Oak Harbor State Champions

Kyles first time being an Altar server

Katie Joke

Kate's joke. Not sure if it will post correctly

Oak Harbor defeats Gonzaga Prep

Fake Noise?

It has been reported that the Seahawks are using artificial crowd noise at Qwest field. Mike Holmgren did the right thing and used the situation to incite the Qwest field fans to be louder than ever.

I would love to be in that stadium on Sunday. Nationally televised game, rematch of a great game from last year, controversy, intrigue, and best of all; whiney New Yorkers filing official complaints about how loud it is at Qwest Field.

The Giant's players are going to look like a bunch of Pee Wee Hermans running around yelling, WHAAT? WHAAAAATTTT?

nice to hear

This news story surprised me this morning. I wonder if the wrong people were killed. Or perhaps she is being punished for failing. Or maybe some reasonable people are actually starting to surface.

I screwed up

somehow, while trying to fix a problem with the title to one of my posts, I erased all of my links and some other stuff from my profile. I will try to rebuild, but it may take some time.

Medical Ethics

Don't be alarmed by the specific organ that was transplanted in this story. My question/comment has to do with the donor and the fact that they are in China.

I have a difficult time respecting the determination that this transplant was done ethically. First, because they say the organ was donated by a "brain dead" person. What does that mean? Was this person dead with the exception of them being on a heart/lung machine? Was he "brain dead" the same way Terry Schiavo was in a "vegitative state"? Second, was the "donor" mutilated and left alive without the donated organ? was the person killed to harvest the organ?

I fear that this is a case of eugenic donation. I define that as the harvesting of body parts from non productive "donors" so that the body parts can be given to and used by "productive people" for the "betterment of society as a whole". How much longer until people start holding off on having abortions until the third trimester so that they can sell the "biological substances" contained in their wombs for medical research and procedures such as organ "donation"?

Pyro

IRONY ALERT!

Outraged over Pope Benedict XVI's remarks made during a speech in Germany, Muslims worldwide are calling for a personal apology. The link above will provide for you the text of the Pope's remarks. In short, he cited a 14th century text from a Christian Emperor that characterized Islam as violent, and that that violent spreading of a religion is wrong.

Now to the Muslim world... So outrage by this unfair assesment, or reading of a 14th century assesment, they are rioting and burning the Pope in effigy. So let me get this staight, It's not acceptable to call Islam violent. If you do make the mistake of calling them violent, they burn you in effigy, fire bomb your churches, and recall their ambassadors.

I told a guy at work that he swears and curses too much. He told me to #$%@ &@#. Nothing like proving someones point. I'm glad that the pink elephant is starting to be pointed out.

Pyro

single gender schools

Just read this article, and it brings to mind something. The use of the words "equal" and "same". For some of today's people, the words are synonyms. In actuality they are not. I don't have the same rules for each of my kids (because of age differences). I don't treat all people the same. That doesn't mean that I don't use equal fairness when interacting with others. Men and women are not the same. They are, however, equal in dignity. Because of their equal dignity they deserve to be treated justly.

I believe that history bears out that single gender education is effective and cuts out lots of problems that are present when the genders are mixed. Many private schools have been doing it for hundreds of years.

The complaints against single gender schools are mostly red herrings that are being fished up to support an agenda. After all, if we recognize that women and men aren't the same (and they aren't) then somehow the genderless, same sex marriage, homosexual adoption, secular feminist, agendas will be defeated. Right? I don't know, but those seem to be the groups that fight against it. Sometimes it's easier to pick a side on an issue when you see where your enemies line up.

Do you think it bothers the left that TITLE IX was championed and signed in to law by President Richard Nixon?

Pyro

Long time no blog II

Well, It's been nearly two weeks since I blogged. We were very busy at work. Several red flag days, (extreme fire conditions). I had one stretch where I was on duty (24 hour shifts) 5 out of 7 days. When I was home I had other things to do besides sit at the computer.

In a way it was similar to lent. Sometimes it does a person good to deprive themselves of an activity. It helps to refocus ones attention to some of the basics.

There is so much that occured in the last two weeks; The 9/11 anniversary, Steve Irwin's death, NFL football regular season starting, election stuff, huge oil discoveries, faith news...

I can't go back and catch up, so I will just start in again.

Back in School!!!!!!

Kids are back in School. Funny thing is, they were telling me last week how they were done with Summer! I don't know if that's because Summer was terrible or because it was so good that they were all rested up. I think they really just missed their friends and were ready to get back to work.

Thankfully my kids' school is headed by a pastor who is attentive to the Catholicity of their education. There is a Mass every Friday and get this, the Mass is celebrated with fidelity to the authentic liturgy of the Church. The pastor focuses his homily on the kids and their issues but, he doesn't dumb down the liturgy or invent his own "Children's Mass" to make Church more "entertaining" for the kids. I had a similar experience when my kids went to a Missouri Synod Lutheran school. The pastor there had a church service every Wednesday for the school kids. It was done with almost identical similarity to the regular Sunday worship service. The sermon was geared at the kid level but the other stuff wasn't "dumbed down". I think lots of Christian communities sell kids short. Or maybe there is an over commercialization of "church". In order to compete in the free enterprise church environment you have to excite your customers and give them something unique. I think having a "kids service" that uses the "entertainment value" concept to make kids interested does much harm in the long run. It focuses the service on the individual instead of on God. The adjective "service" begins to modify the mortal subjects as opposed to the Divine Person. Then, when the kids are adults and out looking for their own church, they instinctively look for a community that entertains them. Maybe not on the conscious level, but it certainly happens. And it happens in both the Catholic and Protestant worlds.

Anyway, (How'd I get off on that tangent) My kids are happy to back in school. I'm happy they're back in school. My wife's happy they're back in school. Everyone's happy!! Now I have the computer and X-BOX to myself!!!!!! I mean,.... Now my wife and I can spend more quality time together.

Just wait till next week after the first test...

John Mark Karr

Well, looks like Karr is just a stupid, demented, pervert and not responsible for JonBenet's murder. Will they be able to keep him off the streets? Probably not, we will most likely have to wait until he brutalizes some poor innocent child before we can protect society from this sexual deviant.

Will the news media just go to using his first and last name now? They seem to use the full name whenever they report on a serial killer or molester. Shouldn't they refrain from using the middle name until the guy is at least put on trial?

Seahawk 2006 team preview - Running Backs

This part of the preview seems like a no brainer. The problem with no-brainers is that they have a way of making you look dumb. You can't take credit for being right because, it is after all a no-brainer! And if you're wrong, your dumb for not seeing it coming and just going along with the prevailing opinion. But here goes...

Half Back - Shaun Alexander 5'11" #225
What is there to say? 1800+ yards and 29 TD's last year. Shaun has talked about how he needs to have an even better year this year for the Hawks to win the Superbowl. I like that kind of talk. Realistically however, there will probably be a drop off in productivity. Even with only 1400 yards and 20 touchdowns though, Shaun will still be the starting pro-bowler.

Full Back - Mack Strong 6'0" #245
Mack finally got his due last year and started in the pro bowl. He is the best blocking full back in the NFC and that doesn't look to change this year. Mack also had a good year running the ball in 2005 and set a Seahawk playoff record for the longest run during the Redskin game after Alexander went out with a concussion. He is in the twilight of his career with 14 years in the league.

Backups -
Maurice Morris 5'11" #202
Mo is faster and quicker than Shaun but doesn't have the field vision or shiftyness that #37 brings to the game. Mo is experienced with the offensive scheme and can be trusted to spell Shaun without it affecting the play calling. He is not a legitimate starting NFL half back but is a good insurance policy for Shaun.

Leonard Weaver 6'0" #251
Weaver has been impressive thus far this pre-season. He has shown the ability to fill in at both fullback and halfback. He is a big bruising back who is also fast on his feet. This in two pre-season games he has 15 rushes for 54 yards and a touchdown. He also has two catches for 7 yards.

Josh Scobey 6'0" #220
Scobey was with us last year and was used mostly as a kick returner. He stuggled in the playoffs and isn't really that reliable in my opinion.

Ran Carthon 6'0" #218
four rushes for 19 yards this pre-season. Father was a good running back

David Kirtman 6'0" #230
Drafted out of that USC program. Overshadowed by Reggie Bush and Lendale White. Time will tell if he's a diamond in the rough. He has three yards in his only attempt so far.

We have the talent, the health, and a history of success. This is the stronges part of our team. Hopefully Alexander doesn't slack off now that he has the big contract. And I don't believe in curses so the Madden and Superbowl loser things have no bearing on my outlook. The only thing to improve as far as I'm concerned is Alexanders pass blocking skills.

Overall A

Crossing yourself illegal in Scotland?

This is alarming.

There may be more to the story, or maybe not... But at face value I find this alarming. Especially when other physical gestures, (such as those done by the female music star who refers to herself as "Madonna"), openly mocking Christianity and other religions throughout Europe are ignored by the European governments.

Hopefully the United Nations Human Rights Committee will condemn this action by the Scottish government because of it's religious intollerance.... YA RIGHT!!!!!

Lt. Watada is a "disgrace"

Lt. Watada is the Army officer who earned his commission after the war on terror started. The Army helped pay for his education and he in turn agreed to serve. He subsequently decided that the invasion of Iraq was unjust so... when his unit is deployed to Iraq, he refuses to ship out. Pretty convenient. Hey Watada!! the invasion is over!!!!! Iraq is now occupied and the troops there are preventing a civil war and large scale sectarian violence. If all the allied troops pulled out, there would be enormous atrocities. To go to Iraq and assist in the stabilization of the legitimately elected Iraqi government is moral and just. I think you have been studying too many Democratic Party talking point memos... Didn't you get taught to think when you went to college?

Here's what Japanese-American veteran groups have to say about Watada.

Labor Unions Are Their Own Worst Enemy

After reading this post, I am reminded what it is that people despise about organized labor. The fact that I'm pro labor doesn't transfer to the fact that I "Goose Step" with organized labor politically. As with many political groups, they lose focus of the issue they are addressing and begin to promote agendas that have little to do with the purpose for their existance.

I'll do a quick review here of what labor unions justly stand for.

1.- A fair living wage for their family.
2.- Reasonable hours of work.
3.- Reasonably safe working conditions. Both physically safe and psycholigically safe from being treated unjustly by managers or other people of authority.

Justice for workers is derived from the fact that we are created "Imago Dei". By virtue of this fact people have a right to be treated with justice. Treating workers unjustly is specifically condemned in Scripture (Deut 24: 14-15, James 5: 1-5). There are two great Encyclicals written regarding workers justice including: Loberm Excercens, Rerum Novarum, and the letter Centesimus Annus. These writings by the Popes do much to promote social justice and were written at times of great injustice (the industrial revolution with it's horrible working conditions and reliance on child labor, and the rise of modernism).

I am pro-labor. But I am not going to compromise my morality and Christian witness to blindly support and defend the actions of labor unions. I particularly can't stand the NEA. They are culpable for erroding our public education system. To draw an analogy, they are washing away the top soil of our public schools and have created the dust bowl of education.

JonBenet

So, there has been a lot of attention again pertaining to the JonBenet Ramsey murder case. I remember back when this all first came out in the news 10 years ago. My feelings now are the same as they were then. What the h*$% is the matter with parents who dress up their six year old to look like she's a women in her 20's? It's just creepy the way they do it, it's not right. It can't just be modeling because models are selling something. You get attractive men or women to put on new and stylish clothing and you take pictures of them. Then those pictures are put in a magazine. People read the magazine, see the pictures, think the models look nice in the clothes, or the clothes look nice on the models, then they go buy the clothes so they can look nice too. Models are used to sell make-up, cars, alcohol, furniture, jewelry, electronics... you name it. There are also legitimate child models. They are dressed up like kids and used to market kid stuff.

JonBenet and other kids like her are different. You don't see them used to market merchandise, because people are weirded out by a 6 year old that is made to look like she's 20. The only people who enjoy looking at them are their parents (usually their mothers) and perverts. There must be something missing in the mothers life to want to emmerse their little daughter in to the world of JonBenet style modeling.

I think that these parents have a disorder similar to Munchausen's Disorder or Munchausen's by Proxy. Munchausen Disorder is a psychological illness whereby a person seeks attention by making their child sick. A very famous case of this was Kathleen Bush who was paraded around by Hillary Clinton for being a devoted mother back in 1994. This disorder is of course named after the famous Baron Von Munchausen. John Neville starred in a movie adaptation of the books called The Adventures of Baron Von Munchausen.

I have a pretty harsh take on this whole JonBenet story. First, it's a horrible tragedy, what happened to JonBenet. She was a true victim of a hideous crime. An innocent life snuffed out by perversion. Second, I believe that JonBenet's parents share culpability in her death because of the type of modeling environment they had her in. Third, the person most responsible for JonBenet's death is the person who actually killed her. The killer deserves very harsh treatment by our judicial system.

Homily Joke

Got this from a priest who has a blog. He posts his homilies there (usually). This one is pretty funny. I'm going to send it to my Fire Chief. That should get me some brownie points!! Oh well, my family has never been accused of playing the corporate game... We're to smart for that!

“Welcome to Heaven,” said St. Peter. “Before you get settled in though, it seems we have a problem. You see, strangely enough, we’ve never once had someone like you make it this far and we’re not really sure what to do with you.”
“No problem, just let me in” said the woman. “Well, I’d like to, but I have higher orders. What we’re going to do is let you have a day in Hell and a day in Heaven and then you can choose whichever one you want to spend an eternity in.”
“Actually, I think I’ve made up my mind, I prefer to stay in Heaven”, said the woman. “Sorry, we have rules...” And with that St. Peter put the executive in an elevator and down it went, straight to hell.

When the doors opened she found herself stepping out onto the putting green of a beautiful golf course. In the distance was a clubhouse and standing in front of her were all her friends - fellow executives that she had worked with and they were all dressed in evening gowns and cheering for her. They ran up and kissed her on both cheeks and they talked about old times. They played an excellent round of golf and at night went to the clubhouse where she enjoyed an excellent steak and lobster dinner. She met the Devil who was actually a really nice guy (kinda cute even) and she had a great time telling jokes and dancing. She was having such a good time that before she knew it, it was time to leave. Everybody shook her hand and waved good- bye as she got on the elevator. Up and up the elevator went and opened back up at the Gates of Heaven where good old St. Peter waiting for her.

“Now it’s time to spend a day in heaven,” he said. So she spent the next 24 hours lounging around on clouds and playing the harp and singing. She had a great time and before she knew it her 24 hours were up and St. Peter came and got her. “So, you’ve spent a day in hell and you’ve spent a day in heaven. Now you must choose your eternity,” he said.

The woman paused for a second and then replied, “Well, I never thought I’d say this, I mean, Heaven has been really great and all, but I think I had a better time in Hell.” So St. Peter escorted her to the elevator and again down she went, straight back to Hell. When the doors of the elevator opened she found herself standing in a desolate wasteland covered in garbage and filth. She saw her friends were dressed in rags and were picking up the garbage and putting it in sacks. The Devil came up to her and put his arm around her.

“I don’t understand,” stammered the woman, “yesterday I was here and there was a golf course and a clubhouse and we ate lobster and we danced and had a great time. Now all there is a wasteland of garbage and all my friends look miserable.”

The Devil looked at her and smiled. “Yesterday we were recruiting you, today.....you’re staff.

Seahawk 2006 team preview - wideouts

This years wide receivers are hard to figure out. There is potential for them to be very good. There is also the potential for them to be a great weakness. There were lots of injuries last year and the glue that held them together (besides Hasselbeck) was Jurevicius who is now gone to Cleveland. This years two starters are the same as last years.

WR1- Darrell Jackson 6'0" #200
D-Jack was hurt last year only starting 6 games. He had offseason knee surgery and won't play in pre-season until late August. When he's healthy he's very good. He runs well after the catch and is able to get good separation. He lacks the speed to make him a deep threat or the size to make him a good target over the middle.
WR2- Bobby Engram 5'10" #188
Engram is the small posession receiver that teams like to have. He's tough and will go over the middle. Last year he was hurt (broken ribs) during the Redskins loss in game 4. He finished the game and then was in and out of the line-up the rest of the year. Very dependable but starting to get a little old.
WR3- Nate Burleson 6'0" #192
Burleson was a free agent acquision after the loss of Jurevicius. I loved Jurevicius and only hope that Burleson can provide the leadership and example the Joe provided last year when the receiver corps was depleted by injury. Burleson is supposed to be the speed guy that stretches the defense. He was injured last season but put up good numbers prior to the injury for the Vikings. He's a hometown boy and a graduate of O'Dea High School.
Backups-
Peter Warrick 5'11" #195 - starting his second year with the Hawks. Heisman Trophy winner with Florida State six years ago. Has all the tools to be an NFL great. But hasn't done it on the field yet. Will he finally break out with the Hawks.....? I sure hope so!
D.J.Hackett 6'2" #199 - Had some nice catches last year. Has filled the role of the "speed" receiver, but only gets maybe 1-2 catches a game. The D doesn't stand for dependable. Has an injured hamstring and isn't traveling with the team to Indy for the pre-season game.
Taco Wallace 6'1" #190 - I included him here because he has a cool name. Not someone to be excited about on the field however. Probably will be covering kickoffs and punts.

Tight End- Jeramy Stevens 6'7" #260
Stevens was much improved last year and turned in to someone for defenses to plan against. Big target over the middle with dependable hands (except in the Superbowl) he seems to be injury prone and is now out 6 weeks with a torn cartlidge in his knee. Had a history of personal problems in college (Washington). Another hometowner (Tacoma).

Iutla Mili 6'4" #260
hurt last year but a dependable receiver and a better blocker than Stevens.

Will Heller 6'6" #265
brought in from Tampa to be a third string player. Not much excitement out of him in Tampa his first 4 seasons.

It's a good thing that our running game dominates. That makes our receivers better than they really are. If they play up to their potential, escpecially Warrick and Jackson, and avoid injuries they could be a big surprise to the rest of the NFL.

overall B-

Way to go France!!??

Those French!!!

If France was a football player they'd be the 2nd string punter.

(I know who that is in the photo, it's just the closest I could get to a chicken all talk and no action Frenchman)

Lower Than Whale Dung

This guy has the same job that I had in the Navy. Looks like he hates his country though. What should they do with him? I can think of a few things I'd like to do. I don't want to have to go to confession however.

Respond or Not II

Well, I have lost the pamphlet so perhaps my course of action has been decided for me. It's just as well, I've had discussions with fundamentalist Christians before and they just aren't very reasonable. Their knowledge of Scripture and Christian history is also very limited. To paint them with a wide brush, they proclaim that Scripture is literal and the truths of Scripture are plainly evident for a person who reads it with a sincere desire to understand the truth. The problem is, they don't adhere to their own belief when it contradicts their tradition. As I said however, I'm generalizing and lumping a group of people together and all are not exactly the same. There are exceptions to the generalized observations that follow but, they are just exceptions and not the rule. One of the differences between Catholic Christians and Fundamentalist Christians is in how they view eachother.

Fundamentalists view the Catholic Church as a non Christian cult that practices necromancy, sorcery, and the worship of false gods. Catholics are not Christian and are therefore condemned to hell. They are in need of salvation and are targeted for conversion. The Catholic Church is an enemy of the Gospel because of her perversion of the Gospel message. The reluctance or failure of Catholics to leave the Church after a fundamentalist presents the Gospel to them is only evidence of the power of the Catholic cult. When that rare Catholic is found who can explain Catholic teaching with logic and reason while using Scripture, it only reinforces how powerful and twisted the Church is and how much control she has over her members. These are all things I have experienced first hand in discussions with fundamentalists.

Catholics view fundamentalists in a different light. As fundamentalism is a new tradition (only about 150-200 years old), that has no central authority, there is not one single view of them. As with all Christian churches that profess the Trinity and Baptize in the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, fundamentalists are considered to be part of the Catholic Church. Being imperfectly united with the Church, there are certain obstacles in their realationship with God and His grace. Just as there are obstacles for Catholics who are within the visible Church yet through ignorance or obstinance, deny thruths of the faith.

The irony I find here is in the dogmatic judgement of the two traditions. The Church is accused of being controlling and rigid, supposedly denying the necessity of having a personal relationship with Jesus while teaching a salvation by works theology. Yet this controlling and rigid Church recognizes the Christianity and membership of the fundamentalists in the Body of Christ while the opposite doesn't hold true.

An example of how fundamentalists aren't faithful to their own theological beliefs and Scriptural exegesis is in their view of creation as compared to their view of communion. Remember that fundamentalists profess that Scripture is to be interpreted literally.

Fundamentalists hold that God created everything in six literal 24 hour days with one 24 hour day of rest around 6,000 years ago, give or take a thousand years or so. This view is maintained in the face of enormous scientific (anthropological, archeological, astrological, and geological) evidence that points to a different time frame. Fundamentalists arrive at this belief because they interpret the creation story in Genesis very literally. The literal interpretation of Scripture trumps all physical evidence.

Fundamentalists hold that the bread and wine used in communion, or the celebration of the Lords Supper, are just bread and wine and are only symbols of Jesus' Body and Blood. (NOTE: they don't use wine because in their tradition consuming alcohol is a sin. Therefore, even though Scripture refers to wine being consumed by Jesus at the last supper, it was really just non alcoholic grape juice despite what is literally written). They hold this symbolic belief despite the very literal words ("...this is my body...") of Jesus regarding the bread and wine used at the passover meal that was the Last Supper. And despite the very literal words of Jesus during the Bread of Life discourse (John 6). Their justification for not following the literal words of Scripture? Because the enormous physical (scientific) evidence that the bread and wine continue to have the appearance of bread and wine. What happened to the literal interpretion of Scripture?

I've had this discussion with fundamentalist friends. They get very agitated and do everything possible to keep from having to justify their position. They try to change the subject to something they have a couple of memorized "proof texts" for, like... how us Catholics worship Mary, or how we are wrong to believe in justification by "works" and not faith. When you explain the actual teaching of those things they believe you are trying to trick them and that you aren't telling the truth about what the Church teaches. They don't acknowledge that they must have been misinformed about what the Catholic Church professes.

Seahawk 2006 team preview

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

I'm starting a series on the Seahawks getting ready for the 2006 campaign. I went to the first pre-season game against the Redskins and I wasn't impressed by what I saw. It's only pre-season but... when your #1 draft pick can't cover 2nd and 3rd string receivers with 2nd and 3rd string quarterbacks throwing to them, you may have problems.

I'll focus on different positions each post. This post will focus on the offensive line.

2005 saw the Hawks with the best offensive line in football with three members being selected to the pro-bowl. One of those guys (Steve Hutchinson) went to the Vikings in the offseason, other than that our line should be a bright spot again this season. Here are this seasons starters.

Left Tackle - Walter Jones -
Six time pro-bowler and regarded as the best left tackle in football. For the second straight year Jones has been in training camp since the first day. Expected to have another standout year. Measures out at 6'5" #315
Back-up (Tom Ashworth) acquired from New England as an unrestricted free agent in '06. Ashworth is a four year veteran and would probably start on half of the NFL teams. Measures out at 6'6" #305.

Left Guard - Floyd Womack -
Five year NFL veteran and has been in and out of the starting line-up over his career. He replaces all pro Steve Hutchinson. This will be a downgrade over last year but, Womack has much experience with this line and the scheme. Nicknamed "Pork Chop" he measures out at 6'4" and weighs #330. back-up (Tom Ashworth again) (third string William Henry) Henry is a free agent acquisition with one year experience. He has started in no games and also has experience at center. Measures out at 6'4" #295.

Center - Robbie Tobeck -
A 14 year NFL veteran and the reserve pro-bowler for the NFC in last years pro-bowl. Robbie is rock solid, and is probably starting to be "long in the tooth" but for a center, wisdom and experience are more important than youth. Measures out at 6'4" #297
back-up (Chris Spencer) the number one draft pick from last years draft. Has all the physical tools for the job but probably needs a little more time before he's ready to make all the offensive line calls. Measures out at 6'3" #309

Right Guard - Chris Gray
Another 14 year veteran, Gray is probably in the last year of starting every game. Has been a solid performer for the Seahawks. Measures out at 6'3" #308
back-up (Tom Ashworth) again...

Right Tackle - Sean Locklear
Third year player from the '04 draft. Sean is emerging as one of the NFL's best right tackles. Unfairly Sean will forever be remembered for the Superbowl holding call that resulted in the Jeramy Stevens reception on the one yard line being called back. The Hawks were down by four points at this stage of the game and were on a good drive. The sad thing is that the player he held was shown to have been offsides at the snap because he started his rush a little early. Sean got called for holding because the blitzing Pittsburgh player had a head start. ANOTHER BAD CALL BY THE REFS. This one, I think, cost us the game. Measures out at 6'4" #301
back-up (Tom Ashworth) again...

There are some 3rd and 4th stringers I didn't profile.

Overall grade A-
Even with the departure of Hutchinson the line should be great. They have at least three years experience working together across the board. Look for some huge holes getting ripped in defensive lines and look for Matt having lots of time to throw the ball. One of last years highlights was the blocking ability of the tight ends. The did great at sealing off the ends on many of Sean's big runs. I will profile the tight ends with the receivers.

Respond or Not?

I took three hours off from work on Sunday so that I could go to 11:00 Mass. I was scheduled to be the MC (master of ceremonies) so I needed to be there by 10:30. The MC acts as the primary assistant to the Priest when there is no Deacon present. As MC, I ensure that the other altar servers (boys between the ages of 9-18) do their assignments properly. I set the Altar for the Liturgy of the Eucharist (communion) and clean it after the consecration. This Sunday we had a wonderful visiting Priest who is a missionary in Tanzania.

After Mass I returned to my car so that I could get back to work. My car had a flyer under the windshield. The flyer was about being "born again". The gist of it was that to be born again you had to "accept Jesus in your heart as your personal Lord and Savior". I agree with this, but what it means, and what it means to the writer of this pamphlet is not exactly the same. There were several Bible verses that, I guess, were supposed to prove the theology of what the pamphlet proposed. The short story is that Catholics aren't saved but if we recite the sinners prayer that was provided in the pamphlet, we surely would be... forever!!

Now, I have some theological differences with all Christians who aren't Catholic. I have more theological commonness than differences with them however. I have no problem discussing these differences with them. And I enjoy discussing our commonality even more. They are often surprised at how much we agree on. I think this is because there are many untruths told to people about Catholic teaching due to ingnorance and sometimes, unfortunately, out of bigotry.

I would never go to some other Christian's church who follows a different tradition than me, and pamphlet their cars. Espescially while they were inside celebrating Jesus. I would never go to a synagogue during their service and pamphlet their cars explaining how they should embrace Jesus as the long awaited Messiah. I believe in evangelizing. But it needs to be in the proper time and place. It is imprudent, demeaning, cowardly, and ignorant to do what these pamphleteers did, IMHO.

I guess these guys (the pamphleteers) just have a corner on the truth. Must be nice to be infallible. Oh wait, no one's infallible... no wait... it's just that AntiChrist the Pope who isn't infallible, the pastor of the local church of the Gospel Truth founded in 1998 is infallible because he teaches that the Whore of Babylon is the Catholic Church and that the bread and grape juice at communion are just symbols of the body and blood of Christ, (uuuhhhhhh [BIG BREATH]) and that the world was created in six 24 hour days with a day of rest just like it says in Genesis because the Bible is literally true. Ummmmm.... why isn't the bread and wine at communion really the body and blood of Christ if the Bible is literally true??? Hold it... why did God wait until 1998 to get the word out infallibly..?

So... Do I write to the P.O. box that was on the pamphlet? Is it worth it? Where would I begin?

Mike Wallace

I was browsing the news and came across this short report regarding Mike Wallace and the Iranian president. I wonder if Mr. Wallace would have been impressed with Hitler, Stalin, or Pol Pot?

prayers

To all who read this, I have a mission for you. My good friend and his family are engaged in a life or death struggle with cancer. Their 14 month old daughter has a rare form of liver cancer that is already in stage 4. She is very sick and needs answered prayers if she is to win this fight. There is a website where you can keep up to date on her story here.

Irish Monks

In an incredible find, a 1000 year old psalm book has been uncovered in an Irish bog. Catholic monks in Ireland devoted their lives to copying Scripture and are credited with helping to preserve the faith over the centuries through their efforts. The book was reported to be opened to psalm 83. Here is psalm 83, very interesting. Is Someone trying to tell us something...?


Psa 83:1[[Vulgatte 82:1] canticum psalmi Asaph [Vulgate 82:2] Deus ne taceas ne sileas et non quiescas Deus
Psa 83:2[[Vulgatte 82:3] quia ecce inimici tui tumultuati sunt et qui oderunt te levaverunt caput
Psa 83:3[[Vulgatte 82:4] contra populum tuum nequiter tractaverunt et inierunt consilium adversum arcanum tuum
Psa 83:4[[Vulgatte 82:5] dixerunt venite et conteramus eos de gente et non sit memoria nominis Israhel ultra
Psa 83:5[[Vulgatte 82:6] quoniam tractaverunt pariter contra te foedus pepigerunt
Psa 83:6[[Vulgatte 82:7] tabernacula Idumeae et Ismahelitarum Moab et Aggareni
Psa 83:7[[Vulgatte 82:8] Gebal et Ammon et Amalech Palestina cum habitatoribus Tyri
Psa 83:8[[Vulgatte 82:9] sed et Assur venit cum eis facti sunt brachium filiorum Loth semper
Psa 83:9[[Vulgatte 82:10] fac illis sicut Madian et Sisarae sicut Iabin in torrente Cison
Psa 83:10[[Vulgatte 82:11] contriti sunt in Aendor fuerunt quasi sterquilinium terrae
Psa 83:11[[Vulgatte 82:12] pone duces eorum sicut Oreb et Zeb et Zebee et Salmana omnes principes eorum
Psa 83:12[[Vulgatte 82:13] qui dixerunt possideamus nobis pulchritudinem Dei
Psa 83:13[[Vulgatte 82:14] Deus meus pone eos ut rotam quasi stipulam ante faciem venti
Psa 83:14[[Vulgatte 82:15] quomodo ignis conburit silvam et sicut flamma devorat montes
Psa 83:15[[Vulgatte 82:16] sic persequere eos in tempestate tua et in turbine tuo conturba eos
Psa 83:16[[Vulgatte 82:17] imple facies eorum ignominia et quaerent nomen tuum Domine
Psa 83:17[[Vulgatte 82:18] confundantur et conturbentur usque in saeculum et erubescant et pereant
Psa 83:18[[Vulgatte 82:19] et sciant quia nomen tuum est Dominus solus tu Excelsus super omnem terram

That's how it appears in the archeological discovery anyway, here is an English language translation:


Psa 83:1 A Song. A Psalm of Asaph. O God, do not keep silence; do not hold thy peace or be still, O God!
Psa 83:2 For lo, thy enemies are in tumult; those who hate thee have raised their heads.
Psa 83:3 They lay crafty plans against thy people; they consult together against thy protected ones.
Psa 83:4 They say, "Come, let us wipe them out as a nation; let the name of Israel be remembered no more!"
Psa 83:5 Yea, they conspire with one accord; against thee they make a covenant--
Psa 83:6 the tents of Edom and the Ish'maelites, Moab and the Hagrites,
Psa83:7 Gebal and Ammon and Am'alek, Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre;
Psa 83:8 Assyria also has joined them; they are the strong arm of the children of Lot. [Selah]
Psa 83:9 Do to them as thou didst to Mid'ian, as to Sis'era and Jabin at the river Kishon,
Psa 83:10 who were destroyed at En-dor, who became dung for the ground.
Psa 83:11 Make their nobles like Oreb and Zeeb, all their princes like Zebah and Zalmun'na,
Psa 83:12 who said, "Let us take possession for ourselves of the pastures of God."
Psa 83:13 O my God, make them like whirling dust, like chaff before the wind.
Psa 83:14 As fire consumes the forest, as the flame sets the mountains ablaze,
Psa 83:15 so do thou pursue them with thy tempest and terrify them with thy hurricane!
Psa 83:16 Fill their faces with shame, that they may seek thy name, O LORD.
Psa 83:17 Let them be put to shame and dismayed for ever; let them perish in disgrace.
Psa 83:18 Let them know that thou alone, whose name is the LORD, art the Most High over all the earth.

One question I have however. They said it was opened to Psalm 83 and then described what in the days that manuscript was written, and in the Vulgate, would have been Psalm 82. Was the Psalm number given in referance to the written content of the page, or was the subject of the Psalm reported based on what is currently known as Psalm 83? The 83rd Psalm in those days would have been what we currently know as the 84th Psalm which is about trusting in and following the Lord.

Gay Agenda Defeated

In a narrow decision, the Washington State Supreme Court struck a blow to same sex "marriage" activists and struck down a King County superior court decision which had declared the 1998 Defense of Marriage Act, (DOMA) to be unconstitutional.

It was by no means a strong refutation of gay activists and their attempt to destroy the family by attacking marriage, but it was defeat for the gay lobby non the less. It's funny how the people who cry loudest that "you can't legislate morality" are the ones who try the hardest to legislate immorality. Any way you slice it, their philosophy is devoid of reason.

Seahawks

Training Camp Opens in just four days!!!

I feel really good about this season. With the addition of Julian Peterson at outside linebacker and the return of Ken Hamlin at free safety our defense should be improved over last years. Considering that it took the defense about 1/3 of the season before it really came together under the field leadership of Lofa Tatupu it may actually be much better. Who knows, we may be turning some heads this year with our defensive play. We were tied for the league lead in sacks and we have all the main pieces returning.

Offense may be slightly worse at running the ball with the departure of Hutch and with Alexander having a big fat contract all wrapped up. Our passing game could also suffer with the loss of Juravicius. Maybe Nate Burleson will tear it up though... who knows. Our receiver corps was pretty banged up all last year and we did ok though so maybe it will actually be improved this year.

GO HAWKS!!!

A year of storms and darkness

I'd like to take this opportunity to address the reality of suffering, death, hardship, and grief.

So far this year has been filled with more than it's share of those things for me. I founded a fire department honor guard and color guard about 5 years ago, so I get called periodically to to perform at funerals and memorial services for fallen firefighters. The year started with the line of duty death of a firefighter from Ocean Shores. His brother also happens to be a firefighter in my local group so my honor guard was part of his memorial service. I even got to do a reading at the memorial. Then a longtime local firefighter who worked for the Federal Fire Department on the Navy base and used to volunteer at the department where I work, died from a cancer caused by exposure to work related contaminates. My honor guard provided services at his memorial also. And again, I did a reading. Just two weeks ago we provided a color guard for a firefighter in Port Angeles who died in a plane wreck off duty. The first two guys both had young children and the third had just put in his retirement papers.

A former co-worker just died unexpectedly two weeks ago and was found by his teenage son. A family member's Mom is very ill with Cancer and appears to be near her time to pass from this life and enter in to eternal glory with Christ our Savior. And distressingly, my good friend and brother firefighter's 14 month old daughter was just diagnosed with stage 4 liver cancer and began aggressive chemotherapy over the weekend.

It gives me pause and causes me to reflect on end of life issues, suffering, the pertinance of faith and so on...

I like this prayer from the book "Arise from Darkness" written by Fr. Benedict Groeschel. Fr. Groeschel is a Dr. of Psychologly as well as being a Fransiscan Monk and was a close colaberater of Mother Teresa of Calcutta and her missionary activities in New York.

The following is the prayer written at the end of Chapter 6: When Death Robs Us

O Holy Spirit, enlighten my mind that death may not be my enemy, that I may not fear it in an unseemly way for a Christian, that I may not run from death, so that when death comes and takes those dear to me, I may welcome their release from this valley of tears although I am myself deeply moved and even deprived by their departure from this world. Let me know that death reminds each of us of the infinite reality of life with you. Let me see all things in the perspective of death and everlasting life. And let me not be filled with grief either at the anticipation of my own death or the experience of the death of those dear to me. Rather, strengthen my faith, that in the midst of this changing world I may always come closer to you, who never change and who await me and those dear to me together with the Father and the Son in life everlasting. Amen.

Long time no blog

I've been real busy lately and haven't made an entry in 7 days. I understand the feds were so concerned they nearly halted all internet information transfers until I could be located. What's that? Oh, the world didn't stop becuase I wasn't polluting it with my "wisdom".

I went up to Anacortes over the weekend to attend a friends wedding. Now, if you've never been to Anacortes you need to schedule a trip. It's a wonderful town with an interesting history. I graduated from Anacortes High School after moving there in the summer between the tenth and eleventh grade. I always remembered that the name Anacortes came from the daughter of Hernando Cortez who was named Anna. Sounds nice but in researching prior to doing this post I discovered that I am an idiot and that the Hernando Cortez angle is an urban legend. For the real history of Anacortes click here.

The Church in Anacortes in my memory was rather modern (this memory is from '85-'87). I can't remember specifics though, probably because we didn't go to Mass every Sunday or Holy Day when I was in High School. But you've all been to those modern looking 70's and 80's churches with no soul. It's almost as if they did everything in their power to make the church as generic as possible. Maybe they were hoping people wouldn't recognize it as a Catholic church and go there by mistake. Those two decades seemed to focus a lot on appearance and emotion and little on substance and faith.

What a glorious surprise when I walked in vestibule at St. Mary's in Anacortes for the wedding. They had just finished a renovation in 2003 and had lots of beautiful statues, icons, paintings and paint schemes. A giant holy water basin right at the entrance to the narthex where Baptism could be done either by emersion or pouring. The Tabernacle and the sanctuary were beautiful. The tabernacle itself was done so as to resemble a Bynzantine triptych.

I applaud the renovation team and hope that all parishes in the Seattle Archdiocese follow suit when they renovate.

I actually got to meet a blogger from another blog that I look at sometimes. I must have come off as some type of stalker when I initially said hi. There was another blogger there who is a seminarian with Seattle's Archdiocese but he left before I could say hi.

I was a beautiful wedding and I will post later on something from the program that I thought was very nice.

Stay Cool

Pyro

John Paul II

"Do not abandon yourselves to despair. We are the Easter people and hallelujah is our song." -- Pope John Paul II

Beyond the Lights - - Jim Zorn

A documentary that is supposed to come out this month. Should be pretty cool. Jim Zorn was one of my childhood sports heros. Along with Steve Largent and Dan Doornink or course.

Rising Awareness?

This writer seems to understand the problem. Similar statements have been made by the last two Popes. Pope Benedict XVI is picking up the pace and frankness of this call to the faith in Europe.

Pyro

small potatoes

This is fine but...

how about big oil?

Pyro

Aquinas on Marriage?

Found this interesting defense of marriage at this blog. It's modeled after St. Thomas Aquinas' writings.

liberty?

When I was in the Navy and went on liberty I did crazy things like watch movies, go to a pub, go fishing, or go sightseeing. This guy had other things in mind.

What the...?????

Retaliation?

It's ok, they're just getting even.

What do islamic militants and the Western liberals have in common? It's always someone elses fault, usually your own.

I guess it's a matter of perspective if you're the oppressor getting what you deserve or a helpless victim who needs government assistance and can't be blamed for anything.

Pyro

Test Tube Father

In case you weren't paying attention, the first mammals have been "reproduced" using artificial sperm created from embryonic stem cells. It is being hailed as a breakthrough that could help wipe out male infertility. How wonderful!! It really is a brave new world. There's no need for women or men having babies anymore, in fact, it will be preferred that they don't. In a laboratory scientist will be able to control all aspects of the future being. No more birth defects like freckles or flat feet. If a war is coming you just up the production of people for the fight. In fact, maybe people could be produced for the express purpose of being warriors!

The future's so bright I gotta wear shades.

What was it Paul VI said about reproduction?
Or how about John Paul II?

Pope Paul VI actually predicted that if people didn't embrace the traditional Christian teaching on contraception that four major things would occur. Those are... (thanks to Janet Smith from Univ. Dallas)

1. lead to conjugal infidelity and the general lowering of morality
2. the man" will lose respect for "the woman" and "no longer (care) for her physical and psychological equilibrium" and will come to "the point of considering her as a mere instrument of selfish enjoyment and no longer as his respected and beloved companion
3. widespread acceptance of contraception would place a "dangerous weapon... in the hands of those public authorities who take no heed of moral exigencies (China's and other country's forced abortion programs when you have excess pregnencies)
4. Pope Paul's final warning was that contraception would lead man to think that he had unlimited dominion over his own body (we see this not only in sterilizations but in test tube babies and now cloning)

Pyro

Good News From Iraq

The Iraqi government has requested that the UN revoke American forces immunity from the Iraqi legal system. This is in light of recent crimes that some soldiers have been accused of. I see this as a positive thing, not throwing our citizens at the "mercy" of the Iraqi courts, but that they must be close to being able to stand on it's own if they are ready to do something like this.

Pyro

Sonar settlement

Seems that our submarines will be able to use active sonar after all in the excercises off Hawaii. The whales aren't innocent in this whole thing however. I remember on one patrol when a whale rammed my submarine after hitting us with his SONAR.

Pyro

Inconceivable!!

Looks like Mexico has encountered the same situation with their leftists that Washington encountered in the last Gubernatorial election. Some people just can't accept losing. Why is it when liberals/leftists lose an election they refuse to acknowledge that their views/positions are what the voters were rejecting? The same thing happens with failed school levies, the teachers and their cronies come out with all types of statements asserting that the voters just didn't understand. Boo Hoo!! They can't believe for a second that their ideas and plans are what the voters reject. It's like that line from the movie "Princess Bride" when Vizinni keeps saying "Inconceivable!" whenever something he doesn't like happens and finally Inigo replies "You keep on using that word. I do not think it means, what you think it means."

Pyro

odds, texas hold em, 4th of July, virginity

Why is it that if a person is taking a test and there are two possible answers and the person guesses at the answer, they usually get it wrong? It should be a 50-50 chance of getting it correct but, it never works out that way. In the Navy we had a saying, we called it 50-50-90. When you had to come up with an either/or answer, you had a 50-50 chance of being wrong 90% of the time.

I was playing Texas Hold'm over my Independence Day vacation. I entered a tournament with my Dad and brother at the local Indian casino. It was a horrible tournament with lots of dumb rules. I made the final table and was playing very well. Suddenly, my 50-50-90 curse struck! I was in early position and went all-in (ten times the blind) with pocket Kings, I was called by the small blind who had pocket 9's. Everyone else folded. I had about a 90% chance of winning. I lost when he flopped a third 9. Bad luck is one thing, but for that guy to even give me any action was crazy. I don't mind being unlucky, but to be unlucky against someone who doesn't know how to play or bet just drives me up the wall. Two days later we had the annual family Hold em tournament. It's a friendly family game between uncles, brothers, dads, cousins, nephews, aunts, moms, grandparents/children. A nice relaxing game that pays the top three at a 50-30-20 rate. The champion pocketed about $120.00. I went from being chip leader to being out because of two bad beats. Both times the person (my nephew) filled an inside straight to beat my better hand. The second time he got runner runner!! I'm cursed! But it was fun, I don't mind losing to family, and he was pretty happy.

The temperature was 100+ in the shade every day. We spent lots of time sitting under shade drinking Corona's and eating barbeque. The kids had a blast playing in water all day and running around "Grandmother's". Bed time was usually 11:00 pm, that was when the kids finally got tired. Also, 11:00 pm was when the temperature finally got below 90 degrees. My boy and his cousin, who is about a year older, made their first independant trip to the local convenience store together. The store is in sight and about 3 blocks away. My brother and I sent them on a mission with the wagon. They were to retrieve 10 bags of ice. We gave them about $5.00 more than the price of the ice and told them they could do what they want with the change. They came back 30 minutes later with 10 bags of ice, 3 bags of marbles, a bag of water balloons, and a bag of chips. They were very pleased with themselves. We were pleased with them also.

Finally, I was presented with the temptation of getting in to a theology debate over the perpetual virginity of Mary. My folks have a friend who, as I understand, was raised Catholic but is now in some type of Pentacostal style church. She had a question for my Dad regarding the subject because she was reading a book that stated Catholics believed in the perpetual virginity of Mary. She was simply wondering if the book was accurate. I was called over to field the question. (GETTING SIDETRACKED HERE) You see, since my reversion to the Catholic Church, which involved lots of study of doctrine and theology, I can't be around my family without being asked faith/doctrine questions. Some of my relatives refer to me as "St. Pyro" or " The Deacon". I guess because of how serious I am about practicing the Catholic faith. Sometimes I'm asked questions because there is a sincere desire to understand, sometimes it's because the questioner wants to have a debate. In the past I enjoyed feeding either motivation. Now I choose not to debate, though I want to with every fiber of my being. But I do answer the seeking information questions (END OF SIDETRACK). So this person asks if the perpetual virginity of Mary is a true Catholic doctine. I told her that it was, and that it wasn't just Catholic "doctrine" but that it was Orthodox doctrine as well. I even informed her that Martin Luther and other Protestant Reformers professed it. She then countered with the "fact" from Scripture that Mary had other children (in fact Scripture never discusses Mary having other children, it refers to some other individuals as being the "brothers/bretheren" (english translation) of Jesus). I mentioned that two of the four "brothers" were named elsewhere in scripture as the sons of a different Mary and Clopas or Alphaeus. I began to explain the correlation between the Old Testament Ark of the Covenant and Mary as the New Testament "fulfillment" of the Ark of the Covenant. She wasn't interested and stated that as a faithful Jewish woman she would have done her duty and had other children with her husband. I then disengaged and ended with restating that what she read in her book was accurate and that yes Catholic teaching was that Mary was a perpetual virgin.

It's difficult to address any question about theology without first exploring the topic of authority. Does authority exclusively reside in individual interpretation of Scripture? Is authority shared between a divinely established ecclesial heirarchy and Scripture? Is it possible for an individual to be wrong in their personal theological conclusions derived from studying Scripture? Is it possible for a divinely established ecclesial heirarchy to be wrong when declaring theological truths? Exactly what did Jesus mean when he said "...the Spirit... will guide you into all truth..." John 16: 13.

I understand the difficulty with Mary. When I was away from the Church, I learned to have difficulty with Marian doctrine and the Communion of Saints. For me, I had to understand from where authority came. Only after a person gets a firm understanding of authority can they begin to fully explore all of God's revelation. To fully understand authority requires a trip through Christian history. It's not enough to read what is accepted now by (some) Christians as authoritative Scripture. A person needs to understand how the earliest Christians viewed Sacred Scripture. How they lived their faith life. How they operated in community. How they cooperated with eachother. How they interacted with those outside their communion. How they recognized and dealt with error within the communion of believers. And what they meant when they wrote things down, such as the Apostle's Creed.

Curiously, my folk's friend didn't dwell long on Scripture. She sidestepped the fact that some of the examples of Jesus' "brothers" were elsewhere in Scripture referred to as children of different parents. She began using the extra biblical argument that as a good Jewish wife she would have been having lots of additional children with Joseph after Jesus' birth.

Since I didn't want to argue I didn't try to help her explore the inconsistancy with her tactic. As good Jews, why would Jesus and Mary and John have set up that unorthodox arangement for her care after Jesus' death? Where and when exactly did the duty of a wife in the covenant (old and new) get changed from being fruitful and open to life, to practicing artificial birth control to limit the size of a family? I'm glad she's open to viewing faith matters through the wide lense of cultural conditions, historical context, Scriptural exegisis, and doctrinal continuity. But there needs to be consistency in such things.

When a person looks back through history and researches the pedigree of certain doctrines and beliefs they begin to see just how "Catholic" the Church was since the beginning. And they see just how innovative recent Christian traditions are when they profess things such as Mary and Joseph having many other children.

Blessed Mary, ever virgin, pray for us and lead us to your Son our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Pyro

Early Independence Day

Because of my work schedule and because I will be away for the holiday, I must do my Independence Day post early. Please forgive my prematurity (I think I just made that word up). I am very fond of my country. For all her flaws she is the greatest country in history. First, let us remember the cost of liberty.

Revolutionary War - 4,435
War of 1812 - 2,260
Mexican War - 13,283
Civil War (Union) - 364,511
Spanish-American War - 2,446
World War I - 116,516
World War II - 405,399
Korean War - 36,574
Vietnam War - 58,209
Gulf War I - 382
War on Terror (Includes
those killed on 9-11-01) - 5,859

* all causualty numbers were taken from official DOD sources here and here. September 11, 2001 casualty numbers were taken from here. I subtracted 19 from the 9-11-01 numbers because I chose not to include the terrorists in the total.

And now some quotes from our first president...

"I am sure that never was a people, who had more reason to acknowledge a Divine interposition in their affairs, than those of the United States; and I should be pained to believe that they have forgotten that agency, which was so often manifested during our Revolution, or that they failed to consider the omnipotence of that God who is alone able to protect them."

"Let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle."

George Wasington, 1732-1799
Commander, Continental Army
President, United States of America

Happy Birthday America!!

Morning "News" on CBS

I guess I'm not to smart. About two weeks ago I was sitting here at the computer in the morning with the Today Show on in the background. This morning I had a CBS program (Early Show) on. Their first two stories were typical of MSM "news". First, the anchor reported two facts. The congress was one vote away from passing legislation that would support a Constitutional amendment which restricted burning the American flag. The second was about the leaking of American activities by the New York Times regarding the tracking of overseas financial transactions in order to combat terrorism.

I won't even get in to how I feel about both of those topics. They made the report and then cut to their Washington correspondent live in front of the White House. The correspondant assured all the viewers that there was no substance or sincerity to either issue and that it is all simply midterm election posturing. And in regards to the info leak, it was simply the administration making a lot of noise regarding an issue that is their only strongpoint. Please...! either the Bush Administration is wrong in the war on terror or their right, you can't have it both ways CBS!

This all reminds me of the scene from the Wizard of OZ when Toto pulls back the curtain revealing the secret of the "Wizard". And the "Wizard" shouts, "pay no attention to that man behind the curtain"!! in other words, don't believe the facts of what you see, believe in the fantasy with which you are presented.

Pyro

New Jerusalem?

This interesting article discusses an evolution in Arab/Muslim thought regarding the city of Jerusalem. It seems that Muslims are putting the revisionist history process to work. Just as leftists and other extreme liberals have done in the United States regarding the Christian influence on America's founding documents. This is nothing more than poisoning the well on a grand scale. Isn't it interesting how significant tradition is in a culture? Books and other written histories are always being manipulated, invented, or discredited. But tradition, because it is a thing that lives with a people, a thing that has a memory, is much more difficult to defeat. Just as all sincere people [poisoning the well ;-) ] "know" that the United States' founders and founding documents are Christian in orgin, everyone "knows" that the Jewish (Judah's tribe) people lived in Jerusalem where they had their Temple.

Pyro

Foster Parents Union

It seems that State foster parents are the latest group to feel the need to resort to organizing in to a union. The interesting thing is, most of the foster parents I know are committed Christians who do foster parenting out of Gospel charity. Most unions walk lock step with the Democracts. Will this lead to a union that is mostly conservative in practice? I don't know, but I wish them luck against the State and the leftist/sucular elitists who run the DSHS offices. I know two foster parents very well and over the last 10 years the training they have to attend has become inundated with crap from the Gay lobby. It's pretty disgusting. Isn't it ironic that the gays are some of the loudest complainers of "legislating morality"? Anyway, unionizing is always done in response to poor treatment. What has changed for foster parents in the last 10 years except for a State DSHS that has careened off to the mucky swamp that's left of the road?

Pyro

Mel Gibson's new movie, APOCALYPTO

I just watched the trailer for Mel's new movie Apocalypto. The movie is set in Mayan times and from what I can gather, has several storylines. One storyline follows a group of Mayans who are competing in a tournament of a Mayan game that is a cross between soccer and basketball. From watching the trailer I believe that the bigger storyline is the fall of the Mayan empire, or at least the fall of a certain group from power within the Mayan empire. It looks to me as if the movie will be awesome. If you like Mel's typical genre of movies, then this will definately be a must see. I think Mel is making a commentary on modern times with this film. There is a caption during the trailer that reads "A great civilization is not conquered from without, until it has destroyed itself from within". This is a Will Durant quote. My mind races as I plug in all the current situations which this quote indicts. Christiandom and the splintering of her children in to competing factions. Western society with it's gangreous limbs and diseased heart swallowing all manner of poison in the disorded desire to consume all that presents itself as nourishment. American liberals and conservatives and their reinterpretation of the founding documents, and the intent of the document's writers, in a misguuided desire to lend historicity and authority to the current philosophical errors of modernism.

On whatever level you decide to view the film, it should be an enjoyable exerience.

Pyro

Another Beheading

It appears as if the Islamists have brought more non-Muslims to "justice". The remains of the two American soldiers from the 502 Infantry Regiment who were missing have apparantly been found by American forces. My question is this: is all this violence being perpetrated by Muslims in the name of Allah simply a case of a rogue group using "God" as their justification and recruiting tool for seeking power and riches? Or is the end goal of Islam really world domination, subjugation, and conversion by any means necessary?

Pyro

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to all you fathers out there!

As with the Mother's Day post, I wanted to incorporate some Byzantine style iconography here.

Seahawks 2005 Video

Training camp begins July 29.

Religion of Peace

Why were those Muslim terrorists plotting to do an attack in Canada? I mean, if you listen or watch much MSM reports, you get the impression that the only reason there are terrorist attacks is because they are retaliating for wrongs committed by Westerners against Islam. Isn't Canada the Westernmost member of the European Union? Don't they march lockstep with the left leaning cultural elitists who seem to think that everything would be better if everything was tolerated? Visit this website to get a perspective you won't hear from NBC, ABC, CNN, or The New York Times on the Jihad against the West and the War on Terror.

AMAZING

Do yourself a favor and check out this website. It is the website for a man (Paul Smith) with severe Cerebral Palsy who creates remarkable artwork using just a typewriter.

Parental Guidance Suggested

A recent news story relates how a new indie movie earned a PG rating for being overly religious. I haven't seen the movie but I will comment on the situation. The Motion Picture Association of America has a rating system for films. This rating system is in place because of consumer demand and governmental requirements. The system has the following ratings with these criteria:
G General audiences (all ages permitted)

PG Parental Guidance Suggested (some material may not be suitable for children

PG-13 Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

R Restricted (under 17 requires accompanying parent or legal guardian)

NC-17 No one under 17 admitted

Now, this film was given the PG rating for being "so openly religous". I can see both sides of this issue. One on hand, it seems silly that a film about religion would be something that needs a PG rating because it may not be suitable for children. How could a story about God or about faith not be suitable for children? I'll tell you how. What if the church or individual who produced the film had a very powerful and unique story to tell. What if the film completely contradicted the faith and morals of the parents? Maybe the rating is not about how the rating bureau feels about God and religion but is respecting the religious diversity of the population.

In the end, I feel the rating says little about the film or the film industry. The rating does however speak volumes of the state of parenthood in this country.

Pyro

Conscientious objector?

I'm not going to stand in judgement of Lt. Ehren Watada and whether or not he truely finds the war in Iraq unconscionable. He really may have come to the recent conclusion that the Iraqi front in the War on Terror is not a just conflict. But isn't the part of it that would be objectionable over. Aren't our forces that are there now serving the purpose of providing stability for the new government and preventing wholesale sectarian violence? It seems to me that this is precisely the type of activity a person of moral conscience would feel good about being involved in. I can understand the person who objects to our initiation of hostilities in Iraq and who believes it to have been unjust. There is legitimate room in traditional Just War Doctrine (paragraph 2309 in the Catechism of the Catholic Church) to refute that this front in the War on Terror met the just war criteria. There is also the ability to make a legitimate argument for the Iraqi front.

I hope that Lt. Watada is being honest with himself. I also hope that his actions aren't being influenced and manipulated by those parties who are simply opposed to the President, his administration, and his policies. That, I obeject to in good conscience.

The Today Show

I had the misfortune this morning of waking up to the Today Show on the TV. That's the price you pay for falling asleep watching Conan O'Brien. Matt was interviewing Ann Coulter (gag), and grilling her over her new book "Godless: The Church of Liberalism". Now I'm no fan of Matt's but, Ann Coulter is a disgusting example of conservativism. The entire interview was laughable. The obvious dislike between the two was very evident. Matt and his MSM attack on all views that conflict with the leftist agenda. Ann and her zeal in attacking all that is liberalism and defending all that is conservativism. It made for a very distasteful interview. The part that left me the most dumbstruck (from now on referred to as "Demo'struck") was when Matt retorted, (after listening to Ann explain how liberalism is a religion with it's own celebrations such as the celebration of abortion through marches and rallies), that they aren't celebrating abortion but rather, they are celebrating the right to choose. How moronic! The right to choose what, a flavor of ice cream? The right to choose a university from which to get an education? The right to choose a job? It's not about the right to choose, and every abortion supporter knows it! It's about keeping it legal to kill innocent babies while they are in their mother's wombs. That just doesn't sound very nice so they change the words a bit, it makes it easier to sleep at night I guess. You want to see what the "right to choose" looks like? Click Here (caution, this link contains images of aborted babies and is VERY DISTURBING!!!) but then, killing babies is a very disturbing thing. The time to choose if you will be having a baby is when you (men and women) decide to have sex.

Pyro

The Choices We Make

I was having a discussion with a friend of mine the other day and we got on to the topic of church choice. It seems that many of my conversations with friends end up having something to do with religion or church or faith. This conversation was very laid back without much contention. I couldn't help but wonder how the conversation would have gone if I had been having it several years ago.

When I first reverted to the Catholic faith, I was very aggressive in the way I discussed issues of faith with friends and family members. You see, for some reason I enjoy debating and arguing. I find a thrill in it the way a boxer finds a thrill in the pugelistic art. I think that ultimately I didn't care as much about the subject of the argument as I did about myself "winning" the argument. In discussions where the subject matter is political or philisophical this attitude can be annoying to the other party. In discussions where the subject matter is Faith and religion, this attitude just causes both parties pain and stands in the way of fruitful dialogue.

I'm glad that the recent conversation with my friend didn't happen 4 years ago. My friend was talking about how he chose the church that he currently goes to. There were a number of reasons given which to me, all seemed to center around the experience of attending Sunday services and personal interaction with other members of the community. All of the things he talked about were in and of themselves good; High quality music, comfortable atmosphere, friendly people, entertaining presentation of a relevant message, exciting fellowship activities throughout the week, personal interaction/interest from the ministry team... You get the picture.

Now, I'm glad my friend is serious about having a relationship with God. I'm happy that he takes seriously the Commandment to Keep Holy the Lords Day. Throughout (Judeo/Christian) history, the manifestation of keeping this Commandment has included attending community worship services on the Lords/Sabbath day. To do otherwise would be less than genuine and lack fidelity to the Gospel. But, his reasons for choosing which Christian community to be part of seemed to lack a very important element of the decision making process. Does the community proclaim the Gospel? Is what they teach true?

It seems at first blush to be a silly question. They use the Bible, it's Sunday, I'm at church listening to an ordained minister preach. I'm hearing the truth. As a new Christian, in the infancy of ones faith, there is a certain lack of perspective and an innocent ignorance that makes even thinking of this question not come to mind. After all, all Christians basically believe the same thing right? My friend was surprised to learn that certain "truths" he had been taught were not the same "truths" that the church accross the street teaches.

As an example, my friend had been instructed that the celebration of the Lords Supper, or Communion, is simply a symbolic rememberence of what took place between the Apostles and Christ. Specifically that the elements of bread and wine (or grape juice in his case), are simply symbolic of Jesus' body and blood and that they remain only bread and wine (juice) throughout the celebration of communion. Across the street, (literally) at the Lutheran Church they teach that it is not simply bread and wine (juice), but that something very remarkable occurs during the celebration of communion and the bread and wine (juice) undergo a transformation of their substance and also become the true body and blood of Jesus! How incredible! That is a significant difference in theology. A mile further up the road, the Catholics hold that not only does the substance of the bread and wine become the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ, they also cease in substance to be bread and wine while maintaining the appearance of bread and wine. When these differences are taken into account along with the fullness of divine revelation, one is confronted with a decision. What is the truth? This is the same question that Pontious Pilate asked Christ (John 18: 38).

I think too often the answer at which a person arrives is based on what they first were taught. A certain primacy of introduction if you will. Nobody wants to think that they have been wrong. Or perhaps they don't think what they believe to be true regarding a specific theological point is important, as long as they believe in the basic bedrock truths (very ironic).

To me, the answer to Pilate's question has to take in to account what has been professed by the followers of Christ throughout history with a continuity of substance. If a belief doesn't have a historical pedigree it's probably a tradition of men.

I don't want to use the same criteria for choosing a church that I use for choosing a restaurant or a concert or some fraternal community group like a book club or quilters guild. It certainly makes it more pleasant when getting together on Sunday is fun and entertaining but the truth is the real substance and is what matters most. Substance matters more than appearance. The same holds true for the reality of the Eucharist of Communion, the licitness of artificial contraception, and the choosing of a Church.

Quid Est Veritas?

Memorial Day

Today is a day to honor the fallen. Especially those who have fallen in battle in service to America.

I will highlight one such hero today. This hero epitomizes what it means to be an American, and more importantly, what it means to be a Christian. He was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions taking place in Quang Tin Province, Republic of Vietnam, 4 September 1967.

Lt. Vincent Capodanno was a member of the United States Navy Chaplain Corps. He was born in N.Y. City in 1929 and was a missionary priest with an religious order that is very active in Southeast Asia. When the United States became involved in the Vietnam War, Fr. Capodanno asked to be released from his missionary work to serve with the Navy Chaplain corps in Vietnam. There is a great book written in 2000 that tells the story of his life. The book is titled "The Grunt Padre" and was written by Fr. Daniel Mode, himself a Navy Chaplain. Below is the citation from his Medal of Honor.

Medal of Honor Citation

Awarded Posthumously To Capodanno, Vincent R.

Rank and organization: Lieutenant, U.S. Navy, Chaplain Corps, 3d Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein), FMF. Place and date: Quang Tin Province, Republic of Vietnam, 4 September 1967. Entered service at: Staten Island, N.Y. Born: 13 February 1929, Staten Island, N.Y. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as Chaplain of the 3d Battalion, in connection with operations against enemy forces. In response to reports that the 2d Platoon of M Company was in danger of being overrun by a massed enemy assaulting force, Lt. Capodanno left the relative safety of the company command post and ran through an open area raked with fire, directly to the beleaguered platoon. Disregarding the intense enemy small-arms, automatic-weapons, and mortar fire, he moved about the battlefield administering last rites to the dying and giving medical aid to the wounded. When an exploding mortar round inflicted painful multiple wounds to his arms and legs, and severed a portion of his right hand, he steadfastly refused all medical aid. Instead, he directed the corpsmen to help their wounded comrades and, with calm vigor, continued to move about the battlefield as he provided encouragement by voice and example to the valiant marines. Upon encountering a wounded corpsman in the direct line of fire of an enemy machine gunner positioned approximately 15 yards away, Lt. Capodanno rushed a daring attempt to aid and assist the mortally wounded corpsman. At that instant, only inches from his goal, he was struck down by a burst of machine gun fire. By his heroic conduct on the battlefield, and his inspiring example, Lt. Capodanno upheld the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the cause of freedom.

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The book details the activities on that battlefield from many of the eyewitnesses who are still alive today. One Marine who had been attended to by Fr. Capodanno just prior to Capodanno's death attributes his survival to Fr. Capodanno's assitance, but espescially his praying with him and holding him as the Marine lay wounded on the battlefield. He describes having a sense of peace fall over him as soon as Fr. Capodanno ministered to him.

The cause for Father Capodanno's sainthood was opened on May 21, 2006 when he was declared Servant Of God by the Church.

politics and leadership

all from G.K. Chesterton

"Men are ruled, at this minute by the clock, by liars who refuse them news, and by fools who cannot govern." - The New Name, Utopia of Usurers and Other Essays, 1917

"There is only one thing that stands in our midst, attenuated and threatened, but enthroned in some power like a ghost of the Middle Ages: the Trade Unions." - A Short History of England

"I would rather a boy learnt in the roughest school the courage to hit a politician, or gained in the hardest school the learning to refute him - rather than that he should gain in the most enlightened school the cunning to copy him." (ILN 8-31-12)


Except this one...

So much of what we call management consists in making it difficult for people to work.
Peter Drucker (1909 - 2005)

Immigration, President Fox, SAY WA

Mexican President Vicente Fox made a much publicized visit to Washington State yesterday. He first stopped in Washington's agricultural heart near Yakima. He visited an apple orchard and other agriculture related locations such as a fruit packing plant. I couldn't help but wonder if Fox was looking for work as his term will soon be up and he will be leaving behind a Mexican economy that is just a bad as the one he inherited. Perhaps that is why he is opposed to a crackdown on illegal immigration by our country. Here are some things that I know from experience.

1) I have seen Mexican immigrants, both illegal and legal, do work on my reletives farms. They are hard workers and are friendly. They are very thankful for the opportunity to work for a living.
2) I have seen whites that have the fortune of being born in the United States ask for work and get hired by these same reletives. Almost to a person they were lazy, ungrateful, and unfriendly. They wanted to be paid up front and couldn't be counted on to do a good job.
3) even with todays advanced industrial technologies, farm work is labor intensive. Contrary to popular opinion, American farmers are not rolling in the dough and getting rich at the expense of oppressed migrant workers.
4) the American agriculture industry is in grave danger from cheap foreign imports. China, and other countries, are planting millions upon millions of acres of farmland and are flooding the market with produce that truely does come from oppressed workers.
5) the United States has a duty to control the ingress of people through her borders. This is primarily a security issue.

Do we round up a kick out all people in this country who are illegal immigrants (don't give me that "undocumented workers" crap, thats like calling a tresspasser a untypical visitor)? I don't think so. The ones who can't provide proof that they are currently working or living in a household where there is a worker supporting them, they can be deported. If they don't want to become naturalized citizens, bye bye. Why should the United States have to support other countries welfare cases?

I will end with a question. Why hasn't Mexico, a North American country like the United States and Canada, been able to develope in to a 1st world country. What holds them back from true prosperity. The country is rich in natural resources. The Mexican people have a great work ethic. The nation has warm water ports on two oceans. What gives?