Sarah Piccini's Framing Faith

Sarah Piccini's book, Framing Faith: A Pictorial History of Communities of Faith, is an enjoyable book that I found to be extremely rewarding to read. The book delves into the influence of faith in the lives of Catholic immigrants to the North Eastern part of Pennsylvania during the late 1800's and the early 1900's. It took me back to my high schools days, and visiting Pennsylvania Dutch Country, and feeling a sense of awe in how religion influences communities. This book goes into a brief history and overview of 10 Catholic churches with an amazing array of photos by photographer Ivana Pavelka. It also has a basic layout of how most Catholic Churches are arranged, and what different items are and what they mean to Catholics.

The beautiful work of photographer Ivana Pavelka, and her students from the ARTS Engage! program are simply breathtaking.

I sat and actually let my children look at the wonderful display of the history of these churches, and they recognized some of the items and statuary. This would be a great family book to snuggle up with!

I would recommend this book to someone who loves history, particularly if they like religious history. These memories will now live on in the hearts and minds of those in that part of Scranton, Pennsylvania, and in the hard work of Sarah Piccini, Ivana Pavelka, and the Lackawanna Historical Society, just to name a few.

Here are a couple of pictures from the book:

Bin Laden is dead...now what?

Now that Bin Laden is dead, what should we do? I've spoken to my friend Chris Plante many times about this. Chris would ask me what is our mission over there? Here's how I saw it: Our main mission when we first went in there was to rout out the Taliban and Al Qaeda, and to capture or kill Osama Bin Laden. Period. Not to build schools and roads, or hospitals or the Afghani military. Kill the bad guys and leave. Now we can leave. The rebuilding of that country is up to the Afghani people.

There was much criticism about the wisdom of fighting in the mountains of Afghanistan. After the beating that the Russians took in the 80's, people thought it would be unwise. There were others however, just a few weeks after 9/11/01, who quietly worked behind the scenes in Afghanistan. Those who said, "We will make those that attacked us pay."

Tonight America can celebrate a victory that was a long time coming. I'm watching people dancing and cheering in the streets. It's now almost 0100 on the morning of May 2, and there are still people pouring into Times Square, and gathering outside of the White House. We deserve this. I hope those overseas that were dancing in the streets while our buildings burned, and people jumped to their deaths out of the windows of the World Trade Center, are now watching us dance. This monster had attacked us time and time again, and I hope he felt a cold chill when he realized he was going to die.

Housed in Pakistan, in a military area about 60 miles north of Islamabad, Bin Laden and one of his sons, were living in a specially built compound. So now I'm wondering who gave up his location? Whoever they are, they are very rich indeed. Our military command with the help of Islamic Affairs is handling his body, and they are treating him with more respect than his own people have done with our troops.

I remember seeing the Pentagon on fire that horrible day on 9/11/01. As I raced into Maryland across the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, I was filled with a rage that rose within me like a volcano. I knew we would strike at those that hit us, and we would hit them with the full might of our military. Although many of my family and friends have been to either Iraq or Afghanistan, thankfully they all came back alive.

I am forever indebted to those that gave their all. I am grateful to those who have served, are still serving, and those that have yet to serve. And to our Special Forces...you are the reason America will sleep better tonight! May God bless you and this great country!


MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!!!

Vicious verbal attack against me...

As many of you know, I call into talk radio a lot, and have numerous chats with my friend Chris Plante on 630 WMAL. Well after I was on air on Thursday April 14th, several liberal callers called Chris's show to complain on how much they couldn't stand me. While that part isn't new, what is new is one caller saying they wanted me to die, and another saying I was a Wanna-be-White, Oreo cookie, and that he could take me on at any time. Now I should mention several points: 1. I happen to like Oreo cookies. They're yummy and delicious. 2. I've heard this tired statement my whole life. Just because I'm black and I don't agree with you or this administration, doesn't make me any more white; or a cookie. 3. I don't take threats lightly. Saying you don't like me is one thing. Saying you hate me is another thing. Telling me I should go off and die, can very quickly morph into someone doing something stupid. Know this- I am an expert shooter, and if you come at me and try to harm me or my family, you will pay the price heavily. I'll say again: I have no problem with someone hating what I say, but don't make threats to me. I'd hate for me or my family or friends to spend time behind bars for defending me, because some idiot can't control their emotions. My children need their mother, and I happen to like the idea of freedom. And knowing my husband, my father, and my brother, they would not stop until they made whoever did it pay.

Radical Islamic Terrorist Hearing

As I sit hear and am watching the committee hearing on the "Extent of Radicalization" Among American Muslims, I find myself angry at some of these politicians, and the media's hatred towards Rep. Peter King. Almost all of the Democrats except one, Rep. Brian Higgins (D-NY 27th Dis.), has accused the hearing of being a witch hunt against peaceful Muslims. I'm sure before the day is over he will be branded a traitor by his fellow Democrats, for not towing the line with them. In some cases, Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, was so disrespectful, that Rep. King had to step in.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/dailycaller/20110310/pl_dailycaller/videosheilajacksonleesrantatterrorismcommitteehearing

I am listening to the father of the young man, Carlos Bledsoe aka Abdulhakim Mujahid Muhammad, who shot up the Recruiting Station in Little Rock, Arkansas. Melvin Bledsoe, was very articulate in getting his point across that radicalism in this country a lot of times starts in college.

Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA 12th Dis) was so disgusting in her questioning, by criticizing the fact that the people who are on the panel were not experts in her eyes, because they weren't associated with the government, except for the Los Angeles County Sheriff, Leroy Baca, that the good Sheriff had to put her in her place and tell her that without the members of the panel, the problem of Islamic terrorism CANNOT be solved. She claimed that the testimony of the father, Mr. Bledsoe, and Abdirizak Bihi, the uncle of a young man who joined Jihad and was killed in Somalia, were interesting, but not expert testimony. Mr. Bledsoe's very apt response was what makes the politicians on the committee an "expert" to do what they do on their various committees...

Our representatives have an obligation to listen to these people who are living in fear from radical Islam. Not look down their noses at them with contempt.

Dr. Zuhdi Jasser held his own very well against Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-CA 47th Dis), who got so angry during her questioning of him, that she constantly tried to cut him off from speaking, because he said something she didn't want to hear. The people on this panel have risked their lives to be here, and some of their families have already been threatened.

I'm tired of hearing about comparing Christianity, and Judaism, to radical Islam. I don't ever recall hearing in Mass, my priest saying that we need to go out and kill Muslims because they are not of our faith. And for the love of God, please stop mentioning Timothy McVeigh. He was an atheist. Period. Those two young men that shot up Columbine, were specifically killing Christian students also. They were not Christians. I'm also tired of hearing that we need not paint everyone in the Muslim community with a broad brush, because the Tea Party has been deemed a racist group, because of the actions of a few. There are those of us in that movement that have spoken out, but to no avail. Muslims were cheering in the streets on 9/11/01, and there are those here in this country that are still finding ways to attack us again. As someone who lived in a Muslim country as a child, I can tell you first hand, radicalism is very real, and for us to ignore the fact that they come from the Muslim community, is a grievous error on our part. If Islam is a peace loving religion, then why are these families in danger for speaking out?

Government run health care at its best...

For those of you who want to emulate the health care systems of Europe and Canada as the example we should follow, please read the following article:

The original article can be found here.

I just got finished listening to the heart-wrenching testimony of this little baby's father, who was told that his son will not be given a tracheotomy, because his son will feel too much discomfort at home. But at the capacity board, this same doctor told the board that since the baby felt NO PAIN, that the breathing tube should be removed to let him die. Well which one is it? Either he feels pain or he doesn't. The family will try to move their son here to America for continued care. I pray for their success. Right now when the father wants to visit with his son, there is security in the room with him. He can't even pray in private with his little boy.

This is what our health care system will look like if we allow this new health care law to proceed. We will be putting our care in the hands of some medical board, to determine who will live and who will be too expensive to keep alive. Are you willing to take that risk? I know I'm not.

Why do true racists and liberals get a pass?

These men I have pictured here are two of the biggest hate filled people I have ever heard. How is it that a sitting Congressman (Moran - Top), and a now deceased Senator (Byrd - Bottom), can spew so much hatred and still have a job? Byrd was a Klansman. He started the KKK in West Virginia, and used to recruit new members. And what was his reasoning for joining? He chalked it up to being young. Oh, well since that's all that needs to be done to make amends, then why didn't Christine O'Donnell get a pass about the whole witch thing when she was in high school? She was young. Why did they rake her over the coals mercilessly, until she had to come out with that commercial (albeit a silly one)? Why is it that Byrd can call someone a "white nigger", and no one barely says a word? The left wing media will continue to give him a pass, and exhalt him as a great leader.

Jim Moran (D) 8th District-VA is at the bottom of the barrel when it comes to saying hateful things. He said that the only reason Democrats lost in November 2010 is because America doesn't want to be led by an African-American, that we're racists. To an Arab t.v. station no less. Right, that's why Obama won the presidency with a win in Virginia. That's why there were a number of African-American Republicans who won in this last election. We don't hate Obama because he's Black, we don't want him telling us that we're hateful, or that we're the enemy, or how to spend our money. Moran also said that a decorated Army veteran of 24 years, COL Patrick Murray, had no public service. To possibly die for the safety of this country is the ultimate public service. Moran is a disgrace, and I'd like to ask those residents of VA- 8th district, "Are you proud of who you have representing you? Why did you vote for him?" This is just two examples of his animosity to conservatives, and the country as a whole.

Who's going to hold them accountable? Who going to tell them to their faces that they are a disgrace? I hope that one day the elitist MSM would treat this kind of hatred to the right, with the same disdain they assume the left receives. Until then, we'll continue to be sickened with the so called media corps.

Spike Lee can move abroad anytime he wants...

I wanted to wait and see if the all knowing Spike Lee would apologize for the comment above. And I'm wondering why Meredith didn't question him further about his comments...and I'm still waiting...

So Spike Lee thinks this country is the most violent in human history huh? Has he not read anything about history? If not let me give a little overview about recent human history:

WWI 1914-1918:

During World War I, there were 16 million deaths, and 21 million wounded. These deaths were soldiers and civilian alike.

Josef Stalin 1925-1953

Kill tally: Approximately 20 million, including up to 14.5 million needlessly starved to death. At least one million executed for political "offences". At least 9.5 million more deported, exiled or imprisoned in work camps, with many of the estimated five million sent to the 'Gulag Archipelago' never returning alive. Other estimates place the number of deported at 28 million, including 18 million sent to the 'Gulag'. [1]

WWII 1939-1945:

During World War II, there were an estimated 60-80 millions deaths that was military and civilian.

Holocaust 1933-1944: I'm sure there are people wondering why I separated WWII casualties and casualties from the Holocaust. The deaths from the Holocaust had nothing to do with the war. The Holocaust was the systemic killing of Jews, and the killing of P.O.W.'s, Gypsies, the disabled and mentally retarded, and those deemed inferior in any way to the Aryan Race. Approximately 11 million people were killed, with approximately 6-7 million of the deaths to be Jews.

Korean War 1950-1953:

During the Korean War, there were an estimated 5 million killed, these were civilian and military.

Vietnam War 1955-1975

During this time period an estimated 1-1.2 million people were killed, these included civilian and military.

Chairman Mao Zedong 1958-1968

Over 80 million people were killed during the reign of Chairman Mao. During the "Great Leap Forward" about 43 million people died. During Mao's "Cultural Revolution" apx. another 40 million people died.

Pol Pot 1975-1979:

Under the reign of Saloth Sar aka Pol Pot, an estimated third of the countries population (apx. 3 million) perished.

Rwanda 1994

In less than 100 days, over 800,000 people died in widespread genocide. The Hutu power group known as the Akazu directed the genocide. [2]

Darfur, Sudan 2004-Present Day

The genocide in Darfur has claimed around 400,000 lives and displaced over 2,500,000 people.

If anyone's counting, that's around 217,400,000 people in the last century. If Spike still thinks this country is the most violent in history, I'd be more than happy to help him pack and find another bright and sunny place to live. One that grants him all the freedoms he has here, so he can say all the crap that has come out of his mouth. Maybe he'll like it somewhere nice and quiet...Siberia perhaps...

References:

1.http://www.moreorless.au.com/killers/stalin.html

2.http://www.rwanda-genocide.org/