Senator Obama is leaving the campaign trail on Thursday until Saturday to visit in Hawaii his gravely ill maternal grandmother Madelyn Dunham. I trust that all Catholics, especially Catholics who, as I do, support Senator McCain, will pray for Madelyn Dunham and Senator Obama. Catholics understand the neverending need for God, especially at moments of
Prayers Over Politics Read More »
One of the things that quickly tires me is overblown political rhetoric; although it’s easy to give in to the temptation (I sure have a time or ninety), it simply serves no good purpose in advancing a civil and constructive political discourse. I’m all for making arguments for and against candidates (see the post below),
We're All Socialists Now Read More »
It occurred to me recently that the typical Pro-Life Catholic Obama Supporter finds himself in a bit of a pickle… on the one hand, he obviously hopes (and prays?) that Senator Obama wins the presidential election; on the other hand, in order for his repeated assurances that there’s just no way that Obama’s abortion extremism
The Dilemma of the PLCOS Read More »
Amy Welborn had a post the other day making a very important point, summing up much of what I’ve been thinking but not successfully putting into words for much of the interminable lead-up to this election. Amy asks: [I]s Catholic politico-talk, particularly in the present moment, as most of us are engaging in it, taking
The Moral Content of Politics Read More »
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?aq=f&emb=0&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fvideo.google.com%2Fvideosearch%3Fq%3Dbiden+international+crisis&v=Ymy0Woaz81U] Joe Biden, Democrat candidate for Veep and human gaffe machine, dropped his unintentional comic relief personae and became very serious in a meeting of Democrat fund-raisers on October 19, in Seattle, Washington. He predicted that within six months of the election of Obama an international crisis would be generated to test the mettle of the
Biden and Def Con 1 Read More »
My wife’s grandfather, Dave, died Saturday night after a long fight with a rare form of Lou Gehrig’s disease. As opposed to the more common forms that start in the appendages and work their up, this started immediately at the head and worked its way down. In his last days, he could not feed himself,
Reflections on Death Read More »
Since Joe Wurzelbacher asked a question of Senator Obama on October 11, 2008 which proved to be potentially damaging to the Obama campaign, the following has happened to Mr. Wurzelbacher:
The War on Joe the Plumber Read More »
If you’ve been watching only the network newscasts and CNN and MSNBC as well as reading only the New York Times, Washington Post, and the Boston Globe you would think that the U.S. presidency was all but a done deal for Senator Barack Obama to win the White House. Poll after poll shows Senator Obama
Those 'Fishy' Polls Read More »
I just read over at Vivificat that former Secretary of State Gen. Colin Powell has endorsed Barack Obama for President. To tell the truth, although Powell is a Republican, I am not surprised. I am shocked and saddened though that another African American political figure has decided o support the most pro-abortion candidate in the
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxIhXjIqmiI]
Obama's Pie Problem Read More »
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?aq=f&emb=0&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fvideo.google.com%2Fvideosearch%3Fq%3Drice+of+the+cossacks&v=3x9WwQvwEF8] [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrrwzfAI5uU&feature=related] Something for the weekend. Two versions of Franz Waxman’s immortal Ride to Dubno, aka Ride of the Cossacks: dueling pianists and the full Hollywood treatment in the 1962 movie Taras Bulba for which the song was composed. Great to listen to if you need an energy boost.
Compare and Contrast Read More »
Earlier this week, Donald McClarey introduced us to “Joe the Plumber”, referenced by McCain in the third presidential debate. The website Family Security Matters carries a exclusive online interview with Joe Wurzelbacher. Some excerpts: See, I believe in working for what I get. I don’t want to say it’s a handout, but essentially that’s what
Obama, 'Joe the Plumber' and Catholic Social Teaching Read More »
Tonight Denver’s Archbishop Charles Chaput gave an address at a dinner for the national Catholic women’s group ENDOW (Educating on the Nature and Dignity of Women), in which he critiqued the arguments of Prof. Doug Kmiec in favor of voting for Senator Obama, despite his stance on abortion. A condensed and adapted version of the
Archbishop Chaput Weighs In Again Read More »
There are two poles, I think, to Christian attitudes towards the state. At the one pole is a catacomb mentality. Here Christians think of the state as an unrelievedly secular force, and they seek to render what they must unto Caesar while keeping themselves aloof from its corrupting influence. At the other pole is what
Catacombs or New Jerusalem? Read More »
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?aq=f&emb=0&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fvideo.google.com%2Fvideosearch%3Fq%3Dal+smith+dinner&v=kAjAtYqczkk] [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?aq=f&emb=0&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fvideo.google.com%2Fvideosearch%3Fq%3Dal+smith+dinner&v=v5SWQJWm6Tg] I have always admired Al Smith, the Democrat who was the first Catholic to run for President on a major party ticket in 1928. Each year the Al Smith dinner is held in New York to raise funds for Catholic Charities. It is traditional each Presidential election year for the major party candidates
As the father of an autistic son, who is one of the lights of my life, I find it hard to convey adequately how much the pro-life witness of the Palins means to me. This video, which discusses Palin’s “special base”, does the job for me.
The quixotically named Catholic blogger Morning’s Minion has a post this morning in which he (yet again) tries to make the case that the pro-life issue is basically a wash between Senators Obama and McCain. Now, I know that many of our readers already agree that MM’s conclusion is wrong, and deeply wrong, but I
Federalist vs. Pro-Life Read More »
While sitting down with a group of friends for an afternoon of games, the issue of pregnancy came up. My friends, which are of a liberal bent, had the following things to say about pregnancy: “the most contracted STD”, supporting a “parasite”, like “having cancer”, and a few other clever remarks we’ve all heard hundreds
The Root of All Abortion Read More »
For those of you who were wondering during the debate last night, who the heck is Joe the Plumber?, here is a video of his encounter with Senator Obama. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?aq=f&emb=0&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fvideo.google.com%2Fvideosearch%3Fq%3Djoe+plumber&v=ElPBxiVxVEw] Here is Joe’s reaction to the encounter: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?aq=f&emb=0&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fvideo.google.com%2Fvideosearch%3Fq%3Djoe+plumber&v=TtYMcMYvW9Q] I have run a small business, my law firm, since 1985. It provides the entire livelihood for
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?aq=f&emb=0&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fvideo.google.com%2Fvideosearch%3Fq%3Dpalin+florida&v=anieuWFWe8s] Abortion survivor Gianna Jessen speaks for 45,000,000 plus of our fellow Americans who are unable to vote come election day.
Gianna Jessen on Obama Read More »
As Weekly Standard notes, Obama lied regarding his motivation for voting against the Illinois born alive infant protection act: Questioned about his vote against the born-alive infants protection act, Obama said: “There was already a law on the books that required lifesaving treatment, which is why … I voted against it.” Obama and his colleagues
Final Debate: Obama Lied (Once Again) On BAIPA Read More »
(via Pro Ecclesia) Over at Public Discourse, Prof. Robert George has an article entitled “Obama’s Abortion Extremism” which is very much worth reading: I have examined the arguments advanced by Obama’s self-identified pro-life supporters, and they are spectacularly weak. It is nearly unfathomable to me that those advancing them can honestly believe what they are
Robert George On Obama's Pro-Life Defenders Read More »
When Father Francis P. Duffy, pastor of Our Savior parish in the Bronx, was appointed chaplain of the 69th Infantry Regiment of the New York National Guard in 1914, he was already an old hand at being a military chaplain, having served as one in 1898 during the Spanish American
Father Duffy and the Fighting 69th Read More »
Some may recall that there was an episode of media hysteria a couple weeks ago over fears that the GOP vice presidential nominee couldn’t read — based upon Governor Palin’s failure (or refusal) in an interview with Katie Couric to name magazines and newspapers that had “formed her worldview”.
Judging by the questions that have been asked during the two presidential and one vice-presidential debates, one might have the impression that all Americans care about are the economy and Iraq. Granting the legitimacy of concerns about both, John J. Pitney Jr. runs through a list of topics thus far absent from discussion.
Deliberately Omitted? What's Missing From The Debates Read More »
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3E3Vhnfhk-c&eurl=http://hotair.com/archives/2008/10/12/new-rnc-ad-guilt-by-participation/] A new net ad from the McCain campaign on the ties between Senator Obama and William Ayers, unrepentant terrorist. Stanley Kurtz has done yeoman service in revealing the deep connections between Obama and a man who once declared war on the United States.
Guilt by Participation Read More »
“Catholic Answers: Two books for voters who take their faith seriously”– Doug Kmiec, who has lately become something of a poster-boy and spokesman for ‘Catholics for Obama’, reviews Archbishop Chaput’s Render unto Caesar: Serving the Nation by Living Our Catholic Beliefs in Political Life (Doubleday, 2008) and A Nation for All How the Catholic Vision
Kmiec on Korzen, Kelly and Chaput – A Matter of Priorities Read More »
When Sara and I were working through our marriage preparation last fall, Fr. Gallinger warned all of us that we should make sure to have the marriage license ready before the ceremony. After all, there’s nothing like reaching Saturday and finding out that the courthouses are closed. I assume this is a general cautionary for
Sarah Palin and Small Town America Read More »
In discussion with my more politically progressive Catholic brethren, I’ve had it put to me that the American political party which receives by preference has at its heart a “preferential option for the rich.” Supporting a Democrat such as Obama may mean compromising on the abortion issue (while hoping that the economic miracle that will
Preferential Option for the Middle Class? Read More »
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?emb=0&aq=1&v=AQqO2x39FLs&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fvideo.google.com%2Fvideosearch%3Fq%3Dlincoln+and+liberty+too&oq=lincoln+and+li] I live in the Land of Lincoln. I sometimes joke that we call ourselves that because Lincoln was the only honest politician ever to come from Illinois. Each summer the family and I go down to Springfield. We see the Lincoln museum and go over to the Lincoln tomb. We say a few prayers
Lincoln and Liberty Too Read More »
Senator Obama claims that he is a Christian. Yet when citing the Golden Rule it applies to non-mistakes nor punishments:
Senator Obama's 'Nuanced' Golden Rule Read More »
The [“Born Alive controversy”] does show him to be a down-the-line pro-choice legislator. In fact, the charge that Obama is the most pro-choice candidate in years may well be true (though the other Democrats were pretty pro-choice too). When I read through the legislative history, I came to believe that Obama’s general impulse was: when
Obama: Reason To Be Afraid. Read More »
Glenn Reynolds at Instapundit says it all: “NO JUSTICE, NO PEACE? So we’ve had nearly 8 years of lefty assassination fantasies about George W. Bush, and Bill Ayers’ bombing campaign is explained away as a consequence of him having just felt so strongly about social justice, but a few people yell things at McCain rallies
Anger and Politics Read More »
Ignatius Insight publishes a 2-part review-essay by Mark Brumley, on Fr. Rodger Charles’ An Introduction to Catholic Social Teaching: It is a cliché in Catholic circles that the Catholic Church’s social teaching is her “best kept secret.” But like many clichés, there’s a great deal of truth to it. Few Catholics seem aware that the
Rodger Charles' "Introduction to Catholic Social Teaching" Read More »
For years pro-lifers have dreamed about a national candidate who is not only pro-life, but who actually talks about it, and not just to pro-life groups. We have such a candidate in Sarah Palin. Here is the text of the relevant portion of her remarks at a rally in Johnstown, Pennsylvania today:
Palin On Abortion In Johnstown, Pennsylvania-October 11 Read More »
Life, Faith, and Family. As American Catholics we need to exercise our civic duty to vote come this November 2008. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61wj4tJICcc] www.CatholicVote.com
American Catholic 2008 Read More »
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9MRbek0JXk No particular reason for posting this. I just love the song. Something for the weekend.
Okay, maybe not. But one of his characters was more intellectually- and existentially-consistent that many (or even most) Americans of any religious affiliation, including Catholics. I’m talking about the hitman Vincent in the 2004 film Collateral, starring Cruise and Jamie Foxx and directed by Michael Mann. Read on…
Tom Cruise, First-Rate Philosopher Read More »
[This is a very slightly modified reprint of a post from my personal blog from several months ago, but one which I thought relevant to build upon as we seek to lay the foundation for a principled and polite discussion of politics from a Catholic perspective.] Two and half years ago, when the situation in
Tribalism and Politics Read More »
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLDWIIYzCrQ&eurl=http://hotair.com/archives/2008/10/09/audio-palin-and-laura-ingraham-knock-obama-on-abortion-ayers] When it comes to abortion, the choice in this election couldn’t be more stark.
Palin on Obama and Abortion Read More »
The Gods of the Copybook Headings As I pass through my incarnations in every age and race, I make my proper prostrations to the Gods of the Market Place. Peering through reverent fingers I watch them flourish and fall, And the Gods of the Copybook Headings, I notice, outlast them all.
A Poem For Our Times Read More »
Senator Obama has stated that he wants the Internet to be regulated. CNET had this exchange of a MoveOn.org member asking Senator Obama this very question: He asked Obama: “Would you make it a priority in your first year of office to reinstate Net neutrality as the law of the land? And would you pledge
A President Obama Will Silence Catholics Read More »
Deal Hudson (InsideCatholic.com) reports that the U.S. Bishop’s Conference Gave ACORN Over $1,000,000 in 2007: The Catholic Campaign for Human Development gave $1.1 million to ACORN in 2007. You can find this fact on the CCHD website. If you add up all the groups called ACORN or Association Of Community Organization For Reform Now, you
Obama, ACORN and the US Bishops' Conference* Read More »
One is often told by pro-choice advocates that even a complete legal ban would not succeed in eliminating abortions — just in driving them under ground. I think that’s true. However, I see no reason why our inability to eliminate all abortions through a legal ban should prevent us from having a legal ban. Consider,
Abortion Will Not Go Away Read More »
The question of the role of religion and faith in politics should not be as controversial as it is today, and yet it comes up time and again. Will a Catholic president bow to the Pope? Will a Mormon president bow to the Prophet in Utah? Will a candidate be willing to honor the “separation
Religion in the Political Realm Read More »
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?emb=0&aq=0&v=pf0XIRZSTt8&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fvideo.google.com%2Fvideosearch%3Fq%3Dobama+freedom+of+choice+act&oq=obama+free] Below is the text of the legislation that Obama is pledged to sign. Here is an analysis from Americans United for Life assessing the likely impact of the Freedom of Choice Act. Obama is the most pro-abortion candidate to ever run for national office on a major party ticket.
Obama and the Freedom Of Choice Act Read More »
Destiny attended Emmeran Bliemel at his birth on the feast day of Saint Michael the Archangel, patron saint of soldiers, in 1831 in Bavaria. From his early boyhood his burning desire was to be a missionary to German Catholics in far off America. Joining a Benedictine Abbey in Latrobe, Pennsylvania in 1851, he was ordained a
Even more, the Word of God is the foundation of everything, it is the true reality. And to be realistic, we must rely upon this reality. We must change our notion that matter, solid things, things we can touch, is the most solid, the most certain reality. At the end of the Sermon on the
The Only Sure Foundation … Read More »
I’m not sure that anyone, at any point of the political spectrum would consider what our nation witnessed last night under the name of “debate” to be an example of scintillating civic discourse. No one has asked me how to run our national political campaigns, so I thought I’d just present my idea of an
In Peggy Noonan’s weekend Wall Street Journal column she congratulates Gov. Palin on what she judges to have been a strong (though not substantive) debate performance. At the same time, however, she still sports bruised feelings from the reception that she and other “conservative critics” of Palin received in recent weeks: We saw this week,
The Scary Thing Is: We Really Mean It Read More »