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Christian Witness, Perspective

I am the tax man…

From Forex: Pope says Catholic Church wants no privilege…

BRUSSELS (Thomson Financial News) – Pope Benedict XVI said today that the Roman Catholic Church does not expect special treatment as EU competition regulators considered a probe into tax breaks it enjoys in Italy, Agence France-Presse reported.

“The Church does not seek power, does not claim privileges and does not aspire to positions of economic or social advantage,” Benedict said as he accepted the credentials of Italy’s new ambassador to the Holy See…

Certainly true to what the Church should believe and how it should act. Props to the Bishop of Rome for speaking out on this sensitive issue. He is certainly refocusing things and is upsetting apple carts.

I wonder if the collective National Bishop’s Conferences are stroking out at the fact that all those property holdings might suddenly be enrolled on the tax register?

Unfortunately, not every Bishop can withstand the juggernaut of government. From LifeSite News: American Life League Urges Connecticut Bishops to Rethink Plan B at Catholic Hospitals

WASHINGTON, October 5, 2007 (LifeSiteNews.com) – “The actions of the Connecticut Catholic Conference are an outrage and a crime,” said Judie Brown, president of American Life League (ALL) reacting to the news that the Connecticut Bishops have given permission for the use of the so-called “emergency contraceptive” Plan B for rape victims at Catholic hospitals…

Christian Witness, Perspective, Political,

Proclaim it brother

From the BBC: Pope ‘refused audience for Rice’

Pope Benedict XVI refused a recent request by US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to discuss the Middle East and Iraq, Vatican sources say.

The Pope refused a request for an audience during the August holidays.

Senior Vatican sources told the BBC the Pope does not normally receive politicians on his annual holiday at the Castelgandolfo residence near Rome.

But one leading Italian newspaper said it was an evident snub by the Vatican towards the Bush administration.

Christian rights

There are at least two reasons why Pope Benedict may have decided peremptorily against a private meeting with Ms Rice.

First, it was Ms Rice who just before the outbreak of the Iraq war in March 2003 made it clear to a special papal envoy sent from Rome, Cardinal Pio Laghi, that the Bush administration was not interested in the views of the late Pope on the immorality of launching its planned military offensive.

Secondly, the US has responded in a manner considered unacceptable at the Vatican to the protection of the rights of Iraqi Christians under the new Iraqi constitution.

The Bush administration has told the Vatican that as coalition forces have not succeeded in securing the whole territory of Iraq, they are unable to protect non-Muslims.

Instead of meeting the Pope, Ms Rice had to make do with a telephone conversation with the Vatican’s number two, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, who was visiting the US during August on other business.

Witness can be quiet or loud, subtle or direct. I say Amen to this approach. Would that more Christians witness in such a manner, especially in this country.

Just say no!

Perspective, ,

Further advenures with Home Depot

As regular readers may recall, I had quite a run-in with Home Depot about a year ago. That run-in was over promises to deliver merchandise that eventually arrived late — and not until after a poor customer service experience and numerous telephone calls.

This week, Home Depot decided to send me $1,300!

What you say…

Well, me too.

What!!!

So I called the lovely Markia at Home Depot Credit and asked why a $1,300 credit suddenly appeared. She politely told me that I had paid $1,300 (on an account that hasn’t been used since August 2005) via EFT.

What!!!

Well, Markia, out of what bank account?

Markia informs me that they don’t keep track of such things.

Now, I know for sure that no money came out of any bank account that I or my family may have. I also know that no transfer was made from any other credit card, or from any other source I know of.

In the end, my identifying the issue did nothing. Markia insists that my wife has to call (primary account holder etc.) and without her doing so, there is nothing she can do. She can’t even refer it to their investigation unit…

I feel bad for Markia – she’s limited to following a script. I would suggest to whomever is the new CEO at Home Depot – focus on customer service. Elsewise Lowes will crush you. Better yet, I hope the local hardware store – which I do support – crushes you.

In the meantime, I’ve got to figure out what we’re going to do with the free money. Anyone need a new grill? 👿

Oh, and if you are the poor person out there who’s down $1,300 – sorry man, there’s nothing they can do for you.

Christian Witness, Perspective

In religion news

Tabled:

From Global News: Polish [R.C.] bishops divided over right-wing head of Radio Maryja

Some Catholic bishops in Poland reportedly want the controversial priest Tadeusz Rydzyk removed as head of the country’s influential right-wing ‘Radio Maryja’ station. However, a meeting of bishops in Czestochowa this weekend failed to take a decision on the matter according to a report in the ‘Rzeczpospolita’ newspaper. Archbishop Jozef Michalik, the head of the Polish Episcopalian Conference, said that —it was not possible to judge a man because of an inconsiderate statement.—

The Redemptorist priest Rydzyk has become one of Poland’s most controversial clergymen, following a number of anti-Semitic comments. Cultivating an audience of predominantly poor and elderly rural listeners, Radio Maryja has become a platform for right-wing politicians seeking voters. Rydzyk was most recently embroiled in a controversy over having apparently called Poland’s first lady Maria Kaczynska a ‘witch’.

Power and influence or repentance and discipline? Oh the hard choices we must make. Let’s table that one bishop…

This certainly points out the dichotomy evident in Church leadership. The bishops that were courageous witnesses under the communists remain courageous. The compromisers remain as such…

What has been wrought:

From the National Catholic Reporter: Liberal Catholicism endures in pastoral church

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (National Catholic Reporter) —“ Evangelical Catholicism may be running the table in terms of official policy, but most experts say that rumors of the death of liberal Catholicism have been greatly exaggerated.

Just as the evangelical impulse is one way of responding to modernity, so too is liberalism, and most sociologists say that complex religious institutions are likely to contain both and many others —“ only sects, they argue, have the luxury of rigid consistency. Further, terms such as —evangelical— and —liberal— are ideal types rather than airtight ways of categorizing real people, and many Catholics reflect elements of both in their own thinking.

At least in the United States, many observers believe that a broad liberal instinct is firmly entrenched at the grass roots.

—I think the genie has been let out of the bottle, and there is no putting it back in,— said Richard Gaillardetz, a prominent lay theologian at the University of Toledo, Ohio, even though he conceded that —liberal Catholicism … no longer enjoys the ecclesiastical support to which many had become accustomed in the ’70s, ’80s and early ’90s.—

Gaillardetz argued that in the United States, liberal Catholicism is less an ideology than a —pastoral phenomenon … alive in parishes that have a flourishing catechumenate, vibrant liturgies, thoughtful and relevant preaching, and multiple lay ministerial opportunities,— as well as —in a growing number of intentional Christian communities that are determined to keep alive a vision of the church that they associate with Vatican II.—

Looking around, observers such as Gaillardetz say that the moderate-to-liberal camp probably represents a disproportionate share of the church’s ministerial workforce, meaning priests, deacons, religious, and laity, as well as the theological guild.

Nor are these attitudes confined to a class of church professionals.

In fact, the evangelical camp seems a distinct minority within the overall Catholic population. In 2005, sociologist Dean Hoge published a survey about how American Catholics define what it means to be Catholic. At the top of their list was belief in the resurrection of Jesus, the Eucharist and the other sacraments, and helping the poor.

Other traditional markers of identity were sidelined —“ only 29 percent said a celibate male clergy was important, and just 42 percent said that about the teaching authority of the Vatican. Seventy-six percent said one could be a good Catholic without going to Mass on Sunday, and 75 percent said the same about following church teaching on birth control…

And, Roman Catholic liberals are proud of their accomplishment? Pastors are proud of their pastoring?

For sure…

Now if they had only focused their energies on bring people to God through Jesus Christ, rather than focusing on the ascent of man absent God.

As they Young Fogey would probably point out, NCR drops the f-bomb (rotten fundamentalists, them against us) to describe the resident “”evil”” in their midst.

Catholic liberals in the U.S. are not different in many respects from the left-liberalism he describes and links to here.

Sadly, they missed Jeremiah week in their OT class.

Thus says the Lord of hosts: Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you; they are deluding you. They speak visions of their own minds, not from the mouth of the Lord. They keep saying to those who despise the word of the Lord, ‘It shall be well with you’; and to all who stubbornly follow their own stubborn hearts, they say, ‘No calamity shall come upon you.’

Perspective, Poland - Polish - Polonia

Church vs. State

From Rzeczpospolita via euro|topics Arkady Rzegocki on the importance of the Church in Poland

Political scientist Arkady Rzegocki of the Jagiellonen University in Cracow explains in an interview with Tomasz P. Terlikowski why the Poles have more faith in the Church than in the State.

“For Poles, and even Polish politicians, there is no contradiction between being a member of the Church and being loyal to the State. Paradoxically, this is a consequence of the weakness of the Polish state. The Polish people don’t identify with the State because they can’t count on it. The State is still perceived as a curse rather than an instrument that strengthens our sense of unity… [In Poland] the Church is one of the few institutions that creates a sense of national community. It is our spiritual and religious tradition that creates something that unites us Poles and provides us with an identity.”

Regardless of which way you look at this, the philosophy behind it is incorrect. The Church is not a tool of political (or ethnic, or cultural) unity. Rather, properly understood, it is the Body of Christ united in building His very non-political kingdom.

Jesus answered, “My Kingdom is not from this world. If my Kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my Kingdom is not from here.

Current Events, Perspective, Political

Well, that didn’t take too long…

The bear begins to wake.

Donald Rumsfeld and Dick Cheney are home again. Ah, all is well in the world, except, maybe this time, another country will claim to have God on its side (and remember, regardless of who is doing the claiming, it is a lie).

rosja_bronia_bogata_1874466.jpg

The photo is from AFP via Interia in Poland. I like the one comment that was posted with this photo titled Diabeł i Bóg (the devil and God).

The article is about Russia getting rich off arms sales. In 2006 Russian arms sales reached $6.5 billion, the best ever. Sales were made to 64 countries.

I wonder if I can still hire a firm to construct a fallout shelter? If not, I’m thinking business opportunity…

Current Events, Perspective,

Michael Vick – ‘da fault of ‘da man

It appears that Michael Vick is the victim of ‘da man – at least according to the Director of the NAACP of Atlanta (you know, the folks who used to work with Dr. King – non-violence and all that).

Here’s part of the statement:

“We further ask the NFL, Falcons, and the sponsors not to permanently ban Mr. Vick from his ability to bring hours of enjoyment to fans all over this country.—

Let’s hear a rousing chorus of Let Me Entertain You…

For a recap of the foolish statements the under brained and overpaid are making check out this story from the San Jose Mercury News: Marbury and NAACP: Did we really say what we said about Vick? (Um, yes)

As an aside, Stephon Marbury was selling his Starbury/Doonsbury/Foolsbury sneakers to folks (little white kids from well-to-do families who eat up this drivel – as long as it comes from the mouth of a “”star””) right here in Colonie, NY – at the Colonie Center Mall when he made his statement.

Now we hear from Mr. Vick’s estranged father as well.

So to the title of this post – is Michael Vick the victim of ‘da man?

Yes.

Here’s why.

Mr. Vick grew up surrounded by violence, was trained in violence, and profits off violence on a regular basis.

If anyone is deluded enough to think that people watch football for the ‘skill’ involved, well have I got a bridge for you.

What he did – while abhorrent, is what he was brought up and trained to do. He lives by violence, and like other entertaining stars, he does what he does for the benefit of ‘da man.

He makes a salary of $130 million per year!

We are supposed to be amazed and shocked, envious. Can’t I have a large house, fancy cars, a few dogs, some friends, and women who throw themselves at me?

If we were smart and wise we would look at these poor misguided folks as the victims of ‘da man.

Rather, paid a sum that seems hefty to Joe and Jane blue/white collar slave, we are flabbergasted by their shallowness.

Football, basketball, hockey players who do violent things – oh, the horror. Hollywood eye candy who degrade themselves, sell themselves, and methodically kill themselves in the fast lane – oh, the loss…

Mr. Vick will never be the man – only a play actor. Paris and company will never catch the man – they will only be his puerile fantasy.

‘da man is the one who is a step above the franchise owner and the Hollywood producer. He or she is the financier, the one you will never meet. Mr. X. They don’t touch down or show their face. They simply get rich.

Yes, Michael Vick and all of us are victims of ‘da man.

The thing is, we have the power to say no more. All we have to do is put down those tickets, turn off the TV, and buy plain ‘ole Keds.

Oh, and by-the-way, I know redemption/rehabilitation is overplayed. But being Christians we know of one sure way – a call to true repentance.

Perhaps repentance for Mr. Vick would be his voluntary rejection of football, and all other violence. True repentance can happen – and leads to reconciliation. Pray for Michael Vick, and that we all be granted the grace of not buying-in.

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.

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