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Year: 2007

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Current Events, Perspective, Poland - Polish - Polonia, Political

Meanwhile, back in Buffalo

When I lived in Buffalo the place was still segregated into little ethnic communities. There wasn’t much sharing that went on – each group remained isolated, and kept its treasures hidden under the bushel basket – accessible only to fellow travelers.

As the city breaks down, and anyone who can leaves (see the City’s very own population trends and estimates at Buffalo’s Comprehensive Plan), those neighborhood enclaves aren’t as sacrosanct as they once were.

The breakdown of a community reveals some of the nastier charactersI grew up in Kaisertown, a Polish enclave. This is where I was called a polack for the first time – by a grade school principal, with whom I was meeting, to discuss issues of language education. She herself was the child of immigrants. ethic enclaving creates.

Two examples from today’s Buffalo News:

Former state employee wins $150,000 in reverse discrimination case

Mark Pasternak said he lost his state job helping troubled youths because he couldn’t stand working under a black boss who called him racist names like —cracker,— —polack— and —stupid white boy.—

Pasternak was dismissed from his position as a youth worker with the state Office of Children and Family Services in 1999. But today, he feels some relief and vindication.

After a rare reverse racial discrimination trial in Buffalo’s federal court, a jury Tuesday awarded Pasternak $150,000. Jurors found that his former boss, Tommy E. Baines, discriminated against him racially and created a hostile working environment.

…

Pasternak was subjected to three years of cruel abuse from Baines, a veteran supervisor with the agency formerly known as the state Division for Youth, according to Pasternak’s attorney, David J. Seeger.

The abuse came in the form of race-based slurs, job sabotage and crude insults that Baines made about Pasternak in front of co-workers, according to court papers and testimony…

Enough said on this one. Let’s go on – to a State Senator…

Volker apologizes for using ethnic term

[State] Sen. Dale M. Volker issued an apology Wednesday for uttering a rarely used, offensive ethnic term Monday.

Volker, R-Depew, had dropped in on a meeting in the Lancaster Opera House to discuss Lancaster’s deteriorating Cemetery Road bridge. In his comments to the audience, Volker made disparaging remarks about a Rochester Institute of Technology engineering professor who had criticized the bridge’s condition in the media.

He called Abi Aghayere a —bohunk,— a disparaging term for a person of central European descent, especially a laborer. Aghayere is from Nigeria, according to the RIT Web site.

Volker issued a statement Wednesday saying the word —may have been misinterpreted, misunderstood and a poor choice for which I am sincerely apologetic and one which I regret.—

Craig Miller, Volker’s spokesman, said Wednesday that Volker did not mean the term in a derogatory or malicious way, even though it might have sounded that way.

—I think he looked at the word ‘bohunk’ as ‘an outsider,’ someone from the outside looking in,— Miller said. —I, myself, have never heard of the term…—

So, the Senator desires that we break people down into two camps – insiders and outsiders. I wonder, what would the better choice of words been?

Very good Senator. I can just about guess where you learned that insider/outsider distinction – from mom or dad, grandma or grandpa calling those stupid polacks that invaded their neighborhood bohunks.

‘Be careful young Dale, those pretty bohunk girls are gonna get you. We wouldn’t want that in our nice German bloodlines now would we…’

It always seems to be about us and them, insiders and outsiders. Somehow, the face of Christ disappears when we look into the eyes of those mysterious (oh, and aren’t they dangerous) outsiders.

Who said Natavist idealogy was dead?

Current Events, Perspective, Political

Saddam, Saddam, we want Saddam

From CNN: U.S. officials rethink hopes for Iraq democracy

BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) — Nightmarish political realities in Baghdad are prompting American officials to curb their vision for democracy in Iraq. Instead, the officials now say they are willing to settle for a government that functions and can bring security.

A workable democratic and sovereign government in Iraq was one of the Bush administration’s stated goals of the war.

But for the first time, exasperated front-line U.S. generals talk openly of non-democratic governmental alternatives, and while the two top U.S. officials in Iraq still talk about preserving the country’s nascent democratic institutions, they say their ambitions aren’t as “lofty” as they once had been.

“Democratic institutions are not necessarily the way ahead in the long-term future,” said Brig. Gen. John “Mick” Bednarek, part of Task Force Lightning in Diyala province, one of the war’s major battlegrounds.

The comments reflect a practicality common among Western diplomats and officials trying to win hearts and minds in the Middle East and other non-Western countries where democracy isn’t a tradition.

The failure of Iraq to emerge from widespread instability is a bitter pill for the United States, which optimistically toppled the Saddam Hussein regime more than four years ago…

Recap: We send 160,000 troops to a foreign country that did nothing to us (probably more like 400,000 with rotations and all). We take over 3,700 US Service deaths, tens of thousands of casualties, in excess of 500,000 Iraqis die (see all the gruesome numbers at Iraq Coalition Casualty Count) destroy the country, while our own roads and bridges fall apart, all so we can install a new Saddam?

Wouldn’t it have been well enough to leave the old guy in place? He had a government that function[ed] and [brought] security…

Also see Wonkette: U.S. Generals Finally Admit They’re Not In Iraq For ‘Democracy,’ Either (caution – strong language).

Lord have mercy on us.

Current Events, Perspective, Political

The favored complaining against favoritism

From the Buffalo News: Bills’ new parking plan raises discrimination concern

Officials see handicapped parking in one lot convenient; disability advocates see injustice

The Buffalo Bills put up an —iron curtain— for people with disabilities by creating a separate parking lot for fans with handicapped-parking permits, a local advocacy group for the disabled charged Monday.

The Bills’ new parking plan, unveiled at Friday night’s preseason opener, moves all vehicles with handicapped permits into Lot B —” between the press box and Abbott Road —” rather than providing limited spaces for handicapped vehicles in several lots.

That change didn’t sit well with the Western New York Independent Living Project.

—If you took any other minority population in Erie County, and I said in order to provide better services for Irish or African-American people, we’re going to designate a special lot for you to park in, you wouldn’t even think of doing that,— said Todd Vaarwerk, disability rights advocate for the project. —We would find that offensive.—

In a news release announcing the project’s opposition to the parking plan, Douglas Usiak, executive director, cited a saying often echoed by Independent Living Center officials:

—If you insert the word ‘black,’ ‘Jew’ or ‘female’ into a statement and it doesn’t sound right, it most likely isn’t,— Usiak stated…

I don’t know, but to me, this complaining is just plain wrong. I am also very much opposed to the ‘well you wouldn’t do it to [insert ethnic/gender label here]’ sort of reasoning that people fall back on. It indicates a weak mind and a weak argument. People who believe in something should be able to provide a reasoned statement about why something is important to them. Instead, they rely on emotion which just makes them look petty and childish.

Doug Usiak, long time director of the Independent Living Center (going back about 25+ years now) must need publicity or something. It comes down to complaining about the favored status he has always wanted.

‘I told you I wanted my soup hot, how dare you serve it to me when it is this hot!!!’

The law requires specially designated handicapped parking spaces, that is, favored status (because we have to legislate common courtesy, and even today some folks still don’t get it – but some never will).

Using Mr. Usiak’s analogy, lets change the name of all those existing parking spots to some ethnic/gender label. How does it look, how does it sound? Does it pass the “sounds right” test. And, by-the-way, sounds right to whom? The keepers of what public sentiment should be?

It seems that the ILC is complaining that the favored status being granted (by the Buffalo Bills – and, I am not a fan) is not the way in which the group would like their favored status served. Therefore it is bad, very bad.

Perhaps, the whole idea of corralling people and pointing them out by an act of law is just plain wrong.

What would happen if the general public (save for a few who just don’t get it) left the first row of parking spots open, just becauseEver see those reserved for employee-of-the-month, reserved for families with children signs. They are not legislated. I’ve never seen people ignoring those signs – again, except for a few who don’t get it.?

What would happen if we asked people to be good neighbors and to exercise compassion? What would happen if we began to act like good citizens and believers in whichever ‘golden rule’ we each claim to follow? Would there be a wholesale run on those blue spots?

Poland - Polish - Polonia, ,

Family vacation

The family and I had a wonderful vacation with my sister and brother-in-law in Connecticut. We saw a lot of the sights, ate some really great food, and did some shopping.

Highlights:

The highlights included a day trip to Mystic Seaport. The work they do on rebuilding old ships, in the traditional manner, was amazing. We toured the ships, the museums, and the living exhibitions. I’d highly recommend Mystic as a destination. I can’t help but mention the Polish tie-in. We toured the sail training ship the Joseph Conrad. For those unfamiliar, Joseph Conrad was the pen name of Teodor Józef Konrad Nałęcz-KorzeniowskiAlso note that nearby New Britain is often referred to as New Britski because of the large Polish-American population..

We also visited the Dinosaur State Park in Rocky Hill. Fun for the kids and very interesting for the adults. They have wonderful nature trails and an exhibition center. The history surrounding the discovery of dinosaur tracks at the site reminded me of what government can do when it chooses to do the right thing.

Shopping:

For shopping we checked out Evergreen Walk and the IKEA store.

IKEA was an event unto itself. An amazing place. As my sister noted, it is not a place you run into and out of, it is an experience. The experience lasted about four hours, including lunch in the cafeteria – the Swedish meatballs were great. I want to redecorate.

We also visited a Stew Leonard’s Dairy Store. That was an experience as well. The products were first rate, and unusual. I found babka (Polish bread) from Brooklyn and Polish Priest Pierogis. It was great for the kids too, with a lot of interactive and entertaining displays.

Food:

For food – my sister makes great meals and knows all the best places. We tried the following:

Lunch at the Sea Swirl in Mystic – an excellent clam shack. I had the fried clams, my wife had the fish. Both were fantastic. I can see why people rave about this place.

Dinner at Abbotts, Lobster in the Rough. Another excellent experience. Down home outdoor eating/picnic style. I had the sampler. Enough lobster, clams, muscles, and fixins’ to serve an army. Note that they do not serve beer or wine, but they allow B.Y.O.B.

While at Evergreen Walk we dined at Ted’s Montana Grill – famous for serving bison steaks and bison burgers. The bison streak was excellent.

Other food highlights included the New York Pickle Deli – if you ever get the chance, check out their seafood bisque. On the way out of town we tried the Wood-N-Tap, a local chain. The food was basic but good.

All-in-all a great trip. I’m happy that my sister lives closer now and that we can spend time together. She and my brother-in-law were excellent and understanding hosts.

Homilies,

The Solemnity of the Dormition/Assumption of the BVM

She gave birth to a son, a male child,
destined to rule all the nations with an iron rod.

When you are a child, some of these adult words can be very confusing.

I recall asking my mother, on more than one occasion, what the difference was between the Ascension and Assumption.

Being ever patient with me she would explain that to ascend, one must do so of one’s own will and power. To be assumed means to be taken up, not of your own power, but by the will and power of another.

Jesus, being God, ascended.

Mary, being human, was assumed.

When you are an adult, some of these adult words can be very confusing.

So what is this solemnity of the Dormition slash Assumption?

Simply put, we celebrate the day on which Mary, the Mother of Jesus, fell asleep. She died. That is her Dormition. She was mourned by the Apostles and was laid in a tomb.

Concurrently, we celebrate that day when the Apostles found the tomb empty. That, as was revealed to them, was her Assumption.

Words are confusing, especially in theological context. What is said, or left unsaid, especially in regard to the life of Jesus, Mary, and the Apostles, is repeatedly interpreted, added to, misconstrued, and misunderstood.

The Holy Church makes it easy for us common folk.

Jesus, by His coming to us as man in the Incarnation, remained fully God, and became fully human – one with humanity in all its travails, except sin. Jesus, the God-man chose Mary as His mother.

The angel Gabriel asked, and Mary said yes. She recognized that God:

—…has come to the help of his servant Israel
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children forever.—

In Jesus’ coming, in His suffering, death, resurrection, and Ascension, God

…has shown the strength of his arm,
and has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.

In the presence of His followers Jesus ascended into heaven. As St. Paul reminds us:

Christ has been raised from the dead,
the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

St. Paul also provides us with perspective:

For just as in Adam all die,
so too in Christ shall all be brought to life,
but each one in proper order:
Christ the firstfruits;
then, at his coming, those who belong to Christ;
then comes the end,
when he hands over the Kingdom to his God and Father

The Church helps us non-theologians to understand Mary’s proper role and place.

Brothers and sisters,

It is so sad to see the manner in which Mary’s beauty and witness has been corrupted. She has become many things to many people, all because, improperly understood, and with some things left unsaid, people make her into anything but who she is.

We have the Mary of visionaries. We picture the Father, Son, and Spirit sitting in a boardroom discussing the sins of humanity. Jesus pipes up, ‘Father, it is terrible down there, it is time to crush them.’ The Spirit is waiting with the heavenly host, ready to bring about a cataclysmic end. The Father intervenes —“ ‘Let’s send Mary to some children in Fatima, Lourdes, Medjugorje, or Knock. She’ll set ’em straight.’ Of course these folks miss the message of Jesus —“ clearly taught by the Church. If we cannot grasp Jesus’ simple message, no vision or secret message will scare us into grasping that message. Visions of the heavenly host, poised for war, make no difference. We can only make a difference by doing as Jesus asks of us.

We have the Mary of the perfect birth. Some believe that Jesus was transported out of Mary’s womb in a painless, blood and mess free manner, gently placed in the manger. These folks miss the fact that Jesus was like us in all things but sin. How exactly is He like us if His birth is so unlike ours? We get squeamish thinking of Mary, in a stable, giving birth, and the reality of that process. Not easy for a young woman and her husband – all alone. We would prefer clean – and not quite human. If it is not quite human we have an excuse for not living up to Jesus’ expectation of us.

We have Assumption purists who believe that Mary was pulled up into heaven without experiencing human death. This is not taught by any Church, but is left unsaid by some. In being left unsaid, well, people fill in the blanks. In this scenario Mary trumps Jesus —“ who suffered and died. Again, an excuse. This is so far beyond me I couldn’t possibly live the kind of witness Mary lived.

We have Mary worshipers. Mary becomes the female Christ, the co-mediatrix of grace and salvation. These poor folks treat Mary like a vending machine. Pray to Mary, she’ll get you what you need.

In this Solemnity we recall Mary’s humanity:

She was with child and wailed aloud in pain as she labored to give birth.

We recall her yes to God’s will. We recall her death. And, we recall the miracle of her Assumption.

Today we recall Mary’s humanity. Mary, fully and completely human in every way said yes to God. Because of this, Mary’s place within the Church is set. Because this lowly human being had the capacity to live for God and in complete conformity to God’s will, we know that we can do so as well. She did it. We can do it was well – and there is no excuse not to.

Mary is the first witness, the perfect servant, the beautiful mother. She is singularly honored by her Assumption into heaven, a foretaste of what we shall all experience —“ what she is, we can be.

During her earthly life she continually pointed to her Son and reminded His followers:

“Do whatever He tells you.”

Mary witnesses to us today. She once again proclaims of the powerful love and grace of God. Love and grace that touch every human life. Elizabeth saw this clearly.

—Blessed are you who believed
that what was spoken to you by the Lord
would be fulfilled.—

Yes, Mary, Blessed are you amongst women —“ for your firm believing and for your yes.

Mary, pray for us that we might have faith like yours, a voice to say yes, and the will to live in complete conformity to God’s will. Help us to understand and help us to do whatever He tells us.

Amen.

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