A nice, calm and respectable lady went into the pharmacy, walked up to the pharmacist, looked straight into his eyes, and said, "I would like to buy some cyanide."
The pharmacist asked, "Why in the world do you need cyanide?"
The lady replied, "I need it to poison my husband."
The pharmacist's eyes got big and he exclaimed, "Lord have mercy! I can't give you cyanide to kill your husband. That's against the law! I'll lose my license! They'll throw both of us in jail! All kinds of bad things will happen.
Absolutely not! You CANNOT have any cyanide!"
The lady reached into her purse and pulled out a picture of her husband in bed with the pharmacist's wife.
The pharmacist looked at the picture and replied, "Well now, that's a different story. You didn't tell me you had a prescription."
From Susan S.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
GOOD NEWS FROM ROSEANN!
From Roseann to Sue:
I'm on my way home as soon as they get the papers all together. Dr K determined it was bronchitis instead of pneumonia. I'll stay on the feeding tube until I get my strength built back up.
This is a wonderful day. I want to be home. I love all of you and appreciate the prayers and kind thoughts.
Love, R
Roseann, we love you, too, and we rejoice with you that you are on your way home - maybe even home by now. Thanks be to God!
Thank you, Sue, for keeping us informed.
I'm on my way home as soon as they get the papers all together. Dr K determined it was bronchitis instead of pneumonia. I'll stay on the feeding tube until I get my strength built back up.
This is a wonderful day. I want to be home. I love all of you and appreciate the prayers and kind thoughts.
Love, R
Roseann, we love you, too, and we rejoice with you that you are on your way home - maybe even home by now. Thanks be to God!
Thank you, Sue, for keeping us informed.
Joke Of The Day
Pictures and captions from the genius called MadPriest.
The Anglican Consultative Council (ACC) asked May 6 for a renewal of the Anglican Communion's process of listening to homosexual persons and those who struggle with the full inclusion of such persons in the life of the church.
From Episcopal Life.
In the US, the "listening process" has not yet begun in a number of dioceses. One wonders about the provinces of Nigeria, Uganda, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera.
UPDATE: If it's not to be about renewal in many place, lets hope that the Rev. Canon Phil Groves, the Facilitator for the Listening Process, can get the process going.
Groves said the process is "looking at new ways of moving forward." One effort will be to encourage the development of "theological resources, perhaps theological hubs around the world, to reflect on Scripture in the light of the traditions of that place, to reflect on the traditions of the church in the light of that place."
....
Another aim of the conversations, Groves said, is not just to have bishops talk, "but to have the people of those places engage one another in conversation."
"We expect hard questions to be asked of one another," he said. "We do expect some very difficult times."
Only a few people commented on the resolution. Jerusalem and the Middle East President Bishop Mouneer Anis questioned the goals of the Listening Process, saying that "if we are to achieve better pastoral care and combating homophobia, this would be an honorable achievement because I don't think we all know how to care for people with homosexual orientation and some [people] are actually homophobic."
"Homophobia is not good and it doesn't go with our Christian love at all," he said. "We should be loving, we should be caring for homosexuals." However, Anis said that the goal cannot be toleration of homosexual.
(My emphasis)
It ain't gonna be easy.
UPDATE 2: From Paul the BB in the comments:
I believe full implementation of the listening process is slated for the week following the last trumpet.
What Would You Do, Bishop Cameron?
From Episcopal Life:
Would Bishop Cameron permit parishes in his diocese to separate from the Church in Wales and take property with them? I'd like to hear the bishop's answer to that question, before I give his words serious consideration.
I don't like the idea of Christians in litigation against each other, either, but what is the answer? Negotiations don't seem to have worked well thus far.
During the briefing, [Welsh Diocese of St. Asaph Bishop Gregory] Cameron also vehemently criticized ongoing property litigation concerning people who want to retain church property after they choose to disaffiliate with their province or diocese. "I don't think there's any Christian who can't be anything other than aghast when Christians choose to play out their differences through the law courts," he said. "It's not an appropriate response."
He noted that the primates asked that the Episcopal Church not try to recover property through court action and that the departing members not seek to take property away from the church. "I have to say that I don't see either side of that equation heeded in the American situation," he said.
Would Bishop Cameron permit parishes in his diocese to separate from the Church in Wales and take property with them? I'd like to hear the bishop's answer to that question, before I give his words serious consideration.
I don't like the idea of Christians in litigation against each other, either, but what is the answer? Negotiations don't seem to have worked well thus far.
Louisiana Is A Leader!
From the Violence Policy Center:
States with higher gun ownership rates and weak gun laws have the highest rates of gun death according to a new analysis by the Violence Policy Center (VPC) of just-released 2006 national data (the most recent available) from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Injury Prevention and Control.
The analysis reveals that the five states with the highest per capita gun death rates were Louisiana, Alabama, Alaska, Mississippi, and Nevada. Each of these states had a per capita gun death rate far exceeding the national per capita gun death rate of 10.32 per 100,000 for 2006. Each state has lax gun laws and higher gun ownership rates. By contrast, states with strong gun laws and low rates of gun ownership had far lower rates of firearm-related death. Ranking last in the nation for gun death was Hawaii, followed by Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New York. (See chart below for top and bottom five states.
Just look at that! No. 1 in per capita gun deaths! I'm a tad, just a tad embarrassed by this, but many of my fellow citizens here in Louisiana seem to take this information in stride.
Who knew that weak gun laws correlated with the number of deaths by gunshot?
But remember: As the bumper sticker says, "Guns don't kill people. People do." Tell that to the loved ones of those who are dead from gunshots.
Go read Steve Kanga's refutation of the fallacious statement. Sounds good to me. I like the final words:
A wit once described this irrelevancy thus: "Fingers don't kill people, bullets do."
Let's raise a glass to that, my fellow citizens.
States with higher gun ownership rates and weak gun laws have the highest rates of gun death according to a new analysis by the Violence Policy Center (VPC) of just-released 2006 national data (the most recent available) from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Injury Prevention and Control.
The analysis reveals that the five states with the highest per capita gun death rates were Louisiana, Alabama, Alaska, Mississippi, and Nevada. Each of these states had a per capita gun death rate far exceeding the national per capita gun death rate of 10.32 per 100,000 for 2006. Each state has lax gun laws and higher gun ownership rates. By contrast, states with strong gun laws and low rates of gun ownership had far lower rates of firearm-related death. Ranking last in the nation for gun death was Hawaii, followed by Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New York. (See chart below for top and bottom five states.
State Firearm Death Rates, Ranked by Rate, 2006
Rank State Rate
1 Louisiana 19.58
2 Alabama 16.99
3 (tie) Alaska 16.38
3 (tie) Mississippi 16.38
5 Nevada 16.25
6 Arizona 15.93
7 Wyoming 15.60
8 Tennessee 15.52
9 Arkansas 15.16
10 New Mexico 14.57
11 South Carolina 14.23
12 West Virginia 13.99
13 Oklahoma 13.47
14 Missouri 13.14
15 North Carolina 12.77
16 Montana 12.67
17 Kentucky 12.63
18 Idaho 12.30
19 Georgia 12.25
20 Maryland 12.10
21 Indiana 11.77
22 Florida 11.54
23 Michigan 11.45
24 Pennsylvania 11.05
25 Kansas 10.85
26 Virginia 10.68
27 Colorado 10.43
28 Oregon 10.40
29 Texas 10.35
30 South Dakota 9.77
31 Ohio 9.72
32 California 9.28
33 Delaware 9.26
34 Vermont 8.70
35 Utah 8.68
36 Washington 8.56
37 Illinois 8.11
38 (tie) Maine 7.99
38 (tie) Nebraska 7.99
40 Wisconsin 7.61
41 North Dakota 7.22
42 Iowa 6.49
43 Minnesota 6.38
44 New Hampshire 6.25
45 New Jersey 5.68
46 New York 5.20
47 Connecticut 4.95
48 Rhode Island 4.43
49 Massachusetts 3.28
50 Hawaii 2.58
. National Average 10.32
*Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Control and Prevention.
Just look at that! No. 1 in per capita gun deaths! I'm a tad, just a tad embarrassed by this, but many of my fellow citizens here in Louisiana seem to take this information in stride.
Who knew that weak gun laws correlated with the number of deaths by gunshot?
But remember: As the bumper sticker says, "Guns don't kill people. People do." Tell that to the loved ones of those who are dead from gunshots.
Go read Steve Kanga's refutation of the fallacious statement. Sounds good to me. I like the final words:
A wit once described this irrelevancy thus: "Fingers don't kill people, bullets do."
Let's raise a glass to that, my fellow citizens.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Holiday Complaints Received By Thomas Cook
"The beach was too sandy."
"We bought Ray-Ban sunglasses for five euros (£3.50) from a street trader only to find out they were fake."
"No-one told us there would be fish in the sea. The children were startled."
"It took us nine hours to fly home from Jamaica to England but it only took the Americans three hours to get home."
"I compared the size of our one-bedroom apartment with our friends' three-bedroom apartment and ours was significantly smaller."
"The brochure states 'No hairdressers at the hotel.' We're trainee hairdressers - will we be OK staying here?"
"We found the sand was not like the sand in the brochure. Your brochure shows the sand as yellow but it was white."
"We had to queue outside with no air conditioning."
"I was bitten by a mosquito. No-one said they could bite."
"I think it should be explained in the brochure that the local store does not sell proper biscuits such as custard creams and ginger nuts."
"On my holiday to Goa in India I was disgusted to find that almost every restaurant served curry. I don't like spicy food at all."
"We booked an excursion to a water park but no-one told us we had to bring our swimming costumes and towels."
Thanks to Erika.
"We bought Ray-Ban sunglasses for five euros (£3.50) from a street trader only to find out they were fake."
"No-one told us there would be fish in the sea. The children were startled."
"It took us nine hours to fly home from Jamaica to England but it only took the Americans three hours to get home."
"I compared the size of our one-bedroom apartment with our friends' three-bedroom apartment and ours was significantly smaller."
"The brochure states 'No hairdressers at the hotel.' We're trainee hairdressers - will we be OK staying here?"
"We found the sand was not like the sand in the brochure. Your brochure shows the sand as yellow but it was white."
"We had to queue outside with no air conditioning."
"I was bitten by a mosquito. No-one said they could bite."
"I think it should be explained in the brochure that the local store does not sell proper biscuits such as custard creams and ginger nuts."
"On my holiday to Goa in India I was disgusted to find that almost every restaurant served curry. I don't like spicy food at all."
"We booked an excursion to a water park but no-one told us we had to bring our swimming costumes and towels."
Thanks to Erika.
Memo To Bishops: Catholics Not Listening
From Fr. Thomas J. Reese, S. J. in the Washington Post:
During the 2008 presidential campaign, there was a steady drumbeat of opposition to Barack Obama from some U.S. Catholic bishops, which only increased after his election. But despite the attention these attacks received in the media and on Internet blogs, polls show that the Catholic people are not listening.
....
In the presidential election, Catholics voted for Obama, and Hispanic Catholics, who are a growing percentage of U.S. Catholics, gave him around two-thirds of their vote. Since the election, Obama has continued to do as well if not better with Catholics in the polls.
Fr. Reese hazards a guess as to why the people are not listening.
I think part of the problem is that the bishops stopped listening and teaching and started ordering and condemning. With an educated laity it no longer works to simply say, "it is the teaching of the church." This is the equivalent of a parent shouting, "Because I said so."
The bishops must persuade and convince with arguments not by turning up the volume. When they resort to commanding and threatening punishments, people are turned off. Banning speakers, denying Communion, silencing theologians is a sign of weakness not strength. Censorship and violations of academic freedom come across as admissions that their arguments are not convincing and therefore the opposition must be silenced.
And the coup de grâce:
The bishops will also be embarrassed when Pope Benedict welcomes President Obama at the Vatican, or are all these people going to tell the Pope that he cannot talk to a pro-choice President?
Some might say that the bishops are more Catholic than the pope, but I would never say that.
Do read the entire editorial. It is quite good. If I did the "Brick of the Day Award", I'd give it to Fr. Reese. I will anyway. Fr. Thomas J. Reese, S. J. is my "Brick of the Day".
(H/T to MadPriest for the "Brick of the Day" idea.)
Is it time for another Mass of Reparation? This one will be for Georgetown University, where Fr. Reese is Senior Fellow at Woodstock Theological Center.
Thanks to Lapin for the link.
During the 2008 presidential campaign, there was a steady drumbeat of opposition to Barack Obama from some U.S. Catholic bishops, which only increased after his election. But despite the attention these attacks received in the media and on Internet blogs, polls show that the Catholic people are not listening.
....
In the presidential election, Catholics voted for Obama, and Hispanic Catholics, who are a growing percentage of U.S. Catholics, gave him around two-thirds of their vote. Since the election, Obama has continued to do as well if not better with Catholics in the polls.
Fr. Reese hazards a guess as to why the people are not listening.
I think part of the problem is that the bishops stopped listening and teaching and started ordering and condemning. With an educated laity it no longer works to simply say, "it is the teaching of the church." This is the equivalent of a parent shouting, "Because I said so."
The bishops must persuade and convince with arguments not by turning up the volume. When they resort to commanding and threatening punishments, people are turned off. Banning speakers, denying Communion, silencing theologians is a sign of weakness not strength. Censorship and violations of academic freedom come across as admissions that their arguments are not convincing and therefore the opposition must be silenced.
And the coup de grâce:
The bishops will also be embarrassed when Pope Benedict welcomes President Obama at the Vatican, or are all these people going to tell the Pope that he cannot talk to a pro-choice President?
Some might say that the bishops are more Catholic than the pope, but I would never say that.
Do read the entire editorial. It is quite good. If I did the "Brick of the Day Award", I'd give it to Fr. Reese. I will anyway. Fr. Thomas J. Reese, S. J. is my "Brick of the Day".
(H/T to MadPriest for the "Brick of the Day" idea.)
Is it time for another Mass of Reparation? This one will be for Georgetown University, where Fr. Reese is Senior Fellow at Woodstock Theological Center.
Thanks to Lapin for the link.
Roseann - Update
Dear Mimi and MP,
I just received a one line statement from Roseann saying she is still in the hospital, because she seems to be getting worse. She asked me to call Gary and I'll do that later on in the day.
Sue
I'm so sorry to hear this news. Pray, pray, pray, my friends.
I just received a one line statement from Roseann saying she is still in the hospital, because she seems to be getting worse. She asked me to call Gary and I'll do that later on in the day.
Sue
I'm so sorry to hear this news. Pray, pray, pray, my friends.
To ACC: Please Vote "No" On RCDC
We learn from the Episcopal Café that the Anglican Communion Deputy Secretary General Gregory Cameron, when questioned about the meaning of "church" in the Ridley Cambridge Draft Covenant now being considered by the Anglican Consultative Council, answered that "church" means "province" or the national church. However, he added that so long as the constitution and canons of the national church do not forbid it, he believes that individual dioceses may sign on to the RCDC, if the ACC passes it. The Joint Standing Committee of the ACC recommends passing the Covenant as is, without revision, all or nothing. I hope and pray that the vote by the ACC is against passing RCDC.
Tobias Haller says:
...[This Covenant] is a step backwards, and will prove to be a tool for division and fragmentation, rather than an instrument towards unity. Unless we all just sign up and get on with our lives, allowing it to serve its symbolic function with no real power over any of those who sign it.
Exactly. In addition, I fear that if RCDC passes, it will be used to exclude and punish. That's not my idea of a Covenant. I go back to my original question. Why do we need a Covenant at all?
We have the New Covenant of Our Lord Jesus Christ. In the Anglican Communion, we have the the Creeds, the Baptismal Covenant, the Book of Common Prayer for our common worship, the Instruments of Communion, and the bonds of affection which link together the various autonomous churches of the Communion.
It's true that the bonds of affection are strained at the moment, but will a coercive, exclusionary, and what I fear will come to be a punitive Covenant improve relations amongst the member churches of the Communion? I think not.
As Michael Russell says in the comments at the Episcopal Café, "Please ACC drown the whole thing or give it to a new committee."
Tobias Haller says:
...[This Covenant] is a step backwards, and will prove to be a tool for division and fragmentation, rather than an instrument towards unity. Unless we all just sign up and get on with our lives, allowing it to serve its symbolic function with no real power over any of those who sign it.
Exactly. In addition, I fear that if RCDC passes, it will be used to exclude and punish. That's not my idea of a Covenant. I go back to my original question. Why do we need a Covenant at all?
We have the New Covenant of Our Lord Jesus Christ. In the Anglican Communion, we have the the Creeds, the Baptismal Covenant, the Book of Common Prayer for our common worship, the Instruments of Communion, and the bonds of affection which link together the various autonomous churches of the Communion.
It's true that the bonds of affection are strained at the moment, but will a coercive, exclusionary, and what I fear will come to be a punitive Covenant improve relations amongst the member churches of the Communion? I think not.
As Michael Russell says in the comments at the Episcopal Café, "Please ACC drown the whole thing or give it to a new committee."
St. Francis de la Sissies
You may have seen this around the tubes, but if you haven't, do watch. It's delightful. Enjoy again if you've seen it already.
Thanks to Lapin.
From Ann On Her Grandson
Thanks for all the prayers --- the doctor said the breath holding is nothing to worry about and that he might occasionally have a seizure as a result - - scary but not serious -- -they gave him a brain scan - all is well with that. He will have an eeg but the doctor does not think it will show anything either. He will out grow it.
whew!
Ann
Good news.
Thanks be to God.
whew!
Ann
Good news.
Thanks be to God.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Waxing Gibbous Moon
Tonight, as I walked, I noticed that the night was bright, even away from the street lights. The reason: the sky is clear, and 90.3% of the moon is visible, and it was right above me. Time to
Waxing gibbous moon
The words themselves a poem
Turning full moon soon
Grandmère Mimi - 2005
"Night", "bright", "light", "right" - all in a few short lines. That's got to mean something. But what?
Happy Birthday, Gayle!
Today is my sister Gayle's birthday and also the 3rd anniversary of her memorial service after she died of pancreatic cancer. The picture above is a favorite of both my brother-in-law, Frank, and me.
In Gayle's honor, a wealthy friend set up The Dillenkoffer Endowment.
The Dillenkoffer Endowment was formed to support gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered teens with college tuition grants in Kansas and Missouri.
Gay teens across the country continue to face personal and academic challenges unlike those faced by their straight classmates. In addition to challenges at school, many face rejection by their families and the community at large as well as religious persecution. Even violence is not uncommon. Statistics show gay teens are more likely to abuse substances, drop out of school, run away from home, be involved in prostitution and attempt suicide.
The Dillenkoffer Endowment's mission is to:
* recognize and reward gay teens who are able to succeed in the face of personal and academic challenges;
* help them achieve even greater success through higher education; and
* provide them with the tools to be role models to others as they become young adults.
If you would like to learn more about the endowment or make a donation, click on the link above or scroll down and click on the dark blue plaque on the right sidebar.
Earlier today, I nearly fell out of my chair when I read the words below from the Lectionary reading from Wisdom. They are so right and true for me today.
But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God,
and no torment will ever touch them.
In the eyes of the foolish they seemed to have died,
and their departure was thought to be a disaster,
and their going from us to be their destruction;
but they are at peace.
For though in the sight of others they were punished,
their hope is full of immortality.
Having been disciplined a little, they will receive great good,
because God tested them and found them worthy of himself;
like gold in the furnace he tried them,
and like a sacrificial burnt-offering he accepted them.
In the time of their visitation they will shine forth,
and will run like sparks through the stubble.
Wisdom 3:1-9
Below is a picture of Gayle at a party in her tuxedo-like outfit. By chance, we both bought very similar outfits of this type some years ago. She loved a party and liked the idea that the Mexican-Americans and Mexicans (along with a good many folks of non-Mexican heritage) in the US celebrated on her birthday. Today Grandpère and I will celebrate her life at a Cinco de Mayo party at a local Mexican Restaurant.
Latest On Roseann
Hi Mimi,
I was chatting with Roseann on Face Book this morning and while she has been diagnosed with double pneumonia, she sounded good and was very upbeat.
She is hoping to go home tomorrow and will have home health nurses coming to her 3 times a day. It is either that, or a rehab hospital, so she chose home with hubby, wiener dogs, and kitties. It is important for her to get out of the hospital before she can acquire any more hospital bugs.
She sends her love, and thanks everyone for their supporting and sustaining prayers.
Sue
Let's pray that Roseann recovers from the pneumonia, gets to go home, and that she stays upbeat.
I was chatting with Roseann on Face Book this morning and while she has been diagnosed with double pneumonia, she sounded good and was very upbeat.
She is hoping to go home tomorrow and will have home health nurses coming to her 3 times a day. It is either that, or a rehab hospital, so she chose home with hubby, wiener dogs, and kitties. It is important for her to get out of the hospital before she can acquire any more hospital bugs.
She sends her love, and thanks everyone for their supporting and sustaining prayers.
Sue
Let's pray that Roseann recovers from the pneumonia, gets to go home, and that she stays upbeat.
Prayer Request From Ann
Prayers that we stay centered while the 1 year old grandson gets tested for why he had a seizure yesterday. He has been a breath-holder when he cries -- holding it until he passes out. Yesterday it ended in a seizure - so off to Children's Hospital to see if this is a new thing or just more of the other. Ann
One of my sons was a breath-holder, and when he'd turn blue and pass out, it was frightening, but he never had a seizure, which is surely even more frightening.
Heavenly Father, watch with us over your child, and grant that he may be restored to that perfect health which it is yours alone to give; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Book of Common Prayer, p. 458)
God, Father of mercies, give comfort, consolation, and your peace that passes understanding to guard the minds and hearts of this child's family, especially his parents and grandparents. We pray in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, in unity with the Holy Spirit. Amen.
One of my sons was a breath-holder, and when he'd turn blue and pass out, it was frightening, but he never had a seizure, which is surely even more frightening.
Heavenly Father, watch with us over your child, and grant that he may be restored to that perfect health which it is yours alone to give; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Book of Common Prayer, p. 458)
God, Father of mercies, give comfort, consolation, and your peace that passes understanding to guard the minds and hearts of this child's family, especially his parents and grandparents. We pray in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, in unity with the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Sorry, Archbishop Orombi
For the best take that I've seen on the rightness of the decision by the Anglican Consultative Council not to seat the Rev J P Ashey, who "is both a priest of the Church of Uganda and the COO of the AAC (American Anglican Council)" see Tobias Haller's post titled "The Peril of Musical Chairs".
I'm not sure what a COO is, but Tobias' post is eminently sensible.
I'm not sure what a COO is, but Tobias' post is eminently sensible.
Update 2 On Tigger The Cat
Tigger is now eating soft cat food on his own. He seemed to have to learn how to eat again. He also drinks on his own, in a somewhat awkward way, with a dipping motion and then licking the water from around his mouth.
My son called the vet to tell her the news, and she could not believe it. She said, "Bring Tigger in. I want to see this. He is a miracle cat." My son said, "I'll take him in, but I'm not paying for a visit." (He's close with his money.) The vet said, "Fine. I have to see him."
Thank you all for the prayers and good wishes. We're not even thinking long term, but, for now, we are happy people.
DON'T BLAME ME! BLAME DOUG!
Hi Mimi....
Remember when I told you that God has a sense of humor--and you doubted me :>)
Well, look what just happened!
A couple of years ago, when I was down in New Orleans, I heard a conversation where some one asked if America would ever have a black President.
The answer, with laughter, was "When pigs fly!" Well, here Obama has been President for 100 days, and swine flu!
Coincidence? I think not!
THROW THE ROTTEN TOMATOES AT HIM!
Remember when I told you that God has a sense of humor--and you doubted me :>)
Well, look what just happened!
A couple of years ago, when I was down in New Orleans, I heard a conversation where some one asked if America would ever have a black President.
The answer, with laughter, was "When pigs fly!" Well, here Obama has been President for 100 days, and swine flu!
Coincidence? I think not!
THROW THE ROTTEN TOMATOES AT HIM!
Please Continue The Prayers For Roseann
Just now, I talked to Gary, Roseann's husband. He said that Roseann was scheduled to go home today, but that she coughed quite a bit last night, and the doctors heard a rattle in her lungs that they did not like, so now they want to keep her in the hospital until that is cleared up.
Needless to say, Roseann was quite disappointed about not going home. It was good to hear Gary's voice, as I feel that I already know him a little. He can't be with Roseann as much as he'd like, because he must work. Pray for both Roseann and Gary. They've had more than their share of trouble.
Needless to say, Roseann was quite disappointed about not going home. It was good to hear Gary's voice, as I feel that I already know him a little. He can't be with Roseann as much as he'd like, because he must work. Pray for both Roseann and Gary. They've had more than their share of trouble.
Mass of Reparation - Part 2
From the Orlando Sentinel:
Upset by an honorary degree being bestowed upon President Barack Obama by the University of Notre Dame, Bishop Thomas Wenski presided over a "Mass of Reparation" Sunday to draw attention to the Catholic Church's opposition to abortion.
....
Wenski, the bishop of the Orlando Diocese, said Notre Dame's embrace of Obama undercuts the efforts of the bishops. Giving Obama an honorary degree from a Catholic university symbolizes support of his policies that run counter to the Church's teachings, Wenski said Sunday before the Mass.
"That's what it implies," he said. "He's [Obama] one of the most radical pro-abortion presidents we've ever had."
From the Washington Post:
There is a vocal and influential constituency of American Catholics who disapprove of the University of Notre Dame's decision to invite President Obama to speak at the Catholic university and receive an honorary degree in mid-May. But almost twice as many Catholics approve of the invite -- not a total shock since the majority of American Catholic voters cast ballots for the president.
(My emphasis)
Upset by an honorary degree being bestowed upon President Barack Obama by the University of Notre Dame, Bishop Thomas Wenski presided over a "Mass of Reparation" Sunday to draw attention to the Catholic Church's opposition to abortion.
....
Wenski, the bishop of the Orlando Diocese, said Notre Dame's embrace of Obama undercuts the efforts of the bishops. Giving Obama an honorary degree from a Catholic university symbolizes support of his policies that run counter to the Church's teachings, Wenski said Sunday before the Mass.
"That's what it implies," he said. "He's [Obama] one of the most radical pro-abortion presidents we've ever had."
From the Washington Post:
There is a vocal and influential constituency of American Catholics who disapprove of the University of Notre Dame's decision to invite President Obama to speak at the Catholic university and receive an honorary degree in mid-May. But almost twice as many Catholics approve of the invite -- not a total shock since the majority of American Catholic voters cast ballots for the president.
(My emphasis)
MadPriest's Prayer List
The Rev. MadPriest posted a long prayer list. Please go over there and pray for the folks on the list. Mixed in with the bad news are bits of good news, for which you may give thanks.
Good News - Bad news
Here in our fair city, we are presently experiencing bad weather, much rain, lightning, and thunder. We were under a tornado alert, but I don't know if we still are. It looks bad enough still out there.
Some months ago, we bought two rather expensive battery-powered lanterns for the hurricane season. At the time we bought them, I suggested that we buy the batteries for them, but Grandpère decided that he was spending enough money on the lanterns, and that he would not buy eight D-batteries right then.
Several months later, we had a power outage which lasted about two hours, during which time we could have used the lanterns, but - alas! - no batteries, which was as much my fault as GP's by then. We finally bought the batteries, and today, we lost power again, but we were able to load the batteries into the lanterns, and - voila! - they worked. Power returned quickly, so we didn't need them, but we are ready for the next time. And it only took about nine months.
That's the good news. The bad news is that swine flu is nearby, and almost certain to be here in our area quite soon. There are confirmed cases in New Orleans and in Lafayette, Louisiana. Returning to good news, most folks in the US seem to be recovering, most without needing hospitalization. Thanks be to God.
Note: We bought green lanterns, not the camouflage version.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
The Truth About Torture
From the Times Online:
Torture is morally abhorrent, self-perpetuating, and illegal. But the most important argument against torture is that it doesn’t work.
No, no, no, no, no! The most important argument against torture is that it is morally abhorrent, self-perpetuating, and illegal! Once you permit the discussion to go in the direction of utility, or, "Does it work?", you yield the moral ground. Moral people, civilized people do not torture, whether it works or does not work. It is shameful that we even have discussions in the media about whether torture is justified. It is never justified.
And now that I've had my little rant, I'll move on to Robin Stephens, the man pictured above and the subject of article in the Times.
Colonel Robin “Tin Eye” Stephens was the commander of the wartime spy prison and interrogation centre codenamed Camp 020, an ugly Victorian mansion surrounded by barbed wire on the edge of Ham Common. In the course of the war, some 500 enemy spies from 44 countries passed through Camp 020; most were interrogated, at some point, by Stephens; all but a tiny handful crumbled.
Stephens was a bristling, xenophobic martinet; in appearance, with his glinting monocle and cigarette holder, he looked exactly like the caricature Gestapo interrogator who has “vays of making you talk”.
When Stephens questioned suspects, he was not Mr Nice Guy. But here's what he said about physical violence:
Stephens did not eschew torture out of mercy. This was no squishy liberal: the eye was made of tin, and the rest of him out of tungsten. (Indeed, he was disappointed that only 16 spies were executed during the war.) His motives were strictly practical. “Never strike a man. It is unintelligent, for the spy will give an answer to please, an answer to escape punishment. And having given a false answer, all else depends upon the false premise.”
Confessions extracted by inflicting pain are most likely to be whatever the victim believes the torturer desires to hear, whatever is necessary to stop the agony.
Yes. Anyone with a functioning brain should now know that torture does not provide useful information, but I doubt that the pro and con discussions will cease. The talking heads on the tee vee and radio will continue to provide "balance" by giving national exposure to advocates of torture, including Darth Cheney.
And those amongst us who believe torture is acceptable may find food for thought in the words of Jean-Paul Sartre:
“You cannot make your young people practise torture 24 hours a day and not expect to pay a price for it.”
Paul the BB and I have discussed the subject of including utility in the discussion of torture more than once in his comments threads, and I thank him for the link to MeMeMeMeMe at Daily Kos, who references the Times piece.
While you're at Paul's place, look at the pictures of his gorgeous roses and the other plants that grow in his garden. He worked hard in his garden today, but he did not go to church. Just sayin'.
On The Mass Of Reparation Today
From David Gibson at dotCommonweal:
Bishop Thomas Wenski of Orlando is going to lead a Mass of Reparation linked to Notre Dame’s invitation to Obama. This whole thing has truly gone into an alternate universe. The mass is May 3 at 6:00 p.m. in the Cathedral of St. James in downtown Orlando. The announcement says:
So…what are they making reparation for? Or are they using a mass to point the finger of blame? Amy Welborn tries to put a positive spin on it:
I’d guess it’s more than that, more like what the announcement says, and indeed kind of strange. As Amy notes, Bishop Wenski is no Burkean Romanist, by any stretch. It also seems clear that there are any number of moments to hold a mass of this sort. And I of course also wonder whether such a mass has been held regarding the abuse crisis.
Apart from the politics of this, ecclesial and political, perhaps others can illuminate the use and rationale of a Mass of Reparation. This does seem inadvisable, to say the least, as it feeds divisions when there is no clear judgment that Notre Dame has committed such serious sin.
(My emphasis)
I hope that David does not mind that I copied his entire post. Commonweal is a Roman Catholic periodical.
Since I view the Mass of Reparation as a rather bizarre idea, and I promised myself that I would not be a bitter ex-Catholic, I thought I'd use the commentary from a person inside the church.
Bishop Thomas Wenski of Orlando is going to lead a Mass of Reparation linked to Notre Dame’s invitation to Obama. This whole thing has truly gone into an alternate universe. The mass is May 3 at 6:00 p.m. in the Cathedral of St. James in downtown Orlando. The announcement says:
As Catholics we are aware of the many shortcomings and transgressions committed against the dignity and sacredness of human life in our world. That is why it is inconceivable that Notre Dame University, a Catholic institution of higher learning, should receive and honor anyone who promotes policies that are contradictory to who we are as a people of faith.
As our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI stated in his visit to the U.S. last year in reference to Catholic university presidents, “to justify positions that contradict the faith and teaching of the church would obstruct or even betray the university’s identity and mission.” …
Come and pray with Bishop Wenski for all of our transgressions against the Gospel of Life.
Reparation is the making amends for a wrong done or for an offense against God. By his death on the cross, the Son of God offered his life out of love for the Father to make reparation for our sinful disobedience (CCC #614).
We are obliged to make reparation for personal sins against justice and truth (CCC #2412 and #2487).
So…what are they making reparation for? Or are they using a mass to point the finger of blame? Amy Welborn tries to put a positive spin on it:
If this were, indeed (as some might read it), a Mass in Reparation for the Sins of Notre Dame..that would be inappropriate and kind of strange. But it seems (seems - I’m just guessing) as if what has happened here is an examination of conscience of sorts.
I’d guess it’s more than that, more like what the announcement says, and indeed kind of strange. As Amy notes, Bishop Wenski is no Burkean Romanist, by any stretch. It also seems clear that there are any number of moments to hold a mass of this sort. And I of course also wonder whether such a mass has been held regarding the abuse crisis.
Apart from the politics of this, ecclesial and political, perhaps others can illuminate the use and rationale of a Mass of Reparation. This does seem inadvisable, to say the least, as it feeds divisions when there is no clear judgment that Notre Dame has committed such serious sin.
(My emphasis)
I hope that David does not mind that I copied his entire post. Commonweal is a Roman Catholic periodical.
Since I view the Mass of Reparation as a rather bizarre idea, and I promised myself that I would not be a bitter ex-Catholic, I thought I'd use the commentary from a person inside the church.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Mine That Bird - A Spectacular Win!
A $9,500 gelding, a 50 to 1 longshot, ridden by Cajun jockey, Calvin H. Borel, wins the Kentucky Derby. Watch the video.
Sire: Birdstone, Dam: Mining My Own. Read all about Mine That Bird.
And the jockey Calvin Borel:
Borel lives in Louisville, Kentucky with his fiancee, Lisa Funk. Calvin Borel hails from south Louisiana, the heart of Cajun Country famous for its production of many top jockeys during the last twenty years. Like Randy Romero, Kent Desormeaux, and Shane Sellers, Borel began racing horses in the bush tracks near his hometown of Catahoula. One such track was Evangeline Downs in Carencro, Louisiana, where Borel began riding in match races at the age of eight.[citation needed] Calvin is known for his Cajun accent and bubbly personality, both of which were on full display during his post-victory interview after 2009's Kentucky Derby.
Well, of course! All us Cajuns have bubbly personalities. Just think. Borel's hometown is Catahoula, home of what some call the ugliest dog in the world, the Catahoula Hound, but I'd never call them that. Wiki says that the breed is not a hound, but a cur.
Today's win was Borel's second in the Derby. Yay Cajun!
The winnahs!
UPDATE: As soon as Mine That Bird crossed the finish line six and a quarter lengths ahead of 18 others, Borel’s tears flowed with the warmth and power of Niagara Falls. He patted, hugged, hollered and dripped tears on the gelding he met for the first time Monday. Finally, Borel kissed a rose and lofted it toward the heavens in honor of his late mother and father.
From the New York Times.
All The Way With Silly Saturday
THE TALKING CENTIPEDE
A single guy decided life would be more fun if he had a pet.
So he went to the pet store and told the owner that he wanted to buy an unusual pet.
After some discussion, he finally bought a talking centipede, (100-legged bug), which came in a little white box to use for his house.
He took the box back home, found a good spot for the box, and decided he would start off by taking his new pet to church with him.
So he asked the centipede in the box, "Would you like to go to church with me today? We will have a good time."
But there was no answer from his new pet.
This bothered him a bit, but he waited a few minutes and then asked again, "How about going to church with me and receive blessings?"
But again, there was no answer from his new friend and pet. So he waited a few minutes more, thinking about the situation.
The guy decided to invite the centipede one last time.
This time he put his face up against the centipede's house and shouted, "Hey, in there! Would you like to go to church with me and learn about God?"
... YOU ARE GOING TO LOVE THIS ...
This time, a little voice came out of the box,
"I heard you the first time!
I'm putting on my shoes!"
Thanks to Ann.
A single guy decided life would be more fun if he had a pet.
So he went to the pet store and told the owner that he wanted to buy an unusual pet.
After some discussion, he finally bought a talking centipede, (100-legged bug), which came in a little white box to use for his house.
He took the box back home, found a good spot for the box, and decided he would start off by taking his new pet to church with him.
So he asked the centipede in the box, "Would you like to go to church with me today? We will have a good time."
But there was no answer from his new pet.
This bothered him a bit, but he waited a few minutes and then asked again, "How about going to church with me and receive blessings?"
But again, there was no answer from his new friend and pet. So he waited a few minutes more, thinking about the situation.
The guy decided to invite the centipede one last time.
This time he put his face up against the centipede's house and shouted, "Hey, in there! Would you like to go to church with me and learn about God?"
... YOU ARE GOING TO LOVE THIS ...
This time, a little voice came out of the box,
"I heard you the first time!
I'm putting on my shoes!"
Thanks to Ann.
May Day Fun - "Royal Romp"
From the Washington Post:
A couple were arrested Sunday for stripping off their clothes and having sex on the lawn of Windsor Castle, one of the country's most popular tourist attractions, said Anamika Madar, a spokeswoman for the Thames Valley Police.
The arrest became top news in Britain on Friday when details of it were leaked to the press. Madar said "more than one person" had called to alert police to the naked spectacle, which took place in full view of busy hotels and shops and sightseers who gathered to videotape this particular sight.
The couple were jailed overnight for "outraging public decency," Madar said.
And the Queen was right there in the castle while this indecency was happening! I know that I am thoroughly outraged by reading about such a public spectacle of nudity and lewdity on the lawn of Windsor Castle. Surely, had I been there, I would have called in after I watched for just a minute or two.
According the the Sun newspaper, "the woman was an American Internet expert and her partner was a British manager of a recruiting firm". One American and one Brit. One wonders if the internet expert has a specialty and for what specific jobs the manager recruits. Ah, but other news reports say that they were "respectable people with with respectable jobs".
British news accounts suggested the couple had been drinking a lot of champagne and appeared not to realize how many people were watching, or exactly where they were.
Dennis!!!!
Champagne. Lovely spring weather. Nice lawn. Surely an irresistible combination.
But how could they miss the "Keep Off the Grass" sign?
A couple were arrested Sunday for stripping off their clothes and having sex on the lawn of Windsor Castle, one of the country's most popular tourist attractions, said Anamika Madar, a spokeswoman for the Thames Valley Police.
The arrest became top news in Britain on Friday when details of it were leaked to the press. Madar said "more than one person" had called to alert police to the naked spectacle, which took place in full view of busy hotels and shops and sightseers who gathered to videotape this particular sight.
The couple were jailed overnight for "outraging public decency," Madar said.
And the Queen was right there in the castle while this indecency was happening! I know that I am thoroughly outraged by reading about such a public spectacle of nudity and lewdity on the lawn of Windsor Castle. Surely, had I been there, I would have called in after I watched for just a minute or two.
According the the Sun newspaper, "the woman was an American Internet expert and her partner was a British manager of a recruiting firm". One American and one Brit. One wonders if the internet expert has a specialty and for what specific jobs the manager recruits. Ah, but other news reports say that they were "respectable people with with respectable jobs".
British news accounts suggested the couple had been drinking a lot of champagne and appeared not to realize how many people were watching, or exactly where they were.
Dennis!!!!
Champagne. Lovely spring weather. Nice lawn. Surely an irresistible combination.
But how could they miss the "Keep Off the Grass" sign?
FREE GRILL
As every Southerner knows, with spring here it is now time to get ready for that all-important cooking technique of the south...outdoor grilling!
I have just found out there are several stores (not just in the South) where you can get a FREE Bar-B-Q grill! You can get a free BBQ grill from any of the following stores (just make sure to get a metal one....the plastic ones don't do so well):
A&P
Albertsons
BJ'S
Bi-Lo
Ingles
Big Lots
Bloom
Brookshire's
Costco
Food Lion
Fry's
Home Depot
Lowe's
Pathmark
Price Chopper
Publix
Rouse's
Sam's Club
Safeway
Target
Vons
Trader Joe's
Wal-Mart
Winn-Dixie
Ya'll enjoy now!
Don't blame me. Blame Ann and Doug.
I have just found out there are several stores (not just in the South) where you can get a FREE Bar-B-Q grill! You can get a free BBQ grill from any of the following stores (just make sure to get a metal one....the plastic ones don't do so well):
A&P
Albertsons
BJ'S
Bi-Lo
Ingles
Big Lots
Bloom
Brookshire's
Costco
Food Lion
Fry's
Home Depot
Lowe's
Pathmark
Price Chopper
Publix
Rouse's
Sam's Club
Safeway
Target
Vons
Trader Joe's
Wal-Mart
Winn-Dixie
Ya'll enjoy now!
Don't blame me. Blame Ann and Doug.
Friday, May 1, 2009
"One Of These Days...."
Mark Harris at Preludium answers a question from his comments about accountability:
I am accountable to Christ Jesus who is the Source of everything I am, and who would wonder that in any wise the institutional churches were confused for the people who are the living presence of himself, and would wonder why any accountability to those institutions would suffice even in the slightest for the accountability that is love.
....
So I am not much help for those who want to talk about accountability to this or that church, or the Anglican Communion or any visibly right way of being church that would match the Body. The Body of Christ is too visceral, too much alive, too unseemly to be held by anything as starched and petty and pious, as propitious and prudent as the several churches. The Body of Christ is, in other words, too alive to be associated in too great convergence with the death which is most institutional church.
Mark speaks from his heart with great wisdom. I urge you to read his entire post. He speaks just what I'd want to say, but with an eloquence to which I'd never aspire.
Thanks to Counterlight for sending me to read Mark's wonderful words.
I am accountable to Christ Jesus who is the Source of everything I am, and who would wonder that in any wise the institutional churches were confused for the people who are the living presence of himself, and would wonder why any accountability to those institutions would suffice even in the slightest for the accountability that is love.
....
So I am not much help for those who want to talk about accountability to this or that church, or the Anglican Communion or any visibly right way of being church that would match the Body. The Body of Christ is too visceral, too much alive, too unseemly to be held by anything as starched and petty and pious, as propitious and prudent as the several churches. The Body of Christ is, in other words, too alive to be associated in too great convergence with the death which is most institutional church.
Mark speaks from his heart with great wisdom. I urge you to read his entire post. He speaks just what I'd want to say, but with an eloquence to which I'd never aspire.
Thanks to Counterlight for sending me to read Mark's wonderful words.
Aspen Alley
Aspen Alley on Battle Mountain near Rawlins, Wyoming
Thanks to Ann. I asked Ann if the beautiful alley of trees led to her mansion, but she said no.
The Doctor's Daughter
A physician was taking her 4-year-old daughter to preschool. The little girl picked up the stethoscope, which the doctor had left on the car seat, and began playing with it.
"This is wonderful," thought the doctor." My daughter wants to follow in my footsteps!"
Then the child spoke into the instrument, "Welcome to McDonald's. May I take your order?"
"This is wonderful," thought the doctor." My daughter wants to follow in my footsteps!"
Then the child spoke into the instrument, "Welcome to McDonald's. May I take your order?"
We Meet Ginny S. And Cousins At Oak Alley
Oak Alley Plantation
On Tuesday of this week, I met Ginny S. and her cousins, Mary and Isabelle, at Oak Alley, pictured above, a beautiful plantation house on the Mississippi River not far from Thibodaux. The oak trees which create the alley going down to the River Road are estimated to be nearly 300 years old.
Ginny doesn't have a cell phone, and we had not discussed how we would recognize each other, but she had seen pictures of me online, so she came up to me first, and we went on from there. Ginny is No. 27 on my list of members of our blog world whom I now know face to face.
Mary, Isabelle, and Ginny grew up in Baton Rouge, and Ginny lived in New Orleans and Hammond, Louisiana, as an adult, so we had quite a bit in common. Grandpère was with me, the only man in a group of four women, but I think he likes that. He held his own.
Ginny S. does not have a blog, but many of you will recognize her handle from her comments around our little piece of the blogosphere. She mentioned at The Friends of Jake that she would be in the area, and I asked if perhaps we could meet for a meal, and - lo! - it worked out, and I got to meet the lovely Ginny and her two equally lovely cousins.
We went to lunch in the restaurant on the grounds first. The food was good. The conversation was excellent and always high-toned, which is as it should be with southern ladies. We laughed a lot, another very good thing. Although two of the four of us no longer live in the South, once a southern girl, always a southern girl, and try to keep us from letting the good times roll.
Here they be - the cousins - Isabelle, Ginny, and Mary.
After lunch, we toured the house, which is beautifully restored and furnished with pieces from the period when the house was completed in 1841. Sadly, only a couple of the original furnishings of the house remain.
Here be us - Mimi and Ginny.
After the house tour, we strolled around the grounds and spent more time talking and getting to know each other better at our leisure. I had not visited Oak Alley in years, and I was pleased to see what the owners have done since I was last there.
Grandpère took most of the pictures, so he is not included, but I managed to capture a rear view of him with Isabelle and Mary, as he waves his hands around as he talks, like a typical Cajun.
And now GP and I have three new friends. All in all, a lovely day, indeed!
UPDATE: One more picture with Isabelle to show the size of one of the oak trees.
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