The New Beginning

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Metropolitan Cantor Institute

Homepage for the Institute. Recorded music.
Thanks to Insight Scoop.

Paul Gottfried, Neocons and the Left: Know Your Enemies

Neocons and the Left: Know Your Enemies

and Daniel McCarthy responds to Alan Wolfe about R. Kirk

Does Harry Potter reinforce the narcissistic obsession with youth?

Or does it promote the maturation of young adults into responsible members of a community?

It may avoid some of the excesses of adultlescent culture, but does it still advocate a disordered individualism (which may be subtly present in the form of pride, even if the protagonists are "friends" and working with each other to defeat evil)?

Malankara Syrian Easter

Easter 2K6 at St. Mary's Malankara Syrian Orthodox Cathedral at 1424 Orthodox Street, Philadelphia, PA. The service was performed His Grace Dr. Thomas Mar Makarios

G. I. Joe

some news about the live-action movie; a review of G.I. Joe: America's Elite #25

My cousins first introduced me to the Marvel comic book a long time ago; they also had the action figures, and I remember receiving one as a Christmas present. We spent a lot of time playing with the figures outside. After all, these weren't just soldiers, but secret special soldiers who were undercover and dedicated to battling terrorism, especially the terrorist organization COBRA. But as the stories got a little bit more and more exaggerated, I started to lose interest. Eventually Marvel shut the series down. I've seen several issues of the new series, which was picked up by Devil's Due. It doesn't really keep my interest; once one becomes familiar with the reality of special forces and of CAG, either through books or through the visual media (Black Hawk Down or The Unit), the made-up fantastic stories of a comic book are just not very satisfying.

As for one-on-one combat, it is plausible to have exaggerated depictions if primitive arms (swords, spears, or the human body) are being used. But once firearms come into the picture... my demand for realism starts to take over. The protagonists better be taking cover, moving, and taking other measures to keep themselves alive. It is difficult for me to suspend my disbelief; I wonder what those who are more experienced with firearms think about how they are shown in movies and TV though.

I remember Dr. Lloyd being a fan of John Woo movies, comparing the over-the-top action and basic moral themes of those movies with the Greek epics; what would he think of 300, the graphic novel or the movie?

Wu Zhong, Divorce, Chinese style

Divorce, Chinese style Marital splits are on the rise in China and an increasing number of the breakups have one distinct modern Chinese characteristic - they're phony, just like the country's booming counterfeit-goods industry. - Wu Zhong (Jul 17, '07)

Michael Scheuer on AQ

2 articles from Asia Times, one by Mr. Scheuer.

Al-Qaeda regrouping points to US attack Al-Qaeda has focused on promoting worldwide unity among jihadi groups - Sunni and Shi'ites - more in recent months than at any other time since the September 11, 2001, attacks on the US. There has been demonstrable progress in achieving this Islamist unity, which al-Qaeda wants in place before its next attack. - Michael Scheuer (Jul 18, '07)

The terrorist threat to the US homeland The US faces a persistent terrorist threat over the next three years, especially from al-Qaeda, says the National Intelligence Estimate released on Tuesday by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. Al-Qaeda is pushing other extremist groups to adopt its efforts to supplement al-Qaeda's capabilities, according to the Estimate. (Jul 18, '07)

The new Bishop of Beijing is elected

The new Bishop of Beijing is elected
It’s Father Joseph Li Shan, a pastor who has demonstrated independence from the Patriotic Association. He is the first new bishop since Benedict XVI’s letter. Chosen by an “independent” procedure and not appointed by the Pope, despite this his name was among those with Rome’s approval.

Beijing (AsiaNews) – The “community” of the Beijing diocese has chosen Fr. Joseph Li Shan, 43, as their new bishop. The news was gathered from Chinese Catholic sources, who clarify that his nomination took place on July 16th.

His election will be confirmed by the “Council of bishops”, taking over the post left vacant by the death of Michele Fu Tieshan, Patriotic Archbishop of Beijing, who died on April 20th or maybe even earlier. As president of the Patriotic Association, the organism by which the Communist Party controls the Catholic Church in the country, Msgr. Fu Tieshan always sided with the government and against the Holy See. On his death he was given a state burial, attended by numerous political figures and few faithful.

Fr. Li Shan’s election is the first to take place in China following the publication of Benedict XVI’s Letter to the Catholics of China. The procedure for his appointment was formally “independent”, in so far as he was elected by an assembly comprising priests, nuns and lay people and not nominated by the Pope. He will similarly be confirmed by the Council of Bishops, a group which the Pope wrote in his Letter, “cannot be recognised as an Episcopal conference of the Apostolic See”.

Regarding the choice of Fr. Li Shan, officially, the Vatican has limited itself to following the situation “with great attention” but without any comment. Instead, according to Chinese Catholic sources, the name of Fr. Li Shan was among those put forward for the post of Beijing archbishop which did not raise objections in Rome, even in the absence an “accord”.

Fr. Giuseppe Li Shan, in fact, is considered across the board as a good and true pastor. A man of faith, capable of relating to both the faithful and the political authorities. He is a native of Beijing; his family has a deep rooted Catholic tradition, giving him an advantage over someone not from the area. He has never travelled abroad, not even for study. If this creates some difficulties regarding international relations, on the other hand it makes him to a “national product” in the eyes of the faithful and the authorities.

In his relations with the Patriotic Association he has been most succinct, rejecting the power of the AP. In recent years he has fought against the forced expropriation of Church property in his parish (Dong Tang) by members of the AP and the “secretary” of Fu Tieshan, Chen Maoju. This is why the faithful of Beijing admire him. His opposition to the AP and Fu’s gang also put him in a good light with the local and national government.

Currently he is the parish priest of St Joseph’s (Dong Tang), in Beijing’s shopping area of Wangfujin.

Mgr Zhao Zhendong, bishop of Xuanhua, dies

Mgr Zhao Zhendong, bishop of Xuanhua, dies
Despite a long illness, prelate did not stop providing pastoral care to the faithful. In his last days he was studying Pope Benedict XVI’s letter to Chinese Catholics, an important document to promote unity among the faithful.

Hong Kong (AsiaNews) – After suffering ill health for the past few months, underground Bishop Philippus Petrus Zhao Zhendong of Xuanhua, seat of the Suffragan Catholic Church of the Archdiocese of Beijing, passed away on July 13, a day short of his 87th birthday, UCA News reported.Catholic sources in Hebei told the news agency that the bishop, who had heart problems and diabetes for years, had tried to unite the underground and official Catholic communities since taking over as head of the diocese in 1999.

Despite his illness, Mgr Zhao had not stopped his pastoral care for the faithful.

Before he died, he was studying the letter that Pope Benedict recently wrote to mainland Catholics. He viewed the document as an important element in advancing unity in the diocese.

Bishop Zhou's work at reconciling the two communities resulted in several meetings between clergy from the two groups.

He had also ordered that all "house churches" in the diocese be closed so Catholics could worship in proper Church buildings, some of which have been registered with the government.

Although there are no bans on participating in the funeral, scheduled for next Sunday in Yuxian, the authorities will require faithful attending to sign a registry in order to get in.

Coadjutor Bishop Thomas Zhao Kexun automatically succeeded the late bishop. However, some Church sources say that since the late bishop fell seriously ill, the coadjutor has been in hiding to avoid trouble with government officials.

PCR, A Free Press or a Ministry of Truth?

A Free Press or a Ministry of Truth?
by Paul Craig Roberts

Bill Bonner, The Flirting Mistress of Prosperity

The Flirting Mistress of Prosperity
By Bill Bonner "That the U.S. economy has had only one minor recession since 1991 we take as cause for alarm…like a teenager who is unusually polite; we figure he's up to something."

Summer Sale
By Puru Saxena "These days, some analysts are claiming that the bull-market in commodities is solely due to monetary inflation. But as Puru Saxena explains, to have a bull-market in any sector, supply and demand must also be out of whack. Read on…"

Information about the Swiss government

(source)

admin.ch - Welcome to the Confederation’s information service!
Information about Switzerland
Cantons of Switzerland
Switzerland's information portal - Switzerland - Information
Governments on the WWW: Switzerland
Category:Government of Switzerland - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Politics of Switzerland - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Cantons of Switzerland - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Swiss Confederation Institute

Obama Girl vs. Giuliani Girl

via Eunomia

The Philadelphia Society

website

The program for the regional meeting:

The Regional Meeting is scheduled for
October 19-20, 2007
Louisville, Kentucky
Seelbach Hotel

Decentralism and Regionalism in American Politics and Letters
Gordon Lloyd, Professor of Public Policy at Pepperdine University, will give the Keynote Address on Friday night. His topic is "Why Keep the Antifederalists Alive?"

The Saturday sessions will explore the humane vision of Wendell Berry. Wendell Berry is probably the nation’s finest novelist, poet, and essayist whose discussion of human truth is based on his agrarian experiences of life in Kentucky. We will be working in conjunction with the Intercollegiate Studies Institute and the McConnell Center for this part of the program.

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Redemptionis Sacramentum

This needs to be printed out for mom.

Instruction Redemptionis Sacramentum on certain matters to be observed or to be avoided regarding the Most Holy Eucharist (April 23, 2004)[English, French, German, Italian, Latin, Portuguese, Spanish]
Introducing Redemptionis Sacramentum - H.Em. Card. Francis Arinze (April 23, 2004)[English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish]
Introducing Redemptionis Sacramentum - H.E. Msgr. Angelo Amato (April 23, 2004)[Italian, Portuguese]
Introducing Redemptionis Sacramentum - H.E. Msgr. Domenico Sorrentino (April 23, 2004)[English, Italian, Portuguese]

Mr. Lawler stands by the story

This story, about the Holy Father's private Masses.

Posted by: Phil - Today 1:30 PM ET USA
In answer to Charles, and for the benefit of readers who might have missed my 7/17 message to CWN subscribers:
CWN stands by the accuracy of our original report.
There is no doubt that the Holy Father celebrates the Novus Ordo Mass; that was never in question. The thrust of our story was that the Pope also uses the 1962 Missal. Nor should that news be particularly surprising, in light of the recent motu proprio underlining the rightful place of the older liturgy in the Catholic tradition.

Swiss Health Care

The Swiss Healthcare System (2002)
JAMA -- Abstract: Consumer-Driven Health Care: Lessons From ...
Dallas Morning News Looks At Switzerland's Health System
International Geneva - Welcome Centre - Good healthcare in Switzerland
Swiss system might serve as model - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Switzerland
OECD and WHO survey of Switzerland’s health system
OECD Reviews of Health Systems - Switzerland
Health Care Reform and Rationing in Switzerland: The Role of ...
Face value Health-care heretic Economist.com
Is Switzerland's health care consumer-driven? Physicians for a ...
Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog: Universal health care: Look at ...
Category:Healthcare in Switzerland - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

DNI report on the 2007 Boyd Conference

here

And the rebuttal witness:

Vatican spokesman: Pope concelebrates daily Mass using current missal

By Cindy Wooden
Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI concelebrates his daily morning Mass in Italian using the current edition of the Roman Missal, the Vatican spokesman said.

Claims that the pope celebrates his private Mass using the Tridentine rite are incorrect, Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi told Catholic News Service July 17.

The Tridentine Mass is the Latin-language liturgy that predates the Second Vatican Council; it was last revised in the 1962 edition of the Roman Missal.

Less than 10 days after Pope Benedict July 7 issued his letter and norms providing greater opportunity for the celebration of the Tridentine Mass, news reports claimed Pope Benedict already had been celebrating the old rite privately.

"The confusion probably was caused by our footage of the pope celebrating facing the altar, which is due to the fact that the altar is against the wall" in the private chapel of the Apostolic Palace, Father Lombardi said.

With the altar against the wall, the concelebrants in the private chapel end up having their backs toward the congregation during the eucharistic prayer. The congregation at the morning Mass generally is made up of the pope's valet and the consecrated women who staff the papal apartment.

The images Father Lombardi referred to were released by the Vatican to coincide with celebrations of Pope Benedict's 80th birthday April 16. Father Lombardi heads the Vatican Television Center, which produced the footage, as well as serving as director of the Vatican press office and Vatican Radio.

Father Lombardi also said the fact that the pope's two private secretaries concelebrate the Mass with him each morning "obviously means he is using the new Missal," since the Tridentine Mass strictly limits concelebration.

At public Masses with an international congregation, Pope Benedict uses the post-Vatican II Mass with most of the prayers in Latin. However, on occasions such as the feast of the Body and Blood of Christ, which is considered a Rome diocesan celebration although there is an international congregation, the pope recites the prayers in Italian.

Peak oil stuff

Peak oil and the coming report from the National Petroleum Council - July 16
by Staff
includes:
Oil industry admits it cannot save us
Jerome a Paris, European Tribune

ASPO-USA special on NPC report
Tom Whipple, ASPO-USA

Peak Lite Revisited
Robert Rapier, The Oil Drum

EB
Published on 16 Jul 2007 by ASPO-USA / Energy Bulletin. Archived on 16 Jul 2007.
On the precipice: Energy security and economic stability on the edge
by Daniel L. Davis

Preface to a 37-page report, posted in full here (PDF)

And:
The Sins of Affluence
James K. Galbraith, Washington Monthly
(review of Consumed and Deep Economy)
via EB

Valaam Choir, We Magnify Thee, Serbian Chant

The St. Petersburg Valaam Metochion Choir sings "We Magnify Thee, O Lifegiver Christ..." (Serbian Chant) at St. John the Baptist Russian Orthodox Cathedral in Washington, DC, 2002

Not the same as Choir "Valaam", I believe.

See also: Russian Orthodox All-Night Vigil, part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4

Some wedding videos:
Amer & Tania
040703 Wedding Ceremony at Syrian Orthodox Church in India

The St.Ann Choir Website