Too Many Trips to the Well

The Wall Street Journal in what looks like an obituary for ObamaCare:

A look back suggests the president and his allies may have "overlearned" the lessons of President Bill Clinton's 1993-1994 health-care defeat. They expended great effort to line up the support of health-care insurers, pharmaceutical makers and care providers, believing that by keeping them around the table, they could win over Republicans (emphasis added) and stop the kind of industry-led attacks that helped sink the Clinton plan. But this strategy left out the wooing of public opinion, which was being affected by broader events, including the economic crisis and anger over bank bailouts.

Here we see the folly of Administration and Congress believing opponents of socialized medicine are the cardboard-cutout stereotypes their college professors taught them they were; that all that was necessary was to bribe and threaten big pharma and insurance into submission and dim-witted lumpenproletariat conservatives, regarding it as nihil obstat, would meekly follow suit. What a delightful rude awakening then for Administration and Congress, most of whom have never had an honest job in their lives, to be angrily accosted by working stiffs deeply resentful of faux-aristocrats imperiously asserting authority over their welfare while simultaneously spending our republic into bankruptcy.

We need not need savor this moment however for there will be many more of them to enjoy in the months and years to come.

Too Many Trips to the Well

The Wall Street Journal in what looks like an obituary for ObamaCare:

A look back suggests the president and his allies may have "overlearned" the lessons of President Bill Clinton's 1993-1994 health-care defeat. They expended great effort to line up the support of health-care insurers, pharmaceutical makers and care providers, believing that by keeping them around the table, they could win over Republicans (emphasis added) and stop the kind of industry-led attacks that helped sink the Clinton plan. But this strategy left out the wooing of public opinion, which was being affected by broader events, including the economic crisis and anger over bank bailouts.

Here we see the folly of Administration and Congress believing opponents of socialized medicine are the cardboard-cutout stereotypes their college professors taught them they were; that all that was necessary was to bribe and threaten big pharma and insurance into submission and dim-witted lumpenproletariat conservatives, regarding it as nihil obstat, would meekly follow suit. What a delightful rude awakening then for Administration and Congress, most of whom have never had an honest job in their lives, to be angrily accosted by working stiffs deeply resentful of faux-aristocrats imperiously asserting authority over their welfare while simultaneously spending our republic into bankruptcy.

We need not need savor this moment however for there will be many more of them to enjoy in the months and years to come.

Metamorphosis

With its scintillating spread (with accompanying photo shoot) on Levi Johnston, the inarticulate but semi-photogenic fellow whose sole accomplishment thus far in life's journey has been the impregnation of Sarah Palin's daughter, Vanity Fair, ages ago a respectable journal, completes its transformation into Us Magazine for the chattering classes (who will devour the piece with alacrity). It is a publication no one needs now regard with the slightest seriousness nor, of course, its subscribers.

Metamorphosis

With its scintillating spread (with accompanying photo shoot) on Levi Johnston, the inarticulate but semi-photogenic fellow whose sole accomplishment thus far in life's journey has been the impregnation of Sarah Palin's daughter, Vanity Fair, ages ago a respectable journal, completes its transformation into Us Magazine for the chattering classes (who will devour the piece with alacrity). It is a publication no one needs now regard with the slightest seriousness nor, of course, its subscribers.

Professional Courtesy?

Scammers pumping out emails that try to trick recipients into parting with large sums of cash are getting a helping hand from the Democratic National Committee.

According to a researcher with anti-spam company Cloudmark, 419 fraudsters have been relaying a "significant" amount of messages through the democrats.org domain name. The abuse, which dates back at least to the beginning of this month, helps evade filters that internet service providers employ to block the messages.

What's especially insidious about this diabolical undertaking is the intentions of the licit and illicit messages are precisely the same.

(Thanks to Instapundit.)

Professional Courtesy?

Scammers pumping out emails that try to trick recipients into parting with large sums of cash are getting a helping hand from the Democratic National Committee.

According to a researcher with anti-spam company Cloudmark, 419 fraudsters have been relaying a "significant" amount of messages through the democrats.org domain name. The abuse, which dates back at least to the beginning of this month, helps evade filters that internet service providers employ to block the messages.

What's especially insidious about this diabolical undertaking is the intentions of the licit and illicit messages are precisely the same.

(Thanks to Instapundit.)

Canterbury Sends Rome More of Her Best

The Society of All Saints' Sisters of the Poor, an order of Episcopal nuns near Baltimore, has after a long period discernment elected to be received, along with their chaplain Fr. Warren Tanghe, into the Holy Catholic Church on September 3rd. As a glance at the picture above will suggest, the sisters are a traditional order (I wonder if there is a single felt banner in their convent) and were, not surprisingly, having increasing difficulty reconciling their order to the ever-increasing heterodoxy of the Episcopal Church. From the (Baltimore) Catholic Review:

“We kept thinking we could help by being a witness for orthodoxy,” said Sister Mary Joan Walker, the community’s archivist.

Mother Christina said that effort “was not as helpful as we had hoped it would be.”

“People who did not know us looked at us as if we were in agreement with what had been going on (in the Episcopal Church),” she said. “By staying put and not doing anything, we were sending a message which was not correct.”

Those few remaining orthodox Episcopalians who still believe they might reverse their church's innovations of the past 30 years from within should note well the sisters' example, as well the following:

The sisters acknowledged it hasn’t been easy leaving the Episcopal Church, for which they expressed great affection. Some of their friends have been hurt by their pending departure, they said.

“Some feel we are abandoning the fight to maintain orthodoxy,” said Sister Emily Ann Lindsey. “We’re not. We’re doing it in another realm right now.”

Happily for the sisters they alone hold title to their considerable property so they should not have to face the greedy maw, in the form of lawsuits, from the Episcopal Church's Presiding Bishop Schori and her Consigliere Beers. Those who long for decent Catholic liturgy (especially hard to find in the Baltimore area I understand) should find the following especially heartening.

In addition to worshiping in the Latin rite, the sisters have received permission from the archbishop to attend Mass celebrated in the Anglican-use rite – a liturgy that adapts many of the prayers from the Episcopal tradition. Mother Christina said 10 archdiocesan priests, including Auxiliary Bishop Denis J. Madden, have stepped forward to learn how to celebrate the Anglican-use Mass.

The sisters' embrace of the full faith and sacraments of the Holy Catholic Church is sad news of course to the dwindling number of orthodox Episcopalians but joyful news to Catholics, especially traditionalists; the Anglicans posses a glorious worship tradition and Holy Church's considerable legacy would be enriched even further if it were subsumed by her.

Canterbury Sends Rome More of Her Best

The Society of All Saints' Sisters of the Poor, an order of Episcopal nuns near Baltimore, has after a long period discernment elected to be received, along with their chaplain Fr. Warren Tanghe, into the Holy Catholic Church on September 3rd. As a glance at the picture above will suggest, the sisters are a traditional order (I wonder if there is a single felt banner in their convent) and were, not surprisingly, having increasing difficulty reconciling their order to the ever-increasing heterodoxy of the Episcopal Church. From the (Baltimore) Catholic Review:

“We kept thinking we could help by being a witness for orthodoxy,” said Sister Mary Joan Walker, the community’s archivist.

Mother Christina said that effort “was not as helpful as we had hoped it would be.”

“People who did not know us looked at us as if we were in agreement with what had been going on (in the Episcopal Church),” she said. “By staying put and not doing anything, we were sending a message which was not correct.”

Those few remaining orthodox Episcopalians who still believe they might reverse their church's innovations of the past 30 years from within should note well the sisters' example, as well the following:

The sisters acknowledged it hasn’t been easy leaving the Episcopal Church, for which they expressed great affection. Some of their friends have been hurt by their pending departure, they said.

“Some feel we are abandoning the fight to maintain orthodoxy,” said Sister Emily Ann Lindsey. “We’re not. We’re doing it in another realm right now.”

Happily for the sisters they alone hold title to their considerable property so they should not have to face the greedy maw, in the form of lawsuits, from the Episcopal Church's Presiding Bishop Schori and her Consigliere Beers. Those who long for decent Catholic liturgy (especially hard to find in the Baltimore area I understand) should find the following especially heartening.

In addition to worshiping in the Latin rite, the sisters have received permission from the archbishop to attend Mass celebrated in the Anglican-use rite – a liturgy that adapts many of the prayers from the Episcopal tradition. Mother Christina said 10 archdiocesan priests, including Auxiliary Bishop Denis J. Madden, have stepped forward to learn how to celebrate the Anglican-use Mass.

The sisters' embrace of the full faith and sacraments of the Holy Catholic Church is sad news of course to the dwindling number of orthodox Episcopalians but joyful news to Catholics, especially traditionalists; the Anglicans posses a glorious worship tradition and Holy Church's considerable legacy would be enriched even further if it were subsumed by her.

De mortuis nil nisi bonum

Edward Moore Kennedy, 1932-2009

De mortuis nil nisi bonum

Edward Moore Kennedy, 1932-2009

How Will Anyone Know?

Rhode Island to shut down state government for 12 days.

How Will Anyone Know?

Rhode Island to shut down state government for 12 days.

Spotlight on Democracy

This past weekend your Bloviator took in the 123rd annual Delaware County Fair, something he's wanted to do for years but was unable to find the time until now. As luck would have it that very same day the New York State Legislature was holding a special session on the fairgrounds, presumably so constituents could have a close-up look at how democracy works in New York State. I managed to sneak some pictures and am pleased to share them with you.


Here we see the New York State Senate in the midst of vigorous debate over a bill under consideration. I was unable at first to learn the bill's contents but a source (who swore me to secrecy) did reveal the astonishing information it would require the imposition of higher taxes and fees from Albany.


The bill just passed! The contents are now clearly revealed and all that is needed is the signature of the Governor...


who was delayed, busy posing for a photo-op. Say "Cheese," Governor!


Nearby I ran into some of the the legislators' constituents, the good folks who year after year vote those hard-working denizens back into office.

All in all a most satisfying day seeing democracy in action.

Spotlight on Democracy

This past weekend your Bloviator took in the 123rd annual Delaware County Fair, something he's wanted to do for years but was unable to find the time until now. As luck would have it that very same day the New York State Legislature was holding a special session on the fairgrounds, presumably so constituents could have a close-up look at how democracy works in New York State. I managed to sneak some pictures and am pleased to share them with you.


Here we see the New York State Senate in the midst of vigorous debate over a bill under consideration. I was unable at first to learn the bill's contents but a source (who swore me to secrecy) did reveal the astonishing information it would require the imposition of higher taxes and fees from Albany.


The bill just passed! The contents are now clearly revealed and all that is needed is the signature of the Governor...


who was delayed, busy posing for a photo-op. Say "Cheese," Governor!


Nearby I ran into some of the the legislators' constituents, the good folks who year after year vote those hard-working denizens back into office.

All in all a most satisfying day seeing democracy in action.

This Time Stay There!

We all knew the lefties would drop Cynthia Sheehan, the anti-war protester, into the trash can when she was no longer useful to them. That they did but I never would have believed they would shove her back into it when she tried to crawl out.

This Time Stay There!

We all knew the lefties would drop Cynthia Sheehan, the anti-war protester, into the trash can when she was no longer useful to them. That they did but I never would have believed they would shove her back into it when she tried to crawl out.

That Old-Time Religion

There is a rousing discussion taking place at Christopher Johnson's MCJ over just when the Episcopal Church began its downward spiral. Johnson reasonably suggests that the institution's refusal to charge Bishop Spong with heresy 30 years ago marked the beginning of the troubles. Commenters have suggested numerous other possibilities including the heresies of a predecessor of Spong's, Bishop Pike, who also got away with them. Other suggestions include the church's liberalization of rules concerning divorced persons remarrying; the ordination of women; the church's endorsement of birth control, beginning with the cautious endorsement years ago of the use of contraception in sharply specific circumstances and culminating in our time with the joyful celebration of abortion for any reason, any time. Professor Tighe obligingly notes the remarkable number of heretics entertained by the Episcopal Church over the years, blotting her escutcheon all the way back to the nineteenth century.

Ironically, one seemingly likely culprit for inclusion in the Episcopal rogues gallery, Gene Robinson, the adulterous attention-glomming Bishop of New Hampshire, merits only a brief mention in passing by Chris Johnson and by none of his commenters. I can't help thinking Robinson might feel snubbed by that (he does so exalt in being snubbed) but the astonishing fact is Robinson's theology, such as it is, is actually less appalling than those others mentioned above, which should give anyone not familiar with the Episcopal Church a fair idea what a dreadful state she is in these days.

I think the correct answer to the question who or what led to the demise of the Episcopal Church and most of mainstream protestantism is "all of the above and lots, lots more." Lacking strong central authority (or Magisterium, if you will) left most protestant denominations utterly defenseless to assaults from the radical proponents of 1960s "counter-culture" who successfully completed their takeover of most of those institutions, including the Episcopal Church, by the end of the 1970s.

Bishop Spong repeatedly claimed his church "must change or die" if the "reforms" he flogged were not enacted. They were enacted and his church continues to die. Meanwhile, the Catholic Church, which had a mighty close call with the counter-culture, suffering egregious damage,has nevertheless managed to hold the line in her moral teachings and theology (let us all pray for the repose of the soul of that unsung hero Pope Paul VI and give thanks for his brave stance in Humanae Vitae). After a steep decline in membership during those wretched years of folk masses and crappy liturgy, not to mention the unspeakable scandal of rapist priests and their protectors, the tide has turned for the Catholic Church, thanks in large part to our present Pope who is slowly making repairs and stressing traditional teachings and worship. What a surprise: membership is on the rise again and, even more heartening, so are vocations.

That Old-Time Religion

There is a rousing discussion taking place at Christopher Johnson's MCJ over just when the Episcopal Church began its downward spiral. Johnson reasonably suggests that the institution's refusal to charge Bishop Spong with heresy 30 years ago marked the beginning of the troubles. Commenters have suggested numerous other possibilities including the heresies of a predecessor of Spong's, Bishop Pike, who also got away with them. Other suggestions include the church's liberalization of rules concerning divorced persons remarrying; the ordination of women; the church's endorsement of birth control, beginning with the cautious endorsement years ago of the use of contraception in sharply specific circumstances and culminating in our time with the joyful celebration of abortion for any reason, any time. Professor Tighe obligingly notes the remarkable number of heretics entertained by the Episcopal Church over the years, blotting her escutcheon all the way back to the nineteenth century.

Ironically, one seemingly likely culprit for inclusion in the Episcopal rogues gallery, Gene Robinson, the adulterous attention-glomming Bishop of New Hampshire, merits only a brief mention in passing by Chris Johnson and by none of his commenters. I can't help thinking Robinson might feel snubbed by that (he does so exalt in being snubbed) but the astonishing fact is Robinson's theology, such as it is, is actually less appalling than those others mentioned above, which should give anyone not familiar with the Episcopal Church a fair idea what a dreadful state she is in these days.

I think the correct answer to the question who or what led to the demise of the Episcopal Church and most of mainstream protestantism is "all of the above and lots, lots more." Lacking strong central authority (or Magisterium, if you will) left most protestant denominations utterly defenseless to assaults from the radical proponents of 1960s "counter-culture" who successfully completed their takeover of most of those institutions, including the Episcopal Church, by the end of the 1970s.

Bishop Spong repeatedly claimed his church "must change or die" if the "reforms" he flogged were not enacted. They were enacted and his church continues to die. Meanwhile, the Catholic Church, which had a mighty close call with the counter-culture, suffering egregious damage,has nevertheless managed to hold the line in her moral teachings and theology (let us all pray for the repose of the soul of that unsung hero Pope Paul VI and give thanks for his brave stance in Humanae Vitae). After a steep decline in membership during those wretched years of folk masses and crappy liturgy, not to mention the unspeakable scandal of rapist priests and their protectors, the tide has turned for the Catholic Church, thanks in large part to our present Pope who is slowly making repairs and stressing traditional teachings and worship. What a surprise: membership is on the rise again and, even more heartening, so are vocations.

Cry the Beloved Country

Ms. Sara Robinson, sedulous but perky chronicler of the Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy for the distinguished Campaign for America's Future blog, has been worried sick about the insidious fascistic movement in our country. Plucky optimist she is, however, she has up to now preached caution to her devoted followers.

All through the dark years of the Bush Administration, progressives watched in horror as Constitutional protections vanished, nativist rhetoric ratcheted up, hate speech turned into intimidation and violence, and the president of the United States seized for himself powers only demanded by history's worst dictators. With each new outrage, the small handful of us who'd made ourselves experts on right-wing culture and politics would hear once again from worried readers: Is this it? Have we finally become a fascist state? Are we there yet?

And every time this question got asked, people like Chip Berlet and Dave Neiwert and Fred Clarkson and yours truly would look up from our maps like a parent on a long drive, and smile a wan smile of reassurance. "Wellll...we're on a bad road, and if we don't change course, we could end up there soon enough. But there's also still plenty of time and opportunity to turn back. Watch, but don't worry. As bad as this looks: no -- we are not there yet."

Alas for America, Ms. Robinson has wiped that wan smile of reassurance from her face. Having grimly trained her gimlet eye on the nascent "teabag" (sic) movement and the resultant unpleasantness where jack-booted seniors and people who work for a living brutally assault, with harsh words and raised voices at "town hall" meetings, dedicated members of our Congress as they heroically but vainly assure them hard-working public servants in Washington D.C. know what is best for them when it comes to health care, Ms. Robinson declares now fascism has arrived, albeit lightening her tragic pronouncement somewhat by continuing the virtuoso display of her powerful gift for metaphor.

It's odd that I haven't been asked for quite a while; but if you asked me today, I'd tell you that if we're not there right now, we've certainly taken that last turn into the parking lot and are now looking for a space. Either way, our fascist American future now looms very large in the front windshield -- and those of us who value American democracy need to understand how we got here, what's changing now, and what's at stake in the very near future if these people are allowed to win -- or even hold their ground.

All is not lost, however. The saintly Ms. Robinson has promised us she will reveal in her very next post how our republic may be rescued from the evil forces looming in the collective, bug-splattered windshield. Bless her selfless soul.

Cry the Beloved Country

Ms. Sara Robinson, sedulous but perky chronicler of the Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy for the distinguished Campaign for America's Future blog, has been worried sick about the insidious fascistic movement in our country. Plucky optimist she is, however, she has up to now preached caution to her devoted followers.

All through the dark years of the Bush Administration, progressives watched in horror as Constitutional protections vanished, nativist rhetoric ratcheted up, hate speech turned into intimidation and violence, and the president of the United States seized for himself powers only demanded by history's worst dictators. With each new outrage, the small handful of us who'd made ourselves experts on right-wing culture and politics would hear once again from worried readers: Is this it? Have we finally become a fascist state? Are we there yet?

And every time this question got asked, people like Chip Berlet and Dave Neiwert and Fred Clarkson and yours truly would look up from our maps like a parent on a long drive, and smile a wan smile of reassurance. "Wellll...we're on a bad road, and if we don't change course, we could end up there soon enough. But there's also still plenty of time and opportunity to turn back. Watch, but don't worry. As bad as this looks: no -- we are not there yet."

Alas for America, Ms. Robinson has wiped that wan smile of reassurance from her face. Having grimly trained her gimlet eye on the nascent "teabag" (sic) movement and the resultant unpleasantness where jack-booted seniors and people who work for a living brutally assault, with harsh words and raised voices at "town hall" meetings, dedicated members of our Congress as they heroically but vainly assure them hard-working public servants in Washington D.C. know what is best for them when it comes to health care, Ms. Robinson declares now fascism has arrived, albeit lightening her tragic pronouncement somewhat by continuing the virtuoso display of her powerful gift for metaphor.

It's odd that I haven't been asked for quite a while; but if you asked me today, I'd tell you that if we're not there right now, we've certainly taken that last turn into the parking lot and are now looking for a space. Either way, our fascist American future now looms very large in the front windshield -- and those of us who value American democracy need to understand how we got here, what's changing now, and what's at stake in the very near future if these people are allowed to win -- or even hold their ground.

All is not lost, however. The saintly Ms. Robinson has promised us she will reveal in her very next post how our republic may be rescued from the evil forces looming in the collective, bug-splattered windshield. Bless her selfless soul.

For God's Sake, Enough

I am on vacation. Bloviating will resume in good time.

For God's Sake, Enough

I am on vacation. Bloviating will resume in good time.

All In

President Obama, via the Democratic National Committee, is urging supporters of national health insurance to fight back against those opposed to it, accusing those opponents (ironically) of being part of an "astroturf campaign;" of being shills for the insurance companies and branding them "mobs" and "right-wing extremists."

The President is taking a considerable gamble. If his pet program crashes and burns (and as support for it seems to be dropping daily that seems an increasing possibility), his credibility will be shot. Launching a harsh, name-calling campaign against "extremists," only to lose to them because they turn out to be a substantial and now alienated majority, could render the President a politically spent force and, possibly, a lame duck before even the first year has passed in his presidency.

All In

President Obama, via the Democratic National Committee, is urging supporters of national health insurance to fight back against those opposed to it, accusing those opponents (ironically) of being part of an "astroturf campaign;" of being shills for the insurance companies and branding them "mobs" and "right-wing extremists."

The President is taking a considerable gamble. If his pet program crashes and burns (and as support for it seems to be dropping daily that seems an increasing possibility), his credibility will be shot. Launching a harsh, name-calling campaign against "extremists," only to lose to them because they turn out to be a substantial and now alienated majority, could render the President a politically spent force and, possibly, a lame duck before even the first year has passed in his presidency.

Saint's Day

The 150th anniversary of the death of St. Jean-Baptiste-Marie Vianney, Curé d'Ars. The patron saint of priests and inspiration to all of us not exactly scholars.

Saint's Day

The 150th anniversary of the death of St. Jean-Baptiste-Marie Vianney, Curé d'Ars. The patron saint of priests and inspiration to all of us not exactly scholars.

What We May Look Forward To

The bad news: In 2008, the State of Oregon Health Plan (government run) wouldn't pay for the pills this woman needed to keep her alive; too darned expensive.

The good news: the Plan was happy pay for the pills she would need to off herself; dirt cheap.

With the intention of nipping problems like this in the bud, the Plan also provides abortions at little or no cost.

What We May Look Forward To

The bad news: In 2008, the State of Oregon Health Plan (government run) wouldn't pay for the pills this woman needed to keep her alive; too darned expensive.

The good news: the Plan was happy pay for the pills she would need to off herself; dirt cheap.

With the intention of nipping problems like this in the bud, the Plan also provides abortions at little or no cost.

St. Thomas More, Pray for Us

There is increasing talk in the Anglican Communion, even from the Archbishop of Canterbury himself, of the establishment of "two-track" Anglicanism; one track consisting of western liberal organizations like the Episcopal Church and the other of those from the global south and east that lean closer to orthodoxy. Further, there is even the suggestion that the Episcopal Church set up shop in England to minister to those in the C of E who find the Christo-centric nature of traditional Anglican worship far too narrow a gate for their theological purposes.

The purpose, I assume, of this self-imposed bifurcation is to quarantine the toxic innovations of western liberals from the rest of the Anglican Communion, in order to buy peace between the two sides, while concomitantly maintaining amicable relations with the liberals so that they might continue to spread their considerable largess around rest of the Communion. I have my doubts.

The intentional division of Anglicanism brings to mind an utterance by Thomas More to William Roper, his son-in-law and biographer, that is as salient now as it was then.

I pray God that some of us, as high as we seem to sit upon the mountains, treading heretics under our feet like ants, live not the day, that we gladly would wish to be at league and composition with them, to let them have their churches quietly to themselves; so that they would be content to let us have ours quietly to ourselves.

St. Thomas More, Pray for Us

There is increasing talk in the Anglican Communion, even from the Archbishop of Canterbury himself, of the establishment of "two-track" Anglicanism; one track consisting of western liberal organizations like the Episcopal Church and the other of those from the global south and east that lean closer to orthodoxy. Further, there is even the suggestion that the Episcopal Church set up shop in England to minister to those in the C of E who find the Christo-centric nature of traditional Anglican worship far too narrow a gate for their theological purposes.

The purpose, I assume, of this self-imposed bifurcation is to quarantine the toxic innovations of western liberals from the rest of the Anglican Communion, in order to buy peace between the two sides, while concomitantly maintaining amicable relations with the liberals so that they might continue to spread their considerable largess around rest of the Communion. I have my doubts.

The intentional division of Anglicanism brings to mind an utterance by Thomas More to William Roper, his son-in-law and biographer, that is as salient now as it was then.

I pray God that some of us, as high as we seem to sit upon the mountains, treading heretics under our feet like ants, live not the day, that we gladly would wish to be at league and composition with them, to let them have their churches quietly to themselves; so that they would be content to let us have ours quietly to ourselves.

Economic Elucidation in Santa Cruz

The young miss here speaks on solutions to the economic woes besetting California but I say she has a place in the Obama administration.

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

(Thanks to For What It's Worth.)

Economic Elucidation in Santa Cruz

The young miss here speaks on solutions to the economic woes besetting California but I say she has a place in the Obama administration.

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

(Thanks to For What It's Worth.)

Oh Yeah, That Too

Mr. Dave Matthews, noted rock 'n' roll musician:

Music should be not only a source for political ideas but also a source of hope, for the simple things in life like dancing.

Peculiar order he has there but it goes a long way explaining why I find pop music so insufferably boring these days.

Oh Yeah, That Too

Mr. Dave Matthews, noted rock 'n' roll musician:

Music should be not only a source for political ideas but also a source of hope, for the simple things in life like dancing.

Peculiar order he has there but it goes a long way explaining why I find pop music so insufferably boring these days.

Tricky Dick and Barack

President Richard Nixon, asked at a press conference about lunatic murderer Charles Manson, whose trial was underway, declared that he was "obviously guilty." It was a foolish thing for Nixon to say, considering he was not only the President but a lawyer, too.

President Barack Obama, asked at a press conference about the arrest for disorderly conduct by Cambridge, Massachussets police of chronically-aggrieved Harvard Professor Henry Gates (who was mistakenly thought to be breaking and entering his own home) declared the police "acted stupidly." It was a foolish thing for Obama to say, considering he is not only the President but lawyer, too.

Tricky Dick and Barack

President Richard Nixon, asked at a press conference about lunatic murderer Charles Manson, whose trial was underway, declared that he was "obviously guilty." It was a foolish thing for Nixon to say, considering he was not only the President but a lawyer, too.

President Barack Obama, asked at a press conference about the arrest for disorderly conduct by Cambridge, Massachussets police of chronically-aggrieved Harvard Professor Henry Gates (who was mistakenly thought to be breaking and entering his own home) declared the police "acted stupidly." It was a foolish thing for Obama to say, considering he is not only the President but lawyer, too.

Diary of a Newly Minted Papist: Reconsidering My Reconsidering Beggars.

I've written in the past of the cheerful panhandler, Joe, who just before the noonday mass at the Church of Our Saviour in Manhattan parks himself near the west door to receive donations. Joe never whines about being hungry or homeless; his only desire, seemingly, to secure sufficient funds with which to procure a supply of bumwine to get him through the day. Because of his utter lack of guile Joe has endeared himself to many of the noon regulars. I occasionally threaten (jestingly) to one day drag him into the church for mass but he laughs it off; as do I, thence proceeding inside after dropping a quarter or two into his hands.

The good worshipers of Our Saviour must be doing well by Joe: today, walking by him (I had no coins to spare this time), I noticed he was vigorously engaged in conversation on a cell phone but was able to manage a friendly wave. Observing that, I will confess to briefly considering the wisdom my meager handouts to Joe but, in the end, decided to continue them, for the same reason as before: his utter lack of guile. A lesser beggar would take pains to hide or disguise a cell phone but not our honest Joe.

Diary of a Newly Minted Papist: Reconsidering My Reconsidering Beggars.

I've written in the past of the cheerful panhandler, Joe, who just before the noonday mass at the Church of Our Saviour in Manhattan parks himself near the west door to receive donations. Joe never whines about being hungry or homeless; his only desire, seemingly, to secure sufficient funds with which to procure a supply of bumwine to get him through the day. Because of his utter lack of guile Joe has endeared himself to many of the noon regulars. I occasionally threaten (jestingly) to one day drag him into the church for mass but he laughs it off; as do I, thence proceeding inside after dropping a quarter or two into his hands.

The good worshipers of Our Saviour must be doing well by Joe: today, walking by him (I had no coins to spare this time), I noticed he was vigorously engaged in conversation on a cell phone but was able to manage a friendly wave. Observing that, I will confess to briefly considering the wisdom my meager handouts to Joe but, in the end, decided to continue them, for the same reason as before: his utter lack of guile. A lesser beggar would take pains to hide or disguise a cell phone but not our honest Joe.

Another Thing to Make Fun of...

Bad vestments! Christopher Johnson, proprietor of the Midwest Conservative Journal, has branched out (I wonder if that makes him a branch theorist) and started a new blog devoted to that subject alone. With offings like the one you see above, who can possibly resist?

Another Thing to Make Fun of...

Bad vestments! Christopher Johnson, proprietor of the Midwest Conservative Journal, has branched out (I wonder if that makes him a branch theorist) and started a new blog devoted to that subject alone. With offings like the one you see above, who can possibly resist?

How Great Thou Were

I confess finding it a bit odd charging through the Grand Central IRT station and catching strains of "How Great Thou Art" played, none too well, by a Peruvian panpipes band (which are ubiquitous in the New York City Subways). Even odder for me, though, was its use as the closing hymn this past Sunday at the Francis Cabrini Shrine in Northern Manhattan, where I sometimes attend mass when feeling less ill-disposed than usual toward contemporary Catholic liturgy, music and architecture (a temporary condition, to be sure) and also don't feel like making the trip downtown.



You may find it surprising but I believe some good things did come out of the Vatican II reforms, one of them being the increased inclusion of music in the mass by protestant divines like Bach, Buxtehude, Schütz and Praetorious. Still, it jars to hear an overtly protestant hymn like "How Great Thou Art" in such a Catholic setting as the Cabrini Shrine but at least the congregants there sang it with a certain amount of gusto, which is more than they do with most hymns there, in spite (or more likely, because) of the woman-in-the-front-with-a-microphone problem, found in so many Catholic churches.

As far as I'm concerned, though, there was but one performer of "How Great Thou Art" and his performances surpassed all others by a mile: I write, of course, of the King--Elvis, that is. I prefer his studio recording to the live ones because of its better sound and instrumentation (listen to those kettledrums while he sings "I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder!"). Also, the artist's voice was is in far better repair (as was the artist) than in the later live recordings of the hymn. Outstanding in all versions, though, is Elvis' interpretation, the emotiveness of which makes Mario Lanza's performances of Neapolitan songs seem like paradigms of restraint. Wretched excess never comes better than this.

How Great Thou Were

I confess finding it a bit odd charging through the Grand Central IRT station and catching strains of "How Great Thou Art" played, none too well, by a Peruvian panpipes band (which are ubiquitous in the New York City Subways). Even odder for me, though, was its use as the closing hymn this past Sunday at the Francis Cabrini Shrine in Northern Manhattan, where I sometimes attend mass when feeling less ill-disposed than usual toward contemporary Catholic liturgy, music and architecture (a temporary condition, to be sure) and also don't feel like making the trip downtown.



You may find it surprising but I believe some good things did come out of the Vatican II reforms, one of them being the increased inclusion of music in the mass by protestant divines like Bach, Buxtehude, Schütz and Praetorious. Still, it jars to hear an overtly protestant hymn like "How Great Thou Art" in such a Catholic setting as the Cabrini Shrine but at least the congregants there sang it with a certain amount of gusto, which is more than they do with most hymns there, in spite (or more likely, because) of the woman-in-the-front-with-a-microphone problem, found in so many Catholic churches.

As far as I'm concerned, though, there was but one performer of "How Great Thou Art" and his performances surpassed all others by a mile: I write, of course, of the King--Elvis, that is. I prefer his studio recording to the live ones because of its better sound and instrumentation (listen to those kettledrums while he sings "I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder!"). Also, the artist's voice was is in far better repair (as was the artist) than in the later live recordings of the hymn. Outstanding in all versions, though, is Elvis' interpretation, the emotiveness of which makes Mario Lanza's performances of Neapolitan songs seem like paradigms of restraint. Wretched excess never comes better than this.

What's the Hurry?

The One seems to be getting worried:

Obama: No time for delay on health care

WASHINGTON – Trying to keep the health care debate moving on his terms, President Barack Obama on Tuesday touted the consensus reached by lawmakers so far and dismissed efforts to delay or defeat emerging legislation. He called on Washington's leaders to "insist that this time it will be different."

"The American people understand that the status quo is unacceptable," Obama said in a Rose Garden appearance.

There would be plenty of time for delay, of course, if Congressional support for this bloated socialistic legislation were increasing rather than decreasing, especially among Democrats looking ahead to the elections of 2010 with concern.

I have also lived through enough administrations, Democratic and Republican alike, to know when the President starts insisting the American people want this or that, it is a sure sign his poll numbers are going down in a hurry. (Update: And that appears to be the case.)

And here's a tip, Mr. President: you do your cause no good at all by parking the not-yet-indicted Senator Dodd next to you when you preach "the American people understand that the status quo is unacceptable." Some of them may titter, you know.

What's the Hurry?

The One seems to be getting worried:

Obama: No time for delay on health care

WASHINGTON – Trying to keep the health care debate moving on his terms, President Barack Obama on Tuesday touted the consensus reached by lawmakers so far and dismissed efforts to delay or defeat emerging legislation. He called on Washington's leaders to "insist that this time it will be different."

"The American people understand that the status quo is unacceptable," Obama said in a Rose Garden appearance.

There would be plenty of time for delay, of course, if Congressional support for this bloated socialistic legislation were increasing rather than decreasing, especially among Democrats looking ahead to the elections of 2010 with concern.

I have also lived through enough administrations, Democratic and Republican alike, to know when the President starts insisting the American people want this or that, it is a sure sign his poll numbers are going down in a hurry. (Update: And that appears to be the case.)

And here's a tip, Mr. President: you do your cause no good at all by parking the not-yet-indicted Senator Dodd next to you when you preach "the American people understand that the status quo is unacceptable." Some of them may titter, you know.

This Is Not Pretty...

But vitally important: The Ugliest Church Art Contest. Brace yourself. Then vote.

(Thanks to Banished Child of Eve.)

This Is Not Pretty...

But vitally important: The Ugliest Church Art Contest. Brace yourself. Then vote.

(Thanks to Banished Child of Eve.)

Barbara Boxer in Living Color

I have long thought many white liberals, for all their putative concerns about racism, are racists themselves. Watch as Senator Boxer from California reveals her true colors.



In all fairness, it should be mentioned Senator Boxer is a perennial finisher in the periodic contests for the Dumbest Member of Congress.

Barbara Boxer in Living Color

I have long thought many white liberals, for all their putative concerns about racism, are racists themselves. Watch as Senator Boxer from California reveals her true colors.



In all fairness, it should be mentioned Senator Boxer is a perennial finisher in the periodic contests for the Dumbest Member of Congress.

O Go, All Ye Faithful

This past week at its triennial General Convention the Episcopal Church has been busy resolving itself out of business. Much of the doings have received national attention via media (if you'll excuse the pun) and require no repetition here. There was, however, one resolution not much reported on and the fate it suffered speaks, louder than all the splashier stuff in the headlines, how transmogrified the Episcopal Church is from even a few decades ago and what a bleak future it faces.

Following the lead of the Church of England earlier this year, a priest at the General Convention introduced a resolution that affirmed

the conclusion of the Church of England at its February General Synod and direct[s] the House of Bishops' Committee on Theology to report back to the 77th General Convention on "their understanding of the uniqueness of Christ in the United States multi-faith society, and offer examples and commendations of good practice in sharing the gospel of salvation through Christ alone with people of other faiths and of none."

You would be forgiven thinking that resolution, seemingly boilerplate and non-controversial, would pass quickly, by voice vote even; that stressing the uniqueness of Christ for salvation and the need to preach the Gospel to all nations is kind of the raison d'être of a Christian institution, isn't it?

Think again. Not only did the resolution not pass, it didn't even make it out of the Evangelism (sic) Committee, to which it had been referred. "The Evangelism Committee objected strongly to the resolution and said they thought it was the language of proselytism and exclusivism and they objected to any talk of Christianity superseding Judaism. I was blown away," said Fr. Peter Cook, the resolution's sponsor, to David Virtue. Later at that same session, as if to make manifest their feelings toward Fr. Cook's resolution, the Episcopalians trotted out "a group of ecumenical and inter-religious guests... More than 20 visitors, representing Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, Baha’is, and Sikhs..."

Protestant progressives are continually inviting representatives of other religions to take part in their services and even incorporate elements of those religions into theirs. You never see the favor returned, however; the faith of most Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, Baha'is and Sikhs being sturdy enough it is unnecessary for them to invite the Christians over to play, nor to lard their services with pastiches of Christianity (which they would surely consider heretical). Episcopalians and their brethren in the protestant mainstream who preach fungibility of all faiths in effect confess their own lack of faith. Who wants to hear that every Sunday? No wonder their pews are emptying.

O Go, All Ye Faithful

This past week at its triennial General Convention the Episcopal Church has been busy resolving itself out of business. Much of the doings have received national attention via media (if you'll excuse the pun) and require no repetition here. There was, however, one resolution not much reported on and the fate it suffered speaks, louder than all the splashier stuff in the headlines, how transmogrified the Episcopal Church is from even a few decades ago and what a bleak future it faces.

Following the lead of the Church of England earlier this year, a priest at the General Convention introduced a resolution that affirmed

the conclusion of the Church of England at its February General Synod and direct[s] the House of Bishops' Committee on Theology to report back to the 77th General Convention on "their understanding of the uniqueness of Christ in the United States multi-faith society, and offer examples and commendations of good practice in sharing the gospel of salvation through Christ alone with people of other faiths and of none."

You would be forgiven thinking that resolution, seemingly boilerplate and non-controversial, would pass quickly, by voice vote even; that stressing the uniqueness of Christ for salvation and the need to preach the Gospel to all nations is kind of the raison d'être of a Christian institution, isn't it?

Think again. Not only did the resolution not pass, it didn't even make it out of the Evangelism (sic) Committee, to which it had been referred. "The Evangelism Committee objected strongly to the resolution and said they thought it was the language of proselytism and exclusivism and they objected to any talk of Christianity superseding Judaism. I was blown away," said Fr. Peter Cook, the resolution's sponsor, to David Virtue. Later at that same session, as if to make manifest their feelings toward Fr. Cook's resolution, the Episcopalians trotted out "a group of ecumenical and inter-religious guests... More than 20 visitors, representing Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, Baha’is, and Sikhs..."

Protestant progressives are continually inviting representatives of other religions to take part in their services and even incorporate elements of those religions into theirs. You never see the favor returned, however; the faith of most Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, Baha'is and Sikhs being sturdy enough it is unnecessary for them to invite the Christians over to play, nor to lard their services with pastiches of Christianity (which they would surely consider heretical). Episcopalians and their brethren in the protestant mainstream who preach fungibility of all faiths in effect confess their own lack of faith. Who wants to hear that every Sunday? No wonder their pews are emptying.

Good St. Vincent, Pray for Us

There was a story in the Onion way back that ran as follows.

St. Vincent To World's Catholics: Stop Donating All This Crap To Me

November 4, 1997 | Issue 32•14

VATICAN CITY—Frustrated by the ever-mounting piles of used clothing, old magazines and rusting appliances accumulating in his name in thrift shops around the globe, St. Vincent made a plea to the world’s Catholics Monday to “stop donating all this crap to me.” “If one more paint-covered sweatshirt, dented crock pot, or any other piece of thrift-store garbage is dropped into one of my bins, I am going to snap,” said St. Vincent, named patron of works of charity in 1855. “Please, keep your worthless trash—I don’t want it.”

O good Saint, how I empathize with thee! I am similarly afflicted. Neither my Catholic friends nor my catechists warned me upon embracing the full faith and my name entered into the Archdiocese of New York's database, I would not only be besieged with heart rending appeals and tacky trinkets from seemingly numberless charities tied to Holy Mother Church but that their volume would steadily increase (which suggests the selling or leasing of mailing lists--simony, anyone?). It has reached the point where rarely a day goes by where I do not find an envelope from one of these outfits putting the touch on me.

Worse than the seeming urgency of most of the requests (one outfit's monthly mailings, for as long as I've getting them, are always pseudo-stamped, in bold red capital letters, "EMERGENCY APPEAL") are those trinkets, which include wee bookies, bookmarks, authentic gold-toned guardian angel medallions and similar detritus. Perhaps the most annoying, however, are the rosaries. I believe all the ones I have been getting are from the same source, the Society of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart of the Little Flower (or something like that).

The SOLSHLF at least every other month sends me a cardboard box containing a form letter from a priest extolling his mother who prays the rosary five times a day and hoping I will do same with the enclosed plastic rosary, attached medallion with my first name printed on it and little plastic pouch with zipper to hold the whole business in, that his organization is most pleased to present to me. Also enclosed is a card, to be returned apparently, with a thank-you note already written out that expresses my gratitude for the gift of the "beautiful rosary and...personalized case in which to keep it safe" (from what, I wonder--pickpockets?) and various dollar amounts I may check off in order to more practically express my gratitude. Uh Father? If it's a gift, why are you asking me to pay for it?

I don't pay for it but do confess to some pangs of (Catholic?) guilt for not doing so. I recently consulted a older priest friend of mine what I should do about all this stuff--should I be guilted into donating or ignore it? My friend told me he was similarly plagued and suggested I keep whatever trinkets I liked, throw away the rest and concentrate my giving to the collection basket on Sunday (something I have noticed many Catholics are terrible at); if I feel like giving more, I should give to organizations devoted to the restoration of the Tridentine Mass to Catholic worship. That seems like good advice to me.

Good St. Vincent, Pray for Us

There was a story in the Onion way back that ran as follows.

St. Vincent To World's Catholics: Stop Donating All This Crap To Me

November 4, 1997 | Issue 32•14

VATICAN CITY—Frustrated by the ever-mounting piles of used clothing, old magazines and rusting appliances accumulating in his name in thrift shops around the globe, St. Vincent made a plea to the world’s Catholics Monday to “stop donating all this crap to me.” “If one more paint-covered sweatshirt, dented crock pot, or any other piece of thrift-store garbage is dropped into one of my bins, I am going to snap,” said St. Vincent, named patron of works of charity in 1855. “Please, keep your worthless trash—I don’t want it.”

O good Saint, how I empathize with thee! I am similarly afflicted. Neither my Catholic friends nor my catechists warned me upon embracing the full faith and my name entered into the Archdiocese of New York's database, I would not only be besieged with heart rending appeals and tacky trinkets from seemingly numberless charities tied to Holy Mother Church but that their volume would steadily increase (which suggests the selling or leasing of mailing lists--simony, anyone?). It has reached the point where rarely a day goes by where I do not find an envelope from one of these outfits putting the touch on me.

Worse than the seeming urgency of most of the requests (one outfit's monthly mailings, for as long as I've getting them, are always pseudo-stamped, in bold red capital letters, "EMERGENCY APPEAL") are those trinkets, which include wee bookies, bookmarks, authentic gold-toned guardian angel medallions and similar detritus. Perhaps the most annoying, however, are the rosaries. I believe all the ones I have been getting are from the same source, the Society of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart of the Little Flower (or something like that).

The SOLSHLF at least every other month sends me a cardboard box containing a form letter from a priest extolling his mother who prays the rosary five times a day and hoping I will do same with the enclosed plastic rosary, attached medallion with my first name printed on it and little plastic pouch with zipper to hold the whole business in, that his organization is most pleased to present to me. Also enclosed is a card, to be returned apparently, with a thank-you note already written out that expresses my gratitude for the gift of the "beautiful rosary and...personalized case in which to keep it safe" (from what, I wonder--pickpockets?) and various dollar amounts I may check off in order to more practically express my gratitude. Uh Father? If it's a gift, why are you asking me to pay for it?

I don't pay for it but do confess to some pangs of (Catholic?) guilt for not doing so. I recently consulted a older priest friend of mine what I should do about all this stuff--should I be guilted into donating or ignore it? My friend told me he was similarly plagued and suggested I keep whatever trinkets I liked, throw away the rest and concentrate my giving to the collection basket on Sunday (something I have noticed many Catholics are terrible at); if I feel like giving more, I should give to organizations devoted to the restoration of the Tridentine Mass to Catholic worship. That seems like good advice to me.

RIP Starbucks, Please?

I never did care for Starbucks coffee; to my uneducated pallet it simply tastes over-brewed and burnt but de gustibus non est disputandum. Far more irksome for me is the time it takes to complete a transaction in the places. Nevertheless, I have a Starbucks gift card (given to me last Christmas) occupying precious space in my wallet so this morning I decided to put it to use at a Starbucks near work.

To my initial pleasure and surprise there was no line (a sign of the deepening recession?) so I strode right up to counter to order my small black coffee (I know, not the right lingo but I'm a grownup) and waited for one of the seven employees there to take my order. None did. Three minutes I waited, trying to establish eye contact with at least one of them but no luck. True, they all seemed busy doing something but taking a customer's order apparently was not on the agenda that morning so I gave up and will give the gift card to someone I don't like.

If any good comes out of this recession it will be demise of the all-too-prevalent retailing ethos of these past twenty years, one eagerly embraced by the newly moneyed, that treating customers rudely and charging them a lot for it is a sure indicator of desirability and exclusivity. I think many people are going to decide that is a luxury they can no longer afford.

RIP Starbucks, Please?

I never did care for Starbucks coffee; to my uneducated pallet it simply tastes over-brewed and burnt but de gustibus non est disputandum. Far more irksome for me is the time it takes to complete a transaction in the places. Nevertheless, I have a Starbucks gift card (given to me last Christmas) occupying precious space in my wallet so this morning I decided to put it to use at a Starbucks near work.

To my initial pleasure and surprise there was no line (a sign of the deepening recession?) so I strode right up to counter to order my small black coffee (I know, not the right lingo but I'm a grownup) and waited for one of the seven employees there to take my order. None did. Three minutes I waited, trying to establish eye contact with at least one of them but no luck. True, they all seemed busy doing something but taking a customer's order apparently was not on the agenda that morning so I gave up and will give the gift card to someone I don't like.

If any good comes out of this recession it will be demise of the all-too-prevalent retailing ethos of these past twenty years, one eagerly embraced by the newly moneyed, that treating customers rudely and charging them a lot for it is a sure indicator of desirability and exclusivity. I think many people are going to decide that is a luxury they can no longer afford.

Schadenfreude

From Vanity Fair:

From Yale to Princeton, Columbia to Cornell, budgets are being slashed and construction cranes idled as university investment managers confront their worst losses in a generation. Just the concept of having to balance a budget is a relatively unfamiliar one for many university presidents, who have enjoyed years and years of double-digit investment gains.

Cry me a river.

Schadenfreude

From Vanity Fair:

From Yale to Princeton, Columbia to Cornell, budgets are being slashed and construction cranes idled as university investment managers confront their worst losses in a generation. Just the concept of having to balance a budget is a relatively unfamiliar one for many university presidents, who have enjoyed years and years of double-digit investment gains.

Cry me a river.

Ad Orientem

Great photo:



Catholic GIs at mass in Korea, August 28, 1951; from the website ROK Drop.

(h/t The Western Confucian via Conservative Blog for Peace.)

Ad Orientem

Great photo:



Catholic GIs at mass in Korea, August 28, 1951; from the website ROK Drop.

(h/t The Western Confucian via Conservative Blog for Peace.)

One out of a Hundred

Instapundit links to a site that lists 100 Essential Skills for a Geek. I had always thought I was at least reasonably endowed with geeky characteristics but looking at that list, I see only one skill I can confidently claim, no. 44: "Google obscure facts in under 3 searches" (I can often do it in 1). The other 99? Clueless.

I'm not sure whether to be dismayed or pleased.

One out of a Hundred

Instapundit links to a site that lists 100 Essential Skills for a Geek. I had always thought I was at least reasonably endowed with geeky characteristics but looking at that list, I see only one skill I can confidently claim, no. 44: "Google obscure facts in under 3 searches" (I can often do it in 1). The other 99? Clueless.

I'm not sure whether to be dismayed or pleased.

When Ideology Trumps Fact

Those of a certain age will remember the best selling scare-screed of forty years ago, The Population Bomb, written by Paul Ehrlich, in which the author argued population growth was so out-of-control that unless checked there would be massive and world-wide starvation by the mid '90s. Didn't happen, of course, but Prof. Ehrlich, not content simply to rest on his laurels after scaring the bejeebers out of millions of gullible fools, a few years later, along with his little woman Anne Ehrlich and self-proclaimed "dissident scientist" John P. Holdren, churned out another volume called Ecoscience. In that opus the authors laid out what might have to be done to forestall the catastrophe earlier predicted by Ehrlich. Here are some of their proposals, courtesy of the blog zombietime.

• Women could be forced to abort their pregnancies, whether they wanted to or not;

• The population at large could be sterilized by infertility drugs intentionally put into the nation's drinking water or in food;

• Single mothers and teen mothers should have their babies seized from them against their will and given away to other couples to raise;

• People who "contribute to social deterioration" (i.e. undesirables) "can be required by law to exercise reproductive responsibility" -- in other words, be compelled to have abortions or be sterilized.

• A transnational "Planetary Regime" should assume control of the global economy and also dictate the most intimate details of Americans' lives -- using an armed international police force.

Zombietime fastidiously posts scans of the pages from "Ecoscience" containing those proposals so that no one might suggest its authors were "quoted out of context" or they never made them at all. They weren't and they did; it's all there.

That an old work of junk science is of any concern at all these many years later has nothing to do with the thoroughly discredited and debunked Ehrlichs but with the third member of the troika, John P. Holdren. Mr. Holdren is currently Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, Assistant to the President for Science and Technology, and Co-Chair of the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology. He was appointed to those positions by President Obama. You may recall the President proclaiming back in March that scientific decisions must be "based on facts, not ideology." Apparently that criterion did not obtain in the appointment of Mr. Holdren to the various White House science offices.

(h/t Stand Firm.)

When Ideology Trumps Fact

Those of a certain age will remember the best selling scare-screed of forty years ago, The Population Bomb, written by Paul Ehrlich, in which the author argued population growth was so out-of-control that unless checked there would be massive and world-wide starvation by the mid '90s. Didn't happen, of course, but Prof. Ehrlich, not content simply to rest on his laurels after scaring the bejeebers out of millions of gullible fools, a few years later, along with his little woman Anne Ehrlich and self-proclaimed "dissident scientist" John P. Holdren, churned out another volume called Ecoscience. In that opus the authors laid out what might have to be done to forestall the catastrophe earlier predicted by Ehrlich. Here are some of their proposals, courtesy of the blog zombietime.

• Women could be forced to abort their pregnancies, whether they wanted to or not;

• The population at large could be sterilized by infertility drugs intentionally put into the nation's drinking water or in food;

• Single mothers and teen mothers should have their babies seized from them against their will and given away to other couples to raise;

• People who "contribute to social deterioration" (i.e. undesirables) "can be required by law to exercise reproductive responsibility" -- in other words, be compelled to have abortions or be sterilized.

• A transnational "Planetary Regime" should assume control of the global economy and also dictate the most intimate details of Americans' lives -- using an armed international police force.

Zombietime fastidiously posts scans of the pages from "Ecoscience" containing those proposals so that no one might suggest its authors were "quoted out of context" or they never made them at all. They weren't and they did; it's all there.

That an old work of junk science is of any concern at all these many years later has nothing to do with the thoroughly discredited and debunked Ehrlichs but with the third member of the troika, John P. Holdren. Mr. Holdren is currently Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, Assistant to the President for Science and Technology, and Co-Chair of the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology. He was appointed to those positions by President Obama. You may recall the President proclaiming back in March that scientific decisions must be "based on facts, not ideology." Apparently that criterion did not obtain in the appointment of Mr. Holdren to the various White House science offices.

(h/t Stand Firm.)