October 17, 2010
I just set-up a date for rotator cuff surgery. That will be happening on November 11th, if the creek don’t rise too much. Any suggestions or comments about the surgery and recovery will be read and given their deserved due.
Iran has released another American from custody after two years. Reza Taghavi, 71, a California businessman, was accused of helping a government opposition group by giving a Iranian man in Tehran $200.00. He had been asked by a friend in California to give the man the money. He apparently did not independently know the man he gave the money to.
Once again, Iran is trying to show the world what a great nation they are by releasing a 71 year old man they say they do not believe is a threat any more. As usual, it isn’t all compassion from Iran. Taghavi is in poor health, suffering from diabetes. Iran just did not want an American to cost them money by providing medical care. They also do not want to upset our government by sending home a dead American. Even Obama would have to respond if Iran sends home an innocent dead American.
The ‘Leave it to Beaver’ mother has died. Barbara Billingsley was 94 years old. She played June Cleaver in the early television comedy, always perfectly dressed, never looking like any of my friend’s mothers in the 50s and 60s. My mother did not dress that way either. She died in Santa Monica, CA.
The Catholic Church just cannot get out of the way of the bullets they fire. Its feet must surely hurt by now. Pope Benedict XVI appointed a conservative Archbishop earlier this year to replace a well-liked, liberal leader in Belgium. The conservative Archbishop Andre’-Joseph Le’onard of Brussels has now upset many church members with his statements given to two Belgium reporters during the course of several interviews recently published in a book in that country. The Archbishop claims AIDS is a form of justice being delivered to people as sentence for their promiscuous sexual behavior. He said people afflicted with AIDS are receiving a “sort of immanent justice” for sexual behavior they engage in. This is coming from a man who gave an oath to God and celibacy.
I was raised a Catholic and still consider myself Catholic. I was taught tolerance by the priests and nuns at school and by my parents at home. Perhaps the Archbishop had a very careless upbringing. The Archbishop had made comments on homosexuality earlier this year when he said; "homosexuality is not the same as normal sex in the same way that anorexia is not a normal appetite."
This boy has a homophobic problem. His latest comments may not just go away. In Belgium, the Catholic Church is heavily subsidized by the government. A Parliament member has brought up the idea of revisiting that concept. Sounds like the masses need a sacrificial lamb. Archbishop, you’re it.
Today is the birthdate of ;
Irene Ryan 1903 Granny from ‘Beverly Hillbillies’
Pope John Paul I 1912 263rd Pope
Tom Poston 1921 comedian “Newhart Show’
George Wendt 1948 Comedian ‘Cheers’
Alan Jackson 1958 Singer
Tennessee Ernie Ford died at the age of 72 in 1991 on this date.
James P. Mason, of DeKalb, IL went missing in action on this date in 1968. Say a prayer for James today.
BRUCE A. BRENNAN
