Today's Gospel: Mark

Mk 9:38-43, 45, 47-48

At that time, John said to Jesus,
"Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name,
and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us."
Jesus replied, "Do not prevent him.
There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name
who can at the same time speak ill of me.
For whoever is not against us is for us.
Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink
because you belong to Christ,
amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward.

"Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin,
it would be better for him if a great millstone
were put around his neck
and he were thrown into the sea.
If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off.
It is better for you to enter into life maimed
than with two hands to go into Gehenna,
into the unquenchable fire.
And if your foot causes you to sin, cut if off.
It is better for you to enter into life crippled
than with two feet to be thrown into Gehenna.
And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out.
Better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye
than with two eyes to be thrown into Gehenna,
where 'their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.'"

Obama Tries to Push Aside Governor Paterson

For Barack Obama, it's about politics and not losing. In New York, Paterson's low approval ratings and a viable GOP challenge (either by Rick Lazio or Rudy Giuliani) have given Obama pause and have compelled him to gently nudge Paterson out of the race.

If Paterson is like any politician, he will not take this lightly. It will be harder to cry racism here, but he might still put up a fight.

Now, Andrew Cuomo can seriously gear up. Will this give Eliot Spitzer the green light to run for Attorney General? His scandal already has worn off.

Irving Kristol: An Intellectual Giant

(Picture from American Enterprise Institute)

January 22, 1920-September 18, 2009

We will miss you. Your contributions will not be forgotten.


"For me, then, "neoconservatism" was an experience of moral, intellectual, and spiritual liberation. I no longer had to pretend to believe--what in my heart I could no longer believe--that liberals were wrong because they subscribe to this or that erroneous opinion on this or that topic. No--liberals were wrong, liberals are wrong, because they are liberals. What is wrong with liberalism is liberalism--a metaphysics and a mythology that is woefully blind to human and political reality. Becoming a neoconservative, then, was the high point of my cold war."

Happy New Year!

It's great to start a fresh new year. Hopefully this blog will continue to inform and entertain. 2008 was a rocky year for many because of the dire economic crisis and the massive electoral wins for liberals. Let's keep our heads up though and win one for the Gipper in 2009.

Something to look forward to

Karl Rove is writing a book and he is not afraid to expose the follies of Washington.
Corrupt Washington insiders never liked him or President Bush and he is going to give examples of who they are.

Barack Obama: An Unexceptional President for an Exceptional Country

Well, the election is over and Barack Obama has prevailed. Many conservatives like me have feared this outcome. Obama has quickly picked the "pitbull," Rahm Emanuel, as his Chief of Staff and has his economic advisors all lined up.

Indiana, Iowa, Ohio, Virginia, and Florida have become blue states.
The Northeast doesn't have a single Republican Congressman now.

The stock market has continued to torpedo--probably in reaction to this heinous election news. The only identifiable silver lining is that Republicans regained Florida Congressional District #16, which Mark Foley had lost to the scandal several years back. Another silver lining is that as Barack Obama plucks elected officials for his cabinet, seats might open up.

Ideally, Barack would pick Deval Patrick in MA for Attorney General. The MA Governor's Office is definitely a winnable office and the Republicans should gear up for a tight race there.

Republicans will look back at the Bush years with fondness. We at least knew we were safe. Capitalism would not be impeded too aggressively. And the White House would have honor and at least some concern for morality.

What Barack Obama said at the Saddleback forum when asked about the issue of life, "it's above my paygrade," says it all. He views the Presidency as a job to put on your resume, instead of an exceptional opportunity to change and shape history. As Stan Lee said through his character, Spider-Man, with great power must come great responsibility.

Voting is like Catholic Confession-Important thoughts about John McCain and Barack Obama election

(Picture from the AP)

Election day is rapidly approaching and the intensity of the campaigning will continue to escalate until every single vote is counted. The polls right now are generally more favorable to Obama, but besides the Bradley Effect, a more common sense factor will be in play that polls are not taking into account: I will dub it here, the Confession factor.

When you show up to the polling place, and get behind the curtain to cast your ballot, it's just you and your conscience. There is no more CNN or Fox News blaring in the background. You don't have friends at your side, opining incessantly. It's just your conscience and deadly silence.

At the end of the day, I can't help but think that people might change their mind at the last minute. They will think about the grave challenges that face our nation. And for the first time, they will think seriously about which candidate is truly more qualified. The contrast will be so stark that many Obama supporters might flip the switch for McCain. And when they leave the booth, still tell their friends that they voted for Obama.

On election night, they will sit up with their friends until the wee hours of the morning, cheering on Obama. And when McCain wins, they will outwardly show disappointment, but in their hearts, they will be content and their conscience will be at ease.