“In March, 1982, Kennesaw, Georgia, passed a mandatory gun ownership ordinance which requires all heads of households to own a firearm — handgun, rifle or shotgun. In 1982, our crime against persons, which include murder, rape, armed robbery, aggravated assault and residential burglary, decreased 74%. In 1983 these same crimes decreased [an additional] 46%. … I would also like you to be aware that our population has increased in excess of 20% since 1982. We have had no accidents nor incidents involving our citizens with regards to firearms. … It is a pleasure to see our senior citizens strolling the streets at night without fear of becoming a victim of violent crime.”
[17] And it came to pass on a certain day, as he sat teaching, that there were also Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, that were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judea and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was to heal them.
[18] And behold, men brought in a bed a man, who had the palsy: and they sought means to bring him in, and to lay him before him.
[19] And when they could not find by what way they might bring him in, because of the multitude, they went up upon the roof, and let him down through the tiles with his bed into the midst before Jesus.
[20] Whose faith when he saw, he said: Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.
What was that all about?
[21] And the scribes and Pharisees began to think, saying: Who is this who speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?
[22] And when Jesus knew their thoughts, answering, he said to them: What is it you think in your hearts?
[23] Which is easier to say, Thy sins are forgiven thee; or to say, Arise and walk?
[24] But that you may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,) I say to thee, Arise, take up thy bed, and go into thy house.
[25] And immediately rising up before them, he took up the bed on which he lay; and he went away to his own house, glorifying God.
Wouldn’t you?
[26] And all were astonished; and they glorified God. And they were filled with fear, saying: We have seen wonderful things today.
But a Star-Ledger review of the archbishops record since 2002 shows Myers on at least four occasions has shielded priests accused of sexual abuse against minors and one adult. In the four instances, the priests have either admitted improper sexual contact, pleaded guilty to crimes stemming from accusations of sexual misconduct or been permanently barred from ministry by the archdiocese after allegations of sexual misconduct.
The archdiocese also wrote a letter of recommendation for one of the priests, a week after it learned he was accused of breaking into a womans home in Florida and possibly assaulting her.
It’s a matter of taking “a cautious hand in publicly naming priests” and feeling the weight of the issue. On the other hand, he
has failed to live up to the guidelines and spirit of what was set forth in Dallas [in 2002, where he was an advocate of sterner
measures]. The most controversial example is the Rev. Michael Fugee, who confessed to police eight years ago that he molested a 13-year-old boy. Fugee was never ousted from the priesthood, and the archdiocese assigned him last year as chaplain to St. Michaels Hospital in Newark without telling hospital officials of his past.
It’s the bishop’s problem in this matter. They can’t pull triggers.
It’s a duel here between New American Bible (NAB), what we hear read at mass these days, and the Douay-Rheims version (D-R), what we heard before the liturgical revolu — I mean reform — shook up Catholic worship.
Here is tomorrow’s 2nd reading, 2nd Sunday of Advent, Romans 15.4-9, NAB vs. D-R, verse by verse, each time NAB first, then D-R:
4 For whatever was written previously was written for our instruction, that by endurance and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope.
[4] For what things soever were written, were written for our learning: that through patience and the comfort of the scriptures, we might have hope.
“Previously” is redundant. “Instruction” not “learning”? Why? “Patience and the comfort” of the scriptures beats “endurance and by the encouragement of” the scriptures. Patience is a virtue, for one thing, and encouragement “of” the scriptures? “By”?
5 May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to think in harmony 2 with one another, in keeping with Christ Jesus.
[5] Now the God of patience and of comfort grant you to be of one mind one towards another, according to Jesus Christ:
“Thinking in harmony” vs. being “of one mind”? One is abstract, the other is a good everyday image.
6 that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
[6] That with one mind, and with one mouth, you may glorify God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Ditto “one mind . . . one mouth.” It’s visual and memorable.
7 3 Welcome one another, then, as Christ welcomed you, for the glory of God.
[7] Wherefore receive one another, as Christ also hath received you unto the honour of God.
“Welcome” vs. “receive”? The second says more.
8 For I say that Christ became a minister of the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, to confirm the promises to the patriarchs,
[8] For I say that Christ Jesus was minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers.
“The circumcision” — a sort of Old Testament sacrament, or an era. A condition.
9 but so that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written: “Therefore, I will praise you among the Gentiles and sing praises to your name.”
[9] But that the Gentiles are to glorify God for his mercy, as it is written: Therefore will I confess to thee, O Lord, among the Gentiles, and will sing to thy name.
Both constructions are best left unattended. But as throughout, the rhythm is the thing. Or so it seems to me.
1749 Rheims New Testament, first cousin to King James Version
Has the Scripture prescribed for reading at mass been dumbed down since Vatican 2? Here’s the gospel for today, Saturday of the First Week of Advent:
Jesus went around to all the towns and villages,
teaching in their synagogues,
proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom,
and curing every disease and illness.
At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them
because they were troubled and abandoned,
like sheep without a shepherd.
Then he said to his disciples,
The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few;
so ask the master of the harvest
to send out laborers for his harvest.
Then he summoned his Twelve disciples
and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out
and to cure every disease and every illness.
Jesus sent out these Twelve after instructing them thus,
Go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
As you go, make this proclamation: The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Cure the sick, raise the dead,
cleanse lepers, drive out demons.
Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.
That’s Mt 9:3510:1, 5a, 6-8, New American Bible. Here’s the passage, same verses, from the 1962 (and earlier) Bible, the only point of comparison, since the 1962 daily readings were skimpy to nonexistent:
And Jesus went about all the cities, and towns, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease, and every infirmity.
[36] And seeing the multitudes, he had compassion on them: because they were distressed, and lying like sheep that have no shepherd. [37] Then he saith to his disciples, The harvest indeed is great, but the labourers are few. [38] Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he send forth labourers into his harvest.
[1] And having called his twelve disciples together, he gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of diseases, and all manner of infirmities.
[5] These twelve Jesus sent: commanding them, saying: Go ye not into the way of the Gentiles [and into the city of the Samaritans enter ye not]. [6] But go ye rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. [7] And going, preach, saying: The kingdom of heaven is at hand. [8] Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out devils: freely have you received, freely give.
I submit that the pedestrian has replaced the sonorous, I’d call it rhythmic. The 1962 Bible (Douay-Rheims) called for a reader-aloud with some oratorical training, which has its pitfalls, yes. But this reading the daily newspaper at us (so it comes across) has nothing to stir souls.
From which you may gather why the state’s politicos do not favor it, same ones who favored such an audit of Medicaid in Illinois. In the one you endanger politicos, in the other docs and patients.
The Chicago Tea Party gathering on Wednesday night 12/1 at Blackie’s, in the South Loop, was worth the (quick) drive down Ike and two blocks over, at Clark & Polk. Adam Andrzejewski was the star attraction, speaking in a party room next to the main bar-restaurant which has the look and feel of a friendly neighborhood joint and not a downtown watering hole.
Andrzejewski ran for governor last time, lost in the Republican primary to Bill Brady, who lost last month. But as soon as Andrzejewski lost the primary, he set up a political action committee, reinstating his citizen watchdog group For the Good of Illinois, apparently mostly with his own money, and set about being a political operative of no mean achievement.
This night he named four state legislative districts he deemed winnable, in each of which Republicans lit fires, losing to the Democrat/Mike Madigan “fire wall” in only one. In the process, he and others trashed the Madigan reputation up and down the state, leaving Madigan, Illinois House speaker, “pissed.” But Republicans lost the governorship.
Asked what went wrong, he cited Brady’s running as a “trust me” candidate — in Illinois, where a politician should know better — and opponents’ inability to “light enough fires” so that the Madigan fire wall wouldn’t stop them.
One he did set was persuading Cedra Crenshaw to run in a south suburb for a state rep job long held by a Democrat wheelhorse. She, a black woman with Tea Party support, drew $1 million of Democrat money into the district — the sort of distraction and using up of money that puts a party on the defensive — and in the process even forced vice-p Biden to go on TV to distance himself (and Obama) from (rampant) allegations of Tea Party racism.
Crenshaw was at Daley Plaza last April 15 for a different kind of Tea Party event, a noisy outdoor rally featuring speakers spouting defiance of Mayordaley II (the point was made, don’t call it Daley Plaza but Civic Center Plaza) and led by a formidable self-described community organizer from Oak Lawn, Catherina Wojtowicz.
For the Blackie’s event, the leader, contact man, introducer of speakers, etc. was such a different type of operative as to wonder how the twain could meet — South Side rally-leader and South Loop m.c. This is Steve Stevlic, whose internet office is at www.teapartychicago.org, Twitter @landofdafree. He ran things quite nicely, using a handheld mike given to each speaker in turn, all easily heard in the longish party room with bar along one side . Q&A were crisply handled.
Andrzejewski:
* He’s oldest of 7 kids, his father taught history 36 years, would grill them at dinner on principles of government. Has 3 of his own, 2,4,6 yrs old, asked oldest where she gets her rights, she said China: he knew then he had to spend more time with family. Did so, 2nd child to similar question gave good answer.
* Congressional winners in recent election ran boldly. Important point. (Later, asked why Bill Brady lost, said in effect he didn’t.) In process “we tarnished [Mike Madigan’s] name, and now he controls the money, the map, and he’s mad. “Tough times are coming” for the state.
* The winners “ran on ideas.” They forced Dems to spend $6 million in four congressional races, winning 3 of them, “impossible races” which Repubs made competitive. These were “public policy campaigns,” the only kind to run, on issues such as TIF transparency, term limits (which neither party wants), a gerrymandering amendment.
* There’s no one else (but Tea Partiers) to save the state from insolvency, Illinois being “systemically corrupt,” as Communist Poland was when his friend Lech Walensa, who also faced an impossible situation, said when A. brought him to Chicago.
* Forensic audit of state books: Wld cost $60 million, save $3-5 billion. Entire legislature wanted audit of Medicaid, but that was of doctors and poor patients. This would be of politicians, office-holders. Tough sell.
Other speakers, warm-ups for Andrzejewski, three people, each excellent:
* John Garrido, CPD lieutenant (in uniform, on his lunch hour, he made clear), one of 8 candidates for 45th Ward alderman. Also a lawyer with office at Elston & Austin. “Fed up with machine politicians.” Asked about Rahm E’s promise of 250 new cops, said “drop in the bucket.” Down 2,000 now from needed 13,500. TIF money “basically a slush fund.” Would not keep Jody Weis on as commissioner. Hopes for “sweeping change” in city council. He’d be one of 50.
* Tonia Members, who introduced her husband as 17th Ward aldermanic candidate — “conservative, Republican [slight pause] and he’s black” — but not before urging listeners (all white that I could see, 50 or so men and women) to go door to door in black neighborhoods announcing themselves as Tea Party members, this even though there’s “straight hate” there for the Republican Party. At a rally, she said, one sign had Rush Limbaugh and Sarah Palin and above them “Hate” and another with Obama and “Hope”!
* Antoine Members, a corrections officer, wants “lateral transfers” in the CPD, whereby there is rotation of officers (Garrido favored this too), and otherwise emphasized schooling that raises literacy levels among black citizens. His ward is South Side, encompassing or touching Englewood, Chatham, Chicago Lawn. One of eight candidates, he also urged door to door work, where people would listen to them, he said. Got applause with reference to right to bear arms. Asked about drug legalization and why black leaders do not support it, said in effect the money is too good, and it goes to politicians and others. Ministers? They too “have a piece of the action.” Gangs? Fight them, they fight back; provide alternatives.
Stevlic closed things out. Pushed the “Adopt an Official” program, whereby people sign up to be in effect citizen lobbyists, in regular contact with an official. To them Stevlic would supply with issue information, etc. Big issues coming up: public pensions and public sector unions: a Pension Task Force has been formed, headed by the mayor of Burr Ridge. School boards another category of big spenders.
Next Blackie’s meeting Jan. 5. It was refreshing to hear people talk sense at such a meeting.
Boy shot at near Holmes School in Oak Park, 8:30 last night — you pass it on Chi Ave., lovely red brick building across Chi Ave. from a block of blocks with houses to grace any coffee table book about elegant living. School playground is half a city block extending west of the school, lots of state-of-art play equipment.
He was running from two in late teens. Shooter black, we may presume so are the other two but maybe not — Oak Park kids mingle a lot. The perps banged him on the head, he got treated at West Sub Hospital.
From comments:
* This is very disturbing. There are always children, families, tourists, people walking dogs at/near Holmes. It’s not a very well-lit area. In the past, I’ve also found used condoms and drug paraphrenalia under the playground equipment. Perhaps improving the lights would help deter such things. And I echo Ms. Schnierow’s comments [bemoaning recent Supreme Court “misinterpretation of the 2nd
amendment”].
* How fortunate this teen wasn’t killed. If he had had a gun, he probably would be dead.
* Ms. Schnierow, Your point assumes that the offender purchased his gun legally. You should acknowledge that crimes such as this are committed not by law abiding gun owners, but those without licenses and whose guns are probably stolen.
* Hard to rationalize this one away–8:30 at night is not late to be out. The Oak Park boy, or an uninvolved bystander (someone walking a dog, or sitting in the window of a nearby house), could have been killed. I hope the police find the guys, quickly, and that they make a good case against them. Doing so is the best deterrence.
* This is simply unacceptable. Who were these kids? Where were they from? What were they doing there? What’s next, drive-bys?
* Ben [Meyerson], good reporting. And, it is refreshing to read in a crime report a FULL description (race) of the suspect, for the public to be aware & informed. Crime will only increase & it’s . . . becoming possible for crimes to occur in other areas besides the east side [abutting the city] & south side of Oak Park. This village needs to support the police dept. w/funds, and reduce other programs in order to do so, otherwise our quality of life & property values all go downhill.
* It was barely a month ago when the Tribune featured this neighborhood as “one of the 10 best neighborhoods in the nation”.
When it comes to crime, you find diversity of opinion here. But one thing I don’t get: it was a fight, the story says. But whose idea was it to fight, the two older guys, one of them armed, or the boy? I’ve seen that goading, here in recent years and here 70 years ago, but 70 years ago the gun was unthinkable.
============
Later: The above is from OakPark.com. From Triblocal is this, about a guy in his back yard a mile or so almost directly south of Holmes School (a few blocks east, one east of Oak Park Ave.):
An Oak Park man was punched and robbed by two teenagers who robbed him of $12, Oak Park police report.
The man was in his back yard on the 800 block of South Euclid Avenue at 5:33 p.m. Tuesday when two male teens approached him. One of the teens drew a handgun and demanded money, while the second punched the man in the mouth, police said.
The victim reached into his pockets and dropped the cash to the ground, where it was picked up by one of the teens. They fled the scene through an alley, according to police reports.
I like the part about his throwing the money on the ground, if he threw it but didn’t just drop it, but the rest of it I don’t like at all. This block is just east of Oak Park Ave., a fairly bustling commercial strip, with a good-sized grocery store and several eateries and a bank. Just north of the Eisenhower, where there’s a Blue Line stop.
Blithe Spirit 