the POTUS speaks

& Notre Dame loses support. The pounding of feet you hear is people running from their mailboxes straight to the shredder with the ND begging letters. Had ND simply asked him to speak, I think some of the objections would still be there but with presenting an honorary degree, the objections came to a boil. To quote Alan Keyes, "it is fundamentally at odds with what Catholic school kids should be learning." All 3 of my children attended Catholic schools for almost all K thru 12 grades & this disturbs me, as well as them, on so many levels.

To quote Robert DeNiro from the movie Broken Trail, "I am a thoroughly failed Christian". I say this because only GOD will decide if I am a "good" Christian or a "good" Catholic. I can only do the best I can & work for His purposes. It is the hardest thing to do because my own will & wants get in the way. However, I do not pretend to be someone I am not. Some guy speaking out for bho on FOX said that was the reason bho was going to ND is because he is engaging in a 'dialogue' with Catholics. There can BE no dialogue with someone who believes Roe v. Wade was the watershed moment for women, believes embryos are nothing, believes abortion should be allowed anytime, anywhere, for anyone, for any reason, AT ANY STAGE OF PREGNANCY. In fact, the U.S. believes so strongly in abortions - as bho represents us - that the taxpayers even pay for abortions in other countries.

The 'star struck' swooners today at Notre Dame will hear nothing to dissuade them. I find it offensive that ND will confer an 'honor' on bho. The University used to be a beacon of light for many Catholic families who dreamed of their children attending a top-flight university. Now, that light is dimmed for many more than the Board at ND can imagine. I would feel sorry for them, but they brought it on themselves. Asking him to speak was one thing, 'honoring' him takes it to a whole different level - down.

While I am on 'honors', here is the one who deserves honors: PROFESSOR MARY ANN GLENDON. The former U.S. ambassador to the Vatican told Notre Dame she will not accept the school's top honor because the school is giving President Barack Obama an honorary degree at commencement. Professor Glendon, an anti-abortion scholar and Harvard University law professor, wrote in a letter to the Rev. John Jenkins, the university president, that giving Obama an honorary degree violates the U.S. bishops' 2004 statement that Roman Catholic institutions shouldn't honor people whose actions conflict with the church's moral principles.

Every moral position of bho is in absolute direct conflict with Catholic Church. Or at least what they are supposed to be. The priest in my (former) home church told parishioners that we should not be 'one issue' voters & bho's position on life should not keep us from voting for him. EXCUSE ME? He did this about Kerry 4 years ago & this time was the final straw for me. Supported by his parish, not living as most families have to - many are struggling - he has no clue what the real world is like. His position, combined with other ministers, influenced many to the greatest deception in our history thus far. All the time bho was stating his positions, my priest was castigating anyone not grabbing onto bho's legs.

Sadly, the younger kids, especially college age, simply DO NOT see the issues. They do not see his charm & charisma come from speak writers & his delivery of those lines from a teleprompter. They are 'star struck' by his being at ND. I know this because several younger college kids are there to watch their sibling graduate & they are simply google-eyed that they will "be near him", meaning bho. bho is a superb actor with a teleprompter but I have to wonder, does it have little notes like "look serious", "smile", "look humble" (tough one).Unless & until we can educate these young people - we have lost the battle. I am not yet so cynical that I believe we have lost the war.

We need to rethink how to communicate. We need to find succinct communicators who convey Conservative messages CONSISTENTLY; are reasoned/reasonable without denying the Conservative morals; are thoroughly immune to seeing themselves as a 'star'; are in firm support of our Constitution. We need to walk the walk as well as talk the talk. Do these people exist? Absolutely! Do I know who they are? Absolutely not. But we should definitely start with people like Sarah Palin, Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee, Ron Paul, Bob Jindahl (with a makeover & shoulderpads), & Rick Perry.

If FOX News is the only channel that will give a fair hearing, go to them time & again as they are the #1 rated news channel. If newspapers do not print reality, find a buyer & change the paper to one of fairness & reality. If radio stations are to be taken over by the bho FCC dictates, conservative talk radio will broadcast from offshore. There are many Conservatives with a lot of money who are willing to spend it to help AS LONG AS THE MESSAGE IS COHESIVE & SOLID & CLEAR.

Not so hard, really, when you think about it. The Grass Roots Movement was dismissed by so many "in power" (AstroTurf to Pelosi) yet it continues - much to the chagrin of those who want to wear the mantle of "moderate" (aka wimp, aka go-along-to-get-along), or want to ignore that this country was founded on THE CONSTITUTION. The Grass Roots people (yep, I am one of 'those') are scary simply because we are asking elected officials to represent the voters. That is another blog though.

So, this is why I say that I cannot tell you I am a 'good' Catholic or a 'good' Christian. This is for God to decide on my judgment day. Not a priest who tells me it is acceptable to not only deny the teachings of the Bible, but I can pick & choose which mores of the Catholic faith to follow. Somehow, when I come before God, I don't think He will accept an excuse like "my priest said it was ok".