Stop It, Already
Ann Coulter's now well publicized reference to Democrat presidential hopeful John Edwards as a "faggot" at the Conservative Political Action Conference was unkind and uncalled for, but those prominent conservative bloggers who are rightly criticizing Coulter need to stop characterizing the insult as being on par with using the "N" word. Doing so only lends credence to the false assertion that sexual orientation is the equivalent of and indistinguishable from race and ethnicity. Regardless of whether or not one is born with same sex attraction, the fact of the matter is that gay sex is biologically unnatural, and every person with homosexual tendencies has the innate capacity to stop themselves from acting upon their desires.
Saturday, March 03, 2007
Thursday, March 01, 2007
Uh Huh...
In the spirit of the Lenten season, professional Catholic Apologist and BDS sufferer Mark Shea confesses his occasional sin of, get this, telling the truth in a mocking, flippant and snotty manner.
What an eye roller.
Close only counts in horse shoes and hand grenades Mark. How about confessing and repenting of the sin that you not only frequently commit in a mocking, flippant and snotty manner (a double sin) but which rhymes with the word "flying"?
In the spirit of the Lenten season, professional Catholic Apologist and BDS sufferer Mark Shea confesses his occasional sin of, get this, telling the truth in a mocking, flippant and snotty manner.
What an eye roller.
Close only counts in horse shoes and hand grenades Mark. How about confessing and repenting of the sin that you not only frequently commit in a mocking, flippant and snotty manner (a double sin) but which rhymes with the word "flying"?
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Gay "Marriage"
Went to another Federalist Society sponsored event today, this time in downtown Los Angeles. The topic was gay "marriage", and there was a panel of four speakers that included the dean of Pepperdine Law School and former special independent counsel in the Whitewater matter, Ken Starr.
Two of the panelists were lawyers who are involved in challenging the constitutionality of Prop. 22, i.e., the California Defense of Marriage Act. The basis of their argument is somewhat technical, and disingenuous IMHO, but their position basically amounts to a contention that Prop. 22 invidiously discriminates against homosexuals and serves no legitimate government purpose.
The other two panelists, including Ken Starr, were presumptively against the legal recognition of gay "marriage". I say "presumptively," because the crux of their comments today pretty much focused on why the dispute over gay "marriage" should stay out of the courts and be resolved by the people through their duly elected representatives. One sensed the opposition these panelists had to gay "marriage" by the examples they provided as to how Prop. 22 could withstand constitutional scrutiny. (By "examples", I mean kinds of legitimate government purposes for which Prop. 22 serve. It is interesting to note that the government doesn't even have to be right about a particular purpose, e.g., traditional marriage results in less maladjusted children, in order for it to be legitimate.)
Since the event was co-sponsored by the left-liberal American Constitution Society, there were a significant number gay "marriage" proponents in the audience. I'm happy to report that no fisticuffs occurred, and I got 1.5 Mandatory Continuing Legal Education credits for basically $20.
Follow Up: I just remembered that one of the pro-gay "marriage" panelists attempted to argue that gay "marriage" was not an ideological issue that fell along liberal-conservative lines because noted stalwart conservatives like Andrew Sullivan are in favor of making gay "marriage" legal. Talk about self-undermining your argument.
Went to another Federalist Society sponsored event today, this time in downtown Los Angeles. The topic was gay "marriage", and there was a panel of four speakers that included the dean of Pepperdine Law School and former special independent counsel in the Whitewater matter, Ken Starr.
Two of the panelists were lawyers who are involved in challenging the constitutionality of Prop. 22, i.e., the California Defense of Marriage Act. The basis of their argument is somewhat technical, and disingenuous IMHO, but their position basically amounts to a contention that Prop. 22 invidiously discriminates against homosexuals and serves no legitimate government purpose.
The other two panelists, including Ken Starr, were presumptively against the legal recognition of gay "marriage". I say "presumptively," because the crux of their comments today pretty much focused on why the dispute over gay "marriage" should stay out of the courts and be resolved by the people through their duly elected representatives. One sensed the opposition these panelists had to gay "marriage" by the examples they provided as to how Prop. 22 could withstand constitutional scrutiny. (By "examples", I mean kinds of legitimate government purposes for which Prop. 22 serve. It is interesting to note that the government doesn't even have to be right about a particular purpose, e.g., traditional marriage results in less maladjusted children, in order for it to be legitimate.)
Since the event was co-sponsored by the left-liberal American Constitution Society, there were a significant number gay "marriage" proponents in the audience. I'm happy to report that no fisticuffs occurred, and I got 1.5 Mandatory Continuing Legal Education credits for basically $20.
Follow Up: I just remembered that one of the pro-gay "marriage" panelists attempted to argue that gay "marriage" was not an ideological issue that fell along liberal-conservative lines because noted stalwart conservatives like Andrew Sullivan are in favor of making gay "marriage" legal. Talk about self-undermining your argument.
Monday, February 26, 2007
John Yoo
I went to a Federalist Society speaking engagement today that featured John Yoo, a law professor at UC Berkeley (Boalt Hall) and former law clerk to Justice Clarence Thomas. From 2001 to 2003, Professor Yoo served as a deputy assistant attorney general in the U.S. Department of Justice.
As you might well be able to guess, the main topic of Professor Yoo's talk was the war on terror, and in particular, the national security policies of the Bush Administration (e.g., NSA wiretapping, coercive interrogation of terrorists, the Patriot Act). For all the handwringing that "civil libertarians" have been engaging in over these policies, Professor Yoo persuasively illustrated that not only does the administration have precedence on its side, none of what is going on now is nearly as "drastic" as what past presidents have done in previous wars. Roosevelt, for example, had ordered the monitoring of all forms of domestic communications a full year and a half before the U.S.'s formal entry into World War II. The Republic not only survived this seemingly imperial act, civil liberties would actually be expanded after the war concluded.
What I really found interesting about Professor Yoo is his willingness to publicly defend the Bush Administration's national security and war policies even when the administration itself does not seem all that interested in doing so. Indeed, this is the one major criticism that Professor Yoo has of the administration (he was especially critical of former Sec. of State Colin Powell and current Sec. of State Condoleeza Rice).
As a side note, I got to speak with Professor Yoo a little bit before he gave his lecture, and he informed that his old boss, Justice Thomas, will be releasing a book of his memoirs sometime this summer. In case you're wondering, the book is expected to address the whole Anita Hill affair.
I went to a Federalist Society speaking engagement today that featured John Yoo, a law professor at UC Berkeley (Boalt Hall) and former law clerk to Justice Clarence Thomas. From 2001 to 2003, Professor Yoo served as a deputy assistant attorney general in the U.S. Department of Justice.
As you might well be able to guess, the main topic of Professor Yoo's talk was the war on terror, and in particular, the national security policies of the Bush Administration (e.g., NSA wiretapping, coercive interrogation of terrorists, the Patriot Act). For all the handwringing that "civil libertarians" have been engaging in over these policies, Professor Yoo persuasively illustrated that not only does the administration have precedence on its side, none of what is going on now is nearly as "drastic" as what past presidents have done in previous wars. Roosevelt, for example, had ordered the monitoring of all forms of domestic communications a full year and a half before the U.S.'s formal entry into World War II. The Republic not only survived this seemingly imperial act, civil liberties would actually be expanded after the war concluded.
What I really found interesting about Professor Yoo is his willingness to publicly defend the Bush Administration's national security and war policies even when the administration itself does not seem all that interested in doing so. Indeed, this is the one major criticism that Professor Yoo has of the administration (he was especially critical of former Sec. of State Colin Powell and current Sec. of State Condoleeza Rice).
As a side note, I got to speak with Professor Yoo a little bit before he gave his lecture, and he informed that his old boss, Justice Thomas, will be releasing a book of his memoirs sometime this summer. In case you're wondering, the book is expected to address the whole Anita Hill affair.
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Bizarre, Yes; But Not That Uncommon
Rob Vischer over at Mirror of Justice quips that Judge Larry Seidlin's handling of the Anna Nicole Smith case makes a compelling case for a return to jurisprudential formalism.
Here's a sampling of the reported behavior by Judge Seidlin:
As crazy as this stuff is, Judge Seidlin's behavior isn't all that uncommon as far as judges are concerned. Fact of the matter is that a lot of judges, not all of them, are big time ego-manics who treat the courtroom as their little kingdoms where they can do almost anything they want. So when Vischer rhetorically asks if we can agree on the need to return to formalism, my answer would be an enthusiastic "yes!" Problem is, this kind of stuff has been going on for so long there's really nothing to return to.
Rob Vischer over at Mirror of Justice quips that Judge Larry Seidlin's handling of the Anna Nicole Smith case makes a compelling case for a return to jurisprudential formalism.
Here's a sampling of the reported behavior by Judge Seidlin:
The flamboyant Seidlin, rumored to be coveting his own reality TV show, let the proceedings spin out of control. The judge interjected himself into testimony, talked about his daily routine and wardrobe, and chatted nostalgically about his roots in New York, where he was once a cab driver. He freely gave nicknames such as "Texas," "California" and "Mama" to the people involved in the trial.
As crazy as this stuff is, Judge Seidlin's behavior isn't all that uncommon as far as judges are concerned. Fact of the matter is that a lot of judges, not all of them, are big time ego-manics who treat the courtroom as their little kingdoms where they can do almost anything they want. So when Vischer rhetorically asks if we can agree on the need to return to formalism, my answer would be an enthusiastic "yes!" Problem is, this kind of stuff has been going on for so long there's really nothing to return to.
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Thursday, February 22, 2007
What, No Lenten Call to Fast for Tax Hikes on the "Rich"?
I dearly love the Catholic Church, but this using of Ash Wednesday and Lent by some in the hierarchy, particularly in my home diocese, to advocate illegal immigration and open borders in this country is a bunch of garbage. (link via)
Yeah, not only am I not going to do what is being requested by the diocese, I may see if I can organize a game of this to be played.
I dearly love the Catholic Church, but this using of Ash Wednesday and Lent by some in the hierarchy, particularly in my home diocese, to advocate illegal immigration and open borders in this country is a bunch of garbage. (link via)
In Orange County, the church asked people to fast — consuming liquids only — for one day between March 26 and 30 as an appeal for citizenship opportunities for undocumented immigrants and reductions in visa application backlogs for the families of immigrants.
The church also called for a temporary worker program.
Yeah, not only am I not going to do what is being requested by the diocese, I may see if I can organize a game of this to be played.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Note to Lovers of Trindentine Mass
If you live in or around Orange County here in California, the Diocese of Orange has authorized (finally!) the offering of another Tridentine Mass. Said Mass will be celebrated on a six month trial basis every Sunday at 7am at the Pope John Paul II Polish Center in the City of Yorba Linda.
You think Bishop Tod Brown might be trying to set this up to fail?
If you live in or around Orange County here in California, the Diocese of Orange has authorized (finally!) the offering of another Tridentine Mass. Said Mass will be celebrated on a six month trial basis every Sunday at 7am at the Pope John Paul II Polish Center in the City of Yorba Linda.
You think Bishop Tod Brown might be trying to set this up to fail?
Monday, February 12, 2007
I'm Number 1 on AOL Search!
Thanks to Site Meter, I discovered that I am at the top of the list for AOL searches on "Donovan McNabb life as a child till now."
Woo hoo!!
Thanks to Site Meter, I discovered that I am at the top of the list for AOL searches on "Donovan McNabb life as a child till now."
Woo hoo!!
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Bashing Bush Through "An Iraq Interrogator's Nightmare"
While I don’t mean to denigrate, or even doubt, the psychological trauma that Eric Fair claims to have incurred, his published article in the rabidly anti-Bush Washington Post about what he experienced as a contract interrogator in Iraq raises an eyebrow. Indeed, my eyeballs just rolled when I read Fair’s suggestion that the wanton prisoner abuse at Abu Ghraib, which the military began investigating well before it ever became news, is indistinguishable from the apparent approved interrogation practices of particular captured terrorists who may have information about planned terrorist plots. And the evidence Fair puts forth to support this suggested comparison, continuing violence in Iraq, is less than persuasive.
On a related front, some are quite predictably using Fair’s article as an opportunity to reassert their belief that the Catholic Church regardsdeportation torture to be “intrinsically evil,” and that anyone who disagrees with this is just a mindless apologist for SatanBush. Yeah, I don’t exactly know how he makes this connection either, but BDS has been known to make people lose all semblance of sense and sensibility.
Update (2/11/07): Somehow, I don't think the vital information provided by the detainees mentioned here was obtained by offering them milk and cookies.
While I don’t mean to denigrate, or even doubt, the psychological trauma that Eric Fair claims to have incurred, his published article in the rabidly anti-Bush Washington Post about what he experienced as a contract interrogator in Iraq raises an eyebrow. Indeed, my eyeballs just rolled when I read Fair’s suggestion that the wanton prisoner abuse at Abu Ghraib, which the military began investigating well before it ever became news, is indistinguishable from the apparent approved interrogation practices of particular captured terrorists who may have information about planned terrorist plots. And the evidence Fair puts forth to support this suggested comparison, continuing violence in Iraq, is less than persuasive.
On a related front, some are quite predictably using Fair’s article as an opportunity to reassert their belief that the Catholic Church regards
Update (2/11/07): Somehow, I don't think the vital information provided by the detainees mentioned here was obtained by offering them milk and cookies.
Friday, February 09, 2007
Oh. My. Gawd.
The Archbishop of San Francisco, George Niederauer, states in a radio interview that he does not know what House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's position on legalized abortion is.
Un-freakin'-believable.
The Archbishop of San Francisco, George Niederauer, states in a radio interview that he does not know what House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's position on legalized abortion is.
One of the show hosts described Pelosi as "not only pro-choice, but she would be someone who would be working to try to keep abortion legal." The Archbishop was asked, "In your view is she less of a Catholic because of that?" He replied saying about Pelosi, "We haven’t had an opportunity to talk about the life issues. I would very much welcome that opportunity, but I don’t believe that I am in a position to say what I understand her stand to be, if I haven’t had a chance to talk to her about it."
Un-freakin'-believable.
Thursday, February 08, 2007
I Can't Be the Only One to Have Noticed This
So there's been some going back and forth in the conservative blogosphere about the sincerity of Mitt Romney's pro-life conversion. Those who are suspicious of it point to statements Romney made as recent as 2002 wherein he expressly said he respected and would protect a woman's right to choose an abortion.
Supporters of Romney say that his past statements should not be held against him, and that it should be noted that Ronald Reagan, when he was the governor of California in the late '60's, did more to advance abortion rights than Romney has ever done as an elected official. (Reagan had signed a bill which effectively decriminalized abortion in California. It has been reported that Reagan deeply regretted doing this one year later after learning of the large number of abortions that had been performed).
I, myself, tend to fall into the camp that finds Romney's newfound pro-life position to be suspicious. Not so much because his shift is a 180 from the position he held as late as 2002, although it's certainly significant, but mostly because I haven't heard or seen Romney say or suggest that Roe v. Wade should be overturned. (It is well worth noting that in a 2002 Planned Parenthood questionnaire, Romney indicated affirmative support for the substance of the Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade ruling). Until he says Roe v. Wade is bad case law, I really don't think Romney's new position on abortion can be taken all that seriously.
So there's been some going back and forth in the conservative blogosphere about the sincerity of Mitt Romney's pro-life conversion. Those who are suspicious of it point to statements Romney made as recent as 2002 wherein he expressly said he respected and would protect a woman's right to choose an abortion.
Supporters of Romney say that his past statements should not be held against him, and that it should be noted that Ronald Reagan, when he was the governor of California in the late '60's, did more to advance abortion rights than Romney has ever done as an elected official. (Reagan had signed a bill which effectively decriminalized abortion in California. It has been reported that Reagan deeply regretted doing this one year later after learning of the large number of abortions that had been performed).
I, myself, tend to fall into the camp that finds Romney's newfound pro-life position to be suspicious. Not so much because his shift is a 180 from the position he held as late as 2002, although it's certainly significant, but mostly because I haven't heard or seen Romney say or suggest that Roe v. Wade should be overturned. (It is well worth noting that in a 2002 Planned Parenthood questionnaire, Romney indicated affirmative support for the substance of the Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade ruling). Until he says Roe v. Wade is bad case law, I really don't think Romney's new position on abortion can be taken all that seriously.
Theological Query Re: Torture
If, as some would argue, torture is held to be intrinsically immoral by the Church, why then doesn't the Church condemn Christ for willingly participating in the manner by which His Passion occurred? Christ, after all, had foreknowledge that He would be brutally tortured, and could have easily escaped.
If, as some would argue, torture is held to be intrinsically immoral by the Church, why then doesn't the Church condemn Christ for willingly participating in the manner by which His Passion occurred? Christ, after all, had foreknowledge that He would be brutally tortured, and could have easily escaped.
Saturday, February 03, 2007
Interesting Questions to Ponder
There is little question that for the most part, Rudy Giuliani is a liberal on several significant social issues like legalized abortion. On that basis alone, social conservatives in the Republican Party, such as myself, would normally not have a reason to support Giuliani's yet to be announced candidacy for President.
But here's the thing. Important issues like abortion have pretty much been out of the hands of our publicly elected officials since 1973. Sure, there are some things our legislatures can and should do to curb the frequency of abortion, but the bottom line fact is they can't outright ban it because abortion has been determined by the Supreme Court to be a constitutionally protected right.
It therefore stands to reason that until the Supreme Court reverses itself in rulings like Roe v. Wade, whether a candidate for President is pro-life just may not be that important; at least in the short term. Indeed, what might actually be a more appropriate gauge for pro-lifers and social conservatives in evaluating a presidential candidate for 2008 is the kind of judges that candidate would appoint to the Federal courts. On that, Ed Morrissey from Captain's Quarters provides information which strongly suggests that if Rudy Giuliani were elected President, he would appoint Federal judges who are in the mold of Justices Scalia, Alito and Roberts (why Justice Thomas was not mentioned is a bit curious)and presumptively in favor of reversing cases like Roe.
Is this enough for pro-life advocates and other social conservatives to support a probable Giuliani candidacy for President? Would it make a difference that several polls show Giuliani as the only nationally known Republican who can beat Hillary Clinton in a head-to-head match? Frankly, these are questions that I myself will have to work through.
There is little question that for the most part, Rudy Giuliani is a liberal on several significant social issues like legalized abortion. On that basis alone, social conservatives in the Republican Party, such as myself, would normally not have a reason to support Giuliani's yet to be announced candidacy for President.
But here's the thing. Important issues like abortion have pretty much been out of the hands of our publicly elected officials since 1973. Sure, there are some things our legislatures can and should do to curb the frequency of abortion, but the bottom line fact is they can't outright ban it because abortion has been determined by the Supreme Court to be a constitutionally protected right.
It therefore stands to reason that until the Supreme Court reverses itself in rulings like Roe v. Wade, whether a candidate for President is pro-life just may not be that important; at least in the short term. Indeed, what might actually be a more appropriate gauge for pro-lifers and social conservatives in evaluating a presidential candidate for 2008 is the kind of judges that candidate would appoint to the Federal courts. On that, Ed Morrissey from Captain's Quarters provides information which strongly suggests that if Rudy Giuliani were elected President, he would appoint Federal judges who are in the mold of Justices Scalia, Alito and Roberts (why Justice Thomas was not mentioned is a bit curious)and presumptively in favor of reversing cases like Roe.
On the Federal judiciary I would want judges who are strict constructionists because I am. I'm a lawyer. I've argued cases in the Supreme Court. I've argued cases in the Court of Appeals in different parts of the country. I have a very, very strong view that for this country to work, for our freedoms to be protected, judges have to interpret not invent the Constitution. Otherwise you end up, when judges invent the constitution, with your liberties being hurt. Because legislatures get to make those decisions and the legislature in South Carolina might make that decision one way and the legislature in California a different one. And that's part of our freedom and when that's taken away from you that's terrible.
Is this enough for pro-life advocates and other social conservatives to support a probable Giuliani candidacy for President? Would it make a difference that several polls show Giuliani as the only nationally known Republican who can beat Hillary Clinton in a head-to-head match? Frankly, these are questions that I myself will have to work through.
No Faith League
In the name of protecting its' god, Ratings, the NFL invokes an FCC rule and bullies several churches into shutting down planned Super Bowl parties.
Poor NFL. It must really be hurting for ratings and having a hard time attracting advertisers.
In the name of protecting its' god, Ratings, the NFL invokes an FCC rule and bullies several churches into shutting down planned Super Bowl parties.
Under NFL guidelines — and federal law — churches, schools and other public venues can hold football-viewing parties only if they use a single, living-room-size TV, no bigger than 55 inches. When they project the game onto 12-foot screens or set up banks of TVs, they cross the line, according to NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy.
Jumbo screens "have the potential to draw thousands of people, and if we had that going on across the country, it would eventually erode the television ratings," McCarthy said.
Poor NFL. It must really be hurting for ratings and having a hard time attracting advertisers.
Friday, February 02, 2007
What a Language Can Tell Us
In Mandarin Chinese, the words for "Catholic Church" are "Tian Zhu Jiao." Literally translated into English, these words mean master, or primary, religion of Heaven.
The words for "Protestant" in Mandarin Chinese are "Xin Jiao." Literally translated into English, these words mean new religion.
Kind of interesting, eh? Especially considering that the Chinese language and culture predate Christianity.
In Mandarin Chinese, the words for "Catholic Church" are "Tian Zhu Jiao." Literally translated into English, these words mean master, or primary, religion of Heaven.
The words for "Protestant" in Mandarin Chinese are "Xin Jiao." Literally translated into English, these words mean new religion.
Kind of interesting, eh? Especially considering that the Chinese language and culture predate Christianity.
Paleo-Con Bush Derangement Syndrome
So the American Enterprise Institute, a private "neo-conservative" think tank, makes a public offer to compensate scientists who will refute the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report, and that is viewed by some as a nefariously orchestrated "bribe" by the Bush Administration.
Give me a break. If you want to criticize AEI for actively soliciting scientific studies/reports that have a specific result to them, fine. But to suggest that the Bush Administration is behind this without a shred of credible proof is illustrative of a disturbed mind.
So the American Enterprise Institute, a private "neo-conservative" think tank, makes a public offer to compensate scientists who will refute the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report, and that is viewed by some as a nefariously orchestrated "bribe" by the Bush Administration.
Give me a break. If you want to criticize AEI for actively soliciting scientific studies/reports that have a specific result to them, fine. But to suggest that the Bush Administration is behind this without a shred of credible proof is illustrative of a disturbed mind.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Thomist Schwag
Along with the appropriate wine, what better way to introduce most people to possibly the greatest philosopher and theologian in world history?
Along with the appropriate wine, what better way to introduce most people to possibly the greatest philosopher and theologian in world history?
You Murder Babies
The cool thing about having a Site Meter counter on my blog page is that I can see where almost every visitor to this page is coming from. Yesterday, someone with a Planned Barrenhood IP address came by five times. In case that person ever comes back, I'd like him or her to pass on the above headline to everyone he or she knows at that God forsaken organization.
The cool thing about having a Site Meter counter on my blog page is that I can see where almost every visitor to this page is coming from. Yesterday, someone with a Planned Barrenhood IP address came by five times. In case that person ever comes back, I'd like him or her to pass on the above headline to everyone he or she knows at that God forsaken organization.
Monday, January 29, 2007
Cafeteria Catholic Personified
OK, this is uncharitable, but former DNC Chairman Terry McAuliffe is an ass. As illustrated in this interview with radio pundit Hugh Hewitt, McAuliffe makes a mockery of the Catholic faith he professes by assuming it to be indistinguishable from a political ideology. I'm also pretty sure McAuliffe is flat out lying about the late John Paul II holding a private Mass especially for him and his wife, and that the pope knew he was pro-abortion prior to or during that Mass.
As a sidenote, I wonder why Hewitt describes himself as Catholic in this blog, seeing as how he fell away from the Church several years ago and is now member of a Presbyterian affiliated church.
OK, this is uncharitable, but former DNC Chairman Terry McAuliffe is an ass. As illustrated in this interview with radio pundit Hugh Hewitt, McAuliffe makes a mockery of the Catholic faith he professes by assuming it to be indistinguishable from a political ideology. I'm also pretty sure McAuliffe is flat out lying about the late John Paul II holding a private Mass especially for him and his wife, and that the pope knew he was pro-abortion prior to or during that Mass.
As a sidenote, I wonder why Hewitt describes himself as Catholic in this blog, seeing as how he fell away from the Church several years ago and is now member of a Presbyterian affiliated church.
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Fr. Robert Drinan Dead
The guy certainly will have a lot to answer for now that he's passed, and I pray that God will have mercy on his soul.
The guy certainly will have a lot to answer for now that he's passed, and I pray that God will have mercy on his soul.
He ran for Congress on an anti-Vietnam war platform. During his Congressional tenure, Drinan continued to dress in the robes of his clerical order and lived in a simple room in the Jesuit community at Georgetown.
But Drinan wore his liberal views more prominently. He opposed the draft, worked to abolish mandatory retirement and raised eyebrows with his more moderate views on abortion and birth control.
Friday, January 26, 2007
Wild and Crazy
So I'm playing around with The Oracle of Bacon generator, and I input Bruce Lee to see how many degrees of separation there are between the late actor/martial arts legend and actor Kevin Bacon. Much to my great surprise, it turns out there is only one actor that links Bruce Lee to Kevin Bacon (at least according to this generator). Even more surprising is who that actor is: Steve Martin.
It seems that Martin had a bit role in Bruce Lee's 1972 movie, Fist of Fury (Jackie Chan had a bit role in this move as well, but was uncredited). He, Martin, played a policeman.
As for Kevin Bacon, he had an uncredited part in Martin's 2001 film, Novocaine.
Pretty interesting factoid about Steve Martin, eh? I wonder if he ever got the chance to know Bruce Lee.
So I'm playing around with The Oracle of Bacon generator, and I input Bruce Lee to see how many degrees of separation there are between the late actor/martial arts legend and actor Kevin Bacon. Much to my great surprise, it turns out there is only one actor that links Bruce Lee to Kevin Bacon (at least according to this generator). Even more surprising is who that actor is: Steve Martin.
It seems that Martin had a bit role in Bruce Lee's 1972 movie, Fist of Fury (Jackie Chan had a bit role in this move as well, but was uncredited). He, Martin, played a policeman.
As for Kevin Bacon, he had an uncredited part in Martin's 2001 film, Novocaine.
Pretty interesting factoid about Steve Martin, eh? I wonder if he ever got the chance to know Bruce Lee.
Monday, January 22, 2007
34 Years of Roe v. Wade
From the standpoint of constitutional law, it was an atrocity of a ruling then, and remains so today. At the very least, the Supreme Court should never have even agreed to review the case.
From a cultural/societal standpoint, what can I say? Since January 22, 1973, the United States has seen over 40 million children slaughtered in the womb.
Pray for us Holy Mother of God and Patron Saint of the Unborn.
From the standpoint of constitutional law, it was an atrocity of a ruling then, and remains so today. At the very least, the Supreme Court should never have even agreed to review the case.
From a cultural/societal standpoint, what can I say? Since January 22, 1973, the United States has seen over 40 million children slaughtered in the womb.
Pray for us Holy Mother of God and Patron Saint of the Unborn.
Saturday, January 20, 2007
The Paper of Lies
It's a good thing there is no legal requirement in this country to tell the truth in news reporting, otherwise the New York Times would be guilty of committing perjury. The latest offense by the Grey Lady via LifeSiteNews:
It's a good thing there is no legal requirement in this country to tell the truth in news reporting, otherwise the New York Times would be guilty of committing perjury. The latest offense by the Grey Lady via LifeSiteNews:
The New York Times has once again published another 'hit piece' on the institution of marriage, alleging that for “the first time more American women are living without a husband than with one”. However, US census data for 2005 shows that the January 16th front-page story in the New York Times is just another disturbing showcase of the Times’ tolerance for “journalistic malpractice”.
“For what experts say is probably the first time,” writes Sam Roberts on the Times front page, “more American women are living without a husband than with one, according to a New York Times analysis of census results.”
“In 2005, 51 percent of women said they were living without a spouse, up from 35 percent in 1950 and 49 percent in 2000,” writes Roberts. He adds that now married couples make up a minority of all American households and “the trend could ultimately shape social and workplace policies, including the ways government and employers distribute benefits.”
The plain truth is that Roberts’ findings are at variance with US census reports for 2005, which demonstrate a far different picture from the profiles selected by Roberts of single women “delighting in their new found freedom.”
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Pelosi Admits She Supports Legally Killing Babies
Red State points out the following from an Ellen Goodman column about House Speaker Nancy Pelosi:
Did you catch that? Pelosi called what was in her stomach "babies," not fetuses or cellular globs. I wish someone in the MSM would follow up on this and ask Pelosi if she meant what she said, and if so, how she can continue to justify favoring legalized abortion (i.e., the legal killing of human babies while still fully or partially in the womb). Don't worry. I'm not holding my breath.
Red State points out the following from an Ellen Goodman column about House Speaker Nancy Pelosi:
Pelosi was not plucked from the kitchen to Congress. The stay-at-home mom label may be politically correct these days but technically incorrect. Pelosi, offspring of a political family, was always involved in a campaign, she says, "no matter how little my babies were, if I was wheeling them in a carriage or carrying them in my stomach."
Did you catch that? Pelosi called what was in her stomach "babies," not fetuses or cellular globs. I wish someone in the MSM would follow up on this and ask Pelosi if she meant what she said, and if so, how she can continue to justify favoring legalized abortion (i.e., the legal killing of human babies while still fully or partially in the womb). Don't worry. I'm not holding my breath.
Monday, January 15, 2007
Rocky Balboa: Servant of Christ
According to Stallone, that's apparently the underlying theme of his latest (last?) Rocky movie. So much so that Stallone developed a kit for Christian ministry leaders to use.
Nice to see, and I understand "Rocky Balboa" is a pretty good flick, but I'm still going to wait for the movie to come out on DVD before watching it. I mean, $10 for movie ticket?! Please.
According to Stallone, that's apparently the underlying theme of his latest (last?) Rocky movie. So much so that Stallone developed a kit for Christian ministry leaders to use.
Nice to see, and I understand "Rocky Balboa" is a pretty good flick, but I'm still going to wait for the movie to come out on DVD before watching it. I mean, $10 for movie ticket?! Please.
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
Cardinal Mahony's Gay Fish
You know that Christian fish symbol that you often see on the back of people's cars? Well, it looks as though good 'ol Cardinal "Hollywood" Mahony has endorsed a rainbow colored variation of this symbol as a sort of positive tribute to Catholics with homosexual tendencies.
The expression of Hell being paved with the skulls of bishops couldn't be more apt. (link via)
You know that Christian fish symbol that you often see on the back of people's cars? Well, it looks as though good 'ol Cardinal "Hollywood" Mahony has endorsed a rainbow colored variation of this symbol as a sort of positive tribute to Catholics with homosexual tendencies.
Cardinal Mahony instructs his nearly 5 million Catholic members to "see in the [gay] fish pin a sign of recognition of our lesbian and gay sisters and brothers." Is Cardinal Mahony trying to hook his already desensitized laity with this fishy bait?
The Cardinal is perversely distorting a once holy and revered symbol used not only by the early Christians but today's Christians as well. Through the gift of the same Sacred Tradition the Apostles received from Christ, the early Christians recognized one another in the image of the fish during the persecution of their Church.
Most harmful are the Cardinal's attempts to further confuse his priests, religious, and laity by 'normalizing' the homosexual idioms 'lesbian' and 'gay' using the 'gay' Rainbow colored fish.
The expression of Hell being paved with the skulls of bishops couldn't be more apt. (link via)
Monday, January 08, 2007
Florida Wins the Crystal Football
Although the Gators were the clear underdog, their dominating win over Ohio State in the BCS Championship Game was not at all shocking considering that the Buckeyes gave up 39 points to and barely beat Michigan in their last game of the regular season. (Michigan, of course, was trounced in the Rose Bowl last week by USC).
So now that Florida has won the "championship," is it the #1 team in the country? Under the system that the NCAA currently employs for Division I college football, yes. However, let there be no mistake that this system is seriously whacked up, as evidenced by the fact that of all the winners of BCS bowl games this year, including Florida, there is only one team with an undefeated record - Boise State. You can pretty much bet the farm that Boise State, which plays in a so-called "mid-major" conference, will not be ranked #1 in the final BCS and AP polls.
Although the Gators were the clear underdog, their dominating win over Ohio State in the BCS Championship Game was not at all shocking considering that the Buckeyes gave up 39 points to and barely beat Michigan in their last game of the regular season. (Michigan, of course, was trounced in the Rose Bowl last week by USC).
So now that Florida has won the "championship," is it the #1 team in the country? Under the system that the NCAA currently employs for Division I college football, yes. However, let there be no mistake that this system is seriously whacked up, as evidenced by the fact that of all the winners of BCS bowl games this year, including Florida, there is only one team with an undefeated record - Boise State. You can pretty much bet the farm that Boise State, which plays in a so-called "mid-major" conference, will not be ranked #1 in the final BCS and AP polls.
Sunday, January 07, 2007
They Actually Have Team Sports?
A losing streak that spanned over 200 games and 10 years, the men's basketball team at Caltech, the school in which the movie Real Genius was loosely based upon, finally won a game yesterday.
I knew a guy in high school who ended up going to Caltech, and based on what I observed of him in P.E. class, I'm not at all surprised that Caltech's losing streak lasted as long as it did. (Indeed, Caltech still hasn't won a conference game in over 20 years). But, like all Caltech students and graduates, the guy was super smart in science and math, and could be consistently counted on to bust the grading curve.
A losing streak that spanned over 200 games and 10 years, the men's basketball team at Caltech, the school in which the movie Real Genius was loosely based upon, finally won a game yesterday.
I knew a guy in high school who ended up going to Caltech, and based on what I observed of him in P.E. class, I'm not at all surprised that Caltech's losing streak lasted as long as it did. (Indeed, Caltech still hasn't won a conference game in over 20 years). But, like all Caltech students and graduates, the guy was super smart in science and math, and could be consistently counted on to bust the grading curve.
Tragic News Out of Troy
University of Southern California football player Mario Danelo was found dead yesterday afternoon at the bottom off a cliff in San Pedro, CA. An investigation is pending as to cause of death, but it appears as though Danelo might have simply slipped and fell.
University of Southern California football player Mario Danelo was found dead yesterday afternoon at the bottom off a cliff in San Pedro, CA. An investigation is pending as to cause of death, but it appears as though Danelo might have simply slipped and fell.
Mike Walsh, his coach at San Pedro High, last saw Danelo at Christmas Mass, he said. He was at Disneyland when he got the news Saturday.
"When my son told me, I felt like throwing up," he said. "He comes from a most wonderful family in San Pedro. They're wonderful, he was wonderful."
Danelo's roommate, USC wide receiver Chris McFoy, was shocked by the news Saturday night.
"It was unexpected," McFoy told the Los Angeles Daily News. "He's a funny guy. A warm, loving guy. It 's a shock something like this would happen."
...
About 8 p.m. the only sign at the cliffs was a string of police tape and a police cruiser on Paseo del Mar near the Point Fermin Lighthouse. The body was taken by helicopter to the nearby Angel's Gate Park, which authorities closed to traffic.
Humphrey said at the scene investigators had not found a surf board, scuba-diving tanks or anything else to indicate Danelo might have been down there for any of the recreational activities common to the area.
Humphrey said over the years a handful of people had fallen from the cliff.
"It's entirely possible that he fell," Humphrey said.
Talk About Irony
The newly appointed archbishop of Warsaw in Poland resigns after admitting he had been a spy for Poland's former Communist regime.
The late Pope John Paul II, of course, was from Poland and is widely credited for being a major contributor to the fall of the Soviet Union. (link via)
The newly appointed archbishop of Warsaw in Poland resigns after admitting he had been a spy for Poland's former Communist regime.
The late Pope John Paul II, of course, was from Poland and is widely credited for being a major contributor to the fall of the Soviet Union. (link via)
The scandal has highlighted a deep crisis for the Polish church and its struggle to define its role after the death of its moral guide, Pope John Paul.
"This is the biggest crisis to affect the Polish Church for a generation," said Jonathan Luxmoore, an expert on Catholic matters. "The Pope could (also) be damaged by this."
Soon after his appointment, Polish media reported that Wielgus had informed on fellow clerics for about 20 years from the late 1960s. In Friday's statement, Wielgus said he "did not report on anyone nor deliberately try to hurt anyone."
Wielgus's admission on Friday that he had damaged the Church when he "denied the facts of this cooperation" with the secret services opened the door for the Pope to remove him from office but he did not resign until the day of the ceremony.
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Great Start to a New Year
Just got back into town after a week at an undisclosed location. It's only been a couple of days, but '07 has gotten off to a pretty good start for me as my USC Trojans whipped the Michigan Wolverines in the Rose Bowl AND Notre Dame got creamed by LSU in the Sugar Bowl.
Throw in the pounding that UCLA took from Florida State in the Emerald Bowl, and my good start actually began a couple of days before the new year.
Just got back into town after a week at an undisclosed location. It's only been a couple of days, but '07 has gotten off to a pretty good start for me as my USC Trojans whipped the Michigan Wolverines in the Rose Bowl AND Notre Dame got creamed by LSU in the Sugar Bowl.
Throw in the pounding that UCLA took from Florida State in the Emerald Bowl, and my good start actually began a couple of days before the new year.
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Friday, December 22, 2006
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Idiots
We appear to be at a point in our culture where ANY person can commit sexual harassment, even if that person may not even know or understand the concept of sex.
A kindergarten student was accused earlier this month of sexually harassing a classmate at Lincolnshire Elementary School, an accusation that will remain on his record until he moves to middle school.
Washington County Public Schools spokeswoman Carol Mowen said the definition of sexual harassment used by the school system is, "unwelcome sexual advances, request for sexual favors and/or other inappropriate verbal, written or physical conduct of a sexual nature directed toward others."
Mowen said that definition comes from the Maryland State Department of Education.
According to a school document provided by the boy's father, the 5-year-old pinched a girl's buttocks on Dec. 8 in a hallway at the school south of Hagerstown.
...
The incident was described as "sexual harassment" on the school form.
Yep. A 5 year old who may not be able to tie his own shoes is capable of sexual harassment. Adults can be so un-freakin'-believable.
We appear to be at a point in our culture where ANY person can commit sexual harassment, even if that person may not even know or understand the concept of sex.
A kindergarten student was accused earlier this month of sexually harassing a classmate at Lincolnshire Elementary School, an accusation that will remain on his record until he moves to middle school.
Washington County Public Schools spokeswoman Carol Mowen said the definition of sexual harassment used by the school system is, "unwelcome sexual advances, request for sexual favors and/or other inappropriate verbal, written or physical conduct of a sexual nature directed toward others."
Mowen said that definition comes from the Maryland State Department of Education.
According to a school document provided by the boy's father, the 5-year-old pinched a girl's buttocks on Dec. 8 in a hallway at the school south of Hagerstown.
...
The incident was described as "sexual harassment" on the school form.
Yep. A 5 year old who may not be able to tie his own shoes is capable of sexual harassment. Adults can be so un-freakin'-believable.
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Oh, That's Why the Anglican/Episcopal Church is Dying
Jesus. Poop. Sex.
That about summarizes this laugh out loud article by the Director of Lay Education for the (Anglican) Diocese of Montreal.
Link via
Jesus. Poop. Sex.
That about summarizes this laugh out loud article by the Director of Lay Education for the (Anglican) Diocese of Montreal.
Link via
Sunday, December 17, 2006
I Should Add This to My Resume
After all, not everyone gets recognized as Time's Person of the Year.
Oh, wait...
After all, not everyone gets recognized as Time's Person of the Year.
Oh, wait...
Friday, December 15, 2006
From Our Bulging "Being Married Does Not Prevent Sexual Perversion" Files
I don't want to sound mean, but I somehow don't think the "she's too pretty for jail" defense will be utilized in this case.
A flirtatious Brandy Lynn Gonzales lured five boys from her fifth-grade classes into sexual acts at movie theaters, her apartment and even her classroom, prosecutors said Thursday.
At least one student was taken to her apartment, where he was sexually assaulted by Gonzales, 27, and her husband, Johnny Gonzales, 31, said Assistant Harris County District Attorney Denise Oncken.
"Evidently, according to the victims, she was quite a flirt in the classroom," Oncken said.
I don't want to sound mean, but I somehow don't think the "she's too pretty for jail" defense will be utilized in this case.
A flirtatious Brandy Lynn Gonzales lured five boys from her fifth-grade classes into sexual acts at movie theaters, her apartment and even her classroom, prosecutors said Thursday.
At least one student was taken to her apartment, where he was sexually assaulted by Gonzales, 27, and her husband, Johnny Gonzales, 31, said Assistant Harris County District Attorney Denise Oncken.
"Evidently, according to the victims, she was quite a flirt in the classroom," Oncken said.
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
I Wish I Could Say I'm Surprised
A Carter appointed Federal judge in San Francisco (natch) says it's perfectly constitutional for a city to formally attack the Catholic Church for it religious/moral position on homosexuality.
In her decision upholding the resolution against the Law Center's constitutional challenge, the federal judge defended the City by essentially claiming that the Church invited the attack by publicly expressing its teaching on moral issues. In her written opinion, the judge stated, "The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith provoked this debate, indeed may have invited entanglement, by its [doctrinal] statement. This court does not find that our case law requires political bodies to remain silent in the face of this provocation."
A Carter appointed Federal judge in San Francisco (natch) says it's perfectly constitutional for a city to formally attack the Catholic Church for it religious/moral position on homosexuality.
In her decision upholding the resolution against the Law Center's constitutional challenge, the federal judge defended the City by essentially claiming that the Church invited the attack by publicly expressing its teaching on moral issues. In her written opinion, the judge stated, "The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith provoked this debate, indeed may have invited entanglement, by its [doctrinal] statement. This court does not find that our case law requires political bodies to remain silent in the face of this provocation."
Actor Peter Boyle Dies
Interestingly enough, the former cast member of the hit television show Everybody Loves Raymond was a Christian Brothers monk before becoming a professional actor. The Internet Movie Data Base has more details about Boyle's life and cause of death here.
Kathy Shaidle notes that Boyle was a lifelong political leftist.
Interestingly enough, the former cast member of the hit television show Everybody Loves Raymond was a Christian Brothers monk before becoming a professional actor. The Internet Movie Data Base has more details about Boyle's life and cause of death here.
Kathy Shaidle notes that Boyle was a lifelong political leftist.
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Apocalypto and the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Probably not a coincidence that Gibson's newest movie opened right around this feast day. As reported by LifeSite, there's a new Spanish film that focuses on OLG and which acts as a good historical follow up to Apocalypto.
Follow Up: Dense that I sometimes am, I failed to notice that Apocalypto opened in the U.S. on the day of the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, and one day before the feast of St. Juan Diego. Within this context, Amy Welborn links to an interesting movie review of Apocalypto by Bill Cork.
Probably not a coincidence that Gibson's newest movie opened right around this feast day. As reported by LifeSite, there's a new Spanish film that focuses on OLG and which acts as a good historical follow up to Apocalypto.
Follow Up: Dense that I sometimes am, I failed to notice that Apocalypto opened in the U.S. on the day of the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, and one day before the feast of St. Juan Diego. Within this context, Amy Welborn links to an interesting movie review of Apocalypto by Bill Cork.
The Navy and Mother are Both Wrong
A 32 year old single mother relinquishes custody of her 13 year old daughter in order to enlist in the Navy.
As far as I'm concerned, the Navy is wrong for saying single custodial parents can't enlist, and this mother is wrong for trading in custody and the upbringing of her daughter in order to pursue her "dream" of a naval career. A pox on both houses.
(Link via)
A 32 year old single mother relinquishes custody of her 13 year old daughter in order to enlist in the Navy.
As far as I'm concerned, the Navy is wrong for saying single custodial parents can't enlist, and this mother is wrong for trading in custody and the upbringing of her daughter in order to pursue her "dream" of a naval career. A pox on both houses.
(Link via)
Famous Mormon Football Players
Had no idea Merlin Olsen, Sean Salisbury and Danny White were LDS adherents. Wonder if they all wear/wore "holy" jock straps? (Kidding!)
(Link via)
Had no idea Merlin Olsen, Sean Salisbury and Danny White were LDS adherents. Wonder if they all wear/wore "holy" jock straps? (Kidding!)
(Link via)
Monday, December 11, 2006
Why Aren't There More?
Guess it's that time of the year when many high school seniors are getting their applications off to different colleges. Speaking of colleges, and putting the issue of orthodoxy aside, I am somewhat amazed that there is only one four year Catholic university in Los Angeles County and a total of 4 four year Catholic colleges/universities in all of Southern California (which I would say runs from Bakersfield down to San Diego). Considering that one of these colleges, John Paul the Great University has basically just started operating and holds all of its classes in an office building, there are really only 3 established Catholic colleges/universities (Loyola Marymount, Thomas Aquinas College and University of San Diego) in the region.
Compare that to the San Francisco Bay Area, where there are a total of 6 established four year Catholic colleges/universities (University of San Francisco, Dominican University, Holy Names University, Notre Dame de Namur University, Saint Mary's College, and Santa Clara University). Throw in the University of Sacramento, which is only about 100 miles from San Francisco, and there are 7 institutes of higher learning in the area with a Catholic identity.
How the heck did such a discrepancy occur?
Guess it's that time of the year when many high school seniors are getting their applications off to different colleges. Speaking of colleges, and putting the issue of orthodoxy aside, I am somewhat amazed that there is only one four year Catholic university in Los Angeles County and a total of 4 four year Catholic colleges/universities in all of Southern California (which I would say runs from Bakersfield down to San Diego). Considering that one of these colleges, John Paul the Great University has basically just started operating and holds all of its classes in an office building, there are really only 3 established Catholic colleges/universities (Loyola Marymount, Thomas Aquinas College and University of San Diego) in the region.
Compare that to the San Francisco Bay Area, where there are a total of 6 established four year Catholic colleges/universities (University of San Francisco, Dominican University, Holy Names University, Notre Dame de Namur University, Saint Mary's College, and Santa Clara University). Throw in the University of Sacramento, which is only about 100 miles from San Francisco, and there are 7 institutes of higher learning in the area with a Catholic identity.
How the heck did such a discrepancy occur?
Saturday, December 09, 2006
I'm Confused
I've been Catholic for about 9 years now, and I'm still not entirely sure when one is required to go to Mass on certain feast days. In the past, there have been Holy Days of Obligation that fell on a weekday, but were moved to Sunday for "convenience." I'm wondering if this was done with the feast of the Immaculate Conception, which was formally yesterday, in the Diocese of Orange since there is nothing on the diocese website mentioning this day as a Holy Day.
I've been Catholic for about 9 years now, and I'm still not entirely sure when one is required to go to Mass on certain feast days. In the past, there have been Holy Days of Obligation that fell on a weekday, but were moved to Sunday for "convenience." I'm wondering if this was done with the feast of the Immaculate Conception, which was formally yesterday, in the Diocese of Orange since there is nothing on the diocese website mentioning this day as a Holy Day.
'Bout Time
LifeSite news reports that the Vatican has approved Bishop Bruskewitz's 1996 excommunication of Call to Action and other dissident groups operating in the Lincoln, Nebraska diocese. It took the Vatican almost 11 years, but I suppose if we looked at it from the perspective of God, that's like a millisecond. (link via RelapsedCatholic)
LifeSite news reports that the Vatican has approved Bishop Bruskewitz's 1996 excommunication of Call to Action and other dissident groups operating in the Lincoln, Nebraska diocese. It took the Vatican almost 11 years, but I suppose if we looked at it from the perspective of God, that's like a millisecond. (link via RelapsedCatholic)
Friday, December 08, 2006
Rosie O'Donnell: Immoral, Left-Wing, Bigoted Hypocrite
The self-anointed "Queen of Nice" shows yet again why she is far from it.
Effin' pig!
The self-anointed "Queen of Nice" shows yet again why she is far from it.
Effin' pig!
Thursday, December 07, 2006
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Monday, December 04, 2006
Back in Town
For the past week, I've been out of town and my only Internet access was through a computer that is 8 to 10 years out of date. Translated, that means everything I looked at loaded at a snail's pace.
Yes, I am bummed that USC lost. But, it's just a sport and life goes on.
Anyway, I'm pretty tired after driving for several hours, so I'll resume blogging tomorrow.
For the past week, I've been out of town and my only Internet access was through a computer that is 8 to 10 years out of date. Translated, that means everything I looked at loaded at a snail's pace.
Yes, I am bummed that USC lost. But, it's just a sport and life goes on.
Anyway, I'm pretty tired after driving for several hours, so I'll resume blogging tomorrow.
Friday, December 01, 2006
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Happy Thanksgiving
To all 3 of my readers. Please also keep in mind and be thankful for all the men and women serving in our armed forces - particularly the cooks.
Update: I'm going out of town, so in case I don't post anything more over the holiday weekend, I'd also like to say, FIGHT ON 'SC! BEAT THE IRISH!
To all 3 of my readers. Please also keep in mind and be thankful for all the men and women serving in our armed forces - particularly the cooks.
Update: I'm going out of town, so in case I don't post anything more over the holiday weekend, I'd also like to say, FIGHT ON 'SC! BEAT THE IRISH!
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
The Mormon Mitt
There's some recurring chatter on The Corner today regarding Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, and whether his status as a member of the Church of Latter Day Saints will hurt his chances of ever becoming President.
K-Lo has posted a blurb about how Andrew Sullivan has derisively declared Romney to be a "Christianist" presidential candidate. This, of course, is Exhibit A that Andrew Sullivan, a self-identified Catholic, is a complete ignoramous when it comes to matters of religion. Read this article on Mormonism to find out why.
Personally, I don't care what Romney's religious affiliation is as far as his qualifications to be President are concerned. I suspect this is also true for many conservative Evangelicals like a friend of mine who once told me that she would feel more comfortable voting for a Morman man to be President than an Evangelical woman.
Update (11/22/06): Well, apparently Andrew doesn't think Mormons are Christians. What the heck does he mean by "Christianist" then?
There's some recurring chatter on The Corner today regarding Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, and whether his status as a member of the Church of Latter Day Saints will hurt his chances of ever becoming President.
K-Lo has posted a blurb about how Andrew Sullivan has derisively declared Romney to be a "Christianist" presidential candidate. This, of course, is Exhibit A that Andrew Sullivan, a self-identified Catholic, is a complete ignoramous when it comes to matters of religion. Read this article on Mormonism to find out why.
Personally, I don't care what Romney's religious affiliation is as far as his qualifications to be President are concerned. I suspect this is also true for many conservative Evangelicals like a friend of mine who once told me that she would feel more comfortable voting for a Morman man to be President than an Evangelical woman.
Update (11/22/06): Well, apparently Andrew doesn't think Mormons are Christians. What the heck does he mean by "Christianist" then?
Slightly Over 1 in 3 New Births in U.S. are Out of Wedlock
Most of them to unwed mothers in their 20's.
I suppose if there's any good news in this, it's that the rate of teen pregnancies has declined to their lowest levels on record.
Most of them to unwed mothers in their 20's.
I suppose if there's any good news in this, it's that the rate of teen pregnancies has declined to their lowest levels on record.
Sunday, November 19, 2006
And No Man Will be Able to Tell How Much of it is Fake
Anti-warniks are planning a global orgasm for peace day this winter. I suspect the diner scene in "When Harry Met Sally..." will be required viewing for many of those wishing to participate. (link viat Drudge)
Anti-warniks are planning a global orgasm for peace day this winter. I suspect the diner scene in "When Harry Met Sally..." will be required viewing for many of those wishing to participate. (link viat Drudge)
Saturday, November 18, 2006
Friday, November 17, 2006
Thursday, November 16, 2006
The OC's Newest Law School
Coming (most likely) in 2009 on the campus of UC Irvine.
Bad choice by the Regents in my view, given that there are already three ABA-accredited and one State Bar accredited law schools in the county. Meanwhile, the ever growing Inland Empire (i.e., Riverside and San Bernardino counties) has only one ABA law school, and that only came about recently. Irrespective of the fact that I'm an alumnus of the school, I really believe UC Riverside should have been home to the UC system's newest law school.
Coming (most likely) in 2009 on the campus of UC Irvine.
Bad choice by the Regents in my view, given that there are already three ABA-accredited and one State Bar accredited law schools in the county. Meanwhile, the ever growing Inland Empire (i.e., Riverside and San Bernardino counties) has only one ABA law school, and that only came about recently. Irrespective of the fact that I'm an alumnus of the school, I really believe UC Riverside should have been home to the UC system's newest law school.
Notre Dame is Increasingly Becoming CINO (Catholic in Name Only)
The inside scoop from a recent Domer graduate.
I also have to say that if the pope were ever to make a pronouncement that Catholics are forbidden from drinking Pabst Blue Ribbon under penalty of excommunication, I'd really have no problem with it.
(link via RelapsedCatholic)
The inside scoop from a recent Domer graduate.
I also have to say that if the pope were ever to make a pronouncement that Catholics are forbidden from drinking Pabst Blue Ribbon under penalty of excommunication, I'd really have no problem with it.
(link via RelapsedCatholic)
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
If?!
OJ Simpson is apparently set to tell the world how he would have murdered his wife, Nicole, if he had done it the first time around.
Whatever, OJ. The fact that you even have something in mind pretty much confirms what everyone who isn't drinking Kool-Aid, or was a juror in your criminal trial, knows: You're a freakin' murderer!
OJ Simpson is apparently set to tell the world how he would have murdered his wife, Nicole, if he had done it the first time around.
Whatever, OJ. The fact that you even have something in mind pretty much confirms what everyone who isn't drinking Kool-Aid, or was a juror in your criminal trial, knows: You're a freakin' murderer!
A Somewhat Troubling Encounter
I was at the monthly St. Thomas More Society of Orange County meeting today and happened to make some small talk with a local priest, whose name I can't remember. Turns out that prior to being ordained, this priest was a practicing civil lawyer who received his juris doctorate from Georgetown. Upon learning this, I asked the priest what he thought about the controversy regarding Georgetown's recent naming of a human rights faculty chair after the infamous Fr. Robert Drinan, a known abortion rights advocate.
Surprisingly, this priest was unaware that there was a controversy, and wanted to know where I had heard Fr. Drinan supported abortion rights. Upon my responding that that Fr. Drinan has long been outspoken in favor of the right to abortion, the priest more or less dismissed me by saying that if that were the case, he would have heard about it before today. At saying this, our conversation ended mostly because the priest had just been asked to give a benediction to start the meeting.
It's at times like this that I wish I had instant access to the Internet to find evidence in support of a point I make in casual conversation. Hopefully, this priest will set himself straight on Fr. Drinan, though I doubt he'll remember that we talked about it today.
I was at the monthly St. Thomas More Society of Orange County meeting today and happened to make some small talk with a local priest, whose name I can't remember. Turns out that prior to being ordained, this priest was a practicing civil lawyer who received his juris doctorate from Georgetown. Upon learning this, I asked the priest what he thought about the controversy regarding Georgetown's recent naming of a human rights faculty chair after the infamous Fr. Robert Drinan, a known abortion rights advocate.
Surprisingly, this priest was unaware that there was a controversy, and wanted to know where I had heard Fr. Drinan supported abortion rights. Upon my responding that that Fr. Drinan has long been outspoken in favor of the right to abortion, the priest more or less dismissed me by saying that if that were the case, he would have heard about it before today. At saying this, our conversation ended mostly because the priest had just been asked to give a benediction to start the meeting.
It's at times like this that I wish I had instant access to the Internet to find evidence in support of a point I make in casual conversation. Hopefully, this priest will set himself straight on Fr. Drinan, though I doubt he'll remember that we talked about it today.
San Francisco Values Will be the Death of San Francisco
The continuing suicide of the City by the Bay rambles on.
The continuing suicide of the City by the Bay rambles on.
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Then Why Did You Give Them Control of Congress?!
I suppose this poll which says that most Americans rank Iraq as a top priority, but do not think the Dems have a plan to deal with the war, supports the conventional wisdom that people voted against the Republicans this year and not for the Dems.
It's still bizarre, though. I mean, if you aren't happy with how the Republicans (i.e., the Bush Administration) is running the war, why in the world would you allow, by way of voting or not voting, the Dems to take control of Congress knowing full well that they don't have a war plan, and are therefore at greater risk of screwing the war up even worse than you (erroneously) think it already is?
I suppose this poll which says that most Americans rank Iraq as a top priority, but do not think the Dems have a plan to deal with the war, supports the conventional wisdom that people voted against the Republicans this year and not for the Dems.
It's still bizarre, though. I mean, if you aren't happy with how the Republicans (i.e., the Bush Administration) is running the war, why in the world would you allow, by way of voting or not voting, the Dems to take control of Congress knowing full well that they don't have a war plan, and are therefore at greater risk of screwing the war up even worse than you (erroneously) think it already is?
Monday, November 13, 2006
Reversed...Again
The SCOTUS once again reverses the wacky 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, this time in a California death penalty case.
The SCOTUS once again reverses the wacky 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, this time in a California death penalty case.
Sunday, November 12, 2006
Saturday, November 11, 2006
G@y Stalin
So, Sir Elt, what do you think of organized religion?
"I think religion has always tried to turn hatred towards gay people. Religion promotes the hatred and spite against gays.
"But there are so many people I know who are gay and love their religion. From my point of view I would ban religion completely.
"Organised religion doesn't seem to work. It turns people into really hateful lemmings and it's not really compassionate."
I don't think he's "joking" a la John Kerry.
So, Sir Elt, what do you think of organized religion?
"I think religion has always tried to turn hatred towards gay people. Religion promotes the hatred and spite against gays.
"But there are so many people I know who are gay and love their religion. From my point of view I would ban religion completely.
"Organised religion doesn't seem to work. It turns people into really hateful lemmings and it's not really compassionate."
I don't think he's "joking" a la John Kerry.
Friday, November 10, 2006
I'd Support Him
Mark Levin at National Review makes the suggestion that soon to be former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum should run for President in 2008.
I think it's a great idea and I agree with Levin that Santorum, a most decidedly pro-life conservative/traditional Catholic, has national appeal despite his recent and largely unsurprising loss in blue state Pennsylvania.
Now let's say Santorum doesn't run for President. On the off chance that a vacancy opens up on the Supreme Court in the next couple of years, I think Bush would be smart to consider nominating Santorum to be a Justice. Although he is an unapologetic conservative Republican, Santorum has long been known as someone who worked extremely well with liberal Democrat Senators (e.g., Barbara Boxer). These friendly relationships could ultimately be decisive in getting him confirmed without the mother of all political battles being waged.
Mark Levin at National Review makes the suggestion that soon to be former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum should run for President in 2008.
I think it's a great idea and I agree with Levin that Santorum, a most decidedly pro-life conservative/traditional Catholic, has national appeal despite his recent and largely unsurprising loss in blue state Pennsylvania.
Now let's say Santorum doesn't run for President. On the off chance that a vacancy opens up on the Supreme Court in the next couple of years, I think Bush would be smart to consider nominating Santorum to be a Justice. Although he is an unapologetic conservative Republican, Santorum has long been known as someone who worked extremely well with liberal Democrat Senators (e.g., Barbara Boxer). These friendly relationships could ultimately be decisive in getting him confirmed without the mother of all political battles being waged.
Iran Loves the Dems
Here's to you True Conservative™ who wanted to teach a "lesson" to the GOP in this last election cycle.
Here's to you True Conservative™ who wanted to teach a "lesson" to the GOP in this last election cycle.
Thursday, November 09, 2006
I'm Wondering
If the war in Iraq isn't going as well as some people are blindly asserting, then why were terrorists cheering for the Dems to win on Tuesday?
Update: Seems several of our guys over in Iraq were not cheering for the Dems to win on Tuesday, and are concerned over the "resignation" of Donald Rumsfeld.
[sarcasm] Nice going on letting the Dems take over all of Congress True Conservatives™. [/sarcasm]
If the war in Iraq isn't going as well as some people are blindly asserting, then why were terrorists cheering for the Dems to win on Tuesday?
Update: Seems several of our guys over in Iraq were not cheering for the Dems to win on Tuesday, and are concerned over the "resignation" of Donald Rumsfeld.
[sarcasm] Nice going on letting the Dems take over all of Congress True Conservatives™. [/sarcasm]
Only the GOP Can Hurt the GOP
The Dems and their moonbat minions can only help.
Update: Borrowing from Lynyrd Skynyrd, I hope Charlie Rangel will remember; a Southern Man don't need him around anyhow.
The Dems and their moonbat minions can only help.
Update: Borrowing from Lynyrd Skynyrd, I hope Charlie Rangel will remember; a Southern Man don't need him around anyhow.
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Will Justice Kennedy Flip?
In 2000, the SCOTUS by a 5 to 4 count knocked down Nebraska's ban on partial birth abortions. At the time, there were basically 2 swing voters on the Court, Justices O'Connor and Kennedy. Although Kennedy would vote to uphold the ban, O'Connor didn't.
Now, almost seven years later, the SCOTUS has revisited the issue of partial birth abortion in the form of a legal challenge made by pro-abortionists to the Federal statute, signed by President Bush, banning the procedure. Oral Arguments before the Court were made today.
With Alito having replaced O'Connor on the Court, it would appear that the Federal ban on partial-birth abortions will be upheld by a one vote margin. That is, of course, unless Justice Kennedy has somehow "grown" on this issue in the last seven years and votes with the Dark Side of the Court (Justices Ginsberg, Breyer, Stevens and Souter). The fact that something like this must be worried about provides strong evidence for one of the most likely negative consequences of yesterday's Dem takeover of Congress, and more specifically, the Senate: the appointment of another David Souter to the SCOTUS.
If the Senate confirmation hearing on the nomination of Robert Bork to the SCOTUS had taken place in 1986, Bork today would be a SCOTUS Justice. That is because in 1986, the GOP had majority control of the Senate. However, Bork's hearing was in 1987, the year the Dems took back the Senate after the 1986 mid-term election. Although they probably would have tried to do it anyway, the Dems control of the Senate made the "Borking" of Bork, and all other subsequent judicial nominees cut from a similar cloth, that much easier than it otherwise would have been. As a result of this new practice by the Dems, Ronald Reagan was effectively forced to nominate a relative unknown jurist with almost no paper trail. That unknown jurist ended up being the now Justice Anthony Kennedy who, at best, has had a mixed record on social issues like abortion. Indeed, the Dems practice of "Borking" eventually led to the nomination of David Souter, who is considered by all non-judicial activist proponents (i.e., people who think judges shouldn't be making up rights and laws out of thin air) to be nothing short of a disaster.
Now that the Dems have again regained control of the Senate, I fully expect that if Dubya gets the chance to fill another seat on the SCOTUS, he will have no choice but to nominate another Anthony Kennedy, or worse, another David Souter. While it is true that Dubya has shown a propensity to do this anyway (see Harriet Miers), GOP control of the Senate provided the necessary leverage to make the President change course and nominate what ended up being Sam Alito. With this leverage now gone until at least 2008, I'm not so sure that I want any seats to open up on the SCOTUS.
In 2000, the SCOTUS by a 5 to 4 count knocked down Nebraska's ban on partial birth abortions. At the time, there were basically 2 swing voters on the Court, Justices O'Connor and Kennedy. Although Kennedy would vote to uphold the ban, O'Connor didn't.
Now, almost seven years later, the SCOTUS has revisited the issue of partial birth abortion in the form of a legal challenge made by pro-abortionists to the Federal statute, signed by President Bush, banning the procedure. Oral Arguments before the Court were made today.
With Alito having replaced O'Connor on the Court, it would appear that the Federal ban on partial-birth abortions will be upheld by a one vote margin. That is, of course, unless Justice Kennedy has somehow "grown" on this issue in the last seven years and votes with the Dark Side of the Court (Justices Ginsberg, Breyer, Stevens and Souter). The fact that something like this must be worried about provides strong evidence for one of the most likely negative consequences of yesterday's Dem takeover of Congress, and more specifically, the Senate: the appointment of another David Souter to the SCOTUS.
If the Senate confirmation hearing on the nomination of Robert Bork to the SCOTUS had taken place in 1986, Bork today would be a SCOTUS Justice. That is because in 1986, the GOP had majority control of the Senate. However, Bork's hearing was in 1987, the year the Dems took back the Senate after the 1986 mid-term election. Although they probably would have tried to do it anyway, the Dems control of the Senate made the "Borking" of Bork, and all other subsequent judicial nominees cut from a similar cloth, that much easier than it otherwise would have been. As a result of this new practice by the Dems, Ronald Reagan was effectively forced to nominate a relative unknown jurist with almost no paper trail. That unknown jurist ended up being the now Justice Anthony Kennedy who, at best, has had a mixed record on social issues like abortion. Indeed, the Dems practice of "Borking" eventually led to the nomination of David Souter, who is considered by all non-judicial activist proponents (i.e., people who think judges shouldn't be making up rights and laws out of thin air) to be nothing short of a disaster.
Now that the Dems have again regained control of the Senate, I fully expect that if Dubya gets the chance to fill another seat on the SCOTUS, he will have no choice but to nominate another Anthony Kennedy, or worse, another David Souter. While it is true that Dubya has shown a propensity to do this anyway (see Harriet Miers), GOP control of the Senate provided the necessary leverage to make the President change course and nominate what ended up being Sam Alito. With this leverage now gone until at least 2008, I'm not so sure that I want any seats to open up on the SCOTUS.
And so it Begins
This is on all the heads of those of you who either sat out the election or voted for a third party candidate as a means to "punish" the GOP.
And if Pres. Bush gets to fill another vacancy on the Supreme Court, I can almost guarantee you that a Harriet Miers/David Souter-like candidate will be selected. This time, however, there probably won't be a darned thing we can do to stop it since there's no way in hell that a Dem controlled Senate will confirm an Alito or Roberts.
Thanks a lot, dorks!
This is on all the heads of those of you who either sat out the election or voted for a third party candidate as a means to "punish" the GOP.
And if Pres. Bush gets to fill another vacancy on the Supreme Court, I can almost guarantee you that a Harriet Miers/David Souter-like candidate will be selected. This time, however, there probably won't be a darned thing we can do to stop it since there's no way in hell that a Dem controlled Senate will confirm an Alito or Roberts.
Thanks a lot, dorks!
Meet the Black Robert Byrd
Minnesotans elected to Congress yesterday Keith Eillison, a black Muslim/former Catholic Dem who had an affiliation with the anti-Semitic Louis Farrakhan and the Nation of Islam.
Robert Byrd, of course, is a longtime Dem U.S. Senator from West Virginia who won reelection yesterday and was a member of the Kook Klucks Klan.
Minnesotans elected to Congress yesterday Keith Eillison, a black Muslim/former Catholic Dem who had an affiliation with the anti-Semitic Louis Farrakhan and the Nation of Islam.
Robert Byrd, of course, is a longtime Dem U.S. Senator from West Virginia who won reelection yesterday and was a member of the Kook Klucks Klan.
Veto
A word and power that President Bush would be well advised to often employ in the last two years of his administration.
A word and power that President Bush would be well advised to often employ in the last two years of his administration.
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Go Vote
More importantly, vote Republican. Unless, of course, you want to pay higher taxes and put our country's national security at risk. Then by all means, vote Democrat or third party.
More importantly, vote Republican. Unless, of course, you want to pay higher taxes and put our country's national security at risk. Then by all means, vote Democrat or third party.
Sunday, November 05, 2006
Almost Like Another Bye Week
The Trojans certainly weren't looking past the Tree toward next week's match up with the cheating Shmucks of Oregon.
The Trojans certainly weren't looking past the Tree toward next week's match up with the cheating Shmucks of Oregon.
Saturday, November 04, 2006
If I Thought Screaming Would Help
I'd most certainly do it.
Update (11/6/06): Video of the sordid affair can be seen here. See if you can spot the theological contradiction. Hint: Focus on the woman wearing a pink wig and horns.
I'd most certainly do it.
Update (11/6/06): Video of the sordid affair can be seen here. See if you can spot the theological contradiction. Hint: Focus on the woman wearing a pink wig and horns.
Friday, November 03, 2006
New Yuck Times: Bush Told the Truth About Iraq and Saddam
Well, that's not exactly what it says, and you can pretty much bet the farm that the Times will deny it confirmed any such suggestion. Whatever.
I'm also taking wages on how long it will take one of the leftist nutroots blogs to dismiss the story and mindlessly rant about the Times being manipulated by Karl Rove and his right wing media machine. (link via The Anchoress)
Well, that's not exactly what it says, and you can pretty much bet the farm that the Times will deny it confirmed any such suggestion. Whatever.
I'm also taking wages on how long it will take one of the leftist nutroots blogs to dismiss the story and mindlessly rant about the Times being manipulated by Karl Rove and his right wing media machine. (link via The Anchoress)
Thursday, November 02, 2006
Will Mark Shea be Consistent?
In case you haven't been following, there is a running controversy in the Catholic blogosphere over the subject of torture and whether the Catholic Church views it as intrinsically immoral. Appropriately described magisterial fundamentalists like Mark Shea have consistently been arguing that "torture" is intrinsically immoral and that any professed faithful Catholic who questions it or says otherwise is a fortiori an apologist for Satan. So much for meaningful discussion with Mr. Shea.
Anyway, the basis for the magisterial fundy position on torture basically comes from one paragraph (paragraph 80) in a papal encyclical called Veritatis Splendor:
The Second Vatican Council itself, in discussing the respect due to the human person, gives a number of examples of such [intrinsically evil] acts: "Whatever is hostile to life itself, such as any kind of homicide, genocide, abortion, euthanasia and voluntary suicide; whatever violates the integrity of the human person, such as mutilation, physical and mental torture and attempts to coerce the spirit; whatever is offensive to human dignity, such as subhuman living conditions, arbitrary imprisonment, deportation, slavery, prostitution and trafficking in women and children; degrading conditions of work which treat labourers as mere instruments of profit, and not as free responsible persons: all these and the like are a disgrace, and so long as they infect human civilization they contaminate those who inflict them more than those who suffer injustice, and they are a negation of the honour due to the Creator".
Now, in addition to "torture," you'll notice that there are other things listed in the above paragraph like "deportation", "subhuman living conditions" and "degrading conditions of work..." With respect to these words and terms, so-called Apologists for Satan, such as myself, are of the position that they are ambiguous and, more significantly, undefined in Veritatis Splendor. As such, the above paragraph cannot, contrary to what the magisterial fundamentalists assert, be regarded as a doctrinal teaching of the Church. If it was, then how in the world can the Church Herself not be a tool for Satan in light of these reported charges against the Vatican's television station? (link via RelapsedCatholic)
In case you haven't been following, there is a running controversy in the Catholic blogosphere over the subject of torture and whether the Catholic Church views it as intrinsically immoral. Appropriately described magisterial fundamentalists like Mark Shea have consistently been arguing that "torture" is intrinsically immoral and that any professed faithful Catholic who questions it or says otherwise is a fortiori an apologist for Satan. So much for meaningful discussion with Mr. Shea.
Anyway, the basis for the magisterial fundy position on torture basically comes from one paragraph (paragraph 80) in a papal encyclical called Veritatis Splendor:
The Second Vatican Council itself, in discussing the respect due to the human person, gives a number of examples of such [intrinsically evil] acts: "Whatever is hostile to life itself, such as any kind of homicide, genocide, abortion, euthanasia and voluntary suicide; whatever violates the integrity of the human person, such as mutilation, physical and mental torture and attempts to coerce the spirit; whatever is offensive to human dignity, such as subhuman living conditions, arbitrary imprisonment, deportation, slavery, prostitution and trafficking in women and children; degrading conditions of work which treat labourers as mere instruments of profit, and not as free responsible persons: all these and the like are a disgrace, and so long as they infect human civilization they contaminate those who inflict them more than those who suffer injustice, and they are a negation of the honour due to the Creator".
Now, in addition to "torture," you'll notice that there are other things listed in the above paragraph like "deportation", "subhuman living conditions" and "degrading conditions of work..." With respect to these words and terms, so-called Apologists for Satan, such as myself, are of the position that they are ambiguous and, more significantly, undefined in Veritatis Splendor. As such, the above paragraph cannot, contrary to what the magisterial fundamentalists assert, be regarded as a doctrinal teaching of the Church. If it was, then how in the world can the Church Herself not be a tool for Satan in light of these reported charges against the Vatican's television station? (link via RelapsedCatholic)
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Kerry Apologizes...
If you were too stupid to realize that his "joke" was not meant to be an insult.
"I sincerely regret that my words were misinterpreted to wrongly imply anything negative about those in uniform, and I personally apologize to any service member, family member, or American who was offended."
Prime.Grade.Jerk.
If you were too stupid to realize that his "joke" was not meant to be an insult.
"I sincerely regret that my words were misinterpreted to wrongly imply anything negative about those in uniform, and I personally apologize to any service member, family member, or American who was offended."
Prime.Grade.Jerk.
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
How Left-Liberal is California?
Jerry "Governor Moonbeam" Brown is probably going to be elected the State's Attorney General despite the fact that he essentially allowed sexual harassment to occur in his office while he was the mayor of Oakland.
Appearing next to Chuck Poochigian -- Brown's Republican opponent in the state attorney general's race -- Nereyda Lopez-Bowden accused Brown of ignoring her complaints about Jacques Barzaghi, who had been at Brown's side for decades before he was fired in 2004.
"He enabled Jacques Barzaghi for many years to continue his 'predatorial' behavior and harassment of women and men in the office," said Lopez-Bowden, speaking publicly about the incident for the first time.
Ms. Lopez-Bowden actually filed a lawsuit for the alleged acts by Barzaghi and settled out of court for $50,000. Settlements, of course, are not an admission of wrongdoing by anyone, but given the amount of money Ms. Lopez-Bowden received, she must have had a pretty strong case.
From an election standpoint, although this story would seem to be ripe for further investigation into Brown's character and fitness to be California's top law enforcement officer, the MSM has all but ignored or buried it (the hardcopy version of the Sacramento Bee news story that I link to above, for example, is on page A6). I can only imagine how much attention this matter would get from the MSM if, say, Linda Ronstadt's former boyfriend were a Republican and was named Arnold Schwartzenegger.
Jerry "Governor Moonbeam" Brown is probably going to be elected the State's Attorney General despite the fact that he essentially allowed sexual harassment to occur in his office while he was the mayor of Oakland.
Appearing next to Chuck Poochigian -- Brown's Republican opponent in the state attorney general's race -- Nereyda Lopez-Bowden accused Brown of ignoring her complaints about Jacques Barzaghi, who had been at Brown's side for decades before he was fired in 2004.
"He enabled Jacques Barzaghi for many years to continue his 'predatorial' behavior and harassment of women and men in the office," said Lopez-Bowden, speaking publicly about the incident for the first time.
Ms. Lopez-Bowden actually filed a lawsuit for the alleged acts by Barzaghi and settled out of court for $50,000. Settlements, of course, are not an admission of wrongdoing by anyone, but given the amount of money Ms. Lopez-Bowden received, she must have had a pretty strong case.
From an election standpoint, although this story would seem to be ripe for further investigation into Brown's character and fitness to be California's top law enforcement officer, the MSM has all but ignored or buried it (the hardcopy version of the Sacramento Bee news story that I link to above, for example, is on page A6). I can only imagine how much attention this matter would get from the MSM if, say, Linda Ronstadt's former boyfriend were a Republican and was named Arnold Schwartzenegger.
Monday, October 30, 2006
Why You Shouldn't Vote Democrat
Yeah, Kerry probably didn't mean to insult members of the military, but he did.
"You know, education, if you make the most of it, if you study hard and you do your homework, and you make an effort to be smart, uh, you, you can do well. If you don’t, you get stuck in Iraq."
Yeah, Kerry probably didn't mean to insult members of the military, but he did.
"You know, education, if you make the most of it, if you study hard and you do your homework, and you make an effort to be smart, uh, you, you can do well. If you don’t, you get stuck in Iraq."
You Should Really Read Andrew Sullivan's New Book
Because, as reported by James Taranto, it's critically acclaimed by none other than Andrew Sullivan. (link via Dean Barnett)
* "This is a book about ideas, not political prescriptions. . . . It's an attempt to start the long road back to conservative intellectual clarity. . . . If you still care about those first principles, and why they are more relevant today than ever, . . . buy the book."--Andrew Sullivan
* "If the book can prompt the usually level-headed David Brooks to contradict himself in order to criticize it and has sent Hugh Hewitt into conniptions, it might just be on to something about what has gone wrong with American conservativsm [sic]."--Andrew Sullivan
* "They're angry. They wouldn't be if they didn't know this book exposes them in ways few yet have."--Andrew Sullivan
* "These people are truly rattled by this book. I believe it's a depth charge into the degerenacy [sic] of the current conservative movement."--Andrew Sullivan
* "Why are so many contemporary 'conservatives' lying about the contents of this book? The only reason I can come up with is that they are deadly afraid of its arguments. . . . Which is why you should read the book."--Andrew Sullivan
Because, as reported by James Taranto, it's critically acclaimed by none other than Andrew Sullivan. (link via Dean Barnett)
* "This is a book about ideas, not political prescriptions. . . . It's an attempt to start the long road back to conservative intellectual clarity. . . . If you still care about those first principles, and why they are more relevant today than ever, . . . buy the book."--Andrew Sullivan
* "If the book can prompt the usually level-headed David Brooks to contradict himself in order to criticize it and has sent Hugh Hewitt into conniptions, it might just be on to something about what has gone wrong with American conservativsm [sic]."--Andrew Sullivan
* "They're angry. They wouldn't be if they didn't know this book exposes them in ways few yet have."--Andrew Sullivan
* "These people are truly rattled by this book. I believe it's a depth charge into the degerenacy [sic] of the current conservative movement."--Andrew Sullivan
* "Why are so many contemporary 'conservatives' lying about the contents of this book? The only reason I can come up with is that they are deadly afraid of its arguments. . . . Which is why you should read the book."--Andrew Sullivan
This is Just Fishnet Stocking Weird
Some background: Tan Nguyen is the Republican nominee for Congress for the 47th Congressional District in California. Geographically, this district encompasses an area that is essentially in the middle of Orange County. The current occupant of this congressional seat is Loretta Sanchez, the only House Representative from the OC who is a Democrat.
Mr. Nguyen got himself into some trouble recently over a letter he authorized to be sent to several households about illegal voting. Questions about attempted voter suppression are being investigated. Needless to say, Mr. Nguyen is maintaining his innocence and going forward with an otherwise ill-fated and, as illustrated by the video below, increasingly comical campaign against an entrenched incumbent (who, ironically, won the seat back in the mid-'90's in an arguably illegal fashion).
(link via RedCounty)
Some background: Tan Nguyen is the Republican nominee for Congress for the 47th Congressional District in California. Geographically, this district encompasses an area that is essentially in the middle of Orange County. The current occupant of this congressional seat is Loretta Sanchez, the only House Representative from the OC who is a Democrat.
Mr. Nguyen got himself into some trouble recently over a letter he authorized to be sent to several households about illegal voting. Questions about attempted voter suppression are being investigated. Needless to say, Mr. Nguyen is maintaining his innocence and going forward with an otherwise ill-fated and, as illustrated by the video below, increasingly comical campaign against an entrenched incumbent (who, ironically, won the seat back in the mid-'90's in an arguably illegal fashion).
(link via RedCounty)
Chick or Treat
Joe Carter of Evangelical Outpost does a nice takedown of the infamous Jack Chick comics/tracts and the suggestion that they be given to little kids on Halloween.
To me, though, Chick is not just another anti-Catholic bigot. When I was a kid Jack Chick was the man who was responsible for more nightmares than the Twilight Zone and Kolchak: The Nightstalker combined. Chick not only scared the hell out of me, he made me afraid that hell was all around me.
While his comic books are less well known than his tracts, they were a primary source of literature around my fundamentalist church. In a typical display of twisted '70s fundie logic, our congregation believed that comics about Satan and the occult were more wholesome than reading about Spiderman or Archie and Jughead.
Joe Carter of Evangelical Outpost does a nice takedown of the infamous Jack Chick comics/tracts and the suggestion that they be given to little kids on Halloween.
To me, though, Chick is not just another anti-Catholic bigot. When I was a kid Jack Chick was the man who was responsible for more nightmares than the Twilight Zone and Kolchak: The Nightstalker combined. Chick not only scared the hell out of me, he made me afraid that hell was all around me.
While his comic books are less well known than his tracts, they were a primary source of literature around my fundamentalist church. In a typical display of twisted '70s fundie logic, our congregation believed that comics about Satan and the occult were more wholesome than reading about Spiderman or Archie and Jughead.
Sunday, October 29, 2006
Republicans Don't Love the Lord
So affirms Democrat US Senate candidate, and "non-judgmental" judger, Harold Ford. (link via Powerline)
BTW, notice that Ford uses the hereto never before heard of word, "misfortunate". As one of the Powerline guys notes, if Ford were a Republican, he'd be ridiculed as being stupid.
So affirms Democrat US Senate candidate, and "non-judgmental" judger, Harold Ford. (link via Powerline)
BTW, notice that Ford uses the hereto never before heard of word, "misfortunate". As one of the Powerline guys notes, if Ford were a Republican, he'd be ridiculed as being stupid.
Saturday, October 28, 2006
Friday, October 27, 2006
Pray for the Voters of South Dakota
Hopefully, a majority of them will vote "Yes" on Referred Law 6, which essentially bans all abortions in South Dakota.
Hopefully, a majority of them will vote "Yes" on Referred Law 6, which essentially bans all abortions in South Dakota.
Thursday, October 26, 2006
From Our Ever-Bulging "Give Me an Effin' Break!" File
The totalitarian/Maoist Khmer Rouge once widely, and abusively, used a method of waterboarding on political dissidents in Cambodia. Vice President Cheney apparently has no problem with using waterboarding on captured terrorists for the purpose of extracting information about terrorist plots. Therefore, in Mark Shea's "I don't have to define the meaning of torture; I know it when I see it!" world, Cheney and the Khmer Rouge are basically indistinguishable insofar as sanctioning evil is concerned.
Now, in order for the above syllogism to have any sort of merit, one has to accept that waterboarding is torture, and that torture is intrinsically immoral. The former proposition is a close call, but I am inclined to believe that, by itself, waterboarding is not torture. This article in FrontPageMagazine.com makes a strong case for my belief.
With respect to whether torture is intrinsically immoral, at least as far as the Catholic Church is concerned, the answer is that it is not, and no amount of documented misleading rants and false proclamations by people like Mark Shea changes this fact.
In light of all this, one is left to conclude that Mark Shea thinks Cheney=Khmer Rouge because both involve human beings who breathe air. Preposterous to anyone not suffering from Bush Derangement Syndrome.
Update (10/27/06): VP Cheney denies he expressed support for waterboarding by agreeing with a radio interviewer that it was a "no brainer" to allow captured terrorists to be dunked in water for purposes of extracting information. I believe Cheney, and here's why: First, waterboarding doesn't involve dunking anyone, so it's entirely possible Cheney thought the radio interviewer was talking about something else. Second, and more significantly, Cheney isn't stupid, and given the high level of controversy over waterboarding, I can't imagine Cheney would throw fuel on the fire by coming out in a radio interview this close to Election Day and saying he supports the practice. Thus, unless there is hard proof that he is lying about not supporting waterboarding (BDS induced cynicism falls well short of this) Cheney should be given the benefit of the doubt.
The totalitarian/Maoist Khmer Rouge once widely, and abusively, used a method of waterboarding on political dissidents in Cambodia. Vice President Cheney apparently has no problem with using waterboarding on captured terrorists for the purpose of extracting information about terrorist plots. Therefore, in Mark Shea's "I don't have to define the meaning of torture; I know it when I see it!" world, Cheney and the Khmer Rouge are basically indistinguishable insofar as sanctioning evil is concerned.
Now, in order for the above syllogism to have any sort of merit, one has to accept that waterboarding is torture, and that torture is intrinsically immoral. The former proposition is a close call, but I am inclined to believe that, by itself, waterboarding is not torture. This article in FrontPageMagazine.com makes a strong case for my belief.
With respect to whether torture is intrinsically immoral, at least as far as the Catholic Church is concerned, the answer is that it is not, and no amount of documented misleading rants and false proclamations by people like Mark Shea changes this fact.
In light of all this, one is left to conclude that Mark Shea thinks Cheney=Khmer Rouge because both involve human beings who breathe air. Preposterous to anyone not suffering from Bush Derangement Syndrome.
Update (10/27/06): VP Cheney denies he expressed support for waterboarding by agreeing with a radio interviewer that it was a "no brainer" to allow captured terrorists to be dunked in water for purposes of extracting information. I believe Cheney, and here's why: First, waterboarding doesn't involve dunking anyone, so it's entirely possible Cheney thought the radio interviewer was talking about something else. Second, and more significantly, Cheney isn't stupid, and given the high level of controversy over waterboarding, I can't imagine Cheney would throw fuel on the fire by coming out in a radio interview this close to Election Day and saying he supports the practice. Thus, unless there is hard proof that he is lying about not supporting waterboarding (BDS induced cynicism falls well short of this) Cheney should be given the benefit of the doubt.
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Now This is a Response Ad
Michael J. Embryo. Click the screen to go to the originating website. The responses which try to dismiss the embryo as a human being are, at best, idiotic. (via RelapsedCatholic)
Michael J. Embryo. Click the screen to go to the originating website. The responses which try to dismiss the embryo as a human being are, at best, idiotic. (via RelapsedCatholic)
Cheer for "Soop"
I don't have a dog in this year's World Series fight, but I will be cheering for the success of Cardinals pitcher Jeff Suppan, a graduate of Crespi Carmelite High School in Encino, CA who contributed his voice to the ad against embryonic stem cell research in Missouri.
I don't have a dog in this year's World Series fight, but I will be cheering for the success of Cardinals pitcher Jeff Suppan, a graduate of Crespi Carmelite High School in Encino, CA who contributed his voice to the ad against embryonic stem cell research in Missouri.
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Counter Celeb Ad to Michael J. Fox Lie
The operative word being "counter", as opposed to "responsive". I can't for the life of me figure out what Jim Caviezel is saying at the beginning of the ad.
Briefly on the infamous Michael J. Fox ad, I found it especially sickening that Fox used his illness in the manner that he did in order to more effectively perpetuate outright lies about Jim Talent's position on non-embryonic stem cell research (Fox makes no distinction between non-embryonic and embryonic).
And oh yeah, new research shows that injecting embryonic stems cells into people with Parkinson's disease will cause them to develop brain tumors.
The operative word being "counter", as opposed to "responsive". I can't for the life of me figure out what Jim Caviezel is saying at the beginning of the ad.
Briefly on the infamous Michael J. Fox ad, I found it especially sickening that Fox used his illness in the manner that he did in order to more effectively perpetuate outright lies about Jim Talent's position on non-embryonic stem cell research (Fox makes no distinction between non-embryonic and embryonic).
And oh yeah, new research shows that injecting embryonic stems cells into people with Parkinson's disease will cause them to develop brain tumors.
Georgetown U. is not Catholic
Latest proof is the law school's endowment of a human rights chair in the name of Fr. Robert Drinan, disingenuous pro-abort Jesuit priest extaordinaire. What a joke. (link via Open Book)
Latest proof is the law school's endowment of a human rights chair in the name of Fr. Robert Drinan, disingenuous pro-abort Jesuit priest extaordinaire. What a joke. (link via Open Book)
Monday, October 23, 2006
Founding Fathers and the Nicene Creed
John Derbyshire over at The Corner asks which ones subscribed to it, and he posts a few reader responses.
Rick Brookhiser throws in his two cents.
Although some of the responses are interesting, I'm not sure they are all correct, insofar as there seems to be an erroneous equating of religious devoutness to full acceptance of and agreement with the Creed.
John Derbyshire over at The Corner asks which ones subscribed to it, and he posts a few reader responses.
Rick Brookhiser throws in his two cents.
Although some of the responses are interesting, I'm not sure they are all correct, insofar as there seems to be an erroneous equating of religious devoutness to full acceptance of and agreement with the Creed.
Friday, October 20, 2006
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