It's been over a month since The Naked Emperor posted anything. Anything at all. Not a thing on politics (commentary at which he excels). Not a thing on the the saga of the "Katrina Kannon". I check, hoping against hope, but.......
So listen here, bro - either you get busy on that keyboard, or I'll release your Kindergarten papers where you say you want to be, not the just "The Naked Emperor", but....
"EMPEROR OF THE WORLD"!!! And the fact you colored outside the lines on at least seven occasions.
Hey, its all there in crayon and glue.
04 December 2007
03 December 2007
The Episcopal Church Welcomes You. If You Agree With Us, That Is.
This reasoned, understanding, inclusive, and utterly non-judgemental missive actually appears at Episcopal Life Online:
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA: Retired bishop announces plans to become Roman Catholic
By Karen T. Morgan • Colton, New York, Dec 03, 2007
I am totally, completely hurt, disturbed, have feelings of betrayal and abandonment by Dan Herzog, former bishop of the Diocese of Albany. He led this diocese down the path of glory and then totally abandoned them! I did not totally agree with his thinking...thinking which made the decision for him to return to the Roman Catholic Church. The Episcopal Church is traditionally a church of acceptance...even though we have had some imports from other denominations who have/are trying to turn us into what they believe and come from. My thought is: Go back to your narrow-minded, non-accepting, un-Christ-like thinking/attitudes and leave us Episcopalians alone to think and believe as Christ did, not judging, but accepting all who believe in Him!
Dan Herzog could not accept this way of thinking and believing, that is why he gave up the position of bishop, priest, clergy and became an ordinary person in the church. He went back to the Roman Catholic Church because that church does not accept and believe that all people who believe in Christ are precious in his sight and that God loves all people no matter who they are, and that all people are created in God's image.
How Accepting. How Inclusive. How...... Episcopalian.
To my Roman Catholic Friends: If you want to respond, you may reach the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church (tm), here. UPDATE: And feel free to ask her about this little comparative analysis she gave about what separates us from your church.
Hattip: Chris Johnson.
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA: Retired bishop announces plans to become Roman Catholic
By Karen T. Morgan • Colton, New York, Dec 03, 2007
I am totally, completely hurt, disturbed, have feelings of betrayal and abandonment by Dan Herzog, former bishop of the Diocese of Albany. He led this diocese down the path of glory and then totally abandoned them! I did not totally agree with his thinking...thinking which made the decision for him to return to the Roman Catholic Church. The Episcopal Church is traditionally a church of acceptance...even though we have had some imports from other denominations who have/are trying to turn us into what they believe and come from. My thought is: Go back to your narrow-minded, non-accepting, un-Christ-like thinking/attitudes and leave us Episcopalians alone to think and believe as Christ did, not judging, but accepting all who believe in Him!
Dan Herzog could not accept this way of thinking and believing, that is why he gave up the position of bishop, priest, clergy and became an ordinary person in the church. He went back to the Roman Catholic Church because that church does not accept and believe that all people who believe in Christ are precious in his sight and that God loves all people no matter who they are, and that all people are created in God's image.
How Accepting. How Inclusive. How...... Episcopalian.
To my Roman Catholic Friends: If you want to respond, you may reach the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church (tm), here. UPDATE: And feel free to ask her about this little comparative analysis she gave about what separates us from your church.
Hattip: Chris Johnson.
Holy Engineering, Kate!
The Episcopal Church (tm) says individuals may leave the church, but parishes can't leave and take their property with them. Heh, heh, heh. Think again.
Can't you just see David Beers running down the road yelling, "Come back here with my church!!"
Hattip: Billy Ockham.
Can't you just see David Beers running down the road yelling, "Come back here with my church!!"
Hattip: Billy Ockham.
What Happened to "Make Levees, Not War"?
C. B. Forgotston questions the motives and sincerity of those opposing the demolition of the dilapidated HANO housing projects to make way for new, more livable units. The opponents are threatening a "war" if they don't get their way.
Our office has been directly involved with these (and other) HANO projects for well over a year, and C.B. hits the nail on the head:
"Note the reference to “our homes.” These are publicly-owned and taxpayer-subsidized apartment buildings.
Obviously, the threatened war is not over needed housing in New Orleans. There are hundreds of apartments currently available in other existing housing projects. The housing authority cannot get people who need housing to move into them.
Why?
It’s not because the available apartments are run-down. They have just been refurbished since Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
It’s not because the available apartments aren’t in New Orleans.
It’s because the apartments are not in the exact same neighborhood as the apartments in which the renters lived."
Forgotston is right. HANO currently has numerous living spaces available, and has had for some time. I do not think housing is the issue here. Entitlement is.
Our office has been directly involved with these (and other) HANO projects for well over a year, and C.B. hits the nail on the head:
"Note the reference to “our homes.” These are publicly-owned and taxpayer-subsidized apartment buildings.
Obviously, the threatened war is not over needed housing in New Orleans. There are hundreds of apartments currently available in other existing housing projects. The housing authority cannot get people who need housing to move into them.
Why?
It’s not because the available apartments are run-down. They have just been refurbished since Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
It’s not because the available apartments aren’t in New Orleans.
It’s because the apartments are not in the exact same neighborhood as the apartments in which the renters lived."
Forgotston is right. HANO currently has numerous living spaces available, and has had for some time. I do not think housing is the issue here. Entitlement is.
The Gray Lady Goes Tabloid.
The New York Times thinks the rebuilding in New Orleans is newsworthy because..... (wait for it)...... Brad Pitt is involved. (Full disclosure: some of my colleagues are involved in this project, too, who I know and respect.) The rebuilding has been going on for some time now, sans hunky actor, so I wonder if the NYT really thinks this is "news fit to print", or are they trying to win back some of their declining readership by dropping a bit of beefcake into the mix?
Steenson Makes It Across The Tiber.
It's official. Jeffery Steenson, until last September a Bishop in The Episcopal Church (tm):
"was received into the Catholic Church this weekend in Rome at the Basilica of St. Mary Major.
He is not alone, which speaks volumes in response to The Episcopal Church's (tm) "The Reactionaries Are A Tiny Minority, All is Well" mantra.
"was received into the Catholic Church this weekend in Rome at the Basilica of St. Mary Major.
He is not alone, which speaks volumes in response to The Episcopal Church's (tm) "The Reactionaries Are A Tiny Minority, All is Well" mantra.
02 December 2007
01 December 2007
If It Will Save Just One Life......
In the wake of the hostage incident at a Hillary Clinton campaign office in New Hampshire, Matthew asks a, um, sticky question.
I want to know if she will also press for a ban on the possession of "high-capacity" road flares, too?
I want to know if she will also press for a ban on the possession of "high-capacity" road flares, too?
Future Real Estate Opportunity At Prime Second Avenue Location. Recently Renovated.
This past week, the Powers-That-Be in The Episcopal Church (tm) issued a report on the state of our dying church, which included the following as one of the church's six "Areas of Encouragement":
"Recently completed renovations to the Episcopal Church Center at 815 Second Avenue in New York City have made that workplace more efficient and safer for our employees, while creating a positive and more attractive atmosphere for the whole church."
When something like this is an "Areas of Encouragement" for the future of your church, (and one of only six) you would be right to suspect that the state of the church is not good. And when you read vacuous bureaucratic phrases like "Conflict and change can create opportunity", "...we need a plan for action at all of our organizational levels"..., "...articulate and renew these leadership trajectories...", your suspicions are pretty well confirmed. As are your suspicions that that the Church leadership hasn't a clue about what to do to improve things.
"Recently completed renovations to the Episcopal Church Center at 815 Second Avenue in New York City have made that workplace more efficient and safer for our employees, while creating a positive and more attractive atmosphere for the whole church."
When something like this is an "Areas of Encouragement" for the future of your church, (and one of only six) you would be right to suspect that the state of the church is not good. And when you read vacuous bureaucratic phrases like "Conflict and change can create opportunity", "...we need a plan for action at all of our organizational levels"..., "...articulate and renew these leadership trajectories...", your suspicions are pretty well confirmed. As are your suspicions that that the Church leadership hasn't a clue about what to do to improve things.
29 November 2007
Men Of Valour III.
Michael Yon's latest dispatch, Men of Valor III, is up.
From Micheal's e-mail: "The progress in Iraq could not be clearer. I have never seen so much hope among the Iraqis or our soldiers." If this is what a "quagmire" looks like, we need more of them.
From Micheal's e-mail: "The progress in Iraq could not be clearer. I have never seen so much hope among the Iraqis or our soldiers." If this is what a "quagmire" looks like, we need more of them.
Credibility And Authority.
Matthew has posted an excellent piece on why the Mainstream Media, and other institutions, have little of either anymore.
Another New Blog.
It's not really new, but it is new to me: Kiss My Gumbo is a blog from and about the northshore of Lake Pontchartrain, but also opines on all sorts of things.
Stop by for a look, and tell Greta that Clifford sent you.
Stop by for a look, and tell Greta that Clifford sent you.
Eject. Eject. Eject. Again!
The incomparable Bill Whittle is back at the keyboard:
"I promised I would try to write less, more often. So this is the first in a series of little random thoughts that don’t really belong anywhere, but which I find interesting if only for conversation’s sake., so make it your day's required reading."
FREEDOM versus JUSTICE was posted a few hours ago; its your first assignment.
And browse through his archives. You won't be sorry.
"I promised I would try to write less, more often. So this is the first in a series of little random thoughts that don’t really belong anywhere, but which I find interesting if only for conversation’s sake., so make it your day's required reading."
FREEDOM versus JUSTICE was posted a few hours ago; its your first assignment.
And browse through his archives. You won't be sorry.
28 November 2007
Another Cool Blog.
I've been reading quite a bit of Matthew's "Blog Thingy" of late, and I recommend you do the same. Some recent items:
An excellent piece on the reasons against "Open Communion", and the canonical hypocrisy of liberal Episcopal parishes that practice the same. With video, too.
A video showing why exercising Second Amendment rights could be the end of the horror film genre. And violent crime in general.
An excellent piece on the reasons against "Open Communion", and the canonical hypocrisy of liberal Episcopal parishes that practice the same. With video, too.
A video showing why exercising Second Amendment rights could be the end of the horror film genre. And violent crime in general.
26 November 2007
What? Me Vote?
Top Ten New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin Excuses for not voting in the October 20th election:
10. “Robert Cerasoli borrowed my car to fight corruption.”
9. “My ‘Dancing With The Stars’ tryout ran long.”
8. “I was in Pensacola giving civic leaders pointers on improving their city.”
7. “Without Oliver Thomas in city government, what’s the point?”
6. “I said I’d support John Georges, not vote for him.”
5. “Pointing out that America has not done right by us is very hard work. I was tired.”
4. “Did you see MY name on the ballot? Me either.”
3. “Eddie Jordan was camped in my front yard begging for money. I couldn’t leave the house.”
2. “I was promoting the New Orleans ‘brand’ in a new ‘K-Ville’ episode.”
And the Number One New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin Excuse for not voting in the October 20th election:
“It’s a long drive from Dallas.”
UPDATE:They say imitation is the sincereist form of flattery. Therefore, I consider myself flattered. UPDATE update: But they also say great minds do think alike, and that seems to be the case here. My thanks, David.
10. “Robert Cerasoli borrowed my car to fight corruption.”
9. “My ‘Dancing With The Stars’ tryout ran long.”
8. “I was in Pensacola giving civic leaders pointers on improving their city.”
7. “Without Oliver Thomas in city government, what’s the point?”
6. “I said I’d support John Georges, not vote for him.”
5. “Pointing out that America has not done right by us is very hard work. I was tired.”
4. “Did you see MY name on the ballot? Me either.”
3. “Eddie Jordan was camped in my front yard begging for money. I couldn’t leave the house.”
2. “I was promoting the New Orleans ‘brand’ in a new ‘K-Ville’ episode.”
And the Number One New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin Excuse for not voting in the October 20th election:
“It’s a long drive from Dallas.”
UPDATE:
Monday Afternoon Time Waster.
Superhero Personality Test results: You are Superman!
Me? Yeah, right.
You are mild-mannered, good,
strong and you love to help others.
Click here to take the Superhero Personality Test
Me? Yeah, right.
strong and you love to help others.
Click here to take the Superhero Personality Test
Really??
Mike Huckabee, one of the GOP presidential dwarfs, just hit the nail on the head:
"Every time we put our credit card in the gas pump, we're paying so that the Saudis get rich - filthy, obscenely rich, and that money then ends up going to funding madrassas," schools "that train the terrorists," said Huckabee. "America has allowed itself to become enslaved to Saudi oil. It's absurd. It's embarrassing."
And it's all too true. His solution is one I can support:
"Huckabee said "I would make the United States energy independent within 10 years and tell the Saudis they can keep their oil just like they can keep their sand, that we won't need either one of them."
Maybe this guy isn't such a dwarf after all.
"Every time we put our credit card in the gas pump, we're paying so that the Saudis get rich - filthy, obscenely rich, and that money then ends up going to funding madrassas," schools "that train the terrorists," said Huckabee. "America has allowed itself to become enslaved to Saudi oil. It's absurd. It's embarrassing."
And it's all too true. His solution is one I can support:
"Huckabee said "I would make the United States energy independent within 10 years and tell the Saudis they can keep their oil just like they can keep their sand, that we won't need either one of them."
Maybe this guy isn't such a dwarf after all.
Cool Site Alert.
Via the Blog-Daddy, yet another site that will allow you to rack up hours and hours of "General Office" time on your timesheet: Dark Roasted Blend - "All Sorts of Weird and Wonderful Things, Updated Daily".
UPDATE: Stuff like this, and this.
UPDATE: Stuff like this, and this.
24 November 2007
The Man On The Grassy Knoll Leaves A Comment.
Uh'boy. One of the hazards of blogging - weird comments. Very weird comments.
A few months ago, the Ontario Emperor had one of the most bizarre comments I have ever seen posted to a blog. And I do mean bizarre: rambling allegations of mind-control, body-snatching, conspiring Clintons, energy weapon attacks, genital torture, Presidential cross-dressing fantasies, Satanism, and worshiping George Bush, Sr., as a god.
Well, being a fairly new blogger, and looking for a link and some traffic, I put up this post about it. But other interests came to the fore, blog-wise, and this soon faded into the post plankton. I forgot about the whole thing.
Until today. Someone, using the stunningly creative name "Anonymous" (I suppose to throw off the Department of Mind Control and Mattress Tag Enforcement) left the following comment in my two month old post, defending the "commenter" at Ontario Emperor:
"Actually there are many victims of organized electronic harassment and stalking all over the nation who are intelligent and sane, but victims of psychological abuse and torture. The "dirty tricks" and tactics perpetrated on these victims are meant to discredit them and distract them from seeking support or having their voice heard. Because these patterns of abuse span years (some decades) and is so foreign -- burning sensations on their bodies; intimidation and anxiety through surveillance; thefts; vandalism; and sometimes physical harm -- that the victims often are swayed to blaming incorrect sources. This is naturally done by the perpetrators to conceal their nature, and most often suggested to the victims sub-aurally, so their thoughts are distorted without them realizing it. They are not to blame, what is happening to them is real. For these accounts one must dig deeper than their theories of what or whom is causing this programmed harassment, but to documented evidence of crimes and their testimony as to actual occurrences of targeted harassment and stalking. We as intelligent beings need to go beyond the "UFO" and find out exactly what _is_ happening (spy planes). Don't get caught up in the hype, read true victims accounts and then do a little digging, as Ms. Braziel has."
M'kay...... So, if you think Vladimir Putin and Rosie O'Donnell are sending you orders through nano-transmitters embedded in your brain after you ate a Snickers Bar, you are NOT a nut-job. You are "intelligent and sane"; just the victim of "psychological abuse and torture". Oh, and "dirty tricks". (It wouldn't be a world-wide conspiracy without "dirty tricks", now would it?). This is "naturally done" by some unnamed "perpetrators". Naturally. (I am glad to see that the "perpetrators" are going with natural methods these days and dumping the artificial ones. Much more eco-friendly.) Our anonymous commenter says that all of this is real, but gives no proof other than some oblique reference to "spy planes". (It's always the "spy planes"...)
"Anonymous" should know that the "perpetrators" are watching his every move. Here's proof:
Some stats on "Anonymous".
Location: Winona, Minnesota.
IP Address: 205.243.118.# (HIAWATHA BROADBAND COMM).
ISP: Sprint.
Computer: Macintosh.
Operating System: OSX.
Monitor: 1024x768, 32-bit color.
Visit Time: 2:16:45 pm, 9 minutes 18 seconds.
He arrived at Red Stick Rant from: http://mrontemp.blogspot.com/2007/08/reggae-reggie-whatever-you-call-it.html
"Anonymous", I have a special thank you gift for all first-time commenters here at Red Stick Rant. If you just give me your street address, we'll send you a free Snickers Bar....
A few months ago, the Ontario Emperor had one of the most bizarre comments I have ever seen posted to a blog. And I do mean bizarre: rambling allegations of mind-control, body-snatching, conspiring Clintons, energy weapon attacks, genital torture, Presidential cross-dressing fantasies, Satanism, and worshiping George Bush, Sr., as a god.
Well, being a fairly new blogger, and looking for a link and some traffic, I put up this post about it. But other interests came to the fore, blog-wise, and this soon faded into the post plankton. I forgot about the whole thing.
Until today. Someone, using the stunningly creative name "Anonymous" (I suppose to throw off the Department of Mind Control and Mattress Tag Enforcement) left the following comment in my two month old post, defending the "commenter" at Ontario Emperor:
"Actually there are many victims of organized electronic harassment and stalking all over the nation who are intelligent and sane, but victims of psychological abuse and torture. The "dirty tricks" and tactics perpetrated on these victims are meant to discredit them and distract them from seeking support or having their voice heard. Because these patterns of abuse span years (some decades) and is so foreign -- burning sensations on their bodies; intimidation and anxiety through surveillance; thefts; vandalism; and sometimes physical harm -- that the victims often are swayed to blaming incorrect sources. This is naturally done by the perpetrators to conceal their nature, and most often suggested to the victims sub-aurally, so their thoughts are distorted without them realizing it. They are not to blame, what is happening to them is real. For these accounts one must dig deeper than their theories of what or whom is causing this programmed harassment, but to documented evidence of crimes and their testimony as to actual occurrences of targeted harassment and stalking. We as intelligent beings need to go beyond the "UFO" and find out exactly what _is_ happening (spy planes). Don't get caught up in the hype, read true victims accounts and then do a little digging, as Ms. Braziel has."
M'kay...... So, if you think Vladimir Putin and Rosie O'Donnell are sending you orders through nano-transmitters embedded in your brain after you ate a Snickers Bar, you are NOT a nut-job. You are "intelligent and sane"; just the victim of "psychological abuse and torture". Oh, and "dirty tricks". (It wouldn't be a world-wide conspiracy without "dirty tricks", now would it?). This is "naturally done" by some unnamed "perpetrators". Naturally. (I am glad to see that the "perpetrators" are going with natural methods these days and dumping the artificial ones. Much more eco-friendly.) Our anonymous commenter says that all of this is real, but gives no proof other than some oblique reference to "spy planes". (It's always the "spy planes"...)
"Anonymous" should know that the "perpetrators" are watching his every move. Here's proof:
Some stats on "Anonymous".
Location: Winona, Minnesota.
IP Address: 205.243.118.# (HIAWATHA BROADBAND COMM).
ISP: Sprint.
Computer: Macintosh.
Operating System: OSX.
Monitor: 1024x768, 32-bit color.
Visit Time: 2:16:45 pm, 9 minutes 18 seconds.
He arrived at Red Stick Rant from: http://mrontemp.blogspot.com/2007/08/reggae-reggie-whatever-you-call-it.html
"Anonymous", I have a special thank you gift for all first-time commenters here at Red Stick Rant. If you just give me your street address, we'll send you a free Snickers Bar....
23 November 2007
Iraq Is A Quagmire!!
But not, aparrently, a quagmire for the side the Mainstream Media had hoped predicted: New boss turns the tables on Al Qaeda.
The "Surge" appears to be working. I'll bet with more good news like this, Hillary will be saying she supported the Iraq War all along!
Hattip: Instapundit.
UPDATE: And another reason we seem to have the advantage now: "Kafir Magic".
The "Surge" appears to be working. I'll bet with more good news like this, Hillary will be saying she supported the Iraq War all along!
Hattip: Instapundit.
UPDATE: And another reason we seem to have the advantage now: "Kafir Magic".
Children Are Not Healthy For Activists And Other Living Things.
An environmentalist thinks ending the human race is eco-friendly:
"While some might think it strange to celebrate the reversal of nature and denial of motherhood, Toni relishes her decision with an almost religious zeal.
"Having children is selfish. It's all about maintaining your genetic line at the expense of the planet," says Toni, 35.
"Every person who is born uses more food, more water, more land, more fossil fuels, more trees and produces more rubbish, more pollution, more greenhouse gases, and adds to the problem of over-population."
She would make a great Episcopalian.
UPDATE: Transterrestrial Musings has more. Including this obvious point:
"Well, if you hate humans so much, you know where to start, and it's entirely within your own power to end your own existence. Who would possibly miss you?"
UPDATE: A fine example of how they could acheive their ends(!) is here. It's natural, it helps the wildlife, and they would definitely end up one with the earth!
"While some might think it strange to celebrate the reversal of nature and denial of motherhood, Toni relishes her decision with an almost religious zeal.
"Having children is selfish. It's all about maintaining your genetic line at the expense of the planet," says Toni, 35.
"Every person who is born uses more food, more water, more land, more fossil fuels, more trees and produces more rubbish, more pollution, more greenhouse gases, and adds to the problem of over-population."
She would make a great Episcopalian.
UPDATE: Transterrestrial Musings has more. Including this obvious point:
"Well, if you hate humans so much, you know where to start, and it's entirely within your own power to end your own existence. Who would possibly miss you?"
UPDATE: A fine example of how they could acheive their ends(!) is here. It's natural, it helps the wildlife, and they would definitely end up one with the earth!
21 November 2007
Common Sense? The Stafford Act Does Not Cover Common Sense.
Want to know why the recovery in New Orleans is dragging on and on? It takes 17 months for FEMA and GOSHEP to acknowledge that saving money might be a good thing:
"Reversing a decision that some found bureaucratically absurd, the Federal Emergency Management Agency granted $99,766 to the New Orleans Audubon Aquarium of the Americas on Wednesday for the expense of restocking a fish collection lost to Hurricane Katrina.
FEMA had said that the aquarium should use $616,849 to buy the fish from commercial vendors, a method the agency said would comply with disaster aid laws. But when aquarium staff went out and caught them for $99,766, the agency denied their petition for reimbursement, even though it saved taxpayers over half a million dollars."
Having had first-hand experience with this kind of legalistic, hyper-detailedstupidity bureaucratic mentality from the FEMA / GOHSEP folks, I am surprised they allowed common sense to prevail. The article called it right:
"But state officials say that the majority of 35,000 Katrina rebuilding projects have been stalled in strict interpretations of the Stafford Act, generating mountains of paperwork in which FEMA takes stock of damages as minute as the number of pencils lost at a school."
Think about that - the majority of the 35,000 projects are stalled in government red tape, two plus years after the fact. Just imagine how they will do when Hillary gives them control over our health care.
"Reversing a decision that some found bureaucratically absurd, the Federal Emergency Management Agency granted $99,766 to the New Orleans Audubon Aquarium of the Americas on Wednesday for the expense of restocking a fish collection lost to Hurricane Katrina.
FEMA had said that the aquarium should use $616,849 to buy the fish from commercial vendors, a method the agency said would comply with disaster aid laws. But when aquarium staff went out and caught them for $99,766, the agency denied their petition for reimbursement, even though it saved taxpayers over half a million dollars."
Having had first-hand experience with this kind of legalistic, hyper-detailed
"But state officials say that the majority of 35,000 Katrina rebuilding projects have been stalled in strict interpretations of the Stafford Act, generating mountains of paperwork in which FEMA takes stock of damages as minute as the number of pencils lost at a school."
Think about that - the majority of the 35,000 projects are stalled in government red tape, two plus years after the fact. Just imagine how they will do when Hillary gives them control over our health care.
Swimming The Tiber? Stand In Line.
Another Episcopal Bishop is calling it quits and heading to Rome. Bishop John Lipscomb joins Retired Bishop Daniel Herzog, Bishop Jeffery Steenson, and Retired Bishop Clarence Pope, all who have left in 2007.
When Bishops - "defenders of the Faith" - can no longer defend your faith, you have a problem as a church. A big problem. Not that those who caused the tear in the very fabric of the Anglican Communion see it that way (they see it is a "prophetic gift", not a problem). Nor is The Episcopal Church (tm) putting much effort into "dialogue" with those that disagree with them, or trying to keep them "at the table". (Do you think +Katherine would ever respond with a "please don't leave, we need you; pleeeeeese" letter? Me, either.)
When Bishops - "defenders of the Faith" - can no longer defend your faith, you have a problem as a church. A big problem. Not that those who caused the tear in the very fabric of the Anglican Communion see it that way (they see it is a "prophetic gift", not a problem). Nor is The Episcopal Church (tm) putting much effort into "dialogue" with those that disagree with them, or trying to keep them "at the table". (Do you think +Katherine would ever respond with a "please don't leave, we need you; pleeeeeese" letter? Me, either.)
What Part Of "The People" Do You Not Understand??
The Second Amendment to the Constitution, the one that protects the Right to "Keep and Bear Arms", has been argued over for years. The Supreme Court has not taken a look at it since the 1930's, but yesterday they agreed to review a lower court ruling that overturned a Washington D.C. handgun ban, based on an individuals right under the Second Amendment. Other courts have ruled otherwise in other parts of the US, and there is considerable confusion over the meaning of the Amendment. Eugene Volokh has much, much more on this case, including some very persuasive arguments for the individual rights viewpoint. Just keep scrolling.
Whatever way the Supremes decide, their decision will be monumental - and will be a major factor in the '08 election.
UPDATE: Why I am not supporting Mitt Romney - as governor of a State (sorry, Commonwealth") with some of the most oppressive firearms laws in the nation, some of which he enacted, Mitt had the stones to issue this about the Supreme Court's action yesterday. Flip-flopping Brahmin hypocrite.
Whatever way the Supremes decide, their decision will be monumental - and will be a major factor in the '08 election.
UPDATE: Why I am not supporting Mitt Romney - as governor of a State (sorry, Commonwealth") with some of the most oppressive firearms laws in the nation, some of which he enacted, Mitt had the stones to issue this about the Supreme Court's action yesterday. Flip-flopping Brahmin hypocrite.
And...... INACTION!
From Instapunit - it seems that Hollywood's new spate of anti-American anti-war films are tanking with the Americna Public.
If the US military dropped a bomb this big on a civilian population, they'd be up on charges.
If the US military dropped a bomb this big on a civilian population, they'd be up on charges.
19 November 2007
3 BR, 2 BA Boathouse On West End Boulevard....
Remember this confidence-building exercise the next time Hillary, et. al., say the Federal government should be in charge of your health care.
With the people resposible for keeping New Orleans dry having problems with basic addition and subtraction, the boat davit my parents want on the side of their new house in Lakeview is making more and more sense.
With the people resposible for keeping New Orleans dry having problems with basic addition and subtraction, the boat davit my parents want on the side of their new house in Lakeview is making more and more sense.
Gun = Civilization.
Why a person's right to bear arms is so important to a free society.
UPDATE: And on a realted note, today is National Ammo Day. Bet they don't have that in Cuba.
UPDATE: And on a realted note, today is National Ammo Day. Bet they don't have that in Cuba.
heresy is orthodoxy.
File this in the "D'oh! Now why didn't I think of that" department.
Take one of my favorite books, George Orwell's 1984, and combine it with one of my worst vices, opposing The Episcopal Church's (tm) march over the cliff of irrelevance, and you get..... this. It is even written in 'Newspeak'.
Kudos for creativity and a wonderful metaphor for what is happening in The Episcopal Church (tm) today. Give it a look.
Hattip: This guy, who has a blog thingy. And give him a look, too. Some pretty good stuff.
Take one of my favorite books, George Orwell's 1984, and combine it with one of my worst vices, opposing The Episcopal Church's (tm) march over the cliff of irrelevance, and you get..... this. It is even written in 'Newspeak'.
Kudos for creativity and a wonderful metaphor for what is happening in The Episcopal Church (tm) today. Give it a look.
Hattip: This guy, who has a blog thingy. And give him a look, too. Some pretty good stuff.
16 November 2007
Michael Yon: Come Home
Michael Yon posts an incredible series of images, with captions, that you won't find in the Anti-American Mainstream Media. It is today's must read: Come Home.
Are we winning? You decide:
"LTC Stephen Michael at St John’s. LTC Michael told me today that when al Qaeda came to Dora, they began harassing Christians first, charging them “rent.” It was the local Muslims, according to LTC Michael, who first came to him for help to protect the Christians in his area."
True change takes time. Something we Americans do not understand in this, The Instant Age.
Are we winning? You decide:
"LTC Stephen Michael at St John’s. LTC Michael told me today that when al Qaeda came to Dora, they began harassing Christians first, charging them “rent.” It was the local Muslims, according to LTC Michael, who first came to him for help to protect the Christians in his area."
True change takes time. Something we Americans do not understand in this, The Instant Age.
15 November 2007
Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly..... And Unwelcome.
Question: Why did you friendly neighborhood Red Stick Rant blogger leave Massachusetts and return to Louisiana?
Answer: Things like this.
And the Scouts were tossed because of a complaint from a SINGLE resident. One. Remember this next time some Lefty says they oppose the war, but "support the troops".
If you want to help these Scouts with their donation drive of items to be sent overseas to support our troops, donations can be sent to:
Boy Scouts Of America
Troop 45
Po Box 38-1241
Cambridge MA 02238
Hattip: Instapundit.
Answer: Things like this.
And the Scouts were tossed because of a complaint from a SINGLE resident. One. Remember this next time some Lefty says they oppose the war, but "support the troops".
If you want to help these Scouts with their donation drive of items to be sent overseas to support our troops, donations can be sent to:
Boy Scouts Of America
Troop 45
Po Box 38-1241
Cambridge MA 02238
Hattip: Instapundit.
13 November 2007
Gettin' With The Beat....
Bill Quick is still showcasing some great 50's modern, so give him a look. It's the good stuff, not to be confused with the 60's/70's nightmares James Liliks so wonderfully showcases.
Situational Integrity. Again.
"Gays should be hanged, says Iranian minister"
Bishop John Chane of Washington must be on the phone right now to his good friend, former Iranian President Mohammad Khatami, and Rev. Elizabeth Keaton and INTEGRITY are surely planning a protest at the Iranian UN delegation offices.
Or not.
Just another "vehicle to the devine, +Kate?
Bishop John Chane of Washington must be on the phone right now to his good friend, former Iranian President Mohammad Khatami, and Rev. Elizabeth Keaton and INTEGRITY are surely planning a protest at the Iranian UN delegation offices.
Or not.
Just another "vehicle to the devine, +Kate?
Is Justice Accountable?
Via Instapundit, the Chicago Tribune reports that some are asking where the money raised for the Jena 6 is really going. After all the hype, I think some answers are in order, if nothing more than to refute the allegations.
But this, if true, doesn't exactly help their cause.
But this, if true, doesn't exactly help their cause.
A Convienent "AND"
It used to be the standard mantra on House of Bishops / Deputies Listserv that people may leave The Episcopal Church (tm), but not parishes. To not believe thus will get you labeled as a robber or a thief over at the HOB/D. How Christian.
But in the last few weeks the Archbishop of Canterbury reiterated that it is the diocese and the bishop that are at the center of pastoral life and Communion in the Anglican Communion, not the national church organizations or their leaders. This has not set well with the US national leadership, or their attorneys, as several Orthodox dioceses in the US are now acting on that construct. And rather predictably, the mantra over at the HOB/D has changed as well: people may leave The Episcopal Church (tm), but not parishes AND DIOCESES.
UPDATE: Yes, I know I said earlier that I was sick and tired of blogging about the Current Unpleasantness in The Episcopal Church (tm). But I am more sick and tired of the Orwellian 'newsspeak' of the current national leadership. The Presiding Bishop writes a threatening letter to a fellow Bishop, and they call it "reaching out with open arms." Please. If you could harness their spin, we could power cities.
But in the last few weeks the Archbishop of Canterbury reiterated that it is the diocese and the bishop that are at the center of pastoral life and Communion in the Anglican Communion, not the national church organizations or their leaders. This has not set well with the US national leadership, or their attorneys, as several Orthodox dioceses in the US are now acting on that construct. And rather predictably, the mantra over at the HOB/D has changed as well: people may leave The Episcopal Church (tm), but not parishes AND DIOCESES.
UPDATE: Yes, I know I said earlier that I was sick and tired of blogging about the Current Unpleasantness in The Episcopal Church (tm). But I am more sick and tired of the Orwellian 'newsspeak' of the current national leadership. The Presiding Bishop writes a threatening letter to a fellow Bishop, and they call it "reaching out with open arms." Please. If you could harness their spin, we could power cities.
12 November 2007
Blogger's Block.
I hate times like these; I don't know what to blog about.
Yes, me. At a loss for an opinion.
The local elections are (mostly) over, and those that remain are pretty uninteresting. New Orleans, and her recovery, are the same - a joke - but how many times can you point out the obvious? I am sick of blogging about The Episcopal Church (tm), as the politically-correct tailspin seems to be getting more extreme (and the crash everyone wanted to avoid more inevitable). Besides, that is a niche market covered by far better bloggers than me. We seem to be winning the GWOT (aka The War), and the evidence is obvious even for anti-American pessimists and the Press, (Sorry, I repeat myself.) Hurricane season is over, as is baseball season, and both had positive results from this vantage. Yes, the Presidential race is heating up. But do you really need ANOTHER blogger's opinion on that? (My $.02: - If Hillary couldn't keep track of simple personnel files during her last stay at the White House, why should we trust her with the GO codes now?) Plus, we are busy as hell right now, work-wise, and I don't have time to scour the 'Net looking for interesting stuff.
What's a blogger to do?
More later.
UPDATE: Hello to the person/persons from The Episcopal Church's (tm) Domestic Foreign Missionary Society who found this site and this post by doing a blogsearch for "episcopal church" or anglican. Nice to see you. Poke around a bit - we have much more on the fastest shrinking denomination in America.
Yes, me. At a loss for an opinion.
The local elections are (mostly) over, and those that remain are pretty uninteresting. New Orleans, and her recovery, are the same - a joke - but how many times can you point out the obvious? I am sick of blogging about The Episcopal Church (tm), as the politically-correct tailspin seems to be getting more extreme (and the crash everyone wanted to avoid more inevitable). Besides, that is a niche market covered by far better bloggers than me. We seem to be winning the GWOT (aka The War), and the evidence is obvious even for anti-American pessimists and the Press, (Sorry, I repeat myself.) Hurricane season is over, as is baseball season, and both had positive results from this vantage. Yes, the Presidential race is heating up. But do you really need ANOTHER blogger's opinion on that? (My $.02: - If Hillary couldn't keep track of simple personnel files during her last stay at the White House, why should we trust her with the GO codes now?) Plus, we are busy as hell right now, work-wise, and I don't have time to scour the 'Net looking for interesting stuff.
What's a blogger to do?
More later.
UPDATE: Hello to the person/persons from The Episcopal Church's (tm) Domestic Foreign Missionary Society who found this site and this post by doing a blogsearch for "episcopal church" or anglican. Nice to see you. Poke around a bit - we have much more on the fastest shrinking denomination in America.
11 November 2007
Veterans Day.
Today is a day to remember those who put on the uniform and served, and to thank them for their sacrifice. We owe our very freedom to their service. Some served during peacetime. Some during conflict. Some sacrificed their time; some sacrificed much more. Some sacrificed all. Where they served doesn't matter; neither does when. They served. And many continue to serve.
So thank you, John, Earl, Morgan, Toby, Keith, Garland, Kicker, Jack, Rick, David, and Lloyd.
So thank you, John, Earl, Morgan, Toby, Keith, Garland, Kicker, Jack, Rick, David, and Lloyd.
Happy Birthday, Mac.
The United States Marine Corps turned 232 yesterday.
"Semper Fi" to all those who have worn the Eagle, Globe and Anchor.
"Semper Fi" to all those who have worn the Eagle, Globe and Anchor.
07 November 2007
Michael Yon.
I've had several e-mails from Michael Yon lately, and haven't posted on a one. My apologies. His dispatch yesterday is, to me, the picture of the week month year; it's an image of Iraq that the mainstream press works hard to ignore: Thanks and Praise.
This is not the first time Michael has captured an image of the war with more than his pen. Remember that image the next time some Lefty rags on the "cruelty" of the US military.
Michael is a free-lance journalist and he is telling a side of this conflict very few are willing to tell. Please, if just 3 of my readers (that'd be 33% of you) would support his efforts, I'd be ever greatful.
This is not the first time Michael has captured an image of the war with more than his pen. Remember that image the next time some Lefty rags on the "cruelty" of the US military.
Michael is a free-lance journalist and he is telling a side of this conflict very few are willing to tell. Please, if just 3 of my readers (that'd be 33% of you) would support his efforts, I'd be ever greatful.
05 November 2007
Hi, Jim.
Interesting. Someone from the Shaw Group dropped by tonight at 9:06pm, getting to our little site by Googling "Jindal emperor". The Shaw Group is headquartered in Baton Rouge and run by the former head of Louisiana's Democratic Party and Friend of Bill Clinton, Jim Bernard.
03 November 2007
I Was Wrong.
This post originally commented on a post at StandFirm, calling attention to an image here (scroll down near the end) of someone - dressed in clerical garb, with a collar and purple shirt - at an "anti-war" rally in San Francisco. The person in the image is wearing a clerical stole in the "chain-link fence" scarf pattern identified with Palestinian terrorist groups like Fatah and Hamas, with Palestinian national colors as accent. And the person looks remarkably like retired Massachusetts Bishop Barbara Harris, someone who has been critical of Israel in the past and supportive of the Palestinian cause. A number of people at StandFirm agreed with the identity, and I made my comments from that.
I. Was. Wrong.
Bishop Harris says that she was not in San Francisco at the time, and that the person in the image is not her. I have no reason to doubt Bishop Harris. I apologize to her for linking to that information on this site, and I ask for her forgiveness. While we are worlds apart (!) on many things theological, I will not criticize her for something she did not do. The truth is more important than making a point.
I also ask those at StandFirm who jumped to the same conclusion to do the same.
UPDATE: And I make my apology even though this is, according to Sarah Dylan Breuer, what Bishop Harris has to say about the incident:
"But that’s the way it goes in this wonderful racist country of ours and this lovely hate-filled church we know and love.
While I do have a concern for Palestinian people, I also have a deep concern for so called “orthodox Anglicans” who think they have cornered the market on revealed truth and righteousness. (They remind me of Fred Phelps and his squad). It must be a heavy burden to be so freakin’ right all of the time."
Thank you, Bishop, for your loving display of Christian forgiveness. Seems a lot of people "think they have cornered the market on revealed truth and righteousness"....... (the whole thing is in the Standfirm thread here. Scroll down.)
I. Was. Wrong.
Bishop Harris says that she was not in San Francisco at the time, and that the person in the image is not her. I have no reason to doubt Bishop Harris. I apologize to her for linking to that information on this site, and I ask for her forgiveness. While we are worlds apart (!) on many things theological, I will not criticize her for something she did not do. The truth is more important than making a point.
I also ask those at StandFirm who jumped to the same conclusion to do the same.
UPDATE: And I make my apology even though this is, according to Sarah Dylan Breuer, what Bishop Harris has to say about the incident:
"But that’s the way it goes in this wonderful racist country of ours and this lovely hate-filled church we know and love.
While I do have a concern for Palestinian people, I also have a deep concern for so called “orthodox Anglicans” who think they have cornered the market on revealed truth and righteousness. (They remind me of Fred Phelps and his squad). It must be a heavy burden to be so freakin’ right all of the time."
Thank you, Bishop, for your loving display of Christian forgiveness. Seems a lot of people "think they have cornered the market on revealed truth and righteousness"....... (the whole thing is in the Standfirm thread here. Scroll down.)
Perfect Is The Enemy Of The Good.
If you read anything this week, read this: NOSTALGIA OF THE WORDSMITH INTELLECTUALS
Hattip: 'Jeffersonian' at Standfirm.
Hattip: 'Jeffersonian' at Standfirm.
01 November 2007
Slidin' Down +Kate's Slippery Slope.
(Note: Several updates posted at the end.)
With the election, World Series, and retreats, I have neglected postings on the Current Unpleasantness in The Episcopal Church™. A lot has happened and, sadly, things aren’t looking good. A quick synopses:
The House of Bishops meeting back in September in New Orleans was supposed to be the “Come to Jesus” meeting with respect to the American church’s giving the finger to the rest of the Anglican Communion over sexuality. It was supposed to end there. But the Bishops, in true Episcopal Church™ style, responded with platitudes, legalisms, and parliamentary mechanics that changed absolutely nothing. In fact, several Dioceses, such as California, have already said they don't care what the Bishops decided in New Orleans, they're gonna go ahead anyway. So far, neither the Presiding Bishop, nor the Archbishop of Canterbury, is calling them on it. Nor are they likely to do so.
Therefore, the dispute remains.
Adding fuel to the fire, a few weeks ago the Archbishop of Canterbury wrote a letter to Bishop Howe in Central Florida concerning churches in Bishop Howe’s diocese that want to leave The Episcopal Church ™ and associate with another province in the Communion. The Archbishop said in the letter that the focus in the Anglican Communion was not the national church organization, but the bishop and the diocese - and that Priests and congregations should look to the bishop for their identity, not to the national church. Finally, some focus from the Archbishop, who is the “Focus of Communion”. As you can imagine, the letter got Episcopal Lefties and New Agers gnashing teeth and rending their (sunrise hued) garments. What’s the point of working for years to take over a respected national organization in order to advance your agenda, if that national organization doesn’t really matter anymore? So the Archbishop’s office, to quiet down their Lefty American cousins, issued a “clarification”. The waters quickly returned to their earlier, muddy state.
And were made even muddier by this report, which says the Archbishop of Canterbury may allow foreign Bishops to take over parishes and dioceses in other countries in order to keep the Anglican Communion from splitting. Hmmmm.
The Executive Council of The Episcopal Church ™ recently met, too, and said several things. First, it said the House of Bishop’s song-and-dance response in September to the Primates requests was just fine with them, but holding off on more gay Bishops and gay marriage should only be a temporary pause - which they don't like. Not at all. Second, they took a look at Anglican Covenant. Short answer: Cute, but.... REALLY. It's SO First Century. And if it doesn't let them charge ahead with their "prophetic gift" thing, they're not too interested. Third, the ever-falling numbers in church membership and attendance were ignored by pointing out that it’s happening to everybody. Well, not quite. While mainline protestant denominations like Methodists and Presbyterians are indeed sliding, the Mormons and Roman Catholics seem to be growing. (But the Presiding Bishop said we’re better than them, so I guess they don’t count.) Wasn't all of this “new thing” approach by the Church supposed to reverse the slide for us? The Millennium Development Goals (peace be upon them), gay bishops, and Clown Eucharists don't seem to be packing ‘em in like they thought. "Full Inclusion" is not resulting in full pews, but who cares - the offerings are up!
It's not all doom and polity, though: in the plus column Bishop-elect Mark Lawrence (finally) received the necessary consents to be consecrated Bishop of the Diocese of South Carolina. The National Church leadership does not want him getting a pointy hat as he is not a lockstep-Lefty, but he was elected by the rules so they don't have much choice. I'm sure that the National Church - and their lawyers - will be keeping their Canons at the ready in case he steps out of line.
And speaking of Canons at the ready, yesterday the Presiding Bishop wrote a letter and "reached out" (that is the Episcopal Church's description, not mine) to the dissident Diocese of Pittsburgh, and it's Bishop, Robert Duncan. +Kate is not at all happy that Bishop Duncan is choosing the wrong side in the Current Unpleasantness - he's openly defending the traditional view of Faith and Scripture, and he supports taking the Diocese out of the National Church if necessary in order to keep in Communion with Canterbury. Duncan is taking the Archbishop at his word about that Bishops-and-Dioceses-are-more-important-than-national-churches thing. And +Kate is taking off the gloves - play ball our way, or else. (An interesting aside - the Presiding Bishop's letter mentions "Constitution" and/or "Canon" seven times, but "Christ" is only mentioned once. In closing. What does that tell you....?) The good Bishop Duncan has yet to respond.
Well, that's about it from the trenches of The Current Unpleasantness. If you want more detailed, and far more wry analysis, I highly recommend Chris Johnson over at MCJ.
UPDATE: The good Bishop Duncan has responded to the Presiding Bishop with stunning brevity and clarity. A commentor at StandFirm likened it to the pastoral equivalent of General MacAliffe'a answer to the Germans at Bastogne. Since we orthodox pretty much feel like the we've been surrounded and besieged, I think the comparison is apropos. The gloves are off; it's now mitre to mitre. (For those keeping count, Bishop Duncan's letter mentions "Faith" and "saints" once each, and "Christ" "Jesus" and "Lord" in the closing. He even uses some Latin. "Constitution" and/or "Canon" are nowhere to be seen.)
UPDATE: Bishop Howe of Central Florida, who is mentioned above, has also responded to the Presiding Biishop's letter to Bishop Duncan, and he is not happy. Bishop Howe, while orthodox, has tried to work within the system to find a compromise to The Current Unpleasantness, but I think his patience is wearing out. He criticizes the Presiding Bishop's "thinly veiled threat" of disciplinary action if the Diocese doesn't tow the party line; which Episcopal Life, aparrently The Episcopal Church ™ version of Pravda, actually refers to as an "offer of reconciliation". Read the PresidingComrade's Bishop's letter (link above), and judge for yourself.
With the election, World Series, and retreats, I have neglected postings on the Current Unpleasantness in The Episcopal Church™. A lot has happened and, sadly, things aren’t looking good. A quick synopses:
The House of Bishops meeting back in September in New Orleans was supposed to be the “Come to Jesus” meeting with respect to the American church’s giving the finger to the rest of the Anglican Communion over sexuality. It was supposed to end there. But the Bishops, in true Episcopal Church™ style, responded with platitudes, legalisms, and parliamentary mechanics that changed absolutely nothing. In fact, several Dioceses, such as California, have already said they don't care what the Bishops decided in New Orleans, they're gonna go ahead anyway. So far, neither the Presiding Bishop, nor the Archbishop of Canterbury, is calling them on it. Nor are they likely to do so.
Therefore, the dispute remains.
Adding fuel to the fire, a few weeks ago the Archbishop of Canterbury wrote a letter to Bishop Howe in Central Florida concerning churches in Bishop Howe’s diocese that want to leave The Episcopal Church ™ and associate with another province in the Communion. The Archbishop said in the letter that the focus in the Anglican Communion was not the national church organization, but the bishop and the diocese - and that Priests and congregations should look to the bishop for their identity, not to the national church. Finally, some focus from the Archbishop, who is the “Focus of Communion”. As you can imagine, the letter got Episcopal Lefties and New Agers gnashing teeth and rending their (sunrise hued) garments. What’s the point of working for years to take over a respected national organization in order to advance your agenda, if that national organization doesn’t really matter anymore? So the Archbishop’s office, to quiet down their Lefty American cousins, issued a “clarification”. The waters quickly returned to their earlier, muddy state.
And were made even muddier by this report, which says the Archbishop of Canterbury may allow foreign Bishops to take over parishes and dioceses in other countries in order to keep the Anglican Communion from splitting. Hmmmm.
The Executive Council of The Episcopal Church ™ recently met, too, and said several things. First, it said the House of Bishop’s song-and-dance response in September to the Primates requests was just fine with them, but holding off on more gay Bishops and gay marriage should only be a temporary pause - which they don't like. Not at all. Second, they took a look at Anglican Covenant. Short answer: Cute, but.... REALLY. It's SO First Century. And if it doesn't let them charge ahead with their "prophetic gift" thing, they're not too interested. Third, the ever-falling numbers in church membership and attendance were ignored by pointing out that it’s happening to everybody. Well, not quite. While mainline protestant denominations like Methodists and Presbyterians are indeed sliding, the Mormons and Roman Catholics seem to be growing. (But the Presiding Bishop said we’re better than them, so I guess they don’t count.) Wasn't all of this “new thing” approach by the Church supposed to reverse the slide for us? The Millennium Development Goals (peace be upon them), gay bishops, and Clown Eucharists don't seem to be packing ‘em in like they thought. "Full Inclusion" is not resulting in full pews, but who cares - the offerings are up!
It's not all doom and polity, though: in the plus column Bishop-elect Mark Lawrence (finally) received the necessary consents to be consecrated Bishop of the Diocese of South Carolina. The National Church leadership does not want him getting a pointy hat as he is not a lockstep-Lefty, but he was elected by the rules so they don't have much choice. I'm sure that the National Church - and their lawyers - will be keeping their Canons at the ready in case he steps out of line.
And speaking of Canons at the ready, yesterday the Presiding Bishop wrote a letter and "reached out" (that is the Episcopal Church's description, not mine) to the dissident Diocese of Pittsburgh, and it's Bishop, Robert Duncan. +Kate is not at all happy that Bishop Duncan is choosing the wrong side in the Current Unpleasantness - he's openly defending the traditional view of Faith and Scripture, and he supports taking the Diocese out of the National Church if necessary in order to keep in Communion with Canterbury. Duncan is taking the Archbishop at his word about that Bishops-and-Dioceses-are-more-important-than-national-churches thing. And +Kate is taking off the gloves - play ball our way, or else. (An interesting aside - the Presiding Bishop's letter mentions "Constitution" and/or "Canon" seven times, but "Christ" is only mentioned once. In closing. What does that tell you....?) The good Bishop Duncan has yet to respond.
Well, that's about it from the trenches of The Current Unpleasantness. If you want more detailed, and far more wry analysis, I highly recommend Chris Johnson over at MCJ.
UPDATE: The good Bishop Duncan has responded to the Presiding Bishop with stunning brevity and clarity. A commentor at StandFirm likened it to the pastoral equivalent of General MacAliffe'a answer to the Germans at Bastogne. Since we orthodox pretty much feel like the we've been surrounded and besieged, I think the comparison is apropos. The gloves are off; it's now mitre to mitre. (For those keeping count, Bishop Duncan's letter mentions "Faith" and "saints" once each, and "Christ" "Jesus" and "Lord" in the closing. He even uses some Latin. "Constitution" and/or "Canon" are nowhere to be seen.)
UPDATE: Bishop Howe of Central Florida, who is mentioned above, has also responded to the Presiding Biishop's letter to Bishop Duncan, and he is not happy. Bishop Howe, while orthodox, has tried to work within the system to find a compromise to The Current Unpleasantness, but I think his patience is wearing out. He criticizes the Presiding Bishop's "thinly veiled threat" of disciplinary action if the Diocese doesn't tow the party line; which Episcopal Life, aparrently The Episcopal Church ™ version of Pravda, actually refers to as an "offer of reconciliation". Read the Presiding
31 October 2007
He Lives!
Contrary to rumors circulating widely on the 'Net, and much to the chagrin of many folks here, Brad Drell is very much alive. Though, what is occupying his time seems to be pretty darn, um, complicated.
If It's Tuesday, It Must be Project Meetings.
Sorry for the lack of posting yesterday - I was in New Orleans all day, in meetings (again!) on a rebuilding project.
And to think - I ASKED for this project. Ugh.
Governor-elect Jindal: If you want to do one thing to truly help the post-Katrina recovery, eliminate the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP). Or, at least, get them out of the recovery process and give rebuilding decision-making back to the folks in State government with the professional qualifications to do just that. It's time thecarpetbaggers out-of-town consultants go home.
There. That may get me fired from the project, but it needed to be said - the rebuilding process for public infrastructure is a joke.
And to think - I ASKED for this project. Ugh.
Governor-elect Jindal: If you want to do one thing to truly help the post-Katrina recovery, eliminate the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP). Or, at least, get them out of the recovery process and give rebuilding decision-making back to the folks in State government with the professional qualifications to do just that. It's time the
There. That may get me fired from the project, but it needed to be said - the rebuilding process for public infrastructure is a joke.
29 October 2007
We Are The Champions. Of The World.
Yes, we WON last night. The World is Ours! And in a sweep at that. I don't quite know what to say at times like these; but if a pictrure is worth a thousand words, here's at least a grand for all you who trashed my boys from Landsdowne Street:
See you bums next year.
See you bums next year.
Blanco Shout Out.
Chris Muir at 'Day by Day' mentions our outgoing governor's leadership qualities in today's strip. Though, "indifference" is not the word I'd use.....
Michael Yon on Afghanistan
Michale Yon's latest post is up: The Perfect Evil: Coming to Roost. He's not optimistic about events in Afghanistan.
As usual, read it all.
As usual, read it all.
Good to be back among the speaking. I spent the weekend at a silent men's retreat at Manresa House in Convent, Louisiana, being quiet and getting a bit closer in my walk with the Almighty. I do this yearly, along with my father and (sometimes) my brother. Manresa is the former site of Jefferson College, but has been run by the Jesuits as a retreat house since the 30's. ("Jesuits?", I hear you ask, "But aren't you Anglican?" I am. But the Jesuits have this retreat thing down with the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatious Loyola. And besides - I'm closer, theologically, to my Roman brothers than many of my Episcopal brothers/sisters/whatevers.) And it is the silence, I think, what makes the retreat for me. Three days inside one's own head, just you and God, can be a mind-bending experience - it is for me, every year. My "2x4 To The Head" time. Manresa is indeed idyllic:
If you can't find God in a place like that, in silence, you're in trouble.
If you can't find God in a place like that, in silence, you're in trouble.
25 October 2007
Spiritual Exercises.
I'm going to be away for a few days on personal business, so no postings unless there is something urgent. Until I great back, check out the many fine blogs in the blogroll on the right (which you should be doing anyway). And, GO SOX!!
God's peace, one and all.
P. S. Naked Emperor: Wish you were here.
God's peace, one and all.
P. S. Naked Emperor: Wish you were here.
Your Basic Blowout.
13-1. What the heck happened to Colorado last night??
Just three to go for the Boys from Landsdowne Street.
Just three to go for the Boys from Landsdowne Street.
24 October 2007
Going Postal With Numbers.
I am highly suspicious of this report: Estimate puts N.O. population at 70 percent of pre-Katrina.
If you read through the article, you see the claim is based on postal deliveries to addresses. Hmmmm. If an address had a family of, say, four or five before Katrina, but now the house is occupied by one or two, that can skew the actual result by a large factor. With entire swaths of New Orleans East, the Lower 9, and Lakeview unoccupied, I can not see how 7 out of 10 have returned.
(My parents often had mail delivered to their flooded house in Lakeview before it was torn down. I wonder if that is one of the addresses counted....)
If you read through the article, you see the claim is based on postal deliveries to addresses. Hmmmm. If an address had a family of, say, four or five before Katrina, but now the house is occupied by one or two, that can skew the actual result by a large factor. With entire swaths of New Orleans East, the Lower 9, and Lakeview unoccupied, I can not see how 7 out of 10 have returned.
(My parents often had mail delivered to their flooded house in Lakeview before it was torn down. I wonder if that is one of the addresses counted....)
23 October 2007
"All We Are Sayyyyying, Is The Same As Before...."
You gotta love the Boomers - they've got sticking their head in the sand down to an art form. And whole bunch of 'em got together the other night at the National Cathedral to practice their art, and to let folks know that.... war is bad. (Really?? I had no idea.)
"It was an extraordinary night of prayer and music in the nation's capital when more than 2,500 gathered October 16 for an interfaith celebration at Washington National Cathedral to express their desire for global peace and an end to the continuing war in Iraq."
Apparently, not all wars are bad enough to get David Crosby into a church, just wars that Republicans fight. (I guess he was booked solid during that Bosnia thing.) Chris Johnson over at MCJ has a wonderful analysis of the event.
But the last line from the ENS article quoted above got me wondering: Why just "an end to the continuing war in Iraq?" Is continuing to fight in Afghanistan alright with them?
"It was an extraordinary night of prayer and music in the nation's capital when more than 2,500 gathered October 16 for an interfaith celebration at Washington National Cathedral to express their desire for global peace and an end to the continuing war in Iraq."
Apparently, not all wars are bad enough to get David Crosby into a church, just wars that Republicans fight. (I guess he was booked solid during that Bosnia thing.) Chris Johnson over at MCJ has a wonderful analysis of the event.
But the last line from the ENS article quoted above got me wondering: Why just "an end to the continuing war in Iraq?" Is continuing to fight in Afghanistan alright with them?
It's Tough To Find Shoes To Match The Magazines.
My daughter loves 'Hello Kitty', and she loves to shoot. So please don't let her know about this.
When The Numbers Don't Fit The Theory....
A good national analysis of the results from the Governor's Race last Saturday, refuting the major excuse(s) of The Left as to why Jindal won outright. Note that, contrary to the protestations of those few, the vote from New Orleans - or the lack thereof - was not the deciding factor in Jindal's win. This is, I think, the reason he won:
"Hurricane Katrina did have an effect on this year’s governor’s race — it just isn’t the one that the Left wants to claim. The election was not determined by the attrition of Democratic voters in New Orleans as much as it was by Katrina’s revelation of the major problems with the Democrats who have run things from Baton Rouge."
"Hurricane Katrina did have an effect on this year’s governor’s race — it just isn’t the one that the Left wants to claim. The election was not determined by the attrition of Democratic voters in New Orleans as much as it was by Katrina’s revelation of the major problems with the Democrats who have run things from Baton Rouge."
22 October 2007
Maps. I Just Love Maps.
Parish map of the Governor's election on Saturday. Note that all of the major metropolitan areas, except New Orleans, went more then 50% for Jindal.
Hattip: The Dead Pelican.
Hattip: The Dead Pelican.
Duck And Cover - It Ain't Just For Nuclear War Anymore.
The Naked Emperor gets to see some of Ray Nagin's New Orleans "brand" up close and personal. (Yes, I know it's technically Gretna, but just.)
21 October 2007
Pennant!!
The Boys from Landsdowne Street have done it again, coming from behind to claim the AL Pennant.
First Jindal, now this. It's been a great weekend.
First Jindal, now this. It's been a great weekend.
Chris Is Back.
Chris Muir's Day by Day cartoon is back up, so make sure to stop by. It's also over on the right side of this blog, every day.
Let The Chattering Begin!
Roundup of yesterday's election results and commentary: The Dead Pelican and Louisiana NewsLink. Here is a national view.
The Louisiana Secretary of State has the raw numbers. Very interesting reading, it you're into that kind of thing. John Georges actually won Orleans Parish, but even with the support of Ray Nagin he only beat Jindal by 1,092 votes. It appears that Nagin doesn't have much clout in the Big Easy anymore, and even less outside of Orleans Parish. Baton Rouge had 124,000 total come out to vote in this election, with Jefferson Parish at 116,000, and Orleans with just over 75,000. I think the implications of those numbers for the future are obvious.
Off to watch Game 7.
The Louisiana Secretary of State has the raw numbers. Very interesting reading, it you're into that kind of thing. John Georges actually won Orleans Parish, but even with the support of Ray Nagin he only beat Jindal by 1,092 votes. It appears that Nagin doesn't have much clout in the Big Easy anymore, and even less outside of Orleans Parish. Baton Rouge had 124,000 total come out to vote in this election, with Jefferson Parish at 116,000, and Orleans with just over 75,000. I think the implications of those numbers for the future are obvious.
Off to watch Game 7.
20 October 2007
A LIVEblog Two-fer!!
With so much going on tonight, the crack staff of Red Stick Rant will attampt to liveblog BOTH today's election results and Game Six of the ALCS. (I figure most folks will already be watching the LSU-Auburn game...) Posts will be quick, so pardon the typos and syntax errors.
And away we go....
7:55 ALCS: Bottom of the first, and Drew just hit a Grand Slam HR! Bos 4, Cle 0.
8:17 ELECTION: WAFB-BR at 1%: Atty General - Alexander, Caldwell, and then.... Foti. Governor is Jindal at 55%, with Boasso and Campbell at 14% each, and Georges at 9%. Hope it stays this way.
8:20 ALCS: Cleveland scored one top of the second, Sox stranded two in the bottom. BOS 4, CLE 1. Third inning starting.
8:27 ALCS: Two Cleveland base hits, and two on....
8:31 ELECTION: WAFB and WBRZ both still showing 1% reporting. Check back in a minute.
8:34 ALCS: Cleveland goes nowhere. Bottom of the third coming up.
8:43 ALCS: Drew up again, with two on, no outs.... Base Hit! Manny comes home! BOS 5, CLE 1. From the yelling in the in the other room, seems the Tigers just scored, too!!
8:48: ELECTION: Sec. State's office has 135 of 3,967 precincts reporting - Jindal still up at 58%, with Boasso 17%, Campbell 13%, and then Georges 11%. Don't know where in the state these numbers are coming from.
8:50 ALCS: Elsbury, 1 RBI!! Lugo doubled, two more in!!!! BOS 8, CLE 1.
8:58 ELECTION: 344 precincts in to the Sec. State. Governor: Jindal, 54%, Boasso 18%, Campbell 14%, Georges 12%. Lt Gov. Mitch 50%, Kershaw 38%, Beard, 10%. AG's race is all tied up at 33% each - Alexander slightly ahead.
8:59 ALCS: Two more for Boston! 10-1 now.
9:02 ELECTION: 440 in at the Sec. State. Jindal still above 50%, but not by much. Boasso is a real surprise - 18% right now. Georges? 12%.
9:06 ALCS. 3rd inning is over. Thankfully for Cleveland.
9:10 ELECTION: WAFB-BR is saying Jindal at 35%, but Sec. State office has him at 53%. Sec. State's website has slowed to a crawl.
9:15 ALCS: Top of the 4th - no result for Clevelend. Bottom of the 4th coming up.
9:25 ELECTION: Sec. State has 1,378 precincts in. Jindal 52%, Boasso 19%, Campbell 14%, Georges 13%. LT. Gov: Landrieu 50%, Kershaw 37%. Att. Gen: pretty evenly split, with Alexander trailing slightly.
9:26 ALCS: 4th inning over. Still 10-1, Boston. 5th starting. Shilling still in for the Sox.
9:33 ELECTION: 1,670 precincts showing at the Sec. State's office. Jindal sliding to 51%, Boasso still in second at 19%. Walter Boasso seems to be the real surprise tonight, and Georges the real disappointment. But there is more than 50% to come.
9:37 ELECTION: WBRZ is saying that most of the reported precincts are from north Louisiana, which would explain Campbell's numbers - but not Boasso's. They are saying that New Orleans has not reported in, so much of Jindal's and Georges' (and Boasso's?) base has not been counted.
9:39 ELECTION: 1,840 precincts reporting in, and numbers are about the same.
9:42 ALCS: Top of the 6th. Shilling still in. Just struck out his fourth of the night.
9:46 ALCS: Shilling just got his 5th strike-out. Sox at bat.
9:47 ELECTION: Sec. State's website is pretty much locked up. Switching to TV......
9:52 ALCS: Lowell doubles off the Green Monster. 2 outs right now.
9:55 ALCS Nope. Lowell stranded. On to the 7th.
9:58 ELECTION: 2,626 precincts in. Jindal creeping up - 53%. Boasso at 18%. Georges now in third, with 14%, and Campbell at 13%. Looks like the New Orleans area is coming in. Landrieu is now at 56%; Kershaw is sliding, at 32%. In the AG's race, Caldwell is up, but it's still pretty evenly split. Bob Odom is looking like he's in a runoff with Mike Strain.
10:00 ALCS: Cleveland scores on a sac-fly - 10-2 now, Boston leads.
10:02 ELECTION: WAFB-BR is reporting that Jindal has only 47%, but they're saying that there is a "computer error." Hmmm.
10:09 ELECTION WAFB-BR is not showing Jindal at 53%, and Boasso at 18%. Whew. More in line with what we've seen with the Sec. State's numbers.
10:12 ELECTION: WBRZ-BR is showing Landrieu at 56%, and Kershaw at 37%, with 77% reporting. Looks like that one is over.
10:16 ELECTION: Boasso speaking at this campaign headquarters now. Just wanted to say "hello" to supporters. Says it isn't over yet.
10:16 ALCS: 7th inning over. Top of the 8th - nothing for the Indians.
10:19 ELECTION: Finally. Update from the Sec. State's office. 3,214 precincts reporting - same precentages as before in the Governor's race, but now with 81% of the vote in. Landrieu seems to be re-elected. AG's race too close to call - but Caldwell is currently leading. Sec. Agriculture race seems to be Odom and Strain seem to be headed for a runoff.
10:23 ALCS: Ortiz doubles off the Green Monster. Manny up next......
10:25 ALCS: Manny had a sac-fly. Another Sox run in. 11-2, Boston.
10:27 ALCS: Lowell has RBI single. Another one in for the Sox. Drew singles just after.
10:30 ALCS: Sox strand loaded bases. Into the 9th. 12-2, Boston. Indians better explode here, or it's Game 7.
10:34 ELECTION: 3,428 of 3,967 precincts reporting at the Sec. States website. Precentages still the same. Jindal still at 53%. This could be historic, folks.
10:37 ALCS: We are one out from Game 7.
10:38 ALCS: Game 7 is on. 12-2, Red Sox. Tomorrow night is it!
10:42 ELECTION: 3,529 of 3,967 precincts reporting. Jindals lead still at 53%. Boston and Bobby look like winners tonight. The amazing thing is the poor showing of John Georges. I guess Ray Nagin hasn't got the coat-tails Georges, or Nagin, thought.
10:45 ELECTION: Foster Campbell concedes. Jindal is about to speak....
10:48 ELECTION: WAFB-BR is projecting Jindal winning outright. Bob Odom is in a runoff for the first time since 1979.
10:55 ELECTION: Still waiting......
10:57 ELECTION: Walter Boasso now speaking. Concedes. No word from Georges....
11:00 ELECTION: Bobby Jindal is at the podium. Claims victory. Thanks challengers, thanks wife, thanks parents. Still speaking, mostly boilerplate. New day for Louisiana. New image for the state. Will tackle corruption. Lots of talk of change.
11:08 ELECTION: Looking over the crowd on TV it is amazing the ethnic and racial diversity in the room. I hope the national Republican Party is taking note. If he can pull this off, you may be looking at the GOP presidential nominee in 2012 or 2016.
11:12 ELECTION: 3,803 of 3,967 precincts reporting. Stick a fork in it - it's done. The Republican realignment in Louisiana is here. We are truly a Red State. The Democratic candidates for Governor got only 31%. Huey Long is whirling in his grave(and Edwin Edwards in his cell...).
11:35 ROUNDUP: Jindal wins in the first primary. Georges has not conceded that I know of. Very bush league, John. Ray Nagin, who backed Georges, clearly doesn't have the stroke everyone thought. Bye, bye, Ray. Mitch Landreiu (D) wins in the first primary, too. Jay Dardenne (R) easily wins the Secretary of State's office. The Attorney General's race is the only one too close to call - Caldwell leads, with Foti second and Alexander a close third. The vote difference between Foti and Alexander is less than 4,000 as of now. Jim Donelon (R) was reelected as Insurance Commissioner, but there will be a runoff between Bob Odom and Mike Strain for the Commissioner of Agriculture.
11:36 LSU-AUBURN: LSU 30, Auburn 24. LSU, Sox, Jindal - lots of victirues tonight!!
11:40 ELECTION: Foti, the incumbent, has just dropped down to 3rd place in the AG race. If this holds, he will be out. (UPDATE: It has held. Foti is out.)
11:47 ELECTION: Quick and dirty review: of the 31 Senate seats in play, The Republicans seem to have taken 8, and are in runoffs in 4 more.
12:00 ELECTION: Quick and dirty review: of the 78 House seats in play, The Republicans seem to have taken 17, and are in runoffs in 28 more. Seven of those runoff seats both run-off candidates are GOP, so those can be counted in addition to the 17. It wasn't the sweep some predicted, alas.
12:02 COMMENTARY: I'm done. Great time, but I'll see you tomorrow. Hope this helped.
And away we go....
7:55 ALCS: Bottom of the first, and Drew just hit a Grand Slam HR! Bos 4, Cle 0.
8:17 ELECTION: WAFB-BR at 1%: Atty General - Alexander, Caldwell, and then.... Foti. Governor is Jindal at 55%, with Boasso and Campbell at 14% each, and Georges at 9%. Hope it stays this way.
8:20 ALCS: Cleveland scored one top of the second, Sox stranded two in the bottom. BOS 4, CLE 1. Third inning starting.
8:27 ALCS: Two Cleveland base hits, and two on....
8:31 ELECTION: WAFB and WBRZ both still showing 1% reporting. Check back in a minute.
8:34 ALCS: Cleveland goes nowhere. Bottom of the third coming up.
8:43 ALCS: Drew up again, with two on, no outs.... Base Hit! Manny comes home! BOS 5, CLE 1. From the yelling in the in the other room, seems the Tigers just scored, too!!
8:48: ELECTION: Sec. State's office has 135 of 3,967 precincts reporting - Jindal still up at 58%, with Boasso 17%, Campbell 13%, and then Georges 11%. Don't know where in the state these numbers are coming from.
8:50 ALCS: Elsbury, 1 RBI!! Lugo doubled, two more in!!!! BOS 8, CLE 1.
8:58 ELECTION: 344 precincts in to the Sec. State. Governor: Jindal, 54%, Boasso 18%, Campbell 14%, Georges 12%. Lt Gov. Mitch 50%, Kershaw 38%, Beard, 10%. AG's race is all tied up at 33% each - Alexander slightly ahead.
8:59 ALCS: Two more for Boston! 10-1 now.
9:02 ELECTION: 440 in at the Sec. State. Jindal still above 50%, but not by much. Boasso is a real surprise - 18% right now. Georges? 12%.
9:06 ALCS. 3rd inning is over. Thankfully for Cleveland.
9:10 ELECTION: WAFB-BR is saying Jindal at 35%, but Sec. State office has him at 53%. Sec. State's website has slowed to a crawl.
9:15 ALCS: Top of the 4th - no result for Clevelend. Bottom of the 4th coming up.
9:25 ELECTION: Sec. State has 1,378 precincts in. Jindal 52%, Boasso 19%, Campbell 14%, Georges 13%. LT. Gov: Landrieu 50%, Kershaw 37%. Att. Gen: pretty evenly split, with Alexander trailing slightly.
9:26 ALCS: 4th inning over. Still 10-1, Boston. 5th starting. Shilling still in for the Sox.
9:33 ELECTION: 1,670 precincts showing at the Sec. State's office. Jindal sliding to 51%, Boasso still in second at 19%. Walter Boasso seems to be the real surprise tonight, and Georges the real disappointment. But there is more than 50% to come.
9:37 ELECTION: WBRZ is saying that most of the reported precincts are from north Louisiana, which would explain Campbell's numbers - but not Boasso's. They are saying that New Orleans has not reported in, so much of Jindal's and Georges' (and Boasso's?) base has not been counted.
9:39 ELECTION: 1,840 precincts reporting in, and numbers are about the same.
9:42 ALCS: Top of the 6th. Shilling still in. Just struck out his fourth of the night.
9:46 ALCS: Shilling just got his 5th strike-out. Sox at bat.
9:47 ELECTION: Sec. State's website is pretty much locked up. Switching to TV......
9:52 ALCS: Lowell doubles off the Green Monster. 2 outs right now.
9:55 ALCS Nope. Lowell stranded. On to the 7th.
9:58 ELECTION: 2,626 precincts in. Jindal creeping up - 53%. Boasso at 18%. Georges now in third, with 14%, and Campbell at 13%. Looks like the New Orleans area is coming in. Landrieu is now at 56%; Kershaw is sliding, at 32%. In the AG's race, Caldwell is up, but it's still pretty evenly split. Bob Odom is looking like he's in a runoff with Mike Strain.
10:00 ALCS: Cleveland scores on a sac-fly - 10-2 now, Boston leads.
10:02 ELECTION: WAFB-BR is reporting that Jindal has only 47%, but they're saying that there is a "computer error." Hmmm.
10:09 ELECTION WAFB-BR is not showing Jindal at 53%, and Boasso at 18%. Whew. More in line with what we've seen with the Sec. State's numbers.
10:12 ELECTION: WBRZ-BR is showing Landrieu at 56%, and Kershaw at 37%, with 77% reporting. Looks like that one is over.
10:16 ELECTION: Boasso speaking at this campaign headquarters now. Just wanted to say "hello" to supporters. Says it isn't over yet.
10:16 ALCS: 7th inning over. Top of the 8th - nothing for the Indians.
10:19 ELECTION: Finally. Update from the Sec. State's office. 3,214 precincts reporting - same precentages as before in the Governor's race, but now with 81% of the vote in. Landrieu seems to be re-elected. AG's race too close to call - but Caldwell is currently leading. Sec. Agriculture race seems to be Odom and Strain seem to be headed for a runoff.
10:23 ALCS: Ortiz doubles off the Green Monster. Manny up next......
10:25 ALCS: Manny had a sac-fly. Another Sox run in. 11-2, Boston.
10:27 ALCS: Lowell has RBI single. Another one in for the Sox. Drew singles just after.
10:30 ALCS: Sox strand loaded bases. Into the 9th. 12-2, Boston. Indians better explode here, or it's Game 7.
10:34 ELECTION: 3,428 of 3,967 precincts reporting at the Sec. States website. Precentages still the same. Jindal still at 53%. This could be historic, folks.
10:37 ALCS: We are one out from Game 7.
10:38 ALCS: Game 7 is on. 12-2, Red Sox. Tomorrow night is it!
10:42 ELECTION: 3,529 of 3,967 precincts reporting. Jindals lead still at 53%. Boston and Bobby look like winners tonight. The amazing thing is the poor showing of John Georges. I guess Ray Nagin hasn't got the coat-tails Georges, or Nagin, thought.
10:45 ELECTION: Foster Campbell concedes. Jindal is about to speak....
10:48 ELECTION: WAFB-BR is projecting Jindal winning outright. Bob Odom is in a runoff for the first time since 1979.
10:55 ELECTION: Still waiting......
10:57 ELECTION: Walter Boasso now speaking. Concedes. No word from Georges....
11:00 ELECTION: Bobby Jindal is at the podium. Claims victory. Thanks challengers, thanks wife, thanks parents. Still speaking, mostly boilerplate. New day for Louisiana. New image for the state. Will tackle corruption. Lots of talk of change.
11:08 ELECTION: Looking over the crowd on TV it is amazing the ethnic and racial diversity in the room. I hope the national Republican Party is taking note. If he can pull this off, you may be looking at the GOP presidential nominee in 2012 or 2016.
11:12 ELECTION: 3,803 of 3,967 precincts reporting. Stick a fork in it - it's done. The Republican realignment in Louisiana is here. We are truly a Red State. The Democratic candidates for Governor got only 31%. Huey Long is whirling in his grave(and Edwin Edwards in his cell...).
11:35 ROUNDUP: Jindal wins in the first primary. Georges has not conceded that I know of. Very bush league, John. Ray Nagin, who backed Georges, clearly doesn't have the stroke everyone thought. Bye, bye, Ray. Mitch Landreiu (D) wins in the first primary, too. Jay Dardenne (R) easily wins the Secretary of State's office. The Attorney General's race is the only one too close to call - Caldwell leads, with Foti second and Alexander a close third. The vote difference between Foti and Alexander is less than 4,000 as of now. Jim Donelon (R) was reelected as Insurance Commissioner, but there will be a runoff between Bob Odom and Mike Strain for the Commissioner of Agriculture.
11:36 LSU-AUBURN: LSU 30, Auburn 24. LSU, Sox, Jindal - lots of victirues tonight!!
11:40 ELECTION: Foti, the incumbent, has just dropped down to 3rd place in the AG race. If this holds, he will be out. (UPDATE: It has held. Foti is out.)
11:47 ELECTION: Quick and dirty review: of the 31 Senate seats in play, The Republicans seem to have taken 8, and are in runoffs in 4 more.
12:00 ELECTION: Quick and dirty review: of the 78 House seats in play, The Republicans seem to have taken 17, and are in runoffs in 28 more. Seven of those runoff seats both run-off candidates are GOP, so those can be counted in addition to the 17. It wasn't the sweep some predicted, alas.
12:02 COMMENTARY: I'm done. Great time, but I'll see you tomorrow. Hope this helped.
Flyer, Flyer, Pants On Fire.
Ah, Election Day in Louisiana.....
If you were a regular reader of this site, then this flier for John Georges wouldn't come as a surprise.
We'll see tonight weather racial pandering like this will allow the candidate who went to an all-white private school in Metairie to make the run-off.
Hattip: The Dead Pelican
If you were a regular reader of this site, then this flier for John Georges wouldn't come as a surprise.
We'll see tonight weather racial pandering like this will allow the candidate who went to an all-white private school in Metairie to make the run-off.
Hattip: The Dead Pelican
19 October 2007
And It's One, Two, Three, What Are We Votin' For....?
Call Harry Reid. No, wait - call Joni Mitchell. The things you find in Labor/Education appropriations bills these days:
"Would the Democratic-controlled Senate approve a $1 million earmark to celebrate Woodstock-era baby boomers, carved out of a bill funding health care and education? It would because it is sponsored by New York's influential senators, Hillary Clinton and Charles Schumer. It would because they promote the pet project of a big-time Democratic campaign contributor."
Which would be a performing arts center at the site of the 1969 Woodstock Concert/Event/Hyped Legend.
Gimme an F! Gimme a U! Gimme a.....
"Would the Democratic-controlled Senate approve a $1 million earmark to celebrate Woodstock-era baby boomers, carved out of a bill funding health care and education? It would because it is sponsored by New York's influential senators, Hillary Clinton and Charles Schumer. It would because they promote the pet project of a big-time Democratic campaign contributor."
Which would be a performing arts center at the site of the 1969 Woodstock Concert/Event/Hyped Legend.
Gimme an F! Gimme a U! Gimme a.....
Top 10 Reasons I'm voting for Bobby Jindal.
10. Bobby Jindal can add 2 billion plus 2 billion without a calculator.
09. There will be no one named “Coach” in a Bobby Jindal administration.
08. Bobby Jindal sits a horse better than Foster Campbell.
07. His thrilling stint on American Idol.
06. Walter Boasso is most effective with just a garden hose and a box of Tide.
05. Just to hear the Governor say, “Jim Bernard? Take a message.”
04. Ray Nagin supports John Georges.
03. Bobby Jindal is the only candidate who can quote extensively from Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
02. Two Words: Crawfish Vindaloo!
And the Number One Reason I’m Voting for Bobby Jindal:
I value my children's future.
Also posted over at Louisiana Conservative Dot Com.
09. There will be no one named “Coach” in a Bobby Jindal administration.
08. Bobby Jindal sits a horse better than Foster Campbell.
07. His thrilling stint on American Idol.
06. Walter Boasso is most effective with just a garden hose and a box of Tide.
05. Just to hear the Governor say, “Jim Bernard? Take a message.”
04. Ray Nagin supports John Georges.
03. Bobby Jindal is the only candidate who can quote extensively from Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
02. Two Words: Crawfish Vindaloo!
And the Number One Reason I’m Voting for Bobby Jindal:
I value my children's future.
Also posted over at Louisiana Conservative Dot Com.
18 October 2007
And Now For Something Completely Amazing...
Yes, yes, I know - this site seems to have been hijacked by Louisiana polotics of late, and those of you looking for posts on The Episcopal Church (tm) and other things have been sorely disappointed. Patience, friends, the Election is Saturday, so hold on a bit longer. To break the stress, and to give everyone a smile today, I have the pleasure of presenting.....
.... a German juggling masonry hammers.
Why can't we get subs like that on our jobs....?
Hattip: Ken.
.... a German juggling masonry hammers.
Why can't we get subs like that on our jobs....?
Hattip: Ken.
No State Shall....
The centerpiece of Foster Campbell's campaign is the elimination of the State Income Tax. Amen to that. But it is his concept for replacing that revenue that bothers me. He says we should tax all oil, including that which is imported from foreign countries:
"The Campbell plan will replace the money given back to Louisianans by updating the 1921 severance tax on oil and gas produced in Louisiana. He’ll institute a 6 percent user fee on ALL oil and gas produced, processed, refined or distributed in Louisiana. Although Louisiana is now an oil and gas processing state instead of a major producing state, the system adopted 86 years ago collects a tax ONLY on minerals produced in Louisiana. But 95 percent of oil and gas produced and processed in Louisiana--most of it from foreign oil companies and companies owned by foreign nations--is untaxed. That’s unfair to producers in Louisiana and allows foreign companies to use our offshore waters and coastal wetlands without charge." (emphasis mine)
OK, but I have one teensy concern - Article I, Section 10 of the US Constitution says:
"No state shall, without the consent of the Congress, lay any imposts or duties on imports or exports, except what may be absolutely necessary for executing it's inspection laws: and the net produce of all duties and imposts, laid by any state on imports or exports, shall be for the use of the treasury of the United States; and all such laws shall be subject to the revision and control of the Congress." (again, emphasis mine)
Is Campbell's plan Constitutional, and would it add to the state coffers? Or, is it a grey area that would require years in Federal Court fighting off Constitutional challenges from the Feds, foreign governments, or from other States, before we saw the first nickel?
"The Campbell plan will replace the money given back to Louisianans by updating the 1921 severance tax on oil and gas produced in Louisiana. He’ll institute a 6 percent user fee on ALL oil and gas produced, processed, refined or distributed in Louisiana. Although Louisiana is now an oil and gas processing state instead of a major producing state, the system adopted 86 years ago collects a tax ONLY on minerals produced in Louisiana. But 95 percent of oil and gas produced and processed in Louisiana--most of it from foreign oil companies and companies owned by foreign nations--is untaxed. That’s unfair to producers in Louisiana and allows foreign companies to use our offshore waters and coastal wetlands without charge." (emphasis mine)
OK, but I have one teensy concern - Article I, Section 10 of the US Constitution says:
"No state shall, without the consent of the Congress, lay any imposts or duties on imports or exports, except what may be absolutely necessary for executing it's inspection laws: and the net produce of all duties and imposts, laid by any state on imports or exports, shall be for the use of the treasury of the United States; and all such laws shall be subject to the revision and control of the Congress." (again, emphasis mine)
Is Campbell's plan Constitutional, and would it add to the state coffers? Or, is it a grey area that would require years in Federal Court fighting off Constitutional challenges from the Feds, foreign governments, or from other States, before we saw the first nickel?
17 October 2007
A Two-Man Race?
In the past 72 hours, all I hear is Jindal, Georges, Jindal, Georges, Jindal, Georges, Jindal, Georges. Are Walter Boasso and Foster Campbell even in this race anymore?
It is a sad day for the Damocratic Party in Louisiana when the two top candidates are a Republican nerd of Indian descent and an Independent (former Republican) wealthy businessman of Greek descent - and their guys aren't even close.
I wouldn't be surprised if Jindal wins the Mansion in the first Primary.
(P.S. Bobby, I meant the "nerd" thing in a nice way.)
UPDATE: Saw a number of Boasso and Campbell ads last night, so I guess someone got the message. But I still think it's like trying to bail out the Titanic with a teacup. Heroic effort, but the ships still gonna go down. Would have been better if the Capiain had avoided the iceberg in the first place, or if she had responded sooner to the impact.
It is a sad day for the Damocratic Party in Louisiana when the two top candidates are a Republican nerd of Indian descent and an Independent (former Republican) wealthy businessman of Greek descent - and their guys aren't even close.
I wouldn't be surprised if Jindal wins the Mansion in the first Primary.
(P.S. Bobby, I meant the "nerd" thing in a nice way.)
UPDATE: Saw a number of Boasso and Campbell ads last night, so I guess someone got the message. But I still think it's like trying to bail out the Titanic with a teacup. Heroic effort, but the ships still gonna go down. Would have been better if the Capiain had avoided the iceberg in the first place, or if she had responded sooner to the impact.
I Told You So. First.
C. Ray is indeed using Mr. Bell's plaything to get out the vote for John Georges.
We got another call tonight.
Funny, they don't talk about what he says......
We got another call tonight.
Funny, they don't talk about what he says......
Cool, Daddy, Cool.
Here's a little distraction from all of the mud flying round in the current Louisiana campaigns:
Bill Quick, of Daily Pundit fame and the man who coined the term "blogosphere", has a new blog on Mid-Century Modernism - a period in design that fascinates me more the older I get. Check it out.
Hattip: Insapundit.
Bill Quick, of Daily Pundit fame and the man who coined the term "blogosphere", has a new blog on Mid-Century Modernism - a period in design that fascinates me more the older I get. Check it out.
Hattip: Insapundit.
15 October 2007
Why I'm Not Voting For John Georges.
Ray "Chocolate City" Nagin came out today in support of John Georges for Governor of Louisiana.
And tonight, at about 6:45, we received a pre-recorded phone call at our home from Nagin, saying that "our people" need to support Georges. He went on to say that Georges was the only candidate who could beat Bobby Jindal, and was the only candidate who went to Jena. (Really??)
"Our people???" (Hint: I don't think he was talking about me. Looks like someone hasn't updated their phone records in a while...) If the Mayor of Jena had taped a campaign message saying that "our people" need to vote for Jindal, there'd be hell to pay, and rightfully so.
I can't say I expected more of Nagin - he has proven himself ever the opportunist. But I am disappointed that John Georges is sinking to this level of racial pandering to get votes. I expected more from a former Hornet.
On Saturday, I'm pulling the lever for Bobby.
And tonight, at about 6:45, we received a pre-recorded phone call at our home from Nagin, saying that "our people" need to support Georges. He went on to say that Georges was the only candidate who could beat Bobby Jindal, and was the only candidate who went to Jena. (Really??)
"Our people???" (Hint: I don't think he was talking about me. Looks like someone hasn't updated their phone records in a while...) If the Mayor of Jena had taped a campaign message saying that "our people" need to vote for Jindal, there'd be hell to pay, and rightfully so.
I can't say I expected more of Nagin - he has proven himself ever the opportunist. But I am disappointed that John Georges is sinking to this level of racial pandering to get votes. I expected more from a former Hornet.
On Saturday, I'm pulling the lever for Bobby.
Prayers.
Chris Muir, creator of the Day By Day cartoon (seen on the right side of this blog), just lost a very close family member. Please keep him, and his family, in your prayers, and remember to read Day By Day again starting 1 November.
And, please also remember Ken "Robie" Robichaux, who passed away on Friday after a battle with cancer. Ken was a review engineer with the Louisiana State Fire Marshal's Office, a New Orleans native, and a graduate of Jesuit, Tulane, and LSU. Robie didn't just march to the beat of his own drum, he designed and built it himself and created a unique theory of music to boot. Heaven is a big place, Robie; I hope you brought enough "Dixies". You will be missed.
And, please also remember Ken "Robie" Robichaux, who passed away on Friday after a battle with cancer. Ken was a review engineer with the Louisiana State Fire Marshal's Office, a New Orleans native, and a graduate of Jesuit, Tulane, and LSU. Robie didn't just march to the beat of his own drum, he designed and built it himself and created a unique theory of music to boot. Heaven is a big place, Robie; I hope you brought enough "Dixies". You will be missed.
The Rest Of The Story.
Jason at COUNTERCOLUMN has some great posts up this morning. My recommended reading for today.
Busy day today, so my posting will be light, if at all.
Busy day today, so my posting will be light, if at all.
13 October 2007
It's The End Of The World As We Know It!
OK, it's not for me. Yes, my Alma Mater just lost to Kentucky. Oh, well. But all is not lost - The Boys From Landsdowne Street won Game One of the ALCS last night, 10-3. Game Two just started, and it's Carmona for the Indians versus Shilling for the Sox.
Off to watch the game.....
UPDATE: OK, I wish I hadn't. 11 innings, and we lost 13-6. Shilling only made it 5 innings. So with the series tied 1-1, it's off to Cleveland for Monday night's game. I'll be watching.
Off to watch the game.....
UPDATE: OK, I wish I hadn't. 11 innings, and we lost 13-6. Shilling only made it 5 innings. So with the series tied 1-1, it's off to Cleveland for Monday night's game. I'll be watching.
Yes, You Will Always Be Younger Than Me.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the The Naked Emperor.
There is a card for you on my desk which, in typical brotherly fashion, I forgot to mail.
Have a great day, bro!!
There is a card for you on my desk which, in typical brotherly fashion, I forgot to mail.
Have a great day, bro!!
12 October 2007
2 Plus 2 Equals 4..... Plus A Bit More.
It's New Orleans. Can't say I'm surprised by this:
"After five hours of deliberations, a federal jury Thursday convicted three former Orleans Parish school employees of doctoring payroll records in order to scam extra cash."
I'm sure they did it "for the children".
"After five hours of deliberations, a federal jury Thursday convicted three former Orleans Parish school employees of doctoring payroll records in order to scam extra cash."
I'm sure they did it "for the children".
Eagle Scout 1, Architect Of The Capitol, 0.
Seems that a 17 year-old Eagle Scout beat both the Architect of the Capitol and the Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi (D - LaLa Land), and the word "God" CAN be written on flag certificates.
Original post about it is here.
Being both an Eagle Scout and an Architect, I'm glad the former won.
Oh, and a big hello to all of the American Institute of Architects Main Office folks reading this post. Shouldn't you be, like, doing something productive?
Original post about it is here.
Being both an Eagle Scout and an Architect, I'm glad the former won.
Oh, and a big hello to all of the American Institute of Architects Main Office folks reading this post. Shouldn't you be, like, doing something productive?
11 October 2007
Can You Say "Steamroller"? I Knew You Could.
Latest poll numbers from the Louisiana Governor's race:
Bobby Jindal (R) - 50%
John Georges (I) - 9%
Walter Boasso (D) - 9%
Foster Campbell (D) - 7%
Other - 3%
When the appointed Democratic front-runner in Louisiana is still in single digits less than two weeks before the election, and tied with an independent, I think we are looking at a political shift of Biblical proportions here in the Bayou State. Jindal is even polling well among black voters. And also among the more conservative evangelical voters in north Louisiana, who the Democrats have tried to scare away from Jindal because of his ethnicity and religion. It worked four years ago for Kathleen Blanco, but it has backfired horribly this time. Jindal's "Second Chance" campaign seems to be very effective, reminding voters that we wouldn't be in the mess we're in the first place if things had been different four years ago (an almost universal sentiment), and that they have a "second chance" to make things right.
Bobby Jindal (R) - 50%
John Georges (I) - 9%
Walter Boasso (D) - 9%
Foster Campbell (D) - 7%
Other - 3%
When the appointed Democratic front-runner in Louisiana is still in single digits less than two weeks before the election, and tied with an independent, I think we are looking at a political shift of Biblical proportions here in the Bayou State. Jindal is even polling well among black voters. And also among the more conservative evangelical voters in north Louisiana, who the Democrats have tried to scare away from Jindal because of his ethnicity and religion. It worked four years ago for Kathleen Blanco, but it has backfired horribly this time. Jindal's "Second Chance" campaign seems to be very effective, reminding voters that we wouldn't be in the mess we're in the first place if things had been different four years ago (an almost universal sentiment), and that they have a "second chance" to make things right.
Finally. Something To Do At The Mall.
First Cabela's, now this: An Apple Store will be opening soon in Baton Rouge.
"MacNN meanwhile has obtained information that a store is being built at the Mall of Louisiana, found in Baton Rouge. The shop will not actually be built within the mall, but rather in an outside development as a free-standing structure. It should occupy 4,919 square feet, and feature stainless-steel wall panels in its sales area."
As an iPhone owning, dedicated Apple user since 1988, it's wonderful news. But there is more here, I think, than just making some local Mac-hacks happy. Apple Stores usually appear in tech-savvy, growth markets, like Austin, Houston, Atlanta. Notice where it didn't go. Brinkley's Houston / Galveston analogy may be a more accurate predictor of the future than we think.
Hattip (again): Baton Rouge Business Report.
"MacNN meanwhile has obtained information that a store is being built at the Mall of Louisiana, found in Baton Rouge. The shop will not actually be built within the mall, but rather in an outside development as a free-standing structure. It should occupy 4,919 square feet, and feature stainless-steel wall panels in its sales area."
As an iPhone owning, dedicated Apple user since 1988, it's wonderful news. But there is more here, I think, than just making some local Mac-hacks happy. Apple Stores usually appear in tech-savvy, growth markets, like Austin, Houston, Atlanta. Notice where it didn't go. Brinkley's Houston / Galveston analogy may be a more accurate predictor of the future than we think.
Hattip (again): Baton Rouge Business Report.
09 October 2007
What If They Gave A Debate And No One Showed Up?
Well, no one worth mentioning. It would look like this.
Our New Do.
Now that we're getting the hang of this blog thing, we've made a few changes to the old site - a wider format and a nicer masthead. Hope it suits everyone. If you have trouble loading or viewing the site let me know in the comments.
If you like the changes let me know that, too. (I so love compliments....)
UPDATE: There may still be some tweaking going on for the next few days, so please be patient. (I'm a perfectionist. Sue me.) The masthead image is one I took it at a jobsite south of New Orleans, pre-Katrina. Yes, the future handbag is very real, and I was that close. (And sometimes rather closer.) Just one of the hazards of the trade in these parts.
If you like the changes let me know that, too. (I so love compliments....)
UPDATE: There may still be some tweaking going on for the next few days, so please be patient. (I'm a perfectionist. Sue me.) The masthead image is one I took it at a jobsite south of New Orleans, pre-Katrina. Yes, the future handbag is very real, and I was that close. (And sometimes rather closer.) Just one of the hazards of the trade in these parts.
Louisiana Tops The List!
Like you didn't know this already; now there is scientific proof: Louisiana is the most corrupt state in the nation.
Hattip: Baton Rouge Business Report.
Hattip: Baton Rouge Business Report.
Michael Yon Reports.
I got an e-mail from Michael Yon this morning with a link to a new post: Under Distant Stars.
From his e-mail:
"I've just spent 10 days on the Iran-Iraq border with an excellent British "Battle Group" called 4 Rifles. We truly were living under the desert stars.
I am currently in Basra. There are reports that Basra is in chaos.
These reports are false. Basra is mostly peaceful; the British have not lost a soldier in combat for more than a month, and Iraqi-on-Iraqi violence has plummeted in the last six weeks or so.
The British have NOT pulled out of Iraq or Basra yet, but from what I can see, their force reduction decisions are militarily and politically sound, and are supported by top American commanders in Baghdad.
The news reports I am seeing about Basra are incomplete at best, and largely inaccurate.
(Reminds me of Mosul during 2005.)"
From his e-mail:
"I've just spent 10 days on the Iran-Iraq border with an excellent British "Battle Group" called 4 Rifles. We truly were living under the desert stars.
I am currently in Basra. There are reports that Basra is in chaos.
These reports are false. Basra is mostly peaceful; the British have not lost a soldier in combat for more than a month, and Iraqi-on-Iraqi violence has plummeted in the last six weeks or so.
The British have NOT pulled out of Iraq or Basra yet, but from what I can see, their force reduction decisions are militarily and politically sound, and are supported by top American commanders in Baghdad.
The news reports I am seeing about Basra are incomplete at best, and largely inaccurate.
(Reminds me of Mosul during 2005.)"
Architects: Protecting You From Religion.
As a dues-paying member of the American Institute of Archtiects, I can only ask....
WTF is this?????
"Midland Republican U.S. Rep. Dave Camp is among lawmakers objecting because the U.S. Capitol's architect won't allow God to be mentioned in certificates of authenticity accompanying flags flown over the Capitol and bought by constitutents."
I'll bet the architect's an Episcopalian.
UPDATE: I guess the Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi (D-Nutterville) is an Episcopalian, too. Pelosi defended the architect's actions in refusing an Eagle Scout's request to have the following dedication inscribed on a flag cretificate: "In honor of my grandfather Marcel Larochelle, and his dedication and love of God, country, and family." Too political and religious, said Pelosi. OK, how about this - "In honor of my grandfather Marcel Larochelle, and his dedication and love of Someone more improtant than Nancy Pelosi, country, and family." Would that be unreligious enough, Nancy?
UPDATE: Hello to the folks from the American Institute of Architects who found this post. Glad to know how you are spending my hard-earned money.
WTF is this?????
"Midland Republican U.S. Rep. Dave Camp is among lawmakers objecting because the U.S. Capitol's architect won't allow God to be mentioned in certificates of authenticity accompanying flags flown over the Capitol and bought by constitutents."
I'll bet the architect's an Episcopalian.
UPDATE: I guess the Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi (D-Nutterville) is an Episcopalian, too. Pelosi defended the architect's actions in refusing an Eagle Scout's request to have the following dedication inscribed on a flag cretificate: "In honor of my grandfather Marcel Larochelle, and his dedication and love of God, country, and family." Too political and religious, said Pelosi. OK, how about this - "In honor of my grandfather Marcel Larochelle, and his dedication and love of Someone more improtant than Nancy Pelosi, country, and family." Would that be unreligious enough, Nancy?
UPDATE: Hello to the folks from the American Institute of Architects who found this post. Glad to know how you are spending my hard-earned money.
08 October 2007
Tolerance, 12th Century Style.
Another fine example of inter-faith dialogue and respect in an Islamic State:
"The body of Rami Khader Ayyad, the 32-year-old director of Gaza's only Christian bookstore, bore a visible gunshot wound to the head, and an official at Gaza's Shifa Hospital said he was also stabbed numerous times. Ayyad had been missing since Saturday afternoon.
Ayyad regularly received anonymous death threats from angry people who accused him of missionary work, a rarity among Gaza's Christians. His store, which is associated with a Christian group called the Palestinian Bible Society, was firebombed in April.
"We feel Rami was killed for his Christian faith," said Simon Azazian, a spokesman at the Bible Society's head office in Jerusalem."
I am (for now) an Episcopalian. Why isn't my Church speaking out about such real attacks on the Faith, instead of focusing their energies on tearing apart the Anglican Communion over gay marriage and a pointy hat for Gene Robinson? What happened here is REAL persecution, folks. What happened here is real sacrifice for the Faith. Remember that next time Integrity throws a hissy-fit about the "sacrifices" of gays and lesbians in The Episcopal Church (tm).
And remember, too, that the people who murdered this man couldn't give a tinker's damn about "full inclusion", or the Millennium Development Goals and how hard The Episcopal Church (tm) works for their implementation, or how many General Convention resolutions were passed in support of peace in the Middle East and Palestinian rights. To them, the Christian Faith is not "another vehicle to the Devine", it is an abomination. An abomination that must, in the end, be eliminated.
"The body of Rami Khader Ayyad, the 32-year-old director of Gaza's only Christian bookstore, bore a visible gunshot wound to the head, and an official at Gaza's Shifa Hospital said he was also stabbed numerous times. Ayyad had been missing since Saturday afternoon.
Ayyad regularly received anonymous death threats from angry people who accused him of missionary work, a rarity among Gaza's Christians. His store, which is associated with a Christian group called the Palestinian Bible Society, was firebombed in April.
"We feel Rami was killed for his Christian faith," said Simon Azazian, a spokesman at the Bible Society's head office in Jerusalem."
I am (for now) an Episcopalian. Why isn't my Church speaking out about such real attacks on the Faith, instead of focusing their energies on tearing apart the Anglican Communion over gay marriage and a pointy hat for Gene Robinson? What happened here is REAL persecution, folks. What happened here is real sacrifice for the Faith. Remember that next time Integrity throws a hissy-fit about the "sacrifices" of gays and lesbians in The Episcopal Church (tm).
And remember, too, that the people who murdered this man couldn't give a tinker's damn about "full inclusion", or the Millennium Development Goals and how hard The Episcopal Church (tm) works for their implementation, or how many General Convention resolutions were passed in support of peace in the Middle East and Palestinian rights. To them, the Christian Faith is not "another vehicle to the Devine", it is an abomination. An abomination that must, in the end, be eliminated.
Monday Afternoon Time-Waster.
The Smoking Gun has compiled an entertaining group of mugshots that will give you marketing types nightmares. Enjoy.
Personally, if this doesn't say "please don't get Dish Network", I don't know what would.
Personally, if this doesn't say "please don't get Dish Network", I don't know what would.
Scandal? Us?
For all you scandal-junkies out there, keep a watch on what a grand jury uncovers about the prison at Angola. Could well be another black eye for Louisiana as more comes out.
Or not - if memory serves, Warden Cain has dodged this kind of thing before. The difference here is that the investigation is Federal, not State.
At a minimum, I hope it forces Jindal to make some sweeping personnel changes at Corrections and OYD when he gets into office.
Or not - if memory serves, Warden Cain has dodged this kind of thing before. The difference here is that the investigation is Federal, not State.
At a minimum, I hope it forces Jindal to make some sweeping personnel changes at Corrections and OYD when he gets into office.
Governor's Race Daily Fun Fact.
I'm still posting the 'Governor's Race Daily Fun Fact' over at Louisiana Conservative Dot Com. So stop over for a visit.
Alas, none of my "facts" have made the evening news. At least, not yet. (There is still time....)
Alas, none of my "facts" have made the evening news. At least, not yet. (There is still time....)
07 October 2007
What Now? A Five Year Plan?
Mikhail Gorbachev, the last leader of that failed Marxist (sorry, I repeat myself) experiment in Russia, was in New Orleans last Friday. And he had this to say:
"No matter the flooding and the hurricane, the red tape and bureaucracy survive."
Holy dialectic materialism! We've been saying for nearly two years that it's the red tape and the bureaucracy that are choking our recovery after Katrina and Rita, and now we have someone who is an expert on red tape and bureaucracy say so. If Cde. Gorbachev thinks it's bad, it's gotta be bad!!
Mickey also said some things about calling for a revolution, too, but I wouldn't be too concerned. Outside of Hollywood and some parts of the Northeast - and the National Council of Churches - nobody really cares what a has-been Communist leader has to say anymore.
"No matter the flooding and the hurricane, the red tape and bureaucracy survive."
Holy dialectic materialism! We've been saying for nearly two years that it's the red tape and the bureaucracy that are choking our recovery after Katrina and Rita, and now we have someone who is an expert on red tape and bureaucracy say so. If Cde. Gorbachev thinks it's bad, it's gotta be bad!!
Mickey also said some things about calling for a revolution, too, but I wouldn't be too concerned. Outside of Hollywood and some parts of the Northeast - and the National Council of Churches - nobody really cares what a has-been Communist leader has to say anymore.
Four Acres of Heaven.
The new Cabela's sporting goods super-store in Gonzales, just south of Baton Rouge, is now open. We went today.
Wow. IKEA for guys. And there is an outlet mall at the same I-10 exit, so the wife and kids will have something to do while you spend the college fund on a bass boat.
Wow. IKEA for guys. And there is an outlet mall at the same I-10 exit, so the wife and kids will have something to do while you spend the college fund on a bass boat.
06 October 2007
Two Grand.
On Friday, Mr. Sitemeter reported that this little site had it's 2,000th visitor since I started tracking stats. And that visitor was............
My mom.
I guess she'll get some kind of award or something, just as soon as I figure what that will be. (I'm taking suggestions.)
For all of you who stop by regularly, thank you for your time and your intetest in what we put up. I hope you keep coming back. And if you like what you see, do tell your friends.
Now all you privacy freaks out there don't, well, freak. I know who the 2,000th visitor was because I know her IP address. I don't know most of the others who visit regularly; all I can see is an IP address, and occasionally a location.
My mom.
I guess she'll get some kind of award or something, just as soon as I figure what that will be. (I'm taking suggestions.)
For all of you who stop by regularly, thank you for your time and your intetest in what we put up. I hope you keep coming back. And if you like what you see, do tell your friends.
Now all you privacy freaks out there don't, well, freak. I know who the 2,000th visitor was because I know her IP address. I don't know most of the others who visit regularly; all I can see is an IP address, and occasionally a location.
04 October 2007
Shooting in Alexandria.
No. Four people in a law firm in Alexandria, Louisiana have been shot. A colleague of theirs in Alec asking for your prayers. Indeed.
I know, I know. This seems to utterly invalidate my snarky post below. I'm going remove the snarkyness, but still leave it up. Below is about Rights. What happened in Alec is about Wrongs. Harm to another, no matter how you convey it, is wrong; both in the sight of God and of Man. Again, pray for all.
UPDATE: It was five people shot, two fatally. The gunman was also killed.
I know, I know. This seems to utterly invalidate my snarky post below. I'm going remove the snarkyness, but still leave it up. Below is about Rights. What happened in Alec is about Wrongs. Harm to another, no matter how you convey it, is wrong; both in the sight of God and of Man. Again, pray for all.
UPDATE: It was five people shot, two fatally. The gunman was also killed.
A Liberal Looks At The Second Amendment.
Sit down.
Now, read this: A liberal's lament: The NRA might be right after all.
Yes, that's what it said.
A principled liberal. We need more of these.
Now, read this: A liberal's lament: The NRA might be right after all.
Yes, that's what it said.
A principled liberal. We need more of these.
03 October 2007
My $.02 - Nothing Secedes Like Secession.
File this under "You Gotta Be Kidding".
There are people out there still steamed about being American, and they are holding a meeting. It seems they aren't at all happy with the outcome of Shea's Rebellion, or this little 19th-century difficulty.
The people at this "convention" should thank their lucky stars (and stripes!) they live in the US. You want socialized medicine, multi-culturalism, and gun control, Vermonters? Quebec is just a 30 minute ride from Burlington. It's so multi-cultural you can only speak one language by law. And you nostalgic good 'ol boys who think you look good in grey - do you REALLY want to live in a neo-aristocracy where the vast majority of people - white and black - are dirt poor? No? I didn't think so. (That was the reality in the South in 1861.)
Look, I'm a Southerner; my ancestors were Southern aristocracy on one side, and iconoclastic, independent Vermonters on the other. Some of my ancestors fought (and died) for the South during the Civil War, and others went to jail rather than recognize the State of Vermont (or pay their taxes) when it joined the Union back in 1791. And another set of ancestors helped initiate the West Florida Rebellion and create the Republic of West Florida in 1810. So my family has a rather large and proven rebellious streak. We are a hard-headed (and well armed) bunch known to take our causes very seriously. It's in our genes. So I speak from authority when I say to these "secessionists":
GO HOME. GET A LIFE. You people are depriving your villages of some perfectly good idiots.
My $.02.
There are people out there still steamed about being American, and they are holding a meeting. It seems they aren't at all happy with the outcome of Shea's Rebellion, or this little 19th-century difficulty.
The people at this "convention" should thank their lucky stars (and stripes!) they live in the US. You want socialized medicine, multi-culturalism, and gun control, Vermonters? Quebec is just a 30 minute ride from Burlington. It's so multi-cultural you can only speak one language by law. And you nostalgic good 'ol boys who think you look good in grey - do you REALLY want to live in a neo-aristocracy where the vast majority of people - white and black - are dirt poor? No? I didn't think so. (That was the reality in the South in 1861.)
Look, I'm a Southerner; my ancestors were Southern aristocracy on one side, and iconoclastic, independent Vermonters on the other. Some of my ancestors fought (and died) for the South during the Civil War, and others went to jail rather than recognize the State of Vermont (or pay their taxes) when it joined the Union back in 1791. And another set of ancestors helped initiate the West Florida Rebellion and create the Republic of West Florida in 1810. So my family has a rather large and proven rebellious streak. We are a hard-headed (and well armed) bunch known to take our causes very seriously. It's in our genes. So I speak from authority when I say to these "secessionists":
GO HOME. GET A LIFE. You people are depriving your villages of some perfectly good idiots.
My $.02.
02 October 2007
White Powdery Substance Found On New Orleans Saints’ Practice Field.
Stunning. Brad Drell has the complete story here.
I think someone seriously dropped the ball on this one.
I think someone seriously dropped the ball on this one.
Yes, I'm With Fred.
Why am I supporting Fred Thompson for President? This is why.
"After a recent Thompson speech in Iowa a member of the audience called out: "Kill the terrorists, secure the border, and give me back my freedom." Thompson replied "you just summed up my whole speech."
"No other candidate could have carried off that quip because no other candidate is capable of delivering a convincing speech focused on those powerful themes."
"After a recent Thompson speech in Iowa a member of the audience called out: "Kill the terrorists, secure the border, and give me back my freedom." Thompson replied "you just summed up my whole speech."
"No other candidate could have carried off that quip because no other candidate is capable of delivering a convincing speech focused on those powerful themes."
Gulf Storm Update - 071002
Hmmm. Maybe something. Maybe not.
NOAA:
"Spaghetti Models"
Remember to keep checking Golden Triangle Weather Page, of course.
NOAA:
"Spaghetti Models"
Remember to keep checking Golden Triangle Weather Page, of course.
01 October 2007
Harry Lee, RIP.
Jefferson Parish Sheriff Harry Lee died this morning. Lee has been a political icon in Jefferson Parish - and the State - for decades, and his passing leaves a HUGE vacuum in parish politics. I can't even remember the last Sheriff before Harry Lee.
It will be very interesting to watch Jefferson Parish politics over the next few weeks. That's one big hat to fill.
RIP, Harry. You deserve it.
It will be very interesting to watch Jefferson Parish politics over the next few weeks. That's one big hat to fill.
RIP, Harry. You deserve it.
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