One more for the "George Orwell was an optimist" file

Do you recall in the debate over the University of Notre Dame's decision to present an honorary doctorate to President Obama that many of the defenders of that decision argued that universities are places for the frank exchange of ideas, places where differences can be expressed, explored and discussed?
Well, maybe not so much. Witness the University of Illinois' decision to fire adjunct professor Ken Howell for teaching the Catholic Church's position on homosexuality in a course on modern Catholic thought. The rationale -- this was hate speech.
(story here)

Forgiveness and the one who lived

I was out at University of St. Mary of the Lake last week for a scripture seminar. As I went around the lake on the grounds of the campus my mind wandered back to a tragic auto accident that occurred there several years back. Two young seminarians were killed when the car driven by a third seminarian crashed into some trees. The three young men had been out for pizza and some drinks and were traveling well in excess of the posted speed limit.
One of the seminarians killed was Matty Molnar whom I had met about five months prior to that accident. I recalled how impressive Matty was -- an accomplished musician, a warm and engaging individual, and a devout Christian. He would serve the Church well. Alas, he never got the chance.
As I recalled that tragic accident, I wondered what happened to that third seminarian. I knew he pleaded guilty to charges from the accident and left the seminary. Whatever became of the one who lived?
Today I see a posting on The Deacon's Bench that references an article which answers that question. This is a story of loss, of reconciliation and of the power of forgiveness.
God is good!

Hyundai pulls ad

In response to objections voiced by Catholics, Hyundai has reportedly pulled the "Wedding" commercial which I was not alone in finding offensive. While I applaud their quick response, I am still amazed no one in their marketing department or advertising agency had the awareness to foresee the problem.
Perhaps that is why Sam Gustin, in his report on this in Daily Finance, presents the speculation that the marketing plan might have been to elicit outrage in order to ensure "viral value" for the internet video of the commercial. (story here)

This well sell a lot of Hyundais... but not to me.

Hyundai apologists will certainly say that they are not mocking Catholic liturgy, merely using this to demonstrate the rabid loyalty of their customers. However, I believe that they are complicit in using the mockery of others in an attempt to sell vehicles.



Maybe this is part of a series of commercials and the next one shows a muezzin calling people to prayer from a minaret and then chanting in Arabic, "There is no God but God, and soccer is his game!" while people face Mecca and prostrate themselves.
But somehow I think that is not the case.

Quote of the day....

It is a "...particularly regrettable irony that the one person in all of occupied Europe who did more than anyone else to halt the dreadful crime and alleviate its consequences is today made the scapegoat for the failures of others."
Jewish Holocaust scholar Jeno Levai speaking of Pope Pius XII. (story on Zenit)

Here is a commentary I didn't expect to see...

For men of my generation, Raquel Welch was the icon for the sexuality of the '60's and '70's.
For that reason I was surprised to see this quote on The Deacon's Bench

if an aging sex symbol like me starts waving the red flag of caution over how low moral standards have plummeted, you know it's gotta be pretty bad. In fact, it's precisely because of the sexy image I've had that it's important for me to speak up and say: Come on girls! Time to pull up our socks! We're capable of so much better.

Her full commentary is on CNN (here)

There's a whole lotta shakin' goin' on...

An Islamic cleric asserts that "...attractive women who wear makeup, snub traditional Islamic attire and dress 'inappropriately' incite extramarital sex, which causes more earthquakes." (story here)
Well, back in the day -- i.e. before I promised celibacy -- I acknowledge that a comely lass could easily turn my head, cause my heart to skip a beat, or perhaps even set my knees to a knockin'. But I don't think I ever met the one that could rock my world in the way this cleric envisions.
Perhaps I don't get around enough.