Happy Feast of St. Nicholas!
Restoring the Sacred
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Monday, December 5, 2011
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Sundays are for Beauty: "Pure Country"
That's George Strait in the 1992 movie, "Pure Country," which bombed at the box office because it was too good. It's a movie you can watch with your entire family without blushing, and it's still available at Amazon for less than $5.00.
Have a Beautiful Sunday.
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Friday, December 2, 2011
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
A Billionaire's Letter to Obama
That's billionaire investor Leon Cooperman, the son of a plumber, born in the South Bronx. He's now worth about $1.8 billion. He started his career at Goldman Sachs, worked there for 25 years, and, in 1991, founded Omega Advisors. In short, he's an American success story - one who has had it with Barack Obama.
He just wrote Obama a three page letter, in which, among other complaints, he slammed him for promoting class warfare rather than leading as a president should:
"To frame the debate as one of rich-and-entitled versus poor-and-dispossessed is to both miss the point and further inflame an already incendiary environment. It is also a naked, political pander to some of the basest human emotions - a strategy, as history teaches, that never ends well for anyone but totalitarians and anarchists."
To read the whole letter click on the link below:
H/T mckte
A Typical Product of Schools of Education
That's Arlene Ackerman, the former superintendent of schools in Philadelphia, and I'm willing to bet she was not in it for the children.
Former Philadelphia Schools Chief Arlene Ackerman Files Unemployment Claim « CBS Philly
Here's a little more about Dr. Ackerman from Philadelphia Magazine.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
President Obama, Let her believe.
From Catholicvote.org:
"Reports suggest the President is near a decision on whether to relax a new rule that forces Catholic churches and schools (and virtually all religious institutions) to fund insurance for birth control, sterilization and abortion drugs.
"The radical pro-abortion left is calling for a no-compromise stand. They want every American -- including Catholics like you and me -- to pay for their warped anti-family (and anti-woman!) vision for America.
"That's why we are set to air our new ad in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Florida -- three states President Obama knows he must win to get re-elected. And we're not stupid either. It just so happens that these states have millions of Catholics in them!
"Time is of the essence. We must fight for our Catholic schools and hospitals. President Obama and his administration must fear the consequences of any decision to attack the Church, and all religious believers.
"Please help us put our new ad on the air. Chip in here."
Monday, November 28, 2011
"The Past is Prologue." Shakespeare: "The Tempest"
The above was published, on November 4,1949, in response to a speech by President Harry Truman. The more things change; the more they stay the same: there will always be people who want something for nothing.
(Those of us with less than perfect vision can read the article below:)

(Those of us with less than perfect vision can read the article below:)

DAILY NEWS
Friday, November 4, 1949 Tel. MUrray Hill 2-1234
Member of the Associated Press
ODE TO THE WELFARE STATE
Member of the Associated Press
ODE TO THE WELFARE STATE
Mr. Truman's St. Paul, Minn., pie for everybody
speech last night reminded us that, at the tail-end of the recent session of Congress, Representative J. Brown (R-Ohio) jammed into the Congressional Record the following poem, describing its author only as "a prominent Democrat of the state of Georgia:"
speech last night reminded us that, at the tail-end of the recent session of Congress, Representative J. Brown (R-Ohio) jammed into the Congressional Record the following poem, describing its author only as "a prominent Democrat of the state of Georgia:"
Democratic Dialog
Father, must I go to work?
No, my lucky son.
We're living now on easy street
On dough from Washington.
We've left it to Uncle Sam,
So don't get exercised.
Nobody has to give a damn----
We've all been subsidized.
But if Sam treats us all so well
And feeds us milk and honey,
Please daddy, tell me what the hell
He's going to use for money.
Don't worry, bub, there's not a hitch
In this here noble plan----
He simply soaks the filthy rich
and helps the common man.
But father, won't there come a time
When they run out of cash
And we have left them not a dime
When things will go to smash?
My faith in you is shrinking, son,
You nosy little brat;
You do too much thinking, son,
To be a Democrat.
Father, must I go to work?
No, my lucky son.
We're living now on easy street
On dough from Washington.
We've left it to Uncle Sam,
So don't get exercised.
Nobody has to give a damn----
We've all been subsidized.
But if Sam treats us all so well
And feeds us milk and honey,
Please daddy, tell me what the hell
He's going to use for money.
Don't worry, bub, there's not a hitch
In this here noble plan----
He simply soaks the filthy rich
and helps the common man.
But father, won't there come a time
When they run out of cash
And we have left them not a dime
When things will go to smash?
My faith in you is shrinking, son,
You nosy little brat;
You do too much thinking, son,
To be a Democrat.
H/T: rkwlsn
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Sundays are for Beauty: St. Olaf Viking Chorus
That's the St Olaf College Viking Chorus performing Franz Biebl's Ave Maria on this First Sunday of Advent.
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Friday, November 25, 2011
Thursday, November 24, 2011
The Thanksgiving Proclamation
Thanksgiving Proclamation
[New York, 3 October 1789]
By the President of the United States of America, a Proclamation.
Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor-- and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.
Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be-- That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks--for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation--for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his Providence which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war--for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed--for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted--for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us.
and also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions-- to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually--to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed--to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord--To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the encrease of science among them and us--and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.
Given under my hand at the City of New York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.
Go: Washington
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
White House Thanksgivings: Compare and Contrast
This was posted on the Seasons of Grace Blog today.
ONE WAY TO GRANT A PRESIDENTIAL PARDON TO THANKSGIVING TURKEYS:
Talk about the spared turkey as “lucky.” Note that your family, in a photo op, will deliver “unlucky” turkeys to a food bank.
Make a mocking, “funny” Sign of the Cross over the pardoned bird—an obvious disregard for the importance of this sacred symbol for Catholics and people of faith.
Disregard your daughters, standing beside you in bored complacency. Instead, focus your attention on the cameras.
Use the opportunity to obliquely criticize the United States Congress. Say things like “Some of you know that recently I’ve been taking a series of executive actions that don’t require congressional approval. Well, here’s another one.”
Use the opportunity to criticize the media. Say things like “They received the most important part of media training, which involves learning to gobble without saying anything.”
Never mention God, or thanks, or grace, or the American people. Never mention anything noble. Keep the attention on yourself.
ANOTHER WAY TO GRANT A PRESIDENTIAL PARDON TO THANKSGIVING TURKEYS:
Thank the men and women in uniform and talk about how proud you are of them.
Thank the armies of compassion—volunteers who feed the hungry and shelter the poor, teachers and nurses and pastors and firefighters, and others who serve their neighbors and better their communities.
Thank your wonderful and supportive family, and talk about the blessing they have been in your life.
Thank your wife for her love.
Thank your two daughters, “Thanksgiving blessings” some 27 years ago.
Express your thanks that your mother is doing well.
Express your thanks for a new son-in-law at the dinner table this year.
Thank the American people for the tremendous privilege of serving as President.
Wish all Americans a Happy Thanksgiving, and ask God to bless them.
H/T: rmck1
ONE WAY TO GRANT A PRESIDENTIAL PARDON TO THANKSGIVING TURKEYS:
Talk about the spared turkey as “lucky.” Note that your family, in a photo op, will deliver “unlucky” turkeys to a food bank.
Make a mocking, “funny” Sign of the Cross over the pardoned bird—an obvious disregard for the importance of this sacred symbol for Catholics and people of faith.
Disregard your daughters, standing beside you in bored complacency. Instead, focus your attention on the cameras.
Use the opportunity to obliquely criticize the United States Congress. Say things like “Some of you know that recently I’ve been taking a series of executive actions that don’t require congressional approval. Well, here’s another one.”
Use the opportunity to criticize the media. Say things like “They received the most important part of media training, which involves learning to gobble without saying anything.”
Never mention God, or thanks, or grace, or the American people. Never mention anything noble. Keep the attention on yourself.
ANOTHER WAY TO GRANT A PRESIDENTIAL PARDON TO THANKSGIVING TURKEYS:
Thank the men and women in uniform and talk about how proud you are of them.
Thank the armies of compassion—volunteers who feed the hungry and shelter the poor, teachers and nurses and pastors and firefighters, and others who serve their neighbors and better their communities.
Thank your wonderful and supportive family, and talk about the blessing they have been in your life.
Thank your wife for her love.
Thank your two daughters, “Thanksgiving blessings” some 27 years ago.
Express your thanks that your mother is doing well.
Express your thanks for a new son-in-law at the dinner table this year.
Thank the American people for the tremendous privilege of serving as President.
Wish all Americans a Happy Thanksgiving, and ask God to bless them.
H/T: rmck1