tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89346162011-04-21T13:11:43.009-05:00A view from the fourth pew, center -- thoughts, rants, & assorted musings on everything from the Catholic Church today, politics, the perils of genealogy, to things that really tick me off (oops, sorry, already mentioned politics, didn't I?).Fourth pew, centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09878128066429844951noreply@blogger.comBlogger561100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934616.post-22977179472372729942008-08-28T20:46:00.006-05:002008-08-29T05:38:35.471-05:00

I've always loved telling about my grandma Nelle. Nelle was a teenager when she read the newspaper stories about the Wright Brothers' first flight.Decades later, I sat with her as we watched Neil Armstrong walk on the moon. And I've wondered, since, whether I would ever have a story like that.Well, maybe I do.____________________45 years ago, a young white country girl sat in front of a

Fourth pew, centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09878128066429844951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934616.post-7408320599778035872008-05-24T16:53:00.002-05:002008-12-09T09:50:48.781-06:00

A new Harry Dresden fan!

Fourth pew, centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09878128066429844951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934616.post-29189436118569541332008-04-17T07:55:00.002-05:002008-04-17T08:29:23.657-05:00

* Picture this: A call comes in to a local shelter, from a cell phone -- she says her name is Sarah, she's 16, she lives at the local FLDS compound, she was forced to marry an older man, who abuses her; she has an 8 month old child, she may be pregnant again, she's scared, she wants help.State law requires that any suspicion of child abuse -- which includes sex between someone under sixteen and a

Fourth pew, centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09878128066429844951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934616.post-79314139864219039872008-04-12T11:41:00.003-05:002008-12-09T09:50:48.939-06:00

Junior here (that's a temporary name only) was born sometime after sunset yesterday. When mom Rose brought him up by the house this morning, he was already all dried off, and steady on his feet.(For those of you interested in these kind of details, papa Skip on the left is a registered quarterhorse, and Rose is a registered Paint.)Me? I just think he's adorable.

Fourth pew, centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09878128066429844951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934616.post-8631292080673293322008-04-01T19:01:00.004-05:002008-04-02T05:51:33.563-05:00

It's not that often that we not only participate in the end of an era, but know it at the time. And no matter how necessary it may be, no matter why or how the era is ending, it's kind of sad, really.I refer, of course, to the Texas Two-Step. A convoluted primary system that only this state could come up with. Yes, in Texas, you can legally vote twice (or more!) in the Democratic presidential

Fourth pew, centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09878128066429844951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934616.post-51143478049530672242007-06-15T15:56:00.000-05:002008-04-02T05:51:46.392-05:00

Yes, I know. Some of you (hi, TBL!) are sitting there muttering "Basketball? She's blogging about basketball?!?!?" Which is perfectly understandable. After all, my usual question about the very existence of the sport is: "Why?"But, yes, even this total non-fan is happy today, after staying up late to watch an entire basketball game, to know that the San Antonio Spurs have brought home their

Fourth pew, centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09878128066429844951noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934616.post-55089371226277278372007-06-02T17:46:00.000-05:002008-12-09T09:50:49.110-06:00

Hey, TBL, don't you miss country life?;-)

Fourth pew, centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09878128066429844951noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934616.post-86539474620386183212007-05-27T10:28:00.001-05:002008-12-09T09:50:49.391-06:00

Caption contest, anyone?

Fourth pew, centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09878128066429844951noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934616.post-1164308573225266222006-11-23T12:51:00.000-06:002006-11-23T13:02:53.573-06:00

Thanksgiving -- supposedly a day meaning just what is says, to give thanks. In reality, though, a day to eat too much; check the ads so we can spend too much tomorrow; and let's not forget football (even if we would like to).But, back to the first of those -- a day to eat too much. We are reminded too rarely, in these days of obesity-obsession, that there are many even in this country who do

Fourth pew, centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09878128066429844951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934616.post-1160832422759354062006-10-14T08:08:00.000-05:002008-04-02T05:52:38.308-05:00

In a little over four weeks we have one of the most important mid-term elections in American history. You cannot sit this one out.________________________________________This country was founded by people who disagreed with the policies and actions of their government. Read their words:We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator

Fourth pew, centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09878128066429844951noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934616.post-1158257866361079052006-09-14T12:57:00.000-05:002008-04-02T05:53:47.718-05:00

One of my heroes died yesterday.Most of you non-Texans who knew Ann Richards at all, knew her for her remarks about George H. W. Bush at the 1988 Democratic Convention:"Poor George. He can't help it. He was born with a silver foot in his mouth."But she was so much more. She grew up during the Depression, fortunate enough to have a father who told her she could be anything she wanted to be. With

Fourth pew, centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09878128066429844951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934616.post-1152062008149515112006-07-04T20:08:00.000-05:002006-07-04T20:14:21.896-05:00

(come to think of it, not so trivial)Did you know that one of the reasons given, in the Declaration of Independence, for the break with King George, was "for depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury"?["King George" -- coincidence? I think not.]And good night to all you wonderful folks at the NSA.

Fourth pew, centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09878128066429844951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934616.post-1151548224012312912006-06-28T21:26:00.000-05:002006-06-28T21:30:24.023-05:00

Lewwww!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!The St. Paul Saints ROCKThe Metrodome looks much bigger on TV than in does in person.And last, but not least:Train.

Fourth pew, centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09878128066429844951noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934616.post-1138814902187560322006-02-01T11:26:00.000-06:002008-04-02T05:54:23.265-05:00

If I had just 1% of that b.s. to spread around my rosebushes, I'd be a shoo-in for the blue ribbon at the State Fair.

Fourth pew, centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09878128066429844951noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934616.post-1136518490958175992006-01-05T21:32:00.000-06:002008-04-02T05:56:17.117-05:00

He's baaaaack!!__________________________________________________________Robertson says Sharon's stroke is God's punishmentThe Reverend Pat Robertson says Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's massive stroke could be God's punishment for giving up Israeli territory. The founder of the Christian Broadcasting Network told viewers of "The 700 Club" that Sharon was "dividing God's land," even though the

Fourth pew, centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09878128066429844951noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934616.post-1135797098103126402005-12-28T12:53:00.000-06:002005-12-28T13:22:28.980-06:00

To be honest, I never keep my New Year's resolutions. But am I going to let that keep me from proposing resolutions for all of us? Not a bit!Vote. Every chance you get.Leave a little more space between your car and the one in front of you.We are surrounded by idiots. Learn to deal with it without raising your blood pressure.Turn off the vacuum cleaner, or the computer, or the TV, or the iPod. Sit

Fourth pew, centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09878128066429844951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934616.post-1134926152065080742005-12-18T11:05:00.000-06:002005-12-18T11:21:38.793-06:00

And people wonder why I bury myself in fiction and genealogy? Good grief, look at the latest tempest -- all about whether we should be saying "Happy Holidays" or "Merry Christmas!"(Aside: it must be nice to live so obliviously, that you think this is the biggest problem in the world.)Note to the ayatollahs -- and yes, that includes you, Mr. O'Reilly -- the root of the word 'holiday' is, now brace

Fourth pew, centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09878128066429844951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934616.post-1133462066604686792005-12-01T12:28:00.000-06:002005-12-01T20:59:04.203-06:00

Go to time.com and vote for Mother Nature for Person of the Year, 2005.Two reasons:1) This award is for the "person or persons who most affected the news and our lives, for good or for ill," during the past year. From the tsunami to hurricanes to earthquakes to tornados, Mother Nature certainly qualifies more than any of the other nominees listed.2) Can't you just hear the fundies screaming? "

Fourth pew, centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09878128066429844951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934616.post-1129766053832222262005-10-19T18:37:00.000-05:002005-10-19T22:13:54.346-05:00

Sometimes the answer to our desires is, "Sure, you betcha."Sometimes the answer is, "You gotta be kidding Me."And sometimes . . . sometimes God chuckles, and says, "Just you wait, girl. Just you wait."I've always been quite the reader. Failing all else, I'll read the cereal box while I eat breakfast. And, like many readers, I used to fancy myself a writer. Heck, I even sold two stories. OK, so

Fourth pew, centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09878128066429844951noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934616.post-1126966270886821302005-09-17T09:03:00.000-05:002005-09-17T16:59:10.013-05:00

I've been asked many times, over the years, how I can read & watch "that horror stuff." Vampires and monsters and ghosts and clowns in the sewers and . . . Doesn't it scare me? Doesn't it give me nightmares?Nope. Not really.Consider, if you will:Hurricane Katrina was an excellent dress rehearsal for Homeland Security; a dress rehearsal for their response to the next terrorist attack on the U.

Fourth pew, centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09878128066429844951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934616.post-1125626275810986112005-09-01T20:49:00.000-05:002005-10-08T11:57:55.286-05:00

We think we're so smart. We think we're so powerful. We think we're so important.And then, every once in a while, Mother Nature decides we need a reminder. Sometimes, she just taps us on the shoulder and clears her throat.But sometimes, it's a big ol' whop upside the head that leaves us seeing stars and looking for our teeth.Yes, there were a lot of people who could have and should have left the

Fourth pew, centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09878128066429844951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934616.post-1124802213411674492005-08-23T07:55:00.000-05:002008-04-02T05:56:38.097-05:00

(CNN) -- Conservative Christian broadcaster Pat Robertson has called for the United States to assassinate Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez . . . O.K., Pat, I know it's VERY difficult, but I want you to THINK -- think very far back in your ministerial education, back when you actually believed in something other than your own arrogance:Once upon a time, there was this guy in Palestine, who went

Fourth pew, centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09878128066429844951noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934616.post-1124571639185244832005-08-20T15:56:00.000-05:002005-08-20T16:00:39.186-05:00

Remember when everyone thought that gas hitting $1.00/gallon would mean the End of Civilization As We Know It?Remember when the Republicans thought a President should be impeached for lying to the public?Remember when a woman who lost a son in battle was a Gold Star Mother, immune from attacks on her character?Remember when those who thought fighting a war was the right thing to do, went down to

Fourth pew, centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09878128066429844951noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934616.post-1123343797341092962005-08-06T10:55:00.000-05:002008-04-02T05:56:38.097-05:00

I think this story speaks for itself, and needs no comment from me.Group to protest homosexuality at military funeralThursday, August 4, 2005By Jon SeidelSpecial to the Daily SouthtownA Baptist group from Kansas has announced it plans to picket Friday at the funeral of Spc. Adam Harting.Portage, Ind., police learned about the group's intentions by fax Wednesday."We're doing everything here to

Fourth pew, centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09878128066429844951noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934616.post-1123161180512660222005-08-04T07:55:00.000-05:002005-08-04T08:13:00.520-05:00

Fourteen Marines killed in Iraq today.That was all it said, the link on cnn.com yesterday. You know, in the little section at the bottom of other stories. It wasn't even at the top of its section; it was second, after a link to a story about the shuttle spacewalk.Fourteen Marines killed in Iraq today.Fourteen Marine reserves. All from the same Ohio unit. A unit that had already lost five just on

Fourth pew, centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09878128066429844951noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934616.post-1120404257219131582005-07-03T10:17:00.000-05:002005-07-03T10:27:10.653-05:00

Don't you just love holiday weekends? No, really, I'm not being sarcastic (surprise!). A little time to relax, maybe catch a game; grill some steak once the temp drops below 100; sleep a little late in the morning.And maybe, just maybe, reflect a bit on the meaning of this particular holiday. Read this.Please.It's important.Or at least, it used to be.

Fourth pew, centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09878128066429844951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934616.post-1118966787884751822005-06-16T19:01:00.000-05:002005-06-16T19:06:27.883-05:00

Jonathan Flores just graduated last year from John Jay High School in San Antonio. He was a polite kid, active in his school, with twin kid brothers who idolized him."Flores . . . was killed Tuesday in Iraq by a roadside bomb near Fallujah."There were no WMDs.There was no link between Saddam and 9/11.But Jonathan Flores is dead. Another sacrifice to the egos of a few megalomaniacs with way too

Fourth pew, centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09878128066429844951noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934616.post-1117486264929947562005-05-30T15:38:00.000-05:002008-04-02T05:58:54.973-05:00

Ladies and gentlemen, children of all ages -- gather 'round, for I have a confession to make:I have been disrespectful of the Texas Legislature.Yes, I know, it's difficult to believe (unless, of course, you happen to have read the previous post). But I assure you, it's true. I have joked about their incompetence. I have bewailed the start of session. I have referred to Will Rogers' comment about

Fourth pew, centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09878128066429844951noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934616.post-1116789467968853832005-05-22T14:08:00.000-05:002008-04-02T05:58:06.651-05:00

God love 'em. Certainly nobody else with a brain could.OK, put yourself in this position: you are a legislator in a state with, among others, the following issues:* kids are dying regularly because Child Protective Services is massively underfunded and understaffed;* teachers are up in arms because you're trying to cut their pensions when you just voted yourself a $6000 raise:* your state

Fourth pew, centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09878128066429844951noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934616.post-1116098304796829252005-05-14T13:47:00.000-05:002005-10-11T05:37:31.956-05:00

So, what is it with genealogy, anyway?Sure, some people just dabble in it. They start with Grandpa and work back; they may sit down and do a Google search on a rainy day; and eventually, when they hit a dead end, they give up and watch "The Apprentice."And then there are the rest of us. The ones who live, breathe, and dream it. The ones who wake up at 3 a.m. wondering, "Did I ever check 19th

Fourth pew, centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09878128066429844951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934616.post-1115083214978262152005-05-02T20:16:00.000-05:002005-05-02T20:20:14.980-05:00

So there's this guy in Australia who is fighting in court to keep his wife on life support. She may or may not survive if the ventilator is removed; but she will surely die if her feeding tube is removed.Terry Schiavo in reverse? The husband fighting to keep his beloved wife alive, against all odds?Well, not exactly.The reason the lady in question is on life support is that said husband tried,

Fourth pew, centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09878128066429844951noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934616.post-1113947871327340432005-04-20T14:00:00.000-05:002005-04-20T13:54:36.490-05:00

Habemus papam. We have a Pope.*sigh*I tell you true. Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was not my first choice. In fact, he wasn't in my top 50. His reputation has changed over the years; and not, in my view, for the better. Once upon a time, in those heady days of Vatican II when Blessed John XXIII's "fresh air" was blowing through the Church, Ratzinger was in the forefront. He believed in the reform

Fourth pew, centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09878128066429844951noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934616.post-1112959511024965682005-04-08T09:00:00.000-05:002005-04-08T08:46:15.666-05:00

One more time, John Paul II has drawn the world together.The man who, in life, was seen in the flesh by more people than any other one person in history; in death, brings us together again for the largest funeral in history.And some do not understand why. Why did people stop their lives to board a plane, a train, a bus; travel hundreds or thousands of miles; stand in line for up to 24 hours; all

Fourth pew, centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09878128066429844951noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934616.post-1112458903526590412005-04-02T14:08:00.000-06:002005-04-02T14:06:50.470-06:00

John Paul II is the only Pope I've ever known.He was already Pope when I entered the Catholic Church. I live in a parish founded by Polish settlers; still made up largely of descendants of those settlers; and served by a priest born and raised in Poland.There is a hole in our hearts today.But not just ours. Friday, after it became evident that he was sinking fast, several Protestants mentioned to

Fourth pew, centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09878128066429844951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934616.post-1112289143713224982005-03-31T10:55:00.000-06:002005-03-31T11:12:23.716-06:00

Nope, not going to argue the case. It's over now, at least for Terri; and it's all too, too sad anyway.So why blog? Because we all should have learned something here. And the lesson is:PUT IT IN WRITING! If you do not have a living will/physician's directive/medical power of attorney/whatever, do it now. You can go on the internet and find forms that correspond to your state's specific laws.

Fourth pew, centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09878128066429844951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934616.post-1111549883995100432005-03-22T21:50:00.000-06:002005-03-23T16:22:10.146-06:00

Friends & neighbors, children of all ages -- only the 22nd of the month, and already we have TWO contenders!In this corner . . .Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone. Who, two years after its release, has suddenly decided to "warn" us against Dan Brown's "The Da Vinci Code."His Eminence's objections? The book "aims to discredit the Church and its history through gross and absurd manipulations." And, "I

Fourth pew, centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09878128066429844951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934616.post-1111538718460545442005-03-22T18:32:00.000-06:002005-03-22T18:45:18.460-06:00

Even though it's early in the year, it seems painfully obvious that there will be an abundance of entries for the "Stupid Catholic Tricks" section of this blog. Embodying the philosophy "If life gives you lemons, make lemonade!" Fourth Pew, Center proudly announces the creation of:(drum roll, please)the Annual Bernard Cardinal Law Award!The winner will be chosen each year from persons and events

Fourth pew, centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09878128066429844951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934616.post-1111262365915379032005-03-19T13:54:00.000-06:002005-03-19T13:59:25.916-06:00

Little Jessica Lunsford is dead. We suspected, as time went on, but now we know.Little Jessica, of the painted-on Halloween face, of the mega-watt smile.Little Jessica, whose disappearance froze the heart of every parent who watches the news.And do you know why she is dead?Because we still do not fully grasp the fact that sex offenders do not rehabilitate.If that man had been locked up for life,

Fourth pew, centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09878128066429844951noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934616.post-1110649456353491992005-03-12T11:41:00.000-06:002005-03-12T11:44:16.356-06:00

Early March . . .south Florida . . .sunshine . . .light breezes . . .vacation with your daughter . . .Does it get any better?Well, yes, actually, it does.All the above, plus --Minnesota Twins SPRING TRAINING!!!!!Spring training, when:· The Boys are back at it, and the AA and AAA prospects get a chance to show their stuff right along side them.· Baseball is played as it was meant to be played: in

Fourth pew, centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09878128066429844951noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934616.post-1109552284832927382005-02-27T18:45:00.000-06:002005-02-27T18:58:04.833-06:00

Thomas Paine (you should already know this) was one of the most important figures in early United States history. His writings, especially "Common Sense," used to be required reading for anyone who pretended to any degree of literacy. (Remember literacy? But I digress.)In France in 1794, he published a pamphlet called "The Age of Reason," in which he attacked Christianity as superstition. (On

Fourth pew, centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09878128066429844951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934616.post-1108088936325800652005-02-10T20:26:00.000-06:002005-02-10T20:28:56.326-06:00

Anyone who, with a straight face, uses the phrase "in the now," or talks about having an object "have a conversation with the space," is automatically booted from my universe.Permanently.

Fourth pew, centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09878128066429844951noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934616.post-1106323018883348822005-01-21T09:43:00.001-06:002005-01-21T09:56:58.883-06:00

LOS ANGELES, California (Reuters) -- Conservative Christian groups accuse the makers of a video starring SpongeBob SquarePants, Barney and a host of other cartoon characters of promoting homosexuality to children. Oh, my goodness, where to begin? What can you say about a mindset -- and I use the word "mind" loosely -- that even thinks of crap like this? Didn't they get laughed at enough when

Fourth pew, centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09878128066429844951noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934616.post-1105116385568579522005-01-07T10:21:00.000-06:002005-01-07T10:46:25.570-06:00

Story in yesterday's paper: several 'primitive' tribes on an island off India survived the tsumani, despite the fact that they would normally have been fishing at that time of day. Why? Because they fled the shores for higher ground, well before the waves arrived. Said one scientist: "They have a sixth sense we don't possess." He may have the science degree, but I beg to differ. I'll bet you

Fourth pew, centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09878128066429844951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934616.post-1104788906623402742005-01-03T15:37:00.000-06:002005-01-03T15:48:26.636-06:00

At St. John the Baptist School in Costa Mesa, California, some parents are up in arms over the enrollment of two kindergarten pupils. They are screaming to high heavens (you should excuse the expression) that these menaces to Holy Mother Church must be removed. Or else they will remove their own children. And/or appeal to the Vatican, to boot. And what danger do these small children present?

Fourth pew, centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09878128066429844951noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934616.post-1103736675814633042004-12-23T14:50:00.000-06:002004-12-23T14:53:49.736-06:00

But most especially -- that homeless guy begging on the street corner, who most of us pass up because we suspect he's running a scam; the woman trapped in an abusive relationship, who can't take it any more but is scared to death (literally) to leave; the family waiting and waiting and waiting to hear from their missing child, not knowing if he's dead or alive; the wife who will answer her

Fourth pew, centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09878128066429844951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934616.post-1103469778248229302004-12-19T09:17:00.000-06:002004-12-19T09:22:58.246-06:00

"Of course the people don't want war. But after all, it's the leaders of the country who determine the policy, and it's always a simple matter to drag the people along whether it's a democracy, a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them

Fourth pew, centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09878128066429844951noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934616.post-1102446672657627502004-12-07T13:03:00.000-06:002004-12-07T13:11:12.656-06:00

The Hardee's fast food chain -- which, thank God, we do not have here in the Fattest City in the Universe -- has introduced a new goodie: the Monster Thickburger. In this day of rampant obesity, high cholesterol, and even McDonald's introducing "healthier" items, contemplate with me, if you will -- two 1/3 lb. slabs of Angus beef three slices of cheese four strips of bacon

Fourth pew, centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09878128066429844951noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934616.post-1101404382581435712004-11-25T11:38:00.000-06:002004-11-25T11:39:42.583-06:00

http://www.yadvashem.org/

Fourth pew, centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09878128066429844951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934616.post-1101350372934310952004-11-24T20:37:00.000-06:002004-11-24T20:39:32.933-06:00

So with all this concern about what Shrub will do to our constitutional rights: When was the last time you actually read the Constitution? http://www.usconstitution.net/const.html

Fourth pew, centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09878128066429844951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934616.post-1101040937228543502004-11-21T06:32:00.000-06:002004-11-21T06:42:17.226-06:00

San Antonio buried another son yesterday. Staff Sgt. Gene Ramirez, USMC, died in Iraq on November 10, in the arms of his best friend. He was 28; a huge Texas Longhorns fan; and, by all accounts, the truest friend anyone could have. This was Sgt. Ramirez' second tour of duty in Operation Shrub's Manhood. When he was home in September, his mother asked him not to go back. He said he had to.

Fourth pew, centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09878128066429844951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934616.post-1100988672359072172004-11-20T15:50:00.000-06:002004-11-20T16:11:12.360-06:00

Once upon a time, PDL (pre-DeLay), there was a state called Texas. OK, so we did have an invasion of Maine-ers claiming TX as home. But still, it was something to see -- a state of wide open spaces and big cities. A state of oil millionaires and dust-scratchin' farmers. A state with a proud, if not un-checkered, history: the bravery of the Alamo, the defeat of Santa Ana at San Jacinto, the

Fourth pew, centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09878128066429844951noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934616.post-1099842298384265852004-11-07T09:41:00.000-06:002004-11-07T09:44:58.383-06:00

Vice-President Dick Cheney. Do you realize what that phrase means? It means that I am sentenced to four more years of praying for the safety of George W. Bush. Sometimes I wish I had it in me to be an atheist.

Fourth pew, centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09878128066429844951noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934616.post-1099517475379335172004-11-03T15:07:00.000-06:002004-11-03T19:53:17.040-06:00

Four more years. My God, four more years. ----------------------------------------------------------------Well, we can sit here and gripe and cry about it. We can rant & rave about tactics and candidates' errors and "those idiots" -- all 58 million of them. We can sulk and cry in our beer and throw up our hands in despair. Or we can try to make a difference over the next four years. Herewith, my

Fourth pew, centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09878128066429844951noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934616.post-1099452432992779952004-11-02T21:18:00.000-06:002004-11-02T21:27:12.993-06:00

OK, I was pretty sure the hope of landslide was just wishful thinking. But as I watch the map turn red -- although as I write, it's still "too early to call" -- I wonder if it's just wishful thinking to expect people to THINK, fer-cryin-out-loud. In the richest country in the world, children go to bed hungry, while the rich get tax cuts and no-bid federal contracts. Do people not KNOW, or do

Fourth pew, centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09878128066429844951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934616.post-1099424331897046012004-11-02T13:19:00.000-06:002004-11-02T13:38:51.896-06:00

And now we wait. Some random thoughts -- Wouldn't it be interesting if the result turned out to be a landslide? If ALL these pundits and polls were completely wrong? What is it about this particular election that has aroused such violent emotions? Usually calm, rational people (such as myself!) are going ballistic. It's not just "I disagree with his positions/actions," it's "He's an idiot/

Fourth pew, centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09878128066429844951noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8934616.post-1099140146764201832004-10-30T07:26:00.000-05:002004-10-30T07:42:26.766-05:00

Well, having put the Church first in my blog description, might as well get this topic out of the way (at least for now) -- Everyone repeat after me: Celibacy does NOT equal pedophilia. Celibacy does NOT equal homosexuality. Homosexuality does NOT (repeat, NOT) equal pedophilia. Are we all clear on these concepts? As horrible as any abuse of children is, to blame it on the

Fourth pew, centerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09878128066429844951noreply@blogger.com0