoes, Ichimi Sauce. Asparagus & Mushroom side dish.

Dessert?.... of course. Some sort of pastry and berry fruit with green tea and a cup of coffee.

...now I love In-N-Out burgers, but this is Valentines Day, come on...

After dinner we headed up Hollywood Blvd to the Pantages Theater for the "Wicked" musical.

Excellent show. If you haven't seen it, it's a must see.

great time...

"The Choking Game"

I don't remember playing games like these. The article says these deaths are from ages 9-19. Wow, that's way too young. Where do the youth pick this stuff up? ....I can speculate here..

Choking game

...wake up parents. Be involved with your kids. Know the friends they keep and be a good listener.

University Tragedy

What is going on in our Universities? This seems to be happening way too often in our schools.

7 Dead In N. Illinois University....

A gunman opened fire on a geology class at Northern Illinois University Thursday afternoon, killing six people before taking his own life on stage as panicked students ran and ducked for cover.NIU President John Peters said a total of 22 people were shot, including the gunman. Four people, including the gunman, died at the scene; three others died later at area hospitals.

Only God knows. And therein lays the basic answer to this problem…God.

I’m not a theologian by any means, just your ordinary Catholic (West Coast Catholic) so I can’t offer any deep answers here. I do have college student kids of my own and this especially makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.

Here’s a book that I’ve read and recommend to explore this topic: Arise from Darkness – What to Do When Life Doesn’t Make Sense, by Benedict Groeschel

This Lenten season we should make it a point to pray and fast for those who suffer from emotional stress, in the work place, home, family or wherever.

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Berkeley - Wisely Reconsiders

Berkeley's City Council held a late night session to discuss earlier calls to banish the United States Marines recruitment office in their city.

To their credit, they realized opposing the war (which is everyone's right) should not reflect on the honor and support of the men and women in uniform.

Here's the whole story: Berkeley Eases Anti -Marines Stance

After a marathon session that stretched into early Wednesday, the council decided against sending the letter, saying it recognizes recruiters' right to be in Berkeley. The council members say they still strongly oppose the war and the recruitment of young people, but "deeply respect and support" the men and women of the armed forces.

I don't think this is the end of the issue. Code Pink still has their parking pass directly in front of the recruitment center (granted by the City Council) along with a protest permit.

Let's continue to support our troops. I just had a nephew (U.S. Marines) and niece (U.S. Air Force) enter the services this week.

UPDATE: Here's a cool picture. One of a lady with contact lens with the American Flag on them.

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Taco Bell - Lent

Okay, so it not the most healthiest food to eat on Lenten Fridays.
....but it kind of cool.

Once in a while, a couple of beans and cheese burritos does hit the spot.

So if you don't feel like fish on Fridays.... bon appetit <><

Thursday, February 07, 2008

Prayer for fall LAPD SWAT Officers

Prayers and condolences to Officer Randal Simons, who passed away this morning and Officer James Veenstra who was critically.

Peace to their familys and friends.

LAPD's finest - gunned down in the line of duty

WCC +<><

Wednesday, February 06, 2008

Lenten Suggestions...

Found this in my Inbox. A list of lenten suggestions...

40 Ways to Get the Most out of Lent

1. Take 30 minutes to pray, ask the Holy Spirit’s guidance, look over this list, and make a few practical Lenten resolutions. Be careful. If you try to do too much, you may not succeed in anything. If you need to get up early or stay up late to get the 30 minutes of quiet, do it. Turn off your phone and computer. Don’t put it off and don’t allow interruptions.

2. Get up earlier than anyone else in your house and spend your first 15 minutes of the day thanking God for the gift of life and offering your day to Him.
Get to daily Mass.


3. If you can’t do Mass daily, go to Mass on Fridays in addition to Sunday and thank Him for laying his life down for you. Maybe you can go another time or two as well.

MORE...

Ash Wednesday...for Protestants

Interesting article a friend emailed me...

More Protestants turn to Ash Wednesday

Roman Catholics grow up hearing the words on Ash Wednesday as they receive a sign of the cross in ashes on their foreheads:

"For dust you are and to dust you will return."

But Christians at many Protestant churches around the city will be hearing those words from Genesis 3:19 today as they, too, are marked by ashes on the first day of Lent, the 40-day somber season leading to Easter.

Protestant churches in recent years have increasingly turned to the rite to increase spirituality and devotional preparation for Easter Sunday among their members.

cool..

Ash Wednesday

Lent is here.. a time for taking a stock of our lives. Penence, sacrifice.

Our 40 days in the desert...

Reading for today.

Joel: 2:12-18

Even now, says the LORD,return to me with your whole heart,with fasting, and weeping, and mourning;Rend your hearts, not your garments,and return to the LORD, your God.For gracious and merciful is he,slow to anger, rich in kindness,and relenting in punishment.Perhaps he will again relentand leave behind him a blessing,Offerings and libationsfor the LORD, your God.

Blow the trumpet in Zion!proclaim a fast,call an assembly;Gather the people,notify the congregation;Assemble the elders,gather the childrenand the infants at the breast;Let the bridegroom quit his roomand the bride her chamber.Between the porch and the altarlet the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep,And say, “Spare, O LORD, your people,and make not your heritage a reproach,with the nations ruling over them!Why should they say among the peoples,‘Where is their God?’”

Then the LORD was stirred to concern for his landand took pity on his people.

I'll be getting my ashes at lunch. I know it can be very humbling going back to work with that smugg on the one's forehead.

I always find it interesting to see fellow Catholics, identified by their ashes.

Peace +<><

Tuesday, February 05, 2008

What the Heck is a Superdelegate?

So what is a superdelegate and what makes them so ...well... super?

Lets begin with a difinition:

Wiki's definition:
The 2008 Democratic National Convention, where the Democratic presidential ticket is formally agreed upon, has 796[2] superdelegates, although the number is not final until March 1, 2008. Superdelegates to the Democratic Convention include all Democratic members of the United States Congress, Democratic governors, various additional elected officials, as well as members of the Democratic National Committee.[3] A list of superdelegates can be found here.

Here is the list: Democrat Superdelegates

A candidate needs a simple majority of the combined delegate and superdelegate votes to secure the nomination. Democratic delegates from state caucuses and primaries number 3,253, resulting in a total number of votes of 4,049. The total number of delegate votes needed to win the nomination is 2,025.[2] Superdelegates account for approximately one fifth (19.6%) of all votes at the convention. Delegates chosen in the Democratic caucuses and primaries account for approximately four fifths (80.4%) of the Democratic convention delegates.[2][4] Note: All numbers in this section assume that Michigan and Florida's delegates are not counted per current Democratic National Committee rules. If those rules are changed before or during the convention, the numbers above will change as appropriate

Criticism
The Democratic Party is often criticized during election cycles for conducting primary elections in a non-democratic fashion, since superdelegates are appointed by the party and are not obligated to support the candidate chosen by the voters. There have been repeated calls to eliminate the superdelegates from the primaries to more accurately reflect the popular vote.

However, with proportional wins in the primaries and caucuses, even though the popular vote may favor one candidate, that may not get accurately reflected in total delegate count either.

According to Article Three, Sections 2 and 3 fo the Charter of the Democratic Party of the United States:


The procedure to be used for certifying unpledged party leader and elected official delegates is as follows:

Not later than March 1, 2008, the Secretary of the Democratic National Committee shall officially confirm to each State Democratic Chair the names of the following unpledged delegates who legally reside in their respective state and who shall be recognized as part of their state’s delegation unless any such member has publicly expressed support for the election of, or has endorsed, a presidential candidate of another political party;

1. The individuals recognized as members of the DNC (as set forth in Article Three, Sections 2 and 3 of the Charter of the Democratic Party of the United States); and,

2. The Democratic President and the Democratic Vice President of the United States, if applicable; and,

3. All Democratic members of the United States House of Representatives and all Democratic members of the United States Senate; and,

4. The Democratic Governor, if applicable; and,

5. All former Democratic Presidents, all former Democratic Vice Presidents, all former Democratic Leaders of the U.S. Senate, all former Democratic Speakers of the U.S. House of Representatives and Democratic Minority Leaders, as applicable, and all former Chairs of the Democratic National Committee.

Whats the point of Superdelegates?

What's The Point Of Superdelegates? Why do other elected officials from a state get a delegate vote, therefore boosting a candidate's delegate count, even if they haven't won the state.Why should my governor, or my senators, have a delegate vote at the convention. Candidates have to vie for delegates -- why the [all but] freebies?

one answer...(don't know if it's the best answer. I haven't found one yet to satisfy my concerns)

I read somewhere that the democratic party argued that superdelegates were necessary to insure -- well, I can't recall the exact wording, but what I took from it was to insure that the person they wanted got elected. Over 700 swing votes can make a big difference. And the fact that so many votes reflect the choice of one individual and have the same weight as the votes that each reflect thousands of votes irks me.

However, I remind myself that it's up to each party to make its selection however it chooses, even if it's rock-paper-scissors, and since I don't belong to either party, it's none of my business. Let the party members complain if they don't approve.

Smelly fish ... if you ask me.

More attempts to satisfy my curiosity behind this Democratic Process (ya right..did the people vote for this?)

Delegates, superdelegates, and brokered conventions...oh my

The Convention Delegate Process Explained

Berkeley Marines...Semper Fi


Seems like Berkeley maybe feeling the pressure of their anti-Marines sentiment.





Hope they follow through with this recind. The Marines will still be their to protect them regardless.
They have a right to their opinion, however we do have our America's Best keeping them safe.

Super Duper Tuesday...On the West Coast

Up and Atom!
Time to march out to your assigned voting station and cast your choices. Here on the WC we have a few propositions as well.

Indian Gaming is on the ballot again.
... Some how it seems very odd that the largest State in the Union is relying on Indian Gambling Casinos to keep us finanially above the water line.

Something is very wrong here...

Hmmm....

Anyway, may the best candidate win... don't leave your faith at the door!

WestCoastCatholic +<><