Miss Kelly

Obama's Teleprompter Starts Own Blog

President Obama's teleprompter has his own blog, and it's very hilarious.  The teleprompter certainly gets in a lot of photos of our Dear Leader!  This is an AP photo from a Washington Times article on Obama's half-million dollar book deal he signed five days before becoming president. 

There's the ubiquitous (and loquacious) teleprompter) to the left.

A commentor at HillBuzz writes that Rush Limbaugh has withdrawn his offer to debate Obama, instead Rush wants to debate the Telepromtper (which he refers to as the TOTUS).

Minority Opinion on AIG Bonuses, Mixing Politics and Business

The outrage against the AIG bonuses brings to mind Kabuki theatre.  More make-up and masks, please!  Power Line has the minority view, based on the testimony of Edward Liddy, which seems reasonable to me:

* All of these payments, as to AIG's troubled financial products division, are retention bonuses, not performance bonuses.
* The money is not going to anyone responsible for the implosion of AIG--those people, who were in the credit default swap area, are gone.
* These retention bonuses were promised to AIG employees who are responsible for winding down the company's financial products division. At the beginning, this division had a potential exposure of $2.7 trillion. Winding down AIG's book of business in this area was a dead-end job, and there was a great likelihood that the people responsible for the work, who knew the most about the products involved, would take jobs elsewhere.
* In late 2007 or early 2008, AIG made a deal with these employees: if they would stay at AIG until specified conditions were met, i.e., either certain business was wound down or a given period of time had elapsed, they would receive a specified retention bonus.
* As to all of the employees involved, they satisfied the terms of the bonus by wrapping up a portfolio for which they were responsible and/or staying on the job until now. As a result of the efforts of this group, AIG's financial products exposure is down from $2.7 trillion to $1.6 trillion.

I hope AIG takes legal action against Congress to stop the ridiculous 90% taxation of these bonuses.  Talk about scapegoats.  Washington Post has a good article about the situation, and Jonathan Goldberg wrote a good column about mixing politics and business too.

"We should have learned from the government takeover of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac what dangers lie ahead: The rule of law and political manipulation of the economy don’t mix well...What signal does it send when the president and Congress make it clear that they will revisit legal contracts that run afoul of populist outrage?"

If the AIG staff are forced to return their contractual bonuses, then shouldn't President Obama return the $130,000 he received from AIG in 2008?  From ABC News:

"AIG employees kept doling out donations to politicians, including presidential candidate Barack Obama, after getting bailed out with federal funds last year, raising the question of whether those politicians will now return the money. AIG executives gave more than $630,000 during the 2008 political cycle even as the company was falling apart ."

More than $120,000 was donated after AIG received $85 billion in federal bailout funds in September 2008.  Give it back, President Obama, Senator Dodd and Senator McCain!

Tea Parties Catching on Around Massachusetts Too

It's about time! They've been taking place all around the country, attracting crowds ranging from hundreds of people to over 5,000!  I've heard of a number of Taxpayer Revolt Tea Parties scheduled for Massachusetts, including the following:

Saturday March 28, 2009 - Essex County Tea Party, from: 12-2pm, 60 Pleasant St. (City Hall), Newburyport, MA.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009 - Worcester Tea Party! 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Lincoln Square, Worcester. For more info, e-mail worcesterteaparty@charter.net. 

Also on Tax Day, the Boston Tea Party, Boston 10:00am - 8:00pm at City Hall Plaza (Government Center T-stop).  I think a lot of WTKK radio talk show hosts will be at this one.

There's a Lowell Tea Party in the works, also be on April 15th. It's planned for JFK Plaza in front of Lowell City Hall, from 3-7 PM.  Will post additional info as I get it.

National clearinghouse info here.  The tea bag image came from those folks. More tea parties listed here.

Newt Gingrich has caught the tea party fever too.  

Don't just stand there while Mr. Obama tries to turn the U.S.A. into a socialist country!  Tell Congress to stop right now with their reckless "stimulus" bills, and remind them that they work for us.   Join a Tea Party rally!

Lectures/Concerts/Special Masses Coming Up!

There's a lot of great lectures, concerts and special masses coming up this Lenten season, take advantage of these!

Friday, March 20, 2009 -  "The Restoration of Gregorian Chant in the 20th Century," lecture by Sam Schmitt, Ph.D., Friday, 8pm to 9pm, Humanities Room at Thomas More College.  And while you're thinking about plain chant, enjoy this!

Sunday, March 22, 2009 - Seraphim Singers concert at the Mission Church in Boston,  1545 Tremont Street on Mission Hill, 4:00pm, with special guests,  The Boston Boy Choir.  I've heard both choirs and they are truly wonderful!   Jennifer Lester is conductor of the Seraphim Singers.  Selections include: BACH Jesu, Meine Freude, BRAHMS O Heiland Reis, GYGER Wie Schön, DISTLER Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme, and a commissioned work by SAWYER.   Suggested donation, $20.

Wednesday, March 25, 2009 - Sung Latin mass as the St. Francis Chapel at the Prudential mall (really), to celebrate the Solemnity of the Annunciation, 7 PM.  I'm sure it will be wonderful also.

Sunday, March 29, 2009 - 5th Annual GOSPEL BRUNCH at St. Clements Shrine in Boston (1105 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02215), featuring the Joyful Voices of Inspiration Gospel Choir.  Time is 12-2 PM, after the 11 AM mass. Tickets $20 for adults, $10 for children, fundraiser for the Oblates of the Virgin Mary Seminarian Scholarship Fund.

 

Passing Off Rumor as Fact, Alia Ansari's Tragic Death

Having seen two references in the past two days to the Alia Ansari's tragic death, I feel compelled to take note of the speculation that Ansari's death was a hate crime or was due to her wearing hijab.  These  statements are made with no basis in fact, yet they are repeateded by many so-called Muslim leaders and non-Muslim liberal sympathisers.  These speculations are apparently believed by many Muslims (and Harvard student filmmakers).  Many Black civil rights leaders (i.e., Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton) make a might fine living off the minority grievance industry, but they're being surpassed by the grievance industry of Muslim organizations such as CAIR and MAS.   The Alia Ansari case is a perfect example of pimping a tragedy, twisting the truth to score grievance points, and passing off rumor as truth.

The Restoration of Gregorian Chant in the 20th Century

Praise the Lord, seriously. 

Gregorian Chant is making a significant comeback in American and around the world.  Its simple yet transcendent tones -  immediately recognizable as sacred music -  can't help but stir one's soul and bring one closer to Divinity.   Learn more about restoring Gregorian chant to its rightful place this Friday:

The Restoration of Gregorian Chant in the 20th Century
Lecture by Sam Schmitt, Ph.D.
Friday, March 20, 2009,  8pm to 9pm
Humanities Room at Thomas More College

Directions and map here.

Gil Bailie - "Inspiring a Whole-Hearted Faith in a Half-Hearted World"

Noted Catholic layman, author and lecturer Gil Bailie is back in Cambirdge to continue the Emmaus Road Initiative lecture series at S. Peter's Church.

Monday, March 16, 7 to 9 PM; St. Peter's Church, 100 Concord Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138. 

Lecture topic:  Why did it take the Resurrection to save us?

"Emmaus Road in Cambridge.   In a collaborative effort, St. Paul’s, St, Peter’s and St John the Evangelist join together to host a series of monthly workshops over the next year called The Emmaus Road Initiative, Inspiring a Wholehearted Faith in a Halfhearted Age."

"Drawing on the theological tradition for which Benedict XVI is today’s preeminent exponent as well as on René Girard’s extraordinary insights into the anthropological and cultural uniqueness of Christianity, the Emmaus Road Initiative is an effort to bring 'the truly most exciting part of Christian faith' to bear on the challenges facing the Christian vocation in our time."

If you can use some more inspiration during Lent and want to hear provocative, challenging ideas, come to Gil Bailie's lecture at St. Peter's tomorrow.  

Map & Directions - For more information: Jill Fallon: (781) 777-2067

Criminal Investigation into Muslim Brotherhood in Germany

A criminal investigation in Germany reveals that the Musim Brotherhood has set up "intricate financial, real estate and mosque structures" in Germany over several decades, which have been involved in  variety of criminal activities. As reported at the Counterterrorism Blog:

"The Global Muslim Brotherhood Daily Report (free subscription required) brings the otherwise unreported here news of a major criminal investigation into several Muslim Brotherhood leaders and groups in Germany and Belgium. The raids were publicly announced in Germany, but have not been widely reported. The site also provides links to other reports, particularly by the NEFA Foundations on some of those under investigation."

"What is striking is the stature of the institutions that were raided on suspicion of money laundering, criminal activities, acquisition of property under false pretenses, and aiding "Islamists" and violent Islamic jihadists."

Boston has seen its share fund-raising to support violent Islamic jihad.  And there's talk of exceedingly suspicious real estate transactions by a major Boston realty agency. 

"One thing this shows is that, despite the constant protests to the contrary, at least the German prosecutors and those of several other nations, believe there is, in fact, a transnational Ikhwan organization. There is, but the Brotherhood usually denies its existence."

Stimulus Money Used to Memorialize the Kennedy Family

Our tax dollars.  There was a time in America when wealthy families donated their own money for these sorts of things.  Libraries, unviversities, hospitals and parks all over New England were often built by philanthropists. Not so the Kennedies:

"The federal government has approved $5 million for the construction of the first building on the Rose Kennedy Greenway, a 2,500-square-foot pavilion that is intended to serve as a "gateway" to the Boston Harbor Islands national park area."

"....The funding was included in a $410 billion federal spending bill that was passed by Congress Tuesday night and signed by President Obama today. The bill also included $22 million for an addition to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum and $5 million for the new Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the Senate."

The Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the Senate?!

Do we really need to subsidize the Kennedies, one of the wealthiest and most politically powerful families in the country?   Ayy gevalt!

"Diversity in the Muslim World: Between Pluralism & Division"

The American Islamic Congress is putting on a public lecture series in Boston on "Diversity in the Muslim World: Between Pluralism & Division."  The events start Monday, March 16 and go through March 29, events are free and open to the public.  Go here for details, press release here.  Some of the events sound fascinating.  From the AIC:

"Sponsored by the Boston Foundation, the series seeks to inform Bostonians - both Muslims and non-Muslims - about Muslim cultural diversity. The panels address distinct geographic regions of the Muslim world (Africa, Europe, Near East, South Asia, and Far East). Speakers and artistic performers include experts from Harvard, Tufts, Brown, and other local universities."

"We hope to shatter stereotypes about Muslim identity and offer a nuanced look at the Muslim world's complexity. Unusual communities spotlighted include Russian Tatars, Berber Shi'ites, Sufis who go on hajj to Senegal instead of Saudi Arabia, and Nigerian tribes featuring Muslims and Christians in the same nuclear family - plus a non-Muslim MIT professor who helped build a mosque in Cambodia."

The artists include Senegalese drummers a funk band, Pakistani and Bangladeshi poets, aPakistani singer,  a Turkish classical music ensemble, and a Tunisian oud player.  Pretty cool line-up of events. 

Top Ten Reasons Obama Health Care is Wrong

Excellent post over at Maggie's Farm: The Top Ten Reasons for ObamaCare are Based on False Information."

"The major overhaul of American health care pursued by President Obama and his supporters is based on many false premises and is excessive and likely to do more harm than good.  Tuning up and improvements already always dynamically occurs.  Instead, ObamaCare is aimed at dramatically changing one-sixth of the US economy in ways that are untested or tested and found wanting, primarily involving huge increases in government direction of health care."

The top ten false arguments:

ISB/MAS Criticize Qaradawi - "Holocaust was Divine Punishment for Jews"

OK, just kidding!  Actually, MEMRI reports that a broad spectrum of Scandinavian Muslim leaders  criticized Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradhawi, spiritual leader of the Muslim Brotherhood, for his recent statement on Al-Jazeera TV about the Holocaust:  

"In response to MEMRI TV's February 1, 2009 release of a translated and subtitled clip capturing prominent Sunni sheikh Yousef Al-Qaradhawi on Al-Jazeera TV in January 2009 calling the Holocaust "divine punishment" for the Jews and warning that "Allah willing, the next time will be at the hand of the believers [i.e. Muslims]," and also saying that he would "shoot Allah's enemies, the Jews," it was reported that Muslim Imams and Islamic groups in Scandinavia have distanced themselves from the remarks and are questioning association with Al-Qaradhawi."

"....On February 16, the Norwegian newspapers Dagbladet and Aftenpost reported that the Islamic Council of Norway had, on that same date, denounced Sheikh Al-Qaradhawi's statements on Al-Jazeera TV as "unacceptable." According to the German news agency Deutsche Presse-Agentur (DPE), Aftenposten quoted Islamic Council of Norway head Senaid Kobilica as saying that the council also planned to raise the matter with the European Council for Fatwa and Research, which Al-Qaradhawi heads."

MEMRI has numerous quotes from  Norwegian, Danish and Swedish Muslim council leaders and imams who strongly criticized Qaradawi's statements.   We haven't heard anything similar from Massachusetts Muslim leaders and imams, have we?  Imagine Islamic Society of Boston (ISB) imam Basyouny Nehela or Muslim American Society (MAS) director Bilal Kaleem saying something like "It's unacceptable that Yusuf Al-Qaradhawi honors the Holocaust, we strongly reject that"?  I'm guessing that'll never happen, but I'd love to be proven wrong. 

Meanwhile, our local ISB/MAS is busy giving dawah training from the Islamic American University, an Ohio-based "online" university that has Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi as its chairman.    

Lectures: Reclaiming Catholic Spiritual Traditions / Abortion as a Feminst Issue

There's a number of excellent lectures in the Boston area this week, per The Pilot:

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Spiritual Traditions Lecture, Brighton -- Boston College's School of Theology and Ministry and its Church in the 21st Century Center are hosting a lecture tonight from 7-9 p.m., entitled "Old Gold: Reclaiming Some Traditional Spiritual Practices." Boston College's Theology Professor Thomas Groome will be leading the lecture on BC's Lower Campus in Corcoran Commons' Heights Room. This workshop of presentation and conversation intends to help reclaim some "old gold" in spiritual practices from the faith of our mothers and fathers that have been neglected and to learn from them on our own spiritual journeys. For more information call 617-552-6501 or visit www.bc.edu/stmce.

Sounds like an excellent lecture for Lent, when we are called to more prayer and reflection.

Wednesday, March 10 and Thursday, March 11, 2009

"The Feminist Case Against Abortion" Lecture, Cambridge -- Harvard Law School is hosting Serrin M. Foster, president of Feminists for Life, for her presentation of "The Feminist Case Against Abortion" at 7 p.m. in Pound Hall, Room 201 (Oops, that was yesterday, March 9). Recognized as one of the "Great Speeches in History" in an anthology on Women's Rights, Foster's landmark speech aims to further its nationwide revolution on campuses to educate students at highest risk of abortion about the nation's rich pro-life feminist heritage and to redirect the debate toward woman-centered solutions. Foster has led the organization since 1994, helping to produce the groundbreaking legislation The Elizabeth Cady Stanton Pregnant and Parenting Student Services Act that puts into hyper-drive new pro-woman solutions on college campuses.

Muslim Brotherhood Dawah Course Coming to Boston

Just remember, OK, that when the Islamic Society of Boston (ISB) leaders participate in an interfaith event, it's dawah.  The ISB (actually Muslim American Society) leaders and their imam aren't engaging in these events to learn about other faiths, they're there to invite others to Islam.  Ditto for MAS college student groups participating in interfaith events.  Some modern Muslim jurists consider the U.S. (and Europe) to be dar al dawah, "the land of invitation, land to which dawah has been presented and its people are invited to Islamic values and practices."  Luckily for local proselytizing Muslims, the ISB's imam Basyouny Nehela is teaching a course on dawah starting this month. From the MAS website:

Islamic American University and MAS Boston present:  The Quranic Methodology for Da'wa and Thought by Sh. Basyouny Nehela.

The course is tentatively targeted to begin on  March 18th 2009, for twelve weeks on Wednesday evenings, 6:30-8:00PM.

The mind reels at who the founder,chairman and vice-chairman are of the Islamic American University.   Solomonia did the research:

Obamas Dissin' the Brits?

The British press appears to have fallen out of love with the Obamas.  First, Mr. Obama returned the bust of Winston Churchill that was given to President Bush after 9/11.  The treatment of Gordon Brown, England's Prime Minister who visited DC earlier this week, was rather shabby, as the British press reported:

"The morning papers and TV last night featured plenty of comment focused on the White House's very odd and, frankly, exceptionally rude treatment of a British PM. Squeezing in a meeting, denying him a full press conference with flags etc. The British press corps, left outside for an hour in the cold, can take it and their privations are of limited concern to the public."

"...We get the point, sunshine: we're just one of many allies and you want fancy new friends. Well, the next time you need something doing, something which impinges on your national security, then try calling the French, or the Japanese, or best of all the Germans. The French will be able to offer you first rate support from their catering corps but beyond that you'll be on your own."

The Obamas gave some seriously lame gifts to PM Brown and his wife.  Here's what the Browns gave to the Obamas:

Attende Domine

Beautiful Gregorian chant from the 10th century,  "This is the cry of the sinner who calls unto God to receive his mercy. A monument of the liturgy of the Catholic Church. Originally from the Mozarabic liturgy. "

Words in Latin here and in English here. Chant score here (courtesy of St. Cecilia Schola Cantorum).  

What, you may ask, is "Mozarabic liturgy"? According to Wiki, it refers to early Catholic worship in Spain, dating back to the 7th century, when Catholics lived under Muslim rule.

"As is generally the case with Islamic rule the Christians were made dhimmis and therefore became subjects of an Islamic ruled state. Islamic rule is normally more systematic than Christianity when it comes to its treatment of non-believers. This system kept Christians in an inferior political and financial position. This was true of the Umayyad emirate which enforced the Qur'anic rules obliging dhimmis to pay the jizya and killing those who defamed Muhammad or reverted to Christianity after converting to Islam."

Is Obama Trying to Destroy Our Country?

Sure looks that way.

Dick Morris:

"President Lyndon Johnson’s administration was known for his War on Poverty. President Obama’s will become notable for his War on Prosperity."

Removing tax deduxtions for charitable donations:

"President Obama’s tax proposals — including a limit on charitable giving deductions that could be taken by America’s wealthiest people — could cause giving by America’s wealthy to drop by several billion dollars a year, according to estimates released today by the Indiana University Center on Philanthropy."