Satanic Stocking Stuffers

(sarcasm mode on)
Well the Christmas shopping season is officially in full swing and every one of us has that one person that is so hard to buy for. If that person on your list this year just happens to be pregnant and not wanting the baby, Planned Parenthood of Indiana has just the thing for you - a gift certificate for an ABORTION!

This Christmas, instead of celebrating the birth of Christ the Messiah and His bringing of light into the world, give a gift that hearkens back to the very first Christmas! In the spirit of King Herod the Great when he ordered the Massacre of the Innocents, the First Martyrs, to prevent the coming of the Messiah, now you too can order the vicious and selfish murder of innocent unborn babies right from the comfort of your own home! Maybe even in your own WOMB!

That's right...today, thanks to technology and the extreme liberal and selfish legislation and lifestyles of modern America and even the world, unlike Herod the Great who had to deal with the political ramifications and social outcry (and the mess), now you can experience the same murderous evil and there's no need to wait until after they're born!!
(/sarcasm)

I wish that was just me being a typical smart-ass, but it's actually not. This disgusts me on so many levels. Reporter Leslie Olsen from WISH TV8 has this story: (CLICK HERE)

Video:

That's right. Under the guise of being used for "other things", Planned Parenthood of Indiana is offering Gift Certificates that can be used for all the services the offer. (Oh yeah, well abortions too...shhhh!).

Just like that "Inflate-A-Mate" blow up doll can be used for a lot of other things too, right? In the words of Bill Cosby...RIIIIIIIGGGHHHHT.

I pray that each of you will immediately contact Planned Parenthood (Contact Page Here) and let them know how despicable this is. Please remember that material aid of intrinsic evil is a sin!

Planned Parenthood of Indiana
Administrative offices
(317) 637-4343
Fax (317) 637-4344
200 South Meridian Street
Post Office Box 397
Indianapolis, Indiana 46206

Planned Parenthood of Indiana
Education and Training
(317) 637-4340
Fax (317) 637-4337
200 South Meridian Street
Post Office Box 397
Indianapolis, Indiana 46206
askme@ppin.org

Planned Parenthood Advocates of Indiana
Planned Parenthood Advocates PAC
(317) 637-4362
Fax (317) 637-4363
200 South Meridian Street
Post Office Box 397
Indianapolis, Indiana 46206
advocates@ppin.org

May God Bless Each of You
Bob

Happy Thanksgiving!

May God bless each of you with abundance, peace, health and happiness and may we all remember that the Lord God is the source of all good things.

Conservative vs Liberal Beliefs

I just came across this side-by-side comparison of Conservative vs Liberal beliefs from Student News Daily:

http://www.studentnewsdaily.com/other/conservative-vs-liberal-beliefs

I agree with all but one, the current Death Penalty. I think as conservatives, we should really reexamine our position on this issue and that is not in any way to give in to the liberals, but for a much greater and higher purpose that actually better exemplifies the conservative values we hold dear. Read on before you judge too fast.

As a Catholic and a conservative I believe that life is sacred from "womb to tomb" and I do not believe in delegating execution through the state. That is not in any way to say that we should lie defenseless like lambs to the slaughter. In our own defense, we have both a legal right to defend ourselves under the laws of man, and a moral responsibility under the laws of the Catholic Church (canons 2263-65) to defend innocent life and if necessary not to hesitate to deal a lethal blow to the evil that would threaten to take innocent God given life.

Put simply, learn the laws and train properly in the proper and safe handling of a firearm and carry one for defense. Why? Because the criminals do! If a criminal threatens your life with deadly force of any kind, knife or gun, it is YOUR decision to either give in to their demands dealing with the consequences; or to defend yourself against the evil that would threaten to take away the life that God has given you and using your firearm in your defense to stop the crime, lethally only if necessary. Understand that even if they hold a gun to your head and only want the $20 that is in your wallet, it's not about the $20, it's about a very real threat to your God given life and nobody has the right to do that. Not for $20, not for $20 million. Not ever.

In the same way that we cannot delegate our responsibility to be charitable by lazily giving more taxes to the government for "welfare", or to agencies that are charitable on our behalf , we also cannot delegate the responsibility to the state for our safety or to execute in our name. You want to be charitable? It must come from one human heart to another human heart, period. You want a criminal that threatens lives with deadly force to pay with their life? Carry a gun and be prepared for the consequences in every way; legally, socially, morally, emotionally and psychologically.

What's the difference between a beggar and a burglar? A burglar doesn't ask, they demand and they take, threatening you with grievous bodily harm or with the taking of your life if you don't comply. In the burglar's threat and actions lie true evil, greed and malice. If they walk away, it is with what was once yours and with a boldness that they can do as they please to whom they want and when they want. People exist as mere "targets of opportunity" to them. Giving in to evil when you have the means to resist is supporting that evil. Evil is in the face of the burglar, and fear is in the face of the victim, both faces of the devil.

A beggar is humble and through his humility he merely asks so that he may receive. Knocking, he hopes the door to charity may be opened. In the beggars asking, he also gives you the opportunity to be charitable, to be giving and to share the fruits of your life in some way with one less fortunate. This "least of our brothers" gives you the opportunity to see the face of Christ in him and in doing so, hopes to find the face of Christ in you.

Personally when I go out, I carry both cash for the beggar, praying I get to use it; and a gun for the burglar, praying that I don't. Kinda just makes sense.

May you never see the face of the devil and only find the face of Christ in others.

God Bless You All,
Bob

Anyone Remember Dial-A-Prayer?

PRAYER: A personal and private act of focusing and raising our hearts and minds to God to acknowledge Him, for blessings and adoration, petitions, intercession, thanksgiving and in praise. Blessings and adoration are both out outward and inward expressions of Love for all that God was, is and shall be forever. In petitioning we do not instruct or direct God, as He needs no direction from us. But our petitions appeal to God's goodness and mercy and help us further form our consciences through careful examination before God of what we truly desire and what is truly in our hearts. In giving Him thanks and praise we acknowledge God's goodness and we also acknowledge our neediness and dependence upon Him. To receive what He has already prepared for us according to our merits, but we must first ask through prayer. Knock and the door shall be opened.

But wait! Now along comes the PUBLIC PRAYER BOOTH! (Does it take quarters?)

This article and the booth in question are so completely wrong on so many levels, it's hard to decide where to begin.

First, this "Prayer Booth" was intended as a form of art to get people talking about prayer, not to actually get people praying. Considering the state of the world today, I think we need to be doing more actual praying and less talking about prayer.

Second, I think the booth itself is an insult not only to prayer, but to the faithful who do not take prayer lightly. It mocks the sincere and humble act of prayer and all those things that prayer is intended for as mentioned above.

Third, atheists are now screaming that tax dollars have gone into not only this "public display of religion", but into the publicly funded NPR that reported on it....by a Wiccan no less!

Lastly and most important of all, personal prayer should be in private. If you do something in public to be seen by men, then you shall have your reward here on earth, not in heaven. What part of Matthew 6:5 do you not understand? "And when ye pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites, that love to stand and pray in the synagogues and corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men: Amen I say to you, they have received their reward."

The designer Dylan Mortimer hoped to get people talking because religion is "just one of those topics you don't bring up at the dinner table". Perhaps that's the problem. Just as rich people do talk about money at the dinner table, the faithful do talk about God and their faith at the dinner table. The table is the place for all to come together as a family, if but just once a day. What better time to discuss the Lord!

Does it get us talking? Yes, about things we should already be talking about around the dinner table instead of articles and blogs. But in a very real sense it makes a mockery of prayer. And as for Ken Bronstein, the president of the New York City Athiests who is an opponent of public religions displays? Well, if I ever meet him on the street, I'll be sure to not only make the sign of the cross blessing myself in his presence, but to bless him as well! Howdja like THAT public display of religion?

This is not public prayer as we all proclaim during mass or as when His Holiness prays the Angelus in St. Peter's Square, this is a mockery of personal and private prayerbetween and individual and God. My opinion is that this should be seen by the Catholic Church as scandalous and certainly NOT supported by Father Morriss a Catholic Priest and a FOX news commentator. The public comments on a google search for "Public Prayer Booth" are horrible with many profaning the Catholic Church and her Priests.

Those wishing to express their concerns to the Archdiocese of New York please write to;

His Eminence Edward Cardinal Egan
1011 First Ave
New York, 10022

What do YOU think?

Hated By The World

Many years ago while in the US Navy and during the period when I wasn't a practicing Catholic and not in communion with the Holy See, I was blessed to have the opportunity to visit the cities of Nazareth and Jerusalem. I will struggle the rest of my life to find the words to describe the feelings I had while there, but suffice it to say that while visiting many holy shrines and sacred sites, my soul was so very deeply moved that I often found myself trembling and in tears. My heart and soul were touched by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Some years ago after my divorce, I found myself in a "self-destructive phase" and was dating a woman who was an Evangelical Christian. During our thankfully short lived destructive relationship, she told me that her uncle was a pastor of an Evangelical church and her family would have had a huge problem with me because I wasn't a Christian and had not accepted Jesus Christ as my personal savior. Huh? Not a Christian? I was shocked that she had no idea that Catholics were not only Christians but the first Christians and tried to explain it to her. At the time, I had not yet encountered anyone else with those beliefs and I had not yet reverted back to my faith and I would have had an easier time explaining it to my car.

I agreed on two separate occasions to go to her church with her. The first was huge, I dare say a mega-church on a sprawling campus complete with parking attendants, a small army of greeters, a day-care/children's ministry and so much more. I wouldn't be surprised to find a Starbucks and a Ben & Jerry's there today. It was a huge well choreographed presentation during which there was video presentations, web casting, passages from Sacred Scripture were tossed around and twisted into the message du jour and two or three bands played probably 45 minutes total while the congregation sang Praise songs and Worship songs and who knows what else. There could have been Praiseful Worship songs or Worshipful Praise songs and I wouldn't have known the difference. And if you didn't know the words, no problem, they were displayed on a huge screen for all to see. I was half expecting to see the bouncing ball make it's way across the words like the old "Sing Along with Mitch Miller" TV shows. I was not impressed or moved at all and was very uncomfortable throughout, but remained respectful. In fact I thought it was extremely disrespectful and irreverent and I felt insulted by it all.

Have you ever gone to a bar and remained sober? Not as a designated driver there with friends, I mean by yourself just to watch, sort of a social experiment. It's a lot different than when you're drinking or there in a social setting. You'll see things you never noticed before and things that will make you think twice about drinking THAT much in a bar ever again! But it's amazing how opened your eyes become to the reality of a bar when you're not drinking, just watching. I guess you could say I had that same kind of feeling in these "churches" because I think I was the only one there not drinking the kool-aid.

During a later visit with her to a different church, I actually had to leave because I became physically uncomfortable. Something deep inside my soul told me it was wrong and I could not just ignore that feeling. It was as intense as the feelings I had in Israel, only on the opposite end of the spectrum and that really scared me. When she asked later what was wrong, I told her that the whole thing felt "dark" to me. She was very upset with me and tried to explain that it was just me and that I was the one who was dark and it was the "light" of that place that bothered me. What I didn't tell her was that I actually sensed evil there. I couldn't have disagreed with her more.

Now this is not said to bash other Christians in any way, that is not my intent. My intent is, however to help the reader come to understand what I went through that helped me realize that my true Catholic faith and our church is what is right for me and why. If perhaps a reader recognizes themselves in these words then perhaps a deep and meaningful examination of conscience and faith is in order.

Jesus taught us that wherever two or more are gathered in His name, He is there, of that there is no doubt. But what I have come to understand, based on what I felt in my heart and soul in Israel in those "churches" and in the Catholic Church since, was that just calling it a Christian Church does not make it one. And even more importantly, calling ones self a Christian does not make one so. To quote Abraham (Lincoln that is): How many legs does a dog have if you call the tail a leg? FOUR. Calling the tail a leg does not make it so.

As Jesus told us in John 14:24 "He that loveth me not, keepeth not my words. And the word which you have heard, is not mine; but the Father's who sent me." If a soldier comes in the name of the King, he is recognized by his obedience to the King. So it is with Christ the King. His followers shall be known by our deeds, our words and our obedience to Him. So to be gathered in His name should therefore mean by those who keep His commands. God's commands. He didn't say pick and choose some of the more convenient ones or twist them into what suits you for your own ends, but ALL of them, recalling that we exist by God's design not the other way around. If then people who do not keep ALL the commands of Jesus come together in one place and do NOT worship him or respect him in HIS fashion (or at least recognize all His commands and make an effort), can it rightfully be called "church"? Perhaps by a convoluted modern definition, but by Jesus' definition, I dare say not. Wouldn't that be a bit like calling a tail a leg?

So here we have so many denominations basing their doctrines not on the whole of the truth as revealed by our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ, but by their own need to survive, increasing their numbers and increasing their coffers by becoming more "acceptable" to society, more "politically correct" and becoming more "liberal", welcoming in everyone. Not all are fit to sit at the table, some will only receive the scraps that fall and so not all are fit to follow.While we are all God's children, he most certainly will separate the goats from the sheep and judge one sheep from the other.

It is interesting that Jesus did NOT let just anyone follow Him. He set simple yet strict rules and those that could not abide were not fit to follow as disciples as seen in Mark 10:21-22 "And Jesus looking on him, loved him, and said to him: One thing is wanting unto thee: go, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me. Who being struck sad at that saying, went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions."

From that scripture one can conclude that the rich man that did not sell everything to follow Jesus did not have treasure in Heaven and also unfit to be a disciple. While we would all HOPE that we are actually being worthy disciples of Christ, that is not for us to say, but Him. As Catholics in keeping the WHOLE word of God and not just the parts we like or agree with as HE commanded us, or at least making the most noble effort to, we have put ourselves on the path to the Lord that HE has set before us. It will not be easy and it's not meant to be. In taking the easy path now, we will cause much suffering for ourselves later while taking the painful path now will cause much joy later in Heaven!

It also means that as Catholics and as the Catholic Church we will be unpopular, looked down upon, ridiculed, persecuted and even hated by everyone that doesn't agree with us. Even by some who call themselves Christians. Take heart and fortify your faith in the knowledge that if someone hates you today because you are a Catholic, know that if even the whole world hates you, it hated Jesus long before it hated you.

As for that woman I dated? Well the relationship ended horribly but I really owe her a debt of gratitude. It was little while after the breakup when I had a huge re-examination of conscience and what I call a spiritual breakdown or what a Priest friend of mine calls a spiritual "breakthrough". The following week I returned to the Catholic Church with a fire and passion in my soul like I have never known and just one week later I met the most beautiful and faithful woman that I would eventually call my wife. On our first date she asked me what was perhaps the most important question I've ever had to answer in my life.

She asked "Are you Catholic?"

I looked her straight in the eye and with a big smile on my face and a burst of joy in my heart I was proud to say that "Yes, as a matter of fact, I am!"

May God Bless Each of You and in closing I leave you with these beautiful words by Bishop Fulton J. Sheen:

"If I were not a Catholic and were looking for the true Church in the world today, I would look for the one Church which did not get along well with the world; in other words, I would look for the Church which the world hates. My reason for doing this would be that if Christ is in any one of the churches of the world today, he must still be hated as he was when he was on earth in the flesh. If you would find Christ today, then find the Church that does not get along with the world.

"Look for the Church that is hated by the world as Christ was hated by the world. Look for the Church which is accused of being behind the times as our Lord was accused of being ignorant and never having learned. Look for the Church which men sneer at as socially inferior as they sneered at our Lord because he came from Nazareth. Look for the Church which is accused of having a devil as our Lord was accused of being possessed by Beelzebub, the prince of devils. Look for the Church which, in seasons of bigotry, men say must be destroyed in the name of God as men crucified Christ and thought they had done a service to God. Look for the Church which the world rejects because it claims it is infallible as Pilate rejected Christ because he called himself the Truth. Look for the Church which is rejected by the world as our Lord was rejected by men.

"Look for the Church which amid the confusion of conflicting opinions its members love as they love Christ and respect its voice as the very voice of its founder, and the suspicion will grow that if the Church is unpopular with the spirit of the world then it is unworldly, and if it is unworldly it is other-worldly. Since it is other-worldly it is infinitely loved and infinitely hated as was Christ himself. But only that which is divine can be infinitely hated and infinitely loved. Therefore the Church is divine."

War, Abortion, and Evil

Recently over on Fr. Longenecker's blog Standing On My Head there has been quite a lot of back and forth about abortion and war, and the numerical comparisons of which is a greater or lesser evil and in writing a response to a post over there, I began to write the following and thought it should really stand on its own over here.

None of us were alive when Christ walked the earth, yet we believe through our hearts, our minds, our faith and our understanding through His revelation in the world and in our lives that Jesus the Christ is the Messiah and the Son of God and that no one comes to the Father but through Him. Even for those with doubts it would be better to err on the side of belief, than of disbelief. Make sense?

None of us have ever seen a soul enter an unborn baby so no one can say beyond a doubt at which definitive moment a human being is created. Our Catholic Church states that it is at the moment of conception and that is the wisest of choices. Imagine the scandal if it was said that an unborn baby became human at X number of weeks only to later be proven wrong! Better again to err on the side of life, rather than death.

We then agree, as all Catholics should, that all abortions are wrong. Many are constantly making the comparisons to war but fail to understand a few basic facts. First is that a child in the womb is completely defenseless, while a combatant is not. An unborn child has not formed a conscience, while a combatant has. A defenseless child in the womb is at the full and complete mercy of the mother and does not God desire mercy?

I agree that the taking of an innocent life is inherently evil and that the taking of any other human life is something to be avoided at all costs, but I cannot say that it is always wrong, or that all war is wrong because innocent life must be defended against evil that would take that life. Sometimes that evil is personal, sometimes it is societal. Sometimes is means dealing a lethal blow, sometimes it means war and hopefully it will always be a Just War.

If I recall, God Himself commanded armies to war for righteousness sake, and St. Michael led battles in Heaven and defeated Satan and I'm sure it wasn't over a friendly game of Acey-Deucey. So then logically all war and all battles, in and of themselves are not necessarily wrong, but often necessary to defeat evil.

To say that you personally would not wage war or do battle is to say you would bend to the will of Satan, for indeed we all must at all times be ready to do battle and wage war against evil and the devil himself. Don't believe in the devil or his works? Well, His Holiness John Paul II is said to have spoken "He who does not believe in the devil does not believe in the Gospel."

My opinion on abortion is as clear as the position of our Church, that it is one of the most despicable and grievous sins against humanity. A far greater evil than war. I base that not on numbers or calculation of casualties. It is based on my moral conscience, my faith in the Magisterium and in the Holy Spirit that guides our Church.

So why do so many worry over which evil is greater or lesser, abortion or war? The lesser of two evils is still evil. Comparing which is the lesser or greater, counting the numbers of abortions or war casualties does nothing but place your focus on evil, instead of good. Why then not err on the side of belief in our Church and on the side of God?

And why also do we focus so intently on things over which we have no control? Can any one of us stop all war? No, there have even been battles in Heaven. Choose if you must to not participate in a political war and educate others through Love on the horrors and reality of such wars. Can anyone of us stop all abortions? No, people will too often choose convenience and self over life. Choose to not have an abortion and educate others through Love that may not know or understand the issue as we do. Can any one of us stop poverty? No, there will always be poor amongst us but we can be a living examples of Christ Jesus to one another, giving what you can when you can.

We must always have faith not only in the promises that Jesus gave us, but in each other and indeed in ourselves for we are living as the body of Christ! Are we not His Church in the world today? Did not Jesus also say "And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." (Matthew 16:18)

While evil may exist, men may be corrupted with greed and power, abortions and wars will continue, governments and laws may lead men astray, sinners will walk amongst the Saints even at times in the Church, but as Christ Himself has promised us even the gates of hell shall not prevail against His Church, against us! What a beautiful and perfect revelation!

There is no need to sit and ponder all these things until we work ourselves into quite a lather. We are not morally alone and much of work on questions of morality has already been done for us! If your thinking is clouded or something is unclear, turn to prayer and turn to the Church. Since as Jesus taught us our Catholic Church will stand against the very gates of hell, she MUST be correct in both her authority and her teachings!

Perhaps we should stop trying to analyze everything in our own narrow-visioned worldly ways and have faith that God's plan will unfold in His way and His time, not ours. Only Jesus can bear the sins of the whole world. While still keeping our responsibilities to do unto one another as Jesus commanded us, perhaps we need to focus less on all the social ills of the whole world and before attempting to remove the speck in your brother's eye, remove the plank from your own.

Besides, it's so very hard to see the face of Christ in one another with a plank in your own eye.

May God Bless Each of You.

Christian Infidels in Iraq Will Have Throats Slit...

Al Qaeda-linked group orders Iraqi Christians to leave country or have throats slit (link)

The letter reads:

“The Secretary General of the members of the Islamic Brigade decided to give the Christian crusader infidels of Baghdad and the other provinces the last warning, to leave Iraq immediately and permanently and join Benedict XVI and his followers, who have trampled on the greatest symbols of humanity and Islam.”

“There’ll be no room in Iraq for the Christian infidels from now on,” the letter continues, threatening that those who remain will have their throats slit as “it is happening to the Christians of Mosul.” This is more than likely a reference to a recent attack on two sisters who were killed by Muslim extremists.

OK, it's not as if we haven't heard this rhetoric before, but when is enough enough? This isn't our brother that needs forgiveness seventy times seven times, but an evil declared enemy who is swearing to exterminate Christians.

It's obvious that their own religious or political leaders cannot control them and neither can our political leaders. When are people going to wake up to the fact that this IS a religious war that they started and it cannot be fought on political terms!

I find it both sad and intriguing that the evil in the world recognizes that Catholicism is the True Church as founded by Jesus Christ and the center of true Christian faith and therefore their enemy, but even Fundamentalists and Evangelical Christians don't! Kinda funny, kinda sad, kinda pathetic. Perhaps we should just send over all the Fundamentalists and Evangelicals to fight, since the enemy doesn't think of them as true Christians? Hmmm....

Even taking all the money out of the Middle East with alternative energy, it would take decades to deplete the accumulated oil wealth and even that won't change their sociopathic and egocentric spiritual beliefs. I'll call it as one of two outcomes: 1) Their own nuclear detonation with a nuclear response or 2) One Last, Final, and Most Holy Crusade. (If they think THIS is a Crusade, they don't have a clue as to what is coming.)

How long will these atrocities be allowed before the whole world opens it's eyes?

Catholic Bishops Will Fight Obama on Abortion!

AMEN! It would seem that our American Catholic Bishops are finally taking a more traditional and morally correct position on the issue of abortion and taking it right to the politicians who are leading American Catholics astray.

I only wish our Bishops took this hard stance long BEFORE the election, say 30 years ago. In fact, this has ALWAYS been the position of the Catholic Church and it has never changed and never will. Personally I'm very proud that the American Catholic Church has has this "re-examination of conscience" and is willing to stand up to these politicians and organizations for not only defying the church teachings, but more importantly in defense of innocent life.

In the past, some of the American Catholic Church leaders mistakenly embraced certain of the more "liberal" politicians and political entities who then gained a foothold amongst the Catholic faithful. But Catholic public leaders and even some "Catholic" organizations need to realize that the do NOT stop being a Catholic when governing, legislating, judging, policing, or whatever and they have a moral responsibility to not lead the people astray away from God's laws and teachings. There is most certainly a higher authority that you will have to answer to.

OK, time for a little Catechism 101:

The Catholic Church bases all of its teachings on Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture (the Bible). The teaching authority of the Catholic Church, called the Magisterium, teaches only from Tradition and Scripture.

Jesus the Christ empowered his Apostles with the Holy Spirit and commanded them to go forth, teach what they witnessed and learned from Him, and create the Catholic Church throughout the world. Very basically, their words became the Sacred Scripture but HOW they lived their lives and HOW they inspired others to live through their examples is our Catholic Sacred Tradition.

Today our Bishops, Cardinals and His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI are descended from that very line of authority and with that same empowerment - to teach and spread the gospel of Jesus through both Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition. Still with me? Hang in there!

The task of interpreting the Word of God rests solely with His Holiness the Pope and with those Bishops in communion with him. Men who have dedicated their lives to Jesus and the careful and deliberate study of those teachings. It is most certainly not a task for some "Cafeteria Catholic" that thinks he or she can interpret it on his or her own according to their own agenda.

Actually, if you take away the teaching authority of the church (the Magisterium) and eliminate Sacred Tradition, what you are left with is only the Bible by itself: Sola Scriptura and that, my friends is the doctrine of the Protestant Church! That one individual can completely interpret the Bible alone with no need of divine inspiration, no sacred tradition, no milennia of collected studies, nothing!

So basically, what it boils down to is this. Any Catholic that defies God's law, as interpreted and taught by the Magisterium of the Catholic Church, or causes another to do the same, has sinned against God and is not a Catholic.

God does not exist by our definition...we exist by His.

As St. Augustine reminds us: "If you believe what you like in the gospels, and reject what you don't like, it is not the gospel you believe, but yourself." St. Matthew also cautions us: "And if he will not hear the church, let him be to thee as the heathen and publican" (Matthew 18:17).

Catholic Cardinals and Bishops are now reminding American political leaders, and should remind all American Catholics as well, that you cannot receive Holy Communion if you openly oppose the teachings of the Church. Any Catholic that openly opposes the teachings of the church and is Pro-Choice has by their own choice has excommunicated themselves from receiving Holy Communion.

Since these politicians are so brazen about publicly disobeying the Church and leading the flock astray with their lies and deceptions, perhaps it's time for our Church to be more public about their excommunication. If their public office and their faith are at odds, well that's an ethical dilemma they'll have to deal with. They can either step down from their office or formally renounce their Catholic Faith (they've actually informally done so already).

Perhaps they need a little "motivation" and a more formal and public Papal Excommunication of those more vocal Catholic politicians would help? Maybe that would make a proper example out of those who intentionally lead God's children astray to support the death of innocents.

I urge each and every God fearing and life respecting Catholic to write immediately to your Bishops suggesting just that. My faith is not a popularity contest, it's about obeying the will of God. I'd rather have just ONE true Catholic friend in my life than 100 "Cafeteria Catholics".

May God Bless Each of You!


Story Here:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081112/ap_on_re_us/rel_catholic_bishops_9

Obama and the Bishops

I have the utmost respect for Father Neuhaus for writing this article and for all those Bishops that had the strength of their faith to say what had to be said, defending our church's position and upholding the sanctity of sacred life. Being in a position of responsibility is not a popularity contest.

For those Bishops and all Catholics that advanced the abortionist agenda through direct action or silent agreement, you have failed in your responsibilities as Catholics and your souls shall be stained with the blood of those innocents. I can only hope that our Lord Jesus will forgive your sins and not give you what you deserve, but the mercy that is His.

Then again there's that millstone thing...
-Bob


OBAMA AND THE BISHOPS
by FATHER RICHARD JOHN NEUHAUS

In a few days, the American bishops of the Catholic Church will be holding their annual fall meeting in Baltimore.

High on the agenda is how Catholic bishops can better communicate Catholic teaching on social justice both in the Church and in the public square. It is understood that the priority issue of social justice is the protection of innocent human life -- from the entrance gates of life to the exit gates, and at every step along life's way. The most massive and brutal violation of justice is the killing of millions of children in the womb.

Read the rest of the story here.

JUST LOOK by Cardinal Edward Egan

JUST LOOK
by Cardinal Edward Egan

The picture on this page is an untouched photograph of a being that has been within its mother for 20 weeks. Please do me the favor of looking at it carefully.

Have you any doubt that it is a human being?If you do not have any such doubt, have you any doubt that it is an innocent human being?

If you have no doubt about this either, have you any doubt that the authorities in a civilized society are duty-bound to protect this innocent human being if anyone were to wish to kill it?

If your answer to this last query is negative, that is, if you have no doubt that the authorities in a civilized society would be duty-bound to protect this innocent human being if someone were to wish to kill it, I would suggest — even insist — that there is not a lot more to be said about the issue of abortion in our society. It is wrong, and it cannot — must not — be tolerated.

But you might protest that all of this is too easy. Why, you might inquire, have I not delved into the opinion of philosophers and theologians about the matter? And even worse: Why have I not raised the usual questions about what a "human being" is, what a "person" is, what it means to be "living," and such? People who write books and articles about abortion always concern themselves with these kinds of things. Even the justices of the Supreme Court who gave us "Roe v. Wade" address them. Why do I neglect philosophers and theologians? Why do I not get into defining "human being," defining "person," defining "living," and the rest? Because, I respond, I am sound of mind and endowed with a fine set of eyes, into which I do not believe it is well to cast sand. I looked at the photograph, and I have no doubt about what I saw and what are the duties of a civilized society if what I saw is in danger of being killed by someone who wishes to kill it or, if you prefer, someone who "chooses" to kill it. In brief: I looked, and I know what I saw.

But what about the being that has been in its mother for only 15 weeks or only 10? Have you photographs of that too? Yes, I do. However, I hardly think it necessary to show them. For if we agree that the being in the photograph printed on this page is an innocent human being, you have no choice but to admit that it may not be legitimately killed even before 20 weeks unless you can indicate with scientific proof the point in the development of the being before which it was other than an innocent human being and, therefore, available to be legitimately killed. Nor have Aristotle, Aquinas or even the most brilliant embryologists of our era or any other era been able to do so. If there is a time when something less than a human being in a mother morphs into a human being, it is not a time that anyone has ever been able to identify, though many have made guesses. However, guesses are of no help. A man with a shotgun who decides to shoot a being that he believes may be a human being is properly hauled before a judge. And hopefully, the judge in question knows what a "human being" is and what the implications of someone's wishing to kill it are. The word "incarceration" comes to mind.

However, we must not stop here. The matter becomes even clearer and simpler if you obtain from the National Geographic Society two extraordinary DVDs. One is entitled "In the Womb" and illustrates in color and in motion the development of one innocent human being within its mother. The other is entitled "In the Womb — Multiples" and in color and motion shows the development of two innocent human beings — twin boys — within their mother. If you have ever allowed yourself to wonder, for example, what "living" means, these two DVDs will be a great help. The one innocent human being squirms about, waves its arms, sucks its thumb, smiles broadly and even yawns; and the two innocent human beings do all of that and more: They fight each other. One gives his brother a kick, and the other responds with a sock to the jaw. If you can convince yourself that these beings are something other than living and innocent human beings, something, for example, such as "mere clusters of tissues," you have a problem far more basic than merely not appreciating the wrongness of abortion. And that problem is — forgive me — self-deceit in a most extreme form.

Adolf Hitler convinced himself and his subjects that Jews and homosexuals were other than human beings. Joseph Stalin did the same as regards Cossacks and Russian aristocrats. And this despite the fact that Hitler and his subjects had seen both Jews and homosexuals with their own eyes, and Stalin and his subjects had seen both Cossacks and Russian aristocrats with theirs. Happily, there are few today who would hesitate to condemn in the roundest terms the self-deceit of Hitler, Stalin or even their subjects to the extent that the subjects could have done something to end the madness and protect living, innocent human beings.

It is high time to stop pretending that we do not know what this nation of ours is allowing — and approving — with the killing each year of more than 1,600,000 innocent human beings within their mothers. We know full well that to kill what is clearly seen to be an innocent human being or what cannot be proved to be other than an innocent human being is as wrong as wrong gets. Nor can we honorably cover our shame (1) by appealing to the thoughts of Aristotle or Aquinas on the subject, inasmuch as we are all well aware that their understanding of matters embryological was hopelessly mistaken, (2) by suggesting that "killing" and "choosing to kill" are somehow distinct ethically, morally or criminally, (3) by feigning ignorance of the meaning of "human being," "person," "living," and such, (4) by maintaining that among the acts covered by the right to privacy is the act of killing an innocent human being, and (5) by claiming that the being within the mother is "part" of the mother, so as to sustain the oft-repeated slogan that a mother may kill or authorize the killing of the being within her "because she is free to do as she wishes with her own body."

One day, please God, when the stranglehold on public opinion in the United States has been released by the extremists for whom abortion is the center of their political and moral life, our nation will, in my judgment, look back on what we have been doing to innocent human beings within their mothers as a crime no less heinous than what was approved by the Supreme Court in the "Dred Scott Case" in the 19th century, and no less heinous than what was perpetrated by Hitler and Stalin in the 20th. There is nothing at all complicated about the utter wrongness of abortion, and making it all seem complicated mitigates that wrongness not at all. On the contrary, it intensifies it.

Do me a favor. Look at the photograph again. Look and decide with honesty and decency what the Lord expects of you and me as the horror of "legalized" abortion continues to erode the honor of our nation. Look, and do not absolve yourself if you refuse to act.

Edward Cardinal Egan
Archbishop of New York

© Archdiocese of New York 2006-2008. All rights reserved

Democrats Targeting Private Retirement Accounts!

Well, that didn't take long. They've been talking about this for a while, but now the government that ALREADY cannot manage money is making plans to take YOUR hard earned retirements for redistribution.

Interesting enough in her testimony Teresa Ghilarducci, professor of economic policy analysis at the New School for Social Research in New York, in hearings Oct. 7 drew the most attention and criticism.

Ghilarducci said, “humans often lack the foresight, discipline, and investing skills required to sustain a savings plan.”

Speaking as an outsider, I suppose? They should rename that school to the New School for Socialism Research, because folks that is exactly what this plan is. They don't think you're smart enough to make your OWN financial decisions, so they'll do it for you. They already think you're incapable of defending yourself and are after our guns. Soon enough, you won't be smart enough to make ANY decisions on your own, so they will tell you what you can say. Then what you can do. Then what to think.

Am I the only one that sees where this is headed? Don't think so? Read a history book, folks.

Democrats Targeting Private Retirement Accounts!

We are falling further and further from the Grace of God...

Oops, your agenda is showing....

Churches across America reflect on Obama election.

Really? We didn't even mention it my church; the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic church.

But this is what happens when people misuse their positions to stir fear and hatred. This is not equality. Ah, but there's too much money to be made in fear mongering and racial hatred! So who's the capitalist now? This is most certainly not what Dr. King strove for.

And who is she to speak for God? God's vindication against whom? I thought we are all equal in the sight of God? We are in the sight of my God, but apparently not in the sight of her God.

Since there is only one God, one of us is wrong.

I would bet my eternal soul on it, but it's not mine to gamble with. It too belongs to God.

Obama Zombies - Brainless, Heartless, Godless...

You have got to be kidding me! He's not "elect" for 5 days and already we have THIS? Folks, we are all witness to the beginnings of the next American Civil War which will also, by the Grace of God, be the Second American Revolution...

Barack Obama has done more to hurt racial equality and race relations than Senator Calhoun and I believe has undone everything that Dr. Martin Luther King fought to achieve. This is a disgrace.

Man arrested for Freedom Of Speech at an Obama Rally.

Notice how his blind and mindless followers follow chanting like those zombies in "The Mummy"...

IMHOTEP.....IMHOTEP....

OBAMA.....OBAMA....


People, this is about to get a whole lot uglier.

Resident or Citizen?

Originally written April 6, 2007, but it needs to be said again (and again, and again):

When I was a Boy Scout, I remember studying hard day after day to earn a Merit Badge I wanted badly; my Citizenship Merit Badge. To me, it meant that I not only understood how my community, state and nation worked, but I knew exactly where I fit in and what was expected of me. Earning that badge was one of the proudest moments of my youth.

Later in school I learned even more about citizenship, but never anywhere, either in the Scouts or school, did I ever study "residency".

What exactly is the difference between a resident and a citizen? Here's Webster Online's definition of each:

Resident:
1: a) living in a place for some length of time. b) serving in a regular or full-time capacity ; also : being in

Citizen:
1: An inhabitant of a city or town; especially : one entitled to the rights and privileges of a freeman
2: a) a member of a state b) a native or naturalized person who owes allegiance to a government and is entitled to protection from it
3: a civilian as distinguished from a specialized servant of the state

One thing I've noticed over the years is that there are more and more residents and less citizens. Why is this? A resident is just someone who lives in a city or town for a period of time. Squatters and long term illegals can be considered "residents" but in my opinion they are NOT citizens and therefore not entitled to the rights and privileges of a freedom.

Why such a harsh outlook? Because the simple truth is that with any and all rights comes responsibility and you cannot exercise that responsibility unless you do the right thing from the start. Want to be a citizen? Then EARN it!

As just a resident, you have no responsibility to your neighborhood, city, state or nation, you're just a leech, a parasite whose sole purpose is to take for yourself with nothing in return and no regard for the effect on those around you, your neighborhood, state and nation. Simply put: a drain on society (you know who you are).

Being a responsible citizen means taking part in your community, and by that I do NOT mean your PTA or soccer league. I'm talking about attending your town council meetings, contacting your state and federal representatives, voicing your opinion on the issues, and speaking out when necessary against elected leaders to remind them just who put them there and where their power comes. Giving it back to secure those blessings of liberty.

It means taking an active role in society, and not just in those areas that benefit you personally, for indeed those short term goals will give you the short term rewards you seek. But when you look beyond yourself, you just might see that those long term goals are the most satisfying and actually provide the greatest reward.

Unfortunately, we live in a nation that is full of "residents" with fewer and fewer citizens every year and it shows. It shows in our laws, in our welfare programs, it shows in our increasing crime rates, in increased drug use, in illegal immigration and it shows in our voter turnouts. Residents just don't care. But rest assured, the politicians in power LOVE residents and HATE citizens! Residents are apathetic and more easily controlled by fear, because they just don't know the laws. Citizens, on the other hand, keep an constant watch on those government officials in positions of power and hold them accountable They initiate change for the betterment of society and the nation.

Sadly, I don't see a hopeful future, rather I see a continued downhill decline for us as a nation unless people start making drastic, and meaningful changes in their lives. Changes that will facilitate the shift from resident to citizen.

The only way we will survive as a nation is when people shake off the selfish and apathetic role of resident and take up the noble and rewarding mantle of civil and social responsibility and become a nation of citizens! There isn't a government in the world that can stand up to an intelligent, educated, informed and well armed nation of citizens...not even our own.

I suppose the question that each of you should be asking yourselves is are you a resident or are you a citizen?

Post Election Shame

First written on November 5th, 2008 @ 0015

I am now officially ashamed of America. Not all of you mind you, but clearly 53% of you who voted for Obama and Against America. I spent my youth and young adulthood in the United States Navy confronting the Soviet threat in the 1980's hoping to deter nuclear destruction only so we could be defeated from within and by ourselves. I missed the births of my daughters, missed countless birthdays, holidays, anniversaries, funerals, family time watching my daughters grow up and it even cost me my marriage. "Sorry, sweetie, daddy has to go away so the bad guys won't come over here and hurt you." What a croc. Now I have to look them in the eye and apologize for that lie because I failed to see the enemy within.

But I felt that as long as America remained free, it was all worth it. Every moment away from home was worth it. I and many of my fellow patriots would have readily fought and died for a man of integrity, a real American Patriot who happened to be our President. Someone like Ronald Reagan. But today all that sacrifice was cast aside by people who voted merely on race, on charisma and on empty promises of change. What's wrong with tradition? What's wrong with stability and values? Where were all these voters in 2004? Sitting lazily and idly by doing nothing but complaining about their plight.

Today my nation died along with the dream that once was America AS DESIGNED BY OUR FOUNDERS, which is still the most genius design ever created until we mucked it up. Oh yes, history was made tonight to be certain. America has taken her first steps into Socialism and henceforth gets what it deserves. Try reading "The Federalist Papers" and then perhaps, we can have an intelligent discussion on the design of America.

There is a whole lot more to being an American that a birth certificate and voter registration card and your responsibilities as Americans do not begin and end at the voting booth. It takes a lifetime of hard work, dedication and loyalty to our Constitution. It means being active in your government. It means calling out your elected when the fail to keep their promises, or stray from the path. It means praising them when they succeed. It means hard, dedicated and continuous work. It is certainly the most satisfying work any citizen in the world can ever imagine. But then again, today's Americans are afraid of hard work unless something's in it for them. Believe me, neither Obama or McCain are the cure for what is wrong with America. That can only be cured by each and every one of you making intelligent, careful and responsible decisions based on the facts, not on what the media would have you believe. Or what anyone else would have you believe.

This whole election was nothing more than mass hysteria. Just 4 years ago he said he wasn't qualified to be President because he lacked the experience and amazingly and quite magically got all that experience with just 147 days in the Senate! It's a MIRACLE!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BnLozS-TnM.

Remember that nasty and boring history class that so many insisted on skipping or not paying attention in? Here's a gem for you: How about his plans to create a para-military civilian force greater than our own military!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tt2yGzHfy7s

First, he has no lawful authority to do so, even as President. Second, it's already been done badk in the 1930's. Hitler created his Brownshirts for the exact same reasons in the 1930's who were later adopted into the SS.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sturmabteilung

HINT: We American gun owners are already 80 million strong (that we know of wink-wink). FAR greater than anything that could be devised even combined WITH the military and stronger than any military on earth, even our own. It was kinda planned that way so the people would always wield more power than the government, be it by word or by sword. Remember that silly little "behind every blade of grass" thingie? No? Back to history class for you!

So by all means....dance and celebrate, America! Sing the praises of your new "messiah" right along with Ahmadinejad, Khadafi, Castro, Chavez, and all anti-American, pro-communist and pro-terrorist forces of the world, without any visible exception, who are all quite publicly celebrating with you tonight.

Let's see how you feel in four years. I'll wait.

Comforting Quotes from our Founding Fathers..

All men having power ought to be distrusted to a certain degree.

-James Madison, speech at the Constitutional Convention, July 11, 1787


A popular Government, without popular information, or the means of acquiring it, is but a Prologue to a Farce or a Tragedy; or, perhaps both. Knowledge will forever govern ignorance: And a people who mean to be their own Governors, must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives.

-James Madison, letter to W.T. Barry, August 4, 1822


A just security to property is not afforded by that government, under which unequal taxes oppress one species of property and reward another species.

-James Madison, Essay on Property, March 29, 1792


Cherish, therefore, the spirit of our people, and keep alive their attention. Do not be too severe upon their errors, but reclaim them by enlightening them. If once they become inattentive to the public affairs, you and I, and Congress, and Assemblies, Judges, and Governors, shall all become wolves.

-Thomas Jefferson, letter to Edward Carrington, January 16, 1787


An honest man can feel no pleasure in the exercise of power over his fellow citizens....There has never been a moment of my life in which I should have relinquished for it the enjoyments of my family, my farm, my friends & books.

-Thomas Jefferson, letter to John Melish, January 13, 1813


All, too, will bear in mind this sacred principle, that though the will of the majority is in all cases to prevail, that will to be rightful must be reasonable; that the minority possess their equal rights, which equal law must protect, and to violate would be oppression.

-Thomas Jefferson, First Inaugural Address, March 4, 1801


A rigid economy of the public contributions and absolute interdiction of all useless expenses will go far towards keeping the government honest and unoppressive.

-Thomas Jefferson, letter to Lafayette, 1823


How many observe Christ's birth-day! How few, his precepts! O! 'tis easier to keep Holidays than Commandments.

-Benjamin Franklin, Poor Richard's Almanack, 1743


History affords us many instances of the ruin of states, by the prosecution of measures ill suited to the temper and genius of their people. The ordaining of laws in favor of one part of the nation, to the prejudice and oppression of another, is certainly the most erroneous and mistaken policy. An equal dispensation of protection, rights, privileges, and advantages, is what every part is entitled to, and ought to enjoy... These measures never fail to create great and violent jealousies and animosities between the people favored and the people oppressed; whence a total separation of affections, interests, political obligations, and all manner of connections, by which the whole state is weakened.

-Benjamin Franklin, Emblematical Representations, Circa 1774


Here comes the orator! With his flood of words, and his drop of reason.

-Benjamin Franklin, Poor Richard's Almanack, 1735


Government is instituted for the common good; for the protection, safety, prosperity, and happiness of the people; and not for profit, honor, or private interest of any one man, family, or class of men; therefore, the people alone have an incontestable, unalienable, and indefeasible right to institute government; and to reform, alter, or totally change the same, when their protection, safety, prosperity, and happiness require it.

-John Adams, Thoughts on Government, 1776


Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclination, or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence.

-John Adams, in Defense of the British Soldiers on trial for the Boston Massacre, December 4, 1770


-But a Constitution of Government once changed from Freedom, can never be restored. Liberty, once lost, is lost forever.

John Adams, letter to Abigail Adams, July 17, 1775


Nelly Custis-Lewis (Washington’s adopted daughter):
Is it necessary that any one should [ask], “Did General Washington avow himself to be a believer in Christianity?" As well may we question his patriotism, his heroic devotion to his country. His mottos were, "Deeds, not Words"; and, "For God and my Country."


Jedediah Morse:
"To the kindly influence of Christianity we owe that degree of civil freedom, and political and social happiness which mankind now enjoys. . . . Whenever the pillars of Christianity shall be overthrown, our present republican forms of government, and all blessings which flow from them, must fall with them."



Thomas Jefferson:
"God who gave us life gave us liberty. And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are a gift from God? That they are not to be violated but with His wrath? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, and that His justice cannot sleep forever.”


Benjamin Franklin: | Portrait of Ben Franklin
“God governs in the affairs of man. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid? We have been assured in the Sacred Writings that . I firmly believe this. I also believe that, without His concurring aid, we shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel”

–Constitutional Convention of 1787 | original manuscript of this speech

The Bill of Rights

Congress of the United States
begun and held at the City of New-York, on
Wednesday the fourth of March, one thousand seven hundred and eighty nine.

THE Conventions of a number of the States, having at the time of their adopting the Constitution, expressed a desire, in order to prevent misconstruction or abuse of its powers, that further declaratory and restrictive clauses should be added: And as extending the ground of public confidence in the Government, will best ensure the beneficent ends of its institution.

RESOLVED by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, two thirds of both Houses concurring, that the following Articles be proposed to the Legislatures of the several States, as amendments to the Constitution of the United States, all, or any of which Articles, when ratified by three fourths of the said Legislatures, to be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of the said Constitution; viz.

ARTICLES in addition to, and Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America, proposed by Congress, and ratified by the Legislatures of the several States, pursuant to the fifth Article of the original Constitution.

Note: The following text is a transcription of the first ten amendments to the Constitution in their original form. These amendments were ratified December 15, 1791, and form what is known as the "Bill of Rights."

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Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

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Amendment II

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

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Amendment III

No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

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Amendment IV

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

---

Amendment V

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

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Amendment VI

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.

---

Amendment VII

In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

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Amendment VIII

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

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Amendment IX

The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

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Amendment X

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

Amendments 11-27

The Constitution of the United States

From: http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/constitution_transcript.html

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

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Article. I.

Section. 1.

All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.

Section. 2.

The House of Representatives shall be composed of Members chosen every second Year by the People of the several States, and the Electors in each State shall have the Qualifications requisite for Electors of the most numerous Branch of the State Legislature.

No Person shall be a Representative who shall not have attained to the Age of twenty five Years, and been seven Years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State in which he shall be chosen.

Representatives and direct Taxes shall be apportioned among the several States which may be included within this Union, according to their respective Numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole Number of free Persons, including those bound to Service for a Term of Years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three fifths of all other Persons. The actual Enumeration shall be made within three Years after the first Meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every subsequent Term of ten Years, in such Manner as they shall by Law direct. The Number of Representatives shall not exceed one for every thirty Thousand, but each State shall have at Least one Representative; and until such enumeration shall be made, the State of New Hampshire shall be entitled to chuse three, Massachusetts eight, Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations one, Connecticut five, New-York six, New Jersey four, Pennsylvania eight, Delaware one, Maryland six, Virginia ten, North Carolina five, South Carolina five, and Georgia three.

When vacancies happen in the Representation from any State, the Executive Authority thereof shall issue Writs of Election to fill such Vacancies.

The House of Representatives shall chuse their Speaker and other Officers; and shall have the sole Power of Impeachment.

Section. 3.

The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, chosen by the Legislature thereof for six Years; and each Senator shall have one Vote.

Immediately after they shall be assembled in Consequence of the first Election, they shall be divided as equally as may be into three Classes. The Seats of the Senators of the first Class shall be vacated at the Expiration of the second Year, of the second Class at the Expiration of the fourth Year, and of the third Class at the Expiration of the sixth Year, so that one third may be chosen every second Year; and if Vacancies happen by Resignation, or otherwise, during the Recess of the Legislature of any State, the Executive thereof may make temporary Appointments until the next Meeting of the Legislature, which shall then fill such Vacancies.

No Person shall be a Senator who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty Years, and been nine Years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State for which he shall be chosen.

The Vice President of the United States shall be President of the Senate, but shall have no Vote, unless they be equally divided.

The Senate shall chuse their other Officers, and also a President pro tempore, in the Absence of the Vice President, or when he shall exercise the Office of President of the United States.

The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments. When sitting for that Purpose, they shall be on Oath or Affirmation. When the President of the United States is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside: And no Person shall be convicted without the Concurrence of two thirds of the Members present.

Judgment in Cases of Impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from Office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any Office of honor, Trust or Profit under the United States: but the Party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to Indictment, Trial, Judgment and Punishment, according to Law.

Section. 4.

The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations, except as to the Places of chusing Senators.

The Congress shall assemble at least once in every Year, and such Meeting shall be on the first Monday in December, unless they shall by Law appoint a different Day.

Section. 5.

Each House shall be the Judge of the Elections, Returns and Qualifications of its own Members, and a Majority of each shall constitute a Quorum to do Business; but a smaller Number may adjourn from day to day, and may be authorized to compel the Attendance of absent Members, in such Manner, and under such Penalties as each House may provide.

Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings, punish its Members for disorderly Behaviour, and, with the Concurrence of two thirds, expel a Member.

Each House shall keep a Journal of its Proceedings, and from time to time publish the same, excepting such Parts as may in their Judgment require Secrecy; and the Yeas and Nays of the Members of either House on any question shall, at the Desire of one fifth of those Present, be entered on the Journal.

Neither House, during the Session of Congress, shall, without the Consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other Place than that in which the two Houses shall be sitting.

Section. 6.

The Senators and Representatives shall receive a Compensation for their Services, to be ascertained by Law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States. They shall in all Cases, except Treason, Felony and Breach of the Peace, be privileged from Arrest during their Attendance at the Session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for any Speech or Debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in any other Place.

No Senator or Representative shall, during the Time for which he was elected, be appointed to any civil Office under the Authority of the United States, which shall have been created, or the Emoluments whereof shall have been encreased during such time; and no Person holding any Office under the United States, shall be a Member of either House during his Continuance in Office.

Section. 7.

All Bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives; but the Senate may propose or concur with Amendments as on other Bills.

Every Bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives and the Senate, shall, before it become a Law, be presented to the President of the United States: If he approve he shall sign it, but if not he shall return it, with his Objections to that House in which it shall have originated, who shall enter the Objections at large on their Journal, and proceed to reconsider it. If after such Reconsideration two thirds of that House shall agree to pass the Bill, it shall be sent, together with the Objections, to the other House, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved by two thirds of that House, it shall become a Law. But in all such Cases the Votes of both Houses shall be determined by yeas and Nays, and the Names of the Persons voting for and against the Bill shall be entered on the Journal of each House respectively. If any Bill shall not be returned by the President within ten Days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, the Same shall be a Law, in like Manner as if he had signed it, unless the Congress by their Adjournment prevent its Return, in which Case it shall not be a Law.

Every Order, Resolution, or Vote to which the Concurrence of the Senate and House of Representatives may be necessary (except on a question of Adjournment) shall be presented to the President of the United States; and before the Same shall take Effect, shall be approved by him, or being disapproved by him, shall be repassed by two thirds of the Senate and House of Representatives, according to the Rules and Limitations prescribed in the Case of a Bill.

Section. 8.

The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;

To borrow Money on the credit of the United States;

To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes;

To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization, and uniform Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout the United States;

To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and Measures;

To provide for the Punishment of counterfeiting the Securities and current Coin of the United States;

To establish Post Offices and post Roads;

To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries;

To constitute Tribunals inferior to the supreme Court;

To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas, and Offences against the Law of Nations;

To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;

To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years;

To provide and maintain a Navy;

To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces;

To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions;

To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the Militia, and for governing such Part of them as may be employed in the Service of the United States, reserving to the States respectively, the Appointment of the Officers, and the Authority of training the Militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress;

To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten Miles square) as may, by Cession of particular States, and the Acceptance of Congress, become the Seat of the Government of the United States, and to exercise like Authority over all Places purchased by the Consent of the Legislature of the State in which the Same shall be, for the Erection of Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards, and other needful Buildings;--And

To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.

Section. 9.

The Migration or Importation of such Persons as any of the States now existing shall think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by the Congress prior to the Year one thousand eight hundred and eight, but a Tax or duty may be imposed on such Importation, not exceeding ten dollars for each Person.

The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it.

No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed.

No Capitation, or other direct, Tax shall be laid, unless in Proportion to the Census or enumeration herein before directed to be taken.

No Tax or Duty shall be laid on Articles exported from any State.

No Preference shall be given by any Regulation of Commerce or Revenue to the Ports of one State over those of another; nor shall Vessels bound to, or from, one State, be obliged to enter, clear, or pay Duties in another.

No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law; and a regular Statement and Account of the Receipts and Expenditures of all public Money shall be published from time to time.

No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State.

Section. 10.

No State shall enter into any Treaty, Alliance, or Confederation; grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal; coin Money; emit Bills of Credit; make any Thing but gold and silver Coin a Tender in Payment of Debts; pass any Bill of Attainder, ex post facto Law, or Law impairing the Obligation of Contracts, or grant any Title of Nobility.

No State shall, without the Consent of the Congress, lay any Imposts or Duties on Imports or Exports, except what may be absolutely necessary for executing it's inspection Laws: and the net Produce of all Duties and Imposts, laid by any State on Imports or Exports, shall be for the Use of the Treasury of the United States; and all such Laws shall be subject to the Revision and Controul of the Congress.

No State shall, without the Consent of Congress, lay any Duty of Tonnage, keep Troops, or Ships of War in time of Peace, enter into any Agreement or Compact with another State, or with a foreign Power, or engage in War, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent Danger as will not admit of delay.

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Article. II.

Section. 1.

The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America. He shall hold his Office during the Term of four Years, and, together with the Vice President, chosen for the same Term, be elected, as follows:

Each State shall appoint, in such Manner as the Legislature thereof may direct, a Number of Electors, equal to the whole Number of Senators and Representatives to which the State may be entitled in the Congress: but no Senator or Representative, or Person holding an Office of Trust or Profit under the United States, shall be appointed an Elector.

The Electors shall meet in their respective States, and vote by Ballot for two Persons, of whom one at least shall not be an Inhabitant of the same State with themselves. And they shall make a List of all the Persons voted for, and of the Number of Votes for each; which List they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the Seat of the Government of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate. The President of the Senate shall, in the Presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the Certificates, and the Votes shall then be counted. The Person having the greatest Number of Votes shall be the President, if such Number be a Majority of the whole Number of Electors appointed; and if there be more than one who have such Majority, and have an equal Number of Votes, then the House of Representatives shall immediately chuse by Ballot one of them for President; and if no Person have a Majority, then from the five highest on the List the said House shall in like Manner chuse the President. But in chusing the President, the Votes shall be taken by States, the Representation from each State having one Vote; A quorum for this purpose shall consist of a Member or Members from two thirds of the States, and a Majority of all the States shall be necessary to a Choice. In every Case, after the Choice of the President, the Person having the greatest Number of Votes of the Electors shall be the Vice President. But if there should remain two or more who have equal Votes, the Senate shall chuse from them by Ballot the Vice President.

The Congress may determine the Time of chusing the Electors, and the Day on which they shall give their Votes; which Day shall be the same throughout the United States.

No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any Person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty five Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident within the United States.

In Case of the Removal of the President from Office, or of his Death, Resignation, or Inability to discharge the Powers and Duties of the said Office, the Same shall devolve on the Vice President, and the Congress may by Law provide for the Case of Removal, Death, Resignation or Inability, both of the President and Vice President, declaring what Officer shall then act as President, and such Officer shall act accordingly, until the Disability be removed, or a President shall be elected.

The President shall, at stated Times, receive for his Services, a Compensation, which shall neither be increased nor diminished during the Period for which he shall have been elected, and he shall not receive within that Period any other Emolument from the United States, or any of them.

Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation:--"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."

Section. 2.

The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States, when called into the actual Service of the United States; he may require the Opinion, in writing, of the principal Officer in each of the executive Departments, upon any Subject relating to the Duties of their respective Offices, and he shall have Power to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offences against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment.

He shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur; and he shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the supreme Court, and all other Officers of the United States, whose Appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall be established by Law: but the Congress may by Law vest the Appointment of such inferior Officers, as they think proper, in the President alone, in the Courts of Law, or in the Heads of Departments.

The President shall have Power to fill up all Vacancies that may happen during the Recess of the Senate, by granting Commissions which shall expire at the End of their next Session.

Section. 3.

He shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their Consideration such Measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient; he may, on extraordinary Occasions, convene both Houses, or either of them, and in Case of Disagreement between them, with Respect to the Time of Adjournment, he may adjourn them to such Time as he shall think proper; he shall receive Ambassadors and other public Ministers; he shall take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed, and shall Commission all the Officers of the United States.

Section. 4.

The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.

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Article III.

Section. 1.

The judicial Power of the United States shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish. The Judges, both of the supreme and inferior Courts, shall hold their Offices during good Behaviour, and shall, at stated Times, receive for their Services a Compensation, which shall not be diminished during their Continuance in Office.

Section. 2.

The judicial Power shall extend to all Cases, in Law and Equity, arising under this Constitution, the Laws of the United States, and Treaties made, or which shall be made, under their Authority;--to all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls;--to all Cases of admiralty and maritime Jurisdiction;--to Controversies to which the United States shall be a Party;--to Controversies between two or more States;-- between a State and Citizens of another State;--between Citizens of different States;--between Citizens of the same State claiming Lands under Grants of different States, and between a State, or the Citizens thereof, and foreign States, Citizens or Subjects.

In all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, and those in which a State shall be Party, the supreme Court shall have original Jurisdiction. In all the other Cases before mentioned, the supreme Court shall have appellate Jurisdiction, both as to Law and Fact, with such Exceptions, and under such Regulations as the Congress shall make.

The Trial of all Crimes, except in Cases of Impeachment, shall be by Jury; and such Trial shall be held in the State where the said Crimes shall have been committed; but when not committed within any State, the Trial shall be at such Place or Places as the Congress may by Law have directed.

Section. 3.

Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court.

The Congress shall have Power to declare the Punishment of Treason, but no Attainder of Treason shall work Corruption of Blood, or Forfeiture except during the Life of the Person attainted.

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Article. IV.

Section. 1.

Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each State to the public Acts, Records, and judicial Proceedings of every other State. And the Congress may by general Laws prescribe the Manner in which such Acts, Records and Proceedings shall be proved, and the Effect thereof.

Section. 2.

The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States.

A Person charged in any State with Treason, Felony, or other Crime, who shall flee from Justice, and be found in another State, shall on Demand of the executive Authority of the State from which he fled, be delivered up, to be removed to the State having Jurisdiction of the Crime.

No Person held to Service or Labour in one State, under the Laws thereof, escaping into another, shall, in Consequence of any Law or Regulation therein, be discharged from such Service or Labour, but shall be delivered up on Claim of the Party to whom such Service or Labour may be due.

Section. 3.

New States may be admitted by the Congress into this Union; but no new State shall be formed or erected within the Jurisdiction of any other State; nor any State be formed by the Junction of two or more States, or Parts of States, without the Consent of the Legislatures of the States concerned as well as of the Congress.

The Congress shall have Power to dispose of and make all needful Rules and Regulations respecting the Territory or other Property belonging to the United States; and nothing in this Constitution shall be so construed as to Prejudice any Claims of the United States, or of any particular State.

Section. 4.

The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government, and shall protect each of them against Invasion; and on Application of the Legislature, or of the Executive (when the Legislature cannot be convened), against domestic Violence.

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Article. V.

The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments, which, in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as Part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several States, or by Conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by the Congress; Provided that no Amendment which may be made prior to the Year One thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any Manner affect the first and fourth Clauses in the Ninth Section of the first Article; and that no State, without its Consent, shall be deprived of its equal Suffrage in the Senate.

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Article. VI.

All Debts contracted and Engagements entered into, before the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be as valid against the United States under this Constitution, as under the Confederation.

This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding.

The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.

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Article. VII.

The Ratification of the Conventions of nine States, shall be sufficient for the Establishment of this Constitution between the States so ratifying the Same.

The Word, "the," being interlined between the seventh and eighth Lines of the first Page, the Word "Thirty" being partly written on an Erazure in the fifteenth Line of the first Page, The Words "is tried" being interlined between the thirty second and thirty third Lines of the first Page and the Word "the" being interlined between the forty third and forty fourth Lines of the second Page.

Attest William Jackson Secretary

Done in Convention by the Unanimous Consent of the States present the Seventeenth Day of September in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Eighty seven and of the Independence of the United States of America the Twelfth In witness whereof We have hereunto subscribed our Names,

G°. Washington
Presidt and deputy from Virginia

Delaware
Geo: Read
Gunning Bedford jun
John Dickinson
Richard Bassett
Jaco: Broom

Maryland
James McHenry
Dan of St Thos. Jenifer
Danl. Carroll

Virginia
John Blair
James Madison Jr.

North Carolina
Wm. Blount
Richd. Dobbs Spaight
Hu Williamson

South Carolina
J. Rutledge
Charles Cotesworth Pinckney
Charles Pinckney
Pierce Butler

Georgia
William Few
Abr Baldwin

New Hampshire
John Langdon
Nicholas Gilman

Massachusetts
Nathaniel Gorham
Rufus King

Connecticut
Wm. Saml. Johnson
Roger Sherman

New York
Alexander Hamilton

New Jersey
Wil: Livingston
David Brearley
Wm. Paterson
Jona: Dayton

Pennsylvania
B Franklin
Thomas Mifflin
Robt. Morris
Geo. Clymer
Thos. FitzSimons
Jared Ingersoll
James Wilson
Gouv Morris