Roseann - Recipe And Update

Roseann posted a recipe for a comfort food cauliflower soup, which sounds delicious, and an update on what's happening in her life.

Prayers, love, and blessings to you, Roseann.

Bishop Barbara Harris Preaches At Integrity Eucharist

Ann Fontaine at What the Tide Brings In posted the entire sermon of Bishop Barbara Harris at the Integrity Eucharist. She is wonderful. I could watch her over and over. She's a small woman, but she is a powerful force.

Photo courtesy Susan Russell.

Health Care "Nightmare" In The United States

"Patients without health insurance get dental care at a free clinic in Wise, Virginia, held every July for the past three years. More than 25,000 were treated in a weekend."

From the Observer:

When an insurance firm boss saw a field hospital for the poor in Virginia, he knew he had to speak out. Here, he tells Paul Harris of his fears for Obama's bid to bring about radical change.

It was July 2007 and Potter, a senior executive at giant US healthcare firm Cigna, was visiting relatives in the poverty-ridden mountain districts of northeast Tennessee. He saw an advert in a local paper for a touring free medical clinic at a fairground just across the state border in Wise County, Virginia.

Potter, who had worked at Cigna for 15 years, decided to check it out. What he saw appalled him. Hundreds of desperate people, most without any medical insurance, descended on the clinic from out of the hills. People queued in long lines to have the most basic medical procedures carried out free of charge. Some had driven more than 200 miles from Georgia. Many were treated in the open air. Potter took pictures of patients lying on trolleys on rain-soaked pavements.

For Potter it was a dreadful realisation that healthcare in America had failed millions of poor, sick people and that he, and the industry he worked for, did not care about the human cost of their relentless search for profits. "It was over-powering. It was just more than I could possibly have imagined could be happening in America," he told the Observer.

Potter was an insider, an executive in a high position at Cigna. He knew well the insider workings of the health care company, the tricks to delay, deny coverage, confuse their clients, and dump sick people from their plan. He resigned and began to tell the insider story, which is ugly. The chief focus of the company is on the bottom line and getting money into the pockets of shareholders, rather than arranging for their clients get health care.

Obama, faced with 47 million Americans without health insurance, has put reforming the system at the top of his agenda. If he succeeds, he will have pushed through one of the greatest changes to domestic policy of any president. If he fails, his presidency could be broken before it is even a year old.
....

Obama's plans are now mired and the opponents of reform are winning. The Republican attack machine has cranked into gear, labelling reform as "socialist" and warning ordinary Americans that government bureaucrats, not doctors, will choose their medicines. The bill's opponents say the huge cost can only be paid by massive tax increases on ordinary Americans and that others will have their current healthcare plans taken away. Many centrist Democratic congressmen, wary of their conservative voters, are wavering. The legislation has failed to meet Obama's August deadline and is now delayed until after the summer recess. Many fear that this loss of momentum could kill it altogether.

The "centrist Democratic congressmen", who call themselves Blue Dogs, are not centrists at all. They are conservatives, and for all the good that they do for the Democratic Party, they'd just as well switch over to the Republican Party. My two senators, Vitter-R and Landrieu-D and my representative Melancon-D (two out of the three label themselves Democrats) voted against the anti-torture bill, for crying out loud. Now the Blue Dogs are amongst the crowd who shout the loudest, "What's the hurry to pass health reform"? They're in no hurry. They have good government "socialistic" health care. The health care industry gives them big money. Why the rush?

The healthcare industry generates enormous profits and its top executives have a lavish corporate lifestyle that he once shared. Treating patients for their expensive conditions is bad for business as it reduces the bottom line. Kicking out patients who pursue claims makes perfect economic sense. "It is a system that is rigged against the policyholder," Potter said. The congressional probe found that just three firms had rescinded more than 20,000 policyholders between 2003 and 2007, saving hundreds of millions. "That's a lot of money that will now go towards their profits," Potter said.

A lot of that money also goes into contributions to politicians of both parties - $372m in the past nine years - and in lobbying groups to run TV ads slamming Obama's plans. Many of these ads deploy naked scare tactics. One report said that the industry was spending $1.4m a day on its campaign. In the face of that, it is perhaps no wonder that the Senate has delayed its vote, dealing a massive blow to Obama. "I have seen how the opponents of healthcare reform go to work... they are trying to delay action. They know that if they keep the process going for months, and turn it into a big mess, then the political impetus behind it will lessen," Potter said.

Read all about the so-called "centrist Democratic congressmen" claim to be concerned about spending and deficits that will follow health care reform at Salon, also linked above.

Nobody could be better positioned than the Democrats who call themselves "Blue Dogs" to sabotage healthcare reform, the primary objective of their president and the signature issue of their party for more than 60 years. Thanks to fawning publicity in the mainstream media that persistently describes them as fiscally conservative and ideologically moderate, the Blue Dogs enjoy an almost unassailable position in the middle of Washington's stunted political spectrum.

What supposedly troubles the Blue Dogs these days is the estimated cost of healthcare reform.
....

If the Blue Dogs were truly worried about wasteful spending, they might use their influence to curb the outrageous looting of the federal Treasury by defense contractors, which remains by far the largest drain on the public purse. They might have spoken out against the brazen theft of billions of dollars by private contractors in Iraq, whose thievery harmed troops as well as taxpayers. They might have cautioned against squandering hundreds of billions of dollars on programs that don't work and probably never will, from the F-22 jet fighter to the Ballistic Missile Defense System.
....

Let's recall that the founder of the House Blue Dog caucus -- and still a guiding mentor to its members -- is Billy Tauzin, a Democrat from Louisiana who helped start the group in 1994 and then jumped ship to the Republicans a year later. Just months before he retired from Congress in 2005, he pushed through the Medicare prescription drug bill, guaranteeing hundreds of billions in waste and enormous profits for the drug companies.

As soon as he left Congress, Tauzin became the chief lobbyist for the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, where he makes sure the Blue Dogs never get carried away with any of that rhetoric about fiscal prudence or holding down costs -- by writing generous checks.

Yep. That's our boy Billy, who came from humble surroundings in what we fondly call the "Bay Area" near Thibodaux, the small rural community named Chackbay. He and his fellow Louisianians in the Congress have inhabited the rarefied air in DC so long that they have forgotten what life is like for the the great majority of their constituents.

Bishop Tom Or N. T.?

Adrian at Pluralist Speaks has another wonderful post on Bishop Tom, or Bishop N. T. depending on the audience for whom he writes. It's a thing of beauty, and all is good, because I haven't made a fool of myself in the comments...yet.

I'll quote a few snippets to entice you to visit Adrian's website to read the whole thing.

CN (Interviewer from "Christianity Now"): Bishop Tom. Well let's start there. You are back from yet another trip from the United States.

NTW: I have just been spending some subsequent nights in the same bed as my wife, being safely heterosexual as I am, and I was just reflecting on all the travel I do as a much travelled author with friends around the world. And she is so sweet, saying, as she does to me, "G'night Mr. Tom," because she likes to call me that, as I say, "Goodnight Maggie Thatcher," because of course I need to get some sleep when home - because of all the travel I do - and that thought puts me to sleep.

CN: And combining that with being a diocesan bishop.

NTW: I am just back from America, and I love the American people. They queue up for me to sign the books they buy and they are always so friendly and put their hands deep into their pockets. If I told you everything I said to the people asking me to sign the books I would have to write a book. There is such an enormous amount to give thanks for and for the opportunity that Christianity gives me to travel around the world, and my first love becomes the United States and the American people and their rich and leading traditions of doing theology - thinking of all the great centres and universities where I have never been.

The question below refers to Resolutions D025 and C056 which were passed by both houses of the Episcopal Church at GC2009:

CN: Have they got no case at all: is there not the movement of, er, the Holy Spirit - say?

NTW: I'm a scholar of the Bible, right? Look at it, and the Holy Spirit isn't going to contradict his Bible. It is clear in there: one man, one woman, lifelong, and that's where you do the nookie. You ask the Muslims; ask the Jews. They don't go in for all this variation and postmodern invention, and you ask that Winchester woman because gays aren't even gays anymore, like that chap who was my predecessor. Muhammad, take him: he had only one wife; and Jesus kept himself close to his mum and that other woman. The Jews, they worship their women they do. You don't get David playing cushee with Moshe do you? So where else do you get lots of women using the old tickling stick with other women? Witches round the cauldron, that's where. Paganism. That's where you get all that. All these bloggers you get these days too, from over there, all stirring the heretical brew. Paul saw it, you know, and said they had to stop. It was idolatry, like images and saints and too much holy smoke in amongst all the statues and columns and altars. All that Matthew Fox so-called theology and that Pagan woman, what's she called - Hawkstar. Only in America could you get theology like that, which is why I have to make such an effort to sell them my books. You have to occupy the fulcrum. The Episcopal Church doesn't: it is one big Pagan ethic and a Coven has replaced the Covenant we were all preparing and they've just thrown a brick at it.

Those words appear alongside the picture below. I'm puzzled by the picture. Could the gentleman in the picture be our beloved Prior? And who is the woman? Is this some cherchez la femme kind of joke? Adrian is so very learned and clever, that I don't always "get" his references, which is when I tend to make a fool of myself in his comments.


Please help me solve the puzzle, if you can.

My Turn To Ask For Prayers

Remember my niece, who was diagnosed with breast cancer? She had lymph node surgery, and the biopsy results showed one node positive for metastasis. Now she and her doctors are exploring treatment measures. As I've said before, my mother's family is a cancer nightmare. You name it, and one of the women in the family have had it. My niece's doctor recommended genetic testing for her because of the family history, her mother (my sister) having had both lymphoma, from which she seemed to be cured, and pancreatic cancer, which killed her. The test costs $3200, and my niece waits to see if the insurance company will pay for it. She will need a hysterectomy soon, because the lining of her uterus is not right, and she could be looking at uterine cancer down the road if she does not have the surgery.

Please pray for her and her doctors to make the proper treatment decisions, for the insurance company to make the right decision, and for peace of mind for her and her husband and the rest of the family and friends who love her.

This morning, I found out that my brother-in-law, her father, has a mass on one of his ribs. The doctor said it could be a fatty tumor, a muscle, or a malignancy. Further tests will tell the tale. My BIL recently had surgery for a malignant tumor in the bladder, which the surgeons were able to remove, and he required no further treatment, except close observation for a period.

The latest news about my BIL, which I heard only today, falls in the category of "too much", at least too much for me. The family have bad days, but are generally handling all this bad news with grace, which makes them seem heroic to me, since we are all still grieving for my sister. Today, I am not handling all of it with much grace.

Number 3 prayer request concerns my 9 year old grandson, who has a persistent ear infection, which required a visit to urgent care last night. He seems better today, but pray that the infection goes away completely.

Thank you all. I know what your prayers and good thoughts have done for me and mine in the past, and I'm confident that you will come through for me again

Good news for which we can give thanks from JimB:

Sue-z update (ongoing)...

I saw Sue-z tonight. She is on and off O2. If she is at rest no 02, if she is active she still needs a little. The expectation is that this will pass. Her intervention seems to be fine but they want to track the implant another day to be sure. Everything else is good. The idea is home Sunday or Monday. As very little seems to actually get done on weekends, I am betting Monday but I have been wrong before!

"Nonet"

 

My friend, Ann Fontaine, writes at The Daily Episcopalian of her 27 years of service as a deputy at General Convention. This year, her 9th convention, was her last to attend the convention as a deputy, and she writes movingly about those years and of her bittersweet experience at this year's convention.

Over the years, Ann has done me many kindnesses as a blogger by sending me links and generally keeping me informed. In Anaheim, she took me in hand and showed me my way around and looked out for me during my stay there. She introduced me to a good many of the rich and famous in TEC. It was a joy to meet her after our years-long virtual relationship. She was just as I expected, and I'm now proud to claim her as a real-life friend.

Ann, may God bless you and your husband as you begin a new dance in your lives in Oregon.

"...A Ray Of Hope For The Episcopal Church”

Froom The Living Church:

The Rt. Rev. Charles Jenkins, Bishop of Louisiana, said he voted for C056 because his colleagues had responded well to his plea for graciousness.

“During closed session, I stood and asked the majority of the house to please consider the position of the minority,” he said, adding that it took the church from 1976 to 2009 before all bishops supported ordaining women to the priesthood.

“A mature clarity means leaving a place for the other to stand with integrity,” he said. “What happens when your pastoral issue runs up against my pastoral issue? What happens when your sense of justice runs up against mine?”

The bishops who met late into the night to discuss C056 did the needed homework, Bishop Jenkins said.

“I felt I was honor-bound to vote for it because these bishops had done what I had asked them to do,” he said. “I felt that the process was a ray of hope for The Episcopal Church.”

Most of the bishops quoted in the article voted against Resolution D025, which opens the door to the election of more gay bishops, but voted for C056, which directs the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music to “collect and develop theological and liturgical resources”.

The Republican Health Care Plan

What a surprise! I mean, who knew?

Oh My! Blackmail?

From TPM:

Meet Paul Stanley. He's a Republican state senator in Tennessee who teaches Sunday school, loudly opposes allowing gay couples to adopt and is a firm opponent of sex outside of marriage -- except his own. Poor Stanley, 47, ended up having to go to the police and admit having sex with his 22-year-old intern after her boyfriend clumsily tried to blackmail him with pictures and video of Stanley and the intern in flagrante delicto. Unlike Sen. John Ensign's claims of blackmail, the police have taken this one seriously and charged the schlub of a boyfriend.

You'd think they'd learn, but it appears that not a few only learn the hard way.

Awesome Toilets, etc.

THE LADY IS GETTING READY TO ENTER!!

This is a picture of a public toilet in Houston

 

Now that you've seen the outside view,
take a look at the inside view...

 

It's made entirely of one-way glass!

No one can see you from the outside, but when
you are inside it's like sitting in a clear
glass box!

Now would you...COULD YOU....???
....


BATHROOM PAINTED FLOOR!!!

IMAGINE YOU ARE AT A PARTY...

Tenth floor of a hi-rise building...

AND THEN YOU HAVE TO VISIT THE BATHROOM....

You open the door...

NOW, REMEMBER THE FLOOR IS JUST A PAINTED FLOOR!

KINDA TAKES YOUR BREATH AWAY...DOESN'T IT?

Scroll sloooooooowly.
.....

 

Would this mess up your mind??? Would you
be able to walk in To this bathroom???
....


THIS IS A CEILING MURAL IN A SMOKER'S LOUNGE.

 

Please share with friends with a sense of humor....

And that's what I'm doing. All my readers have a sense of humor.

With thanks to Erika.