Pazdziernik Archive

Service Before Self

[Archive May 31, 2006]

FrontPageMag has a real nice article on Scott Montoya, a U.S. Marine who recently returned from active duty in Iraq: Touch of the Dragon by Jamie Glazov (May 2, 2006). Montoya was awarded, among other honors, the “Navy Cross” for extraordinary bravery while serving as a Scout Sniper in a combat theater.

The actual stories of those who participated in Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and other operations often seems to be lost in either "raw numbers" or the tactics and strategy of American Foreign policy. The overall positive thoughts of this Marine who served in Iraq are well-worth a look.

On his mentor, and Martial arts father, Paul Dye

Like the Marine Corps he believes in service before self. He truly is my mentor and a person whom I owe a lot. In Iraq we the Marines placed the mission before ourselves. We were acting as a whole and not as individuals. Iraq taught us the meaning of a profound Scout Snipers’ motto from the 1st Marine division, which is “Suffer patiently and patiently suffer”.

On the Iraqi people

I think men at war are different in the first place. Coming from a martial arts culture you realize war is in the nature of all men. I believe the Iraqis have lived with war a long time and are different than us in many ways. Mostly, I think the Iraqis’ belief system -- specifically religion -- is a major difference. Though I do believe Marines/soldiers are who we are. We suffer from the same things: missing our families and the constant threat of death during a battle. For the most part I think our training and discipline was a major factor.

One significant thing I can remember about the people there is that they want the same things as us. Which is to worship and live the way they want. I think there is very little difference in the children: they like candy and they are as innocent as can be. I remember sharing food with them and the children looked at me amazed that I was actually sharing food with them. In that respect, I think we all share a little humanity relating to one another.

Having said all of that, Iraq is also very different -- the country is just riddled with war and death. These things seem to be normal. Most of the locals are just farmers. They raise goats and herd sheep. They live in a time long past Western civilization and culture. They do not even have televisions and some barely have radios. The buildings are just shacks and are made of poor construction and running water is a luxury. They have water wells that are placed in even increments at the road side of each so-called community.

Most Iraqis, of course, are grateful to us that Saddam is gone and they reject the terrorists. That is why they showed up to vote in such overwhelming numbers. At the same time, many Iraqis seem to be very scared of us. They mostly save up enough courage to ask us for food and smokes. Our enemies, naturally, want us dead. They fly black and red flags over there homes to show support for Saddam and his regime. We drive by and see them flying over many houses. During the liberation, some of the civilians looked at us and what we were wearing and the type of equipment we had. I think they reported back to Saddam's army on our numbers and capabilities. I was part of regional combat team number one or the “Tip of the Spear”.

I think when the Marines or soldiers come after us they will wonder how we rolled through a country in just over a month. I believe it’s the aggressive intent of the commanders and ultimately the Marine general disposition to kill everything we see.

On the American role in Iraq

I think the US is doing an outstanding job. From the administration to the ground troops they have really done what no nation could do. I mean they brought freedom to the oppressed and gave them the right to vote and dictate their own future. Nothing can replace the taste of freedom.

The country as a whole has moved forward so fast. Much faster then the US when we were fighting for independence. The best way to prevail is to not lose our nerve. I think the American people should stand behind the President and tell the other countries that do not have the nerve for this fight: take your toys and depart. For they will think themselves lesser men for it. Stay strong and focused on the mission. Do not lose sight: this is a noble and worthwhile cause. With that in mind, we will prevail.

Lastly, I think the American people who supported out troops should get a big pat on the back. I am maybe only one Marine, but I want to thank you for your support from the bottom of my heart.

We thank you Scott!

Montoya explains in the full interview his combat experiences. In particular, he tells the story of an incident how he helped a “human being who needed help” while his fellow Marines told him to “Let him die.” It's great to read that this Marine appears to have had a well-formed conscience while serving in Iraq!

Photo: Scott Montoya, USMC
Tags: Marines, USMC, Iraqi Freedom

Fr. Marcial Maciel, L.C.

[Archive May 20, 2006]

Yesterday, the Holy See Press Office published a communiqué concerning Father Marcial Maciel, L.C.. The Legion of Christ responded with their own statement.

Fr. Marcial Maciel, L.C., 86, is the Founder and former General Director of the Legion of Christ and Regnum Christi. The Legion of Christ is a religious congregation in the Catholic Church. Its members are religious priests and non-permanent brothers. Regnum Christi is an Apostolic Movement in the Catholic Church. Its members are diocesan priests, consecrated men and women who do not wear a distinct habit, and lay men and women.

Both L.C. and R.C. members refer affectionately to Fr. Maciel as Nuestro Padre, “Our Father”, just as Opus Dei members refer to their founder St. Josemaría Escrivá (1902-1975) as El Padre, “The Father”.

Fr. Maciel is a deep spiritual writer. I'm confident that, regardless of any accusations and penalties, he will be remembered for founding the Legion of Christ and Regnum Christi Movement, which share the same charism for service to the Church, and for a new passionate depth of spirituality which is most relevant and applicable for our "spiritually barren times." His writings are certainly in the same league as other great spiritual writers like Thomas à Kempis (1379-1471), St. Teresa of Avila (1515-1582), St. John of The Cross (1542-1591) and St. Francis de Sales (1567-1622).

"There in that supreme loneliness, in that deep pain, in the long-suffering hope of our soul and our desires, in the darkness of our reason, in our life's deepest wounds —do we find God. He has come down to us, washed us clean, cured us, and brings us toward the new encounter with life." —Fr. Maciel February 20, 1975.

Through his writings and example the hallmarks of charity and passionate love for Christ and His Church are evident. These are at the heart of the LC/RC charism.

“My dear brothers and sisters, is there anything more greater or marvelous than possessing Christ? Is there anything more marvelous than possessing the person of Christ? Is there anything more marvelous than possessing God? Not in this world. We have to be detached from the things of this world so as to be united with God in eternity. You can do it. In the middle of your daily work. Those of you who are in business. Those of you who are married. Those who work. Those who employ. Those of you who are husbands, wives, young people, children, everybody can enter this great gift. Fulfilling Christ’s Will at every moment. Following Christ and His Holy Commandments.

Let’s all reflect on this my brothers and sisters. As we begin to change our lives, let us put in order our values and all we have, in our hearts, in our existence, in everything that we do each day, we have to put God as the supreme value, afterwards, what ever else you want. First God. Not us in the first place. Not our pride. Not our avarice. Not our pleasure. Not our pride. Not our egotism. God first of all. That’s the way ... to God ... and to eternity. “ — Fr. Maciel October 30, 1999.

The Holy See's recent decision on Father Marcial Maciel, L.C. will surely upset many. We should apply the principle that Jimmy Akin of Catholic Answers advocates for general situations —here, in regard to both the actions of the Holy See and to the allegations against Fr. Maciel— namely, “God does not want the actions of others to destroy our spiritual peace.”

A brief biography of Fr. Maciel can be found here.

Photo: Fr. Marcial Maciel, L.C. in Spain 2001 (J.L. Pino/European Pressphoto Agency)
Tags: Marcial Maciel

Massachusetts' Universal Health Insurance

[Archive April 4, 2006]

From "Massachusetts Set to Offer Universal Health Insurance" (By Pam Belluck, N.Y. Times, April 4, 2006):

Massachusetts is poised to become the first state to provide nearly universal health care coverage after the state legislature overwhelmingly passed a bill today that Gov. Mitt Romney says he will sign.

The bill does what health experts say no other state has yet been able to do: provide a mechanism for all of its citizens to obtain health insurance. It accomplishes that in a way that experts say combines several different methods and proposals from across the political spectrum, apportioning the cost among businesses, individuals and the government.
...

The bill, which resulted after months of wrangling between legislators and the governor, requires all Massachusetts residents to obtain health coverage by July 1, 2007.

Individuals who can afford private insurance will be penalized on their state income taxes if they do not buy it. Government subsidies to private insurance plans will enable more of the working poor to be able to afford insurance and will expand the number of children who are eligible for free coverage. And businesses with more than 10 workers that do not provide insurance will be assessed a fee of up to $295 per employee per year.
...

The program, which was approved 154 to 2 in the House and 37 to 0 in the Senate, will cost $1.2 billion over three years, but only $125 million of that will be new state money. The rest will come from federal money and existing state money. After three years, lawmakers say, no new state money will be required. A new agency will administer the system.

It's great that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is taking on the challenge of "affordable" health care. I'm certainly not an expert on Health Insurance but I do understand basic economics and I also understand what constitutes the contemporary notion of "health care".

I’m very interested in the exact details of this plan. My instincts at this time perceive several flaws in this altruistically sounding legislation. I am all in favor of affordable health care but the means to go achieve it as well as the end must both be just. To place higher economic burdens on the citizens of Massachusetts seems to be a move away from justice. Although affordable care that is truly for legitimate medical needs is a move towards the common good of society. As a good it should be pursued. For now, I will limit my comments to some economic, social , and political aspects that spring to mind:

Economic
Health costs are real and need to be paid. Insurance programs help to manage these costs. That the Massachusetts legislature would mandate —“offer” is the more altruistic term— that the citizens of the Commonwealth pay for these costs seems to be a move away from the principle of subsidiary. The mandate that small businesses of less than 10 employees must “pay or be penalized” will surely drive up their overhead costs and they will be forced to raise prices on their products or services.

“Government subsidies” is always a code word for “higher taxes”. These higher taxes will hamper local economic growth as well as raise prices of products and services. Of course, the “working poor” will be the ones upon which this economic burden will be the hardest.

Red Flag: Only $125 million of new state money and then "a new agency will administer the system."

Social
Yes. We are indeed “our brother’s keepers.” This should certainly extend to our bodily, including medical needs, as well. However, the notion of “health care” has certainly broadened in the past few decades to include contraception, abortion, reproductive technologies, institutional child care and so forth. Many health care plans or "bundled benefits" cover these items. Mandating that people pay for such plans is highly problematic. Conscience clauses are sure to be non-existent in any new plan. In fact, many governments already do not offer conscience clause protection to Catholic hospitals.

Health care plans that do not include these items are either very rare or seem to have less coverage for basic medical care. It should be obvious that “covered services” like contraception, abortion, and many (most) reproductive technologies like IVF are morally problematic and have no place in health care. In addition, a plan that covers institutional child care, will, well encourage institutional child care. Covered “child care” will certainly encourage more mothers to enter the marketplace and abandon their young children. (Certainly there are many fine mothers who are in the workplace.) The children will suffer. Society will suffer.

Political
From many accounts, Republican Governor Mitt Romney is planning a 2008 Presidential run. This makes political sense since State Governors (e.g. Reagan, Clinton, G. W. Bush) have had Oval Office victories in recent times. A “Universal Health Insurance” program is sure to make Governor Romney appealing to Democratic Party members, “the poor”, and “progressives”.

What is my solution? Affordable health care that addresses fundamental legitimate medical needs is the best start. Health care costs will be driven down once fundamental needs for all, e.g. neo-natal care, are given focus. Basic care should always be paramount and costs should be fair to all.

Update April 7,2006: Domenico Bettinelli, Jr. of Catholic World Report linked to this post, so I will return the favor here.

Update April 13,2006: Gov. Romney signed the bill into law yesterday. He line-item-vetoed seven items including the $275 per-worker tax on employers who do not provide health insurance. I would like to see a return of the line-item veto to the federal level someday.

Photo: Massachusetts State House ©Michael Critz
Tags: Massachusetts, Health Insurance, Mitt Romney

Samuel Alito: Decent.

[Archive January 10, 2006]

On October 31,2005 President Bush nominated Judge Samuel A. Alito Jr., 55, to replace Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, 75, a 1981 Reagan nominee, as an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court. This week his confirmation process got underway.

“Alito vows equal justice for all” by Charles Hurt appeared in today’s Washington Times (January 10,2006).

It had nice quotables from Judge Alito such as,

”There is nothing that is more important for our republic than the rule of law," he said. "No person in this country -- no matter how high or powerful -- is above the law and no person in this country is beneath the law.

It also presented one “lurking Senator who has ‘clout’” who will certainly present riddles for Alito to solve:

But Democrats on the committee -- notably Sen. Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts -- warned Judge Alito that he still faces questions about his handling of cases involving the poor and unfortunate.

It also — unintended of course — offered a possible solution to such riddles:

After raising a beefy right hand and swearing to tell the truth, Judge Alito -- an appeals court judge for 15 years -- was almost apologetic about the thousands of cases that he has ruled on and hundreds of opinions he has written.

Charles Hurt in his article also presented a most edifying comment from Judge Alito, reflecting on his college years:

"It was a time of turmoil at colleges and universities, and I saw some very smart people and very privileged people behaving irresponsibly," he said. "I couldn't help making a contrast between some of the worst of what I saw on campus and the good sense and the decency of the people back in my own community.”

Yes! It’s great that Judge Alito acknowledged and showed appreciation for the decency of the people in his hometown. Simple decency is often overlooked. It seems today that the bourgeois elite demand PhDs and “theoretical justification” for common decency. However, for the simple and wise, decency needs no such defense. For them such a defense is “not even wrong.”

The full article can be found here.

Photo: Samuel Alito in 1990.
Tags: Samuel Alito

Clash of Cultures

[Archive December 4, 2005]

Poland, along with Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Solvakia, and Slovenia joined Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, The Netherlands, and United Kingdom as members of the European Union (EU) on May 1, 2004.

I’m sure that many in Western Europe welcomed the new member nations with an eye solely towards “expanding markets.” The East-West unification, healing, and new political realities after the Cold War certainly were a motivation for an expanded EU as well. Most of these new members have suffered under communist ideology and have fought for their culture and identity. They are now engaged in a culture war with the European Union for their same culture and identity.

Poland with a population of 38 million is the largest of these new nations. The Poles seem to be willing to lead the EU nations back to the pro-life, pro-family, human and Christian values that formerly-Christian Europe has abandoned for the most part and that the current Western nations of the EU want no part of. Today’s N.Y. Times article, “Conservative Poland Roils European Union” by Graham Bowley presents these “clash of values”. Once again, this article highlights the West’s incessant preoccupation with abortion and homosexuality.

The family values of Poland’s president, Lech Kaczynski, and the Catholic Church (**gasp**) were noted as “a very angry voice” against the prevalent decadent culture of the Western Europe. Duh! Politics is simply social ethics as Aristotle recognized. Social ethics is based on right reason. And right reason is fully consonant with the Christian Faith of these new member nations.

“This is for real. This is a very reactionary, conservative group of people that have taken the helm, and on these issues we are going in the reverse direction everyone else in Europe is going.” –Christopher Bobinski, Unia I Polska, pro-European research organization in Warsaw.

This article had some even better quotes:

“We want to see Europe based on a Christian ethic. We accept the teachings of the Catholic Church on all moral issues. If you want to know our opinions, read the opinions of the Catholic Church.” – Maciej Giertych, European Parliament member.

It was very edifying to read about a politician defending and promoting the moral and ethical teachings of the Catholic Church. It is not a politician’s vocation to convert everyone to Catholicism or to save souls. However, the moral and ethical teachings of the Catholic Church are simply fully human and universal, regardless of either time or culture, and as such can be understood with the use of right reason.

Europe has decayed with state imposed-atheism and agnosticism. It’s time for Europe to return to her roots. If this is successfully done then peace and harmony, growth and security will follow. Europe will once again flourish. With the new EU members on a solid foundation of human and Christian values, we all have much hope for the future.

The full article can be read here.

War on Terror Strategy

[Archive November 11, 2005]

President George W. Bush’s Veterans Day speech at Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania has caused quite a stir today because he defended the “War on Terror” while honoring the veterans who have served our country. Aside from pundits’ commentaries, the media frenzy, and the barbs from the “Senator from Massachusetts”, the consistent strategy of the current administration is often lost. Today he once again outlined this strategy:

First, we're determined to prevent attacks of the terrorist networks before they occur. We are reorganizing our government to give this nation a broad and coordinated homeland defense. We're reforming our intelligence agencies for the incredibly difficult task of tracking enemy activity, based on information that often comes in small fragments from widely scattered sources both here and abroad. And we're acting along with governments from other countries to destroy the terrorist networks and incapacitate their leadership.

Second, we're determined to deny weapons of mass destruction to outlaw regimes and to their terrorist allies who would use them without hesitation.

Third, we're determined to deny radical groups the support and sanctuary of outlaw regimes. State sponsors like Syria and Iran have a long history of collaboration with terrorists, and they deserve no patience from the victims of terror. The United States makes no distinction between those who commit acts of terror and those who support and harbor them because they're equally guilty of murder.

Fourth, we're determined to deny the militants control of any nation, which they would use a home base and a launching pad for terror. This mission has brought new and urgent responsibilities to our armed forces. American troops are fighting beside Afghan partners and against remnants of the Taliban and their al Qaeda allies. We're working with President Musharraf to oppose and isolate the militants in Pakistan. We're fighting regime remnants and terrorists in Iraq.

The fifth element of our strategy in the war on terror is to deny the militants future recruits by replacing hatred and resentment with democracy and hope across the broader Middle East.

The most “controversial” part of his speech was the following:

When I made the decision to remove Saddam Hussein from power, Congress approved it with strong bipartisan support. I also recognize that some of our fellow citizens and elected officials didn't support the liberation of Iraq, and that is their right, and I respect it. As president and commander in chief, I (accept ?) the responsibilities and the criticisms and the consequences that come with such a solemn decision. While it's perfectly legitimate to criticize my decisions or the conduct of the war, it is deeply irresponsible to rewrite the history of how that war began.

Some Democrats and antiwar critics are now claiming we manipulated the intelligence and misled the American people about why we went to war. These critics are fully aware that a bipartisan Senate investigation found no evidence of political pressure to change the intelligence community's judgments related to Iraq's weapons programs. They also know that intelligence agencies from around the world agreed with our assessment of Saddam Hussein. They know the United Nations passed more than a dozen resolutions citing his development and possession of weapons of mass destruction.

Many of these critics supported my opponent during the last election, who explained his position to support the resolution in the Congress this way: "When I vote to give the president of the United States the authority to use force, if necessary, to disarm Saddam Hussein, it is because I believe that a deadly arsenal of weapons of mass destruction in his hand is a threat and a grave threat to our security."

That's why more then a hundred Democrats in the House and the Senate, who had access to the same intelligence, voted to support removing Saddam Hussein from power.

The stakes in the global war on terror are too high, and the national interest is too important for politicians to throw out false charges. These baseless attacks send the wrong signal to our troops and to an enemy that is questioning America's will. As our troops fight a ruthless enemy determined to destroy our way of life, they deserve to know that their elected leaders who voted to send to them to war continue to stand behind them. Our troops deserve to know that this support will remain firm when the going gets tough. And our troops deserve to know that when -- whatever our differences in Washington, our will is strong, our nation is united, and we will settle for nothing less then victory.

Out President is certainly consistent in his strategy. His critics seem to be impatient with long-term goals. Some want an end to the “War on Terror” by way of an end to the “War on Terror.” I recommend praying for a quick end to the “War on Terror” by way of victory!

Earlier this week I saw a flag-draped coffin being loaded off of a commerical flight at DIA (Denver) with a full army honor guard and so forth. It was a reminder to me that a high price is paid for our freedom. I thank that solider and the many others who have made the ultimate sacrifice for both those they know and those that they don't personally know. On this Veterans Day let's all pray for the repose of their souls that they may be able to enjoy Eternity.

Photo: St. Francis Borga Cemetery, Cedarburg, Wisconsin © Brian Zalewski
Transcript excerpts: N.Y. Times November 11,2005
Tags: George Bush, Veterans Day

National Character Week

[Archive September 29,2005]

The third full week each October (Pazdziernik) is “National Character Week” in the United States. This year it will be the week of October 16-22. How are you preparing to celebrate this week? Today the practical virtues upon which a solid character is formed have many negative connotations: Prudence? … unhappiness, Meekness? …wimpy, Chastity? …frigid. Vice is cool or “tight”; virtue is boring and stodgy.

Today, in place of virtues many focus on different temperaments and a premium is placed on being able to “accept people as they are.” Surely we should both recognize and accept people’s temperaments as they are. However, we should be conscious to go further and help to spread virtue by our words and actions. Our youth, colleagues at work, family members and neighbors need and appreciate a positive display of true virtue and solid character.

A virtue is an habitual and firm disposition to do the good. It allows the person not only to perform good acts, but to give the best of himself. The virtuous person tends toward the good with all his sensory and spiritual powers; he pursues the good and chooses it in concrete actions. - Catechism of the Catholic Church, No. 1803.

In order to grow in virtue and therefore in character, we have to know what they are. The cardinal virtues are four: prudence, justice, fortitude and temperance. The theological virtues are three: faith, hope and charity.

We can’t grow in virtue alone. God’s grace is needed. We need to accept God’s grace which He generously offers through many means, including the Sacraments, of which Holy Eucharist and Confession should be frequented often for Catholics, Orthodox and other Eastern Christians, prayer and prayerful reading and acceptance of God’s Word through Scripture and Tradition.

From these means we will see fruit in our lives: charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control, and chastity. These are often called the “fruits of the Holy Spirit”. He forms in us these positives if we are open to His grace. These positives are not only for ourselves. If we have them, only then can we "communicate" them to others. Do we have these fruits in our lives or are words, ideas, and sentiments about character empty? Trust me, I look at myself first and foremost. Sometimes we can be "surprised" to find that we have some of these fruits, (most) other times we know that we have more work to do.

Virtue and character all depend on our wanting. If we want!

Here are some quotations for “National Character Week” from Presidential Proclamations of recent years:

Individuals have the power to do much good, and great societies are built by knowing the difference between right and wrong. People of character strengthen our country through their daily actions. To help children fulfill their potential and build a more hopeful future for our Nation, we must continue to encourage and support the character development of our young people and support the institutions that give direction and purpose: our families, our schools, and our faith-based and community organizations. -From a Proclamation by President George W. Bush, October 18, 2004.

The term "character" is derived from an ancient Greek word meaning "to inscribe," reflecting the conviction that character is not innate, but rather is instilled through the influence, example, and guidance of the people around us. One of our greatest responsibilities as adults and citizens, therefore, is to ensure that we teach our children, by word and deed, the values that will help them develop into men and women of strong character.

This vital endeavor begins with the family and particularly with parents, who are their children's first teachers. The process continues in our schools -- not only in the classroom, but also in the hallways, in the cafeteria, and on the playing field. We have many opportunities to instill in our children the elements of good character -- citizenship, fairness, compassion, honesty, tolerance, and responsibility -- and it is up to every citizen and organization to make the most of these opportunities.
-From a Proclamation by President William J. Clinton, October 14, 2000.

Individual character involves honoring and embracing certain core ethical values: honesty, respect, responsibility, hard work, fairness, caring, civic virtue, and citizenship. Americans must do everything possible to create a society in which these virtues are not only taught but also acted out in daily life so that our young people can witness firsthand their value and learn right from wrong.
-From a Proclamation by President William J. Clinton, October 11, 1996.

Money, failure, guilt, and death.

[Archive September 20, 2005]

This week’s New York Times Sunday edition (September 18, 2005) featured a front page article “Under Din of Abortion Debate, An Experience Shared Often But Mentioned Only Quietly” by John Leland with the byline “Beyond the Slogans: Inside an Abortion Clinic.”

It is incomprehensible and utterly disturbing that in America, “more than one in five pregnancies end in abortion.” At the beginning of this article it stated that since 1973, “more than 25 million Americans have had abortions”. This figure is really misleading because women who have had abortions often have had multiple abortions. Mr. Leland clearly mentioned this fact well into the article: “Like nearly half of all women who have abortions she had had one before.” Regardless, these numbers are only for surgical abortions! (Chemical abortions are rarely categorized as such.)

The article focused on the abortion clinic at “Little Rock Family Planning Services”, one of two abortion clinics in the state of Arkansas. Several mother’s “stories” were briefly told: Leah (26), Alicia (17), Tammy, Regina (28), Brittany (17), Linda (39), Alexia (23), Venetia (21), Kori (26), “M”, Karen (29), and Ebony (28). There were among the 26 mothers who had an abortion “on an August weekend” at this site. No fathers were quoted in the article.

1. This “Beyond the slogans” article revealed that money was a prime factor in an abortion:

“Leah, 26, said money was a factor in her decision to have an abortion.”

“But I can’t give a baby a life it should have financially.”

“Do you understand that the father of the child must provide financial assistance if you deliver the pregnancy?”

“Karen and her boyfriend have an unstable relationship plagued by money problems, and they live with a relative after being evicted from their home.”

2. This “Beyond the slogans” article revealed that abortion is used as a method of birth control after the failure of contraceptive methods:

“She was 12 weeks pregnant, though she had taken birth control pills as directed.”

“Most were already mothers, many single. They arrived as a result of a failure of one sort or another: a poor sexual decision, a broken relationship, a birth control method that just did not work. More than half of all the women who have abortions say they used a contraceptive method in the month they conceived, according to the Alan Guttmacher Institute, a research group that supports abortion rights.”

“She became pregnant this time after erratically taking her birth control pills.”

3. This “Beyond the slogans” article revealed the guilt of these poor women:

“In a way I feel I’m doing wrong, but you can be forgiven. I blame myself. I feel I shouldn’t have sex at all.”

“I believe it’s wrong. I pray to God to forgive me. This will be the last one. Never, never again.”

“I’ve done this once and swore I wouldn’t do it again,” Regina said. “Every woman has second thoughts, especially because I’m Catholic.” She went to confession and met with her priest, she added, “The priest didn’t hound me. He said, ‘People make mistakes’.”

“As a Baptist, she still considered abortion a sin — but so are a lot of things we all do, she said.”

4. This “Beyond the slogans” article revealed the pro-abortion, pro-death perspective of the article.

The perspective of this article was surely pro-abortion. Adoption was not mentioned as a positive possible option. Mr. Leland, the author of the article, not once referred to the real “subject of the abortion”, the baby, as a child or a human life or a human person, only “fetus”, “formless mass”, “aborted tissues” and “medical termination.” This is true dehumanizing language. The humanity of the child was only recognized through the quotes of the several mothers themselves:

I feel relieved more than anything. I know I’ll never forget it, but I’d rather do that than have a child I can’t take care of.

People tell you you can put your child up for adoption, but if your kid has medical problems, no one wants to adopt him.

“I feel pretty messed up,” she said after seeing the (ultrasound) image. “It’s different, just knowing. My husband told me not to look. This changes my feelings, but I’m sticking by it. Damn it, $650, I’m sticking by it.”

Not once in this piece was “pro-life” mentioned. The rhetoric was one of “abortion rights”, “abortion opponents”, “antichoice people” and “threats against abortion clinics.”

This article fell short of telling the true “inside story” of an abortion clinic. Nevertheless, the root causes can be insightful once they are parsed from the pro-death rhetoric. Regardless, “outside of an abortion clinic”, we all need to help these manipulated mothers through prayer, spiritually, in chastity, in relationships, financially and so forth. We also need to assist the fathers likewise because abortion, after all, is a man's problem. Fortunately, help is available in all these areas from Christians and other people of good will. I won’t hold my breath waiting for a front page spread from The New York Times highlighting these good works including positive alternatives such as adoption for these poor manipulated mothers.

Here is the original link. You may need to register first.

Photo: NYT Sunday September 18,2005

Roberts' wit

[Archive September 14, 2005]

The confirmation process for Judge John G. Roberts Jr. for the position of Chief Justice of the United States began this week. Here is a nice excerpt from The Washington Times ("Roberts defends Roe as 'a precedent' "by Charles Hurt, September 14,2005)

Judge Roberts' quick wit surfaced several times during the long day, such as when he was asked what he'd like history to say about him.

"I'd like them to start by saying he was confirmed," he shot back.

When asked whether he thought Mr. Bush should nominate a woman to the high court, Judge Roberts replied: "I don't think it's appropriate for me to comment in any way about the president's future selections other than to say that I am happy with his past ones."

Mr. Kohl, who had asked the question, smiled and said amid the laughter, "You're not an automaton."

The full article is here.

2005 Hurricane Relief Fund

[Archive August 31, 2005]

"The folks on the Gulf Coast are going to need the help of this country for a long time." -President George W. Bush

Catholic Charities USA
2005 Hurricane Relief Fund
PO Box 25168
Alexandria, VA 22313-9788

Catholic Charities USA
Federal Emergency Management Agency