Previously I had posted about government snooping on Joe the Plumber here. Ohio Inspector General Tom Charles has now reported that no fewer than six governmental agencies, including the office of the Attorney General of the State of Ohio, and the Ohio Department of Taxation, accessed state records on Joe Wurzelbacher. The lesson is
The War on Joe the Plumber-Update Read More »
This is the first part of a post of a (hopefully) accurate depiction of Catholic social teaching and the issue of just wages. Here we cover the nature of the problem, give a brief description of Catholic teaching on work and private property, and the duties of the employer and employee. Part II will come
On Just Wages, Work, and CST (Part I) Read More »
My friend Jay Anderson over at his always well worth reading blog, has a story about Father Jay Scott Newman’s controversial decision that voters for Obama should do penance before receiving communion. The anonymous comments are priceless. Perhaps some of our readers would care to share their thoughts pro and con over there? For the record, my guess
Obama and Consequences Read More »
John Kass has a great column in the Trib about a simple experiment in tolerance. Those who prate most about diversity and tolerance should try some.
Tolerance in the Land of Lincoln Read More »
Smart takes from Manzi and McArdle. A question: I understand the political argument for an automobile industry bail-out. Unions are a valued Democratic constituency, and many of the potentially affected employees and suppliers live in swing states. But is there a good argument for the bail-out on policy grounds? If GM can’t convince investors to
Rescue Packages & the Automobile Industry Read More »
I have never given a dime to the Campaign for Human Development. The always indispensable Father Neuhaus explains why here: “Which brings me, finally, to another and related matter that will surely be discussed in Baltimore and deserves to be on the agenda. The Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) is an annual collection in parishes,
By way of Carl Olson comes Can You Trust Thomas Merton? – an evaluation of the Trappist monk and contemplative Thomas Merton which appears in This Rock, by Dr. Anthony E. Clark. As with most critical evaluations of Merton, Clark mentions some by-now-familiar pieces of controversy in Merton’s life — His fathering a child during
Thomas Merton, American Catholic Read More »
The Onion, perhaps a tad bit more reliable than most of the media, debates the burning question: Should we close the National Money Hole? (Fess up, didn’t you always believe that is where much of your tax money was going?) Content Warning: one instance of scatalogical language.
The National Money Hole? Read More »
John Henry’s article A Coalition For Me, But Not For Thee was starting to get highjacked by the discussion of a just wage, mostly because of me, so I offer this now as a place to openly discuss what a just wage is. I don’t mean ideally in terms of a wage that provides for
Just Wage Open Forum Read More »
As Jim Lackey of the Catholic News Service says, “straight off the presses”. Cardinal George released a statement roughly around 1:00 pm Central Standard Time. I’ll put some commentary later this evening, in the time being here is the official statement by the USCCB concerning President-elect Obama and abortion [emphasis and commentary mine]: STATEMENT of the
Cardinal George's Official Statment on Abortion Read More »
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops have made fighting against the Freedom of Choice Act a high priority in their current meeting. The Catholic Church and the incoming Obama administration are on a collision course in regard to abortion. For every American Catholic the choice couldn’t be starker: which side are you on?
FOCA meet the USCCB Read More »
Morning’s Minion over at Vox Nova, recently argued that the pro-life movement should disentangle itself from the Republican party. I think a fairly good argument can be made for this position, although I don’t find it entirely convincing. As anyone familiar with the blogosphere is aware, however, the fact that a good argument can be
A Coalition For Me, But Not For Thee Read More »
“It’s a warm spring Sunday at Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church in Richmond. As the minister is about to present Holy Communion, a tall well-dressed black man sitting in the section reserved for African Americans unexpectedly advances to the communion rail; unexpectedly because this has never happened here before.
General Lee's Greatest Victory Read More »
Lord Jesus, Mighty Warrior and Prince of Peace, through the intercession of St. Michael and Our Lady of Victory, we pray for the protection of our loved ones called to serve in time of war. By Your grace, o Lord, may they be strong and of good courage. And by your grace also, may we
One of the primary tasks of a historian, as I understand it, is to craft a coherent narrative out of the available facts. These narratives are important, as people are often suspicious to the point of irrationality when presented with information that contradicts their preconceptions. For this reason, I think it is worthwhile to push
Narrative of a Defeat: Why the Republicans Lost (It Wasn't Pro-Lifers) Read More »
TO THE UNKNOWN WARRIOR by G.K.Chesterton You whom the kings saluted; who refused not The one great pleasure of ignoble days, Fame without name and glory without gossip, Whom no biographer befouls with praise. Who said of you “Defeated”? In the darkness The dug-out where the limelight never comes, Nor the big drum of Barnum’s
“In good King Charles‘s golden days, When Loyalty no harm meant; A Furious High-Church man I was, And so I gain’d Preferment. Unto my Flock I daily Preach’d, Kings are by God appointed, And Damn’d are those who dare resist, Or touch the Lord’s Anointed.
Dedicated to Douglas Kmiec Read More »
Cardinal Ratzinger once said in an interview that the Church may have to shrink, but it would be a purer more faithful Church if this were to happen (1). I’ve been reflecting on these words since Election Day, especially in reference to the many Catholics that voted for the most unabashedly pro-choice (pro-abortion) candidate in
Truth and Consequences Read More »
So the Republican Party is reeling, trying to find its voice and a clear path forward in the aftermath of a terrible, horrible, no-good, very-bad defeat. While initially we hear that the party will be led by fresh faces, such as Sarah Palin and Bobby Jindal, and that forerunners for 2012 will also include Mike
Thou Shalt Not Run Smear Campaigns Read More »
Today, regarding Kmiec (et al.): But to claim that a candidate who seems primed to begin disbursing taxpayer dollars in support of abortion and embryo-destructive research as soon as he enters the White House somehow represented the better choice for anti-abortion Americans on anti-abortion grounds is an argument that deserves to met, not with engagement,
Ross Douthat: Not Backing Down Read More »
John Allen provides an encouraging report on Francis Cardinal George’s remarks as USCCB president regarding the election of Senator Obama to the presidency: Cardinal Francis George, speaking this morning as president of the U.S. bishops’ conference, said all Americans should “rejoice” that a country which once tolerated slavery has elected an African-American as president –
Cardinal George Issues Congratulations & Challenge to Obama Read More »
Peter Hitchens, the non-insane and non-drunk Hitchens brother, on Obama.
The Sane and Sober Hitchens on Obama Read More »
Every election cycle, the New York Times and similar publications run op-eds or features discussing the ’emerging trend’ (always emerging, never quite emerged) of pro-lifers reconciling themselves to voting for the Democratic party. These articles vary widely in quality, and range from intelligent and provocative (if flawed) to embarrassing, but the most common feature is
Are Pro-Lifers Stuck With the Republican Party? Read More »
Great: President-elect Obama is planning to quickly change President Bush’s ban on federal funding for research that creates & kills human beings to get their precious embryonic stem cells.
Let's Get Started! Read More »
One of the joys of the internet is stumbling upon something new and wonderful, at least to the stumbler. I have always had a strong interest in science fiction. I recently came across the Sci-Fi Catholic blog which explores the genre from a Catholic perspective. The proprietor of the blog, D. G. D. Davidson, is a
Interesting Blog Alert! Read More »
Religion News Service reports that the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ plans to discuss abortion and politics next week in Baltimore have been scuttled”:
Bishops remove discussion of politics and abortion from conference agenda Read More »
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uYrmYXsujI] In my opinion Luciano Pavarotti’s Ave Maria is one of the most well sung I’ve ever heard. Andrea Bocelli just can’t compare when singing Ave Maria. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a Bocelli fan, but Pavarotti is just much more masculine, vibrant, and lively when singing this particular rendition of Ave Maria.
Schubert's Ave Maria Sung By Luciano Pavarotti Read More »
A very liberal friend in California challenged my support of Proposition 8 and homosexual “marriage” by stating that the faithful would still be able to “discriminate” against them in churches. Well, beside the utter ridiculousness of her statement, it looks to me like she was wrong. Los Angeles saw a massive gathering in front of
A Persecuted Church? Read More »
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?aq=f&emb=0&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fvideo.google.com%2Fvideosearch%3Fq%3Dpaco+bell&v=8Af372EQLck] Something for the weekend. After the turmoil of the election I thought the Canon in D Major by Pachelbel was called for.
I have lived in the Land of Lincoln my entire life, except for a brief period as a small boy when my parents lived in Saint John’s Newfoundland, the homeland of my sainted mother.
So I sit on the couch watching Thursday Night Football, cringing at the poor performance of the Denver Broncos, and alternatively trying to work on my writing and my reading. And then it pops up during one of those lulls in action. Spicy chicken nuggets from Wendy’s. My stomach rumbles, and I immediately consider the
Ever since McGovern, Democrats repeatedly staked their electoral hopes on an expended avalanch of young voters. This year, it appeared to happen, with Obama winning the votes of 18-29 year olds in a landslide: Democratic brand domination was the corollary to Obama’s 66%-32% blowout among 18-29 year-old voters. The youth also voted 63%-34% for House
Examining the "Youth Vote" Read More »
An important component of a political comeback for conservatives will be grass roots organizations. During the campaign Team Sarah sprang up to support Governor Palin. The campaign is over but Team Sarah is still going strong. It is a predominantly female group, my wife and daughter belong, but men are welcome too. Here is their
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDTcwMn1wmQ] As was stated in the movie The Untouchables, “We laugh because it’s funny, and we laugh because it’s true. ” Courtesy of the Onion with a salute to Rick Lugari who brought it to my attention.
Defeat in Victory? Read More »
It’s a new day in America, and people are celebrating the rise of a staunchly “pro-choice” president unwavering in his support of Roe v. Wade and dedicated to expanding universal access to abortion.
Many of us on the conservative side of the spectrum have been sounding a tad cranky the last couple days. Still, occasionally this frustration is channeled into well deserved directions. Commenter and fellow Steubenville alumnus FUS01 pointed me towards a great piece by Ross Douthat, part of an open discussion on the future of the
Douthat Puts Kmiec in His Place Read More »
Damian Thompson from the Holy Smoke blog in London’s Daily Telegraph newspaper has declared Barack Obama as America’s first secular president. Not far from being the truth some would say that Bill Clinton was pretty secular as well. But I believe the point that Mr. Thompson was attempting to get across was the simple
America's First Secular President? Read More »
Shazam, as Gomer Pyle used to say in the Sixties! The Iraqi government claims that Senator Obama has reassured them that he will not precipitously withdraw troops from Iraq, and it appears that the end of 2011 might be a target date. To my anti-war friends on the Left I suggest that if I were in your shoes I
Obama Broken Promises, A Continuing Series Read More »
After any great political defeat it is essential for members of that party to debate what went wrong and how the party can prevail in the future. Representative Thaddeus G. McCotter has made a good start with this essay in the American Spectator.
Pope Benedict, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and a dean from the Regina Apostolorum Pontifical University weigh in on the results of the election.
Election 2008 – Perspectives from Rome & the USCCB Read More »
So we lost. I don’t like it a bit, but it’s not exactly a surprise, and there it is. What is one to make of it all? The Historic Moment A great many people have commented on the historic nature of a black man being elected president of the United States — when in some
Reflections on a Defeat Read More »
Just to update a prior post — The Washington Times reports that the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has hired forensic accounting specialists to investigate more than $1 million in church funding to voter-registration group ACORN:
USCCB Investigates $1 Million Church Funding to ACORN Read More »
While there is generally little to rejoice at in the results of yesterdays elections, there is a glimmer of light on the West Coast for those who believe in Christianity and Western Culture: As of this morning California Proposition 8, which would amend the California state constitution with the words “only marriage between a man
Marriage Looks to Win in California Read More »
Today is Guy Fawkes’ Day in England. This Catholic-bashing holiday is not observed in America and the Father of Our Country is largely the reason why. “As the Commander in Chief has been apprized of a design form’d for the observance of that ridiculous and childish custom of burning the Effigy of the pope –
Remember, Remember… Read More »
… other than what Jay Anderson has already said here. Thank you, Jay.
There isn't anything I could say on tonight's election… Read More »
Say not the struggle naught availeth, The labour and the wounds are vain, The enemy faints not, nor faileth, And as things have been, things remain. If hopes were dupes, fears may be liars; It may be, in yon smoke concealed, Your comrades chase e’en now the fliers,
Ad Astra Per Aspera Read More »
270 Electoral Votes Needed to Win McCain/Palin: 155 Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, Wyoming Obama/Biden: 338 (Obama wins the presidency) California, Colorado, Connecticut, D.C., Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New Jersey, New
American Catholic Election 2008 Coverage Read More »
Dear American Catholic readers, this evening I’ll be online with continuous updates on American Catholic with election news and commentary. I’ll provide links and information as I gather them for you to peruse. Political pundits are predicting an easy Obama victory probably early in the night. My personal prognostications are that it’s
A.C. '08 Election Coverage Tonight Read More »
O Father in Heaven, Today we stand at a crossroads, and we ask humbly for Your guidance. We pray for the graces to discern with open eyes and a clear understanding of Your intent for us this day. Help us to be humble, to not let overweening pride or human ideology come between us and
Not laying claim to any powers of clairvoyance, especially in this odd election year, I make no predictions as to the outcome in the presidential race. However I did find the analysis in this article interesting. By tomorrow, hopefully, we will know whether the analysis is accurate as well as interesting.