The admission of an affair with some Latin-lover-Argentinian woman from Gov. Sanford (R-SC) yesterday first made me angry and annoyed. And then I felt bad for the guy.
The media, as always, has no mercy on those they hate. This is no different than any other time. They are a pack of ravenous wolves, waiting to feed on the carcass after the animal makes a fatal mistake.
Sanford's shoddy excuse in the first place for why he was MIA for about five days seemed weird to me when I first saw the snippet on to Reuters board in the office where I work. I thought, "It would kind of suck if everyone went hay-wire if they couldn't get a hold of me just because I am on vacation, but then again, he's in the kind of job where you need to be accessible at all times and in all cases." But the fact that he took time to "clear his head" and "unwind" away from his wife and kids on Father's Day was certainly suspect for a high-profile politician. I just wrote it off as some people are weird like that. (I've known plenty of people on Mother's Day and Father's Day who choose to spend it alone going to the spa or taking a day fishing because they see it as their day off where they can pamper themselves and not worry about the kids... whatever.)
Though I had some suspicions up to that point about why the South Carolinian would act so erratically, I was still surprised to hear the confession yesterday that he was having an affair with an Argentinian. I mean, it sounds like a plot out of a book. Needless to say as the head of the Republican Governors Association and just being a Republican governor in general, what he did was extremely detrimental to a party that is already been in such decline recently. Not to mention the disgusting way that he has treated his wife and four sons. It's truly awful and I grieve for the way that all have been tricked and treated in this situation.
And now the media has made it that I feel bad for the governor too... a reaction I was not planning on. This family, all the people involved have been hurt enough by the publicity of the situation. Now they have to heap more shame onto all involved, including the wife and boys, by publishing the personal romantic correspondence between the lovers. It's awful. And I feel so sorry for the man. His boys--can you imagine being subjected to the contents of your father's affair notes? They will be feeling the repercussions of this for years to come, perhaps even the rest of their lives as many children do caught in the middle of this sort of a situation, public or not.
The media does not only wish to dismantle those they dislike; the work swiftly to devour them within hours when the opportunity arises. And that is what they have done here.
For those of us who are disgusted by the situation, I urge you to stop reading the correspondences and the articles and watching the broadcasts that outline the gory details of the affair... don't give them the ratings they are looking for and don't disrespect the privacy of this man.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Iran: Nearing the End?
Most of the free world has been following with interest the situation in Iran over the last week. Though the situation has been getting more desperate with everyday with intensifying protests, today saw a sharp drop in demonstrations. Ahmadinejad’s regime is continuing to employ fear tactics on those who would oppose him, and it seems to be working in quelling the people. I’m continuing to watch the events unfold, and I hope to see good and the will of the people prevail in this.
There is a great opportunity for anyone who is interested—the movie The Stoning of Soraya M. will be premiering in select theaters across the country starting this Friday, June 26. A timely release given the events in Iran, the movie focuses on the injustice and refusal of basic human rights to so many in that country.
Check out the trailer and theater information here:
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Saint Paul Cathedral Named National Shrine
How cool is this? At the close of the Year of St. Paul, the Vatican has declared the Cathedral of the archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis to be a National Shrine of St. Paul. It is the only one in the country, and has created something of a small but strong following in this area for a devotion to the city's namesake.
The Cathedral is not only a center for worship, but a great civic landmark. The city of St. Paul was named after the chapel founded in that name in 1840. The Cathedral is a great work of architecture and is often toured for it’s beauty alone (thank you James J. Hill and your railroad fortune for that one!). The baldechino is fashioned after the Vatican and the building is truly a work of art inside and out.
I’m so proud of our archdiocese and our cathedral—what a great time to be a Catholic in the Twin Cities!
Sunday, June 14, 2009
LGBT Legal And Advocacy Groups Decry Obama Administration's Defense of DOMA
This is an interesting trend: the ACLU and gay community are joining the ranks of those unhappy with Obama...not because of the promises he made, but for the promises he wont keep. It looks like our president can't keep anyone happy.
In an unexpected turn, the Obama administration is choosing not to repeal the Bush-era Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). The ACLU released a statement on Thursday, June 12 chastising the president, stating, "When President Obama was courting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender voters, he said that he believed that DOMA should be repealed. We ask him to live up to his emphatic campaign promises, to stop making false and damaging legal arguments, and immediately to introduce a bill to repeal DOMA." Although I don't agree with their basic premise, nor the solution, it is impossible to look past the egregious fault on the president's part here. I'm afraid it only makes me like Obama less. Not standing by a promises only shows a weakness of character and should make all--whether one agrees with him at the current moment or not-- uneasy about what the Obama administration's agenda is really about.
The entire press release from the ACLU can be found here: http://www.aclu.org/lgbt/relationships/39848prs20090612.html?s_src=RSS
Friday, June 12, 2009
My First Anniversary
In just a week from today, I will have spent an entire year working at my current job. As you know, it has been an interesting year full of both joy and pain. As a come up my first anniversary as an administrative assistant and a full-time contributor to society, I've decided to reflect on where I have been, what I am doing, and where I am going in light of this past year.
At the end of my college career, I took a nearly three week trip to Ireland and Scotland to sing with the Notre Dame Folk Choir and have one last trip and time with college friends before looking for the next step in my life. I returned from that trip refreshed and ready for life, but also anxious to know where I was going and what might be next for me. I admit that my faith, my Catholic faith that I love, suffered in the years before, and it was difficult to return to the peace and trust I had felt when I was in my high school and earlier college years. I was afraid I wouldn't find anything. I didn't even know what kind of work I was looking for to be honest. Perhaps this is what God wanted me to learn from, that I needed to trust in Him even when I have no clue what it is that's next.
I found the job at WRT within the first week and a half of searching, proving all my fears of the unknown to be entirely unfounded and worthless. But though my fears had subsided, the adjustment period had begun. The first few weeks in June and July were somewhat difficult, as it was my first time spending all day every day in the same place. I think what made me the most unsettled was that though I was fine with doing this for a year or two, I knew that this job is not where I was meant to be forever. And it scared me that once I was in, I might never get myself out. I don't devalue my role in the company. In fact, early on I learned that what I do here is among one of the most important and essential roles one can have in a company. If I don't do the work I do, no one else will be willing to do it, that's for sure. But it is all work that has to be done. I am certain that if anything, this job will make me eternally grateful for all the assistants and receptions I work with in the future. I know that their job is not easy and the rewards are not immediate, but surely they are most essential to the work that gets done anywhere.
Through the next few months I struggled with being at the office as well as figuring out what I wanted to do and where I wanted to go. It was in late September or early October that I first started thinking that the choice of what was next for me might not be my own. WRT started going through some tough decisions, beginning with firing the CEO and followed by two large scale lay-offs which took out about 1/2 of the company. I certainly lost any hope in job security and I realized that I needed to take my future into my own hands--I couldn't just assume that something, whatever it was, would come along.
It did and it didn't. The Catholic Studies program at the University of St. Thomas has been attractive to me for years. My interest was piqued in my junior year of high school when the new theology teacher, Mr. Gerlach, spoke highly of the program. When choosing which college to attend, the possibility of completing a Catholic Studies major weighed into my decision. When applying for jobs and thinking about my next step after college, I thought about applying for the masters program in Catholic Studies then. The one thing I did know, was that were I to go and get a masters degree (whether it was Catholic Studies, English, or something else entirely) I would have to have a definite goal in mind. That goal has continued to take shape throughout this year. So when I happened to check out the website in the beginning of February, I knew that it was not just coincidence that I had just enough time to get an application together to submit by the deadline.
I was accepted and with a few bumps along the way, I decided that this is the path I need to take to continue in my personal, professional, and spiritual development. This also meant that WRT was most likely not that path. Though there are a few things I still need to get into place before making any more life changes before starting work in the fall, I can say a few things about my first year as a "working adult" and my year at WRT.
I learned a lot about myself, what kind of worker I am, what my potential is, and where my talents lie. I need direction in my work. I believe I also need to be committed to a goal in my work that means something to me. Perhaps the main reason I am not excited about my job lies less in the work I do as an administrative assistant, and has more to do with that digital signage simply doesn't interest me. If my work is committed to a goal that I think essentially makes this world a better place, I imagine I would feel much more satisfied even in the mundane. But the fact is that I don't necessarily think that we are helping anyone or anything by contributing to the "more, more, more" attitude of materialism and marketing. Of course, there isn't anything inherently wrong with digital signage, and from the point of view of WRT, I am glad they have provided jobs, albeit less and less, for people to create a livelihood and a life.
The bottom line is that at WRT, I have so far had an irreplaceable and essential experience. It has been, in some ways, necessary for me to make the leap into my next stage in life. So, in a moment of nostalgia looking over the last year, I've really enjoyed being where I am. And though I look forward to the next step, I will surely always look fondly on my time here.
At the end of my college career, I took a nearly three week trip to Ireland and Scotland to sing with the Notre Dame Folk Choir and have one last trip and time with college friends before looking for the next step in my life. I returned from that trip refreshed and ready for life, but also anxious to know where I was going and what might be next for me. I admit that my faith, my Catholic faith that I love, suffered in the years before, and it was difficult to return to the peace and trust I had felt when I was in my high school and earlier college years. I was afraid I wouldn't find anything. I didn't even know what kind of work I was looking for to be honest. Perhaps this is what God wanted me to learn from, that I needed to trust in Him even when I have no clue what it is that's next.
I found the job at WRT within the first week and a half of searching, proving all my fears of the unknown to be entirely unfounded and worthless. But though my fears had subsided, the adjustment period had begun. The first few weeks in June and July were somewhat difficult, as it was my first time spending all day every day in the same place. I think what made me the most unsettled was that though I was fine with doing this for a year or two, I knew that this job is not where I was meant to be forever. And it scared me that once I was in, I might never get myself out. I don't devalue my role in the company. In fact, early on I learned that what I do here is among one of the most important and essential roles one can have in a company. If I don't do the work I do, no one else will be willing to do it, that's for sure. But it is all work that has to be done. I am certain that if anything, this job will make me eternally grateful for all the assistants and receptions I work with in the future. I know that their job is not easy and the rewards are not immediate, but surely they are most essential to the work that gets done anywhere.
Through the next few months I struggled with being at the office as well as figuring out what I wanted to do and where I wanted to go. It was in late September or early October that I first started thinking that the choice of what was next for me might not be my own. WRT started going through some tough decisions, beginning with firing the CEO and followed by two large scale lay-offs which took out about 1/2 of the company. I certainly lost any hope in job security and I realized that I needed to take my future into my own hands--I couldn't just assume that something, whatever it was, would come along.
It did and it didn't. The Catholic Studies program at the University of St. Thomas has been attractive to me for years. My interest was piqued in my junior year of high school when the new theology teacher, Mr. Gerlach, spoke highly of the program. When choosing which college to attend, the possibility of completing a Catholic Studies major weighed into my decision. When applying for jobs and thinking about my next step after college, I thought about applying for the masters program in Catholic Studies then. The one thing I did know, was that were I to go and get a masters degree (whether it was Catholic Studies, English, or something else entirely) I would have to have a definite goal in mind. That goal has continued to take shape throughout this year. So when I happened to check out the website in the beginning of February, I knew that it was not just coincidence that I had just enough time to get an application together to submit by the deadline.
I was accepted and with a few bumps along the way, I decided that this is the path I need to take to continue in my personal, professional, and spiritual development. This also meant that WRT was most likely not that path. Though there are a few things I still need to get into place before making any more life changes before starting work in the fall, I can say a few things about my first year as a "working adult" and my year at WRT.
I learned a lot about myself, what kind of worker I am, what my potential is, and where my talents lie. I need direction in my work. I believe I also need to be committed to a goal in my work that means something to me. Perhaps the main reason I am not excited about my job lies less in the work I do as an administrative assistant, and has more to do with that digital signage simply doesn't interest me. If my work is committed to a goal that I think essentially makes this world a better place, I imagine I would feel much more satisfied even in the mundane. But the fact is that I don't necessarily think that we are helping anyone or anything by contributing to the "more, more, more" attitude of materialism and marketing. Of course, there isn't anything inherently wrong with digital signage, and from the point of view of WRT, I am glad they have provided jobs, albeit less and less, for people to create a livelihood and a life.
The bottom line is that at WRT, I have so far had an irreplaceable and essential experience. It has been, in some ways, necessary for me to make the leap into my next stage in life. So, in a moment of nostalgia looking over the last year, I've really enjoyed being where I am. And though I look forward to the next step, I will surely always look fondly on my time here.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
LEAVE SARAH ALONE! (not me)
*Check this out or the video to the right and then read to figure out the title.
Really, David Letterman? Calling Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and slut and joking about her daughter being "knocked up" by A-Rod (whether it was the 18 year-old or the 14 year-old--it's no difference really)? You thought that would go over well? Not to mention your short-of-remorseful apology:
Really, David Letterman? Calling Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and slut and joking about her daughter being "knocked up" by A-Rod (whether it was the 18 year-old or the 14 year-old--it's no difference really)? You thought that would go over well? Not to mention your short-of-remorseful apology:
"We were, as we often do, making jokes about people in the news and we made some jokes about Sarah Palin and her daughter, the 18-year-old girl, who is — her name is Bristol, that’s right, and so, then, now they’re upset with me. These are not jokes made about her 14-year-old daughter. I would never, never make jokes about raping or having sex of any description with a 14-year-old girl. I mean, look at my record. It has never happened. I don’t think it’s funny. I would never think it was funny. I wouldn’t put it in a joke… Gov. Palin, if you’re watching, I would like you to consider coming to New York City — even Todd — as my guests, or leave Todd at home. I’d love to have you on the show. It’d be exciting. All right, so there, I hope I’ve cleared part of this up. Am I guilty of poor taste? Yes. Did I suggest that it was okay for her 14-year-old daughter to be having promiscuous sex? No."
This is just another example of the sort of cheap-shots and hateful language that is used towards Gov. Palin still as it was used during the election season. The thing is, liberals hate her, just as vehemently as ever, because she is the representation of everything they reject. Sarah Palin is a strong, career driven woman, who will not sacrifice her principles, and especially her family, for it. She infuses her politics with the belief that every person, no matter their state in life, has innate dignity because they are a human being. Letterman said she had the style of a "slutty flight attendant" while she was accepting an award for the work she has done for children with Downs Syndrome. That's beyond poor taste, that's just words of hate, trying to tear her down for personal elevation. It's the same sort of mentality that was going on during the election season when we were getting articles and broadcast commentators giving opinion after opinion over THE COST OF HER WARDROBE. I mean, come on. That's the sort of stuff that liberals have always accused the general public of from keeping women out of office and out of the white house. Suddenly, the tables turned. They didn't know what to do. So they attacked the clothes she was put in and her family life. And they're still criticising even now. How classy.
So from the "slutty flight attendant," Letterman got this response:
"Acceptance of inappropriate sexual comments about an underage girl, who could be anyone's daughter, contributes to the atrociously high rate of sexual exploitation of minors by older men who use and abuse others."
Palin also noted that she seriously doubted he would "ever dare" make such comments about anyone elses daughter--which I whole-hearted agree with. I can't wait until President Obama brings his family to watch while he throws out the first pitch at a Yankee's game... is Letterman going to give Sasha and Malia the same respect he did to Palin's daughters?
I don't want to be over-dramatic a la Chris Crocker, but it's really too much, people. How is it in the best interest of our nation when it becomes common place and even considered comical to call a state official, a governor, a former vice-presidential nominee a slut? It's one thing if you have honest and serious critiques of her policy, but enough with the low blows. Just leave her alone! I mean it!
Tuesday, June 02, 2009
Girls Weekend
This past weekend I was able to take a short overnight trip to Duluth with a couple of friends...and I am so glad I did! On Saturday morning at around 10am, Gabbie, Maria, and I piled into the car for the 2 1/2 hour mini-road trip to the beautiful port city of Duluth.
Sitting comfortably on the shores of Lake Superior, Duluth is a city that has a certain old-time charm without feeling dim or dirty. In its hay day, Duluth was a great industrial area and shipping town, as it is the last port on the chain of the Great Lakes. Industry went down dramatically, like so many industrial areas, in the post-50's era. Now the city has been built up to encourage tourism, mostly from the Twin Cities and perhaps over the Wisconsin boarder. I've had the delightful opportunity to visit Duluth 3 times. This third occasion was certainly the most leisurely, the type of trip Duluth seems meant to be.
We checked into our hotel early without any issue from the congenial staff at the Comfort Suites on the Canal Park area. Once we were settled in our accommodations, Gabbie, Maria, and I ventured to Superior Street to find the highly recommended Va Bene Restaurant. Though the walk there seemed long (it ended up only being about 20 minutes or so as it was just over a mile from the hotel), the panini sandwiches were an excellent reward. Ok, so was the gelato :)
We walked back along the shoreline of the lake, taking our time and stopping here and there to play on the rocks. A friend of Maria's came to meet us at that point, so we went back to the hotel to wait for her. Afterwards we took a walk around the whole Canal Park area, looking in shops, going out to the lighthouse, and watching the lift bridge go up and down a couple of times. It was such a beautiful sunny day that we couldn't justify staying inside any where too long.
Dinner was, of course, at the famous Grandma's Restaurant. It was a great time and I loved the Walleye Cake Salad that I ordered. After dinner we found our way over to the (only) bar in Canal Park, Grandma's Garden Sports Bar. It was full of college kids and bachelorette parties, which was not really our cup of tea, but we still had a good time dancing and having a couple drinks.
In the morning, we went to the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary. For a smaller diocese, I was impressed by the beauty of the building. The location was perfect. Walking out of the main doors, one has the most spectacular view of the great lake. For some reason, it reminded me of the church in Galway, Ireland that I spent some time at last year on the Folk Choir trip. Unfortunately, it was very cold and starting to rain after mass, so we thought it would be best just to start heading home.
There were definitely some more places and locations we would have liked to see, Gooseberry Falls, a famous pie shoppe, Enger Tower, and some more outdoor locations, but since it was so nasty out we decided we will have it do those things next time we are in town.
Duluth is a perfect location for a peaceful weekend get-away in the summer or fall in Minnesota. I recommend it, but really only for two nights at the most. Any longer and you'll probably run out of things to do.
Sitting comfortably on the shores of Lake Superior, Duluth is a city that has a certain old-time charm without feeling dim or dirty. In its hay day, Duluth was a great industrial area and shipping town, as it is the last port on the chain of the Great Lakes. Industry went down dramatically, like so many industrial areas, in the post-50's era. Now the city has been built up to encourage tourism, mostly from the Twin Cities and perhaps over the Wisconsin boarder. I've had the delightful opportunity to visit Duluth 3 times. This third occasion was certainly the most leisurely, the type of trip Duluth seems meant to be.
We checked into our hotel early without any issue from the congenial staff at the Comfort Suites on the Canal Park area. Once we were settled in our accommodations, Gabbie, Maria, and I ventured to Superior Street to find the highly recommended Va Bene Restaurant. Though the walk there seemed long (it ended up only being about 20 minutes or so as it was just over a mile from the hotel), the panini sandwiches were an excellent reward. Ok, so was the gelato :)
We walked back along the shoreline of the lake, taking our time and stopping here and there to play on the rocks. A friend of Maria's came to meet us at that point, so we went back to the hotel to wait for her. Afterwards we took a walk around the whole Canal Park area, looking in shops, going out to the lighthouse, and watching the lift bridge go up and down a couple of times. It was such a beautiful sunny day that we couldn't justify staying inside any where too long.
Dinner was, of course, at the famous Grandma's Restaurant. It was a great time and I loved the Walleye Cake Salad that I ordered. After dinner we found our way over to the (only) bar in Canal Park, Grandma's Garden Sports Bar. It was full of college kids and bachelorette parties, which was not really our cup of tea, but we still had a good time dancing and having a couple drinks.
In the morning, we went to the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary. For a smaller diocese, I was impressed by the beauty of the building. The location was perfect. Walking out of the main doors, one has the most spectacular view of the great lake. For some reason, it reminded me of the church in Galway, Ireland that I spent some time at last year on the Folk Choir trip. Unfortunately, it was very cold and starting to rain after mass, so we thought it would be best just to start heading home.
There were definitely some more places and locations we would have liked to see, Gooseberry Falls, a famous pie shoppe, Enger Tower, and some more outdoor locations, but since it was so nasty out we decided we will have it do those things next time we are in town.
Duluth is a perfect location for a peaceful weekend get-away in the summer or fall in Minnesota. I recommend it, but really only for two nights at the most. Any longer and you'll probably run out of things to do.
Monday, June 01, 2009
Maddy and Joel's Wedding!
Memorial Day weekend was absolutely spectacular, owing to the fact that I had a fabulous time with amazing friends in Washington, DC for Maddy and Joel's wedding! For anyone who knows Maddy, it was exactly as one might imagine it: classy and elegant with a laid back and comfortable feel, plenty of turquoise blue, and fun for all ages from the smallest babies to the oldest couple there.
I could go on in detail about the church on Capitol Hill, the reception at Rust Manor in Leesburg, the dress, the cake, the dinner, the band (all of which were perfect), but after reflection, the thing that stood out most to me during the weekend was the friendships.
One thing I noticed early on in the weekend is that one may know how much one loves one's friends--what one would do for them. But not generally known to people is exactly how much they are loved by those same friends. I found the weekend of Maddy and Joel's wedding to be a testament to the friendship that I have shared with them and all my friends there over the years.
Without necessarily a moment to cite as defining for any of my friendships, the unfolding of this idea over the weekend was a revelation to me. I am truly blessed to be surrounded by people who love me, and by deep friendships that are rooted in mutual respect, experience, and a search for the Truth. I have found that the best friendships, despite loss of contact or mutual experience over the years, stand the test of time because of a genuine love of life, and an openness to Truth. Though I had not seen several of my friends there for an entire year, some I haven't even spoken to in that time, I was overjoyed to see them and spend time with them. In spending time together, I realized that these friendships reflect so deeply on the nature of humanity and it seemed to me by the end of the day Saturday that I had seen a certain glimpse of heaven in these moments. Perhaps my favorite moment was in saying farewell to Joel, who pulled Christina and I in for a hug and said sincerely, "thank you for loving Maddy so much."
The wedding weekend of Maddy and Joel was much like a retreat to me: a time to reflect on the friendships and relationships in my own life. Through sharing in the joy of Maddy and Joel, I was able to understand the importance of the people in my life, and to be at peace with where all my relationships stand--platonic and romantic--because I trust that the people who I have kept in my life and are closest to me share in the same search for the truth, and understand the same concept of love and friendship as I do. I trust that God is guiding my relationships and that through growing in deeper appreciation for each other, we venture towards the ultimate appreciation of our Creator.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)