923

11/19/09 DOD:
Army Casualty Identified
Spc. Joseph M. Lewis, 26, of Terrell, Texas died on Nov. 17 in Kandahar, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 8th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 5th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Wash.

11/19/09 CBS:
2 U.S. Soldiers Killed in Afghan Blast
NATO says two U.S. service members have been killed in an explosion in southern Afghanistan. Lt. Col. Todd Vician says the two were killed by a bomb explosion in Zabul province late Thursday morning. He did not have any further details

4364

11/20/09 DoD:
Navy Casualty Identified
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a sailor who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Petty Officer 2nd Class Brian M. Patton, 37, of Freeport, Ill., died Nov. 19 in Kuwait in a non-combat accident.

May he rest in peace and rise in glory.

A powerful poem

I commend to your attention Tobias' new poem "She woke one morning" dedicated to "all women diminished and debased by culture, cult or clan."

So sad.

Such an outrage.

We have so very far to go.

--the BB

Jesus wept

Exodus International (no, I'm not providing a link) Sends Letter Opposing Uganda's Anti-Homosexuality Bill.

While we do not believe that homosexual behavior is what God intended for individuals, we believe that deprivation of life and liberty is not an appropriate or helpful response to this issue.

While I disagree with a great deal of what they say in their letter, it is more of a protest than has been offered by any of the churches of the Anglican Communion except for the Anglican Church of Canada’s Council of General Synod (thank you), to our great Anglican shame.

You can read about this at Jake's place and Susan Russell's letter to the PB is here. I also commend to your attention another post by Susan about the study showing how U.S. conservatives have exported homophobia to Africa.

We can sign a petition here.

Civilized nations and churches should be rising up in united protest against the proposed law. Those who are being timid do have a point - protests may be deemed as one more example of Western interference in Africa. My response is "just what the hell do you call folks like Marty Minns and their money channels cozying up to Akinola and Orombi et al.?"

Feh.

--the BB

Convention on the Rights of the Child

Twenty years ago today the Convention on the Rights of the Child was adopted and opened for signature, ratification and accession by the General Assembly of the United Nations.

I believe this portion is relevant to the health care debate in the United States:

Article 24

1. States Parties recognize the right of the child to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health and to facilities for the treatment of illness and rehabilitation of health. States Parties shall strive to ensure that no child is deprived of his or her right of access to such health care services.

Note the word "access" in there and think about how insurance companies govern access in this country. Strikes me as a direct violation. Perhaps this is one of many reasons for the following:

Who has not ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child and why?
The Convention on the Rights of the Child is the most widely and rapidly ratified human rights treaty in history. Only two countries, Somalia and the United States, have not ratified this celebrated agreement. Somalia is currently unable to proceed to ratification as it has no recognized government. By signing the Convention, the United States has signalled its intention to ratify—but has yet to do so.

As in many other nations, the United States undertakes an extensive examination and scrutiny of treaties before proceeding to ratify. This examination, which includes an evaluation of the degree of compliance with existing law and practice in the country at state and federal levels, can take several years—or even longer if the treaty is portrayed as being controversial or if the process is politicized. Moreover, the US Government typically will consider only one human rights treaty at a time. Currently, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women is cited as the nation's top priority among human rights treaties.

--UNICEF

[Emphasis mine]

Hmmph. As if the United States Senate gave a damn about any form of justice not in the interest of their lobbyists.

--theBB

Gary provides an update on Roseann

Gary sent this in a note on Facebook; I copied it from Mimi.

Roseann was admitted to the Arkansas Hospice inpatient facility. She sleeps pretty much all of the time now and only wakes up for a few seconds at a time -- sometimes lucid, other times not. The Hospice staff is awesome and are doing a wonderful job of keeping her comfortable and making sure she gets anything she needs. Her room has an extra bed and I will be spending most of my time in the room with her until the end comes. Thanx so much to all of you for your love and support -- your calls visits & online messages meant a great deal to her (and me). Please know that she loves you all as do I.

Almighty God, look on your servant Roseann, lying in great weakness, and comfort her with the promise of life everlasting, given in the resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

--the BB

Today

Got in my 8 hours at work. Shirts picked up at laundry. Copies made of 4 handouts for English classes. Two other handouts already prepared but not yet printed. Lesson insert for this coming Sunday formatted and 15 full-color booklets printed off. Hymns selected for Sunday (Reign of Christ). Many hymns sung in the privacy of my bedroom/office. The kids are glad I'm done with that. Half-sheet flyers designed and saved on thumb drive so I can forward the master to the printers tomorrow. One load of towels washed and dried. Up late again.

Oyasumi nasai,

--the BB

Are you saved? - an Orthodox Christian answer.

Stunning testimony.


via OCICBW, MP having nicked it first

--the BB

Hard to believe

I have not been posting much since there has been so much else going on in my life of late. (And, yes, laziness since I can post a link on FB with a click and quick comment, though I still much prefer blogs and miss my friends' posts since some do FB now and hardly ever post on their blogs any more- you know who you are.)

Anyhow, today almost slipped by me. Just before going to bed I turned off an overhead light and saw on my calendar that today is the fifth blogiversary of Byzigenous Buddhapalian. So, many thanks to all who have visited here, especially those who have contributed to the conversations, and very especially those who have become friends via the internet.

Over 3400 posts in the past five years. Lord, I'm wordy. (But we all knew that.)

Мир,

--the BB

Samantha Bee explains it all

Watch Giuliani debate himself. Then find out the real reasons that trying terrorists in NYC is a frightening thought.




h/t to Jed Lewison

--the BB

920

11/16/09 DoD:
Marine Casualty Identified
Lance Cpl. Shawn P. Hefner, 22, of Hico, Texas, died Nov. 13 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 2nd Amphibious Assault Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

11/16/09 DoD:
Army Casualty Identified
Spc. Christopher J. Coffland, 43, of Baltimore, Md., died Nov. 13 in Wardak province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 323rd Military Intelligence Battalion, Fort Meade, Md.

4363

11/16/09 DoD:
Marine Casualty Identified
Staff Sgt. Stephen L. Murphy, 36, of Jaffery, N.H., died Nov. 9 as a result of a non-hostile incident in Anbar province, Iraq. He was assigned to 2nd Intelligence Battalion, II Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

The Gratitude Campaign

The ASL (American Sign Language) gesture for "thank you" is featured here. It is one sign I remember from my few ASL classes years ago. But I actually try to say "thank you" out loud when I see men and women in the uniform of country. It's almost always awkward but it is so easy and it means so much.



h/t to Ellie

--the BB

Heart thread - 11/15/2009

For the repose of the soul of the Very Rev. James M. Jensen and for his wife, Klady, and their family. May he rest in peace and rise in glory.

Grant, O Lord, to all who are bereaved the spirit of faith and courage, that they may have strength to meet the days to come with steadfastness and patience; not sorrowing as those without hope, but in thankful remembrance of your great goodness, and in the joyful expectation of eternal life with those they love. And this we ask in the Name of Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

For Margaret's Uncle Don and all who mourn as he passes:

All this talk of end-times and birth pangs.... no snark here tonight. Please pray for my Uncle Don who passed from this life to life eternal. He has no use any longer of stones or brick or mortar, edifices grand and regal --he lives now, in the living Temple of flesh and blood, life without end.

May his soul and the souls of all the departed through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

For the repose of the soul of Terra Lyn Swinney, a young mother who attended All Saints, Greensboro, who was killed in her car when a tree fell during this past week's storm. For Kerry, her husband, and their little boy Tristen Douglas.



For continued healing for Mother Sandra:

Thank you for your prayers, as I believe that is the only thing that has gotten me through the last eight weeks. I ask for your continued prayers as I now begin the rehabilitation of my physical being. Until I see you in person at the rehabilitation hospital or at home (hopefully before Christmas), may your journeys continue to be blessed fully by God.
Vaya con Dios,
Sandra

For our brothers and sisters in the Eastern and Oriental Orthodox Churches. In the Orthodox Church we have come to the beginning of the Christmas fast. Words from our siblings at Syntheopoiesis:

If the government, how much greater the harm when caused by dangerous church leaders? Hence, the raison d'être for the Holy Incarnation ... Not just so we all may live as renewed creatures, but that we all may live as the fullness of God's image, as the overflow of God's likeness, as God's own gods (cf. Gal 4:4-6; Jn 10:10). If Orthodoxy teaches the Parousia is here and now; then why do so many shepherds (and their provocateurs) theosis-block their God-entrusted sheep?

For Jack and Shirley, Jay, Jim and Ruthie, Frank and Carol, JimB, Malcolm, Mimi (on her next round of eye surgery), Mark, Rob, Dan, Kirstin, David, Jack, Lindy, David.... for healing, discernment, employment, courage, hope, and whatever else they need right now.

I offer prayers of thanksgiving for Scott, Lois, Annie, Chris, Wyatt, Warren the younger, Steve, Larry, Warren, Anne Marie, Rhonda, Tim, Stephanie, Shawn, Joe, Rhonda the younger, Michal Anne, and Diane who all turned out to make yesterday a Miracle Day at the Church of Our Saviour.

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
--Philippians 4:4-7

--the BB