From the Associated Press (7/19/2011): "The incoming Roman Catholic archbishop of Philadelphia has pledged to help sex-abuse victims by working harder than anyone to heal 'the sins of the past.'"
Abuse victims will never receive satisfaction from their abusers, not matter how humble and contrite the offenders become. No more what indemnity an offender pays, no matter how many apologies are offered, those harmed by sexual abuse will never be restored by those who offended them, by those who denied the abuse outright, or by those who deliberately covered it up.
Contrary to the well-meaning yet ill-conceived hope of the incoming archbishop, neither Msgr Charles Chaput nor the Catholic Church can ' heal the sins of the past.'
Only One can restore to those who lost their safety, whose trust was betrayed, whose sense of hope and respect where damaged by those who perverted their authority.
That one is Jesus Christ.
God poured out His righteous wrath upon His Son, that we sinners may all be made the righteousness of God, no longer condemned because of our sin to endure eternal separation from God. As the prophet Isaiah foretold:
"But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed." (Is. 53:5)
Though people in high places may have harmed us, though institutions may have failed us, though friends and loved ones have betrayed our trust, we can rightly place our confidence in Christ's death and resurrection. By His Great Sacrifice, we are not only forgiven our sin and restored to right standing with God, but we can rest assured that all that was taken from us will be restored to us double!
"To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified." (Is 61:3)
And. .
"For your shame ye shall have double; and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them." (Is 61:7)
Let's not forget the Apostle Paul's joyful promise:
"He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" (Rom 8:32)
No human being or institution can heal the pain and shame of the past . . . But Christ through His death and resurrection at the Cross offers redemption and restoration to all who suffer.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Coburn's Plan: Spare no Expense, including the Marines
Senator Tom Coburn (R-Oklahoma) has proposed a moving budget plan that will make massive cuts to the long-term accounting in this coutnry.
Like a modern-day Moses, Coburn is dedicated to bringing the United States across the Red Sea of Debt to the Promised Land of the Black.
Not fearig the vociferous recriminations of his party, the Fiscal Hawk is willing to cut loop-holes and tax subsidies for corporations. He also demands that veterans pay more into their benefits. Despite the seemingly callous nature of the demand, the grateful service of our armed men and women to this nation will be for nought if we do not take drastic measures to save this nation from financial ruin.
Like a modern-day Moses, Coburn is dedicated to bringing the United States across the Red Sea of Debt to the Promised Land of the Black.
Not fearig the vociferous recriminations of his party, the Fiscal Hawk is willing to cut loop-holes and tax subsidies for corporations. He also demands that veterans pay more into their benefits. Despite the seemingly callous nature of the demand, the grateful service of our armed men and women to this nation will be for nought if we do not take drastic measures to save this nation from financial ruin.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Coburn's Plan: Bold, Sassy, and . . .Doomed (?)
Finally, someone in Washington has the guts to step up to the podium and propose a plan with drastic cuts and necessary revenue increases.
Senator Tom Coburn (R-Oklahoma) has prepared a long-term budget plan which is determined to appall everyone, yet if passed, will bring this nation back to fiscal sanity. If not, this nation will end up needing a pall-bearer.
His plan will cut $9 trillon from the budget over the long haul, a real swipe at the deficits and nation debt dragging this country to the bottom.
Willing to think big and cut more than the margins, Coburn is desecrating every sacred cow and making every interest group eat some of it.
Senator Tom Coburn (R-Oklahoma) has prepared a long-term budget plan which is determined to appall everyone, yet if passed, will bring this nation back to fiscal sanity. If not, this nation will end up needing a pall-bearer.
His plan will cut $9 trillon from the budget over the long haul, a real swipe at the deficits and nation debt dragging this country to the bottom.
Willing to think big and cut more than the margins, Coburn is desecrating every sacred cow and making every interest group eat some of it.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Teen contributor to 'It Gets Better Project' takes his own life
The mainstream media has a pernicious penchant of taking a terrible tragedy and turn the outcome into an empty, limited tirade against proper conduct and society.
Homosexual conduct is not normal, no matter how hard advocacy groups press schools and communities to treat the life style as normal and natural. Even the individuals who have practiced this lifestyle in large numbers flee that conduct.
The high incidence of death, disease, and despair among individuals who practice homosexual conduct exceeds the normal limits of other deviant behaviors in society.
However, the media still paint the pain and rejection of young people experimenting with the lifestyle as though it is the fault of unfeeling intolerance and bullying of parents and classmates which ultimately leads these young people to take their own lives.
What really drives men and women to kill themselves is the notion that they cannot change, that they are defined by feelings which are unusual, unnatural, and unacceptable to the basic tenets of a self-propagating society. Something within every human being witnesses to the Creator within us, who made us to live happy and holy lives, yet we cannot do this to the extent that we insist on misusing our bodies, giving in to our feelings to establish our worth instead of believing in our God-given worth, to shape our feelings.
In point of fact, the hyper-political LGBT (and now "Q") agenda has misled many to believe that "sexuality" is an innate characteristic, despite the fact that pre-pubescent children do not exude sexual feelings, and some adults choose not to enter sexual relationships throughout their lives.
The confusion of sexuality as identity is the true culprit leading to the deviance and dysfunction among young people. Sex is a choice, right down to the responses one takes in regards to the feelings they possess or struggle with. We are not our feelings, we are fare more than our thoughts. But for those who do not believe in Christ, they are dead in the trespasses, spiritually dead, the part of us that is meant to live, the only part that will be alive from this earth into eternity! People are not born gay or straight. A human is far more than the sum and sumptuousness of his or her parts.
Homosexuality is a temptation,like any other behavior, which anyone can struggle with or release from by grace. No one is trapped in strange sentiments.
We are not our feelings, pure and simple! We are far more than our sexual leanings or longings. We are more than capable, if willing, to adopt or adapt behaviors in the best interests of our body, mind, and spirit.
Yet no matter what one's conclusion may be on the etiology of homosexual behavior, every human is endowed with natural rights from God, which no one has the right to infringe or impinge upon.
Notwithstanding the vocal political machinations of concerted interest groups, sexual behavior is not one of those rights.
Homosexual conduct is not normal, no matter how hard advocacy groups press schools and communities to treat the life style as normal and natural. Even the individuals who have practiced this lifestyle in large numbers flee that conduct.
The high incidence of death, disease, and despair among individuals who practice homosexual conduct exceeds the normal limits of other deviant behaviors in society.
However, the media still paint the pain and rejection of young people experimenting with the lifestyle as though it is the fault of unfeeling intolerance and bullying of parents and classmates which ultimately leads these young people to take their own lives.
What really drives men and women to kill themselves is the notion that they cannot change, that they are defined by feelings which are unusual, unnatural, and unacceptable to the basic tenets of a self-propagating society. Something within every human being witnesses to the Creator within us, who made us to live happy and holy lives, yet we cannot do this to the extent that we insist on misusing our bodies, giving in to our feelings to establish our worth instead of believing in our God-given worth, to shape our feelings.
In point of fact, the hyper-political LGBT (and now "Q") agenda has misled many to believe that "sexuality" is an innate characteristic, despite the fact that pre-pubescent children do not exude sexual feelings, and some adults choose not to enter sexual relationships throughout their lives.
The confusion of sexuality as identity is the true culprit leading to the deviance and dysfunction among young people. Sex is a choice, right down to the responses one takes in regards to the feelings they possess or struggle with. We are not our feelings, we are fare more than our thoughts. But for those who do not believe in Christ, they are dead in the trespasses, spiritually dead, the part of us that is meant to live, the only part that will be alive from this earth into eternity! People are not born gay or straight. A human is far more than the sum and sumptuousness of his or her parts.
Homosexuality is a temptation,like any other behavior, which anyone can struggle with or release from by grace. No one is trapped in strange sentiments.
We are not our feelings, pure and simple! We are far more than our sexual leanings or longings. We are more than capable, if willing, to adopt or adapt behaviors in the best interests of our body, mind, and spirit.
Yet no matter what one's conclusion may be on the etiology of homosexual behavior, every human is endowed with natural rights from God, which no one has the right to infringe or impinge upon.
Notwithstanding the vocal political machinations of concerted interest groups, sexual behavior is not one of those rights.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Final Stretch of CA-36th House Race
At last, the race is almost over.
Mudslinging always slips into the fray in the last week, no matter what steps the candidates take to remain above the fracas of name-calling and attack ads.
Janice Hahn purloined an endorsement from Louis Zamperini, South Bay World War II, an endorsement which she did not have permission to use in last-minute fliers. Will the political class stop at nothing to win a vote? Both Celebrated veteran and son have denounced any sanction of the ad.
And now Craig Huey's personal life becomes public fodder, with the last-minute release of an alimony suit over one of his daughters, a large sum which has been a matter of legal wrangling for some time. Suspicious timing, to say that least, that this wrinkle in Huey's personal life should suddenly emerge, not that such information should influence CA-36 residents in their vote--one way or another.
Despite the official recorded 18-point advantage of Democrats to Republicans in the district, the 16% voter turn-out followed by a more anemic run-off turn out, plus the widening number of "decline to state" voters may edge Huey into a slim win over Hahn.
Let's hope that CA-36th residents take advantage of the remaining hours to cast their vote in this watershed election.
Mudslinging always slips into the fray in the last week, no matter what steps the candidates take to remain above the fracas of name-calling and attack ads.
Janice Hahn purloined an endorsement from Louis Zamperini, South Bay World War II, an endorsement which she did not have permission to use in last-minute fliers. Will the political class stop at nothing to win a vote? Both Celebrated veteran and son have denounced any sanction of the ad.
And now Craig Huey's personal life becomes public fodder, with the last-minute release of an alimony suit over one of his daughters, a large sum which has been a matter of legal wrangling for some time. Suspicious timing, to say that least, that this wrinkle in Huey's personal life should suddenly emerge, not that such information should influence CA-36 residents in their vote--one way or another.
Despite the official recorded 18-point advantage of Democrats to Republicans in the district, the 16% voter turn-out followed by a more anemic run-off turn out, plus the widening number of "decline to state" voters may edge Huey into a slim win over Hahn.
Let's hope that CA-36th residents take advantage of the remaining hours to cast their vote in this watershed election.
Murdoch on the Rocks
News Corps publication "News of the World" faces severe allegations of bribery, phone hacking, and other unethical practices in pursuit of the next bit of juicy gossip. The icky net of this scandal reaches to the mishandled investigation of a murdered girl, the private life of the former Prime Minister, and--as usual--the Royal Family.
Attempting to staunch the damage from the outrageous revelations, Rupert Murdoch has zoomed over the UK to smooth over public relations. He has also abruptly discontinued the shameful gossip rag at the middle of this media scandal, and may be forced to rescind a negotiated corporate stake in another British media organ.
If this nothing else, the power of the press has impressed the world with its power once again. The press turns on its own just as much as it shapes, steers, and manipulates the masses. Those masses, in turn, may well dictate by their pleasure or distaste whether a newspaper, a network, or another media outlet endures.
the Once considered unassailable, Rupert Murdoch, head of a Media Empire of proportions which dwarfs the British Empire of yore, is scrambling to assuage widespread alarm and protest at his encroaching power in worldwide media. Not that a foreigner should be denied significant investment in another country's media markets, but rather that his far-reaching influence would ever immunize him from the irresponsible, if not reprehensible, tactics of his journalist agents.
Murdoch, for all his wealth and reach, may indeed by on the rocks for quite some time.
Attempting to staunch the damage from the outrageous revelations, Rupert Murdoch has zoomed over the UK to smooth over public relations. He has also abruptly discontinued the shameful gossip rag at the middle of this media scandal, and may be forced to rescind a negotiated corporate stake in another British media organ.
If this nothing else, the power of the press has impressed the world with its power once again. The press turns on its own just as much as it shapes, steers, and manipulates the masses. Those masses, in turn, may well dictate by their pleasure or distaste whether a newspaper, a network, or another media outlet endures.
the Once considered unassailable, Rupert Murdoch, head of a Media Empire of proportions which dwarfs the British Empire of yore, is scrambling to assuage widespread alarm and protest at his encroaching power in worldwide media. Not that a foreigner should be denied significant investment in another country's media markets, but rather that his far-reaching influence would ever immunize him from the irresponsible, if not reprehensible, tactics of his journalist agents.
Murdoch, for all his wealth and reach, may indeed by on the rocks for quite some time.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Debt Ceiling Dance
Congress is moving to an interesting dance craze these days, "The Debt Ceiling Dance":
"You cut $1 billion here
You tax $1 billion there.
You talk a little, balk a little, then angrily storm out.
You do the Debt Ceiling Dance, and you bicker all around.
That's what it's all about."
Unfortunately, while Congress dances, the United States burns billions less than the country takes in daily from taxes and other revenue streams.
Let's get serious about fiscal solvency in this country. By now, both parties should be interested in balanced budgets, lowering the national debt, and shrinking annual deficits which our fiscal well-being.
If both sides of the aisle cannot reach meaningful compromise on reducing the debt and raising the debt ceiling, we all may be singing a more rueful tune:
"Political impasses,
A budget never passes.
Default, Default
We all go broke".
"You cut $1 billion here
You tax $1 billion there.
You talk a little, balk a little, then angrily storm out.
You do the Debt Ceiling Dance, and you bicker all around.
That's what it's all about."
Unfortunately, while Congress dances, the United States burns billions less than the country takes in daily from taxes and other revenue streams.
Let's get serious about fiscal solvency in this country. By now, both parties should be interested in balanced budgets, lowering the national debt, and shrinking annual deficits which our fiscal well-being.
If both sides of the aisle cannot reach meaningful compromise on reducing the debt and raising the debt ceiling, we all may be singing a more rueful tune:
"Political impasses,
A budget never passes.
Default, Default
We all go broke".
Aid Suspended to Pakistan
The United States has suspended a multi-million dollar aid package to Pakistan.
Two ways to evaluate this dramatic (or drastic) shift in policy:
1) Too little too late.
2) Better late than never.
1) The Pakistani government t has thrived on illicit and undeserved handouts form the U.S. Government for years. A nation imbued to taking money from foreign governments to make ends meet, the Muslim nation still struggles with immense natural disasters, political intrigues, and terrorist cells. Military might has done little to establish any order in the region, only emboldening our enemies. This country had to divert its own forces to take down Al-Qaeda mastermind Osama bin Laden.
2) Finally, the United States is tightening its fiscal belt. Dealing with extravagant and unnecessary outlays like foreign aid to undeserving states is a great way for the United States to excise the excess which is rapidly draining this nation's already empty coffers. Let's not stop with Pakistan though. Following Ron Paul's suggest, let's end foreign to all countries, including allies, third-world states, and potential terrorist adversaries.
No matter which take one takes on responding the suspension of massive aid to Pakistan, it is a step in the right direction toward fiscal discretion in this country.
Two ways to evaluate this dramatic (or drastic) shift in policy:
1) Too little too late.
2) Better late than never.
1) The Pakistani government t has thrived on illicit and undeserved handouts form the U.S. Government for years. A nation imbued to taking money from foreign governments to make ends meet, the Muslim nation still struggles with immense natural disasters, political intrigues, and terrorist cells. Military might has done little to establish any order in the region, only emboldening our enemies. This country had to divert its own forces to take down Al-Qaeda mastermind Osama bin Laden.
2) Finally, the United States is tightening its fiscal belt. Dealing with extravagant and unnecessary outlays like foreign aid to undeserving states is a great way for the United States to excise the excess which is rapidly draining this nation's already empty coffers. Let's not stop with Pakistan though. Following Ron Paul's suggest, let's end foreign to all countries, including allies, third-world states, and potential terrorist adversaries.
No matter which take one takes on responding the suspension of massive aid to Pakistan, it is a step in the right direction toward fiscal discretion in this country.
Space Program has Been Lifted
The United States is discontinuing the NASA space shuttle program. Ending lift off was never a more timely investment.
The United States wasted time and money outdoing enemy nations with space exploration.
Besides, there's far more empty space to contend with here on Earth, i.e. the the lack of brains and will missing from the feckless politicians bickering away this nation's future. Instead of searching black holes and exploding stars, the United States should have been filling the deficits swallowing this nation whole and resolving the exploding debt which is undermining this country's progress and prosperity.
Forget space, . . "where no man has gone before", this nation should try another illusive destination: solvency.
The United States wasted time and money outdoing enemy nations with space exploration.
Besides, there's far more empty space to contend with here on Earth, i.e. the the lack of brains and will missing from the feckless politicians bickering away this nation's future. Instead of searching black holes and exploding stars, the United States should have been filling the deficits swallowing this nation whole and resolving the exploding debt which is undermining this country's progress and prosperity.
Forget space, . . "where no man has gone before", this nation should try another illusive destination: solvency.
Friday, July 8, 2011
Redondo Shores Teacher: Sure. . . .You can improve schools
Paul White is getting the classic treatment.
He came in dedicated to doing what he could to clean up major problems on a troubled campus. He was selected to improve a school in complete disrepair. He did his job, and now he's getting punished for it. What is the source of the problem in many schools, which prevents students from receiving the learning, the security, and the guidance which they crave?
The school bureaucracy, lead by the superintendent and his minions, followed by the unreachable directors, coordinators, and hyphenated administrators who influence little that takes place in the classroom.
They want to keep the higher-ups happy. They want to keep enrollment up. They refuse to deal with abusive students, lest the staff raise the ire of touchy parents, who in turn will play the race card or sue. Schools are all about drawing in state funds at any cost, even if that means passing students have not earned passing grades and tolerating rampant disrespect.
Instead of working with teachers, they negotiate with unions, entrenched interests which seek their own ends, not the best interests of the teachers they claim to represent or the students whom they claim to serve.
Beyond the apparent contradiction between boastful claims and subtle action, the greatest fraud perpetrated at all levels in public education is the misuse and corruption of public funds--the biggest scandal which Mr. White was apparently about to expose. There is no accountability in spending, from the district offices which siphon off huge funds to subsidize larger office and exorbitant salaries for do-nothing bean-counters, to the unnecessary regulations which frustrate efficiency and innovation in the classroom and throughout every school. Let's not forget the cozy-conflict relationship between school boards and teachers' unions, which create fat paychecks for uninvolved school board members and enormous pensions and health care benefits for school staff, all of which become and onerous burden for taxpayers who have yet to see their kids receiving any education for their tax dollars.
All of this miasma, once again brought to the fore by the well-meaning advocacy of a tough teacher using tough love to toughen students out of their arrogant complacency.
Mr. White, I am proud of the work that you did on behalf of the continuation students of Redondo Beach. I certainly hope that you will find a more fitting placement for your dedication and skills in the future.
He came in dedicated to doing what he could to clean up major problems on a troubled campus. He was selected to improve a school in complete disrepair. He did his job, and now he's getting punished for it. What is the source of the problem in many schools, which prevents students from receiving the learning, the security, and the guidance which they crave?
The school bureaucracy, lead by the superintendent and his minions, followed by the unreachable directors, coordinators, and hyphenated administrators who influence little that takes place in the classroom.
They want to keep the higher-ups happy. They want to keep enrollment up. They refuse to deal with abusive students, lest the staff raise the ire of touchy parents, who in turn will play the race card or sue. Schools are all about drawing in state funds at any cost, even if that means passing students have not earned passing grades and tolerating rampant disrespect.
Instead of working with teachers, they negotiate with unions, entrenched interests which seek their own ends, not the best interests of the teachers they claim to represent or the students whom they claim to serve.
Beyond the apparent contradiction between boastful claims and subtle action, the greatest fraud perpetrated at all levels in public education is the misuse and corruption of public funds--the biggest scandal which Mr. White was apparently about to expose. There is no accountability in spending, from the district offices which siphon off huge funds to subsidize larger office and exorbitant salaries for do-nothing bean-counters, to the unnecessary regulations which frustrate efficiency and innovation in the classroom and throughout every school. Let's not forget the cozy-conflict relationship between school boards and teachers' unions, which create fat paychecks for uninvolved school board members and enormous pensions and health care benefits for school staff, all of which become and onerous burden for taxpayers who have yet to see their kids receiving any education for their tax dollars.
All of this miasma, once again brought to the fore by the well-meaning advocacy of a tough teacher using tough love to toughen students out of their arrogant complacency.
Mr. White, I am proud of the work that you did on behalf of the continuation students of Redondo Beach. I certainly hope that you will find a more fitting placement for your dedication and skills in the future.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)