Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Elections Have Consequences


I could use this same title for most of my posts about the actions of the Obama administration. This week, while we are glued to our sets watching the Sotomayor Saga...snooze...., health care legislation is being overhauled and hate crimes legislation is being introduced. Ch-ch-ch-changes....that's for sure. Earth shattering, ground breaking ch-ch-ch-changes. And while I think these changes are pointing our country in the wrong direction, I have to remind myself that elections have consequences. I am aware of a certain clarity that one has when one has not voted for the current administration. And conversely, I am aware of the tendency for those who did vote for the current administration to default to autopilot and apathy and allow this administration to proceed in overdrive. It happened to those who voted Bush into office, twice, I might add. The Bush opponents had a certain clarity about Rumsfeld, that Bush supporters lacked. And now, the clarity and concern has been awakened in conservatives. I am not sure how this awakening will translate into political action. In the meantime, Sotomayor will likely be confirmed without pause. And we will be ushered into an era where the highest court in the land will now use empathy to decide cases. This court will also take into consideration the race, gender, life experience and sexual behavior of an individual before deciding on the case. As Sotomayor continues to parse her words and, by omission, basically acknowledge that abortion is a constitutional right, will we continue to sit in the passenger's seat and watch our country pass us by?

Friday, July 3, 2009

Can't Get Enough Sarah




The nutty blogosphere couldn't say enough mean and hateful things about soon to be ex-Governor Sarah Palin as she abruptly announced her resignation plans. In my quest for the beef of the story, which at this point is...stay tuned...I came across very detailed conspiracy theories. Here are the top theories. The mainstream media hasn't a verifiable clue so they are all speculating that she is seeking another office or perhaps getting an early start on her 2012 campaign. The nutty blogosphere (oh I hope I don't have to eat my words, but she is a politician, so ANYTHING is possible) thinks that she engaged in a pay for play scheme with the builders of the Wasilla sports complex. They have threads a mile long talking about how the windows of her home look just like the windows of the sports complex. GASP!
You can't believe how many people are spending their Friday night theorizing about Sarah Palin's sudden announcement. I feel pathetic reading the comments. But hey, the kids are asleep and this is my time. The vicious rumor mills out there remind me of the stereotypical mean girls that we all knew in High School. You know the ones that couldn't stand it when a girl was prettier or more accomplished than them so they ridiculed and talked about her behind her back. Love her or hate her, we can't seem to get enough of her. So, to all those Tanya Hardings out there, give Governor Palin a break. Until you have walked a mile in her shoes, you cannot possibly know her. If you disagree with her, then stick to the issues and leave the personal attacks to the bullies.

Update:The nutty blogosphere has to eat their words. LOL SARAH PALIN IS NOT UNDER FBI INVESTIGATION

Independence Day

July 4 is also a First Saturday this year. If you know what I am talking about then you are a faithful Catholic deeply consecrated in Truth. If you don't know what I am talking about, this is for you. The First Saturday Devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary was first mentioned by Our Lady of Fatima on July 13, 1917. After showing the three children a vision of hell she said, "You have seen hell where the souls of poor sinners go. To save them, God wishes to establish in the world devotion to my Immaculate Heart. If what I say to you is done, many souls will be saved and there will be peace... I shall come to ask for... the Communion of reparation on the first Saturdays..."

Eight years later, on December 10, 1925, Mary and the Child Jesus appeared to Lucia, the sole surviving Fatima visionary, at a convent in Pontevedra, Spain. Our Lady rested her hand on Lucia's shoulder, revealing a heart encircled by thorns.

The Child Jesus said: "Have compassion on the heart of your most holy Mother, covered with thorns with which ungrateful men pierce it at every moment, and there is no one to make an act of reparation..."Our Lady spoke next, saying: "Look, my daughter, at my heart, surrounded with thorns with which ungrateful men pierce it at every moment by their blasphemies and ingratitude. You at least try to console me and say that I promise to assist at the hour of death, with the graces necessary for salvation, all those who, on the first Saturday of five consecutive months, shall confess, receive Holy Communion, recite five decades of the Rosary, and keep me company for fifteen minutes while meditating on fifteen mysteries of the Rosary, with the intention of making reparation to me."

Our great country is polarized and in turmoil on so many fronts. Just this week North Korea is testing missiles and unemployment is at a 26 year high. By recognizing this First Saturday, we can contribute to the reparations that will bring about an era of peace we have never before experienced. During this Independence Day, let us honor Our Mother who will magnify our prayers and bring us closer to her Son.

Make a Peace Pledge!