New video by ShePAC reveals Obama's double-standard with women

WARNING: VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED...

I am offering this newly created video here, made by a conservative women's PAC called, ShePAC. It may be offensive to some; but, I think the video needs to be seen and shared. Mr. Obama is very selective in supporting women who exercise their right to free speech against vicious verbal attacks. . Where has he been all these years when conservative women were being targeted by liberals, along with their children in some cases. Here you will see a misogynist at play.  Not only has Obama not called for civility on this, he has been completely silent about it.

To the men who view this, tell me you wouldn't be fired for talking like this at work.  

Watch this 2 minute clip and consider sharing it.

Mr. President - Give Bill Maher his money back to set a good example for your own daughters. Along with the way he has insulted women, and Christians, specifically Catholics, the guy is a lousy comedian.

I have a hard time understanding how people can even watch Maher and be entertained by him.  It's sickening when people laugh at a man who would speak in such ways about women and disabled babies.

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USCCB to Obama: Rescission of mandate only complete solution

Well that didn't take long. The USCCB has issued it's formal statement response to President Obama's "accommodation" on the HHS mandate (Emphasis in bold in original)

February 10, 2012
Regulatory changes limited and unclear
Rescission of mandate only complete solution
Continue urging passage of Respect for Rights of Conscience Act

WASHINGTON – The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) have issued the following statement:

The Catholic bishops have long supported access to life-affirming healthcare for all, and the conscience rights of everyone involved in the complex process of providing that healthcare. That is why we raised two serious objections to the "preventive services" regulation issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in August 2011.

First, we objected to the rule forcing private health plans — nationwide, by the stroke of a bureaucrat's pen—to cover sterilization and contraception, including drugs that may cause abortion. All the other mandated "preventive services" prevent disease, and pregnancy is not a disease. Moreover, forcing plans to cover abortifacients violates existing federal conscience laws. Therefore, we called for the rescission of the mandate altogether.

Second, we explained that the mandate would impose a burden of unprecedented reach and severity on the consciences of those who consider such "services" immoral: insurers forced to write policies including this coverage; employers and schools forced to sponsor and subsidize the coverage; and individual employees and students forced to pay premiums for the coverage. We therefore urged HHS, if it insisted on keeping the mandate, to provide a conscience exemption for all of these stakeholders—not just the extremely small subset of "religious employers" that HHS proposed to exempt initially.

Today, the President has done two things.

First, he has decided to retain HHS's nationwide mandate of insurance coverage of sterilization and contraception, including some abortifacients. This is both unsupported in the law and remains a grave moral concern. We cannot fail to reiterate this, even as so many would focus exclusively on the question of religious liberty.

Second, the President has announced some changes in how that mandate will be administered, which is still unclear in its details. As far as we can tell at this point, the change appears to have the following basic contours:

·It would still mandate that all insurers must include coverage for the objectionable services in all the policies they would write. At this point, it would appear that self-insuring religious employers, and religious insurance companies, are not exempt from this mandate.

·It would allow non-profit, religious employers to declare that they do not offer such coverage. But the employee and insurer may separately agree to add that coverage. The employee would not have to pay any additional amount to obtain this coverage, and the coverage would be provided as a part of the employer's policy, not as a separate rider.

·Finally, we are told that the one-year extension on the effective date (from August 1, 2012 to August 1, 2013) is available to any non-profit religious employer who desires it, without any government application or approval process.

These changes require careful moral analysis, and moreover, appear subject to some measure of change. But we note at the outset that the lack of clear protection for key stakeholders—for self-insured religious employers; for religious and secular for-profit employers; for secular non-profit employers; for religious insurers; and for individuals—is unacceptable and must be corrected. And in the case where the employee and insurer agree to add the objectionable coverage, that coverage is still provided as a part of the objecting employer's plan, financed in the same way as the rest of the coverage offered by the objecting employer. This, too, raises serious moral concerns.

We just received information about this proposal for the first time this morning; we were not consulted in advance. Some information we have is in writing and some is oral. We will, of course, continue to press for the greatest conscience protection we can secure from the Executive Branch. But stepping away from the particulars, we note that today's proposal continues to involve needless government intrusion in the internal governance of religious institutions, and to threaten government coercion of religious people and groups to violate their most deeply held convictions. In a nation dedicated to religious liberty as its first and founding principle, we should not be limited to negotiating within these parameters. The only complete solution to this religious liberty problem is for HHS to rescind the mandate of these objectionable services. [emphasis mine]

We will therefore continue—with no less vigor, no less sense of urgency—our efforts to correct this problem through the other two branches of government. For example, we renew our call on Congress to pass, and the Administration to sign, the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act. And we renew our call to the Catholic faithful, and to all our fellow Americans, to join together in this effort to protect religious liberty and freedom of conscience for all.

Rocco Palmo at Whispers has obtained an internal memo with more.  He notes the signatories:

Here below, however, the text of the internal letter to the bishops -- obtained tonight by Whispers -- and signed by the aforementioned quintet: the conference president, Cardinal-designate Timothy Dolan of New York, and the bench's committee chairs for Pro-Life Activities, Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of Galveston-Houston; Doctrine, Cardinal Donald Wuerl of Washington; Domestic Policy, Bishop Stephen Blaire of Stockton, and the newly-formed arm on Religious Liberty, Bishop William Lori of Bridgeport.

Here's just one snippet:

We remain fully committed to the defense of our religious liberty and we strongly protest the violation of our freedom of religion that has not been addressed. We continue to work for the repeal of the mandate. We have grave reservations that the government is intruding in the definition of who is and who is not a religious employer. Upon further study we are very concerned that serious issues still remain and we have found numerous problems which we will raise in this letter.

Hold on tight folks, we're in for a ride.  The bishops have found their voice, and their backbone.  Pray for them, and all involved.

Phil Lawler laments the fact that Catholic Health Association and Catholic Charities jumped the gun and issued statements supportive of the "accommodation" before the bishops could speak, something I discussed in my own post on Sr. Carol Keehan.  Father Z wondered how it was that Sr. Keehan of Catholic Health Association could support Obama's "plan B" before Obama even had his press conference. Elizabeth Scalia points out that there was pretty interesting timing of Sr. Keehan's statement which went out over the White House religion portal (hello?!?!?)

Dissenting Catholics serving in political roles, heading various institutions, etc., have been competing with the US bishops for decades, but it's been intensifying.  It's the Magisterium versus the pseudo-magisterium.

Days ago, Canonist Ed Peters re-iterated his call for bishops to start using Canon 915 as it was intended, saying that public behavior deserves public consequences. 

Tonight, Dr. Jeff Mirus at Catholic Culture is discussing excommunication, as are others.

UPDATE: The New York Times is reporting on how this all came about.  If this is true, I'm wondering how long it will be before Sebelius is thrown overboard (HT Deacon Greg)

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Video and Text: Bp Slattery's response to Obama's "accomodation"

In the meanwhile, Bishop Edward Slattery of Tulsa, Oklahoma has released his own statement, and we may see other bishops doing the same.

Here is video; below is the text

My response to President Obama's HHS mandate "accommodation"
2/10/2012 - Bishop Edward J. Slattery
February 10, 2012
Saint Scholastica


Today, the President of the United States has issued what he referred to as an accommodation on the mandate from Kathleen Sebelius, the Secretary of Health and Human Services issued on January 20 of this year. This mandate would have required - among other things - that religious institutions provide through their insurance policies hormonal contraception, abortifacients and direct sterilization, even though such a mandate violates our conscience and run counter to the 1st Amendment guarantee for the free exercise of Religion.


We are grateful that the President has begun to listen to the voices raised in opposition to this intrusion on our first amendment rights, and we are encouraged that he understands the urgency of this matter. However, we are dismayed that he does not understand the root issues which are involved here.

There will be a time, there must be a time, when Americans of good will and strong conscience discuss these points in a rational and non-idealogical conversation.

• First, no one is asking why it is that the Catholic Church is opposed to artificial birth control, direct sterilization and abortifacients. For two thousand years, the Church has understood that all of these methods that prevent life damage marriages and thereby weaken the fabric of society.

• Secondly, in describing artificial birth control, direct sterilization and abortifacients as “Preventive care” it is apparent that the ideology which underlies this governmental intrusion is that pregnancy is a disease and that the conception of life should be prevented.

• Thirdly, the question of who ultimately pays for this immoral coverage has remained unanswered by the President. Free coverage is never free; someone will have to pay for this coverage in their premium.

These three points will have to be addressed at some time, but what I want to address here is the constitutional issue. President Obama agreed that religious institutions would not compelled to directly pay for coverage which betrays their religious tenants or violates their conscience. This would include churches and those charitable institutions, schools and hospitals by which churches fulfill their mission.


However, the Constitution of the United States does not merely guarantee the freedom of religion to institutions, but to every American.


This includes every businessman or woman who willingly provides health insurance to his or her employees. It includes every single mother, every married couple, and every individual who does not wish to cooperate in this sin. No one should be required to betray their religious and moral beliefs or violate their conscience.


I want to encourage people not to be afraid of the sacrifices which are required to love one another with a genuine, faithful and life-giving love. Through these we are made holy and are formed more fully into what God wants us to be. Thank you.

The USCCB has issued a statement, which is, to my mind, a pass on making a more formal statement at this time. I'm perfectly fine with Dolan issuing his statement for the USCCB on Monday.  It will give him time to get buy-in on the language from other bishops.  I just hope he puts something out as good as what Bishop Slattery offered.

Before everyone gets upset thinking that +Dolan is giving in, you need to read very carefully.

February 10, 2012


New opportunity to dialogue with executive branch
Too soon to tell whether and how much improvement on core concerns
Commitment to religious liberty for all means legislation still necessary


WASHINGTON— The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) sees initial opportunities in preserving the principle of religious freedom after President Obama’s announcement today. But the Conference continues to express concerns. “While there may be an openness to respond to some of our concerns, we reserve judgment on the details until we have them,” said Cardinal-designate Timothy Dolan, president of USCCB.


“The past three weeks have witnessed a remarkable unity of Americans from all religions or none at all worried about the erosion of religious freedom and governmental intrusion into issues of faith and morals,” he said.


“Today’s decision to revise how individuals obtain services that are morally objectionable to religious entities and people of faith is a first step in the right direction,” Cardinal-designate Dolan said. “We hope to work with the Administration to guarantee that Americans’ consciences and our religious freedom are not harmed by these regulations.”

First, I don't think it's all bad for a more formal statement to come out early next week. 

What I want to point out here is that the USCCB, in this, "we'll talk to you when we're ready" statement, Dolan talks about it being a "step in the right direction". Well, pay attention to the "it" he is talking about. I don't believe he is talking about the President's words, but the fact that Obama is recognizing something needs to change. Further up in the statement he says that the USCCB continues to express concerns. Stay tuned early next week for a more thorough response.

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On HHS Compromise: Why is Sr. Carol Keehan stepping ahead of US Bishops?

On March 23, 2010, just two days ahead of the Feast of the Annunciation, in which Mary gave her, "Yes!" to God through the angel Gabriel (Luke 1:38), Sr. Carol Keehan of the Catholic Health Association gave her, "Yes" to Obama's health care plan, in direct opposition to the U.S. bishops.

After HHS secretary, Kathleen Sebelius announced the Obama administration's willingness to trample the U.S. Constitution and violate religious liberty, it was good to see Sr. Keehan balk along with the U.S. bishops. 

Reports are now saying that Keehan is, "pleased" with Obama's "compromise".  I'll get to that in a moment.

Obama couldn't have created a bigger mess than one who decides to casually stand next to a hornet's nest and tap it with a stick, convinced that the insects will not respond according to their nature.  As of this writing, 171 bishops, representing about 97% of all US dioceses have issued statements, with many ordering them to be read or distributed at Masses.  A growing list of institutions have issued statements, with four filing lawsuits: EWTN, Priests for Life, Belmont Abbey College, and Colorado Christian Univeristy (non-denominational).  Proving that this is a religious liberty issue of interests to others, here are just some of the non-Catholics who have spoken out: Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of North America, two Jewish groups, and Pastor Rick Warren of the Saddleback Church, along with other protestants. 

Signals were coming out yesterday that the Obama administration, feeling the sting of it's decision, was going to issue a compromise - supposedly the one known as the, "Hawaii Compromise".  Today, Obama spoke and it appears to be exactly what Obama has put on the table.  The Becket Fund, which is representing the four institutions above who filed suit stated that it is a "false compromise".

Signals were also coming from the bishops that they were not in a mood for a compromise on religious liberty.  We heard from Archbishop Dolan yesterday in a CBS Morning video (link contains full transcript), who said the HHS decision was, "at odds with the very sincere assurances" Obama gave to himself and to the Catholic Health Association.  In that same video, is this exchange on, "compromise", with Erica Hill (empahsis mine in bold):

HILL: Does- you seemed to open the door. Compromise is kind of a tough word these days. You said if he would expand the definition there. Is that what you would see as some sort of a compromise?

DOLAN: Yeah- I don't know. You're right, that's- Erica, it's good. I don't know if we can compromise. I think that what seems to be - we can't compromise on principle. It seems to be clear now- is that this was a terrible- terribly misguided judgment. So let's not compromise on that. That's almost rewarding bad behavior. Let's simply go back to the starting line, and see how we can live with this without violating conscience or principle. I would prefer the word 'conciliatory.'

Yesterday, Bishop William Lori who heads the USCCB's Ad Hoc Committe for Religious Liberty, released a statement on the USCCB's blog: Referral is Not the Answer, Rescinding the Mandate is.

That brings me back to the question I asked at the beginning of my post: Why doesn't Sr. Carol Keehan of the Catholic Health Association wait for the bishops?   Surely, she was aware of the signals coming out of the USCCB which were not favorable as the blogosphere and Catholic news portals were on fire.

Today we read at ABC News: Both Catholic Health Association and Planned Parenthood say they're pleased with contracpetion rule announcement.


I was unsure if,  perhaps, Sr. Keehan was misquoted.  So, I went to the Catholic Health Association website (which took a while to load), and I found this:

Unfortunately (pr perhaps, fortunately), upon clicking the, "read more" link, I ended up at a dead end.  Let's hope that Sr. Carol Keehan is in the process of trying to get her cart back behind the horse where it belongs. 

Does she really think she is going to influence the U.S. bishops by going public with something that has the potential of being in opposition to them - again?

I can't imagine anything more damaging to the fight for religious liberty and conscience protection than to have such public division.  The U.S. bishops, who have finally found their voice, deserve to be heard before dissent hits the ground.

EDIT:  I see that Father Z wondered something similar, but more basic: How could Sr. Keehan have known what the compromise was to approve of it, before Obama spoke?

EDIT 2: Phil Lawler also gets it.  See his commentary: Catholic Charities caves. Now what?

EDIT 3: Cardinal-Designate Dolan expresses disappointment with Sr. Keehan

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Cardinal-Designate Dolan released a statement, but it is more of a punt. Don't get alarmed thinking the bishops are yielding... I think there is merit to waiting until early next week to responding, after they are certain of the details in the plan.  When he says it's a "step in the right direction" the "it" he is talking about is NOT the compromise, but the fact that they are showing a willingness to make changes.  My suggestion is that we put our heads down in prayer this weekend for the bishops, not criticize them, as some have done, before the official response is released.
The Anchoress  has a running post which already has links to a number of reactions.

This HHS contraceptive mandate story is one with rapid developments.  I am not in a position to follow everything, everyone is saying. I'm going to recommend that you keep an eye on these portals and sites for updates (some of these may have incredibly slow load times due to the increased traffic and interest).  LifeSiteNews crashed yesterday when DrudgeReport linked to their story on Rick Warren backing the Catholics.

• New Advent
• Catholic Vote Blog
• National Catholic Register
• Catholic Culture
• Catholic League
• Father Z
• Catholic Blogs at Patheos
• PewSitter
• Real Clear Politics (Political portal which has had much discussion on this - both ways)
• LifeNews
• LifeSiteNews
• Catholic Lane
• Catholic World Report Blog

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Obama's assault on Religious Liberty - Links

The HHS mandate is generating many stories - way too many to keep up with. Here are just some of the video interviews and stories floating out there on the HHS mandate which has the U.S. Catholic bishops.

*171* Bishops (about 95% of Dioceses) have spoken out against Obama/HHS mandate (see complete link list with statements compiled by Tom Peters at Catholic Vote)

This is likely to be updated, so keep checking the link for add-ons: 13 Catholic (and Christian) Institutions Opposing Obama/HHS Mandate (Tom Peters/Catholic Vote)

EWTN, represented by the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, files suit against the U.S. government

154 Congressmen sent a letter to HHS in protest of the controversial mandate (CNSNews)

Secular, business newspaper journalist |  Time to admit it: The Church has always been right on birth control (Business Insider).  Would that all bishops and priests spoke with such clarity!  In fact, I would ask clerics, bishops included, to think about when they last spoke about this issue with this kind of clarity from any pulpit. Let's not let yesterday's negligence result in silence from this point forward. 

C-SPAN Broadcasts Excellent Discussion on HHS Contraceptive Mandate (Stephen White/Catholic Vote)

The Birth Control Mandate is Unconsitutional (Horace Cooper - National Policy Analysis)

ACLU: Promoting the Rape of Boys is Protected; Living According to the Catholic Faith is Not (Tom Crowe/Catholic Vote)

 Rasmussen: Majority opposes Obama contraception mandate on religious organizations (Hot Air)

Senate Democrats say Obama 'Reinforced' his stance on contraception mandate at Democratic retreat (ABC News)


Why the Pope's army will not kneel to the HHS mandate (Dan Burke/N.C. Register Blogs)

The ball is in the bishops' court (Russel Shaw/OSV)

MSNBC guest compares birth control fight to  1930's Germany (CMR)


Did Daley leave WH because of the HHS mandate? (Elizabeth Scalia)

You know things are bad when  even Christ Matthews (MSNBC) is upset with HHS mandate (Deacon's Bench)

The Ironic Catholic ponders a scenario: Religious Institutions forced to pay for employees' slaves

Father Z on Dr. Peters (canonist) on Nancy Pelosi (public abortion absolutist) - see embedded video of classic Pelosi; and, Ed Peters original post: Nancy Pelosi deserves to be taken seriously. Very seriously

Contraception: Why Not? Some background on why the Church - and Catholic employers - are resisting the HHS contraceptive mandate (National Catholic Register editors) - N.B. please don't confuse the Register, which is owned by EWTN, with the Reporter.

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US Bishops: Obama Administration decision literally unconscionable

Photo: AP

USCCB President, Cardinal-designate Timothy Dolan, came out swinging after HHS Secretary, Kathleen Sebelius stated that church groups must provide contraception.

Archbishop Timothy Dolan on HHS Conscience Regulation from Rocco Palmo on Vimeo.

Here is what accompanied the video:

WASHINGTON—Cardinal-designate Timothy Dolan of New York, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), sharply criticized the decision by the Obama administration in which it “ordered almost every employer and insurer in the country to provide sterilization and contraceptives, including some abortion-inducing drugs, in their health plans.” He made the statement in a web video posted at: http://bcove.me/ob5itz9v. . .

“Never before has the federal government forced individuals and organizations to go out into the marketplace and buy a product that violates their conscience. This shouldn’t happen in a land where free exercise of religion ranks first in the Bill of Rights,” Cardinal-designate Dolan said.

On January 20, Kathleen Sebelius, secretary of the Health and Human Services, announced that non-profit employers will have one year to comply with the new rule.

Cardinal-designate Dolan urged Catholics and the public at large to speak out in protest.

“Let your elected leaders know that you want religious liberty and rights of conscience restored and that you want the administration’s contraceptive mandate rescinded,” he said.

Here is the full text from the USCCB website (my comments bracketed in red)

Unconscionable to force citizens to buy contraceptives against their will
No change in limited exemption, only delay in enforcement
Matter of freedom of conscience, freedom of religion

[emphasis mine in bold]

WASHINGTON—The Catholic bishops of the United States called “literally unconscionable” a decision by the Obama Administration to continue to demand that sterilization, abortifacients and contraception be included in virtually all health plans. Today's announcement means that this mandate and its very narrow exemption will not change at all; instead there will only be a delay in enforcement against some employers.

“In effect, the president is saying we have a year to figure out how to violate our consciences,” [Classic +Dolan ] said Cardinal-designate Timothy M. Dolan, archbishop of New York and president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

The cardinal-designate continued, “To force American citizens to choose between violating their consciences and forgoing their healthcare is literally unconscionable.It is as much an attack on access to health care as on religious freedom. Historically this represents a challenge and a compromise of our religious liberty."

The HHS rule requires that sterilization and contraception – including controversial abortifacients – be included among “preventive services” coverage in almost every healthcare plan available to Americans. “The government should not force Americans to act as if pregnancy is a disease to be prevented at all costs,” added Cardinal-designate Dolan.

At issue, the U.S. bishops and other religious leaders insist, is the survival of a cornerstone constitutionally protected freedom that ensures respect for the conscience of Catholics and all other Americans.

“This is nothing less than a direct attack on religion and First Amendment rights,” [since when has Obama concerned himself with the Constitution?] said Franciscan Sister Jane Marie Klein, chairperson of the board at Franciscan Alliance, Inc., a system of 13 Catholic hospitals. “I have hundreds of employees who will be upset and confused by this edict. I cannot understand it at all.”

Daughter of Charity Sister Carol Keehan, president and chief executive officer of the Catholic Health Association of the United States, voiced disappointment with the decision.  [What did Keehan expect?!?!?] Catholic hospitals serve one out of six people who seek hospital care annually.

“This was a missed opportunity to be clear on appropriate conscience protection,” Sister Keehan said.

Cardinal-designate Dolan urged that the HHS mandate be overturned.

“The Obama administration has now drawn an unprecedented line in the sand,” he said. “The Catholic bishops are committed to working with our fellow Americans to reform the law and change this unjust regulation. We will continue to study all the implications of this troubling decision.”

Let's see.  In addition to the above, Sebelius, a Catholic, has:

• protected the gruesome, partial birth abortion, while the governor of Kansas
• vetoed attempts to further regulate partial birth abortion, as HHS secretary
• palled-up with late-term abortionist George Tiller

This is beyond Canon 915.  How much more do the responsible bishops need to see?

'nuff said

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White House: Obama will have frank talk on abortion with Pope

In just over two hours, President Obama will be meeting Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican. From LifeNews:

Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- The White House is saying that pro-abortion President Barack Obama and Pope Benedict XVI, the head of the Catholic Church, will have a "frank' talk on abortion when they meet on Friday. Obama is currently in Italy for the Group of Eight summit and the two will meet after the conference concludes.

"I think there will be a frank discussion [about abortion]," White House spokesman Robert Gibbs told reporters aboard Air Force One, according to an AP report.

On subject like abortion where Obama is out of step with the pro-life teachings of the Catholic faith, Gibbs said "even if we don't see eye to eye on everything, there are steps that can be taken on a number of issues that will show progress, whether it's on something like unintended pregnancy or adoption."

Gibbs said the pontiff is "somebody that gets to see a lot of the world, and I think getting his continued support for these efforts is obviously important."

....continue reading at LifeNews


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McCullough: Why Obama's Elementary Queering Must be Stopped

Yet another disturbing appointment is taking place by the Obama administration - that of Kevin Jennings to the Department of Education. I can assure you, that if ALL of the mainstream media outlets were to release this information, the public would see just how out of step Obama is with mainstream America. This needs a floodlight on it!

Here are a few excerpts from Kevin McCullough's piece at Townhall: Why Obama's Elementary Queering Must be Stopped. It's important to note that "Elementary Queering" comes from the title of a book - "Queering Elementary" for which Kevin Jennings wrote the foreword.

I'm snipping quite a bit out here, so you may want to read the entire article. Emphases mine in bold; comments bracketed in red. McCullough says that while President Obama was in Cairo...

...his administration was carrying out an even more sinister agenda.....[snip]...he stealthily put forward a nominee who refused to report a sexual relationship where a man was molesting a school age boy, even though the law required him to do so. [We see an example of double standards. Where is the media? If this were a Catholic priest, the left would be all over it. I don't think we will see a hint of this in the Obama media outlets. Keep in mind that sexual abuse by those in school systems is reportedly 100x that of priests, and the administration wants to put someone with this guy's track record at the top of the Department of Education?]

....Kevin Jennings is not just your normal activist nominee. He is a firm advocate of mandated affirmation of approval of homosexual actions by school children, and to this end, his involvement with the GLSEN's "Day of Silence" has moved them to go beyond that to demand "Queer Proms" in the local public schools, and to lobby for legislation in each state to change the definition of marriage to make it mean something it has never meant. [And you can look for a legislative assault on homeschooling, which is increasing as these things get pushed].

Now, this part is important. It is one thing to halt harassment and violence against any class of people. What we are talking about in this article, is planting the seeds of sex and same sex attraction (SSA) into the minds of young children, who shouldn't be forced into thinking about sexuality at their age. It's bad enough that they are being robbed of their innocence with all of the sexually explicit content at grocery checkouts, billboards, TV commercials, and related. This guy wants to push sexual activity in young children.

With Jennings' support, the GLSEN chapter in Connecticut has begun pushing not just for "tolerance" or "acceptance" of those who choose to engage in homosexuality in the public schools, but they have actually created an "activity" for the school systems which pushes "positive levels of attitude" such as mandated "admiration" and "nurturance."

Have you seen enough yet? Remember, this is Obama's choice to head the Department of Education. Here's an idea of what Jennings wants your child to learn....

In his past, Jennings has left quite a swath of destructive choices as well. He authored the forward for the book titled Queering Elementary which argues for the teaching of sexual "identity" (what you could easily call "indoctrination", "initiation", or "brainwashing") to the children in the elementary education stage of life. The book is so disturbing that it reportedly includes a description of how to "properly" teach a seven year old girl to masturbate.

What? So, the new pick for Department of Education by the Obama Administration wants to teach children to perform acts that the Catechism of the Catholic Church calls objectively, gravely sinful? This says nothing of how parents rights are violated. Talk about violating the innocence of our youth! Whatever happened to the three "R's"?

That's it.... I can't take anymore of the article. I advise all concerned parents, and others, to read the entire article and start contacting news outlets and the appropriate government office, including the White House to voice your disapproval. Don't forget the media. They ought to be flooded, especially those who are providing cover for Obama and his administration's agenda, which is out of step with mainstream America.

Update at 7:30pm...An article in the Washington Times gives a little more detail about the position Jennings will take at the Dept of Education.

The Obama administration has made several efforts in recent weeks to accommodate gay Americans by making little-noticed appointments , announcements and policy changes at federal agencies. [because the mainstream media is not bothering to inform the American public of things that will drop Obama's favorability ratings. Rather, they are providing cover for Obama on things like this]

Kevin Jennings, an activist who worked to create "safe spaces" for gay students at schools, has been selected by the Obama administration to become assistant deputy secretary of the Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools inside the Department of Education.

Additionally, Tony Perkins at Family Research Council writes:

We expected liberal appointments to executive positions in an Obama administration, but it was still startling to learn that Education Secretary Arne Duncan had actually appointed Kevin Jennings, founder of the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLSEN), to be Assistant Deputy Secretary for the Office of Safe and Drug Free Schools. GLSEN is the chief national advocacy group promoting policies to force affirmation of homosexuality in schools, beginning in kindergarten. Jennings wrote the foreword for a book, "Queering Elementary Education," which among other things praises teaching masturbation to a 7-year-old girl. He has spoken publicly about a high school student he once counseled who was in a sexual relationship with an older man--yet Jennings never reported this abuse to the authorities, the school, or the child's parents. GLSEN makes much of eliminating name-calling and bullying toward students believed to be homosexual--but Jennings does not set a very good example in how he treats those who disagree with him. In a speech in a New York church in 2000, he declared, "We have to quit being afraid of the religious right. . . . I'm trying not to say, '[F---] 'em!' which is what I want to say, because I don't care what they think! [audience laughter] Drop dead!" This is completely inconsistent with the tone President Obama has said he wants to set, and Jennings' appointment should be withdrawn.

Further Reading

• Groups challenge Obama administration to remove Jennings (WND)
• Homosexual Activist/ Anti-Christian Bigot Appointed (Catholic Online)
  
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Update on Obama's Vatican Ambassador pick of dissident/liberation theologian Miguel Diaz

Last night I blogged about Obama's new pick for Vatican Ambassador. I'm repeating some of the things I put out last night for the sake of compiling them into a single post. Here are some posts made overnight by others that reveals more...

• He is a Catholic who belongs to the dissident group campaigned for Obama, giving $1000 to his victory fund.
• Was one of 26 Catholic professors who supported the nomination of Kathleen Sebelius for head of HHS. Sebelius went out of her way to protect partial birth abortion and was close to Tiller the Killer who performs late term abortion. Sebelius was rebuked by her bishop.
• Dissident Catholic groups are thrilled with this choice, like Catholics United, and he belongs to Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good, another dissident group whose idea of "common good" does not mesh with truth or Cahtolic teaching in many areas.

Then there is this piece from Catholic News Agency: Obama picks Cuban Liberation theologian as US Ambassador to the Holy See (my emphases in bold and comments in red)

He is also a theological consultant to the Catholic Association of Teachers of Homiletics and was appointed to the task force overseeing the review and revisions of the accrediting standards for the Association of Theological Schools [what kind of standards?!?!?].

Diaz is author of the book "On Being Human: U.S. Hispanic and Rahnerian Perspectives" (Orbis Books, 2001); Co-Editor of "From the Heart of Our People: Explorations in Catholic Systematic Theology" (Orbis Books, 1999;) and author of numerous articles and book chapters inspired in the Latino and Black liberation theology [that explains it], such as the forthcoming “The Life-Giving Reality of God from Black, Latin-American, and U.S. Hispanic Theological Perspectives,” “Otherness in Black Catholic and Latino/a Catholic Theologies and the Otherness of God,” and “Outside the Survival of Community there is no Salvation,” in Building Bridges, Doing Justice: Constructing a Latino/a Ecumenical Theology (Orbis Press, 2009.)

Diaz is currently working on two future books: "Cuban-American Catholics" (Paulist Press) and “Migrating Across Theological Borders: The Essentials of Theology from U.S. Hispanic Theological Perspectives" (Orbis Books.)

His body of work, which includes some controvesial positions related to how to understand “inclusiveness,” has gained him significant apprisal from the Catholic left, and his nomination was immediately hailed by pro-Obama Catholics such as “Catholics United” and “Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good,” as well as from Prof. Douglas Kmiec [who is now proposing an end to legally recognized marriage].

Related:

• Fr. Z offers his take on the news....Pres. Obama chooses Vatican Ambassador
• Obama Nominates Holy See Ambassador (NC Register)

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Private Family Matter? No. Mr. President....Wow!

Watch this thru to the end....this minister makes the point...




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Another slap in the face to Catholicism by the Obama administration

As I listened to news reports yesterday about President Obama's visit to Georgetown University, where the "IHS" was covered, apparently at the request of the White House, I wondered if the same would have happened at halls of other major religions. Can you imagine the reaction if the White House had asked a Jewish community to cover up the star of David?

Georgetown University professor, the Rev. James V. Schall at The Catholic Thing eloquently raises this point:

What interests me here is this: If this president speaks at a Jewish Synagogue, or a Baptist church, or the Crystal Cathedral, or the Muslim Mosque on Massachusetts Avenue, the Ravens Stadium, the George Washington University, the headquarters of Planned Parenthood, or the hall of the local Atheist Society, will the same policy be followed? Will all signs of what the place actually is and stands for be covered over? If so, it represents equitable treatment, but is it wise? Is the president never to appear in any venue with obvious particular commitments, and why choose religious and not secular signs? Should, say, a university seal be exempted, but a crucifix not?

Will presidents be able to appear anywhere outside government buildings if the rules are really equally applied to both religious and secular? And this raises a real question: Is it American? George Washington once talked before our New North Hall, so did President Clinton. I guess a porch does not need much cover-up. But is the American understanding of state and religion designed to hide any religious or cultural sign whatsoever? If a president is buried at a local church, as President Woodrow Wilson is, must the funeral be covered over so that no signs of a church are seen?

This country does not hide its religious presence. If a president does not want to speak in a given place, fine. Don’t ask. But if he does, it should not be on condition of the place’s ceasing to present what it historically is. Much ink has been spilt on the churches that the president went to in his earlier life, likewise much controversy on whether he "bowed" to a Saudi prince. [I added this link which was not in the original]

In other words, it's ok to discriminate against a class of people if they are Catholic. I have to admit, I was deeply hurt to learn about this - not just that the White House would ask for such a thing, but that Georgetown actually complied with it.

Do read his entire commentary: The Invisible Christ. In the same post is a piece by Hoover Institute research fellow, Mary Eberstadt.

Further Reading:

• UPDATED—Obama's messianic jargon hits 'rock' bottom ...and G'town removes the Holy Name to accommodate The One (Dawn Eden)
• Covering up the Real Rock at Georgetown (Insight Scoop)
• "Georgetown Says It Covered Over Name of Jesus to Comply With White House Request" (AmP)
• The Georgetown Cover-up (Fr. Z)
• Obama Nixes "Jesus" at Georgetown (Catholic Fire)
  
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Archbishop Chaput encourages people to write to Notre Dame president over Obama commencement invitation

EDIT MARCH 24, 2009 AT 10:25PM:

Thanks to the Catholic News Agency, I am correcting this post to clarify what I have posted below for the benefit of those reaching this through other bloggers.

I got the information second-hand. In fact, it could be classified as "third-hand" for that matter. I am going to refer to you the account provided by the Catholic News Agency which obtained it's info from a recording at the event. Let this account of Archbishop Chaput's words, and the context in which it was said, stand.

CNA was able to acquire an audio recording of the event in question and found that rather than calling for a letter writing campaign, the archbishop suggested it as a response to the situation.

Responding to a question about how “faithful Catholics should respond to [general] situations like [Notre Dame’s invitation to Obama], Chaput suggested, “Protest, write letters, express your concern, do it charitably.” He further reminded the audience that “Jesus said we need to be like sheep among wolves” and to “act like Christians when we disagree: to be bold, courageous, and clear, but charitable.”

---

Folks, hang on.....this is going to be one interesting ride.

Notre Dame, which has historically invited US Presidents to give commencement speeches and to give them honorary degrees, has done so with President Obama. Apparently, that invitation was accepted. I blogged on this yesterday and provided some links.

I was alerted to Tom Peter's post on Twitter, that Archbishop Charles Chaput of Denver, who was in Detroit today for a seminar on St. Paul at Sacred Heart Major Seminary, encouraged people to write to Notre Dame President, John Jenkins, SJ. Tom writes:

I just heard that Archbishop Chaput, who is at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in
Detroit for their St. Paul conference, has encouraged people to write charitably to the President of ND to protest the Obama invite.

Tom has a lot more background in this post made yesterday. The combox there is quite active, as well with 104 comments as of this posting.

There are a few ways to reach the President of Notre Dame - see this page.

I would go a step further. I think letters should also go to Bishop John D'Arcy of Fort Wayne - South Bend, Indiana, and to the Papal Nuncio, Pietro Sambi.



Bishop John M. D'Arcy
Fort Wayne Chancery
1103 S. Calhoun Street
P.O. Box 390
Fort Wayne, Indiana 46801
(260) 422-4611


Nunciature to United States of America
Pietro Sambi, Apostolic Nuncio
Mailing Address: 3339 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W,
Washington, DC, USA
Telephone: (202) 333-7121
Fax: 337-4036


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Outrageous: Notre Dame University to honor President Obama

Ok - so a university has President Obama in the queue for the commencement speech.

There is only one problem: It is Notre Dame - a Catholic institution and Obama has gone out of his way to advance a culture of death agenda which is contrary to the Mission of the Church. Just having this President at any official function at a Catholic institution is completely scandalous (meaning, it leads others into error).

See the scoop at LSN: Catholic Notre Dame University to Give Obama Honorary Degree on May 17, Against USCCB Policy

You can make your voice heard on this matter. Find out more at NotreDameScandal.com. Also worth reading is the combox in this post at Fr. Z's blog. EDIT 21-Mr-09: Tom Peters has good coverage as well at American Papist.

We can only hope that Bishop D'Arcy follows Bishop Martino's lead in handling a similar problem at Misericordia, which is ongoing, starting with a statement of "absolute disapproval". It doesn't matter if he is the President of the United States or not.

If you still don't see the problem, this may help you. This is just a sampling. It's like he is going out of his way to select pro-abortion Catholics and other Catholics who have advanced things contrary to Catholic teaching.

• Obama appointed the most aggressive pro-abort Catholic politician, Kathleen Sebelius (who has collected funds from George Tiller - the infamous late-term abortionist in Kansas. )
• Obama Picks Defenders of Child Porn., Euthanasia & Abortion for Justice Dept.
• More on Obama's pics for Justice Dept
• Pro-Life Leaders Respond to Obama's Plan to Revoke Conscience Regulations
• Pro-Abortion Judge Named Obama's First Fed. Court Pick
• Obama Selects Yet another Pro-Abortion "Catholic" for Leading Office
• Obama Revokes Abortion Funding Policy, Will Fund Overseas Abortions with Taxpayer Money
• Vatican Denounces Obama Administration's Decision to Fund Pro-Abortion Groups
• Obama Unleashes Taxpayer Funds for Embryo-Destructive Research

Queen of Apostles, hear the voice of your faithful children and intercede for us!

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USCCB Head, Cardinal George meets with Obama; releases video

A meeting took place quietly between President Obama and Cardinal George. It was so private, that it never showed up on the President's schedule. It ran about 30 minutes. On the same day, Cardinal George released this video on the USCCB's website, urging people to contact the government over the conscience protection clause.



From LSN: Head of USCCB Meets with Obama: Also Releases Video Saying Decision on Conscience Protection a Move Towards "Despotism"

By John Jalsevac

March 17, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - On the same day that Cardinal Francis George released a video expressing, on the behalf of all American bishops, his deep concern about the Obama administration's decision to rescind conscience protection regulations put in place by the Bush administration, he has met with President Obama at the White House.

News of the private, half-hour meeting between the two was only released late this afternoon. The meeting was not included in President Obama's daily schedule.

The statements from the White House and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) give few details about what the Cardinal and the President spoke about, although the timing of the release of the Cardinal's video may indicate that the conscience protection regulations were at the top of the agenda.

"The president and Cardinal George discussed a wide range of issues," stated the White House release, "including important opportunities for the government and the Catholic Church to continue their long-standing partnership to tackle some of the nation's most pressing challenges."

The statement from the USCCB said: "The meeting was private. Cardinal George and President Obama discussed the Catholic Church in the United States and its relation to the new administration."

Cardinal George, the president of the USCCB, taped the video released today after the Obama Administration announced in early March that it was rescinding the regulations which guarantee that health workers cannot be forced to provide services that violate their consciences, including abortions.

"As Catholic bishops and American citizens, we are deeply concerned that such an action on the government's part would be the first step in moving our country from democracy to despotism," says the Cardinal in the video.

"Respect for personal conscience and freedom of religion as such ensures our basic freedom from government oppression. No government should come between an individual person and God - that's what America is supposed to be about. This is the true common ground for us as Americans. We therefore need legal protection for freedom of conscience and of religion-including freedom for religious health care institutions to be true to themselves."

The Cardinal observed that the country respects conscientious objection in the case of those who object to war, "even though it's good to defend your country," and for physicians who do not want to participate in the death penalty.

"Why shouldn't our government and our legal system permit conscientious objection to a morally bad action, the killing of babies in their mother's womb?" he asks. "People understand what really happens in an abortion and in related procedures - a living member of the human family is killed - that's what it's all about - and no one should be forced by the government to act as though he or she were blind to this reality."

The Cardinal concluded by urging concerned citizens to contact the government and tell them to retain the conscience protection regulations: "I ask you please to let the government know that you want conscience protections to remain strongly in place. In particular, let the Department of Health and Human Services in Washington know that you stand for the protection of conscience, especially now for those who provide the health care services so necessary for a good society. "

A 30 day public comment period on the administration's decision to rescind the conscience protection regulations is currently underway. Comments may be submitted by email at proposedrescission@hhs.gov.

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Late Term Abortion Supporter, and Catholic, Gov. Kathleen Sebelius Tapped by Obama

UPDATED: Related links added.

Original cartoon of John Francis Borra, SFO, used with permission.

Please see terms of use at his blog, Veritats: The Cartoon. Below this cartoon he explains:

This cartoon illustrates the deception, slander and manipulation emblematic of Kathleen Sebelius' tenure as Kansas governor. Initially published in July 2007, it depicts then-AG Paul Morrison's press conference, during which he disparaged his predecessor's investigation and subsequent charges against Wichita abortionist George Tiller. Morrison, aided by a one-million-dollar smear campaign funded by George Tiller's PAC, had just unseated Phil Kline as the state's attorney general. Tiller's investment in both Sebelius and Morrison had begun paying dividends.

The perfect storm for the USCCB...

Just when the pro-life movement thought Kathleen Sebelius' close ties with the Butcher of of Kansas, George Tiller, would end her bid as head of Health and Human Services, Obama has gone forward with his selection.

Go read: Obama taps Sebelius for HHS secretary, posted 21 minutes ago as of this entry. Here's the relevant excerpt.

WASHINGTON – Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius is President Barack Obama's choice for secretary of health and human services, a White House source said Saturday.

The source, who was not authorized to speak on the record, said Obama will formally announce the nomination on Monday.

Sebelius, 60, was an early Obama supporter. She picked his presidential campaign over that of Hillary Rodham Clinton, now the secretary of state. Sebelius worked tirelessly for Obama's bid and was a top surrogate to women's groups.

[snip]

Abortion foes strongly oppose Sebelius because she once had a reception attended by a late-term abortion provider who now faces criminal charges. Democrats say there was never any doubt that Obama would appoint an HHS secretary who supports abortion rights.

Go read more about Gov. Sebelius at the blog of John Francis Borra, who is from Kansas, her home state (scroll).

Go read more about George Tiller, who performs abortions at any point of pregnancy.

Additional Reading (watch for updates):

• With HHS Pick, "Armageddon" Has Arrived (Rocco Palmo)
• AP: Pro-abortion Gov. Kathleen Sebelius tapped to lead HHS (Insight Scoop)
• Pro-Abortion Catholics United Starts Organization to Defend Health Pick Sebelius (LifeNews)

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The obedient are not held captive by Holy Mother Church; it is the disobedient who are held captive by the world!

Protections for Medical Workers Being Removed by Obama

From LifeNews:

Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- The White House quietly announced on Friday that President Barack Obama is starting the process of overturning protections President Bush put in place to make sure medical staff and centers are not forced to do abortions. The move is the latest that will add to Obama's growing pro-abortion record.

Existing federal laws already make it so doctors and hospitals are not required to perform abortions. Because those laws aren't always followed, the Bush administration added additional protections.

Bush officials noted a pattern of grant recipients being unaware of or flouting existing laws protecting medical professionals’ rights of conscience. So, HHS enacted the new regulations to require grantees to certify compliance with them in order to receive funds.

In August, 2008 the Department of Health and Human Services proposed regulations to strengthen those existing laws. The regulations were finalized on December 18, 2008 and went into effect January 20, 2009.

Abortion advocates complained about the new regulations and made false claims that they would somehow deny women access to birth control even though the regulations do not limit or restrict any legal practice or product.

...continue reading at LifeNews.com




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In Obama's Pocket: Miraculous Medal

From the Time Magazine Political Blog:

Amongst the things that Barack Obama carries for good luck are a bracelet belonging to a soldier deployed in Iraq, a gamblers lucky chit, a tiny monkey god and a tiny Madonna and child.

Take note....that is the Miraculous Medal at the top-right of the cluster. In addition there is a medal of the Madonna and Child.

How ironic that the most pro-abort president in history should have in his pocket, a medal bearing the Immaculate Conception.

Fr. Z publishes thoughts from the reader who emailed him on this issue:

I have been suggesting to friends that we should all be praying to Our Blessed Mother for his conversion of heart on Matters of Life. In particular, "O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee!"I thought maybe this is something you may want to post, especially in light of the upcoming battle on FOCA and the recent funding of international abortions.

Good advice. Let's pray....hard.

Ref: Fr. Z's post on this (with a healthy combox flowing)

And, a hat-tip to "Peregrinus", who brought this to my attention today.



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USCCB Reacts to Obama's Scrapping of "Mexico City Policy"

From the USCCB's Office of Media Relations:

President Obama's Reversal of Mexico City Policy 'Very Disappointing,'
Says Pro-Life Committee Chair

WASHINGTON—The decision by President Barack Obama to reverse the Mexico City Policy is "very disappointing," said Cardinal Justin Rigali, chairman of the U.S. bishops' Committee on Pro-Life Activities.

He made the statement January 23, after President Obama issued the executive order restoring U.S. funding to organizations that perform and promote abortion in developing nations. Cardinal Rigali's statement follows.

"It is very disappointing that President Obama has reversed the Mexico City Policy, which prevents U.S. funding of organizations that perform and promote abortion as a family planning method in developing nations. An Administration that wants to reduce abortions should not divert U.S. funds to groups that promote abortions.

"Cardinal Francis George, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, wrote to President-elect Obama last week urging him to retain this policy. As Cardinal George said in his letter:

"'The Mexico City Policy, first established in 1984, has wrongly been attacked as a restriction on foreign aid for family planning. In fact, it has not reduced such aid at all, but has ensured that family planning funds are not diverted to organizations dedicated to performing and promoting abortions instead of reducing them. Once the clear line between family planning and abortion is erased, the idea of using family planning to reduce abortions becomes meaningless, and abortion tends to replace contraception as the means for reducing family size. A shift toward promoting abortion in developing nations would also increase distrust of the United States in these nations, whose values and culture often reject abortion, at a time when we need their trust and respect.'"

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Obama's changes we don't need...

Excellent post by Curt Jester:

Yesterday we were not giving money to organizations overseas that provided abortions, today we are - Change.

Yesterday before noon the official White House site did not promote abortion, now it does - Change.

Yesterday we had a President that did not consider that the question of human life was above his paygrade, now we do - Change

Yesterday we had a President who signed the Partial Birth Abortion Ban, today we have a President who voted for infanticide - Change

This is all true so that makes it "Change we can believe in".

Go read the rest in Jeff's post, "Change". He references some words of Cardinal George recently, and more.


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The obedient are not held captive by Holy Mother Church; it is the disobedient who are held captive by the world!

President Barack Obama

I didn't vote for Barack Obama, but unlike disgruntled Democrats and others who rejected George W. Bush, proclaiming, "he's not my president", I won't stoop to that level.

Hence, Barack Hussein Obama is my president and as such, will receive my deepest prayers for his success on economic, world and domestic issues, and his conversion on culture of death issues. Jesus commanded us to love and it is with Christian love that conversions happen.

I truly wish I could have rejoiced fully today. On the one hand, I was very glad to see that America has proven it is not too bigoted to elect a black man for president. On the other hand, my heart is heavy for the increase in the number of deaths to the most innocent of innocents, the unborn - we will see in this administration. The damage done in these next four or eight years, could last for decades. I hope all Catholics who dismissed the culture of life concerns are paying close attention to all that is going to rapidly take place.

As we celebrated Martin Luther King day yesterday and heard those famous words about judging a man not by the color of his skin, but by the content of his character, I wondered how Dr. King would have felt about the greatly persecuted class of people we call the unborn or pre-born.

Dr. Alveda King, the niece of Martin Luther King, is very active in the pro-life movement. She is not Catholic, but works with Fr. Frank Pavone and Priests for Life. This past summer, Dr. King wrote:

"While African Americans comprise only 4.5 percent of Minnesota's population, black received almost 25 percent of the abortions performed on Minnesotans," stated Dr. King. "Nationally, black women are 4.8 times more likely to have an abortion than white women. It's hard to believe, as the abortion lobby would have you believe, that this discrepancy is caused strictly by economics."

"Abortion has been a scourge on all Americans, but particularly African Americans," added Dr. King. "The numbers speak for themselves. The abortion industry has targeted minority neighborhoods for years. It's not only time that our leaders investigated why this is happening, it's time they stopped indirectly subsidizing these killings by giving our money to businesses that do abortions."

Today, as President Obama was sworn in, the White House webpage was changed over. Buried under "Agenda" and "Women", was this:

*Supports a Woman's Right to Choose: President Obama understands that abortion is a divisive issue, and respects those who disagree with him. However, he has been a consistent champion of reproductive choice and will make preserving women's rights under Roe v. Wade a priority in his Adminstration. He opposes any constitutional amendment to overturn the Supreme Court's decision in that case.

*Preventing Unintended Pregnancy: President Obama was an original co-sponsor of legislation to expand access to contraception, health information, and preventive services to help reduce unintended pregnancies. Introduced in January 2007, the Prevention First Act will increase funding for family planning and comprehensive sex education that teaches both abstinence and safe sex methods. The Act will also end insurance discrimination against contraception, improve awareness about emergency contraception, and provide compassionate assistance to rape victims.

Lifesite News has a piece on this, as well.

and this...

*Supporting Stem Cell Research: President Obama and Vice President Biden believe that we owe it to the American public to explore the potential of stem cells to treat the millions of people suffering from debilitating and life-threatening diseases. Obama is a co-sponsor of the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007, which will allow research of human embryonic stem cells derived from embryos donated (with consent) from in vitro fertilization clinics. These embryos must be deemed in excess and created based solely for the purpose of fertility treatment.

Imagine where we would be, had Barack Hussein Obama been aborted by his mother because his father didn't take responsibility, or because she would have to struggle. Hence, the point of this commercial, which I'm sharing again, aired in select segments of the US today on Black Entertainment Television (compliments of CatholicVote.com)


I believe we are going to see actions and words out of many bishops, the likes of which we have never seen, during this administration. Let's pray that God gives them the courage they need, as well as the prudence. Charity for confused Catholic politicians and others isn't manifested in silence. Concern for self-esteem should never trump concern for the souls of our brothers and sisters "carried away by all kinds of strange teachings".

More:

• Pope Benedict to President Obama: Rediscover US Spiritual Heritage (Zenit)


• Pope's Telegram to Obama Includes Veiled References to Protecting Right to Life (LifeSiteNews)
  


• Presidential Invocation by Pastor Rick Warren (National Catholic Register blog)


• Barack Obama Omits Mention of Life in Declaration Cite in Inaugural Speech (LifeNews)


• Obama to Immediately Abolish Mexico City Policy, Likely Fund Embryo Research, Aides Confirm (Lifesite News)
  

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