| Thursday, February 04, 2010 |
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| VEGETATIVE STATE - SIGNS OF RECOGNITION. [Rachel Watkins] |
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2/4/2010 |
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This comes too late for Terri Schiavo and may even increase their sadness at the loss of their daughter, sister and friend but perhaps they have a small sense of affirmation that they were right.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2010-02-03-brain-vegetative-coma_N.htm
Science is now 'proving' that many of those in a vegetative state are not as they appear.
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| POLYGAMY - GAINING ACCEPTANCE? TRYING TO? [Rachel Watkins] |
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2/4/2010 |
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My library book club just read, "Escape" by Carolyn Jessop detailing her life as a polygamist wife/mother.
It is not an easy book to read, especially as she details the horrific parenting techniques used.
During the conversation, a member brought out a recent copy of the Nat'l Geographic magazine that gives the cult front page coverage. I found this as disturbing as the book. It seems as if the magazine is attempting to legitimize the practice and the full access the families gave them makes it appear that they are just like you and me.
But, reading Ms. Jessop's book will let you know that they aren't and the risks to everyone (but especially the children) is too high.
I find it so ironic that in Canada (the sect covered is in British Columbia) has made news for making quoting the Bible as 'hate speech' even when done as a part of a church service but they allow this freedom of religion issue exist with seemingly no oversight.
http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/series/inside/4292/Overview
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| A NICE POINT ON MARRIAGE [Rachel Watkins] |
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2/4/2010 |
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"When people get married because they think it's a long-time love affair, they'll be divorced very soon, because all love affairs end in disappointment. But marriage is a recognition of a spiritual identity." -- Joseph Campbell
Now Joseph Campbell (1904-1987), writer, lecturer, mythologist, is known for 'follow your bliss' but this quote is much deeper than that.
I wonder what his reaction would be to the recent marriage issues.
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| BUSINESS IS BOOMING!!! [Rachel Watkins] |
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2/4/2010 |
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In spite of the declining economy this was recently stated:
“MSI continues to expand and evolve while maintaining our principles and our commitment to quality,” MSI’s Chief Executive Dana Hovig bragged. “Our focus on improving the quality, efficiency and impact of our programs globally has produced the third consecutive year of robust growth."
Good news -unless you know who/what MSI is.
MSI - Marie Stopes, International is UK's Planned Parenthood and they've have a 58% increase in business.
Business being abortion and each one being a child (920,000) who will never know life on this earth.
http://www.lifenews.com/int1450.html
What will God say to us when He sees us face to face?
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| GREAT STORY OUT ABOUT THE AIR FORCE ACADEMY [Rachel Watkins] |
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2/4/2010 |
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In response to my recent post about the Air Force Academy, I got this great feedback from a reader:
My wife and I graduated from the Air Force Academy in 1989. I'm a cradle Catholic and she converted during our last semester at USAFA. I have fond, vivid memories of singing in the choir, attending early morning Mass before classes, and being my wife's sponsor for RCIA. I can remember going to Mass my first day of basic and looking around the chapel at all the 18 year olds in various states of shock. My faith was strengthened there. I wish I could have done more.
The Catholic Chapel was on the bottom floor of the Cadet Chapel and the Protestant Chapel was on the top floor. The joke then was that we were going to help pray the Protestants to heaven.
I read the article about the circle today before reading your comments. Part of me wanted to laugh and the other part just said, "geesh." Personally, I have faith in our chaplains there and the cadets.
The foundation of our joint Catholic faith was laid at USAFA (as much as that was possible in that part of our youth) and we are blessed to have a much stronger, prayerful faith now.
Nice to know, nice to hear - thanks!!
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| DO PEOPLE TRAIN THEIR DOGS ANYMORE? [Rachel Watkins] |
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2/4/2010 |
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Or just give the Dog Whisperer a try?
Debarking is making a silent return!
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35219154/ns/health-the_new_york_times/ns/health-the_new_york_times/
We have a corgi/jack russell mix who is prone to barking. He stops on command from Matt or me but he still likes to do it more than I would prefer.
The solution is to keep training him and reinforcing the behavior we want. For example, I don't him to stop barking all the time as I like that he barks when people come to the door - but not everyone such as the mailman.
We are working with him and he is better but that's our job - as his owners we are supposed to train him.
I was most surprised that the American Kennel Club accepts dogs with the procedure done as they are pretty strict about what can and can't be done to 'alter' a dog for showing.
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| FERTILITY PROBLEMS MIGHT BE IN YOUR SOFA! [Rachel Watkins] |
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2/4/2010 |
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http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35220377/ns/health-womens_health/
There appears to be a real link between fertility problems and flame retardant chemicals.
Another problem caused by the excessive use of chemicals in our lives. I hadn't realized that there were these chemicals in so many products. My own couch is probably too old to have any (or any left). But, seriously were they put in to decrease the # of people who die in couch fires caused by falling asleep while smoking? Or to reduce the risk of total fire consumption of a house?
I don't have a solution except the thought that if you are trying to get pregnant perhaps start using plastic furniture or maybe wicker?
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| Wednesday, February 03, 2010 |
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| NEED SOME HELP IN SAVING MONEY? [Rachel Watkins] |
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2/3/2010 |
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I found a nice, little book w/ some great advice - simply stated and easily put into place.
"The Smart Mom's Guide to Staying Home" by Christine Walker. It was published in 2004 by Trafford Publishing, but my library just got it in.
I really like it's size - 86 pages. I get so frustrated w/ books that take a simple idea but go over and over it for page after page (perhaps the author was paid by the word). This is not the case.
Each of the 65 ideas is simply put and easy to do. While you are probably doing many if not all of the ideas (buy on sale, make use of consignment sales, etc.) if it nice reading that what you are doing is something everyone should be doing.
Reinforcement of good habits/ideas helps encourage you to keep on doing it!
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| DO YOU 'OWN' YOUR OWN GENES? [Rachel Watkins] |
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2/3/2010 |
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Maybe, but perhaps not for long -
Apparently, there are companies seeking the right to patent gene sequences.
We could add this to weird science but it has some real ramifications as it may - at some point, if allowed - make it costly, if not impossible for you to find out the gene make-up of yourself (or your child's).
This may be no big deal until your child has an illness for which knowing may make a difference between dying and a cure (think "Extraordinary Measures" out now w/ Brendan Frasier and Harrison Ford).
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| MORE INFORMATION ON ABSTINENCE PROGRAMS [Rachel Watkins] |
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2/3/2010 |
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From faithful reader, the other Matt W. -
Robert Rector, of the Heritage Foundation, reported today on a new study in an AMA published journal in which middle-school students were randomly placed into one of four groups: abstinence-only instruction, contraceptive-use instruction, comprehensive (both abstinence and contraceptive) instruction, and non-sex-related health instruction.
"The abstinence program proved very effective in delaying the onset of sexual activity. Students in this program were one third less likely to initiate sexual activity when compared to students in the other three groups. And if these same students did become sexually active, they were not less likely to use contraceptives than other students. By contrast, safe sex and comprehensive sex-ed classes had no effect on student behavior; students in these classes did not reduce sexual activity nor increase contraceptive use when compared to the control group."
http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=NWIwNzIwMGYxZmVmMGNjZWQ1MzIzYTE3YTJlYzAxNjg=
In another post, the same Robert Rector commented on a report by the Guttmacher Institute reporting a one-year rise in teen pregnancy (in 2006). The contraceptive folks quickly blamed abstinence ed. However, another recent survey asked lower-income (the group responsible for most out-of-wedlock births) men and women who had experienced non-marital pregnancies whether they had ever in their lives been in a situation in which they wanted to use birth control and could not, whether due to cost or access. There was not a single affirmative response; in fact, many of the respondents laughed at the idea.
http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=MzU4Mjc3M2EwZmVjNzRlNGI1NzBlNzQwNTI3MDc3ZjE=
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| I KNOW OF A TWO FRIENDS WITH AUTISTIC SONS WHO MAY DISAGREE BUT... [Rachel Watkins] |
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2/3/2010 |
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Lancet, the British medical journal, is withdrawing any support of the doctor and studies linking autism to vaccinations.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2010-02-02-autism-vaccine_N.htm
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| ABSTINENCE PROGRAMS - WHAT'S UP WITH THEM?? [Rachel Watkins] |
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2/3/2010 |
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Work, don't work?? It seems that studies, media and other just can't seem to make up their minds....
A recent story at USAToday seems to back that these programs DO work - http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2010-02-01-teen-abstinence_N.htm
This is encouraging news as I would welcome any approach that takes the stand that sex is not inevitable in a teen's life which is something Hollywood and TV never seem to understand.
Any delay in sexual activity is good - even it is only months as some critics of these programs will say. Any program that gets teens to begin to consider and realize the huge consequences of having sex is good.
If we need to leave the morality at the door of the health class in order to get teachers to say that waiting is not only possible but preferable I'm okay. Just begin to say it!
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| Tuesday, February 02, 2010 |
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| MORNING AFTER PILL AS CONTRACEPTION [Rachel Watkins] |
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2/2/2010 |
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Danielle Bean takes on this disturbing turn of events in the medical world over at www.ncregister.com.
While we have become 'used to' the media spinning a good tale for us, now we have the medical folks who apparently aren't sure when a pregnancy begins. It seems those five days this new killer drug are effective in killing a newly created soul are no longer part of a pregnancy but some kind of biological limbo.
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| PAGANS REJOICE - YOU CAN NOW CELEBRATE YOUR WHATEVER AT THE AIR FORCE ACADEMY [Rachel Watkins] |
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2/2/2010 |
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http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,584500,00.html?test=latestnews
This story is, as stated in the article, a celebration of the freedoms we do have here in America. You can profess whatever faith you want and our government will seek to meet your needs.
I know this from a personal point of view as my brother, Fr. Patrick, is a military chaplain and has had to accommodate a number of requests from a variety of 'religions' as a part of his role as a chaplain.
My brother will also relate that there are a good deal of young people who come to the service with no faith foundation at all and they come asking him about God in general they're getting all that is Catholic and is great!
So - about the Air Force Academy? I wonder just how many people use it in comparison to those filling the seats at Christian services?
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| SO WE ALL KNOW THAT THE MSM IGNORES US BUT HERE IT IS IN FULL COLOR [Rachel Watkins] |
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2/2/2010 |
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http://www.catholicvoteaction.org/americanpapist/index.php?p=885
This is a great video about the recent March on Washington. It gives you a real idea of how distorted the mainstream media (msm) is in regard to the issue.
Over coming it will be another fight but I think we up to the challenge.
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| Monday, February 01, 2010 |
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| IN REGARD TO MR. SALINGER [Rachel Watkins] |
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2/1/2010 |
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The other Matt W. sent this -
"I'm with you, or, actually, I'd go even further to say that I found /The Catcher in the Rye/, and more specifically, Holden Caulfield to be really annoying. Perhaps it just that I was never all that angst-ridden, even as a teenager. And though I doubt I had this thought at the time, despite all of his rants against phoniness, there isn't really any indication that he has any idea what real authenticity is.
The review on Amazon states that since the books publication, "Holden Caulfied has been synonymous with 'cynical adolescent.'" Maybe part of the problem is that cynicism is all too easy to find nowadays that it takes away from the uniqueness of the novel. Anyway, Conan O'Brien had some good words about cynicism in his farewell /Tonight Show/ speech last week:
“All I ask of you is one thing: please don’t be cynical. I hate cynicism — it’s my least favorite quality and it doesn’t lead anywhere.”
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| RALPH MCINERNY - RIP [Rachel Watkins] |
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2/1/2010 |
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Coming on the heels of the death of J.D. Salinger we have the death of Ralph McInerny. There couldn't not be too more different men but sadly, Mr. McInerny's writings won't be on any high schooler's must read list while Mr. Salinger will continue to be so.
And that is one of the reason's our society suffers as it does.
What would the world be like if even his Fr. Dowling's mysteries gain more mainstream acceptance?
He will be missed but not forgotten.
Check out the piece at www.ncregister.com
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| WHAT IS TALENT - WHO IS TALENTED? [Rachel Watkins] |
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2/1/2010 |
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With the Grammy's last night I was giving this some thought - I didn't watch them but caught up w/ the winners on-line this morning.
I am always amazed at who/what/what gets our attention and dollars. I am not sure what to think of Lady GaGa and tho' Taylor Swift has gotten bad reviews from her strength at concerts, I find her radio songs easy to sing along with (as do my daughters).
And then in I find this in my in-box this morning from my friend Michelle. It comes this a 'sand artist' in the Ukraine. She won their "Ukraine's Got Talent" program. Her name is Kseniya Simonova. If you have trouble with the link go to youtube directly and put in sand art and she'll come up.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=518XP8prwZo&feature=related
Now, I cannot sing worth a darn so I am always impressed by those who can (really can). But having checked out who won the Grammy's, taken note of the return of American Idol and now seeing this amazing woman can do with SAND - I am thinking our views of what makes one talented needs to expand.
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| J.D. SALINGER IS DEAD - MAY HE (AND CAULFIELD) REST IN PEACE. [Rachel Watkins] |
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1/29/2010 |
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At times I feel as if I am the only person out who thinks that "Catcher in the Rye" was just okay. I wasn't enthralled by it. It didn't overly impress me and I read it as required and happily moved on to better books/authors.
Now that Mr. Salinger is dead, may he truly rest in peace, the book is getting coverage again and folks are saying how much the book impacted their lives. Am I missing something?
There was one piece I found that reflected a bit of my view -
http://www.newsweek.com/id/232758
Some of the comments posted seem to have the attack quality I found when I spoke of my disinterest in the book in college. I was obviously out of touch and ignorant to the books importance and value I was told.
No, I realize that book was/is vitally important to many people but it wasn't to me. That's all.
(Honestly, I feel the same way (with some Catholics) when I say I'm not a big fan of Flannery O'Connor. That freaks some people out as if I am not a good Catholic because I don't like her very dark, Southern imagery.)
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