PELOSI'S ARROGANCE

Pelosi stands by abortion comments

By ERIC GORSKI

Associated Press Writer

DENVER (AP) - Under fire from U.S. Catholic bishops, Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is not backing off contentious comments about abortion she made during a weekend television talk show appearance.

Pelosi said Sunday on NBC's ``Meet the Press'' that ``doctors of the church'' have not been able to define when life begins. That prompted swift rebukes from Washington Archbishop Donald Wuerl and Denver Archbishop Charles Chaput, who said Pelosi was incorrect and that Catholic teaching has consistently condemned abortion.

Cardinal Edward Egan of New York voiced similar sentiment Tuesday. Cardinal Justin Rigali, chairman of the U.S. bishops' Committee on Pro-Life Activities, and Bishop William Lori, chairman of the bishops' Committee on Doctrine, also issued a statement correcting Pelosi.

Brendan Daly, a spokesman for Pelosi, said in a statement Tuesday that she ``fully appreciates the sanctity of family'' and based her views on conception on the ``views of Saint Augustine, who said: '... the law does not provide that the act (abortion) pertains to homicide, for there cannot yet be said to be a live soul in a body that lacks sensation ...'''

The statement from Rigali and Lori said ``uninformed and inadequate theories about embryology'' in the Middle Ages led ``some theologians to speculate that specifically human life capable of receiving an immortal soul may not exist until a few weeks into pregnancy. While in canon law these theories led to a distinction in penalties between very early and later abortions, the Church's moral teaching never justified or permitted abortion at any stage of development.'' LINK

This post isn't about abortion. Not really. It is about arrogance and hypocrisy. Nancy Pelosi has suddenly become an authority on Catholic Canon Law. At least as it relates to abortion. She also feels as if she can make pronouncements all over TV on the subject. The problem is that her pronouncements are wrong. Her statements that the Church hasn't been able to determine when life begins were swiftly and categorically rebuked by Catholic Church leaders. Now that should be the final word on the subject because after all it's their Church and they make and interpret Church law and teaching.

In all things Catholic the Pope has the final say. His Bishops and Cardinals take their marching orders directly from him. Period. When they speak on a subject like this especially so forcefully and directly everyone gets the message. Except Nancy. Nancy in her infinite arrogance has stood by her incorrect and convoluted opinions on Catholic Law and the beginning of life. She's right and the Bishops are wrong. How arrogant can you be? I may not be the most practicing Catholic in the world and I may have differing views on a given topic. But I would never dispute official Church doctrine. It is what it is like it or not.

That is one of the things that makes the Catholic Church special. They feel no need to "evolve" because their positions are based on principals. To compromise one's principals is to compromise one's integrity and eventually one's soul. So only men are priests. Homosexuality is a sin. Abortion is murder. These are core beliefs and they aren't subject to interpretation or compromise. Nancy Pelosi has no right to dispute official Church doctrine. She is a dopey politician not a theologian.

I'm glad to see the Bishops move swiftly to set her straight. But I think it's time that they go further. It's time to tell these other politicians who prostitute their faith for votes that they are out of line. Joe Biden is supposed to be wooing Catholic voters while he is an outspoken supporter of abortion. Thats a disgrace.

If he takes that position then he should steer clear of advertising his faith in conjunction with his campaign or risk having the Bishops pointing out the error of his ways to voters as well. Catholic Democrats should also be reminded about their faith as it relates to these Democrat positions. Congress has a title for the person who keeps the party in line. It's the whip. Maybe it's time for the Church to get out the whip and keep the faithful in line.

OH BOY OH BOY!

GRAVITAS!

Sources tell the Captain that Gene Hackman will be playing Biden in the movie "The Sound of my Own Voice, The Joe Biden Story"

Remember when George Bush was searching for a V.P. candidate? The Democrats ridiculed him over and over decrying his alleged lack of experience. Bush lacked GRAVITAS we were told. He needed someone who could provide experience and serious weight. Well at least Bush knows how to take advice. He selected political heavyweight Dick Cheney arguably the most capable man to ever hold the office of Vice President.

Now on the other hand Barack Obama IS an empty suit and political lightweight. He blunders from one photo op to the next relying on friendly media and doe eyed liberals. He also needed to balance his ticket with some serious political firepower. So what does he do? He picks JOE BIDEN! Ha! Thats CHANGE WE CAN ALL EMBRACE! Amen! Yikes.

Did he forget that Biden called him "articulate, clean and good looking"? Or did he forget that Biden, while running for President himself said that Obama wasn't ready to lead and that you can't learn the Presidency on the job? When pressed on the point Biden stood by the comments.
Joe Biden is an absurd caricature of a Senator. He's a buffoon and a bully who's barely concealed racial gaffes him would probably get him time if he were a Republican. Twice Democrats rejected him for President. What makes him credible now all of a sudden? Just because some wet behind the ears junior Senator thinks so? Really?

Look this one's easy. So far there are THREE Senators running for President. The Democrats are about to nominate the LEAST qualified of the lot to be the most powerful man in the world. That's scary since I don't think Obama is a match for his wife. It's clear he's caved in to nearly every demand of Hillary Clinton at this convention. Where's the beef? With the Biden pick Obama shows once again his judgment in picking his personal associations, especially his veep isn't much better than John Kerry's.

Does anyone out there think the enemies of our country are worried in the slightest about an Obama Presidency? Or is it the general consensus that it's full speed ahead with the suicide vests and atomic bombs? Obama suffers from what most liberal men suffer from: a lack of intestinal fortitude due to having to pander to various, depraved and warped coalitions. He's a wimp. And for the record I could have well understood Hillary winning their nomination. That makes more sense than a milquetoast- Milli Vanilli Senator with no experience and NO GRAVITAS!

FAMILY HISTORY

Since I'm ignoring the Democrat Convention this week I thought it might be a good time for a story. I was working last week when some of the firefighters from another station came up to me on a call. They asked me if my family was ever burned out of their house. After a short discussion they told me to stop by their station, they had something I had to see. So I did. What they had was a piece of my family history.

Back in the 50's Philadelphia had a "Reserve Fire Force". It was essentially a trained force of volunteer firemen who acted as a firefighting axillary. These guys would get called out when the monster building fires that were pretty frequent back then broke out. They would help out the paid firemen by providing manpower and assistance where needed on the fire ground. Eventually they were disbanded as the need for their service waned. Still they are a glorious part of American firefighting history.

One guy who became a Chief of the Reserve kept a scrapbook. He passed it on to a neighbor who while vacationing at the Jersey Shore decided to drive it up to Philly and drop it off at the first firehouse he came to. That was Engine 1. The fellas thanked him for the treasure and offered him lunch. The guy declined and drove right back to the shore. Go figure.

As the guys from Engine 1 poured over the old book (it is a wallpaper sample binder) they found articles from some of the biggest Philly fires of that era. They recognized many of the names and tragedies. Then on one page the were startled to see the above picture. This is my family. They recognized the names but not the faces. That's why the told me about it.

This is a picture of my Grandmother, Grandfather, Aunts and Uncles and Father shortly after they were burned out of their house. I have never seen more than one other picture of my grandfather as he died before I was born.

I have fought a few fires in typical Philly row houses. Usually their design isn't conducive to survival. Fires in these homes often explode very quickly. It is nothing for us to pull up and see fire literally "blowing out" windows eight to ten feet. The fire, heat and smoke quickly spreads up open stair cases often dooming occupants asleep on upper floors. In an era before smoke alarms and at 1:45 AM it is sheer luck someone noticed this fire and raised the alarm before it was too late.

After the fire the neighbors generosity took over. They donated food, clothing, money, household items and even a place to stay rent free until they got back on their feet. Look closely at the shoes my uncle (seated far right) is wearing. Simply amazing. A small army of tradesmen came in and rebuilt the house free of charge.

I guess it is no coincidence then that my uncle and father decided to become firemen when they grew up. Maybe that's why I am one today. Fate really is strange. Whats more no one was killed. A fire this bad at this time of the morning with eleven people in the house and no one was seriously injured or killed is quite literally a miracle. I guess I'm lucky to be alive. Don't I know it.

JUST IN CASE IT'S BIDEN

Just in case when I wake up in the morning and Milli Vanilli picked that idiot Joe Biden as his V.P. candidate, I thought I would show everyone what an unbelievable ass Biden is. Picking Biden as your V.P. would just demonstrate to the entire world what a complete zero you really are. If Obama picks Biden it clearly shows that he thinks in his own mind he is weak on foreign policy. Unfortunately, that's the number one area where our next President has to be strongest.

Remember Joe Biden was one of the strongest proponents for giving Geneva Convention protection to terrorists.

Joe Biden is one of the worst Senators in congress. Picking him would be . . . well, great for McCain.

GENERATION KILL

So have you seen this HBO mini-series yet? I have and I love it. This is the best war movie since Band of Brothers. I have watched every episode thus far and I can't wait to buy the set when it comes out. The series is based on the book by Rolling Stone reporter Evan Wright. He was embedded with Marine-Recon during the Iraq invasion. His is a depiction of violence and boredom mixed with testosterone fueled, profanity spewing, sleep deprived Marines in search of a just mission in their corner of the Iraq war.

The portrayal of the Marines seems shocking in some respects. But anyone who ever served in the military should easily identify with the very realistic portrayal of events and characters. The booted missions. The dumb mistakes. The unbelievably insane orders. The mind numbing visions of death. The incompetence of superiors and subordinates. The uselessness of it all. These are all hallmarks of the human endeavor of war.

Although the commentary would have us believe differently I think these Marines are not much different than their great grandfathers who annihilated every Japanese soldier on Okinawa or Iwo Jima. Not much different at all from the soldiers who stormed Omaha beach and fought the Waffen SS do the death. The only difference is the enemy. Where the enemy was pretty easily identified in WWII, the enemy in Iraq mixes with civilians and uses bombs to pick them off. It's tough to fight someone so disorganized and when they get the chance for a "fair one" these boys are more than up to the task.

That makes Generation Kill's Marines identify more closely with Vietnam era GI's in attitude. But for ferociousness in battle these Marines cross the generations. It's an excellent series. If you can, check it out.

HISTORIC NY FIREHOUSE COLLAPSES

After watching this video I felt really bad for those guys up in NY. It's one thing to watch a piece of your history callously destroyed by an uncaring bureaucracy like the Old Race St. Firehouse here in Philly. But it's altogether something different to watch your best efforts to save something come crashing down in front of you. That sucks.

It looks like a jack may have failed allowing the building to shift. Thats all it took to send the building into history. Tough break. Moving the Race St. Firehouse like this was probably never an option due to it's size and cost involved. It would have been great to have been able to save it but without deep pockets and a lot of community support it was never going to happen. At least they tried in New York.

AQUA MAN

I haven't posted anything about the Olympics. Maybe it's because I don't really much care about them. With China cheating at every turn and professionals being harvested to dominate every contest it doesn't do much for me. I did stay up late with Peach to watch the gymnastics. Amazing how young girls seem to identify with these little acrobats. I also watched some of Aqua Man Michael Phelps incredible performances.

American swimmer Michael Phelps has just destroyed all comers the old fashioned way: sheer determination. Insane training regimen, hard work, family support, class, dignity, heart. The kid has it all. Superior genetics don't hurt either. Michael Phelps represents the very best America has to offer and we should all be proud of him.

Unlike China who has tried to win at all costs. For China sportsmanship has nothing to do with these games. Winning is a political exercise for them. The Chinese have to use the games as an opportunity to make us believe things about them that aren't real. From the lip-synced singing (because the real singer didn't measure up to their beauty standards) to the faked fireworks, China is content to manipulate reality to insure perception. Maybe they can help the Democrats with their convention. Hmmmmm....
If they would only subscribe to real standards of freedom and democracy we would believe all their illusions because then they would be real.

It is a shame that some American athlete's aren't able to conduct themselves with such class and dignity as Phelps. Amanda Beard and Mark Spitz both have shown the public what ignoramuses they are by dissing Phelps. Spitz's jealousy and Beards immaturity will be quickly forgotten and America will continue to embrace this champion for some time to come. Wat to go Mike. Great Job.

HILLARY THE FASCIST

Clinton creates 'whip team' to quell anti-Obama protests

In an unusual move, Hillary Clinton's staff is creating a 40-member "whip team" at the Denver Democratic convention to ensure that her supporters don't engage in embarrassing anti-Obama demonstrations during the floor vote on her nomination, according to people familiar with the planning.

The team, which is being organized by longtime Clinton staffer Craig Smith, is working in conjunction with Obama's floor organizers to help foster the image of a unified front during a roll-call process Clinton herself has described as an emotional "catharsis" for her disappointed supporters.

"If people get down there on the floor and want to start blowing kazoos and making a scene we want to make sure we've got people who stand in front of them with Obama signs," said a person involved in the planning.

"Is it typical for a losing candidate to have their own whip team? No. But it's also not usual for a losing candidate to get 18 million votes either," said the person. LINK

Well it is clear from this article what the Democrats think of FREE SPEECH. Hillary is creating a strike team of speech suppressors. They will roam the Democratic National Convention looking for anyone who doesn't tow the party line. If they spot someone expressing thoughts, opinions or speech that is contrary to the official Party Line they will take steps to block it. How about them apples eh? The real enemies of civil rights will be marching around a political gathering, looking for people who don't fit in so they can pounce. I wonder if the strike team members will be wearing armbands?? Or maybe carrying shields?

Folks that is about as scary as it gets. The Clinton sanctioned thought police will be keeping the rest of America from hearing or seeing anything that doesn't fit their official reality. Clearly winning is more important than people's rights of free expression. Winning at all costs is the order of the day. There is a level of hypocrisy associated with the Democrat party that is completely staggering. You have to be in a self delusional state to believe anything they say to take them seriously. The fact that their positions and platforms change more often than Amy Winehouses' moods is a clear example that the Democrat party is a soulless institution that believes in nothing except the quest for power at all costs.

SHOP TALK

Tonight there is a promotion ceremony being held in our Department. Many firefighters / officers will be getting promoted to the next higher rank. This is great news for all those who worked so hard. Congratulations guys and good luck. Specifically five Captains will become Chiefs. This is good news for me personally because it means I am now three on the list. Since the list expires at the end of March there is still a fair amount of time left. It also means that I will be wracked by anxiety over the next six months as I sit on this fence waiting for a phone call that may or may not come.

That's the worst part of being a civil service employee. No matter how good or bad you are, you have little control over things like promotions. If the Department gets to me I'm in. If not I have to take the test over again. That means starting from scratch and going through the entire process again. Then waiting two years while the list runs it's course. It's emotionally and mentally draining. Many guys just get worn out and quit taking the tests. I understand their frustration. I hope I don't have to do it again. I have been filling in so much for my Chief over the last year I don't think I'll ever be any more prepared. But it's out of my hands now. The wait officially begins.

RUSSIAN WAR CRIMES

WHAT WOULD BARACK DO?

Article 3 of the Geneva Convention

In the case of armed conflict not of an international character occurring in the territory of one of the High Contracting Parties, each party to the conflict shall be bound to apply, as a minimum, the following provisions:

1. Persons taking no active part in the hostilities, including members of armed forces who have laid down their arms and those placed hors de combat by sickness, wounds, detention, or any other cause, shall in all circumstances be treated humanely, without any adverse distinction founded on race, colour, religion or faith, sex, birth or wealth, or any other similar criteria.

To this end the following acts are and shall remain prohibited at any time and in any place whatsoever with respect to the above-mentioned persons:

(a) Violence to life and person, in particular murder of all kinds, mutilation, cruel treatment and torture;

(b) Taking of hostages;

(c) Outrages upon personal dignity, in particular, humiliating and degrading treatment;

(d) The passing of sentences and the carrying out of executions without previous judgment pronounced by a regularly constituted court affording all the judicial guarantees which are recognized as indispensable by civilized peoples.

2. The wounded and sick shall be collected and cared for.

An impartial humanitarian body, such as the International Committee of the Red Cross, may offer its services to the Parties to the conflict.

The Parties to the conflict should further endeavour to bring into force, by means of special agreements, all or part of the other provisions of the present Convention.

The application of the preceding provisions shall not affect the legal status of the Parties to the conflict.

The above picture comes from the war in Georgia. It shows UNIFORMED GEORGIAN soldiers, taken prisoner by Russian forces being used as human shields. THIS is a WAR CRIME as clearly spelled out in the Geneva Convention.

We all remember the Geneva Convention don't we? We should since the Democrats (experts in the area of international treaties) gave us all extensive lessons on it during the ongoing Iraq war. Except they only seemed to apply the conventions to US FORCES and then, only when there was a perceived wrong doing by our soldiers. In fact I don't know of ANY case of Iraqi military being charged with any crimes against US forces. I'm quite certain there had to be at least ONE or TWO bad seeds on the other side, don't you think?

So as I look at this picture and I think about the journalists who were shot and sniped at while covering this conflict I ask a very simple question that we ALL should be asking... WHERE'S THE OUTRAGE FROM THE INTERNATIONAL MEDIA? I get the feeling that everyone accepts these actions as business as usual for the Russians. If that's so what does it say about the moral courage of the international community at large and journalists in particular?

After we were subjected to weeks of Abu Ghraib coverage, and a public trial and conviction of the Haditha incident (Remember John Murtha's comments) why aren't we hearing the outrage in these cases?

If we accept these incidents and conduct as business as usual then we resign ourselves to the conditions that allow them to happen in the first place. If you don't confront the schoolyard bully when he beats up the little guy then don't complain when he steals your lunch money.