G. K. Chesterton

"Tolerance is the virtue of a man without convictions."

I liked that one so much, I changed my tagline again.

Color Photos of WWI

It's amazing how color can change the whole communicative effect of a photo. If these had been in black and white, I don't think it would have the same impact. Viewing these images in color really puts you at the scene. It also reminds me that WWI wasn't that long ago.

I Hope This is Settled...

...but I'm sure it's not.

In a recent interview with Raymond Arroyo, Cardinal Arinze stated in no uncertain terms that the Rainbow Sash protesters should not be given communion. Furthermore, the Cardinal pointed out that it is ridiculous to expect that politicians should be allowed to promote the murder of unborn children and then turn around on Sunday and say to the Priest, "I want to receive Jesus."

Cardinal Ratzinger said as much in June of 2004. I fail to see how so many members of the clergy can ignore clear interpretations of Catholic doctrine from such high authorities.

The answer is no. No communion for any of you. And in case some of you Senators and Congressmen forgot who you are, here's a list with your picture on it. If you see yourself on the list, do not go to communion. If you're not sure why you're on the list, you can find the reasons here.

Priests, Bishops and Arch Bishops, keep this list handy. Review the list prior to Mass. Post this list in the reception area of your office (similar to the FBI's most wanted list in the post office). Most importantly, if you see any of these Catholic impersonators (either politician or Rainbow Sash variety) approaching you in Church as if they wish to receive the Eucharist, please do not encourage their delusions by giving them holy communion.

I don't know what more Vatican officials can do to get their point across other than the threat of excommunication. I don't think that will happen but it's not like it hasn't happened before.

Iraqis Turn the Tables on the Insurgents

AM - Iraqi insurgents resume deadly attacks: "We understand that last night the insurgents came back to punish the people of al-Mudhariya, but instead of metering out that punishment the villagers fought back and they killed five of the insurgents and wounded eight. They then burnt the insurgents' car. So the people of that village have certainly had enough of the insurgents."

I'm sure the Iraqis want the American troops to go home (we all want the troops to go home) but not before the insurgents are driven out of the country and Iraq can govern itself.

Gov. Moonbeam

People of Earth take note! Governor Moonbeam has entered the blogosphere!

Although I don't wish to discount the value of voluntary simplicity or ecological living, I do think Mr. Brown is, for the most part, out of his gourd.

You can check out his "We The People" organization here if you like.

MEMRI: Latest News

As promised (before I was rudely interrupted by the "blue screen of death"), I have linked to Zarqawi's comments on America and democracy here. Whether you are liberal or conservative I strongly suggest reading them. It provides a great insight into his perception of democracy and why he and his followers hate it and America.

My impression of his statements is that his hatred of democracy stems from the religious and social freedoms that it provides to each individual citizen. However, his hatred is amplified by an outright loathing of the liberal ideal of society and democracy in America.

I also got the impression that he was a crazed fundamentalist zealot but I think that was obvious before reading his comments.

Success*

Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, my computer lives! I think I've got the video issues sorted out, I've installed Mozilla Firefox, e-mail is working. So far so good.

(*Due to my considerable ignorance regarding linux, all of this could go terribly wrong at any moment.)

Meltdown

Blogging will be light since yesterday evening went something like this.

UPDATE: I decided to try Linux because I'm cheap and I'm tired of problems with Windows. I guess I also got a little cocky about firing Bill Gates!. So far it's not working. There's a problem between the video card and the monitor. Hopefully I'll have it sorted out over the weekend (fingers crossed).

Pray...

...for the Holy Father, Pope John Paul II.

Iraq Votes

According to early estimates, about 8 million Iraqis cast votes in the first free election in that country in 50 years. That is about a 60% turnout. To put that into perspective, voter turnout for our own presidential election held in November of last year was also about 60%. To be fair, one must also consider the fact that no one was threatening to kill American voters if they went to the polls. No matter what happens in Iraq after today, no one can honestly say that Iraq does not believe in democracy.

An Iraqi Patriot

Ali is going to vote for the first time in his life tomorrow. In doing so, he will risk that same life. How much we take for granted in this country. Ask yourself if you are willing to risk your life for freedom. Are you willing to die so that others may be free? I was moved by his courage and left the following comment.

"The ballot is stronger than the bullet" -Abraham Lincoln
As true today as it was back then. Know that millions of Americans will be praying for you, your family and your country tomorrow, and for years to come.

A’'ash Al Iraq.

It is so encouraging to hear the enthusiasm and hope of the Iraqi people towards their budding government. It certainly is better than the drone of, "No WMD's" and "No War for Oil" that is the mind numbing chant of the left and the MSM in this country. Someone tell me how Saddam remaining in power is better than Ali and his countrymen getting to vote.

March for Life

I thought this article written by Ronald Reagan would be an appropriate reflection following the March for Life this weekend in D.C. Bear in mind, this was written in 1983 and some of the statistics are dated. The sentence that reads:

"...since 1973, more than 15 million unborn children have had their lives snuffed out by legalized abortions. That is over ten times the number of Americans lost in all our nation's wars."

should now read as follows:

"...since 1973, more than 46 MILLION unborn children have had their lives snuffed out by legalized abortions. That is over THIRTY times the number of Americans lost in all our nation's wars."

I pray that the legalized torture and murder of unborn children will end soon.

Johnny Carson, 1925 - 2005

If you aren't old enough to have seen and appreciated the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, you are probably better off. This way, you won't know what you missed. Kind of like if you had never eaten ice cream, you wouldn't really miss it if it was gone forever, but if you had eaten ice cream...

Rest in peace, Johnny.

A Fresh Quote from Antonin Scalia

"Have the courage to have your wisdom regarded as stupidity. Be fools for Christ. And have the courage to suffer the contempt of the sophisticated world."

-Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia addressing the Knights of Columbus in Baton Rouge, LA, 1/22/05.

Before some ignorant liberal latches on to the word "fools" let me point out that Justice Scalia is making a biblical reference (I Cor. 4:10). He is in no way suggesting that we blindly follow anything.

How Nerdy are You

I think using Mozilla Firefox put me over the 50% mark. How nerdy are you?

Baptism Day

I was baptized on this day in 1971. I'm glad my wife remembered and bought me a cookie cake to celebrate, otherwise I might have forgotten again. I've been meaning to take note of the day for a couple of years now but somehow the day went by without notice. I guess old habits die hard. For any Christian, the day you are baptized is the day you recieve true life, and thus worth celebrating. I'm going to mark the occasion by renewing my baptismal vows in front of the blessed sacrament tonight.

More Links

Updated links in the side bar. Any suggestions for others?

Conservative Thoughts

I ran across a pretty funny post at "Conservative Thoughts." So funny, I had to post a link.

Remembering Martin Luther King, Jr.

"Cowardice asks the question, 'Is it safe?' Expediency asks the question, 'Is it politic?' And Vanity asks the question, 'Is it popular?' There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must do it because it is right." - Martin Luther King, Jr.

I thought this quote was very appropriate considering my previous post and the fact that today is Martin Luther King day.

Why is Abortion My #1 Issue?

For some reason, I've been wandering into posts on abortion on several liberal blogs that I check from time to time. I've left some comments, but I felt I should write something explaining my own pro-life position on my own blog. I can't think of anything that explains my outright hatred of abortion more than an article I just found through a friends blog. I had to fight back tears as I read this and thought of my innocent little 7 month old daughter. If you are pro-life and you feel uneasy reading about what goes on in an abortion clinic, please do not read this article or any of the links on this post. If you are pro-abortion or pro-choice or whatever you choose to call yourself, you owe it to yourself to read about what you are supporting.

Liberals, it doesn't matter how much you support world peace, famine relief, multiculturalism, the environment, the poor, the sick, the whales or the trees. If you just finished reading what happens in an abortion clinic and you still support abortion, there is something seriously wrong with you. How can you possibly condone this in good conscience? Seek help because you are truly a psychopath.

I am absolutely certain that years from now, history will show that abortion was the greatest atrocity mankind has ever perpetrated upon itself. No war, no ten wars could ever be as horrible as a mother killing her own child.