This Morning found a site which appears reliable and frankly demonstrated the Deep Divide in thei country "trust in news media"-     http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/2014/PPP_Release_National_130

i have suspected tht the extremes are being attractive myopically to the "INFORMERS" who support their point of view - but that was only a suspicion - An't a SUSPICION any more -  The Crazies - Left and Right - are hugging their Polar/Opposite Positions and get external support for they internal pre-concieved beliefs ans opinion - I think that this is a challenge to our Nation, Our system of Government, and the need for Education to 'Step up and Teach - THINKING", "QUESTING", "REASON" and security in the belief - That all of us can be wrong - now and then! Historically the last time the nation was so intellectually divided -Abe Lincoln became our president and a war commenced killing more Americans (North+South) than any other conflict including WWII . 

Exploring the Faith of Catholic Men

5/14/ 2015 –National Catholic Reporter (on-line)                                 Matthew James Christoff has highlighted a crisis of faith for Catholic men. 

1st) Somewhere between 11 and 15 million men who were raised Catholic but have left the church.  2nd) Only about one third of Catholic men attend Mass weekly.  3^rd) 4 out of 10 Catholic men do not believe that the Catholic Church contains any more truth than any other religion.

Christoff also notes that 60 percent of Catholic men are what he calls “Casual Catholics”. In other words, they don’t ‘really know their faith’ and don’t practice it appropriately but id asked they would own-u! Only 10 percent of Catholic men are what he calls “committed Catholics.” These are Catholics who are regular communicants, go to confession frequently, and are active participants in various Catholic groups and activities. Perhaps most telling, according to Christoff, only 18 percent of current 18 to 29 year-old Catholics say they are sure they will remain Catholic in the future. Clearly Christoff has put his finger on the pulse of a serious challenge which needs to be honestly confronted with real concern for the church today. His suggestion for correcting the problem, however, is problematic to many as well.

Christoff points to men from Evangelical churches that are more passionate about their faith, which would suggest that something is missing from our Catholic faith experience. Yet his answer appears to be only too familiar. If we simply explained our faith better, and encouraged men to frequent the sacraments and pray more - we could solve this problem! You know, a return to the Catholicism of the 1940s and 50s – Hat for Men and Veils for the Ladies but is it a cure or does it seems to have “NO REAL EFFECT” and will only to perpetuate the causes of the present lukewarm male response to the faith.

Maybe we need to look at why there is so much passion among evangelicals today and consider how we can capture some of that. In one of his earlier lectures, speaking about Evangelical Christianity,

Fr. Raymond Brown commented that he had spoken to many Catholics who had converted to evangelicalism. These former Catholics would make such telling statements as, “I found Jesus, and I love him.”

Perhaps we need to encourage a more personal (and Honest) relationship with Jesus. We need to encounter Jesus not just in the sacraments or only on Sunday but with the Scriptures, inquiringly- asking questions and researching + Open Discussions with each other, and with the world around us. It could be precisely the emphasis on performing certain tasks, rituals, or devotions that are seen as repetitive, routine and non-inspiring or spiritually exciting or thought provoking and which without such efforts, have fails to reach adult men emotionally and rationally.

It would be comforting to hear a guy say,”You know, I just read that…! Or “I never knew or thought about that before?” “Where did you hear or read that? How about you and I discussing that….?

If only +/- 10 percent of Catholic men are finding what they need for spiritual growth in Catholicism, the idea of doubling down and doing more of the “same” or adding  a big handful of GUILT doesn’t seem to be sufficient or probably the solution. We need to explore the realities and riches of the Christian tradition, not just Catholicism, and find new ways for bringing men as well as women into a deeper faith and understanding for and with a stronger commitment to the Lord Jesus, the Christ, His Church and all people

(Ever read the biblical Book of Amos? Yeah, I had never done so either! Actully I don’t think that I was even sure that it was a Book of Amos in the BIBLE – He seem like the guy who wrote some of “Jesus’ scripts and statements” Like what I like - a caring, present day Liberal Politician - Stressing our participatory function and need as well as God’s way and support to feel for and with the less fortunate, the marginalized as Pope Francis sees and calls them and to act in their behalf! Read Amos – if you want to! )

 The TNT Academy, An Atlanta-area private school, held its graduation ceremony on a recent past Friday. The school's founder, Nancy Gordeuk, prematurely announced the end of the ceremony before the class valedictorian had spoken. In an attempt to try to get everyone to return to their seats, Gordeuk became upset that some were not following her instructions and leaving. When she exclaimed,
 "Look who's leaving—

All the black people!" 

This was video taped by a guy who stood near the elegant lady, and who she called a “goober” and a “coward”. Maybe? But HE HAD THE GOODS ON VIDEO TAPE! Her remarks provoked heavy booing, general pandemonium, and frank disbelief. (Gordeuk is a white Georgian!)  In an attempted to explain her statement, she, being an educator,  pointed to a real believable option namely that “the Devil was in the house and came out from my mouth"!  No, probably not, it's the same stuff that came out of her other end – The Racist Twit!  As a past fellow educator, I’m embarrassed and frighten that education in the hands of such inadequate losers! Is anyone else worried - Bueler - Anyone?

A new poll concluded/suggested that Atheism is on the rise in the US, while those who consider themselves religious has decreased! I brought this up at an Emmaus meeting and the “Distrust in the figures flew, joined by Can't Believe it" reigned!” Much like a shockled patients receiving a negative pathology report from a cancer clininc. It ain't so! There was “That’s not TRUE” to “Who really knows?” There weren’t any – “REALLY?” or HOW COME's? and MOST IMPORTANT! WHY! Or What could be the causes? Researchers recently conducting a WIN-Gallup International poll about religion surveyed people from 57 countries. The poll suggests that in the US, since 2005 (10 years ago) the number of people who consider themselves religious has dropped from 73% to 60% and those who declare themselves atheists have risen from 1% to 5%. Why? What's behind the changing numbers? I wonder if Institutional religion has failed to “Grow-Up”? Is it still using the “Guilt Stick” without any insightful teaching or education or inquiring discussion? "SIN" - over - "Psychology"! Have churches chased/adopted modern trends at the expense of core beliefs? Are those who have been ambivalent about religion now less likely to identify as Christian and more willing to be open and discuss their real/actual feelings and opinions about GOD, CHURCH, BELIEFS? I would like to know your thoughts – Not your gut reaction to the “truthfulness of the polls”  or off the cuff opinions or “God said….!  "THOUGHTS!", Things that you have THOUGHT about HONESTLY and PERSONALLY when it comes to this shift in institutional and organizational faith in your life?

I received an e-mail some weeks ago in responce to my positing of some horrible and hatred-filled Racist Opinionated Signs - Expressions against Black people as I saw it ( THEY WERE CLEARLY EXAMPLES OF THAT!) When a good guy + distant relative, responded that since the photos were in Black and White and not in Technique-color - They were out of date and implied that basically RACISM was like-wise - No longer in existence! What was I trying to say! Well, I being a frustrated and a committed and card carrying "BIG MOUTH", I could'nt and didn't end it there…. however!     For Mother Day, I was trolling the internet for something that was relevant and humorous, and came upon a cartoon of apparently a son ( me ) offering Mother Day Wishes to his Mom but getting flack in return - You know MOM-STUFF! "Did'ya…, Couldya…You should'da…" Well the gentleman, who had the "in-sight to dismiss present-day RACISM" was able to note that the cartoonist of the Mother in my posting had a noticable SNAZOLLA! And then raised the question if the Mom was "A GOLDBERG"?  Don't react to quickly - No need to get a rope or look for a tall tree, but it is interesting that we have a deep seated, unconscienceable stereotypical views of others which we learned somewhere, so deeply ingrained in (all?) us and/or by this culture or our friens or family (me too), that we, all of us, unthinkingly say or think or belch discretiable things and don't even consider or recognize that they are UGLY or we are saying it! Yeah, I know some of my best friends are……. How do we get rid of, I was going to say "BLEACH-OUT" but is that RACIST? OK, Lets go  POSITIVE and HONEST! I hold opinions that are NARROWER than they should BE or that I want others to KNOW THAT I HAVE but they are there - H E L P - Any Suggestion - NO! Not any of that - SOME OF MY BEST FRIENDS ARE…..!

(1) Interesting day - Earlier I tried to put together a COMPLAINT about  a distant relative's prior complaint about one of my previous FB publication of Black and White photos, demonstrating Racist Statements, to which he point out that they were evidents of days gone bye!  i.e, - Racism isn't here anymore! Yesterday, I put together a cartoon of an older guy being told off for his failures by his Mom - as Mom's often do, and the cartoonist drew the character's faces with Big Noses. To which my relative, who protested last week the presences of RACISM in Today's America - Asked if the mother in the cartoon with a big nose was" Mrs. Goldberg"? Wonder what he ment, since there is NO Racism in America. Many of us have forgotten or IGNORE the fact that SUBTLE HATE is as BAD and UGLY and UN-AMERICAN as ABSOLUTE NARROW-MINDED HATE! How do we miss that similarity? Maybe, it's due to the  ORIGINAL NATIONALITY of the Commentator - Oh I'm sorry - did I offended the OFFENDER?  (2) Today was the last of my first series of Drawing for Water Color classes. Some of the other students were really skilled and talented … Some of the OTHERS…. Did you catch that? I could use a little practice but at my age there may not be enough time??? Oh well I'll keep TRYING, I'm not Dying - YET! Pass the Magenta! 

While presidential candidates experience proctological scrutiny from the press, mega-donors experience relatively little. (AKA Who cares it's only money and our DEMOCRACY!)

Last night I went an Emmaus meeting with guys at my parish. Emmaus is a men's group that gives guys a chance to exchange ideas (sometimes) + usually some time to share, discuss/consider our/their experiences, hopes and lives - past, hopefuly present and maybe future. On the way home, it occurred to me that when I and my EGO look back and consider what I have done or what has happiened, the "then" - I have tended to enjoy, with some regrets the "Recalling of Experences - It like watching an old movie or a TV program that I have already seen - It is what it was, what I was and/but I can't change a thing even with my EGO trying to let me still play ME as THE HERO! Whereas if I consider the NOW + FUTURE (Today and the Tomorrows) - Whatever time I have! - i.e. "LIFE  - I have choices and options! Now some of my "old Movies" were fun and entertaining but aren't apprecited by EVERYONE!  BUT NOW, Do I have the guts to leave the theaters or change the channels, and get on wiht a BETTER LIFE and into the "Here and Now and Later"? It's hard to change my tastes in "entertainment" - I like and have felt comfortable with "The ME" channel or theater!  A little Help, Thanks God!

Went to see a edgy film at the quaint but surprising crowded - The Coral Gables Art Cinema Movie theater. Had been there before! It’s across from “Books and Books” – Oh, don’t know where that is – well it across from …. Never mind! - The film: “All about Elly”- It was an Iranians film with sub-titles. (Yeah, my favorite too!) – Interesting but to much – However I should have know with a title which included “All About” – Onward, a family decided to take a holiday on the Caspian Sea. Yeah, I didn’t know where that was either! This maybe a sincere non-English speaking film but after 119 minutes of challenging misdirection with one near + two actual drownings, followed by a series of inquiries as to a missing albeit practically unknown women teacher. The police find a body and need ID + Information – Enters “unknowing but soon to be informed ex fiancé – Not a happy fellow! The family repetitively steps on their own tongues trying to make up stories of why the “water soaked” prospective but unrelated and disenchanted prospective bride was with them – basically strangers! FILM = To long but an interesting look into contemporary Iranian Middle class life style and interpersonal culture. Stuff I didn’t know and had not thought about! Do it again? Don’t think so!

I didn’t know Freddie Gray. But it was easy to assume that he was black, probably unemployed, willing to mouth off and sought some status and appreciation from the demonstrating Baltimore crowd, when he got arrested….. but again I didn’t know Freddie Gray.  I didn’t know any of the police officers involved but I assumed that they were under great pressure, tense due to their role and their perception of the situation: i.e. It was a riot! They may have seen themselves as Good Guys, Peace Officers or maybe not! Maybe it was Pay Back time! Seeing snippets of the demonstrations aka RIOTS, I assumed that the police, although not angels dresses in blue assisting old ladies, school kids or puppies cross busy streets, had a job to do!  Freddie Gray got arrested allegedly for having a illegal switchblade which in fact proved to be a totally legal pocketknife. Hey, we all make mistakes! The officers made another, well maybe more than just one more!  When they arrested Freddie, they cuffed him and put him in a Patty Wagon but didn’t strap him in. Yeah, it human to err! They didn’t use the available, functing and purposeful seatbelt and didn’t hear or chose to ignore Gray's repeated pleas for HELP and medical attention, while their moving vehicled repeatively stopped, started, and stopped again and re-accelerated, moving and rerouting, to accommodate another publically retained passenger. Gray's body rolled around, apparently striking the van's metal interior - repeatedly! The State’s Attorney Mosby has said and will allege that along the way, "Mr. Gray suffered a severe and critical neck injury as a result of being handcuffed, shackled by his feet and unrestrained inside of the moving BPD wagon. Basically, Mr. Gray was a hog-tied, human ping-pong ball inside a metal bounce house!  Mosby said that along the way, "Mr. Gray suffered a severe and critical neck injury as a result of being handcuffed, shackled by his feet and unrestrained inside of the moving, starting and stopping Police Wagon." Six officers are facing charges in the death of Freddie Gray, a Baltimore black man who died from a spinal injury – a nice way to say BROKEN NECK after being arrested and taken into the custody by Baltimore’s finest. All six police officers have been charged with felonies. I guess that they are probably now saying- "Sorry Freddy G. and family – Shit happens, huh?"  God give these six officers a fair trial, the best of legal representation and have the judge grant a change of venue and hug Freddy, and Lord, can you speed up and put an end to this racial and ethnic hatred and the pain that it cause. We need your help, since it doesn't appear that we can do it alone! Thanks God!

Think that there is no way that Republicans can move much further to the 

              “RIDGED + ROTTING + MYOPIC RIGHT”?  YOU’RE WRONG!        

The"We're Right cause we're white, rich, straight, God toying, Crazy Wing Nuts who have a plan!  House Republicans on the Judiciary Committee’s Immigration Subcommittee held a hearing a few day ago - April 29th

To eliminate the birthright of American citizenship               guaranteed in the 14th amendment, which states:                     “…all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the USA".

It’s not a new concept! Any one of us, born in the US, are citizen! Been that way since the Country was founded. When it comes to, let’s say, MARRIAGE, Republicans won't/can't tamper with TRADITION!”  but Citizenship for FOREGINERS! That's a different problem!  Theyapparently have no problem destroying the longstanding TRADITION of granting citizenship to children born on American soil, even if their parents are not citizens. It’s a Xenophobic, Boggy-Man, Asinine notion and frankly-A STUPID ANTI-AMERICAN IDEA!                          To understand the argument, Steve King, a Republican Rep. from Iowa, + Louisiana Republican David Vitter. King said: “I don’t think I’m hearing an argument as to why it would be a good idea to grant automatic citizenship to any baby that just was born in the United States to any mother who could find her way to get into the United States ( Wink, Wink!. ) That hands over the immigration policy to everyone except   (TFV-Added Emphasis) “RED BLOODED, FLAG WAVING AMERICAN, Hatefilled, Ass Kissing, bigoted Republican Voters - ” MARRIAGE- Must be TRADITIONAL! But Citizenship -  Hell Know! Not for the Others! So it's a long rooted standing TRADITION + principles-So What Naw! House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), said “Evidently, there is no American principle too sacred not to be surrendered in the Republicans’ to pander to the most radical, anti-immigrant corners of their party. (TFV-AKA Hood wearing, Cross burning, The Right Wing, Bible Thumping, Illiterate  NUTS!) .” Gotta lovethem for their hypocrisy! Or they believe or are assuming that everyone else is DUMB! They ‘ve unleashed an unconscionable assault on birthright citizenship that not only dishonors to our History and the Founders’ visions, but it betrays the future of our country by insulting millions of American citizens who will and have contributed and should enrage my Republican friends from Spanish speaking America! Can’t wait for Rep. Presidential Candidate Rubio to get wind of his party’s latest idea! – Not only can’t he be PRESIDENT- Hell, He won’t even be a CITIZEN! Hasta Luego, Senator Muchacho+Our Constitution!

Racism doesn’t always come from the gun or taser of rogue Policemen whose non-thinking and vindictive actions, sadly embarrassing his employer community and it’s citizens. Or from an illiterate’s graffiti artist, some time people who you would think more of –  but act and say UGLY, STUPID and UN-AMERICAN THINGS! A powerful Florida Republican legislator sparked an avalanche of Twitter attacks Thursday with a barbed description of the Florida Supreme Court petition filed by Senate Democrats, challenging the unilateral adjournment of the 2015 legislative session by House leaders. Two Democrats filed a lawsuit with the Florida Supreme Ct. citing that Florida’s Constitution forbiding either the houses of our legislature to adjourn for more than 72 hours without agreement by the opposite chamber. Hey it’s only the Law! The Republican controlled House adjourned without warning at 1:15 p.m. on Tuesday, leaving the Senate to complete the 60-day session alone. But Florida ain’t Nebraska! We be BI-CAMERAL – Not UNI-CAMERAL!  You would have thought that the leadership of the Republican led House would have known that! According to some of the opinioned Republicans -"This lawsuit (filed with our Supreme Court)  reads like it was researched by Senator Bullard and drafted by Sen. Joyner!" … Both Joyner and Bullard are BLACK. Want to know why some/a lot of people are angry -  I know one reason – Leadership in my HOME STATE IS UNCARING, STUPID and RACIST! I’m embarrassed for Florida as a Floridian!.