Thoughts and opinions from a Priest in the PNCC
The networks were chasing after Hillary Clinton for her response to the State of the Union. As she runs for President I hope someone gets the nerve to ask, during one of these interviews:
When you, your husband, and your staff were pillaging and vandalizing the White House, just before you left Washington, did you ever say to yourself: Hey, it’s not my property, and you know, I might want to move back in someday?
I like President Jim Webb – oops, I mean Senator. He had the best line of the night (full transcript at the NY Times):
Regarding the economic imbalance in our country, I am reminded of the situation President Theodore Roosevelt faced in the early days of the 20th century. America was then, as now, drifting apart along class lines. The so-called robber barons were unapologetically raking in a huge percentage of the national wealth. The dispossessed workers at the bottom were threatening revolt.
Roosevelt spoke strongly against these divisions. He told his fellow Republicans that they must set themselves “as resolutely against improper corporate influence on the one hand as against demagogy and mob rule on the other.” And he did something about it.
As I look at Iraq, I recall the words of former general and soon-to-be President Dwight Eisenhower during the dark days of the Korean War, which had fallen into a bloody stalemate. “When comes the end?” asked the General who had commanded our forces in Europe during World War Two. And as soon as he became President, he brought the Korean War to an end.
These Presidents took the right kind of action, for the benefit of the American people and for the health of our relations around the world. Tonight we are calling on this President to take similar action, in both areas. If he does, we will join him. If he does not, we will be showing him the way.
As to the President’s message, two major problems jumped right into my mind.
First, taxing my health insurance benefits, then giving me a tax break that won’t even come close to covering the value of the plan I am enrolled in. All this so a transference of wealth can take place. Once again the middle class, who has worked its way up to the position and benefits they have (some kind of false American ideal, hard work and all that) will get less and pay more. I don’t think I voted socialist… Can somebody clue me in?
Second, Iraq. What can I say? The most disingenuous line was (full transcript at the NY Times):
This is not the fight we entered in Iraq, but it is the fight we’re in.
Oh, but it is. It is the exact fight the President set-up. We got exactly what was predicted by all the advisers who said ‘send more troops.’ Who cares what Sec. Rumsfeld thought about the military, small, lean, fast and all that. The buck stops at the President’s desk. He should have listed to the military experts, not his ‘ole buddy.
He still doesn’t get it, it never was about Iraq, but about terrorism. He missed the boat and has put us all in far greater danger from terrorism, debt, and a wasted cadre of young men and women.
From Andy G. – a Polonian colleague from days past in Buffalo, Broadway-Fillmore Alive! Lots of great events, photos, and videos. The YouTube of Corpus Christi Church is nice as is the video slide show from the East Side’s Corpus Christi procession.
From Heather via the Polish American Forum, Passion 4 Poland. Nice design and most importantly great interviews.
Renowned journalist and chronicler of our life and times, Ryszard Kapuściński has died.
From Reuters: Polish chronicler of Third World Kapuscinski dies
WARSAW (Reuters) – Polish journalist and author Ryszard Kapuscinski, who chronicled despotism and strife in the Third World, died on Tuesday, the PAP news agency said. He was 74.
From 1959 to 1981, Kapuscinski covered the world’s poorest and most troubled spots as a journalist for PAP and also wrote books about Africa’s emergence from colonialism — and its descent into turmoil and war.
Best-known among his 19 books was “The Emperor”, an account of the downfall of Ethiopia’s Haile Selassie told from inside the castle walls.
He witnessed 27 coups and revolutions, befriended the likes of Che Guevara, and was sentenced to death four times, according to his American publisher, Alfred A. Knopf.
Kapuscinski’s books were translated into 30 languages. “Shah of Shahs”, published in 1982, covers the overthrow of the Shah of Iran. “The Soccer War” is a collection of dispatches from the Third World. “Imperium” chronicles the break-up of the Soviet Union…
We had awarded Mr. Kapuściński a person-of-the-month honor as part of a project we undertook via Polonia Global Fund. See 04/2002 – Ryszard Kapuscinski. There’s some great background there from a Guardian article.
St. John the Almsgiver, Bishop, (619)
St. Bernard of Vienna, Bishop, (842)
St. Asclas, Martyr, (3rd Century)
Check out The Day I Lost My Religion from The Soapy Knitter (by the way – a nice WordPress theme adapted for knitting).
Fair waring – the language used is not for the faint of heart, but I won’t tsk tsk … this family has been hurt a lot.
I commented on the post here.
Several of the blogs I read had pointers to Fish eaters quiz on the Four Temperaments (Medieval self analysis).
I took the quiz and it turns out that I am Melancholic. My personality is said to consist of being:
It appears that I am in the best of company:
Famous Melancholics include St. John of the Cross, St. John the Divine, St. Francis, and St. Catherine of Siena.
…and that my ‘if I had my druthers’ way of life might include a career as a contemplative religious, theologian, artist, or writer.
I would say that they pegged me pretty well.
Check out the temperament test if you care to see where you fall.
On our trip to Florida we learned of Tervis Tumblers. My sister has several sets.
Tervis, we learned, is the original and the oldest insulated tumbler company in the U.S. These tumblers and their other drinkware are perfect for keeping hot things hot and cold things cold. They do it without sweating and they’re practically indestructible. In addition they are light weight.
We finally decided to get rid of our old glassware and we replaced it with Tervis. We received our first set a week ago (one more set of eight on order). They are great – and another shout-out to my sister for introducing us to these.
There’s a few posts I’ve been meaning to write, the following one for 3 months now. Since I’ve got some energy tonight, let’s roll:
Our Florida Trip – November 2006
In November the family and I took a trip to Florida to visit my sister and her husband. We went over the Veteran’s Day weekend.
We scheduled the trip pretty far in advance, and took the dates/times because I had gobs of U.S. Airways frequent flyer miles built-up.
It was an absolutely great trip. My sister and her husband rolled out the red carpet. We had no worries, no car to rent, no room to check into, no meals to worry about. Simply the best.
My sister has a beautiful house in a gated community in Land ‘O Lakes (Greater Tampa) right on a golf course. The house has a lanai with a pool. Florida living at its best.
We set up a schedule for the three days we were there. Sunday was Church, swimming, and hanging out. Monday was Busch Gardens, Tuesday hanging out, shopping, and our flight back.
We started off Sunday with a light breakfast and we headed off to Holy Mass at St. Mary’s PNCC in St. Petersburg. It was about a 40 minute drive from my sister’s house. When we arrived we found that the schedule had changed and that Holy Mass wouldn’t be offered until 11am. Since we had about two hours to kill we headed over to a beach on the bay. The kids had a great time beach combing and watching the birds. There was a pelican that was great entertainment.
We headed back to the church after getting a grand tour of the area. The pastor at St. Mary’s is the Rev. Dr. John Sielchan. He greeted us warmly and introduced us to his parish family. On the plus side the parish is practically bay-side. On the down side it’s a bit removed from most parishioners who appear to live toward the Tarpon Springs area. We met a parishioner that travels about two hours every week from Orlando to attend Holy Mass – fantastic dedication.
After Holy Mass we headed over to Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill and Beach Club. The restaurant/bar is right on Clearwater Beach. The place is consistently packed and I can see why. Great food and a great atmosphere. We had a lot of fun and headed down to the beach after lunch.
It was a little cool that afternoon, but the kids, auntie, and I had a change to plant our feet in the bay.
As we headed back to the car we stumbled upon an Evangelical Community Church (you can’t help but trip over them everywhere in Florida) with this out front:
It’s a turtle angel. What a hoot! The very people who accuse Catholics of worshiping Mary and statues have a statue of a turtle angel in their front yard. What’s next, Mary on the half-shell? A kneeler and a few votive candles and they’ll have a shrine.
We headed back to my sister’s house for an afternoon of swimming and relaxing before dinner.
For dinner my sister introduced us to Lee Roy Selmon’s – BBQ and nothing but BBQ. I was in heaven.
Back at my sister’s we enjoyed a bottle or two from her great selection of wine. I’ve never been so relaxed on a vacation. I even slept great.
On Monday we went to Busch Gardens. My sister and I had been there when it was a fairly new park back in the early 1970’s. Whet I remember from that trip was that the park was impeccably clean, there were animals, and beer (I too young at the time :().
The place was amazing. Still tidy and with the perfect mix of entertainment, nature, and fun. Best of all the place was empty. There were no lines and there was no waiting. We were on the three top notch coasters as soon as we reached the cars. Of all the coasters the SheiKra drop coaster was the best. The Montu was ok, but a little rough (don’t try that one if you have back/neck problems). My youngest at 4 years old went on the Gwazi wooden coaster. She was the daredevil, my son was a little more reticent.
Other highlights included the Rhino Rally and of course the BrewMasters Club at the Hospitality House. The Clydesdale’s were a hit for the kids as were the other animals and the kiddy rides.
We were there from opening to closing – an absolutely fantastic time.
My sister took us to a great Cuban restaurant for dinner. I can’t remember the name right now, but it was fantastic. An ultra small place in a plaza – but a favorite of the locals.
On Tuesday we headed over to International Plaza and Bay Street for shopping and lunch before our departure.
In conclusion a big shout out to my sister Andrea and her husband Ken. Thank you, thank you. It was great!
St. Vincent of Saragossa, Martyr, (304)
St. Anastasius the Persian, Martyr, (628)
St. Dominic of Sora, Abbot, (1031)