Saturday, November 9, 2019

How four dioceses are actually doing something about the climate crisis | Earthbeat | National Catholic Reporter

How four dioceses are actually doing something about the climate crisis | Earthbeat | National Catholic Reporter: Every diocese has that one parish.

The one that seems to do everything, among the first to do everything, and have the resources — whether money, people or enthusiasm — to do everything.

That fe...

30 years after Berlin Wall fell, Catholics seek to recognize heroic Eastern European sisters | Global Sisters Report

30 years after Berlin Wall fell, Catholics seek to recognize heroic Eastern European sisters | Global Sisters Report: When the Polish church filed a document with the Vatican this August, proposing the beatification of 16 members of the Sisters of the Congregation of St. Catherine the Virgin and Martyr, it was a...

Concern for inmates, prison reform is obligatory act of mercy, pope says | National Catholic Reporter

Concern for inmates, prison reform is obligatory act of mercy, pope says | National Catholic Reporter: Visiting the imprisoned is an act of mercy that has implications for all Christians and not just those involved in prison ministry, Pope Francis said.

Speaking Nov. 8 to participants at an internatio...

Study finds US Latinos are no longer majority-Catholic. Here are some reasons why | National Catholic Reporter

Study finds US Latinos are no longer majority-Catholic. Here are some reasons why | National Catholic Reporter: Emmanuel Perez was about 15 years old when he decided the Catholic faith was not for him.

Perez's cousin had just died in a car crash and his mother drove from her Santa Ana home in Orange County to ...

Artist William Kelly and new documentary ask: Can art stop a bullet? | National Catholic Reporter

Artist William Kelly and new documentary ask: Can art stop a bullet? | National Catholic Reporter: William Kelly is a peace activist who marches, protests, dialogues and contributes to social transformation through the art he creates. His recent project, completed between 2014 and 2016, is a print ...

Trump campaign considers shift on climate change to win reelection

Trump campaign considers shift on climate change to win reelection
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/energy/trump-campaign-considers-shift-on-climate-change-to-win-reelection?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Newsletter%20Weekly%20Roundup:%20Utility%20Dive%2011-09-2019&utm_term=Utility%20Dive%20Weekender

Developing Wind Farm in New York Is No Breeze - WSJ

Developing Wind Farm in New York Is No Breeze - WSJ: New York has set some of the most ambitious clean-energy goals in the world. But one sector it is banking on—developing wind farms in upstate areas—has seen roadblocks to development.

Bay area energy agencies launch distributed storage solicitation amid PG&E power shutoffs

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/bay-area-energy-agencies-launch-storage-solicitation-amid-pge-power-shutof/566665/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Newsletter%20Weekly%20Roundup:%20Utility%20Dive%2011-09-2019&utm_term=Utility%20Dive%20Weekender

First cyberattack on solar, wind assets revealed widespread grid weaknesses, analysts say

New details of a denial-of-service attack earlier this year show an energy sector with uneven security.

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/first-cyber-attack-on-solar-wind-assets-revealed-widespread-grid-weaknesse/566505/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Newsletter%20Weekly%20Roundup:%20Utility%20Dive%2011-09-2019&utm_term=Utility%20Dive%20Weekender

Oral History Voices from the Berlin Wall Malcolm Forbes

Oral History

Voices from the Berlin Wall Malcolm Forbes

A new book by Iain McGregor offers a vivid account of daily life in divided Berlin, collecting the stories of ordinary people who lived, worked, and served on either side of Checkpoint Charlie.

https://www.the-american-interest.com/2019/11/06/voices-from-the-berlin-wall/?utm-access=newsletter&utm_source=TAI+Today&utm_campaign=09822cf327-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2019_07_26_05_56_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_6322a81c35-09822cf327-178768957&mc_cid=09822cf327&mc_eid=9a3d7bbf97

Climate crisis causes deadly virus to spread among marine mammals

By Karen Graham 18 hours ago in Science

A lethal virus that killed tens of thousands of harbor seals in the northern Atlantic in 2002 suddenly spread to sea lions, seals and otters in the northern Pacific Ocean two years later, confounding scientists - until now.
http://www.digitaljournal.com/tech-and-science/science/climate-crisis-causes-deadly-virus-to-spread-among-marine-mammals/article/561377?utm_campaign=%2Bcalifornia&utm_content=Climate+crisis+causes+deadly+virus+to+spread+among+marine+mammals&utm_source=alert&utm_medium=email

Some former Twitter employees spied for Saudi Arabia

Some former Twitter employees spied for Saudi Arabia: The US Justice Department claims that three people including two former employees of Twitter and a third person who was working for the Saudi Royal Family face charges associated with spying for Saudi Arabia without registering as foreign agents.

Inside Adam Schiff’s Impeachment Game Plan

Feature

Inside Adam Schiff’s Impeachment Game Plan

Democrats believe the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee could be the man to bring down President Trump. This is how he’s running his investigation.

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/05/magazine/adam-schiff-impeachment.html?te=1&nl=the-new%20york%20times%20magazine&emc=edit_ma_20191109?campaign_id=52&instance_id=13741&segment_id=18665&user_id=e6a9a97f971519b8818ba7420a6d576d&regi_id=60745655

What Happens When a President and Congress Go to War?

Trump is not the first president to defy Congress. A struggle for power has been playing out since the nation’s founding — as its framers intended.

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/05/magazine/congress-president-impeachment.html?te=1&nl=the-new%20york%20times%20magazine&emc=edit_ma_20191109?campaign_id=52&instance_id=13741&segment_id=18665&user_id=e6a9a97f971519b8818ba7420a6d576d&regi_id=60745655

My Neighborhood Was on Fire. My Neighbors Came Together to Save It.

I spent five days last year fighting the California wildfires in Malibu. It felt like the combat patrols I had been on as a Marine in Afghanistan.

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/06/magazine/woolsey-fire-malibu-point-dume-bombers.html?te=1&nl=the-new%20york%20times%20magazine&emc=edit_ma_20191109?campaign_id=52&instance_id=13741&segment_id=18665&user_id=e6a9a97f971519b8818ba7420a6d576d&regi_id=60745655

Jewish, US Organizations Warn Against Annexing West Bank | Asharq AL-awsat

Jewish, US Organizations Warn Against Annexing West Bank | Asharq AL-awsat: Middle-East Arab News and Opinion - Asharq Al-Awsat is the world’s premier pan-Arab daily newspaper, printed simultaneously each day on four continents in 14 cities

Riyadh: Iran Must Be Held Accountable For Resuming Uranium Enrichment | Asharq AL-awsat

Riyadh: Iran Must Be Held Accountable For Resuming Uranium Enrichment | Asharq AL-awsat: Middle-East Arab News and Opinion - Asharq Al-Awsat is the world’s premier pan-Arab daily newspaper, printed simultaneously each day on four continents in 14 cities

Turkey Says to Begin Repatriation of ISIS Prisoners on Monday | Asharq AL-awsat

Turkey Says to Begin Repatriation of ISIS Prisoners on Monday | Asharq AL-awsat: Middle-East Arab News and Opinion - Asharq Al-Awsat is the world’s premier pan-Arab daily newspaper, printed simultaneously each day on four continents in 14 cities

Warren’s Weakness — She Always Takes the Bait – InsideSources

Warren’s Weakness — She Always Takes the Bait – InsideSources: The Democratic deep state — it is not made up of Democrats in the bureaucracies but rather those who make up the core of the party — is in agony. Solid,

Elizabeth Warren Confirms Her Medicare for All Plan Will Cover Illegals

Elizabeth Warren Confirms Her Medicare for All Plan Will Cover Illegals: Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) confirmed Friday that her $52 trillion Medicare for All plan will cover illegal immigrants.

Trump to Gavin Newsom on California Fires: 'Get Your Act Together'; Update -- Newsom Responds | Breitbart

Trump to Gavin Newsom on California Fires: 'Get Your Act Together'; Update -- Newsom Responds | Breitbart: President Donald Trump criticized California Governor Gavin Newsom on Sunday for his poor management of the recent California fires.

The DNA database used to find the Golden State Killer is a national security leak waiting to happen

https://www.technologyreview.com/s/614642/dna-database-gedmatch-golden-state-killer-security-risk-hack/?utm_source=newsletters&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=weekend_reads.unpaid.engagement

California Demands 3.3GW of New Resources as Grid Shortfall Looms

California Demands 3.3GW of New Resources as Grid Shortfall Looms: California Demands 3.3GW of New Resources as Grid Shortfall Looms

Procurement is a boon for solar-storage, demand response and other clean resources, and could forestall last-ditch option of keeping coastal gas plants open.

Friday, November 8, 2019

You Could Die Anytime (When Breath Becomes Air) | Sofia Carozza

You Could Die Anytime (When Breath Becomes Air) | Sofia Carozza: Our culture fears anything related to death. We fear ageing, not merely out of distaste for the accompanying wrinkles and back pain. We fear illness, and not only because of the pain and high medical bills that it brings. No, we fear ageing and illness as harbingers of death. So we work to keep them …

Iran's influence in the Middle East | Iran is winning the war for the Middle East, and the West has no convincing response

Iran's influence in the Middle East | Iran is winning the war for the Middle East, and the West has no convincing response: Iran has tipped the balance of effective force in the Middle East to its advantage by developing a sovereign capability to conduct warfare through third parties. An international debate on how to cope with Iran’s way of warfare, needs to be based on the facts of this uniquely generated strategic capability, writes John Chipman.

Committee For The Republic: U.S. Militarism Comes Home

COMMITTEE FOR THE REPUBLIC

U.S. Militarism Comes Home

Christopher Coyne

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

6:30 p.m.

(Add to Calendar)

Metropolitan Club

1700 H Street NW

Red Lounge on 2nd Floor

(Business attire for men and semi-formal attire for

ladies is required for entry to Metropolitan Club)

RSVP:

James@CommitteefortheRepublic.org

In Tyranny Comes Home, George Mason Professor Christopher Coyne deftly documents what every founder understood: military interventions abroad kill liberty at home. Mr. Coyne will examine and explain that if we do not all hang together to dismantle our warfare state, then we will all hang separately.

James Madison -- the Albert Einstein of political science -- warned more than two centuries ago: “The means of defense against foreign danger have been always the instruments of tyranny at home...If Tyranny and Oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy."

War makes legal what is customarily punished as first-degree murder. As Cicero advised, in times of war the law is silent.

The United States is history’s most heavily garrisoned warfare state. The President plays prosecutor, judge, jury, and executioner to kill any person on the planet based on secret, unsubstantiated information that the target might threaten us -- the very definition of tyranny. Is there any wonder lesser invasions of liberty abound: dragnet surveillance of the entire population, detention without accusation or charge, scorn for due process, militarization of the police, and Espionage Act prosecutions to suppress dissent?

Shakespeare’s Macbeth captured this inter-connectedness in King Duncan’s murder:

If it were done when 'tis done, then 'twere well
It were done quickly: if the assassination
Could trammel up the consequence, and catch
With his surcease success; that but this blow
Might be the be-all and the end-all here,
But here, upon this bank and shoal of time,
We'd jump the life to come. But in these cases
We still have judgment here; that we but teach
Bloody instructions, which, being taught, return
To plague the inventor: this even-handed justice
Commends the ingredients of our poison'd chalice
To our own lips.

The Committee for the Republic is a citizen-based, non-partisan, nonprofit organization founded in 2003. The Committee sponsors speakers monthly on challenges to the American Republic, including the military-industrial complex, too-big-to-fail banks and U.S. competitiveness.

For questions or requests email James@committeefortherepublic.org

The Committee for the Republic

816 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 200
Washington DC 20006
USA

Israel Is Preparing for Open War - The Atlantic

Israel Is Preparing for Open War - The Atlantic: Israel is bracing itself for war with Iranian proxies, as Tehran escalates its provocations. But what will the United States do if conflict comes?

Whose Boots on the Ground

Whose Boots on the Ground: We invest a great deal of collective energy in commemorating our war dead. But do we remember them?

The big winner in Ukraine scandal? Russia — just as it always wanted

https://thehill.com/opinion/international/469386-the-big-winner-in-ukraine-scandal-russia-just-as-it-always-wanted?utm_source=Hoover+Daily+Report&utm_campaign=c34cf33f38-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2019_11_08_07_07&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_21b1edff3c-c34cf33f38-73113757

How Well Is The Nuclear Industry Protected From Cyber Threats?

How Well Is The Nuclear Industry Protected From Cyber Threats?: Nuclear reactors are operational islands almost wholly disconnected from the Internet, so hackers can’t affect a nuclear power plant operations or safety systems – from the outside. However, there are many ways an inside hostile actor could insert malware into the isolated systems.

Nation plans to extend lead over US in 6G race: experts - Global Times

CA K-12 homeless students are under-counted, audit finds | The Sacramento Bee

CA K-12 homeless students are under-counted, audit finds | The Sacramento Bee: California school districts are under-counting the number of homeless K-12 students, according to a new audit. They need tutoring, shelter and meals. The Education Department can provide more oversight.

Could this be the Most Anti-life Deed? | Jack Hartjes

Could this be the Most Anti-life Deed? | Jack Hartjes: Climate change is a matter of life and death, not just quality of life. Trump's move to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement threatens the lives of millions.

Praising U.S. Diplomats Who Testify in the Trump Impeachment Inquiry Is Not Enough

Praising U.S. Diplomats Who Testify in the Trump Impeachment Inquiry Is Not Enough: State Department officials who find themselves wrapped up in the Trump impeachment inquiry will need public support for years to come.

Kushner allowed Saudis to arrest Khashoggi – Middle East Monitor

Kushner allowed Saudis to arrest Khashoggi – Middle East Monitor: US President Donald Trump's senior advisor and son-in-law, Jared Kushner, apparently gave permission for Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman to arrest journalist Jamal Khashoggi before...

Why CA isn’t safer year after deadly Camp Fire in Paradise | The Sacramento Bee

Why CA isn’t safer year after deadly Camp Fire in Paradise | The Sacramento Bee: California’s wildfire risk remains high despite efforts from PG&E & lawmakers to increase safety as the state observes the Camp Fire anniversary, which destroyed most of Paradise & was the deadliest in history.

PG&E's insurance claims payout plan hurting bankruptcy talks - WSJ - PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG) | Seeking Alpha

PG&E's insurance claims payout plan hurting bankruptcy talks - WSJ - PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG) | Seeking Alpha: An $11B settlement of insurance claims tied to PG&E's ([[PCG]] +4.7%) alleged responsibility for California wildfires is emerging as a barrier to a potenti

30 Signs of Soul Exhaustion

30 Signs of Soul Exhaustion: Are you in a funk and feeling like you can’t get out of it? Perhaps you’re going through a traumatic event. Your heart and mind are preoccupied with what’s going on in your life. Suddenly, your body starts reacting to the situation. Your body and mind are interconnected. So, when your mind is stressed, your …

Will ‘Sexist’ White Males Derail Warren? – Patrick J. Buchanan – Official Website

Will ‘Sexist’ White Males Derail Warren? – Patrick J. Buchanan – Official Website: The three white males are denigrating and piling on the woman who is the front-runner with attacks on her personality for which conservatives, if they used such tactics, would be charged with "dog-whistling" the white working class. After celebrating Tuesday's takeover of Virginia's legislature and the Kentucky governorship, the liberal establishment appears poised to crush…

Bishop Barron's Gospel Reflection November 8, 2019

Friday, November 8, 2019

Thirty-first Week in Ordinary Time

Luke 16:1-8

Friends, like the steward in today’s Gospel, we must regularly take a hard took at ourselves. What are our strengths and our weaknesses? Where do we need improvement? Where are we not in particularly good shape? Is our prayer life strong? Do we frequent the sacraments? Do we participate in the Mass? Are our lives focused around the corporal and spiritual works of mercy? Do we speak out against injustices and moral evils?

And, like the steward, we must act with cleverness, firmness of purpose, and boldness. Enough wishy-washiness in the spiritual life! The time for action is now. Today, commit to making Jesus Christ and his demands the undisputed center of your life.

Friday of the Thirty-first Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 489

Reading 1 Rom 15:14-21

I myself am convinced about you, my brothers and sisters,
that you yourselves are full of goodness,
filled with all knowledge, and able to admonish one another.
But I have written to you rather boldly in some respects to remind you,
because of the grace given me by God
to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles
in performing the priestly service of the Gospel of God,
so that the offering up of the Gentiles may be acceptable,
sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
In Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to boast in what pertains to God.
For I will not dare to speak of anything
except what Christ has accomplished through me
to lead the Gentiles to obedience by word and deed,
by the power of signs and wonders,
by the power of the Spirit of God,
so that from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum
I have finished preaching the Gospel of Christ.
Thus I aspire to proclaim the Gospel
not where Christ has already been named,
so that I do not build on another's foundation,
but as it is written:

Those who have never been told of him shall see,
and those who have never heard of him shall understand.

Gospel Lk 16:1-8

Jesus said to his disciples, "A rich man had a steward
who was reported to him for squandering his property.
He summoned him and said,
'What is this I hear about you?
Prepare a full account of your stewardship,
because you can no longer be my steward.'
The steward said to himself, 'What shall I do,
now that my master is taking the position of steward away from me?
I am not strong enough to dig and I am ashamed to beg.
I know what I shall do so that,
when I am removed from the stewardship,
they may welcome me into their homes.'
He called in his master's debtors one by one.
To the first he said, 'How much do you owe my master?'
He replied, 'One hundred measures of olive oil.'
He said to him, 'Here is your promissory note.
Sit down and quickly write one for fifty.'
Then to another he said, 'And you, how much do you owe?'
He replied, 'One hundred measures of wheat.'
He said to him, 'Here is your promissory note;
write one for eighty.'
And the master commended that dishonest steward for acting prudently.
For the children of this world
are more prudent in dealing with their own generation
than the children of light."

US bishops counter narrative of resistance to Pope Francis – Catholic World Report

Michael Bloomberg, billionaire and former mayor, prepares for a presidential bid

Michael Bloomberg, billionaire and former mayor, prepares for a presidential bid: Bloomberg's rationale for getting in the race now would be that the field of Democrats isn't strong enough to beat President Donald Trump

Witch hunt or necessity? Maine's rugged independent voters torn over impeaching Trump - Reuters

Witch hunt or necessity? Maine's rugged independent voters torn over impeaching Trump - Reuters: In an era of hyper partisan politics, Sean Fowler is a rarity: an independent voter who once considered the impeachment inquiry into U.S. President Donald Trump a "witch hunt" and now thinks Congress should remove him from office.

Trump ordered to pay $2 million to charities over misuse of foundation, court documents say - The Washington Post

Trump ordered to pay $2 million to charities over misuse of foundation, court documents say - The Washington Post: The settlement brings to an end a lawsuit filed last year by the New York attorney general’s office that alleged “persistently illegal conduct” at the Donald J. Trump Foundation.

Nothing says Christmas like $30 Trump Pence wrapping paper and $60 ‘Keep America Great’ ornaments - MarketWatch

Nothing says Christmas like $30 Trump Pence wrapping paper and $60 ‘Keep America Great’ ornaments - MarketWatch: The Trump campaign has revealed its Christmas merchandise

Donald Trump’s Boneheaded Plan to Steal Syrian Oil | The American Conservative

Donald Trump’s Boneheaded Plan to Steal Syrian Oil | The American Conservative: If he's going to go plundering, why not hit Saudi Arabia first?

Iran has 'military advantage over US and allies in Middle East' | World news | The Guardian

Iran has 'military advantage over US and allies in Middle East' | World news | The Guardian: Thinktank says third parties such as Shia militias are more important to Tehran than nuclear plans

Asia Times | US and China racing to weaponize AI | Article

Asia Times | US and China racing to weaponize AI | Article: US defense secretary compares artificial intelligence warfare buildup to space race

Western Individualism Arose from Incest Taboo - Scientific American

Western Individualism Arose from Incest Taboo - Scientific American: Scientific American is the essential guide to the most awe-inspiring advances in science and technology, explaining how they change our understanding of the world and shape our lives.

Corruption Is Contagious - Scientific American

Corruption Is Contagious - Scientific American: Scientific American is the essential guide to the most awe-inspiring advances in science and technology, explaining how they change our understanding of the world and shape our lives.

The world is getting wetter, yet water may become less available for North America and Eurasia: Plants will demand more water in the future making less water available for people -- ScienceDaily

The world is getting wetter, yet water may become less available for North America and Eurasia: Plants will demand more water in the future making less water available for people -- ScienceDaily: With climate change, plants of the future will consume more water than in the present day, leading to less water available for people living in North America and Eurasia, according to a new study. The research suggests a drier future despite anticipated precipitation increases for places like the United States and Europe, populous regions already facing water stresses.

'Maybe Rich People Can See the Writing on the Wall': CEOs Stepping Down at Levels Not Seen Since 2008 | naked capitalism

'Maybe Rich People Can See the Writing on the Wall': CEOs Stepping Down at Levels Not Seen Since 2008 | naked capitalism: CEOs are cashing out....an early warning?

PG&E anticipates over $6 billion in losses from wildfires

PG&E anticipates over $6 billion in losses from wildfires: Pacific Gas & Electric reported substantial losses for the third quarter on Thursday, driven by catastrophic wildfires that have been blamed on the utility’s outdated transmission lines

“Neutrality” as the New Paganism - The Catholic Thing

“Neutrality” as the New Paganism - The Catholic Thing: Hadley Arkes: In formally respecting all religions (even Satanism), we may end up refusing to respect the truth of any of them.

Dogma or Die - The Catholic Thing

Dogma or Die - The Catholic Thing: David Warren: Our martyrs died courageously defending Catholic dogma; our “modern” Catholicism has degenerated into a cult of “niceness.”

The world’s first Gattaca baby tests are finally here

The DNA test claims to let prospective parents weed out IVF embryos with a high risk of disease or low intelligence.

https://www.technologyreview.com/s/614690/polygenic-score-ivf-embryo-dna-tests-genomic-prediction-gattaca/?utm_source=newsletters&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=the_download.unpaid.engagement

Amid reinvention, Gillette rethinking its Boston, Andover properties - The Boston Globe

Amid reinvention, Gillette rethinking its Boston, Andover properties - The Boston Globe: Gary Coombe, chief executive of P&G’s grooming business, told the company’s 1,300 Massachusetts employees Thursday that it is reassessing its two properties here. The stated goal: investment in new high-tech manufacturing equipment, R&D labs, and modern offices.

The real constitutional crisis - The Boston Globe

The real constitutional crisis - The Boston Globe: Attacks on our constitutional structure undermine the rights of all Americans to live in a free society governed by the rule of law, rather than mob rule.

Anonymous author’s ‘Warning’ portrays Trump as cruel, inept, and a danger to the country - The Boston Globe

Anonymous author’s ‘Warning’ portrays Trump as cruel, inept, and a danger to the country - The Boston Globe: Senior Trump administration officials considered resigning en masse last year in a ‘‘midnight self-massacre’’ to sound a public alarm about President Donald Trump’s conduct, but rejected the idea because they believed it would further destabilize an already teetering government, according to a new book by an unnamed author.

Ukraine leader bowed to Trump’s demands, until chance spared him - The Boston Globe

Ukraine leader bowed to Trump’s demands, until chance spared him - The Boston Globe: Volodymyr Zelensky faced an agonizing choice: whether to capitulate to President Trump’s demands to publicly announce investigations against his political enemies or to refuse, and lose desperately needed military aid.

Church Teaching on Homosexual Behavior is Unchanging

Church Teaching on Homosexual Behavior is Unchanging: For 2,000 years, the Church has not wavered in her teaching on the immorality of homosexual acts.

A Giant Statue Of Molech Has Been Put Up Right At The Entrance To The Colosseum In Rome – End Of The American Dream

A Giant Statue Of Molech Has Been Put Up Right At The Entrance To The Colosseum In Rome – End Of The American Dream: Tourists that visit the Colosseum in Rome these days are getting quite a shock. A gigantic statue of a pagan Canaanite deity known as "Molech" has been erected

Why I’m glad I had the strictest parents on the block -- Aleteia

Why I’m glad I had the strictest parents on the block -- Aleteia: Don't be afraid to go against the grain when raising kids -- it usually pays off!

Baby resuscitated by baptism by fireman — Aleteia

Baby resuscitated by baptism by fireman — Aleteia: When ordinary attempts to resuscitate her failed, an ex-seminarian volunteer fireman baptized her, and she began to cry.

How long does purgatory last? --Aleteia

How long does purgatory last? --Aleteia: The time for purgatory depends on what is meant by "time," and also is different for each person.

Inside Adam Schiff’s Impeachment Game Plan - The New York Times

Inside Adam Schiff’s Impeachment Game Plan - The New York Times: Democrats believe the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee could be the man to bring down President Trump. This is how he’s running his investigation.

What Happens When a President and Congress Go to War?

Trump is not the first president to defy Congress. A struggle for power has been playing out since the nation’s founding — as its framers intended.

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/05/magazine/congress-president-impeachment.html?te=1&nl=the-new%20york%20times%20magazine&emc=edit_ma_20191108?campaign_id=52&instance_id=13692&segment_id=18637&user_id=e6a9a97f971519b8818ba7420a6d576d&regi_id=60745655

Thursday, November 7, 2019

Victor Davis Hanson: Socialism guarantees failure and suffering – So why do so many Americans support it? | Fox News

Victor Davis Hanson: Socialism guarantees failure and suffering – So why do so many Americans support it? | Fox News: When socialists gain power, they don’t destroy just themselves. They usually take everyone else down with them as well.

The Limited Utility of the Iran Sanctions – LobeLog

The Limited Utility of the Iran Sanctions – LobeLog: By Kenneth Katzman The objective of any sanctions regime is not to punish the target country or weaken its economy as an end in itself. Rather, a sanctions campaign—including the Trump Administrati…

Why Are We Rebuilding the ‘Nuclear Sponge’? | The National Interest

Why Are We Rebuilding the ‘Nuclear Sponge’? | The National Interest: Welcome to the “nuclear sponge.” A bizarre idea that has outlived its questionable Cold War-era usefulness, the nuclear sponge is the United States’ collection of land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles intended to “soak up” a nuclear attack.

The American Dream Is Alive In China | Palladium Magazine

The American Dream Is Alive In China | Palladium Magazine: American discourse doesn't prepare you for how good life in China is becoming. It's a sharp contrast to our own governance troubles. It feels like the American dream has moved to the other side of the world.

To Regain Policy Competence: The Software of American Public Problem-Solving - Texas National Security Review

To Regain Policy Competence: The Software of American Public Problem-Solving - Texas National Security Review: American policymaking has declined over the past several decades, but it is something that can be regained. It is not ephemeral or lost to the mists of time. The skills needed to tackle public problem-solving are specific and cultural — and they are teachable.

Trump’s Trade War Has Dire Consequences | The American Conservative

Trump’s Trade War Has Dire Consequences | The American Conservative: A 10 percent drop in manufacturing and dwindling investment due to tariffs could lose him the election.

PG&E offers bill credit for customers who lost power in October | The Sacramento Bee

PG&E offers bill credit for customers who lost power in October | The Sacramento Bee: PG&E Corp. says insurance claims and legal fees associated with the Camp Fire, Kincade Fire and 2017 Northern California wildfires are among factors in the $1.6 billion quarterly loss reported Thursday.

Pope Urges Jesuits to be Close to the Most Vulnerable

https://zenit.org/articles/pope-urges-jesuits-to-be-close-to-the-most-vulnerable/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Pope%20Urges%20Jesuits%20to%20be%20Close%20to%20the%20Most%20Vulnerable%201573144282%20ZNP&utm_content=Pope%20Urges%20Jesuits%20to%20be%20Close%20to%20the%20Most%20Vulnerable%201573144282%20ZNP+CID_38334ea7e65004f27288ea9419ec0159&utm_source=Editions&utm_term=Pope%20Urges%20Jesuits%20to%20be%20Close%20to%20the%20Most%20Vulnerable

Greetings from Fr. Bob

Greetings from Father Bob ...
In the Catholic tradition we set aside the month of November as a special time to remember those who have gone before us. Starting on November 2nd, the Feast of All Souls, we try to remember our loved ones who have died.
St. Paul tells us that after death comes judgement and, perhaps, our imaginations conjure up a court trial with God as judge and ourselves as defendants with a lengthy list of offenses. But I tend to think that God is so much bigger than a list of good and bad. I like to think that God sees every fall from grace as simply a lack of love in some form or another and that at the moment of death God shows us His perfect love for us and our lackluster response.
When I think of Purgatory I reflect on the homecoming of the prodigal son. Yes, he is dirty, disheveled and unworthy like many of us at some point in life. Yet the father comes looking for him and does not listen to his self-accusation. He just takes him in his arms and at that moment the son sees and feels the enormous love that the father has for him. He also sees how little has been his response to that love and that searing moment is Purgatory.
If I asked you would you like to go to Heaven, I have no doubt what the answer would be. But if I asked you if you wanted to die, there might be some hesitation. Yet we all know that you cannot have one without the other. The Book of Wisdom tells us that the souls of the just are in the hands of God and no torment will ever touch them. They are at peace. Their hope is full of immortality. This is the first place in the Bible that the word immortality is used. Immortality-Eternal Life. There is no greater desire in the human heart.
It is another way to speak of possessing God. It is all that St. Augustine meant when he said our hearts are restless until they rest in thee. It seems strangely appropriate that All Souls Day falls at a time when all nature is dying, falling to earth, preparing for the cold of winter. But no matter what time of year it is people are dying. I am sure that most of us have experienced the loss of someone close. Death is sad and it can be tragic. But the sadness and tragedy of death are only for us who remain who never again in this world will see the face of the loved one, hear the familiar voice of a wife or husband, mother or father.
So, what is the bridge that binds us to those who have died? Isn’t it love? A love so strong that death cannot destroy it. In the Old Testament, The Song of Songs tells us that love is stronger than death. St. Paul joys in telling us that in the end only faith, hope and love will last, but the greatest of these is love. It is part of our Catholic faith that the dead can be helped by our prayers. Ask me how and I cannot tell you. But then I cannot tell you exactly how the living are assisted by my prayers either. Yet, I do not hesitate to pray for them.
As the book of Maccabees tells us, it is a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead. I doubt any of us wants to die. Not because our faith is weak, but because there is so much to life. We live for life. And inevitably in death, we must never forget the words of the funeral Mass-Life is not ended, just changed.

Yours in Christ,

Father Bob Warren, SA

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