Something Good About Mary

Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA) will vote "yes" to move the health care bill forward. Good for you, Mary. In no way does this vote signal what her final vote on the bill will be. Still, it's an excellent start.

The Republicans presently drone on and on about abortion coverage in the health care bill, Why doesn't a Democrat ask the Republicans if they wish to exclude coverage for surgery for ectopic pregnancies from the bill?

UPDATE: Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-AR), another holdout, announced that she will vote "yes" to move the health care bill forward.

UPDATE 2: The Republican senators' scare-tactics speeches against the health care reform bill are despicable: "Everyone will be on Medicaid...we'll have medical gulags...we'll wait six months for medical care..." One ugly lie after another.

Fr Jim Jensen's Requiem Eucharist - Part 2

Fran attended the requiem Eucharist for Fr Jim Jensen, husband of our friend, Kathy, who blogs as Klady at Lady of Silences. Part 2 of Fran's account of the beautiful service may be found at There Will Be Bread. Her account is even lovelier than her Part 1.

As I said in the comments:

Fran, thank you for your eloquent and beautiful account of Jim's requiem Eucharist. Your words move me beyond what I can express.

Thank you for representing all of us who would have wanted to be there with Kathy and her family and all those who love Jim.

When The Archbishop And The Pope Meet

From the Times:

Today’s meeting should be the occasion for a tougher tone. The Vatican has driven a wedge into the Anglican Communion. The Pope’s decision has undermined Dr Williams’s authority. Dr Williams has made valiant attempts to keep Anglicans united, partly for the sake of relations with Rome. He should recognise when effort is unavailing. There is every good reason, in theology and natural justice, for the Church to embrace the ministry of women and homosexuals. Anglicanism will be richer for it. Dr Williams will be a bigger man for espousing it unreservedly.

TEC Executive Council Special Meeting To Discuss Uganda

From The Lead:

A special session of the Executive Council of the Episcopal Church has been called to discuss the church's position on the "Anti-Homosexuality Bill" currently before the Ugandan Parliament. The meeting will be conducted via conference call on the afternoon of December 7, according to numerous sources.

Special sessions of Executive Council can be called by the Presiding Bishop or, as in this instance, by a petition signed by at least nine members of the council.

Council members have been discussing the Ugandan issue informally among themselves for more than a month. Some members of the council were eager for the church to join 17 human rights organizations and the Anglican Church of Canada in condemning the bill, while others argued that such action would do more harm than good.

Hallelujah! Praise the Lord! It's about time. It's way past time.

...while others argued that such action would do more harm than good.

? ? ? ? ?

If the Episcopal Church speaks against the bill, what more harm could come to LGTB Ugandans than the provisions in the bill that call for them to be locked in jail or sentenced to death?

Myron Update - Good News

Friends,

Myron had his appointment with Dr. Bose (neurologist) today and there is good news. He is able to immediately shed the C-spine collar, and he will begin to be weaned off the clam shell back brace. This will be done an hour at a time as tolerated. All the fractures are healed. The vertebrae at the C7 had collapsed but there is no impingement of the spinal cord, and he is not recommending any surgery be done to fix it.

The swelling and bleeding in Myron's brain is healed and it was apparent that there was no nerve damage as a result of the Diffuse Axonal Injury.

The most excitement in this report was Dr. Bose has seen movement in the fingers and toes on Myron's left side. The therapist have also reported seeing this movement and feeling muscle movement in both the leg and arm.

The doctor said it will take a year to have a better feel for the recovery of his arm and leg and also within this time, pending no complications,Myron's brain should be completely rehabbed.

This news brings a great sigh of relief for me. Thank you God!

Sue

Wonderful news, Sue! Thanks be to God, Myron's family, the medical staff, the rehab staff, and to all who prayed for Myron. Prayers now for his continued recovery.

From Rep. Charlie Melancon

Dear Mrs. Butler:

Thank you for writing to me in support of H.R. 3962, the "Affordable Health Care for America Act of 2009." I appreciate hearing from you on this very important issue. Although I believe that improvements need to be made to our nation's health care system, I was unable to support the House health reform bill on November 7, 2009. Despite all of my efforts, and those of my colleagues, the latest version of the House bill failed to address many of the concerns I presented to the House leadership earlier this summer. (My emphasis)

I remain concerned about how the bill will affect individuals and small businesses in south Louisiana. I believe the primary focus of health care reform should be on insurance market reforms that will control costs, increase value, and improve access for Louisianians.... Blah, blah, blah.

As a fiscally conservative Blue Dog Democrat, I am also concerned about the long-term costs of this bill for the American taxpayer.... Blah, blah, blah.

Forget the Blue Dog and focus on the Democrat, Charlie.

Even though there are portions of H.R. 3962 that I support, overall I believe the House bill does not work for Louisiana. I can only support health care reform that will lower costs for Louisiana families and businesses, increase the quality of care provided, and improve access to coverage and care for every Louisiana citizen.... Blah, blah, blah.

All of us are paying more and getting less, and that needs to change. Health care reform needs to provide stable coverage you can count on, coverage that can not be taken away through life's ups and downs. Health reform proposals also need to control costs, so rising premiums and out-of-pocket expenses do not eat away at your paycheck and put coverage out of reach.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. The public option would work, Charlie.

In closing, let me say that serving as your representative in Congress is a great privilege.... I take your viewpoints and suggestions very seriously and look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Charlie Melancon

Member of Congress

I tried to answer the email, but mine bounced back as undeliverable. If I send him another email, it will take a month or so to get an answer, so I'll answer at Wounded Bird. Here's what I said:

Charlie, I well know your position, and I am quite disappointed. This is a historic moment for our country, and I'm sorry that my representative is on the wrong side of history.

One of your people called me yesterday bragging about your position, and I gave him a piece of my mind and asked him to pass my words on to you. Perhaps you could concentrate more on the Democrat in your description of yourself and less on the Blue Dog. What's the point of voting for a Democrat, if you act like a Republican? DINO is, indeed, the proper description.

As to your fiscal conservatism, people are getting sick and dying and going bankrupt because of our dreadful health care system. Does that concern you at all? The I-have-mine-and-I-don't-want-you-to-have-what-I-have attitude is shameful and should not be encouraged. No one will be forced into the public option, and you know that. If folks like what they have in the way of health care, they can keep it.

I just wish that you represented me a little more, Charlie.

Regards,

June Butler

Alleluia! Sing To Jesus

The hymn has been running through my head since last night. I could have worse things running through my head, don't you think? Here it is from my head through YouTube to your eyes and ears and my eyes and ears.

The pictures are from Scarborough in Yorkshire, which I only visited for 5 minutes, as I was changing trains. Since I've been to the north of England, I long to return to see all the places that I missed due to limited time.

Fr Jim Jensen's Requiem Eucharist

Fran attended the requiem Eucharist for Fr Jim Jensen, husband of our friend, Kathy, who blogs as Klady at Lady of Silences. Part 1 of Fran's account of the beautiful service may be found at There Will Be Bread. It's lovely.

My Ex-Wife, The Pilot

My ex-wife started taking flying lessons about the time our divorce started and she got her license shortly before our divorce was final, later that same year.

Yesterday afternoon I got a phone call that she narrowly escaped injury in the aircraft she was piloting. Seems she was forced to make an emergency landing in Hamilton because of bad weather. Thank God the kids weren't with her.

The FAA issued a preliminary report, citing pilot error: She was flying a single engine aircraft in IFR (instrument flight rating) conditions while only having obtained a VFR (visual flight rating)..

The absence of a post-crash fire was likely due to insufficient fuel on board. No one on the ground was injured.

The photograph below was taken at the scene to show the extent of the damages to her aircraft.

She was really lucky...











Doug, thirty lashes with a wet noodle for you, as Ann Landers used to say about herself when she made a mistake. However, this time it's not my mistake, so don't blame me. Put the full blame on Doug.

Prayers For The Rev. Kay Rohde

From Ann:

Prayers for the Rev. Kay Rohde, member of our Diocesan staff. She will have surgery on Dec. 1 for a tumor on her spinal cord. and for her son Alex who is graduating Dec. 5