Archbishop Raymond Burke addresses Catholic Prayer Breakfast

The following is an excerpt from Archbishop Burke's address to the Catholic Prayer Breakfast last Friday. You can read the full text at Life Site News.

Growing Crisis in Our Nation

5. I come to you, this morning, with the deepest concern for our nation. I come to you, not as someone who stands outside of our nation but as a citizen who, with you as fellow citizens, takes responsibility for the state of our nation and, therefore, cannot remain indifferent and inactive about what most concerns the good of us all, especially those among us who are small, weak and defenseless.

6. Over the past several months, our nation has chosen a path which more completely denies any legal guarantee of the most fundamental human right, the right to life, to the innocent and defenseless unborn. Our nation, which had its beginning in the commitment to safeguard and promote the inalienable right to "Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness" for all, without boundary, is more and more setting arbitrary limits to her commitment Those in power now determine who will or will not be accorded the legal protection of the most fundamental right to life. First the legal protection of the right to life is denied to the unborn and, then, to those whose lives have become burdened by advanced years, special needs or serious illness, or whose lives are somehow judged to be unprofitable or unworthy.

7. What is more, those in power propose to force physicians and other healthcare professionals, in other words, those with a particular responsibility to protect and foster human life, to participate, contrary to what their conscience requires, in the destruction of unborn human lives, from the first or embryonic stage of development to the moment of birth. Our laws may soon force those who have dedicated themselves to the care of the sick and the promotion of good health to give up their noble life work, in order to be true to the most sacred dictate of their consciences. What is more, if our nation continues down the path it has taken, healthcare institutions operating in accord with the natural moral law, which teaches us that innocent human life is to be protected and fostered at all times and that it is always and everywhere evil to destroy an innocent human life, will be forced to close their doors.

8. At the same time, the fundamental society, that is, the family, upon which the life of our nation is founded and depends, is under attack by legislation which redefines marriage to include a relationship between two persons of the same sex and permits them to adopt children.... With unparalleled arrogance, our nation is choosing to renounce its foundation upon the faithful, indissoluble, and inherently procreative love of a man and a woman in marriage, and, in violation of what nature itself teaches us, to replace it with a so-called marital relationship, according to the definition of those who exercise the greatest power in our society.

9. The path of violation of the most fundamental human rights and of the integrity of marriage and the family, which our nation is traveling, is not accidental. It is part of the program set forth by those whom we have freely chosen to lead our nation. The part of the program in question was not unknown to us; it was announced to us beforehand and a majority of our fellow citizens, including a majority of our fellow Catholics, chose the leadership which is now implementing it with determination....

10. As Catholics, we cannot fail to note, with the greatest sadness, the number of our fellow Catholics, elected or appointed by our President to public office, who cooperate fully in the advancement of a national agenda was is anti-life and anti-family. Most recently, the appointment of a Catholic as Secretary of Health and Human Services, who has openly and persistently cooperated with the industry of procured abortion in our nation, is necessarily a source of the deepest embarrassment to Catholics and a painful reminder of the most serious responsibility of Catholics to uphold the natural moral law, which is the irreplaceable foundation of just relationships among the citizens of our nation. It grieves me to say that the support of anti-life legislation by Catholics in public office is so common that those who are not Catholic have justifiably questioned whether the Church's teaching regarding the inviolable dignity of innocent human life is firm and unchanging. It gives the impression that the Church herself can change the law which God has written on every human heart from the beginning of time and has declared in the Fifth Commandment of the Decalogue: Thou shalt not kill.

11. As is clear, the anti-life and anti-family path down which our nation is being led has repercussions for many other peoples who rely upon the United States for aid or who are influenced by the international policies upon which our nation insists. The interest of so many nations in our recent presidential election is a clear sign of the world leadership which our national leadership exercises. What those who were so enthused about the strong message of change and hope in the United States, delivered during the last election campaign, are now discovering is a consistent implementation of policies and programs which confirm and advance the culture of death....

The change which brings hope can only be the renewal of our nation in the divine love which respects the inviolable dignity of every human life, from the moment of its inception to the moment of natural death, and which creates and gives growth to new human life through the love of man and woman in marriage. Any hope which is incoherent with the great hope is truly illusory and can never bring forth justice and its fruit, peace, for our nation and world.

Posts from the Twilight Zone - Government Terrorism on the Rise

Bizarre items linked to the Department of Homeland Security and their report about domestic terrorism and "right-wing extremism" are right out of the Twilight Zone.

I wrote last month about Steve Bierfeldt of The Campaign for Liberty who was detained at the St. Louis Airport because he was (gasp!) carrying about $4500 in cash. If you haven't listened to Judge Napolitano talk about that violation of rights check it out.

Bad news for freedom. But today I got an item about a motorist in a small town in Alabama who was stopped BECAUSE OF HIS BUMPER STICKER! The man was detained for thirty minutes by the vigilant cops who ran an identification check before letting him go WITH A WARNING.

Since President Obama took office the Department of Homeland Security has labeled as potential terrorists pro-lifers, vets, Ron Paul supporters, and others who support freedom. I have both a Ron Paul and a pro-life sticker on my bumper making me a double terrorist I guess. Read the article; it's a head-shaker. Next, they'll have someone at the check-out counter in the grocery store doing a background check on anyone who buys teabags.

But this is no laughing matter. Remember what happened at Ruby Ridge and Waco. An out-of-control government killed American citizens who had committed no crimes including a twelve-year-old boy shot in the back. The only thing that made these Americans suspect was their distrust of the government. Hey, by that criteria Ronald Reagan was a terrorist. He used to joke that the nine most terrifying words in the English language are "I'm from the government and I'm here to help."

Gun control that saves lives

A University of Maryland student's control of his gun saved the lives of himself and nine friends threatened by two criminals apparently intent on killing them all.

College Student Shoots, Kills Home Invader

Consider the difference if a student at Virginia Tech had had a gun in his backpack that terrible day in April 2007. How many of the 32 victims of Seung-Hui Cho might be alive today if Virginia schools allowed professors and students to carry guns on campus?

Those intent on rampaging don't worry about gun laws. Gun controls only strip law abiding citizens of guns increasing the danger they face from the lawless.

Support the second amendment, especially the right to bear handguns!

A hat tip to the Virginia Gun Owners Coalition for this news item.

The skit you'll never see on Saturday Night Live

(Dr. Bill has just examined Jenny Jones and they are walking into his office. He sits behind a desk and she sits down in a chair opposite.)

Dr. Bill: Well, well, I'm delighted to say that you are in excellent health. (He chuckles.) If you were a thoroughbred, my dear, I'd bet on you at the races. Now, just let me write this prescription for you and I'll see you in three months. (Begins writing on a prescription pad.)

Jenny Jones: (looking puzzled) Why do I need a prescription if I'm in "excellent health." What's it for?

Dr. Bill: (Looking at her over the top of his glasses.) Oh, it's for your boyfriend.(Hands her the prescription.)

Jenny Jones: (Looking at it) I don't understand. You mean he should take it?

Dr. Bill: (Chuckling) No, it's for you. (Talks to her as though she's a slow child.) Well, well, you're a healthy, FERTILE young woman and this will take care of that (He winks.) if you get my meaning.

Jenny Jones: (Tries to hand him back the prescription.) But, Doctor,....

Dr. Bill: (Picks up the pill package insert and lets it unfold. It drops open several feet.) Here's the list of risks and contraindications. Wouldn't want to be sued, you know. My insurance is too high already. (He hands it to her.)

Jenny Jones: (She reads silently shaking her head.) I'm not taking this.

Dr. Bill: (Sounding disappointed, accepts the folder from her.) Oh...well, some women don't like the idea of taking medicine every day when they aren't sick. (Cheering up.) But there are other alternatives. He goes through things on the desk until he finds what he's looking for) Ah, here it is. (He holds up a small device shaped like a T with threads hanging from it.) This is Mirena, a man's best friend. (gestures with his hands) I'll just insert this up your little coochie snorter and into the uterus and you and your partner will be set for five years. (He hands it to her.)

Jenny Jones: (She holds it up to the light and looks at it curiously.) What is it?

Dr. Bill: An IUD. Neat little device, eh? Insert it and forget it.

Jenny Jones: How does it work?

Dr. Bill: Hmmm.... Well, actually, we don't know exactly. It releases hormones...(looks through papers on his desk as he speaks, finds a pamphlet, opens it and uses his finger to scroll down the page and find what he's looking for. Reads...) "It may thicken your cervical mucus, thin the lining of your uterus, inhibit sperm movement and reduce sperm survival...may stop release of your egg from your ovary, but this is not the way it works in most cases. Most likely, these actions work together to prevent pregnancy." (Looks up and smiles cheerfully.) There, you have it. (He hands the pamphlet to her.)

Jenny Jones: (Looks at it then reads) Possible side effects: "Pelvic Inflammatory Disease...Life-threatening infections...embedment...perforation...cysts on the ovaries" (Angry, she stands and hands Mirena back.) What do I look like - a guinea pig?

Dr. Bill: (Trying to mollify her.) No need to get upset, Miss Jones. There's always condoms, gels, the sponge, ...

Jenny Jones: Enough! (She pulls a hairpin out of her upswept hairdo and hands it to Dr. Bill.) Stick that up your (indecipherable). (She walks toward the door, stops, turns around, and says in a firm voice.) By the way, it's MRS. Jones and I came today to confirm my pregnancy and begin prenatal care.

Dr. Bill: (Nonplussed) Oops...must have mixed up the charts. (Brightening) Well, just make an appointment for next month.

Mrs. Jones: In your dreams! (She slams the door on her way out.)

Dr. Bill: (Yells) Nurse!

ACLU Targets National Day of Prayer

Today is the National Day of Prayer and who can deny that our poor country needs lots of those? President Obama declined to participate, but media outlets say he'll sign a proclamation. It's after noon and I'm still waiting. Maybe he'll get a-round-tuit before the day is over. On the other hand, maybe the president's foot-dragging indicates support for the ACLU's effort to get the day pitched into oblivion. The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) which filed an amicus brief, describe the ACLU's case saying, "Sadly, this lawsuit - brought by the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF), a Wisconsin-based organization - is another twisted legal attempt to remove prayer from public life. It specifically challenges the constitutionality of a 1988 federal law giving the President the authority to designate the first Thursday in May as a National Day of Prayer....There is no constitutional crisis here. We are hopeful that the court will take the only action appropriate in this case and DISMISS this lawsuit."

You can read the amicus brief here and visit the ACLJ resource page on prayer here.

Formal government declarations of prayer are as old as the American Republic. George Washington declared the first National Day of Thanksgiving in 1789. But the National Day of prayer began even earlier. John Jay, President of the Continental Congress signed this proclamation in 1779 during the American Revolutionary War begging for God's intervention:

PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS, in just Punishment of our manifold Transgressions, it hath pleased the Supreme Disposer of all Events to visit these United States with a calamitous War, through which his Divine Providence hath hitherto in a wonderful Manner conducted us, so that we might acknowledge that the Race is not to the Swift, nor the Battle to the Strong: AND WHEREAS, notwithstanding the Chastisements received and Benefits bestowed, too few have been sufficiently awakened to a Sense of their Guilt, or warmed with Gratitude, or taught to amend their Lives and turn from their Sins, that so he might turn his Wrath: AND WHEREAS, from a Consciousness of what we have merited at his Hands, and an Apprehension that the Malevolence of our disappointed Enemies, like the Incredulity of Pharaoh, may be used as the Scourge of Omnipotence to vindicate his slighted Majesty, there is Reason to fear that he may permit much of our Land to become the Prey of the Spoiler, our Borders to be ravaged, and our Habitations destroyed:

RESOLVED

THAT it be recommended to the several States to appoint the First Thursday in May next to be a Day of Fasting, Humiliation, and Prayer to Almighty God, that he will be pleased to avert those impending Calamities which we have but too well deserved: That he will grant us his Grace to repent of our Sins, and amend our Lives according to his Holy Word: That he will continue that wonderful Protection which hath led us through the Paths of Danger and Distress: That he will be a Husband to the Widow, and a Father to the fatherless Children, who weep over the Barbarities of a Savage Enemy: That he will grant us Patience in Suffering, and Fortitude in Adversity: That he will inspire us with Humility, Moderation, and Gratitude in prosperous Circumstances: That he will give Wisdom to our Councils, Firmness to our Resolutions, and Victory to our Arms: That he will bless the Labours of the Husbandman, and pour forth Abundance, so that we may enjoy the Fruits of the Earth in due Season: That he will cause Union, Harmony, and mutual Confidence to prevail throughout these States: That he will bestow on our great Ally all those Blessings which may enable him to be gloriously instrumental in protecting the Rights of Mankind, and promoting the Happiness of his Subjects: That he will bountifully continue his paternal Care to the Commander in Chief, and the Officers and Soldiers of the United States: That he will grant the Blessings of Peace to all contending Nations, Freedom to those who are in Bondage, and Comfort to the Afflicted: That he will diffuse Useful Knowledge, extend the Influence of True Religion, and give us that Peace of Mind which the World cannot give: That he will be our Shield in the Day of Battle, our Comforter in the Hour of Death, and our kind Parent and merciful Judge through Time and through Eternity.

Done in CONGRESS, this Twentieth Day of March, in the Year of Our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy-Nine, and in the Third Year of our Independence.
JOHN JAY, President.
Attest. CHARLES THOMSON, Secretary.

Prayer is the lifeblood of this Christian nation. Share this document with others. We could hardly do better than to read, ponder, and pray as did our forefathers.

Reach out and touch someone!

Out of the mouths of babes:

Little Samuel Armas is well-named. Like the prophet Samuel who was first called as a young child -- Samuel spoke first in silence, called forth from the womb. His "speech" was a gesture - just a tiny hand reaching out of his mother's uterus to grasp a doctor's finger, but it was the picture that touched the world.

Ten years later Samuel tells what that photo means to him.

"When I see that picture, the first thing I think of is how special and lucky I am to have God use me that way....I feel very thankful that I was in that picture.A lot of babies would've lost their lives if that didn't happen."

Read more here.

Barack Obama, King of Double Talk

Barack Obama is an interesting study. Does he really believe what he says? He certainly seems sincere when he gets up in front of an audience, even though his words are often diametrically opposed to his actions. The Washington Times' Joseph Curl editorializing about Obama's first 100 days described the president's hour long press conference last Wednesday as a finger-pointing "look back in anger." Curl made the point that "the candidate who vowed a new post-partisan Washington, free from the rancorous bickering that often grinds the city to gridlock, ripped Republicans as the members of a do-nothing party of no." Does the president really expect everyone to line up and do his bidding as if he has the "divine right" of kings?

Obama's words and actions simply don't match and never have. Cardinal George of Chicago made that crystal clear when he described his March 18th meeting with the president which was reported by LifeSiteNews Here are some paragraphs taken from the report:

Cardinal George told a recent gathering of Catholic priests that Obama says he is not pro-abortion and will eventually work to reduce abortions.

For most pro-life advocates, Obama's extensive pro-abortion record of executive orders and key political appointments proves otherwise.

"I think on the life issue he's on the wrong side of history," the cardinal said, but he added that Obama wants to make pro-life advocates appear as if he is on their side.

"It's hard to disagree with him because he'll always tell you he agrees with you," he said, according to CNS. "Maybe that's political. I think he sincerely wants to agree with you. You have to say, again and again, 'No, Mr. President, we don't agree (on abortion).'"

"He said we weren't exporting abortion," the cardinal recounted. "I said, 'Yes we are.' He would say, 'I know I have to do certain things here. ... But be patient and you'll see the pattern will change.' I said, 'Mr. President, you've given us nothing but the wrong signals on this issue.' So, we'll see, but I'm not as hopeful now as I was when he was first elected."

Ultimately, the Catholic pro-life leader cast a pessimistic view of the situation under Obama and the long-term outlook.

Yes, the outlook seems pretty grim. Actions speak louder than words and Obama's don't bode well for those who love the truth.

Notre Dame Protest

Take a stand for life. Join the protest.

Activity at Notre Dame heats up!

Notre Dame is becoming ground zero in the battle between Catholicism and secularism in this country.

Notre Dame Response, the student group organizing against Obama's presence, will have a demonstration on commencement day from 10 AM to 4 PM and invites others to attend. They are also calling for a million rosaries for President Obama before commencement. Support their efforts!

Meanwhile, the Center for Bioethical Reform is driving truth trucks and conducting flyovers with huge photos of aborted babies. Their campaign to inform Notre Dame students and the community of South Bend is serious. A portion of their press release reads:
In response to the decision by the University of Notre Dame to honor Barack
Obama, America’s first infanticide-supporting president, with an honorary degree and an invitation to deliver their 2009 commencement address, The Center For Bio-Ethical Reform (CBR) will immediately begin displaying large abortion photos on the sides and backs of a fleet of billboard trucks which will operate in the South Bend area between now and the conclusion of graduation ceremonies. The signs link Mr. Obama to his obsessively pro-abortion policies.
CBR will also display large, hand-held signs, which will graphically emphasize the same linkage along all routes leading to the school. Because the pro-life community at Notre Dame has relentlessly covered-up the horror of abortion, CBR has decided to fly enormous, aerial billboards over the campus. If the Secret Service and the Federal Aviation Administration impose Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) for a longer period than is typical for a presidential appearance, or which restrict more airspace than is typical for a presidential appearance, CBR will also fly its aircraft at Notre Dame during the fall semester, 2009, during an aerial campaign which will last far longer than is typical for a presidential appearance.

Support CBR with a donation.

Sixty-two American bishops have now spoken out against Notre Dame's decision to invite President Obama to commencement and confer an honorary Doctor of Law degree. The Cardinal Newman Society has gathered over 350,000 names on a petition calling on Notre Dame to "halt this travesty." .

The storm at Notre Dame is a direct clash between the culture of life and the culture of death. Take action by
1) Contacting Fr. Jenkins: Call him at 574.631.5000, fax him at 574.631.2770, write a personal email president@nd.edu, or mail your letter to 400 Main Building, Notre Dame, IN 46556,
2) Signing the petition
3) Supporting the groups that are rallying to expose the horror of what President Obama stands for.

My own personal question for Fr. Jenkins: "How many babies aborted during this administration would be Notre Dame applicants in 2027 and beyond?" For a college president to give a platform to a man dedicated to killing future students at Notre Dame and elsewhere is both evil and insane.

More on Virginia Politics and Outside Carpetbaggers

Well, I got the answer to the question posed in my earlier post. Yes, Yoni Cohen, spokesman for Common Sense Virginia (CSV) which has nothing to do with common sense and everything to do with slimeball politics is the same political operative who worked for Pete Stark of California. He's originally from Boston and couldn't care less about issues important to Virginians which is why CSV doesn't address them honestly. CSV is nothing but a liberal attack dog funded by big labor. No doubt, we'll see many more Cohens shipped into the state during the next few months, to raise dead voters and register Donald Duck and Peter Pan. What fun!

The CSV website is short on facts and long on attacks. Whenever I visit I have to turn down the sound because of the scary music. (It makes you imagine the evil laughter of the wicked Republicans? Wa-ha-ha-ha! Bob McDonnell the bogeyman is coming to get you, Virginia. Quick, call the Democratic ghost-busters who will tax and spend you into prosperity.)

Actually, the site does a pretty good job of giving me more reasons to support Bob McDonnell. He's pro-life, supports school choice, and opposed mandatory pre-school. He's a fiscal conservative and a right-to-work supporter who opposed some of the grandiose schemes supported by big-government guru Tim Kaine. At any rate, you won't find much information at the CSV website, just manipulation and distortion of Bob McDonnell's positions.

Here are a few articles about CSV. This is all about outsiders coming into Virginia to tell us how to vote (for liberals of course). Personally I think most Virginia voters are too smart for this nonsense.

Show me the $$

Small-minded Big-footing In Va. Governor's Race

Common Sense Virgnia top donors

Va. race takes tone, tactics of national politics

Big Labor Democrats