Tags
basketball, blogs, Books, Contrarian, crafting, health care reform, Hollywood, life in the meadow, March Madness, pedophilia, right wing, Roman Catholic Church, Sandra Bullock, snow, spring
Oh, excuse me. Don’t mind me. I’m just dribbling. A little idea here, a little factoid there. Nothing much to alert the press about. Surely no need to take to the bomb shelter. Just the sleepy weekend fare.
The Contrarian is cooking today. “Stay out of the kitchen, woman–I’m in charge!” Okay, as I creep away, hiding behind a computer. Forewarned is forearmed. Naw. Actually he produces a great meal sometimes, and an edible one at all times. It’s safe to continue.
We got a couple of inches of snow last night. I did not explode in expletives however. I took it in “stride” as my new found peace dictates. I’m embracing the beauty, smiling at the bright blue sky, and recalling the three fat robins perched outside the bedroom window on the lilac bushes. “Agnes, I said we should wait a week. Now we have to get all wet in this mess!”
We are up to our eyeballs in March Madness. It’s the year of the upset. They predicted there wouldn’t be any or darn few. They were wrong. So were those folks who created the brackets this year. So wrong. Being right, means four one’s end up in the final four. Not this year. Prince charming is gonna have his choice of Cinderellas this year.
The Roman Catholic church continues to grapple for a hold on sanity as it spirals into hell for it’s treatment of pedophile priests. The cover up seems to still be uncovering and it’s dirtying more and more of the higher ups. It’s sad, pathetic, horrific. The harm that they have done is so far reaching as to be nearly incalculable. All Christendom is tainted. I cannot not imagine how this was reconciled as somehow being Christ-like by offending clergy and superiors.
The health care reform bill seems poised to pass amidst all the hoopla. Everyone is counting heads, trying to maintain the suspense. There is no end to the lies and silly walks the opposition seems ready to pull. Now it’s some vast mean offense against God to vote on Sunday. I think Jesus actually spoke to that–the sabbath being created for man and not man for the sabbath? Something like that. But Monday should be interesting. If it passes (as I suspect it will), we shall wait and see if the earth still spins on Monday, or if it is burnt to a cinder by Satan’s minions. Cast your bets.
Sandra Bullock, after making all kinds of speeches about her wonderful husband, Jesse James (the name should have alerted the girl no?), has left him for his years long infidelity. Some people care, and I wonder why. I mean as a human, I am sad she is sad, but beyond that? Doesn’t cross my radar. Yet, we, the great egalitarian society (so we protest against clear evidence to the contrary) continue to place people on pedestals and expect them not to be like “us.” Go figure that one out.
I’ve bogged down in my knitting, which always happens. Remember, I am not addicted to any craft–no passion. So, after a few weeks, I get tired of purling and knitting and yarn overing and all that. I’m poised to return to crochet, some lacy edgings that I can sew together for a spring shawl? I’ll get a quarter or so done, before that wanes too. It’s me, and I’ve come to accept it. Somehow, they all get done, over time.
I’m about to finish a book on Christian women in the fourth century. It’s not as good as I expected. Next on the agenda is a tome on the Reformation. It’s a subject I’m woefully not well versed in. I’m interested in reading some Camus and some Philo as well. I’m itching for a trip to the bookstore next week, if the weather allows it.
I’ve spent some hours this morning reading blogs. It’s so refreshing to do. I learn a lot, am uplifted. I laugh, I nod in agreement, and once or twice, I yelped in horror. Thanks Randal, I really really needed that pic seared into my skull! I try always to spend some time with cheeseburger and hotdog pics. They always make me happy. Jan always has words of wisdom. Madpriest takes us to task on things we should be taken to task for. Dave reminds us of things that fully sensory folks take for granted. Blisterina takes awesome photos that just make the spirit soar. I could go on, but you probably read them all too, and more than me.
So, have yourselves a pleasant Saturday. Remember to take some time to have fun, relax and stop to smell a rose or two along the way.
Existential Ennui 
That’s a good idea. I’m trying to visit my whole blogroll today, but I won’t make it.
lol Tom. Yes, I visit anyone who has written since I last cleared it. Usually a couple of days. Otherwise I pick up links on Facebook and if they are double booked in my reader under different topics. There aren’t enough hours to be sure.
Several Key, Central points about the EXTREMLY Few Pedophile Priests:
(1) Protestant Ministers in the USA were stated to be “About 30” pedophile Or Sex violators: NPR Kojo Nambe interview with the Top Treator in the USA of Illegal Sex Protestant Ministers (Including youth ministers, etc): NPR 1 hour Kojo Nambe interview NPR about 2004.
(2) The Catholic Clergy rate at Worst was 4-6 %, early 1970’s after Vatican II Media Hype.
(3) These incididents are Far Removed Past History, mostly Several Decades old. John Paul II and Pope Benedict initiated a Zero Tolerance Policy Many Years Ago. They are Not Current, like Media suggest, incorrectly.
(4) in My county in rural Virginia:
(a) A Protestant Minister is in the State Penitentiary for soliciting a parishioner to Kill His (The Minister’s) wife.
(b) A protestant self appointed ‘bishop’ was set to the State Pen for having a Big (Parish Money) Spending Splurge and Sexual Affair with his secretary – Long term violations. That ‘bishop’ was Married before and during.
(c) A Protestant Youth Minister was jailed for vast Porn Library, and soliciting Underage Youth for Sex.
(d) Just a Few of Innumerable News stories about Protestant Local clergy, recently. Most are Featured News; None are Catholic.
Again, the Protestant Clergy rate Was, Is 10 TIMES the Catholic Sex violation Rate over in the last 50 years.
Catholic Clergy live Celibacy, as Christ asked the married (St Peter) and Unmarried Apostles to dom when they followed Him.
And Catholic Clergy work 6 days a Week; Non-stop. And get Very little pay. It’s doing the Lord’s work, not own wishes.
It’s the Idea Nature of the Catholic Church that draws Vastly Exagerrated Meduia Hype, To Sell Ads.
8- 10 to one rate Protestant Clergy sex Rate vs Vastly more Catholic Clergy.
What does that say, Honestly?
Those facts are Never mentioned by Media Business
Tony, nobody is saying that there are not other offenders out there. It’s the attrocious and totally ungodly way the RCC has handled it that infuriates and disgusts so many.
Number (1) correction above: Protestant Ministers Sex Rate of abuse was “About 30%” of Protestant Mimisters 7 years ago.
Sherry, it sounds like you had a lovely day, despite the snow. Same here. God is good, even when He allows a few flakes to fall on the first day of Spring!
Although I resist, out of tremendous respect for you, your always fine work here, and your readers, I’m compelled to address Tony’s response. I understand–and actually admire–the loyalty to his faith community. Yet I’m troubled by a few things:
1) The suggestion that numbers-crunching and comparative analysis in any way lessens the sacred responsibility of his church, (or any other) to violently and conspicuously renounce sex crimes is frightening.
2) The divisive Catholic v. Protestant comparison disturbs me simply because it’s irrelevant; every priest, pastor, and prelate comprised in all the numbers is a disgrace to his/her office and Christ, Who leads the catholic–lowercase “c”–church universal and triumphant.
3) Using numbers to prove coverage of the RCC’s present crisis is little more than a media-driven attack is both naïve and unwholesome. This isn’t a war on the Vatican. It’s a war against children. Anywhere it’s perpetuated–and who’s responsible–must be exposed and dealt with justly.
4) To imply the media’s response to the German incidents is exaggerated on the grounds they occurred some time ago is ludicrous. Unless I’m woefully mistaken, Christ’s commandments come with no statute of limitations, and it concerns me that someone defending an institution that bears His name minimize pain inflicted on others because it’s not fresh enough to merit attention.
5) In the same vein, the number of victims is also irrelevant. Did not Jesus say, “What you’ve done to the least of these [singular], you’ve done to Me?” One is one too many, and it’s heartbreaking to hear misguided believers use victim quotas as a smokescreen to hide abuse.
6) Finally, I confess feelings of embarrassment for my well-meaning brother in Christ, as any objective reader–let alone a Biblically sound one–can see how obviously his data and premise undermine his defense. Statistically, they’re specious, as percentages don’t reliably convey comparable frequency when one group is significantly larger than another, as is the case here.
Most grievous to me, however, is how successfully he demonstrates “the Idea [sic] Nature of the Catholic Church” is vastly exaggerated–whether or not it “draws Vastly Exagerrated Meduia [sic] Hype” that may be driven to “Sell Ads,” but actually don’t. (As a former VP of a global ad agency who lives with a TV news writer and producer, I can personally attest neither industry would cross the moral boundary of exploiting child abuse just to make a buck.)
As a Christian, I know this isn’t hype–it’s hypocrisy of the kind none other than St. Peter describes in his second letter: “There will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them–bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.” (2 Peter 2.1-3) The reason the RCC’s scandals draw so much attention is because its founder prophesied they would. The same goes for every other communion that branched from the Roman church.
Everything in and about Tony’s diatribe is less than ideal and reflects the less-than-ideal conditions currently facing the RCC. I find this regrettable since he clearly cares for his church and means no harm. I pray he will take these observations as they’re tendered–with respect and compassion. And in the same spirit, I encourage him to listen closely to the Gospel in today’s mass–“Let him who is perfect throw the first stone.”
Peace to all,
Tim
Tim, the purpose of this blog is to engender dialog so you are most within your rights to take Tony to task as you see it. I agree, Tony is a fine and admirable person who dearly loves his church as he should. That doesn’t make him immune from criticism as he would no doubt agree. We disagree on several things, but respect one another, as you obviously do as well. Thanks for your remarks.
Hmm, uh, well, I think I’ll sidestep all the catholic stuff *whistling*…
Your “not exploding in expletives” at the latest snowfall reminded me of the Seinfeld episode where Costanza’s dad throws his hands up in the air and yells “SERENITY NOW! SERENITY NOW!” At least you have a better handle on what serenity should be!
Thanks for the shout-out for my blog. You are a very gracious host.
At times blisterina, one simply grits one’s teeth and is happy damnit! LOL…I love your blog…I hope people are stopping by. the photography is so good. You are truly creative.