Pay attention to The Decider's antics in the Medellin case. (Scroll to Kopel's 10/10 5:31 entry)
The short course: Texas decided to execute a slimeball for heinous offense. Mexico brought suit on behalf of the slimeball in the World Court, and won. GWB decided to back the World Court and his AG is now arguing before the Supremes that the World Court's decision is binding on the State of Texas, because of some technical issues AND because GWB has "foreign policy" primacy.
That's not all. Volokh has an even more chilling scenario which is entirely possible, maybe even probable. Should Medellin be decided favoring the President's argument, it's 'buh-bye Second Amendment'.
How can a guy who's so good on some things be SOOOOOO bad on others?
I cannot resist the temptation use appellations such as George Globaloney II.
HT: The Shark
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Rhetoric 101
A very good piece 'On Rhetoric' as applied by the execrable notorious Notre Dame Prof. Fr. Richard McBrien.
As the HT comments, "can't do it justice with excerpts."
But if you don't know from rhetoric, this post will fill you in.
HT: Regular Guy
As the HT comments, "can't do it justice with excerpts."
But if you don't know from rhetoric, this post will fill you in.
HT: Regular Guy
Top 10 Little-Known Essential Sacred Music Knowledge-Bits
Jeff Tucker posted these. He's right, of course--but for many people who read this (even the reasonably attentive Catholics) a majority of it will come as a complete surprise.
The music of the Mass is not of our choosing; it is not a matter of taste; it is not a glossy layer on top of a liturgy. Liturgical music is embedded within the structure of the liturgy itself: theologically, melodically, and historically. [That is why the phrase "pars integralis" is used to describe Sacred Music in the Document on the Liturgy.]
Hymns are not part of the structure of Mass. Nothing in the Mass says 'it is now time to sing a hymn of your choice'. Hymns are permitted as replacements for what should be sung but only with reservations.
The sung parts of the Mass can be divided into three parts: the ordinary chants (which are stable from week to week), the proper chants (which change according the day), and the priest's parts that include sung dialogues with the people.
The music of/for the Mass is found in three books: the Kyriale (for the people), the Graduale (for the schola), and the Missale (for the priest).
To advocate Gregorian chant is not merely to favor Latin hymns over English ones, because chant hymns make up only a small portion of chant repertoire. It is to favor a sung Mass over a spoken one, and to favor the music of the Mass itself against substitutes. [That is to say, what is specifically favored are the Ordinary, sung by the people, and the Propers, sung by the schola, and the priest's sung parts.]
Cognitive pedagogy is not the primary purpose of music, so, no, it is not important that all people gathered always and immediately "understand the words."
The music of Mass does not require an organist, pianist, guitar player, bongos, or microphones. It requires only the human voice, which is the primary liturgical instrument. [It is the instrument which God gave to everyone--OEM, so to speak. He requires no more than that.]
The Second Vatican Council was the first ecumenical council to decisively declare that chant has primacy of place: "Ecclesia cantum gregorianum agnoscit ut liturgiae romanae proprium: qui ideo in actionibus liturgicis, ceteris paribus, principem locum obtineat." (And ceteris paribus does not mean "unless you don't like it". It means even if chant cannot be sung because of poor skills or lack of resources, or whatever, it still remains an ideal.)
There is no contradiction between chant and participation. Vatican II hoped to see that vernacular hymnody would decrease and the sung [Chant] Mass would increase. Full, conscious, active participation in the Mass means that it is up to the people to do their part to [say or, ideally,] sing the parts of the Mass that belong to the people.
The first piece of papal legislation concerning music appeared in 95 AD, by Pope St. Clement. It forbade profane music in liturgy and emphasized that Church is the place for holy music. All successive legislation has been a variation on that theme.
If you re-phrased the above as a "test" and handed it out to the Liturgeist-Crowd at one of their meetings, my bet is that 95% of them would score less than 20% (2 of 10) correct.
And you could put LARGE dollars on that bet--maybe even pay off your home mortgage.
The music of the Mass is not of our choosing; it is not a matter of taste; it is not a glossy layer on top of a liturgy. Liturgical music is embedded within the structure of the liturgy itself: theologically, melodically, and historically. [That is why the phrase "pars integralis" is used to describe Sacred Music in the Document on the Liturgy.]
Hymns are not part of the structure of Mass. Nothing in the Mass says 'it is now time to sing a hymn of your choice'. Hymns are permitted as replacements for what should be sung but only with reservations.
The sung parts of the Mass can be divided into three parts: the ordinary chants (which are stable from week to week), the proper chants (which change according the day), and the priest's parts that include sung dialogues with the people.
The music of/for the Mass is found in three books: the Kyriale (for the people), the Graduale (for the schola), and the Missale (for the priest).
To advocate Gregorian chant is not merely to favor Latin hymns over English ones, because chant hymns make up only a small portion of chant repertoire. It is to favor a sung Mass over a spoken one, and to favor the music of the Mass itself against substitutes. [That is to say, what is specifically favored are the Ordinary, sung by the people, and the Propers, sung by the schola, and the priest's sung parts.]
Cognitive pedagogy is not the primary purpose of music, so, no, it is not important that all people gathered always and immediately "understand the words."
The music of Mass does not require an organist, pianist, guitar player, bongos, or microphones. It requires only the human voice, which is the primary liturgical instrument. [It is the instrument which God gave to everyone--OEM, so to speak. He requires no more than that.]
The Second Vatican Council was the first ecumenical council to decisively declare that chant has primacy of place: "Ecclesia cantum gregorianum agnoscit ut liturgiae romanae proprium: qui ideo in actionibus liturgicis, ceteris paribus, principem locum obtineat." (And ceteris paribus does not mean "unless you don't like it". It means even if chant cannot be sung because of poor skills or lack of resources, or whatever, it still remains an ideal.)
There is no contradiction between chant and participation. Vatican II hoped to see that vernacular hymnody would decrease and the sung [Chant] Mass would increase. Full, conscious, active participation in the Mass means that it is up to the people to do their part to [say or, ideally,] sing the parts of the Mass that belong to the people.
The first piece of papal legislation concerning music appeared in 95 AD, by Pope St. Clement. It forbade profane music in liturgy and emphasized that Church is the place for holy music. All successive legislation has been a variation on that theme.
If you re-phrased the above as a "test" and handed it out to the Liturgeist-Crowd at one of their meetings, my bet is that 95% of them would score less than 20% (2 of 10) correct.
And you could put LARGE dollars on that bet--maybe even pay off your home mortgage.
Poncho Ladies' Very Own Song!
From the Curt Jester.
I am the very model of a RomanCatholicWomanpriest™
I have no valid sacramental ordination in the least
I celebrate Diversity supremely superficially
Conjoining L-G-B-T couples controversially
I’m very well acquainted, too, with Eco-Cycle-Mania
I generate more laughter than O-BER-on and Titania
I feel a Call To Action is required by the Spirit, now
As far as Modern Norms of Civil DisobediENCE Allow
As far as Modern Norms of Civil DisobediENCE Allow
As far as Modern Norms of Civil DisobediENCE Allow
As far as Modern Norms of Civil DisobediENCE allow-alLOW-ALLOW-ALLOW-ALlow-allow
I’m very skilled at irritating stodgy old Conservatives
Prefer to buy All-Natural so I eschew preservatives
In short, in Matters Feminist, where Common Sense is now deceased
I am the very model of a RomanCatholicWomanpriest™
In short, in Matters Feminist, where Common Sense is now deceased
She is the very model of a RomanCatholicWomanpriest™
I know Mass rubrics well and I ignore them as traditional
I long for Inclusivity so I deplore Partitonal–
Division in the Worship Space or on a floating river craft
And had my feelings hurt when gentlemen like Father Rutler laughed
I practice Wiccan rituals like Harvesting the Springtime Mead
Don’t knock McBrien, Thomas Fox and other authors that I read
I advocate for Wymyn’s Health and Peace & Justices issues, too
And whistle all the catchy tunes from OCP and Worship II
And whistle all the catchy tunes from OCP and Worship II
And whistle all the catchy tunes from OCP and Worship II
And whistle all the catchy tunes from OCP and Worship II-tee-II-tee-II-tee-II-tee-II-tee-II
I tend to gossip with the girls; use caution when confessing “sin”
My scarfish-stoles are chosen for the color of the season w’r’in
In short, in Matters Feminist, where Common Sense is now deceased
I am the very model of a RomanCatholicWomanpriest™
In short, in Matters Feminist, where Common Sense is now deceased
She is the very model of a RomanCatholicWomanpriest™
I pretend that Mary was a priest but question Im-ma-CU-la-ty
“A Loving God/de won’t send to Hell” so fear no Reprobacity
I know Reiki better than a Buddhist Monk from Katmandu
Western Civ is Dominating: don’t believe it’s worth a Sou
I’m suspicious of the male, hierarchical autocracy
We believe our moral precepts should be churned out by democracy
And emasculate the NFL before the Y-chrom spreads some more
Being relegated to a convent just became an awful bore
Being relegated to a convent just became an awful bore
Being relegated to a convent just became an awful bore
Being relegated to a convent just became an awful awful awFUL AWFUL AWFUL AWful bore
Despite my lack of formatory wisdom to be Presbyter
The bishops who ordain us remain hiding with the stench of fear
But still, in Matters Feminist, where Common Sense is now deceased
I am the very model of a RomanCatholicWomanpriest™
But still, in Matters Feminist, where Common Sense is now deceased
She is the very model of a RomanCatholicWomanpriest™
Sadly, those lyrics are not necessarily just for the PonchoLadies. There are plenty of, ah, ...men... who would ascribe to every single proposition above.
I am the very model of a RomanCatholicWomanpriest™
I have no valid sacramental ordination in the least
I celebrate Diversity supremely superficially
Conjoining L-G-B-T couples controversially
I’m very well acquainted, too, with Eco-Cycle-Mania
I generate more laughter than O-BER-on and Titania
I feel a Call To Action is required by the Spirit, now
As far as Modern Norms of Civil DisobediENCE Allow
As far as Modern Norms of Civil DisobediENCE Allow
As far as Modern Norms of Civil DisobediENCE Allow
As far as Modern Norms of Civil DisobediENCE allow-alLOW-ALLOW-ALLOW-ALlow-allow
I’m very skilled at irritating stodgy old Conservatives
Prefer to buy All-Natural so I eschew preservatives
In short, in Matters Feminist, where Common Sense is now deceased
I am the very model of a RomanCatholicWomanpriest™
In short, in Matters Feminist, where Common Sense is now deceased
She is the very model of a RomanCatholicWomanpriest™
I know Mass rubrics well and I ignore them as traditional
I long for Inclusivity so I deplore Partitonal–
Division in the Worship Space or on a floating river craft
And had my feelings hurt when gentlemen like Father Rutler laughed
I practice Wiccan rituals like Harvesting the Springtime Mead
Don’t knock McBrien, Thomas Fox and other authors that I read
I advocate for Wymyn’s Health and Peace & Justices issues, too
And whistle all the catchy tunes from OCP and Worship II
And whistle all the catchy tunes from OCP and Worship II
And whistle all the catchy tunes from OCP and Worship II
And whistle all the catchy tunes from OCP and Worship II-tee-II-tee-II-tee-II-tee-II-tee-II
I tend to gossip with the girls; use caution when confessing “sin”
My scarfish-stoles are chosen for the color of the season w’r’in
In short, in Matters Feminist, where Common Sense is now deceased
I am the very model of a RomanCatholicWomanpriest™
In short, in Matters Feminist, where Common Sense is now deceased
She is the very model of a RomanCatholicWomanpriest™
I pretend that Mary was a priest but question Im-ma-CU-la-ty
“A Loving God/de won’t send to Hell” so fear no Reprobacity
I know Reiki better than a Buddhist Monk from Katmandu
Western Civ is Dominating: don’t believe it’s worth a Sou
I’m suspicious of the male, hierarchical autocracy
We believe our moral precepts should be churned out by democracy
And emasculate the NFL before the Y-chrom spreads some more
Being relegated to a convent just became an awful bore
Being relegated to a convent just became an awful bore
Being relegated to a convent just became an awful bore
Being relegated to a convent just became an awful awful awFUL AWFUL AWFUL AWful bore
Despite my lack of formatory wisdom to be Presbyter
The bishops who ordain us remain hiding with the stench of fear
But still, in Matters Feminist, where Common Sense is now deceased
I am the very model of a RomanCatholicWomanpriest™
But still, in Matters Feminist, where Common Sense is now deceased
She is the very model of a RomanCatholicWomanpriest™
Sadly, those lyrics are not necessarily just for the PonchoLadies. There are plenty of, ah, ...men... who would ascribe to every single proposition above.
On Hallowe'en
G K Chesterton:
IF we ever get the English back on to the English land they will become again a religious people, if all goes well, a superstitious people. The absence from modern life of both the higher and the lower forms of faith is largely due to a divorce from nature and the trees and clouds. If we have no more turnip ghosts it is chiefly from the lack of turnips. --Heretics
Think about that, twice.
HT: VeniSancteSpiritus
IF we ever get the English back on to the English land they will become again a religious people, if all goes well, a superstitious people. The absence from modern life of both the higher and the lower forms of faith is largely due to a divorce from nature and the trees and clouds. If we have no more turnip ghosts it is chiefly from the lack of turnips. --Heretics
Think about that, twice.
HT: VeniSancteSpiritus
"And We're Serious About This"--Signed, Rome
"He who has ears to hear..."
The Bishop of Breda (Netherlands) Martinus "Tiny" Muskens caught our attention earlier this year with a number of consciously provocative remarks, among them the suggestion that popes should have a term limit of ten to fifteen years. OTR modestly suggested that Tiny put his guilders where his dentures are by taking early retirement himself.
Today we read the glad news that the Holy Father has accepted Muskens's resignation three years ahead of his sell-by date under the Canon 401-dash-2 provision. We wish him a happy, healthy, and dolphin-safe senectitude.
HT: CWN
The Bishop of Breda (Netherlands) Martinus "Tiny" Muskens caught our attention earlier this year with a number of consciously provocative remarks, among them the suggestion that popes should have a term limit of ten to fifteen years. OTR modestly suggested that Tiny put his guilders where his dentures are by taking early retirement himself.
Today we read the glad news that the Holy Father has accepted Muskens's resignation three years ahead of his sell-by date under the Canon 401-dash-2 provision. We wish him a happy, healthy, and dolphin-safe senectitude.
HT: CWN
Your Waiter/Waitress Is NOT Stupid
Heh.
There continues to be a "severe compliance problem in the tip reporting area," Wendy Campbell, Senior Stakeholder Liaison, IRS Small Business/Self-Employed Division, announced at the October 24th IRS phone forum on the Attributed Tip Income Program and the Code Sec. 45B credit. In addition to compliance statistics, Campbell discussed the various requirements for reporting tip income, as the well as the credit for taxes paid by employers with respect to tip income. --A Business Newsletter
Actually, Wendy, there is a "severe compliance problem in the Congressional Spending area."
I know that's not the IRS' fault.
But don't think that your wait-staffer is stupid. THEY don't feed the Beast.
There continues to be a "severe compliance problem in the tip reporting area," Wendy Campbell, Senior Stakeholder Liaison, IRS Small Business/Self-Employed Division, announced at the October 24th IRS phone forum on the Attributed Tip Income Program and the Code Sec. 45B credit. In addition to compliance statistics, Campbell discussed the various requirements for reporting tip income, as the well as the credit for taxes paid by employers with respect to tip income. --A Business Newsletter
Actually, Wendy, there is a "severe compliance problem in the Congressional Spending area."
I know that's not the IRS' fault.
But don't think that your wait-staffer is stupid. THEY don't feed the Beast.
The Definition of "Greed": the NFL
It's the money, honey.
Green Bay Packers and Wisconsin Badgers fans are facing a quandary in the coming weeks: Important games won't be on television for some state residents.
That's because the Packers' Nov. 29 game against the Dallas Cowboys will be broadcast on the NFL Network, and this weekend's Badgers' game against Ohio State is scheduled for the Big Ten Network. Satellite providers have added the networks, but cable companies have said consumers should have to pay more for those networks and haven't been able to reach agreements to add them to their lineups.
In the case of the "NFL Network," it's simple greed on the part of the NFL. What they want from the cable operators for their network is more than the cable operators want to pay.
I'm not a lover of TimeWarner--but in this case, they are right and the NFL is....well...greedy.
Not to worry: your State Legislators will make it all better. They'll probably impose a TV tax.
Green Bay Packers and Wisconsin Badgers fans are facing a quandary in the coming weeks: Important games won't be on television for some state residents.
That's because the Packers' Nov. 29 game against the Dallas Cowboys will be broadcast on the NFL Network, and this weekend's Badgers' game against Ohio State is scheduled for the Big Ten Network. Satellite providers have added the networks, but cable companies have said consumers should have to pay more for those networks and haven't been able to reach agreements to add them to their lineups.
In the case of the "NFL Network," it's simple greed on the part of the NFL. What they want from the cable operators for their network is more than the cable operators want to pay.
I'm not a lover of TimeWarner--but in this case, they are right and the NFL is....well...greedy.
Not to worry: your State Legislators will make it all better. They'll probably impose a TV tax.
"No Inflation" Dissembling, Part 2
The chart is the Goldman Sachs commodity-basket (agricultural prices).
November '05 the index was 171 plus change; by October '07 the number was 340.
For those in Rio Linda, that's a 100% increase (it doubled) in about 2 years.
HT: The Big Picture
The "No Inflation" Dissembling
Let's see how the "there's no inflation here!!!" crowd plays this in a couple of months:
Pressured by high commodity costs, Procter & Gamble Co. and Colgate-Palmolive Co. said they would raise prices on consumer staples .... P&G's price increases will be particularly extensive, between 3% and 12% on goods including diapers, fabric softener and pet food.
Not long ago, P&G products comprised about 50% of a grocery-store's offerings. That may be different now--regardless, this will be noticeable.
The post above has another clear indicator.
Pressured by high commodity costs, Procter & Gamble Co. and Colgate-Palmolive Co. said they would raise prices on consumer staples .... P&G's price increases will be particularly extensive, between 3% and 12% on goods including diapers, fabric softener and pet food.
Not long ago, P&G products comprised about 50% of a grocery-store's offerings. That may be different now--regardless, this will be noticeable.
The post above has another clear indicator.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
State Senate Slaps DarthDoyle
Under new management, the State Senate has decided to punish the Governor.
A state Senate committee today scheduled a Nov. 14 vote on a proposed constitutional amendment that would end the ability of governors to veto spending bills in ways that stitch letters and numbers together to create something never passed by the Legislature - the so-called Frankenstein veto.
The Senate Ethics Reform and Government Operations Committee will vote on a constitutional amendment to limit the veto power governors have wielded for decades on 1 p.m. Nov. 14, according to a meeting notice issued by Sen. Fred Risser (D-Madison).
To go before voters, the amendment must be approved by the Senate before the Legislature adjourns next year. It has already been approved by the 2005-'06 session of the Legislature, and by the state Assembly earlier this year.
Risser scheduled the committee vote days after Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle used his Frankenstein veto authority twice when he rewrote parts of the 2007-'09 budget before he signed it into law.
Something tells me that Our Governor's Christmas-card list will be about 18 names shorter this year.
A state Senate committee today scheduled a Nov. 14 vote on a proposed constitutional amendment that would end the ability of governors to veto spending bills in ways that stitch letters and numbers together to create something never passed by the Legislature - the so-called Frankenstein veto.
The Senate Ethics Reform and Government Operations Committee will vote on a constitutional amendment to limit the veto power governors have wielded for decades on 1 p.m. Nov. 14, according to a meeting notice issued by Sen. Fred Risser (D-Madison).
To go before voters, the amendment must be approved by the Senate before the Legislature adjourns next year. It has already been approved by the 2005-'06 session of the Legislature, and by the state Assembly earlier this year.
Risser scheduled the committee vote days after Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle used his Frankenstein veto authority twice when he rewrote parts of the 2007-'09 budget before he signed it into law.
Something tells me that Our Governor's Christmas-card list will be about 18 names shorter this year.
New Catholic Schools Super for Milwaukee Archdiocese; Is the Battle Joined?
This is interesting.
Former Arrowhead High School Superintendent Dave Lodes, who retired at the end of June, was named superintendent of schools for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, overseeing its 13 secondary and 120 elementary schools in its 10-county area.
"This job is somewhat different. Unlike a school system, this is a system of schools," Lodes said.
Lodes described the leader of the Milwaukee Archdiocese, Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan, as an advocate of Catholic schools. Lodes' appointment fits in with the archdiocese's embarkation on the $105 million Faith In Our Future campaign to support Catholic education and faith formation in the archdiocese.
"The purpose of the campaign is, obviously, to continue the quality of Catholic schools and also to enhance facilities, curriculum, assessment and technology," Lodes said.
Lodes will report to the Director of Archdiocesan Schools, Chuck Allison IV.
He [Lodes] looks forward to promoting the Catholic education initiatives that are part of the $105 million Faith In Our Future capital campaign that the archdiocese launched last weekend. The one he mentioned most was the centers of excellence, scheduled to receive $6.85 million and which are designed to strengthen accreditation standards, enhance academic performance, provide professional development for teachers and to expand marketing of the schools.
The former Archbishop of Milwaukee did not have much use for Catholic parish schools, and was happy to force parishes to raise their tuition requirements (significantly, in some cases.)
There are implications here.
Over the last 10 years, at least four non-Archdiocesan, non-parochial Catholic schools have sprung up in Wauwatosa, Milwaukee, Menomonee Falls, and Pewaukee. All of them have emphasized two advantages in comparison to parochial grade-schools: 1) More rigorous and complete religious education, using Catechisms NOT used by parochial schools, supplemented by Papal documents; and 2) More rigorous academic standards, including teaching Latin and algebra in the upper grades.
Not only have these 'alternative Catholic' schools survived, they have flourished. The former Archbishop of Milwaukee studiously ignored them and even barred them from using the term "Catholic" in their titles. The current Archbishop has been much more friendly, visiting the schools and engaging in productive conversations.
But there's something a bit ...odd...about having an alternative 'Catholic' school system in place and doing well, when running an "official" Catholic school system which is shrinking.
Time to order some popcorn.
Former Arrowhead High School Superintendent Dave Lodes, who retired at the end of June, was named superintendent of schools for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, overseeing its 13 secondary and 120 elementary schools in its 10-county area.
"This job is somewhat different. Unlike a school system, this is a system of schools," Lodes said.
Lodes described the leader of the Milwaukee Archdiocese, Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan, as an advocate of Catholic schools. Lodes' appointment fits in with the archdiocese's embarkation on the $105 million Faith In Our Future campaign to support Catholic education and faith formation in the archdiocese.
"The purpose of the campaign is, obviously, to continue the quality of Catholic schools and also to enhance facilities, curriculum, assessment and technology," Lodes said.
Lodes will report to the Director of Archdiocesan Schools, Chuck Allison IV.
He [Lodes] looks forward to promoting the Catholic education initiatives that are part of the $105 million Faith In Our Future capital campaign that the archdiocese launched last weekend. The one he mentioned most was the centers of excellence, scheduled to receive $6.85 million and which are designed to strengthen accreditation standards, enhance academic performance, provide professional development for teachers and to expand marketing of the schools.
The former Archbishop of Milwaukee did not have much use for Catholic parish schools, and was happy to force parishes to raise their tuition requirements (significantly, in some cases.)
There are implications here.
Over the last 10 years, at least four non-Archdiocesan, non-parochial Catholic schools have sprung up in Wauwatosa, Milwaukee, Menomonee Falls, and Pewaukee. All of them have emphasized two advantages in comparison to parochial grade-schools: 1) More rigorous and complete religious education, using Catechisms NOT used by parochial schools, supplemented by Papal documents; and 2) More rigorous academic standards, including teaching Latin and algebra in the upper grades.
Not only have these 'alternative Catholic' schools survived, they have flourished. The former Archbishop of Milwaukee studiously ignored them and even barred them from using the term "Catholic" in their titles. The current Archbishop has been much more friendly, visiting the schools and engaging in productive conversations.
But there's something a bit ...odd...about having an alternative 'Catholic' school system in place and doing well, when running an "official" Catholic school system which is shrinking.
Time to order some popcorn.
Rome Approves
Evidently Abp. Dolan has made sufficient progress with the Archdiocese; Rome has sent a new Auxiliary Bishop.
From my recollection, Fr. (soon-to-be-Bishop) Wm. P. Callahan, OFM Conv. is a solid Catholic man.
A native of Chicago, Callahan has served in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee as associate pastor of the Basilica of St. Josaphat Parish, from 1977 to 1978, and, again, as rector and pastor of St. Josaphat Parish, from 1994 to 2005. Callahan left the parish in 2005 and currently serves as Spiritual Director for the Pontifical North American College, the seminary for Americans, in Rome.
Which means, of course, that he will be subject to a vast, artful, and multi-faceted "neutering" campaign from all the usual suspects (and there are a LOT of them here.)
St. Michael, protect him!
From my recollection, Fr. (soon-to-be-Bishop) Wm. P. Callahan, OFM Conv. is a solid Catholic man.
A native of Chicago, Callahan has served in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee as associate pastor of the Basilica of St. Josaphat Parish, from 1977 to 1978, and, again, as rector and pastor of St. Josaphat Parish, from 1994 to 2005. Callahan left the parish in 2005 and currently serves as Spiritual Director for the Pontifical North American College, the seminary for Americans, in Rome.
Which means, of course, that he will be subject to a vast, artful, and multi-faceted "neutering" campaign from all the usual suspects (and there are a LOT of them here.)
St. Michael, protect him!
"Gun Show Loophole"? Not Likely
Central American and Mexican drug-runners have a lot of money to spend, and they spend it on moving drugs--and protecting that movement with firepower.
The Washington Post reports on the situation and points the finger at US gun shows. The report fits neatly into the agenda which would stigmatize US gun shows and which would force all private gun transactions into a "dealer-only" channel. It also (handily enough) fits into a UN agenda item which would severely restrict small-arms manufacturing.
But is this the whole story?
Not likely.
The U.S. weapons -- as many as 2,000 enter Mexico each day, according to a Mexican government study -- are crucial tools in an astoundingly barbaric war between rival cartels that has cost 4,000 lives in the past 18 months and sent law enforcement agencies in Washington and Mexico City into crisis mode.
First off, that's a helluvalotta guns per day. A reasonable man could concede that there is illicit gun-trafficking from the US into Mexico--but 2,000/day? That's 750,000 guns/year.
Hmmmm....
Then the story reveals Part Two--Mexican corruption:
Corrupt customs officials help smuggle weapons into Mexico, earning as much as $1 million for large shipments, police here say. ...
...and plays fast-and-loose with rhetoric:
The arms traffickers have left Mexico awash in AK-47s, pistols, telescope sighting devices, grenades, grenade launchers and high-powered ammunition, such as the so-called cop-killer bullets believed to be able to penetrate bulletproof vests.
Umnnnhhh....people..."cop-killer" bullets are regular AK-47 and AR-15 ammunition. They are high-powered rifles, and although there are vests which can stop them, those vests are not commonly issued, nor used, by civilian police agencies.
In addition, that stuff about "grenades and grenade launchers" is....ummmm...interesting. You can attend a lot of gun shows and never see live grenades for sale.
...law enforcement officers on both sides of the border have never seen anything like the flood of guns now surging into Mexico. The increase has been stoked by the cartel war and by the ease of buying high-powered weapons since the U.S. assault weapons ban was not renewed in 2004, William Newell, a special agent in charge of the ATF's Phoenix office, said in an interview.
Authorities have tracked smugglers who bought dozens of weapons at various shows in a single weekend.
That's where the numbers just don't add up. Earlier, the report says "2,000 guns per day." Most gun shows run only for 3 days--Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Multiply, folks: that implies that 14,000 weapons are purchased--just under 5,000 PER DAY--at "gun shows."
I don't think so.
So what else is at play here? How about major-league gun-running--supplied by PRChina (which has already been caught shipping AK-47's to Los Angeles), or Eastern European small-arms exporters?
Or maybe from South America? Central America?
Mexican government arms-seizure figures show a dramatic shift in the final destination of smuggled weapons. Once largely centered in border states, the arms market appears to be concentrating in Michoacan, the home state of Mexican President Felipe Calderon and a favorite of tourists who flock there for the annual migration of millions of monarch butterflies. In the first 10 months of 2007, more than 1,200 weapons were seized in Michoacan, four times as many as were seized in border states such as Baja California and Chihuahua.
Michoacan is a lot closer to Central America than to the US, which means it's a lot closer to the homes of most large drug cartels. The Post's article implies that the guns found here are from "US gun shows," but the implication is not the same as the documentation.
So it's a nice article. There are problems.
But Mexico's corruption (which is legendary, not just anecdotal), and the alleged volume of weapons, do not irrefutably pin the tail on the "gun show" monkey.
The Washington Post reports on the situation and points the finger at US gun shows. The report fits neatly into the agenda which would stigmatize US gun shows and which would force all private gun transactions into a "dealer-only" channel. It also (handily enough) fits into a UN agenda item which would severely restrict small-arms manufacturing.
But is this the whole story?
Not likely.
The U.S. weapons -- as many as 2,000 enter Mexico each day, according to a Mexican government study -- are crucial tools in an astoundingly barbaric war between rival cartels that has cost 4,000 lives in the past 18 months and sent law enforcement agencies in Washington and Mexico City into crisis mode.
First off, that's a helluvalotta guns per day. A reasonable man could concede that there is illicit gun-trafficking from the US into Mexico--but 2,000/day? That's 750,000 guns/year.
Hmmmm....
Then the story reveals Part Two--Mexican corruption:
Corrupt customs officials help smuggle weapons into Mexico, earning as much as $1 million for large shipments, police here say. ...
...and plays fast-and-loose with rhetoric:
The arms traffickers have left Mexico awash in AK-47s, pistols, telescope sighting devices, grenades, grenade launchers and high-powered ammunition, such as the so-called cop-killer bullets believed to be able to penetrate bulletproof vests.
Umnnnhhh....people..."cop-killer" bullets are regular AK-47 and AR-15 ammunition. They are high-powered rifles, and although there are vests which can stop them, those vests are not commonly issued, nor used, by civilian police agencies.
In addition, that stuff about "grenades and grenade launchers" is....ummmm...interesting. You can attend a lot of gun shows and never see live grenades for sale.
...law enforcement officers on both sides of the border have never seen anything like the flood of guns now surging into Mexico. The increase has been stoked by the cartel war and by the ease of buying high-powered weapons since the U.S. assault weapons ban was not renewed in 2004, William Newell, a special agent in charge of the ATF's Phoenix office, said in an interview.
Authorities have tracked smugglers who bought dozens of weapons at various shows in a single weekend.
That's where the numbers just don't add up. Earlier, the report says "2,000 guns per day." Most gun shows run only for 3 days--Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Multiply, folks: that implies that 14,000 weapons are purchased--just under 5,000 PER DAY--at "gun shows."
I don't think so.
So what else is at play here? How about major-league gun-running--supplied by PRChina (which has already been caught shipping AK-47's to Los Angeles), or Eastern European small-arms exporters?
Or maybe from South America? Central America?
Mexican government arms-seizure figures show a dramatic shift in the final destination of smuggled weapons. Once largely centered in border states, the arms market appears to be concentrating in Michoacan, the home state of Mexican President Felipe Calderon and a favorite of tourists who flock there for the annual migration of millions of monarch butterflies. In the first 10 months of 2007, more than 1,200 weapons were seized in Michoacan, four times as many as were seized in border states such as Baja California and Chihuahua.
Michoacan is a lot closer to Central America than to the US, which means it's a lot closer to the homes of most large drug cartels. The Post's article implies that the guns found here are from "US gun shows," but the implication is not the same as the documentation.
So it's a nice article. There are problems.
But Mexico's corruption (which is legendary, not just anecdotal), and the alleged volume of weapons, do not irrefutably pin the tail on the "gun show" monkey.
Monday, October 29, 2007
Just a Reminder
In case you forgot, DarthDoyle has privileges that we pay for...
But WE can't have them.
Why the Electoral College?
Because Fred Thompson is right and the Hildebeeste is wrong.
...Clinton’s conclusion is affected by the fact that she desires the power of a national chief executive, not a mere federal president.
What is the difference between "national" and "federal," and why should you care? In short, a national government is, theoretically, a completely centralized one. If it has local subdivisions, those subdivisions (provinces) exist solely for the convenience of the center. This is the kind of regime that France has had since the French Revolution.
On the other hand, a federal regime is one in which the central government’s power is limited, with most power remaining in the local units (in America, the states). The United States Constitution was sold to the states during the ratification process as a federal one. It could not have been ratified on any other basis, since the Revolution had been fought in the name of the federal model outlined by Thomas Jefferson in A Summary View of the Rights of British America (1774). The national model, in which a central government was sovereign (that is, possessed of unlimited power), was the one the British Parliament adopted in the hated Declaratory Act (1766).
In that act of 1766, the British Parliament claimed to be the kind of national government adored by such as Mrs. Clinton and Professor Levinson. In such a system, it makes sense that a national poll should be taken and the candidate with the most votes should be elected. Where the electorate is understood as made up of distinct communities, of different states that preexisted the federal constitution, however, it makes sense that those communities should have equal voices in making the ultimate decision.
We're still a Federalist union (albeit "history" since the War of Northern Aggression has been laced with erroneous but seductive "nationalist" perfume.) If one takes the Constitution and its amendments seriously (see particularly the 12th Amendment) then one cannot take the Hildebeeste's position seriously at all.
At the same time, the underlying-but-not-loudly-played theme of the Ruuuudeeeee!!! campaign has had the same odor as the position endorsed by HRC--because that odor is most seductive when "national security" is emphasized.
HT: MWBH
...Clinton’s conclusion is affected by the fact that she desires the power of a national chief executive, not a mere federal president.
What is the difference between "national" and "federal," and why should you care? In short, a national government is, theoretically, a completely centralized one. If it has local subdivisions, those subdivisions (provinces) exist solely for the convenience of the center. This is the kind of regime that France has had since the French Revolution.
On the other hand, a federal regime is one in which the central government’s power is limited, with most power remaining in the local units (in America, the states). The United States Constitution was sold to the states during the ratification process as a federal one. It could not have been ratified on any other basis, since the Revolution had been fought in the name of the federal model outlined by Thomas Jefferson in A Summary View of the Rights of British America (1774). The national model, in which a central government was sovereign (that is, possessed of unlimited power), was the one the British Parliament adopted in the hated Declaratory Act (1766).
In that act of 1766, the British Parliament claimed to be the kind of national government adored by such as Mrs. Clinton and Professor Levinson. In such a system, it makes sense that a national poll should be taken and the candidate with the most votes should be elected. Where the electorate is understood as made up of distinct communities, of different states that preexisted the federal constitution, however, it makes sense that those communities should have equal voices in making the ultimate decision.
We're still a Federalist union (albeit "history" since the War of Northern Aggression has been laced with erroneous but seductive "nationalist" perfume.) If one takes the Constitution and its amendments seriously (see particularly the 12th Amendment) then one cannot take the Hildebeeste's position seriously at all.
At the same time, the underlying-but-not-loudly-played theme of the Ruuuudeeeee!!! campaign has had the same odor as the position endorsed by HRC--because that odor is most seductive when "national security" is emphasized.
Beware the 'savior-President' candidates.
HT: MWBH
License Oligopoly, Part 3: "What Local Control?"
We've mentioned the "license-oligopoly" bunch before.
Those are the folks who want the State (or some subdivision thereof) to protect their incomes.
We forgot to mention the Tavern League of Wisconsin, arguably the grand-daddy of piggies.
The Tavern League purchased a Legislative majority years ago--and that majority has done whatever the Tavern League wants, beginning with arrogating powers to the State that should belong to municipalities.
In effect, the State of Wisconsin tells local governments how many establishments may serve liquor, and what KIND of establishments those may be.
Nice, hey? Saves the Tavern League folks a lot of money--they only have to purchase the majorities in the Legislature and Senate, rather than run all over the State purchasing majorities of aldermen and supervisors.
...the Tavern League of Wisconsin will oppose the exemption to liquor license limits, said Peter Madland, executive director of the organization.
"Historically we've always been opposed to anything that creates more licenses," he said.
"Obviously, the more licenses there are, the more it decreases the value of existing licenses."
Sure wouldn't want more competitors. That might actually require better customer service, or something.
Memo to Legislators: dump the State controls altogether. You shouldn't have them.
Those are the folks who want the State (or some subdivision thereof) to protect their incomes.
We forgot to mention the Tavern League of Wisconsin, arguably the grand-daddy of piggies.
The Tavern League purchased a Legislative majority years ago--and that majority has done whatever the Tavern League wants, beginning with arrogating powers to the State that should belong to municipalities.
In effect, the State of Wisconsin tells local governments how many establishments may serve liquor, and what KIND of establishments those may be.
Nice, hey? Saves the Tavern League folks a lot of money--they only have to purchase the majorities in the Legislature and Senate, rather than run all over the State purchasing majorities of aldermen and supervisors.
...the Tavern League of Wisconsin will oppose the exemption to liquor license limits, said Peter Madland, executive director of the organization.
"Historically we've always been opposed to anything that creates more licenses," he said.
"Obviously, the more licenses there are, the more it decreases the value of existing licenses."
Sure wouldn't want more competitors. That might actually require better customer service, or something.
Memo to Legislators: dump the State controls altogether. You shouldn't have them.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Some Laws Are Meant to be Busted
The Party-In-Government (PIG) bunch writes its own rules. You, working-stiff taxpayers--just STFU and pay the bill. After all, the State has the guns and the Capitol Police will make certain that you don't cause trouble...
...no legislator will admit to inserting certain provisions into a state budget, and public records don't give clues as to who pushed for them. Legislative files detailing who wrote some of those measures will forever remain secret under state law, according to the Legislative Reference Bureau.
Read that bold/red again.
So we have millions of tax dollars going into asinine "projects," and YOU cannot find out who is spending the money which YOU have to send to Madistan?
Sometimes it is appropriate to physically abuse Legislators. This would be one of those times.
Maybe the CIA can send a few extra water-boards?
...no legislator will admit to inserting certain provisions into a state budget, and public records don't give clues as to who pushed for them. Legislative files detailing who wrote some of those measures will forever remain secret under state law, according to the Legislative Reference Bureau.
Read that bold/red again.
So we have millions of tax dollars going into asinine "projects," and YOU cannot find out who is spending the money which YOU have to send to Madistan?
Sometimes it is appropriate to physically abuse Legislators. This would be one of those times.
Maybe the CIA can send a few extra water-boards?
JS Headlines "Nazi"; Gould's Teapot-Mind Boils Over
Whitney Gould has earned derision from common-sense individuals as a Dilettante-de-Butt-Ugly-Dumb, promoting orange/green/brown-painted buildings in the 3rd Ward and the infamous "Blue Shirt" hanging on an airport building, among other atrocious projects.
It is also clear that when she's been told to 'butt out,' she can haul out the poison pen and has no compunctions about waving the "Nazi" flag.
As its name implies, the new Man at Work museum at the Milwaukee School of Engineering is designed to celebrate the nobility of physical labor through the ages. But the engineer and the industrialist who run the museum have included artworks made to glorify the construction projects of the Nazi regime, art historians say.
A couple of things jump out of that lede. First off, the Dilettante is displeased that 'an engineer and an industrialist' are 'running' a museum. That sort of endeavor is reserved to "polite company," NOT 'engineers and industrialists.'
She found somebody to carp:
Another concern of critics is that neither Kopmeier nor Grohmann has professional expertise in art or art history, and there is no professional curator on the museum's staff. Kopmeier's background is in engineering and manufacturing. Grohmann, a native of Silesia (now Poland), whose family was in the marble business, is president of Aluminum Casting & Engineering Co.
Gott in Himmel!!!! No "professional curator?" No "professional expertise"? You mean to tell me that these guys, who have dirty shoes from tramping around in a FOUNDRY, have the nerve to open a museum? Heaven forfend! Clearly, it is the End of the (oh-so-Civilized) World!!
With wine-dark hot estrogen flowing through her pen, Gould works her Dudgeon to a Really Significant High Point:
The Grohmann Museum features a 700-piece trove of paintings and sculptures, some dating from the 16th century, that were collected by Milwaukee industrialist Eckhart G. Grohmann and donated to the school. To most eyes, the peasant scenes and industrial landscapes will not appear overtly political or sinister.
Ah, but to the Enlightened One--(that is, the self-appointed Enlightened One), there's a problem:
...the most represented artist in the collection, Erich Mercker (1891-1973), was commissioned directly by Hitler's government to create images of the Third Reich's expanding infrastructure.
One of the 81 Mercker works in the collection shows laborers cutting stone bound for the Chancellery in Berlin, the Reich's seat of power, and others depicting bridges of the Autobahn, one of Hitler's proudest achievements.
Some guy took a job painting pictures of another bunch of guys cutting stone. 11.57% of the pictures in the collection came from that artist's brush; the pix were paid for by the Third Reich.
OHMYGOD!
Here we have the "Man at Work" museum with pictures of men at work in Germany. The pictures were donated by a generous soul. They are directly on-point. Further, the museum is a private enterprise/exhibition site.
Frankly, only the Dilettante-du-Butt-Ugly Dumb cares about who signed some artist's paycheck:
Aaron Breitbart, a senior researcher at the Simon Wiesenthal Center in Los Angeles, said there was a difference between artists like the filmmaker Leni Riefenstahl, who openly glorified the Nazi regime with propaganda films, and artists who joined the Nazi party or did officially sanctioned work "just to get a job."
"They're not necessarily bad guys," he said of artists in the latter category. "There's a lot of gray in this area."
For a hint of how this "controversy" was fueled, see this:
Ischi Grohmann, Eckhart Grohmann's wife, told a reporter that the museum was "a private collection of a private man who gave this as a gift to a private school. The public has nothing to do with it."
She said she saw no need to disclose more information about the paintings, which are predominantly German and Northern European and by mostly little known artists.
"Aspects of history can be read in books," she said. "You see what you see - a quarry or a bridge or whatever."
In other words, Mrs. Grohmann told Ms. Gould to "buzz off." Someday I'd like to meet Mrs. Grohmann and thank her for her contribution to the betterment of Milwaukee. Too bad that The Enlightened One--the Dilletante-du-Butt-Ugly-Dumb-- didn't do what she was asked...
But I'll re-iterate what Mrs. Grohmann implied:
I think that Ms. Gould should spray some Raid where she has a bug and spend more time staring at the Blue Shirt. You know, the Blue Shirt which symbolizes men at work.
Think about that, Whitney.
It is also clear that when she's been told to 'butt out,' she can haul out the poison pen and has no compunctions about waving the "Nazi" flag.
As its name implies, the new Man at Work museum at the Milwaukee School of Engineering is designed to celebrate the nobility of physical labor through the ages. But the engineer and the industrialist who run the museum have included artworks made to glorify the construction projects of the Nazi regime, art historians say.
A couple of things jump out of that lede. First off, the Dilettante is displeased that 'an engineer and an industrialist' are 'running' a museum. That sort of endeavor is reserved to "polite company," NOT 'engineers and industrialists.'
She found somebody to carp:
Another concern of critics is that neither Kopmeier nor Grohmann has professional expertise in art or art history, and there is no professional curator on the museum's staff. Kopmeier's background is in engineering and manufacturing. Grohmann, a native of Silesia (now Poland), whose family was in the marble business, is president of Aluminum Casting & Engineering Co.
Gott in Himmel!!!! No "professional curator?" No "professional expertise"? You mean to tell me that these guys, who have dirty shoes from tramping around in a FOUNDRY, have the nerve to open a museum? Heaven forfend! Clearly, it is the End of the (oh-so-Civilized) World!!
With wine-dark hot estrogen flowing through her pen, Gould works her Dudgeon to a Really Significant High Point:
The Grohmann Museum features a 700-piece trove of paintings and sculptures, some dating from the 16th century, that were collected by Milwaukee industrialist Eckhart G. Grohmann and donated to the school. To most eyes, the peasant scenes and industrial landscapes will not appear overtly political or sinister.
Ah, but to the Enlightened One--(that is, the self-appointed Enlightened One), there's a problem:
...the most represented artist in the collection, Erich Mercker (1891-1973), was commissioned directly by Hitler's government to create images of the Third Reich's expanding infrastructure.
One of the 81 Mercker works in the collection shows laborers cutting stone bound for the Chancellery in Berlin, the Reich's seat of power, and others depicting bridges of the Autobahn, one of Hitler's proudest achievements.
Some guy took a job painting pictures of another bunch of guys cutting stone. 11.57% of the pictures in the collection came from that artist's brush; the pix were paid for by the Third Reich.
OHMYGOD!
Here we have the "Man at Work" museum with pictures of men at work in Germany. The pictures were donated by a generous soul. They are directly on-point. Further, the museum is a private enterprise/exhibition site.
Frankly, only the Dilettante-du-Butt-Ugly Dumb cares about who signed some artist's paycheck:
Aaron Breitbart, a senior researcher at the Simon Wiesenthal Center in Los Angeles, said there was a difference between artists like the filmmaker Leni Riefenstahl, who openly glorified the Nazi regime with propaganda films, and artists who joined the Nazi party or did officially sanctioned work "just to get a job."
"They're not necessarily bad guys," he said of artists in the latter category. "There's a lot of gray in this area."
For a hint of how this "controversy" was fueled, see this:
Ischi Grohmann, Eckhart Grohmann's wife, told a reporter that the museum was "a private collection of a private man who gave this as a gift to a private school. The public has nothing to do with it."
She said she saw no need to disclose more information about the paintings, which are predominantly German and Northern European and by mostly little known artists.
"Aspects of history can be read in books," she said. "You see what you see - a quarry or a bridge or whatever."
In other words, Mrs. Grohmann told Ms. Gould to "buzz off." Someday I'd like to meet Mrs. Grohmann and thank her for her contribution to the betterment of Milwaukee. Too bad that The Enlightened One--the Dilletante-du-Butt-Ugly-Dumb-- didn't do what she was asked...
But I'll re-iterate what Mrs. Grohmann implied:
I think that Ms. Gould should spray some Raid where she has a bug and spend more time staring at the Blue Shirt. You know, the Blue Shirt which symbolizes men at work.
Think about that, Whitney.
Homeland Security Fails Again, Again, Again, Again,...
Key senators said a Mexican national infected with a highly contagious form of tuberculosis did not use a fake name to enter the country 76 times and take numerous flights, as Homeland Security spokesmen had previously stated.
Sen. Joe Lieberman, Connecticut independent and chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, and Sen. Susan Collins, Maine Republican and the panel's ranking member, said that Customs and Border Protection officials had the name and a corrected date of birth by mid-April but that the man continued to cross the border unfettered 21 more times.
"He wasn't using an alias," Miss Collins said.
Did we re-hire "Brownie" in a new capacity at the border?
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Diplomacy With an Edge
From an interview of Mgr. Guido Marini, the new Papal Master of Ceremonies:
Q.) So it goes from one Marini...to another: what do you say to Piero, your predecessor?
A) "I thank him from my heart. He gave so much to the Church, he served two Popes, and I find myself only at the beginning of my path."
That's the 'diplomatic' part.
Here's the 'edgy' part:
Q) Many have claimed that you were called because [you are] liturgically more traditionalist and sober than Archbishop Piero Marini. But what is your conception of the liturgy?
A) "[It is] as the Church wishes and teaches, not more and not less. I am not the kind of person who looks for inventions and oddities. I may even seem banal, but the liturgy is respect to the rules laid down by the Church, and I see no reason for which I should disobey it."
Q) It is said precisely that in Genoa, where you worked up to now, the liturgy was well cared for, sober and elegant, without bizarre adornments...
A) "But liturgy is naturally thus. I repeat: no one can act against the liturgical laws of the Church. The Mass is a gift, a grace, not a show. Therefore, no invention, but absolute respect for liturgical rules."
And now, a combination of both:
Q) In your opinion, have there been liturgical abuses recently?
A) "You know, the Church is large. But, as the Pontiff himself recognized in the accompanying letter to the Motu Proprio 'Summorum Pontificum', there have been abuses and extravagant interpretations. What I can say is that certainly I will not be the author of any fabrication, I will limit myself to scrupulously apply the existing rules."
Shouldn't be too hard to notice the difference.
The other Marini? What was his name, again?
HT: Rorate Coeli
Q.) So it goes from one Marini...to another: what do you say to Piero, your predecessor?
A) "I thank him from my heart. He gave so much to the Church, he served two Popes, and I find myself only at the beginning of my path."
That's the 'diplomatic' part.
Here's the 'edgy' part:
Q) Many have claimed that you were called because [you are] liturgically more traditionalist and sober than Archbishop Piero Marini. But what is your conception of the liturgy?
A) "[It is] as the Church wishes and teaches, not more and not less. I am not the kind of person who looks for inventions and oddities. I may even seem banal, but the liturgy is respect to the rules laid down by the Church, and I see no reason for which I should disobey it."
Q) It is said precisely that in Genoa, where you worked up to now, the liturgy was well cared for, sober and elegant, without bizarre adornments...
A) "But liturgy is naturally thus. I repeat: no one can act against the liturgical laws of the Church. The Mass is a gift, a grace, not a show. Therefore, no invention, but absolute respect for liturgical rules."
And now, a combination of both:
Q) In your opinion, have there been liturgical abuses recently?
A) "You know, the Church is large. But, as the Pontiff himself recognized in the accompanying letter to the Motu Proprio 'Summorum Pontificum', there have been abuses and extravagant interpretations. What I can say is that certainly I will not be the author of any fabrication, I will limit myself to scrupulously apply the existing rules."
Shouldn't be too hard to notice the difference.
The other Marini? What was his name, again?
HT: Rorate Coeli
The Poverty of the "Readings Cycle"
Some thoughts from Peter Kwasniewski on the ballyhooed "cycle of readings" used in the Pauline Rite are ....thought-provoking.
..the proper chants for [Therese of Liesieux'] feastday, in the new Graduale Romanum, are, in some cases (like the Alleluia verse) irrelevant, and in other cases barely relevant -- that is, bearing no special relation to Saint Thérèse. A comparison with the propers of the old rite for Thérèse's feastday will make apparent the magnitude of the loss suffered by the faithful when the ancient liturgy and its organic development were cast aside.
The Graduale Romanum (the Novus Ordo) offers the following propers for Saint Thérèse:
Introit (Ps. 30:7-8,2) -- I however have hoped in the Lord: I shall exult and rejoice in Thy mercy, because Thou hast looked upon my humility. V: In Thee, O Lord, I have put my hope, I shall not be confounded for ever; in Thy justice free me. I however have hoped in the Lord: I shall exult and rejoice in Thy mercy, because Thou hast looked upon my humility.
Gradual (Ps. 26:4) -- One thing I have asked of the Lord, this I shall seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord. V. That I may see the delight of the Lord, and be protected by His holy temple.
Alleluia (Ps. 116:1) -- Praise the Lord, all ye nations, and rejoice in Him, all ye peoples. Alleluia.
Offertory (Ps. 102:2,5) -- Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all of His gifts: and thy youth shall be renewed like the eagle's.
Communion (Ps. 9:2,3) -- I shall tell of all Thy wonders: I shall rejoice and exult in Thee: I shall sing Thy name, O most High.1
(N.B. Kwasniewski did not use the execrable ICEL translations---these are real translations of the Latin originals.)
Now, consider the Propers appointed in the old rite for the feast of Saint Thérèse. In stark contrast to the sad situation that obtains with the new rite, in the old rite the Propers were always recited or sung, because they are, and were treated as, an integral part of the liturgy. (When was the last time you actually SAW the Gradual and Offertory propers for a Sunday or daily Mass, much less read it--or had it sung by your choir? At least one can find the Introit, Alleluia, and Communion propers in the usual missalettes, albeit only the Alleluia versicle is usually sung.) Moreover, people often had their handheld missals with them, so that everyone who cared to pay attention -- and this was certainly an ever-growing number right up to the eve of the Council -- was nourished by these verses from Scripture, beautifully applied to the Little Flower:
Introit (Cant. 4:8-9) -- Come from Libanus, my spouse, come from Libanus, come; thou hast wounded my heart, my sister, my spouse, thou hast wounded my heart. V. (Ps. 112:1) Praise the Lord, ye children; praise ye the name of the Lord. Glory be. Come from Libanus, my spouse, etc.
Gradual (Mt. 11:25) -- I confess to Thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them to the little ones. V. (Ps. 70.5) [Thou hast been] my hope, O Lord, from my youth.
Alleluia (Ecclus. 39:17-19) -- Bud forth as the rose planted by the brooks of waters: Give ye a sweet odor as frankincense. Send forth flowers as the lily, and yield a smell, and bring forth leaves in grace, and praise with canticles and bless the Lord in His works. Alleluia.
Offertory (Lk. 1:46,48-49) -- My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior: because He hath regarded the humility of His handmaid. He that is mighty hath done great things to me.
Communion (Deut. 32:10,12) -- He led her about and taught her, and He kept her as the apple of His eye. As an eagle He has spread His wings and hath taken her on His shoulder. The Lord alone was her leader.
You don't have to be a scholar to notice the difference in text/feastday unity. In fact, the argument could be made that only a blithering idiot would have substituted the NO Propers for those from the Old Rite. But then, we're dealing with ICEL...
Kwasniewski then takes on the more general case: the exaltation of "quantity" found in the 3-year cycle of the Pauline Rite.
...There is no liturgy in existence that privileges a rationalistically-conceived march through books of the Old and New Testaments. All liturgies, Eastern and Western, look to the mysteries of Christ and of His Mother, and to the lives and virtues of that bright "cloud of witnesses" who incarnate, so to speak, the reality of Jesus again and again throughout history. Recitation of the text of Scripture is made decisively subordinate to the historical embodiment of Scripture's message in holy persons. The readings serve, in other words, to frame, adorn, and bring to light the face of Christ and the faces of all His imitators. The use of Scripture is iconic, not homiletic...
In other words, what's first is the Season, or the Feast, not some concept of "reading the whole Bible." That 'read-the-whole-Bible-during-Liturgy' thing, practiced at the expense of the Advent-through-Pentecost seasonality (and the feasts of various Saints) is an 'enthusiasm,' and is more than vaguely non-Catholic.
The new lectionary, in contrast, is a failure, for three fundamental reasons.
First, the guiding principles were Cartesian, that is to say, mathematical order, a technical completeness (we have to "get through" the Scriptures), and a typically materialistic disregard for the organic unity of the soul-body complex which is the liturgy -- its soul being the Eucharistic sacrifice-sacrament, the dual motion of offering to the Father and receiving in communion, while its body is the surrounding prayers, readings, and chants.
Second, there is the basic human problem of having more than one year's worth of readings. A single year is a natural period of time; it is healthy, pedagogically superior, and deeply consoling to come back, year after year, to the same readings for a given Sunday or weekday.
Third, the men who chose the readings were a committee of "experts," biblical scholars with sociological leanings,...
Alright, maybe the third objection is a bit snarky. On the other hand, were 'scholar/sociologists' responsible for the Propers and readings of the Joannine Rite?
No.
There's more at the link.
..the proper chants for [Therese of Liesieux'] feastday, in the new Graduale Romanum, are, in some cases (like the Alleluia verse) irrelevant, and in other cases barely relevant -- that is, bearing no special relation to Saint Thérèse. A comparison with the propers of the old rite for Thérèse's feastday will make apparent the magnitude of the loss suffered by the faithful when the ancient liturgy and its organic development were cast aside.
The Graduale Romanum (the Novus Ordo) offers the following propers for Saint Thérèse:
Introit (Ps. 30:7-8,2) -- I however have hoped in the Lord: I shall exult and rejoice in Thy mercy, because Thou hast looked upon my humility. V: In Thee, O Lord, I have put my hope, I shall not be confounded for ever; in Thy justice free me. I however have hoped in the Lord: I shall exult and rejoice in Thy mercy, because Thou hast looked upon my humility.
Gradual (Ps. 26:4) -- One thing I have asked of the Lord, this I shall seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord. V. That I may see the delight of the Lord, and be protected by His holy temple.
Alleluia (Ps. 116:1) -- Praise the Lord, all ye nations, and rejoice in Him, all ye peoples. Alleluia.
Offertory (Ps. 102:2,5) -- Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all of His gifts: and thy youth shall be renewed like the eagle's.
Communion (Ps. 9:2,3) -- I shall tell of all Thy wonders: I shall rejoice and exult in Thee: I shall sing Thy name, O most High.1
(N.B. Kwasniewski did not use the execrable ICEL translations---these are real translations of the Latin originals.)
Now, consider the Propers appointed in the old rite for the feast of Saint Thérèse. In stark contrast to the sad situation that obtains with the new rite, in the old rite the Propers were always recited or sung, because they are, and were treated as, an integral part of the liturgy. (When was the last time you actually SAW the Gradual and Offertory propers for a Sunday or daily Mass, much less read it--or had it sung by your choir? At least one can find the Introit, Alleluia, and Communion propers in the usual missalettes, albeit only the Alleluia versicle is usually sung.) Moreover, people often had their handheld missals with them, so that everyone who cared to pay attention -- and this was certainly an ever-growing number right up to the eve of the Council -- was nourished by these verses from Scripture, beautifully applied to the Little Flower:
Introit (Cant. 4:8-9) -- Come from Libanus, my spouse, come from Libanus, come; thou hast wounded my heart, my sister, my spouse, thou hast wounded my heart. V. (Ps. 112:1) Praise the Lord, ye children; praise ye the name of the Lord. Glory be. Come from Libanus, my spouse, etc.
Gradual (Mt. 11:25) -- I confess to Thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them to the little ones. V. (Ps. 70.5) [Thou hast been] my hope, O Lord, from my youth.
Alleluia (Ecclus. 39:17-19) -- Bud forth as the rose planted by the brooks of waters: Give ye a sweet odor as frankincense. Send forth flowers as the lily, and yield a smell, and bring forth leaves in grace, and praise with canticles and bless the Lord in His works. Alleluia.
Offertory (Lk. 1:46,48-49) -- My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior: because He hath regarded the humility of His handmaid. He that is mighty hath done great things to me.
Communion (Deut. 32:10,12) -- He led her about and taught her, and He kept her as the apple of His eye. As an eagle He has spread His wings and hath taken her on His shoulder. The Lord alone was her leader.
You don't have to be a scholar to notice the difference in text/feastday unity. In fact, the argument could be made that only a blithering idiot would have substituted the NO Propers for those from the Old Rite. But then, we're dealing with ICEL...
Kwasniewski then takes on the more general case: the exaltation of "quantity" found in the 3-year cycle of the Pauline Rite.
...There is no liturgy in existence that privileges a rationalistically-conceived march through books of the Old and New Testaments. All liturgies, Eastern and Western, look to the mysteries of Christ and of His Mother, and to the lives and virtues of that bright "cloud of witnesses" who incarnate, so to speak, the reality of Jesus again and again throughout history. Recitation of the text of Scripture is made decisively subordinate to the historical embodiment of Scripture's message in holy persons. The readings serve, in other words, to frame, adorn, and bring to light the face of Christ and the faces of all His imitators. The use of Scripture is iconic, not homiletic...
In other words, what's first is the Season, or the Feast, not some concept of "reading the whole Bible." That 'read-the-whole-Bible-during-Liturgy' thing, practiced at the expense of the Advent-through-Pentecost seasonality (and the feasts of various Saints) is an 'enthusiasm,' and is more than vaguely non-Catholic.
The new lectionary, in contrast, is a failure, for three fundamental reasons.
First, the guiding principles were Cartesian, that is to say, mathematical order, a technical completeness (we have to "get through" the Scriptures), and a typically materialistic disregard for the organic unity of the soul-body complex which is the liturgy -- its soul being the Eucharistic sacrifice-sacrament, the dual motion of offering to the Father and receiving in communion, while its body is the surrounding prayers, readings, and chants.
Second, there is the basic human problem of having more than one year's worth of readings. A single year is a natural period of time; it is healthy, pedagogically superior, and deeply consoling to come back, year after year, to the same readings for a given Sunday or weekday.
Third, the men who chose the readings were a committee of "experts," biblical scholars with sociological leanings,...
Alright, maybe the third objection is a bit snarky. On the other hand, were 'scholar/sociologists' responsible for the Propers and readings of the Joannine Rite?
No.
There's more at the link.
Randi Rhodes Recovers from Fall, Divines Fire's Origin
Perhaps Ms. Rhodes is able to walk and talk. But it seems that her crazed right-wing attacker mis-step has left other permanent damage.
I started just doing Google searches to try and figure out. You know, arson, arson, it was like crazy trying to figure out why is that being downplayed? Why is that, you know, just a small part of the story? And you know, every time I look for it what comes up, believe it or not, is that Blackwater wants to move to San Diego and build this giant complex in San Diego right where most of the evacuations are taking place and you know.
...And then you find out that some of the guys that used to work for Blackwater are now in Schwarzenegger’s administration.
Ummmnnnnhhhh, yah.
Psssst....Randi: I heard that Blackwater did 9/11, too.
HT: LGF
I started just doing Google searches to try and figure out. You know, arson, arson, it was like crazy trying to figure out why is that being downplayed? Why is that, you know, just a small part of the story? And you know, every time I look for it what comes up, believe it or not, is that Blackwater wants to move to San Diego and build this giant complex in San Diego right where most of the evacuations are taking place and you know.
...And then you find out that some of the guys that used to work for Blackwater are now in Schwarzenegger’s administration.
Ummmnnnnhhhh, yah.
Psssst....Randi: I heard that Blackwater did 9/11, too.
HT: LGF
Friday, October 26, 2007
Illegals Practicing?.....What, Exactly?.....Here?
As usual, Jessica has an interesting tidbit:
It turns out the state Department of Regulation and Licensing recently ran a check of state license holders' social security numbers and found that a number of them were invalid, prompting the request for the above-mentioned legal opinion. The news reporters didn't ask a key question, however: How many and which professions?
Barbers? CPA's? Lawyers? Surgeons?
It turns out the state Department of Regulation and Licensing recently ran a check of state license holders' social security numbers and found that a number of them were invalid, prompting the request for the above-mentioned legal opinion. The news reporters didn't ask a key question, however: How many and which professions?
Barbers? CPA's? Lawyers? Surgeons?
Chesterton on Psychology
In brief, he's not sold:
Our fathers did not talk about psychology; they talked about a knowledge of Human Nature. But they had it, and we have not. They knew by instinct all that we have ignored by the help of information. For it is exactly the first facts of human nature that are now being ignored by humanity.
HT: Happy Catholic
Our fathers did not talk about psychology; they talked about a knowledge of Human Nature. But they had it, and we have not. They knew by instinct all that we have ignored by the help of information. For it is exactly the first facts of human nature that are now being ignored by humanity.
HT: Happy Catholic
Barbers, Liquor Distributors, RoadBuilders...the Oligopoly Gang
Yah, sure, it's all about "protecting" the consumers.
A proposed change in regulating Wisconsin's brew pubs would hamper growth of two Milwaukee-based businesses and should be vetoed by Gov. Jim Doyle
(He didn't. After all, WOW Distributing has a LOT of money.)
...the bill should have been considered as stand-alone legislation, which would provide a chance for debate and discussion. He said it was added to the budget "at the behest of beer wholesalers."
IIRC, those "non-budget" items don't stand up very well to Court scrutiny.
Wholesalers buy beer from breweries and sell it to retailers, including restaurants and taverns. Brew pubs, however, sell primarily their own brands of beer, which are brewed on-site - a process that bypasses wholesalers.
"There's no public policy rationale for this," Grothman said. "This is pure power politics."
So are State Budget items requiring RoadBuilders and General Contractors to build State stuff, regardless of need or the screwing of the taxpayers.
What's new, Glenn?
A proposed change in regulating Wisconsin's brew pubs would hamper growth of two Milwaukee-based businesses and should be vetoed by Gov. Jim Doyle
(He didn't. After all, WOW Distributing has a LOT of money.)
...the bill should have been considered as stand-alone legislation, which would provide a chance for debate and discussion. He said it was added to the budget "at the behest of beer wholesalers."
IIRC, those "non-budget" items don't stand up very well to Court scrutiny.
Wholesalers buy beer from breweries and sell it to retailers, including restaurants and taverns. Brew pubs, however, sell primarily their own brands of beer, which are brewed on-site - a process that bypasses wholesalers.
"There's no public policy rationale for this," Grothman said. "This is pure power politics."
So are State Budget items requiring RoadBuilders and General Contractors to build State stuff, regardless of need or the screwing of the taxpayers.
What's new, Glenn?
Doyle Vetoes--Spend and Tax, Spend and Tax AND Zipperer's Take
(Note: Page-number references correspond with the PDF document's pagination.)
Among other things, DarthDoyle's veto will allow technical colleges to increase their tax levies at any rate they want. (P. 28, #5) This, because a limit would "restrict economic development...and hinder educational achievement and job training."
It would also hinder MATC from paying the highest salaries in the Universe to its faculty.
He also allows a forever-and-ever Hunt for Nasties, (or Full Employment for DNR types). (P. 30 #2)
He also allows DNR to spend whatever they want on CWD and allows DNR to "pursue alternative methods" of financing the wildlife damage program. (P 31/2, #3)
Doyle vetoes stiffened reporting and standards-establishment for IT projects at UW and within State agencies, including vetoing a provision which requires sourcing commercially-available packages for proposed system-change implementations. (P.33, #1.)
That would be the "full-employment for State IT workers" provision.
Think that the Department of Family Services should actually tell the Legislature about its Implementation Plans for BadgerCare?
Naaaah. (P. 36, #1)
The City of Racine will receive an endless $250K annual grant to "identify, develop, and promote models of care to address and improve services and birth outcomes for high-risk pregnancies." (P.37, #5)
'Scuse me. A FOREVER grant? Racine? Who are we kidding here, Jimbo?
He vetoes parts of the Liquor Distributors' Guaranteed-Profits language (thankfully.) (P. 40, #1)
He vetoes a requirement for "Value Engineering" DOT projects over $5 million in estimated costs. (P. 43, #6.)
Who needs all that work when the RoadBuilders want to sell pavement? Screw that!!
Doyle lifts his skirt and reveals (duhhhh....) that only State DOT bureaucrats know anything--that the locals are (after all) just rubes who have to live with Busalacchi's Boyzzzzz Decisions. (P. 44, #8) Screw you, local authorities, residents, and taxpayers!!!
He (thankfully) takes the "do it NOW" language out of the Hy. 23 Developer's Dream Act (P. 44, #10.)
Finally, he mandates spending $800,000.00 on "preliminary studies" of the KRM Collossal Waste of Money Project--the one which will serve Roundy's CEO and other folks who collect paychecks in Wisconsin but would rather pay property- and income-taxes in Illinois. (P. 45, #11.)
Not the worst set of possibilities; but overall, it's Spend and Tax (now or later...)
Rep. Zipperer noticed a few other things:
“Apparently a deal isn’t really a deal with this Governor. With one stroke of his pen today, he doubled the tax increase property taxpayers will see for 2007. This Governor’s disregard for the taxpayer is astonishing.”
Some of today’s more egregious vetoes include:
Increase property tax levy limit to 3.86% in 2007. Under the budget negotiated with Doyle, there was a 2% cap.
Eliminate phase-out of the PECFA program. This program places an additional tax on each gallon of gasoline.
Eliminate a requirement that the UW-System let students know at the time of class registration who the daily teacher would be and what their credentials are.
Eliminates legislative oversight of DNR Stewardship land acquisitions, meaning the Legislature will not have oversight on $85 million of DNR expenditures each year.
Eliminate a ‘lock box’ on the Transportation Fund, leaving the fund open for future abuses and raids.
Eliminate a requirement that the DOT annually submit to the Legislature a ten-year plan on future bonding.
Eliminate a requirement that the DOT submit a plan to the Legislature on how to eliminate a $30,000,000 structural deficit within the Transportation Fund
To update the term 'double-dealing,' we now have "Doyle-Dealing."
What a guy.
Among other things, DarthDoyle's veto will allow technical colleges to increase their tax levies at any rate they want. (P. 28, #5) This, because a limit would "restrict economic development...and hinder educational achievement and job training."
It would also hinder MATC from paying the highest salaries in the Universe to its faculty.
He also allows a forever-and-ever Hunt for Nasties, (or Full Employment for DNR types). (P. 30 #2)
He also allows DNR to spend whatever they want on CWD and allows DNR to "pursue alternative methods" of financing the wildlife damage program. (P 31/2, #3)
Doyle vetoes stiffened reporting and standards-establishment for IT projects at UW and within State agencies, including vetoing a provision which requires sourcing commercially-available packages for proposed system-change implementations. (P.33, #1.)
That would be the "full-employment for State IT workers" provision.
Think that the Department of Family Services should actually tell the Legislature about its Implementation Plans for BadgerCare?
Naaaah. (P. 36, #1)
The City of Racine will receive an endless $250K annual grant to "identify, develop, and promote models of care to address and improve services and birth outcomes for high-risk pregnancies." (P.37, #5)
'Scuse me. A FOREVER grant? Racine? Who are we kidding here, Jimbo?
He vetoes parts of the Liquor Distributors' Guaranteed-Profits language (thankfully.) (P. 40, #1)
He vetoes a requirement for "Value Engineering" DOT projects over $5 million in estimated costs. (P. 43, #6.)
Who needs all that work when the RoadBuilders want to sell pavement? Screw that!!
Doyle lifts his skirt and reveals (duhhhh....) that only State DOT bureaucrats know anything--that the locals are (after all) just rubes who have to live with Busalacchi's Boyzzzzz Decisions. (P. 44, #8) Screw you, local authorities, residents, and taxpayers!!!
He (thankfully) takes the "do it NOW" language out of the Hy. 23 Developer's Dream Act (P. 44, #10.)
Finally, he mandates spending $800,000.00 on "preliminary studies" of the KRM Collossal Waste of Money Project--the one which will serve Roundy's CEO and other folks who collect paychecks in Wisconsin but would rather pay property- and income-taxes in Illinois. (P. 45, #11.)
Not the worst set of possibilities; but overall, it's Spend and Tax (now or later...)
Rep. Zipperer noticed a few other things:
“Apparently a deal isn’t really a deal with this Governor. With one stroke of his pen today, he doubled the tax increase property taxpayers will see for 2007. This Governor’s disregard for the taxpayer is astonishing.”
Some of today’s more egregious vetoes include:
Increase property tax levy limit to 3.86% in 2007. Under the budget negotiated with Doyle, there was a 2% cap.
Eliminate phase-out of the PECFA program. This program places an additional tax on each gallon of gasoline.
Eliminate a requirement that the UW-System let students know at the time of class registration who the daily teacher would be and what their credentials are.
Eliminates legislative oversight of DNR Stewardship land acquisitions, meaning the Legislature will not have oversight on $85 million of DNR expenditures each year.
Eliminate a ‘lock box’ on the Transportation Fund, leaving the fund open for future abuses and raids.
Eliminate a requirement that the DOT annually submit to the Legislature a ten-year plan on future bonding.
Eliminate a requirement that the DOT submit a plan to the Legislature on how to eliminate a $30,000,000 structural deficit within the Transportation Fund
To update the term 'double-dealing,' we now have "Doyle-Dealing."
What a guy.
The LawDog's Art: Mr. Johnson Found at Home
Seems that all I've done today is post links.
But if you don't read this one, you'll have missed Mr. Johnson's life....and death.
Told in the way only LawDog can tell it.
Double-Dog-Dare you. You'll have to find a Kleenex.
Go here, NOW.
But if you don't read this one, you'll have missed Mr. Johnson's life....and death.
Told in the way only LawDog can tell it.
Double-Dog-Dare you. You'll have to find a Kleenex.
Go here, NOW.
In Other GOOD News...
Planet Moron is back.
You can gain a greater understanding of Federal Disaster Area rules.
Or Housing Trends.
Of course, you can also order the Maxim Calendar for 2008 (right sidebar.)
Enjoy!
You can gain a greater understanding of Federal Disaster Area rules.
Or Housing Trends.
Of course, you can also order the Maxim Calendar for 2008 (right sidebar.)
Enjoy!
More PC Inanity
You can't make this up, folks.
What book could be more P.C. than To Kill a Mockingbird, the tear-jerking tale of racial heroism that reportedly has been ranked second only to the Bible in terms of social impact? Yet to make her point, author Harper Lee had to use the "N-word," now considered by liberals to be a blasphemy more horrific than the darkest passage in the Necronomicon.
Okaloosa County, Florida educrats ruled that the unspeakable word be censored from a production of Mockingbird at Fort Walton Beach High School, in accordance with local black militants' demands.
The fact is that 'the word' is a part of history. It existed, and still exists (ask any rapper...) Like other bad stuff, one cannot simply erase it. In the context, (Mockingbird) just as in Huckleberry Finn, it's ....there.
Killing Mockingbird to be PC? That's a horrible price to pay.
HT: Moonbattery
What book could be more P.C. than To Kill a Mockingbird, the tear-jerking tale of racial heroism that reportedly has been ranked second only to the Bible in terms of social impact? Yet to make her point, author Harper Lee had to use the "N-word," now considered by liberals to be a blasphemy more horrific than the darkest passage in the Necronomicon.
Okaloosa County, Florida educrats ruled that the unspeakable word be censored from a production of Mockingbird at Fort Walton Beach High School, in accordance with local black militants' demands.
The fact is that 'the word' is a part of history. It existed, and still exists (ask any rapper...) Like other bad stuff, one cannot simply erase it. In the context, (Mockingbird) just as in Huckleberry Finn, it's ....there.
Killing Mockingbird to be PC? That's a horrible price to pay.
HT: Moonbattery
WackoLefty Anti-Gun Hypocrisy Exposed
That lady over at Modern Commentaries gets to the heart of it, quickly.
Background:
College students across the country have been strapping empty holsters around their waists this week to protest laws that prohibit concealed weapons on campus, citing concerns over campus shootings
(snip)
others believe college is no place for firearms.
"You don't like the fact that you can't have a gun on your college campus? Drop out of school," said Peter Hamm, a spokesman for the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence.
Not the right thing to say, Peter. Amy rips your eyeballs out:
Can you imagine if someone had said to Muslim students, "You don't like the fact that you can't have footbaths on your college campus? Drop out of school."
Or if someone said to homosexuals on campus, "You don't like the fact that you can't have a GLBT group on your college campus? Drop out of school."
Or if someone said to an atheist on campus, "You don't like the fact that you have a chapel on your college campus? Drop out of school."
And, of course, 'bearing arms' is a Constitutional right--unlike footbaths.
Background:
College students across the country have been strapping empty holsters around their waists this week to protest laws that prohibit concealed weapons on campus, citing concerns over campus shootings
(snip)
others believe college is no place for firearms.
"You don't like the fact that you can't have a gun on your college campus? Drop out of school," said Peter Hamm, a spokesman for the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence.
Not the right thing to say, Peter. Amy rips your eyeballs out:
Can you imagine if someone had said to Muslim students, "You don't like the fact that you can't have footbaths on your college campus? Drop out of school."
Or if someone said to homosexuals on campus, "You don't like the fact that you can't have a GLBT group on your college campus? Drop out of school."
Or if someone said to an atheist on campus, "You don't like the fact that you have a chapel on your college campus? Drop out of school."
And, of course, 'bearing arms' is a Constitutional right--unlike footbaths.
Where's the MONEY? Reporters Fail to Get Answers
The Company Line emerges in the JS article...
Documents released Thursday under the state open records law reveal detailed plans to shut down state government partially for the first time in Wisconsin history ...
Which, of course, is exactly what DarthDoyle wanted in print, along with this description of The Apocalypse:
...the layoffs eventually would have led to the shutdown of the state's consumer protection hotline; ended enforcement of the no-call list; stopped the inspection of fuel pumps; limited the hours at motor vehicle stations; and suspended the registry that tracks child immunizations, along with several other programs.
Well, maybe, kinda, sorta:
The documents do not spell out how soon those actions would have been taken
Of course, there's the qualification-line:
...state government has been operating under the terms of the previous budget.
But HERE'S the one which raises a question (never answered by the intrepid reporter):
Schooff said that wasn't enough because of rising costs for salaries, benefits, fuel and utilities.
Instead, there's just this remark from the Senate (R) leader, who presumably knows something about the State's financial condition:
Senate Republican Leader Scott Fitzgerald of Juneau said that without a new budget, the state would have been "flush with cash" until the spring.
Sure would be nice to know the State's revenue numbers (and expense numbers) from 7/1 through 9/30, eh?
Documents released Thursday under the state open records law reveal detailed plans to shut down state government partially for the first time in Wisconsin history ...
Which, of course, is exactly what DarthDoyle wanted in print, along with this description of The Apocalypse:
...the layoffs eventually would have led to the shutdown of the state's consumer protection hotline; ended enforcement of the no-call list; stopped the inspection of fuel pumps; limited the hours at motor vehicle stations; and suspended the registry that tracks child immunizations, along with several other programs.
Well, maybe, kinda, sorta:
The documents do not spell out how soon those actions would have been taken
Of course, there's the qualification-line:
...state government has been operating under the terms of the previous budget.
But HERE'S the one which raises a question (never answered by the intrepid reporter):
Schooff said that wasn't enough because of rising costs for salaries, benefits, fuel and utilities.
Instead, there's just this remark from the Senate (R) leader, who presumably knows something about the State's financial condition:
Senate Republican Leader Scott Fitzgerald of Juneau said that without a new budget, the state would have been "flush with cash" until the spring.
Sure would be nice to know the State's revenue numbers (and expense numbers) from 7/1 through 9/30, eh?
Rudy Rockefeller
Mark Levin wrote about the "New York-DC Axis" which was pumping for Ruuuuudeeeee! and we noted that here.
Now PJBuchanan mentions a few things that adduce similar thoughts:
And Rudy? A McGovernite in 1972, he boasted in the campaign of 1993 that he would "rekindle the Rockefeller, Javits, Lefkowitz tradition" of New York's GOP and "produce the kind of change New York City saw with ... John Lindsay." He ran on the Liberal Party line and supported Mario Cuomo in 1994.
I suppose everyone makes a few mistakes, but ...
It's not Rudy, per se. But what Rudy is is an East Coast Pubbie. There's just no way around it.
Now PJBuchanan mentions a few things that adduce similar thoughts:
And Rudy? A McGovernite in 1972, he boasted in the campaign of 1993 that he would "rekindle the Rockefeller, Javits, Lefkowitz tradition" of New York's GOP and "produce the kind of change New York City saw with ... John Lindsay." He ran on the Liberal Party line and supported Mario Cuomo in 1994.
I suppose everyone makes a few mistakes, but ...
It's not Rudy, per se. But what Rudy is is an East Coast Pubbie. There's just no way around it.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
...and Some GOOD News!
The Win Model 70 is back!!!!
The Winchester Model 70 is one of the most respected bolt-action rifle designs in the world. Winchester Repeating Arms is excited to announce the return of the Model 70 for 2008.
The All-American Model 70s will be built by American craftsmen in Columbia, South Carolina, at the same state-of-the-art factory (FN Manufacturing) as the rifles and machine guns used by America’s Armed Forces. They are made to the exact ISO 9001 standard of quality that the U.S. Government insists upon for military firearms.
For 2008 the new Model 70 has the all new M.O.A.™ Trigger System, improved fit and finish and enhanced accuracy to go along with its classic Pre-64 Controlled Round Feeding, Three-Position safety and solid, sure handling.
This was the rifle most commonly used as the sniper-rifle during Vietnam (and afterwards.)
It'll be chambered for .30-06 and .300 WinMag. About $1000.00 list.
HT: Arms and the Law
The Winchester Model 70 is one of the most respected bolt-action rifle designs in the world. Winchester Repeating Arms is excited to announce the return of the Model 70 for 2008.
The All-American Model 70s will be built by American craftsmen in Columbia, South Carolina, at the same state-of-the-art factory (FN Manufacturing) as the rifles and machine guns used by America’s Armed Forces. They are made to the exact ISO 9001 standard of quality that the U.S. Government insists upon for military firearms.
For 2008 the new Model 70 has the all new M.O.A.™ Trigger System, improved fit and finish and enhanced accuracy to go along with its classic Pre-64 Controlled Round Feeding, Three-Position safety and solid, sure handling.
This was the rifle most commonly used as the sniper-rifle during Vietnam (and afterwards.)
It'll be chambered for .30-06 and .300 WinMag. About $1000.00 list.
HT: Arms and the Law
Planned Parenthood Meets the Unstoppable Force
....in Kansas, of all places...
Robert Novak noticed, too.
On Oct. 16, Kansas District Judge James F. Vano in suburban Kansas City spent eight hours reviewing a 107-count grand jury indictment against Planned Parenthood of Kansas and Mid-Missouri Inc. and decided there was "probable cause" to proceed. Allegations of unlawful late-term abortions and other abortion-connected crimes were brought by Johnson County District Atty. Phill Kline,...
His 107 charges against Planned Parenthood include allegations of "unlawful late-term abortions," "unlawful failure to determine viability for late-term abortion," "making false information" and "unlawful failure to maintain records."
While the Democratic-controlled Congress surely will not defund Planned Parenthood, it will be pressed to fulfill its oversight mission with congressional hearings. The socially conservative Family Research Council Wednesday called for a Justice Department investigation. And Republican presidential candidates -- who proceed gingerly on abortion -- will be called to combat in this war.
And "war" it is, indeed.
Robert Novak noticed, too.
On Oct. 16, Kansas District Judge James F. Vano in suburban Kansas City spent eight hours reviewing a 107-count grand jury indictment against Planned Parenthood of Kansas and Mid-Missouri Inc. and decided there was "probable cause" to proceed. Allegations of unlawful late-term abortions and other abortion-connected crimes were brought by Johnson County District Atty. Phill Kline,...
His 107 charges against Planned Parenthood include allegations of "unlawful late-term abortions," "unlawful failure to determine viability for late-term abortion," "making false information" and "unlawful failure to maintain records."
While the Democratic-controlled Congress surely will not defund Planned Parenthood, it will be pressed to fulfill its oversight mission with congressional hearings. The socially conservative Family Research Council Wednesday called for a Justice Department investigation. And Republican presidential candidates -- who proceed gingerly on abortion -- will be called to combat in this war.
And "war" it is, indeed.
Jay Leno's Right: Jurors Are the Weak Link
It's a running joke with Leno, and there's plenty of material in Hollywood: the juries who acquitted OJ, Spector, etc., etc.,
But sometimes juries screw up on important stuff, like terrorism-funding schemes such as the "Holy Land Foundation."
"She looked at the judge and said she was confused. He just looked at her. There's not much you can say to that. Ignorance is a formidable weapon. You can't attack it."
Then there's this one:
The forewoman of the jury wrote at the beginning of deliberations, "Who were the expert witnesses?" -- this, after having listened to two months of testimony.
Aaaarrrggghhhhhhh....
HT: Dreher
But sometimes juries screw up on important stuff, like terrorism-funding schemes such as the "Holy Land Foundation."
"She looked at the judge and said she was confused. He just looked at her. There's not much you can say to that. Ignorance is a formidable weapon. You can't attack it."
Then there's this one:
The forewoman of the jury wrote at the beginning of deliberations, "Who were the expert witnesses?" -- this, after having listened to two months of testimony.
Aaaarrrggghhhhhhh....
HT: Dreher
The Myth: That the MPD Can Reduce Crime
All this chatter about who will be selected, what they will "do" about crime, yada yada yada....
The link is to a very-insightful post by Greg Borowski, but here's the flawed statement:
"The pressure that exists is to find a police chief who will reduce crime and make Milwaukee feel like a safe place." (Jeff Fleming, spinmeister)
It just ain't going to happen that way, folks.
The cop-shop is largely re-active. When they have been pro-active, one of two things happens:
1) Crime goes elsewhere for the time being;
2) Commanders get busted and/or fired/"resigned."
Far more important, (even E. Kane gets it, mostly) it's the disintegration of the black family which is the root-cause.
But that's a topic which is NOT mentioned in polite, liberal, society. Not even in churches.
Too bad.
The link is to a very-insightful post by Greg Borowski, but here's the flawed statement:
"The pressure that exists is to find a police chief who will reduce crime and make Milwaukee feel like a safe place." (Jeff Fleming, spinmeister)
It just ain't going to happen that way, folks.
The cop-shop is largely re-active. When they have been pro-active, one of two things happens:
1) Crime goes elsewhere for the time being;
2) Commanders get busted and/or fired/"resigned."
Far more important, (even E. Kane gets it, mostly) it's the disintegration of the black family which is the root-cause.
But that's a topic which is NOT mentioned in polite, liberal, society. Not even in churches.
Too bad.
Stupid SWAT Stories
Good ol' Radley has a few here, along with a trenchant observation:
This sort of case also emphasis [sic] the inherent contradiction in the way police justify these raids. You'll notice in the article that the police say they conducted the no-knock, middle-of-the-night raid to catch the suspect and his family off-guard. They then turn around and say the woman who fired the gun should have known they were police officers (she's in jail on attempted capital murder charges). You can't have it both ways. You can't say nighttime SWAT raids are necessary to catch people unaware while they're sleeping, then say they "should have known" that the men invading their homes were police.
And as his first example in the link demonstrates, just living within a mile or so of a drug-dealer is "cause" for some SWAT raids by nincompoop cop-shops.
If you give the police more and more power, you better have better-and-better cops.
This sort of case also emphasis [sic] the inherent contradiction in the way police justify these raids. You'll notice in the article that the police say they conducted the no-knock, middle-of-the-night raid to catch the suspect and his family off-guard. They then turn around and say the woman who fired the gun should have known they were police officers (she's in jail on attempted capital murder charges). You can't have it both ways. You can't say nighttime SWAT raids are necessary to catch people unaware while they're sleeping, then say they "should have known" that the men invading their homes were police.
And as his first example in the link demonstrates, just living within a mile or so of a drug-dealer is "cause" for some SWAT raids by nincompoop cop-shops.
If you give the police more and more power, you better have better-and-better cops.
Housing Still Has Problems
Big Picture gives the quick rundown:
Unit sales dropped 8% in September; this is the lowest level in eight years;
• Sales of existing homes were down 19.1% year over year;
• Sales of existing homes fell to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.04 million;
• Inventories of single-family rose to a 20-year high;
• Sales fell in all four regions.
• Median sales price for homes and condos was $211,700, down 4.2% in the past year.
• Median sales prices have fallen in 13 of the past 14 months, pressured by a decline in jumbo mortgage lending (> $417,000).
Some are now pressuring the Fed to drop its rate to 3.75% by mid-2008 (read: Lehmann Bros.)
S'pose the "Free Markets" people are going to advocate just letting the market adjust housing prices downward for the next 5 years?
My Libertarian/Wacko Chicago attorney-commenter may or may not. Depends on if he owns a home which is, ah, leveraged...
Unit sales dropped 8% in September; this is the lowest level in eight years;
• Sales of existing homes were down 19.1% year over year;
• Sales of existing homes fell to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.04 million;
• Inventories of single-family rose to a 20-year high;
• Sales fell in all four regions.
• Median sales price for homes and condos was $211,700, down 4.2% in the past year.
• Median sales prices have fallen in 13 of the past 14 months, pressured by a decline in jumbo mortgage lending (> $417,000).
Some are now pressuring the Fed to drop its rate to 3.75% by mid-2008 (read: Lehmann Bros.)
S'pose the "Free Markets" people are going to advocate just letting the market adjust housing prices downward for the next 5 years?
My Libertarian/Wacko Chicago attorney-commenter may or may not. Depends on if he owns a home which is, ah, leveraged...
Laws? Not for Lawyers!!
Probably stupidity, but the irony is huge.
When emailing invitations to Louis Butler fundraisers to friends and colleagues, do NOT send to public employees at their official public email addresses. It’s against the law.
(That was free advice to someone at a Janesville law firm...(!!) from Brian Fraley)
But hey, those laws, found in the Wisconsin statute-books? They just apply to 'little people.'
HT: Fraley
When emailing invitations to Louis Butler fundraisers to friends and colleagues, do NOT send to public employees at their official public email addresses. It’s against the law.
(That was free advice to someone at a Janesville law firm...(!!) from Brian Fraley)
But hey, those laws, found in the Wisconsin statute-books? They just apply to 'little people.'
HT: Fraley
Manufacturing a Controversy on JB VanHollen
Wonder who was the source of this story?
J.B. Van Hollen says he's a true-blue Republican. But his bridges with the GOP faithful could be smoldering.
Just nine months into his term as the state's attorney general, Van Hollen has taken a number of stances that run counter to traditional Republican philosophy.
He's bagged an investigation into Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle's fundraising. He's issued legal opinions that say Wisconsin's ban on partial-birth abortion is probably toothless and the University of Wisconsin System can legally use race in admissions
So happens that Wisconsin's ban on p-b-a IS toothless, and that per SCOTUS, the UW may use race (inter alia) for admissions.
So those two items are crap.
Personally, I'd love to see DarthDoyle visit Club Waupun for 10-20 plus probation--but that's a matter of law, not personal opinion, too.
Just last month the Justice Department canceled plans for a prayer at a state Capitol service for murder victims after the Freedom From Religion Foundation objected.
Here, JB folded his cards too early. Let Annie sue. The cost burden would be her problem, and the issue wouldn't be settled until 2012, anyway.
Just get the Crime Lab up to speed, and take a hard look at Russ Decker's budget-negotiation tactics, JB. After another 12 months, DarthDoyle's boyzzzz will make another fund-raising mistake, and it will be worth pursuing.
J.B. Van Hollen says he's a true-blue Republican. But his bridges with the GOP faithful could be smoldering.
Just nine months into his term as the state's attorney general, Van Hollen has taken a number of stances that run counter to traditional Republican philosophy.
He's bagged an investigation into Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle's fundraising. He's issued legal opinions that say Wisconsin's ban on partial-birth abortion is probably toothless and the University of Wisconsin System can legally use race in admissions
So happens that Wisconsin's ban on p-b-a IS toothless, and that per SCOTUS, the UW may use race (inter alia) for admissions.
So those two items are crap.
Personally, I'd love to see DarthDoyle visit Club Waupun for 10-20 plus probation--but that's a matter of law, not personal opinion, too.
Just last month the Justice Department canceled plans for a prayer at a state Capitol service for murder victims after the Freedom From Religion Foundation objected.
Here, JB folded his cards too early. Let Annie sue. The cost burden would be her problem, and the issue wouldn't be settled until 2012, anyway.
Just get the Crime Lab up to speed, and take a hard look at Russ Decker's budget-negotiation tactics, JB. After another 12 months, DarthDoyle's boyzzzz will make another fund-raising mistake, and it will be worth pursuing.
Indian Gambling Lesson
One wonders if Wisconsin is as impotent as New Mexico, given DarthDoyle's signature on some documents.
Hoffman, a retired Albuquerque city employee, was playing a "Mystical Mermaid" slot machine on the morning of Aug. 16, 2006, when he thought he hit it big.
The nickel slot said he'd won $1,597,244.10. Patrons and casino employees came to congratulate him. He even got a marriage proposal, Hoffman said. But, soon he was asked to come to an executive conference room, where he says he was told the casino refused to pay.
The Captain 'splains it for us:
New Mexico does not have the legal authority to give standing for a lawsuit against an Indian casino. Its sovereignty does not reach into the reservations, one reason why casinos can exist there in the first place. Even federal courts would be loathe to intrude on a contract dispute, which leaves Hoffman few choices to remedy his loss.
Something to think about...
Hoffman, a retired Albuquerque city employee, was playing a "Mystical Mermaid" slot machine on the morning of Aug. 16, 2006, when he thought he hit it big.
The nickel slot said he'd won $1,597,244.10. Patrons and casino employees came to congratulate him. He even got a marriage proposal, Hoffman said. But, soon he was asked to come to an executive conference room, where he says he was told the casino refused to pay.
The Captain 'splains it for us:
New Mexico does not have the legal authority to give standing for a lawsuit against an Indian casino. Its sovereignty does not reach into the reservations, one reason why casinos can exist there in the first place. Even federal courts would be loathe to intrude on a contract dispute, which leaves Hoffman few choices to remedy his loss.
Something to think about...
St Crispin's Day
$200 Million Later, the Fund is Bankrupt
Get THIS:
How the $200 million transfer will affect the fund's financial condition is unknown.
The fund had $746.4 million in assets and $686.5 million in liabilities, including projected claims, as of June 30, 2006. That gave it a net worth of $59.9 million.
A report by the Legislative Audit Bureau in March found that pulling $175 million from the fund would leave it with an accounting deficit. But the report also noted that the fund's actuary has regularly lowered its estimate of future liabilities.
So our Governor and Legislature take $200 million from a fund worth $59 million.
Wish I could do that!
How the $200 million transfer will affect the fund's financial condition is unknown.
The fund had $746.4 million in assets and $686.5 million in liabilities, including projected claims, as of June 30, 2006. That gave it a net worth of $59.9 million.
A report by the Legislative Audit Bureau in March found that pulling $175 million from the fund would leave it with an accounting deficit. But the report also noted that the fund's actuary has regularly lowered its estimate of future liabilities.
So our Governor and Legislature take $200 million from a fund worth $59 million.
Wish I could do that!
P I Attorneys Get a Pass
Read the story here. I double-dog-dare you to find the REAL problem, which is "Ridiculous Monetary Awards."
MD's fume about what is arguably theft-by-Legislation, and our Governor and his compliant Spend-a-Holic legislature pals go home having taken $200 million from those MD's, which was part of a backup fund for malpractice settlements.
But the underlying cause is never mentioned: malpractice awards.
So next time you or your spouse want to visit an OB-GYN, or need anaesthesia, you may have to wait, or drive quite a distance.
Or you could call a P.I. attorney--or the Governor--or a Democrat legislator.
MD's fume about what is arguably theft-by-Legislation, and our Governor and his compliant Spend-a-Holic legislature pals go home having taken $200 million from those MD's, which was part of a backup fund for malpractice settlements.
But the underlying cause is never mentioned: malpractice awards.
So next time you or your spouse want to visit an OB-GYN, or need anaesthesia, you may have to wait, or drive quite a distance.
Or you could call a P.I. attorney--or the Governor--or a Democrat legislator.
Do You Keep the Soccer Team's Email List?
If so, you damn well better keep it up to date.
An East Rockaway soccer mom angered over being dropped from the team e-mail list for game-day directions was arrested after slamming a metal folding chair across the face of her daughter's coach, police said yesterday.
Alicia Vigil, 33, of 168 Main St., was charged Monday with second-degree reckless endangerment in the 2:45 p.m. attack Sunday in Elmont.
She could have hit him with the mini-van; he should count his blessings.
An East Rockaway soccer mom angered over being dropped from the team e-mail list for game-day directions was arrested after slamming a metal folding chair across the face of her daughter's coach, police said yesterday.
Alicia Vigil, 33, of 168 Main St., was charged Monday with second-degree reckless endangerment in the 2:45 p.m. attack Sunday in Elmont.
She could have hit him with the mini-van; he should count his blessings.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Feingold, Kohl (D-Anarchy) Vote Wrong, But Fail
DREAM is dead.
No thanks to our Senators of the Amnesty Party.
No thanks to our Senators of the Amnesty Party.
Planned Parenthood's Numbers-Massage
From a source meeting the full approval of Owen, no less...
Recently, the Guttmacher Institute (a research wing of Planned Parenthood), released a study with some stats I thought sounded fishy (read the summary report here) Of course the media just spit the press release out as fact.
48% of all abortions worldwide were unsafe
more than 97% of all unsafe abortions were in developing countries
There were 31 abortions for every 100 livebirths worldwide in 2003
Asked to comment, a Ph.D. Texas A&M stats guy offered the following:
...here is what I see (note that I defer to their definitions):
-If an abortion takes place in a polity where induced abortion is illegal (or severely restricted), it is deemed as unsafe, even if done so by trained providers.
-The researchers "corrected" some data for under-reporting. The correction inflation was usually about 140%. The US correction factor was 105%; Bangladesh was 300%. Therefore, for countries where abortions are illegal, the total number of abortions was estimated, then inflated, and then all of these were considered unsafe.
Lots more at the link.
No wonder Planned Parenthood/Milwaukee likes Dan Maguire so much. Birds of a feather...
Recently, the Guttmacher Institute (a research wing of Planned Parenthood), released a study with some stats I thought sounded fishy (read the summary report here) Of course the media just spit the press release out as fact.
48% of all abortions worldwide were unsafe
more than 97% of all unsafe abortions were in developing countries
There were 31 abortions for every 100 livebirths worldwide in 2003
Asked to comment, a Ph.D. Texas A&M stats guy offered the following:
...here is what I see (note that I defer to their definitions):
-If an abortion takes place in a polity where induced abortion is illegal (or severely restricted), it is deemed as unsafe, even if done so by trained providers.
-The researchers "corrected" some data for under-reporting. The correction inflation was usually about 140%. The US correction factor was 105%; Bangladesh was 300%. Therefore, for countries where abortions are illegal, the total number of abortions was estimated, then inflated, and then all of these were considered unsafe.
Lots more at the link.
No wonder Planned Parenthood/Milwaukee likes Dan Maguire so much. Birds of a feather...
G K Chesterton on Truth and Fiction
Think of it this way:
TRUTH must necessarily be stranger than fiction; for fiction is the creation of the human mind and therefore congenial to it.
Works better, no?
HT: Chesterton Day by Day
TRUTH must necessarily be stranger than fiction; for fiction is the creation of the human mind and therefore congenial to it.
Works better, no?
HT: Chesterton Day by Day
China Is Our Friend!! Part 23,574
Jib points out that the PRC dictators are very serious about space-war technology.
A Chinese submarine will send test signals that could change the course of a satellite when China launches its first moon orbiter, as part of the country's effort to develop space war technology, a human rights watchdog said Tuesday
For those of you who don't recall (or who prefer NOT to recall), Bubba Clinton's best pals were the ChiComs. Not only did they provide financial support to his campaign (illegally,) they were "honored guests" at a number of US defense facilities--getting a far closer look at our capabilities than even ordinary US citizens are allowed to have.
Should we bring up The Hildebeeste's China-money problem again?
A Chinese submarine will send test signals that could change the course of a satellite when China launches its first moon orbiter, as part of the country's effort to develop space war technology, a human rights watchdog said Tuesday
For those of you who don't recall (or who prefer NOT to recall), Bubba Clinton's best pals were the ChiComs. Not only did they provide financial support to his campaign (illegally,) they were "honored guests" at a number of US defense facilities--getting a far closer look at our capabilities than even ordinary US citizens are allowed to have.
Should we bring up The Hildebeeste's China-money problem again?
Romney's Rudeeee!!! Moment
The Second Amendment is a dead letter to both Mitt and Ruuuuuuudeeee!--here's Mitt's statement:
I firmly believe in the importance of responsible gun ownership and sales. As a member of the National Rifle Association, I do not believe that we need any more federal gun control laws. I also recognize that some types of extreme weapons, those which were not meant for hunting, sport, or self-defense, have no business being on the streets.
Uh, Mitt--here's the reality check: the 2A was written to keep Government in line. So .50Cals (and, yes, machine guns) are perfectly fine in the hands of citizens.
Never know when we might need them.
HT: ClayCramer
I firmly believe in the importance of responsible gun ownership and sales. As a member of the National Rifle Association, I do not believe that we need any more federal gun control laws. I also recognize that some types of extreme weapons, those which were not meant for hunting, sport, or self-defense, have no business being on the streets.
Uh, Mitt--here's the reality check: the 2A was written to keep Government in line. So .50Cals (and, yes, machine guns) are perfectly fine in the hands of citizens.
Never know when we might need them.
HT: ClayCramer
The MSM's Utter Failure re: Jena
This is interesting because it simply, flatly, contradicts the MSM's take on the affair.
Myth 1: The Whites-Only Tree. There has never been a "whites-only" tree at Jena High School. Students of all races sat underneath this tree
Myth 2: Nooses a Signal to Black Students. An investigation by school officials, police, and an FBI agent revealed the true motivation behind the placing of two nooses in the tree the day after the assembly. According to the expulsion committee, the crudely constructed nooses were not aimed at black students. Instead, they were understood to be a prank by three white students aimed at their fellow white friends, members of the school rodeo team.
Myth 3: Nooses Were a Hate Crime. Although many believe the three white students should have been prosecuted for a hate crime for hanging the nooses, the incident did not meet the legal criteria for a federal hate crime
The following Myth invites speculation:
Myth 9: Mychal Bell's All-White Jury. While it is true that Mychal Bell was convicted as an adult by an all-white jury in June (a conviction that was later overturned with his case sent to juvenile court), the jury selection process was completely legal and withstood an investigation by the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division. Court officials insist that several black residents were summoned for jury duty, but did not appear.
The piece was written by a Jena newspaper reporter whose wife teaches at Jena HS.
Think he might actually know more than the MSM 'fly-bys'?
Sadly, this is a model for much of the "reporting" from Iraq, too...
HT: AnkleBitingPundits
Myth 1: The Whites-Only Tree. There has never been a "whites-only" tree at Jena High School. Students of all races sat underneath this tree
Myth 2: Nooses a Signal to Black Students. An investigation by school officials, police, and an FBI agent revealed the true motivation behind the placing of two nooses in the tree the day after the assembly. According to the expulsion committee, the crudely constructed nooses were not aimed at black students. Instead, they were understood to be a prank by three white students aimed at their fellow white friends, members of the school rodeo team.
Myth 3: Nooses Were a Hate Crime. Although many believe the three white students should have been prosecuted for a hate crime for hanging the nooses, the incident did not meet the legal criteria for a federal hate crime
The following Myth invites speculation:
Myth 9: Mychal Bell's All-White Jury. While it is true that Mychal Bell was convicted as an adult by an all-white jury in June (a conviction that was later overturned with his case sent to juvenile court), the jury selection process was completely legal and withstood an investigation by the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division. Court officials insist that several black residents were summoned for jury duty, but did not appear.
The piece was written by a Jena newspaper reporter whose wife teaches at Jena HS.
Think he might actually know more than the MSM 'fly-bys'?
Sadly, this is a model for much of the "reporting" from Iraq, too...
HT: AnkleBitingPundits
Shed Tears for Illegals?
The usual weepies from G. Pabst, the usual suspect at the JSOnline.
Ana had planned to attend Marquette University on a four-year, $20,000 scholarship to pursue her dream of becoming a mechanical engineer.
She was a good student, too. And Marquette admitted her.
With some help, she said, she applied for the scholarship using a temporary Social Security number and was awarded a four-year, $20,000 scholarship.
After she attended her first class, school officials told her that because of her illegal immigrant status, she would not be able to continue.
Natch, there's a solution:
Now she and others like her are hoping that the proposed Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act - commonly called the DREAM Act - introduced by U.S. Sen. Richard Durbin (D-Ill.) and supported by Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.) will pass.
To qualify, a person would have to be here at least five years and would have had to come to the U.S. by age 16. The person would have to graduate from high school, be of good moral character and not have committed any crimes. The age limit is 30.
Such students would be eligible for federal student loan and work-study programs. They would have to be in college for two years or enlist in the military. Within six years they could be eligible for permanent residency.
The fact remains that these children will displace US citizens. The appeal is Weepy, not rational.
Ana had planned to attend Marquette University on a four-year, $20,000 scholarship to pursue her dream of becoming a mechanical engineer.
She was a good student, too. And Marquette admitted her.
With some help, she said, she applied for the scholarship using a temporary Social Security number and was awarded a four-year, $20,000 scholarship.
After she attended her first class, school officials told her that because of her illegal immigrant status, she would not be able to continue.
Natch, there's a solution:
Now she and others like her are hoping that the proposed Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act - commonly called the DREAM Act - introduced by U.S. Sen. Richard Durbin (D-Ill.) and supported by Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.) will pass.
To qualify, a person would have to be here at least five years and would have had to come to the U.S. by age 16. The person would have to graduate from high school, be of good moral character and not have committed any crimes. The age limit is 30.
Such students would be eligible for federal student loan and work-study programs. They would have to be in college for two years or enlist in the military. Within six years they could be eligible for permanent residency.
The fact remains that these children will displace US citizens. The appeal is Weepy, not rational.
Choice: Not the Magic Bullet
Duh.
While I am a proponent of "Choice" schools, my advocacy was never founded on the idea that having a parallel system of schools would "improve" MPS.
And it doesn't.
Or at least, it doesn't when you eliminate private schools or charter schools from the study-base.
The new report ...does not discuss parents who select private schools in the publicly funded voucher program or charter schools that are not affiliated with MPS.
...and THOSE are the "choices"--voucher schools and perhaps charter schools--which offer a real "choice."
While I am a proponent of "Choice" schools, my advocacy was never founded on the idea that having a parallel system of schools would "improve" MPS.
And it doesn't.
Or at least, it doesn't when you eliminate private schools or charter schools from the study-base.
The new report ...does not discuss parents who select private schools in the publicly funded voucher program or charter schools that are not affiliated with MPS.
...and THOSE are the "choices"--voucher schools and perhaps charter schools--which offer a real "choice."
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Zipperer to Vote "NO" on Spend-a-Thon Budget
Got the email.
Rich Zipperer, (R) will vote "no" on the Doyle-and-Huebsch Spend-a-Thon budget.
One down!
Rich Zipperer, (R) will vote "no" on the Doyle-and-Huebsch Spend-a-Thon budget.
One down!
USCC on the Wrong Side of the Discussion--Again
From an email....
Open-borders Senators have plummeted to a new low in advocating amnesty by aiding, abetting and harboring a group of illegal aliens in our United States Capitol today!
Sen. Durbin (D-Ill.), Sen. Lugar (R-Ind.) and Sen. Hagel (R-Neb.) have invited Senators and their staffers to a meeting at 3 p.m. today to learn why they need to pass the DREAM Act amnesty on Wednesday.
Briefing the Senators in the Capitol will be:
"Several students who would benefit from the DREAM Act"
Angela Kelley, Director, Immigration Policy Center
Melissa Lazarin, Director of Education Policy, First Focus
Alfred Campos, Federal Lobbyist, National Education Association
Stephanie Grosser, Outreach & Program Coordinator, Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society
Kevin Appleby, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
In case that isn't clear enough, anybody who "would benefit from the DREAM Act" is an illegal alien.
The Bishop responsible for this position is from some Floriduh(!) diocese. Probably a very nice fellow personally--but he doesn't seem to understand the concept behind "LEGAL immigration."
He should look it up someday. There are a LOT of LEGAL immigrants whose children need an education, too...
Open-borders Senators have plummeted to a new low in advocating amnesty by aiding, abetting and harboring a group of illegal aliens in our United States Capitol today!
Sen. Durbin (D-Ill.), Sen. Lugar (R-Ind.) and Sen. Hagel (R-Neb.) have invited Senators and their staffers to a meeting at 3 p.m. today to learn why they need to pass the DREAM Act amnesty on Wednesday.
Briefing the Senators in the Capitol will be:
"Several students who would benefit from the DREAM Act"
Angela Kelley, Director, Immigration Policy Center
Melissa Lazarin, Director of Education Policy, First Focus
Alfred Campos, Federal Lobbyist, National Education Association
Stephanie Grosser, Outreach & Program Coordinator, Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society
Kevin Appleby, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
In case that isn't clear enough, anybody who "would benefit from the DREAM Act" is an illegal alien.
The Bishop responsible for this position is from some Floriduh(!) diocese. Probably a very nice fellow personally--but he doesn't seem to understand the concept behind "LEGAL immigration."
He should look it up someday. There are a LOT of LEGAL immigrants whose children need an education, too...
ADM, Tyson, IBP: Big Ag vs. Farmers and Families
Remember the "spinach problem" of early this year? All that spinach was USDA-approved...
Makes you feel good, eh?
...They raise free-range beef, pork, turkey, veal, lamb, goat, duck, and chicken -- without jacking the animals up with hormones and antibiotics, as is common practice at factory farms. Their meat goes through a USDA processing facility, as government regulations require -- all except the poultry. And because of those chickens, the Peaceful Pastures have been troubled
..."The state says no bird in Tennessee can be sold without USDA inspection of the processing facilities," says Drake. "Here's what kills all of us small poultry farmers: There are no USDA custom-kill processing plants in the entire Southeast."
Wanna build a USDA-acceptable processing plant? Think again.
Drake says she looked into building a small processing facility on her farm, but the cost of meeting government standards made it impossible. If all she had to do were to construct facilities strictly for meat processing, Drake figures she could have done so for $20,000; but as the law stands now, a building that met minimal federal guidelines would cost about $150,000.
"The Americans with Disabilities Act, for example, means a small producer has to put in restrooms that are handicapped-accessible," Drake says. "I'd have to build an office for the inspector. That office has to have its own phone line. I'd have to put in a paved parking lot. We have to meet the same physical standards as a Tyson's, and we just can't do it.
In the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, Joel Salatin and his family run Polyface Farms...
"The code said we had to have bathrooms for our employees. I told them we were 50 feet away from two houses with bathrooms, and besides, we're a family operation: We don't have employees. It didn't matter to them. Then they said we had to have twelve changing-lockers for employees -- even if we didn't have employees.
"See, this is bureaucracy in action," he says. "It has nothing to do with the quality of our meat. They just want to follow the code. This is happening all over the country. A lot of it is being done under the guise of protecting the general welfare and guaranteeing clean food. But what it really does is protect big agribusiness from rural independent competition."
Of course, since Big Ag controls Congress, but smaller farmers are the more numerous votes, the sop was "Corn-a-Hole," allowing smaller farmers to make money (and starve Mexicans) while Big Ag and its tax-loophole "farmers" keep small producers out of other parts of the business.
HT: Dreher
Makes you feel good, eh?
...They raise free-range beef, pork, turkey, veal, lamb, goat, duck, and chicken -- without jacking the animals up with hormones and antibiotics, as is common practice at factory farms. Their meat goes through a USDA processing facility, as government regulations require -- all except the poultry. And because of those chickens, the Peaceful Pastures have been troubled
..."The state says no bird in Tennessee can be sold without USDA inspection of the processing facilities," says Drake. "Here's what kills all of us small poultry farmers: There are no USDA custom-kill processing plants in the entire Southeast."
Wanna build a USDA-acceptable processing plant? Think again.
Drake says she looked into building a small processing facility on her farm, but the cost of meeting government standards made it impossible. If all she had to do were to construct facilities strictly for meat processing, Drake figures she could have done so for $20,000; but as the law stands now, a building that met minimal federal guidelines would cost about $150,000.
"The Americans with Disabilities Act, for example, means a small producer has to put in restrooms that are handicapped-accessible," Drake says. "I'd have to build an office for the inspector. That office has to have its own phone line. I'd have to put in a paved parking lot. We have to meet the same physical standards as a Tyson's, and we just can't do it.
In the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, Joel Salatin and his family run Polyface Farms...
"The code said we had to have bathrooms for our employees. I told them we were 50 feet away from two houses with bathrooms, and besides, we're a family operation: We don't have employees. It didn't matter to them. Then they said we had to have twelve changing-lockers for employees -- even if we didn't have employees.
"See, this is bureaucracy in action," he says. "It has nothing to do with the quality of our meat. They just want to follow the code. This is happening all over the country. A lot of it is being done under the guise of protecting the general welfare and guaranteeing clean food. But what it really does is protect big agribusiness from rural independent competition."
Of course, since Big Ag controls Congress, but smaller farmers are the more numerous votes, the sop was "Corn-a-Hole," allowing smaller farmers to make money (and starve Mexicans) while Big Ag and its tax-loophole "farmers" keep small producers out of other parts of the business.
HT: Dreher
Michael Yon: It's a LOT Better in Iraq
This is a lengthy piece--worth the read--but here are a couple of excerpts:
...The situation in Iraq has drastically changed, but the inertia of bad news leaves many convinced that the mission has failed beyond recovery, that all Iraqis are engaged in sectarian violence, or are waiting for us to leave so they can crush their neighbors. This view allows our soldiers two possible roles: either “victim caught in the crossfire” or “referee between warring parties.” Neither, rightly, is tolerable to the American or British public.
Though the local leadership picture in downtown Basra is fuzzier now that British forces have pulled further back to begin performing their long-planned overwatch phase, it is clear that this natural progression in turning Basra over to Iraqi control has not catapulted the city into chaos.
...it wasn’t until I spent that week back in the States that I realized how bad things have gotten. I believe we are witnessing a conspiracy of coincidences conflating to exert an incomprehensibly destructive force on the free press system that we largely take for granted.
Yon has offered his reporting FREE OF CHARGE to newspaper-members of the National Newspaper Association.
S'pose the JS wants to join?
...The situation in Iraq has drastically changed, but the inertia of bad news leaves many convinced that the mission has failed beyond recovery, that all Iraqis are engaged in sectarian violence, or are waiting for us to leave so they can crush their neighbors. This view allows our soldiers two possible roles: either “victim caught in the crossfire” or “referee between warring parties.” Neither, rightly, is tolerable to the American or British public.
Though the local leadership picture in downtown Basra is fuzzier now that British forces have pulled further back to begin performing their long-planned overwatch phase, it is clear that this natural progression in turning Basra over to Iraqi control has not catapulted the city into chaos.
...it wasn’t until I spent that week back in the States that I realized how bad things have gotten. I believe we are witnessing a conspiracy of coincidences conflating to exert an incomprehensibly destructive force on the free press system that we largely take for granted.
Yon has offered his reporting FREE OF CHARGE to newspaper-members of the National Newspaper Association.
S'pose the JS wants to join?
The Docs vs. The Budget
It's not original with Fred Thompson, but he said it a couple of weeks ago:
"A government that's big enough to do everything for us, is powerful enough to do anything to us."
...of course, that depends on how many guns the Gummint actually has...
"A government that's big enough to do everything for us, is powerful enough to do anything to us."
...of course, that depends on how many guns the Gummint actually has...
End Indexing of Gas Tax; Begin Extortion by Other Means
Never, ever, EVER worry about whether the RoadBuilders will have enough to eat.
Never, ever, EVER worry that the Bond-Merchants will have enough to eat.
Worry, NOW, whether YOU will have enough to eat!
When the Legislature ended taxation-without-representation in the form of an automatic fuel-tax increase, the hydra-headed beast of RoadBuilding simply found another source of funds.
Fees. And bonding.
Drivers would pay $53 for their titles when they buy a car next year, up from the current $28.50. That would be in addition to a $20 increase in the vehicle registration fee, now $55.
Huebsch and Doyle didn't mention that car-title increase, did they?
Commercial trucking companies would see a 30% increase in vehicle registration fees - twice as much as what lawmakers had earlier proposed. The heaviest trucks would pay $2,560 a year, up from $1,969.50.
...raising the price of groceries, if they were hauled here, and diapers when they're hauled from Wisconsin to other States...but not to worry. Wisconsin residents have PLENTY of spare cash.
The budget includes two dozen highway earmarks and requires the Department of Transportation to expand Highway 23 in Fond du Lac County starting in 2009 even though the agency has said the widening isn't needed until 2020 or later.
The 19-mile project from Fond du Lac to Plymouth has been marked by legislative intervention from the start. Lawmakers in 1999 passed a law requiring the expansion after bypassing the DOT and a commission that reviews large road projects.
This is a pet project of a major Dem contributor/developer.
No reason that State taxpayers shouldn't widen that road. There's not much traffic on it now--so it won't be a bother when roadbuilders are making it wider. /snark
The DOT would be required to give grants to two dozen communities. Among the awards: $950,000 for Kenosha streets; $100,000 for a pedestrian path and bridge at the Milwaukee Urban Ecology Center; and $800,000 for a West Allis bike trail.
The Mars Cheese Castle, which is in the district of Assembly Democratic Leader Jim Kreuser of Kenosha, would be allowed to relocate its massive sign on I-94 regardless of any local and state restrictions. Kreuser said the provision was included because the state is requiring the shop to move the sign as part of a highway widening project.
The budget also prohibits the DOT from adding traffic lanes on I-94 adjacent to Wood National Cemetery in Milwaukee. It also bars building a truck weigh station in Rockland, which is in Huebsch's district
But the State "only" adds an $890 MILLION deficit at the end of the biennium.
Not to mention $2 BILLION in additional State Credit-Card debt.
Never, ever, EVER worry that the Bond-Merchants will have enough to eat.
Worry, NOW, whether YOU will have enough to eat!
When the Legislature ended taxation-without-representation in the form of an automatic fuel-tax increase, the hydra-headed beast of RoadBuilding simply found another source of funds.
Fees. And bonding.
Drivers would pay $53 for their titles when they buy a car next year, up from the current $28.50. That would be in addition to a $20 increase in the vehicle registration fee, now $55.
Huebsch and Doyle didn't mention that car-title increase, did they?
Commercial trucking companies would see a 30% increase in vehicle registration fees - twice as much as what lawmakers had earlier proposed. The heaviest trucks would pay $2,560 a year, up from $1,969.50.
...raising the price of groceries, if they were hauled here, and diapers when they're hauled from Wisconsin to other States...but not to worry. Wisconsin residents have PLENTY of spare cash.
The budget includes two dozen highway earmarks and requires the Department of Transportation to expand Highway 23 in Fond du Lac County starting in 2009 even though the agency has said the widening isn't needed until 2020 or later.
The 19-mile project from Fond du Lac to Plymouth has been marked by legislative intervention from the start. Lawmakers in 1999 passed a law requiring the expansion after bypassing the DOT and a commission that reviews large road projects.
This is a pet project of a major Dem contributor/developer.
No reason that State taxpayers shouldn't widen that road. There's not much traffic on it now--so it won't be a bother when roadbuilders are making it wider. /snark
The DOT would be required to give grants to two dozen communities. Among the awards: $950,000 for Kenosha streets; $100,000 for a pedestrian path and bridge at the Milwaukee Urban Ecology Center; and $800,000 for a West Allis bike trail.
The Mars Cheese Castle, which is in the district of Assembly Democratic Leader Jim Kreuser of Kenosha, would be allowed to relocate its massive sign on I-94 regardless of any local and state restrictions. Kreuser said the provision was included because the state is requiring the shop to move the sign as part of a highway widening project.
The budget also prohibits the DOT from adding traffic lanes on I-94 adjacent to Wood National Cemetery in Milwaukee. It also bars building a truck weigh station in Rockland, which is in Huebsch's district
But the State "only" adds an $890 MILLION deficit at the end of the biennium.
Not to mention $2 BILLION in additional State Credit-Card debt.
...it is an all-but-complete win for Doyle and the ‘Rats. While it is true that total spending is significantly less than what was originally proposed by both Doyle and the JFC, almost all of that is a result of taking less from the taxpayers of the entire country. The spending of Wisconsin taxpayer dollars is only $25,413,300 less than what came out of the Joint Finance Committee and $40,046,000 less than what Doyle wanted in the first place. To contrast, that spending is $399,210,200 more than what the Assembly wanted.
My calculator shows that Doyle got 90.9% of the difference. That, combined with both the present and future tax increases to pay for the excesses of Doyle’s spending in this and previous budgets, gives the ‘Rats a knockout win
Remember, Wisconsin DoR is happy to take your money at the point of a gun.
It Could be Worse in Wisconsin...
You can't make this stuff up:
The scourge known as racism can take many forms. Ronnie Hutton of Scotland was reportedly jailed for two days for "revving his car in a racist manner." More than a year later, when his case was finally tried, he was fined £150.
He was within a few feet of some Muslims.
HT: Moonbattery
The scourge known as racism can take many forms. Ronnie Hutton of Scotland was reportedly jailed for two days for "revving his car in a racist manner." More than a year later, when his case was finally tried, he was fined £150.
He was within a few feet of some Muslims.
HT: Moonbattery
More P I G (Party-In-Government) Antics: Peeing on the Taxpayer
Chris Schneider uncovers more stuff which should have been flushed down...
HT Charlie
And, yes, I KNOW that "Mr. Conservative Kanavas" was behind the $1 million grant to get Hollywood movies made in Brookfield, or the Third Ward of Milwaukee. Yah, THAT'S "conservative."
S'pose that money will get spent even during the Writers' Strike?
HT Charlie
And, yes, I KNOW that "Mr. Conservative Kanavas" was behind the $1 million grant to get Hollywood movies made in Brookfield, or the Third Ward of Milwaukee. Yah, THAT'S "conservative."
S'pose that money will get spent even during the Writers' Strike?
Don't Cry for the Smokers
Having a few friends who engage in smoking (tobacco), it's interesting to listen to the RadioGuys carry on about 'how smokers do not rise up and'.....whatever....their elected "representatives" about the $1.00/pack tax-increase in Wisconsin.
Of course, smokers understand the principle--that the State's spending habits are deleterious, regardless of how they are financed. And of course, smokers also understand that the habit has bad results. (Smokers also understand that they will die--just like non-smokers.) In fact, at the rate the State of Wisconsin is spending, most smokers will live long enough to see the State file for bankruptcy...
Why no screaming-meemie rages, rants, and demonstrations?
Ever hear of the Internet?
Of course, smokers understand the principle--that the State's spending habits are deleterious, regardless of how they are financed. And of course, smokers also understand that the habit has bad results. (Smokers also understand that they will die--just like non-smokers.) In fact, at the rate the State of Wisconsin is spending, most smokers will live long enough to see the State file for bankruptcy...
Why no screaming-meemie rages, rants, and demonstrations?
Ever hear of the Internet?
Monday, October 22, 2007
Parochial Disaster?
Terry asks a few questions about the merger of four Milwaukee parishes (Corpus Christi, Mary, Queen of Martyrs, Our Lady of Sorrows, St. Philip Neri).
How's it working out? All I know is what I read in our archdiocesan newspaper.
Swearingen said that the parish is estimating 300 parishioners in the pews on Sundays. Before the merger, Swearingen told your Catholic Herald that following the merge, Blessed Savior could have 3,000 parishioners coming from all four parishes.
It certainly could have, since the District statistics showed 3,273 members in the constituent parishes.That raises some questions unanswered in the remainder of the article. Does he mean, as he appears to, 300 total at Mass? If he meant 900 divided among three Masses for Sunday, I assume the article would have said so. Even 900 is a drop from 1,266 on the District statistics. Are those people attending Mass elsewhere? Of the possible 3,000 members, how many did they wind up with, how many joined other parishes, and how many are unaccounted for? If this merger went as badly as it appears from this article, what have the people in charge of archdiocesan planning learned from this experience? Or is this what they consider a successful merger?
900 attendees would be bad.
300 attendees is a disaster of the first water.
How's it working out? All I know is what I read in our archdiocesan newspaper.
Swearingen said that the parish is estimating 300 parishioners in the pews on Sundays. Before the merger, Swearingen told your Catholic Herald that following the merge, Blessed Savior could have 3,000 parishioners coming from all four parishes.
It certainly could have, since the District statistics showed 3,273 members in the constituent parishes.That raises some questions unanswered in the remainder of the article. Does he mean, as he appears to, 300 total at Mass? If he meant 900 divided among three Masses for Sunday, I assume the article would have said so. Even 900 is a drop from 1,266 on the District statistics. Are those people attending Mass elsewhere? Of the possible 3,000 members, how many did they wind up with, how many joined other parishes, and how many are unaccounted for? If this merger went as badly as it appears from this article, what have the people in charge of archdiocesan planning learned from this experience? Or is this what they consider a successful merger?
900 attendees would be bad.
300 attendees is a disaster of the first water.
The Voice of the Irrelevant: NCAN
The National Coalition of American Nuns (all 30 of them) have written a letter denouncing what they actually have not yet seen.
Tremble and Quake!! Ye Bishops!!
To Each U.S. Roman Catholic Bishop Regarding English Translations For The Liturgy
Dear Bishop, [the proper form of address is "Your Excellency"...and it just gets worse.]
We are writing to you, each U.S. bishop, the U.S. Bishops' Committee on the Liturgy, the International Committee on English in the Liturgy (ICEL), and the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments in regard to the new Vatican-ordered translation of the Liturgy. [What! Not B-16???]
The Vatican-appointed translators have not produced a translation that is understandable to Catholics in the pews. We understand that, according to a 2005 poll of bishops, 47% of the U.S. bishops rated it "fair or poor". The media has reported that even some bishops are complaining that some texts contain "clunky and archaic language". [Nothing like "a Poll" to determine substance, eh?]
For example, why would the words "consubstantial to the Father" be used in the Creed? What meaning do these words have for 21st century English speaking Catholics? Why use a medieval expression like, "We pray you bid" in the new Missal? This is not the way people speak today in the English-speaking world. [True. And nothing prevents them from learning the meanings, either...]
We need to follow the liturgical principles set forth in the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy from the Second Vatican Council. Article 21 of that document states, "Christian people, as far as possible, should be able to understand them (texts and rites) with ease".
Ummmnnnhhhh...perhaps our priests will be asked to TEACH the faithful?
Or would that be asking too much?
(More of their semi-coherent drooling may be found at the link.)
HT: The Jester
Tremble and Quake!! Ye Bishops!!
To Each U.S. Roman Catholic Bishop Regarding English Translations For The Liturgy
Dear Bishop, [the proper form of address is "Your Excellency"...and it just gets worse.]
We are writing to you, each U.S. bishop, the U.S. Bishops' Committee on the Liturgy, the International Committee on English in the Liturgy (ICEL), and the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments in regard to the new Vatican-ordered translation of the Liturgy. [What! Not B-16???]
The Vatican-appointed translators have not produced a translation that is understandable to Catholics in the pews. We understand that, according to a 2005 poll of bishops, 47% of the U.S. bishops rated it "fair or poor". The media has reported that even some bishops are complaining that some texts contain "clunky and archaic language". [Nothing like "a Poll" to determine substance, eh?]
For example, why would the words "consubstantial to the Father" be used in the Creed? What meaning do these words have for 21st century English speaking Catholics? Why use a medieval expression like, "We pray you bid" in the new Missal? This is not the way people speak today in the English-speaking world. [True. And nothing prevents them from learning the meanings, either...]
We need to follow the liturgical principles set forth in the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy from the Second Vatican Council. Article 21 of that document states, "Christian people, as far as possible, should be able to understand them (texts and rites) with ease".
Ummmnnnhhhh...perhaps our priests will be asked to TEACH the faithful?
Or would that be asking too much?
(More of their semi-coherent drooling may be found at the link.)
HT: The Jester
Need a 1962 Missale Romanum?
Well, it's been printed by the Vatican.
Missale Romanum Editio Typica 1962
Autori: M. Sodi e A. Toniolo
Libreria Editrice Vaticana
Data di pubblicazione: 19 Ottobre 2007
Formato: 17.5 x 24.5
ISBN-13: 978-88-209-7965-2
€ 59,00
Link here.
This would be your basic altar-Missal. About $75.00 US...
Missale Romanum Editio Typica 1962
Autori: M. Sodi e A. Toniolo
Libreria Editrice Vaticana
Data di pubblicazione: 19 Ottobre 2007
Formato: 17.5 x 24.5
ISBN-13: 978-88-209-7965-2
€ 59,00
Link here.
This would be your basic altar-Missal. About $75.00 US...
Komen Foundation's Murderous Friends
HT: Kevin
According to lifeissues.org, the Susan Komen Foundation, by its own admission on its very own website, has been awarding financial grants to Planned Parenthood clinics all across the country. Here are some excerpts from the lifeissues.org fact sheet on Susan Komen grants to Planned Parenthood (compiled August 2005):
In the United States, there are about 115 Susan G. Komen affiliates. Of these, at least 112 sponsor a Race for the Cure to raise money for breast cancer awareness and research. To date, at least 43 of these Affiliates have given grants to Planned Parenthood Centers or other abortion clinics totaling more than 100 grants given across the nation to Planned Parenthood and other abortion clinics since 1998.
Of the 50 states, at least 22 states have Komen affiliates that grant money to Planned Parenthood or other abortion clinics.
Since the Susan G. Komen Foundation began giving grants to Planned Parenthood, purportedly for breast health services, the number of women receiving breast health services from Planned Parenthood has decreased. According to Planned Parenthood’s 2003-04 Annual Report, abortions increased by 14,000 in 2002-03, while breast exams decreased by more than 141,000
This connection might explain the meteoric rise of the Komen Foundation over the last few years.
According to lifeissues.org, the Susan Komen Foundation, by its own admission on its very own website, has been awarding financial grants to Planned Parenthood clinics all across the country. Here are some excerpts from the lifeissues.org fact sheet on Susan Komen grants to Planned Parenthood (compiled August 2005):
In the United States, there are about 115 Susan G. Komen affiliates. Of these, at least 112 sponsor a Race for the Cure to raise money for breast cancer awareness and research. To date, at least 43 of these Affiliates have given grants to Planned Parenthood Centers or other abortion clinics totaling more than 100 grants given across the nation to Planned Parenthood and other abortion clinics since 1998.
Of the 50 states, at least 22 states have Komen affiliates that grant money to Planned Parenthood or other abortion clinics.
Since the Susan G. Komen Foundation began giving grants to Planned Parenthood, purportedly for breast health services, the number of women receiving breast health services from Planned Parenthood has decreased. According to Planned Parenthood’s 2003-04 Annual Report, abortions increased by 14,000 in 2002-03, while breast exams decreased by more than 141,000
This connection might explain the meteoric rise of the Komen Foundation over the last few years.
What's Obama's Problem?
Since I don't have a dog in the Dem primary fight, this is mere curiosity...
All the other participants place their hand over their heart during the National Anthem.
What is the problem with Obama?
HT: Moonbattery
Endangering Human Species
Unless you're living under a rock, you know that Georgia is near a crisis over water.
Part of the reason: the Endangered Species Act.
With water supplies rapidly shrinking during a drought of historic proportions, Gov. Sonny Perdue declared a state of emergency Saturday for the northern third of Georgia and asked President Bush to declare it a major disaster area.
Georgia officials warn that Lake Lanier, a 38,000-acre reservoir that supplies more than 3 million residents with water, is less than three months from depletion. Smaller reservoirs are dropping even lower.
Perdue asked the president to exempt Georgia from complying with federal regulations that dictate the amount of water released from Georgia's reservoirs to protect federally protected mussel species downstream.
Obviously, a lack of rain is the larger problem, and without rain, re-arranging the deck chairs will be irrelevant.
But some aspects of the ESA deserve critical examination--or outright repeal.
HT: John Lott
Part of the reason: the Endangered Species Act.
With water supplies rapidly shrinking during a drought of historic proportions, Gov. Sonny Perdue declared a state of emergency Saturday for the northern third of Georgia and asked President Bush to declare it a major disaster area.
Georgia officials warn that Lake Lanier, a 38,000-acre reservoir that supplies more than 3 million residents with water, is less than three months from depletion. Smaller reservoirs are dropping even lower.
Perdue asked the president to exempt Georgia from complying with federal regulations that dictate the amount of water released from Georgia's reservoirs to protect federally protected mussel species downstream.
Obviously, a lack of rain is the larger problem, and without rain, re-arranging the deck chairs will be irrelevant.
But some aspects of the ESA deserve critical examination--or outright repeal.
HT: John Lott
Sunday, October 21, 2007
So, Exactly What Is the Bishops' Liturgy Committee Doing?
Chironomo raises a lot of interesting questions in this post.
Like him, I had been under the impression that the Bishops' Committee on the Liturgy (USCC) had been working on two separate documents--a revision of Music in Catholic Worship (which was simply awful) and a "white-list" of appropriate texts for music.
Based on a press report, Chironomo suspects that those two efforts have been combined into one which will be discussed and/or approved/sent back to Committee at the upcoming Bishops' meeting.
A few interesting bits and pieces:
Ten drafts of the updated "Music in Catholic Worship" were produced before the proposed document was submitted to the bishops for their consideration. It was prepared by the U.S. bishops' Committee on the Liturgy; Bishop Donald W. Trautman of Erie, Pa., is outgoing chairman of the committee.
There are two camps on BCL. Bp. Traut-person is Chairman (he would argue that the '-man' portion of Chairman is sexist and bigoted); Cdl. George of Chicago also serves on the Committee, and Cdl. George is a fellow with a lot of common sense. That would explain the "ten drafts," and what follows here:
"Charity, justice, and evangelization are thus the normal consequences of liturgical celebration," the proposed document says. "Often our participation in the liturgy is imperfect. Sometimes, our voices do not correspond to the convictions of our hearts. At other times, we are distracted or preoccupied by the cares of the world. But Christ always invites us to enter into song, to rise above our own preoccupations and to give our entire selves to the hymn of his paschal sacrifice."
Can you say "pablum to the 8th power"?
"Singing is one of the primary ways that the assembly of the faithful participates actively in the liturgy." It adds elsewhere that "musical instruments in the liturgy are best understood as an extension of and support to the more basic instrument which is the human voice."
Any PARTICULAR "instruments." m'lordships? Like maybe the pipe organ? Or are we trying desperately to maintain the folly of guitars, banjos, kazoos, and snaredrums?
While it says the use of Latin should be fostered and that Gregorian chant has "pride of place" in the liturgy, this needs to be balanced by "the important liturgical and pastoral concerns facing every bishop, pastor and liturgical musician." Each of the three judgments – liturgical, pastoral and musical – "must be taken together with the others," it adds, "and no judgment is sufficient on its own, nor does any one judgment prevail over the other."
In another venue, this would be called "the Hildebeeste Straddle." What crap.
Chiro's article is more extensive, and worth reading. It's fair to say that the Bishops need the help of the Holy Spirit at their meeting. It's also fair to say that simply following Rome's lead will be the best course.
See, for example, this snippet from Fr. Kenneth Baker's article in Latin Mass magazine, excerpted by Pertinacious Papist:
In the introductory paragraphs Benedict XVI refers to the Supreme Pontiff or the Roman Pontiff seven times. This is significant. He makes it very clear in the second paragraph that the liturgy of the church is determined by the Roman Pontiff and not by the local Bishops and their liturgical committees. He says therefore that the local church must be in conformity with the universal Church. In a certain sense after 1970, because of the many options and the power of the Bishops' conferences, Pope Paul VI and John Paul II lost control of the liturgy. Now Pope Benedict is reminding the Bishops that only the Pope, the Supreme Pontiff, has the authority to determine the liturgical worship in the Catholic Church.
Which means that Bp. Traut-person and those of his ilk (still a vocal, if aging and enfeebled, minority) should review the meaning of the term "obedience."
Frankly, Excellencies, when YOU thumb your collective noses at Rome, you are telling the laity that it's open season for thumbing their noses at the Bishops.
Or don't you understand that yet--after 50 years of Sturm und Drang?
Like him, I had been under the impression that the Bishops' Committee on the Liturgy (USCC) had been working on two separate documents--a revision of Music in Catholic Worship (which was simply awful) and a "white-list" of appropriate texts for music.
Based on a press report, Chironomo suspects that those two efforts have been combined into one which will be discussed and/or approved/sent back to Committee at the upcoming Bishops' meeting.
A few interesting bits and pieces:
Ten drafts of the updated "Music in Catholic Worship" were produced before the proposed document was submitted to the bishops for their consideration. It was prepared by the U.S. bishops' Committee on the Liturgy; Bishop Donald W. Trautman of Erie, Pa., is outgoing chairman of the committee.
There are two camps on BCL. Bp. Traut-person is Chairman (he would argue that the '-man' portion of Chairman is sexist and bigoted); Cdl. George of Chicago also serves on the Committee, and Cdl. George is a fellow with a lot of common sense. That would explain the "ten drafts," and what follows here:
"Charity, justice, and evangelization are thus the normal consequences of liturgical celebration," the proposed document says. "Often our participation in the liturgy is imperfect. Sometimes, our voices do not correspond to the convictions of our hearts. At other times, we are distracted or preoccupied by the cares of the world. But Christ always invites us to enter into song, to rise above our own preoccupations and to give our entire selves to the hymn of his paschal sacrifice."
Can you say "pablum to the 8th power"?
"Singing is one of the primary ways that the assembly of the faithful participates actively in the liturgy." It adds elsewhere that "musical instruments in the liturgy are best understood as an extension of and support to the more basic instrument which is the human voice."
Any PARTICULAR "instruments." m'lordships? Like maybe the pipe organ? Or are we trying desperately to maintain the folly of guitars, banjos, kazoos, and snaredrums?
While it says the use of Latin should be fostered and that Gregorian chant has "pride of place" in the liturgy, this needs to be balanced by "the important liturgical and pastoral concerns facing every bishop, pastor and liturgical musician." Each of the three judgments – liturgical, pastoral and musical – "must be taken together with the others," it adds, "and no judgment is sufficient on its own, nor does any one judgment prevail over the other."
In another venue, this would be called "the Hildebeeste Straddle." What crap.
Chiro's article is more extensive, and worth reading. It's fair to say that the Bishops need the help of the Holy Spirit at their meeting. It's also fair to say that simply following Rome's lead will be the best course.
See, for example, this snippet from Fr. Kenneth Baker's article in Latin Mass magazine, excerpted by Pertinacious Papist:
In the introductory paragraphs Benedict XVI refers to the Supreme Pontiff or the Roman Pontiff seven times. This is significant. He makes it very clear in the second paragraph that the liturgy of the church is determined by the Roman Pontiff and not by the local Bishops and their liturgical committees. He says therefore that the local church must be in conformity with the universal Church. In a certain sense after 1970, because of the many options and the power of the Bishops' conferences, Pope Paul VI and John Paul II lost control of the liturgy. Now Pope Benedict is reminding the Bishops that only the Pope, the Supreme Pontiff, has the authority to determine the liturgical worship in the Catholic Church.
Which means that Bp. Traut-person and those of his ilk (still a vocal, if aging and enfeebled, minority) should review the meaning of the term "obedience."
Frankly, Excellencies, when YOU thumb your collective noses at Rome, you are telling the laity that it's open season for thumbing their noses at the Bishops.
Or don't you understand that yet--after 50 years of Sturm und Drang?
"Dangers" of Hunting
Before the Usual Ninnies start with the "dangers of hunting" yappaflappa, here's a PDF which has the goods.
Measured in Injuries/100,000 participants, Cheerleading comes in at 741, Bowling at 49, and Hunting at 3.
Compare your personal favorite at the link.
HT: Arms and the Law
Measured in Injuries/100,000 participants, Cheerleading comes in at 741, Bowling at 49, and Hunting at 3.
Compare your personal favorite at the link.
HT: Arms and the Law
Saturday, October 20, 2007
H1-B Workers: The "Best and Brightest"?
Not really.
Out of 132,000 applications received on the first day they were accepted for the 2007 quota of 65,000 visas, just 12,989 were from applicants with master's degrees or higher.
That meant the vast bulk of applications came from workers with bachelor's degrees or less. These are not high-level researchers and software engineers, as they are often billed. They may be laboratory technicians or other...
(From a column by Tom Elias, quoted by Norm Matloff)
Matloff points out that Elias' column is slightly misleading---NOT in the statistics given, but that the "software engineers" are, indeed, among the applicants.
Contrary to the yappaflappa of H1-B proponents, the requirement is only for a "bachelor's degree or equivalent".
"The Best and Brightest"?
Not really. Cheap, yes. Highly-educated? Nope.
(Elias' column has a number of other inaccuracies, chief among them his blaming Bush and the Evil (R's) for the problem. So happens that the problem is bi-partisan, as Matloff takes pains to document.)
Out of 132,000 applications received on the first day they were accepted for the 2007 quota of 65,000 visas, just 12,989 were from applicants with master's degrees or higher.
That meant the vast bulk of applications came from workers with bachelor's degrees or less. These are not high-level researchers and software engineers, as they are often billed. They may be laboratory technicians or other...
(From a column by Tom Elias, quoted by Norm Matloff)
Matloff points out that Elias' column is slightly misleading---NOT in the statistics given, but that the "software engineers" are, indeed, among the applicants.
Contrary to the yappaflappa of H1-B proponents, the requirement is only for a "bachelor's degree or equivalent".
"The Best and Brightest"?
Not really. Cheap, yes. Highly-educated? Nope.
(Elias' column has a number of other inaccuracies, chief among them his blaming Bush and the Evil (R's) for the problem. So happens that the problem is bi-partisan, as Matloff takes pains to document.)
City of Greendale's Equipment in Madison
Somehow, the MSM failed to print this picture taken at the taxpayers' rally in Madistan the other day:
How is it that Greendale (and other, unidentified) Fire Department uniforms are being worn in MADISON?
Do they have a mutual-aid pact? And does it cover non-fire events?
Greendale taxpayers may want to know!
Picture Credit: Jiblog
A Challenge to Local News-Organizations
Not that anyone from "local news organizations" reads this blog daily...
But a few days ago, I called two local news heavyweights and left messages suggesting that it would be VERY informative if they were to obtain and publish the State of Wisconsin's [fiscal] Y-T-D revenues for 7/1/07 through 9/30/07--and the comparable '06 revenue figures.
There's a lot of blog-talk about 'natural' State-revenue growth of a $billion or so, but there is NO "hard" information source which backs that assertion.
And as a well-informed commenter put it on the Boots & Sabers blog:
Oh, how about the fact that the State still hasn’t revised the revenue growth projection of $1.2 billion in natural growth. The economy has already softened and may get much worse. Here is another growing hole.
Why the interest?
The State of Georgia noted a decline in sales-tax revenues from '06 to '07 comprable periods. It isn't much of a decrease, but it's real.
Now look again at the rest of the commenter's remarks:
...once again, the State will increase spending by at least 7% and fail to fund it completely in any real way
...referring to the extreeeeeeeeme bonding in the "compromise" budget AND the cigarette-tax, which simply will NOT produce the $400 million in projected revenues.
Let's see if any local news-folks dig into the numbers--and as a followup, whether they actually press the State Treasurer for on-line daily reporting of revenue/expense numbers.
(Of course, that means that the State Treasurer may have to learn the definitions of those terms.)
But a few days ago, I called two local news heavyweights and left messages suggesting that it would be VERY informative if they were to obtain and publish the State of Wisconsin's [fiscal] Y-T-D revenues for 7/1/07 through 9/30/07--and the comparable '06 revenue figures.
There's a lot of blog-talk about 'natural' State-revenue growth of a $billion or so, but there is NO "hard" information source which backs that assertion.
And as a well-informed commenter put it on the Boots & Sabers blog:
Oh, how about the fact that the State still hasn’t revised the revenue growth projection of $1.2 billion in natural growth. The economy has already softened and may get much worse. Here is another growing hole.
Why the interest?
The State of Georgia noted a decline in sales-tax revenues from '06 to '07 comprable periods. It isn't much of a decrease, but it's real.
Now look again at the rest of the commenter's remarks:
...once again, the State will increase spending by at least 7% and fail to fund it completely in any real way
...referring to the extreeeeeeeeme bonding in the "compromise" budget AND the cigarette-tax, which simply will NOT produce the $400 million in projected revenues.
Let's see if any local news-folks dig into the numbers--and as a followup, whether they actually press the State Treasurer for on-line daily reporting of revenue/expense numbers.
(Of course, that means that the State Treasurer may have to learn the definitions of those terms.)
Accidental Shooting: Curious Story
Two people have been charged with a felony here, but the story has a very interesting detail:
Holmes handed the gun to the 17-year-old, Charlie Tate, who removed the clip from the weapon and touched the trigger with his right index finger, the complaint says. The gun then discharged, with the bullet striking Moore in the chest, according to the complaint.
"Touched"? Are we talking a highly-modified 'hair trigger' commonly used only by target-shooters? Extensive modification of the trigger mechanism?
Something doesn't quite add up.
By the way, whoever wrote the story should learn the difference between "magazine" and "clip."
Holmes handed the gun to the 17-year-old, Charlie Tate, who removed the clip from the weapon and touched the trigger with his right index finger, the complaint says. The gun then discharged, with the bullet striking Moore in the chest, according to the complaint.
"Touched"? Are we talking a highly-modified 'hair trigger' commonly used only by target-shooters? Extensive modification of the trigger mechanism?
Something doesn't quite add up.
By the way, whoever wrote the story should learn the difference between "magazine" and "clip."
Nichols: It's VanHollen's Fault!!
Mike Nichols is usually a common-sense kinda guy, reminiscent of a deservedly-famous and beloved Chicago columnist. I like his stuff.
So when Nichols jumps all over a minister for calling the Crandon Shooter "a victim," he speaks for, oh, a few million residents of Wisconsin, who don't have the capacity for cognitive dissonance that ministry (evidently) confers.
But it's also clear that Nichols has a hair-trigger reflex action when limits on ink-stained wretches come up.
The ridiculous portrayal of Peterson as victim is not just the fault of the people who hold that view, or of the media.
It's largely the fault of our attorney general in this state, who said that the families of some of the victims "asked me to ask the community at large to stop talking to the press. As such, we in the law enforcement community will do our part by having no further comments to the press from Forest County."
Umnnnhhh...OK, Mike. I'll grant you that VanHollen's statement was, at best, ill-advised, even if he was only following the requests of FAMILY MEMBERS OF THE VICTIMS (as your own writing testifies.)
But "It's All VanHollen's Fault"?
Please.
So when Nichols jumps all over a minister for calling the Crandon Shooter "a victim," he speaks for, oh, a few million residents of Wisconsin, who don't have the capacity for cognitive dissonance that ministry (evidently) confers.
But it's also clear that Nichols has a hair-trigger reflex action when limits on ink-stained wretches come up.
The ridiculous portrayal of Peterson as victim is not just the fault of the people who hold that view, or of the media.
It's largely the fault of our attorney general in this state, who said that the families of some of the victims "asked me to ask the community at large to stop talking to the press. As such, we in the law enforcement community will do our part by having no further comments to the press from Forest County."
Umnnnhhh...OK, Mike. I'll grant you that VanHollen's statement was, at best, ill-advised, even if he was only following the requests of FAMILY MEMBERS OF THE VICTIMS (as your own writing testifies.)
But "It's All VanHollen's Fault"?
Please.
"Healthy Wisconsin" to Rise From the Dead?
Looks like a silver cruciform stake has to be found, folks.
Healthy Wisconsin, the Senate Democrats' proposal to bring universal health insurance coverage to the state, is dead but could become the impetus for bipartisan health care reforms in the Legislature, Sen. Jim Sullivan (D-Wauwatosa) said Friday.
Sen Kanavas, who was at the conference with Sullivan, was treated for shock and released.
But Sen. Jon Erpenbach (D-Middleton), a leading proponent of Healthy Wisconsin and chairman of the health committee, disagreed Friday with Sullivan's prognosis. The proposal, he said, will be modified to minimize any negative impact on small businesses and will be introduced in the Senate soon as a separate bill.
"Soon?"
Like in time for Hallowe'en?
Healthy Wisconsin, the Senate Democrats' proposal to bring universal health insurance coverage to the state, is dead but could become the impetus for bipartisan health care reforms in the Legislature, Sen. Jim Sullivan (D-Wauwatosa) said Friday.
Sen Kanavas, who was at the conference with Sullivan, was treated for shock and released.
But Sen. Jon Erpenbach (D-Middleton), a leading proponent of Healthy Wisconsin and chairman of the health committee, disagreed Friday with Sullivan's prognosis. The proposal, he said, will be modified to minimize any negative impact on small businesses and will be introduced in the Senate soon as a separate bill.
"Soon?"
Like in time for Hallowe'en?
It's the SPENDING, Stupid!
All you need to know about the "compromise" Wisconsin budget:
Doyle aides said the budget would spend about $58 billion, or 8% more than the last budget that ended on July 1.
That means an 8% increase in taxes/fees, folks--one way or the other, at some point in time, they HAVE to extract another 8% in State revenues from your wallet.
No doubt all of you got an 8% raise this year to cover it, right?
CORRECTION: 3.92%/year increase in spending (see comments from the Math-Whiz), meaning a 3.92% (plus gross-up) increase in YOUR income necessary to pay the taxes.
Doyle aides said the budget would spend about $58 billion, or 8% more than the last budget that ended on July 1.
That means an 8% increase in taxes/fees, folks--one way or the other, at some point in time, they HAVE to extract another 8% in State revenues from your wallet.
No doubt all of you got an 8% raise this year to cover it, right?
CORRECTION: 3.92%/year increase in spending (see comments from the Math-Whiz), meaning a 3.92% (plus gross-up) increase in YOUR income necessary to pay the taxes.
The Party In Government's Pork
You will note that the list is bi-partisan. It's also offensive to all who have to pay for it.
$1 million for the Clinton School of Public Service in Little Rock, requested by Sens. Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor, both Democrats from Arkansas; [There will not be a "Lewinsky Chair."]
$200,000 for the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy in Las Vegas, requested by Rep. Shelley Berkley of Nevada; [Tennis, anyone?]
$3.74 million for research into the Formosan Subterranean Termite, requested by Reps. Rodney Alexander and Richard Baker of Louisiana; [Research on eliminating Congressional Termites would be a better cause]
AFL-CIO Working for America Institute, requested by Sen. Tom Harkin; [We already have Union Halls]
$750,000 for the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Presidential Library, requested by Clinton, Schumer and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid; [Statues of Harry Dexter White will have a home]
$3.76 million for the Lyndon Baines Johnson Presidential Library, requested by Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison; [Offering an MS course in vote-fraud and graft]
$1 million for the Richard M. Nixon Presidential Library, requested by Sen. Thad Cochrane, Republican of Mississippi; [A shrine to faulty tape-recorders will be installed]
$150,000 for rodent control on the Aleutian Islands, requested by Ted Stevens of Alaska; [The real rodent is Ted Stevens]
$250,000 to build the Walter Clore Wine and Culinary Center in Washington, requested by Rep. Doc Hastings. [Culinary treats to include varieties of "peach"?--like IM-Peach?]
$470,000 to study the Asian Long-Horned Beetle, requested by Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois; [They're family to Durbin]
$244,077 for bee research in Weslaco, Texas, requested by Rep. Chet Edwards; [Africanized bees are a type of Gummint agent]
$213,386 to study the Oliver Fruit Fly in Montpelier, France, requested by Mike Thompson of California; [In FRANCE???]
$1.7 million for the Centers for Disease Control to fund a Hollywood liaison to advise doctor dramas; [Will CDC offer knowledge on VD's for Hollywood folks?]
$5.1 million for "audio and visual integration" in the CDC's new Thomas R. Harkin communications and visitor center – and, yes, that is Sen. Tom Harkin of Iowa. [Your experience of disease--in plasma-HD!!!!]
And that's just a partial list. Wait until we get to the Wisconsin list!!
$1 million for the Clinton School of Public Service in Little Rock, requested by Sens. Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor, both Democrats from Arkansas; [There will not be a "Lewinsky Chair."]
$200,000 for the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy in Las Vegas, requested by Rep. Shelley Berkley of Nevada; [Tennis, anyone?]
$3.74 million for research into the Formosan Subterranean Termite, requested by Reps. Rodney Alexander and Richard Baker of Louisiana; [Research on eliminating Congressional Termites would be a better cause]
AFL-CIO Working for America Institute, requested by Sen. Tom Harkin; [We already have Union Halls]
$750,000 for the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Presidential Library, requested by Clinton, Schumer and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid; [Statues of Harry Dexter White will have a home]
$3.76 million for the Lyndon Baines Johnson Presidential Library, requested by Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison; [Offering an MS course in vote-fraud and graft]
$1 million for the Richard M. Nixon Presidential Library, requested by Sen. Thad Cochrane, Republican of Mississippi; [A shrine to faulty tape-recorders will be installed]
$150,000 for rodent control on the Aleutian Islands, requested by Ted Stevens of Alaska; [The real rodent is Ted Stevens]
$250,000 to build the Walter Clore Wine and Culinary Center in Washington, requested by Rep. Doc Hastings. [Culinary treats to include varieties of "peach"?--like IM-Peach?]
$470,000 to study the Asian Long-Horned Beetle, requested by Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois; [They're family to Durbin]
$244,077 for bee research in Weslaco, Texas, requested by Rep. Chet Edwards; [Africanized bees are a type of Gummint agent]
$213,386 to study the Oliver Fruit Fly in Montpelier, France, requested by Mike Thompson of California; [In FRANCE???]
$1.7 million for the Centers for Disease Control to fund a Hollywood liaison to advise doctor dramas; [Will CDC offer knowledge on VD's for Hollywood folks?]
$5.1 million for "audio and visual integration" in the CDC's new Thomas R. Harkin communications and visitor center – and, yes, that is Sen. Tom Harkin of Iowa. [Your experience of disease--in plasma-HD!!!!]
And that's just a partial list. Wait until we get to the Wisconsin list!!
Another Reason for the 2nd Amendment
Even though there is no 2A in Venezuela, 'bearing arms' is a very useful freedom.
A monument erected to immortalize the life and death of Ernesto "Che" Guevara, the Argentine revolutionary who fought with Fidel Castro in Cuba and in the Bolivian jungle, was demolished by gunfire in Venezuela, the country presided over by Hugo Chavez, Castro's heir apparent in Latin America.
This is a Public Service Announcement and a reminder to dictators (or wannabes).
A monument erected to immortalize the life and death of Ernesto "Che" Guevara, the Argentine revolutionary who fought with Fidel Castro in Cuba and in the Bolivian jungle, was demolished by gunfire in Venezuela, the country presided over by Hugo Chavez, Castro's heir apparent in Latin America.
This is a Public Service Announcement and a reminder to dictators (or wannabes).
Philadelphia Slaps the Boy Scouts--Hard
The City of Brotherly Love--now there's a half-dozen tasteless puns waiting...
Prompted by opposition to the Boy Scouts' rule disqualifying homosexuals as troop leaders, Philadelphia has forced the city's local chapter to pay fair-market rent of $200,000 a year for its city-owned headquarters.
As WND reported in June, Philadelphia's city council voted to renege on a 1928 ordinance allowing the Cradle of Liberty Council to have its headquarters in a building on a parcel of public land "in perpetuity" for $1 a year.
The city argues it can't rent public property for a nominal sum to any group that discriminates.
City officials in San Francisco and Boston have made similar decisions displacing the Scouts because of the group's behavior code.
Fairmount Park Commission president Robert N.C. Nix announced this week the Cradle of Liberty Council must pay the $200,000 rent if it wants to remain in the building after May 31.
Agenda? WHAT "agenda"?
Prompted by opposition to the Boy Scouts' rule disqualifying homosexuals as troop leaders, Philadelphia has forced the city's local chapter to pay fair-market rent of $200,000 a year for its city-owned headquarters.
As WND reported in June, Philadelphia's city council voted to renege on a 1928 ordinance allowing the Cradle of Liberty Council to have its headquarters in a building on a parcel of public land "in perpetuity" for $1 a year.
The city argues it can't rent public property for a nominal sum to any group that discriminates.
City officials in San Francisco and Boston have made similar decisions displacing the Scouts because of the group's behavior code.
Fairmount Park Commission president Robert N.C. Nix announced this week the Cradle of Liberty Council must pay the $200,000 rent if it wants to remain in the building after May 31.
Agenda? WHAT "agenda"?
Friday, October 19, 2007
Pay More to Live Here!
The rumors are flying:
1) Because there's no automatic gas-tax increase, your Republican legislators decided to increase your license-plate renewal fees.
That's to show you who's really in charge (hint: they're called RoadBuilders.)
2) The smokers and the MD's have been tossed under the bus. $1.00/pack increase in cig taxes, a $200 million raid on a 'segregated' fund coming from MD's pockets (or your health-cost.)
Which means that the MDs will be moving out of State, and the smokers will be using on-line purchases (or more exotic devices) to purchase cigarettes off-the-books.
3) Apparently the K-R-M train will cost another tax increase of some sort...yet TBA.
4) DarthDoyle's "magic College" deal is in--so those taxpayers who remain in the State 4 years or longer from now will have to pay a LOT more in taxes.
Summed up: about $700 million in new taxes over 2 years, plus the downtrack "college" liability.
The Southeastern part of the USA looks more and more attractive every week.
1) Because there's no automatic gas-tax increase, your Republican legislators decided to increase your license-plate renewal fees.
That's to show you who's really in charge (hint: they're called RoadBuilders.)
2) The smokers and the MD's have been tossed under the bus. $1.00/pack increase in cig taxes, a $200 million raid on a 'segregated' fund coming from MD's pockets (or your health-cost.)
Which means that the MDs will be moving out of State, and the smokers will be using on-line purchases (or more exotic devices) to purchase cigarettes off-the-books.
3) Apparently the K-R-M train will cost another tax increase of some sort...yet TBA.
4) DarthDoyle's "magic College" deal is in--so those taxpayers who remain in the State 4 years or longer from now will have to pay a LOT more in taxes.
Summed up: about $700 million in new taxes over 2 years, plus the downtrack "college" liability.
The Southeastern part of the USA looks more and more attractive every week.
The Future of Maine's Middle Schoolers
We all know that Portland, ME.'s middle schools will now prescribe "the Pill" for little girls who ask for it--and that parents are not allowed to discuss that.
But will the little girls benefit from this?
Nope. In fact, the little girls will (or should) have a cause for lawsuit:
'In 2006, the Guttmacher Institute (research arm of Planned Parenthood) rated the states on the effectiveness of their state-funded birth control distribution programs. States such as New York and California were rated excellent while Nebraska was rated poor. Which of these states do you think have high abortion rates? Remember, Planned Parenthood claims that better access to birth control will reduce abortions. Well, New York and California are among the states with the highest abortion rates while Nebraska has low abortion rates. Thus, Planned Parenthood's own statistics demonstrate the failure to achieve their claimed results.
'In 2005, the Guttmacher Institute, in a study on unplanned pregnancies, noted that 53 percent of women who have unintended pregnancies used a contraceptive method during the month they got pregnant. Of those unplanned pregnancies, 47 percent end in abortion, 40 percent are carried to full term, and 13 percent end in miscarriage. Whether this is due to usage failure or method failure, it shows that artificial contraception is largely ineffective in preventing unplanned pregnancy and abortion.
What a promising future those young girls have!!
But will the little girls benefit from this?
Nope. In fact, the little girls will (or should) have a cause for lawsuit:
'In 2006, the Guttmacher Institute (research arm of Planned Parenthood) rated the states on the effectiveness of their state-funded birth control distribution programs. States such as New York and California were rated excellent while Nebraska was rated poor. Which of these states do you think have high abortion rates? Remember, Planned Parenthood claims that better access to birth control will reduce abortions. Well, New York and California are among the states with the highest abortion rates while Nebraska has low abortion rates. Thus, Planned Parenthood's own statistics demonstrate the failure to achieve their claimed results.
'In 2005, the Guttmacher Institute, in a study on unplanned pregnancies, noted that 53 percent of women who have unintended pregnancies used a contraceptive method during the month they got pregnant. Of those unplanned pregnancies, 47 percent end in abortion, 40 percent are carried to full term, and 13 percent end in miscarriage. Whether this is due to usage failure or method failure, it shows that artificial contraception is largely ineffective in preventing unplanned pregnancy and abortion.
What a promising future those young girls have!!
Sen. Reid (D-Land Deals): Cough Up the Money!
Harry Reid is now vying with GrannyNancy to be remembered as the stupidest national political figure in US history.
It's a close race.
Harry (Land-Deal) got 40 other US Senators to sign a letter blatantly threatening Rush Limbaugh's First Amendment rights based on a falsehood cooked up by the Soros gang.
Limbaugh didn't even have to use half his brain to make a monkey out of Harry--he offered the letter for sale, and will PERSONALLY match the high-bid--with all proceeds to go to a charity which provides tuition-assistance to children of armed-forces and civilian police killed in the line of duty.
The letter will go for over $2 million, and Rush will write a check for a like amount.
Harry (Land-Deal) Reid, always a fool, will have it played out in national headlines.
It's a close race.
Harry (Land-Deal) got 40 other US Senators to sign a letter blatantly threatening Rush Limbaugh's First Amendment rights based on a falsehood cooked up by the Soros gang.
Limbaugh didn't even have to use half his brain to make a monkey out of Harry--he offered the letter for sale, and will PERSONALLY match the high-bid--with all proceeds to go to a charity which provides tuition-assistance to children of armed-forces and civilian police killed in the line of duty.
The letter will go for over $2 million, and Rush will write a check for a like amount.
Harry (Land-Deal) Reid, always a fool, will have it played out in national headlines.
Another Hsu Drops
Well, well.
...All three locations, along with scores of others scattered throughout some of the poorest Chinese neighborhoods in Queens, Brooklyn and the Bronx, have been swept by an extraordinary impulse to shower money on one particular presidential candidate — Democratic front-runner Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Dishwashers, waiters and others whose jobs and dilapidated home addresses seem to make them unpromising targets for political fundraisers are pouring $1,000 and $2,000 contributions into Clinton’s campaign treasury. In April, a single fundraiser in an area long known or its gritty urban poverty yielded a whopping $380,000.
Bubba collected from the PRC's dictator-families and was raked over the coals for it.
HRC, no fool, takes money from less-visible folks. Chinese, yes. PRC dictators? Not on the surface, anyway.
HT: Texas Hold'Em
...All three locations, along with scores of others scattered throughout some of the poorest Chinese neighborhoods in Queens, Brooklyn and the Bronx, have been swept by an extraordinary impulse to shower money on one particular presidential candidate — Democratic front-runner Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Dishwashers, waiters and others whose jobs and dilapidated home addresses seem to make them unpromising targets for political fundraisers are pouring $1,000 and $2,000 contributions into Clinton’s campaign treasury. In April, a single fundraiser in an area long known or its gritty urban poverty yielded a whopping $380,000.
Bubba collected from the PRC's dictator-families and was raked over the coals for it.
HRC, no fool, takes money from less-visible folks. Chinese, yes. PRC dictators? Not on the surface, anyway.
HT: Texas Hold'Em
Blegging Pix of Firefighter-Tax-Eaters in Madison
Anyone have pix of the firefighters who were wearing fire-fighting regalia at the Madison rally?
One wonders which fire-chief allowed his men to wear their city's property off-site...
One wonders which fire-chief allowed his men to wear their city's property off-site...
More Money Down the....."Premises" Drain
It's very difficult to keep civility in headlines when this is the topic:
An initiative to create a second-shift Waukesha County public works crew from Jan. 1 to March 31 met some opposition from the county finance committee Wednesday because county supervisors said they’re still unsure what the workers will do when there isn’t any snow.
The initiative, which would be paid by the state, is included in the 2008 budget because public works director Rich Bolte said there are some safety concerns for both employees and drivers during big snow storms and plow drivers working too many hours.
“Waukesha County has a restriction of 16 hours (of work) in a day and with storms that have a duration of longer than that, we’re running out of manpower and snowplow operators to fight the storms,” said Tony Barth, Wisconsin Department of Transportation highway maintenance supervisor. “We feel this is a very needed thing to insure that were going to have coverage during big storms.”
The addition of the shift has been met with controversy during the past several months because supervisors said there isn’t enough work during the winter months to constitute its existence. The county has never employed a second shift for plowing, opting instead to pay regular workers overtime.
This is crap, pure and simple. It also explains the large (and boorish) presence of AFSCME at the anti-tax rally.
The false premise here is that Waukesha County roads should be "bare-concrete" clean during winter storms--a ridiculous proposal. Residents of this area are reasonably intelligent (unlike tax-sucking Doylies.) Now and then, it's going to be impossible or very dangerous to attempt travel during winter storms.
Let's not get into the banning of tire-chains, which were very helpful to critical police, fire, and ambulance services. They were banned because "the roads couldn't take the strain."
Right.
At the rate DOT repaves roads these days, who could tell the difference?
HT: Jessica
An initiative to create a second-shift Waukesha County public works crew from Jan. 1 to March 31 met some opposition from the county finance committee Wednesday because county supervisors said they’re still unsure what the workers will do when there isn’t any snow.
The initiative, which would be paid by the state, is included in the 2008 budget because public works director Rich Bolte said there are some safety concerns for both employees and drivers during big snow storms and plow drivers working too many hours.
“Waukesha County has a restriction of 16 hours (of work) in a day and with storms that have a duration of longer than that, we’re running out of manpower and snowplow operators to fight the storms,” said Tony Barth, Wisconsin Department of Transportation highway maintenance supervisor. “We feel this is a very needed thing to insure that were going to have coverage during big storms.”
The addition of the shift has been met with controversy during the past several months because supervisors said there isn’t enough work during the winter months to constitute its existence. The county has never employed a second shift for plowing, opting instead to pay regular workers overtime.
This is crap, pure and simple. It also explains the large (and boorish) presence of AFSCME at the anti-tax rally.
The false premise here is that Waukesha County roads should be "bare-concrete" clean during winter storms--a ridiculous proposal. Residents of this area are reasonably intelligent (unlike tax-sucking Doylies.) Now and then, it's going to be impossible or very dangerous to attempt travel during winter storms.
Tough patootie, folks. Don't drive!
Let's not get into the banning of tire-chains, which were very helpful to critical police, fire, and ambulance services. They were banned because "the roads couldn't take the strain."
Right.
At the rate DOT repaves roads these days, who could tell the difference?
HT: Jessica
Thursday, October 18, 2007
IRS Sends Curiously-Worded Email
So yah, I get emails from IRS. Some information is interesting.
Here's the first graf of today's:
WASHINGTON — For 2008, personal exemptions and standard deductions will rise, tax brackets will widen and workers will be able to save more for retirement, thanks to inflation adjustments announced today by the Internal Revenue Service.
One wonders what sort of basement-dwelling mushroom-minded 4th-grade-educated maroon wrote THAT piece of self-serving buffoonery.
Folks, if you think that the DC "mindset" is not the same as yours, you're right.
Here's the first graf of today's:
WASHINGTON — For 2008, personal exemptions and standard deductions will rise, tax brackets will widen and workers will be able to save more for retirement, thanks to inflation adjustments announced today by the Internal Revenue Service.
One wonders what sort of basement-dwelling mushroom-minded 4th-grade-educated maroon wrote THAT piece of self-serving buffoonery.
Folks, if you think that the DC "mindset" is not the same as yours, you're right.
Breast-Cancer Mitigation
Something you'll not hear from the otherwise well-intentioned folks who are talking about breast-cancer prevention:
...there is one factor that significantly decreases chances of developing breast cancer that has received little or no media attention: having babies, early and often, says Dr. Miriam Grossman, M.D.
Not only is early pregnancy (by early, we’re talking about before age 35) rarely if ever listed among the factors decreasing risk of breast cancer, Dr. Grossman reveals that efforts to inform women about the risks associating with delaying pregnancy have in the past been squelched by a group supposedly committed to bettering women’s lives: the National Organization for Women. (AKA: the Nat'l Ass'n of Gals--or NAGs)
So this month, you can help raise awareness about breast cancer by telling women you know what some liberal feminists would rather they not hear: that having children early and breastfeeding them can be a natural and effective way to lower chances of developing the devastating disease.
HT: Ignatius Scoop
...there is one factor that significantly decreases chances of developing breast cancer that has received little or no media attention: having babies, early and often, says Dr. Miriam Grossman, M.D.
Not only is early pregnancy (by early, we’re talking about before age 35) rarely if ever listed among the factors decreasing risk of breast cancer, Dr. Grossman reveals that efforts to inform women about the risks associating with delaying pregnancy have in the past been squelched by a group supposedly committed to bettering women’s lives: the National Organization for Women. (AKA: the Nat'l Ass'n of Gals--or NAGs)
So this month, you can help raise awareness about breast cancer by telling women you know what some liberal feminists would rather they not hear: that having children early and breastfeeding them can be a natural and effective way to lower chances of developing the devastating disease.
HT: Ignatius Scoop
Law School Lawsuit
Tom Monaghan is a peculiar fellow--perhaps a little too much pepperoni-ingestion or something.
At any rate, he has a problem on his hands:
Three professors from Tom Monaghan's Ave Maria School of Law filed a multi-part complaint against Thomas Monaghan, Bernard Dobranski and associated entities in Washtenaw County Circuit Court on Oct. 17.
Monaghan serves as Chair of the Board of Governors and Dobranski is the President and Dean. The three professors claim that they were removed from their positions in retaliation for their having reported illegal conduct by Monaghan and Dobranski to law enforcement and other governmental agencies, and for refusing to go along with Monaghan's attempts to improperly control the Board by permitting his private, conflicting interests to supersede the best interests of the law school, including his attempt to re-locate the school from Ann Arbor to property Monaghan owns and desires to develop in "Ave Maria Town" Florida. Monaghan has claimed that the Virgin Mary personally directed him to develop Ave Maria Town and Ave Maria University in Southwest Florida
Those are fairly serious charges.
At any rate, he has a problem on his hands:
Three professors from Tom Monaghan's Ave Maria School of Law filed a multi-part complaint against Thomas Monaghan, Bernard Dobranski and associated entities in Washtenaw County Circuit Court on Oct. 17.
Monaghan serves as Chair of the Board of Governors and Dobranski is the President and Dean. The three professors claim that they were removed from their positions in retaliation for their having reported illegal conduct by Monaghan and Dobranski to law enforcement and other governmental agencies, and for refusing to go along with Monaghan's attempts to improperly control the Board by permitting his private, conflicting interests to supersede the best interests of the law school, including his attempt to re-locate the school from Ann Arbor to property Monaghan owns and desires to develop in "Ave Maria Town" Florida. Monaghan has claimed that the Virgin Mary personally directed him to develop Ave Maria Town and Ave Maria University in Southwest Florida
Those are fairly serious charges.
Sacred Music on B-16's Front Burner
The train's leaving the station, according to Magister, who is a very reliable reporter:
In the span of just a few days, a series of events have unfolded at the Vatican which, taken all together, foretell new provisions – at the pope's behest – to foster the rebirth of great sacred music. T
The first of these events took place on Monday, October 8. On that morning, Benedict XVI held an audience with the "chapter" of Saint Peter's basilica – meaning the bishops and priests who, together with the archpriest of the basilica, Angelo Comastri, celebrate Mass and solemn Vespers each Sunday in the most famous church in the Christian world. The pope reminded them that "it is necessary that, beside the tomb of Peter, there be a stable community of prayer to guarantee continuity with tradition."
...One example the pope gave to the chapter of St. Peter's was the celebration of the liturgy at the abbey of Heiligenkreutz, the flourishing monastery he had visited just a few weeks earlier in Austria.
In effect, since just over a year ago, Gregorian chant has been restored as the primary form of singing for Mass and solemn Vespers in Saint Peter's basilica. The rebirth of Gregorian chant at St. Peter's coincided with the appointment of a new choir director, who was chosen by the basilica chapter in February of 2006. The new director, Pierre Paul, a Canadian and an Oblate of the Virgin Mary, has made a clean break with the practice established during the pontificate of John Paul II – and reaffirmed by the previous director, Pablo Colino – of bringing to sing at the Masses in St. Peter's the most disparate choirs, drawn from all over the world, very uneven in quality and often inadequate.
Fr. Paul put the gradual and the antiphonal back into the hands of his singers, and taught them to sing Mass and Vespers in pure Gregorian chant. The faithful are also provided with booklets with the Gregorian notation for Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, Agnus Dei, and the translation of the texts in Italian, English, and Spanish. The results are liturgically exemplary celebrations, with increasing participation from a growing number of faithful from many nations.
...The second event took place on Wednesday, October 10, again in Saint Peter's Basilica. The orchestra and choir of Humboldt Universität in Berlin, conducted by Constantin Alex, performed the Mass "Tu es Petrus," composed in honor of Joseph Ratzinger's eightieth birthday by the German musician Wolfgang Seifein, who was present at the organ. Make no mistake: this was not a concert, but a real Mass. Exactly like on November 19 of last year, when in St. Peter's (see photo) the Wiener Philarmoniker provided the musical accompaniment for the Eucharistic liturgy celebrated by cardinal Christoph Schönborn, with the Krönungsmesse K 317 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
[The very same Ordinary which Rembert Weakland, OSB, disparaged when the Berlin Philharmonic was engaged to play it for the feast of SS. Peter and Paul under the reign of JPII. How's them sour apples now, Abp. W.??]
It is no mystery that the reciprocal enrichment between the Catholic liturgy and great sacred music is especially close to Benedict XVI's heart. The pope made this clear with particular force during his recent trip to Austria, with the Mass he celebrated on Sunday, September 9, in the cathedral of Vienna, accompanied by the stupendous Mariazeller Messe by Franz Joseph Haydn, and by a communion antiphon and Psalm in pure Gregorian chant.
...The third event is Benedict XVI's visit to the Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music, on the morning of Saturday, October 13. To the professors and students of this institute – which is the liturgical-musical "conservatory" of the Holy See, the one that trains Church musicians from all over the world – the pope cited Vatican Council II, where it says that "as sacred song united to the words, it forms a necessary or integral part of the solemn liturgy" (Sancrosanctum Concilium, 112). He also confirmed that "three characteristics distinguish sacred liturgical music: sanctity, true art, and universality, meaning its ability to be used regardless of the nature or nationality of the assembly."
And he continued: "Precisely in view of this, ecclesiastical authorities must devote themselves to guiding wisely the development of such a demanding genre of music, not by sealing off its repository, but by seeking to insert into the heritage of the past the legitimate additions of the present, in order to arrive at a synthesis worthy of the high mission reserved to it in the divine service. I am certain that the Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music, in harmonious agreement with the congregation for divine worship, will not fail to offer its contribution for an 'updating', adapted to our time, of the abundant and valuable traditions found in sacred music."
This expectation could soon be followed by the institution, in the Roman curia, of an office endowed with authority in the area of sacred music. It is already known that, as a cardinal, Ratzinger maintained that the institution of such an office was necessary.
[That would be an unusual move, but obviously one which is necessary. Interesting that it is being contemplated, much less rumored-in-writing.]
The fourth event, which came shortly before the first three, was the replacement, on October 1, of the director of pontifical liturgical celebrations. To replace Piero Marini – who will go to preside over the pontifical committee for international Eucharistic congresses – the call went out to Genoa, to Guido Marini, who's close to his predecessor in name, but to pope Ratzinger in substance. The removal of Piero Marini leaves unprotected the man he had brought in, in 1997, to direct the Cappella Sistina after Bartolucci's dismissal: Giuseppe Liberto. As director of the choir that accompanies the papal liturgies, Liberto is not the right man for the current pope.
One final event must be added to the events already mentioned, one that provides background for all the others. It is the promulgation of the motu proprio "Summorum Pontificum," by which Benedict XVI liberalized the ancient rite of the Mass. It is increasingly evident that with this decision, pope Ratzinger wanted to make it possible for the modern liturgies to regain the richness of the ancient rite that they are in danger of losing: a richness of theology, textual form, and music.
No pun intended: "Let him who has ears to hear, hear!!"
Got that, Liturgeist Establishment? Your heads may be exploding on receipt of the news, but hey! The 1960's are history!! Over!! Done with!!
It behooves you to either learn and DO Chant, or gracefully resign.
Hara-Kiri will be equally acceptable. Just don't mess up the sanctuary or organ-loft.
MUCH more can be found at FrZ's place.
In the span of just a few days, a series of events have unfolded at the Vatican which, taken all together, foretell new provisions – at the pope's behest – to foster the rebirth of great sacred music. T
The first of these events took place on Monday, October 8. On that morning, Benedict XVI held an audience with the "chapter" of Saint Peter's basilica – meaning the bishops and priests who, together with the archpriest of the basilica, Angelo Comastri, celebrate Mass and solemn Vespers each Sunday in the most famous church in the Christian world. The pope reminded them that "it is necessary that, beside the tomb of Peter, there be a stable community of prayer to guarantee continuity with tradition."
...One example the pope gave to the chapter of St. Peter's was the celebration of the liturgy at the abbey of Heiligenkreutz, the flourishing monastery he had visited just a few weeks earlier in Austria.
In effect, since just over a year ago, Gregorian chant has been restored as the primary form of singing for Mass and solemn Vespers in Saint Peter's basilica. The rebirth of Gregorian chant at St. Peter's coincided with the appointment of a new choir director, who was chosen by the basilica chapter in February of 2006. The new director, Pierre Paul, a Canadian and an Oblate of the Virgin Mary, has made a clean break with the practice established during the pontificate of John Paul II – and reaffirmed by the previous director, Pablo Colino – of bringing to sing at the Masses in St. Peter's the most disparate choirs, drawn from all over the world, very uneven in quality and often inadequate.
Fr. Paul put the gradual and the antiphonal back into the hands of his singers, and taught them to sing Mass and Vespers in pure Gregorian chant. The faithful are also provided with booklets with the Gregorian notation for Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, Agnus Dei, and the translation of the texts in Italian, English, and Spanish. The results are liturgically exemplary celebrations, with increasing participation from a growing number of faithful from many nations.
...The second event took place on Wednesday, October 10, again in Saint Peter's Basilica. The orchestra and choir of Humboldt Universität in Berlin, conducted by Constantin Alex, performed the Mass "Tu es Petrus," composed in honor of Joseph Ratzinger's eightieth birthday by the German musician Wolfgang Seifein, who was present at the organ. Make no mistake: this was not a concert, but a real Mass. Exactly like on November 19 of last year, when in St. Peter's (see photo) the Wiener Philarmoniker provided the musical accompaniment for the Eucharistic liturgy celebrated by cardinal Christoph Schönborn, with the Krönungsmesse K 317 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
[The very same Ordinary which Rembert Weakland, OSB, disparaged when the Berlin Philharmonic was engaged to play it for the feast of SS. Peter and Paul under the reign of JPII. How's them sour apples now, Abp. W.??]
It is no mystery that the reciprocal enrichment between the Catholic liturgy and great sacred music is especially close to Benedict XVI's heart. The pope made this clear with particular force during his recent trip to Austria, with the Mass he celebrated on Sunday, September 9, in the cathedral of Vienna, accompanied by the stupendous Mariazeller Messe by Franz Joseph Haydn, and by a communion antiphon and Psalm in pure Gregorian chant.
...The third event is Benedict XVI's visit to the Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music, on the morning of Saturday, October 13. To the professors and students of this institute – which is the liturgical-musical "conservatory" of the Holy See, the one that trains Church musicians from all over the world – the pope cited Vatican Council II, where it says that "as sacred song united to the words, it forms a necessary or integral part of the solemn liturgy" (Sancrosanctum Concilium, 112). He also confirmed that "three characteristics distinguish sacred liturgical music: sanctity, true art, and universality, meaning its ability to be used regardless of the nature or nationality of the assembly."
And he continued: "Precisely in view of this, ecclesiastical authorities must devote themselves to guiding wisely the development of such a demanding genre of music, not by sealing off its repository, but by seeking to insert into the heritage of the past the legitimate additions of the present, in order to arrive at a synthesis worthy of the high mission reserved to it in the divine service. I am certain that the Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music, in harmonious agreement with the congregation for divine worship, will not fail to offer its contribution for an 'updating', adapted to our time, of the abundant and valuable traditions found in sacred music."
This expectation could soon be followed by the institution, in the Roman curia, of an office endowed with authority in the area of sacred music. It is already known that, as a cardinal, Ratzinger maintained that the institution of such an office was necessary.
[That would be an unusual move, but obviously one which is necessary. Interesting that it is being contemplated, much less rumored-in-writing.]
The fourth event, which came shortly before the first three, was the replacement, on October 1, of the director of pontifical liturgical celebrations. To replace Piero Marini – who will go to preside over the pontifical committee for international Eucharistic congresses – the call went out to Genoa, to Guido Marini, who's close to his predecessor in name, but to pope Ratzinger in substance. The removal of Piero Marini leaves unprotected the man he had brought in, in 1997, to direct the Cappella Sistina after Bartolucci's dismissal: Giuseppe Liberto. As director of the choir that accompanies the papal liturgies, Liberto is not the right man for the current pope.
One final event must be added to the events already mentioned, one that provides background for all the others. It is the promulgation of the motu proprio "Summorum Pontificum," by which Benedict XVI liberalized the ancient rite of the Mass. It is increasingly evident that with this decision, pope Ratzinger wanted to make it possible for the modern liturgies to regain the richness of the ancient rite that they are in danger of losing: a richness of theology, textual form, and music.
No pun intended: "Let him who has ears to hear, hear!!"
Got that, Liturgeist Establishment? Your heads may be exploding on receipt of the news, but hey! The 1960's are history!! Over!! Done with!!
It behooves you to either learn and DO Chant, or gracefully resign.
Hara-Kiri will be equally acceptable. Just don't mess up the sanctuary or organ-loft.
MUCH more can be found at FrZ's place.
The Real Meaning of 'Solidarity'
Unions use the term, and the Polish "Solidarnocz" became familiar just before Karol Wojtyla, Ron Reagan, and Maggie Thatcher demonstrated that 'solidarity' was powerful.
Kevin Fisher points to another example, this time involving a former Packer. (Incidentally, this particular Packer was highly respected and loved by Green Bay people. He was (and still is) just a great guy.)
Willie Wood, 70, is paying the steep price for being a football hero.
Two knees and one hip have been replaced. Doctors have performed four major surgeries on his back and fused two vertebrae in his neck. And last year he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.
...Yet Wood isn't facing his uncertain future alone. A posse of aging NFL and college teammates is using its financial resources, business savvy and, when possible, their fading football celebrity to ensure that their friend, who came dangerously close to losing his longtime home, isn't stripped of his dignity.
..."It's a brotherhood in its simplest form," Smith said. "It freaks you out at first to hear these big guys saying 'I love you,' and to see them hugging each other. But it's just genuinely that simple.
Brett Favre's help for Koren Robinson is similar--and there are rumors that Favre has been equally helpful and encouraging to other NFL players caught up in addictions.
Solidarity works.
Kevin Fisher points to another example, this time involving a former Packer. (Incidentally, this particular Packer was highly respected and loved by Green Bay people. He was (and still is) just a great guy.)
Willie Wood, 70, is paying the steep price for being a football hero.
Two knees and one hip have been replaced. Doctors have performed four major surgeries on his back and fused two vertebrae in his neck. And last year he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.
...Yet Wood isn't facing his uncertain future alone. A posse of aging NFL and college teammates is using its financial resources, business savvy and, when possible, their fading football celebrity to ensure that their friend, who came dangerously close to losing his longtime home, isn't stripped of his dignity.
..."It's a brotherhood in its simplest form," Smith said. "It freaks you out at first to hear these big guys saying 'I love you,' and to see them hugging each other. But it's just genuinely that simple.
Brett Favre's help for Koren Robinson is similar--and there are rumors that Favre has been equally helpful and encouraging to other NFL players caught up in addictions.
Solidarity works.
Treasury's Paulsen: Don't Blame the Big Boys
The Treasury Secretary awoke when the Big Boyzzz started feeling the heat. But are they the bad actors?
...On the other hand, the former head of Goldman Sachs is a member in good standing of the club of Wall Street CEOs. When the subprime meltdown began to disturb the CEOs' sleep, he responded with alacrity. Even as he had harsh words for the entire mortgage complex—from brokers to credit-rating agencies—and recommended far-reaching reforms, Paulson was careful to single out one class of actors for protection. He noted that the issue has been raised as to "whether greater liability should be imposed on securitizers and investors." In other words, should the Wall Street firms that peddled mortgage-backed securities that turned out to be worthless a few months later be subject to greater accountability through the legal system? His answer: "In my view, this is not the answer to the problem."
Just how bad ARE those mortgate-backed securities? Go here to see the pricing.
We are continually reminded by the BushBots that over the last 10 years or so, the assets of Americans have risen substantially.
But if housing prices continue to degrade, that "assets" picture will not look so rosy.
...On the other hand, the former head of Goldman Sachs is a member in good standing of the club of Wall Street CEOs. When the subprime meltdown began to disturb the CEOs' sleep, he responded with alacrity. Even as he had harsh words for the entire mortgage complex—from brokers to credit-rating agencies—and recommended far-reaching reforms, Paulson was careful to single out one class of actors for protection. He noted that the issue has been raised as to "whether greater liability should be imposed on securitizers and investors." In other words, should the Wall Street firms that peddled mortgage-backed securities that turned out to be worthless a few months later be subject to greater accountability through the legal system? His answer: "In my view, this is not the answer to the problem."
Just how bad ARE those mortgate-backed securities? Go here to see the pricing.
We are continually reminded by the BushBots that over the last 10 years or so, the assets of Americans have risen substantially.
But if housing prices continue to degrade, that "assets" picture will not look so rosy.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
State Finances Should Be On-Line
There is NO good reason that the State's revenue cannot be put on-line, daily--broken into three components: sales tax revenue vs. projections; income-tax revenue vs. projections, and fee-revenue vs. projections. (I know there are other State revenue accounts, but these are the interesting ones...)
Obviously, that's only a small part of the picture; the "expenses" side would be very interesting, too. It should be available, broken down by Department, and broken into operating vs. capital, also against projections.
Over the next several years, the "expense" side should be broken down by each spending-unit within each Department--in other words, all spending should be detailed on-line.
There are very large businesses in this country which have that information available to their executive team. The systems are written, albeit not for Gummints.
This is a matter of accountability and transparency in Gummint. About damn time it begins.
Obviously, that's only a small part of the picture; the "expenses" side would be very interesting, too. It should be available, broken down by Department, and broken into operating vs. capital, also against projections.
Over the next several years, the "expense" side should be broken down by each spending-unit within each Department--in other words, all spending should be detailed on-line.
There are very large businesses in this country which have that information available to their executive team. The systems are written, albeit not for Gummints.
This is a matter of accountability and transparency in Gummint. About damn time it begins.
State Health Care Plan in Action
As most of us know, the State of Wisconsin runs a mental hospital called "Winnebago."
Here are some of Jim Doyle's healthcare results from Winnebago:
Three patients died and a fourth was raped at Winnebago Mental Health Institute during a two-year time period.
The cases prompted state citations for neglect and inattention.
State inspection reports showed how poor supervision, questionable medical care, inadequate staffing and bad judgment had put patients in jeopardy.
A follow-up report, published Sunday, found that Winnebago did not immediately inform the state of three other deaths, despite questionable circumstances.
Can't wait to see how Jim does with all the OTHER hospitals in the State, can you?
Here are some of Jim Doyle's healthcare results from Winnebago:
Three patients died and a fourth was raped at Winnebago Mental Health Institute during a two-year time period.
The cases prompted state citations for neglect and inattention.
State inspection reports showed how poor supervision, questionable medical care, inadequate staffing and bad judgment had put patients in jeopardy.
A follow-up report, published Sunday, found that Winnebago did not immediately inform the state of three other deaths, despite questionable circumstances.
Can't wait to see how Jim does with all the OTHER hospitals in the State, can you?
Observations from Madistan
Went out there. Had a decent (not great) corned-beef sandwich in an Irish-themed pub on the Square. Parked at an expired meter--no ticket!
Observed about 400 Union folks rallying for a massive tax increase (about $2.3 billion)--heavily salted with members of the State workers' unions--firemen, teachers, corrections-department types, and of course the SEIU and the Operators (who want more State buildings to be built.)
That group was impolite--and a few will leave with hearing-loss because one of their idiots managed to set up a loudspeaker-feedback which was extremely obnoxious. Serves them right.
UPDATE: Here are comments about that noisy crowd of oinkers from a fellow on THEIR side of the line. "Caffeinated" is right--the squealing, shouting, drooling, gaggle of people get no respect--which is about what they deserve, aside from the busted eardrums.
The anti-tax crowd was smaller (after all, we took UN-paid time to be there.) Owen and Fred spoke for the Blog-Crowd.
Reince Priebus gave a very, very good speech! Didn't think he had it in him. He did state that the Republican Party would not sign onto ANY tax increase. We'll see. Scuttlebut has it that the smokers and the MD's are already road-kill under the Tax Bus.
Great day for a rally, well-organized by AFT.
Observed about 400 Union folks rallying for a massive tax increase (about $2.3 billion)--heavily salted with members of the State workers' unions--firemen, teachers, corrections-department types, and of course the SEIU and the Operators (who want more State buildings to be built.)
That group was impolite--and a few will leave with hearing-loss because one of their idiots managed to set up a loudspeaker-feedback which was extremely obnoxious. Serves them right.
UPDATE: Here are comments about that noisy crowd of oinkers from a fellow on THEIR side of the line. "Caffeinated" is right--the squealing, shouting, drooling, gaggle of people get no respect--which is about what they deserve, aside from the busted eardrums.
The anti-tax crowd was smaller (after all, we took UN-paid time to be there.) Owen and Fred spoke for the Blog-Crowd.
Reince Priebus gave a very, very good speech! Didn't think he had it in him. He did state that the Republican Party would not sign onto ANY tax increase. We'll see. Scuttlebut has it that the smokers and the MD's are already road-kill under the Tax Bus.
Great day for a rally, well-organized by AFT.
Hildebeeste Panders to AFSCME: Taxpayers to Fund More Vacations
Oh, why not?
Under Mrs. Clinton's proposal, the federal government would spend more than $1 billion a year to encourage states to operate their own paid family leave programs with a goal of having a program in every state by 2016. In addition, Mrs. Clinton also hoped to expand the Family Medical Leave Act to cover an additional 13 million workers. The act provides unpaid leave to new parents, workers caring for sick family members, and those recovering from illness. In addition, the presidential candidate said she would increase funding for child-care programs.
Beyond paid vacations, paid holidays, and paid sick-leave, HRC wants States to pay for "family leave."
And, of course, the Federal taxpayer will support that, too!
Can anyone spell AFSCME?
HT: THe Captain
Under Mrs. Clinton's proposal, the federal government would spend more than $1 billion a year to encourage states to operate their own paid family leave programs with a goal of having a program in every state by 2016. In addition, Mrs. Clinton also hoped to expand the Family Medical Leave Act to cover an additional 13 million workers. The act provides unpaid leave to new parents, workers caring for sick family members, and those recovering from illness. In addition, the presidential candidate said she would increase funding for child-care programs.
Beyond paid vacations, paid holidays, and paid sick-leave, HRC wants States to pay for "family leave."
And, of course, the Federal taxpayer will support that, too!
Can anyone spell AFSCME?
HT: THe Captain
Channel 4 Nears Hysteria: Darth to "Shut Down" Gummint
Heh.
To the surprise of absolutely no one, DarthDoyle declared parts of the State Government "non-essential" and he may shut them down in the next, oh, ........well......soon......maybe.
That was enough to get a reporter from Channel 4 out there, and enough to elicit Real Concerned Looks from C. Meekins and M. Jacobs.
Real Concern!!
But there's a bright side to this, folks. When Darth closes down "non-essential" Gummint units, the perspicacious Republicans may take him at his word--and eliminate funding for those units in the next budget.
Meantime, Channel 4 perpetuates the myth that Wisconsin "does not have a budget." In fact, the State HAS a budget--which is a zero-increase budget. It's the last one.
To the surprise of absolutely no one, DarthDoyle declared parts of the State Government "non-essential" and he may shut them down in the next, oh, ........well......soon......maybe.
That was enough to get a reporter from Channel 4 out there, and enough to elicit Real Concerned Looks from C. Meekins and M. Jacobs.
Real Concern!!
But there's a bright side to this, folks. When Darth closes down "non-essential" Gummint units, the perspicacious Republicans may take him at his word--and eliminate funding for those units in the next budget.
Meantime, Channel 4 perpetuates the myth that Wisconsin "does not have a budget." In fact, the State HAS a budget--which is a zero-increase budget. It's the last one.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Successful Sem Program....
In St. Louis.
This year, the seminary is housing 112 seminarians who are enrolled in the Kenrick School of Theology and pre-theology program and Cardinal Glennon College, according to president-rector Msgr. Ted L. Wojcicki.
"That’s an increase of 50 percent over the the 75 seminarians enrolled last spring," he said."
Lemmeeesee, heah. St Louis has about the same population as Milwaukee, right?
HT: Rich Leonardi
This year, the seminary is housing 112 seminarians who are enrolled in the Kenrick School of Theology and pre-theology program and Cardinal Glennon College, according to president-rector Msgr. Ted L. Wojcicki.
"That’s an increase of 50 percent over the the 75 seminarians enrolled last spring," he said."
Lemmeeesee, heah. St Louis has about the same population as Milwaukee, right?
HT: Rich Leonardi
Largest Church Organ in the USA!
From a "help-wanted" blog entry:
8 Manual Wicks in chapel
Organists who do not have a lap are encouraged to apply.
8 Manual Wicks in chapel
Organists who do not have a lap are encouraged to apply.
Miller Boycott in Full Swing
Somehow or other, I didn't see this mentioned in the Milwaukee JS.
Catholic League president Bill Donohue released the following statement today regarding the league’s protest of Miller beer:
“Last week we sent some photos of the Miller-sponsored Folsom Street Fair to all the pastors of the 166 Protestant churches in Milwaukee. Today we are blanketing all the synagogues and mosques in Milwaukee; we are asking rabbis and imams for their assistance in protesting Miller’s anti-religion agenda. Next week we will target another segment of the Milwaukee community.
“Our anti-Miller PR campaign and boycott of Miller beer will continue on a weekly basis until such time that the Miller Brewing Company issues a statement reassuring Americans that it will never again promote an anti-religious event. There are signs that our boycott is working.
While one doesn't expect that Miller's sales will drop precipitously, there's little doubt that there has been an effect.
Catholic League president Bill Donohue released the following statement today regarding the league’s protest of Miller beer:
“Last week we sent some photos of the Miller-sponsored Folsom Street Fair to all the pastors of the 166 Protestant churches in Milwaukee. Today we are blanketing all the synagogues and mosques in Milwaukee; we are asking rabbis and imams for their assistance in protesting Miller’s anti-religion agenda. Next week we will target another segment of the Milwaukee community.
“Our anti-Miller PR campaign and boycott of Miller beer will continue on a weekly basis until such time that the Miller Brewing Company issues a statement reassuring Americans that it will never again promote an anti-religious event. There are signs that our boycott is working.
While one doesn't expect that Miller's sales will drop precipitously, there's little doubt that there has been an effect.
Russ Decker: (D-Inmate)?
This is pretty serious.
[Cheryl Albers] said Joint Finance Co-Chairman Russ Decker, D-Weston, called a couple of weeks ago to see what it would take to get her vote for the budget. Albers said Decker asked if she was interested in state aid for a bridge in Loganville on Wisconsin 154 that is closed due to flooding.
Wisconsin law is clear: this is called "logrolling," and it is a felony.
It is interesting that the law does NOT include quid-pro-quos from the Governor, however.
HT: Charlie
[Cheryl Albers] said Joint Finance Co-Chairman Russ Decker, D-Weston, called a couple of weeks ago to see what it would take to get her vote for the budget. Albers said Decker asked if she was interested in state aid for a bridge in Loganville on Wisconsin 154 that is closed due to flooding.
Wisconsin law is clear: this is called "logrolling," and it is a felony.
It is interesting that the law does NOT include quid-pro-quos from the Governor, however.
HT: Charlie
Gas Prices to Drop in Wisconsin! HOORAY!!!
Easy.
Flying J.
They just won a Federal case voiding Wisconsin's "minimum markup" for motor fuels.
But you can bet that Flying J will not be the only retailer dropping the prices.
HT: Owen
Flying J.
They just won a Federal case voiding Wisconsin's "minimum markup" for motor fuels.
But you can bet that Flying J will not be the only retailer dropping the prices.
HT: Owen
Monday, October 15, 2007
Benedict XVI on Sacred Music
There's little that a Pope can do, except preach and teach; so what you'll read here is repetitive (if you've paid attention to Church documents.)
Of course, the Liturgeists don't read Church documents with any interest (if at all.) "None so blind as they who will not see" and all that...
This news report comes from the Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music, which B-16 visited.
In his brief address Benedict XVI highlighted the fact that sacred music, as Vatican Council II had made clear, "is a treasure of inestimable value, greater even than that of any other art. The main reason for this pre-eminence is that, as sacred song united to the words, it forms a necessary or integral part of the solemn liturgy." [Direct from VatII's Document on Liturgy]
John Paul II, said Pope Benedict, "observed that today, as always, three characteristics distinguish sacred music: its 'sanctity,' its 'true art,' and its 'universality,' in other words the fact that it can be presented to any people or assembly. [Some folks need education on the first two of these criteria.]
"Precisely for this reason," he added, "the ecclesial authorities must undertake to guide ... the development of such an important form of music, not by 'freezing' its heritage but by seeking to combine the legacy of the past with the worthwhile novelties of the present, so as to achieve a synthesis worthy of the exalted mission [sacred music] has in the service of God.
[The word "novelty" may be a mis-translation. Generally, 'novelties' are anathema in Rome-speak.]
"I am certain, "Benedict XVI concluded, "that the Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music, in harmony with Congregation for Divine Worship, will not fail to contribute to an 'aggiornamento' ... of the precious traditions of which sacred music is so rich."
He calls for a new/cooperative relationship between PIMS and CDW. That should be interesting.
HT: Chironomo
Of course, the Liturgeists don't read Church documents with any interest (if at all.) "None so blind as they who will not see" and all that...
This news report comes from the Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music, which B-16 visited.
In his brief address Benedict XVI highlighted the fact that sacred music, as Vatican Council II had made clear, "is a treasure of inestimable value, greater even than that of any other art. The main reason for this pre-eminence is that, as sacred song united to the words, it forms a necessary or integral part of the solemn liturgy." [Direct from VatII's Document on Liturgy]
John Paul II, said Pope Benedict, "observed that today, as always, three characteristics distinguish sacred music: its 'sanctity,' its 'true art,' and its 'universality,' in other words the fact that it can be presented to any people or assembly. [Some folks need education on the first two of these criteria.]
"Precisely for this reason," he added, "the ecclesial authorities must undertake to guide ... the development of such an important form of music, not by 'freezing' its heritage but by seeking to combine the legacy of the past with the worthwhile novelties of the present, so as to achieve a synthesis worthy of the exalted mission [sacred music] has in the service of God.
[The word "novelty" may be a mis-translation. Generally, 'novelties' are anathema in Rome-speak.]
"I am certain, "Benedict XVI concluded, "that the Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music, in harmony with Congregation for Divine Worship, will not fail to contribute to an 'aggiornamento' ... of the precious traditions of which sacred music is so rich."
He calls for a new/cooperative relationship between PIMS and CDW. That should be interesting.
HT: Chironomo
Chinese Junk
The lovely and longsuffering spouse purchased a small appliance last week--and then, thinking of Christmas, purchased two more for certain offspring.
Of course, there was also the matter of several hundred pounds of zucchini at hand--which will be baked into 10,000 muffins in the next few weeks.
So she assembles one of the items and proceeds to try it out.
It doesn't work.
OK. Try three more sockets. Wiggle the appliance. Waggle the attachments.
No go.
Call the Husband (this is AFTER invoking the assistance of God and several Saints, as hubby is a reliable curmudgeon with ever-ready quips....)
Husband fiddles, twiggers, and waggles.
No go.
Husband looks for the 'dead-man' switch, finds it, depresses, and wallah!!! the appliance works.
Hmmmmm.
Re-assemble. No go. Attempt alternative re-assemblies to trigger dead-man switch. No go, no go, no go.
Call the brand-name "warranty" office located in WEST BEND, WI. Be placed on hold for 10 minutes (think there are other calls about this????)
Screw "on-hold."
The SOHO appliances will be returned. All THREE are identically defective, by the way.
Tell me again about how "less expensive" is GOOD for America, you FreeTraitors!
Of course, there was also the matter of several hundred pounds of zucchini at hand--which will be baked into 10,000 muffins in the next few weeks.
So she assembles one of the items and proceeds to try it out.
It doesn't work.
OK. Try three more sockets. Wiggle the appliance. Waggle the attachments.
No go.
Call the Husband (this is AFTER invoking the assistance of God and several Saints, as hubby is a reliable curmudgeon with ever-ready quips....)
Husband fiddles, twiggers, and waggles.
No go.
Husband looks for the 'dead-man' switch, finds it, depresses, and wallah!!! the appliance works.
Hmmmmm.
Re-assemble. No go. Attempt alternative re-assemblies to trigger dead-man switch. No go, no go, no go.
Call the brand-name "warranty" office located in WEST BEND, WI. Be placed on hold for 10 minutes (think there are other calls about this????)
Screw "on-hold."
The SOHO appliances will be returned. All THREE are identically defective, by the way.
Tell me again about how "less expensive" is GOOD for America, you FreeTraitors!
P I Attorney Description(s)
From the pen of LawDog, a few phrases describing the attorney who brought suit on behalf of the Floriduh cop-ette who injured her knee in the course of duty:
You two-bit, four-flushing, dirty, rotten, knee-biting, inbred vomitous mass.
You meretricious, soul-less, microcephalic, forked-tongued carbuncle in the armpit of humanity.
Is your mother proud of this, or -- as I suspect -- did you spontaneously spawn as the gelatinous mass in the bottom of a used jock-strap bin, thus sparing any woman the utter humiliation of admitting that she failed to drown you as soon as she saw the cruel, debased and sadistic gleam in your porcine little eyes -- you complete and utter vulture; you black-hearted, slime-trailing little invertebrate.
For the record, LawDog doesn't think much of the client, either....
You, madam, you and your attorney, are a prime example of why public floggings should never have gone out of style.
Nicely done, LawDog!!!
You two-bit, four-flushing, dirty, rotten, knee-biting, inbred vomitous mass.
You meretricious, soul-less, microcephalic, forked-tongued carbuncle in the armpit of humanity.
Is your mother proud of this, or -- as I suspect -- did you spontaneously spawn as the gelatinous mass in the bottom of a used jock-strap bin, thus sparing any woman the utter humiliation of admitting that she failed to drown you as soon as she saw the cruel, debased and sadistic gleam in your porcine little eyes -- you complete and utter vulture; you black-hearted, slime-trailing little invertebrate.
For the record, LawDog doesn't think much of the client, either....
You, madam, you and your attorney, are a prime example of why public floggings should never have gone out of style.
Nicely done, LawDog!!!
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Cutting to the Chase on Catholic "Music for Worship"
A very pleasant fellow in London (a newspaperman...) has a modest proposal.
...here's my suggestion to the clergy. At the beginning of tomorrow's service, announce a complete ban on guitars in church – and listen to a great cheer go up from the pews.
Why the Hell not?
A few nights ago at a social event I listened to two gentlemen laugh (yup, LAUGH) about the inane "music" used at their Parish. That's not a good thing.
And there's simply no good reason for this fraud to continue--other than the revenues-and-royalties scam involved for ICEL and some "composers" who wouldn't be allowed to be copy-boys for Mozart. Not even for Phil Glass.
Just do it.
...here's my suggestion to the clergy. At the beginning of tomorrow's service, announce a complete ban on guitars in church – and listen to a great cheer go up from the pews.
Why the Hell not?
A few nights ago at a social event I listened to two gentlemen laugh (yup, LAUGH) about the inane "music" used at their Parish. That's not a good thing.
And there's simply no good reason for this fraud to continue--other than the revenues-and-royalties scam involved for ICEL and some "composers" who wouldn't be allowed to be copy-boys for Mozart. Not even for Phil Glass.
Just do it.
Our Lady of Area 51
That Gerald has a sense of humor.
Take a look at the pix provided, and you'll know exactly why he used that title (my post-header)
Could serve as a concentration-camp bullpen, too, I suppose.
Take a look at the pix provided, and you'll know exactly why he used that title (my post-header)
Could serve as a concentration-camp bullpen, too, I suppose.
Greater Milwaukee Committee Goes for the Short-Term Money
For a bunch of people which ought to be able to distinguish "long-term" from "short-term," this is a disappointment.
The Greater Milwaukee Committee (GMC), one of the state's most powerful business associations, announced today its support for a proposed tax on hospitals to achieve the goal of providing access to affordable health care for Wisconsin.
There are a number of problems with the Doyle proposal. First among them is that it is an implicit advancement of the Nanny State (Federal Division.) Nothing could be further from Federalist ideals than grasping for Washington money to solve a Wisconsin problem.
Secondly, raising the cost-of-doing-business for hospitals (even though this triggers "free money" subsidization of those hospitals) doesn't stand to reason, particularly when you recognize that "free money" from politicians is simply NOT FREE!
Finally, what's to say that the subsidy will last? Or at the current rate? There's a bit of the "sin tax" buried in here; if the revenue source goes away (or diminishes), THEN what? Clear-sighted hospital execs understand this point very well:
...Gundersen Lutheran CEO Dr. Jeff Thompson said Thursday their opposition hasn’t changed.“While I’m a big fan of getting our own tax dollars back to pay for our health care and relieve the burden on our businesses, this system has such a risk of not being sustainable, and not being sustained by all the federal rules,” he said.
"Capitalists" ain't what they used to be. It's the short-term (read: profit-based bonus) that counts, not long-term viability.
UPDATE: Another blogger mentions that the hospital tax was re-written to terminate at the end of the budget bi-ennium, thus it will NOT be dependent on the vagaries of Fed spending. So the mechanics may be better--but the principles are still "under the bus."
Not exactly a redeeming virtue. Sorry.
The Greater Milwaukee Committee (GMC), one of the state's most powerful business associations, announced today its support for a proposed tax on hospitals to achieve the goal of providing access to affordable health care for Wisconsin.
There are a number of problems with the Doyle proposal. First among them is that it is an implicit advancement of the Nanny State (Federal Division.) Nothing could be further from Federalist ideals than grasping for Washington money to solve a Wisconsin problem.
Secondly, raising the cost-of-doing-business for hospitals (even though this triggers "free money" subsidization of those hospitals) doesn't stand to reason, particularly when you recognize that "free money" from politicians is simply NOT FREE!
Finally, what's to say that the subsidy will last? Or at the current rate? There's a bit of the "sin tax" buried in here; if the revenue source goes away (or diminishes), THEN what? Clear-sighted hospital execs understand this point very well:
...Gundersen Lutheran CEO Dr. Jeff Thompson said Thursday their opposition hasn’t changed.“While I’m a big fan of getting our own tax dollars back to pay for our health care and relieve the burden on our businesses, this system has such a risk of not being sustainable, and not being sustained by all the federal rules,” he said.
"Capitalists" ain't what they used to be. It's the short-term (read: profit-based bonus) that counts, not long-term viability.
UPDATE: Another blogger mentions that the hospital tax was re-written to terminate at the end of the budget bi-ennium, thus it will NOT be dependent on the vagaries of Fed spending. So the mechanics may be better--but the principles are still "under the bus."
Not exactly a redeeming virtue. Sorry.
BushBots: Please Shut Up, Already!
Not exactly the way the most polite Ms. Noonan phrased it, but you get the drift.
Following Dan Bartlett's bashing of Thompson, Huckabee, Romney, (et al), Ms. Noonan thought it appropriate to remind us of Dan Bartlett's credentials:
Now, you wouldn't think an adviser who helped steer a president to a sundered base, a flattened party and some of the lowest approval ratings since such polling began, would feel free to be so critical of others in politics. Profound modesty as to the depth of one's own savvy might be in order.
And Ms. Noonan, like most of us, noticed something else:
One of the few candidates Mr. Bartlett had nothing bad to say about was Rudy Giuliani, which suggests to me what I hear from those who visit the White House may be true: The president has decided it's Rudy.
Perhaps that's why Mark Levin specifically mentioned Washington DC as the southern end of the New York City/DC "Axis of Rudeeeeee!"
She does have a suggestion for twitty-snippy 'small men' like Bartlett:
But it's something I often wonder: Why don't people in Washington go home anymore? I'm reading Michael Korda's serene and gracious tribute to Dwight Eisenhower, "Ike: An American Hero," and stopped dead at this part. The day his White House successor, JFK, was inaugurated, "in the middle of a heavy snowstorm, [Ike] and Mamie left quietly and unobtrusively . . . grateful that they were no longer the focus of attention, and drove the eighty miles to Gettysburg."
Oh for those days. And that sort.
Amen.
HT: RedState
Following Dan Bartlett's bashing of Thompson, Huckabee, Romney, (et al), Ms. Noonan thought it appropriate to remind us of Dan Bartlett's credentials:
Now, you wouldn't think an adviser who helped steer a president to a sundered base, a flattened party and some of the lowest approval ratings since such polling began, would feel free to be so critical of others in politics. Profound modesty as to the depth of one's own savvy might be in order.
And Ms. Noonan, like most of us, noticed something else:
One of the few candidates Mr. Bartlett had nothing bad to say about was Rudy Giuliani, which suggests to me what I hear from those who visit the White House may be true: The president has decided it's Rudy.
Perhaps that's why Mark Levin specifically mentioned Washington DC as the southern end of the New York City/DC "Axis of Rudeeeeee!"
She does have a suggestion for twitty-snippy 'small men' like Bartlett:
But it's something I often wonder: Why don't people in Washington go home anymore? I'm reading Michael Korda's serene and gracious tribute to Dwight Eisenhower, "Ike: An American Hero," and stopped dead at this part. The day his White House successor, JFK, was inaugurated, "in the middle of a heavy snowstorm, [Ike] and Mamie left quietly and unobtrusively . . . grateful that they were no longer the focus of attention, and drove the eighty miles to Gettysburg."
Oh for those days. And that sort.
Amen.
HT: RedState
Saturday, October 13, 2007
'Net Speed Dropped Dead
Usually my (Norton-ping) speed on the 'net is around 76ms.
Today it's running near 300ms; and the guru-site for 'net speed says that it's trending downward around the country.
What gives?
Today it's running near 300ms; and the guru-site for 'net speed says that it's trending downward around the country.
What gives?
DarthDoyle Taxes HSA's??
Owen reports that DarthDoyle's "Budget, (Rev.2)" contains the following:
HSA Tax Deduction Eliminated
Wisconsin never really had an HSA tax deduction. If you have an HSA, the Feds simply do not tax funds used from the account. However, Wisconsin requires you to report the funds used as a part of gross income, then deduct the health-related expenditures.
It's ridiculous, cumbersome, time-consuming, and (frankly) a waste of EVERYONE'S time for what amounts to penny-ante tax dollars, if any.
Thus, the only way for Darth to have "eliminated" the deduction is that he found a way to prevent deducting the medical expenditures. More likely, the (R) Assembly suggested that the State tax method simply follow that of the Feds and DarthDoyle struck that provision.
Wouldn't surprise me, but if that were the case, it would be a below-the-belt hit, to say the least.
Worthy of cooking up some tar and finding a few feathers, anyway.
HSA Tax Deduction Eliminated
Wisconsin never really had an HSA tax deduction. If you have an HSA, the Feds simply do not tax funds used from the account. However, Wisconsin requires you to report the funds used as a part of gross income, then deduct the health-related expenditures.
It's ridiculous, cumbersome, time-consuming, and (frankly) a waste of EVERYONE'S time for what amounts to penny-ante tax dollars, if any.
Thus, the only way for Darth to have "eliminated" the deduction is that he found a way to prevent deducting the medical expenditures. More likely, the (R) Assembly suggested that the State tax method simply follow that of the Feds and DarthDoyle struck that provision.
Wouldn't surprise me, but if that were the case, it would be a below-the-belt hit, to say the least.
Worthy of cooking up some tar and finding a few feathers, anyway.
Friday, October 12, 2007
Belling's Good Question--And an Answer, Maybe
Yah, hey.
How the Hell does one place THREE .40cal rounds into one's own head before finally buying the farm?
The .40cal is a stout round (ask JBVanHollen.) It makes big holes.
So how does someone put TWO rounds through one's head (from the chin upwards) and then place another round from side-to-side?
Either Peterson was one really, really, really tough SOB, or the first two rounds entered the chin and left w/upper teeth only.
Hmmmmm.
UPDATE: Through Jessica, (tipped by McMahon,) we find "The Explainer" who 'splains that it's possible, and not necessarily real painful, either.
Things one doesn't need to know, really....
UPDATE TWO: Belling still doesn't like it. He has a cop-pal who says 'it's impossible.' But then an autopsy-performing MD gets on the phone and tells him that it's been done before, not impossible at all, and he's SEEN cases like this.
Belling doesn't want to let go, even though it would seem he's barking up the wrong tree here.
There are plenty of other questions, though. Like where the hell were the cops after the first 911 call came in telling them where the suspect was? FIVE HOURS to organize a take-down party?
How the Hell does one place THREE .40cal rounds into one's own head before finally buying the farm?
The .40cal is a stout round (ask JBVanHollen.) It makes big holes.
So how does someone put TWO rounds through one's head (from the chin upwards) and then place another round from side-to-side?
Either Peterson was one really, really, really tough SOB, or the first two rounds entered the chin and left w/upper teeth only.
Hmmmmm.
UPDATE: Through Jessica, (tipped by McMahon,) we find "The Explainer" who 'splains that it's possible, and not necessarily real painful, either.
Things one doesn't need to know, really....
UPDATE TWO: Belling still doesn't like it. He has a cop-pal who says 'it's impossible.' But then an autopsy-performing MD gets on the phone and tells him that it's been done before, not impossible at all, and he's SEEN cases like this.
Belling doesn't want to let go, even though it would seem he's barking up the wrong tree here.
There are plenty of other questions, though. Like where the hell were the cops after the first 911 call came in telling them where the suspect was? FIVE HOURS to organize a take-down party?
How Many Shares of Countrywide Can He Sell?
Think the "mortgage crisis" is over?
Then you can start buying what the CEO of Countrywide is selling.
And there is a helluvalot to buy!
HT: The Insider
Then you can start buying what the CEO of Countrywide is selling.
And there is a helluvalot to buy!
HT: The Insider
Bp Traut-person Drools Forth on the Motu Proprio
One thing for certain: the story of Bp. Trautperson will serve young Catholics well in the future. He will at the top of the pile of "horrible teenager" stories, despite the fact that he's well into his dotage.
Excerpts from his Own Personal Interpretation of the Motu Proprio follow.
...[in the ordinary use,] the liturgical celebration should be in English, including the prayers, Eucharistic prayer, readings, and homily. Traditional hymns in another language that are known to the people may be used.
This is, of course, an error. The Latin may be used in the Ordinary Use (Pauline Rite) without any impingement, period.
He hasn't even gotten to the Extraordinary Use (Joannine Rite) and he's already off the tracks!
Evidently he realized that the above statement was incorrect, so in the VERY NEXT 'GRAF he reversed course:
1.4 In accord with the norms of the General Instruction on the Roman Missal, the "ordinary form" may be celebrated in the Latin language.
Bp. Trautperson, meet John Kerry.
2.2 The Latin language is used in liturgical celebrations using the extraordinary form. In Masses where the people are present, the readings and homily should be in the vernacular,
With specific regard to "the readings," that statement is dicey if not flat-out wrong.
3.2 The Diocesan Bishop reserves to himself or to his personal delegate the authority to determine whether a priest is qualified to celebrate the Mass or sacraments according to the extraordinary form (canon 838 §§1, 3).
Rome, on the other hand, merely requests that the priest be able to pronounce the Latin correctly and be competent in the rubrics (the mechanics--how-to--as it were.)
3.5 Proficiency in the Latin language should be sufficient to demonstrate that the priest is not simply reciting the words of the sacred liturgy, but has an understanding of the meaning of what he is saying.
The actual text uses the term "idoneus" which does not imply 'understanding.' Even so, a priest who is familiar with the NEW texts in English will understand what he's saying.
The [license to say the Old Rite Mass] for a visiting extern priest must indicate that his knowledge and ability to celebrate using the extraordinary form is verified by his Diocesan Bishop or religious superior.
"Ausweis, Bitte!!!"
5.6 The Diocesan Bishop has determined that a stable group is one in which there are at least 25 persons who, in the same location and in an ongoing manner, adhere to the liturgical tradition according to the 1962 Missal of Blessed John XXIII. Individuals or groups seeking the celebration of the Mass according to the extraordinary form on an occasional basis lack the required stability for requesting its public celebration (Summorum Pontificum, Art. 5 §1).
Pure poppycock. The "Diocesan Bishop" cannot "determine" that 25 (or 3, or 285) is "the number," because the Latin "coetus" is indefinite.
No more than one Mass according to the 1962 Missal may be celebrated in a parish on a Sunday or holy day of obligation. If only one Mass is celebrated in a parish, it must be celebrated according to the ordinary form (Summorum Pontificum, Art. 5 §2).
Again, the Bishop adds restrictions which the Pope did not. The BishWish may come true--but not because he has the authority to say so.
6.4 The rubrics of the 1962 Missal assume the availability of a sacred place that is suitable for the celebration of the Mass according to the extraordinary form. Whenever a church, oratory or chapel does not adequately provide for public liturgical celebrations according to the extraordinary form, the pastor responsible for responding to the request of a stable group shall, "under the guidance of the Diocesan Bishop in accordance with canon 392," take measures to provide for the use of another sacred place (Summorum Pontificum, Art. 5 §1).
Yah, well, the CircusTent churches are not quite....up to snuff? Bp Trautperson doesn't recall that Masses were celebrated on battlefields, in 'safe house' closets, and in catacombs...
7.1 In any instance where the pastor (in the case of requests for public celebrations for a stable group) or an individual priest (in the case of private celebrations) has any questions regarding the use of the extraordinary form, the Diocesan Bishop is to be consulted.
Nice form, wrong on the law. The proper dicastery in Rome is also a 'first stop' if one wishes. This ain't like the Army, Bish.
This guy will retire soon. Let's hope by then he no longer needs Clearasil.
HT: Fr. Z.
Excerpts from his Own Personal Interpretation of the Motu Proprio follow.
...[in the ordinary use,] the liturgical celebration should be in English, including the prayers, Eucharistic prayer, readings, and homily. Traditional hymns in another language that are known to the people may be used.
This is, of course, an error. The Latin may be used in the Ordinary Use (Pauline Rite) without any impingement, period.
He hasn't even gotten to the Extraordinary Use (Joannine Rite) and he's already off the tracks!
Evidently he realized that the above statement was incorrect, so in the VERY NEXT 'GRAF he reversed course:
1.4 In accord with the norms of the General Instruction on the Roman Missal, the "ordinary form" may be celebrated in the Latin language.
Bp. Trautperson, meet John Kerry.
2.2 The Latin language is used in liturgical celebrations using the extraordinary form. In Masses where the people are present, the readings and homily should be in the vernacular,
With specific regard to "the readings," that statement is dicey if not flat-out wrong.
3.2 The Diocesan Bishop reserves to himself or to his personal delegate the authority to determine whether a priest is qualified to celebrate the Mass or sacraments according to the extraordinary form (canon 838 §§1, 3).
Rome, on the other hand, merely requests that the priest be able to pronounce the Latin correctly and be competent in the rubrics (the mechanics--how-to--as it were.)
3.5 Proficiency in the Latin language should be sufficient to demonstrate that the priest is not simply reciting the words of the sacred liturgy, but has an understanding of the meaning of what he is saying.
The actual text uses the term "idoneus" which does not imply 'understanding.' Even so, a priest who is familiar with the NEW texts in English will understand what he's saying.
The [license to say the Old Rite Mass] for a visiting extern priest must indicate that his knowledge and ability to celebrate using the extraordinary form is verified by his Diocesan Bishop or religious superior.
"Ausweis, Bitte!!!"
5.6 The Diocesan Bishop has determined that a stable group is one in which there are at least 25 persons who, in the same location and in an ongoing manner, adhere to the liturgical tradition according to the 1962 Missal of Blessed John XXIII. Individuals or groups seeking the celebration of the Mass according to the extraordinary form on an occasional basis lack the required stability for requesting its public celebration (Summorum Pontificum, Art. 5 §1).
Pure poppycock. The "Diocesan Bishop" cannot "determine" that 25 (or 3, or 285) is "the number," because the Latin "coetus" is indefinite.
No more than one Mass according to the 1962 Missal may be celebrated in a parish on a Sunday or holy day of obligation. If only one Mass is celebrated in a parish, it must be celebrated according to the ordinary form (Summorum Pontificum, Art. 5 §2).
Again, the Bishop adds restrictions which the Pope did not. The BishWish may come true--but not because he has the authority to say so.
6.4 The rubrics of the 1962 Missal assume the availability of a sacred place that is suitable for the celebration of the Mass according to the extraordinary form. Whenever a church, oratory or chapel does not adequately provide for public liturgical celebrations according to the extraordinary form, the pastor responsible for responding to the request of a stable group shall, "under the guidance of the Diocesan Bishop in accordance with canon 392," take measures to provide for the use of another sacred place (Summorum Pontificum, Art. 5 §1).
Yah, well, the CircusTent churches are not quite....up to snuff? Bp Trautperson doesn't recall that Masses were celebrated on battlefields, in 'safe house' closets, and in catacombs...
7.1 In any instance where the pastor (in the case of requests for public celebrations for a stable group) or an individual priest (in the case of private celebrations) has any questions regarding the use of the extraordinary form, the Diocesan Bishop is to be consulted.
Nice form, wrong on the law. The proper dicastery in Rome is also a 'first stop' if one wishes. This ain't like the Army, Bish.
This guy will retire soon. Let's hope by then he no longer needs Clearasil.
HT: Fr. Z.
Dave Clarke Oughta Look at This
Good old Sheriff Joe. You know, the Maricopa County guy...
Maricopa County was spending approx. $18 million dollars a year on stray animals, like cats and dogs. Sheriff Joe offered to take the department over and the County Supervisors said okay. The animal shelters are now all staffed and operated by prisoners. They feed and care for the strays. Every animal in his care is taken out and walked twice daily. He now has prisoners who are experts in animal nutrition and behavior. They give great classes for anyone who'd like to adopt an animal. He has literally taken stray dogs off the street, given them to the care of prisoners, and had them place in dog shows.
The best part? His budget for the entire department is now under $3 million.
And, reportedly, the prisoners love the duty.
HT: The (SF) Shepherd
Maricopa County was spending approx. $18 million dollars a year on stray animals, like cats and dogs. Sheriff Joe offered to take the department over and the County Supervisors said okay. The animal shelters are now all staffed and operated by prisoners. They feed and care for the strays. Every animal in his care is taken out and walked twice daily. He now has prisoners who are experts in animal nutrition and behavior. They give great classes for anyone who'd like to adopt an animal. He has literally taken stray dogs off the street, given them to the care of prisoners, and had them place in dog shows.
The best part? His budget for the entire department is now under $3 million.
And, reportedly, the prisoners love the duty.
HT: The (SF) Shepherd
A Reminder Message to Doyle on Concealed Carry
Not only does DarthDoyle think that 'all your income is mine to spend;' he also plays Russian Roulette with OUR lives.
Here's a 10 minute video from NRA about the right to carry concealed, including a few minutes with a Wisconsin resident/victim (I saw and heard her testimony at the Capitol a few years ago.) It's particularly timely, given the increase in crime in the City of Milwaukee OUTSIDE the 'special enforcement' zone.
Here's a 10 minute video from NRA about the right to carry concealed, including a few minutes with a Wisconsin resident/victim (I saw and heard her testimony at the Capitol a few years ago.) It's particularly timely, given the increase in crime in the City of Milwaukee OUTSIDE the 'special enforcement' zone.
Waukesha's Cheap Firefighters
There's something about this that doesn't ring true:
The next [City of Waukesha] budget hearing, on Thursday, will deal with public safety budgets, including the Fire Department request for $200,000 to hire nine new firefighters for a new west-side fire station.
Just $~20K per firefighter?
REALLY???
The next [City of Waukesha] budget hearing, on Thursday, will deal with public safety budgets, including the Fire Department request for $200,000 to hire nine new firefighters for a new west-side fire station.
Just $~20K per firefighter?
REALLY???
Mercedes-Bennies, Part 2,365
Buried in a story about year-round schools is this little gem:
The [MTEA] teacher contract says teachers accrue .067 of an hour of sick time for each hour worked
The typical work-year for everybody EXCEPT teachers consists of 2,080 hours, less vacations and holidays, meaning 2,080 less 80 (vacation), less 56 (7 paid holidays) or 1,944 hours worked.
Multiply 1,944 hours times .067 and what do you get? THREE WEEKS' paid sick time. But in the real world, typical paid sick-leave is only 5 days. In other words, the MTEA vacation formula is very generous--about 300% of real-world vacation calculations.
Who says teachers are just underpaid slaves?
The [MTEA] teacher contract says teachers accrue .067 of an hour of sick time for each hour worked
The typical work-year for everybody EXCEPT teachers consists of 2,080 hours, less vacations and holidays, meaning 2,080 less 80 (vacation), less 56 (7 paid holidays) or 1,944 hours worked.
Multiply 1,944 hours times .067 and what do you get? THREE WEEKS' paid sick time. But in the real world, typical paid sick-leave is only 5 days. In other words, the MTEA vacation formula is very generous--about 300% of real-world vacation calculations.
Who says teachers are just underpaid slaves?
"Licensed" Teachers? Or Controlling the Market?
It's a truism that once a monopoly or oligopoly is established, the monopolist or oligopolist(s) will do their best to maintain their stranglehold on the market.
This is not restricted to Big Biz. The Milwaukee Teachers' Association is perfectly willing to engage in similar practices. Welcome to "Restraint of Trade, Teacher Version."
...some schools have as few as four teachers, which means that teachers frequently cover several subjects while they are generally certified to teach in one area. State law permits teachers who are licensed in any area - even elementary school - to get "charter school" licenses that allow them to teach any subject in a high school and still be regarded as "highly qualified."
Advocates for some of the schools in Milwaukee said at this week's meeting that hard work and good training allow a teacher not licensed in, say, math to still be effective in teaching it - and sometimes more so than a teacher in a traditional classroom where students might be tuned out to what's going on.
They also said they could not afford to employ certified teachers to handle each subject on their small budgets and, in many cases, they have tried, but not succeeded, in attracting teachers in specialty areas such as math and science.
The Union Solution?
But in the eyes of leaders of Milwaukee's teachers union and some School Board members, to give students a teacher who is not certified in a specific subject is to give them an inferior teacher.
"Professional is professional," said Dennis Oulahan, president of the Milwaukee Teachers' Education Association. "If we're willing to play with that, how serious are we about moving student achievement forward in this district?"
There will be a "study." That shouldn't be real hard to do. The rather prestigious local Jesuit high-school often uses Jesuit Scholastics to teach a variety of courses in which they are not "certified" by the State or anyone else.
Study their results.
This is not restricted to Big Biz. The Milwaukee Teachers' Association is perfectly willing to engage in similar practices. Welcome to "Restraint of Trade, Teacher Version."
...some schools have as few as four teachers, which means that teachers frequently cover several subjects while they are generally certified to teach in one area. State law permits teachers who are licensed in any area - even elementary school - to get "charter school" licenses that allow them to teach any subject in a high school and still be regarded as "highly qualified."
Advocates for some of the schools in Milwaukee said at this week's meeting that hard work and good training allow a teacher not licensed in, say, math to still be effective in teaching it - and sometimes more so than a teacher in a traditional classroom where students might be tuned out to what's going on.
They also said they could not afford to employ certified teachers to handle each subject on their small budgets and, in many cases, they have tried, but not succeeded, in attracting teachers in specialty areas such as math and science.
The Union Solution?
But in the eyes of leaders of Milwaukee's teachers union and some School Board members, to give students a teacher who is not certified in a specific subject is to give them an inferior teacher.
"Professional is professional," said Dennis Oulahan, president of the Milwaukee Teachers' Education Association. "If we're willing to play with that, how serious are we about moving student achievement forward in this district?"
There will be a "study." That shouldn't be real hard to do. The rather prestigious local Jesuit high-school often uses Jesuit Scholastics to teach a variety of courses in which they are not "certified" by the State or anyone else.
Study their results.
"Rifle" Terminology Curious in Crandon Story
Here's something to ponder.
Reporting on the Crandon event, the Milwaukee JS reporters talk about the weapon Peterson used to kill 5 and wound 1:
In the aftermath of six murders by a Forest County sheriff's deputy and Crandon police officer - likely with his department-issued semiautomatic rifle
Curious phrasing, as in other contexts, that would be an "ASSAULT RIFLE." (Cue scary music.) You know--the kind of rifle that citizens should not be able to purchase.
Think it's because the JS editors are being more careful with terminology?
Reporting on the Crandon event, the Milwaukee JS reporters talk about the weapon Peterson used to kill 5 and wound 1:
In the aftermath of six murders by a Forest County sheriff's deputy and Crandon police officer - likely with his department-issued semiautomatic rifle
Curious phrasing, as in other contexts, that would be an "ASSAULT RIFLE." (Cue scary music.) You know--the kind of rifle that citizens should not be able to purchase.
Think it's because the JS editors are being more careful with terminology?
"DREAM" a Nightmare, Doyle Dons Costume!
It's hard to believe some of the provisions of the "DREAM" Act. But it's not surprising that DarthDoyle incorporates this crap into his "Budget, (R2)." Doyle has proven time and time again that "costs to the taxpayer" are not part of his alleged thinking.
The DREAM Act would allow any illegal immigrant of any age who entered the United States before age 16 and has a high school diploma or equivalent to enroll in any state university and pay only the in-state tuition rate. Being an illegal immigrant is the prerequisite to getting this preferential treatment, which is denied to legal aliens with valid student visas.
In-state tuition can amount to a taxpayer subsidy of up to $20,000 a year, depending on what the university charges students from the other 49 states. The illegal immigrant also becomes eligible for taxpayer-paid federal student loans and federal work-study programs, for which lawful foreign students are ineligible.
The Wisconsin in-state tuition is relatively low--meaning that Wisconsin taxpayers will be subsidizing a relatively-higher amount for ILLEGALS.
Not to mention the ridiculous notion that LEGAL foreign students cannot obtain this subsidy!!
But that's not all. The illegal alien would be rewarded with conditional lawful permanent resident green card status, which can be converted to a non-conditional green card. The immigrant can use his new legal status to seek green cards for the parents who brought him into the United States.
The student has six years to convert his green card from conditional to non-conditional. He just needs to complete two years of study at a college or serve two years in the military, and if he has already had two years of college, he can convert his green card to non-conditional immediately. [Complete two years of study??? While the 'military' option is palatable, if not exactly perfect, this "complete....study" thing brings up another series of questions....]
The illegal immigrant who applies for the DREAM Act can count his years under conditional green card status toward the five years needed to attain citizenship. That's a fast track to citizenship that is not available to aliens who are lawfully present in the United States.
What's with the screwing of LEGAL aliens?
Here in Wisconsin:
A new summary Thursday of Doyle's revised budget said it retains a plan to provide in-state tuition to illegal immigrants who graduate from a Wisconsin high school.
And what's with the screwing of US and Wisconsin taxpayers?
The DREAM Act would allow any illegal immigrant of any age who entered the United States before age 16 and has a high school diploma or equivalent to enroll in any state university and pay only the in-state tuition rate. Being an illegal immigrant is the prerequisite to getting this preferential treatment, which is denied to legal aliens with valid student visas.
In-state tuition can amount to a taxpayer subsidy of up to $20,000 a year, depending on what the university charges students from the other 49 states. The illegal immigrant also becomes eligible for taxpayer-paid federal student loans and federal work-study programs, for which lawful foreign students are ineligible.
The Wisconsin in-state tuition is relatively low--meaning that Wisconsin taxpayers will be subsidizing a relatively-higher amount for ILLEGALS.
Not to mention the ridiculous notion that LEGAL foreign students cannot obtain this subsidy!!
But that's not all. The illegal alien would be rewarded with conditional lawful permanent resident green card status, which can be converted to a non-conditional green card. The immigrant can use his new legal status to seek green cards for the parents who brought him into the United States.
The student has six years to convert his green card from conditional to non-conditional. He just needs to complete two years of study at a college or serve two years in the military, and if he has already had two years of college, he can convert his green card to non-conditional immediately. [Complete two years of study??? While the 'military' option is palatable, if not exactly perfect, this "complete....study" thing brings up another series of questions....]
The illegal immigrant who applies for the DREAM Act can count his years under conditional green card status toward the five years needed to attain citizenship. That's a fast track to citizenship that is not available to aliens who are lawfully present in the United States.
What's with the screwing of LEGAL aliens?
Here in Wisconsin:
A new summary Thursday of Doyle's revised budget said it retains a plan to provide in-state tuition to illegal immigrants who graduate from a Wisconsin high school.
And what's with the screwing of US and Wisconsin taxpayers?
Thursday, October 11, 2007
"Free Trade" a Loser for Republican Voters
Now here's something that will confound the Usual Experts.
By a nearly two-to-one margin, Republican voters believe free trade is bad for the U.S. economy, a shift in opinion that mirrors Democratic views and suggests trade deals could face high hurdles under a new president. The sign of broadening resistance to globalization came in a new Wall Street Journal-NBC News Poll4 that showed a fraying of Republican Party orthodoxy on the economy.
...Six in 10 Republicans in the poll agreed with a statement that free trade has been bad for the U.S. and said they would agree with a Republican candidate who favored tougher regulations to limit foreign imports. That represents a challenge for Republican candidates who generally echo Mr. Bush's calls for continued trade expansion, and reflects a substantial shift in sentiment from eight years ago.
...The leading Republican candidates are still trying to promote free trade. "Our philosophy has to be not how many protectionist measures can we put in place, but how do we invent new things to sell" abroad, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani said in a recent interview. "That's the view of the future. What [protectionists] are trying to do is lock in the inadequacies of the past."
The new poll asked a broader but similar question. It posed two statements to voters. The first was, "Foreign trade has been good for the U.S. economy, because demand for U.S. products abroad has resulted in economic growth and jobs for Americans here at home and provided more choices for consumers." The second was, "Foreign trade has been bad for the U.S. economy, because imports from abroad have reduced demand for American-made goods, cost jobs here at home, and produced potentially unsafe products." Asked which statement came closer to their own view, 59% of Republicans named the second statement, while 32% pointed to the first.
It's not hard to figure this out. The vast majority of "R" voters are NOT the CEO's of GE, GM, or any other Fortune 500 company. They are 'men on the street' who have watched manufacturing jobs disappear over the last 15 years.
And most people still understand ("experts" notwithstanding) that manufacturing throws off a helluvalotta cash to its employees, suppliers, and professional service firms.
Ruuuuudeeeeee!!! is vulnerable here, but so is Fred!!!!
Pay attention, boyzzz. The votes of the Chamber of Commerce's leadership are damned few.
By a nearly two-to-one margin, Republican voters believe free trade is bad for the U.S. economy, a shift in opinion that mirrors Democratic views and suggests trade deals could face high hurdles under a new president. The sign of broadening resistance to globalization came in a new Wall Street Journal-NBC News Poll4 that showed a fraying of Republican Party orthodoxy on the economy.
...Six in 10 Republicans in the poll agreed with a statement that free trade has been bad for the U.S. and said they would agree with a Republican candidate who favored tougher regulations to limit foreign imports. That represents a challenge for Republican candidates who generally echo Mr. Bush's calls for continued trade expansion, and reflects a substantial shift in sentiment from eight years ago.
...The leading Republican candidates are still trying to promote free trade. "Our philosophy has to be not how many protectionist measures can we put in place, but how do we invent new things to sell" abroad, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani said in a recent interview. "That's the view of the future. What [protectionists] are trying to do is lock in the inadequacies of the past."
The new poll asked a broader but similar question. It posed two statements to voters. The first was, "Foreign trade has been good for the U.S. economy, because demand for U.S. products abroad has resulted in economic growth and jobs for Americans here at home and provided more choices for consumers." The second was, "Foreign trade has been bad for the U.S. economy, because imports from abroad have reduced demand for American-made goods, cost jobs here at home, and produced potentially unsafe products." Asked which statement came closer to their own view, 59% of Republicans named the second statement, while 32% pointed to the first.
It's not hard to figure this out. The vast majority of "R" voters are NOT the CEO's of GE, GM, or any other Fortune 500 company. They are 'men on the street' who have watched manufacturing jobs disappear over the last 15 years.
And most people still understand ("experts" notwithstanding) that manufacturing throws off a helluvalotta cash to its employees, suppliers, and professional service firms.
Ruuuuudeeeeee!!! is vulnerable here, but so is Fred!!!!
Pay attention, boyzzz. The votes of the Chamber of Commerce's leadership are damned few.
Gummint HealthCare
The tinpot dictator Chavez is a precursor of HillaryCare combined with Bloombergism.
It's all part of Chavez's efforts to encourage Venezuelans to adopt the psyche of the "New Man," a socialist revolutionary with a monk-like purity of purpose.
The president has a long list of other "New Man" recommendations: don't douse foods with too much hot sauce, exercise regularly, eat low-cholesterol foods, respect speed limits. He also wants parents to stop buying Barbie dolls — and breast jobs — for their daughters.
Oh, yes--no booze, either.
BTW, Chavez' earlier move included shutting down the free/dissenting press...
HT: Terry
It's all part of Chavez's efforts to encourage Venezuelans to adopt the psyche of the "New Man," a socialist revolutionary with a monk-like purity of purpose.
The president has a long list of other "New Man" recommendations: don't douse foods with too much hot sauce, exercise regularly, eat low-cholesterol foods, respect speed limits. He also wants parents to stop buying Barbie dolls — and breast jobs — for their daughters.
Oh, yes--no booze, either.
BTW, Chavez' earlier move included shutting down the free/dissenting press...
HT: Terry
Ayn Rand From an Adult Perspective
While reading Ms. Rand was a transformational experience for some, the onset of adulthood brings a better perspective. This from First Things:
Rand’s Ideal Man could never be a schoolteacher, say, or a physical therapist, or a claims clerk in the Social Security Administration. He must not be short-winded or fat. He must be perfection in action—gifted and brave, uniquely talented, and utterly free of irrationality and fear. He must, like Roark, defend the premise that no man should ever compromise his individual will [significant when related to this post of yesterday] or submit to pathetic notions of “sacrifice”; he must recognize that men of genius like himself will forever fight the lazy, inferior parasites who seek to take what superior minds have made. He must, in short, look like Gary Cooper and think exactly like Ayn Rand.
...And obviously her ringing defense of personal and economic liberty was not, even in the 1940s, alien to the American cultural mainstream. What made Rand’s works controversial, then and now, was their unashamed elitism and atheism—their contempt for the values and attitudes held by most human beings who must make their way through the real world with the usual sets of weaknesses and strengths.
Rand hated religion as much as she hated communism; for her Christianity was, of course, the religion of fools and slaves. Rand’s “marginalia,” culled from the books in her library and published in 1998, are particularly revealing: The woman who despised emotionalism and valued reason above all became, when faced with C.S. Lewis, like one of those “literary guys” faced with Mickey Spillane. Lewis, Rand averred, was a “driveling non-entity,” a “mediocrity,” and “scum.”
Not one to mince words, that Annie.
Rand’s Ideal Man could never be a schoolteacher, say, or a physical therapist, or a claims clerk in the Social Security Administration. He must not be short-winded or fat. He must be perfection in action—gifted and brave, uniquely talented, and utterly free of irrationality and fear. He must, like Roark, defend the premise that no man should ever compromise his individual will [significant when related to this post of yesterday] or submit to pathetic notions of “sacrifice”; he must recognize that men of genius like himself will forever fight the lazy, inferior parasites who seek to take what superior minds have made. He must, in short, look like Gary Cooper and think exactly like Ayn Rand.
...And obviously her ringing defense of personal and economic liberty was not, even in the 1940s, alien to the American cultural mainstream. What made Rand’s works controversial, then and now, was their unashamed elitism and atheism—their contempt for the values and attitudes held by most human beings who must make their way through the real world with the usual sets of weaknesses and strengths.
Rand hated religion as much as she hated communism; for her Christianity was, of course, the religion of fools and slaves. Rand’s “marginalia,” culled from the books in her library and published in 1998, are particularly revealing: The woman who despised emotionalism and valued reason above all became, when faced with C.S. Lewis, like one of those “literary guys” faced with Mickey Spillane. Lewis, Rand averred, was a “driveling non-entity,” a “mediocrity,” and “scum.”
Not one to mince words, that Annie.
Another Airline/Terror Dry Run?
You be the judge.
"I was in seat 21-A, next to the last row of the plane. It was a full flight, fairly uneventful. Looking back at the flight, after what happened at the end, the only thing that hinted to the fact that something was going on was a flight attendant's announcement mid–flight. She came on the intercom and said in a very stern voice, not quite but almost a panic: 'You must go back to your seats. You can not congregate near the bathroom at the front. There are two bathrooms in the back.'
...Yesterday [Tuesday, October 9], when I went to the Frontier [Airlines] counter to check in for my flight back home, I asked the guy at the counter if he'd heard anything about what happened on Sunday.
He said, 'I was here on Sunday.
'
Again, I asked him what happened.
'I can't tell you,' the [Frontier gate agent] said. 'I can apologize, but I can't tell you.'
I said I understood.
'I can tell you this much,' he said. 'An Arab man locked himself in the front bathroom for the majority of the flight. And at orders, he refused to come out. That wasn't the end of the story, but I can't tell you any more.'
"I was in seat 21-A, next to the last row of the plane. It was a full flight, fairly uneventful. Looking back at the flight, after what happened at the end, the only thing that hinted to the fact that something was going on was a flight attendant's announcement mid–flight. She came on the intercom and said in a very stern voice, not quite but almost a panic: 'You must go back to your seats. You can not congregate near the bathroom at the front. There are two bathrooms in the back.'
...Yesterday [Tuesday, October 9], when I went to the Frontier [Airlines] counter to check in for my flight back home, I asked the guy at the counter if he'd heard anything about what happened on Sunday.
He said, 'I was here on Sunday.
'
Again, I asked him what happened.
'I can't tell you,' the [Frontier gate agent] said. 'I can apologize, but I can't tell you.'
I said I understood.
'I can tell you this much,' he said. 'An Arab man locked himself in the front bathroom for the majority of the flight. And at orders, he refused to come out. That wasn't the end of the story, but I can't tell you any more.'
UN-like the Crandon Cop
...is the Cleveland school-shooter.
This was the Asa who always seemed to be in fights at school. This was the Asa who slapped around his mother. This was the Asa who talked about suicide.
And it was this Asa, authorities say, who walked into SuccessTech Academy Wednesday with a satchel full of guns and ammunition and opened fire on teachers and students.
"In the end, you never know who is going to snap," classmate Aaron King said while heading home through a cold afternoon drizzle. "You have to watch who you make mad."
What apparently pushed Asa's troubled young mind over the edge was an argument with classmates about the existence of God. It happened a few days ago in reading class.
Asa said he didn't believe in God and didn't respect God.
Another kid disagreed.
Asa said he worshipped rock star Marilyn Manson. He flashed the other kid an obscene gesture.
Gee. Who woulda thunk??
This was the Asa who always seemed to be in fights at school. This was the Asa who slapped around his mother. This was the Asa who talked about suicide.
And it was this Asa, authorities say, who walked into SuccessTech Academy Wednesday with a satchel full of guns and ammunition and opened fire on teachers and students.
"In the end, you never know who is going to snap," classmate Aaron King said while heading home through a cold afternoon drizzle. "You have to watch who you make mad."
What apparently pushed Asa's troubled young mind over the edge was an argument with classmates about the existence of God. It happened a few days ago in reading class.
Asa said he didn't believe in God and didn't respect God.
Another kid disagreed.
Asa said he worshipped rock star Marilyn Manson. He flashed the other kid an obscene gesture.
Gee. Who woulda thunk??
Shrink-O-Gram Deputies? Nope.
RAG, who knows what he's talking about, offers a few observations on the silliness from the Informed Scriveners (who are not particularly wise.)
Then there's the question about why this young deputy wasn't given a psychological examination as part of the hiring process.
At first blush it, too, seems like a good question but at the end of the day it's another red herring dreamed up by people with nothing better to do but look for scapegoats and phantom explanations.
There's no guarantee that a psychological exam will prevent a tragedy as such exams are of questionable reliability.The Milwaukee Police Department has psychological screening as part of its hiring process. Did that prevent Frank Jude from getting the you-know-what beat out of him by a gang of rogue cops?
The lesson? Stuff happens. Whether it's the Crandon story, or whether the brakes suddenly fail on an automobile...
Then there's the question about why this young deputy wasn't given a psychological examination as part of the hiring process.
At first blush it, too, seems like a good question but at the end of the day it's another red herring dreamed up by people with nothing better to do but look for scapegoats and phantom explanations.
There's no guarantee that a psychological exam will prevent a tragedy as such exams are of questionable reliability.The Milwaukee Police Department has psychological screening as part of its hiring process. Did that prevent Frank Jude from getting the you-know-what beat out of him by a gang of rogue cops?
The lesson? Stuff happens. Whether it's the Crandon story, or whether the brakes suddenly fail on an automobile...
The Bill of Rights, Redux
This is NOT part of the (D) platform....yet.
By the way, you could substitute "illegal aliens" without many other changes, either.
Amendment I
Congress shall make no law abridging the freedom of foreign terrorists to communicate with each other outside the United States.
Amendment II
The right of foreign terrorists to freely plan and coordinate attacks on the United States shall not be infringed.
Amendment III
No intelligence officer shall, in time of peace, monitor terrorist communication, without the consent of a court, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by MoveOn.org.
Amendment IV
The right of the terrorists to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against reasonable surveillance to protect American lives, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
Amendment V
No foreign terrorist unlawfully waging war against the United States on foreign soil shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
Amendment VI
In all prosecutions of foreign terrorists captured on foreign battlefields unlawfully waging war against the United States, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.
Amendment VII
In suits against foreign terrorists captured on foreign battlefields unlawfully waging war against the United States, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved.
Amendment VIII
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted on foreign terrorists captured on foreign battlefields unlawfully waging war against the United States.
Amendment IX
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the terrorists.
Amendment X
The powers not delegated to the terrorists by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to MoveOn.org respectively, or to the New York Times editorial board.
HT: RedStates
By the way, you could substitute "illegal aliens" without many other changes, either.
Amendment I
Congress shall make no law abridging the freedom of foreign terrorists to communicate with each other outside the United States.
Amendment II
The right of foreign terrorists to freely plan and coordinate attacks on the United States shall not be infringed.
Amendment III
No intelligence officer shall, in time of peace, monitor terrorist communication, without the consent of a court, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by MoveOn.org.
Amendment IV
The right of the terrorists to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against reasonable surveillance to protect American lives, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
Amendment V
No foreign terrorist unlawfully waging war against the United States on foreign soil shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
Amendment VI
In all prosecutions of foreign terrorists captured on foreign battlefields unlawfully waging war against the United States, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.
Amendment VII
In suits against foreign terrorists captured on foreign battlefields unlawfully waging war against the United States, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved.
Amendment VIII
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted on foreign terrorists captured on foreign battlefields unlawfully waging war against the United States.
Amendment IX
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the terrorists.
Amendment X
The powers not delegated to the terrorists by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to MoveOn.org respectively, or to the New York Times editorial board.
HT: RedStates
Fred or Ruuuudeeeeee?
Maybe "gut feelings" have an influence.
And maybe the Northeastern Rocky-Republican crowd is getting scared.
This "senior moment" and "Fred Thompson-is-lazy" stuff is really starting to irk. I remember hearing the same comments about Ronald Reagan in every campaign in which I participated — 1976 and 1980. And this tactic was especially used against him in 1984. I have spent some time with Thompson. He is intellectually curious and sharp. He is engaging and vigorous. Yes, he chooses his words carefully. He speaks in a southern accent. But the attacks on him appear to have a Northeastern-liberal-style feel to them, emanating largely from the NewYork-Washington, D.C axis.
Shocked! Shocked, I say!!!
And let me also observe that Rudy is no conservative, despite George Will's pronouncement (the same Will who once said we under-taxed and who advocated spreading democracy throughout the globe). Yes, Rudy takes some conservative positions. And he has taken more conservative positions since seeking the Republican nomination. But he has a record that goes beyond law enforcement and tax-cutting that should cause any conservative some pause. What is his governing philosophy? I am thrilled that as mayor he rid Times Square of hookers and squeegee bums. But he also brought lawsuits against gun manufacturers and to enforce a commuter tax, he was weak on illegal immigration (my opinion), and was wrong on virtually every social issue. Moreover, I know, from my private conversations with some who post here in his defense, that they have some hesitation about the man but, for personal reasons or because of their assessment of the rest of the field, they support him. That's fine, but must we redefine conservatism to accommodate his candidacy? And that's what is troubling me, frankly.
--Mark Levin, HT: John Lott
The "Savior-President" gang is positioning Ruuuudeeee!!! as a decisive, no-nonsense National Defense guy, which is OK, so long as you're fool enough to believe that there IS such a thing as a "Savior-President" (who necessarily operates in a vacuum uncluttered by such obstacles as Congress or the Judiciary.)
Of course, that involves making rational Federalist candidates into ....ah....old, worn-out country bumpkins.
Good luck with that, boyzzzzz. Fred's not quite dead yet, as he demonstrated on Tuesday.
And maybe the Northeastern Rocky-Republican crowd is getting scared.
This "senior moment" and "Fred Thompson-is-lazy" stuff is really starting to irk. I remember hearing the same comments about Ronald Reagan in every campaign in which I participated — 1976 and 1980. And this tactic was especially used against him in 1984. I have spent some time with Thompson. He is intellectually curious and sharp. He is engaging and vigorous. Yes, he chooses his words carefully. He speaks in a southern accent. But the attacks on him appear to have a Northeastern-liberal-style feel to them, emanating largely from the NewYork-Washington, D.C axis.
Shocked! Shocked, I say!!!
And let me also observe that Rudy is no conservative, despite George Will's pronouncement (the same Will who once said we under-taxed and who advocated spreading democracy throughout the globe). Yes, Rudy takes some conservative positions. And he has taken more conservative positions since seeking the Republican nomination. But he has a record that goes beyond law enforcement and tax-cutting that should cause any conservative some pause. What is his governing philosophy? I am thrilled that as mayor he rid Times Square of hookers and squeegee bums. But he also brought lawsuits against gun manufacturers and to enforce a commuter tax, he was weak on illegal immigration (my opinion), and was wrong on virtually every social issue. Moreover, I know, from my private conversations with some who post here in his defense, that they have some hesitation about the man but, for personal reasons or because of their assessment of the rest of the field, they support him. That's fine, but must we redefine conservatism to accommodate his candidacy? And that's what is troubling me, frankly.
--Mark Levin, HT: John Lott
The "Savior-President" gang is positioning Ruuuudeeee!!! as a decisive, no-nonsense National Defense guy, which is OK, so long as you're fool enough to believe that there IS such a thing as a "Savior-President" (who necessarily operates in a vacuum uncluttered by such obstacles as Congress or the Judiciary.)
Of course, that involves making rational Federalist candidates into ....ah....old, worn-out country bumpkins.
Good luck with that, boyzzzzz. Fred's not quite dead yet, as he demonstrated on Tuesday.
Ever Notice....?
Aphorism of the day:
Liberals like to argue that what consenting adults do in private is none of the government's business (as long as it involves sex or drugs, but not if it involves guns or hiring).
--Clay Cramer
Liberals like to argue that what consenting adults do in private is none of the government's business (as long as it involves sex or drugs, but not if it involves guns or hiring).
--Clay Cramer
As Miller Employees Leave....
Charlie reminds us that SOME of those departing Miller employees will depart for very green pastures:
Colorado’s personal income tax system consists of a flat tax of 4.63% on the entirety of an individual’s taxable federal income. That top rate ranks 5th lowest among states levying an individual income tax.
Colorado’s corporate tax structure consists of a flat rate of 4.63% on all corporate income. Among states levying corporate income taxes, Colorado’s rate ranks lowest nationally.
Colorado levies a 2.9% general sales or use tax on consumers, the lowest rate among states levying a sales tax.
Maybe Coors did some of them a big favor...
Colorado’s personal income tax system consists of a flat tax of 4.63% on the entirety of an individual’s taxable federal income. That top rate ranks 5th lowest among states levying an individual income tax.
Colorado’s corporate tax structure consists of a flat rate of 4.63% on all corporate income. Among states levying corporate income taxes, Colorado’s rate ranks lowest nationally.
Colorado levies a 2.9% general sales or use tax on consumers, the lowest rate among states levying a sales tax.
Maybe Coors did some of them a big favor...
The REAL News? See the Blogs
In another case where the JS' reporters are a few days late, BadgerBlogger reported that there was a mini-crime wave in the UW-M area.
It was fixed--but you never knew about it if you read the Journal, did you?
It was fixed--but you never knew about it if you read the Journal, did you?
HRC's Bag-Man Berger: His REAL Assignment
From the AmSpec blog:
[W]hat you hear if you talk to people in left-of-center national security circles in Washington is that one of Berger's informal responsibilities is basically to get in touch with former Clinton administration foreign policy hands and warn them in no uncertain terms that if they back Barack Obama, Clinton will win anyway and those who supported her rivals will pay the price.
The Spectator is reminded of Don Corleone.
My thought? Which came first? The Mafia, or corrupt politicians?
We already KNOW there's no difference.
[W]hat you hear if you talk to people in left-of-center national security circles in Washington is that one of Berger's informal responsibilities is basically to get in touch with former Clinton administration foreign policy hands and warn them in no uncertain terms that if they back Barack Obama, Clinton will win anyway and those who supported her rivals will pay the price.
The Spectator is reminded of Don Corleone.
My thought? Which came first? The Mafia, or corrupt politicians?
We already KNOW there's no difference.
Elmbrook Schools' Sex Committee Avoids the REAL Survey
There's another discussion of the Elmbrook Schools' sex-ed curriculum, centering around 'educating' 7th/8th graders about fellatio and cunnilingus.
Too bad that the Human Growth and Development Committee was "guided" into a false choice on "surveying" parents instead of taking the bull by the horns.
When the program was established, the Committee's members advanced the idea that the sex-ed program should be an "opt-IN" program--in other words, that parents would have to sign a slip specifically authorizing their children to take the program.
The Superindent and his minions on the Committee fought that idea like banshees, and won. I can add that the Superintendent (at that time) was a conniving Lefty and a dictator; he was going to institute that program no matter what he had to do (which included illegally and high-handedly removing dissenting literature from public meetings.)
But he's gone, and the Committee should implement "opt-IN" instead of "opt-OUT" guidelines.
That will produce the best "survey" of parents on the question of sex-ed.
Too bad that the Human Growth and Development Committee was "guided" into a false choice on "surveying" parents instead of taking the bull by the horns.
When the program was established, the Committee's members advanced the idea that the sex-ed program should be an "opt-IN" program--in other words, that parents would have to sign a slip specifically authorizing their children to take the program.
The Superindent and his minions on the Committee fought that idea like banshees, and won. I can add that the Superintendent (at that time) was a conniving Lefty and a dictator; he was going to institute that program no matter what he had to do (which included illegally and high-handedly removing dissenting literature from public meetings.)
But he's gone, and the Committee should implement "opt-IN" instead of "opt-OUT" guidelines.
That will produce the best "survey" of parents on the question of sex-ed.
Big Spenders' Pal: Jim Doyle. Pubbies to Tax More.
Ol' DarthDoyle thinks he found the seductive formula: spend a lot of money, and don't increase too many taxes right away.
That's because Wisconsin (R) leggies are just like Congressional (R) leggies: they love to spend Other People's Money. And those (R) leggies will raise taxes and steal from the MDs to spend on their friends-of-the-evening.
It also became clear Wednesday that Republicans who run the Assembly and Democrats who control the Senate could finis
That's because Wisconsin (R) leggies are just like Congressional (R) leggies: they love to spend Other People's Money. And those (R) leggies will raise taxes and steal from the MDs to spend on their friends-of-the-evening.
It also became clear Wednesday that Republicans who run the Assembly and Democrats who control the Senate could finis