Following up on the first part of my post No. 3 on Gov. Bobby Jindal of Louisiana's Gold Standards For Ethics For Politicians In Louisiana, in which the governor's main man "forgets" to report a $118.000 campaign contribution from the GOP, which should have been reported last July:
"What Jindal Saith and What He Doth"
From James Gill at the Times-Picayune:
Legislators, please do not giggle the next time Gov. Bobby Jindal launches into one of his sermons about ethics, transparency and the new day that is dawning in corrupt old Louisiana.
He is ready to lift you up, and rescue you from sin. Yet some of you may detect a droll irony when Jindal hands down laws he proposes to guide you to the path of righteousness.
....
But please remember what a solemn moment it will be when you gather at the special session he called for early Lent. It is just bad luck that his own transgressions became known shortly before Mardi Gras.
There will be a temptation to point fingers from the back of the chamber and mock Jindal as a Pharisee. But that will get us nowhere. Just concentrate on what he saith and forget what he doth.
Any legislators who cannot keep a straight face should just stare at the floor until they can compose themselves. Do they think state government is a joke?
Read the rest, but you get the drift.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
In Remembrance - Mohandas Gandhi
Thanks to Paul for the reminder that today is the 60th anniversary of the assassination of Gandhi. As I said in the comments at Byzigenous Buddhapalian, "Paul, thanks for this. And Gandhi's only weapons were truth, love, and a determination to remain non-violent. And he won, thus demonstrating the power of powerlessness."
I offer a few choice words of wisdom from the great leader:
Be the change that you want to see in the world.
Ah, that we could take this one to heart and live it.
A nation's culture resides in the hearts and in the soul of its people.
Whoa! I pray that the actions of our leaders do not reflect what "resides in the hearts and in the soul" of the people of my country, but I fear that they may - more than I realize.
What is true of the individual will be to-morrow true of the whole nation if individuals will but refuse to lose heart and hope.
Therein lies my hope, that enough of us persist in the push for justice, mercy, and humility and that, in so doing, we do not "lose heart and hope".
First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.
Timely words for many of us in opposition to the leadership today in the good old U. S. of A. - that we do not "lose heart and hope".
Please do click the link to read Paul's post.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
The Gulf Coast And The State Of The Union
Here's what Bush said about New Orleans and the Gulf Coast in the State of the Union speech:
Tonight the armies of compassion continue the march to a new day in the Gulf Coast. America honors the strength and resilience of the people of this region. We reaffirm our pledge to help them build stronger and better than before. And tonight I'm pleased to announce that in April we will host this year's North American Summit of Canada, Mexico, and the United States in the great city of New Orleans. (Applause.)
Clap, clap, clap.
Indeed, it is the strong people of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast and the "armies of compassion", the volunteers, who give so generously of their time and talents, who do the major work of recovery in the areas affected by Katrina and the federal flood.
There were bets around here as to whether Bush would allude to the Gulf Coast at all in the SOTU, since he did not speak of the area at all in his speech last year. He did mention it, and I'm pleased that he's setting the North American Summit in New Orleans. That will throw a few bucks to New Orleans and help their economy.
I wonder if he will be just a tad embarrassed that so many areas remain totally devastated. Will he be ashamed to show the visitors from Mexico and Canada around those devastated areas? Will he limit the tour to the areas that look pretty good? Since Bush spoke the words, will he speed up the implementation of his "pledge to help them build stronger and better than before"?
From the Baton Rouge, La. Advocate:
“He mentioned revenue sharing in Iraq but failed to mention revenue sharing at home,” said [Sen. Mary] Landrieu, D-La.
U.S. Sen. David Vitter welcomed Bush’s continued commitment to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Vitter, R-La., is a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and has made several visits to the battle region.
Sen. Vitter, what about the home front? What about the continued commitment to the people in your own state, citizens of the United States of America?
Meanwhile, Landrieu said, the planned economic summit will mean the eyes of the world will be on the state.
“At least Louisiana and the Gulf Coast were mentioned,” Landrieu said. “This conference puts us in the international spotlight.”
For better or for worse.
Tonight the armies of compassion continue the march to a new day in the Gulf Coast. America honors the strength and resilience of the people of this region. We reaffirm our pledge to help them build stronger and better than before. And tonight I'm pleased to announce that in April we will host this year's North American Summit of Canada, Mexico, and the United States in the great city of New Orleans. (Applause.)
Clap, clap, clap.
Indeed, it is the strong people of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast and the "armies of compassion", the volunteers, who give so generously of their time and talents, who do the major work of recovery in the areas affected by Katrina and the federal flood.
There were bets around here as to whether Bush would allude to the Gulf Coast at all in the SOTU, since he did not speak of the area at all in his speech last year. He did mention it, and I'm pleased that he's setting the North American Summit in New Orleans. That will throw a few bucks to New Orleans and help their economy.
I wonder if he will be just a tad embarrassed that so many areas remain totally devastated. Will he be ashamed to show the visitors from Mexico and Canada around those devastated areas? Will he limit the tour to the areas that look pretty good? Since Bush spoke the words, will he speed up the implementation of his "pledge to help them build stronger and better than before"?
From the Baton Rouge, La. Advocate:
“He mentioned revenue sharing in Iraq but failed to mention revenue sharing at home,” said [Sen. Mary] Landrieu, D-La.
U.S. Sen. David Vitter welcomed Bush’s continued commitment to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Vitter, R-La., is a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and has made several visits to the battle region.
Sen. Vitter, what about the home front? What about the continued commitment to the people in your own state, citizens of the United States of America?
Meanwhile, Landrieu said, the planned economic summit will mean the eyes of the world will be on the state.
“At least Louisiana and the Gulf Coast were mentioned,” Landrieu said. “This conference puts us in the international spotlight.”
For better or for worse.
Mystic Krewe Of Barkus
Since Lapin asked if my Diana had participated in the Krewe of Barkus parade in New Orleans, I thought I'd give you a view of the exciting event, even if Diana did not participate.
From the Times-Picayune:
In the French Quarter, crowds jammed sidewalks from Rampart to Jackson Square as the beloved pooch parade, the Mystic Krewe of Barkus, rolled to the theme "Indiana Bones and the Raiders of the Lost Bark." Before the parade, hundreds gathered for several hours at the pre-parade "Pawty," enjoying music, food and admiring costumed dogs and themed floats.
Diana, as a one-eyed dog, would be quite a novelty, don't you think? Of course, I would not want to exploit her for her difference. What about a one-eyed queen of the Mystic Krewe of Barkus? Diana and I can dream, can't we?
Here's A Good Guy
From Mike in Texas:
He's not only just a local guy, but a member of our church, which is behind his work 100%.
San Antonio Authorities Arrest Syringe Exchange Workers
The Texas state legislature authorized creation of the state's first legal needle exchange, as a pilot project, in San Antonio. Local officials are blocking the plan and now harm reduction workers involved in a needle exchange there have been arrested.
Please go read the rest of the story at Mike's website, Lavender Wolves.
As I say so often, "No good deed goes unpunished".
Good Fortune From A Cookie
Me: "Adventure can be real happiness."
Lucky numbers: 12, 14, 18, 22, 28, 38
Grandpère: "You may be hungry soon: order a takeout now."
Lucky numbers: 11, 24, 25, 37, 39, 41
Grandpère's fortune is so very true and right. He thinks about food much of the day. Immediately after finishing one meal, he is thinking of the next. He shoulda done what they said.
Shall we rush out to buy lottery tickets?
Image from Wiki.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Gov. Bobby Jindal Watch - Three
Continuing with the "Gov. Bobby Jindal Watch Series", following Part One and Part Two, here's the word from C. B. Forgotston at Forgotston.com on Gov. Bobby Jindal's Gold Standards For Ethics For Politicians In Louisiana. See how he practices what he preaches.
Thanks to Oyster for the tip. What would I do without the Big Oyster?
Thanks to Oyster for the tip. What would I do without the Big Oyster?
Feast of St. Thomas Aquinas
From James Kiefer at the Lectionary:
In the thirteenth century, when Thomas Aquinas lived, the works of Aristotle, largely forgotten in Western Europe, began to be available again, partly from Eastern European sources and partly from Moslem Arab sources in Africa and Spain. These works offered a new and exciting way of looking at the world....While remaining a Christian, he [Aquinas] immersed himself in the ideas of Aristotle, and then undertook to explain Christian ideas and beliefs in language that would make sense to disciples of Aristotle. At the time, this seemed like a very dangerous and radical idea, and Aquinas spent much of his life living on the edge of ecclesiastical approval. His success can be measured by the prevalence today of the notion that of course all Christian scholars in the Middle Ages were followers of Aristotle.
I was schooled in scholastic philosophy, or Thomism, more than 50 years ago at Loyola University in New Orleans, but Thomist philosophy has fallen out of fashion. The important contribution that Aquinas made, as Kiefer says, is that he set a precedent for engagement with philosophies and spiritualities which are not explicitly Christian. It remains a treacherous road for theologians to travel.
Some Christian scholars today are undertaking, with varying degrees of success, to explore the relations between Christianity and various contemporary studies or world-outlooks that have been used as weapons by opponents of Christianity.
With respect to the painting of Aquinas by Fra Angelico, who, by the way, is one of my favorites, the good brother has made him into a grim looking fellow, hasn't he? The other image at Wiki by Carlo Crivelli shows Aquinas as crabbed-visaged also.
His two best-know works are the Summa Theologica and the Summa Contra Gentiles.
Readings:
Psalm 37:3-6,32-33 or 119:97-104
Wisdom 7:7-14
Matthew 13:47-52
PRAYER
Almighty God, you have enriched your Church with the singular learning and holiness of your servant Thomas Aquinas: Enlighten us more and more, we pray, by the disciplined thinking and teaching of Christian scholars, and deepen our devotion by the example of saintly lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Image from Wiki.
Clinton And Obama To Vote "No"
From FireDogLake comes word that both Clinton and Obama will be present in the US Senate to vote "No" on the motion for cloture by the Republicans on the FISA bill.
Excellent! They had better be there to vote "No". They are both still serving in the US Senate. The vote will take place this afternoon at 4:30, so it's not too late to contact your senators to ask them to vote against the cloture motion.
This matter involves complicated maneuvering in the Senate. If you want to know more, go to Democracy For America.
If you care about the U.S. Constitution and your government spying on you, it's important to make the calls.
UPDATE: I called my Republican senator, David Vitter, just for the hell of it, to ask him to vote "No" on cloture, even though I know he won't. The young woman who answered the phone did not know what I was talking about, nor how the senator would vote, and she was not able to reach anyone who did know to ask them. I know more than the office worker knows, but it doesn't hurt to annoy them a little, does it?
Sen. Landrieu's office did not answer. Perhaps, they're getting lots of calls. I made do with an email message, but I will try to call again later.
UPDATE: Cloture vote failed 48-45, 60 needed to pass. Yay!
Mary Landrieu voted "Yes". Boo!
Excellent! They had better be there to vote "No". They are both still serving in the US Senate. The vote will take place this afternoon at 4:30, so it's not too late to contact your senators to ask them to vote against the cloture motion.
This matter involves complicated maneuvering in the Senate. If you want to know more, go to Democracy For America.
If you care about the U.S. Constitution and your government spying on you, it's important to make the calls.
UPDATE: I called my Republican senator, David Vitter, just for the hell of it, to ask him to vote "No" on cloture, even though I know he won't. The young woman who answered the phone did not know what I was talking about, nor how the senator would vote, and she was not able to reach anyone who did know to ask them. I know more than the office worker knows, but it doesn't hurt to annoy them a little, does it?
Sen. Landrieu's office did not answer. Perhaps, they're getting lots of calls. I made do with an email message, but I will try to call again later.
UPDATE: Cloture vote failed 48-45, 60 needed to pass. Yay!
Mary Landrieu voted "Yes". Boo!
Sunday, January 27, 2008
"Remain Episcopal" Gathering in San Joaquin
From Episcopal Life:
Hundreds of people—from as far south as San Diego and as far north as Seattle—packed the historic Church of the Saviour in Hanford January 26 in joyous celebration and support for remaining Episcopalians who are "Moving Forward, Welcoming All" and claiming their status as the official Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin.
....
Cindy Smith, president of Remain Episcopal, said the organization has received generous financial, liturgical and emotional support from all over the country, including from clergy from across the nation who willing to serve congregations on an interim or permanent basis.
Organized in 2003, Remain Episcopal is "planning for the day we cease to exist, a day the renewed leadership of the Fresno-based Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin can once planning for the day we cease to exist, a day the renewed leadership of the Fresno-based Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin can once again continue the reconciliation, work and mission of the church," said Smith, who called for patience as the way forward as communities of faith continue to form and grow and the future of the Central Valley churches continues to unfold.
Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori sent both written and videotaped greetings to the gathering. "We expect to work next to clarify the status of members of the clergy in the Diocese of San Joaquin, and the status of any former diocesan leaders who wish to remain in The Episcopal Church," she wrote in a letter read by the Rev. Canon Bob Moore, the designated interim pastoral presence for the diocese.
....
"Once the ultimate status of John-David Schofield is adjudicated by the House of Bishops, and if he is deposed, I will seek to gather the remaining members of the Diocese in a special convention to elect new leadership and make provision for an interim bishop. I will work with diocesan leaders to clarify ownership of the personal and real assets of the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin," the Presiding Bishop's letter said.
On January 11, Jefferts Schori inhibited Bishop John-David Schofield of San Joaquin from continuing to serve after a Title IV review committee determined he had abandoned the communion. He has the options of recanting his position, renouncing his orders or declaring that the Title IV assertions are false.
If a majority of bishops concur with the Title IV review committee's findings during the March 7-13 House of Bishops meeting at Camp Allen in Navasota, Texas, the Presiding Bishop will depose Schofield and declare the episcopate of the San Joaquin diocese vacant.
....
[T]he Rev. Canon Robert Moore, who was appointed as the interim pastoral presence for remaining Episcopalians, presided and served as homilist.
"It is wonderful to look out here and see so many faces," said Moore who told the gathering they are in the process of recreating and reforming a "new and wondrous" church. "It's happening as we speak," he said amid hearty applause.
"We are not establishing a new Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin, we are celebrating, worshipping and working for the continuing Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin. You are the Episcopal Church in this part of the world," he said.
What struck me about the service was its fullness of joy and its familiarity. It was so very like the service in my church. I love that they prayed the "Prayer of Humble Access", although the Rite II Eucharist was used. I often say the prayer silently before the Eucharist because of my fondness for it.
We do not presume to come to this thy Table, O merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in thy manifold and great mercies. We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under thy Table. But thou art the same Lord, whose property is always to have mercy: Grant us therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh of thy dear Son Jesus Christ, and to drink his blood, that our sinful bodies may be made clean by his body, and our souls washed through his most precious blood, and that we may evermore dwell in him, and he in us. Amen.
What a glorious day of celebration for the faithful Episcopalians of the Diocese of San Joaquin. May the Spirit of the living God continue to be powerfully present with them.
Here's a link to the video of the service at the Church of the Savior, Hanford, California.
Hundreds of people—from as far south as San Diego and as far north as Seattle—packed the historic Church of the Saviour in Hanford January 26 in joyous celebration and support for remaining Episcopalians who are "Moving Forward, Welcoming All" and claiming their status as the official Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin.
....
Cindy Smith, president of Remain Episcopal, said the organization has received generous financial, liturgical and emotional support from all over the country, including from clergy from across the nation who willing to serve congregations on an interim or permanent basis.
Organized in 2003, Remain Episcopal is "planning for the day we cease to exist, a day the renewed leadership of the Fresno-based Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin can once planning for the day we cease to exist, a day the renewed leadership of the Fresno-based Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin can once again continue the reconciliation, work and mission of the church," said Smith, who called for patience as the way forward as communities of faith continue to form and grow and the future of the Central Valley churches continues to unfold.
Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori sent both written and videotaped greetings to the gathering. "We expect to work next to clarify the status of members of the clergy in the Diocese of San Joaquin, and the status of any former diocesan leaders who wish to remain in The Episcopal Church," she wrote in a letter read by the Rev. Canon Bob Moore, the designated interim pastoral presence for the diocese.
....
"Once the ultimate status of John-David Schofield is adjudicated by the House of Bishops, and if he is deposed, I will seek to gather the remaining members of the Diocese in a special convention to elect new leadership and make provision for an interim bishop. I will work with diocesan leaders to clarify ownership of the personal and real assets of the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin," the Presiding Bishop's letter said.
On January 11, Jefferts Schori inhibited Bishop John-David Schofield of San Joaquin from continuing to serve after a Title IV review committee determined he had abandoned the communion. He has the options of recanting his position, renouncing his orders or declaring that the Title IV assertions are false.
If a majority of bishops concur with the Title IV review committee's findings during the March 7-13 House of Bishops meeting at Camp Allen in Navasota, Texas, the Presiding Bishop will depose Schofield and declare the episcopate of the San Joaquin diocese vacant.
....
[T]he Rev. Canon Robert Moore, who was appointed as the interim pastoral presence for remaining Episcopalians, presided and served as homilist.
"It is wonderful to look out here and see so many faces," said Moore who told the gathering they are in the process of recreating and reforming a "new and wondrous" church. "It's happening as we speak," he said amid hearty applause.
"We are not establishing a new Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin, we are celebrating, worshipping and working for the continuing Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin. You are the Episcopal Church in this part of the world," he said.
What struck me about the service was its fullness of joy and its familiarity. It was so very like the service in my church. I love that they prayed the "Prayer of Humble Access", although the Rite II Eucharist was used. I often say the prayer silently before the Eucharist because of my fondness for it.
We do not presume to come to this thy Table, O merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in thy manifold and great mercies. We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under thy Table. But thou art the same Lord, whose property is always to have mercy: Grant us therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh of thy dear Son Jesus Christ, and to drink his blood, that our sinful bodies may be made clean by his body, and our souls washed through his most precious blood, and that we may evermore dwell in him, and he in us. Amen.
What a glorious day of celebration for the faithful Episcopalians of the Diocese of San Joaquin. May the Spirit of the living God continue to be powerfully present with them.
Here's a link to the video of the service at the Church of the Savior, Hanford, California.
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