LSN: U.S. General: Don't Like Homosexuality? Leave the Army

For the "utterly outrageous" files:

WASHINGTON, D.C., September 20, 2010 (LifeSiteNews.com) - As Senate Democrats eye a repeal of the military’s "don't ask, don't tell" (DADT) policy Tuesday, the Washington Times is standing by potentially explosive comments it published from an Army general, calling service members opposed to open homosexuality in the military "bigots" that "need to get out."
"Unfortunately, we have a minority of service members who are still racists and bigoted and you will never be able to get rid of all of them," said Lt. Gen. Thomas P. Bostick, deputy chief of staff for personnel matters, as quoted in a Times editorial Thursday. 
"But these people opposing this new policy will need to get with the program, and if they can't, they need to get out," Bostick told U.S. troops, referring to DADT. "No matter how much training and education of those in opposition, you're always going to have those that oppose this on moral and religious grounds just like you still have racists today."   
Bostick was reported to have given the remarks at the European Command headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany. The Times noted that "the strong words take additional significance from Lt. Gen. Bostick's direct involvement with a Pentagon panel charged with shaping military policy on this issue."
The Department of Defense issued a statement by Bostick to reporters Friday, in which the general stated that he "simply did not make those statements," and has "been extremely careful" not to express opinions that might influence the Pentagon panel, of which he is a member, currently reviewing the DADT repeal. Bostick also called the statements attributed to him "personally reprehensible."
 
However, the Times staff has stood by the quotations.
"He either forgot what he said, is confused, or is lying," Washington Times editorial page editor Brett Decker said of Bostick, adding that the quotation came from "a member of the military who was there" and was verified by several sources. He said he would not reveal the source for fear of retribution.
Meanwhile, the Senate is scheduled to take up a vote on repealing DADT on Tuesday at 2:15 pm. Although Democrat leaders have expressed confidence in repealing the policy, it is unclear whether Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has gathered the 60 votes needed to overturn a GOP filibuster over the issue. Vice President Joe Biden said last week that at least 55 votes have been secured.
Elaine Donnelly of the pro-family Center for Military Readiness (CMR) noted that, if a filibuster were to succeed, the chances of a DADT repeal "will diminish and possibly be ended for good."
"The four military service chiefs of the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines have asked Congress not to vote for this legislation before the Pentagon releases a report on what repeal would mean," noted Donnelly in a letter to supporters. "The opinions of active duty military men and women have not been heard, and Congress should heed the professional advice of our military leadership before taking any legislative action, as they have requested."
Dale O'Leary, an internationally recognized pro-family researcher and author, said Monday that any DADT repeal should be accompanied by amendments rejecting homosexual "affirmative action" programs in the military, and the freedom of Christian members of the military from being "censored, disciplined, demoted, denied promotion, or in any way discriminated against for voicing opposition to homosexual behavior, voicing the opinion that same-sex attraction is a developmental disorder that can be treated, or defending traditional marriage."
Also, said O'Leary, officers must be explicitly allowed to discipline or discharge a homosexual service member in connection with physical or mental disorder associated with homosexuality.
"Because a number of large, well-designed studies have found that persons who self-identify as GLBTQ are more likely than the general public to suffer from psychological disorders, substance abuse problems, suicidal ideation, and sexually transmitted diseases, it can be expected that a significant percentage of GLBTQ persons will be rejected for service, disciplined for certain violations, or discharged for cause," she wrote. "Therefore, no officer shall be charged with discrimination against self-identified GLBTQ persons for rejecting, disciplining, or discharging such persons for cause."

I never thought I'd live to see an American general express such contempt for the concerns of the soldiers under his command.

I'm deeply outraged by this.

Fox Sports: Cubs player hit by shard from broken bat

MIAMI (AP)

Cubs rookie Tyler Colvin was hospitalized Sunday after his chest was punctured by part of a shattered bat.

Colvin was standing on third base in the second inning of Chicago's 13-3 victory at Florida when he was struck by a sliver of Welington Castillo's maple bat. Castillo doubled on the play and Colvin scored, but was replaced in the field in the bottom half.

This is just too scary.

By the grace of God, the kid is OK and is expected to recover, but this incident raises an important question, one that's been ignored for too long; Are maple bats safe?

I think it's become quite obvious that they are not.  Maple bats break into huge chunks that when they hit someone have the potential to kill, as so demonstrated by Colvin's injury.  In the past, the MLB used bats made from ash wood, which is lighter and breaks into tiny splinters that are not as dangerous.

Granted, any type of flying projectile is dangerous, but the question is, what is safer for players?  The answer to that question is for the MLB to go back to it's previous practice of using ash bats and phase out the use of maple bats.

Prayers will be said for Colvin and his family as he recovers.

Oremus pro Pontifice: Papal visit to UK edition

Let us pray for His Holiness Benedict XVI, as he finishes his visit to the UK amidst both joy and overt hostility.

V. Let us pray for our Pontiff, Pope Benedict.
R. May the Lord preserve him, and give him life, and bless him upon earth, and deliver him not to the will of his enemies.

Our Father.  Hail Mary.

Let us pray.

O God, Shepherd and Ruler of all Thy faithful people, look mercifully upon Thy servant Benedict, whom Thou hast chosen as shepherd to preside over Thy Church. Grant him, we beseech Thee, that by his word and example, he may edify those over whom he hath charge, so that together with the flock committed to him, may he attain everlasting life. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Sen. Warner Responds

Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) has responded to a recent message I sent him.

 

Dear Mr. Jurek,

Thank you for contacting me with your views on the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. In order to best represent you as your United States Senator, it is vital that I hear your views on this and other important matters.

In 1993, President Clinton, in conjunction with senior military leadership and the Senate and House Armed Service Committees, instituted the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy which bars openly gay and lesbian individuals from serving in the military.  On January 27, 2010, President Obama said in the State of the Union Address that he plans to work with senior military leadership and Congress to repeal the 1993 law.

Since then, the Senate Armed Services Committee has held a series of hearings to address the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy and has solicited the views of the Secretary of Defense, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and each of the Service Chiefs.  The Committee then passed a provision that would provide the Department of Defense the ability to repeal the policy after concurrence from the President, the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff that the repeal would not negatively impact readiness. The House of Representatives passed a similar version in their FY 2011 National Defense Authorization Bill that also includes repeal. The bill has yet to come before the whole Senate for a vote. 

I support repeal of "Don't Ask Don't Tell" in an orderly way, working with members of the uniformed services and our military leadership.   Given the complexity and sensitivity of the matter, I believe we must place great weight on the opinions of our military leadership and ensure that we are treating all service members with dignity and respect. 

Again, thank you for taking the time to contact me with your views. I will continue to keep your thoughts in mind as the situation unfolds.  As we move forward with the 111th Congress, please continue to be in touch with your opinions and concerns.

Sincerely,
MARK R. WARNER
United States Senator 

The views of our uniformed services must be taken into account eh?  Well, he must not have gotten the message yet, because from what I recall, most of our military's senior flag officers oppose the repeal of "don't ask, don't tell".

Please take a moment to speak with them, Mr. Warner.

OK, if I might be permitted to rant a bit...

Am I the only one who notices a wave of vitriol and venom being directed at Catholic Republicans by their fellow Catholics?

It seems that a Catholic who votes Republican is viewed as a traitor to his faith.  It's said he (or she) supports "corporatism" at the expense of the poor and working people, and doesn't believe in taking care of the poor and destitute. 

Is it really that bad to believe that the poor are better served by people working to help each other under the principle of subsidiarity in place of reliance on the government, which is incapable of authentic charity?  That policies designed to reduce taxes and spending to benefit the small businesses which really drive our economy are a good thing?  To question whether Big Labor really is good?

Really, is that really an anti-Catholic principle to hold?  Ask some folks and they may say yes.  I say no. 

Our Lady of Sorrows

Today is the memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows.

From catholicculture.org

Our Lady of Sorrows
This feast dates back to the 12th century. It was especially promoted by the Cistercians and the Servites, so much so that in the 14th and 15th centuries it was widely celebrated throughout the Catholic Church. In 1482 the feast was added to the Missal under the title of "Our Lady of Compassion." Pope Benedict XIII added it to the Roman Calendar in 1727 on the Friday before Palm Sunday. In 1913, Pope Pius X fixed the date on September 15. The title "Our Lady of Sorrows" focuses on Mary's intense suffering during the passion and death of Christ. "The Seven Dolors," the title by which it was celebrated in the 17th century, referred to the seven swords that pierced the Heart of Mary. The feast is like an octave for the birthday of Our Lady on September 8th. — Excerpted from Our Lady of Sorrows by Fr. Paul Haffner (Inside the Vatican, September 2004)
This feast is dedicated to the spiritual martyrdom of Mary, Mother of God, and her compassion with the sufferings of her Divine Son, Jesus. In her suffering as co-redeemer, she reminds us of the tremendous evil of sin and shows us the way of true repentance. May the numerous tears of the Mother of God be conducive to our salvation; with which tears Thou, O God, art able to wash away the sins of the whole world.
As Mary stood at the foot of the Cross on which Jesus hung, the sword of sorrow Simeon had foretold pierced her soul. Below are the seven sorrows of Mary:

1. The prophecy of Simeon (Luke 2:25-35)
2. The flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:13-15)
3. Loss of the Child Jesus for three days (Luke 2:41-50)
4. Mary meets Jesus on his way to Calvary (Luke 23:27-31; John 19:17)
5. Crucifixion and Death of Jesus (John 19:25-30)
6. The body of Jesus being taken from the Cross (Psalm 130; Luke 23:50-54; John 19:31-37)
7. The burial of Jesus (Isaiah 53:8; Luke 23:50-56; John 19:38-42; Mark 15:40-47)

Symbols: heart pierced with a sword; heart pierced by seven swords; winged heart pierced with a sword; flowers: red rose, iris (meaning: "sword-lily"), cyclamen.
Patron: people named Dolores, Dolais, Deloris, Dolorita, Maria Dolorosa, Pia, and Pieta.

On this day, let us not only remember Mary's sorrow on seeing the suffering of her Son, but also her sorrow at the sins of the world and the blasphemies committed daily against our Lord, and her sorrow at the unborn innocents being killed in abortion mills.

Prayer In Honor of the Seven Sorrows
O Mary, Mother of Sorrows, I beseech Thee, by the bitter agony thou didst endure at the foot of the Cross offer to the Eternal Father, in my name, thy Beloved Son, Jesus, all covered with Blood and Wounds, in satisfaction for my sins, for the needs of Holy Church, the conversion of sinners, the relief of the Souls in Purgatory and for the special grace I now implore. Mention your request. Amen.

Stabat Mater
Stabat Mater dolorosa
Juxta Crucem lacrimosa,
Dum pendebat Filius.

Cujus animam gementem,
Contristatam et dolentem,
Pertransivit gladius.

O quam tristis et afflicta
Fuit illa benedicta
Mater Unigeniti!

Quem maerebat, et dolebat,
Pia Mater, dum videbat
Nati paenas inclyti.

Quis est homo, qui non fleret,
Matrem Christi si videret
In tanto supplicio?

Quis non posset contristari,
Christi Matrem contemplari
Dolentem cum Filio?

Pro peccatis suae gentis
Vidit Jesum in tormentis,
Et flagellis subditum.

Vidit suum dulcem natum
Moriendo desolatum,
Dum emisit spiritum.

Eia Mater, fons amoris,
Me sentire vim doloris
Fac, ut tecum lugeam.

Fac, ut ardeat cor meum
In amando Christum Deum,
Ut sibi complaceam.

Sancta Mater, istud agas,
Crucifixi fige plagas
Cordi meo valide.

Tui nati vulnerati,
Tam dignati pro me pati,
Paenas rnecum divide.

Fac me tecum pie flere,
Crucifixo condolere,
Donec ego vixero.

Juxta Crucem tecum stare,
Et me tibi sociare
In planctu desidero.

Virgo virginum praeclara,
Mihi jam non sis amara:
Fac me tecum plangere.

Fac, ut portem Christi mortem
Passionis fac consortum,
Et plagas recolere.

Fac me plagis vulnerari
Fac me cruce inebriari,
Et cruore Filii.

Flammis ne urar succensus
Per te, Virgo, sim defensus
In die judicii.

Christe, cum sit hinc exire,
Da per Matrem me venire,
Ad palmam victoriae.

Quando corpus morietur,
Fac, ut animae donetur
Paradisi gloria.

Sometimes even vegetables can be flabbergasted

They must have just watched a Eucharist desecration video on Youtube.

Pic belongs to the original creator.

In Memoriam 09/11/2001

For those who remember, on this day 3,000 of our fellow Americans, who had committed no crime and harmed no one, were murdered by a band of barbarous terrorists who were convinced that paradise would be there's if they slaughtered the "infidel". But this journal is not about the murderers, it's about those 3,000 people who died.

They were innocent. They had done nothing to nobody. Yet, they were murdered.

Many said they weren't innocent. A college professor wrote an essay that compared them to the infamous Nazi mass murderer Adolf Eichmann, and their killers didn't see them as innocent because they were "non-believers". But they were innocent, just ordinary men and women who were doing their jobs, oblivious to the hell that was about to be unleashed.

We must never forget them. They still need us. They need us to never forget what transpired, to honor their memory. They need us to pray for their souls so they may enjoy the bliss of heaven, and they need us to make sure such a massacre may never happen again.

Oremus
Father, hear us as we pray for those who died on this terrible day. Bring then into your heavenly abode that they may praise you with all the angels and saints who have done your will throughout the ages. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

Réquiem ætérnam dona eis Dómine;
et lux perpétua lúceat eis.
Requiéscant in pace.
Amen.

MSNBC: "Beetlejuice" Actor Glenn Shadix dies in Alabama

Glenn Shadix, best remembered for his portrayal of a portly, pretentious designer in the metaphysical comedy "Beetlejuice," died Tuesday at his home in Birmingham. He was 58.

Personal manager Juliet Green told The Associated Press that Shadix had returned to his home state after many years living in Los Angeles.
A cause of death was not immediately known, but his sister, Susan Gagne, told The Birmingham News that he had been using a wheelchair for mobility and appeared to have fallen in his kitchen and struck his head.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord
and let perpetual light shine upon him.
May he rest in peace.
Amen.

Congressman Nye Seems to think Prop 8 ruling is no big deal

A while ago, I wrote to my Congressional Representative, Glenn Nye (D-VA) asking him to oppose the Prop 8 ruling of Judge Walker.  This is what I got from him.

Dear Mr. Jurek,

Thank you for contacting me in opposition to Judge Walker's ruling in the case of Perry v. Schwarzenegger, which, if upheld, would overturn Proposition 8's ban on same-sex marriage.  It is helpful to learn the views of my friends and neighbors in Hampton Roads and on the Eastern Shore, and I appreciate having your input.

On Wednesday, August 4th Judge Vaughn R. Walker ruled that California Proposition 8's ban on same-sex marriage "cannot withstand any level of scrutiny under the Equal Protection Clause" and that "excluding same-sex couples from marriage is simply not rationally related to a legitimate state interest."  However, immediately following the ruling, Judge Walker put a stay on his own opinion, pending the expected higher court challenge.  The opinion only applies to California and does not affect federal law, which does not recognize same-sex marriages.
Judge Walker was first nominated to the federal bench by President Ronald Reagan in 1987.  Due to his conservative record, his confirmation was delayed for two years by Congress. 

I believe in the balance of power between the three branches of government and have confidence in the process of the Judicial Branch. Should Congress consider any related legislation, I will be certain to factor your recommendations into the decisions I make. 

Thank you again for sharing your views.  I am proud to serve Virginia's Second District, and I am committed to working hard for you.  If you would like more information about the issues I am working on in Congress, or if you would like to sign up to receive my monthly e-newsletter, I encourage you to visit my website at www.nye.house.gov.

Apparently he hasn't done much thought about this, because anyone with an  inkling of how things work in this regard, he'd know the ruling sets a precedent that any and all attempts to defend marriage are "unconstitutional" including federal law, and now homosexualist activists have a legal precedent to argue for the recognition of homosexual "marriage".

Yes, the ruling is a big deal, because now any defense of marriage is out.

Mr. Nye, please, for the good of society, oppose this ruling on it's face and fight for marriage in Congress, resist any attempt to redefine marriage.

Pax Christi.

CNA: Cardinal O’Brien accuses BBC of attempting to 'humiliate' Pope, says is time for religion editor

From CNA:

London, England, Sep 6, 2010 / 09:02 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Cardinal Keith O’Brien, the senior Catholic authority in Scotland, accused the BBC on Sunday  of  being contaminated by “a radically secular and socially liberal mindset.” Then prelate added that the public corporation headed by Mark Thompson, a 52-year-old Jesuit educated Catholic, should appoint a religion editor immediately.
Cardinal O'Brian, who is Archbishop of St. Andrews and Edinburgh also accused the BBC of plotting a “hatchet job” on the Vatican in a documentary about clerical sex abuse on the eve of Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to Britain.
“This week the BBC’s director general admitted that the corporation had displayed ‘massive bias’ in its political coverage throughout the 1980s, acknowledging the existence of an institutional political bias,” the cardinal said.
“Our detailed research into BBC news coverage of Christianity in general and Catholicism in particular, together with a systematic analysis of output by the Catholic church, has revealed a consistent anti-Christian institutional bias,” he added.
As proof, Cardinal O'Brian pointed out to 15 percent decline in religious programming over the past 20 years. Also, he added, insiders at the BBC have privately admitted that there is a cultural intolerance of Christianity at the corporation.
“Senior news managers have admitted to the Catholic Church that a radically secular and socially liberal mindset pervades their newsrooms. This sadly taints BBC news and current affairs coverage of religious issues, particularly matters of Christian beliefs.”
The Archbishop of Edinburgh voiced his fears that the BBC will use a forthcoming documentary called "Benedict –Trials of a Pope" to "humiliate the Pontiff on the eve of his visit to Britain."  The program was created by Mark Dowd, a homosexual former Dominican friar, and will be aired on September 15.
The cardinal joined the recent Church of England's demand that the broadcaster appoint a religion editor to address the issue of the decline and the bias on religious information.
The BBC immediately dismissed Cardinal O’Brien’s criticism of its religious coverage. A spokeswoman told The Telegraph that “BBC news and current affairs has a dedicated religion correspondent.”
In fact, the BBC appointed Mr. Aaqil Ahmed last year as head of religious broadcasting, the first Muslim to hold that position.
Nevertheless,  Roger Bolton, who presents BBC's Radio 4’s "Feedback," said early this year at an awards ceremony in London that the religious perspective was often "bafflingly absent" both on air and behind the scenes in editorial discussions.
“BBC television, unlike BBC Radio, seems to be in the hands of the secular and skeptical, who view religious coverage as a rather tiresome obligation to be minimized rather than a rich and promising area to explore,” said Bolton.
He also noted that Aaqil Ahmed had a proven record in his previous job at Channel 4, but that at the BBC, his “playing field" was "more the size of a fives court than a football pitch.”
Bolton added that BBC News should appoint a religion editor of a similar seniority and prominence to business editor Robert Peston, to appear prominently on its radio and TV bulletins.
“BBC News requires a religion editor, able to appear on the networks to interpret the latest religious story at home and abroad, but more importantly to bring a religious perspective to the vast range of areas such as foreign affairs and medical dilemmas where that perspective is so often, and so bafflingly, absent,” said Bolton.

 With all due respect to the good cardinal, I highly doubt a religion editor will do much to root out the bias against Christianity at the BBC.  The network is so beholden to secularism, it'll take fundamental reform to root it out, and reform is painful.

Nevertheless, it's clear something needs to be done.  The attacks against the Holy Father leading up to his visit to the UK is a shameful episode and highlights the clear need for reform in the major media.

Man Threatens Pro-Lifers

From LSN comes this shocking story:

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., Sept. 1, 2010 (LifeSiteNews.com) - A man was arrested Saturday, August 28, outside a late-term abortion facility in Albuquerque, New Mexico, after he allegedly threatened to shoot two pro-life women who were offering help to abortion-bound women.
According to Operation Rescue (OR), the unidentified man and his wife were escorting their daughter into the abortion clinic when the wife and daughter walked over to the pro-life women to discuss alternatives to abortion. The man became angry and ushered his family members toward the building.
 
"When we come out, I'm going to put a bullet in your head if you talk to her," the man reportedly told the pro-life women, whose identities are being withheld for their security.
 
Witnesses said that the man then lifted his shirt to show the women a dark object that was partially tucked into his trousers. The women say they recognized the object as a gun and called the police.
 
"The police responded appropriately and took him away in handcuffs," said former OR intern Bud Shaver, who arrived on the scene in time to witness the arrest and the clearing of the clinic by police.
 
"They cleared Boyd's clinic to search for the gun SWAT style. Everyone, including staff, had to come out with their hands up."
 
The area was cordoned off and the facility was closed to patients for nearly two hours while police conducted their investigation.
 
It is currently unknown if a gun was recovered by police or what charges were brought against the man.
 
Death threats against pro-lifers have been viewed with greater concern in the wake of the shooting death of activist Jim Pouillon of Owosso, Michigan, who was gunned down last year as he held a pro-life sign outside a local high school. The killer admitted that he murdered Pouillon because he did not agree with his public abortion protests.
 
Shaver told OR that he has been threatened a number of times since he has been in Albuquerque, but the police never responded in the way they did on Saturday.
 
"We are thankful that no one was injured and that the police took appropriate action," said OR's Troy Newman. "Violence against pro-lifers has become something that we have to guard against every day. Those who reach out to women in front of abortion clinics should not be afraid to continue to do so, but should always have security and an awareness of their surroundings in mind."

And they say that pro-lifers are the violent ones?  Give me a break...