Category: News

On the resignation of the Roman Catholic Church Leader Joseph Ratzinger

My Mother and Father always taught me never to say anything bad about other people’s religion. So, I will forgo the wish to waylay the Roman Catholic Church. However, because I am Baptist, and very much a Fundamentalist Christian —– I steadfastly refuse to call that man Pope, father, or anything else like that. Having said that, I was stunned to see this news this morning. Here is the official word from the guy:

Dear Brothers,

I have convoked you to this Consistory, not only for the three canonizations, but also to communicate to you a decision of great importance for the life of the Church. After having repeatedly examined my conscience before God, I have come to the certainty that my strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry. I am well aware that this ministry, due to its essential spiritual nature, must be carried out not only with words and deeds, but no less with prayer and suffering. However, in today’s world, subject to so many rapid changes and shaken by questions of deep relevance for the life of faith, in order to govern the barque of Saint Peter and proclaim the Gospel, both strength of mind and body are necessary, strength which in the last few months, has deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognize my incapacity to adequately fulfill the ministry entrusted to me. For this reason, and well aware of the seriousness of this act, with full freedom I declare that I renounce the ministry of Bishop of Rome, Successor of Saint Peter, entrusted to me by the Cardinals on 19 April 2005, in such a way, that as from 28 February 2013, at 20:00 hours, the See of Rome, the See of Saint Peter, will be vacant and a Conclave to elect the new Supreme Pontiff will have to be convoked by those whose competence it is.

Dear Brothers, I thank you most sincerely for all the love and work with which you have supported me in my ministry and I ask pardon for all my defects. And now, let us entrust the Holy Church to the care of Our Supreme Pastor, Our Lord Jesus Christ, and implore his holy Mother Mary, so that she may assist the Cardinal Fathers with her maternal solicitude, in electing a new Supreme Pontiff. With regard to myself, I wish to also devotedly serve the Holy Church of God in the future through a life dedicated to prayer.

via Vatican Radio – Pope Benedict XVI announces his resignation at end of month.

I realize to many this man is like the leader of the papal Church and because of that, I can understand why many people were shocked to see that he resigned. First time it has happened, was 600 years ago in 1415; so I can see why this would be a great shock to many.

So, to you, Joe, I wish you the best in retirement; I can only imagine how rough of a job that can be. I mean, being the leader of that big of a cult Religion, must be terrible rough on a guy.

Blogger reactions from those I care to link to, Via Memeorandum, of course: Da Tech Guy’s Blog, Twitchy, The Anchoress, Hot Air, The Other McCain,Scared Monkeys, Red Alert Politics and The PJ Tatler, American Spectator, The Spectacle Blog, , Outside the Beltway, Hugh Hewitt’s TownHall Blog

AdBrite RIP

I was wondering why my site was loading funny. Went to check AdBrite’s site and got a 404. I checked and sure enough, the recession got these guys too.

Advertising exchange AdBrite is shutting down, after an attempt to find a buyer for the company failed. CEO Hardeep Bindra is telling partners that the company, which has 26 employees, will close by the end of the month, and is selling off its assets. In an interview, Bindra says he had been trying to sell off the entire company, but sales talks “unfortunately fell through a couple weeks ago.” AdBrite raised a reported $40 million since 2004, much of it from Sequoia Capital. It was best known for many years as the creation of Philip Kaplan, who had achieved notoriety during the end of the Web 1.0 boom for his FuckedCompany site. For years the company described itself as the “largest independent ad exchange, rivaling Google and Yahoo.” — Sales Talks Fell Through, So Ad Exchange AdBrite Shuts Down – Peter Kafka – Media – AllThingsD

I would blame google, but I really just do not believe that it was their fault. Web Advertising has taken a massive beating since the recession of 2008. I guess for now, I will just have to stick with Infolinks. I took all of the banners out for AdBrite, so things will not be as cluttered as they were before. I just hope I do get what little is coming to me from those guys. It was not much; but it was a little bit at least. 

Ed Koch RIP

Video:

 

The Story via the New York Times:

Edward I. Koch, the master showman of City Hall, who parlayed shrewd political instincts and plenty of chutzpah into three tumultuous terms as mayor of New York with all the tenacity, zest and combativeness that personified his city of golden dreams, died Friday morning at age 88.

Mr. Koch’s spokesman, George Arzt, said the former mayor died at 2 a.m. from congestive heart failure. He was being treated at New York-Presbyterian/Columbia hospital.

Mr. Koch had experienced coronary and other medical problems since leaving office in 1989. But he had been in relatively good health despite — or perhaps because of — his whirlwind life as a television judge, radio talk-show host, author, law partner, newspaper columnist, movie reviewer, professor, commercial pitchman and political gadfly.

He will be, however, remembered for this:

Out of office, Mr. Koch remained influential in New York politics. He crossed party lines to support Mr. Giuliani in the 1993 mayoral election, an endorsement crucial to Mr. Dinkins’s defeat. But Mr. Koch later turned against Mr. Giuliani, flaying him as “a good mayor but a terrible person” and refusing to endorse him for a second term.

Mr. Koch endorsed Mr. Bloomberg’s successful races for mayor as a Republican in 2001 and 2005, calling him about “as Republican as I am.” (Mr. Bloomberg later refashioned himself as an independent.) And when Mr. Bloomberg engineered a legislative finesse of term-limits laws to run for a third term in 2009, Mr. Koch backed him and called for an end to term limits.

In presidential races, Mr. Koch went back and forth. He supported the losing Democratic ticket of Al Gore and Joseph I. Lieberman in 2000, but joined the Bush-Cheney re-election bandwagon in 2004 and promoted the Republican National Convention in New York, urging New Yorkers to “make nice” to conventioneers. By 2008, he was back with the Democrats, supporting Hillary Rodham Clinton’s bid for the nomination and, when she lost, switching to Mr. Obama.

Now, I do not normally speak ill of the dead; but I will say this: Mayor Koch switched to a Republican stance, because of terrorism and what it did to NYC — that ,I fully understand. I was one of the many who watched 9/11 unfold on television in 2001 on CNN. I found it to be totally unbelievable that we were witnessing an attack on American soil. It was worse than pearl harbor. At the time, I was not really politically active. But, I found the Democrats response to 9/11 and the subsequent cries for “no war” to be sickening. At the time, I felt that we should bombed the entire Arab world for what happened on that day.  

Koch also understood that what happen on 9/11 was a horrible thing and when the Democrats decided to play the role of “lets all just get along,” Koch switched sides. It earned him the praise of the people of NYC at the time; but it earned him the scorn of the political elite of the Democratic Party.  

As for the man’s sexuality, I could honestly give two flips about that; if he was gay at all. You would have never known it about him, he never looked the part at all. Except for that high-pitched Curly Howard sounding voice of his — which is very common in that ethnic group.

Put very simply; the man was a leader, something that New York City needed at the time; and he did well at leading the city during a very tough time. One thing he said in that video up there, that I posted; which I found to be very poignant is “You don’t spend money that you do not have!” I only wish that our leaders in Washington D.C. would truly learn that lesson; before America goes into a meltdown. My friends, that is not a Republican or a Conservative position; that is a position of common sense. Something that is sorely lacking in this modern day and age.

Rest in peace Koch, you damned well earned it.

Blogger reactions via Memeorandum: ABCNEWS, The Hill, The Week, Shakesville, Algemeiner.com, The Reaction, No More Mister Nice Blog, msnbc.com, Taylor Marsh, Outside the Beltway, Scared Monkeys, Capital New York, Washington Wire, The PJ Tatler, Deadline.com, Althouse, Discourse.net, Capitol Confidential, Conservatives4Palin,Runnin’ Scared, The Other McCain and Ricochet Conversations Feed, 

Taking Religion out of the Military?

I have mixed feelings about this one:

“Soldiers with minority religious beliefs and atheists often feel like second-class citizens when Christianity is seemingly officially endorsed by their own base,” American Atheists president David Silverman told Fox News. “We are very happy the Pentagon and the Army decided to do the right thing.” A military spokesman told Fox News the cross was literally dismantled and will be removed from the base to be in “compliance with Army regulations and to avoid any misconception of religious favoritism or disrespect.” “After a Christian prayer, the cross was removed from the roof of the chapel,” the spokesman said. “During the removal, the cross was dismantled; however the cross was reassembled and currently awaits transportation to a larger operational base.” The military told Fox News the cross will only be brought out during Christian services and will be designated as a “non-permanent religious symbol.” Silverman said a Christian chapel on an Army base in Afghanistan could have put American troops in danger. “It inflames this Muslim versus Christian mentality,” he said. “This is not a Muslim versus Christian war — but if the Army base has a large chapel on it that has been converted to Christian-only, it sends a message that could be interpreted as hostile to Islam.” An Army spokesman said all chapels must be religiously neutral. “The primary purpose of making a chapel a neutral, multi-use facility is to accommodate the free exercise of religion for all faith groups using it,” he said. “We take the spiritual fitness of our Soldiers seriously and encourage them to practice their faith and exercise their beliefs however they choose.” Retired Lt. Gen. Jerry Boykin, of the Family Research Council, told Fox News a Christian cleansing of the military is under way. “I don’t think you can categorize it any other way,” he said. “There is a strong effort, led partially by the Administration as well as by atheist groups to destroy the identity of who we are as a nation and that means robbing us of our history.” —- Military: Crosses Removed ‘Out of Respect for Other Faiths’ | FOX News & Commentary: Todd Starnes

On one hand, I would hate to think that having Christian symbols on a battle front could be putting our Military at risk. On the other hand, I would hate to see Christianity being removed from the Military entirely. However, we are in a Muslim Nation is Afghan region; one would think that the Military would want to be respectful of those people and their culture.

It is a mixed bag, and all the more reason why we really need to get out of that Country. Our mission is done there; we killed Osama and we need to leave. We do not want to make the same mistake the Russians made there. Besides all that, Al-Qaeda has moved into other regions and is much more a threat to other interests in other parts for the world now.

So, to this Independent, the quicker we leave, the better.

Let’s not prejudge this one

I am still not feeling that great, but I feel the need to write about this story here.

The Story:

8:23 p.m. — It was a “horrific” crime scene that confronted deputies Saturday night: Calvary church Pastor Greg Griego; his wife, Sarah; and their three youngest children dead — fatally shot multiple times with a “military-style” assault rifle and other weapons — at their South Valley home.

The suspect in custody is the couple’s 15-year-old son, Nehemiah Griego, who neighbors said often wore “nothing but camouflage” and wanted to be in the army.

“I’ve never seen a scene quite like this,” Bernalillo County Sheriff Dan Houston said at a news conference Sunday morning.

The teen is accused of using several weapons, including a “military style” assault rifle, according to the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office, to kill his parents and three youngest siblings.

The sprawling home is in the 2800 block of Long Lane, a dirt road in the South Valley just off Old Coors Road. The couple had a total of 10 children, but it appeared only the three youngest and the 15-year-old were at home at the time of the shootings. — Source

I notice that this 15-year-old, that did this shooting was raised in a Christian home. I also notice that the shooter’s Father was a so-called “Pastor.” Let me say this about this shooting, and this does not take away from the shooter’s guilt at all, okay? But, there is always a motive for these sort of shootings — always. For all we know, this so-called “Pastor” could have molested his son or something worse. The last thing we need to blame is guns and gun culture on this one.

Kids do not “bug out” as they call it, and shoot the parents for no reason at all. It simply does not happen. This guy was doing something to cause his son to want to kill him. period, end of story. As someone who has been a Christian for 30 years, and basically grew up in the “Church World” as it is called; I happen to know that abuse, of all sorts, is rampant in those circles; sexual, physical and yes, even mental. I have seen some of it, and yes, I even was almost a victim of it myself once. Thankfully, God was gracious and I never had anything serious happen to me.

But, again, I think we all need to take a step back and let the police figure the who, what, where, and why; and leave the posturing alone on this one. Like I said, for all we know, this kid could have acted out or simply protecting himself from a monster. We just do not know those facts. I know about Sandy Hook, okay? But, I happen to think that this one might be different. I hope I am wrong, that this kid just had a mental issue or something. But, I have a sinking feeling that I might just be right.

Related: CNN: ‘Horrific’ New Mexico shooting leaves 5 dead; investigators arrest 15-year-old

Others: The Hinterland Gazette, Addicting Info, The Moderate Voice

Follow Up: What the President is doing and not doing on gun control

First of all what he is NOT doing:

  • The President is not going to order the Government come and round your guns up and take them away. This is being promoted by those who wish to make money on your fears. (See: Alex Jones)

What he is doing is this: (H/T Reuters)

Obama speaks on gun violence prevention:
• Obama proposes 23 “executive actions” on gun control
• Obama’s 23 actions can be implemented without Congressional approval
• Obama’s 23 “executive actions” costs some $500mil in FY 2014 budget
• Obama proposes requiring criminal background checks for all gun sales
• Obama directs CDC to conduct research into causes, prevention of gun violence
• Part of Obama’s CDC direction includes influence of video games
• Obama proposes ban on armor-piercing bullets through manufacture, import ban
• Obama proposes program to allow schools to hire 1,000 “school resource officers”
• Obama calls on Congress to pass new gun trafficking laws
• Obama calls for reinstatement of assault weapons ban
• Obama proposes 10-round limit on ammunition magazines
• Obama nominates Todd Jones to be director of ATF
• Obama urges Congress to confirm Todd Jones
• Document: See full list of Obama’s gun violence prevention proposals

One thing I need to point out here; you see where it says, “Proposes” and “Calls for?” This simply means that Obama wants Congress, that being the Senate and the House, to bring those items up for a vote. IT DOES NOT MEAN THAT OBAMA CAN JUST DO THOSE THINGS BY EXECUTIVE ORDER! So, despite what Matt Drudge or Alex Jones might tell you; Obama is NOT, I REPEAT NOT, NOT, NOT coming from anyone’s guns anytime soon!

The worst thing that is going to come out of any of this, is that there will be a mandatory federal background check, including one’s mental health; made on those who want to obtain a gun permit; and in the opinion of this writer, that is not a bad idea. This will keep guns out of the hands of the whack jobs, like the kid who shot up that theater in Colorado.

The rest of this stuff will never pass the house in Congress at all. Do not believe me?

Here is Fox News’s report:

The story:

President Obama’s sweeping plan to address gun violence was met Wednesday with swift and stiff resistance by gun rights advocates and conservative lawmakers, setting up a tense debate that will be held on the airwaves, in congressional hearing rooms and in communities across America.

The package proposed Wednesday is the most comprehensive in decades. The president called for a new, tougher assault weapons ban and a 10-round limit on magazines, as well as legislation to bar the possession of armor-piercing bullets and require criminal background checks for nearly all gun sales.

Separately, he approved 23 executive actions while calling for additional funding to address mental health and school security.
The movement comes in the wake of last month’s school massacre in Connecticut, where 20 children and six adults were killed.
“If there’s even one life that can be saved, then we’ve got an obligation to try,” said Obama, joined at the White House by four children who wrote to the president following the Newtown, Conn., tragedy.

But several lawmakers said the president’s proposals in large part would not have prevented a shooting like the one at Sandy Hook Elementary School. They accused the president of glossing over potential factors like the entertainment industry and the country’s mental health system, making clear that the legislative proposals could face an uphill climb.

“Nothing the president is proposing would have stopped the massacre at Sandy Hook. President Obama is targeting the 2nd Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens instead of seriously addressing the real underlying causes of such violence,” Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., said. “Rolling back responsible citizens’ rights is not the proper response to tragedies committed by criminals and the mentally ill.”

So, as I say, nothing big is coming off here. Despite my initial fears; this is a bit of a nothing burger really.

However, I will say this; this will hurt the Democrats in the long run. The President’s party will pay for this little move in 2014 and 2016. You can bet on that one. Wherever the Democrats are easily routed in elections; they will be. Bank on that one.

Also too, just a little opinion; this from the NRA, did the gun right crowd no favors at all. What idiots. 🙄

Blogger roundup here.

Video: James Yeager tries to take something bad and make it into something positive!

I have to give James Yeager credit, he is trying his darndest to turn this potential problem in a positive thing. Hopefully, the authorities in TN will see this and give him his gun permit back.  I also want to say, I fully understand where Mr. Yeager is coming from; with all the myths that going around, about what happened at Sandy Hook.  It is enough make anyone, especially those who support the Second Amendment and gun ownership very angry.

Here’s two video of James Yeager, one of him being interviewed and one of him interviewing an attorney:

http://youtu.be/WaUFJsSQ7tI

http://youtu.be/wD5kuOMIVts

Hang in there James! We are with you buddy! Make this into something positive. Good job! 😀

 

There is always a reason

This basically proves my point, that nobody goes and shoots people for no reason. This sounds like Columbine all over again:

(CNN) — A 16-year-old student who blasted a California high school classroom with a shotgun Thursday was targeting two classmates because he felt he’d been bullied, the local sheriff said Thursday night.

One student was hit and was in critical but stable condition Thursday night, and the shooter was in custody after a teacher and the school’s campus supervisor talked him into putting his shotgun down.

Kern County Sheriff Donny Youngblood said he did not know whether bullying had actually occurred between the Taft Union High School students.

“But certainly he (the shooter) believed that the two people he had targeted had bullied him,” Youngblood said at an evening news conference in Taft, about 30 miles from Bakersfield.

The young shooter was still being interrogated Thursday evening, Youngblood said, adding that the youth will be charged as a juvenile with attempted murder. It will be up to prosecutors to decide whether he should be charged as an adult, the sheriff said.

via California sheriff: Youth who shot classmate felt he’d been bullied – CNN.com.

As someone who was bullied when I was a kid, I can tell you now; if I had been able to get an assault rifle, when I was kid, that there would be some dead people that used to attend Grace Christian School in Detroit and Grace Assembly of God in Detroit; both are now defunct by the way. (big shock there… NOT!) I do not justify or support this kids actions; but I totally understand it and can see why he did it.

Cue Chris Rock:

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Honestly, why would NRA expect anything different?

This seems to be a bit silly, but I really think the NRA did not know what was coming:

Via the Weekly Standard:

NRA.gif“The National Rifle Association of America is made up of over 4 million moms and dads, daughters and sons, who are involved in the national conversation about how to prevent a tragedy like Newtown from ever happening again.  We attended today’s White House meeting to discuss how to keep our children safe and were prepared to have a meaningful conversation about school safety, mental health issues, the marketing of violence to our kids and the collapse of federal prosecutions of violent criminals,” reads the NRA statement.

“We were disappointed with how little this meeting had to do with keeping our children safe and how much it had to do with an agenda to attack the Second Amendment.  While claiming that no policy proposals would be “prejudged,” this Task Force spent most of its time on proposed restrictions on lawful firearms owners – honest, taxpaying, hardworking Americans.  It is unfortunate that this Administration continues to insist on pushing failed solutions to our nation’s most pressing problems.  We will not allow law-abiding gun owners to be blamed for the acts of criminals and madmen.  Instead, we will now take our commitment and meaningful contributions to members of congress of both parties who are interested in having an honest conversation about what works – and what does not.”

I hate to be the one to say “Well Duh!” but….um…:

The NRA should have known better than to even remotely think that they were going to get anything other than what they got from this Presidential Administration. This is why they need to hire me to do their political consultant work. I can tell them everything that they need to know about guns and Democrats. 😀