Taps

A Thousand Words

Remember the Fallen 2010



Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let the Perpetual Light shine upon them. May they rest in peace.

Procession for Staff Sgt. John Beale

Welcome Home the Fallen 2010

Walt Whitman - Dirge for Two Veterans

Love the Fallen 2010

1

The last sunbeam
Lightly falls from the finish’d Sabbath,
On the pavement here—and there beyond, it is looking,
Down a new-made double grave.

2

Lo! the moon ascending!
Up from the east, the silvery round moon;
Beautiful over the house tops, ghastly phantom moon;
Immense and silent moon.

3

I see a sad procession,
And I hear the sound of coming full-key’d bugles;
All the channels of the city streets they’re flooding,
As with voices and with tears.

4

I hear the great drums pounding,
And the small drums steady whirring;
And every blow of the great convulsive drums,
Strikes me through and through.

5

For the son is brought with the father;
In the foremost ranks of the fierce assault they fell;
Two veterans, son and father, dropt together,
And the double grave awaits them.

6

Now nearer blow the bugles,
And the drums strike more convulsive;
And the day-light o’er the pavement quite has faded,
And the strong dead-march enwraps me.

7

In the eastern sky up-buoying,
The sorrowful vast phantom moves illumin’d;
(’Tis some mother’s large, transparent face,
In heaven brighter growing.)

8

O strong dead-march, you please me!
O moon immense, with your silvery face you soothe me!
O my soldiers twain! O my veterans, passing to burial!
What I have I also give you.

9

The moon gives you light,
And the bugles and the drums give you music;
And my heart, O my soldiers, my veterans,
My heart gives you love.

Visiting St. Augustine's Chair

Fr. Dwight Longenecker has this on Pope Benedict's upcoming visit to Britain:

I think the present Pope's visit to England will be very different [from the 1982 visit that included a public service with the then-Archbishop of Canterbury, Robert Runcie]. Pope John Paul's was an [sic] pastoral visit. It was loaded with ecumenical assumptions which no longer apply. I doubt very much if Benedict XVI will do much more than pay a private courtesy call to the Archbishop of Canterbury--drink tea, discuss the Muppets, exchange gifts and then pose for the cameras. Pope Benedict's visit will probably be billed as an Apostolic Journey--the implication being that he is following in the footsteps of SS Peter and Paul, and that he comes as an apostle and a missionary. In other words, he's walking where St Augustine walked, and Benedict the Pope will do so in the tradition of Augustine the Benedictine monk.

4Troops - For Freedom

Mission of the Fallen 2010



A portion of the proceeds from each sale of the 4Troops CD is donated to the American Legion, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, and the USO.

Ring of Fire

This keeps showing up on my Google tab as a trending video:



It is a pretty cool ring of fire, but I still prefer this one:

Lt. Col. John McCrae, Canadian Army - In Flanders Fields

Our Duty to the Fallen 2010

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

In the Torchlight for May 23, 2010

Torchlight Post:

"I don't remember any of you, but I remember you in my prayers everyday"

Last week at a press conference, my mother-in-law, Pat Hall, took the opportunity to say "Thank you" to those who helped save her life while she was attending a Twins game at Target Field last month. (And I add a “thank you” for those of you who have been praying for her recovery.) When she collapsed on the main concourse during the game, she only knew her legs were giving out, until she woke up the next day in the hospital. She had a cardiac arrest that required several shocks from an AED to re-start her heart. We have heard from many connections to other people who were in the stadium that night about how quickly and professionally the swarm (is there a better word?) of volunteer paramedics, first responders, and doctors rushed to her aid. It is not an exaggeration that, if not for them and if she had been almost anywhere else, she would not have survived. The press conference at the Hennepin County Medical Center occurred during National Emergency Medical Services week, putting a spot light on the professionals and volunteers who are ready to act on our behalf at a moment's notice.

Recent Items from the News Digest:

• Because we cannot go too long without the modern economy being impugned for taking us to the brink of some epic disaster, lest we return to our inner cave dweller ways, the UN’s Environment Program is projecting the world’s oceans will run out of fish in 40 years unless the fishing industry is fundamentally restructured. This assumes, of course, that fisherman do and will behave like wildcatters instead of farmers.
• Chris O’Donnell graces the cover of the June Redbook with his children. To hear the NCIS: Los Angeles star tell it, he made the conscious decision at the age of 25 to pursue a family following his blockbuster stint as Batman’s sidekick, Robin, effectively putting his career on hold. Naysayers will claim his career was flaming out anyway. Regardless, the 13-year marriage and five children for the Catholic-raised O’Donnell and his wife, Caroline Fentress, still counts as counter-cultural in Hollywood.
• Violent and institutional reprisals against free expression offend Western sensibilities, and darn near every student in the last 40 years has seen the animated version of The Hangman. These, I think, are at the heart of "Draw Mohammed Day" on May 20th. While I understand and share the sentiment, it is the object of the activity that troubles me. I do not consider myself bound by any prohibition to draw Mohammed that some Muslims observe, just as I do not abstain from eating pork. Nevertheless, being intentionally provocative only serves to undermine solidarity. Of course, who would expect anything less from the equal opportunity offenders who flocked to the event and each imagined himself a modern day Spartacus?
• Former Oklahoma state senator and current attorney general candidate, Scott Pruitt, has pledged, if elected, to sue the federal government over the costs incurred by the state due to illegal immigration. While some claim (with a stretch) that Arizona’s recent law represents an attempt to usurp the federal government’s authority with respect to border enforcement, not to mention the whole race-baiting meme, the inability of the federal government to execute its constitutional authority regarding national border security is placing a financial burden on the individuals of the several states in the form of increased costs (moneys and access) for social services. It was only a matter of time before some of them started trying to collect on the bill.

You can find links to these stories and more here.

"In the Torchlight" is a weekly post that is part of Sunday Snippets. Sunday Snippets is a Catholic carnival that is hosted each week by RAnn at This, That and the Other Thing. This week's carnival includes, from Smaller Manhattans, a tribute by Christian LeBlanc to his wife. It echoes something I once said in front of a couple hundred people about 10 years ago, which is still true today.

Let's Go Squir-rel!

clap-clap clap-clap-clap

Also see twinsbaseball.com

Zac Brown Band - America the Beautiful/Chicken Fried (live in Minneapolis)

Celebrate the Lives of the Fallen 2010

Culture Change is Not Just a Job for the Hierarchy

Truffle quote:

"All the evil in the world is due to lukewarm Catholics."
- Attributed to Pope St. Pius V

Preparing for Memorial Day

Remembering the Fallen 2010

This month marks the 145th anniversary of one of the first memorial days, then called Decoration Day, in Charleston, SC. Memorial Day commemorates the men and women who have died in our nation's military service. This year, The Troglodyte will include a post each day through Memorial Day as a tribute to those who have given their last full measure in service to their country.

Start with What the Law Says and Go from There

Read the Arizona law? It seems like a reasonable request.

Knights of Columbus Opt to Sit on Their Hands

As a Knight, I understand the reasoning, even if I don't like what it means in this case. The virtue of obedience has its consequences and will play itself out in the long run.

Here's the story from Catholic World News:

The leadership of the Knights of Columbus (K of C) has forbidden local councils to take any action against members of the Catholic fraternal organization who support legalized abortion or same-sex marriage.

A Massachusetts K of C member had proposed a resolution, to be taken up by the group's state convention, calling for the suspension of membership of any politician who gave public support to abortion and same-sex marriage. That resolution was declared inappropriate by the Supreme Advocate of the K of C, John Marrella.

In a letter to the Massachusetts K of C leadership, Marrella declared that "a subordinate council may not impose fraternal discipline with respect to a public figure's official actions on matters pertaining to faith and morals. Rather, any such discipline must be made by or at the direction of the Supreme Board of Directors."

"We recognize that some of our members who are public figures may use their public position to advocate or support policy positions that are contrary to the teachings of the Catholic Church on matters of faith and morals," Marrella conceded in his letter. He went on to admit that such public advocacy "contradicts the Catholic identity and mission of the Order."

Nevertheless, the top legal official of the K of C said that any action taken against K of C members who are public figures would "necessarily affect the entire Order." For that reason, he said, any disciplinary action should be taken by the group's top leadership.

Marrella went on to say that the K of C would not go further than the American bishops in taking public action against members whose public stands conflict with Church moral teachings. "If the public figure's bishop has not excommunicated him for his public positions on issues relating to matters of faith and morals, it would be highly inappropriate for the Knights of Columbus to do so," he wrote.

The Catholic Action League of Massachusetts, which had supported the proposed resolution at the state convention, decried the intervention by the top K of C office as an "abdication of responsibility." C.J. Doyle, the executive director of the Catholic Action League, said: "This letter effectively kills any grassroots initiative within the Knights to address the scandal of pro-abortion pols in the Order."

The Catholic Action League charged that the K of C's refusal to take action against pro-abortion members would allow the continuation of a public scandal. "In the 37 years since Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Board of Directors has never, to public knowledge, removed a single pro-abortion political figure from the Knights of Columbus," Doyle noted. "In Massachusetts, a majority of Knights serving in the Legislature voted in 2007 against a constitutional amendment restoring traditional marriage, and voted in 2005 for a law which compels Catholic hospitals to distribute the so-called morning-after pill to rape victims."

Social Networks Help Recovery

From the journal Science this week:

A long-standing theory suggests that social diversity leads to economic development. By combining the United Kingdom's telephone communication records (both landline and mobile) with information on regional economic conditions, [it has been] demonstrate[d] that network diversity alone accounts for over three-quarters of the variance of a region's economic status. Although the data cannot be used to show causality, the association suggests that economic development and recovery may depend not solely on monetary stimulus but also on the development of a nation's social infrastructure.

Or culture leads economy. Duh.

Not Shocked by Little Girls' Single Ladyin' It

The story has had a lot of buzz all week on TV and the web, but I just can't bring myself to being outraged (Outraged, I tell you!) by the video of the 7 to 9-year old girls performing a dance routine to Beyonce's "All the Single Ladies" (below for reference, also see the video replies). That's speaking as a father of daughters, including one of this age, and having a goddaughter this age who dances. Perhaps it's because I've seen it all before. Sexualizing little girls is not new (JonBenet Ramsey blew the cover off one similar world hidden in plain sight).



It is really all about the outfits. And the grind move at 1:47. Put the girls in t-shirts and stretch pants and most of the sensationalism of it disappears. Even the grind becomes less provocative.

I'm not sure how to address Dance Mom's. They are a special breed, as any who try to resist the dance vortex could tell you. Resistance is futile. I mean, you never see fathers like that with their boys in sports, or anything. Anyway, this is for the dads:

Don't get stuck on stupid. You have sexualized your girls. Yes, I know girls wear skimpy outfits in gymnastics and figure skating and swimming, too, not just dance. But those outfits are skimpy, even by dance standards. And they look like pole dancers' outfits. I know it, and so do you, and you can bet other men know it, too.

I know that almost all those moves have been around in gymnastics and comp cheer for at least a generation. But that routine lifts elements straight from Beyonce's video (below for reference), including the grind; a video that oozes sexuality and where, ironically, Beyonce is covered more than those girls. So save your rationalizations about the athleticism, the discipline, the teamwork, etc. Your girls deserve better from you.

But Grace IS Amazing

It doesn't happen often, and it will put me at odds with some fellow cave dwellers, but I can't quite agree with Michael Voris on this one:



A couple observations...

First, set aside the dogmatic issues for a moment, it seems he suggests tossing away the hymn because of its Protestant roots. This strikes me as contradictory to the Pauline command to test everything and retain what is good.

Second, despite its Protestant roots, as one of the commenters points out, it is not hard to give a Catholic reading of the lyrics that is dogmatically correct. I suspect this is how the song was approved for liturgical use. While understanding an acceptable sinner's-eye view of himself as a "wretch" because of his sin is straightforward, I admit, that an alternative interpretation of the "hour I first believed" phrase strikes me as a stretch, and I usually don't sing it accordingly.

Regardless, so long as the song remains approved, it will get used, which means it will provide ongoing opportunities for a "catechetical moment." What would be one easy way to prevent, or correct, any misperceptions regarding the meanings of the lyrics? Have priests and deacons include the distinctions in a homily about Grace. How do I know? That is how I learned it. Not to mention, one effective method of cultural change is to adopt and convert the meaning of something held dear (like a "national anthem," for example?).

And lets not forget, people like the tune, including me. A nice melody, an acceptable Catholic interpretation, opportunities to teach and convert; sure seems like plenty of good to retain to me.

As for my part, I will have Amazing Grace at my funeral, omitting the "hour I first believed" verse.

Yes, Charlie Daniels Plays a Mean Fiddle

for the 666,865th time. Here is the evidence:



That is, if you weren't already convinced by this:

In the Torchlight for May 16, 2010

Better late than never, I hope...

Torchlight Post:

One of the things we tell our children is that there is more to being pro-life than being anti-abortion. While there was a great deal of buzz created by the reference to “death panels” being a provision of Obamacare, the determining factor in elder care may not be political, but cultural. Whether considered a nuisance to care for by the younger generations, or squandering resources better used elsewhere for the younger generations, the idea is out there that some people have lived long enough; it will be time for them to move on when they become chronically ill. Keep in mind that in this case there are no questions regarding the definitions of human life and personhood to hide behind. It will likely be easier to get a pork chop from a pit bull than trying to get materialists and so-called progressives to let go of the notion that an arbitrary “quality of life” assessment ought not to be decided by someone other than the living, breathing, thinking person at the center of the question.

Recent Items from the News Digest:

• Greece’s solvency problems certainly expose the sustainability of the modern welfare state. Whether Greece represents the West’s first welfare state domino of many to fall remains to be seen, of course; much less whether it portends America’s fate.
• A new book and accompanying film dig into what makes today’s American soldier tick, showing us that he is a different kind of man.
• Americans have a love/hate relationship with stereotyping, or generalizing about, people. Recognizing patterns and making generalizations is a (if not THE) hallmark process of 1.) being human, and 2.) enabling wisdom. But as Americans, such generalizations seem anathema to the notion of the individual that is (still) part of our cultural DNA. If nothing else, this conflict is on full display in the ideological clash over Arizona’s immigration law.
• Colorado’s transformation from being a Republican stronghold to going solidly Democratic in 2008 is a case study in not only the limits of political conventional wisdom, but also the folly of anyone thinking McCain-Feingold could “take the money of special interests” out of politics.
• In addition to threatening the structure of the welfare state, the move to bailout Greece challenges directly the notion that a second Great Depression has been diverted, regardless whether its insolvency actually represents the seeds of destruction for the global economy.

You can find links to these stories and more here.

"In the Torchlight" is a weekly post that is part of Sunday Snippets. Sunday Snippets is a Catholic carnival that is hosted each week by RAnn at This, That and the Other Thing. This week's carnival includes, from Mystical Rose Design, a reminder how honoring Mary is explicitly pro-life.

Thanking the First Responders and Target Field Staff Who Saved My Mother-in-law's Life

I led off my first podcast with the story and the "Thank yous," but it deserves to be said again. Today, at a press conference in Minneapolis, my mother-in-law, Pat Hall, took the opportunity to say "Thank you" for herself. And I add one to those of you who have been praying for her recovery. Here is the story from the StarTribune:

Woman who had heart attack at Target Field meets her responders

By TIM HARLOW, Star Tribune
May 19, 2010

Pat Hall remembers walking into Target Field last month during her first visit to the Twins' new stadium. She remembers sitting in the front row of Section 103, almost close enough to touch the players. The last things she remembers is going up the steps to use the restroom during the seventh-inning stretch.

Just as she reached the concourse, her legs went limp, she dropped her open can of pop and fell into the arms of an usher.

Hall, 66, of Richfield, had suffered cardiac arrest. Immediately a swarm of volunteer paramedics, first responders and doctors rushed to her aid to administer CPR, shock her heart and get her to the hospital.

On Wednesday, Hall and her husband, Bob, were at Hennepin County Medical Center to celebrate what's being called "the best save at the ballpark" and to meet and thank many of those who acted so quickly to keep her alive.

"I don't remember any of you, but I remember you in my prayers everyday," she said during the press conference which coincided with National Emergency Medical Services week. Wearing a Twins shirt with a heart on it, she pointed to it and said, "I have this one here and I still have mine."

Doctors are still unsure what caused her to collapse April 21, but Dr. Jeff Ho, emergency physician at HCMC who leads the volunteers at the ballpark, said the pre-hospital care she received from Target Field staff led to the "successful resuscitation of Mrs. Hall."

Hall was a guest of her employer, the Cremation Society of Minnesota. She told her husband she felt chilly and began climbing the 40 steps from the field to the concourse. At the top, she passed out, turned gray and fell into the arms of usher Robert Micek. He called for help and within a minute, first responder Rachel Gordon was on the scene. Gordon, who works as a heart nurse at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis, began compression until paramedics arrived. Target Guest Services found her husband, told him what had happened, and escorted him to his wife.

The 325-member Twins Guest Services staff, including the volunteer medical staff, attended classes and training before the season started to prepare for such incidents, but this was the first medical emergency at Target Field other than fans getting hit with foul balls.

"I saw Pat already being treated; it was like an out-of-body experience, you don't want to believe what you are seeing," Bob said. "They treated her with honor and dignity. They obviously practiced. They knew what they were doing."

Obviously Hall missed the last part of the Twins 6-0 win over Cleveland, but she is getting another chance. Matt Hoy, the team's vice president of operations, presented her with tickets to an upcoming game and told her she has to "see the whole game."

Hall said she wasn't a big fan of ballpark food, but she's eager to get back to Target Field to watch the team she's rooted for most of her life, under one condition:

"I want to be sure all these people are working that night," she said.

She gave them a small gift, but said "I don't think I know how to thank you for one's life."

(Photo from Kare11.com)

Additional coverage:
Kare-11
Fox-9
KSTP-5
WCCO-4

The BBQ Altar

I saw that BBQ was trending on Yahoo!, so, being the inveterate cave dweller that I am, I had to investigate. Below is an excerpt from one site that jumped out to me. Be careful, though, there is a link on the sidebar to BBQ Porn.

Pulled Pork. Brisket. Links. Ribs.

Just looking at these words almost makes me weep. BBQ recipes are guarded secrets. BBQ cooking is a religion. BBQ cooking is a way of life. OK, that's a bit much, but the religion part's not. To serious aficionados BBQ and their BBQ recipes can be fighting words.

Despite what much of the country believes, BBQ is not a verb. BBQ is a noun. What many people do on the weekend and at the ballpark is grilling. It is not BBQ. BBQ is all about low and slow- low cooking temperatures, for a long period of time using hardwoods to provide heat and smoke for flavoring. ...

Like jazz music, BBQ is a true American "invention". It has roots from elsewhere: Germany, the Caribbean, Mexico, Africa etc. but as we know it it is a pure American culinary art form.

In addition, BBQ and BBQ recipes are extremely regional. You will find drastic differences in the 'cue from Texas as the 'cue in North Carolina. Hell, in the Carolinas, if you drive to the next county they'll be different. Just like an Italian form Emiglia Romagna will debate what makes a great ragu, folks from different parts of the country will debate what makes great BBQ.

Seriously, something that can make brother turn against brother has got to be good.

And, BBQ is the great equalizer: pull into a run-down BBQ shack, in the middle of nowhere, with sweet blue smoke trailing out of the chimney and you'll likely find an S-class Mercedes, next to a light green AMC Gremlin, next to a shiny new 3/4 ton Ford F-150.

BBQ knows no class structure. It is equal opportunity good.

Another fascinating thing about BBQ and great BBQ recipes is that in almost all cases the meat used is cheap and tough. It takes an art and skill to render something like brisket, that you could resole your shoes with, gloriously tender and flavorful. Anybody can take a piece of tenderloin or foie gras and make it great, but not pork shoulder.

Amen. What's that? (I think I hear the fire box calling.)

Abortion by Remote Control

NCR's Matt Archbold has the story that Planned Parenthood is looking to advance the abortion franchise in a most 21st century manner--remotely.

Planned Parenthood’s system [in Iowa] now allows a doctor in Des Moines to meet with patients across the state through video conference. At the end of the teleconference the doctor presses a button on the computer to activate a drawer at the patient’s location that contains R-U 486.

The patient then takes the pills while the doctor watches. Death by remote control. Abortion has always been a dehumanizing practice but the abortion industry has always attempted to keep up a cover of caring about women. But administering abortion pills to a woman with all the humanity of a Pez dispenser makes obvious their aim of maximizing profit and limiting overhead.

As I noted long ago, the only detectable factor in determining changes in the annual abortion rate is the number of abortion clinics available. This makes the attrition rate of abortionists one of the greatest threats to the abortion business. Increasing their "productivity" tackles this head-on.

[I]f Planned Parenthood is successful with their system it will likely be implemented by abortion clinics across the country and lead to harming more women in every way possible.

Pro-life groups are filing complaints with the state board of medicine, arguing that the remote control abortion system violates state law requiring all abortions are performed by a doctor. Much rides on the success or failure of pro-lifers to prevent this remote control method of abortion.

Let's pray the forces of life are successful in stopping this development.

Miss Oklahoma for Supreme Court?

A case for Morgan Woolard is outlined at RedState.

It is an interesting question whether this answer to a question about Arizona's immigration law cost her the Miss USA title in the wake of Carrie Prejean:

I’m a huge believer in states’ rights. I think that’s what’s so wonderful about America. So I think it’s perfectly fine for Arizona to create that law.

Gold ATM is a Sign of the Times

From the "It had to happen sooner or later" file...

After test runs in its native Germany, Ex Oriente Lux has installed its first gold vending machine in an Abu Dhabi luxury hotel. Users can select from 10 different "Gold to Go" products offered at a price that is tied to international markets and updated six times an hour, including small bars and custom coins. (Photo credit: REUTERS/Mosab Omar)

Even in uncertain times, or perhaps particularly in them, count on an entrepreneur to try to meet people's latent needs.

The company plans to install ATMs at 200 locations in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, focusing locations in "airports, hotels, shopping centers, casinos, cruise liners as well as banks and jeweler shops – locations with large attendance, an attractive environment and high security standards." I guess that means I won't see one at the corner convenience store any time soon.

Are We Sliding from "Right to Life" to "Duty to Die?"

A while back, at least 10 years ago, I think, a friend of mine was telling me about his father being diagnosed with a serious condition, one that would take his life if untreated. As I listened sympathetically, he told me how the treatment would be tough on him, but there was a decent chance he could gain several years, or possibly make a full recovery. And then he hit me with a brick:

"I told him he shouldn't get treated. Why go through that? It'll take at least 3 months to recover. He's 70 for chrissake. He's lived a good life. It's time to let it go."

Caught completely off guard, and never really having come so face-to-face with that kind of thinking, I didn't argue the point directly very hard; mostly noting that his condition was not that uncommon, success was likely, and his father was going to go forward with treatment anyway. Sadly, this display of a "life is not worth fighting for" (or at least worth paying for) attitude in the face of routine (yet serious) treatment is not isolated.

Thomas Sowell points out, in the context of an example from his childhood, that not only is this kind of attitude not rare, but, in certain circles, it is downright fashionable to the point that it is viewed as an obligation for the elderly to sacrifice themselves in this way. Yes, there is the pragmatic truth that suspending the spending for life-saving treatments is a sure-fire method of addressing the cost containment problem of modern medicine in a mixed economy; one of the precious few that the government actually could enforce should it finally enter into the control of medical care. (You don't have to like terms like "rationing," or "death panels," to admit honestly that that is effectively what mechanisms are in place already in our "model" states for "universal healthcare.")

Mr. Sowell puts the cause for such fashionableness at the foot of academe:

Much of what is taught in our schools and colleges today seeks to break down traditional values, and replace them with more fancy and fashionable notions, of which "a duty to die" is just one.

These efforts at changing values used to be called "values clarification," though the name has had to be changed repeatedly over the years, as more and more parents caught on to what was going on and objected. The values that supposedly needed "clarification" had been clear enough to last for generations and nobody asked the schools and colleges for this "clarification."

Go back to the case of my friend. Was this notion planted by some teacher in high school, or college? Perhaps, but I think there is more to it. His response wasn't trying to rationalize by appealing to some greater societal good, nor was it a plea for his father to avoid suffering; some form of suffering was inevitable either way.

*** Sidebar

I wonder how much suffering there was in learning his son's thinking that, despite a reasonable prognosis, he'd lived long enough already.

*** End sidebar

No, it was the bother of it all. The thing is that the pursuit of convenience and affluence is not limited to elites, nor does it require the academy for its propagation. Pop culture, for example, works just fine, thank you.

In my observation, once someone walks away from one of the Ten Commandments, he finds that they like to travel together and ends up with just a few of them still hanging around with him. Here I agree with Mr. Sowell. Take these tradition-derived values and include others such as the three named explicitly in our nation's founding document. The current process of replacing them with fashionable notions hasn't been born of hardship, hasn't been clamored for by the masses, and hasn't made us better people.

[submitted by e-mail]

Finding Fatima Trailer

(HHT: Dom Bettinelli)

Socialism is Evil

Yes, but is Obama really a socialist? There is no doubt the inconsistency with Church teaching that must be opposed vigorously. Still...

If he is a socialist, then is he an evil genius, or an ignorant dupe? (note this is the same dichotomy that President George W. Bush paradoxically occupied according to the left)

If not, is he an ignorant dupe, or something else?

Podcast: Catholic Cave Dweller Ep.3

Mater ad Mater inter Marata

The week's happenings, Mother's Day, correcting the American League, still looking for Walter Johnson, using the power of the Rosary, weekly news digest including baseball and politics, more Mother's Day and seeing an image of Christ.

No format change this time, but an equipment tweak. Please feel free to leave a comment, or shoot an e-mail to scottw (at) thetroglodyte.com

Portrait of Elena Kagan not That Fuzzy

Despite no judicial experience, limited litigation experience, and little expression of judicial philosophy, it is not hard to guess what kind of justice she'd make.

Former Attorney General, Ed Meese, released an often copy/pasted statement:

Though Ms. Kagan has not written extensively on the role of a judge, the little she has written is troubling. In a law review article, she expressed agreement with the idea that the Court primarily exists to look out for the “despised and disadvantaged.” The problem with this view—which sounds remarkably similar to President Obama’s frequent appeals to judges ruling on grounds other than law–is that it allows judges to favor whichever particular client they view as “despised and disadvantaged.”

Pair that with her advocacy against the stable, traditional definition of marriage and for the federal funding of abortion, look at her role models of Abner Mikva and Thurgood Marshall, and regardless a demeanor that doesn't spew enough venom for some liberal activists, it is pretty easy to connect the dots as to what kind of justice she'd make: one more active crusader for the perceived despised and disadvantaged.

In the Torchlight for May 9, 2010

Torchlight Post

This week's post wasn't from last week, but actually follows here. Two other contenders were Shaq's reminder about Haiti and nature's greatest gift, which is fitting in light of Mother's Day.

Fr. John Corapi has been fond of saying that the Rosary is a primary weapon in the current battle of good vs. evil. After all, to pray the rosary is to pray the Gospel, which is to pray Jesus Christ. What could be a more powerful complement to the Sacraments than that?

Or perhaps you prefer a less martial, more literal, image for the Rosary, like a spiritual bouquet to be nurtured and maintained. Regardless, there can be little doubt that today's bishops could use some help. Rosary for the Bishop is a program that aims to give aid and show support for our Catholic Bishops. From their web site:

The effort began at Christmas of 2005 in Madison Wisconsin as a Spiritual Bouquet for Bishop Robert Morlino. Lay Catholics from around the Diocese of Madison could sign up online to pray one rosary per month for the Bishop.

After two years, over 300 people were praying one Rosary per month for Bishop Morlino year-round, with at least five Rosaries being prayed every day.

At the end of 2009, the organizers of Madison's Rosary for the Bishop campaign, inspired by the success in Madison, decided to expand the program to all Dioceses in the United States. The Rosary for the Bishop website was overhauled to accommodate this change, as well as adding a number of new features, such as Twitter integration.

(HHT: Real Men Pray the Rosary)

Recent Items from the News Digest:

• According to a recent poll, Republicans and independents prioritize immigration as an issue, while Democrats place more importance on financial reform. The lines may have been drawn for November.
• MN Republican candidate for governor, Tom Emmer, was chastised for missing a "green debate." Of course, his son's First Communion was a higher priority for him, as it should have been.
• Ernie Harwell, the Detroit Tigers Hall of Fame announcer, died at 92 after a bout with cancer. May he rest in peace.
• A Phillies fan was Tased after jumping onto the field and doing a minute's worth of open field running. You can check out the video here.
• Buffet turns into one more corporate bubble. At Berkshire Hathaway's annual meeting, it seems the Sage of Omaha is getting away from himself.
• Backlash over bailing out Greece became a factor in a German state vote. Could it be that the Tea Party is not just for America anymore? Not likely.

"In the Torchlight" is a weekly post that is part of Sunday Snippets. Sunday Snippets is a Catholic carnival that is hosted each week by RAnn at This, That and the Other Thing. This week's carnival is focused on the Rosary including, from Wynken, Blynken, and Nod, a comic book version of the story of St. Dominic and the Rosary.

Something from the E-mail Bag That Made Me Laugh #3

Why did the white bear dissolve in water?  
Because it was polar.
 
What do you call a tooth in a glass of water? 
A one molar solution.
 
 What do dipoles say in passing? 
"Have you got a moment?"
 
Why does hamburger have lower energy than steak?  
Because it's in the ground state.
 
What do you do with a dead chemists? 
Barium

Lend a Hand

Check out the free download of a special John Rich song and a link to donate to help the people of Tennessee deal with their "1000-year flood."

You can also send a $10 donation to the Nashville Red Cross by texting REDCROSS to 90999.

[submitted by e-mail]

No Surprise as Crist Hesitates to Sign Ultrasound Bill

Continuing to track the front line battles in the states restricting abortion, Florida has passed an ultrasound bill similar to Oklahoma's with strong majorities in both the house and the senate.

The bill requires ultrasounds for women seeking abortions in their first trimester, when more than 90 percent of the procedures occur. Doctors or nurses also are ordered to describe the images on the sonogram and the stage of fetal develoment. Women must sign a form if they refuse to view the images.

However, the Republican-turned-independent-in-a-cynical-attempt-to-save-his-senate-bid Gov. Charlie Crist has stated he "has concerns" with signing the bill. Of course he does. It is not readily apparent where the net benefit would be for his candidacy, shoring up the center-left by vetoing, or potentially peeling off supporters from Marco Rubio by signing.

While it would certainly be better that the governor sign the bill into law now (I'm betting on a veto), let's not lose sight of the fact the Florida legislature passed the bill and should be in a position to be able to do it again next session, with the nominally pro-life Bill McCollum waiting in the wings with a 5-10% lead in the race to succeed Crist.

(HHT: CMR)

Podcast: Catholic Cave Dweller Ep.2

This post has been bumped.

Keeping Up the Good Fight

Weekend happenings, BBQ, pushing state abortion restrictions, weekly news digest, lessons of St. Joseph the Worker.

Continuing the experiments, but I'm not happy with the production values.

Update:

Issues with the hosting service are preventing the latest podcast from loading onto the site, so that is why there is no link yet available. No word, yet, as to when this issue will be resolved.

Update 2:

The episode is now accessible (finally).

Upcoming Catholic Blogging Awards

2010 Cannonball Catholic Blog Awards nominations are open... oops closed.
2010 Catholic New Media Awards (formerly Catholic Blog Awards) nominations will be open soon.

I'm just sayin'...

And then there's the Bloggers Choice Awards '10, which is also open for nominations.

Made to Shine Like the Sun

(HHT: HazteOir.org via Grace Concepcion)

New Version of Roman Missal Gets Vatican OK

Implementation date is still TBD for the first changes to the Mass in decades. Having not seen the finished product, as I have written before, I have mixed feelings. Not to mention:

What I think is critical (and still largely lacking), however, is fidelity to the Liturgy as it is. I have heard it said and agree that no Catholic can walk away from the Faith who has an understanding of the Eucharist, the Real Presence in particular. It is not clear to me that a new translation... helps much in this regard toward reducing Liturgical abuse.

Shaq Reminds Us to Not Forget Haiti

It has been four months since the devastating earthquake shook Haiti, and things are still dire there. Actually, in many ways they were dire before the earthquake.

NBA superstar and current Cleveland Cavalier, Shaquille O'Neal, is recognizing the need to not only try to address the still current crisis, but to put pieces in place to help Haiti overcome years of unaccountability by its government. He is directing his O'Positive foundation to face the "emergency" facing Haiti's children; in his own way recognizing that true change can only come from the culture and perhaps will be a function of attrition:

We must treat these children like children. They need music and arts and sports. They need trained teachers who can educate and protect them during the school day. They need to have safe places to play. They need access to computer labs, technology and modern education tools.

I decided this is what I would focus on. How could I lead in contributing for immediate needs -- but also for those that linger? A bed to sleep in and a roof over their heads. Schools. Computers. Teachers. Books. Soccer fields. Basketball courts. Parks. That is it.

Hats off and godspeed.

Nature's Greatest Gift

Just saw this from CatholicVote (HHT: Matthew Warner)

Jesse Jackson Wants All-Star Game Yanked from Arizona over Immigration Law

Like moth to a flame, Jesse Jackson has inserted himself into the debate over Arizona's recent immigration law and is dragging Major League Baseball in with him by issuing an open letter to Commissioner Bud Selig. I suppose he figures, "Why not? It worked with the Super Bowl." I'm sure Bud is jazzed about this. (HHT: DailyPitch)

Here's the letter:

Dear Bud,

The Rainbow PUSH Coalition appeals to Major League Baseball to take a public stand against the recently passed Arizona immigration law. We also urge you to move the scheduled 2011 all-star game from Diamondback Stadium in Arizona unless this law is repealed.

America's democracy is based on the values of freedom and equality--a level playing field for all of its people. The passage of the Arizona immigration law is an affront to these principles, representing the most divisive and polarizing approach to immigration reform. It is morally reprehensible and will be challenged as unconstitutional in the courts. This law – and the social "movement" that has inspired it – will have a negative impact on all of America's people.

Major League Baseball is truly an international sport. Well over 25% of MLB players are of Latino descent, and players, coaches, managers, and staff come from many countries other than the United States. From Jackie Robinson's breakthrough moment in 1947 to today, they make major league baseball one of the world's most popular sports. They come here legally, documented, with the single goal of showcasing their skills and contributing to the growth and success of Major League Baseball. They should not be subjected to humiliating and illegal harassment.

The Arizona law will have a devastating impact on the integrity and public image of Major League Baseball. Imagine if players or their families are stopped and interrogated by law enforcement – not just during all-star week, but during any games – spring training (where half of the teams locate in Arizona) and regular season – played in Arizona. That would truly be a dark day for Major League Baseball. We urge MLB to take all necessary measures to protect the rights and interests of your players, coaches, staff and their families.

Sincerely,Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Sr.
President and Founder/Rainbow PUSH Coalition

I'm not a Commentator, but I Play One on TV

From the "Smugness Will Only Get You so Far" file, George Will demonstrates for Bill Maher on ABC's "This Week" that real analysis is harder than it looks:



Must...fight...urge...to...mock...the...mocker...

Newsbuster's has the data and the transcript.

In the Torchlight for May 2, 2010

Torchlight Post:

The abortion battle continues at the state level, while we wait for the court challenges to Obamacare to work themselves out. While there are no great surprises as to which states have taken action so far (all went for McCain in 2008), dozens more reportedly are now considering abortion limitations. As discouraging as the passing of Obamacare was, for multiple reasons, this is no time to stop keeping up the good fight regarding the unborn. This is the human rights issue of our times, and it will influence directly the ethics that surround neonatal care, stem cell research, cloning, human hybridization, etc. on one end of life’s cycle and long-term care, “extraordinary measures.” euthanasia, assisted living, etc. on the other--particularly if we continue our national flirtation with centralized medicine.

Recent Items from the News Digest:

• The president announced a commission to address the mushrooming national debt. A classic case of closing the barn door after the horses are gone.
• Congressional Democrats and the White House crossed Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham by pushing for immigration reform ahead of the climate change legislation he had been working diligently to bring forward. Democrats need at least one cooperative Republican senator for any legislation from here on out. As the president continues to push an aggressive agenda, it’s not yet clear where the agenda now sits.
• An online pet pampering network site has gone live. George Will among others has taken to calling the recent financial crisis, the Great Recession. Note that this pet site is not targeted at the insulated uber-rich, but at millions of Americans. There is nothing fundamentally wrong with this kind of networking, but any further comparisons of this economy to the Great Depression ought to be heaped with epic scorn.
• Hawaii’s Republican Gov. Linda Lingle has until July 6th to decide on a bill establishing same sex civil unions. Hawaii was one of the first states to adopt a protection of marriage act. The civil union bill mimics the benefits granted to marriages, but does the (minimal) courtesy of not having to redefine what marriage means. Nevertheless, a rose by any other name… So far the governor is keeping it close to the vest.

"In the Torchlight" is a weekly post that is part of Sunday Snippets. Sunday Snippets is a Catholic carnival that is hosted each week by RAnn at This, That and the Other Thing. This week's carnival includes, from Dymphna's Well, a post about a new study showing that watching R-rated movies as a child increases the likelihood of underage alcohol use.

[submitted by e-mail]

John Paul the Great on Progress and the Modern World #4

However true it may be that man is destined for work and called to it, in the first place work is "for man" and not man "for work." ... [I]n the final analysis it is always man who is the purpose of the work, whatever work it is that is done by man--even if the common scale of values rates it as the merest "service," as the most monotonous, even the most alienating work.

- Laborem Exercens

(In recognition of yesterday being the Memorial of St. Joseph the Worker.)

St. Joseph the Worker

From CatholicCulture.org:

The feast of St. Joseph the Worker was established by Pope Pius XII in 1955 in order to Christianize the concept of labor and give to all workmen a model and a protector. By the daily labor in his shop, offered to God with patience and joy, St. Joseph provided for the necessities of his holy spouse and of the Incarnate Son of God, and thus became an example to all laborers. "Workmen and all those laboring in conditions of poverty will have reasons to rejoice rather than grieve, since they have in common with the Holy Family daily preoccupations and cares"(Leo XIII).

Also, please note, this is not the feast to which Speaker Pelosi meant to refer in her (some may call insipid) speech on the Solemnity of St. Joseph.