Taking the Fifth on the Fourth? Why the Time for "Anonymous-ness" has Passed

"Surely you too are one of them, even your speech gives you away."

"I do not know the man!"

–Matt. 26:73-74

Recently, Fighting Irish Thomas and its co-site, Cathlete.net, announced it would no longer be linking to anonymous posts. True, many of these blogs we formerly linked to were very entertaining, and others were thoroughly orthodox. Also, all of these authors seemed to have very good reasons for remaining anonymous. But in the end (or shall we say, the end-times?), none of these reasons were good enough.

First, we heard the ever-popular excuse, "I want to give God all the glory, so that's why I don't use my name." Unfortunately, any bona fide Right-to-Lifer could tell you that any accolades received from the righteous are far out-weighed by the ridicule a holy soul accumulates from the Left, so "humbleness" and "anonymous-ness" can no longer be synonymous. Similarly, the "but I want my post to stand on it's own!" claim might carry some clout if one was taking a college writing class and the professor was concerned mainly with style, but something far more important than style is at stake here. In reality, the last reason, "But I might lose my job!" (or friends, or place in society) is by far the most ominous—and often encompasses the other two. In fact the last woman we allowed to anonymously link to Cathlete.net openly admitted not only was she afraid she would lose her high-paying job if she wrote her pro-life blog under her real name, but "would probably have to move out of state and would no longer be able to take care of her ailing mother."

While we can certainly respect the gravity of such a difficult decision, we believe that, with the distinct possibility of an Obama-nation just months away, the time for anonymity among the forces of Our Blessed Mother has passed. If it is true, as Father Frank Pavone stated, that we will never overturn Roe v. Wade unless we are successful in putting faces on those formerly anonymously aborted bodies, we will also never defeat the Culture of Death if we remain nameless in our opposition. Once again, the Way of the Cross awaits, and the Lord is again asking if we are ready to risk the consequences and follow, or will remain in the shadows with Peter, afraid to "link" our name with that of Christ. For if we do not come forth before November, I'm afraid the choice, Death (in the name of Democracy), will instead be made for us.

Barack Backing Down on Abortion? The Obama-Relevant Interview

Commentary on the recent Relevant Magazine interview with Barack Obama:

Obama saying he voted against the "Born Alive" bill because these babies' safety was already guaranteed is like a southern senator saying he voted against the Civil Rights Act of 1964 because the Declaration of Independence already says all men are created equal with certain inalienable rights. In the end, it is a bold-faced lie, the pro-choice equivalent of Hitler saying he would only occupy the Sudetenland (after all, this was really Germany anyway!) and stop his advances there. In the end, Obama's 24/7 anytime, any reason, abortion voting record is much closer to ancient Greece's policy of carrying off unwanted newborns to a hilltop to die, than it is to any type of anti-abortion legislation. For would it not be easier for the Obama Democrats to take one small step forward to the Greek's way of thinking than one step backward to ban partial-birth abortion?

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Read Barack Obama on Abortion

Obama getting away with murder? Chesterton to the Rescue!

"The election was not about a conflict between Democrats or Republicans, or between Drink and Prohibition, or even between Agriculture and Finance. It is, in the simplest sense ... a conflict between light and darkness, between people who take a certain view of the facts and people who have never even heard the facts; between principle and prejudice, between cosmos and chaos."

–G. K. Chesterton, commenting on the 1928 Presidential Election

Although it was 80 years ago that the man dubbed "The Apostle of Common Sense" made his fateful comments about the then current election in America, they undoubtedly ring true today. Of course, you would substitute the words "Gay Marriage" and "Abortion" for "Drink" and "Prohibition," but the principle (and prejudice) remains the same. In those days, Chesterton argued, Governor Smith lost not so much because he was for social drinking and against Prohibition (a subject which, by the way, history proved him right about) but because he was Catholic—and the Republicans convinced enough ignorant WASP Americans that not only were Catholics not Christians, but that the Pope (who would be secretly dictating American policy if Smith were elected) was the Antichrist.

Just as the saintly archbishop Fulton Sheen's statement that "While there are millions who hate the Catholic Church for what they think it teaches, perhaps only a hundred or so despise it for what it really professes" explains Governor Smith's dilemma, I believe that if Obama's supporters truly knew what abortion (and euthanasia) was about, very few would still approve. Still, the faithful Catholic has to admit that, to date, the Democratic strategy has been diabolically effective. First, the Dems (with the help of some money-grubbing Republicans like Romney) eliminate the only legitimate pro-life candidate, Mike Huckabee, and now they have gotten the eventual Republican nominee, John McCain, to focus on issues such as health care, the war, and the economy rather than the systematic sanctioned slaughter of our country's most vulnerable. Not only do the Democrats not show photos of just-born babies stabbed, young girls strapped down (on abortion tables) or old men shot up (with deadly drugs) against their will, they seemingly have successfully relegated abortion to second class status when it comes to election issues. And unless McCain (or a wholly pro-life running mate) can bring these issues (and their consequences) back to the forefront, this land is in for a very long and dark night indeed.

"When a nation gives birth to a foolish law," said Chesterton, "they do not start or stare at the monster they have brought forth. They have grown used to their own unreason ... these nations are really in danger of losing their heads en masse." And, when Chesterton notes "these vast visions of imbecility" once they become policy, are almost always enforced by force, we have little reason to doubt G.K.'s double entendre was intended. For once Obama is elected King (or "Lord" as the peasants were forced to call them) "voluntary" abortions for the poor will become mandatory, euthanasia (unless one is wealthy enough to buy their way out of it) will be "enacted" at retirement, and gay marriage will be the new official state "union," as it leaves far less of a carbon footprint than that messy "married with children" thing. Surely these "fashions" seem utterly "fantastic" to the current orthodox Catholic, but as Chesterton reminded us, "New things every bit as wild as this are being received in silence every day." And so, whether our course of action is picketing the abortion mills, pleading with McCain for a pro-life running mate, or simply shouting Barack's lies from the rooftop, know that the time for silence has passed, but will return all too quickly if we don't speak now and the Obamanation is elected.

Notre Dame, Abortion, and Obama: Our Lady's Civil War?

"By the time we got to Woodstock, we were half a million strong ..."
-from the song "Woodstock" by Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young

"Anyone who has read the works of Fr. McBrien, and several other professors, knows that there is a threat to (Notre Dame's) Catholicism from within as well. But unlike Harvard or Yale, Northwestern or Southern Cal, all former Christian universities that are now secular schools, Notre Dame has the weapon to fight all heresies, namely Notre Dame Herself ... for the modern infidels to take control here, they would have to blow the Dame off the Dome, rip the heart (the Eucharist) out of Sacred Heart (Church) and lastly, rock by rock, tear the Grotto apart. And legions of Her sons and daughters would willingly die martyrs before they would allow that to happen."
-from "Champions of Faith" by Tom O'Toole

After reading my rather apocalyptic article "From Civil War to Civil Unions," fellow Domer and former head of Illinois Right to Life, John Ryan, whole-heartedly agreed with my gloomy assessment, but then asked, just "Where does Notre Dame stand in relation to this looming civil war?" Specifically, Ryan wondered what the response of orthodox regular and subway alumni should be if Obama won the presidency and ND president, Fr. John Jenkins, extended the university's traditional invitation to the new commander-in-chief to be the keynote speaker at the school's upcoming commencement.

While I definitely agree with Ryan that just as in a game of chess, we should certainly consider our spiritual options several moves ahead, it is also important to realize that Obama, despite what CNN and CNBC (or for that matter, Satan himself) may say, has not yet been elected. The first priority of the pro-life voter remains to petition Our Lady that McCain picks a passionate anti-abortion running mate (hopefully Huckabee, if not the emerging star, Jindal) to strengthen the GOP ticket. Next, we must pray like heck that McCain wins the general election. Still, if those things don't happen, Ryan's question must soon be considered.

Although Ryan's first idea, an all out pro-life media assault on Barack Obama's abortion position in an attempt to get Fr. Jenkins to withhold the ND invitation appears to be the logical initial strategy, I really doubt that such a campaign would make either man change his mind. A backing out on Barack's part would make the president-elect look weak, and if alumni scrutiny didn't make Jenkins cancel the showing of the extremely sleazy Vagina Monologues, no amount of pro-life propheteering would keep him from this woeful choice either. And, while I believe that the holy bishop of South Bend, John M. D'Arcy, would be within his rights to rescind the Catholic charter of the university if Barack were invited (Ryan's final, last ditch idea to keep Obama away), my long-held belief that Our Lady will keep Notre Dame Catholic through troubled times (see opening quote) precludes that possibility—at least for now. But little did I know when I penned that prediction some thirteen years ago that Notre Dame would indeed be the site of the first great battle in our country's second civil war.

Simply put, if the pro-life forces do not take a major stand when the modernist forces of Obama come to captivate (and capture) Notre Dame some one hundred plus days into his deadly presidency, the battle would be lost. As with Woodstock, a loyal force a "half a million strong" might be necessary, but unlike that counter-culture event, this battle would be better planned. Although the remaining true-to-the-faith students and priests could lay the groundwork, including proclaiming their petition (openly, since Jenkins rarely attends) at the 6:45 p.m. daily grotto rosary recitation, the first group of outside forces would arrive approximately a month before the graduation, under the guise of fans attending the annual Notre Dame spring football game. Known only by their Suffering Irish t-shirts, these several thousand or so loyal Domers would remain at Notre Dame after the game, sheltered by sympathetic students, professors, and even grounds crew. This way, they could gain strategic spots in the stadium, Church and even the Administration Building, including one of the little rooms right beneath the Dome.

And so it would go, with groups of ND loyalists arriving undetected with every subsequent baseball game, lacrosse or tennis match, until the main mass of Mary's men were in place. Included in this next group would be the special forces of Our Lady's Army, led by their new commander and recent Catholic convert, General Mike Huckabee. Meanwhile, when D-Day arrived, and thousands more bussed, biked, walked or parachuted their way onto the startled campus, several hundreds of Blessed Mother Teresa's Missionary of Charity sisters get into line behind the marching graduates, and Bishop D'Arcy, monstrance in hand, appears out of nowhere to lead them. And, because it is still a Catholic school, no one seems to question either occurrence.

As President Obama finally approaches the podium, Bishop D'Arcy rises, and raises the monstrance with the Eucharistic Christ right into Obama's sight, temporarily befuddling, if not frightening, the puzzled speaker. This allows the sisters to descend upon the stage, and they begin removing something hidden beneath their habits. No, the nuns have not been smuggling guns, but the aborted fetuses of late term abortions—and murdered live births—that Barack's regime has endorsed, and will soon enforce. As Obama attempts to speak, a voice as if from heaven (but actually Huckabee's), explains what the sisters are doing, telling the stunned crowd to look inside their programs, where the pro-life forces have inserted a page of all of Obama's dubious abortion accomplishments. Finally, as Huck's men silently subdue the Secret Service and the JumboTron focuses on the aborted fetuses, the last nun lays the last broken babe at Obama's feet and then begins to speak. While the crowd now anticipates an alternative commencement speech, the humble sister instead utters but one simple sentence. "Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers, that you do unto me," she says to the president, and then leaves the stage for good.

At this point, Barack is free to speak, but with the Eucharistic Lord in front of him, the butchered fruit of his labor at his side, and the thousands of protesters now ready to storm the doors, something tells me he cuts his losses and leaves the campus speechless. The evil president flees Notre Dame in shame, while the triumphant forces place a giant wreath of flowers atop Our Lady on the Dome, as thousands cheer the most memorable May crowning ever.

Again, I hope Mr. Obama does not reach the White House, and this all turns out to be entertaining orthodox fiction. But if this vision is neglected and Barack is elected, we must pray to the Son beginning on day one that His Mother's Notre Dame dream comes true.

From Civil War to Civil Unions: Our Country's rebirth into the Culture of Death

"Four score and seven years ago, our fathers brought forth ... a new nation conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived, can long endure ... we here resolve that ... this nation under God shall have a new birth of freedom, and that this government of the people, by the people and for the people shall not perish from the earth."
–Abraham Lincoln, from The Gettysburg Address

"We are all just prisoners here of our own device ... you can check out any time you like, but you can never leave. Welcome to the Hotel California ..."
–Don Henley, from "Hotel California" by the Eagles

I suppose that in many respects, the California Supreme Court's recent ruling to legalize gay marriage was the last straw to conservative Christians, the cannon shot that could start a full-scale culture war. Sure, their decision was both arrogant (flying in the face of what the majority of the people in California wanted) and decadent (basically proclaiming that any human union was as good as any other) but it was merely symptomatic of what the liberal intelligentsia had long espoused. And while these Democrats of the dammed are still the minority, they are fully convinced that their new pleasant-appearing, sweet-talking dealer of death has duped enough Generation Next voters to become the next president of these (once) United States. And if this unspeakable catastrophe indeed comes to pass, those faithful pro-lifers still left in this land may have no choice than to respond with our nation's second Civil War.

As Abraham Lincoln so concisely demonstrated almost a century and a half ago, the notion of a nation "conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal" had become so foreign to a substantial segment of our southern population that the moral majority had no choice but to fight to bring this freedom back. Thanks largely to the fearless leadership of perhaps our nation's most God-fearing president, the northern states won this war, and the once and future United States outlawed slavery, and our country began it's nearly 100-year trek back to liberty. But just when our nation had finally gotten past the enforced prejudice by passing the Civil Rights Act of 1964, on June 7th, 1965, the Supreme Court, with Griswold v. Connecticut, opened up a fatal can of worms by legalizing artificial contraception in the form of "the Pill". Few, outside of Pope Paul VI and his courageous encyclical Humane Vitae, realized it at the time, but just as "Desire conceives and brings forth sin, and when sin reaches maturity it brings forth death" (James 1:15), so the contraceptive mentality gave way to Roe v. Wade (1973), and abortion on demand led to the anti-family gay marriage and civil union rulings that are taking place today.

Fortunately, all is not lost—yet! While it's true that John McCain was not the best man the Republicans could have nominated, he is far from the worst (indeed his one divorce and later re-marriage to a younger, richer model seems smack in between Mike Huckabee's lifelong union and Rudy Guliani's trifecta of messed-up marriages) and his faults are not grave enough to not get your vote. First of all, the best candidate, Huckabee, is still in the running for VP, so we must continue to pray and petition Johnny Mac (and Jesus Christ) so that the truest pro-life voice in contention is picked as running mate. But even if this fails, remember that the McCain's not only have adopted a child, but this babe came from the arms of Blessed Mother Teresa herself—and that child has grown to affect them more powerfully with each passing day.

And what, pray tell, is the alternative? Know that if Obama wins the election, educators such as myself will be forced to resign from public schools for refusing to teach that New-Age parents Johnnie and Matt are just as moral (and normal) as the traditional John and Mary, that priests will be arrested and charged with hate crimes for preaching that practicing homosexuality is sinful, and doctors will be disbarred for not taking the new "Hypocritic" Oath requiring them to not only approve, but perform, abortions. On that day, we will be forced to guard our cathedrals with cannons, protect our holy hospitals with hidden handguns, and storm their abortuaries to rescue the unborn (and their mothers) from being killed (and wounded) against their (and His) will. For as in the time of Lincoln, we have arrived at an era in our nation's history where the United States will experience a rebirth of freedom ... or perish from the face of the earth.

The Vagina Monologues' St. Valentine's Day Massacre at Notre Dame: An open letter to Fr. Jenkins

Rev. John Jenkins
President of Notre Dame
University of Notre Dame/Main Building
Notre Dame, IN 46556

Dear Fr. John,

My friends at The Cardinal Newman Society informed me that after a one-year hiatus, the diabolically-inspired Vagina Monologues has made its way back on campus. Granted, I understand you are not "sponsoring" it (the Anthropology and Sociology Departments are actually doing that), so (in your mind anyway) it is not considered an "official university-sponsored activity." Still, I have to admit, Father, it sounds to me a lot like a Catholic politician saying, "while I am personally opposed to abortion, I do not want to legislate my views on others," in other words; a lot of "sound and fury, signifying nothing." But maybe, as a daily Mass Catholic, I'm just overly sensitive.

Then again, maybe not. In addition to The Cardinal Newman Society, I just read that the United States Bishops Committee on Doctrine which was scheduled to have a conference at Our Lady's university starting on Feb. 11, the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes (which I trust is still a special day at Notre Dame, considering the lasting place your Lourdes replica grotto has in the hearts of both alumni and students), pulled out of their Notre Dame reservations both at their disgust of the play being held on campus, and in deference to your bishop, John D’Arcy (who called V-M "offensive to women" and "antithetical to Catholic teaching") and are instead meeting at a local convent outside of South Bend.

I know, I know. You would insist the real issue here is free speech, and just because this play glorifies lesbianism, upholds group masturbation as a dogma, and calls a girl's lesbian rape her "salvation" and "heaven," doesn't mean The V-Monologues is the equivalent of screaming "fire" in a crowded theatre, or "F*** Jesus" in Sacred Heart Church, as the case may be. And you have always preached that Notre Dame must allow free expression of ideas, even those contrary to the Faith, if it is to be a true leader in national, indeed, international university education, and thus, The V-Monologues stays—or is at least allowed to return.

Well, maybe you're right, Father, but something about that "leader" stuff still feels wrong. After all, Fr. McBrien's heresy has become old hat, and although pressure from people like the bishops and The Cardinal Newman Society have reduced the number of Catholic universities showing The V-M by almost half, there are still eighteen other allegedly loyal-to-Rome colleges presenting this decidely un-Christian play, so your presentation is no longer noteworthy in that regard. So if you really want to stand out, Father, why not keep the "Monologues" ... but hire Dana Jacobson to play the lead role? That foul-mouthed vodka-toting ESPN commentator has made a name for herself by blaspheming the sacred names of Christ and Notre Dame (again, something you thought not significant enough to personally rebuke, but your underling's statement of disagreement proved so mild that head football coach Charlie Weis finally had to step in and properly denounce the attack and defend Notre Dame's honor) and Dana would be perfect to make that play come alive. For, if Rudy Ruettiger was born to lead the Notre Dame players out of the stadium tunnel, then (according to your logic) Dana Jacobson was born to play that hateful lesbian role on Our Lady's campus. You'd have to admit, Father, that THAT would be a performance of The Vagina Monologues that no other actress on any other Catholic campus could ever live up to—and a rendition of the play that no orthodox president of a Catholic university could ever live down.

Now I've left you with much to think (and hopefully pray) about, Father, but before I go, please allow this loyal son of Notre Dame one final observation. If, on the eve of March 26 (the first day of The V-Monologues' scheduled Notre Dame performance), you look up in the sky and see the Lady on the Dome appear to cry, know that it is not due to the weather. It is Our Lady expressing Her right of free speech, in that silent manner that only Our Mother has obediently mastered.

God's grace and Mary's prayers,
Tom O'Toole, Class of '81

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Upholding Our Lady's Honor: Defending Notre Dame from "Nostradamus Dana" Jacobson

Not pleased with ESPN's handling of "The Night of the Living Dana" situation, Catholic blogger, Lance Mitchell, wrote to the network himself to express his displeasure, receiving the following response. Lance asked me, as both a Catholic writer and a Notre Dame alumnus, if I thought the reply was adequate.

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Date: Fri, 25 Jan 2008 18:32:23 -0800 (PST)
From: Lance Mitchell
Subject: Re: Dana Jacobson
To: ESPN Viewer Response

How long is she suspended for? She said f*** Notre Dame, f*** Touchdown Jesus, f*** Jesus. The last part of that sounds like an attack on Christianity to me. Your response sounds to me as if she is going to get a slap on the wrist ...

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ESPN Viewer Response askespntv@espn.com wrote:



Thank you for taking the time to write.

Ms. Jacobson's inappropriate comments were delivered in the context of Notre Dame football and its Touchdown Jesus icon. They were wrong and inexcusable, and she was suspended from her duties. Her uncharacteristic behavior was not aimed at a particular religious faith. They took place at an adult-only roast that was not aired on any ESPN outlet.

We appreciate your giving us the opportunity to respond.

Sincerely,
ESPN Viewer Response

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Actually, Lance, not even close. Quite frankly, ESPN's "no-name" e-mail was so flawed (and phony!) that it wouldn't have received a passing grade as a middle-school SAT extended response test, let alone as a public relations statement of a major sports network. Forgetting for a moment the politically-correct-to-the-point-of-being-condescending opening and closing statements, perhaps the main problem with the letter is that it first takes one side of the argument and then the other, thus contradicting itself and leaving its closing "Sincerely" sounding very insincere indeed. Note how the opening apologetic tone, with words like "wrong," "inexcusable," and "inappropriate," is almost immediately undercut with defiant phrases like "not aimed at," "not aired," and "adult only." So what starts out as a "we're really sorry for Dana's embarrassing Vodka-induced blasphemy" apology turns into a "but it really wasn't meant for you, so lighten up and mind your own business" declarative statement.

But besides this major contradiction in tone and explanation, ESPN commits, in an attempt to mitigate both Jacobson's and corporate guilt, many more minor gaffes as well. For example, by referring to the "Word of Life" mural (it's original name), not as the "Touchdown Jesus" mural, but as the "Touchdown Jesus Icon," "Mr. (or Ms.) ESPN Viewer Response," unwittingly admits it is not a silly artwork to be satirized, but a sacred sacramental to be revered. And by saying "F*** Jesus" (note that ESPN, now deathly afraid to air the tape, is no longer denying Dana said this), "was not aimed at a particular religious faith," ESPN, by trying to rid themselves of the rath of 1.1 billion Catholics, are now opening themselves up to the rancor of 2.1 billion Christians instead. And finally, by implying the words "F*** Notre Dame" don't really matter beyond football, they are showing they are either ignorant of history or are, as the new "sports gods of the universe," actually above it—which is in fact the worst prejudice of all.

For if ESPN and Jacobson, in all their supposed game-day preparation, still do not know what "Notre Dame" translates into, I will once more explain it means "Our Lady." She is the Mother of God, (for Catholics) the most merciful woman who ever lived, of whom scripture says, "all nations shall call me blessed" (Luke 1:48). And so, when your female anchor calls Our Lady not blessed, but something completely the opposite, it is a serious slander indeed, and it is akin to slamming Jesus Himself. Furthermore, Fr. Sorin, the founder of Our Lady's university, named it "Notre Dame" specifically so that everything the school did would reflect Mary and give glory to Her Son. In other words, if Dana had defamed, say, "Boston College," PERHAPS her lame excuse would be somewhat justified, for holiness is not specifically part of B.C.'s name. But not Notre Dame. Not at a football game, not at a roast, not ever. And until Jacobson and her network cohorts realize why (in addition to Dana's drunkenness, which was also too easily dismissed) her comments were so wrong, it remains virtually impossible for them to make it right.

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Archbishop Burke and the Pro-Choice Billiken: O Lord, spare us from Coach Majerus!

Trashing the Catholic Church:
University Style (Pt. 2)

Yes, you just sense something's fishy when the high-profile basketball coach of a Catholic university is appearing at a Hillary Clinton rally. And, of course, anyone who follows college hoops, knows that St. Louis University's new coach, Rick Majerus, is too big to hide, and soon the Cafeteria Catholic was out of the bag.

When asked if the fact that he supported Clinton meant he was pro-abortion, Majerus, the first year coach of the Billikens (or shall we say Hillarykens?) first said he didn't want to go there, but later admitted he was "personally pro-choice."

When University of St. Louis (which is run by the Jesuits) spokesman, Clayton Berry, downplayed the incident by saying Majerus was at the rally, "as an individual, not as a representative of the university," who should ride to the rescue but that lone ranger of Catholic orthodoxy, Archbishop Raymond Burke himself. A previous hero of Fighting Irish Thomas, not only for his refusal to give John Kerry communion, but for his resignation from the board of the Cardinal Glennon Children's Foundation when they scheduled the pro-abort singer, Sheryl Crow, to do a fundraiser for them, the archbishop said he would promptly schedule a meeting with St. Louis president, Lawrence Biondi, as soon as Burke returned from—you guessed it—the Washington Right to Life March, to discuss appropriate action. "I'm concerned that as a leader at a Catholic university, Coach Majerus' comments could lead others astray. I believe that it's of the essence for people to understand that as a Catholic [which Coach Majerus vehemently claims to be], you just cannot hold those beliefs."

Majerus, for his part, sputtered something about the archbishop violating his First Amendment rights, but as a graduate of Marquette University, Rick should know better than that. One of the most successful coaches in the history of college basketball with a 432-154 record, Majerus actually applied at the University of Notre Dame several years ago, and while at the time no official reason was given, basketball insiders were stunned that the Irish wouldn't hire such a brilliant tactician. I now give kudos to former Notre Dame president, Rev. Edward Malloy, for saying no to what would have been a very winning, but ultimately lost tenure. In many ways, coaches of revenue sports at Catholic universities have bigger profiles than even the school's president, and while Burke didn't demand that Majerus resign, you better believe he's counting on Biondi to do something with him, so here is my suggestion ...

Majerus, who now seems even more emboldened about his pro-abortion stance than before, should be made to study the history of the Mother to the Unborn, Our Lady of Guadalupe. This coach who often spends hours going over game fields would now analyze the history of Our Lady of the Americas concluding with an all-night vigil in front of the tilma itself. If this great strategist who has had an answer for every possible defense the opposition has thrown at him could solve the mystery of this nearly 500-year-old sacramental that cures souls, has miraculously survived both fire and decay, and is painted with a material unknown to man, then he is free to be pro-choice. But if he cannot explain away her never-ending intercession, Rick must recant, revert—or resign. In other words, if you can't beat Her, join Her—and stop approving the sacrifice of her children to the Aztec gods that Bill and Hillary still worship.

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F*** Touchdown Jesus?F****** (Forgive) Dana Jacobson—But first, her penance

Trashing the Catholic Church:
University Style (Pt. 1)

While the good ol' boys of ESPN apparently did a good job of both damage control and cover-up in the case of Dana Jacobson's "mistake" (co-host of ESPN2's "First Take"), eyewitnesses of her drunken anti-Catholic rant are justifiably incensed. Although the tape of her horrible attempt at humor at a roast for ESPN's Mike and Mike (Golic and Greenberg that is) is mysteriously missing, several audience members concurred that Jacobson's rant (who was openly taking slugs from a bottle of Belvedere Vodka while at the podium speaking) included the following: "F*** Notre Dame! F*** Touchdown Jesus! F*** Jesus!"

Now the only excuse/explanation offered was that Golic was an All-American lineman at Notre Dame before his stellar NFL (and ESPN) career, while Jacobson is an alumnus of one of the Irish's most-heated rivals, the University of Michigan. Besides, all's fair when it comes to celebrity roasts, right?

Well apparently enough people in the audience (which included Notre Dame football coach Charlie Weis), felt that blasphemy is never in style, for Dana of the Damned was finally booed off the stage. Of course, after Ms. Jacobson had slept off the effects of her 80 proof truth serum, she did offer the following apology: "I am sorry. My remarks about Notre Dame were foolish and insensitive. I respect all religions and did not mean anything derogatory by my poorly chosen words. I also deeply regret the embarrassment I've caused ESPN and Mike and Mike. My actions were inappropriate and in no way represent who I am. I won't make excuses for my behavior, but I do hope I can be forgiven for such a poor lack of judgment."

Somewhat amazingly, reports out of ESPN have their God-hating anchor suspended for only a week, although one suspects this might be based on whether or not the cover-up continues to keep the incident hidden from the Notre Dame (and YouTube) Nation.

Perhaps even more troubling than the shruggin'-the-shoulders attitude of ESPN is the response of Notre Dame itself. After hearing of the incident, university spokesman Dennis Brown concluded, "While we in no way condone Ms. Jacobson's comments, we're aware of the circumstances in which they occurred, and in the interest of forgiveness, trust that she and ESPN will address the matter in an appropriate way."

Considering the furor Golf Channel's Kelly Tilghman's "lynch Tiger Woods" comment (and subsequent hangman's noose magazine cover) caused, I am surprised that these worst of words against Christ and Our Lady have produced barely a ripple. While the ESPN reaction is (to date) much too lenient, I'm not sure that the knee-jerk firing of the new president of "Jerks against Jesus" Jacobson is the most fitting response either. For while I agree with Mr. Brown that the best solution involves forgiveness, in the Catholic world that Dana has so decisively dissed, Dennis knows there is no real forgiveness without penance.

Thus, in the interest of fairness to both sides, Fighting Irish Thomas offers Ms. Jacobson the following penitential options:

Read the powerful apologetic Catholic pamphlet "Pillar of Fire, Pillar of Truth," and either write a research paper disputing its conclusions —or why it made her decide to convert.

Do a documentary on the life of the "lady behind the grotto," St. Bernadette—and either prove why her life of humble service was a fraud—OR why Notre Dame's words to Bernadette, "I am the Immaculate Conception," should fling Jacobson to her knees, beating her breast and begging God's mercy.

Have Dana spend 40 hours kneeling (the more hours during this sub-zero cold, the better) at the Notre Dame grotto, where she must continue to mock Mary and those who come to pray—or become the leader of the 6:45 p.m. Rosary recited there daily.

I figure this way is much fairer to all concerned, for now it will truly be Ms. Jacobson who decides her own fate. For those exercises will either cause her to convert to the Catholic faith, leaving no doubt her apology is sincere, or make her hate of Jesus become so heinous (not to mention public) that there is no way ESPN, or anyone except perhaps the Taliban, would again employ her as an anchor.

Well, Ms. Jacobson, NOW what do you think? Or perhaps, before you decide, you need another drink ...

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Kathleen Parker: A pro-life columnist and survivor of the FIT-test

As discouraging as reading the news from the Windy City's leading newspaper often gets, the Tribune at least periodically rewards the patient, as it did today, with syndicated columnist Kathleen Parker's gem “Nature-nurturer: Survival of the Stupidest.” In fact, this satire's so good it could have been written by Fighting Irish Thomas, or more precisely, my wife, Mrs. Fighting Irish Thomas—“Ms. FIT” for short.

Parker starts her column off with dark humor, "Did you hear the one about the woman who aborted her kid so she could save the planet?" and proceeds to tell the tale of one Toni Vernelli, who did just that. Quoting a London Daily Mail story on environmentalists "who take their carbon footprint very, very seriously," Vernelli, 27, not only aborted her baby, but then had herself sterilized, later saying that baby-making is selfish, and is "all about maintaining your genetic line at the expense of the planet." Of course, since her and husband Ed not only did abort, but are also vegans, they figured they saved enough energy to still take their once-a-year transcontinental airplane trip ...

"The Darwin Awards folks," says Parker, when talking about the Vernellis, "who honor those who improve the species by accidentally removing themselves from it, will have to create a new category, 'People too Narcissistic to Procreate.'"

But if Kathleen's tone is silly, she is quick to point out that both the subjects' (another similar couple is interviewed) and the Daily Mail columnist's tone are deadly serious. FIT has previously warned about how the global warming people are not only making their beliefs into a religion, but seem to be on the verge of using it to rid their earth of undesirable "carbon users," and Parker apparently has also stumbled on this "inconvenient truth."

"Suddenly the unborn are of no greater importance than the contents of our recycling bin. Like Weight Watchers dieters substituting carbs for sugars, we trade off future members of the human race to neutralize insults to Earth's balance in the present ... Wouldn't it be helpful to eliminate some of the less productive members of society who, like the cows they no doubt eat, are emitting hazardous methane, one of the greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming? ... Is this the slippery slope that pro-lifers prophesied?"

Yes, Kathleen, it is. Welcome to FIT, and glad to see you've joined the fight!

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Live Rich or Die: Al Gore and the God of Global Warming

To be fair to former vice-president and current best-selling author Al "The Mental Environmentalist" Gore, I have not read An Inconvenient Truth nor plan on doing so any time soon. And while I admit that the controversial volume makes some valid points about saving the planet, when I hear Gore's Gospel is now replacing Gideon's Bible in the rooms of Gaia Napa Valley Hotel, I know that Eden has once more been invaded and the devil is once again up to no good.

After stealing the hearts and minds of those who stay in this incarnation of Hotel California, Gore's latest global triumph took place Saturday in the form of a multi-site seven-continent rock concert. Entitled "Live Earth," this event featured mega stars such as Madonna, Metallica, Alicia Keys and Keith Urban at "dimmed light" venues as diverse as New Jersey, Sydney, Johannesburg and Rio de Janeiro, and served the dual purpose of raising energy conservation awareness and distracting us from Gore's son, Albert Gore III's, recent drug bust.

But seriously, this 7-7-07 extravaganza, while slightly better than a 6-6-06 abortion rights rally, is a far cry from say, an international Catholic youth day. While preaching the good news of energy conservation has its merits, enlisting rock stars (especially the likes of the openly anti-Catholic Madonna) whose very lifestyles make them the poster children of excess consumption, to give this message of minimalism makes any such attempt ironic, if not outright idiotic. In the end, the campaign against global warming only saps creative "energy" away from the more noble pursuits of ending abortion and euthanasia, and this may end up being a culture of death campaign in disguise.

How's that? The reason why Fighting Irish Thomas cannot take Gore and the global warming gods at their word is that until or unless the former veep and his energy disciples give up their own lavish lifestyles, their earth worship is lip service only. By definition, the rich have always consumed more than they need—but if Gore is correct, they will continue to be able to do so only if they steal away the meager resources that are now being used by the poor. Don't be surprised if the global warming contingent joins forces with the population "control" people to find creative ways to keep the poor from having (or keeping) their babies, or the poor from protecting their sick and elderly and thus preserving enough (that is, more than enough) of the earth's resources for themselves. The global warming gurus are fond of telling the less fortunate to live in the dark, but sooner or later God says their diabolical (and Gore-y) details will all come to light.

"The World" Ends "The Period" orThe End of the World, Period.

"Rather, each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire conceives and brings forth sin, and when sin reaches maturity it gives birth to death" (James 1:14,15).

Satan's scientists have convinced politically-correct (and, knowing how the drug companies operate, potentially corrupt) U.S. Food and Drug Administration officials to approve a birth control pill that stops monthly bleeding indefinitely—making the menstrual period a thing of the past.

Unlike the twenty-one-days-on, seven-days-off birth control pills of old, "Lybrel" not only prevents pregnancies but "suppresses headaches, tender breasts, cramps and nausea" (according to Wyeth, the drug company that produces it), and, by turning PMS into PMA (Positive Mental Attitude) Lybrel will no doubt soon be touted as a solution to world peace as well.

"The more choices the better," says an ecstatic Darryn Dunbar, associate medical director for Chicago Planned Parenthood. "Lybrel is a great option for women," she says of the pill that contains low doses of the two hormones, ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel, already widely used for this purpose.

"When dealing with a new concept we're always met with the 'Is it safe?' question," said a superior-sounding Dr. Lee Shulman, the head of reproductive genetics at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. "Low doses of any drug is always good," he condescendingly stated. "And the elimination of a period will cause no harm whatsoever."

But will it? Although the statement sounds good, there is no evidence that lower dosages of hormones will make this pill any safer than previous ones, which have had more than their share of side effects. In fact in the only year-long study of the drug, a full fifty percent of the women dropped out of the experiment, mostly from painful unscheduled bleeding or spotting. "But the bleeding usually stops by the fourth month!" an undeterred Dunbar replied, apparently perturbed those ungrateful women couldn't hack it a couple of months longer. But if that wasn't enough, only fifty-nine percent of the women who persevered were not bleeding after six months.

This drug's not-exactly-stellar success rate gives a thinking person much to ponder. If a new food was tested and only fifty-nine percent of its ingesters ate it without getting violently ill, would it not be shelved forever? But the corporate heads of big drug companies and their ally Planned Parenthood do not think like St. James.

They serve Dark Lords, and seek to breed rebels of a devilish cause, who are bred to believe that if pregnancy is an inconvenient truth that can be terminated, the menstrual cycle must be an annoying period that should be eliminated. They seek to hide the end result—death—that James states so clearly.

Fortunately, to date, most of the women surveyed, ranging from Karen Zimmerman (London, Ontario), "It just doesn't seem natural," to Lauren Melnick (Cleveland, Ohio), "I think it sounds odd," to Kelly Knight's (Chicago) decisive, "It's unhealthy ... it's scary," are still sane enough to at least question it. "While I can understand why women [with extreme menstrual bleeding] would take [Lybrel], for most women menstruation is a normal life event—not a medical condition," cautioned University of New Hampshire sociologist Jean Elson. "Why medicate away a normal life event if we are not even sure of the long-term effects?"

But we do know the long-term effects just as surely as James did nearly two thousand years ago. If contraception gives birth to sin, then this sexually sinful mentality gives birth to death; both to the new life—by abortion—and the old—by venereal disease, AIDS (and now) birth control complications. And if you can think of a worse pro-choice lifestyle side effect than eternal damnation, please let me know.

Video: Hillary Clinton With Blessed Mother Teresa

“It is wholly inappropriate, disrespectful and disturbing that Hillary Clinton is using an image of Blessed Mother Teresa as a political tool, especially given their radically different views on abortion. Mother Teresa tirelessly fought to protect unborn children, while Hillary Clinton staunchly supports abortion on demand in all nine months of pregnancy, including partial birth abortion and taxpayer funding of abortion. Out of respect to Mother Teresa, and the Missionaries of Charity strict guidelines for the use of Mother’s image, we call on the Hillary Clinton campaign to immediately remove her image from their campaign video.”
–Fidelis President Joseph Cella

"At approximate 2:26 into the video, the former President says, 'Hillary in effect, was the face of America ... in India' with a photo of Hillary waving alongside Blessed Teresa. The video then goes directly to a clip of the former First Lady’s address at the 1995 Beijing Conference, where a push was made to declare abortion a fundamental 'human right'" (Fidelis, 5-15-07).

Life's Short—Get a Divorce? W.W.P.S. (What Would Preca Say?)

After taking a welcome respite from writing about the weary ways of the world to pen a tribute to Blessed George Preca, I was immediately struck by how a racy head-lined billboard fulfilled the prophecy of what this holy man thought a future faithless world would be like. The featured FGA Law Firm billboard is not only a slap in the face of the sixth commandment, but pretty much 180 degrees (or whatever temperature hell is) from what Jesus taught on the subject of divorce (Matt. 19:3-11).

As for Preca, he lived at a time where the world was just beginning "to be dominated by propaganda and advertisements," and he lamented that, "Catholics are making a great deal of fuss ... [over] shows that never seem to end." Fortunately this Chicago-based billboard (at least thus far) has a happy ending, as Ald. Burton Natarus, the notorious City Council speech-maker who was finally voted out of office after years of discussing such topics as the difference between dog and horse poop and why the latter needs a special ordinance, made removing the ad (on a permit technicality) the last official act of his colorful 36-year career.

Of course, FGA spokeswoman Corri Fetman (pictured) who not only is a lawyer but judging from her fetching pose (and interesting choice of words) apparently approves of this method of "processing" a divorce herself, declares, "They ripped down our billboard without due process ... we own that art ... I feel violated," and plans the obligatory appeal.

Now, if Ms. Fetman and partner Kelly Garland actually were to win their legal challenge and get the billboard put back up, then Blessed Preca's Society would really be necessary. For then, they could put up a sign next to FGA's featuring some hip but modestly dressed "Society" gals and guys pointing to the offending message, saying, "These lost souls were not adequately catechized! Don't lose your head! Join the M.U.S.E.U.M today!" Because in Chicago, a city famous for the Art Institute, Science and Industry and Field Museums, Blessed Preca's M.U.S.E.U.M. still is the one we sorely lack.

I Married a Monkey? Hiasl, Rosi and the "Chimp-ions" of Fate

They say, in many ways, Hiasl (pronounced HEE-zul) is the typical Austrian. He (pictured) likes pastries, enjoys painting, and mellows out in front of the television. However, there is (at least to me) one notable difference between Hiasl and the average Viennese citizen; Hiasl is a chimpanzee. But if animal-rights lawyers have their way, that distinction soon may change ...

Yes, friends, you heard that right. In a case that, sadly, could have global implications, Hiasl's advocates are seeking to get the 26-year-old male chimp legally declared a "person." "Our main argument is that Hiasl is a person and has basic legal rights," says Eberhart Theuer, Hiasl's lawyer and a member of the Association Against Animal Factories." If we can get Hiasl declared a person, he would have the right to own property ..."

Say what? Okay, okay before I go too much further, I will say I have sympathy for the chimp's basic story; captured as an infant and smuggled illegally to Austria in a crate for pharmaceutical experiments, customs officials seized Hiasl and (companion chimp) Rosi and brought them to an animal sanctuary, where they lived happily for the past twenty-five years. But now the shelter is bankrupt and is about to close. Paula Stibbe, a Briton who teaches English in Vienna, has taken a liking to Hiasl and is willing to become his legal guardian. But between food and vet bills, Hiasl costs $6,800 a month to raise (way more than an English teacher makes!) and she would need donations to accomplish the task. Friends of the chimp are willing to pitch in the cash, but in Vienna there's a catch; under Austrian law, only a person can receive personal donations. Thus the rush to "personhood"—if Hiasl isn't declared human soon, he could end up homeless ...

Once again I must take a brief detour. My second job often has me driving down St. Charles Road early Saturday morning usually in time to see the homeless people (who must leave the overnight shelter by 7 a.m.) walking down the street, bundled and carrying all their earthly belongings on their backs. It would be kind of sad to see Hiasl and Rosi in that line ... and yet kind of funny too ...

The reason for my (and hopefully your) mixed reaction is that, while these animal-rights people are quite serious, the story in itself, to any sane person, is quite silly. Put aside from the question of whether $6,800 is best spent supporting one monkey or ten (real) humans; pets are precious, and my being the owner of a dog, three cats and a turtle, I realize that putting a price tag on them is tricky. But surely it would be more logical to change the donation law to include chimpanzees, than to change the definition of human beings to include monkeys. Unfortunately this culture-of-death world is no longer very logical; not only is Theuer threatening to take this case all the way to the European Court of Human Rights, but Spain's parliament is currently considering a similar apes-human rights bill as well.

So there you have it; we all too soon may live in a world where monkeys are considered human but human beings such as unborn babies and ailing old folk are not. And, if the chimp wins his appeal, as a "person," there seems little to prevent Ms. Paula Stibbe from marrying Hiasl—if she were so inclined. But if we were to take this sci-fi scenario one step further, would their unborn baby be legally protected, or would Paula be allowed to abort ... without Hiasl's consent?

On second thought, Hiasl and Rosi, maybe that overnight shelter is not such a bad option after all. At least you could get out while the gettin's still good ...

Hillary Clinton's Comin'! Lord Have Mercy on the Mercy Home

You would think that after the stink created by Archbishop Raymond Burke blasting Sheryl Crow's appearance at a Catholic children's hospital benefit, that promoters would think twice before scheduling a pro-abortion politician to speak at a Catholic children's institution. But that's because YOU are an orthodox Catholic and the souls in charge of said institutions are not.

Not that Mercy Home for Boys and Girls cares about a little (but mighty!) blog like Fighting Irish Thomas, but to me it is just preposterous that a place that bills itself, "A Catholic institution ... that encourages support programs (for troubled youth) that would enable healing," would hire Hillary Clinton, the most notorious pro-abort candidate running for the president of the United States, to raise money. As expected, the pro-life people are pretty much in agreement with FIT. Their comments range from the utterly serious, “The contradiction of the world’s foremost abortion promoter visiting a Catholic children's home called ‘Mercy’ is beyond words. Mrs. Clinton’s visit is a scandal of immense proportions for the local church, but it is also sadly typical of church leaders’ unwillingness to draw the line between good and evil in order to protect people’s faith,” (Father Tom Euteneuer, president, Human Life International)—to the silly/ridiculous, "I would attend ... if there was a dunk tank for Hillary and the tank was filled with saline solution," (Curt Jester)—to a combination of the two, "It may take a village to raise a child, but it doesn't take a pro-abortion senator from New York," (Joe Scheidler, president, Pro-Life Action League).

Meanwhile, Mercy Home (a long-term residence house for troubled/needy youth age 11-21) is saying all the right stuff ... sort of. "We are not endorsing her (presidential) candidacy ... we support the Catholic Church's stand on abortion ... Ms. Clinton is not speaking on abortion, but education," babbled Mercy Home spokesman Mark Schmeltzer in a stream of "politically correct speech." And yet, as political as it sounded, it was NOT correct. When asked about how her appearance contradicts the 2004 U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' document, Catholics in Political Life, which forbids Catholic institutions from permitting pro-abortion speakers, Schmeltzer stammered, "I'm not familiar with it ... I'm not sure if it was discussed ..."

Well, Mark, without further ado, here's what Catholics in Political Life states; "The Catholic community and Catholic institutions should not honour those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles. They should not be given awards, honours or platforms which would suggest support for their actions."

So now the real question becomes not whether you know about the U.S. CCB policy, but whether you will continue to oppose it. Part of the frustration of pro-lifers comes from the fact, as Joe Scheidler states, "We've spoken to the powers to be, and apparently nothing can be done to drop her." And who are these powers? Fr. Scott Donahue, president of Mercy Home, was not even informed of Hillary's booking by its board of directors and apparently did not even hear about it until Scheidler told him. Fr. Scott's bishop, Cardinal Francis George, also heard about Hillary through the grapevine, and "expressed misgivings ... and wanted to be assured it was not a political stop." Meanwhile Beth Kaveny, the Mercy Home leaders' councilwoman who allegedly arranged Ms. Clinton's $150 a plate luncheon (meet-and-greet opportunities with Hillary range from $10,000 to $25,000) remained unavailable for questioning. But her original comment that she was "overjoyed to get such a high-profile speaker for Mercy Home" speaks volumes about how she believes Clinton's policies are cooler than those of a bunch of old bishops, and why the clueless Donahue or the curious George (who being a bishop, not only is aware of but helped write the policy) appear powerless to stop her.

What Donahue should do (besides resign as Mercy Home's president) is open for debate. As for Cardinal George, pro-life folks ask me why he did not take more of a vocal stand a la Archbishop Burke. First of all, Burke was the chairman of the board of SSM Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center, and certainly this forced his hand a little more than Francis'. Secondly, many people who ask this question do not realize that despite Burke's profound protest, the Crow concert took place as planned—and it's promoters called the event "a great success." Personally, I'd like nothing better than 70-year-old polio-victim Cardinal George, who also recently broke his hip, to defy doctor's orders, drag his walker up Mercy Home's stairs, and personally bar Clinton's entrance. Unfortunately, this orthodox but aging shepherd has learned to pick his fights, and the ones he chooses are fewer and fewer.

The real problem is that more and more lapsed (Catholic) lay people or irreligious religious are making their way into positions of power, from the parish level on up. Morally bankrupt fundraising is nothing new; the bingo games, heavily liquored casino nights, or sleazy fashion shows were (are) hardly a holy way to raise parish money. And, although bingo night is largely a thing of the past (praise God!), legalized abortion (not to mention euthanasia and same-sex marriage) has upped the ante considerably, and thus the orthodoxy of lay members on Catholic boards across America is now more important that ever. As for the Clinton "Mercy" appearance scandal, you are welcome to join Joe and his Pro-Life Action League picket-protest outside the luncheon at Chicago Hilton and Towers on South Michigan on Monday, May 7, 11 a.m. (or visit their website at www.prolifeaction.org or call 773-777-2900 for details), or if you are outside the Chicago area, feel free to contact Mercy Home (e-mail: mhinfo@mercyhome.org or call 312-738-7560) to register your "concern."

As for myself, I, like Cardinal George, am getting older, and I think I am finally ready to compromise my position. In fact, I will endorse, and even attend the Clinton fundraising extravaganza as long as they agree to my one condition.

Bring the dunk tank!

The Battle for Life: Burke Shoots Down Crow

Since the Supreme Court's decision to outlaw partial birth abortion this week, the battle for life seems to have intensified one hundred fold. The South Dakota Legislature has voted to make abortion a felony, while states like New York seek to tighten their already deadly pro-abort laws. While FIT is happy to report that most states seem to be moving in the direction of life, we must also sadly note that Mexico, our neighbor to the south, has for the first time since the apparition of Our Lady of Guadalupe, gone back to allowing human sacrifices, voting to legalize abortion during the first twelve weeks of pregnancy. And in the midst of these struggles, an old champion for the right to life, St. Louis Archbishop Raymond Burke, has not only spoken out against the appearance of the very talented pro-abort entertainer Sheryl Crow (pictured at top right) at a benefit for a Catholic medical center in his town, but stepped out by resigning as its chairman of the board when they would not cancel her performance.

“This Saturday, Sheryl Crow is scheduled to perform at the Bob Costas Benefit for the SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center. Ms. Crow is well-known as an abortion activist. She has lent her celebrity status to the promotion of legislation, such as Missouri’s Amendment 2, that creates legal protection for human cloning and the destruction of human beings who are embryos. Her appearance at a fundraising event for Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center is an affront to the identity and mission of the medical center, dedicated as it is to the service of life and Christ’s healing mission.”

Archbishop Burke, of course, would (like Mother Teresa) rather clean toilets than speak out in front of the secular media, and only did so after he first confronted CMC's board of governors and they refused to act in this matter. “When there is a significant risk that others could be led to evil ... I am obliged in justice to act ... When, for economic gain, a Catholic institution associates itself with such a high profile proponent of the destruction of innocent lives, members of the Church and other people of good will have the right to be confirmed in their commitment to the Gospel of Life ... by the one responsible for their spiritual and moral well being."

Since the center's board of governors reiterated that the show will go on, Archbishop Burke asked that his name be removed from any materials promoting the event, and handed in his resignation as chairman of the board of SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center (which was founded by the Archdiocese and is run by the Franciscan Sisters of Mary) effective immediately.

Archbishop Burke, you may recall, previously made the national news when he announced during the 2004 presidential campaign that he would refuse Holy Communion to Senator John Kerry should the situation arise. While St. Francis is no doubt rolling in his grave and Mary is rolling her eyes and shaking her head in heaven over the Franciscan Sisters of Mary's decision to allow this pro-abort performer at their benefit, you can bet those saints are happy they have a man in charge who, like St. Louis himself, is not afraid to lovingly lay down the law for his subjects. Now is the time we must all, like Archbishop Burke, stand and be counted for life, for if we don't, the gains we have made will fail to take root and the dark days predicted in Revelation will soon fall upon the earth. Remember O Most Gracious Virgin Mary ...

JimAroo contributed to this report.

Obama as Jesus: Any Harma in That?

Fresh off the "Chocolate Jesus" saga, the art world has found yet another way to make Our Lord suffer this week, as Chicago's Art Institute student David Cordero unveiled his life-size statue of Senator Barack Obama as—you guessed it—Jesus Christ. The statue, entitled "Blessing" is currently on display at the Institute and is drawing mixed reviews, but, according to Chicago Sun Times columnist and movie critic Richard Roeper, creating little controversy.

While I agree with Roeper that the Obama/Jesus metaphor is somewhat obvious given Barack's media coronation, and while I even go along with his notion that because the bar on outrageous Chicago art has been set so high (for example the 1988 painting "Mirth and Girth" that depicted Chicago's then Mayor Harold Washington dressed in bra, G-string and garter belt) this sculpture would have to show "Obama as Jesus kissing the chocolate Jesus under the approving gazes of Hillary Clinton as the Virgin Mary; Britney Spears as Mary Magdalene; Rudy Giuliani as Joseph; President Bush as Herod, and Sanjaya as the winner of 'American Idol'" to "get people worked up," I cannot agree with our noted critic's conclusion that this renders the statue no longer disturbing.

In fact, it is precisely for the reason that most people are no longer alarmed by such a sculpture that WE should be. The statue not only trivializes Jesus in the same heretical way Islam or Mormonism did by making Jesus into just another prophet, it simultaneously raises Obama to "top prophet" status, for, as Mohammad or Brigham Young would tell you, the latest savior is always the greatest. In reality, Barack's vague, nice-sounding platitudes (which tend to lead to dictatorial control of the downtrodden) are exactly the opposite of Christ's hard-nosed concise teaching of right and wrong, which instead brought lasting mercy to the oppressed.

In high school Science class, I learned that while a frog will leap out of a boiling pot of water if you throw him in, he will sit in lukewarm water that is gradually heated to that same temperature until he is boiled alive. While most U.S. citizens still recoil from the big lie, if we as Catholics continue to let them accept the little ones, one day the big lie will displace the truth and Americans will not know the difference.

Donohue Stops "Chocolate"

Kudos to the Catholic League's Bill Donohue, who was successful in getting Roger Smith Hotel (in midtown Manhattan) to withdraw its controversial "Chocolate Jesus" sculpture exhibit by threatening bad PR and massive Catholic hotel cancellations. The exhibit, which included a nude anatomically-correct all chocolate statue of Christ and contained the words "Come Eat Jesus," mocked the passion of Our Lord and trivialized the Catholic Sacrament of Holy Communion.