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No No Keshagesh - Buffy sings again

Ghost Dancers

Cree Indian folksinger Buffy Sainte-Marie has a new album, Running for the Drum. She has not stopped singing for justice. Here is "No No Keshagesh." As I read at Meteor Blades' post:

The lead song is called "No No Keshagesh." In her native tongue, Keshagesh means "greedy guts." "It's what you call a little puppy who eats his own and then wants everybody else's."

--the BB

Bomb Causes Derailment of Russian Train, Killing 26

Photo: Denis Sinyakov/Reuters

By CLIFFORD J. LEVY and ELLEN BARRY (NYT)
Published: November 28, 2009

MOSCOW – A luxury express train carrying hundreds of passengers from Moscow to St. Petersburg derailed on Friday night after a bomb detonated on the tracks in a rural area, killing more than 25 people and injuring more than 100 others, officials said.

The force of the crash crumpled parts of the train, propelling several of its 14 cars well off the rails, trapping passengers in smashed compartments and scattering luggage into the nearby woods. People on the train, called the Nevsky Express, perhaps the most illustrious in Russia, reported a scene of panic and devastation.

Mapko asked prayers last night and I saw the NYT article this morning. As he wrote:

Twenty-five persons have died in a derailment of a Russian train. Please remember them, their loved ones, and the injured survivors in your prayers.

Additional analysis from BBC:

Richard Galpin, BBC News Moscow
This statement has to be extremely significant. It's come from the head of the main internal intelligence agency, Alexander Bortnikov. He's saying very clearly that it was a bomb, a home-made device containing the equivalent of 7kg of high explosives

BBC also puts the number of dead now at twenty-six.

Deliver your servants, O Sovereign Lord Christ, from all evil, and set them free from every bond; that they may rest with all your saints in the eternal habitations; where with the Father and the Holy Spirit you live and reign, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

--the BB

928

11/25/09 DOD:
Army Casualty Identified
Spc. Jason A. McLeod, 22, of Crystal Lake, Ill., died Nov. 23, west of Pashmul, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with mortar fire. He was assigned to the 704th Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.

11/24/09 DOD:
Army Casualty Identified
Staff Sgt. Matthew A. Pucino, 34, of Cockeysville, Md., died Nov. 23 in Pashay Kala, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 20th Special Forces Group of the Maryland Army National Guard in Glen Arm, Md.

11/24/09 DOD:
Army Casualty Identified
Sgt. James M. Nolen, 25, of Alvin, Texas...assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C...died Nov. 22 in Zabul province, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when enemy forces attacked their vehicle with an improvised explosive device.

11/24/09 DOD:
Army Casualty Identified
Pfc. Marcus A. Tynes, 19, of Moreno Valley, Calif...assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C...died Nov. 22 in Zabul province, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when enemy forces attacked their vehicle with an improvised explosive device.

11/23/09 DOD:
Marine Casualty Identified
Lance Cpl. Nicholas J. Hand, 20, of Kansas City, Mo., died Nov. 22 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

11/23/09
DoD Identifies Army Casualties
Staff Sgt. John J. Cleaver, 36, of Marysville, Wash.; and Sgt. Daniel A. Frazier, 25, of Saint Joseph, Mich. died Nov. 19 in Zabul province, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when a suicide car-bomber attacked their unit. They were assigned to the 782d Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.

4365

11/22/2009
DOD identifies Army casualty
Sgt. Briand T. Williams, 25, of Sparks, Ga., died Nov. 22, in Numaniyah, Iraq, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit using small arms fire. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 10th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Ga.

Bad math

If Republicans want it: fifty votes plus one gets you a big tax cut.

If Democrats want it: sixty votes isn't enough to provide health insurance to every American, plus you have to give Lieberman a pony.
--via bluegal at C&L

What's wrong with this scenario?

--the BB

Social protest

If only present-day Americans were not so apathetic and timid that they gave up the most basic rights enshrined in our Constitution almost without a fight just because Dick Cheney sneered at them and muttered something about national security -- if only they showed some spunk and dared break social conventions and get uppity in the cause of personal liberty rather than that of corporate perquisites from time to time-- now that would be something to be thankful for.
--Juan Cole

If you'd like to know what this has to do with cross-dressing and American history, read the whole article here. Yes, this is a Thanksgiving post.

--the BB

Thanksgiving Day 2009

Padre omnipotente y bondadoso, te damos gracias por los frutos de la tierra en su tiempo, y por la labor de quienes los cosechan: Haznos fieles mayordomos de tus dádivas abundantes, que recibimos para la satisfacción de nuestras necesidades y el alivio de los menesterosos, para gloria de tu Nombre; por Jesucristo nuestro Señor, que vive y reina contigo y el Espíritu Santo, un solo Dios, ahora y por siempre. Amén.

Y a la vez:

Grandfather, Grandmother, Sacred One,
Creator of heaven and earth, Giver of life,
We are here before you,
Hear us!
Thunder Beings, Medicine Bear,
Waters where the Sun goes down,
We are here before you,
Teach us!
Buffalo upon whom the People depend,
Land of Snows and Winter Gales,
We are here before you,
Strengthen us!
Rising Sun and fresh Breezes,
Elk Nation, Seeds of all Beginnings,
We are here before you,
Fill us with life!
Ripening Time, Plant Nations,
Winged Cousins, Sheltering Trees,
We are here before you,
Nurture us!
Round circle of the Sky,
Father Sun, Sister Moon, Star Nations,
We are here before you,
Shine upon us!
Mother and Grandmother Earth,
Crawling and Burrowing Clans, all Grasses,
We are here before you,
Sustain us!
Great Circle of all Beings
And all Powers who serve the Sacred One,
We are here before you,
Behold us!
Gathered with All Our Relations,
Holy Creator of All Things,
We are here before you
To praise you!

Creator, we give you thanks for all you are and all you bring to us for our visit within your creation. In Jesus, you place the Gospel in the Center of this Sacred Circle through which all of creation is related. You show us the way to live a generous and compassionate life. Give us your strength to live together with respect and commitment as we grow in your spirit, for you are God, now and forever. Amen.

--the BB

Because we might just want to use them....

Does anybody else find this offensive, embarrassing, and immoral?

Washington (CNN) -- The United States won't join its NATO allies and many other countries in formally banning landmines, State Department spokesman Ian Kelly said during his midday briefing Tuesday.
"This administration undertook a policy review and we decided our landmine policy remains in effect," Kelly said in response to a question. "We made our policy review and we determined that we would not be able to meet our national defense needs nor our security commitments to our friends and allies if we sign this convention."

Russia and China have not signed either.
--the BB

Heart thread - 11/23/2009

Let us begin with some thanksgiving.

David@Montreal writes:

Mam just called to tell me that Frank [David's cousin] just called to report he is doing much better!
He's been into the hospital three times in the last ten days for day surgeries, but he's finally clear of both the pneumonia and c-difficile.
He specifically asked Mam to pass along his love and thanks to 'the Giants' 'please tell them ( and Mam says this is where my very butch cousin got real teary) tell them, they make all the difference in the world.'
Carol also came on the phone and wants you to know, you have no idea the difference you've made. Said she never felt alone or abandoned, no matter how scary or wild it's been at times.
Frank's doctor's are still shaking their heads, amazed that he's doing so very well with only a 9/10 genetic match. And that's when he tells them about the Giants, and Mam says he remembers most of you by name.
Not out of the woods yet, I'd ask your continued prayers for both Frank and Carol, but tonight there much to give thanks for. Full-voiced Hymns of Praise please!

Aping Shakespeare's Henry at Agincourt, I said Non nobis and Te Deum. Let us give thanks. And keep praying for Frank and Carol and all who love them.

Psalm 115 Non nobis, Domine
Not to us, O LORD, not to us,
but to your Name give glory; *
because of your love and because of your faithfulness.

Let us also keep David in our prayers:

the job hunt.... well if I'm not 'too experienced', I've got 'too many decades in management for anything less', or the experience is 'too diverse' as they skip over the unsalaried decade of fulltime AIDS service. and then there's the elephant in the room- my being sixty-one years old.
i have no doubt a true answer is in the making, but your prayers would be appeciated.
i keep applying, something's got to happen.

love always-always Love

David

From "the big, brave Mimi who could" we hear this:

The cataract surgery is over, and all went well. As I was waiting in pre-op to be sedated, I began to fret and get anxious. I gave myself a good talking to, saying (to myself), "You've been through this surgery before, and you can do it again." I answered myself, and said, "Yes, I can!" At that moment a picture of "The Little Engine That Could" popped into my head, and I began to say over and over (to myself), "I--think--I--can, I--think--I--can". I calmed down immediately and stayed calm until I was sedated and wheeled into the operating room. The surgeon kept up a running commentary about what he was doing, and I stayed calm throughout the procedure and found the experience fascinating and completely different from the surgery on my left eye. I'd guess that the doctor did the commentary through the first surgery, but I was too freaked out to notice.

Thanks be to God, the medical staff, and to all of you who prayed and sent love and good thoughts my way. I had my little miracle with "The Little Engine That Could". I read the story to my children and my grandchildren. One of my grandsons liked to hear the story over and over. I'd go up to three times and then say, "Enough! Another day."

We continue to remember Gary in his time of sorrow and to pray for the repose of our sister, Roseann.

From Gary at Facebook [via Mimi]:

Funeral Services for Roseann will be held at St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Conway, AR, at 1 p.m. on Wednesday. Her ashes will be interred in a Hellman's Mayonnaise jar (per her request) in the St. Peter's Columbarium followed by a "Farewell" party in the Parish Hall. All are welcome to attend. Roseann's... life was guided by the scripture from Matthew 25:40: "I tell you this, Anything you did for one of my brothers, however humble, you did for Me." She loved this song and it will be played at the funeral.

"Into the Mystic" by Van Morrison, Moondance

For Eileen and her husband and the healing of memories.

+Rowan (Bishop of Play, not Cantuar)'s best friend Samantha has gotten her golden tail from Jesus. Let us pray for Rowan and Lindy and Lindy's mom and all who miss Samantha.

Joy to Chris and Lily and blessings on their marriage.

For the LGBT community of Uganda in mortal danger. For all who speak up on their behalf.

For continued healing for Dan and for Mother Sandra.

For the mission and ministry of the Episcopal Church of Our Saviour in the South Valley of Albuquerque. For the handful who are the heart of this new venture and the vast web of those who uphold us in prayer. For me, that I may listen to the Spirit and follow where I ought.

Lisa has asked our prayers for missioners en route to the Diocese of Lui in the Sudan and for the people of Lui.

For universal health care in United States of America and for every step that leads us toward it.

For nations torn by war or civil strife.

For those this night whose hearts cry out for love and find no answering cry.

A Prayer for Deliverance

O God, your glory blazes with the light of love and justice, your righteousness and your mercy flow together as one mighty stream: May we who beseech deliverance from violence, oppression, and degradation be purged within of their roots--of fear, envy, powerlessness, anger, resentment, the lust for revenge and the desire to hurt--and of the blindness and willfulness which beset our best intentions; that we may not act with violence, neither oppress nor degrade any of your creatures, but may strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being; for Jesus' sake. Amen.

--the BB

Practical advice for this week

You gotta love cooking advice like this. It is from Sam Sifton's Diner's Journal, The New York Times Blog on Dining Out.

Let’s start at the top. DO NOT BRINE A TURKEY THAT IS GOING TO BE FRIED. The first time I went to a turkey-fry we made that mistake, my friend Manny and I, the two of us amped on beer and adrenaline, redneck in the extreme. We put the brined turkey into the superhot peanut oil, which almost instantly converted the excess moisture the bird had been given by the brine into steam. The steam, caught inside the bird, exploded the breasts off the carcass and sent them hurtling skyward on a plume of boiling oil. It was a fairly intense couple of seconds. DO NOT BRINE A TURKEY THAT YOU ARE GOING TO FRY.

"It was a fairly intense couple of seconds."

The voice of experience carries authority.

--the BB

Quick, before I forget

Tomorrow Mimi goes in for cataract surgery in her right eye. She is being very brave and the previous round went well, but prayers for peace of mind, a safe trip to and from NOLA, and very successful surgery would not go amiss.

I am putting this up right now because I am so scattered poor Mimi was going to have to remind me and she has enough to do.

A blessing for Mimi and anyone else who needs a blessing this evening:

May God the Father bless you, God the Son heal you, God the Holy Spirit give you strength. May God the holy and undivided Trinity guard your body, save your soul, and bring you safely to his heavenly country; where he lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen

--the BB

May flights of angels sing you to your rest

Gary posted this on Facebook:

Roseann's Spirit shed its mortal shackles at 8:45 p.m. Saturday. She would want you all to know that she went quietly and painlessly thanks to the loving care of the Hospice staff. She would want all of you to know that your expressions of love and well-wishes these last weeks made her passage much easier and that she loved and cherished you all. Somewhere tonight a new journey began.

We have all heard or read of a "holy death." Roseann has shown us all what that can look like. Here are recent segments from her blog.

11/09/2009

Tomorrow night at 6 I will be blessed to have my last eucharist before I'm given final rights. I am so happy and excited about this. It looks like we'll have over 100 people here which means our tiny house will have to use front porch overflow. I can't wait to celebrate with people I love. Sharing the body and blood is the ultimate meal of love. I can't begin to explain the peace and love of God surrounding me and Gary. You are all a part of that. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Love, Roseann

11/10/2009

I believe that I am living in a state of grace at this moment. I could write pages on how this feels and how it affects my perception but I am far too inarticulate to give it justice. My spirit feels so light and blessed. Thank you all for everything.

...

Friends, I enjoyed, rejoiced and celebrated HE in a way that is still giving me the chills. I felt so much love and I was able to return that love. I will always be grateful. I could feel you all with me and if love were a color this house would still saturated.

Thank you all for your presence in my life. Thank you, thank you.

What a blessing Roseann has been to us, even if we have only known her "virtually." I did speak with her on the phone many months ago during one of her hospitalizations. Such a sweet voice. Such a fighting spirit. And such grace when the time came.

May she rest in peace and rise in glory. May Gary be upheld and comforted. May his body find healing. May love ever abound.



--the BB

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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

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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

Serving the overlords

The deficit is the bludgeon used by the wealthy bondholders to beat liberals into retreat on doing anything that might make average citizens feel that democratic government might be a better guarantor of economic security than their rich overlords (who are doing "God's Work" allegedly on their behalf.)

--Digby

Reporting back on the day at Our Saviour, ABQ

The full report is on the church blog. Then, as I came home and began to rest my weary body (though I was not doing the heavy lifting, all those other folks were), I got an e-mail that Integrity of the Four Corners offered Evening Prayer today and took up a collection and are sharing part of that with Our Saviour, Albuquerque. Remember how, in the early church, offerings were shared about the Eastern Mediterranean by personal messenger? Well, this gift will be brought in person to Our Saviour a week from tomorrow.

I don't know about y'all but it makes me very aware, and humbled, to feel in continuity with the early church.

Comforting and disturbing thoughts flit through my head. Today I was carrying a hammer from my car back to the church. My new hammer is at home but this is an old one. It was one of my father's hammers. He was a builder and his father was a builder. They helped build schools, churches, houses, and mountain cabins. I felt a link with them for a few moments, though I am anything but "handy." A few moments ago, following on this memory, I thought of Jesus' words to Francis: "rebuild my church." It was not, of course, a physical building that Francis helped rebuild but the larger church. Feeling linked to something that awesome is, well, kind of terrifying. Of course, we are talking about the Episcopal Church in the South Valley, not the church universal. But every part of Christ's Body is equal to every other part and affects the whole.

Feeling kind of small tonight. But hopeful.

Peace be with you all this night.

--the BB

918

11/12/09 DoD: Marine Casualty Identified
Lance Cpl. Justin J. Swanson, 21, of Anaheim, Calif., died Nov. 10 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

11/06/09 DoD:
Army Casualty Identified
Spc. Julian L. Berisford, 25, of Benwood, W.V., died Nov. 4 in Paktika province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit using small arms and rocket-propelled grenade fires. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, Fort Richardson, Alaska.

11/09/09 DoD:
Army Casualty Identified
Spc. Aaron S. Aamot, 22, of Custer, Wash., died Nov. 5 in Jelewar, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 5th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Wash.

11/09/09 DoD:
Army Casualty Identified
Spc. Gary L. Gooch Jr., 22, of Ocala, Fla., died Nov. 5 in Jelewar, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 5th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Wash.

11/10/09 DoD:
Marine Casualty Identified
Sgt. Charles I. Cartwright, 26, of Union Bridge, Md., died Nov. 7 while supporting combat operations in Farah province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

4362

11/10/09 DoD:
Army Casualties Identified (2 of 2)
Chief Warrant Officer Mathew C. Heffelfinger, 29, of Kimberly, Idaho...assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment, 25th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii...died Nov. 8 in Tikrit, Iraq, of injuries sustained when their OH-58D helicopter crashed.

11/10/09 DoD:
Army Casualties Identified (1 of 2)
Chief Warrant Officer Earl R. Scott III, 24, of Jacksonville, Fla...assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment, 25th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii...died Nov. 8 in Tikrit, Iraq, of injuries sustained when their OH-58D helicopter crashed.

11/06/09 DoD:
Army Casualty Identified
Staff Sgt. Amy C. Tirador, 29, of Albany, N.Y., died Nov. 4 in Kirkush, Iraq, of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident. She was assigned to the 209th Military Intelligence Company, 1st Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Wash.

11/09/09 DoD:
Army Casualty Identified
Spc. Tony Carrasco Jr., 25, of Berino, N.M., died Nov. 4 in Ad Dawr, Iraq, of a gunshot wound suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 32nd Field Artillery Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kan.

What the Rude Pundit said

Don't you get tired of misogynist fucktards?

Almost the entire debate over abortion in the health reform bill was a defense of the Hyde Amendment. Democrats used to talk about overturning it completely because it's an unfair, government-imposed burden on poor women. But the anti-choice forces have so controlled the rhetoric that we are left with this sad moment, where in order to even pass a meager insurance bill, another assault on poor (and at least some middle class but, really, all) women occurred by preventing any abortion coverage in any insurance plan in a federal government insurance exchange.

Tell you what: let's up the fuckin' ante here. What is the number one cause of an unwanted pregnancy? Balls and the jizz contained therein. So how about an amendment that says if a woman gets pregnant and is forced to carry the baby to term no matter what, the dude who knocked her up has to get his nuts cut off. There's your trade-off, and men and women both get to have "consequences" for their actions. The result is more babies in the short term, but a whole lot less in the long term. There's details to be worked out. But castration's in the Bible somewhere, isn't it? Like "And, lo, God did tell Zebechaiah to chop the junk off the fornicator Jake"? If not, it should be. Just say it's a new translation.

--the Rude Pundit

Of course, all those nutless bastards in the Senate have nothing to lose in this proposal. Can't cut their hearts out either, 'cause they lack those. Must be some reasonable penalty for their behavior.

No, I'm not oozing charity this evening.

--the BB

Privatizing national defense was never a good idea

Top executives at Blackwater Worldwide authorized secret payments of about $1 million to Iraqi officials that were intended to silence their criticism and buy their support after a September 2007 episode in which Blackwater security guards fatally shot 17 Iraqi civilians in Baghdad, according to former company officials.
--NYT

As trifecta writes at Daily Kos:

The press was so bad in those two months following the massacre, that Blackwater had to act. They didn't reform, they hatched bribery plots, trying to find Iraqi officials who cared more about a nice cash payout than justice for the seventeen dead citizens that they were elected to represent.

The story is just crossing the wires. Let's just hope this doesn't get diverted to Joe Lieberman's Subcommittee and the truth shall come out. These folks need to go to prison, starting at the rotten head at the top.

--the BB

I've been wondering where the countervailing voices were

US ambassador warns against Afghanistan troop surge
Times Online - ‎4 hours ago‎
The US ambassador to Afghanistan has dramatically intervened in the debate about troop reinforcements, warning President Obama against committing tens of thousands of extra troops to the country.

What? A voice of reason? Someone aware of the history of Afghanistan, perhaps?

How did they let in someone who does not benefit from the military-industrial complex?

Good to read this.

--the BB

Veterans' Day would not be complete without this

James Gandolfini interviews 10 soldiers who survived severe injuries while serving in Iraq.

What a fine, beautiful, strong person this soldier is.

I have wept several times today. I cannot comment now.

Thanks to Elizabeth Kaeton for pointing me to this video and for her comments and the prayers she shares.

--the BB

Heart thread - 11/11/2009 - updated

Happy birthday to my brother-in-law Jack, 79 today and, as his daughter reminds us, a vet.

Happy birthday to Bob Pankratz, seminary classmate from many years back.

Happy birthday to Philip Becker Freyder, college classmate from even further back.

Happy birthday tomorrow to Fran.

Roseann celebrated Holy Eucharist at home yesterday evening, inviting us all to be with her in spirit.

Now I can write
Friends, I enjoyed, rejoiced and celebrated HE in a way that is still giving me the chills. I felt so much love and I was able to return that love. I will always be grateful. I could feel you all with me and if love were a color this house would still saturated.

Thank you all for your presence in my life. Thank you, thank you.

Oh, and FYI if I haven't told you already Dr. Kimball says passing should be very gentle, that my heart till just stop. I feel comforted by that fact.

Love you all and I'll try to write more tomorrow.

Love, R

For Molly the Wonder Dog. Susankay writes:

Molly the WonderDog has been diagnosed with Diabetes Insipidus. While another miraculous cure would be lovely, we would be oh so grateful if the prayer legions could ask that it be a treatable variety.

For Lindy in her work in China.

For expectant mothers, especially Rachel, and their families.

For Frank and Carol.

For Jim, Ruthie, and their sons.

For David, Doxy's father, whose cancer has spread, and for Doxy and her family.

For Eileen's friend Mary Beth, of whom Eileen writes:

I figured it’s time for another update on Mary Beth – although really not much has changed. She is now recovering at home and doing fairly well. Her eyesight in one of her eyes it still a problem, and she is still frustrated with that. I again thank all of you who have been praying for her.

For Mimi and Diane in ABQ, both recovering from eye surgery.

For continued healing for Sandra Bess+.

For Diane R. and her new computer.

For oppressed minorities throughout the world.

For those who mourn this day, who weep this night, who cannot sleep, who are far from home or have no home, whose demons taunt them, who know no peace.

For peace.

Update:
For those having a colonoscopy tomorrow; you know who you are.

Lord God of hosts, you clothed your servant Martin the soldier with the spirit of sacrifice, and set him as a bishop in your Church to be a defender of the catholic faith: Give us grace to follow in his holy steps, that at the last we may be found clothed with righteousness in the dwellings of peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

--the BB

Vets against escalation in Afghanistan

Have you thanked a vet today?

Almighty God, we commend to your gracious care and keeping all the men and women of our armed forces at home and abroad. Defend them day by day with your heavenly grace; strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give them courage to face the perils which beset them; and grant them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Wouldn't it be great if every one of us did something good for veterans today?



Check out IAVA, America's first and largest Iraq and Afghanistan veterans organization. You can find stories, videos, and pictures straight from Iraq and Afghanistan, along with news about the latest issues facing the Troops, and hard-hitting commentary from war veterans. Click on the link below to go to IAVA's website and get the "ground truth" about the war from the people who were there.

I just donated to IAVA in honor of our friend Mark (Mарко Фризия), a U. S. Army vet. He has a Veterans Day post up.

"...It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."
President Abraham Lincoln, Gettysburg Address, November 19, 1863

If you'd like to support our troops serving today, you can go to Any Soldier.

Another anti-war liberal who is....


--the BB

A hauntingly lovely song

մասիս
Mt Ararat

This is an Armenian song about a young man from Bingyol who is very much in love and missing his beloved. I found myself lost in the harmonies. Zulal at a Songs and Flight Concert in Northridge, CA.

h/t to Janine at Facebook. Shnorhagalatyun'n.

What the heck? Let's have some more of these talented young ladies.



--the BB

Too big to exist: precisely!

Bernie Sanders went and did it. Here is the bill in toto:

A BILL
To address the concept of ‘‘Too Big To Fail’’ with respect
to certain financial entities.

1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
3 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
4 This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Too Big to Fail, Too
5 Big to Exist Act’’.
6 SEC. 2. REPORT TO CONGRESS ON INSTITUTIONS THAT
7 ARE TOO BIG TO FAIL.
8 Notwithstanding any other provision of law, not later
9 than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the
10 Secretary of the Treasury shall submit to Congress a list

2

1 of all commercial banks, investment banks, hedge funds,
2 and insurance companies that the Secretary believes are
3 too big to fail (in this Act referred to as the ‘‘Too Big
4 to Fail List’’).
5 SEC. 3. BREAKING-UP TOO BIG TO FAIL INSTITUTIONS.
6 Notwithstanding any other provision of law, begin
7 ning 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the
8 Secretary of the Treasury shall break up entities included
9 on the Too Big To Fail List, so that their failure would
10 no longer cause a catastrophic effect on the United States
11 or global economy without a taxpayer bailout.
12 SEC. 4. DEFINITION.
13 For purposes of this Act, the term ‘‘Too Big to Fail’’
14 means any entity that has grown so large that its failure
15 would have a catastrophic effect on the stability of either
16 the financial system or the United States economy without
17 substantial Government assistance.

Short. And to the point.

Way to go, Bernie!

--the BB

Making headlines

I followed a link from Göran to see photos of the two new bishops in the Church of Sweden and enjoyed seeing the photos at SvD (Svenska Dagbladet, on the web since 1995). I especially liked the smiling, openly lesbian bishop standing next to the king.

Scrolling down I came across this glaring headline.


And y'all thought I was quietly minding my own business at home, right?

Actually, this means there is a controversy over Stockholm's skyline. My last name, cognate with the German Streit, means "conflict, battle, strife." If you think that's good, ponder this: "Paul" means "small of stature" or, as I like to translate it, "runt."

May God richly bless the ministries of Bishops Eva Brunne (Stockholm) and Tuulikki Joivunen Bylund (Härnösand).

--the BB