The Missing Governor Returns!

From the LA Times:

South Carolina's wandering governor, Mark Sanford, said today he had an affair with an Argentine woman and that was why he disappeared without telling anyone he went to South America.

"The bottom line is this: I've been unfaithful to my wife," he said. "I've developed a relationship with a dear dear friend from Argentina."

Speaking at a nationally televised news conference, Sanford apologized to his wife, his four boys, his family and the people of South Carolina for his disappearance and for leaving his staff and family to make up excuses for his absence. Sanford's staff had insisted at one point that he was off hiking on the Appalachian Trail.

An affair with "a dear dear friend from Argentina", is it?

I, for one, am so surprised! What was he thinking? It's not just the hypocrisy, but also the stupidity.

"I wanted to do something exotic," Sanford explained earlier, before admitting the affair, calling Buenos Aires "a great city."

This story is tragic. Sanford's wife and children suffer from his cupidity and stupidity.

Thus endeth his designs on the presidency - or maybe not. Republicans are quite forgiving of adulterers and drug addicts, even as they claim to be the party of "family values".

UPDATE: Sanford's sorry-ass performance on TV is at Huffington Post - all tearful 18 minutes of it.

Why Boys Need Parents

This is for those mothers of boys, sisters of boys, and boys that have grown older...
And anyone else who needs a laugh.

 

 

 

If you don't send this to a few old friends, there will be fewer people laughing in the world....

Thanks to Erika.

Feast Of The Birth Of John The Baptist

"The Birth of John the Baptist" - Jacopo Pontormo (1494 –1557)- Uffizi Gallery


Readings:

Psalm 85 or 85:7-13
Isaiah 40:1-11
Acts 13:14b-26
Luke 1:57-80


PRAYER

Almighty God, by whose providence your servant John the Baptist was wonderfully born, and sent to prepare the way of your Son our Savior by preaching repentance: Make us so to follow his teaching and holy life, that we may truly repent according to his preaching; and, following his example, constantly speak the truth, boldly rebuke vice, and patiently suffer for the truth's sake; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

In his biographical sketch of John the Baptist, James Kiefer says:

When John had been in prison for a while, he sent some of his followers to Jesus to ask, "Are you he that is to come, or is there another?" (Matthew 11:2-14) One way of understanding the question is as follows: "It was revealed to me that you are Israel's promised deliverer, and when I heard this, I rejoiced. I expected you to drive out Herod and the Romans, and rebuild the kingdom of David. But here I sit in prison, and there is no deliverance in sight? Perhaps I am ahead of schedule, and you are going to throw out the Romans next year. Perhaps I have misunderstood, and you have a different mission, and the Romans bit will be done by someone else. Please let me know what is happening."

I had never thought to see John's question to Jesus in this light, but it seems quite logical after reading Kiefer's note.


Psalm 85:8-13

Let me hear what God the Lord will speak,
for he will speak peace to his people,
to his faithful, to those who turn to him in their hearts.*
Surely his salvation is at hand for those who fear him,
that his glory may dwell in our land.

Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet;
righteousness and peace will kiss each other.
Faithfulness will spring up from the ground,
and righteousness will look down from the sky.
The Lord will give what is good,
and our land will yield its increase.
Righteousness will go before him,
and will make a path for his steps.

Image from Wiki.

Prayers Please For Joel and Margaret

From Margaret at Leave It Lay Where Jesus Flang It:

It seems we are not done yet.

We walked in to the clinic--a month of endurance through lisping, choking, slurred speech and more (much more) to get to this point, anxious to find out what comes next, hopeful that we could now work toward a goal, know what is in hand... and we walk out with nothing. A wrong diagnosis. No diagnosis in hand. More money out of our pocket.

It's just so wrong. And what is so difficult is that when it comes to brain impairment, and yes, that is what is happening, we just don't know why --it seems that there is a disappearing act as the past fades, the present is confused and chaotic, and the future is nil. Personhood denuded.

What to do?

Joel, Margaret's husband, and Margaret both need our prayers now. Please read the rest of her beautiful post, so full of faith, even in the midst of her distress over her husband's illness and the subsequent misdiagnosis of his condition.

O God, the strength of the weak and the comfort of sufferers: Mercifully accept our prayers, and grant to your servant Joel the help of your power, that his sickness may be turned into health, and our sorrow into joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

(Book of Common Prayer, p. 458)

And this for Margaret on the feast day of the birth of John the Baptist, because she loves "St. Patrick's Breastplate":

I bind this day to me forever,
by power of faith, Christ's Incarnation;
his baptism in the Jordan river;
his death on the cross for my salvation;
his bursting from the spiced tomb;
his riding up the heavenly way;
his coming at the day of doom:
I bind unto myself today.

Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

FCA Acting Out In England

Read Adrian Worsfold at Pluralist Speaks to see what the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans is up to in England. In truth I've lost my way in distinguishing amongst the identities and character of the various groups who are displeased not only with the Episcopal Church, but the Church of England, the Church of Scotland (Presbyterian), and the Church in Wales(?) and want to establish some sort of alternative structure in Britain. FCA was, or is, sometimes known as FOCA, which is an extension of GAFCON, scheduled a series of (unfortunate?) events "over there".

I left a comment which Adrian has not moderated through yet. I said this or something close to it:

"What's sauce for the goose.... I'm trying to restrain myself from schadenfreude. However, I realize that it's possible that no matter what Rowan would have said or done in the last couple of years, the groups intent on division would have proceeded with their plans. If the ABC did not see the incursions coming in England, I surely did."

After all, the Church of England is the jewel in the crown of the Anglican Communion.

On The Other Hand....

Diligent citizen that I am, I read the transcript of President Obama's news conference and watched the entire video. I'm grateful that Obama seems to be capable of thinking on his feet and expressing his thoughts articulately and coherently during the question/answer period of the news conference, which is a massive shift from the off-the-cuff remarks of our previous president, who was always in perilous territory when he was speaking on his own. Obama actually seems to be knowledgeable about the issues and able to grasp the details of policies and problems without a script.

So. If you ask me, "Is our presidents learning?" my response would have to be, "Yes!" Nevermind that we had to change presidents in order for me to give an affirmative response.

The video of the entire news conference is at Politics Daily. The transcript is at the New York Times.

What I Wrote To My Congress People

Dear Senators Landrieu and Vitter, and Rep. Melancon,

The citizens of the country want the public option included in health care legislation. Despite tremendous pressure from the groups who give you money, lobbyists for the health insurance industry, the drug industry, and the AMA, for you to vote against it, the people whom you are elected to serve want the public option. It's time to pay attention to the ordinary citizens of the country.

Thank you for your attention.

I followed up with a phone call to their offices in DC suggesting that they take a position for the inclusion of the public option in health care legislation and asking for their positions on the matter. I'm waiting for a call-back from one of the offices, and the other two have not taken a position as yet. Cagey, huh?

What are the chances that the three will pay attention to my calls or emails? Slim to none, I'd say, but I have to make the effort.

What President Obama said today about the public option from CBS News:

President Obama on Tuesday said it is too early for him to say whether he will insist that a government-sponsored health care plan, or "public option," be included in health care reform. He did say, though, that a public option makes sense.

"I think (a public option) is an important tool to discipline insurance companies," Mr. Obama said.

Pressed on whether he would insist on a public plan in health care reform efforts, however, he said, "We have not drawn lines in the sand other than reform has to control costs and has to provide relief to people who don't have health insurance or are under-insured."

The president told reporters that the public plan should be included in the health insurance exchange -- the marketplace of consumer options – that Congress' health reform package is expected to establish.

72% of those polled support the inclusion of a public option in health care legislation.

He also pushed back against the claim, most recently expressed by health insurance industry groups in a letter sent to Congress today, that a public option will drive out private competitors and ultimately leave consumers with fewer choices.

"Why would it drive insurance out of business?" the president asked. "If private insurers say the marketplace provides the best quality health care, why is it the government, which they say can't run anything, suddenly is going to run them out of business? That's not logical."

An excellent point! But, if the public option is not included in the legislation, what will the president do? He doesn't say. Cagey, huh?

72% of the public against the health insurance companies, the drug companies, and the AMA? Whom are the the president and the Congress elected to serve, the citizens or those who give big money to politicians? Well, we know the answer, but do our elected politicians know the answer?

Feast Day Of Alban - First Martyr Of Britain

St Alban from a window in the Lady Chapel by Charles Kempe (Edgar Carter) 1885

Alban lived (at some time during the 3rd century) in the Roman city of Verulamium. Although he was then a worshipper of Roman gods including the emperor, he gave shelter to a Christian priest fleeing from persecution. Influenced by the priest's prayer and teaching he became a Christian.

When the authorities discovered the priest's hiding place Alban exchanged clothes with him. The priest escaped and Alban was bound and taken before the judge. The judge was furious at the deception, and ordered that Alban should receive the punishment due to the priest, if he had indeed become a Christian.

Alban declared his Christian faith, saying in words still used here as a prayer "I worship and adore the true and living God, who created all things." Despite flogging he refused to sacrifice to the Roman gods and was sentenced to death.

He was brought out of the town, across the river and up a hill to the site of execution where his head was cut off.

Readings:

Psalm 34:1-8 or 31:1-5
1 John 3:13-16
Matthew 10:34-42

PRAYER

Almighty God, by whose grace and power your holy martyr Alban triumphed over suffering and was faithful even unto death: Grant to us, who now remember him with thanksgiving, to be so faithful in our witness to you in this world, that we may receive with him the crown of life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Biography of Alban and image from the website of St. Alban's Cathedral in England.

"Ask Not" - A Documentary On "Don't Ask/Don't Tell"

Last night, I watched "Ask Not" a documentary on the "don't ask/don't tell" policy in the US military produced by Independent Lens, which is now showing on public television stations around the country. I rate the documentary highly and well-worth taking the time to watch. At the web site is a link to help you find the show times for the documentary in your area.

Around the time of the beginning of the Afghanistan and Iraq wars, more than 300 linguists, who spoke languages specific to the missions, were discharged from the US military services. How stupid and how dangerous!

"Here's To The Violets" - Patricia Clarkson

Many have posted already, but it's quite a good speech, so here it is for your reading pleasure, copied from Katie Sherrod at Desert's Child.

"Academy Award-nominated and Emmy-winning actress Patricia Clarkson spoke at a Human Rights Coalition event. This was posted at the Huffington Post. Here's what she said:"
----------------------------------

Here's the text of a speech I wrote with my friend Ron Marasco for the Human Rights Campaign's recent gala in New Orleans.

I am so happy to be with all of you tonight. To celebrate the work you do--and to have a bourbon or two later.

The great Tennessee Williams wrote---

--of course I'm starting with Tennessee Williams. I'm in New Orleans, at the HRC gala, and I played Blanche DuBois.

Which is why I never go anywhere without a paper lantern in my purse.

Tennessee Williams wrote a line that I felt was appropriate for tonight. And appropriate to this time in our history, your history, and to the rights that everyone in this room is fighting for. It is a line that meant so much to him, it's on his gravestone.

"The violets in the mountains have broken the rocks."
"The violets in the mountains have broken the rocks."

To me, its meaning is simple. The hard, the cold, the oppressive will--at long last--be broken apart by a force that is beautiful, natural, colorful, alive.

That's what tonight is about, what the people in this room are about. We're a bunch of violets breaking through the rocks.

And it is happening.

The rock is cracking away. The rock of hate and falsehood is being broken apart.

All across this country, regular Americans who were born and bred in towns where a gay couple wouldn't dare walk down a street--all over these American Main Streets--something is changing.

Blue-collar guys are looking up from their work, grandmothers are speaking up at the dinner table; and they are saying something to members of their family, and co-workers, who are against gay marriage.

They are saying in one, increasingly-loud American voice, "Honey, rather than worry about who someone else loves--and why, think about who you hate--and why!"

The violets are breaking through the rocks.

America has always been a country of common sense. A country of innate goodness--although a goodness that is sometimes slow to action. As Winston Churchill said, "Americans are always ready to do the right thing. After they have exhausted all the other possibilities."

We have exhausted all the other possibilities. And it is time to call an injustice an injustice.

It is an injustice that we send a gay or lesbian soldier to die in a war--to give their life for a country that won't let them be legally bound to the person they love. It is an injustice that a soldier gives their life for a Military--an exemplary Military in every way--except one in which they cannot have the picture of their lover cut-out in the shape of a heart and taped to their locker because that would be "telling." Such a ugly word.

It is an injustice that, in this room, many of you pay your tax money to the very public institutions that deny you rights other Americans enjoy; pay your tax money for public schools that will not accept you as legal parents; pay your tax money for the paper on which they print the goddamn marriage licenses you cannot get.

And while you are paying your tax money for all of the above, a preacher can stand in the pulpit of a multi-million-dollar mega-church advocating the damnation of gay Americans and not pay one thin dime in taxes.

You know, I occasionally watch those preachers on the Christian TV stations.

I always think to myself: How can I believe your theology when I can't believe your hair?

I find it intellectually offensive when people shrink the Bible to fit the small-mindedness of their bigotry.

Leviticus 18:22 and Deuteronomy 22:5...the famous list of the "abominations." Bible verses which, by the way, also list as a mortal sin things like "the wearing of a garment made of two different kinds of fabric."

Yes, the Bible verse they use to condemn homosexuality also calls Polyester-blend an abomination.

Well, in this, perhaps the Lord has a point. But if you took away all the Polyester-blends in those mega-churches....most of the women would be naked.

In my Bible I see no evidence of Jesus telling same-sex couples they cannot love each other.
And he could have. He was a carpenter--if he made good furniture every gay man in Nazareth knew Him.

The fact is: it's happening.

All the violets--gay Americans, lesbian Americans, Bi-sexual Americans, transgender Americans, people of color, and the people of this city forgotten by Washington in hurricane Katrina--we are all are starting to break through the mountain of straight, white, male lawmakers in Washington.

Their time is over. And they know it. Which is why they are looking increasingly ridiculous and beleaguered. To me those guys look like one, big casting-call for the lead role in a very bad production of Death of Salesmen.

Because America is starting to say those lawmakers are wrong about "Don't ask don't tell," and wrong to oppose gay marriage. The way they were wrong, wrong, wrong about the war in Iraq.
A war that was created by who? A straight, white man named George W. Bush. A straight, white man named Dick Cheney. And a straight, white man named Condoleezza Rice.

The rocks are breaking. And it's time to call certain people on the hypocrisy of their stance against gay marriage.

Newt Gingrich: against gay marriage, but on his third wife.

That recent convert to an anti gay-marriage stance, Rudy Giuliani: third wife. Rush Limbaugh: vehemently against gay marriage and....yep, third wife. A third wedding that was performed by none other than Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. Clarence Thomas: second wife.

4 men, eleven marriages, and you must be lectured on love by them? This Mount Rushmore of Divorce!

Ladies and gentlemen, as all of you in this room know so well, political activism tells us now what history will tell us later.

The people who support "don't ask don't tell;" and who oppose "gay marriage" are wrong. And their children and grandchildren will know they were wrong.

This is the age of Obama. And the people who oppose these causes need to realize that. But there is someone else who needs to realize that this is the Age of Obama.

Obama.

It is time, Mr. President. Do not fall behind others on these issues. My God, Dick Cheney announced that he is in favor of gay marriage.

And on that very day, the National Weather Service reported hell froze over.

So Mr. President, please catch up. Or you are in danger of being considered "just to the right" of a man who is "just to the left" of Vlad-the-Impaler.

Newsweek magazine just said about gay marriage--and I quote: "This train's left the station. Time to get on board."

It is happening.

Something is changing.

Oh--there is still a lot of work to be done. But it will happen.

And when it does--when "Don't ask don't tell" is scrapped, when gay men and women can marry the people they love--when that day comes, people across this great land will be looking for a place to party.

And I say: Come on down to New Orleans! I'll be so happy I might swing naked in a window on Bourbon Street!

Me and Rachel Maddow!

Yes, across America we will celebrate because, at long last, that day will have arrived. But to the people in this room--that day will not only have arrived for you, it will have arrived because of you.

Thank you HRC. Here's to the violets.

Thanks to David@Montreal.

UPDATE: And just in case you didn't know, Patricia and I are both native daughters of New Orleans. I am so very proud of her.

UPDATE 2: Elizabeth Kaeton at Telling Secrets has the video of Clarkson's speech.

PS: Watching Clarkson give the speech is much better than reading it. She's wonderful.