And In The Category Of Being Just Plain Ol' Excellent...
And the winner is --

Karin over at Wife and Mom of Two just bestowed upon the Cavemen, the title of Excellent.

Well, the rules are pretty simple. Whom ever I bestow this honor upon must respond in kind to ten other bloggers as they see fit. (OK, I added more than 10)

So in no particular order;
Father Richtsteig's Orthometer
Father Gonzales' Fifty Sophomoric Summers
Father Speekman's Homilies From Australia
Paul at Thoughts of a Regular Guy
Dymphna at Dymphna's Road
Mac at Mulier Fortis
Coffee Catholic at The Walled Garden
Argent at Argent by the Tiber
Al at Is Anybody There?
Unitas at Altare Dei
Lana over at Knit And Pray
Paulinus at In Hoc Signo Vinces
Alli at Come On Live
Bill at Quaffs And Quibbles
Chestertonian at The Blue Boar
Aww hell, I give up. EVERYBODY on my blogroll!!

"... Some Bastard Will Get Up And Say That This Never Happened" -
General Dwight D. Eisenhower. 1945, Germany
Helmet tip to Yankee Charlie

Honestly, I'm not trying to beat up on Britain... but so much blatant stupidity keeps coming out of the UK. And I'm sure many of you have seen this few month old e-mail lighting up the internet. But for those who haven't --- (emphasis mine)

Dwight Eisenhower, when he found the victims of the death camps he ordered all possible photographs to be taken, and for the German people from surrounding villages to be ushered through the camps and even made to bury the dead.

He did this because he said in words to this effect: "Get it all on record now - get the films - get the witnesses - because somewhere down the track of history some bastard will get up and say that this never happened"

"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing" - Edmund Burke

In Memorial
This week, the UK removed The Holocaust from its school curriculum because it "offended" the Muslim population which claims it never occurred. This is a frightening portent of the fear that is gripping the world and how easily each country is giving into it.

It is now more than 60 years after the Second World War in Europe ended. This e-mail is being sent as a memorial chain, in memory of the 6 million Jews, 20 million Russians, 10 million Christians and 1,900 Catholic priests who were murdered, massacred, raped, burned, starved and humiliated while the German and Russian peoples looked the other way!

Now, more than ever, with Iran, among others, claiming the Holocaust to be a myth," it is imperative to make sure the world never forgets.

This e-mail is intended to reach 40 million people worldwide! Be a link in the memorial chain and help distribute this around the world. How many years will it be before the attack on the World Trade Center "never happened" because it offends some Muslim in the U.S.?And yes --- some of the stats given were off the mark. Such as 20 million Russians not being counted as either Christian or Jew. I'm quite sure that the vast majority of those 20 million were Russian Orthodox, and very few were killed in the Nazi death camps. It was either in battle or in SS massacres on Russian soil. And I really don't know why the Russian people are being accused of "looking the other way". Russia (either the people themselves or Stalin's government) had nothing to do with Hitler's Final Solution. Besides, Stalin was busy killing his own people.

And as far as the 1,900 Catholic priests killed... that number is open to discussion as well. I once had the Auxiliary Bishop for the US Military Archdiocese tell me that the number was closer to 5,000.

But the essential truth here is that millions DID die in the Nazi Holocaust, and there are those in Britain... those in positions of authority and leadership... who are eradicating such from the schools.

And in all fairness, there is some question as if this particular curriculum ban is nation-wide in the UK, as reported by The Times of London, or simply in one northern English city, as reported by Snopes.com.

Either way... it looks as if General Eisenhower was right. Some bastard DID get up and say this never happened.

Yet Another Case Of Democrat Stupidity
Is it any wonder that people say that college is the new high school?

Leave it to the idiot Defeatocrats. In their latest scheme to bullshit the American people that they really do care... first we have The Breck Girl herself unveils his College for Everyone scam, and then the Democratic Governors Association vainly try to entice us with their version of this latest lunacy; The American Dream Initiative.

Don't these dopes realize that when most, if not all, Americans have a bachelors degree, that's the day we end up with college educated ditch diggers?

No wonder I keep hearing that college is the new high school.

Yet Another Reason To Reconcile With The Russian Orthodox
We sure could use more than a few like him

Three cheers for Russian Orthodox Archbishop Hilarion Alfeyev! With a few notable exceptions, we here in the Catholic Church have a hierarchy of milquetoasts, wimps, "go with the flow"-ers, and flat-out heretics. Don't get me wrong... we have some damn fine leaders out there in Catholicland. But lets be brutally honest with each other... for the most part, it's an endless sea of disappointment and embarrassment. So much for the "fruits" of Vatican II.

Russian prelate decries "politically correct Christianity"

Vienna, Jan. 29, 2008 (CWNews.com) - The Russian Orthodox Archbishop Hilarion Alfeyev of Vienna has criticized "politically correct" Christianity, and denounced anti-Christian bias in Europe, in a pair of provocative public addresses during the past week.

On January 22, in a talk to the Ecumenical Council of Churches in Austria, the Russian prelate said that some Christian leaders, in their rush to be seen as acceptable to the modern world, are leading their people on "a direct route to spiritual collapse." (As Pope Benedict has said the same thing over and over.)

"Christianity that has renounced itself will not be able to oppose challenges of the modern world," Archbishop Hilarion argued. To maintain their strength, he said, Christian bodies must cling to the Gospel rather than seeking accommodation with the secular world. (And that is exactly what the so-called "Spirit" of Vatican II is.)

Three days later, in a meeting of Orthodox leaders with José Manuel Barroso, the president of the European Commission, the Russian archbishop made a similar point from a different perspective, insisting that European governments must recognize and respect their Christian cultural roots. If Christian moral principles are ignored, he argued, the basis for a common European culture will be lost. (Again, our very own Holy Father has said the same thing)

Archbishop Hilarion warned that in practice, Christianity is under siege in today's Europe. "We often hear about anti-Semitism and Islamophobia, and very little is said about Christianophobia," he said.Maybe this is exactly why His Holiness is trying so hard for a reconciliation with The Eastern Orthodox. God knows that clerics who have the 'nads to speak the truth are few and far between in the Western Church.

Personally, I hope this is a trend. Let the wimps within Catholicism simply become the Protestants that everyone knows that they already are... and let the Traditional Anglican Communion, the Assyrian Orthodox, et al, come home to Rome, and for us to work out some type of ecclesiastical union with the rest of our separated, yet completely valid Eastern Orthodox brethren.

Rome Sweet Rome
The Primacy of Peter becomes clearer every day

First there was the news that The Traditional Anglican Communion is converting en masse to The Catholic Church. Then came the thunderbolt that there really is progress between Catholicism and the some of the larger Eastern Orthodox Churches.

Now there's words that the Orthodox Assyrian Catholic Apostolic Diocese (of the United States) is swimming the Tiber... or the Euphrates, as the case may be.

Here's some of the announcement from Kaldaya.net; (emphasis mine)


After praying to the Father and reflecting on the Scriptures and Tradition, the attendees unanimously adopted a “Declaration of Intention” in which they state their resolution “to enter full communion with the Catholic Church” and “to resume church unity with the Chaldean Catholic Church.” As a result, they foresee that this declaration will initiate a process of negotiation with respective Church authorities to define a concrete model of this union, in which the particularity of our apostolic tradition is preserved.More of this wonderful news, specifically, Assyrians from San Jose, CA; Seattle, WA; Sacramento, CA; Turlock, CA; Chicago IL; and Phoenix, AZ endorsing the ACAD proclamation can be found here.

Thanks be to God!

Straight From The Mouth Of Our Lord And Savior
Yet another reason as why I love Scrubs

How Jesus REALLY feels about abortion.

"*Sigh* Okay, I'm gonna make this real simple..."

HOW ARE YOU NOT GETTING THIS!?

Where, Oh Where, Has My Pastor Gone?
Has he started the next Crusade without me!!??

All of a sudden, I find that my Latin Mass sayin' pastor has up and gone for two whole weeks. At least the word on the streets is that it's only two weeks... I'll bet it could be longer.

The smart money says he fomenting a Catholic Last Stand somewhere in Europe against the Saracen hordes. Where, oh where could he be? possibly at the caves of Covadonga, the fields of Tours, the Gates of Vienna, adrift somewhere in the Gulf of Lepanto?

I can see him now -- firing an M-60 from the hip à la Stallone... bad back and all. Our very own Cathbo, if you will. And yes, I said an M-60! That delightful AMERICAN objet d’guère where two or more consitute a symphony. None of that shoddy Russian garbage, if you please. I'll get Father to abandon his fascination with piece of crap Warsaw Pact weaponry yet!

But in the spirit of "winning hearts and minds", I know that the good Father is waging Spiritual Warfare first. I wouldn't be surprised if he were holed in someplace like this --

L'Abbaye Notre Dame de Fontgombault

The Caveman Annual Appeal
Yes, it's that time of year again

As much as I've tried to get published (something between "Growing Up Catholic" and "Real Men Don't Eat Quiche"), it's all been for naught. So as you can see to the left, I've added a PayPal "Donate" button to the blog.

Hey... club varnish and loin cloth cleaner ain't cheap! So here I am with hat in hand.

If I've been able to make you laugh... think... cry...or think about crying with laughter, consider giving to this years Caveman Annual Appeal.

And besides, I'm trying to raise money for an international Heretic Whisperer Tour.

Thanks,
Vir Specuncae Catholicus
MSgt USMC (ret), One Each, Combat, Expendable
Director of Neanderthal Ministry Outreach

Does Any Of This Sound Familiar?
...And Mr Norv S. Hordo leads the way (seen right)
Helmet tip to the MIG Fighter

I've posted on this subject a couple of times in the past, but what MIG shot to me pretty much says it all.

Dr. Mohler of AlbertMohler.com commends newly released The Death of the Grown-up: How America's Arrested Development Is Bringing Down Western Civilization by Washington Times columnist Diane West. Many other titles have argued that 20 somethings are putting off adult commitments (such as marriage and family) until later in life.

Mdm. West contributes to this discussion by noting that the converse is also true: older adults today increasingly act like adolescents and identify with adolescent culture. Whereas teenagers of a previous generation took pride in identifying with adult culture, the trend is now the opposite. Says West:
"That was then. These days, of course, father and son dress more or less alike, from message-emblazoned t-shirts to chunky athletic shoes, both equally at ease in the baggy rumple of eternal summer camp. In the mature male, these trappings of adolescence have become more than a matter of comfort or style; they reveal a state of mind, a reflection of a personality that hasn't fully developed, and doesn't want to - or worse, doesn't know how."

Golly gee, does this sound like your parish?

All of a sudden I have nightmare recollections of my Novus Ordo days... complete with the following:

~ Group-gropes, oops, I mean the all-too-often waaaaay overboard, big sloppy kiss and a hug that should have ended 10 seconds ago, near occasion of sin "Sign of Peace" nonsense.

~ More than slightly overweight spandex clad Liturgical Pole Dancers who reminded me of my dear old dad's favorite saying -- "that looks like 10 pounds of shit in a 5 pound bag".

~ Those butt-ugly felt banners that look like they were glued together by a bunch of hippies on their way to a nuclear waste-dump protest.

~ and of course... the umpteenth insipid sermon on "LUV".

~ Should I even bring up the Hootenanny Guitar Mass?

And more often than not, all this silliness is perpetrated by those who are already drawing their Social Security checks.

Thanks to Madame West, it just hit me that the so-called Progressive Catholics are essentially theologically and ecclesiastically retarded adolescents caught up in endless "I'm Still a Cool Teen-Ager, and It's Still The 60's" time loop.

I'd Like A Gallon Of BBQ Pork, Three Bacon Burgers, Half A Dozen Ham Steaks, Three O' Four Pickled Pigs Feet... And A Diet Coke
And an extra-large order of Moslems can kiss my pig-eatin' ass

WARNING!! Harsh language alert! If harsh language offends, I suggest you pass on this one.

Wake me when either this stupid shit finally comes to an end, or the British finally grow a brain and repatriate (ie: kick the hell out) all the trouble-making moslems... and send those politically correct dip-shits with 'em.

Three Little Pigs 'too offensive'
By Sean Coughlan
BBC News, education

A story based on the Three Little Pigs fairy tale has been turned down by a government agency's awards panel as the subject matter could offend Muslims. The digital book, re-telling the classic story, was rejected by judges who warned that "the use of pigs raises cultural issues".

Becta, the government's educational technology agency, is a leading partner in the annual Bett Award for schools.

The CD-Rom digital version of the traditional story of the three little pigs, called Three Little Cowboy Builders, is aimed at primary school children. But judges at this year's Bett Award said that they had "concerns about the Asian [moslem] community and the use of pigs raises cultural issues".

The feedback from the judges explaining why they had rejected the CD-Rom highlighted that they "could not recommend this product to the Muslim community". They also warned that the story might "alienate parts of the workforce (building trade)".

The judges criticised the stereotyping in the story of the unfortunate pigs: "Is it true that all builders are cowboys, builders get their work blown down, and builders are like pigs?"Seriously... how in the hell do you argue with "logic" like that? By these judges reasoning, all swine should be done away with throughout Britain... right?

And I'm surprized that there's not one person in all of Great Britain that's lobbying for the Cowboy demographic. I just know that there's gotta be at least one Brit wrangler somewhere out there riding the range of Northumbia or someplace like that.

I can hear him now... "yippie-yi-oh-tie-yay Old Chappie! Wot, wot!!?? Strays on the noooorth foooorty? Oh dear, oh dear, OH DEAR!"

And I'll bet he looks a helluva lot like Richard Harris.

UTAH - Not Just The Home Of America's Most Powerful Weirdos Anymore
Also home to one badass priest!

The eternally cuddly Fr Richsteig drops yet another warm and fuzzy 500 lb canister of Holy Fire on those who need it most.

Aptly titled "Over My Dead, Burnt And Bleeding Body" here's just some of Father Richtsteig's sage wisdom;

This would be my reply if I were ever asked to send catechists to the annual Los Angeles Religious Education Congress held in Anaheim. Not only does it educate for liturgical non-sense (check the web in early March for picture of the latest liturgical hippie jam bands and accompanying Dancing Daughters of Penelope), but, and far more importantly, the speakers and topics are almost all atrocious.

Take a look at the speaker list. We have:
~ Scott Appleby of Notre Dame, a perennial Call to Action shill;
~ Fr. Gerald Coleman, former rector of St. Patrick's Seminary, and noted dissenter from the Church's teaching of homosexual behavior;
~Another failed seminary rector Donald Cozzens;
~ Fr. Michael Crosby, Franciscan dissenter from Milwaukee;
~ The comedy team of Sr. Fran Ferder and Fr. John Heagle (I was once present at a conference where they decried the evils of hetero-sexism and suggested that we talk to genitalia);
~ Goddess worshipper and foe of recording devices Edwina Gateley;
~ Musical vandals Haaugen and Haas;
~ Fr. Brian Massingale, supporter of Gay Marriage (must not make fun of name, must not make fun of name);
~ Timothy Radicliffe OP (and NUT) former Dominican Master General and heretic;
~ and Fr. Ronald Rollheiser, writer of vacuous columns for Catholic papers.

Those are just the ones whose names I recognized. The question is why are these people being invited and paid to educate catechists? Obviously, because the powers that be want to propagate their views.

He's Just The Pope. Who Gives A Damn About What He Says?
Sowing the seeds of disobedience at the parochial level
Helmet tip to Mr & Mrs NYPD

The Holy Father has already indirectly condemned the Harry Potter series for "giving children an 'unhealthy interest' in Satanism"; inspiring "new-age spirituality"; and that "the fear the young wizard story could have in ‘corrupting’ the Christian faith before it has grown".

After such strong words such as those, one would think that any prudent adult Catholic would give pause in reference to the Harry Potter books, right? And simply out of deference to The Holy Father, shouldn't said series be removed from Catholic schools? One would think.

Ahhh... but never let anything The Holy Father says get in the way of things at St. Mary's allegedly Catholic Parish/School. And yes, I've written about the goings at this particular parish and school before. Here and here. Take a gander at the latest entry in this parish/school's "The Pope Can Go To Hell" file;

From the 2d Grade weekly newsletter;


The class is really enjoying our class book, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. I read to them every day after lunch.Charming. But I shouldn't be all that surprised that the warnings of Pope Benedict are openly ignored... the pastor at St. Mary's has already publicly stated "We must never, then, to blindly follow religious or secular leaders, no matter what their job title is."
____________________________________________
UPDATE!!
There has been some question if Pope Benedict is actually the one responsible for the above mentioned quotes. I've done some research and found the actual article from the official Vatican news organ, L'Osservatore Romano, concerning the article entitled "Il doppio volto di Harry Potter" (The Two-Faces of Harry Potter).

The original copy of the paper can be found here (about 3/4th of the way down on the left hand side, you can see the mini-headline) , and the article itself can be found here. I've tried the AltaVista translator page, and the admittedly bad translation is eligible enough to jive with what the English-language newspapers have reported.

But back to the question at hand... was it, in fact, The Holy Father that personally stated such? Who knows. But I do know that L'Osservatore Romano is the Pope's mouthpeice. Nothing, and I mean NOTHING controversial will ever be printed in that paper without The Holy Fathers approval.

With that in mind, I've added the word "indirectly" to the first sentence of this post.

BUSH LIED! PEOPLE DIED!!
And other Democrat fairy tales

As much as I find much of what's happened during the Bush presidency to be absolute betrayals to the Conservative Movement, I will support Dubya for fighting the Global War on Terrorism as just that... a war. Only in our worst nightmare scenario can we even imagine where we'd be if the Defeatocrats were in charge

Keep in mind that the Dem leadership was privy to the same intel that the President was. Here's a partial listing of some of the quotes from the politically expedient honchos from the Party of the Jackass; (Emphasis mine0

"Without question, we need to disarm Saddam Hussein. He is a brutal, murderous dictator, leading an oppressive regime ... He presents a particularly grievous threat because he is so consistently prone to miscalculation ... And now he is miscalculating America's response to his continued deceit and his consistent grasp for weapons of mass destruction ... So the threat of Saddam Hussein with weapons of mass destruction is real..."
- Sen. John F. Kerry (D, MA), Jan. 23. 2003

"One way or the other, we are determined to deny Iraq the capacity to develop weapons of mass destruction and the missiles to deliver them. That is our bottom line."
- President Clinton, Feb. 4, 1998

"Saddam Hussein has been engaged in the development of weapons of mass destruction technology which is a threat to countries in the region and he has made a mockery of the weapons inspection process."
- Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D, CA), Dec. 16, 1998

"We know that he has stored secret supplies of biological and chemical weapons throughout his country."
- Al Gore, Sept. 23, 2002

"We have known for many years that Saddam Hussein is seeking and developing weapons of mass destruction."
- Sen. Ted Kennedy (D, MA), Sept. 27, 2002

"The last UN weapons inspectors left Iraq in October of 1998. We are confident that Saddam Hussein retains some stockpiles of chemical and biological weapons, and that he has since embarked on a crash course to build up his chemical and biological warfare capabilities. Intelligence reports indicate that he is seeking nuclear weapons..." - Sen. Robert Byrd (D, WV), Oct. 3, 2002

"There is unmistakable evidence that Saddam Hussein is working aggressively to develop nuclear weapons and will likely have nuclear weapons within the next five years ... We also should remember we have always underestimated the progress Saddam has made in development of weapons of mass destruction."
- Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D, WV), Oct 10, 2002And the best for last.....

"In the four years since the inspectors left, intelligence reports show that Saddam Hussein has worked to rebuild his chemical and biological weapons stock, his missile delivery capability, and his nuclear program. He has also given aid, comfort, and sanctuary to terrorists, including al Qaeda members ... It is clear, however, that if left unchecked, Saddam Hussein will continue to increase his capacity to wage biological and chemical warfare, and will keep trying to develop nuclear weapons."
- Sen. Hillary Clinton (D, NY), Oct 10, 2002

And Why Didn't Any Catholic Clerics Speak Out Against This?
Probably because it wouldn't have been viewed as "ecumenical"

I've noticed that a couple of my fellow Bloglodytes (Argent and Christine) have already posted on this news story.

But here's what galls me... not one Catholic Bishop, Archbishop, or even Cardinal Egan of New York City had anything to say? Instead, some generic spokeswoman from some second tier lay-staffed organization was the one who came forward and spoke out on behalf of The Church against this abomination?

It's a sad day, indeed, when a woman has more balls than our hierarchy. Shame on our "leaders" in the Empire State.

For those who aren't in the know... get ready for this. Here's a taste of the article from the Catholic News Agency; (Emphasis mine)

Clergy bless New York abortion clinic as “sacred ground”

Schenectady, NY, Jan 24, 2008 / 11:32 am (CNA).- Religious leaders in favor of abortion gathered on Tuesday to bless an abortion clinic in support of the Roe v. Wade ruling, the Supreme Court decision that mandated legalized abortion nationwide. One Catholic leader described the ceremony as “two-faced”.

Planned Parenthood spokeswoman Linda Scharf described the purpose of the event at a new 18,000 square-foot building to the Albany-based Times Union, saying, “It’s a blessing to demonstrate the support of the clergy.” She said that clergy had long supported Planned Parenthood and the right “to make a personal decision based on their moral beliefs.”

"The clergy were instrumental in getting abortion services legalized in the United States and right here in Schenectady," she added. "I know a member of the clergy who was part of an underground who directed young women to safe abortions before Roe v. Wade." Governor Eliot Spitzer, Lt. Governor David Paterson, and first lady Silda Wall Spitzer also affirmed their support for Roe v. Wade in a statement.

According to the Albany Times Union, Rev. Larry Phillips of Schenectady's Emmanuel-Friedens Church declared the ground "sacred and holy ... where women's voices and stories are welcomed, valued and affirmed; sacred ground where women are treated with dignity, supported in their role as moral decision-makers ... sacred ground where the violent voices of hatred and oppression are quelled."

Another minister prayed that the clinic be made a place of safety with a sense of sanctuary. A rabbi blew a religious musical instrument called a shofar “as a renewal of commitment” to “reproductive rights.” All participants laid their hands on the building as another minister declared, “This is sacred ground.”

Kathleen Gallagher of the New York State Catholic Conference, told the Albany Times Union that the blessing was hypocritical. "My gut reaction is that it's two-faced," Gallagher said. "For many years abortion proponents have been saying this is not a religious issue, you should keep religion out of this, and now all of a sudden they turn around and decide to bless an abortion clinic to gain respect for a procedure everybody knows is not worthy of respect."

The Heretic Whisperer
Soon coming to basic cable

Those pesky heretics within The Church. Burning them at the stake works wonders... but that's sooooo 16th century. It's time for us to rehabilitate The Church by training the heretics among us.

And how exactly do we go about this? As we are rapidly approaching our second decade of the 21st century, we have to utilize 21st century methods. And that means getting in their heads.

When you go to Mass, dress like you are actually going into God's House... dress like you mean it, not like you're on your way to a beer bust at the beach.

Just your mere appearance in a coat and tie will discombobulate the Minister of Fawning when you first walk in. Bad Minister of Fawning! The Domino Effect will follow. You've just begun to get in their heads. Remember... establish dominance.

Again, if you're at a Novus Ordo Mass, invariably the choir will be practicing all the way up to the start of Mass. Bad Minister of Really Crappy Singing! Obviously, they've forgotten that prior to Mass is the time for contemplative prayer, not for croaking their way through I am the Wonder Bread of Life. Interrupt them by starting a Rosary. Don't worry if anyone get's pissed off at you. You have The Blessed Mother in your corner. Remember... establish dominance.



If you happen to be at a Novus Ordo Mass, kneel for Holy Communion. Nothing pisses off a heretic more than someone actually showing respect for The Eucharist. Bad Minister of the Pretend Priesthood/Poncho Lady! And it intimidates the hell out of 'em, as well. And they now know you mean business. Remember... establish dominance.





If none of the above works, roll up a copy of the Baltimore Catechism and SMACK 'EM HARD! Right on the nose. Bad Heretic! A hardback copy if you can find one. Remember... establish dominance.







Sometimes, the old ways work best. There are those who may accuse you of being a caveman. Don't allow that to distract you. Show the world how up-to-date you can be. Trade in that faithful yet antiquated wooden club for an all-aluminum Louisville Slugger. Remember... establish dominance.

Pope Leo Was Wrong, Bishop McGrath Is Right
More Roman Protestantism at it's best (worst)

Pope Leo XIII was quite clear in his encyclical Apostolicae Curae (On the Nullity of Anglican Orders) back in 1896... Anglicans simply don't have valid Orders, period. And that's been the official teaching of The Church for over a hundred years.

Ahhh.... but don't let a small thing like official teaching get in the way of anything at the alleged Catholic Diocese of San Jose, California.

From The California Catholic Daily; (Emphasis mine)

Was it just an ecumenical gesture?
San Jose's Catholic bishop participates in the "seating" of California's first Episcopal woman bishop

Bishop Patrick McGrath of San Jose was among those present for the official welcoming and seating on Saturday, Jan. 11 of Mary Gray-Reeves, the first woman Episcopal bishop in California. During the event, held at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in San Jose, Bishop McGrath, dressed in red robes, was seated prominently behind the altar.

When California Catholic Daily asked the diocese about the appropriateness of Bishop McGrath's participation in a non-Catholic ceremony, diocesan spokeswoman Roberta Ward downplayed McGrath's role. He was not a participant, and this wasn't an ordination," said Ward. "This was an ecumenical gesture, much like when the pope does something with the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Anthony Gonzales, president of the Bay Area-based St. Joseph Men's Society disagrees. The mayor and other officials were there, but they were just there, Gonzales, a Rome-trained lay theologian, said. They were not up at the altar, in the sanctuary, participating. [McGrath] processed in before the so-called priests of the Anglican rite. And every other priest was a woman.

Gonzales said that it has always been a teaching of the Catholic Church that we are not supposed to participate in the religious activities of other religious denominations. Now, because of ecumenism, that changes. However, the idea of a bishop of the Catholic Church intimately participating in the ceremony of the installation of an Anglican bishop -- the level of participation is wrong.

Unitatis Redintegratio, Vatican II's document on ecumenism, says, In certain special circumstances it is allowable, indeed desirable, that Catholics should join in prayer with their separated brethren. Yet worship in common (communicatio in sacris) is not to be considered as a means to be used indiscriminately for the restoration of Christian unity.

When It Absolutely, Positively, Has To Be Destroyed Overnight...
The US Marine Corps

Helmet tip to the MIG Fighter

From the Patriot Post; (Emphasis mine)

Warfront with Jihadistan: Surge in Afghanistan

This week, Marines of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit based in North Carolina and one battalion of the 7th Marine Regiment in 29 Palms, California, were given a pre-deployment warning order for movement to Afghanistan. Speculation has arisen concerning the political and military ramifications of such a deployment, as NATO forces in Afghanistan prepare for an anticipated spring offensive by the Taliban. Such staunch allies as Great Britain, Poland and the Netherlands have stretched their forces and their political capital to maintain current levels of support. Others such as Italy, Spain and Turkey are finding it more difficult to maintain even current troop levels, much less increase support, as the war continues. Turkey finds itself engaged with insurgents from the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) on its border with Iraq and may be seeking U.S. commitments in that fight before expanding any role in Afghanistan.

Still, there is room for optimism. Marines have a habit of shooting back when attacked and a reputation of aggressively pursuing their enemies. Such offense-minded operations may be just the ticket to throw the Taliban off the offensive and put them back on the run.

Furthermore, Pakistan is warming to the idea of a more active U.S. role in hunting down the Taliban in northwest Pakistan. Perhaps the increased violence in the country, including the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, has convinced the Pakistanis that turning a blind eye to terrorists isn’t such a good idea after all.

The Overrun Priesthood, A Corrupted Faith
Yeah... I'll come out and say it

I've heard that we live in the so-called "Age of the Laity". If that's the case, this member of the laity has something to say. Namely, that the Catholic priesthood in the United States of America has been overrun by pro-abortionists, sodomite-friendly, New-Age hippie burn-outs, and when you get right down to it... flat-out heretics.

As I read a com-box posting last night from the enigmatic John, and he said something that many of us have known for quite some time, but I guess with the literal landslide of ecclesiastical crap I've witnessed in the past few months, what John said struck me with greater emphasis - as John so eloquently stated; "Once upon a time, you could count on your pastor to be orthodox. Now you literally have to quiz him to find out if he is even Catholic."

Know what? HE'S RIGHT! I even did a WWII-style GI Quiz a ways back concerning the piss-poor state of our priesthood.

But anyhow, here's a few points I submit for your consideration --

From the study "Homosexual orientation among Catholic seminarian students";

As noted in an essay on priests with a homosexual orientation in the Roman Catholic priesthood, estimates range from "perhaps more than 10%" to 58%. It is generally recognized that a larger percentage of seminary students than priests have a homosexual orientation.

At this time, the Roman Catholic Church does not normally exclude male candidates for seminary because they have a homosexual orientation. The one exception is believed to be St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Philadelphia, PA.One down, seventy six to go.

The constant sodomization of our priesthood aside, here's some of a posting I did a couple of years ago entitled "What Catholic Priests Are Reading". This explains much.

From the Duke University Divinity School’s "Pulpit & Pew Project". They polled over 2,500 Catholic and Protestant ministers. Here are the Top Twelve authors that Catholic priests are reading. I've included a sentence or two on the not so famous authors listed.

Father Henri J. M. Nouwen - He preached Universal Salvation; "Every one will be saved" and "Anyone can find his own way to God". In his final book Sabbatical Journey : The Diary of His Final Year there is an ostensible endorsement of "gay" marriage. He was also a avid reader of Matthew Fox, the renegade Dominican. Why doesn't that surprise me?

Father Raymond Brown - Brown received 24 honorary degrees, many from Protestant institutions. He openly argued against Jesus' physical Resurrection; the Transfiguration; the fact that Jesus founded the one, true Catholic Church and instituted the priesthood and the episcopacy. He has also called into question into the virginal conception of Jesus and the accounts of our Lord's birth and childhood. Cardinal Mahony hailed him as "the most distinguished and renowned Catholic biblical scholar to emerge in this country ever" and his death, the cardinal said, was "a great loss to the Church". 'Nuff said.

Father William J. Bausch - Leading proponent of Women's Ordination (Chicks with Pyx), optional celibacy for priests, and Sex Ed in Catholic schools all the way down to the Kindergarten level; "finally, the nation's Catholic schools have inaugurated sex abuse prevention lessons for children as early as age five..."

Father Anthony de Mello - Another Jesuit. Proponent of a melding of Catholicism, Zen Buddhism, modern psychology, and yoga. Big shock, huh?

Dr. William Barclay - A so-called "great Bible Teacher". For starters, he openly denied the Dogma of the Virgin Birth; "The Jews had a saying that in the birth of every child there are three partners--the father, the mother, and the Spirit of God. They believed that no child could ever be born without the Spirit. And it may well be that the New Testament stories of the birth of Jesus are lovely, poetical ways of saying that, even if He had a human father, the Holy Spirit of God was operative in His birth in a unique way. In this matter we may make our own decision".

Father Richard P. McBrien - Head Honcho at the Theology Department at the University of Notre Dame. Openly challenges the Dogmas of Papal Infallibility, the Blessed Mother's Immaculate Conception and the Assumption, Confession, The Real Presence (he describes the Catholic belief in transubstantiation as "medieval").

Father Karl Rahner - Yet another Jesuit. As one writer put it, "Without Rahner... the Second Vatican Council's liberalization of dogma and ecclesiastical structure would have been almost unthinkable without him". Rahner is the veritable Big Daddy of the "Cosmic Jesus" heresy so prevalent in The Church. According to him, what is there in the afterlife? Precisely nothing—for there is no afterlife, just an "all-cosmic body" in death. Rahner himself made a similar point when claiming that Vatican II marked the emergence of a 'World Church'. Thanks to Rahner, Protestants were no longer simply benighted heretics, pagans no longer simply in error. Rather, if the Churches ever are reunited, the non-Catholic Christians will bring something positive; and even the institutional forms of paganism can be of salvific significance.

C. S. Lewis - Hope springs eternal. At least they're reading him.

Father Mark Link - *sigh* ANOTHER Jesuit. And silly me, I've been wondering so long why we have so many shitty priests in the Church. Anyhow, Father Feelgood here is the Joe Dirt of Catholicism (life's a garden, dig it). Father Link has such deep sayings as "The Church is like a net that fisherman cast into the sea. The Church can't discriminate either". Wow... the Summa Theological for the Vatican II Church if I ever saw it.

Sheesh, and we wonder why things are so screwed up. But look what didn't quite make the Top Twelve. And keep in mind, this stuff is being read by our priests...

Sister Joan Chittister - One of the featured writers at the Jesuit run America magazine. Need I say more?

Dianne Bergant - Penned such phallo-phobic page turners as But She Said: Feminist Practices of Biblical Interpretation; An Ecological Vision of the World: Toward a Christian Ecological Theology for Our Age; The Earth Is the Lord's: The Bible, Ecology, and Worship; and The Strange Woman: Power and Sex in the Bible.

Joyce Rupp - Another Cosmic Jesus freak. From her book The Cosmic Dance An Invitation to Experience Our Oneness (I'm serious, that's what it's really called) "I am made up of stardust, that every part and parcel of who I am materially was once a piece of a star shining in the heavens". Ok.... and by the time we got to Woodstock, we were half a million strong. So what's your point, Joyce?

Rosemary Radford Ruether - A gyno-centric writer who spoke at the first meeting of the Women's Ordination Conference, and since 1985 has been a member of the board of directors of the pro-abortion feminist organization Catholics for A Free Choice. Ruether believes the Word of God is a lie-a collection of myths-and that "the Bible has to be demythologized"-that is, rewritten from the feminist perspective. Ruether was a founder of Women-Church and in 1983 helped unite many of the feminist groups into [a coalition called] Women-Church Convergence.How about politically? You might enjoy this from the Ignatius Press - Homiletic & Pastoral Review entitled "Party Politics and the Priesthood";

Whatever the genesis or motivation, there is now substantial evidence that the clergy of at least one archdiocese (Chicago) have demonstrated voting patterns indicating a preference for a Democrat party affiliation.

The Illinois Leader,a conservative news source, has recently published on their web page the results of a survey of voting patterns of Chicago priests covering four primary elections from 1996 through 2002. This study demonstrates a consistent voting pattern of approximately 4 to 1 in favor of the Democrat party among Catholic priests in Chicago. Actual results were as follows
Year of Primary % Republican % Democrat
1996 -------------- 19.8% --------------80.2%
1998 ---------------16.5% --------------83.5%
2000--------------- 23.0% --------------77.0%
2002 ---------------24.5% --------------75.5%
Average ----------21.3% --------------78.7%Few will argue that the Democratic Party is the party of the abortionist, the militant homosexual, the stem-cell advocates, euthansasia proponents, etc.

Something else to consider... to date, you can count on two fingers the amount of predominantly Novus Ordo seminaries that are making a slow but sure turn to traditional, orthodox Catholicism... St Vincent's in Latrobe (PA), and St Charles Borromeo in Philadelphia will start to teach students the Traditional Latin Mass.

Diocesan workshops teaching the Latin Mass are a good thing... no, I take that back... they're a GREAT thing. But when only 2 out of 77 seminaries even offer to teach the TLM, you know that something is undeniably lacking in our esteemed bishops in regard to their loyalty to the intent of The Holy Father's recent motu proprio.

Not many will come out and say it, but I will. Most American bishops have essentially told Pope Benedict to go to hell.

Let's put aside The Latin Mass and Traditional Catholicism for a second... we all know how the Modernists look upon them. What about the priests that celebrate The New Mass but actually still believe in The Real Presence, Sacramental Confession, a minor sticking point called "sin"?

Let's be honest, that handful of good priests are looked upon with sneers at every turn. As a friend once put it, they're suffering a silent martyrdom. As an even closer friend stated; "The priests who venerate me will be scorned and opposed by their confreres (other priests)."

To the wolves in sheep's clothing, know this --- I'm making it my life's mission to expose you. I'm damn fed-up. I'm not going to take it anymore. I will not sit idly by while Holy Mother The Church raped on a daily basis.

Who'll join me?

Sometimes A Com-Box Posting Takes On A Life Of It's Own
This is one of those times

In regards to the posting I just did entitled When "Retarded" Becomes The Punch-Line..., we have this from NYPD Green;

I am a parishioner at this parish and attended the 8AM mass with my oldest son. My wife and my 2 oldest girls attended the 5:30 PM Saturday evening Mass. While we were spared the reference to us becoming Jesus, we were 'treated' to the "Retard" story and the Deacon's interesting take on marriage. First off, as far as the marriage comment, I'll just quote the catechism:

CCC 1621 "In the Latin Rite the celebration of marriage between two Catholic faithful normally takes place during Holy Mass, because of the connection of all the sacraments with the Paschal mystery of Christ. In the Eucharist the memorial of the New Covenant is realized, the New Covenant in which Christ has united himself for ever to the Church, his beloved bride for whom he gave himself up. It is therefore fitting that the spouses should seal their consent to give themselves to each other through the offering of their own lives by uniting it to the offering of Christ for his Church made present in the Eucharistic sacrifice, and by receiving the Eucharist so that, communicating in the same Body and the same Blood of Christ, they may form but "one body" in Christ."

So here we have a sacrament modeled after Christ's Covenant with the Church being mocked in front of the Blessed Sacrament no less. This is an all to common occurrence at my parish. I guess the sanctity of matrimony does not trump a good punch line, no matter where you are standing or what is in the tabernacle behind you. As a married man of 15 years, I can appreciate a good joke, even at my own expense, but the altar of my church is where I would hope to find the dignity and respect that my chosen vocation deserves. Just as a priest says yes to Gods calling, I feel God has called me to be a husband and father. The source of the grace I receive to carry out my vocation, should not be the platform in which it is torn down. There is a whole secular society out there dying to do that.

Now to the "retard" joke. After the 5:30 PM mass, my wife left a message with our pastor regarding the insensitive nature of the repeated use of the word "retarded" in the deacon's homily. She explained how we did not want our 7 year old son with autism to hear such a homily. This is a boy who has often come home from his bus ride in tears after being called a "retard", by a few of the older kids, who have figured out that his mannerisms and trips to 'Room 120' for services make him different from them. For him to hear a word that he has only heard in cruel, derogatory tones, coming from the one place where we've tried to teach him he should always feel welcome and safe, in front of the Eucharist would potentionally be devastating for him. My wife left these concerns not on the office line, but on his emergency line. He never got back to her over the matter and the deacon obviously went on with his altar 'schtick'.

This also impacted my 13 year old daughter, who just several hours earlier, representing the teen pro-life group she helped to start up, had just given a speech at a downtown pro-life rally, regarding the sanctity of life. She nailed all the major points, abortion, stem cell, euthanasia, respect for the elderly and the handicap. The indifference and callousness of such terms were not lost on her. Calling someone such a name in her own home would produce severe repercussions, yet on the altar of her church, it is delivered with gleeful jocularity. What a let down for her.

The greatest irony to my wife and I, is that 2 days prior to this, we attended a Mass given by our wonderful Bishop, who was in town to finish up a radio interview with our Catholic radio station 92.7 WBPL. After Mass, he received the congregation and after receiving a blessing from him, my wife told him of our concerns over the lack of resources for special needs kids, and the ability to incorporate them into the parish as participants in the partaking in and understanding of the sacraments. He seemed very eager to field this question and genuinely empathetic to our concerns. We look forward to hearing his response when the program airs. We just wonder how he would have taken the homily we all had to endure this past weekend. I also wonder how one of our ushers, who is mentally challenged and his mother felt about what they'd heard Saturday evening. Oh well, I'm sure the kids at the back of my sons bus would have gotten a chuckle out of the deacon. I guess some jokes should just stay at the back of the school bus.

Well, venting is over.
Time to pray.

When "Retarded" Becomes The Punch-Line...
And of course, we all become Jesus Christ

And what a morning it was for Mr. & Mrs. Caveman. We decided to forgo our long distance trek to the only parish that offers the Traditional Latin Mass every Sunday. Instead, we opted to attend Mass at a parish here locally that offers the TLM once a month. Unfortunately, today wasn't the Sunday for the Tridentine Mass, but we figured, what the heck, this priest must at least be somewhat Traditional. How bad could it be?

Well, there was a visiting Deacon from Joisey there today. He gave the Gospel readings, no big surprise, and the sermon, again, we expected that.

But what came next, neither myself nor my wife expected.

This particular Reverend Sir started his alleged "sermon" about how those in the congregation who happen to be retired, still have a mission in life. OK... I can buy off on that.

He relayed to us how when he was told by his superiors to retire and take it easy, he stayed home with his wife, as he put it, "evvvvvvvery daaaaaaay". Three times he said "evvvvvvvery daaaaaaaay" with an extremely sarcastic tone. I didn't know that being with one's spouse was such a hardship. Gee, what a gem she found for a husband.

But wait... there's more!

As this individual was relating to us how many look upon the retired, he read us a letter (supposedly) written by a 6-yr-old, and as many 6-yr-olds do, they get their words fouled-up. But wasn't it just as cute as could be that Lil' Johnny said that Grandma and Grandpa were retarded and moved to Florida... and that they lived in a retarded community... and that Grandpa moved slow, probably because he's retarded.

Funny stuff, huh? I don't know what's more offensive, this guy using the word "retarded" as a punch line, or that many members of the congregation were literally howling with laughter.

As someone who works with children with mental retardation (and autism, and cerebral palsy, etc), I find what this individual said to be offensive in the extreme. I wonder what kind of response he would have gotten if the word "retarded" wasn't used, and instead, he said "malignant melanoma", or "leukemia", or just plain old "cancer"? Big yuks, no doubt.

But wait... there's more!

As his alleged sermon finally got around to relating to today's Gospel, he related the episode where he had Baptized a young 5-yr-old boy, and as he put it "I was looking into the face of Jesus". That struck me as kind of odd, because I thought only Jesus had the face of Jesus. Silly me. But I let it go.

But now comes the best part... within a span of approximately five minutes, we were all told three times that when we receive The Eucharist, that we become Jesus. And as he stood there with big puppy dog eyes, he said ever so quietly in the manner of someone sharing a secret, he asked the congregation "you do believe that, don't you?"

The House Sergeant Major and I sat about 5 pews back, and I looked at this individual in the eye and shook my head left-to-right and said "no, I don't!". And much to my happy shock, Mrs. Caveman said "we're leaving!" And leave we did. The wife and I may not have our D.D., but we know heresy when we hear it.

The saddest part of this tale of woe is during the drive home, my wife asked "why can't we have just one priest close by who actually acts like a Catholic priest?". Then she started to cry. What she said next hit me rather hard.... she quietly and simply said "The Church has failed us."

As much as I wanted to tell her that The Church hadn't failed us, but people in The Church failed us, I keep getting this nagging feeling that just maybe she's right.

In the past year, just in the Cape Fear Deanery, I've heard one priest allude that we become Jesus when we receive The Eucharist. Today I heard a deacon at a different parish say the same. My wife personally heard a different parish priest state that reading the writing of the Saints could lead to idolatry, and that this same priest changed "all the angels and Saints" to simply "all God's angels" (so much for Saintly intercession, huh?). And another parish priest preached the heresy of Universal Salvation, or as he puts it "oh, we're all going to heaven!"

Suffice it to say, I'm thoroughly disgusted.

"Step On Daddy’s Shoes, Let Him Lead You"
If this doesn't choke you up, you ain't human

This is an older story, but still gives the true representation of how we Marines really do conduct ourselves, and what we really consider to be truly important.

From USMC.mil - Marine Link; (Emphasis mine)

Marine dads, daughters bond at dance
By Lance Cpl. Ray Lewis, MCB Camp Pendleton

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. (Dec. 15, 2005) -- Hundreds of Marine dads, decked out in their “dress blues” and dress suits, escorted their daughters to Mary Fay Pendleton Elementary School for Mary Fay’s 2nd Annual Father-Daughter Dance Dec. 2.

“Who would wear their ‘dress blues’ if they didn’t have to?” asked Lori DeMille, a second grade teacher at the school. “Be hot and stuffy for two hours; they have to love their kids to go through that. It takes a special dad.”

The dance was a chance for fathers to spend time with their daughters between deployments. It was a night of eating, dancing and bonding.

“It might be small to some, but things like this are big for the hearts of the girls,” said Gunnery Sgt. Samuel Reed, father of Mary Fay elementary students Michaela and Krystal Reed. “It brings unity and builds synergy. Synergy is the relationship.” “I think it’s awesome,” DeMille said. “With the increase of deployments, we saw the need to do more functions like these with our kids.”

Principal Lynn Gilstrap also thinks the dance is an amazing experience for the children and fathers. “A lot of these dads are deploying within the next couple of months,” Gilstrap said. “One dad just got home yesterday and another is deploying tomorrow.”

“(He) deploys in the morning, but he said, ‘I couldn’t miss this night with my little girl,’” DeMille said. Most dads wanted to do all they could to make sure their daughter was as comfortable as possible.

“To help his daughter dance I heard one dad say, ‘step on daddy’s shoes, let him lead you,’” DeMille said.

Gilstrap said the school even had substitute dads to fill in for the fathers who were deployed. “Friends of the dads stepped in,” said DeMille with a sigh, “It’s so beautiful.”

Reed said the dance gave the brother or neighbor of deployed Marines the opportunity to give the daughter the same experience as other daughters with fathers there.

“Mary Fay has given us this opportunity to bond with our daughters, and it’s very appreciated,” said Reed with a smile.

As the night came to a close, dads and daughters exchanged smiles as if it was a memory they’d never forget. “I was raised in a home without a dad,” Gilstrap said. “These are the memories that I wish I had. These daughters will keep this memory for the rest of their lives.”Pass the Kleenex.

Whatever Happened To....
And other short-lived events

1. Paris Hilton's vow to both return to Catholicism and help the poor? (It never materialized... she never did.)

2. The impending Ice-Age we were all warned about back in the 80's and 90's? (Speaking of, where the hell's the "global warming"? It's currently snowing across the border in South Carolina.)

3. David Beckham's talent since moving to L.A.? (And no, acquiring splinters on your ass doesn't qualify as "talent". But I guess screwing the owners of the LA Galaxy out of a quarter of a billion dollars does)

4. Ellen DeGeneres sobbing alligator tears so Iggy the Dog could be returned to his owners? (He never was. But hey, Iggy was last years ratings bump.)

5. Cardinal Mahony's Catholicism? (Been to L.A. lately? Mahony's the Catholic equivalent to David Beckham.)

6. The Democrat Congressional majority vowing "the most honest, ethical and open Congress in history.” (According to Gallup, that just 14 % of Americans have confidence in this Democrat-led Congress, an all-time low.)

7. Hillary Clinton's new found humanity? (I guess tears are reserved for the night before an important primary election, huh?)

8. Britney Spears skivvie drawers? (Along with her watch, calender, court date summons', common sense, mothering skills, sobriety, etc.)

9. George Bush's promise to protect our borders? (No George, the millions wading across the Rio Grande aren't the starters for the Mexican National Marco Polo Team.)

10. Michael Jackson's race? (What the hell IS HE? And no... "Negro-Lite" doesn't qualify as an ethnicity.)

*11. What about Alec Baldwin's and Barbra Streisand's vow to move out of the country if Geroge Bush was elected president? (The Cavemen are still willing to pack your bags!)

* Wisdom from Former Altar Boy

THE SKY IS FALLING!!
My shrink says so

From News 14 Carolina in Raleigh; (Emphasis and comments mine)

Suffering From 'Eco-Anxiety'
Updated: 01/16/2008 03:07 PM
By: Claudine Chalfant

NORTH CAROLINA -- Former Vice President Al Gore isn’t the only one concerned about the environment, as more and more people are starting to become aware of global warming and experiencing ‘eco-anxiety.’ (That's a syndrome attributed to something called The Big Lie tactic. If you tell The Big Lie loud enough and long enough, people will believe it to be true. The Big Lie was widely used by Hitler's Minister of Propeganda, Josef Goebbles.)

"People are afraid of the future, they're afraid of what's going to happen,” said licensed therapist Melissa Pickett, saying of one patient (DRAMA QUEEN ALERT!!), "She brought up during the course of our session that she had just read an article about the polar bears and the loss of habitat and she started crying … she said 'I just don't understand this.'" (It's because of the same reason that Polar Bears rip the throats out of and then eat cute and cuddly Harp Seal pups. You know... the whole "Circle of Life" thingee.)

Pickett said fears about the environment are sending some people into a panic. The mental health disorder has grown enough to gain the ‘eco-anxiety’ name. "It's causing them to feel anxiety, it's causing them to feel depression, it's causing them to have insomnia,” said general practitioner Cynthia Knudsen of patients. (It's causing them to pay an awful lot of money to fear-mongering quacks like Cynthia Knudsen.)

Debra Kincaid is so gripped by the environment and the future of the planet, she can’t even force herself to throw away a broken coffee maker. She has chosen to have it repaired instead. "It can almost make you want to bury your head in the sand with a sense of hopelessness,” she said. (War in the Middle East, hunger in Africa, a broken coffee maker in Debra Kincaid's kitchen. The horror! I just want to bury my head in the sand with a sense of hopelessness. How 'bout you?)

“If everybody tosses their coffee maker into the landfill then pretty soon that's all we have." (But think how happy the people who work in new coffee maker factories would be. All those people with paying jobs... what a concept.)

Pickett said patients think they have to make big changes in their life, when the little things might be what matters most. Things like recycling, turning off lights, unplugging electrical items and carpooling can go a long way to ease the problem. (In other words... using common sense and not being wasteful. See how much money Doctor Caveman just saved you?)

Children can also suffer from anxiety over the planet. Experts suggest getting them involved in a recycling program or planting a garden. (Don't kids have it tough enough with raging hormones; a face full of acne; and boys trying to lose, or girls trying to retain, their virginity? Jeez... cut the kids some slack.)

When Government Becomes The Comic Opera
I can't make this stuff up...

This one rates right up there with Australian Santas banned from saying "Ho, Ho, Ho!" due to the possible slight that hoes, hoes, and even a few more hoes might take offense to being rightly referred to as hoes... and the dinks in the government in the North of Ireland who banned the phrase brain storming in favor of thought showers as so not to possibly alienate the brain stormed/brain damaged who dwell amongst us.

Well, sports fans... the grand prize for the Nanny-State advocating, politically correct pencil-necked geek of the decade goes to the dweebs at Britain's Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Which I guess could also stand for Hissies, Sissies and Eunuchies.

From the Beeb; (comments mine)

Pantomime gun must be registered
A Cornish village drama group has had to register a toy gun with the police to comply with health and safety rules.

Carnon Downs drama group in Cornwall have also had to keep their plastic cutlasses and wooden swords locked up for the pantomime, Robinson Crusoe. Producers of the show called the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) rules "farcical". A spokesman for the HSE said the rules were designed to make risks "sensibly managed".

The climax of the show is a fight in which actors use replica 4ft-foot long plastic cutlasses. There is also a toy gun which produces a flag saying "Bang". The directors contacted police after receiving advice from the HSE and the National Operatic and Dramatic Association. (It's all fun and games until someone produces a formerly secreted toy gun which produces a flag saying "Bang". That's when all toy hell breaks loose.)

The HSE have a page on their website called Entertainment Information Sheet 20 which lays down strict rules for the handling of guns, swords and other weapons on set. Drama group co-director Linda Barker said: "The cutlasses count as weapons even though they are replicas and made of plastic and apparently they could be mistaken for real ones. (Much like her husbands testicles, which she undoubtedly carries around in her purse.)

"Our only gun was a panto pistol which produces a flag with the word bang on it. "Our local police at Truro were fantastic and they have registered the gun, the two plastic cutlasses and our six wooden swords." (Translation - The Liberal wet dream of what the once vaunted British Armed Forces will have their armories reduced to.)

She added: "It gets a bit farcical when you are dealing with plastic swords. It is not as if anyone is likely to be scared by them." (Translation - The Liberal wet dream of what the once vaunted British Armed Forces will be reduced to. NOTE: Most of Europe's Armed Forces already fall into this category. See: Italy and Spain.)

Neighbourhood beat officer Pc Nigel Hyde said: "We have been informed and made a note. "It seems a bit unusual but other forms of replica weapons have been used to carry out crimes and the consequences have been serious." (Yet another reason why guns should be outlawed to the law abiding citizenry in Great Britian. Introduce the "replica" thieves to real bullets. I'll bet they won't rob anyone ever again.)

A spokesman for the HSE said: "We do not want to stop people putting on pantos or having fun as long as the risks are sensible managed." (Risks? Interesting... common sense and personal accountability are now classified as risks).Sheesh... hey British, is there anything the government DOESN'T tell you to do? But I shouldn't be too critical. America isn't that far behind.

Hate Speech/Freedom Of Speech?
As Europe slouches towards it's eventual caliphate

Here's some of the posting from The Brussels Journal; (emphasis mine)

Last week the Austrian politician Susanne Winter caused an Alpine storm with her controversial statement that the prophet Mohammed was “a child molester” who had married a six-year-old girl and “a warlord” who had written the Koran during “epileptic fits.” The politician, a member of the Austrian Freedom Party FPÖ, an anti-immigration party which is in opposition, added that Islam is “a totalitarian system of domination that should be cast back to its birthplace on the other side of the Mediterranean.”

Muslim organizations in Austria called Ms. Winter’s words “sickening and evil.” The Austrian Christian Democrats, Socialists, Greens and even the BZÖ, the party of former FPÖ leader Jörg Haider, strongly criticized Winter’s remarks. Erhard Busek, the leader of the Christian Democrats, called upon Cardinal Schönborn, the Archbishop of Vienna, to “speak out clearly” against Ms. Winter, a Catholic.

Mr. Busek said Winter’s remarks were “a disaster […] the most primitive populism, which does not fit in the framework of democracy. […] I expect a real outcry and criticism from religious communities, of believing people with convictions.” There is, however, a ‘real outcry’ in other quarters. Muslim extremists have threatened to kill Susanne Winter. The Austrian authorities are taking the threats seriously and have placed the politician under police protection.

Meanwhile, in the Netherlands, the words of another intolerant politician are hardly causing a ripple in the polders. Bouchra Ismaili, a Rotterdam councillor of Moroccan origin, sent a controversial email to Jos Parbleu, a Dutch citizen who had written her and many other politicians a polite email to communicate his concerns about the rise of the Islamist organization Hizb ut-Tahrir. Ms. Ismaili told Mr. Parbleu to “drop dead” or “convert to Islam.” She added that Parbleu was “a dirty fool” who ought to realize that Muslims would soon be the majority in the Netherlands and that: “You are the foreigner here.” [An English translation of the Dutch politician’s email has been posted here.]

Ms. Ismaili’s words have not provoked threats to kill her, there has been no public national or international outcry, the United Nations are not worried about rising ‘Christophobia’ in Europe, and the Christian Democrats have not called upon the Dutch imams to “speak out clearly” against “the most primitive language which does not fit in the framework of democracy.”

Ms. Ismaili told the Dutch media that she wrote the email to Mr. Parbleu “in a fit of anger” because earlier that day she had heard someone say “that all Moroccans must die.” Al-Qa’eda has been saying for years that the infidels must die. But that is not regarded as an excuse for her Catholic Austrian colleague when she said that Islam should be “cast back” to where it came from.

In The Grand Tradition Of Martin Luther And John Calvin
And other gutless wonders

I recently had a discussion (and that's putting it mildly) with a rabidly anti-Catholic individual at work. It was sad, indeed, that this individual was self-admittantly unsure of many of the teachings of The Church, but he sure did have strong opinions against Catholicism. And it goes without saying that he spoke ever so highly of his heroes... the Bobsey Twins of Heresy; Luther and Calvin.

Anyhow, when he asked about the Real Presence of Christ in The Eucharist, I explained the Transubstantiation to him. And I wasn't really all that shocked when he stated "do you really expect me to buy-off on a ridiculous teaching like that!?"

To wit, I pointed out The Holy Gospel according to St. John, Chapter 6 (Douay-Rheims Bible, of course)


56 For My flesh is meat indeed: and My blood is drink indeed. 57 He that eateth My flesh, and drinketh My blood, abideth in Me, and I in him. 58 As the living Father hath sent Me, and I live by the Father; so he that eateth Me, the same also shall live by Me.

61 Many therefore of his disciples, hearing it, said: This saying is hard, and who can hear it? 62 But Jesus, knowing in Himself, that His disciples murmured at this, said to them: Doth this scandalize you?

67 After this many of His disciples went back; and walked no more with Him.So as I pointed out to my aquaintance, his attitude wasn't anything new. It first reared it's ugly head back in 33 AD to Christ Himself.

And as my aquaintance winced as I also had the bad manners to point out --- his "heroes" followed in the same direction as those who refuted The Real Presence --- away from Jesus.

And We Should Be Surprised...
Why?

Here's some of the article from Life Site News;

ACLU Backs Gay Sex in Public Toilets under "Privacy" Provisions
By Hilary White

MINNEAPOLIS, January 16, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The American Civil Liberties Union is arguing that men who have sex in public washrooms should be protected under court rulings guaranteeing privacy.

On Tuesday, the ACLU filed an amicus brief to the Minnesota 4th District Court citing a Minnesota Supreme Court ruling 38 years ago that found that people who have sex in closed stalls in public restrooms "have a reasonable expectation of privacy."Homosexual anal sex whilst negotiating one's way around the cramped confines of a tiolet stall... how fitting. After all, would you expect any less from individuals who consider the odor of fecal matter to be an aphrodisiac?

In an unrelated story, here's some of this this gem; (emphasis mine)

Highly Infectious, Deadly Bacteria Striking Gay Men
Disease spread primarily through anal intercourse
By Matthew Cullinan Hoffman

SAN FRANCISCO, January 15, 2007 (LifeSiteNews.com) - A new medical study appearing in the Annals of American Medicine shows that homosexuals are spreading a new, highly-infectious and extremely dangerous bacteria amongst themselves, most probably through anal intercourse.

The bacterium, called MRSA USA300, is impervious to front-line antibiotics and can only be treated with rarer drugs, primarily Vancomycin. Researchers say that the bug, which is a type of staphylococcus, is primed to develop immunity to that drug as well.

The study's authors note that the strong link between unhealthy behavior, particularly among homosexuals, is the driving force behind the disease. "Spread of the USA300 clone among men who have sex with men is associated with high-risk behaviors, including use of methamphetamine and other illicit drugs, sex with multiple partners, participation in a group sex party, use of the internet for sexual contacts, skin-abrading sex, and history of sexually transmitted infections," the authors write.

The study, which focused on clinics in the San Francisco area, found that in some cases up to 39% of patients had the MRSA USA300 infections in their genitals or buttocks, although the disease can be spread by general skin-to-skin contact and can even be picked up from surfaces.

Observing that "Infection with multidrug-resistant USA300 MRSA is common among men who have sex with men," the study timidly concludes that "multidrug-resistant MRSA infection might be sexually transmitted in this population," and counsels "further research."

It is estimated that in San Francisco's Castro District, which has the highest concentration of homosexuals in the country, the infection rate is 1 in every 588 residents. One in every 3,800 residents of San Francisco are infected. Homosexuals are 13 times more likely to be infected than others in the city.

Peter LaBarbara, president of Americans for Truth About Homosexuality, is hoping that the revelation of yet another homosexual epidemic will have an impact on the public's perception of homosexual behavior. "I think that the media, and Hollywood, and a lot of our policy makers and certainly academia are in a world of 'let's pretend' with regard to homosexual behavior and its consequences," he told LifeSiteNews. "They don't want to focus on the special risks that homosexual behavior, especially between men, have in the public health arena, and issues like this keep coming up."

However, LaBarbara acknowledges that the major media will "invariably spin things in a homosexual direction."

"We saw the identical thing happen 25 years ago with the reporting on AIDS," he said, "but ironically the whole AIDS crisis strengthened the homosexual lobby in this country."God will not be mocked.

And I Mean This Quite Literally...
What in the HELL is this!!??


Is it an extra-terrestrial being floating down from it's spaceship? Could it be the latest gore-covered monster from the mind of horror film-maker Wes Craven? Is it a nightmare version of a decaying dead body?

All three went through my mind when I first saw it. But hold on to your hats, fellow Bloglodytes....

From the Diocese of Belfort-Montbéliard, France, I give to you... honest to God... the 12th Station of The Cross. Wait 'till you see the rest of 'em.

Here's the AltaVista Babel-Fish translation page.

To retain at least a semblance of Catholicism, here's what Sacred Art is suppose to look like.

You Make The Call
I'm just sayin'....

Chelsea Clinton



Meghan McCain

Democrats Continue To Eat Their Young
God help the 2008 Dem Veep candidate

WARNING!!! Harsh language alert!

Anyone remember who was on the Democratic Party ticket back in 2000? For those who forgot, it was Al Gore and Joe Lieberman. OK, now does anyone remember who comprised the Dems ticket back in 2004? Yep... John Kerry and John Edwards.

Now the fun part...

Does anyone remember how the Democratic Party treated Joe Lieberman after he came out in favor of the war in Iraq? For those who forgot, he was treated like dog crap. He instantaneously became a persona non grata. In fact, he was so ostracized by his own party, that when he ran for re-election to the senate just a handful of years after his failed run at the Vice Presidency, the heavy-hitters in the Democratic party (Sens. Harry Reid, Hillary Clinton, John Kerry, Charles Schumer and Russ Feingold) endorsed his opponent, Ned Lamont.

Remember... Lieberman was their Veep candidate just a few years earlier.

Now let's fast-forward to 2004. Kerry-Edwards. Didn't I just do a posting on how John Kerry has endorsed Barack Obama over his own former running mate? I sure did.

Less than four short years ago, John Edwards was the guy who eventually was to be groomed to be the President of the United States, if all went well. You know, Kerry wins 2-terms as Prez, and it's Edwards waiting in the wings. And as we all know, that (thankfully) failed to materialize.

The loyalty, or lack thereof, displayed to Lieberman and Edwards is telling to say the least. You know, if the Democrats don't even give a shit about their own people... what makes you think they'll give a shit about you?