Dear June -
No, I'm not retiring from the Senate - I'm working hard as ever, to restore the Constitution, stop that terrible FISA bill and put a Democrat in the White House.
But after our incredible journey campaigning for the Presidency, there is something that does need retiring: our debt.
My internet team tells me the campaign inbox was flooded with messages of thanks and inquiries about how you can continue to help now that the presidential campaign is over.
Dodd is right. We must put a Democrat in the White House. He took a brave stand in the Senate on the FISA bill, which must be stopped. The fight is not over. Rock on in the Senate, Chris.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Huckabee Wants Change In Constitution
From MSNBC:
"[Some of my opponents] do not want to change the Constitution, but I believe it's a lot easier to change the constitution than it would be to change the word of the living God, and that's what we need to do is to amend the Constitution so it's in God's standards rather than try to change God's standards," Huckabee said, referring to the need for a constitutional human life amendment and an amendment defining marriage as between a man and a woman.
My bolding.
Plus, he will fence the entire border, extending nearly 2000 miles, between the US and Mexico within 18 months of taking office.
"[Some of my opponents] do not want to change the Constitution, but I believe it's a lot easier to change the constitution than it would be to change the word of the living God, and that's what we need to do is to amend the Constitution so it's in God's standards rather than try to change God's standards," Huckabee said, referring to the need for a constitutional human life amendment and an amendment defining marriage as between a man and a woman.
My bolding.
Plus, he will fence the entire border, extending nearly 2000 miles, between the US and Mexico within 18 months of taking office.
Bush Warns Iran
From the Washington Post:
Bush sought to address the Iranian people directly, saying: "You have a right to live under a government that listens to your wishes, respects your talents and allows you to build better lives for your families. Unfortunately, your government denies you these opportunities and threatens the peace and stability of your neighbors. So we call on the regime in Tehran to heed your will and to make itself accountable to you."
Change a few names and the president could have been addressing us here in the US, his own people. He does not listen to our wishes. He is at 34% approval rating. He does not respect us. He spies on us, and he is not allowing us to build better lives for our families. He denies opportunity to many, while helping to make the rich richer. His own policies and actions are the biggest threats to our peace and security. His maladministration operates in secrecy and does not make itself accountable to us. How can he speak about these things? What hypocrisy! It makes my blood boil when he lectures the leaders of other countries about freedom, when he has taken away the freedoms of his own citizens and made such a gigantic mess of things here at home.
Recently, I heard of one person who is self-employed, who had to drop his health insurance, because he could no longer afford it. Just today, I heard of another couple whose employer pays half their premium, but they will have to pay $200 more a month for the same insurance coverage, because premiums have risen. They soon won't be able to afford to pay even with help from their employer. Is that taking care of your own people, Mr. Bush? Give me a break from your lectures to other leaders! You have no moral standing to lecture anyone.
Bush's comments on Iran were part of a speech devoted to advancing the cause of freedom and democracy in the Middle East. It was the latest in a steady volley of attacks on the country in the past week that began even before he left for Jerusalem last Tuesday.
Let's hope that the Iranian leadership won't take you as an example of how a leader advances freedom and democracy, Mr. Bush. We'll be well rid of your leadership when your term ends in a year. I'm only sorry that we have to wait that long, allowing you to do further damage, before you fade into the sunset.
Bush is trying to persuade Arab countries to join U.S. efforts to pressure Iran, though many appear ambivalent about the administration's campaign following a new U.S. intelligence report that concluded Iran stopped a nuclear weapons program in 2003
According to Newsweek:
In public, President Bush has been careful to reassure Israel and other allies that he still sees Iran as a threat, while not disavowing his administration's recent National Intelligence Estimate.
....
But in private conversations with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert last week, the president all but disowned the document, said a senior administration official who accompanied Bush on his six-nation trip to the Mideast.
Bush's conclusions differ from those of his own intelligence agencies. On what evidence does he base his own differing conclusions? I'm sure that the views that he voiced are very much in line with what Olmert wants to hear, but where does Bush get his information to arrive at the different conslusions? Why did a "senior administration official who accompanied Bush on his six-nation trip" see fit to leak this bit of information? Does this official think that it's odd that Bush forms conclusions that differ from his own intelligence agencies? I know I do.
Bush sought to address the Iranian people directly, saying: "You have a right to live under a government that listens to your wishes, respects your talents and allows you to build better lives for your families. Unfortunately, your government denies you these opportunities and threatens the peace and stability of your neighbors. So we call on the regime in Tehran to heed your will and to make itself accountable to you."
Change a few names and the president could have been addressing us here in the US, his own people. He does not listen to our wishes. He is at 34% approval rating. He does not respect us. He spies on us, and he is not allowing us to build better lives for our families. He denies opportunity to many, while helping to make the rich richer. His own policies and actions are the biggest threats to our peace and security. His maladministration operates in secrecy and does not make itself accountable to us. How can he speak about these things? What hypocrisy! It makes my blood boil when he lectures the leaders of other countries about freedom, when he has taken away the freedoms of his own citizens and made such a gigantic mess of things here at home.
Recently, I heard of one person who is self-employed, who had to drop his health insurance, because he could no longer afford it. Just today, I heard of another couple whose employer pays half their premium, but they will have to pay $200 more a month for the same insurance coverage, because premiums have risen. They soon won't be able to afford to pay even with help from their employer. Is that taking care of your own people, Mr. Bush? Give me a break from your lectures to other leaders! You have no moral standing to lecture anyone.
Bush's comments on Iran were part of a speech devoted to advancing the cause of freedom and democracy in the Middle East. It was the latest in a steady volley of attacks on the country in the past week that began even before he left for Jerusalem last Tuesday.
Let's hope that the Iranian leadership won't take you as an example of how a leader advances freedom and democracy, Mr. Bush. We'll be well rid of your leadership when your term ends in a year. I'm only sorry that we have to wait that long, allowing you to do further damage, before you fade into the sunset.
Bush is trying to persuade Arab countries to join U.S. efforts to pressure Iran, though many appear ambivalent about the administration's campaign following a new U.S. intelligence report that concluded Iran stopped a nuclear weapons program in 2003
According to Newsweek:
In public, President Bush has been careful to reassure Israel and other allies that he still sees Iran as a threat, while not disavowing his administration's recent National Intelligence Estimate.
....
But in private conversations with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert last week, the president all but disowned the document, said a senior administration official who accompanied Bush on his six-nation trip to the Mideast.
Bush's conclusions differ from those of his own intelligence agencies. On what evidence does he base his own differing conclusions? I'm sure that the views that he voiced are very much in line with what Olmert wants to hear, but where does Bush get his information to arrive at the different conslusions? Why did a "senior administration official who accompanied Bush on his six-nation trip" see fit to leak this bit of information? Does this official think that it's odd that Bush forms conclusions that differ from his own intelligence agencies? I know I do.
Monday, January 14, 2008
What Kind Of Brain Have I?
You Are 45% Left Brained, 55% Right Brained |
 The left side of your brain controls verbal ability, attention to detail, and reasoning. Left brained people are good at communication and persuading others. If you're left brained, you are likely good at math and logic. Your left brain prefers dogs, reading, and quiet. The right side of your brain is all about creativity and flexibility. Daring and intuitive, right brained people see the world in their unique way. If you're right brained, you likely have a talent for creative writing and art. Your right brain prefers day dreaming, philosophy, and sports. |
I do not prefer sports. There are probably few folks around who are less interested in sports.
I found the link for this at Paul's place.
Huckabee Chooses Jesus
From Andy Borowitz of the Borowitz Report via Doug.
In a bold move that could dramatically alter the playing field of the 2008 GOP presidential race, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee today named Jesus Christ as his vice presidential running mate.
Huckabee has made an increasing number of comments about his relationship with Jesus in recent debates and news media interviews, but few Republican insiders expected him to announce that he was anointing Christ as his vice presidential pick.
Go read the rest.
In a bold move that could dramatically alter the playing field of the 2008 GOP presidential race, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee today named Jesus Christ as his vice presidential running mate.
Huckabee has made an increasing number of comments about his relationship with Jesus in recent debates and news media interviews, but few Republican insiders expected him to announce that he was anointing Christ as his vice presidential pick.
Go read the rest.
Thank God For The School
Since I wrote this post about my attendance at the school mass at the Roman Catholic Church to which my grandchildren's school is attached, I have wanted to write about the school itself. As many of you know my son has been through a traumatic divorce, which affected him and his children greatly. They are still struggling, but they are holding their own. Thanks be to God.
The children's school staff have, in a remarkable way, demonstrated their caring support of the children through the crisis in their lives. I can hardly say enough of my admiration for the response of the school staff members. They have been loving, understanding, and accommodating throughout the whole of this trying period.
My son's loving care for his children and his decision to remain in the house, which they still think of as their home, along with the splendid response from their school, has helped greatly in whatever recovery they have been able to make. My grandson attends a support group at the school with other children of separated and divorced parents.
I thank God from the depths of my heart for their school and its teachers and the other staff members, who have lived out the Gospel of Jesus in their ministry to the children.
The children's school staff have, in a remarkable way, demonstrated their caring support of the children through the crisis in their lives. I can hardly say enough of my admiration for the response of the school staff members. They have been loving, understanding, and accommodating throughout the whole of this trying period.
My son's loving care for his children and his decision to remain in the house, which they still think of as their home, along with the splendid response from their school, has helped greatly in whatever recovery they have been able to make. My grandson attends a support group at the school with other children of separated and divorced parents.
I thank God from the depths of my heart for their school and its teachers and the other staff members, who have lived out the Gospel of Jesus in their ministry to the children.
From Dangerblond In The Season
And why not? I wonder if people elsewhere know that every child in New Orleans makes a miniature Mardi Gras float in kindergarten, and the class lines up all their floats for a little classroom parade. Some of us never really got past that stage.
Picture and quote from Dangerblond. Go see the rest of her tiny Jello parade floats. They are adorable.
It's not just New Orleans. Children all over south Louisiana make miniature Mardi Gras floats.
Picture and quote from Dangerblond. Go see the rest of her tiny Jello parade floats. They are adorable.
It's not just New Orleans. Children all over south Louisiana make miniature Mardi Gras floats.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Bishop John-David Schofield Inhibited
For a while now, I've been wanting to write about the drama coming out of the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin, California, but I put it off, because it seemed a daunting task, due to the long and convoluted nature of the story. Belatedly, here's my attempt.
Bishop Schofield, of the Diocese of San Joaquin, California, had been complaining for some time that the Episcopal Church had gone off the track, had lost its way, and that he was going to leave. In December 2007, according to the Episcopal Majority:
The people meeting in the diocesan convention of the Diocese of San Joaquin voted this month to leave the Episcopal Church and affiliate, instead, with the Province of the Southern Cone (which encompasses some far-flung parishes in southern and eastern South America). In the lead-up to this convention, Presiding Bishop Jefferts Schori warned then-Episcopal Bishop John-David Schofield that an affirmative vote would constitute an actionable breach from the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin.
In the next step, Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts-Schori, on December 17, 2007, requested that the Title IV Review Committee of the House of Bishops meet to consider whether Bishop Schofield had abandoned the Episcopal Church. The committee met and certified that Bp. Schofield had abandoned the Episcopal Church, following which Bishop Katharine, on January 11, 2008, inhibited Bp. Schofield from exercising his ministry in the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin. He will have two months to recant, and then the House of Bishops will meet to decide if Bp. Schofield has abandoned TEC. If they agree that he has, then he could be deposed and the see of the diocese declared vacant. The diocese will then reorganize under a new Standing Committee, and an interim bishop will be appointed to serve until such time as a search and the selection of a new bishop are complete.
The bishop and others who want to depart from the Episcopal Church believe that they can take the diocese out of the Episcopal Church, but the constitutions and canons of TEC (The Episcopal Church) do not permit a diocese or parish to remove themselves from the church. Anyone can leave TEC at any time, bishops, priests, the laity, but a diocese or parish may not leave. Those who leave may not take the property with them. The property does not belong to the members of the diocese or to the parishioners, but is held in trust for present and future members of the Episcopal Church.
What about Episcopalians in San Joaquin who wish to remain in TEC? They have organized as a group called Remain Episcopal and are receiving on-the-scene advice from representatives from the offices of the national church. They are also accepting donations at their website. During the difficult interim period, those who wish to remain part of TEC are under rather severe financial strain.
My prayers are with the faithful Episcopalians in San Joaquin and with those who have departed. I pray for an amicable settlement of the property issues, but I fear this will not be the case. That the Episcopal Church is not a congregational church, seems plain to me, but there will likely be litigation.
I'm relieved that some of those who have been threatening to leave have finally made the break, and that the faithful remaining in the Episcopal Church may, before long, start afresh with new leadership. Here in the South (and perhaps in other places) we have a saying, "Either sh*t, or get off the pot." That has been my thought for some time, now.
I regret the departure of those who want out of TEC, for the body is poorer in their absence. We need each other, and I believe that we could have continued to live and work together, but apparently they did not want to try, and the continuing threats to leave had become tiresome.
God knows there may be mistakes in this long post, and if there are, they are mine and are not the fault of my sources. I am no expert in any of the subjects under discussion here. I tried my best to be as accurate as possible. Writing the post has been a good exercise for me, because I have learned much in the process.
If you want more information than you find here, I'm listing several websites where you can get more information:
Fr. Jake Stops the World (on his right sidebar, information on the Diocese of San Joaquin is grouped together.
Episcopal Life
The Episcopal Majority
Bishop Schofield, of the Diocese of San Joaquin, California, had been complaining for some time that the Episcopal Church had gone off the track, had lost its way, and that he was going to leave. In December 2007, according to the Episcopal Majority:
The people meeting in the diocesan convention of the Diocese of San Joaquin voted this month to leave the Episcopal Church and affiliate, instead, with the Province of the Southern Cone (which encompasses some far-flung parishes in southern and eastern South America). In the lead-up to this convention, Presiding Bishop Jefferts Schori warned then-Episcopal Bishop John-David Schofield that an affirmative vote would constitute an actionable breach from the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin.
In the next step, Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts-Schori, on December 17, 2007, requested that the Title IV Review Committee of the House of Bishops meet to consider whether Bishop Schofield had abandoned the Episcopal Church. The committee met and certified that Bp. Schofield had abandoned the Episcopal Church, following which Bishop Katharine, on January 11, 2008, inhibited Bp. Schofield from exercising his ministry in the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin. He will have two months to recant, and then the House of Bishops will meet to decide if Bp. Schofield has abandoned TEC. If they agree that he has, then he could be deposed and the see of the diocese declared vacant. The diocese will then reorganize under a new Standing Committee, and an interim bishop will be appointed to serve until such time as a search and the selection of a new bishop are complete.
The bishop and others who want to depart from the Episcopal Church believe that they can take the diocese out of the Episcopal Church, but the constitutions and canons of TEC (The Episcopal Church) do not permit a diocese or parish to remove themselves from the church. Anyone can leave TEC at any time, bishops, priests, the laity, but a diocese or parish may not leave. Those who leave may not take the property with them. The property does not belong to the members of the diocese or to the parishioners, but is held in trust for present and future members of the Episcopal Church.
What about Episcopalians in San Joaquin who wish to remain in TEC? They have organized as a group called Remain Episcopal and are receiving on-the-scene advice from representatives from the offices of the national church. They are also accepting donations at their website. During the difficult interim period, those who wish to remain part of TEC are under rather severe financial strain.
My prayers are with the faithful Episcopalians in San Joaquin and with those who have departed. I pray for an amicable settlement of the property issues, but I fear this will not be the case. That the Episcopal Church is not a congregational church, seems plain to me, but there will likely be litigation.
I'm relieved that some of those who have been threatening to leave have finally made the break, and that the faithful remaining in the Episcopal Church may, before long, start afresh with new leadership. Here in the South (and perhaps in other places) we have a saying, "Either sh*t, or get off the pot." That has been my thought for some time, now.
I regret the departure of those who want out of TEC, for the body is poorer in their absence. We need each other, and I believe that we could have continued to live and work together, but apparently they did not want to try, and the continuing threats to leave had become tiresome.
God knows there may be mistakes in this long post, and if there are, they are mine and are not the fault of my sources. I am no expert in any of the subjects under discussion here. I tried my best to be as accurate as possible. Writing the post has been a good exercise for me, because I have learned much in the process.
If you want more information than you find here, I'm listing several websites where you can get more information:
Fr. Jake Stops the World (on his right sidebar, information on the Diocese of San Joaquin is grouped together.
Episcopal Life
The Episcopal Majority
Saturday, January 12, 2008
The Gospel According To Bush
Last Friday, I went to the school mass with my grandchildren. My granddaughter was a shepherd in an Epiphany pageant. She's movin' on up. Girls get to be shepherds now. Not that you could distinguish the sexes, with all the robes and drapery.
I believe I've spoken about the new Irish priest who is pastor of the church to which the school is connected. He loves Bush and praised him in the first sermon that I heard him preach. He is quite good with the children. He is enthusiastic and engages them by asking them questions. He asked for the names of the three wise men and called on the children who raised their hands. He said, "That's very good. But you don't need to remember that, because their names are not in the Bible."
He preached on Bush again, referring to his visit to the Middle East. He mentioned that on the very day, Friday, Bush was visiting the place where Jesus was born in Bethlehem, the Church of the Nativity. He said, (I'm not kidding) "Let's give him a round of applause." Clap, clap, clap, clap. He said, "He's going to the Middle East to make peace. Isn't that wonderful?" I would wish that to be true, but I'm not hopeful. I could not applaud. I prayed that he would be touched and transformed by the visit, and that was my best. I don't think I could ever applaud Bush.
In the comments to another post, Paul quoted Bush's words on Friday:
"'For those of us who practise the Christian faith, there isn't a more holy site than where our saviour was born,' Bush said as he came out of the church."
And then Paul said:
How the man (I use the term generously) dares to speak as though he practiced the Christian faith I do not know. It seems the irony of his visit to the Mount of the Beatitudes was quite lost on him as he thinks his presence in the Middle East is as a peacemaker. And I am the Queen or Rumania!
Bush seems, just now, seven years into his presidency, to be giving thought to his legacy. What will he leave behind? What has he accomplished? If he could bring about peace between the Israelis and Palestinians, that would be great, but better men have tried and not succeeded.
I don't know if it's just this priest, or if the Roman Catholic Church has become less strict about following the liturgy in the Missal, but he says the "Hail Mary" somewhere in the middle of mass, and after communion, he leads in saying three times:
"O sacrament most holy,
O sacrament divine,
All praise and all thanksgiving
Be every moment thine."
I know the words, because we used to sing them in my RCC schools.
I will very likely be going to mass there many more times, so I'd better get used to the preaching on Bush.
What would he say if he knew that I was an Episcopalian and that I went to communion?
I believe I've spoken about the new Irish priest who is pastor of the church to which the school is connected. He loves Bush and praised him in the first sermon that I heard him preach. He is quite good with the children. He is enthusiastic and engages them by asking them questions. He asked for the names of the three wise men and called on the children who raised their hands. He said, "That's very good. But you don't need to remember that, because their names are not in the Bible."
He preached on Bush again, referring to his visit to the Middle East. He mentioned that on the very day, Friday, Bush was visiting the place where Jesus was born in Bethlehem, the Church of the Nativity. He said, (I'm not kidding) "Let's give him a round of applause." Clap, clap, clap, clap. He said, "He's going to the Middle East to make peace. Isn't that wonderful?" I would wish that to be true, but I'm not hopeful. I could not applaud. I prayed that he would be touched and transformed by the visit, and that was my best. I don't think I could ever applaud Bush.
In the comments to another post, Paul quoted Bush's words on Friday:
"'For those of us who practise the Christian faith, there isn't a more holy site than where our saviour was born,' Bush said as he came out of the church."
And then Paul said:
How the man (I use the term generously) dares to speak as though he practiced the Christian faith I do not know. It seems the irony of his visit to the Mount of the Beatitudes was quite lost on him as he thinks his presence in the Middle East is as a peacemaker. And I am the Queen or Rumania!
Bush seems, just now, seven years into his presidency, to be giving thought to his legacy. What will he leave behind? What has he accomplished? If he could bring about peace between the Israelis and Palestinians, that would be great, but better men have tried and not succeeded.
I don't know if it's just this priest, or if the Roman Catholic Church has become less strict about following the liturgy in the Missal, but he says the "Hail Mary" somewhere in the middle of mass, and after communion, he leads in saying three times:
"O sacrament most holy,
O sacrament divine,
All praise and all thanksgiving
Be every moment thine."
I know the words, because we used to sing them in my RCC schools.
I will very likely be going to mass there many more times, so I'd better get used to the preaching on Bush.
What would he say if he knew that I was an Episcopalian and that I went to communion?
White Supremacists To March On MLK Day
According to the Associated Press via the Times-Picayune, a white supremacist group, the Nationalist Movement "want to protest a march held in September supporting the so-called Jena Six, a group of black teenagers charged in the beating of a white schoolmate". The earlier marches were in protest of what was viewed as overly harsh charges and sentences against the the black youths. The fight came about because of the hanging of two nooses in a tree in the schoolyard by white students, who were given only suspensions from school.
The mayor of Jena, Murphy McMillan, wanted the group to post a bond of $10,000 before the march, but a federal judge said that the bond requirement abridged the group's First Amendment rights. The white supremacist group will march on Martin Luther King Day. Like the Reverend Fred Phelps, the white supremacists appear to want to be as provocative as possible, while staying within the law.
The Nationalist Movement, a self-described "pro-majority" group from Learned, Miss., will hold what they call "Jena Justice Day to Empower the Majority" on Jan. 21, the day set aside to celebrate the birthday of the slain American civil rights leader.
I wonder if the group has chapters in Texas and California and, if so, how they self-describe in those states.
The mayor of Jena, Murphy McMillan, wanted the group to post a bond of $10,000 before the march, but a federal judge said that the bond requirement abridged the group's First Amendment rights. The white supremacist group will march on Martin Luther King Day. Like the Reverend Fred Phelps, the white supremacists appear to want to be as provocative as possible, while staying within the law.
The Nationalist Movement, a self-described "pro-majority" group from Learned, Miss., will hold what they call "Jena Justice Day to Empower the Majority" on Jan. 21, the day set aside to celebrate the birthday of the slain American civil rights leader.
I wonder if the group has chapters in Texas and California and, if so, how they self-describe in those states.
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