Pazdziernik II

P.M. V.V. Putin Quote

Today in The Washington Times the former Russian President and current Prime Minister Vladimir Putin was quoted in response to the possible Russian reaction —a Russian arms build-up — to the United States-led missile defense system for Southeastern Europe:

Mr. Putin said that Russia has no intention to build a missile shield of its own but will have to develop new offensive weapons to offset a future U.S. missile defense. 

"In order to preserve a balance, while we aren't planning to build a missile defense of our own, as it's very expensive and its efficiency is not quite clear yet, we have to develop offensive strike systems," he said. 

Mr. Putin added that the United States must share information about their missile defense plans if they want Russia to provide data on its new weapons. 

"They should give us all the information about the missile defense, and we will be ready then to provide some information about offensive weapons," Mr. Putin said.

 ("Putin urges U.S. to share missile data" by Vladimir Isachenkov, AP, Tuesday December 29, 2009)

Well, there's you have it, either "great honesty" or simple and skillful diplomacy: Give us all your information and we will give some of our in return. Such an assertion may seem outrageous. As a denotation it certainly is. As a connotation it may be truly "skillful diplomacy" because to speak in such a way is simply good diplomacy. Good diplomacy is one in which the parties keep the conversation going by either being vague in the form of mental reservations or in the form of hyperboles or perhaps other techniques.

Reds (1981)

We recently had the chance to view Reds, the 1981 winner of three Academy Awards® including Best Director (Warren Beatty) and Best Supporting Actress (Maureen Stapleton as Emma Goldman). Reds is based on the real-life story of Americans John Silas “Jack” Reed (Warren Beatty) and feminist Louise Bryant (Diane Keaton) during the period of 1914-1920 which includes their involvement with American Communism and the Bolshevik Revolution against Prime Minister Alexander Kerensky’s government in Russia.

Reds may have been billed as a “sweeping epic”. It was not. A long film it was: about 3 hrs and 10 minutes. Reds seemed to be two films and a partial documentary. The partial documentary is the  real-life narrations, weaved throughout the film, of elderly men and women who knew Reed and Bryant. 

In the first part of Reds Jack Reed, a journalist and advocate for socialism, encounters Louise Bryant, a married feminist and author. They have an affair and later marry — but only after Bryant has an affair with poet and playwright Eugene O’ Neill (Jack Nicholson). Reed and Bryant move from Portland, Oregon to Greenwich Village of New York City to live the nascent “free love” lifestyle.

Their ideals of “revolution”, in the form of “freeing the working classes” and  of “free love”, seems to be always trumped by human nature. Reds falls short in exploring the “radicalness” (read “root”) of their philosophies. We don’t learn much of how their views were formed or of why they ardently believe that their way is a “better way”. However, Reds does an excellent job of showing us human nature and the dynamics of relationships, even so-called “complicated” ones (read “multiple lovers”, “professional versus family obligations”, etc.)

Disagreements and arguments between Reed and Bryant nearly always — and quickly — become “shouting matches” in which Reds gives these characters some wonderful dialog, save, unfortunately, for filthy words. (The film was Rated PG). In addition, the attempted psychoanalysis and propositions by O’ Neill (Nicholson ) to Bryant (Keaton) are worthy of replay. Twenty-eight years after it’s release, it’s not too difficult to see how writing in films as atrophied.

The second part of Reds portrays Reed going to Russia to join the Bolshevik Revolution and continuing to form the Communist Party in America. (Reed wrote Ten Days that Shook the World (1919), a chronicle of the Bolshevik Revolution from his perspective.) This part of the film was adequate in portraying the Bolshevik Revolution but, once again, the ideas and consequences of the Bolshevik Revolution are glossed over. 

Although Maureen Stapleton won Best Supporting Actress as character Emma Goldman, the award could have easily went to Diane Keaton for her portrayal of Louise Bryant. Warren Beatty also had a good performance but he seemed to have been indistinguishable at times from Jerry Seinfeld's character in Seinfeld. Perhaps Seinfeld had its inspiration in Beatty?

I would recommend Reds if you are a fan of any of the actors or are interested in the events of the Bolshevik Revolution, otherwise, it is a safe pass. 

Photo: Warren Beatty and Diane Keaton in Reds ©1981 Barclays Mercantile Industrial Finance Limited

Microsoft Security Essentials

Recently, Microsoft released Microsoft Security Essentials a free anti-virus package for Windows XP, Vista and 7. Any computer should have a good anti-virus package installed. Here is the download link. It is free. It is from Microsoft. Give it a try! 

Tags: Microsoft Security Essentials, Microsoft

Contrarian Abs

Nowadays and unfortunately, the highest ideals for some men and women are exclusively, a smooth face, nice (and fashionable) clothing and a lean body. Anything contrarian is either secular heresy ambivalent to political correctness or welcomed as something refreshing. Here, we welcome as “refreshing” the sentiments of actor Eric Bana (b. 1968) as quoted this summer in The Washington Times (August 11, 2009) explaining that “there are other things that he’d rather do than crunches to tone his abs.”

“Abs are for people with no friends.”

Natural bodily development is certainly a good! However, the transcendent dimensions of the human person are either ignored or not understood fully, for many who focus, perhaps excessively, on bodily development. Such people miss out on their “greatest possible perfection”.

The truth of development consists in its completeness: if it does not involve the whole man and every man, it is not true development. This is the central message of Populorum Progressio, valid for today and for all time. Integral human development on the natural plane, as a response to a vocation from God the Creator, demands self-fulfilment in a “transcendent humanism which gives [to man] his greatest possible perfection: this is the highest goal of personal development”. The Christian vocation to this development therefore applies to both the natural plane and the supernatural plane; which is why, “when God is eclipsed, our ability to recognize the natural order, purpose and the ‘good' begins to wane.” — Pope Benedict XVI (June 29, 2009 Caritas in Veritate , No. 18)

Tags: Eric Bana, Abs, Caritas in Veritate Photo: © Garry Studer

Tasing at an Oakland A's Game

 

Some might find the police tasing of an alleged "drunk and unruly" fan at an Oakland A's baseball game edifying. From the video, some fans did not:

"Come on take it easy on him. ... I can't believe you guys [police] tased him!

I distinctly side with edifying. 

  Tags: Oakland A's, law and order

Definitive Decisions to Full Maturity

Remote preparation for one's personal vocation (priesthood, religious life, consecrated life, matrimony) should certainly begin in one's youngest years. A healthy family environment (i.e. with father/mother as husband/wife as the foundation) should be the primary "school of vocations". Parents should help guide their son or daughter to their appropriate "state in life" without undue pressure for or against, etc. They should welcome God's unfolding plan for their children's lives. The seriousness of personal discernment and associated activities (e.g. rich sacramental life, spiritual retreats, "come and see" retreats, dating and courtship) should increase with adolescence and into young adulthood. 

Immediate preparation (e.g. novitiate, engagement) for one's personal vocation can include many activities. Now, personally, with just under 20 days and 1 hour to go before receiving the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony in the Catholic Church — who's counting? — I thought it would be good to post a bit of Pope Benedict XVI's address to the young people in Angola on March 21, 2009. My fiancé and I were watching the Holy Father on television and noted to ourselves his wise comments on not being afraid to make "definitive decisions". His words gave  us added assurance in our immediate preparation phase, so we'll share them here for all...

Dear young people, as seeds filled with the power of the same eternal Spirit, sprout up before the warmth of the Eucharist, in which the Lord’s testament is fulfilled: he gives himself to us and we respond by giving ourselves to others, for love of him. This is the way that leads to life; it can be followed only by maintaining a constant dialogue with the Lord and among yourselves. The dominant societal culture is not helping you to live by Jesus’ word or to practise the self-giving to which he calls you in accordance with the Father’s plan. Yet, dear friends, you have the power within you, just as it was in Jesus when he said: “the Father who dwells in me does his works… he who believes in me, will also do the works that I do; and he will do greater works than these, because I go to the Father” (John 14:10,12). So do not be afraid to make definitive decisions. You do not lack generosity – that I know! But the idea of risking a lifelong commitment, whether in marriage or in a life of special consecration, can be daunting. You might think: “The world is in constant flux and life is full of possibilities. Can I make a life-long commitment now, without knowing what unforeseen events lie in store for me? By making a definitive decision, would I not be risking my freedom and tying my own hands?” These are the doubts you feel, and today’s individualistic and hedonist culture aggravates them. Yet when young people avoid decisions, there is a risk of never attaining to full maturity! 

I say to you: Take courage! Dare to make definitive decisions, because in reality these are the only decisions which do not destroy your freedom, but guide it in the right direction, enabling you to move forward and attain something worthwhile in life. There is no doubt about it: life is worthwhile only if you take courage and are ready for adventure, if you trust in the Lord who will never abandon you. (Pope Benedict XVI Stadio dos Coqueiros – Luanda, Angola March 21, 2009)

Tags: Holy Matrimony, Pope Benedict, Luanda Angola

New Entrepreneur Advice: Encouraging Environment

Employees are the primary resource for any company. Matching skill sets and ambitions for a particular position, company and industry are no easy tasks. Salaries and benefits are surely the major expense for any enterprise. Retaining good talent is often a major concern since bringing someone new “on board” is often another major expense in itself.

A “happy employee” is perhaps what management seeks in retaining personnel with an eye toward productivity, growth and longevity of the enterprise. Nevertheless, management and employee’s perspectives often differ on “what makes an employee happy”. Apart from base salary and additional benefits, employees most often seek the intangibles of what can be summed-up as “corporate culture.” The “corporate culture” of companies varies greatly. It’s no secret that established corporations have very different “corporate cultures” from start-up or other young companies. 

I was very pleased to read David Durand’s advice article Growing Pains ( National Catholic Register , June 21-27, 2009 issue) recently. In particular, because he encourages, well, an “encouraging environment” as a key for management to understand. Since, I’ve been in both “encouraging environments” and not-so “encouraging environments” myself, his article struck a nerve in these parts and deserves an excerpt for future reference.

I’m a fairly new entrepreneur. Despite the terrible job market, I’m losing employees faster than I can replace them. I think they quit because my standards are high and their work ethic is lousy. How can I get people to care about quality without driving them away?

 … 

New business owners are so committed to their work, so driven toward growth and success, they can’t imagine why everyone around them doesn’t feel the same way about their business. Your job is to help your employees “fall in love” with the business. As their leader, you need to continually court them into greater commitment. … 

First, make them feel secure. Often, new bosses use fear and intimidation to get results. This is a big mistake because, even if they get short-term results, they will never build people of character, much less managers and leaders. When people feel insecure, their behavior reflects their lack of confidence. Simple words of encouragement and recognition go a long way. 

Second, whenever possible, set standards for new employees that are customized to their particular experience and talent level. If you are in an encouraging environment, you will be able to set high expectations without a problem. Your new hires will see the standards as a challenge to take on, not a threat to run from. They will be more open-minded and less reluctant to ask for, and apply, your advice. 

The final thing I recommend is spiritual. Pray for your business and each of the employees by name. Take time for a “working” Holy Hour, and ask the Lord to help you with your work. Jesus wants us to come to him with all our needs and, since you probably spend a great deal of your time at work, it makes sense to direct a great deal of prayer time to that cause.

Image: Corporate Horizon 

Tags: Entrepreneur, David Durand, National Catholic Register

Mallard Ducks

With less than two months to go before I receive the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony in the Catholic Church, I came across an interesting photo that I felt was worthy of a post here. Enjoy... 

 

  For Your Marriage from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is a very nice resource on preparation for Matrimony and married life. In particular, Sarah and Daniel — whom I do not know personally — have a very nice blog My Catholic Marriage on their Catholic engagement and wedding. Daniel's tuxedo is pretty much what I selected as well for our "big day". 

Photo: ©2008 Lisa Jansen Your Shot ngm.com March 2008

 Tags: Holy Matrimony

Cardinal Cipriani On Human Love

Cardinal Juan Luis Cipriani Thorne , Archbishop of Lima and Primate of Peru, (b 1943) would certainly be “my man” if I had a vote in a Papal Conclave. He is a man evidently in love with Jesus Christ and His Church, firm in faith and clear in pastoral charity and fidelity. His recent comments on the nature of love and its foundation in suffering are worthy of highlighting here given that suffering and sacrifice are increasingly becoming disassociated from authentic love in favor of self-centered sensuality and outright egotism.

---

ZENIT spoke with Cardinal Juan Luis Cipriani about two recent scandals regarding priestly celibacy that have attracted the attention of the American continent -- Paraguayan President Fernando Lugo who admitted he fathered a child while still a bishop, and Miami Father Alberto Cutié who converted to the Episcopalian church this week after photos of him with a woman were circulated. 

"I think that we shouldn't speak just of these two cases, of celibacy, but of human love in general," Cardinal Cipriani suggested, affirming that [Pope Benedict XVI’s Encyclical Letter God is Love] Deus Caritas Est explains it well. "The Pope explains to us with great detail how this love, which begins in this movement of 'eros' becomes 'agape.'" 

Noting how God defines love clearly, not just with words, but also with the sacrifice of his Son, the cardinal added that today, "in not wanting to accept suffering, the sacrifice that life brings, love is killed and what remains? Sexual possession. The capacity of suffering has been amputated because of fear, cowardice, mediocrity, because only success and pleasure are sought. 

"We have killed the plant that arises from suffering, which is love, and therefore in many human relationships, family relationships, a totally material relationship arises, in which practically, the integrity of the person is not involved. When this materialism takes over human relationships, then the man and the woman become objects of a sexual experience […], this experience loses its stability, comes and goes, doesn't produce that joy of surrender because it does not come from suffering or sacrifice, and when a sickness comes or an economic problem or a fight … marriages break in the same way as these cases, like Lugo or Father Cutié, who in the moment of feeling a sacrifice greater than their strengths, break the promise they've made." 

The cardinal affirmed that priests, as well as married people, are asked to live chastity. 

"There is a conjugal chastity and there is chastity in celibacy," he said. "One who knows how to love and who has the experience of a healthy and stable matrimonial love knows what I'm talking about. It is the same that the Church offers to those of us who give up everything for the love of God. It is not more or less difficult, but this product of this love today is hard to find, and therefore, in a materialistic and slightly hedonistic world, it is difficult to explain celibacy, which is a treasure of the Church." (Cardinal Stands Up for Priestly Celibacy, Says Notre Dame Is "Confused", Zenit June 1, 2009)

Cardinal Cipriani also presented his thoughts on the University of Notre Dame honoring the current President of the United States “despite Barack Obama's staunch support of abortion rights and other anti-life issues.” Read more about it here. 

Photo: Cardinal Juan Luis Cipriani at St Peter's Basilica, April 18, 2005 (Getty Images) 

Tags: Juan Luis Cipriani Thorne, Zenit, Human Love, University of Notre Dame

Respect, Dialogue and Friendship

With Facebook (have account), Twitter (will never have account) and other on-line services in addition to television and other AV media, many people are at risk of loosing contact with others, their neighbor and God. Our use of the media and on our relationships with others are always good material for a "conscience examination".

"But we must not be victims of the fascination with the extraordinary technological successes, we must continue to distinguish possibilities and limits, and at the same time continue to seek in profundity that solid soil of the vital relationship with God and others, [a place] to really build a culture of respect, of dialogue and of friendship."— Federico Lombardi, S.J., Director of the Vatican Press Office ( Zenit.org )

Tags: Federico Lombardi, Zenit