Victor Davis Hanson: I Think This Is Called Soft Power . . .

I Think This Is Called Soft Power . . . - Victor Davis Hanson - The Corner on National Review Online


Succinct, and IMHO, probably right on!



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InsideCatholic.com - What Is So Great about Catholicism?

InsideCatholic.com - What's So Great about Catholicism?


The author mentions several things that many today link to not-so-great parts of Catholic history.

Interesting article.

God bless!




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How Democrats Plan to Push Through ObamaCare

How Democrats Plan to Push Through ObamaCare 10/6/2009

John Fund discusses with James Freeman how Democrats plan to push ObamaCare through Congress.

William McGurn: The Democrats' New Bob Casey Problem

William McGurn: The Democrats' New Bob Casey Problem - WSJ.com

Congressman Bart Stupak.

A pro-life Catholic Democrat... proving that there is no 'common ground' as he fights to keep abortion funding OUT of health care...they refused the podium to Casey long ago. Now they refuse to let him get his amendments to the floor for a vote.

Yup, we really 'CAN' find 'common ground', can't we? NOT!!

Marriage Matters to Kids: Dr. Alveda King

Marriage Matters to Kids: Dr. Alveda King


No kidding! I have been saying this for YEARS in reference to forced, unilateral no fault (and probably unconstitutional) divorce and 'easy, nearly guaranteed 'annulments' from US Tribunals.

One of my questions ALWAYS pertains to the children of FIRST, and more than likely VALID marriages regardless of what Mankind says--always to be PRESUMED Valid according to Church Law)... as the 'false compassion of many in both secular AND religious give their advice that is aimed at protecting the children of second and subsequent marriages:

WHAT ABOUT OUR CHILDREN????


The video and some of the comments at the marriagematters.com website may also be worthwhile. I have not yet listened to them in full, so have no idea if they even remotely resemble my own thoughts/experience or not.


Searching this blog for any of the subjects, Elizabeth Marquardt, divorce, remarriage, etc will bring up many of my thoughts on the topic.


Lord, have Mercy!



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Iran: Lessons From the Locked Psychiatry Unit by Dr. Keith Ablow

I hope that Obama is listening, as well, Dr Ablow... Somehow, however, I highly doubt it.

God bless!

Iran: Lessons From the Locked Psychiatry Unit

by Dr. Keith Ablow

Part of my residency training in psychiatry was spent working on the locked unit at the Shattuck State Hospital in Massachusetts.  It was there that I learned strategies to keep people safe when voices or visions or delusions made them threaten others with harm—whether verbally or physically.  The strategies were very important, because some of the folks on the unit had never been violent, while others had been court-ordered to the Shattuck after committing very violent crimes, including murder.  We needed to protect not only the staff, but patients, too.
 
The lessons I learned at the Shattuck are ones that the Administration should keep in mind in dealing with Iran.  After all, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad appears either to be a pathological liar with extremely violent intentions and a willingness to distort history or to actually be delusional.  In either case, he qualifies as an inpatient on a locked psychiatric unit.
 
Here are lessons from the Shattuck:
 

PJTV - Racism Revival: How to Be A 21st Century Bigot (Senatorial Primer Included)

Pajamas TV - Racism Revival: How to Be A 21st Century Bigot (Senatorial Primer Included)


New definition of Racism exposed...


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Tom Carper Will Not Read Text of Health Care Bill....

Sooooo, they can stick anything in the 'legislative language' and then say that they didn't understand it??

I don't believe him. SOMEONE knows what it all says... GIBBERISH?? INCOMPREHENSIBLE????

Then why WRITE it that way??

American people should not read it, either, since the Legislators that write it cannot understand it---so THEY won't understand it, either???? Cuz ya KNOW, that the PEOPLE are not as smart as the Legislators.... oh, he didn't say that, huh??

Double-speak. Double speak. Double speak....

A Sober, Loving Moment by Heidi Hess Saxton

A Sober, Loving Moment by Heidi Hess Saxton


Beautiful. Had to share this.

Brought tears to my eyes as I read it.

From her blog:


Are you looking for assurances, guarantees, warrantees on your marriage? God may be calling you to something truly courageous. Have you ever heard this Prayer of Abandonment, by Charles de Foucauld?

Father, I abandon myself into your hands;

do with me what you will.
Whatever you may do, I thank you:
I am ready for all, I accept all.
Let only your will be done in me, and in all your creatures.
I wish no more than this, O Lord.

Into your hands I commend my soul;
I offer it to you
with all the love of my heart,
for I love you, Lord,
and so need to give myself,
to surrender myself into your hands,
without reserve,
and with boundless confidence,
for you are my Father.




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Catholic Martyrs of the Holocaust

MATTHEW BUNSEN

By 1939, more than 10,000 Catholic schools had been closed and the Catholic boys and girls sent to Nazi public schools for indoctrination.

Bishop von Galen The Lion of Munster

Catholics are constantly confronted with the claims that Pope Pius XII was complicit in the Holocaust, that vast numbers of Catholics collaborated with Hitler's diabolical regime, and that Catholic priests, nuns, and bishops were ardent members of the Nazi Party and supporters of its policies. It is true that many Catholics turned a blind eye to the Holocaust, and others remained silent out of fear for their lives and the safety of their families. There were certainly many ex-Catholic members of the ruling Nazi circles, just as there were Catholics in some numbers who supported the Nazis out of a twisted sense of nationalism, anti-Semitic beliefs, or for pure personal advancement in a corrupt and evil state.

But what many people don't know is that the Church itself was a target of the Nazis. On June 6, 1941, Martin Bormann, head of the Nazi Party Chancellery, private secretary to Adolf Hitler, and one of the most powerful figures in the Third Reich, issued a secret decree for all Gauleiters (or regional party leaders) of the Reich regarding the true intentions of the Nazi regime toward the Christian churches.

More and more the people must be separated from the churches and their organs the pastors . . . Just as the deleterious influences of astrologers, seers and other fakers are eliminated and suppressed by the State, so must the possibility of church influence also be totally removed . . . Not until this has happened, does the state leadership have influence on the individual citizens. Not until then are the people and Reich secure in their existence for all time. ("Relationship of National Socialism and Christianity")

The truth is many thousands of Catholic men, women, and children died in concentration camps, SS and Gestapo torture chambers, or in fields and villages across Europe for the "crime" of proclaiming the truth to one of the most evil regimes in human history. The historical reality of this oppression does not in any way reduce the culpability of some Catholics in the Holocaust, nor does it suggest that the unprecedented genocide of the Jewish people should be forgotten or considered reduced in significance.

Please go here for the rest of this article!

What the National GOP Refuses to Acknowledge

All of the emboldened sections below were in the original post.

Of particular importance, IMHO, is the paragraph that gives a message to the GOP... if you choose a liberal candidate, you are cutting your own throat.

“I have to give Markos Moulitsas credit –
he articulates well what so many in the national GOP can't hear.
The choice of liberal candidates like Dede Scozzafava is not a winning strategy for the GOP –
it’s a gift to liberal pro-abortion Democrats. "

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 5, 2009

CONTACT: Joy Yearout (703) 380-6674 or jyearout [at] sba-list.org

SBA List President:

"I agree with Markos Moulitsas. . . . Yeah, you heard me. The Daily Kos got it right."

On Daily Kos Endorsement of Scozzafava in NY-23, Moulitsas Says What the National GOP Refuses to Acknowledge

Washington, D.C. – Writing on the Daily Kos website last week, founder Markos Moulitsas endorsed liberal Republican Deirdre “Dede” Scozzafava in New York’s 23^rd Congressional race. He pointed out that Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman “has legitimate traction, fueled by the fact that Dede Scozzafava, the Republican, is actually the most liberal candidate in the race… That's why conservatives are panicked about her – for a party that is becoming more regional, more conservative, more ideologically rigid, Scozzafava's brand of moderate conservatism is grating. Hence, Hoffman has a real shot at not just playing spoiler and undermining the GOP candidate's chances, but also of potentially winning.”

In response, Susan B. Anthony List Candidate Fund President Marjorie Dannenfelser offered the following statement:

“I agree with Markos Moulitsas’ assessment of the climate in New York’s 23rd congressional district. Yeah, you heard me. The Daily Kos got it right. Moulitsas recently made the case for those on the Right to support Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman in the race for New York’s 23rd congressional district, a district that polls GOP and conservative.

“He argued that Hoffman ‘has legitimate traction, fueled by the fact that Dede Scozzafava, the Republican, is actually the most liberal candidate in the race.’ Her liberal bona fides outstrip most Democrats. That’s why Moulitsas went on to announce his endorsement of the GOP candidate, Dede Scozzafava. That's also why Hoffman has received the heavyweight conservative endorsements; including the Susan B. List Candidate Fund, the Club for Growth, Fred Thompson and Gary Bauer.

“I have to give Markos Moulitsas credit – he articulates well what so many in the national GOP can't hear. The choice of liberal candidates like Dede Scozzafava is not a winning strategy for the GOP – it’s a gift to liberal pro-abortion Democrats. The Susan B. Anthony List Candidate Fund will be communicating directly with voters in the run-up to this special election. With two liberals dividing their vote and one conservative alternative, the only pro-life candidate in the race – Doug Hoffman – has a clear shot to victory.”

The Susan B. Anthony List Candidate Fund has endorsed Doug Hoffman for Congress. The fund supports pro-life female candidates, as well as pro-life male candidates who run against female candidates in favor of abortion rights. The special election in New York’s 23^rd Congressional District is scheduled to be held on November 3, 2009. The election will fill the vacancy left by Rep. John McHugh, who was recently confirmed by the Senate as President Obama’s new Secretary of the Army.

The Susan B. Anthony List is a nationwide network of Americans, over 167,000 residing in all 50 states, dedicated to mobilizing, advancing, and representing pro-life women in politics. Its connected Candidate Fund increases the percentage of pro-life women in the political process.

###

UPDATE 10/6/09

From a reader:

Anonymous said...

It is fine to talk about how bad things are, but it is most important in the Hoffman race for people to make a contribution to his campaign, no matter how small. You can do so at Doughoffmanforcongress.com. Most people in the huge district don't know him or what he believes and he needs to get his message out. This election could make a big difference nationally even though it is just one person, and he needs help to buy advertising.

From the website:

Dear friends,
I'm running for Congress because I sense the America I love is being taken away from us.
I want to tell Washington: No more bailouts. No more taxes. No more trillion dollar deficits.

That's what I'm fighting for. My opponents have bought and paid for $876,000 in TV ads.
I urgently need to raise $125, 000. Immediately.

My opponents are a liberal Republican who voted for gay marriage (twice) and was endorsed by ACORN.

And a Nancy Pelosi Democrat.

Defeating them comes down to one cold, hard fact – money.

In 1980, I helped Lake Placid with our Olympics when the US beat the Russians in hockey – the same year Reagan was elected. It’s time to send Washington a new message now.

Please watch this video. Then make a donation.

Thank you,
Doug Hoffman

Medical Parodies by The Laryngospasms

Not sure why videos that I have been sending directly to the blog from youtube have not been showing up, nor for how long this has been happening, but these are some that I wanted to share, from a lighter side of life.

I really enjoyed them (coming from a health care background, especially), and hope that you do, as well!

The Laryngospasms....




Not quite as good.. and much shorter:




Then, I had a good time with this one:





And there are two for the price of one in this final one.... two song/parodies, that is~






Hope that you enjoyed these, because there are times that humor is really needed.

God bless!

Helen Alvare could teach us well!

I wish that I had one tenth of the poise this lady had in this video when I am having a discussion with those who do not agree with me on LIFE issues, as well as forced unilateral no fault divorce and the subsequent 'easy annulments' of the US Tribunals!


This is an older article about Helen Alvare, seen in action in that video, with thanks to Patrick Madrid for the url.

Jan/Feb 1997 - Diplomatic Corps

From the article:

Quote:

This absence of stage fright stands her in good stead when she's speaking on behalf of unborn babies.

"You have to know and state your arguments and do so in a relaxed fashion - and be quick on your feet."

Simple.

Yet the 36-year-old mother of two, whose husband is an international trade analyst for the government, admits she worried about accepting the role as the Bishops' Director of Planning and Information for Pro-Life Activities - even though she felt she was being called to it in prayer. She had received her master's in theology from the Catholic University of America in 1989 and was in the middle of the doctoral program when the Knights of Columbus agreed to fund the position in 1990.

End quote

She is one very smart lady.

Health care reform: Privately, Barack Obama strongly backs public option -- chicagotribune.com

The public option is still being put together quietly, and behind the scenes. We need to be more alert than we have ever been:

Health care reform: Privately, Barack Obama strongly backs public option -- chicagotribune.com




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Actor Eduardo Verástegui visits prisoners to talk about second chances

The more I hear and read of Eduardo Eduardo Verástegui, the more impressed I am....

Oct 1, 2009 / 04:00 am (CNA).- Mexican movie star Eduardo Verástegui on Wednesday visited Gatesville Prison in Gatesville, Texas to tell prisoners how acting in the movie Bella inspired him to change his way of life and gave him a second chance.

The visit is part of a new program called Jose’s Second Chance, based on the lead character of Jose in the movie Bella. The character was given a second chance after a tragic accident resulted in his imprisonment.

“During my preparation for this role, I realized I was not the man that I had been raised to be and that I wanted to be,” Verástegui said before the visit.

The movie star explained that playing the role of Jose convinced him he could change his ways and “lead a life that I could be proud of” in both his public and private life.

“I've dedicated my acting career to only portraying men that are heroes--not like Batman or Superman--but real heroes,” he continued. “Men who are hard- working, men of faith, men who are faithful to their wives … men like my father, and to stop perpetuating stereotypes often associated with Latino actors.

“The next act of our lives has not been written. We can write those chapters by the decisions we make and I want to share this truth with those I will meet today," the famous Mexican actor said.

Read the rest of this article here:

Actor Eduardo Verástegui visits prisoners to talk about second chances



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Short Film: Chicken a la Carte by Ferdinand Dimadura

This speaks for itself. Sometimes those of us who think we have not much are, in actuality, very well off.

There were times that my own family took home the bony carcass and other left overs after holiday meals in order to have soup, etc, at home. But never did we have to resort to taking the remains from others' plates.

View this movie at cultureunplugged.com

Chicken a la Carte : Director: Ferdinand Dimadura | Genre: Drama | Produced In: 2005

Synopsis: This film is about the hunger and poverty brought about by Globalization. There are 10,000 people dying everyday due to hunger and malnutrition. This short film shows a forgotten portion of the society. The people who live on the refuse of men to survive. What is inspiring is the hope and spirituality that never left this people.

EEOC Nominee Signed Radical Marriage Manifesto that Praised Polygamy

I think that they know exactly what they are doing. Those who worked so very hard here in the US to get no fault, forced, unilateral divorce knew, and they also knew that it was based on Communist Russia's "post card divorce".

The object is to destroy the family. Same with the welfare laws that required the man of the house to be out before any ... Read Morebenefits could be obtained. Destroy the family. Same with the 'easy' US Tribunal "annulments" that use such frivolous explanations to find "Null" verdicts, but also use the fact that a couple ended up in divorce court as 'proof' that there was no marriage--for you know, if there HAD been one, they would not have ended in divorce... that in spite of the fact that MANY have been counseled by priests and other 'Spiritual Directors' to go ahead and serve the papers, then aided in the Nullity process. And of course, when that fails, and a Valid Marriage is upheld, then the wise counsel is to go the route of "Internal Forum" which the Holy Father (JPII) has said is NOT legitimate in the cases of Marriage......
Oh, don't get me started... sigh...

And she works at Georgetown...


EEOC nominee signed radical marriage manifesto that praised polygamy



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