Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Watch out for Juror No. 0677
My sister pointed out this post about the Scooter Libby trial by David Corn of The Nation. Corn writes:
And then there's Juror No. 0677. She is a television producer. She claimed she had paid attention to the case in a "circumfery" manner, and she has booked some of the journalists involved in the case. She was questioned about her ties to these reporters and whether she could evaluate their testimony without favor. She said yes. As for Cheney, she said, "I don't have any objective feelings about whether he would be more or less credible in this case."
She also mentioned that she was once an intern at the National Journalism Center and then an intern at The Washington Times, the conservative newspaper owned by Sun Myung Moon's Unification Church. There were no queries from the judge and lawyers about these connections. Yet might she be a conservative harboring pro-administration inclinations? Though the National Journalism Center has a bland name, it is a rightwing outfit that trains young conservative journalists and finds them jobs. Not all of its graduates are ideologically minded. But the group was launched in part by the American Conservative Union. It has received funding from the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation and the John M. Olin Foundation, leading conservative foundations. (The John M. Olin Foundation funded itself out of business in 2005.) Several years ago, the National Journalism Center was taken over by another conservative group, the Young Americas Foundation.
Jurors ought not be blackballed for their political views. But if a National Journalism Center graduate makes it on to the jury, the Libby legal team would have reason to be pleased. Fitzgerald might want to ask her a few more questions.
Juror no. 0677 just happens to be an old friend from high school. She's actually the producer of a program for the U.S International Broadcasting Bureau's Voice of America. The VOA broadcasts news and other programs in 44 languages to countries around the world. I find it very amusing that Corn is so worried about her. A conservative harboring pro-administration inclinations - sounds dangerous doesn't it?
And then there's Juror No. 0677. She is a television producer. She claimed she had paid attention to the case in a "circumfery" manner, and she has booked some of the journalists involved in the case. She was questioned about her ties to these reporters and whether she could evaluate their testimony without favor. She said yes. As for Cheney, she said, "I don't have any objective feelings about whether he would be more or less credible in this case."
She also mentioned that she was once an intern at the National Journalism Center and then an intern at The Washington Times, the conservative newspaper owned by Sun Myung Moon's Unification Church. There were no queries from the judge and lawyers about these connections. Yet might she be a conservative harboring pro-administration inclinations? Though the National Journalism Center has a bland name, it is a rightwing outfit that trains young conservative journalists and finds them jobs. Not all of its graduates are ideologically minded. But the group was launched in part by the American Conservative Union. It has received funding from the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation and the John M. Olin Foundation, leading conservative foundations. (The John M. Olin Foundation funded itself out of business in 2005.) Several years ago, the National Journalism Center was taken over by another conservative group, the Young Americas Foundation.
Jurors ought not be blackballed for their political views. But if a National Journalism Center graduate makes it on to the jury, the Libby legal team would have reason to be pleased. Fitzgerald might want to ask her a few more questions.
Juror no. 0677 just happens to be an old friend from high school. She's actually the producer of a program for the U.S International Broadcasting Bureau's Voice of America. The VOA broadcasts news and other programs in 44 languages to countries around the world. I find it very amusing that Corn is so worried about her. A conservative harboring pro-administration inclinations - sounds dangerous doesn't it?
March for Life 2007
The March for Life 2007 was chaotic as usual with thousands of people converging on the Mall and surronding area in Washington, D.C. on Monday. It was a cold day, and muddy, but that didn't stop the groups who arrived from all over the country to show their support of life.
I love to read all the signs at the March to see where people are from. Here's a rundown on the states I saw present: New Hampshire, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Maryland, Virignia, North Carolina, Florida, Alabama, Texas, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisianna, Wisconsin, Michigan, Arizona, North Dakota, Kentucky, Kansas.
My friend and I drove 8 hours to attend the March, but many of these people spent many more hours on buses to attend. I'm always impressed by the time and difficulty that these people endure just walk for 2 hours, often in bitter cold, and then go home again. One day sacrifices like these will pay off big.
I love to read all the signs at the March to see where people are from. Here's a rundown on the states I saw present: New Hampshire, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Maryland, Virignia, North Carolina, Florida, Alabama, Texas, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisianna, Wisconsin, Michigan, Arizona, North Dakota, Kentucky, Kansas.
My friend and I drove 8 hours to attend the March, but many of these people spent many more hours on buses to attend. I'm always impressed by the time and difficulty that these people endure just walk for 2 hours, often in bitter cold, and then go home again. One day sacrifices like these will pay off big.
Labels: pro-life
No news is bad news
I haven't heard anything from the police about the investigation into the robbery at my house last week. In fact, I've left two messages asking for follow-up information and have yet to receive all call back. I'm sure that the police have a lot of cases to investigate, and that mine is pretty small. But it's huge to me, and I'd like to know that the men who are sworn to protect me and my property are doing something. I want the person who walked into my house and helped himself to my things behind bars.
Labels: personal
Saturday, January 20, 2007
An intrusion
Sometime yesterday, while I was at work, someone broke into my house and stole my laptop, some jewlery (including a diamond ring (birthstone) that my parents gave me), and possibly some cash. I was supposed to be leaving for Virigina to participate in the March for Life at the time that the theft was discovered, and after consulting with the police, decided to make the trip. Right now I am writing this from my friends' living room in Fairfax, VA. When I return home on Tuesday, I will have to make a more thorough investigation to see if anything else is missing. I know that it is unlikely that my missing items will ever be found. However, I also believe in the power of prayer and am praying to St. Anthony for his help in locating my property. The patron saint of police escapes me at the moment, but I'll be praying to him as well to help the police apprehend the culprit.
Right now I am saddened by the loss of several items of importance to me, and sickened and angry at the thought of someone forcing his way into my house and helping himself to my things. I'm praying to God for the ability to forgive and thanking God that only a few things were taken and that no one was at the house to be hurt at the time of the crime.
Right now I am saddened by the loss of several items of importance to me, and sickened and angry at the thought of someone forcing his way into my house and helping himself to my things. I'm praying to God for the ability to forgive and thanking God that only a few things were taken and that no one was at the house to be hurt at the time of the crime.
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Novena for the Protection of the Unborn
I knew I'd miss the beginning. I just can't seem to start novenas on time. Anyway, Women for Faith & Family has a Novena for the Protection of the Unborn on their website. It started on Sunday (now I know why I missed it - I was distracted by the Pats/Chargers game!) and ends on January 22, the 34th Annivesary of Roe v. Wade.
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
A call to artists
My mom called my attention to this blog, ArtSolidarity, by high school friend, Ted Crisman.
Here's the mission statement:
ArtSolidarity is a coalition of artists: writers, directors of cinema and the theater , painters, sculptors, designers, architects, musicians, teachers of art, art historians and artists by desire. We are calling to all artists who believe that "Beauty will save the world." We are coming together to create a solidarity of artists who will in turn help cultivate a robust culture of beauty.
The blog contains renovation pictures of my uncle's parish in Keene, NH. Ted tells how the renovation came about:
I do need to mention that this project was initiated by the associate priests, who, after discovering that there was a mural at one time in the church, climbed up a ladder late one night and scraped away the old paint and uncovered the face of Christ. Afterwards they approached the pastor and encouraged him to allow them to begin raising funds to uncover the mural. So, without the initial and continual efforts of these young, faithful priests, and the openness of our pastor we would still be worshiping the lord in an environment stripped of beauty.
Check out the blog for before and after pictures and for the complete story of the renovation. It's well worth it.
Here's the mission statement:
ArtSolidarity is a coalition of artists: writers, directors of cinema and the theater , painters, sculptors, designers, architects, musicians, teachers of art, art historians and artists by desire. We are calling to all artists who believe that "Beauty will save the world." We are coming together to create a solidarity of artists who will in turn help cultivate a robust culture of beauty.
The blog contains renovation pictures of my uncle's parish in Keene, NH. Ted tells how the renovation came about:
I do need to mention that this project was initiated by the associate priests, who, after discovering that there was a mural at one time in the church, climbed up a ladder late one night and scraped away the old paint and uncovered the face of Christ. Afterwards they approached the pastor and encouraged him to allow them to begin raising funds to uncover the mural. So, without the initial and continual efforts of these young, faithful priests, and the openness of our pastor we would still be worshiping the lord in an environment stripped of beauty.
Check out the blog for before and after pictures and for the complete story of the renovation. It's well worth it.
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
And you thought you knew classic movies?
Just for fun...
Match the title character to her last name:
1. Laura
2. Sabrina
3. Rebecca
4. Gilda
5. Marnie
6. Margie
7. Lili
8. Desiree
9. Lolita
10. Pinky
a. Mundson
b. Clary
c. Hunt
d. MacDuff
e. De Winter
f. Johnson
g. Haze
h. Fairchild
i. Daurier
j. Edgar
Match the title character to her last name:
1. Laura
2. Sabrina
3. Rebecca
4. Gilda
5. Marnie
6. Margie
7. Lili
8. Desiree
9. Lolita
10. Pinky
a. Mundson
b. Clary
c. Hunt
d. MacDuff
e. De Winter
f. Johnson
g. Haze
h. Fairchild
i. Daurier
j. Edgar
Labels: movies
Congrats to the Gators
Congratulations to the Florida Gators on their National Championship. I'm so happy that they beat Ohio State, though I can't quite believe that the final score was 41-14! By the way, Gators backup quarterback is freshman Tim Tebow, a homeschooler who was able to play on his local public school . Last night (or rather early this morning) I caught this interesting segment on ESPN's Outside the Lines about the debate over homeschoolers playing sports on local high school teams. Overall, I thought that piece was pretty favorable toward homeschoolers.
Labels: college football
Monday, January 08, 2007
The Miracle of the Rosary
Today is Elvis Presley's birthday, and appropriately, I just found this post over at American Papist. Elvis and the rosary are not two things that I would normally put together, but check out this beautiful song that Elvis recorded in 1971.
Labels: Elvis
The Baptism of the Lord
Jesus' public life begins with his baptism by John in the Jordan. (Lk 3:23; Acts 1:22). The Baptist hesitates, but Jesus insists and receives baptism. Then the Holy Spirit, in the form of a dove, comes upon Jesus and a voice from heaven proclaims, "This is my beloved Son.'(Mt 3:13-17) This is the manifestation ("Epiphany") of Jesus as Messiah of Israel and Son of God. (CCC 535)
Labels: Feast Day
Friday, January 05, 2007
My Peculiar Aristocratic Title
 | My Peculiar Aristocratic Title is: Her Noble Excellency Wimsey the Calm of Chalmondley Chumleyton Get your Peculiar Aristocratic Title |
From my fellow aristocrat Earl Domenico the Superficial of Kesslington under Ox.
Labels: fun
Elizabeth Fox-Genovese, RIP
Elizabeth Fox-Genovese - scholar, author, member of the editorial boards of First Things and Women for Faith and Family (among many) - died on January 2, 2007. Born in Boston in 1941, she spent her academic career writing and speaking about women's issues and was awarded the Cardinal Wright Award from the Fellowship of Catholic Scholars in 2003, given annually to a Catholic judged to have given outstanding service to the Church.
In 1995 Elizabeth Fox-Genovese was received into the Catholic Church. She recounted her conversion story in the April 2000 issue of First Things. In that account, she included a typical reflection on woman and her particular vocation to charity and service.
Sad as it may seem, my experience with radical, upscale feminism only reinforced my growing mistrust of individual pride. The defense of abortion especially troubled me because of my inability to agree that any one of us should decide who has the right to live. But my engagement with faith drew me into more general reflection about the importance of charity and service in the life of the Christian. Initially, I had shied away from the idea of the imitation of Christ and even from the entreaty in the Universal Prayer to "make me holy." Such aspirations struck me as the ultimate presumption: who was I to pretend to holiness, much less the imitation of our Savior? Gradually, those fears began to dissipate, and I found myself meditating upon the Gospels’ teaching on service, above all, that "the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to offer his life as a ransom for all." Having been received in the Church on the day after the feast of the Immaculate Conception, I also pondered the Holy Mother’s response to the Annunciation: "Let it be done unto me according to Thy Word."
The injunctions to charity and service unmistakably applied to all Christians, but it was difficult to deny that, since the moment of the Virgin Mary’s response to the Angel Gabriel, they applied in a special way to women. Her example, as Hans Urs von Balthasar has reminded us, offers the exemplary embodiment of faith. "Faith is the surrender of the entire person: because Mary from the start surrendered everything, her memory was the unsullied tablet on which the Father, through the Spirit, could write His entire Word." It is incontestable that, throughout most of history, women have suffered injustices and abuse that cry out for redress. It is no less incontestable that the path to justice and dignity for women—the recognition of their equal standing with men as human persons—cannot lead through the repudiation of the most basic tenets of our faith. No amount of past oppression can justify women’s oppression of the most vulnerable among us—or even our repudiation of our own specific vocation as women.
Elizabeth Fox-Genovese, Requiescat in pace
In 1995 Elizabeth Fox-Genovese was received into the Catholic Church. She recounted her conversion story in the April 2000 issue of First Things. In that account, she included a typical reflection on woman and her particular vocation to charity and service.
Sad as it may seem, my experience with radical, upscale feminism only reinforced my growing mistrust of individual pride. The defense of abortion especially troubled me because of my inability to agree that any one of us should decide who has the right to live. But my engagement with faith drew me into more general reflection about the importance of charity and service in the life of the Christian. Initially, I had shied away from the idea of the imitation of Christ and even from the entreaty in the Universal Prayer to "make me holy." Such aspirations struck me as the ultimate presumption: who was I to pretend to holiness, much less the imitation of our Savior? Gradually, those fears began to dissipate, and I found myself meditating upon the Gospels’ teaching on service, above all, that "the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to offer his life as a ransom for all." Having been received in the Church on the day after the feast of the Immaculate Conception, I also pondered the Holy Mother’s response to the Annunciation: "Let it be done unto me according to Thy Word."
The injunctions to charity and service unmistakably applied to all Christians, but it was difficult to deny that, since the moment of the Virgin Mary’s response to the Angel Gabriel, they applied in a special way to women. Her example, as Hans Urs von Balthasar has reminded us, offers the exemplary embodiment of faith. "Faith is the surrender of the entire person: because Mary from the start surrendered everything, her memory was the unsullied tablet on which the Father, through the Spirit, could write His entire Word." It is incontestable that, throughout most of history, women have suffered injustices and abuse that cry out for redress. It is no less incontestable that the path to justice and dignity for women—the recognition of their equal standing with men as human persons—cannot lead through the repudiation of the most basic tenets of our faith. No amount of past oppression can justify women’s oppression of the most vulnerable among us—or even our repudiation of our own specific vocation as women.
Elizabeth Fox-Genovese, Requiescat in pace
Labels: women
A month?
I know, I know. It's been a month since the last time I posted. But, I've been really busy. Really. 2 illnesses, a brother and sister visiting (with children), Christmas, and a man will do that to you. Now I've recovered from the illnesses, my brother and sister have gone home and the busy part of Christmas will be over after my party this weekend. So, look for more blogging soon.
Labels: personal
