Category: BlahBlahBabble

Back at the beginning of the new year, I started The Resolution Project. Originally it was conceived as a project for me to follow the progress on my resolutions, but then I decided to open it to others. Now with the recent server move I have decided to make it an individual project again, at least for the time being. I have been bad about updating there (my last post was the beginning of March) but starting today that will change. I can’t promise anything too exciting – it will probably be a lot of to-do lists so I can keep track of things I need to do. But I learned in January what a cathartic thing it can be, and I need to do it … for me.

Reading through links, I came across a recent post at Anil’s site. He says, “if Enron and Global Crossings and, probably, Arthur Andersen can get (effectively or even literally) shut down for violating the trust of their clients, can we just shut down the Catholic Church, too? What would we do to any other institution that was an incubator for molestors? I’d much rather have someone mismanage my accounting than rape my child.”

I have been a member of the Catholic Church for 32 years now. To say that it is an “incubator for molestors” is just … serious overkill. I’m not saying that there are no issues here, don’t get me wrong. What is happening right now in the media is proof that there are issues, I’m not denying that. But there are issues in the world in general. Corruption and problems should not lead to calling for shutting down an entire institution. I have yet to meet a priest that has molested anyone. Yes, one of the priests at my current parish had an affair with the married office secretary and she left her husband, he left the priesthood and they ran off together. But that’s the most extreme issue I think I have ever personally come across.

We have corrupt politicians. Does that make us call for an end to government? I know, let’s shut down Congress because some might be corrupt. Really, after Bill Clinton & his scandals, let’s just not have presidents any more.

There is a lot more to the Catholic Church then the priests. It is made up of many, many people. And I’m one of them. We are one body, and a living, growing one at that. There have been many changes in the Catholic Church in my lifetime. I hope that the current pressure put on the church by the media helps us to overcome this issue. But shutting it down is not the answer as such a blanket generalization implies that every priest is corrupt. That is far from the truth.

I don’t normally write about religion here. But that just couldn’t be passed up. It’s not even an issue of it being my religion – I would feel the same if it was any other group. Just because there are issues with some members doesn’t mean it’s all corrupt. Enron is a very different situation because we were lead to believe that they had tons of money that they just don’t have. That doesn’t mean every employee of Enron is evil. All of Arthur Andersen isn’t evil. The people who did the wrongdoings should not go unpunished though, and the same goes for the Catholic Church.

Candi wrote about a mother suing Marilyn Manson for providing her daughter with cocaine, and the daughter’s later death after using it.

She writes “when a drunk gets behind the wheel and causes an accident, the drunk can’t sue the bar or the bartender for serving him alcohol – that would be ridiculous.”

Ridiculous or not, yes, the drunk can sue the bar AND the bartender. Can, have, and won. I worked at a restaurant where it happened here in Houston. After learning about the bartender being sued I was very careful about cutting my customers off if they were going a bit overboard.

Another reason to prove the merits of circumcision: Foreskin, cervical cancer possibly linked. Just something to think about. [via Irenic Embers]

I’ve been “blogrolled” by hafif.org | Ucuz Þarap Rehberi … just one problem. I can’t read the site. I’m not even sure what language it’s in! Anyone want to guess? Russian? I have no idea. It’s a nice looking site though! I just can’t read it!