Saving Money Saturday
and
More on the Pro-life Ad

*****Anyone who has a more than just passing acquaintance with me knows I "heart" Costco. Part of the reason is having worked there for about 9 years, I know what a well-run and employee-friendly company it is.

*****Forbes just listed it as the number one company to work for in Washington state. And in an article in the New Yorker, "Switch Your Supermarket," they showed how a family of four could save $7,339.28 in one year by shopping at Costco.

*****One year while working there, I tracked everything I purchased at Costco and compared it to my local supermarket prices. I did not include any large items such as computers or TV's. I even had the potty paper broken down to the square inch. As one of my co-workers said, "you have waaaaay too much time on your hands." Our savings for that year for just my husband and myself was close to $5000.00. That is HUGE!

*****If a grocery store has a store brand, like Western Family, I will usually purchase an item like soda crackers or potato chips there, rather than the name brand at Costco. Ditto for some canned items. Other than that, the bulk of my shopping is done at Costco.

*****Their brand name, "Kirkland Signature", is a guarantee that you will receive the very best that is available. For instance, Kirkland Signature white tuna in water makes all other name brands seem like cat food in comparison and still costs less.

*****The two biggest arguments against Costco I hear is, "it's just the two of us", and the cost of the membership. I will agree that a giant size bag of potatoes or box of oranges is hard for two people to use up in a timely manner. Might I make the simple suggestion that you split these items with a friend? This is what I have always done and it has worked well. Other items like potty paper don't spoil so I really don't see a problem.

*****The freshness of Costco produce also guarantees a much longer "shelf life" than comparable items purchased at the grocery store. I routinely purchase six packs of Romaine lettuce and rarely have any of it go bad, even though it sometimes takes us weeks to use it all. Try that with lettuce from the grocery store. And for you greenie's, Costco is stocking more and more organic brands.

*****As to the cost of a membership? Even though I am math challenged, I know that the cost of the membership is not a factor when compared against the savings. I always tell people that one trip through Costco usually saves you the cost of the membership plus some.

*****Sam's Club, which is just the warehouse version of WalMart, does not carry the same high-end items that Costco does, and so a comparison of the two would really be like the proverbial apple/orange comparison. Plus their business practices leave much to be desired. I purchase about one or two items from WalMart and always feel guilty (a good Catholic virtue) when I do this.



*****My other favorite place is the Grocery Outlet. There are many treasures to be found at this no frills store. I just purchased my favorite Brie cheese for $3.00 less than the Costco price (which is already low). Will it be there next week? Probably not, but that's part of the fun. It's the grown up version of the treasure hunt.

*****Don't forget about coupons. Motherhen68 over at the Chicken Coop is a coupon hound (chicken?) and saves a tremendous amount of money.

Pro-life Ad and the Super Bowl

*****It appears everyone is happy because EWTN is going to show the pro-life ad that was rejected by whatever network is showing the Super Bowl. In my estimation, that is preaching to the choir. I would think that most of the folks that avail themselves of the programming on EWTN already have a pro-life stance.

*****Turning off your TV and telling them why is the only effective way of getting the attention of the networks. We talk often of the possibility of having to be martyred for our faith, and yet we are unwilling to turn off our TV's and refuse to watch the Super Bowl.

*****I will be the first to admit that it is pretty easy for me to do this, as I could care squat about the game. But for you football lovers, this could be a real way to do a bit of penance. Just imagine if every Catholic turned off the Super Bowl. Pretty powerful statement!

Super Bowl Ad

****It seems everyone is in an uproar after a pro-life ad was not slated to be run during the Super Bowl. I have yet to see one person suggest that people put down their chips and guacamole and step away from the TV. That' right folks. Want to make a statement? TURN OFF YOUR TV. Face it - the Super Bowl game is usually bad anyway!

The Global Radicals and Barack Obama

****"The international social radicals do their best work away from the public gaze. These are the ones who want a global right to abortion, global same-sex marriage, and who generally want to give increasing power to international bureaucrats at the United Nations and the European Union. These people prefer it when attention is focused elsewhere." read more at the Catholic Thing

*****I'm glad there are people paying attention. I have been very concerned about the attention being placed on FOCA to the exclusion of other dangers lurking in the background. I personally don't think FOCA has a chance of being passed, but watch out for treaties such as those referred to in the article above. In some respects they are way more dangerous than FOCA.

*****Vice-President Biden and Barbara Boxer have been pushing hard for these treaties for years. I'm sure our favorite "ardent practicing Catholic", Nancy Pelosi is behind them as well. And we know Hillary thinks it takes a village to raise a child. As to which village will be raising your kids, that's up for grabs.

Your tax dollars will go to support this:

Testimony of Gao Xiaoduan to the US House of Representatives on her experiences
as a family planning officer in the People's Republic of China

and this:

Is parental authority on the U.N. chopping block?


As Father Corapi says, "Wake Up America"

Breakfast at Tiffany's

The opening scene of Breakfast at Tiffany's has got to be one of the most haunting in film history, with Audrey Hepburn strolling down a Manhattan street at five o'clock in the morning, glamorously attired, a paper cup of coffee in hand, nibbling a pastry, while pausing to gaze longingly into the window of Tiffany's jewelry store. Never has anyone looked so lost. read more from Elena Maria Vidal at Tea at Trianon

This is astonishing:

Dictatorship of Relativism in Action

A five year old boy and his four year old sister have been taken from their mother because she is a recovering heroin addict and not considered capable of caring for her children. read more from Father Tim Finigan

The Age of Obama: Heat for me, but not for thee

Last week, Barack Obama caused quite a stir when he allowed himself to be photographed in the Oval Office without wearing a suit jacket, ending the Bush tradition of coat-and-tie for the West Wing. The New York Times reports on how Obama made that possible during a colder-than-usual Washington winter. All Obama did was turn up the thermostat to Hawaii hothouse levels read the rest

Exclusive Interview: Leading Vatican Prelate Says Document of US Bishops Partly to Blame for Election of “Most Pro-Abortion President read more

****Did you notice it says partly not completely? It is time for unformed and uncatechized Catholics to start taking responsibility for their own education. Only a little kid whines and says, "but I didn't know." If you're reading this and you can not adequately defend your faith, I suggest you step away from the computer and open up your catechism. Remember, the soul you save may be your own.

Awards

Oh my, I love getting awards. The love is flowing from sources that I hold in high esteem.

MaryRose over at True Confessions of a Prodigal Daughter loves me (even though I poke fun at Twitter). Do. Not. Miss. Her. Spiritual. Journey - posted on her sidebar. It is an exceptional piece of writing and a source of inspiration.

My dear friend Laura who loves me (in spite of who I really am) has started a project with her friend Matt. I've mentioned Deliberate Engagement before and I want to remind you of what a first rate pro-life site it is. Their friend Christine from A Catholic View has joined them as a contributor.

Lola who oversees What Lola Wants and Some Unsolicited Advice, loves me too (she's young and doesn't know any better)

And last, but not ever least, is my friend Philip over at Pellegrinaggio, crossing the Ponte Sisto. (He loves at his own peril, since I have a crush on "his cuteness")

I've passed this award on already in days past, targeting the most politically incorrect, outrageous, but lovable Catholic men bloggers in the blogosphere. So today I'm passing this award on to all my readers who have a blog and have not received this award yet (that would be about 1.5 people)


And to leave you now with a bit of irony. After agreeing to spend what will probably amount to over ONE TRILLION of YOUR MONEY, President Obama and a select few, dined on steak that costs about ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS per pound.

Flinty Chicago Toughness??

Help me out here. Am I going nuts? I fail to see anything very funny about what this man is saying, and yet the reporters are acting like it is the funniest thing they have ever heard. And the newscaster is positively gushing....

"When it comes to the weather, folks in Washington don't seem to be able to handle things," a joking Obama told reporters Wednesday morning.

"My children's school was canceled today because of what? Some ice."

Obama said his daughters -- Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7 -- pointed out that school in Chicago is never canceled.

"In fact, my 7-year-old pointed out that you'd go out for recess. You wouldn't even stay indoors," Obama says.

"We're going to have to try some flinty, Chicago toughness to this town."

Tea Wars
( maybe a bit more of a tea discussion, but Tea Wars sounds so much more interesting, doncha think?)

**** I should have known that a simple post about tea and saving money would start a mini tea discussion. I do appreciate the input, though.

****Mark , Angela, and Lola are casting votes for Red Rose, while Packrat, who spends her time Swatting at Flies, is siding with Tetley Tea. Cathy said, "Do you like Lapsang Souchong? Republic of Tea makes a very good blend of it. Lapsang is a smoky black flavor. Republic of Tea is loose tea-no bags-so you'd need a tea ball or spoon for it."

****I mentioned that one of my favorite "special moment" teas would be Adagio. I was surprised to see some very reasonable offerings from this company on Amazon. I have one called Chocolate Rum Truffle and their A.M. Wake-Up. You can even design your own tea mixture. ****Adagio are loose teas, and while Cathy suggested a tea ball or spoon, I must tell you about my cool tea infuser. I first saw one at a coffee/tea shop and was so taken with it I asked them to order me one. I think it is the best one I have ever used. A few people that left reviews complained about the holes being too large, but I have not found that to be the case. I heat my water in the microwave and put the infuser after the water is heated. The little lid becomes a place to put your infuser when you take it out of the cup.

Vanity, Vanity...Read All About It At Vanity Fair

Life Without God

*****We were made for God. Are hearts and souls yearn for him. As Augustine said in his famous Confessions, "You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you."

*****If you do not have God in your life you will fill that hole of longing with anything you can. It may be drugs, alcohol, eating, shopping, or even an unrealistic view of another person. We can see this phenomena in the unhealthy adulation of our new President. People who have empty lives and empty hearts are using a mere mortal to substitute for God. Indeed, some have made President Obama a type of "mini-god"; someone to solve their problems, provide for them, and maybe even love them.

LarryD just posted a wonderful example of this in action.

Vanity, Vanity...Read All About It At Vanity Fair

"This surpasses idolatry - it's deification." read more


Grant me, O Lord my God, a mind to know you, a heart to seek you, wisdom to find you, conduct pleasing to you, faithful perseverance in waiting for you, and a hope of finally embracing you.
– St. Thomas Aquinas

"We cannot expect the Americans to jump from capitalism to Communism, but we can assist their elected leaders in giving Americans small doses of socialism until they suddenly awake to find they have Communism."

- Soviet Leader Nikita Khrushchev, 1959

The upcoming doses are not all that small..................

At Last

****I have found a tea I can live with. My hubby and I have been drinking Tazo Awake Tea for quite a few years. We love it's strong black tea flavor. What we haven't been pleased about is the price. About the cheapest you can snag a box of 20 teabags for is $3.28.

****Yesterday, after reading the ingredient list of every box of tea on the shelf at WalMart, (yes, I know - it's not my favorite store either and I apologize), I decided to try Tetley British Blend tea. To our delight, it is quite good and is a very decent substitute for Tazo Awake. At $2.28 for a box of 80 it is a significant savings.

**** Why is this important? Glad you asked. Well dear readers, when President Obama gets through "stimulating" (sounds sort of erotic, doesn't it) the economy with his pork (sorry for the vision) filled bill, you'll be using your tea bags twice, that is, if he even allows you to have one.

The Day Ahead

****Mega-shopping is on the list for today. This means a stop at at least four different stores in order to wisely spend my money. I'm grateful the stores are close together to save time and gasoline.

****Being thrifty is a Christian virtue and can become quite fun when treated like a game. I fear in the years ahead people who never considered monitoring and moderating their spending will be doing it by necessity rather than choice. Do you really need to go to Starbucks every day? Just sayn'......

And yes, Cathy - bacon is on the list.... Take the time to read Cathy of Alex's wonderful post the Weak That Was

****Until I return here's a video to amuse and horrify you. President Obama's naivete is astonishing.

Obama on JihadTV

| Tue, Jan 27, 2009 at 8:49:25 am PST

*****"Barack Obama’s first interview since his inauguration went to Al Arabiya, the virulently anti-semitic Arab satellite network that regularly broadcasts support for jihad and militant Islam. This is an absolutely horrible precedent, and the implied weakness will surely encourage jihadists worldwide—no matter what Obama thinks he’s “communicating” to them." read more and watch the video

Restore Prayer
to
St. Michael

****When I was a girl, every Mass was ended by the congregation kneeling down and praying to St. Michael for protection against "the wickedness and snares of the devil." After Vatican II this prayer disappeared. I have no idea exactly when this worthy practice was swept away by the "spring time" ushered into the Church. Perhaps someone more knowledgeable than I could answer that question.

****There is no doubt in my mind that the devil is alive and well and working his magic in our world. And yet most Catholics act like he doesn't exist, or was just some scary thing dreamed up to"keep us in line." After all, God is Love (He is), and He will protect us no matter what we do.

****Truth has become a concept we no longer understand or embrace. Tonight I have to teach a RCIA class about the eighth commandment which tells us we cannot lie. That's the "shall not" part of this commandment. But this commandment also tells us to say "Yes" to the truth.

****If the laity of the Catholic Church are not saying "yes" to the truth, much of the blame can be laid at the feet of the very people who are to guide us in the ways of God and lead us to everlasting salvation. When was the last time your priest stood up in the ambo and spoke out about abortion, birth control, homosexual "marriage", or any subject they might consider to be inflammatory? Some of you are blessed with a wonderful priest who is not afraid to speak the truth, but many of us do not have that luxury.

****It's time we got on our knees at the end of Mass and recited the prayer to St. Michael, not only for our souls, but for all the souls ensnared in the deceitful web of the evil one.

Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our protection against the malice and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him we humbly pray;
and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly host,
by the power of God,
thrust into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who wander through the world for the ruin of souls. Amen.

Read the long version

I suggest you print out the long version and make it part of your daily prayer. And ask your priest why you can't say the short version of this prayer after Mass. I know I will be doing that very thing.

Moment of Silence in Ill. Schools Ruled Unconstitutional

CHICAGO – A federal judge has ruled that a state law requiring a moment of silence in public schools across Illinois is unconstitutional, saying it crosses the line separating church and state.

"The statute is a subtle effort to force students at impressionable ages to contemplate religion," U.S. District Judge Robert W. Gettleman said in his ruling Wednesday read more

****Dear God, oooops sorry, we wouldn't want impressionable kids doing anything as damaging as contemplating religion. Why it would take time away from their studies of gay, lesbian, and transgendered issues.


PELOSI SAYS BIRTH CONTROL WILL HELP ECONOMY

*****"Unbelievable. Nancy spouted this nonsense yesterday morning. read more from my friend Christine at A Catholic View

Sunday

*****I think we all need a rest. Every morning I roll out of bed wondering what insane thing our President and his minions have dreamed up. It is depressing and wears me down. I'm thinking it has the same effect on others.

*****So in the spirit of our day of rest (hoping against all hope that Obama is resting too and not creating havoc), I shall send you around the web to visit others, who in most cases are way smarter than I am.

*****One of my most recent discoveries is a wonderful site called The Chicken Coop presided over by Motherhen68. I know this lady is smart because she just gave me an award which I'll get to later. She was also smart enough to pass this award on to Angela, who we know would sit in the corner crying and twirling her hair if she was not included.

*****Motherhen has some wonderful links to low-carb sites and lots of information on saving money - both subjects that are of interest to me.

*****Esther, our favorite Catholic Mom in Hawaii started Prayers for our Pets, a blog dedicated to praying for the special intentions of our pets who may be ill or lost. I abhor cruelty to creatures that God has entrusted to our care.

*****Karen Hall, never one to mince words, has an opinion about the Vatican's reaction to Obama's most recent decision to use our tax dollars to slaughter innocent children in foreign countries. Ok, ok - I know I said we were going to rest today but this is just too good. Take a moment to read Wherein the Shepherd Scolds the Sheep for Not Watching Out for Wolves

And now for my favorite occurrence:

AWARDS

Tracy, our Catholic Mom in Minnesota, has given me the Lovey Award and so has Motherhen68 at The Chicken Coop.

About the award:

“These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award.”

Not so sure about the charming part, but I'll take any award I can clap my greedy little hands on.

****....and as Grand Poobah of this blog I hereby dispense with the obligation to pass this award on (unless you wish to)

I have decided to award this to all men bloggers. Now how's that for being politically incorrect??

1. Subvet over at Blowing San #1, who talks tough but has a heart as big as Montana. If I was in a pickle I'd want this guy watching my back.
2. Philip Blosser, the Pertinacious Papist, is one of those smarty types with an alphabet soup of letters after his name. That's ok - he needs love, too.
3. Simplex Vir
4. Confiteor
5. Vir Speluncae Orthodoxae This is a "three for" as Confiteor and Vir Speluncae Orthodoxae have just joined up with Simplex at American Rumpo, who also hangs out at Lair of the Catholic Caveman. Did you follow that? Not to worry. I have links to all the nooks and crannies. And................................two of these guys are drummers!!! You'll have to visit to find out which two.
   
6. To all the men (remember, I'm being politically incorrect today) at the Lair consider yourselves awarded with lots of love. Just recently these guys snuck a women into their midst named Cookie, who resides full time at the Holy Cookie. Drop over and say hi to this bright young lady.
   

Telling the truth, no matter how painful, is the major thing these men have in common. God bless all of you.

The New Eugenics

****With the advances in prenatal testing, we are now able to determine many diseases while a person is still in the womb. This has led to the wholesale slaughter of those deemed to be future drains on society.

*****As most of you know, I am an alcoholic. Some people believe there is a gene that predisposes us to alcoholism. If this is proven to be true, the time will come when people like me will be ripped from the womb because of our defect. Now wouldn't that be a shame?? (tongue only partially in cheek)

****In the words of Margaret Sanger, an avowed eugenicist and founder of the American Birth Control League which later became Planned Parenthood, I would have been classified as a "weed" worthy only of extermination. Funny - I see myself more as a lily of the field.

* * *

Review by WESLEY J. SMITH
from the National Review

War Against the Weak:*Eugenics and America's Campaign to Create a Master Race
by Edwin Black

****Edwin Black has written what may well be the best book ever published about the American eugenics movement and the horrific events it spawned. Combining exhaustive research, a very readable style, and just the right touch of moral outrage, Black splendidly conveys the evil depth and breadth of eugenics philosophy, the pseudo-science and social theory that unleashed a half-century of war against society’s most vulnerable citizens. read more

SSPX
A Long Road to be Traveled

****The blogsphere is alive with the news of excommunications being lifted from the bishops of the SSPX. It would be wise to temper our enthusiasm with a bit of reality.

****There are numerous SSPX chapels all over the world which would need to be brought under the jurisdiction of the local ordinaries for this to make any real difference. I don't see that happening anytime in the near future. Many hearts will need to be changed. I fear as we are starting on our third generation of adherents to the policies and teachings of this group, it will be a long uphill battle.

*****They have clung to the belief that the Vatican Council II was illicit and not binding, and have taught this to their followers. I will agree the implementation of the Council and the outright distortions, mainly having to do with the liturgy, have not borne good fruit. But the Mass of Vatican II is not illicit, and if done correctly, would be very beautiful.

*****I have always felt very strongly that had the followers of Bishop Lefebvre not segregated themselves, there is a possibility our Church would be in better condition today. This of course is something we will never know for sure.

*****The people on the far right of the SSPX are no more in touch with reality than the people on the far left of the rest of the Church, and both groups have done untold damage to the faith of millions. We can hope that over time the good people of the SSPX could become leaven for the restoration of our Catholic identity.

To quote Father V:

****"There is a whole generation of young people who have grown up in these SSPX chapels, listening to their parents and priests, for whom a state of conflict with Rome, with the bad feelings and attitude of superiority and intractability is normal. They have never known union with Rome and the local bishop. A clear path for walking this division back to real and clear union with Rome is going to become weedier and narrower and harder to find if this goes on much longer. The clock is ticking."

Indeed...

Pacific Time Zone

*****One of the problems with living in the Pacific time zone is by the time I roll out of bed, our new President has already done so much violence to our country, it momentarily stuns me into speechlessness.

*****Rearranging my schedule to arise at 3am would solve the problem, but what difference would that make? We hear so many people say, "What can I do about it? The "powers-that-be" will do whatever they want to do."

*****I agree that the rolling ball of insanity is careening down the hillside. But rather than taking a Sisyphian attitude to that ball, lets start pushing it back toward the top where you will find a sign that says:

The Ship is Going Down

....and President Obama is going to move your deck chair from one side to the other.

Take a Ride With Me Down Alice's Rabbit Hole

I'm so stunned as to be rendered speechless (and that's a rare and worrisome happening).

Brought to you by:

Robert Reich's Blog

Robert Reich is the nation's 22nd Secretary of Labor and a professor at the University of California at Berkeley.

Thursday, January 08, 2009

The Stimulus: How to Create Jobs Without Them All Going to Skilled Professionals and White Male Construction Workers

****The stimulus plan will create jobs repairing and upgrading the nation's roads, bridges, ports, levees, water and sewage system, public-transit systems, electricity grid, and schools. And it will kick-start alternative, non-fossil based sources of energy (wind, solar, geothermal, and so on); new health-care information systems; and universal broadband Internet access.

****It's a two-fer: lots of new jobs, and investments in the nation's future productivity.

****But if there aren't enough skilled professionals to do the jobs involving new technologies, the stimulus will just increase the wages of the professionals who already have the right skills rather than generate many new jobs in these fields. And if construction jobs go mainly to white males who already dominate the construction trades, many people who need jobs the most -- women, minorities, and the poor and long-term unemployed -- will be shut out. Read more and if you have time, read some of the comments.

****I love the guy in the combox talking about insulation as the wave of the future. We can solve lots of problems by putting people to work insulating old houses. Just make sure it isn't any white guys getting those jobs.

Washington DC

January 22, 2009

Prayer to End Abortion

Lord God, I thank you today for the gift of my life,
And for the lives of all my brothers and sisters.

I know there is nothing that destroys more life than abortion,
Yet I rejoice that you have conquered death
by the Resurrection of Your Son.

I am ready to do my part in ending abortion.
Today I commit myself
Never to be silent,

Never to be passive,
Never to be forgetful of the unborn.

I commit myself to be active in the pro-life movement,
And never to stop defending life
Until all my brothers and sisters are protected,
And our nation once again becomes

A nation with liberty and justice
Not just for some, but for all.

Through Christ our Lord. Amen!

Pelosi
Classy Pro-Abortion "Ardent Catholic"

****Pelosi said one of her favorite moments from Inauguration Day was when Marine One lifted off the Capitol grounds, signifying former President George W. Bush's exit from Washington. "It felt like a 10-pound anvil was lifted off my head," she said.

source: San Francisco Chronicle

Day of Penance for Violations to the Dignity of the Human Person, and of Prayer for the Full Restoration of the Legal Guarantee of the Right to Life.

Please pray for all those who are marching for life today.

President Obama understands that abortion is a divisive issue, and respects those who disagree with him. However, he has been a consistent champion of reproductive choice and will make preserving women's rights under Roe v. Wade a priority in his Adminstration. He opposes any constitutional amendment to overturn the Supreme Court's decision in that case. Whitehouse.gov/agenda

Obama Issues Directives

January 22, 2009
Fox News

****Separately, the administration was set to issue a reversal of a ban on federal funding for non-governmental organizations working outside the U.S. that offer abortions or abortion counseling.

****Obama was to sign the executive order on the 36th anniversary of the landmark Roe v. Wade Supreme Court ruling that legalized abortion in all 50 states.

Do you really believe that our President is not thumbing his nose at you?? Wake up America!

Update:

Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- In a move to downplay his pro-abortion agenda, President Barack Obama has decided to wait a little longer to reverse a Bush policy preventing taxpayer funding of abortions overseas. The Mexico City Policy prevents sending public funds to groups that perform or promote abortions in other countries.

The new president could either issue an order tomorrow or in the near future to reverse the policy or allow Congress to do it.

Obama was expected to overturn the pro-life policy on his first or second full days in office and to possibly do so today, on the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision.

However, a CBN News report indicates Obama will not overturn the policy on a day that pro-life advocates mourn the Supreme Court allowing virtually unlimited abortions.

H/T Padre Steve at Da Mihi Animas

Obama Administration Already Pushing Utilitarian Medical Poison

Obama Administration Already Pushing Utilitarian Medical Poison

****Uh, oh: Here it comes. Incoming Secretary of Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Daschle wants to create a US Agency to control costs based on the UK's Orwellian-named National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), which substantially controls the ethics and medical availability of care under the NHS.

read more from:
Secondhand Smoke:Your 24/7 Seminar on Bioethics and the Importance of Being Human


H/T: CVSTOS FIDEI

Judge Bork Predicts: A “Terrible Conflict” Will Endanger U.S. Catholics’ Religious Freedom

Obama's Priorities

In the first week he will include, among other things:

...overturning the so-called Mexico City policy that forbids U.S. funding for family planning programs that offer abortion, and lifting President George W. Bush's limit on federal funding of embryonic stem cell research.

Your tax dollars at work.

Many thanks to all the "Catholics" who voted for Obama.

January 21, 2009

Patrick Madrid

Judge Bork Predicts: A “Terrible Conflict” Will Endanger U.S. Catholics’ Religious Freedom

Former Supreme Court nominee Judge Robert Bork has predicted that upcoming legal battles will have significant ramifications for religious freedom. He names as issues of major concern the continued freedom of Catholic hospitals to refuse to perform abortions and the likely “terrible conflict” resulting from the advancement of homosexual rights.
read more

Forgotten Man

****As soon as A observes something which seems to him to be wrong, from which X is suffering, A talks it over with B, and A and B then propose to get a law passed to remedy the evil and help X, or in the better case, what A, B, and C shall do for X...

****What I want to do is to look up C. I want to show you what manner of man he is. I call him the Forgotten Man. Perhaps the appellation is not strictly correct. He is the man who never is thought of...

****He works, he votes, generally he prays - but he always pays...

William Graham Sumner
Yale University, 1883

Fashion Icon or Fashion Flop?

****I don't care how many times the MSM tells us that Michelle Obama is a fashion icon, it will never be the truth. The talking heads really believe if they say something enough times the people will eventually come to see the wisdom of their collective insanity.

****I will agree that it would not be gracious or in good taste to deride the clothing choices of our new first lady on her first day on the job. On the other hand, this is no different than the constant barrage of inanities and outright lies spewed forth from our left wing pundits on a regular basis.

****But I'm thinking that behind closed doors the wives of our leading "journalists" are informing their empty suited husbands of the truth. Mrs. Obama appeared to be wearing drapes to the inauguration and a chenille bedspread to the evening entertainment. The Lincoln bedroom must be looking quite bare about now.

****Am I being uncharitable and petty? I don't think so. It was not I who made her clothes a matter of discussion. So whether it be the propaganda machine telling me President Obama is pro-life or Michelle Obama is the new fashionista, I am bound to tell the truth.

This is Despicable

President Obama will keep the broken promises made by President Bush to rebuild New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. He and Vice President Biden will take steps to ensure that the federal government will never again allow such catastrophic failures in emergency planning and response to occur.

President Obama swiftly responded to Hurricane Katrina. Citing the Bush Administration’s “unconscionable ineptitude” in responding to Hurricane Katrina, then-Senator Obama introduced legislation requiring disaster planners to take into account the specific needs of low-income hurricane victims.

From Whitehouse.gov

January 21
Feast of St. Agnes

O glorious St. Agnes, you served God in humility and confidence on earth and are now in the enjoyment of His beatific Vision in heaven because you persevered till death and gained the crown of eternal life.

Remember now the dangers that surround me in the vale of tears, and intercede for me in my needs and troubles.

Amen.

A Sad Moment

Thank you President Bush

Obama Officials Confirm He Will Fund Foreign Abortions Starting Wednesday
by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
January 19, 2009

Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Officials with the incoming administration of Barack Obama have confirmed that he will indeed overturn a pro-life policy of President Bush on his first day in office. Despite campaigning on the rhetoric of wanting to reduce abortions, Obama will make one his first actions promoting them globally. read more

The Most Racist President Ever

*****On this day we celebrate a man who made the statement, "a man be judged by the content of his character, not the color of his skin". Mr Obama has never missed a chance to refer to race, and the MSM continues to call this inauguration historical because the afore-mentioned man is "African-American." Never mind that fully half of his genealogy is white and the other half is, well, up for grabs. Where I come from, they call that racism.

*****He attended church for the first time since leaving "the church that shall not be mentioned." And where did he go? A black church. A church where people have willingly segregated themselves. How unifying is that? He has often stated that he prefers to think of himself as black. Well, Barack, I'm insulted by that and maybe your Mom was too.

*****How about his character? This is a man who intends to overturn any pro-life legislation ever put in place, either by executive order or legislation. He thinks a baby is "punishment" ranking right up there with incurring a sexually transmitted disease. And he will use your money to do this.

*****This is a man who is incapable of uttering a single intelligible sentence without a teleprompter. A man who has espoused the insidious doctrine of Black Liberation. He will support policies that will continue the breakdown of the black family, which is almost non-existent at this time. Over 70% of black children are born to single women and the rest of them are aborted at rates astronomically higher than the white population. Is this the kind of "caring" the black community should be supporting?

*****In troubled times, he has divided the country on the basis of class and color. He's throwing his own party that some estimates have placed at 150 million dollars, while tens of thousands are losing their jobs. He has invited the low-lifes of the entertainment world to amuse those he sees as the "great unwashed." Actors like Tom Hanks, who thinks wanting to keep marriage between a man and a woman, is un-American. And Oprah Winfrey, purveyor of New Age spirituality and psychobabble, who thinks women should wait until the second date to have sex. These people are poisoning the minds of our children with their crude music and coarse movies. Oh, and did I mention that the majority are black?

*****There are 53 million people in this country who did not vote for this Democratic Party puppet. Tomorrow, when this man whose only qualification for the job of President is raising money and running for office is sworn in, we will have opened the door to the complete moral and financial degeneration of this country.

My hope is that those 53 million people are praying....
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January 19, 2009
Bush and the Bush-Haters
By J.R. Dunn

There is one thing certain to go through Barack Obama's mind during the inauguration: at one point or another, while glancing at George W. Bush, he will consider the treatment that Bush got as president and hope to God he suffers nothing even vaguely similar.

It can be stated without fear of serious argument that no previous president has been treated as brutally, viciously, and unfairly as George W. Bush. read more

Wages for hookers to be found in Obambi's stimulus package....?
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Male hormone in womb linked to autistic traits: study

Check out the solution in red....

My comments in blue...

LONDON (AFP) – Babies exposed to high levels of the male hormone testosterone in the womb have a greater risk of developing autistic characteristics as children, a study said Monday.

Researchers from Cambridge University recorded foetal testosterone levels in the amniotic fluid of 235 pregnant women.

They compared results against questionnaires designed to measure children's autistic traits between the ages of six and 10.

They found that high testosterone levels were linked to answers that reflected poor social skills, imagination and empathy -- but good attention to and memory for detail.

Professor Simon Baron-Cohen said the research went further than previous studies that had found links between foetal testosterone and less eye contact as a baby, slower language development and more difficulties with empathy.

"The study highlights for the first time the association between foetal testosterone and autistic traits, and indicates that foetal testosterone not only masculinises the body, it masculinises the mind," he said.

But he underlined that the study was not confirming a link between foetal testosterone levels and full-blown autism.

"We all have some autistic traits -- these are a spectrum or a dimension of individual differences, like height.

"It is important to note that this research does not demonstrate that elevated foetal testosterone is associated with a clinical diagnosis of autism or Asperger Syndrome," he added.

The Guardian newspaper said that the research, published in The British Journal of Psychology, could bring prenatal screening for autism closer to reality, potentially allowing women to terminate babies with the condition. Yep, we don't want any "disabled" people cluttering up our world.

Baron-Cohen said this needed to be debated. "If there was a prenatal test for autism, would this be desirable? What would we lose if children with autistic spectrum disorder were eliminated from the population?" he said.

"We should start debating this. There is a test for Down's Syndrome and that is legal and parents exercise their right to choose termination, but autism is often linked with talent. It is a different kind of condition." All righty then - talent may save you from being chopped up in the womb.

Research could open the way for new treatments for autism, he said. But he acknowledged that this too would be controversial.

"We could do something about it. Some researchers or drug companies might see this as an opportunity to develop a pre-natal treatment. There are drugs that block testosterone.

"But whether we'd want to would be a different matter," he said Why bother - just kill them.

Health Highlights: Jan. 17, 2009
Posted January 17, 2009



'Conscience Rule' Gets Legal Challenge

The Conscience Rule, one of the last items on President George W. Bush's health agenda, has been challenged in U.S. District Court.

The Washington Post reports that a lawsuit was filed Jan. 15 in Connecticut by that state's attorney general, Richard Blumenthal, seeking to block a new federal regulation that protects health workers if they refuse to perform medical services to which they object. The rule went into effect in December.

Blumenthal's suit included the states of California, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Oregon and Rhode Island, the Post reported. Separate lawsuits were also filed by Planned Parenthood and the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of the National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association.

Planned Parenthood and ACLU - why am I not surprised?

Central to the Conscience Rule, the newspaper reports, is that it stops federal funding to any health organization -- public or private -- if it doesn't allow health professionals the right to refuse to perform or take part in any health care services they consider objectionable on ethical, moral or religious grounds.

So what they're saying is the only people that have a right to decide what you may or may not do, are the purveyors of abortions and euthanasia.

"On the way out, the Bush administration has left a ticking political time bomb that is set to explode literally on the day of the president's [Barack Obama] inaugural, and blow apart women's rights," the newspaper quotes Blumenthal as saying.

Just exactly how is that going to "blow apart" women's rights? If the doctor or hospital doesn't perform her abortion she can just go somewhere else. This is typical of the liberal mind-set which demands that you do what they want and respect what they see as their rights. How's that for tolerance?

Rebecca Ayer, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), told the Post that HHS would defend its actions in court. "The department followed appropriate procedures to put the regulation in place, and the regulation is fully supported by law," the newspaper quotes her as saying.

There is no doubt in my mind that Obambi will overturn this. All of you Bush haters out there listen up. Once again our departing President has tried to do the right thing only to be mocked and misrepresented by the main stream media. Do you think for one minute these media elites do this because they "care" about you? I've got news for you. They laugh at middle America and at what they consider to be our outdated ideas of morality.

I never thought I would live to see people marching in the USA with swastikas on signs. What are we becoming??



Of course, it is lost on these moonbats that the very reason they can do this is because they are in USA.

"I have often spoken to you about good and evil. *This has made some uncomfortable. *But good and evil are present in this world, and between the two there can be no compromise." George W. Bush January 15, 2009

Thank you, Mr. President

Auguries of Innocence

William Blake

To see a world in a grain of sand,
And a heaven in a wild flower,
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand,
And eternity in an hour

read the rest of poem ...

CATHOLIC SCHOOLGIRL FORCED TO WRITE PRO-OBAMA LETTER

January 15, 2009

Obama: Surrender to world government? Deny pay to White House socialist advisor

In the wings: world socialist mandates on how you raise your children

By Wes Vernon

****"Despite some public relations moves to assuage our doubts, the Obama transition team appears to be formulating an administration that is quite happy to let some international authority dictate your personal lifestyle and how you raise your kids." read more

Gay America Prepares To Party at Obama Inauguration

****"Unprecedented inaugural celebrations for President-elect Barack Obama by gay activist groups, social organizations and ordinary citizens suggests many view Obama's election as a signal of a forthcoming sea change for the gay rights movement in America." read more

Thursday, January 15, 2009

CATHOLIC SCHOOLGIRL FORCED TO WRITE PRO-OBAMA LETTER

From my favorite Gem of the Ocean:

I'm outraged. Kit at By the Brook's daughter, as part of a homework assignment is being FORCED to write a pro-Obama letter. *POSITIVE LETTERS ONLY* AND send them in to a local newspaper. THIS WOULD BE BAD ENOUGH, BUT IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE A "CATHOLIC" HIGH SCHOOL. read more

ok - back to work...