From the Advocate:
Every appointment that Gov. Bobby Jindal has made since he took office in January is in jeopardy because he has not forwarded their names for Senate confirmation.
The appointments by Jindal for 437 jobs — including his top aides — will no longer be valid and they will have to stop working as of June 23, when the legislative session adjourns, according to the state law governing the confirmation process.
That's our Rhodes scholar governor for you. People say he is smart, a whiz. Show me, guvna.
Senate and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman state Sen. Bob Kostelka, R-Monroe, asked Jimmy Faircloth, the governor’s executive counsel, Wednesday to send the official list.
As of 5 p.m. Friday, the list still had not arrived.
The Senate cannot confirm Jindal’s appointees until the list arrives, Kostelka said.
....
The panel conducts background checks on the appointees to make sure there are no criminal, tax or other problems in their personal histories. In addition, the names are circulated among senators to see if the senators have a problem with any of the appointees. Senators can blackball an appointee.
Jindal did not respond to four requests for an interview placed through his press secretary, Melissa Sellers.
Is there a plan here? Does the Jindal administration know something that the chairman of the committee doesn't know? Will he send the whole list at the last minute in the hope that the committee will rush the appointees through? Many questions, few answers. And Melissa Sellers is no help at all. Circle the wagons, and hunker down is the order of the day, every day. It appears that the defensive posture is not only for the press, but for the Senate, too. What if a humble citizen wanted information? One can only imagine the horror with which that would be viewed within the administration.
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Computer Trouble
I was having trouble with my computer. So I called Eric, the 11 year old next door, whose bedroom looks like Mission Control and asked him to come over. Eric clicked a couple of buttons and solved the problem.
As he was walking away, I called after him, "So, what was wrong?" He replied, "It was an ID ten T error."
I didn't want to appear stupid, but nonetheless inquired, "An, ID ten T error? What's that? In case I need to fix it again."
Eric grinned.... "Haven't you ever heard of an ID ten T error before?"
"No," I replied.
"Write it down," he said, "and I think you'll figure it out."
So I wrote down: I D 1 0 T
I used to like Eric...
I know. I make those errors all the time. Would this joke be better with the last two lines omitted?
Doug again. Is he trying to tell me something?
As he was walking away, I called after him, "So, what was wrong?" He replied, "It was an ID ten T error."
I didn't want to appear stupid, but nonetheless inquired, "An, ID ten T error? What's that? In case I need to fix it again."
Eric grinned.... "Haven't you ever heard of an ID ten T error before?"
"No," I replied.
"Write it down," he said, "and I think you'll figure it out."
So I wrote down: I D 1 0 T
I used to like Eric...
I know. I make those errors all the time. Would this joke be better with the last two lines omitted?
Doug again. Is he trying to tell me something?
Friday, June 6, 2008
Sazerac Gets Another Chance
For those of you who have followed the saga of the Sazerac cocktail, here's the latest on the Louisiana Legislature's most recent activity.
From the Times-Picayune:
BATON ROUGE -- The Sazerac, a drink invented in New Orleans in the 1830s, was put back on track Thursday to being designated the state's official cocktail by a legislative panel that also nixed designating an official Cajun Christmas story.
The House Judiciary Committee voted 8-3 for Senate Bill 6 by Sen. Edwin Murray, D-New Orleans, to make the drink the state's official cocktail after it bogged down for weeks in the Senate. To keep the bill alive, Murray amended it to designate the Sazerac as the official cocktail of the city of New Orleans, but the House panel re-instated its statewide designation.
Then the legislators balked, and drew the line in the sand.
Along those lines, the committee unanimously rejected Senate Bill 434 by Sen. Dale Erdey, R-Livingston, that would have made "The Legend of Papa Noel, a Cajun Christmas Story," the state's official Cajun Christmas story.
When the legislators are engaged in this sort of foolishness, they create the least mischief.
If you're interested, the other posts are here and here.
Now You know - Or Do You?
From the New York Times:
WASHINGTON — A top adviser to Senator John McCain says Mr. McCain believes that President Bush’s program of wiretapping without warrants was lawful, a position that appears to bring him into closer alignment with the sweeping theories of executive authority pushed by the Bush administration legal team.
Skip to next paragraph
In a letter posted online by National Review this week, the adviser, Douglas Holtz-Eakin, said Mr. McCain believed that the Constitution gave Mr. Bush the power to authorize the National Security Agency to monitor Americans’ international phone calls and e-mail without warrants, despite a 1978 federal statute that required court oversight of surveillance.
How can the Constitution give the president the power to break the law? Here's McCain six months ago:
Mr. McCain was asked whether he believed that the president had constitutional power to conduct surveillance on American soil for national security purposes without a warrant, regardless of federal statutes.
He replied: “There are some areas where the statutes don’t apply, such as in the surveillance of overseas communications. Where they do apply, however, I think that presidents have the obligation to obey and enforce laws that are passed by Congress and signed into law by the president, no matter what the situation is.”
Following up, the interviewer asked whether Mr. McCain was saying a statute trumped a president’s powers as commander in chief when it came to a surveillance law. “I don’t think the president has the right to disobey any law,” Mr. McCain replied.
Which is it Senator McCain? Why the flip-flop? The Straight-Talk Express is off the rails. Tucker Bounds, a spokesman for McCain's campaign, says the senator's position has not changed.
I report; you decide.
WASHINGTON — A top adviser to Senator John McCain says Mr. McCain believes that President Bush’s program of wiretapping without warrants was lawful, a position that appears to bring him into closer alignment with the sweeping theories of executive authority pushed by the Bush administration legal team.
Skip to next paragraph
In a letter posted online by National Review this week, the adviser, Douglas Holtz-Eakin, said Mr. McCain believed that the Constitution gave Mr. Bush the power to authorize the National Security Agency to monitor Americans’ international phone calls and e-mail without warrants, despite a 1978 federal statute that required court oversight of surveillance.
How can the Constitution give the president the power to break the law? Here's McCain six months ago:
Mr. McCain was asked whether he believed that the president had constitutional power to conduct surveillance on American soil for national security purposes without a warrant, regardless of federal statutes.
He replied: “There are some areas where the statutes don’t apply, such as in the surveillance of overseas communications. Where they do apply, however, I think that presidents have the obligation to obey and enforce laws that are passed by Congress and signed into law by the president, no matter what the situation is.”
Following up, the interviewer asked whether Mr. McCain was saying a statute trumped a president’s powers as commander in chief when it came to a surveillance law. “I don’t think the president has the right to disobey any law,” Mr. McCain replied.
Which is it Senator McCain? Why the flip-flop? The Straight-Talk Express is off the rails. Tucker Bounds, a spokesman for McCain's campaign, says the senator's position has not changed.
I report; you decide.
Catholic Parrots
A lady goes to her priest one day and tells him, 'Father, I have a problem. I have two female parrots,
But they only know how to say one thing.'
'What do they say?' the priest inquired.
They say, 'Hi, we're hookers! Do you want to have some fun?'
'That's obscene!' the priest exclaimed. Then he thought for a moment. 'You know,' he said, 'I may have a solution to your problem. I have two male talking parrots, which I have taught to pray and read the Bible. Bring your two parrots over to my house, and we'll put them in the cage with Frank and Peter. My parrots can teach your parrots to praise and worship, And your parrots are sure to stop saying...that phrase...in no time.'
'Thank you,' the woman responded, 'this may very well be the solution.'
The next day, She brought her female parrots to the priest's house. As he ushered her in, she saw that his two male parrots were inside their cage holding rosary beads and praying. Impressed, She walked over and placed her parrots in with them. After a few minutes, the female parrots cried out in unison:
'Hi, we're hookers! Do you want to have some fun?'
There was stunned silence. Shocked, one male parrot looked over at the other male parrot and exclaimed, 'Put the beads away, Frank. Our prayers have been answered!'
Thursday, June 5, 2008
From Grandpère's Garden
Missing from the picture are bell peppers and corn. We forgot the bell peppers, and we had eaten all the ripe corn. He picks the tomatoes when they are just short of being fully ripened, because a mocking bird is after them. He tries leaving those she/he has already pecked a hole in on the plants, but she goes after tomatoes she has not touched. It's a battle between them.
Squirrels were taking whole ears of ripened corn off the stalks - and they knew the ripe ones. Grandpère set the squirrel trap (they do not harm the squirrels) and caught two and carried them into the woods near us to release them. No more problems with the corn. I wouldn't have thought the small squirrels could carry off a whole ear of corn.
We feed birds in our yard, but squirrels get their share of the bird food, and sometimes we are overrun with too many of the little critters. The fresh produce is delicious, out of this world. There's nothing like it.
Toilet Trouble On The Space Station
From Yahoo News:
HOUSTON - The international space station's toilet trouble appeared to be taken care of Wednesday after a Russian cosmonaut replaced a malfunctioning pump.
The space station's toilet broke two weeks ago. The problem — confined to the urine side of the commode — forced the orbiting outpost's crew of an American astronaut and two Russian cosmonauts to flush manually with extra water several times a day.
Better the urine side than the other side. The Discovery delivered a replacement pump which Oleg Kononenko installed and tested.
The toilet worked normally. It transports urine via air flow to the pump, which separates the gas and liquid.
"Let's start using it," Russian Mission Control told Kononenko, one of the two Russians living aboard the space station. "We'll keep our fingers crossed."
Kononenko was asked to give periodic reports on how the toilet was working.
Please report. We need to know. I'm sure that the inhabitants of the station are relieved.
HOUSTON - The international space station's toilet trouble appeared to be taken care of Wednesday after a Russian cosmonaut replaced a malfunctioning pump.
The space station's toilet broke two weeks ago. The problem — confined to the urine side of the commode — forced the orbiting outpost's crew of an American astronaut and two Russian cosmonauts to flush manually with extra water several times a day.
Better the urine side than the other side. The Discovery delivered a replacement pump which Oleg Kononenko installed and tested.
The toilet worked normally. It transports urine via air flow to the pump, which separates the gas and liquid.
"Let's start using it," Russian Mission Control told Kononenko, one of the two Russians living aboard the space station. "We'll keep our fingers crossed."
Kononenko was asked to give periodic reports on how the toilet was working.
Please report. We need to know. I'm sure that the inhabitants of the station are relieved.
My Friend Trudy
Yesterday, my friend Trudy was featured in the "Adventures in Reading" series in the "Living" (as opposed to the dead?) section of the Times-Picayune:
TRUDY McFARLAND
Co-owner of The Pearl Restaurant and retired librarian
Yes, another librarian. As Lisa at My Manner of Life observes, we librarians are all hotties. Katrina and the federal flood drowned two of Trudy's houses in Lakeview in New Orleans, her own and a rental house across the street. She had a rough time of it afterwards, and somehow we lost touch. I had no phone number nor email address. I had her home address, but I never got around to writing. Shame on me. It never occurred to me to call her at the restaurant. How silly of me.
Trudy and I met in Santa Fe at a Jane Austen conference a good many years ago. (Note: there are quite a few crazies who attend these conferences, along with the nominally sane. We classed ourselves with the nominally sane and stayed together.) She and another Jane fan from New Orleans and I hung out during the conference, and they took me along on a ride in a rental car to Taos and to visit the Native Ameircan Pueblos nearby.
As I told Paul, the BB, who loves his desert home, I believe that, like a swamp plant, I would die if I had to move to the desert. My apologies to all those who love the desert, Santa Fe, and Taos. The magic didn't happen for me, nor for my two new friends from New Orleans. We were wilting in the desert.
As for the Pueblos, the buildings were amazing, but it was one of the most depressing places I have ever been. Perhaps the sadness of generations of Native Americans hovers over them. I know a little of how strong the sense of place is to Native Americans and of the sacredness of the burial places of their ancestors, so many of which have been destroyed by the European newcomers who preyed upon them. It seemed a little obscene to visit as tourist and gawk.
But I digress. Back to the Trudy in the newspaper:
Have you ever had a romantic encounter that was generated by a book? Once, on a first date, the man walked in and I had a beautiful dog and he said, "What's her name?" I said, "Glencora." And he reached down to pet her and he said, "Glencora, have you found your Burgo Fitzgerald yet?"
And I thought 'Hmmm,' a successful businessman who reads Trollope. I was extremely impressed. We dated for about a year.
I would have been impressed, too, but for that to have happened to me, I would have had to name a pet after a character in a Trollope novel. My pet names turn out to be pretty pedestrian. We had one cat named "Boy", I suppose simply because he was a male.
Is there a writer who has shaped your way of seeing the world? Jane Austen has. But I've been reading her through so many years of my life -- from age 12 or 13 -- that sometimes I have trouble separating her sensibilities from mine.
Yes, absolutely. I'd say the same.
Jane's characters move me. I understand them. I understand their lives, their motivations. And then on top of that, she makes me laugh. I have a weakness for people who make me laugh.
Again, in that we are soul sisters. If you have read this blog for any length of time, you know that I have a weakness for people who make me laugh.
And now, I am going to call my friend.
TRUDY McFARLAND
Co-owner of The Pearl Restaurant and retired librarian
Yes, another librarian. As Lisa at My Manner of Life observes, we librarians are all hotties. Katrina and the federal flood drowned two of Trudy's houses in Lakeview in New Orleans, her own and a rental house across the street. She had a rough time of it afterwards, and somehow we lost touch. I had no phone number nor email address. I had her home address, but I never got around to writing. Shame on me. It never occurred to me to call her at the restaurant. How silly of me.
Trudy and I met in Santa Fe at a Jane Austen conference a good many years ago. (Note: there are quite a few crazies who attend these conferences, along with the nominally sane. We classed ourselves with the nominally sane and stayed together.) She and another Jane fan from New Orleans and I hung out during the conference, and they took me along on a ride in a rental car to Taos and to visit the Native Ameircan Pueblos nearby.
As I told Paul, the BB, who loves his desert home, I believe that, like a swamp plant, I would die if I had to move to the desert. My apologies to all those who love the desert, Santa Fe, and Taos. The magic didn't happen for me, nor for my two new friends from New Orleans. We were wilting in the desert.
As for the Pueblos, the buildings were amazing, but it was one of the most depressing places I have ever been. Perhaps the sadness of generations of Native Americans hovers over them. I know a little of how strong the sense of place is to Native Americans and of the sacredness of the burial places of their ancestors, so many of which have been destroyed by the European newcomers who preyed upon them. It seemed a little obscene to visit as tourist and gawk.
But I digress. Back to the Trudy in the newspaper:
Have you ever had a romantic encounter that was generated by a book? Once, on a first date, the man walked in and I had a beautiful dog and he said, "What's her name?" I said, "Glencora." And he reached down to pet her and he said, "Glencora, have you found your Burgo Fitzgerald yet?"
And I thought 'Hmmm,' a successful businessman who reads Trollope. I was extremely impressed. We dated for about a year.
I would have been impressed, too, but for that to have happened to me, I would have had to name a pet after a character in a Trollope novel. My pet names turn out to be pretty pedestrian. We had one cat named "Boy", I suppose simply because he was a male.
Is there a writer who has shaped your way of seeing the world? Jane Austen has. But I've been reading her through so many years of my life -- from age 12 or 13 -- that sometimes I have trouble separating her sensibilities from mine.
Yes, absolutely. I'd say the same.
Jane's characters move me. I understand them. I understand their lives, their motivations. And then on top of that, she makes me laugh. I have a weakness for people who make me laugh.
Again, in that we are soul sisters. If you have read this blog for any length of time, you know that I have a weakness for people who make me laugh.
And now, I am going to call my friend.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
"Being There"
If you are not regularly reading Barkings of an Old Dog, you are missing very good to brilliant posts. I recommend especially his recent posts, Being There, a conversation between KJS and Rowan, the Gardner, and "Lambeth Calling", a song. It happens that my name is mentioned in one of them, but that has nothing to do with the recommendation.
Clumber is an amazingly clever old dog.
Who's Invited, Who's Not?
In the comments to my post on Bishop Jerry Lamb, interim bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin in California, receiving his invitation to Lambeth, a couple of us wondered if -John-David Schofield, deposed bishop of the diocese, would retain his invitation to the meeting. The Living Church has been told that he has - as bishop of what territory, I can't say. He's now a bishop in the Archdiocese of the Southern Cone, but he is still in California, trying to hold on to assets that rightfully belong to the Episcopal Church.
Meanwhile, Bishop Gene Robinson, the duly elected and consecrated bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire, has not been invited to Lambeth. He will, nevertheless, be present at Lambeth, although he will not be welcome at the meetings. Bishop Robinson is not invited because he is open and honest about being gay and partnered.
Meanwhile, Bishop Gene Robinson, the duly elected and consecrated bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire, has not been invited to Lambeth. He will, nevertheless, be present at Lambeth, although he will not be welcome at the meetings. Bishop Robinson is not invited because he is open and honest about being gay and partnered.
Come Together!
Jdodsonvls attended a town meeting with Sen. Robert Wexler in Boca Raton, Florida. At the meeting was a group of mainly Hillary Clinton supporters, Jewish retirees and Hispanics, an older crowd. Wexler was an Obama supporter before the delegate count sealed the deal. When he voiced his support for Obama, at the meeting, there was polite applause, some cheers and some booing. When he was questioned as to why he went against the will of most of his constituents to support Obama, he replied that, although it's important to represent his constituents, he must include his own best judgment in making decisions. When he was asked why he supported Obama over Clinton, he said the following.
From Jdodsonvls's Diary at Daily Kos:
"I support Barack Obama because he showed better judgment on the Iraq War, because he has remained more forcefully against it. I support him because of his stand on ethics reform, and commitment to engaging our enemies. I support him because he speaks truth to power. He spoke in front of a largely Cuban-American organization in Miami. Everyone has told this organization the same thing for 40 years. 'We're going to continue the embargo against Cuba, no monetary remittances there, no anything.' Whether or not it works, that's all any politician dares to say. Obama suggested to them we engage with Raul Castro, and take steps towards ending the embargo. Obama told a crowd in Detroit that we should increase fuel efficiency standards, and he told members of Martin Luther King's church in Atlanta that we all share some of the blame for some of the race problems in America today."
I quote these words, not to divide, but as my small contribution to attempt to bring us together. Obama is the nominee. Clinton supporters are deeply disappointed, and some are bitter, because they feel that she was not treated fairly. I understand that. But let's keep our eyes on the prize, the presidency of the United States. Our very survival as a country that in any way resembles the ideals of our Founding Fathers is at stake here. We simply cannot have four years of another Republican in office. Only if you were pleased with the way our country has been governed for the last seven and a half years, can you think that the election is unimportant.
Neither Obama nor Clinton was my first choice, nor my second choice, nor probably even my third choice. But Obama is the nominee. Make no mistake. I do not see him as the Second Coming, someone who will be our savior. We will have to save ourselves, even if we elect a Democrat for president and larger Democratic majorities in the Senate and House. We will need to be vigilant and goad the Democrats to do the right thing, because coming to power has strange effects on people, and they may not follow through in the ways we would like.
If you want years more of war, torture, violations of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights by the president and members of his administration, 45 million people with no health insurance, disdain for combating climate change, then you can conclude that it's not important to elect a Democrat. If you're not concerned about who is appointed to the Supreme Court, then you can conclude that it's not important who wins the election.
Where I live, I've heard ignorant spouting off about both Clinton and Obama before last night. This is McCain territory in the coming election, but I also hear not a few say they do not like McCain, and that they will sit out the election. Since, if they did vote, they would likely vote for McCain, I say, "Good!" There is little in the way of excitement or enthusiasm about McCain. The votes will be against Obama.
As I watched Obama's speech last night, I saw a crowd electric with excitement, the likes of which I have not seen in recent years. I believe that we will see engagement in the political process by many first-time voters, who will show up at the polling places on election day. They will be there because they have hope. The purpose of this post is to bring hope, not that we will be in the Promised Land if Democrats are elected, but hope for a change in direction from the criminal, immoral, and destructive path we walk now. You'd have difficulty finding someone more jaded about politics in this country than I, but here I am speaking out for unity and engagement. Do with the words what you will.
UPDATE: The text of Obama's speech last night is here.
From Jdodsonvls's Diary at Daily Kos:
"I support Barack Obama because he showed better judgment on the Iraq War, because he has remained more forcefully against it. I support him because of his stand on ethics reform, and commitment to engaging our enemies. I support him because he speaks truth to power. He spoke in front of a largely Cuban-American organization in Miami. Everyone has told this organization the same thing for 40 years. 'We're going to continue the embargo against Cuba, no monetary remittances there, no anything.' Whether or not it works, that's all any politician dares to say. Obama suggested to them we engage with Raul Castro, and take steps towards ending the embargo. Obama told a crowd in Detroit that we should increase fuel efficiency standards, and he told members of Martin Luther King's church in Atlanta that we all share some of the blame for some of the race problems in America today."
I quote these words, not to divide, but as my small contribution to attempt to bring us together. Obama is the nominee. Clinton supporters are deeply disappointed, and some are bitter, because they feel that she was not treated fairly. I understand that. But let's keep our eyes on the prize, the presidency of the United States. Our very survival as a country that in any way resembles the ideals of our Founding Fathers is at stake here. We simply cannot have four years of another Republican in office. Only if you were pleased with the way our country has been governed for the last seven and a half years, can you think that the election is unimportant.
Neither Obama nor Clinton was my first choice, nor my second choice, nor probably even my third choice. But Obama is the nominee. Make no mistake. I do not see him as the Second Coming, someone who will be our savior. We will have to save ourselves, even if we elect a Democrat for president and larger Democratic majorities in the Senate and House. We will need to be vigilant and goad the Democrats to do the right thing, because coming to power has strange effects on people, and they may not follow through in the ways we would like.
If you want years more of war, torture, violations of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights by the president and members of his administration, 45 million people with no health insurance, disdain for combating climate change, then you can conclude that it's not important to elect a Democrat. If you're not concerned about who is appointed to the Supreme Court, then you can conclude that it's not important who wins the election.
Where I live, I've heard ignorant spouting off about both Clinton and Obama before last night. This is McCain territory in the coming election, but I also hear not a few say they do not like McCain, and that they will sit out the election. Since, if they did vote, they would likely vote for McCain, I say, "Good!" There is little in the way of excitement or enthusiasm about McCain. The votes will be against Obama.
As I watched Obama's speech last night, I saw a crowd electric with excitement, the likes of which I have not seen in recent years. I believe that we will see engagement in the political process by many first-time voters, who will show up at the polling places on election day. They will be there because they have hope. The purpose of this post is to bring hope, not that we will be in the Promised Land if Democrats are elected, but hope for a change in direction from the criminal, immoral, and destructive path we walk now. You'd have difficulty finding someone more jaded about politics in this country than I, but here I am speaking out for unity and engagement. Do with the words what you will.
UPDATE: The text of Obama's speech last night is here.
Have You Heard?
The suspense is over, and MadPriest scooped the US press with the news. What a surprise! Even to me.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Happy Anniversary, Diane!
Diane, at Faith in Community, celebrated 10 years at her church on Sunday. Please read her lovely post in honor of the anniversary, and leave your good wishes at her blog.
Here He Is!
On Sunday, I picked Paul up at his apartment, and we headed down to S. Carrollton and St. Charles to board the St. Charles streetcar. Of course, I was introduced to Belle and Maggie and we took an instant liking to each other. They are feisty girls, and I like girls with spirit. We headed out with the girls tucked away in Paul's brief case.Here is Paul, the BB on the streetcar. Alas! I have only a very few pictures of Paul. When I enjoy a person's company, I don't think much about recording the moment, because I'm into the moment right then. I had forgotten how noisy the streetcars are clattering down the tracks with the windows open to catch the breeze. It makes conversation a bit difficult, but we persevered and managed to carry on.
Lovely houses and trees line St. Charles Avenue for much of the way. Two are pictured here. Of course, to own and maintain these houses, one must have money, in no small amount. The old oak trees took a beating during Katrina, losing many limbs, but they are coming back nicely.
We got off the streetcar at Canal Street and walked to the Palace Café a couple of blocks away. Pictured below is the balcony, which is an attractive feature of the interior of the restaurant.
Due, no doubt, to his evangelical background, Paul had never had a Sazerac. As he noted in his post on our day together, it is not our official state drink, but nevertheless, he wanted one. I had my usual glass of wine, but I took a sip of his Sazerac, since the last one I had was many long years ago. My conclusion is that it is better in the sipping than in having a whole glass of it to drink.
I won't bore you with the details of what we ate at the brunch, but it was tasty. Paul and I had wonderful conversation during the brunch ranging over many subjects. Below is a picture of the adorable Maggie "testing" out Paul's drink. He posted a similar picture, but I had to have my own.
I now present the handsome Paul standing before the lovely staircase at the Palace, which we then left behind to walk to St. Louis Cathedral. His glasses are a little sparkly, but, nevertheless, he looks good. This post with pictures took me so long to finish that I will leave part two about our walk, our time in the French Quarter, and more pictures for another day.
Paul's post is so much better than mine. If we don't agree, then I leave it to you to decide who's telling the truth.
Louisiana Soldier Dies In Iraq
A soldier from Bogalusa died in Iraq Sunday from wounds suffered when his vehicle came into contact with an improvised explosive device, the Department of Defense announced Monday.
Spc. Justin R. Mixon, 22, was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment.
From WWL-TV.
O God, who by the glorious resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ destroyed death, and brought life and immortality to light: Grant that your servant Justin, being raised with him, may know the strength of his presence, and rejoice in his eternal glory; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
....
Grant, O Lord, to all who are bereaved the spirit of faith and courage, that they may have strength to meet the days to come with steadfastness and patience; not sorrowing as those without hope, but in thankful remembrance of your great goodness, and in the joyful expectation of eternal life with those they love. And this we ask in the Name of Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen
Book of Common Prayer
Spc. Justin R. Mixon, 22, was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment.
From WWL-TV.
O God, who by the glorious resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ destroyed death, and brought life and immortality to light: Grant that your servant Justin, being raised with him, may know the strength of his presence, and rejoice in his eternal glory; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
....
Grant, O Lord, to all who are bereaved the spirit of faith and courage, that they may have strength to meet the days to come with steadfastness and patience; not sorrowing as those without hope, but in thankful remembrance of your great goodness, and in the joyful expectation of eternal life with those they love. And this we ask in the Name of Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen
Book of Common Prayer
Here They Go Again
From E. J. Dionne in the Washington Post:
Word spread like wildfire in Catholic circles: Douglas Kmiec, a staunch Republican, firm foe of abortion and veteran of the Reagan Justice Department, had been denied Communion.
His sin? Kmiec, a Catholic who can cite papal pronouncements with the facility of a theological scholar, shocked old friends and adversaries alike earlier this year by endorsing Barack Obama for president. For at least one priest, Kmiec's support for a pro-choice politician made him a willing participant in a grave moral evil.
Kmiec was denied Communion in April at a Mass for a group of Catholic business people he later addressed at dinner. The episode has not received wide attention outside the Catholic world, but it is the opening shot in an argument that could have a large impact on this year's presidential campaign: Is it legitimate for bishops and priests to deny Communion to those supporting candidates who favor abortion rights?
No, it is not! Not even the US Conference of Catholic Bishops goes that far.
The priest's actions are almost certainly out of line with the policy of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. In their statement"Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship," issued last November, the bishops said: "A Catholic cannot vote for a candidate who takes a position in favor of an intrinsic evil, such as abortion or racism, if the voter's intent is to support that position."
The "if" phrase in that carefully negotiated sentence suggests that Catholics can support pro-choice candidates, provided the purpose of their vote is not to promote abortion.
It's a typical Roman Catholic mind twist which was called a mental reservation back in my days in in the RCC, but it provides the same sort of "out" that permits RC women to have surgery to abort an ectopic pregnancy so they won't risk death from a ruptured tube.
It is outrageous that priests and bishops take it upon themselves to withhold the body and blood of Our Lord, as though Jesus needed to be protected. Since I left the RCC, I promised myself that I would not become a bitter ex-Roman Catholic, but stories like this test me severely.
And yes, I know that in my own church, the Episcopal Church, we have misguided bishops and priests who do the same sort of thing. However, we are a small church without the numbers and influence of the Roman Catholic Church on politics in the US. No matter who does it, it infuriates me.
However, despite the priest's pinched small-mindedness, it appears that good comes from the affair:
Kmiec says he is grateful because the episode reminded him of the importance of the Eucharist in his spiritual life, and because he hopes it will alert others to the dangers of "using Communion as a weapon."
Indeed!
Word spread like wildfire in Catholic circles: Douglas Kmiec, a staunch Republican, firm foe of abortion and veteran of the Reagan Justice Department, had been denied Communion.
His sin? Kmiec, a Catholic who can cite papal pronouncements with the facility of a theological scholar, shocked old friends and adversaries alike earlier this year by endorsing Barack Obama for president. For at least one priest, Kmiec's support for a pro-choice politician made him a willing participant in a grave moral evil.
Kmiec was denied Communion in April at a Mass for a group of Catholic business people he later addressed at dinner. The episode has not received wide attention outside the Catholic world, but it is the opening shot in an argument that could have a large impact on this year's presidential campaign: Is it legitimate for bishops and priests to deny Communion to those supporting candidates who favor abortion rights?
No, it is not! Not even the US Conference of Catholic Bishops goes that far.
The priest's actions are almost certainly out of line with the policy of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. In their statement"Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship," issued last November, the bishops said: "A Catholic cannot vote for a candidate who takes a position in favor of an intrinsic evil, such as abortion or racism, if the voter's intent is to support that position."
The "if" phrase in that carefully negotiated sentence suggests that Catholics can support pro-choice candidates, provided the purpose of their vote is not to promote abortion.
It's a typical Roman Catholic mind twist which was called a mental reservation back in my days in in the RCC, but it provides the same sort of "out" that permits RC women to have surgery to abort an ectopic pregnancy so they won't risk death from a ruptured tube.
It is outrageous that priests and bishops take it upon themselves to withhold the body and blood of Our Lord, as though Jesus needed to be protected. Since I left the RCC, I promised myself that I would not become a bitter ex-Roman Catholic, but stories like this test me severely.
And yes, I know that in my own church, the Episcopal Church, we have misguided bishops and priests who do the same sort of thing. However, we are a small church without the numbers and influence of the Roman Catholic Church on politics in the US. No matter who does it, it infuriates me.
However, despite the priest's pinched small-mindedness, it appears that good comes from the affair:
Kmiec says he is grateful because the episode reminded him of the importance of the Eucharist in his spiritual life, and because he hopes it will alert others to the dangers of "using Communion as a weapon."
Indeed!
Monday, June 2, 2008
Early Summer Pharisaios Journal
From the Diocese of Wenchoster:
I start with Bishop Codpiecium's column out of respect for his office, although Mr. Grindle is actually my favorite person in the diocese. But don't tell the bishop that, please, especially since he was kind enough to leave a word here. It's not personal. It's that I'm somewhat in awe of people with ecclesiastical titles, and Mr G. is so folksy and down to earth.
Hello! This tame of yar brings with it a tindency to relax and assume that awl is will with the warld. Hot summer afternoons laying in the grarss arfter a libat-i-on et the Nane Bills; watching the cwarboys frolic in the Close; teasing the Cenon Precentor with may crosier; pecking for Limbeth (end may excitement continues to raise!) end looking forward to the clargy croquet evenings with great anticipat-i-on. Thus it would be easy to spind the summer in such a fash-i-on, ignoring the hayer callings which affict us awl. Therefore I have desaded to be out end abite in the darsen perishes a lot more then in the past. Once Limbeth is over (end how sed I shell be!) I see it es may duty to visit es minny perishes es possible before the evening begin to draw in, end the thunderstorms of August dempen the fetes of Shaston Farthing. Remember thet I em your bishop – end the place for a bishop is with his own people end darsis.
May the Lawd bliss you awl.
+ Roderick Codpiecium.
Will the bishops at Lambeth, er, Limbeth actually play croquet? I'll wager that they won't lay out their own wickets for the game.
I was going to post the calendar for the month of June for the diocese, but I want you to visit and explore there. Just keep processing, and you will come to it. The journal is chock full of illustrations in this issue, so those of you who like your books and periodicals with lots of pictures will be pleased.
O happy day! Mr. Grindle is back with a few wise words for us.
Well there are some who say that I must breathe a sigh of relief when we get hinto this season of Trinity just because I don’t ‘ave to change the vestments, frontals and ‘angings from the green for weeks on hend doesn’t mean that there’s no hextra work haround the cathedral during the summer months to begin with there’s the hendless stream of visitors that need watching or helse they will go hastray in the transcepts (creating more mess to clean hup) then there’s the guest celebrants and preachers from hall round the Hanglican Communion you’s think that they’d hall know ‘ow to ‘andle a maniple wouldn’t you but oh no sir I’ve seen some pretty rum things done in the sacristy I can tell you mainly by members of the Church in Wales my nearest hand dearest Mrs Grindle who is trying hout a new 'omeopathic remedy is preparing summer treats hin the Refectory hand no doubt the new menu will be published once hit’s approved by Wenchoster Public ‘Ealth. So you see hit’s a busy time.
Right! That’s it! No more rubbing Brasso hon the ‘Onourary Canons!
Oh dear. What can the members from Wales be up to in the sacristy? Mr. G. doesn't say, so we are left to wonder.
I'm not sure why this picture is at the Diocese of Wenchoster site, but I like it and the caption, although I'm not 100% sure that the caption is true.
Cowboy @ The Pearly Gates
A Texas cowboy appeared before St. Peter at the Pearly gates. 'Have you ever done anything of particular merit?' St Peter asked.
'Well, I can think of one thing,' the cowboy offered. 'Once, on a trip to the Black Hills in South Dakota , I came upon a gang of bikers who were threatening a young woman. I directed them to leave her alone, but they wouldn't listen. So, I approached the largest and most heavily tattooed biker, smacked him in the face, kicked his bike over, ripped out his nose ring, and threw it on the ground.' I yelled, 'Now back off!! Or I'll kick the sh*t out of all of you!!'
St. Peter was impressed, 'When did this happen?'
'Just a couple of minutes ago!'
It's Doug again. And don't tell me this story is not true.
For good measure, I'll make this one a double.
When I got home last night, my wife said that she had a tough day
with the kids, and demanded that I take her out to some place
expensive.
So I took her to a gas station!
'Well, I can think of one thing,' the cowboy offered. 'Once, on a trip to the Black Hills in South Dakota , I came upon a gang of bikers who were threatening a young woman. I directed them to leave her alone, but they wouldn't listen. So, I approached the largest and most heavily tattooed biker, smacked him in the face, kicked his bike over, ripped out his nose ring, and threw it on the ground.' I yelled, 'Now back off!! Or I'll kick the sh*t out of all of you!!'
St. Peter was impressed, 'When did this happen?'
'Just a couple of minutes ago!'
It's Doug again. And don't tell me this story is not true.
For good measure, I'll make this one a double.
When I got home last night, my wife said that she had a tough day
with the kids, and demanded that I take her out to some place
expensive.
So I took her to a gas station!
Feast Day Of Blandina And Her Companions
"Martyrs of Lyons", by JL Gerome
At Lyons and Vienne, in Gaul, there were missionary centers which had drawn many Christians from Asia and Greece. Persecution began in 177.
At first, Christians were excluded from the public baths, the market place, and from social and public life. They were subject to attack when they appeared in public, and many Christian homes were vandalized. At this point the government became involved, and began to take Christians into custody for questioning. Some slaves from Christian households were tortured to obtain confessions, and were induced to say that Christians practiced cannibalism and incest. These charges were used to arouse the whole city against the Christians, particularly against Pothinus, the aged bishop of Lyons; Sanctus, a deacon; Attalus; Maturus, a recent convert; and Blandina, a slave. Pothinus was beaten and then released, to die of his wounds a few days later. Sanctus was tormented with red-hot irons. Blandina, tortured all day long, would say nothing except, "I am a Christian, and nothing vile is done among us." Finally, the survivors were put to death in the public arena.
From James Kiefer at the Lectionary.
Thus persecutions begin. The story brings to mind a more recent period in history.
Readings:
Psalm 126 or 34:1-8
1 Peter 1:3-9
Mark 8:34-38
The words from Peter's Epistle are among my favorites:
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith—being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed. Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
As are the words from Mark's Gospel:
He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel,* will save it. For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? 38Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.’
PRAYER
Grant, O Lord, we pray, that we who keep the feast of the holy martyrs Blandina and her companions may be rooted and grounded in love of you, and may endure the sufferings of this life for the glory that shall be revealed in us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
My "Sex In The City" Evening
Because of Fran's post on the movie, "Sex and the City", I decided to see the it on the day following. I was going to the early afternoon movie, but I did not make it. Then the goal was the late afternoon movie, which I missed, too, but I did make the evening showing, and I loved it. It was two hours of pure delight for me.
I love New York. It's my second favorite city, my first being my home town, New Orleans. I had only watched the TV show rarely, because, at least in the early days, there was too much easy sleeping around, and that puts me off. I'm old and perhaps old-fashioned, but I think sex should be for special people in our lives with whom have made a commitment What were they thinking?
In the movie, each of the women has a special man in her life, so the easy sex was not there. In many ways, the movie played into one of the besetting sins here in the US of the desire to acquire material things, gorgeous clothes and shoes, beautiful hair styling, a luxurious apartment, so much of what I deplore. Yet I live in relative luxury compared to millions of people in the world. Mea culpa! Am I the one to judge? What kind of dissonance is in operation when I take such delight in such a movie? Well, it was about love and about forgiveness, and I am an incurable romantic. So. And the characters were basically decent people, who were mostly kind to each other and to others outside their circle. Also, I liked the music, even if the sound was a bit loud for my taste.
Several years ago, I spent a week with two of my sister's wealthy friends at their home. It was a week of luxury living such as I have never experienced, limousine pick-up at the airport, dining out, a night at the opera, a visit to a spa, my own suite with a private walled garden with a view of the mountains, a bathroom with a glass wall, with the same lovely view of the mountains, and I adored every minute. It was a week in fantasy land, not in the land of reality, but I lapped it up, and I remember it with great delight. Would I want to live like that all the time? No, not at all.
Was it the same lust for earthly things and pleasures that was in operation in my enjoyment of the movie? It's not the real world, but it's a lovely world of the imagination to inhabit for a spell. Of course, I could be wrong. My enjoyment could well be a demonstration of my inherent fallenness and shallowness. To paraphrase Fox News, I report. You decide.
With thanks to my friend, Fran for the recommendation.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Good News For The Diocese of San Joaquin
From the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin:
Friday Reflection 5/30/08
Dear Friends,
I received great news three days ago from the office of the manager of the Lambeth Conference. The e-mail says "we are expecting you at the Lambeth Conference". I was wondering when the invitation would arrive or even, some days, if it would ever come to Jane and me. Well, it is here and we are making plans to attend. We attended the Conference in 1998 when I was the Bishop of Northern California.
I am pleased to be going, but I am more pleased because this a clear sign from the Anglican Communion that the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin is the only Anglican Diocese in all of inland Central California. I received this invitation because I am your Bishop and, therefore, entitled to attend the Lambeth Conference as the Bishop of the Diocese of San Joaquin recognized by the Archbishop of Canterbury.
We have much work left to do in bringing this Diocese back together. But, rejoice, sisters and brothers, your faithfulness has been recognized by the Archbishop of Canterbury and by the Anglican Communion.
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice.
In peace,
+Jerry A. Lamb
Bishop of San Joaquin
Thanks to Roger for the link.
Friday Reflection 5/30/08
Dear Friends,
I received great news three days ago from the office of the manager of the Lambeth Conference. The e-mail says "we are expecting you at the Lambeth Conference". I was wondering when the invitation would arrive or even, some days, if it would ever come to Jane and me. Well, it is here and we are making plans to attend. We attended the Conference in 1998 when I was the Bishop of Northern California.
I am pleased to be going, but I am more pleased because this a clear sign from the Anglican Communion that the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin is the only Anglican Diocese in all of inland Central California. I received this invitation because I am your Bishop and, therefore, entitled to attend the Lambeth Conference as the Bishop of the Diocese of San Joaquin recognized by the Archbishop of Canterbury.
We have much work left to do in bringing this Diocese back together. But, rejoice, sisters and brothers, your faithfulness has been recognized by the Archbishop of Canterbury and by the Anglican Communion.
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice.
In peace,
+Jerry A. Lamb
Bishop of San Joaquin
Thanks to Roger for the link.
Hey What?
Beneath the photo from the REAGAN DIARIES is an actual quote that Reagan wrote about George 'W' in his diaries, recently edited by author Doug Brinkley and published by Harper Collins
"A moment I've been dreading. George brought his n'er-do-well son around this morning and asked me to find the kid a job. Not the political one who lives in Florida; the one who hangs around here all the time looking shiftless. This so-called kid is already almost 40 and has never had a real job. Maybe I'll call Kinsley over at The New Republic and see if they'll hire him as a contributing editor or something. That looks like easy work."
From the REAGAN DIARIES------entry dated May 17, 1986
From Sott.Net via Doug.
UPDATE: It seems that this quote may not be from Ronald Reagan's diaries, but from a bit of satire by Michael Kinsley at The New Republic. I could not get into the site at TNR to check it out, but Snopes says it's there. Truth or Fiction says it's not a quote from Reagan's book either. I'm not knowledgeable about either of the websites that I linked to, but I tend to believe that it's satire by Kinsley and not from Reagan's diaries.
Note to me: check things out before you post. I was in a hurry this morning, and I wanted to get something up, because I would be gone for most of the day.
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