Islamic extremists are threatening to take control of Saudi Arabia's corrupt and autocratic regime

. . . as opposed to the humanitarians that have been running things and sending their youth to murder civilians throughout the world?

Spiritual Lessons from a Big Furry Mutt for July 31

Whenever I give anything to the dog, he accepts it gratefully. Not just food or toys, but a scratch behind the ears, a hop onto the couch, a trip into the back yard, a walk to the park or a ride in the car. Even if the last several rides in the car have led to the vet, he still goes along with enthusiasm.

Would that I had such gratitude for all the things my Master does for me.

Yet Again Palestiniain Goons Target Non-Israelis

Interesting that the last few terrorist attacks in Israeli territory were launched in areas filled largely with non-Israelis. One can only hope that this will galvanize the will of the entire civilized world to seek the rapid removal from power of Arafat, Hamas, Hezbollah and all those associated with them!

Arab Hackers

The news yesterday about the Arab Electronic Jihad (and today’s sad but unsurprising news of another attack against civilization by Palestinian youths) brought to mind this thought: could the civilized world not place an ultimatum on the Arab world that any acts of electronic or actual terrorism against civilized states (U.S., Israel, India, Japan, Korea, Britain, Russia, maybe the EU) would result in the disruption of electricity and phone service to a randomly selected segment of the Arab world that isn’t cooperating in the war to protect civilization? Would reduce the opportunities for the “electronic jihad” and for the conventional one too.

Thanks to all the kind folks who’ve sent me e-mails!

Can't believe I've missed this one!

G. Thomas Fitzpatrick does honor to those of us whose first initial is G with his eloquence and insight.

The only folly of Emily Stimpson is that she's quitting her blog.

Sorry to see you go, Miss Emily!

We get comments (well, e-mails actually)!

An astute reader asks what actual Arab terrorists would do when confronted with the question below. They'd try to offer disinformation, of course. I'd suspect that they wouldn't be wholly successful in keeping their cover, if the interrogators were competent. We could probably smoke them out!

Bartenders, Waiters and Waitresses: Beware Mark Shea

(It's not just the bar jokes, either!)

He's not a fan of TIPS.

From what I've heard, it's only asking people who wander around a lot to report funny things.

Is neighborhood watch scary too?

Is there anything so good as going to midday mass?
I rather think not.

In my case, I’m especially fortunate as here’s what’s 3 blocks from my office.

There’s a remarkable building filled with serious devotional artwork and a big tabernacle prominent atop the high altar. If I’m early enough (as I was today), exposition of the
Blessed Sacrament before hand (also afterward).

Mass is said reverently. After mass, the Angelus and then confession is available. (OK, I don’t get going to confession right after mass, but it’s great to have a location handy where confession is available daily. I probably should go that often.)

Today there were probably about 70 people there. It’s a great thing that there are 70 people in my city who could take the time for midday mass. Seventy lives being transformed by Christ and going out in turn to transform the world can only make one say: Deo gratias!

I nearly forgot to mention, that parish does more for the poor than any number of other secular and sectarian entities. Of course that goes with the territory.

Can there be a good reason (not political correctness – a GOOD reason) that I haven’t heard anyone make the following proposal regarding protecting ourselves from terrorism?

1. Those who have attacked us are, without exception, Arab Moslems who are not citizens of the United States.
2. Therefore all Arab Moslems who are not citizens of the United States that are now in the United States shall be required to
report for questioning.
3. The first question is: “Do you solemnly swear that you will cooperate with the United States and its allies in defeating
those entities that engage in terrorist attacks on the United States and its allies?”
4. If the answer is “yes”, then the subjects can be asked particular questions about anything relevant they may know.
5. If the answer is “no”, then the subjects should be immediately deported.

I’m limiting this to non-citizens, who don’t have the same rights as citizens.

So why, other than PC or general timidity, aren’t we doing anything like this?

Spiritual Lessons From a Big Mutt -- Part 1
I mention the dog below. The dog, being an innocent creature, can teach me quite a bit.

For example -- he comes to me when I call him. He even listens for me when I'm not readily discernable. Would that I were so responsive to my master's call.

I’m baffled by how so many otherwise functional and even bright people can be taken in to make a vapid line from smarmy pop songs replace any ethical (or even aesthetic) standards. Of course I’m speaking of “It can’t be wrong when it feels so right”.

In everything I’ve seen from Andrew Sullivan regarding religion, that’s the dominant attitude. It’s really the rationale for most of the voluptuaries of the sexual revolution. It’s naturally enough behind the movement (that the illustrious Mark Shea has astutely observed) to “de-stigmatize” sex between adults and children.

News flash, folks: the whole point of moral theology is that many things that FEEL right are actually wrong. There have been times I thought it might feel very good to wring someone’s neck. It would not have been right to do so, though. (I’m quite glad my conscience let me know that it still could be wrong!) Some might find a free new car (simply liberated from the lot) to feel good. Still wouldn’t be right. So why should it be different if the desire is sexual in nature?

The first objection that would likely be raised is “but sex doesn’t hurt anyone”. Hmmmm. . . . unless you count fatherless children; single mothers; children killed before birth; women who have abortions and later realize what they’ve done; people who contract STDs; people who bounce from one sexual encounter to the next without ever finding the elusive ‘meaningful relationship’ . . . . .

So why are we as Catholics so timid about proclaiming the truth?

. . . So who’s behind this? My name’s Gregg and I choose to be a bit obscure. I have my reasons. (I had wanted to use “vitabrevis” or “ozymandias” as the blogger domain name, but was too late to get either. Alas!) No, I’m not some big fan of “Jude the Obscure” – in fact all I know of that work is its name.

I’m a convert to Catholicism. I have a wonderful wife and a great dog. They both teach me a great deal. I have a rather mundane job, but it works while I attend graduate school.

Many of the things I’m likely to say could have a negative impact on my chances of staying in school or of getting a real job in the future. So I remain at least a bit obscure. You can probably figure out who I am if you exert just a teensy bit of effort.

I tried the blogging thing several months ago, but circumstances didn’t cooperate. Perhaps things will work better this time. Then again, some of the best blogs (like Onealism or Zounds, for instance) had lives that were all too brief. I may follow them in that trait, if not in their quality. I rather hope not, though.

I hope to use this space for comments on issues both sacred and profane. You’ll note that I include both sacred and profane links too.

There’s a comments function and there’s e-mail (The_Stranger@hushmail.com). Or take me to task on one of the sites I’ve listed as I’m likely to see things there.

More to come . . . .