STORY OF THE DAY - PARTIAL VIRTUE

She went everywhere with a basket
filled daily with a fresh blueberry
muffin. It's either that or cigarettes, she
said. I am only strong enough for a life
of partial virtue.

From StoryPeople

I WAS PROUD

As I watched President Obama's speech at the memorial service for those who died in the shootings in Tucson, Arizona, I was proud. The presidency is a bully pulpit, and Obama excelled tonight in striking all the right notes with his words and his demeanor.

From the Miami Herald:

President Barack Obama played the part of "healer in chief" Wednesday night, honoring the victims of Saturday's mass shooting while seeking to calm an increasingly angry political debate, urging all Americans to stop pointing fingers and "make sure that we are talking with each other in a way that heals, not a way that wounds."

And the president was able to announce the good news that Representative Gabrielle Giffords opened her eyes for the first time tonight. Thanks be to God and to all who cared for the congresswoman since her injury.

"YOU GOTTA MOVE" - FRED MCDOWELL

Thanks to echidne at Eschaton for calling the video of the excellent performance by the Mississippi Delta blues great, Fred McDowell, to my attention.

BANKER NO LONGER SORRY

From Reuters:

In a crammed room that spectators had to queue to enter, American Bob Diamond -- one of Europe's highest-paid executives -- declined to say if he would waive his bonus for a third year and would not say how much Barclays would lend to businesses.

"There was a period of remorse and apology for banks and I think that period needs to be over. We need our banks willing to take risks ... so we can create jobs," Diamond told the cross-party Treasury Select Committee during 2-1/2 hours of questioning.

Love means never having to say you're sorry, and don't we all love the bankers? Which means that the poor dears never had to say they were sorry for their big bonuses from taxpayers' money in the first place. But they did! And now, enough is enough. The time is well past for bank executives to stop apologizing for taking bailouts from taxpayers' money and using it to pay themselves big bonuses.

Pay was the hot topic, as expected. Britain is heading toward a "car crash" on the issue, according to Jesse Norman, a Conservative Member of Parliament and member of the Committee, who said the public resents seeing a UK bank bonus pool expected to reach 7 billion pounds ($11 billion) for 2010.

Can it be true that the public resents the bonuses?

Ah, I see that Bob Diamond is American. Hmmm. Does it matter? Methinks bankers are the same all over. Of course, I could be wrong.

Mark Steel in his piece in the Independent says it far better than I ever could. If you see similarities between Mark's words and mine, bear in mind that I wrote my post before I read Mark's column. Honest.

Photo from the Daily Mail. As you can see, Diamond's hands are empty.

Thanks to Cathy for the links.

FEAST DAY OF ST AELRED OF RIEVAULX

In 2008, I had the great pleasure of visiting the ruins of Rievaulx Abbey in the company of MadPriest and Mrs MadPriest, and a lovely visit it was, both for the pleasure of their company and for the lovely walk through the beautiful ruins. As I said in my post:

What a holy place. I could sense the presence of many saints from the past who prayed there, and the prayers seemed to linger in the abbey. I thought of our blog friend Prior Aelred of St. Gregory's Abbey, because his namesake was abbot of Rievaulx Abbey.

And Happy Feast Day to Prior Aelred!

Collect of the Day: Aelred, Abbot of Rievaulx, 1167

Pour into our hearts, O God, the Holy Spirit's gift of love, that we, clasping each the other's hand, may share the joy of friendship, human and divine, and with your servant Aelred draw many to your community of love; through Jesus Christ the Righteous, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Rievaulx Abbey - my photo

Image at the head of the post from The Daily Office.

THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND - TWO VIDEOS

First from Mr CatOLick, whose video is a response to the Church of England video. You may or may not want to watch the CofE video first.





From the Church of England:




H/T to Lesley at Lesley's Blog.

UPDATE ON AILEEN

continued prayers -- from Sally Boyd.

Begin forwarded message:

On behalf of Aileen I want to thank each and every one of you for the birthday wishes and prayers. Spent the day with my sweet girl. decorated her room to try to make it more festive. I dont know if she even realizes it, but it made me feel better. Bright note: white cell count dropped its biggest drop yet and her hemoglobin is up. After five bad days, today is good news.---Mike

May God the Father bless you, God the Son heal you, God the Holy Spirit give you strength. May God the holy and undivided Trinity guard your body, save your soul, and bring you safely to his heavenly country; where he lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.

O God, give to Mike and all who watch and wait with Aileen strength and courage during this difficult time. Surround them with your presence in the power of your Holy Spirit that they may trust in your everlasting love.

Sally Boyd is the priest who ministers to Mike and Aileen.

From Ann.

CROOKED STILL - "WADING DEEP WATERS"

The song came up in my iTunes DJ, and I listened three times, I believe, so here it is for anyone out there who likes this sort of music.

"HYPOCRITES AND FASCISTS"?

From Sarah Hey at Stand Firm.

Click on the images for the larger view.



Posted without a link or commentary, except to say that I have no verification that the list is accurate.

THEY HAVE NAMES

9 U.S. Military Killed in Afghanistan Last Week 1.9.11

US Army SGT Michael J Beckerman, 25, Ste Genevieve, MO

US Marines LCpl Maung P Htaik, 20, Hagerstown, MD

US Marines Cpl Jacob A Tate, 21, Columbus, OH

US Army SGT Jose M Cintron Rosado, 38, Vega Alta, PR

US Army SPC Jose A Delgado Arroyo, 41, San Juan, PR

US Army SGT Eric M Nettleson, 26, Wichita, KS

US Marines LCpl Joseph R Giese, 24, Winder, GA

US Army SFC Robert W Pharris, 48, Seymour, MO

US Army SPC Christian J Romig, 24, Kenner, LA

May all who died serving their country rest in peace and rise in glory.

May God give comfort, consolation, and the peace that passes understanding to those who love the departed service members.

Almighty God, we commend to your gracious care and keeping all the men and women of our armed forces at home and abroad. Defend them day by day with your heavenly grace; strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give them courage to face the perils which beset them; and grant them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

List and title of the post from The Daily Office.



My faded bumper sticker that was once bright yellow, red, and blue.