Fiscal crisis response must not forget human cost, Bishop Murphy says

The Bishop of my former Diocese puts some perspective on the financial crisis we are in.

William Murphy, Bishop of Rockville Centre and chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, has written to U.S. political leaders and the Secretary of the Treasury asking that the Bush administration and Congress make a moral response to the financial crisis.

“The economic crisis facing our nation is both terribly disturbing and enormously complicated,” Bishop Murphy wrote in his September 26 letter. “I write to offer the prayers of the U.S. Catholic Bishops and express the concerns of our Conference as you face difficult choices on how to limit the damage and move forward with prudence and justice.”

While saying that the bishops do not bring “technical expertise,” the bishop explained, “we believe our faith and moral principles can help guide the search for just and effective responses to the economic turmoil threatening our people.”

story here

And to add a little levity:

From Letterman's Top Ten

Top Ten Features Of The Rejected $700 Billion Bailout

10. First 500 billion comes from Regis
9. If this bailout fails, promise of another $700 billion bailout to bailout the bailout
8. To give Americans a break, this week gas is being lowered to 9 bucks a gallon
7. For $20 you can bail yourself out with the hilarious Late Show Fun Facts book available now!
6. A billion dollars to rebuild the Mets bullpen
5. Instead of securities, they're now called "insecurities." Hey, you've been great. Enjoy Richard Lewis
4. For some reason, Haliburton gets $500 billion
3. No number 3 -- economy so bad writer sold computer
2. Everything west of the Mississippi will be sold to China
1. President Bush must send every American a "Sorry I'm a dumba$" card


But in all seriousness: How did we arrive at this crisis?
Check This Out:

Pro-life group launches campaign to pray for abortionists’ conversion

An excellent idea. Every week when we pray in front of the abortion clinic, we devote a decade of the Rosary to the conversion and reparation of the woman who owns it.

The pro-life group Human Life International (HLI) has launched an international campaign to promote praying the St. Michael prayer for the conversion of abortionists.

“The fight against the culture of death is primarily a spiritual battle,” said HLI president Fr. Thomas J. Euteneuer. “Human Life International knows that with the aid of St. Michael, abortionists around the world will convert from their cooperation with evil.”

story here

http://www.hli.org/st_michael_prayer.html

Can "Fireproof" Save Marriage at the Ballot Box in November?

I hadn't given much thought to the possible influence of popular movies or other media on people's voting attitudes, but Patrick Novecosky says it well.

If I've learned anything from watching the past few elections cycles, it's that politics follows culture. Candidates tend to take their cues from what they see and hear around them. From their perspective, they stand a better chance of getting elected by following the popular culture than sticking to their own beliefs or firmly established notions of right and wrong.

Yet every once in a while, the common folk take control of the culture and decide a key political issue. This fall, voters in California, Florida and Arizona will choose whether or not to amend their state constitutions to protect traditional marriage, the union of one man and one woman.


Twenty-seven states have constitutional amendments outlawing same-sex "marriages" - 11 approved by voters in 2004, when the issue became a central part of President Bush's re-election, and seven more in 2006. Another 18 states have statutes on the books protecting traditional marriage, but those statutes tend to be overturned by activist judges, as happened in Massachusetts and California, the only states that recognize same-sex "marriages." Homosexuals in those states have lobbied hard to redefine marriage to suit their misguided purpose.

story here

Barack Obama's Campaign Sought to Exploit Rape Victim to Attack on Abortion

The point of this post is not "how low can they go?", although that does continue to surprise me, but the point is how obsessed and fanatical pro-aborts are about their "right" to kill babies. About 1% of rapes result in pregnancy. About three quarters of those women decide to bring the baby to term. Pro-aborts use that 1% as their justification for almost 50 million abortions since Roe v. Wade.

A new scandal has erupted for the campaign of presidential candidate Barack Obama and it involves the issue of abortion. New reports indicate Obama's campaign asked an anti-domestic violence group to find a rape victim to attack John McCain and Sarah Palin on abortion or the so-called rape kit hubbub.

The controversy may cause some women voters to charge that Obama's campaign unfairly sought to exploit a rape victim for political gain.

The news web site Politico brings the scandal to light today and says it obtained an email about how the Obama camp contacted domestic violence groups to find a rape victim to use in its commercial.

Planned Parenthood Continues Trashing Sarah Palin on Abortion, Rape Kit Lies

St. Jerome

September 30 is the feast of St. Jerome

One of the greatest Biblical scholars of Christendom, Saint Jerome was born of Christian parents at Stridon in Dalmatia around the year 345. Educated at the local school, he then studied rhetoric in Rome for eight years, before returning to Aquilea to set up a community of ascetics. When that community broke up after three years Jerome went to the east. He met an old hermit named Malchus, who inspired the saint to live in a bare cell, dressed in sackcloth, studying the Scriptures.

He learned Hebrew from a rabbi. Then he returned to Antioch and was reluctantly ordained priest. With his bishop he visited Constantinople and became friendly with Saints Gregory Nazianzen and Gregory of Nyssa. And then in 382 he went again to Rome, to become the personal secretary of Pope Damasus. Here he met his dearest friends, a wealthy woman called Paula, her daughter Eustochium and another wealthy woman named Marcella.

Here too he began his finest work. Commissioned by the pope, he began to revise the Latin version of the psalms and the New Testament, with immense care and scholarship. Jerome eventually translated the whole of the Bible into the Latin version which is known as the Vulgate. But when Damasus died, his enemies forced the saint to leave Rome.

Accompanied by Paula and Eustochium, Jerome went to Bethlehem. There he lived for thirty-four years till his death in 420, building a monastery over which he presided and a convent headed first by Paula and after her death by Eustochium. The saint set up a hospice for the countless pilgrims to that place. His scholarship, his polemics, his treatises and letters often provoked anger and always stimulated those who read them. 'Plato located the soul of man in the head,' he wrote, 'Christ located it in the heart.'

U.S. archbishop at Vatican says Democrats becoming 'party of death'

One of my favorite Bishops...

The Democratic Party in the United States "risks transforming itself definitively into a 'party of death,'" said U.S. Archbishop Raymond L. Burke, prefect of the Vatican's highest court. As long as abortion remains a part of their platform, they are the "party of death".

An interview with the former archbishop of St. Louis was published in the Sept. 27 edition of Avvenire, a daily Catholic newspaper sponsored by the Italian bishops' conference.

The newspaper asked the archbishop, the new head of the Supreme Court of the Apostolic Signature, for his reaction to reports that his Vatican job was designed to get him away from St. Louis. Ridiculous

"I have too much respect for the pope to believe that in order to move someone away from a diocese he would nominate him to a very sensitive dicastery like this one," said the archbishop, whose office is in charge of ensuring that lower church courts correctly administer justice in accordance with canon law.

story here

Catholic Bishop Says Democrats Becoming "Party of Death" Over Abortion

Democrat Party Risks Becoming the "Party of Death": US Vatican Prelate

Electoral College Map Shows Obama With Small Lead Over Economic Issues

Isn't it ironic?
The current financial crisis was caused, in large part, by bad mortgages made by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (both run by Democrats), that have spread throughout the financial system. About 3 years ago, John McCain sounded an alarm on Fannie and Freddie. And guess who opposed him? Last week, in an interview, former President Clinton stated that the Democrats even opposed his efforts to reign in Fannie and Freddie. And somehow this benefits Obama? He has received alot of money from Fannie and Freddie.
Again, isn't it ironic?


Barack Obama has opened up a small lead over John McCain in the electoral college projection thanks to the renewed focus on economic issues, which favor him. Polls in battleground states now show Obama with small leads or solidifying the leads he already held.

The current LifeNews.com analysis of the electoral college map shows Obama, the pro-abortion candidate, with a 273-265 lead over Senator McCain.

story here

Fireproof - PG

cross-posted from Catholic Media Review

Warning: potential spoilers.

I was very anxious to see 'Fireproof', and it didn't disappoint.

From the previews, it is obvious that it it is about a marriage that is in trouble. However, I was unprepared for the level of anger and hatred that Caleb (Kirk Cameron) and Catherine (Erin Bethea) displayed toward eachother early in the movie. Caleb is a fireman, a Captain. It is clear that there are 2 major reasons for their marriage being in trouble; Caleb is addicted to internet porn, and neither of them really includes God in their life. Caleb seems to have a problem with women. He doesn't get along well with his mother either. At one point, he says to his father "Why did you have to bring her?".

Caleb's father gives him a book that saved his own marriage. It is a 40-day plan to save his marriage. Caleb tries it, but Catherine is not very receptive. Most of the movie is watching him try to win her back. His co-workers are giving him advice and sugggestions, but her co-workers convince her that he is trying to take everything from her.

Two notes about the ending: 1. It brought me to tears. 2. Everyone in the theatre was applauding.

two words: See it!

http://www.fireproofthemovie.com/

Bishop Soto’s defense of Church teaching at gay ministry conference draws attendees’ ire

It seems that some people just don't want to hear the truth. Fortunately, some good Bishops like Bishop Soto still teach it.


Jamie Soto, the coadjutor bishop of Sacramento, addressed the National Association of Catholic Diocesan Lesbian and Gay Ministries conference in Long Beach, California on September 18. While noting that marriage is not the "sole domain of love," he also reiterated the Church’s teaching that homosexual acts are sinful. During his talk, several audience members walked out while Bishop Soto received hostile responses from many in the audience afterward.

The bishop’s address began by challenging the belief that Jesus "always gave people what they wanted" and was an "agreeable person." He noted the exchange between Jesus and Simon Peter in Matthew 16, where Jesus says "You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do."

"Jesus does not give in to the expectations of Peter or the expectations of others," Bishop Soto explained. "He has firmly planted in his heart the expectations and desires of his Father in heaven. He says ‘no’ to Peter and challenges Peter to take up a greater ‘yes,’ to take up his cross and follow him."

story here

From the Catechism:

2359 Homosexual persons are called to chastity. By the virtues of self-mastery that teach them inner freedom, at times by the support of disinterested friendship, by prayer and sacramental grace, they can and should gradually and resolutely approach Christian perfection.

Screen Legend Paul Newman Dies at 83 of Cancer

Paul Newman, the Academy-Award winning superstar who personified cool as an activist, race car driver, popcorn impresario and the anti-hero of such films as "Hud," "Cool Hand Luke" and "The Color of Money," has died. He was 83.

Newman died Friday after a long battle with cancer at his farmhouse near Westport, publicist Jeff Sanderson said. He was surrounded by his family and close friends.

story here




from Dan Lacey of Faithmouse

St. Vincent de Paul

September 27 is the feast of St. Vincent de Paul

The deathbed confession of a dying servant opened Vincent's eyes to the crying spiritual needs of the peasantry of France. This seems to have been a crucial moment in the life of the man from a small farm in Gascony, France, who had become a priest with little more ambition than to have a comfortable life.

It was the Countess de Gondi (whose servant he had helped) who persuaded her husband to endow and support a group of able and zealous missionaries who would work among the poor, the vassals and tenants and the country people in general. Vincent was too humble to accept leadership at first, but after working for some time in Paris among imprisoned galley-slaves, he returned to be the leader of what is now known as the Congregation of the Mission, or the Vincentians. These priests, with vows of poverty, chastity, obedience and stability, were to devote themselves entirely to the people in smaller towns and villages.

Later Vincent established confraternities of charity for the spiritual and physical relief of the poor and sick of each parish. From these, with the help of St. Louise de Marillac, came the Daughters of Charity, "whose convent is the sickroom, whose chapel is the parish church, whose cloister is the streets of the city." He organized the rich women of Paris to collect funds for his missionary projects, founded several hospitals, collected relief funds for the victims of war and ransomed over 1,200 galley slaves from North Africa. He was zealous in conducting retreats for clergy at a time when there was great laxity, abuse and ignorance among them. He was a pioneer in clerical training and was instrumental in establishing seminaries.

Most remarkably, Vincent was by temperament a very irascible person—even his friends admitted it. He said that except for the grace of God he would have been "hard and repulsive, rough and cross." But he became a tender and affectionate man, very sensitive to the needs of others.

Pope Leo XIII made him the patron of all charitable societies. Outstanding among these, of course, is the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, founded in 1833 by his admirer Blessed Frederic Ozanam.

Comment:

The Church is for all God's children, rich and poor, peasants and scholars, the sophisticated and the simple. But obviously the greatest concern of the Church must be for those who need the most help—those made helpless by sickness, poverty, ignorance or cruelty. Vincent de Paul is a particularly appropriate patron for all Christians today, when hunger has become starvation, and the high living of the rich stands in more and more glaring contrast to the physical and moral degradation in which many of God's children are forced to live.

Obama Asked to Apologize For Calling Pro-Life Group Liars on His Abortion Vote

If they are really expecting an apology from Barry, I got two words for them: "never happen".

A leading pro-life organization has released a new web ad asking Barack Obama to apologize for saying it lied about his abortion votes. Obama accused National Right to Life of lying when it released documents verifying he voted against medical care for newborns who survive abortions.

The dustup surrounds the votes Obama cast against bills in the Illinois legislature to make sure infants aren't left to die after they survive a failed abortion.

Obama voted against the bills, he says, because they would have violated Roe v. Wade, yet documents the National Right to Life Committee released weeks ago showed Obama opposed the measure even after supporting a successful amendment to limit its effect on Roe.

Those documents were supported by FactCheck, a nonpartisan research group at the University of Pennsylvania, yet Obama still hasn't apologized for calling NRLC officials liars.

story here

California Parental Notification on Abortion Measure Gets Boost in Second Poll

Amazing. The pro-aborts have no problem with killing babies, but they adamently oppose obtaining parental consent for young teen girls.

The second poll in as many days shows a plurality of California voters support Proposition 4, a ballot measure that would allow parents to know when their minor daughters are considering an abortion. The measure draws the support of 49 percent of California residents thanks in part to Latino voters.

A new Field Poll of 830 likely voters finds the measure leading 49-41 percent with another 10 percent of voters undecided.

Among Hispanic voters, who now account for 17 percent of all voters in the state, support for the parental notification measure jumps to 62-31 percent. That could help push the poll over the top after it lost twice in 2005 and 2006.

"Latino voters are more supportive of the measure than in the past elections," Mark DiCamillo, director of the Field Poll, said about the new survey. "The timing of the vote also helps, since Latinos make up a larger proportion of the voters in a presidential election."

story here

yesterday's story:

California Parental Notification on Abortion Leads in Poll, San Diego Paper OKs

The measure that would try for the third time to allow parents to know when their minor daughters are considering an abortion is leading in a new poll. Meanwhile, the San Diego Union Tribune has endorsed Proposition 4 as a common sense proposal to reduce abortions and help parents.

A Public Policy Institute of California poll finds Proposition 4 finds almost half of likely voters indicate they will support it on the November ballot.


And here's a good reason why we need parental notification. The pro-aborts are even willing to perform an abortion on a 12-year old. They don't care who they hurt.

Australia Judge in Brisbane Criticized for Allowing Abortion on 12-Year-Old Girl

Funds for Bailout But Not Development?

While the U.S. Congress is debating a 700 billion dollar bailout for our economy, the Vatican's representative at the United Nations asks a valid question.

The Holy See is asking why it is possible to find funds to bailout a broken financial system, but finding fewer resources to invest in the development of all regions of the world seems impossible.

This was a "pressing question" raised today at the United Nations by Archbishop Celestino Migliore, permanent observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, at a high-level event on the millennium development goals.

The MDGs, established in 2000, were supposed to be fulfilled by 2015. They include commitments to address huger, lack of education, inequality, child and maternal health, environmental damage and HIV/AIDS. At current rates of progress, the goals will not be reached.

story here

Don't forget poor in Wall Street bailout, Charities leader says

Here is an interview from this morning on the potential for a bailout deal and the impact on tonight's debate.

Catholic lobbyist helps stars get support for charitable causes

You'd think Bono, the lead singer of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band U2 and a social activist on the side, could open just about any door he wanted.

Not quite. Bono has his own lobbyist. He's Tom Sheridan, and he has been helping celebrities gain access to Congress and Washington's other corridors of power for nearly two decades.

Sheridan, a Catholic born in the New York City borough of the Bronx who had 19 years of Catholic schooling, never would have become a lobbyist to stars -- and nonstars, too -- had it not been for social service cuts enacted by the Reagan administration.

According to Sheridan, he was content to return to New York upon his graduation from The Catholic University of America's School of Social Work in Washington, where he got his master's degree, and help open group homes for adults with developmental disabilities. But the group homes' budgets were dependent on food stamps, Social Security and Medicaid disability payments, all of which were slashed.

story here

http://www.sheridangroupdc.com

Democratic analyst: The Party has been hijacked by secularist elites

The Democratic Party has been hijacked by elites hostile to religion, said Mark Stricherz, author of the book "Why Democrats are Blue" and a Democrat himself, during the Casey Lecture delivered on Tuesday at the Archdiocese of Denver.

The Casey Series of Lectures was started by the Archdiocese of Denver in 2006 to promote Catholic thinking in political life, inspired by the life and political activism of the late Pennsylvania Governor Robert Casey, a devout Catholic and a Democrat.

Stricherz, who has focused his investigation on the historical transition that turned the Democrats from a Catholic-friendly organization to the pro-abortion rights party it is today, explained the decisive role played in American politics by staunch Catholic Democrats like Gov. Casey, Robert Kennedy and David Lawrence.

"These politicians provided a political leadership and a push for human rights based on religious convictions and personal prayer life, thus becoming promoters of Christian Humanist values," he said.

story here

"Why the Democrats are Blue" on Amazon.com

Blog Notice

Effective today, I will resume posting the Saint of the day here.

I will no longer post it on Saints for All Times

Sts. Cosmas and Damian

September 26 is the feast of Sts. Cosmas and Damian.

Nothing is known of their lives except that they suffered martyrdom in Syria during the persecution of Diocletian.

A church erected on the site of their burial place was enlarged by the emperor Justinian. Devotion to the two saints spread rapidly in both East and West. A famous basilica was erected in their honor in Constantinople. Their names were placed in the canon of the Mass, probably in the sixth century.

Legend says that they were twin brothers born in Arabia, who became skilled doctors. They were among those who are venerated in the East as the "moneyless ones" because they did not charge a fee for their services. It was impossible that such prominent persons would escape unnoticed in time of persecution: They were arrested and beheaded.

New appointments mark bold papal move for Liturgical reform

When I read this, I couldn't stop smiling :)

The Holy Father 'cleans house'.

Pope Benedict XVI made a low profile but significant move in the direction of liturgical reform by completely renewing the roster of his liturgical advisors yesterday.

A hardly noticed brief note from the Vatican's Press office announced the appointment of new consultants for the office of Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff. It did not mention, however, the importance of the new appointees.

The new consultants include Monsignor Nicola Bux, professor at the Theological Faculty of Puglia (Southern Italy,) and author of several books on liturgy, especially on the Eucharist. Bux recently finish a new book "Pope Benedict’s Reform," printed by the Italian publishing house Piemme, scheduled to hit the shelves in December.

Also relevant to the appointments is the fact that all former consultants, appointed when Archbishop Piero Marini led the office of Liturgical Celebrations, have been dismissed by not renewing their appointments.

story here

BLANKLEY: Media covering for Obama

Tony Blankley confirms what we all know to be true.

The mainstream media have gone over the line and are now straight out propagandists for the Obama campaign. While they have been liberal and blinkered in their worldview for decades, in 2007-08 for the first time, the major media are consciously covering for one candidate for president and consciously knifing the other. This is no longer journalism — it is simply propaganda. (The American left-wing version of the Volkischer Beobachter cannot be far behind.) And as a result, we are less than seven weeks away from possibly electing a president who has not been thoroughly and even half way honestly presented to the country by our watchdogs — the press.

But worse than all the unfair and distorted reporting and image projecting, is the shocking gaps in Mr. Obama's life that are not reported at all. The major media simply has not reported on Mr. Obama's two years at Columbia University in New York, where, among other things, he lived a mere quarter mile from former terrorist Bill Ayers— after which they both ended up as neighbors and associates in Chicago. Mr. Obama denies more than a passing relationship with Mr. Ayers. Should the media be curious? In only two weeks the media has focused on all the colleges Mrs. Palin has attended, her husband's driving habits 20 years ago and the close criticism of Mrs. Palin's mayoral political opponents. But in two years they haven't bothered to see how close Mr. Obama was with the terrorist Ayers.

story here

Abortion Survivor Jessen Responds to Obama Calling Her "Despicable Liar"

Hey Barry, take my word for it. Stop it now. You do NOT want to get into a debate with Gianna Jessen.

Gianna Jessen survived a saline abortion 31 years ago. "I didn't have any burns anywhere on my body -- it was amazing." The saline, however, did leave Jessen with a mild case of cerebral palsy, a slight limp, and a life-long commitment to oppose abortion.

Jessen is featured in a television ad presently running in Ohio and New Mexico, criticizing Barack Obama's four votes against the Born Alive Infant Protection Act (BAIPA).

I asked her why she teamed with Jill Stanek's organization, Born Alive Truth, to make the ad. "It's very important for the American people to know how [Obama] feels about the most vulnerable among us," she told me. (Stanek is the Chicago nurse who began lobbying to secure legal protections for babies born alive during abortions.)

story here

New Ad Targets Obama’s Failure to Protect Babies Born Alive After Abortions

Obama Attacks McCain and Giana Jessen

PUNDITS SLAM PALIN ON WITCHCRAFT

The liberal left's rabid attacks on Palin have gone from "they couldn't get any lower" to "they are so desperate, they are pathetic" . They are literally going insane because of a pro-lifer who loves her family, country and God.

Catholic League president Bill Donohue comments today on news reports that an African minister once asked God to protect Sarah Palin from witchcraft:

“In 2005, Sarah Palin went to church and found that a visiting minister from Kenya, Bishop Thomas Muthee, was doing the service. He offered a prayer asking Jesus to keep her free from ‘every form of witchcraft.’ Palin said nothing—she simply kept her head bowed throughout the blessing. Why this is newsworthy is one issue, but why it has quickly become the subject of scorn is another.

“For the past two decades, Americans have been lectured by educators and the chattering class that we must respect cultural, religious, racial and ethnic diversity. It seems that exceptions to the creed of multiculturalism are only made when it suits the ideological agenda of the left. Enter Keith Olbermann: He exploited this incident last night as a club to paint Palin as an extremist. Moreover, he used this single blessing to unfavorably contrast the African minister to Barack Obama’s spiritual mentor, Rev. Jeremiah Wright. The MSNBC (MSNBC is a joke...they have lost all credibility as a news organization. That's why Olbermann and Matthews were demoted.) commentator incredibly said that Wright—who spewed hate speech before Obama for 20 years—‘seems pretty mainstream’ by comparison. Oh, you mean the Wright who screamed "God D@mn America"? Oh yeah...that's pretty mainstream. And did you know that for 20 years, Barry never heard any of it? :)

story here

Obama faith adviser cancels appearance at D.C. faith forum

It looks like people are not buying into Obama's "Faith Tour" nonsense.

Rev. E. Terri LaVelle, senior adviser on Religious Affairs for Obama, cancelled a Tuesday appearance at a Reese Roundtable faith forum sponsored by the evangelical group Faith and Action in the Nation’s Capital. LaVelle reportedly canceled his(her) appearance at the event via text message. (all class :)

“There were 11 empty chairs,” said Peggy Birchfield, chief of staff of the sponsoring group. She told Cybercast News Service that the event was “a way for evangelicals to be more familiar with both candidates.”

Rev. LaVelle was named staff director of the Democratic National Committee’s Faith in Action Initiative in December 2007. According to the website of the DNC, the initiative was designed to “strengthen and build relationships with members of the faith community through regular outreach based on our shared values and priorities.”

Gee...Could this have anything to do with it?

Barack Obama Faith Tour Flops With Pro-Life Voters in Jerry Falwell's Backyard


story here

Bella Star Eduardo Verástegui Urges Hispanic Voters to Reject Obama Over Abortion

I knew there was a reason I like Eduardo :)

Eduardo Verástegui, the former Mexican singer and actor who starred in the hit move "Bella," has recorded a new video asking Hispanic voters in the United States to reject Barack Obama because of his pro-abortion views. Verástegui challenges Latino voters to make abortion issues the centerpiece of their voting decisions.

In the new video, conducted in Spanish, Verástegui, says Obama is out of step with the overwhelming majority of Hispanics who are pro-life. But the liberal media will try to make you think that the majority of people support abortion. Just another lie.

“We need to put an end to abortion and political candidates play a very important role in this matter,” he says.

Verástegui tells viewers that Obama supports abortions throughout pregnancy, including late-term abortions, and has opposed a ban on partial-birth abortions.

Moreover, the actor says Obama “wants to finance abortions with the tax dollars you and I pay.”


story here
The video is in Spanish, with English subtitles.

YouTube Pulls Video of Eduardo Verástegui Denouncing Obama on Abortion

Minority women disproportionately abort even as overall rate declines, study says

A study of abortion trends in the U.S. claims that the abortion rate is now at its lowest level since 1974, though minority groups did see as large of a drop in abortions. One critic of the study suggests it ignores both the “purposeful” placement of abortion clinics in African-American areas and the manner in which abortion is promoted to black women.

The Allan Guttmacher Institute’s study “Trends in the Characteristics of Women Obtaining Abortions, 1974 to 2004” reports that the abortion rate has declined from its 1980 peak of 29 abortions per 1,000 women aged 15 to 44 to 20 per 1,000 in 2004, a decline of about 33 percent.

According to a statement on the Allan Guttmacher Institute’s website, the study reports marked differences between ethnic groups. Between 1994 and 2004 the abortion rate for non-Hispanic white women declined 30 percent from 15 to 11 abortions per 1,000 women aged 15 to 44, while among Hispanics the abortion rate fell by 20 percent from 35 to 28 abortions per 1,000 women in the same age group.

story here

New Report Finds Black, Older, Poor Women More Likely to Have Abortions

Powerful Pro-Marriage Film "Fireproof" Opens in Theatres This Friday

cross-posted from Catholic Media Review

At a time when the majority of marriages end in divorce, the makers of the popular "Facing the Giants" movie are bringing to select theatres a film that has already inspired numerous couples to strengthen, and, in many cases, to rescue, their marriages.

Opening this Friday in 850 theatres across America, "Fireproof" is the inspiring story of a devoted and heroic firefighter whose marriage is on the brink of eruption, and who, in response to a challenge from his father, begrudingly sets out on a 40 day quest to salvage his relationship with his wife.

The film stars Kirk Douglas, the one time teen-star of the popular TV show "Growing Pains," who has for many years devoted himself to using his talents for wholesome projects.

The film has already been met with widespread acclaim, particularly amongst the evangelical base that forms the film's target audience. However, "Fireproof" has also been embraced many of no faith, who have responded to the movie's message about the power of selfless love and its practical, realistic portrayal of how to go about rescuing a marriage that seems beyond the point of no return.

story here

http://www.fireproofthemovie.com/

Senate Approves Bill to Reduce Abortions on Babies With Down Syndrome

This article didn't mention Sarah Palin, but IMHO, her example of valuing life and loving her boy Trig who has Down syndrome had an influence on this vote. When was the last time you saw the Senate unanimous on anything?
At a minimum. she has brought this issue to the forefront.

On Tuesday, the Senate passed a bill via unanimous consent that is designed to help reduce the number of abortions of babies with Down syndrome and other conditions.

Pro-life advocates have been worried about the high percentage of abortions as doctors leave parents with few options when confronted with a disabled unborn child. And pro-aborts are worried Palin's example might actually reduce abortions :)

The legislation would require giving families who receive a diagnosis of Down syndrome or any other condition, pre-natally or up until a year after birth, pertinent helpful information.

story here

PETA Urges Ben & Jerry's To Use Human Milk

Warning: some potentially offensive wording.

A perfect illustration of why PETA is nuts. I disagree with them, and anyone who thinks animals are more important than people.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals sent a letter to Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, cofounders of Ben & Jerry's Homemade Inc., urging them to replace cow's milk they use in their ice cream products with human breast milk, according to a statement recently released by a PETA spokeswoman. And how would you screen the breast milk for disease PETA?

"PETA's request comes in the wake of news reports that a Swiss restaurant owner will begin purchasing breast milk from nursing mothers and substituting breast milk for 75 percent of the cow's milk in the food he serves," the statement says.

PETA officials say a move to human breast milk would lessen the suffering of dairy cows and their babies on factory farms and benefit human health. If you're that concerned about humans, why don't you help us fight abortion? Or are you OK with that?

"The fact that human adults consume huge quantities of dairy products made from milk that was meant for a baby cow just doesn't make sense," says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. "Everyone knows that 'the breast is best,' so Ben & Jerry's could do consumers and cows a big favor by making the switch to breast milk."

story here

Former abortion doctor urges South Dakotans to vote for life

A former abortionist reveals the lies of the abortion industry.

Pro-life activists in South Dakota have launched a television ad featuring Dr. Bernard Nathanson, one of the founding members of NARAL, who calls on South Dakotans to vote to ban the use of “abortion as birth control.”

In a TV ad supporting Measure 11in South Dakota, Dr. Nathanson explains that he and his colleagues who founded NARAL created it to “export our pro-abortion mentality across the land.” He also reveals that, “One of our strategies was to deny what we knew to be true, that an abortion destroys the life of an existing human being.”

“This was the greatest mistake of my life… and the greatest mistake in our nation’s history,” states Nathanson, who performed 75,000 abortions and at one point ran the nation’s largest abortion clinic.

story here

This video has quite a cast of pro-aborts: The ACLU, NARAL, Planned Parenthood

40 Days for Life

The 40 Days for Life Campaign runs from September 24 through November 2. Check the website, or with your Church, for activities in your area. This campaign has closed several abortion clinics, so please support it!

National 40 Days for Life fall campaign launches as elections approach

Cardinal Rigali warns that FOCA makes abortion on demand a ‘national entitlement’

One of my favorite Cardinals speaking on an issue (FOCA) that I posted about earlier (see link below)

Cardinal Justin Rigali, the chairman of the U.S. Bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, has written a letter to the U.S. Congress to alert them that the Freedom of Choice Act would undermine bipartisan efforts to reduce abortions and make abortion on demand a "national entitlement."

Writing to all members of Congress on September 19, Cardinal Rigali warned that the enactment of the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA) would “deprive the American people in all 50 states of the freedom they now have to enact modest restraints and regulations on the abortion industry.”

“Despite its deceptive title,” he wrote, “FOCA would coerce all Americans into subsidizing and promoting abortion with their tax dollars. And FOCA would counteract any and all sincere efforts by government to reduce abortions in our country.”

story here

Cardinal Points to Faulty Logic in Abortion Bill

Barack Obama's "Freedom of Choice Act" Would Mean 125K More Abortions

Catholic Bishops Warn Congress on Pro-Abortion "Freedom of Choice Act"

Cardinal Rigali warns US Congress on Freedom of Choice Act

Poll Shows Barack Obama Not Picking Up Supporters of Hillary Clinton

Barry has a problem.

Well, a few problems...


The presidential race remains close between pro-abortion candidate Barack Obama and John McCain, who opposes abortion, in part because Obama is failing to pick up supporters of Hillary Clinton. A new Associated Press poll finds Obama's share of the Clinton supporters at the same level it was in June.

The survey shows 58 percent of the people who backed Clinton in the Democratic primary are behind Obama now -- the same percentage he had in the June poll.

That's despite the fact that Clinton has endorsed Obama and despite the fact that 69 percent of former Clinton supporters view Obama favorably.

story here

Uncharacteristically low turnout for Barack Obama rally in Green Bay, Wisc.

Hoping to shore up support in his suddenly undependable backyard, Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama flew here Monday to talk about how he’d handle economic crises as president.

Recent polls have shown that Wisconsin — once pretty solidly in Obama’s column — is now a statistical dead heat between Obama and Republican John McCain.

Barack Obama Faith Tour Flops With Pro-Life Voters in Jerry Falwell's Backyard

For the new Barack Obama "faith tour" to have any success, it needs to be able to draw young and evangelical voters. Yet, at its first stop in the Virginia back yard of well-known pastor Jerry Falwell, just 15 people showed up for the event.

I won an award :)

My friend Angela gave me the "I love your blog" award.
I have added it to the sidebar.

I am supposed to pick 7 blogs to award it to.

I Pick:

Where Angels Go

Recovering Dissident Catholic
(these 1st two were covered in Angela's award)

Lair of the Catholic Caveman

Orthometer

Catholic Fire

Here are the Rules:

* Display your award.

* Link back to the person who gave you the award.

* Nominate at least 7 other blogs.

* Put links to those blogs on yours.

* Leave a message on the blogs of the people you've nominated.

* Enjoy your award!

Catholic Bishops Warn Congress on Pro-Abortion "Freedom of Choice Act"

Be aware my friends. If Obama is elected (gasp!) His first 2 acts will be to sign the Freedom of Choice Act, which will enshrine abortion rights, and to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act, which will nationalize same-sex marriage.

The head of pro-life outreach for the nation's Catholic bishops has sent a letter to members of Congress warning them about a bill that could be the most extreme measure on abortion ever introduced. The so-called Freedom of Choice Act would make unlimited abortions throughout pregnancy the national law.

But, the measure would go further and undo the abortion limits put in place in all 50 states since Roe v. Wade that have helped reduce abortions to record lows.

It would invalidate laws ranging from bans on partial-birth abortions to implementing parental involvement for teenagers to prohibiting taxpayer funding of abortions.

Though the measure has not received significant national attention -- taking a back seat to the debate over Barack Obama's votes against a bill to help newborns who survive abortions -- the presidential candidate said signing it would be the first action he would take if elected.

Cardinal Justin Rigali sent the letter to Congress on Friday and warned against enactment of the proposed bill (S. 1173, H.R. 1964).

“Despite its deceptive title,” he wrote, “FOCA would deprive the American people in all 50 states of the freedom they now have to enact modest restraints and regulations on the abortion industry."

story here

Leading Catholic entrepreneur pens book on how people should relate to money

cross-posted from Catholic Media Review

Many in our society view money as a “necessary evil.” Instead, entrepreneur and author, Frank Hanna explains, “money is a gift from God that is frequently abused because of our lack of understanding of its proper use.” Based on ancient teachings and his own personal experiences, Hanna clearly lays out the meaning of money in his new book, “What Your Money Means and How to Use It Well.”

Hanna, CEO of Hanna Capital and co-founder of the Solidarity Foundation, explained to CNA that he wrote his latest book because though many great thinkers had discussed money in their teachings, he found that there was not “a systematic treatment of the topic for those of us living in the 21st century.” As he explains, his task is to unfold “this historical philosophical thinking” about money, but to make it “current for today’s reader.”

The book focuses on questions we ask ourselves about money: are we spending it as we should? What does our money mean to us? How much money is enough? In his book, Hanna resolves “to figure out – once and for all – just what it means for us to have money, and what we should be doing with it.”

Full Review here

cross-posted on A Catholic View

"What Your Money Means" on Amazon.com

World financial crisis is a consequence of idolatry of money, Peruvian cardinal says

From Letterman's Top Ten

Top Ten George W. Bush Ideas For Fixing the Economy

10. Why fix it if it ain't broke?
9. Drill Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for loose change
8. Sell cupcakes in front of the White House
7. Flip all them charts upside down
6. Encourage Americans to spend more -- If they don't, Cheney peppers them in the face
5. Most things seem better after half a bottle of Jim Beam
4. Let's just say the Lincoln Memorial is now the Tostitos Lincoln Memorial
3. Invent a car that runs on root beer. Come on, we have an unlimited supply of root beer. And . we make it here in America. Am I the only one thinking?
2. Put on a pair of glasses and shoot a moose (my favorite suggestion)
1. Is Hillary still available for a 3am phone call?

Bishops' document on election goes high tech in podcast, video format

Ask Catholic teenagers if they've read a recent document by the U.S. bishops and you might get a blank look.

But ask if they've heard of the bishops' statement "Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility," either through a podcast, a video quiz on YouTube or its page on the social networking site Facebook, and you might get a nod of recognition.

That's what the U.S. bishops are hoping anyway.

"Faithful Citizenship," the document that urges Catholic voters to form their consciences around a variety of social concerns based on Catholic social teaching, is not something new. The bishops initially published the document in 1975 and produce a new version of it about every four years to coincide with the national elections.

The document for the 2008 election was approved by the bishops in November 2007.

But this time the document looks a lot younger. For starters, its Web site, www.faithfulcitizenship.org, has resources for youths and those who work with them.

story here

Bishops Offering iPod to Faithful Citizen

Michael J. Fox to Campaign in NH Senate Race on Stem Cell Research

Michael persists in pushing embryonic stem cell research, which destroys life, despite mounting evidence that only adult stem cell research has shown results, and without destroying life.

Actor Michael J. Fox came under fire in previous elections for misleading ads making it appear pro-life lawmakers oppose all forms of stem cell research when they just oppose the kind that kills unborn children and has never helped patients. Fox is back for the 2008 elections.

He is heading to New Hampshire to help pro-abortion Senate candidate Jeanne Shaheen, who is challenging pro-life Sen. John Sununu.

Fox and Shaheen are attacking Sununu's position favoring adult stem cell research and other moral forms of scientific research but opposing forcing taxpayers to fund embryonic stem cell research that involves the destruction of human life.

story here

Here's an update for you Michael:

Barack Obama Stem Cell Research Ad Ignores Best Diabetes Hope: Adult Cells

Ground-Breaking New Series for Catholic ‘Tweens

cross-posted from Catholic Media Review

Catholic women everywhere have been encouraged to embrace their worth in celebration of the 20th anniversary of John Paul II’s Mulieris Dignitatem, his Apostolic Letter on the Dignity and Vocation of Women. Some have participated in the Catholic Exchange woman’s study, others have attended retreats and workshops, while still others have made personal commitments to spend more time studying Church teachings and various documents such as Mulieris Dignitatem.

It is such a beautiful time to be a Catholic woman and embrace our relationship with Christ. We are being encouraged to seek out writings that clarify what we mean to Jesus and how He treated women quite differently than the “norm” of His time. Many of us are finally learning to “own” that knowledge. But before we became women of God we were young girls seeking to know ourselves and often succumbing to secular messages. Indeed, it can sadly be said that as grown women we often, still, mistakenly buy into the same messages that inundate our young girls today.


story here

http://www.dignityofwomen.com/

RELIGIOUS GROUPS HOST AHMADINEJAD

To protest this event, a press conference and a rally will be held at 5:30 p.m. that evening outside the Grand Hyatt at 109 E. 42nd Street, near Lexington Avenue. Led by Women International and the Jewish Action Alliance, approximately two dozen organizations, across many faith lines, will stage the protest; the Catholic League will also be represented.

Catholic League president Bill Donohue commented on the rally today:

“Catholics need to stand with their Jewish brothers and sisters in protesting this obscene event. Ahmadinejad is a menace to freedom-loving people the world over, and the sight of religious groups embracing him is nauseating. The Catholic League is proud to take part in this rally and we encourage people of all religious groups to have a contingent represent them on Thursday evening.”

To learn more about this protest, please go to www.925rally.org.

story here

Here's a picture of Mahmoud in 1979, holding Americans hostage:


But Hillary thinks politics are more important than that:

Sarah Palin Disinvited From Anti-Iran Rally After Hillary Clinton Backs Out

Religulous

Just wanted to give you all a "heads up" on some new garbage coming Oct 3 from the rabidly anti-Catholic Bill Maher. For those of you who are not familiar with Maher, here is a good rundown from the Catholic League:

"I have hated the Church way before anyone else."
-Bill Maher, May 8, 2002 on "Politically Incorrect"

Bill Maher is America's Biggest Bigot.

How do we know? Consider the following:

Bill Maher, comedian and famed atheist, has long been the biggest bigot in Hollywood. While Maher professes to loathe all religions, his favorite target is the Catholic Church. Indeed, he rarely aims his venom at Islam or Judaism. And while he does enjoy taking shots at Evangelicals, it is clear that he is monomaniacal in his contempt for Catholicism. Below is a sampling of what he has said about the Church throughout his years in showbiz.

full rundown here

Email Urges Planned Parenthood Abortion Donations on Sarah Palin’s Behalf

More proof that Planned Parenthood is becoming completely unhinged at the prospect of another pro-life White House.

Isn't it amazing how pro-aborts are so enraged by pro-lifers, just for being pro-life? Why do you think that is?

Abortion advocates are circulating an email across the Internet that encourages pro-abortion voters to make a donation to Planned Parenthood in the name of Sarah Palin. The email is the latest attack on the Alaska governor over her pro-life views from backers of the campaign of abortion proponent Barack Obama.

The email takes the same approach as have top pro-abortion groups, which have said Palin doesn’t represent women because she supports protecting women and children from abortion.

“We may have thought we wanted a woman on a national political ticket, but the joke has really been on us, hasn't it?” the email asks. “Are you as sick in your stomach as I am at the thought of Sarah Palin as Vice President of the United States?”

The email, which created an Internet buzz over the weekend, goes on to say, “None of you, however, can be happy with Palin's selection, especially on her positions on women's issues.”

story here

And the liberal, pro-abort media will try to convince you that "everyone" supports abortion, hence Obama. Here's the truth:

Poll: Just 31 Percent of Americans Agree With Barack Obama on Abortion

A new poll conducted jointly by CBS News and the New York Times finds just 31 percent agree with Barack Obama's position in favor of abortion throughout pregnancy. A majority of Americans say they support John McCain's pro-life position or want greater limits on abortions.

Are we racist?

I have never seen the liberal "main stream"(actually they are really out of touch with most Americans) media insert themselves into a campaign like they've been trying to help Obama. They're not even pretending to be objective anymore.
Now the latest talking point is that any white person who doesn't vote for Obama is a racist, even though he is completely inexperienced and unqualified (not to mention that he is the most liberal member of the Senate, and radically pro-abort).
I really resent that accusation. If Colin Powell or Condoleeza Rice ran, I could support them without hesitation. Either one of them has ten times Obama's experience.


Here's an idea: let's decide this election on issues and qualifications.
Obama's are zero.



Poll: Barack Obama could lose six percentage points on election day for being black

Poll shows gap between blacks and whites over racial discrimination

Racial misgivings of whites an Obama issue

Charges That Racism Could Doom Obama's Candidacy Are Unfair

The discussion on race Obama didn't want