tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80990993449031000722024-03-17T23:04:10.903-04:00A Follower of FrancisThese are the reflections of a Secular Franciscan. I look not only at my own spiritual journey, but also at issues of life, economic and social justice, morality, the arts, and more through the lens of Franciscan Spirituality.A Secular Franciscanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09184259228282290040noreply@blogger.comBlogger2634125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099099344903100072.post-54272639102921807292024-03-16T19:17:00.000-04:002024-03-16T19:17:18.483-04:00Prayers Every Catholic Should Memorize?<div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">From </span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Catholic Vote - </span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />Shelby Bland on March 15, 2024<br /><br /><br />Prayers Every Catholic Should Memorize<br /><br /><br />Almost all of us know some rote prayers. The one we pray before taking a road trip asking our guardian angels to watch over us. Or the one we pray during Mass as we join our voices with the rest of the congregation, asking the Father to forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who have trespassed against us.<br /><br />But those prayers only scratch the surface! <br /><br />How many prayers do we actually know by heart? Likely fewer than we think. CatholicVote has compiled a list of prayers you may be familiar with but not really know. We challenge you to memorize these prayers as we all strive to pray without ceasing.<br /><br />The ‘Memorare’<br /><br /><br />Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.<br /><br />The Jesus Prayer<br /><br /><br />Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy upon me, a sinner<br /><br />Morning Offering<br /><br /><br />O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer you my prayers, works, joys, and sufferings of this day, in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world. I offer them for all the intentions of your Sacred Heart; the salvation of souls, reparation for sin, the reunion of Christians; and in particular for the intentions of the Holy Father. Amen.<br /><br />St. Michael Prayer<br /><br /><br />St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him we humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly host, by the power of God, cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls.<br />Amen.<br /><br />Eternal Rest<br /><br /><br />Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,<br />and let perpetual light shine upon them.<br />May they rest in peace. Amen.<br /><br />Hail Holy Queen<br /><br /><br />Hail, holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn, then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us; and after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary. Pray for us, O most holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.<br /><br />Anima Christi<br /><br /><br />Soul of Christ, sanctify me.<br />Body of Christ, save me.<br />Blood of Christ, inebriate me.<br />Water from the side of Christ, wash me.<br />Passion of Christ, strengthen me.<br />O good Jesus, hear me.<br />Within your wounds hide me.<br />Never permit me to be parted from you.<br />From the evil Enemy defend me.<br />At the hour of my death call me<br />and bid me come to you,<br />that with your Saints I may praise you<br />for age upon age.<br />Amen.<br /><br />Nicene Creed<br /><br /><br />I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible.<br /><br />I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages. God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end.<br /><br />I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets.<br /><br />I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.<br /><br />Apostles’ Creed<br /><br /><br />I believe in God,<br />the Father almighty,<br />Creator of heaven and earth,<br />and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,<br />who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,<br />born of the Virgin Mary,<br />suffered under Pontius Pilate,<br />was crucified, died and was buried;<br />he descended into hell;<br />on the third day he rose again from the dead;<br />he ascended into heaven,<br />and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty;<br />from there he will come to judge the living and the dead.<br />I believe in the Holy Spirit,<br />the holy catholic Church,<br />the communion of saints,<br />the forgiveness of sins,<br />the resurrection of the body,<br />and life everlasting.<br />Amen.<br /><br />Pax et bonum</span>A Secular Franciscanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09184259228282290040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099099344903100072.post-62572987535668120972024-03-11T09:24:00.000-04:002024-03-11T09:24:21.221-04:00Christian Movie Awards<div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Academy Awards were last night. I didn't watch. To be honest, I didn't care as I had seen none of the nominated films. Plus, the program tends to run late, tends to be overly political, and tends to be kind of boring.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">When I go to the movies, I prefer ones reflecting Christian values or with uplifting themes, like <i>Sound of Freedom</i> or <i>The Blind</i>.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">But I was curious if there were any organizations that give awards for the kinds of movies I actually watch and enjoy.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">A quick search online surfaced the Crown Awards of International Christian Visual Media.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Among the 2023 winners were:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Best Picture <i>Sound of Freedom</i><br /><br />Best Theatrical Release Gold Crown Award <i>Sound of Freedom</i><br /><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Best Evangelistic Film Gold Crown Award <i>Jesus Revolution </i><br /><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Best Actor Female Gold Crown Winner Anna Grace Barlow as Cathe in <i>Jesus Revolution </i><br /><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Best Actor Male Gold Crown Winner Jonathan Roumie as Lonnie in <i>Jesus Revolution </i><i><br /></i></span><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">I actually saw both <i>Sound of Freedom</i> and <i>Jesus Revolution</i>!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">The other 2023 winners and nominees can be found <a href="https://www.icvm.com/2023-crown-award-winners">here</a>.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Curious, I looked back at some of the earlier best movies.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;">2022: <i>Sight</i><br />2021: <i>Sabina - Tortured for Christ, The Nazi Years</i><br />2020: <i>When We Last Spoke</i><br />2019: <i>The Least of These: The Graham Staines Story</i><br />2018: <i>The Case for Christ</i><br />2017 <i>Because of Gracia</i><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Okay, I have to confess I'm not familiar with these previous winners. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">But it is nice to know producers of movies and television with Christian themes can actually get some recognition. </span></div><div><br /></div>Pax et bonum</div>A Secular Franciscanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09184259228282290040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099099344903100072.post-80563824320728526512024-03-08T21:05:00.001-05:002024-03-08T21:11:28.532-05:00Dickens Goal Met<div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEimod25OWvaeR95WE2zrI33o4UH9H7TJKf2B8ACU778bkYHKxkWeP9qDbAwDq98vhifghwxqaKAtdUhlBCriclidNhaDBkLbEXpI08bAZBNcFgJ2zUEbAJ8tHXdCPdxz4KzzDsab1SQFqA1ox3spa9Jf_LiRiv4k1RHe_IGCDHXx0vvB_FGATUOklVE5Ro" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="457" data-original-width="600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEimod25OWvaeR95WE2zrI33o4UH9H7TJKf2B8ACU778bkYHKxkWeP9qDbAwDq98vhifghwxqaKAtdUhlBCriclidNhaDBkLbEXpI08bAZBNcFgJ2zUEbAJ8tHXdCPdxz4KzzDsab1SQFqA1ox3spa9Jf_LiRiv4k1RHe_IGCDHXx0vvB_FGATUOklVE5Ro" width="315" /></a></div><br />I<span style="font-family: inherit;"> just finished <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>The Old Curiosity Shop</i> by Charles Dickens, hence completing my goal of reading at least one Dickens book this year.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">I enjoyed the book, and now I finally know all about Nell, the public reaction to whose death had become almost legendary.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">I could tell it was an earlier Dickens, but it was still a good read. Some memorable characters, and quite a few plot twists.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">I might read another Dickens this year, but right now I have other reading goals to meet. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Just taking a break for some lighter fictional fare. </span></span></div><div><br /></div>Pax et bonumA Secular Franciscanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09184259228282290040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099099344903100072.post-12715368568627833852024-03-05T13:00:00.001-05:002024-03-05T13:00:22.415-05:00Episode 9: St. Robert Southwell | The Authority with Joseph Pearce<iframe width="480" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/8VGrwETTKOc?si=XLUx-phZ0THCjvE6" frameborder="0"></iframe>A Secular Franciscanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09184259228282290040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099099344903100072.post-32070292581873950142024-03-05T12:52:00.001-05:002024-03-05T12:52:21.373-05:00Robert Southwell and the Revitalization of English Writing<iframe width="480" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/mpg6tEQEbJc?si=06pZ9OdAVUqff_Wd" frameborder="0"></iframe>A Secular Franciscanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09184259228282290040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099099344903100072.post-1231390464523391592024-03-03T20:36:00.000-05:002024-03-03T20:36:09.440-05:00Santa's Diary Progress<div><br /></div><div>Now up to more than 28,000 in my Santa book. The latest entries involve dwarfs.</div><div><br /></div><div>And I'm up to March 15. </div><div><br /></div><div>Pleased ... but I need to focus more on it.</div><div><br /></div><div>I came across someone who had a challenge of a thousand words a day. Yikes. I would fail that challenged.</div><div><br /></div><div>In other writing news, submitted three haiku to a contest. Well see.</div><div><br /></div><div>Pax et bonum</div>A Secular Franciscanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09184259228282290040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099099344903100072.post-40010958591561911322024-02-29T11:32:00.001-05:002024-02-29T11:33:05.337-05:00I'm Not Erma Bombeck<div><br /></div><div>Back in my youth the local newspaper would have two pages of editorials, columns, political cartoons, and letters to the editor. I devoured those pages - particularly the columns. My two favorite columnists Sydney Harris and Art Buchwald. Alas, those days are gone - as are they.</div><div><br /></div><div>One very popular columnist during those days was Erma Bombeck, though her columns were often put in the feature pages. I'll be honest; as a young man, I was not as interested in columns about being a housewife, raising children, living in the suburbs, losing socks, and so on. But I did read her occasionally, and appreciated her talent and sense of humor.</div><div><br /></div><div>I recently came across an article about her, and I read a few of her collected columns</div><div><br /></div><div>They reminded me of some of my own parenting experiences with three daughters.</div><div><br /></div><div>The time youngest daughters decided to create a snowstorm using baby powder in the nursery. We were finding powder in books, clothes, and the ceiling light for weeks after.</div><div><br /></div><div>Or the time the girls were taking a bath together and youngest daughter pooped in the tub. Oldest daughter scaled the side of the tub like a screaming spider.</div><div><br /></div><div>Or the time at Mass oldest daughter needed a diaper change and discovering that we'd forgotten to resupply the diapers in the diaper bag, so she finished the Mass wearing my handkerchief.</div><div><br /></div><div>Or the many grammar school concerts when some of the musicians actually hit the intended notes.</div><div><br /></div><div>Or the many cold, snowy nights Christmas caroling door-to-door with their Girl Scout troop.</div><div><br /></div><div>Or telling them every night a bedtime story (The Trunk Story) I was making up with them as characters, borrowing liberally from every children's book and myth I'd ever read or heard. </div><div><br /></div><div>Or the many nights long after bed time growling up the stairs, "I can hear you."</div><div><br /></div><div>Or the even more middle-of-the-nights holding a crying child while rocking and rocking and sleepily singing "Hush little baby, don't say a word...." </div><div><br /></div><div>Or the other many moments of raising three daughters, now grown women living in their own homes.</div><div><br /></div><div>Looking back, I realize I had had plenty of material for writing could have written columns like Bombeck's, only from the dad's point of view. Alas, I didn't I wasn't Erma. </div><div><br /></div><div>Oh, I could still write columns today about having an empty nest, or growing older, or deaing with a new-fangled technical world. Car problems. Dental woes. Noisy neighbors. Realizing the Golden Oldies station is playing songs I used (and sometimes still do) own. Finding all the craft projects and home-made cards created for Father's Day. Being on hold and listening to the same endless tune. Dog adventures while walking around the neighborhood. </div><div><br /></div><div>And then, there's always missing socks. </div><div><br /></div><div>Pax et bonum</div>A Secular Franciscanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09184259228282290040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099099344903100072.post-35316568358005938282024-02-29T08:03:00.000-05:002024-02-29T08:03:15.675-05:00Bible Traces of the Catholic Church<div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhBss-n45EHPpH3SdGnZyrYKCEvBHT8qSfP_0MKnZmt2bjyODuXEq4H7W681IUfS4dTaXrYgsweqqfN6Nvw6AUuFkLLiYWxmrokeQtI5cMXrLZYkfCRSPnGp1cDp-RDjzUh6S1RKubyzYqDkM8DizOxr_-Hhxv7tDbF9OqQaqv1RMkhOTD7WyEUBLGxCyA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1392" data-original-width="1080" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhBss-n45EHPpH3SdGnZyrYKCEvBHT8qSfP_0MKnZmt2bjyODuXEq4H7W681IUfS4dTaXrYgsweqqfN6Nvw6AUuFkLLiYWxmrokeQtI5cMXrLZYkfCRSPnGp1cDp-RDjzUh6S1RKubyzYqDkM8DizOxr_-Hhxv7tDbF9OqQaqv1RMkhOTD7WyEUBLGxCyA=w375-h484" width="375" /></a></div><br /><br /></div>Pax et bonumA Secular Franciscanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09184259228282290040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099099344903100072.post-64133015813727579232024-02-27T06:11:00.001-05:002024-02-27T06:11:18.011-05:00A Human Being With Great Potential<div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjLKlVl9q9T1REsnD2-7JRFkbpPdVzHT4ARN5SzATCOjWLO-sF1usNQHPbHD-RFxuqCBT-NkQJz84HBUgSF1uZWR5oBSyZLK639VGGIXBwSiEwhUhtmFsHQu6Z3XHl1xZGK4lXmnGPq-t6K0F-uIBChMYuDIBzkgsMdyHXP_LTdyy61RjdbqzmX7ICVwms" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="435" data-original-width="679" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjLKlVl9q9T1REsnD2-7JRFkbpPdVzHT4ARN5SzATCOjWLO-sF1usNQHPbHD-RFxuqCBT-NkQJz84HBUgSF1uZWR5oBSyZLK639VGGIXBwSiEwhUhtmFsHQu6Z3XHl1xZGK4lXmnGPq-t6K0F-uIBChMYuDIBzkgsMdyHXP_LTdyy61RjdbqzmX7ICVwms=w404-h259" width="404" /></a></div><br />Pax et bonum</div>A Secular Franciscanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09184259228282290040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099099344903100072.post-89981138997965104182024-02-24T19:55:00.003-05:002024-02-24T20:12:38.300-05:00Stand Together For Life (February 24, 2024)<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhErWYg6lv-9Vr-SBq1BlNmY_qyVVU4eCEvNayvQbZqiFW2KiljbhZCuXbBw2wcO78hzCXm9rWH53GoJISsnH-HUXHr3ZfVTszUGJGHoVmV7TchH1g_W4KCnycdBca67LxCc741e8KyX7zxa66kNEUiLnZag1mobUjLKw4N-wze7_xBI7x0lGsISuG3rHk/s4912/crowd.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1522" data-original-width="4912" height="99" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhErWYg6lv-9Vr-SBq1BlNmY_qyVVU4eCEvNayvQbZqiFW2KiljbhZCuXbBw2wcO78hzCXm9rWH53GoJISsnH-HUXHr3ZfVTszUGJGHoVmV7TchH1g_W4KCnycdBca67LxCc741e8KyX7zxa66kNEUiLnZag1mobUjLKw4N-wze7_xBI7x0lGsISuG3rHk/s320/crowd.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>More than 50 people braved the near zero windchill to take part in the February 23, 2024, Stand Together for Life. Catholics and Protestants gathered together in front of Rochester's Planned Parenthood headquarters to pray, sing, hear speakers, and witness. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDINmZX-oC1SYYc3qrV90Z8HdgmYxC49L8UYfQToZJJ-_92ZAa1QB-p83S2KNqsX5gfSOHyVPUaDyHKJ9YJtucFgDx1oWBxBmuQ42LWEXSC46GHvxm3pIcj93wFF4MQvq8hwf6tfWXzTUuqhUVV42CFEKyqqgEZA4Rq2CUEvBc7qbI54IWmU3QrjmnTHs/s2598/Fatehr%20Tony%20with%20gifts.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2598" data-original-width="2314" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDINmZX-oC1SYYc3qrV90Z8HdgmYxC49L8UYfQToZJJ-_92ZAa1QB-p83S2KNqsX5gfSOHyVPUaDyHKJ9YJtucFgDx1oWBxBmuQ42LWEXSC46GHvxm3pIcj93wFF4MQvq8hwf6tfWXzTUuqhUVV42CFEKyqqgEZA4Rq2CUEvBc7qbI54IWmU3QrjmnTHs/s320/Fatehr%20Tony%20with%20gifts.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">They heard a talk by Father Anthony Mugavero, OFS, that included a warning about the very-pro-abortion New York Equal Protection of Law Amendment that will be on the ballot this November.. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaf2e896Q79WC44htsmXXWQ0dWe3iM0zADR1RxZscNC-KQF-NDblEvBsOasXa9BTUpIWghKc0z4rScrNmtsnEkeHmPoji7DPxw08vrtiZNKryFwcIkR25mWOFZRY3v_OSnckT9XdjeywAej-10F53jEh9dtsTssl6l1dBULj8Q4_p66iM070AwnikEfHI/s3503/cross%20with%20donations.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="3503" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaf2e896Q79WC44htsmXXWQ0dWe3iM0zADR1RxZscNC-KQF-NDblEvBsOasXa9BTUpIWghKc0z4rScrNmtsnEkeHmPoji7DPxw08vrtiZNKryFwcIkR25mWOFZRY3v_OSnckT9XdjeywAej-10F53jEh9dtsTssl6l1dBULj8Q4_p66iM070AwnikEfHI/s320/cross%20with%20donations.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There was a small collection of infant items for Focus Pregnancy Help Center.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCQ8xQTsJU-A8aMYdi9JebTQMql5CXKCeB-L50jELBZAKtQ6hh6QIHDI5PxGYKH-IzeXnUHEu01oUKeMX1MfLjZhQs0-2gasWEGwGBb-zBwEd6ZWI94FHTacigTMFopQSU0JVR0zhcESF_f2X-NjX8JV-sLAtA8tpNlMc7TkaXVAvF_XXEYLqjKrzTywk/s5481/Dan%20singing.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3405" data-original-width="5481" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCQ8xQTsJU-A8aMYdi9JebTQMql5CXKCeB-L50jELBZAKtQ6hh6QIHDI5PxGYKH-IzeXnUHEu01oUKeMX1MfLjZhQs0-2gasWEGwGBb-zBwEd6ZWI94FHTacigTMFopQSU0JVR0zhcESF_f2X-NjX8JV-sLAtA8tpNlMc7TkaXVAvF_XXEYLqjKrzTywk/s320/Dan%20singing.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Music was provided by Dan Celso.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZshRsLvhLy6qK_PqcnzbPjv2xWI5OAV0ZaE__ZVtjVNJfQJr1xUEjdfb_Zem1MebijRmxmOe9VJTqVeOCuCSur6Z80_1lPq-EyXqajTRp2rycnf2adrRrBZEyM83VnweiloJPwqjqDusOZmVq5DombSPAQ2z3pywH0qYMJ1DV_c3Pu7NYpi6dGx0LMcM/s4003/Van.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2666" data-original-width="4003" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZshRsLvhLy6qK_PqcnzbPjv2xWI5OAV0ZaE__ZVtjVNJfQJr1xUEjdfb_Zem1MebijRmxmOe9VJTqVeOCuCSur6Z80_1lPq-EyXqajTRp2rycnf2adrRrBZEyM83VnweiloJPwqjqDusOZmVq5DombSPAQ2z3pywH0qYMJ1DV_c3Pu7NYpi6dGx0LMcM/s320/Van.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We also got to see the ultrasound van purchased with pro-life funds to provide an alternative to Planned Parenthood.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKqlB2515l3igt1p2Y0hRM-S7Y-gMVKeUztPZMO0-OmbVb81Ntx5Bk2cdSuwE0fvG4dHDM2QfeGfBN6tf_CH76SYLOBysyO_W9Gq-NDGbnGeVR9QoIBpaSPaxD8HGxd-g8FycUsVhnT40AENXTBLGACbvw1bUeOA3ohhCfp2hderpnSRv-tZAPD2gfrLk/s2671/balloons2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2158" data-original-width="2671" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKqlB2515l3igt1p2Y0hRM-S7Y-gMVKeUztPZMO0-OmbVb81Ntx5Bk2cdSuwE0fvG4dHDM2QfeGfBN6tf_CH76SYLOBysyO_W9Gq-NDGbnGeVR9QoIBpaSPaxD8HGxd-g8FycUsVhnT40AENXTBLGACbvw1bUeOA3ohhCfp2hderpnSRv-tZAPD2gfrLk/s320/balloons2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB0H3RYCYsaU1cbVMJ3RF2B2xes4S0-2HOKPifhE05_UCbjxLmL4mvP4cZdIXHjBEAak6qeVOR-Q0pvmFsSCmAVuYtFuJxjZhcyJrFWb7aWL_QJqQw0hbbpCGFylnMEg4X1SeOOoXvTDqUOCmTJMnfzhhNpINOQ0LhkTv0RnDCv3l3msG47OsNr-aYaz4/s3322/two%20women.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3322" data-original-width="2509" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB0H3RYCYsaU1cbVMJ3RF2B2xes4S0-2HOKPifhE05_UCbjxLmL4mvP4cZdIXHjBEAak6qeVOR-Q0pvmFsSCmAVuYtFuJxjZhcyJrFWb7aWL_QJqQw0hbbpCGFylnMEg4X1SeOOoXvTDqUOCmTJMnfzhhNpINOQ0LhkTv0RnDCv3l3msG47OsNr-aYaz4/s320/two%20women.jpg" width="242" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhpEVMwptq82eE9-1pXnRS2356T4RAQ8FBMNoCdjFDQ8NvJ4D4Qj93OaA9hDglYrTg17ra2PvmgUFW3XC7ciOfjuaq34s_AyB0T5PCc5wMdefcv0VjRHaDmoEKjqc_0JFjBoZ_mY-ZK7_Cnudir2rBRD74ykQ6yKwMeiFQBu0yQgkSY6JATwWnhrMx5dvg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhpEVMwptq82eE9-1pXnRS2356T4RAQ8FBMNoCdjFDQ8NvJ4D4Qj93OaA9hDglYrTg17ra2PvmgUFW3XC7ciOfjuaq34s_AyB0T5PCc5wMdefcv0VjRHaDmoEKjqc_0JFjBoZ_mY-ZK7_Cnudir2rBRD74ykQ6yKwMeiFQBu0yQgkSY6JATwWnhrMx5dvg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhD9xCMNRr-1LXsquQd80Gf7F06nGxYsaigBhZuOQK-3xyH9rgs7MfaumXzWl-LInyoR9ZXawbHhSVSDYrHTwePQAhjC3R0FuW2IuBGdubSYW8PFH-qTBRa5I2a1E4z8-dNGeMuUK-ezOQArGFIADV4_C80y7HmIAm9qKJ2SWMzBCQx4w9-pKPD19OfLBg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3932" data-original-width="5956" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhD9xCMNRr-1LXsquQd80Gf7F06nGxYsaigBhZuOQK-3xyH9rgs7MfaumXzWl-LInyoR9ZXawbHhSVSDYrHTwePQAhjC3R0FuW2IuBGdubSYW8PFH-qTBRa5I2a1E4z8-dNGeMuUK-ezOQArGFIADV4_C80y7HmIAm9qKJ2SWMzBCQx4w9-pKPD19OfLBg" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjzCyLUXV2e4VuJ3dU8DcOcQOF3KaWQ0GSA76JRUijH47iXgCr2T_D6yM_Jew0rhkUlyucDwYNhUItXr3vTmNrEklJbZDe9cGMEBVef-LF9rFDuxQXedj_0tTuEiFbRtRYmCEO-ZqFQ9onRDUlPX87XhKzfT_69uq14YNsQtCO_kkzCp7FugrZqha199Sc" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2624" data-original-width="4737" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjzCyLUXV2e4VuJ3dU8DcOcQOF3KaWQ0GSA76JRUijH47iXgCr2T_D6yM_Jew0rhkUlyucDwYNhUItXr3vTmNrEklJbZDe9cGMEBVef-LF9rFDuxQXedj_0tTuEiFbRtRYmCEO-ZqFQ9onRDUlPX87XhKzfT_69uq14YNsQtCO_kkzCp7FugrZqha199Sc" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div>Pax et bonum</div>A Secular Franciscanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09184259228282290040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099099344903100072.post-22710698431247859952024-02-21T20:58:00.003-05:002024-02-21T20:59:41.626-05:00Tree (Outside the Chapel)<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA_tBi5bMr5lheGl66-XtZWKbXxOwL5OR16h7vqrwsgIiG8ZbkXTfanE_IYWsbYk9EcPCTf4IGxd7FB-9KDHVff-phPrBcHsN3m28hV2mruNgy6RSHhe0cwRMm0vtyMsMXcKELjuaAEg7RZ5WarH-axqiXeKBP4megsJVbIA9rhtpZQ4hHbztWkpKThC4/s4211/tree%20b%20and%20w.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4211" data-original-width="2790" height="487" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA_tBi5bMr5lheGl66-XtZWKbXxOwL5OR16h7vqrwsgIiG8ZbkXTfanE_IYWsbYk9EcPCTf4IGxd7FB-9KDHVff-phPrBcHsN3m28hV2mruNgy6RSHhe0cwRMm0vtyMsMXcKELjuaAEg7RZ5WarH-axqiXeKBP4megsJVbIA9rhtpZQ4hHbztWkpKThC4/w322-h487/tree%20b%20and%20w.jpg" width="322" /></a></div><br /><div>When I am volunteering at the St. Padre Pio Chapel, if there are no visitors, I say a Rosary. While I pray the Rosary, I walk up and down the aisles.</div><div><br /></div><div>As I walked by some windows, I spotted a tree in the field just outside the Chapel. I paused to look at it.</div><div><br /></div><div>It stood out, leafless, in the field.</div><div><br /></div><div>Each time I walked by those windows, I glanced again at the tree. </div><div><br /></div><div>It became part of my prayers. Like the Tabernacle with it's flickering electric candle, and the large Crucifix at the front of the Chapel, and the Statues of various saints, and the paintings of Mary and Jesus.</div><div><br /></div><div>And I think of Joyce Kilmer's "Trees": </div><div><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;">I think that I shall never see<br />A poem lovely as a tree.<br /><br />A tree whose hungry mouth is prest<br />Against the earth’s sweet flowing breast;<br /><br />A tree that looks at God all day,<br />And lifts her leafy arms to pray;<br /><br />A tree that may in Summer wear<br />A nest of robins in her hair;<br /><br />Upon whose bosom snow has lain;<br />Who intimately lives with rain.<br /><br />Poems are made by fools like me,<br />But only God can make a tree.</span><div class="o-grid" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: adobe-garamond-pro, Garamond, Baskerville, "Baskerville Old Face", "Hoefler Text", "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="o-grid-col o-grid-col_10of12" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; float: left; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline; width: 638.359px;"></div></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div><span>Thank you God.</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Pax et bonum</div>A Secular Franciscanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09184259228282290040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099099344903100072.post-77328877108775240202024-02-21T17:58:00.003-05:002024-02-21T20:39:22.922-05:00America First?<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6dIkjRz86Cm7xphw6mUJw45KbNgVvz5zAlbuxea2USKK2JfurtF-ZZ8AeFX0s3FSobtVfJ35oFnJNVXmJqHLDjoFDo6XySsLCxzg_zOAHji2FAZeN2U-LuYPio2mXCppCOyBV6qkdEpRUyiy8UeKQiCRw3GqpPHd0qTQRp3AR4tgogmcpwKwN8kXUAYs/s3072/Three%20crosses%20God%20First.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2304" data-original-width="3072" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6dIkjRz86Cm7xphw6mUJw45KbNgVvz5zAlbuxea2USKK2JfurtF-ZZ8AeFX0s3FSobtVfJ35oFnJNVXmJqHLDjoFDo6XySsLCxzg_zOAHji2FAZeN2U-LuYPio2mXCppCOyBV6qkdEpRUyiy8UeKQiCRw3GqpPHd0qTQRp3AR4tgogmcpwKwN8kXUAYs/s320/Three%20crosses%20God%20First.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">America First?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">No.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">God First.</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Pax et bonum</div>A Secular Franciscanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09184259228282290040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099099344903100072.post-21446698098680530932024-02-20T10:37:00.000-05:002024-02-20T10:37:05.639-05:00Unborn Lives Matter Cartoon<div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhpjJ-v231EjL4E9VbobV26Ir5vJRVd8BSfzZochbt7X2ItnPguUeONQeJrDW6piZ1-R0RxrRl99N-4PfZajDKwPmJ6tcZNjZGGnfetmoJMahjFzFeb2pPuJu3J-dSA_g1k51Echp82oSggtjMy7ZnuksuGcLCA5M-j3qtRZ2roRjIg79bNEUg0DGkHlMo" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="525" data-original-width="679" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhpjJ-v231EjL4E9VbobV26Ir5vJRVd8BSfzZochbt7X2ItnPguUeONQeJrDW6piZ1-R0RxrRl99N-4PfZajDKwPmJ6tcZNjZGGnfetmoJMahjFzFeb2pPuJu3J-dSA_g1k51Echp82oSggtjMy7ZnuksuGcLCA5M-j3qtRZ2roRjIg79bNEUg0DGkHlMo=w408-h316" width="408" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div>Pax et bonumA Secular Franciscanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09184259228282290040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099099344903100072.post-42896546184909850162024-02-20T07:14:00.000-05:002024-02-20T07:14:03.244-05:00Alabama Supreme Court Rules Frozen Embryos are Unborn Children<a href="https://www.lifenews.com/2024/02/19/alabama-supreme-court-rules-frozen-embryos-are-unborn-children/">Alabama Supreme Court Rules Frozen Embryos are Unborn Children</a>A Secular Franciscanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09184259228282290040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099099344903100072.post-69803483064139513862024-02-19T18:14:00.000-05:002024-02-19T18:14:05.801-05:00About that blurb ...<div><br /></div><div>I already offered my assessment of <i>Winter's Child</i> by Margaret Coel (basically good, but ended the series with things unresolved). but there was one other observation I did not share.</div><div><br /></div><div>The book was published in 2016 . On the cover was a blurb from Tony Hillerman. "[Coel is] a master."</div><div><br /></div><div>It made sense to have a comment about a reservation-based mystery from the renowned author of the great Navajo mysteries.</div><div><br /></div><div>But ... Hillerman died in 2008. Eight years before Coel's book was published.</div><div><br /></div><div>Yes, given the nature of the quotation, he likely said it at some point about her. But still, eight years after he died? </div><div><br /></div><div>My sarcastic side wondered if maybe he supplied it for this book through a seance.</div><div><br /></div><div>Whenever he said it, it seemed kind of sketchy that they used it after he was dead.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now if I can only get Dickens to provide a blurb for one of my Christmas tales.</div><div><br /></div><div>Pax et bonum</div>A Secular Franciscanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09184259228282290040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099099344903100072.post-89909807477171310262024-02-16T18:00:00.004-05:002024-02-19T06:30:22.575-05:00Baptism and Confirmation Dates<div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhuqtZyY1SRPAYUUWlFhB8uu0GneiVwQEn_1bbIwMFP7pWHi-An4QyXEAoeLWSPhAkyb3lqgsHHGE_Gjcu0Jl8pJzHMQEw9RMkX1y52dag29shHGCRUyxA2HX2puvjJuEOa3zlILylaOHkj-muRAJWP1Aib8bNp3sn_gqW4wyUnMfoZVTAe2gsXWBhEz2k" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="312" data-original-width="220" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhuqtZyY1SRPAYUUWlFhB8uu0GneiVwQEn_1bbIwMFP7pWHi-An4QyXEAoeLWSPhAkyb3lqgsHHGE_Gjcu0Jl8pJzHMQEw9RMkX1y52dag29shHGCRUyxA2HX2puvjJuEOa3zlILylaOHkj-muRAJWP1Aib8bNp3sn_gqW4wyUnMfoZVTAe2gsXWBhEz2k=w205-h291" width="205" /></a></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Pope Francis once said that we should celebrate our Baptismal dates. <br /><br />"It is like a birthday because baptism makes us reborn in Christian life," he aid to parents. "That is why I advise you to teach your children the date of their baptism as a new birthday: that every year they will remember and thank God for this grace of becoming a Christian.“<br /><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">I decided to dig out my Baptismal record. I found it, as well as my Confirmation certificate.<br /><br />I looked up what is celebrated in Church history on those dates.<br /><br />I was Baptized on July 17, and was pleased to discover is the feast of Saint Charbel Makhlouf, a Lebanese Maronite Catholic monk.<br /><br />I had first become aware of Saint Charbel at the Fatima Shrine in Lewiston, N.Y. They have a statue of him there, and I was impressed by his beard!<br /><br />And a couple of years ago, some local Lebanese Catholics donated a statue of him and some prayers to him to the Saint Padre Pio Chapel where I volunteer and where my Secular Franciscan Fraternity meets. I took information about a Novena to Saint Charbel, and I have been saying it every day since as part of my night prayers.<br /><br />My Confirmation date was October 13. That date jumped out at me immediately.</span><div><span style="color: #2f222a; font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #2f222a; font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1LEj3SrwpEwD17B080J1Xh02PFq43OSxhhc5es7oGFgHXeI5hhBhx6W3ryAtgFe9dhYpteeDBnJyuWawS3pyjdZWHsXaEasxFQ8LqkFGn7z2hHMTtIWQxvQ5VZ9TQVtaWp-nK1cEBL6WD1cUxOZe_FhO3jX6K0CXu-1efVgk1qv4OK5Xc9fyYocpFJZ8" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="251" data-original-width="201" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1LEj3SrwpEwD17B080J1Xh02PFq43OSxhhc5es7oGFgHXeI5hhBhx6W3ryAtgFe9dhYpteeDBnJyuWawS3pyjdZWHsXaEasxFQ8LqkFGn7z2hHMTtIWQxvQ5VZ9TQVtaWp-nK1cEBL6WD1cUxOZe_FhO3jX6K0CXu-1efVgk1qv4OK5Xc9fyYocpFJZ8=w232-h290" width="232" /></a></div><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">On October 13, 1917, thousands of people witnessed the Miracle of the Sun at Fatima.<br /><br />The Apparition of Our Lady at Fatima has been declared worthy of belief by the Church. On the anniversary of that Marian day I chose as my Confirmation name Joseph. How appropriate.<br /><br />So now I have added reasons to mark the dates of my Baptism and my Confirmation.<br /><br />Thank you Pope Francis!<br /><br />Pax et bonum</span></div></div>A Secular Franciscanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09184259228282290040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099099344903100072.post-16578970997709609962024-02-16T06:33:00.001-05:002024-02-16T07:55:52.477-05:00Fani Willis and Grey Goose<div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiXxASHeCHIqIIbsgJBQ5zAZ2VDkM3Q3lIDLSDOLFmTXrZ3hjOhePqneoVwsVI4dNJV_9ildV5yJrcBucpKgBBK8Jj7cAnybteTWZPb9iXf-pTWEdb2u2oMTWH9OEPj-c_xuCz-dYdsvtc_s6Qms-qZLOR7zo0EONMh6dAmA1RaA0hBXw3fhomE8ycysRE" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiXxASHeCHIqIIbsgJBQ5zAZ2VDkM3Q3lIDLSDOLFmTXrZ3hjOhePqneoVwsVI4dNJV_9ildV5yJrcBucpKgBBK8Jj7cAnybteTWZPb9iXf-pTWEdb2u2oMTWH9OEPj-c_xuCz-dYdsvtc_s6Qms-qZLOR7zo0EONMh6dAmA1RaA0hBXw3fhomE8ycysRE=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></div></div><br />Fulton County D.A. Fani Willis<br />on the stand appeared to be quite cheerless.<br />Maybe things would have gone better if she'd first gotten loose<br />with the help of some Grey Goose. <div><br /></div><div>Pax et bonum</div>A Secular Franciscanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09184259228282290040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099099344903100072.post-16353797427322389012024-02-15T18:31:00.003-05:002024-02-15T18:31:39.191-05:00Santa's Diary Update February 15 <div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhmAIFO6wKmEIwOjtKkyr84B4Ggr2oDZql97cC2iKmQ9-etkOaYarHI475xuSVmCcPmQv5LEYcudKsZXNpyzJaM9KrQqwEGuzBRmh9dCXF-k8QdLv0xzhxP_2ntIHKnFo3qh_1L5xlg3xUlJG-36skpKOY1fNoxI4XwKi-CInS0R-8SOKUhoKynnNim6Zw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhmAIFO6wKmEIwOjtKkyr84B4Ggr2oDZql97cC2iKmQ9-etkOaYarHI475xuSVmCcPmQv5LEYcudKsZXNpyzJaM9KrQqwEGuzBRmh9dCXF-k8QdLv0xzhxP_2ntIHKnFo3qh_1L5xlg3xUlJG-36skpKOY1fNoxI4XwKi-CInS0R-8SOKUhoKynnNim6Zw" width="320" /></a></div><br />Progress continues. Now up to March 10 for entries! </div><div><br /></div><div>Finished with the courtship of Mrs. Claus. Trying to decide whether to wait for the wedding until their anniversary. Having spent so much time on the courtship I haven't made many antries about ongoing events at the Pole. I might space out some of the courship entries to deal with North Pole events.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now dash away all!</div><div><br /></div><div>Pax et bonum</div>A Secular Franciscanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09184259228282290040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099099344903100072.post-88222748204975625112024-02-15T07:38:00.001-05:002024-02-15T09:51:30.704-05:00Winter's Child (Coel)<div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhFp_tvAcGD11o6RvmF4j-ebGDLRB7c-t_PehrnozRpMGAm5kSntMiTPgUnruj4fRZm_NnFlVTt5R58OpbHq30D2zLBbxMA1KMIHesDjNrcJpo5QM6pn5OUnO8l6qTVF4nxmBp2-UTNNjFJg2lJI1_ZizJH99kQgWUmiVS3JXNfwNTqn0sL-5Jsm59U0bA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="279" height="357" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhFp_tvAcGD11o6RvmF4j-ebGDLRB7c-t_PehrnozRpMGAm5kSntMiTPgUnruj4fRZm_NnFlVTt5R58OpbHq30D2zLBbxMA1KMIHesDjNrcJpo5QM6pn5OUnO8l6qTVF4nxmBp2-UTNNjFJg2lJI1_ZizJH99kQgWUmiVS3JXNfwNTqn0sL-5Jsm59U0bA=w222-h357" width="222" /></a></div><br />Like many other libraries, my local library has a section with used books for sale. The books have either been donated, or have been culled from the library collection. The culled books are ones that are no longer actively circulating and are not "classics" that the library wants to retain.</div><div><br /></div><div>The other day I was in the library and noticed a Margaret Coel Wind River mystery on the used table.</div><div><br /></div><div>I was not surprised. Although she is a good writer, and the books in the series were popular, their time is passing, and like so many other contemporary popular works of fiction they are gradually passing out of public consciousness.</div><div><br /></div><div>I read a number of the books in the series, having a fondness for mysteries set on Native American reservation. I had read (and enjoyed) all the Tony Hillerman Navajo mysteries, and having learned about Coel's Wind River mysteries I decided to give them a try.</div><div><br /></div><div>At first, I enjoyed them. Cole is a good genre writer. But then I began seeing a pattern. The main characters, divorced Arapaho lawyer Vicky Holden, and the alcoholic priest Father John O'Malley, are obviously attracted to each other, but their relationship remains at the attraction and sexual tension level; they never seemed to grow as characters the way that the Navajos in Hillerman's mysteries do. It also made me wonder if at some point in her life Coel had been attracted to a priest!</div><div><br /></div><div>Moreover, the protagonists kept stumbling into danger because of their own impetuousness and boneheaded decisions; they never seemed to learn. </div><div><br /></div><div>There also seemed to be ambiguity - and a more worldly view - when it came to sexual morality. That was not something I expected when reading a mystery about a Catholic priest. Indeed, given the worldly view, I would not have been shocked if at some point Father O'Malley had said, "Forget celibacy!" and hopped in the sack with the all-too-willing Holden.</div><div><br /></div><div>I got bored with the series. </div><div><br /></div><div>Then I learned that Coel had announced that the 20th book in the series, <i>Winter's Child</i>, was to be the last one. Not surprising given her age (she's currently in her 80's). There were also hints that this book would resolve some of the issues.</div><div><br /></div><div>I added the book to my list of reading goals for this year.</div><div><br /></div><div>I managed to secure a copy of it last week, and finished it last night.</div><div><br /></div><div>It is well-written for the genre; as I noted earlier, Coel is a good writer. The protagonists face danger, but not because of boneheaded decisions on their parts, so this is an improvement.</div><div><br /></div><div>The protagonists' mutual attraction remains, as does the sexual morality ambiguity, though there are hints that casual sex can lead to pain.</div><div><br /></div><div>However, speaking as a father myself, the reaction toward the end of the book of the father of the titular child seems, given his earlier words and actions, too convenient. </div><div><br /></div><div>But in the end, questions remain unresolved. It seems our protagonists will never get together, but you don't know. Holden has a romantic possibility with another man, but you don't know. The mission church might close and Father O'Malley might be assigned elsewhere, but you don't know. Father O'Malley's niece may start a sexual relationships with a Native American man who had been considering the priesthood, but you don't know. The child of the title may be found, but you don't know.</div><div><br /></div><div>Sigh.</div><div><br /></div><div>After finishing it, I wondered if Coel has a manuscript tucked away that actually provides resolution, but it is not to be released until after she dies </div><div><br /></div><div>But you don't know.</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, another 2024 reading goal met. </div><div><br /></div><div>After reading this one, I will probably not read any more of Coel's books.</div><div><br /></div><div>But you don't know.</div><div><br /></div><div>Pax et bonum</div>A Secular Franciscanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09184259228282290040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099099344903100072.post-49972866204453500022024-02-10T11:14:00.000-05:002024-02-10T11:14:17.848-05:00Biden Supports ... <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG27C0_grm4who6-0bf80awu3Um8eAuVvsV54kNhhXgV4_bEB18mK7QnlImFja62Zum-19l8LonyRuVvQoLoHRlp3IzQUba6l_nuby321SnIigoMXMieZnRFy4UdLahELrX18EvQabGVVRyPh8WSqZCheEsdI9DR9IM1ucBW6aoucRFHZJpuYy_cW09SA/s710/Biden%20supports%20child%20murder%20white.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="710" data-original-width="572" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG27C0_grm4who6-0bf80awu3Um8eAuVvsV54kNhhXgV4_bEB18mK7QnlImFja62Zum-19l8LonyRuVvQoLoHRlp3IzQUba6l_nuby321SnIigoMXMieZnRFy4UdLahELrX18EvQabGVVRyPh8WSqZCheEsdI9DR9IM1ucBW6aoucRFHZJpuYy_cW09SA/w326-h404/Biden%20supports%20child%20murder%20white.jpg" width="326" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Pax et bonum</div>A Secular Franciscanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09184259228282290040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099099344903100072.post-65356531731065968752024-02-07T08:01:00.002-05:002024-02-07T08:01:58.978-05:00Santa's Diary Update - A Shower Inspiration<div><br /></div><div>Work continues on <i>Santa's Diary</i>. I already have entries either written or sketched out though early March - more than 25,000 words so far!</div><div><br /></div><div>There are several issues on my mind. I write like an educated adult but should this be more of a children's story? I try to be scientifically accurate (well, as accurate as a story about Santa can be!). Still, there are conflicts with the Santa mythos - the workshop on Polar Ice at the North Pole, for example. The ice is not that thick, so how does it support that wight? And how to shield a complex from planes, satellites, etc? They certainly didn't exist back when the North Pole Workshop legend was first created. And how do you feed hundreds of elves, gnomes, dwarves, etc, working at the workshop?</div><div><br /></div><div>The next entry sketched out yesterday deals with the food issue, . </div><div><br /></div><div>This morning in the shower I fleshed out that food entry, and then I had a sudden inspiration for dealing with the one of the other issues.</div><div><br /></div><div>Yes, in the shower. A writer never stops working!</div><div><br /></div><div>It's so cold and dark at the North Pole for several months of the year. Bitterly cold - getting down to -50 at times. And the wind, brrr.</div><div><br /></div><div>But just as I earlier came up with an elf science way to strengthen the ice, I've come up with an elf science way to deal with the cold and wind. And to hide the complex.</div><div><br /></div><div>This means going back and revising some earlier entries, but it will be worth it.</div><div><br /></div><div>As for elf science, it's one of the ways to explain their "magic." They just understand natural elements and forces in a way that we do not, and are able to manipulate them. So it's not magic; it's using the intellectual gifts God gave them.</div><div><br /></div>Pax et bonumA Secular Franciscanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09184259228282290040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099099344903100072.post-18209306192188916052024-02-06T18:44:00.000-05:002024-02-06T18:44:27.413-05:00No Delight<div><br /></div><div>I like short essays. I own several collections, and have borrowed a number of collections from the library.</div><div><br /></div><div>Today I went to the library to get out a collection of Dylan Thomas's poetry for a literary discussion group I'll be attending later this week. As I regularly do, I also checked the new acquisitions shelf. I spotted a recent collection of short essays. The blurbs on that back used such terms as "sunshine," "joy," "brilliant," and more gushing encomia.</div><div><br /></div><div>Okay, I know blurbs are not always sincere - you tout my book and I'll tout yours - but I thought I'd give the collection a try given the types of essays they were and the interesting format the author used (one similar to what I am doing with <i>Santa's Diary</i>).</div><div><br /></div><div>After finished some of my regular reading and writing, I decided to sample one of the essays.</div><div><br /></div><div>Found out the author - 40-something - was living with his girlfriend. In his 40's? Didn't he grow up?</div><div><br /></div><div>I also found out he was fond of using colorful language - including some f-bombs. </div><div><br /></div><div>I skimmed some of the other essays to see if this was a pattern. Yep. </div><div><br /></div><div>Oh, a few of the essays were interesting, and he is a skilled wordsmith. But I also found some of the essays kind of superficial or uninteresting. </div><div><br /></div><div>And that vulgar language persisted.</div><div><br /></div><div>The book provided no delight for me. </div><div><br /></div><div>It gets returned to the library unfinished.</div><div><br /></div><div>Back instead to Dickens and spiritual works. </div><div><br /></div>Pax et bonumA Secular Franciscanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09184259228282290040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099099344903100072.post-34375523196103786202024-02-05T08:53:00.005-05:002024-02-09T11:49:45.239-05:00Progressive Ideology ...<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">Progressive ideology is a form of soft totalitarianism.<br />Progressive ideology ignores inconvenient facts.<br />Progressive ideology tends to call for seeking God by looking in mirrors.<br />Progressive ideology promotes constant change over constancy.<br />Progressive ideology denigrates sexual morality.</span></span><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1419; white-space: pre-wrap;">Progressive ideology tends to elevate the ephemeral over the essential. </span><br />Progressive ideology seeks to replace natural law with unnatural ways.<br />Progressive ideology tends to devalue motherhood.<br />Progressive ideology sets its sights on mirages.<br />Progressive ideology uses euphemisms to hide reality.<br />Progressive ideology tends to either dismiss religion, or to encourage manufacturing a religion in one's own image.</span><br /></span><div><br /></div>Pax et bonum</div>A Secular Franciscanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09184259228282290040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099099344903100072.post-46348698439254374422024-01-30T15:35:00.001-05:002024-02-02T11:38:58.469-05:00Little Women With Chesterton Academy <div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuopH3PFUpJR-WQbaCDNJIIy0TRTV2Z0p7WRj-yccZYxGzYPsaBb8n0oS68LI-MT_5oePMwAVYb2m_h0R7qGy3wpcIx9wZa_CkcdtSxPpJgvbQ106S9FAFG4_Vhx-vWWeOK0o6X4vba2UPPZR9fwJQOOIgwvVv4kdYHF3F9E-6WiE-J5a5NuyVyvpbj8Y/s3278/035%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2890" data-original-width="3278" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuopH3PFUpJR-WQbaCDNJIIy0TRTV2Z0p7WRj-yccZYxGzYPsaBb8n0oS68LI-MT_5oePMwAVYb2m_h0R7qGy3wpcIx9wZa_CkcdtSxPpJgvbQ106S9FAFG4_Vhx-vWWeOK0o6X4vba2UPPZR9fwJQOOIgwvVv4kdYHF3F9E-6WiE-J5a5NuyVyvpbj8Y/w340-h300/035%20(2).jpg" width="340" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>My High School directing career ended (probably) with a 2021 Chesterton Academy production of <i>Little Women</i>.</div><div><br /></div><div>What a wonderful experience! What a wonderful group of young people!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyXs_SlGICdVJT4AIQAYSAINAK4sebpc69q1leQkx-X6rOMgGDjSFsmLuZ_YhL4LK9_kNV3sR7VWkjp7jvfWQG8yGonAE6qB9Jh1yfUCzOg1KNJDPgRTDI6ELrSD2clIt9SeVgoEG9e6pIAMcPc6vobi_zl8wlsmjwHJRFAzUd1o9X9viRhAbcwkzzu-g/s4986/lwcast.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2476" data-original-width="4986" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyXs_SlGICdVJT4AIQAYSAINAK4sebpc69q1leQkx-X6rOMgGDjSFsmLuZ_YhL4LK9_kNV3sR7VWkjp7jvfWQG8yGonAE6qB9Jh1yfUCzOg1KNJDPgRTDI6ELrSD2clIt9SeVgoEG9e6pIAMcPc6vobi_zl8wlsmjwHJRFAzUd1o9X9viRhAbcwkzzu-g/w360-h179/lwcast.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB9wtIDk7zLX8T3KsHyY8SZ6lC01qJot-da_8LVFRp0z67L2DIVU9U0AdOXqgdAjE82HJRzzz2LC8m0ik_z1NH_Es2MJcvnJpmEMK2Y7kgO_pAS5WCso0N7n0EnXNvn-Rdcg7w3Dpbbo3TlNsFqdTQ5YsLJHdqwEK-TNu2XJHK2OT2j4TM7g8WIBSfHtA/s5128/lwcastandcrew.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikVQ2tb2vCcWxaEud0nA_tNixzQc39dnRmJm15sHzJ1Q8JvGxel3mSHU4BKrM-lEsuVRnx8XtHEkXv3VVXymj9_mVSn-j4uCkvJZKxNe8BR_Gs6BaIShOSuGaoQnHiyGXCdsT7-0QLMeOkUMeyt33xvt088wIt2GSM_-kk5cVxrFJeFfrWXdciDKFpr-c/s4087/176%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2166" data-original-width="4087" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikVQ2tb2vCcWxaEud0nA_tNixzQc39dnRmJm15sHzJ1Q8JvGxel3mSHU4BKrM-lEsuVRnx8XtHEkXv3VVXymj9_mVSn-j4uCkvJZKxNe8BR_Gs6BaIShOSuGaoQnHiyGXCdsT7-0QLMeOkUMeyt33xvt088wIt2GSM_-kk5cVxrFJeFfrWXdciDKFpr-c/s320/176%20(2).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Pax et bonum</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><br />A Secular Franciscanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09184259228282290040noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8099099344903100072.post-18977214264412772272024-01-30T08:52:00.000-05:002024-01-30T08:52:43.327-05:00No, 64,000 Children Were Not Conceived in Rape<div><br /></div><div><div class="article-author" style="border-bottom: 3px solid rgb(233, 33, 49); border-image: initial; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: none; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 620px; padding: 0px 0px 1.25em; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="article-author--inner" style="align-items: center; border: 0px; display: flex; font-family: inherit; 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No charge.</p><form style="border: 0px; display: flex; flex-direction: column; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><input placeholder="Enter your email" style="appearance: none; border-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-radius: 0px; border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; font: 400 0.875rem / 1.1875rem "Open Sans", sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px 0.625rem; max-width: 100%; padding: 0.6875rem 0.875rem;" type="email" /><button class="button" style="align-items: center; appearance: none; background: rgb(233, 33, 49); border-color: initial; border-radius: 0px; border-style: none; border-width: initial; color: white; cursor: pointer; flex-direction: row; font: 700 0.875em / 1 "Open Sans", sans-serif; padding: 0px; text-transform: uppercase; transition: background-color 0.2s ease-in-out 0s;" type="submit"><span class="button-text" style="border: 0px; display: block; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0.625em; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #2d2d2d; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 1.1875rem; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit; text-align: left;">This week, the academic journal </span><em style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #2d2d2d; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1.1875rem; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">JAMA Internal Medicine</em><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #2d2d2d; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 1.1875rem; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit; text-align: left;"> published a study claiming that the tens of thousands of pregnancies resulted from rape in states that enacted strong post-</span><em style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #2d2d2d; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1.1875rem; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">Dobbs</em><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #2d2d2d; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 1.1875rem; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit; text-align: left;"> pro-life laws. Specifically, the article claims that, since </span><em style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #2d2d2d; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1.1875rem; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">Dobbs</em><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #2d2d2d; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 1.1875rem; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit; text-align: left;">, 519,981 rapes took place in states with strong pro-life laws in effect. This purportedly resulted in 64,565 children conceived in rape. This study was quickly and uncritically covered by a number of mainstream media outlets including CNN, NBC News, the</span><em style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #2d2d2d; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1.1875rem; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"> Houston Chronicle</em><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #2d2d2d; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 1.1875rem; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit; text-align: left;">, </span><em style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #2d2d2d; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1.1875rem; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">Axios</em><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #2d2d2d; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 1.1875rem; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit; text-align: left;">, </span><em style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #2d2d2d; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1.1875rem; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">Time</em><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #2d2d2d; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 1.1875rem; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit; text-align: left;">, and the</span><em style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #2d2d2d; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1.1875rem; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"> Hufffington Post</em><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #2d2d2d; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 1.1875rem; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-weight: inherit; text-align: left;">.</span></span></button></form></div></div><aside class="aside-module aside-module--top-stories aside-module--top-stories--desktop" style="border: 0px; float: right; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1rem -17.1875rem 0px 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline; width: 15rem;"><div class="aside-content" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><h3 class="aside-module__title" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(45, 45, 45); border-bottom-style: solid; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 3px; color: #e92131; display: inline-table; font-size: 1.25rem; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; letter-spacing: 0.2px; line-height: 1.6875rem; margin: 0px 0px -1px; padding: 0px 0px 0.3125rem; position: relative; text-transform: uppercase; vertical-align: baseline;">TOP STORIES</h3><div class="post-list post-list--vertical-ruled post-list--aside-top-stories" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-style: solid; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-style: solid; border-width: 1px 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0.7rem 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="post-list-article" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-style: solid; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; counter-increment: step-counter 1; display: flex; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 0.7rem; padding: 0px 0px 0.7rem; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="post-list-article__text" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 240px;"><div class="post-list-article__meta-wrapper" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><h4 class="post-list-article__title" style="border: 0px; display: flex; flex-direction: row; font-size: 1rem; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; letter-spacing: -0.0025em; line-height: 1.5rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a data-testid="dynamic-link" href="https://www.nationalreview.com/magazine/2024/03/when-journalism-dies/?utm_source=recirc-desktop&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=right-rail&utm_content=top-stories&utm_term=first" style="border: 0px; color: #2d2d2d; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; text-underline-offset: 3px; transition: color 0.2s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 100%;">When Journalism Dies</span></a></h4><div class="post-list-article__meta" style="border: 0px; color: #5a5a5a; font-size: 0.625em; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.2rem 0px 0px 1.25rem; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="post-list-article__meta-author" style="border: 0px; font-size: 0.8125rem; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; letter-spacing: -0.0025em; line-height: 1.1875rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-transform: uppercase; vertical-align: baseline;">SEBASTIAN JUNGER</span><div class="premium-badge" style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0.375rem 0px 0.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a data-testid="dynamic-link" href="https://www.nationalreview.com/tag/nrplus-member-articles/" style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; text-transform: uppercase; text-underline-offset: 3px; transition: color 0.2s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="premium-badge__nr" style="border: 0px; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 2px 0px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">NR</span><span class="premium-badge__plus" style="background-color: #e92131; border: 0px; color: white; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 4px; vertical-align: baseline;">PLUS</span></a></div></div></div></div></div><div class="post-list-article" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-style: solid; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; counter-increment: step-counter 1; display: flex; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 0.7rem; padding: 0px 0px 0.7rem; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="post-list-article__text" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 240px;"><div class="post-list-article__meta-wrapper" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><h4 class="post-list-article__title" style="border: 0px; display: flex; flex-direction: row; font-size: 1rem; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; letter-spacing: -0.0025em; line-height: 1.5rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a data-testid="dynamic-link" href="https://www.nationalreview.com/magazine/2024/03/did-ron-desantis-blow-it/?utm_source=recirc-desktop&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=right-rail&utm_content=top-stories&utm_term=second" style="border: 0px; color: #2d2d2d; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; text-underline-offset: 3px; transition: color 0.2s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 100%;">Did Ron DeSantis Blow It?</span></a></h4><div class="post-list-article__meta" style="border: 0px; color: #5a5a5a; font-size: 0.625em; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.2rem 0px 0px 1.25rem; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="post-list-article__meta-author" style="border: 0px; font-size: 0.8125rem; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; letter-spacing: -0.0025em; line-height: 1.1875rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-transform: uppercase; vertical-align: baseline;">AUDREY FAHLBERG</span><div class="premium-badge" style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0.375rem 0px 0.5rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a data-testid="dynamic-link" href="https://www.nationalreview.com/tag/nrplus-member-articles/" style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; text-transform: uppercase; text-underline-offset: 3px; transition: color 0.2s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="premium-badge__nr" style="border: 0px; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 2px 0px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">NR</span><span class="premium-badge__plus" style="background-color: #e92131; border: 0px; color: white; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 4px; vertical-align: baseline;">PLUS</span></a></div></div></div></div></div><div class="post-list-article" style="border: 0px; counter-increment: step-counter 1; display: flex; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 0.7rem; padding: 0px 0px 0.7rem; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="post-list-article__text" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 240px;"><div class="post-list-article__meta-wrapper" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><h4 class="post-list-article__title" style="border: 0px; display: flex; flex-direction: row; font-size: 1rem; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; letter-spacing: -0.0025em; line-height: 1.5rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a data-testid="dynamic-link" href="https://www.nationalreview.com/2024/01/iran-must-pay/?utm_source=recirc-desktop&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=right-rail&utm_content=top-stories&utm_term=third" style="border: 0px; color: #2d2d2d; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; text-underline-offset: 3px; transition: color 0.2s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 100%;">Iran Must Pay</span></a></h4><div class="post-list-article__meta" style="border: 0px; color: #5a5a5a; font-size: 0.625em; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.2rem 0px 0px 1.25rem; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="post-list-article__meta-author" style="border: 0px; font-size: 0.8125rem; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; letter-spacing: -0.0025em; line-height: 1.1875rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-transform: uppercase; vertical-align: baseline;">THE EDITORS</span></div></div></div></div></div></div></aside><p style="border: 0px; color: #2d2d2d; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 1.1875rem; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">To call those figures an exaggeration would be an understatement. The article is frankly one of the worst and most misleading pieces of advocacy research that I have ever encountered in my years as social scientist. Furthermore, the fact that this article appeared in a prestigious peer-reviewed journal grants it legitimacy and credibility that it absolutely does not deserve. There are significant problems with the methodology that that authors used.</p><p style="border: 0px; color: #2d2d2d; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 1.1875rem; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">First, the authors of the study claim that approximately 12.5 percent of rapes result in a conception. That is an exceptionally high figure. The results of a <a data-testid="standard-link" href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8765248/" rel="noopener" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-style: dotted; text-decoration-thickness: 1.5px; text-underline-offset: 3px; transition: color 0.2s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">survey</a> of over 4,000 women that was published in the <em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology</em> in 1996 puts that figure at closer to 5 percent. Furthermore, the 5 percent figure cited in this 1996 journal article is probably high because several survey respondents reported being raped more than once.</p><p style="border: 0px; color: #2d2d2d; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 1.1875rem; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Second, there are extremely wide disparities in reported rape statistics. The authors use <a data-testid="standard-link" href="https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/nisvs/nisvsreportonsexualviolence.pdf" rel="noopener" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-style: dotted; text-decoration-thickness: 1.5px; text-underline-offset: 3px; transition: color 0.2s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">data</a> from the CDC’s 2016–17 National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey, which estimated that over 1.4 million women were the victims of a completed forcible rape during a twelve-month period. That is over four times higher than the <a data-testid="standard-link" href="https://bjs.ojp.gov/content/pub/pdf/cv17.pdf" rel="noopener" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-style: dotted; text-decoration-thickness: 1.5px; text-underline-offset: 3px; transition: color 0.2s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">estimates</a> provided by the Department of Justice’s National Crime Victimization Survey and over ten times higher than FBI <a data-testid="standard-link" href="https://ucr.fbi.gov/crime-in-the-u.s/2017/crime-in-the-u.s.-2017/topic-pages/rape" rel="noopener" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-style: dotted; text-decoration-thickness: 1.5px; text-underline-offset: 3px; transition: color 0.2s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">data</a> on the number of rapes reported to law enforcement. Furthermore, the CDC data have been <a data-testid="standard-link" href="https://time.com/3393442/cdc-rape-numbers/" rel="noopener" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-style: dotted; text-decoration-thickness: 1.5px; text-underline-offset: 3px; transition: color 0.2s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">criticized</a> for significantly overestimating the incidence of rape. Fair-minded researchers would have at least acknowledged these disparities. However, the authors of the <em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">JAMA Internal Medicine</em> article simply assume that the much higher CDC estimates are the most accurate.</p><aside class="aside-module aside-module--more-on" style="border: 0px; float: right; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 1rem -17.1875rem 0px 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline; width: 15rem;"><h3 class="aside-module__title" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(45, 45, 45); border-bottom-style: solid; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 3px; color: #2d2d2d; display: inline-table; font-size: 0.875rem; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; letter-spacing: 0.2px; line-height: 1.1875rem; margin: 0px 0px -1px; padding: 0px 0px 0.3125rem; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;">More on<a data-testid="dynamic-link" href="https://www.nationalreview.com/tag/abortion/" style="border: 0px; color: #2d2d2d; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; letter-spacing: 0.2px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; text-underline-offset: 3px; transition: color 0.2s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #e92131; display: block; font-size: 1.0625rem; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 1.4375rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-transform: uppercase; vertical-align: baseline;">ABORTION</span></a></h3><div class="post-list post-list--vertical-ruled post-list--aside-more-on" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-style: solid; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-top-style: solid; border-width: 1px 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0.7rem 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="post-list-article" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-style: solid; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; counter-increment: step-counter 1; display: flex; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 0.7rem; padding: 0px 0px 0.7rem; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="post-list-article__text" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="post-list-article__meta-wrapper" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><h4 class="post-list-article__title" style="border: 0px; font-size: 1rem; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; letter-spacing: -0.0025em; line-height: 1.5rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a data-testid="dynamic-link" href="https://www.nationalreview.com/news/joy-reid-warns-viewers-of-striking-trump-hitler-similarities-in-segment-on-how-fascism-takes-root/?utm_source=recirc-desktop&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=river&utm_content=more-in-tag&utm_term=first" style="border: 0px; color: #2d2d2d; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; text-underline-offset: 3px; transition: color 0.2s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;">Joy Reid Warns Viewers of Striking Trump-Hitler Similarities in Segment on ‘How Fascism Takes Root’</a></h4></div></div></div><div class="post-list-article" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-style: solid; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; counter-increment: step-counter 1; display: flex; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 0.7rem; padding: 0px 0px 0.7rem; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="post-list-article__text" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="post-list-article__meta-wrapper" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><h4 class="post-list-article__title" style="border: 0px; font-size: 1rem; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; letter-spacing: -0.0025em; line-height: 1.5rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a data-testid="dynamic-link" href="https://www.nationalreview.com/2024/01/innocent-lives-are-at-stake-in-arkansas/?utm_source=recirc-desktop&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=river&utm_content=more-in-tag&utm_term=second" style="border: 0px; color: #2d2d2d; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; text-underline-offset: 3px; transition: color 0.2s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;">Innocent Lives Are at Stake in Arkansas</a></h4></div></div></div><div class="post-list-article" style="border: 0px; counter-increment: step-counter 1; display: flex; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="post-list-article__text" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="post-list-article__meta-wrapper" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><h4 class="post-list-article__title" style="border: 0px; font-size: 1rem; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; letter-spacing: -0.0025em; line-height: 1.5rem; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a data-testid="dynamic-link" href="https://www.nationalreview.com/2024/01/what-kamala-harris-gets-wrong-about-abortion-restrictions-and-maternal-mortality/?utm_source=recirc-desktop&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=river&utm_content=more-in-tag&utm_term=third" style="border: 0px; color: #2d2d2d; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; text-underline-offset: 3px; transition: color 0.2s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;">What Kamala Harris Gets Wrong about Abortion Restrictions and Maternal Mortality</a></h4></div></div></div></div></aside><p style="border: 0px; color: #2d2d2d; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 1.1875rem; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Finally, if one extrapolates the authors’ calculations to the entire country, there would have been about 178,000 children conceived in rape in 2017. If half of the rape victims decided to obtain abortions, that means that approximately 10 percent of all abortions were performed on rape victims. However, multiple Guttmacher <a data-testid="standard-link" href="https://www.guttmacher.org/sites/default/files/pdfs/pubs/journals/3711005.pdf" rel="noopener" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-style: dotted; text-decoration-thickness: 1.5px; text-underline-offset: 3px; transition: color 0.2s ease 0s; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">surveys</a> find that only 1 percent of women seeking abortions cite being a rape victim as a reason for obtaining an abortion. This clearly shows how exaggerated these estimates really are.</p><p style="border: 0px; color: #2d2d2d; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 1.1875rem; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">It should come as no surprise that some of the authors of this article are employed by organizations that support legal abortion. The lead author, Samuel Dickman, is the medical director of Planned Parenthood of Montana. Kari White is the executive and scientific director of Resound Research for Reproductive Health, previously known as the Texas Policy Evaluation Project (TxPEP). This group also supports legal abortion. The mainstream media outlets that ran stories about this study unsurprisingly failed to cover this blatant conflict of interest.</p><p style="border: 0px; color: #2d2d2d; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 1.1875rem; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The fact that <em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">JAMA Internal Medicine</em> published this article is troubling. In recent years many academic journals, particularly in the field of public health, have published opinion pieces or thinly researched articles by supporters of legal abortion. In 2017, the<em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> New England Journal of Medicine</em> published an editorial criticizing some of President Trump’s Health and Human Services appointees. Prior to the vote on the Affordable Care Act, the<em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> New England Journal Medicine</em> published a very superficial analysis of Massachusetts abortion data to claim that insurance coverage of abortion would not increase abortion rates.</p><p style="border: 0px; color: #2d2d2d; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 1.1875rem; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Overall, academic journals should stick to publishing rigorous peer-reviewed research instead of serving mouthpieces for supporters of legal abortion.</p><p style="border: 0px; color: #2d2d2d; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 1.1875rem; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">- National Review</p></div></div></div><div>https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/no-64000-children-have-not-been-conceived-in-rape-in-states-with-pro-life-laws/</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Pax et bonumA Secular Franciscanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09184259228282290040noreply@blogger.com0