News Flash. The remarkable governor of California, a man to be reckoned with, married to one of our very own princesses, a man who can ride a motorcycle and shoot a gun and save the punk kid savoir of mankind all at the same time while looking real cool with his shades on has now reached for the stars and modestly asked you and me, us and them, the citizens of the other 49 states, the humans that made him a very wealthy man, to loan our good names and cosign his debt.
TheFundamentals believes in self reliance. Self reliance is simply defined this way – bankruptcy, pal. Embrace it. You will find your salvation at the steps to the federal courthouse. Forget about loans and more debt. As General Powell said so brilliantly and simply, you fool, “You broke it, you own it.”
Here’s another suggestion: (as usual TheFundamentals seeks no remuneration for these ideas that politicians pay handsomely large consulting fees for in their constant quest to seek the best advice) Have a garage sale. TheFundamentals is not sure what you’ve really got out there but put it up for sale on EBay and Craig’s List. See the bridges, sell the canyons, and sell the views. Sell all those crappy mansions hanging onto the edge of a cliff and that park where that lightened up fellow with the barely hanging on nose lives. Sell those welfare rolls. Sell your constitutional amendment process and your gay marriage ideas. Sell your airports and your highways. Sell the movie lots. Sell your silicon valley and Yosemite park. Sell death valley desert; hey the Arabs are big on sand and they gots lots of dough. Sell your emission standards and your public sector union benefit packages. Sell your vineyards and your artichoke farms. Head on down to the federal court and have at it. They love to liquidate. Sell it all. Sell the islands – Catalina and Alcatraz.
Are you feeling lucky? Ah’ll be back. Sell the movie lots. Sell the big tall trees. Sell the marijuana farms and the hippie hangouts.
As the community organizer says, “It’s time for change.” Sell it all. You’ll get some change.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
American Idolatry
In a very brief period of time, we have become witnesses to an American phenomenon. We are able to see ourselves as other see us. This is not usually granted to mere mortals. The gods have given us TV. Now what do we do?
We witness the phenomenon of one person leading a group of sycophants closer and closer to the edge of the precipice. While the world watches, while the unquestioning and unaware media observe and blather, while those with their own specific and limited agendas impose and influence and direct; the principles, the values and the very purpose and objectives of a wonderful experiment are discarded for the momentary euphoria of hope, change and expanded, continued promiscuity.
In a brief time period, inexperience and relief has captured enough influence to dominate the printed and electronic press in the form of cult like popularity of a personage. Thousands appear for a slightly modified and well told campaign speech; weekly magazines and daily papers that are no longer read by enough subscribers to pay the bills showcase his visage and fill their shrinking pages with words produced by employees desperate for one or two more paychecks; college presidents hoping to grasp a mere fleeting touch of the hem of his garments bestow honorariums and listen to his garbled nonsense while their very principles are discarded in front of them; and citizens who have to pay their bills and teach their children values and principles pretend and hope that some good will come of this even while well knowing that it is not hope they are witnessing but the silliness of the uninformed and unexperienced and unaware.
From far away they come to visit the emperor and praise his new transparent clothing. Others play with the atom as children with toys. Most recently the new but used leader of a desperate state appears with an agenda that can only be imposed by playing an influence card that violates the very principles of the powerful state. And while the visitor feigns attention he also calculates his tactics. The host dances around with unintended transparency and the visitor waits patiently until he has the opportunity to wedge the host into complicity in his plans. He strikes and leaves and smiles. Does the new emperor have a clue?
In the meantime, the lenders plot their alternatives and the children, trusting and expecting the wisdom of their elders, move ever so closer to a day of reckoning. The idols - elected and appointed, don their see through jester costumes, perform and display their shortcomings.
We witness the phenomenon of one person leading a group of sycophants closer and closer to the edge of the precipice. While the world watches, while the unquestioning and unaware media observe and blather, while those with their own specific and limited agendas impose and influence and direct; the principles, the values and the very purpose and objectives of a wonderful experiment are discarded for the momentary euphoria of hope, change and expanded, continued promiscuity.
In a brief time period, inexperience and relief has captured enough influence to dominate the printed and electronic press in the form of cult like popularity of a personage. Thousands appear for a slightly modified and well told campaign speech; weekly magazines and daily papers that are no longer read by enough subscribers to pay the bills showcase his visage and fill their shrinking pages with words produced by employees desperate for one or two more paychecks; college presidents hoping to grasp a mere fleeting touch of the hem of his garments bestow honorariums and listen to his garbled nonsense while their very principles are discarded in front of them; and citizens who have to pay their bills and teach their children values and principles pretend and hope that some good will come of this even while well knowing that it is not hope they are witnessing but the silliness of the uninformed and unexperienced and unaware.
From far away they come to visit the emperor and praise his new transparent clothing. Others play with the atom as children with toys. Most recently the new but used leader of a desperate state appears with an agenda that can only be imposed by playing an influence card that violates the very principles of the powerful state. And while the visitor feigns attention he also calculates his tactics. The host dances around with unintended transparency and the visitor waits patiently until he has the opportunity to wedge the host into complicity in his plans. He strikes and leaves and smiles. Does the new emperor have a clue?
In the meantime, the lenders plot their alternatives and the children, trusting and expecting the wisdom of their elders, move ever so closer to a day of reckoning. The idols - elected and appointed, don their see through jester costumes, perform and display their shortcomings.
Monday, May 25, 2009
In Memoriam
In Flanders Fields
By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)
Canadian Army
In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
The Soldier
The Soldier: - By Charles M. Province
It is the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech.
If you can read this message thank a teacher, If you are reading it in English of your own free will THANK A SOLDIER!
It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, who has given us the freedom to demonstrate.
It is the soldier, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial.
It is the soldier, who salutes the flag, who serves under the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag,who allows the protester to burn the flag.
To all the brave men and women who have dedicated or given their lives to protecting this country and it's freedoms: Thank you.
It is the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech.
If you can read this message thank a teacher, If you are reading it in English of your own free will THANK A SOLDIER!
It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, who has given us the freedom to demonstrate.
It is the soldier, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial.
It is the soldier, who salutes the flag, who serves under the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag,who allows the protester to burn the flag.
To all the brave men and women who have dedicated or given their lives to protecting this country and it's freedoms: Thank you.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Hippocratic Oath
Here's the original oath, translated into English:
I swear by Apollo, the healer, Asclepius, Hygieia, and Panacea, and I take to witness all the gods, all the goddesses, to keep according to my ability and my judgment, the following Oath and agreement:
To consider dear to me, as my parents, him who taught me this art; to live in common with him and, if necessary, to share my goods with him; To look upon his children as my own brothers, to teach them this art.
I will prescribe regimens for the good of my patients according to my ability and my judgment and never do harm to anyone.
I will not give a lethal drug to anyone if I am asked, nor will I advise such a plan; and similarly I will not give a woman a pessary to cause an abortion.
But I will preserve the purity of my life and my arts.
I will not cut for stone, even for patients in whom the disease is manifest; I will leave this operation to be performed by practitioners, specialists in this art.
In every house where I come I will enter only for the good of my patients, keeping myself far from all intentional ill-doing and all seduction and especially from the pleasures of love with women or with men, be they free or slaves.
All that may come to my knowledge in the exercise of my profession or in daily commerce with men, which ought not to be spread abroad, I will keep secret and will never reveal.
If I keep this oath faithfully, may I enjoy my life and practice my art, respected by all men and in all times; but if I swerve from it or violate it, may the reverse be my lot.
Source: Wikipedia
I swear by Apollo, the healer, Asclepius, Hygieia, and Panacea, and I take to witness all the gods, all the goddesses, to keep according to my ability and my judgment, the following Oath and agreement:
To consider dear to me, as my parents, him who taught me this art; to live in common with him and, if necessary, to share my goods with him; To look upon his children as my own brothers, to teach them this art.
I will prescribe regimens for the good of my patients according to my ability and my judgment and never do harm to anyone.
I will not give a lethal drug to anyone if I am asked, nor will I advise such a plan; and similarly I will not give a woman a pessary to cause an abortion.
But I will preserve the purity of my life and my arts.
I will not cut for stone, even for patients in whom the disease is manifest; I will leave this operation to be performed by practitioners, specialists in this art.
In every house where I come I will enter only for the good of my patients, keeping myself far from all intentional ill-doing and all seduction and especially from the pleasures of love with women or with men, be they free or slaves.
All that may come to my knowledge in the exercise of my profession or in daily commerce with men, which ought not to be spread abroad, I will keep secret and will never reveal.
If I keep this oath faithfully, may I enjoy my life and practice my art, respected by all men and in all times; but if I swerve from it or violate it, may the reverse be my lot.
Source: Wikipedia
Monday, May 18, 2009
Teachable Moment
Some quotes from the University of Notre Dame website re: yesterday’s graduation ceremonies:
‘Obama’s visit, in the face of discord about his position on abortion, placed the University under a barrage of criticism and protest. Both he and University President Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., addressed the discord as a teachable moment.”
Father Jenkins was interrupted for applause when he noted, “Most of the debate has centered on Notre Dame’s decision to invite and honor the President. Less attention has been focused on the President’s decision to accept,” he said. “President Obama has come to Notre Dame, though he knows well that we are fully supportive of Church teaching on the sanctity of human life, and we oppose his policies on abortion and embryonic stem cell research.”
While his stance on abortion was likely unacceptable to some, he (Obama) said he aims to a dialogue of “fair minded words.”
A more somber “first” went to Judge John Noonan, who stepped in to make Laetare remarks when Mary Ann Glendon, Learned Hand Professor of Law at Harvard University and former U.S. ambassador to the Vatican, declined the 2009 Laetare Medal. “Debate is not now about to close,” on the subject of abortion, he said. “At its center are the claims of conflicting consciences.”
TheFundamentals wonders just when “debate” and “dialogue” became substitutes for principles and values? Do words now speak louder than action? Teachable moment? For whom? What Church teaching was taught in this kumbaya moment? Are fair minded words the culture of convenience’s new stand in for fundamental values? Let’s all come together and have a big group hug. We’ll talk. In the meantime at least half of us are headed where we want to be going. You folks in the minority can come along and we’ll chat. Such a deal!
Just imagine where we would be if the minority in 1776 sought more dialogue and debate.
Each of these good intentions moves the road a bit closer to its certain destination.
The community organizer should have noted these “fair minded words” in this teachable moment:
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.
‘Obama’s visit, in the face of discord about his position on abortion, placed the University under a barrage of criticism and protest. Both he and University President Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., addressed the discord as a teachable moment.”
Father Jenkins was interrupted for applause when he noted, “Most of the debate has centered on Notre Dame’s decision to invite and honor the President. Less attention has been focused on the President’s decision to accept,” he said. “President Obama has come to Notre Dame, though he knows well that we are fully supportive of Church teaching on the sanctity of human life, and we oppose his policies on abortion and embryonic stem cell research.”
While his stance on abortion was likely unacceptable to some, he (Obama) said he aims to a dialogue of “fair minded words.”
A more somber “first” went to Judge John Noonan, who stepped in to make Laetare remarks when Mary Ann Glendon, Learned Hand Professor of Law at Harvard University and former U.S. ambassador to the Vatican, declined the 2009 Laetare Medal. “Debate is not now about to close,” on the subject of abortion, he said. “At its center are the claims of conflicting consciences.”
TheFundamentals wonders just when “debate” and “dialogue” became substitutes for principles and values? Do words now speak louder than action? Teachable moment? For whom? What Church teaching was taught in this kumbaya moment? Are fair minded words the culture of convenience’s new stand in for fundamental values? Let’s all come together and have a big group hug. We’ll talk. In the meantime at least half of us are headed where we want to be going. You folks in the minority can come along and we’ll chat. Such a deal!
Just imagine where we would be if the minority in 1776 sought more dialogue and debate.
Each of these good intentions moves the road a bit closer to its certain destination.
The community organizer should have noted these “fair minded words” in this teachable moment:
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Mary Ann Glendon's Letter
April 27, 2009
The Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C
President
University of Notre Dame
Dear Father Jenkins,
When you informed me in December 2008 that I had been selected to receive Notre Dame’s Laetare Medal, I was profoundly moved. I treasure the memory of receiving an honorary degree from Notre Dame in 1996, and I have always felt honored that the commencement speech I gave that year was included in the anthology of Notre Dame’s most memorable commencement speeches. So I immediately began working on an acceptance speech that I hoped would be worthy of the occasion, of the honor of the medal, and of your students and faculty.
Last month, when you called to tell me that the commencement speech was to be given by President Obama, I mentioned to you that I would have to rewrite my speech. Over the ensuing weeks, the task that once seemed so delightful has been complicated by a number of factors.
First, as a longtime consultant to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, I could not help but be dismayed by the news that Notre Dame also planned to award the president an honorary degree. This, as you must know, was in disregard of the U.S. bishops’ express request of 2004 that Catholic institutions “should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles” and that such persons “should not be given awards, honors or platforms which would suggest support for their actions.” That request, which in no way seeks to control or interfere with an institution’s freedom to invite and engage in serious debate with whomever it wishes, seems to me so reasonable that I am at a loss to understand why a Catholic university should disrespect it.
Then I learned that “talking points” issued by Notre Dame in response to widespread criticism of its decision included two statements implying that my acceptance speech would somehow balance the event:
• “President Obama won’t be doing all the talking. Mary Ann Glendon, the former U.S. ambassador to the Vatican, will be speaking as the recipient of the Laetare Medal.”
• “We think having the president come to Notre Dame, see our graduates, meet our leaders, and hear a talk from Mary Ann Glendon is a good thing for the president and for the causes we care about.”
A commencement, however, is supposed to be a joyous day for the graduates and their families. It is not the right place, nor is a brief acceptance speech the right vehicle, for engagement with the very serious problems raised by Notre Dame’s decision—in disregard of the settled position of the U.S. bishops—to honor a prominent and uncompromising opponent of the Church’s position on issues involving fundamental principles of justice.
Finally, with recent news reports that other Catholic schools are similarly choosing to disregard the bishops’ guidelines, I am concerned that Notre Dame’s example could have an unfortunate ripple effect.
It is with great sadness, therefore, that I have concluded that I cannot accept the Laetare Medal or participate in the May 17 graduation ceremony.
In order to avoid the inevitable speculation about the reasons for my decision, I will release this letter to the press, but I do not plan to make any further comment on the matter at this time.
Yours Very Truly,
Mary Ann Glendon
The Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C
President
University of Notre Dame
Dear Father Jenkins,
When you informed me in December 2008 that I had been selected to receive Notre Dame’s Laetare Medal, I was profoundly moved. I treasure the memory of receiving an honorary degree from Notre Dame in 1996, and I have always felt honored that the commencement speech I gave that year was included in the anthology of Notre Dame’s most memorable commencement speeches. So I immediately began working on an acceptance speech that I hoped would be worthy of the occasion, of the honor of the medal, and of your students and faculty.
Last month, when you called to tell me that the commencement speech was to be given by President Obama, I mentioned to you that I would have to rewrite my speech. Over the ensuing weeks, the task that once seemed so delightful has been complicated by a number of factors.
First, as a longtime consultant to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, I could not help but be dismayed by the news that Notre Dame also planned to award the president an honorary degree. This, as you must know, was in disregard of the U.S. bishops’ express request of 2004 that Catholic institutions “should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles” and that such persons “should not be given awards, honors or platforms which would suggest support for their actions.” That request, which in no way seeks to control or interfere with an institution’s freedom to invite and engage in serious debate with whomever it wishes, seems to me so reasonable that I am at a loss to understand why a Catholic university should disrespect it.
Then I learned that “talking points” issued by Notre Dame in response to widespread criticism of its decision included two statements implying that my acceptance speech would somehow balance the event:
• “President Obama won’t be doing all the talking. Mary Ann Glendon, the former U.S. ambassador to the Vatican, will be speaking as the recipient of the Laetare Medal.”
• “We think having the president come to Notre Dame, see our graduates, meet our leaders, and hear a talk from Mary Ann Glendon is a good thing for the president and for the causes we care about.”
A commencement, however, is supposed to be a joyous day for the graduates and their families. It is not the right place, nor is a brief acceptance speech the right vehicle, for engagement with the very serious problems raised by Notre Dame’s decision—in disregard of the settled position of the U.S. bishops—to honor a prominent and uncompromising opponent of the Church’s position on issues involving fundamental principles of justice.
Finally, with recent news reports that other Catholic schools are similarly choosing to disregard the bishops’ guidelines, I am concerned that Notre Dame’s example could have an unfortunate ripple effect.
It is with great sadness, therefore, that I have concluded that I cannot accept the Laetare Medal or participate in the May 17 graduation ceremony.
In order to avoid the inevitable speculation about the reasons for my decision, I will release this letter to the press, but I do not plan to make any further comment on the matter at this time.
Yours Very Truly,
Mary Ann Glendon
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