Deal,

I'm so proud to be an American tonight. Please take some time to address the positives of the election of Obama as president.

I don't know if you saw the black news anchors and pundits who choked up as they talked about their own experiences of racial discrimination, and how they never thought they'd see this day.

I saw Americans of all races embracing and cheering together.

I saw people in other countries who are so excited to witness the election of a world leader whose worldview is truly global.

I saw young black men -- and I know from my job as a high school teacher that this is a group that desperately needs a new way of envisioning themselves -- who will now have material proof that there really is no limit to what they can achieve in this country of ours.

I am just starting to wrap my head around all the ways that this new President Obama will completely shake up the racial assumptions and divisions that have held this country back.

Give us that, at least. We who read this site are seeing far more than you have portrayed in your coverage of this man and this election.

God bless America, and every American.

Deal, I disagree with your assertion that a ritual "blessing the child in the womb" "couldn't come at a better time." It seems the worst time to me. Given the passivity of USCCB in expanding abortion rights, don't we need "the blessing of the unwanted child in the womb?" A "wanted" child receives every medical, spiritual and emotional prop we can conceive. I don't doubt the benefit and graces to the child and parents. But given the new horizon for unwanted life - and episcopal support for the expansion - wouldn't the USCCB better prepare a blessing for the unborn that will be terminated tomorrow (perhaps with federal funding) because it is disabled, the wrong sex, inconvenient? A "blessing for the unwanted child in the womb" that can be embraced as a pseudo-baptism right before the abortion? The "wanted" child needs no extra blessings - it's the unwanted children we are poised to dispatch who need an added grace. Am I wrong?

President Obama will indeed go down in American and world history as our first African-American president. It would be shameful to our nation if he lost the election due to prejudice, and it is a blessing to see that the prejudice has been overcome. But it is a hollow victory for civil rights. The civil rights movements that brought increased freedom and representation to women and racial minorities are just two facets of human rights, flowing from the idea that every human being is equal in dignity and has received equally from the Creator his or er inalienable rights. The fact that the crowning achievement of the fight for racial equality may spell a devastating setback for the right to life makes this otherwise joyous occasion bitter for one committed to the dignity of all persons.

Ginny, your comment to Deal's post did move me. I saw the same thing you saw. It's very encouraging ... that the race issue will now be laid to rest and a bridge built across nations and races and tribes. As a young teen who went through busing in Richmond Virginia in 1972 - and thought the whole racial divide insane - I see a silver lining to this election. But the dark cloud is the unborn ... who have no voice, have no ability to stand in the crowd with shining, teary eyes ... speak up from shores where we are set to export abortion ... only you and I and willing others can speak for them. I hope your your President of hope brings hope to those who cannot speak for themselves ...

So, Ginny,
What you're saying is, in the end, it was all about race.

Nevermind that millions more babies will die.

Nevermind that Obama and his vast majority in Congress will pass socialized medicine, dooming those of us with chronic health problems to wait in line for necessary tests and procedures.

Nevermind that we've just elected as president a man whom Louis Farrakhan calls "the Messiah," whom New Agers like Oprah Winfrey and Deepak Chopra call "The One" and "The Light."

Nevermind we've just elected a socialist. Never mind we've just elected as vice president a "Catholic" with a long history of voting in favor of contraception and abortion.

This is tragic. This is my worst nightmare come true.

Does Ginny understand that the first thing Obama wants to do is pass the Freedom of Choice Act? Since the vast majority of abortions occur among African Americans, another name for this law will be the "African American Reduction Act". All the weeping blacks Ginny describes should be weeping for the further destruction of their race, although it could be argued that there will in fact be more opportunities for blacks per capita as their numbers decline. Margaret Sanger, founder of Planned Parenthood, would be so proud that her plans of eliminating the poor, the foreigners and the blacks will be furthered by one of the very kind she so despised.

Face it, this election was a repudiation of the GOP. Since 1994, and certainly for the last eight years, Republicans have had every opportunity to prove that they've got a winning agenda. And they have failed. Instead they've given us interventionist wars costing trillions, an economy on the verge of depression, and the continued murder of unborn babies. The country has sent a loud and clear message that they blame Bush/McCain and that they don't trust them any more.

As foolish as voters may have been in believing Obama, they were spot on in not buying any more Republican tripe. This election demonstrates with laser-like precision that the options we have with the current two-party system are abysmally unacceptable.

So Deal, don't be too hard on your fellow Catholics because they didn't go for your buddy McCain. Unless your party can provide decent candidates the voters, Catholic and otherwise, will just say keep saying "No thanks".

Dear Ginny,

I stand with you in the fact Change has come to our nation. Yet I will also admit I have never been so humbled to be part of the Universal Catholic Church and a citizen of the United States.

During this presidential election the last month or so, many of the sheppards in this nation have spoken publicy for their flocks of the TRUTH THAT SET US FREE. For this I have never been so humbled to be standing behind them at the foot of the cross.

I look forward to your reflection of the Bishops annual conference in the near future.

Sincerely,
Charlene

While we can justly criticize many of the initiatives Obama wants to advance, there is no denying this historic election and what it means for many of our fellow citizens. It should mean the same to those of us who are not African-American.

It should also be a wake-up call to those, including Deal Hudson, who would seek to conflate religion and politics or to dilute Catholic teaching in order to advance the Republican Party's interests (or, on the other side, to advance the interests of the Democratic Party).

Catholics must set themselves apart from party affiliation and sloppy ecumenical thinking and follow the teachings of their Church and either demand changes in the parties they follow or found a third political party.

for the triumphalist tone to diminish? Probably not very long once people realize what is going to happen now.

This self-inflicted and potentially mortal wound called "historic" and "change" will now play itself out.

There are still 48% of us who will now have to renew our commitment to prayer and education and action to stop the genocide of the unborn.

No, we don't need a Catholic party, we need faithful Catholics who take the blinders off.

God Help Us.

I'm sorry to say that my husband, who is pro-life and Catholic, saw "Faithful Citizenship" as a moral pass to vote for Obama. He's sick of war and Bush, etc. I'm rather upset at him for helping Obama win. Especially since we have a daughter adopted from China, and I take the Mexico City Policy VERY seriously. The last thing we should be doing is funding forced abortions in China.
Very sad day for those of us who respect life...

Deal, I think you can take a few lessons in graciousness from Senator McCain.

I think we should confess the Catholic side of this election was more about turning out an incompetent administration run by a party of very mixed blessings (at best) and less about the supposed flaws of a document the vast majority of Catholics never read.

This may well be the worst of times for a political person on the losing side of an election. It's a long time till the next one.

Days like today tend to bring out the real make-up of believers. Are they working as diligently for life today as they did the day before yesterday? I feel sympathy for you, Deal, but I also offer a question: do you have a non-political pro-life essay to offer today? Something to build on for the future? A word of hope for your followers?

Todd - what if the first black president had been (just being imaginative) a warmonger? Or a hard-core anti-immigrationist?

Would we still have to sit silent in the face of a single issue called race?

I am truly disappointed with the voters in the United States. People did not vote for the person who would best serve our Country. People made their choice for President because of Race and their well-being by promises of lower taxes. People did not care about any moral issues.

I have never been and never will be prejudiced. I have always felt that we are all equal.

Right now, and for the very first time --- I am not very proud of this Country and its Citizens. Yes, I am also crying --- I live in a Country that is truly prejudiced, with no moral values and I feel like moving to another Country.

Maybe this is GOD's will for our Country -- we need to learn a lesson --- Maybe what Ann Graham Lotz said after the 9/11 attack has happened "Anne Graham Lotz: “I would say also for several years now Americans in a sense have shaken their fist at God and said, God, we want you out of our schools, our government, our business, we want you out of our marketplace. And God, who is a gentleman, has just quietly backed out of our national and political life, our public life. Removing his hand of blessing and protection. We need to turn to God first of all and say, God, we're sorry we have treated you this way and we invite you now to come into our national life. We put our trust in you. We have our trust in God on our coins, we need to practice it.”

Maybe GOD has truly backed out of our National and Policical and Public Life.

GOD Bless the USA

I am disgusted with the African-American community, especially Black Catholics, who put the color of their skin before their moral principles.

And btw, Obama is not African-American. He has a white mother! He's just as white as he is black, whatever his face.

Oh get off this symbolism stuff ! Black or white, he is a radical and lets see if he comes off the radical positions. I just hope Deal will keep us up to date to see how many of these pro Obama Bishops march for life in wash DC. They will be the ultimate hypocrits !!! Because for the courts, its over !!! He gets to appoint pro abort judges in alll federal courts and USSC. Henty Hyde...Bless him...the Hyde Amendment kept millions of babies from their death. He is a real SAINT !Remember 1976. We thought that Carter would be the end of the effort to dump Roe, and in 1992, we thought Clinton would be the end. Remember that Catholics !! DONT DISPAIR !! In this case, and I mean this: GOD IS TRULY ON OUR SIDE ! Let this obamaination take its course. We feel bad now but we will be ok as years pass.

If racial discrimination were the most important issue challenging our country, your post would make some sense. It, without a doubt, is not.

It doesn't warm my heart to imagine news anchors, black or not, tearfully embracing over Obama's victory. Indisputably, most news anchors are liberal; those same anchors would not shed a tear over an Alan Keyes win.

I feel for young black boys, too, the same as you. I disagree with your solution. I don't have the time or the room to get into it here, but you should do some reading on how Democratic policies have devastated ALL families (aren't we really supposed to care for ALL families?), ESPECIALLY African American families, with their policies. Ask someone who is not a knee-jerk Democrat to explain it to you. I'm sure you instruct your students to hear both sides of an issue fairly before making a deicison - if you get all your information from teachers unions, newpapers and primetime TV, you are not getting both sides.

One notable omission from your post is the mention of Catholism. This website is a Catholic one, no? Dealing with Catholic concerns? When one truly follows the teachings of the Church, charity to everyone - black, white, babies, the elderly, etc. etc. - is fundamentally built in to one's outlook. So one is free to make rational decisions based on the natural order, with the knowledge that mankind in it's entirety will benefit; emotional decisions based on "feelings", such as yours, are eliminated.

Finally, a "global worldview" can only harm Catholism, and in turn, mankind. One world religion is one of the goals of this thinking - do you really think the architects of one world order are going to make that the Catholic religion? Or do you not believe in the One True Faith?

As a Catholic, I couldn't care less what color our president is; I don't think you can make the same claim.

Shame on you, Todd,

YOU could take a few lessons on how to conduct yourself with graciousness. This is NO time to throw stones at those, such as Deal, who have shown consistent support for a pro-life candidate although he may not have agreed with him (McCain) on some other issues which were prudential in nature. BTW, Deal Hudson was NEVER set to benefit politically from a McCain victory, unless his victory would be to have helped elect a pro-life president, in which case, yes, that would have been "juicy" and quite satisfactory. Todd, can we move forward now, leaving the insults behind, and work "with" Deal to continue the fight to protect life?

Electing the first black president is a historic moment and something America should be proud of... if only it wasn't Obama. I am afraid he was favorably judged by the color of his skin and not the content of his character.
I just cant stop thinking of all the children who will never have a chance.

If this election were about dissatisfaction with *both* political parties, then a third party candidate should have won, or at least shown a large percentage of the popular vote.

Face it: Americans have voted for Socialism. By and large, they said that "the economy" is their #1 issue (why anyone thinks that socialism helps economies is beyond my understanding).

Since the Demonocrats regained control of Congress 2 years ago, Congress has had *lower* approval ratings than Bush. One should think this would mean voting all the bums out. But, no, polls show that most Americans didn't even know the Democrats had the majority in Congress.

The voices of a false "compassion"--an adoption of socialism that goes against the teaching of every pre-Vatican II Pope, all of whom-including Leo XIII and John XXIII--said that socialism was incompatible with Catholicism--have won.

In related news, the EU is increasing its pressure against Ireland.

The good news is, like in the 1850s, the Democrats will have full control of the government. They will have no real opposition. The upside of this is that, without opposition, they will turn to infighting, as they did in the election of 1860.

I voted for McCain. I was leaning towards staying home. But today, I'm proud of my vote. He is a class act, as a person, and his concession speech last night proved that.

I do think having our first African-American president is a historic moment. No doubt. However, I also think that ageism and sexism played into the skewering of McCain and Palin. So maybe we have more work to do on that front.

Finally, I've come to dark conclusion that neither party truly cares about life. And this battle will never be solved politically.

Pro-life people vote Democrat if they believe it's in their best interests. And I bet there are many Republicans who vote Republican even though they are pro-choice because they don't believe that anything will ever happen to "the right to choose."

I truly believe the political cause is lost and the matter settled.

I say those who have consistently entrusted, and who have demanded that everyone else entrust, the pro-life cause to this pathetic excuse for a political organization, the Republican Party, bear responsibility, not for what is to come but for what has already passed.

It may not have been clear in 1972 or 1980 or 1988 or 2000 - but it has become clear over the last eight years that a party that has demonstrated nothing but incompetence and failure, that has waged unjust wars and taken a wrecking ball to the economy and the environment, could not be entrusted with the defense of life.

The GOP deserved to lose. My belief and expectation is that Obama will govern from the center, and that the new Democratic majority is comprised of many moderates who will not vote for FOCA or any other extreme abortion measure. In the meantime the only rational political strategy is to build a pro-life faction in the Democratic Party.

Yes, watching the news anchors and huge crowds last night was very emotional and there was a part of me that was very proud of my country. But that was part of the problem - America was far too emotional with their votes and now we have the most pro-abortion president of all-time. Further thoughts here: http://tinyurl.com/5c242a

Great post, Deal!

Deal, thank you for your work over the past several months on the election and campaign. It has been very informative and helpful to have all these events evaluated from a Catholic perspective, and I very much appreciate all your work.

This is a very sad day for pro-lifers, no doubt. We lose an opportunity to change the Supreme Court, and to strike down the one obstacle that has stood in the way of true progress towards ending the slaughter of innocent children, Roe v. Wade. To Catholics who don’t care enough about this issue to let it influence their vote, shame on you. We can disagree on economic issues, foreign policy, which wars are justified, and so on, but the taking of innocent human life for the sake of convenience is an absolute act of evil which can never be supported under any circumstances.

Let’s hope and pray FOCA suffers the same fate that it did under Bill Clinton. I distinctly remember him promising to sign this act 16 years ago, and for reasons that I’ve yet to figure out, that never happened. Hopefully, there will be enough people left in Congress with compassion for the unborn to prevent this.

"(C)an we move forward now, leaving the insults behind, and work "with" Deal to continue the fight to protect life?"

Why not? I don't have a problem working with Deal. I think there would be great potential in getting liberals to work with his conservatives to labor together on pro-life issues.

For the record, I don't see how my post was insulting. I don't shy away from challenging Deal; he's a big boy and he can take it.

Let's face it: partisanship has failed the pro-life movement this time around. It's time to junk the old strategy and ride the coattails of change. Senator Obama isn't the only one with good ideas. We should prove it together.

I know this is Cathechism 101, but those Catholics who voted for Obama surely know they can no longer receive Holy Communion, without repenting of this mortal sin in the Confessional. They may rationalize all they want but they KNOW what Obama's stance is regarding the sanctity of human life. What a grave sacrilege if they approach the altar! These "Catholics" truly risk eternal damnation, and I pray for all of them. Our Lady of the Rosary, pray for our nation.

Joe, President Bush has been vilified for the past 8 years because he is PRO-LIFE. He has done more than any person (hands down) in this country to STOP abortion. The VICAR OF CHRIST came to the White House and honored HIM - President Bush will receive his reward will be in Heaven. You and any one else who has taken part in the attacks of this man needs to get down on their needs and ask God's forgiveness.

The attacks on pro-lifers and Republicans on this blog are ANTI-CATHOLIC and ANTI-CHRISTIAN. A pro-life faction in the Democratic Party! HA! HA! HA! When Hell freezes over. Americans and especially Catholics will pay a GREAT price for allowing the most unqualified, most pro-abortion/infanticide, most immature man ever elected to sit in the White House. The blood of the innocents is on the Democrat's hands. God have mercy on your souls.

God is Good - All the Time.

Joe, I think your comment is well-meaning, but have you hung out in Democratic circles at all? The chance of creating a meaningful pro-life faction in the Democratic party is never going to happen. Ever.

The only acceptable expression from those who oppose abortion is, "I would never do it, but who am I to say that others shouldn't."

If you whimper even a peep that is even slightly pro-life, like "Isn't it sad that 95% of babies with Down syndrome are aborted?" you are attacked viciously.

I personally believe the political cause is a lost one, but if the goal is to change parties, I think changing the Republican party would be an easier task.

I despise BO not for the color of his skin but for the contents of his character.

More Cathechism 101 - being in mortal sin means God's Grace is not with you. Therefore, any "pie in the sky" ideas or plans these "Catholics" have about building a better America will not be blessed by God or guided by the Holy Spirit. Jesus is not in their soul and will not work through their hands. Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for America!

My thoughts on this historic moment. Why is it that it takes the election of an African American as president to finally give African Americans something to be proud of, to strive for? Why is it that Secretary of State Condellezza Rice and Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas are called "Uncle Toms" and do not generate the same excitement and pride? Is it because President-elect Obama is a Democrat and the others are Republicans? As has been said countless times, our new president is a strong supporter of those who wish to eliminate the African American people, along with the Hispanic population which also helped to get him elected. I believe we're all in for a very rude awakening come January.

Ginny,

With all due respect, give me a break! This feel-good, hope/change Obama-cult mantra will not help one actual unborn baby in the womb -- white, black, or yellow -- who will be dismembered by the Freedom of Choice Act and its ghoulish President Obama. I don't care if Obama is white or black or purple for that matter. The only color I know I will apply to him is Red because 1) he's got innocent blood on his hands of those who are the poorest of the poor and 2) he's an unrepentant Marxist and friend of domestic terrorists (Bill Ayers and Bernardine Dohrn) who killed brave cops and soldiers.

Fellow Catholics,

First op all, please do not belittle the achievement of a black president -- this is truly a historic day for America, and I am proud to be a part of it. I come from a very affluent neighborhood in Northern Va. where I have more black neighbors then white neighbors. They all worked so hard to get where they are, and they all have wonderful families. I am proud for them. I know they all had tears in their eyes yesterday and know that their children will be able to accomplish anything. As for those blacks still stuck in the horrors of the welfare system and the ghetto, I hope instead of looking forward to handouts, I sincerely hope that they use this historic achievement to break through the bonds of welfare, to work hard, and to make sure their children have a future.

I've seen both ends of it. I've seen the blacks who have made it out, who live in safe neighborhoods and send their kids to flourishing schools, I also see the other side of it every day in my neighborhood in Steubenville. I see people paying with food stamps, I see people without jobs, I see drug deals and even hear the gun shots within blocks of where I live. I hope that an Obama presidency helps get these people out and on the road to what I've seen back home. I sincerely mean this. I don't think many Americans have seen both sides. I have.

Secondly, like Deal, I have been extremely disappointed in the way Faithful Citizenship has been diluted to mean anything any Catholic wants it to mean. This must be changed.

Thirdly, I am disappointed that the Church, the weekend before election day, was more concerned about the sanctity of parking spaces then then the sanctity of life. How pathetic. My family agreed that we will no longer give money to our parish or to our diocese, and that our money would be better spent at a local crisis pregnancy center, which could have done a lot more good with the $1.1 million ACORN received.

I can tell you this: I will not take a day off, and neither will those who I work with, from defending the true faith and defending the unborn. I am fully prepared to kick out the clowns that have ruined the Republican Party, and ready to revitalize and organize the pro-life movement. I equally ready to challenge all those in the Church who are road-blocking the demolition of Roe v. Wade.

You hit it on the head. To quote Animal Farm, "All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others." Likewise, all blacks are black, but only liberal black accomplishments count in the eyes of the media and the Ginnys of this world.

All, you better read "Animal Farm" and "1984" to get a preview of what's coming in the Obama regime.

I know this is a tough morning for pro lifers, but I don't want this to turn into a string of increasingly personal attacks on Obama.

We should "despise" his positions on abortion, but we shouldn't "despise" the man. We are called to make corrections in charity and to love our enemies. And I think Obama is an opponent, not an enemy.

I know the next few days will be tough for a lot of people. I'm depressed myself. But I don't want this thread to descend into people cursing Obama. We should be praying for him.

Ginny:

You are right that this is a historic election, and we can all be proud of the milestone. I just wish it didnt come with a candidate who holds the positions he does on Life.

But you are right. A wall has been knocked down.

Billy

This was very gracious, as was McCain's concession speech. I gave you a hard time in another thread about campaign literature so I wanted to make sure to compliment you here. You show a lot of class and are a good example for all of us who are discouraged this morning.

I'm with Ann, that's been my experience, too - Joe H., you have your work cut out for you. So start fighting for the babies and make those predictions come true! :)

Todd:



Seriously, no sarcasm, could you outline some of Obama's good ideas for me? Maybe I'll feel better.

By the way, I think Obama will be a good boy for the first four years because he wants a second term. Look at years 4-8 for the ugly stuff to start.

thinking we're going to establish the Kingdom of God on earth by aligning ourselves with either major political party (and don't kid yourselves - that's what you were doing), Catholics would be better off being Catholic.

Furthermore, let's get rid of the canard about how powerful evangelical Protestants are once and for all. If they truly had 25% of the American populace (and a corresponding percentage of the vote), they either didn't vote their principles or they sat home. Either way, they're negligible and we should forget about any alliances with them on moral issues in the future.

Orthodox, observant Catholics are really the remnant that Pope Benedict XVI has often referred to and we have always been that here in the US. It's time to start acting like it and stop selling out our principles and our faith.

Keep this in mind: initiatives to BAN abortion in Colorado and South Dakota failed last night, and to my knowledge they even had exceptions for rape, incest and the life of the mother.

If they can't ban it in South Dakota, they probably can't ban it anywhere, least of all the most heavily populated, high abortion rate states in the nation. A McCain presidency, which supposedly would have made steps towards bringing abortion back to the states to decide, would have done little to stop abortion then. The states would simply decide to keep it.

Ann,

I think the situation you describe is how it was 10 or 15 years ago, but not today among politically rational Democrats, who are the only ones who matter.

Rational Democrats brought Bob Casey Jr. to Pennsylvania to defeat Rick Santorum because they knew a pro-life, pro-gun Dem would trounce any Republican.

Democrats could field pro-life, pro-gun candidates almost anywhere in the country and crush the Republican opposition. People in this country despise the Republican economic agenda, as was clearly shown last night. A pro-life Dem would have won by even larger margins than Obama did, and could in the future. At all levels pro-life Dems can win big, but they need help and they need support.

Good heavens, folks.

Now is a time for being gracious to one another.

Those of us who're pale-faced cannot justly grumble that black Americans voted for Obama because he's black, instead of voting for him over matters of policy. We cannot, because in their shoes, all but the best of us would have done likewise.

There will be a time when, if black Americans are still voting for presidential candidates on racial grounds, it will be right to shame them. But not today, after the first one. Let's be fair: Had it been we who endured first slavery, then segregation, then the mistrust and doubt and familial disintegration ironically engendered by Affirmative Action and the Great Society programs, we'd feel entitled to "get one of our guys in there" just once, so as to stop feeling like foreigners in our own land.

So, yes, they voted on racial grounds. In fact, the term "racist" has been so warped and broadened (so as to include bigotry and prejudice and discrimination and other things) that one could call a black man's vote for Obama racist without further damage to the language. (Tho' it'd be churlish to thus exploit the damage already done.)

But let us be gracious to one another. You know: Like God has been gracious to us?

Anyone who's read my posts knows I can't find a single thing to like about the man's expressed policy preferences. On that score, I suppose he may disastrous. If so, I hope it is a two-year disaster; I hope very much that the 2010 elections mirror the 1994 ones.

But may God protect him, and may God make him wise. (And may God, through circumstances and the unforeseeable, entirely prevent his agenda from being implemented, as conservatives' agenda went so entirely unimplemented in the years 2000-2006 because of events.)

And may young inner-city minority males look at him and see an example more fit for emulation than basketball stars and rap artists. (Tho' in that capacity I'd rather they knew ten small-business owners with intact marriages. But Obama's not a bad start.)

May the phrase "acting white," associated with excellent English diction and academic achievement, recede into history's dustbin. (Perhaps "acting Obama" could take its place?)

May his election signal the start of a thaw in the frozen support of black Americans for Democrats, and the start of evenly-split voting patterns from that community.

May the next black president be a dyed-in-the-wool conservative (which would better serve the policy interests of African Americans, anyhow).

May every person who opposed Obama's election be gracious to him in his victory. If someone is not, may the rest of us shout him down. We can be the opposition, and be the loyal opposition. The Democrats never quite learned that lesson in the last six years, preferring the glories of Bush Derangement Syndrome. ("All that hate inside you gonna burn you up, boy." (mirthless grin) "Well...it keeps me warm.") Conservatives, especially Christians, especially mature ones, are temperamentally suited to do far better: So let us do so.

Grace, grace, grace, grace.

That actually helped - you are the voice of reason, as usual.

Well said, R.C. Thank you!

I do hold our bishops partly responsible due to the ambiguity of 'Faithful Citizenship'. God have mercy on them. But many made it much more complicated than it really was and in the end, we are each responsible for our choices. God have mercy on us all.

Deuteronomy 30

11 For this command which I enjoin on you today is not too mysterious and remote for you.

12 It is not up in the sky, that you should say, 'Who will go up in the sky to get it for us and tell us of it, that we may carry it out?'

13 Nor is it across the sea, that you should say, 'Who will cross the sea to get it for us and tell us of it, that we may carry it out?'

14 No, it is something very near to you, already in your mouths and in your hearts; you have only to carry it out.

15 "Here, then, I have today set before you life and prosperity, death and doom.

16 If you obey the commandments of the LORD, your God, which I enjoin on you today, loving him, and walking in his ways, and keeping his commandments, statutes and decrees, you will live and grow numerous, and the LORD, your God, will bless you in the land you are entering to occupy.

17 If, however, you turn away your hearts and will not listen, but are led astray and adore and serve other gods,

18 I tell you now that you will certainly perish; you will not have a long life on the land which you are crossing the Jordan to enter and occupy.

19 I call heaven and earth today to witness against you: I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Choose life, then, that you and your descendants may live,

Actually, "1984" was what we saw in the Bush regime!

Here we are. Some of you are very happy with the result. I got out of bed this morning and prayed for America. I prayed that change will not be too drastic and the gains in the pro-life movement will not be lost. I prayed that none of Obama's programs come to fruition. I prayed that our Bishops will become more strident in their work in the pro-life movement. I prayed that God will not punish our country for making poor choices. The good that our country will outweigh the bad that we do, it will always be that way.

I am particularly disappointed in my fellow Knights of Columbus who voted democratic despite the Supreme's support of pro-life issues. I will never be able to forgive them for that.

I disagree with the Obama/Biden ticket on so many levels and voted and prayed for a McCain/Palin win.
My silver lining is that my 2 year old son will see a man of his same color in the highest office in the land. However, I can’t help but think that, had my son’s birthmom shared Sen.Obama’s opinions on unplanned pregnancies, that he’d never have been allowed to be born and we wouldn’t have the unbelieveable blessing of being his parents. I’m praying for a conversion of hearts for all that don’t recognize the true gift that every child is.

Every catholic that voted for Obama should be excommunicated, how dare you vote for the ONE man that advocates infaticide like him. I hope every catholic that values life is angry at what the voters of the USA have unleashed on the world.

As someone who works within the Church infrastructure in the U.S., I would ask you (and anyone else who feels this way) to reconsider. Please don't punish your entire parish or diocese for the actions of one small branch of bureaucracy.

With the exception of parishes or dioceses that match contributions (research local practices, which may vary), the only money CCHD receives from Catholic parishioners in the U.S. comes from the one special collection a year which is specifically for that purpose. If you wish to avoid giving money to CCHD, you only have to avoid this one collection.

Of course, giving to a crisis pregnancy center is always a good idea, too. But please don't lose faith in the other official efforts of the Church in the U.S., especially the other national collections for the Catholic Home Missions, the Church in Africa, and the Church in Central and Eastern Europe, which support the work of priests and missionaries in dioceses where material resources are more scarce. They're still doing lots of good.

Build me a son, O Lord, who will be strong enough to know when he is weak, and brave enough to face himself when he is afraid; one who will be proud and unbending in honest defeat, and humble and gentle in victory.
from "A father's prayer" by Douglas MacArthur

I grew up reading and saying that prayer. those of us who stand up for innocent human life have nothing for which to be ashamed. We must also realize that moving people beyond self interest is a difficult work that is never appreciated.

Two important duties that we have must be stated. The first is a duty to pray for conversion - there are many who could benefit from such a prayer. The second isto pray for our leaders that they may act in wisdom and consistent with the will of God.

Having known and befriended former abortionists, I can attest to both the power of prayer and the ability of the truth to change the heart.

In the mean time, all of us and especially those who claim to pro-life while supporting the Democrats to put their money and their time into changing their party from the party that embraces death to one that chooses life. Now is the time to find pro-life Democrats and run them NOT against other pro-life candidates but against pro-abortion Democrats or pro-abortion Republicans. Realize that the party apparatus will try to destroy you. But if you really care about changing the status quo, you have a duty to act.

Finally continue to support your local and state pro-life groups. they continue to do the heavy lifting of educating the public on the issue. Recognize that if we give up on the abortion issue that the euthanasia issue will take a greater hold - read Washington state.

So to those who are happy about what happened - you have a duty to the unborn to protect them from what many fear will be an increased slaughter of the innocents. To those who are dismayed with the results of yesterday's vote, the task is clear and the timing ever so urgent.

Dear Friends,

As a Catholic Democrat and Obama supporter, I can well understand how heartbreaking it is to lose an election. I realize that the rhetoric will remain heated for some time. Remember, however, that there are many ways to oppose abortion. One reader has suggested donating time and or money to a local pregnancy crisis center. That is truly "fighting the good fight."

There are, however, certain ideas that should be approached with caution:

1) Some have indicated a reluctance to support parishes considered "lukewarm" in their political opposition to Obama.

This is never a good idea. Do you really know how your fellow parishioners voted? I have never considered reducing my offering in my parish although my pastor was clearly in favor of the Republicans. Failing to support our clergy should not be an option.

2) Some have recommended using the Blessed Sacrament as a means of enforcing obedience among the Catholic electorate.

Ouch. My friends, this will backfire. Proceed with caution.

3)I have noticed that some have distinguished between the "orthodox" bishops and the "others."

Beware: that way lies schism; that way lies madness.

In Peace,

NHCatholic

Historically evil agenda. No price is worth this. I agree with "Blacks really should be weeping." Well said.

Sadly, most of the people who elected Obama are oblivious to their cooperation with evil... not yet fully unleashed. Emotions will be fiercely flying when the Nation realizes what has happened to them.

Didn't anyone else see the Communist Flag flying in the crowd at the Obama celebration last night in Chicago?? (Fox News) This is disturbing from supporters of a campaign who lifted up freedom, liberty and the American dream.

NHCatholic:

Just one friendly correction, I am an orthodox Catholic First. Conservative is a geopolitical construct, which is not how I, and I think many who voted for McCain who frequent this board, define themselves.

Well, what you outlined is exactly what believe should happen. 1) I have stopped supporting dissident Catholic Organizations. For example, I was a long-time supporter of MaryKnoll because of the charitable work they did in the 3rd world, despite some of the liberation theology they embraced. However, most recently one of their Priests (Roy Bourgeois) got involved with an ordination of a "priestess". Until I see appropriate disciplinary action from that order, I am done with them.

2) I think Holy Communion should be denied to all Catholics, who are democrat politicans, if in the next 2 years they do the following 1) Support Obama's push for the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA), the most radical abortion legislation in the history of the U.S., and or 2) support a justice to the courts which have shown a history of upholding Roe V. Wade in its totality. Whether a theological case can be made to extend the communion ban to lay Catholics requires a someone who has a great understanding of Canon Law, which I do not have.

3) I agree that more and more Catholics need to start pointing out the Orthodox Catholic Bishops vs. the heterodox. If you see something that is dissident or heterodox, write it down and send it to Rome. As Fr. Z over at "What prayer says", be charitable and courteous, do not cite Canon Law or the Catechism, they know what is in it, but point out heterodox teachings, liturgical dissent.

I think Pope Benedict is slowly, brick by brick, as Fr. Z puts it, restoring orthdooxy. If a schism results, so be it. At that point those who break from Rome are becoming officially what they already are, which is defacto non-Catholics. Sorry if that hurts but it is the Truth, a word Christ used in the New Testament plenty of times, I think second only to the word Love (the sacrificial type of love rooted in the Paschal mystery)

Pax et bonum to all and I apologize for my irritable nature leading up to the election. Oh well, it is what it is.

Dear Louisiana Catholic,

Thank you for your thoughtful response. Catholics are certainly free to communicate concerns to the Holy See, especially when those concerns involve the hierarchy. Disagreements have always existed within the Church, and they will continue to exist. Obviously, as an Obama supporter, I am at odds with a substantial majority of American Catholic Bishops. Though not all.

Still, I believe the term "heterodox" should be used with great caution when applied to members of the hierarchy. This is a serious charge, and might lead some to adopt the Donatist heresy, hence the importance of supporting the local parish. Believe me, any Donatist tendency in the American Church will not have the support of the Holy Father.

Please don't misinterpret - I am NOT accusing you of any such thing. You are clearly a faithful Catholic.

In closing, my fear of schism is not from the left, but from the right.

In Peace,

NHCatholic

You sound bitter Deal. Lighten up.

Not sure if this has been posted already

CNN exit polls

http://tinyurl.com/6qh99x

I've linked to the page with the religion questions, but there are seven pages of data if you are interested.

And you sound awfully flippant, Jonathon. Catholics helping to add to the already more than 45,000,000 million dead babies isn't something I'd want Deal to lighten up about. I'd also say he sounds horribly saddened and disappointed, rather than bitter.



Yet your party doesn't have to provide decent candidates, I see. How I wish you would just say "No thanks" to all the abortionists in your party. Or all the pro-homosexual agenda ones, or the radical socialist and feminist ones who use our taxpayer funded schools to encourage/teach our children how to have 'safe' and deviant sex, or the ACLU separation of Church and State ones who keep chipping away at our Freedom of religious practice and expression. Who am I missing?

Honestly, one might begin to question if supporters of Democrats even believe anything the Church teaches.

Yes, I admit that while Deal might not be bitter, I am a bit.

Certain Catholic apologists for the Bush administration and the ill-conceived Iraq invasion also bear some blame for enabling and energizing the left.

Many Catholic Republicans were unwilling to criticize Bush until he became unpopular. This unwillingness actually helped ensure the president would become unpopular, because his mistakes would remain uncorrected.

It's estimated that in the US alone some 48,000,000 babies have been murdered by abortion since Roe v Wade. When we count all the children in the embryonic stage of development through such experiments as cloning and through procedures such as in vito fertilization, the numbers mount even more.

Let's make some frankly macabre guesses what the abortion count will be at the end of Obama's first term. Ironically,a disproportionate number of them will come from the ranks of African-Americans who voted in overwhelmling numbers for Obama. And this election was a sign that Blacks had finally been vindicated by the election of one of their own? Hardly.

I go to sleep these nights with a clear conscience that I have done nothing to contribute to the destruction of innocent human life but won't rest until abortion is unlawful once again.

As for those who still believe they are Catholics in good standing after having voted with the knowledge that Obama's stated intent as one of his first acts as president will be to institute FOCA, you're deluding yourselves my friends.

It's time to stop blaming Democrats and start taking some responsibility yourself. That is the only way we are ever going to move forward on this issue.

There are two political parties in this country. One of them is pro-choice, but with an electoral base that is poised to become overwhelmed with Catholic voters from Latin America and young voters who are not as ideologically committed to abortion as the baby boomer generation.

The other one has suffered a massive defeat after eight years of incompetence.

Which one of these parties do you think has the most realistic chance of actually - not with the same mere words we've heard for 40 years - but actually doing something about it?

Trusting the GOP to protect life is a FAILED experiment. It is time to embark on a new one. I will keep saying it, over and over and over again. This is the only viable way forward.

Kevin. The original premise of the Iraq war was not wrong. The conduct of the conflict was wrong. As an old Vietnam Era Vet, I can attest to government's ineptness in waging wars. The win by Obama has nothing to do with Iraq and everything to do with hating George Bush and his stupid spending during his term of office. If the financial crises did not occur, I truly believe that McCain would of won this election. To Obama's credit: he stayed on message, stayed on Bush and made McCain's policies those of George Bush. That is what won the election for Obama. Iraq will be a problem for Obama just as it was for Nixon when he took office.

Let us get to the chase. With all things equal, Obama's policies of infantacide, higher taxes on the rich during a recession with the incredible idiocy of the Democratic leadership will corrupt America's morality for years to come.

Although the Iraq war is important, one cannot loose focus of the reason why we're there to begin with and that is to draw Al Quida out of the woodwork and for the most part it has worked. But now they are in a resurgence in Afghanistan, so we must go there. I think it was Teddy Roosevelt who wanted to attack the Islamic hoard to protect the Holy Land and he was warned by his Secretary of War that once you start fighting the Muslims you will be fighting them for a hundred years. It has only been seven Ken.

I am extremely saddened by the Bishops "Faithful Citizenship" which made voting for Obama justifiable for practicing Catholics. I am also very upset that more was not done from the American pulpits. More of our Bishops and Priest need to take example from heroes such as Fr. Frank Pavone,National Director of Priests for Life. Just as the Catholic Church is dead clear on its stance on abortion, despite what Nancy Pelosi might think, it should have been made clear and pronounced openly that " (Catholics) must vote in this election with an informed conscience. A Catholic cannot be said to have voted in this election with a good conscience if they have voted for a pro-abortion candidate. Barack Hussein Obama is a pro-abortion candidate." – Fr. Corapi

While I agree that this is a tragic loss for the pro-life movement and particularly devastating because of the personal hours and months put into the McCain campaign along with Billy Valentine and the other CR’s of Franciscan University I take hear in the words of our late Holy Father –
“The outcome of the battle for Life is already decided, even though the struggle goes on against great odds and with much suffering. – John Paul II the Great

In the heart of the Infant Jesus

Mother Teresa said: "The fruit of abortion is nuclear war". When Mother's prophecy comes true (and I am afraid it will), I hope these Obama "catholics" will have the chance to repent of this grave (i.e.,mortal)sin of voting him into office.

Arkyump writes:
"The original premise of the Iraq war was not wrong. "

But supposing it were in fact wrong, would you agree that Republicans could never admit that to themselves?

The Vietnam War motivated activists to take over the Democratic Party. The Iraq war has energized these same types of people, only now they've taken over not only the party but the government.

Sure, let's all lighten up, I am sure the 40,000,000+ souls of unborn babies are partying it up in Heaven at the results...

Please don't misinterpret - I am NOT accusing you of any such thing. You are clearly a faithful Catholic.
In closing, my fear of schism is not from the left, but from the right.
In Peace,
NHCatholic

Greeting N.H. Catholic,

You DO NOT REPRESENT the voice of all Catholics or Christians or for that matter everyone else in our state. The core teaching of the Universal Church revolve around the Centrality of Jesus Christ the Son of the Living GOD. Who entered into the world to save us from our Sin.......and restore us to new life. PLAIN AND SIMPLE.........
For nearly 40 YEARS many and myself included have had to tolorate your fancY drible of words and frankly I have had enough. Very soon many will see how "Change" will impact their lives and then the "Truth" will be revealed.
Regards,
Charlene a humbled catholic/christian in n.h.

Too often overlooked in the ongoing abortion debate is the economic aspects of this issue. The liberal media establishment is working tirelessly to conceal the economic realities of abortion. I am not talking about poor single mothers who see no other option after being blessed with conception. I am talking about the tens of millions of dollars that Planned Parenthood and other abortion companies are making by killing babies. Liberals are quick to condemn the oil industry and other industries for making windfall profits. But where is the liberal outrage at the obscene profits that Planned Parenthood, et als., are making by killing babies?

Please don't misinterpret - I am NOT accusing you of any such thing. You are clearly a faithful Catholic.

In closing, my fear of schism is not from the left, but from the right.

In Peace,

NHCatholic[/quote]

NHCatholic:

I respectively have to say schism from what you refer to as "the right" is nonsense for the following reason. Orthodox Catholics see the faith in a continuity of the Apostolic Tradition that has been passed down from the Apostles to us today and see the Primacy of the Church of Rome and Petrine Ministry as an essential doctrine as to what it means to be fully Catholic. In short, lack of commmunion with Rome makes one not fully Catholic, as Catholic Doctrine clearly states (CCC 857, 880-882).

Now what you refer to as the "left" (again geopolitical terms), I refer to has dissident at best, heterodox at worse, is more likely to go into schism. Most recently, a number of women in the U.S. have participated in "ordinations" which have resulted in excommunications, and many "left-leaning" (again your term) Catholics have followed these women into schism.

IMO, a substantial number of the Catholic "left" holds essentially the same positions as these women who "claim to be ordained" and former Catholics who now have joined these break away groups. I am 43 years old and have always viewed Catholic Priests and lay Catholics who support women's ordination as heterodox (that issue alone makes someone that) because those who challenge the Church's teaching on Priestly ordination (only men can be validly ordained, CCC 1577) also have all of the other marxist positions that are related to gender, class, etc, in that same-sex marriage, abortion, etc are also part of that agenda.

For example, just recently, Gene Robinson, the leader of the Episcopalians in New Hampshire (your home state) publicly stated that he led a retreat for some 75-80 Catholic Priests who are pro-Homosexual marriage supporters (although not publicly) and he told them to first keep pushing for and attacking the Catholic Church's teaching on male only priesthood, once that falls, then same-sex marriage will be accepted easily, and all other teachings on sexuality related topics (abortion, procreation/birth control issues) will go as well.

Of course, Mr Robinson obviously has not read St. Matthew's Gospel as the gates of death will not prevail against the CHurch, but I think what his statements show is that orthodox Catholics are against some evil forces at work even inside of the Church.

Regards

To say that this is a great day for Black America is, at best, laughable. This man supports the destruction of human life. Many, many of these lives are Black children. Obama NEVER came out and condemned Planned Parenthood when they were caught on tape accepting contributions specifically earmarked for the killing of Black children. Go to You Tube. You can find him telling a Planned Parenthood group that they will ALWAYS have his support. Get your heads out of the sand people!!

Lynn,

Where in the so-called Bush regime did you see 1) a Ministry of Truth (aka, today's so-called mainstream media) pumping out propaganda in favor of the Bush administration; and 2) a Ministry of Love where domestic enemies of the regime were tortured? Where did you see the "two minutes hate" exhibited during the Bush administration?

I bet you are going to answer me thus:

1) Ministry of Truth = Fox News, conservative talk radio, etc. My answer: Well, that's all the conservative movement has! The rest of the media is heavily in the opposition's camp. If Obama gets his way, he will reinstate the Orwellian "Fairness Doctrine" which will drive the likes of Limbaugh, Hannity, etc off the air, thus reasserting the left-leaning media monopoly they enjoyed before the advent of conservative talk radio. Next they will come after the blogs...like this one!
2) Ministry of Love - Gitmo, Abu Ghraib, and CIA jails. My answer: Our foreign enemies in wartime have largely been treated humanely (three squares a day, religious acommodations, etc) and yes some abuses have happened. But these abuses have been corrected. I shudder to see the rise of Canadian-like Human Rights Commissions, hate crimes legislation, and "diversity training" to make us all accept homosexual behavior and rat out Christians who preach against it. There's more chance of that happening in an Obama administration and Democrat Congress with a leftist judiciary than anything in Bush's days.
3) Two minutes hate = Wartime rallies and flag-waving, especially after 9/11. My answer: Remembering those dark days, there were some who spewed anti-Arab rhetoric, and Pres Bush told all of us that this is not a war against Arabs or even Islam itself. He tried reining in many people's natural anger, not encouraging it.

I realize you might be suffering from BDS (Bush Derangement Syndrome), but please give it a rest and peel off the 1/20/09 sticker from your car. Your man won, so be happy.

Love it, Sam!

If you didn't see it, Sam, nothing anyone says will make you see it.

Sorry. I'm new to quotes in comments.

Here's what I meant to say: if Sam doesn't see how the last eight years have approximated the world of 1984, nothing anyone can say will help him see it.

But maybe it's time for him to re-read the novel.

I was uncomfortable with Bush when he was nominated. But Al Gore's increasingly-erratic behavior during the 2000 election made me hope Bush won.

Once Bush won, and it became clear that the Florida democrats were trying to steal the election, I became something of a Bush loyalist. Throughout his first term, I took note of all the really horrible things that were said about him, saw that a large portion of the left would rather see Bush fail than see America succeed, and was alarmed by the complicity (and often, participation) of the MSM and mainstream Hollywood. It wasn't far into his second term that I succumbed to Bush Fatigue, due to his inability to make the case for his foreign policy to the American people, and his inability to find the veto pen. He has truly been a terrible steward of the Republican brand, and because of this, the Conservative and libertarian causes are suffering.

I'm no fan of McCain , but Obama disgusts me (and I love Palin), so I pulled the lever for McCain. I never considered race. I never got that far down the issues. Compare McCain's and Obama's stance/records on life and family issues. I needed not go any further in my discernment.

This is surely small of me, but if Obama wins, I plan on giving him as much of a chance as the Democrats gave George Bush. I will gleefully forward every paranoid anti-Obama rumor that I see, along with YouTube footage of his verbal missteps. I will laugh and email heinous anti-Obama photoshop jobs, and maybe even learn photoshop myself to create some. I'll buy anti-Obama books, and maybe even a "Not My President" t-shirt. I'm sure that the mainstream bookstores won't carry them, but I'll be on the lookout for anti-Obama calendars and stuff like that. I will not wish America harm, and if the country is hurt (economically, militarily, or diplomatically) I will truly mourn. But i will also take some solace that it occurred under Obama's watch, and will find every reason to blame him personally and fan the flames.

Obama's thuggish behavior thus far in this election cycle - squashing free speech, declaring any criticism of his policies to be "racist" (a word that happily carries little weight with sensible people these days), associating with the likes of Ayers, Wright, and ACORN - suggests that I won't have to scrape for reasons to really viscerally dislike Obama and his administration. And even if he wins, his campaign's "get out the vote fraud" activities are enough to provide people like me with a large degree of "plausible deniability" as to whether he is actually legitimately the president.

I've seen a President that I am generally-inclined to like get crapped on for eight years, and I've seen McCain and Palin (honorable people both, despite policy differences I may have with them) get crapped on through this election season. If the Democrats think that a President Obama is going to get some sort of honeymoon from the folks who didn't vote for him, think again. GAME ON!!!!!

God have mercy. Forgive us for we know not what we do.
Mother God, Pray for us.

In all of this, did anyone notice the irony in the California vote?

Californians voted to give Chickens more humane treatment by passing a change to the constitution that requires more space in their cages, but voted against one that would require notification of a parent or other adult relative before a minor could have an abortion. It seems we are more concerned with the quality of life for chickens than even granting life to children.

This is not a good sign for our opposition to FOCA.

In every time period democracies have been the hardest form of government to keep going because sooner or later it degrades into oligarchy or totalitarianism. The fruit of Abortion is nuclear war and the fruit of moral relativism is totalitarianism because if you can do anything you want and decide your own morality. The people with the power win the morality debate. Tolerance isn't tolerance. It is selective bigotry whereby some people's opinions are tolerated while others are not. My friends, we are about to get exactly what we deserve for our complacency, lukewarmness, and prideful refusal to take correction from our shepherds.

In ancient Israel when the people sinned and stubbornly and pridefully defied God's laws, the worst punishment he could give them was to give them what they wanted, with three primary consequences attached.

1) invasion (illegal immigration still goes on doesn't it? and terrorists still want to kill Americans)

2) Oppression (Obama is going to redistribute the wealth [communism], allow the free reign of eugenics through abortion and infanticide (Nazism) and socialized medicine with long waiting lines, managed care that discriminates against the poor and chronically ill, and insurance companies that, where euthanasia is allowed won't fund treatment for the terminally ill but will fund suicide.

3) Exile- The fruit of abortion is nuclear war. When people stop caring about the youngest and weakest and the elderly who have so much to teach us society becomes more cruel, more violent, and ultimately self destructs, with the greatest exile being eternal damnation for those caught in mortal sin when it happens.

When the historians of a future age write the history of this one, they will be scratching their heads at the overwhelming political support given by blacks to those politicians -- black and white -- who used abortion and contraception to exterminate their numbers in greater proportions than other segments of the population.

May God grant us the wisdom, knowledge, understanding, and counsel to form our conscience in accordance with authentic Catholic teaching.

The new democratic government is to go by well formed Catholic conscience. Let us continue pray for this intention.

LOS ANGELES – In a heartbreaking defeat for the gay-rights movement, California voters put a stop to gay marriage, creating uncertainty about the legal status of 18,000 same-sex couples who tied the knot during a four-month window of opportunity opened by the state's highest court.

Same-sex marriage took a hit in Arizona, Florida and California on Nov. 4, 2008, with voters amending their state constitutions to specify only marriage between a man and a woman as valid.
A similar measure was on the Arizona ballot in 2006 but failed. The 2008 ballot measure passed with 56 percent of the vote with 99 percent of the precincts reporting Wednesday morning.

Sixty-two percent of Florida voters also decided to define marriage as being only between a man and a woman, according to tallies from 99 percent of the precincts.

Slightly more than half of California voters (52 percent) approved the ban on same-sex marriage, overturning a May 2008 California Supreme Court ruling that had legalized same-sex marriage. Ninety-four percent of precincts had reported vote totals as of Wednesday morning.

"The amendment, which passed with 52 percent of the vote, overrides that court ruling by defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman. Thirty states now have adopted such measures, but the California vote marks the first time a state took away gay marriage after it had been legalized".

Massachusetts and Connecticut are now the only states to allow same-sex marriage.

Let us pray for these two states to have conversion.
With love and prayers,
God Bless.

I Francis Jeyaraj
Cellular Phone: (965) 6620 3674
Kuwait
Alternate E-mail:
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"Religious groups, including the Mormon church and the Roman Catholic Church, played pivotal roles in pushing for the ban".

AMDG - To the Greater Glory of God!

There is already a de-facto schism within the church when 52% of 'Catholics' can justify national infanticide. It doesn't matter whether the country is Germany in the '30's or America today. It doesn't matter whether the 'leader'
of the mass-butchering of human beings is white or black.

FOCA is absolutely horrific! The issue is not about race. This is not about politics. It's about baby killing. We need to get on our knees and pray for God's forgiveness.

I am in a state of shock that any 'Catholic' would cooperate with such homicidal evil & attempt to rationalize that cooperation.

The Catholic Heirarchy prefers the docile to the passionate. It is not necessary to be political. However, don't confuse politics with doctrine. In the name of Love, TEACH, TEACH, TEACH! The pews are filled with the apathetic, and confused. They have been lulled to sleep with ambiguity. The Church better wake them up before we lose our rights to practice faithfully.

I went to election night very dejected over the presidential election results. Weighing on my mind was the thought that 30 years of hard work and effort by the pro-life (anti abortion) movement had gone down the drain. I thought of all the babies that will be killed because of the so called “Freedom of Choice Act,” which (if Obama carries through with his promise to the abortion industry) will allow abortion on demand around the country, and open up the door for federal money to pay for abortions.

However, and this is the important part, I went to Mass yesterday morning and was totally refreshed with the Eucharist and the Word. For those of you who are downtrodden following Obama’s election, I urge you to carefully read and pray about the first reading from Mass yesterday. It is St. Paul’s letter to the Philippians, chapter 2, verses 12 to 18, and it reads as follows:

“So then, my beloved, obedient as you have always been, not only when I am present but all the more now when I am absent, work out your salvation with fear and trembling. For God is the one who, for his good purpose, works in you both to desire and to work. Do everything without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine like lights in the world, as you hold on to the word of life, so that my boast for the day of Christ may be that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. But, even if I am poured out as a libation upon the sacrificial service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with all of you. In the same way you also should rejoice and share your joy with me.”

God wants us to be joyful and, regardless of outcome of this election, to continue the battle for life. Putting aside Obama’s personal and political faults, and they are many, we can and should all take pride in the fact that racial prejudice in this country has largely been eliminated, as proven by Obama’s election. However, it took us over a century for that to happen.

If we continue the battle, I am confident that civil rights for babies in the mothers’ womb will also one day prevail. Not in our time, but in God’s time. Although we live “in the midst of a crooked and perverse" world, our job is to simply labor as we have been “for His good purpose,” and leave the rest to God!

Take care, and God bless!

Frank, Bush may have moved things in a bit of a 1984 direction, but if the move was as serious as you claim, we wouldn't have just had an election where the opposing party won.

And Sam has a point that the left has more of the structure in place, and the moral relativism, to make such a distopia more likely. At least Bush was grounded in some degree of Christian principle, along with a great love of America and of democracy.

The primary sources of information in our culture, the media and the schools, are left-leaning.

The left has its hate-crime laws, and certain players on that side want to broaden them to make other viewpoints illegal.

Meanwhile, the left has become fond of drumming up hate itself: hate of Bush (not just hatred of policies, but outright, venomous hatred of a mostly decent man), hate of Christians, hatred of traditions, and sometimes even hatred of America (because we're not like those enlightened Europeans).

On a related note, I was somewhat surprised to hear Obama say he planned to "Kill Osama bin Laden." Yes, in some ways that is honest, but our true goal should probably be his capture, not just his outright elimination. Sure, we might have to "get him" with explosives. But while killing should be on the table, it shouldn't be our favored method.

Okay, there are pros and cons for each party. Lets choose and support a third party that will be pro-life and provide for the poor and weak, and allows us to remain Americans. How about the Constitution Party? Palin should check into it. She's the only reason I voted for McCain, which was like getting drunk before doing something nasty.

Which one of these parties do you think has the most realistic chance of actually - not with the same mere words we've heard for 40 years - but actually doing something about it?

Trusting the GOP to protect life is a FAILED experiment. It is time to embark on a new one. I will keep saying it, over and over and over again. This is the only viable way forward.
Written by Joe H


Only viable way forward where? To the culture of death? So you want to be comfortable in exchange of killing the unborns

New to this, but just want to say that THE TRUTH WILL SET US FREE.
It is sad but a true act that as a mother of 4 children ( 2 teens and 2 younger ) I have had to educate/inform my kids about the immorality and reality of abortion. It is not the schools/media/or anyone else's job to do this, and I hope and pray by doing this - this will set a moral compass for my children and shed the light on them since we all know the media/schools etc really dont discuss this issue...OUT OF SIGHT OUT OF MIND type of deal and a "personal" matter, between doctor and the mother. NEWS FLASH : its very personal to me, in the year 2031 I will be in my 60's and there will be no soc security benefits for my sspouse and I. DOes ANYBODY (government) ever think about the reality that we have killed 50 million people who would have added to our society/economy???

That is how we need to help the economy my friends, my allowing these lives to be born, our future our hope.

And again, my precious little girl, only 8 actually tries to explain to her classmates ( in a public school...) YIKES I know but how brave of her...what abortion is...the killing of unborn babies. I know it sounds so "violent" and morbid to have to tell your kids the truth, but WE MUST. There is power in numbers and we must fight and never give up. It was a somber morning when I had to tell the kids Wednesday morning that we elected a VERY pro-choice president. Fortunately, thru our diverse upbringing they know it wasn't about RACE in our household, it was about the morals behind the MAN.

Comments welcome

God bless and goodnite,

When I First Saw Barack Obama as a Presidential Candidate, I Was So Happy In Thinking that there Could Be a First Black President Of the United States. Then I Found Out What His Policies Were, Pro Abortion, Which Saddened And Changed my Mind about This Presidential Candidate.
I Am so Thrilled For All The Black Americans, For Your Ancestors who were Slaves under the "superior white race," You Hold Your Head Up High and CAN Say "Free At Last." I Can See The Faces Of Rosa Parkes, Martin Luther King, The List Is Endless. I Am Thrilled For You. Thrilled For The Opressed People Throughout The World.
Back to Free At Last, What About the Unborn. They Are Not Free, They are Still Slaves Of The Silent Scream. Please Pray For The Unborn, To Let Them Be Born.

Margaret Sanger would be proud of the work that President Elect Obama has done towards the support of her mission in life. Why any reasonable person can't see the abortion industry for what it is, and follow the money, is beyond my understanding but not beyond the reach of our prayers. I don't think Obama understands he wouldn't have made it to the diaper stage if Margaret had her way. Actually, she is having her way!

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We need every Christian who wants to speak up for the preborn to help in this fight!

"A Father's Prayer" is a very beatutiful poem. I would like to have its pronuntiation in orden to improve my speakin level english. Thanks a lot.