A moment of silence for the 9/11 victims

Okay, here I go being a pain in the ass about this again. But today is 9/11, and I can't think of a more universal and appropriate way to honor those killed on this day than with a moment of silence to reflect on what those events meant to each and every one of us as Americans.
I'm not praying, I'm not asking for God's intervention, I'm not even asking that others pray about it!!!! I'm not even going to pray in front of you!
Seriously, what were we each doing when we found out what had occurred? I was at home and got a phone call that a plane had hit the World Trade Center. At first I thought it was just a Cessna or small craft that got off course somehow. I didn't want to believe the caller on the other end of the line when she told me, "No, it was a commercial jet."
I always thought that someday something might happen like that, so when I turned on the TV, my worst fears had been realized. When I saw the chaos and imagined what was going on at ground zero, it hit me. I know this from experience having been involved in Oklahoma City. I cannot even begin to put into words the things that went through my mind.
You just can't turn emotions like that on and off like a water faucet.
Yes, having a moment of silence for the purpose of merely singling out someone so you can prosletyze them later about whether or not they are saved is completely wrong. I do not believe that is right. But is that really that prevalent an issue here in this case?

TODAY is why I believe in the moment of silence. A moment of silence to honor, respect and remember people like the firefighters, policemen, rescue workers, and the passengers and flight crew of United 93 is NOT wrong. It's NOT making you pray or subject you to someone else's prayer. You're honoring other human beings who have just so happened to die a horrible death and suffer the most horrible and painful of situations (i.e. the torture of realizing that the plane you're on is headed toward a building like the White House or Pentagon and there's nothing you can do about it.)
We can't compartmentalize grief, and fear, and the need for support during a trying time. I know this because I've tried to do it. And failed miserably.

So why NOT remember these people publicly in this manner? Or are we just ashamed?





Yep, I'm now going to put up a conservative transcript here about the moment of silence issue from the Glenn Beck show. Yes, this is a conservative viewpoint.

Aired Aug 9th 2007

PAGLIARULO: This week, we learned that people in New York City are attempting as to ban the "B" word. And you know, we can`t say the "F" word, or the "N" word. Actually, there are two "F" words you cast say.

But according to David Wallace Croft of Dallas, Texas, a self- proclaimed militant atheist, you shouldn`t be using the "P" word either, "pray." Well, at least when it comes to public education, anyway.

A state law in Texas, established in 2003, requires each school morning begin with a moment of silence. The law says students may, quote, "reflect, pray, meditate or engage in any other solemn activity," end quote. Croft claims this is unconstitutional and the word in question implies religious intent.

To help me understand where Croft is coming from is Ellen Johnson, president of American Atheists.

Hi, Ellen.

ELLEN JOHNSON, PRESIDENT, AMERICAN ATHEISTS: Hi, Joe.

PAGLIARULO: Well, you know, it`s good to have you on. And I`m wondering, how exactly is a moment of silence where you have no idea of what I`m doing, how does that indicate that I`m praying? Or how does that institute religion in school? Please help me out.

JOHNSON: But that`s not what it`s all about. The people who want this moment of silence want prayer. That`s always been the reason behind it. In fact, they can`t have you not doing anything. They can`t have children opting to do something else. It has to be about prayer.

So if they find that students aren`t praying, they`re going to encourage them to do it. The teacher`s going to pray, and other kids who do pray are going to do it loudly. And those who don`t pray are going to be identified as non-believers, as atheists. And they`re going to be set up for proselytizing and harassment, which is what usually happens.

But this is not about being fair and giving students the opportunity to do something else.

PAGLIARULO: Well, I can appreciate where you`re coming from. But absolutely -- you`re absolutely wrong here. And here`s why. I actually do a morning show in San Antonio. I do another show in Houston, Texas.

This is law in -- since 2003 in Texas. And if anybody is proselytizing or forcing kids to pray -- you and I are on the same side here -- that should not be happening. And if you`ve got individual instances where that did happen, that teacher should be reported, because there is -- that should not be establishing any religion in school.

JOHNSON: We hear these things all the time, Joe...

PAGLIARULO: Hold on. I was very calm and listened to you. Here`s the problem with your whole entire argument. If my kid, my children, I`ve got three daughters in Texas schools.

JOHNSON: Right.

PAGLIARULO: If they`re standing there silently for a moment, and they are every morning, because they do this moment of silence. And if they decide to say, "Please, God, help me with this test." Or if they decide to say, "Man, I love my iPod." If they decide to say, "Boy, that guy is pretty cute back there in the other row," that`s up to them. This is the moment of silence for them to get themselves ready for the day.

Nobody but nobody has yet in the years my kids have been in those schools, has told them to pray. Now tell me where you got that somebody is telling them to pray?

JOHNSON: Why don`t your children take care of their personal needs before they go to school? Why do we have to stop everybody -- see, this is all about having everybody see your children pray, and hear your children pray.

PAGLIARULO: No, no, it`s a moment of silence.

JOHNSON: Let me talk. Everybody`s going to stop what they do while your children pray.

PAGLIARULO: It`s a moment of silence, though. I let you talk. I promised this is going to be a nice -- a nice conversation. But...

JOHNSON: It is.

PAGLIARULO: But you just -- you`re throwing up things that are absolutely...

JOHNSON: But your children should take care of their personal business before they get to school.

PAGLIARULO: You`re throwing out patently untrue things. This is a moment of silence. I don`t know if you`ve looked up the definition lately, but silence does not mean you`re overtly, loudly and along with your teacher holding hands and praying out loud. It just doesn`t happen.

JOHNSON: You have to sit in my shoes and hear from people around the country. This is part of what goes on in the public schools. The religious -- the public schools are under siege by the religious who have to get to the kids. Nobody really seriously wants a moment of silence. They don`t want them to meditate. They want them to pray.

PAGLIARULO: I`m going to tell you what I think this is about. Ellen, I can appreciate where you`re coming from. I understand the argument. I understand the debate point.

JOHNSON: OK.

PAGLIARULO: But you`re way off base here. Here`s why.

JOHNSON: No.

PAGLIARULO: If my children are standing there silently, it`s none of your business to try to legislate what`s going on in their mind. You can`t tell me that their constitutional right to free thought is somehow affecting you or your kids and the fact that you don`t believe in God.

JOHNSON: It`s not...

PAGLIARULO: That`s your choice. I don`t want you to believe in God if they don`t want to. I don`t want you telling my kids what they can or can`t do in the classroom silently.

JOHNSON: It`s not about your kids. It`s about the ones who are praying.

PAGLIARULO: That`s the key word here.

JOHNSON: It`s not about your children, because they can pray all they want on their own.

PAGLIARULO: It is about my children. Ellen, thank you. Appreciate it. Back after this.


Now a definition from wikipedia:

A moment of silence is the expression for a period of silent contemplation, prayer, reflection, or meditation. Similar to flying a flag at half-mast, a moment of silence is often a gesture of respect, particularly in mourning for those who have recently died or as part of a commemoration ceremony of a tragic historical event. One minute is a common length of time for the commemoration, though other periods of time may be chosen, normally connected in some way with the event being commemorated (there might be a minute given for every death commemorated, for example). During the moment of silence, participants may typically bow their heads, remove hats, and refrain from speaking or moving places for the duration. A person officiating or presiding over the gathering will be responsible for the declaring and timing of the period of silence.

A moment of silence may be accompanied by other acts of symbolic significance, such as the tolling of bells, the release of doves or balloons, or a performance of the Last Post.

In recent years a trend has developed (particularly within English sports fans) to fill the traditional minute of silence with a minute's applause. Psychologically this is seen by many to convey a fond celebration of the deceased rather than the traditional solemnity. Recent recipients of the minute's applause include international footballers George Best and Alan Ball



and now we go to

"The Third Gore-Bush Presidential Debate"

MODERATOR: Good evening from the Field House at Washington University in St. Louis. I'm Jim Lehrer of the News Hour on PBS. And I welcome you to this third and final Campaign 2000 debate between the Democratic candidate for president, Vice President Al Gore, and the Republican candidate, Governor George W. Bush of Texas. Let's welcome the candidates now. Before proceeding tonight we would like to observe a moment of silence in memory of Governor Mel Carnahan of Missouri, who along with his son and his former chief of staff, died in a private plane crash last night near St. Louis.

Resort of the Day-Couples Negril

I'm going to start adding "Resort of the Day" to my blog to add a different element to things. Just whatever suits my fancy. Today I will feature "Couples Negril"
in Negril, Jamaica.

Owned by Couples Resorts, this is one of the most laid back and chic places to stay in Negril. It's all inclusive and couples only. I found some things on their website to help tie everything in. This is a very bohemian style place, perfect for those that just want to chill out and have "no worries mon." Couples does away with the big flashy "cookie cutter" resort feel and offers a little more of the real Jamaica in their hotels.

18 acres of lush tropics and white beaches
234 exquisitely appointed rooms & suites
Three unique restaurants The Cassava Terrace Restaurant
Beach Grill restaurant
Otaheite Caribbean restaurant


Four bars, including swim-up and piano
Shuttle to Pirates Cave
Shuttle to Margaritaville
Shopping excursions to Downtown Negril
Watersports & Scuba
Glass-bottom Boat Tour
Catamaran Cruise
Unlimited Golf (transfers and green fees included. Caddy mandatory at a nominal charge)

You've got to take a look at their inclusions page to get a feel for the real value here.

http://www.couples.com/01-inclusionsPage.htm

I used to sell Couples honeymoons as a travel agent. I have not personally been to Jamaica yet, but it's definitely on my list. What's great about Couples is that if you are a scuba diver, it's all included. And that's a HUGE value.
There's another famous resort chain that does the same thing, but my focus today is on Couples.

http://www.couples.com

You can also go to tripadvisor.com to read the latest reviews from people who have stayed there.

Consecration of an Eastern Orthodox Church

On Oct, 6, 2007, my parish will be consecrated as a Temple by His Eminence Job, Archbishop of Chicago. We're also going to be celebrating 90 years of service to the community. It's a lifetime opportunity to witness such an event. Relics from a Polish martyr killed by the Nazis will be placed at the altar and it will be officially named as a "Holy Place" until the Second Coming of Christ.

I found an article detailing the process of consecration here:

http://www.mellenpress.com/mellenpress.cfm?bookid=6295&pc=9

Help preserve the Holy Trinity Orthodox Cathedral in Chicago

I received an email from an Orthodox parishioner in the Chicago area today. The "Partners in Preservation in Chicago" has a list of places they are allowing people to vote on for a portion of money for restoration projects.

Here is the link if you wish to vote on this. There are many projects available to vote on.

http://www.partnersinpreservation.com/

From their website:

An architectural gem and Chicago landmark, Holy Trinity was designed by architect Louis Sullivan and constructed with funds from Czar Nicholas II to serve Chicago’s Russian Orthodox community. It is currently a place of worship for 185 parish families of Orthodox and non-Orthodox Christians. Roofing problems and deferred maintenance have damaged much of the decorative sheet metal ornamentation on the exterior.

Here are some stories from its parishioners. Very heart felt:

"Being born in an atheistic society, I came to this country and began attending Holy Trinity Orthodox Cathedral. This is my spiritual home: I worship here, my children were baptized here, several members of my family were buried here. In my heart, this is the premiere cathedral in the country, and we need to beautify her, and care for her so that she may continue serving God. God bless America!"

"Windows are the 'eyes' of any building. Now, our beautiful Cathedral, the last example of Louis Sullivan's religious architecture, has 'black eyes.' We need to fix the windows to once again show the genius of Sullivan, and appreciate the beauty of God."

"Form follows function' is one of the guiding principles set forth by Louis Sullivan. The synthesis he achieved following not only the traditional canons of Orthodox architecture, but also being true to his own vision of architecture is simply awe inspiring."
- Archpriest John S. Adamcio

"Holy Trinity Cathedral is where I truly met God. Louis Sullivan's artistry is exceptional, and deserves preservation. The spiritual beauty and message of the Cathedral is particularly expressed in its architectural beauty. Help us preserve it!"

Ancient Christian message in Ogham

I learned something new today. While at the Greek Festival in Kansas City, I took a tour of the Orthodox Church, and while there, Father Mark gave a lecture on early missionaries to the Americas. He touched upon something I'd never even heard of before:

Christian messages found in West Virginia written in Ogham, an old Irish script from 6th-8th centuries A.D.!

I've always thought that there were people here before Columbus, or before the English landed at Jamestown.

I'll put a link up. Now this source says at the top that it does not give credence to the conclusions found, but the article is written by Dr. Barry Fell, professor emeritus at Harvard. So I'd say this article might be at the very least, worth considering as a valid source, right?

This message is thought to be like a "Christmas card" left on a rock. It's absolutely fascinating stuff no matter how you choose to look at it.

http://cwva.org/wwvrunes/wwvrunes_3.html

http://cwva.org/wwvrunes/wwvrunes_2.html

But then, you have to consider the other side.

http://cwva.org/ogam_rebutal/wirtz.html

This last article is great at trying to attack Fell's standing and credibility, but provides no translation of their own or an independent idea for what they think it might be, so I have to think it's just some sort of smear tactic. I don't know. You decide.

Feast of the Theotokos Sep 8

From goarch.org website:

The Feast of the Nativity of Our Most Holy Lady, the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary is celebrated on September 8 each year. The Feast commemorates the birth of the Mother of Jesus Christ, our Lord.

The birth and early life of the Virgin Mary is not recorded in the Gospels or other books of the New Testament, however this information can be found in a work dating from the second century known as the Book of James or Protevangelion.

According to the story found in this book, Mary's parents, Joachim and Anna, were childless for many years. They remained faithful to God, but their prayers for a child were unanswered. One day, when Joachim came to the temple to make an offering, he was turned away by the High Priest who chastised him for his lack of children. To hide his shame, Joachim retreated to the hill country to live among the shepherds and their flocks.

As Joachim was praying, his wife Anna was praying at the same time at their house in Jerusalem. An angel appeared to both of them and announced that Anna would have a child whose name would be known throughout the world. Anna promised to offer her child as a gift to the Lord. Joachim returned home, and in due time Anna bore a daughter, Mary.

The Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos is celebrated with the Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom which is conducted on the morning of the Feast and preceded by a Matins (Orthros) service. A Great Vespers is conducted on the evening before the day of the Feast. Scripture readings for the Feast are the following: At Vespers: Genesis 28:10-17; Ezekiel 43:27—44:4; Proverbs 9:1-11. At the Matins: Luke 1:39-49, 56. At the Divine Liturgy: Philippians 2:5-11; Luke 10:38-42; 11:27-28.

Sooner Football

After that awesome win last week against North Texas, 79-10, the Sooners take on the University of Miami tomorrow in Norman. It's the first time in 22 years since the Hurricanes have been on the OU campus. We're now 5th ranked!! Weee!
(The same spot Michigan held before that disappointing loss to Appalachian State)

OUCH! OH...SNAP!!!

It will be an interesting game. The last time I was at an OU-Miami game, it was the 1987 Orange Bowl and we were playing for the National Championship. We lost. The band got soaked with beer from their lousy fans. Time for some payback....

Go Sooners! WOOOO!!!