Read my column here.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Anti Catholicism; All American Pastime?
"It is not hyperbole to call prejudice against the Catholic Church a national pastime. Scholars such as Arthur Schlesinger Sr. referred to it as "the deepest bias in the history of the American people," while John Higham described it as "the most luxuriant, tenacious tradition of paranoiac agitation in American history." "The anti-Semitism of the left," is how Paul Viereck reads it, and Professor Philip Jenkins sub-titles his book on the topic "the last acceptable prejudice."
Archbishop Dolan of New York
The good Archbishop points out examples, mostly from the New York Times of blatant bias against Catholics. For example: public school sexual abuse statistics show rampant unreported child abuse which goes unreported while a Franciscan who fathered a child with a consenting adult woman is treated as big news.
Maureen Dowd goes ballistic, reciting a litany of presumed sins of the Church because the Vatican has the nerve in her opinion to visit communities of women religious, the way it visited US seminaries. Twice.
This is part of the fabric of American journalism. And they wonder why no one is buying the Times, while Fox News is having a banner year.
Read the entire article on Fox News Forum.
Archbishop Dolan of New York
The good Archbishop points out examples, mostly from the New York Times of blatant bias against Catholics. For example: public school sexual abuse statistics show rampant unreported child abuse which goes unreported while a Franciscan who fathered a child with a consenting adult woman is treated as big news.
Maureen Dowd goes ballistic, reciting a litany of presumed sins of the Church because the Vatican has the nerve in her opinion to visit communities of women religious, the way it visited US seminaries. Twice.
This is part of the fabric of American journalism. And they wonder why no one is buying the Times, while Fox News is having a banner year.
Read the entire article on Fox News Forum.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Joe Lieberman: I'll block vote on Harry Reid's plan
Thanks to Senator Joe Lieberman for being a responsible representative of the people's interests and blocking the insanely expensive health care plan. As a resident of Connecticut, I applaud your courageous action and support you in the midst of spurious claims about you acting in your own economic self interest.
I visited your office with several members of the Health Care for Gunner team and spoke with your health care assistant Shoshanna. Dr Martin McCaffrey Professor of Neo-natology at UNC spoke eloquently on our behalf. We appreciated the respectful dialogue which took place and feel that our concerns that our disabled children would not be covered in a government health care plan were heard.
Thank you for voting your conscience.
Here is a link to what the Senator said:
Joe Lieberman: I'll block vote on Harry Reid's plan - Manu Raju - POLITICO.com
I visited your office with several members of the Health Care for Gunner team and spoke with your health care assistant Shoshanna. Dr Martin McCaffrey Professor of Neo-natology at UNC spoke eloquently on our behalf. We appreciated the respectful dialogue which took place and feel that our concerns that our disabled children would not be covered in a government health care plan were heard.
Thank you for voting your conscience.
Here is a link to what the Senator said:
Joe Lieberman: I'll block vote on Harry Reid's plan - Manu Raju - POLITICO.com
Catholic Speaker month: Dawn Eden
Dawn Eden was born to a Jewish family in New York City. When she was in high school, she lost her faith and became an agnostic. During her 20s, in the 1990s, she worked as a rock journalist, interviewing bands for music magazines. She went on to work for New York City newspapers, including the New York Post and the Daily News.She underwent a dramatic conversion to Christianity at age 31, which eventually led her to enter the Catholic Church. With her new faith came a change in lifestyle as she discovered the truth and beauty of Christian teachings on chastity.
That led to the publication of her first book, describing her personal transformation in hope of helping others make positive changes in their own lives: The Thrill of the Chaste: Finding Fulfillment While Keeping Your Clothes On. Currently in its ninth printing, The Thrill has also been published in Spanish, Polish, and Chinese. Dawn has discussed it on NBC's "Today" show and EWTN's "Life on the Rock."
Now living in Washington, D.C., where she is pursuing a graduate degree in theology, Dawn has spoken about chastity to college students and young-adult groups throughout North America, England, Ireland, and Poland, as well as at World Youth Day 2008 in Sydney.
Catholic Speaker Month Participant at Fallible Blogma.
Here is my interview:
Dawn, you began your career as a rock journalist living the "Sex in the City" lifestyle. Now you are a happily famous, chaste Catholic single woman living in the center of God's will for you.
What would the old you make of who you are now?
"If I had known when I was a rock journalist, during the 1990s, that I would be a Catholic author and speaker, studying for an M.A. in theology at Dominican House of Studies, it would have shocked me, for two reasons.
"First, I would never have expected to have a religious conversion. It was something I wanted throughout my teens and 20s, because I wanted to be happy, and I knew that faith made people happy. But I had tried numerous times to work myself up into a believing state of mind, and concluded in frustration that faith was not a gift that had been given to me. I was resigned to being an agnostic.
"Second, I would never have expected to find personal fulfillment in a career other than rock journalism. That field was extremely limited in terms of job opportunities, but I felt hopelessly locked into it because there was no other kind of work that I enjoyed. So the idea that I could be happy studying theology, or writing and speaking about faith and personal growth, would have amazed me.
"I also would have been extremely surprised to find myself pro-life and conservative, but that would not have surprised me as much as my spiritual and vocational transformation.
"When I give talks, I imagine that there are people present who are as I was, and I speak to them the way I wish someone had spoken to me. Had I known as an unconverted rock journalist that I could have the level of personal happiness and fulfillment that I have now, it would have intrigued me, even if I were mystified by my older self's faith and lifestyle. Everyone longs for God's healing grace, whether they realize it or not; I was no different."
You had a famous blog "The Dawn Patrol" which you discontinued to pursue other avenues. What are you doing with all that free time you used to blog?
"I am currently in my second year towards a master's in theology at Dominican House of Studies in Washington, D.C. My goal is to attain a doctorate in moral theology so that I might become a professor at a small Catholic college. I would love to write another book if a publisher approached me to write one, but for now am happy to continue my studies and give talks."
Your readers might like to see an example of one of my talks. Here is one I gave at Baylor University this past October 12:
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=3485ACF9D635CA70
Also, I would be grateful if you would let readers know about my first Headline Bistro column, on an author who helps pregnant women suffering from HG:
http://headlinebistro.com/hb/en/columnists/eden/20091013.html
A gifted writer, Dawn Eden is also a delightful person to know.
I first met Dawn at Faith on Tap on Long Island where she told the story of how being outed as a pro-life blogger caused her to be fired from the New York Post. Her outspoken eloquence inspired me to come out as a pro-life blogger at the college where I worked.
We shared a podium at the Annual Meeting of the Society of Catholic Social Scientists at St John's University Law School in 2007, for a discussion on the role of the Catholic Blogosphere. When I moved to a quiet Catholic corner of Connecticut, I was delighted to discover that Dawn had found it too and quickly became a favorite of my pastor, Fr Tito, and the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate. Her powerful message make her a compelling speaker; watch her interview with Friar Roderic of AirMaria.
Dawn Eden is a beautiful Catholic woman whose humility makes her an excellent role model for young women. She is an engaging speaker who exposes society's lies that sexual immorality leads to happiness while her gentle compassion invites those who have failed at resisting tempation to the compassionate embrace of Our Lord.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Hoffman leading in NY District 23
I am so proud that upstate New York, home of the gorgeous Adirondacks did not accept Dede Scozzafava's liberal stand on abortion, gay marriage, and the economy, and roundly rejected her candidacy for the House. I am thrilled that this has become a test case for the Tea Party people to flex their collective muscles and take back America for traditional morality. no party bosses cutting deals in smoke-filled rooms. We have spoken, and they WILL listen.
And Sarah Palin is leading the charge. This IS the America I love!!
from the Susan B. Anthony List
Wanted to send you a quick update on the ground in Watertown, NY for the special election taking place next Tuesday. It’s truly incredible-- you can really sense and see the momentum here. The energy is palpable and it’s happened in such a short period of time.
Today, The New York Times published a front page article about our efforts on the ground in NY-23, as well as the national implications this race has for the national party.
We have had six staffers in the district getting people and our efforts organized over the last 10 days. This weekend went great- our team distributed literature to over 65 church services across the district. In total, we have recruited 102 volunteers in charge of distributing yard signs, 95 volunteers in charge of literature distribution at their local church communities and 108 volunteers rounded up who will work at polling locations on Election Day. We are also in the process of blanketing the district with 4000 yard signs.
Every goal we had in terms of volunteer recruitment and events is being increased because we keep meeting them! Unfortunately, the funding isn’t tracking with the on the ground successes. We need to order more supplies, signs and literature for Election Day. Just when it looks like Hoffman can win, we need the extra funds to push us over the top. In total, we have raised and spent over $36,000 on the ground game. An additional $42,000 has been spent on radio ads and robo-calls.
We need to immediately order 75,000 more pieces of literature for Election Day. And we also need to cover the costs for the students who are coming to help in the final weekend. At least 40 star homeschoolers and their parents are coming here to work the polls. We need to cover their hotel and gas. In total, we are going to need at least another $22,700 to make it to Election Day.
NY-23 is small town values, churches everywhere you look, military guys walking around with their families. The sense of hope is growing organically in this election. We are doing two things here-- First, we are giving these folks a choice- someone who will represent their values. And second, we are sending a clear signal that there has to be a line the GOP won’t cross when it comes to respecting our values. That line was overstepped with the nomination of Dede Scozzafava. As the Wall Street Journal wrote: Above all, a defeat would teach Republicans that running candidates who believe in nothing will keep them in the minority for years to come.
We have real momentum on the ground here and we need to sustain it. But we still need your help. The latest polling released yesterday shows Hoffman at 31%, Bill Owens at 27% and Dede Scozzafava at 20%. The GOP and the Dems have both reversed strategy from attacking each other to attacking Hoffman, so we need to be fully funded to execute this winning strategy.
Please donate today by going here.
Thank you for your commitment to unborn children and their mothers.
We are going to win this for them.
Marjorie Dannelfelser
Susan B Anthony List
And Sarah Palin is leading the charge. This IS the America I love!!
from the Susan B. Anthony List
Wanted to send you a quick update on the ground in Watertown, NY for the special election taking place next Tuesday. It’s truly incredible-- you can really sense and see the momentum here. The energy is palpable and it’s happened in such a short period of time.
Today, The New York Times published a front page article about our efforts on the ground in NY-23, as well as the national implications this race has for the national party.
We have had six staffers in the district getting people and our efforts organized over the last 10 days. This weekend went great- our team distributed literature to over 65 church services across the district. In total, we have recruited 102 volunteers in charge of distributing yard signs, 95 volunteers in charge of literature distribution at their local church communities and 108 volunteers rounded up who will work at polling locations on Election Day. We are also in the process of blanketing the district with 4000 yard signs.
Every goal we had in terms of volunteer recruitment and events is being increased because we keep meeting them! Unfortunately, the funding isn’t tracking with the on the ground successes. We need to order more supplies, signs and literature for Election Day. Just when it looks like Hoffman can win, we need the extra funds to push us over the top. In total, we have raised and spent over $36,000 on the ground game. An additional $42,000 has been spent on radio ads and robo-calls.
We need to immediately order 75,000 more pieces of literature for Election Day. And we also need to cover the costs for the students who are coming to help in the final weekend. At least 40 star homeschoolers and their parents are coming here to work the polls. We need to cover their hotel and gas. In total, we are going to need at least another $22,700 to make it to Election Day.
NY-23 is small town values, churches everywhere you look, military guys walking around with their families. The sense of hope is growing organically in this election. We are doing two things here-- First, we are giving these folks a choice- someone who will represent their values. And second, we are sending a clear signal that there has to be a line the GOP won’t cross when it comes to respecting our values. That line was overstepped with the nomination of Dede Scozzafava. As the Wall Street Journal wrote: Above all, a defeat would teach Republicans that running candidates who believe in nothing will keep them in the minority for years to come.
We have real momentum on the ground here and we need to sustain it. But we still need your help. The latest polling released yesterday shows Hoffman at 31%, Bill Owens at 27% and Dede Scozzafava at 20%. The GOP and the Dems have both reversed strategy from attacking each other to attacking Hoffman, so we need to be fully funded to execute this winning strategy.
Please donate today by going here.
Thank you for your commitment to unborn children and their mothers.
We are going to win this for them.
Marjorie Dannelfelser
Susan B Anthony List
Neocutis uses fetal tissue in beauty creams
Aborted fetal material used in anti-wrinkle cream
(Tennessee) Children of God for Life announced today that Neocutis, a bio-pharmaceutical company focused on dermatology and skin care is using aborted fetal cell lines to produce several of their anti-aging skin creams.
“It is absolutely deplorable that Neocutis would resort to exploiting the remains of a deliberately slaughtered baby for nothing other than pure vanity and financial gain,, stated Executive Director Debi Vinnedge. “There is simply no moral justification for this.”
For years Children of God for Life has been a watchdog on pharmaceutical companies using aborted fetal cell lines in medical products and they have received thousands of inquiries from the public on the use of aborted fetal material in cosmetics.
Until now, this was the first time they have encountered any company bold enough to put the information right on their own website and product literature. A quick investigation into the science behind the products revealed the shameless data.
Neocutis’ key ingredient known as “Processed Skin Proteins” was developed at the University of Luasanne from the skin tissue of a 14-week gestation electively-aborted male baby donated by the University Hospital in Switzerland. Subsequently, a working cell bank was established, containing several billion cultured skin cells to produce the human growth factor needed to restore aging skin.
The list of products using the cell line include: Bio-Gel, Journee, Bio-Serum, Prevedem, Bio Restorative Skin Cream and Lumiere. But Vinnedge is calling for a full boycott of all Neocutis products, regardless of their source.
“There is absolutely no reason to use aborted babies for such selfish motives,” Vinnedge said. “It is anti-life, anti-woman and counter-productive as Neocutis is about to find out!”
Children of God for Life is calling on rival cosmetic companies to take advantage of some free advertising by their company.
“We know there are companies using moral sources for collagen and skin proteins. We intend to publicly promote these other cosmetic companies competing with Neocutis that are willing to step forward and contact us.”
Meanwhile Vinnedge advises women who are using Neocutis products to throw them in the garbage and to contact the company to express their concerns.
In addition she advised, “Contact some of these competing companies and ask them to verify their products are morally produced. If they are willing to commit to it in writing, they will get our endorsement.”
Contact Neocutis:
Neocutis Inc.
3053 Fillmore Street # 140
San Francisco CA 94123
Phone: 1-866-636-2884
Further Information is published at the following links:
http://infoscience.epfl.ch/record/129015/files/ExpGer-Lee(2009).pdf
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17269452
http://www.neocutis.com/categories.php?catid=11http://www.neocutis.com/article.php?sid=15
(Tennessee) Children of God for Life announced today that Neocutis, a bio-pharmaceutical company focused on dermatology and skin care is using aborted fetal cell lines to produce several of their anti-aging skin creams.
“It is absolutely deplorable that Neocutis would resort to exploiting the remains of a deliberately slaughtered baby for nothing other than pure vanity and financial gain,, stated Executive Director Debi Vinnedge. “There is simply no moral justification for this.”
For years Children of God for Life has been a watchdog on pharmaceutical companies using aborted fetal cell lines in medical products and they have received thousands of inquiries from the public on the use of aborted fetal material in cosmetics.
Until now, this was the first time they have encountered any company bold enough to put the information right on their own website and product literature. A quick investigation into the science behind the products revealed the shameless data.
Neocutis’ key ingredient known as “Processed Skin Proteins” was developed at the University of Luasanne from the skin tissue of a 14-week gestation electively-aborted male baby donated by the University Hospital in Switzerland. Subsequently, a working cell bank was established, containing several billion cultured skin cells to produce the human growth factor needed to restore aging skin.
The list of products using the cell line include: Bio-Gel, Journee, Bio-Serum, Prevedem, Bio Restorative Skin Cream and Lumiere. But Vinnedge is calling for a full boycott of all Neocutis products, regardless of their source.
“There is absolutely no reason to use aborted babies for such selfish motives,” Vinnedge said. “It is anti-life, anti-woman and counter-productive as Neocutis is about to find out!”
Children of God for Life is calling on rival cosmetic companies to take advantage of some free advertising by their company.
“We know there are companies using moral sources for collagen and skin proteins. We intend to publicly promote these other cosmetic companies competing with Neocutis that are willing to step forward and contact us.”
Meanwhile Vinnedge advises women who are using Neocutis products to throw them in the garbage and to contact the company to express their concerns.
In addition she advised, “Contact some of these competing companies and ask them to verify their products are morally produced. If they are willing to commit to it in writing, they will get our endorsement.”
Contact Neocutis:
Neocutis Inc.
3053 Fillmore Street # 140
San Francisco CA 94123
Phone: 1-866-636-2884
Further Information is published at the following links:
http://infoscience.epfl.ch/record/129015/files/ExpGer-Lee(2009).pdf
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17269452
http://www.neocutis.com/categories.php?catid=11http://www.neocutis.com/article.php?sid=15
The Campaign for Human Development and ACORN
So you thought, that when you gave your tithe to the Catholic Campaign for Human Development that you were feeding the poor? So did I.
" It is an error to think of CCHD as an ordinary charity. In fact, it is an extreme left-wing political organization whose ties stretch back to the “father” of community organizing himself, Saul Alinsky, and to Barack Obama in his community-organizing days in Chicago.
And unbeknownst to most Catholics, almost no CCHD grants actually provide direct relief to the poor."
I feel so betrayed when I seethe work the pro-lifers in this area do among poor homeless pregnant women. Those millions could house these women, help them choose life for their babies and give them decent clothing and food.
Instead our contributions went to fund the campaign of the most pro-abortion politician in America. No wonder he thinks Catholics can be bought.
He's been buying us for years.
Read the entire article at Human Events.
" It is an error to think of CCHD as an ordinary charity. In fact, it is an extreme left-wing political organization whose ties stretch back to the “father” of community organizing himself, Saul Alinsky, and to Barack Obama in his community-organizing days in Chicago.
And unbeknownst to most Catholics, almost no CCHD grants actually provide direct relief to the poor."
I feel so betrayed when I seethe work the pro-lifers in this area do among poor homeless pregnant women. Those millions could house these women, help them choose life for their babies and give them decent clothing and food.
Instead our contributions went to fund the campaign of the most pro-abortion politician in America. No wonder he thinks Catholics can be bought.
He's been buying us for years.
Read the entire article at Human Events.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Dignity for unborn on "Law and Order"
Is it something in the nature of lawyers to love a good arguement so much that they throw caution to the wind and allow an intelligent debate on abortion no matter how much it tees off the pro-abortion lobby?
Cool.
Gotta love lawyers!
Read the entire story on Life Site News
Cool.
Gotta love lawyers!
Read the entire story on Life Site News
Forty Days for Life is for youth
A lot of young people are participating in our Forty Days for Life prayer vigil outside of Planned Parenthood at 12 Case Street, Norwich, CT.
Read about the prayer, sacrifice, and fasting they are doing to save lives in my column at the Hartford Catholic Examiner.
Read about the prayer, sacrifice, and fasting they are doing to save lives in my column at the Hartford Catholic Examiner.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Jennings an anti-Catholic bigot
If we didn't have Bill Donohue to make a fuss when this type of outrage is uncovered, what would we do?
WHY DOES OBAMA LIKE KEVIN JENNINGS?
Catholic League president Bill Donohue speaks to the selection of Kevin Jennings as Director of the Office of Safe and Drug Free Schools:
On September 23, I wrote a news release on the curious moral credentials of Kevin Jennings to be President Obama’s Safe Schools Czar: a former drug user and irresponsible teen counselor, he is also a Christian basher. What was not known at the time is that he is also a proud member of ACT UP, the homosexual urban terrorist group that broke into St. Patrick’s Cathedral in 1989 and disrupted Mass; the Eucharist was desecrated and obscene depictions of Cardinal O’Connor were posted.
Now a group called MassResistance, and the website WorldNetDaily, have exposed Jennings as a member of ACT UP. And he is no mere member: Jennings is listed as a donor to a sick display, “ACT UP New York: Activism, Art, and the AIDS Crisis, 1987-1993,” currently featured at the Harvard Art Museum. Harvard, of course, would never feature a display of Klan paraphernalia and say it was being done for the purpose of “dialogue.”
The real story here is not the corruption of Harvard—that’s old hat—the real story is the president of the United States choosing a morally challenged anti-Catholic homosexual to join his team. That Jennings belongs to, and sponsors, an urban terrorist organization, should alone disqualify him from public service at a municipal level. And remember, Obama did not choose him to monitor global cooling—he was chosen to instruct youth on moral matters.
Catholics deserve to know why Obama likes Jennings.
WHY DOES OBAMA LIKE KEVIN JENNINGS?
Catholic League president Bill Donohue speaks to the selection of Kevin Jennings as Director of the Office of Safe and Drug Free Schools:
On September 23, I wrote a news release on the curious moral credentials of Kevin Jennings to be President Obama’s Safe Schools Czar: a former drug user and irresponsible teen counselor, he is also a Christian basher. What was not known at the time is that he is also a proud member of ACT UP, the homosexual urban terrorist group that broke into St. Patrick’s Cathedral in 1989 and disrupted Mass; the Eucharist was desecrated and obscene depictions of Cardinal O’Connor were posted.
Now a group called MassResistance, and the website WorldNetDaily, have exposed Jennings as a member of ACT UP. And he is no mere member: Jennings is listed as a donor to a sick display, “ACT UP New York: Activism, Art, and the AIDS Crisis, 1987-1993,” currently featured at the Harvard Art Museum. Harvard, of course, would never feature a display of Klan paraphernalia and say it was being done for the purpose of “dialogue.”
The real story here is not the corruption of Harvard—that’s old hat—the real story is the president of the United States choosing a morally challenged anti-Catholic homosexual to join his team. That Jennings belongs to, and sponsors, an urban terrorist organization, should alone disqualify him from public service at a municipal level. And remember, Obama did not choose him to monitor global cooling—he was chosen to instruct youth on moral matters.
Catholics deserve to know why Obama likes Jennings.
Traditonal Anglicans come home to Rome
The Traditional Anglican Communion has had enough. Enough of the immorality which is accepted by Anglicans in their clergy. Homosexual bishops, divorced and remarried priests, abortion, contraception. They want to come home to Rome, they feel that they are more in tune with the morality of the Catholic Church than their own congregation.
" Bishop Carl Reid of the Traditional Anglican Communion in Canada, told LifeSiteNews.com (LSN), "When it comes to issues of morality, especially family and pro-life, our membership is very strongly on the same page as are Roman Catholics."'
It remains to be seen how many Anglicans will accept the offer made by the Holy Father to allow Anglican converts to retain some structures of their traditon, but my guess is that there will at first be a trickle that turns into a torrent.
Read the entire story on Life Site News.com.
" Bishop Carl Reid of the Traditional Anglican Communion in Canada, told LifeSiteNews.com (LSN), "When it comes to issues of morality, especially family and pro-life, our membership is very strongly on the same page as are Roman Catholics."'
It remains to be seen how many Anglicans will accept the offer made by the Holy Father to allow Anglican converts to retain some structures of their traditon, but my guess is that there will at first be a trickle that turns into a torrent.
Read the entire story on Life Site News.com.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Fr Andrew Apostoli speaks on the Holy Spirit at Theology on Tap
My latest article in the Hartford Catholic Examiner is about Fr Andrew Apostoli's talk on the Holy Spirit at Theology on Tap last Monday.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Thank you Congressman Chris Smith
For recognizing the Appreciation Award from Keep Infants with Down Syndrome on your website, which we gave you last January. You are an outstanding advocate for all unborn children, typical or disabled and we are proud to call you our friend.
Come and see our new KIDS blog and keep up with the latest news.Listen to the latest Among Women podcast, where Pat Gohn and I discuss how I became a pro-life advocate and began KIDS with Eileen Haupt.
Welcome home to Rome Traditional Anglican Communion!
"Our Holy Father is shepherd for ALL souls and is working to bring as many as possible to the Sacramental life merited for us by Jesus Christ. He is a true progressive without that taint of liberal dissention."
" The Traditional Anglican Communion (TAC) is now to be in full union with the Roman Catholic Church. Indeed, all Anglicans/Episcopalians who have longed for reunion will now have the avenue to do so. I have often attended an Anglican Use parish in San Antonio and if these newly united ones will be anything like what I have experienced with Fr. Phillips and Our Lady of the Atonement, this will be a wonderful infusion of faithful souls into the Church. Deo Gratias!
Ave Maria!"
a friend by email.
Well said, my friend, I have been praying for this and watching for signs that my prayers were answered. Deo gratias!
I am certain CS Lewis is cheering from heaven.
" The Traditional Anglican Communion (TAC) is now to be in full union with the Roman Catholic Church. Indeed, all Anglicans/Episcopalians who have longed for reunion will now have the avenue to do so. I have often attended an Anglican Use parish in San Antonio and if these newly united ones will be anything like what I have experienced with Fr. Phillips and Our Lady of the Atonement, this will be a wonderful infusion of faithful souls into the Church. Deo Gratias!
Ave Maria!"
a friend by email.
Well said, my friend, I have been praying for this and watching for signs that my prayers were answered. Deo gratias!
I am certain CS Lewis is cheering from heaven.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Obama's plan to make Americans dependent on government
The Vortex is right, and people from Rush Limbagh to Rick Santorum are saying it; the Obama Administration wants total control over us by helping us surrender to our baser nature.
Sin enslaves, and then when society is in ruins (not far away) then we need government to clean up the mess. There goes our freedom.
Sin enslaves, and then when society is in ruins (not far away) then we need government to clean up the mess. There goes our freedom.
“THE SIMPSONS” CROSSES THE LINE
from the Catholic League
On October 18, Fox broadcast the 20th episode of “The Simpsons” Halloween special. One of the three stories, “Don't Have a Cow, Mankind,” was about people in Springfield becoming zombies after eating hamburgers infected with tainted meat.
After 28 days, Bart (the son) tries one of the infected hamburgers, but proves immune to the virus. He becomes the “Chosen One” and the Simpsons go off to find the safe zone where the rest of the uninfected people have gathered. When they get there a guard says, “Welcome, son. To survive, all we must do is eat your flesh.” Marge (Bart’s mother) responds by saying, “What kind of civilized people eat the body and blood of their savior?”
Catholic League president Bill Donohue responds as follows:
What kind of uncivilized people work at Fox? Last year, when they poked some gentle fun at the Apostle’s Creed on the Halloween episode, we said nothing. That’s because it didn’t cross the line. This year is different: mocking the heart of any religion always crosses the line, and mocking the Eucharist does it for Catholics. They know this at Fox, which is precisely why they did it.
Contact Peter Rice, Chairman of Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting:
peter.rice@fox.com
On October 18, Fox broadcast the 20th episode of “The Simpsons” Halloween special. One of the three stories, “Don't Have a Cow, Mankind,” was about people in Springfield becoming zombies after eating hamburgers infected with tainted meat.
After 28 days, Bart (the son) tries one of the infected hamburgers, but proves immune to the virus. He becomes the “Chosen One” and the Simpsons go off to find the safe zone where the rest of the uninfected people have gathered. When they get there a guard says, “Welcome, son. To survive, all we must do is eat your flesh.” Marge (Bart’s mother) responds by saying, “What kind of civilized people eat the body and blood of their savior?”
Catholic League president Bill Donohue responds as follows:
What kind of uncivilized people work at Fox? Last year, when they poked some gentle fun at the Apostle’s Creed on the Halloween episode, we said nothing. That’s because it didn’t cross the line. This year is different: mocking the heart of any religion always crosses the line, and mocking the Eucharist does it for Catholics. They know this at Fox, which is precisely why they did it.
Contact Peter Rice, Chairman of Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting:
peter.rice@fox.com
Why Humanae Vitae was right
Jenn Giroux says that Humanae Vitae was right, after spending 24 years as a nurse and watching women suffer the consequences of contraception.
Read the entire column on Renew America.
Read the entire column on Renew America.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Tuesday October 20 is Pro-life Day of Silent Solidarity
The Pro-life Day of Silent Solidarity is fast becoming the largest single day pro-life event in the world. We are seeing babies saved, hearts changed and people coming to Christ from this event.
The Pro-life Day of Silent Solidarity is free to participate, we want as many people as possible to be able to join us. While these is no cost to participate, there are many costs to putting on the event. If you would like to help support the event with a donation you can go to http://www.silentday.org and click on the donate button. You can also mail a check to us at:
Stand True
PO Box 890
Troy, OH 45373
If you would like to receive the monthly support letter for Stand True please e-mail info@standtrue.com with your mailing address and we will sign you up.
If you have any questions about what to do, please go to http://www.silentday.org/ and look under the FAQ section.
Make sure and join:
Facebook Group (http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2248662014)
MySpace (http://www.myspace.com/silenced12273)
For Christ I stand,
Bryan Kemper
Founder - Pro-life Day of Silent Solidarity and Stand True - Christ Centered Pro-life.
The Pro-life Day of Silent Solidarity is free to participate, we want as many people as possible to be able to join us. While these is no cost to participate, there are many costs to putting on the event. If you would like to help support the event with a donation you can go to http://www.silentday.org and click on the donate button. You can also mail a check to us at:
Stand True
PO Box 890
Troy, OH 45373
If you would like to receive the monthly support letter for Stand True please e-mail info@standtrue.com with your mailing address and we will sign you up.
If you have any questions about what to do, please go to http://www.silentday.org/ and look under the FAQ section.
Make sure and join:
Facebook Group (http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2248662014)
MySpace (http://www.myspace.com/silenced12273)
For Christ I stand,
Bryan Kemper
Founder - Pro-life Day of Silent Solidarity and Stand True - Christ Centered Pro-life.
40 Days for Life has saved 299 babies so far!
Here's an update from David Bereit. In it he proves that 40 Days for Life is not just about babies, but about the lives of the mothers and the clinic workers who are ruining their lives through participation in the sin of abortion.
The day before this fall's 40 Days for Life campaign
began, the local team in Orange County, California
received some great news.
Nathan had just been born -- at a very healthy nine
pounds!
At once point, however, Nathan's life had definitely
been at risk. Thankfully, he was one of the babies
whose mom chose life during the spring 40 Days for
Life campaign.
"Please tell all those people thank you," said
Nathan's mother. "Thank you for being there praying
for people that you do not know. You made a huge
difference in my life and in my baby's life. I cannot
thank you enough for what you did."
The Orange County team also got to meet a different
baby named Jack. He had been scheduled to be aborted
... TWICE!
But his mother chose life.
Jack's adoptive mom brought him with her when she
went to pray at the 40 Days for Life vigil.
We rejoice for all the lives saved ...
... 299!
Yes, 299 children have been spared from abortion
during the fall 40 Days for Life campaign thus far,
thanks to your prayers, fasting, standing vigil, and
the grace of Almighty God!
That's also 299 mothers who have been spared a life
of regrets following an abortion decision.
Praise God!
The 40 Days for Life team in Manassas, Virginia sees
the value of having a pro-life resource center very
close to the abortion facility. Ken said a 19-year-
old girl arrived at with her mother, fully intent on
making an appointment for an abortion.
"They did an ultrasound and found she was 26 weeks
pregnant," he said. "This abortion facility only does
first-trimester abortions, so they sent her away."
The girl and her mother were directed to the pro-life
pregnancy center, where the counselors told her about
all the resources that were available.
"The wonderful counselors helped her decide to have
her baby," said Ken. "Another life saved! The prayers
of our 40 Days for Life participants were powerful."
In Houston, Texas, people participating in the
40 Days for Life vigil in front of a Planned
Parenthood abortion facility have been able to
redirect many abortion-minded women to the pro-life
pregnancy resource center around the corner -- where
they can find real help and compassion instead of
Planned Parenthood's sales pitch for abortion.
One young woman walked into Planned Parenthood, then
turned around and came out almost immediately. "I had
a bad feeling after walking in the door," she said,
"and wanted to get out of there right away." When she
arrived at the nearby pro-life center, she said,
"This is much better. I feel more comfortable here."
This is most telling. She had a bad feeling about
Planned Parenthood -- and all she did was walk
inside! Doesn't that demonstrate that we're in the
midst of a spiritual battle? And that just shows that
we must pray harder and fast more faithfully.
These bad feelings are also being experienced by
those who work in the clinics. Just the other day, I
shared the story of the clinic receptionist who said,
"I'm going to quit my disgusting job." She's not the
only one who feels that way.
At another 40 Days for Life location, the prayer
vigil participants have had regular discussions with
a clinic employee.
She has now decided to leave her job!
"I want out of that place" is the way she put it. And
one of her co-workers is almost ready to leave her
job as well (that's why I'm not identifying the
location; can you imagine the pressure she would face
if her employers found out?)
Please pray for these women -- and for all people who
seek the courage and strength to leave the deadly
abortion industry.
The day before this fall's 40 Days for Life campaign
began, the local team in Orange County, California
received some great news.
Nathan had just been born -- at a very healthy nine
pounds!
At once point, however, Nathan's life had definitely
been at risk. Thankfully, he was one of the babies
whose mom chose life during the spring 40 Days for
Life campaign.
"Please tell all those people thank you," said
Nathan's mother. "Thank you for being there praying
for people that you do not know. You made a huge
difference in my life and in my baby's life. I cannot
thank you enough for what you did."
The Orange County team also got to meet a different
baby named Jack. He had been scheduled to be aborted
... TWICE!
But his mother chose life.
Jack's adoptive mom brought him with her when she
went to pray at the 40 Days for Life vigil.
We rejoice for all the lives saved ...
... 299!
Yes, 299 children have been spared from abortion
during the fall 40 Days for Life campaign thus far,
thanks to your prayers, fasting, standing vigil, and
the grace of Almighty God!
That's also 299 mothers who have been spared a life
of regrets following an abortion decision.
Praise God!
The 40 Days for Life team in Manassas, Virginia sees
the value of having a pro-life resource center very
close to the abortion facility. Ken said a 19-year-
old girl arrived at with her mother, fully intent on
making an appointment for an abortion.
"They did an ultrasound and found she was 26 weeks
pregnant," he said. "This abortion facility only does
first-trimester abortions, so they sent her away."
The girl and her mother were directed to the pro-life
pregnancy center, where the counselors told her about
all the resources that were available.
"The wonderful counselors helped her decide to have
her baby," said Ken. "Another life saved! The prayers
of our 40 Days for Life participants were powerful."
In Houston, Texas, people participating in the
40 Days for Life vigil in front of a Planned
Parenthood abortion facility have been able to
redirect many abortion-minded women to the pro-life
pregnancy resource center around the corner -- where
they can find real help and compassion instead of
Planned Parenthood's sales pitch for abortion.
One young woman walked into Planned Parenthood, then
turned around and came out almost immediately. "I had
a bad feeling after walking in the door," she said,
"and wanted to get out of there right away." When she
arrived at the nearby pro-life center, she said,
"This is much better. I feel more comfortable here."
This is most telling. She had a bad feeling about
Planned Parenthood -- and all she did was walk
inside! Doesn't that demonstrate that we're in the
midst of a spiritual battle? And that just shows that
we must pray harder and fast more faithfully.
These bad feelings are also being experienced by
those who work in the clinics. Just the other day, I
shared the story of the clinic receptionist who said,
"I'm going to quit my disgusting job." She's not the
only one who feels that way.
At another 40 Days for Life location, the prayer
vigil participants have had regular discussions with
a clinic employee.
She has now decided to leave her job!
"I want out of that place" is the way she put it. And
one of her co-workers is almost ready to leave her
job as well (that's why I'm not identifying the
location; can you imagine the pressure she would face
if her employers found out?)
Please pray for these women -- and for all people who
seek the courage and strength to leave the deadly
abortion industry.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Pharmacists and patients forced to participate in vaccines
My friend, a pharmacist, describes how difficult it is to live her faith in her profession, and how she fears that her profession has been destroyed. In my local pharmacy, patients are known by name and the pharmacist really seems to care about them. I wonder if all that will change once mandatory vacccination orders are handed down from the White House. As Rahm Emmanuel has said, "never let a good crisis go to waste". Is the H1N1 'pandemic' the second crisis after the economic collapse, that the Obama Administration will exploit to remove parental rights and conscience clauses for professionals and parents, and one's rights over one's own body?
"I enjoyed pharmacy in the first years. I knew my customers well. I felt a servant and one who was truly involved with health care. Over the years, that sense began to deteriorate. For one thing, the small pharmacies could not compete with chains and then grocery stores where pharmacy was on a par with floral or something. It became more of a commodity and an assembly line. Not to say that we still could not get to know and care about our regular patients, we did. And although there are wonderful life-saving medications and those that improve the quality of life and allow one to live many years with diabetes and other diseases, those drugs are not the bulk of what is dispensed, in my experience.
What is dispensed are psychotropic drugs--mega pain pills, mega anti-depressants, anti-psyhcotics, sleep aids, and tranquilizers.
My personal thought is how can one hear the whispers of the Holy Spirit while drugged up? And drug seeking behavior can be seen from people in any walk of life. Legal drug abuse is phenomenal! It is hard to believe how many drugs some people take. Then when I realized that birth control pills had abortifacient properties, I knew I could not be a retail pharmacist that dispenses those. I left my position in Jan. 1998 and wasunemployed for about 6 months. Then I was offered a position with a home health/IV pharmacy and that was great. I did that for 7 years. Then the franchise closed. A pharmacist who I had worked for in the past offered me a part time position in a grocery store pharmacy and I was allowed a conscience clause and I did that until I moved away last year. I have not found a position here where I can work in accord with my conscience. There is a nursing home pharmacy but even there I have a prejudice that many folks are in nursing homes because they take too many drugs! Do I want to be a part of that, even if legal? So you see I have many issues with my profession. And now the coming mandating of giving vaccines and shots and following that may be the dispensing of drugs for euthanasia. I cannot do that either.
My beautiful profession! Look what has happened to it."
Jeff Garner at Catholic Radio International discusses the topic of a British girl who wanted to obtain a green card until she learned that she would be required to take the dangerous Gardasil Vaccine which disabled and killed several women, including Gabbi Swank.
Click on Sept 18, 2009 show, "Roll up your sleeve or get out".
"I enjoyed pharmacy in the first years. I knew my customers well. I felt a servant and one who was truly involved with health care. Over the years, that sense began to deteriorate. For one thing, the small pharmacies could not compete with chains and then grocery stores where pharmacy was on a par with floral or something. It became more of a commodity and an assembly line. Not to say that we still could not get to know and care about our regular patients, we did. And although there are wonderful life-saving medications and those that improve the quality of life and allow one to live many years with diabetes and other diseases, those drugs are not the bulk of what is dispensed, in my experience.
What is dispensed are psychotropic drugs--mega pain pills, mega anti-depressants, anti-psyhcotics, sleep aids, and tranquilizers.
My personal thought is how can one hear the whispers of the Holy Spirit while drugged up? And drug seeking behavior can be seen from people in any walk of life. Legal drug abuse is phenomenal! It is hard to believe how many drugs some people take. Then when I realized that birth control pills had abortifacient properties, I knew I could not be a retail pharmacist that dispenses those. I left my position in Jan. 1998 and wasunemployed for about 6 months. Then I was offered a position with a home health/IV pharmacy and that was great. I did that for 7 years. Then the franchise closed. A pharmacist who I had worked for in the past offered me a part time position in a grocery store pharmacy and I was allowed a conscience clause and I did that until I moved away last year. I have not found a position here where I can work in accord with my conscience. There is a nursing home pharmacy but even there I have a prejudice that many folks are in nursing homes because they take too many drugs! Do I want to be a part of that, even if legal? So you see I have many issues with my profession. And now the coming mandating of giving vaccines and shots and following that may be the dispensing of drugs for euthanasia. I cannot do that either.
My beautiful profession! Look what has happened to it."
Jeff Garner at Catholic Radio International discusses the topic of a British girl who wanted to obtain a green card until she learned that she would be required to take the dangerous Gardasil Vaccine which disabled and killed several women, including Gabbi Swank.
Click on Sept 18, 2009 show, "Roll up your sleeve or get out".
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Night of Love and Healing with Sean Forrest
Last August, when over 700 people anxiously awaited Eduardo Verastegui's speech at Eastern Connecticut State University, Catholic father and singer Sean Forrest was brave enough, and talented enough to be the warm up singer. His sense of humour, musical talent and ability to bond with the audience had us singing along to "Stand By Me" rather than looking over his shoulder for Eduardo.I promised myself then that I would not miss the opportunity to attend his next performance, and then was pleasantly surprised to discover that he sent his children to the same Catholic grammar school as my daughter. Sean was educated by the Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Church, and has chosen the same for his children.
My husband Francisco enjoyed his performance at the Connecticut Catholic Men's Conference and bought his CD "Haiti: I Want to Know What You Know", which has an assortment of musical styles in upbeat songs about faith, love, and marriage. It's perfect CD for keeping your focus on the Lord while driving the colorful New England hills in fall. I've listened to it a dozen times and am now starting to sing along to some of the songs, especially the African style " You are my Saviour", and the touching, "Only So Many Days". Sean has deep respect for his wife which he expressed in his song, "She Chose the Better". His voice reminds me by turns of Billy Joel and Van Morrison with an eclectic style and great backups, this man of God has a bright musical career to watch.
So, I now have a personal note to add. Sean told me about Robert Rogers a man who lost his entire family; wife, and four children in an instant of tragedy and has had to use his Catholic faith to rebuild his life, step by step.
This evening is for married couples and adults over 18.
Tickets are $15.
Come, to the Theatre of the Performing Arts
359 Washington Street
Hartford, CT 06106
7PM
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Here's a music video of Sean.
Friday, October 16, 2009
It's time to take action on the health care bill
Here is detailed political analysis from Dr Marty McCaffrey, neonatalogist at UNC Chapel Hill. Pictured here with his daughter in pink and Jeanne Bolewitz, my Facebook friend and her family.He attended the "Healthcare for Gunner" press conference with me and Kristen Hawkins last month, bringing his lovely nine year old daughter with Down syndrome. We traveled the halls of Congres lobbying against a health care bill which would endanger our children. You can see the official film of our press conference here.
It's wonderful to have such strong, knowlegable leadership against abortion in health care reform from the academic and medical communities. Please contact the sentators below. You can be sure that Senator Lieberman, whose office I visited with Marty on September 15, will be hearing from me again. And again with this message;
"you want me to go away? Get abortion and euthanasia out of the healthcare plan!"
"you want me to go away? Get abortion and euthanasia out of the healthcare plan!"
His email is below with my comments in red.
The Baucus Bill passed out of the Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday. A battle lost, but one that would have been difficult to win. Vote was on party lines with one Republican, Olympia Snowe, defecting to support the bill.
The fight to prevent a federal takeover of healthcare intensifies and remains in the Senate. Now the fun begins for sausage makers Harry Reid, Max Baucus and Chris Dodd. They are crafting a final bill for full Senate consideration. This bill will be a merging of the HELP Committee (Health, Education, Labor and Pensions chaired by Dodd) and the Baucus bill. There will continue to be no Republican input on the “merged bill” developed, unless Harry decides he can buy some Republicans willing to roll over and claim they exerted influential moderating leadership in developing the “merged bill”. Before the bill can be brought to the floor for consideration, and amendments, it must receive 60 votes. This is cloture and represents a majority that cannot be filibustered.
There will be two cloture votes related to the “merged bill,” created essentially by three people, with no doubt the “mentorship” of the White House in the person of Rahmbo Emmanuel. These four people will decide the fate of the nation’s healthcare, unless we do something about it. This is disappointing to those of us who thought we lived in a representative republic, but statism and tyranny has been on the march in this nation for some time. Alexander de Toqueville wrote, “The health of a democratic society may be measured by the quality of functions performed by private citizens.” By de Toqueville’s measure our nation is in serious need of healthcare reform, but not that being prescribed by Liberal snake oil salesman.
By far the most important cloture vote is the first one. The first will, if passed, allow debate on the "merged bill" to begin. Once a "merged bill" is on the floor, the process towards the radical and destructive overhaul of American medicine becomes much more difficult to stop.
A second cloture vote will be necessary to bring the debate to a close on whatever the floor amendment process produces.
The fight to prevent a federal takeover of healthcare intensifies and remains in the Senate. Now the fun begins for sausage makers Harry Reid, Max Baucus and Chris Dodd. They are crafting a final bill for full Senate consideration. This bill will be a merging of the HELP Committee (Health, Education, Labor and Pensions chaired by Dodd) and the Baucus bill. There will continue to be no Republican input on the “merged bill” developed, unless Harry decides he can buy some Republicans willing to roll over and claim they exerted influential moderating leadership in developing the “merged bill”. Before the bill can be brought to the floor for consideration, and amendments, it must receive 60 votes. This is cloture and represents a majority that cannot be filibustered.
There will be two cloture votes related to the “merged bill,” created essentially by three people, with no doubt the “mentorship” of the White House in the person of Rahmbo Emmanuel. These four people will decide the fate of the nation’s healthcare, unless we do something about it. This is disappointing to those of us who thought we lived in a representative republic, but statism and tyranny has been on the march in this nation for some time. Alexander de Toqueville wrote, “The health of a democratic society may be measured by the quality of functions performed by private citizens.” By de Toqueville’s measure our nation is in serious need of healthcare reform, but not that being prescribed by Liberal snake oil salesman.
By far the most important cloture vote is the first one. The first will, if passed, allow debate on the "merged bill" to begin. Once a "merged bill" is on the floor, the process towards the radical and destructive overhaul of American medicine becomes much more difficult to stop.
A second cloture vote will be necessary to bring the debate to a close on whatever the floor amendment process produces.
Things could get complicated if the Majority Leader fears certain defeat on the initial effort at cloture. This could be reality if we all work to make it so. In that case he might opt to use “reconciliation”, a legislative fast track vehicle inserted by the Democrats into this years budget resolution. This vehicle relates specifically to healthcare and was created as a Plan B in case Democrats could not broker a deal with Senate Republicans, and in case they couldn’t hold all of their own caucus together. This would allow the Leader to bring a reconciled healthcare bill to the floor for approval without cloture. Reid can craft this bill however he likes as long as it reduces the deficit by a net of $1 billion over the next five years. As long as he remains close to the intent of the HELP and Finance bills, Sen. Reid has nearly complete freedom to draft a merged bill (now a substitute amendment) any way he likes. Approval would require only a straight majority of 51 votes. this is a very dangerous, nuclear option but you won't hear about it in the mainstream media.
This will not be as easy as it sounds. Dems will have to be willing to admit that they are passing a bill that circumvents the regular rules of the Senate, using a process created just for this bill and this purpose. In addition all elements of the substitute amendment would have to meet the standards of the Byrd rule. This may be too much “inside baseball” but at this point in our history, and we are in the midst of amazing history which calls us to action, citizens should appreciate the scheming of their legislators.
This will not be as easy as it sounds. Dems will have to be willing to admit that they are passing a bill that circumvents the regular rules of the Senate, using a process created just for this bill and this purpose. In addition all elements of the substitute amendment would have to meet the standards of the Byrd rule. This may be too much “inside baseball” but at this point in our history, and we are in the midst of amazing history which calls us to action, citizens should appreciate the scheming of their legislators.
The Byrd rule states:
1. If a provision has no effect on spending or revenues, then it’s extraneous and violates the Byrd rule
Unless it is a necessary term or condition of another provision
that does affect spending or revenues.
If a provision has a small budget effect that is merely incidental to its broader non-budgetary
policy effect, then it is extraneous and violates the Byrd rule.
Byrd rule challenges to sections such as the public option or creation of insurance exchanges could be defeated by Democrats, but would require 60 votes. At the end of the day a reconciliation substitute amendment could look like Swiss cheese. If we get that far, we can only hope so.
So, if we are of a mind to heed a call to action, how to stop this madness? The key Senators in this process are listed. Bayh, Lincoln, Lieberman and Ben Nelson are critical, Bayh and Lincoln especially so. They are both up for re-election in 2010. These folks are the keymasters for the next several weeks. Please call and e-mail them and the others listed below. Commit to contacting all these Senators at least once over the next several weeks. Contact more than once if possible. Enclosed is a template for comments to Senators. It’s a brief statement of my view of things, just a starting point, edit at will. Urge a no vote on cloture unless and until the bill is altered to remedy its many devastating consequences for American medicine. Dissuade elected officials from considering the “reconciliation” option (Sen Reid does have some sense of irony) to pursue political by circumventing traditional Congressional requirements. In order of importance, visits, personal letters, calls and emails are required. If you are able, seriously consider visiting Senators state or DC offices.
While we have the best healthcare system in the world, this whole discussion is not about healthcare. A quick test to determine if you are talking to someone who is serious about healthcare, form a physician’s view. Defensive medicine may account for as much as 10-12% of healthcare costs in this nation. That is not chump change even by Harry Reid standards. No one who is serious about further improving medical care in this country can do so without a serious discussion of tort reform. This phrase never issues from the mouths of Dem political leaders.
1. If a provision has no effect on spending or revenues, then it’s extraneous and violates the Byrd rule
Unless it is a necessary term or condition of another provision
that does affect spending or revenues.
If a provision has a small budget effect that is merely incidental to its broader non-budgetary
policy effect, then it is extraneous and violates the Byrd rule.
Byrd rule challenges to sections such as the public option or creation of insurance exchanges could be defeated by Democrats, but would require 60 votes. At the end of the day a reconciliation substitute amendment could look like Swiss cheese. If we get that far, we can only hope so.
So, if we are of a mind to heed a call to action, how to stop this madness? The key Senators in this process are listed. Bayh, Lincoln, Lieberman and Ben Nelson are critical, Bayh and Lincoln especially so. They are both up for re-election in 2010. These folks are the keymasters for the next several weeks. Please call and e-mail them and the others listed below. Commit to contacting all these Senators at least once over the next several weeks. Contact more than once if possible. Enclosed is a template for comments to Senators. It’s a brief statement of my view of things, just a starting point, edit at will. Urge a no vote on cloture unless and until the bill is altered to remedy its many devastating consequences for American medicine. Dissuade elected officials from considering the “reconciliation” option (Sen Reid does have some sense of irony) to pursue political by circumventing traditional Congressional requirements. In order of importance, visits, personal letters, calls and emails are required. If you are able, seriously consider visiting Senators state or DC offices.
While we have the best healthcare system in the world, this whole discussion is not about healthcare. A quick test to determine if you are talking to someone who is serious about healthcare, form a physician’s view. Defensive medicine may account for as much as 10-12% of healthcare costs in this nation. That is not chump change even by Harry Reid standards. No one who is serious about further improving medical care in this country can do so without a serious discussion of tort reform. This phrase never issues from the mouths of Dem political leaders.
The urgency for healthcare reform derives from the desire of statist liberals to engineer a government takeover of 1/6 of the GDP the government doesn’t already own. The true issue here is not healthcare; it is voluntary servitude to a government “sugar daddy” who promises everything. (here's where Dr Marty nails the real issue!) Some fondly envision and welcome the state as a parent. It is at best a pathologic parent, a mommy or daddy dearest, determined not to help us grow to be strong, independent individuals but to keep us in a state of perpetual childlike dependency.
The words of Thomas Paine are as applicable now as they were in 1776. “These are the times that try men's souls: The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict the more glorious the triumph."
The words of Thomas Paine are as applicable now as they were in 1776. “These are the times that try men's souls: The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict the more glorious the triumph."
beautiful quote, this, I can feel my heart burning within me!
Burn up the phone lines, melt the servers, crowd their waiting rooms! To the barricades.
Marty
Burn up the phone lines, melt the servers, crowd their waiting rooms! To the barricades.
Marty
Senate General Switchboard: 202-224-3121
Arkansas
Sen. Blanche Lincoln
DC Phone: (202) 224-4843
Local Phone: Dumas (870) 382-1023, Fayetteville (479) 251-1224, Little Rock (501) 375-2993, Jonesboro (870) 910-6896, Texarkana (870) 774-3106
Arkansas
Sen. Blanche Lincoln
DC Phone: (202) 224-4843
Local Phone: Dumas (870) 382-1023, Fayetteville (479) 251-1224, Little Rock (501) 375-2993, Jonesboro (870) 910-6896, Texarkana (870) 774-3106
Sen. Mark Pryor
DC Phone: (202) 224-2353
Local Phone: Little Rock (501) 324-6336
link to email
Colorado
Sen. Michael Bennet
DC Phone: 202) 224-5444
Local Phone:
Denver Metro Office: (303) 455-7600 Toll Free: (866) 455-9866 Fax: (303) 455-8851
Colorado Springs Office: Phone: (719) 328-1100
link to email
DC Phone: (202) 224-2353
Local Phone: Little Rock (501) 324-6336
link to email
Colorado
Sen. Michael Bennet
DC Phone: 202) 224-5444
Local Phone:
Denver Metro Office: (303) 455-7600 Toll Free: (866) 455-9866 Fax: (303) 455-8851
Colorado Springs Office: Phone: (719) 328-1100
link to email
Connecticut
Sen. Joe Lieberman
DC Phone: (202) 224-4041
Local Phone: (860) 549-8463
Link to email
Senator Lieberman, you'll learn my name in the next few weeks! I just sent him my first email with the comments below.
Senator Lieberman, you'll learn my name in the next few weeks! I just sent him my first email with the comments below.
Florida
Sen. Bill Nelson
DC Phone: (202) 224-5274
Local Phone: Orlando (407) 872-7161, Miami-Dade (305) 536-5999, Tampa (813) 225-7040, West Palm Beach (561) 514-0189, Tallahassee (850) 942-8415, Jacksonville (904) 346-4500, Broward (954) 693-4851, Fort Meyers (239) 334-7760
link to email
Indiana
Sen. Evan Bayh
DC Phone: (202) 224-5623
Local Phone: Evansville (812) 465-6500, Fort Wayne (260) 426-3151, Hammond (219) 852-2763, Indianapolis (317) 554-0750, Jeffersonville (812) 218-2317, Southbend (574) 236-8302
link to email
Sen. Evan Bayh
DC Phone: (202) 224-5623
Local Phone: Evansville (812) 465-6500, Fort Wayne (260) 426-3151, Hammond (219) 852-2763, Indianapolis (317) 554-0750, Jeffersonville (812) 218-2317, Southbend (574) 236-8302
link to email
Louisiana
Sen. Mary Landrieu
DC Phone: (202) 224-5824
Local Phone: Baton Rouge (225) 389-0395, Lake Charles (337) 436-6650, New Orleans (504) 589-2427, Shreveport (318) 676-3085
Sen. Mary Landrieu
DC Phone: (202) 224-5824
Local Phone: Baton Rouge (225) 389-0395, Lake Charles (337) 436-6650, New Orleans (504) 589-2427, Shreveport (318) 676-3085
link to email
Montana
Sen. Jon Tester
DC Phone: (202) 224-2644
Local Phone: Billings (406) 252-0550, Bozeman (406) 586-4450, Butte (406) 723-3277, Glendive (406) 365-2391, Great Falls (406) 452-9585, Helena (406) 449-5401, Kalispell (406) 257-3360, Missoula (406) 728-3003
link to email
Nebraska
Sen. Ben Nelson
DC Phone: (202) 224-6551
Local Phone: Omaha (402) 391-3411, Lincoln (402) 441-4600, Scottsbluff (308) 631-7614, Kearney (308) 293-5818, South Sioux City (402) 209-3595
link to email
North Dakota
Sen. Kent Conrad
DC Phone: (202) 224-2043
Local Phone: Bismarck (701) 258-4648, Fargo (701) 232-8030, Grand Forks (701) 775-9601, Minot (701) 852-0703
link to email
Sen. Byron Dorgan
DC Phone: (202) 224-2551
Local Phone: Bismarck (701) 250-4618, Fargo (701) 239-5389, Minot (701) 852-0703, Grand Forks (701) 746-8972
link to email
South Dakota
Sen. Tim Johnson
DC Phone: (202) 224-5842
Local Phone: Aberdeen (605) 226-3440, Sioux Falls (605) 332-8896, Rapid City (605) 341-3990
Sen. Byron Dorgan
DC Phone: (202) 224-2551
Local Phone: Bismarck (701) 250-4618, Fargo (701) 239-5389, Minot (701) 852-0703, Grand Forks (701) 746-8972
link to email
South Dakota
Sen. Tim Johnson
DC Phone: (202) 224-5842
Local Phone: Aberdeen (605) 226-3440, Sioux Falls (605) 332-8896, Rapid City (605) 341-3990
Virginia
Sen. James Webb
(202) 224-4024
1-866-507-1570
West Virginia
Sen. Robert C. Byrd
DC Phone: (202) 224-3954
Local Phone: Charlestown (304) 342-5855, Eastern Panhandle (304) 264-4626
Dr Marty's suggested talking points:
Senator,
I ask you to vote no on cloture and refuse to support current Senate healthcare reform bills which will wreak untold havoc on our nation. These bills, and whatever a merged bill looks like, are a massive intrusion into a market that the government has already proven it cannot manage. Medicare, Mediciad, the VA, Tricare and Indian Health Services would be bankrupt and defunct without a continuous infusion of our tax dollars. The Bills will require rationing, starting with enormous cuts in Medicare services. The bills completely overstep any Congressional authority in mandating federal insurance exchanges. All bills mandate support for women’s services including abortion through accounting mechanisms which sidestep the Hyde amendment. Lastly, these bills, any of them, will bankrupt our nation.
The Senate has refused any transparency on these bills. Senator Reid and a handful of others now have the fate of American healthcare in their hands. Senator Baucus reported that it would “take too long”, perhaps two weeks, to get his bill on line. Why would we want politicians who can’t figure out how to post the text of the bill on the internet running our healthcare system? The fact is Democratic leadership and the President don’t want us to see these bills. In fact they will be voted on without being fully written. The Baucus bill has not been made available to the public in its legal language, leaving a “select” group of Senators the power to determine the true details and actual cost of the Bill. The CBO reports that its cost is uncertain.
A real discussion on restructuring American healthcare requires national discussion that includes a tax breaks for insurance purchase, delinking employment and insurance, real tort reform, and a release of the death grip government currently has on healthcare via price fixing and mandates. We have the best healthcare system in the country. If we wish to serve the 10-15,000,000 who actually need it much more effectively, lets honestly do so.
Do not destroy what no other country has achieved, especially under the yoke of an enormous underclass created by previous government misadventures, in order to abet the power addiction of a misguided administration.
The consideration of “reconciliation” to pass a merged bill, or portions of it, that circumvents the ever diminishing restraints on the majority in Congress will be a clear sign to the nation that a number in Congress have sold their souls and no longer feel an obligation to serve the people they supposedly represent. Supporters of these treacherous "reforms" beware, 2010 is not far away.
I ask you to vote no on cloture and refuse to support current Senate healthcare reform bills which will wreak untold havoc on our nation. These bills, and whatever a merged bill looks like, are a massive intrusion into a market that the government has already proven it cannot manage. Medicare, Mediciad, the VA, Tricare and Indian Health Services would be bankrupt and defunct without a continuous infusion of our tax dollars. The Bills will require rationing, starting with enormous cuts in Medicare services. The bills completely overstep any Congressional authority in mandating federal insurance exchanges. All bills mandate support for women’s services including abortion through accounting mechanisms which sidestep the Hyde amendment. Lastly, these bills, any of them, will bankrupt our nation.
The Senate has refused any transparency on these bills. Senator Reid and a handful of others now have the fate of American healthcare in their hands. Senator Baucus reported that it would “take too long”, perhaps two weeks, to get his bill on line. Why would we want politicians who can’t figure out how to post the text of the bill on the internet running our healthcare system? The fact is Democratic leadership and the President don’t want us to see these bills. In fact they will be voted on without being fully written. The Baucus bill has not been made available to the public in its legal language, leaving a “select” group of Senators the power to determine the true details and actual cost of the Bill. The CBO reports that its cost is uncertain.
A real discussion on restructuring American healthcare requires national discussion that includes a tax breaks for insurance purchase, delinking employment and insurance, real tort reform, and a release of the death grip government currently has on healthcare via price fixing and mandates. We have the best healthcare system in the country. If we wish to serve the 10-15,000,000 who actually need it much more effectively, lets honestly do so.
Do not destroy what no other country has achieved, especially under the yoke of an enormous underclass created by previous government misadventures, in order to abet the power addiction of a misguided administration.
The consideration of “reconciliation” to pass a merged bill, or portions of it, that circumvents the ever diminishing restraints on the majority in Congress will be a clear sign to the nation that a number in Congress have sold their souls and no longer feel an obligation to serve the people they supposedly represent. Supporters of these treacherous "reforms" beware, 2010 is not far away.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Saturday, October 10, 2009
New York Times features aborted baby photo slideshow
They are actually showing a lot of courage with this slideshow. It is hardly sympathetic to pro-lifers but merely showing the photos is remarkable. There was an attempt to make it sound like all the graphic abortion photos result from three pickups of fetal remains, thus rare events. Hopefully the American people will see though that thin argument.
The comments afterward are rather virulent, as you might expect, so feel free to add yours in hopes it will be published. Look for mine, around 143 or so.
The comments on Jill Stanek's blog are far more inspiring. This is really a stunning development.
HT Jill Stanek
The comments afterward are rather virulent, as you might expect, so feel free to add yours in hopes it will be published. Look for mine, around 143 or so.
The comments on Jill Stanek's blog are far more inspiring. This is really a stunning development.
HT Jill Stanek
Friday, October 09, 2009
A World Gone Mad; Be Thou My Vision
When the most pro-death politician in the history of the world, Barack Obama, is given the same Nobel Peace Prize as the most pro-life woman the world has ever seen, Blessed Mother Teresa, we know the world has lost it's moral compass.We have no other recourse but to turn to our Lord in prayer.
Listen to "Be Thou My Vision" in Irish to regain your peace while you pray.
Update:
Jill Stanek has lifted my spirits with her inspiring post about last year's truly worthy Noble Prize candidate, who lost to AL Gore(what has he accomplished besides getting rich off carbon credits?).
Irena Sendler, a Polish Catholic social worker, saved 2,500 Jewish children from the Warsaw Ghetto from the Nazis (twice as many as Oskar Shindler of "Shindler's List").
Her legacy was nearly forgotten when four Kansas schoolgirls wrote a play about her incredible feat. She passed on this year, and is receiving the greatest prize; eternal life.
http://www.irenasendler.org/
HT Jay Andersen
Thursday, October 08, 2009
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
Democrats stealth tactics to pass abortion funding health care bill
from Charmaine Yoest of Americans United for Life
I wanted to give you an update on where we stand on fighting abortion in health care reform and let you know what we can do together in this tough battle. This week, the Senate Finance Committee, chaired by Sen. Max Baucus (D-Montana) will report the latest health care bill out of committee, becoming the fifth Committee to reject language like the Hyde Amendment that would prevent federal funding and coverage of abortion..
The Baucus bill is completely unacceptable to pro-lifers. It requires the government to spend $6 billion establishing co-ops that could cover abortion. The bill would also enable individuals to receive refundable, advanceable tax credits to purchase health insurance that covers abortion, and require at least one plan in each premium rating area to cover abortion.
As I told President Obama’s top domestic aides at AULA’s White House meeting last month, only an explicit exclusion of abortion funding and coverage, can prevent administrative agencies and the courts from mandating abortion funding and coverage in health care legislation.
The abortion lobby keeps saying the Hyde Amendment takes care of our concerns: but the Hyde Amendment is attached to each year’s Medicaid funding bill and doesn’t apply to the new proposals.
Even worse, when an amendment like the Hyde Amendment was proposed last week by Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), it was defeated by a vote of 10-13. The Committee also defeated an amendment by Sen. Hatch that would have prevented discrimination against any individual or organization that refused to provide, pay for, provide coverage of, or refer for abortions.
Next, the Senate Finance Committee bill will be reconciled with the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee (HELP) health care reform bill in the Senate backrooms, while the House reconciles the amendments added in three different Committees to the House bill (H.R. 3200).
At this key moment in health care reform, your senators and congressman are hearing confusing rhetoric about abortion funding and coverage as debate moves from committee rooms to backrooms. They are being told by the Democratic leadership that the Capps Amendment added to H.R. 3200 and incorporated into the Senate Finance Bill is a pro-life compromise, when in reality it is a pro-abortion approach in disguise. You need to tell your congressman that the “Capps Amendment approach” is NOT a compromise and that only putting Hyde in Health Care will be acceptable.
We must fight for every last vote to get an absolute exclusion of abortion coverage and funding. This new administration has talked a lot about transparency, and Congress continues to talk about compromise, but no pro-life members of Congress have been invited to the discussion.
Also available is our pro-life analysis of the Capps Amendment, showing how the amendment, which has been touted by abortion advocates as a “compromise,” would actually mandate abortion coverage and allow federal funding to go to private insurance plans that cover abortion. And of course, much more information is available on our Web site RealHealthCareRespectsLife.com.
Many news sources are reporting that politicians are starting to fear the repercussions of offending pro-life voters especially after a new Pew Research poll shows that Americans’ support for legalized abortion has dropped dramatically since President Obama took office. You can make a difference by letting your elected representatives know you are among the millions of Americans who believes that “Real Health Care Respects Life.”
I wanted to give you an update on where we stand on fighting abortion in health care reform and let you know what we can do together in this tough battle. This week, the Senate Finance Committee, chaired by Sen. Max Baucus (D-Montana) will report the latest health care bill out of committee, becoming the fifth Committee to reject language like the Hyde Amendment that would prevent federal funding and coverage of abortion..
The Baucus bill is completely unacceptable to pro-lifers. It requires the government to spend $6 billion establishing co-ops that could cover abortion. The bill would also enable individuals to receive refundable, advanceable tax credits to purchase health insurance that covers abortion, and require at least one plan in each premium rating area to cover abortion.
As I told President Obama’s top domestic aides at AULA’s White House meeting last month, only an explicit exclusion of abortion funding and coverage, can prevent administrative agencies and the courts from mandating abortion funding and coverage in health care legislation.
The abortion lobby keeps saying the Hyde Amendment takes care of our concerns: but the Hyde Amendment is attached to each year’s Medicaid funding bill and doesn’t apply to the new proposals.
Even worse, when an amendment like the Hyde Amendment was proposed last week by Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), it was defeated by a vote of 10-13. The Committee also defeated an amendment by Sen. Hatch that would have prevented discrimination against any individual or organization that refused to provide, pay for, provide coverage of, or refer for abortions.
Next, the Senate Finance Committee bill will be reconciled with the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee (HELP) health care reform bill in the Senate backrooms, while the House reconciles the amendments added in three different Committees to the House bill (H.R. 3200).
At this key moment in health care reform, your senators and congressman are hearing confusing rhetoric about abortion funding and coverage as debate moves from committee rooms to backrooms. They are being told by the Democratic leadership that the Capps Amendment added to H.R. 3200 and incorporated into the Senate Finance Bill is a pro-life compromise, when in reality it is a pro-abortion approach in disguise. You need to tell your congressman that the “Capps Amendment approach” is NOT a compromise and that only putting Hyde in Health Care will be acceptable.
We must fight for every last vote to get an absolute exclusion of abortion coverage and funding. This new administration has talked a lot about transparency, and Congress continues to talk about compromise, but no pro-life members of Congress have been invited to the discussion.
Also available is our pro-life analysis of the Capps Amendment, showing how the amendment, which has been touted by abortion advocates as a “compromise,” would actually mandate abortion coverage and allow federal funding to go to private insurance plans that cover abortion. And of course, much more information is available on our Web site RealHealthCareRespectsLife.com.
Many news sources are reporting that politicians are starting to fear the repercussions of offending pro-life voters especially after a new Pew Research poll shows that Americans’ support for legalized abortion has dropped dramatically since President Obama took office. You can make a difference by letting your elected representatives know you are among the millions of Americans who believes that “Real Health Care Respects Life.”
God's work at 40 Days for Life in Norwich, CT
This just in:
"Today, while I was walking and praying at 12 Case Street, two young women in a car stopped and rolled down their window. They asked, "You are against abortion?." I responded, "Yes." The driver explained she has a little one (who was in the back seat). She said, "I can't take care of him. How can I take care of this baby, as she held her tummy. Her friend with her told me she was pregnant also, and that they had just left Planned Parenthood. I told them, "God Bless you for stopping", and explained that there is help available for you to have your babies, that I would get them in touch with someone that could help them, and that those babies inside them were a precious gift from God. One of them gave me her phone number and first name.
I went to the vigil today not expecting anything to happen. When it did (it happened so fast), I prayed I had said the right thing, and that these girls would give their babies LIFE. I will continue to pray for them and help in any way I can.
God was letting us know today that we are doing His work.
God bless our 40 Days for Life Vigil!
Kathy (a volunteer who prays at 40 Days for Life at 12 Case Street, Norwich)
Thank you Our Lady of Victory, whose feast day we celebrate today as Our Lady of the Rosary. Thank you for two precious lives saved. These women wanted true choice, and Kathy was able to help them find love and support when they needed it most. Well done Kathy!
None of this would be possible without the countless rosaries said outside the clinic this fall.
"Today, while I was walking and praying at 12 Case Street, two young women in a car stopped and rolled down their window. They asked, "You are against abortion?." I responded, "Yes." The driver explained she has a little one (who was in the back seat). She said, "I can't take care of him. How can I take care of this baby, as she held her tummy. Her friend with her told me she was pregnant also, and that they had just left Planned Parenthood. I told them, "God Bless you for stopping", and explained that there is help available for you to have your babies, that I would get them in touch with someone that could help them, and that those babies inside them were a precious gift from God. One of them gave me her phone number and first name.
I went to the vigil today not expecting anything to happen. When it did (it happened so fast), I prayed I had said the right thing, and that these girls would give their babies LIFE. I will continue to pray for them and help in any way I can.
God was letting us know today that we are doing His work.
God bless our 40 Days for Life Vigil!
Kathy (a volunteer who prays at 40 Days for Life at 12 Case Street, Norwich)
Thank you Our Lady of Victory, whose feast day we celebrate today as Our Lady of the Rosary. Thank you for two precious lives saved. These women wanted true choice, and Kathy was able to help them find love and support when they needed it most. Well done Kathy!
None of this would be possible without the countless rosaries said outside the clinic this fall.
Tuesday, October 06, 2009
Sign the petition for the unborn child
Help C-FAM Gather 1,000,000 Signatures
In the months leading up to the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the foundational international human rights document, C-FAM discovered that international abortion advocate and provider, Marie Stopes International, was planning on presenting a petition to the UN community calling for Global Safe Abortion and asking states to interpret the UDHR to include abortion as a human right. C-FAM and allied organizations recognized the need to counter the Marie Stopes International initiative and launched the UN Petition for the Unborn Child and the Family in September 2008 with the aim of presenting the UN with the signature on December 10. To read and sign the petition just select your language above.
The C-FAM campaign started with the hope of garnering 50,000 signatures. By December 10, we had gathered over 400,000. C-FAM presented the petition to ambassadors from various states and to the UN community in a press conference at UN headquarters on December 10.
Read press release HERE.
Heartened by the strong response from supporters and the positive feedback from the UN ambassadors that we met with, C-FAM decided to continue the campaign with the goal of presenting 1,000,000 signatures at the next session of the General Assembly.
In the months leading up to the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the foundational international human rights document, C-FAM discovered that international abortion advocate and provider, Marie Stopes International, was planning on presenting a petition to the UN community calling for Global Safe Abortion and asking states to interpret the UDHR to include abortion as a human right. C-FAM and allied organizations recognized the need to counter the Marie Stopes International initiative and launched the UN Petition for the Unborn Child and the Family in September 2008 with the aim of presenting the UN with the signature on December 10. To read and sign the petition just select your language above.
The C-FAM campaign started with the hope of garnering 50,000 signatures. By December 10, we had gathered over 400,000. C-FAM presented the petition to ambassadors from various states and to the UN community in a press conference at UN headquarters on December 10.
Read press release HERE.
Heartened by the strong response from supporters and the positive feedback from the UN ambassadors that we met with, C-FAM decided to continue the campaign with the goal of presenting 1,000,000 signatures at the next session of the General Assembly.
40 Days for Life in Norwich
Read my account of the successful 40 Days for Life Vigil in Norwich, CT.
on the Hartford Catholic Examiner.
on the Hartford Catholic Examiner.
Mother Angelica receives Papal Award
the following is a press release from EWTN:EWTN Foundress Mother Angelica and Deacon Bill Steltemeier Receive Papal Honor Irondale, AL (EWTN) –Pope Benedict XVI has awarded EWTN foundress, Mother Mary Angelica, and Deacon Bill Steltemeier, Chairman of EWTN’s Board of Governors, the Cross of Honor for distinguished service to the Church. The medal, officially known as “Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice” (literally “For the Church and the Pope”), is the highest honor that the Pope can bestow upon laity and religious. Bishop Robert J. Baker of Birmingham conferred the awards in a brief ceremony following Sunday benediction at the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Hanceville , Alabama . “The Holy Father’s recognition of Mother Angelica and Deacon Bill Steltemeier is a much-deserved honor. It acknowledges the tremendous faith, hard work and incredible sacrifices that each of them have made throughout the years in founding and building up the Network,” said EWTN President and CEO Michael P. Warsaw. “Their recognition is also a great honor for EWTN and is a clear sign of the importance of the Network’s mission for the Church and the Pope. We are grateful to His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI and to Bishop Baker for this honor.” Mother Mary Angelica, 86, is a Poor Clare Nun of Perpetual Adoration. She came to Alabama in 1961 to found Our Lady of the Angels Monastery in Irondale. In 1981, she began Eternal Word Television Network in a garage on the monastery property. In 1999, Mother Angelica relocated the Monastery to the grounds of the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Hanceville , Alabama . She continues to reside there with her community of Nuns. Deacon R. William Steltemeier, 80, was a successful Nashville attorney who left his law practice to join Mother Angelica with her fledgling television network. He served as EWTN’s President for many years and continues to serve as Chairman of the Network’s Board of Governors. EWTN Global Catholic Network, in its 28th year, is available in over 150 million television households in more than 140 countries and territories. With its direct broadcast satellite television and radio services, AM & FM radio networks, worldwide short-wave radio station, Internet website www.ewtn.com and publishing arm, EWTN, is the largest religious media network in the world.
Well deserved, Deacon Steltemeier and Mother!
After all you suffered from the Church, here is validation that the Holy Father appreciates your dedication to the Faith and high quality programming. You remain my favorite TV channel. If you want to understand just why this medal is so deserved, you need to read Raymond Arroyos' biography of Mother Angelica. I have it on CD and it is priceless; he reads the book and does her voice with a mixture of love and mischievious humor that will have you rolling with laughter.
Listen to an audio clip here and get hooked!
Mother, may your stations' reach extend to every TV on earth with the Truth of Christ and the glory of Catholicism!
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