Saw the Movie 'Ides of March'... A Very Scary Movie

Well, I saw the late showing of George Clooney's 'Ides of March'

Clooney not only directed it and star in it, he also helped write the screenplay.

My initial thoughts, I tell you, what a depressing movie, at lest for me. I can actually see this plot line being played out in today's election cycle, in my opinion at least.

Anyway, the short story of the plot line, without going into specifics: Presidential election year, everyone stabs everyone in the back...political life goes on, the voters get fooled again.

Many people get scared looking at horror films and TV shows with walking dead, blood guts and gore, monsters and ghoulish figures. Well for me, this story of political intrigue did it for me...scary.. Partly because of the smiling faces of today's candidates, not of any particular party, but all political parties, the corruption and the lies, the power struggles, the lives affected. They say anything, do anything to sway the people into thinking that they, the candidate actually care for them.

Now this isn't anything new, it's been going on here in the U.S. system anyway since the birth of the nation. I've read the book Washington Burning  which gives a pretty good depiction of this as well as the book Triumph  a Catholic history which shows that the history of power and corruption is the struggle of man even in church history. Not that the Church is corrupt, but individuals will always battle those demons.

The Church is the only institution, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit to survive this struggle.

The movie just brought into focus the struggle of our political system and mostly the struggles of the voter to wade through the candidates and their messages, what they say and what they really mean, what they say they will do and what they actually can do.It seems at times that the promises are almost on the level of an Elementary school student body election. Remember those?

"Pizza on the cafeteria menu every Friday!"

Only now it's more like "free!, free!, everything for free" They use words like honor, integrity and transparency. Come on really?

One thing the movie is very clear on is the loss of God in the equation. Father Barron has some great points on this. Once you eliminate God as the primary element in one's thinking and actions, the slow corruption of the individual starts to take place, then the community, then the nation..

Anyway, so this movie was a reminder to me of our political system. It seems today to me that most of the politicians just want to say in office, and I'm not sure how much their intent is to do the nation good. I do believe our system of democracy is the gold standard of the world, but I also believe we've kind of lost our way a little. Nothing like a movie of this sort to make you pause and think.

So what is a Catholic to do? How do we choose from numerous candidates and ballot issues in light of our Catholic faith? I say how can we NOT look to our faith to guide us? We need to put God first.

This takes a little work on our parts. Just like we may look at the debates and look at the issues and listen to the talk shows and candidates, we have to take the time to study what the teachings of the Catholic Church are. Caritas in Veritate is a great place to start, the Compendium of Social Doctrine of the Church is another, and I would recommend the book by Brian Benestad, Church, State, and Society: An Introduction to Catholic Social Doctrine (Catholic Moral Thought). The Catechism of the Catholic Church, and many of the good orthodox blogs and apologist out there can help on that process.

But do something, don't claim to know enough, and pray, pray, pray for guidance and for the candidates themselves. That God is primary in their campaigns, their thoughts and actions.

We live in a great nation. Lets pray everyday that we as a nation to be virtuous and God centric.

And go out and enjoy a movie from time to time.

Peace   

'Ides of March' Political Intrigue

I had planned on seeing this movie at the late night showing  but by the time I got to the movie theater, it looked really crowed. I have a pet peeve about finding a good seat and at $10.00 a seat plus another 10 for popcorn and a drink, well I like to get there early.
 So I'll see it tonight instead.

I found that Fr. Barron had a short video with some great thoughts on the movie.

Check it out...(caution, spoilers)

Catholicism: Carl Olson

We've started our men's group at our parish on Fr. Barron's Catholicism. The DVD Series is awesome, but the study is well coordinated with the 'Study Package' that goes along with the DVD set.

This study is the perfect companion to the DVD's, giving you multiple ways to present the study....excellent.

And the study is a collaboration between Fr. Barron and Carl Olson of Insight Scoop, Ignatius Press.

The DVD's are phenomenal, but order the 'Study Package' as well. Together there is no stronger, complete, orthodox study on the Catholic faith today.

And pay a visit to Carl's two blog's, lots of good stuff there daily.

Insight Scoop - Ignatius Press        
Carl Olson   

Modernism and Stephen Greenblatt's - Fr. Barron

I tell you, I learn so much from Fr. Barron, on topics and people that I wouldn't have thought about or knew about.

Modernism, I know about but Stephen Greenblatt's, well didn't know about him until I viewed this video. More importantly are the arguments presented, now that's what I find more interesting. The individuals, time periods, history, Father Barron is just so diversified in his knowledge.

I appreciate his work in producing these short but very informative videos.
Please visit his web site often.

Word On Fire  

11 yr Old to Decide If He Wants to Change His Gender

This is completely outrageous!
Gay couple has their adopted child on hormones to postpone puberty to allow more time for the child to decide on if he wants to be a girl.

This is pure child abuse and these so called parents need to be placed behind bars. When I first read this I thought this was a very bad joke. This child is in immediate danger.

 Controversial Therapy For Pre-Teen Transgender Patient Raises Questions       
A lesbian couple in California who say their 11-year-old son Tommy who wants to be a girl named Tammy are giving their child hormone blockers that delay the onset of puberty -- so that he can have more time that  to decide if he wants to change his gender.

China Supports WS Occupation, Geee So Does Obama...Go Figure

Okay so now the powers in China agree with the WS Occupiers.
Hmmmmmmmm...now what does that tell me?

I guess President Obama is in good company.

China: Occupy Wall Street's issues worth thought   
BEIJING (AP) -- China's foreign ministry said Monday the Occupy Wall Street movement highlights issues that are worth considering, but that debates generated by the protests should promote global economic growth.

Wall Street Charade - Obama Supports.....for Votes

I don't know, I don't have a good feeling about all this 'Day of Rage', Wall Street Occupation stuff.

Kind of reminds me of the French Revolution. The call for equality to justify chaos in society. You'd think they were storming the doors of local bank as if it were the gates of the Bastille. 

This doesn't leave me with confidence in the future of our Nation.

What the heck is happening. I see so many people with their hands out expecting something for nothing. I don't know how else to explain it. I try to understand all sides, I'm sure there are those with a frustration that has to be expressed in this manner (protest) but I just see a majority that either have no intention on doing anything but complain and want whatever they can get, for free...

or....

have given up and figure if others are doing it, they might as well join the crowd.

This is not good for America. This is not the American Spirit, nor is it Catholic Social justice, which I hear some claim. Even some clergy are marching along side this MOB
.

And yet we see our President looking to capitalize on it, for his own ambitions or re-election.

We are all struggling, myself included, but this is not the way.

Obama extends support for protestors

Barack Obama, US president, offered more support for protesters against the global financial system after a weekend of demonstrations in cities around the world, but called on them not to “demonise” those who worked on Wall Street.

Most Unsatisfyiing Confession...

Ok, so I realize that not all confessions will have that inner soul satisfaction. One that comes from a satisfying point made by the priest as he comments on a particular sin you've confessed or maybe the relief of getting a certain sin off your chest.

I do realize that maybe the line may be too long and length or time the priest has to spend with you is not ample but you know he's doing his best.

This Saturdays confession is one for the books...for me anyway.

I went in right away...no line for either of the two priest available. I like to go face to face.

....and so I begin "bless me father for I have sinned....

...these are my sins....

PRIEST: "Ok, go out and think of your own penance ...go your sins are forgivien"

What do you mean think of your own penance?

No advise? There's no one else waiting father...

MOST UNSATISFYING

Thank you Lord for our priests and the sacrament of Confession...

Articles of Interest...

These are a few articles I've come across but just haven't had time to blog about..


Will Obama Destroy Franciscan University of Steubenville?  

Christian-Themed Movie ‘Courageous’ Resonates With Audiences Across America 

   

Obama vs. Bishop Dolan:


This program is from RealCatholicTV.com

2 Yrs Marriage Contracts: U.S?

Well, its not here yet but its knocking at the back door...in Mexico.

The proposal in Mexico by Mexico City Assemblyman Lionel Luna of the leftist Party of the Democratic Revolution (no surprise) is to have a 2 yr 'practice run' of marriage at which time if its not working out (according to how you feel when you wake up that morning), the deal is off, as if it never happened.

Now every married couple knows that the first 5 years of marriage are the probably the hardest. Naturally, the longer the marriage some of those bumps and pot holes in life can be very stressful in a marriage (illness, finances, children), in the first 5 years of marriage, the couple is just getting use to the word commitment. The fact that it's not all about 'ME' and that its a 'give and take' and compromising to make things work.

As time goes by that compromising and commitment get stronger, but the first 5 years the couple is learning about life together. In two years the shine of the honeymoon is just wearing thin. Now anyone that tells you that the honeymoon has never worn thin and their marriage is complete bliss 24/7 just isn't truthful. As time goes on the couple learns to weather the hard time together and the couple looks back on those times as 'refiner fire' moments, making their marriage stronger

To end the marriage as proposed by Mexico's proposed bill is just ridiculous and is a family killer and a society killer as well. It use to be that Hispanics were known for their close family ties, 'the familia comes first' mentality. Now it looks like legislators in Mexico are trying to kill that in the name of more freedom. I'm not sure of all the reasons why they'd be doing this. Perhaps to squish any benefits for families that the government has to provide. As if they're doing all they can now? Immigration tells the story

Why do I bring up this article, because I don't see it out of the question for the government here to adopt such outrageous legislature. With the debt figures climbing, the goal of the government to rake in more taxes, it would only seem fare to presume it would be only a matter of time before they start looking at maybe eliminating deductions for children, make it more beneficial to file taxes as single, in the end to help facilitate that with a proposal such as Mexico.

This administrations recently rescinded support for traditional marriage and some radical States (such as the one I live in - California) keep adding to their ant-family laws, well it may be only a matter of time.

I pray that I'm dead wrong and this is only my opinion, but we need to be aware of legislation that's anti-family, anti-life.

If we already except the killing of an innocent unborn baby for sake of convenience, the family and marriage is clearly in the cross hairs.

Here, a website on some interesting statistical facts about Hispanics; divorce rates, education, income...

Also a couple of great articles on Marriage:
Abp. Dolan to President Obama: Cease Attacks on Marriage or Risk “National Conflict…of Enormous Proportions”   

Marriage Matters


An here's the article on Mexico's proposed bill:

Till two years do us part: Mexico City considers temporary marriages    
“The proposal is when the two-year period is up, if the relationship is not stable or harmonious the contract simply ends,” Reuters quoted bill co-author and Mexico City Assemblyman Leonel Luna. “You wouldn’t have to go through the torturous process of divorce,” continued Luna, a member of the leftist Party of the Democratic Revolution.  MORE   

GOP Debates - WestCoastCatholic Opinion

Okay so this is the first of the 3 debates I've half listen to half viewed.

I listen to part of it on the way home from work and the other while eating Chinese takeout.

So here's my initial thoughts, before I listen or read any of the analysis.

Tomorrow's headlines will pronounce Mitt Romney the winner, but that's not the whole story.

Well, I thought that Romney showed himself well, a lot better than Perry to my chagrin. I was really hoping Perry would make this debate his best of the three...and well I don't think he did that well in the others.

Perry seemed tongue tied every time he tried to make a point or to tangle with Romney. But to be honest Romney seemed more at ease, more fluid.

Perry blew it on the immigration issue. While I think we need to reform immigration laws and provide illegals with an amount of care for them and their children, giving them College money and privileges for first class choice over U.S. citizens is a no go for me. I have college kids and know the situation well.

Now, to be up front, I'm not a Romney fan. Frankly I still remember his down right anti-Catholic stance with his Romney-Care which specifically wouldn't allow Catholic Hospitals to opt out. They were forced to provide the morning after pills and Catholic Orphanages to allow Gay couples to adopt. The Catholic Orphanages decided to close.

I don't trust him, Perry is right to point out Romney's flip-flop history. I also want to bring attention to Mitt's claim that he stayed in the private work force out of choice. The real reason is he wasn't elected (2002 US Senate) to the positions he ran for including a bit for the Presidency (2008) . It wasn't out of choice so much as the  voters didn't want him.

I do like Rick Santorum but I really don't think people will give him the vote.

Gingrich is a veteran politician and has some great ideas, but I think his time as come and gone. Maybe a VP slot.

The one that impressed me the most was Herman Cain. I don't know, I'm still not knowledgeable in all his view points but he did impress me.More than all the others tonight.Better than Romney in my opinion.

Michele Bachmann is not for me.I think after tonight Michelle and Perry are tied, which means at this point not a primary win for either.

Jon Huntsman and Gary Johnson are off my list. Aside from a couple of good one liners they're out. The neighbor with 2 dogs and shovel ready jobs was a good one though. That will circulate the media for sure.

Anyways these are my first thoughts on tonight's debate. A long way to go, but still anyone tonight would do a better job than Obama... well almost everyone. I'm sorry but the youth are infatuated with Ron Paul but an absolute no for me.

Love to hear you thoughts....

Megyn Kelly on the Wrong side of Bono Issue

Megyn Kelly is one of my favorite commentators. I like her spunk and legal knowledge. She's not afraid to confront and stand up for what she believes.Her experience as a lawyer shows that she is not just another pretty face on TV.

Of late, Her lawyer smarts seem to be getting in the way of her moral judgement. I see her  more and more putting aside that which is very essential in faith and reason mainly just that, 'faith and morals'.

Pope Benedict and Social Doctrine says that a good society can not be accomplished if there are not virtuous people in that society.

And that word virtue(ous) is not one mentioned very much anymore and even less when it comes to judging whether something in society is right or wrong.

Tolerance is a word which seems to be taking it's place."You mustn't judge [something to be right or wrong]".
I don't thing that is a good message to teach. we make judgements thousands of times a day.

I wonder if Ms Kelly, a new Mom, will go the strictly "the law says" when raising her children.

The law says "abortion is legal"

The law says "gay marriage is legal"

The law says "schools can hand out condoms and take you child to get an abortion" without a parents consent.

The law says that you have a right to mutilate your body in a transgender operation.

...and if you disagree with any of this you insight violence and intolerance.

I wonder if as a parent how far Ms Kelly will go when applying her parental guidance?

"Gee, I guess your right child of mine. If the law says it's legal to do any of these and numerous other things, I shouldn't discourage you from gong for it."

As a parent and now a grandparent, I know a little about raising children and yes children are influenced by everything around them. They will imitate whatever they see, whether it's Wrestle Mania or violent video games to smoking, swearing, dressing, and what they eat and drink. It's not unusual to see younger than teenage kid drinking energy drinks or asking Mom or Dad to order them a Star Bucks...as if they are lacking in energy. or need the caffeine.Hey everyone's doing it. It's legal and it's advertised everywhere.

That's why we are parents, so we can guide them through the minefields. Just because you bring that guidance to your children doesn't mean you're telling your kids that they should hate those that do those things. That they should bring violence into the situation whenever you confront those participating.

In fact it's more prevelent that if you disagree with these practices you will encounter violence from those that support them.

It's not uncommon when I visit an abortion clinic for a prayer vigil I will be cursed at 'flipped off' , even spit on (this hasn't happened to me..spitting that is,  but I know of those that this has happened to).

All Doctor Ablow is saying is that celebrating the decisions of Chaz Bono and let's use her real name Chastity Bono, is not what I would say is a growing moment in a child's life or a Teen's life for that matter. That's when the real parenting needs to be strong.

I think Ms Kelly as a Mom has a lot to learn. As a commentator lawyer, she is just wrong to say Dr  Ablow is insighting  violence.

As for Chasity (Chaz) Bono, I will pray for her. I pray that God will protect her and shower her with his graces, that she may see the error of her ways. I realize she as lead a very troubled life. I do wish her the best.

And I hope and pray for Ms Kelly. I still like to hear her point of views.

Fox's Megyn Kelly: Disapprove of Chaz Bono? You're Pushing for Violence 

Kelly said Ablow's science was "way off base," but O’Reilly pressed Kelly to say Ablow wasn’t a bad guy, but she insisted he could cause violence. “That doesn’t mean his own words won’t lead to that.” The column “was irresponsible and dangerous and could lead to some real problems. Listen, this group of people already undergoes enough discrimination and isolation and violence. “

O’Reilly suggested she was on a “slippery slope” insisting criticism equals violence, and she shot back, “No, don’t talk over it! I’m telling you! This group of people is persecuted already, and now you’ve got Dr. Ablow telling people that if your kids sees one in a manner that’s something akin to a celebration, your kid may wind up being one of them! Now there are people in this country that will react to that, and the next time they see a transgender at the McDonald’s or at some group event, and that’s irresponsible."  MORE 

9/11 Anniversary - 2011

Lot's of memories of that day. We had just moved to the home I'm presently in with my family. The chaos at work with everyone trying to find out what was happening.

Calling home to check in with the family, just to hear my wife's voice telling me everything is okay at home and discussing what was happening in New York.

(Google Photos: Towers)

The prayer services we attending that were arranged ad hoc.

The fears the day after for me here in So.Cal and for millions of others around the nation; President Bush had just announced that the nation was under attack. Should I go to work and leave my family. Should we be preparing for more attacks.

We should all continue to remember.                                         (9/11 Firemen)

It's interesting to note that today's readings for this Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time on the Catholic readings calendar, focus on 'Forgiveness', 

Fr. Barron has an appropriate video on reflections of 9/11: 'Anger & Forgiveness'

The continued vigilance at today's memorials services is a reminder how the world and especially here for Americans will always be changed.

Let us remember, let us forgive, but let us never forget. Let us continue to be prepared. 

(Fr. Mychal Judge)

God Bless the soul's lost, God Bless the families that Survived. God Bless our 1st responders and military.

God Bless America.

Fr. Barron: 9/11 Anger & Forgiveness

Father Barron gives a wonderful lesson on Anger & Forgiveness. As he points out, Sunday's readings are on forgiveness.so this is a good way to prepare.

Everything About Us .... For God's Glory

Voris (Controversial as some say he is) has a very good message.Everything I do say act think feel, act on react to...everything should be for God's glory.

A lengthy talk but well worth the listen.


This program is from RealCatholicTV.com

Labor Day Featured Blog - Accepting Abundance

Perusing the web briefly this morning, well what's left of the morning.

Reading anything and everything on Catholic Social Doctrine.Found this blog 'Accepting Abundance' with an interesting post.

Thought I'd pass it on. I'll be bookmarking this one

Enjoy the read.

Science Came From Catholic Doctrine    

I read the first part of St. Thomas Aquinas' Summa Theologica the other day for a course I started, Norms of Catholic Doctrine. I didn't even know what that meant. It's a course that teaches how doctrine was developed from the three integrally connected foundations of Catholic theology – Sacred Scripture, Tradition, and the Magisterium over the last 2,000 years. I always am amazed at how coherent the Faith is; solid, logical and consistent however far you dive into it.

MORE    

Labor Day - Movies of the Summer

Well, here we are at labor day. Just a hop-skip and a jump from October and Halloween and from there the year seems to slip by.

So it's probably one of the last weekends to take advantage of seeing some of the latest summer movie hits.

One of those that I saw and highly recommend is 'Rise of the Planet of the Apes'.

Now this is obviously coined from the 70's Planet of the Ape movies which were a great hit, so I went with some hesitation. I ended up enjoying the movie and give it a thumbs up.... a must see.

Having said that I was interested in hearing what other people had to say about the movie and if they liked it as well.

Father Barron is a person who's opinion and thoughts I love to hear and his movie reviews sometimes give great insight.

Here's his latest review and it's on 'Rise of the Planet of the Apes'.

Pinhead for the Month of September: Mayor Bloomberg

As we get closer to the date September 11th, a number of programs on cable and the local channels are scheduled to be aired.

Every time I see such programs I can't help but fill that lump in my throat at the lose of life and how that lose took place. All those feels are just automatically brought to the surface again.

I remember the vigils at church, street corners, night time candle vigils, speeches, talks from lay people, priests, pastors, government officials.

In every one of those talks there was an appeal to God or at least His name was mentioned or just the term "God Bless America" was proclaimed or sung.

Mayor Bloomberg's rational for his decision to eliminate religion from the 9/11 remembrances  is just totally off base, in every aspect. This article addresses only a few but they are made in charity and to the point.

Blomberg’s 9/11 Gag Rule Insults Catholics    

Catholic League president Bill Donohue comments on New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s handling of the 9/11 memorial ceremonies:

Last year, Mayor Bloomberg sought to justify his support for building a mosque near Ground Zero by recalling the bravery of the firefighters on that fateful day. “In rushing into those burning buildings, not one of them asked, ‘What God do you pray to?’” He added, “We do not honor their lives by denying the very constitutional rights they died protecting.”

MORE

A Walk Down Catholic Lane: Why We Need the Catechism

A Blog well worth a visit, Catholic Lane (CL), brought me to this article on the topic of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

It use to be that the argument "We don't need your Catechism" was mainly a Catholic Protestant debate, however more and more this argument is being heard among Catholics themselves.

Imagine that, there is no longer an understanding that there is a need for the Catechism within the our Church menbers who's benefit it was written for. This may be because for many reasons, ignorance of what it contains, how to use it, maybe understanding it and refusing to apply it in our own lives because it means changing how we live.

CL's article brings this in light of the author  teaching to catechism teachers in his parish.

He made me aware of a few techniques on how to properly instruct, namely presentation and questions to reinforce what's been taught. Many times, maybe because of time constraints one concentrates on just getting out the information and not much on if the audience understands the material.

Good article...great blog 'Catholic Lane'   

I Don’t Need your Catechism!

A couple of years ago, a pastor asked me to provide a catechetical training day for teachers in his Catholic school and CCD program. One of my first questions to him was what issues had developed that required my assistance. The Pastor voiced to me his concern over poor doctrinal formation he suspected the children were receiving. I asked him how he finally came to this point. He said, “I knew things were off when all I saw was glue, crayons, construction paper and scissors during an eighth grade religion class.” Right there and then I realized what I had to work with

More     

Catholic Social Doctrine

More links to good material on Catholic Social Doctrine

Seven Principles of Catholic Social Teaching 

Catholic Social Doctrine Begins with Subsidiarity 

Catechism Of the Catholic Church - CCC1876-1896 

Are Politicians Obligated to Show Preference for the Poor?