Pondering the Deficit Ceiling Freeze

Time out from the doomsday scenarios for a laugh...

Default, Dear Brutus, Is Not In Our Stars, But In Ourselves

Fetal Pain Law Reduces Abortions in Nebraska

Abortions decline in wake of "fetal pain" law

Were babies really saved or did women go out of state to kill their children? Chances are the law brought about a real decline in the number of abortions. The law has a teaching effect and women considering that babies in utero feel pain are less likely to go throught with it. As we learn more about the baby in the womb waiting to be born, abortions have to decline because it is a lot harder to kill a "baby" who can feel pain, smile, suck his thumb, etc. than to remove a "clump of cells." The lies of the abortion industry are being uncovered and babies are being saved because of it. Let's work unceasingly until all the babies are saved from death and their moms from a lifetime of guild and regret!

The Relationship between Autism and the Gut Flora

How a Physician Cured her Son's Autism

"The epidemic of autism (and ADD and ADHD)...the underlying condition is abnormal gut floor." The baby has a sterile gut, but picks up the mother's flora on the way through the vagina during birth. In autistic children, the mothers of autistic children have abnormal pathogens in the gut, as do the grandmothers. The increase in autism also corresponds to the decrease in breastfeeding. A large percentage of autistic children were not breast fed. Breast feeding provides some protection, but it stops when breast feeding stops and the abnormal gut flora can thrive.

The contraceptive pill also contributes to increased pathogens in the mother's gut. All the factors that increase abnormal gut flora are getting stronger, not weaker in our society so little ones are at greater risk. Everything depends on how compromised the child's immune system is. Dr. Campbell-McBride also explains why these compromised children are at greater risk from vaccinations. Can they be identified? Yes.


Listen to this fascinating interview especially if you are pregnant.

More on "Nazi" cop town in Arizona

Not long ago I blogged about Quartzsite, AZ (See here.) where out-of-control town officials and rogue cops are trampling the constitutional rights of citizens. Well, seems like Arizona officials are concerned as well. How many towns have local brownshirts flexing their political muscle? Is this a warning of what's to come? Just think how the state will respond to a real crisis if the financial situation drifts into chaos.

SHOWDOWN AT THE QUARTZSITE CORRAL:
State of Arizona breaks silence on madness in 'Nazi'-cop town

The Gay Cabal in the Archdiocese of Miami

Under Archbishop Favalora, Miami was a homosexual paradise where pastors had open relationships with their same-sex lovers and embezzled from Church funds to pay for their high-living lifestyle. The 2002 Dallas meeting took a serious problem and ducked it, foisting the blame onto priests and parents and establishing offensive (and expensive) touching programs in most dioceses. While the bishops scapegoated their priests, they excused themselves. And so things go. If you think the sex abuse problem is behind us, you are living in a dream world. Go here, experience righteous anger, and stay or get into the fight. The vigilance of the laity is the best hope for the reform of the clergy and the defense of Holy Mother Church.

What the Welfare State Has Given Us!

What could you have done with that $70,000? As Judge Judy says, it's money "down the sewer." A big thanks to Lyndon Johnson for the "Great Society" that gave us such upstanding, reponsible citizens with a welfare mentality that says, "Hey, I'm worth it!" As for you dumb bunny taxpayers, isn't it time to to get your fair share of Obama's "stash?"

St. Martha's Feast Day and a Prayer for Busy Homemakers

Thinking about St. Martha today reminded me of a poem that hung in my kitchen in Alexandria for years. (Now where did that go? Lost in the move?) It's called The Kitchen Prayer and I loved it so much I memorized it. St. Martha, I post it here today in your honor, since I too "must have Martha's hands" especially when my grandchildren are visiting. Help us make heavenly chocolate chip cookies!

The Kitchen Prayer

by Klara Munkres

Non Catholic Catholic Charities: Straight Talk on Caritas

Most national and international Catholic charities today reflect the thinking of the world and not the Church. Pope Benedict is trying to resurrect their Catholic identity but has an uphill struggle as the article below indicates. Here are a few excerpts:

Yet on my own many trips to Africa with Catholic Relief Services, for example, it was not uncommon to hear locals refer to them as the “non-Catholic Catholic agency.” (Imagine what they say about CAFOD – the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development).


African bishops would tell me (after my talks about AIDS) how surprising it was to hear a young Western CRS employee speak the common Catholic language, whereas my superiors back in Baltimore told me that I would change my thinking about the way we should approach AIDS prevention – that I’d begin to oppose Church teachings – once I spent yet more time in Africa. That Caritas’ new motto, “One Human Family – Zero Poverty” – platitudinous, vapid, quintessentially secular-NGO-ish – also doubles as the title of their strategic plan for the next four years should dispel any notion that striking reforms will occur overnight.  “Business as usual”, it’s fair to surmise, will prevail within many of the Caritas member agencies for some time to come.  Read the complete article here.

Contraception: The "Essential Rot" in the Church

Over 90% of Catholics today reject Church teaching on contraception. Is it any wonder dissent is so widespread? Most people believe contraception is a "Catholic issue." They are ignorant of its history. Up until the Anglicans' Lambeth Conference in 1930 EVERY PROTESTANT CHURCH opposed contraception. The Comstock Laws in the U.S. that banned the sale of contraceptives were passed by a Protestant Congress. Yes, there was a time when every faith-filled American rejected contraception. It is an evil that not only kills children (all the chemical methods operate, at least part of the time, by preventing implantation of the baby), but also destroys marriages and leads to the mentality that man can control life and death. It is a poison that kills the conscience.  Learn more by watching the video below.





This program is from RealCatholicTV.com

USCCB Bullies Attack Real Catholic TV

When I saw the statement about Real Catholic TV not being "approved" for World Youth Day I was not surprised at all. Of course the liberal bureaucrats at the USCCB (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops) don't approve. Faithful Catholics rock their dissident Catholic boat.

Of Anonymous Trolls and the Billy Goat Gruff

I received a comment yesterday about the Oslo bombing left on an unrelated post. To explain, I blogged briefly about Oslo immediately after the event when Muslim extremists took credit for the atrocity. When more information came out about the true perpetrator and the Jihadists had retracted their claim, I removed the post intending to rework it and repost later. But before I had a chance to do that, an anonymous critic sent the following:

Well, it turns out that the Oslo terrorist is not a Muslim after all but one, somewhat like you, who is convinced of the dangers that Islam and its adherents present to western civilization. You never acknowledged your disinformation, simply pulled the article without a word; let your bearing of false witness disappear as if it had never happened—not unlike a Protestant who doesn’t believe in confession. I had thought that “Women of Truth” might correct their mistaken “facts” but then perhaps that preacher at Saint Matthew’s Cathedral was right when he referred to you as “Women of half-truths, distortions, and lies.” I thought it was a bit harsh at the time and told him so, but after reading your newsletter for several years and now your blog, I think he may have had a point. What shall I now think of all that you say about the Knights of Columbus and CRS and Catholic Charities when even the liberal old New York Times know it has a responsibility to acknowledge its errors.

I can almost see this brave, anonymous critic twisting his (generic pronoun) hands in glee over his "gotcha" while he gets in his snide remark equating me "somewhat" with a mass murderer while accusing me of "bearing false witness." (Isn't rash judgment a sin against the 8th Commandment as well?) Well, nobody likes to be called a liar so I responded to his comment:

The initial reports coming out of Oslo linked the terrorist bombing to the threats from the Muslim cleric who was being deported who threatened to kill government officials. CBS reported that a group called "Helpers of Global Jihad" had claimed responsibility. Later they updated the report to say the group had retracted the claim. I posted the item before the retraction. Here's a link to the updated report: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-31727_162-20082156-10391695.html

After more information came out I took the post down with the intention of redoing and clarifying it after more information came out about the man arrested. It's still in my edit file.

As for you describing a multi-murderer as "somewhat like me" I had to laugh at your accusation of my "bearing false witness" comment.
If you believe what you said about my telling lies and half truths, I'm surprised you bother with my blog. I sure wouldn't.

I think this individual is what internet jargon calls "a troll," a deliberately provocative internet user according to internetslang.com. But sometimes it's useful to call out trolls like the Big Billy Goat Gruff did. When threatened with being eaten by the pathetic creature hiding under the bridge, he replied, "Come right ahead I have two big spears to poke your eyeballs out your ears." Let me stress that this is figurative language, I have no intention of every committing a violent act against anyone -- even a silly troll.

Democrats: The Only Choice They Champion is Abortion!

Want to buy an incandescent light bulb? How about driving a motorcycle without a helmet? Forget it. The only choice the Democrats will allow you is to choose abortion.

MURDOCK: Pro-choice on abortion - but little else
Democrats stomp on most rights to choose for women - and men

Great Column on Archbishop Chaput

The new leader of the Philadelphia Archdiocese, according to William Saunders is an honest bishop speaking the truth in charity:

Charles Chaput is one of the kindest, gentlest men you can imagine. He does not thunder, he does not condemn; rather, he simply and clearly tells it like it is. He repeats the teaching of the Church, a teaching that is meant for the common good and which benefits us all, a teaching about fundamental human rights. Read more here...

History Repeats Itself: Obama - the Reincarnated Jimmy Carter

For a better America dump Obama in 2012.

Prayer, Presence, and Pictures Pressure Abortion Mills to Close

Another abortion mill recently closed due to prayer and presence pressure of 40 Days for Life.


But there are plenty more out there that need our presence. Won't you watch with Mary at the foot of the cross? Abortion mills are where Jesus is being crucified today. How much will God bless those who stand up for his living image in these tiny babies.

Want to help close an abortion mill? Many of you reading this live within 25 miles of a a killing center. Prayer and presence have closed many of these demonic places, especially when they face continuous exposure through pictures at the site. If you live near Germantown, MD you have a great opportunity to protect late term babies from being brutally murdered by Leroy Carhart. Every Monday from 8-10 a.m. prayer warriors and sidewalk counselors turn out to fight the devil on the front lines. Here's what sidewalk counselor Dick Retta says:

We need you! Monday mornings, 8 to 10 AM! At the Germantown abortion mill? LeRoy Carhart continues his late-term child killing carnage at Germantown abortion mill unabated.

We not only need prayer but ACTION -We Need you to help Kick Out Carhart, this monster child killer, by your presence.

He has now added infanticide to his atrocities. One mother seeking an abortion reported that Carhart told her “if the baby is born alive you will not be charged extra.”
Where is the OUTRAGE over these atrocities, over the brutal murder of our children right in front of our eyes, right in the midst of our daily life routines?

WHERE ARE YOU? After attending Mass and receiving Our Lord in Holy Communion could you not stop by the Germantown Mill and stand up for Our Lord, Stand up for our Children! Stand up for all that is good and decent? Stand up against this monster murderer in our midst.

We know that we are having an impact based on meetings with local police and condo board members. The condo owners do not like the truth images that we show of what Carhart does to his children victims. Showing these truth images is what will lead to the closing of the Germantown abortion mill. We must keep up the pressure.

Our numbers have gone down! Why is there so much complacency to this HORROR show? We must have the numbers in order to keep up the pressure.

If you are outraged over seeing these truth images showing Carhart’s brutality to late-term children, be more outraged over the fact that he is actually committing those atrocities while you are merely viewing the images. It was only through the showing of these kinds of images that revolutions such as ending child labor and slavery were brought about. As Father Pavone says ‘Child killing will not end until Americas sees what child-killing is about.’ Without these images we don’t have a case.

WAKE-UP! Take a stand for these children! Come join us! We need to have a HOLY OUTRAGE over this Horror show at Germantown, a modern day Auschwitz!

Please….. come and stand with us on Monday mornings at the Germantown mill. There are NO government task forces to help protect these innocent babies who are killed. There are NO special military troops to defend their lives on the front lines........

WE ARE IT!!!!! Please hear this message....If WE don't fight the brutal murder of these babies --being torn limb from limb, in our own backyard, nobody...NOBODY will!
WILL YOU BE THERE????

I live two hours from Germantown, but plan to go within the next few weeks and join in the prayer crusade there. Driving out the devil requires sacrifice and I think of it as did the crusaders who drove the Turks out of the Holy Land and protected western Europe from being overrun by Islam. When we defend the babies we defend Christ and His Church. Please make the sacrifice to fight abortion on the frontlines.

Out of Control Spending and Increasing National Debt

What does our out-of-control spending and increasing national debt mean?

Sticking it to the Grandchildren

I think by now everyone who is halfway honest and has an IQ above 32 realizes that the claim that the U.S. will default its debt if the debt ceiling isn’t raised by Aug. 2 is just another shameless Democratic canard.

Thanks to cable TV, talk radio and the Internet, the facts are well known:
First, while the exact amounts vary from month to month, the government brings in, on average, about $200 billion a month from (mostly unwilling) taxpayers and pays out, on average, about $20 billion in monthly interest charges. That’s a tenfold coverage. Read more...

Feast of St. James the Greater

St. James the Greater (St. John's brother) is one of my favorite heavenly heroes. Jesus called the two brothers "sons of thunder" which probably reflected their fiery temperaments, but I can't help thinking whimsically that it also may have been the nickname of their dad, Zebedee. After all, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Tradition tells us St. James went off to Spain to preach, but returned to Jerusalem where he died a martyrs death, the first apostle to do so, a victim of Herod's desire to placate the Jews. Catholic historian, St. Eusebius, whose feast day is August 2nd (my daughter Jamie's birthday) says that St. James converted his accuser and both were beheaded together, another graphic testimony to his zeal and love for God!

Santiago's magnificent cathedral is dedicated to the saint. When my daughter was teaching at the University of Santiago fifteen years ago I visited for about two weeks and attended daily Mass with my little granddaughter while my daughter worked. I usually got lost walking home and had to reorient myself by the cathedral spires. On Sunday we went to the main Mass and marveled at the giant incensor being swung in the sanctuary. What a sight! Not long ago Pope Benedict had that same experience and watching the video of his visit brought back many fond memories for me.



Much as I love St. James the Greater, I am equally fond of St. James "the lesser," cousin of Jesus and author of the Epistle. (Feast day May 3rd) I love him for his no holds barred approach to faith. "You show me your faith, I'll show you my actions." As the head of the Church in Jerusalem, he was obviously no stranger to suffering and was certainly aware of the martyrdom of the "greater" James. In his letter to the "twelve tribes in the dispersion" who fled in the face of growing persecution, he gets right down to brass tacks after the greeting:

Count it pure joy when you are involved in every sort of trial. Realize that when your faith is tested this makes for endurance. Let endurance come to its perfection so that you may be fully mature and lacking in nothing.

No sugar-coated Christianity from St. James. "Happy the man who holds out to the end through trial!" He urged the flock to "welcome the word that has taken root" and warned them to put it into action. Was he thinking of his martyred friend when he wrote these words? "If all you do is listen to it, you are deceiving yourselves." And then those famous lines:

What good is it to profess faith without practicing it? Such faith has no power to save one, has it? If a brother or sister has nothing to wear and no food for the day, and you say to them, "Good-bye and good luck! Keep warm and well fed," but do not meet their bodily needs, what good is that? So it is with the faith that does nothing in practice. It is thoroughly lifeless. To such a person one might say, "You have faith and I have works -- is that it? Show me your faith without works, and I will show you the faith that underlies my works!

His warning about use of the tongue cuts to the quick. It must be controlled like a bit controls a horse or a rudder controls a ship because the tongue is like a "tiny spark that sets a huge forest ablaze." When used for good it sets hearts on fire. When used for ill its fire is "kindled by hell." Don't we all have problems with controlling that "small member?"

I'm re-reading St. James' epistle today. I think St. James the Greater would approve that as an appropriate way to honor his feast day. Although he never had the opportunity to read it during his lifetime, I have no doubt he is well aware of it in heaven and rejoices when Christians read and heed. I invite you to join me and then choose an action as small as making a phone call, praying the chaplet of Divine Mercy for someone living a sinful life, writing an encouraging note, or fixing a meal for a sick neighbor or a new mom. Every action we do for the Lord reflects our faith. It is especially important to pray for and encourage those who have gone astray just as St. James the Greater did by leading his accuser to the truth. As St. James the lesser says in closing his letter:

Remember this: the person who brings a sinner back from his way will save his soul from death and cancel a multitude of sins.

St. James and St. James, pray for us today. For more about St. James the Greater go here.) For more on St. James the Lesser go here.

(And thanks to Janet for clearing up my confusion about the two saints.)

The Island of Dr. Moreau is for Real!

The Island of Dr. Moreau is a novel by H.G. Wells about a scientist doing experiments to create animal/human hybrids. (Read a synopsis here.) It is chilling to say the least, but it's not real. Unfortunately, I can't say that about experiments in the U.K. being conducted by modern day Dr. Moreaus who are dabbling in their labs using poor little infants created in the image of God in their evil experiments. Talk about science gone mad!

150 human animal hybrids grown in UK labs: Embryos have been produced secretively for the past three years

Knights of Columbus Controversy Continued

I've been getting plenty of comments and e-mail flack for my post on the Knights of Columbus. Some of it accuses me of "spread[ing] venom." Other kinder comments address the good the Knights do and compare sinners among their members to the sinners in the Church. They say my position is comparable to urging people to leave the Church because of bad leadership among the bishops. You can read some of the comments here if you're interested.

Let me respond by presenting some scenarios and asking some questions.

Mike Voris Leaves the Knights of Columbus

I completely agree with Michael Voris' assessment of the Knights of Columbus. The organization has become "lukewarm" and deserves to be vomited out of the mouth of Christ. But consider the possibilities. The only thing necessary to turn the K of C back to the faith is for enough local councils to withdraw.

Several years ago, our parish St. Vincent de Paul Society decided to become an independent parish charity because of policies in the diocesan program which included the right to come in and take the assets of parish chapters. Our group, one of the largest private charities in Shenandoah County supporting local needs, withdrew.

Suppose that K of C chapters began withdrawing and forming independent men's groups in their parishes informing the national office they'll be glad to return when the K of C returns to the faith. What an impact they could have! How many councils would have to vote to withdraw before National saw the light? I suspect it wouldn't require too many to put the fear of the Lord into K of C state and national leaders. I'd love to see Virginia take the lead.

I encouraged my husband to join the K of C when he retired and supported him when he became Grand Knight. Now I'm encouraging him to quit. You can't keep your hands clean when you are in a group that adds sewage to its beer and dips its pretzels in poison. The K of C has the same problem as Catholic Relief Services, Catholic Charities, CCHD, and other national Catholic charities. It's chosen money over God.

For years I've thought the insurance business was the REAL reason for the K of C. Mike Voris' message just confirms it for me. If they are helping pro-abortion politicians stay in office, distributing ultrasound machines is a guilt offering. Think of the impact if the Knights had officially pitched out Ted Kennedy. Not only would it have revealed the hypocrisy of Kennedy's posturing as a Catholic, it might have resulted in his public repentance for his significant role in murdering millions of babies. What would his public convrsion have done to save others teetering at the edge of the abyss? We'll never know. What a lost opportunity!

No more lost opportunities! If you're a Knight, why not start stirring a revolt in your local council by urging members to vote to withdraw from the K of C and form an independent men's group until the Knights change their ways and decide to serve under the standard of Christ. You cannot serve both God and money. Right now the Knights seem to be more interested in the almighty dollar (or millions of same) than in Almighty God. It's high time that changed. Pray for the intercession of Venerable Fr. Michael McGivney, K of C founder, the energetic young priest who died at the young age of 38. I have no doubt converting the Knights back into zealous defenders of the faith would meet with his approval. Fr. McGivney, pray that the K of C will once again become true Knights under the standard of Christ.

See past posts on the K of C here, here, and here.

It's Hot as Hell -- Or Is It?

On the way to Mass this morning I was reflecting on the heat wave that is scorching the country. Lots of folks will be saying, "It's hot as hell as they drink gallons of lemonade and seek out the coolest spot around." But is it? ...Hot as hell, I mean....not likely.

It's a good question to ponder. Just suppose you had to sit outside this weekend in the sun -- in a spot with no shade, no breeze, no water, no drinks of any kind. Even worse, consider what it would be like if you were closed up in a car sitting in the sun with all the windows shut tight. And suppose...just suppose...that you would sit there for eternity -- no rescue, no release...not even death.

That, my friends, is hell. You don't want to go there and the choice is up to you. God does not "send people to hell." He allows them to choose it. How? By choosing the world and rejecting God. Jesus is on the cross with His arms outstretched in love. Will you choose Him and follow in His footsteps? Or will you turn the other way and follow the "primrose path of dalliance" that ends in the hellish dropoff? For a sobering look at what drags souls into hell see St. John Bosco's prophetic dream where he said, "I discovered that the most dangerous [sins] were those of impurity, disobedience, and pride."

Look at our culture and see those sins at work. See the sins of impurity in the fornication on college campuses, at "gay" events, and in adulterous and contracepting relationships. See the pile of bloody bodies from abortion, the fruit of unchastity. Look at the disobedience among priests and religious who thumb their noses at the authority of the Church. See the pride of men and women who make themselves "like unto God" giving themselves power over others and using them as slaves to their own desires. Yup, we don't have to travel far to see the traps and snares envisioned by Don Bosco.

What's ensnaring me and dragging me down to hell?

When I examine my conscience, I try to follow the example of St. Francis Borgia who placed his soul in hell every evening and asked, "What have you done to land you in this place today?" Those who make a practice of imitating the saint's meditation on hell are unlikely to ever go there.

Critical Thinking Skills: Teach them to your children!

The discussion over Harry Potter (see yesterday's post) got me thinking about teaching children to be critical thinkers. I've been discussing the books with our oldest grandchild (16) who is pretty astute when it comes to seeing the right and wrong of things. I asked her once what Catholics believe and she replied that we have two creeds, the Apostles Creed and the Nicene Creed, that summarize our beliefs. We went on to discuss Holy Tradition and the Protestant focus on "sola scriptura" with no authority to back up their interpretation. It was an adult discussion and she held her own. Obviously, she didn't just memorize the prayers; she knows their importance. In a discussion on religion with a Protestant, I have no doubt she would be a good little apologist. I also am confident she could read Harry Potter and discuss its problems with insight and intelligence. Unfortunately, many of the children consuming the Potter ethic are much younger and more impressionable. Certainly some of the violence is inappropriate for middle school children regardless of what you think about the rest of the books.

But let's speak generally for a minute: what about "questionable" books, plays, movies, etc. Do they have a place in education? Well...I have mixed feelings. Obviously, some materials are so evil and perverse that no one, adult or child, should ever be exposed to them. The Marquis de Sade springs to mind. The lawyer husband of a good friend of mine was adamant that Silence of the Lambs was such a channel for evil, no one should ever watch it. I respected his opinion enough to steer clear. The devil cannot attack us directly through our reason, but our imagination offers him an open entrance if we fill it with evil images and pictures. He can draw on them forever as a source of temptation and seduction.

On the other hand, films can also be used to teach. I generally don't go to R movies, but a number of years ago I rented Philadelphia because it was being shown at a nearby Catholic high school that was always shilling for "tolerance" for homosexuals. The movie is a brilliant piece of propaganda for the "gay" lifestyle. Watching it with young adults and discussing the elements used to undermine the truth and promote the lie could be a valuable lesson in discernment.

The same can be true of books. I can see using Harry Potter as a lesson in how authors distort images and teach moral relativism and, of course, the occult (which has been discussed so often I'll not belabor it again.) Consider how the unicorn image is reversed from a symbol of Christ to a symbol that supports evil. Voldemort consumes the blood of the unicorn to strengthen his evil, but in medieval art, the unicorn is a Christ image. Christ's blood is the source of our salvation. And this isn't the only image in Harry Potter that is turned upside down. It's confusing and sowing confusion is a tactic of the enemy.

The series is also a study in moral relativism. The students at Hogwarts can justify anything for their "good" ends. Unfortunately, rationalization is endemic to frail, fallen humanity and Harry Potter defends it throughout the story -- especially in his relationships with his stereotyped relatives. In general the books preach gnosticism. Some characters, the magical ones, are higher than the unenlightened "muggles." They have special knowledge (of the occult) that makes them better than others. The ideas presented are seductive and it is not surprising that the books attract.

The heart of man longs for the spiritual and his curiosity tempts him to seek forbidden knowledge, for example about the future. It's not surprising for a faithless age to seek spiritual consolation in the wrong places. Harry Potter can be used to dissect these truths and recognize the seductive reasoning that makes man vulnerable to evil. The books also illustrate that the devil can appear as an angel of light. As Thomas Aquinas says, man always seeks the good. So, of course, there is good in the story. But evil is also portrayed as good when it's used to achieve a good end. That is a moral impossibility, an evil masquerading as good. That's a useful lesson for youngsters to learn if they, in fact, learn it. But that requires guidance for impressionable young minds that tend to read uncritically and soak up ideas like a sponge without filtering out whatever poison is in the glass.

So the question for parents is, do you have enough time to teach using Harry Potter? If you don't, what will your kids learn reading the series on their own and uncritically?

My final point is -- There is so much out there to read and study; we all have to make choices. Is it worth is to pass up the better and best to focus on Harry Potter and other questionable books like the Twilight series? That's a question parents need to reflect on and consider while monitoring their children's choices and teaching them to be critical thinkers and critical readers.

Harry Potter: The Controversy

I've only read the first three books in the Harry Potter series. The beginning of the fourth was so disturbing I set it aside and have not picked it up again. I began to read the books because of the controversy over whether they introduce children to the occult. And, of course, they do. Are they dangerous? I believe they can be. Think of the children you see dressed in gothic attire and sporting tattoos, body piercings, and freakish hair colors and styles. I think "games" like Dungeons and Dragons and books like Harry Potter have real potential to damage these children further. What do you think?

Here's an article you might find interesting after watching the video below. Rowlings certainly seems to have an intimate knowledge of the occult. Did she gain it researching her books or has she actually practiced the black arts? Is the book dangerous to the formation of conscience? Can it undermine children's ability to make good moral decisions? There is so much good reading out there, should parents steer their children away from Harry Potter? Join the debate. What do you think?

Pro-Life Hero Dick Retta Being Sued by Department of Justice

Dick Retta, a pro-life sidewalk warrior, whose counseling has saved hundreds of babies over the last 15 years, is being sued by the Department of Justice for violations of the FACE (Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances) Act. This is no surprise for this rabidly pro-abortion administration. They will do anything to protect the murder of unborn children. Christians will be targeted more and more and the right to free speech will be sacrificed for the bloody abortionists' political support.

For more on this case see here. And pray for Dick. The Lord will use this for His greater glory but this pro-life warrior will need prayer protection for the battle.

Abortion = Black Genocide and Planned Parenthood is the Perpetrator!

Margaret Sanger a racist WASP who wanted to eliminate the "unfit," considered blacks, Catholics, poor immigrants, etc. "human weeds." Among those she was most eager to eliminate were blacks. And today, her legacy goes on. Planned Parenthood is the biggest killer of black Americans in the country. And black leaders have helped, especially our half black president who would rather finance Planned Parenthood than pay our soldiers.



Visit the National Black Pro-Life Coalition for more.

The Power of Exorcism

Posted with the video was this narrative:

Last year seven Catholic Priests gathered around the Rockford abortion mill and prayed prayers of exorcism. On that day two mothers choose life; the number of abortions fell by two thirds, and the abortion mill landlord was so unsettled that he stayed outside his abortion mill while the Priests were praying.
This year the powers that be inside the mill were taking no chances. Instead of trying to remain open in the face of such spiritual power, they found it easier to close their doors for the day. Thanks be to God because of these seven Priests, the Poor Clare Nuns who in the Corpus Christi Monastery in Rockford where uniting their prayers with the Priests, and every Christian who prayed this morning, not one child was killed in Rockford today.
A small group of abortion supporters showed up, thinking the mill would be open. When they saw seven Priests and over forty pro-lifers deep in prayer and the abortion mill closed, the pro-aborts appeared even more dazed and confused than usual.

The abortion mill landlord Wayne Webster, who seems to have a pathological hatred for Catholic Priests and has a history of skulking away from the abortion mill grounds when Priests are praying prayers of exorcism outside his killing center, was nowhere to be seen. In his absence he did leave some quite vulgar signs in his abortion mill windows attacking Priests.

On this day in Rockford, the presence of Christ through His Priests and His people could be tangibly be felt and experienced outside the building where over 60,000 human beings have been murdered.

On this day in Rockford, Satan fled; Christians stood united in faith and love, and no children had to face a brutal, vicious death inside the Rockford abortion mill.

Joan and Jane: The Saint and the Traitor

Joan of Arc, the Patroness of Les Femmes, shines like a beacon of light in the Church Militant. Had she not saved France from the English, Martin Luther's rebellion 70 years later and Henry VIII's apostasy would likely have taken France out of the Church along with England. When you consider that the underground priests who returned to England were trained in Douai in France, Joan's actions take on even greater significance. She truly did save the faith in France. Read more about this glorious saint who, like many today, was persecuted by clerics of her own Church.

Then there's Jane Fonda who bears a form of the same name, but nothing of the character of the noble Joan. Jane is having a hissy fit because QVC TV cancelled her appearance to plug her new book. (See here.) Jane claims she never did anything to hurt her country which is patently untrue. She became part of the "karma" that treated vets as "baby killers" and the scum of the earth. I lived through that period and I remember the contempt those vets faced at the hands of liberals like Fonda. Read some of her statements here and don't let this traitor who gave aid and comfort to the enemy get away with her claim to "love her country." Read When Hell Was In Session to see what the North Vietnamese were doing to POWs while Fonda was sitting behind an anti-aircraft gun used to shoot down Americans. The country should never be allowed to forget what this traitor did to our soldiers and what she continues to do to the tiniest and most helpless Americans by her support for abortion. Pray for her conversion but don't buy her book. Here's the book to read. Aid and Cofort: Jane Fonda in North Vietnam.

The Church Militant needs warriors like Joan of Arc who listen for the Word of God and seek to do His will. Such women offer real hope, especially mothers training the troops in the domestic Church of the family. What we don't need are women like Jane Fonda with the hearts and minds of Judas "watching for an  opportunity to betray."

Pray that the Lord raises up an army of faithful women, gathered behind the banner of Christ and Mary, to rout the enemy's amazons and send them fleeing like the English at Orleans. Women are a key component in God's battle plan. When women become who they are called to be in the Church Militant victory for the Lord will follow.

The Train Wreck is Coming

If we don't control our national debt, get ready to take the imminent crash position.

What the Debt Limit Battle Is All About

"The Obama Democrats have raised [federal spending] to 24 or 25 percent [of the gross domestic product]. And the president's budget projects that that percentage will stay the same or increase far into the future.

"In the process, the national debt as a percentage of gross domestic product has increased from a manageable 40 percent in 2008 to 62 percent this year and an estimated 72 percent in 2012. And it's headed to the 90 percent level that economists Kenneth Rogoff and Carmen Reinhart have identified as the danger point, when governments face fiscal collapse."

UVA Medical Center Performs Abortion

The University of Virginia has been using student health funds to finance abortions for years. Should a publicly funded university be doing in-house abortions in the first place? There are two abortion mills in Charlottesville to exploit young coeds. Why should the medical center do abortions?


In addition, do parents financing their children's college education know some of their money may facilitate killing their grandchildren? My husband and I sure didn't when we had two young adults at UVA. But it comes as no surprise, since we could see the school was a haven for sexual promiscuity. On one visit to our daughter's dorm early on a Saturday morning, a young man came out of a room on the "girls' wing" in his underwear and went down to the "girls'" bathroom. The odor of vomit assaulted us at the dorm entrance. UVA was all about partying and fornicating. 
 
The university has performed over 2600 abortions in the last twenty years.

Post Retreat Reflection

Join the army of Christ! 




Oh, what a challenge to return to the world after five days of silence praying and meditating with the Lord. But, of course, that's the reason for a retreat -- to live more fully in the world but not of it, serving God and bringing Him souls. Which brings one immediately to the point -- the $64,000 question so to speak. Who will you serve? Jesus Christ, King of King and Lord of Lords or Satan, prince of this world and liar of liars?

Irish Government Attacks Seal of Confession

Whoddu thunk a direct attack on the seal of confession would happen in the land of saints and scholars, but that's exactly what's happening with the Irish government on a collision course with the Church. If the legislation goes through, what then? Priests will be bound under the penalty of excommunication to defy the law. The persecution of the Church is coming and this is one more sign of it. That it would come about in Ireland, a land that sent so many priests as missionaries all over the world makes this Irish/German American want to weep.

It is one more tragic fallout from the sex abuse scandals! God help us.

Irish government plans frontal assault on confessional secrecy 

Same Sex Marriage and Scandalous Knights of Columbus

I'm forwarding below an email about the complicity of the Knights of Columbus in passing the same-sex marriage bill in New York. In their official documents the Knights require members to be "practical" (i.e., practicing) Catholics, but one can easily believe that the word really means "practical" as in pragmatic. The Knights will not discipline or remove a member for publicly scandalizing the Church. When you read the list of Catholic knight-politicians supporting same-sex marriage, you'll be shocked.

It all goes to prove, once more, that love of money is the root of all evils. The Knights collect money for the poor with one hand and enable massive evil with the other. One can be excused for the cynical belief that the Knights are really about selling insurance, not advancing the kingdom of God. Local councils may be great, but if they introduce a motion to remove politician members who support abortion and "gay" rights, it never makes it to the floor for a vote. And, in fact, they've been instructed by the higher ups that they may not remove a member for that reason. Hey, it might make the Knights unpopular and threaten head honcho Carl Anderson's million dollar + salary. The Knights copout about why they don't remove scandalous members is that it's the bishops' responsibility. So they affirm a lie, that members must be "practical" Catholics, while they promote public scandal giving pro-abort, pro-homosexual knights a pass. For an interesting commentary on the email below go here.

Common Sense from Joan Rivers

Sometimes she has a foul mouth, but Joan Rivers makes sense when she calls for actors to stay out of politics. Her peers, who are running around the country shilling for same-sex marriage or global warming or attacking the governor of Wisconsin, need to shut up. A few years ago my daughter complained about a Dixie Chicks' concert she attended where they started promoting their liberal pro-abortion views. "That's not why I went," she said and she took her daughter and left.

Here's what Joan said outside the White House Correspondents Dinner in May:

“Actors should act. Politicians should do politics. Very often actors--actors should do what we should do. I think we are so influential in our thoughts that I think you have to be careful before you come in half baked.” 

Read the article here.

Virginia Standards of Learning Push Islam

An excerpt from the article:

The Virginia Department of Education has clearly made an effort to revise history to suit a far left agenda and promote Islam through the Virginia Standards of Learning. This type of agenda driven education is not new, but it has accelerated to the point we must put a stop to this in favor of an honest and true view of history, and not one tainted through the prism of the left wing spin we have uncovered.

God help you if you dare to mention Christ in the public schools, but Islam is another story. What exactly is happening in the U.S. that our Christian heritage is verboten, but Islam is more and more given special treatment? Go here and shake your head. And then fight this nonsense in our Commonwealth.

Operation Fast and Furious: Is it the Administration's Watergate?

What did top administration officials know about Operation Fast and Furious with its gun running scheme and when did they know it? One border guard is dead, murdered with guns purchased by Mexican drug lords with Obama's stimulus money. So what did the administration know and when did they know it?

Read more here.

Good Night to My Favorite Detective

I've been watching old Columbo episodes in honor of one of my favorite actors, Peter Falk, who died on June 23rd at age 83. His show was not a whodunit in the classic sense since the murderer did his dirty deed at the opening of the show in plain sight of the viewer. But watching the apparently bumbling detective run his quarry to ground was always fascinating. I remember one particularly interesting episode where a blackmailing food critic poisons a chef who's going to expose him. In the process of the investigation Columbo cooks up a special dish in the restaurant kitchen for himself and the murderer.

Good night, Columbo, I'll miss you!

For a lovely eulogy to this icon of the detective world go here.

Going on Retreat

I'll be gone from this afternoon until Friday afternoon attending a five-day silent retreat based on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. I'll be praying for all my blog visitors while I'm gone. Please pray for me as well.

I've scheduled some posts to run each day, but comment approval will be delayed until my return. So don't take it personally if your comment doesn't get up right away. I'll be posting comments Friday evening while I'm experiencing the culture shock of returning to our noisy world.

God bless you all! Please pray for me

Thought for the Day from Archbishop Chaput

"Pick up your cross and follow me."

"The world urgently needs a re-awakening of the Church in our actions and in our public and private witness...We need really to believe what we say we believe. Then we need to prove it by the witness of our lives. We need to be so convinced of the truths of the Creed that we are on fire to live by these truths, to love by these truths, and to defend these truths, even to the point of our own discomforts and suffering. We are ambassadors of the living God to a world that is on the verge of forgetting him. Our work is to make God real; to be the face of his love; to propose once more to the men and women of our day, the dialogue of salvation...The form of the Church, and the form of every Christian life, is the form of the cross. Our lives must become a liturgy, a self offering that embodies the love of God and the renewal of the world... Let us preach Jesus Christ with all the energy of our lives. And let us support each other -whatever the cost- so that when we make our accounting to the Lord, we will be numbered among the faithful and courageous, and not the cowardly or the evasive, or those who compromised until there was nothing left of their convictions; or those who were silent when they should have spoken the right word at the right time."

Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, Head of the Archdiocese of Denver, Colorado

Michele Bachman Was Right About the Founding Fathers

The mainstream media had a field day with Michele Bachmann's statement that our Founding Fathers worked to end slavery, but she was right. The Washington Times ran an editorial on July 1st with a long list of quotes from the founders calling for an end to slavery. Seems the lady knows her American history better than the media know nothings. Check it out here.

On Irish Dance and Toddler Beauty Queens

I was reading the program for the Shenandoah County Fair this morning and saw the schedule for "Wee-Baby through Pre-Teen" beauty pageant complete with a  photo of the tiny tots bedecked in tiaras and sashes lined up for the judges. For just one instant I thought how cute some of my little granddaughters would look all gussied up -- and they could certainly beat all those other tots. Then the thought, "Yikes! Am I nuts?" Who would put a tiny child in that virtual reality nightmare?  But the madness and meanness isn't restricted to the beauty pageant circuit as I found in reading a delightful blog post this morning called The Jig's Up about Irish dancing. Seems like the nonsense is everywhere, even in an activity that ought to offer the option of being just for fun!

Obama Stimulus Armed Mexican Drug Runners

Did you know where $10 million of Obama's stimulus went? To the BATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms) for "Project Gunrunner" to provide guns to drug cartels in Mexico. (I'm not kidding!) Several were found at the scene of a murdered border agent and reports say 150 people in Mexico have been killed using them. One wag said the only business stimulated by the money was the Mexican funeral industry. What exactly is going on in this administration? Read more here...

Building Character in Toddlers

Remember the last time you did something you didn't want to do because you had a responsibility or because it was good for you? (Like going to the gym or taking a walk or studying Geometry!) We are character-building this week with two little three-year-olds and swim lessons.

Our daughter teaches swim class using a life-saving technique where toddlers swim to the wall and hang on. Hopefully, they will never actually need it, but there's at least one little boy alive today who rode a motorized toy jeep into the family pool and was rescued clinging to the side. (The woman who taught our daughter the method tells that story.)

But there's one part of the class that is difficult for both kids and parents. The instructor doesn't coax or convince the children to go under water or participate. The instructor takes them in the water and calmly goes through the routine which involves full submersion. She explains to them they need to kick and off they go, "One, two, three...under, bubbles, kick." The entire lesson for each child takes ten to fifteen minutes, but the class is longer because the little ones take turns. Three times to the wall, "Kick, kick, kick...reach up and grab the wall." Then twice going under to get rings on the bottom. There is a segment in the deep end where the child is dropped flat and kicks to the wall and reaches up to hold on, then twice dropped from the diving board to fall in the water and come up to the instructor then kick to the ladder. The regimen is repeated twice. Every class is exactly the same and the child knows what to expect after only a few repetitions. During the last class of the session the children jump in completely dressed to let them feel what it's like to be in the water in their clothes.

And, yes, there's plenty of fussing and crying. My daughter explains this to parents ahead of time so they'll exercise tough love and not let junior quit because it's hard and he doesn't like putting his head under water. By the third class most of the crying has stopped and the results are incredible! It's funny to see a little one climb up the ladder in the deep end crying and go right over to jump (or be dropped) off the diving board the second time.

A few years ago when Alice was teaching another group of our mostly three-year-old grandchildren, one little guy, Zack, would be crying and nodding his head yes when she asked if he wanted to go down and get the rings. And his cousin, Ryan, also three, was swimming so well at his community pool that adults were coming over to talk to his parents about how they did it.

However, when Alice tried to teach another grandchild at a public pool in Texas she had a woman insist she stop because Jonathan's crying was making her  "uncomfortable." Doesn't that describe our culture in a nutshell. "I don't care how important what you are doing is, it's making ME uncomfortable so stop it."

We all have to do a lot of things in life that we don't want to do. Like my grandchildren we whine and moan, "It's too hard....I'm too tired....It's too scary....I don't want to....I want Mommy!" Too many parents coddle their children and let children's feelings and fears determine what they will do. And, God forbid, they would never FORCE the poor little dears to do anything. Too bad!

Building character begins at birth and this week it begins in the pool. And every afternoon when classes are over and the popsicles are eaten, I take the little ones for playtime in the pool. Guess what game they want to play? "Under, bubbles, kick." There's a pride in conquering our fears that is the authentic foundation of self-esteem.

Thanks, Alice, for helping these little ones become water safe as early as possible and build character in the process!

For more photos of swim lessons go here.

Marian Shrine Sees Visitor Boom

Since Bishop Ricken approved the apparitions of Our Lady in Champion, WI, the shrine has seen a visitor boom. In the fall my husband and I plan to make the pilgrimage ourselves. Our Lady of Good Help is the only approved apparition site in the U.S. What a blessing to visit a place where Mary appeared. Check out the article in the Les Femmes newsletter and the article linked below.

Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help near Green Bay sees attendance soar

United Nations Increases Funding to Planned Parenthood

While governments are decreasing their funding of the biggest baby killing organization in the world, the United Nations is increasing its funding. With all our budget problems, is anyone looking at cutting funding to the U.N.? Not only does the U.N. support killing babies here and abroad but it is one of the biggest contributors to teen immorality by promoting Planned Parenthood's worldview. Did you know that kids have a right to sexual pleasure? That's what PP says and their view will likely prevail at the upcoming U.N. conference on youth. Here are just two statements from PP's "guide."

PPcalls for "bringing an end to abstinence-only sex education programs and promoting evidence informed approaches to comprehensive sexuality education.” [Note: PP's "coprehensive" sex ed includes teaching kids how to contracept and engage in homosexual relations. Just what you want your kids to learn, eh?]

PP also calls for “Ensuring that all young people understand that they are entitled to sexual pleasure and how to experience different forms of sexual pleasure is important for their health and well-being.” [What do you think "different forms of sexual pleasure entail? Hmmm?]

Read more:

UN Agencies Increase Funding to Embattled Planned Parenthood

New IPPF Sex Guides Issued For Youth

Nazi Tactics in Quartszite, AZ

Update July 8th: YouTube pulled the video but it is still available at World Net Daily. Click on the link at the end for the WND article and video clip.

Watch the first amendment trampled on in a little Arizona town. This video, posted on July 2nd, needs to go viral. The meeting took place on June 28th. It currently has over 57,000 views. Pass it on.



Note that the council members vote to deny the right to free speech to this woman while the mayor tries to prevent her arrest. The police ignore the mayor and arrest the woman even though she's in order and has the floor. The police sergeant ignores the mayor. Except for a short burst of applause from the audience when the woman continues speaking, they are mostly passive as she is arrested. Consider the impact if they had risen as a body and blocked the door to prevent her being removed.

Hopefully there will be a lawsuit against these police officers for false arrest. Read more:

'Nazi' police 'kidnap' woman at town hall: Outraged mayor: 'I'm not going to quit until I see them in jail'

Priests Bless Participation in "Gay" Pride Parade

Three parishes to avoid if you're visiting San Francisco. What kind of priests who love their people encourage them to commit mortal sin? "Gay" priests perhaps? They are the "blind guides" spoken of by Jesus. Pray for our misguided brothers and sisters who have made lust their God.

Three parishes in SF ‘gay pride’ parade: Most Holy Redeemer, St. John of God and St. Agnes

What Society Has Ever Benefited from Sodomy?

Gay marriage across the land: Not so darn fast

"My fear — based on secular, more than religious precepts — is that watering down marriage could eventually rob society of the stabilizing and other beneficial effects of an institution now relentlessly under attack. Perhaps this argument is too ethereal to be grasped or accepted in an age of radical individualism. But it's an argument that is understood by plenty of Americans willing to state it, although it puts them in danger of being painted as haters."

If you want to throw out an institution that has been the basis of every society in human history, it seems the burden of proof ought to be on you to show how your actions will benefit the common good? Massachusetts has ample evidence of the damage same-sex marriage has inflicted on the state. (See here.)

The reality is that we will probably get universal same-sex marriage in the U.S., not through the will of the people, but the same way abortion came -- through the dictatorship of liberal courts.

What does that mean?

The pro-aborts predicted that Roe would end the debate on killing babies in the womb. In reality it was just beginning. But the polarization of the country because of abortion will look like a cakewalk compared to the impact of same-sex marriage. Those who oppose it will be demonized (We already are!) and "gay" activists will use the same intimidation tactics against supporters of traditional marriage as in California against supporters of Proposition 8. Some may become bloody martyrs like Mary Stachowisz. Others will lose their jobs (Some already have.) and become victims of hate-speech legislation which looms on the horizon. Homosexuals will continue to dress anal sex and other disease-ridden practices in a mantel of respectability and the children will pay the price as they teach in our schools that sodomy is normal and offer details on how-to-do-it "safely" which is a joke. (If you don't believe this scenario, click on the "see here" link above for what's happening in Massachusetts.)

Homosexual behavior is more dangerous than smoking and kills a lot younger. Just read the obits columns in "gay" papers and see the ages of the dead homosexuals. Parents who promote their children's perverted behavior don't love them enough to challenge what is clearly wrong both physically and morally. They would rather be "liked' by their children than tell them the truth. God forgive them. And thank God for parents like Phyllis Schlafly who refuse to enter the game.

On this feast of St. Maria Goretti, model of purity, let us pray for our poor country enslaved in lust and reaping its evil consequences.

Got Weather?

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SOLT Issues Press Release Confirming Serious Misdeeds by Fr. Corapi

The accusations against Fr. Corapi are no longer a case of "he said, she said." SOLT has issued a press release confirming serious moral lapses by the popular priest based on their investigation by a panel of professionals. It would be helpful at this point, given the seriousness of the situation, if SOLT released the names of the professionals who conducted the investigation.

Since no crimes are involved, there will not be a court case with evidence presented unless the civil case goes to trial. It seems unlikely that Fr. Corapi could win such a case if evidence of the allegations are presented in court. And what a soap opera if they are!

This sad situation brings more scandal to our beloved Church. Please pray for Fr. Corapi, for his religious superiors, and for all those who will be hurt by this information. It sounds like the Black Sheep Dog really is a black sheep. Pray for him.

SOLT PRESS RELEASE

Father John A. Corapi submitted his resignation from the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity (SOLT) early in June. SOLT is a society of apostolic life of diocesan right with its regional office in Robstown, Texas.

While SOLT does not typically comment publicly on personnel matters, it recognizes that Father John Corapi, through his ministry, has inspired thousands of faithful Catholics, many of whom continue to express their support of him. SOLT also recognizes that Father Corapi is now misleading these individuals through his false statements and characterizations. It is for these Catholics that SOLT, by means of this announcement, seeks to set the record straight.

A woman, well known to Father John Corapi, mailed SOLT a signed letter detailing allegations of Father Corapi’s sexual activity with adult women, abuse of alcohol and drugs, improper sacramental practices, violation of his promise of poverty and other wrongdoing.

After receiving the allegation, SOLT formed a three-person fact-finding team to ensure that it handled this matter in accordance with canonical norms. The team included a priest-canonist, a psychiatrist and a lawyer. Two were members of religious orders, and one was a lay Catholic. Two were men, and one was a woman. All three have national reputations and substantial experience in ecclesiastical processes related to priest disciplinary issues.

As the society was engaging this team, Father Corapi filed a civil lawsuit against his principal accuser. He contended that she had defamed him and breached her contract. The contract, according to [Father] Corapi’s lawsuit, contained a provision binding the woman to silence about him. He offered the woman $100,000 to enter this agreement.

SOLT’s fact-finding team subsequently learned that Father Corapi may have negotiated contracts with other key witnesses that precluded them from speaking with SOLT’s fact-finding team. Many of these witnesses likely had key information about the accusations being investigated and declined to answer questions and provide documents.

When the fact-finding team asked Father Corapi to dismiss the lawsuit, to forbear from foreclosing his mortgage, and to release her and other individuals from their contractual obligations to remain silent about him, he refused to do so and, through his canonical advocate, stated: “It is not possible for Father Corapi to answer the commission’s questions at this time.”

SOLT’s fact-finding team has acquired information from Father Corapi’s emails, various witnesses and public sources that, together, state that, during his years of public ministry:

— He did have sexual relations and years of cohabitation (in California and Montana) with a woman known to him, when the relationship began, as a prostitute.

— He repeatedly abused alcohol and drugs.

— He has recently engaged in “sexting” activity with one or more women in Montana.

— He holds legal title to over $1 million in real estate, numerous luxury vehicles, motorcycles, an ATV, a boat dock, and several motor boats, which is a serious violation of his promise of poverty as a perpetually professed member of the society.

SOLT has contemporaneously, with the issuance of this press release, directed Father John Corapi, under obedience, to return home to the society’s regional office and take up residence there. It has also ordered him, again under obedience, to dismiss the lawsuit he has filed against his accuser.

SOLT’s prior direction to Father John Corapi not to engage in any preaching or teaching, the celebration of the sacraments or other public ministry continues. Catholics should understand that SOLT does not consider Father John Corapi as fit for ministry.

"All Men Are Created Equal"

Fourth of July always gets me thinking about the Declaration of Independence and its affirmation of the principle that "all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights." You can see that if you look at my earlier posts this morning relating to the equality of babies in the womb. I particularly found the discussion between the young man and the college professor interesting. She said she knew it was wrong to kill blacks and Jews but she didn't know why. It's a metaphysical question, she claimed, that has no answer.

Huh?

I have no problem answering the question -- because they are members of the human family. You don't kill your own. Slaughtering beef or cutting the head off a chicken is in a different category of act because animals are not human. Now some ethicists like Peter Singer would say that's "specieism." Singer believes pigs have more rights than babies waiting to be born. It seems to me that there must be an element of self-hatred in such a view since we all began as little ones in the womb. What does it say about your view of your own self-worth if you can shrug and say, "Of course my mom had a right to kill me before I was born!" Wow!

If you have no value in the womb when do you have value? Do you have any value at all at any time? And if so when does this value suddenly happen? Is it dropped on you like dew at some magical point? Mother Teresa had it right when she said that if we can justify abortion, what is to stop from you killing me or me killing you. Any inhumanity toward another person becomes justifiable doesn't it?

These are philosophical questions that get to the heart of who we are and they begin to expose the diametrically opposed world views of the secular humanist and the Christian humanist. The secularist says we have no value except that given us by other people. The Christian humanist says we have value because we are created by God and loved and belong to Him. "I knew you before you were formed in the womb." The difference is whether we came to be as an accident of nature or because we are loved by a gracious God to whom we are the "apple" of His eye. Either we belong to Him and have rights as a result or we belong to ourselves and are not answerable to anyone. Either God makes laws by which we are all called to govern ourselves, or man is a law unto himself and "might makes right." The strong prey on the weak. The majority exercises its tyranny on the minority.

Which society do we resemble at present: the law of God or the law of the jungle?

Who Looks More Like the Professor in this Video?

"Semantic Gymnastics" and the Dishonesty of Pro-abortion Advocates

Note the refusal to come to terms with the reality of abortion as the women in the video jump through hoops to avoid answering the reporter's question: "What is abortion?" If abortion is so good, why won't they answer the question? Because they have to come face to face with the lie that abortion is not the direct killing of a baby.



From California Medicine 113, no.3 (1970), reprinted in The Human Life Review 1, no.1 (1975): 103-4.

"...since the old ethic has not been fully displaced it has been necessary to separate the idea of abortion from the idea of killing, which continues to be socially abhorrent. The result has been a curious avoidance of the scientific fact, which everyone really knows, that human life begins at conception and is continuous whether intra- or extra-uterine until death. The very considerable semantic gymnastics which are required to rationalize abortion as anything but taking a human life would be ludicrous if they were not often put forth under socially impeccable auspices. It is suggested that this schizophrenic sort of subterfuge is necessary because while a new ethic is being accepted the old one has not yet been rejected." ,

Sometimes the Good Guys Win! Wave Your Hats and Shout....

God bless America!

Florida district buckles – drops 'God bless' ban: New settlement guts ACLU-inspired crackdown on all expressions of faith

"Officials in the Santa Rosa County, Fla., School District have agreed to gut an ACLU-inspired consent decree they imposed on students and faculty several years ago and pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees to settle a legal challenge to their decision that banned ordinary phrases such as "God bless" from their campuses."

Is this a faint harbinger of the end of ACLU tyranny across our land?

In God We Trust: Happy 4th of July!

As you listen to our National Anthem consider the 4th and final verse and pray for our poor country. We will only continue to be the "land of the free and home of the brave" to the degree that we honor the "Power" that has "preserved us a nation." Pray that all patriots put their trust in God and obey his laws which were made for our happiness. When we throw out the laws of God, we guarantee the misery of our country and our people.

Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand

Between their loved home and the war's desolation!

Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land

Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.

Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,

And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."

And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Good News on Church Architecture

Altar Rail Returning to Use

And it's bringing reverence back to the liturgy. Praised be to God! 

This from the article:

Altar (Communion) rails are returning for all the right reasons.

Said Father Markey: “First, the Holy Father is requiring holy Communion from him be received on the knees. Second, it’s part of our tradition as Catholics for centuries to receive holy Communion on the knees. Third, it’s a beautiful form of devotion to our blessed Lord.”

James Hitchcock, professor and author of Recovery of the Sacred (Ignatius Press, 1995), thinks the rail resurgence is a good idea. The main reason is reverence, he said. “Kneeling’s purpose is to facilitate adoration,” he explained.

How "Gay" Activists Intimidate...

...with death threats and threats to rape their opponents' children. Why? Because people signed a petition supporting traditional marriage.

From an article at World Net Daily---

Among the documented threats:

“I will kill you and your family.”
“Oh my God, This woman is so f—ing stupid. Someone please shoot her in the head, again and again. And again.”

“I’m going to kill the pastor.”

“If I had a gun I would have gunned you down along with each and every other supporter…”

“We’re going to kill you.”

“You’re dead. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but soon … you’re dead.”

“I’m a gay guy who owns guns, and he’s my next target.”
“I warn you, I know how to kill, I’m an ex-special forces person.”

“Get ready for retribution all you bigots.”

Burn their f—ing churches to the ground, and then tax the charred timbers.”
The evidence included churches marred by graffiti, swastikas on lawns and walls, bricks thrown through windows and doors, adhesive poured into locks, suspicious packages of white powder sent in the mail – “all for nothing more than supporting traditional marriage.”

“On two occasions, both in Washington state, a group called Bash Back! boldly accepted credit for vandalizing houses of worship, writing in one case, ‘when we [graffitied your walls] and glued all the doors shut, we threw open our own doors and tattooed those words on our (sic) hearts. Welcome to our world s—heads.’”
...“When some activists could sense that intimidation was not working … they resorted to threatening the families – even the children – of supporters. In one case, the perpetrator threated to ‘kill’ the supporter’s child and the whole family; in another, to ‘harm’ the supporter’s family; and in another, to rape the supporters’ daughter.”


Support traditional marriage? ‘You’re dead’

See complete article here and pray for those who stand up for the truth and refuse to be intimidated by these evil people.

Rejoicing in Family!

I love holidays because they always bring family visitors. Not everybody, of course; we have to share with the other grandparents...but we are rarely celebrating alone. This July 4th brings our Texas daughter and her family which includes five little princesses including one not-so-little sweet sixteen. We plan on a special outing to celebrate her being on the cusp of Catholic womanhood.

We won't be able to see the youngest member of our family party because she is still in her own little watery world of Mama's womb. But we'll see the evidence of her presence. And we've already seen her first photos through the wonderful technology of ultrasound. If you'd like to be introduced, check her out on my gramma blog. Hope your 4th of July is as full of family and fun as ours.

God bless America!

Obama should be impeached!

I had lunch today with two friends, a married couple. The husband, who is black, expressed his fury with Obama and his concern that he'd be reelected. We agreed that one benefit of a Herman Cain candidacy would be eliminating the race card. I could go for a Herman Cain/Michele Bachmann ticket. Wouldn't that be interesting? And thanks to Political Brambles for tipping me off to this video.

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Why I No Longer Consider Myself a Republican

I used to work for the Republican Party. I was a member of the Fairfax County Republican Committee for several years and a precinct chairman. When I moved to Woodstock I joined the Republican Women of Shenandoah Country and was Secretary. I quit when the executive board decided we had to support a woman who supported liberal positions spending initiative because she was a Republican woman. Apparently, what you stand for means nothing as long as you call yourself Republican.

So when I read the American Thinker article, The Need For A Militant Conservative Movement, it struck a chord. Read it and, if you're a conservative, see if it resonates with you as well:

Late last week, the New York State Senate voted to legalize homosexual marriage, giving equality with heterosexual marriage, the foundational unit of every single human society in the last 5,000 years of recorded history.

This is an enormous victory for the gay rights movement and for the American left. Like most of the left's victories in recent years, it could not have happened without the support of the Republican Party (which controls the New York State Senate). Republican fingerprints are all over Roe v. Wade, No Child Left Behind, affirmative action, amnesty for illegals, and the expansion of Medicare. Indeed, gay marriage failed in New York when the Democrats controlled the State Senate in 2009.

It's time for conservatives to face the truth: there is no conservative party in the United States. There is a leftist party, and a slightly-less-leftist party.

Forty percent of Americans self-identify as conservatives. Yet conservatives could not muster enough political support to defend traditional, heterosexual marriage against homosexuals, who comprise less than five percent of the population. But the gays -- whose campaign in New York was fronted by the circus freak Lady Gaga -- have been everywhere, French-kissing on the steps of state capitols from Sacramento to Albany, marching through the streets of San Francisco in bondage leather, throwing condoms and hosts at priests celebrating Mass in New York City, running television ads advocating gay marriage, donating pro bono legal representation to their cause, and enacting vendettas, protests, and boycotts against anyone who disagrees with them.

Gays, a tiny fraction of the population, have been organized and militant. This is true of the left in general....

The combined numbers of gays, blacks, unions, and other groups comprising the left fail to outnumber conservatives.  Yet conservatives have suffered defeat after defeat on almost every major issue for decades.  Conservatives have been disorganized and passive, while leftists have been militant and united in their fifty-year quest to destroy every single traditional, bourgeois norm and value in American life -- while smugly enjoying the security and economic prosperity that was created by those very same bourgeois norms and values. (Read entire article here.)

Yup, the Republican Party has betrayed us. Party politics trumps the truth almost every time. Consider Rick Santorum supporting Arlen Specter in PA and Newt Gingrich supporting Dede Scozzafava in NY. Both Specter and Scozzafava were RINOs as liberal as any Democrat, but Santorum passed up a pro-life candidate and Newt just counted Republican seats -- as if those folks can be counted on to vote traditional values. And the Republican leadership concedes to the left every time. So my strategy these days is VOTE CONSERVATIVE. If a Republican is liberal no amount of scare mongering by the leadership will get me to support him (or her).  Did Scott Brown stop Obamacare? No! But he was our savior! In reality, he's one more so-called conservative supporting the radical homosexual agenda. He helped repeal Don't Ask Don't Tell and invited a hard-core "gay" activist to the bill signing. What did pro-family folks gain with Brown? A kick in the teeth.

Support the good guys and let the bad ones fend for themselves. Don't give them a nickle or your vote, no matter how many Republican flunkies wring their hands and tell you the sky is falling.

Let Little Boys Be Boys!

We live in a culture that neuters boys. According to some studies as many as 15 to 20% of children, mostly boys, are put on ritalin at some point for hyperactivity. Gotta make those active little men sit quietly and do crafts like the little girls. What most need aren't mind altering drugs (ritalin has been called cocaine for kids); what they need is more time running, jumping, climbing, and letting off steam. But schools more and more are eliminating competitive games and vicious contact sports...like dodge ball. God forbid, that a little boy should get into a fight. Call the police! For the most part it's little boys standing in line at the principal's office for "behavioral problems." No surprise when parents are joining the gender police and encouraging their sons to be "princess boys."

Well, check out this video for a Catholic boys' camp. This is what all kids need, but boys especially! Run and play. Use your imagination to fight the evil empire. Channel that energy into activities that challenge both the mind and body! My grandson is there this weekend with his dad. Go for it, guys, and have a great time! I plan to try a zipline myself when we go on our vacation. When the body is active, so is the mind. Boys just need more of it!