I recently received a copy of Stuart Taylor and KC Johnson's book Until Proven Innocent: Political Correctness and the Shameful Injustices of the Duke Lacrosse Rape Case, and so far I'm liking it. The book promises to lay out, in detail, the entire sordid history of this despicable miscarriage of justice. Anyone who is wrongfully accused or convicted of anything is a victim, and their race or socioeconomic status does not negate that. They deserve our prayers and compassion.
Reading some old comments on the case on CAF, though, it seems that some of my fellow Catholics don't consider them victims, but on the receiving end of God's wrath. Them going through a year of hell was "temporal punishment for sin". Hmmm. From what I can tell, not all of them were at the party when the stripper was there. And since when did God allow false accusation to be the catalyst for His punishment? Why would God allow the breaking of His Commandment "Thou shall not bear false witness against thy neighbor" for it? Such an idea sounds frankly heretical and blasphemous to me.
Their sins aside, they were innocent, and God would not allow another sin to punish a sin. It makes no sense whatsoever.
Pax Christi.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Note to a CAF user: Compassion is for everyone
Dear Friend,
I read both of your posts on CAF, and I felt that I should draft a response. Since I cannot find the threads at this time (and they likely have been deleted) I will post it here.
You seem to have a problem with the fact that other users presumed him innocent, as they did not know all the facts. I too do not pass judgment. It is not my place to do so, and I also do not know everything. I can only imagine the hurt you must feel to here that a close friend has been accused of such terrible crimes, and indeed they are terrible. He may very well be guilty and I'm sure that weighs heavily on you.
But I want you to remember something. Jesus did not and does not tolerate sin and the unrepentant will receive the justice they deserve, but he also ate with sinners and treated them with compassion, refusing to turn their backs on them. Are we not, as followers of Christ, supposed to do the same?
We cannot have compassion for the victims of crime while simultaneously spitting on the criminals themselves. Compassion flows to both sides. We must pray for both victim and victimizer, if indeed the man you speak of is guilty. The sin, not the sinner, is the thing we must condemn.
It is the truly Christian thing to do.
Peace be with you.
I read both of your posts on CAF, and I felt that I should draft a response. Since I cannot find the threads at this time (and they likely have been deleted) I will post it here.
You seem to have a problem with the fact that other users presumed him innocent, as they did not know all the facts. I too do not pass judgment. It is not my place to do so, and I also do not know everything. I can only imagine the hurt you must feel to here that a close friend has been accused of such terrible crimes, and indeed they are terrible. He may very well be guilty and I'm sure that weighs heavily on you.
But I want you to remember something. Jesus did not and does not tolerate sin and the unrepentant will receive the justice they deserve, but he also ate with sinners and treated them with compassion, refusing to turn their backs on them. Are we not, as followers of Christ, supposed to do the same?
We cannot have compassion for the victims of crime while simultaneously spitting on the criminals themselves. Compassion flows to both sides. We must pray for both victim and victimizer, if indeed the man you speak of is guilty. The sin, not the sinner, is the thing we must condemn.
It is the truly Christian thing to do.
Peace be with you.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
AOL News: Jailed... For Wanting a Better School
How far would you go to get your children into a better public school? The best intentions of one Ohio woman landed her in jail.
In a highly unusual case, Kelley Williams-Bolar, a single mother who lived in Akron public housing, was convicted of lying about her residency in order to send her two daughters to a highly ranked school. Her sentence, which inflamed emotions in the community, was 10 days in jail, according to reports, and is due to end this week.
She should not have lied, but I think I can understand why she did it.
When I hear about stuff like this, it becomes all the more clearer to me that education reform should be a high priority in this country.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Stupid Letter to the Editor in Today's Pilot
Browsing the online edition of this mornings Virginian-Pilot I stumbled upon a letter to the editor that really missed the mark completely. I'll post the links for you to read at your leisure.
http://hamptonroads.com/2011/01/too-confrontational
The author of this letter seems to be gushing about the prospects of U.S.-China relations, while ignoring the fact that China is a bloody, Nazi-like terror state. Has the author forgotten about China's brutal 50-year long occupation of Tibet, or its bloody oppression of Christians, Falun Gong and others, or the habitual use of torture against anyone who dares question the great wise ones who rule the country, or the murderous "one-child only" policy that mandates sterilization and forced abortion for those who have more than one child, or the offenses against human dignity like the harvesting of organs from condemned prisoners? In other words, China is the new Soviet Union, fast becoming a communist bully with the big guns to back it up.
On another note, China has been relentlessly building up its military in an effort to become a superpower. I believe in my heart of hearts that it is only a matter of time until we come into another Cold War, this time with China. I think it makes sense for us to be prepared, within reason.
Pax Christi, and pray for those oppressed in China.
http://hamptonroads.com/2011/01/too-confrontational
The author of this letter seems to be gushing about the prospects of U.S.-China relations, while ignoring the fact that China is a bloody, Nazi-like terror state. Has the author forgotten about China's brutal 50-year long occupation of Tibet, or its bloody oppression of Christians, Falun Gong and others, or the habitual use of torture against anyone who dares question the great wise ones who rule the country, or the murderous "one-child only" policy that mandates sterilization and forced abortion for those who have more than one child, or the offenses against human dignity like the harvesting of organs from condemned prisoners? In other words, China is the new Soviet Union, fast becoming a communist bully with the big guns to back it up.
On another note, China has been relentlessly building up its military in an effort to become a superpower. I believe in my heart of hearts that it is only a matter of time until we come into another Cold War, this time with China. I think it makes sense for us to be prepared, within reason.
Pax Christi, and pray for those oppressed in China.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
TFP Student Action's great pro-life letters to the editor
Our friends at TFP Student Action have provided a great list of letters to the editor ready for submission to local newspapers.
http://www.tfpstudentaction.org/politically-incorrect/abortion/best-pro-life-letters-to-the-editor.html#5
Although I encourage people to write ones in their own words, these ones sum up our thoughts perfectly. As the anniversary of Roe v. Wade approaches, we must NOT remain silent. Countless lives are depending on us.
Pax Christi.
http://www.tfpstudentaction.org/politically-incorrect/abortion/best-pro-life-letters-to-the-editor.html#5
Although I encourage people to write ones in their own words, these ones sum up our thoughts perfectly. As the anniversary of Roe v. Wade approaches, we must NOT remain silent. Countless lives are depending on us.
Pax Christi.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Venom in the wake of AZ shooting
The tragic shooting in Tuscon that killed a nine-year-old girl, a Catholic judge and daily communicant, and left U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords in critical condition was the work of a deranged and disturbed individual, that much is becoming clear. Any individual with an ounce of common sense can deduce that after reading Jarod Loughner's rambling, paranoid delusions about government mind control through grammar and his absolutely bizarre Youtube videos. Someone needs to tell that to our brothers on the Left though, as they have come out with a classic - try to score cheap political points by blaming the murders on conservatives.
Tuscon Sheriff Clarence Dupnik got the party started when he made this public statement.
In other words, those in the media and talk radio who speak out against the Obama agenda and big government are creating a dangerous environment that leads people to kill. Very amusing, since the shooter had no apparent political affiliation and his philosophy, if it can be called that, was mostly his own disjointed and paranoid ramblings and delusions. Hardly the image of a Tea Part activist.
Speaking of the Tea Party...
Politico recently offered a little quote from an unnamed Democratic party operative saying Obama should
A headline from Britain's The Guardian newspaper read: “In the US, where hate rules at the ballot box, this tragedy has been coming for a long time", the sub-headline being even more direct.
Palin Derangement Syndrome reduced many who blamed conservatives for the shooting to frothing-at-the-mouth mad dogs. The former Alaska governor was accused of spreading hate speech and calling for the murder of her political opponents for her (admittably not too smart) metaphorical placing of crosshairs on "targeted" congressional districts during the recent midterms.
This is just a small sampling of the rage and blame that the left has shot at the right during this tragic time. That ANYONE would use this incident to score cheap political points is reprehensible. Not only that, I should remind them that bearing false witness against one's neighbor is a sin against Almighty God.
Seems they have a lot of apologies to make.
Tuscon Sheriff Clarence Dupnik got the party started when he made this public statement.
I'd just like to say that when you look at unbalanced people, how they are -- how they respond to the vitriol that comes out of certain mouths, about tearing down the government, the anger, the hatred, the bigotry that goes on in this country is getting to be outrageous.
In other words, those in the media and talk radio who speak out against the Obama agenda and big government are creating a dangerous environment that leads people to kill. Very amusing, since the shooter had no apparent political affiliation and his philosophy, if it can be called that, was mostly his own disjointed and paranoid ramblings and delusions. Hardly the image of a Tea Part activist.
Speaking of the Tea Party...
Politico recently offered a little quote from an unnamed Democratic party operative saying Obama should
"...deftly pin this on the Tea Partiers, just like Clinton deftly pinned the Oklahoma City bombing on the militia and anti-government people."
A headline from Britain's The Guardian newspaper read: “In the US, where hate rules at the ballot box, this tragedy has been coming for a long time", the sub-headline being even more direct.
“The shooting of Gabrielle Giffords may lead to the temporary hibernation of rightwing rage, but it is encoded in conservative DNA”
Palin Derangement Syndrome reduced many who blamed conservatives for the shooting to frothing-at-the-mouth mad dogs. The former Alaska governor was accused of spreading hate speech and calling for the murder of her political opponents for her (admittably not too smart) metaphorical placing of crosshairs on "targeted" congressional districts during the recent midterms.
This is just a small sampling of the rage and blame that the left has shot at the right during this tragic time. That ANYONE would use this incident to score cheap political points is reprehensible. Not only that, I should remind them that bearing false witness against one's neighbor is a sin against Almighty God.
Seems they have a lot of apologies to make.
Congrats to Auburn
Auburn University has won the 2010 BCS National Championship, defeating Oregon 22-19.
Congratulations to the Auburn University Tigers football team.
War Eagle!
Monday, January 3, 2011
Prayer for the Persecuted Copts of Egypt
Father, your children pray for the Christians of Egypt, who daily suffer outrages and persecutions for you. Through Jesus Christ our Lord and the prayers of the Holy Theotokos, grant them peace, safety and security. Have mercy on their persecutors and grant them conversion, that they may see Your truth and and turn their hearts to the service of you. Grant them salvation and mercy. To those who have been martyred for love of you, grant eternal rest in heaven with you and all the saints. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
الأب، أطفالك نصلي من اجل المسيحيين في مصر، الذين يعانون يوميا الاعتداء والاضطهاد بالنسبة لك. من خلال يسوع
المسيح ربنا وصلاة والدة الإله المقدسة ، ويمنحهم السلام والأمن والسلامة. رحمه مضطهديهم ومنحهم التحويل، لكي يروا
الحقيقة وبدوره الخاص بك وقلوبهم لخدمة لك. منحهم الخلاص والرحمة. لأولئك الذين استشهدوا من أجل الحب منكم، منح
الراحة الأبدية في السماء مع لكم ولجميع القديسين. من خلال المسيح ربنا. آمين.
(The Arabic translation above is provided by Google Translate and may not be 100% accurate. If there are any errors, please feel free to correct me.)
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