It's time to take Huckabee seriously

"The Washington Post headline read: "Huckabee Complicates GOP Contest."
Wrong. What is complicating the GOP contest is the attempt to imagine, craft, articulate, and sell a "conservatism" that does not have respect for the dignity of life as its most fundamental value"
begins the article from Mary Kochan, editor of Catholic Exchange. She explains how the right to life is pivotal to all the freedoms we enjoy as Americans. She then goes on to quote Deacon Keith Fournier's article in Inside Catholic,

"Gov. Mike Huckabee is the only candidate running for the presidency who has fully, clearly and consistently been Pro-Life and Pro-Family throughout his public career. He has always strongly supported both the Right to Life and Traditional Marriage Amendments to the Constitution, which most Catholics know are essential to the protection of these social values. He states on his website:
"There is a lot more that a pro-life President can do than wait for a Supreme Court vacancy, and I will do everything I can to promote a pro-life agenda and pass pro-life legislation. ...I will staff all relevant positions with pro-life appointees. I will use the Bully Pulpit to change hearts and minds, to move this country from a culture of death to a culture of life. I have no desire to throw women in jail, I just want to stop throwing babies in the garbage."

Whatever reason it was that has held Catholics back from Huckabee until now, should pale by comparison into to the clear contrast with John McCain, who tried to pull the pro-life plank from the Republican Party for the 2004 Presidential Election, the election in which he offered to become John Kerry's running mate. Senator Kerry was, at the time, the most pro-abortion senator in the US Senate. If John McCain could support Kerry's candidacy for president, is he really any different from Clinton and Obama?

McCain is no conservative

Rush Limbaugh, no fan of McCain, or Huckabee, says this,
"Here's the thing about McCain: he can't win conservatives in the South by virtue of this primary yesterday," Limbaugh said. "These blue states that McCain won last night are places where he has no chance in November."
HT ABC News via Life Site
I noticed that as well here. Who cares how many blue states McCain carried in the primary? We all know they'll go for the Democrat Nominee in November. Huckabee won the red states in the South, and nearly won Missouri, an important swing state. Will the conservatives vote for McCain in the fall. Ann Coulter said she'd rather vote for Hillary than McCain. I'm tired of "taking one for the team" and holding my nose to vote for a moderate.
There are those who feel that two years of Hillary would shock Republicans back into reality. It worked with Bill Clinton in 1994, and the Contract with America. How quickly we pro-lifers are forgotten by the fat cats in Washington, whom we put in office. NARAL garners more respect than we do. Why don't we learn from them?

23 Catholic Colleges hosting "V-day"

The following Catholic colleges and universities are hosting the lewd play The Vagina Monologues.
Bellarmine University
Dr. Joseph McGowan, Presidentmailto:Presidentpresident@bellarmine.edu
College of the Holy Cross
Fr. Michael McFarland, S.J., Presidentmailto:Presidentmmcfarla@holycross.edu
College of Mount Saint Vincent
Dr. Charles Flynn, Jr.,Presidentmailto:Presidentcharles.flynn@mountsaintvincent.edu
College of Saint Rose
Dr. R. Mark Sullivan, Presidentmailto:Presidentsullivam@strose.edu
DePaul University
Fr. Dennis Holtschneider, C.M., Presidentmailto:Presidentpresident@depaul.edu
Dominican University of California
Dr. Joseph Fink, Presidentmailto:Presidentjrf@dominican.edu
Fordham University
Fr. Joseph McShane, S.J., Presidentmailto:Presidentpresident@fordham.edu
Georgetown University
Dr. John DeGioia, Presidentmailto:Presidentpresident@georgetown.edu
John Carroll University
Fr. Edward Glynn, S.J., Presidentmailto:Presidentpresident@jcu.edu
Le Moyne College
Dr. John Smarrelli, Interim Presidentmailto:Presidentsmarrelj@lemoyne.edu
Loyola Marymount University
Fr. Robert Lawton, S.J., Presidentmailto:Presidentrlawtonsj@lmu.edu
Loyola University Chicago
Fr. Michael Garanzini, S.J., Presidentmailto:Presidentmgaranz@luc.edu
Loyola University New Orleans
Fr. Kevin Wildes, S.J., Presidentmailto:Presidentwildesk@loyno.edu
Marygrove College
Dr. David Fike, Presidentmailto:Presidentdfike@marygrove.edu
Regis College
Dr. Mary Jane England, Presidentmailto:Presidentengland@regiscollege.edu
Saint Louis University
Fr. Lawrence Biondi, S.J., Presidentmailto:Presidentbiondi@slu.edu
Saint Mary's College of California
Br. Ronald Gallagher, Presidentmailto:Presidentbrg@stmarys-ca.edu
University of Detroit
MercyFr. Gerard Stockhausen, S.J., Presidentmailto:Presidentgstock@udmercy.edu
University of Notre Dame
Fr. John Jenkins, C.S.C., Presidentmailto:Presidentjenkins.1@nd.edu
University of San Francisco
Fr. Stephen Privett, S.J., Presidentprivett@usfca.edu

Something wicked this way comes. . .

Houston will be the site of the largest free standing abortion facility in the Western Hemisphere

As most of you are very well aware, our local Planned Parenthood is expanding and purchased a very large building at 4600 Gulf Freeway a little over a year ago. This expansion is being done to comply with Texas law stating that an abortion of a pregnancy of 16 weeks or more has to be done at an ambulatory surgical center or hospital licensed to perform the abortion.

What we didn’t realize is that when this move takes place, which is projected for the fall of 2008, Houston will have the notoriety of having the largest free standing abortion facility in the Western Hemisphere. Planned Parenthood of Houston & Southeast Texas plans to open a multimillion dollar “flagship” abortion center just outside the gates of the University of Houston’s main campus. This 6-story building is 78,000 square feet, and the ambulatory surgical center will take up the entire third floor. This is where unborn babies up to 25 weeks will be aborted. This is more than half way through a woman’s pregnancy! We know that babies born after 24 weeks have a very good chance of survival. Click here to see images of unborn babies up to 25 weeks.

I’m sure that you would agree that Texans must take a stand against the opening of this late-term abortuary, peacefully and legally.

Lord have mercy on them!

Dr. Dobson endorses Huckabee

Dr. James Dobson issues the following statement tonight, speaking as a private citizen.
I am endorsing Gov. Mike Huckabee for President of the United States today. My decision comes in the wake of my statement on Super Tuesday that I could not vote for Sen. John McCain, even if he goes on to win the Republican nomination. His record on the institution of the family and other conservative issues makes his candidacy a matter of conscience and concern for me.
That left two pro-family candidates whom I could support, but I was reluctant to choose between them. However, the decision by Gov. Mitt Romney to put his campaign "on hold" changes the political landscape. The remaining candidate for whom I could vote is Gov. Huckabee. His unwavering positions on the social issues, notably the institution of marriage, the importance of faith and the sanctity of human life, resonate deeply with me and with many others. That is why I will support Gov. Huckabee through the remaining primaries, and will vote for him in the general election if he should get the nomination. Obviously, the governor faces an uphill struggle, given the delegates already committed to Sen. McCain. Nevertheless, I believe he is our best remaining choice for President of the United States.
Now we know why it took so long for this endorsement; he thought Romney was pro-family. I could never believe his conversion on abortion was sincere. Let's hope it's not too late to make a difference.Time to pray.

Romney Quits Race, Huckabee stays in!

Read all about it here. Huckabee's staying in, and SO AM I!
Hey, you never know!

Reproductive Health and Privacy Protection Act

New York State Sentator Joe Bruno wrote the following response to my letter, which was part of a letter writing campaign to protest Elliot Spitzer's horrendous "Reproductive Health and Privacy Act" anything with the words reproductive health is trouble, and when you add privacy, remember it's only for the abortionists'crimes, the women who get abortions have their addresses sold to pro-abort fund raising groups. See Planned Parenthood's enthusiastic endorsement of this bill which is a hedge against a possible overturning of Roe v Wade.
Here is the NYS Catholic Conference response to this bill.
"I am writing to acknowlege receipt of your letter in opposition to State Senate Bill 5829, which would enact the Reproductive Health and Privacy Protection Act.
As you may know, S. 5829 is under review in the Senater Health Committee. Pleased be assured that I will keep your views in mind should this legislation come before the Senate for consideration.
Thanks for taking the time to write. I appreciate having the benefit of your comments on this important matter. You have my best wishes for the coming months.

Sincerely,
Joseph L Bruno

If you want to contact Senator Bruno, write to:
Joseph L. Bruno,
NY State Senator,
43rd Senate District
Senate Majority Leader
Room 909
Legislative Office Bldg
Albany , NY 12247

or call him at
(518) 455-3191 ...

Dr James Dobson: I Cannot and Will Not Vote for McCain!

As voters in 24 states head to the polls today to choose a presidential nominee, Dr. James Dobson released a statement to The Laura Ingraham Show today. He stated his personal opinions of this critical election:
"I am deeply disappointed the Republican Party seems poised to select a nominee who did not support a Constitutional amendment to protect the institution of marriage, voted for embryonic stem-cell research to kill nascent human beings, opposed tax cuts that ended the marriage penalty, has little regard for freedom of speech, organized the Gang of 14 to preserve filibusters in judicial hearings, and has a legendary temper and often uses foul and obscene language."I am convinced Sen. McCain is not a conservative, and in fact, has gone out of his way to stick his thumb in the eyes of those who are. He has sounded at times more like a member of the other party. McCain actually considered leaving the GOP caucus in 2001, and approached John Kerry about being Kerry's running mate in 2004. McCain also said publicly that Hillary Clinton would make a good president. Given these and many other concerns, a spoonful of sugar does NOT make the medicine go down. I cannot, and will not, vote for Sen. John McCain, as a matter of conscience. "But what a sad and melancholy decision this is for me and many other conservatives. Should Sen. McCain capture the nomination as many assume, I believe this general election will offer the worst choices for president in my lifetime. I certainly can't vote for Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama based on their virulently anti-family policy positions. If these are the nominees in November, I simply will not cast a ballot for president for the first time in my life. These decisions are my personal views and do not represent the organization with which I am affiliated. They do reflect my deeply held convictions about the institution of the family, about moral and spiritual beliefs, and about the welfare of our country."

HT Citizen Link

I know how he feels. I may have to vote for McCain, but I would have to keep one hand free to hold my nose.

Holy Sonnet for Lent

John Donne


BATTER my heart, three person'd God; for, you

As yet but knock, breathe, shine, and seek to mend;

That I may rise, and stand, o'erthrow me,'and bend

Your force, to breake, blow, burn and make me new.

I, like an usurpt town, to'another due,
5
Labour to admit you, but Oh, to no end,

Reason your viceroy in mee, me should defend,

But is captiv'd, and proves weak or untrue.

Yet dearely'I love you,'and would be loved fain,

But am betroth'd unto your enemy:
10
Divorce me,'untie, or breake that knot again;

Take me to you, imprison me, for I

Except you enthrall mee, never shall be free,

Nor ever chaste, except you ravish me.

Rudy's Revenge

I shouldn't have discounted Rudy Guiliani. Sure, he's no longer in the race, but his influence has had more of an effect on the election than we realize. He set up the whole Super Tuesday, winner take all scenario that has John McCain way ahead of Huckabee who won Arkansas, West Virginia, Georgia, and Alabama last night. Those states' delegates were given out by percentage won, if you got 50% of the state's vote, you got 50% of the state's delegates. McCain and Huckabee were neck and neck in Missouri for example, but McCain got all that state's delegates, because it, like NY, CT, NJ is a winner take all state. Nothing for second best, no matter how close. That put McCain farther ahead in delegates than he is in the popular vote.
This entire system favors a moderate Republican who appeals to more liberal Northeast voters, exactly the type Guiliani thought he'd win, in the states he thought he'd win. Guiliani paved the way for McCain to seem far more popular than he is, virtually ignoring the opinion of Southerners. The Democrat Primaries are all by percentage, which keeps Hillary and Obama from coasting to an easy victory, they have to battle state by state.
Republicans ought to be more watchful of who is in charge of their party, before they find themselves alone in it. Letting a man who doesnt' share our conservative morality and who made no showing in the popular vote make the rules for his own benefit is bound to bother conservatives. We might even do something. . .

HT Life News

A Lenten Message from Pope Benedict XVI

Dear brothers and sisters!

“They shall look on Him whom they have pierced” (Jn 19:37).

This is the biblical theme that this year guides our Lenten reflection. Lent is a favourable time to learn to stay with Mary and John, the beloved disciple, close to Him who on the Cross, consummated for all mankind the sacrifice of His life (cf. Jn 19:25). With a more fervent participation let us direct our gaze, therefore, in this time of penance and prayer, at Christ crucified who, dying on Calvary, revealed fully for us the love of God. In the encyclical "Deus caritas est", I dwelt upon this theme of love, highlighting its two fundamental forms: agape and eros. God’s love: agape and eros The term
agape, which appears many times in the New Testament, indicates the self-giving
love of one who looks exclusively for the good of the other. The word eros, on
the other hand, denotes the love of one who desires to possess what he or she
lacks and yearns for union with the beloved. The love with which God surrounds
us is undoubtedly agape. Indeed, can man give to God some good that He does not
already possess? All that the human creature is and has is divine gift. It is
the creature then, who is in need of God in everything. But God’s love is also
eros. In the Old Testament, the Creator of the universe manifests toward the
people whom He has chosen as His own a predilection that transcends every human
motivation. The prophet Hosea expresses this divine passion with daring images
such as the love of a man for an adulterous woman (cf. 3:1-3). For his part,
Ezekiel, speaking of God’s relationship with the people of Israel, is not afraid
to use strong and passionate language (cf. 16:1-22). These biblical texts
indicate that eros is part of God’s very heart: the Almighty awaits the “yes” of
His creatures as a young bridegroom that of his bride. Unfortunately, from its
very origins, mankind, seduced by the lies of the Evil One, rejected God’s love
in the illusion of a self-sufficiency that is impossible (cf. Gn 3:1-7). Turning
in on himself, Adam withdrew from that source of life who is God Himself, and
became the first of “those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong
bondage” (Heb 2:15).

God, however, did not give up. On the contrary, man’s “no” was the decisive impulse that moved Him to manifest His love in all of its redeeming strength. The Cross reveals the fullness of God’s love It is in the mystery of the Cross that the overwhelming power of the heavenly Father’s mercy is revealed in all of its fullness. In order to win back the love of His creature, He accepted to pay a very high price: the blood of His only begotten Son. Death, which for the first Adam was an extreme sign of loneliness and powerlessness, was thus transformed in the supreme act of love and freedom of the new Adam. One could very well assert, therefore, together with Saint Maximus the Confessor, that Christ “died, if one could say so, divinely, because He died freely” ("Ambigua", 91, 1956). On the Cross, God’s eros for us is made manifest.
Eros is indeed – as Pseudo-Dionysius expresses it – that force “that does not
allow the lover to remain in himself but moves him to become one with the
beloved” ("De divinis nominibus", IV, 13: PG 3, 712). Is there more “mad eros”
(N. Cabasilas, "Vita in Cristo", 648) than that which led the Son of God to make
Himself one with us even to the point of suffering as His own the consequences
of our offences? “Him whom they have pierced”

Dear brothers and sisters, let us look at Christ pierced in the Cross! He is the unsurpassing revelation of God’s love, a love in which eros and agape, far from being opposed, enlighten each other. On the Cross, it is God Himself who begs the love of His creature: He is thirsty for the love of every one of us. The Apostle Thomas recognized Jesus as “Lord and God” when he put his hand into the wound of His side.

Not surprisingly, many of the saints found in the Heart of Jesus the deepest
expression of this mystery of love. One could rightly say that the revelation of
God’s eros toward man is, in reality, the supreme expression of His agape. In
all truth, only the love that unites the free gift of oneself with the
impassioned desire for reciprocity instills a joy, which eases the heaviest of
burdens.

Jesus said: “When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men to
myself” (Jn 12:32). The response the Lord ardently desires of us is above all
that we welcome His love and allow ourselves to be drawn to Him. Accepting His
love, however, is not enough. We need to respond to such love and devote
ourselves to communicating it to others. Christ “draws me to Himself” in order
to unite Himself to me, so that I learn to love the brothers with His own love.
Blood and water “They shall look on Him whom they have pierced.” Let us look
with trust at the pierced side of Jesus from which flow “blood and water” (Jn
19:34)! The Fathers of the Church considered these elements as symbols of the
sacraments of Baptism and the Eucharist. Through the water of Baptism, thanks to
the action of the Holy Spirit, we are given access to the intimacy of
Trinitarian love. In the Lenten journey, memorial of our Baptism, we are
exhorted to come out of ourselves in order to open ourselves, in trustful
abandonment, to the merciful embrace of the Father (cf. Saint John Chrysostom,
"Catecheses", 3,14ff). Blood, symbol of the love of the Good Shepherd, flows
into us especially in the Eucharistic mystery: “The Eucharist draws us into
Jesus’ act of self-oblation, […] we enter into the very dynamic of His
self-giving” (encyclical "Deus caritas est", 13).

Let us live Lent then, as a “Eucharistic” time in which, welcoming the love of Jesus, we learn to spread it around us with every word and deed. Contemplating “Him whom they have pierced” moves us in this way to open our hearts to others, recognizing the wounds inflicted upon the dignity of the human person; it moves us, in particular, to fight every form of contempt for life and human exploitation and to alleviate the tragedies of loneliness and abandonment of so many people. May Lent be for every Christian a renewed experience of God’s love given to us in Christ, a love that each day we, in turn, must “regive” to our neighbour, especially to the one
who suffers most and is in need. Only in this way will we be able to participate
fully in the joy of Easter.

May Mary, Mother of Beautiful Love, guide us in this Lenten journey, a journey of authentic conversion to the love of Christ. I wish you, dear brothers and sisters, a fruitful Lenten journey, imparting with affection to all of you, a special Apostolic Blessing.

The E for Excellence Award

Five of my fellow bloggers have honored me with the E for excellence award, including: Alexandra at Happy Hearts at Home, Dominisumus at We Belong to the Lord, Adele at Journey to Therese , Jean at Catholic Fire, and Heidi Hess Saxton at Mommy Monsters I am so honored by this, considering the excellence of their blogs. I love being part of the blogger family at times like this. It's worth all the effort. We do our best to get the truth out there, don't we?

I nominate the following excellent blogs:
1. Credo; Catholic Journal is run by a group of youthful Irishmen faithful to their wonderful Irish Catholic tradition, which, by the way, I inherited from my Grams.
2. Pinwheels Jennifer Grafonberg is always professional, always tender when discussing mothering her son with Down syndrome. She has a new book out, "Roadmap to Holland" check it out.
3. The World IMHO Christine and I blog together on Catholic Media Review, which she named. I identify with her strong pro-life perspective, and I love the way she interjects her comments into the text of a fraudulent point of view. She loves the truth and proclaims it well.
4. Et Tu Jen is an outstanding writer, who seamlessly blends her perspective into her posts without being self-abosorbed. Not an easy task for a bl0gger. I love her scorpion sightings!
5. Castle of the Immaculate - Mary Vitamin, aka Helen has a blog that has a calming effect on me like an afternoon of recollection. She has a beautiful new baby to ooh and ahh over too!
6. Cajun Cottage Under the Oaks -I'm fascinated by the delightful Cajun Catholic Culture, and Cay brings it to life with her wondeful recipes and family anecdotes.
7. By Sun and Candlelight- any time I'm looking for great nature studies, this is where I go, Dawn and her family are so in touch with the natural world, and her bookshelf is wonderful.
8. The Divine Gift of Motherhood- Elizabeth is so graceful and professional in her writing; she reminds me of the privelege of being both a mother and a writer.
9. Behold Your Mother-Jasna Gorak has some wonderful insights into how to actively participate in the Latin Mass.
10. Fatima Now- Pascendi discusses how to incorporate Catholic social teaching into our daily lives, always a thought-provoking read.
11. Christina Dunigan-she teaches ESL in Korea, and writes four blogs. Her comments on my pro-life posts always get me re-thinking about how to frame the issues.
DEAR HONOREES
By accepting this Excellent Blog Award, you have to award it to 10 or more people whose blogs you find Excellend Award worthy. You can give it to as many people as you want-even those that have received it already, but please award at least 10 people.

What's a pro-abort to do?

Poor Kate Michelmen! Two of the staunchest proponents of abortion are vying for the Presidency, and she has to choose between them.
Former NARAL president and leading pro-abortion activist Kate Michelman has endorsed Barack Obama over Hillary Clinton now that her initial candidate, John Edwards, has left the Democratic race for president. Michelman says Obama is doing more to pull together abortion advocates under his candidacy than Clinton.
HT Life News

Another Terri Schivao case: father fighting to save daughter

Lauren’s father, Randy Richardson, is leading the drive to keep her alive. She is breathing on her own, and he said she is aware of her surroundings, moves and feels pain.
Unfortunately for Lauren, she has been given into her mother's custody who wants to remove her feeding tube.
Pray for all these people who have feelings but are voiceless.
HT Citizen Link

Exploiting Down syndrome the new fad

Case #1
Al Qaeda tricks two young women with Down syndrome into suicide bombing mission. Read article here. I guess they ran out of willing victims to suicide bomb kill women and children, so now they move on to unwilling victims. This is the depth of depravity.

Case #2
In the commercial where Hillary used the image of Bobby Kennedy visiting the poor to show herself in the same light, she is seen visiting a child with Down syndrome, to show how compassion. BIG mistake Hillary, and I'm going to call her on it every chance I get. She is a hypocrite and a fraud.
Hillary supports every single form of abortion possible, including the henious partial birth abortion, which was on of the ways mothers expecting children with Down syndrome were able to kill over 90% of their late term babies. I have a message for her:
Don't you dare pretend you love our beautiful children with Down syndrome, Hillary! As I told her the day I protested at her campaign stop in my hometown,
"You can't say you're pro-child, and pro-abortion, Hillary!"

Case #3
Film "What is it?", uses actors with Down syndrome in a demeaning role.
What Is It?, a surrealist film featuring a cast comprised almost entirely of people (most are non-actors) with Down syndrome.
After the film, Glover opened the room to Q & A. I asked the first question. "I have a young son with Down syndrome. Could you please help me understand how you can believe that you did not exploit all the actors with Down syndrome?"Glover has been showing this film to audiences across the US and he said that this was the first time anyone had asked him that question
HT Narrow Ridge
He went on to say that the killing of live snails caused a lot of controversy but the exploitation and humiliation of people with Down syndrome did not. In a culture who values snails over human beings such a reaction shouldn't cause me to feel sick. But it still does.
National Down Syndrome Society, National Down Synrome Congress, are you listening?

Super Tuesday; What's a Catholic to do?

Well you can forget about Hillary and Obama. No way a serious Catholic would ever consider them, who are locked in a battle over who is the most devout abortion supporter. You can't cite the war in Iraq if you vote for Hillary, she was in favor of it, and abortion is the primary make or break issue for Catholics anyway.

That leaves Mc Cain, whom Sam Brownback, my former candidate is supporting, for pro-life reasons, or Romney whom Rick Santorum is supporting for the same reasons.Alan Keyes accuses Romney of being responsible for the same sex marriage debacle in Massachusetts.

Then there's Mike Huckabee, whom Bobby Schindler is supporting, and Terry Jeffrey said was most pro-life of all. IF I could vote in a state where it actually mattered, I'd vote for Huckabee.

Ron Paul has only gotten a 56% voting record from National Right to Life, and never got more than single digit numbers in any primary.

I changed my registration from Independent to Conservative, so I can't vote tomorrow.(our NY State Right to Life Party is defunct and our Right to Life coordinator asked us to help him save the Conservative Party from going anti-life. I wish there was a pro-life consensus, behind Huckabee, united we are strong. Divided the opponents of life can beat us,and give us another nightmare Clinton Presidency.

BUT you can be certain I'll be praying. . . and blogging.

Pope Benedict's prayer intention for February

Please share the word that Pope Benedict is urging all Christian people to join in prayer for the mentally handicapped during this month of February.

Please say a special prayer, if you would, for my son, Peter Damien Watson. Born severely handicapped with profound cardiac and neuromuscular difficulties, his doctors did not expect him to survive beyond three or four years. This coming first of July, he will be 33! He lights up our life.

Thanks! Oremus pro invicem. (Let's pray for one another.)


Richard A. Watson, M.D.
Past President, Catholic Medical Association (USA)

Oldest Chinese priest dies at 110

Feb 1, 2008Hong KongTrappist priest Rev. Nicholas Kao Se-Tsien, Hong Kong's oldest man, who recited the rosary devotion 15 times a day for world peace every day from 1932, has died at the age of 110. Father Kao was a member of the Trappist monastic community in Hong Kong, and he was believed to be the oldest Chinese priest in the world. His superior, Dom Anastasius Li, said Father Kao died peacefully in his sleep on Dec. 11 in Hong Kong, having been well prepared for his last day.The Roman Catholic priest witnessed turbulent changes in China from the day he was born on Jan. 15, 1897, in Fujian province, when the country was ruled by the imperial Qing Dynasty, which lasted from 1644 to 1911. He was baptized in 1915, four years after the Republic of China had been founded.Ordained a priest in 1933 to serve Fuzhou Cathedral in the capital city of Fujian province, Father Kao left mainland China in 1949, after Mao Zedong's Communist Party founded the People’s Republic of China and religious activities were under threat.Father Kao then served in Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand, before he joined the Hong Kong Trappist community in 1972. He took his final vow in 1997, at the age of 100.The monk shared a deep devotion to the Virgin Mary and built six Marian temples in mainland China, Taiwan, Malaysia and Hong Kong.Father Kao embarked on his quest for world peace in 1932, by beginning his recital of the rosary, a traditional Catholic devotion that involves sets of prayers in tens using beads as counters.When the late Pope John Paul II lengthened the rosary prayers with the "Mysteries of Light" in 2002, the monk increased his rosary recitals to 20 times a day. The rosary is used sometimes by some adherents of other Christian denominations, particularly in the Anglican Communion, the Old Catholic Church, and some Lutherans, and occasionally by some Methodists. More evangelical Protestants, however, such as Baptists, Seventh-day Adventists and churches such as the Assemblies of God, do not use the rosary and may discourage their members from using this method of prayer.

This holy priest outlived the vicious "Cultural Revolution" of Mao, and prayed for peace all his life. Now he will be praying with the Church Triumphant for the freedom of his nation from the slavery of Communism. The power of prayer conquers any evil on earth.

Abortion of disabled babies - David MacDonald

This Candian man tells the uncomfortable truth about prenatal screening, and gets a suprising response. I wish I had been there!

Do it yourself abortions via Misoprostol

Misoprostol and the Hidden Pro-Life Crisis
by Colin Mason
The pro-abortion movement is moving stealthily to open another front in the abortion wars. Its name is misoprostol.
Misoprostol is most well-known as the active ingredient in Cytotec, a prescription drug whose FDA-approved usage is to relieve gastric ulcers. Misoprostol has proven very effective in this regard, and it has also been used to treat women who are hemorrhaging from a spontaneous miscarriage, or following childbirth. This is the good news.
The bad news is that it is just as "effective" at causing an abortion.
Pro-abortion groups have been swift to take advantage of this new anti-life weapon. Misoprostol, when used in conjunction with the steroid mifepristone, will cause a pregnant woman to miscarry 90 percent of the time. This is, of course, RU-486.
But Misoprostol alone is only slightly less deadly. What it amounts to is a one-pill, one-day, "homemade" abortion. A woman who takes the drug generally begins hemorrhaging, after which she need merely go to a local medical clinic and claim that she is miscarrying.
From the point of view of the doctor who examines her, the woman is spontaneously miscarrying. There is no evidence that she has aborted herself. Nor is the doctor aware that, by removing the now-dead baby, he is completing an elective abortion.
Misoprostol can be an even more effective abortifacient than the MVA device.
The FDA strictly warns against the usage of misoprostol for any obstetric use, even to slow hemorrhaging, but this has not stopped doctors domestically or abroad from doing so. "Misoprostol is sometimes used to decrease blood loss after delivery of a baby," the FDA clearly states on its web site. "These uses are not approved by the FDA. No company has sent the FDA scientific proof that misoprostol is safe and effective for these uses."
The drug has been seized upon by abortion-pushing NGO's, who see misoprostol as their ultimate "final solution." Indeed, this small pill requires no medical training to use, it is easily stored at ambient temperatures and it is available over-the-counter in many developing countries.

Women on Waves, the infamous Dutch abortion group, calls the misoprostol/mifepristone cocktail "the best and safest way a woman can do an abortion herself until the 9th week of pregnancy," going on to offer detailed instructions on how to do so. Gynuity Health Projects, a notoriously pro-abortion NGO, has an entire project dedicated to introducing abortion in Latin American countries, in which misoprostol plays an integral part.
Even more flagrant is the web site www.misoprostolabortion.com. This group states baldly that its goal is "to provide information [about misoprostol] to pregnant women who want to end their pregnancies, women who live in countries with restrictive abortion laws, countries where abortion is illegal, or for women who for some reason or the other do not have access to legal abortion services." So much for the rule of law.
The misoprostol situation provides a unique dilemma for pro-lifers everywhere, especially those who have been working so tirelessly over the years to overturn the Roe vs. Wade decision. Here is a drug that can be used to circumvent the laws restricting abortion. Not only that, but this same drug has legitimate medical uses that make it impossible to demand that it simply be taken off the market altogether.
According to PRI president Steven Mosher, "The first thing pro-lifers need to do is to make people aware of this new threat to life. Then we have to seek legal solutions to this misuse of a deadly drug, the medical malpractice that is involved, and be prepared to fight this same battle in dozens of countries around the world."
This can be done, first and foremost, by educating people about this unapproved, off-label use of misoprostol, and how organizations like Gynuity and www.misoprostolabortion.com are encouraging women to violate U.S. and international laws and regulations.
Finally, the FDA has a watchdog role to play here. Groups that are encouraging the off-label use of misoprosptol should be subject to regulatory action.
This is not without precedent. In the late 1990's, population control enthusiast Steven Mumford was promoting quinacrine hydrochloride, a drug authorized for anti-malarial use only, as a chemical agent to sterilize Third World women. After PRI blew the whistle on him, the FDA acted. Mumford was ordered to cease and desist, and to destroy his stockpile of quinacrine.
It is time for the FDA to act.
Click here to contact the FDA, or send a letter to their mailing address at:
Food and Drug Administration

5600 Fishers Lane

Rockville, Maryland 20857

Telephone: 1-888-INFO-FDA

Novena to Our Lady of Lourdes begins tomorrow

The 150th anniversary of the apparitions of Our Lady of Lourdes is coming this month. Here is the website for the anniversay.The Holy Father has issued a plenary indulgence for those who are able to visit Lourdes. Those who, like me, have never been to Lourdes can make a spiritual pilgrmage in this novena.
Be blessed, O most pure Virgin, for having vouchsafed to manifest your shining with life, sweetness and beauty, in the Grotto of Lourdes, saying to the child, St. Bernadette: "I am the Immaculate Conception." A thousand times we congratulate you upon your Immaculate Conception. And now, O ever Immaculate Virgin, Mother of mercy, Health of the sick, Refuge of sinners, Comforter of the afflicted, you know our wants, our troubles, our sufferings deign to cast upon us a look of mercy.
By appearing in the Grotto of Lourdes, you were pleased to make it a privileged sanctuary, whence you dispense your favors, and already many have obtained the cure of their infirmities, both spiritual and physical. We come, therefore, with the most unbounded confidence to implore your maternal intercession. Obtain for us, O loving Mother, the granting of our request. request Through gratitude for your favors, we will endeavor to imitate your virtues, that we may one day share your glory.Our Lady of Lourdes, Mother of Christ, you had influence with your divine son while upon earth. You have the same influence now in Heaven. Pray for us; obtain for us from your Divine Son our special requests if it be the Divine Will. Amen.
Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.
Saint Bernadette, pray for us.

NINE DAY NOVENA TO OUR LADY OF LOURDES

DAY ONE
O Mary Immaculate, Our Lady of Lourdes, virgin and mother, queen of heaven, chosen from all eternity to be the Mother of the Eternal Word and in virtue of this title preserved from original sin, we kneel before you as did little Bernadette at Lourdes and pray with childlike trust in you that as we contemplate your glorious appearance at Lourdes, you will look with mercy on our present petition and secure for us a favorable answer to the request for which we are making this novena.
(make your request)
O Brilliant star of purity, Mary Immaculate, Our Lady of Lourdes, glorious in your assumption, triumphant in your coronation, show unto us the mercy of the Mother of God, Virgin Mary, Queen and Mother, be our comfort, hope, strength, and consolation. Amen.
Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.
Saint Bernadette, pray for us.

DAY TWO
Be blessed, O most pure Virgin, for having vouchsafed to manifest yourself shining with light, sweetness and beauty, in the Grotto of Lourdes, saying to the child Saint Bernadette: "I am the Immaculate Conception!" O Mary Immaculate, inflame our hearts with one ray of the burning love of your pure heart Let them be consumed with love for Jesus and for you, in order that we may merit one day to enjoy your glorious eternity. O dispenser of His graces here below, take into your keeping and present to your Divine Son the petition for which we are making this novena.
(make your request)
O Brilliant star of purity, Mary Immaculate, Our Lady of Lourdes, glorious in your assumption, triumphant in your coronation, show unto us the mercy of the Mother of God, Virgin Mary, Queen and Mother, be our comfort, hope, strength, and consolation. Amen.
Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.
Saint Bernadette, pray for us.

DAY THREE
"You are all fair, O Mary, and there is in you no stain of original sin." O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee. O brilliant star of sanctity, as on that lovely day, upon a rough rock in Lourdes you spoke to the child Bernadette and a fountain broke from the plain earth and miracles happened and the great shrine of Lourdes began, so now I beseech you to hear our fervent prayer and do, we beseech you, grant us the petition we now so earnestly seek.
(make your request)
O Brilliant star of purity, Mary Immaculate, Our Lady of Lourdes, glorious in your assumption, triumphant in your coronation, show unto us the mercy of the Mother of God, Virgin Mary, Queen and Mother, be our comfort, hope, strength, and consolation. Amen.
Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.
Saint Bernadette, pray for us.

DAY FOUR
O Immaculate Queen of Heaven, we your wayward, erring children, join our unworthy prayers of praise and thanksgiving to those of the angels and saints and your own-the One, Holy, and Undivided Trinity may be glorified in heaven and on earth. Our Lady of Lourdes, as you looked down with love and mercy upon Bernadette as she prayed her rosary in the grotto, look down now, we beseech you, with love and mercy upon us. From the abundance of graces granted you by your Divine Son, sweet Mother of God, give to each of us all that your motherly heart sees we need and at this moment look with special favor on the grace we seek in this novena.
(make your request)
O Brilliant star of purity, Mary Immaculate, Our Lady of Lourdes, glorious in your assumption, triumphant in your coronation, show unto us the mercy of the Mother of God, Virgin Mary, Queen and Mother, be our comfort, hope, strength, and consolation. Amen.
Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.
Saint Bernadette, pray for us.

DAY FIVE
O Mary Immaculate, Mother of God and our mother, from the heights of your dignity look down mercifully upon us while we, full of confidence in your unbounded goodness and confident that your Divine Son will look favorably upon any request you make of Him in our behalf, we beseech you to come to our aid and secure for us the favor we seek in this novena.
(make your request)
O Brilliant star of purity, Mary Immaculate, Our Lady of Lourdes, glorious in your assumption, triumphant in your coronation, show unto us the mercy of the Mother of God, Virgin Mary, Queen and Mother, be our comfort, hope, strength, and consolation. Amen.
Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.
Saint Bernadette, pray for us.

DAY SIX
O glorious Mother of God, so powerful under your special title of Our Lady of Lourdes, to you we raise our hearts and hands to implore your powerful intercession in obtaining from the gracious Heart of Jesus all the helps and graces necessary for our spiritual and temporal welfare and for the special favor we so earnestly seek in this novena.
(make your request)
O Lady of Bernadette, with the stars of heaven in your hair and the roses of earth at your feet, look with compassion upon us today as you did so long ago on Bernadette in the Grotto of Lourdes.
O Brilliant star of purity, Mary Immaculate, Our Lady of Lourdes, glorious in your assumption, triumphant in your coronation, show unto us the mercy of the Mother of God, Virgin Mary, Queen and Mother, be our comfort, hope, strength, and consolation. Amen.
Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.
Saint Bernadette, pray for us.

DAY SEVEN
O Almighty God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary did prepare a worthy dwelling place for your Son, we humbly beseech you that as we contemplate the apparition of Our Lady in the Grotto of Lourdes, we may be blessed with health of mind and body. O most gracious Mother Mary, beloved Mother of Our Lord and Redeemer, look with favor upon us as you did that day on Bernadette and intercede with him for us that the favor we now so earnestly seek may be granted to us.
(make your request)
O Brilliant star of purity, Mary Immaculate, Our Lady of Lourdes, glorious in your assumption, triumphant in your coronation, show unto us the mercy of the Mother of God, Virgin Mary, Queen and Mother, be our comfort, hope, strength, and consolation. Amen
Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.
Saint Bernadette, pray for us.

DAY EIGHT
O Immaculate Mother of God, from heaven itself you came to appear to the little Bernadette in the rough Grotto of Lourdes! And as Bernadette knelt at your feet and the miraculous spring burst forth and as multitudes have knelt ever since before your shrine, O Mother of God, we kneel before you today to ask that in your mercy you plead with your Divine Son to grant the special favor we seek in this novena.
(make your request)
O Brilliant star of purity, Mary Immaculate, Our Lady of Lourdes, glorious in your assumption, triumphant in your coronation, show unto us the mercy of the Mother of God, Virgin Mary, Queen and Mother, be our comfort, hope, strength, and consolation. Amen.
Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.
Saint Bernadette, pray for us.

DAY NINE
O glorious Mother of God, to you we raise our hearts and hands to implore your powerful intercession in obtaining from the benign Heart of Jesus all the graces necessary for our spiritual and temporal welfare, particularly for the grace of a happy death. O Mother of our Divine Lord, as we conclude this novena for the special favor we seek at this time.
(make your request)

We feel animated with confidence that your prayers in our behalf will be graciously heard. O Mother of My Lord, through the love you bear to Jesus Christ and for the glory of His Name, hear our prayers and obtain our petitions.
O Brilliant star of purity, Mary Immaculate, Our Lady of Lourdes, glorious in your assumption, triumphant in your coronation, show unto us the mercy of the Mother of God, Virgin Mary, Queen and Mother, be our comfort, hope, strength, and consolation. Amen.
Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.
Saint Bernadette, pray for us.

Guest Post: Pro-life Cartoonist John Francis Borra

As originally conceived, this cartoon was directed at medical practitioners who've turned their talent and training into the means of genocide. But as I put pencil to paper last week, I realized the gag was falling short of the real culprits. Few, if any, abortionists would be in business if not for many millions of supporters. Among these, of course, are pandering politicians who sell out vulnerable young women and their unborn children.

Those who watched the Democrats' response to Monday's State of the Union address saw such a culprit. As a Kansas legislator and chief executive, Kathleen Sebelius has publicly repudiated her most precious heritage-- the Catholic Faith-- by aiding and abetting the killers. Listening to her all-too-earnest pleas on behalf of America's children, one would assume she's pro-life. But her career has been funded by the likes of Wichita's notorious George Tiller and Planned Parenthood of Kansas & Mid-Missouri, the late-term abortion operators under investigation for routinely concealing evidence of rape. On Tuesday, she publicly endorsed infanticide advocate Barak Obama during his campaign stop in central Kansas. And last year, Governor Sebelius launched a vigorous effort to bring human cloning, harvesting and experimentation to Kansas, developing a macabre parallel to the state's lucrative cattle industry.

Clearly, Kathleen Sebelius' vision for America's children has more to do with petri dishes than playgrounds.

But apostatizing politicians are just the tip of this iceberg of stone-cold hearts. The truly culpable include the multitude of Americans who are too excited by veneers of charm and good looks to consider the lives such candidates would legislate into oblivion; journalists and entertainers who portray vice as virtue and virtue as vice; self-styled religious leaders and their flocks, who fashion golden calves to suit their self-indulgence; young adults, weaned on the notion of freedom without responsibility; status-conscious parents who won't abide a pregnant teen. The list goes on.
Indeed, Osama bin Laden should be the least of our worries.

cartoon and commentary by John Francis Borra

Dr Dobson was right: Steven Diller: Mission Accomplished

Dr. Dobson: 'A Lot of Things Happen in a Campaign'
by Jennifer Mesko, managing editor
He resisted pressure to back Giuliani, who was to drop out today.

Months ago, the mainstream media announced with confidence the presidential race would come down to Sen. Hillary Clinton and former Mayor Rudy Giuliani. Dr. James Dobson, founder and chairman of Focus on the Family Action, was pressured to support the pro-abortion Giuliani in order to defeat Clinton.

Not so fast, said Dr. Dobson.

"We have seen elections, that they're very dynamic, they're volatile, they change," he told conservative talk-show host Sean Hannity in October. "We're assuming that Hillary is going to win. A lot of things happen in a campaign. All kinds of changes can occur. Candidates can fall on their faces."

Dr. Dobson was right: By the end of the day today, both Giuliani and former Sen. John Edwards were out of the running.

Catholics against Rudy can celebrate a victory now.
Well done, Steve Dillard and crew!
Now, can we change to "STOP HILLARY"?

Abortion Changes You

Abortion changes you is a website which offers healing to post abortive families.

FCC fines ABC $1.43 million for indecency

Great news! The Federal Communications Commission has fined ABC television stations $1.43 million for broadcasting indecent programming on "NYPD Blue." It was the second-largest indecency fine against a television broadcaster ever. The agency proposed a $27,500 fine against 52 ABC-owned and affiliate stations in the Central and Mountain time zones, which broadcast the episode before 10 p.m.-the cutoff for the FCC's authority to police the airwaves. The episode, shown Feb. 25, 2003, included a scene featuring a woman and a young boy. In the scene, the woman disrobes in a bathroom. Thanks to the more than 40,000 AFA supporters who filed complaints with the FCC. Would you please take a moment to send a "Thank You!" to FCC Chairman Kevin Martin and the other commissioners?
Take Action!
Click here to send your letter now!

Planned Parenthood Wants Pro-life ads off the air

Planned Parenthood’s Golden Gate (PPGG) chapter is trying to force pro-life radio spots off the air.
Second Look Project, which operates under the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, is running radio ads with a strong pro-life message, including the sound of a preborn baby’s heartbeat at six months.
PPGG, the same chapter responsible for the offensive “Mile High Club” television ads, began an e-mail campaign to have the radio spots in San Francisco taken off the air, claiming they spread “lies” and “gross inaccuracies.”
Carrie Gordon Earll, senior analyst for bioethics at Focus on the Family Action, said this is an aggressive assault by Planned Parenthood to silence the pro-life message.
“The Second Look Project's advertising campaign has obviously hit a nerve or it wouldn't be the target of such an attack,” she said. “When scientifically documented fetal development is considered a 'lie,' then facts no longer have a place in the abortion debate. We cannot allow that to happen."
HT Citizen Link

"Bella" producer discusses film's Canadian and Puerto Rican release

We're starting Canada the first week of March. The distributor is Maximum Films. We'll definitely be in Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver. We're still developing the rest of the Canadian distribution plan.

From there we are going international - Australia, South Africa, Israel, on Virgin America Airlines. All the Latin American flights will be showing Bella.We sold Benelux (film distributor) in Europe - in Spain and Italy.

We're starting Australia Feb. 21st. It's going to be the litmus test for the English speaking rest of the world. And then April 25 is a big day because that's Mexico and once we open Mexico then we're going to the rest of Latin America.

HT LifeSite News

So, my readers outside the USA, you FINALLY have an opportunity to see the film I've been talking about all year. Don't miss it!

The Rainbow over the March for Life

Americans of every age and walk of life were there. And you see plenty of young people – it even seemed like a youth rally. Priests and religious were also out in full force. It was as if they all came out of a sense of sacred duty.

It is an annual event that the pro-abortion movement dare not imitate; a massive groundswell that the liberal media dare not report.
The American Society for Tradition Family and Property said this on their website, and took this compelling photo of the rainbow which appeared after the March for Life in Washington last week. Read their full story of the March here.

Sign of Hope at the March for Life - 40 Days for Life

The Religion of Abortion

While 225,000 marched for life on Washington, getting ignored by the media, coverage was given to the travesty of three Protestant ministers and a rabbi 'blessing' a brand new abortion mill in upstate New York. Read the entire article here.
I remember marching with my diocese to a Planned Barrenhood killing center with our Bishop years ago, and feeling sick at heart to be greeted, from the other side of the forbidding black iron cemetery-like gates, by a female minister, and a Franciscan Friar(he was an Episcopalian from the Little Portion Friary). The abortionists know the power of the clergy, and how to harness it for their evil purposes. Fr Frank Pavone once said that while he was praying outside an abortion mill, someone ran out and yelled at him, "Stop interfering with our SACRAMENT!". The sacrifice of children was part of many pagan and satanic rituals, and we must be aware that abortion is a continuation of this evil ancient tradition. That is why Our Lady of Guadalupe, who overcame the Aztec religion's human sacrifice in Mexico is the perfect patroness of the unborn. This photo of the image of Our Lady was taken the day abortion was legalized in Mexico City and a baby-like light mysteriously appeared which cannot be explained.
UPDATE: Fr Tom Euteneuer(being greeted by a marcher as he awaits an interview with EWTN) has something powerful to say in this essay about the travesty in Schenectady, the March for Life and the death of Heath Ledger.
What I have always said about abortion as a demonic religion was on graphic display in NY as we were marching for life in DC. Two "ministers" came to do the blessing from a "reformed" church — their view of "reform" is obviously different than ours. The (male) reverend used the occasion to proudly announce a new doctrine to the three dozen devotees of sacred abortion: the right to privacy is endowed by God, he said. Now, we cannot even find the "right to privacy" in the US Constitution and yet this fellow makes a new religious right out of whole cloth. Don't ask the demonic religion for a good grounding in history or logic. The other abortion clergyman was a rabbi who blew the shofar as a way to show support for reproductive rights. Our friend Rabbi Yehuda Levin who blows the shofar most years at the March for Life will have a field day with that one.
The most absurd aspect of the blessing ceremony, however, was when the Rev. Larry Phillips of Schenectady's Emmanuel-Friedens Church led the congregation outside to lay hands on the brick and mortar and to declare that the killing center was "sacred ground." Ugh. The hierarchy (Planned Parenthood), the acolytes (clinic workers), the congregation (supporters) and the ministers were all at the abortion temple that day worshipping the god of abortion. And the demons were so pleased.
HT Catholic Exchange

Tiller the baby Killer is being brought to justice!

According to Life News, Infamous George Tiller the Baby Killer has to hand over his falsified abortion records. In Kansas, late term abortions are only allowed if carrying the child to term would result in serious, permanent impairment of a bodily function, according to Phil Kline, former Kansas Attorney General. Two doctors have to sign off on the abortion, for it to be legal.
In Tiller's world famous clinic, these rare conditions happen daily. One woman needed a late term abortion to attend a rock concert. Two doctors signed that outrageous lie!

Now, all these lies are about to meet the light of day. Pro-aborts had fought supeonas with concerns for the women's privacy, yet the same clinics who cite privacy concerns, regularly sell their clients personal information to abortion fundraisers.

Keep this in prayer, as the powers of darkness will surely battle the truth until the very last second!

My review of "National Treasure: Book of Secrets"

is up at Catholic Exchange.

My March for Life 2008 Montage

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

March for Life 2008

You Tube video of this year's March for Life.

American Papist has great coverage of the March for Life

Bloggers are pitching in to make the best of the non-existent media coverage of the March for Life. American Papist does an outstanding job here.

March for Life is spreading across the nation, and across the border

What if attending the March for Life isn't possible for you? If you live in San Francisco, you may attend the Walk for Life which drew a crowd of 25,000 in it's third year(see photo). Or the March for Life in Ottowa, Canada. Or Topeka, Kansas.
Or, you can start a March in your own town, like Myrna Shaneyfeld of Oregon did. Here's her story.

THE JOSEPHINE COUNTY LOCAL CHAPTER OF RIGHT TO LIFE HELD THEIR ANNUAL MARCH FOR LIFE THIS SUNDAY 1/20/08 IN GRANTS PASS OREGON. A CROWD OF OVER 450 PEOPLE MARCHED DOWN THE MAIN STREET (6TH ST.) OF TOWN THROUGH THE TOWN TO THE LOCAL PARK FOR A RALLY AT THE PARK.
This is the 25th year the March has been held through the City of Grants Pass, for 5 years before the pro-life march was held at the local hospital. The crowds got to large for the area and the hospital had stopped doing first trimester abortions calling them D&C’s.

This is the coverage from the local newspaper the Grants Pass Daily Courier
Go to http://www.thedailycourier.com/ and scroll down to the bottom and click on Video coverage.

Also this is what one of the attendees had put together on his blog site from the March yesterday.
And then I am including some versions we have had on YouTube of our Marches and Marches we covered through our state one year.

Myrna Shaneyfelt
March co-ordinator
Jo. Co. Right to Life
Grants Pass, Or

March for Life Total : 225,000!

I remember times in the 1970's vwhen we were thrilled to have 80,000 marchers. And the great majority were youth under 30.
Well done!
Read the entire Life Site article on the March for Life.

Did Brokeback break Heath Ledger?

Young actors who play emotionally and morally difficult roles are not immune to painful reactions to these roles. Linda Blair, who played Regan, the possessed girl in "The Exorcist" went on to a series of disturbing roles, including the victim of a gang rape, and disappeared from the spotlight.
Is is possible that the emotional and moral dilmemma evoked by his role in "Brokeback Mountain" unearthed emotions which the young actor couldn't process? Watch this disturbing interview which Heath Ledger did after filming "Brokeback Mountain".
This is the elephant in the room which Hollywood doesn't want to discuss, since, as a whole, they have overcome their problems with homosexual behavior. They assume that the young Ledger had done the same.
Perhaps they were wrong.
HT Drudge Report

The Greatest Story Never Told

Since the Marches for Life I attended in the 1970's, I have been hurt by the obvious shunning of the March for Life by the American media, except EWTN of course. My friends tell me that even FOX News didn't cover the March this year. I remember seeing their cameras in years past, and thanking them.

There were Latin American, Polish and even Japanese camera crews. I did an interview on Presidential candidates which will be dubbed in Japanese! Now,i f this is news to Japan, WHY isn't it news here where it took place?!

March for Life 2008 Coverage is coming soon

Since you probably haven't seen any coverage of this huge grassroots event, unless you watch EWTN or listened to Laura Ingraham last night, I will be bringing lots of reports of the March in the next few days.

The March for Life has turned into a week long event, filling Washington DC with youth events, political discussions, and prayer, everywhere there were people praying for the end to the greatest injustice of our history; the murder of nearly 50 million innocent children in the womb since 1973. I went to as many events as I could in a little over 24 hours, and will document them here, so stay tuned. One of the points driven home repeatedly in the Blogs for Life Conference and elsewhere, was the importance of the alternate media; the blogs to get the word out to you, the people.

Prayer Vigil at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception tonight

After dinner with some pro-life friends, including Brother Augustine (more about him later) Gabbi and I found our way to the Basilica to pray the rosary with the faithful in the crypt church. I love being a Catholic at times like this the beauty of our prayers, the heartfelt pleas to Our Mother to save our nation from it's own sinfulness are incomparable.
So many wonderful young, holy religious are here; Franciscans, Benedictines, Dominicans, Sisters of Life and Friars of the Renewal. Reverent young faces enrapt in prayer are all around me, and the haunting melody of the choir of Ukrainian Catholics singing Compline was ringing in my ears as I left the Basilica at midnight. Catholics are at our best at times of crisis, when our country needs us we come to pray here in our home parish, with all our family.
Tomorrow we will bless the nations capitol, covering it with prayerful witness. Let our nation heed the cry of the innocents and stop the slaughter.
Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy on us!

I will be in Washington DC on January 22, 2008

The National Memorial for the Preborn and Their Mothersand Fathers is now being held in the Senate Hart OfficeBuilding, room 902.
The Hart Bldg. is on 2nd Street NEin Washington, across the street from St. Joseph's.
The general public is asked to be seated by 8:15 AM inroom 902 Senate Hart Office Building. The service willbegin at 8:45 AM.
Metro to the Hart Building: Take the Red Line to UnionStation.
Walk out of Union Station and go left. Walk onthe sidewalk in front of the T. Marshall FederalJudiciary Building and take 2nd street up two blocks.
The Hart Senate Office Building is on the right side.
After this, Gabbi and I will attend Blogs for Life Conference at Family Research Council where we hope to meet Barbara Curtis, blogger extraordinaire over at Mommy Life and recent revert to the Faith.
then the March for Life up Constitution Avenue, and while others are lobbying their representatives, we'll look for some of our friends at the Hyatt Capitol Hill. We dont' bother visiting Hillary Clinton or Chuck Schumer's offices, as we know the supporters of aboriton hide away until we're gone, and I doubt if my Congressman Tim Bishop will be on hand to greet pro-lifers as his predecessors were. Such are the joys of being a New Yorker!
I expect to see a lot of young people, as reported in this article on the youthfulness of the pro-life movement. Note to Hill and Barak: we're here, we're young, and we're not going anywhere!

The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything

My review of this film for the family is up at Catholic Exchange.

Faith and Family Flicks

Thank God for those who use the media creatively to create family friendly alternatives .
Faith and Family Flicks is doing just that, giving families access to family friendly DVDs, for a rental fee of only $9.99 a month.
"It offers a lot of the documentary videos and saints videos so that we can rent them and see if we want to buy them," said Leslie. "Our first two films were a documentary on Mother Teresa and a Tom & Jerry cartoon." says a satisfied customer, who is happy her money won't be supporting a company that deals in immoral films.
HT Catholic Exchange

US Abortion rate the lowest in 30 years

I know it's discouraging for pro-lifers that we are looking at the 35th anniversary of legalized abortion throughtout all nine months of pregnancy. However, many states have passed restrictions such are waiting periods, parental consent laws, informed consent laws and regulations on abortion mills that have begun to change the hearts and minds of Americans on the life issues, and it's beginning to show in the statistics of death.
Fewer deaths mean more babies and perhaps this is linked to the population boomlet I just posted about.
The abortion rate in the U.S. fell to a 30-year low in 2005, according to the Guttmacher Institute, an affiliate of Planned Parenthood. That year, 1.2 million preborn babies were killed, compared to a high of 1.6 million in 1990.
During the 1980s, one in three pregnant women chose abortion; today, it's one in five.
The National Right to Life Committee (NRLC) said pro-life educational outreaches and legislative initiatives are to thank.
Read the full article here. HT Citizen Link

Floridian Marriage Amendment needs your signature urgently

Floridians, stop shaking hands with Rudy, and sign the petition, Floridians to put a marriage protection amendment on the ballot next Novemeber. It needs 22,000 more signatures.