AnarchoCatholic: Musings of Ultramontane Liberals

Libertarians Behaving Badly (or at least not checking sources)

Chris Brunner at LewRockwell.com/blog is repeating an error by the Libertarian Party of North Carolina, in saying that a judge's "actual words" in a decision against the LP were "There is no fundamental right for a voter to vote for the party of their choice." The actual words (pdf, page 15, para. 7) were:

There is not a fundamental right to have the party of a voter's choice appear on the ballot.

This is a true statement. You can still vote for whoever you want regardless of party, contrary to the fictional judge existing only in the imaginations of the North Carolina LP. But you don't have a fundamental right to put any party on the ballot when you walk into the voting outhouse and leave your mark on history.

It's all academic, if you ask me. One's time is better spent leveling a Night Elf Druid than voting these days.

JMM

The profundity of Michael Scott

My wife and I sat down and watched the season finale of the NBC television program, The Office, last night. For those of our readers who are familiar with the program, you of course know Michael Scott, the boss of the Scranton branch of the fictional paper supply company, Dunder Mifflin. He is a quite a likable character both because of his seemingly innocent naivete' and because he fights hard against the mediocre politically correct American corporate culture. Last night on the finale, Michael learns that his former longtime girlfriend, Jan, is pregnant. This comes as a complete shock to Michael as the two have been apart for apparently some time. Jan was or is Michael's boss at "corporate" where she continually comes down hard on him for the way he runs the office. At any rate, Jan is your typical insecure power-hungry American feminist who is extremely aggressive, arrogant, and uses her sexuality as a weapon. She's ready to take on the world! Well, it turns out that Jan, while she was with Michael, did not cheat on him but rather, decided to go to an IVF clinic where there was "reputable" sperm (according to the glossy catalog she perused), and now she is pregnant. Here is her explanation to the camera as to her actions:

If I was 22 and I had lots of time to have lots of children, then sure, let's let Michael have a shot at one of them, but this time I just need to make this one count.

And here is Michael's perspective in response to Jan's revelations:

My whole life, I have known two things: I love sex and I want to have kids. And I always though that those two things would go hand in hand...but now I think it may be one or the other...

Indeed, Michael you may be correct.  That is, of course, the consequences of acceptance of contraception and what the contraceptive mentality has created. Don't worry though Michael, Jan will do just fine, the government will "fill in" for you as a surrogate "father" and provide all the material needs that Jan and the child require. Hey, maybe she and the child could even get some free "counseling" and "guidance" from social workers. You certainly couldn't offer that. They will be "taken care of", because as we all know, parenting is all about "inputs" and it can be done "effectively" by one or any number of autonomous people.

Watch full episodes HERE .

SBW

 

Just War: Jack Bauer style

The other night while searching for Russian Orthodox blogs I came across this ARTICLE  entitled, Jack Bauer and Just War. This should be interesting, perhaps it is an in-depth critique/commentary on the television program "24" and the contemporary neo-conservative justification for preemptive war and torture. Well, that certainly did not turn out to be the case; rather, the article is a simplistic, almost laughable, justification for Jack Bauer's actions. The article is so pathetically illogical and contrary to the Gospel that it is hardly deemed to be taken seriously, except to perhaps understand the warped utilitarian worldview that many of our fellow Christians have adopted. Below are some poignant excerpts. I really cannot see how Christians accept this rationale, but I know of some Evangelical colleagues and even a few Catholics that aggressively love Jack Bauer as well as the Bush doctrine, so this worldview is not limited to secular conservatives.
Pray for them, and for our enemies.

SBW

But the question is: How do Bauer's actions hold up to the Christian Just War Theory?

(okay this is off to a good start)

First, it is important to keep in mind that Bauer works for the government. Clearly, the state's right to wage war and right to use force when necessary are affirmed by Holy Scripture. For example, St. Paul wrote: "Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain." (Romans 13:3-4) Bauer is a combatant or a bearer of the government's sword.

This is laughable. Bauer is an agent of the state, therefore his actions are moral. When in doubt, pull out the trump card: Romans 13! Now this is biblical exegesis-- forget what the historical time period in which St. Paul wrote and how it differed from our own, and forget the meaning of the words used--hey, I will just interpret the text to what a 21st-century Enlightenment modernist says the text means! I am sure a man like St. Paul, who had suffered so much at the hands of the state, who had seen so many of his fellow Christians martyred, and he himself probably martyred at the hands of Nero, he definitely would be in favor of the federal superstate with no moral restraints on it "Jack Bauer style" that exists in "24" and nearly in contemporary America.

So, what do we make of Jack Bauer's actions from a moral perspective via the Just War Theory?

Pope Benedict XVI affirms Humanae Vitae on its 40th anniversary

Listen up wayward Catholics, particularly rebellious American Catholics, to the Holy Father offering another affirmation of the two millenia old Christian teaching condemning the use of contraception (once called the sin of Onan, or Onanism, after its basis in Genesis 38). See here  for the full story. American Catholics should start taking their cue and approach to life by looking at Christ and the teachings of His Church, instead of acting like a bunch of loudmouth rebellious Protestants.

"The teaching laid out in the 'Humanae vitae' encyclical isn't easy," Benedict said.

"What was true yesterday remains true even today. The truth expressed in 'Humanae vitae' doesn't change; on the contrary, in the light of new scientific discoveries, it is ever more up to date," the pope added.

"No mechanical technique can substitute the act of love that two married people exchange as a sign of a greater mystery," Benedict said.

Benedict expressed concern that human life risks losing its value in today's culture and worried that sex could "transform itself into a drug" that one partner had to have even against the will of the other.

"What must be defended is not only the true concept of life but above all the dignity of the very person," the pope added.

The Culmination of the Reformation: The Church of Oprah

Someone passed this You Tube video  on to me as a short quasi documentary on Oprah's unofficial church. See her website to learn more about her "New Earth" project (sponsored by Chevrolet).   Interestingly enough, I think the video is produced by a Protestant apologetics ministry. No doubt Oprah does some good and wonderful things, being a child of God. Yet, many American women take their teachings from her and not the Church or, if Protestant, from the Holy Scriptures. Americans love branding and marketing, so it is no wonder she is so popular and effective in fulfilling her mission. Oprah openly affirms New Age pagan beliefs and has for years proudly lived in fornication with another man. The above video just presents more moral and religious relativism that is so popular in the post-Christian west. No surprise that Oprah affirms and proselytizes the same muck. The video present a more Protestant understanding of justification, but I think the point made to be wary of taking one's teaching on matters theological or moral from the television is well made. Say a prayer for Oprah's conversion today, the Triune God could use her mightily for His glory in building up the Church.

Thank you Martin Luther, for giving us the poison of Sola Scriptura, may God have mercy on your eternal soul.

SBW

The Pope and the President

A good friend passed this article  on to me, from the magazine, Chronicles. It offers some insightful commentary on the recent visit of Pope Benedict XVI to the United States, and in particular his visit to the White House to meet with President Bush. Recall that second day after his arrival when both Benedict and the president gave speeches in the rose garden. 

SBW

Here are some excerpts:

If you relied on wire service accounts, Catholic commentary, and the few snippets of video on the evening news, you can be forgiven for believing that the White House Welcoming Ceremony held for Pope Benedict XVI on April 16 was entirely “warm,” “friendly,” and marked by “mutual admiration and respect.”

But beneath the surface, the waters weren’t so calm, as anyone who watched the entire ceremony, listened closely to President Bush’s speech, and paid attention to the symbolism knows.

The Joys of Children

My wife and I were just discussing with our two toddler boys about name prospects for the new baby we're expecting in December.  Our four year old came up with a hoot, Franzie O'Connor.  I have no idea where that one came from. 

When prompted to guess the baby's gender, the four year old says it's going to be a girl, but the two year old objects saying it will be a car. 

As to why the oldest thinks it will be a girl, he naturally responds, "because God looks down, sees two boys and says its gotta be a girl."

I haven't laughed so hard in years. 

CK