OH THE POSSIBILITIES!

My name is XXXXXX and I work at XXXXXXXX, a rapidly-growing custom apparel company. I found your contact info through your blog and wanted to offer you $50 of free printed t-shirts. We can print anything you want on these shirts - your blog name, a memorable quote, or a picture of a cat. This comes out to 3 or 4 shirts, depending on what design you end up choosing. You could use the t-shirts to as prizes for reader contests, giveaways or other for other promotions.

All right, my readers, do you want my t-shirts? Why not a picture of me instead of a picture of a cat on the shirts? What about the text? Oooh, this is so exciting!

Ah, the company is a small start-up, and I wish them well, but I don't see myself as their best customer.

AND THE GHOSTS OF PERRY'S PAST APPEAR

From Sarah Jones at Politicususa:

Here’s the story of how Rick Perry’s name became synonymous with “Teens with T*ts” in some circles. I’ve tried to make this safe for work, but if it’s not, blame Rick Perry, for such are the perils of reporting on good “Christians” like Mr James Richard Perry. If your employer has a problem with this, tell them to see Rick Perry; it’s his money trail we’re following.

Perhaps when you see Rick Perry’s bouffant pompadour, you don’t immediately think “cheerleader”, but pom-pon carrier he was, albeit for Texas A & M instead of the Bush Yale pom-pons that heralded the destruction of America’s economy. But you’re all right with pom-pons on a man. To each their own. You might not be OK with the whole Lieutenant Governor to George W Bush thing. You might not be OK with Perry’s theocratic beliefs. But truthfully, when you picture the handsome, smirking Rick Perry and his Texas down home drawl, are you thinking about pornography?

“Teens Never Say No” kind of pornography? How about “Teens with T*ts”?

In 1995, Perry invested 5 to 10 grand in Movie Gallery, 'at that time, the largest distributor of porn in America, and able to sell and rent regular videos for much cheaper than the competition due to their heady porn profit.' We had an outlet here, and they were a good bit cheaper than Blockbuster back then.

Didn't you know that once Perry took the national stage folks would dig into his background, and didn't you have the feeling that the dark corners were dirty? I know I did. Methinks Rick is going to flame out fast.

There's more, much more at the link. A sample:

What kind of man are we dealing with in Rick Perry? Is he still profiting off of what the AFA calls obscene pornography? Is he still making money off of titles like “Teens with Tits”? In keeping with this line of inquiry into his purported “family values”, we note that Perry also kept on the director of the Texas Film Commission who was disciplined for sexual harassment…twice.

Via Slinkerwink at Daily Kos. H/T to Dennis and Laura on Facebook.

And if I see one more photo of a politician eating a corn dog....

TOO MANY DEATHS

In the past several weeks, it seems that I've been writing about the deaths of an unusual number of people from my various communities. First there was blogger friend, Kirstin. Then there was another blogger friend, Göran. Then there was Frank, David@Montreal's cousin, for whom we prayed for a number of years. Next, Tim Chesterton's friend, Joe, husband and father of four. And then, the boy, Jori, from my own town, brutally murdered by his father. I probably don't have the list in the proper order, but death seems all around. I realize that death is always all around, that death is a part of life, but when so many come within a relatively short period, it tends to overwhelm.

I'm so very grateful for the Episcopal Church's Book of Common Prayer, with its treasure trove of prayers for those who have died and for those who grieve. I can't think how I would write about the deaths without the comfort the prayers give to me, and, I hope, to others.

STORY OF THE DAY - PSYCHIC ENERGY

For a long time, he was trying to pop
these balloons with psychic energy but
he found a dart was simpler. I save my
psychic energy for more important
things, he told me, like trying to predict
the future. I told him a dart is good for
that too & now he never calls anymore.

From StoryPeople.

GÖRAN KOCH-SWAHNE'S FUNERAL WAS TODAY

From Allan at Facebook:

HELLO DEAR FRIENDS OF THE LATE GORAN KOCH-SWAHNE,WHO LEFT US IN DEEP SORROW ON THE 29TH JULY 2011,THERE WILL BE A FUNERAL SERVICE ON THE 17TH AUGUST 2011 AT STYRSO CHURCH AT 11:30AM. THEREAFTER WE SHALL ALL COME TOGETHER FOR A MEMORIAL SERVICE AT THE PARISH GARDENS.MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PEACE.

ALL LOVE FROM ALLAN.

Two years ago, I met Göran at our bloggers meeting in Leeds in England. The story of our gathering is here. The picture above, which is my favorite of our friend, was taken by another friend, Erika. The photo, from our lunch at the Tiled Hall Café in Leeds, included two flowers on the table, which suggest large boutonnières on Goran's lapels. I left them in the picture because, if I had cropped the flowers out, I would have removed Göran's preaching bands, and I wanted them in the picture. Göran would have been the first to smile at the accidental superimposition. In my post on the gathering, I said:

Pictured above [is] our man from Sweden, Göran, wearing his Ingemar Bergman preaching bands with his clerical collar (So cute!). I know it's not a movie costume but what the clergy wear in Sweden, but I loved the look, and it reminded me of Bergman's movies.

Göran was the very essence of the root of the word 'gentleman', a gentle man, and a humble man, despite his great dignity. His knowledge of theology and scripture was wide and deep, and his brilliance in demolishing foolish arguments from those with far less knowledge was unmatched. His wisdom and knowledge shone especially brightly at Thinking Anglicans.

In the comments to my post on Göran's passing, Erika said:

I always remember how he said he had changed and opened up because of the friendships he made on the blogs and that they had changed his life.

He certainly touched mine very deeply and I shall miss him very much.

Many of us share Erika's sentiments. Those of us who followed Göran on Facebook remember that he always said, 'Good night,' before he signed off for the evening, and I remember that he was always present with his 'Prayers ascending' comment at prayer request posts.

Into your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend your servant Göran. Acknowledge, we humbly beseech you, a sheep of your own fold, a lamb of your own flock, a sinner of your own redeeming. Receive him into the arms of your mercy, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of the saints in light. Amen.

May his soul and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Almighty God, Father of mercies and giver of comfort: Deal graciously, we pray, with all who mourn; that, casting all their care on you, they may know the consolation of your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

(Book of Common Prayer)

HA, HA, HA

Paul Begala at The Daily Beast:

I first met Rick Perry in 1985. He was a Democratic freshman state rep, straight off the ranch in Haskell, Texas. He wore his jeans so tight, and, umm, adjusted himself so often that my fellow young legislative aides and I used to call him Crotch. Even among state representatives, even among Texas Aggies (graduates of this cute remedial school we have in Texas), Perry stood out for his modest intellectual gifts. Hell, he got a C in animal breeding. I have goats who got an A in that subject. But lack of brains has never been a hindrance in politics.

Rick Perry threw his hair in the ring on Saturday. His entrance into the GOP presidential field can be a game changer. Perry can raise money as well as Mitt. He can rally the base as well as Michele Bachmann, and he will say or do anything—annnnnnnyyyyyyything—to win. And in today’s Republican Party, if you want to be the nominee you have to be willing to do some really crazy s--t.
....

When you’re more open to secession than Jefferson Davis was a century and a half ago, well, you've gone pretty far.'

Why am I laughing? The mocking humor of progressive elitists only serves to energize our conservative opponents. We must learn to take the pose of sobersides, look grim, never ridicule their senseless commentary, never make a joke at their expense. THEN, perhaps we'd take the wind out of their sails. Come on! We can do it!

Photo from Wikipedia.

PLEASE PRAY FOR JORI AND HIS FAMILY

O God, whose beloved Son took little children into his arms to bless them: Give us grace, we beseech you, to entrust this child Jori to your never-failing care and love, and bring us all to your heavenly kingdom; through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Most merciful God, whose wisdom is beyond our understanding: Deal graciously with Jesslyn and all who love Jori in their grief. Surround them with your love, that they may not be overwhelmed by their loss, but have confidence in your goodness, and strength to meet the days to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Help us in the community of Thibodaux, we pray, in the midst of things we cannot understand, to believe and trust in your everlasting love, in the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, and the resurrection to life everlasting. Amen.

The story of Jori's tragic death is here.

Prayers (slightly edited) from the The Book of Common Prayer.

Further details on the murder at NOLA.com. Warning: Horrific reading.

I ♥ WARREN BUFFETT

Buffett in a New York Times opinion column:

OUR leaders have asked for “shared sacrifice.” But when they did the asking, they spared me. I checked with my mega-rich friends to learn what pain they were expecting. They, too, were left untouched.

While the poor and middle class fight for us in Afghanistan, and while most Americans struggle to make ends meet, we mega-rich continue to get our extraordinary tax breaks. Some of us are investment managers who earn billions from our daily labors but are allowed to classify our income as “carried interest,” thereby getting a bargain 15 percent tax rate. Others own stock index futures for 10 minutes and have 60 percent of their gain taxed at 15 percent, as if they’d been long-term investors.

These and other blessings are showered upon us by legislators in Washington who feel compelled to protect us, much as if we were spotted owls or some other endangered species. It’s nice to have friends in high places.
....

I have worked with investors for 60 years and I have yet to see anyone — not even when capital gains rates were 39.9 percent in 1976-77 — shy away from a sensible investment because of the tax rate on the potential gain. People invest to make money, and potential taxes have never scared them off. And to those who argue that higher rates hurt job creation, I would note that a net of nearly 40 million jobs were added between 1980 and 2000. You know what’s happened since then: lower tax rates and far lower job creation.

Read Buffett's entire splendid opinion piece. Will Congress pay attention? Will the Tea Party folks realize they are getting screwed? I'm not optimistic.

H/T to Padre Mickey on Facebook.

PLEASE PRAY FOR FRANK AND FOR HIS FAMILY

From David@Montreal:

dearest Giants:
we've just had the call from Carol
my sweet, sweet cousin Frank Davies passed to the other side at 4 a.m. British Columbia time this morning.

at the time Carol and two of their three daughters were with my cherished cousin.
in her call Carol specifically asked me to thank all of you beloved Giants- to tell you, you couldn't possibly have any idea what a comfort and strength it has been throughout this long struggle, knowing so many of you were upholding them both in love and prayer.
likewise, every time i spoke with Frank over the course of these last years, he cited your prayers and those of dear Mam, as the only reason he'd been given so much time since the first diagnosis. more than one of the nurses in the Vancouver hospital heard about the 'incredible Giants' he had praying for him. (My emphasis)

talking with Mam, who is Frank's Godmother, she in typically celtic fashion recalled all of those who would be waiting for him, the other side of death- each of them memorable beings- the original giants in my life, growing up in a Welsh family here in Montreal.

so i'd commend dear Carol, their daughters Krysta, Kelly and Kerri, and their families to your prayers..

thank-you again my beloved Giants. i truly wish you could have known dear Frank, he was one of the sweetest, most positive of men who had such a appetite for Life.

love always- always Love

David@Montreal

Book of Common Prayer

Into your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend your servant Frank. Acknowledge, we humbly beseech you, a sheep of your own fold, a lamb of your own flock, a sinner of your own redeeming. Receive him into the arms of your mercy, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of the saints in light. Amen.

May his soul and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Amen.

Almighty God, Father of mercies and giver of comfort: Deal graciously, we pray, with all who mourn; that, casting all their care on you, they may know the consolation of your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

My friends and prayer partners, we've prayed for Frank and Carol for quite some time, and you see from the portion of David's note which is in bold type that our prayers count for a great deal for those for whom we pray.

David, thank you for letting us know what our prayers meant to Frank and Carol and those who love them, even as we continue to pray.

A TRAGIC START TO THE WEEK

From the Daily Comet:

The "devil" came to Thibodaux Sunday, Jesslyn Lirette said, and he did so in the form of the man she was with for 10 years. The devil, she said, took her "angel" away.

Jeremiah Wright, 30, Lirette's live-in boyfriend and the father of their child, 7-year-old Jori Lirette, is accused of killing the boy and dumping his dismembered body outside the West Seventh Street home the three shared.

Jori loved his father more than anything, Lirette said.

"He still killed him," she said. "He killed my baby."

I'm sick at heart and hardly have words for this story. If you read the entire article, it seems there were so many signs along the way that the family needed help, and had someone or some agency intervened, the tragedy may have been prevented.

Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

UPDATE: A further update from the Daily Comet, with more unspeakably gruesome details on the killing.