I am a person that does not like drive-thru windows. I make every effort not to use them - much to the chagrin of my wife. I like walking into a fast-food restaurant to place my order, even if I plan to return home with the food. I also like to walk into my local credit union branch even if I am just withdrawing some spending money. Over the years, I have built a relationship with staff at local fast-food restaurants and my credit union. While we are not close, these people and I have come to know a bit about each other over the years.
Yesterday, a woman walked into my credit union branch, told the teller that she had an explosive device and threatened to detonate it if she was not given a bag full of cash. I learned about this while reading the morning newspaper. I also heard a news report on the radio. I have been so upset that I have felt ill.
Earlier today, I had to make a deposit into my credit union account. What does one say to staff on the day after an armed robbery?
I walked in. I could sense that the environment was different than usual. As it happened, I ended up being served by the teller that I have known the longest - I knew her even before she began working at the credit union many years ago. All I could say was, "I am so sorry for and upset about what happened. I hope everyone is doing OK. Let's leave it at that." She completed my transaction and thanked me with a tear in her eye.
I will do all I can to help the staff at my credit union branch to return to not seeing everyone that walks in the door as somebody that may attempt to rob them. Unfortunately, it will likely take years for many of them to get back to that point.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Great Scott Will End Abortion
U.S. Senator-elect Scott Brown will save the pro-life cause in America - and it will have nothing to do with how he votes on any abortion issue.
Until Scott Brown won the Senate seat held for decades by Edward Kennedy, the biggest fear of the Republican election machine was that Roe v. Wade would be overturned. Yes, you read correctly - Lunchbox Joe has not been drinking (at least not too heavily). If Roe v. Wade were to be overturned, what major issue would Republicans run on that gives the perception of a difference between them and Democrats? What major changes on abortion issues took place under 3 years of Nixon/Ford, 4 years of Jimmy Carter, 8 years of Ronald Reagan, 4 years of Bush 1, 8 years of Clinton, 8 years of Bush 2 and into year 2 of Obama? No major changes took place, even though Republicans had the "big kahuna" for 23 of the 37 years since Roe v. Wade. While the Republicans claimed there would be a difference when it came to abortion, there was no difference.
The election of Scott Brown creates another major issue on which Republicans will run: health care reform. Now, the abortion issue is no longer seen as the most critical issue on which a Republican must run. Health care reform is the issue. The abortion issue can no go away and likely will within a few years.
Even if Scott Brown votes pro-choice, he has saved the pro-life cause.
Until Scott Brown won the Senate seat held for decades by Edward Kennedy, the biggest fear of the Republican election machine was that Roe v. Wade would be overturned. Yes, you read correctly - Lunchbox Joe has not been drinking (at least not too heavily). If Roe v. Wade were to be overturned, what major issue would Republicans run on that gives the perception of a difference between them and Democrats? What major changes on abortion issues took place under 3 years of Nixon/Ford, 4 years of Jimmy Carter, 8 years of Ronald Reagan, 4 years of Bush 1, 8 years of Clinton, 8 years of Bush 2 and into year 2 of Obama? No major changes took place, even though Republicans had the "big kahuna" for 23 of the 37 years since Roe v. Wade. While the Republicans claimed there would be a difference when it came to abortion, there was no difference.
The election of Scott Brown creates another major issue on which Republicans will run: health care reform. Now, the abortion issue is no longer seen as the most critical issue on which a Republican must run. Health care reform is the issue. The abortion issue can no go away and likely will within a few years.
Even if Scott Brown votes pro-choice, he has saved the pro-life cause.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
He Just Doesn't Have It Anymore!
That is how my father would describe Brett Favre. My father began using this description about the time that Brett Favre was winning three consecutive Most Valuable Player awards in the National Football League. In fact, one of his last vocalizations related to his usual description of Brett Favre. A few days before my father passed away (several years ago), the Green Bay Packers were enduring a poor season. The Packers pulled an upset against the Atlanta Falcons, from whom the Packers aquired Brett Favre. When I informed my father of the Packer victory, his response was "Brett Favre...he just doesn't have it anymore!"
Well, my father just may have been right. Favre's last pass with the Packers was a completion - to a player on the New Yourk Giants in an NFC championship game. After the interception, the Giants kicked the winning field goal in overtime. On Sunday evening, what may very well be Brett Favre's last pass as a Viking was a completion - to a player on the New Orlean Saints - when the Vikings were preparing to attempt a field goal to win the game in regulation. The game went into overtime, the Saints got the ball and marched right down the field to kick a field goal.
My father was right!
Well, my father just may have been right. Favre's last pass with the Packers was a completion - to a player on the New Yourk Giants in an NFC championship game. After the interception, the Giants kicked the winning field goal in overtime. On Sunday evening, what may very well be Brett Favre's last pass as a Viking was a completion - to a player on the New Orlean Saints - when the Vikings were preparing to attempt a field goal to win the game in regulation. The game went into overtime, the Saints got the ball and marched right down the field to kick a field goal.
My father was right!
Monday, January 25, 2010
Penny's From Heaven
In my professional life, I serve as legal guardian for several people with developmental disabilities. One of these people is Penny. Penny is a young black woman living in an economically challenged neighborhood. In the past, she has had some minor run-ins with the law. She has had a tough upbringing that includes being sexually assaulted by one of her mother's boyfriends.
A couple of years ago, Penny really pulled her life together. She started a small business that involved teaching groups of people how to dance. A local advocacy organization presented her with their annual award for self-advocacy.
Penny is now out of jail on bail. Last year, she was diagnosed with diabetes. She has not been monitoring her diabetes very well. She has been arrested several times for theft, prostitution and disorderly conduct. She cannot keep an apartment. She has been living with various relatives. She does have a human service team that works to support her. However, she is not very open to accepting support.
A couple of weeks ago, the support team met to discuss the possibility of "pulling the plug" on Penny's human services. We have tried virtually everything. The main problem is that Penny really does not want any structure in her life. She likes to come and go as she pleases. She hangs around with the wrong people that often take advantage of her in many ways.
On Friday, there was a settlement conference to discuss consequences related to Penny entering a man's apartment (at random) and looking for items to steal. The man awoke and subdued Penny. The district attorney is offering a deal of 18 months of probation. We are struggling with the possibility of asking for some jail time - as that would force some structure on Penny (and at least temporarily control her diabetes).
Many on the team feel that we have let Penny down. It is very difficult for us to try to figure out how Penny went from doing so well to doing so poorly in a little more than a year.
Regardless of the outcome for Penny, we need to stick by her. She is a major pain in the rear end to all that are trying to help her. However, like all of us, she is a dignified child of God.
A couple of years ago, Penny really pulled her life together. She started a small business that involved teaching groups of people how to dance. A local advocacy organization presented her with their annual award for self-advocacy.
Penny is now out of jail on bail. Last year, she was diagnosed with diabetes. She has not been monitoring her diabetes very well. She has been arrested several times for theft, prostitution and disorderly conduct. She cannot keep an apartment. She has been living with various relatives. She does have a human service team that works to support her. However, she is not very open to accepting support.
A couple of weeks ago, the support team met to discuss the possibility of "pulling the plug" on Penny's human services. We have tried virtually everything. The main problem is that Penny really does not want any structure in her life. She likes to come and go as she pleases. She hangs around with the wrong people that often take advantage of her in many ways.
On Friday, there was a settlement conference to discuss consequences related to Penny entering a man's apartment (at random) and looking for items to steal. The man awoke and subdued Penny. The district attorney is offering a deal of 18 months of probation. We are struggling with the possibility of asking for some jail time - as that would force some structure on Penny (and at least temporarily control her diabetes).
Many on the team feel that we have let Penny down. It is very difficult for us to try to figure out how Penny went from doing so well to doing so poorly in a little more than a year.
Regardless of the outcome for Penny, we need to stick by her. She is a major pain in the rear end to all that are trying to help her. However, like all of us, she is a dignified child of God.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Pray For Haiti
It is always difficult to come to grips with the aftermath of events like the earthquake in Haiti. Who knows how many are dead? Since there was never an accurate census of Haitian residents, we may never really know how many have died. The Archbishop of Port au Prince is dead and many of the seminarians are unaccounted for. At times like this, it can be difficult to explain how a benevlolent God could allow such suffering. I am no theologian, but I don't think God "allows" or "disallows" suffering. A core part of our humanity is suffering. However, another core part of our humanity is free will. We are free to do all we can to provide relief to those who suffer. Sometimes, we are called to share in their suffering.
While most of the readers of this blog cannot head down to Haiti to look for people to comfort, there is a simple way to provide assistance. Please consider a contribution to Catholic Relief Services. They have updated thier website to make it very easy for people to make a donation to help the people of Haiti.
While most of the readers of this blog cannot head down to Haiti to look for people to comfort, there is a simple way to provide assistance. Please consider a contribution to Catholic Relief Services. They have updated thier website to make it very easy for people to make a donation to help the people of Haiti.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
At Last, The Pole Position
Last month, I read "A Pilgrim In A Pilgrim Church: Memoirs of a Catholic Archbishop" by Rembert Weakland, OSB, Archbishop Emeritus of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. In it, Weakland mentions the strength of the Polish community in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. The Polish community has a history of mistreatment in the Archdiocese. Archbishop Sebastian Messmer (1903-33) placed many Polish parishes, pastors and the Polish Catholic newpaper under eclessiastical penalties. He set up his own Polish Catholic newspaper. The papers feuded for many years. There seemed to be hope in 1911 when Messmer agreed to ask Rome to appoint a Polish auxiliary bishop in Milwaukee. However, he went on to officially request a non-Polish auxiliary. The Polish Catholic community in Milwaukee is still steaming. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel included a related article in today's edition.
Some of that steam will be let loose tomorrow when Archbishop Jerome Listecki takes the helm of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. The Polish Catholic community in Milwaukee will now be led by one of their own.
Some of that steam will be let loose tomorrow when Archbishop Jerome Listecki takes the helm of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. The Polish Catholic community in Milwaukee will now be led by one of their own.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
New Year's Hope
It wasn't a very happy beginning of the new year for the families and friends of close to 100 Pakistanis that were killed in a suicide bombing. News reports indicated that the Taliban-coordinated attack targeted people that were organizing pro-government groups.
After hearing the message of hope that was the focus of many presentations in churches and synogogues during the past month, it can be difficult to come to grips with what happened in Pakistan. In classic western movies and professional wrestling, the good guy always wins in the end. There are always periods where it seems certain that evil will triumph. However, divine will that comes to fruition on earth through human will (even in a professional wrestling ring) is no match for evil.
There will be more attacks similar to the one that took place in Pakistan. However, there will be good people that will refuse to sit idly by and watch the attacks take place. Some of these people may very well be people that had previously been involved in planning and carrying out such attacks, but have come to their senses.
As long as there are humans in the world, there will be evil. The message of the past thirty days remindes us that there will always be hope, as well.
After hearing the message of hope that was the focus of many presentations in churches and synogogues during the past month, it can be difficult to come to grips with what happened in Pakistan. In classic western movies and professional wrestling, the good guy always wins in the end. There are always periods where it seems certain that evil will triumph. However, divine will that comes to fruition on earth through human will (even in a professional wrestling ring) is no match for evil.
There will be more attacks similar to the one that took place in Pakistan. However, there will be good people that will refuse to sit idly by and watch the attacks take place. Some of these people may very well be people that had previously been involved in planning and carrying out such attacks, but have come to their senses.
As long as there are humans in the world, there will be evil. The message of the past thirty days remindes us that there will always be hope, as well.
Friday, January 1, 2010
Move Over, Mr. Lombardo!
The newest members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame extend their warmest New Year's wishes. (Even though I may be biased, this is one of their better pieces of music.)
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