Last week Florida Gators Quarterback Tim Tebow's photo may have graced the cover of Sports Illustrated, the same magazine that is best known for its annual "swimsuit issue," but the contrast between the two cover stories couldn't have been more glaring.
At 21 years of age and graced with boyish good looks, Tebow is one of the most talked about rising stars of the NCAA; but the football superstar literally left reporters speechless last week when he answered a question during a press conference about whether or not he is "saving himself" for marriage.
Click here to read more, including how he is grateful that his mother's story of chosing life form him has helped women choose not to have an abortion.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Girl fighting for her ‘right to die’ chooses life
This from Catholic News Agency:A fourteen year-old British girl who fought last Fall for her ‘right to die,’ has changed her mind and chosen to continue her treatments, including a heart transplant.
In November 2008, Hannah Jones made headlines when medics took the then 13-year old girl to court after she refused a heart transplant, which was weakened by her treatment for leukemia. It was a decision her parents supported.
“Obviously we want to have Hannah with us as long as possible, but we are not going to force her to do something that she doesn’t want to do at this time,” her father, Andrew Jones told The Daily Mail.
At the time Hannah explained that her treatments were getting to be too exhausting and difficult. “I don’t like to be like this but I live with it,” she said.
In response to her refusal, administrators at the Herefordshire Primary Care Trust in Hereford, England decided to seek temporary custody of the child in order to “force” her to undergo the surgery. However, after several court hearings and a report from a child protection officer, the hospital withdrew its legal action.
Pro-euthanasia groups praised the girl, while pro-life groups charged that the teen was being manipulated by “death with dignity” rhetoric.
Now it is being reported by Sky News and numerous other British news outlets that Hannah has changed her mind about the operation after suffering a partial kidney failure on July 12.
When a heart became available, she was transferred to London and underwent a six-and-a-half-hour surgery. Jones’ operation was a success, but she is still recuperating in intensive care.
Today on Kresta - July 31, 2009
Talking about the "things that matter most" on July 31
Best of Kresta in the Afternoon
3:00 – Al’s Analysis of the Christopher Hitchens Interview
On Monday, Al sat down for an interview with famed atheist bomb-thrower Christopher Hitchens – author of God is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything. In typical Hitchens fashion, he made outrageous and odd claims. We aired the interview on Monday afternoon, and today we analyze certain elements of it to expand on Al’s responses to Hitchens and further expose this man as a fraud and outright liar.
4:00 – Stories from the Edge: A Theology of Grief
Greg Garrett compassionately and insightfully aids us in grappling with the age-old question of where can God be found in times of tragedy? Exploring the theological themes of both Biblical stories and American myths, he helpfully reveals how these foundational narratives have shaped our beliefs about God, continue to inform how we live our lives, and influence how we experience God's presence in the midst of suffering.
4:40 – Divorced from Reality
The decline of the family has now reached critical and truly dangerous proportions. Family breakdown touches virtually every family and every American. It is not only the major source of social instability in the Western world today but also seriously threatens civic freedom and constitutional government. G. K. Chesterton once observed that the family serves as the principal check on government power, and he suggested that someday the family and the state would confront one another. According to our guest, that day has arrived. Al talks about the government and its role in marriage.
5:00 – Kresta Comments
5:20 – Humanae Vitae and Me: A Testimony
It was the summer of 1968, and the Humanae Vitae debate had hit the Church the world over. The small town outside London where Joanna Bogle lived was no different. Dissent from Humanae Vitae wasn't something remote and far away; it was written into the fabric of ordinary Catholic parish life. It involved popular priests and lay people who were active in many fields -- teachers, leaders of organizations -- and, from my recollection at least, it was mainstream. She says she doesn’t remember hearing anyone actively defending Humanae Vitae. Yet it dramatically impacted her life. She is here to tell us the story.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Universal Health Care and the Elderly's "Duty to Die"
With the Obama-care bill continuing to get over hurdles in the US House of Reps., George Marlin's column over at The Catholic Thing. Here's a taste, and I highly recommend you read it in its entirety."The national health care debate has elicited President Obama’s pledge that the proposed $1.3 trillion, 1,018-page government health insurance program is “not going to mess” with anyone’s current coverage. But this does not ring true.
If Obamacare becomes law, expect Medicare – which represents 15 percent of the federal budget, consumes 11 percent of federal taxes, and has a future unfunded liability of at least $60 trillion (yes, trillion) – to be cut immediately.
According to Medicare expert Dr. Thomas Saving of Texas A&M, if the “federal income tax remains at the 50-year average of 10.89 percent of the nation’s gross domestic product, the present value of all future federal income tax revenues from now to eternity is $99.3 trillion so that the Medicare debt of $61.6 trillion is 62 percent of all future federal tax receipts.” Since the feds will not spend that much money to meet this financial obligation, its only alternative is rationing health care for the elderly.
President Obama began to lay the groundwork for “messing” with Medicare when he publicly mused that perhaps his grandmother (who died last fall) should not have had a hip replacement in old age."
Continue reading...
So the recession ISN'T over???
I thought Obama only took on Fox News. How dare he say Newsweek printed something that wasn't entirely true!!!
McCotter (R-MI) vs. Matthews (D-MSNBC)
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
Today on Kresta - July 29, 2009
Talking about the "things that matter most" on July 29
3:00 – Kresta Comments
3:20 – Feast of St. Martha – Extraordinary Moms’ Network
Everyone knows the biblical story of Martha and Mary, and who made the wiser choice. But what does the story say to mothers who are busy with housework, responsibilities, children, etc.? We take this opportunity on the feast of St. Martha to talk with Heidi Hess Saxton of the Extraordinary Moms’ Network who is currently writing a book on St. Martha.
Here is a link to Heidi's website.
4:00 – Kresta Comments
4:20 – NASA: Past, Present, and Future
Jerry Woodfill has been working at NASA almost from the beginning – which was July 29, 1958. He was there for Apollo 11, Apollo 13, the Challenger and the Columbia. And he saw God’s hand in each of those events. We talk with Jerry about NASA: past, present and future.
4:40 – St. John Vianney turns 150!
“Faithfulness of Christ, faithfulness of priests” is the theme for this “Year for the Priest”. The year also marks the 150th anniversary of the death of St. John Vianney, known as the “Curé of Ars” As a key contribution to the celebration, a new theatrical drama VIANNEY will launch a worldwide tour with a premiere in Houston, Texas. The play focuses on the question, “What is a "priest?” and tells the story of St. John Vianney, whose exemplary life was so remarkable that the Pope has named him the patron of this jubilee year, and will, at the close of the year, declare him the patron of all the priests of the world. The VIANNEY drama, starring actor and film director Leonardo Defilippis, will appropriately open next week on August 4, Vianney’s feast day, and the 150th anniversary of his death. We talk with Leonardo.
Here is a link to St. Luke Productions.
5:00 – Direct to my Desk
3:00 – Kresta Comments
3:20 – Feast of St. Martha – Extraordinary Moms’ Network
Everyone knows the biblical story of Martha and Mary, and who made the wiser choice. But what does the story say to mothers who are busy with housework, responsibilities, children, etc.? We take this opportunity on the feast of St. Martha to talk with Heidi Hess Saxton of the Extraordinary Moms’ Network who is currently writing a book on St. Martha.
Here is a link to Heidi's website.
4:00 – Kresta Comments
4:20 – NASA: Past, Present, and Future
Jerry Woodfill has been working at NASA almost from the beginning – which was July 29, 1958. He was there for Apollo 11, Apollo 13, the Challenger and the Columbia. And he saw God’s hand in each of those events. We talk with Jerry about NASA: past, present and future.
4:40 – St. John Vianney turns 150!
“Faithfulness of Christ, faithfulness of priests” is the theme for this “Year for the Priest”. The year also marks the 150th anniversary of the death of St. John Vianney, known as the “Curé of Ars” As a key contribution to the celebration, a new theatrical drama VIANNEY will launch a worldwide tour with a premiere in Houston, Texas. The play focuses on the question, “What is a "priest?” and tells the story of St. John Vianney, whose exemplary life was so remarkable that the Pope has named him the patron of this jubilee year, and will, at the close of the year, declare him the patron of all the priests of the world. The VIANNEY drama, starring actor and film director Leonardo Defilippis, will appropriately open next week on August 4, Vianney’s feast day, and the 150th anniversary of his death. We talk with Leonardo.
Here is a link to St. Luke Productions.
5:00 – Direct to my Desk
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
The Malthus Myth
If you have ever scrolled through some of the comments under pro-life youtube videos, you've probably seen numerous claims that the world is overpopulated or heading towards overpopulation. Here is a quick youtube video that chronicles the history of the overpopulation myth started by Thomas Malthus. If you enjoy debate, you could try engaging some of the comments below this video on youtube.
Update: The author of the above video reports that this is the first in a series of videos yet to come. If you would like a more comprehensive analysis of this topic, it would be good to read Fr. Frank Pavone's article in the December 2008 edition of "This Rock Magazine" titled, Planned Unparenthood: The Myths of Overpopulation. Here is a link to that Article.
Update: The author of the above video reports that this is the first in a series of videos yet to come. If you would like a more comprehensive analysis of this topic, it would be good to read Fr. Frank Pavone's article in the December 2008 edition of "This Rock Magazine" titled, Planned Unparenthood: The Myths of Overpopulation. Here is a link to that Article.
Here is the actual comment from the account that posted this video on Youtube.
Colinpri1 (21 hours ago)
Anti-Catholic Bigot Goes to Jail
Here's Bill Donohue's reaction.
Evangelist Tony Alamo was convicted (July 24) on all counts of transporting minors across state lines for sex. Catholic League president Bill Donohue is delighted:
Tony Alamo Christian Ministries Worldwide was the name of his organization, and “World Pastor” was his name. Now this child-abusing, tax dodging, viciously anti-Catholic bigot is finally being put away for good. Convicted of having sex with girls as young as 9, and of multiple “marriages,” this supreme exploiter was convicted of tax evasion in 1994 and sent to prison while heading a multimillion-dollar business.
Had the blasphemy laws still been on the books, Alamo would have been sent to the slammer long ago (and many young girls would have been saved). Not surprisingly, we have a fat file on him at the Catholic League. Here are some of his more infamous remarks:
· “The Vatican is posing as Snow White, but the Bible says that she is a prostitute, ‘the great whore,’ a cult (Rev. 19:2).”
· “The cult (the Vatican) is very close to replacing our U.S. Constitution with her one-world, satanic canon laws of death to the ‘heretic’ (anyone who is not Roman Catholic).”
· “His [President John F. Kennedy’s] assassination was ordered by Rome, then planned and carried out by Jesuits, just as President Lincoln’s was. Anyone who knew too much about Mr. Kennedy’s assassination was taken care of too.”
No wonder Alamo blamed the Vatican for conspiring against him in the trial that just ended—he’s possessed with hatred of the Catholic Church. And he made a pretty good living off of it, as well. Moreover, he found no problem getting his hateful message across. Just last November he published a Catholic-bashing ad in the Fort Smith, Arkansas Times Record, and in December he published one in the Long Island Press.
Alamo’s attorneys said the government went after him because it didn’t like his “Christianity.” Lucky for them we don’t send all kooks to the asylum.
Evangelist Tony Alamo was convicted (July 24) on all counts of transporting minors across state lines for sex. Catholic League president Bill Donohue is delighted:
Tony Alamo Christian Ministries Worldwide was the name of his organization, and “World Pastor” was his name. Now this child-abusing, tax dodging, viciously anti-Catholic bigot is finally being put away for good. Convicted of having sex with girls as young as 9, and of multiple “marriages,” this supreme exploiter was convicted of tax evasion in 1994 and sent to prison while heading a multimillion-dollar business.
Had the blasphemy laws still been on the books, Alamo would have been sent to the slammer long ago (and many young girls would have been saved). Not surprisingly, we have a fat file on him at the Catholic League. Here are some of his more infamous remarks:
· “The Vatican is posing as Snow White, but the Bible says that she is a prostitute, ‘the great whore,’ a cult (Rev. 19:2).”
· “The cult (the Vatican) is very close to replacing our U.S. Constitution with her one-world, satanic canon laws of death to the ‘heretic’ (anyone who is not Roman Catholic).”
· “His [President John F. Kennedy’s] assassination was ordered by Rome, then planned and carried out by Jesuits, just as President Lincoln’s was. Anyone who knew too much about Mr. Kennedy’s assassination was taken care of too.”
No wonder Alamo blamed the Vatican for conspiring against him in the trial that just ended—he’s possessed with hatred of the Catholic Church. And he made a pretty good living off of it, as well. Moreover, he found no problem getting his hateful message across. Just last November he published a Catholic-bashing ad in the Fort Smith, Arkansas Times Record, and in December he published one in the Long Island Press.
Alamo’s attorneys said the government went after him because it didn’t like his “Christianity.” Lucky for them we don’t send all kooks to the asylum.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Today on Kresta - July 28, 2009
Talking about the "things that matter most" on July 28
3:00 – Divorced. Catholic. Now What?
Divorce is hard. And despite the Catholic Church's teaching against divorce, Catholics divorce at the same rate as the rest of society. Especially for Catholics, divorce is a complicated issue that is hard on spouses, children, family and friends – it affects us all. When a Roman Catholic experiences divorce, there is much confusion over just what the annulment process is and what it's significance is, as well as other issues that create uncertainty, such as being able to receive Communion, what the Catholic Church's views on dating are, and certainly the issue of remarriage. But most importantly, Catholic men and women struggle to find support and healing from divorce. Lisa Duffy has suffered through the pain of being a divorced Catholic and knew that after seven years intense struggle, spiritual growth, personal triumphs, and finally remarriage in the Church and the birth of three miracle children, her one desire was to help others who were suffering find hope and healing. She is the co-author of, Divorced. Catholic. Now What? Navigating Your Life After Divorce and joins us to discuss the opportunity for a tremendous healing experience, no matter how long it's been since a divorce and what the family and friends of a divorcee can do to aid the process.
4:00 – Kresta Comments
4:20 – Love Is an Orientation: Elevating the Conversation With the Gay Community
When three of Andrew Marin's friends came out to him in the span of three months, he was confronted head-on with the question of how to reconcile his friends with his faith. His book, Love Is an Orientation, is the result of years of wrestling with this issue. He speaks out with compassion and conviction, elevating the conversation between Christianity and the homosexual community so that the focus is moved from genetics to gospel, where it really belongs.
5:00 – What is ‘good’ and ‘evil’? WHO decides?
The laws of morality used to be clearly defined. Then, in the turbulent years of the 1960’s, societal dissent and disruption throughout all walks of life caused confusion and chaos in the moral order. More recently, during the widely reported and televised Mass of the Conclave prior to his election as Pope, Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger judiciously directed his homily to an exposition and denunciation of the dictatorship of relativism, which now confronts the world. Unless the concepts of good and evil are clearly defined and the conscience properly formed as a guide--especially among the young generations--relativism will reign supreme and objective morality will lose the right to exist in a society where evil claims right of citizenship. Raymond de Souza is here tom discuss good and evil in simple yet conclusive terms using Natural Law, the Magisterium of the Church and plain logic in his presentation...Good or Evil: Who Decides.
3:00 – Divorced. Catholic. Now What?
Divorce is hard. And despite the Catholic Church's teaching against divorce, Catholics divorce at the same rate as the rest of society. Especially for Catholics, divorce is a complicated issue that is hard on spouses, children, family and friends – it affects us all. When a Roman Catholic experiences divorce, there is much confusion over just what the annulment process is and what it's significance is, as well as other issues that create uncertainty, such as being able to receive Communion, what the Catholic Church's views on dating are, and certainly the issue of remarriage. But most importantly, Catholic men and women struggle to find support and healing from divorce. Lisa Duffy has suffered through the pain of being a divorced Catholic and knew that after seven years intense struggle, spiritual growth, personal triumphs, and finally remarriage in the Church and the birth of three miracle children, her one desire was to help others who were suffering find hope and healing. She is the co-author of, Divorced. Catholic. Now What? Navigating Your Life After Divorce and joins us to discuss the opportunity for a tremendous healing experience, no matter how long it's been since a divorce and what the family and friends of a divorcee can do to aid the process.
4:00 – Kresta Comments
4:20 – Love Is an Orientation: Elevating the Conversation With the Gay Community
When three of Andrew Marin's friends came out to him in the span of three months, he was confronted head-on with the question of how to reconcile his friends with his faith. His book, Love Is an Orientation, is the result of years of wrestling with this issue. He speaks out with compassion and conviction, elevating the conversation between Christianity and the homosexual community so that the focus is moved from genetics to gospel, where it really belongs.
5:00 – What is ‘good’ and ‘evil’? WHO decides?
The laws of morality used to be clearly defined. Then, in the turbulent years of the 1960’s, societal dissent and disruption throughout all walks of life caused confusion and chaos in the moral order. More recently, during the widely reported and televised Mass of the Conclave prior to his election as Pope, Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger judiciously directed his homily to an exposition and denunciation of the dictatorship of relativism, which now confronts the world. Unless the concepts of good and evil are clearly defined and the conscience properly formed as a guide--especially among the young generations--relativism will reign supreme and objective morality will lose the right to exist in a society where evil claims right of citizenship. Raymond de Souza is here tom discuss good and evil in simple yet conclusive terms using Natural Law, the Magisterium of the Church and plain logic in his presentation...Good or Evil: Who Decides.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Today on Kresta - July 24, 2009
Talking about the "things that matter most" on July 243:00 – The Democratic Virtues of the Christian Right
The Christian Right is frequently accused of threatening democratic values. But Jon Shields argues that religious conservatives have in fact dramatically increased and improved democratic participation and that they are far more civil and reasonable than is commonly believed. Shields interviewed leaders of more than thirty Christian Right organizations, observed movement activists in six American cities, and analyzed a wide variety of survey data and movement media. His conclusions are surprising: the Christian Right has reinvigorated American politics and fulfilled New Left ideals by mobilizing a previously alienated group and by refocusing politics on the contentious ideological and moral questions that motivate citizens. He is here to discuss the Democratic virtues of the Christian Right.
3:40 – July 26 – The Feast of Joachim and Anna
Many people don't consider the fact that Jesus had Grandparents! But he did. They are Sts. Joachim and Anna, and their feast day is July 26. We look at what we know about them, from what sources, what were the circumstances of Mary’s birth, and since she was the Immaculate Conception – what was her childhood like? Steve Ray is our guest.
4:00 – Kresta Comments
4:20 – A Soviet Court Convicts Jesuit Father Walter Ciszek of being a “Vatican Spy” – July 26, 1942
On July 26, 1942, a Soviet court convicted Jesuit Fr. Walter Ciszek of being a “Vatican Spy.” During WWII, the PA priest had slipped into Russia to bring the sacraments to those who hadn’t seen a priest in years. He spent four years in Lubyanka Prison and was sent to Siberia as a slave laborer for 9 years. We’ll detail his extraordinary life with Msgr. Anthony Muntone, co-postulator of his cause for canonization.
4:40 – Saving Freedom: We Can Stop America's Slide into Socialism
The United States—the world’s great bastion of freedom—is sliding toward socialism. That’s the argument of SC Sen. Jim DeMint. Recent high-profile bailouts show the walls between government and the private sector are getting thinner each day. Federal control now extends in various ways to education, healthcare, financial markets, real estate, businesses, and religion. And as out-of-control government spending and debt increase accordingly, America is drained of the economic and political strength its people fought and worked so hard to achieve. But it isn’t too late to save the land of the free. Sen. DeMint is here to make his case.
5:00 – Direct to my Desk
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Today on Kresta - July 23, 2009
Talking about the "things that matter most" on July 233:00 – Kresta Comments
3:20 – July 23, 1853: Pope Pius IX names Fr. Frederic Baraga – the “Snowshoe Bishop” to shepherd Upper MI
On this day in 1853, Fr. Frederic Baraga was elevated to bishop by Pope Pius IX. He was the first bishop of the Upper Peninsula of MI. At about this time he began to keep a diary, written in several languages, preserving accounts of his missionary travels and his relationship with his sister Amalia. During this time, the area experienced a population explosion, as immigrants arrived to work in the copper and iron mines. This presented a challenge, since he had few priests, and would now have to tend to the needs of the miners and the native population. On the other hand, it signaled the increased development of the area, particularly improving travel on Lake Superior. Nonetheless, the only way to travel in winter was on snowshoes, which he continued to manage into his sixties. We look at the life and missionary activities of Bishop Baraga with Franciscan Fr. Al Langheim.
3:40 – Suspended priest will run for presidency in Philippines
A suspended Catholic priest has announced his plan to run for the presidency of the Philippines. Eddie Panlilio currently serves as governor of the Pampagna province; he was suspended from priestly ministry when he launched his campaign for that office, in violation of the Church's ban on partisan political involvement of clergy. Panlilio has taken the odd position that he wishes to be dispensed from his priestly obligations, and feels that God has called him to political life, yet he will return to ministry if his political campaign fails. We look at the canon law with Ed Peters.
4:00 – Kresta Comments
4:20 – Life Without Lawyers: Liberating Americans from Too Much Law
In his latest prescriptive survey of American law abuse and its consequences, Philip Howard shows us one ghastly anecdote after another demonstrating how the justice system hinders freedom and confounds Americans who simply want to do the right thing. Either through litigation or the fear of it, Howard argues, we've ceded our everyday decision-making to the lawyers, resulting in everything from "no running on the playground" signs to a 5-year-old handcuffed at school by police; from diminishing health care quality and spiraling costs to doctors afraid of discussing treatments among themselves over email. We look at how to liberate America from too much law.
5:00 – Divorced. Catholic. Now What?
Divorce is hard. And despite the Catholic Church's teaching against divorce, Catholics divorce at the same rate as the rest of society. Especially for Catholics, divorce is a complicated issue that is hard on spouses, children, family and friends – it affects us all. When a Roman Catholic experiences divorce, there is much confusion over just what the annulment process is and what it's significance is, as well as other issues that create uncertainty, such as being able to receive Communion, what the Catholic Church's views on dating are, and certainly the issue of remarriage. But most importantly, Catholic men and women struggle to find support and healing from divorce. Lisa Duffy has suffered through the pain of being a divorced Catholic and knew that after seven years intense struggle, spiritual growth, personal triumphs, and finally remarriage in the Church and the birth of three miracle children, her one desire was to help others who were suffering find hope and healing. She is the co-author of, Divorced. Catholic. Now What? Navigating Your Life After Divorce and joins us to discuss the opportunity for a tremendous healing experience, no matter how long it's been since a divorce and what the family and friends of a divorcee can do to aid the process.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Cronkite in 1965: "As long as the abortion laws remain unchanged, abortion will continue to be a critical problem."
Famed CBS news anchor Walter Cronkite has been lauded in the media since his death on Friday, at the age of 92, with tributes paid not only from secular media, but even Vatican Radio and other Christian news sources.
But while remembered by many as "the most trusted man in America," many of Cronkite's more radical, but lesser known views, would be considered repugnant even to many of his greatest fans.
In 1965, before abortion was made legal in the U.S., Cronkite made CBS the first network in America to feature a documentary on abortion when he hosted the hour-long episode of CBS Reports entitled 'Abortion and the Law'.
Watch the report below and remember - this was 1965.
Watch CBS Videos Online
Today on Kresta - July 22, 2009
Talking about the "things that matter most" on July 22
3:00 – Kresta Comments
3:20 – Be to Me a Father and a Priest
Fr. Peter Stravinskas says his priestly ministry has been far more challenging, interesting, and multi-faceted than he ever imagined when entering seminary. He says “Although teaching in, administering, and establishing Catholic schools (elementary, secondary, university, and seminary) have been a constant from my first days as a seminarian, I have also worn many other “hats”—from serving as a pastor, vocations director, and bishop’s secretary, to public relations work for the Church, to writing and lecturing on timely topics throughout the country and abroad, to founding a community of secular clergy devoted to the new evangelization, liturgical renewal, and Catholic education. He is here to look at the many ways in which he has been a priest, and his reflections on that vocation, without which the Church cannot exist.
4:00 – Kresta Comments
4:20 – Seven Secular Challenges Facing 21st Century Catholics
The developments and advances in the postmodern age often pose problems, difficulties, and challenges for religious believers in their attempts to reconcile living their faith authentically with living in a society that is increasingly secular in its outlook and values. Fr. Val Peter is here to offer assessments, critiques, and insights into the 7 secular challenges facing 21st century Catholics.
5:00 – Appeals Court Deals Another Blow to “Islamist Lawfare”
Last week, seven Texas-area Islamic organizations lost an appeal of the unanimous ruling of the Texas Second Court of Appeals at Forth Worth, which protected the free speech rights of internet journalists and at the same time dealt a blow to the legal jihad being waged by radical Muslim groups throughout the United States. The Court upheld the dismissal of the libel lawsuit filed against internet reporter Joe Kaufman by the seven Islamic organizations.The lawsuit against Kaufman was funded by the Muslim Legal Fund for America. The head of that organization, Khalil Meek, admitted on a Muslim talk radio show that lawsuits were being filed against Kaufman and others to set an example. We talk with attorney Brian Rooney.
5:20 – Kresta Comments
5:40 – FOCA By Any Other Name…
As the prospects for passing health reform by the time Congress leaves for its August recess look bleaker, Democratic grumbling about President Obama is growing louder. One Democratic senator tells CNN congressional Democrats are “baffled,” and another senior Democratic source tells CNN members of the president’s own party are still “frustrated” that they’re not getting more specific direction from him on health care. The beneficiary of this delay may very well be the unborn. Douglas Johnson of National Right to Life explains.
3:00 – Kresta Comments
3:20 – Be to Me a Father and a Priest
Fr. Peter Stravinskas says his priestly ministry has been far more challenging, interesting, and multi-faceted than he ever imagined when entering seminary. He says “Although teaching in, administering, and establishing Catholic schools (elementary, secondary, university, and seminary) have been a constant from my first days as a seminarian, I have also worn many other “hats”—from serving as a pastor, vocations director, and bishop’s secretary, to public relations work for the Church, to writing and lecturing on timely topics throughout the country and abroad, to founding a community of secular clergy devoted to the new evangelization, liturgical renewal, and Catholic education. He is here to look at the many ways in which he has been a priest, and his reflections on that vocation, without which the Church cannot exist.
4:00 – Kresta Comments
4:20 – Seven Secular Challenges Facing 21st Century Catholics
The developments and advances in the postmodern age often pose problems, difficulties, and challenges for religious believers in their attempts to reconcile living their faith authentically with living in a society that is increasingly secular in its outlook and values. Fr. Val Peter is here to offer assessments, critiques, and insights into the 7 secular challenges facing 21st century Catholics.
5:00 – Appeals Court Deals Another Blow to “Islamist Lawfare”
Last week, seven Texas-area Islamic organizations lost an appeal of the unanimous ruling of the Texas Second Court of Appeals at Forth Worth, which protected the free speech rights of internet journalists and at the same time dealt a blow to the legal jihad being waged by radical Muslim groups throughout the United States. The Court upheld the dismissal of the libel lawsuit filed against internet reporter Joe Kaufman by the seven Islamic organizations.The lawsuit against Kaufman was funded by the Muslim Legal Fund for America. The head of that organization, Khalil Meek, admitted on a Muslim talk radio show that lawsuits were being filed against Kaufman and others to set an example. We talk with attorney Brian Rooney.
5:20 – Kresta Comments
5:40 – FOCA By Any Other Name…
As the prospects for passing health reform by the time Congress leaves for its August recess look bleaker, Democratic grumbling about President Obama is growing louder. One Democratic senator tells CNN congressional Democrats are “baffled,” and another senior Democratic source tells CNN members of the president’s own party are still “frustrated” that they’re not getting more specific direction from him on health care. The beneficiary of this delay may very well be the unborn. Douglas Johnson of National Right to Life explains.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Today on Kresta - July 21, 2009
Talking about the "things that matter most" on July 213:00 – Kresta Comments
3:20 – Love Is an Orientation: Elevating the Conversation With the Gay Community
When three of Andrew Marin's friends came out to him in the span of three months, he was confronted head-on with the question of how to reconcile his friends with his faith. His book, Love Is an Orientation, is the result of years of wrestling with this issue. He speaks out with compassion and conviction, elevating the conversation between Christianity and the homosexual community so that the focus is moved from genetics to gospel, where it really belongs.
3:40 – NASA Celebrates 40 years since the first lunar landing
Yesterday President Obama hosted the Apollo 11 astronauts on the 40th anniversary of the historic U.S. moon walk. Obama praised astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins, calling them icons and genuine American heroes. Obama has previously advocated a robust space program, including an endorsement of sending manned missions back to the moon by 2020. The President said the U.S. continues to draw inspiration from the achievements of the historic Apollo mission in 1969. We talk with Catholic astronaut Thomas Jones about the first lunar landing, space, faith and awe in God’s creation.
4:00 – Kresta Comments
4:20 – Indonesia in Perspective – A Model Muslim Democracy?
When people hear about the terrible bombings that struck two hotels in Indonesia last week and listen to the cable news reports that note Indonesia has the world's largest Muslim population, many listeners may conclude that this is another country where terrorist attacks are a frequent occurrence and where hostility to foreigners, particularly Americans, runs deep. Since most of the world knows so little about Indonesia, it is not surprising if people draw that conclusion, but they would be wrong. It is more appropriate to think of Indonesia as the world's third largest democracy, and to recognize that it has similar disadvantages as other open societies in combating terrorism. We talk with Paul Wolfowitz about Indonesia as a model Muslim democracy.
4:30 – Health Care Reform, Abortion, and Conscience Protection
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer says House Democrats are struggling to reach consensus on overhauling health care, a divide that could delay House approval of a plan beyond lawmakers' scheduled vacation in August. Meanwhile, leaders of major pro-abortion advocacy groups have made many public statements in recent months recognizing that the bills, as currently drafted, will result in vast expansions of "access" to elective abortion. Members of the Senate Finance Committee are negotiating behind closed doors to craft an alternative health care bill, and abortion policy is a major issue in those discussions. We talk with Mike O’Dea of the Christus Medicus Foundation.
4:40 – Appeals Court Deals Another Blow to “Islamist Lawfare”
Last week, seven Texas-area Islamic organizations lost an appeal of the unanimous ruling of the Texas Second Court of Appeals at Forth Worth, which protected the free speech rights of internet journalists and at the same time dealt a blow to the legal jihad being waged by radical Muslim groups throughout the United States. The Court upheld the dismissal of the libel lawsuit filed against internet reporter Joe Kaufman by the seven Islamic organizations. The lawsuit against Kaufman was funded by the Muslim Legal Fund for America. The head of that organization, Khalil Meek, admitted on a Muslim talk radio show that lawsuits were being filed against Kaufman and others to set an example. We talk with attorney Brian Rooney.
5:00 – Direct to my Desk
Monday, July 20, 2009
Remember Back When You Were An Embryo...?
You probably recall little of your days in the womb, but a new study suggests that short-term memory may be present in fetuses at 30 weeks of age.Until a few decades ago, "people would say that the human fetus is a sort of black box," said Dr. Jan Nijhuis, a co-author of the study and an obstetrician at Maastricht University Medical Center in The Netherlands. Studies over the years have started to reveal more about the neurological development of humans before they are born, but researchers are still trying to figure out when memory begins and how long it can last.
The new study tested how fetuses in nearly 100 pregnant women responded to a specific stimulus, in this case, a "vibroacoustic stimulation," which is a very low sound that makes a vibration. The researchers observed the reaction using an ultrasound. When the fetus first receives the stimulation, it is startled. But after repeated trials of the same stimulation, 30 seconds apart, the fetus gets used to the sound and doesn't react.
Today on Kresta - July 20, 2009
Talking about the "things that matter most" on July 203:00 – Kresta Comments
3:20 – “Mein Kampf” Published July 18, 1925 – What can we learn from this book?
Mein Kampf, in English: My Struggle, is a book by Adolf Hitler. It combines elements of autobiography with an exposition of Hitler's political ideology and was published on July 18, 1925. Hitler began the dictation of the book while imprisoned for what he considered to be "political crimes" after his failed revolution in Munich in November 1923. Though Hitler received many visitors earlier on, he soon devoted himself entirely to the book. We look at this book with Ben Wiker, who included it in his work, 10 Books That Screwed Up the World. We look at how it was received at the time, what it reveals about Hitler, and the role that it played in history.
3:40 – Animal-rights extremism in the Obama entourage is no joke
Imagine you are a cattle rancher looking for liability insurance. You meet with your broker, who, as expected, asks a series of questions to gauge your suitability for coverage: Have you ever been sued by your cattle? If the answer is yes, what was the outcome of that suit? If you think that's a ridiculous scenario, that animals suing their owners could never happen, think again. For years, the animal rights movement has quietly agitated to enact laws, convince the government to promulgate regulations, or obtain a court ruling granting animals the "legal standing" to drag their owners (and others) into court. Wesley Smith is with us to look at animal-rights extremism.
4:00 – Kresta Comments
4:20 – Death Row Inmate Wins Fight to have Mass Shown in Cells
Many convicted killers seek solace in the Lord in their final days, and Donald Lee Leger is among them. Further, he insists on the Catholic interpretation -- not a Baptist version that blared on the TV sets for all death-row prisoners at the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola. So he sought help from the American Civil Liberties Union. Though the ACLU has fought for separation of church and state in the public square -- Nativity scenes, Ten Commandments, crosses -- in Leger's case it defended a particular brand of worship in a taxpayer-financed cage for the state's most evil men. We talk about this case with Pat Nolan of Prison Fellowship and Justice Fellowship.
4:35 – Walking Across America for the Conversion of Youth
It was in the heart of Iowa, where Jon Leonetti was born and raised, that he fell in love with his Catholic faith. As the host of the Catholic radio show, Martyrs of the Third Millennium, Jon was ready to take the message of the New Evangelization from the air waves to the streets. Inspired through reading the lives of the saints Jon has realized that in order to live his Catholic faith to the fullest, he has to give it all. That is why he has chosen to walk, over 3,500 miles, asking young people to take on a new way of living, one where they are lost in the love of Jesus Christ. Through this journey in faith, Jon and his friend Jesse are encouraging young people to live their lives as a Martyr of the Third Millennium, one who continually dies to self and lives for something greater, our God. We catch up with them in PA.
4:45 – Passionate Speech in House of Lords Halts “Assisted Suicide” Bill in Britain
Well, it's been defeated ... for the moment. A proposal to legalize “assisted suicide” was raised in the British Parliament and, thanks largely to a heart-wrenching speech from Baroness Jane Campbell, was voted down. The proposed new law was raised as an amendment in the House of Lords. Recently there has been much publicity given in Britain to people whose grave disabilities have made them believe they no longer wish to live, and who have travelled to Switzerland with relatives to die in a scheme operated by an organization created specifically for this purpose. We talk with British Catholic journalist Joanna Bogle.
5:00 – Kresta Comments
5:20 – The Ryan Report
Physical and sexual abuse was "endemic" in Irish Catholic church-run industrial schools and orphanages. That according to a 10-year investigation by the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse which released its 2,600 page final report earlier this year. The investigation found that Catholic priests and nuns for decades terrorized thousands of boys and girls in the Irish Republic, while government inspectors failed to stop the chronic beatings, rape and humiliation. More than 30,000 children deemed to be petty thieves, truants or from dysfunctional families – a category that often included unmarried mothers – were sent to Ireland's austere network of industrial schools, reformatories, orphanages and hostels from the 1930s until the last facilities shut in the 1990s. We have an extensive report and give reasons for hope.
5:40 – How the Body of Christ in Ireland is Dealing With The “Ryan Report”
It was in the heart of Iowa, where Jon Leonetti was born and raised, that he fell in love with his Catholic faith. As the host of the Catholic radio show, Martyrs of the Third Millennium, Jon was ready to take the message of the New Evangelization from the air waves to the streets. Inspired through reading the lives of the saints Jon has realized that in order to live his Catholic faith to the fullest, he has to give it all. That is why he has chosen to walk, over 3,500 miles, asking young people to take on a new way of living, one where they are lost in the love of Jesus Christ. Through this journey in faith, Jon and his friend Jesse are encouraging young people to live their lives as a Martyr of the Third Millennium, one who continually dies to self and lives for something greater, our God. We catch up with them in PA.
4:45 – Passionate Speech in House of Lords Halts “Assisted Suicide” Bill in Britain
Well, it's been defeated ... for the moment. A proposal to legalize “assisted suicide” was raised in the British Parliament and, thanks largely to a heart-wrenching speech from Baroness Jane Campbell, was voted down. The proposed new law was raised as an amendment in the House of Lords. Recently there has been much publicity given in Britain to people whose grave disabilities have made them believe they no longer wish to live, and who have travelled to Switzerland with relatives to die in a scheme operated by an organization created specifically for this purpose. We talk with British Catholic journalist Joanna Bogle.
5:00 – Kresta Comments
5:20 – The Ryan Report
Physical and sexual abuse was "endemic" in Irish Catholic church-run industrial schools and orphanages. That according to a 10-year investigation by the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse which released its 2,600 page final report earlier this year. The investigation found that Catholic priests and nuns for decades terrorized thousands of boys and girls in the Irish Republic, while government inspectors failed to stop the chronic beatings, rape and humiliation. More than 30,000 children deemed to be petty thieves, truants or from dysfunctional families – a category that often included unmarried mothers – were sent to Ireland's austere network of industrial schools, reformatories, orphanages and hostels from the 1930s until the last facilities shut in the 1990s. We have an extensive report and give reasons for hope.
5:40 – How the Body of Christ in Ireland is Dealing With The “Ryan Report”
Friday, July 17, 2009
Rachel Maddow vs. Pat Buchanan
Maddow and Buchanan go at it over Sonia Sotomayor and race. At the very least it's nice to see MSNBC invite a conservative perspective on the air. I really don't know how long its been since I saw a Republican or conservative on Olbermann or Maddow.
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
Hypocrisy - Pure and Simple
World Net Daily posted a story Wednesday entitled “Dems sneaking ‘hate crimes’ through on soldiers’ bill”. The article blasted Democrats for attempting to put an unrelated amendment onto a spending bill. As we know now, this amendment was passed out of committee the hate crimes amendment is now a part of the military spending bill.THE EXACT SAME DAY, World Net Daily posted a story entitled “Free speech plan booted by House Committee” in which they were outraged that an amendment sponsored by Rep. Mike Pence of Indiana to ban the so-called “Fairness Doctrine” was voted down in committee. What was it an amendment to? Oh, that’s right, the SAME SPENDING BILL.
This is pure hypocrisy and is, unfortunately becoming far too common on both sides of the political spectrum.
[Update] Kresta interview with Peter LaBarbera
Watch live video from Kresta In The Afternoon's channel on Justin.tv
It's Official
As we reported a few weeks ago, The Legion of Christ and Southern Catholic College have agreed to make the school a Legion institution, saying the move will advance Catholic higher education in Georgia.Southern Catholic College (SCC), a co-educational liberal arts college, claims to be Georgia’s first and only residential Catholic college and describes itself as “grounded in the Catholic intellectual and moral tradition.”
Founded in 2000, it now has more than 200 students from 25 states on its Dawsonville, Georgia campus an hour’s drive north of Atlanta.
Jeremiah J. Ashcroft, president of SCC, said that the Legion’s “experience and leadership” will help attract students from across North America and will help develop programs with other institutions worldwide.
The order is currently the subject of an Apostolic Visitation, following revelations that its founder Fr. Marcel Maciel had fathered a child with a mistress.
Pope Breaks Wrist While on Vacation
A Vatican statement said the 82-year-old Holy Father fell in his room in a nearby chalet overnight and despite the accident, celebrated Mass and had breakfast before going to the hospital. Of course our prayers are wiht Pope Benedict for his quick recovery.
Today on Kresta - July 17, 2009
Talking about the "things that matter most" on July 173:00 – Kresta Comments
3:20 – Escaping Islam: The Evil Might Not Be Realized Until It Is Too Late
The world remains confused, and lacks understanding regarding the culture of the Middle East. Mano Bakh was a high ranking officer in Iran's Imperial Navy when, in 1979, during the Islamic revolution, he miraculously escaped with his life. The harrowing experiences he was subjected to, currently exemplifies the free world's necessity to deal with the ongoing aggressive Islamic movement, and the oil money that supports it. This living story begins with an introduction to Iran's history and Persian customs. It continues by encompassing the development of OPEC, the amazing Khark Island oil project in the Persian Gulf, and relating the happy life of a young boy growing up in his grandmother's house in Tehran. Mano is with us.
4:00 – Senate votes to expand federal hate crimes law – as an amendment to a defense spending bill
People attacked because of their sexual orientation or gender would receive federal protections under a Senate-approved measure that significantly expands the reach of hate crimes law. The Senate bill also would make it easier for federal prosecutors to step in when state or local authorities are unable or unwilling to pursue hate crimes. The chamber voted yesterday evening to attach the legislation as an amendment to a $680 billion defense spending bill expected to be completed next week. Peter LaBarbara, President of Americans For Truth about Homosexuality, will analyze.
4:20 – “Mein Kampf” - What can we learn from this book?
Mein Kampf, in English: My Struggle, is the autobiography and mission statement of Adolf Hitler. It combines elements of autobiography with an exposition of Hitler's political ideology and was published on July 18, 1925. Hitler began the dictation of the book while imprisoned for what he considered to be "political crimes" after his failed revolution in Munich in November 1923. Though Hitler received many visitors earlier on, he soon devoted himself entirely to the book. We look at how it was received at the time, what it reveals about Hitler, and the role that it played in history with historian and Hitler expert Tom Childers.
5:00 – Kresta Comments
5:20 – Caritas in Veritate
Many priests, bishops, theologians and other well-known Catholics have offered reflections and comments about Pope Benedict XVI’s social encyclical, Caritas in Veritate. Dr. Matthew Bunson was thrilled to see that the pope linked the respect of all human life to legitimate economic development. He notes that the encyclical was faithful to all of the Church’s social teachings on the human person’s sacred dignity as well as the transcendent value of natural moral norms. “This Holy Father notes that economic development and humanitarian aid from the West too often are accompanied by the imposition of dehumanizing programs and exploitation of labor and natural resources,” reflected Bunson. He’s here to discuss it.
5:40 – What’s Hot in the Catholic Blogosphere This Week?
Thomas Peters has one of the most visited and successful blogs in the Catholic world, where he blogs on everything from Church news, to politics, culture, theology and film. We talk with Thom about what is hot in the Catholic blogosphere this week.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Today on Kresta - July 16, 2009
Talking about the "things that matter most" on July 16
3:00 – Kresta Comments
3:20 – The Ryan Report
Rape and sexual molestation were "endemic" in Irish Catholic church-run industrial schools and orphanages. That according to a 10-year investigation by the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse which released its 2,600 page final report earlier this year. The investigation found that Catholic priests and nuns for decades terrorized thousands of boys and girls in the Irish Republic, while government inspectors failed to stop the chronic beatings, rape and humiliation. More than 30,000 children deemed to be petty thieves, truants or from dysfunctional families – a category that often included unmarried mothers – were sent to Ireland's austere network of industrial schools, reformatories, orphanages and hostels from the 1930s until the last facilities shut in the 1990s. We have an extensive report.
3:40 – How the Body of Christ in Ireland is Dealing With The Ryan Report
4:00 – Kresta Comments
4:20 – Health Care Reform: A Proposal on the Table
House Democrats are preparing to advance legislation that would deliver on President Barack Obama's promise to remake the nation's costly health care system and cover some 50 million uninsured. On the heels of the Senate health committee's approval Wednesday of a plan to revamp U.S. health care, three House committees with jurisdiction over the issue were shifting into action. Rep. Mike Ross, D-Ark., who chairs the Blue Dogs' health care task force, said the group would need to see significant changes to protect small businesses and rural providers and contain costs before it could sign on. Meanwhile, Obama was doing all he could to encourage Congress to act and pro-life leaders are doing all they can to make sure abortion is not promoted in the bill. We talk to Kevin Schmeising, co-author of “A Prescription for Health Care Reform.”
4:40 – Al Qaeda message urges Pakistanis to back militants
The people of Pakistan must back Islamic militants to counter the influence of the United States in their country or face punishment from God, Ayman al-Zawahiri, al Qaeda's second in command, said in an audio message released yesterday. Brigitte Gabriel says this shows the desperation of Al-Qaida to keep on going in its supposedly strongest region. Al-Qaida is fighting to survive and has lost its fundamental strength in the last few years. The U.S. government has killed or captured over 60% of Al-Qaida's leadership. She is here for analysis of the audio tape.
5:00 – Kresta Comments
5:20 – “Mein Kampf” Published July 18, 1925 – What can we learn from this book?
Mein Kampf, in English: My Struggle, is a book by Adolf Hitler. It combines elements of autobiography with an exposition of Hitler's political ideology and was published on July 18, 1925. Hitler began the dictation of the book while imprisoned for what he considered to be "political crimes" after his failed revolution in Munich in November 1923. Though Hitler received many visitors earlier on, he soon devoted himself entirely to the book. We look at this book with Ben Wiker, who included it in his work, 10 Books That Screwed Up the World. We look at how it was received at the time, what it reveals about Hitler, and the role that it played in history.
5:40 – Animal-rights extremism in the Obama entourage is no joke
Imagine you are a cattle rancher looking for liability insurance. You meet with your broker, who, as expected, asks a series of questions to gauge your suitability for coverage: Have you ever been sued by your cattle? If the answer is yes, what was the outcome of that suit? If you think that's a ridiculous scenario, that animals suing their owners could never happen, think again. For years, the animal rights movement has quietly agitated to enact laws, convince the government to promulgate regulations, or obtain a court ruling granting animals the "legal standing" to drag their owners (and others) into court. Wesley Smith is with us to look at animal-rights extremism.
3:00 – Kresta Comments
3:20 – The Ryan Report
Rape and sexual molestation were "endemic" in Irish Catholic church-run industrial schools and orphanages. That according to a 10-year investigation by the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse which released its 2,600 page final report earlier this year. The investigation found that Catholic priests and nuns for decades terrorized thousands of boys and girls in the Irish Republic, while government inspectors failed to stop the chronic beatings, rape and humiliation. More than 30,000 children deemed to be petty thieves, truants or from dysfunctional families – a category that often included unmarried mothers – were sent to Ireland's austere network of industrial schools, reformatories, orphanages and hostels from the 1930s until the last facilities shut in the 1990s. We have an extensive report.
3:40 – How the Body of Christ in Ireland is Dealing With The Ryan Report
4:00 – Kresta Comments
4:20 – Health Care Reform: A Proposal on the Table
House Democrats are preparing to advance legislation that would deliver on President Barack Obama's promise to remake the nation's costly health care system and cover some 50 million uninsured. On the heels of the Senate health committee's approval Wednesday of a plan to revamp U.S. health care, three House committees with jurisdiction over the issue were shifting into action. Rep. Mike Ross, D-Ark., who chairs the Blue Dogs' health care task force, said the group would need to see significant changes to protect small businesses and rural providers and contain costs before it could sign on. Meanwhile, Obama was doing all he could to encourage Congress to act and pro-life leaders are doing all they can to make sure abortion is not promoted in the bill. We talk to Kevin Schmeising, co-author of “A Prescription for Health Care Reform.”
4:40 – Al Qaeda message urges Pakistanis to back militants
The people of Pakistan must back Islamic militants to counter the influence of the United States in their country or face punishment from God, Ayman al-Zawahiri, al Qaeda's second in command, said in an audio message released yesterday. Brigitte Gabriel says this shows the desperation of Al-Qaida to keep on going in its supposedly strongest region. Al-Qaida is fighting to survive and has lost its fundamental strength in the last few years. The U.S. government has killed or captured over 60% of Al-Qaida's leadership. She is here for analysis of the audio tape.
5:00 – Kresta Comments
5:20 – “Mein Kampf” Published July 18, 1925 – What can we learn from this book?
Mein Kampf, in English: My Struggle, is a book by Adolf Hitler. It combines elements of autobiography with an exposition of Hitler's political ideology and was published on July 18, 1925. Hitler began the dictation of the book while imprisoned for what he considered to be "political crimes" after his failed revolution in Munich in November 1923. Though Hitler received many visitors earlier on, he soon devoted himself entirely to the book. We look at this book with Ben Wiker, who included it in his work, 10 Books That Screwed Up the World. We look at how it was received at the time, what it reveals about Hitler, and the role that it played in history.
5:40 – Animal-rights extremism in the Obama entourage is no joke
Imagine you are a cattle rancher looking for liability insurance. You meet with your broker, who, as expected, asks a series of questions to gauge your suitability for coverage: Have you ever been sued by your cattle? If the answer is yes, what was the outcome of that suit? If you think that's a ridiculous scenario, that animals suing their owners could never happen, think again. For years, the animal rights movement has quietly agitated to enact laws, convince the government to promulgate regulations, or obtain a court ruling granting animals the "legal standing" to drag their owners (and others) into court. Wesley Smith is with us to look at animal-rights extremism.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
One Small Step...
The third release in CatholicVote.org's national new media campaign "Life: Imagine the Potential" series.
Dr. Benjamin too good to be true
President Barack Obama's nominee for surgeon general is a Catholic best known for founding an Alabama clinic that treats the poor, but her now-emerging lesser-known support for abortion puts her at odds with her church and some of the groups that have praised her work.Regina Benjamin's Bayou La Batre Rural Health Clinic doesn't perform abortions. A clinic employee who declined to be identified said by telephone that patients seeking information about abortions would be referred to providers in the state.
White House spokesman Reid Cherlin said, however, that Benjamin "supports the president's position on reproductive health issues." Cherlin continued: "Like him she believes that this is an issue where it is important to try and seek common ground and come together to try and reduce the number of unintended pregnancies. As a physician, she is deeply committed to the philosophy of putting her patients' needs first when it comes to providing care."
Benjamin also was a board member for Physicians for Human Rights, an international group that has advocated access to safe abortions in its investigation of human rights conditions in some countries.
This new information comes on the heels of the fact that Pope Benedict XVI awarded her the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice medal for distinguished service. When the pope celebrated Mass in Washington, D.C. in 2008, Dr. Benjamin was there to receive his blessing. Moreover, she has also received the National Caring Award, an honor which was inspired by Mother Teresa. “Church was always a very important part of my life,” she told Catholic Digest. “I believe I am carrying on the healing ministry of Christ. I feel obligated to help continue his works.”
Today on Kresta - July 15, 2009
Talking about the "things that matter most" on July 153:00 – Kresta Comments
3:20 – Death Row Inmate Wins Fight to have Mass Shown in Cells
Many convicted killers seek solace in the Lord in their final days, and Donald Lee Leger is among them. Further, he insists on the Catholic interpretation -- not a Baptist version that blared on the TV sets for all death-row prisoners at the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola. So he sought help from the American Civil Liberties Union. Though the ACLU has fought for separation of church and state in the public square -- Nativity scenes, Ten Commandments, crosses -- in Leger's case it defended a particular brand of worship in a taxpayer-financed cage for the state's most evil men. We talk about this case with Pat Nolan of Prison Fellowship and Justice Fellowship.
3:35 – Walking Across America for the Conversion of Youth
It was in the heart of Iowa, where Jon Leonetti was born and raised, that he fell in love with his Catholic faith. As the host of the Catholic radio show, Martyrs of the Third Millennium, Jon was ready to take the message of the New Evangelization from the air waves to the streets. Inspired through reading the lives of the saints Jon has realized that in order to live his Catholic faith to the fullest, he has to give it all. That is why he has chosen to walk, over 3,500 miles, asking young people to take on a new way of living, one where they are lost in the love of Jesus Christ. Through this journey in faith, Jon and his friend Jesse are encouraging young people to live their lives as a Martyr of the Third Millennium, one who continually dies to self and lives for something greater, our God. We catch up with them in PA.
3:45 – Passionate Speech in House of Lords Halts “Assisted Suicide” Bill in Britain Well, it's been defeated ... for the moment. A proposal to legalize “assisted suicide” was raised in the British Parliament and, thanks largely to a heart-wrenching speech from Baroness Jane Campbell, was voted down. The proposed new law was raised as an amendment in the House of Lords. Recently there has been much publicity given in Britain to people whose grave disabilities have made them believe they no longer wish to live, and who have travelled to Switzerland with relatives to die in a scheme operated by an organization created specifically for this purpose. We talk with British Catholic journalist Joanna Bogle.
4:00 – Kresta Comments
4:20 – John Henry Cardinal Newman to be Beatified
Members of the Oratory in Birmingham are preparing to celebrate the imminent beatification of Cardinal John Henry Newman, after the announcement that Benedict XVI approved a miracle through his intercession. A press release distributed by the bishops' conference of England and Wales affirmed that the beatification of the theologian and Catholic convert is now certain. The miracle that was approved by the Pope as a step in the cause of canonization was the 2001 healing of Deacon Jack Sullivan of the Boston, Massachusetts, area. We talk with Fr. Nicholas Gregoris of the Priestly Society of John Henry Cardinal Newman.
4:40 – Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
“Right about now I assume you’re wondering why I’ve brought you here,” Albus Dumbledore says to Harry Potter in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. “Actually, sir,” Harry replies, “after all these years, I just sort of go with it.” Well, after all these years, you either do or you don’t, and The Half-Blood Prince is unlikely to change any minds in that respect. Potter fans, whether or not they’ve kept up with the books, will find that the latest film continues the trajectories of recent installments — it’s darker, more tragic and more romantic — while setting the stage for the final battle, now planned for two movies. Steven Greydanus has the review of the most recent film.
5:00 – Direct to my Desk
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Today on Kresta - July 14, 2009
Talking about the "things that matter most" on July 14
3:00 – Kresta Comments
3:20 – TIME Magazine: Marriage is Meant to Produce Children
In the past 40 years, the face of the American family has changed profoundly. We need only look to a number of high-profile political and celebrity divorce and affair stories in the last month or so. This week TIME Magazine published a cover story entitled “Is There Hope for the American Marriage?” The article actually argues that a two-parent, male-female union is best for children, and that the purpose of marriage is procreation! Jennifer Roback Morse is here to analyze.
4:00 – Is Stupid Making Us Google?
“Is Google Making Us Stupid?: What the Internet is doing to our brains” is a magazine article by technology writer Nicholas Carr highly critical of the Internet's effect on cognition. It was published last year in The Atlantic magazine as a six-page cover story. Carr's main argument is that the Internet might have detrimental effects on cognition that diminish the capacity for concentration and contemplation. James Bowman has a different take, and has published “Is Stupid Making Us Google?” We talk with him about which came first – the stupid or the google?
4:20 – Seeing Through Cynicism: A Reconsideration of the Power of Suspicion
We live in a cynical age. Cynicism is in the air we breathe; it is a cultural norm; it is the default setting and lens through which many of us view the world. Why is cynicism so pervasive? What does it promise? How does it work? And what does it deliver? Dick Keyes probes the intellectual and cultural underpinnings of cynicism in its modern and postmodern manifestations. In analyzing our cynicism toward individuals, institutions and God, he gives cynicism the scrutiny it deserves, arguing for its merits as a tool for discernment while pointing out its limitations.
5:00 – Religious Practice and Family Stability
Couples who are more religious tend to exhibit greater marital commitment than couples who are less religious. There is less likelihood of domestic violence among couples who attend church regularly than among those who do not. Communities with higher concentrations of various religious denominations tend to have a lower incidence of divorce. These are just a few of the findings of a recent Heritage Foundation study on Religious Practice and Family Stability. Jennifer Marshall, Heritage’s Director of Domestic Policy Studies is with us.
5:20 – Natural Law as Fact, Theory, and Sign of Contradiction
Natural law is a fact about human beings, and a theory that humbles itself before this fact. Yet it is something else as well-a sign of contradiction, something that exasperates, offends, and enrages. The transient cause of such rage is the suicidal proclivity of our time to deny the obvious, but a more enduring cause is the Fall of Man. Our hearts are riddled with desires that oppose their deepest longings, and we demand to have happiness on terms that make happiness impossible. Philosopher J. Budziszewski threads a path between these various abysses. Among his questions are how the knowledge of good is related to the knowledge of God, how things that seem to run against the grain of human nature can become 'second nature,' and whether natural law can be reconciled with Darwinian evolution. Turning to politics, he takes up such topics as who counts as a human person, whether human dignity is compatible with capital punishment, what courts have made of the United States Constitution, and how an ersatz state religion can be built in the name of toleration. We look at natural law and its implications for both scholars and the general public.
3:00 – Kresta Comments
3:20 – TIME Magazine: Marriage is Meant to Produce Children
In the past 40 years, the face of the American family has changed profoundly. We need only look to a number of high-profile political and celebrity divorce and affair stories in the last month or so. This week TIME Magazine published a cover story entitled “Is There Hope for the American Marriage?” The article actually argues that a two-parent, male-female union is best for children, and that the purpose of marriage is procreation! Jennifer Roback Morse is here to analyze.
4:00 – Is Stupid Making Us Google?
“Is Google Making Us Stupid?: What the Internet is doing to our brains” is a magazine article by technology writer Nicholas Carr highly critical of the Internet's effect on cognition. It was published last year in The Atlantic magazine as a six-page cover story. Carr's main argument is that the Internet might have detrimental effects on cognition that diminish the capacity for concentration and contemplation. James Bowman has a different take, and has published “Is Stupid Making Us Google?” We talk with him about which came first – the stupid or the google?
4:20 – Seeing Through Cynicism: A Reconsideration of the Power of Suspicion
We live in a cynical age. Cynicism is in the air we breathe; it is a cultural norm; it is the default setting and lens through which many of us view the world. Why is cynicism so pervasive? What does it promise? How does it work? And what does it deliver? Dick Keyes probes the intellectual and cultural underpinnings of cynicism in its modern and postmodern manifestations. In analyzing our cynicism toward individuals, institutions and God, he gives cynicism the scrutiny it deserves, arguing for its merits as a tool for discernment while pointing out its limitations.
5:00 – Religious Practice and Family Stability
Couples who are more religious tend to exhibit greater marital commitment than couples who are less religious. There is less likelihood of domestic violence among couples who attend church regularly than among those who do not. Communities with higher concentrations of various religious denominations tend to have a lower incidence of divorce. These are just a few of the findings of a recent Heritage Foundation study on Religious Practice and Family Stability. Jennifer Marshall, Heritage’s Director of Domestic Policy Studies is with us.
5:20 – Natural Law as Fact, Theory, and Sign of Contradiction
Natural law is a fact about human beings, and a theory that humbles itself before this fact. Yet it is something else as well-a sign of contradiction, something that exasperates, offends, and enrages. The transient cause of such rage is the suicidal proclivity of our time to deny the obvious, but a more enduring cause is the Fall of Man. Our hearts are riddled with desires that oppose their deepest longings, and we demand to have happiness on terms that make happiness impossible. Philosopher J. Budziszewski threads a path between these various abysses. Among his questions are how the knowledge of good is related to the knowledge of God, how things that seem to run against the grain of human nature can become 'second nature,' and whether natural law can be reconciled with Darwinian evolution. Turning to politics, he takes up such topics as who counts as a human person, whether human dignity is compatible with capital punishment, what courts have made of the United States Constitution, and how an ersatz state religion can be built in the name of toleration. We look at natural law and its implications for both scholars and the general public.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Catholic Left Claims Obama is More Catholic Than the Pope - Literally
"Why Barack Obama represents American Catholics better than the pope does."That is the title of a piece in Newsweek written by Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, the former lieutenant governor of Maryland and typical Kennedy lefty Catholic.
It ends with the line "The pope has a lot to learn about Catholic politics in America. Barack Obama can teach him."
The arrogance and hubris boggles the mind. At least now they have said what they really believe and it's on the record. "More Catholic than the Pope" is no longer a punch line - it's Barak Obama.
Stay tuned for a commentary from Al on Monday.
Friday, July 10, 2009
CA Man Spends $5M on Trucks to Convince Hollywood Not to Use Jesus’ Name in Vain
"If you can't praise His name...just keep your mouth shut."
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
Air Force Ends Four-Decade Tradition of Flyover at ‘God & Country’ Festival
Idaho Lt. Gov. Brad Little said Friday military officials made a mistake by denying a flyover at the annual God and Country Family Festival last week, breaking with tradition.
The Department of Defense cited a policy not to allow military flyovers at events with a religious theme when it didn’t allow planes to buzz the event in Nampa on July 1.
“This is political correctness run amok,” Little said in a statement.
The non-denominational event honors all branches of the armed forces and acknowledges their sacrifices for freedom, he said.
A Department of Defense policy adopted in November 2001 prohibits support for an event that “provides a selective benefit to any individual, group or organization, including any religious or sectarian organization.”
Pentagon officials said military flyovers were staged at the event in previous years because it focused more on the patriotism and avoided direct ties to Christianity.
The Department of Defense cited a policy not to allow military flyovers at events with a religious theme when it didn’t allow planes to buzz the event in Nampa on July 1.
“This is political correctness run amok,” Little said in a statement.
The non-denominational event honors all branches of the armed forces and acknowledges their sacrifices for freedom, he said.
A Department of Defense policy adopted in November 2001 prohibits support for an event that “provides a selective benefit to any individual, group or organization, including any religious or sectarian organization.”
Pentagon officials said military flyovers were staged at the event in previous years because it focused more on the patriotism and avoided direct ties to Christianity.
Today on Kresta - July 10, 2009
Talking about the "things that matter most" on July 103:00 – Kresta Comments
3:20 – Pope and President Meet: What Happened?
President Barack Obama sat down with Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican today for a meeting in which frank but constructive talks were expected between two men who agree on helping the poor but disagree on abortion and embryonic stem cell research. "It's a great honor," Obama said as he greeted the pope, thanking him for the meeting. They sat down at the pontiff's desk and exchanged pleasantries before reporters and photographers were ushered out of the ornate room. The one-on-one meeting went on for much longer than expected. We get a report from Vatican correspondent Joan Lewis.
3:40 – New Guidelines for Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research Ignore Public Opinion and the Human Cost
July 7, 2009, marked a major ethical shift in United States government-funded research. The National Institutes of Health implemented President Obama's executive order, "Removing Barriers to Responsible Scientific Research Involving Human Stem Cells". The new "Guidelines" authorize taxpayer funding of research on human embryonic stem cells harvested from human embryos. This egregious violation of human life is exacerbated by the fact that there are ethical alternatives that share the same plastic-like properties as embryonic stem cells. Second, there exists wide consensus that stem cell research using adult stem cells, or induced pluripotent stem cells, or stem cells from cord blood should be used and funded. There is not wide consensus on the use of embryonic stem cells. We talk with Dr. Marie Hilliard of the National Catholic Bioethics Center.
4:00 – Kresta Comments
4:20 – Breakthrough: Lab-Made Sperm
Women who say they don't need a man may well be right – after human sperm was created in the lab. A team of British scientists claimed this week to have created human sperm using embryonic stem cells, in a medical first that they say will lead to a better understanding of fertility. But don't worry men, the scientists who created the sperm using stem cells don't plan to take you out of the baby-making process just yet. Why am I not feeling confident that these scientists have ethical considerations at the top of their list? We look at it with bioethicist Wesley Smith.
4:40 – "Caritas in Veritate"
Some politicians and pundits are pouncing on Pope Benedict’s encyclical on the economy, released this week, as an attack on capitalism. They are wrong – according to our next guest. In the fevered atmosphere of financial crisis and the G8 Summit, the Pope is reaffirming moral truths about man and the common good that reveal the meaning of work and wealth. These truths are perfectly compatible with a free economy, argues Catholic businessman and philanthropist Frank Hanna. Democrats and Republicans must understand that freedom, truth, and love go together. Frank joins us.
5:00 – Ave Maria University
Founded in fidelity to Christ and His Church in response to the call of Vatican II for greater lay witness in contemporary society, Ave Maria University exists to further teaching, research, and learning at the undergraduate and graduate levels in the abiding tradition of Catholic thought in both national and international settings. The University takes as its mission the sponsorship of a liberal arts education curriculum dedicated, as articulated in the apostolic constitution Ex Corde Ecclesiae, to the advancement of human culture, the promotion of dialogue between faith and reason, the formation of men and women in the intellectual and moral virtues of the Catholic faith, and to the development of professional and pre-professional programs in response to local and societal needs. As an institution committed to Catholic principles, the University recognizes the importance of creating and maintaining an environment in which faith informs the life of the community and takes expression in all its programs. Chancellor Tom Monaghan is with us to look at the growth of Ave Maria University.
5:20 – Direct to my Desk
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Jackson Tribute Trumps Iranian Protests
Iranian protesters are using the anniversary of the 1999 Tehran University student uprising to resume demonstrations against the outcome of the June 12 presidential election. An estimated 2,000 to 3,000 people crowded the streets and headed toward Tehran University, the site of the 1999 demonstrations. Several protesters were hit on the arms and backs by the Basij, according to video evidence. The militia tried to persuade one man, whose face was bleeding, to get into an ambulance, but he refused. Meanwhile we continue to watch Michael Jackson.
Today on Kresta - July 9, 2009
Talking about the "things that matter most" on July 93:00 – Freedom: Twelve Lives Transformed By the Theology of the Body
God has revealed His mystery of love through the Word made flesh Theology of the Body. This phrase is not only the title of a series of talks by the late John Paul II - It represents the very logic of Christianity. The Theology of the Body calls us to encounter the living, Incarnate Christ and to ponder how His body reveals the meaning of our bodies. John Paul II’s teaching appeals to many different kinds of people: married, single, consecrated celibates, professionals, and stay-at-home moms. And it’s not just for Catholics either. We talk to Matt Pinto about Freedom: Twelve Lives Transformed By the Theology of the Body.
3:30 – Real Women, Real Saints: Friends for Your Spiritual Journey
Heaven's doors are wide open and God is doing everything he can to make us all into saints. What would it take for you to become a saint? If you're thinking of quiet cloisters and hours in undisturbed prayer, think again. Real women who became real saints run the gamut from quiet to boisterous, single, married, divorced, post-abortive, social activists, hermits, academics, doctors and more. Among these women there is a friend for you, someone even a bit like you. Sanctity will never fit into a formula, but the women who have become canonized saints have this in common: their deep love for God and the determination to live life in harmony with his will. Gina Loehr is here to help us learn to abandon ourselves to God, and live a rich, full life in return – becoming Saints!
4:00 – What is ‘good’ and ‘evil’? WHO decides?
The laws of morality used to be clearly defined. Then, in the turbulent years of the 1960’s, societal dissent and disruption throughout all walks of life caused confusion and chaos in the moral order. More recently, during the widely reported and televised Mass of the Conclave prior to his election as Pope, Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger judiciously directed his homily to an exposition and denunciation of the dictatorship of relativism, which now confronts the world. Unless the concepts of good and evil are clearly defined and the conscience properly formed as a guide--especially among the young generations--relativism will reign supreme and objective morality will lose the right to exist in a society where evil claims right of citizenship. Raymond de Souza's is here tom discuss good and evil in simple yet conclusive terms using Natural Law, the Magisterium of the Church and plain logic in his presentation...Good or Evil: Who Decides.
5:00 – Kresta Comments
5:20 – Faith and Family Connect
More and more, moms are connecting on places like Twitter and Facebook, but communities like Faith & Family provide them with more intimate, meaningful connections and faith support through a gathering of like-minded moms. In a world where it can be difficult, especially for at-home moms raising small children, to find support and encouragement in their backyard as previous generations did, online social networking is filling a real need moms have to connect with others. Like it or not, social networking is here to stay. Places like Faith & Family Connect provide faith-based, family-friendly ways of using new media in support of traditional values. We talk with creator and editor Danielle Bean.
5:40 – Health Care Reform: A Catholic View
Reform of the American health care sector is urgent. The current trend of ever increasing health-care spending, superimposed upon technological advancement and an aging demographic, is unsustainable. Approximately 15 percent of Americans lack health insurance and millions are underinsured or struggling with medical bills. Employer based medical care is disintegrating. Leonard J. Nelson III is here to examine a Catholic approach to health care reform.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Guard Lets Baby Through X-Ray Machine as Investigators Test Security at Federal Buildings
How much have we spent on security since 9/11? How many hours have we waited in secutiry lines? And this investigation was 10 for 10 in carrying bomb parts into federal buildings, assembling them, and carrying the bombs around in high-security areas in briefcases. It truly boggles the mind. Watch and be amazed.
Today on Kresta - July 8, 2009
Talking about the "things that matter most" on July 83:00 – Kresta Comments
3:20 – Caritas in Veritate / Barak and Benedict
On June 23, it was announced that Pope Benedict XVI and President Obama will meet this Friday, at the conclusion of the upcoming G8 Summit Meeting in L'Aquila, Italy. John Allen is currently in Rome reporting on this week’s events. We preview the meeting and discuss the initial reaction to Caritas in Veritate.
3:40 – Two Years Since “Sumnorum Pontificum”
Pope Benedict XVI's letter "Summorum Pontificum" was released two years ago yesterday and has sparked an increased interest in the Latin-language liturgy, especially among priests. That according to Fr. John Zuhlsdorf, a former employee of the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei and a noted authority on both liturgical translations and the 1962 Missal. He is with us to discuss the document, the response, its implementation interest in the traditional Latin Mass, and various concerns that have been raised regarding “Summorum Pontificum.”
4:00 – Kresta Comments
4:20 – Pope and President Meet
On June 23, it was announced that Pope Benedict XVI and President Obama will meet this Friday, at the conclusion of the upcoming G8 Summit Meeting in L'Aquila, Italy. Deal Hudson is here to discuss the impact of this meeting, what will likely be discussed, and how this will be used by the Obama administration.
4:40 – “Tiger’s Hope”
Tiger Norwell has everything going for her: beauty, talent, notoriety, a good husband, and a quick temper. But the one thing she wants most, she can't have -- a baby. “Tiger’s Hope” is a dramatic made-for-TV-movie intended to become the centerpiece of a global campaign that will raise the awareness of the health and moral dangers of in vitro fertilization (IVF), and the great benefits of natural procreative technology (NPT) which can remove the obstacles that cause infertility. It's the story of how a successful entertainer, unable to conceive, trades desperation for hope, and embarks on an emotional journey that tests her faith. We talk with executive producers Stan Williams and Rory Hoipkemier.
5:00 – Kresta Comments
5:20 – Caritatis in Veritate
The Vatican has released the text of Caritatis in Veritate, the long-awaited social encyclical in which Pope Benedict XVI calls for "a profoundly new way of understanding business enterprise" and a global economic system that values the common good above private profits. Explaining the title of the encyclical, Pope Benedict writes that the social teachings of the Catholic Church offer a means of appraising the secular world, judging social and economic systems against a clear moral standard. The guiding principle of Catholic social teaching is charity, he says. The 144-page document, was released yesterday, just as leaders of the G8 industrial nations gather in Italy for their discussions of the global economy, defies easy categorization. A story in the National Catholic Reporter carried an accurate descriptive subhead, noting that the encyclical "offers something for both the political left and right to cheer… and something to be grumpy about." We talk with Sam Gregg in studio.
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