Question: What do you call a philistine in Northern Ireland?
Answer: The Minister of Culture.
From THE GUARDIAN:
Northern Ireland's born-again Christian culture minister has called on the Ulster Museum to put on exhibits reflecting the view that the world was made by God only several thousand years ago.
Nelson McCausland, who believes that Ulster Protestants are one of the lost tribes of Israel, has written to the museum's board of trustees urging them to reflect creationist and intelligent design theories of the universe's origins.
The Democratic Unionist minister said the inclusion of anti-Darwinian theories in the museum was "a human rights issue".
"I have had more letters from the public on this issue than any other issue," he said.
The minister said he wrote a "very balanced letter" to the museum because he wanted to "reflect the views of all the people in Northern Ireland in all its richness and diversity".
His call was condemned by the evolutionary biologist Professor Richard Dawkins, who said: "If the museum was to go down that road then perhaps they should bring in the stork theory of where babies come from. Or perhaps the museum should introduce the flat earth theory."
Dawkins said it was irrelevant if a large number of people in Northern Ireland refused to believe in evolution. "Scientific evidence can't be democratically decided," Dawkins said.
COMMENT: For goodness sake, it most certainly can't. Anyway, I thought everyone knew Dicky was in charge of deciding what is scientific truth and what isn't.
Two cuckoos in the same nest, if you ask me.
Thanks to Themethatisme for the link to this story.
Saturday, 29 May 2010
DON'T BLAME MADPRIEST, BLAME WICKED ELLIE
WARNING: This joke has an absolutely vile rating of 10.
David, the fisherman, had driven by the lake many times and had seen some other anglers about, so he decided to give his luck a try.
On his first day of fishing he had no luck at all but noticed that another fisherman near him that was scooping in one after another. He had to know The Secret. "Excuse me sir, but would you mind telling me what sort of bait you are using?" he asked.
The other man looked around a bit embarrassed. "Well, I am a surgeon, and quite by accident I found that human tonsil works very well."
David thanked the man, thought about what sort of bait to try next time, and left.
The next day, David returned to the lake, tried a different bait and still had no luck. Just as the day before, there was yet a different man reeling in fish after fish. "Excuse me," asked David, "but could you suggest a bait that I could try?"
"Well, I can, but I am not sure it will do you any good. I am using a bit of human appendix."
"Hmm," thought David. It seemed that the fish in this lake would require a little more effort than normal. He left, willing to give the lake one more try.
On the third day, David still had no luck. As was usual, there was yet another man near him bringing in fish left and right.
David wanted to confirm what he already knew. "Excuse me sir, but are you a doctor?"
"No, I am a Rabbi." replied the man.
David, the fisherman, had driven by the lake many times and had seen some other anglers about, so he decided to give his luck a try.
On his first day of fishing he had no luck at all but noticed that another fisherman near him that was scooping in one after another. He had to know The Secret. "Excuse me sir, but would you mind telling me what sort of bait you are using?" he asked.
The other man looked around a bit embarrassed. "Well, I am a surgeon, and quite by accident I found that human tonsil works very well."
David thanked the man, thought about what sort of bait to try next time, and left.
The next day, David returned to the lake, tried a different bait and still had no luck. Just as the day before, there was yet a different man reeling in fish after fish. "Excuse me," asked David, "but could you suggest a bait that I could try?"
"Well, I can, but I am not sure it will do you any good. I am using a bit of human appendix."
"Hmm," thought David. It seemed that the fish in this lake would require a little more effort than normal. He left, willing to give the lake one more try.
On the third day, David still had no luck. As was usual, there was yet another man near him bringing in fish left and right.
David wanted to confirm what he already knew. "Excuse me sir, but are you a doctor?"
"No, I am a Rabbi." replied the man.
MORE SEX PLEASE, WE'RE ITALIAN
From CNN:
About a dozen Italian women have posted an open letter to the pope on the internet in which they claim to have had intimate relationships with priests and urge the church to abolish celibacy for Catholic clergy.
"The priest, like every human being, needs to live with his kindred, to experience feelings, to love and be loved, and also to conform deeply with another, something which he is hardly willing to do for fear of exposing himself to danger," the letter says.
The group calls celibacy a man-made law that needs revisiting and adapting to the times.
"We wonder if, like all man-made laws, at a certain time, in a certain historic time, it is not the case to discuss it again and change it or even, as we hope, completely abolish it."
One of them, Stefania Salomone, who lives in Rome, said she had a close relationship with a priest for five years. The relationship was not sexual but platonic, Salomone told CNN Friday. The two were in love, she said, but when the priest admitted his love, he ended their relationship. Salomone said she was aware of the limits of the relationship when it began, but it was very painful to be "cast aside because of a sense of shame" felt by the priest.
She said she knows of about 40 women who were or are in special relationships with priests. Some are lovers, others "special friends," she said.
The women decided to write the letter after hearing the pope restate the church's position on celibacy in March, she said.
"We decided that it was (time) to make our reality known. We wanted to tell everybody that we exist and that we are no longer willing to always be silent about it."
The issue of priestly celibacy is not much debated in Italy, she said, but she said that's precisely the problem. A priest is "just a man like everyone else. This is a good thing. And he should not be deprived of his right to a relationship."
Salomone said she has not heard from the Vatican about the letter and doesn't expect to. "I don't really care, to be honest. The important thing is to call attention to this problem."
Thanks to Klady for sending the link
to this story into MadPriest Towers.
About a dozen Italian women have posted an open letter to the pope on the internet in which they claim to have had intimate relationships with priests and urge the church to abolish celibacy for Catholic clergy.
"The priest, like every human being, needs to live with his kindred, to experience feelings, to love and be loved, and also to conform deeply with another, something which he is hardly willing to do for fear of exposing himself to danger," the letter says.
The group calls celibacy a man-made law that needs revisiting and adapting to the times.
"We wonder if, like all man-made laws, at a certain time, in a certain historic time, it is not the case to discuss it again and change it or even, as we hope, completely abolish it."
One of them, Stefania Salomone, who lives in Rome, said she had a close relationship with a priest for five years. The relationship was not sexual but platonic, Salomone told CNN Friday. The two were in love, she said, but when the priest admitted his love, he ended their relationship. Salomone said she was aware of the limits of the relationship when it began, but it was very painful to be "cast aside because of a sense of shame" felt by the priest.
She said she knows of about 40 women who were or are in special relationships with priests. Some are lovers, others "special friends," she said.
The women decided to write the letter after hearing the pope restate the church's position on celibacy in March, she said.
"We decided that it was (time) to make our reality known. We wanted to tell everybody that we exist and that we are no longer willing to always be silent about it."
The issue of priestly celibacy is not much debated in Italy, she said, but she said that's precisely the problem. A priest is "just a man like everyone else. This is a good thing. And he should not be deprived of his right to a relationship."
Salomone said she has not heard from the Vatican about the letter and doesn't expect to. "I don't really care, to be honest. The important thing is to call attention to this problem."
Thanks to Klady for sending the link
to this story into MadPriest Towers.
THE SOPPY SHEILA SELECTION
Here are my three border collies enjoying a splash in the North Sea at Bamburgh last Saturday. In the distance you can see the Farne Islands where Saint Cuthbert used to hide to get out of doing the washing up at the Lindisfarne monastery.
Friday, 28 May 2010
LOUD FRIDAY
First the flip side:
Band's WEBSITE.
Now the A side. Wether you agree with the sentiments of the lyrics or not this is one brilliant video.
Now the photo of the band:
POPE ROWAN THE FIRST KICKS TEC
OUT OF ANGLICAN COMMUNION
You may have been wondering why the titular head of the Anglican Communion has, so far, said nothing about the vile imprisonment of Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga in Malawi. Well, the answer to that question is that he has obviously been too busy writing the following letter which, when put alongside his silence on the Malawi matter, will give the green light to the institutional persecution of gay people throughout the world for many years to come.
You don't need the alleged intellectual ability of Rowan Williams to work this out. It's very simple. Because the Episcopal Church in the US have shown that they regard gay people as having the same moral value as people who are not gay, Rowan Williams is sending them into exile. He is not going to exclude any province, or pseudo-province, that persecutes gay people. Therefore, Rowan Williams' Pentecost message for 2010 is that gay people are bad and that the persecution of gay people is good and, by linking his pronouncement to the current festival, that he believes this is the attitude of the Holy Spirit.
Greed for power and influence has trumped the love of God in Jesus Christ. We are now the enemy.
COMMENT: "Whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit can never have forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin."
I am so glad I don't have a church to worship in at this particular moment in time. How on earth could an English Anglican priest preside at a Whitsunday eucharist when our spokesman has given the Holy Spirit such a slapping?
The full text of Pope Rowan's (load of) Bull
has been posted on FOOTNOTES.
You don't need the alleged intellectual ability of Rowan Williams to work this out. It's very simple. Because the Episcopal Church in the US have shown that they regard gay people as having the same moral value as people who are not gay, Rowan Williams is sending them into exile. He is not going to exclude any province, or pseudo-province, that persecutes gay people. Therefore, Rowan Williams' Pentecost message for 2010 is that gay people are bad and that the persecution of gay people is good and, by linking his pronouncement to the current festival, that he believes this is the attitude of the Holy Spirit.
Greed for power and influence has trumped the love of God in Jesus Christ. We are now the enemy.
I am so glad I don't have a church to worship in at this particular moment in time. How on earth could an English Anglican priest preside at a Whitsunday eucharist when our spokesman has given the Holy Spirit such a slapping?
The full text of Pope Rowan's (load of) Bull
has been posted on FOOTNOTES.
Thursday, 27 May 2010
NAME THAT (FAMOUS COMEDIAN'S SIGNATURE) TUNE
This is Edwin Birdsong from 1979 with a tune called "Lollipop."
I don't know, it sort of reminds me of a later famous tune and I bet its composer earned a lot more out of his version than Mr Birdsong ever got from his. Of course, I could be wrong.
I don't know, it sort of reminds me of a later famous tune and I bet its composer earned a lot more out of his version than Mr Birdsong ever got from his. Of course, I could be wrong.
MUSIC FOR YOUR LUNCHTIME
A trio of tracks today from off the new prince of blue-eyed soul's latest album.
Eli's WEBSITE (including a free and legal download)
PURCHASE VIA MADPRIEST'S AMAZON STORE
YE GODS!
From THE ARGUS LEADER:
A western Minnesota man has been found guilty of killing a toddler while swinging a baseball bat at her father at church. He was accused of striking the 14-month-old after he got into a fight over a $20 debt with her father at Thy Kingdom Come World Ministries in Wheaton last September.
At the time of the attack, Thy Kingdom Come church was led by Pastor Danny Barnes, who’s now serving an 11-year sentence for an unrelated assault.
A western Minnesota man has been found guilty of killing a toddler while swinging a baseball bat at her father at church. He was accused of striking the 14-month-old after he got into a fight over a $20 debt with her father at Thy Kingdom Come World Ministries in Wheaton last September.
At the time of the attack, Thy Kingdom Come church was led by Pastor Danny Barnes, who’s now serving an 11-year sentence for an unrelated assault.
GROUNDED IN THE CHURCH
From THE COURIER MAIL (Australia):
A mother has had her three children removed from her care after her young son claimed he had been forced to live in a church for not doing his homework. It is alleged that the eight-year-old's mother, Patricia McHaney, 28, had left him with nothing but a roll of tissue paper and a paint can to use as a toilet. The boy said he had been forced to stay by himself at the Bethel Baptist Church in Cleveland, Texas, northeast of Houston, for several days.
Police found a small fan and two empty water bottles inside the small church.
The boy told investigators that his mother had delivered food to him a few times a day, but he was described as "very underweight".
Ms McHaney admitted she put her son in the church to punish him for being "mean to his brother" and for not doing his homework, according to the affidavit.
The boys have three different fathers, one of whom is in jail.
COMMENT: This breakdown in family values is entirely the fault of your modern liberalism. If the governments of the Western world would find the courage to make heterosexualism illegal this sort of thing would never happen.
A mother has had her three children removed from her care after her young son claimed he had been forced to live in a church for not doing his homework. It is alleged that the eight-year-old's mother, Patricia McHaney, 28, had left him with nothing but a roll of tissue paper and a paint can to use as a toilet. The boy said he had been forced to stay by himself at the Bethel Baptist Church in Cleveland, Texas, northeast of Houston, for several days.
Police found a small fan and two empty water bottles inside the small church.
The boy told investigators that his mother had delivered food to him a few times a day, but he was described as "very underweight".
Ms McHaney admitted she put her son in the church to punish him for being "mean to his brother" and for not doing his homework, according to the affidavit.
The boys have three different fathers, one of whom is in jail.
COMMENT: This breakdown in family values is entirely the fault of your modern liberalism. If the governments of the Western world would find the courage to make heterosexualism illegal this sort of thing would never happen.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Check out Lisa Fox on Rowan Williams' bridge building
project in Washington DC, at MY MANNER OF LIFE.
project in Washington DC, at MY MANNER OF LIFE.
Springtime for Hitler and Germany
Deutschland is happy and gay!
Bryan Fischer of the American Family Association explains how teh gay was responsible for the Holocaust:
COMMENT: What bunkum! No gay man would wear a brown shirt. It would be sartorial suicide.
Thanks to Mark Brunson for sending
in the link to this vid.
COMMENT: What bunkum! No gay man would wear a brown shirt. It would be sartorial suicide.
Thanks to Mark Brunson for sending
in the link to this vid.
LOVE IS FOR GIRLIES
From THE TELEGRAPH:
Christian Vision for Men claims that 49 per cent of all males under the age of 30 have left congregations over the past 20 years. It says that sermons dominated by love, compassion and grace do not entice men because they are “not male concepts”. In order to entice them back into the pews, the campaign group is asking vicars to show the World Cup on big screens above the pulpit and even serve beer while the football tournament is on.
Carl Beech, General Director of the CVM and a Baptist minister, said: "The problem has become male culture versus church culture. Too many sermons talk about Jesus’ love, compassion and grace which are great but not male concepts. Men want to know about his great decision-making and leadership. That is what they recognise. Churches are very pastorally driven whereas blokes are looking for decisions not discussions.”
Popular hymns such as ‘Amazing Grace’ have also been blamed as they are in the wrong key for men to sing.
Christian Vision for Men claims that 49 per cent of all males under the age of 30 have left congregations over the past 20 years. It says that sermons dominated by love, compassion and grace do not entice men because they are “not male concepts”. In order to entice them back into the pews, the campaign group is asking vicars to show the World Cup on big screens above the pulpit and even serve beer while the football tournament is on.
Carl Beech, General Director of the CVM and a Baptist minister, said: "The problem has become male culture versus church culture. Too many sermons talk about Jesus’ love, compassion and grace which are great but not male concepts. Men want to know about his great decision-making and leadership. That is what they recognise. Churches are very pastorally driven whereas blokes are looking for decisions not discussions.”
Popular hymns such as ‘Amazing Grace’ have also been blamed as they are in the wrong key for men to sing.
Wednesday, 26 May 2010
BLOG NOTICE
I have just posted the following on my facebook page.
I have now been blocked from posting topics on my own discussion board at Of Course, I Could Be Chin Wagging... Why? Because I got the verification wrong a couple of times. My glasses are broken and my new pair won't arrive until next week.
Tomorrow I will be cancelling all my facebook involvement. If you all want to stay with this two bit operation which can't organise a piss up in a brewery that's up to you. I've tried to follow you over here but it seems to be some sort of fascist state. I'm going back to Blogger and Typepad, who have never let us down on security and who don't block their clients for having poor eyesight or wanting to make more friends.
OCICBW... has it's own facebook type facility called CHIN WAG AT OCICBW... Check out my blog for details of what it's about and how to gain access.
I have now been blocked from posting topics on my own discussion board at Of Course, I Could Be Chin Wagging... Why? Because I got the verification wrong a couple of times. My glasses are broken and my new pair won't arrive until next week.
Tomorrow I will be cancelling all my facebook involvement. If you all want to stay with this two bit operation which can't organise a piss up in a brewery that's up to you. I've tried to follow you over here but it seems to be some sort of fascist state. I'm going back to Blogger and Typepad, who have never let us down on security and who don't block their clients for having poor eyesight or wanting to make more friends.
OCICBW... has it's own facebook type facility called CHIN WAG AT OCICBW... Check out my blog for details of what it's about and how to gain access.
BRITAIN'S FIRST ABORTION SERVICE TV ADVERT
For live, unedited discussion on this subject
go to CHIN WAG @ OCICBW...
Details on how to access chin wag
can be found on the right hand sidebar.
IN WHICH GRANDMÈRE MIMI WEARS OUT HER LAP TOP
BY PLAYING THE SAME VIDEO OVER AND OVER AGAIN
We all have Ginny S to thank for finding this one.
THE BEST OF WHAT WE ARE (AGAIN)
From TIMES LIVE:
The Anglican church in southern Africa called on President Jacob Zuma and the South African government to lobby for the immediate release of two Malawian men sentenced to 14 years in prison for their homosexual relationship.
"We urge them to press for the swift release of these two individuals, who have committed no act of violence or harm against anyone; for the quashing of the sentence against them; and for the repeal of this repressive legislation," the Synod of Bishops of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa said.
"As we have previously stated, though there is a breadth of theological views among us on matters of human sexuality, we are united in opposing the criminalisation of homosexual people. We see the sentence that has been handed down to these two individuals as a gross violation of human rights and we therefore strongly condemn such sentences and behaviour towards other human beings. "
The church also expressed concern at the "violent language" used against the gay community across sub-Saharan Africa, and at the increased legal action being taken against gay individuals, communities and organisations.
"Even in South Africa we are aware of instances of violence against the gay and lesbian community. We therefore appeal to law-makers everywhere to defend the rights of these minorities." It was immoral to permit or support oppression of, or discrimination against, people on the grounds of their sexual orientation, the church said.
COMMENT: You see, the rest of you, it is possible to be a Christian leader and not use equivocal language in everything you say in public. Now, I wonder where the good bishops of South Africa learnt to speak in such a forthright and righteous manner. I have a feeling they've been reading about that Son of God bloke. Such innovation within the Church!
For, once again, being the best of what we are, The bishops of South Africa are our
BRICKS OF THE DAY
... with knobs on.
The full statement has been posted on our FOOTNOTES page.
The Anglican church in southern Africa called on President Jacob Zuma and the South African government to lobby for the immediate release of two Malawian men sentenced to 14 years in prison for their homosexual relationship.
"We urge them to press for the swift release of these two individuals, who have committed no act of violence or harm against anyone; for the quashing of the sentence against them; and for the repeal of this repressive legislation," the Synod of Bishops of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa said.
"As we have previously stated, though there is a breadth of theological views among us on matters of human sexuality, we are united in opposing the criminalisation of homosexual people. We see the sentence that has been handed down to these two individuals as a gross violation of human rights and we therefore strongly condemn such sentences and behaviour towards other human beings. "
The church also expressed concern at the "violent language" used against the gay community across sub-Saharan Africa, and at the increased legal action being taken against gay individuals, communities and organisations.
"Even in South Africa we are aware of instances of violence against the gay and lesbian community. We therefore appeal to law-makers everywhere to defend the rights of these minorities." It was immoral to permit or support oppression of, or discrimination against, people on the grounds of their sexual orientation, the church said.COMMENT: You see, the rest of you, it is possible to be a Christian leader and not use equivocal language in everything you say in public. Now, I wonder where the good bishops of South Africa learnt to speak in such a forthright and righteous manner. I have a feeling they've been reading about that Son of God bloke. Such innovation within the Church!
For, once again, being the best of what we are, The bishops of South Africa are our
BRICKS OF THE DAY
... with knobs on.
The full statement has been posted on our FOOTNOTES page.
WITH ALL YOUR SOUL
ANYONE WHO KNOWS WHAT LOVE IS (WILL UNDERSTAND)
- IRMA THOMAS (above top)
CALIFORNIA SOUL - MARLENA SHAW
BLACK AND BEAUTIFUL - MICHAEL LIGGINS
BROKEN WORLD - SHEMEKIA COPELAND (above right)
CAN WE SHARE IT - RICK SHEPPARD
ANY GIRL IN LOVE (KNOWS WHAT I'M GOING THROUGH)
- KIM WESTON
BITTER WITH THE SWEET - TONY AND TANDY
BRING BACK YOUR HEART - THE DEL VIKINGS (below)
BABY YOU GIVE ME A FEELING - ROY AYERS
BAD TUNE - EARTH WIND & FIRE
ASK MRS SMITH, SHE HAD A JOB ONCE
A few months ago I applied for a post, the advertisement of which I had been anticipating for over a year. I thought I was in with a good chance as the selectors from the congregation had asked a local priest to snoop around about me and I knew he had received some positive feedback. I was told he had stated that I should get an interview in his opinion.
In the end, I wasn't shortlisted for interview. So, I contacted the diocesan bishop concerned who kindly agreed to find out why. The answer came back that they thought my application form was "generic."
The thing is that it wasn't generic. It couldn't be. They had invented their own form that was completely different to any application form I had ever filled in (and I've filled in a lot of them). The questions were specific. I couldn't cut and paste anything off previous forms, except the basics of name and address etc. I couldn't have answered their questions more specifically unless I had visited the benefice, which couldn't happen unless I was invited for interview. A Catch 22 situation.
So, the selectors had assumed something that was untrue.
Such assumptions, according to a person I spoke to who knows something about employment protocol, is not the way to select candidates for interview. That should be done in a detached manner and should be based on the ability of the candidate as shown in the application form. Matters, such as what the candidate would intend to do in the job, should be addressed at the interview stage when the candidate can elicit the information needed to answer such questions.
This is just one example of the many faults in our amateurish selection system. Basically, a few, in most cases only a couple, of unqualified people decide who gets an interview and, ultimately, who gets a job, based on their own prejudices and particular hobby horses. Of course, this happens to an extent in all walks of life. But most concerns of the size of a national, religious denomination tend to follow the law quite strictly, something the Anglican churches in the British Isles believe does not apply to them.
Getting a job is one of the most seriously important things a person does in their life. Those responsible for employment, at every level of the Church, should be selected and trained up to be able to deal with the selection procedure at a level of competence that reflects the serious, life changing nature of the situation. That the lives of individuals and their families, and also the lives of whole congregations, can be altered for good or bad on the petty whims, often, as in the above case, the erroneous whims, of a person who has absolutely no experience of employment protocol, is a major indictment of an institution that should be doing everything it does in a caring and professional manner. Once again, secular organisations in my land are acting in a far more Christian way than the Church, which seems to be a common occurrence at this moment in time.
In the end, I wasn't shortlisted for interview. So, I contacted the diocesan bishop concerned who kindly agreed to find out why. The answer came back that they thought my application form was "generic."
The thing is that it wasn't generic. It couldn't be. They had invented their own form that was completely different to any application form I had ever filled in (and I've filled in a lot of them). The questions were specific. I couldn't cut and paste anything off previous forms, except the basics of name and address etc. I couldn't have answered their questions more specifically unless I had visited the benefice, which couldn't happen unless I was invited for interview. A Catch 22 situation.
So, the selectors had assumed something that was untrue.
Such assumptions, according to a person I spoke to who knows something about employment protocol, is not the way to select candidates for interview. That should be done in a detached manner and should be based on the ability of the candidate as shown in the application form. Matters, such as what the candidate would intend to do in the job, should be addressed at the interview stage when the candidate can elicit the information needed to answer such questions.
This is just one example of the many faults in our amateurish selection system. Basically, a few, in most cases only a couple, of unqualified people decide who gets an interview and, ultimately, who gets a job, based on their own prejudices and particular hobby horses. Of course, this happens to an extent in all walks of life. But most concerns of the size of a national, religious denomination tend to follow the law quite strictly, something the Anglican churches in the British Isles believe does not apply to them.
Getting a job is one of the most seriously important things a person does in their life. Those responsible for employment, at every level of the Church, should be selected and trained up to be able to deal with the selection procedure at a level of competence that reflects the serious, life changing nature of the situation. That the lives of individuals and their families, and also the lives of whole congregations, can be altered for good or bad on the petty whims, often, as in the above case, the erroneous whims, of a person who has absolutely no experience of employment protocol, is a major indictment of an institution that should be doing everything it does in a caring and professional manner. Once again, secular organisations in my land are acting in a far more Christian way than the Church, which seems to be a common occurrence at this moment in time.
A "Stay At Home" Meme
Tracie the Red writes:
Well, if you ever do get the urge to emigrate, the US really isn't the place for an open socialist, for sure.
But if you did emigrate, where would you like to go?
I'm just curious.
Well, Tracie, as I am not going to emigrate I can treat this question hypothetically and ignore things like personal safety and such. So, bearing that in mind, I would choose New Orleans. In my opinion it is the birthplace of modern popular music and I have a romantic view of it that I realise bears very little similarity to the truth. But, as I will never go there, it can be whatever I want it to be.
But what about the rest of you? If you had to (so don't bother with the "I love my country" crap) where would you emigrate to and why? It can be anywhere in the world.
Well, if you ever do get the urge to emigrate, the US really isn't the place for an open socialist, for sure.
But if you did emigrate, where would you like to go?
I'm just curious.
Well, Tracie, as I am not going to emigrate I can treat this question hypothetically and ignore things like personal safety and such. So, bearing that in mind, I would choose New Orleans. In my opinion it is the birthplace of modern popular music and I have a romantic view of it that I realise bears very little similarity to the truth. But, as I will never go there, it can be whatever I want it to be.
But what about the rest of you? If you had to (so don't bother with the "I love my country" crap) where would you emigrate to and why? It can be anywhere in the world.
Obama Administration states that
U. S. Roman Catholics are foreigners
From THE NATIONAL CATHOLIC REPORTER:
In a strongly worded brief for the United States Supreme Court, the Obama administration has sided with the Vatican in an Oregon lawsuit that names the Holy See as a defendant for its role in the sexual abuse crisis.
In effect, the brief asserts that the standards for an exception to the immunity that foreign governments enjoy under American law have not been met in the Oregon case.
Filed on Friday, the brief stops short of recommending that the Supreme Court directly take up the case of Doe v. Holy See, originally filed in federal district court in Oregon in 2002. Instead, it suggests that the Supreme Court set aside the 2009 ruling of an appeals court that allowed the case to go forward, sending it back for further consideration.
In a strongly worded brief for the United States Supreme Court, the Obama administration has sided with the Vatican in an Oregon lawsuit that names the Holy See as a defendant for its role in the sexual abuse crisis.
In effect, the brief asserts that the standards for an exception to the immunity that foreign governments enjoy under American law have not been met in the Oregon case.
Filed on Friday, the brief stops short of recommending that the Supreme Court directly take up the case of Doe v. Holy See, originally filed in federal district court in Oregon in 2002. Instead, it suggests that the Supreme Court set aside the 2009 ruling of an appeals court that allowed the case to go forward, sending it back for further consideration.
Raise your gottles of geer for
the World's Greatest Ventriloquist
The showman was known for his upper class puppet Lord Charles, who usually appeared to be drunk.
Alan, from Reigate, Surrey, was a TV regular from the 1950s to the 1980s, appearing on shows including variety serial The Good Old Days.
In later years he was an entertainer on QE2 cruises, taking a break from showbusiness in 2008 due to ill health. Old age had also made it increasingly difficult for him to control his puppet. (BBC)
HEADLINE OF THE DAY
From CATH NEWS:
Some people may think that 12 years is too far into a pregnancy for an abortion to take place. But, personally, I think that, for a lot of parents, it's just about the ideal moment.
Some people may think that 12 years is too far into a pregnancy for an abortion to take place. But, personally, I think that, for a lot of parents, it's just about the ideal moment.
Monday, 24 May 2010
MADPRIEST DOWN
My dog socked me in the eye again this morning. This time I ended up at the eye doctor. I have a serious lesion on my cornea. Which probably explains why it hurt like hell. I've got to use anti-bacterial eye drops every two hours for a couple of days, but they think I'll live. I was a very brave boy.
Blogging will be sporadic.
Glaring accusingly at the dog (with my one good eye) will be frequent.
Now, where did I put my Dr. Hook Karaoke tapes?
Blogging will be sporadic.
Glaring accusingly at the dog (with my one good eye) will be frequent.
Now, where did I put my Dr. Hook Karaoke tapes?
Sunday, 23 May 2010
THE SUNDAY GO TO CHURCH HOLINESS JUKEBOX
The man is a major talent.
Steve's WEBSITE
PURCHASE VIA
MADPRIEST'S AMAZON STORE
KIRK BOLDLY GOES WHERE
CHURCH OF ENGLAND
SEEMS SHIT SCARED TO
From THE SCOTSMAN:
The Church of Scotland has condemned the imprisonment of two gay men in Malawi as "unjust". Rev Ian Galloway, convener of the Kirk's influential Church and Society Council, which sets down its policy on social issues, spoke out against the jailing of the two men to 14 years' hard labour after they became engaged in December.
He said: "It is not right to imprison people on the grounds of their sexuality, even in a place where attitudes to human sexuality are different from here, and those differences should not stop us saying so."
From THE OBSERVER editorial:
Homosexuality is not a sin or a crime. There is no caveat or quibble that should be added. The repression of gay men and women by legal means and public intimidation is an offence against the basic principles of a free and just society. Where it exists, which it does to varying degrees in many countries around the world, it must be confronted and defeated.
The case last week of two gay men sentenced to 14 years' hard labour in Malawi is a stark reminder of how urgent the task is.
In five countries around the world – Iran, Mauritania, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Yemen – the death penalty can be applied to gays and lesbians. They can be prosecuted for the fact of their sexual orientation in 76 countries, 38 of them in Africa.
There are also countless jurisdictions where homophobic attacks are tolerated by police. Britain hardly has an impeccable record on that front. But the UK has undergone a cultural revolution with regard to gay rights in the last decade: the repeal of Section 28, which banned teaching about homosexuality in schools; an equalised age of consent; civil partnerships and the prohibition of discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation.
Britain is also not without influence in countries where persecution is institutionalised. A particular obligation falls on the Anglican church, which counts in its communion clergymen who preach venom and hatred. The Anglican bishop of Uyo in Nigeria, Isaac Orama, has described homosexuals as "inhuman, insane, satanic and not fit to live".
The Anglican hierarchy in Britain has avoided speaking out too frankly on this matter to avoid a schism, but the church's quiet diplomacy has done nothing to help the victims of homophobic repression. Increasingly, it looks like complicity.
The Church of Scotland has condemned the imprisonment of two gay men in Malawi as "unjust". Rev Ian Galloway, convener of the Kirk's influential Church and Society Council, which sets down its policy on social issues, spoke out against the jailing of the two men to 14 years' hard labour after they became engaged in December.
He said: "It is not right to imprison people on the grounds of their sexuality, even in a place where attitudes to human sexuality are different from here, and those differences should not stop us saying so."
From THE OBSERVER editorial:
Homosexuality is not a sin or a crime. There is no caveat or quibble that should be added. The repression of gay men and women by legal means and public intimidation is an offence against the basic principles of a free and just society. Where it exists, which it does to varying degrees in many countries around the world, it must be confronted and defeated.
The case last week of two gay men sentenced to 14 years' hard labour in Malawi is a stark reminder of how urgent the task is.
In five countries around the world – Iran, Mauritania, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Yemen – the death penalty can be applied to gays and lesbians. They can be prosecuted for the fact of their sexual orientation in 76 countries, 38 of them in Africa.
There are also countless jurisdictions where homophobic attacks are tolerated by police. Britain hardly has an impeccable record on that front. But the UK has undergone a cultural revolution with regard to gay rights in the last decade: the repeal of Section 28, which banned teaching about homosexuality in schools; an equalised age of consent; civil partnerships and the prohibition of discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation.
Britain is also not without influence in countries where persecution is institutionalised. A particular obligation falls on the Anglican church, which counts in its communion clergymen who preach venom and hatred. The Anglican bishop of Uyo in Nigeria, Isaac Orama, has described homosexuals as "inhuman, insane, satanic and not fit to live".
The Anglican hierarchy in Britain has avoided speaking out too frankly on this matter to avoid a schism, but the church's quiet diplomacy has done nothing to help the victims of homophobic repression. Increasingly, it looks like complicity.
PROPHET APPEARS IN PUBLIC
LOOKING A LITTLE DRAWN
From THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR:
A cartoon of the Prophet Mohammad published in a South African weekly newspaper has created a furor among the local Muslim community, raising once again the debate between the competing principles of free expression and respect for religious faith in a pluralistic society. Coming just 20 days before South Africa hosts the World Cup soccer matches, it has raised the spectre of a violent reaction in South Africa from extremist groups who see themselves as defenders of the Islamic faith.
The cartoon – which is much gentler than those published by Dutch and Danish newspapers or even by the American TV program “South Park” –, drawn by South Africa’s premier cartoonist Jonathan Shapira – also known as Zapiro – depicts the prophet lying on a psychiatrist’s couch in heaven, complaining, “Other prophets have followers with a sense of humor!”
“He was trying to make a fairly gentle interpretation of the global debate on the representation of the Prophet and on free speech,” says Nic Dawes, editor of the Mail & Guardian weekly newspaper, which printed the cartoon.
“I have to consider the paper’s equality of treatment for different faiths,” he said. “Zapiro has profoundly offended many other people, including Catholic readers for his depiction of the pope. He’s a robust critic of Israel’s occupation of Palestine, which many Jewish readers object to. Even the president of South Africa is suing him because of his depiction, which he doesn’t like.”
South Africa's Muslim Judicial Council issued a statement condemning the cartoon on its website this weekend.
"The Muslim leadership appeals to all Muslims to express their condemnation and disapproval of this latest insult on the Muslim community in a responsible and dignified manner," the council said.
COMMENT: What would Jesus and Mo do?
See more on this story at CHIN WAG @ OCICBW...
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A cartoon of the Prophet Mohammad published in a South African weekly newspaper has created a furor among the local Muslim community, raising once again the debate between the competing principles of free expression and respect for religious faith in a pluralistic society. Coming just 20 days before South Africa hosts the World Cup soccer matches, it has raised the spectre of a violent reaction in South Africa from extremist groups who see themselves as defenders of the Islamic faith.
The cartoon – which is much gentler than those published by Dutch and Danish newspapers or even by the American TV program “South Park” –, drawn by South Africa’s premier cartoonist Jonathan Shapira – also known as Zapiro – depicts the prophet lying on a psychiatrist’s couch in heaven, complaining, “Other prophets have followers with a sense of humor!”
“He was trying to make a fairly gentle interpretation of the global debate on the representation of the Prophet and on free speech,” says Nic Dawes, editor of the Mail & Guardian weekly newspaper, which printed the cartoon.
“I have to consider the paper’s equality of treatment for different faiths,” he said. “Zapiro has profoundly offended many other people, including Catholic readers for his depiction of the pope. He’s a robust critic of Israel’s occupation of Palestine, which many Jewish readers object to. Even the president of South Africa is suing him because of his depiction, which he doesn’t like.”
Mr. Shapiro himself tells the Independent newspaper that he didn’t draw to offend Muslims but to challenge them.
“I believe that all religions should be subjected to satire and that some religious groups should not be able to think they are above society,” he said.
South Africa's Muslim Judicial Council issued a statement condemning the cartoon on its website this weekend.
"The Muslim leadership appeals to all Muslims to express their condemnation and disapproval of this latest insult on the Muslim community in a responsible and dignified manner," the council said.
COMMENT: What would Jesus and Mo do?
See more on this story at CHIN WAG @ OCICBW...
See right hand sidebar for details
of how to access CHIN WAG @ OCICBW...
ALLAH HATES EMO
From EARTH TIMES:
Saudi religious police arrested 10 girls for being "emo" in a coffee shop in the eastern city of Dammam, after the shop owner reported them for wearing weird fashions and making a lot of noise. A source in the religious police, known as the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, said the customers noticed the girls "wore black and dark colours, and that they were trying to imitate men."
The girls were detained until their parents signed a pledge that they will not repeat "such violations" and will stay away from fashions that contradict"the conservative Islamic society."
Recently there have been several reports about "individual cases" of young Saudis arrested for adopting the "emo style." In April, newspapers reported that a "gathering of emos in Dammam was foiled" by the religious police.
Saudi religious police arrested 10 girls for being "emo" in a coffee shop in the eastern city of Dammam, after the shop owner reported them for wearing weird fashions and making a lot of noise. A source in the religious police, known as the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, said the customers noticed the girls "wore black and dark colours, and that they were trying to imitate men."
The girls were detained until their parents signed a pledge that they will not repeat "such violations" and will stay away from fashions that contradict"the conservative Islamic society."
Recently there have been several reports about "individual cases" of young Saudis arrested for adopting the "emo style." In April, newspapers reported that a "gathering of emos in Dammam was foiled" by the religious police.
YOU COULDN'T GIVE HER AWAY
From THE IRISH TIMES:
Swedish feminists and the Lutheran church have become unlikely allies in an attempt to prevent a princess having the wedding of her dreams. The Church of Sweden and the Swedish royal family have clashed over Crown Princess Victoria’s wish to be “given away” by her father, King Carl Gustaf, at her marriage to her former personal trainer, Daniel Westling, in Stockholm next month before a guest list studded with the kings, queens, princes and princesses of Europe’s remaining royal houses.
Sweden is one of the most equality-conscious countries on earth, and the official church has long disapproved of the symbolism of brides “ being given away”, regarding the practice – as does most of the populace – as an outdated and sexist tradition.
So when Princess Victoria let it be known earlier this week that she was breaking with Swedish tradition – the bride and groom walking down the aisle together – and wished to have her father at her side to “give her away”, the head of the Swedish church, Archbishop Anders Wejryd, soon voiced his disapproval in public.
“Being given away,” he declared, “is a new phenomenon which occasionally occurs in the Church of Sweden. I usually advise against it, as our marriage ceremony is so clear on the subject of the spouses’ equality.”
Priest and theologian Annika Borg described the practice of being given away as “unSwedish and a import from American films and TV series”. “I think it is a pity that Sweden’s future head of state has chosen to follow a practice that is not Swedish tradition,” she added.
COMMENT: Things have changed so much since I was kid. Back then you could the king to give away half of his kingdom half as well as his daughter's hand in marriage. But, on the other hand, back in the day a handsome prince had to do something that involved a lot more spilt dragon's blood than being a P.E. teacher entails. I blame the big bad wolf.
Swedish feminists and the Lutheran church have become unlikely allies in an attempt to prevent a princess having the wedding of her dreams. The Church of Sweden and the Swedish royal family have clashed over Crown Princess Victoria’s wish to be “given away” by her father, King Carl Gustaf, at her marriage to her former personal trainer, Daniel Westling, in Stockholm next month before a guest list studded with the kings, queens, princes and princesses of Europe’s remaining royal houses.
Sweden is one of the most equality-conscious countries on earth, and the official church has long disapproved of the symbolism of brides “ being given away”, regarding the practice – as does most of the populace – as an outdated and sexist tradition.
So when Princess Victoria let it be known earlier this week that she was breaking with Swedish tradition – the bride and groom walking down the aisle together – and wished to have her father at her side to “give her away”, the head of the Swedish church, Archbishop Anders Wejryd, soon voiced his disapproval in public.
“Being given away,” he declared, “is a new phenomenon which occasionally occurs in the Church of Sweden. I usually advise against it, as our marriage ceremony is so clear on the subject of the spouses’ equality.”
Priest and theologian Annika Borg described the practice of being given away as “unSwedish and a import from American films and TV series”. “I think it is a pity that Sweden’s future head of state has chosen to follow a practice that is not Swedish tradition,” she added.
COMMENT: Things have changed so much since I was kid. Back then you could the king to give away half of his kingdom half as well as his daughter's hand in marriage. But, on the other hand, back in the day a handsome prince had to do something that involved a lot more spilt dragon's blood than being a P.E. teacher entails. I blame the big bad wolf.
PANIC OVER
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