Happy Advent

On this first day of Advent, let us consider the difference between Santa Claus(fiction) and St. Nicholas (fact).

Santa Claus belongs to childhood;

St. Nicholas models for all of life.
Santa Claus, as we know him, developed to boost Christmas sales—the commercial Christmas message;

St. Nicholas told the story of Christ and peace, goodwill toward all—the hope-filled Christmas message.
Santa Claus encourages consumption;

St. Nicholas encourages compassion.
Santa Claus appears each year to be seen and heard for a short time;

St. Nicholas is part of the communion of saints, surrounding us always with prayer and example.
Santa Claus flies through the air—from the North Pole;

St. Nicholas walked the earth—caring for those in need.
Santa Claus, for some, replaces the Babe of Bethlehem;

St. Nicholas, for all, points to the Babe of Bethlehem.
Santa Claus isn't bad;

St. Nicholas is just better.

Taken from: http://www.stnicholascenter.org/Brix?pageID=36

Not On the Menu

Do not eat meat from China, Vietnam or Thailand. Here is why.

Looking for a career change? Like the open spaces? Looking for lower gas consumption? Want the chance to see the world? If China appeals to you, the above might be the answer. All you would have to do is case the neighbourhood, knock on a few doors and ask if there are any dead chickens for sale. You don't have to ask what they died of, just collect the carcasses and transport them to the processing plant where they will be prepared for export to the gullible West.

Now if you are already in the West and, are happy with the status quo, just sit back and enjoy a repast prepared in the filthiest of conditions, on slave labour and don't let the fact that thousands of your fellow citizens are out of work stifle your gastric juices or interfere with your taste buds for a second. Once the herbs and spices are all in place, who will know the difference?

The Real China Syndrome

For decades the human carnage in China hasn't really meant much. Political prisoners bowing respectfully to their executioners, unknowing and unwilling donors of vital organs for the Party proletariat and for those who can pay, missionaries dragged naked through the streets, the hungry and the homeless, the pre-born, the female babies destined for the water bucket or the river. Who noticed?

It took a few sick pets to raise the alarm on the inherent disrespect for human life which is a natural consequence of Godlessness. It follows. The dismay when family pets died from melamine poisoning in the pet food produced in China made us stifle a yawn and wonder what else this substance was invading.

The answer came loud and clear when Chinese babies became sick from the baby formula. Melmine once again raised its ugly head. It makes the formula look richer etc. Tragically, it also causes kidney stones. This has resulted in the deaths of innocent little babies and the agony reserved for those who suffer from kidney stones for thousands of other babies. Don't forget the lion cub and the two cute little orangutans who got sick in the Shanghai zoo. The greed and avarice, which is another natural consequence of Godlessness, was the trigger. A little irony from the regime which despises capitalism isn't it?

In order to avoid the establishment of Poison without Borders, Canadian shopkeepers are removing certain food products from China from their store shelves. This prompted the announcement that a Canadian staple, Oreo Cookies, 0wned by Kraft which also owns tobacco companies, has closed its chief plant in Australia and set it up in - you guessed it - China. But, not to worry, the announcement was accompanied by the assurance that the milk products used in what makes the after school snack such an icon, are exported by Canada to China. Anyone seeing what's wrong with all of this yet? Anyone willing to do the math? Anyone willing to ask questions?

Let's move on to the economic and social carnage. When we persistently flood the market with Chinese junk which, incidentally, is not much cheaper than dear old Made in Canada, it figures that there is a price. This unbridled out sourcing has resulted in the loss of hundreds of thousands of Canadian jobs. It must. Why do we out source? Easy. We don't pay the grateful slaves what they should be paid.

In the Niagara region pear growers are burning their trees because we are buying pears from China. Processing plants are closing for the same reason. The population does its bit though. It mutters the occasional outrage when plants like John Deere close - then tuck into a Chinese pear.

We might - and only might- pay a little more for home grown products, but we would have the comfort of knowing that our neighbour is working. Think about it.

WHERE DID YOU EAT THIS PAST WEEK?

Sarah Palin ate at a diner. No so for Barack Obama - maybe I should say he ate elsewhere. His friend Barbara Streisand threw a little supper for him. It raised nine million dollars I hear. The repast itself was a reported $28,500 and for those wanted a little night music, the cost jumped to a reported $30,500 plus. For whatever reason the diners may have wanted to hear the hostess sing, they were willing to pay just short of two thousand extra. Ho Hum. This is today's version of a man for all seasons. The man for the ordinary working public.

WHAT PART OF 'THE LADY IS THE BEST MAN FOR THE JOB DOESN'T THE OPPOSITION UNDERSTAND?

I have to give it to those who are envious of, confounded by or who just plain hate Sarah Palin and what she stands for. They deserve "A" for effort when it comes to producing reasons for not voting for her or for why she shouldn't be allowed to run for office in the first place.

All she was, before ascending to her present position, was a wife and mother, a member of the PTA, a basketball coach, the Mayor of her town, then the Governor of her State. Not a bad little resume that. Of course, it was the opposition who thought the fact that she is a practising Christian and a Pro-Lifer was worth mentioning. Not necessarily in glowing terms mind.

It would appear that the fact that she was a Mayor is worthy of derision. Really? Try it some time. Of course, she might have aspired to the position of Community Organizer as Barack Obama did, but no one could come up with the job description. Being Governor didn't fare much better. After all, what good will come out of Alaska? When Middle Eastern dictatorships don't want to rip consumers off - by selling oil at very unpleasant prices - any more or when they think everyone is so desperate that we will pay anything for oil and we can't, let's decide if we want to freeze in the dark for half of the year or whether we want to change our minds about Alaska and its potential. Suddenly the Alaskan pipeline might not sound so bad. On the subject of Alaska, it comprises 20% of the United States land mass. Not a bad jurisdiction or stomping ground.

When the detractors say she has no experience in foreign affairs, do they mean she hasn't screwed up? What experience did her predecessors have? It was Cindy McCain who reminded us that Sarah Palin has, all her life, lived closer to Russia than most Americans and that has equipped her with considerable knowledge of foreign affairs - the naive who still believe that the Iron Curtain has truly fallen notwithstanding. Just ask the Georgians how benign Russia is. Sarah Palin figured it out.

In response to those who will continue to the bitter end, to paint her as an ambitious babe-in- the-woods, anyone who had the imagination to put a government jet on eBay seems, at least to me, to be pretty sharp. Anyone who has the guts to expose, oppose and fire parasites - even those in her own party - seems to be pretty courageous.

One broadside is the alleged failure to vet the lady. Questions were asked re the parentage of her beautiful little baby. Absurd allegations were made, her husband was asked to take a paternity test, she was asked when her amniotic fluid broke. Gee what else is left to ask?

The fact that Sarah Palin tolerates this garbage with grace, while finding time to say nice things about Hillary Clinton, says a lot for the lady's resolve. Good things are in store for the USA.

Your Vote Counts

ALL THE WAY WITH OPUS DEI.

Canadians went to bed last night with a shocking discovery hanging over them. The enterprising media in Quebec have exposed the entry into the election field of a PC candidate who is - I can hardly bring myself to write it - a member of Opus Dei. What next?
It's always a good idea to put one's brain into gear before letting one's tongue or pen loose. Do these people - including the Bloc Quebecois leader, Gilles Duceppe - know anything about Opus Dei - beyond the fact that it's Catholic and opposes abortion, contraception and same sex "marriage"? The esteemed leader is quoted as having serious concerns wth the threat of social conservatives entering the fray, citing the candidacy of Nicole Charbonneau Barron as evidence that the PC party is composed of right wing idealogues who would take away a woman' s right to choose. Does this translate into "No Catholic need apply to enter the Public Square"? Or are we going to be more democratic and ban anyone who defends all human life and opposes same sex get togethers?
One question. Is there going to be a roll call of candidates who are Freemasons?

ALL HAIL THE BIG BANG

I believe in the Big Bang Theory. I do. God spoke and bang, it happened.

SARAH, STRAIGHT AND TALL

A whole day has gone by and I haven't heard one vicious attack on Sarah Palin. Mind you I didn't tune in to CNN because we're doing such a good hatchet job here in Canada. I amuse myself wondering why there is such venom. Is it because she's not tied to the kitchen sink? Is it because she's smart and articulate? Could it be that she's pro-life? Tsk. Tsk. Is it because she's shown that she can raise a family and not fade away? Is it because she's shown that one can have it all? Is it the fact that she can be political and moral at the same time? Is it her stunning good looks which draw the claws? Is it because she's happy? Or is it just all of the above? She's already done great things. Just watch and she'll do even more. She's head and shoulders above the strident screamers. That's why I call her Sarah, straight and tall.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR MARY

Catholics all over the world celebrate the birthday of Mary, the Mother of Christ, on September 8th. It seems to me that today is a good time to dispel a few myths about Mary and the way Catholics behold her. Catholics do not worship her despite the centuries old rabid rumours to the contrary. It's true that they love her but they know that her Son Jesus is the one they worship and obey - together with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit. They see Mary as quite a bit more than the beautiful lady in the blue and white robes, lovely long hair, smooth skin, a kind face etc. Catholics recognise Mary as the young girl who was asked by the Archangel Gabriel to be the Mother of God. This spotless maid saw the suffering she would endure but said Yes" in a flash, hence "Be it done unto me according to Thy Word." Imagine the awe at having to raise a child such as Jesus. Imagine bearing the barbs of those who whispered "Fiddle de de" when confronted with the truth that this was a Conception by the power of the Holy Spirit. In this, the strength of St.Joseph is seen. How many men would have accepted the Virgin birth theory? How many would have endured the flight into Egypt?
Can any of us, Catholic or otherwise, come close to imagining the agony and the strength of soul she showed when confronted with the suffering of her Son? The scourging at the pillar, the crowning with thorns, that agonising walk to Calvary, the sound of the nails, that one last caress when Jesus was taken from the Cross. I don't think so. Mary kept to the background all her life yet she remains the most the most well known and loved woman in history - through humility and obedience. No wonder Catholics love her. Happy Birthday Mary.

Lies, damned lies! And then there's politics.

When it comes to the most basic human rights, what's the difference between the Conservatives, the Liberals, the New Democrats and the Bloc? If you answered "The colour of their ties.", you're right.

We have had it amply demonstrated that the Prime Minister isn't the bravest person in the world when it comes to the dirty A word. His way out is to ignore the body count when it comes to dealing with an inconvenience like an unwanted pre-born child. (This from the one with the moral courage to stay away from the Olympic Games to make a statement when it comes to human rights.) A couple of little suggestions for him to ponder.

The issue won't go away. It won't. Might as well face up to the bitter truth. We know, in the silence of our hearts, that abortion is wrong. That's why we have the exhortation "Don't tell my mother that I'm an abortionist. She thinks I'm a piano player in a whorehouse." Might as well face up to the fact that ignoring the issue won't go away for another reason. As the late and great Charlton Heston stated, "Neutrality always helps the aggressor, never the victim."

One more reason. Those of us who maintain that killing is wrong - those of us who are squeamish when it comes to snuffing out the life of an innocent little baby -are in it for the long haul. Furthermore, we vote.

Speaking of voting, we have giggled at the Christian Heritage Party for years. Guess what, it has never wavered on the issue. Maybe the CHP is not the simpering pack of Bible thumpers we thought it was. What have we got to lose?

Changing one's vote isn't easy. Makes me think of something I heard from Ron Gray, the Leader of the CHP. (I'm paraphrasing) When the last ones in the group turn around and change direction, they become the leaders of the pack. How about it you pro life prisoners of the other parties? Want to be a leader? Turn around.

I have a bad taste in my mouth...

I have a bad taste in my mouth and it's not just from the meat. The CEO of the Maple Leaf plant in Toronto has fallen on his sword and taken the blame for the outbreak. However, have enough - or any - questions been asked regarding the condition of livestock before it meets its demise so that it can grace the lunch pails for students and workers everywhere? When animals are not happily grazing, what conditions do they live in? When they go to the animal killing fields, what conditions grace their final journey? When they are slaughtered, same thing. To ask farmers and breeders to account for a reasonable standard of hygiene is often seen as kicking the sacred cow in the rump. We had a field day blaming the operators at the Walkerton, Ontario water filtration plant when there was an outbreak resulting in several deaths with many more probably to come. Rightly so. However, what investgations were carried out concerning the waste from nearby farms - waste which could easily find its way into the water supply? Let's have a real investigation.

Beauty and the Veil

Calling all you wonderful nuns out there. There's a new kind of contest in Modragone, Southern Italy. A beauty contest with a difference. Don't know what the prize is. Tea with the Holy Father?

Sounds inviting.

COMING TO A BOOKSTORE NEAR YOU

It seems that the late Pierre & Margaret Trudeau's little boy Alexandre - or Sacha as he is fondly called - is geared up ready to submit the transcript of his "labour of love", a history and expose of China. Hope he mentions the hundreds of Chinese who have been thrown onto the street so that their houses can be torn down to make way for hallowed institutions such as Starbucks etc. (Who wants to go without a cup of gourmet coffee in protest?). I wonder if he'll have space to advertise the off the rack body parts provided by hapless prisoners for anyone with the cash to buy them. (How about it selfish and naive Westerners?) Will his sense of a blend of gentility and bravado allow him to mention the millions of innocent pre-born babies who are savagely murdered and the baby girls who are drowned at birth?

Dealing with this stuff must be a burden so, for a little relief, Sacha baby has launched a nasty attack on our soldiers in Afghanistan. Nice. He seems to think they have nothing better to do than fight the Taliban and drink Tim Horton's.

Let's not be too hard on the Trudeau boys. Consider their immediate lineage - plus the fact that they might still be in mourning for another icon - Fidel Castro.

Good things grow in Ontario - not.

There is a move underfoot to penalize doctors who refuse to carry out procedures which seriously violate their consciences. Those who don't believe in taking the lives of pre-born babies or dispatching the old or terminally ill will pay the price. Just to save time, doctors can be forced to jump the gun and remove organs before life actually ceases. All this in a Province led by a Premier who loves the "I am a Little Catholic song." Prepare for the mass exodus of doctors to the U.S. or other Provinces

History Majors

One of Canada's greatest mediocrities, the CBC, featured an interview by one of its beauties, a high profile dolly, with an entertainer. The said entertainer remarked that Lenin had once said that power comes out of the barrel of a gun to which the lady responded "But he also said "Give peace a chance." Take comfort taxpayers, that this is another example of your taxes and mine at work.

QUID EST VERITAS - WHAT IS TRUTH?

Welcome to my corner of the web. I've returned to blogging after a brief hiatus but have returned to report on this and that as it interests me. The title is to be taken seriously - I want to survive! Return often to see my daily blurbs.