Just Why I'm the Cool Pahizzle fo Shizzle

As my children will attest.



HHT goes to CMR, where there was this interesting comment:

Thank goodness this comes from one of those feel good prosperity gospel churches and not a Catholic source. It's a great video portraying the worldliness of suburban non denominational dopey dads shown in t.v., movies, etc. Just more proof of why fatherhood as a vocation is lost on this society.

As if any (Catholic) dad doesn't know there's more to it than that. Or are we supposed to take it that "checkbook magic," yard work, cooking, movie night, playing, and singing lullabies are not vocational?

The Eruption from LeBron's MeCast

While this strikes me as both genuine and over-the-top, I wonder how much of this Cavs owner, Dan Gilbert, would have said if James had re-signed with them:

Dear Cleveland, All Of Northeast Ohio and Cleveland Cavaliers Supporters Wherever You May Be Tonight;

As you now know, our former hero, who grew up in the very region that he deserted this evening, is no longer a Cleveland Cavalier.

This was announced with a several day, narcissistic, self-promotional build-up culminating with a national TV special of his "decision" unlike anything ever "witnessed" in the history of sports and probably the history of entertainment.

Clearly, this is bitterly disappointing to all of us.

The good news is that the ownership team and the rest of the hard-working, loyal, and driven staff over here at your hometown Cavaliers have not betrayed you nor NEVER will betray you.

There is so much more to tell you about the events of the recent past and our more than exciting future. Over the next several days and weeks, we will be communicating much of that to you.

You simply don't deserve this kind of cowardly betrayal.

You have given so much and deserve so much more.

In the meantime, I want to make one statement to you tonight:

"I PERSONALLY GUARANTEE THAT THE CLEVELAND CAVALIERS WILL WIN AN NBA CHAMPIONSHIP BEFORE THE SELF-TITLED FORMER 'KING' WINS ONE"

You can take it to the bank.

If you thought we were motivated before tonight to bring the hardware to Cleveland, I can tell you that this shameful display of selfishness and betrayal by one of our very own has shifted our "motivation" to previously unknown and previously never experienced levels.

Some people think they should go to heaven but NOT have to die to get there.

Sorry, but that's simply not how it works.

This shocking act of disloyalty from our home grown "chosen one" sends the exact opposite lesson of what we would want our children to learn. And "who" we would want them to grow-up to become.

But the good news is that this heartless and callous action can only serve as the antidote to the so-called "curse" on Cleveland, Ohio.

The self-declared former "King" will be taking the "curse" with him down south. And until he does "right" by Cleveland and Ohio, James (and the town where he plays) will unfortunately own this dreaded spell and bad karma.

Just watch.

Sleep well, Cleveland.

Tomorrow is a new and much brighter day....

I PROMISE you that our energy, focus, capital, knowledge and experience will be directed at one thing and one thing only:

DELIVERING YOU the championship you have long deserved and is long overdue....

Dan Gilbert

Majority Owner
Cleveland Cavaliers

I suppose exporting the "Cleveland curse" by Gilbert cutting off his nose is better than sacrificing a live rooster. And they still have Byron Scott at the helm.

Another "Party Stopper" from Michael Voris

link

Pope Benedict's Prayer Intentions for July

General prayer intention:

That in every nation of the world the election of officials may be carried out with justice, transparency and honesty, respecting the free decisions of citizens.

Mission prayer intention:

That Christians may strive to offer everywhere, but especially in great urban centers, an effective contribution to the promotion of education, justice, solidarity and peace.

For more info, see the Apostleship of Prayer.

Monty Python on Futbol

Maybe my problem isn't with the referees after all...



(HHT: Vir Speluncae Catholicus)

Resolved This Day

in the year of our Lord, seventeen hundred seventy-six, by the Second Continental Congress assembled in Philadelphia, by a vote of 12 to 0, with New York abstaining, the following was adopted:

Resolved, That these United Colonies are, and, of right, ought to be, Free and Independent States; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British crown, and that all political connexion between them, and the state of Great Britain, is, and ought to be, totally dissolved.

John Adams, the congressional shepherd of colonial independence, with clear understanding and a surprisingly accurate vision of the future, wrote the next day in two separate letters to his wife, Abigail:

Yesterday the greatest Question was decided, which ever was debated in America, and a greater perhaps, never was or will be decided among Men. A Resolution was passed without one dissenting Colony 'that these united Colonies, are, and of right ought to be free and independent States, and as such, they have, and of Right ought to have full Power to make War, conclude Peace, establish Commerce, and to do all the other Acts and Things, which other States may rightfully do.' You will see in a few days a Declaration setting forth the Causes which have impell'd Us to this mighty Revolution, and the Reasons which will justify it in the Sight of God and Man. A Plan of Confederation will be taken up in a few days.

and:

But the Day is past. The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America.- I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by Solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfire and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.

You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not. - I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. - Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will tryumph in that Days Transaction, even altho We should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not.

It is an historical accident that we have come to celebrate the anniversary of the "press release" announcing the resolution of Independence. Nevertheless, the historically literate recognize that the days leading to and immediately following the decision of July 2 mark the darkest period (not the darkest instant, though) in this still young nation's history. And we find a model for today in the remarkable clarity and steadfast optimism of the oft-claimed dour Mr. Adams.

May God bless America; long may she bathe in the "Rays of ravishing Light and Glory."

The above was originally posted July 2, 2005.