Disqus - Latest Comments for archangel

Re: Can We Please Just Tax the Churches Already?

archangel — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:33:24 -0000

appreciate your insights CS.

Re: Can We Please Just Tax the Churches Already?

CStanley — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:30:21 -0000

Indeed, Dr. E. I feel we've been blessed with a very honorable archbishop in Wilton Gregory, and his predecessor was upstanding as well. I guess that's why I get a bit defensive even though I realize that criticism is warranted in many locales but I don't want a broad brush used.

Re: Can We Please Just Tax the Churches Already?

archangel — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:00:56 -0000

thanks CStanley and nice to see you. You're blessed to be in a parish/diocese that reveals financial line items and where the money is going specifically and projected budgets for future. I wish it were so for all.

Re: Can We Please Just Tax the Churches Already?

CStanley — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:57:17 -0000

Respectfully, Dr. E, I think you are mistaken in some of those comments. Catholic Charities is a separate 501(c)3 organization and its funds have nothing to do with the general Church funds where certain archdioceses have had to pay out the massive lawsuit settlements. And like all 501(c)3 entities, Catholic Charities is required to make public its audited financial statement each year (here is the link to the statements from '07 and '08).

As for money put in the parish collection plate and given directly to the archdiocese (we have an annual archbishop's appeal to support various missions here in Atlanta), I guess some parishes and dioceses are doing a better job with transparency than others. We receive an annual summary of revenue and expenses from our parish, and the archdiocese posts general information online and will provide more detailed statements upon request. They've also pledged that none of the money donated to the archdiocesan appeal has been or will be used to settle lawsuits.

Re: Can We Please Just Tax the Churches Already?

archangel — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 11:34:55 -0000

other groups will step in where the Washington Catholic diocese exits. There is big money given to this archdiocese. It can go elsewhere and services delivered. However, this move by the church has to be weighed against the death blow to Catholic Charities made by the by now near billion dollar pay-outs to those harmed by priests. The way the church works is not to keep all the money they are given by parish collections, some goes to Rome, some goes to the Diocese and is then, according to reward, SOME is given back to the dioceses for various. The deal is the most shady imaginable, with no annual report and no transparency of funds for/to parishioners. It has ever been this way since I was a little girl. One question to ask, is would you allow a multi-jillion dollar intake institution to never reveal their books? Interesting to know how the city treats this set-aside by the church when they make their grants to them.

Re: Ex-Miss USA Carrie Prejean Flips Out On CNN’s Larry King

tidbits — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 07:49:07 -0000

In seeing her performance replayed yesterday evening, I agree that her lead up to and mic-off antic appeared to be pre-planned, staged and badly acted on her part.

Re: Ex-Miss USA Carrie Prejean Flips Out On CNN’s Larry King

archangel — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 02:22:40 -0000

being a book author pub'd by major publisher, I'd say this

there is NO such thing as going on any major news show and the host agreeing to treat your oh so sensitive 'issues' as off the record. Otherwise they'd pass on the author.

secondly, knowing the marketing madness that goes on at big pubs, and watching Miss Prejean's stiff performance, i'd wager dollars to donuts that her so-called mike-off was pre-planned. Her broken record repetition of 'inappropriate' was staged.... and poorly delivered at that.

where the rubber meets the road in christian families who are sincere, I can guarantee that no christian father or mother raising a daughter or son, would hold Prejean up as a model to be emulated. Exactly the opposite. Her 'audience' is other than that huge group. Reason why her book has no legs and no sell through.

Re: We Have Gay and Lesbian Veterans, Too

Doriancito — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 08:43:08 -0000

Thanks dr. e. And, of course, please thank your husband, too.

Dorian

Re: We Have Gay and Lesbian Veterans, Too

archangel — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 01:49:01 -0000

thank you Dorian for the care given and honor noted. And thank you for your service too on this Veteran's Day.

dr.e

Re: Fort Hood Twitter Atrocity

archangel — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:10:35 -0000

i think it'd be fair to interview the woman to ask more questions and get reflections from her point of view.

The issues in Iran re camera phones and political change etc., id entirely different

as photographer of silverpoint black and white for 40 years, for me cant photograph when confronted with say, accident on roadway. Run to help. Instinct.

However, if one cannot help, because press of people, or those more qualified on scene, I can imagine someone recording the scene via notes, camera, etc

I would imagine any photos this woman has of the scene will now become critical evidence.

dr.e

Re: TMV blogger wins race, may be first to go from blogging to political office

archangel — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:36:18 -0000

Congratulations Jill. Andrea Merida won here in district 2, also, changing the face of the school board. We had quite a day being happy for you two, she had started a blog /facebook/ twitter/ etc with the support of several of her campaigners... all highschool kids dedicated to political renewal. That was so great to see up close with my own eyes, 14 and 16 and 18 year olds dedicated to get out the vote via internet for Andrea. It is so interesting the way people 'run' in our times. Proud of you Jillzie. Rest for a moment... then.... Go kick it.

dr.e

Re: Swine flu vaccine – the appearance of favoritism towards the wealthy

archangel — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 23:45:45 -0000

odd.here in C olo, it's said prisoners are getting flu shot. Local news had a spot on it. But those of us who are triple threat by age and health issues are still being told no vaccine til Dec

Re: Obama Administration Secret Proposal On Copyright Puts ISP At Center Of Debate

archangel — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 03:16:11 -0000

I think so Kathy. That's good info.

happy motorcycling incidentally. Used to ride a nice beemer, but head on. You know how that goes afterward.

Re: Obama Administration Secret Proposal On Copyright Puts ISP At Center Of Debate

twitter-3370001 — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 02:59:55 -0000

Archangel, I'm still trying to find out if this treaty has to be ratified by the Senate. If so, calling would have more potential impact.

Re: The Ultimate Sacrifice

archangel — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:55:06 -0000

Good job AR. Class.

dr.e

Re: A Tiny Ripple Does Not Make A Tsunami

archangel — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:29:00 -0000

christie too, Jer. two ducks.

Re: A Tiny Ripple Does Not Make A Tsunami

archangel — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 20:19:27 -0000

mcdonnell took it Jer. one duck.

Re: Obama Administration Secret Proposal On Copyright Puts ISP At Center Of Debate

archangel — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:45:55 -0000

calling your congress people/ writing the White House is a useful call, but is unlikely to be effective, as are most call/write ins. There are huge multinational corps involved in all this, not just the US, and not to mention huge cable coms et al... who are way more ferocious than the music industry has ever been. Follow the case in Calif against Comcast to see where 'carrier' responsibilty and 'free capacity without being slowed or rationed' is going legally. Follow the p2p bills currently winding through congress. That some users even now think they are not being tracked by keystroke and by cookies and other means, is a sad state of awareness. Most dont even realize that there is money to be made not only by hacking and theiving, but more so by counter hacking the hackers. Spy vs Spy in Mad magazine comes to mind just right.

Re: A Tiny Ripple Does Not Make A Tsunami

archangel — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:59:40 -0000

"it's the economy stupid"

never better said. LAT on rural america? Priceless catch Jer, thanks!

Your calls are great. Do you rate the ponies too? maybe we could, you know, make some extra $ to like, you know, buy medicine?

Re: The Ultimate Sacrifice

archangel — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:55:53 -0000

For those wishing to know more, google 'brain chemicals' and 'research' and 'PTSD' and perhaps '2009'. You will get some hits. Unfortunately, in the 'free and open internet,' most medical and research journals that have the real meat with methodologies and stats and controls laid out clearly, are by subscription only.

dr.e

Re: The Ultimate Sacrifice

archangel — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:09:58 -0000

as one who has walked in the land WITH the dead, war shocks the brain chemicals out of kilter, and not just soldiers, the civilians. Suicide amongst refugees and the war torn is astronomical.

In war, among soldiers who are in shooting killing blowing up wars, it is not 'a small number' of persons who are shocked and their physiological chemistry turned upside down, it is most.

The government has its reasons for dampening and diverting figures and for NOT informing the public about how shock of any kind causes severances of many kind in the body. Persons can have genetic fragilities re balanced brain chemistry ... they are born with it and it 'ripens' as they become older, often showing up in late adolescence.

None whether born with, or shocked into critical imbalances, are responsible for sudden surges and losses of balance of brain chemistry and other so very minute trace chemicals in the body that are less than the point of a pencil but make the difference between being at peace and being ever not at rest psychologically, spiritually, and physically.

Spiritual, meaning 'of the spirit' which is the sense a person carries that they have a strong animating force that wants to live, likes to live, cares about their own life and the lives of others. Spirit. Not to mention Mind, Body, Heart, and Soul, as well.

SElf-inflicted wounds 'to get out of' service, is not the issue at hand. Most who want to 'get out of service' just go AWOL, just drive off and dont come back. Until, or unless dragged back. Seen that too, up close, way more than once. Desertion by injury or walking, is a different situation and subject altogether.

I responded because the topic is suicide by vets. I've written about it today at TMV here. http://themoderatevoice.com/51542/veteran-suici...

The battle to be respectful to men and women who served and who are shocked and injured, continues. It ought not be a battle. It is very clear what is authentic shock and what is not. A civvie might not be able to discern, but well trained shrinks who have years in the field can. My field, 40 years, up to the ankles ever in blood. Scar clan.

Re: Political Koans…

archangel — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:33:33 -0000

Ghost, you're funny with your postscripts. The koan about church demanding certain class of people to be not treated, is a good one. It's long, but I am not sure the idea is Haiku. So, long, short, medium. All good. Except for church lobbying state law to conform with spirit beliefs. Not good.

I like the one about When God cries, too.

And sadly, all the states that were bloated in their admin salaries and budgets now cut, always, the vulnerable. However Ghost, as soon as the groups who are cut out, rally and show up at the state legislature and speak to their congress people, things can change. I think the koan is something like the author I quoted, only If politician thinks he/she wont be re-elected because a significant block of people publicly think he/she is do-do, same politico will add slop back into the bucket and not, at least, slaughter those livestock who protested.

hang in there.

dr.e

Re: Political Koans…

archangel — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 12:39:20 -0000

man, those are all good!

dr.e

Re: Dede Scozzafava

archangel — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 02:39:39 -0000

hi there, going to ask all to stay on the topic. Opinions about TMV writers, any and all, stop now.

thanks.
dr.e

Re: Animals and Humans

AustinRoth — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 09:34:20 -0000

the 'anthromorphizing' of animals is a very old, crud science, stance

But so is the opposite stance, anti-anthropomorphiztion - the denying that traits that are considered uniquely 'human' exist in other animals. The list of those that have over time been disproved is very extensive, such as self-awareness, tool use, cognitive thinking, true family and tribal units, recreational sex, awareness, memory of and reverence for their own dead, empathy towards both same-species and non-species members, etc.

We have a strong emotional and intellectual need, it seems, to identify ourselves as something more than just the dominant species of the planet, to be the one that is 'special' compared to all other animals.

But for those of us who do not believe in the Divinity of Man, i.e., that we are endowed by some God, Entity, Force, whatever, with a true innate uniqueness and superiority over the other species, the simple fact is that we are indeed just another animal of the planet Earth, more evolved in some aspects and less evolved in others when we compare ourselves to the other species, and that all the traits that make us 'human' in our minds can be found to one extent or another in one or another of those species.