03 July 2004 FINALLY! Someone has the nerve to say it. Those Live 8 concerts are just a bunch of hooey. Get this: The £20m it raises will go not on poverty but on itself. Not a penny will go to Africa. Indeed a potential fundraising opportunity, which might at least have bought a planeload of anti-Aids drugs, has become an exhibition of high-tech media co-ordination and a celebrity fiesta. (London Times) That's right. For all their self-righteous blather, these celebrities enrich themselves on an issue of horrible poverty to tell others to feel guilty and be generous. How outrageous can we get? The nearly $40 million is not going to Africa; it's going to Bob Geldoff and his celebrity cronies. There are two excellent opinion pieces in the London Times this weekend, one by Simon Jenkins and the other by Matthew Paris. The problem with a majority of countries in Africa is corrupt government. There are several countries that have insisted on accountable government, like Uganda and Ghana. Poverty is being overcome there. Throwing money into chaotic, autocratic and corrupt governments does nothing but enrich the corrupt leaders. Reward those countries that are responsible; demand democracy and accountability. Stop playing the guilt trip. We must indeed assist the nations of Africa for the sake of the people. Forget the ignorant, self-serving celebrities.

02 July 2005 My niece, Tina, gave birth to a healthy baby boy, Wyatt, on Wednesday, June 29th, at more than nine pounds and over 21 inches in length. Congratulations to Tina and Joshua (mom & dad), and welcome to the family, Wyatt.

You can bet that all we will hear for the next three months is the self-fulfilling prophecy of the press that the Supreme Court battle is nasty, ugly and the worst ever. It will be that because the press will make it so. Those who will advocate on either side will do so according to the template jammed down our throats by the press: the nominee (who is not yet named) is hated by the left and loved by the right. Those nasty religious fanatic neanderthals want to put someone on the court who will wipe out every liberty (abortion), push back the clock of progress (abortion) and deny basic human rights (abortion). That's what it will be about from start to finish. Expect Kennedy, Leahy and Boxer to appear virtually every night on the news. I am certain that CNN, ABC, NBC and CBS already have booked them for the next three months.

01 July 2005 Without a doubt, my favorite male vocalist is Luther Vandross. He died today at the age of 54, having suffered a stroke almost two years ago. His golden voice is now silenced. The Power of Love, So Amazing, Creepin and many others were just the greatest love songs ever. He demanded perfection from his staff because he demanded it of himself. And his music is just about the most perfect music this side of heaven.

 

 

28 June 2005 It is very sad to see the democrats and the press tripping over themselves to declare defeat in Iraq. The prime minister of Iraq, al-Jaafari, sees victory; and the people of Iraq know that the present and the future are far better than anything they had hoped for under Saddam. Some folks' eagerness for defeat speaks volumes about their guiding principles. In their view, it would be far better that Bush be seen as a failure - no matter the outcome for the people of Iraq - than for Iraq to succeed in establishing democracy and an open society. Their guiding principle is nothing other than hatred. And these are the same folks, by and large, who claim to be the voice of human rights and secular humanism. They are frauds.

27 June 2005 It was muggy Sunday in Pittsburgh. I had forgotten that it can get this way here. The heat and humidity will be with us for a couple of days; already I am looking forward to autumn.

I had Mass at St. Matthew's parish yesterday. As always, people are very kind and welcoming. Later today I have Mass at St. Mary's at the Point Church, the downtown church. I'll be back there on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday. The Mass on Saturday is on TV; hey, this is my debut! Actually it is on one of those community, religious channels on the local cable network.

News about an impending assignment may be forthcoming in the next couple of days. I know a few of you are anxious to know what I do not yet know! In the meantime I'll try to keep focus on what needs to get done on my current job.

26 June 2005 I thought I was in Baltimore this morning. It is a typical Chesapeake Bay morning here west of the Alleghany mountains. Warm and humid. At 6AM it was 70 degrees with 95% humidity, without so much as a gentle breeze.

It is ominous that a no-name mayor of Tehran has been "elected" president of Iran. His hard-liner positions make Rafsanjani look like a Hollywood lib. This cannot be good for the peace of that nation. I'm not conerned about how Iran does or does not communicate with the west; instead, the oppression and reaction does not portend easy days ahead. Iranians have seen democracy in their two next-door neighbors (Iraq and Afghanistan); and they will not long put up with the clerical rule.

24 June 2005 It's the feast of the Birth of John the Baptist. He is not only my patron saint by name, but he is a man for whom I have much admiration and affection. Click the image to the right for a closer look.

My sister, Joanne, recently remarked that "harvest is like Christmas." She's right. Growing up on a wheat farm meant that harvest time was the most exciting time of the year. It didn't mean we received gifts, except for the means to survive another year if all went well. The days and nights were different; all eyes were on what was happening in the fields. For those who didn't grow up with "the harvest," there probably is no way of really understanding it. On the other hand, that was reality for me when I was a child. I am sure as an adult experience it is de-mystified considerably. I hear that this year's harvest is just about completed, and it was a bit better than recently expected.

Steve, my brother, although fatigued from the chemo, appears to be making good progress. I spoke with him, Jeanette and their daughter, Amy, last evening. All your prayers are really appreciated.

More about TV and our culture is at High Horse. Oh yeah, and I just finished a book by Cardinal Ratzinger (now Benedict XVI), The Spirit of the Liturgy. I was both impressed and disappointed. For a presumptuous review of the now-pope's book, go to Open Book. I've already started two others by and about him and will have those reviews up next week.

And if you're curious about where I am, just cick on the first photo to the left, St. Augustine Church.

I heard an informative interview with the prime minister of Iraq, Ibrahim al-Jafaari. His take on what is happening is quite encouraging and insightful. He claims that, despite the numerous suicide bombing throughout Iraq today, life is much better than it was under Saddam Hussein (his apparent taste for doritos and cheetos notwithstanding). Jafaari indicated that it is absurd to believe otherwise given the fact that Saddam murdered hundreds of thousands of Iraqis. Jafaari further contends that Iraq is obviously the front line of the war against terrorism. Would that the likes of Kennedy and Durbin would come to know the same, instead of attempting cheap political gains at the expense of our own men and women in harm's way and the valiant people of Iraq, who continue to voluntarily sign up to serve their nation.

Like some others, I am concerned that a growing number of Americans are losing their will to win this war. Led by such pathetic clowns as Kennedy and his adoring press, Americans are increasingly skeptical about seeing this conflict to a victorious end for the cause of freedom, peace and security for the region, for the world and for us. President Bush and the administration need to do a better job of keeping our focus on the purpose of this battle, not by giving the same speech over and over again at events that are rarely reported, but by engaging effective speakers from Iraq. Bring them over, and let's hear from them.

21 June 2005 Not big or many changes here, but a new look for the front page which may be more viewing-friendly than the previous. I've added a page for my cultural pet peeves, On My High Horse. We'll see how long it lasts. To be honest I have fun working with graphics; sometimes too much fun!

From the looks of the local radar, the wheat harvest at home has come to a wet halt. Having spoken with Mindy last evening, I know that Greg and Joe, Eric, Tyler and Joseph were making good headway, but I'm pretty certain there won't be much cutting wheat today. The rain will be good for other crops and the general appearance of the plains. When I was out there last week the landscape was beautifully green.

For the straight stuff on Gitmo go to Backbench. Alright, I went off a bit, but this stuff in the press (at the behest of deomocrats) is laughable for its ignorance and partisanship.

20 June 2005 I've been back in Pittsburgh for a few days now after a great time of traveling a good portion of the northwest US and visiting family. The Leiker family reunion was terrific, great to see all 100+ aunts, uncles and cousins. The Store in Munjor was a marvelous place to have the reunion. It was owned and operated by my great-grandfather. Mom worked there before she married, and we know that she and my Dad often saw one another there after he returned from WWII.

Of course, seeing the brothers and sisters and their families was refreshing. As some may know, my brother, Steve, was recently diagnosed with hodgkins lymphoma. He is currently in chemotherapy to beat this thing. He and Jeanette, his wife, are up for the fight. He needs our prayers.

The ordination in Baker City, Oregon, was a treat. Besides giving me a great excuse to see a part of the country I had never seen, it was my privilege to be present for the ordination of Charles Nnabuiffe and to preach at his first Mass. It was wonderful seeing his sisters and brother, and the kids. I have a few pictures of the trip and the ordination at Northwest.

After the first Mass on Saturday, June 4th, I had the opportunity to meet and speak with a seminarian of the Fresno diocese. Jerry Torres is his name. Our discussion led me to reassess some of my prejuidices. A few thoughts recalling that discussion are at Cast Your Net.

As of yet, I don't know what my future assignment might be. Many have asked, but it is yet to be determined. I have actually enjoyed my stay in Pittsburgh and the friary here. The friars here have been great to live with.

A few things political are on my mind. The folks in Iran will not be denied a true democracy for long. The mullahs are setting the country up for a brutal and bloody civil war. More thoughts on that and other political happenings at Backbench.

I've taken a liking for Pope Benedict XVI. Believe me, that surprises no one more than me. I'll try to keep track of him at Benedict16. Three of his books arrived while I was away, and I am reading them simultaneously. I'll have some reviews at Open Book when I finish them. They are The Ratzinger Report, The Spirit of the Liturgy and Called to Communion. I am initially struck by his logic.

25 May 2005 Are conservative talk show hosts and their legions out of their minds? Seven democrat senators , in effect, gave up on the judicial fillabuster, thus permitting the "up or down" vote that republicans have been screaming for. And republicans are not declaring victory; instead, they are talking themselves into yet another perceived defeat. After months and even years of democrats branding Bush's judicial nominees as unfit for even a vote, the dems suddenly cave and allow the vote. By my reckoning that is a victory for the white house. The dems can't stop the vote; the judges will be approved, and the filabuster is dead. Where is a republican defeat in this?