Mark P. Shea's Blog, page 1342

572 Followers!

Today, my shuffling lackeys and yes men, I must spend the day toiling with Turbotax and so will not be available. In honor of this tedious task, I give you:



It's a consolation to know that our hard-earned money is going to pay for bombs in three wars, as well as helping make sure that Nancy Pelosi, Newt Gingrich, Barak "I remember what it was like to pump gas" Obomba, Clinton and W all have the necessary financial cushion for those retirement years. As national economics expert Alec Baldwin notes, we need to all pitch in and pay because the financial crisis is crippling any new spending. I repent me of my selfish desire to feed my family and have some hope of a future for them when the geniuses of our ruling classes require my money to bomb Libya, socially engineer our children to know all about LGBT contributions to American culture, support Plannned Parenthood and build bridges to nowhere. When it comes to being a Dark Lord, I am a complete amateur next to these people.

Which reminds me, what's up with people fretting about a government shutdown as though it were a bad thing?

That is all!

Reader Sean Dailey notes...

A Small Victory in Springfield, Illinois

Oh, and Judge Belz is a parishoner at my parish, Blessed Sacrament.

Yay!

Chicago Life Mob

Part Deux!

Reason to Homeschool #3945873945827942998875987

Your kid will not be forcibly indoctrinated with crapola by new social science textbooks to include 'a study of the role and contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans'.

Instead, you will study people for the contributions they made to the common good without incessant references to what they did with their privates in their off hours and not be continually bludgeoned with the genitally-obsessed discourse of the Gay Brownshirt.

Reader Kathleen Lundquist...

...fights the good fight in Oregon:

Just thought I'd forward this letter to the editor that I wrote regarding Oregon House Bill 2016, currently wending its way through our legislature. In response to the fact that so few terminally ill people requesting assisted suicide have been referred for psychological evaluation, this bill simply writes that provision into the law – and the pro-PAS forces are having a cow. Here's a link to the bill's text.

And here's some of what "Compassion & Choices" (::eye roll::) has to say: (They took out a half-page ad in the Sunday Oregonian to complain about it.)

Something bloggable, if you're so inclined. If they publish my letter, I'll send a link.

Keep up the good work,

Kathleen

------ Forwarded Message
From: Kathleen Lundquist
Date: Tue, 05 Apr 2011 14:55:24 -0700
To: Letters Mailbox
Cc:
Conversation: House Bill 2016
Subject: House Bill 2016

To the Editor:

I strongly support House Bill 2016 for the following reasons:

The current (2008) online edition of Oregon Death with Dignity Act: A Guidebook for Health Care Professionals (first published by OHSU in 1998) reads, "The patient may dread particular aspects of the future; struggle to find meaning in remaining life; feel guilt, low self-worth, anger, or worry about being a burden to others. Previous experiences with other dying persons may distort the patient's understanding of alternatives. Illness or personality may impede the patient's ability to think flexibly or to consider other alternatives. The request for a prescription under the Oregon Act may be an attempt to cope with loss of control and pending dependence on others." (p. 65)

The authors cite a 2008 study concluding that "of 58 individuals seeking a prescription under the Oregon Act, one in four were assessed to have major depressive disorder. Of the 18 who received a lethal prescription, 15 (83%) had no evidence of a mood disorder, but three were diagnosed with major depression. All three died by lethal ingestion within two months of the research interview [emphasis mine]. This suggests that the practice of the Oregon Death with Dignity Act through 2006 did not include adequate assessment of all patients for mental health conditions that could impair judgment." (Ganzini, L, Goy, E, Dobscha, S. Prevalence of depression and anxiety in patients requesting physicians' aid in dying: cross sectional survey. BMJ. 2008:337;a1682) Therefore, they "strongly recommend that all patients who request a lethal prescription under the Oregon Act be screened for depression with a validated instrument... If the screening indicates possible depression, the person should be referred to a psychiatrist or a psychologist." (Guideline 9.1, p. 67)

In contrast, former Gov. Barbara Roberts complains in a recent Compassion & Choices ad that this bill "burdens patients and physicians with needless procedures and bureaucratic paperwork." What she dismisses as "paperwork" is a vital part of the patient's medical record, including the history, treatment, and outcome of their disease. How else can we continue to study the effects of the DWDA? Is Gov. Roberts really against medical documentation and informed consent regarding a medical procedure with documented risks as well as benefits?

OHSU's guidelines ought to be followed in the administration of the DWDA, and House Bill 2016 merely reinforces this. C&C's protest against this bill reveals that they never intended any public safeguards or information on this practice – at least, none generated by forces beyond their control.

Sincerely,

We're Out and We're Stout!

The Jolly Pride movement continues to swell.

Sacrament of Reconciliation Video Madness!

They are everywhere!



Nice to see, especially coming from so many young folk.

Follow Up Prayer Request

A reader writes about the woman requiring complex and dangerous uterine surgery:

Thank you so much for all of the prayers and responses. L----'s husband wrote back on Monday and told us the surgery has been postponed until Wednesday, April 6, 2011. So please keep praying today for a big miracle.

Father, hear our prayer for a safe and healthy outcome to this surgery through Christ our Lord. Grant life to the woman and her child, skill to her caregivers, and peace for those who love her through Christ our Lord! Amen! Mother Mary and St. Gianna, pray for her!

As the deer panteth for the running stream...

So Jen Fulweiler Pants for the Lord

The thread is mostly dominated by sensible people so far, though, as per usual, a few men with bizarre control issues are turning up to appeal to Deuteronomy and/or Fatima in order to try to press down their obsessions on normal people.

Prayer Requests

I've written to you before regarding prayer requests for my health, but I wanted to ask for continued prayer. I have a disability that I've coped with fairly well all my life, but in recent years I've developed additional health problems that are really taxing me to the limit right now. They are messy, awkward, inconvenient, embarrassing, and nearly impossible to manage by myself. I've become almost a shut-in, and these problems have the potential to drastically reduce my quality of life unless I find some way to manage them. I need physical help which may include everything from an attendant or personal care aide to relocating to an assisted living facility. I need spiritual help, especially the graces to cope with whatever may come. At different times, I am frightened, angry, or profoundly depressed. I ask for the grace to grow closer to Christ through my trials and accept whatever may come with patience and trust in God.

Father, hear our prayer for this man that he will indeed find the graces to bear his cross and that he will go from grace to grace and glory to glory in your eyes. Thank you for his courageous witness. Exalt him as one of your great saints in Christ Jesus and prepare him for the everlasting glory you intend for him through Christ Jesus crucified. Mother Mary, pray for him that all his needs be met.

Another reader writes:

Hey. So, I'm currently a college seminarian. After some recent revelations and emotional developments, I've reached the conclusion that I am not now at least called to the priesthood or seminary life. I don't have much in the way of resources to bounce back from this, and so I could stand some prayer for finding work and a job very quickly -- as the semester is fast approaching it's end. I had a full-on panic attack the other day at the prospect of being without prospects, although since, I've gotten good advice regarding temp work and I *think* have a workable plan for someplace to stay temporarily, perhaps through the summer, while I try to get everything else sorted out. But I would certainly appreciate -- nay, beg -- prayers that all of this should come to a reasonable conclusion wherein I'm working for a living in a place I can afford.

Father, we ask that you would continue to keep your hand on your son and help him to take the next step by the light and grace you provide. Help him to find work swiftly and discern the path you ask him to walk. Help him to see, not that he has no vocation, but that he has some other vocation in Christ our Lord. Mother Mary, pray for your willing servant.