George Offerman
""note"" I inadvertently listed the National Catholic Register, an orthodox news paper for the National Catholic Reporter, the very liberal and non Catholic paper, and corrected this.
Adele Stan, Alternet’s Washington bureau Chief, recently published an article chastising the JPII Cultural Center for ‘offering a platform” for pro lifer Randall Terry and Missy Smith of WAKEUP. Ms. Stan, contacted the offices of the JPII Cultural Center and attempted to get a response from, and this is in effect, the conversation.
UPDATE: I called Susan Gibb, the communications director for the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C., whose archbishop, Donald Wuerl, sits on the executive committee of the John Paul II Cultural Center, for comment on whether he is comfortable with the fact that Randall Terry plans to speak at the institution Wuerl helps to lead.
The conversation was contentious. Gibb said the executive committee is not involved in the day-to-day booking of the center, and she became testy when I asked if the archbishop was comfortable with the idea of Terry speaking at the center. She told me I should call the Cultural Center, which I have, but a Brother Joseph simply referred me back to Missy Smith, the Randall Terry associate who booked the Cultural Center's facilities -- not to anyone on the Center staff who made the space available to Smith's group, Wake Up.
At one point during my conversation with Gibb, when I pressed to get a comment on whether Wuerl judged Terry to be an appropriate guest for the center, Gibb simply repeated her claim that the executive committee is not involved in the Cultural Center's bookings. "I'm sorry if you don't understand that," she said.
This particular conversation, and the way it is reported brings up a variety of issues. At the front end, it would seem that Ms. Stan has little to no knowledge about the Catholic position on abortion, what a Catholic in good standing means and what creed a believer follows versus a non believer.
One would think by reading Ms. Stan’s ‘interrogation’ of the staff at the JP II center, especially Ms. Gibbs, that the idea of standing up for the babies and promoting life is a foreign concept. After all, it was John Paul II, and may we add The Great, who made clear references that the right to life is the most premier and front issue facing the whole church, and needs to be defended to the utmost degree. Ms. Stan, the official Catholic position is the right to life, and the need to protect it. Randall Terry does just that, and it seems you don’t like that too much.
Ms. Stan’s badgering and bullying tactics are exactly what she accuses Randall Terry of, and this is her point in trying to ‘convey’ to the JP II center staff that Randall Terry is not appropriate to speak at the center. I can assure you, Ms. Stan, you definitely are not the appropriate person to decide this, nor do you carry any credible moral or ethical weight in this matter. Any Catholic in good standing cannot support an anti life positions and call themselves Catholic, and regardless of your position, you do not have the moral authority to make that judgment as you make it so abundantly clear you are anti life. You discussing a viable position to Catholics, is like a blind person telling the seeing what color the sky is.
What Ms. Stan does successfully convey in her posting, is how easily the church ‘caves’ on the issues, and how positions such as Ms. Stan’s are not challenged. It is truly a sad testimony of the weak and crippled position the Catholic Church has taken concerning the Right to Life issue, and how they will not stand up for it. Regardless of what one thinks about Randall Terry and his tactics, no one can dispute the fact he gets media attention and has forced the debate front and center. This is the job of the Church, and they have been derelict in their duty to do this. If the church truly understood the nature of the battle, that it is against powers and principalities unseen by the human eye, they would clearly understand that people standing up like Randall Terry, are drawing the wrath of demons and mobilizing the anti life crowd.
Ms. Stan wants to dictate the means in which the Catholic Church operates and what they can and cannot do concerning right to life issues. For someone who makes the claim “Don’t impose your will on us” Ms. Stan seems to have no issues imposing her will on the Church in general and the JP II Center in particular. No contradiction there? Very typical of these liberal thinkers, the use of logic is optional, and they have the air of snobbery and superior positions.
There would have been no need for a rude comeback to Ms. Stan, but regardless of who is speaking and what is going on at a seminar that had been approved by the center, Ms. Stan easily could have been told “We are taking a position advocated by John Paul II and the Catholic Church in general and presenting it to whomever wants to listen. If you believe this is in error, set up your own counter seminar at any planned parenthood, or abortion mill and have any speaker you would like”
The Church needs to get off this defensive, ‘embarrassed that some draw attention to this sensitive issue’ position, and take the lead in this fight, as God has instructed and expects. Since the Church is refusing to do so, people like Randall Terry are taking up the mantle, and yes, it is controversial, as most matters in morals are when dealing with an immoral society. The Church has lost its first love, and is more than happy to comply with the rules of men than God, in order to ‘get along’.
Now, moving onto how the ‘Lukewarm” trash warriors like Randall Terry, here is a real story published in the National Catholic Reporter, that validates the point that supposed pro lifers use harsher language on other pro lifers than the enemy, and simultaneously hold themselves “above the fray” when using the same tactics against the pro lifers as they are condemning.
Randall Terry Strikes Again!
by Michael Sean Winters on Jan. 06, 2010
• NCR Today
Randall Terry is at it again. The anti-abortion extremist has indulged in racist street theater directed at the President and his interview with Archbishop Raymond Burke last year raised eyebrows before eliciting a semi-apology from Burke for his criticism of brother bishops. Now, he is planning to participate in a training session held at the John Paul II Cultural Center in Washington, D.C. the weekend after the March for Life according to a report at Alternet.org. A spokesperson for the Archdiocese of Washington said that the event was being organized not by Terry but by Missy Smith, who is affiliated with Insurrecta Nex, the renamed version of Terry’s Operation Rescue.
Terry is more than a nuisance. He undermines the credibility of the pro-life movement. In one video he released, he brings the body of an aborted fetus in front of the cameras, reducing a human tragedy to the status of a prop, exploiting the dignity of human life that he purports to champion.
Last year, conservatives, especially extreme pro-life conservatives, cited the USCCB document on “Catholics in Political Life” which said that Church facilities should not be used to host or promote those whose values are antithetical to the Church. Terry’s brand of hatefulness surely meets the criteria. He should not be permitted to use any church facilities, least of all one so prominent as the John Paul II Cultural Center. So far, no one from the John Paul II Center has returned a call asking for clarification.
This “article” would be laughable if it was not so pathetic and sad. If one did not know this story was published in the National Catholic Reporter, they would swear it came directly from NOW, Planned parenthood or any other of the enemies of pro lifers. One can look at the use of the language (emotional) Mr. Winters chooses to use that he has no real substance to his charges, and has to resort to name calling to make whatever point he is trying to make. What does this say about the integrity of the National Catholic Reporter, and its use of the word Catholic in its title if it does not represent the teachings of the Church? And Mr. Winters believes he is qualified to determine who should use what facilities?
It is people like Mr. Winters who are the hate spewing extremists, and somehow, manage to get into organizations that supposedly resemble a Catholic institution and spew drivel disguised as news. Get with the program, Mr. Winters. Decide whether you are Catholic or not and get on with it. Theological College 1986.
Friday, January 8, 2010
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
AN ENORMOUS OPPORTUNITY
George Offerman
Health care continues to be front and center in the current debate throughout the country, and among most pro life groups. There seems to be repercussions for many of the democrats, especially in the Senate, as it appears there are now two prominent Senators choosing to not run for reelection. While the election is some ways off, and much can happen in the mean time, what is the pro life movement going to do with what may be considered a ‘once in a decade’ chance to make an impact?
It seems many of the pro life groups are looking to the Republican Party for their answers. If one looks at the track record for this, it is rather abysmal, and most likely will end up in the same fashion, as the last opportunity, in 1994, when “The Contract for America” was introduced by Rep Gingrich and co. At that time, there was hope that some sane legislation would be passed, but ultimately, they capitulated to Clinton, due to Clinton’s desire to win, and use whatever means necessary to do so.
Ultimately, it was their lack of conviction in believing the platform they ran on, that allowed for the disaster that we are still dealing with. The Republicans had a brief opportunity to do something of substance whit Bush in office, but once again, sold out on their core convictions. The ‘asleep at the wheel’ majority of the American electorate then voted in the current crowd of cronies, and look where we are now.
We really have an opportunity to shape the debate as a movement, but it will take some unprecedented courage, and tactics not normally used to do this. Legalized child killing is front and center as the main obstacle and the first task at hand is to make clear to BOTH PARTIES that passing this bill allowing for federal funding of legalized child killing will result in them losing their jobs. Anything less than that by us will be a SELL OUT. If we don’t do this, then it will only show the current tactics of ‘tolerance, education and being nice’ not only is an abject failure, but actually brings great harm to the cause of ending legalized child killing.
We have had a prime example of this with a small group in Hawaii that protested in many locations that Obama appeared in. This small group received a significant amount of secular press, and received very little in the mainstream pro life media. Their efforts are continuing to make news, but more importantly, tying Obama and legalized child killing together. Efforts like this will make the point to those who openly lie about their positions, get elected and think they get a free pass, to think twice about that strategy. We need to hold these elected officials accountable, and actually follow through with throwing them out of office.
We also need to find and elect representatives that will not compromise, or subscribe to ‘incrementalism’ as a strategy in ending legalized child killing. For too long, the mainstream pro life movement has tied themselves to this losing strategy, and most of the representatives in the Republican party have learned to throw just enough ‘red meat’ to the profilers, to get reelected and continue on in their mediocre efforts at ending legalized child killing. These elected officials need to have the ‘fear of God’ instilled on them, and actually earn the right to represent this cause.
The question is, are we up to this task, or will it be delegated to the large institutional pro life groups, such as National Right to Life, to do our thinking and activities for us? We need to stand up as the Christians God called us to be, and get the job done. If not us, then who, if not now, when?
Health care continues to be front and center in the current debate throughout the country, and among most pro life groups. There seems to be repercussions for many of the democrats, especially in the Senate, as it appears there are now two prominent Senators choosing to not run for reelection. While the election is some ways off, and much can happen in the mean time, what is the pro life movement going to do with what may be considered a ‘once in a decade’ chance to make an impact?
It seems many of the pro life groups are looking to the Republican Party for their answers. If one looks at the track record for this, it is rather abysmal, and most likely will end up in the same fashion, as the last opportunity, in 1994, when “The Contract for America” was introduced by Rep Gingrich and co. At that time, there was hope that some sane legislation would be passed, but ultimately, they capitulated to Clinton, due to Clinton’s desire to win, and use whatever means necessary to do so.
Ultimately, it was their lack of conviction in believing the platform they ran on, that allowed for the disaster that we are still dealing with. The Republicans had a brief opportunity to do something of substance whit Bush in office, but once again, sold out on their core convictions. The ‘asleep at the wheel’ majority of the American electorate then voted in the current crowd of cronies, and look where we are now.
We really have an opportunity to shape the debate as a movement, but it will take some unprecedented courage, and tactics not normally used to do this. Legalized child killing is front and center as the main obstacle and the first task at hand is to make clear to BOTH PARTIES that passing this bill allowing for federal funding of legalized child killing will result in them losing their jobs. Anything less than that by us will be a SELL OUT. If we don’t do this, then it will only show the current tactics of ‘tolerance, education and being nice’ not only is an abject failure, but actually brings great harm to the cause of ending legalized child killing.
We have had a prime example of this with a small group in Hawaii that protested in many locations that Obama appeared in. This small group received a significant amount of secular press, and received very little in the mainstream pro life media. Their efforts are continuing to make news, but more importantly, tying Obama and legalized child killing together. Efforts like this will make the point to those who openly lie about their positions, get elected and think they get a free pass, to think twice about that strategy. We need to hold these elected officials accountable, and actually follow through with throwing them out of office.
We also need to find and elect representatives that will not compromise, or subscribe to ‘incrementalism’ as a strategy in ending legalized child killing. For too long, the mainstream pro life movement has tied themselves to this losing strategy, and most of the representatives in the Republican party have learned to throw just enough ‘red meat’ to the profilers, to get reelected and continue on in their mediocre efforts at ending legalized child killing. These elected officials need to have the ‘fear of God’ instilled on them, and actually earn the right to represent this cause.
The question is, are we up to this task, or will it be delegated to the large institutional pro life groups, such as National Right to Life, to do our thinking and activities for us? We need to stand up as the Christians God called us to be, and get the job done. If not us, then who, if not now, when?
Monday, January 4, 2010
MARCH FOR LIFE CONTEST
Since we already know the mainstream media is going to ‘ice’ this event, we might as well have some fun (hopefully at their expense). In this light, I am creating a contest to show disdain for the mainstream media and all of its lackeys. Since they mock us at every turn, we might as well expose their biases and shed some light of truth their way. So, there will be two categories to win prizes, and I will go over the stipulations in the proceeding paragraphs.
First some comments on the March for Life. First, I applaud Nellie Grey for putting her efforts into this march year after year, and getting the support that she does. I always hope every year, that the march is a springboard for an increase in activities for the rest of the year, but unfortunately it seems to result in most feeling like they did their annual ‘obligation’ and seem to disappear until the next march. This needs to change.
Also, I hope we don’t have some of the ‘sidebar’ stories the mainstream media picks up on, such as last year when a great deal of marchers wore “Obama” paraphernalia and appeared to not see the blatant contradiction in their positions. The mainstream media will be looking for any ridiculous story to focus on and to discredit the march and the cause.
Now, onto the contest. The first category will be “guess the numbers’. The object of this is to get the closest to the spread position between the ‘underestimated’ numbers by the Park Police and the estimates by Nellie Grey’s people. Remember, they round off numbers, so one might like to think of using estimates like on “The price is right”, i.e. (150,001). In the case of a tie, the winner will be determined by the earlier submitted estimate. Only one estimate per person allowed for this category.
The second category is funniest “headline” for the mainstream media’s not covering the march, “The dog ate my microphone”. Think of your greatest line or try to get into the heads of the mainstream ‘free’ press and think of the stupidest idea (Probably close to the truth for them) and send it this way. This is more subjective, and will be determined by me. The ‘laugh’ quotient must be there, and I will post the headlines I receive. One can enter as many ‘funny’ headlines as they can think of.
Prizes. Well, Mr. pro life defender is going to put his ‘money’ where his mouth is, and offering some of his silver bullion, as well as copies of the book Where are Our Shepherds graciously donated by Gregory Thompson. The contest is open at the time of this posting, and will end the day before the march on the 21st. I, obviously, am not eligible to win and will have others validate the winners and awarded prizes.
First Prize: 2 Silver American Eagles, any year, copy of Where are Our Shepherds?
Second Prize: 1 Silver American Eagle, any year, copy of Where are Our Shepherds?
Third Prize: Copy of Where are Our Shepherds
Send Contest entries to: prolifedefender@gmail.com
Under 18 can participate.
Good luck, and have fun.
First some comments on the March for Life. First, I applaud Nellie Grey for putting her efforts into this march year after year, and getting the support that she does. I always hope every year, that the march is a springboard for an increase in activities for the rest of the year, but unfortunately it seems to result in most feeling like they did their annual ‘obligation’ and seem to disappear until the next march. This needs to change.
Also, I hope we don’t have some of the ‘sidebar’ stories the mainstream media picks up on, such as last year when a great deal of marchers wore “Obama” paraphernalia and appeared to not see the blatant contradiction in their positions. The mainstream media will be looking for any ridiculous story to focus on and to discredit the march and the cause.
Now, onto the contest. The first category will be “guess the numbers’. The object of this is to get the closest to the spread position between the ‘underestimated’ numbers by the Park Police and the estimates by Nellie Grey’s people. Remember, they round off numbers, so one might like to think of using estimates like on “The price is right”, i.e. (150,001). In the case of a tie, the winner will be determined by the earlier submitted estimate. Only one estimate per person allowed for this category.
The second category is funniest “headline” for the mainstream media’s not covering the march, “The dog ate my microphone”. Think of your greatest line or try to get into the heads of the mainstream ‘free’ press and think of the stupidest idea (Probably close to the truth for them) and send it this way. This is more subjective, and will be determined by me. The ‘laugh’ quotient must be there, and I will post the headlines I receive. One can enter as many ‘funny’ headlines as they can think of.
Prizes. Well, Mr. pro life defender is going to put his ‘money’ where his mouth is, and offering some of his silver bullion, as well as copies of the book Where are Our Shepherds graciously donated by Gregory Thompson. The contest is open at the time of this posting, and will end the day before the march on the 21st. I, obviously, am not eligible to win and will have others validate the winners and awarded prizes.
First Prize: 2 Silver American Eagles, any year, copy of Where are Our Shepherds?
Second Prize: 1 Silver American Eagle, any year, copy of Where are Our Shepherds?
Third Prize: Copy of Where are Our Shepherds
Send Contest entries to: prolifedefender@gmail.com
Under 18 can participate.
Good luck, and have fun.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
REFLECTIONS ON 2009
George Offerman
This past year has been very interesting and challenging personally as well as nationally. Where we are heading will be determined by what we are currently doing (or not doing). So, I will look at some of the news making events, and take a gander into seeing what may lie ahead for us in the next year.
We had the most pro death president in the history of our country take office in January, with a great deal of optimism and fanfare by the majority. Obama has turned out to be extremely two faced and is quite the opposite of what he promised (except for child killing). This surprised the majority, who continued on in their deluded state believing ‘everything will be alright’.
Obama then is invited to Notre Dame to receive an honorary law degree and give the commencement speech to the graduates. This event is largely ignored by both the church, and mainstream pro life groups, and then when challenged by Randall Terry, then others, both the church and mainstream pro life groups ignored/criticized/condemned this effort. Obama successfully took on the “biggest kid on the block” and in essence divided and conquered the Catholic Church splitting in nearly down the middle (similar to the vote tally 54% voting for Obama).
Then the Kennedy funeral in which 2 prelates decided to preside at, and allow pro aborts to receive communion in direct violation of Cannon 915. Retired Cardinal McCarrick then presided at the gravesite ceremony, and at no time, was Kennedy’s voting record, or his strong anti Catholic stances questioned or challenged by these leaders.
Sotomayor, a woman of very questionable abilities and qualifications, is nominated, and then elevated to the Supreme Court, with very little resistance from the mainstream pro life groups, and nary a word from the Catholic Church, due mainly to her heritage, and not wanting to come across as ‘bigoted’, thus selling out faith for convenience.
Finally, healthcare emerged as a charged issue, and this had been in the making for sometime, but not dealt with by the reactionary Christian Churches and the mainstream pro life groups. The same people who stayed quiet throughout the Obama candidacy and subsequent election to president, now decided to act, and utilized feeble and half hearted measures to make it look like they wanted it stopped. These same groups then demonized Senator Nelson, and want to make it ‘his fault’ that this measure passed the Senate. Neither of these two groups has done much soul searching amongst themselves to see that standing up for the faith in its truest form and uncompromising, would have killed all of the above right in its tracks.
For legalized child killing to REALLY END, there has to be genuine fear by the elected officials of a strong, informed and accountable driven electorate. The electorate needs to have good formation and representation by lay leaders in developing a strong grassroots organization, and the lay leaders in these organizations need to be inspired by none other than saints and leaders and pastors from the Christian Churches, who put leather into their faith walk, and not just talk a good game. Without these in the proper order, our efforts will fail.
2009 has proven how far away we are in this fight, and 2010 needs to be the year we begin to turn this around. It has to start with the churches, and it ultimately may mean leaving them, defunding them, protesting them, or just a good old fashioned revival excluding them. Either way, there is a God in Heaven, who is watching, who is actively involved, who does keep perfect scores, who does not tolerate injustices, and will break into history when his representatives on earth (His Church) fails to act, or is in outright rebellion to His will.
If the Church is ambivalent about its own teachings and missions, then those that come from it (those that make up most of the pro life groups) will reflect the same ambivalence and same ‘moderation’ and mish mash teachings, which then make its way to the electorate, and eventually to the elected officials, who believe ‘we can do what we want, without repercussions”. The church of the lukewarm is the mainstream church, and it trickles down to all areas of our society. This condition will not last forever, and we are running out of time.
2010 has to be the year that we do house cleaning in the legislature, but more importantly, we need to clean our own houses. It is a painful process, but the consequences will be way more painful if not done. The storm clouds are nearing, the wind is blowing, the lightening can be seen, and there is thunder in the distance. Do we want to continue pretending all is right, do little to nothing, and believe things will straighten out on their own? Or do we want to become the saints that our Living God calls us to be?
This past year has been very interesting and challenging personally as well as nationally. Where we are heading will be determined by what we are currently doing (or not doing). So, I will look at some of the news making events, and take a gander into seeing what may lie ahead for us in the next year.
We had the most pro death president in the history of our country take office in January, with a great deal of optimism and fanfare by the majority. Obama has turned out to be extremely two faced and is quite the opposite of what he promised (except for child killing). This surprised the majority, who continued on in their deluded state believing ‘everything will be alright’.
Obama then is invited to Notre Dame to receive an honorary law degree and give the commencement speech to the graduates. This event is largely ignored by both the church, and mainstream pro life groups, and then when challenged by Randall Terry, then others, both the church and mainstream pro life groups ignored/criticized/condemned this effort. Obama successfully took on the “biggest kid on the block” and in essence divided and conquered the Catholic Church splitting in nearly down the middle (similar to the vote tally 54% voting for Obama).
Then the Kennedy funeral in which 2 prelates decided to preside at, and allow pro aborts to receive communion in direct violation of Cannon 915. Retired Cardinal McCarrick then presided at the gravesite ceremony, and at no time, was Kennedy’s voting record, or his strong anti Catholic stances questioned or challenged by these leaders.
Sotomayor, a woman of very questionable abilities and qualifications, is nominated, and then elevated to the Supreme Court, with very little resistance from the mainstream pro life groups, and nary a word from the Catholic Church, due mainly to her heritage, and not wanting to come across as ‘bigoted’, thus selling out faith for convenience.
Finally, healthcare emerged as a charged issue, and this had been in the making for sometime, but not dealt with by the reactionary Christian Churches and the mainstream pro life groups. The same people who stayed quiet throughout the Obama candidacy and subsequent election to president, now decided to act, and utilized feeble and half hearted measures to make it look like they wanted it stopped. These same groups then demonized Senator Nelson, and want to make it ‘his fault’ that this measure passed the Senate. Neither of these two groups has done much soul searching amongst themselves to see that standing up for the faith in its truest form and uncompromising, would have killed all of the above right in its tracks.
For legalized child killing to REALLY END, there has to be genuine fear by the elected officials of a strong, informed and accountable driven electorate. The electorate needs to have good formation and representation by lay leaders in developing a strong grassroots organization, and the lay leaders in these organizations need to be inspired by none other than saints and leaders and pastors from the Christian Churches, who put leather into their faith walk, and not just talk a good game. Without these in the proper order, our efforts will fail.
2009 has proven how far away we are in this fight, and 2010 needs to be the year we begin to turn this around. It has to start with the churches, and it ultimately may mean leaving them, defunding them, protesting them, or just a good old fashioned revival excluding them. Either way, there is a God in Heaven, who is watching, who is actively involved, who does keep perfect scores, who does not tolerate injustices, and will break into history when his representatives on earth (His Church) fails to act, or is in outright rebellion to His will.
If the Church is ambivalent about its own teachings and missions, then those that come from it (those that make up most of the pro life groups) will reflect the same ambivalence and same ‘moderation’ and mish mash teachings, which then make its way to the electorate, and eventually to the elected officials, who believe ‘we can do what we want, without repercussions”. The church of the lukewarm is the mainstream church, and it trickles down to all areas of our society. This condition will not last forever, and we are running out of time.
2010 has to be the year that we do house cleaning in the legislature, but more importantly, we need to clean our own houses. It is a painful process, but the consequences will be way more painful if not done. The storm clouds are nearing, the wind is blowing, the lightening can be seen, and there is thunder in the distance. Do we want to continue pretending all is right, do little to nothing, and believe things will straighten out on their own? Or do we want to become the saints that our Living God calls us to be?
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
DEEP BUDGET CUTS (BUT NOT FOR GOVERNMENT)
George Offerman
I dropped my car off for repairs, and while waiting for the loaner car, had an opportunity to watch the news for about 20 minutes. The Fox network was on, and they were interviewing a Cardiologist who was suing the Obama administration over Medicare cuts that will take effect on January 1 2010. This cardiologist reported that the cuts are in the range of 40%, yes, 40%. This cardiologist then went on to say how many of her colleagues are going to go out of business, will have to lay off thousands of support staff, and in effect, ration care by limiting, or eliminating outpatient services. This cardiologist went on to discuss how most of the doctors will have to become employees of hospitals, where the care is 3-4 times more expensive than outpatient office visits. The ‘unintended consequences’ of these cuts will in effect, run most of the private practitioners out of business, reduce the availability of advanced screenings, such as nuclear medicine, reduce the pool of talented doctors, by attrition, and send medicine back to the ‘sickness’ model (treat the problem once it appears), versus the wellness model (preventative care).
Now, how can one realistically believe that anyone can take a 40% hit on their budgets and stay viable? Only idiots that work in a Mid Atlantic City, who don’t know what they are doing, but believe they know better than those in the field, want to dictate how everyone else has to live, and BTW have NO BUSINESS BACKGROUND. I know for a fact, as everyone else does, that these same idiots would never cut their budget even 4%, yet 40%. They scream and yell if the budget does not go up by nearly 10% a year, and they promise each other a goodie basket if they vote certain ways to pass laws that cost way more than private services, and spend money no one has. Has it dawned on these idiots that the parasites (them, the elected officials) are killing the host (us, the taxpayer)?
Immediately after this story, the topic of tax increases came up, and the commentator mentioned that for the ‘first time ever’ the Democrats were thinking about a national sales tax. The caveat of course, was not eliminating income tax for a national sales tax, but incorporating this new tax on top of the income tax. This is already on top of the Bush tax cuts that are set to expire in 2010, and will effectively add at least 10% increase in income taxes for those who pay taxes. Obviously, the government ‘cannot’ live without their (our) money, but it is perfectly acceptable to cut those ‘evil’ physicians fees by 40%. No one who is remotely awake is fooled by any of this gamesmanship, and these politicians are placating the ‘something for nothing’ group on the backs of those who are actually producing real goods and services.
I had to leave the waiting area, as I found my blood pressure rising to very unhealthy levels. As I drove home, I could not help but notice the flashing sign put on the local toll road reminding all of us schleps that the tolls are going up by … 40% this January 1, 2010! This is on top of the 19% increase on my property taxes, and whatever increase in the payroll taxes once the Bush tax cuts have expired. (This is not even including the much underreported inflation rate of such unimportant and unnecessary things like … food, shelter, transportation) I got a 2.5% pay increase for this year, and by doing simple math (not learned in the public school systems), I will be further in the hole at the end of next year than I am now. Unlike the government, I am dealing with a real budget shortfall, and unlike the government, I can’t print my way out of it, or write bad checks to cover it. I have to deal with a real budget cut, and if I spend more than I have, and try to steal it from others like the government does, I would end up in jail.
It would actually be refreshing if the government did what all Americans are forced to do: live within their budgets, and learn to cut where there is waste. This would require politicians that are honest, and have the ability and gumption to say no to the insanity. Given insanity is the norm for Washington, D.C, the current crop of elected officials feels right at home.
Quick comment on Sen. Ben Nelson’s ‘slide’ in the polls. The election for his seat is 3 years out. Let’s see how he looks then. Also, why aren’t there 59 other Democrats with the same low numbers????
I dropped my car off for repairs, and while waiting for the loaner car, had an opportunity to watch the news for about 20 minutes. The Fox network was on, and they were interviewing a Cardiologist who was suing the Obama administration over Medicare cuts that will take effect on January 1 2010. This cardiologist reported that the cuts are in the range of 40%, yes, 40%. This cardiologist then went on to say how many of her colleagues are going to go out of business, will have to lay off thousands of support staff, and in effect, ration care by limiting, or eliminating outpatient services. This cardiologist went on to discuss how most of the doctors will have to become employees of hospitals, where the care is 3-4 times more expensive than outpatient office visits. The ‘unintended consequences’ of these cuts will in effect, run most of the private practitioners out of business, reduce the availability of advanced screenings, such as nuclear medicine, reduce the pool of talented doctors, by attrition, and send medicine back to the ‘sickness’ model (treat the problem once it appears), versus the wellness model (preventative care).
Now, how can one realistically believe that anyone can take a 40% hit on their budgets and stay viable? Only idiots that work in a Mid Atlantic City, who don’t know what they are doing, but believe they know better than those in the field, want to dictate how everyone else has to live, and BTW have NO BUSINESS BACKGROUND. I know for a fact, as everyone else does, that these same idiots would never cut their budget even 4%, yet 40%. They scream and yell if the budget does not go up by nearly 10% a year, and they promise each other a goodie basket if they vote certain ways to pass laws that cost way more than private services, and spend money no one has. Has it dawned on these idiots that the parasites (them, the elected officials) are killing the host (us, the taxpayer)?
Immediately after this story, the topic of tax increases came up, and the commentator mentioned that for the ‘first time ever’ the Democrats were thinking about a national sales tax. The caveat of course, was not eliminating income tax for a national sales tax, but incorporating this new tax on top of the income tax. This is already on top of the Bush tax cuts that are set to expire in 2010, and will effectively add at least 10% increase in income taxes for those who pay taxes. Obviously, the government ‘cannot’ live without their (our) money, but it is perfectly acceptable to cut those ‘evil’ physicians fees by 40%. No one who is remotely awake is fooled by any of this gamesmanship, and these politicians are placating the ‘something for nothing’ group on the backs of those who are actually producing real goods and services.
I had to leave the waiting area, as I found my blood pressure rising to very unhealthy levels. As I drove home, I could not help but notice the flashing sign put on the local toll road reminding all of us schleps that the tolls are going up by … 40% this January 1, 2010! This is on top of the 19% increase on my property taxes, and whatever increase in the payroll taxes once the Bush tax cuts have expired. (This is not even including the much underreported inflation rate of such unimportant and unnecessary things like … food, shelter, transportation) I got a 2.5% pay increase for this year, and by doing simple math (not learned in the public school systems), I will be further in the hole at the end of next year than I am now. Unlike the government, I am dealing with a real budget shortfall, and unlike the government, I can’t print my way out of it, or write bad checks to cover it. I have to deal with a real budget cut, and if I spend more than I have, and try to steal it from others like the government does, I would end up in jail.
It would actually be refreshing if the government did what all Americans are forced to do: live within their budgets, and learn to cut where there is waste. This would require politicians that are honest, and have the ability and gumption to say no to the insanity. Given insanity is the norm for Washington, D.C, the current crop of elected officials feels right at home.
Quick comment on Sen. Ben Nelson’s ‘slide’ in the polls. The election for his seat is 3 years out. Let’s see how he looks then. Also, why aren’t there 59 other Democrats with the same low numbers????
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
FOR THOSE BELIEVING EVERYTHING IS STILL ALRIGHT...
George Offerman
The sinister side, wanting to create a new world order, aka, Babylon, continues to march on, and the majority continues to be oblivious to the ‘doings’ of the dark powers. We now have this Kenyan who currently is occupying the White House signing away our sovereignty to the INTERPOL, by executive order on December 16, 2009. For those who don’t know, INTERPOL stands for the International Criminal Police Force.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/executive-order-amending-executive-order-12425
Executive order 12425, in effect, gives full immunity and carte blanche access to all Americans, their personal property, movements and communications without any possible redress of constitutional rights. A citizen can be charged and extradited for crimes that ‘violate’ international law, appear in front of the international criminal court, sentenced and jailed possibly outside of the U.S. without any way to stop this process.
Executive Order #12425 allows INTERPOL the absolute authority to investigate, charge, and imprison, and extradite Americans—without having to adhere to the same constitutional laws that American law enforcement agencies are required to abide by. Additionally, the International Criminal Police Organization is authorized to conduct covert surveillance and investigations on American soil—with full immunities from US law. Laws such as the Freedom of Information Act, Congressional oversight, Constitutional protections, and without oversight from the FBI who is charged with the responsibility of internal national Security.
It also allows INTERPOL, wherever and by whomever to be immune from search, confiscation, and INTERPOL isn’t required to show proof or any other documentation concerning its investigations.
It also means that INTERPOL can conduct covert operations against Americans without any accountability to anyone.
Now, why did Barry find this to be necessary, and what does he have in mind by signing this executive order? Or maybe the better question is, who is telling Barry to do this, and what do they have in mind? For those who want to debunk the idea of conspiracies, explain this one.
This move should not come as a surprise to anyone even remotely ‘awake’ to the current situation, and fits in very well with biblical principles, especially that of sowing and reaping. We as a country have been denying the most basic of human rights to the most vulnerable, and unjustly slaughtering them for convenience sake. Now we have a force that has virtually stripped us of our basic human rights and very well may find ourselves imprisoned or slaughtered for doing nothing other than protesting or other ‘wrongs’ as determined by the god/state. A very ironic, but predictable situation.
Now, what are we going to do about it? Watch more ‘survivor’? Sports? Go on vacation? Drink or drug? Go on a spending binge? Or maybe we could actually band together and physically (not virtually) march down to what used to be our Capitol, and let them see real eyeballs and have to deal with real people.
These times are getting to be very dangerous. The time to sleep is over, and the time to act is now. The powers that be no longer hide in the shadows, as they realize few are paying attention, and even fewer are willing to do much about it. What is it going to take to get the majority riled up? Do the gulags and concentration camps really have to open before the sheeple ‘get it’? We as Christians ought to be in the lead in dealing with this. Instead, wimpism is premier, and we advocate tiddlywinks tournaments instead of developing the fierce warriors needed for this time. Shame on us. And God have mercy on us.
http://www.examiner.com/x-28964-Anchorage-Conservative-Examiner~y2009m12d28-The-New-World-Order-has-arrived
The sinister side, wanting to create a new world order, aka, Babylon, continues to march on, and the majority continues to be oblivious to the ‘doings’ of the dark powers. We now have this Kenyan who currently is occupying the White House signing away our sovereignty to the INTERPOL, by executive order on December 16, 2009. For those who don’t know, INTERPOL stands for the International Criminal Police Force.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/executive-order-amending-executive-order-12425
Executive order 12425, in effect, gives full immunity and carte blanche access to all Americans, their personal property, movements and communications without any possible redress of constitutional rights. A citizen can be charged and extradited for crimes that ‘violate’ international law, appear in front of the international criminal court, sentenced and jailed possibly outside of the U.S. without any way to stop this process.
Executive Order #12425 allows INTERPOL the absolute authority to investigate, charge, and imprison, and extradite Americans—without having to adhere to the same constitutional laws that American law enforcement agencies are required to abide by. Additionally, the International Criminal Police Organization is authorized to conduct covert surveillance and investigations on American soil—with full immunities from US law. Laws such as the Freedom of Information Act, Congressional oversight, Constitutional protections, and without oversight from the FBI who is charged with the responsibility of internal national Security.
It also allows INTERPOL, wherever and by whomever to be immune from search, confiscation, and INTERPOL isn’t required to show proof or any other documentation concerning its investigations.
It also means that INTERPOL can conduct covert operations against Americans without any accountability to anyone.
Now, why did Barry find this to be necessary, and what does he have in mind by signing this executive order? Or maybe the better question is, who is telling Barry to do this, and what do they have in mind? For those who want to debunk the idea of conspiracies, explain this one.
This move should not come as a surprise to anyone even remotely ‘awake’ to the current situation, and fits in very well with biblical principles, especially that of sowing and reaping. We as a country have been denying the most basic of human rights to the most vulnerable, and unjustly slaughtering them for convenience sake. Now we have a force that has virtually stripped us of our basic human rights and very well may find ourselves imprisoned or slaughtered for doing nothing other than protesting or other ‘wrongs’ as determined by the god/state. A very ironic, but predictable situation.
Now, what are we going to do about it? Watch more ‘survivor’? Sports? Go on vacation? Drink or drug? Go on a spending binge? Or maybe we could actually band together and physically (not virtually) march down to what used to be our Capitol, and let them see real eyeballs and have to deal with real people.
These times are getting to be very dangerous. The time to sleep is over, and the time to act is now. The powers that be no longer hide in the shadows, as they realize few are paying attention, and even fewer are willing to do much about it. What is it going to take to get the majority riled up? Do the gulags and concentration camps really have to open before the sheeple ‘get it’? We as Christians ought to be in the lead in dealing with this. Instead, wimpism is premier, and we advocate tiddlywinks tournaments instead of developing the fierce warriors needed for this time. Shame on us. And God have mercy on us.
http://www.examiner.com/x-28964-Anchorage-Conservative-Examiner~y2009m12d28-The-New-World-Order-has-arrived
Monday, December 28, 2009
DON’T SHOOT THE WARRIORS IN THE BACK
George Offerman
I just received a copy of Where are our Shepherds? Co authored by coach Dave Daubenmire and Gregory Thompson, one of the ND 88. I will dedicate a posting for this phenomenal read once I finish it, but just reading the forward of this book will challenge the most seasoned warriors in the fight for the unborn and may outright enrage the lukewarm.
There seems to be a very strong undercurrent in many of the pro life groups and pro life movement in general. This undercurrent I speak of is the idea of 1) perceived criticism/attack and 2) perceived extremism. Depending which side one finds themselves on will determine how this is perceived and what is done about it.
One can take criticism levied at them, and perceive it as an attack. However, there are huge differences between criticism and attacks. Criticism is issue driven, attacks are personal Criticism is meant to change and challenge behaviors that need to be addressed, attacks are directed at the individual, his personality, family, etc. Criticism is based in reason, attacks on emotion. Some of the people that claim they are being attacked, when it is actually criticism levied at them, then go on an attack themselves, by making very personal statements, and sometimes telling outright lies, and then use the “Christianity” moniker to excuse their behaviors. The irony is that they don’t seem to note their own behaviors and will not tolerate this being pointed out to them. Being a Christian does not make one above reproach or engaging in sinful behaviors. To act any different is to be in the grips of pride, which is considered the first sin, as God made clear this was Lucifer’s downfall.
Proper criticism makes one stronger and actually brings about more unity in the long run. To pretend one group has the ‘in way’ to the exclusion of other groups that are effecting change, albeit in an uncomfortable and inconvenient way is sinful behavior. True Christianity must call the truth the truth, and not sugarcoat it. If one wants sugarcoating, go to most churches and one can get as much as they want.
This brings up the second perception, and that is of extremism. Somehow, many seem to believe that holding up graphic signs that may ‘offend’ is extremism. One doesn’t even need to go to the case for being arrested for life, to see that most would brand that behavior as extremist. The irony of this is, the new government definitions of domestic terrorism includes such things as Ron Paul bumper stickers, certain evangelical groups, and ‘one issue’ people like pro lifers who have been arrested and participated in other activities which are confrontational in nature.
Now, would most Christians consider this government an agent of God, or representing God, or speaking for God? I doubt it. Then why do most of the mainstream pro life groups agree with the government in effect, labeling the same people extremists and trouble makers? So we have the most pro death government lead by Obama, that only wants to use the word ‘terrorist’ in a domestic setting, and most of the pro life movement in agreement with calling the same behaviors extreme, embarrassing, and wanting to distance themselves from it. Many pro life organizations make the claims that certain people and groups are an ‘embarrassment”, and wish they would go away. (Fr Jenkins wishes the ND 88 would go away too) Frankly, if I found my self agreeing with this current administration and government, I would feel very insecure and scared.
Obama was forced to discuss abortion at the Notre Dame fiasco because of the arrests. He has little ‘choice’, due to the non stop coverage of the arrests, especially the searing image of Fr. Norman Weslin’s arrest by another priest, Fr. Jenkins. These ‘extreme’ measures forced the issue of legalized child killing front and center. This was an embarrassing moment for both Obama and Fr. Jenkins, and most know by now that Mr. Obama does not like to be ‘embarrassed’, and ‘took names’ of those who caused this embarrassment. The mainstream pro life movement went along with this, by essentially ‘icing’ the stories and the coverage, and indirectly colluded with Obama. By colluding with the Obama administration, the mainstream pro life movement essentially shot the warriors in the back.
Before those who may be ‘offended’ by these words get up in arms about it, I want you to think about a few things first. Having an opportunity to sit in jail with many of these people, I have first hand knowledge of what processes these people went through when making the decision to come to Notre Dame. I have found the vast majority of these people to be prayer warriors, active in the pro life movement by doing, not talking, and all reported being lead by the Holy Spirit in making this difficult decision. Now, would the Holy Spirit ‘con’ these people into doing sinful behavior, and have those that disagree with them, also being lead by the Holy Spirit in their labeling the ND 88 as extremists? Is the Holy Spirit of dual minds? Is the Holy Spirit confused?
Many in the pro life movement are uncomfortable with arrests and civil disobedience. That is ok. There is a need for education, crisis pregnancy centers, letter writing campaigns and the like, and there needs to be services in place for the post Roe, and Doe world. But until that happens, the pro life movement must get behind those who are willing to go on the front line and ‘take a bullet’ for the babies. No respectable general would send his troops into harms way, only to strand them, or worse, betray them to their enemies. We must not do the same.
George Offerman
I just received a copy of Where are our Shepherds? Co authored by coach Dave Daubenmire and Gregory Thompson, one of the ND 88. I will dedicate a posting for this phenomenal read once I finish it, but just reading the forward of this book will challenge the most seasoned warriors in the fight for the unborn and may outright enrage the lukewarm.
There seems to be a very strong undercurrent in many of the pro life groups and pro life movement in general. This undercurrent I speak of is the idea of 1) perceived criticism/attack and 2) perceived extremism. Depending which side one finds themselves on will determine how this is perceived and what is done about it.
One can take criticism levied at them, and perceive it as an attack. However, there are huge differences between criticism and attacks. Criticism is issue driven, attacks are personal Criticism is meant to change and challenge behaviors that need to be addressed, attacks are directed at the individual, his personality, family, etc. Criticism is based in reason, attacks on emotion. Some of the people that claim they are being attacked, when it is actually criticism levied at them, then go on an attack themselves, by making very personal statements, and sometimes telling outright lies, and then use the “Christianity” moniker to excuse their behaviors. The irony is that they don’t seem to note their own behaviors and will not tolerate this being pointed out to them. Being a Christian does not make one above reproach or engaging in sinful behaviors. To act any different is to be in the grips of pride, which is considered the first sin, as God made clear this was Lucifer’s downfall.
Proper criticism makes one stronger and actually brings about more unity in the long run. To pretend one group has the ‘in way’ to the exclusion of other groups that are effecting change, albeit in an uncomfortable and inconvenient way is sinful behavior. True Christianity must call the truth the truth, and not sugarcoat it. If one wants sugarcoating, go to most churches and one can get as much as they want.
This brings up the second perception, and that is of extremism. Somehow, many seem to believe that holding up graphic signs that may ‘offend’ is extremism. One doesn’t even need to go to the case for being arrested for life, to see that most would brand that behavior as extremist. The irony of this is, the new government definitions of domestic terrorism includes such things as Ron Paul bumper stickers, certain evangelical groups, and ‘one issue’ people like pro lifers who have been arrested and participated in other activities which are confrontational in nature.
Now, would most Christians consider this government an agent of God, or representing God, or speaking for God? I doubt it. Then why do most of the mainstream pro life groups agree with the government in effect, labeling the same people extremists and trouble makers? So we have the most pro death government lead by Obama, that only wants to use the word ‘terrorist’ in a domestic setting, and most of the pro life movement in agreement with calling the same behaviors extreme, embarrassing, and wanting to distance themselves from it. Many pro life organizations make the claims that certain people and groups are an ‘embarrassment”, and wish they would go away. (Fr Jenkins wishes the ND 88 would go away too) Frankly, if I found my self agreeing with this current administration and government, I would feel very insecure and scared.
Obama was forced to discuss abortion at the Notre Dame fiasco because of the arrests. He has little ‘choice’, due to the non stop coverage of the arrests, especially the searing image of Fr. Norman Weslin’s arrest by another priest, Fr. Jenkins. These ‘extreme’ measures forced the issue of legalized child killing front and center. This was an embarrassing moment for both Obama and Fr. Jenkins, and most know by now that Mr. Obama does not like to be ‘embarrassed’, and ‘took names’ of those who caused this embarrassment. The mainstream pro life movement went along with this, by essentially ‘icing’ the stories and the coverage, and indirectly colluded with Obama. By colluding with the Obama administration, the mainstream pro life movement essentially shot the warriors in the back.
Before those who may be ‘offended’ by these words get up in arms about it, I want you to think about a few things first. Having an opportunity to sit in jail with many of these people, I have first hand knowledge of what processes these people went through when making the decision to come to Notre Dame. I have found the vast majority of these people to be prayer warriors, active in the pro life movement by doing, not talking, and all reported being lead by the Holy Spirit in making this difficult decision. Now, would the Holy Spirit ‘con’ these people into doing sinful behavior, and have those that disagree with them, also being lead by the Holy Spirit in their labeling the ND 88 as extremists? Is the Holy Spirit of dual minds? Is the Holy Spirit confused?
Many in the pro life movement are uncomfortable with arrests and civil disobedience. That is ok. There is a need for education, crisis pregnancy centers, letter writing campaigns and the like, and there needs to be services in place for the post Roe, and Doe world. But until that happens, the pro life movement must get behind those who are willing to go on the front line and ‘take a bullet’ for the babies. No respectable general would send his troops into harms way, only to strand them, or worse, betray them to their enemies. We must not do the same.
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