Jasper Jottings —————————————- The achievement journal of my fellow alums

Entries categorized as ‘Positraction’

POSITRACTION: The ability to laugh at ourselves

October 5, 2008 · No Comments

http://tinyurl.com/4ftcch

‘SNL’ sends up VP debate with Fey, Queen Latifah
By JAKE COYLE, AP Entertainment Writer 2 hours, 28 minutes ago

*** begin quote ***

NEW YORK - It’s starting to feel like Tina Fey is running for vice president.

Fey again returned to “Saturday Night Live” to play Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin as the sketch comedy show continued to pull out all the stops in its election year season. Queen Latifah dropped by to portray Thursday’s debate moderator, PBS’s Gwen Ifill, and cast member Jason Sudeikis stepped into the role of Democratic vice presidential candidate Joe Biden.

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One hopes that everyone can look at this and laugh. Heaven help us if we become so sensitive that we can’t. I always try to look at my affectations, my priorities, and the things I think are important, like Jasper Jottings, and laugh at my own pomposity. (Is that a wurd?) Imagine an injineer seeking to report like a gazetteer on alumni stuff, connect his fellow alums with each other, lecture them on liberty, instruct them on Austrian economic, and make social commentary. Who does he think he is? Just a fellow alum, well aware of his limitations, trying to do a ‘job’ that seems worth doing to him.

My hope is this week, if you can’t laugh at SNL, if you can’t laugh at yourself, you can laugh at my pretensions. At least then, we’ll be sharing a laugh together. Because I laugh at myself a lot.

Is this fellow serious?

That’s left to the reader to answer. Hopefully this gave your week a funny start.

fjohn68

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POSITRACTION: Bold defiance in Nazi Paris

September 28, 2008 · No Comments

http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_7634000/7634154.stm

Bold defiance in Nazi Paris By Barbara Mellor
Translator of Resistance: Memoirs of Occupied France

Notre Guerre, Souvenirs de Résistance, Agnès Humbert, 1946.
The listing on French eBay didn’t give much clue as to the treasure that lay in store.
Agnes Humbert’s secret journal was first published in 1946

*** begin quote ***

Neither title nor author meant anything to me. But a memoir of the French Resistance published so soon after the war and - most intriguingly - written by a woman, might be worth a couple of euros.

When it arrived, Notre Guerre - its evocative cream-coloured cover darkened with age, its blotting-paper pages roughly cut - exhaled the atmosphere of wartime Paris. There was no preamble, no introduction. As I started to read, I was plunged directly into the Parisians’ agonized anticipation of the arrival of the German army in their beloved city in June 1940.

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[JR: We continue to learn what good people did to resist evil. Hopefully, our challenges, or at least mine, will be little ones. Franz Jägerstätter comes to mind. And, all the ones we don’t know. When we are presented with evil, either personally or by our government, do we, as Jaspers, have huevos to stand up and “just say no”? It so much easier to “just go along to get along”. Like the line from a “man for all seasons”?]

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The Duke of Norfolk: Oh confound all this. I’m not a scholar, I don’t know whether the marriage was lawful or not but dammit, Thomas, look at these names! Why can’t you do as I did and come with us, for fellowship!

Sir Thomas More: And when we die, and you are sent to heaven for doing your conscience, and I am sent to hell for not doing mine, will you come with me, for fellowship?

*** end quote ***

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Categories: Positraction
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POSITRACTION: Don’t let ‘Technical Difficulties’ sop you!

September 21, 2008 · No Comments

http://blogs.ktla.com/ktlamorningnews/

Dolly Parton saves the World Premiere of ‘9 to 5’ Musical as ‘Technical Difficulties’ almost stop the production cold.
10:45 PM September 20, 2008

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She has doubtlessly performed on thousands of concert stages all around the world; but Saturday night at the World Premiere of the stage musical version of her very own “9 to 5,” Dolly Parton had to save opening night, by performing, completely impromptu, from the audience.

Parton, was among a star studded crowd; including fellow ‘9 to 5’ film cast members Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, and Dabney Coleman; all of whom were on hand to see the Broadway Bound musical based on the movie from 1979.

Dozens of other stars were in Los Angeles’ Ahmanson Theater, including, Gabriel Byrne, Tracey Ullman, Blythe Danner and Jason Alexander; when the show was stopped cold about 15 minutes into the performance by “technical difficulties.”

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Once has to admire folks, who can roll with the punches. It’s a lesson to us to listen to that inner voice. Don’t worry about yur inner image. Just go with the flow in service of others and you’ll seldom be wrong. And, if you are, you can’t worry about it.

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Categories: Positraction
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POSITRACTION: My aunt has returned to Ireland after 49 years

September 14, 2008 · No Comments

http://irisheagle.blogspot.com/2008/09/last-sister.html

http://www.princegeorgecitizen.com/20080821147791/
local/news/the-last-sister.html

http://tinyurl.com/5dwqj2

*** begin quote ***

My aunt has returned to Ireland after 49 years in Prince George, British Columbia. There was a nice write up about her in the Prince George Citizen before she left. She was the last of the Sisters of Mercy in the diocese.

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Following Jaspers’ blogs often lead to interesting gems. Here’s a story of a self-sacrificing lady who touched innumerable lives. Interesting that “we” are not replacing those people. And, the world will be immeasuably worse off for it.

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POSITRACTION: Catholics enter into prayerful reflection as they prepare to vote

September 7, 2008 · No Comments

http://www.usccb.org/comm/archives/2008/08-117.shtml

USCCB News Release

08-117
August 19, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Bishops Ask Catholics To Pray Election Novena

WASHINGTON—The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) invites U.S. Catholics to pray before the November election a novena for life, justice, and peace called Novena for Faithful Citizenship. It is a podcast and available for download.

Joan Rosenhauer, Associate Director for the USCCB’s Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development, said that the special novena is part of “the bishops’ campaign to help Catholics develop well-formed consciences for addressing political and social questions.” The bishops issued their statement on forming consciences for faithful citizenship in November 2007.

Helen Osman, USCCB Secretary of Communications, expressed hope that the novena could help “Catholics enter into prayerful reflection as they prepare to vote.” Seventy-one percent of all visitors to the USCCB’s web site download the free podcasts of the daily NAB readings. These same visitors are encouraged to use the novena podcast for prayer. Osman said that the USCCB wants to support Catholics as they weigh pre-election issues and that “providing a prayer resource on the Web can help us focus on our common values and identity as Catholics.” The novena emphasizes the dignity of life, justice, and peace.

The Novena for Faithful Citizenship runs for nine days and can be used consecutively, one day each week, for nine days prior to the election, or “in any way that works best for a community or individual,” said Rosenhauer.

The novena will be available for download until the election and it can be downloaded online at http://www.faithfulcitizenship.org/resources/podcasts.

For other Faithful Citizenship resources and materials visit www.faithfulcitizenship.org.

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[JR: It would seem to me that D's, R's, or just us L's, need to elevate the level of discourse. Winning isn't the only thing; it's how you win. We have serious issues and we need serious solutions present by the candidates. We have a right to demand forcefully answers to PROPER questions. O should explain his vote on Infanticide; a serious moral issue. McC should explain specifically how he will lower taxes; serious trust issue, because we been fooled by both Clinton and Bush41. Biden should explain his law school plagerism which indicates a serious character flaw. Palin should explain how she is a credible President substitute; especially in foreign policy issues. As an Libertarian, I vote 'small government' all the time with no illusion that I'll have any impact. I won't even tell people they SHOULD vote. That's a decision of conscience each of us have to make on their own. A little prayer might help one to see things more clearly.]

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Categories: Positraction

POSITRACTION: An email from Toner, Mike (MC1975) prompts ‘heavy thinking’

September 1, 2008 · No Comments

From: Michael Toner
Date: August 31, 2008 11:47:13 AM EDT
To: fjohn68
Subject: Re: [Distribute_Jasper_Jottings] JASPER JOTTINGS Week 35 - 2008 Aug 31

Dear John,

I’m writing in response to your comments about Bishop Wuerl’s response to Speaker Pelosi’s comments on Meet the Press.

While I am not in full agreement with their position, I certainly agree that the bishop’s can and should defend the church’s position on abortion. What I find offensive is that they summarily dismiss anyone who has the temerity to point out that there have been disagreements over the centuries over when HUMAN life begins. Several saints and doctors of the church have argued that human life begins at some time past the moment of conception. Here is a link to an article by Prof. Dan Maguire of Marquette University that details some of those positions: http://www.religiousconsultation.org/News_Tracker/moderate_RC_position_on_contraception_abortion.htm

Several bishops and, in fact the USCCB, have denounced Prof. Maguire’s paper but nowhere was there a point by point rebuttal of his citations.

I certainly agree, as Cardinal Egan points out, that with modern medical technology we have a much better idea of fetal development than did those making the earlier arguments and perhaps that argues in favor of the church’s current position. But what is just plain wrong is to demonize and dismiss those who would point to the earlier writings.

The bishops would have a lot more credibility (of course, these days that is not saying very much) if they would acknowledge that there have been discussions and disagreements over the centuries and then say - “but now with today’s technology we think it is irrefutable that life begins at conception.” Instead they do their usual - pretend that history doesn’t exist (when it is inconvenient) and say “this is the way it has always been…”

Will they never learn that the faithful have some intelligence and can appreciate a nuanced discussion that acknowledges all of the historical facts.

Thanks again for all your efforts as CIC - and commentator.

mike toner
buffalo, ny
bee ‘72

[JR: Thanks for the information, input, and sharing. Compliments not required; head swelled enough. Thinking I can pull this off. Personally, I'm an injineer. It seems like simple biology to me. I'll leave the heavy lifting to the big thinkers. No one will convince me that having the gooferment involved with the force of guns is going to help us in what is probably the most difficult of human problems. I'd hop that good people working with the support of freinds, families, and professionals minus an agenda or economic incentive would figure it out. I know we have setup in this country a whole buch of folks with 'agendas'. Sometimes it power; sometimes money. And I love how politicians create the problem, and then offer us resuce if we empower them further. I did like Cardinal Eagan's formulation. With what we know know, we have to update our thinking. We've seen where eugenics takes us and that's not pretty. It's obvious we need people of and in good faith to leads us out of this mess. IMHO infantacide as voted in the past by one Presidential candidate is 'morally objectionable'. Others will have to decide for themselves. I don't seek to force anyone; just hope they reach their ow conclusion.]

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Categories: JEmail · Positraction
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POSITRACTION: Boys Honored As 911 Heroes

August 25, 2008 · No Comments

http://tinyurl.com/5obn52

Boys Honored As 911 Heroes
Published: August 5, 2008

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Two local boys received awards Tuesday for calling 911 in an emergency.

Shawn D. Parkes, 12, of Overland Park, was recognized by 9-1-1 for Kids®, an international emergency/disaster response educational organization. He called 911 when he saw a man at a Johnson County school beating a woman. Police said he stayed on the phone to make sure that officers knew exactly where to find them.

Dillon Huddleston, 10, of La Plata, Mo., called 911 when he saw his mother, who was 8 months pregnant, sick on the floor. Doctors later told her she would not have survived if her son hadn’t called for help.

Former Kansas City Chiefs players and even the police chief were on hand to recognize the young heroes.

[JR: May all your challenges be small enough for you to handle; yet, big enough to stretch you. Me? Tiny ones, please.]

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POSITRACTION: Always listen to your “inner voice”.

August 24, 2008 · No Comments

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/spain/26090
21/Madrid-air-crash-stewardess-survived-by-switching-seats.html

http://tinyurl.com/3jj3oa

Madrid air crash stewardess survived by ’switching seats’
By Fiona Govan and Ed Owen in Madrid
Last Updated: 11:22PM BST 23 Aug 2008

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The sole crew member to survive last week’s Madrid air crash has revealed how her life was spared by a last-minute decision to switch her seat from the back of the plane to the front.

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Always listen to your “inner voice”. I’ve heard it described as: “your conscience”, the “Universe singing to us”, “God speaking quietly directly to our soul”, “intuition”, “synchronicity”, and “plain old luck”.

Whatever!

An Old Nun said it was your Guardian Angel.

If it is “your conscience”, the I love the dialogue in the movie “A Man For All Seasons” for instructions on following “your conscience”:

*** begin quote ***

The Duke of Norfolk: Oh confound all this. I’m not a scholar, I don’t know whether the marriage was lawful or not but dammit, Thomas, look at these names! Why can’t you do as I did and come with us, for fellowship!

Sir Thomas More: And when we die, and you are sent to heaven for doing your conscience, and I am sent to hell for not doing mine, will you come with me, for fellowship?

*** end quote ***

Hope, that voice yells for me. I do tend to get engrossed in what I am doing at the time. No sensitive tap on the shoulder will do; I need a good swift kick in the A double Q!

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Categories: Positraction

ENDNOTE: Let’s NOT forget the child survivors of a botched abortion on election day!

August 24, 2008 · No Comments

http://www.americanthinker.com/2008/08/obamacide.html

http://tinyurl.com/5p4j3m

August 23, 2008
Obamacide
By J. Matt Barber

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How does one properly describe another who would — for purely selfish political reasons and with deliberation — intentionally refuse a thirsty child water or a hungry child food?

More specifically, what does one call a lawmaker who would condemn to death the child survivor of a botched abortion by permitting doctors to refuse that child, once born alive, potentially life-saving medical treatment and nutrition?

A number of things come to mind. Mr. President isn’t one of them.

*** end quote ***

It’s hard to imagine how this issue can swept under the rug under the rubric of “hope & change”!

For a pro-life Libertarian, it’s hard for me to imagine a better exemplar of the gooferment in action. Following it’s perverted logic to the ultimate extreme, gives us this “law”. And we wonder historically how the “Good German People” allowed genocidal death camps.

The answer is one step at a time!

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Categories: Endnote · Positraction

POSITRACTION: Nashville man finds baby girl left in front of his house

August 17, 2008 · No Comments

http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?
AID=/20080810/NEWS03/808100407/1017/NEWS

http://tinyurl.com/5c8nxm

Nashville man finds baby girl left in front of his house

Metro police are investigating the case of an infant left in a South Nashville front yard.

A man found a newborn baby girl about 6 p.m. Friday as he worked in his yard at 407 McDonald Drive, police said.

Contacted Saturday at home, the man, Joel Stitt, said he was speaking only to police.

The baby was sunburned but otherwise unhurt. She was taken to Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt for observation and then given to the Department of Children’s Services.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 862-8600.

- LACEY LYONS

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[JR: A sad testiment to a family failure; good that the man was there to rescue the child. Who knows what could have happened? Hope we are all alert to our opportunities. Not all of them are as blatant as a baby on your lawn. Personally, I need easy "grounders" like that one. I'll leave the big challenges to my fellow Jaspers who are so much better than I am.]

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