Sunday, September 30, 2012

SEPTEMBER PEW POLL FINDS OBAMA OPENS DOUBLE DIGIT LEAD OVER ROMNEY AMONG CATHOLICS............

In June, President Obama held a within the margin of error, statistically tied lead of two percent lead over Governor Romney, among Catholic voters, 49%; to 47%;, according to the Pew Poll.  Now in September, the Pew Reearch Center for the People and the Press, shows President Obama is now the preference of Catholic voters in September, by fifteen percent edge over Governor Romney, leading by 54%; to 39%; in polling completed September 12th-16th.  The opening up of Obama's lead over Romney among Catholics during the summer is attributed not only to a continuing increase in support for re-electing the President from Latino, and African Americans, but with more support from White Catholics than Obama has been receiving this year.  President Obama is now tied with Governor Romney, as the preference of White Catholic voters, despite the difficulty he has had this year with the U.S. Bishops over Contraception Insurance coverage, and Governor Romney's selection of Representative Paul Ryan, a conservative Catholic, as his Vice Presidential running mate.  That Barack Obama makes such an improvement among White Catholics now less than two months before the General Election is striking, given although he won 54% of the total Catholic vote against Senator John McCain, four years ago, McCain won the White Catholic voters.  Catholics are crucial voters in several of the nine swing States this year, which may also explain the leads the President is now holding in the swing States.  John Allen, Vatican correspondent for the 'National Catholic Reporter' newspaper and the Vatican analyst for CNN, note in response to the Pew Reearch September findings among Catholic voters, that one other poll gives Romney a narrow lead with them and he points out support for Romney is greater among Catholics who are weekly Massgoers.  Allen sums up saying, "That either shows the more practicing you are, the more pro-Romney (anti-Obama) you are",..."or it says something about the political message Catholics are getting in their parishes these days".  I offer the opinion that the American Bishops opposition to the Health and Human Services Depart Mandate on Contraception, and the Fortnight For Freedom, they organized in parishes throughout the country this summer, may be viewed by a cross-section of Catholic voters  of all catergories, as being too political.  These Pew Research Poll findings with only weeks left in the campaign, indicates unless a Romney turnaround in Catholics preference takes place, Obama may win the the majority of Catholic votes this year, which will be a political irony, given Senator John Kerry, who is Catholic, did not win it against President George W. Bush in 2004............Fr. Troy

Saturday, September 29, 2012

FORMER IRISH PRESIDENT MCALEESE WARNS THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IS,"ISOLATED" ON HOMOSEXUALITY,,,,,,,,,,,,

Mary McAleese, President of the Republic of Ireland from 1997-2011, a very devout and faithful Catholic, is now speaking out about the Catholic Church's increasing isolation on the World stage, in regards to the issue of Homosexuality.  The former Irish President is chiefly concerned with the affect the Church's teaching on Homosexuality is having on young people, caught between what they are taught about homosexuality as a, "disorder", or "evil",  and what she refers to as the, "internal conflict", faced by by young people in their mid teens. grappling with their personal sexual orientation.  Mrs. McAleese, who since finishing fourteen years as the Irish President is now studying Canon Law in Rome, and stated concern over the increasing number of young male suicides, which she proclaims are one of the most at risk groups, describing the suicides as, "galling"; and cites the bullying many of these young people face.  "They are the victims of, one, of homophobic bullying; and are also frankly, highly conflicted".  President McAleese said what these teenagers make is a, "discovery", not a, "decision", about their sexual orientation and because of what they have been taught in Catholic Schools, and hear from members of their own Families, find themselves, driven into a dark and bleak place".  The nucleus of her concern is a warning that with the unfolding debate and research that is taking place the Catholic Church, "is going to be increasingly isolated in its attitude to homosexuality".  Fallout from the child sexual abuse scandals have also eroded the Bishops leadership she asserts, saying it has resulted in, "a massive hollowing out of trust", in them and their Episcopal leadership.  But Mrs. McAleese also believes that the erosion in the Bishops credibility came years before the recent scandals, as the World changes and people have become more educated and accessibility to a plethora of opinions on this, as well as all matter cntinues to increase, the Bishops insist on Obedience.  Mary McAleese s comments come as Pope Benedict XVI recently told French Bishops in their struggle to combat the legalizing of same sex marriage in France, that homosexual persons are not fully developed, because they do not obey Catholic Law.  In a speech to French Bishops at the papal summer residence in Castelgandolfo the Holy Father is reported to have told them, "The family is threatened in many places by the defection in human nature...Marriage and the Family are institutions that must be promoted and defended from every possible misinterpretation of their true nature, since whatever is injurious to them, is injurious to society itself".  The Pope went on to assert that the Church's teaching on Marriage and the Family must be, "obeyed", for doing so, "permits the full development of the human person".  That papal speech was condemned as, "irrelevant", earlier this week by the transgender pop singer Lady Gaga, who stringently criticized and dismissed the Holy Father's "views and opinions"............Fr.  Troy

Friday, September 28, 2012

UPDATE ELECTION 2012 GOING INTO THE FIRST PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE WEEKEND............

The CNN Poll of Polls, based on the latest aggregate of national Presidential polls, has the contest between President Barack Obama and Governor Mitt Romney, as a four point spread favoring the incumbent - Obama 49;  Romney 45%;, with the President now found to be leading in all nine swing States, by margins of 2%-12%; respectively.  On Day 39 until the General Election and 5 days until the first Presidential Debate in Denver, Colorado next week; the focus turns toward the imperative nature of the first face-off between the   Democratic incumbent and the Republican challenger.  Romney as the challenger, has history on his side to win the first Debate, as since 1976, when the Presidential Debates resumed, after beginning in Nixon and Kennedy in 1960;  4 challengers ( Carter, Reagan, Clinton, Kerry)  facing incumbent Presidents (Ford, Carter, Bush 41, Bush 43) have won the first Debate in Presidential Election years, 1976, 1980, 1992, 2004.  Given the current Obama lead in this campaign and early voting starting in various states, if Governor Romney is not thought to have won next Wednesday night, his candidacy may be hard pressed and unable to turnaround the preference of the voters in the swing States sufficiently enough to defeat President Obama in the General Election.  It is my view that Romney must be more specific and consistent in the positions and policies he proposes and on his record as Governor of Massachusetts, namely in regards to Health Care Reform and the State Law he championed, in light of his views and plans for Obamacare should he be elected President.  Also with the disclosure of his May remarks on the 47%, and subsequent reference to wanting to be President of the 100%, concretely how he intends to do that in a way that is balanced between   the poor, middle class, and the wealthy, and not merely a renewal of the trickle down approach tilted toward  big business and the affluent to the disadvantage of the working class and the impoverished.  As the challenger, he also needs to clarify the Foreign Policy he would preside over, given his criticisms of Obama's international leadership as President.   President Obama needs to share the details of his further plans and vision for serving and leading all Americans in a second term, embracing his record and illustrating how re-electing him will improve the well being and prosperity of the USA and our interaction in World Affairs, if he remains in the White House.  Over the days ahead I will update the progress of the campaign leading up to the first Debate, and the national and worldwide opportunity it will provide us for a joint appearance, side by side, exchange between the candidate who is, and the candidate who would be, the next President of the United States............Fr.  Troy

Thursday, September 27, 2012

THE CAMPBELL SOUP COMPANY FACTORY CLOSING IN SACRAMENTO CALIFORNIA AFTER 65 YEARS IN OPERATION ............

Breaking News in Sacramento this morning is a 6 a.m. Employee Meeting with Staff at the Campbell Soup Company Production Factory on Franklin Boulevard in South Sacramento, which has been in operation since 1947, is being held with Plant Officials to discuss the likely closure of the facility by the end of the year.  The shocking news is something I possess a personal, emotional attachment to, not only at the loss of  700  jobs currently provided at the Campbell Soup factory; but because of my family's full sixty five year employment affiliation with the Plant,as is true of thousands of South Sacramento families.  Campbell Soup is one of the largest employers in that area of Sacramento.  My father worked at the Campbell Soup Company which is just one mile from my family home, for thirty two and a half years - from 1951 - 1984; when he retired.  Dozens of my family members, neighbors, and fellow parishioners, have worked there over the years.  During my childhood and young adulthood, there were many Campbell Soup moments I remember that shaped our lives annual Christmas shows in the 1950's and 1960's, held at the Sacramento Memorial Auditorium; the Employees Families' Plant and Factory Tour circa 1966; the horrendous three month Strike in the summer of 1968; December 3, 1976, the date of my father's  25th anniversary as a Campbell Soup employee, when he came home with a special gift from the Company, a miniature grandfather commemorative clock; how my dad's employee discount helped me as a college student living in an apartment near Sac State, eat inexpensively with plenty of Campbell Soups, Swanson Frozen Dinners, Franco American Canned Goods, Vlasic Pickles, V-8 Juice, and Pepperidge Farm Cookies, food products owned and produced by the Company; and the day my father retired after more than three decades working there mostly as an Assistant Electrician, on June 30, 1984.  Forty to fifty years ago the South Sacramento Plant employed 1,300 year round employees and and additional 600-700 temporary employees during the summer Tomato Season each year; when the aroma of the tomato soup being made wafted in the air around the neighborhood twenty four hours a day, seven days a week, and how during most of those three months each summer my dad and others worked six and seven days a week, for much of it, to meet the production schedule demand.  So it is a sad day, for so many people whose jobs and livelihoods will be adversely affected.  With four production plants in the United States and increases in their productivity and excess capacity levels, cost cutting in a time of substantial changes in the canned soups market share of which Campbell's still has 53% in the U.S. and transitioning their packaging from steel cans, to pouches, and the expansion of freshly prepared soups in supermarkets and warehouse stores; are additional factors, with the Sacramento Plant being the least cost effective of the four domestic plants.  A second Campbell's Plant, a spice factory in South Plainfield, New Jersey, with 27 employees is also being closed next March; as a result of the decision announced this morning.  The South Sacramento Campbell's Plant will layoff  it's 700 employees in phases the next several months with closure scheduled for next July.  Please God, those impacted by this sudden notification of Plant closure will not be adversely too long or go unemployed indefinitely, as many to most, have young to college age children, in addition to meeting basic necessities to support and provide for soon without the jobs some of them have worked for forty years or longer.  Calling myself a, "Campbell Soup Kid", as children who grew up with parents and relatives who have worked there,  today is a poignant day.  Sorry to learn of the Plant's scheduled close; and grateful for the income it provided our families and Sacramento neighborhoods, the past six and a half decades.  The tastes of, "Umm Umm Good", are less satisfactory given the bad news the 6 a.m. hour wrought.  I pray God guide and sustain the families whose lives will undergo an unexpected, challenging transition by this action.  God Bless You Everyone............Fr.  Troy

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

LADY GAGA DISMISSES POPE BENEDICT'S VIEW ON SAME SEX MARRIAGE AS IRRELEVANT............

Reminiscent of the outbursts of singer Sinead O'Connor against Pope John Paul II, during the 1990's, trendsetting, transgender, singer Lady Gaga, stirred further controversy in recent days by attacking  Pope Benedict's views and opinions on same sex marriage, "do not matter to the world"; and are, "irrelevant".  Lady Gaga's comments dismissing Benedict XVI's views and opinions on same sex marriage, which are the official teaching of the Catholic Church, the popular singer made  in response to statements the Pope spoke to French Bishops, when meeting with them last week.  In addressing them the Holy Father said, "Marriage and the Family are institutions that must be promoted and defended from every possible misinterpretation of their true nature, since whatever is injurious to them, is injurious to society itself".  Lady Gaga responded to Benedict XVI's speech by saying, "I think gay marriage is going to happen.  It must.  We are not actually equal humanity if we are not allowed to freely love one another.  What the Pope thinks of gay marriage does not matter to the world.  Ir matters to the people who like the Pope and who follow the Pope.  It is not a reflection of all religious people".  These comments from Lady Gaga in opposition to Pope Benedict's words re-enforcing traditional Catholic teaching on the definitive nature of Marriage and Family, is her latest religiously controversial reaction during the past year, having previously highly upset many Christians with her "Judas" video, in which she portrayed Mary Magdalene; and by her song, "Bloody Mary".  Lady Gaga came to fame as a singer in recent years, with the hit song, "Born This Way", espousing acceptance of alternative sexual lifestyles.  She is of Italian ancestry, and was raised Catholic.............Fr.  Troy

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

U.S. BISHOPS CREATE A SPANISH LANGUAGE FACEBOOK PAGE............

Addressing the continuing growth in the number of Latinos / Hispanics, in the American Catholic Church, and seeking to effectively communicate with them specifically in the social media, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops are creating a Facebook page in the Spanish language.  With the Spanish speaking population increasing rapidly in many parts of the country, the Chairman of the U.S.C.C.B. Communications Committee, Salt Lake City Utah Bishop John Wester said of the new Spanish language Facebook page, "Hispanics make up almost 16% of the U.S. population, 40% of U.. Catholics, and 50% of U.S. Catholics under the age of 25".  The American Bishops have had an English speaking Facebook page for three years with about 40,000 readers; as well as English and Spanish language Twitter pages.  Speaking of the highly essential need to reach out to Latinos / Hispanics in the United States in the social media, Bishop Wester also said, "It is critically important to engage this demographic, especially through the expanding field of social media, and provide them with accurate, quality information that encourages them to grow in their faith".    New statistics gathered by the Bishops' Cultural Diversity Secretariat shows the increase in the numbers of Latinos / Hispanics in the United States since Jubilee Year 2000, with one quarter of American counties doubling in their percentage who are Latinos / Hispanics; now with more than 10 million households in the USA.  The most prominent increase in Latinos / Hispanics is in those born the past twenty to thirty years; making outreach to youth and young adults in the social media particularly a priority.  National Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15th -October 15th, is an optimal time to begin this effort to communicate as thoroughly and effectively as possible with the Latino / Hispanic  populace in solidifying their Catholic Faith commitment.  The Spanish language Facebook pages offers resources from the U.S. Bishops Conference, Catholic news, materials pertaining to the Saints, and faith formation material.  One of the focuses of the page is also the Latin American ministry of  carried out by the late Mother Teresa of Calcutta, with photographs and information she and her Missionary Sisters have provided.  Sacramento Bishop Jaime Soto, the Chairman of the U.S. Bishops' Cultural Diversity Committee, is featured on the new Spanish language Facebook page in a welcoming video presentation.  Bishop Soto's words on behalf of his brother bishops, to those visiting the page include we, "are grateful for the rich contributions of culture and faith that Hispanics bring to this country and to our Catholic Church"...also stating in his welcome to the Latino / Hispanic Community, the desire to, "communicate and dialogue with us".  In the first decade of the 21st century the Latino / Hispanic population in at least six southern and border States, Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee, has  greater than doubled in the decade from 2000-2010; according to the latest U.S. Census.  Demographic projections of the Federal Census Bureau estimate the Latino / Hispanic population of the USA will be 30% of all Americans by the year 2050; all this underscoring the undeniable need to address and communicate with them as brothers and sisters in the Community of Believers across the board, including in the social media, as Spanish language Facebook and Twitter pages can and will do............Fr.  Troy

Monday, September 24, 2012

"60 MINUTES" INTERVIEWS BECOME THE LAUNCHING PAD FOR MORE ELECTION 2012 SPARRING............

Campaigning in Colorado today, before joining his running mate Congressman Paul Ryan on a three day bus tour of Ohio, beginning tomorrow - Governor Mitt Romney was in fighting form over comments President Barack Obama made in separate interviews with the both of them broadcast on last night's CBS News "60 Minutes", program.  In his own interview with Scott Pelley, Romney argued his case for being able to work on the economic problems before us, without getting specific about his plans, even when asked more than once for specifics by Pelley.  He responded as he and Ryan have recently, that the details of what they will do if elected to the White House will then be worked out with Congress and put before the American People.  As for criticism of gaffes and disclosures, such as his comments on the 47%; and the need to re-boot his campaign in the final six weeks until the Election, Romney told Pelley, there is no need for a turnaround, as he has a very good campaign and staff; it is his saying of certain things less than elegantly that the correspondent is referring to, not the effectiveness of his campaign.  In his interview with "60 Minutes" correspondent Steve Croft, Obama in speaking about recent violent developments in the Middle East, referred to them as bumps in the road in the situation there as Libya, Eygpt, and other Arab nations are faced  with more than Islam, as their organizing principle for the first time.  Calling recent occurrences bumps in the road, caused Romney today in his campaign speech in Colorado to roundly criticize the President for the comment, deriding Obama for calling them bumps in the roads, when the taking of American lives and the assassination of an Ambassador were involved, he said the problem is poor leadership on Obama's part. Romney also said, "We're at the mercy of events rather than shaping events in the Middle East".  Also the Romney-Ryan campaign continues to decry what they call President Obama's unwillingness to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahou, while in New York City, for the United Nations General Assembly opening today and tomorrow; although Obama is not meeting with any other international leaders, while there.  Both the Obama-Biden campaign and the White House quickly responded knocking down these criticisms, with Press Secretary Jay Carney at his daily White House briefing calling Romney's comments, "desperate and offensive".  With the Presidential Debates, nine days from starting, and increased intensity in campaigning, issues foreign, domestic, and otherwise, will all play some role in the competition to convince likely voters to elect or re-elect the next President of the United States, in a race where Romney says he will win, despite polls to this point continuing to give Obama the edge............Fr.  Troy

Sunday, September 23, 2012

GOD'S KINGDOM IS FIRST SERVED HERE ON EARTH............

The Proclamation of the Gospel on this 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Mark 9:30-37; illustrates for Catholic-Christian Disciples the truth that the Kingdom of God we are chosen and called to share in, is not some distant, far away, destination in our future; but present here and now, in the relationships we build and carry out in Fidelity, Faith, and Fellowship with the Holy Trinity of God and Humankind.  The everlasting experience of God's Kingdom we anticipate and hope to avail of in Eternal Life is not automatically attained, but moved toward as persons on earth committed to living and bearing witness to the values that are rooted in the Good News and Public Ministry of Jesus The Christ, God's Redeeming and Reconciling Son.  Just as the fear of the first followers of Jesus in the approaching of His suffering and death, was superseded by the reality of Christ's Resurrection; so too, is our faith in the Risen Jesus as our Lord and Savior, the source of strength for us in serving Him and ministering to others, as we build the further Coming of God's Kingdom.  What we do daily as Faithful Witnesses to the Gospel and doers of the Ministries of Charity, Healing, and Reconciliation, sow the seeds of Eternal Life in the gracious benevolence of the Divine, as we live out our commitments on Earth to the theological virtues of Faith, Hope, and Love, that are Kingdom building now and forever.  As a person of Faith and Priest of Jesus Christ, that lesson and insight have been re-enforced during the past decade, as I increasingly discover the necessity of serving the Lord Jesus, and ministering to God's People, despite the health hardships and physical challenges I face, are a requirement of my Discipleship in building the Kingdom.  What each of us does in bearing Faithful Witness to Jesus The Christ and God's Kingdom makes a difference toward the betterment of the common good and contributes to building the Kingdom today and assures us citizenship in Everlasting Life.  What will you do today and this week, to effectively minister to others in building God's Kingdom ?............Fr.  Troy                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

Saturday, September 22, 2012

THE PEW FORUM AND REUTERS-IPSOS POLL FINDINGS ON RELIGION, WEALTH, AND CULTURAL IDENTITY, VIEWS OF 2012 ELECTORATE .......

The Pew Forum for Religion and Public Life in a polled survey taken of registered voters between June 28th, - July 9th, found that the majority knew Governor Mitt Romney's Religion is the Mormon Faith and are Comfortable with it.  At the same time there is Lingering Doubt about President Barack Obama's Christian Faith, with less than a majority describing him as such or Comfortable with it.  A majority of 60% know Romney is a Mormon; 9% think he is another Religion; and 32% do not know what Romney's Religion is.  Of those who know Romney is a Mormon, 60% say they are Comfortable; 19% are Uncomfortable; and 21% said it makes No Difference.  The greatest Uncomfortability with Romney being a Mormon is found among White Evangelicals, Black Protestants, Agnostics, and Atheists.  However, the survey also found that despite the qualms they have over Romney's Mormonism, White Evangelicals are most likely to support his Presidential candidacy, among these four subgroups.  As to what Religion Obama is 49% said Christian; 17% answered Muslim; 3% think he is another Religion; and 31% Do Not Know.  Also, 45% are Comfortable with Obama's Faith; 19% are Uncomfortable with it; 5% said it Makes No Difference or Don't Know; and 31% Do Not Know Obama's Religion.  The Pew Forum findings published in July. are at variance with a Reuters-Ipsos Poll released on September 11th, that shows 35% of Southern Evangelicals say they are less likely to vote for a Mormon candidate for President, given the Religious differences between them and Mormons, abd despite Mitt Romney's commencement address at the Evangelical, Liberty University in Virginia this Spring, in which he said, "People of different faiths like yours and mine...can meet in service, in share moral convictions about our nation from a common worldview", as he attempted to form common ground with the Evangelical Christians, to support his candidacy for the White House.  Reuters-Ipsos polling data over the past several months throughout the Bible Belt in the South, finds that 38% of respondents said they are Less Likely to vote for a wealthy Presidential candidate versus one who is not; contrasted with 20% who say they would be Less Likely to vote for an Afro-American Presidential candidate.  Convincing as well as turning out the Evangelical voters nationwide, as well as in the South; along with prevailing among Independent voters, may well be a critical factor in the outcome of this 2012 Presidential Election, forty five days from today............Fr.  Troy

Friday, September 21, 2012

ROMNEY READY TO RELEASE 2011 TAX RETURN AND A SUMMARY OF THE PAST 20 YEARS OF TAXES............

Governor Mitt Romney over the past several months standing by his assertion that he will only release two years of his tax returns, 2010 and 2011; and not multiple years, as many as ten more years as his father Governor George Romney, did in 1968, when he pioneered release of tax returns in Presidential campaigns. Having earlier in the year released his 2010 return, showing him paying 13.9% in taxes, on $21 million in income; in the last hour he released his 2011 tax return, which shows income of $13.7 million, and 14.1% paid in taxes; both years more than twenty percent under the 35% tax bracket he is in, supposedly due to basis of his income at present being from investments versus earned income.  Given the several months of contentiousness over his unwillingness to release further years of tax returns and the claim by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Democrat of Nevada; that an unidentified source at Romney's former business firm, Bain Capital told him there are years when Romney paid no income taxes, Romney's tax accountant, Price Cooper Certified Public Accountants released a summary of the past twenty years of Mitt Romney's tax returns attesting that he paid income taxes in all years, at an average rate of 20.2% annually; again almost fifteen to twenty percent in those years below his tax bracket, indicating the role charitable deductions, tax shelters, and offshore investments played in lowering the income taxes he effectively paid.  Whether today's release quells, and or sufficiently answers the request for release of Romney's tax returns, only the next six and a half weeks counting down to the General Election will tell.  What is does do for now is change the focus from the fallout from his 47% remarks, as the Romney-Ryan campaign attempts to re-voot and surge forward............Fr.  Troy

Thursday, September 20, 2012

UPDATE ELECTION 2012: TRACKING THE CATHOLIC VOTE - IS IT TOO CLOSE TO CALL ??............

The Center for the Research of the Apostolate, (CARA) at Georgetown University, on it's, "1964 Blog", has a posting surveying the preference by religious affiliation in the 2012 Presidential Election, and posing the question whether the Catholic Vote between Governor Romney and President Obama is Too Close To Call.     Blog editor Mark Gray, shares that up until beyond the Republican National Convention, the preference of Catholic registered voters as determined by an aggregation of polls with a Catholic subgroup section such as the Gallup, and Pew, Polls; showed a very tight race between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney, with only a two percent difference between them.  As of then it stood at Obama 47%;  Romney 45%;.  Like with most of the polls taken including a Catholic subgroup, the difference was  within the margin of error.  The registered voters polled in the subgroup, are self identified Catholics.  The blog survey reports that twice this year President Obama has had a lead of as much as 9%, which occurred in March and April.  Governor Romney has held leads of 4-5%, twice this year, once in April and again right after the Republican National Convention.  From January to now, the average percentage of support breaks down, 47%; for Obama; 46%; for Romney.  Neither candidate has reached 50%; or more preference of registered Catholic Voters yet in 2012.  The floor for Governor Romney has been no lower than 42%; and for President Obama no lower than a 44%; floor of support this year's Presidential Election.  The 1964 Blog also reports that following the Democratic National Convention the 2% differential between the two Presidential Standardbearers has increased among Catholic registered Voters, to ten percentage points,  52%; for President Obama, and 42%; for Governor Romney.  However Editor Mark Gray expresses the expectation that the race will tighten among Catholics again once the ramifications of the Middle East crises and the 47% of Americans dependent on government claims, are factored into the polling preference of the subgroup.  As I have been saying myself for most of the summer, the outcome of the Presidential Debates are most likely to play a pivotal role in determining the preference of all undecided voters, including Catholics.  By comparison to Catholics, Protestant-Christians preference until early September was : Romney 51%;  Obama 40%;.  More on this topic as the Update Election 2012 proceeds...........Fr.  Troy      

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

AFTER SIX MONTHS ON THE SIDELINES THANKS TO SACRED HEART I AM BACK TO WEEKLY MINISTRY AGAIN............

The mounting frustration of sitting on the sidelines at Mercy McMahon Terrace for the past six months away from doing the parish ministry as a priest I am capable of doing, will lessen beginning this week as I have accepted the kind and gracious invitation of Monsignor Bob Walton and R.C.I.A. Director Rita Spillane, to join the Sacred Heart Parish Team of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults Ministry, which got under for the 2012-2013 year last night.  One of my favorite Church ministries, I am eager, edified, and excited, to accept the invitation to participate as a team member and to resume taking part in public ministry on a regular weekly basis, doing what I was ordained to do versus being in an unnecessary holding pattern.  The R.C.I.A., is one of the ministries of Faith Formation and Adult Education, that has been a priority for me the past 30 years, from my seminary years throughout the twenty five years of my priestly life. The opportunity and experience of accompanying Inquirers, Catechumens, and Candidates, through their journeys of discovery about, and formation in, Catholic-Christianity, and their initiation into Discipleship with Jesus, as members of the Community of Believers.  I very much look forward sharing in Sacred Heart Parish's R.C.I.A. during this Parish Year and feel gratified to be able to do some part-time parish ministry while this involuntary exile from parish life and daily ministry continues indefinitely............Fr.  Troy

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY OF BISHOPS FOR SXUAL ABUSE INTENSIFIES WITH CONVICTION OF KANSAS CITY BISHOP FINN............

The conviction last week in a Missouri Court of the Bishop of Kansas City-St. Joseph, the Most Reverend Robert Finn, who was found guilty on a State misdemeanor count of failing to report suspected child abuse, becoming the first American Bishop to be charged and convicted of a criminal offense, resulting from disclosure of decades long sexual abuse of minors by clergy and religious.  Following on the conviction of Monsignor William Lynn, an Archdiocesan official in Philadelphia, earlier this summer charged with child endangerment; that the legal accountability of the Church Hierarchy, is intensifying with the verdict against Bishop Finn.  Bishop Finn also failed to inform his Diocesan Review Board Sex Abuse by Priests.  In interviews with the National Catholic Reporter newspaper, both the Chairman of the U.S. Bishops' National Review Board for Sexual Abuse by the Clergy Al Notzon III, and Bishop R. Daniel Conlon, of the Diocese of Joliet, Illinois;  the Chairman of the U.S. Bishops Conference Committee on Sexual Abuse, responded to the need to adhere to the Bishops' American Charter which was adopted a decade ago, in continuing to address the issue.  Al Notzon as National Review Board Chairman said, "My concern right now is that there is a problem, and we need to resolve it",......"Our role is to advise the Bishops and clearly this is an issue that falls under that requirement"; Notzon told the NCR, in explaining the need to address accountability by Bishops who are not following the norms and conditions of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, implemented by American Bishops in 2002.  He said the National Review Board will be making more recommendations to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops at their annual meeting in November.  Bishop Conlon, Chairman of the Committee which bears the responsibility for advising the National Conference of Bishops on Sexual Abuse said all Bishops have to, "recognize", they are accountable to their people and be, "firm", in applying the requirements of the Bishops' Charter.  "We've got a long, long, way to go"......"But I think that diligent application of the Charter is essential.  That doesn't mean there is going to be 100% perfection, because we are still human beings".  Bishop Finn failed to follow notify the police of accusations reported to him by a school principal of a priest's possession of sexually graphic materials of minor age girls; as well as not informing the Diocesan Review Board of the allegations.  The priest, Fr. Shawn Ratigan, pleaded guilty on August 2nd, to federal charges of producing and attempting to produce such materials. Bishops as well as priests, religious, deacons, and laity, are now being made legally aware of the accountability they will be held to in regards to the sexual abuse of  children and young adults, and the cooperation and vigilance to faithful carry out protective measures in responding we all bear as Catholic-Christian Disciples, and American Citizens.  That last statement properly applies to the Universal Church, Worldwide; as a value to be practiced and maintained............Fr.  Troy

Monday, September 17, 2012

MOST OF THE LATEST PRESIDENT 2012 POLLS HAVE OBAMA LEADING............

With Narional Presidential Preference Polls last week by FOX News and CBS News showing President Obama , leading Governor Romney, by three to five percentage points, in the CBS News / New York Times Poll released on September 14th, showing the race  Obama 49%;  Romney 46%; with a margin of error of plus or minus 3%; and the September 12th, FOX News Poll gauging the race at Obama 48%; Romney 43%; and a 3%; margin of error - two of three more national polls released today, also give Obama the edge.  The Gallup Daily Tracking Poll today has the President ahead 48%; Obama, 45%; Romney.  The Rasmussen Daily Tracking Poll has the Governor leading showing it as, Romney 47%; Obama 45%;.  The Monmouth University Poll in their monthly poll taken Thursday through Sunday night, at  Obama 48%; Romney 45%;.  In light of the violence in the Middle East during the week, likely voters responded in the Monmouth Poll that the Democratic incumbent has responded better to the crisis than has his Republican challenger, and that the incumbent is in general better able to preside over American foreign policy than the challenger.  The margin of error in today's poll findings are :  Gallup, plus or minus 2%;  Rasmussen, plus or minus 3%; and Monmouth, plus or minus 3%;.  When averaging eleven national polls taken between September 4th -16th, including the ABC News- Washington Post Poll, Obama 49%; Romney 48%; and the CNN-ORC Poll, Obama 52%; Romney 46%; the Real Clear Politics Poll of Polls today shows the preference for President at a three percent edge for President Obama over Governor Romney,  48.5%; to 45.5%;............Fr.  Troy      

Sunday, September 16, 2012

THIS SUNDAY IS SURROUNDED WITH WHY WE MUST BE ECUMENICALLY SENSITIVE AND SINCERE AS CITIZENS OF THE WORLD............

The numerically rooted designation for this season of Sundays during the Liturgical Year, Ordinary Time, is in affect, superseded today by the tragic events inflicted on the World, the past six days.  It is still the 24rd Sunday in Egypt, Libya, in Ordinary Time which has been colored and tempered by the tragic violence and killings in Egypt, Libya, and the Middle East.  God's Word on this Sunday prescribed by the common Lectionary and taken from the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures, as they do for time immemorial, speak to us with a pertinent message of Living Faith, sustenance and this week, of solace, amidst the travail of tragedy.  The First Reading from the Prophet Isaiah is a passage from one of the four Suffering Servant Songs.  Isaiah 50:5-9a; proclaims and assures us, that even as we endure adversity, and the ill affects of an opponent inflicted upon us, we have reason and resolve to remain constant, and clear in our convictions, that God does not abandon us.  The Suffering Servant was severely afflicted by his enemies, yet did not flag or surrender, despite the suffering endured.  Our Second Reading today, James 2:14-18; defines and describes the markings of an authentic Christian Life, Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox, - Charismatic, and Evangelical, - is the consistent, daily, Witness we make to working on behalf of the betterment and common good of all peoples, uniting not dividing the Citizens of this World, in accordance with God's Plan for Creation : Love, Justice, and Peace; that supplants and eradicates Hate, Exploitation, and War; that are not of Divine origin, but derived from the fallen nature of Human selfishness and sin.  Our Gospel Proclamation on this 24th Sunday OT; Mark 8:27-35; in which Jesus asks the question, "Who do people say that I am ?", we can also apply to the response we make to the events this week has borne.  Various persons had differing views of who they thought Jesus was, in the Gospel passage.  The same can be said of our country some 2,000 years later in the World today.  Paraphrasing the question, Who do nations say Americans are ?  Just as Jesus was seen as another Elijah and John the Baptist; so too today is America seen as the bedrock of Freedom, and Liberty, for all the world by some; yet as the essence of Evil, and the Great Satan, by others.  Jesus knew and was resolute in Who He is, the Christ of All Creation and the Savior of the World.  As Americans we must remember who we are and have been intended to be, from our founding more than two and one third centuries ago, a People United and Free, committed to Justice and Liberty for All.  Our efforts to faithfully live   this reality of who we are as Americans has evolved and becomes more real through the years of our history.  The resolve America and the World is again challenged to maintain is an opportunity not only to prevail; but to reinvigorate the Ecumenical spirit of acceptance and tolerance for religious and spiritual believers of all persuasions, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, et al, without exception, discrimination, or malice.  On this Sunday September 16, 2012, may our adherence to the Higher Power who is the Eternal, Living, and True, God of Salvation anchor us in actively Witnessing to who we as national and universal Citizens and faithful and fervent Disciples of unconditional, selfless, Righteousness that promotes and fulfills the Common Good of the whole World, in which, "we live, move, and have our being". (Acts 17:28)...........Fr.  Troy  

Saturday, September 15, 2012

THE RIGHT TO FREEDOM OF SPEECH VERSUS PROMOTION OF HATRED IS AT QUESTION............

Americans value and promote freedom and liberty for all citizens and peoples around the World.  Freedom of Speech is so highly viewed as to be the first freedom enumerated in the Bill of Right and First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States.  Yet in recent times the privilege to say and speak freely has been applied by some of our citizens in such a cavalier and insensitive manner so as to incite violence and promote hate.  The incidents of violence and attacks on American, British, and German, Embassies and Consulates inflicted by Muslim extremists for which they bear supreme responsibility, have been fueled by the self-serving actions of irresponsible persons like Coptic Christian film maker, Basseley Nakoula; and Evangelical Christian Minister, Pastor Terry Jones, are liable for encouraging, if not causing much of the international protests and violent reactions to the film, "Innocence Of Muslims", they produced and funded.  To intentionally stir tensions that venomously advocate anti-religious sentiment and intolerance and foments hatred, is unAmerican, unChristian, and morally, ethically, deficient.  I do not belief it was the intention of our nation's Founders or the Constitution they framed and enacted, to show support  for derisive words and actions that allow the right to freedom of speech to be abused and manipulated for hateful means; but rather as a free, civil, constructive, exchange of ideas and attitudes.  What citizens and persons like Basseley, and Jones, are doing by advancing propaganda such as this film is neither civil, or constructive, but destructive, and an abuse, of the freedom we cherish and espouse.  Furthermore, Jones has been charged with child pornography and Basseley convicted of credit card fraud.  Their capability to commit such criminal acts, indicates the cavalier, self serving, insensitivity with which they could promote and produce such a callous, divisive, riotous, violently murderous, propaganda film.  Four American patriots in Libya and at least five other persons internationally, have been killed this week due to the violence spurred on by the film, "Innocence Of Muslims".  How much longer must we wait to realize and declare that blatant and intentional hate speech is a violation, not a complement to the Freedom of Speech that is our Constitutional Right, and should be preserved from the pollution and perversion such hatred in speech, breeds............Fr.  Troy

Friday, September 14, 2012

2,000 BLOG COLUMNS OF, "INSIGHTS INTO LIFE AND FAITH"............

3 years, 4 months, and 26 days, after the inception of my blog, I am happy to write this 2000th blog column, sharing my thoughts, beliefs, experiences, reporting, and opinions, of personal, communal, social, spiritual, contemporary, historical, and political, perspectives of Life and Faith pertinent to seeking understanding and insight of persons and events present and past.  I am grateful to my faithful readers domestically and internationally, and the 53,497 page views you have made of, "Insights Into Life And Faith By Father Troy David Powers".  It is my continuing hope that these columns  provide a valuable contribution to your enlightenment and enjoyment of the topics I am moved to blog about and look forward to offering you in the days, months, and years, to come.  God Bless You And Keep You And May The Lord Shine His Face Upon You............Father Troy David Powers

ARRIVAL CEREMONY AT ANDREWS AIR FORCE BASE OF OUR FOUR FALLEN AMERICANS IN LIBYA............

At this 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time, the formal transfer of remains Arrival Ceremony for Ambassador Chris Stevens, and his three diplomatic colleagues, Sean Smith, Glen Doherty, and Tyrone Woods,who were murdered on Tuesday, the eleventh anniversary of 9-11; in the violent attack on the American Consulate in Benghazi, Libya, is taking place.  After an introduction and invocation by the military chaplain, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton speaks biographically of the four fallen heroes.  She introduces President Barack Obama who begins citing Sacred Scripture's greatest definition of love, "to lay down one's life for one's friends",(John 15:13) illustrating how the lives and sacrifices of Ambassador Stevens, Specialist Smith, and retired Navy Seals Doherty, and Woods, emulated the greatest love.  The Ceremony is a moving ritual of remembrance and acknowledgement affirming that amidst the sadness and sorrow of their senseless killings, that the purpose and dignity of the lives they lived, and the mission they were committed to carrying out, will not be forgotten.  And the words of the Commander in Chief and the Secretary of State reiterate our national resolve to see that justice is delivered to those responsible for the deaths of these four American patriots............Fr.  Troy

Thursday, September 13, 2012

NEW FOX NEWS POLL FOR PRESIDENT............

In the new FOX News Poll released on Wednesday, coming out of the two political parties National Conventions, President Obama is now leading Governor Romney, by five percentage points in the preference for President in the November 6th General Election;  48%; to 43%; with a 3%; margin of error.  This Poll has a four percent bounce for President Obama from the Democratic Convention as the previous preference poll for President done August 19-21; showed Romney in the lead by one percent, 45%;  to 44%;.  The Poll also finds Obama's Approval Rating as President at 50%; with 47% Disapproval.  Asked whether they are Better or Worse off than they were four years ago,  42%; responded Better off;  42%; said Worse off; and 15%; indicated they are About the Same. Personal Favorable Ratings  have Obama at 53%; and Romney at 49%;. When asked about their feelings regarding a second term for President Obama, 50%; of the respondents feel the country is improving daily and would look forward to a second Obama term; 43%; feel the country is going down the drain and would dread a second term for Obama.  Yesterday's Poll was conducted of  1,056 likely voters were polled by phone September 9-11............Fr.  Troy





Wednesday, September 12, 2012

PATRIOTIC AMERICAN DIPLOMATS KILLED IN LIBYA............

Shocking senseless news today that the American Ambassador to Libya Chris Stevens, and three of his diplomatic colleagues have been killed in an attack by Islamic extremists on the American Consulate in Benghazi.    The attack supposedly a lashing out against a film made by an American construed as insulting to the prophet Mohammed, as the basis for the committing of these murders.  Both President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton decried this tragic act, the President in his official statement from the White House condemning the outrageous attack.  Governor Romney delivered remarks on the tragedy from Florida, discussing the sadness and brutality and expressing sympathy, hours after his campaign released a statement that was roundly criticized for politicizing the moment and seen as seizing on the opportunity to shore up current criticism of his candidacy among conservatives.  Representative Ryan has just spoken at a campaign rally, calling for a time of healing and resolve, and saying this incident calls for American leadership and strength.  Ambassador Stevens, age 52; was a native Northern Californian, and a graduate of the University of California Berkeley; who was a twenty year member of the diplomatic corps and an expert on Libya, who has served the State Department there under both Secretaries of State, Condoleeza Rice and Hillary Clinton. He, his colleague Sean Smith, and 2 others as yet unnamed, until their families are notified, are dead as a result of a stipid film, founded at least in part by the Florida Pastor Terry Jones, who last year stirred riotous uproar in the Muslim circles, over his burning of copies of the Koran, the Islamic Scripture.  In the aftermath of this latest controversy and subsequent violent protests against the United States in Cairo, Egypt yesterday, steadfastness in our Courage, and Compassion, with a continuing unflinching Commitment to Justice, and Peace, that serves the greatest good of international relationships that are unwavering in our mutual resolve for civility and order that is constructive must be our goal, as we remember and honor the fine work, honor, and valor of the Chris Stevens' and others who have sadly  been struck down striving to achieve these goals............Fr.  Troy

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

9-11 DAY OF COMMEMORATION IS ALSO DAY OF CELEBRATION FOR ONE VERY BLESSED MAN............

Eleven years ago today 3.071 Americans surrendered their lives in the tragedy that has become known the World over as  9-11, the terrorist attack upon the World Trade Center in New York City; the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.; and in the airplane that crashed into the Pennsylvania countryside; heinous, murderous, acts perpetrated by Osama bin Laden and Al Qaeda.  We remember the victims of that infamous day and the loved ones afflicted by their loss, on what has come to be called Patriot's Day, since September 11, 2001.  Today in Sacramento, we also celebrate the birthday of Bishop Emeritus Francis Anthony Quinn, who was born on this date, September 11, 1921............Fr.  Troy

Monday, September 10, 2012

TODAY'S CNN / ORC POLL HAS THE PRESIDENT LEADING BY SIX PERCENT............

The latest CNN / Opinion Research Corporation released at the top of the hour on the CNN Situation Room, shows President Barack Obama opening up a six point lead over Governor Mitt Romney in the Presidential Election campaign, after the Democratic National Convention.  As of today, Obama has 52%;  Romney has 46%; a four point increase for the President and a two point decrease for the Governor, from one week ago before the DNC, when the race was tied : 48% - 48% among likely voters.  Among Men, with  whom Romney has had a double digit lead, the President now leads 48% - 47%, a reversal from the 55% - 43% lead with Men, for Romney as of last Monday.  When asked which Candidate is More in touch with the Middle Class the Obama's  margin over Romney was six percent, 49% - 43%, saying it is the President.  Today's Poll gives Obama a twenty percent advantage for relating better to the Middle Class, 57% - 37%.  In regards to whether Romney or Obama Shares Their Values, two months ago the President led the  Governor by two points, 47% - 45%.  Now   Obama has a seven percent edge over Romney, 51% - 44%.  On the major issues of Campaign 2012, the Economy, Foreign Policy, Medicare, Health Care, the Deficit, and Taxes, shifts in who is better able to handle these issues has occurred.  Whereas before the DNC, Romney led on being better able to handle the Economy, he and Obama are now tied.  The President now has a substantial lead in Foreign Policy, Medicare, Health Care, and Taxes; and the Governor leads only on the Deficit.  The CNN / ORC Poll's national preference finding of a six percent lead by Obama concurs with the Gallup Daily Tracking Poll finding this morning of a five point lead for Obama, 49% - 44%.  The findings of these two polls comes on the same day the Romney for President campaign chief pollster, issued a memo to the Romney campaign operatives telling them nor to fret in the face of the latest numbers that the economic conditions are on the Governor's side and that Romney will win the Election; even as Politico reported today internal polling by the Romney campaign found themselves down nightly during the DNC by 5-9% to Obama.   Increasing political analysis and commentary since the last night of the DNC, is that the First Presidential Debate may be Governor Romney's last significant chance to convince the voters to elect him President; having been unable to do so after securing the Nomination in the Spring; Picking his Vice Presidential candidate early last month; or with the RNC and his Acceptance Speech.  For sure an intensive 57 days atr ahead as the ad wars ad nauseam, and the ground war in the battleground eight or nine States bursts out in the countdown to General Election Day November 6th............Fr.  Troy

Sunday, September 9, 2012

REST IN PEACE REVEREND FATHER WILLIAM "BILL" FEESER............

Last Tuesday September 4th, Reverend Father William "Bill" Feeser, died after a multiple years valiant battle with cancer.  Father Feeser was born in Pennsylvania, but was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Sacramento in 1977.  He ministered as an Associate Pastor / Parochial Vicar in four parishes :  Our Lady of Assumption, Carmichael; St. James, Davis; Sacred Heart, Red Bluff; St, Mary's, Vacaville; and lived In Residence, and also ministered in the parishes of All Hallows, St, Robert's, and Immaculate Conception, in Sacramento; and taught at Jesuit High School in Carmichael, and St. Francis High School in Sacramento.  Father Bill also served as a Chaplain at the U.C. Davis Medical Center in Sacramento.  He retired from active ministry just over two years ago, and during the past year had resided here at Mercy McMahon.  The impact of his priestly, homiletic, teaching, youth ministry, and ministry to the sick, are remembered fondly by those he served and made a lasting contribution to their lives.  May God's Peace and Light be Father Bill Feeser's now and forever in the Eternal Kingdom of Life and Love.  Fraternally in Jrsus The Christ Our High and Everlasting Priest,   Fr.  Troy

Saturday, September 8, 2012

ROMNEY IN VIRGINIA FOR 2 CAMPAIGN EVENTS TODAY............

Governor Mitt Romney is taking the stage in Virginia Beach Vurginia, to make a campaign speech expected to be focused on defense spending and military cuts.  He begins by recognizing Veterans in the audience and mentioning the bad news of the jobs report this week and the jobs we are not creating just to keep up, and says the assembled have important work to do in electing him President of the United States.  He leads the Pledge of Allegiance and then says he will not take God out of their Platform and proceeds to explain what he will do in responding to the Pledge......Sounding like the 1988 Republican Presidential campaign in the final two months of the 2012 General Election.  In this speech Governor Romney is blaming President Obama for the problems we face and indicating the President provides only promises not solutions, as the reason he should be defeated and Romney elected to replace him.  However he is offering no specific details in this speech himself as to how he will solve the economy or create jobs............tdp

OBAMA SPENDS TODAY AND TOMORROW IN FLORIDA............

President Obama this Saturday is campaigning in St. Petersberg, Florida, where he is speaking to a fired up audience on a college campus highlighting his Convention speech.  In response to the DNC, he repeated again something he said at yesterday's rallies; that one person tweeted after Bill Clinton's speech Obama should appoint him Secretary of Explaining Stuff.  As he talks about the economy and tax cuts, he says as President he has cut taxes for small business owners 18 times.  Vice President Biden is scheduled to be in Ohio today; and Governor Romney in Virginia Beach, Virginia.  Romney and Ryan will also be making Sunday Show appearances tomorrow.  Romney on NBC News' 'Meet The Press'; and Ryan on CBS News' 'Face The Nation'; and ABC News' 'This Week'............Fr.  Troy

Friday, September 7, 2012

UNIVERSITY OF IOWA CAMPAIGN RALLY NEXT STOP TODAY FOR OBAMA AND BIDEN............

 The President and First Lady Obama, Vice President and Dr. Biden, are expected to appear moments from now at a campaign rally at the University of Iowa, in Iowa City, where they will follow-up on the messages delivered at the Democratic National Convention and their Re-Nomination Acceptance Speech.  Using portions of what they spoke about last night the President is also expected to include a response to the August Jobs and Unemployment Report put out this morning.  The large crowd at the U of I, for nearly five hours in intermiitent rain to see and hear from the Obamas and the Bidens.  Joe Biden has given a brief recap of some of the highlights from his and has introduced the "Barack", as he is calling him today like he did last night, underscoring their personal friendship as well as their White House partnership.  The Situation Room on CNN has ended and live coverage of the rally with it, as CNN, MSNBC, FOX News, are airing regular programs, and C-SPAN is not airing it live.  More about the Romney-Ryan and Obama campaign day later............tdp  

ROMNEY STARTS CAMPAIGN DAY IN NEW HAMPSHIRE GOES ON TO IOWA............

Republican Presidential Nominee Governor Mitt Romney started his day in New Hampshire as he resumed on the General Election campaign trail with 60 days to go.  He told reporters just after the August Jobs and Unemployment Report was released that the figures, 96,000 private sector jobs created; and an 8.1% unemployment rate, was "extraordinarily disappointing".  The unempkoyment rate dropped two tenths of one percent from 8.3% in July, due in part to persons who have stopped looking for jobs.  Speaking about President Obama's Acceptance Speech at the Democratic National Convention Thursday night, says "Kast night was the party and this morning is the hangover" in linking the delivery of Obama with the blunting of it by this morning's job nummbers.  Going to on to Orange City, Iowa Romney spoke to a rally at Northwestern Community College where he continued his attack on President Obama's string of broken promises from 2008, telling his listeners, "what we need is a new President and a new vision for America"; which is in sync with the oneliner he had used earlier this morning to describe President Obama;s Acceptance Speech for re-nomination which Romney said will mean , "four more years like the last four years", should he be re-elected.  Romney and Obama and Biden, were crisscrossing each other all three visiting the swing States of Iowa and New Hampshire today; as the Romney-Ryan opened a $15 million advertising blitz in the 8 swing States of Nevada, Colorado, Ohio, Flotida, Nortn Carolina, New Hampshire, and Iowa............tdp

OBAMA RALLYING IN PORTSMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE......ROMNEY IN ORANGE CITY, IOWA

Prersident Obama has just begun his campaign remarks in Portsmouth, New Hampshire; the first stop after Charlotte and the DNC, on the road to the General Election in 60 days, on November 6th.  Building on his Acceptance Speech last night, after expressing thanks and happy memories of Michael, Malia, Sasha, and Joe Biden, he has launched into parts of last night's address.  Meanwhile, in Iowa today Governor Romney told reporters in commenting on the President's Acceptance Speech last night, that the only thing Obama had to offer last night is, "Four more years, of the past four years".  Paul Ryan appearing on CNBC this morning said the problem Obama-Biden are not facing up to is, "Failed leadership in Washington and bad fiscal policy on the part of this Administration.  At this moment Romney is speaking to a rally in Orange City, Iowa; where he is calling the President's Acceptance Speech, "extraordinarily disappointing", claiming the several promises he made in his 2008 Speech, he hasn't kept.  Romney says, "it's time for a new President with a new vision for America"............tdp

DAY AFTER THEIR ACCEPTANCE SPEECHES AND END OF DNC 2012 OBAMA-BIDEN HIT THE TRAIL............

On this morning after which President Barack Obama, and Vice President Joe Biden, delivered their Acceptance Speeches at the 46th quadrennial 2012 Democratic National Convention, in Charlotte, North Carolina; they set off on the campaign trail for the final 60 days until the General Election.  Fresh from the nominating Convention they will appearing together today in the swing States of Iowa and New Hampshire.  There they will be crisscrossing with Republican Presidential nominee Mitt Romney.  Romney has already made a brief round of answers to reporters this morning in an effort to respond to the President's Acceptance Speech last night and blunt some of the criticism of him made by Obama, Biden, and other speakers at the DNC.  On Thursday, Representative Paul Ryan proceed talking about Welfare Reform and Romney-Ryan, with the noted difference that he did not refer to former President Bill Clinton in conjunction with it as he had been doing while campaigning this week; until Clinton's Speech at the DNC Wednesday night, when Clinton distinguished between his and Obama's Welfare Reform efforts and what Romney-Ryan are proposing about it............Fr.  Troy

Thursday, September 6, 2012

PRESIDENT OBAMA ACCEPTANCE SPEECH OF THE 2012 DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATION............

Introduced by the First Lady as the love of her life, the father of their two daughters and the President of the United States, Barack Obama comes out onto the stage and after kissing his wife, stands at the podium during the applause and cheers prepared to begin his re-Nomination Acceptance Speech .  Acknowledges his wife and daughters, and Joe Biden, as the very best VP he could ever have hoped for.  Accepts the Nomination for President. Says when all is said and done, we will face the clearest choice in generations in this election.  A choice between two different paths and visions for America.  Values that have made America the greatest nation the World has ever known.   Hard work pays off.  That we expect in America everyone plays by the same rules from Main Street to Wall Street to Washington, DC.  Talks about how when the economic house of cards collapsed 4 years ago, in the great recession,  many people lost their homes, their jobs, their savings, in a tragedy they are still struggling to recover from.  Says He has cut taxes for the middle class but doesn't believe giving millionaires another taxbreak helps solve the problems.  We're not going back, but going forward. Obama expounds on restoring the values that created the largest middle and the strongest economy the world has ever known.   Says the Republican Convention talked about what is wrong with America but not how to make it right.  They want your vote but don't want you to know their plan.  Their answer is the same it has been for 30 years, if you have a surplus, try a tax cut.  Deficit too high try another.  Feel a cold coming on  ?  Take 2 tax cuts, roll back a few regulations and call me in the morning.  Obama says he has given tax cuts to the middle class families and small businesses.  That we are not going backwards, we are going forward.  Tells America, our problems can be solved and our challenges can be met.  That the path he offers is harder but leads to a better place.  The future he's asking we choose is to rally around goals in Manufacturing, Energy, Education, National Security, the Deficit, and real plans to achieve new Jobs, more opportunity, and rebuild the Economy on a stronger foundation.  He says that is what we can do in the next 4 years and why he's running for a second term.  Exporting more products and outscouring fewer jobs.  Return to doing what America does best, making things again.  Speaks of the trade agreements he's signed and hree proud words on American goods, Made In America.  Creation of 500,000 new manufacturing jobs in the USA in the past 2.5 years, for the first time in a decade......to be continued............tdp

JOE BIDEN'S ACCEPTANCE SPEECH FOR THE DEMOCRATIC VICE PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATION............

Vice President Joe Biden has taken the podium at the DNC, to the song, Higher and Higher.  He begins, Hello My Fellow Democrats.  And to his favorite Democrat, Jilly, he makes an extended thanks to on behalf of him and his children.  Her calls her the love of his life, and the life of his love.  He thanks his son Beau for putting his name in nomination, and says, I Accept...... He says we are on a mission we will complete.  And he begins telling them about his friend Barack Obama.  Saying he wants to show them the character of a leader.   Chronicles the headlines as they took office and how President Obama knew they had to renew the confidence not only of America, but the World.  How he got to see first hand what drove him.  How he knew that families all over America were making consequential decisions.  Biden's learned about the depths of Obama's heart and Obama, his loyalty, these past 4 years.  How Obama had to sit at his mother's bed as she was dying and was fighting with her insurance company.  Biden compares it to his father sitting on his bed as a child, when he had to kleave them at home and go find a new job.  A job is more than a paycheck.  Biden says the President continuously asks in meetings, How will this affect average Americans ?  He contrasts what Obama and Romney, who he calls good husbands and fathers, for what they bring to the task of being POTUS.   In regards to the auto industry, how Obama saved 1 million auto jobs and the Ameriucan auto industry.  Others saying Risk was too high, the outcome too uncertain.  POTUS realized it wasn't just about the cars, but the people who built the cars.  Talks of his own dad, a car man himself.  Says Obama saved the jobs of those his dad respected.  Says he thinks Romney saw it as the Bain way, Balance sheets and profits.  But that this was about more than restoring the auto industry.  It was about the pride of America and the message around the world giving up on it would have caused.  Conviction; Resolve; Barack Obama; saved the auto industry.  Recalls Obama  telling Americans '08, if we have bin Laden in our sights, we will take him out.  Remembers Obama saying if you attack Americans we will follow you to the ends of the earth.  That the President said to his military advisers and National Security Team, Do it and Justice was done.  That Romney didn't see it that way, he felt instead that it wasn't worth moving heaven and earth to breing one person to justice.  Recalls his mother's phrase, Bravery resides in every heart and the time comes when it has to be summoned.  He says that is the kind of bravery Obama has summoned time and time again, having the courage to make the tough decision.  As a result, Osama is dead and General Motors is alive.  Contrasts this with what Romney-Ryan are proposing, about how they don't care about Medicare and have a new plan,Vouchercare.  That they won't do anything about the debt.  That Romney has a new tax, the territorial tax which will create 800,000 jobs not in the USA, but overseas.  Says Romney sees the Dreamers, and Equal Pay,  as problems for America.  Lambasts GOP for seeing Americans needing help as a culture of dependency.  Americans needs a POTUS who will not quit on them.   Never a good bet he says to Romney-Ryan, to not believe in America coming back.  Says our one truly sacred obligation is never to forget our military men and women.  Closes the work of of Recovery is not done but we are on our way.  That we must continue to complete our work and re-elect President Barack Obama.  ............tdp

AT THIS HOUR VICE PRESIDENT JOE AND MRS. JILL BIDEN ABOUT TO APPEAR............

Wife of the 47th Vice President of the United States, Dr. Jill Biden, is expected momentarily at the dais of the Democratic National Convention, to introduce her husband for his Acceptance Speech as President Obama's running mate.  Mrs. Biden has taken the stage.  She announces she's proud of being a full time teacher and a military mom.  Says thanks to the work of President Obama and her husband, the War in Iraq is over.  Speaks of her teaching career and how Joe affirmed her continuing to teach after he was elected Vice President.  Dr. Biden says teaching is not what she does, but who she is.  Calls her husband a man who always sees Hope.  Commends for his foresight on Domestic Violence issues 20 years ago.  She cherishes him for his Heart, and talks about Joe's dealing with his family tragedy 40 years ago, and cites his Catholic Faith and optimism as key to being who he is.,  He has never given up, or stopped fighting for what he believes in and proclaims she knows he will never stop fighting for this country.  Her speech leads into a video introduction of Vice President Biden............tdp

SENATOR JOHN KERRY AT THE MICROPHONE............

Senator John Kerry, the Democrats 2004 Presidential Nominee is giving a speech that declares Mitt Romney, Paul Ryan, and the Republicans, talk about American Exceptionalism, yet now oppose everything that made America Exceptional.  He is speaking in extended measure ablout how President Obama has kept his promises in foreign policy for America whereas Romney and Ryan as the most inexperienced twosome to run for President in decades, saying Romney is on both sides of several foreign policy matters, and jokes at himself saying, Talk about being for it, before you were against it !   He continues, before Romney debates foreign policy with President Obama he needs to finish the debate with himself.  Chides Romney for not mentioning the troops in Afghanistan in his own Acceptance Speech last week.  He tells Romney we already have an Eceptional President and we Believe in Barack Obama.  Rachel Maddox, Ed Schulz, and Chris Hayes, on MSNBC call it the best speech John Kerry has made, including his 2004 Acceptance Speech for President at the DNC in Boston............tdp

RECENTLY RESIGNED CONGRESSWOMAN GABBY GIFFORDS INTRODUCED AT DNC............

Former Representative Gabby Giffords of Arizona, has just introduced by Party Chairman Wasserman Schulz, to lead the Pledge of Allegiance, which she proclaimed with great determination.  Caroline Kennedy is now at the podium speaking for the re-election of President Barack Obama.  She makes the point that in 2008 she was inspired by his candidacy.  Today she says she is inspired by his record.  Kennedy-Schlossberg says as a Catholic woman, she is concerned about maintaining reproductive rights.  Speaks of ideas and ideals, like those of her father and uncles, and links them to those of Obama.  She says when it comes to women, only one candidate is on their side, Barack Obama.  She says Obama has what her father fought for all his life, Courage.  Cites Healthcare and the Auto Industry, as examples of his courage.  Saying he is the kind of hero her father wrote of in Profiles in Courage, she compares the 2012 Election to the Elections of 1960 and 2008, in endorsing the re-election of President Obama and urging young voters to turnout and make history again............tdp

ON FOX NEWS ROMNEY REITERATES PRESIDENT OBAMA ENDED WELFARE WORK REQUIREMENT TO APPEAL TO SOME OF HIS BASE SUPPORTERS............

Republican Presidential Nominee, Governor Mitt Romney yesterday said again on FOX News, that President Obama has ended the 1996 Welfare Reform Law Work Requirement, though factually he has not; and went on to say that President Obama did so to appeal to some in his political base.  The Democratic National Convention being held in Charlotte, North Carolina; the city whose former Mayor Harvey Gantt ran against U.S. Senator Jesse Helms in 1990, when an Alex Castellanos created a now infamous black versus white ad for Helms against Gantt, has the MSNBC political analysts and commentators debating whether the current Romney  Welfare claim against Obama, parallels the Helms ad seemed made to intentionally insert Race into the campaign.  Alex Castellanos, now a CNN political analyst-commentator worked for Romney's 2008 Presidential bid............tdp

BEAU BIDEN NOMINATING HIS FATHER FOR VICE PRESIDENT............

Vice President Joe Biden's son Beau, who is currently  Attorney General of the State of Delaware, has just nominated and moved the suspension of the rules to have his father's nomination for Vice President by acclamation.  The Vice President has been re-nominated for a second term by unanimous voice assent of the Delegates and invited by the Convention Chairman Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, to make an Acceptance Speech later this evening............tdp

WHAT WILL PRESIDENT OBAMA AS HE ACCEPTS THE 2012 DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATION TONIGHT ?............

Obama-Biden campaign spokespersons are informing the media that the President will talk specifics about his plans and goals to address the problems America has and the leadership needed in the next four years.  The President is expected to speak about the hard choices he is going to make in his second term if he is re-elected President.  The positive nature of the Acceptance Speech Obama will give is intended to convey a sense to American voters CNN is reporting, that no other candidate for President can fill his shoes in taking the issues and solutions he proposes tonight forward for America.  David Gergen is saying on CNN, that from excerpts they are seeing of the President's Speech indicates Obama is presenting this campaign as a, "choice for the future", the next four years, a worthy effort, although as Gergen not something the Rerpublicans do not want to let him do...........tdp

DAY 3 OF DNC 2012 OPENS TO BUILD TOWARD FINAL NIGHT ACCEPTANCE SPEECH BY POTUS 44............

Latino recording artist Marc Anthony is singing a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem, after the Presentation of the Colors, which Wolf Blitzer calls, "beautiful, beautiful, fabulous, fabulous", to open this third and culminating day of the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina; from the Time Warner Cable Arena.  The primary work of this quadrennial political party event, the nomination of candidates to stand for President and Vice President of the United States, is being met, with the re-nomination of President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden's re-nomination tonight.  The Acceptance Speeches of POTUS 44, and VPOTUS 47, as the Democratic standardbearers in this year's Presidential Election on November 6th, will also be the crescendo of tonight's session and these three days.  Early reports today are that Vice President Biden will lead the offense for the Obama-Biden re-election campaign tonight in discussing the Administration and taking on their Republican opponents Romney-Ryan.  President Obama is expected to focus on the future four years and get specific about what goals and plans he has for the USA in a second term............tdp

NUNS ON THE BUS ORGANIZER SISTER SIMONE CAMPBELL SPEAKS AT DNC IN OPPOISITION TO RYAN BUDGET PLAN............

Social Service Sister Simone Campbell, who organized the 9 State, 2,700 mile tour of Catholic Women Religious known as, "Nuns on the Bus", in June spoke at the Democratic National Convention Wednesday night, taking up the theme of the bus tour.  She spoke of opposition to Paul Ryan's Budget Plan passed by the House of Representatives and said the Nuns on the Bus are in agreement with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, who have also spoken out Ryan's Budget Plan.  Sister Simone told the DNC, Ryan's Budget ,"fails a basic moral test, because it would harm families living in poverty".  Sister Simone Campbell is the Executive Director of the Catholic Social Justice Advocacy group, NETWORK............tdp

2004 NOMINEE SENATOR JOHN KERRY WILL SPEAK AHEAD OF VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN TONIGHT............

The Democrats 2004 Presidential standardbearer, U.S. Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts, current Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, will deliver a foreign policy speech at the Convention tonight before the Nomination Acceptance Speeches by the Vice President Biden and the President Obama.  Kerry lost a very close election for President to the incumbent, President George W. Bush, eight years ago with the narrow margin in the State of Ohio, made the difference.  Ohio again is a pivotal battleground in the 2012 Presidential Election.  No Republican nominee for President has ever won the White House without winning Ohio.  Perhaps putting John Kerry in this penultimate spot just before the renominated incumbent Obama-Biden team is a reminder; like allowing Ohio to put the President's Delegate votes over the top last night, of just how important a priority this battleground and every vote is to victory and either winning or losing the Presidency this year............tdp

BEFORE OBAMA SPEAKS BIDEN TO BE NOMINATED, INTRODUCED,AND ACCEPTING............

Before the second term seeking, 44th President of the United States Barack Obama stands before the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, the American people and a Worldwide audience, there is one more piece of business to be finalized.  The nomination, ratification, and introduction, of the President's Democrattic running mate, the 47th Vice President of the United States Joseph Biden of Delaware.  Vice President will be placed in nomination tonight by his son, Beau Biden, the Attorney General of the State of Delaware; and after having his renomination ratified by the DNC 2012 Delegates, he will be introduced to the Convention for his Acceptance Speech by his wife, Dr. Jill Biden.  The Vice President is expected to portray the partnership he shares with President Obama in taking America forward domestically and internationally, while attacking the Romney-Ryan campaign, in the manner Vice President and running mates customarily play.  USA Today headlines their DNC story on the Vice President today as, "Despite gaffes Biden remains a force".  And Pennsylvania U.S. Senator Bob Casey is quoted as saying of Vice President Biden "This is a person of enoermous intellect and integrity, and also a person of great compassion and decency".  Having traveled more than 500,000 miles during the first term of this Administration the worldview Joe Biden brings throughhis Acceptance Speech can be expected to proviude further insight into what the Obama Presidency has achieved and will accomplish, if re-elected sixty days from now............tdp

PRESIDENT OBAMA'S BIG NIGHT FOR MAKING HIS CASE FOR RE-ELECTION............

The third and final day of the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina here, and with First Lady Michelle Obama, San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro, President Bill Clinton, and other speakers having  prepared the way, and the Delegates having unanimously renominated him, President Barack Obama, is given the opportunity to orate, motivate, elevate, advocate, and make his case for a second term and why Americans should re-elect him on November 6th.  What he needs to deliver is not your average Convention speech given by most Presidential nominees, but an Acceptance Speech full of specifics about the plans and policies his leadership as President will provide in the next four years.  A blueprint for progress in moving forward that transcends political rhetoric and the rat a tat tat of this campaign season.  Governor Mitt Romney and Representative Paul, though selectively short on the specifics of their plans at last week's Republican National Convention in Tampa, Florida say they want a substantive debate on the important issues of this Election.  Tha should always be true, and President Obama and Vice President Biden have the abilility to meet and match that goal beginning tonight in the 10 p.m. Eastern hour of prime time.  A constructive way forward for the common good of all Americans can be provided and hopefully open an honest debate of the two visions the 2012 Presidential Election proposes American voters choose and who will be sitting in the Oval Office as President for the next four years, come January 20, 2013............Fr.  Troy

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

OHIO PUTS OBAMA OVER THE TOP FOR RE-NOMINATION............

The State of Mississippi passed in the Roll Call of States to the Buckeye State of Ohio, who in turn cast their 191 Delegate Votes for President Obama; putting him over the top and gaining him the 2012 Democratic Presidential Nomination.  Minutes before the President's renomination, a Romney-Ryan spokesman released a written statement gladhanding President Clinton for his speech and contending President Obama has failed at the things Clinton succeeded at, and chronicled in his speech.  Wolf Blitzer on CNN, immediately after the speech called it the Best speech Bill Clinton has ever given and he's heard and studied all of them for twenty years.  ...........tdp

ROLL CALL OF STATES............

u.s. Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer, along with House Democratic Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, cast California's 609 Delegate Votes for President Obama.    Alex Castellanos on CNN, is saying after President Clinton's nominating speech, that if President Obama is re-elected it will be because of Clinton's speech.  She says Clinton gave these far left wing Democrats tacking back to the center, where elections are won.  Chris Matthews is responding to the Clinton speech saying the 42nd President did what he doies best, going to the center............tdp

BILL CLINTON'S TIME AT THIS DNC............

Massachusetts Senate candidate Elizabeth Warren is the warm-up act for former President Bill Clinton at the DNC, as I blog this report of the proceedings.  She is making an unapologetic argument for President Obama, and intensely challenging Governor Romney's view of government; passionately explaining the difference between corporations as people, and real people.  Warren describes the idea behind her promotion of the Consumer Protection Agency.  She speaks of being a Methodist Sunday school teacher, and one of her favorite passages of Scripture, "Whatsoever you do for the least of my brethern".  She sums up her speech speaking of Ted Kennedy, Joe Biden, Barack Obama, asking Americans are you ready to go forward ?  Mayor Villaraigosa is speaking briefly to introduce a video about Bill Clinton, who he describes as the next speaker who will nominate the President.  A videotape presentation begins highlighting the Clinton Presidency.  To strains of the song, "Don't Stop Thinking About Tomorrow", his Presidential theme song, President Bill Clinton comes before the Conmvention, to sustained applause.  President Obama is not seen in the Hall.  Clinton says we are here to nominate a President. He goes immediately into the life of a man who six weeks before his election inherited one of the worst economic crises in our history.  A man cool on the outside, but burning on the inside for America.  The man who he says after last night had the good sense to marry Michelle Obama.  He says hge wants Barack Obama to be the next Presaident  US and nominates him as the standbearer of the Democratic Party.   Contrasting the Tampa Convention with Charlotte, he says Democrats believe we are in this together, not on our own.  Cites since 1961, Republicans have been President 28 years; Democrats 24 years.  On Jobs Creation the score is Republicans, 24 million jobs;  Democrats, 42 million jobs.  He speaks of never learning to hate Republicans, like many far right Republicans seem to hate our President today.  Says he could not because of Presidents Eisenhower, Reagan, and Bushs.  Because and his colleagues work on solving problems not hating each other.  What works in the real world is Cooperation.  Cooperation works better than Constant Conflict.  Republicans now in control of their Party, think Government is always the Enemy; they are always Right; and Compromise is a dirty word.  Lauds Obama for picking Biden as Vice President for helping Obama end the War in Iraq and implement the Recovery Act.  Jokes about Hillary supporters the President appointed to the Cabinet, punchlining it with he even appointed Hillary.  Pays honor to Veterans.  Talks of how Obama tried to work with Congressional Republicans on Health Care, Debt Reduction, and Jobs Creation but it didn't take.  Parodies the GOP Convention summing it up simply, We left him quite a mess and he hasn't cleaned it up fast enough, so fire him and put us back in; as the reason for defeating the President this year.  Uses Reagan's There they Go again, line in catergorizing what the GOP promises without specifics.  He states we are not yet where we want to be, but that We are Better off than we were when Obama started.  Talks of what he knows from his own experience as President.  Says no one could have repaired what Obama inherited in just 4 years,.  Whether or not Americans believe it, Clinton says in his heart he believes it.  Shared Responsibility. Shared Opportunities.  Speaks of the uptick in the Economy caused by the Recovery Act.  Cites almost 4.5 million Jobs created under Obama and the current score Obama 4.5 m Republicans 0.  Talks about 500,000 new Manufacturing Jobs under Onama., 250,000 Auto Jobs.  Another Job score on Autos Obama 250,000 Romney 0.  Touts Obama's Energy progress.  3 million unfilled Jobs requiring Worker training.  The Obama Student Loan Reform more important than ever, as we rank 16th in the World for those graduating from college.  On all these issues Clinton says he knows we are better off for the decisions President Obama has made.  Turns to Healthcare.  Already 1 million more have received 85% healthcare from insurance companies instead of it going to promotion and profits.  Speaks of children remaining on their parents insurance until age 26.  Raises the Republican Convention attacks on Obama on cuts to Medicare.  Says instead of raidiung Medicare he used the savings to close the doughnut hole in Seniors Prescription Drug coverage, and extended Medicare by 8 years to 2024.  Takes on Ryan's speech assertion that the President cut Medicare by $716 billion when to the dollar his budget savings did the same thing.  Stating it takes brass to accuse someone of  doing the very thing you did.  Says if Romney follows through on his stated commitment Medicare will go broke in 2016, seven years before their vouchers kick in, in 2023.  Their proposal for Medicaid cuts, which will affect seniors and disabled can't be allowed to happen.  On Welfare Reform the work requirement the Obama Administration agreed to at the Governors request, increased, not weakened the work requirement.  Why do the Republicans persist in the falsity ?  Because they have said they aren't going to let fact checkers dictate their campaign.  Speaking of the Debt he says we have to deal with it, and that what the President has done is offer a $4 trillion plan that is 2.5 to 1, in cuts to spending increases, like the Simpson Bowles Commission recommendation.  Contrasts that with the GOP Plan as deepening the debt hole, before closing the debt.  Arithmetic is Clinton's one word answer to getting 4 balanced budgets in a row as President.  Republican economic policies quadrupled the debt in the 12 years before he took government, and doubled it in the 8 years after he left government.  We can't afford to entrust our Government on someone who will double down on trickle down.  Says if you want someone who is for we're all in this together opportunity, vote for Obama-Biden.  I you believe in the Dreamers, in Prosperity, you must vote for Barack Obama.  We always Come back, because we honor our Founders and forming a More Perfect Union.  If that is what Americans want they must vote to Re-Elect Barack Obama.  As Clinton acknowledges the applause and resounding cheers of the audience, he is briefly joined on stage by President Barack Obama............tdp

PRESIDENT OBAMA IN PLACE FOR FORMER PRESIDENT CLINTON'S SPEECH............

Bob King, the President of the United Autoworkers has addressed the DNC, and is being followed by three former employees of companies taken over by Romney's Bain Capital.  The are arguing from their experiences that Romney is a job cutter.  One of them says, "Mitt Romney sticks it to them.  President Obama is sticking with them".  Also that he lacks a, "moral compass putting profits over people".  Vice President Joe Biden has entered the Hall and is conversing with others while CNN is interviewing his son, Beau Biden, the Attorney General of Delaware.  Sandra Fluke, the Georgetown Law School graduate denied the right to testify before Congress on Contraception and lambasted by Rush Limbaugh, is speaking an hour later than scheduled at the top of the 10 p.m. Eastern time hour.  She is making an impassioned defense of the right to choose and criticizing the timidity of Romney to stand up to unfairness; praising Obama as President for thinking of his daughters, not his delegates or his donors............tdp

PRESIDENT OBAMA TO BE AT THE DNC TONIGHT............

CNN and MSNBC, are confirming that President Barack Obama is attending tonight's session of the Democratic National Convention for former President Bill Clinton's niominating speech.  No details as to whether the Presidentv will be on stage at any point with Clinton, or listening to the speech from the box above the Convention floor............tdp

SISTER SIMONE CAMPBELL SPEAKING NOW AT THE DNC............

Sister Simone Campbell, a Sister of Social Service from Sacred Heart University in New Orleans, Louisiana; Executive Director of NETWORK, a Catholic Social Justice Advocacy Ministry, spoken of by James Carville as a person to deliver tomorrow night's Benediction at the Convention, is speaking at this moment to the Delegates about the 9 State, 2,700 mile, journey she made with 'Nuns on the Bus', in June; saying they were supporting the U.S. Bishops teaching on the Ryan Budget Plan, and asserting we share responsibility for one another, proclaiming, "I am my sister's keeper".    She is critiquing the Romney-Ryan budget proposals and its adverse affect on needy American  families and disputes Paul Ryan's statement that his Budget Plan is in line with Catholic moral teaching.  Sr. Simone says this is part of her pro-life position, and that this immoral budget does not reflect that.  She says that's what the Nuns of the Bus are about.  Ed Schulz says this speech may be the most substantively effective speech at this DNC yet.  EWTN moderator in an August discussion with him and James Carville last month on CNN, referred to Sister Simone Campbell, as a, "dissident nun", and that NETWORK has been criticized by the Vatican............tdp    

CHRIS MATTHEWS INTERVIEWING KEYNOTER MAYOR JULIAN CASTRO............

As Secretary of Education Arne Duncan is making a speech at the DNC, MSNBC's Chris Matthews is interviewing last night's Keynote Address maker, Mayor Julian Castro, of San Antonio, Texas.  After a review of his Keynote Speech, Matthews asked him why there are so many "Birthers", in the State of Texas ?  Mayor Castro said he does not agree that there are an inordinate number, Texas being a very large State, tHAt is sometimes misconstrued......Meanwhile CNN's Brianna Kellar interviewing Democratic Party Chairwoman Representative Debbie Wasserman Schulz about the amendment to the Platform correcting the omission of Jerusalem as the recognized capital of Israel said the reinstatement has resolved the confusion and reflects President Obama's personal view.  CNN'S political analysts are taking it up as a mistake on the part of the Democrats that may cost them; and Alex Constellanos, a Republican commentator, who was involved in Mitt Romney's 2008 Presidential bid, says the Democrats intentionally removed the name of God and Jerusalem, from their Platform yesterday.  Former Nixon-Reagan-Clinton White House aAdvisor, and John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, David Gergen disagreed with him that it is certain the Democrats did so intentionally............tdp

AFL-CIO PRESIDENT RICHARD TRUMKA SPEAKS TO THE DNC............

Richard Trumka, the President of the American Federation of Labor Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) has just spoken before the second session of the Democratic National Convention, rallying to trhe support of President Obama, despite the AFL-CIO's serious disagreement with holding this Convention in a non-union City, in a non-union State............tdp

REPRESENTATIVE PAUL RYAN SAYS PRAYER IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS IS A "STATE" DECISION............

Congressman Paul Ryan the Republican Vice Presidential nominee, campaigning in Utah today answered when asked about allowing Prayer in Public Schools, said Prayer should be allowed and that it is in his view, a State and not a Federal decision.  Utah, the most reliably Republican voting State in the Union, and worldwide headquarters of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is fertile ground in support of Representative Ryan's position.  Piers Morgan interviewed Ryan for airing on CNN's Democratic Convention coverage, says when he questioned Ryan about his comparing President Obama to President Carter, while praising President Clinton's leadership, stumbled in answering when he tried to get him to even the playing field of comparisons, by asking how he justifies President George W. Bush's deficit with President Bill Clinton's budget surplus\, which he inherited it............tdp

DEMOCRATIC PARTY PLATFORM AMENDED RE-ADDING THE NAME OF GOD AND RECOGNITION OF JERUSALEM............

Day 2 of the DNC, has been gaveled to order by Chairman Villaraigosa, who immediately recognized former Ohio Governor Ted Strickland, who moved a motion to suspend the rules and amend the 2012 Party Platform adopted yesterday to reinstate the name of God, and the recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.  Mayor Villaraigosa called three times for a Voice Vote of the Delegates, and then declared two thirds of them had voted for the amendment in the affirmative.  The passage of this amendment to the Platform is seen as cleaning up with Wolf Blitzer and others in the media are calling an, "unforced error"; and which the Romney-Ryan campaign and the Republicans had already jumped on today as an offense............tdp

THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION SECOND DAY SESSION STARTS............

With less than six hours to former Bill Clinton's Nominating Speech for President Obama, the day two session of the Democratic National Convention is due to start in just minutes, which will culminate in the re-nomination of Barack Obama and Joe Biden for President and Vice President.  At this hour Clinton is said to still be writing his speech, which he will share with the Obama-Biden campaign in advance of delivering it according to the President's organizers............tdp

PRESIDENT OBAMA ARRIVES IN CHARLOTTE............

Less than a half hour ago, President Barack Obama arrived in Charlotte, North Carolina; the day on which he will be renominated at the 2012 Democratic National Convention for a second term as President, and on the eve of his Acceptance Speech in prime time tomorrow night.  After deplaning and briefly greeting wellwishers present for his arrival, the President has traveled to his Convention hotel, where he will be practicing his speech.  No word yet whether he will attend tonight's DNC session for President Bill Clinton's address.  The Obama-Biden campaign did confirm this morning that President Obama's Acceptance Speech is being moved from the Bank of America Stadium,. home of the Carolina Panthers NFL Football team; to the Time Warner Cable Arena, due tro weather forecasts for a 3--40% chance of rain tomorrow night in Charlotte.  The B of A Stadium holds 65,000 persons, whereas the T-W Arena seats 19,000 persons.  Republicans are alledging the move is based on the Democrats inability to fill the stadium, but the Obama-Biden campaign says the potential rainy weather is the only reason and that they have a waiting list of those wanting to attend the President's Acceptance Speech............tdp

USA TODAY - GALLUP POLL MEASURES VOTER GROUPS SUPPORT FOR PRESIDENT OBAMA............

A new USA Today - Gallup Poll taken of 1,033 adults on August 20-22, surveying the level of support for President Barack Obama, Overall, it shows a 53% Favorable rating for the President, with Favorable findings with particular groups of Americans ranging from a high of 95%; to a low of 15%; .  Among the findings are that Catholics have a 60% Favorable opinion of Obama; Protestants a 45% Favorable view; and weekly Churchgoers a 44% Favorable; and those attending Church much less than monthly, a 61% Favorable rating of the President.  African American score the President the highest at 95% Favorable; and Republicans have the lowest view of Obama at a 15% Favorable opinion.  Democrats and Liberals view the President 88% Favorable; while Tea Party members give him a 22% Favorable rating; and Conservatives hold him at 26% Favorable.  Tea Party opponents score Obama 83% Favorable; whereas Occupy Wall Street supporters give him a 78% Favorable rating; and Occupy Wall Street opponents have a 26% Favorable view.  Those earning less than $20,000 annually hold a 69% Favorable opinion of the President; with $50,000 - $74,000 annual income earners expressing a 41% Favorable view; and those above $75,000 annual income or more, a 50% Favorable rating.  18-29 year olds, rank the President 67% Favorable; 65 and older persons a 44% Favorable viewpoint.  Whites see Obama 43% Favorable; Women, Moderates, and Not Marrieds, a 61% Favorable opinion; with Men giving him a 45% Favorable and Marrieds, a 46% Favorable rating.  City residents are 60% Favorable; Small Town / Rural residents, 50% Favorable; Suburbanites 49% Favorable, toward the President.  High School diploma or less persons are 49% Favorable of Obama; while those with a College are 49% Favorable; and Post graduate degree holders 62% Favorable.  Independents rate the President 53% Favorable, which is the overall Favorable opinion of this Poll for President Obama with the DNC underway.  Of the 31 voter groups surveyed,  15 of the groups are above a majority in Favorable opinions of the President;  14 of the groups rate him with less than a majority of Favorable opinions; and 2 groups are exactly 50% Favorable of Obama in this USA Today - Gallup Poll...........tdp

AFTER A STRONG OPENING SESSION DAY 2 OF DNC PROMISES MORE SUPPORT FORV PRESIDENT OBAMA............

Off to a strong start at yesterday's opening session of the Democratic National Convention in the Time Warner Cable Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, with very well received speeches by First Lady Michelle Obama and San Antonio, Texas Mayor Julian Castro; Day 2 begins with even brighter promise as former President Bill Clinton addresses the Convention on behalf of the re-election of Obama-Biden, and will place the President's name in nomination.  Clinton will speak in the 10 p.m. Eastern prime time hour, which will be followed by the Roll Call of States.  Prior to Clinton's speech, House Democratic Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi from California; and Massachusetts U.S. Senate candidate Elizabeth Warren, will address the Convention.  In an unusual move, an NFL opening of the season football game will be played on a Wednesday tonight, on the NBC Television network so as not to conflict with President Obama's Acceptance Speech tomorrow night, the first time since 1948, NFL teams have played on a Wednesday.  The memorial tribute to Senator Edward M. Ted Kennedy, last night has continued with media interviews of the late Senator's two sons, Teddy Jr. and Patrick, speaking of their father's "legislative successes", as "his legacy", and vowing every member of the Kennedy family are working for President Obama's re-election for keeping his commitment to fulfilling their father's decades long goal of universal healthcare by enactment of the National Health Care Law. (Obamacare)............Fr.  Troy

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