Morning Read - Cup of Joe - July 29

Lot's to do today... but I've got to start with a few articles and my cup of Joe, black... no sugar.... no cream.

What Would the Founders Think of ObamaCare? - Pajamas Media

Newsweek's Embedded Obama Campaign Reportr Joins Obama Admin - NewsBusters

Lauer Loses Cool During Malkin Interview (Video)

Gates Lied - American Spectator

Lessons to be learned from a woman who sailed the "abortion boat" - AmP

Obamacare: Will Seniors Have a Duty to Die? - The Catholic Thing

Cardinal Bertone: Encyclical Not Just For Catholics - Zenit

It's not Over- American Catholic

Temptation 101

Time for some spiritual growth. Catholic Culture blog has a piece on 'Temptation'. Not something we talk about very much though it's apart of our daily lives.

We've heard about 'concupiscence', that is our tendency toward sin, but how do we deal with it?

How do we withstand the daily temptations? We often tell ourselves, as this title says, "If only I could avoid temptation".

If only I could avoid temptation...

A recent magazine article called attention to a web site devoted to connecting people who wish to commit adultery. This is an excellent reminder that, perhaps especially in our culture, it is impossible to hide from sexual temptation. It will never be sufficient to attempt to eliminate temptation from our lives, or from the lives of our children. Rather, we must devote ourselves to the cultivation of the virtue of purity. But this must be something more than the cultivation of a natural virtue. To resist temptation successfully, our desire for virtue must be spiritually rooted. It must grow out of our own personal relationship with God.

MORE

Defeat Bill HR#3312 - DeLauro-Ryan Scam Bill

Don't be fooled by this bill (HR#3312) It's a Pro-Choice bill in disguise!

AmP has the scoop: In the Crosshairs: Let's Defeat the DeLauro-Ryan scam bill!

This bill (HR #3312) needs to be defeated, and with your help, I think we can.

Pro-abortion groups are throwing all of their weight behind it, and they are trying to pick up enough "pro-life" defectors to make the case to the rest of us that it represents "common ground" legislation....

.... It isn't. It simply throws $700 million dollars to pro-abortion organizations. And they already get plenty.
MORE

Caritas In Veritate - A Summary

Having trouble interpreting B16's new encyclical?

Want to seek a good understanding of the encyclical from a trusted source?

Dr. Jeff Mirus of Catholic Culture has put together a summary, highlighting Benedict XVI thoughts on the church's social teaching.

I'm sure there are other great resources for interpreting this 3rd encyclical, but this is well worth the read.

Benedict's Third Encyclical: A Summary

Red Pill - Blue Pill: Re-Living The Matrix

Red Pill, Blue Pill, you decide.

Does this sound familiar?

Yup, the Matrix a 1999 movie staring Keanu Reeves offered the same choice as President Obama.

It's by no accident that the movie Matrix was a play on the ancient Heresy of Gnosticism (1st & 2nd Centuries).

You had those with the special knowledge that gave them the real truth.

Some look at Mr. Obama as one with that special knowledge. 'Only he can deliver us from the evils of the past.' ... or at least the Bush administration.

To some he is the new Moses, so to speak. We are actually reading about Moses in the daily reading of today.

Obama will supposedly lead his people out of the bondage of Dick Cheney.

But I digress...

Back to the Red pill, Blue pill comparison.

Here's an 'opinion' piece that makes the link between Obama and Keanu

Take the red pill, Mr. President

"If there's a blue pill and a red pill, and the blue pill is half the price of the red pill and works just as well, why not pay half price for the thing that's going to make you well?" -- President Obama

In last night's press conference, President Obama seemed to be reliving that famous scene from The Matrix. The main character is offered a choice between a red pill that makes him see reality for what it is, and a blue pill that allows him to continue living in a pleasant world of illusions.

Last night, President Obama appeared to have taken the blue pill before his press conference. How else could he convince himself, the Congressional Budget Office's numbers notwithstanding, that his health care reform bill will not increase both health care costs and the federal deficit? How else can he continue to make the argument that a massive expansion of government spending on health care will solve rather than exacerbate the current problems? How can he repeatedly express such absolute certainty that such a measure will easily pay for itself several times over in the long run? Why can he not at least acknowledge the possibility that it will become a costly and useless trillion-dollar boondoggle that follows in the footsteps of his stimulus package?

MORE

Abortion a 'Distraction' - Health Care

When asked about the issue of the proposed health care bill containing provisions to cover the cost of abortions, President Obama stated:

"What I think is important, at this stage, is not trying to micromanage what benefits are covered. Because I think we're still trying to get a framework. And my main focus is making sure that people have the options of high quality care at the lowest possible price.

As you know, I'm pro choice. But I think we also have a tradition of, in this town, historically, of not financing abortions as part of government funded health care. Rather than wade into that issue at this point, I think that it's appropriate for us to figure out how to just deliver on the cost savings, and not get distracted by the abortion debate at this station." MORE

AmP has blogged on this HERE

Lets see, to distract from something by definition:

1. to draw away or divert, as the mind or attention

2. to disturb or trouble greatly in mind; beset

3. to provide a pleasant diversion for; amuse

4. to separate or divide by dissension or strife.

That's the trouble with the entire health care bill process.

No one has read it. No one knows what's in it, how we are to pay for it, if it will affect timely treatments, who will have access to our medical records, and loads of other questions.

And to top it off, killing babies and who will pay for it is a DISTRACTION!

Look, I know the attraction is there when someone says 'Here is something for FREE', but nothing is for free.

It seems that everyone is waiting for that great Obama hand-out. Everyone wants to 'get theirs', get there share at the expense of someone else.

We are all in this together. That great hand-out isn't coming and it really shouldn't.

Remember that saying from President Kennedy?

"Ask NOT what your country can do for you, ask what YOU can do for your country".

I wonder if they teach that in school anymore.

President Obama is indeed dynamic. He can turn a phase and say things that can whip up a crowd.

But saying things you want to hear isn't necessarily telling you the truth.

When you have someone telling you that the proposed health care bill is meant to help everyone, what about the unborn, what about the elderly (Health care bill pgs: 425-430)?

Are they a distraction?

When you have someone telling you that it won't cost the middle class anything, what's the cost to our morality (Abortion, 2270)

To put it in TRANSFORMER language "The Decepticon's are here amoung us, we must mobilize for battle"

All humor aside, this is serious stuff, don't just sit back and do nothing. Call your representative, legislators, friends and family members.

Health care diffinitly needs reform, let just make sure we know what we're getting before it's voted on.

One doesn't jump off a ledge and hope the the ground isn't that far. Hope won't save you if it's a cliff.

This is not 'The Price is Right'

"I'll take Free Health Care and whatever else is behind door number 2"... you could end up with a donkey.

This illusion of free hand-outs is exactly that, an illusion.

If it's too good to be true, it probably is.

Cap & Trade?

Global Warming, what's the truth.

Roy spencer. Ph.D., climatologist, author and former NASA scientist has a great website for making heads or tails of this issue.

Bookmark this site!

Roy Spencer. Ph.D.

Health Care - The Skiny on the 45 Million Un-insured

Health Care numbers are flying all over the place. One can go crazy trying to run down the sources to back up those number claims.

We've all heard the "45 Million Un-insured" number, well about 45 million times.

Where does that number come from?

Here's an article that might help

Don't Be Fooled by Obama's '45 Million' Uninsured

There's that number again: 45 million.

That's supposedly the number of people in America who don't have health insurance. How do I know that? Well, for one, President Obama's said it, like, 45 million times.

Democrats also love to say it. Michael Moore quoted it in his last movie, "SICKO" which in hindsight may as well have been a commercial for Obama-care.

Enter "45 mil" into the Google search bar, and before you're even done typing it will fill out the rest for you: "45 million uninsured." Finish typing in the search term and Google will bring up 147,000 results. The figure is quite literally everywhere. And now it's being used by the Obama administration to convince average Americans of two things: the uninsured represent a sizeable group in America; and Obama's plan will make health care more affordable and accessible to everyone, especially those 45 million.
MORE

Health Care: 65yrs &Older Mandatory Counceling on End of Life Issues

This is scary. Why would the government make something like this MANDATORY?.

Counseling of 65 year olds and up on end-of-live issues like living wills, life sustaining treatments every 5 years.

Shouldn't that be a private thing between an individual and their family?

I'm I just paranoid about having the government mandate something like this? Will I have to sign something at 65 yrs that makes me decide on issues of life support... to save government health cost?

Huh?

Pages 425-430 of the proposed Health Care document: YOU MUST READ THIS!

Trillion is new Billion...Latte Anyone?

New video give one a visualization of what a trillion is...

Latte anyone?? Trillion Video

Wonder how many cups of MONK Coffee this would equal?

U.S Military in Jeopardy - Slowly being Cut

Now it's the F22 that is being cut. It's quite obvious why... to pay for the President Obama's goodie bag.

Although this is not nearly enough, the cost goes much deeper. It's our national defense we're talking about.

We Can't Afford to Lose the F22

In a letter to Senator Saxby Chambliss, who sits on the Senate Armed Services Committee, General Corley states, "In my opinion a fleet of 187 F-22s puts execution of our current national military strategy at high risk in the near to mid-term."
MORE

10Yr Old Hero Helped Apollo 11

(photo:CNN)


Well, I call him a hero of sorts. This young lad was instrumental in maintaining crutial communications with Apollo 11 prior to splash down.

Cool story that one doesn't hear about. It's worth mentioning.

The 10year old who helped Apollo 11, 40 years later
...


It was around 10:00 at night on July 23, and 10-year-old Greg Force was at home with his mom and three brothers. His father, Charles Force, was at work. Charles Force was the director of the NASA tracking station in Guam, where the family was living.


The Guam tracking station was to play a critical role in the return of Apollo 11 to Earth. A powerful antenna there connected NASA communications with Apollo 11, and the antenna was the only way for NASA to make its last communications with the astronauts before splashdown. But at the last minute on that night, a bearing in the antenna failed, rendering it nearly useless.


To properly replace the bearing would have required dismantling the entire antenna, and there was simply no time. So Charles Force thought of a creative solution: If he could get more grease around the failed bearing, it would probably be fine. The only problem was, nobody at the station had an arm small enough to actually reach in through the two-and-a-half inch opening and pack grease around the bearing.


MORE

Attack on the Charitable: Love Thy Neighbor Obama Style

Changing the tax code on charitable giving. Way to go Mr. Obama, I mean President Obama.

The War ON Philanthropy

Charity is said to be a virtue without compare, and yet we all know that it arouses suspicion—about the giver’s display of his generosity, the recipient’s dependency, some essential inequity that the gift only reinforces. Perhaps for this reason, Maimonides argued that the highest level of charity was not charity at all but rather helping the needy find the means by which to earn their own living.

In democratic America, what charity is and what it ought to do have been redefined in this spirit from the bestowing of alms to the performance of public-spirited works of all sorts by voluntary associations of citizens. Over the past century, such associations have grown and gradually coalesced into an economic “sector” of their own, albeit one that is not dedicated to the pursuit of profit. The chamber of commerce, the soup kitchen, churches and synagogues, the Berlioz Society, the university, Commentary—these are all voices in the chorus of American nonprofits, which collectively account for 11 percent of the overall U.S. economy.

Charitable organizations have suffered along with everyone else from the present economic crisis. Estimates by the Independent Sector, a philanthropic umbrella group, are that charitable assets are collectively down by nearly a third. Some organizations have shut their doors, and the survivors have had to make painful adjustments, let go of staff, abandon projects, and scale down ambitions for years to come, at precisely the moment when their services and patronage are needed most.

It was therefore surprising, and instructive, that at the same time the Obama administration was extending bailouts to troubled industries thought to be systemically or strategically important, it also presented for national consideration a change in tax policy that seemed like nothing less than a direct assault on the ravaged coffers of nonprofits. For almost a century, about as long as the U.S. has levied a significant tax on income, government policy has encouraged charity by exempting donated dollars from its reach. But in February, the administration announced that it would seek to raise revenue for its ambitious spending programs by reducing the charitable deduction for the highest two income-tax brackets by as much as 30 percent—this, when their marginal rates will already rise respectively to 36 and 39.6 percent in 2011.
MORE

Iran Revolution Still Going Strong

I don't know why this has almost disappeared from TV news.

Ten's of thousands of protesters are still braving the Ahmadinejad strangle hold to voice there opposition.

Let's keep them in our daily prayers

Police tear-gas Iran protesters during prayer

This Day In History: Disneyland Opens 1955

This is a rather cool site to visit daily. It give a tid-bit of history in about 1 minute worth of video.

Here's today's link: Opening Day at Disneyland July 17, 1955

Prayer Intentions

I'm requesting prayer intentions for my family.

My father is just out of surgery.

My Mother-in-law is going through some serious health issues

We could use your prayers

Thanks

WCC +<><

B16 - Prayers for

Pope Benedict XVI fractured his wrist.

Prayers for his recovery

Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be

California: The New Drug State

I can't believe I'm reading this. This wonderful State of California that I live in, my golden State is so cash strapped that the powers that reside in Sacramento are actually thinking about using revenues from Marijuana like they do with alcohol.

An estimated $1.4Billion would be generated it's thought.

Here's an eye opener from the article:

Advocates and opponents do agree that California is by far the country's top pot-producing state. Last year law enforcement agencies in California seized nearly 5.3 million plants.

It won't be long before we here in the tarnished State of California will be able to go down the potato chip and dip isle, then down the liquor iele.... then down the marijuana aisle at the local store.

Very Sad!

article: Calif. Tax Officials: Legal Pot Would Bring $1.4Billion

HealthCare Disaster: The Challenge

Best idea I've heard yet. A Challenge to those that are in favor of Ram'n through this government health care into law.

If those Congressmen/women and Senators think it's good for the public, let them sign up for the same health care plan AT THE SAME TIME THEY WANT THE REST OF US TO.

Message from:

Congressman John Fleming

Over the past few weeks, members of Congress and the American people have come to know the details of the Administration's proposed health care plan. Call it whatever you like, I believe this proposal is nothing more than government-run health care. As a physician, I am amazed at the number of bureaucrats in this House who are quick to claim a government-run health care plan is the reform this country needs. In response to this, I have offered a resolution that will offer members of Congress an opportunity to put their money where their mouth is, and urge their colleagues who vote for legislation creating a government-run health care plan to lead by example and enroll themselves in the same public plan.

Under the current draft of the Democrat healthcare legislation, members of Congress are curiously exempt from the government-run health care option, keeping their existing health plans and services on Capitol Hill. If Members of Congress believe so strongly that government-run health care is the best solution for hard working American families, I think it only fitting that Americans see them lead the way. Public servants should always be accountable and responsible for what they are advocating, and I challenge the American people to demand this from their representatives.

Together we will work to ensure that any plan that is good enough is for American families is good enough for every member of Congress.

MORE

Here's a link to Resolution 615

HealthCare Disaster

This could be a health care disaster. Have you ever waited at an emergency room for hours. As it is even if you have health care coverage the wait in the Urgent care office can be as long. Well it could get much worse if this bill becomes law.

The nightmare could become a reality.

<-----This is what it could look like.

... like a bad board game, only it's not a game it's your health.

A 1000 page bill which I'm sure no one has read.

It's time to wake up. No one is getting anything for free.

Health care reform ... yes.

National health care bureaucracy... NO!

Health Care Overhaul Threatens States - The American Spectator

Single-payer health care in action - American Thinker

Health Car at what cost? - FoxNews

Health care bill drawing bipartisan fire over abortion funding - Catholic New Agency

Blue Dogs Bark

Democrats for Life of America Are Serious - American Catholic

Shooting ourselves in the foot...for political reasons

Senators say CIA program secrecy wrong

Senators on both sides of the aisle on Sunday said lawmakers should have been briefed about a sensitive national security program that reportedly was concealed for eight years, but Republicans warned that continued scrutiny could undermine the U.S. war effort...

...An intelligence official told The Times that it was a "special access program" - so secret that even officers with the highest intelligence clearances do not know about them and their access is reserved for only the most senior officials and officers working directly on the activities.
Mrs. Feinstein said congressional intelligence panels should have been briefed on the program's existence so that lawmakers could have vetted it.
MORE

When I hear stories like this, I wonder to myself how can we be so naive to think that exposing your nations national secrets, how we protect ourselves, the means, methods and processes for political gain among certain political parties is not in anyway being witnessed by those in the world that will use that information against us... I get so frustrated.

It's like a friend or family member yelling out the combination to the house garage lock code to you as you drive off.

I once heard someone on their cellphone give the person on the line their ATM card code while standing in line at the bank.

..heavy sigh

Hello, McFly... think McFly, think.

Yet here we have the infamous NYTimes and fellow Congress men and women telling all the world everything under the sun about our national security... for political gain.

The CIA is the target. Lots to ge cleaned up there, it is true, but at what price? And lets be honest it's all to protect Nancy Pelosi of course.

Nothing like having a leader like CIA Director Leon Penetta sell his own department out. These CIA guys are putting their lives on the line. Wasn't it a CIA operative one of the first to be killed in the Iraq war.

...another heavy sigh

Heart Concert

Spent the day yesterday at the Orange County Fair. After, around 7:30pm, we headed to the Pacific Amphitheater for the Heart Concert. The crowd was great.

We ended up standing for a number of performances. If you didn't stand you couldn't see. The band was solid, and so were the vocals, though some of the higher notes were a little out of range, but want can you expect after 30 some years. Still the performance was electrifying.

On a second note, the opening act deserves to be mentioned as well.

Michael Grimm performed about 45 minutes with just his outstanding vocals and his acoustic guitar. He usually performs in Vegas and Henderson Nevada. This is the first I've heard of him and I was impressed.

Here's a sample of his music. He writes his own music but this older music clip shows his style:



Michael Grimm Website

Electric Cars Won't Reduce Carbon Emissons!

Nothing like throwing a little cold water on the supporters of Global Warming. Obama may want to do a little research before laying pin to another GW speech.

And Congress on the other hand will continue to push through whatever they want, regardless. The only way to stop them is the 2010 elections

Read about the latest GW theory getting round filed.

GAO: Electric cars won’t reduce carbon emissions

It’s a beautiful theory — highways full of electric cars emitting no greenhouse gases or pollutants after being plugged into an outlet in our garages overnight. The problem, according to a new Government Accountability Office report, is that the effort may only shift the problem somewhere else.
MORE

NewsWeek: Obama represents Catholics better than Pope

This is jounalism at it's worst. It seems that you can say anything without any facts and print it in this useless magazine.

Kennedy-Townsend in NewsWeek: Obama More Catholic than Pope

Newsweek took their criticism of Pope Benedict XVI to the next level on Thursday- not only did guest columnist Kathleen Kennedy-Townsend affirm that the pontiff could learn from President Obama (something Newsweek and their partners at the Washington Post agreed upon back in April), but also blasted the Bishop of Rome and the Catholic hierarchy for their supposed “disdain” towards women and homosexuals.
MORE

O.C. Fair - 'Heart' Concert

I'll be out the O.C. Fair tomorrow. One of those 9/80 Friday's off. It's also my Wedding Anniversary... 27 years and going strong.

Should be a nice day. If you're looking for something to do this weekend in the Los Angeles area, the Orange County Fair's good for rides, games concerts and yes FOOD!

Here's the concert schedule at the Pacific Amphitheatre

And here's the OC Fair site

Morning Read - Cup of Joe - July 9

Sipping some coffee before my 1st meeting of the day.
Here's what I'm reading:

Video: Canadian Prime Minister pockets consecrated host! - AmP

Father Fessio: A New Framework For Social Justice - Caritas In Veritate - Zenit

Father Barron: A First Look At "Caritas In Veritate" - Zenit

Cardinal Rigali Urges Opposition To New Liberalized Embryo - Research Guidelines - Catholic Culture

Why I'm Thankful for George W. Bush - American Thinker

Coming and Going - American Spectator

We Can Win on Healthcare - Human Events

Jackomania: A Gift to Ahmadinejad - Pajamas Media

Catholics: Silent Majority NO MORE!

They'll tell you not to be so negative,

They'll tell you not to be so divisive,

They'll tell you, "why can't you be more tolerant?"

What they really want you to do is SIT DOWN AND SHUT-UP!

That's the underline message to Catholics who stand up for the true church teachings.

Father Z hits the nail on the head with his latest posting.

The Problem With Toning Down the Rhetoric - And Why We Probably Won't Do It

Some of my Catholic friends have been urging me and others on the Catholic right to tone down the rhetoric when it comes to discussing issues related to the Notre Dame scandal, or Notre Shame as time is showing it to have been. They want us to tone down our "harsh rhetoric" on issues such as abortion, President Obama and other Catholics who support him. These friends insist that they respect my right to my point of view, and they assure me that they, too, oppose abortion. However, they argue that many tactics of the Catholic pro-life movement are “negative” (e.g. showing pictures of aborted fetuses) and therefore counter-productive. They argue further that these tactics – which include protesting Notre Shame’s bestowing an honorary doctorate of law on President Obama – actually exacerbate tensions and divisions within the Catholic Church and within society at large. Finally, they charge that such tactics are spiteful and otherwise uncharitable. We on the right would say “sinful,” but these friends of mine don’t use that language.

I am not impervious to these criticisms. I don’t like being thought of in these terms, though I confess I sometimes accept their judgment with a touch of mischievous relish. I don’t know anyone on the Catholic or Christian right who wants to be thought of as using language that is counter-productive, divisive and spiteful.

I am not impervious to these criticisms. I don’t like being thought of in these terms, though I confess I sometimes accept their judgment with a touch of mischievous relish. I don’t know anyone on the Catholic or Christian right who wants to be thought of as using language that is counter-productive, divisive and spiteful.

But when it comes to their suggestion to tone down the rhetoric, I think we shouldn’t, and I doubt we will.
MORE

Miracle in Witchita

(photo: CNA)

Another possible miracle is under investigation by the Vatican. The intercession of Father Emil Kapaun is being credited for the recovery of Chase Kear a 20-year old athlete who was injured in a pole-vaulting accident.

Vatican investigatior finds 'compelling case' for miracle in Witchita.

Wichita, Kan., Jul 3, 2009 / 12:00 pm (CNA).- Considering the beatification of the Servant of God Fr. Emil Kapaun, a Vatican investigation has found enough evidence of a miracle in the unexplained recovery of a young man who broke his skull in a near-fatal athletic accident. The man’s mother and her family had prayed for the intercession of the heroic U.S. Army chaplain.

MORE

Rules of Engagement: Afghanistan

When I first heard about the new commander of U.S. Forces in Afghanistan, I was elated. Lt. General Stanley, a Special Forces Officer was now in charge and that meant to me that business was going to be taken care of.

That is until I heard about the latest directive from the White House via Secretary of Defense Gates.

New Rules of Engagement: Avoid civilian casualties at all costs. If a firefight appears to be expanding so as to endanger "resident non-combatants," the engagement must be broken off. Air attacks must be limited to targets of strictly confirmed hostile character, with no civilian co-mingling.

Does this sound familiar? It should, it's just like what historians tell us tied the hands of our soldiers in Vietnam. It also insults our brave men in uniform because their already taught not to shoot civilians. They are also taught that war is not a friendly sport of paint ball. People get killed and with these rules of engagement that might very well lead to the deaths of our soldiers.

Robert McNamara, Vietnam war architect, just past away. No doubt the decisions he make will be scrutinized again and again for lessons learned.

I pray this is not history repeating itself. This article explains it better that I can.

An Enlisted Man's Point of View
...
It seems that the U.S, military is once again being urged to avoid civilian casualties. This time Afghanistan is the new theater of operations where American soldiers, Marines, and airmen are supposed to kill the enemy, but do it as decorously as possible to avoid civilians becoming collateral damage.

A hard-charging Ranger special operations officer, Lt. General Stanley McChrystal, was purposely named to be commander of U.S. Forces Afghanistan (USFOR). He had express orders to push forward vigorously against the Taliban. Virtually immediately after this hand-picked warrior assumed command, he received new instructions from the White House via the Pentagon to avoid civilian casualties at all costs. If a firefight appears to be expanding so as to endanger "resident non-combatants," the engagement must be broken off. Air attacks must be limited to targets of strictly confirmed hostile character, with no civilian co-mingling.
Once again, as in the Korean War and in Vietnam and Iraq, as well as other conflicts, U.S. forces have received rules of engagement aimed at securing maximum avoidance of political backlash in a war with an enemy to whom the use of the civilian population as protective cover is an accepted part of his fighting tactics.
MORE

The Big Bailout - Did It Work?

Unemployment at 9.5% this month and rising.

California broke..

Banks are going under..

The big bailout was going to save the day. Frankly I never understood how creating more debt can result in debt recovery.

John Stossel of ABC's 20 /20 reviews the status of the 'Big Bad Bailout'.

Here's Part 1.

Honduras Escalation - Will Hugo Invade?

I don't know about you, but I feel something very bad is about to happen in Honduras.

Exiled Honduras president, emboldened by support from the U.N. after he gave his cry baby story to the cough, cough world leaders. Apparently he forgot to tell the part of the story where he tried to manipulate the Honduran Constitution to allow him to gain dictatorship of the country.

My fear is that Zelaya will invite Hugo Chavez into his country to restore him into authority and yes dictatorship.

... or Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega

I hope that Obama and Clinton had a relaxing 4th of July celebrating the freedom that they don't support for Honduras.

Zelaya nears Honduras, asks soldiers for loyalty

Ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya is now approaching Honduras in a Venezuelan plane, asking the military that kicked him out to please let him land "in the name of God."

Speaking live from the plane on the Telesur network, Zelaya says he is just minutes away from landing.

MORE

Our Brave Soldiers and Their Brave Families

I read this story of a family's brave soldier son and his sacrifice in the war. And the father's brave act in support of his son and the cause his son died for.

We need to remember those families on this forth of July. At least remember to fly you Flag, thank them when you see them on the street and always keep them in your prayers.

A Family's Valor, a Nation's Freedom

Why would a 61-year-old civilian surgeon volunteer for Iraq?

At a dinner last week in California, I was reminded of the debt we owe to those who have, for 233 years, sustained our freedom and independence. One remarkable family in particular exemplifies the best in the American spirit of courage and sacrifice. Sitting at my table was a friend, Christine Krissoff, wife of Dr. Bill Krissoff and mother of Nathan and Austin Krissoff. One of her sons, Marine First Lt. Nathan Krissoff, was killed in Al Anbar Province in December 2006. A Williams College grad, athlete and musician, he'd left for Iraq on the fifth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. He was 25
...

When stories had been told, tears wept, and grief expressed, Mr. Bush asked if he could do anything. At that, Bill Krissoff spoke.

"Yes," he said. "I'm a pretty good orthopedic surgeon. When my younger son is deployed to Iraq next March, I would like to be working as a Navy medical officer, but they won't let me because I am 61 years old. Will you give me an age waiver, Mr. President?" Mr. Bush pointed to me. Dr. Krissoff and I exchanged business cards and he promised to fax me his application.

MORE

Catholics Come Home

Nice video brought to my attention while conversing on twitter.

Follow me on Twitter: http://www.twitter/wstcstcatholic

Obama's True Colors

I read the speech Obama gave at the LGBT Pride reception at the White House the other day.
Basically he pledges his support for gay rights and changing the laws for the benefit of this group of voters.

He also promised another group of voters that he personally supports marriage between one man and one woman.

Will the real Obama please stand up!

Obama's LGBT Pride remarks insulted mainstream America, pro-family leaser says..

President Barack Obama on Monday addressed an “LGBT Pride” reception at the White House, characterizing opponents of homosexual political issues as holding fast to “worn arguments and old attitudes.” One critical observer said the event aimed to placate the president’s donors but was “insulting” to mainstream Americans.
The president began his comments by saying “Welcome to your White House.” Praising what he considered the “extraordinary progress that we have made,” he said there were “unjust laws to overturn and unfair practices to stop.”
MORE

The Jesuit Problem

It's no secret that the Jesuit Congregation, once staunch defenders of the Catholic Church, is starting to 'change' for some reason.

We've seen it mostly in the Catholic University institutions they helped build, as in the most resent Notre Dame scandal. And I've been noticing it in theological opinions in the Catholic news, with support for 'women in the priesthood', support of gay marriage, of stem cell research, even abortion.

The exact opposite of what the church teaches. I don't know what's the cause of this, modernism, relativism, I just don't know. There are more learned people that can articulate this and with more authority than I can.

But as lay Catholic, I believe this is becoming a big problem. A problem because it appears that the church flock is being mislead by a few of it's supposed protectors and shepherds. People are now starting to rationalize there going against the church by siding to these dissenters.

What's the Church to do. We can look to the Vatican for answers, which we should do and not stray from. But all to often we realize that the wheels of the church grind slowly, though when they do grind... they grind to a pulp.

We as a lay Catholics need to have our wits about us. We need to question the sources. To study our faith, pray for our church and it's leaders and shepherds.

Here's another case in point.

Father Donal Godfrey, a prominent Jesuit University Official is to speak at a gay-rights Dignity conference. This organization Dignity USA opposes the Magisterium's teaching on the grave immorality of homosexual acts. Now I hope that Fr. Godfrey is there to share the true teachings of the church, of it's love for all, forgiveness and understanding, but firmly against the practices of the the homosexual life style.

But I doubt it.

Prominent Jesuit University Official To Speak At Gay-Rights Dignity Conference

The Catholic Church is also looking at the various Congregations of Sister in the U.S. . The Vatican did this 'looking into' , reviewing, whatever you want to call it, of the U.S. Seminaries following the priest scandal.

They needed to do this, and in my opinion they need to review the good sisters as well. The Sisters numbers in America have gone down drastically, as with the priest in the US, and the Vatican wants to get a full understanding of what's going on.

The Sisters have done, and continue to do great work in our parishes and communities. Sometimes it hard to see their accomplishments... especially when you don't know who they are since many don't wear habits anymore.

The good sisters have their dissenters as well. Just read the NCR and some of their stories and contributors.

The NYTimes is reporting this one:

U.S. Nuns Facing Vatican Scrutiny

Some sisters are not happy campers at all, and oppose this 'Vatican intrusion'. Just ask Sr. Sandra M. Schneiders professor emerita of New Testament and spirituality at the Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley, in California. she urges her fellow nuns not to participate in the Vatican visits to the various congregations.

Well, again lets pray for the religious and pray for vocations. We have many wonderful priest, deacons, bothers, sisters and nuns.

A few bad apples doesn't spoil the whole bunch.

Annapolis Miracle?

This article from The Baltimore Sun, Mary Ellen Heibel cured from her terminal cancer.



While my faith doesn't depend on miracles, it's something I do believe can and does happen.

The story of Mary Ellen Heibel is uplifting in today's world which is filled with so much suffering joylessness.

The Catholic Church is set to investigate the claim, but it's nice to know that Mary Heibel is cured of her cancer.

Blessed Francis X. Seelos, pray for us.

In Annapolis, A Miracle Worth of Sainthood?

John dillinger a Hero?

I was at the movies this past weekend to watch that museum movie. It was okay, the wife and I enjoyed it.

While there, I saw the new movie 'Public Enemy' with Jonny Depp being advertised. I probably won't see it, well maybe on DVD if at all. Sounds like it might be one of those glorified blood guts, shoot'm-up, root for the gangster type movies.

I don't know, maybe I'm being premature or probably still thinking about that Al Franken character...

Whatever, I found this article on the movie and Johnny Depp interesting :

Depp Out of His Depth

Today, the latest Hollywood film to glorify criminality opens. In Public Enemies, Johnny Depp plays John Dillinger, and to hear Depp tell it, Dillinger was no bad guy at all, but a genuine American hero.
MORE

New Clown in Town

Okay, now I'm thoroughly depressed.

In case you haven't heard, there's a new clown in town, I mean Senator as in Senator Al Franken (D) of Minnesota.

Let me just say 'thanks for nothing!' to those who voted this Saturday Night Live has been in office. With the Minnesota Supreme Court decision making it final, there is now a 'super majority' in the Senate.

Not a good thing.

You know, what are we thinking when we vote these people into office? I don't get it.

We did the same thing here in California with Arnold and the lopsided majority in the State congress. Now we're broke and writing IOU's.

Take notice America, this could be you soon, very soon.

Swallow this with your morning coffee: Franken declared Senate Winner, Coleman concedes.