UNITED STATES SENATE VOTES TO END INVOLVEMENT IN AFGHANISTAN WAR FASTER............

After more than eleven years involvement fighting a war in Afghanistan, making it the longest fought war in American history, and with more and more of our citizens growing disgruntled with our drawn out participation costing American lives being killed by Afghan military we are therfe training and assisting; the United States Senate on Thursday voted 62-33, to speed up the withdrawal of American troops in meeting the Obama Administration's end of 2014, withdrawal date for American fighting forces.  Thirteen Republican Senators voted in favor of the non-binding, Sense of the Senate Resolution, including six term, retiring Indiana U.S. Senator Richard Lugar, of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.  Even after the current withdrawal is completed as many as 68,000 American troops are slated to remain in Afghanistan in a transitional mode after cessation of American military involvement.  Leading the way for the Resolution voted on in the affirmative yesterday was U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley, Democrat of Oregon............Fr.  Troy

ROMNEY, OBAMA, LUNCHING AT THE WHITE HOUSE TODAY............

Making good on his post re-election news conference that he would sit down with his General Election opponent to discuss issues of mutual concern and how they can work together going forward for the good of the country, POresident Barack Obama will meet for lunch at the White House today, with Governor Mitt Romney.  Coming just over three weeks after their Presidential contest endedin Obama winning a 51% - 48% Popular Vote, 332 -206 Electoral Vote, victory over Romney; this may be the most significant post election Presidential nominees meeting since the one between President-Elect John Fitzgerald Kennedy and Vice President Richard Milhous Nixon, in 1960.  A discussion between them may possibly include some exchange of ideas on Taxes, Entitlements, and the Fiscal Cliff, CBS News This Morning anchor Charlie Rose reported this hour.  With the post election politics of the Benghazi Consulate bombing and killings; and reaching an agreement to avert falling over the Fiscal Cliff, ensuing - their bipartisan meeting may perhaps help ameliorate the tenor of positions and posturing, as the Obama Administration and the Congress seek to find common ground they can reach to address the nation's challenges.  After the intensity of their personal challenge and obvious dislike for each other during the Presidential campaign, the fact that they are meeting and will dine together this soon after Election Day, will hopefully provide a positive and constructive way forwards for Washington beyond politics and focused on the job of governing that are our public servants responsibility to carry out, above and beyond the politics, philosophies, and proclivities, any and all of them possess............Fr.  Troy

SACRED HEART OPPORTUNITIES AND PERSONAL FRIENDSHIPS LESSEN THE ABNORMALITY............

The weekly RCIA ministry session in the Sacred Heart Parish O'Hara Hall last night, the workshop this Saturday Rita Spillane and I will conduct together at Our Lady of Grace Parish in West Sacramento, and the personal friendship sharing and socializing Joe Gibson, Ruth Rosenberg, and the Pennington Family, continue to provide me, help me to make this abnormal, fish out of water, existence of involuntary exile, more tolerable, and less mundane, as well as lessens the increasing frustration of being disvalued and marginalized in not carrying out the active, priestly ministry I am capable of doing, even now.  Thanks to the opportunities to assist with the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults and other facets of ongoing Faith Formation for adults, as well as with the Sacrament of Reconciliation / Confessions, Monsignor Robert Walton and Rita Spillane have invited me to do, these long and otherwise underwhelming eight and a half months would be even more frustrating.  Building on last night's wonderful discussion on the Sacraments of the Eucharist and Penance / Reconciliation led by Rita; I continued today my review of the five part DVD series produced by RCL Benziger, for the 50th Anniversary of the Second Vatican Council, "Faithful Revolution : Vatican II", she and I will be presenting at Sacred Heart during Lent.  Joe Gibson has justv phoned and invited me to join him in taking advantage of the stoppage in today's rain, to go down to Peet's Coffee and Tea shop, before dinner for a cuppa and a chat; a most welcome breakaway from within these walls of separation from normal activity.  To capture the spirit of the holiday season in the abnormality of being here and not in a parish, I will tune in to the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on NBC TV............Fr.  Troy

COMMEMORATING REVEREND MONSIGNOR HUGH MCTAGUE......1910-1982............

Thirty years ago yesterday I was on a flight from Ireland to California, on the day after ThanksGiving Day in America, plucked from my three months as a first year seminarian at St. Kieran's College, in Kilkenny; by the final turn in my mother Josephine's last illness with Diabetes and Leukemia.  I flew home for the closing six days of her human life and arrived back in Sacramento just after 11 p.m. Pacific Standard Time on Friday night November 26th.  Monsignor Edward J. Kavanagh met me at the Sacramento Metropolitan Airport and drove me directly to my mother's bedside at Mercy General Hospital in East Sacramento.  After about an hour's bedside visit with her and my family members, I went back to St. Rose's Rectory in South Sacramento, to get a good night's sleep before the emergent and ending days of her life straight ahead.  Just after 8 a.m. the next morning I returned to Mercy General with Father Jeremiah Boland, to spend the day with my mother and family at the hospital.  Before we went to her room Father Boland suggested we go to see Monsignor Hugh McTague, the Pastor Emeritus of St. Robert's Church, my other childhood parish, who was recuperating in Mercy General after undergoing cardiac surgery earlier in the week.  I had last spoken to Msgr. McTague, on the phone the morning of Saturday August 28th, before going to the airport to depart for Ireland and St. Kieran's.  It was to be the last earthly communication  we would share as during the early morning hours of Saturday November 27th, he died at Mercy General, five days before my mother's passing.  So today, I commemorate and give thanks for the life and priestly ministry of Reverend Monsignor Hugh McTague, born in County Cavan, Ireland in 1910; ordained a Priest of Jesus Christ for the Diocese of Sacramento in 1937; and who served as the Founding Pastor of St. Robert's Parish, in South Sacramento from October 1955 - June 1980.  He was the parish priest who administered First Holy Communion to me in May 1965; who during the three month Campbell Soup Company provided the money for the new pair of Groh's orthopedic shoes I needed at that time for the leg brace I wore as a child; and who constantly from age 11 until I entered the seminary in my mid twenties, was a constant encouragement to my becoming a priest.  Just day's after my mother's death and burial in the opening days of December 1982, this faithful Catholic Priest, whose Funeral Mass and Committal, I attended on Tuesday November 30th, thirty years ago this week; seemed to mysteriously do something it took a phone call to John Seymour, at St. Mary's Cemetery to explain.  A few days after my mother's burial, my father received in the mail a Mass Intention card for the repose of the soul of Josephine Powers, signed and scheduled by Msgr. Hugh McTague.  My father's question and my quandry, how did Hugh McTague, who predeceased my mother by five days, sign a Mass card for a Mass he celebrated in her memory ?  The answer John Seymour, the Director of St. Mary's Cemetery, from where the card had been mailed explained, " Msgr. McTague knowing he was scheduled to undergo heart surgery, had signed a number of Mass Intention cards and celebrated those Masses in the days prior to his hospitalization.  Selflessly putting the people he was ordained to minister to, foremost even at the very time his own life on earth was ebbing away and coming to a conclusion.  One more faithful example to me, of "You are a Priest Forever".  Eternal Rest and Peace, Light and Love, Grant unto him, my mother, and all the Holy Souls this November 2012; 30 years later O Lord.  Alleluia !!!  Amen !!!............Fr.  Troy

PRESIDENT OBAMA'S JOB APPROVAL RATING UP FOLLOWING RE-ELECTION............

The latest Cable News Network CNN, - Opinion Research Corporation ORC, Poll taken ten to twelve days following President Barack Obama's re-election to a second term, places his Job Approval Rating at 52%; Favorable - 43%; Unfavorable - his highest approval since last May.  The margin of error is plus or minus three percentage points.  The nine point favorable finding finding follows the President's 62.6 million plus Popular Votes and  332 Electoral Votes, to 59.1 million plus Popular Votes and 206 Electoral Votes, victory over Governor Mitt Romney on November 6th.  The CNN-ORC Poll also found 56% of Americans think there is reason to be Optimistic about the Direction the Country will go in the next 4 years, the first majority responding affirmatively to that question this year and compared to 76% who responded affirmatively following the 2008 American General Election.  President Obama takes this affirmative oncrease in his Presidential Job Performance numbers into the Fiscal Cliff negotiations with Congress in the weeks ahead and as he prepares for his second Inauguration............Fr.  Troy

TIME TICKING AWAY ON AVERTING THE FISCAL CLIFF............

With thirty five days remaining in 2012, and the precariousness of the financial stability of the American Federal Government and the, "Fiscal Cliff", of default and sequester looming on January 1, 2013; can Republican and Democratic members of the House of Representatives and the United States Senate, and the Obama Administration White House, reach a compromise / consensus agreement of tax cuts and  new revenues to avert the daunting economic crises going over the Fiscal Cliff will cause, in a long term resolution - or will they arrive at a short term solution to halt dropping over the cliff, with a further effort pushed off until sometime next year ?  The only other option at the moment is to allow the fall off the Fiscal Cliff to happen, which no one seems to want and the adverse affect of which would surely harm our Economic Recovery and could well result in sending the American Economy back into a Recession. Governmental Leaders of all political persuasions need to do the right and responsible thing by crafting a viable compromise that can attain the bipartisan support of a majority of the members of Congress and of President Obama, as the time for politics must now give way to effectively governing for the betterment of our country over the next four years............Fr.  Troy

ALL CULMINATES IN THE SUPREME KING OF CREATION............

This year the last Sunday of November is not the First Sunday of Advent, but the Solemnity of Christ The King on the Catholic-Christian Liturgical Calendar.  it is wonderful in the United States to be able to complete the ThanksGiving Day weekend, not being rushed into the first Sunday of the new Liturgical Year, but savoring the reality and culmination of the current year and affirming the sovereignty of Jesus Christ, as God and King of the Universe.  Earthly examples of kingship and royalty have dwindled to a very ceremonial  few during the past century plus.  Perhaps the one remaining worldly monarchy remaining with anything more than a semblance of the service and sovereignty such reigns are meant to denote, is found in Queen Elizabeth II, of Great Britain; who for more than 65 years has carried out her role and responsibility, unflinchingly as the changes of time have swirled about her.  Yet as good an example of temporal kingship/queenship her reign has been, it comes no where near the supremacy and perfection of the One, True, and Universal King of Heaven and Earth; Jesus The Christ, the Co-Eternal and Saving Son of the Living and True God of all Creation.  At a time when humble service, loyalty, and fidelity, to human commitments have become more and more conditional, and relationships disposal not durable, the selfless service Jesus provides God's People as the Universal King is a vitally indispensable example now more than ever.  On this 25th Day of November 2012, as persons of Faith, citizens of Fellowship, and as Disciples of Jesus, we lift our hearts and minds in Praise and Honor to the only truly Sovereign King in our lives, Christ The King.  As Americans complete this ThanksGiving weekend, and Catholic-Christians finish the current Liturgical Year, may we and people e\verywhere throughout the World be dedicated to a Sovereign of Truth and Love, that is fully the source of our Salvation and Enlightenment............Fr.  Troy

LARRY HAGMAN, "JR EWING" OF TV'S "DALLAS" DEAD AT 81............

Larry Hagman, the North Texas native, son of Broadway, Film, Television, actress Mary Martin, who catapulted a role in the daytime drama, "The Edge Of Night", into prime television roles in, "I Dream Of Jeannie"; and as the iconic, manipulating, oil man, womanizer, JR Ewing from 1978-1991, on CBS Television, and again this year in a reprised "Dallas", tv series on cable's TNT;  that became one of the most popular shows in television history, died of cancer Friday, at age 81.  "Dallas", the story of the fictional Ewing Family and the intrigues of the Texas oil business, became a national and global sensation when at the last episode of its second season in 1980, ended in the cliffhanger, "Who Shot JR ?".  Number one in the ratings internationally for much of its initial 356 episode run, the final episode of the first series finished second place in the ratings in May 1991.   This summer Turner Network Television on cable, revived "Dallas", focusing on the younger generation of Ewings, but featuring the original stars, Larry Hagman, as JR; along with Patrick Duffy, as his younger brother Bobby; and Linda Gray, as his former wife, Sue Ellen.  The ten episodes comprising the first season of the new "Dallas", were successfully received, so that a second season is in production and will begin on January 28th 2013, on TNT.  Hagman had already begun filming season two, thus his character and real life death, will factor as the new season unfolds.  Larry Hagman was married for 58 years to his wife who he met when acting together on stage in the early 1950's, with whom he has two children, a daughter and a son.  A hard drinker and heavy smoker for many decades, resulted in his receiving a liver transplant in 1995; and treatment for throat cancer in recent years. As a boy in the 1960's,  the detective drama, "Burke's Law", starring Gene Barry; and the espionage drama, "The Man From U.N.C.L.E.", starring Ronert Vaughn; were my favorite tv programs.  As a college student, seminarian, and in my early years a priest, fifteen to twenty five years later, it was "Dallas", as I argued in the seminary that it is, "a modern day morality play",  everything we should strive not to be, as persons of honesty and integrity".  Whatever one's view of "Dallas", the role of JR Ewing as portrayed by the now deceased actor Larry Hagman, will remembered and acclaimed always as one of television's impactful villanouos
 performances............Fr.  Troy

CELEBRATING OUR NATIONAL DAY OF THANKSGIVING BEYOND THESE WALLS............

Resolved yesterday to celebrate ThanksGiving Day as normal as possible, from beyond the confines of involuntary exile, I joined in a meeting of minds with my friend, colleague, mentor, and second father, Ed Kavanagh, and gathered with him to share a ThanksGiving Day meal togethe - dining at Scott's On The River restaurant; in what was another first for me, a ThanksGiving Dinner in a public outing rather than a family home or parish rectory.  It was an enjoyable few hours conversing, catching up, sharing one another's company, in the authentic spirit of the holiday.  Thanks to Ted and Irene Dahlberg, I kicked off the ThanksGiving observance on Wednesday afternoon when they delivered sugar free cupcakes and a personally baked pumpkin pie, to mark and brighten my celebration of the holiday.  Then, as has been true throughout 2012, Joe Gibson and Ruth Rosenberg rounded out and completed my ThanksGiving Day, by dropping by last night with some of the turkey and trimmings from their family ThanksGiving Dinner and to visit.  Ed, Ted, Irene, Joe, Ruth, helped me achieve the normalcy of American ThanksGiving Day yesterday, in a year when  abnormality of activity and residence, has altered my daily existence.  For the past 30 years ThanksGiving weekend has been an inordinate experience for me, as it was on ThanksGiving Day 1982, that my mother's terminal illness took its final turn, resulting in her death six days later.  Being remembered and included in as normal a Turkey Day remembrance as I was yesterday, and have been for more than two decades by my cherished friends and holiday family, the Bugattos and Mugnaini's, is one more reason I am grateful and appreciative for the blessings of Faith, Family, Friendship, Fraternity, and Fellowship.  Everyone deserves to celebrate and participate in ThanksGiving, our day of National Consecration in Gratitude to God, for the blessings of Life in this way, to be remembered and not forgotten............Fr.  Troy

AMERICAN THANKSGIVING DAY 2012............

Happy ThanksGiving Day 2012, in the United States of America, the 392nd year after the Pilgrims, Puritans, and Native Americans first joined together for a Meal of Thanks at Harvest Time in the New England Bay Colony in 1621.  As families, friends, and peoples of every creed, ethnicity, culture, and persuasions, recognize and affirm with gratitude the blessings of life we possess and share.  All of us no matter the hardships or difficulties with which we might be contending, need to time to offer Thanks and Praise for God's Gift of Life to us, and the future Glory that awaits us, if we are true to most important relationships, beginning with our relationship with, and to, the Divine GodHead of Creation, Salvation, and Santification.  Young or old; Well or ill; Home or away; we have the opportunity for Hope that we are not alone today, for whoever, wherever, we are - the Lord of Life and Love is benevolently with us.  On this ThanksGiving Day 2012, in the 25th Anniversary Year of my Ordination to the Priesthood of Jesus Christ, I can acutely identify with those who are deployed, hospitalized, bereaved, or alone; feeling detached or on their own on this national holiday, for I did not expect to be winding down my Silver Jubilee Year during ThanksGiving and the nearing Advent and Christmas Seasons, sitting on the sidelines instead of being the actively ministering, presiding, and preaching, Priest I remain committed to being.  Yet another reason I have to be thankful are the many, many, persons in my circle of family, personal friends, and former parishioners, and numerous brother priests,  who continue to support and encourage me, despite the indifference of the powers that be.  As I strive to continue doing so, I pray that all Americans will Lift Your Hearts, and Your Spirits, as today and in coming days we raise our Minds to the One Who has made this ThanksGiving possible for us............Fr.  Troy    

A HAMAS-ISRAEL CEASEFIRE ANNOUNCED BY EGYPTIAN AND AMERICAN LEADERS............

Two hours ago, Egyptian Foreign Minister Mohammed Kamel Amr, and American Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, announced a ceasefire between Hamas in Gaza, and the State of Israel, in their current Middle East rocket bombing violence conflict.  The ceasefire comes before growing fears of a ground war by Israel on the Gaza could occur.  The rocket attacks in ther thousands on Israel begun by Hamas last Wednesday have caused the Israelis to respond defensively and to seriously contemplate landing troops in Gaza to combat Hamas.  Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is reported to have accepted a request from American President Barack Obama to agree to the ceasefire framework, allowing for further negotiation of the differences causing the present turmoil to be addressed and hopefully resolved.  Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi, a member of the Muslim Brotherhood, which is affiliated with Hamas had agreed to broker the ceasefire agreement.  For now the ceasefire has taken good hold and only two rockets have been fired at Israel since it took effect.  The response to the start of the ceasefire is one of jubiliation on the scene with hopes that it will take hold longer than not............Fr.  Troy

JUST BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF WILL PARDON THE NATIONAL TURKEY............

The White House announced this afternoon that President Obama will return from Asia just in time to be able to grant a Pardon to the National Turkey.  A  Presidential custom of receiving a Turkey, usually a white, broad breasted one, a few days before ThanksGiving Day, reportedly dates back to the Truman Administration in 1947.  The presentation was formally made a Pardon of the Turkey, as the national bird and traditional entree of Thanksgiving, during the term of President GHW Bushm in 1989.  I will have More To Come on the 2012 Ceremony to be held with President Obama for the fourth time tomorrow, not only in preparation to celebrate ThanksGiving Day and weekend; but since childhood has been my favorite meat...........Fr.  Troy

THE EMERGING CATHOLIC DIVISIONS IN AMERICA, AUSTRALIA, AND IRELAND............

Even as the Roman Catholic Church numbering some 1.8 billion members worldwide celebrates the papally proclaimed Year Of Faith, and commemorates the 50th Anniversary of the start of the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, the unity of the Catholic Faith is being seriously strained by increasing differences between Catholics in various parts of the World, including the United States of America, Australia, and Ireland.  In the United States the acuteness of differences between traditional and conservative  American Catholics views on substantial matters and Church teaching and those of progressive and liberal post cobciliar Catholics, continues to divide in largely the same percentage as with other Christian denominations and Religious / Spiritual persons, and the general population,  There is no longer a  unified Catholic viewpoint or support for the Church's teaching on Abortion, Contraception, Social Justice, and Religious Freedom, to name a few topics of substantial concern to the Catholic Church and the American Hierarchy.  These differences of opinion are so split that even after a vigorous effort by U.S. Bishops to publicly fight and organize American Catholics against President Obama's Health Care Contraception Mandate, as a violation of Religious Freedom  and Conscience, including a designated "Fortnight For Freedom"; and the perceived preference of a number of the Bishops for Governor Romney and against President Obama; American Catholics who voted for President on November 6th, chose Obama over Romney 50%; to 48%; according to exit polling.  The contentiousness between the Vatican and American Women Religious and the effectiveness of the, "Nuns On The Bus", tour has also caused the American laity to pick between the two points of view and the majority are siding with the Sisters.   In Australia, fall-out from the Sexual Abuse Scandal of the past decade plus, and the Australian Hierarchy's mishandling of these matters in the minds of a growing number of Aussie Catholics is opening holes in the relationships between Australian Bishops and a significant number of the laity, priests, and religious women and men.  Ireland, who for centuries disportinately porovided priests and nuns to evangelize and minister around a great degree of the globe, and undeniably one of the most Catholic countries worldwide also is undergoing a major reversal in terms of Catholicism.  Earlier this year, a credible survey of 1,000 Irish Catholics found three quarters of the laity responding on a wide range of Church teachings and societal issues, that the Teaching of the Catholic Church is no longer Relevant to their Personal and Family Life.  Sunday Mass attendance by youth through middle age Catholics is declining as well.  The disagreements between Irish Bishops and the Association of Irish Priests, and the reprimanding of the AIP's leadership is also driving wedges between Irish Catholics.  How deeply wounding and long lasting these opposing viewpoints and disagreements take to resolve, or re-unify the Laity, Clergy, Religious, and the Hierarchy may not only determine the result of our present divergence, but shape the ongoing and future credibility the Bishops of the United States, Australia, Ireland, - and perhaps other places, as the Shepherds of the People of God and Teachers of Truth, they are intended to be............Fr.  Troy

PRESIDENT OBAMA ON A POST ELECTION PRE THANKSGIVING SCHEDULED VISIT TO ASIA............

President Obama, this twelvth day after winning a second term to the White House is traveling to three Asian countries today for a scheduled set of meetings with leaders of those nations and attendance at a mini-summit.  The President will start in Thailand, our oldest ally in Asia; before going to Burma, now also called Myamar, where he will meet with the Nobel Laureate and formerly house arrest imprisoned Opposition Leader to the Burma's Government, Aung San Suu Kyi, becoming the first American President in history to set foot on Burmese soil; and will deliver an Address at the University of Yangon, in Rangoon; and then complete his journey in Cambodia; where he will confer with the national leaders and other Asian officxials from other countries.  Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is accompanying President Obama to Asia, even as she continues to monitor with and for him the developments occurring in the Middle, as this week's conflict between Hamas and Israel, as of yet not having become a land war, but threatens to, unless it can be diplomatically resolved very soon............Fr.  Troy

SENATOR RUBIO MAKES FIRST 2016 POTENTIAL PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE VISIT TO IOWA............

Just eleven days after the 2012 American Presidential Election, the first public foray into the potential 2016 Republican Presidential nomination campaign is being explored today by Florida U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, who is the Hawkeye State of Iowa, making a campaign style appearance at a Birthday event for the State's Governor Terry Brandstad tonight.  Rubio, a freshman Senator elected in 2010, enthusiastically acclaimed by Tea Party supporters, is Cuban American; and thought to be a prime answer to the Republicans serious problem with Latino / Hispanic American Voters, who last week cast their ballots with a forty four percent margin in President Obama's favor - voting 71%; for Obama; and 27%; for Governor Romney. Whatever the merits of Rubio's putative future candidacy for the White House, a mere week and a half after this now ended elongated campaign, it is far too early to be forging ahead and perpetuating a political cycle that crowds the necessity of governing and governance.  A Rubio or any other 2016 candidacy for POTUS 45, will and must be based on experience and records of accomplishment - and more than just the immediate reaction to addressing a political / electoral deficiency of support with the Hispanic / Latino American populace, the Republicans face, obstructing their ability to regain the Presidency in this or in 2016, four years from now.  Governane, not positioning, is what is most needed of Senator Rubio and all prospective future contenders hoping to take up residency at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in the future............Fr.  Troy

GENERAL PETRAEUS' PRIVATE TESTIMONY BEFORE CONGRESSIONAL INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEES............

U.S. Army General Retired, David Petreaus; whose thirty seven year military career he completed after service in Iraq and Afghanistan during the past decade, before returning to civilian life and assuming the position of Director of the Central Intelligence Agency sixteen months ago - has just experienced one of the most tumultuous  weeks ever in both his personal and professional life.  His admission of having betrayed his marriage vows with his biographer, led his resignation as C.I.A. Director, and the swirl of scandal, fallout, and further disclosures, about the affair, impacting his previously scheduled testimony before the Congressional Intelligence Committees oversight into the Benghazi, Libta; September 11, tragedy two months ago.  The General was supposed to testify before the u.s. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence chaired by California Senator Dianne Feinstein, and the House of Representative Select Intelligence Committee chaired by Michigan Congressman Mike Rogers, on Thursday.  In the wake of the circumstances of the past week, Petraeus did not keep his previous commitment to appear yesterday, Acting C.I.A. Director Mike Morrell, carried out that task instead.  However, only one day later The resigned Director and retired General, kept a very private, early morning, set of meetings with the members of the Select Congressional Committee, confidentially behind closed doors in the bowels of meeting space under the United States Capitol Building.  Petreus came and went to his meetings without having to face the media and descriptions of the meetings were left to the members of the House and Senate Intelligence Committees to characterize following his appearances.  The first impression shared is that General Petraeus felt the attack on the on the American Consulate in Benghazi was a terrorist act within hours of being informed of the explosive and murderous incident.  More To Come as the investigation proceeds............Fr.  Troy      

SENATOR JOHN MCCAIN ATTACKS LACK OF BENGHAZI INFORMATION WHILE MISSING A BRIEFING ON IT............

Arizona U.S. Senator John McCain, the 2008 Republican Presidential nominee who lost the White House to then U.S. Senator Barack Obama, by nine percent of the vote, 54% -45%; has been highly critical since mid September at the September 11, attack on the American Consulate in Benghazi, Libya; and the Obama Administration's handling of the matter and unwillingness to truthfully share information on the tragedy with the American People.  In recent days he and his Senate colleague and protege' U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, of South Carolina; have criticized President Obama for withholding information or covering up the truth, and are demanding a Select Investigatory Committee, in the manner of the Watergate and Iran Contra Committees, superseding the House amd Senate Intelligence Committees, whose responsibility it is to maintain oversight and  investigate the matter.  Whether McCain and Graham's current stances are objectively based on determining the truth of the matter and sharing that information with our citizenry, or is subjectively motivated, by an embittered McCain, resenting his Presidential loss four years ago; and positioning Graham with a platform at a future run for the Presidency himself; is at this point hard to determine.  For all the insistence and accusation they are mounting against President Obama and the United Nations Ambassador Susan Rice, over the Libyan occurrence two months ago, which now includes stating they will oppose her if she is nominated to be Secretary of State; yesterday shot a hole in their claim that full information to date is not being shared.  Both Senators, attended a press conference they called to further protest the information on the Libyan Consulate attack and the death of our Ambassador and three other diplomats, and did not attend the 3 hour information briefing on the matter the Administration had all pertinent officials providing members of Congress at the same time.  If McCain, Graham and others in theor camp are legitimately knowing more detail and analysis about the Linyan tragedy, why were they not present at the meeting which was providing it ?  Grandstanding and politicizing the reality of this very sad attack, instead of forthright and full participation in getting the facts, serves no one but their own personal agendas.  And to rebut being asked why they held their Wednesday news conference, at the same time as the Congressional Meeting about Benghazi was underway, by saying it was a staffer's scheduling conflict, is a superficial excuse.  More honest would be to admit it was to scheduled either as an out to maintain their claim, or to be mounting their latest offensive at the same hour President Obama was holding his post-re-election news conference.  The military heroism and sacrifice John McCain attained as a Navy man and Prisoner of War is undeniable.  But that does not mean it or anything else, justifies playing politics and racheting up bellicosity over a matter he and all Americans have a right to know; and that he five term U.S. Senator, is in a position to get information about through the proper reporting channels of the United States Government.  That should be his foremost consideration, not his agitated personal and political opposition to President Obama to whom he lost the opportunity to be the Commander in Chief, and who has now been re-elected to a second term............Fr.  Troy

PRESIDENT OBAMA 'S FIRST POST ELECTION NEWS CONFERENCE............

Holding his first formal news conference since being re-elected November 6th, the first one in eight months, and the 20th news conference of his Presidency, POTUS 44, took questions about the resignation of General David Petraeus, as C.I.A. Director and the unfolding circumstances swirling around it; and the Fiscal Cliff, and his plan for resolving it, working with the House and the Senate; within the hour.  President Obama also spiritedly defended United Nations Ambassador Susan Rice, thought to be his frontleading choice to be the Secretary of State in the second term of his Asministration, taking on the concerted opposition of U.S. Senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham, by name during the hour long questions and answers session.  During the news conference the President came across as willing to work with both Republicans and Democrats in finding compromise solutions to the nation's urgent matters, while being more forceful and assertive in stating what he will or will not accept in addressing the Fiscal Cliff crises and what may become his nomination of Ambassador Rice for the leadership of the State Department.  Senators Graham and McCain specifically fired back during and just after the President's news conference, in what is now likely to be a hard fought fight, should President Obama nominate Rice to become the successor to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton............Fr.  Troy

PRESENTING @ R.C.I.A. ON CREED AND SACRAMENTS............

Tonight, I am leading the weekly R.C.I.A. presentation at Sacred Heart Church in East Sacramento.  The topic is two-fold in focus, as we complete our study and discussion on the Creed / Profession of Faith zeroing in on Christian Death and the Resurrection of the Body, in our Catholic Faith Tradition; and open our overview on the Sacraments of the Church by looking at the Paschal Mystery and the Celebration of Liturgy.  My four day regimen of Advil, fluids, and the Chinese Hot and Sour Soup, Joe and Ruth brought me last nigh, and laying low for a few days, dining in my own quarters, has me bouncing back and anticipating this evening's interaction all the more.  After two weeks of intensively following the finish of the 2012 Presidential campaign and last week's Election, it is refreshing to plug in to some pertinent Ministry for a few hours as the ninth month of the holding pattern I am in here at Mercy McMahon continues.????????............Fr. Troy  

A GROUP OF U.S. BISHOPS SEMINAR WITH BLOGGERS ABOUT NEED TO EVANGELIZE ON THE BLOGSPHERE............

As the U.S. Bishops gather in Baltimore, Maryland; for their Fall General Assembly this week, two dozen of them held a meeting with a larger group of bloggers on Sunday in a seminar discussion on the more effective use of the blogsphere by bishops and pastors.  The meeting focused on how more Bishops can blog, and use Facebook and Twitter. to communicate with Catholics, particularly youth online in articulating their Faith and Evangelizing them.  Many of the bloggers repeatedly urged the Bishops to use the social media as an outreach resource at their disposal as an effective means of communicating and evangelizing.  26 year old blogger and book author Brandon Vogt, told the two dozen bishops in attendance, "Fulton Sheen would give his right arm to have the tools we have today".  The late Archbishop Sheen was a renowned communicator and effective, Emmy Award winning television and radio Evangelist in the 1950's and 1960's.  "Whispers In The Loggia" blogger Rocco Palmo, cited the current example of Marquette, Michigan Bishop Alexander K. Sample, as one who is making effective use of blogging, by recently marking the start of the Year Of Faith, by tweeting as he made a 1,000 mile journey along the Upper Michigan Pennisula.  Telling the Bishops people can relate and feel close to them when they share their experiences - he said to them, "Your job as guarantors of the Faith, is to make sure the message has integrity and resonates with People".  From a study commissioned by the U.S. Bishops Communications Department, Mark Gray, of CARA, the Center for the Applied Research of the Apostolate, told the gathering that a survey of 1,047 Catholics taken between September 10 - 18, finds that 36.2 million American Catholics, 62% of the adult Catholics in the U.S. , have Facebook profiles; and 58% of American Catholics age 30 and under, share information and material on social media on a weekly basis; and one third of Catholics would like to have their own bishops and pastors, blog.  I am glad to learn of this seminar and only wish more of the Bishops had chosen to participate.  From my own three and a half years of blogging, I can attest to what the bloggers present shared with the 24 Bishops who were present for the seminar.  The response my blogging has received to date, indicates parishioners and other people of Faith, and those interested in Catholic-Christianity, Religion, Spirituality, and World Affairs, read, follow, and respond to my blog columns indicating the positive contribution it makes to their understanding, as I title it of, "Insights Into Life And Faith"............Fr.  Troy

VETERAN'S DAY 2012............

At the eleventh hour of the eleventh day in the eleventh month, ninety four years ago today - November 11, 1918; an Armistice took effect that led to the end of World War I.  Armistice Day was observed for the next twenty years, becoming in 1938, by an Act of Congress, a national observance.   In 1954, by legislation passed by Congress and signed into Law by President Eisenhower it became Veterans Day.  Whereas, Armistice Day recognized our American military members who served in World War 1, Veterans Day honors all who have served in maintaining the Peace and fighting the Wars in the history of the United States of America.  Therefore, today let us Remember and Thank for their service, the men and women of the United States Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard, et al; who have worn the uniforms of our nation, past and present.  God Bless them.  God Bless America............Fr.  Troy

PRESIDENT DECLARED WINNER OF FLORIDA AND ITS 29 ELECTORAL VOTE............

At this hour President Obama has been declared the winner of the State of Florida, four days after Election Day.  Florida's 29 Electoral Votes brings the final outcome in the Electoral College to Obama 332; Romney 206; with President Obama winning 50% of the Sunshine State's Popular Vote; and Governor Romney getting 49.1% of Florida's Popular Vote.  In winning Florida, President Obama was the winner of 26 States and the Dustrict of Columbia; to 24 States for Governor Romney.

THREE DAYS AFTER THE ELECTION TURNING THE FOCUS TOWARD THE FISCAL CLIFF............

With the back and forth of politics and partisan divide of Election 2012 behind us, with President Onama re-elected, Republicans retaining the House of Representatives, and Democrats making gains in the U.S, Senate, the National Government now has to turn its immediate attention to averting the Fiscal Cliff that looms as of midnight December 31st.  President Obama addressed the matter less than two hours ago in an address from the East Room in which he underscored the need to meet the crisis by garnering bipartisanship support for a combination of spending cuts and new revenues, with the expiration of the Bush Tax Cuts on upper income Americans as a part of the package.  Speaker of the House John Boehner has also been addressing the need for the Congress and the White House to come up with a resolution to the looming Fiscal Cliff / Sequestration at the end of the calendar year, insisting revenues can be on the table that are created by closing od certain tax loopholes, not an increase in taxes.  Boehner is describing himself as the most reasonable and responsible person in Washington to work with, yet still has to balance his willingness to negotiate with the President against maintaining the support of the Tea Party conservatives in his House Republican majority, who hold the votes to control his tenure as Speaker.  Arriving at an acceptable compromise that a majority of House Republicans and Senate Democrats can support, along with the endorsement of President Obama, and no attempt at a filibuster requiring 60 votes for passage in the U.S. Senate, will now become indispensable components of legislating and signing into law, a solution to this  harrowing challenge to productive governance and leadership in  post Election 2012 America............Fr.  Troy

CATHOLIC VOTERS MARGIN OF PREFERNCE MATCHES NATIONAL POPULAR VOTE............

The Presidential Voting Preference of Catholics on Tuesday in the Presidential Election between
President Obama and Governor Romney, is the same as the National Popular Vote Tally for the two Nominees.  Obama receiving 50%; of the Popular Vote and Catholic Votes cast; Romney getting 48%; of the National Popular Vote as well as Catholic Votes in the Presidential Election.  That is with Florida still undeclared and incomplete, though less than one percent in difference between Romney and Obama; unlikely to shift dramatically when the final tally is known............Fr.  Troy

WHO DID THE CATHOLIC VOTERS CHOOSE IN THE 2012 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION ?............

During the past two weeks CARA, the Center for the Applied Research of the Apostolate, analyzed that the outcome of the Catholic Vote in the 2012 Presidential Election was Too Close To Call, between Barack Obama, and Mitt Romney, after finding earlier this year that the incumbent President was ahead of the former Governor by fifteen, 54%; to 39%;, among Registered Voters, and lagged with Likely Catholic Voters, until the final week of the Presidential Campaign.  Today, the CARA preliminary  study of yesterday's  General Election voting by Catholics, based on the national estimates of Exit poll data shows that President Obama received 50%; of the Catholic Vote and Governor Romney garnered 48%; of the Catholic Vote with 2%; of the Catholic Vote cast for other candidates.  Th exit polls estimate is within one percent of the final Gallup Poll projection regarding Catholic voter preference for President 2012.  More to Come on this as CARA analyzes the information behind yesterday's outcome with the Catholic Vote in the 2012 re-election of President Barack Obama............tdp

THE MORNING AFTER THE ELECTION THAT IS 2012............

On this Wednesday morning following the re-election of the 44th President of the United States Barack Obama, American citizens and peoples around the Globe today are witnessing a Vote yesterday in which more than fifty percent plus of the National Electorate has given a second term in the White House to our first African American President; and hopefully declared as erroneous the preoccupation of a vociferous and divisive obsession with the birthplace, citizenship, religious, and cultural, affiliations of the man fifty to fifty four percent of voting Americans have twice in four years elected as the legitimate, constitutional, democratic, Chief Executive of the United States.  Hopefully, the naysayers, rabblerousers, self promoters, and racebaiters, will stop attempting to thwart the choice of most Americans to support our duly elected and re-elected President whenever we can in getting about addressing the real issues, problems, priorities, and needs, facing this country and the world.  The time for Politics of Obstruction and Indifference to the Common Good  is over and the result of the General Election is to move forward in Governing, proposing, crafting, compromising, consensus building, legislating in productive ways.  Re-elected,  President Obama  and the House and Senate, by working together in mutuality and conciliation for attainment of effective governance, can and will achieve so much more, if they do.  Persisting in political polarization and governmental intransigence have no place in the work before our leaders at any time - especially not now.  Let us pray that the immediate and lasting response to President Obama's re-election will be constructive and open to changing the landscape of poisonous                 partisanship so that the next four years can be a time of progress and redirection in solving our ecomic, fiscal, military, social, problems and meeting any other challenges together, as conscientious and dedicated patriots............Fr.  Troy

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA DELIVERS HIS RE-ELECTION VICTORY SPEECH............

The newly re-elected 4th President of the United States Barack Obama is about to give his Re-Election Victory Speech at the McCormick Place in Chicago is a few minutes time with his win standing at 303 Electoral Votes to 206 Electoral Votes for Governor Romney, with Florida's 29 Electoral Votes not yet determined.  President Obama has won the State of Virginia, and also Colorado, Nevada, Iowa, and has taken California, Oregon, Washington State, New Mexico,a total of 25 States to Romney's 24 States, with the Sunshine State not yet in either's column.  The President comes out on the stage with the First Lady and their daughters to the cheers and applause of the thunderous crowd.  He delivers a very upbeat and spirited address beginning by thanking the American People, his Vice President Joe Biden, his wife Michelle, Malia, and Sasha,  and his Campaign Staff.  In the speech he speaks confidently of meeting the challenges before us and paints a picture of America that is not self serving but devoted to the common good and he spoke of the wrk to ber done and his willingness to work with all sides in meeting and accomplishing the goals he spoke of during the final weeks of the campaign in renewing and taking our country forward.  He built to an energetic crescendo at the conclusion that underscored the fairness and freedom of our citzenry.  Upon finishing his talk, he was rejoined on stage by Michelle, Malia, Saha, Joe and Jill Biden, other family members, personal friends, staff, and Democratic Party officials, as an abundance of confetti streamed down upon them to strains of Bruce Springsteen blaring and move about happily waving, acknowledging the applause and cheers, and grasping hans in the traditional arms raised in tandem, smiling broadly on their celebrating supporters............tdp

AWAITING WORDS FROM GOVERNOR ROMNEY IN BOSTON............

CBS News Correspondent Jan Crawford is reporting Governor Mitt Romney has made a concession call to President Obama and will come to his Election Night gathering hall in Boston to make his Concession of the 2012 Presidential race...... Governor Romney is speaking and is making a courteous and straightforward speech, quickly acknowledging his call to the President and wishing him well in the work of meeting the challenges before this country.  He goes on thanking Paul Ryan his running mate, Ann, his wife, his Campaign Staff, Fundraisers, and his Supporters.  he speaks of all the People of this Country and theneed to come together to get things done.  He mentions he Believes in America, his official campaign slogan.  Claims he and Paul Ryan put all on the field in this campaign, wishes it jaf turned out differently wishes the President the best and finishes, greeting his and Paul Ryan's family members joining him on stage.  His statement came quickly and lasted about five minutes............tdp

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA RE-ELECTED TO A SECOND TERM AS POTUS 44............

President Barack Obama has been re-elected as the 44th President of the United States, being projected as winning the State of Ohio by MSNBC, CBS News, NBC News, FOX News, ABC News.  A spokesperson for the Romney campaign has told reporters they will not concede the loss of the State of Ohio to President Obama just yet.  With Obama projected to be the winner of Ohio and its 18 Electoral Votes, he claimed 274 EV's to Romney's 203 Ev's with with 61 EV's still Toss-Ups.  Earlier in the evening Romney staffers said the Governor had nor not prepared a but one speech, supposedly a victory speech, not a concession.  More information as the remaining Electoral Vores  are awarded............tdp

WISCONSIN WON BY OBAMA............

NSNBC has projected Obama the winner of the State of Wisconsin and its 10 Electoral Votes, the Home State of Republican Vice Presidential Nominee Congressman Paul Ryan.  By there Ekectoral College Map that gives OB158 EV's;  RO 153 EV's............tdp

OBAMA WINS PENNSYLVANIA............

CBS News, CNN, MSNBC, have all declared OB the winner of Pennsylvania and its 20 EV's so that the Electoral College Vote at the moment is RO 153 EV's; and OB 143 EV's.  The National Popular Vote now is RO 16 Million Votes - 50% ;  OB 15.3 Million Votes - 48%;.  Pennsylvania's Democratic Senator Bob Casey also has won re-election............tdp

6 PM PACIFIC 9 PM EASTERN TIME STATE VOTING CLOSURES............

With just moments before the latest State closings of Election Day 2012, with 156 more Electoral Votes, Romney is leading 10 States to 8 States for Obama / 40 of the 50 now closed, and Ohio and Wisconsin leaning to OB but no swing States yet called.  CBS News gives the State of Texas to RO; the States of New York and Michigan to OB.    The current Electoral College Vote is RO 153 EV's;
OB 123 EV's; and 262 EV's still Undecided, and 270 EV's needed to win the Presidency............tdp

CBS NEWS PRESIDENTIAL PROJECTIONS AT 5 PM PACIFIC TIME............

CBS News is reporting at 8pm EST, that the Presidential Popular Vote nationally is Romney 4.1 million votes, Obama 3.7 million votes, with the Electoral College Map RO 82 EV's; OB 64 EV's.  RO the projected winner in the States of Indiana, Kentucky, West Virginia, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina, Oklahoma;  and OB in the States of  Vermont, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maine, Rhode Island, Conneticut, Delaware, Maryland, and Washington D.C. .........tdp

OHIO VOTING CLOSED IT'S TCTC............

Voting precincts closed in Ohio twelve minutes ago, and is Too Close To Call...Florida with about 35% of the Vote counted is Obama 52%  Romney 48%.  Romney has won in South Carolina with 9 EV's, puts the EV College at RO 33;  OB 3 FOR NOW...........tdp

WEST VIRGINIA TO ROMNEY............

Mitt Romney is the projected winner in West Virginia and its 5 Electoral Votes.  That makes it right now, RO 24 EV's  OB 3 EV's.

ROMNEY WINS IN INDIANA AND KENTUCKY; OBAMA WINS VERMONT............

First States to be declared as being won are Indiana and Kentucky, won by Romney, with a total of 19 Electoral Votes; Vermont is won by Obama, with 3 Electoral Votes.  Virginia is Too Close To Call, in Florida with 4% of the Votes counted Obama leads Romney 55% - 45%; with just over 650,000 Votes counted Nationally Romney has a five point lead 52% - 47%.....  .......tdp

FIRST STATE CLOSINGS AND VOTE RESULTS............

The Election Day polling places in Indiana and Kentucky have just closed and the unfolding and deciding of the American Presidential Election 2012 is about to begin.  First results are expected in about an hour from now,.  CNN's first Exit Poll report shows 60% of All Voters today said the Economy was their #1 issue; 17% said HealthCare; 15% said the Deficit; 4% said Foreign Policy;.  The Voting Electorate today was 18%; 18-29 year olds, identical to 2008;  26%; 30-44 year olds, slightly lower than 2008; 37% 45-64 year olds, about the same as 2008; and 19%; 65 year olds and above, three percent higher than 2008.  73% of the Electorate today where White Voters, down one percent from 2008; and 10% of today's Voters were Latino, the first time ever they havce been a double digitial percentage of those Voting.  Indiana and Kentucky with 1% of their Votes reported, Romney is ahead of Obama in Indiana by 59% to 39%; and in Kentucky by 69% to 29%...........tdp

A FIRST IMPRESSION OF THE DAY'S VOTING COMING SOoN............

The first closure of polling places in individual States begins within this hour, as Indiana and Kentucky end their Election Day Voting, and Exit Polls from CNN, and the other news channels are expected to begin to be shared shortly.  A tight, close, race in the Popular Vote, ala 2004 and 2000, may be shaping up; while the President may have the greater number of paths to winning the 270 + Electoral College Vote.  Two instances of Pennsylvania complaint have arisen where two individual citizens voted for President Obama and the electronic voting machine changed the result to a vote for Governor Romney.  One of those voters videotaped repeated attempts to vote for Obama and when done, the screen shows the vote as being for Romney.  An Election official is reported as saying it is a calibration problem, that the voting machine was fixed and returned to use.As I discussed  in my earlier blog column, and I will be more pronounced here - Personal and / or Partisan Shenanighans such as this kind of irregularity or activity has no place in any fair and honestv Election anywhere -especially in the United States of America.   Voter Suppression, Manipulation, Frustration, are wrong, illegal, if not unconstitutional abuses of American Freedom and every legitimate and eligible Citizen's opportunity to Vote dor National, State, and Local, Leaders and other Electoral matter.  I will continue monitoring all General Election Day developments and provide reporting, analysis, insight, and commentary throughout the day, night, morning, and beyond............tdp

FLORIDA VOTER IRREGULARITIES ALREADY BEING REPORTED / CALIFORNIA MONEY LAUNDERING ALLEDGED ON THIS ELECTION DAY............

"Morning Joe", is reporting there is already word coming from the State of Florida on this 2012 Presidential General Election Day of Voter Irregularities, involving Absentee Ballots and Provisional Ballots and malfunctioning of Electronic Voting Machines.  Let us pray a fair and honest Vote takes place and is counted, throughout the 50 States and 3 Trust Territories of the United States of America, TODAY, for the accomplishment of the common good of this Nation and the best interest of the World.  Voter Suppression on the part of any person, organization, institution, or political party, is a violation of our Democracy and a crime against the Republic.  As Hendrik Hertzberg, the respected speechwriter and journalist said just minutes ago on "Morning Joe", "Voting is the Sacrament of our Democracy".  "One man, (one person) One Vote", is and must be our inviolable and permanent privilege.  Any form of suppression or manipulation, including the discovered money laundering of $11 million to defeat California Proposition 30, and pass Proposition 32, which is not only a violation of our democratic process, but a crime.  Every eligible citizen 18 years old and above has the right and responsibility to Vote.  I urge you to exercise your responsible and faithful citizenship.  If you have not already, Go Vote !!!!!!!!!!!!............tdp  

3 YEARS... 6 MONTHS... 18 DAYS... 60,000...... AND THE RYAN's ELECTION DAY VOTING............

As I watch the live CNN coverage of the Paul Ryan Family arriving to vote in Janesville, Wisconsin; where the Congressman and Mrs. Ryan vote for the Vice Presidential nominee himself twice, as he is also running for re-election to the House of Representative, two of his three children are watching him as he invites them to look on.  President Obama did that with his two daughters four years ago as he cast his 2008 Presidential Election Day ballot.  And Vice President Biden in 2008, was also able to vote for himself twice as he was running both for Vice President and re-election to a seventh term in the United States Senate that dayll its history of 3 months,  - the number of Page Views this Blog has received in all its history of 3 years, 6 months, and 18 days, is 60,000, and counting.  10,000 Page Views have taken place in just the past 2.5 months, a surge prompted nationally, and globally, by my Updating of Election 2012; the 50th Anniversary of the Second Vatican Council; and Hurricane Sandy.  Thank You 30-60-100 / 60,000 - Fold for your readership and comments............tdp

VPOTUS IN LINE WITH HIS FAMILY TO VOTE IN DELAWARE............

The first of the 4 major Standardbearers to turn out to cast his vote this 2012 General Election Day is Vice President Joe Biden, who "Morning Joe", is showing standing in line with his wife Jill, and son Beau, at their polling place in Greenville, Delaware.  President Barack and First Lady Michelle Obama, have already voted- he by Early voting, and she by Absentee ballot, last week; while Governor Mitt and Mrs. Ann Romney will be voting according to media reports this morning in Belmont, Massachusetts; while Representative Paul Ryan and his wife Jana, will cast their votes in their local precinct in Janesville,Wisconsin............tdp

MSNBC's "MORNING JOE" STARTS A SUPER-SIZED SIX HOURS OF ELECTION DAY COVERAGE............

What "Way Too Early" anchor Willie Geist cued up as a monster, "Morning Joe", doubled in terms of time - from being a 3 hour, to a 6 hour news program today,  MSNBC'S full out Election Day coverage from the renamed Democracy (Rockefeller) Plaza, in New York City is underway.  As the General Election Day opens, in the decisively critical, swing States, President Obama according to NBC News Poll, has a four point edge in them collectively, 50%; to 46%;.  Chuck Todd is announcing that of the swing States Romney needs Florida, Virginia, Ohio, and New Hampshire, in his victory column to win the necessary 270 Electoral Votes to gain the White House............tdp

GOVERNOR CUOMO JOINS GOVERNOR CHRISTIE IN ALSO ISSUING AN ORDER FOR ONLINE, E-MAIL, AND FAX, VOTING IN NEW YORK TODAY............

New York citizens struck by Hurricane Sandy and the aftermath of the super storm one week ago, will be able to vote in today's Presidential / National General Election by requesting a ballot online and either e-mailing or faxing it back today.  New Jersey Governor Chris Christie did the same a few days ago.  This move may facilitate offsetting the expected loss of at least 340,000 Votes, caused by the difficulty of getting to polling places in New York, New Jeresy, Conneticut, and Rhode Island to President Obama alone besides those lost by Governor Romney by the hardship in the aftermath in these essentially Democratic Blue States............Fr.  Troy

AT THIS LATE HOUR ON ELECTION EVE, THE OBAMAS IN IOWA AND ROMNEYS IN NEW HAMPSHIRE............

First Lady Michelle Obama is on the stage in Des Moines, Iowa having been escorted to the podium by singer Bruce Springsteen, and is speaking in advance of her husband President Barack, in their last campaign appearance of 2012, and the last campaign rally in his political career whether he is re-elected or defeated in tomorrow's Presidential Election.  She is speaking of why she has believed in him the past 23 years and is thanking Iowans for discovering that about him nearly 5 years ago, reciting a short litany of what he has done as President the past four years and introducing him to the assembled crowd.  They clasp hands and walk the length of the stage together waving to the cheers of the crowd and takes the podium and begins with a statement that Tomorrow from New Hampshire to Colorado, to Florida, Virginia, Ohio, and to Iowa,( 6 pivotal, Election deciding swing States) he and they will succeed in taking America Forward.  The President continues recounting the role Iowa has played since he began his 2008 campaign for President and got his big breakthrough in the Iowa Caucuses.  He proceeds with what's he's done as President, in ending War, the Auto Bail-out, the 5.2 million new Jobs created...The President reiterates tomorrow's choice is about more than one between two parties, but of two visions, and two different paths, for America.  He says after all that has been fought for, we can't give up now......No campaign events are announced for tomorrow, except for the Election night event in Chicago.  The Obama campaign says the President will keep his customary ritual of playing basketball with friends.  Meanwhile, the Romney campaign has announced the Governor will campaign tomorrow in Ohio, and Pennsylvania, as Governor Romney introduced by his wife Ann, has introduced her hysband in New Hampshire, where he is giving a pointed criticism of President Obama's Economic record and preoccupation with Obamacare over Jobs, and says the President has not succeeded in creating Jobs, but that he will.  He cites his Jobs Creation expertise as a business builder and says he will bring the Real Change America needs, because he's done it, and will bring that Real Change to America...CNN is "pingponging" between the two nominees overlapping speeches......About 2.5 hours ago, the citizens of Dixville Notch and Hart's Location, New Hampshire were the first voters to cast ballots on Election Day, as they have done since 1948.  t Midnight Eastern Standard Time in 5 minutes and 42 seconds they voted and the results were inthe precinct of Dixville Notch, Obama  5 votes; Romney 5 Votes; in the town of Hart's Location   Obama 23 Votes; Romney 9 Votes; Libertarian Party nominee Gary Johnson 1 Vote.  The voters in Dixville Notch made history this Midnight, as it is the first time since 1948, when they began casting their ballots at this hour that they Tied in voting 5 votes Romney to 5 votes Obama.  Does that portend how close the total National Popular Vote may turn out to be ?...........tdp

CNN'S LAST POLL OF POLLS ON THE PRESIDENTIAL PREFERENCE IN THE BUCKEYE STATE............

On this day before the American Presidential General Election Day, with the campaign for the White House between President Obama and Governor Romney, in a non stop frenzied whirlwind on both nominees parts in the key swing States of Wisconsin, Ohio, and Iowa, for Obama; and Florida, Virginia, Wisconsin, and New Hampshire, for Romney; , CNN has just released it's last Poll of Polls on the preference for the candidates finds the edge favoring President Obama with 50%; to 47%' for Romney, within the margin of error, but remaining with the Democratic incumbent as the probable winner/  Early Voting lines continue to be very large and the close of the ability to Early Vote came about 45 minutes ago, although Democrats are in Court seeking to have a Judge extend the hours today to allow the large number of those waiting to vote cast their ballots.  I will be blogging as I continue to track and monitor the developments of the final hours of the Campaign and Update Election 2012............Fr.  Troy

"RED STATE, OR BLUE STATE, JESUS ?"............

With the political landscape of the United States of America having become a 50/50 nation between affiliation and support for the Democrats and Republicans, as a tug of war between Conservatives and Liberals, has intensified, over the past twelve years, divided into Red States and Blue States with less than a dozen Purple States, the polarization it has caused has spilled beyond the political and governmental realm and exists in the religious and spiritual spheres of American life and relationships as well.  John Blake, a blogger on the CNN Belief Blog wroye about this on Friday, and I put some of his thoughts and a quiz he has constructed with the assistance of pastors and religion professors to gauge some of the defining characteristics of the politically polarizing differences and divisions we are experience in the context of our individual religious identity and philosophy and whether we see ourselves and the issues before the USA and the World through the lens of a, "Red State Jesus, or a Blue State Jesus", as Catholic-Christians ?  I add to his query, are we perhaps advocates of neither of these, but a 'Purple State Jesus' ?  John Blake admonishes us in his blog post that while some Faith based Liberals may see Jesus, as a Champion of the Poor, who would be willing to tax the Wealthy more while Faith based Conservatives think Jesus would be more concerned with Abortion and Same Sex Marriage.  He also forewarns his readers that even Jesus' followers in the Biblical accounts of his Public Ministry did not always agree on Who Jesus is or what he stands for.  Blake quotes Professor of Religious History at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. who says, "Jesus did not leave clear instructions.  He was a man who said many things that were quite cryptic.  All Christians tend to pick and choose some of His Teachings over the other".  I do not view Jesus' words as Professor Worthern calls some of them as, "cryptic", but open ended; causing us as Disciples to choose the "narrow way" of Holiness and Fidelity to Gospel Values, or the easy and worldly way of self interest.  Blogger Blake's conclusion is that most of us who are Christians in America are a bit Red State Jesus, and a bit Blue State Jesus.  I found that to be true after taking his quiz, but also that my responses are predominately not of a Red State / Blue State Jesus, but that of a Purple State Jesus, as the majority of my responses were to agree with both possible answers, to some degree.  My answers to the ten questions as to what defines Jesus as a matter of Personal Belief and a member of the Catholic-Chtistian Community of Believers were 1 Red State Jesus response; 3 Blue State Jesus responses; and by my own definition as I believe in a part of both possible choices, 6 Purple State Jesus responses.  You can find the Red State Jesus, Blue State Jesus, Quiz and take it yourself on the CNN Belief Blog.  Pondering John Blake's blog post and the quiz he created, I think a shift in the current Red State, Blue State, political - religious polarization in the USA would be well served by moving toward a Purple State Jesus approach that is not my way or the highway, but compromise and consensus building for the Common Good of all American Citizens and Believers.  In asking Who Does Jesus Want Us To Be ?............tdp      

THE FINAL NBC NEWS-WALL STREET JOURNAL PRESIDENTIAL POLL IDENTICAL TO 2004............

David Gregory, NBC News, "Meet The Press"; and Chuck Todd, NBC News Political Director, and Chief White House Correspondent, have released the last NBC News pre-election poll on the Presidential race this morning.  It shows President Obama with 48%; Governor Romney with 47%;
the exact same polling numbers as NBC News reported in the 2004 Bush-Kerry Presidential Election, when the incumbent led his challenger by one percent.  President Obama holds an eight percent margin with Women in this poll; while Governor Romney has a seven percent margin among Men voters.  By 68%;-15%; Americans Approve of the way the President is handling the Hurricane Sandy tragedy.  Most swing States polling this morning are close, with a slight edge to Obama, on this Sunday before the General Election, now less than forty eight hours away.  My latest averaging of ten national Electoral College Map trackers showing a projection of :  277 Electoral Votes for Obama; 209 Electoral Votes for Romney;  52 Electoral Votes a Toss-Up............tdp

THE 31ST SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME THAT WOULD OTHERWISE BE THE MEMORIAL OF ST. CHARLES BORROMEO.............

As we stream into November, the last month of the 2012 Liturgical Year, it is the 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time.  But where it not Sunday, when the liturgical  season takes precedence as the focus over most of the Sabbath days during the year; November 4th, is the sanctoral Memorial of St. Charles Borromeo, the 16th Century Italian Catholic-Christian who was a Priest, Cardinal-Archbishop of Milan, and a leading light among Bishops during the Catholic Counter Reformation following the Council of Trent.  Born of noble heritage, the son of the Count of Arona, and his mother being a Medici, Carlo's uncle, his mother's brother was Pope Pius IV.  At age 12, another of his Borromeo uncles resigned an abbacy to him making him an Abbot of the Church.  Charles applied the monies he received from his position as Abbot to charity and helping the poor.  He studied civil and canon law and received a Doctorate in 1559.  The following year his uncle Angelo became Pope Pius IV and appointed him Protonotary Apostolic, the Secretary of State of the Vatican.  He was then elevated to being the Cardinal of Romagna, and a March of Arona, becoming the supervising authority over the Franciscan and Carmelite religious orders, and the Knights of Malta.  Also at the outset of his uncle's Papacy, he became the Archbishop of Milan and  was the one who negotiated the successful conclusion of the Council of Trent and the creation of the Tridentine Catechism.  In Milan he applied the reforms of the Council, establishing an academy of learned men, a college, and believing clergy ignorance to be a chief problem, founded seminaries for the education and formation of priests.  He also advanced catechises and the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, CCD.  Some of his reforms were opposed and controversial, as was his support of the suppression of witchcraft and containment of the Protestant Reform in addressing what were considered heresies in Switzerland.  He also engendered opposition to his church reforms from civil Governor of the province of Milan, and from the Leadership of the Brothers of Humility religious order.  An assassination attempt was even made on his life in the Archbishop's chapel.  But Charles Borromeo also personally and pastorally assisted victims of bubonic plague, by visiting them, ministering to the sick, and burying the dead, while also punishing priests who were not carrying out their pastoral ministries.  The Legacy of ministry and reform Charles Borromeo carried out outstandingly outweigh the controversies his episcopal ministry and administration engendered and he is remembered and venerated accordingly.  I adopted him as my patron saint as an altar server, and chose the Confirmation name, Charles-Edward, in recognition of the admiration I have for him and for Monsignor Kavanagh.  Catholicism is better for the overall life and ministry of  St. Charles Borromeo, who as a reformer helped renew and invigorate the Church.  Catholic-Christianity in the World today would be well served by more ecclesiastical leaders like Carlo Borromeo, who despite the life of privilege he was born into, was not absorbed in self-interest; but put the common good of  God's People and the well being of the poor, the sick, the uneducated, on par with the prerogatives of the affluent and the powerful.  He was a faithful minister of the Gospel and Disciple of Jesus Christ.  St. Charles Borromeo Pray For Us, as we strive to emulate your reforming, renewing, and reinvigorating example............Fr.  Troy

THE ROMNEYS RALLYING IN TOSS UP STATE COLORADO............

Mitt and Ann Romney are appearing together at a closing weekend Campaign Rally in swing State Colorado, that the latest polls show a toss up between the two Presidential Nominees, although most of the tracking indicates is leaning toward Romney-Ryan.  Governor Romney in his closing argument stump speech is criticizing President Obama's failure to deliver the Change he promised four years ago and stating he will bring Big Change to the country when he wins the General Election on Tuesday.  Ann Romney is standing to the side, just behind her husband.  But what I am noticing most about her at this event, which she herself referenced before introducing him ton the crowd, is how she is fighting back tears, and has a sad look on her face.  She spoke about being there making her emotional and that it has been a long journey she introduced her husband as the man who will be the man elected President of the United States on Tuesday.  Mitt Romney is being described by CNN's Jim Acosta on the campaign trail with him, as speaking at his rallies today "nostalgically".  CNN and MSNBC have been reporting and offering commentary last night and today, questioning whether Romney can get the necessary Electoral Votes to win given the leads Obama maintains in most of the remaining 7-9 swing States.  This as NBCNews.com is reporting online that Hurricane Sandy may cost President Obama 340,000 Votes in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Rhode Island, thus further tightening the expectedly very close National Popular Vote toward Governor Romney, increasing the possibility of a split decision - Romney winning the Popular Vote; Obama winning the Electoral College Vote; and thus winning re-election.  It causes me to think that perhaps Ann Romney's emotions are an indication the campaign is not only ending after a long haul for her and them; but that the campaign staff is starting to sense the election is slipping away, unless in these next three days the Romney-Ryan ticket can either breakthrough in the necessary number of swing States, or take the State of Pennsylvania and other reliably Democratic States from the Obama-Biden column and put it in their own camp.  My analyzing of ten Electoral College Map trackers the past three days averages as of now a prospective Electoral College Vote of : Obama 273.4;  Romney 209.4;  Toss-up 54.6; with the President with 3. more Electoral Votes than needed.  More on this in a following blog column............tdp

LIVING GOSPEL VALUES LIKE ST. MARTIN DE PORRES..........

In these weeks following the 50th Anniversary of the convening of the Second Vatican Council, and the, "New Pentecost", it inaugurated in the Catholic-Christian Church at the call of Pope John XXIII, today we commemorate one the Saints of God John XXIII canonized for his Holiness and Faithful Witness to Jesus Christ and Gospel Values, St, Martin De Porres.  Juan Martin DePorres, born in Lima, Peru, as the illegitimate son of a Spanish nobleman and a former Black woman slave, in 1579, grew up in great poverty with a mother unable to support him.  He received two years of primary school education an was then apprenticed to a surgeon-barber.  However being a very prayerful and spiritual boy, at age 15, Juan Martin asked to enter a Dominican Convent in Lima, as a servant boy who was promoted to being a distributor of alms to the poor.  Unable to fully become  a Dominican because of racial restrictions, piety and ability to impart miraculous cures, led the Friars with whom he lived and worked, to change the restriction and formally and fully admit him into the Dominican Order.  His piety and humility in the face of the poverty and financial struggle the Convent faced, was to proclaim, "I am but a poor mulatto, sell me".  The depth of his piety and spirituality was anchored in the Blessed Sacrament, the Eucharist.  At age 34, he was assigned as a Dominican Brother to minister to the Sick in the Infirmary, becoming for the next twenty six years a Chaplain ministering and helping heal the ill and the impoverished.  He continued that work even when his superiors placed limitations on him, one incident involving a bleeding Indian he took into his care at the Convent.  His Superior reprimanded him for disobedience, and Martin De Porres responded, "Forgive my error, and please instruct me, for I did not know the precept of Obedience took precedence over that of Charity".  His Superior relented and allowed Martin to continue his  went ninistry reaching out to the poor and the suffering, and Brother Martin went to the extent of begging for alms and arranging with his blood sister Juama, to care for the sick and suffering in her home.  Brother Martin is known to have secured the alms to feed 160 persons everyday as well as distribute other alms to countless indigent persons.  His ministry among the ill and the indigent caused him to found an Orphanage and a Children's Hospital.  He died on November 3, 1679, was beatified by Pope Gregory XVI, in 1837; and canonized by Pope John XXIII in 1962.  He is the patron saint of people of Mixed Race, the Poor, Public Health Workers, Race Relations, Social Justice, Barbers, and Innkeepers.  He is also commemorated not only in the Roman Catholic Church, but in the Anglican and Lutheran Denominations of Christianity as well.  St. Martin De Porres continues to stand through time as an exemplary Christian who as a person Faith, held the Common Good of the least among us in a priority position of Life.  How faithfully do we live our Discipleship in Jesus The Christ and the Gospel Values of Charity and Mercy we profess to belive in and seek to practice ?  St. Martin De Porres, Pray For Us, to respond as you did............Fr.  Troy

NOVEMBER NATIVITIES ON THE SECOND DAY OF THE MONTH............

I am very pleased to send out Happy Birthday Greetings, Best Wishes, and Prayers, today to my colleague, brother priest, and former Pastor, Reverend Father William P. Bill Kinane, and my cherished friend and communicaster, Dan Elliott, who are celebrating their personal solemnities on this November 2nd.  Fr. Bill with whom I ministered in St. John the Baptist Parish in Folsom, for three and a half years, September 26, 1988 - May 14, 1992; celebrates the birthday today that totals the combined number of years he and I have been ordained priests. While Dan and I have birthdays two days apart with the year KXTV, where he anchors News 10 Good Morning and News 10 at 9; was founded, separating our birth years !!  All My Best to each of them on the first day of the newest year of their Life............tdp

THE HERITAGE OF CATHOLIC-CHRISTIANS COMMEMORATION OF THE HOLY SOULS............

Today we liturgically and devotionally commemorate All Souls Day, also called the Day of the Dead, in some cultures; a commemoration of our Faithful Departed whose bodies have died, but whom we continue to remember and pray for the eternal salvation of their souls.  We trace it back to the Hebrew Scriptures of the Old Testament in the Book of Maccabees.  In 2 Macc 12:44-45; we read, "For if he had not expected the fallen to rise again it would have been superfluous and foolish to pray for the dead, whereas if he had in view the splendid recompense for those who make a pious end, the thought was holy and devout.  This is why he had this atonment sacrifice offered for the dead, so that they might be released from their sin".  This passage of Scripture is referring to what Judas Maccabeus did, after his soldiers were killed and idols were found among them.  In the early centuries of Christianity customs, devotions, and prayers / Masses of remembrance also developed in memory of the beloved dead.  Then in the 7th Century, St, Isidore of Seville established a commemoration of the dead, having his fellow monks celebrate the Eucharist for the departed souls on the Monday after Pentecost.  At that time the Feast of All Saints was calendared on the Sunday after Pentecost.  In 998 A.D., St. Odilo, the Abbot of Cluny. established the day of commemoration the day after All Saints Day, which by then was set on November 1, thus All Souls Day became November 2.  It was a day when, "the monks of Cluny would keep with joyous affection the memory of all the Faithful Departed, who have lived from the beginning of the World to the end".  This Commemoration spread with the Dominicans in Valencia,  Spain; in the 14th Century extending it to the celebration of 3 Masses celebrated for the Dead, which Pope Benedict XV, during World War I in 1915, extended as a custom to the priests of the Universal Church.  And so we observe this liturgical feast of prayer and worship for the Holy Souls who we believe as Catholic Christians we can assist with our prayers to be freed from the temporal abeyance of Purgatory and the attainment with God's Mercy of the Kingdom of Eternal Life.  All Souls Day opens our month long November remembrance of the Faithful Departed, all our Beloved Dead.  Let Us Pray there souls and ours will one day be reunited in the Eternal Embrace of God's Everlasting Love............Fr.  Troy

MAYOR BLOOMBERG DECIDES TO ENDORSE PRESIDENT OBAMA FOR RE-ELECTION............

Mayor Michael Bloomberg, of New York City, the political Independent, who is both a former Republican, and Democrat, having decided in recent weeks not to endorse either the Democratic incumbent, or the Republican challenger, for President this year, decided today, five days before the General Election next Tuesday, to endorse President Obama for re-election.   Chris Matthews, host of MSNBC's "Hardball", reports that Vice President Joe Biden called Mayor Bloomberg asking for his endorsement.  Citing the President's handling of the Hurricane Sandy super storm tragedy; and his position on the issue of Climate Change, Bloomberg tweeted his support for President Obama in a statement saying, "This November vote for a President who will lead on Climate change".  Mayor Bloomberg then posted a full memo on Twitter stating in the light of Hurricane Sandy and Climate Change why he is supporting President as the best choice in this election to have as a partner in this work going into the future.  I will blog more about this and the General Powell endorsement campaign ad, as soon as I have been able to analyze them further............tdp

NOVEMBER OPENS WITH A FAITH FOCUS ON THE SAINTS OF GOD............

As we enter the eleventh month of 2012, Catholics are observing a Holyday of Obligation, the Solemnity of All Saints, as we celebrate the countless men and women who during their earthly lifetimes were true to God's Call and faithful to the Holiness human beings of Faith and Fidelity are renewed by the Blessed Trinity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit to fulfill.  We honor the memory of those who have been solemnly proclaimed and canonized by the Church and those who though unrecognized, were virtuous, loyal, and largely anonymous, in living the Values Believers in the Living and True God hold, as we build Community and look forward to the coming of the Kingdom.  Our Festival of All the Saints of God in Glory today - lead us to the Commemoration of the Faithful Departed and All the Holy Souls which is the fuller focus of November.  May the Holy Saints and the Holy Souls be for all of us an incentive to increase and improve our own response in  Holinessduring the next 30 Days to God's ongoing Call in our lives............tdp

PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGNING RESUMES TO THE HOMESTRETCH FOR THE PRESIDENT AND THE GOVERNOR............

Both President Barack Obama and Governor Mitt Romney return to the Presidential campaign final sprint to the finish line and Election Day on Tuesday.  After three days of being stalled by the dynamics of the intensity and aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, which the President has dealt with extensively since Monday morning, he will resume his active campaigning in the swing States today,  visiting Colorado, Nevada, and Wisconsin; while Governor Romney who campaigned with a non aggressive style in Florida yesterday after holding a Hurricane Relief event in Ohio, on Tuesday; will kick-ff his homestretch thrust in swing State Virginia today and tomorrow.  NBC News-Wall Street Journal-Marist College swing State polls for Iowa, New Hampshire, and Wisconsin, out this morning show Obama with a narrowing lead ahead in all three States; Obama 50%; Romney 44%; in Iowa, outside the margin of error; in New Hampshire, Obama 49%; Romney 47%; and in Wisconsin, Obama 49%; Romney 46%; down from a six point lead two weeks ago.  These poll number pretty much parallel the swing State poll numbers reported in yesterday's CBS News-New York Times-Quinnipiac University survey, which shows Obama holding a percentage point lead over Romney in Ohio, 50%; to 45%;............Fr.  Troy