Texas May Ban Gay Foster Parents

News 8 Austin | 24 Hour Local News | • Protective Services | Amendment would ban gays from foster parenting

Well. This is just disappointing. Although, this little quip from an updated article is at least something in the right direction: The bill's Senate sponsor, Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Lewisville, said she will fight to have the provision removed. The CPS bill is SB6. That's also from News8Austin. What a terrible move. There is already a shortage of foster parents in that state. This shortage results in hundreds of children leaving foster care without having found that loving family.

The Representative that sponsored the bill, Robert Talton, had this to say "We do not believe that homosexuals or bisexuals should be raising our children. Some of us believe they would be better off in orphanages than in a homosexual or bisexual households because that's a learned behavior."

WHAT?? Clearly this man does not live in the modern age. Aside from being blatantly wrong about the "learned behavior" nonsense, how can someone believe that a child is better off in an orphanage than in a loving family. That just doesn't make any sense. That child has no opportunity to bond in a positive way with a person who can give her/him the attention that every child needs. I think that being shown love is essential to a child's development. There is no way to get that attention when there are so many others vying for it. There is also no evidence that shows that a gay parent is worse that a straight parent.

All it amounts to is more "right wing nut jobs" trying to control their from their limited and misinformed point of view. I hate to judge the entire state of Texas as ridiculous, but I might have to make that judgment on at least the Texas House of Representatives. Hopefully the Senate will be more sensible.

Last Words: BOOO Rep. Talton, the amendment is silly, I recommend it be removed ... or the people of Texas revolt! (haha, I am only half kidding)

Pope Benedict XVI

Well, I feel a need to comment on our new Pope. But first, a little tale. Last night, I stayed awake until the wee hours of the morning to see the results of the first two votes of the day. The morning votes were burned at 3am ish PDT. In my sleepy state, as soon as I saw the black smoke, I nodded off and entered sleepy land. I did not wake up until about 10 till 9am. Which happened to be good luck ... or divine providence. I brushed my teeth and thought, Hey, I should see if anything interesting happened when I was asleep. To my surprise, Wolf Blitzer was talking about white smoke billowing from the stove-pipe installed on the Sistine Chapel. He was saying it appeared white, but we could not be sure because there were no bells tolling. Soon enough, a shot of the bells on St. Peter's basilica was plastered on the screen. The moment the bell started swinging (before it made a sound) the thousands in St. Peter's Square began cheering and I literally gasped. I gasped at the notion that a new pope had already been selected. I gasped at the notion that I was witnessing history. After all, I was a mere 4 months in the womb the last time all this happened.

Instead of hopping in the shower like I should have, I was glued to TV. I did not want to miss the announcement. Some 30 minutes (or more) after the bells began tolling, the moment came. Cardinal Estevez emerged from behind the heavy drapes to the speak the words so many have been waiting to hear. After greeting his "brothers and sisters" in several different languages, he spoke "Habemus Papem". We have a pope. Then he continued on, in Latin of course, to so Joseph. At the moment, I and probably many others whispers the last name Ratzinger. Moments later, Cardinal Estevez confirmed what I had thought. Pope Benedict the XVI (okay, it took me a second to figure out the 16th part). Formally known as Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger.

I was alternately overjoyed and saddened. Thankful and worried. Not that I know much about the new Pope. But I understand him to be a staunch conservative, an intelligent theologian and dedicated to his faith. I am overjoyed because this was the first step in filling the void that John Paul II left. I am saddened because I so hoped for someone from Africa or Latin America (how refreshing would that have been?) . I am thankful that a man that knows doctrine and loves the church will lead it. I am worried about what that means for liberal Catholics (and other Christians) like myself. I think that he maybe is too conservative and too worried about the details of the doctrine. But then I try to remember that the Church is not designed around what I want. It is designed around what God wants and the Word of Jesus Christ.

At the moment, I am still torn. Still joyous yet sad. Still thankful yet worried. I am, however, confident, that Pope Benedict XVI will do his best for the church. I was moved to have been a witness of history. I was moved to see the reaction and joy of the crowd in St. Peter's. I was amazed at their chanting of "Viva il Papa" and I thought I heard some "Benedetto"s in there too. And like I was content just to remember and honor Pope John Paul II, I am content to see where Pope Benedict will take us.

Last Words: Habemus Papem

The Rising by Jerry B. Jenkins and Tim LaHaye

As I was sitting here enjoying my new Vaio, I realized that I have book to review that I read a few weeks ago. The book is The Rising, a prequel to the incredibly popular Left Behind Series. The Rising follows the coming of age of two major players in the series, Rayford Steele and Nicolae Carpathia. If you have read the previously released books, you will know why these two guys are significant. If you haven't read any of the Left Behind books, you might as well start here! As I understand it, two more prequel type books will be released in the coming year or so. So you would be able to read the entire series in chronological order! How about that!

Anyway, about the book. The Rising, much like the rest of the Left Behind books are not stunning works of literature in the writing itself. Sort of like Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code (gasp, blasphemy, how dare I mention that book in this review!) it is a good read, but not spectacularly written. All the books move along at a nice pace, a nicely detailed and easy enough to digest.

What makes The Left Behind Series so good is the topic. Many Christians wonder what will happen at the End of Times. What is presented in the books is remarkably intriguing and engaging. Throughout my time reading the 13 books I went through a roller coaster of emotions. From shock to fear, hope and excitement, just about everything was covered. Even those looking for a bit of suspense and action will be satisfied.

Okay, so mostly I have waxed (not so) poetic about the series, but what about The Rising? It certainly shares all the attributes of its predecessors. Plus, for a fan of the series like me, it provided a refreshing amount of background information. As I learned about the pre-Rapture lives of Rayford and Nicolae, I came to have a greater understanding of their destinies. It made appreciate what I have already read even more.

I think the three prequel books will provide both a great jumping off point for new readers and a wonderful lesson for established fans.

Last Words: It is a good book, I recommend it, I own the whole series!

The Day of Silence and The Day of Truth

Today, thousands of high school and college students across the U.S. participated in the Day of Silence. The day was conceived in 1996 by a group of students at the University of Virginia in recognition for the need to support LGBT people (and their allies) in the silence the face as a result of discrimination and harassment. (Please click on the link for more information about the Day of Silence.) Silence is a powerful protest and with, according to the website, more that 450,000 students participating, a strong message has been sent.

Unfortunately, that message has been horribly and awfully skewed. According to the Alliance Defense Fund, they Day of Silence is attempt to push the homosexual agenda, to say that being gay is okay. So they started the Day of Truth. The Day of Truth is to take place tomorrow (4/14/05). Students participating will wear shirts that say "The Truth Cannot be Silenced." Presumably, that truth is that being Gay is akin to being evil and morally corrupt. I think the ADF is absolutely ridiculous. And as one of my colleagues (who happens to be a wonderfully faithful ... and married ... Christian woman) said, they are right wing nut jobs. She also said it made her ashamed to be part of the Christian faith. I couldn't agree more.

A student I work with discovered the Day of Silence and decided to put it to work on our campus. A small, but dedicated group of students participated in the day-long silence. Plus a few members of the faculty and staff (including my colleague of the "right wing nut job" fame) stood with us for a lunch-time silent gathering. That is what should be happening. Faculty and Staff at all schools should be creating safe places for their LGBT students and their allies. NO ONE should have to suffer discrimination and harassment. And to think that students who think homosexuality is morally wrong or students who just are not open minded never harass LGBT students is just plain WRONG. It happens and kudos to the students, faculty and staff who supported today's silence.

I learned about the super ridiculous Day of Truth from this article. Feel free to read it!

Last Words: Yay for the Day of Silence, booooooo to the ADF, I recommend SAFE ZONES!

Pope John Paul II

This is not so much an opinion, but a brief appreciation.

John Paul II was for, as for so many, literally the only pope I have ever known. What I knew about him before his passing was simple. I knew that he was a man of conviction and faith. He was a true man of God. That simple observation has only been bolstered with the wave of information about his life that has come to the forefront.

I did not always agree with his stances (perhaps obviously if you have visited my blog before) but that does nothing to lessen my admiration of him. Not too long after his death, he was dubbed John Paul the Great. Mourners at his funeral (rather boisterously) called for his cannonization. His true dedication, faith and ability to reach across all lines, in my eyes, was truly great and even saintly.

John Paul II did indeed rather large shoes to fill. For now, though, I am not going to worry about the future. I am content to simply remember and honor a man who, perhaps above all, was not afraid and completely devoted.

Last Words: Santo Subito! (Saint Immediately! or Saint Soon!)

Places Left unfinished at the Time of Creation

I finished this book a couple of weeks ago (finally) so now you get to read my review (once again ... finally). On a side note, I have a new computer, A Sony Vaio. Verrrry nice. I'll let you know what I think after a little time has passed.

So, back to Places Left unfinished at the Time of Creation. It was written by a man named John Phillip Santos. First a little backstory on Mr. Santos. Way back in 2001 I was sitting in the very nice Municipal Auditorium in San Antonio at my college graduation. Our keynote speaker was John Phillip Santos. All I knew about him at that he was a writer and made documentaries ... and (the biggest thing to me) his mother was a graduate of my university. Afterall, we graduated on Mother's Day. Very appropriate, yes? At any rate, I don't remember really what he said, which is kind of sad. But I do remember at least being engaged and listening. A first for me at a graduation.

Now fast forward to the next year when I am working at a university in Austin. I saw that he was going to be on campus as a speaker. So, I said what the heck! This was my graduation keynote speaker. I found very intelligent and once again engaging. It was then I discovered the book. It is the family history of both sides of John Phillip's family. So, I bought the book and got it signed (it is inscribed "Para Tina, PAZ!"). We had a pleasant, but brief conversation about my and his mother's alma mater.

I started the book a couple of times, only to get distracted by other books. I will be the first to admit that a memoir is not my kind of book. But finally, when I made the commitment to read more, I read the whole book. And what it book it is.

John Phillip Santos explores his family's history and a very poetic voice. The poet in him is evident in every sentence. The language he uses is beautiful and flowing. But more satisfying was the story. John Phillip looks at the reasons, emotions and effects of moving north from Mexico into Texas. He searches for a past that was lost. I connected so well with his story because so many Mexican Americans have lost the stories of their pasts. He tells of curanderos, of ancient Aztec traditions, of his grandfather's suicide and so much more.

If you are a Mexican American, you should read this book. You may learn something about your own past. Maybe, even be inspired to research your family's history. If you are not Mexican American, I would hope you learn about the people who became strangers in their own land. While, for me, it was not the most heart pounding exciting read, it was certainly good one.

Last Words: It is a lovely tale, I recommend it, I own it.