Sunday, August 30, 2009
Ronaldo scores from penalty in winning debut
Cristiano Ronaldo,world's most high-priced player, scored his first goal as Real Madrid's new generation of high-priced 'Galacticos' defeated Deportivo La Coruna 3-2 in Saturday's Spanish Primera Division opening.
Ronaldo scored from a penalty, but Real opening came from Raul and a final goal from Diarra to break down the opposition of Deportivo, who came from behind twice and almost spoiled the fiesta in the Santiago Bernabeu.
Usain Bolt took part in a ceremonial kick off celebrating the start of the Spanish league at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium.
Friday, August 28, 2009
It started with the rush to the keyboards and microphones: "Attention everyone: Kennedy was a good Catholic as well as being a good Liberal"
Here's an incomplete list of what I am talking about:
Abortion rights stance drew criticism, but work embodied teachings: Boston Globe, Michael Paulson
I think the yardstick being used here is that Kennedy was successful in exploiting his Catholic identity to achieve his liberal political agenda. There's a certain tone of admiration and triumph that he wasn't officially criticized by the Church and never denied the platform when he sought it to speak as a Catholic.
What would I believe a good Catholic politician would do? It isn't a matter of taking orders from a bishop but letting the teachings of the Church permeate how you think and act. Why? Because Catholics believe that the Church speaks for Christ, and especially so when it declares an intersection between important universal moral teaching and public policy.
The "Kennedy is a good Catholic" advocates either ignore this or respond -- "look at the whole man".
This could be your standard or mine, but it not God's. Cardinal O'Connor made the point to several New York politicians, that sanctions from the Church were secondary to the peril that you risk ones own salvation by advancing, even in a remote way, the murder of the unborn. I would be moved by that.
The "Good Catholic" label given by pro-choice liberals may be permanently retired. Born in 1932, Kennedy may have been the last politician who sought and who had a distinct appeal to Catholics. The Catholic voting bloc doesn't exist in 2009. As political creatures, we are all assimilated now into the American voter. Partly because of demographics and partly because what might be called an "Catholic agenda" can't be identified apart from the "Democratic Party agenda" apart from the right to life issues. The threat of losing its tax exempt status is the muzzle stifling the Church's voice.
Many questions come up and when the Church has a clear teaching on a serious moral matter, I withhold the "good Catholic" label from the politician who opposes and undermines it. It's no longer about Ted Kennedy now. He exists in eternity now without rank, money, or privilege but in God's mercy. It is about us and whether we can, as Catholics, pull the voting levers for Catholics who promote a disregard for the culture of life, and can justify that choice as we appear before the same merciful God who has judged the late Senator.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Senator Kennedy came to my parish
It was the year he was serious about running for President of the United States -- 1980 -- President Carter was running for reelection but he first needed the nomination of the Democratic Party. (details on the Wikipedia). Kennedy (then 48) was known for being a Senator (appointed in 1962 at the Constitutional minimum age of 30), for Chappaquiddick in which Mary Jo Kopechne died in mysterious circumstances, and for a Roger Mudd interview where he fumbled the question "Why do you want to be President?"
All of the early primaries were won by Carter but as 1980 progressed, people thought he was not handling the economy and Iran hostage crisis well. There was high unemployment, high interest rates, and all over the globe, the power and influence of the Soviet Union was growing.
Kennedy confidently came to New York, to Queens, to Woodside, to the SE corner of 58th Street and Roosevelt Ave. to Sunday Mass at St. Sebastian. I was 26, and married a year, and I shook the Senator's hand, along with many other Woodsiders on the week of the New York primary. He won New York, but that was Kennedy's peak, and by the time of the convention Carter had a surge. Kennedy never again sought the Presidency.
This undated photo of Mother Teresa and Senator Kennedy was taken in India.
Taking a step back, the liberal Catholic love for Kennedy is no surprise. The surprise is burying his pro-abortion record in pieces targeted towards Catholics. The related surprise is the intensity of the attacks on pro-life Catholics who point out the plain fact that Kennedy was pro-abortion.
Patrick Madrid's Response to Sr. Maureen Fiedler
Shared via AddThis
Pat Madrid has written what I feel. I will have more to say about the late Senator later.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Where did the idea of "positive rights" enforceable by law become popular with the Catholic Church?
It takes some capital and labor to provide health care, education, clothing, food, shelter. These are essential for all, and the purpose of alms is to make a provision for people unable to purchase from their own wealth to obtain them.
I can understand committed socialists like Obama to advocate nationalization of health care as consistent with federal control of the economic life and liberty on the installment plan -- but why has the Church been so enthusiastic to embrace a federal bureaucracy -- one committed to promoting abortion, euthanasia, cloning, and rationing of health care.
I know ACORN is funded by the Campaign for Human Development which in turn is funded by donations collected at Mass from Church-going Catholics, but that's not even a significant part of the Church. Yet it seems all of the agencies of the Church with involvement in health care and the alleviation of poverty are on board with Obamacare and "positive rights".
Saturday, August 22, 2009
GENELIA D'SOUZA PROFILE:
Genelia D’Souza is going to have a lonely Valentine’s day, as the beautiful actress has no body in her life.
She says, “I’m pretty much like Aditi from ‘Jaane Tu…’. There’s no one in my life. I’m even shooting on Valentine’s Day.”
Genelia who will now be seen a Hindi remake of successful Telugu flick Bommerilu (also starring Genelia) opposite Hurman Baweja.
Ask her if she had any second thoughts before working with Hurman and she says, “I would not like to comment on that but I just hope my film does really well”.
Vivek Oberoi
Name: Vivek Oberoi
Born: Vivek Anand Oberoi
Date Of Birth: September 3, 1976 (1976-09-03) (age 31)
Hyderabad, India
Oberoi made his debut in Ram Gopal Varma's Company. The film was a critically acclaimed hit and his performance was applauded. He received Filmfare Awards in the Best Debut as well as the Best Supporting Actor category. He then starred in the action films, Road and Dum, in which his performance was appreciated.
He starred alongside Rani Mukerji in Yash Raj Films Saathiya (2002) directed by Shaad Ali. The film was critically and commercially successful and Vivek gained many accolades. He received Best Actor nominations at various award functions. He also starred in the comic film Masti (2004) with Aftab Shivdasani and Ritesh Deshmukh "" The film in spite of negative reviews became a surprise box office hit. He also starred in the critically acclaimed film Yuva, in which he was very much appreciated for his performance. His 2005 release Kaal (2005) was also successful.
In 2006, he appeared in Omkara an adaptation of Shakespeare's play Othello which was critically acclaimed in India as well as overseas. He played the character of Kesu based on the character Michael Cassio in the original play.
In 2007, he won acclaim for his role as the gangster Maya Dolas in the multi-starred Shootout at Lokhandwala. At first the movie seemed an average film along with another movie Cheeni Kum but later both movies turned out to be superhits on the same day. Vivek got Star of the Year Awards for Shootout at Lokhandwala,in Stardust Awards from his father Suresh Oberoi(for first time)Also Vivek obeori was awarded best IIFA awards Best Villain Awards for Shootout at Lokhandwala.
Personal life
Oberoi was previously engaged to model Gurpreet Gill but the engagement was broken. Soon after, he dated actress Aishwarya Rai but broke up since 2006.Oberoi is active in volunteer work. He sponsored a village after the Indian Ocean Tsunami. He also released Tanya Khubchandani and Sandeep Chowta's government approved anti substance abuse documentary
Hrithik Roshan
Real Name: Hrithik Roshanlal Nagrath
Nickname: Duggu, Bolunath
Born: Jan 10th, 1974
Birth Place: Mumbai, Maharastra, India
Nationality: Indian
Zodiac Sign: Capricorn
Religion: Hindu
Height: 6'0" or 1.84 m
Weight: 74 kgs
Lives In: Mumbai
Address: Mayur, Tilak Road, Santa Cruz (W), Mumbai 400 054
Occupation: Actor
Marital status: Married
Family:
Mother: Pinky Roshan
Father: Rakesh Roshan
Siblings: sister Sunaina
Spouse: Suzanne Roshan Khan
Children: Son Rehaan
Education: B.COM
Languages Known: Hindi, urdu, English
Favorites:
color: Black
Actors: Amitabh Bachchan, Raj Kapoor and Sylvester Stallone
Actresses: Madhubala, Madhuri Dixit, Kajol, Julia Roberts, Helen Hunt
Films: Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai, Sholay, Pretty Woman, When Harry met Sally
Dish: Indian food
Pet Animal: Persian cat
Hobbies: Daily Exercise and Watching Movies
Other facts: Has two thumbs on his right hand that are grown together
Cristiano Ronaldo's T-shirt
Who took Cristiano Ronaldo's desirable T-shirt after Real Madrid's friendly versus D.C. United at FedEx Field? Seemingly, Firaol Tamire, a 12 year old teenager from Thomas Jefferson Gymnasium in Arlington,who escorted Ronaldo to the arena prior to beginning. Aft the match, rather than switching T-shirt with a DCU player, "Ronaldo found me, gave me a hug and then gave me his game jersey," Firaol stated, accordant to Arlington Soccer Association. "That was the most exciting day of my life. I will never forget it as long as I live."
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Sunday, August 16, 2009
District 9 Review:
"District 9" is a rare thing. A Sci-Fi thriller that all some all-around appeal. It is original and the closest we've come to an alien mass population arriving on earth that doesn't end in extinction is "Alien Nation"(1988). I love a little misdirection in the exposition and this has a great deal, while not holding back who the aliens are. The setup draws you in, it doesn't have a big Hollywood star to reveal the cards held by the director, so the main character takes a while to emerge. Within its own world, everything that happens seems plausible, the character's motivations seem to make sense and the acting is sincere, all of which draws you into caring what happens to the aliens. It has the messianic plot structure of the Matrix but has a clear resolution. The special effects are great. The whole thing is not shot in the documentary style so there are no continuity issues. Like I said at the start: tech, plot, and character you care about. I will want to go to "District 10."
Update: Slate has a take on the anti-corporate theme in District 9. (Shades of Alien, Iron Man, etc.)
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Mom wants twin fetuses recognized as children: Boston Herald
A Vermont woman whose 6-month-old twin fetuses died after a car crashed into the family van wants them to be legally recognized as children, which is not the case under current state law.
Think of laws which hold harmless the death of an unborn child in circumstances which otherwise would be homicide if the child were born as a protective moat outside of fortress abortion which must be crossed eventually.
Such laws are rightly feared by pro-aborts because it causes people who haven't been paying attention to look up and see the slippery slope that has been descended.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
By Anthony Stevens-Arroyo
Is It a Sin to Listen to Rush?
At this point of the 21st Century, Rush Limbaugh occupies a unique place. Locating him on the radio dial, however, is easier than identifying whether he is head of the Republican Party, news broadcaster, or entertainer. That ambiguity raises the question: Is it a sin to listen to Rush?
The column could be called Alinsky's America:
His evidence of Rush's racism, sexism, etc. is nonsense. Anthony isn't informing us about any aspect of Rush's bio we didn't already know. The blogger is only demonstrating his own hypocrisy. Rush's real crime is fidelity to conservative principles and outstanding success as a broadcaster. God bless you, Rush.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Friday, August 7, 2009
Christian Today: and Medieval News:
Performance Art
The post also uses the correct word "celebrate" for this Mass.
Also: University of York
It's not religion -- connecting man to God -- it's archeology -- connecting man to the physical artifacts of his past.
PhD student Eleanor McCullough pieced together the Mass used in York churches in the 14th Century based on manuscripts from the period held by York Minster and the Bodleian Library.
This may well be the first time that a York Lady Mass has been reconstructed and performed from the medieval manuscripts here in York since the Reformation.
It will be used in a special ceremony on Saturday 18 July at All Saints Church North Street, in York, to celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of North Street.
Real Madrid on tour in the North America
Los Merengues landed in Toronto, Canada for their North American tour and with players like Kaka, Raul Albiol and Xabi Alonso, all of whom have yet to debut in the famous white shirt, in the squad, coach Manuel Pellegrini will be able to begin the process of fine-tuning his first XI.
AS reported, Real Madrid and Pellegrini are not obligated by the contract of their tour to field all their mega star signings but the Chilean trainer even so is anticipated to summon, for the first time, the Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka and Karim Benzema attacking Trinity.
The Canadian Press quoted Manuel Pellegrini telling reporters.
“It’s also about having the opportunity to have the new players adapt to each other, get to meld and have the right understanding of the players on the field, as well as start practising new tactics and the new way of play Real Madrid will be showing in the upcoming season,”
Real Madrid team training in Canada before friendly soccer match against Toronto FC.
Real Madrid training pictures