Why Should We Care What Mehmet Ali Agca Thinks?

Seriously. The man who assassinated Pope John Paul II almost 30 years made his first public statement since being released in January: The pope should resign, not be arrested as per some calls reported in the Turkish press. It is all so predictable. Catholic World News has a roundup.

To be sure, there is little good to be found in the latest revelations of scandal, save the fruits of redemptive suffering and the seeds of renewal that can be planted in any trial. But the frenzy of the current meme is obscene in its own way. And its injustice diminishes the suffering of the true victims by virtue of its caricaturization of the Holy Father.

John Paul the Great on Progress and the Modern World #3

We must not be afraid of the future. We must not be afraid of man. It is no accident that we are here. Each and every human person has been created in the "image and likeness" of the One who is the origin of all that is. We have within us the capacities for wisdom and virtue. With these gifts, and with the help of God's grace, we can build in the next century and the next millennium a civilization worthy of the human person, a true culture of freedom. We can and must do so! And in doing so, we shall see that the tears of this century have prepared the ground for a new springtime of the human spirit.

Address to UN General Assembly, 1995

Not Going for the One

No delusions. Went for the six, instead. Another good show.


Gaelic Storm at The O'Shaughnessy

Here's a little closer view from the venue's promo page:

Power is a Drug

When I heard recently the president being his snarky self:



I thought of this Bill Cosby bit (starting at 5:20):



And, Mr. President, it would be nice if this wrong turn were obvious so soon as this:

New Twins Commercial - Flagpole

Presented comment-free:

Pawlenty to Sign GAMC Compromise

The Minnesota Legislature has approved a compromise plan to fund the state's General Assistance Medical Care (GAMC) program and awaits the governor's signature just a week before the program's funding was set to expire. Governor Tim Pawlenty had forced negotiations by vetoing an earlier bill because it set the program on a path to unsustainability. Without a compromise, the veto would have resulted in a majority of those enrolled in GAMC to transition to the state's MinnesotaCare program that provides health insurance to low-to-moderate-income individuals and families, but with premiums and co-pays and limited hospital coverage.

As with all compromises, some are not happy. Cafeteria Catholic state representative and gubernatorial candidate, Paul Thissen noted his disapproval of the attempt to pull back $250 million of spending:

Now we are left with an unworkable bill and we all know it. Starvation is not a path to meaningful and lasting reform.

Of course, it was an unworkable bill that started the program down the "starvation" path.

(HHT: BringMeTheNews)

Get to Know Him

Fr. Groeschel's reflection on the Annunciation. Truffle quote:

You cannot be pleasantly indifferent to Jesus Christ.

Subsidiarity, RIP

This has been expanded from the initial post the previous night.



The principle of subsidiarity protects people from abuses by higher-level social authority and calls on these same authorities to help individuals and intermediate groups to fulfill their duties. This principle is imperative because every person, family and intermediate group has something original to offer to the community. Experience shows that the denial of subsidiarity, or its limitation in the name of an alleged democratization or equality of all members of society, limits and sometimes even destroys the spirit of freedom and initiative.

- Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church

For their clear defense of Life, this is where the bishops, or at least the staffers at the USCCB, get it wrong on reform. Rich Galen summarizes with a rebuttal similar to the one I used with some guy at the service garage last December when he shifted our pleasant conversation in mid-stream from the Vikings and Brett Favre to a litany of "health care reform" talking points:

If I have to buy insurance to drive a car, that's fine. I don't have to drive. I can walk, ride a bike, take the bus, whatever.

If I have to pay an airport tax to help defray the costs of the TSA, that's fine, too. I don't have to get on an airplane. I can walk, ride a bike, take the bus, whatever.

This bill says that I have to purchase health insurance. I don't have to drive or fly, but I do have to live, so that that seems to be a government seizure forbidden by the Fourth Amendment.

Compelling me at the end of gun to buy a service that will degrade from the quality, cost, and freedom of the service I already own (and am free to reject as I see fit, by the way), with the direct object being to subsidize that service for someone else is violently different from using public monies acquired through the tax structure, or deregulating existing anti-competitive government constraints, to help those who desire it, but without the means, to gain the service themselves.

This likely will end up in front of the Supreme Court, whether on Fourth (or based on the burden placed on states, Tenth) Amendment grounds, where the end result is anybody's guess. For better, or worse, this ain't over 'til it's over.

Getting Close to the End Game on Obamacare

The Rules Committee has dropped the Slaughter solution of deem and pass (or the snarkier "Demon pass," if you prefer) and has set debate for 2 hours on the Senate bill and the reconciliation bill, with votes to be taken separately at around 1 PM CDT. If the votes are there, or if the Speaker thinks she put can put enough squeeze on a few unsure members, the vote will occur tomorrow. If not, then not; at least for a few days.

The Senate bill, while indirect, has a well understood path to fund abortions, and the reconciliation bill will not contain unambiguous restrictions. There is some talk about the president promising to issue an Executive Order to prevent abortion funding, but the fungible nature of any such order, from a president so ardently opposed to a funding ban in principle, renders it mainly symbolic, if it were even to occur. That means this bill is "as/is" regarding abortion.

Lest any Catholic representatives think they can hide behind the endorsements of misguided groups of Catholics, the bishops conference set the record straight on Saturday in no uncertain terms, a vote for the Senate bill is a vote against Life:

Now, after a year of divisive political combat, members of the House are told that they can advance health care reform only by adopting the Senate legislation as is, including these fundamental flaws. The House leadership is ignoring the pleas of pro-life members for essential changes in the legislation. Apparently they will not even try to address the serious problems on abortion funding, conscience protection and fair treatment of immigrants.

We are bishops, not politicians, policy experts or legislative tacticians. We are also pastors, teachers, and citizens. At this point of decision, we cannot compromise on basic moral principles. We can only urge -- and hope and pray -- that the House of Representatives will still find the will and the means to adopt health care reform that protects the life, dignity, conscience and health of all. The legislation the House adopted, while not perfect, came closer to meeting these criteria. The Senate legislation simply does not meet them.

With deep regret, but clear in our moral judgment, we are compelled to continue to urge House members to oppose the Senate bill unless these fundamental flaws are remedied. At this critical moment, we urge Representatives to take the steps necessary to ensure that health care reform respects the life and dignity of all, from conception to natural death.

The candles are burning, and now we pray.

Update:

CatholicCulture.org e-mailed a round-up of the corrections from the USCCB and other faithful religious regarding the authentic Catholic position:

The final battle looms over the Senate health care bill which seeks the greatest expansion of the abortion license since Roe v. Wade. In the wake of stories that nearly 60,000 nuns support the Senate bill and that this support has weakened the resolve of some Democrats who have opposed the bill, the U.S. bishops have gone on the offensive with further statements and newspaper ads.

The Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious (which represents the orders in the United States typically obedient to the Holy See) has also entered the fray to give the lie to the claim that those who are pro-abortion speak for all American religious. Here are the key news stories:

• Faithful nuns back US bishops in opposing Senate health care bill
  
• US bishops distance themselves from social justice group Network
  
• Cardinal, bishops emphasize: Senate health bill extends abortion coverage, could harm immigrants
  

In addition, to get the full argument from the President of the USCCB, see Cardinal George's statement The Cost is too High; the Loss is too Great. If you wish to follow the Bishops and make an impact on Congress but don't know how, see Health Care: How to Contact Your Representatives.

Update 2:

Regardless the unreliability we could expect from a president who would fund abortions in other countries, but would allegedly apply the principles of the Hyde Amendment, the bishops reminded congressional Catholics that it is out of the president's hands. The reason for the Hyde Amendment was that such funding was determined by the courts to be required of the federal government unless explicity proscribed by Congress. Smooth move, Stupak.

Update 3:

It's over.

Happy St. Joseph's Day!

If you're going to refrain from abstaining from meat today, don't do it just because you can, but actually celebrate the Solemnity of St. Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary. And make it a family affair. With St. Joseph as a model for all fathers to emulate, today represents a special opportunity for fathers to reinforce their domestic churches. Particularly so, given the unique cause of the dispensation with St. Joseph's being the only solemnity to occur during Lent.

CatholicCulture.org has some great resources on prayers, activities, and recipes for marking the day. For my part, I am picking up a novena of consecration to the Devoted Heart of Joseph and taking The Clan out to dinner.

Update:

There is some confusion out there with a prominent Catholic politician saying incorrectly that today is the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker, which occurs on May 1st. Nancy Pelosi ought to have know better than this, which will probably be the most evil statement I will hear today.

Update 2:

Check out Catholic Dads for an expanded version of the initial post.

Site Changes are Coming

A series of changes around the edges of The Troglodyte has been going on for a couple of weeks now and will continue. But a more significant remodeling effort is in the works and may include both new features and new content. Stay tuned.

[submitted by e-mail]

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

In the spirit of the legend of St. Patrick's use of the shamrock to teach the Trinity, here are three videos to help celebrate the day:




May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again,
may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

And if you plan to partake today, don't kid yourself that you'll only go for The One.

Got Yours?

You never know what you will find on the internet.

There are many ways to divide the human race, but there may be no greater chasm than this one: People who read the dictionary for fun, and people who don't. OK, I exaggerate slightly.

Recreational dictionary reading is not a scripted affair. It often begins innocently enough by looking up a word, but the next question that pops into mind, perhaps "Why did the author select that word and not _____?," leads to looking up that new word, maybe a secondary meaning, or the origin of the word, and before you know it you're off skipping through pages that lead you down arcane paths and back, through a string of modern idioms, and over the proverbial pond for a foreign phrase, or two. No two "dictionary tours" are alike, and each is an adventure unto itself. It is a safe bet that the peregrinations across the internet by members of this select group similarly do not follow the common click-through surfing style. It was on such a web tour that I happened across one of Fr. Stephen Hamilton's homilies from 2002.

For better, or worse, there have been only a few homilies that I can consistently recall over the years, and this is one of them. It was at the evening Good Friday service, which is remarkable itself because it marks the only time I have ever attended a service other than at the Hour of Mercy. It was in the wake of the revelations of the widespread priest sex abuse scandal and was memorable for two reasons. The first was the voice, or I should say "The Voice."

All the public statements up to that time responding to the scandal were being made by bishops. Bishops, as a class, have a certain manner of speaking that I call the Bishop Voice; that soothing, chant-like quality that seems to slip into the seat next to you while they are speaking. I imagine it is supposed to be a Good Shepherd kind of thing. In fact, until just recently I only half-jokingly thought it was requirement to have the Voice to be elevated to the episcopacy. Archbishop Sheen certainly had it. Archbishops Roach, Flynn, and Nienstedt all of St. Paul and Minneapolis have had it. Archbishop Beltran of Oklahoma City does, too. As does Archbishop Chaput of Denver, and Bishop Kinney of St. Cloud, Bishop Pates of Des Moines, Archbishop Listecki of Milwaukee, and Archbishop Burke. Cardinals Bernardin and O'Connor had it. Cardinal Egan has it. As do Cardinals Rigali, McCarrick, and Mahoney. Not to mention all four popes in my lifetime. I could go on. Meanwhile, I've only noted two priests with it so far. One was the late Fr. Neuhaus. And after the first time I heard the other one, Fr. Metzinger, speak after he became pastor of St. John the Baptist, I told more than one person, with a knowing wink-and-a-nod, that he was probably being groomed to become a bishop because they moved him to the largest parish in the archdiocese, and he had the Bishop Voice going for him. (They looked at me like I was nuts.) I now think it can be an acquired affectation. Fr. Taylor didn't quite have the Voice, but it is easy to imagine he has it as Bishop Taylor of Little Rock. I'm not sure that Archbishop Dolan of New York has it (yet), but it is much closer than the stridency of Fr. Dolan's earlier days.

No, that night, Fr. Hamilton did not use the Bishop Voice; his was a full-throated teaching voice. In those days, if you had been abused sexually by a priest you were reliving your ordeal. How do approach the altar where there is a man who outwardly does not seem all that different from the man who exploited his position of authority to exploit you personally years before? How do make an individual Lenten confession when you can't get the memory of having been propositioned in the confessional out of your head? Or if, like me, you were just learning of the scandals and had that sick feeling of disgust in the pit of your stomach from what you were hearing and the slow burn from feeling betrayed as bishop after bishop was discovered to have enabled abusers by reassigning them to new posts and keeping it all quiet. Fr. Hamilton provided much needed clarity to a laity longing to hear some (read the whole thing):

First of all, sin, scandal, and crisis is nothing new in the Church. It has existed from day one because the Church, which is Christ’s Body, is composed of sinful members. Consider scriptural events that demonstrate this to us... [The apostles] had witnessed his miracles and his power. He had shared his power with them. And still they sinned and betrayed him. We have seen the same sin in the current scandal.

Secondly, we must be clear about the difference between the Church, which is holy, and her members who are sinful and constantly in need of reform. It is not the Church that has sinned. Rather, it is members of the Church who have sinned...

Thirdly, we must remember that only a few of the Church’s priests are at fault. Available statistics show us that there are at least similar, if not higher, rates of abuse among clergy of other churches and faiths. This in no way minimizes the tragedy, nor does it absolve the guilty, but to listen to the media one would think that most, maybe all, priests are guilty and that the only solution is to jump on the worn out bandwagons of those opportunists who are seeking to further dissident agendas such as doing away with celibacy or pushing for women’s ordination...

Next, as this scandal involves bishops who, though themselves not guilty of abuse, covered up the truth and failed to protect others from abusers, theirs is a sin against the duty to govern the Church. This dereliction of duty in governing the Church does not touch upon Catholic doctrine (the teaching office), nor the validity of Sacraments (the sanctifying office)... It would be irrational to confuse a bishop’s failure to govern well with evidence that Catholic doctrine or the Sacraments are flawed.

Finally, I want to state emphatically that sexual abuse by clergy, though forgivable by God’s incomprehensible mercy, is absolutely inexcusable. Likewise, a bishop’s failure to remove such clerics from active ministry is a horrendous display of incompetence. In both cases, such offenders lose our trust and ought to be removed from office. Clerics who are guilty of such criminal acts have committed the spiritual equivalent of murder. The fallout from such abuse is often ruined lives and lost faith. But, while we must lament this spiritual murder, we must be careful not to become guilty of something at least as bad. In the maze of misinformation and opportunist slogans, we cannot let this scandal take our faith, for then we would be guilty of spiritual suicide. Jesus says in the gospels, "[D]o not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell" (Mt. 10:28). In other words, the death of the soul is a far worse reality. We must not let our souls die at our own hands by abandoning the Faith. We place faith in God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and, because of what God has revealed, we have faith about the Church. We do not place faith in bishops, nor priests, nor lay men and women.

And then he brings it home:

So what does this have to do with Good Friday? As my mind has been consumed by this betrayal and the betrayal so evident in the Scriptures, I have come to marvel anew at the astounding dedication of Jesus to remain faithful and obedient to his mission – the salvation of souls! And because of this mess, I recognize what great divine wisdom there is in God’s design to make his covenant and the new life it promises dependent not upon us sinners, but upon the faithfulness and obedience of Christ Jesus! God, Who desires the salvation of all and Who longs to give his very life to His people, knew better than to make the conferral of His grace dependent upon the sanctity of His ministers. If the grace that comes from Jesus were dependent on the personal holiness of ministers, God’s people would be the spiritual hostages of sinful priests and bishops. Instead, it is Christ who acts, even through sinful human vessels, to impart his abundant grace and blessing. He himself guarantees the validity of the Sacraments and grace. This guarantee doesn’t excuse clerical sins, nor does it absolve clergy from striving for holiness like any other disciple, but it does guarantee that you and I aren’t deprived of the presence, the action, and the grace of Christ simply because we may happen to fall under the spiritual care of a sinful minister.

As Fr. Hamilton noted, scandal has been with the Church from the beginning, and it is with us today. There are new revelations of sex abuse scandals, this time in Germany and in Ireland. In our own country, we are learning that our bishops are connected financially to organizations who are working to undermine directly certain teachings of the Church. And we, as a nation, are sitting on the precipice of devaluing the least among by subsidizing their destruction in the name of charity.

So what do we do? Fr. Hamilton again:

What astounding wisdom, fidelity, and unflappable obedience are seen in the Cross! Whatever the legal outcome of this scandal, we focus on the eternal outcome of our souls, confident that the ultimate solution to this crisis is our own striving for personal holiness, faithfulness, and obedience to the heavenly Father as modeled by Christ Jesus in his suffering and death on the Holy Cross!

Archbishop Sheen pointed out the same answer 60 years ago, during WW II:

Each of us, too, has a cross. Our Lord said: "If anyone would be my disciple, he must deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me" (Mk 8:34). He did not say: "Take up My cross." His cross is not the same as mine. Every cross in the world is tailor made, custom built, patterned to fit the bearer and no one else.

So... you know that cross over there? Yeah, that one; the one you keep trying to ignore. It's yours. Go ahead. Pick it up. I've got my own.

Urgent Prayer Request from David Bereit

319 babies have been saved to date -- Day 28. Received the following prayer request today and passing it along. Don't underestimate the power of a good ground game.

As I've been bouncing across America, visiting 40 Days for Life sites, the number one thing people have been asking about is the crisis of abortion coverage and abortion funding in the health care reform bill that is expected to be voted on in the House THIS WEEK.

While we continue to answer our call to pray, fast, stand vigil, and conduct grassroots outreach during this 40 Days for Life, the urgency of the current situation demands that we ALSO speak out about the proposed health care bill -- which in its current form would gravely impact our mission.

Without question, this proposed legislation could undo all the years of work that have gone into the fight to defeat the abortion culture. The fate of millions of preborn babies hangs in the balance. In a nutshell, here are the biggest problems with the proposed bill:

• For the first time in history, the bill would create authority for the federal government to MANDATE ABORTION COVERAGE
• Individuals and families would be FORCED into insurance plans with mandatory abortion coverage
• American taxpayers would be forced to pay a new "ABORTION PREMIUM FEE" to cover the costs of abortions for other people
• The bill would direct $11 BILLION in funding to "community health centers" and deputizes them to become new abortion facilities
• Planned Parenthood and the rest of the abortion industry would get a massive, GOVERNMENT-FUNDED BAILOUT -- to the tune of billions of dollars
• The bill WOULD NOT adequately protect the consciences of medical providers who refuse to participate in life-destroying practices

Here's the bottom line: if the Senate health care reform bill is passed by the House of Representatives, it will result in the largest expansion of abortion since Roe v. Wade -- and hundreds of thousands more children will die.

I don't believe it is an accident that this critical vote is coming at a time when tens of thousands of people are already praying, fasting, holding vigils, and conducting grassroots community outreach as part of the spring 40 Days for Life campaign.

I believe our prayers -- and efforts -- are vital to stopping this horrific abortion mandate.

[H]ere are the three most important things you need to do RIGHT NOW:

1. PRAY AND FAST: The vote in the House is now expected on Friday or Saturday. Between now and then, pray -- and fast, if you feel led -- like NEVER BEFORE. Pray for the president. Pray for the Members of Congress who will be voting this week. Pray for the handful of pro-life representatives who are under intense pressure to change their votes -- and who could make all the difference for preborn children.
2. CALL YOUR U.S. REPRESENTATIVE TODAY: Urge your representative to "Vote AGAINST any health care bill that does not explicitly prohibit abortion coverage and government funding of abortion!" Even if you've called before, do this again RIGHT NOW.
   
3. E-MAIL YOUR REPRESENTATIVE TODAY: E-mail your representative and urge him or her to "Vote AGAINST any health care bill that does not explicitly prohibit abortion coverage and government funding of abortion!"
   

After YOU pray, call, and e-mail, make sure your family and friends do the same thing.

And then do it again tomorrow ... and the next day -- until the abortion mandate is STOPPED.

This really could come down to who makes the most calls and send the most e-mails in these decisive final days.

During this 40 Days for Life, we've all seen the tremendous fruits that come about when God's people pray, fast, and work -- HARD.

That is what we must all do at this critical moment when so many lives are at stake.

I'll close with this prayer from Anna, which she posted on the 40 Days for Life blog:

"Father, today we pray that the eyes and hearts of our nation would be opened to see that the injustice of abortion affects all of us. It is a human rights issue.

"Under God's law each one of us is valued. Every human being is endowed by God with the right to life. He has designed each one of us and prepared a plan for our life. Help us as individuals, and as a nation to return to being a nation that brings honor to you by honoring the life that you created.

"We ask these things in the name of your precious Son, who died that we might have abundant life. Amen."

For Life,

David Bereit
National Director
40 Days for Life

[submitted by e-mail]

Profile in Courage

The right wing-nut boilerplate on the Obamacare lemming run in Congress has been that the radical left is so desperate to implement their self-consciously nation-destroying vision that they will risk everything to make it happen. That is a bit hyperbolic.

Regardless, one question that crosses the mind of any American history dilettante is whether President Obama's steadfastness in the face of its unpopularity is in fact a display along the lines illustrated by the subjects in then-Senator Kennedy's Pulitzer Prize-winning Profiles in Courage:

• John Quincy Adams from Massachusetts, for breaking away from the Federalist Party
• Daniel Webster also from Massachusetts, for speaking in favor of the Compromise of 1850
• Thomas Hart Benton from Missouri, for staying in the Democratic Party despite his opposition to the extension of slavery in the territories
• Sam Houston from Texas, for speaking against the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 and for later opposing Texas' secession from the Union, when he was governor
  
• Edmund G. Ross from Kansas, for voting for acquittal in President Andrew Johnson's impeachment trial
• Lucius Lamar from Mississippi, for eulogizing Charles Sumner on the Senate Floor and other efforts to mend ties between the North and South during Reconstruction, and for his opposition to the Bland-Allison Act to permit free coinage of silver
• George Norris from Nebraska, for opposing Speaker Joseph Gurney Cannon's use of power, for opposing the arming of US merchant ships while the country was neutral during the early phases of WW I, and for supporting the campaign of Democrat Al Smith for president
  
• Robert A. Taft from Ohio, for criticizing the Nuremberg Trials for trying Nazi war criminals under what he considered ex post facto laws

However, in the final analysis, what is ultimately lacking is not courage, but principle in truth. The legislation the president is advocating does not do what it is purported to do, neither in terms of effectively covering the non-voluntary uninsured, nor in reducing health care costs, nor in stimulating economic growth. And it is quite easy to confirm. The complexity, the lack of transparency, the brazen lies about what is plainly in the bill, and the aptly named Slaughter Solution put the truth to it: Cynical machinations to blur member accountability reveal that this has very little, if anything, to do with health care, or health insurance, reform (!). Rather it is an upfront attempt to go big with mainstreaming the welfare statist philosophy in America.

The irony is that it all may come down to a man who supports health insurance reform, Bart Stupak, but who so far has stood against his party, including the president and the congressional leadership, by opposing the current bill in a manner worthy of his legislative forebears. Let's pray he holds firm to principle.

C is Still for Cookie

A jolt went through the Clan with the resurging rumor that Cookie Monster was going to change his name. Cookie addressed this a few weeks ago, but it will be back in a few years:

Time to put end to rumors. YES, me eat vegetables. NO, not going to be called Vegetable Monster! Dis whole thing silly.

No word yet as to whether The Amazing Mumford is changing his incantation to "A la tofu snack wraps!" So in the mean time, enjoy:

Something from the E-mail Bag That Made Me Laugh

If you can't find the book you want, then you're probably shopping at the...

[submitted by e-mail]

Joe Nathan May be Done

Apart from the giant hole Nathan's elbow injury could leave in the Twins' bullpen this year, I would not wish this on any man. My brother-in-law and sister have met Joe a couple of times. Troglotyke #3 has played catch with him in someone's back yard and talked to him on the phone. By all accounts, in addition to being one of the best in the game at what he does for the last few years, including setting a team record for saves last year with 47, he's a quality guy.

I was an amateur hack playing ball until I was 30. I walked away from my playing days when I took a new job in a new city. It was a career move and my call... and that was hard enough. It's a whole different deal for someone who does it for a living.

Joe Anderson nails it:

[I]t's pretty good to be a ballplayer. Nice big paycheck, casual lifestyle and work environment, three squares a day, nice cars, cool uniforms, the list goes on and on. That having been said, you have to feel for a guy like Nathan. He's been as good recently at what he does as anyone in the league save for maybe Mariano Rivera -and now it may be over. Regardless of someones tax bracket that has to be a tough pill to swallow. Nathan's a genuine guy too, and the emotion he was showing this morning was real. I don't hope for him as a ballplayer that he recovers and can pitch again, I hope for him as a man because it's what he does and to have it taken away from him in this manner and to possibly see a career like his end this way is sad.

[submitted by e-mail]

Here, Have a Stick in the Eye

The National Catholic Education Association (NCEA) has announced (last November actually) that Garrison Keillor will be the keynote speaker for the 2010 national convention to be held in the Twin Cities next month. The usual "blowhards" are "shrieking." But what is an orthodox Catholic supposed to think other than,"Here we go again?" After all, even if you're not a conspiracy wing nut and want to give people the benefit of the doubt, it is not hard to imagine the Ad Hoc Sub-committee for Selecting a Keynote Speaker deliberations going something like this:

Sub-committee Member #1 (chair): OK, this meeting has come to order. We need to select a speaker to recommend for the keynote address to this year's convention. The table is open for discussion.

Member #2: Let's try to get someone local to give the speech and not just get an award. I heard a rumor there was some grumbling last year.

Member #3: Good idea. Who are some famous Minnesota Catholics? Any politicians? Someone who knows how to give a speech?

Member #4: Wasn't there a Catholic governor not too long ago? "Governor Goofy," I think they called him. I bet he'd be entertaining. Rudy something-or-other. I think he was even a Democrat.

Member #1: I'll check my iPhone.

Member #2: Giuliani?

Member #3: No. It was was Percocet, or Popovich, or something like that.

*** short pause ***

Member #1: Here it is. Rudy Perpich. It says he died 15 years ago.

Member #5: There goes that. Any other ideas? It doesn't have to be a politician, does it?

Member #3: How about Herb Brooks? He's from Minnesota and with the Olympics being this year and all that, it might be kind of exciting.

Member #5: He's Catholic?

Member #4: Yeah, it surprised me, too. I remember that ESPN showed his funeral procession, and it was at the St. Paul Cathedral... ummm...

Member #2: Hey, I remember that.

Member #5: His funeral? Excuse me... How's that going to work?

Member #1: You're right. It looks like Herb Brooks died in 2003... car accident.

*** extended silence ***

Member #4: Why do we have to have a Catholic? I mean, after all, we do welcome anyone in our schools. We could make a powerful statement!

Member #2: Oooh, that is a good point. And how about someone funny? I know she was inspirational and all, but that Rwanda lady last year and her life story arc of genocide... a bit of a buzzkill, if you ask me. Let's lighten things up this year!

Member #1: Now we're talking!

Member #3: I've got it! Al Franken! He's a senator... a comedian... He's even Jewish... an elder brother in the faith...

Member #2: Perfect!

Member #5: Maybe. He'll probably have to stay in Washington to help protect real health care reform from the obstructionist Republicans.

Member #3: That's true.

Member #4: Not to mention all those tea bagger protesters we'd have to deal with.

Member #1: He's a good choice, but let's keep thinking...

*** more silence ***

Member #3: I've got it! Garrison Keillor! He's from Minnesota.

Member #2: Perfect! He's soooo folksy.

Member #5: Everyone likes Lake Wobegone. Isn't that where all the children are above average?

Member #3: Yes! A nice change from the way the Bush administration failed our children for 8 years.

Member #4. What a powerful message!

Member #2: Perfect!

Member #1: It says here that he's Episcopalian...

Member #4: That's practically the same as being Catholic!

Member #1: ... and he also put out a gospel album.

Member #2: Perfect!

Member #3: Maybe we can do a "meet and greet" after.

Member #1: There. I think it's settled. Without objection, we have our recommendation.

Nobody can be surprised, much less disappointed, that the NCEA has selected a cookie-cutter lefty, with his look-down-the-nose manner in the image of our new messiah, who rails against the settled teaching of the Catholic Church. Can they? Sure they can--it's not like we're talking about the NEA. The "C" ought to stand for something.

Now, Mr. Keillor certainly has the ability to deliver a perfectly appropriate and witty and inspirational and entertaining speech. And I expect he is shrewd enough not to challenge the Church directly, even though there will be plenty of sympathetic ears in the room. It looks like once again we're in a wait-and-see mode as another Catholic organization flirts with being of and not just in the world.

Dr. Michael J. Fox

No, he's not just playing one on TV. Actor and hESCR advocate Michael J. Fox has been honored by Sweden's Karolinska Institute (the same outfit that selects the Nobel Prize winner in medicine) in recognition of his foundation's efforts, including donations of more than $175 million for drug research in the last 10 years, to combat Parkinson's disease. He was diagnosed with the disease in 1991. (Has it been that long?)

Not that Mr. Fox ought necessarily to be considered an over-hyped super hero, or compared to something even less charitable, but this is what I thought of immediately when I heard the news:



"Funding makes this bird go up."