Between the turkey and the cranberries...

might be a crash course in moral theology. As in, this is why voting for "that one" was impossible for a Catholic. And this is why we have to oppose just about half of his plans. And no, that doesn't mean I want to burn people at the stake. And no, there isn't a secret albino society run by the Vatican. And no, Jesus did not have children by Mary Magdalene.

God help us.

Pass the mashed potatoes, please?

Keep this in mind next time you see a singing holiday tree in Home Depot

Speaking of how not to celebrate Christmas, wifey and I were talking today about all those kids' movies that celebrate the magic of the holiday within all of us...

Frankly, I'm sick of trying to come up with as many marketing ideas that show this "magical season" while blatantly avoiding the meaning of why the holiday is there in the first place.

Tell the story of Christmas! Not how a little mouse saved Christmas by making sure the bell tower worked. Not how a train engine worked together with his friends to cheer someone up. Not how Mrs. Brady got her voice back in time to sing Christmas carols.

Talk about Jesus. Born in a stable, laid in a manger, worshipped by the shepherds, reverenced by learned men, feared by kings, cradled by Mary, protected by Joseph, glorified by hosts of angels. The child born to make men free.

There are some linebackers who like to cuddle kittens.

This is a future one.

"Here you go. You have a bite."

It takes one tough Panda to oust Luke Skywalker as a 4-year old's (and his 3-and 2-year old brothers') favorite movie hero

I have to say, this is one movie I could watch with the kids on a continuous loop for a month. (Good thing for me, 'cause that's practically what it is. Unfortunate for wifey.)


http://www.kungfupanda.com/

Fr. Neuhaus on the upcoming trials

Hi folks,

Anyone interested in the relationship of faith and public life should read this and other articles by Fr. Neuhaus.

http://www.firstthings.com/onthesquare/?p=1227

Plan B debate

Hi folks,

I stumbled across this blog post from last year and I thought that it was worth sharing, concerning the Plan B pill in Catholic hospitals. The posts toward the beginning are a little punchy, but once people get past their pride, I believe that they get precisely to the point about the decision by the CT Catholic Conference to allow Plan B in Catholic hospitals.

http://vox-nova.com/2007/09/29/what-american-papist-isnt-telling-you-about-plan-b/#respond

AG Blumenthal part two

Reply from Attorney General Richard Blumenthal

Dear Mr. and Mrs. J:

I appreciate your email and your strongly held views on this important issue. However, I would like to clarify the position of my office and 12 other state attorneys general regarding the proposed Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) regulations.

First, the letter to HHS was in response to its request for comments on proposed regulations. There is no lawsuit pending or contemplated at this time.

Second, the letter urges withdrawal of the regulations and suggests that the personal views of health care providers be balanced with the rights of patients to legally and medically prescribed health care procedures. In Connecticut, hospitals can refuse on personal or moral grounds to dispense certain emergency contraception but they must also make some accommodation so a patient, in this instance a rape victim, can receive the prescribed health care service or prescription.

Both the patient and physician’s interests must be taken into consideration.

I hope I have clarified my position and thank you for contacting me.
Sincerely,
RICHARD BLUMENTHAL

my response:
Mr. Blumenthal,

Thank you for your reply. That does clear up some confusion. However, I am still concerned that without this regulation, pro-life health-care professionals will still be discriminated against for their positions.

As you said, such pro-life doctors and nurses can not be forced by law to provide services they feel objectionable, but what protection is there for them in the workplace?

Sincerely,
MJ

Reply from Attorney General Richard Blumenthal

Dear Mr. and Mrs. J:
I appreciate your continued interest, and wish to confirm that any health care provider should be completely protected under existing statutes from discrimination based on religious views. If you have other questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Many thanks, and warmest regards.
Sincerely,
RICHARD BLUMENTHAL

My response to you all:

"existing statutes"- but why would HHS feel the need to place a regulation protecting pro-life health care providers unless there were hints of discrimination?

Also, FOCA is not an existing statute, but it would in all likelihood undermine the rights of those hcp's to refuse to participate in such procedures.

Keep praying!