Silver linings

Yeah, more people treating their dogs like kids. The good news in this, when a pet gets spoiled and acts out, the animal can be put down. So the majority of these people aren't screwing up kids (that they would have named Apple Orchard or Cinna Bond.New Names for Dogs Miss the 'Spot' - AOL News

Spot is out and Max is in. In fact, in a recent survey of the 10 most popular dog names in the nation, names more fit for humans are finding favor over more traditional dog names like Buddy and Buster.

Money quote here,

"It's an interesting contrast that, in a country where there's still child neglect and child abuse, people are spending so much time and effort on dogs," says psychologist and author Eleanora Woloy.

Yes that family down the street can't afford heat this winter, but Sir Max (the rottenwieler) needed ACL surgery.

The silver lining for these folk, the dog probably won't be in charge of their nursing home care and won't withhold food and water just so the Will gets implemented earlier.

Follow up on deaf priests

Looks like we have an answer to the question about the ability of a deaf man becoming a priest.

(CNA).- A Cuban priest who works on the Spanish island of Tenerife has been named an honorary Prelate by Pope Benedict XVI. Father Saturnino Agustin Yanes Valer is 80 and is deaf.

Msgr. Yanes, as he is now referred to in his diocese, received the honorary title after 50 years of pastoral service to the deaf in Spain.

One of his most recent projects is the blog http://www.pastoraldelsordo.blogspot.com, which offers the readings of the Mass in simple language and a Sunday homily in sign language.

Msgr. Yanes was born in Havana, Cuba on February 26, 1929. His parents, natives of Spain, returned to Tenerife when he was only seven months old. At the age of five he was diagnosed with an illness that left him deaf.

He has several brothers who are also priests.
Source

I would say getting an honorary promotion by the Pope would be a sign there isn't a problem with it.

Funny, but not really

Found this bit of irony, well, ironic.

Easter is an annual festival observed throughout the Christian world. The date for Easter shifts every year within the Gregorian Calendar. The Gregorian Calendar is the standard international calendar for civil use. In addition, it regulates the ceremonial cycle of the Roman Catholic and Protestant churches. The current Gregorian ecclesiastical rules that determine the date of Easter trace back to 325 CE at the First Council of Nicaea convened by the Roman Emperor Constantine.

source
Using the new "all things free of Christianity" notation of Common Era rather than AD to discuss the date of Easter.

And yes, I am back. After a break for Holy Week and some serious home renovation lasting into the wee hours of the night, I hope to have time for a couple bigger articles I have been wanting to write for some time.

Just a teaser for those who dig this stuff, one will be "Is the sign greater than the destiny it points to?" This will point out the foolishness of the wrong practice of receiving the Eucharist as a couple, especially the Blood of Christ where the wife passes the cup to her husband, typically promoted by the Marriage Encounter couples.

Horton hears a what?

A who, of course. Took the kids to see the "Horton hears a who" movie tonight. They all throughly enjoyed it. A positive 12 thumbs up from the 6 kids who went.

Funny thing, this is the first time I have seen or read Horton. Never read the book myself or to my kids. It definitely had that pro-life theme that I have heard about.

I guess the only bad thing I can report about the movie (other than one little snide comment at the expense of homeschooling) was the sour kangaroo and her speech at the end when she rallies the "people" of the jungle to seek out Horton and destroy the speck. What was wrong with it?

The sour kangaroo and her diatribe reminded me of Hillary Clinton. "For the children" they scream as they try to crush the innocent. Disturbing. Perhaps fitting. If only Hillary would be offered a cookie.

Define: Unblogged

I would suspect the definition is somewhere close to "grow in holiness". I too will join the IC for the Love of God.
The Ironic Catholic: Holy Week Unplugged, I Mean, Unblogged

Let em

If they can't figure out how silly they look, then let em, Rainbow Sash Movement Plots Papal Protest

March 11, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The Rainbow Sash Movement, a homosexual activist group, announced their plans to protest Pope Benedict XVI's opposition to homosexual behavior during his April visit to the United States.

The RSM plans to throw ashes at the Pope, because "ashes are an ancient and appropriate greeting for a sinner who has caused the Church so much division and pain," stated the movement.

Yes, ashes are ancient and appropriate for sinners. That is why Jesus went around tying sinners up in sack cloth and dumped ashes all over them.

But I wouldn't worry too much, if they can't figure out how hypocritical that statement is, they probably will try throwing ashes from down-wind.

The worst kind

These are the worst kind, And no, I am not talking about the quality of donuts, although I have eaten some bad ones. Adam's Ale breaks down some Modern heresies via the Curt Jester For example;

DONUTISM – (Not to be confused with old heresy known as Donatism) Donutism is the propensity for some Catholics to leave their parish and join a denomination based on the quality of the donuts and coffee that that is served before, after, and during Sunday services.

Now, I have been known to practice the secular workplace Donutism and find significant workload in the departments with better donuts. But never does that transfer into the religious Donutism. In fact, our parish weeds out the Donutists during Lent by removing them and offering pretzels instead. Helps the parishioners to stay through the closing hymn also. And now my offerings.

 

Pelagasusism: An offshoot of the more well known Pelagianism, where "believers" believe in their ability to save themselves through their own merit, namely reading popular fantasy novels.  The ability to see Harry Potter* as a Christ-figure and develop a world-view based on the latest best seller, spending inordinate amounts of time at book release parties, seclusion from the world while reading the latest release and playing made up fantasy games identify these devotees.

*no, I am not opening that debate.  Just a bit of humor

 

Blogarists: Typically faithful Catholics that are led astray by the Wicked World Web.  Starting out as a simple outlet for frustration or venue to discuss the liturgy can soon turn into the full blown heresy of Blogarism.  These fanatics tend to shrink every homily into a blog-sized bite of catchy wisdom, or worse an unending gossip session about the priest, bishop or choir.  Blinded by the thought that they are "helping", these are the most difficult to bring back to the fold.

 

Spearianites: Normally affects the younger generations and is typified by non-stop obsession with the most recent pop-stars, especially as the pop-star tends to head down the tragic spiral of media obsession and drug-use.  Devotees gather wherever there is a TV set tune to a "news" channel.  Large congregations can be found in airport terminals.

Perhaps he can help

Perhaps he can help reverse the low attendance numbers in Minnesota. Pope visiting Minnesota

No, not that pope. Derrick Pope, a LB who played for the Miami Dolphins. According to Scout.com, Pope is visiting with the team through Thursday. Vikings VP Rick Spielman drafted Pope in the seventh round, in Miami in 2004. Pope started in place of Zach Thomas nine games last season.

He finished the season with 64 tackles, intercepted two passes and recovered a fumble. In addition, Pope is also a good special teams player.

Oh, you were expecting the Other Pope. No, he could probably help out the Church in Minnesota, but I doubt he has much influence on the Norsemen.

P.S., he signed today too. Another reason to cheer for the Vikings. "Honey, what are you doing?" "Not much, just watching the Pope on TV."

Important news

As Mark Shea sez, this is where the real battle of our time is. The Worldwide Hour of Eucharistic Adoration will take place at 7:00 p.m. local time on April 2nd, 2008, the Third Anniversary of Pope John Paul II’s death.

Book it Dano.

Relief?

Could it be? The Oil Bubble About to Pop? via Jimmy Akin Another chunk of our life being controlled by the bankers, brokers and gamblers. I agree with my dad more and more every day. He despised speculating on futures. What they were buying wasn't real according to him, and whats more, it creates terrible effects on the lives of the people buying the real item.

I would love to see oil futures take a dive. It won't just remove the pain at the pump, but groceries and many other commodities depend on the trucking industry. With diesel near $4 a gallon, anything that has to be trucked is affected.

Stop right there

Don't need to see anymore. McCain should absolutely not receive the conservative vote. McCain scolds Obama, Clinton over NAFTA.

Sen. John McCain said Tuesday that proposals by Democrats Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton to use pressure tactics to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement could undermine U.S. trade relationships with other nations.

Umm, what relationships? Oh, did he mean the hostile take-over bid relationships?

If that threat is made, McCain asked, "What are the other countries in the world going to think about the agreements we've negotiated with them?"

They might be stunned that the U.S. was veering off its suicide course. Of course Clinton and Obama aren't really thinking about reversing NAFTA, but merely catering to Big Labor in the heartland.

Clinton said her plan includes "telling Canada and Mexico that we will opt out unless we renegotiate the core labor and environmental standards." Obama agreed: "We should use the hammer of a potential opt-out as leverage to ensure that we actually get labor and environmental standards that are enforced."

See, the former president Clinton worked hand in hand with McCain to get NAFTA passed. Both parties support destroying our nation, it is just a difference in the language they use based on whose votes they are buying.

Pot, Kettle, Kettle, Pot

Seems this woman has forgotten her place. (kidding of course, but you get the point.) Ferraro? Who the %&^ is she?

Ferraro told the Daily Breeze of Torrance, Calif.: "If Obama was a white man, he would not be in this position. And if he was a woman (of any color) he would not be in this position. He happens to be very lucky to be who he is. And the country is caught up in the concept."

Funny how those who play the minority trump card end up whining about it later. Of course Ms. Ferraro supports Hillary, she is a woman. And that makes Hillary absolutely qualified in her eyes.

Funny how the uber-tolerant turn out to be the most racist of them all.

forests and trees

To paraphrase the old adage about forests and trees, they can't see the point because of the agenda. The article (via Ironic Catholic) does hit on some points, but makes sure there is a definite green slant.

Take for instance,

In recent months, Pope Benedict has made several strong appeals for the protection of the environment, saying issues such as climate change had become gravely important for the entire human race.

Under Benedict and his predecessor John Paul, the Vatican has become progressively "green."

It has installed photovoltaic cells on buildings to produce electricity and hosted a scientific conference to discuss the ramifications of global warming and climate change, widely blamed on human use of fossil fuels.

Read that last line, it makes it look like the Pope is blaming fossil fuels.

The article does at least give credence to the main subject of the "new sins".

Asked what he believed were today's "new sins," he told the Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano that the greatest danger zone for the modern soul was the largely uncharted world of bioethics.

"(Within bioethics) there are areas where we absolutely must denounce some violations of the fundamental rights of human nature through experiments and genetic manipulation whose outcome is difficult to predict and control," he said.

The Vatican opposes stem cell research that involves destruction of embryos and has warned against the prospect of human cloning.

I love the last line in regards to Catholics no longer attending confession.

20 percent felt uncomfortable talking about their sins to another person.

Well duh, that is called guilt and a good part of the reason Jesus setup the Sacrament in the first place. Human nature would rather not talk about sin, repress it and never deal with the guilt it causes. Then after years of this, we pay a therapist to assuage this guild and reaffirm that we are a "good person."

Phil at CWN has a good summary of the media missteps.

Succinct

Some brilliant work by Paul at Alive and Young. Campaign Summary

McCain: I was a prisoner of war, served in the military for 20 years, I'm a politician, vote for me.

Obama: I'm cool, I'm hip, I can speak well, I'm a politician, Change, I'm black, Vote for me.

Clinton: My husband was president, I'm a hero for staying with my husband even though he repeatedly cheated on me, I'll cry if I don't get my way, I have a calculated response to everything that makes me seem like a robot, I'm a politician, I'm a woman, Vote for me.

I think they should publish these as voter guides and donate the rest of the campaign money to charity. Oh and perhaps add this line at the end of each, "And I will continue the ruin of this country."

My blog

If I spoke like I was from North Idaho. via The Dialectizer

All your offspring are belong to us *update*

To borrow from the old Japenese gaming phrase Looks like those without are looking to raise the children they weren't willing to have. Call me cynical, but overcrowded public schools overrun by the children of illegal aliens just doesn't strike me as in the "best interests" of the child either. The Credentialed teachers there spend most of their time trying to maintain control, enforce discipline and in between silent day for homosexuality, possibly teach a little.

The story in the LA Times.
**UPDATE**
Looks like there is some debate whether this is what the Times sez it is.
** thanks for the tip Jeff **

Tim Jones reacts.

A California state appellate court judge has said "Parents do not have a constitutional right to home school their children.".

We don't need it, you idiot. We have a natural right to home school our children. We hold this truth to be self-evident. the Constitution, and specifically the Bill of Rights is not anything like an exhaustive list of the rights of individuals, but is meant as a modest hedge against oppressive government encroachment like the nonsense you are trying to pull. You can't expect the founding fathers to list everything that people have a right to do.

Matthew at CMR wonders about the future of homeschooling.

Me? I say brace yourself Idaho for the onslaught of Californian emigrants. And I agree with Tim Jones, we don't need a constitutional right. If the government gave us these rights, they could take them away. But God bestows children, not the state.

If only

Ha! If only it were true. The Pope Is Out to Get the Yankees

Turns out Pope Benedict XVI is coming to Yankee Stadium to say a mass on April 20th, which required that weekend's series with the Orioles to be flipped from New York to Baltimore. Since schedules are apparently incredibly delicate things, MLB didn't flip any other series to accommodate the Yanks. The result is a schedule that requires them to be in Tampa on the 15th, New York in the 16th, and Baltimore on the 18th. That's a bad week.

So the Pope is messing with their schedule, the Red Sox have won two World Series in the past four years, and Hank Steinbrenner is in charge. There's only one conclusion to draw from this whole scenario, really. God hates the Yankees.

Of course even if the Pope were to dislike the Yankees (a reasonable proposition) it wouldn't rise to the level of infallibility. It may seem to deal with faith as some sports fans have a religious devotion to their team, but no, this is a different type of faith.

Just a few more...

Cool news here. Seems Alaska Governor Palin is Expecting Fifth Child Not only are we talking a large family in the spotlight, it is positive press rather than the typical "look at those nutcases" fare. But even better, this has a local connection, graduating from the U of Idaho.

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Gov. Sarah Palin and her husband are expecting their fifth child in May, she announced Wednesday.

Congrats and good for her.

Vending machine logic

I know we aren't in a recession. Many important, powerful people have told us that much.

But some still persist in their insistence. Take the vending machine guy. A notice posted on our machines at work tell us the cost of food has risen 5.5 percent. I know that isn't inflation, cuz that would mean a recession and we aren't having one of those, you know.

But the cost of food is going up fast, according to the guy whose job it is to KNOW this information. But we aren't in a recession according to the guy who is supposed to TELL us this information.

All I know at this point, I am likely going to be spending my "economic stimulus" payment on a "carbohydrates and protein" package.

On kids, homework and nation building

The history lessons from our homeschooling curriculum prompted quite a discussion this week.  One of the benefits of homeschooling is the ability to digress into a topic that the kids find fascinating.  Such was the case this week.   

Discussing the constitution and the founding of America led into the subject of nation building.  The boys were adamant that we should depose every dictator and right every wrong.  In their minds, they had trouble grasping what could go wrong with that plan.  Wouldn't everyone be happy being free like we are?

Reminds me of those in charge of our great nation at the present.  What could go wrong?  We deposed an evil dictator didn't we?  They will welcome us with open arms.

Talking with a co-worker in the lunchroom, I surmised that is exactly the case.  Our nation building ideals are juvenile in thought.  Idealistic, but not based in experience.  How many dictators must we depose, how many Shahs must we prop up, how many civil wars must we create before we learn the lesson?  Freedom can not be imposed.  It must be earned, even won; paid for in blood. 

My co-worker related it to trying to give one's children happiness and prosperity.  How many children are given everything only to squander it.  Just as Jesus can't make us love Him, so we too must learn the path to happiness... freedom... prosperity.  To think otherwise would be, well, childish.

Swords and the spirit of ceremony

Well, well. I am not sure I would want anyone with this mentality to be carrying a sword anyway. The Sikhs bear their disapointment and unsheath a press release. via Patrick at CMR

WASHINGTON (AP) — Sikh representatives will not participate in an interfaith meeting with Pope Benedict XVI during his U.S. visit next month because the Secret Service won't allow them to wear a ceremonial dagger that members of the Eastern religion must carry.

Sikhs had been invited to join other religious leaders for a 45-minute meeting with Benedict on April 17 in Washington to express a shared commitment to peace. But the Secret Service would not allow the Sikhs to carry a kirpaan, which resembles a small sword or dagger.

The kirpaan "represents the Sikh commitment to resist oppression and injustice" and is to be carried "only in a defensive posture and never to initiate confrontation," according to the World Sikh Council-America Region.

"We have to respect the sanctity of the kirpaan, especially in such interreligious gatherings," Anahat Kaur, secretary general of the Sikh Council, said in a statement. "We cannot undermine the rights and freedoms of religion in the name of security." [emphasis added

I am for the right to bear arms, but any sane person can recognize the need to check your weapons at the door for an important meeting. Even the wild and wooly west followed this rule.

But this is about a sword of another type. We went to a neighboring parish last week and at the end of Mass, the priest was presented with his honorary lifetime membership by the Knights of Columbus. (I think all priests are honorary members of the Knights.) After the presentation, the priest monologued about the honor that this was, how he always wanted to wear the cape and sword. But alas, priests are restricted from carrying weapons.

Then he went on about how his grandfather (I think) was a 33rd degree Mason and how he now had the sword. And if hearing this story about Masons and swords wasn't bad enough, he finished his monologue off with the comment that the Masons and Knights were practically the same except for the patch on the shoulder and the cape.

A man can stomach many offenses and often the Mass today is an occasion for gritting one's teeth and carrying on through the chicanery. But for a priest to equate the fidelity of the Knights with the subversion of the Masons... well let say it still is a sore spot five days later. Hopefully the knights are up to defending their honor.

Good bishops

I love reading about good bishops. This one gets an A+ for focusing on what's important (the Eucharist), and for having the guts to speak up. I also agree on the tongue versus hand stance. Bishop Athanasius Schneider addresses Communion

“Therefore, here is not a question of some 'right,' but here is a question of-- we are dealing with the Lord Himself, and therefore we cannot be silent, especially I as bishop, and say 'OK, it's all OK.' It's not all OK. When we love our Lord, we have to strengthen this moment in order that it become more sacred in order to educate the exterior sign of adoration, which is also an education of faith."

He referred to the common formal gestures used to greet a president, a king, or a queen, saying comparable respect for the King of Kings was necessary.

"It is not a question of ritualism,” he said, “but a question of faith and love for Our Lord, Jesus Christ."

"It's not all OK." I love that line.

Awaiting the fun

This should be fun.
Galileo statue to be placed on Vatican grounds
I can only imagine the consternation of the "religion" reporters as their computer's crash when they try to merge the "Catholics and Science" and the "Worship Statues" templates.

Vatican, Mar. 4, 2008 (CWNews.com) - A statue of Galileo will be placed in the Vatican gardens, outside the apartment where the astronomer was lodged while he awaiting trial on heresy charges in 1633.

The placement of the statue, underwritten by private donors, is intended as a tribute from the Pontifical Academy of Sciences. Nicla Cabibbo, the president of the Academy, explained: "The Church wants to close the the Galileo affair and reach a definitive understanding not only of his great legacy but also of the relationship between science and faith."

Perhaps the mangled mess following the merging of those two templates will actually be coherent. Imagine alternating words from each. "The Vatican condemns worshiping science or placing statues above reason, Galileo assents to teaching of Church."

Join in the fun, give me your best headline for the confusion this is going to cause.

no-landing zone

It was an impressive recover as Pilot Averts Possible Plane Crash. The question might be, why try to land if there are 155 mph wind gusts.

Watch the video as he comes in at about a 30 degree angle to the runway. Think any prayers were said in that landing attempt?