Rights and Wrong

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof...

There it is, plain as day, in black and white. The first statement in Amendment I of the Bill of Rights. Hands off religion, lawmakers. So simple, so straightforward, you'd think even Barbara Boxer could understand it.

But no. This is an "anti-women" position, according to Boxer--among other unintentionally hilarious reasons she gave why the Supreme Court should rule in favor of Obamacare and against the religious rights of the plaintiffs. 

The objections came from near and far--far left, that is. Sandra Fluke called the cases "potentially catastrophic" in an indignant article only an attorney who dreads buying her own birth control pills could write. Gene Robinson, the gay priest who turned the Episcopal church on its head a decade ago, labels the plaintiffs "bigoted" against "sinners." 

Robinson quotes, "Jesus wept." Yes he did, but perhaps not for the reasons Robinson thinks.

This is something I've noticed when debating liberals. They have trouble staying on topic. In this particular argument, they drag in women's rights, poverty, Catholics on birth control, gay rights, and other extraneous issues too numerous to mention. The crux of the case is this simple fact: the owners of the businesses suing the government don't want to kill babies. Their religious beliefs tell them that abortion-inducing contraceptives kill babies. It's wrong. And they don't want to be responsible for funding murder. 

In all cases before the Court, the plaintiff businesses provide coverage for numerous other methods of birth control. But not abortion. What's hard here?

What's hard, what's practically impossible for liberals to accept, is that there is no "right" to force people to go against their conscience. There is no "right" to have your personally chosen method of contraception paid for at another's expense. There is no "right" to coerce a differing viewpoint to agree with your own. But there is, since the beginning of this country, a God-given right to free exercise of religion.

There is no "right" to Obamacare defined in our Bill of Rights, but the first right mentioned is religious freedom. So, do people of faith still have the right to free exercise of religion in our country? The Supreme Court's decision will tell us the state of our national soul.

Efforts in Lent

Ten days and counting...

Catholics are currently in the midst of the 40 days of Lent. We are each supposed to either give up some personal comfort as a sacrifice, increase our charitable giving, and/or do some extra good work. If we're feeling really ambitious, we try to do all three ("try" being the operative word).

This year, I'm trying a two-pronged approach. I'm doing my usual spiritual reading. This is no great effort for me, as I am both an avid reader and very interested in spiritual subjects. I've started with the best-seller Killing Jesus. This is the first of the Bill O'Reilly/Martin Dugard "Killing" trilogy that I've read, and it's remarkably well done. It's written in a very easy, conversational style and is fascinating in historical detail. I'm tearing through it, so I've queued up Open Mind, Faithful Heart by Pope Francis for the second half of Lent.

The second part of my Lenten exercise is giving up wine. This is a hard one. Although I only imbibe during weekend evenings, Friday/Saturday/Sunday, I do look forward to connecting with my wine glass and am feeling the void. Somehow, ginger ale and lemon water just aren't cutting it as a relaxing beverage to savor on DVD night. I tried this particular form of self-denial a couple of years ago and did fairly well; I lasted until Palm Sunday weekend. At that point I went to a party and the hostess, knowing my favorite party drink, handed me a glass full of aromatic red wine as soon as I arrived.

What can I say; I folded. As the Lord well understands, "the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak."

I know I'll finish both my chosen books before Lent is over. As for not drinking any wine, that's a dubious goal. The annual March party is scheduled next weekend at my wine-pouring neighbor's home. I'll let you know how I do.

An Energetic Option

Would Russia have invaded Crimea if we had a different president? We'll never know for sure.

What would you do to address Russia's aggression? How would you make Putin understand that his invasive actions against a sovereign neighboring nation will cause painful consequences to Russia?

There is so much commentary and analysis on the above questions. I suppose there are no easy answers. But I do know this much--if I were president, I wouldn't waste ninety minutes in one phone call and sixty minutes in another trying to reason with an opponent who obviously doesn't respect a word I am saying.

Instead, I would take about ninety seconds to outline my plan of action--on the first day of the invasion, not a week later. It would go something like this:

"Hello, Vladimir. I realize the Ukranian/Crimean crisis does not directly involve my country. But you're nothing if not a practical man, so I know you'll understand that we can't allow your aggression to stand unchallenged. Here are two steps I'm taking to protect my country's security and national interests:

1. Immediate approval of the Keystone Pipeline to carry oil from Canada to the U.S.
2. Immediate exportation of natural gas to global markets.

"Good luck with falling energy prices, Vlad. Let's chat again after your next invasion."

End of discussion. Beginning of common sense. It works for me.

Accepting the Seasons

Did you watch the Academy Awards last night? If so, did you see Hollywood old-timer Kim Novak and the synthetic wreckage of her face? Holy smackers. Could lines and wrinkles really be any worse?

Kim Novak - 2014 Academy Awards

Note to Kim: There are worse things in life than being 81. In fact, I think it's rather cool to be that age and a Hollywood legend into the bargain. Nobody expects you to look 25 years old anymore. You'd look much better if you left your face alone and let it match your hands--which obviously didn't get the Botox memo and have aged normally.

I used to think that, if I had the money, I might tune up my face. Now, I'm glad to be poor enough to leave well enough alone. Kim Novak, who struggled to move her mouth announcing an award for the film Frozen, is a walking "Don't Let This Happen to You" poster girl for aging naturally.

Kim Novak - c. 1960

It's no secret that show business is often brutal to older women. Add to that harsh reality the fact that Kim Novak was absolutely beautiful when she was a young star. But "to everything there is a season," and few gifts are as fleeting as youthful beauty. Today's young stars will learn that soon enough.

Kim seems like a nice enough lady who probably has a lot of life experience and wisdom to share. At age 81, even in Tinseltown, that should be beauty enough.

More Storms Gathering

"Putin’s mission is restoration. First, restore traditional Russian despotism....And then, having created iron-fisted “stability,” march."
~ Charles Krauthammer

I'm reading Winston Churchill's The Gathering Storm. It chronicles the mistakes the U.S. and Europe made in the post-World War I years that set the stage for the even more devastating World War II.

Given current geopolitical events, especially in Ukraine, the book is very eerie reading. The human race appears to be a slow learner with a short memory.

During President Reagan's administration, we heard much about "peace through strength." That seems so long ago. Today we had best be prepared for war through weakness. When the United States of America shrinks back from the world stage, as we have done under the Obama presidency, the global bullies are empowered to take their star turns.

What's the difference between Adolf Hitler and Vladimir Putin, anyway? Only about 70 years. We had better get ready for some more nasty international weather.

A Line Too Far

“We have a genetic memory of fascism here.”
~ Anatoly Skripnik, a businessman in Kiev, Ukraine

Another world crisis erupting, another line drawn by the U.S. president. How embarrassing.

Kiev, Ukraine - Photo: The New York Times

Did he really need to use the term "cross the line" in reference to Kiev, after the Syrian fiasco? The entire world is now highly familiar with President Obama and his invisible red crayons. Other nations are not likely to pay much attention to America's puffball threats.

The president has proven himself quite comfortable navigating all kinds of lines. He has crossed constitutional lines, intoned campaign promise lines, fed us healthcare lines. Barack Obama seems to have a new line every day. Americans are used to that.

But when people in other countries are fighting and dying for the freedom we in this country enjoy and take for granted, tossing off a line that has no meaning behind it is disrespectful at best. To borrow a phrase, President Obama has crossed a line. This time, he may have stepped over into irrelevancy.

Beyond Recognition

L'etat, c'est moi ("The State, that's me.") - Louis XIV, King of France

"I can do whatever I want." - President Obama


I don't see much difference between the ruling philosophies of the 18th century absolute monarch of France and our current president.

We used to have leaders who understood they were one part of a multi-layered governing structure designed by the Framers of the U.S. Constitution. Now we have a ruler who makes unilateral dictates on what individuals, private businesses, charities, and religious organizations can and can not do.

Barack Obama certainly has succeeded in "fundamentally transforming the United States of America." Truly, I hardly recognize my country anymore.

Day of Life

This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
~ Psalm 118

As of 4:18 A.M. today, I have a granddaughter. That makes the trifecta of grandmother-hood for me: a grandson each in 2012 and 2013, and a grand-girl today.

I can't help but think how happy Pete would be if he were here today to share in this miracle. I feel his absence most keenly in milestones moments such as today. But I console myself with the thought that he probably met all of our grandkids long before I did.

Life is good. Welcome to it, Aubrey Mae; I just can't wait to meet you.

Countdown to Catastrophe

"The most significant incident of domestic terrorism involving the grid that has ever occurred."
 ~ Jon Wellinghoff, former chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 

Have you heard about this sniper attack last April on a California electrical power substation? Neither had I, until today.

The Wall Street Journal - article by Rebecca Smith

Can you imagine if the father dude from Duck Dynasty had done the shooting? We'd be getting 24/7 media coverage. But while our vapid cultural climate remains preoccupied with the mainstreaming of gay marriage, "the war on women," and the occasional tormented celebrity who tosses his life away on the head of a heroin-laden needle, our enemies use their time wisely and plan their next destructive surprise.

Meanwhile, the FBI isn't worried:

The Federal Bureau of Investigation doesn't think a terrorist organization caused the Metcalf attack, said a spokesman for the FBI in San Francisco. Investigators are "continuing to sift through the evidence," he said.

Still sifting, since April 2013? No pressure, guys. It's only the national power grid. Take your time.

It's going to happen eventually, for certain. We are going to get slammed again, and this time it will be completely our own fault. I hope I'm wrong, but I doubt it. Our borders are wide open, and the government's eyes are shut tight.  Government--the main duty of which is to protect its citizens--is asleep at the switch. The U.S.A. is in a countdown to an all-encompassing national catastrophe.

Will we rise to face it? The way things are today, I just don't know.

UPDATE: Peggy Noonan's Wall Street Journal article has more on the threat to America's electrical grid.

Capitol Coldness

This is the great political failure of progressivism: They always go too far.
~ Peggy Noonan

The Capitol of Panem - The Hunger Games

I once heard a commentator remark that when Peggy Noonan is "on," her words are worthy of being carved in stone. Her Wall Street Journal column, "Meanhwile, Back in America," is one example of why she has earned such high praise.

Noonan once again puts her finger on the quiet sense of desperation pulsating through the American populace. Not, as she so artfully illustrates, that anyone in "the Capitol" cares.