There has been some discussion locally about the decision of Mike Penner, Los Angeles Times sports writer, to become Christine Daniels. In his own words Mr. Penner tries to explain his decision.
Moral issues aside, two points bug me about all this. 1) After reading his article, there was a distinct feeling that this was a selfish person. With his new name choice, he has decided to insult and forget the family that brought him into the world as he is forgoing the family name. Additionally, why not "Michelle"? Perhaps there are some hard feelings either now or in the past between Mike and his parents, but the lack of comment on the issue is glaring.
2) Later during the day on which the article was published, I learned from Air America (yes, the liberal station) that Mr. Penner is also married (and, now going through a divorce). Where is the public apology to his wife?
So long as he remains silent on these issues, he will continue to be seen as a selfish individual regaradless of what a surgical knife does to his genetalia.
Monday, April 30, 2007
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Rosie's outta here!
I guess the folks at The View finally got tired of the nut job as she is to leave the program at the end of the season in June.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Friday, April 06, 2007
Will They Still Come?
In yesterday's Los Angeles Times, Shannon O'Neil (a political science professor at Columbia) wrote that the United States will have a major employment problem in the future because of the changing demographics in Mexico. Mexicans are no longer having large families; rather, they are now having children at a rate just above the replacement rate.
Interesting, but written in the dark. In yesterday's Wall Street Journal, David Luhnow reports that Mexico's oil production is dropping in a rather alarming manner due to the fact that Mexico is simply running out of oil. Given the fact that the revenue from oil is the number one source of income for Mexico, the country will need to find other sources of income or increase there current sources. According to a recent video on migration and geography that I showed in my class, (available at learner.org) the money sent back to Mexico from migrants is the fourth largest source of revenue for Mexico behind oil, tourism and agriculture.
It appears that the best possibility for an increase in revenue for Mexico is to increase funds coming back from migrant workers in the United States.
We shall find the answer in the future.
Interesting, but written in the dark. In yesterday's Wall Street Journal, David Luhnow reports that Mexico's oil production is dropping in a rather alarming manner due to the fact that Mexico is simply running out of oil. Given the fact that the revenue from oil is the number one source of income for Mexico, the country will need to find other sources of income or increase there current sources. According to a recent video on migration and geography that I showed in my class, (available at learner.org) the money sent back to Mexico from migrants is the fourth largest source of revenue for Mexico behind oil, tourism and agriculture.
It appears that the best possibility for an increase in revenue for Mexico is to increase funds coming back from migrant workers in the United States.
We shall find the answer in the future.
Monday, March 26, 2007
No Dentist Left Behind
My sister and fellow teacher, Molly, forwarded this to me over the weekend.
No Dentist Left Behind
My dentist is great! He sends me reminders so I don't forget checkups. He
uses the latest techniques based on research. He never hurts me, and I've
got all my teeth.
When I ran into him the other day, I was eager to see if he'd heard about
the new state program. I knew he'd think it was great.
"Did you hear about the new state program to measure effectiveness of
dentists with their young patients?" I said.
"No," he said. He didn't seem too thrilled. "How will they do that?"
"It's quite simple," I said. "They will just count the number of cavities
each patient has at age 10, 14, and 18 and average that to determine a
dentist's rating. Dentists will be rated as excellent, good, average, below
average, and unsatisfactory.. That way parents will know which are the best
dentists. The plan will also encourage the less effective dentists to get
better," I said. "Poor dentists who don't improve could lose their licenses
to practice."
"That's terrible," he said.
"What? That's not a good attitude," I said. "Don't you think we should try
to improve children's dental health in this state?"
"Sure I do," he said, "but that's not a fair way to determine who is
practicing good dentistry."
"Why not?" I said. "It makes perfect sense to me."
"Well, it's so obvious," he said. "Don't you see that dentists don't all
work with the same clientele, and that much depends on things we can't
control? For example, I work in a rural area with a high percentage
of patients from deprived homes, while some of my colleagues work in upper
middle-class neighborhoods. Many of the parents I work with don't bring
their children to see me until there is some kind of
problem, and I don't get to do much preventive work. Also, many of the
parents I serve let their kids eat way too much candy from an early age,
unlike more educated parents who understand the relationship
between sugar and decay. To top it all off, so many of my clients have well
water which is untreated and has no fluoride in it. Do you have any idea how
much difference early use of fluoride can make?"
"It sounds like you're making excuses," I said. "I can't believe that you,
my dentist, would be so defensive. After all, you do a great job, and you
needn't fear a little accountability."
"I am not being defensive!" he said. "My best patients are as good as
anyone's, my work is as good as anyone's, but my average cavity count is
going to be higher than a lot of other dentists because I chose
to work where I am needed most."
"Don't' get touchy," I said.
"Touchy?" he said. His face had turned red, and from the way he was
clenching and unclenching his jaws, I was afraid he was going to damage his
teeth. "Try furious! In a system like this, I will end up being rated
average, below average, or worse. The few educated patients I have who see
these ratings may believe this so-called rating is an actual measure of my
ability and proficiency as a dentist. They may leave me, and I'll be left with only the
most needy patients. And my cavity average score will get even worse. On top
of that, how will I attract good dental hygienists and
other excellent dentists to my practice if it is labeled below average?"
"I think you are overreacting," I said. "'Complaining, excuse-making and
stonewalling won't improve dental health'... I am quoting from a leading member of the DOC," I
noted.
"What's the DOC?" he asked.
"It's the Dental Oversight Committee," I said, "a group made up of mostly
lay persons to make sure dentistry in this state gets improved"
"Spare me," he said, "I can't believe this. Reasonable people won't buy it,"
he said hopefully.
The program sounded reasonable to me, so I asked, "How else would you
measure good dentistry?"
"Come watch me work," he said. "Observe my processes."
"That's too complicated, expensive and time- consuming," I said. "Cavities
are the bottom line, and you can't argue with the bottom line. It's an
absolute measure."
"That's what I'm afraid my parents and prospective patients will think. This
can't be happening," he said despairingly.
"Now, now," I said, "don't despair. The state will help you some."
"How?" he asked.
If you receive a poor rating, they'll send a dentist who is rated excellent
to help straighten you out," I said brightly.
"You mean," he said, "they'll send a dentist with a wealthy clientele to
show me how to work on severe juvenile dental problems with which I have
probably had much more experience? BIG HELP!"
"There you go again," I said. "You aren't acting professionally at all."
"You don't get it," he said. "Doing this would be like grading schools and
teachers on an average score made on a test of children's progress with no
regard to influences outside the school, the home, the community served and stuff like that.
Why would they do something so unfair to dentists? No one would ever think of doing that to schools."
I just shook my head sadly, but he had brightened. "I'm going to write my
representatives and senators," he said. "I'll use the school analogy. Surely
they will see the point."
He walked off with that look of hope mixed with fear and suppressed anger
that I, a teacher, see in the mirror so often lately.
No Dentist Left Behind
My dentist is great! He sends me reminders so I don't forget checkups. He
uses the latest techniques based on research. He never hurts me, and I've
got all my teeth.
When I ran into him the other day, I was eager to see if he'd heard about
the new state program. I knew he'd think it was great.
"Did you hear about the new state program to measure effectiveness of
dentists with their young patients?" I said.
"No," he said. He didn't seem too thrilled. "How will they do that?"
"It's quite simple," I said. "They will just count the number of cavities
each patient has at age 10, 14, and 18 and average that to determine a
dentist's rating. Dentists will be rated as excellent, good, average, below
average, and unsatisfactory.. That way parents will know which are the best
dentists. The plan will also encourage the less effective dentists to get
better," I said. "Poor dentists who don't improve could lose their licenses
to practice."
"That's terrible," he said.
"What? That's not a good attitude," I said. "Don't you think we should try
to improve children's dental health in this state?"
"Sure I do," he said, "but that's not a fair way to determine who is
practicing good dentistry."
"Why not?" I said. "It makes perfect sense to me."
"Well, it's so obvious," he said. "Don't you see that dentists don't all
work with the same clientele, and that much depends on things we can't
control? For example, I work in a rural area with a high percentage
of patients from deprived homes, while some of my colleagues work in upper
middle-class neighborhoods. Many of the parents I work with don't bring
their children to see me until there is some kind of
problem, and I don't get to do much preventive work. Also, many of the
parents I serve let their kids eat way too much candy from an early age,
unlike more educated parents who understand the relationship
between sugar and decay. To top it all off, so many of my clients have well
water which is untreated and has no fluoride in it. Do you have any idea how
much difference early use of fluoride can make?"
"It sounds like you're making excuses," I said. "I can't believe that you,
my dentist, would be so defensive. After all, you do a great job, and you
needn't fear a little accountability."
"I am not being defensive!" he said. "My best patients are as good as
anyone's, my work is as good as anyone's, but my average cavity count is
going to be higher than a lot of other dentists because I chose
to work where I am needed most."
"Don't' get touchy," I said.
"Touchy?" he said. His face had turned red, and from the way he was
clenching and unclenching his jaws, I was afraid he was going to damage his
teeth. "Try furious! In a system like this, I will end up being rated
average, below average, or worse. The few educated patients I have who see
these ratings may believe this so-called rating is an actual measure of my
ability and proficiency as a dentist. They may leave me, and I'll be left with only the
most needy patients. And my cavity average score will get even worse. On top
of that, how will I attract good dental hygienists and
other excellent dentists to my practice if it is labeled below average?"
"I think you are overreacting," I said. "'Complaining, excuse-making and
stonewalling won't improve dental health'... I am quoting from a leading member of the DOC," I
noted.
"What's the DOC?" he asked.
"It's the Dental Oversight Committee," I said, "a group made up of mostly
lay persons to make sure dentistry in this state gets improved"
"Spare me," he said, "I can't believe this. Reasonable people won't buy it,"
he said hopefully.
The program sounded reasonable to me, so I asked, "How else would you
measure good dentistry?"
"Come watch me work," he said. "Observe my processes."
"That's too complicated, expensive and time- consuming," I said. "Cavities
are the bottom line, and you can't argue with the bottom line. It's an
absolute measure."
"That's what I'm afraid my parents and prospective patients will think. This
can't be happening," he said despairingly.
"Now, now," I said, "don't despair. The state will help you some."
"How?" he asked.
If you receive a poor rating, they'll send a dentist who is rated excellent
to help straighten you out," I said brightly.
"You mean," he said, "they'll send a dentist with a wealthy clientele to
show me how to work on severe juvenile dental problems with which I have
probably had much more experience? BIG HELP!"
"There you go again," I said. "You aren't acting professionally at all."
"You don't get it," he said. "Doing this would be like grading schools and
teachers on an average score made on a test of children's progress with no
regard to influences outside the school, the home, the community served and stuff like that.
Why would they do something so unfair to dentists? No one would ever think of doing that to schools."
I just shook my head sadly, but he had brightened. "I'm going to write my
representatives and senators," he said. "I'll use the school analogy. Surely
they will see the point."
He walked off with that look of hope mixed with fear and suppressed anger
that I, a teacher, see in the mirror so often lately.
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Marquette is anti-Catholic
Click on the post's title. If you have yahoos like this on "tenure" (dissenting ex-priests who have links on their official Catholic University website) then your school is not Catholic.
If you have children, don't send them to Marquette.
If you went to Marquette or have sent them money in the past, stop.
I guess "shame, shame on ol' Notre Dame'" needs to be extended around Lake Michigan on the highway to the northwest. Of course, it has a "Jesuit identity."
And they used to be the Warriors (now the Golden Calves... err Eagles"!.
If you have children, don't send them to Marquette.
If you went to Marquette or have sent them money in the past, stop.
I guess "shame, shame on ol' Notre Dame'" needs to be extended around Lake Michigan on the highway to the northwest. Of course, it has a "Jesuit identity."
And they used to be the Warriors (now the Golden Calves... err Eagles"!.
Friday, March 23, 2007
Methodist Showdown Averted
The the conspiracy of liberal Jesuits, Georgetown has "defeated" Vanderbilt, thus preventing a showdown between two schools who were originally founded with strong Methodist ties (Vandy v. USC) assuming the Trojans can hold on to their half-time lead.
The G-Town player TRAVELLED before hitting the game winning shot.
What a crock!
The G-Town player TRAVELLED before hitting the game winning shot.
What a crock!
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Mahony's "Mass"
Click on the title above... and stop giving money to the Archdiocese, or to your parish unless you earmark it for parish use only.
BTW: the mass was invalid based on what Rohr said and not prayed.
BTW: the mass was invalid based on what Rohr said and not prayed.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Sean Hannity - Bad Catholic
For those of you who think I only point out bad liberal Catholics, Sean Hannity is now on my radar screen. There are others who are more eloquent and influential than I on this issue, so click here to get a good priest's take (as well as a bad one listed at the bottom of the same page) on Mr. Hannity's anti-life stance.
Here is the good Father's take on his appearance on thew show.
Well, done Fr. E!
Here is the good Father's take on his appearance on thew show.
Well, done Fr. E!
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
FS Bob on the Republican Presidential Candidates
It appears that one of my readers cannot post replies anymore. Anyway, here it is (via e-mail):
I too support Romney, but I am also a pragmatist. I want a Republican in office. Therefore I support the Republican candidate. If, however, McCain is the nominee, this would create a serious concern that the process has gone seriously wrong. Regardless of what liberals believe or profess to believe, there is a serious fight between good and evil for which many in this country do not have to sacrifice. As a result, this country borders on the free love experiment of the '60's. Back then though the military was supported by a draft.
Romney presents an interesting case of someone who won the governship in a definite blue state. Despite being surrounded by the left, he was able to reform the government and left it in better shape than when he started. I believe he can do it again with the Fed. I am also a strong supported of Guiliani. He is a case of not getting everything you want, but you still get a lot of good things.
FS Bob
I too support Romney, but I am also a pragmatist. I want a Republican in office. Therefore I support the Republican candidate. If, however, McCain is the nominee, this would create a serious concern that the process has gone seriously wrong. Regardless of what liberals believe or profess to believe, there is a serious fight between good and evil for which many in this country do not have to sacrifice. As a result, this country borders on the free love experiment of the '60's. Back then though the military was supported by a draft.
Romney presents an interesting case of someone who won the governship in a definite blue state. Despite being surrounded by the left, he was able to reform the government and left it in better shape than when he started. I believe he can do it again with the Fed. I am also a strong supported of Guiliani. He is a case of not getting everything you want, but you still get a lot of good things.
FS Bob
Segregation - The Gay Way?
Hat tip to Fr. Toborowsky for his mentioning this article on his website. It seems that heterosexual couples are moving into the predominantly gay Castro district of the city of San Francisco. Many gays are disturbed that their community is being invaded.
Segregation anyone?
Segregation anyone?
Monday, March 05, 2007
Benedict v. Mahony
Pope Benedict tabbed the very conservative Cardinal Biffi to give the annual Lenten retreat lecture. Cardinal Biffi focused on the fact that the anti-Christ and his minions walk amongst us, and their work can be identified in their "liberal" approach to religion.
At his annual train wRECk conference, Cardinal Mahony, once again, brought out the loonies whose speeches would seem to identify them as those who adhere to the anti-Christ message identified by Cardinal Biffi. (Note: you'll have to scroll down a bit to get to past former speakers to this years list in the linked .pdf file.)
I strongly urge you to protest Mahony's blatantly anti-Catholic message by not giving a single penny to Together in Mission. Rather, give it directly to the poor (as my wife and I are in the process of doing by helping out loyal Catholics in Samoa), or give money to the Bishop Appeal's Fund in other areas of the country that have a loyal catholic bishop as their leader (a couple are permanently linked in the sidebar to the left of this post.)
Monday, February 26, 2007
Hot Air Al
Gore's mansion uses over $1000 per month in electricity. People, please, stop giving this cretin any respect!
Friday, February 23, 2007
Musical Torture
If you simply are tired of the sappy music played in your church, you may want to join the petition to ban the awful noise as my wife and I have.
Here is one of the parodies (sung to "Here I am, Lord") you can find on the site:
Here I Am, Lord, Where Are You, Lord?
See the Blessed Sacrament
where the tabernacle went
in that little alcove there off to the side.
When folks come into the nave,
they don't know how to behave:
should they genuflect or not?
They can't decide.
Here I am, Lord. Where are You, Lord?
Are You in that niche way over there?
Once You were, Lord, front and center.
Now I cannot see You anywhere.
Thursday, February 22, 2007
The Traditionalist Mass
The quote below is from an interview that can be found here with a Domincian Abbot in New Mexico:
But is the traditionalist world so important that the Holy Father should risk his pontificate by giving them a motu proprio?
Abbot: Jesus Christ, when talking about the Good Shepherd and the lost sheep, spoke about leaving the ninety-nine in order to seek out the one. We are talking about one percent. But we are also talking about the very vocation of the Good Shepherd. It is interesting to note that some Bishops speak about the Traditionalists as a “drop in the ocean.” As a matter of fact, the traditionalist world constitute a little over one percent of the Catholic Population. How Christ-like indeed it would be to offer a gesture of pastoral love in the form of a motu proprio!
But is the traditionalist world so important that the Holy Father should risk his pontificate by giving them a motu proprio?
Abbot: Jesus Christ, when talking about the Good Shepherd and the lost sheep, spoke about leaving the ninety-nine in order to seek out the one. We are talking about one percent. But we are also talking about the very vocation of the Good Shepherd. It is interesting to note that some Bishops speak about the Traditionalists as a “drop in the ocean.” As a matter of fact, the traditionalist world constitute a little over one percent of the Catholic Population. How Christ-like indeed it would be to offer a gesture of pastoral love in the form of a motu proprio!
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Play by the Rules
The yellow flag rule in NASCAR is in effect for the safety of drivers. Why wasn't it put out after the last crash on Sunday? Weren't their drivers behind the crash who were in potential danger? The answer, of course, is "yes."
Shame on NASCAR.
Shame on NASCAR.
A Sensible Man
Oh, Al Gore, will you now attack the great Cardinal of Sydney, Australia?
My guess is that Cardinal Pell will not be at any one of nut-job's backed global warming concerts!
Click here for Pell's latest common sense post. Remember, that there is a direct link to his Archdiocese on the left hand side of this page.
My guess is that Cardinal Pell will not be at any one of nut-job's backed global warming concerts!
Click here for Pell's latest common sense post. Remember, that there is a direct link to his Archdiocese on the left hand side of this page.
Friday, February 16, 2007
Now what, Roger?
Cardinal Mahony's consistently soft stance has failed once again to prevent an allegedly Catholic politician from further promote the culture of death. California Speaker Fabian Nunez is now fully on board with assisted suicide for the terminally ill under the belief that pain and suffering need to be eliminated even if it means hastening death.
Tell that to the crucified Christ.
Tell that to the crucified Christ.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Sick of Marriage
This last Sunday was World Day for the Sick and the World Day of Marriage in the Catholic Church. Am I the only to notice the odd combination?
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