Follow You, Follow Me

This is one of my all-time favorite songs. It evokes in me so many good, happy, Southern-California memories, each time I hear it. “Follow You Follow Me,” by Genesis is practically the soundtrack of my life in 1979-1980, as I fell in love with, wooed, and then married, my lovely Nancy.

Enjoy . . .

Oh Good Lord, No

One can just imagine the gloating among all those Catholics of a certain variety as our new Líder Maximo selects a Catholic — Tom Daschle, who countenances abortion with weasle words — for his cabinet Secretary of Health and Human Services. Now comes word from the Jesuit publication America — read into that what you will — that some voices on the Catholic left are clamoring for another kind of appointment. And I wouldn't be surprised if their wish comes to pass. 

In another display of smug condescencion from the far-left political fringe, someone named Michael Sean Winters elbows his way into the discussion with asseverations (emphasis added) such as these in his article “Kmiec for Vatican Ambassador”: 

“Obama deserves his own person at the post and, in the event, there is a perfect candidate: Professor Douglas Kmiec. . . .  Despite his Republican credentials, Kmiec endorsed Barack Obama this year and penned a thoughtful book, 'Can a Catholic Support Him? The question is ridiculous to most ears and, in the event, most Catholics did support him. But for some extremists on the right, there was a firm conviction that no Catholic could vote for Obama. A Dominican priest even denied Kmiec communion at a Mass in May. (The priest was later reprimanded by Cardinal Mahoney.) [N.B. see Ezekiel 34:1-10] Longtime associates of Professor Kmiec denounced him, often in ways that lacked all charity, suggesting bad logic or bad motives or both. There is no better way to answer those who argued that no Catholic could vote for Obama in good conscience than to see the man who wrote the book (literally!) defending the proposition that Catholics can and should vote for Obama being received in the Sala Clementina by Pope Benedict XVI! . . . In truth, Kmiec’s pro-life credentials, despite some carping from the far right political fringe, are impeccable. . .” et cetrera, et cetera, et cetera.

I sincerely hope that Mr. Winters and those who agree with him on this issue enjoy their day in the sun. I really don't think the nice weather is going to last all that long.  

A Psychological Analysis of Surprised by Truth

This is interesting. Although the book has been reviewed all over the place in the last 14 years, since it came out, this is the first review to consider it from a psychological perspective. Those of you who've read it may find this helpful.

“Surprised by Conversion: The Patterns of Faith”

By Peter E. Martin 

Yowza

I heard about this meteorite in Canada a few days ago, but I had no idea it was this spectacular.

Back From California

I'm back from a great, if brief, visit to my homeland, a.k.a Southern California. I was speaking at San Secondo D'Asti Parish in Ontario,  but I had enough time on Friday to make a swing through some of my old haunts and was able to have lunch and visit with my mom and dad. It was really good to see them, but my dad's health is precarious, which makes me sad. And he's kind of depressed about it, which makes him sad. So, please pray for them that God will strengthen and encourage them both during this time in their life together (more than 50 happy years of marriage) that's proving to be difficult health-wise, and not the peaceful “golden years” they had anticipated. God is good, and he will provide.

The seminar went well, and I was delighted to see several old friends in the audience. That's one of the excellent fringe benefits of traveling the country giving talks on Catholic themes. Having these kinds of opportunities to see far-flung friends is always a treat.

I had some odd and interesting experiences while flying to and fro, which I will recount for you in another post. For now, though, I just wanted to say thanks to all of you who keep me in your prayers.  

Masters of Persuasion

This is a curious little experiment on how susceptible we are to subliminal suggestions in advertising. The concept of “hidden messages” in ads isn't new, but this video shows how it works from an angle I have not seen before.

Update: The embedded link doesn't seem to work anymore, so try this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZyQjr1YL0zg