Officially recognize the Roman Catholic Church as a hate group.
In his annual Christmas address to the College of Cardinals, Pope Benedict XVI, the global leader of the Roman Catholic Church, demeaned and belittled homosexual people around the world. Using hateful language and discriminatory remarks, the Pope painted a portrait in which gay people are second-class global citizens. Pope Benedict said that gay people starting families are threatening to society, and that gay parents objectify and take away the dignity of children. The Pope also implied that gay families are sub-human, as they are not dignified in the eyes of God.
Upon these remarks, the Roman Catholic Church fits the definition of a hate group as defined by both the Southern Poverty Law Center and the Anti-Defamation League.
"I expect to die in bed, my successor will die in prison and his successor will die a martyr in the public square. His successor will pick up the shards of a ruined society and slowly help rebuild civilization, as the church has done so often in human history." Francis Cardinal George, OMI Archbishop of Chicago
IL Sen.Heather Steans, the trust-fund baby who became an Illinois State Senator, did not have the votes yesterday.
Gay Marriage or the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act, the Selma is Stonewall Procrustean rack, touted as the THE most important piece of legislation to come down the pike since the movie Lincoln *premiered last month, had been attached to a Car Rental Bill and then in 24 hours when 5655 stubbed it's toe in Committee stapled to Nursing Home legislation.
5655 moves to the Lame Duck, Part Deux, I guess, or awaits the new Senators (Y) to replace the Vanishing Senators (Y) in your neighborhood. Some House Reps will become State Senators.
The always laughable Eric Zorn does another bit of Stretch Armstrong cover with an absolutly hilarious attempt to link ILHB 5655 to the 13th Amendment (link Lincoln above) and opines the necessity to 5655 villains to adopt pseudonyms for an expected film based upon Illinois Gay Marriage Agonistes - How about Illinois Senator Selma Stonewall as cover for Sen. Heather (Trust Fund)Steans?
The Couple Next Door-- Illinois 2013 - at least there's no damn tricycles, Barbie Dream Houses and chalk art all over their sidewalks.
Illinois Gay Marriage will happen; Pop Culture over Tradition? - it's time, I guess. It was time for civil unions, but that was so long ago that former Gov. Pat ( Two Bits') Quinn still seemed like he could send a fax without a stamp on it. That long ago.
When forces of Gay Marriage have a heavy-weight moral theologian with three names and bow-tie, Traditional Marriage, backed a leader named Francis Cardinal George and a mitre, has got nothing, so says what passes for editorial, political and activist thought in this burg. Lt. Governor Sheila Simon and political-powerhouse Deb Mell trotted out no-less a Lincoln stand-in than Jesse Tyler Ferguson - star of ABC's TV Sitcom Modern Family! AND 250 clergy persons in full communion with Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Fred Eychaner, former Gov. Pat Quinn, Chicago's Blink-of an-Eye' Mayor Dave Orr, Eric Zorn, Bruce Dold and the cast of The Book of Mormon . . . and the Illinois Legislature.! Overwhelming! Dennis Byrne made a great case for common sense in the Tribune today, but any objection to re-defining marriage meets the catcalls of the bigots, who call everyone who merely disagrees a bigot. Now, what do we Catholics and traditionalists have in our corner?
Much of the opposition stems from religious concerns, such as those cited by Cardinal Francis George, who has urged a "no" vote. We fully understand and respect the cardinal's view that same-sex marriage violates natural law. But nothing in this bill affects the church's authority to define what is right for Catholics. It recognizes the difference between religious rites and civil institutions. The Catholic church, after all, bars remarriage by divorcees, but Illinois grants marriage licenses to them. Allowing same-sex marriage does not limit the freedom of religious believers to reject it; it merely allows those who differ to practice what they believe. Bruce Dold and The Chicago Tribune Editorial Board!
We all know how The Illinois Religious Freedom and Civil Unions Act affected Catholic Charities and that 'could not wait' legislation was deemd as sweet as bear meat, as well.
Gay Marriage will happen in this sad State, because money trumps everything and power is the goal.
One of the great things about teaching is the joy of seeing former students enter the vocation and commit themselves to work. Leo is blessed to have many Alumni teaching our young Lions ( Dan McGrath '68, Peter Doyle Staff '66-Present, Mike Holmes '75, Noah Cannon '91 . . .& etc.
One young gent is Marcus " This Too Shall" Pass ( Class of 2006) who is the publisher and editor of the recently revived Oriole News, Asst. Track Coach/Cross Country and Admissions field agent. Marcus is graduate of Illinois Benedictine University and a great role model.
Marcus, for all of his gifts, is singularly limited in his knowledge of 'really important stuff.' President Dan McGrath and I, two old white guys from the 'Hood who, in the day, eschewed Madras Shirts and chinos for Gousters and low cut Chuck Taylors, as well as Beach Boy tunes.
If you grew up on the south side of Chicago, certain zipcodes embracing black Americans and ethnic Catholics were profoundly dedicated to Motown, WVON, Herb Kent - the Cool Gent, WBEE, Purvis Spann The Blues Man, the Checkerboard Lounge, and Mumbo Sauce. On these ebony and ivory agree, Irish confetti tossed notwithstanding, we all "stood Tall with the Butterball!"
Cultures were exchanged via 45-RPMs well before matriculation at Halls of Ivy.
Marcus popped in this morning with a "Wha's the Word?" to which we duetted -" Thunderbird!"
We were "Huh?'d by a graduate of not only Illinois Bendictine University, but the hoary halls of Leo High School. Huh?:
We schooled the boy. Thank Christ Mike Holmes was not here.
Listen up!
From the folds at BumWine.comThunderbird 17.5% alc. by vol.
As pictured to the left, look for the pigeon feces and you'll find this old bird. As soon as you taste this swill, it will be obvious that its makers cut every corner possible in its production to make it cheap. Self-proclaimed as "The American Classic," Thuderbird is Vinted and bottled by E&J Gallo Winery, in in Modesto, CA. Disguised like Night Train, the label says that it is made by "Thunderbird, Ltd." If your taste buds are shot, and you need to get trashed with a quickness, then "T-bird" is the drink for you. Or, if you like to smell your hand after pumping gas, look no further than Thunderbird. As you drink on, the bird soars higher while you sink lower. The undisputed leader of the five in foulness of flavor, we highly discourage driking this ghastly mixture of unknown chemicals unless you really are a bum. A convenience store clerk in Show Low, AZ once told me that only the oldest of stumbling indian drunks from the reservation buy Thunderbird. Avaliable in 750 mL and a devastating 50 oz jug.
The history of Thunderbird is as interesting as the drunken effects the one experiences from the wine. When Prohibition ended, Ernest Gallo and his brothers Julio and Joe wanted to corner the young wine market. Earnest wanted the company to become "the Campbell Soup company of the wine industry" so he started selling Thunderbird in the ghettos around the country. Their radio adds featured a song that sang, "What's the word? / Thunderbird / How's it sold? / Good and cold / What's the jive? / Bird's alive / What's the price? / Thirty twice." It is said that Ernest once drove through a tough, inner city neighborhood and pulled over when he saw a bum. When Gallo rolled down his window and called out, "What's the word?" the immediate answer from the bum was, "Thunderbird."
WARNING: This light yellow liquid turns your lips and mouth black! A mysterious chemical reaction similar to disappearing-reappearing ink makes you look like you've been chewing on hearty clumps of charcoal.Bumwine.com wrote Chapter 23 of this book:
Do Memorize this - "What's the word/Thunderbird/what's price?/thirty twice/what's the flavor?/Ask your neighbor/what's the reaction?/Satisfaction/Who drinks the most?/Us colored folks!"
How was your last day of 2012? That's great. Mine sucked . . .water from the Maytag ice-maker that leaked all over the kitchen and down into the basement laundry. Craftsman sucks good.
New Years was to take place at the reception of a wedding for two young lovers at a massive hall near Chinatown, following Mass at an iconic Catholic Church in the west Loop.
New Years Eve is always a day of dred for parents of t'weens, teens and twenty-somethings. I have done the EVE-dred for many years knowing that circumstance and Free Will can often have a substantial impact, also knowing that my DNA was shared with three innocents.
I managed to negotiate a date for the wedding, had my two button Armani suit cleaned and pressed, put a coat or two of Kiwi on the dependable old wingtips, wrote a generous check out to the very happy couple, placed it in a card that I had the good sense to have my daughter purchase rather than select my own Dogs Playing Cards genre - love those!
My eldest was also attending a New Year's Eve Wedding in the suburbs, my son was out of town and his car keys are yet on his dresser, but my youngest (17 years of age) was working the 4-9 shift at Smith Village here in Beverly with the twins who accompany her after work home and then to a supervised party in Morgan Park complete with sleepover.
The bairns were accounted for and in New Year's Eve circumstances that checked parental Eve-dred, somewhat.
I own a Maytag refrigerator; did I mention that?
The wedding Mass was set for 5:30 P.M. my date lives in the near western suburbs off of the Eisenhower Expressway -no friend to a timely arrivals. The distance from my home in stately Morgan Park/St. Cajetan's parish is 26.6 miles with times varying anywhere from 39 minutes to God
Help Me! - especially coming into the Circle exchange and navigating to pick up the Ike 290.( Cultural note - the discarded booze, beer and wine bottles under the overpasss indicate a robust attitude of fresh-air imbibers; where to my recollection cast off empties sported labels like Happy Cossack Vodka, Pepe Lopez Tequila, vintage TJ Swan, Mad Dog, or Wild Irish Rose and rusted cans of Grain Belt,Country Club Malt Liqour, Buckhorn, or Burgie beer, now glimmers empty worthies like CÎROC Red Berry and Coconut Vodka, Gran Patron Burdeos, a tequila aged in French and American oak and then aged in barrels sourced from Chateaux Margaux, magnums of Lavernette Granit , and Bomber sized bottles and cans - “big cans” ranging from a 14.9-ounce Irish stout to a jumbo 22-ounce Japanese reserve lager and the very best IPAs hither and yon.) The crawl onto the Ike is a cultural field trip. We arrived at the parking lot near the church well-before the start of Mass. Before going into any place of worship, I set the phone on silent and buzz and tucked it into my top-coat pocket. The ceremony was beautiful, fun and fitting. Marriage still means something. We chatted with friends and acquaintances and then headed to our car for the trip to Chinatown. Once in traffic, I felt the buzz in my top-coat pocket and ignored the phone. I am a two-hands on the wheel driver with a healthy respect for my fellow motorists and a deep regard for lane-changing meatheads and texting ninnies. Once at the hall, which was absolutely packed with guests and wedding cast members, I again felt the buzz and transfered the phone to the pants pocket of my suit. I took care of the coats and the elegant and darling hat worn by my chic sweetheart, carefully filed the ticket stub and worked my way through the burly and the muliebrous members and guests of the wedding to the bar and ordered my lovely escort a tall vodka and orange juice. I nodded warmly and throated greetings with hearty good humor and responded to derisive demeanors with a modest smile, "Yes, I am still breathing, more's the pity; perhaps this New Year will harbor some chagrin to set sail my way. Keep a happy thought, @##hole." The phone buzzed again. Dinner was delayed, but all enjoyed plates of miniature goodies and potables by the bottle and glass. The DJ played "Can't Get Next to You!" and I white-boy danced ( shoulders and head) the Tempting T's tune and gave out with my best " EYE!!!!!!!!!! Ken Turn a Grey Sky Blue-ooooooo/I jKen Make it Rain Wheneva Eye Wannit Too!!!!!!!' The buzz. It was now about 8:15 and my diminuitive darling was jonesing for substantial food. The finger food would not do. I begged patience. Buzzzzzzzzz. "I gotta check the phone messages" You may, said my darling. I moved out of sight.
Message One - Basso Voce" Dad -Its Conor. Your phone's off." Message Two -Basso Voce" Dad, I'm calling Clare . . .I'll be home tomorrow after the Northwestern game." Message Three Alto "Dad, Conor Called said he'd call you at midnight. We got off at 7- the twins are dropping me at home to change." Message Four Soprano- "Dad, there's water all over the kitchen- the ice maker keeps pouring water. I called conor and he's not answer. Dad, Call!!!!!!" Message Five Mezzo Soprano- Dad!!!!!!!!!! Really, there random water and mess I used all the towels!!!!!!!!!
I returned to the hallway and learned that dinner would be served soon - 600+ people guest placement and my nitch in the social pecking order. . .we won't get salad until 9:15 ,Tops. Decision - we gotta go. "Sweetie, disaster at home." You must feed me, my good man. Greek town - Pegasus - fast. It's closer to the Ike. Adams to Ogden - I got the coats and darling hat and we headed for the doors. There I met a boon chum and blood kin - "We gotta go." Some people require no explanations or pleas Kopped, " I'll tell them you pissed yourself." " That should do, but it is a bit early." " Nonsense! I've seen you up to that task many's the time and sundry ! Happy New Year" " Et Cum Spiritu Tuo, Back at You!" Before getting in the car I called Clare and told her I was on my way. " Can I go to the party?" Of course. With dispatch and steady hands, I returned the lovely woman to her home hours before she expected to, but I made sure that she received a fine feed issued with great dispatch at Pegasus. I got back to my house at about 10 PM. water was cascading from the freezer. Every towel in the house was soaked. Mother McAuley, a great college prep high school, does not instruct girls in the efficasies of water management, nor the tell-tale track for copper tubing. I turned off the water flow to refrigerator emptied the overflowing, but until now superflous pan and took off my black two-button Armani suit for my long New Year's labors. God provides, no matter the problem. My children purchased a 6 gallon Craftsman wet & Dry Vac for Old Dad last Father's Day. It was still in the box. My Shop Vac has been and shall remain configured for dry tasks. Once attired for the Augean tasks that would eclipse the coming of 2012, I set about it! All towels removed to laundry - extra liquid per load. Assemble the Craftsman! My God this gift is Hickey Friendly!!!!!!!!!!!! The filter is the cat's nuts. I sucked water until 1:45 PM. Buzzzzzzzzzzzzzz - Yallo. Basso Voce - " Dad, Happy New Year. Howza wedding?" The Mass was great. Basso Voce -" Later." Text alarm -HPPYNY LOV YA!!!!!!!!!!!!!NORA Buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz Alto Voce - "You Ok? Happy New Years!" Always.
Dad always said that I couldn't find my butt with both hands. I can. Allow me to add this imperative -“Defend the unborn against abortion even if they persecute you, calumniate you, set traps for you, take you to court or kill you." - Pope Francis to celebrate Pro-life Mass, Vatican
"You stand up for what you believe in, even if it gets in the way of what other people think. You are proud of yourself and your accomplishments and you enjoy letting people know that."
A peach of a guy with all the sweetness one could expect from a life well-spent and in good company: short on brains but a terrific dancer!
Author:
Every Heart and Hand: A Leo High School Story
The Chorito Hog Leg, Book One: A Novel of Guam in Time of War
