Abortionist George Tiller was shot dead this morning while attending church. A suspect is in custody.
Dr. Tiller has been an outspoken proponent of legalized abortion and operated a very active abortion clinic. He was a financial contributor to the campaigns of pro-choice politicians. He was in the top 3 of the pro-life movement's list of public enemies.
I am sure that many, but not all, in the pro-life movement rejoiced at the news of Dr. Tiller's murder. After all, they can argue that his murder will result in thousands of babies not being aborted.
This has the potential to develop into an interesting siutation. What if Dr. Tiller's assailant is convicted and sentenced to death? How will those that are now rejoicing about the murder of Dr. Tiller react?
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Always The Bridesmaid
Professor Miguel Diaz got the job that was meant for me!
http://cnsblog.wordpress.com/2009/05/27/new-ambassador-pick-is-theology-professor/
http://cnsblog.wordpress.com/2009/05/27/new-ambassador-pick-is-theology-professor/
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Losing a Friend
Perceptive readers of this blog know that I have a dog named Archie. Archie's first canine friend was Scruff, the pet of my wife's brother and his family. Scruff was a springer spaniel. While the family loved him, Scruff spent most summers at his human grandmother's home about 30 minutes away. Grandma Rosie spoiled the dog - the dog enjoyed eggs and bacon for breakfast, got kiddie meals at McDonald's and celebrated birthdays.
For the past few months, Scruff was showing signs that he was 15 years old. He was often confused. Scruff visited us a few weeks ago. He was very confused and wandered the house at 3:00 am. When my relatives left, we knew it was likely the last time we sould see Scruff.
Over the Memorial Day weekend, Scruff and his family visited the family cabin in the northwoods. Late in the afternoon, Scruff did not come back from his walk around the property. My relatives spent a couple of hours looking for him. They got in a canoe and went down the river a little ways. The found Scruff on a large rock on the side of a river. It appeared that Scruff had a stroke and just died on the spot without a struggle.
Those of you that have had pets know the sense of loss one feels at times like these. It is comforting to know that Scruff had a good life and died doing what he liked to do.
For the past few months, Scruff was showing signs that he was 15 years old. He was often confused. Scruff visited us a few weeks ago. He was very confused and wandered the house at 3:00 am. When my relatives left, we knew it was likely the last time we sould see Scruff.
Over the Memorial Day weekend, Scruff and his family visited the family cabin in the northwoods. Late in the afternoon, Scruff did not come back from his walk around the property. My relatives spent a couple of hours looking for him. They got in a canoe and went down the river a little ways. The found Scruff on a large rock on the side of a river. It appeared that Scruff had a stroke and just died on the spot without a struggle.
Those of you that have had pets know the sense of loss one feels at times like these. It is comforting to know that Scruff had a good life and died doing what he liked to do.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Strategery
The dust seems to be settling after President Obama's visit to Notre Dame. Cardinal Francis George, President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, has offered praise to the President for mentioning conscience clause protections.
Here is what all of this comes down to: politics. Based on comments he made related to conscience clause protections (health care providers cannot be forced to do things that violate their consciences - perform abortions, distribute condoms/birth control, etc.), President Obama is forcing the GOP into a tough position. It appears that he is initiating dialogue by offering concessions. Should GOP leaders fail to respond, the party will be seen as far too rigid by many members. Should the GOP enter a dialogue and consider possible concessions, the far right extreme members of the party may leave. Either way, the GOP will lose some supporters. While those supporters certainly won't go the the Democratic Party, any loss of GOP members will only help the Democrats maintain control of the White House and the Capitol.
Let's see what happens.
Here is what all of this comes down to: politics. Based on comments he made related to conscience clause protections (health care providers cannot be forced to do things that violate their consciences - perform abortions, distribute condoms/birth control, etc.), President Obama is forcing the GOP into a tough position. It appears that he is initiating dialogue by offering concessions. Should GOP leaders fail to respond, the party will be seen as far too rigid by many members. Should the GOP enter a dialogue and consider possible concessions, the far right extreme members of the party may leave. Either way, the GOP will lose some supporters. While those supporters certainly won't go the the Democratic Party, any loss of GOP members will only help the Democrats maintain control of the White House and the Capitol.
Let's see what happens.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Bird Hunting
Bird hunting season has started.
While walking the dog this morning, I spotted a small flying creature that I have not seen for several months. These creatures are making their way into our area and will soon be everywhere. They will be easy to spot and to hear.
This morning, I killed two of them. I saw them flying. They were getting very close. They landed.....on my arm. There are now two fewer mosquitoes in the world.
While walking the dog this morning, I spotted a small flying creature that I have not seen for several months. These creatures are making their way into our area and will soon be everywhere. They will be easy to spot and to hear.
This morning, I killed two of them. I saw them flying. They were getting very close. They landed.....on my arm. There are now two fewer mosquitoes in the world.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Pain, Pain, Go Away
While lying in bed this morning facing one direction, I turned my head in the opporite direction to see if our dog was in the room. SNAP! Something went "out of whack" in the area between my shoulder blades.
This has happened before. There is usually a brief period of intense pain and then things work theie way back. I followed the usual routine and went to work. I had to drive about 80 miles to a meeting. I noticed that, whenever I had to shift into 5th gear, I had extreme pain in my back - so bad that I would gasp.
While driving back, the pain was still pretty bad - maybe a 7 or 8 on a scale of 1 to 10. So, I called the chiropractor and drove straight to his office. He knew what the problem was right away - one of my back ribs twisted out of position and was having a difficult time working its way back into proper position. The pain I was experiencing was similar to the pain one might feel as a result of a broken rib - sharp pain when breathing, moving the arms, twisting the torso. The chiropractor gave me an adjustment that brought instant relief - for about 10 minutes. The pain returned.
So, here I sit. I feel a bit of pain when I type each letter. Still, I could be much worse. I know my pain will go away. My wife just heard from a friend whose brother-in-law just killed himself. My wife's friend has a son with severe depression - he has attempted suicide. The family has a history of suicide. The pain that my wife's friend has over the loss of her brother-in-law and the fear of the mental stability of son will not go away.
It is all a matter of perspective.
This has happened before. There is usually a brief period of intense pain and then things work theie way back. I followed the usual routine and went to work. I had to drive about 80 miles to a meeting. I noticed that, whenever I had to shift into 5th gear, I had extreme pain in my back - so bad that I would gasp.
While driving back, the pain was still pretty bad - maybe a 7 or 8 on a scale of 1 to 10. So, I called the chiropractor and drove straight to his office. He knew what the problem was right away - one of my back ribs twisted out of position and was having a difficult time working its way back into proper position. The pain I was experiencing was similar to the pain one might feel as a result of a broken rib - sharp pain when breathing, moving the arms, twisting the torso. The chiropractor gave me an adjustment that brought instant relief - for about 10 minutes. The pain returned.
So, here I sit. I feel a bit of pain when I type each letter. Still, I could be much worse. I know my pain will go away. My wife just heard from a friend whose brother-in-law just killed himself. My wife's friend has a son with severe depression - he has attempted suicide. The family has a history of suicide. The pain that my wife's friend has over the loss of her brother-in-law and the fear of the mental stability of son will not go away.
It is all a matter of perspective.
Friday, May 15, 2009
The Prodigal Son
Mehmet Ali Agca attempted to kill the Pope in 1981. Nearly 30 years later, he is asking to be baptized by the Pope.
There is a possibility that Agca may be released from prison in January of 2010. Through his attorney, Agca has expressed a desire to be baptized a Roman Catholic and that he hoped the Pope might baptize him in St. Peter's Basilica.
Many pundits have expressed that this may be a publicity stunt devised by Agca and/or his attorney as the date for his potential release draws near. That may very well be the case. However, if Agca is willing to go through the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA), he should have the opportunity to become a Roman Catholic.
If he were to be baptized by the Pope, it would certainly send an incredible message about forgiveness and help us recognize that no individual is ever forsaken by God. God reclaimed St. Paul. Why couldn't the same thing happen with Agca?
To see a Los Angeles Times story about Agca's desire to convert, go to: http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=7573306. Note: Read the story somewhat carefully. Does it seem to give the impression that one must have to have a questionable mental state in order to want to convert to Christianity?
There is a possibility that Agca may be released from prison in January of 2010. Through his attorney, Agca has expressed a desire to be baptized a Roman Catholic and that he hoped the Pope might baptize him in St. Peter's Basilica.
Many pundits have expressed that this may be a publicity stunt devised by Agca and/or his attorney as the date for his potential release draws near. That may very well be the case. However, if Agca is willing to go through the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA), he should have the opportunity to become a Roman Catholic.
If he were to be baptized by the Pope, it would certainly send an incredible message about forgiveness and help us recognize that no individual is ever forsaken by God. God reclaimed St. Paul. Why couldn't the same thing happen with Agca?
To see a Los Angeles Times story about Agca's desire to convert, go to: http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=7573306. Note: Read the story somewhat carefully. Does it seem to give the impression that one must have to have a questionable mental state in order to want to convert to Christianity?
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