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
6/23/2006
6/20/2006
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
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
Pyro
6/17/2006
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.
6/15/2006
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.
6/13/2006
6/11/2006
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
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
6/08/2006
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.
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.
6/06/2006
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
Pyro
6/03/2006
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?
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?
5/28/2006
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.
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.
5/25/2006
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)
"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?
5/23/2006
BIRD FLU ALERT
Fox news is carrying a story that the World Health Organization is reporting the possible person to person transmission of the Avian Flu virus (H5N1 virus). Up until now, it has been the belief that all human cases were contracted from infected birds. What does this mean for us? If you haven't started preparing yourself and your family for a flu pandemic you should really get serious about doing so. Here is the government plan for a possible pandemic. What can you do?
Make sure you have a disaster prep kit at your home.
1) Have a quality first aid kit, focus on trauma, environmental emergencies, and whatever special needs medications & equipment that are specific to your family
2) Water. the average person needs at least 1 gal of water per day for consumption, food prep, and hygiene. Most disaster prep books recommend a 3 day supply. As we all saw in New Orleans it would be more prudent to have at least a two week supply.
3) Food: the simpler the better. I'd pack canned/ready to eat meat, vegetables, and fruit. Stay away from things that need to be cooked or heated. Energy bars and a supply of multi-vitamins should also be included.
4) Medication: as we saw in New Orleans, this could be a matter of life or death. Diabetics were dying simply because their 3 day supply of insulin was exhausted.
5) store other tools, clothing, and supplies as appropriate. (click here for examples)
6) firearm: the sad fact is that when things went poorly in the New Orleans disaster, it didn't take long for a major American city to become a dog eat dog third world slum. In many instances the lawless and ill prepared took advantage of the situation and stole other people life sustaining food, water, and shelter. Don't let that happen to you, we have a second amendment for a reason. If they want to steal your food and water, give em some lead instead.
New Ship testing
So if you were the United States Navy where would you go to test new ship designs? If your answer was Lake Pend Oreille in North Idaho you would be right! The lake, which is the fourth deepest in the U.S. at 1100+ feet, has been used for decades by the Navy to test submarine technology. Now, for the first time, it is being used to evaluate some new skimmer (surface ship) technology. The test platform is a 1/4 size model based on the next generation Destroyer DD(X). The model was built by Dakota Creek Industries of Anacortes, home of the fighting Seahawks!!
The model is testing some new water jet propulsion system (catapiller drive?) along with alternative power systems that are supposed to make her much quieter when underway. The hull design is also new, incorporating much stealth technology borrowed from the Air Force.
I think the concept is very interesting and will improve our Navy's ability to fulfill it's primary mission, maintain sea dominance. The only drawback as far as I'm concerned is that ships have a certain beauty and grace, this new ship doesn't maintain that traditional shape. But, I'll never be one to choose appearance over substance.
In the end DD(X) is just another target for submarines like all the other surface ships.
p.s. notice how much the DD(X) looks like a surfaced submarine?
Pyro
5/22/2006
Some new links
Here are a couple of new links. One is to the Pope Benedict XVI fan site, pretty much self explanatory.
The other is to the American Chesterton Society website. If you've never heard of Chesterton, it's a must see. Unless you don't like to read things that intelligent people wrote, (and that's entirely possible since your reading my blog right now). Here is an example of something Chesterton wrote.
"Without authority there is no liberty. Freedom is doomed to destruction at every turn, unless there is a recognized right to freedom. And if there are rights, there is an authority to which we appeal for them." (G.K.'s Weekly, April 28, 1928)
The other is to the American Chesterton Society website. If you've never heard of Chesterton, it's a must see. Unless you don't like to read things that intelligent people wrote, (and that's entirely possible since your reading my blog right now). Here is an example of something Chesterton wrote.
"Without authority there is no liberty. Freedom is doomed to destruction at every turn, unless there is a recognized right to freedom. And if there are rights, there is an authority to which we appeal for them." (G.K.'s Weekly, April 28, 1928)
5/21/2006
Armed Forces Day
Yesterday I had the great pleasure of attending the Bremerton Armed Forces Day parade. What a great parade. For nearly two and half hours there was non stop action as one entry after another passed in front of the kids and I. They say that the Bremerton parade is the largest in the country. The parade was led off by a joint services color guard followed by the "I" corps band from Ft. Lewis. The military grand marshall was COMSUBPAC (the two star admiral in charge of all the Pacific Ocean submarines). The civilian grand marshall was Sgt. John D. (Bud) Hawk, a Congressional Medal of Honor recipient from WW II. Bud is a longtime Bremerton resident and is a fixture in the annual parade. There were many other bands, military groups, general entrants, very cool. One of the highlights was a flyover from a C-17 from the Air Force base at McChord. About the only thing in the parade that I didn't like was the Shriner/Freemason entries. They must have been going by for 10-15 minutes. They wear their pseudo arabian outfits and play kazoos, bang cymbols and drums, and generally produce a sound that is as silly and annoying as seeing a bunch of 65+ year old men wearing Fred Flintstone poohbah hats riding on mopeds doing tricks. Whatever...
My favorite thing from the parade would have to be what my daughter said to me after it was over. She told me how proud she was to be an American and how when the jet flew over when all the soldiers were marching by it made her cry for love of her country. God Bless America.
I'd just like to say thank you to all those people I know in the Armed Forces and to the veterans. And I especially honor those Americans that have fallen in the service of our country. Now, be a good American and go read the Gettysburg Address.
5/18/2006
American Idol
What is it about American Idol? I feel like such a slave to pop culture and I'm loathe to admit it but, I love American Idol. I've watched the current season form the beginning. I was a big Paris fan and a big Taylor Hicks fan from the get go. I liked Paris because her speaking voice was small and squeeky, then she would sing in a big Motown type voice and just blow you away. She is one 17 year old who has a big future in the industry. Then Taylor was just like some type of throwback to 60's soul or 30's, 40's, and 50's standards, he even moves like Joe Cocker. I like them because they aren't like the pop cookie cutter stars who all sound the same. Maybe the Spears and Aguilera type stars are going away. My friends all make fun of me for being a fan of the show. Maybe I've been duped by the TV industry. I don't know, but oh well...
5/17/2006
New Archbiship of Washington DC
Pope Benedict XVI has named Pittsburgh Bishop Donald Wuerl as Cardinal McCarrick's replacement. Often, the Pope will allow a Bishop to remain in place well after the mandatory retirement age of 75. This will not be the case with Cardinal McCarrick. There could be several ways of looking at this. One way is that Cardinal McCarrick is wanting to fade away from the public spotlight and relax in retirement. Another way to look at it is that the Pope wants to help alter the course of the American episcopate. Again, the Pope could just be showing that he intends to adhere closely to the rules which are in place as opposed to making exceptions the rule.
Cardinal McCarrick in my memory was unremarkable in his highly visible role as Cardinal Archbishop of Washington D.C. He had many opportunities to staunchly defend life and to stop the scandal of pro-abortion politicians visibly and publicly participating in the Sacramental life of the Church at Mass through the reception of Holy Communion. Bishop Wuerl had much the same stance however, so perhaps there will be no change. Maybe Bishop Wuerl, in his new role, will feel less compelled to adhere to the principle of collegiallity and more compelled to adhere to orthopraxic principles.
One thing for certain though, Bishop Wuerl is an accomplished teacher of the faith.
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