This week: Susan G. Komen for the Cure no longer re-gifting contributions to Planned Parenthood. Putting abortion into the perspective of the metrics of death. Taylor Mali on being cool. Updating the Holy Bible with a certain sensitivity. Larry finishes The Illustrated Progressive Catholic Alphabet. Another touching homecoming. The quote of the week.

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Has Susan G. Komen for the Cure seen the light? Komen has been a big supporter of Planned Parenthood, re-gifting money people raised for critically needed breast cancer research to the nations biggest abortion-mill operator. I wrote about this previously here, here and here.

Good news! They are apparently going to stop sending your money to PP. However, before we declare success and Komen rehabilitated, there are a few points worth noting. (1) they have announced this only internally – no promises, no mea culpa. (2) their reason wasn’t the immorality of PP, only that PP is under federal investigation – Komen is not committing to anything after that investigation ends. (3) many on Komen’s board remain close to PP. (4) While not announcing the policy change, Komen did stress in an interview that they do not accuse PP of any wrongdoing, “want to maintain a positive relationship with them”, and are “not making any judgment.”

I am thrilled by their new, unannounced position but would not call it a change of heart. Komen should be supported now but monitored carefully.

UPDATE: Indeed, Komen has now reversed their position under the tremendous weight of the liberal media and supporters. They are restoring funding to Planned Parenthood and have apologized for cutting-off funds to the abortion giant. As before, money raised for Komen is, in part, money raised for the notorious abortuary chain operator.

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Some numbers to put abortion into perspective:

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“In case you hadn’t realized, it has somehow become uncool to sound like you know what you’re talking about…”

These observations from Taylor Mali are really funny. And sad. It reminds me of OWS communications-speak and that of others who aspire to similar heights of logic and clarity of thought.

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Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, cleanse them by water in the name of Allah, his Messiah and his Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.

This is the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19) as represented in a new Protestant Bible. No more “Father” or “Son” as that is offensive to…   Muslims. This is what happens without the authority of the Catholic Church. Read more at Weasel Zippers on this story spotted by Matthew Archbold.

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Larry over at Acts of the Apostasy has completed The Illustrated Progressive Catholic Alphabet. It would be hilarious if it were not so true. Four parts cover all the letters: one, two, three and four.

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— 7 —

The quote of the week is from our Holy Father on the true meaning of justice and peace:

Justice is not a mere human convention. When, in the name of supposed justice, the criteria of utility, profit, and material possession come to dominate, the value and dignity of human beings can be trampled underfoot. Justice is a virtue which guides the human will, prompting us to give others what is due to them by reason of their existence and their actions. Likewise, peace is not the mere absence of war, or the result of man’s actions to avoid conflict; it is, above all, a gift of God which must be implored with faith, and which has the way to its fulfillment in Jesus. True peace must be constructed day after day with compassion, solidarity, fraternity, and collaboration on everyone’s part.

Pope Benedict XVI

Some random thoughts or bits of information are worthy of sharing but don’t warrant their own full post. This idea was started by Jennifer Fulwiler at Conversion Diary to address this blogging need. So, some Fridays I too participate when I have accumulated 7 worthy items. Thank you Jen for hosting this project!

This week: The 2012 March for Life. Allen West, an inspiring pro-life congressman. Comments from the marchers (and lots of pictures too). Using lingo to hide the fact that it’s a baby. The disappointing Girl Scouts (again). A hope-filled video from Students for Life. The March for Life press blackout.

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In the United States of America this year, 2.4 million people will die from natural or accidental causes. The leading natural cause is heart disease (0.6 million). Dwarfing this is the number of people who suffer violent deaths at the hands of an abortionist – 1.2 million. If you are under 40, you are an abortion survivor. Your mother had the legal right to kill you but instead, chose life.

The 2012 March for Life was held in Washington and other cities around the country. Pray for an end to abortion. Pray also for those who elect pro-abortion politicians for the blood of these babies is on their hands.

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Roe v. Wade will not end until we elect more pro-life politicians like Allen West (as opposed to this one, for example):

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Here is another cool video on the March. Notice how all these pro-life people are old, secular, ex-hippie ideologues. No wait, that is the other side…

Thanks go to Matt Cassens who spotted this one. As before, Matt has some great pictures of the event.

— 4 —

The abortion industry is untiring in pushing their message everywhere they can, even in the Girl Scouts. Their message is one of lies and deceit. Attacking pro-life pregnancy centers, fighting against ultrasounds, every sort of legal restriction imaginable and re-branding life itself. Look how absurd their lingo is:

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Please do not let your daughters be indoctrinated by anti-life, anti-family positions of the Girl Scouts USA. I wrote about this last September in Loss of innocense.

Mary Hasson gives comprehensive, up-to-date coverage with many links in her piece for Catholic Lane – Girl Scouts Leadership: Pro-Choice, Pro-Gay Ideologues. Another good, recent piece was published in The Washington Times – RUSE: Say no to Girl Scout Cookies.

Yes, it is sad and you can not change it. However, you have an excellent pro-life, pro-family alternative in the American Heritage Girls. They are now what the Girl Scouts once were. If your parish still supports the Girl Scouts, work to change it.

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A hope-filled video from Students for Life:

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As always, the March for Life was subjected to a press blackout. I predicted this a couple weeks ago. It’s not that I am keenly insightful, just an observer of the obvious.

John Jalsevac has good coverage of the non-coverage for LifeSiteNews.com in his piece New York Times ignores March for Life for fifth year in a row: WaPo focuses on pro-aborts.

Some random thoughts or bits of information are worthy of sharing but don’t warrant their own full post. This idea was started by Jennifer Fulwiler at Conversion Diary to address this blogging need. So, some Fridays I too participate when I have accumulated 7 worthy items. Thank you Jen for hosting this project!

This week: 7 excellent video responses to hating religion (but loving Jesus). The lucrative business of killing babies in the womb. 39 women speak on how abortion has affected them. Blob of tissue saves father’s life. America, blessed with incredible fuel resources. Martin Luther King was not a “community organizer.” Selecting candidates consistent with your Catholic faith.

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You may have seen or heard about a YouTube video entitled Why I hate Religion, But Love Jesus. 15+ million people have viewed this very misleading, error-filled video. It must make Satan quite pleased.

Marcel LeJeune at Aggie Catholics wrote an excellent response. He has followed that with more coverage, including finding these good video responses:

Finally, even Jeff Bethke (the creator of the video in question) admits there are problems with it. Replying to one critic “God has been working with me in the last 6 months on loving Jesus AND loving his church” (his emphasis). I think that he is sincere and really did not intend for it to come out the way it has – and be received / interpreted the way it has.

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Say what you want about murdering children in the womb, it sure is lucrative! American Life League reports that CEOs of Planned Parenthood affiliates average over $150,000 per year. 30 out of 81 enjoy salaries over $200,000 and 18 over a cool $250,000! No healthcare background is needed – only 12% have any.

That’s not all! Back at PP HQ, 8 management folks pull in an average $269,541. The business of death has a fine career path.

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39 women speak on how abortion has affected them. One representing every year since Roe v. Wade. In March, they undertake a 21-day Trek for Life:

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Blob of tissue saves father’s life. LifeSiteNews.com has the story of a 7 1/2 month pregnant woman who was awakened by her baby. After a sharp kick, she found her husband not breathing and with no pulse. Read the story to see how it unfolds.

— 5 —

We are blessed with abundant fuel in America, enough to sustain us for 175 years at the current consumption rate. Recent discoveries estimate 1.7 trillion barrels (1.4 in the US alone). We also have 4,244 trillion cu.ft. of natural gas and 497 billion tons of coal. Our reserves dwarf many other suppliers. We are energy rich!

So, why are prices so high? Crushing government regulation, implemented with the intention of blocking development. To what end, let Maxine Waters (D) explain:

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Martin Luther King was not a “community organizer.” He was a Christian minister who viewed everything he said and did in the light of his faith. You can not read more than a few of his words before stumbling over scripture references, God, Jesus or Lord.

It takes a very sharp knife to edit that out and that is exactly what the secular world has done. Not rewriting history per se, but highlighting and suppressing it to meet a political agenda. Stalin would be proud.

Terence Jeffrey addresses this in his informative piece Missing From MLK Memorial: God over at Crisis Magazine.

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Catholic Advocate is a wonderful resource for faithful Catholics who do not want to vote Democrat or Republican, but vote Catholic. As they note on their about page:

It is also the duty of the laity to participate actively in political life, in a manner coherent with the teaching of the Church, bringing their well-founded reasoning and great ideals into the democratic debate, and into the search for a broad consensus among everyone who cares about the defense of life and freedom, the protection of truth and the good of the family, solidarity with the needy, and the vital search for the common good.

Pope Benedict XVI

Some random thoughts or bits of information are worthy of sharing but don’t warrant their own full post. This idea was started by Jennifer Fulwiler at Conversion Diary to address this blogging need. So, some Fridays I too participate when I have accumulated 7 worthy items. Thank you Jen for hosting this project!

This week: Another Planned Parenthood manager switches sides and witnesses for life. It is time again for the March for Life. The Holy Father celebrating the Mass – Ad Orientem. Victory for the good guys in one battle against freedom of religion. Republicans and Democrats join hands to censor and kill the Internet. Reasonable and sane…   or extreme ideologue? Three years down, one to go – Bill Whittle gives us a summary so far.

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This is a wonderful success story of 40 Days for Life. A Planned Parenthood manager converts and the “clinic” closes. Precious lives are saved.

— 2 —

It is almost time for the 2012 March for Life (January 23rd). What can we expect? Massive turn-out around the country. In Washington DC we will probably see even more than the record 400,000 of last year. The marchers, as every year, will be young and enthusiastic. They will be polite and not make a mess.

There will also be a dozen counter-protesters at the Supreme Court. They will be old, angry and use fowl language if the past is any guide. Also if the past is any guide, mainstream media will give little coverage. What little coverage they do give will be buried, avoid acknowledging the size of the crowd, and feature tightly cropped images of the dozen pro-aborts on the court steps.

The battle for life is being won despite the media’s efforts. Make voting pro-life your number one priority. Vote pro-life for president, congress, state government, local government and even the dog catcher. I am not kidding – those in higher offices began in lower ones. Make it impossible to be a successful politician in America for those who accept the murder of innocent life in the womb.

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Yes, the Mass CAN (and should, IMHO) be celebrated Ad Orientem. Most certainly not with the priest’s back to you, but rather with all the gathered faithful facing together toward our Lord (including the priest). Our Holy Father often celebrates Mass this way. Here he is at the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord:

(This video is no longer available.)

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An important victory! In a Supreme Court case looking at the right of churches to hire and fire staff free of discrimination claims. Had the decision gone the other way, the door would have opened to telling us who we must hire (or keep) as priests. Elizabeth Scalia has some excellent coverage of the decision. The Catholic News Service has the details of this specific case. Fr. Z has comments too.

The left’s war against religion (Catholicism in particular) is at least not completely unchecked. This recent decision will not make Obama happy as a more measured legal strategy will be necessary. Who can forget this classy display of respect for co-equal branches of government:

— 5 —

Republicans and Democrats are joining together to censor the Internet. They want contributions from entertainment companies. Entertainment companies want to shut down any site they wish. The result will NOT stop internet piracy but it WILL hurt you in a wide variety of ways. The acts are named PIPA and SOPA and your elected representatives will probably vote for them unless they know you are watching.

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Reasonable and sane…   or extreme ideologue? Patrick Archbold at Creative Minority Report reminds us in this video he made in 2008:

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Bill Whittle takes a look at our president’s first three years. Is this what we wanted?

Some random thoughts or bits of information are worthy of sharing but don’t warrant their own full post. This idea was started by Jennifer Fulwiler at Conversion Diary to address this blogging need. So, some Fridays I too participate when I have accumulated 7 worthy items. Thank you Jen for hosting this project!

This week: Catvertising, a new paradigm for the advertising world. A girl who wanted only her daddy. Top 50 Saints’ Quotes. Top 10 reasons for hope in the new year. Promises not kept…   the young wise-up. The entertaining antics of the Occupy Wall Street crowd, hypocrisy division. Stephen Colbert is an odd duck.

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This is funny. The future of advertising rests in a paradigm shift to cat videos:

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Everybody in her class got presents, but her. All she wanted was her daddy home for Christmas:

(This video is no longer available.)

— 3 —

Speaking of Marcel LeJeune from Aggie Catholics, last fall he posted a Top 50 Saints’ Quotes list. His lists are always good and interesting. If you missed it, check it out!

— 4 —

It is easy, in a disappointing year like 2011, to overlook the positive fruits also reaped. Some times they are in response to challenges. In other cases, just wonderful developments all on their own. The fine folks at Catholic Vote have put together their year-end top 10 list of reasons for hope:

— 5 —

I like Obama, other than his laser-like focus on (1) bankrupting the country, (2) destroying the family, and (3) killing as many as possible in the womb. He is also a man of many bold promises:

The younger generation, who will bear the trillions in additional debt of Obama’s failed programs, is wising up:

— 6 —

Occupy Wall Street is one of 2011’s best sources of entertainment. What do Russell Simmons, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Yoko Ono, Jane Fonda, Alec Baldwin, and Michael Moore have in common? They all claim to be part of the oppressed 99%, proudly speaking-out against the rich class. The problem is, they are all multi-millionaires (tens and hundreds of millions). In fact, according to a list assembled by Paul Wilson of the Culture and Media Institute, the 25 wealthiest OWS celebrities are worth a combined $4 BILLION dollars. Hypocrisy is one of OWS most entertaining hallmarks. L. Brent Bozell III wrote about this yesterday for Chris Magazine in his Occupy’s Celebrity 1 Percent Backers piece.

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Stephen Colbert is an odd duck. He is very popular with young, progressive, often anti-religion adults. He is also by all reports a faithful Catholic. One safe path for him would be to never mention Catholicism. Presenting Catholicism as you or I might would be received very poorly by a hostile crowd. Yet, he manages to cleverly teach elements of our faith and is well received. I don’t think his audience has caught on or they think he is only being irreligious. He is a recent example:

Some random thoughts or bits of information are worthy of sharing but don’t warrant their own full post. This idea was started by Jennifer Fulwiler at Conversion Diary to address this blogging need. So, some Fridays I too participate when I have accumulated 7 worthy items. Thank you Jen for hosting this project!