with blessings

A lot has happened since I last checked in:
- My grandfather, 96, had a heart attack. He's up and making trouble but we were quite scared and worried. Still are.
- Wendy and I finished another teacher year.
- We renewed our vows at the Church of the Ascension in NYC and partied with friends and family.
- We moved from The Bronx to Astoria, Queens.
- We spent three weeks in Ecuador, traveling and visiting with family. We also had a reception with family down there.
- We traveled to Nebraska and had a renewal of vows and great reception with family and friends.
- My good friend Adam came out to represent the NYC crowd (and in the process discovered that, yes, there are Jews in the midwest. A whole lot of them).

I'm currently in Bellevue, Nebraska resting a bit. Wendy and I are incredibly blessed to have had the chance to vow and re-vow before friends and family around the world. Each of us have doubled the number of people we call family and for that we are grateful.

I'll have limited access to the internet until I get it installed in NYC so this blog may go silent for a while. In the meantime, I recommend Uncle Barry's blog. Enjoy!

Tim Russert is dead.

I am saddened. From the NY POST:

TIM RUSSERT DIES FROM APPARENT HEART ATTACK

By CHARLES HURT

June 13, 2008 --

Posted at 3:21 p.m.; Updated at 3:36 p.m.

Tim Russert, NBC journalist and political heavyweight host of "Meet the Press," has died after collapsing at NBC's Washington news bureau, a source said. He was 58 years old.

Russert, who rose from the inside world of politics where he was former New York Gov. Mario Cuomo's press secretary and one-time chief of staff to the late Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan, was able to successfully cross over to political journalism and rise to become one of its leading lights.

In his role as host of the seminal Sunday morning political program "Meet the Press" - which he took over in 1991 - he became renowned for his hard-nosed interviews where he frequently cornered some of Washington's cagiest political figures with tough questions.

Russert joined NBC News in 1984. In April 1985, he supervised the live broadcasts of the Today program from Rome, negotiating and arranging an appearance by Pope John Paul II - a first for American television. In 1986 and 1987 Russert led NBC News weeklong broadcasts from South America, Australia and China.

In 2008, Time Magazine named him one of the world's 100 most influential people.

"Awesome speech."

An article about the President and the Pope from the Pew Forum (which reminds me, are there any, "The President and the Pope walk into a bar" jokes around?):

For Bush and Benedict, a personal and political bond

by Francis X. Rocca
Religion News Service

VATICAN CITY -- When President Bush pays a visit to Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican next Friday (June 13), it will be his sixth meeting with a pope, and his third meeting with Benedict in just over a year.

Never in U.S. history has a president consulted so often with the leader of the Catholic Church. Carl Anderson, a former Reagan aide who now heads the Knights of Columbus, calls it "remarkable."

"Less than 50 years ago," he said, "it was a question as to whether a Catholic should even be able to run for president."

Bush has emphasized his admiration for the papacy, and in particular for Benedict, whom he has called a "very smart, loving man." When Benedict arrived in Washington in April, Bush personally met the pope on the tarmac, the only time that Bush has so honored any dignitary.

Less obvious is how the pope views the president. It is not only Benedict's relatively shy personality that prevents him from being so demonstrative, but the customary reserve that his office imposes on its occupants.

"These are the kinds of cards that popes don't show," said the Rev. Thomas J. Reese, a senior fellow at Georgetown University's Woodstock Theological Center, and author of "Inside the Vatican."

Yet according to informed observers, there is reason to believe that Benedict, despite some important policy differences with the president (most notably over Iraq), feels a genuine affinity with Bush as both a man and a leader.

For the pope, part of the attraction may lie in Bush's life story.

"I'd imagine that he has respect for the president as a man who turned his life around, had a conversion experience, stopped drinking and started living a religious life," said Reese.

Benedict, who has warned against the increasing secularization of Europe and praised the prominent role of religion in American public life, is likely to appreciate a head of state who is "not afraid to express his faith as a Christian," said the Rev. Joseph Fessio, a former student of the pope who now runs Ignatius Press, Benedict's principal English-language publisher.

In the president, the pope finds a key supporter of the Catholic church's positions on such controversial questions as abortion, stem-cell research and same-sex marriage. Bush's arguments have frequently echoed Benedict's appeals to "natural law" and even employ the terms of Catholic social doctrine (despite the fact that the president is a Methodist).

Nowhere has the congruence of their thinking been clearer than at April's welcoming ceremony at the White House, when Bush cited Benedict's denunciation of the "dictatorship of relativism," and the pope noted the importance of American religiosity as inspiration for abolitionism and the civil rights movement.

To which Bush replied, "Thank you, Your Holiness. Awesome speech."

"They could pretty much have given each other's speech," said William McGurn, Bush's former head speechwriter and a Catholic, who was present at the ceremony (but did not write the president's remarks).

Fessio agreed. "In terms of authentic, normative Catholic teaching, I don't see any area in which the pope and President Bush disagree," he said.

The most notable case of disharmony between the two leaders was over the 2003 invasion of Iraq, which then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger opposed at least as ardently as Pope John Paul II.

"But Iraq is not a matter of Catholic social teaching," Fessio said. "That was a prudential decision on whether or not the use of force was justified. The pope would be the first to tell you that good Catholics can disagree on that."

Likewise, Benedict's views on economics, taxation and government regulation (which are known to lie to the left of Bush's) are merely his personal opinions, not doctrine that he holds as binding on the faithful, Fessio said.

In any case, it would be uncharacteristically undiplomatic of any pope to let past differences get in the way of constructive collaboration with a world superpower.

"The Vatican knows how to agree and disagree with heads of state and work with them anyway," Reese said. "It's got a big agenda."

Among the agenda items likely to come up in next Friday's discussion, several observers agreed, is the ever worsening plight of Christians in the Middle East, especially Iraq.

"As horrified as the Vatican may have been that we went in there, my sense is that they don't want us to leave until we've fixed things," McGurn said. "My suspicion is that the Vatican fears that we're going to skedaddle and leave the population in the lurch."

Ron Paul! Start a Revolution!

It's taken me a while to write about anything political on this blog. The original intent was not to make this a political blog. However, I've been giddy like a kid at a toy store today with the constant stream of "Breaking News" headlines on CNN.


Here's my take:

John McCain. Patriot and pretty badass guy. I wouldn't mind him as our President though his talk of continuing the fight in Iraq for another 100 years is slightly scary. Better than Bush.

Barack Obama. Our now presumptive Democratic nominee. Inspirational speaker. Too liberal? Talks a good talk and would like to see him try and walk the walk. I'd give him a chance.

Bob Barr. Libertarian, that's a plus. Can't stand his mustache :) Seriously though, his switch from Conservative Republican who supports the War in Iraq and the Patriot Act to Libertarian who now opposes both is a little hard to understand. Though I guess he was duped like the rest of us.

Ralph Nader. Green. Been there, done that. Back in 2000. Not this time.

Ron Paul. Libertarian Republican. Read his book and I'm interested. He won't be winning the Republican nomination anytime soon but there's always the dream. Has some skeletons but overall, I think, he seems to be a pretty honest guy. Unfortunately, I don't think he'll be on the ballot in any state in November.

Watch some Ron Paul videos:
The Unofficial Rock Anthem


MLK, JFK, RP


Since Ron Paul won't be on the ballot, I'll have to decide between the first three. Thoughts?

I want to see this!

Coffey!

Sorry for the long time no write. I feel like crud. I've been fighting allergies for a couple of weeks now and now I seem to have picked up some sort of chest congestion thing. Awesome!

So, at times like these, when I feel down, I like to watch a lot of Tube video. This is Coffey, a Christian worship artist. I like what he does. Check it out.

A Story about Character

Wendy's Uncle Barry is a Pastor in Texarkana. He writes a blog called Vission-Mission-Passion that I read often. Today's post has an article from the Associated Press that is pretty amazing. Basically, a Western Oregon University softball player hits a homerun, her first ever. But, she hurts her knee and can't continue past first. Her teammates can't help her because it's against the rules. That's when members from the other team, Central Washington University, get up and carry her around the bases. Read about it below:

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - With two runners on base and a strike against her, Sara Tucholsky of Western Oregon University uncorked her best swing and did something she had never done, in high school or college. Her first home run cleared the center-field fence. But it appeared to be the shortest of dreams come true when she missed first base, started back to tag it and collapsed with a knee injury.

She crawled back to first but could do no more. The first-base coach said she would be called out if her teammates tried to help her. Or, the umpire said, a pinch runner could be called in, and the homer would count as a single.

Then, members of the Central Washington University softball team stunned spectators by carrying Tucholsky around the bases Saturday so the three-run homer would count - an act that contributed to their own elimination from the playoffs.

Central Washington first baseman Mallory Holtman, the career home run leader in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference, asked the umpire if she and her teammates could help Tucholsky.

The umpire said there was no rule against it.

So Holtman and shortstop Liz Wallace put their arms under Tucholsky's legs, and she put her arms over their shoulders. The three headed around the base paths, stopping to let Tucholsky touch each base with her good leg.

"The only thing I remember is that Mallory asked me which leg was the one that hurt," Tucholsky said. "I told her it was my right leg and she said, 'OK, we're going to drop you down gently and you need to touch it with your left leg,' and I said 'OK, thank you very much."'

"She said, 'You deserve it, you hit it over the fence,' and we all kind of just laughed."

"We started laughing when we touched second base," Holtman said. "I said, 'I wonder what this must look like to other people."'

"We didn't know that she was a senior or that this was her first home run," Wallace said Wednesday. "That makes the story more touching than it was. We just wanted to help her."

Holtman said she and Wallace weren't thinking about the playoff spot, and didn't consider the gesture something others wouldn't do.

As for Tucholsky, the 5-foot-2 right fielder was focused on her pain.

"I really didn't say too much. I was trying to breathe," she told The Associated Press in a telephone interview Wednesday.

"I didn't realize what was going on until I had time to sit down and let the pain relax a little bit," she said. "Then I realized the extent of what I actually did."

"I hope I would do the same for her in the same situation," Tucholsky added.

Happy Birthday Grandpa! -- Happy Day of the Ascension! -- AND Happy National Day of Prayer

So, it's a busy day for my blog.

First, it's my Grandpa's Birthday! Though he doesn't read this, I like to share the news so that y'all can keep him in your prayers. My grandfather turns 96 today! Although he's losing his eyesight and his memory is going, he's relatively healthy for a 96 year old. God bless him! I've always hoped that it's his genes I inherit.

Second, Happy Day of the Ascension! For those of you not in the know, today is the day we celebrate Jesus heading Home. According to Christian doctrine Jesus went, full body, to Heaven forty days after His resurrection - that would be today. Today's Gospel reading reminded us that though He is no longer physically among us He said, "And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age." Matthew 28:20.

Finally, Happy National Day of Prayer! I was thinking about this as I walked to school today: What about the atheists? Surely they must be opposed to a National Day of Prayer. And, apparently, I was right. According to Wikipedia, those opposed to a National Day of Prayer have established a National Day of Reason. And some groups, like the NYC Atheists organize events like blood donation drives on the same day. So, regardless of your religion or lack thereof, there's some good gettin' done today!

Speaking of Atheists and Prayer, I'll leave you with one of my favorite prayer jokes:

An Atheist walked through the forest, he looked at the beauty around him and said, "What natural wonders the powers of evolution have created."

Just then he heard a rustling near the river. He went to investigate and a 7-foot-tall grizzly bear came bounding toward him. The man took off like a shot and when he turned he saw the bear was catching up fast.

He tried with all his strength to pick up the pace, but he tripped and crashed to the ground. As he tried to get up, the bear jumped on his chest and picked up one paw to whack him.

The atheist screamed, "Oh my God!!!"

Time stopped! The bear froze. The forest was silent Even the river stopped moving.

As a bright light shone upon the man, a voice boomed from the heavens, "You deny my existence for all of these years, teach others I don't exist, and even credit creation to a cosmic accident. Do you expect me to help you out of this predicament? Am I to count you as a believer?"

The atheist looked directly into the light, "It would be hypocritical of me to suddenly ask you to treat me as a Believer now, but perhaps could you make the bear a Believer?"

"Very well," the voice said.

The light went out! The river ran again. And the sounds of the forest resumed. And then the bear dropped its right paw, brought both paws together, bowed its head and spoke:

"Lord, for this food which I am about to receive, I am truly thankful."

Bring your dollar bills... for collection!

This piece comes from Central Florida News 13. There are so many jokes to possibly be made here.

If you have any jokes, leave them in the comments.

Regardless of what the establishment was beforehand, it's always good to see a church go up somewhere it's needed.

MASCOTTE -- Big changes got under way for a local Lake County strip club to convert it into -- believe it or not -- a Catholic church.

Rafa's nightclub recently went out of business, and the building's new owners have been busy stripping it of its old roots.

Construction was slated to begin once the city of Mascotte gave the church its building permits.

Despite the unconventional switch, the owners said they hoped to open the church's doors by late fall.

"This area has never had a Catholic church, and this will be a first for them. I feel like they already feel the ownership of this place," said church spokesman Joseph Cruz.

The church was being built to accomodate about 300 people, and would be the first of its kind in Mascotte.

Before the project, the closest Catholic church was in Clermont.

LiveStrong!

Many people know that I am (in my own small way) an advocate for those living with cancer. The charity I always give to and ask people to help is St. Jude Children's Research Hospital because of the help they provide to children living with cancer. Although I never was able to run the 2006 NYC Marathon, I managed to raise over $1000 for St. Jude.

On the side, I've also been a fan of Lance Armstrong - as an athlete - but also with his work through the Lance Armstrong Foundation. I was recently on the website and saw a blog post (copied below) from Dr. Harold Freeman. Lance is taking the fight to the Presidential candidates this year in the hopes that they'll listen and do something about the disparity written about here:

Dr. Harold Freeman talks about Cancer in Harlem

I'm happy to write in today and share some of my thoughts about the cancer community in which I serve. Tomorrow I celebrate 40 years of service in Harlem.

Any substantial approach to reducing the cancer death and improving the cancer survival rate in an underserved community such as Harlem, must take into account the overarching causes of cancer disparities which are poverty, lack of health insurance and low educational level. There are two levels of solution, national and local:

(1) At the national level we need policy changes that would promote universal access to health care. Currently, there are an estimated 46 million Americans who are uninsured;

(2) At the local level we should promote community programs which assist and guide poor and uninsured Americans through the very complex health care system. I have pioneered such a program. It is called Patient Navigation. The role of this program is to eliminate any barriers that individual patients face in seeking to obtain timely quality cancer care. This kind of personal one-on-one assistance has been very effective in Harlem and is being applied at many other sites around the country; and

(3) We must also create effective public educational programs which will promote primary and secondary cancer prevention.

Someone asked me recently to share some of the highlights of my service in Harlem. I would like to share the following:

- I have gained a deep knowledge of the meaning of poverty and the meaning of race as determinants of survival and using this insight to enlighten scientists and the American public about the relationship between race, poverty and cancer.

- In 1979 I established free breast cancer screening and diagnostic centers both in the community and at Harlem Hospital. Both of these programs are still operating today.

- In 1990 I initiated the nation's first Patient Navigator program at Harlem Hospital. In published studies, I showed that there was a marked increase in 5 year survival from breast cancer when women were offered free screening and were navigated to rapid resolution including treatment if necessary. The 5-year breast cancer survival rate in Harlem increased from 39% before intervention to 70% after intervention.

- With a leadership gift from Ralph Lauren, I founded the Ralph Lauren Center for Cancer Care and Prevention in 2003. This Center is having a deep impact on providing access to screening, diagnosis and timely quality cancer treatment irrespective of the patient's ability to pay for services.

- For 25 years I was Program Director of a Surgery Residency Training program at Harlem Hospital. More than 100 surgeons were trained in this program which was fully approved by the American Board of Surgery.

- Through my work as a surgeon in the community of Harlem I was promoted to positions of National importance such as National President of the American Cancer Society and Chairman of the US President's Cancer Panel. This gave me the opportunity to look at the entire nation through the lens that I had developed in my work as a cancer surgeon in Harlem. To the extent that I have made contributions to the nation in cancer control, I attribute my success to my opportunity to work as a surgeon in Harlem. This allowed me to gain some understanding of the human conditions in which cancer and other diseases occur and to teach that we must understand those conditions -- economic, cultural, social, environmental, and political conditions -- in order to find remedies and solutions to the problem of excess mortality from cancer in poor communities.

Over 40 years I have seen significant progress in cancer outcome overall in America as well as progress in poor and minority communities. This is good. But while black Americans, for example, have improved survival overall from cancer, the most frustrating reality to me is that the gap in 5 year survival between black and white Americans has not changed in these 40 years.

In another 40 years what would please me would be that we as a society eliminated the disconnect between what we discover and what we deliver to all American people irrespective of their ability to pay and close the gap between what we know and what we do.