Alito Nominated to fill O'Connor's Position

In a move that appears to pacify his conservative base, Bush named Judge Samuel Alito as his SCOTUS nominee.  This move calms those who against Miers and unites the party.  Personally, I am disappointed Bush did not name a conservative female, but Alito is a conservative jurist with a conservative history.  Although Alito was the lone dissent when the third circuit heard Casey, he has a mixed history regarding abortion, because he held New Jersey's attempt to ban late-term abortions was unconstitutional due to the failure to include an exclusion to protect the mother's health.

Personally, I am mildly disappointed, because I hoped Bush would use this opportunity to nominate a true conservative female.  I did not support Miers for a variety of reasons, but I would have supported several other conservative females.  Although I am disappointed, I am thrilled Bush named a true conservative this time.

Methodist Church Divide Grows

Can a pastor refuse membership to an actively gay person?  This is question is furthering the divide among Methodists already at odds over an active lesbian 'minister'.  The most troubling part of this Washington Post article was the statement by Rev. W. Anthony Layman:

"If you read the Gospels as I do, you will find that Jesus got in trouble when he spoke to women, he put his arms around children, he talked to the demon possessed and he went into the caves to spend time with lepers," he said.

What Layman forgets to remind us of the rest of the Gospels where Christ admonishes us to "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect" (Matt 5:48) and "If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be thrown in hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to go into hell" (Matt 5:29,30).

Christians should be deeply offended that those who reject the entire Gospel desire to change the entire principle of Christianity, which includes a life of penance, repentance, and living in the world, but not being of the world.  The suggestion that we must condone immoral behavior is contrary to the Gospels and a sin against our brothers, because our primary responsibility is to spread the teachings of Christ through the world.

To be or not to be Catholic

Catholic University Threatening to Expel Student for Calling Homosexual Acts 'Subhuman'

PITTSBURGH, PA, October 28, 2005 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Duquesne University, which describes itself as "one of the top ten Catholic universities in the nation," has punished a 19-year-old sophomore for statements made on a website which had no connection to the school.  While the mainstream media has frequently repeated that political science and pre-law student Ryan Miner is being sanctioned for calling gays and lesbians 'subhuman', Miner told LifeSiteNews.com in an interview he used the word 'subhuman' to describe homosexual acts, not homosexuals themselves.

The University was considering a request to begin a Gay-Straight Alliance club on campus.  Such clubs, known for promoting the acceptability of homosexual acts, are not proper in a Catholic university according to Miner.  Writing in the university paper yesterday, Miner said, "The goal of this proposed immoral alliance is an endorsement of a homosexual lifestyle, which is undeniably precarious  . . . As a practicing Catholic and a staunch supporter of the Catholic Church, I find it completely appalling that Duquesne University would even consider the idea of this uncanny and so-called 'alliance.'"

Miner formed a group of students to counter the proposed club via a national website for students on which he posted comments.  After reading the comments on the site, four students found them offensive and brought them to the attention of the university judicial affairs department.

After Miner was sent a letter notifying him of the complaints a hearing was held by three faculty members and two student representatives.  Miner was refused the names of the university faculty judging him.

Miner was found guilty of offending the university's anti-discrimination policy which prohibits discrimination based on "sexual orientation" among other things.  Miner told LifeSiteNews.com that he explained at the hearing that his use of the word 'subhuman' was meant towards the homosexual act and not homosexual persons.  Moreover, Miner read the Catholic Catechism in his defence as the Catechism refers to homosexual acts as, "acts as acts of grave depravity", "intrinsically disordered" and  "contrary to the natural law."  His was nonetheless found guilty of the charges.

In conversation with LifeSiteNews.com, Miner said that his use of 'subhuman' to describe homosexual acts "certainly wasn't the most prudent of words", but what he meant to say was the gist of the teaching in the Catechism.

As punishment, Miner was ordered to remove the comments from the website and to write a ten page "objective, expository essay on the viewpoints for and against homosexuality using specific readings."  While Miner removed the website comments he refused to write an essay in support of homosexuality as he said it was a violation of his faith.

Miner notes that his refusal to submit to the punishment may lead to his expulsion from Duquesne.  When asked if he'd be willing to accept that sentence to stay true to his beliefs he responded, "Absolutely."

An appeal of the initial hearing is forthcoming. 

LifeSiteNews.com contacted Duquesne officials seeking comment, but no calls were returned.

In a press release today the American Family Association of Pennsylvania (AFA of PA), a statewide traditional values group, urged Duquesne University to reconsider the sanctions posed on Miner.  The AFA contends that beyond the squabble about wording, Miner "has a First Amendment right to express those views on an off-campus blog."

The AFA release said, "The late Pope John Paul urged Catholics not to be afraid of publicly defending traditional family values in modern society."    Diane Gramley, president of the AFA of PA commented, "Apparently Mr. Miner took the words of Pope John Paul to heart and is now being punished by a Catholic university."

To express your concerns

Charles J. Dougherty, Ph.D.
Duquesne University President
president@duq.edu
600 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15282
Phone: (412) 396-6000 
Toll Free: (800) 456-0590

(c) Copyright: LifeSiteNews.com, a production of Interim Publishing.
Permission to republish granted but acknowledgement of source (use LifeSiteNews.com) is *REQUIRED*

Miers Nomination Withdrawn

Miers handed Bush her notice of withdrawal this morning ending a month long battle between Bush and the conservative base. This decision occurs following Leonard Leo’s return to his position as Vice President of the Federalist Society and continued controversy regarding Miers’ judicial philosophy and qualifications. Due to the acceptance of her withdrawal, I am not going to post my commentary regarding her speeches that went public earlier this week.

Getting to Know You, Getting to Know All About You…

As new information arises, it becomes apparent that Miers has been an active pro-lifer, which will create numerous issues in upcoming hearings scheduled to begin the 7 November.

"If Congress passes a Human Life Amendment to the Constitution that would prohibit abortion except when it was necessary to prevent the death of the mother, would you actively support its ratification by the Texas Legislature," asked an April 1989 questionnaire sent out by the Texans United for Life group.

Miers checked "yes" to that question, and all of the group's questions, including whether she would oppose the use of public moneys for abortions and whether she would use her influence to keep "pro-abortion" people off city health boards and commissions. Source

Yes, Roe v. Wade is a substantial issue, but the biggest issue is can she form a coherent and decisive argument regarding any issue – including Roe. Our current information level does not assure us Miers is able to put together the level of argument needed on the SCOTUS, has a definitive jurisprudence, and is able to maintain an opinion when faced with opposition. In fact, the information we have to date discouragingly points in the opposite direction and the recent release of her answers to the Senate questionnaire is only an extension of the disappointment felt by many conservatives. While she mimics Roberts' responses in certain areas, nothing extraordinary is presented through her answers. In fact, she falls short of actually answer important questions as demonstrated below.

Ms. Miers did not even attempt to reassure skeptics that she will be adequately independent of the White House in which she has served for nearly five years or of the president she has represented for even longer than that. Asked how she would handle potential conflicts of interest on the court, she noted that she would "abid[e] by both the spirit and letter of the law." Even Chief Justice Roberts, who had nowhere near the baggage she carries on this issue, laid out his presumptive recusals more specifically than that. Source

I completely agree with the following statement:

While the president's choice deserves deference from the Senate, Ms. Miers needs to earn confirmation on her own.

For everyone’s information, I am not being sexist considering I am woman or elitist since I did not graduate from Yale or Harvard and I do not expect every Supreme Court nominee to the product of an Ivy League education. I am simply a conservative who wants Bush to uphold his promise for Justices in the mold of Scalia and Thomas.

As the Broadway tune goes, we are “getting to know you, getting to know all about you”, but Miers does not appear to be “precisely my cup of tea” for many conservatives. We are not “bright and breezy because of all the beautiful and new things [we're] learning about you” Ms. Miers. If anything, with each day that passes, the trepidation grows stronger.

Charleston Diocese Takes another Stance to Protect the Unborn

Hot off the press, the Catholic Diocese of Charleston has pulled support for The Race for the Care due to recent knowledge that the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Research Foundation supports Planned Parenthood in certain areas. As a result, Bishop England’s computers will not be used in the tabulation of race results and students involved with Race for the Cure will not receive community service credit for their efforts. While all funding is "restricted to breast health services," it is appalling that any money go to pro-abortion agencies given the correlation between breast cancer and abortions.

Hat tip goes to a loyal reader for sending me the link to this article. I knew this statement was in the works due to certain personal sources, but did not have a link to the press release.

Are Modern Americans Ruder than Ever?

According to Associated Press poll, we are.

Nearly 70 percent questioned in an Associated Press-Ipsos poll said people are ruder than they were 20 or 30 years ago. The trend is noticed in large and small places alike, although more urban people report bad manners, 74 percent, then do people in rural areas, 67 percent.

My fellow Americans, are you surprised by the outcome of this poll? Although I prefer to give people the benefit of the doubt, too many people in today’s society are out of touch with other people and good manners. This points is proven by the number of people who will stand in the checkout line talking on the phone and ignore attempts by the cashier to ask basic questions such as, “Paper or plastic.”

A whopping 93 percent in the AP-Ipsos poll faulted parents for failing to teach their children well.

While I am glad people are willing to put the blame where it belongs, parents need to hold their children accountable for their actions and discipline them. The number of parents who defend their children without finding out the entire situation when they actually need to be held accountable for their own behavior saddens me. Televisions, public schools, and public places become babysitters, because the parents cannot be inconvenienced. Unfortunately, the immediate response is often to ignore the situation, because their precious child can ‘do no wrong.’

Close on the heels of the baby boomers are the affluent teens and young adults who have known nothing but the conveniences of computers and cell phones, devices that take them away from face-to-face encounters and can be downright annoying in a crowd.

"They got a lot of things and feel entitled to get a lot of things," said Hahn-Dupont.

Pro-Life Rally Tomorrow

A Silent No More rally will take place tomorrow in Charleston, SC. Please keep this event where post abortive women speak out regarding their abortions.

The campaign, a joint project of Priests for Life and NOEL, has three main goals:

• Make the public aware that abortion is harmful emotionally, physically and spiritually to women and others;
• Reach out to women who are hurting from an abortion, let them know help is available;
• Invite women to join us in speaking the truth about abortion's negative consequences.

Firm Statements Regarding Communion and Abortion Supporters

"A Catholic cannot support a politician who presents abortion as a general norm," said Cardinal Lozano. The Mexican prelate added that "a son of the Church cannot consider himself to be in full communion if he supports what the Church condemns."

A Catholic voter, the Vatican's "health minister" continued, should discriminate among the issues on the political agenda. An informed voter, he said, "should know how to distinguish between what represents an attack on life and what promotes the defense of life." He added that a Catholic voter can never be justified in supporting "what constitutes an attack on life."  Source

This belief already has a name

"We Are Church," a heretical group, wants to change the entire face of Catholicism as shown by this article so our teachings confirm to Protestant teachings in the name ecumenical dialogue.

Specifically, the dissident group called for abandoning the notion that the Eucharist is a sacrifice, and instead saying that the mass is "in memory of the entire life of Jesus." The group called for "full freedom of philosophical and theological interpretation of that mystery."

We Are Church argued that the dogma of the transubstantiation-- the teaching that the bread and wine at Mass are transformed into the Body and Blood of Christ-- is unacceptable to Protestants, and thus impedes ecumenical unity. The group decried traditional forms of Catholic piety, such as Eucharistic adoration and processions, as tending to make an "idol" of the Blessed Sacrament.

I am not trying to be snide or sharp, but this teaching already exists because of the Protestant Reformation.  Our Church stands firm against these teachings, because Catholic teachings cannot conform to these beliefs.  While I approve of Ecumenical dialogue so Catholics and Protestants can understand each other, we cannot accept Protestant teachings, because Catholic teachings offend Protestants.  This group calls its self "We Are Church," but as consistently shown, 'free thinkers' reject the independent and counter cultural thought process - true freedom is rejected.  If this group wants this belief system, they have an endless list of denominations to choose between, but if they want to be Catholic, they must conform to Catholic teachings, because our doctrines cannot and will not change.

Another troubling suggestion by this group is:

The group also denounced the exclusion of women from the Catholic priesthood, the bar on Communion for those who are divorced and remarried, and "monopoly" claimed by priests as sacramental ministers.

The "counter-synod" concluded that bishops should be elected, and all believers-- male or female, clerics and laity-- should be eligible.

We already have proof of what happens when people disregard the hierarchy of the Catholic Church and biblical standards.  This proof is the Episcopal Church of America and The Church of England.

The Quest Begins

Although I am cautious and skeptical regarding the nomination of an unknown for the SCOTUS, I can admit that the deck seems to be stacked fairly in regards to Miers personal convictions and probable political leanings. Based on the following initial findings, I can accept her personal beliefs are conservative, but too many questions exist regarding how she will interpret the law – as a friend likes to remind me, there is a big difference between political strategy and interpreting the constitution.

On the issue that commands the most attention for court nominees, Miers pressed unsuccessfully to have the American Bar Association put its policy in favor of abortion rights to a vote of the membership, showing a sensitivity, at least, to the anti-abortion movement, if not outright support of it.

Hecht said she has attended an evangelical church in Dallas, the Valley View Christian Church, for 25 years and "their position is pro-life and I'm sure her views are compatible with theirs."

Miers bought a $150 ticket to a Texas anti-abortion group's fundraising dinner in 1989, the year she won a term on the Dallas city council, the group's president said. Kyleen Wright of the Texans for Life Coalition, then called Texans United for Life, said the dinner drew about 30 other officeholders or candidates as "bronze patrons," the lowest level of financial support.

Miers asserted during her city council campaign that "employers should be able to pick the best qualified person for any position, to be filled considering all relevant factors," a position that does not seem in support of mandatory affirmative action. In her own legal career, she broke a glass ceiling and led the way for others. Source

I am not going to quarrel over her schooling, legal practice, or even her 90’s political alliance switch. I am concerned that she does not have developed and proven rational regarding constitutional matters. My concerns and the concerns of others move beyond Roe although it is a critical issue and that can be a determining factor in other issues.

So, here’s hoping Bush is truly committed to a conservative interpretation of the constitution and the pro-life movement although I have my personal doubts.

Bush Announces Court Nominee

In a disappointing move, Bush nominated Harriet Miers to replace O’Connor on the SCOTUS.