You might remember my post about the clown who is charged with the Obama Administration's anti terror strategy. Well, he is at it again. Apparently, exercising free speech about an ineffective President is tantamount to supporting terror.
In an oped in USA Today, John Brennan -- Assistant to the President and Deputy National Security Advisor for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism -- responds to critics of the Obama administration's counterterrorism policies by saying "Politically motivated criticism and unfounded fear-mongering only serve the goals of al-Qaeda."
Well, at least it is a new spin. The rest is here.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Monday, February 8, 2010
Polar Bear Attack
Horrifying pictures of a man being attacked by a polar bear. Click here for the pictures. Not for those readers with weak constitutions. Twirl of the nightstick to my favorite Friar for this one.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
New Blog I am following
I recently stumbled upon a great blog worthy of your attention, the Mudville Gazette. You can click the link in this post or find it in my blog roll in the sidebar. Good stuff!
More ranting about guitars in church
For you fellow Catholics out there who wonder how they ever managed to sneak guitars and the like in to Holy Mass. I offer you a perspective from the extremely knowledgeable Reverend Know it all.
Let me summarize. We are supposed to have most of the Mass in Latin. Nothing is said about Mass facing the people. We are supposed to use mostly Gregorian chant. If we use a musical instrument, we are mostly to use the organ. The local language can have some appropriate place, as can local music and other instruments than the organ if they are dignified. I suppose this rules out the banjo, the bagpipes, and the kazoo, all three of which I am personally quite fond. These innovations are to have some place when pastorally appropriate. In fact, they have crowded everything else out, like a fat man on a city bus. In other words, my dear, you have been lied to. What happened to the Roman Catholic Mass that created and sustained Western art and culture for almost two thousand years has been a travesty. When Mass was a thing of mystery and beauty the churches were full. Now they are often empty. We have truly made sows’ ears out of silk purses. Who did this horrible thing? Well, among others, Rembert Weakland.
For some relevant data about Rembert Weakland click here. And for the rest of this very informative post visit Reverend Know it all.
Let me summarize. We are supposed to have most of the Mass in Latin. Nothing is said about Mass facing the people. We are supposed to use mostly Gregorian chant. If we use a musical instrument, we are mostly to use the organ. The local language can have some appropriate place, as can local music and other instruments than the organ if they are dignified. I suppose this rules out the banjo, the bagpipes, and the kazoo, all three of which I am personally quite fond. These innovations are to have some place when pastorally appropriate. In fact, they have crowded everything else out, like a fat man on a city bus. In other words, my dear, you have been lied to. What happened to the Roman Catholic Mass that created and sustained Western art and culture for almost two thousand years has been a travesty. When Mass was a thing of mystery and beauty the churches were full. Now they are often empty. We have truly made sows’ ears out of silk purses. Who did this horrible thing? Well, among others, Rembert Weakland.
For some relevant data about Rembert Weakland click here. And for the rest of this very informative post visit Reverend Know it all.
Schizophrenic Web Design
Compliments of my West Coast colleague the Diginatrix I present for your consideration the Worst Designed Website in the World. It is incredibly bad. Enjoy!
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
The Voodoo that you do
Max Beauvoir, Haiti's "supreme master" of voodoo, alleged his faith's opponents had deliberately prevented much-needed help from reaching followers of the religion, which blends the traditional beliefs of West African slaves with Roman Catholicism.
"The evangelicals are in control and they take everything for themselves," he claimed. "They have the advantage that they control the airport where everything is stuck. They take everything they get to their own people and that's a shame.
Okay, I have an idea. Lets shut down the airport in Port au Prince for 4 hours to let all of the aid planes from other Voodoo cultures land and off load their aid. Okay, four minutes then. But its only fair.
The rest here. Yum yum eat em up.
"The evangelicals are in control and they take everything for themselves," he claimed. "They have the advantage that they control the airport where everything is stuck. They take everything they get to their own people and that's a shame.
Okay, I have an idea. Lets shut down the airport in Port au Prince for 4 hours to let all of the aid planes from other Voodoo cultures land and off load their aid. Okay, four minutes then. But its only fair.
The rest here. Yum yum eat em up.
Good for them
I personally think they are a bit daffy but in the interest of Freedom of Religion this is probably a good thing.
DENVER – The Air Force Academy has set aside an outdoor worship area for Pagans, Wiccans, Druids and other Earth-centered believers, school officials said Monday.
A double circle of stones atop a hill on the campus near Colorado Springs has been designated for the group, which previously met indoors.
The stones were moved to the hilltop last year because erosion threatened to make them unstable in their previous location near the visitors center. Crews arranged them in two concentric circles because they thought it would be a pleasant place for cadets to relax, Longcrier said.
When Longcrier and academy chaplains were looking for an outdoor worship space, they discovered one already existed in the form of the circles.
And it will be cheaper than a $600 dollar toilet seat. The rest here.
DENVER – The Air Force Academy has set aside an outdoor worship area for Pagans, Wiccans, Druids and other Earth-centered believers, school officials said Monday.
A double circle of stones atop a hill on the campus near Colorado Springs has been designated for the group, which previously met indoors.
The stones were moved to the hilltop last year because erosion threatened to make them unstable in their previous location near the visitors center. Crews arranged them in two concentric circles because they thought it would be a pleasant place for cadets to relax, Longcrier said.
When Longcrier and academy chaplains were looking for an outdoor worship space, they discovered one already existed in the form of the circles.
And it will be cheaper than a $600 dollar toilet seat. The rest here.
Anti Social Medicine
The Obama Administration would have you believe that the "public option" they are pushing in their health care reform will elevate our National Health Care to the level of that in Canada or the UK. Well, maybe not.
ST. JOHN'S, N.L. -- Newfoundland Premier Danny Williams will undergo heart surgery later this week in the United States.
Mr. Williams' decision to leave Canada for the surgery has raised eyebrows over his apparent shunning of Canada's health-care system.
ST. JOHN'S, N.L. -- Newfoundland Premier Danny Williams will undergo heart surgery later this week in the United States.
A popular Progressive Conservative premier, Mr. Williams has also seen his share of controversy. During the 2008 federal election, Mr. Williams vehemently opposed the Conservative government, launching his "Anything But Conservative" -- which has been credited with keeping the Tories from winning any seats in the province.
Maybe in view of this new development he will be changing his mind. The rest here.
Half logic
Our President's idea of fiscal management is well......half right.
President Obama is catching heat from Nevada lawmakers and business leaders regarding his comments Tuesday criticizing trips to Las Vegas.
During the president's town hall meeting in Nashua, New Hampshire, he discussed the need to curb spending during tough economic times. "When times are tough, you tighten your belts," the president said. "You don't go buying a boat when you can barely pay your mortgage. You don't blow a bunch of cash on Vegas when you're trying to save for college."
But there is another component to this logical thread. When you face imminent financial peril you do not run up the credit cards at twenty plus percent interest. That is in effect what his administration has done by funding "economic stimulus" programs with money we don't have. It is not hard to figure out what is down the road.
President Obama is catching heat from Nevada lawmakers and business leaders regarding his comments Tuesday criticizing trips to Las Vegas.
During the president's town hall meeting in Nashua, New Hampshire, he discussed the need to curb spending during tough economic times. "When times are tough, you tighten your belts," the president said. "You don't go buying a boat when you can barely pay your mortgage. You don't blow a bunch of cash on Vegas when you're trying to save for college."
But there is another component to this logical thread. When you face imminent financial peril you do not run up the credit cards at twenty plus percent interest. That is in effect what his administration has done by funding "economic stimulus" programs with money we don't have. It is not hard to figure out what is down the road.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Happy Birthday Inkey!
Happy Birthday to the best Newfoundland ever to walk the planet. Our "youngest" turned two today and enjoyed a homemade cake from her Babcie. Liver and fat free cream cheese with carob chips. Maybe I will have a slice with some coffee before work tonight.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
I wonder why?
Fox is the most trusted television news network in the country, according to a new poll out Tuesday.
A Public Policy Polling nationwide survey of 1,151 registered voters Jan. 18-19 found that 49 percent of Americans trusted Fox News, 10 percentage points more than any other network.
Read more at the link.
A Public Policy Polling nationwide survey of 1,151 registered voters Jan. 18-19 found that 49 percent of Americans trusted Fox News, 10 percentage points more than any other network.
Read more at the link.
Pro Abortion weenies whining
Apparently killing babies is not enough for these people. They would like to kill free speech as well.
The University of Florida campus is slowly catching wind of Tim Tebow’s decision to star in a Super Bowl ad slated to air on CBS on Feb. 7, and some say the ad’s message is bound to spark controversy.
The ad spot was purchased by Focus on the Family, a conservative Christian organization that places emphasis on marriage and parenthood.
The Associated Press reported this week that the ad’s theme will be “Celebrate Family, Celebrate Life,” with Pam Tebow sharing the story of her difficult 1987 pregnancy -- instead of getting an abortion she decided to give birth to Tebow, the now-famous quarterback who went on to become a Heisman Trophy winner, leading the Gators to two BCS wins. Link here.
"This organization is extremely intolerant and divisive and pushing an un-American agenda," said Jehmu Greene, director of the Women's Media Center, which is coordinating a campaign to force CBS to pull the ad before it airs on Feb. 7.
"Abortion is very controversial, and the anti-abortion vitriol has resulted in escalated violence against reproductive health providers and their patients," Greene said. "We've seen that clearly with the murder of Dr. George Tiller," the late-term abortion provider who was gunned down in his Kansas church in May 2009. Link here.
The University of Florida campus is slowly catching wind of Tim Tebow’s decision to star in a Super Bowl ad slated to air on CBS on Feb. 7, and some say the ad’s message is bound to spark controversy.
The ad spot was purchased by Focus on the Family, a conservative Christian organization that places emphasis on marriage and parenthood.
The Associated Press reported this week that the ad’s theme will be “Celebrate Family, Celebrate Life,” with Pam Tebow sharing the story of her difficult 1987 pregnancy -- instead of getting an abortion she decided to give birth to Tebow, the now-famous quarterback who went on to become a Heisman Trophy winner, leading the Gators to two BCS wins. Link here.
"This organization is extremely intolerant and divisive and pushing an un-American agenda," said Jehmu Greene, director of the Women's Media Center, which is coordinating a campaign to force CBS to pull the ad before it airs on Feb. 7.
"Abortion is very controversial, and the anti-abortion vitriol has resulted in escalated violence against reproductive health providers and their patients," Greene said. "We've seen that clearly with the murder of Dr. George Tiller," the late-term abortion provider who was gunned down in his Kansas church in May 2009. Link here.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Top draft pick....for the Vatican
Many Priests who I know are often asked about things they have given up to pursue their vocation. The answer I have always heard is that they are gaining much more than they were "giving up". Here is a good illustration of that belief from a story by ESPN.
As a top prospect for the Oakland Athletics, outfielder Grant Desme might've gotten the call every minor leaguer wants this spring.
Instead, he believed he had another, higher calling.
Desme announced Friday that he was leaving baseball to enter the priesthood, walking away after a breakout season in which he became MVP of the Arizona Fall League.
A lifelong Catholic, Desme thought about becoming a priest for about a year and a half. He kept his path quiet within the sports world, and his plan to enter a seminary this summer startled the A's when he told them Thursday night.
May God continue to bless this young man as he pursues his vocation.
As a top prospect for the Oakland Athletics, outfielder Grant Desme might've gotten the call every minor leaguer wants this spring.
Instead, he believed he had another, higher calling.
Desme announced Friday that he was leaving baseball to enter the priesthood, walking away after a breakout season in which he became MVP of the Arizona Fall League.
A lifelong Catholic, Desme thought about becoming a priest for about a year and a half. He kept his path quiet within the sports world, and his plan to enter a seminary this summer startled the A's when he told them Thursday night.
May God continue to bless this young man as he pursues his vocation.
Gimme Shelter
May be time to pull some money out of the market for a while....
Jan. 22 (Bloomberg) -- U.S. investors overwhelmingly see President Barack Obama as anti-business and question his ability to manage a financial crisis, according to a Bloomberg survey.
The global quarterly poll of investors and analysts who are Bloomberg subscribers finds that 77 percent of U.S. respondents believe Obama is too anti-business and four-out-of-five are only somewhat confident or not confident of his ability to handle a financial emergency.
Carlos Vadillo, a fixed-income analyst at Wells Fargo Securities LLC in San Francisco, said Obama has been in a “constant war” with the banking system, using “fat-cat bankers and other misnomers to describe a business model which supports a large portion of America.”
Anyone want to guess who thinks his plans for our financial system are just spiffy?
When it comes to his ability to manage a financial crisis, 55 percent of Europeans say they are either mostly or very confident; Among Asian respondents, 59 percent say they are somewhat confident or not confident; 38 percent expressed confidence.
The story is here.
Jan. 22 (Bloomberg) -- U.S. investors overwhelmingly see President Barack Obama as anti-business and question his ability to manage a financial crisis, according to a Bloomberg survey.
The global quarterly poll of investors and analysts who are Bloomberg subscribers finds that 77 percent of U.S. respondents believe Obama is too anti-business and four-out-of-five are only somewhat confident or not confident of his ability to handle a financial emergency.
Carlos Vadillo, a fixed-income analyst at Wells Fargo Securities LLC in San Francisco, said Obama has been in a “constant war” with the banking system, using “fat-cat bankers and other misnomers to describe a business model which supports a large portion of America.”
Anyone want to guess who thinks his plans for our financial system are just spiffy?
When it comes to his ability to manage a financial crisis, 55 percent of Europeans say they are either mostly or very confident; Among Asian respondents, 59 percent say they are somewhat confident or not confident; 38 percent expressed confidence.
The story is here.
More ethnic treasures
Compliments of my large and gentle Irish friend....
After reading your last blog update I have come to realize that if you changed a few things you could be writing about growing up Irish. First trade "babcia" for “Nana” and "dziadziu." For “Papa” or “Grandda”. Second at least one uncle name Mike or Patrick. Third we know who Kosciuszko and Pulaski were, because we crossed their bridges every other Sunday to get to Woodside, Queens. Ditto on Virgin, Democrats and Pope.(Even the Dago ones). Ditto on Crucifix and Palm. Double ditto on Highballs and bar. As far as peirogies and Kielbasa, we are a little short changed. The culinarally challenged thing! On a whole we could be brothers. Ah to be Irish!!
After reading your last blog update I have come to realize that if you changed a few things you could be writing about growing up Irish. First trade "babcia" for “Nana” and "dziadziu." For “Papa” or “Grandda”. Second at least one uncle name Mike or Patrick. Third we know who Kosciuszko and Pulaski were, because we crossed their bridges every other Sunday to get to Woodside, Queens. Ditto on Virgin, Democrats and Pope.(Even the Dago ones). Ditto on Crucifix and Palm. Double ditto on Highballs and bar. As far as peirogies and Kielbasa, we are a little short changed. The culinarally challenged thing! On a whole we could be brothers. Ah to be Irish!!
More inconvenient truth
Oddly, the President of the United States who just a year ago swore to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States is attacking the very court who is charged with its interpretation. In a 5-4 decision this week the Court upheld the clever idea that the free speech guaranteed in the Constitution applies to everyone. The thought that speech, no matter how offensive, is a protected right of citizens seems to irritate the President and his party.
President Obama on Saturday promised to fight a Supreme Court decision easing limits on political donations by corporations and unions, saying he couldn't "think of anything more devastating to the public interest."
Wonder why they are so irritated? Here is a hint.
"This is a victory for Citizens United, but even more so for the First Amendment rights of all Americans," said Citizens United President David Bossie. "The fault line on this issue does not split liberals and conservatives or Republicans and Democrats. Instead, it pits entrenched establishment politicians against the very people whom they are elected to serve."
The link.
President Obama on Saturday promised to fight a Supreme Court decision easing limits on political donations by corporations and unions, saying he couldn't "think of anything more devastating to the public interest."
Wonder why they are so irritated? Here is a hint.
"This is a victory for Citizens United, but even more so for the First Amendment rights of all Americans," said Citizens United President David Bossie. "The fault line on this issue does not split liberals and conservatives or Republicans and Democrats. Instead, it pits entrenched establishment politicians against the very people whom they are elected to serve."
The link.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
For my fellow Poles
From my drumming friend Donner.
AHHH … TO BE POLISH
Uncanny how many of these are true for us. But I think we're the last generation for whom they will be true; I guess the kids are becoming more "Americanized". But those Polish weddings, polkas and highballs were fun!!
If you come from Chicago, Buffalo, Cleveland, Rochester, Detroit or Milwaukee there is a large church called "Saint Stanislaus," or "Saint Hedwig," within one block of your childhood home (that is, unless you're one of those suburban exiles, in which case the church is within one block of your babcia's house!)
You wear red on St. Patrick's Day.
Your knowledge of the Polish language is limited to 'naughty' words ie:., dupa, gowno, kurwa, etc, names for food ie: pierogi, kapusta, etc, and drinking toasts ie: na zdrowie ,
sto lat, etc.
You call your grandma "babcia" or "busia" and your grandpa "dziadziu." You know how to dance the polka, but you only do it at weddings after kicking back a few generous shots of vodka.
When frustrated, you slap your forehead, shake your head, and say "O Jezu Marija!" (ouch!)
You have one grandma that wears a babushka and galoshes every single day of the year and another grandma that wears a lot of jewelry and too much make-up.
You have at least one uncle named "Stan," or "Stas."
Your relatives have strong devotion to saints, the Blessed Virgin, the Pope, the Democratic Party, the U.S. Steelworkers, etc.
Your grandma has a shrine complete with votive candles and a picture of "Our Lady of Czestochowa" or "Infant of Prague."
Your parents have at least one crucifix or religious picture mounted on a wall in their house with palms tucked behind it.
You get your food blessed at Easter and your house blessed at Christmas time.
Your family has a wigilia meal on Christmas Eve at which you share oplatki and kiss everyone.
You always prefer rye bread to white or wheat. Your dad has forced you to eat horseradish, claiming that it will "put hair on your chest", even If you're a female!
You know the words to "Sto Lat" and sing it at all birthday parties.
You can out drink all of your friends.
You have waited in line at a church or bakery to buy pierogi or paczki.
Words like kiszka, kielbasa, and kolaczki actually mean something to you.
You actually know who Kosciuszko and Pulaski are, and why they're important.
You have at least one relative who plays the Accordion.
You're completely overdressed for every occasion.
Your idea of "healthy" is boiled pierogi then fried in butter w/onions, light beer, and filtered cigarettes.
You have at least one bar in your house - usually in the basement.
Your family always has an excuse to hold a "poprawinie" - e.g., when someone dies, or when someone gets married.
You've never been to Poland , but you have mysterious relatives there to whom you send gifts and money every Christmas.
You collect "prayer cards" from funerals.
You often visit cemeteries, light votive candles for dead relatives, and generally spend an unhealthy amount of time obsessing about death.
People often have trouble pronouncing your last name.
You think having a "highball" is high society.
Ah, to be Polish!
AHHH … TO BE POLISH
Uncanny how many of these are true for us. But I think we're the last generation for whom they will be true; I guess the kids are becoming more "Americanized". But those Polish weddings, polkas and highballs were fun!!
If you come from Chicago, Buffalo, Cleveland, Rochester, Detroit or Milwaukee there is a large church called "Saint Stanislaus," or "Saint Hedwig," within one block of your childhood home (that is, unless you're one of those suburban exiles, in which case the church is within one block of your babcia's house!)
You wear red on St. Patrick's Day.
Your knowledge of the Polish language is limited to 'naughty' words ie:., dupa, gowno, kurwa, etc, names for food ie: pierogi, kapusta, etc, and drinking toasts ie: na zdrowie ,
sto lat, etc.
You call your grandma "babcia" or "busia" and your grandpa "dziadziu." You know how to dance the polka, but you only do it at weddings after kicking back a few generous shots of vodka.
When frustrated, you slap your forehead, shake your head, and say "O Jezu Marija!" (ouch!)
You have one grandma that wears a babushka and galoshes every single day of the year and another grandma that wears a lot of jewelry and too much make-up.
You have at least one uncle named "Stan," or "Stas."
Your relatives have strong devotion to saints, the Blessed Virgin, the Pope, the Democratic Party, the U.S. Steelworkers, etc.
Your grandma has a shrine complete with votive candles and a picture of "Our Lady of Czestochowa" or "Infant of Prague."
Your parents have at least one crucifix or religious picture mounted on a wall in their house with palms tucked behind it.
You get your food blessed at Easter and your house blessed at Christmas time.
Your family has a wigilia meal on Christmas Eve at which you share oplatki and kiss everyone.
You always prefer rye bread to white or wheat. Your dad has forced you to eat horseradish, claiming that it will "put hair on your chest", even If you're a female!
You know the words to "Sto Lat" and sing it at all birthday parties.
You can out drink all of your friends.
You have waited in line at a church or bakery to buy pierogi or paczki.
Words like kiszka, kielbasa, and kolaczki actually mean something to you.
You actually know who Kosciuszko and Pulaski are, and why they're important.
You have at least one relative who plays the Accordion.
You're completely overdressed for every occasion.
Your idea of "healthy" is boiled pierogi then fried in butter w/onions, light beer, and filtered cigarettes.
You have at least one bar in your house - usually in the basement.
Your family always has an excuse to hold a "poprawinie" - e.g., when someone dies, or when someone gets married.
You've never been to Poland , but you have mysterious relatives there to whom you send gifts and money every Christmas.
You collect "prayer cards" from funerals.
You often visit cemeteries, light votive candles for dead relatives, and generally spend an unhealthy amount of time obsessing about death.
People often have trouble pronouncing your last name.
You think having a "highball" is high society.
Ah, to be Polish!
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