Georgetown University Should Be Sued

From the Cardinal Newman Society (emphasis mine): According to stories by Lifesitenews.com and the Georgetown University student newspaper The Hoya, the Georgetown law school has adopted a policy that will provide funding to law students to intern with public interest organizations regardless of their mission. This change in policy was apparently made to accommodate students who had previously been denied funding for abortion advocacy work with Planned Parenthood. According to The Hoya report, Joy Welan, the president of the GeorgetownLaw Center’s student group Law Students for Choice, said “We think that this compromise is fantastic news, for students who are interested in pursuing careers in reproductive rights advocacy.” Cardinal Newman Society Executive Vice President Tom Mead said of the abortion friendly policy, “I am absolutely stunned by Georgetown’s decision to fund abortion advocacy. “Since the Catholic Church teaches that abortion is always wrong, perhaps a faithful law student can get an internship with a public interest organization that will sue Georgetown for false advertising regarding its Catholic identity.” On behalf of its more than 20,000 members, the Cardinal Newman Society calls on Georgetown University President John DeGioia to exercise his authority as president of an institution that proudly identifies itself as a Catholic university and overturn this outrageous policy.

Amnesty International defiant on pro-abortion stand, ridicules Catholic criticism

Amnesty International defiant on pro-abortion stand, ridicules Catholic criticism: Denver, Jul 29, 2007 / 11:07 am (CNA).- Amnesty International has remained defiant about its new pro-abortion stance despite receiving international criticism for their decision to abandon their long standing neutrality regarding abortion and embrace it fully as a human right. Amnesty was founded in 1961 by a Catholic convert, the late Peter Benenson, and has enjoyed the support of Catholic organizations and individuals in its campaigns against torture and capital punishment. It has also received praise in the past for staying clear of the abortion issue, which the organization has viewed as 'outside its mandate' for the last 50 years. However, after a two-year consultation process that many of the 2.2 million Amnesty member have described as 'biased,' flawed' and 'prejudiced in favor of abortion,' AI decided to turn abortion into a 'human right.' And the insanity continues. If you are a Catholic and you continue to support Amnesty International - YOU NEED TO STOP. Abortion is murder. Murder is wrong. It is not a human right. It is evil. Every day we are confronted with forces that want us to harden our hearts. They trick us into sacrificing our soul by making us think we are doing good. Every day we must chose which side we stand on. The forces of good or the forces of evil. When a good organization goes bad, we can plead with it to turn back, we can pray for it, but we cannot support it. Doing so is to step down the wrong path. The fight for human rights is noble. It is unfortunate that the forces of darkness have a victory here by infiltrating AI. However, the kind of work that Amnesty has done can be supported through organizations that do not condone the murder of millions of human beings every year. Do what is right. Other Human Rights organization that do not endorse abortion include: Torture Abolition and Survivors Support Coalition International (TASSC) 4121 Harewood Road NE ~ Suite B Washington, DC 20017 Phone: (202) 529-2991 www.tassc.org info@tassc.org National Religious Campaign Against Torture c/o CCTPP 4500 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20016 Phone: (202) 885-8648 www.nrcat.org campaign@nrcat.org Human Rights First 333 Seventh Avenue, 13th Floor New York, NY 10001-5108 Phone: (212) 845 5200 www.humanrightsfirst.org feedback@humanrightsfirst.org

Massachusetts legislature kills pro-marriage amendment

Catholic World News : Massachusetts legislature kills pro-marriage amendment: "Under the terms of the Massachusetts constitution, the proposed amendment needed the support of just 50 legislators in order to be placed on the ballot for a statewide vote in November 2008. Because the proposal did not reach that minimum level of support, the amendment is defeated." Truly a sad day for a MA. Not 50 out of the lot were willing to stand up for what is right. It is kind of like the the story of Sodom and Gomorrah (how fitting). I can hear Abraham say "But Lord, if I can find but 50 legislators...."

Another Minor Seminary Closes

Chicago shutters one of nation's last Catholic seminaries for youth: "Its closure will leave just seven preparatory seminaries with a combined enrollment of about 500 students in the United States. This, at a time when the number of priests in the United States has dropped from nearly 59,000 in 1975 to about 42,000 last year." As someone who attended a minor seminary (that is now closed), this is sad news. We need to diagnose why this is happening. Some of it is societal undoubtedly. Changes in the Church haven't helped. But some of this is how we (the laity) see vocations in our own families (not just someone elses family). I was talking recently about how many parents view becoming a priest as negative. I find this shameful. If I have no grand kids because my son becomes a priest and my daughters become nuns, I will thank God for the tremendous gifts they will have received. A vocation to the priesthood is not something to be looked down upon, it is a privilege.

“They were shot in the head”

If you are in the San Diego area, go to the Federal Building to learn about the plight of Iraqi Christians whose persecution continues without notice by the American media. California Catholic Daily - “They were shot in the head” On June 3, Bishop Sarhad Jammo of San Diego’s Chaldean/Assyrian Catholic Diocese of St. Peter the Apostle was in Mosul, Iraq -- the same day that Father Ragheed Ganni and three deacons were shot and killed in front of Mosul’s Church of the Holy Spirit. Since attending their funeral, Bishop Jammo has returned to San Diego and will speak at the downtown Federal Building on Friday, June15, during a rally asking for help to stop the persecution of Iraqi Christians. Largely ignored by the secular press, the plight of Iraq’s Christians has taken a back seat in the media to the struggles between Shiite and Sunni Muslims.

“If you support Giuliani, you aren't supporting family values”

California Catholic Daily - “If you support Giuliani, you aren't supporting family values”: "Giuliani's liberal views on foundational issues of abortion, homosexuality, judges, and gun control, and they don't like it. Giuliani is in conflict with the Republican Party platform and principles. " If you haven't bookmarked California Catholic Daily, you should. This one is just a reminder of that while Rudy claims to be Catholic and Republican, in reality he represents the views of neither.

Mexico City Under El Diablo

Pray for Mexico City Mexico City Considers Legal Prostitution: "The leftist party that has already legalized gay unions and abortion in Mexico City said Wednesday it wants to make prostitution legal in the capital of this overwhelmingly Roman Catholic country." I don't think the left wing leadership of Mexico City is worried about anything other than their agenda. I guess if your going to be evil, might as well go all the way.

Stop Support For Insanity International

I have blogged on the Amnesty International turn to the dark side before, but Cardinal Martino and others quoted in this NCR article are much more eloquent (and consequential). National Catholic Register: No Amnesty For the Unborn Here are a few article quotes: Amnesty International “has betrayed all of its faithful supporters throughout the years,” he said, “both individuals and organizations, who have trusted AI for its integral mission of promoting and protecting human rights.” The Church teaches that it is never justifiable to kill an innocent human life. Abortion is murder,” he said. “To selectively justify abortion, even in the cases of rape, is to define the innocent child within the womb as an enemy, a ‘thing’ that must be destroyed. How can we say that killing a child in some cases is good and in other cases it is evil?” Said Father Berrigan, “One cannot support an organization financially or even individually that is contravening something very serious in our ethic.”

A Stem-Cell Heretic?!?

A Stem-Cell Heretic Makes His Case - WSJ.com: "Embryonic stem-cell researchers are prone to touting the potential of their work to treat all sorts of ailments, from diabetes to Parkinson's disease. Don't bet on it, says James Sherley, a stem-cell specialist himself, who has become a notable heretic in the field." How interesting that we see the language of faith applied to science. Modern secularists are more fervent in their "faith" than most, though they don't see it as such. Science is a method by which information can be gathered and hypotheses tested. It makes no claims that it can do all things or explain all things. It is the science "faithful" who make the extraordinary claims. They claim that with science, all things will be explained and all ills cured. Those who question the faith, even just a small part of it, are now called heretics. Hmmm.

News Flash: Nancy Pelosi is an idiot

Destruction of Human Embryos a “Gift from God” says Catholic House Speaker How did we ever get in a situation where the speaker of the House of Representatives could ever say something so vile. Either she is evil or an idiot. I am willing to be charitable and go with idiot, but I could be convinced. Either way, how does she think she is Catholic?!?

Where is the tolerance

Catholic World News (CWN): "The Archbishop of Genoa has received several serious threats since he became the leading spokesman for the Catholic opponents of a bill that would allow for legal recognition of same-sex unions in Italy." Apparently "tolerance" isn't the goal after all, is it. And that whole "freedom of religion" thing, well the far left never really liked that anyways.

Brownback stands firm against abortion

Brownback stands firm against abortion - Yahoo! News Not sure about you, but this is whom I will be voting for in the primary. Giuliani combines the worst of both parties together, and just because you were mayor of New York during 9/11 doesn't qualify you for president. If I have a choice between Giuliani and any of the current list of Dems, I vote third party. Check out Brownback - he is an authentic alternative. This is real compassion - not left wing pandering or right wing smoke screens. His site is at: www.brownback.com

End Planned Parenthood Welfare!

Catholic World News : Planned Parenthood budget rising; US taxpayers pay greater share: "Planned Parenthood's budget for 2005-2006 was $902.8 mllion, an increase of 2.4% over the previous year's figure. More than one-third of that figure, $305.3 million, came from public funding." Yes sir, ladies and gents. That is about one billion (with a b) spent in this leading murder factory (PP accounts for 20% of abortions in the US), and those of us who pay our taxes are forced to pay for a third of it. It is time for the government to stop forcing the American people to pay for the evil deeds and false propaganda put out by this nefarious group.

More violent assaults on Iraqi Christians

Catholic World News : More violent assaults on Iraqi Christians Someone has to say it. Thank God for CWN. Pass on the news. Two-thirds of all Iraqi Christians are no longer in the country and attacks are on the increase. I guess their human rights don't warrant news in the US. Hmmm.

Christianity Under Attack in Iraq

Independent Catholic News: "Now there are reports that Salafist groups such as al-Qaeda, fundamentalists who believe Islam can be renewed by returning to the values of the era of the Prophet Mohammed, are targeting Christians on purely sectarian grounds." A priest and three deacons were killed in Iraq after saying mass Sunday. Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord, And let perpetual Light shine upon them. May their souls And the souls of all the faithful departed Through the mercy of God Rest in peace. Amen.

Is rational discussion possible?

A couple articles at CWN caught my attention today: Malaysian court refuses to acknowledge Muslim's conversion to Christianity and Wear veils, Iraqi Muslim cleric warns Christian women Well, the Church has never lacked persecutors.

MPs who back abortion should be banned from Communion, says Catholic leader-News-UK-TimesOnline

MPs who back abortion should be banned from Communion, says Catholic leader-News-UK-TimesOnline: "“The Catholic Church doesn’t bend or sway to meet the position of individual politicians, doctors, or anyone, when it comes to life issues. Why would anyone consider it unusual for the Catholic Church to reiterate its 2,000-year-old position?“" Looks like Scotland has a stand up Cardinal. Kind of interesting that here in California I can hear this, but only a whisper about the USCCB response to the wayward Catholic politicians was covered by Catholic World News, and that's about it (of course, they didn't make much hay about it themselves). Perhaps Cardinals in the US should take Cardinal O'Brein's lead.

Dad tackles man photographing daughter

OC Register - Dad tackles man photographing daughter Check out this news item. The reporter asks if the father is a hero or over protective. My question is whether the reporter is nuts for asking the question that way. The dad was appropriately protecting his kid. Seems pretty brave to me though.

Outside Protests Drive Catholic College to Drop Graduation Speaker

The Chronicle: Daily News Blog: Outside Protests Drive Catholic College to Drop Graduation Speaker Here's a bit of good news. A St. Mary's Catholic college in Nebraska drops its pro-abortion commencement speaker. Good for them!

A Company Named Cerberus

Cerberus to buy 80 percent of Chrysler - Yahoo! News Does anyone wonder why a company names itself after the mythological "hound of hell"? Who starts such a company saying "you know what name really represents us...?" Kind of makes you wonder about their values. Corporations take a lot of care in choosing a name. It is selected to represent a company - to evoke an image. I can't say that "Cerberus" would make me feel too comfortable as an employee. Cerberus' job in Greek mytholigy was to keep the dead in hades and keep the living out. What does that say about Chrysler?

Pope sends Mexico tough abortion message - Yahoo! News

Pretty reasonable article for an AP writer. Pope sends Mexico tough abortion message

Amnesty International Joins Culture of Death

Looks like Amnesty International has decided to side with the culture of death. Rather than fight against abortion, or at the least remain silent, the board has (incorrectly) decided that abortion is a human right (I guess they mean it is the "right to die" if you are a baby). If you support Amnesty International - it is time to send your support elsewhere - to an organization that values the fundamental right to life. If you support Amnesty International, it is time to step up, show you support life and sever your links to that organization. Alternative organizations that respect life are listed below. Here is the contents of an email I just received from Consistent Life on this issue. Check out the article in First Things mentioned below as well. To: All those who signed the petition asking Amnesty International not to take a stand on decriminalizing abortion and pushing governments to allow access in certain circumstances. From: Rachel MacNair, Vice-President, Consistent Life The petition was hand-delivered to the hands of each member of the Board of Directors of the U. S. chapter of Amnesty International on March 23, 2007. I am sorry to report that AI has indeed decided to take this step. You can get more information at http://www.consistent-life.org/ai.html and a good editorial on this at http://www.firstthings.com/onthesquare/?p=719. The decision was made despite polling of members in the UK that went against it, despite a vote of US members the results of which were never reported, and included explicit censorship of someone wishing to leaflet at the U.S. national conference. Those of us AI supporters who are heartsick about this no longer have a voice, inasmuch as it can be said we ever did. We encourage all US members of AI to telephone them at (212) 807-8400 and ask for the membership department. We have been told that they are keeping track of what this abortion policy decision does to their membership; they anticipate that losses may be offset by gains, so knowing of losses is important. We also suggest the following organizations for those who wish to re-direct their human-rights donation budget: Torture Abolition and Survivors Support Coalition International (TASSC) 4121 Harewood Road NE ~ Suite B Washington, DC 20017 Phone: (202) 529-2991 www.tassc.org info@tassc.org National Religious Campaign Against Torture c/o CCTPP 4500 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20016 Phone: (202) 885-8648 www.nrcat.org campaign@nrcat.org Human Rights First 333 Seventh Avenue, 13th Floor New York, NY 10001-5108 Phone: (212) 845 5200 www.humanrightsfirst.org/ feedback@humanrightsfirst.org Friends Committee on National Legislation (Issues of Torture and Civil Liberties) 245 Second St., NE Washington DC 20002-5795 It would be good to include a note to let these groups know that they are getting funds re-directed from AI and why, to make it less likely that they will move in a pro-abortion direction in the future. Student groups who no longer wish to affiliate with AI but would like to continue their good work might consider setting themselves up as independent organizations, and using informational research from AI along with other human rights groups in order to continue acting and educating on these important issues.

German & American Holocausts

Check out this post on Ginsberg and her dissent: America's Premier Holocaust Denier at The Lair of the Catholic Cavemen (warning: graphic images) My thoughts: Being pro-life can be difficult in modern society. Most of the world does not want to deal with it. A good friend of mine - one of the keeper kind of friends - told me he just stayed out of it because it wasn't his body. Another good friend told me that no one had the right to tell her what to do with her body. It is not always easy to stand up when your friends expect you to sit down. When I see the pictures side by side of abortions with Nazi holocaust images, it is impossible for me to remain silent. Most Germans in WWII sat back and stuck their heads in the sand as 12 million people were murdered. Well, more than 40 million dead babies since 1972 is a holocaust that no amount of denial can change. And if I sit back and say nothing, I am like those who allowed 12 million people to be murdered in WWII.

Court backs ban on abortion procedure

Court backs ban on abortion procedure - Yahoo! News "WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court upheld the nationwide ban on a controversial abortion procedure Wednesday, handing abortion opponents the long-awaited victory they expected from a more conservative bench." Hooray! Progress in the greatest civil human rights struggle of our time. While there is a long way to go, we finally have movement.

"Stay off the grass and Don't Feed The Homeless"

Arrest is first under homeless-feeding law - Orlando Sentinel :: "Undercover officers filmed the food line, meticulously counting Montanez serving '30 unidentified persons food from a large pot utilizing a ladle,' according to an arrest affidavit." While I am not a supporter of the groups that got arrested, I think laws against feeding the homeless are pretty much on the wrong side of right/wrong. I don't know about you, but I think money speaks louder than anything. Isn't there a couple big businesses in Orlando that depend on tourism? Not sure they are doing enough to foster the correct atmosphere. Perhaps money would best be spent elsewhere. H/T to Dale at Dyspeptic Mutterings.

Vatican paper decries abuses at gay-rights rally

Apparently, "tolerance" is a one way street. Oh yeah, the "tolerance" proponents hate Catholicism and that whole pesky right and wrong thing. Ahhh, relativism... I got this article from here at Catholic World News Rome, Mar. 13, 2007 (CWNews.com) - The Vatican newspaper L’Osservatore Romano has denounced the March 10 rally staged in downtown Rome in support of same-sex unions, saying that the demonstration was staged “by those who demand recognition from others, but do not demonstrate respect for others themselves.” L’Osservatore Romano called attention to the many demonstrators who insulted Catholics and mocked Church teaching during the rally. The paper went on to observe that many demonstrators brought young children, “the fruit of previous relations or of in-vitro fertilization.” These little children, L’Osservatore charged, were “abused in order to create the image of a family.” Despite the strident rhetoric of many participants in the rally, the leading parliamentary supporter of homosexual rights, Franco Grillini, insisted that the rally had been “an example of sobriety, composure, enthusiasm, and political action.”

California Appelate Court Rules: State Can Sponsor Murder

Court upholds Calif. stem cell agency: "The 1st District Court of Appeal upheld a decision by a lower court judge who last year ruled in favor of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, which was created when Proposition 71 was passed by 59 percent of the electorate in 2004." So, my tax dollars have pay immoral scientists to experiment on fetal stem cells (i.e., destroyed human beings). This whole issue continues to show the moral bankruptcy of science. Life begins at conception. At that point there is a new entity with its own genetic make-up (NOT the mothers). This is an different life. Destroying it is WRONG. It is MURDER. To experiment on the remains (or before they are remains) is a very Nazi-esque approach to science. Why must my government force me to pay for such evil? Why does my government allow such evil to exist? I pray that the CA Supreme Court will rule against this lower court.

John Edwards - How wishy washy can you get?

Edwards apologizes for 2002 war vote - Yahoo! News So Edwards wants to do a mea culpa on the war vote. How wishy washy is this man? Why did he support it in the first place? There was no evidence at the time that justified it, remember - it was part of that wrong-headed preemptive war strategy. But it was popular then, so I guess it was OK. Now the war is not popular, so he is against it. Clearly a man of conviction. I have a different position. Going into this war was wrong. I have always thought this. However, once we entered we committed ourselves. We must follow through on our commitments. We must do what is right by the people whose society we have destabilized. We must do what is right, not what is popular, or less costly, or safe, or politically expeditious - what is right. As for Edwards, he has already shown he doesn't understand doing what is right versus popular (heck, look at how he handled the anti-Catholic pro-death bloggers he refused to fire).

The Mighty USC Trojans Have Fallen

Oh the horror of it all. So much for playing for yet another National Championship. Oh well - 10 and 2 with a trip to the Rose Bowl is what I call an oustanding door number 2. What a rebuilding year. If all rebuilding years can be as fruitful. Fight on! It is kinda funny to see all the UCLA fans pulling their shirts and jackets out of storage. They haven't had a big day in some time. Good for them. Tags: Football

Back Online & Thoughts About Elections

I have been without internet connection since mid-day Monday. It is tough being disconnected, especially when you rely on the Internet so heavily. Working at home, being without it makes doing business that much harder. We also do not have any news on the arrival of the baby. We are waiting for her to decide to come - it is any day now. I'll keep all posted when she finally arrives. It looks like we all had a bit of bad news yesterday with the elections. I was disappointed that the three pro-life measures lost. The one in CA got 47% of the vote, and while that is a loss - it is not as bad as one might expect for liberal leaning California. It is also no surprise given how much money spent by Planned Parenthood trying to scare voters. I wish that the pro-life side was more sophisticated in marketing and convincing people. Grass roots is good, but a professional marketing can make a huge difference. As for the elections, I don't know what to think. I am a voter without a party. I am a registered Democrat, but I am pro-Life. That means, I can actually vote for very few Democrats. But it is hard to vote for Republicans. They get the pre-birth life issues and gay marriage correct, but are wrong on most of the rest of their platform. Aside from these issues, the Republican party is the party of big business and the rich. And the values of these two groups do not align with my values. But the ultra-left values of San Franciscan Nancy Pelosi don't align with my values either. In terms of why people voted the way they did, I am confused. I get the corruption issue, but I think most Americans are wrong about the war. People supported the war at the start, and now they don't. I am the opposite. I thought it was wrong to get into the war, but I also think that we have to clean up the mess we made - no matter how difficult. We may all agree that the current strategy is wrong, but a cut and run strategy would be rather irresponsible and (IMO) cowardly. It was wrong to start the war in Iraq, but it also would be wrong to leave the mess we created without a solution. Just my thoughts.

Pope: faith AND reason - that's the point!

The events this past week are somewhat frustrating. The Muslim world is up in arms because the Pope quotes a Byzantine emperor. I read the speech. The point the Pope was making was about the West and that reason cannot be divorced from Faith. The Emperor's point was that violence as part of religion is a violation or reason, and thus why he rejects Islam. The emperor's point is that faith that is counter to reason is false. The Pope was scolding the west because reason without faith is false . His point ... we need both! Where is that in the news? It's not? Hmmm. Now, one can take the quote of the emperor as saying that violence has no place as official doctrine and dogma in faith beacause it is counter to reason. And the Muslim world, in their violent reaction, is acting unreasonably. Did Catholics burn buildings at the Last Temptation of Christ movie? Was there revolt at the Da Vinci Code? Are we revolting now as Muslims burn the Pope in effigy? Are we calling for "Holy War" as nuns are gunned down and churches are burned? No. There is a lot of reaction and condemnation by the Muslim world of things they don't like from the Western world (Catholic and otherwise). This condemnation is loud, clear, and violent. However, there is only quiet (if any) condemnation of the uncivilized, violent, and godless behavior done in the name of their very religion. How can anyone beleive this is reasonable? Of course, I find it equally interesting that the amoral (often atheistic) Western media delights in fostering (even hosting) these battles. Why the coverage here? Why the search for that which will divide and undermine? They miss the point of the Pope's speech (his whole trip, in fact), but delight in controversy. Read the Pope's speech. You will find that it is not a message of hate as the media and Muslim world would have you believe. It is a message of hope and a challenge to Western thinkers that they need faith as well as reason. The Muslim world, perhaps, should also listen. Perhaps more reason is a good idea with their faith. I read the speech here http://www.cwnews.com/news/viewstory.cfm?recnum=46474