Local Art & Artists ~ Part 4 (Beirne, Zwers, Peterson and Kirk)

No, they are not a law firm. They are four artists listing among many at the "Focus on the Masters" web site.

Catherine Beirne works with various mediums, but the first item featured below (entitled "The Emperor") is oil on Canvas.

Gerald Zwers is both a painter and a sculptor. His watercolors focus on local landscapes, such as the untitled piece shown below. So far, very little of his work is listed on the web.

The third artist is Linda F. Peterson. A very engaging woman whom I had the chance to meet in person last weekend. She's a photographer, and some of her featured works are manually-manipulated prints. The item listed below (entitled "Coffee Shop") is the finished product of an intricate process. She starts with a Polaroid photo and lets it fully develop, cool and set for a few days. She then places it on a heating pad, and begins to minutely manipulate the emulsion of the photograph with various stylus'. She then lets it set & cool, then scans it and makes limited edition high-quality prints of the finished product.

Norman Kirk has been around for a long time, and is in a class all by himself. He tends to work mostly (though not exclusively) with watercolors. Last Saturday, I viewed one portrait of his entitled "Mission Padre" that was absolutely breathtaking. I'm only able to find a very small sample of his work online (none of which does him justice). The last item, below, is entitled "Dr. Pierce's Golden Medical Discovery".

Local Art & Artists ~ Part 3 (David Blackburn)

David Blackburn has mastered woodworking to an intricately beautiful art form, whether it be a Manzanita Root & Cherrywood box or a "Heritage Chest" (both featured below), a gnarled bowl, classy humidor, organic sculpture or a one-of-a-kind piece of furniture. All of his pieces are custom-made works of art.

Local Art & Artists ~ Part 2 (Seco and Len Steele)

Next up are two artists currently featured at Accolades Gallery.

First is large-scale acrylic painter, Seco, who's canvases center on the theme of classical music concert performances. Below are a couple samples.

The second artist is ceramic potter, Len Steele. Again, two samples are shown, below. (Unfortunately, not pictured are these gorgeous vases that have a shiny bronze neck with a matte cobalt blue base finish... they're just gorgeous.):

Local Art & Artists ~ Part 1 (Lee Hodges)

Three times a year, on a Saturday afternoon and evening, downtown Ventura transforms itself into an exhibition of various works of art from artists residing in the county. Dozens of local businesses, eating establishments, galleries & museums, and sidewalk stands put up on display for all to view some wonderful creations of artistic beauty. Some of the artists themselves will be there so that you can meet them, ask questions about their lives and their creations, or even buy a favorite piece that you know would be just perfect in your living room or den.

I've been wanting to post about these ArtWalk events over the past year, but I kept putting it off. There was yet another one just last Saturday, so I'll be posting about some of these incredible artists and linking to their websites.

First up is Lee Hodges, whom I've met on several occasions. Her acrylic and mixed media creations are Christian-themed, and are powerfully sublime. Below is my personal favorite, "Time of Decision". Below that is one of her most famous pieces, "Jacob's Dream":

Presidential Primaries Predictions here...

You heard it here first!

The Republican & Democratic candidates for President in the November 2008 General Election will NOT be any of the current cast of frontrunners: Not Guiliani, McCain nor Romney for the Republicans... not Hillary, Obama nor Edwards for the Democrats.

Although I'm currently keen on Duncan Hunter on the (R) side...

... the Republican and Democratic candidates will be battling for the state of Tennessee:

Fred Thompson (R) and Al Gore (D). The two former Senators from the Volunteer State.

Why? When you really think about what each of those six other candidates (individually as a complete package) have to offer, and then contrast that with what the base of each party is longing for (if not demanding of) in their potential candidate... and then really take a good look at the two guys I've mentioned... it becomes self-evident.


Remember, you heard it here first.

On Presidential Primaries...

I know I'm getting waaaaaaaay ahead of the game on this, but I had to toss this out there.

[sarcasm alert] Gee, the New Hampshire primary is soooooooooo important because we all know that Henry Lodge (over Goldwater in ‘64), Ed Muskie (over McGovern in ‘72), Gary Hart (over Mondale in ‘84), Paul Tsongas (over Clinton in ‘92), Pat Buchanan (over Dole in ‘96), and John McCain (over Bush in ‘00) all went on to become their respective party nominees.

And, what about the Iowa caucus? Hmmmmm... Ed Muskie, again (over McGovern in ‘72), “Uncommitted” (over Carter in ‘76... those Iowans might've been onto something there!), GH Bush (over Reagan in ‘80), Dick Gephardt (over Dukakis in ‘88), Bob Dole (over GH Bush in ‘88), and Tom Harkin (over Clinton in ‘92).

In other words..... oh puhleeeeease. The New Hampshire primary and Iowa caucus are only important to ego-centric politicos of those two tiny states (proving their self-importance whenever any other state sets primaries too close to theirs that they throw a hissy fit and cry that they'll move their dates as far back as November in order to keep their precious stature and importance in determining/crowning who they think should be prez).

The more that the process can change so that a wider variety of citizens from a larger swathe of the country can choose who are the best candidates for their respective parties (rather than handing that power to a select few) all the better. Anybody from the majority of the states knows that, unfortunately, their votes rarely count in the primaries because the nominees for both parties are already decided well before they ever get the chance to vote.

The general election is done on one day without any logistic problems for the candidates or the voters. There is absolutely no reason why the primaries cannot be held all on one day as well.... or, at most, on four/five dates over a two-month or less period.

Turkey is as Turkey does...

Steven Ray has recently been in Turkey for the filming of the last volume of his highly successful and informative "Footprints of God" video series, entitled "Apostolic Fathers: Handing on the Faith". You can read his blog notes about the experience in six successive posts: #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, and #6. While Steven and his crew were there, the senseless slaughter at Virginia Tech occurred. He stated in his third post,

"People often ask us if we are afraid to travel in Israel and Turkey. Are you kidding? I feel very safe here. I am wondering if I feel safe coming back to the USA!"

That was on the 18th. The following day was this news item:

"Three employees of a publishing house that distributes Bibles were murdered Wednesday in the latest attack against Turkey's Christian minority.

The three victims - a German and two Turkish citizens - were found with their hands and legs bound and their throats slit at the Zirve publishing house in the central city of Malatya, reported The Associated Press.

The publishing house has been the site of previous protests by nationalists accusing it of proselytizing in this 99-percent Muslim but secular country, reported Dogan news agency. Zirve's general manager said his employees had recently been threatened."

Additional news and details about the incident can be found here and here.

All of this being just the latest in a long, long series of murderous acts over many, many years from the hands of the Muslim world gives one pause. It also makes Ray's fourth post even more powerful.

"From my window just now, I counted no less than nineteen minarets! What are minarets? They are the tall slender towers above an Islamic mosque from which the muezzin calls the faithful to prayer... What happened to the churches?...

"[The] Hagia Sophia—the Church of Holy Wisdom... was the glory of Christendom and for over a thousand years it had the largest dome — until St. Peter's was built in Rome... But when the Muslims conquered Contantinople they defaced the church, painted over the golden icons of our Blessed Mother and turned the spectacular church into a mosque. The crosses came down and the minarets went up.

"It has been predicted that within fifty years Europe’s skyline will change. It will become a Muslim empire. Steeples will come down and minarets will go up. No longer will you hear bells – you will hear muezzin wailing from the balconies of slender minarets. And America?"

He summarizes:

"Oh, so you don't believe it can happen to us? Neither did the Byzantine Empire, the powerhouse of Christianity in the East! But, the East fell to Islam and the West may fall as well. Maybe not by military might, but by religious indifference, population control, and secularism. Islam can overtake us by persistence, population growth, and religious fervor.

What was once part of a powerful Christian Empire is now 99% Muslim. Out of a population of about 75 million, there are only 60,000 Christians (Catholic, Orthodox, Protestants, etc.). The past screams to us but will we listen."

Via the Meandering Monk, Fr. Stephanos, comes this post for some further perspective (reminding us that Turkey has been wanting very much to join the European Union). Additionally, Sandro Magister has a thought-provoking insight into the problems within the Muslim world.

Kasparov vs. Putin (Round One)

Way back in March of 2005 I had posted an article about former World Chess Grandmaster, Garry Kasparov, intending to retire from chess tournaments in order to consider a run against Russian President Putin sometime in the near future. Well, Putin may not be running for re-election in 2008, but he's already "thrown the first punch" against Kasparov (as per this article):

President Vladimir Putin ordered the FSB to combat extremism ahead of parliamentary elections in December and a presidential poll in March next year, which he is barred from contesting. Putin boosted the FSB's budget by about 30 percent and told a Jan. 31 meeting of security staff that they had a key role to play in keeping order through the election cycle.

Kasparov and former Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov organized marches against Putin in Moscow and St. Petersburg over the weekend that ended in Kasparov's arrest. Some 9,000 police were deployed at the Moscow rally, which ended with baton-wielding officers breaking it up. Kasparov said that 400 were arrested. Police put the figure at 130.

The article continues:

"About 75 percent of all officials in Russia today" have links with the FSB or police, Kasparov said. Putin made his career in the KGB, serving for several years in East Germany, and briefly headed the FSB. "Extremist charges are under the umbrella of the FSB," not the regular police, Kasparov said.

The Other Russia, a loose coalition led by Kasparov and Kasyanov, plans to hold more marches, perhaps in several cities simultaneously, Kasparov said. He said this would be a challenge to police, which deployed people from several regional forces for the April 14 march in Moscow.

Putin spokesman Dmitry Peskov denied the Kremlin sees Kasparov as an extremist, while adding that he couldn't comment on the FSB investigation into his activities.

Additional articles about the incident are in the New Zealand Herald, Twin Cities Newspaper (registration needed), Times OnLine (UK), and The Independent (UK). What's interesting is that this article via Yahoo News quotes former Soviet Union leader, Mikhail Gorbachev, as opposing Kasparov and the protesters and supports Putin.

Is that another Cold War chill in the air that I feel? *brrrrrrrrr*

U.S. Supreme Court Upholds Partial Birth Abortion Ban...

This is just a small step, but at least it's a step in the right direction. The Supreme Court of the United States today has upheld the partial birth abortion ban with a slim 5-4 vote. Justice Kennedy was the swing vote this time around. But, in order to make further strides, three things need to (must) occur from this point forward:

1) The eventual replacement of at least one if not more of the existing liberal judges on the court (Souter, Breyer, Ginsburg and Stevens),

2) A President who will continue to nominate constitutionally sound-minded, pro-life justices for any future vacancies (Stevens turns 87 next week, and Ginsburg has battled cancer in recent years),

3) A Senate with enough constitutionally sound-minded, pro-life members with a filibuster-busting majority who will vote to confirm said new justices.

The current make-up of the Senate will make it difficult for Bush to nominate such a justice should an opening occur between now and January 19, 2009. Come January 20, 2009, we'll need the beginnings of a serious a change in the Senate, as well as a President Duncan Hunter or President Fred Thompson.

Divine Mercy Novena ~ Day 9

"Today bring to Me the Souls who have become Lukewarm, and immerse them in the abyss of My mercy. These souls wound My Heart most painfully. My soul suffered the most dreadful loathing in the Garden of Olives because of lukewarm souls. They were the reason I cried out: 'Father, take this cup away from Me, if it be Your will.' For them, the last hope of salvation is to run to My mercy."

Most compassionate Jesus, You are Compassion Itself. I bring lukewarm souls into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart. In this fire of Your pure love, let these tepid souls who, like corpses, filled You with such deep loathing, be once again set aflame. O Most Compassionate Jesus, exercise the omnipotence of Your mercy and draw them into the very ardor of Your love, and bestow upon them the gift of holy love, for nothing is beyond Your power.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon lukewarm souls who are nonetheless enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. Father of Mercy, I beg You by the bitter Passion of Your Son and by His three-hour agony on the Cross: Let them, too, glorify the abyss of Your mercy. Amen.

Divine Mercy Novena ~ Day 8

"Today bring to Me the Souls who are in the prison of Purgatory, and immerse them in the abyss of My mercy. Let the torrents of My Blood cool down their scorching flames. All these souls are greatly loved by Me. They are making retribution to My justice. It is in your power to bring them relief. Draw all the indulgences from the treasury of My Church and offer them on their behalf. Oh, if you only knew the torments they suffer, you would continually offer for them the alms of the spirit and pay off their debt to My justice."

Most Merciful Jesus, You Yourself have said that You desire mercy; so I bring into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls in Purgatory, souls who are very dear to You, and yet, who must make retribution to Your justice. May the streams of Blood and Water which gushed forth from Your Heart put out the flames of Purgatory, that there, too, the power of Your mercy may be celebrated.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls suffering in Purgatory, who are enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. I beg You, by the sorrowful Passion of Jesus Your Son, and by all the bitterness with which His most sacred Soul was flooded: Manifest Your mercy to the souls who are under Your just scrutiny. Look upon them in no other way but only through the Wounds of Jesus, Your dearly beloved Son; for we firmly believe that there is no limit to Your goodness and compassion. Amen.

Divine Mercy Novena ~ Day 7

"Today bring to Me the Souls who especially venerate and glorify My Mercy, and immerse them in My mercy. These souls sorrowed most over my Passion and entered most deeply into My spirit. They are living images of My Compassionate Heart. These souls will shine with a special brightness in the next life. Not one of them will go into the fire of hell. I shall particularly defend each one of them at the hour of death."

Most Merciful Jesus, whose Heart is Love Itself, receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls of those who particularly extol and venerate the greatness of Your mercy. These souls are mighty with the very power of God Himself. In the midst of all afflictions and adversities they go forward, confident of Your mercy; and united to You, O Jesus, they carry all mankind on their shoulders. These souls will not be judged severely, but Your mercy will embrace them as they depart from this life.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls who glorify and venerate Your greatest attribute, that of Your fathomless mercy, and who are enclosed in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. These souls are a living Gospel; their hands are full of deeds of mercy, and their hearts, overflowing with joy, sing a canticle of mercy to You, O Most High! I beg You O God:

Show them Your mercy according to the hope and trust they have placed in You. Let there be accomplished in them the promise of Jesus, who said to them that during their life, but especially at the hour of death, the souls who will venerate this fathomless mercy of His, He, Himself, will defend as His glory. Amen.

Divine Mercy Novena ~ Day 6

"Today bring to Me the Meek and Humble Souls and the Souls of Little Children, and immerse them in My mercy. These souls most closely resemble My Heart. They strengthened Me during My bitter agony. I saw them as earthly Angels, who will keep vigil at My altars. I pour out upon them whole torrents of grace. I favor humble souls with My confidence."

Most Merciful Jesus, You yourself have said, "Learn from Me for I am meek and humble of heart." Receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart all meek and humble souls and the souls of little children. These souls send all heaven into ecstasy and they are the heavenly Father's favorites. They are a sweet-smelling bouquet before the throne of God; God Himself takes delight in their fragrance. These souls have a permanent abode in Your Most Compassionate Heart, O Jesus, and they unceasingly sing out a hymn of love and mercy.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon meek souls, upon humble souls, and upon little children who are enfolded in the abode which is the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. These souls bear the closest resemblance to Your Son. Their fragrance rises from the earth and reaches Your very throne. Father of mercy and of all goodness, I beg You by the love You bear these souls and by the delight You take in them: Bless the whole world, that all souls together may sing out the praises of Your mercy for endless ages. Amen.

Divine Mercy Novena ~ Day 5

"Today bring to Me the Souls of those who have separated themselves from My Church*, and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. During My bitter Passion they tore at My Body and Heart, that is, My Church. As they return to unity with the Church My wounds heal and in this way they alleviate My Passion."

Most Merciful Jesus, Goodness Itself, You do not refuse light to those who seek it of You. Receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls of those who have separated themselves from Your Church. Draw them by Your light into the unity of the Church, and do not let them escape from the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart; but bring it about that they, too, come to glorify the generosity of Your mercy.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls of those who have separated themselves from Your Son's Church, who have squandered Your blessings and misused Your graces by obstinately persisting in their errors. Do not look upon their errors, but upon the love of Your own Son and upon His bitter Passion, which He underwent for their sake, since they, too, are enclosed in His Most Compassionate Heart. Bring it about that they also may glorify Your great mercy for endless ages. Amen.

Divine Mercy Novena ~ Day 4

"Today bring to Me those who do not believe in God and those who do not know Me, I was thinking also of them during My bitter Passion, and their future zeal comforted My Heart. Immerse them in the ocean of My mercy."

Most compassionate Jesus, You are the Light of the whole world. Receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls of those who do not believe in God and of those who as yet do not know You. Let the rays of Your grace enlighten them that they, too, together with us, may extol Your wonderful mercy; and do not let them escape from the abode which is Your Most Compassionate Heart.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls of those who do not believe in You, and of those who as yet do not know You, but who are enclosed in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. Draw them to the light of the Gospel. These souls do not know what great happiness it is to love You. Grant that they, too, may extol the generosity of Your mercy for endless ages. Amen.

Divine Mercy Novena ~ Day 3

"Today bring to Me all Devout and Faithful Souls, and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. These souls brought me consolation on the Way of the Cross. They were a drop of consolation in the midst of an ocean of bitterness."

Most Merciful Jesus, from the treasury of Your mercy, You impart Your graces in great abundance to each and all. Receive us into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart and never let us escape from It. We beg this grace of You by that most wondrous love for the heavenly Father with which Your Heart burns so fiercely.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon faithful souls, as upon the inheritance of Your Son. For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, grant them Your blessing and surround them with Your constant protection. Thus may they never fail in love or lose the treasure of the holy faith, but rather, with all the hosts of Angels and Saints, may they glorify Your boundless mercy for endless ages. Amen.

Divine Mercy Novena ~ Day 2

"Today bring to Me the Souls of Priests and Religious, and immerse them in My unfathomable mercy. It was they who gave me strength to endure My bitter Passion. Through them as through channels My mercy flows out upon mankind."

Most Merciful Jesus, from whom comes all that is good, increase Your grace in men and women consecrated to Your service,* that they may perform worthy works of mercy; and that all who see them may glorify the Father of Mercy who is in heaven.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the company of chosen ones in Your vineyard -- upon the souls of priests and religious; and endow them with the strength of Your blessing. For the love of the Heart of Your Son in which they are enfolded, impart to them Your power and light, that they may be able to guide others in the way of salvation and with one voice sing praise to Your boundless mercy for ages without end. Amen.

Divine Mercy Novena ~ Day 1

"Today bring to Me all mankind, especially all sinners, and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. In this way you will console Me in the bitter grief into which the loss of souls plunges Me."

Most Merciful Jesus, whose very nature it is to have compassion on us and to forgive us, do not look upon our sins but upon our trust which we place in Your infinite goodness. Receive us all into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart, and never let us escape from It. We beg this of You by Your love which unites You to the Father and the Holy Spirit.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon all mankind and especially upon poor sinners, all enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. For the sake of His sorrowful Passion show us Your mercy, that we may praise the omnipotence of Your mercy for ever and ever. Amen.

Musically... something old, something new...

... something borrowed, something blue.


Thanks to the wife of a friend and colleague, I've been infected with an earworm.

I haven't been able to get rid of an old tune from between my ear canals for several days. Her husband's jazz trio was performing last weekend, and she said that they should add the 1972 Focus tune "Hocus Pocus" to their repertoire. And, if they can pull it off, musically, it would knock everybody out... because that song just rips! But it's also one of THOSE songs. Think I'm joking? Can't quite remember what that song was like? Go to iTunes and listen to the brief demo. You can thank me later.... and you can also hate me even later than that after you struggle to erase the song from your brain cells. It got so bad for me that I had to pick up a copy of The Best of Focus at my local CD shop (it's also available via Amazon.com).

Focus is an old progressive rock/classical/jazz fusion band from Holland, and "Hocus Pocus" was their big hit that mixed blazing guitars with... yodeling, and what can only be described as a vocal visitation from the "Family Guy's" character Quagmire. You come away with both jaw-dropping awe at their sheer talent and yet also a strange queasiness at their infusion of oddball whimsy.

That was the "something old." The "something new" was a copy of John Legend's latest CD, "Once Again." I've only listened to it once, so far. It's got some nice grooves and John has good chops, vocally (when he stays within his pocket). A couple tunes were a bit repetitious, but for the most part it appears to be a good CD. It's nice to finally hear more of these neo-soul artists as they finally edge out the tired and way-past-it's-expiration-date rap/hip-hop scene.

The "something borrowed" was also the "something blue"... a used copy of Duncan Sheik's "Brighter/Later" best of double-CD. I already have his 1996 self-titled CD as well as the 2002 CD "Daylight". This collection includes some tracks from those releases, as well as a few from Humming and Phantom Moon (and a few unreleased tracks). A few of the tracks are a bit too esoteric and maudlin (it's his style, and he doesn't shrink from it), but you always come across a nice handful of hauntingly beautiful tracks, including a cover of Joni Mitchell's "Court and Spark."

Frank talk about Baby Boomers and the WWII Generation that preceded them...

Late last month, Alan Capasso at Chesterton and Friends had an interesting post with regard to Baby Boomers, society at large, and the Church. He explains:

Our parents grew out of a very rough time of the Depression... then WW2, and they did not want their kids to suffer in any way. We became the focus of their entire attention - we asked for something, we got it - we felt bad, they held us, and they became the servants - we were the masters. The world got turned upside-down. We were placed center stage.

He added links to posts by both the Catholic Exchange and Barbara Nicolosi. Barbara doesn't hold back any punches, as this excerpt attests:

I know I must be missing some really positive great things that have come from all the Boomer’s innovations in the Church. But I don’t think we are going to be able to save those unless we have a real, real, real serious “Come to Jesus Moment” on the part of the grey-haired revolutionaries. I think, the Baby Boomer Crusaders need to shake off the self-righeous denial and help us out here by admitting where they went wrong. They need to say, “We over-stepped here.” “We lost a value there.” “This was a big mistake. HUGE.”

It also reminded my of another post from Alan Capasso back in January. It's a wonderful post that triggered distant memories in my brain... vestiges of my childhood and, even more so, of my parents' early adulthood. Below are excerpts from the posting (I urge you to read it in full):

It was a time when the standard form of family entertainment was impromptu ‘get-togethers’. On any given evening the doorbell might ring and a neighbor or two would pop in or we might walk next door and do the same. Saturdays were the best when several families might just decide to all gather at our house. I do not remember my parents making any calls or plans in front of us; people would just show up. I always enjoyed these little parties, it meant extended playtime with my friends but most of all they provided me an opportunity where I could spy on the mysterious world of adults. None of the parents minded we were in the room, as long as we practiced the manners we were vigorously taught or kept the noise to a “dull roar”.

These parties would always follow the dramatic form of a 3-act play. The first act was the “meet-and-greet”, several conversations at once, quick jokes and family updates... One of my father’s top sources of pride was being able to say, “No one leaves my house hungry and if they do it’s their own fault”...

The second act was when the men would separate from the women. It was then that the men could talk man stuff and the women could talk woman stuff. The rule for us children was the prepubescents could wonder between both groups but after puberty we had to separate too or “disappear”...

The third act was when the adults would all do the clearing up and putting away with some last jokes, promises to do this again and herding up the kids. The announcement for this last act to begin was when one of the men would say, “Let’s go join the ladies.” And my dad would always say, “Yes let’s, so we can make one big lady”.

I'm so depressed...

My brackets are busted.

Villanova loses in the first round. Texas A&M got bounced. Pitt & Kansas faultered. Vandy got screwed by the refs. North Carolina forgot how to play against Georgetown's predictable defense in the latter half of yesterday's game.

And the Final Four is now:

Florida (the team that knocked out Villanova in last year's tourney)
Georgetown (any Big East team, and especially Villanova, despises the Hoyas)
UCLA ('nough said)
and
Ohio State

By default, I'm rooting for Ohio State... but it's leaving a sour aftertaste.

*sigh*

A few slight changes to the blog...

As you can tell, there have been a few upgrades and changes to the blog. I've fully upgraded to the beta version of blogger (which is now no longer beta). I've made links easier to notice by coloring them red. My favorite blog links have been updated over on the left, and I've finally been able to re-attach my webring links to St. Blog's Parish and the Guild of Common Sense, as well as the Site Meter (all of which I had lost when I upgraded).

In addition, there are labels connected with the posts so that you (and I) can do keyword searches for posts on related subjects. I still need to go through some of the older posts to attach necessary labels. Most of the 2004 post were specifically related to the 2004 presidential campaign, so I don't see much point in labeling all of those posts. I'll need to scour through all of them just in case there may be a post here or there that may be worthwhile to label.

I'm hoping to do some more postings soon. In the meantime, enjoy the new layout. Feel free to visit some of my favorites over on the left column.

My Visual DNA...

(Hat-tip to Julie @ Happy Catholic):

Read my VisualDNA™ Get your own VisualDNA™

Fr. Frank Pavone visits my local parish...

Fr. Frank Pavone, National Director of Priests For Life, is visiting my local parish this weekend. Today, he's giving the homilies at all the masses, and he presided over the 10:30 liturgy. The Gospel reading for today was on the prodigal son, and Fr. Pavone's homily was wonderfully powerful yet even tempered. It is a blessing that he is one of the leaders in the pro-life cause.

To paraphrase a couple parts of Fr. Pavone's homily:

"Christ has taken our sins upon his shoulders, died on the cross, was laid in the tomb, and rose again. So, today, we should bury our sins in the tomb so that we may leave them behind, and we may rise to new life in Christ."

and:

"A sea turtle egg is protected by local, state and federal laws... and yet the unborn human life is not protected inside the mother's womb."

and again, paraphrasing:

"There are those who say that they themselves are against abortion, but it is up to the mother to choose... and we should not impose our opinions... it's none of our business. Is it none of our business if you are against stealing something, but it's another person's choice if they want to steal? Is it okay for someone to abuse a child, even though I am personally opposed to it? When the life of another human being is at stake, it is everyone's business."

You want brackets??? I'll give you brackets!!!

I'm already having second thoughts about my brackets... but I don't care. It's March Madness time! To quote a famous Andy Williams Christmas song,

"It's the most.... wonderful tiiiiiime.... of the yearrrrrrrr."

I'm thinkin' that the final will be North Carolina vs either Pitt or Kansas (although my heart always belongs to Villanova... even though their tuition nowadays is outrageously, insanely, overly expensive).

The "upsets" to look out for this year:

#3 Texas A&M and #4 Virginia in the South Region...

The winner of the #6 Vanderbilt/#11 George Washington match-up in the East Region...

#5 Butler, #6 Notre Dame and #10 Georgia Tech in the Midwest Region...

#5 Virginia Tech, #3 Pitt and (of course) #9 Villanova in the West Region.


P.S. I'm already down one loss (I'm not a fan of Bobby Knight, but I thought he'd get his team to at least win the opening game against BC, given that BC was without a key starter... c'est la vie).

It's MARCH MADNESS Time!!!

First off... I thought my alma mater (Villanova) was more deserving of a #7 seed. But, they can handle it, where they're at (first round against Kentucky - a different group of "Wildcats" - who were weak this season). There's a potential second round match-up against Kansas (but, remember, that Villanova beat Texas earlier this season).

I can't believe that the NCAA committee screwed up so much this year. How the frell can they exclude Syracuse, West Virginia, and Kansas State, while at the same time seeding the likes of Arkansas, Purdue, Indiana, Georgia Tech, Arizona, Stanford???

Add some more at-large seeds from the mid-majors, instead, if you're gonna keep out the 'Cuse (but the big conferences won't go for that, even though it was the mid-majors that made last year's first four rounds so friggin' exciting). Where's Drexel, Hofstra, Air Force, Missouri State, Marist, Vermont, Appalachian State, Akron???

I haven't filled out my brackets yet, but on first glance they made easy roads for Florida and G'Town for the first two rounds, while NC is stuck with the winner of the Marquette/Mich State matchup in the 2nd round, then they will most likely face Texas next, then the Hoyas to get to the Final Four. That's INSANE!

I think Texas A&M is my South Region Cinderella story. But that remains to be seen. Must bury my head in the voluminous stack of stats so that I can fill out my brackets.

Participating in a Walk For Life event this weekend...

This coming Saturday morning I will be helping to raise money for TenderLife Ministries by participating in their annual Walk-a-Thon. The organization (based in Ventura County, CA) has been doing wonderful work for over 22 years.

Per their website:

TenderLife is devoted to serving abandoned pregnant women and their children. We provide food, shelter, and personal growth opportunities in a caring environment where "mercy triumphs over judgement." ~ James 2:13

Running both a Maternity Home as well as two Transition Houses, they give young women hope, help, and healing.

If you feel so inclined, please donate to this worthy organization.

"The Jesus Tomb!... The Jesus Tomb!"

Michael Barber over at Singing In The Reign has been absolutely awesome in his detailed knockdown of the Cameron "documentary" that aired on the Discovery Channel earlier this week. Multiple posts abound:

Post 1 gets things started.

Post 2 begins the breakdown of the flawed theories.

Post 3 is a summary of the ossuaries.

Post 4 touches on Jesus & Mary Magdalene topics which surfaced yet again (didn't we just deal with this nonsense last year with The DaVinci Code?).

Post 5 tells us what's old is new is old news again.

Post 6 looks to the bodily resurrection of Christ.

And Post 7 looks at the so-called "odds."

"The sky is falling!... The sky is falling!"

The Anchoress linked to one of her older posts regarding global warming. She then followed up with a new post late last month.

PowerLine kicks in on the issue here.

Then there is the whole Al Gore "carbon offsets" fiasco pointed out in detail by ABC News (here), then Captain's Quarters (here), and RedState (here).

Then RedState follows up with a post (and a link to a recent National Geographic article) on the real cause of any global warming. And the Anchoress chimes in again regarding the 17,000+ scientists who don't tow the Gore party line on this non-issue of an issue.

Next, there's this one-time prominent proponent of global warming who now says otherwise. There's another scientist who has a 52-minute video of his scientific reasoning here.

And, finally, a UK "Channel 4" documentary gets into the mix, as well.

All of this is long and exhaustive, and chock full of links to more news and analysis. It's well worth the time to read through it all.

Dad's okay...

My Dad's back home from the hospital, and all the tests came back okay (including the CAT scan and the MRI). It appears that one of his medications was working a little too well and causing his pulse to drop too low while raising his blood pressure. So the docs decided to take him off the one med, feeling that it's no longer necessary.

So, thanks for all the prayers and well wishes!

Request for prayers...

A humble request for some prayers for my Dad who is currently in the hospital for some tests (including an MRI).

It's Ash Wednesday!

The Top-10 Catholic Stories of 2006...

Catholic World News has posted their annual "Top 10 Catholic Stories" of 2006. A brief run-down:

1. The Regensburg speech by Pope Benedict XVI

2. The new Vatican Secretary of State

3. The Pope's trip to Turkey

4. The Pope's first set of new cardinal appointments

5. Rome vs. Beijing

6. The expected revival of the Latin Mass

7. The excommunication of Archbishop Milingo

8. Pope Benedict's first encyclical, "Deus Caritas Est"

9. Catholic-Orthodox theological discussions resume

10. Boston archdiocese drops adoption services

Read the post for details.

Dale Ahlquist films Season 4 of EWTN's "G.K. Chesterton:The Apostle of Common Sense"

Dale Ahlquist (president of the American Chesterton Society) started filming the forth season of his wonderfully successful EWTN series "G.K. Chesterton: The Apostle of Common Sense" last month. Kevin O'Brien (an actor who has done many of the various re-enactments on the series) has posted a lengthy account of the filming experience over at his own blog.

False Jesus' (and why the stories persist)...

Anthony Sacramone (Managing Editor of First Things) has an interesting read on the persistence of various alternative "false Jesus" theories which continue to crop up in society from time to time (including in current media outlets such as novels, motion pictures, and television programs).

He touches on quite a few theories, from various forms of gnosticism, to science fiction-like explanations, to the so-called Jesus Seminar, to the DaVinci Code hype, to the bogus "gospels" of Thomas and Judas. Lots of links abound here, too.

The Myth of the Dark Ages...

Carl Olson has another great post over at Insight Scoop, debunking the myth of the Dark Ages and Medieval European society and the Catholic Church.

Lots of links included for further reading and research.

Women & the Priesthood...

Carl Olson (over at Insight Scoop) posted a succinct summary on the possibilty (or lack thereof) of women becoming priests within the Catholic Church.

The "money quote" comes from Pope John Paul II in his 1994 Apostolic Letter "Ordinatio Sacerdotalis":

"Although the teaching that priestly ordination is to be reserved to men alone has been preserved by the constant and universal Tradition of the Church and firmly taught by the Magisterium in its more recent documents, at the present time in some places it is nonetheless considered still open to debate, or the Church's judgment that women are not to be admitted to ordination is considered to have a merely disciplinary force.

"Wherefore, in order that all doubt may be removed regarding a matter of great importance, a matter which pertains to the Church's divine constitution itself, in virtue of my ministry of confirming the brethren (cf. Lk 22:32) I declare that the Church has no authority whatsoever to confer priestly ordination on women and that this judgment is to be definitively held by all the Church's faithful."

This is what is known as an infallible statement by the Pontiff to all of the faithful on a matter of faith. In other words, this is an unalterable and eternal doctrine of the Church.

So, to the Sister Chittister's of the world... enough already!

NAMM NAMM NAMM NAMM...

Last month was the big 4-day NAMM trade show in Anaheim.

What is NAMM? More specifically, what is Winter NAMM?

NAMM is the "North American Music Merchants" Association (although now it's really fully international). And the Winter NAMM trade show is the international trade show for the entire industry for the year. They have a smaller show in the summer, but the big one is in mid-January in Anaheim, California.

Imagine your local music instrument store in your neighborhood. Now imagine it on steroids. Now imagine it on Bonds/McGwire/Sosa/Palmeiro/Canseco/Giambi steroids. Now multiple that by 100. THAT is the Winter NAMM Show! Manufacturers and distributors of every type and model of equipment and supplies for music production (guitars, keyboards, drums, drum sticks, guitar picks, trumpets, pianos, all types of software and hardware, speakers, amps, cases, cables, sheet music, instructional materials, stands, lighting canisters, mixing boards, stomp boxes, etc., etc., etc., etc...).

It's one big music mall filling up practically the entire Anaheim Convention Center for four whole days so that retailers and wholesalers can check out the latest and greatest new items to sell in their stores or on their web sites. Industry press are also in attendance. So are quite a few famous (and many more not so famous, and even a few infamous) artists and musicians.

Where else can you see the likes of Steve Vai & Joe Satriani pimping themselves for publicity, catch a glimpes of Sinbad the comedian flashing his cheesy grin, stumble upon a florescent orange flying-V ukulele (and actual want to buy one), learn the intricacies of piano hammers (and be given a sample hammer free of charge from a desperate exhibitor), grow bunions and corns on your feet before the end of day one, drool in full-blown envy as you wish for one of each and every single item displayed throughout the convention center by day two, go deaf from the ambient noise by day three, and become nearly comatose by the beginning of day four.

Fun stuff! I took some pictures (a couple are a little blurry... sorry).

Welcome to the 2007 Winter NAMM Trade Show!


Below is a pic of former Yes/Moody Blues keyboardist Patrick Moraz (second from the right).



Next is Sinbad, very intrigued by our new SampleBase.com website. (to go live on May 1st):


Want a weird, new German guitar? (Tueffel "birdfish" Electric Guitar)


How about a Japanese Koyabu board?


Something for all you hard-core rocker chicks!


Ah, yes... the infamous florescent orange flying-V ukulele. It really does exist!


Gee, I wonder who this is?


So, now yah know what I look like. (Is that a good thing??? The jury's still out on that.)

Crowded House is coming back...

One of my all-time favorite bands, Crowded House, is currently in the studios finishing their first CD since 1993. Of course, they will be without drummer Paul Hester (who, sadly, committed suicide a couple years ago). But Neil Finn (guitar & vocals) and Nick Seymour (bass) are together, with Mark Hart on keyboards (he being the "4th" House-member, kinda like the "5th Beatle") adding to the creative fun. I wonder if Mitchell Froom will be producing the record.

Neil is the consumate tunesmith. Not only do I have every Crowded House recording, but I also have Neil's three solo CDs, as well as his two duo projects with his brother Tim Finn. I even have several classic Split Enz LPs and tapes.

"I don't know why sometimes I get frightened...
You can see my eyes. You can tell that I'm not lying..."

I've seen this "band from down under" live several times (including at the Trocadero in Philly way back when they were just starting out in '87). Their concert in (I think it was) late '91 at the Tower Theater just outside of Philly was absolutely incredible. Newcomer Richard Thompson was opening up for them on that tour, and he and several of his own band members came on stage at one point to add to the musical intensity. Crowded House' live rendition of my favorite song of theirs ("When You Come") was UN-BE-LIEV-ABLE! There's a live version available as part of their "Best of" CD release, "Recurring Dream" (not all of these CDs include the second "live" CD in the package). It's the closest proximity in energy and sound quality to that unforgettable live rendition.

It also looks like they will eventually be touring. I will DEFINITELY snag tickets to that concert if they swing by the L.A. area.

Lonely Hearts Urged to Pray to St. Raphael

News Story:

On this Valentine's Day, a Catholic organization is advising lonely hearts to pray to St. Raphael, one of seven archangels and the patron saint of "happy meetings."

"Many people have testified to the help they have received in finding a life partner through the prayerful help of the archangel," said Msgr. Keith Barltrop, director of the Catholic Enquiry Office.

"If something is for our good and happiness, then God will answer our prayers as we ask," he told The Telegraph.

The monsignor said he was certain every prayer would be answered but not always as expected.

"You might be praying for a tall, dark and handsome person to come into your life, or a beautiful brunette, but God may have prepared someone quite different but wonderful for you," he told the newspaper. "Prayerfully ask him, and find out for yourself."

I think I just got kicked in the pants...

Thanx, Julie D, for the wake-up call.

I don't have anything brand new to post just yet (including info from my time at the NAMM trade show last month). Until then, here's a little something I stumbled across a couple weeks ago (I can't remember from where... mayby Curt Jester.... maybe Ironic Catholic). Anyway, it made me chuckle.

The Seven Deadly Sins (in geometry form):



P.S. Oh, I do need to comment that the politics (and the musical cluelessness) is getting worse and worse at the Grammys. I lost all respect for the Academy when, back in the mid-80s, they gave the "Song of the Year" award (for best written song) to Bobby McFerrin for "Don't Worry, Be Happy." (a travesty to troubadours and tunesmiths everywhere) The Grammys have gone downhill fast since then. It was soon followed by Jethro Tull winning the first-ever "Best Heavy Metal Group" award. (???) Followed by Jewel winning for "Best New Artist" when her first CD was released over three years prior to her nomination. (!!!) Followed by Hillary Clinton winning for "Best Spoken Word Album." (#*&*@!) Followed by this year's winner in the same category, Jimmy Carter. (ugh!) Now the Dixie Chicks (I'm fighting the serious urge to substitute "Chicks" for the 4-letter s-word) win five awards. Lame... pathetic... and disheartening.

On Blogging Hiatus...

I know it's been quiet in here lately. But I've decided to take a bit of a blogging break. I may not be posting again until February, but check back weekly just in case.

Thanks to all of you faithful readers (all three of you).

The 12 Days of L.A. Christmas

Received this as a Christmas card at work last week. So true.... so, so true.
The 12 Days of L.A. Christmas
The artist is David Price (1998).

More info on the Church of the Ark of the Covenant found in the West Bank...

The following link has great high-res pix of Tel Shiloh - the "Church of the Ark of the Covenant" - recently found during an archaelogical excavation on the West Bank in Israel.

Barnett tackles the confusion over Shiites and Sunnis

Dean Barnett over at Hugh Hewitt's blog had an informative post on Shiites and Sunnis in a Q&A format. He also follows up with a response to one point of contention to a specific answer have originally gave.

The ACS Blog Anniversary Game...

I've been tagged by Nancy over at the American Chesterton Society blog (the society of which I'm a new member). Friday was their blog's first anniversary (woo-hoo), although the ACS itself has been around a lot longer than that (and we're all the better for it).

To celebrate, we thought we'd play a game, as Chesterton was quite fond of games; and like Chesterton, we've completely made it up our of our heads.

Here's how you play. You answer the following questions on your own blog (if you've got one--if not, answer in the combox). Then you send me the link, and after we get all the players' answers, I'll make a big post with all the links. I'm pretty sure this is an original idea. ;-)

So, get out your thinking caps, and answer the following:

1. When did you first read a Chesterton book, story, or poem, and which was it?
2. What was the most recent of GKC's writings you read?
3. Which is your favorite book, poem - or quote?
4. Which would you recommend to a beginner?
5. What is the most unusual fact or quirky detail you know about G.K.Chesterton?

In addition to playing our game, you are required, yes- required, to celebrate in one of the following ways: have a party on the roof, eat a meal on the floor, go outside your house and knock on the front door, entering it as if you've never been there before, play a long round of gype, go out your front door, traipse around to the back door, and knock.

Okay, here it goes:

1. When did you first read a Chesterton book, story, or poem, and which was it?
It was approximately six years ago. It was "The Man Who Was Thursday" and I was both thrilled and totally confused (GKC does that to you). I then read "Manalive" which was less confusing and even more hilarious.


2. What was the most recent of GKC's writings you read?
I'm 3/4 of the way through "Orthodoxy" (and I've underlined a lot because I know I'll need to re-read it again - at least twice more - in order to really let it sink in).


3. Which is your favorite book, poem - or quote?
When I finish reading at least a dozen more of his books I'll be better able to say which book is my favorite. I've read three so far (plus Dale's book "G.K. Chesterton: The Apostle of Common Sense", as well as Dale's wonderful series of the same name on EWTN.) Once I finish reading "Orthodoxy," and then finish GKC's "Heretics," "The Everlasting Man," "St. Thomas Aquinas," "St. Francis Assisi," "The Ball & The Cross" and "The Flying Inn" (all of which are patiently waiting on my bookshelf, along with Dale's latest book, "Common Sense 101"), then I'll tell you which is my favorite Chesterton book.

As far as quotes are concerned, there are many in "Orthodoxy." Here's one that he uses to sum up one series of arguments in the section titled "The Paradoxes of Christianity":

"The state of the Christian could not be at once so comfortable that he was a coward to cling to it, and so uncomfortable that he was a fool to stand it."

4. Which would you recommend to a beginner?
Yikes! I'm too green to be able to accurately answer that question. I think everyone says that it's not the one that they had read first themselves. Chesterton tends to do that to you. He makes you think, and he forces you to read the book again to get a clearer understanding of what he's trying to say... which is both utterly simple yet strangely complex.

5. What is the most unusual fact or quirky detail you know about G.K.Chesterton?
The fact that he (at least) once pulled out a gun and offered to shoot someone (context is everything with regard to this hilarious fact).

And, to celebrate, I knocked on my front door. Then, when I entered I said, "Honey, I'm home!" It's very depressing because I don't have a "Honey" to come home to. But, it is a home to one day have "Honey" in.

One day... hopefully. *sigh*

On the Miracle of Stars...

Orion is my favorite constellation, for a number of reasons. Paul Cella (over at RedState) has a nice little post on the wonderment we desperately need, and sometimes forget... until a child reminds you. And he mentions G.K. Chesterton in the process (a double bonus).

Just a fun website to check out...

Dark Roasted Blend has a lot of cool, quirky and hilarious pics throughout the various posts of this picture blog.

The "Flying Imams" Round-up...

What you wouldn't know about if you only got your news for the MSM. Great investigative reporting and commentary here and here.

Curt over at Flopping Aces has done an incredible job digging into this story.

Scanning the Political Playing Field for 2008...

This is still way too early, but John Hawkins (from RWN) has an article in Human Events in which he evaluates each of the suspected (or is that "suspect"?) and a few unsuspected candidates for the GOP presidential nomination in 2008. I'm sure he's do one for the Democrats in the near future.

I'm still recovering from last month's election cycle.

Call To Action called to account...

'Tis about time!

Now... if only the Pope would install Bishop Bruskewitz into the L.A. Archdiocese. One can only hope and pray.

A Little Biblical Archaeology...

"Archaeologists claim to have uncovered one of the world's first churches, built on a site believed to have once housed the Ark of the Covenant, reported the London Daily Telegraph."

This fascinating article can be read here.

Information Round-up on Pope Benedict's Trip to Turkey...

Dr. Robert Moynihan (over at Catholic Exchange) has a great article on Pope Benedict XVI trip to Turkey a little over a week ago.

Also, Against The Grain has an incredibly extensive round-up (text and links) on the entire 4-day Papal visit to Constantinopl.... ummm.... uhhh... to Turkey.

Wandering Throught the Desert with 50-year-old Adolescents...

Elizabeth Powers over at First Things touched on something that I have thought for some time. I call it, "Wandering Through the Desert with 50-year-old Adolescents." I'll have to expand on that thought some day.

"...There is a noisy contingent still trapped in [the 60s] and whose opposition to the war in Iraq comes straight from the sixties playbook, but such overtly anti-American attitudes haven’t, in the current conflict, gained much traction. After all, the Boomers have grown up, chronologically at least, and the liberals among them don’t relish camping in tents in Crawford, Texas, or even marching in the streets. They have also benefited most from America, Inc. By now, they have made it through the institutions, the media, the law, and the universities. They have paid off their mortgages. They enjoy the advantages of the best health care system in the world. They are about to receive not only Social Security but also the fruits of their considerable investment in retirement plans. The terms of their opposition to war and to authority have changed—the president is an incompetent—but, as in their youth, they remain averse to sacrifice. Their priorities are now those of people who have had a good life and don’t want to jeopardize it..."

It's time to take a shower again... a Leonid Shower!

Yep! Tonight's the night for the annual Leonid Meteor Shower. Things will be flaring especially in the Northeastern U.S. and Eastern Canada tonight. Hopefully, there will be clear skies for optimal viewing.

So, once again... make a wish upon a "falling star" (just remember to dress warmly).

THE AFTERMATH...

John Hawkins (of RWN) sums it up perfectly here at Human Events.

John goes into detail about each of the following key issues:

* Bush's Approval Rating
* Harriet Miers
* If Bush Won't Defend Himself, Then Who Will
* Illegal Immigration
* Gas Prices
* National Security Slippage
* Out-Of-Control Spending
* Republicans Behaving Badly

Then he sums up:

The bad news is that... the American people rejected the Republican Party. The good news is that they didn't do that because they rejected conservative principles, they rejected the Republican Party, for the most part, for not living up to those principles. That is a problem that can be corrected, especially since the voters don't like the Democratic Party very much either.

Read the whole thing.

I’m just disappointed that Rick Santorum (a great conservative and a great Catholic) got caught in the riptide. Part of it was political payback for his dis’ing Pat Toomey in the ‘04 Republican Primary challenge against incumbent R Sen. Arlen Spector. Part of it is that Casey “Empty Suit” Jr. has a famous family name (his dad was former governor of PA) and claims to be one of those extinct pro-life Demo-birds. I don’t buy it, given that Casey is now beholden to the hardcore left wing of the Democratic Party (with John Kerry having given him over half a million dollars to his campaign).

It’s now going to be that much tougher to get another Roberts/Alito/Scalia/Thomas/Rehnquist onto the U.S. Supreme Court once Stevens and Ginsberg retire (both possibly very soon).

VOTE!!!

Ask yourself one simple question before voting.

Don't know what that question is?

That's okay. Because your answer can be summed up in this one political cartoon. Remember it before you head to the polls today. And, yes, please do go to the polls today and...

VOTE!!!

So, who do the Terrorists want you to vote for on Tuesday???

If you have at least half a brain, you'd vote for the candidates they want to lose.

Iraq, Nukes, and Saddam to be Hanged...

Yes... Iraq was pretty far along in the process of manufacturing nuclear weapons. (surprise... surprise)

Meanwhile, Saddam has been sentenced to death by hanging.

Casey in PA (and another reason to vote to Santorum)...

Bob "Empty Suit" Casey, Jr., and the company he keeps. And then there's the pact he and a few others have made regarding future Supreme Court & Federal Appellate Court judicial nominations.

All the more reason to vote for Santorum on Tuesday!

A variety of Catholic news stories....

First up is Fr. Richard Neuhaus' take on the inner wranglings at the National Leadership Roundtable on Church Management. It makes for some interesting reading.

Things are also afoot at Georgetown University. It's already not my favorite place of higher education, given that I'm a Villanova graduate. But, an endowment chair in the name of a pro-abortion priest? You're kidding me, right? *sigh*

Pope Benedict ends a short-termed indult regarding the purification of Communion vessels. To help stem sacrilegious abuses during and after masses, Extraordinary Eucharistic Ministers are no longer allowed to do the purifications.

Papa Ben has also been giving audiences on the 12 Apostles. Jimmy Akin has the links to the text of his talks here. Apparently, the Pontiff is not done yet (more to come).

Cardinal Claudio Hummes, recently chosen by Pope Benedict XVI as Prefect of the Congregation for Clergy, issued two statements last week. One was in reference to the controversial and short-lived "liberation theology" (which got several priests and religious in trouble in the 80s), and its ties to Marxist Communism. The second on the need to set higher standards in seminaries for priest and religious formation.

And, finally, the BBC has admitted to anti-Christian bias.

(hat tip to RCB for that last story, as well as the one on Communion vessels)

Zell Miller stumping for Santorum!

This just in from CNN:

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Former Sen. Zell Miller, a Georgia Democrat who supported President Bush in 2004, will head a new group of Democrats supporting Pennsylvania GOP Sen. Rick Santorum's reelection bid.

"I am not involved in any other race in the country," Miller said during a radio interview Monday, according to a news release from Santorum's campaign. "I am only doing this for Rick Santorum. I believe in Rick Santorum's leadership that much."

Santorum is trailing in publichttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gif polls to his Democratic challenger Bob Casey, Jr.

Miller alienated his Senate Democratic colleagues two years ago when he endorsed Bush and campaigned for him in his successful reelection bid against Sen. John Kerry, D-Massachusetts. And in a fiery speech at the 2004 Republican National Convention, Miller criticized Kerry's military strategy.

"This is the man who wants to be the Commander in Chief of the U.S. Armed Forces," Miller said. "U.S. forces armed with what? Spitballs?"

(Hat Tip to PoliPundit)


I've been saying a Novena (to St. Jude) for Rick, leading up to election day. I voted for him in 1994 when I was still a Pennsylvania resident. Can't vote for him now, since I'm a Californian, but I can certainly pray for him.

End of Ramadan Warnings...

Could be real... or it could be just rhetoric, but here's a recent warning regarding possible new strikes against the West (both here and abroad):

"The new al-Qaida field commander in Afghanistan is calling for Muslims to leave the U.S. – particularly Washington and New York – in anticipation of a major terror attack to rival Sept. 11, according to an interview by a Pakistani journalist..."

Read the full story here.


Another story comes a month later, reiterating the warnings:

"Another Pakistani journalist is reporting receiving another threat – this one from a senior Taliban leader – warning all Muslims to leave the U.S. in anticipation of a major terrorist attack before the end of Ramadan.

The head of the Islamabad-based al-Quds Center reported receiving an audio message from Mullah Masoom Afghani urging U.S. Muslims to get out of the country "because Allah's punishment would fall on America in the month of Ramadan."

Muslims are observing Ramadan this year Sept. 24 to Oct. 23..."

Read the full story here.

Another Foiled Plot...

"A British Muslim terrorist mastermind faces life in jail after he admitted plotting a radioactive 'dirty bomb' attack in the UK and a string of devastating atrocities in the USA..."

Read more here.

November 7th Election... in just 50 words

The reason why we all should be voting for U.S. Senators and Representatives with an (R) next to their name come this November 7th... in just 50 words:

Ted Kennedy
John Kerry
Hillary Clinton
Harry Reid
Patrick Leahy
Barbara Boxer
Patty Murray
Russ Feingold
Chuck Schumer
Richard Durbin
Christopher Dodd
Joe Biden
Barbara Mikulski
Paul Sarbanes
Frank Lautenberg
Nancy Pelosi
John Conyers
Charles Rangel
Barney Frank
Dennis Kucinich
Jim McDermott
John Murtha
Henry Waxman
Maxine Waters
Howard Dean


(do you really want these people in power???.... 'nough said)

An extremely quick series of reviews of seven films now out on DVD...

(1) The Pink Panther (with Steve Martin and Kevin Kline) --- has a few laugh-out-loud moments, but the flick falls flat too often. It's hard to live up to Peter Sellers classics, even if you're Steve Martin. The opening animation is the best part of the movie. I'd love for someone to put all of the opening credit animations from all of the Pink Panther films back-to-back for a nice 30-minute short! This one gets only 2 wine bottles out of 5.


(2) The Unfinished Life (with Robert Redford, Morgan Freeman and Jennifer Lopez) --- a nice drama, though a bit slow-paced. I get really tired, though, of Redford and Freeman playing the same exact characters they always play in every friggin' movie. And JLo can't act her way out of a paper bag. It's a decent family drama (with an ending that doesn't quite cover all the bases). This one gets a modest 3 wine bottles out of 5.


(3) The Inside Man (with Denzel Washington, Clive Owen and Jodie Foster) --- a decent thriller that keeps you guessing. It's a popcorn movie that's really not meant to be over-thought, 'cause you figure out the end of the film by listening to Owen's character at the very beginning of the film. It's a surprising turn for director Spike Lee, and for that I'll give this film 3 wine bottles out of 5. But you're average police department would have everyone behind bars without any problems. So, enjoy the popcorn.


(4) The Lost City (with Andy Garcia, Dustin Hoffman and Bill Murray) --- Garcia is the director and producer of this pet project set in Cuba in 1959 (just as the revolution was about to hit the island nation). The film is beautifully shot, with absolutely wonderful music throughout. The film is a little long (approx. 2-1/2 hours), but it's a glorious film that peels back the nearly 50-year facade of Castro's communist state. The documentary in the extras on the DVD is worth watching afterwards, as well. This Casablanca-esque film is worth a good 4 wine bottles out of 5.


(5) Mother Theresa (with Olivia Hussey) --- a wonderful film about the life and missionary work of Mother Theresa, portrayed incredibly by Olivia Hussey (of "Romeo & Juliet" fame). There are a couple points towards the end of the film that feels rushed, and it causes some confusion in the storyline. But, overall, it's a decent film about an extraordinary woman of profound spirituality. It's on par with the ABC mini-series on Pope John Paul II with portrayals by Cary Ewes and Jon Voight). Actually, both films mentioned here get 4 wine bottles out of 5.


(6) Three Buriels of Melquiades Estrada (with Tommy Lee Jones as lead actor and director, and Barry Pepper) --- The most convoluted, condescending, stupid, ill-written, poorly acted waste of 2+ hours of film in quite a few years. Set in modern day southwestern United States, where everyone is crude and immoral (except for the illegals coming across the border, of course). The film doesn't even make sense (such as when Jones' character takes a very long, roundabout way to cross the border into Mexico when he was originally only a couple minutes away from the border with plenty of lead-time to do so). Or when Pepper's character (whom Jones has been dragging across into Mexico) is completely passed out, then suddenly is wide awake when it's time to cross the river, then once they cross the river he's passed out again. Or when - in that same scene - the authorities have them cornered (with a helicopter, too) - yet suddenly they're able to cross the border unscathed in silence. Or when Pepper's character is bit by a poisonous snake and is hiding in a cave dying from his wound, but is suddenly found with ease and is later "cured" by poking a hot knife on the bite wound. Or the fact that the ONLY person throughout the entire film to be able to smell the decaying corpse of Melquiades Estrada (aside from Pepper's character) is a blind man in the outback. No one - and I mean NO ONE - else smells the corpse. This film is so bad (with a blatant pro-illegal immigration agenda, despite its surreal ending) that I rate it with one-half of one glass of “corked” (spoiled) wine. I’d have rather sipped from a glass of vinegar. In a word... bad. Jennifer Lopez’ “Gigli” bad.... Mariah Carey’s “Glitter” bad. Stupid and bad!!! But what do you expect from Al Gore's college roommate?


(7) Three Times (foreign film out of Taiwan, with subtitles) --- three wonderful stories about various aspects of love (requited and unrequited), set in three different eras in Taiwan: a pool hall in 1966; a brothel in 1911, and a contemporary setting in 2005. This film moves very, very slowly. But it's enticing with its call for patience from the viewer while showing a lack of urgency from its characters in a trio of vignettes. If you like Kirosawa's "Dreams", then you'll like this film. I give it 3-1/2 wine bottles out of five.

A more comprehensive reading list on the B16 kerfluffle at Regensburg...

First... read the entire speech by Pope Benedict XVI on September 12 at Regensburg University to get it in its proper context.

Next thing to read are excellent commentaries at First Things by Robert Louis Wilken, then by Ryan T. Anderson, and two by FR. Richard John Neuhaus (here and here).

Then read this great commentary by Fr. Joseph Fessio (Provost of Ave Maria University and founder of Ignatius Press - which publishes all of Pope Benedict's books in English). And follow it up with another great commentary by Sandro Magister in Rome.

Then read this follow-up speech by Pope Benedict upon meeting the Muslim leaders on September 25.

Next is a brief history lesson on the crusades here (by Jimmy Akin) and here (by Thomas Madden). Plus further information about Islam and violence here.

And, finally, there is this intriguing summation about the intercession of the Virgin Mary here.

Plaintiff in Doe v. Bolton case says ACLU attorney pushed her to have abortion...

Something you do not get the chance to read about in the news:
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The U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled to reconsider next week its landmark 1973 Doe vs. Bolton abortion decision, in response to a lawsuit brought by the case's original plaintiff, who claims she was pressured by ACLU attorneys to opt for abortion and that the case was based on fraud.

Like Norma McCorvey, the original "Jane Roe" of Roe v. Wade, Sandra Cano was "Mary Doe" of 1973's other historic abortion decision. Together, "Roe" and "Doe" eliminated all state laws prohibiting abortion and legalized abortion. Cano's case in particular – because of the "health exception" for the mother it created – opened the door to abortion on demand, for virtually any reason, at any stage of pregnancy up to the moment of birth...

...Both Cano and McCorvey are attempting to overturn the two abortion cases that bear their names, each claiming their case was based on fraud...

... On June 23, 2005, Cano testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee for the Constitution, Civil Rights and Property Rights...

..."I am Sandra Cano, the former 'Doe' of Doe v. Bolton. Doe v. Bolton is the companion case to Roe v. Wade. Using my name and life, Doe v. Bolton falsely created the health exception that led to abortion on demand and partial birth abortion. How it got there is still pretty much a mystery to me. I only sought legal assistance to get a divorce from my husband and to get my children from foster care."

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Read the entire news story here.

The Terrorism Timeline...

OCTOBER REMINDER

What is the common denominator with regard to the following list of events (and this is by no means a complete list)?

Sep 19, 2006 --- Military coup in Thailand by a Muslim General.

Sept 2006 --- Threats to assassinate Pope Benedict XVI.

Sep 12, 2006 --- Failed U.S. embassy attack in Damascus, Syria.

Aug 10, 2006 --- UK to USA flights (arrests made - foiled plot to involve 10 airplanes over Atlantic Ocean)

Jul/Aug '06 --- Hamas & Hezbullah (kidnapping and bombing of Israel)

Jul 31, 2006 --- Koblenz & Dortmund, Germany (two unexploded suitcase bombs on trains found)

Jul 11, 2006 --- Mumbai (Bombay), India (train bombings)

Jun 3, 2006 --- Toronto, Canada (17 arrested - foiled plot to use 3 tons of explosives in Toronto)

Mar 7, 2006 --- Varanasi, India bombing

Oct 1, 2005 --- Bali bombing (two locales)

Jul 7, 2005 --- London bombing (trains/underground)

Thru-out '05 --- repeated suicide bombings throughout Israel

Thru-out '05 --- Paris riots

Sep 9, 2004 --- Bali bombing (Australian embassy)

Sep 4, 2004 --- Beslan school hostage (Chechen)

Mar 11, 2004 --- Madrid bombing (trains)

Aug 5, 2003 --- Jakarta bombing (Marriott Hotel)

Oct 26, 2002 --- Moscow theater (Chechen)

Oct 12, 2002 --- Bali bombing (Kuta)

Thru-out '02 --- Daniel Pearl and others kidnapped and beheaded

Dec 13, 2001 --- New Delhi, India (Parliament bombing)

Oct 29, 2001 --- New Delhi, India (bombing)

Sep/Oct, ‘01 --- Anthrax letters in the U.S. Postal delivery (5 dead, 21 illnesses)

Sep 11, 2001 --- WTC/Pentagon/Western PA

Oct 12, 2000 --- USS Cole attack

Dec 31, 1999 --- The failed attempt at major terror attacks on the Millennium (thanks to a sharp Washington State border patrol officer who stopped one of the terrorists trying to drive across the border, and found explosive materials in the trunk of the car.)

1999 --- Second planned attempt to assassinate Pope John Paul II in Manila (the Pope cancelled trip due to illness)

Aug 7, 1998 --- Nairobi (bombing of US Embassies – Kenya and Tanzania)

Jun 25, 1996 --- Saudi Arabia (Kobar Towers bombing)

Jan 1995 --- Planned assassination attempt of Pope John Paul II in Manila (Ramzi Yousef injured himself before the attempt)

In 1995 --- attempted airline bombing plot over Pacific Ocean

In 1994 --- Buenos Aires Jewish Center bombing

Oct 3, 1993 --- Mogadishu, Somalia (Black Hawk Down)

Feb 26, 1993 --- NYC (the first WTC bombing)

Dec 21, 1988 --- PanAm 103 (Lockerbie, Scotland)

In 1985 --- TWA flight 847 hijacking (Athens, Greece)

Oct 7, 1985 --- Achille Lauro (cruise ship killing)

Oct 23, 1983 --- Beirut (US Marines barracks bombed)

May 13, 1981 --- Assassination attempt of Pope John Paul II by Turkish Muslim, Mehmet Ali Ağca (hired by Soviets)

1979-80 --- Iranian hostage crisis (444 days)

Sep 5, 1972 --- Munich (Olympics - Israeli hostages killed)