Tuesday, 7 December 2010
OVER AT ST. LAIKA'S AND THE ANCHORHOLD
Our guest preacher at ST. LAIKA'S this week is none other than our very own Ellie Finlay and, boy, is she on form.
Once there was a man of vision who ran through the streets shouting, “Power, greed, corruption!”
One day a little child took pity on the strange prophet and asked, “Don’t you know that nobody is listening to you?”
“Of course, I know that, child,” the wise one replied.
“Then why do you keep shouting since you are not changing anyone? Your shouts are useless.”
“Oh no, they aren’t,” the prophet assured the child. “I do not shout only to change them. I shout so that they might not change me.”
Do go read the rest. You won't regret it. And afterwards pop over to THE ANCHORHOLD and listen to one of Ellie's transcendent music choices. Again, you won't regret it.
Once there was a man of vision who ran through the streets shouting, “Power, greed, corruption!”
One day a little child took pity on the strange prophet and asked, “Don’t you know that nobody is listening to you?”
“Of course, I know that, child,” the wise one replied.
“Then why do you keep shouting since you are not changing anyone? Your shouts are useless.”
“Oh no, they aren’t,” the prophet assured the child. “I do not shout only to change them. I shout so that they might not change me.”
Do go read the rest. You won't regret it. And afterwards pop over to THE ANCHORHOLD and listen to one of Ellie's transcendent music choices. Again, you won't regret it.
A-BEGGIN' I WILL GO
The administrator of this site is the Reverend Jonathan Hagger (a.k.a. MadPriest). He is a licensed Church of England priest but he receives no salary from any church or any other employer. At present his ministry consists entirely of his work at St. Laika's and OCICBW... However, he likes to eat occasionally and his blogs cost quite a bit of money to run. So, in true Anglican style a collection plate will always be available for your donations (via PayPal). Full accounts will be posted here each year. You will never be asked to pledge or tithe but a regular monthly contribution from you would give him security and peace of mind. Another way to help Jonathan is to buy Amazon products via his Amazon shop.
DOGGONE DIPLOMACY
From THE LOCAL (Sweden):
A cable sent from the US embassy in Stockholm and released by WikiLeaks compared Swedish foreign minister Carl Bildt is to a "medium-sized dog" who speaks frankly, but who has "limited political skills."
I think this is very poor. The job of foreign minister is very important and should only be given to talking dogs with exceptionally good political skills.
A cable sent from the US embassy in Stockholm and released by WikiLeaks compared Swedish foreign minister Carl Bildt is to a "medium-sized dog" who speaks frankly, but who has "limited political skills."
I think this is very poor. The job of foreign minister is very important and should only be given to talking dogs with exceptionally good political skills.
THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE BEAUTIFUL (2)
THE GOOD
From THE BRISBANE TIMES:
About 50 animal rights activists, representing the number of animals that it takes to make a fur coat and covered in red paint, have staged a naked protest at a square in Barcelona to denounce the torture and slaying of animals to make fur coats.
"People who are sensible to animal suffering see garments made from fur as acts of cruelty and pain, not as luxury items. Animals need their fur, we don't," said Leticia Olivares, a spokeswoman for international animal rights group AnimaNaturalis, which staged the demonstration.
Millions of foxes, minks, otters, beavers, lynxes and other species are raised in captivity in small cages or captured and then killed in brutal ways such as drowning or electrocution to make fur coats, the group said.
THE BAD
From THE LOCAL (Sweden):
A single shot fired by a Swedish hunter, first hit an elk and then continued to travel, hitting a 71-year-old skier and killing him on Saturday.
Police in Kronoberg county remained extremely reticent about details involving the hunting accident on the grounds of the continuing investigation, but also for the sake of the hunter and her hunting companion, who were shaken up after the incident.
Henrik Barnekow, a hunting consultant at the Swedish Hunters Association said that it is the hunter's responsibility to ensure that there is a so-called safety area behind the target: a hill or firm ground behind the animal where the bullet can land safely if the shot misses. "Forests do not count as safety areas," he noted.
He added that it is not uncommon for a shot to pass through an elk or any other game. However, he has never heard of a bullet continuing on to kill someone.
"However, there have been incidents of a bullet ricocheting out of the game, continuing and killing the hunter's dog situated near the prey," he pointed out.
COMMENT: Ha! No doubt the hunter and his companion were upset because they might end up in court. I very much doubt that anybody who shoots at large, slow moving animals just for the fun of it would be upset about the loss of a life, even the life of a human being.
THE BEAUTIFUL
From TYPICALLY SPANISH:
Two Iberian Lynx have been released into the wild in the Sierra Morena in Jaén. They were the first animals to be released as part of the program started in 2005 in what is described as a ‘soft’ release into an initially closed four hectare area close to the Guarrizas river.
The two females, ‘Granadilla’ and ‘Grazalema’ were born this year in the La Olivilla centre, and appeared to be nervous on the release, possibly because there were dozens of people present.
The area is also inhabited by the male lynx ‘Granizo’ and it is hoped that he will help them to adapt to the area and the capture of rabbits.
The release meets a 2010 target date to let Iberian Lynx back into the wild as part of the protection program for the planets most endangered feline.
From THE BRISBANE TIMES:
About 50 animal rights activists, representing the number of animals that it takes to make a fur coat and covered in red paint, have staged a naked protest at a square in Barcelona to denounce the torture and slaying of animals to make fur coats.
"People who are sensible to animal suffering see garments made from fur as acts of cruelty and pain, not as luxury items. Animals need their fur, we don't," said Leticia Olivares, a spokeswoman for international animal rights group AnimaNaturalis, which staged the demonstration.
Millions of foxes, minks, otters, beavers, lynxes and other species are raised in captivity in small cages or captured and then killed in brutal ways such as drowning or electrocution to make fur coats, the group said.
THE BAD
From THE LOCAL (Sweden):
A single shot fired by a Swedish hunter, first hit an elk and then continued to travel, hitting a 71-year-old skier and killing him on Saturday.
Police in Kronoberg county remained extremely reticent about details involving the hunting accident on the grounds of the continuing investigation, but also for the sake of the hunter and her hunting companion, who were shaken up after the incident.
Henrik Barnekow, a hunting consultant at the Swedish Hunters Association said that it is the hunter's responsibility to ensure that there is a so-called safety area behind the target: a hill or firm ground behind the animal where the bullet can land safely if the shot misses. "Forests do not count as safety areas," he noted.
He added that it is not uncommon for a shot to pass through an elk or any other game. However, he has never heard of a bullet continuing on to kill someone.
"However, there have been incidents of a bullet ricocheting out of the game, continuing and killing the hunter's dog situated near the prey," he pointed out.
COMMENT: Ha! No doubt the hunter and his companion were upset because they might end up in court. I very much doubt that anybody who shoots at large, slow moving animals just for the fun of it would be upset about the loss of a life, even the life of a human being.
THE BEAUTIFUL
From TYPICALLY SPANISH:
The two females, ‘Granadilla’ and ‘Grazalema’ were born this year in the La Olivilla centre, and appeared to be nervous on the release, possibly because there were dozens of people present.
The area is also inhabited by the male lynx ‘Granizo’ and it is hoped that he will help them to adapt to the area and the capture of rabbits.
The release meets a 2010 target date to let Iberian Lynx back into the wild as part of the protection program for the planets most endangered feline.
OH BUGGER, IT'S CHRISTMAS!
7TH. DECEMBER 2010
Our festive tune today is entitled "Dumbarton Nativity" which I have (in true Dumbarton stylee) half-inched from Father Kenny at RECTOR'S RAMBLINGS. It is possibly the saddest Christmas song I've ever heard.
"It's not funny because it's true."
CLICK HERE for audio file.
THE PRAYER LIST
7TH. DECEMBER 2010
Posted by rajm at SCATTER CUSHIONS:
My mother, Elsie Marshall, died on 26th November 2010, the funeral will be 10th December.
***
Posted by The Cajun at ON TRANSMIGRATION:
The jaw is much better, thanks for all the well wishes - though not completely healed - I can actually chomp a festive sandwich on a baguette without real pain.
My mother, Elsie Marshall, died on 26th November 2010, the funeral will be 10th December.
***
Posted by The Cajun at ON TRANSMIGRATION:
The jaw is much better, thanks for all the well wishes - though not completely healed - I can actually chomp a festive sandwich on a baguette without real pain.
Monday, 6 December 2010
AMAZING RECORD SLEEVES OF ALL TIME
She really ought to skin and cook that bunny before eating it.
Otherwise the fur is going to get stuck in her teeth.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
From an email sent by our very good friend, Susie Sue:
"It makes me wish I had heard it 20 years ago in the days when I was more in control of my vibrato."
This is a common problem among more mature women and one that must be taken seriously. An out-of-control vibrato can cause permanent injury.
"It makes me wish I had heard it 20 years ago in the days when I was more in control of my vibrato."
This is a common problem among more mature women and one that must be taken seriously. An out-of-control vibrato can cause permanent injury.
THE PRAYER LIST
Posted at GAY MARRIED CALIFORNIAN:
Today three judges of the 9th circuit will hear the appeal of the recent Prop8 decision, in which Federal District Court Judge Vaughn Walker declared Proposition 8 unconstitutional. Oral arguments will be held this morning at 10am. The arguments will be based on two issues.
First, given that the state of California is not appealing Judge Walker's decision (neither current nor incoming Attorney General, nor Governor, will appeal), does any other group have the right to appeal? This is the question of "standing". Prop8 supporters were given the right to intervene in the original case, but it's not clear that they suffer any harm that gives them the right to an appeal.
The second argument will be on the substance of Judge Walker's findings about equal protection and due process. These are irrelevant if the bad guys don't have standing.
***
Posted at BETWEEN THE LINES:
Easter Island, Rapa Nui, seems almost legendary and untouchable to us here, being far distant and with a mysterious history. So it ought to shock us to find that the indigenous people of even this remote UNESCO World Heritage Centre are under attack. In this instance, from the Chilean government.
The Rapa Nui people have been reduced to less than half of the island’s population now. Chileans have taken over their land without compensation and built over parts of it. The Rapa Nui have good reason to fear that the government wants to turn their land and their heritage into a theme park for its own profit. So now that people are standing up and peacefully protesting, the Chilean state has sent in military forces to attack them.
And what is the UN doing? What of human rights and international law?
The media just carry on ignoring these issues as ever.
***
Posted by Charlotte at THEATRICAL MILESTONES:
Yesterday after lunch, I was putting Little Miss Kickboxer down for her nap. I opened the door to her room go back downstairs and I saw this guy looking at me from across the hallway. From inside our bedroom. I stood maybe one or two seconds trying to figure out whether he could maybe have been stepdaughter's boyfriend, but heck, no, not with those shorts, and certainly not with the shirt he was wearing.
"Hello?" I said/ He pulled down his hood and stomped right past me, out of our bedroom, down the stairs, and out the front door, straight to a running car in which his buddy was waiting to make a quick getaway. How do I know? Because I followed him out. And saw the driver of said car look straight at me.
Then I realized what had just happened. A stranger had been in my house while I was putting my daughter to sleep. A stranger. A big, tall guy who could have easily taken me out or raped me and killed my daughter - or worse. Instead, he chose to just rifle through my purse and grab my wallet. And leave when I interrupted him as he was looking for more cash.
Then I started shaking like a leaf, so much so my fingers hardly made it from the 9 to the 1 on my tiny cellphone keypad. Here I was, on this the First of Advent, a sunshiny early Sunday afternoon, in a gated community in the zit on the behind of California, and obviously not safe.
I know I will never ever feel safe again in this house. Nor in this town.
***
Posted by colkoch at ENLIGHTENED CATHOLICISM:
I've had a very busy week and must apologize for not updating the blog. I started a full time job, something I haven't engaged in for quite awhile, and that has been an adjustment. I've also been working on another project which will culminate in a series of workshops, the first of which is this afternoon. All in all this week has been something of a shock to my system and usual mode of existence. Hopefully I'll get adjusted and get back to a more consistent schedule.
***
Posted by Paul at BYZIGENOUS BUDDHAPALIAN:
My friend Steve's niece Katie is scheduled for very delicate brain surgery to remove a bone spur on Wednesday morning at the Mayo Clinics. This is critical for her future health. Please keep her in your prayers.
My friend Kathy has had multiple tooth problems. I have my root canal (second in three months) today. Mercifully the swelling has gone down over the last week and the endodontist's recommendation of ibuprofen and acetaminophen has kept me out of pain so well I have felt wonderfully alive for several days now. I will probably be rather tender for the next few days though. Prayers for all of us to have happy, healthy mouths again.
***
From ERIKA BAKER:
Could I add my own prayer request please? I just heard that my brother's partner who is due to give birth to their first child next week, packed up and left with her 4 year old daughter a couple of days ago. She's going back tonight to talk to him. This could go many ways and they need prayers. Thanks
***
From CATHY X:
hi Jonathan - just to let you know when I got home tonight the little birdie seemed all right (thankfully). She wanted to stay in the small cage though (it is the cage they sleep in overnight, so, where they rest and get peace and quiet). Many many thanks once again for posting,
cheers
Cathy x
***
From THE POSTULANT:
After you posted (about my problems at work yesterday), my enrollment in Philosophy of Religion shot up from an anemic 15 to a nearly respectable 21. (We need 25 to be entirely out of danger.) Coincidence? I think not.
Today three judges of the 9th circuit will hear the appeal of the recent Prop8 decision, in which Federal District Court Judge Vaughn Walker declared Proposition 8 unconstitutional. Oral arguments will be held this morning at 10am. The arguments will be based on two issues.
First, given that the state of California is not appealing Judge Walker's decision (neither current nor incoming Attorney General, nor Governor, will appeal), does any other group have the right to appeal? This is the question of "standing". Prop8 supporters were given the right to intervene in the original case, but it's not clear that they suffer any harm that gives them the right to an appeal.
The second argument will be on the substance of Judge Walker's findings about equal protection and due process. These are irrelevant if the bad guys don't have standing.
***
Posted at BETWEEN THE LINES:
Easter Island, Rapa Nui, seems almost legendary and untouchable to us here, being far distant and with a mysterious history. So it ought to shock us to find that the indigenous people of even this remote UNESCO World Heritage Centre are under attack. In this instance, from the Chilean government.
The Rapa Nui people have been reduced to less than half of the island’s population now. Chileans have taken over their land without compensation and built over parts of it. The Rapa Nui have good reason to fear that the government wants to turn their land and their heritage into a theme park for its own profit. So now that people are standing up and peacefully protesting, the Chilean state has sent in military forces to attack them.
And what is the UN doing? What of human rights and international law?
The media just carry on ignoring these issues as ever.
***
Posted by Charlotte at THEATRICAL MILESTONES:
Yesterday after lunch, I was putting Little Miss Kickboxer down for her nap. I opened the door to her room go back downstairs and I saw this guy looking at me from across the hallway. From inside our bedroom. I stood maybe one or two seconds trying to figure out whether he could maybe have been stepdaughter's boyfriend, but heck, no, not with those shorts, and certainly not with the shirt he was wearing.
"Hello?" I said/ He pulled down his hood and stomped right past me, out of our bedroom, down the stairs, and out the front door, straight to a running car in which his buddy was waiting to make a quick getaway. How do I know? Because I followed him out. And saw the driver of said car look straight at me.
Then I realized what had just happened. A stranger had been in my house while I was putting my daughter to sleep. A stranger. A big, tall guy who could have easily taken me out or raped me and killed my daughter - or worse. Instead, he chose to just rifle through my purse and grab my wallet. And leave when I interrupted him as he was looking for more cash.
Then I started shaking like a leaf, so much so my fingers hardly made it from the 9 to the 1 on my tiny cellphone keypad. Here I was, on this the First of Advent, a sunshiny early Sunday afternoon, in a gated community in the zit on the behind of California, and obviously not safe.
I know I will never ever feel safe again in this house. Nor in this town.
***
Posted by colkoch at ENLIGHTENED CATHOLICISM:
I've had a very busy week and must apologize for not updating the blog. I started a full time job, something I haven't engaged in for quite awhile, and that has been an adjustment. I've also been working on another project which will culminate in a series of workshops, the first of which is this afternoon. All in all this week has been something of a shock to my system and usual mode of existence. Hopefully I'll get adjusted and get back to a more consistent schedule.
***
Posted by Paul at BYZIGENOUS BUDDHAPALIAN:
My friend Steve's niece Katie is scheduled for very delicate brain surgery to remove a bone spur on Wednesday morning at the Mayo Clinics. This is critical for her future health. Please keep her in your prayers.
My friend Kathy has had multiple tooth problems. I have my root canal (second in three months) today. Mercifully the swelling has gone down over the last week and the endodontist's recommendation of ibuprofen and acetaminophen has kept me out of pain so well I have felt wonderfully alive for several days now. I will probably be rather tender for the next few days though. Prayers for all of us to have happy, healthy mouths again.
***
From ERIKA BAKER:
Could I add my own prayer request please? I just heard that my brother's partner who is due to give birth to their first child next week, packed up and left with her 4 year old daughter a couple of days ago. She's going back tonight to talk to him. This could go many ways and they need prayers. Thanks
***
From CATHY X:
hi Jonathan - just to let you know when I got home tonight the little birdie seemed all right (thankfully). She wanted to stay in the small cage though (it is the cage they sleep in overnight, so, where they rest and get peace and quiet). Many many thanks once again for posting,
cheers
Cathy x
***
From THE POSTULANT:
After you posted (about my problems at work yesterday), my enrollment in Philosophy of Religion shot up from an anemic 15 to a nearly respectable 21. (We need 25 to be entirely out of danger.) Coincidence? I think not.
POPPA HOMOPHOBIA - THE WORST DISEASE
From "Pope tries to ban gay priests, again"
by Andrew Brown at THE GUARDIAN.
Hidden in Pope Benedict XVI's new book, Light of the World, is a story that is not about condoms, but will still be very important to the future of the Catholic church: he claims, on page 152, that even celibate homosexuals must be kept out of the priesthood.
"The Congregation for Education issued a decision a few years ago to the effect that homosexual candidates cannot become priests because their sexual orientation estranges them from the proper sense of paternity, from the intrinsic nature of priestly being. The selection of candidates to the priesthood must therefore be very careful.
"The greatest attention is needed here in order to prevent the intrusion of this kind of ambiguity and to head off a situation where the celibacy of priests would practically end up being identified with the tendency to homosexuality."
This is utterly unambiguous, and only about 100 years too late to be effective. What he is saying is that the priesthood must consist of men who have renounced the love of women, not those for whom it has never been a major temptation:
"Sexuality has an intrinsic meaning and direction, which is not homosexual. We could say, if we wanted to put it like this, that evolution has brought forth sexuality for the purpose of reproducing the species. The same thing is true from a theological point of view as well. The meaning and direction of sexuality is to bring about the union of man and woman
"And, in this way, to give humanity posterity, children, a future. This is the determination internal to the essence of sexuality. Everything else is against sexuality's intrinsic meaning and direction. This is a point we need to hold firm, even if it is not pleasing to our age ...
"Homosexuality is incompatible with the priestly vocation.
"Otherwise, celibacy itself would lose its meaning as a renunciation. It would be extremely dangerous if celibacy became a sort of pretext for bringing people into the priesthood who don't want to get married anyway."
COMMENT: But, of course, the vast majority of religious in the history of the Church have done just that. For much of the last two thousand years celibacy has been embraced by gay people, especially men, as a way of avoiding the problems of their sexual inclinations in cultures dangerously hostile to them and for women to avoid dying young in childbirth. This is not to say such people were any less committed to their vocations as anybody else - it is just a fact of church life.
Thanks to Cathy for sending in the link.
by Andrew Brown at THE GUARDIAN.
Hidden in Pope Benedict XVI's new book, Light of the World, is a story that is not about condoms, but will still be very important to the future of the Catholic church: he claims, on page 152, that even celibate homosexuals must be kept out of the priesthood.
"The Congregation for Education issued a decision a few years ago to the effect that homosexual candidates cannot become priests because their sexual orientation estranges them from the proper sense of paternity, from the intrinsic nature of priestly being. The selection of candidates to the priesthood must therefore be very careful.
"The greatest attention is needed here in order to prevent the intrusion of this kind of ambiguity and to head off a situation where the celibacy of priests would practically end up being identified with the tendency to homosexuality."
This is utterly unambiguous, and only about 100 years too late to be effective. What he is saying is that the priesthood must consist of men who have renounced the love of women, not those for whom it has never been a major temptation:
"Sexuality has an intrinsic meaning and direction, which is not homosexual. We could say, if we wanted to put it like this, that evolution has brought forth sexuality for the purpose of reproducing the species. The same thing is true from a theological point of view as well. The meaning and direction of sexuality is to bring about the union of man and woman
"And, in this way, to give humanity posterity, children, a future. This is the determination internal to the essence of sexuality. Everything else is against sexuality's intrinsic meaning and direction. This is a point we need to hold firm, even if it is not pleasing to our age ...
"Homosexuality is incompatible with the priestly vocation.
"Otherwise, celibacy itself would lose its meaning as a renunciation. It would be extremely dangerous if celibacy became a sort of pretext for bringing people into the priesthood who don't want to get married anyway."
COMMENT: But, of course, the vast majority of religious in the history of the Church have done just that. For much of the last two thousand years celibacy has been embraced by gay people, especially men, as a way of avoiding the problems of their sexual inclinations in cultures dangerously hostile to them and for women to avoid dying young in childbirth. This is not to say such people were any less committed to their vocations as anybody else - it is just a fact of church life.
Thanks to Cathy for sending in the link.
OH BUGGER, IT'S CHRISTMAS!
6TH. DECEMBER 2010
Okay, as it's so awful - one day off Advent and an extra day
added to Christmas if you get all the way through it.
THE DISENFRANCHISEMENT OF THE LAITY IN
THE C. OF E. CLERGY SELECTION PROCESS
I have received an extraordinary letter (extraordinary because of its honesty) from a lay member of an interviewing panel I was up before recently.
I have posted the entire letter on CHIN WAG @ OCICBW... but there is one point, made in the letter, that I want to highlight here on my open blog because it is so indicative of the problem innovative and mission minded priests have in getting a parish job in England.
The writer informs me that the laity on the interview panel had been allocated the questions they should ask by the bishop involved in the interview. The writer goes on to say that the laity on the panel would have loved to ask me questions, the answers to which were far more important to them than those they had been told to ask, but that they were too scared of "the bishop's wrath" to dare to ask them. They had identified the fact that I would have challenged them if they had appointed me and were undecided as to whether or not they wanted to take such an "uncomfortable" path. If they had been given the chance to ask follow up questions they would have had the information they needed to make a more informed decision regarding this. Without the information they decided to take the safe option (and, believe me, the bloke they went for in the end, is so "safe" that two of the three churches in the benefice will probably be closed down before the end of his time with them).
So here is the problem. Many congregations are prepared to consider going for a "dangerous" choice of priest if there is a chance that this will result in their continued existence and growth in their numbers. However, I have not yet met a bishop or archdeacon who is prepared to take such a risk, even if the congregation wants to. In the appointment process we now follow in the Church of England, the clergy (bishops, archdeacons and deans) have far too much influence on the final choice and, worse still, they are deliberately engineering the process to favour their idea of parish priesthood from the outset. As the higher ranked clergy are predominantly administrators nowadays this means that the priests favoured by them will be in their own image. Eventually some of these parish administrators become rural deans, archdeacons and bishops and so the vicious circle continues. The Church of England is sinking gently and safely under the waves of secularism. For goodness sake, if we're going to drown we really should go out with a splash and the only way to do this is to employ, at parish level, at least a few priests who will make some waves.
Details of how to access CHIN WAG @ OCICBW...
can be found in the right hand sidebar.
I have posted the entire letter on CHIN WAG @ OCICBW... but there is one point, made in the letter, that I want to highlight here on my open blog because it is so indicative of the problem innovative and mission minded priests have in getting a parish job in England.
The writer informs me that the laity on the interview panel had been allocated the questions they should ask by the bishop involved in the interview. The writer goes on to say that the laity on the panel would have loved to ask me questions, the answers to which were far more important to them than those they had been told to ask, but that they were too scared of "the bishop's wrath" to dare to ask them. They had identified the fact that I would have challenged them if they had appointed me and were undecided as to whether or not they wanted to take such an "uncomfortable" path. If they had been given the chance to ask follow up questions they would have had the information they needed to make a more informed decision regarding this. Without the information they decided to take the safe option (and, believe me, the bloke they went for in the end, is so "safe" that two of the three churches in the benefice will probably be closed down before the end of his time with them).
So here is the problem. Many congregations are prepared to consider going for a "dangerous" choice of priest if there is a chance that this will result in their continued existence and growth in their numbers. However, I have not yet met a bishop or archdeacon who is prepared to take such a risk, even if the congregation wants to. In the appointment process we now follow in the Church of England, the clergy (bishops, archdeacons and deans) have far too much influence on the final choice and, worse still, they are deliberately engineering the process to favour their idea of parish priesthood from the outset. As the higher ranked clergy are predominantly administrators nowadays this means that the priests favoured by them will be in their own image. Eventually some of these parish administrators become rural deans, archdeacons and bishops and so the vicious circle continues. The Church of England is sinking gently and safely under the waves of secularism. For goodness sake, if we're going to drown we really should go out with a splash and the only way to do this is to employ, at parish level, at least a few priests who will make some waves.
Details of how to access CHIN WAG @ OCICBW...
can be found in the right hand sidebar.
BISHOP GUILTY OF CRUELTY TO CHILDREN
From THE PRESS ASSOCIATION:
Santa Claus has been "hijacked" in Britain into becoming a Father Christmas of a "thousand adverts", a senior Church of England bishop has warned.
In his Christmas message, The Rt Rev Dr Alan Smith, Bishop of St Albans, said "It's sad that in Britain the selfless St Nicholas has been hijacked and has become the Father Christmas of a thousand adverts. We are left with little more than a materialistic Christmas, less about giving and more about self-pampering. Pester-power rules OK."
Dr Smith urged parents to put inexpensive oranges and gold chocolate coins into children's Christmas stockings as a way of remembering the saint.
In his Christmas message, The Rt Rev Dr Alan Smith, Bishop of St Albans, said "It's sad that in Britain the selfless St Nicholas has been hijacked and has become the Father Christmas of a thousand adverts. We are left with little more than a materialistic Christmas, less about giving and more about self-pampering. Pester-power rules OK."
Dr Smith urged parents to put inexpensive oranges and gold chocolate coins into children's Christmas stockings as a way of remembering the saint.
HEADLINE OF THE DAY
But, of course, the most obvious reason to exclude God from the classroom applies if the school in question is a Church of England school. If God cannot provide a letter from his vicar stating that God is a regular attender at his local Anglican church then there is no way he should get in. It is simply not fair for God to claim special circumstances and buck the system whilst the parents of other would-be students have to put so much effort into lying and cheating in order to get their little darlings into the school of their choice.
THEY SEEK HIM HERE, THEY SEEK HIM THERE
THE MIDNIGHT JUKEBOX
CLASSICAL MUSIC SPECIAL
Composers have written individual symphonies as good as any of Beethoven's symphonies but, in my opinion, the only person to have got anywhere near to his consistent excellence is Gustav Mahler. I have enjoyed his music for almost as long as I have enjoyed the music of Beethoven and when I am in the mood for something symphonic and complex (with a bit more to get my teeth into) I will put a Mahler CD in preference to a Beethoven one. My favourite Mahler symphony is number four but I had never come across a recording of it with which I have been satisfied with the playing, and production of, all four movements until I bought this new version last week.
The sound is completely sumptuous and really emphasises this symphony's claim to being one of the great romantic works of all time. Furthermore, Rosemary Joshua's performance in the fourth movement is exactly how I want the singy bit to be sung. I just cannot praise Herreweghe's interpretation highly enough and I bet he's well chuffed with himself, as well, as he has achieved exactly what he set out to achieve.
FROM THE BLURB: After a 30 year-long partnership with harmonia mundi, Philippe Herreweghe has founded his own label, PHI, coproduced with Outhere. For his first CD, he presents Mahler s Fourth Symphony. Under the leadership of Philippe Herreweghe, l Orchestre des Champs-Élysées has been striving, for almost twenty years, to attain an idiomatic style and forgotten colours. This Fourth Symphony by Mahler, interpreted on period instruments, champions resolutely modern aesthetics, far from standard interpretations. Beyond the sumptuous colours of l Orchestre des Champs-Élysées, beyond the meticulous work on the musical score, this recording confirms Herreweghe's intimacy with the world of the Viennese composers of the turn of the century.
Here are the first and fourth movements. Those of you who are into this sort of thing are going to really enjoy this. At least, I'm pretty confident you will.
PURCHASE VIA MADPRIEST'S AMAZON STORE
Sunday, 5 December 2010
THE PRAYER LIST
Posted by LKT at THE INFUSION:
I just wanted to highlight for you the news from Cote d'Ivoire.
There was a presidential election last Sunday, and the opposition candidate was declared the winner. But the president, who lost re-election, closed the borders to the country and barred foreign media on Thursday which, as one reporter wrote, is "a dangerous development that barely falls short of a military coup. But not the traditional type of coup against a sitting president, it's rather a coup on the future one."
And now, what do you know? The sitting president has been declared the winner of the election.
Not a pretty picture. One you might want to keep your eye on and add to your prayers.
UPDATE: Today, the sitting president, Laurent Gbagbo, took the oath of office to serve another term. And shortly thereafter, the challenger, Alassane Ouattara, who was originally declared the winner of the election, also was sworn in as president. Soooo...this isn't going to be a smooth transition, then.
***
From DAH·VEED:
I may be out of commission for a while. I broke a bottom molar and have an upper molar with a fractured filling, both on the right side of my mouth. So I thought that I was going to have a filling repaired and a root canal to begin preparing for a crown this afternoon.
But at the same time, I have thought for some weeks that I had a chronic deep sinus infection. But this morning the dentista said she wanted an x-ray of each tooth to make sure that they (her family are all dentists practicing together, each with their own speciality) were on the right track. Later she said that these two little x-rays did not really show enough damage to account for the amount of pain that I have been having for the last three days.
So she sent me down the street to a radiographology lab to have a full panoramic dental x-ray. I have a deeply impacted wisdom molar that is riding piggyback on the molar with the fractured filling and it has an abscess around it that has broken through to my sinus. So I am in for a rather large amount of surgery soon, before the infection reaches my brain, but perhaps not until early next week. Meanwhile, I am on heavy pain meds, without resorting to the opiate pharmacology as yet and also strong oral antibiotics.
I may be lurking, and not saying much for a week or two.
Please pray for me. And the entire Allen Gonzalez/ Secor de la Rosa clan, as they dote way too much on me and are always overly worried if I am ill.
***
From KEVIN:
I would like to thank everyone for their prayers the other day when I was on the list for worrying about lay offs. Well today came and I found out that I out of three people in my department, I was the only one who will not be laid off at this time. I feel bad for the guys who did get let go, I just hope that it truly is a temporary lay off. But the workload for three will still be there so I won't have a problem keeping busy.
***
Posted by The Postulant at EMBER DAYS:
I have apparently killed philosophy of religion at my university. And yesterday I received an e-mail from the Philosophy Department office manager, asking (demanding, actually, now that I think about it) that I make up a flier to advertise next semester's class in the hope of generating interest because the course is under-enrolled.
This is very depressing to me. I'm still as a good a teacher as I ever was. My extra-curricular teaching -- you know, the stuff I'm not paid for, like adult formation at church or that talk on immortality and resurrection I did on Wednesday for a life-long learners group in a neighboring city -- is very well-received. I feel good about that stuff. But it's hard not take it personally when there is less and less demand for the teaching that is actually part of my job.
***
Posted by Diana at THE KITCHEN DOOR:
I did something screwy to my knee in the fall. I babied it (RICE), it got better. Then I went on a REALLY ambitious run, and it made a very bad pain. I babied it (more RICE), it started to get better. I had a party to go to, decided to wear high-heeled boots with my skirt. We're back to babying again.
Since I've been in this cycle since late Sept./early Oct., I'm going to head to the doctor's on Monday, just to make sure there's not anything really wrong.
***
Posted by Kathy at KNITTING WITH MY SHOES OFF:
I haven't gotten much of anything done today because I didn't sleep much at all last night. I did manage to go to sleep pretty quickly and fairly early...for me, anyway. But I woke up after Tom got home with pain from my fibromyalgia and had to wait out the pain pill. It never really alleviated it so I took another one a couple of hours later. I finally dozed off only to wake up with pain again. I was having a hard time figuring out why I wasn't able to get ahead of the pain when I remembered...
I slid down the basement stairs yesterday while doing laundry. My right foot stayed on the third step from the bottom while my left foot hit the basement floor. A woman my age and weight just can't do the splits like that.
***
Posted by Grandmère Mimi at WOUNDED BIRD:
I know that everyone is praying so incredibly hard for Aileen, I just ask one more time that everyone PLEASE PLEASE pray harder Aileen has taken a turn for the worse and is now battling an infection in her body as well and all of her responses to people and stimulus had stopped she is no longer responding to us. Please just another big round of prayers. (Mike)
Aileen seems to have stabilized a bit today, she's not better but atleast she not getting any worse, need to find out what this infection is from so they can zero in on it with antibiotics instead of taking the shotgun effect and hoping they hit something. (Mike)
AND ALSO: Zoe was euthanized today at 4:30. She had gone down considerably in the last 24-48 hours. Will miss here sorely. (Frank)
Posted by Tracie at ON HOLLADAY - FLORIDA STYLE:
Don't know what the flock I've got, but it's not strep throat.
Doctor gave me a prescription for an antibiotic but he recommended I not fill it just yet. He said to give it a few days, and whatever I've got might clear up on it's own.
I kinda doubt that. My ears are in serious pain and are really plugged up. I think I'm also starting to blow yellow crap out of my nose now too. Well, I might have to get that antibiotic anyway.
It fucking well figures that as soon as I'm on vacation for an entire month, I'd come down sick. I'm sure Joe's illness is no help; he got sick first and brought it home to me. And here's the problem with him - he refuses to see a doctor, even though both my own doctor and one of the nurses at his office recommend that he see a doctor lest his illness get WORSE. Joe has an upper respiratory infection (he thinks it's a common cold) and it's getting into his lungs. That could get VERY BAD.
And Joe won't even take anything to ease his symptoms. No cough syrup, so he coughs thunderously all night. No decongestants, so he can breathe a little easier. I managed to get him to swallow some Thera-Flu, which seemed to help him a bit, but that was earlier this week and he hasn't touched it since.
Dammit. WHY would I have to get sick on my damn vacation?!
***
Posted by Paul at BYZIGENOUS BUDDHAPALIAN:
Please pray . . .
For David who just died at 45 years of age in Oregon, his mother Hildred, a member of Susan S's choir and her dear friend, and his "good brother" Carl.
For Tim, husband of Vicar Rhonda, who had a double knee replacement on Tuesday and now struggles through pain management and physical therapy so he can heal and begin enjoying new knees.
For Doug's mother.
Some days, she seems to be aware of her surroundings and to know who people are. Other days, she seems not to recognize anyone or anything. We don't know yet if this is temporary or permanent.
For the repose of the soul of Jack McGregor Lynn, my father-in-law. For my in-laws as they work through their grief.
***
From CATHY:
Is it possible for you to add to the prayer list that one of my two birdies, the girl, Birdbrain, seemed to have some kind of fit or seizure this morning? I think she is all right now but am not sure as I had to leave to go to work. She fell onto the floor of the cage and seemed to have no balance, or strength in her feet, and she seemed dazed. I picked her up and she sat on my hand for about five minutes without really moving, which is quite unlike her. I put them into their small cage so she couldn't fall again while I was out. She seemed better after that.
***
Posted by Phlipside at
THE VIEW FROM THE PHLIPSIDE:
Stroke stories - Moving Forward
This will probably be the last story in this series. I'm about 90-95% back to normal. I've started back at the gym, the headaches have faded to tiny little things that come and go. Honestly I go hours without any trace of them.
There was a presidential election last Sunday, and the opposition candidate was declared the winner. But the president, who lost re-election, closed the borders to the country and barred foreign media on Thursday which, as one reporter wrote, is "a dangerous development that barely falls short of a military coup. But not the traditional type of coup against a sitting president, it's rather a coup on the future one."
And now, what do you know? The sitting president has been declared the winner of the election.
Not a pretty picture. One you might want to keep your eye on and add to your prayers.
UPDATE: Today, the sitting president, Laurent Gbagbo, took the oath of office to serve another term. And shortly thereafter, the challenger, Alassane Ouattara, who was originally declared the winner of the election, also was sworn in as president. Soooo...this isn't going to be a smooth transition, then.
***
From DAH·VEED:
I may be out of commission for a while. I broke a bottom molar and have an upper molar with a fractured filling, both on the right side of my mouth. So I thought that I was going to have a filling repaired and a root canal to begin preparing for a crown this afternoon.
But at the same time, I have thought for some weeks that I had a chronic deep sinus infection. But this morning the dentista said she wanted an x-ray of each tooth to make sure that they (her family are all dentists practicing together, each with their own speciality) were on the right track. Later she said that these two little x-rays did not really show enough damage to account for the amount of pain that I have been having for the last three days.
So she sent me down the street to a radiographology lab to have a full panoramic dental x-ray. I have a deeply impacted wisdom molar that is riding piggyback on the molar with the fractured filling and it has an abscess around it that has broken through to my sinus. So I am in for a rather large amount of surgery soon, before the infection reaches my brain, but perhaps not until early next week. Meanwhile, I am on heavy pain meds, without resorting to the opiate pharmacology as yet and also strong oral antibiotics.
I may be lurking, and not saying much for a week or two.
Please pray for me. And the entire Allen Gonzalez/ Secor de la Rosa clan, as they dote way too much on me and are always overly worried if I am ill.
***
From KEVIN:
I would like to thank everyone for their prayers the other day when I was on the list for worrying about lay offs. Well today came and I found out that I out of three people in my department, I was the only one who will not be laid off at this time. I feel bad for the guys who did get let go, I just hope that it truly is a temporary lay off. But the workload for three will still be there so I won't have a problem keeping busy.
***
Posted by The Postulant at EMBER DAYS:
I have apparently killed philosophy of religion at my university. And yesterday I received an e-mail from the Philosophy Department office manager, asking (demanding, actually, now that I think about it) that I make up a flier to advertise next semester's class in the hope of generating interest because the course is under-enrolled.
This is very depressing to me. I'm still as a good a teacher as I ever was. My extra-curricular teaching -- you know, the stuff I'm not paid for, like adult formation at church or that talk on immortality and resurrection I did on Wednesday for a life-long learners group in a neighboring city -- is very well-received. I feel good about that stuff. But it's hard not take it personally when there is less and less demand for the teaching that is actually part of my job.
***
Posted by Diana at THE KITCHEN DOOR:
I did something screwy to my knee in the fall. I babied it (RICE), it got better. Then I went on a REALLY ambitious run, and it made a very bad pain. I babied it (more RICE), it started to get better. I had a party to go to, decided to wear high-heeled boots with my skirt. We're back to babying again.
Since I've been in this cycle since late Sept./early Oct., I'm going to head to the doctor's on Monday, just to make sure there's not anything really wrong.
***
Posted by Kathy at KNITTING WITH MY SHOES OFF:
I haven't gotten much of anything done today because I didn't sleep much at all last night. I did manage to go to sleep pretty quickly and fairly early...for me, anyway. But I woke up after Tom got home with pain from my fibromyalgia and had to wait out the pain pill. It never really alleviated it so I took another one a couple of hours later. I finally dozed off only to wake up with pain again. I was having a hard time figuring out why I wasn't able to get ahead of the pain when I remembered...
I slid down the basement stairs yesterday while doing laundry. My right foot stayed on the third step from the bottom while my left foot hit the basement floor. A woman my age and weight just can't do the splits like that.
***
Posted by Grandmère Mimi at WOUNDED BIRD:
I know that everyone is praying so incredibly hard for Aileen, I just ask one more time that everyone PLEASE PLEASE pray harder Aileen has taken a turn for the worse and is now battling an infection in her body as well and all of her responses to people and stimulus had stopped she is no longer responding to us. Please just another big round of prayers. (Mike)
Aileen seems to have stabilized a bit today, she's not better but atleast she not getting any worse, need to find out what this infection is from so they can zero in on it with antibiotics instead of taking the shotgun effect and hoping they hit something. (Mike)
AND ALSO: Zoe was euthanized today at 4:30. She had gone down considerably in the last 24-48 hours. Will miss here sorely. (Frank)
Posted by Tracie at ON HOLLADAY - FLORIDA STYLE:
Don't know what the flock I've got, but it's not strep throat.
Doctor gave me a prescription for an antibiotic but he recommended I not fill it just yet. He said to give it a few days, and whatever I've got might clear up on it's own.
I kinda doubt that. My ears are in serious pain and are really plugged up. I think I'm also starting to blow yellow crap out of my nose now too. Well, I might have to get that antibiotic anyway.
It fucking well figures that as soon as I'm on vacation for an entire month, I'd come down sick. I'm sure Joe's illness is no help; he got sick first and brought it home to me. And here's the problem with him - he refuses to see a doctor, even though both my own doctor and one of the nurses at his office recommend that he see a doctor lest his illness get WORSE. Joe has an upper respiratory infection (he thinks it's a common cold) and it's getting into his lungs. That could get VERY BAD.
And Joe won't even take anything to ease his symptoms. No cough syrup, so he coughs thunderously all night. No decongestants, so he can breathe a little easier. I managed to get him to swallow some Thera-Flu, which seemed to help him a bit, but that was earlier this week and he hasn't touched it since.
Dammit. WHY would I have to get sick on my damn vacation?!
***
Posted by Paul at BYZIGENOUS BUDDHAPALIAN:
Please pray . . .
For David who just died at 45 years of age in Oregon, his mother Hildred, a member of Susan S's choir and her dear friend, and his "good brother" Carl.
For Tim, husband of Vicar Rhonda, who had a double knee replacement on Tuesday and now struggles through pain management and physical therapy so he can heal and begin enjoying new knees.
For Doug's mother.
Some days, she seems to be aware of her surroundings and to know who people are. Other days, she seems not to recognize anyone or anything. We don't know yet if this is temporary or permanent.
For the repose of the soul of Jack McGregor Lynn, my father-in-law. For my in-laws as they work through their grief.
***
From CATHY:
***
Posted by Phlipside at
THE VIEW FROM THE PHLIPSIDE:
Stroke stories - Moving Forward
This will probably be the last story in this series. I'm about 90-95% back to normal. I've started back at the gym, the headaches have faded to tiny little things that come and go. Honestly I go hours without any trace of them.
Friday, 3 December 2010
A BIPOLAR NATION
The United States of America is a manic depressive and this really pisses me off.
They do a wonderful thing. They elect Barack Obama as president. They cheer this great moment in their history with maniacal displays of jubilation that, quite honestly, embarrassed those of us with a more reticent way of doing things. But we all saw what a great thing they had done and we celebrated with them and we believed what they were telling us about the change that had come. Then, almost before the Obamas had moved their furniture into the White House, the US population descended into a deep depressive state and snuffed out the candle of hope it had lit only a few weeks earlier.
Okay, Obama has been pragmatic when some wanted idealism to rule the day and he has not lived up to all his electoral promise. But, heck, even Jesus Christ didn't live up to God's election manifesto, the Old Testament.
Obama is a good man (at least he is until it is proven otherwise which has not happened and, I personally believe, will not happen). Furthermore, he is the best the US has got. Yet even those who supported him before his election are being so negative about him that there is every chance that they will end up voting for Armageddon at the end of his first term in office.
The rest of the world thinks the US is crazy. We can see that, because of Obama's presidential style alone, his calm manner and his thoughtfulness, the world is a much safer place at this moment in time (I cite the fact that the world didn't end the day after North Korea bombed South Korea recently as complete and utter proof of this). None of us trust our political leaders completely, but Obama has already won more trust from us than we are normally prepared to give. That Americans turned against him so early on in his presidential career confuses the hell out of us. It also scares us because it makes them come across as immature and we know they have the biggest bombs of all.
Don't dismiss this rant as the words of just one, informed, Western European. When the Russian press starts saying exactly the same thing as I am then, really, Americans should start paying attention. And start acting responsibly. Their status on the world stage at the moment is higher than it has been since the end of WWII - higher than when JFK was running things, because Obama has even won the admiration of its old, Cold War enemy.
From PRAVDA (30th. November 2010):
By attacking the democratically elected President of the United States of America at a sensitive time in her country's history, Sarah Palin shows the tact of a boorish drunkard bawling obscenities at a funeral. If Sarah Palin is not some kind of a massive political joke in the USA, wheeled out to liven up the political scene from time to time with nonsensical and pastiche (one hopes) displays of sheer and utter ignorance, then it is worrying.
Just occasionally, one encounters a bar-room idiot whose party piece is belching loudly before falling backwards off his stool, bouncing off the floor on his backside with a background provided by guffaws of laughter, yet who winks knowingly as he is carried out with his feet scraping along the ground and says "Don't worry son, most of it is an act".
The act. It reminds one of Marilyn Monroe putting on the act of the dumb blonde. But an act it was, a character projected by a shrewd, intelligent and charismatic woman with the ability to invent a persona. Sarah Palin, however, is the real-life thing. And it is becoming patently obvious that it isn't an act.
And now she turns not only against the fibre and backbone of her country, but against its democratically-elected President, accusing him of being incompetent for not stopping Wikileaks. Where was she and where was her GOP before and during the 9/11 attacks? She accuses President Obama of not taking "steps" to assure the leaks were not published. What "steps"?
President Obama after all knows the difference between North and South Korea, he knows that Hawaii is the largest US island and not Kodiak and he does not use the expression "refudiate". If anything is a threat to the national security of the United States of America, it is this screaming, unrefined oaf with as much class as a searing release of flatulence followed by hysterical giggling at a state banquet. Is this what the people of the USA deserve?
To attack the President of the country at a time when the USA needs to close ranks and stand together to consolidate the enormous strides his intelligent and respectful approach has achieved in building bridges, when her party's period in government bombed them, Spankin' Sarah Palin comes across as a pitifully inadequate anachronism from the times of the Far West.
The United States of America has evolved. She has not.
COMMENT: So, there you have it. The rest of the world does not hate America, it just hates its idiots and unfortunately, in the past, Americans have been in the habit of electing their biggest idiots to the presidency. But this time they have not and they should take advantage of what may be a one off anomaly in their political history. In other words, they should "cut the complaining," at least to a reasonable level, and they should certainly stop allowing Sarah Palin to do the complaining for them. Believe me, she is what the world hears, and the US is in serious danger of being equated communally with someone who thinks fart jokes are funny. How stupid is that when they have a gentleman and a scholar as their official head of state and representative on the world stage.
Thanks to Our Trace for the link to the Pravda opinion piece.
They do a wonderful thing. They elect Barack Obama as president. They cheer this great moment in their history with maniacal displays of jubilation that, quite honestly, embarrassed those of us with a more reticent way of doing things. But we all saw what a great thing they had done and we celebrated with them and we believed what they were telling us about the change that had come. Then, almost before the Obamas had moved their furniture into the White House, the US population descended into a deep depressive state and snuffed out the candle of hope it had lit only a few weeks earlier.
Okay, Obama has been pragmatic when some wanted idealism to rule the day and he has not lived up to all his electoral promise. But, heck, even Jesus Christ didn't live up to God's election manifesto, the Old Testament.
Obama is a good man (at least he is until it is proven otherwise which has not happened and, I personally believe, will not happen). Furthermore, he is the best the US has got. Yet even those who supported him before his election are being so negative about him that there is every chance that they will end up voting for Armageddon at the end of his first term in office.
The rest of the world thinks the US is crazy. We can see that, because of Obama's presidential style alone, his calm manner and his thoughtfulness, the world is a much safer place at this moment in time (I cite the fact that the world didn't end the day after North Korea bombed South Korea recently as complete and utter proof of this). None of us trust our political leaders completely, but Obama has already won more trust from us than we are normally prepared to give. That Americans turned against him so early on in his presidential career confuses the hell out of us. It also scares us because it makes them come across as immature and we know they have the biggest bombs of all.
Don't dismiss this rant as the words of just one, informed, Western European. When the Russian press starts saying exactly the same thing as I am then, really, Americans should start paying attention. And start acting responsibly. Their status on the world stage at the moment is higher than it has been since the end of WWII - higher than when JFK was running things, because Obama has even won the admiration of its old, Cold War enemy.
From PRAVDA (30th. November 2010):
By attacking the democratically elected President of the United States of America at a sensitive time in her country's history, Sarah Palin shows the tact of a boorish drunkard bawling obscenities at a funeral. If Sarah Palin is not some kind of a massive political joke in the USA, wheeled out to liven up the political scene from time to time with nonsensical and pastiche (one hopes) displays of sheer and utter ignorance, then it is worrying.
Just occasionally, one encounters a bar-room idiot whose party piece is belching loudly before falling backwards off his stool, bouncing off the floor on his backside with a background provided by guffaws of laughter, yet who winks knowingly as he is carried out with his feet scraping along the ground and says "Don't worry son, most of it is an act".
The act. It reminds one of Marilyn Monroe putting on the act of the dumb blonde. But an act it was, a character projected by a shrewd, intelligent and charismatic woman with the ability to invent a persona. Sarah Palin, however, is the real-life thing. And it is becoming patently obvious that it isn't an act.
And now she turns not only against the fibre and backbone of her country, but against its democratically-elected President, accusing him of being incompetent for not stopping Wikileaks. Where was she and where was her GOP before and during the 9/11 attacks? She accuses President Obama of not taking "steps" to assure the leaks were not published. What "steps"?
President Obama after all knows the difference between North and South Korea, he knows that Hawaii is the largest US island and not Kodiak and he does not use the expression "refudiate". If anything is a threat to the national security of the United States of America, it is this screaming, unrefined oaf with as much class as a searing release of flatulence followed by hysterical giggling at a state banquet. Is this what the people of the USA deserve?
To attack the President of the country at a time when the USA needs to close ranks and stand together to consolidate the enormous strides his intelligent and respectful approach has achieved in building bridges, when her party's period in government bombed them, Spankin' Sarah Palin comes across as a pitifully inadequate anachronism from the times of the Far West.
The United States of America has evolved. She has not.
COMMENT: So, there you have it. The rest of the world does not hate America, it just hates its idiots and unfortunately, in the past, Americans have been in the habit of electing their biggest idiots to the presidency. But this time they have not and they should take advantage of what may be a one off anomaly in their political history. In other words, they should "cut the complaining," at least to a reasonable level, and they should certainly stop allowing Sarah Palin to do the complaining for them. Believe me, she is what the world hears, and the US is in serious danger of being equated communally with someone who thinks fart jokes are funny. How stupid is that when they have a gentleman and a scholar as their official head of state and representative on the world stage.
Thanks to Our Trace for the link to the Pravda opinion piece.
SAINT ALIVE
There is one credal statement of which no greater can be imagined. It is never provisional and it cannot be subject to any other statement. All other statements are subject to it and are untruthful if they do not fully agree with it or give rise to anything that is not of it. There are no exceptions. Scripture, the Church and God cannot add to, lessen or change it in any way. It is of itself as God is of Godself, because it is God. It is the greatest truth from which all reality flows.
God is love.
And it's not rocket science. It is always obvious. If two people love each other then that love is of God and is God. You cannot say "but, " because that would make it subject to something else which, as it is God (God is love) it can never be.
It is singular and pure. It cannot be divided and compared to itself. It is never more loving to do one thing than another. Therefore, you cannot forbid love out of love.
To realise that God is love and to accept it as the basis of your every decision is to kiss your arse goodbye and join Jesus on the cross. But your reward will be in heaven.
Full story at SAN DIEGO GAY AND LESBIAN NEWS.
God is love.
And it's not rocket science. It is always obvious. If two people love each other then that love is of God and is God. You cannot say "but, " because that would make it subject to something else which, as it is God (God is love) it can never be.
It is singular and pure. It cannot be divided and compared to itself. It is never more loving to do one thing than another. Therefore, you cannot forbid love out of love.
To realise that God is love and to accept it as the basis of your every decision is to kiss your arse goodbye and join Jesus on the cross. But your reward will be in heaven.
Full story at SAN DIEGO GAY AND LESBIAN NEWS.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
THE PRAYER LIST
3RD. DECEMBER 2010
Posted by Fr. David at THE VERNACULAR CURATE:
Today (December 3rd) is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Like so many such days, it is quite likely to miss the radar of many, so I thought I would do my little bit for the cause!
. . . Churches are rather lovely for the reasonably able-bodied; tickety-boo if you can see, hear and walk. Often, our old and most beautiful temples are the culprit - but that doesn't make it alright. Christians will fight tooth and nail to ensure that a Patagonian yak farmer gets a fair price for his yak-juice, but seem to miss the point when, for example, my mate Rob, a deaf man, finds it impossible to worship his God with others in the county where he lives. Perhaps a designated day that could in fact apply to every one of us could encourage us to look with honesty and candour at the 'service' our churches offer.
...then do something about it, perhaps?
***
Posted by Elizabeth at TELLING SECRETS:
This picture was taken last year, in front of the rectory in Chatham. I had it planted there, in the place of an unsightly hole in the front yard of the rectory, and called it "The Jaime Tree" in honor of our eldest daughter who died December 2, 2004. Today is the sixth anniversary of her death. Her name comes from the French J'aime: "I love".
Here's the problem with grief. Everyone says it "gets better". It does not. It doesn't get better. It doesn't get worse. It just . . .is.
So, you'll excuse me if I take my leave today. I'm going into Rehoboth Beach to walk the Boardwalk and listen to the ocean. Watch the seagulls cry out as the waves crash on the shore. Lose myself in the cold, steel-gray-blue sky. Feel fleeting moments of the warmth of the sun as the cold ocean breeze slaps itself against my face. My hands. My body. My tears. Remind myself about the small mercies and great mystery of being fully alive. Look into some of the beautiful ocean side homes and see if I can catch a glimpse of a Christmas tree, by the window, dressed in lights and tinsel and ornaments. And, pick over the broken, torn pieces in my heart, untangling the web of grief, searching for small slivers of gratitude. And, hope. And, comfort. And, joy.
***
Posted by Ormonde at THROUGH THE DUST:
The following men were murdered this week in the New Orleans metro area:
11/25 Earl Wheeler, 21, Shot, Orleans
11/29 Melvin Sissler, 36, Shot, Orleans
11/29 Ricky Lumar, 24 , Shot, Orleans
11/29 Joshua Roussell, Shot, Jefferson
12/1 Torrance Massey, 19, Shot , Orleans
There is at least one other shooting victim in critical condition who remains unnamed in the news. Please pray for the victims, their families, and their murderers.
***
Posted by Kathy at KNITTING WITH MY SHOES OFF:
This one is about a young man just a few short months younger than Zach. Just 21 years old who will never get any older. Jon was in Zach's youth group at the old fundie church we used to be members of. There was a hint of things troubling him back in high school and the solutions were prayer and laying hands on him. And setting impossible standards to live by.
I don't know what Jon's problems were at this age because we lost touch when we left that church. But Tuesday night he attempted suicide and yesterday at 2:30 p.m. his attempt was successful. On his memorial page everyone talks about how fun he was and how he always was joking and made them laugh. And he was that. He was a clown and very likable. I don't know of anyone who didn't love Jon.
***
From Ann (posted at WOUNDED BIRD):
Prayers are needed for a young mother (37), named Aileen, who was in my sixth grade class many years ago. She is in ICU in Rapid and has been in a coma for several days. She has two little boys.
Today (December 3rd) is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Like so many such days, it is quite likely to miss the radar of many, so I thought I would do my little bit for the cause!
. . . Churches are rather lovely for the reasonably able-bodied; tickety-boo if you can see, hear and walk. Often, our old and most beautiful temples are the culprit - but that doesn't make it alright. Christians will fight tooth and nail to ensure that a Patagonian yak farmer gets a fair price for his yak-juice, but seem to miss the point when, for example, my mate Rob, a deaf man, finds it impossible to worship his God with others in the county where he lives. Perhaps a designated day that could in fact apply to every one of us could encourage us to look with honesty and candour at the 'service' our churches offer.
...then do something about it, perhaps?
***
Posted by Elizabeth at TELLING SECRETS:
Here's the problem with grief. Everyone says it "gets better". It does not. It doesn't get better. It doesn't get worse. It just . . .is.
So, you'll excuse me if I take my leave today. I'm going into Rehoboth Beach to walk the Boardwalk and listen to the ocean. Watch the seagulls cry out as the waves crash on the shore. Lose myself in the cold, steel-gray-blue sky. Feel fleeting moments of the warmth of the sun as the cold ocean breeze slaps itself against my face. My hands. My body. My tears. Remind myself about the small mercies and great mystery of being fully alive. Look into some of the beautiful ocean side homes and see if I can catch a glimpse of a Christmas tree, by the window, dressed in lights and tinsel and ornaments. And, pick over the broken, torn pieces in my heart, untangling the web of grief, searching for small slivers of gratitude. And, hope. And, comfort. And, joy.
***
Posted by Ormonde at THROUGH THE DUST:
The following men were murdered this week in the New Orleans metro area:
11/25 Earl Wheeler, 21, Shot, Orleans
11/29 Melvin Sissler, 36, Shot, Orleans
11/29 Ricky Lumar, 24 , Shot, Orleans
11/29 Joshua Roussell, Shot, Jefferson
12/1 Torrance Massey, 19, Shot , Orleans
There is at least one other shooting victim in critical condition who remains unnamed in the news. Please pray for the victims, their families, and their murderers.
***
Posted by Kathy at KNITTING WITH MY SHOES OFF:
This one is about a young man just a few short months younger than Zach. Just 21 years old who will never get any older. Jon was in Zach's youth group at the old fundie church we used to be members of. There was a hint of things troubling him back in high school and the solutions were prayer and laying hands on him. And setting impossible standards to live by.
I don't know what Jon's problems were at this age because we lost touch when we left that church. But Tuesday night he attempted suicide and yesterday at 2:30 p.m. his attempt was successful. On his memorial page everyone talks about how fun he was and how he always was joking and made them laugh. And he was that. He was a clown and very likable. I don't know of anyone who didn't love Jon.
***
From Ann (posted at WOUNDED BIRD):
Prayers are needed for a young mother (37), named Aileen, who was in my sixth grade class many years ago. She is in ICU in Rapid and has been in a coma for several days. She has two little boys.
WELL, HE CERTAINLY LEARNT WHAT
TO DO WITH IT PRETTY DAMN QUICK
From THE MIAMI HERALD:
Ruhama Buni Cutié, wife of Miami, Episcopalian priest, Alberto Cutié, gave birth to Camila Victoria Cutie on Tuesday.
"We take this opportunity to thank our family, church community and friends for your love and support. There is great joy in being a Father, who is also a 'father'. We are truly blessed!'' Alberto said in an email announcement on Thursday.
"We take this opportunity to thank our family, church community and friends for your love and support. There is great joy in being a Father, who is also a 'father'. We are truly blessed!'' Alberto said in an email announcement on Thursday.
Thursday, 2 December 2010
DON'T BLAME MADPRIEST, BLAME MAD DAD
The following joke was originally about Glaswegians. But, even though the Scots are not exactly in my good books today, I have altered it to a more believable scenario.
On a bitterly cold winter's morning a husband and wife in Sunderland were listening to the radio during breakfast. They heard the announcer say, "We are going to have 8 to 10 inches of snow today. You must park your car on the even-numbered side of the street, so the snowploughs can get through".
So the wife went out and moved her car as instructed.
A week later while they are eating breakfast again, the radio announcer said, "We are expecting 10 to 12 inches of snow today. You must park your car on the odd-numbered side of the street, so the snowploughs can get through".
The wife went out and moved her car again.
The next week they are again having breakfast when the radio announcer says, "We are expecting 12 to 14 inches of snow today. You must park......." Then the electric power went out. The wife was very upset, and with a worried look on her face she said, "I don't know what to do. Which side of the street do I need to park on so the snowploughs can get through?"
To which the husband replied "Why don't you just leave the bloody car in the garage this time?"
On a bitterly cold winter's morning a husband and wife in Sunderland were listening to the radio during breakfast. They heard the announcer say, "We are going to have 8 to 10 inches of snow today. You must park your car on the even-numbered side of the street, so the snowploughs can get through".
So the wife went out and moved her car as instructed.
A week later while they are eating breakfast again, the radio announcer said, "We are expecting 10 to 12 inches of snow today. You must park your car on the odd-numbered side of the street, so the snowploughs can get through".
The wife went out and moved her car again.
The next week they are again having breakfast when the radio announcer says, "We are expecting 12 to 14 inches of snow today. You must park......." Then the electric power went out. The wife was very upset, and with a worried look on her face she said, "I don't know what to do. Which side of the street do I need to park on so the snowploughs can get through?"
To which the husband replied "Why don't you just leave the bloody car in the garage this time?"
THE CONTINUING TRAVAILS
OF AN UNWANTED PRIEST
For some reason I have had absolutely no luck with my applications to Scottish churches. I have come to the conclusion that the image they like to put over internationally bears absolutely no relationship to the reality of their church life at parish level. They are "afeared" and a lot of them are right snobs.
TO BOLDLY GO . . .
From NZ HERALD:
A solar-powered electric popemobile?
The Vatican says Pope Benedict XVI would gladly use one as another sign of his efforts to promote sustainable energy and safeguard God's creation.
Cardinal Giovanni Lajolo, who runs the Vatican City state, said that the pope would certainly prefer an electric popemobile to a traditional one. But he says one has to be offered.
Well, here's one that is absolutely perfect:
A solar-powered electric popemobile?
The Vatican says Pope Benedict XVI would gladly use one as another sign of his efforts to promote sustainable energy and safeguard God's creation.
Cardinal Giovanni Lajolo, who runs the Vatican City state, said that the pope would certainly prefer an electric popemobile to a traditional one. But he says one has to be offered.
Well, here's one that is absolutely perfect:
THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE BEAUTIFUL
THE GOOD:
From CNSNEWS.COM:
The Council on American-Islamic Relations said it supports “common decency” and “mutual respect,” but CAIR spokesman Ibrahim Hooper stopped short of calling for the removal of an exhibit that features images of an ant-covered Jesus and “homoerotic art” currently at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Portrait Gallery
“We don’t want to be in a position of banning art or censoring art,” Hooper told CNSNews.com on Tuesday.
THE BAD:
From THE GUARDIAN:
Christian activists have notched up an important victory in their attempt to cleanse the art world of what they see as offensive use of religious images by forcing the National Portrait Gallery in Washington to remove a video about Aids from an exhibition on sexuality in portraiture. The Catholic League, one of the most aggressive interventionist groups within the religious right, expressed its relief after the decision was announced last night to pull A Fire in My Belly, a four-minute video that forms part of the gallery's newly opened show, Hide/Seek. The league had objected to a sequence of 11 seconds within the video that depicts Jesus on the cross being eaten by large black ants.
Within hours of the league launching its attack through emails and media interviews, the gallery had bowed to the pressure and withdrawn the video.
The nature of the attack on the Smithsonian was particularly worrying for those concerned about censorship in the arts because at its heart was the threat of funding cuts against the institution. The Catholic League prompted John Boehner, the new leader of the Republicans in the House of Representatives, to threaten retribution through the national purse.
From CRANMER:
This is the picture which Hugh Dallas, Scottish Football Association's head of referee development, forwarded to his friends on the eve of Pope Benedict's visit to Scotland in September, and over which he has been forced to resign.
The Roman Catholic Church called it a 'tasteless message' and demanded that the SFA sack Mr Dallas. The Director of the Catholic Media Office, Peter Kearney, urged very swift retribution. He said the email was 'totally unprofessional, gratuitously insulting to the Pope, deeply offensive to the Catholic community of Scotland and an incitement to anti-Catholic sectarianism'.
From THE SCOTTISH SUN:
In the wake of the Hugh Dallas email row, Richard Dawkins has slammed the SFA's decision. He called on people to swamp the church's media office with similar emails after giving out their address and branding boss Peter Kearney "a nasty little weasel". And the professor also encouraged readers of his website to bombard SFA chief Stewart Regan with messages - branding him a "coward" who is "responsible for this craven giving-in to Catholic censorship."
The big question is, "Who defaced the road sign in the first place?"
In the light of THIS POST published by a certain blogger back in April of this year, I have a sneakin' suspicion that it was one of OCICBW...'s gentlemen Scottish readers. But as they are all very naughty boys I cannot hazard a guess as to which one was actually responsible.
THE BEAUTIFUL:
From THE JERUSALEM POST:
Steady rain Tuesday did not stop people from attending a candlelight vigil in support of an Islamic center targeted by an apparent hate crime after a teen who occasionally worshiped there was accused of planning mass killings in Portland. Hundreds of residents of this small college town came out for the vigil at the Salman Alfarisi Islamic Center.
Elizabeth Oettinger, senior minister of the First Congregational Church United Church of Christ, said a number of religious leaders organized the event to show support for the Muslim community after the center's office was set on fire Sunday.
Rabbi Benjamin Barnett noted the vigil outside the mosque came one day before the start of the Jewish celebration of Hanukkah, the festival of lights.
"Truly this is a festival of lights right now," he said. "The Muslim community — Muslim brothers and sisters standing here now outside your holy place — have been dealt a blow of darkness. The question is, what's the light in response? And I think I'm looking at it right now."
And finally, because the Italian Church
is the original curate's egg:
From CNSNEWS.COM:
The Council on American-Islamic Relations said it supports “common decency” and “mutual respect,” but CAIR spokesman Ibrahim Hooper stopped short of calling for the removal of an exhibit that features images of an ant-covered Jesus and “homoerotic art” currently at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Portrait Gallery
“We don’t want to be in a position of banning art or censoring art,” Hooper told CNSNews.com on Tuesday.
THE BAD:
From THE GUARDIAN:
Christian activists have notched up an important victory in their attempt to cleanse the art world of what they see as offensive use of religious images by forcing the National Portrait Gallery in Washington to remove a video about Aids from an exhibition on sexuality in portraiture. The Catholic League, one of the most aggressive interventionist groups within the religious right, expressed its relief after the decision was announced last night to pull A Fire in My Belly, a four-minute video that forms part of the gallery's newly opened show, Hide/Seek. The league had objected to a sequence of 11 seconds within the video that depicts Jesus on the cross being eaten by large black ants.
Within hours of the league launching its attack through emails and media interviews, the gallery had bowed to the pressure and withdrawn the video.
The nature of the attack on the Smithsonian was particularly worrying for those concerned about censorship in the arts because at its heart was the threat of funding cuts against the institution. The Catholic League prompted John Boehner, the new leader of the Republicans in the House of Representatives, to threaten retribution through the national purse.
From CRANMER:
The Roman Catholic Church called it a 'tasteless message' and demanded that the SFA sack Mr Dallas. The Director of the Catholic Media Office, Peter Kearney, urged very swift retribution. He said the email was 'totally unprofessional, gratuitously insulting to the Pope, deeply offensive to the Catholic community of Scotland and an incitement to anti-Catholic sectarianism'.
From THE SCOTTISH SUN:
In the wake of the Hugh Dallas email row, Richard Dawkins has slammed the SFA's decision. He called on people to swamp the church's media office with similar emails after giving out their address and branding boss Peter Kearney "a nasty little weasel". And the professor also encouraged readers of his website to bombard SFA chief Stewart Regan with messages - branding him a "coward" who is "responsible for this craven giving-in to Catholic censorship."
The big question is, "Who defaced the road sign in the first place?"
In the light of THIS POST published by a certain blogger back in April of this year, I have a sneakin' suspicion that it was one of OCICBW...'s gentlemen Scottish readers. But as they are all very naughty boys I cannot hazard a guess as to which one was actually responsible.
THE BEAUTIFUL:
From THE JERUSALEM POST:
Steady rain Tuesday did not stop people from attending a candlelight vigil in support of an Islamic center targeted by an apparent hate crime after a teen who occasionally worshiped there was accused of planning mass killings in Portland. Hundreds of residents of this small college town came out for the vigil at the Salman Alfarisi Islamic Center.
Elizabeth Oettinger, senior minister of the First Congregational Church United Church of Christ, said a number of religious leaders organized the event to show support for the Muslim community after the center's office was set on fire Sunday.
Rabbi Benjamin Barnett noted the vigil outside the mosque came one day before the start of the Jewish celebration of Hanukkah, the festival of lights.
"Truly this is a festival of lights right now," he said. "The Muslim community — Muslim brothers and sisters standing here now outside your holy place — have been dealt a blow of darkness. The question is, what's the light in response? And I think I'm looking at it right now."
And finally, because the Italian Church
is the original curate's egg:
IS IT REALLY "WORTH IT"
From THE LOCAL (Sweden):
The Swedish consumer ombudsman has won a case against L'Oréal Sweden, which means that firm has to provide proof in order to claim in advertising that its face creams can reduce or remove wrinkles.
"The verdict is a great success and a guide for all companies that market beauty creams. It has now become clearer what one cannot claim either in writing or through images in advertising," Agneta Broberg, deputy consumer ombudsman said in a statement on Wednesday.
In addition, the court said it would fine L'Oréal Sweden 1 million kronor ($143,000) if it does not comply with the ruling and ordered L'Oréal to pay 226,400 kronor in KO's legal costs, of which 181,400 kronor concerned fees, in addition to interest from the date of the verdict until payment is made.
The Swedish consumer ombudsman has won a case against L'Oréal Sweden, which means that firm has to provide proof in order to claim in advertising that its face creams can reduce or remove wrinkles.
"The verdict is a great success and a guide for all companies that market beauty creams. It has now become clearer what one cannot claim either in writing or through images in advertising," Agneta Broberg, deputy consumer ombudsman said in a statement on Wednesday.
In addition, the court said it would fine L'Oréal Sweden 1 million kronor ($143,000) if it does not comply with the ruling and ordered L'Oréal to pay 226,400 kronor in KO's legal costs, of which 181,400 kronor concerned fees, in addition to interest from the date of the verdict until payment is made.
COCKFIGHTING GAINS POPULARITY IN GERMANY
From THE LOCAL (Germany):
To mark World AIDS Day on Wednesday, a German organisation has created a risqué online game allowing men to use their penises in a boxing match using a high-tech condom and a webcam. The group Vergiss AIDS nicht, or “Don’t forget AIDS,” released their game “Cock Out” for the December 1 day of awareness, aiming to “animate” the struggle to stop the disease and promote condom use.
Under the mantra "learning by doing," the organisation hopes the game that uses an anatomical “joystick” will get young men thinking about protection through “multi-sensory learning.”
After receiving the special digital condom in the mail, players turn on their webcam, don the device, and use it to step into a virtual boxing ring as a proud cartoon penis character to battle a green-eyed cartoon HIV character who embodies the virus that causes AIDS.
Yes, of course, we have the video!
To mark World AIDS Day on Wednesday, a German organisation has created a risqué online game allowing men to use their penises in a boxing match using a high-tech condom and a webcam. The group Vergiss AIDS nicht, or “Don’t forget AIDS,” released their game “Cock Out” for the December 1 day of awareness, aiming to “animate” the struggle to stop the disease and promote condom use.
Under the mantra "learning by doing," the organisation hopes the game that uses an anatomical “joystick” will get young men thinking about protection through “multi-sensory learning.”
After receiving the special digital condom in the mail, players turn on their webcam, don the device, and use it to step into a virtual boxing ring as a proud cartoon penis character to battle a green-eyed cartoon HIV character who embodies the virus that causes AIDS.
Yes, of course, we have the video!
VE HAVE WAYS OF MAKING YOU CHEW
From THE LOCAL (Germany):
Few things annoy most teachers more than pupils chewing gum in class, but a primary school in Bavaria is now actively encouraging them to do so — in order to improve their grades.
"No one is being forced to chew gum," headmaster Hans Dasch told news agency AFP. "But it helps the children concentrate and deal with stress, particularly during written tests."
But it is not anarchy. According to a "firm agreement" with teachers, the children must keep their mouths closed while chewing and properly dispose of the gum. To this end, each desk equipped with a special container decorated by the children themselves with bees, ladybirds, snails and the like in partnership with a local artist.
"All the children respect the rules. None of them makes bubbles ...None of them stick their gum on the seats," said the headmaster, who admits he chews gum too, along with several teachers.
"The pupils chew in a very disciplined manner," he said.
COMMENT: It would have taken something a bit more potent than Wrigleys to keep me fully cognitive during some of the lessons I had to sit through as a kid. In fact, my biggest worry with this experiment is that children will choke to death should they swallow the gum whilst dozing off at the back of class.
Few things annoy most teachers more than pupils chewing gum in class, but a primary school in Bavaria is now actively encouraging them to do so — in order to improve their grades.
"No one is being forced to chew gum," headmaster Hans Dasch told news agency AFP. "But it helps the children concentrate and deal with stress, particularly during written tests."
But it is not anarchy. According to a "firm agreement" with teachers, the children must keep their mouths closed while chewing and properly dispose of the gum. To this end, each desk equipped with a special container decorated by the children themselves with bees, ladybirds, snails and the like in partnership with a local artist.
"All the children respect the rules. None of them makes bubbles ...None of them stick their gum on the seats," said the headmaster, who admits he chews gum too, along with several teachers.
"The pupils chew in a very disciplined manner," he said.
COMMENT: It would have taken something a bit more potent than Wrigleys to keep me fully cognitive during some of the lessons I had to sit through as a kid. In fact, my biggest worry with this experiment is that children will choke to death should they swallow the gum whilst dozing off at the back of class.
A HAPPY AND PEACEFUL HANUKKAH . . .
. . . to all my readers who immediately claim Jewish decent whenever I write something critical about "dem Israelites".
(Words by MadPriest)
SERIOUS QUESTION: Are, religiously inclined, Jewish people allowed to have dogs in the house?
SERIOUS QUESTION: Are, religiously inclined, Jewish people allowed to have dogs in the house?
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
There are two posts at ON HOLLADAY - FLORIDA STYLE for you to get your teeth into . . .
WHY EUROPEANS THINK WE'RE INSANE and
THESE KIDS NEED TO WORK FOR THEIR LUNCHES
. . . and also a post I'm sure a few of you would like to get your teeth into but, most certainly, won't be allowed to, entitled
BBW OF THE WEEK.
There are quite a few, really good, Advent calendars around the net at the moment. But the Scottish one posted by Father Kenny at RECTOR'S RAMBLINGS is, definitely, the most spiritually uplifting. Check it out.
***
And finally, THE SOPPY SUEM SELECTION: Go and read about how Bessie (pictured) is leading her owner astray. Naughty dog!
WHY EUROPEANS THINK WE'RE INSANE and
THESE KIDS NEED TO WORK FOR THEIR LUNCHES
. . . and also a post I'm sure a few of you would like to get your teeth into but, most certainly, won't be allowed to, entitled
BBW OF THE WEEK.
There are quite a few, really good, Advent calendars around the net at the moment. But the Scottish one posted by Father Kenny at RECTOR'S RAMBLINGS is, definitely, the most spiritually uplifting. Check it out.
***
And finally, THE SOPPY SUEM SELECTION: Go and read about how Bessie (pictured) is leading her owner astray. Naughty dog!
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