George Will: "Dependency on Government is the Liberal Agenda"

George Will hit a "grand slam" at yesterday's CPAC events with his keynote speech at the dinner.  Here is an excerpt of his speech...

On Ash Wednesday, is VP Joe Biden even Catholic?

From today's Baltimore Republican Examiner.  Written by Sean O'Donnell.

Today as President Obama gave a speech on the Stimulus Recovery Bill, many people may have noticed Vice President Biden in the background with something on his forehead.

Just what was on Biden’s forehead? It was ash in the sign of the cross from a mixture of burned palms and sacred oils because today is Ash Wednesday – the Catholic Church’s observation of the first day of Lent.

But just how Catholic is America’s first Catholic Vice President? Let’s take a look at some of Biden’s political positions and compare them with the teachings of the Church.

On abortion: Biden believes the Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion-on-demand (Roe v. Wade) should remain intact. He also has received a 100% rating from NARAL Pro-Choice America, pledged to appoint pro-choice Supreme Court nominees, and voted no on making it a crime to harm an unborn fetus during another crime. In short, he is a pro-choice politician that strongly supports abortion rights.

However, the Catholic Church is opposed to abortion in any circumstance. The Church is pro-life.

On embryonic stem cell research and human cloning:  Biden has voted to expand funding for embryonic stem cell research and has voted no on banning human cloning.

However, the Catholic Church is opposed to embryonic stem cell research and human cloning.

On same-sex marriage: Biden has voted no on a constitutional ban of same-sex marriage.

However, the Catholic Church supports the definition of marriage as only between one man and one woman.

On school prayer: Biden voted no on requiring public schools to allow voluntary prayer.

However, the Catholic Church supports voluntary prayer in public schools.

On the death penalty: Biden authored the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 which greatly expanded the federal death penalty.

However, the Catholic Church is against the death penalty.

On the Iraq War: Biden voted for the Iraq War resolution.

However, the Catholic Church is opposed to the current war in Iraq.

(Additionally, Biden also voted against confirming fellow Catholic Supreme Court Justices John Roberts and Samuel Alito, yet voted for confirming Catholic Justice Sonia Sotomayor.)

My question to Vice President Biden is – Why do you claim to be Catholic when your political positions and votes go against numerous teachings of the church? That’s like a Nazi saying he likes Jewish people and enjoys Jewish culture or it’s like a Socialist supporting free markets and private property rights.

If a politician is going to parade his Catholic beliefs about – especially on Ash Wednesday – at least defend the teachings of the Church. Otherwise pick a new religion.

Who Hates Mother Teresa?

From CatholicVoteAction.org:

The anti-religion crusaders are at it again!

This time they want the U.S. Post Office to cancel a planned new stamp honoring Mother Teresa.

I am continually shocked by the persistence of these activist groups. They seem to never give up! Any mention or reference of God must be wiped out. The Pledge of Allegiance, In God We Trust, you name it… they want it boarded up, whitewashed, and banished from our public life.

But not this time. Not Mother Teresa.

Sign on to our group letter to the Postmaster General here – http://www.stampoutbigotry.com/

A group called the Freedom from Religion Foundation is now spreading lies about Blessed Mother Teresa accusing this holy nun of having a ‘darker side,’ and calling her a ‘polarizing Roman Catholic figurehead.’

That’s why we decided to act swiftly and make sure this anti-Mother Teresa campaign doesn’t gain any more momentum.

The groups now protesting the new stamp never protested other stamps honoring Gandhi, or even Martin Luther King, Jr. who proudly understood his fight for civil rights to be rooted in his Christian faith.

What is plain is that these groups not only dislike Mother Teresa, they despise the Catholic Church. They simply cannot stomach the thought of the United States Postal Service honoring a Catholic nun who spoke out against abortion, contraception, and against the atheistic materialism of the west.

In her famous 1994 speech at the National Prayer Breakfast, Mother Teresa closed with these words:

“From here, a sign of care for the weakest of the weak - the unborn child - must go out to the world. If you become a burning light of justice and peace in the world, then really you will be true to what the founders of this country stood for. God bless you!”

Please sign our letter to Postmaster General Jack Potter at http://www.stampoutbigotry.com/

Please send this to your friends and family too. We need to push back against this ugly campaign, and stand up for this holy nun and all that she lived for.

Mother Teresa stood up for the best of America ’s ideals. Now it’s time we stand up for her.

Who Is Harry Knox?

Member of Obama’s Advisory Council On Faith-Based And Neighborhood Partnerships Has Repeatedly Attacked Catholics!

LAST APRIL, OBAMA APPOINTED HARRY KNOX TO WHITE HOUSE COUNCIL DEDICATED TO HELPING AMERICANS “NO MATTER THEIR RELIGIOUS BELIEFS”

On April 6, 2009, President Obama Appointed Harry Knox To Be A Member Of His Advisory Council On Faith-Based And Neighborhood Partnerships. (The White House, “President Obama Announces Additional Members Of Advisory Council On Faith-Based And Neighborhood Partnerships,” Press Release, 4/6/09

Obama’s “White House Office Of Faith-Based And Neighborhood Partnerships Will Work On Behalf Of Americans Committed To Improving Their Communities, No Matter Their Religious Or Political Beliefs.” (The White House, “Obama Announces White House Office Of Faith-Based And Neighborhood Partnerships,” Press Release, 2/5/09)

BUT KNOX HAS REPEATEDLY ATTACKED THE CATHOLIC FAITH, DOCTRINE

Knox Says Pope Benedict XVI And Catholic Doctrine On Contraception Is “Hurting People In The Name Of Jesus.” “‘The Pope’s statement that condoms don’t help control the spread of HIV, but rather condoms increase infection rates, is hurting people in the name of Jesus,’ said Harry Knox, director of the Human Rights Campaign’s Religion & Faith Program.” (“Human Rights Campaign Responds To Pope Benedict’s Remarks That Condoms Increase HIV Infections,” HRC.org, 3/17/09)

During California Marriage Ballot Initiative Debate, Knox Called Knights Of Columbus “Foot Soldiers Of A Discredited Army Of Oppression.” “Harry Knox, the religion and faith program director for the Human Rights Campaign, said … ‘The Knights of Columbus … in this particular case … were foot soldiers of a discredited army of oppression,’ Knox told the B.A.R. , referring to its role in the Prop 8 campaign.” (Dan Aiello, “Catholic Bishops Revealed As Key In Marriage Battle,” The Bay Area Reporter, 03/19/09)

And Called Pope Benedict XVI And Catholic Bishops “Discredited Leaders.” “Knox noted that the Knights of Columbus ‘followed discredited leaders,’ including bishops and Pope Benedict XVI. ‘A pope who literally today said condoms don’t help in control of AIDS,’ Knox said Tuesday, shortly after the pope’s comments were released.” (Dan Aiello, “Catholic Bishops Revealed As Key In Marriage Battle,” The Bay Area Reporter, 03/19/09)

After Local Catholic Church In Wyoming Denied Communion To Gay Couple, Knox Attacked Church For Being “Immoral And Insulting To Jesus” And Committing “Spiritual And Emotional Violence.” “The couple, who were married in Canada, spoke out in opposition to a Wyoming bill that would deny the recognition of marriage rights for same-sex couples in the state. As a result, church officials said explicitly that the couple were denied communion due to their advocacy for marriage equality … [Knox said,] ‘In this holy Lenten season, it is immoral and insulting to Jesus to use the body and blood of Christ the reconciler as a weapon to silence free speech and demean the love of a committed, legally married couple. The Human Rights Campaign grieves with the couple, Leah Vader and Lynne Huskinson, over this act of spiritual and emotional violence perpetrated against them.’” (“Human Rights Campaign Responds To Catholic Church Barring Same-Sex Couple From Receiving ‘The Body Of Christ’” HRC.org 4/6/07)

DESPITE ATTACKS, OBAMA “COMFORTABLE” WITH KNOX AS FAITH-BASED ADVISOR

In Response To House GOP Leader John Boehner’s Call For Knox To Resign His Position, Obama’s Press Secretary Said “President Is Comfortable With The Makeup Of His Faith Advisory Council.” Q: “A couple weeks ago John Boehner… ask[ed] the President remove Harry Knox from the faith-based council for comments that he made about the Pope and the Catholic Church; he referred to the Pope as a discredited leader. Does the President disagree with those comments and is he planning any action on that?” GIBBS: “I haven’t seen that letter, but I think the President is comfortable with the makeup of his faith advisory council.”(Robert Gibbs, Press Briefing, The White House, 6/2/09)

Joe Bonamassa's New Album "Black Rock" Due Out March 23

Great review from Jon at GuitarNoize.com of Joe Bonamassa's new album, "Black Rock", due out March 23.  The album can be pre-ordered from Bonamassa's U.S. distributor, J and R Adventures.  Pre-orders will be shipped out two weeks prior to the release date.  RC Blog looking forward to the April 23 tour date in Washington, D.C. 

I think I said something similar last release, but I can’t believe Joe Bonamassa is only 32 and Black Rock is his 10th, yes you read that correctly, 10th solo album release. The album was recorded at Black Rock Studios, Santorini, Greece hence the album title. It has a few greek influences thrown in such as on the track "Bird On A Wire", one of the outstanding tracks on Black Rock, which has a Clarino I believe in the intro and it sounds like a Bazouki and maybe Mandolin in the background fused with drums that sound like John Bonham. This track is actually a cover of the Leonard Cohen track and yet again Joe Bonamassa shows his excellent arrangement skills by transforming not only this track but also Jeff Beck’s "Spanish Boots" and Otis Rush’s "Three Times A Fool".

One of the highlights on this album is Joe’s cover of Willie Nelson’s "Night Life" featuring the always incredible B.B. King, the man who recognised the talent of Joe at an early age. Joe and B.B.‘s playing compliment each other well, as do their vocals. I love hearing how different their styles of playing are, B.B. is tasteful and soulful and Joe has more of an aggressive attacking style with a smoking tone.

There are a couple of tracks on this album, "Three Times A Fool" and "Look Over Yonders Wall" that reminded me of Clapton, both in tone and playing. It is amazing what a Chameleon Joe is. Joe plays slide on a track called "When The Fire Hits The Sea" which at first I thought he sounded like Derek Trucks on then I realised, no he sounds like Joe Bonamassa with thick creamy tone and phrasing that draws on classic blues slide players mixed with modern influences.

I can’t review this album without making some Led Zeppelin references. There are a few tracks on this album that obviously draw inspiration from Led Zep and he even seems to replicate some Jimmy Page tones on certain tracks. The opener "Steal Your Heart Away" for instance, which is a cover of the Bobby Parker track, has a Jimmy Page kind of stomping rock riff and tone but then launches into a solo that would make Eric Johnson himself put his guitar down and weep. Also "Blue and Evil", another great track has with some breath-taking guitar playing and a riff that wouldn’t be out of place in Kashmir. I’m not saying that the album is ripping off Led Zeppelin I can just hear a lot of influence in Joe’s playing, tone and writing which not many people could achieve with such originality and style.

The Ballad of John Henry was quite an album to try and follow, Black Rock is a great album and an example of great songwriting, arrangements and of course guitar playing and tone. Joe experiments with guitar tone more than most which brings a nice quality to each track, you never tire of hearing that same sound although and yet it is always unmistakably Joe. Is this album better than The Ballad Of John Henry? Well it is difficult to compare because this album has a totally different feel to it. I love The Ballad Of John Henry, it was my favourite album of 2009 chock full of incredible covers and originals. Black Rock doesn’t quite have the same initial impact for me but grows on you with each listen and after 10 or so listens start to finish I can say that this is probably going to be one of the most played albums in my iTunes this year.

After being asked whether it is a heavy-blues album or a more melodic one such as the last one, the answer is a bit of both but it definitely has more of a rock vibe than the last album and has some great dirty heavy blues tracks such as "When The Fire Hits The Sea", "Three Times A Fool", and "Wandering Earth" (very “Since I’ve Been Loving You” - Zep). Also a folky old school acoustic blues style track called "Athens To Athens". But then it has moments of Rock Blues that will knock you off your feet.