IN CLOSING
This will be my last posting on this blog. I guess it was truly a self-indulgent exercise that is uncharacteristic of me. However, I truly enjoyed having the opportunity to "speak out" on issues but I am afraid I was only speaking to cyber air. . Maybe, when I truly retire I will have the time to return to blogging but for now I will leave it to the generation that created it.
Finis
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
AMDG
THE SEAMLESS GARMENT
"The protection of life is a seamless garment. You can't protect some life and not others."
Eileen Egan
It was only a few days ago that I posted my article on the separation of church and state (cf. Labianca Rosa, 11/7/08). I, of course, had the Evangelical Protestants in mind in my criticism of those Americans who would seek to impose their religious beliefs on others. And now there is a report in the Chicago Tribune that the Roman Catholic bishops are trying pressure the Obama administration to use the law to prevent all women from choosing to terminate their pregnancies----i.e. abortion. (http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/religion/chi-081111bishops,0,615284.story)
There is no doubt in my in my mind that the leadership in the Catholic Church sincerely believes that life begins at conception and that it is too sacred to end it prematurely. Eileen Egan was not a conservative right winger who was rigid in her approach to God and religion. She was a pacifist who, as a journalist, practiced what she preached by championing the rights of the poor and underprivileged all over the world. She was best friends with Mother Theresa and Dorothy Day, the editor of the socialist leaning Catholic Worker.
Her phrase “the seamless garment” came from a phrase used by St. John the Apostle to represent a consistent, unbroken reverence for the sacredness of life. True adherents to this principle are not only opposed to abortion but also to euthanasia, assisted suicide, (and now here it becomes “dicey”) killing in war, torture, economic injustice and capital punishment. To advocate vehemently only against abortion and not any of the others is hypocritical and “cherry picking”.
Why aren’t the Catholic bishops, as a group, speaking out against the use of torture in interrogating suspected terrorists? Why didn’t the Bishops’ Council speak out against our preemptive war in Iraq. Why aren’t they carrying placards outside of prison gates each time there is a midnight execution of convicted murderers. Why aren’t they pressuring the government to insure equal access to health care for all Americans so that all Americans have an equal shot at staying alive. I am sure that some individual bishops may have delivered sermons on some of these issues but they can’t seem to get together as a group to demand legal action for them. In this recent (11/11/08) declaration of support for pro life laws, the 300 Bishops added a “mealey mouthed” statement as an addendum to their argument ," it also advised Catholics to weigh issues like poverty, war, the environment and human rights when choosing candidates.”. (http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/religion/chi-081111bishops,0,615284.story)
“Advised” and “weigh” are afterthoughts just to appear even handed and politically correct.
The answer to the question of when life actually begins cannot be resolved by scientific experiment. It is a philosophical question, about which people can disagree. I am not even sure about where I stand on it. But that is the point. If people of faith and no faith can, in conscience, disagree, then it is simply a matter of those who believe trying to impose their beliefs on others. Not in a democracy like ours or any democracy. It isn’t a matter of being God being on our side. It is a matter of whether we are on God’s side.
JVP
"The protection of life is a seamless garment. You can't protect some life and not others."
Eileen Egan
It was only a few days ago that I posted my article on the separation of church and state (cf. Labianca Rosa, 11/7/08). I, of course, had the Evangelical Protestants in mind in my criticism of those Americans who would seek to impose their religious beliefs on others. And now there is a report in the Chicago Tribune that the Roman Catholic bishops are trying pressure the Obama administration to use the law to prevent all women from choosing to terminate their pregnancies----i.e. abortion. (http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/religion/chi-081111bishops,0,615284.story)
There is no doubt in my in my mind that the leadership in the Catholic Church sincerely believes that life begins at conception and that it is too sacred to end it prematurely. Eileen Egan was not a conservative right winger who was rigid in her approach to God and religion. She was a pacifist who, as a journalist, practiced what she preached by championing the rights of the poor and underprivileged all over the world. She was best friends with Mother Theresa and Dorothy Day, the editor of the socialist leaning Catholic Worker.
Her phrase “the seamless garment” came from a phrase used by St. John the Apostle to represent a consistent, unbroken reverence for the sacredness of life. True adherents to this principle are not only opposed to abortion but also to euthanasia, assisted suicide, (and now here it becomes “dicey”) killing in war, torture, economic injustice and capital punishment. To advocate vehemently only against abortion and not any of the others is hypocritical and “cherry picking”.
Why aren’t the Catholic bishops, as a group, speaking out against the use of torture in interrogating suspected terrorists? Why didn’t the Bishops’ Council speak out against our preemptive war in Iraq. Why aren’t they carrying placards outside of prison gates each time there is a midnight execution of convicted murderers. Why aren’t they pressuring the government to insure equal access to health care for all Americans so that all Americans have an equal shot at staying alive. I am sure that some individual bishops may have delivered sermons on some of these issues but they can’t seem to get together as a group to demand legal action for them. In this recent (11/11/08) declaration of support for pro life laws, the 300 Bishops added a “mealey mouthed” statement as an addendum to their argument ," it also advised Catholics to weigh issues like poverty, war, the environment and human rights when choosing candidates.”. (http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/religion/chi-081111bishops,0,615284.story)
“Advised” and “weigh” are afterthoughts just to appear even handed and politically correct.
The answer to the question of when life actually begins cannot be resolved by scientific experiment. It is a philosophical question, about which people can disagree. I am not even sure about where I stand on it. But that is the point. If people of faith and no faith can, in conscience, disagree, then it is simply a matter of those who believe trying to impose their beliefs on others. Not in a democracy like ours or any democracy. It isn’t a matter of being God being on our side. It is a matter of whether we are on God’s side.
JVP
Friday, November 7, 2008
AMDG
SPIRITUAL/POLITICAL
“Ἀπόδοτε οὖν τὰ Καίσαρος Καίσαρι καὶ τὰ τοῦ Θεοῦ τῷ Θεῷ” Matthew 22:21
“Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s”. According to the evangelist Matthew, Jesus spoke those words in response to a question from the Jews as to whether they have to pay taxes to Caesar Augustus. It was one of those hostile questions that were meant to entrap Jesus into coming out publicly against the Roman authority. Jesus wisely made it clear that his kingdom was not of this world and that while on this earth God’s people should make a distinction between what the state requires and what God wants. You don’t have to read any more of the bible to look for what Jesus felt about the issue of the “separation of church and state”
The religious communities that migrated to this country after its discovery left Europe to escape the religious tyranny of state mandated religions. They wanted to be free to worship as they wished without government interference. Our brilliant and brave founding fathers created a new kind of government that stressed “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness”. Some of them were members of the various Protestant sects but most were Deists. These were men that did not necessarily believe in the divinity of Christ or in the existence of a Providential God. Some, like George Washington, were barely religious at all. But they all agreed on one thing—The First Amendment:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
They all concurred to a man that the practice of religion was a free choice in this nation. They didn’t specify whether that religion was Christian, Jewish or Muslim . Nor did they write a word about those citizens who followed no religion at all.
It mystifies me as to why this church state issue is still being debated some 500 years later. Our founding fathers made it clear “You can believe what you wish; and worship how you wish; and live your life as you wish." But you cannot impose your beliefs and religious observances on others. Jesus would make it quite clear too. If a state, like this one, mandates the freedom of worship, then we should separate our civic responsibilities from our religious lives.
I admire people of faith. Even those who are Orthodox and acknowledge with certainty that they know what God or Jesus wants. I actually envy them their blind acceptance of the truth on the basis of faith alone. I just wish that they would leave other people to believe or not believe alone. I realize the evangelical Christians who make up the “religious right” have a mandate from their Lord to spread the “goods news”. And they are free to do so. They are free to write books and pamphlets, produce television shows and movies and even knock on doors to proselytize. But they are not free to pass laws that prohibit gay people from marrying. Or to deny women a choice to do what they believe is right with their own bodies when they are pregnant. Nor are they free to force the student community in a public school to set aside time from their learning experience to pray as a group. And most of all, they are not free to discriminate against people who think differently, dress differently and pray differently than they do. That is fascism not democracy.
JVP
“Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s”. According to the evangelist Matthew, Jesus spoke those words in response to a question from the Jews as to whether they have to pay taxes to Caesar Augustus. It was one of those hostile questions that were meant to entrap Jesus into coming out publicly against the Roman authority. Jesus wisely made it clear that his kingdom was not of this world and that while on this earth God’s people should make a distinction between what the state requires and what God wants. You don’t have to read any more of the bible to look for what Jesus felt about the issue of the “separation of church and state”
The religious communities that migrated to this country after its discovery left Europe to escape the religious tyranny of state mandated religions. They wanted to be free to worship as they wished without government interference. Our brilliant and brave founding fathers created a new kind of government that stressed “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness”. Some of them were members of the various Protestant sects but most were Deists. These were men that did not necessarily believe in the divinity of Christ or in the existence of a Providential God. Some, like George Washington, were barely religious at all. But they all agreed on one thing—The First Amendment:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
They all concurred to a man that the practice of religion was a free choice in this nation. They didn’t specify whether that religion was Christian, Jewish or Muslim . Nor did they write a word about those citizens who followed no religion at all.
It mystifies me as to why this church state issue is still being debated some 500 years later. Our founding fathers made it clear “You can believe what you wish; and worship how you wish; and live your life as you wish." But you cannot impose your beliefs and religious observances on others. Jesus would make it quite clear too. If a state, like this one, mandates the freedom of worship, then we should separate our civic responsibilities from our religious lives.
I admire people of faith. Even those who are Orthodox and acknowledge with certainty that they know what God or Jesus wants. I actually envy them their blind acceptance of the truth on the basis of faith alone. I just wish that they would leave other people to believe or not believe alone. I realize the evangelical Christians who make up the “religious right” have a mandate from their Lord to spread the “goods news”. And they are free to do so. They are free to write books and pamphlets, produce television shows and movies and even knock on doors to proselytize. But they are not free to pass laws that prohibit gay people from marrying. Or to deny women a choice to do what they believe is right with their own bodies when they are pregnant. Nor are they free to force the student community in a public school to set aside time from their learning experience to pray as a group. And most of all, they are not free to discriminate against people who think differently, dress differently and pray differently than they do. That is fascism not democracy.
JVP
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
AMDG
POLITICS
NOVEMBER 4, 2008
“America is the civilization of people engaged in transforming themselves. In the past, the stars of the performance were the pioneer and the immigrant. Today, it is youth and the Black.”
That prophetic quotation was attributed in 1973 to Harold Rosenberg, an author and an art critic. If Mr. Rosenberg were still alive he would have been pleased to say “I told you so”
The election yesterday was one of those events that marks a generation and the candidate who addressed his followers so eloquently in Grant Park last night may truly be a transformational figure in American history. His acceptance speech even shivered these old bones that have been asleep since the assassinations of Martin Luther King and Robert Kennedy more than forty years ago.
Those of us who were active in the exciting movements of the sixties never imagined that they would live to see an African American elected to the highest office in the land. People were being beaten and killed for merely advocating that African American citizens be allowed to sit at the same soda counter as other citizens. Racism has been a cancer in this country since its founding. You would only have to look at the tears on the faces of Jesse Jackson, Oprah Winfrey and John Lewis to realize how deep the wounds of racial prejudice have affected the lives of its victims
And now I believe that we are now finally entering a post-racial era in this country. It is only the beginning but hopefully, the old cancer will die off with my generation. Ironically, we can thank George W. Bush and Dick Cheney for this. It was their arrogant incompetence that forced a majority of the American people to come face to face with the toxins in our society.
But in the final analysis, it was the young and the African-American population who had the courage and perseverance to turn the electoral tide in the right direction.
Harold Rosenberg was truly a prophet.
JVP
NOVEMBER 4, 2008
“America is the civilization of people engaged in transforming themselves. In the past, the stars of the performance were the pioneer and the immigrant. Today, it is youth and the Black.”
That prophetic quotation was attributed in 1973 to Harold Rosenberg, an author and an art critic. If Mr. Rosenberg were still alive he would have been pleased to say “I told you so”
The election yesterday was one of those events that marks a generation and the candidate who addressed his followers so eloquently in Grant Park last night may truly be a transformational figure in American history. His acceptance speech even shivered these old bones that have been asleep since the assassinations of Martin Luther King and Robert Kennedy more than forty years ago.
Those of us who were active in the exciting movements of the sixties never imagined that they would live to see an African American elected to the highest office in the land. People were being beaten and killed for merely advocating that African American citizens be allowed to sit at the same soda counter as other citizens. Racism has been a cancer in this country since its founding. You would only have to look at the tears on the faces of Jesse Jackson, Oprah Winfrey and John Lewis to realize how deep the wounds of racial prejudice have affected the lives of its victims
And now I believe that we are now finally entering a post-racial era in this country. It is only the beginning but hopefully, the old cancer will die off with my generation. Ironically, we can thank George W. Bush and Dick Cheney for this. It was their arrogant incompetence that forced a majority of the American people to come face to face with the toxins in our society.
But in the final analysis, it was the young and the African-American population who had the courage and perseverance to turn the electoral tide in the right direction.
Harold Rosenberg was truly a prophet.
JVP
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Monday, November 3, 2008
AMDG
PETS
The following was sent to me by a friend along with cute dog pictures. It moved me and so I will pass it along on the blog.
A Dog ' s Purpose (from a 6-year-old).
Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog ' s owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and their little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.
I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn ' t do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.
As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.
The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker ' s family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.
The little boy seemed to accept Belker ' s transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker ' s death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives. Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, ' I know why. '
Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I ' d never heard a more comforting explanation.
He said, ' People are born so that they can learn how to live a good Life -- like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right? ' The six-year-old continued, ' Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don ' t have to stay as long. '
Live simply.
Love generously.
Care deeply.
Speak kindly.
Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:
When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.
Take naps.
Stretch before rising.
Run, romp, and play daily.
Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
When you ' re happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
Delight in the simple joy of a long walk. Be loyal.
Never pretend to be something you ' re not.
If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.
ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY!
The following was sent to me by a friend along with cute dog pictures. It moved me and so I will pass it along on the blog.
A Dog ' s Purpose (from a 6-year-old).
Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog ' s owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and their little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.
I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn ' t do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.
As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.
The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker ' s family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.
The little boy seemed to accept Belker ' s transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker ' s death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives. Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, ' I know why. '
Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I ' d never heard a more comforting explanation.
He said, ' People are born so that they can learn how to live a good Life -- like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right? ' The six-year-old continued, ' Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don ' t have to stay as long. '
Live simply.
Love generously.
Care deeply.
Speak kindly.
Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:
When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.
Take naps.
Stretch before rising.
Run, romp, and play daily.
Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
When you ' re happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
Delight in the simple joy of a long walk. Be loyal.
Never pretend to be something you ' re not.
If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.
ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY!
Saturday, November 1, 2008
amdg
If Obama Wins
a,A week after he is elected, he will put together his team and get his transition team working with the present administration
b.Here are some of my recommendations for his team. Let us see if we think alike
1. Republican Senator Lugar for Secretary of State
2. Republican Senator Hagle for Secretary of Defense
3. Bob Reuben or Volker for Secretary of the Treasury
4. General James Jones for Chairman, Joint Chiefs
5. Patrick Fitzgerald - Attorney General
6. Sam Daschle - Chief of Staff
7. Andrea Mitchell-Press Secretary
8. Secretary of HEW- Hillary Clinton (She won't accept)
9. UN Representative- Harold Ford
10. Ambassador to Russia - Condoleeza Rice
c. Once he takes office, things will not go smoothly with his domestic programs until financial crisis is settled.
d. He will send Biden overseas to estbalish good relations with European countries. Bill Clinton willbe sent to Palestine and Israel to try to negotiate peace treaties. He will send top level advisors to Iran and Pakistan to set the stage for VP or President to meet with Leaders.
e. In Second Year 0f Administration Obama will visit several nations in Europe, the middle east and Russia.
f. The Republican party will regroup under the leadership of Arnold Schwarzeneger and other moderate Republicans.
All speculation but its fun
a,A week after he is elected, he will put together his team and get his transition team working with the present administration
b.Here are some of my recommendations for his team. Let us see if we think alike
1. Republican Senator Lugar for Secretary of State
2. Republican Senator Hagle for Secretary of Defense
3. Bob Reuben or Volker for Secretary of the Treasury
4. General James Jones for Chairman, Joint Chiefs
5. Patrick Fitzgerald - Attorney General
6. Sam Daschle - Chief of Staff
7. Andrea Mitchell-Press Secretary
8. Secretary of HEW- Hillary Clinton (She won't accept)
9. UN Representative- Harold Ford
10. Ambassador to Russia - Condoleeza Rice
c. Once he takes office, things will not go smoothly with his domestic programs until financial crisis is settled.
d. He will send Biden overseas to estbalish good relations with European countries. Bill Clinton willbe sent to Palestine and Israel to try to negotiate peace treaties. He will send top level advisors to Iran and Pakistan to set the stage for VP or President to meet with Leaders.
e. In Second Year 0f Administration Obama will visit several nations in Europe, the middle east and Russia.
f. The Republican party will regroup under the leadership of Arnold Schwarzeneger and other moderate Republicans.
All speculation but its fun
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