Sorry,all the clever names are taken.

Richard Cohen's Science Class.

2012-01-31T20:00:00.000-05:00

Not surprisingly, Richard Cohen slams the Republican Party in his recent piece in the Washington Post. A party of nitwits (in Cohen's estimation) the party has "turned hostile to thought, reason and the two most important words in the English language: It depends."

In Cohen's world, the Republicans are anti-intellectuals par excellence because the dolts in the party cannot appreciate nuance, subtlety and relativism.

Regarding abortion, Cohen writes,
"If you ask me what I think of abortion, I’d say, 'It depends.' It depends on whether you’re talking about the ninth month of pregnancy, the first, the health of the mother, the fetus — or, even, the morning-after pill. But in the Republican contest, the answer to the question is always the same: no, no and no again. Thanks for giving the matter such careful thought."

Evidently, Cohen hasn't given the matter such careful thought either.

I've addressed Cohen's lack of understanding of basic biology before regarding so called, same sex marriage [It's the Biology, Stupid.]. I suppose Cohen was asleep during whatever science classes he was required to take in school. The human fetus is human "whether you’re talking about the ninth month of pregnancy, the first, the health of the mother, the fetus — or, even, the morning-after pill." Cohen doesn't grasp this basic, scientifically verified fact.

Cohen goes on to claim the Republican's opposition to his view on global warming isn't based on their having studied the science.....you know, the way he's studied the science regarding human reproduction. (Cohen might want to read this from the Wall Street Journal).

I'm looking forward to Cohen's column this coming November, when he calls the United States a country of nitwits for having thrown Barack Obama out of office.

Babylonia Aivaz to Marry Warehouse.

2012-01-29T10:58:00.000-05:00

The title of this post is not a typo. You might think it should read "Babylonia Aivaz Marries in Warehouse". That, at least, would make more sense.

Thanks to the one and only LarryD at Acts of the Apostasy I learned of Seattle activist Babylonia Aivaz's plan to marry a 107 year old warehouse.Larry linked to a story from The Daily Mail online:

Babylonia Aivaz’s love knows no bounds – that’s why she will marry a 107-year-old doomed warehouse in Seattle tomorrow.

The Seattle activist has planned the weekend ceremony because she is head over heels in love, and she also wants to make a statement against the warehouse’s slated demolition.

A luxury apartment complex will be built in its place, and Aivaz is mourning the loss of a place she and other protesters have inhabited for more than a month.

‘If corporations can have the rights as people, so can buildings,’ said Aivaz, referencing a Supreme Court decision on political advertising.

‘I’m doing this to show the building how much I love it, how much I love community space and how much I love this neighborhood. And I want to stop it from gentrification.’

This story was so ridiculous.....I had to Google Babylonia Aivaz to see what else I could find.I was able to find a video interview of the future Mrs. Warehouse.

Knowing how videos on the internet can "disappear" over time, I downloaded the ABC video, uploaded said video to Youtube and voilà ..........

<br> 

Ann Coulter on Newt.

2012-01-25T22:04:00.000-05:00

People who don't care for Ann Coulter accuse her of being an extremist and "unreasonablness" personified. As a fan of Coulter, I'll admit that she can be provocative. However,in her recent column, (Re-elect Obama: Vote Newt!) her agruments for choosing Romney over Gingrich seem to me to be quite reasonable.

As Coulter points out, there are some who call Romney a "flip-flopper" because his views on abortion have changed over time, but isn't the reason we in the pro-life community put forth our anti-abortion arguments, is the belief that people can change their minds.

Massachusetts Citizens for Life President Anne Fox is on record stating that Mitt Romney is “consistently” pro-life. I have no reason to doubt her assessment.

Commenting on Gingrich's victory in the South Carolina Republican primary, Coulter said, “Apparently, South Carolinians would rather have the emotional satisfaction of a snotty remark toward the president than to beat Obama in the fall.”

Gingrich has often accused Romney of being a "moderate". Coulter goes on to write, "Romney is 'moderate' only in demeanor -- which is just another word game. His positions are more conservative than Gingrich's, but he doesn't scare people like Gingrich does".

Certainly, no one can accuse Coulter of being a political moderate. She's not about to support any candidate who isn't a true conservative. Maybe it's time for conservatives to take a closer look at Romney - and Gingrich too, for that matter.

3 1/2 Time-Outs Tuesday.....Part Three....the Unauthorized Edition.

2012-01-24T14:55:00.001-05:00

Hey, this is Tuesday, right?

Here I am, all set to do a 3 1/2 Time-Outs Tuesday - but LarryD @ actsoftheapostasy hasn't done one yet......I can't link to his post if he hasn't done a post.

I guess we'll call this an unauthorized 3 1/2 Time-Outs Tuesday.(after writing this, I see LarryD has finally posted his two-fer).

1) When Administrative Law Judge Michael M. Malihi issued a ruling "favoring right whales, manatees and sea turtles", he was viewed by the Left as a sober, balanced and right thinking jurist.Now that he's ordered President Obama to appear in “Natural Born Citizen” case he's become a racist, hate -filled birther. Someone remarked, "President Obama will be in court after attending the UFO conference and meeting BigFoot. You people are insane and embarrassing".

2) Speaking of Obama and UFO conferences, typing obama ufo conference into my favorite search engine produced this photo.

3) Doing the same with Obama Bigfoot gave me this gem.

1/2) Back in November, 2009, I did a humourous post (Shut the @#$%$#@ Up.) where I poked fun at a program called a complaint free world......you wear a complaint free bracelet or something. I went back to that post recently - I can't remember why -. That's when I discovered that my anti-virus software blocks a complaint free world. org. I wonder if they'd complain if they knew about it?

Leftist Religious Argument Fails.

2012-01-23T11:16:00.000-05:00

Worried about the possibility that some states may "grant legal status to zygotes and embryos", Debra W. Haffner, Co-founder and Executive Director of the Religious Institute, writes in the Washington Post of the religious case for legalized abortion.

I was not surprised to learn that the, huh ....... Reverend (?) Haffner is an ordained Unitarian Universalist minister.

According to their website, the UUA welcomes people with diverse beliefs - drawing "inspiration from Atheism and Agnosticism, Buddhism, Christianity, Humanism, Judaism, Paganism, and other religious or philosophical traditions". It's not surprising then, that a Unitarian Universalist minister would support abortion.

Yes,Unitarian Universalists are all about diversity. "Individual Unitarian Universalists may discern their own beliefs about spiritual, ethical, and theological issues". However, the group does hold to seven shared principles:

The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;
Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;
A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large;
The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;
Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.

Being a UU minister, Haffner believes in the inherent worth and dignity of every person , that is, of course, unless you are a zygote or embryo. In that case,she doesn't even consider you a person.

In her Washington Post piece, Haffner writes that "Christian and Hebrew scriptures neither condemn nor prohibit abortion." I guess she forgot about "Thou Shall Not Kill". Although her relgion claims to draw from Buddhism as well, she seems to overlook the first of the 5 Buddhist precepts- "I undertake the training rule to abstain from taking life".

A photo slide show for the article has this -"The Catholic Church in particular is credited with organizing and driving the anti-abortion movement for decades., but religious arguments shape the pro-choice side, too".Reverend Haffner doesn't do a convincing job of presenting those, so called, religious arguments.

Ask Them What They Mean by “Choice” Day.

2012-01-22T14:39:00.000-05:00

From jillstanek.com.......TODAY! Ask Them What They Mean by “Choice” Day:

Today is the tragic, terrible 39th anniversary of the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision, which legalized the subsequent murders of 55 million children and counting.

Abortion proponents call this “choice.” They fear the word “abortion.” They know it has negative connotations – not so different from the word “holocaust.”

So today NARAL is sponsoring the euphemistic Blog for Choice Day.

But we’re not going to let them get away with it. Dozens of pro-life bloggers have banded together to write their thoughts about “choice.” See them listed when you open this post.

......kinda' like the "choice" the Obama administration is giving Catholics vis-à-vis following their conscience.

R.I.P. Etta James

2012-01-21T16:27:00.000-05:00

Etta James, dead at 73.

Teleprompters in Disneyland.

2012-01-19T16:49:00.000-05:00

Realizing that this year may be his last opportunity to do so as POTUS, Barack Obama took his two favorite teleprompters to Disneyland this week. "These two guys are such an important part of my life", the President told reporters,"I felt we needed to do something special together as a family".

Critics have pointed out that the President has spend an enormous amount of time on vacation with his teleprompters. At a press conference in South Carolina, Republican candidate, Newt Gingrich said that Obama and the teleprompters had only just returned from Six Flags.
"We need to put those three on permanent vacation", said Gingrich.

Wednesday's Child is Full of Woe.

2012-01-18T17:28:00.001-05:00

Yesterday, I participated in my 2nd 3 1/2 Time-Outs-Tuesday. The idea for this Tuesday event comes from blogger LarryD. It's his take on 7 Quick Takes Friday at ConviersionDiary.

It was Larry's 8th 3 1/2 Times-Outs-Tuesday. As you can see, it took several weeks for me to jump into the project. The thought of having to come up with 3 1/2 little posts ever Tuesday seemed a bit daunting. Now that I've started, I've encountered the truly insidious, underlying problem of the Tuesday-thingy.

I'm obligated now to post something every flippin' Wednesday as well.

Before, I could go a few days without writing a blog post and it was no biggie. I don't believe people think too much about the date of a post they're reading .... unless, like in this case, the post actually advertises the day of the week. Now, if someone checks on my blog on say, Thursday or Saturday, they'll recognise me for the slacker that I am. 3 1/2 Times-Outs-Tuesday on Sunday !?!? What a LOSER.

This is my obligatory Wednesday post.

Thanks Larry.

3 1/2 Time-Outs Tuesday......Part Two.

2012-01-17T16:01:00.001-05:00

Is it Tuesday already?Time for my second 3½ Time-Outs Tuesday.

1)A few weeks back, I was introduced to the writings of H. Rider Haggard. Haggard was a Victorian era English adventure novelist. It's said Haggard was an influence on Edgar Rice Burroughs and Robert E. Howard, among others. I've finished reading King Solomon's Mines and Allan Quatermain and started on She.....which is considered to be his best. Maybe I've become too immersed into Haggard too quickly - She is a bit boring, I think. Perhaps I'll pick it up again later.

2)Picked up a used hardcover copy of Southern Storm: Sherman's March to the Sea by Noah Andre Trudeau. I'm sure my Confederate ancestors are rolling in their graves - I'm actually coming to appreciate William Tecumseh Sherman.

3)Thanks to a spat between Kim Novack and the folks involved in the making of The Artist, I was introduced to Bernard Hermann. I'm so happy that recordings of his music can be found at Spotify.

1/2) I made a slight variation to LarryD's 3½ Time-Outs Tuesday photo.

Michelle Antoinette.

2012-01-11T17:10:00.000-05:00

A recent image of Michell Obama as Marie Antoinette has been called a right-wing media smear, and racist. Is it?
This isn't the first time someone has seen a resemblance. I've also come upon a similiar portrayal here and here.No word yet from the Liberals on the political correctness of comparing Marie Antoinette to Dick Cheney,George Bush or Mitt Romney.

My First 3 1/2 Time-Outs Tuesday.

2012-01-10T13:26:00.002-05:00

I've been meaning to participate in LarryD's 3½ Time-Outs Tuesdays.....no, really I have, but it seemed so much like work - thinking of 3 1/2 things.
It seemed like a good way, however, to put forward a few items that I've been thinking about, but have been too lazy to turn into full fledged blog posts.

1)
Like all kids, my six year old can be a picky eater. That's why I was surprised to learn that he likes salami sandwiches. I was even more shocked to learn that he likes mayo on his salami sandwiches. I guess it boils down to the interplay of his Polish and Filipino heritage.

2)
Lost my temper Saturday.......after listening to a self proclaimed devout Catholic go on and on and on about horrible it was that the Catholic Church abandoned the Latin Mass and then listen to his pro-choice BS. When he said the pro-life people need to get a grip, I wanted to grip his throat. Fortunately, there was no violence.

3)
I don't think I need to comment on how disappointed I am with LSU's performance last night.

1\2)
Third shift bites.

Defending Life Without Cute Babies.

2012-01-09T16:29:00.005-05:00

OK, I can understand the temptation to do a bit of photoshopping (or in this case- GIMPing) to make a statement.

At acceptingabundance.com PZ Myers face was pasted onto a pro-life billboard in response to Myers having pasted a photo of onto the same billboard.

I just wish the person putting Myers' face in would have spent a little more time and effort into doing it right.

I'm hardly an expert, but even my humble effort tops what was used.

Lee Predicts Crimson Tide Victory.

2012-01-09T14:51:00.004-05:00

In an email today, Daily Events writer Tony Lee gives his prediction on tonight's Alabama vs LSU game tonight.

After admitting his "Alabama biases" he predicts Alabama 31, LSU 13.

I don't see that. In their last outing, LSU beat Alabama by 3 points. As much as I'd love to see LSU win this one as well, I admit that there's always the possibility that Alabama could win this time. However, the 31 to 13 score doesn't appear realistic to me.

I know...... folks outside the South have little interest in this game. That could be why we won't find the game telecast on the regular networks tonight.

Ann Coulter Angers Some Catholic Bloggers.

2012-01-06T13:07:00.006-05:00

There are times when a complete and thorough understanding of certain political labels seems to elude me. What is it, exactly, that some folks mean by the terms "liberal" or "conservative"? Who sets the criteria?

In my own case, I would generally consider myself a Conservative, but surprisingly, there has been times when even yours truly has been accused of being a Liberal. One incident sticks out in my memory; a few years ago, when the Supreme Court held that prisoners at the Guantanamo Bay detention camps had a right to habeas corpus under the United States Constitution, someone commenting on my blog called me a Liberal for agreeing with the Court's decision. Nothing I could say about my pro-life position or my views on the role of the Federal government's involvement in our lives made any difference with this person. The fact that I wanted to see the size of the Federal government drastically reduced - or the fact that I am in total agreement with the Catholic church's view on abortion - meant nothing to this person.

I bring up this confusion on my part because of a recent article written by Ann Coulter where, when writing on Rick Santorum, she stated that Santorum was "more of a Catholic than a conservative, which means he's good on 60 percent of the issues, but bad on others......". One Catholic blogger took offense to Coulter's comment, calling her a "BIGOT" and "something else that begin with a 'B' and an 'I' ". I don't agree with that assessment of Coulter.....I know exactly what she means. Catholic teaching doesn't fall in line with either political label. Liberals decry the Church's teachings on abortion, marriage and women's ordination, for example, while many Conservatives fall out with the Church over capital punishment and immigration. Many, so called "rock solid Conservatives" like Sean Hannity can't go along with Catholic teaching against artificial contraception.

Let's face it; if one is a true, devout Catholic, one will not conveniently fit in with either secular Conservatism or secular Liberalism.

Like Santorum, I would consider myself more Catholic than Conservative. Ann Coulter and I are not in 100% agreement on every political issue, but I certainly don't believe she is an anti-Catholic bigot, nor do I view her recent column as "a nasty piece of work" the way this Catholic blogger does.

As an aside, not everyone thinks Santorum follows Church teaching to the letter.

Irish Journalist leaves Catholic Church over Women's Ordination.

2012-01-03T12:20:00.005-05:00

I had never heard of Irish journalist Olivia O’Leary until today when I learned that she had left the Roman Catholic church.

According to Irish Central.com:

"She cited her disappointment in the fact that women cannot be ordained as priests, coupled with the disgrace that “the institutional cover-up of clerical child sex abuse was a ‘proximate factor.’ "

In a RTE podcast, she tells us that she will miss the Roman Catholic Church; her reasons are superficial, at best. One does not choose the correctness of a religion's teaching because of that church's music.

Ms. O'Leary gives typical reasons for leaving the church; the child sex abuse scandal and the Church's failure to ordain women. She misses the point, however. Whether or not one chooses to remain Catholic or Muslim or whatever shouldn't be based on whether you agree with the teachings of the particular religion in question, but rather, does that religion teach the truth. There is a difference.

When giving her reasons for staying with the Roman Catholic Church for so many years, and her reasons for leaving now, nothing is mentioned of the Eucharist. She stayed for years, but not because of the Eucharist and her leaving now puts no importance on the Blessed Sacrament.

The question Ms. O'Leary - and others - should be asking is this: "Is the Roman Catholic Church the one, holy, catholic and apostolic church founded by Jesus Christ?"

If she answers yes to that question then she should understand that she must follow the teachings of the Church even if she doesn't quite understand the reasoning.

If she answers no, then by all means find another religious tradition. I'm confident that she won't find Christ's one true church in the Church of Ireland.

Never Take Your $1 Million Bills to Walmart.

2012-01-02T11:47:00.004-05:00

According to the Winston-Salem Journal, 53 year old Michael Anthony Fuller walked into the Lexington, N.C. Walmart this past Nov.17 to purchase a vacuum cleaner, a microwave oven and an assortment of other, unnamed items, valued at $476.

Mr. Fuller handed the cashier a $1 Million bill. ( the article says it was a fake $1 Million bill ).

Perhaps Mr. Fuller's first mistake was not going to the self-checkout lane.

I'm really curious as to how the bill looked. Fuller obviously had no idea that there are no such things as $1 Million bills. How did he expect to counterfeit a bill he had never seen?
Did he actually think that Walmart could give him correct change?

Another account of the same story says, "Every once in a while someone tries to pass off a fake $1 million bill". I suppose that could explain Russian math whiz Grigory Perelman's refusal to accept a $1 million prize for solving the Poincare conjecture. I'm going to have to take their word that Perelman solved the problem. Not only do I not understand his answer, I don't even understand the question.

The Politically Incorrect Guide to The Politically Incorrect Guide........

2012-01-01T16:12:00.009-05:00

I'm not quite sure who determined that, in order to be a proper Conservative, one must also be an apologist for the Confederate States of America. Obviously, someone at Human Events magazine thinks so.

I recently received an email from Human Events offering to sent a copy of H.W. Crocker III's The Politically Incorrect Guide to the Civil War to me, free of charge, if I would subscribe to the magazine.

The email ad gives a list of 7 facts which "today's PC professors refuse to teach about the Civil War."

Being a descendant of more than one Confederate soldier, it's almost expected that I should take the bait.

Not so, I say.

Let's take a look at the list:

(1) Jefferson Davis and Robert E. Lee: Why they believed, and sincerely hoped, that slavery would fade away naturally.

Not being an historian or an ACWF (American Civil War fanatic) I cannot state for a fact that this accurately represents Lee and Davis' view. True or not, it's rather beside the point, I think. The truth is, slavery was a central part of the economy of the states that attempted to secede from the Union. Support for the Confederacy was de facto support for the institution of slavery.

(2) The widespread belief among leading Northern abolitionists that the Constitution was "a covenant with death and an agreement with hell".

This essay written by abolitionist and mentor to Frederick Douglass, William Lloyd Garrison would bear that out. But, can the original Constitution of the United States be rightly called a "sacred instrument" when the document was dripping with human blood by its failure to address the issue of slavery from the beginning?

(3) The Emancipation Proclamation: It didn't free a single slave — and caused draft riots in the North.

True.

(4) How the Federals waged a war against Southern civilians — destroying their crops, their cities, and their homes.

Sadly, the Federals appear to have been engaged in "Total War", though some historians argue against that view.

(5) The real Robert E. Lee: He considered slavery a political and moral evil and opposed secession — and after the war, a New York newspaper thought he should run for president.

Lee may have "considered slavery a political and moral evil" but, it sounds a lot like a so-called Catholic politician being "personally against abortion, but pro-choice".

(6) Nathan Bedford Forrest: though allegedly a commander of the Ku Klux Klan, he wanted more free blacks — and Chinese — in the South.

Allegedly? Forrest was the first Grand Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan. I can't address his motive for wanting "more free blacks — and Chinese — in the South".

(7) How both Grant and Lincoln thought the Mexican War was morally wrong, but had no qualms waging a far bloodier war to deny the South its independence.

And.........?

It's become popular nowadays to view the Confederates as the ultimate supporters of subsidiarity. There may be some element of truth behind that. As a boy, Jefferson Davis studied at Saint Thomas School at the Saint Rose Dominican Priory in Washington County Kentucky for a few years. Unfortunately, slavery trumps whatever good there may have been in the "Lost Cause".

2011 in Review.

2011-12-31T20:41:00.002-05:00

On New Year's Eve, we have two lines we can take; either make resolutions which will be broken in less than a month, or take a look at the past year to see what, if anything we've done.

I can't honestly say I've accomplished much in the blogosphere. With 133 posts, this year has produced the fewest number of posts since I started this blog.

I have managed to do quite a bit of reading if not writing. Most of the books I've read this year have been on the Kindle. Thankfully, I can get more books than I can read from Project Gutenberg.

The following list are the books I've finished this year; it doesn't include the few I've started but never finished.

Excellence of the Rosary,
by M. J. Frings

The True Story of Fatima,
by Father John de Marchi, I.M.C,

The Idiot,
by Fyodor Dostoyevsky

My Bondage and My Freedom,
by Frederick Douglass

The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass,
by Frederick Douglass

A Study In Scarlet,
by Arthur Conan Doyle

Hunger,
by Knut Hamsun

She Drives Me Crazy,
by Celia Rivenbark.

If Protestantism is True,
by Devin Rose

Frankenstein,
by Mary Shelly

Uncle Tom's Cabin,
by Harriet Beecher Stowe

The Life of St. Teresa of Jesus,
by Teresa of Avila

The Story of a Soul,
by St. Therese of Lisieux

Imitation of Christ,
by Thomas à Kempis

The Admirable Secret of the Rosary,
by St Louis de Montfort

The Relaxation Response,
by Hebert Benson M.D.

Jesus of Nazareth,
by Pope Benedict XVI

Jesus of Nazareth: Holy Week: From the Entrance Into Jerusalem To The Resurrection,
by Pope Benedict XVI

John Paul the Great: Remembering a Spiritual Father,
by Peggy Noonan

Render Unto Caesar: Serving the Nation by Living our Catholic Beliefs in Political Life,
by Charles J. Chaput

Light of the World: The Pope, The Church and The Signs Of The Times,
by Peter Seewald, Pope Benedict XVI

Tarzan of the Apes,
By Edgar Rice Burroughs

The Sign of the Four,
by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Sinead O'Connor ends fourth marriage after 16 days.

2011-12-27T22:23:00.002-05:00

Back in August, 2010, when I wrote of Sinead O'Conner's third marriage, I said,
"I guess I'm out of it. I'm not up on all the latest news of marriages of all the celebrities that inhabit this planet. I'm only just now learning of Sinead O'Connor's third marriage."

Further evidence of my being out of the loop is that it was only today, when I learned of her fourth divorce that I learned that she got her third divorce after an eight month "marriage" to Steve Cooney.

I don't think it's even necessary for me to comment on this.

An Atheist Reacts to Nurses' Lawsuit Victory.

2011-12-26T11:38:00.004-05:00

Like other pro-life advocates, I took the news that New Jersey Nurses Don’t Have to Assist in Abortions in a positive way. Nurses who object to abortion on religious grounds should not be forced or coerced into assisting in any part of the abortion procedure.

Some in the, so-called, "pro-choice" community weren't so pleased with the results of the court decision. Many commenting on the story as reported in the Washington Post spewed forth so much hatred toward the nurses that it's obvious that the issue is not simply about "choice".

One such commenter, calling herself galerouth19521 was especially vitriolic. She referred to the fetus as "a parasite because the classification of the biological relationship that is based on the behavior of one organism (the fetus) and how it relates to the woman's body". Her rationale for calling the pre-born child a parasite is because the fetus obtains it's nourishment from the "host" without providing any benefit. She goes on to say,"so i will kill any unwanted, parasitic life-form that needs my body to live---including your precious fetus...period, get over it."

According to galerouth19521, she should be allowed to kill a fetus because "pregnancy causes women harm". She linked to a website which gave a list of these "harmful effects". One such effect is the "curtailment of ability to participate in some sports and activities".

OK, let me get this straight; a woman can kill her unborn child if being pregnant interferes with the woman's ability to play in certain sports.

Not surprisingly, a later comment by galerouth19521 revealed her to be an atheist. So much for the idea that Atheists Aren't Assholes. She tells us that "the judeo-christian god is a myth and historical evidence proves it". Her proof ? A Youtube video, 3.3.3 Atheism: A History of God (Part 1) .

I suspect that galerouth19521 was an atheist before she ever came across this video "evidence". I watched the video and saw nothing in it that disproves the existence of God. (I even took a look at part 2 of the video and I find it hard to take seriously the arguments of an atheist who doesn't know how to pronounce the word "pantheism").

A Google search lead to more comments by the same person at Huffington Post.

A further search lead to a post by Gale Routh - "Is the human fetus a parasite?" . As I write this, the votes for the fetus NOT being a parasite hold a slim lead. I'd ask anyone reading this post to follow the link cast a vote.

Porky Pig sings "Blue Christmas".

2011-12-24T14:16:00.003-05:00

One of my favorite "Holiday songs"......

Porky Pig - Blue Christmas download at emp3

Tornado Hits Near our Home.

2011-12-23T06:23:00.009-05:00

Yesterday at around 5 PM, a tornado went through our area......actually less than 3/4 mile from our home. Two photos from from the Rome-News Tribune website show damage to buildings a couple of streets over from our house.
The screen shot from Mapquest shows how close it was to our home.

Thank God, as far as I know, no one living nearby was seriously injured. We were not at home when the storm hit. We learned of the tornado over the radio. We were uncertain what we'd find when we arrived home. Thankfully, there was absolutely no damage to our house and property. No trees were blown over.....it looked like it had only been a heavy rain.

Santa, the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy.

2011-12-22T06:57:00.001-05:00

Being a parent of a six year old, I've been put in a position by "the culture" where I have to deal with three fantasy characters; the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy and Santa Claus.

Even as a child, I could never quite understand the point of the Easter Bunny. The whole idea seemed too bizarre for me. I learned very early on that Easter was the celebration of Christ's resurrection and I couldn't figure out what bunnies and baskets and colored eggs had to do with the Holy Day. The "Easter Bunny" was certainly something I was not going to participate in.

Santa was a different matter. I didn't like the idea of tricking my son into believing something that was pure fantasy, but when he was in pre-K last year, all the children in his class were taught about Santa and he knew for a fact that Santa was real. He believes in Santa without my having told him so and there is no convincing him otherwise, so Santa leaves him gifts under the Christmas tree.

Now, in kindergarten, he has learned of the Tooth Fairy. How much of this he learned from classmates and how much from T.V. is anybody's guess.

His first baby tooth came out yesterday and naturally, he was very excited about leaving his tooth under his pillow. He carefully placed the tooth in a plastic sandwich bag so that the Tooth Fairy would have no problem finding it.

The problem was, however, that I had no coins. When I was his age, ~~my parents~~ the Tooth Fairy would leave a quarter in place of the tooth; thinking about it, with the decreased value of coins since the time when I was six, it seemed like leaving a coin wouldn't be the same today anyway.

So, I replaced the tooth with a dollar bill. I know, that seems a bit extravagant, but when I was seven or eight. my dad would send me to the corner store to buy his cigarettes (this was a long time ago) and in those days cigarettes were 25 cents a pack. Looking at it that way, a dollar didn't seem so much.

When J.P. woke up this morning, he said, "The Tooth Fairy left a dollar instead of a penny".

Hugo Chávez says Obama is 'a clown and an embarrassment'.

2011-12-21T07:03:00.004-05:00

President Obama's former mentor, Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez now describes the US president as a "clown" and an "embarrassment".

I wonder where he could have gotten an idea like that.

Kim Jong Il looking at a Wreath.

2011-12-19T19:49:00.003-05:00

Ever the humourist, the guy at Kim Jong Il Looking at Things has the now, late dictator, looking at a wreath.

I don't if it's his wreath, but it is a nice photo.

Cargo Vessel runs Aground in Dumaguete, Philippines.

2011-12-18T13:59:00.004-05:00

My wife comes from Sibulan, Negros Oriental in Philiipines, not for from the city of Dumaguete. I have been to the city many times and consider it my "home away from home". My wife's family still lives there, as do many of our friends.

Yesterday, December, 17th a ".....cargo vessel anchored of off Dumaguete ran aground and capsized after it was battered by big waves spawned by Tropical Storm Sendong about 4 a.m., the Philippine Coast Guard said." Thankfully, all on board were rescued.

Hundreds of people died in Philippines.

Thank God, all of my wife's family is safe, though there was some property damage.

Let Them Eat Horse Meat.

2011-12-15T19:38:00.010-05:00

On Nov. 10, 2005 President Bush signed the 2006 Agricultural Appropriations bill. Bush being an evil Republican who hates animals, the environment and anything having to do with "nature", this bill contained an amendment which prohibited the use of Federal funds for horse meat inspection. Because of this lack of funding, the availability of horse meat for human consumption in the United States vanished.

Now, thanks to President Obama - lover of the environment and friend to animals and animal lovers everywhere - anyone in the U.S. wishing to do so can soon eat horse meat to their heart's content.

A spending bill signed into law on Nov. 18 by President Obama will allow for USDA inspections of slaughterhouses which choose to slaughter horses for human food. Those supporting the change believe slaughterhouses could open before long and eventually slaughter as many as 200,000 horses a year. Most of the meat would be shipped to Asia and Europe where horse flesh is considered a delicacy.

Never having eaten horse meat, I don't have a dog in this fight. If someone wants to eat horse (or dog, for that matter) who am I to say they shouldn't? There are plenty of folks out there who say I shouldn't be eating beef, pork or poultry. One man's meat is another man's poison, as they say.

No, I don't have a problem with the USDA inspecting horse slaughterhouses. I just find it ironic that the U.S. President the animal rights folks detested most effectively banned the slaughter of horses for human consumption, while the Left's favorite President signed a bill that will bring it back.

I'm not sure how this fits with Mrs. Obama's effort to fight obesity. Horse meat is, reportedly low in fat and cholesterol. A recipe for Horse Roast can be found here.

Bon Appétit

A Bit of Good News for a Change.

2011-12-13T15:37:00.002-05:00

As chronicled in a post from this past October, 28 [Thanks, Mr. President.] the company I work for will be closing down the location where I've worked for nearly 17 years. The plant's last day of operation will be Dec.27.

At the time of that post, I was unsure as to what was going to happen. We were told that transfers were available, but at that time I didn't know where I stood. Now, today, I know for a fact where I'll be working after the current location shuts down. I've been transferred to the distribution center 30 minutes from my house. OK, the drive is a bit longer than the 6 minute drive I've been going, but I'm really happy about it. (I might even get an increase in pay).

We're winding things down at my present location. I don't know if I'll be making the transfer next Monday or if I'll have to wait until the final day here. I'm hoping it's Monday.

The only downside is that I'll have to go to night shift. I'll be on a probationary period for 90 days; after that, my seniority is reinstated and who knows how long before there's a first shift opening. We'll just have to wait and see.

All in all, good news.

Our Lady of Guadalupe.

2011-12-12T05:05:00.001-05:00

Uncle Tom's Cabin.

2011-12-11T15:10:00.011-05:00

Growing up - a child of the 1950's - I loved to watch The Twilight Zone. However, for reasons I never quite understood, we were never able to watch the program at home, but could watch it whenever we visited my cousins.

One of the scarier episodes, from my perspective, was the one entitled Time Enough at Last, starring Burgess Meredith as a bookworm who finally has the time to read all the books he wants after an "H-Bomb Capable of Total Destruction" leaves him the sole survivor of a nuclear war.

His character,Henry Bemis winds up at a public library with enough books to last a life time. While sorting the books, his glasses fall from his face, completely shattering, and leaving him virtually blind and unable to read.

I suppose, if I were to find myself the sole survivor after an Apocalypse, I'd make make my home in a public library......so I understand the frustration of Henry Bemis.

For me, the closest think to living in a public library is my being able to access more than 36,000 free ebooks from Project Gutenberg. The ebooks are available as mobi, so I can download them to my PC and transfer the books to my Kindle at my convenience.

I've just finished reading Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe; I'm currently reading Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass by Frederick Douglass.

Next on the list is The Narrative of William W. Brown, a Fugitive Slave by William Wells Brown .

I can see why Uncle Tom's Cabin was the best-selling novel of the 19th century. It's an extremely powerful work - a bit "sentimental" in sections, but it's theme extolling the power of Christian love brought tears to eyes.

The book is one that I've known about nearly my entire life but was never encouraged to read.
Why?
Perhaps the answer to that question has something to do with my having grown up in the southern United States - an area of the country that didn't take kindly to the novel when it was published in 1852. The novel gives an accurate portrait of slave owners in the antebellum South, and we all know that the truth very often hurts.

Today, being called an "Uncle Tom" is considered an insult to most in the black community. It wasn't always that way. Frederick Douglas was a friend of Stowe's and spoke highly of the book.

From Slave narratives and Uncle Tom's Cabin :

"It is ironic that the book which contributed most to the anti-slavery cause should have gained the reputation it has today as a racist work. Uncle Tom, though he defies white authority to save his fellow slaves, is the model of Christian humility. He is forgiving in the face of absolute brutality and suffers countless indignities with patience. Though this endeared him to whites and helped them see the evils of slavery, it also encouraged the image of the submissive, childlike black man -- an idea exaggerated in theatrical productions of Uncle Tom's Cabin. Many of these showed Uncle Tom as a groveling, subservient character, and included blackface mistrel shows between scenes.

Like most white writers of her day, Harriet Beecher Stowe could not escape the racism of the time. Because of this, her work has some serious flaws, which in turn have helped perpetuate damaging images of African Americans. However, the book, within its genre of romance, was enormously complex in character and in its plots. The book outraged the South, and in the long run, that is its significance."

Many credit Uncle Tom's Cabin with fueling the abolitionist cause and help bring about the Civil War. Perhaps the pro-life movement today could use our own Harriet Beecher Stowe and our own Uncle Tom's Cabin.

Obama Celebrates Hanukkah at the White House.

2011-12-09T06:32:00.002-05:00

I loved the headlines on Drudge Report:

Obama celebrates Hanukkah at White House...
TWO WEEKS EARLY?
LIGHTS ALL THE CANDLES...

'We Never Need an Excuse For a Good Party'...

Smoking Santas

2011-12-07T06:13:00.005-05:00

In a recent post [3½ Time-Outs Tuesday (Vol. 2)] LarryD posted an old ad showing Santa Claus selling Pall Mall cigarettes.

I did a little web search and found a few more......not only Pall Mall but, Lucky Strike, Chesterfield and Camel as well.

Vive la Différence.

2011-12-05T18:11:00.005-05:00

An article on CatholicHerald.co.uk [In 1960 Cardinal Siri urged women not to wear trousers. I think he may have had a point] does not seem to have sit well with "Puff the Magic Dragon" from over at Puff's Blog About Stuff ....... One might even go so far as to say she has her knickers in a twist over the article.

I can't say I blame her.

In the CatholicHerald piece, writer Francis Phillips makes reference to a document written in 1960 by the late Cardinal Giuseppe Siri of Genoa entitled “Notification Concerning Men’s Dress Worn by Women” wherein the Cardinal condemned the "wearing of men's dress by women". Cardinal Siri put forward a number of arguments, but he considered the gravest of all to be that "male dress changes the psychology of women". When women wear trousers, he argued, it "flattens out the natural distinction between the sexes".

My comment on Puff's blog was, "The Cardinal may have had a point in the 1960's but the idea that 'women wearing trousers flattens the difference between men and women' in this day and age is ridiculous."

After leaving that comment, it struck me that I may have given the Cardinal too much benefit of the doubt. His document was dated June 12, 1960; looking at a photo of 1960's movie star, Bridgett Bardot, it's difficult to put forth the argument that Bardot was flattening the natural distinction between the sexes by wearing slacks.

Christmas Wreath.

2011-12-05T06:24:00.004-05:00

I had never noticed, until yesterday, when my six year old son pointed it out to me, just how much a Christmas wreath resembles a crown of thorns.

What's the Punchline? Part 3.

2011-12-03T10:32:00.005-05:00

I'm not quite certain which color is more attractive.

What's the Punchline? Part 2.

2011-11-27T19:26:00.003-05:00

Another photo in need of a punchline.

What's the Punchline?

2011-11-26T14:26:00.003-05:00

Photo in need of a punchline.

System Fix Malware.

2011-11-23T04:57:00.002-05:00

My wife's laptop has become infected with a particularly nasty bit of malware/virus called "System Fix".

As one website explains it:

"System Fix is another fake computer optimizer that tries to scare computer users into purchasing it's fake licence [sic]. As it's previous versions (System Restore, Data Restore, Data Repair...) this fake computer optimizer uses various ways to scare computer users into thinking that their computer hardware components has serious issues and that they could loose their stored information. System Fix is spread through misleading websites that are able to install this rogue program on users computer using security vulnerabilities. When System Fix installs itself on your computer it will flood your desktop with various warning messages stating that there are critical errors in your computers Ram memory, System drive, System registry. Furthermore System Fix will hide your desktop icons stating that there are bad blocks on your HDD surface. If you click "Fix Errors" button after the scan you will be asked to purchase a full version of System Fix in order to eliminate the found hardware issues. You shouldn't buy System Fix - it's a fake computer optimizer a totally useless program created by Internet criminals to trick unsuspecting computer users. All the computer scans and security messages stating about hardware malfunctions are fake".

Her anti-virus software did not stop it. We tried removing it with Spyware Doctor with no luck. We'll have to try professional help.

From what I've read, it's likely she picked up the bug on Facebook. I'll be clearing off Facebook today. I don't use all the apps and games like she does, but better safe than sorry.

SHOCK POLL IOWA.

2011-11-17T19:28:00.006-05:00

The headline on Drudge was certainly provocative; "SHOCK POLL IOWA: GINGRICH 32% ROMNEY 19% CAIN 13% ."

The headline linked to a Rasmussen report which stated that today, November 17, 2011, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich is leading among caucus-goers in Iowa.

The 2012 Iowa Caucuses are scheduled to take place on January 3; it's still much too early to predict who will eventually come out on top. Gingrich may be ahead now, but Cain was the top dog in October while Perry was the leader in September. It was just August when Michele Bachmann was tied with Romney for first place in Iowa. Has anybody even mentioned Michele Bachmann lately?

I still haven't decided who'll get my vote in the March 6 Georgia primary. Matt Archbold of Creative Minority Report isn't a Gingrich fan, though I don't share Matt's opinion of Newt. Mark Shea wrote a convincing article praising Ron Paul. Unfortunately, Shea is so anti-Romney that he might as well vote for Obama - that will be the end result of his decision to vote for a third party candidate over Romney should Mitt become the Republican presidential candidate. (Mr. Shea isn't a fan of Newt, either, by the way.)

I had pretty much given up on Herman Cain until I read something Ann Coulter had to say about the "sexual harassment scandal". As this piece shows, Ann doesn't care much for Newt either.....she's more a Romney girl.

In an email I received today, HumanEvents asked "Which Candidate Can Beat Obama?" but their survey/poll gave only 3 choices: Mitt Romney, Rick Perry and Herman Cain. No mention of Gingrich. Is HumanEvents behind the times? (That particular survey/poll has Cain as the top pick......go figure.)

I can't see the Republicans picking anyone as horrible as their 2008 candidate, John McCain. I really can't believe they forced me to vote for that loser. While I can't say who will get my vote in the primary, we know my vote in November will be for anybody but Obama. Let's hope this time, the Republicans don't make me hold my nose when I cast my vote.

Bloggers Bake-off.

2011-11-13T06:53:00.006-05:00

In a recent post [Creative Minority Report: Daddy Cooks] Patrick Archbold sought to impress his readers with his French Toast made from homemade pumpkin yeast bread.

La dee da.

Well, Pat isn't the only baking blogger, thank you very much !

To show what real baking is, I'm posting a photo of my Pumpkin Muffins along with the recipe :

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup whole wheat flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 cup mashed cooked pumpkin

1/3 cup vegetable oil

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon pumpkin-pie spice

1 teaspoon cinnamon

pinch nutmeg

3/4 cup white sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

preheat oven to 350°F.
Put liners in muffin cups.

Mix both flours with baking powder

Whisk together pumpkin, oil, eggs, pumpkin pie spice, nutmeg, cinnamon, sugars, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl until smooth, then whisk in flour mixture until just combined.

Divide batter among muffin cups (each should be about three-fourths full), then sprinkle tops with cinnamon-sugar mixture.(tsp cinnamon added to 1 tbsp sugar)

Bake until puffed and golden brown and wooden pick or skewer inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes.

Robert Redford - Another Hollywood Airhead.

2011-11-10T05:49:00.003-05:00

Not being a regular reader of the Huffington Post, I was unaware of Robert Redford's opinion piece from September, Is the Obama Administration Putting Corporate Profits Above Public Health? until I came across a link to the article on a friend's Facebook page.

Redford had originally supported Obama because, as a candidate, Obama had said "we must protect clean air, water and lands". Now, much to Redford's dismay, "three administration decisions -- on Arctic drilling, the Keystone XL pipeline and the ozone that causes smog -- have all favored dirty industry over public health and a clean environment".

Redford appears to be shocked that a man who passionately supports abortion would care so little about birds and fish and cute little butterflies.

Anyone - like our President - who sees nothing immoral about the taking of innocent life, cannot be trusted. Obama's lack of moral character was on display for all to see when he was running for office. Now, Redford writes, "Like so many others, I'm beginning to wonder just where the man stands".

Really?

Mike's Dating Review.

2011-11-07T06:25:00.001-05:00

Ever curious as to how and why folks come to this blog, I frequently check my stats on Google Analytics.

Earlier this morning, the blog was visited by someone from Sydney, Australia, who had found the blog by putting the phrase lucy ricardo's dating scammer into the Google search engine. It doesn't surprise me two of my posts came up as #2 and #3, though I'm a bit perplexed as to why anyone would enter that particular phrase into a search engine.

The #1 site listed when one googles lucy ricardo's dating scammer is called mikesdatingreview.com ..... an interesting site, but I'm hard pressed to find anything about Lucy Ricardo there.

Mike has a wide and varied collection of names and photos of who he calls "Scammers in Adult Dating Communities".

Of course, anyone who reads my blog would be too intelligent to fall for one of these dating scams.

Thy Shall Not Covet ........

2011-11-03T05:28:00.002-04:00

Writer Jeff Jacoby does a great job describing the difference between the "Occupiers" and the "Tea Partiers" in this piece from Townhall.com - Occupiers, Tea Partiers, and the Tenth Commandment:

"Economic envy may cloak itself in rhetoric about 'inequality' or 'egalitarianism' or 'redistribution of wealth,' but its oldest name is covetousness. That is the sin enjoined by the last of the Ten Commandments: 'Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house; thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, or his manservant, or his maidservant, or his ox, or his ass, or anything that is thy neighbor's.' ""

The Catholic version of the ten commandment may read slightly different, but the point is still valid.

As Jacoby points out, the Tea Partiers are motivated by self respect while the Occupiers are motivated by envy and covetousness.

No matter how much the Left may want to convince you otherwise, the groups are not similar.

Jon2012girls Smokin' Ad.

2011-10-29T13:55:00.005-04:00

In a recent post, [Creative Minority Report: Cain's Kinda' Freaking Me Out] Matthew Archbold posted a Youtube video of an ad for Herman Cain.

That video is below :

Now, according to a piece in the NY Daily News, the three daughters of former Utah governor and Republican presidential candidate, Jon Huntsman, have come up with their own video spoofing the Herman Cain ad.

The same article points out;

"While the Huntsman daughters have more than 6,300 followers on Twitter, it remains to be seen if their humor can boost their father's ratings. A CNN/ORC poll released this month shows Huntsman coming in dead last among the other seven candidates, garnering just 1% support."

Frankly, I don't know a heck of a lot about Huntsman. I went to his website and took a lot at his section on the issues. There, he gives his thoughts on "Jobs & the Economy" and "Foreign Policy". Important issues, of course but the issue of abortion is conspicuous by it's absence on Huntsman's website.

Searching Jon Huntsman abortion on Google, I came across an interesting article The Salt Lake Tribune that says Huntsman (on record as an abortion foe) "sheds moderate label on abortion" by favoring amending the U.S. Constitution to overturn the Supreme Court’s decision in Roe v. Wade and outlaw abortion.

That's a plus for me. The fact that Karrie Galloway, executive director of Planned Parenthood of Utah is disappointed in Huntsman doesn't hurt him either, in my view.

I still haven't decided who'll get my vote in the 2012 primary; there's no doubt, however, who won't be getting my vote in the general election.......(need I say?)

Thanks, Mr. President.

2011-10-28T18:13:00.003-04:00

It was announced today that the company I work for will be closing down the location where I've worked for nearly 17 years. The plant's last day of operation will be Dec.27.......60 days from today.

There's always the possibility that I could be transferred to another location.....should an opening arise; but, even with 16 years seniority, there's still a few ahead of me and jobs won't be created out of thin air. It would be a matter of someone at another location quitting or getting fired. Not likely.

In this economy, I'm expecting to be collecting unemployment compensation for some time to come.

Secret of the Rosary.

2011-10-27T06:07:00.002-04:00

The month of October is nearly over and I haven't written anything regarding the Rosary. To make up for the slight, I've decide to make available links to St. Louis De Montfort's "THE SECRET OF THE ROSARY FOR RENEWAL AND SALVATION" in both pdf and mobi for Kindle formats.

Nothing I could write could equal his writing.

Blog Post Update.

2011-10-19T17:23:00.004-04:00

Too bad I don't understand Finnish........if I did, I'd know how I managed to get one of my posts onto a Finnish website.

A couple of days ago, someone in Finland, who had taken a liking to my story about Al Gore suing the owner of the Sun for damages caused by global warming, put a link to it on www.iltalehti.fi/etusivu/. Soon, the page was being visited by folks from Helsinki to Oulu to Espoo and back again.

The post in question is nearly a year old; the Finns are just now discussing it.
Oddly,none bothered to click on the "news source" link - Al Gore Sues Sun's Owner Over Global Warming.

As we can see on the right, this post is the most popular one on the blog........what you can't see is that, as of this writing, it's been viewed over 7,000 times, yet, not one of this 7000 visitors took one second to click on a Google ad.

Pink Ribbon? No, Thanks.

2011-10-18T16:26:00.005-04:00

I had been forewarned, so I knew what to expect. Actually, I'm one of the few who pays attention during our little ten minute meeting before 7 o'clock at work.

Last week, our supervisor told us that the corporate office was a big supporter of the Susan G. Komen organization and she'd be providing pink ribbons for everyone to wear today. When she attempted to give one to me, I said, "No thank you". Of course, she wanted to know why I'd refuse to support such a "worthy cause".

Anyone who is seriously involved with the Pro-life movement already knows the answer; for those who are unaware of the connection between Susan G. Komen and Planned Parenthood, I've post two links.

According to this article at lifenews.com , "Komen’s ties to Planned Parenthood are well documented and figures from STOPP International show Komen chapters giving $711,485 from April 1, 2005 to March 31, 2006 to Planned Parenthood affiliates."

I explained to my supervisor that I could not support the Susan G. Komen organization because of it's ties with Planned Parenthood......she said that she didn't agree with the "political agenda" of Susan G. Komen either, but this was about breast cancer awareness. I stood my ground and refused to wear the pink ribbon.

The more I thought about "breast cancer awareness" the more I realized the absurdity of the idea of wearing a pink ribbon while being opposed to Komen. Let's suppose the company supported a program like, say, "AIDS awareness" or even "influenza awareness" we could discuss how AIDS could be prevented by not doing A,B,C, or D. Some folks need to learn about how influenza is not just a severe cold, but a dangerous disease that caused serious epidemics before flu vaccines where developed. With "breast cancer awareness", there is little the average Joe or Josephine can do....other than donate money. So, who's going to get the money? These pink ribbon folks want you to give it to Susan G. Komen which will, in turn, give a portion of your money to the largest abortion provider on the planet.

No, thanks.

Conspicuous By Their Absence.

2011-10-12T02:04:00.003-04:00

I recently joined the pro-life committee at our parish; I attended my first "Life Chain" this past Oct 2nd and attended my first committee meeting last night.

I'm not going to attempt to relate everything we discussed at this meeting. However, I want to write about one particular discussion which took me completely by surprise. The idea came to me, shortly after the "Life Chain" demonstration, that as eventful as our demonstration was, it would have been truly remarkable had pro-life groups from other churches in our fair city participated as well.

I learned that my idea was not new; the pro-life committee had tried to bring other churches on board only to discover that, sadly none of the Protestant church in this area have pro-life committees/ministries nor were any interested in furthering the pro-life agenda.

It would appear that the abortion issue is too hot for these Protestants to handle.

Thinking about this, I guess I shouldn't be surprised that the more liberal denominations would shy away from the subject of abortion, but it does surprise me that the more conservative denominations (Baptist - Church of God for example) aren't as actively pro-life as the Catholic church.

Of course, there's always the possibility that they're simply being anti-Catholic, but I don't think that's it. For one thing, all these churches (ours included) come together and actively support the Community Soup Kitchen. No,the truth is, the Protestant churches in our area don't "do" pro-life.

Sapientiae Christianae.

2011-10-10T05:46:00.003-04:00

In a recent Vortex, host Michael Voris made mention of Pope Leo XIII's encyclical on Christians as Citizens, Sapientiae Christianae.

Though written in 1890, the encyclical is relevant today. From the first paragraph:

"From day to day it becomes more and more evident how needful it is that the principles of Christian wisdom should ever be borne in mind, and that the life, the morals, and the institutions of nations should be wholly conformed to them. For, when these principles have been disregarded, evils so vast have accrued that no right-minded man can face the trials of the time being without grave anxiety or consider the future without alarm. Progress, not inconsiderable indeed, has been made towards securing the well-being of the body and of material things, but the material world, with the possession of wealth, power, and resources, although it may well procure comforts and increase the enjoyment of life, is incapable of satisfying our soul created for higher and more glorious things. To contemplate God, and to tend to Him, is the supreme law of the life of man. For we were created in the divine image and likeness, and are impelled, by our very nature, to the enjoyment of our Creator. But not by bodily motion or effort do we make advance toward God, but through acts of the soul, that is, through knowledge and love. For, indeed, God is the first and supreme truth, and the mind alone feeds on truth. God is perfect holiness and the sovereign good, to which only the will can desire and attain, when virtue is its guide."

The encyclical can be read online at a number of sites, including the Vatican website and here.

I don't particularly like reading documents online, so I've put the encyclical into pdf format and mobi for Kindle and made both available for downloading.

99% B.S.

2011-10-07T02:24:00.002-04:00

From Christian Science Monitor:
99% Wall Street protesters boo CEOs, but mourn Steve Jobs.

"He’s this weird, omnipresent, benevolent figure. It’s like losing the pope or something.”

RespectLife Sunday - 2011.

2011-10-03T16:27:00.003-04:00

Yesterday, Oct.2 was Respect Life Sunday. Members from our parish participated in the "Life Chain" demonstration. You can't tell from this photo (taken from the Rome News-Tribune website) but I'd estimate that there were about 75 people there.

The newspaper has this:

"Dylan Bryant (from left), Mary Kate Bagwell and Ellen Tomlin hold signs on Broad Street as part of the National Life Chain. The annual event takes place across the country on the first Sunday in October in more than 1,500 cities. Participants stood on the sidewalk silently in prayer holding anti-abortion signs. 'We are celebrating life,' said participant Charles Betz. 'We’re celebrating all aspects of life and praying for those whose lives were lost. We’re hoping the culture of life will overcome the culture of death.'
Several people took part in the event with participants lining the intersection of Turner McCall Boulevard and Broad Street."

We met at the parish hall at 2:30 Sunday, before walking down to the intersection. Those of us participating were advised ahead of time that there might be some harassment and we should not confront anyone who might not appreciate our being so visible.

During the "silent prayer" one woman passerby who was stopped for a traffic light began yelling at me......nothing horrible....she simply rolled down the car window and began yelling "Hey Man" at me several times. I ignored her, yet she continued to yell at me until the light changed.

About 3:30, a young man began walking among the group, trying to draw someone out, but none of us would speak to him. At one point, he stood very close to one of the teen aged girls, trying to intimidate her, I suppose. He didn't succeed, He finally gave up and walked away.

About 15 minutes before our scheduled hour was up, a middle aged woman started doing the same as the young man had done earlier. However, she would really get in peoples' faces. She had information on how to prevent unwanted pregnancies, if any of us were interested. I'm sure it was information on condoms and /or birth control pills. No one had much to say to her either. She followed us back to the church, but stopped to talked to the policeman parked outside.

So, all in all, the harassment was minimal. No one was arrested or beat up. I'm pretty certain that the anti-abortion folks went away happier than the "pro-choice" folks did.

Capt. Eddie Shields.......Nigerian Scammer. Epilogue.

2011-10-01T03:24:00.005-04:00

Part 15 of the Capt. Eddie Shields story chronicles the last email exchanges between the Nigerian scammer(s) and Wanda & Lucy.

It was obvious from Eddie's final email, that he had discovered my blog. In his email, he made references to Fred and Lamont Sanford........I hadn't used those two against Eddie, though I mentioned the pair in Part 1.

Stats from Google Analytics show that the Nigerians first came upon my blog on Sept.25. They had been reading and rereading the story of Misty's accident since Sept. 20.

Once they had discovered the blog, there was no point in continuing the masquerade.

It was inevitable that, sooner of later, the scammer would have realized he was being made a fool of. It's unclear how far along the story would have gone if I had waited until it played out before posting the story online. The blog can be accessed via the phony news site containing the story of the Misty being run over by a police car chasing a Krispy Kreme donut truck.

Did the guy sending the emails discover it on his own? Probably not. The fact that he believed the news report to be true shows that this particular scammer isn't too intelligent. I suspect that someone he knows came upon the blog and let him in on the reverse scam.

Google Analytics show that visitors from Abuja, Lagos and Port Harcourt continue to visit both this blog and the website hosting Misty's accident story. Why?
It could be that the Nigerian Scammer's School is using the experience with me as a lesson in what to avoid. There is also the possibility that scammers are going to the sites to get a good laugh on their doofussonian compatriot.

What have I learned from this?

I'll probably have to retire Wanda Tuinphro, Lucy Ricardo, Misty Meaner, Fred and Lamont Sanford. That doesn't mean that I'll never respond to another obviously phony email. I created Wanda et al, and I can create more. I'm a virtual Victor Frankenstein in that regard.

I've also learned that, no matter how tempting it may be to do otherwise, I should wait until the final email before posting the story. Who knows where the events between Lucy and the "Reverend Eddie Shields" would have lead had they continued on their natural course.

Other than the Nigerians and a fan in Toronto, the Eddie Shields saga hasn't been popular with my regular visitors. It's possible that this story may be like the Kelvin Williams adventure and continue to attract visitors well into the future.

From the look of things, I'll be a hit with the Nigerians for quite some time.

Capt. Eddie Shields.......Nigerian Scammer. Part 15.

2011-10-01T01:58:00.004-04:00

Re: the writing
FROM: Capt.eddie Shields
TO: Wanda Tuinphro
Saturday, September 24, 2011 5:56 PM

Hello Wanda,
I got your mail, and that is a very nice write up, I have sent her the mail, but the problem now is that she might want to send the payment in Nigeria, and that would be a problem, though I have a friend there that works in Nigeria, he may be able to help pick up the funds and send them down, Or what if she decides to speak with me on phone? How do you think we could go about this ? I also sent my passport Id as a prove of who I am. Get back to me, and update me, I would also let you nkow as soon as I hear back from her.

God Bless
Eddie

Re: the writing
FROM: Wanda Tuinphro
TO: Capt.eddie Shields
Saturday, September 24, 2011 6:13 PM

we will have to wait and she how she replies.
Wanda

From Rev.Eddie Shields
Saturday, September 24, 2011 5:23 PM
From: "Rev. Eddie Shields" (rev.eddieshields@yahoo.com)
To: Lucy Ricardo

My Dear Mrs. Ricardo,

First, I realize it is necessary that I should introduce myself. My name is Reverend Eddie Shields.

I am writing to give my deepest sympathy because of the recent passing of your dearest niece - and my good friend - Misty. I know that she is resting in God's arms, yet still I cried when I first learned that she had died due to the terrible accident.

I first met Misty in 2009 when she was in Denver Colorado ( the home base of my church ). We have communicated very often by email and phone since our first meeting. She spoke very highly of you and I know your were a great influence on her.

I am currently doing missionary work in Nigeria. I am struggling to build a new church in the city of Abuja. When Misty learned of my work here, she promised to donate $4000 to help me in my work here.

I know this is a difficult time for you, but I am hoping you can see to help fulfill Misty's wish. I am prepared to set aside a portion of the church building as a memorial for the dear girl.
I wish that I was in Nashville now so that I could attend her funeral, but God has willed that I be here ....... doing His work.
Again, please accept my condolences. I hope to hear from you soon, I have attach my Id in this mail.

Yours in Christ's name,
Reverend Eddie Shields

Re: From Rev.Eddie Shields
Sunday, September 25, 2011 6:19 AM
From: Lucy Ricardo
To: "Rev. Eddie Shields" (rev.eddieshields@yahoo.com)

My dear brother in Christ,
Thank you so much for your recent email. Your words mean more to me than you can ever know. For many years, my niece Misty lead a sinful life. I am happy to know that she had a friendship with a man of God.

I wish that you could be here Monday for the poor girl's funeral service, but I know your missionary work in Nigeria is extremely important. I have been to that country on missionary work many times. The people there are in desperate need for God's word. I know for a fact that almost all children born of Nigerian women have fathers from Chad, Benin or Cameroon. As I am sure you know, the Nigerian men are overwhelmingly homosexual. The Nigerian male would rather have sexual relations with a goat than a woman. While it's true that the Nigeria women are the ugliest women in Africa, it is a sin for the men there to prefer other men or animals over their wives.

I will be happy to send the money you need to complete your church. Let me know how much you need and where I can send it.

Again, thank you for your kind words concerning Misty. I'd like to believe that she is resting in God's arms.

Lucy Ricardo.

Have you heard?
FROM: Wanda Tuinphro
TO: Capt.eddie Shields
Sunday, September 25, 2011 9:55 AM

Capt. Eddie,
Have you received a reply from Lucy?
Will she give you the money?

Wanda

Re: Have you heard?
FROM: Capt.eddie Shields
TO: Wanda Tuinphro
Sunday, September 25, 2011 10:42 AM

Hello, How do you do today ?

Yes she said she was going to help me, But my problem now is where she would be sending this to because we need to close this deal by Tuesday lattest. Please do you know any Fred and Lamont Sanford ?? I would keep you posted

Eddie

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8
Part 9 Part 10 Part 11 Part 12 Part 13 Part14 Part15

Capt. Eddie Shields.......Nigerian Scammer. Part 14.

2011-10-01T01:46:00.002-04:00

Re: concerning Misty Meaner
FROM: Wanda Tuinphro
TO: Capt.eddie Shields
Saturday, September 24, 2011 1:55 AM

Dear Eddie,
I have had very little sleep. I do not know what to do. I have no income. It was Misty's money that we lived on.

Because Tennessee does not recognize our marriage, I cannot get access to the money in Misty's account. I am totally without funds. I desperately need the $40million. I cannot raise any money to pay the government.....you and I will lose this money.

I know the money can be gotten from Misty's aunt Lucy, but she will not give it to me. You can get the $4000 from her if you follow my plan. I could help you with any vital information you might have to give Lucy.

If we do not get this money, I will be forced to join Misty.
Wanda

Re: concerning Misty Meaner
FROM: Capt.eddie Shields
TO: Wanda Tuinphro
Saturday, September 24, 2011 8:08 AM

Ok Wanda, I agree to your plans, But now talking about Misty's aunt, is she single? and if you think she would help us out, I need you to give me an exact write up that I would send to her. I would also need to open a new e-mail address as a Rev, so please, Just send me an exact write up that i would send to Misty's aunt, also give me her house address, and maybe a phone number too.
Will be waiting for your response
Capt.Shields

Re: concerning Misty Meaner
FROM: Wanda Tuinphro
TO: Capt.eddie Shields
Saturday, September 24, 2011 11:44 AM

Dear Eddie,
Here are a few facts about Misty's aunt Lucy.

Name: Lucy Ricardo
age: about 65 or so.
was once married.......husband dead.
very religious. goes to Africa often to do missionary work.
very, very rich.

I do not know her phone number.
I will send a write up for you later.
Wanda

the writing
FROM: Wanda Tuinphro
TO: Capt.eddie Shields
Saturday, September 24, 2011 3:39 PM

My Dear Mrs. Ricardo,
First, I realize it is necessary that I should introduce myself. My name is Reverend Eddie Shields.

I am writing to give my deepest sympathy because of the recent passing of your dearest niece - and my good friend - Misty. I know that she is resting in God's arms, yet still I cried when I first learned that she had died due to the terrible accident.

I first met Misty in 2009 when she was in Denver Colorado ( the home base of my church ). We have communicated very often by email and phone since our first meeting. She spoke very highly of you and I know your were a great influence on her.

I am currently doing missionary work in Nigeria. I am struggling to build a new church in the city of Abuja. When Misty learned of my work here, she promised to donate $4000 to help me in my work here.

I know this is a difficult time for you, but I am hoping you can see to help fulfill Misty's wish. I am prepared to set aside a portion of the church building as a memorial for the dear girl.
I wish that I was in Nashville now so that I could attend her funeral, but God has willed that I be here ....... doing His work.

Again, please accept my condolences. I hope to hear from you soon.
Yours in Christ's name,
Reverend Eddie Shields

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8
Part 9 Part 10 Part 11 Part 12 Part 13 Part14 Part15

Capt. Eddie Shields.......Nigerian Scammer. Part 13.

2011-09-30T01:59:00.002-04:00

Re: concerning Misty Meaner
FROM: Wanda Tuinphro
TO: Capt.eddie Shields
Thursday, September 22, 2011 5:37 PM

Dear Capt Eddie,
As I told you, the bank here does not recognize my marriage to Misty and I do not have access to her money that's in the bank....I have no money of my own.
We will have to figure out another way of getting the money. I will contact you soon.
Wanda

the money
FROM: Wanda Tuinphro
TO: eddie shields (d-usmilbase@blumail.org)
Friday, September 23, 2011 2:38 AM

Dear Eddie,
I believe we can get the money from Misty's Aunt Lucy.
I have a plan. I will sent you an email later when I have more time.
Write back soon.
Wanda

Failure Notice
FROM: MAILER-DAEMON@yahoo.com
TO: wanda_tuinphro
Friday, September 23, 2011 2:38 AM

Sorry, we were unable to deliver your message to the following address.
(d-usmilbase@blumail.org):
Remote host said: 550 5.2.1 The email account that you tried to reach is disabled. h6si11441380pbf.48 [RCPT_TO]

From: Capt.eddie Shields (capt.eddieshields@yahoo.com)
To: Wanda Tuinphro
Sent: Friday, September 23, 2011 4:30 AM
Subject: Re: concerning Misty Meaner

Please contact me and let me know the update concerning Misty's Health,
Capt.Eddie

Re: concerning Misty Meaner
FROM: Wanda Tuinphro
TO: Capt.eddie Shields
Friday, September 23, 2011 3:31 PM

Dear Capt Eddie,
I tried to send an email to you earlier, but it was returned. It said the account was discontinued. I am so glad you wrote to me.

I have horrible news. Our dear Misty died this morning. I am heart broken.

Of course, now that my dearest Misty is gone, I will need the $40Million more than ever. I do not have the $4000 but I have a plan. I am certain you can get the money from Misty's aunt Lucy.

If you contact Aunt Lucy, under no circumstances are you to tell her about the $40million. Also, you must not tell her that you are in the army. She was once raped by a soldier and she hates all military men now as a result.

She is very religious; she is always going to Africa to do missionary work. If you email her and tell her you are Reverend Eddie (not Capt. Eddie) and tell her her niece promised to give your the $4000 to rebuild your church, I am sure she will give you the $4000 and maybe more.

I know this is not honest, but we need to go through with this deal for dear Misty.
Her email is xxxxxxxxxx
You friend,
Wanda

Re: concerning Misty Meaner
FROM: Capt.eddie Shields
TO: Wanda Tuinphro
Friday, September 23, 2011 5:40 PM

Hello Dear Wanda,

With great sorrows and pain in my heart I write you at this moment, It is so unfortunate that she couldnt make it, AND i PRAY THAT HER SOULD REST IN PERFECT PEACE WITH THE LORD.

Now concerning what you told me, I am not sure I could do that because it would lead to a lot of questionings, some pictures and other vital information may be needed from me, which would not work out well. I know that money is a big sum, but it is better this is just between us two. How much do you think you can come up withj, we can both make up the fee needed, even if it means you borrowing from someone, or selling something, this money means a lot, and if more time is waisted, we may end up loosing it to the wicked Government people which I do not want to happen, I have gone through a lot for this deal, and we just have to try, see how much you think you can come up with and let me know asap. May the soul of our Dear Misty rest in perfect peace. Amen
Capt.Eddie

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8
Part 9 Part 10 Part 11 Part 12 Part 13 Part14 Part15

Capt. Eddie Shields.......Nigerian Scammer. Part 12.

2011-09-29T01:57:00.003-04:00

Re: concerning Misty Meaner
FROM: Capt.eddie Shields
TO: Wanda Tuinphro
Tuesday, September 20, 2011 7:36 PM

No I would not back out because you have told me the truth, It is always good to say the truth no matter what it would cost us, this has made me even have more trust on you. Do let me know if you find anything as I am not sure if she was able to make the payment again. Write me an e-mail as soon as you find anything.
God Bless
Capt.Eddie

Re: concerning Misty Meaner
Hide Details
FROM: Wanda Tuinphro
TO: Capt.eddie Shields
Wednesday, September 21, 2011 1:58 AM

Dear Capt Eddie,
It's good to know that you are an understanding person.
I was looking thru some of Misty's things and I found a note where she sent $4000 to the following account:

Bank Name: Comerica Bank
Customers Name: Sam Tran
Account Number: 682200124-8
Customers Address: 15 Ridgewood SE Kentwood, Michigan 49548
Receiving Bank Routing: 072000096
Bank Address: 5135 Kalamazoo SE Grand Rapids MI 49508
Bank Phone 616-455-6301
swift code: MNBDUS33

Is this what you were looking for?
Wanda

Re: concerning Misty Meaner
FROM: Capt.eddie Shields
TO: Wanda Tuinphro
Wednesday, September 21, 2011 11:32 AM

Good Day Wanda,

Got your mail, yes that is what I am looking for, but the problem now is that the news am getting from the delivery man is that the money has not gotten to the account yet, please is there a way you can scan a copy of the transfer slip or anything we can use as a proof of misty making the payment ? According to Harry, he said she wrote him very early that morning at about 5am that the payment has been made, and I was wondering how possible that could be as the bank in the usa dont open till is is 9 in the morning. Sorry for the stress, just let me know if there is any way you could send me a copy of the pay slip, I have already told Harry about what is going on that you would be the new person recieving the boxes. Keep me informed. How is my dear Misty doing today ? any positive response yet ? I have been praying for her all through, and I hope she gets well soon. Have a splendid day

Eddie

Re: concerning Misty Meaner
FROM: Wanda Tuinphro
TO: Capt.eddie Shields
Wednesday, September 21, 2011 3:56 PM

Dear Eddie,
Sorry to say there is no improvement with Misty. I do not think she will survive.
I haven't found any transfer slip or receipt yet. I will keep looking.
I don't know why the delivery man would get a 5 AM email.....Misty never got out of bed before 10 AM. Perhaps there was an error on the Yahoo email site.
I will contact you if I find the document. Because Tennessee does not recognize same sex marriage, I cannot get direct information from the bank. The bank does not consider us married.

Take care for now.
Wanda.

Re: concerning Misty Meaner
FROM: Wanda Tuinphro
TO: Capt.eddie Shields
Wednesday, September 21, 2011 6:19 PM

Dear Mr Eddie,
After I sent you the previous email, the postal mail arrived. There was a business letter from Misty's bank. Under the circumstances, I felt I should open it.

It was the bank letting her know that the account number from her recent transaction (682200124-8) was not a valid account. Accordingly, the bank could not transfer the $4000. The bank notified her that she would have to double check her information and provide the correct account number.

I guess this answers our questions.
Wanda

Re: concerning Misty Meaner
FROM: Capt.eddie Shields
TO: Wanda Tuinphro
Thursday, September 22, 2011 1:03 AM

Dear Wanda,

I have informed the authorities about this, and I would provide you with a better information later today for the payment to be made. Please what is this sad news your telling me about Misty ? I just dont want to believe she will not make it, I strongly believe she will. I would keep you updated on this.
God Bless
Capt.Eddie

Re: concerning Misty Meaner
FROM: Capt.eddie Shields
TO: Wanda Tuinphro
Thursday, September 22, 2011 9:59 AM

Morning Wanda,

Hope you are doing good ? Did you receive my response to your mail yesterday ? I still feel sad for our friend Misty, and I pray for a miracle here. I finally contacted the authorities concerning the problem we have at the moment with making the balance payment of $4000, well the good news is that we were given a fresh account that would be easier for us to make the payment with, and you can also use the western union and Money Gram in this order. Find Instructions below

Bank Information:

Bank Name: Bank Of America
Customers Name: Carrie Robinson
Account Number: 488034251382
Receiving Bank Routing: 111000025
Bank Address: 2509 s. hampton dallas tx 75224
Customers Address: 116 south hampton dallas tx 75224

Or you can as well use the Western Union and Money Gram in this order, Note if you are to use this method, you would have to pay $2000 via Money Gram, and $2000 via Western Union, and we must work with instructions here

Western Union Info :

Receivers Name: Tina Taylor
Amount: $2000
Receivers Address: Dallas Texas
Test Question: For
Answer: Tina

Money Gram Info same as above:

Receivers Name: Tina Taylor
Amount: $2000
Receivers Address: Dallas Texas
Test Question: For
Answer: Tina

Note the test question and answer is compulsory if you are to make the payment via the western Union or Money gram. Lets get this done for our friend Misty, and If i may ask, what address are the boxes going to ? since you say you stay with Misty, I believe the boxes are heading to the same place. Just let me know and keep me updated lets see if this can be rounded up soon enough. Any news on Misty yet ? My prayers are with her.

Capt.Eddie

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8
Part 9 Part 10 Part 11 Part 12 Part 13 Part14 Part15

Capt. Eddie Shields.......Nigerian Scammer. Part 11.

2011-09-27T15:35:00.006-04:00

Misty is involved in an accident after leaving the bank. Her good friend, Wanda Tuinphro contacts Capt. Eddie.

concerning Misty Meaner
FROM: Wanda Tuinphro
TO: d-usmilbase@blumail.org
Tuesday, September 20, 2011 2:39 AM

Dear Capt. Eddie Shields,
My name is Wanda Tuinphro. I am a very close friend to Misty Meaner.

I have very sad news to relate to you. Our dear friend was involved in a horrible accident. She is in the hospital....she is in a coma and we do not know if she will survive.

She was on her way to the groinocologist when she was struck down by a police car. The details can be found on this news story.
http://www.dumaguetecity.net/woman_injured.html

Before she went into the coma, she asked me to contact you. She told me that you are in need of help. I do not know the details of your problem but I will do as my dear friend asks of me. Please let me know how I can help you and pray for our dear friend.

Wanda Tuinphro.

Re: concerning Misty Meaner
FROM: USA Army
TO: Wanda Tuinphro
Tuesday, September 20, 2011 1:35 PM

Hello Wanda,
I am Capt.Shields, sorry for the very late response to your mail, If
your friend Misty told you, I am not in the USA at the moment, I am
presently in Afghanistan, And I have been so busy i just got to check
my mail now.

This news is a very big shock to me, I am very scared and surprised at
the moment, what foolish police officer is this ? She told me she was
going to see her Gynecologist yesterday, only to come back and here
this. Please is she ok ? How is she responding to treatments ? Kindly
get me the names of the police officers involved in this, And i would
pay them back with the rewards they deserve. I am Capt Eddie shields,
what is important now to me is the life of our dear friend, I just
hope she makes it. Can you kindly give me your e-mail address ? If you
have a yahoo account I would love to chat with you or a direct phone
number I could reach you with. Please mail me back as soon as you get
this, I am in tears at the moment, I just want to know she is alive
please. I expect your kind response Wanda

God Bless

Capt.Shields

Re: concerning Misty Meaner
FROM: Wanda Tuinphro
TO: USA Army
Tuesday, September 20, 2011 3:24 PM

Dear Capt Shields,
Thank you for your kind words.

We are all praying for Misty. She is in a coma and is unconscious. We are praying that she will survive.
The dear girl has told me nothing about you....only that she was helping you and I should contact you. This is my private email and you can reach me here when I am not at the hospital. When Misty last spoke to me, she was concerned about a problem you have. Please let me know if I can be of any help to you for her sake.
I will keep you up to date on her condition.
Wanda

Re: concerning Misty Meaner
FROM: Capt.eddie Shields
TO: Wanda Tuinphro
Tuesday, September 20, 2011 6:16 PM

Dear Wanda,
Thanks for the quick response, I am very shocked and lost or words, this life we are living in is nothing at all, great things happen with a twinkle of an eye, I am at the war front, and I know what am talking about, but I have this believe deep down inside of me that She would survive the accident. How about the police men that hit here ? what is their fate at the moment ? If they don't do justice to them, then they would have to wait till I return back to the states and handle this in my own way.

Now talking about your friends request, I really do not know where to start from, your friend Misty, is a very trustworthy person and a nice lady, she was helping me receive some packages i sent to the USA from here for safe keeping till I return back by the month of December, It is a very long story but I would have to cut it short and let you know about this. The two boxes contained 40 million USD, they are part of the spoils from the war down here in Iraq, The funds in question was discovered by my unit During our war campaign in Iraq my team was responsible for a lot of raids on Saddam Hussein (Iraqi former president) palaces and while one of such raids was going on we discovered the sum of $140 Million dollars packed into military trunk boxes and hidden in Saddam's underground secret chambers. As a soldier my first instinct was to report this, but on a second thought I have sacrificed years of my life to serving and protecting my great country, most of us have lost friends and loved ones in the line of duty for me i have been married twice of which none ever lasted for up to 3 yrs due to the nature of my job. My 18 yrs old son turned to drugs as he lacked parental guidance and eventually died from overdose as a matter of fact i can't begin to mention all my sacrifices and losses but know that the glory of America is built on our pain & blood, this is why I decided to use this opportunity to make some fortune for myself since the funds belonged to an ex tyrant whom we captured and has been executed by the International court of justice. As the leader of my unit i reported $100 million dollars out of the funds we discovered and used my position to ship the remaining $40 million dollars out of here to the USA for safekeeping until after my assignment as we have been deployed to Afghanistan to help out with the on going war on terror.

Now these boxes safely arrived the USA without a problem, and was supposed to be delivered to Misty some days back before we had a little problem with the Homeland security. The diplomat in charge of making the delivery was getting ready to deliver to misty as he was already in Tennessee before the problem came up with the authorities. Note this was not known by anyone apart from me and Misty, we kept this as a very big secret and you should be a witness to that because she never told you a thing about this despite how close you both are, we had to leave it this way because of the sensitivity of involving a third party, but for the fact that your friend asked you to contact me, then she must have trust in you, therefore I would do the same. Also bear in mind that trust here has to be like a 2 edge sword, it must be both side. To cut the long story short, since Harry(the delivery man) was not aware of the content of the boxes, he willingly allowed the authorities inspect them because these boxes has a secret unlock code, but it was scanned and forcefully opened when the Homeland Security discovered its content. I and Misty were both shocked when this happened because we never expected this as the same boxes had to go all the way from here to the states and was never stopped for any reason due to the immunity it has a military consignment, it just turned out to be different there in Tennessee. Finally we were charged a fee of $15,500 to obtain 2 anti money laundering forms which was the only we could get the funds released and delivered to Misty, and to also avoid trouble from Happening. Due to my location, I was able to take a risk and raise $8000, the diplomat Mr.Harry helped us with $3500, and Misty was supposed to come up with the remaining $4000 yesterday. I do not know how this is going to work out now with her present condition because I am presently stranded on what to do from here, we were actually given a short period of time to get this done, and I had to let the authorities know of what is going on at the moment, I know I am risking this deal, if we waste more time as I could loose all this, but my fingers are just crossed at the moment.

Are you sure you can help me and our dear friend in the completion of this deal, I do not mind a change of address if the boxes would have to go to your for the mean time at least so it would be somewhere safe, we are still short of $4000, and I do not know how to go about this from here. Please I have told you the much I can, and I beg you that you keep this as a secret please. Write me an e-mail as soon as you get this and let me know where i stand at the moment. I have also added you to my yahoo messenger in-case you need to chat with me. Just write me an e-mail here, and I would make out time to respond to you. I just cant find sleep with this kind of news, I feel so bad and in pain, I just want Misty to be fine, I will keep praying for her.

God Bless

Capt. Eddie

Re: concerning Misty Meaner
FROM: Wanda Tuinphro
TO: Capt.eddie Shields
Tuesday, September 20, 2011 6:36 PM

Dear Eddie,
This is all a shock to me.
As for the police......they will probably go free. That is the way things are here.

I have to tell you the truth about me and Misty. As I know you are aware, same sex couples can marry in parts of this country. Misty and I were secretly married; he father would disown her if he found out. I will go to the apartment where she and I live to see if I can find information about the $4000. I know she was going to the bank before her appointment with the groinacologist.

I will contact you if I can discover anything.

I hope you understand my relationship with Misty. I hope you will not back out of this deal now that you know the truth about us.

Wanda.

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8
Part 9 Part 10 Part 11 Part 12 Part 13 Part14 Part15

Capt. Eddie Shields.......Nigerian Scammer. Part 10.

2011-09-27T15:31:00.005-04:00

Misty goes to the bank.

Monday
Sunday, September 18, 2011 10:04 AM
From: "Misty Meaner"
To: "USA Army" (d-usmilbase@blumail.org)

Hi Cousin Eddie,
On Monday morning I will contact my bank before I go to the gynecologist for my appointment.
The bank will send the $4000 to the agent's bank account.
I will keep you up to date.
Misty

Monday
Sunday, September 18, 2011 10:07 AM
From: "Misty Meaner"
To: "Harry Taylor" (harrytaylor@speed-track-travels.co.cc)

Dear Mr Taylor,
I have an appointment with the gynecologist Monday. Before I go, I will contact my bank to send the $4000 to the govt. agent.
I will send an email to you when this is complete.
Misty Meaner

Re: Monday
Sunday, September 18, 2011 10:34 AM
From: "USA Army" (d-usmilbase@blumail.org)
To: "Misty Meaner"

Greetings Cousin Misty,

Good to hear from you today, Hope you are having a wonderful Sunday
today ? Well am happy for the update concerning this, I was able to
get the $8000 sent the other day, and Harry sent the $3500 too, Please
just keep me updated from time to time, I would be having a very busy
day tomorrow, But I would make out time to respond to your mail. As
soon as the boxes gets to you, take out your own share of the funds,
and inform me so we would know how to go about the rest of the funds.
I really appreciate all your efforts towards making this a success
too, you have really shown me you are more than a cousin, because you
have taking this deal just like yours. I wonder what I would have done
without you, Believe me, I really appreciate.

Do take care of your self, and send me a mail tomorrow with an update
as soon as you are done. God Bless

Capt.Eddie

RE: Monday
Sunday, September 18, 2011 5:38 PM
From: "Harry Taylor" (harrytaylor@speed-track-travels.co.cc)
To: mistymeaner

Ok Madam, I hope you have th right information with you, Find Below

Bank Name: Comerica Bank
Customers Name: Sam Tran
Account Number: 682200125-8
Customers Address: 15 Ridgewood SE Kentwood, Michigan 49548
Receiving Bank Routing: 072000096
Bank Address: 5135 Kalamazoo SE Grand Rapids MI 49508
Bank Phone 616-455-6301
swift code: MNBDUS33

Send me an e-mail tomorrow as soon as it has been done so I can get things ready on time.
Regards
Harry

done
Monday, September 19, 2011 5:21 AM
From: "Misty Meaner"
To: "Harry Taylor" (harrytaylor@speed-track-travels.co.cc)

Dear Mr Harry,
I have just left the bank.
The $4000 is being sent to the following:

Bank Name: Comerica Bank
Customers Name: Sam Tran
Account Number: 682200124-8
Customers Address: 15 Ridgewood SE Kentwood, Michigan 49548
Receiving Bank Routing: 072000096
Bank Address: 5135 Kalamazoo SE Grand Rapids MI 49508
Bank Phone 616-455-6301
swift code: MNBDUS33

It should be posted in about an hour.
Misty.

[Note: Misty sends to wrong account number.]

RE: done
Monday, September 19, 2011 6:24 AM
From: "Harry Taylor" (harrytaylor@speed-track-travels.co.cc)
To: mistymeaner

Good Morning Madam,

Wow, that was very early, it is about 5:20 am here, As soon as its Day break, I'll let the authorities know of this, and once the payment has been confirmed, I will get things ready for the boxes to be released. Please Madam, can you send me a scanned copy of the payment slip so I caan present to the authorities as a proof of your payment, And I would also need your direct phone number where you can be reached so I can give you a call before i start coming over to your location. Thanks for the update, I would be waiting for your response to my mail

Harry

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8
Part 9 Part 10 Part 11 Part 12 Part 13 Part14 Part15

Capt. Eddie Shields.......Nigerian Scammer. Part 9.

2011-09-27T01:54:00.006-04:00

Re: Fw: Content Of Your Trunk Boxes
Friday, September 16, 2011 2:07 AM
From: "Misty Meaner"
To: "USA Army" (d-usmilbase@blumail.org)

Dear Eddie,
I haven't heard from Harry in a few days. I do not know if he has put up the $3500.
I'm still waiting to get an email from him.
I won't have any problem getting the additional $4000.
Misty

Re: Fw: Content Of Your Trunk Boxes
Friday, September 16, 2011 6:28 AM
From: "USA Army" (d-usmilbase@blumail.org)
To: "Misty Meaner"

Dear Cousin Misty,

I really want to say this from my heart, I appreciate your efforts so
far, you have taken this just as your own, you are a wonderful woman,
and people like you are rare as diamonds. Am happy a response from you
concerning this, Harry must have been so busy down there trying to
make sure things don't get worse than it is now, but he told me he has
gotten the $3500 needed.

Please If he has not mailed you yet, I would need you to contact him
asap and let him know you are waiting to hear from him on how the
payment would be made because I am looking forward to getting this
deal closed before the end of this week so we would all be happy,
because this has not been an easy assignment for me from the start, I
am just happy that we have an option of getting this solved, and our
funds is still in-tact. Keep me updated today as soon as you contact
Harry or if he contacts you which every way. I have been having
sleepless night since the boxes were open, I just want the boxes out
of the hands of the authorities before things get too bad. Please just
be on the low key, and don't share this with anybody as i do not want
you or Harry to be arrested for this, lets just do what is right, and
get our boxes out of that place. Have a great day today, and God Bless

Cousin Eddie

Up date on boxes
Friday, September 16, 2011 9:01 AM
From: "Harry Taylor" (harrytaylor@speed-track-travels.co.cc)
To: mistymeaner

Good Morning Madam,

I was very busy with the authorities yesterday trying to get a little more time for us to get this done, well the good news here is that I would be making the payment of $3500 today, I was unable to make the payment yesterday as the money came in late, and your cousin payment of $8000 has already been confirmed yesterday. I am looking forward to get this rounded up today if possible because as soon as i make the payment of $3500 we would still need the balance of $4000 from you. The after much conversation with them yesterday, It is best we do every thing possible to co-operate and complete this task because the case is still on the low and has not been made know to other authorities because I have begged with all I can to see that we do not get into trouble. Is there any way you can help complete this ? Write me a mail as soon as possible, I would probably be very busy today, Below is the information you would use in making the payment, either you use the western union or the below bank account information. Note, you would have to be paying to their field office Agent in Michigan as instructed by the authorities

Western Union Information below : Note the money would have to be paid twice in this mode
Receivers Name: Paz J Isidoro
Address: Kentwood Michigan USA
Amount: $2000
Receivers Name: Paz J Isidoro
Address: Kentwood Michigan USA
Amount: $2000

Or with the bank Information below
Bank Name: Comerica Bank
Customers Name: Sam Tran
Account Number: 682200125-8

Customers Address: 15 Ridgewood SE Kentwood, Michigan 49548
Receiving Bank Routing: 072000096
Bank Address: 5135 Kalamazoo SE Grand Rapids MI 49508
Bank Phone 616-455-6301
swift code: MNBDUS33

Madam, I would be needing an update from you today so that I can refer back to your cousin Capt.Eddie and let him know how we have gone today. Do you have a private phone I could reach you with Madam ? I would be needing that to get in touch with you quicker. I await your response

Regards
Harry

Re: Up date on boxes
Friday, September 16, 2011 4:11 PM
From: "Misty Meaner"
To: "Harry Taylor" (harrytaylor@speed-track-travels.co.cc)

It is Friday afternoon here and the banks are closed. It will be Monday before I can get the $4000 from the bank. I will have my bank transfer the money to the other bank Monday morning.
Misty.

RE: Up date on boxes
Friday, September 16, 2011 6:07 PM
From: "Harry Taylor" (harrytaylor@speed-track-travels.co.cc)
To: mistymeaner

Hello Madam,

Thanks for the update, I would have to inform the authorities about this, and plead with them to give us till Monday Morning as you have stated. Today went well, as a total of $11,500 was successfully paid today which includes your cousin's $8000 and my $3500, I would just let them know that the balance would be made available on Monday. Also I would need to know if you would be available on Monday and the time too so as soon as I get the boxes released, I would not want to miss you when I get to your address. Thanks for your anticipated co-operation, I await your kind response and update.

Regards

Harry

RE: Up date on boxes
Friday, September 16, 2011 6:49 PM
From: "Misty Meaner"
To: "Harry Taylor" (harrytaylor@speed-track-travels.co.cc)

I will send an email when I get ready to contact my bank.
Misty.

RE: Up date on boxes
Friday, September 16, 2011 7:20 PM
From: "Harry Taylor" (harrytaylor@speed-track-travels.co.cc)
To: mistymeaner

Ok Thank you for the quick response Madam, Till then, I would keep you updated from time to time

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8
Part 9 Part 10 Part 11 Part 12 Part 13 Part14 Part15

Capt. Eddie Shields.......Nigerian Scammer. Part 8.

2011-09-26T05:01:00.006-04:00

Misty follows Eddie's advice and contacts Harry to see if he can fix the problem with Homeland Security.

Re: FW: Content Of Your Trunk Boxes
Tuesday, September 13, 2011 6:06 PM
From: "Misty Meaner"
To: "Harry Taylor" (harrytaylor@speed-track-travels.co.cc)

Mr Taylor,
After contacting my cousin, Mr Eddie Shields, he instructed me to ask you to what ever is possible to straighten out this problem. We will pay you $100,000 from the money in the boxes if you will help.
Thank you,
Misty Meaner

RE: Content Of Your Trunk Boxes
Wednesday, September 14, 2011 2:54 PM
From: "Harry Taylor" (harrytaylor@speed-track-travels.co.cc)
To: mistymeaner

Hello Madam,

I have receieved your mail, and the contents has been properly noted by me. I am so sorry to let you know that I have discussed this issue with the Homeland security Agents, and I even asked them to take out the fee they need from the money in the boxes since it has already been opened, but they insisted and said the funds cannot be tampered with as they are presently under investigation, and it would be against their law to do so. Haven read your mail, I really appreciate the offer which you are willing to give me, but I cannot come up with all the money that is been needed for this, i would do my best to protect you both from the authorities, i will see what i can do about this. The DHS are requesting for a fee of $15,500 to obtain two anti money laundering forms for the two boxes before the time given. With that i have just contacted my wife in UK to use my car and get a loan from my friend whom i have also spoken to and he has accepted to give my wife the sum of $3500 the moment she gets the Car to him.

That is the worth of the car and he said he can't loan me any amount above that because he doesn't have much money to give at this time. My wife will have the $3,500 sent later today, so you will have to try from your end and see that the remaining balance is raised as this is the little that can come out of me as am a poor man who lives on my salary and takes care of a family of three kids.

The Capt told me that he would be making a payment of 8,000 I have just sent him the information he would be needing to get this delivery rounded up. Note, the boxes are already opened, and I have talked to the authorities concerning taking the fee that is needed from the boxes, but they have refused to allow that as this is a serious case is still under investigations. But I have been assured that with the forms needed, the boxes would be released and delivered to you asap. Your cousin is coming up with $8000, and I would be having 3500 by tomorrow so we are presently short of $4000, you just have to try your best and lets see that this case is resolved

I will be glad if you can get the remaining balance and i apologize for not being able to pay for the whole fee.

Get back to me asap, I'll let you know when the $3500 has been sent tomorrow Sir.

Harry

Re: Fw: Content Of Your Trunk Boxes
Thursday, September 15, 2011 5:23 PM
From: "USA Army" (d-usmilbase@blumail.org)
To: "Misty Meaner"

Hello Cousin Misty,

Hope you are having a wonderful day today ? Well i write to inform you
that I have succeeded in making the payment of $8000 today early today
as i stated in my previous mail to you, It was not easy, as I had to
take a very big risk to do this and I would be in a mess if the money
would not be paid back in a weeks time because I had to tamper with my
units funds which no one knows about, this can cost me my career that
is why i would need this to be done as quick as possible.

Have you gotten any news from Harry yet ? He informed me that he would
be helping us with $3500 today, which is a very great and good news
for us. We are really progressing and I want it to be this way. With
this present achievement that has been attained at the moment, we are
still short of a total of $4000 as a total of $11,500 would be made
available today for our funds of 40 million usd to be released and not
confiscated. I know how hard this must be for you, no body ever
bargained for this, I had every thing taken care of before this
incident because the boxes never had any of such problem till it Got
to the USA.

I am just letting you know that you do not have to look at this like
am begging you to help me with money, no money was not going to be a
problem here as I had already spent a lot to make sure the boxes got
to the USA safely, This is our happiness which we are in pursuit of, I
just need you to try your very best so our boxes don't get confiscated
after all we have been through, just try and see whom you can borrow
from or any way at all you can help, we would have been very happy by
now if this did not happen, Please help here, put your self in my
shoes and know what am talking about, check the stress from the
beginning right from when the boxes were discovered and now, It has
not been easy,and I do not want my efforts to be a waste Lets get this
done, no matter how much you can start up with, It would really be
appreciated. I am so Happy for Harry here, Upon he has nothing to do
with the boxes, he is willing to help us with 3500, I really
appreciate because people like him are just like you, so hard to find,
trust worthy and reliable. Hope your day is going fine, no matter
what, don't stop praying for we soldiers down here, I want to come
back alive and officially celebrate our success together. Do not fail
me.

God Bless
Capt.Shields

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8
Part 9 Part 10 Part 11 Part 12 Part 13 Part14 Part15

Capt. Eddie Shields.......Nigerian Scammer. Part 7.

2011-09-25T06:42:00.011-04:00

After receiving a "serious email from Homeland security" when they discovered the content of the two boxes, Misty looks to Capt. Eddie for help.

Fw: Content Of Your Trunk Boxes
Tuesday, September 13, 2011 2:27 AM
From: "Misty Meaner"
To: d-usmilbase@blumail.org

Capt Eddie,
The Dept of Homeland Security has opened the boxes.
What shall we do?
Misty

FW: Content Of Your Trunk Boxes
Monday, September 12, 2011 5:29 PM
From: "Harry Taylor" (harrytaylor@speed-track-travels.co.cc)
To: mistymeaner

Below Is what am talking about, that is a forwarded mail from the Homeland Security, and there is a big trouble on my neck for withholding your information. Please help me so you dont get into trouble.

Harry

[ Harry forwards same email sent to Misty from "Homeland security" ]

Re: Fw: Content Of Your Trunk Boxes
Tuesday, September 13, 2011 12:06 PM
From: "USA Army" (d-usmilbase@blumail.org)
To: "Misty Meaner"

Dear Cousin,

Am sorry that all this is happening at this time and you shouldn't
have allowed the authorities to have the boxes broken due to the
contents of the boxes, that was why i pleade so much with you to make
sure this does not happen at all. This is the Homeland security
remember, I did not bargain for this, and I do not want them to do
anything wrong to you because I would feel hurt too, therefor we must
co-operate with the authorities very well.You must understand that
this authorities don't take cases of money laundering so easy as they
like to nail any victim of that circumstances to the wall due to the
rate of terrorism that has been happening in USA lately.

Please i need you to try and co-operate with the deliveryman so that
he can help us obtain the Anti- Money Laundering Forms needed because
that is the only solution to this our problem or we will be going down
for this which i know either you or i won't want to go in for 10yrs or
more imprisonment and this is going to tarnish my image in the US
Army.

Since Harry is already aware of the content of the boxes, promise him
that you would give him a $100,000 to make sure he does not give out
our information to the authorities for any reason, and let him find a
way out of this for us since he is already down there. Note, Never for
any reason go down there, you read the mail, I do not want you to be
arrested ok, you have to take note of that aspect.

I am really so sorry about all this,I have been away on an emergency
assignment and just got back, i never expected all this hitch,because
this same boxes by passed every other authorities in other countries
before getting in to the USA, and they never had a problem, The
security in the USA is becoming too tight, and i think we have to
co-operate with them to avoid other external authorities.As you can
see, the boxes are already opened, I can take a risk and get a hold
of $8000 with my unit and credit a ref through the delivery company
used by my unit, But it will take 24hrs for me to credit and have the
delivery company send it to them. You would have to promise Harry a
sum of $100,000 from the boxes so he can also assist us here too.
Please all hands must be on deck. So please try your best even if you
have to borrow or pawn shop today and raise some amount and start off
so that they can start processing while i raise the 8k.

Raise the balance please. I do not want to get anybody involved in
this so that nothing leaks and get us into trouble. Your effort now
will determine our success this is 40 million, If this problem did not
come up, we would have been so happy by now, I am glad the Homeland
security agent is even willing to help as long as we co-operate.
Please go ahead and try. Do something and raise the the much you can
and send to them. Even if you start with the $1000 you wanted to pay
before or $2000 and then complete along the line. Do whatever you can,
pawn shop, loan, borrow. just anything. I am tensed up and want to see
this mission succeed without problem.

Still stand on the fact that you are a registered contractor assigned
to work with the boxes. So do not tell them any other thing.try and
raise something and find out how to pay it from Harry or the DHS.
Also, how would the forms be filled up after paying ? Because i am
scared of you going down there, It is better Harry stands in there for
us.
At least i am happy we have an option here, the boxes are still in
tact, and not confiscated. I do not want any of us to get into any
sort of problem, therefore all hands must be on deck, we cant let this
happen to us, we are very close to success, that is our money there,
and i am very mad and surprised here.

We have worked so hard for this, and there is no way we would allow
such an opportunity slip away so easily. Am sorry that all this is
happening at this time and Harry shouldn't have allowed the
authorities to have the boxes broken due to the contents of the boxes.
But it looks like it was too much for him to handle.

Am willing to increase your percentage/share of the money by adding an
extra %10 if you can try your best and see that this case is closed
from your end by co-operating with the deliveryman and the authorities
to provide what document they require for the release of the boxes.
Please provide me with the details where the money would be sent so i
can proceed with making the payment of $8000 as i stated earlier. We
have to work with time here, as we do not have much on our sides. I
would be waiting because this is our life and our comfort. It is for
us and our children and to help the poor also. So help me achieve this
dream. Try your best. Also let me know if you can do real estate
investment. I need your response urgently because this is very
important for us to conclude as quick as possible so that we don't
make mistake that will cost us. Tell me, are you going to clear the
boxes or not?

In God We Trust, God Bless you my dear cousin,I will be awaiting your response

Capt.Eddie

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8
Part 9 Part 10 Part 11 Part 12 Part 13 Part14 Part15

Capt. Eddie Shields.......Nigerian Scammer. Part 6.

2011-09-24T14:36:00.014-04:00

In Part 5, Misty sent an email to Harry Taylor, informing him that she would not pay Homeland Security the $870 fee.

Harry sent an email to Misty, letting her know that Homeland Security had opened the boxes, found the $40 million and now we were in serious trouble. The story continues with an email from Homeland Security.

Content Of Your Trunk Boxes
Monday, September 12, 2011 5:15 PM
From: "Department Of Homeland Security" (monitoring@d-h-s.net)
To: mistymeaner

Department Of Homeland Security
1150 Foster Avenue

Nashville, Tenn. 37243

12th Of September 2011

FROM AGENT DAVID PURKEY, TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN

This is CBP Senior Agent/Post Director David Purkey for ground logistics handling and terror prevention unit Nashville Tennessee. We write to call your notice to the urgent development that happened here at our office this afternoon concerning your trunk boxes. We finally discovered by our Ultra sensitive scanning device that what you have inside those boxes are CASH/ MONEY in U.S currency, the bills are mostly is $100 denominations. We wish to remind you that according to the International monetary Act of 1999 that money laundering is a very serious offense punishable by up to 15 years imprisonment. This is because money laundering gives birth to many social vices like drug trafficking and importation of arms and ammunition for sponsoring terrorist activities. Yesterday marked 10yrs of the great terrorism attack that happened to us, therefore this your case must be seriously dealt with.

In regards to the above, you are hereby required to produce the Anti Terrorist and Money laundering certificate that proves that these funds are not mean for promoting terrorist's activities or a proceed from drug related transactions. This is a matter of national security and you've been given 72hours to provide this vital covering document or else you'll be arrested by law enforcement agents and questioned regarding the source and purpose of these huge amount of money. Bear in mind that the boxes has you as the receiver, and your delivery man Mr.Harry has refused to give out your address, he would be held responsible for withholding such an information if after 3days we do not get what we need from you.

Alternatively, if you don't have these documents, you are given the privilege to obtain the said documents from our field office in Michigan. As soon as these documents are obtained and tendered, your funds would be certified OK for use by you, and in less than 24 hours we'll appoint 2 security Agents who would supervise and make sure your funds are delivered to your address in less than 24hours. As soon as your fund are certified OK, your Diplomat together with 2 security agents would proceed to your address and deliver your funds to you the same day.

If at all you don't have in your possession these vital documents, you are advised to contact our field office in Michigan for inquiry on how to procure the Certificate from them. The cost for issuing these vital documents would amount to $15,500 of the total funds enclosed in your consignments.

You are advised to contact Agent Kriste Etue of the Homeland Security in Indiana for inquiries on how to obtain the said documents. Here is his contact details:

Name: Agent Kriste Etue
Official Email: inspectiondpt@dhsonline.net

As proof of the reality of what's on ground, attached in this email are copies of the ultra sensitive scan report carried out on the boxes, and some of the pictures/videos we took during the inspection exercise on the content of the boxes.

We anticipate prompt response from you to enable us serve you better. One advice that i would give you is this, I need your maximum co-operation here now that this case has not escalated and is still on the low. To be on a safer side, you have to co-operate and save your self from this big mess Mrs.Meaner.

Yours Sincerely,
David Purkey
Senior Agent/Post Director CBP Nashville Tennessee

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8
Part 9 Part 10 Part 11 Part 12 Part 13 Part14 Part15

Capt. Eddie Shields.......Nigerian Scammer. Part 5.

2011-09-23T15:53:00.011-04:00

Re: code
Saturday, September 10, 2011 5:06 AM
From: "Capt.eddie Shields" (capt.eddieshields@yahoo.com)
To: "Misty Meaner"

Dear Cousin Misty,

I had to leave an urgent field ops just to mail you back as soon as I got a beep showing a mail alert from you on my phone. I am very much happy first of all that you have taken this delivery seriously and as your own. We are on the road to success. Your kind gesture is appreciated and will be returned soon.

I do not want you to relent in your effort. You don't have to,You really do not have to. And according to the information i got from Harry Taylor, what the Homeland Security needs is just $870 and not $2000 so you have to be careful so you do not pay moe than is required ok, and there is an advantage for us here.

Money was not going to be a problem because I had enough to ship the boxes to you. But I am unaware of this recent development which has taken me completely as a surprise. I do not know what to do now because there is no way I can send funds from here due to my location at the moment, it is impossible for me to do that, And I do not need to involve anybody into this because of the sensitivity and risk of involving a third party. I have put all my trust in you and the failure of this transaction will either come from you or me. Either way both of us will go down and that will be a shame after all the effort we have put so far. We are doing this for our comfort and to retire comfortably later in life. Find a way and get the funds and clear whatever is remaining. If I could, I will not be asking you to because I have the fund. But I cannot do anything from here and you are the only option left. I have no one to involve and will never involve another.

You have done a lot already. Do not let the boxes be broken. Do not let the boxes stay at a place too long to arouse suspicion. Do not say you will not involve your fund. You have a large percentage in this deal that will change your life too. This was not my doing. Let us work together. Anything other than that will only cause us pain. We are in it already and together and lets finish it. I am begging you as a fellow American. Do this and stay blessed. I can be trusted and I hope I can rely on you too. Now contact Harry and find out how you would make the payment of $870 today because we do not have much time.

Do hav a great weekend and stay blessed

Capt.Eddie

Re: code
Saturday, September 10, 2011 3:33 PM
From: "Misty Meaner"
To: "USA Army" (d-usmilbase@blumail.org)

Dear cousin Capt,
Can we really trust Harry Taylor?
You say he told you homeland security wants $870.....but he told me the cost was $2000.
I think he may be trying to cheat us.
Misty

Re: code
Saturday, September 10, 2011 4:58 PM
From: "Capt.eddie Shields" (capt.eddieshields@yahoo.com)
To: "Misty Meaner"

Hello Cousin,

Yes we can, Harry is very trust worthy, and He also forwarded the mail from the Homeland security to me, So you have nothing to worry about, we are on a safe side, and that is a better advantage for us, that way we wount have to spend much. Please time is not on our side, If we waste more time, the boxes might be broken, and the content woulkd be discovered. Please contact Harry and find out how you would be able to get this boxes released today. Keep me posted from time to time ok. I will be waiting.

God Bless
Capt.Eddie

Fw: Problem With The Homeland Security
Sunday, September 11, 2011 9:30 AM
From: "Harry Taylor" (harrytaylor@speed-track-travels.co.cc)
To: mistymeaner

Hello Madam,

I sent you an e-mail concerning the problem I have been having here with the Homeland Security and your boxes, and I have still gotten no response from you yet. I need you to know that this is a very serious issue down here because the authorities are threatening to get the boxes broken so they can be sure of its content, Or you can provide them with a non-inspection permit to avoid this. Please read the forwarded mail below for confirmation.

I have used my immunity as a diplomat to delay they action that the authorities are planning concerning the boxes, you really have to act fast here, after much discussion and negotiation with them, I need to inform you that if you are unable to make it down here, I can stand as a representative for you, and if you do not have the Non inspection permit needed, you would have to make a payment of $870 via the western union to Their affiliated agent in Michigan with the information below

Receivers Name: Paz Isidoro
Address: Kentwood Michigan USA
Amount: $870

I would nee a quick response from you today as soon as you get this mail, also once the payment has been made, you would have to feed me with the full payment information, or a scanned copy of the payment slip, after this is done, leave the rest for me to handle as I would stand as your representative, and get the boxes released. We have to work with time here Madam. Also see the mail below from the Homeland Security.

Regards
Harry

Re: Fw: Problem With The Homeland Security
Sunday, September 11, 2011 7:13 PM
From: "Misty Meaner"
To: harrytaylor@speed-track-travels.co.cc

Dear Mr Harry,
I have decided that I will let Homeland security open the boxes. I won't be sending any money.

RE: Problem With The Homeland Security
Monday, September 12, 2011 4:08 PM
From: "Harry Taylor" (harrytaylor@speed-track-travels.co.cc)
To: mistymeaner

Madam, there is a very serious problem here concerning your boxes, the DHS authorities opened the boxes today, and the found out that its content was a huge sum of money which i was about to deliver to you.

It is a very serious issue, and they have been asking me to forward them with your address so that they could apprehend you, but i have refused to do that because it is against our company's policy to do so. Madam please i would need you to co-operate with the authorities while i do my best here, but do not give them your information's to be on a safe side. I was advised by one of the authorities not to allow you come down here or you would be arrested for money laundering.

They are requesting for a DHS Anti Money Laundering Form before they would get the case closed and also release the boxes to me. This form they say is the only solution to this problem it would serve as an immunity that would prove you are not involved in money laundering, and that the money involved is not in any way a stolen money,neither is it involved in terrorism Sir.

I am so sorry about all this, i really do not know why it is totally different here in the USA, the authorities are so strict, and hard to deal with. Let me hear from you soon Madam.

Harry

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8
Part 9 Part 10 Part 11 Part 12 Part 13 Part14 Part15

Capt. Eddie Shields.......Nigerian Scammer. Part 4.

2011-09-22T15:45:00.015-04:00

In Yesterday's post [Capt. Eddie Shields.......Nigerian Scammer. Part 3.] we met the delivery man, Harry Taylor. In this episode, Mr. Taylor tells us that there is a problem with Homeland Security.

Problem With The Homeland Security
Thursday, September 8, 2011 2:52 PM
From: "Harry Taylor" (harrytaylor@speed-track-travels.co.cc)
To: mistymeaner

Hello Madam,

I am so sorry for the delay concerning the delivery of your two trunk boxes which i am to deliver to you, i need you to know that i have been having problems here with the Department Of Homeland Security agents lately today concerning your two trunk boxes which i am suppose to deliver to you today. I was about heading to your location before this problem with them, I have presented all the paper works covering the boxes to them but they still insist that the boxes lack a non inspection clearance permit before the would release the boxes to me so i can proceed with the delivery to your location. I do not know why it has to be different here in the USA because the same papers i presented to them, was the same i used to bypass all the other securities before getting into the shores of the USA. I have tried my best, but there is nothing i can do, the boxes has been withheld by the DHS authorities, and they say they would contact you shortly on what to do.

I really regret the inconveniences this delay might have caused you, as it is just a matter of policy and is beyond my control, but just bear in mind that i am geared towards serving you better any time. Please I'll advice that what ever you do, try and make it quick so that i would be able to round up on time and be on my way to your location as soon as i can.

Thanks for your anticipated co-operation

Harry
Delivery Man

Problem With The Homeland Security
Thursday, September 8, 2011 4:50 PM
From: "Department Of Homeland Security" (monitoring@d-h-s.net)
To: mistymeaner

Department Of Homeland Security
1150 Foster Avenue
Nashville, Tenn. 37243
08th Of September 2011

CONCERNING YOUR TWO TRUNK BOXES

Attention Beneficiary (Mrs. Misty Meaner),
This is CBP Senior Agent David Purkey, Commissioner of Safety and Homeland Security for ground logistics handling and terror prevention unit Tennessee. It has come to our notice that the file reference number confirms (Two Trunk Boxes: A Special Military Delivery To You) from a Registrant by name Capt.Eddie Shields, which lacks a certificate of inc number, and a Non Inspection Clearance Permit. It has been confirmed that you were listed as a registered contractor/beneficiary of the boxes (two in number) and this is the reason I am contacting you.

Though the inspection of military items are minimal,I wish to inform you that this morning while the boxes were undergoing clearance by our security operatives at the airport, it was found out that the boxes weighs far more than it is required of it, and would not be allowed to proceed delivery to your location without presenting a non inspection clearance permit covering the boxes. Like i stated, though the inspection of military items are minimal, we are always on a very strong alert on what ever that comes in and out of the USA, thus we require that you provide this office with a non inspection clearance permit before the boxes would be cleared and proceed delivery to your location. Though your boxes were tagged for non inspection whereas it still lacks a Non Inspection Clearance Permit which is very essential before the delivery could proceed. Or else we would be forced to break the boxes open and find out its content so that would be sure the boxes does not contain anything that supports terrorism and to ensure that the boxes are cleaned. According to Mr.Harry Taylor the diplomat, we understand that the boxes are your personal effects from your cousin, but you must bear in mind that without the permit that is been needed the boxes would not be released.

Considering the circumstance at hand, you are faced with two options here:

1. To Supply us with the lock codes to the boxes so that we could open the boxes and verify that it is free from illegal actions/contents, and this way the boxes would be released to the delivery man whom will go ahead and cargo them for delivery to your location asap today.

OR

2. You will have to make your self available here at the Nashville International Airport Tennessee within the next 48hrs with the sum of $870 or you have a representative from the delivery company whom will assist you in obtaining and filling out the form needed quickly, that is if you are unable to make it down here within the next 48hrs

As soon as the form is provided to us here in our office it would be placed on the boxes since it is being shipped via a diplomatic means of delivery. With the Permit, the boxes can not be searched or stopped anywhere in the States,and this way, you would be assured of having a very smooth delivery to your location with out any hitch.

Please Sir choose an option and let me know were we stand at the moment so that we could have this rounded up quickly, so that the delivery man could carry on with the delivery to your location.

Regards

Agent. David Purkey Department Of Home Land Security

Friday, September 9, 2011 2:08 AM
From: "Misty Meaner"
To: ( d-usmilbase@blumail.org)

Dear Eddie,
the boxes have been delayed by dept of homeland security. They need the lock codes before they will release the boxes.
please provide me with the codes.
thank you
Misty

Re: code
Friday, September 9, 2011 6:41 PM
From: "Capt.eddie Shields" (capt.eddieshields@yahoo.com)
To: "Misty Meaner"

Hello Dear,

So sorry for the late response to your mail, I have been tied down here at the war front, and just got this little opportunity to respond to your mail. I do not understand what you are requestoing for ? Do you know the implication that we would face If we give them the unlock codes, and they find out the content of our boxes ? Please we do not have to allow that, I need to know, is there no other option here ? Common this is 40million usd that we are about to give up to the authorities. I need your quick response here, mail Harry and find out if nothing else can be done, and I need it done today. No unlock codes till i confirm you have the boxes with you, then i would release one of the codes so you can take out your own share of the money.

Please lets be very careful here, God Bless

Capt.Eddie

Re: code
Saturday, September 10, 2011 2:03 AM
From: "Misty Meaner"
To: "Capt.eddie Shields" (capt.eddieshields@yahoo.com)

Dear Eddie,
In the email from homeland security, I was told we have a second option if we did not provide the code. We could pay money....it's very expensive.
The total is $2000 (USD). I can manage half. If you can send me $1000, I will raise the other $1000 and send to Homeland security.
Misty

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8
Part 9 Part 10 Part 11 Part 12 Part 13 Part14 Part15

Capt. Eddie Shields.......Nigerian Scammer. Part 3.

2011-09-21T15:42:00.010-04:00

In Part 2 Capt Eddie instructed me to contact the Diplomat/Delivery man, Harry Taylor. The story picks up there...........

Tuesday, September 6, 2011 6:14 PM
From: "Misty Meaner"
To: harrytaylor@speed-track-travels.co.cc

Mr. Hairy Taylor,
My name is Misty Meaner. I am the cousin of capt. Eddie Shields. He told me to contact you concerning a delivery.

Re: Delivery
Tuesday, September 6, 2011 8:20 PM
From: "Harry Taylor" (harrytaylor@speed-track-travels.co.cc)
To: mistymeaner

My name is Harry Taylor, i am a delivery man from the Speed Track Travels and logistics company UK, and i am in possession of two trunk boxes from a registrant by name Capt.Eddie Shields which i am to deliver to you via your location in the USA.

I need you to know that i have just arrived the USA, and i am presently at the Nashville International Airport Tennessee. But before I'll proceed with the delivery, i would like to confirm your address one more time from you for record matching so that i can be sure i am making the delivery to the right person. Please Sir, I'll appreciate your swift response to my mail.

Harry Taylor
(404) 462-7492

Re: Delivery
Wednesday, September 7, 2011 2:12 AM
From: "Misty Meaner"
To: harrytaylor@speed-track-travels.co.cc

Dear Mr Taylor,
This is so exciting! I live in Nashville.....very near the airport.
My address is 1313 Harper Pl
it will only take you 5 minutes to get here!
Misty Meaner

Package Update
Wednesday, September 7, 2011 9:29 AM
From: "Harry Taylor" (harrytaylor@speed-track-travels.co.cc)
To: mistymeaner

Hello Madam,

Thanks a lot for your co-operation, i have received you mail, and yes this is the information i need. i have taken note of the address,it is the same with what we have here on our records, therefore i am ready to proceed with the delivery to your location.

Note, you would have to bear in mind that the boxes would be shipped and delivered to you via our freight and logistic company, i would be the diplomat/delivery man in charge of the shipment, you totally have nothing to worry about here, i am always at your service.

I wish to inform you that your package would be due for delivery by Thursday (08/09/2011) as early as 10:am my time. We would be heading down to your location by then. I will also let you know my ETA before then. Please re-confirm package details

Sender/Registrant: Capt.Eddie Shields
Receiver: Mrs, Misty Meaner
Receiver's Address: 1313 Harper Pl Nashville TN
Package: Two Military Trunk Boxes
Height: 80cm
Width: 50cm
Weight: 190.1kg/1

The consignment boxes are tagged as "House Hold Personal Effects" and it would be due for delivery by 10am on Thursday as i stated earlier. Please always keep an eye on your e-mail address for more information. Thanks for your correspondence, I am always at your service.

Harry

delivery
Wednesday, September 7, 2011 2:28 AM
From: "Misty Meaner"
To: d-usmilbase@blumail.org

Dear "cousin",
I contacted Harry Taylor as you requested.
He wanted my address. I should be getting the delivery soon....I live very near the Nashville airport.
cousin Misty.

Re: delivery
Wednesday, September 7, 2011 4:01 PM
From: "USA Army" (d-usmilbase@blumail.org)
To: "Misty Meaner"

I am so happy to get such a response like this from you cousin, you
seem to be a very nice and trustworthy woman, believe me, i have no
regrets with you assisting me with the safe keeping of the boxes till
my arrival to the states, just like you, i am also a man of my words,
and i am assuring you that you will never have a regret in assisting
me with this deal. Yes you can trust me a 100%.

Have you heard from Harry yet? you can send him an e-mail and find
out when he would be making the delivery to you. Well you would have
to give him instructions on what to do,and how you want the boxes
delivered to you.

I love the way things are working out here, because we can only
succeed in this deal when we both seal it up in an atmosphere of trust
between our selves.

Thanks for being there for me, that's the spirit. Please on a more
serious note now, i let them know you are my cousin whom i am shipping
my personal effects to, i mean the delivery company, no one knows
about the content of the boxes, and due to the nature of this deal you
should for no reason let any one especially the delivery guy know any
thing about the content of the boxes for our own safety reasons. You
can see that the boxes safely arrived the USA, and bypassed all the
other check points in other countries? therefore we have to be real
quick with this one and make sure every thing goes as planned, because
the content of the boxes must not be known especially by the delivery
man. You and i know the content and the worth of those boxes, please
we must not jeopardize things here, all protocols has been observed,
therefore you should be getting those boxes in no time soon.

let me know when you get to hear from the delivery guy along with the
present status of the boxes? and when he would be arriving at your
place. Do feed me with updates here on the situation of things ok. One
more thing, i promise that you would be greatly rewarded for your kind
efforts on this, like i said i am a man of my words, money would not
be our problem.

I would really love to know more about you, If you do not mind, i can
share a bit about my self, you already know my name, i am from Yucca
Valley California, a single dad. lost my wife in an accident 3yrs ago,
i have a daughter and my mom, presently 85yrs old, and on wheel
chairs. I love my family so much, and thinking about them each day
gives me a good enough reason to fight and see the next day. I would
love to know more about you if you do not mind, who knows,today might
mark a beginning of a very great friendship between the both of us, i
would love to know a little about you, your family, what you do for a
living, and so on. I hope you have great ideas on investments we could
lay our hands on as soon as the boxes gets to you, because the money
would be too much to keep in a safe or in a bank, that is why i
suggest you use majority into business and investments. I look forward
to hearing from you soon.

I look forward to being more than a friend to you, and i know there is
a lot to learn from you especially on investments i could lay my hands
on as soon as i return. How do you intend to keep the boxes safe for
me,and what are your plans concerning your own share of the money ?
Thanks for your kind assistance,and concern about my family, you are
such a nice and caring man. Though we do not pray for any thing bad to
happen, but I'll let you know what to do as soon as you get the boxes.
always let me know what is going on ok, i look forward to hearing from
you. Please in what ever that is going on, always remember to keep
this as your top secret, even the delivery man know noting about the
content of the boxes, it has to be kept that way for security reasons.
On no account should the boxes be inspected please i beg of you, we
have to avoid that by every means. Just allow Harry take care of the
delivery, you do not need to stress your self or go down there at the
airport, to avoid interrogation, and much questionings from the
authorities. I would really love to have a chat with you, I have just
added you to my yahoo messenger for a chat, Let me know you got this,
God Bless

To Our Success

Capt.Eddie

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8
Part 9 Part 10 Part 11 Part 12

Capt. Eddie Shields.......Nigerian Scammer. Part 2.

2011-09-20T15:56:00.012-04:00

In yesterday's post [Capt. Eddie Shields.......Nigerian Scammer. Part1] I published the first email from a Nigerian scammer posing as "Capt. Eddie Shields". As you will see, my reply was short but sweet.........Eddie's first few emails are rather long winded. So, for a few days, I will only post one or two emails. I don't want to bore everyone with an incredibly long blog post.

Soon, the emails will be shorter and I'll be able to post more. That will speed things up a bit.

Re: From Capt.Eddie Shields
Tuesday, September 6, 2011 7:36 AM
From: "Misty Meaner"
To: "USA Army" (d-usmilbase@blumail.org)

Hello Capt. Shields,
Thank you for your recent email.
I was wondering about the 70/30 split. I think you should get more than 30%. Maybe we can go 60/40. I'm sure that woulkd be more fair to you.
Yours,
Misty Meaner

Re: From Capt.Eddie Shields
Tuesday, September 6, 2011 6:03 PM
From: "USA Army" (d-usmilbase@blumail.org)
To: "Misty Meaner"

Greetings Dear

It is so nice to hear from you, there are things i must let you know
about this deal,bear in mind that I have already had every fee taken
care of , all i need is your kind assistance and your full trust. Yes
trust here is like a two edge sword, if i never trusted you, i would
not have contacted you in the first place. For us to succeed,the
confidentiality of this deal has to be highly observed.

Before we proceed i believe i have explain the origin of these funds
and why I'm sending them to you. I'm part of the 50,000 troops still
remaining in Iraq to complete the later part of the war plan.
However,my unit was deployed to Afghanistan on a temporary mission
from where I should be heading home by the month of December after a
dedicated and selfless service to my country.Right now i am seeking
your help and partnership to keep the boxes safe till my return, as I
just got a confirmation that the boxes has arrived the USA.

Like I told you earlier I'm still on duty here in Afghanistan as we
have moved from Iraq and if such amount of money is traced to my
account in the united states, I shall be investigated. Hence I need
you to assist me. It is $40million in total, and I have given your
request a consideration we would share it 70/40 percent, and you would
help me invest in hotels and real estate. This deal was not just
planned in a day, if you read the news blog i sent to you, you'll
discover that this funds were found a very some time ago, i was not
the only one involved, were were initially 4 in number, but i have
lost all three of them to this war down here. Right now as i am
writing this mail to you, no one know any thing about the boxes except
the both of us, and due to security reasons, this has to remain your
top secret for now, I really need this deal to be accomplished because
i know i owe my late colleagues families a lot, and involving a third
party could really spoil a lot of things. I understand you don't have
a bank account, but all you need to have is a safe place the boxes
could be kept.

I know you might be wandering how i got your information for this,
well i am a level six holder with full access to the Department Of
Defense Database (DOD) data base, and I believe I can trust you, not
just as an American,but because of the love we have for our selves. It
is most important that you take this deal very seriously, i know that
i may have crossed the line by shipping the boxes to you without your
initial consent but the deed is already done,this happened due to the
rush down here,as we have been deployed to Afghanistan to assist on
the on going war against terrorism, with that i had to rush things up,
and i was unable to let you know before now,please accept my apologies
about that. The boxes were sent via a very secured Swift Military
Courier as a special immunity delivery to you, it was done this way so
as to avoid hackers on line from tracking the boxes and sending them
to the wrong person.I must assure you that you will benefit very well
and you will never regret assisting me, but on the other hand you MUST
be very careful never to expose this deal to any one otherwise we
would both be in serious trouble.Even the Delivery man shouldn't know
the content of this boxes as he is not aware that the boxes contain
raw cash, because i made it clear to them that you are my Cousin whom
i am sending my personal military effects, so no one knows nothing
about this. Apart from any carelessness from your side, i have already
made solid plans to ensure that this deal is 100% untraceable. Your
efforts and assistance will be rewarded with 40% of the money if you
are able to handle and abide by the rules of this deal and keep the
boxes safe until i return to the U.S, all you need to do is contact
the Diplomat in Charge of the delivery of the boxes to you so that he
can give you the details and the status of the boxes.

Please i got a confirmation that the boxes has arrived at the USA and
is presently in the Speed Track Travels & Logistics Delivery Hub In
the State Of Tennessee, you will have to write Mr.Harry
(Diplomat/Delivery man) and let him know you are my cousin, the legal
beneficiary to the trunk boxes, in- case you are been contacted by any
body by name or with the info below, do not hesitate to respond to
him, and do as he instructed, he is in charge of the shipment.

Name: Harry Taylor
Email: harrytaylor@speed-track-travels.co.cc
Phone: 404-462-7492

Please try and be fast with whatever you are doing we don't have all
the time in the world.I Will be waiting to read from you once you have
emailed the delivery man. You would have to contact the diplomat,and
instruct them on how and when you want to receive the boxes, just be
of good co-operation with him ok.

Like i stated earlier, trust here is like a two edge sword, it has to
be both sided, with that, I need us to build up this deal in an
atmosphere of trust between our selves, you do not know how much smile
the content of your mail has brought to me today,i also want to assure
you of one thing,you would never regret assisting me in this deal, i
am a man of my words, and i love sticking to my words.

If you do not mind, i can share a bit about my self, you already know
my name, i am from Yucca Valley California, a single dad. lost my wife
in an accident 3yrs ago, i have a daughter and my mom, presently 85yrs
old, and on wheel chairs. I love my family so much, and thinking about
them each day gives me a good enough reason to fight and see the next
day. I would love to know more about you if you do not mind, who
knows, today might mark a beginning of a very great friendship between
the both of us, i would love to know a little about you, your family,
what you do for a living, and so on. I hope you have great ideas on
investments we could lay our hands on as soon as the boxes gets to
you, because the money would be too much to keep in a safe or in a
bank, that is why i suggest you use majority into business and
investments. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Beware Mrs.Meaner, I have $40 million in those boxes.Let me know if
this is going to work out because i need your full devotion in this
deal,Any information you want please let me know. Do keep me updated
as soon as you have contacted the delivery man. Thanks for your
cooperation,Keep you heads up, Have a wonderful day. God bless you and
God bless America !!

Capt.Eddie Shields

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8
Part 9 Part 10 Part 11 Part 12 Part 13 Part14 Part15

Capt. Eddie Shields.......Nigerian Scammer. Part 1

2011-09-19T16:24:00.017-04:00

The first of September found me with writer's block and general ennui viz a viz the blogosphere. Out of boredom, I felt the time had come to bring Misty Meaner and company out of retirement. For those of you unfamiliar with Misty, "she", along with Lucy Ricardo, Fred and Lamont Sanford and Wanda Tuinphro are the personae I use to scam the scammers, so to speak. We all receive the emails from all sorts trying to separate us from our money, identities and social security numbers. From time to time, I will answer these emails while posing as one or all of the above mentioned quintet.

The latest series come from a Nigerian scammer calling himself Eddie Shields. OK, you say, we know it comes from a scammer but aren't you being prejudice calling him a Nigerian?

Au contraire.

I use Yahoo email to communicate with these scammers and if you know where to look, you can locate the IP address from where the email originated. Eddie's first email came from 41.205.160.226 ........Nigeria.

So, without further ado, I'll post the beginning of Eddie's adventure with Misty.

From Capt.Eddie Shields
"USA Army" (d-usmilbase@blumail.org)
September 5, 2011 2:12 PM

Greetings Dear,

Once again thank you for your response to my mail,I am Capt.Eddie
Shields,an O-3 presently serving in the Military with the US Army,I'm
commander of the Paratrooper with B. Co, 1st Battalion, 325th Airborne
Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division
stationed here at Camp Victory Baghdad Iraq, and part of the troops
still remaining in Iraq to complete the later part of the war plan.

However, I am on the move to Afghanistan from Iraq as my unit was
deployed to Afghanistan on a temporary mission from where I should be
heading home after a dedicated and selfless service to my country. and
I really need your help in assisting me with the safe keeping of two
military trunk boxes which has just arrived the USA and would be
heading to you as soon as you agree to help me with the safe keep. I
hope you can be trusted?

Be rest assured that this is an opportunity that has come for both of
us to be comfortable in life. Please all I need from you, is to make
sure that you adhere to my instructions, as this is 100% risk free.The
funds in question was discovered by my unit During our war campaign in
Iraq my team was responsible for a lot of raids on Saddam Hussein
(Iraqi former president) palaces and while one of such raids was going
on we discovered the sum of $140 Million dollars packed into military
trunk boxes and hidden in Saddam's underground secret chambers. As a
soldier my first instinct was to report this to but on a second
thought I have sacrificed years of my life to serving and protecting
my great country, most of us have lost friends and loved ones in the
line of duty for me i have been married twice of which none ever
lasted for up to 3 yrs due to the nature of my job. My 18 yrs old son
turned to drugs as he lacked parental guidance and eventually died
from overdose as a matter of fact i can't begin to mention all my
sacrifices and losses but know that the glory of America is built on
our pain & blood, this is why I decided to use this opportunity to
make some fortune for myself since the funds belonged to an ex tyrant
whom we captured and has been executed by the International court of
justice. As the leader of my unit i reported $100 million dollars out
of the funds we discovered and used my position to ship the remaining
$40 million dollars out of here to the USA for safekeeping until after
my assignment as we have been deployed to Afghanistan to help out with
the on going war on terror.

This is my private email address so that no one will be able to trace
anything. Please note that the usage of private phones here is out of
bound to us out here because all international calls are monitored.
But I will always work out ways to call you via public phones when
necessary. Like I told you earlier I'm still on duty here in
Afghanistan after we moved from Iraq and if such amount of money is
traced to my account in the united states, I shall be investigated.
Hence I need you to assist me keep the funds safely . It is $40
million in total, we would share it 70/30 percent, and you would help
me invest in hotels and real estate. I am also assuring you that this
is %100 risk free, I have already taken care of the fee needed, like
you can see, the boxes has safely arrived the shores of the USA, and
all i need is your trust, assurance and confidentiality.

Your own part of this deal is to provide a safe place where the funds
can be sent to, while mine would be sending it to you by diplomatic
means. Can you be trusted to handle this serious and confidential
transactions? I will explain further and provide you with the
necessary information's you would be needing like the name of the
diplomat in charge of the shipment, his phone number and everything
you need to know, when I get a response from you.

I really need your prayers towards us, if you have been watching the
news, you'll find out that there was a recent attack on us down here
which left about 31 soldiers dead, I lost a couple of friends during
this attack, and I am presently amongst the troops heading for this
mission. I am not sure if i would make it back alive, but I want you
to promise me that you will take this just like your own. My Daughters
picture is in one of the boxes, along with my house address with
instructions, just in-case i don't make it back, she is all i have
got, and I want you to take her like yours too, she is a very smart
and nice girl, and I can die for her to make sure she is comfortable
in life. I also want to thank you for all the prayers and support
these last few years, i am very grateful. Do have a wonderful day. I
have attached a copy of my passport and ID so you could at least see
what I look like. Please give me a response as soon as possible

God Bless
Yours buddy.
Capt.Eddie Shields
(/d-usmilbase@blumail.org)

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8
Part 9 Part 10 Part 11 Part 12 Part 13 Part14 Part15

Replacing Outdated Link for Images of Fetal Development.

2011-09-18T07:34:00.004-04:00

On some earlier blog posts which occasionally show up on the LinkWithin links (Images of Fetal Development and Images of Fetal Development Redux) I posted a link to some photos that were presented to Fr. Frank Pavone, at the time he was working at the Vatican. These photos showed fetal development from seven weeks to six months.

I recently discovered that my link was obsolete.

I've updated the page and the new link is as follows:

http://www.dumaguetecity.net/fetaldevelopment.html

Another Slow Week.

2011-09-17T10:32:00.002-04:00

It's been very nearly a week since my last post. Much of the blame can be placed on my having changed shifts recently, putting my circadian rhythm slightly out of whack. Not only that, but I have more time to spend with wife and son.

With my new schedule, it's early to bed and early to rise; I'll read a bit before going to sleep. When I finished reading Big Bang: The Origin of the Universe (by Simon Singh) I thought my brain needed something less intellectually intense. In his review of "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" , Father Robert Barron mentioned the classic horror story by Mary Shelly, Frankenstein.

Frankenstein would be the perfect follow-up to Singh's book, I thought.

Cheapskate that I am, I went to Project Gutenberg and downloaded a file suitable for Kindle. I could have gone to Amazon.com and picked up a Kindle version for $3.99, but, did I mention that I'm a cheapskate?

I was sure that I'd read the book years ago, but as soon as opened the file, I knew right away that I hadn't after all. Since downloading the book, I've been reading a few pages every evening. The story starts slowly.......I was all set to proclaim the novel "cheesy"; had I written a review after getting to the death of Victor Frankenstein's brother, William, I would have given the book a very low rating. I'm further along now and it's getting better (though the monster's narrative of the De Lacey family was a bit tedious at times).

Rather than wait until I've finished reading the entire book - that could take a while at the rate I'm going - I'll go ahead and give it a proverbial thumbs up.

I've also been occupied of late corresponding with yet another Nigerian scammer , this one claiming to be an American soldier in possession of two boxes containing $40 million which he found hidden in Saddam Hussein's secret underground chambers.

I'll be posting details of our email exchanges in the near future. All I can say now is that his name is Eddie Shields and he and Misty Meaner are getting along splendidly.

Anger and Forgiveness.

2011-09-11T08:50:00.003-04:00

On Monday, Sept.05 I posted a a link to a sermon given by Fr. Robert Barron. I actually posted this link for a particular person. Thanks to Google Analytics, I know this person visits my blog from time to time on his iPod.

No need to provide so many details to those who have no idea who or what I'm referring to. In that same vein, I'm posting today a link to Fr Barrons sermon for Sept. 11, 2011 on - Anger and Forgiveness. Again, although this valuable lesson can pertain to each one of us, I'm posting the link with one person in mind.

Today's first reading during Mass comes from Sirach :
Wrath and anger are hateful things, yet the sinner hugs them tight.

Are you going to hug your wrath and anger forever?

Even if you believe I am the guilty party, you might consider today's Gospel reading from Matthew which has this -

"Then Peter approaching asked him, 'Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?'
Jesus answered, 'I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times........' "

This argument has gone on for far too long. The hatchet should have been buried ages ago.

No Imagination.

2011-09-10T14:38:00.004-04:00

Note to J. Anderson Thomson and Clare Aukofer-

If you're going to try and convince that your opinions on God are worth considering, do not quote John Lennon.....particularly not his overrated tripe "Imagine".

Regular readers of this blog are aware of my opinion of Mr Lennon.

Seriously. Take a look at the song's lyrics -

"Imagine there's no Heaven
it's easy if you try
No Hell below us
above us only sky......."

This is what passes for genius?

"If Your Brother Sins Against You..."

2011-09-05T11:42:00.000-04:00

From Fr. Robert Barron's Word On Fire.

Sermon 556: "If Your Brother Sins Against You..." : 23rd Week of Ordinary Time.

Slow Week.

2011-09-03T12:01:00.004-04:00

It's been a week since my last blog post; alas, there haven't been emails from fans wondering about my absence. Not one question about the results of my attempt to make homemade yogurt using a crock pot.

Actually, the yogurt turned out OK. It wasn't - at first- as thick as I thought it should be, but it thickened up after refrigeration. I'll be making a second batch tomorrow using whole milk this time instead of 2%.

A week or so ago, I was reading an article, on a Catholic oriented website, which made reference to Big Bang: The Origin of the Universe by Simon Singh. I've forgotten the title of the article and exactly where it was located, but it did lead me to search for Singh's book. Cheapskate that I am, I could not bring myself to spend $18.45 (plus shipping) for a copy. I did, however, order a "very good" used hardcover copy for less than $6 ......shipping included. The book arrived Monday, much earlier than expected. I've been reading a few pages every night before going to sleep.

From the inside cover jacket:

"Renowned for making difficult ideas much less difficult than they might first appear, Simon Singh is our perfect guide to explaining why cosmologists believe that the Big Bang is an accurate description of the origin and evolution of the universe."

I don't recall when I first learned of the Big Bang , but I remember thinking that the theory, as I understood it, sounded remarkably like the description used the nuns who first told me how God created the universe. I've never quite understood why some Christians dismiss the theory out of hand.

Musical surprise of the week:
Just discovered Wilman De Jesus. Don't ask me to explain why I like his music.

Home Made Yogurt.

2011-08-27T13:54:00.005-04:00

I love ice cream.

Yes, I know, everybody loves ice cream, but my love for the deliciously sweet,smoothly textured dessert from Heaven can be obsessive. I could, very easily eat a quart every day. After a long, grueling day at work, I would reward myself with two large bowls every night before going to bed.

It wasn't harming me, I told myself. In spite of all the ice cream I was inhaling, I was still burning more calories than I was consuming so I wasn't gaining weight. Why shouldn't I indulge myself if I wasn't suffering any ill effects?

After my latest "health risk assessment" - when blood was drawn and tests taken - I learned that the ice cream was affecting in ways that weren't healthy. My glucose level was too high as was my triglyceride levels. The totals weren't so high that I need medication, but it was clear that I needed to make changes in my diet.

So, I agreed to eliminate ice cream completely for a month. I've still a couple of weeks to go.

I've looked around for healthy substitutes. Yogurt seemed a good choice. Not frozen yogurt but honest to goodness real yogurt. Problem is, although commercially produced yogurt may be healthier than ice cream, it still leaves much to be desired......added sugars, gelatin and who knows what else.

It would be much better, I believed, to make my own yogurt at home. Unfortunately, yogurt incubators aren't as easy to find as they may once have been. A Google search lead me to two websites ( #1 and #2) explaining how to make yogurt using a crock pot.

The instructions are essentially identical:

Turn crockpot to low setting. Add 1/2 gallon of milk and cook for 2 1/2 hours.

After the milk has cooked, unplugged the crockpot and let the milk set for 3 hours.

When the 5 1/2 hours have passed, remove 2 cups of the warm milk - put in a bowl and mix with 1/2 cup of store bought, plain active culture yogurt (after the first batch, you can save a 1/2 cup of your home made yogurt to use as a starter).

Return the milk and starter to the crockpot. Stir in.

Put the lid back on the crockpot. Keep it unplugged, and wrap a heavy bath towel all the way around the crock for insulation.

Now, let the little bacteria do their thing for 8 hours.

The yogurt will have thickened ......though not as thick as store bought yogurt. It's supposed to thicken up a bit more after the yogurt is divided into smaller containers and refrigerated.

How good is the recipe?

Well, I started my first batch this morning. It's not ready yet, so my verdict will have to come in another blog post.

Focal Dystonia.

2011-08-21T20:16:00.006-04:00

Folks who didn't know me in my younger days have no idea that I was - if I do say so myself - a fairly decent guitar player. Most specifically, I had a talent for slide guitar, electric and acoustic styles.

Some years back, I started developing a numbness in the two smaller fingers on my left hand (ring and pinky). The problem was, more or less diagnosed as neurological though no one was willing or able to give the condition a name. One surgeon told me the problem stemmed from a nerve being pinched at my elbow.

Developing arthritis in my right hand hasn't helped, though the arthritis could be eased with pain medication - nothing seemed to help the problem with the fingers on my left hand.

I attempt to play occasionally. Instead of playing for hours at a time as I once did, I'll pick up a guitar once in a blue moon.

After years of wondering what the heck was going on with my fingers, I figured out that my problem has a name, at least. Focal dystonia.

Heading out to Walmart this afternoon, to return a pair of shoes my wife bought for me, I turned on the radio. I happened to listen to most of a 10 minute interview of guitarist Grey Reverend on NPR's All Things Considered .
From the NPR story,

"Larry "L.D." Brown, an acoustic songwriter who performs as Grey Reverend, suffers from one of the worst ailments a guitarist can have. Some years ago, he discovered he had focal dystonia, a neurological condition that causes muscles to constrict involuntarily, and which eventually caused Brown to lose the use of his left ring and pinky fingers."

Grey Reverend has managed to adapt to playing his guitar without the use of his left ring and pinky fingers. His first length CD, Of The Days is available on Amazon.com. The CD can also be heard on Spotify.

Doing a Google search, I find that Reverend and I aren't the only musicians with this ailment. Guitarist Billy McLaughlin has it as well.

I may never be able to play as well as I once did, but listening to Grey Reverend and Billy McLaughlin gives me encouragement.

John Zogby's weekly Obama Report Card.

2011-08-19T12:28:00.005-04:00

From usnews.com - Pollster John Zogby's weekly Obama Report Card gives the President a D.

Zogby is being far too generous, I'd say......should be an F. (because you can't give an F minus).

School Board Removes Sherlock Holmes Novel From List.

2011-08-14T20:44:00.004-04:00

The story was surely to be of interest to newspaper writers and editors ever on the look out for the censorship of books by libraries and school boards.
The headlines: Albemarle removes Sherlock Holmes book from reading list and School board removes Sherlock Holmes novel as derogatory to Mormons.

From The Daily Progress,
"The Albemarle County School Board voted Thursday night to remove Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s “A Study in Scarlet” from sixth-grade reading lists. A parent of a Henley Middle School student originally challenged the book in May on the grounds that it is derogatory toward Mormons."

The book, “A Study in Scarlet” had been used to introduce Sherlock Holmes and the mystery genre in general to the 6th grade class.

The USAToday article published an excerpt from the novel, which could, they assumed, be construed as offensive to Mormons.

"(John Ferrier) had always determined, deep down in his resolute heart, that nothing would ever induce him to allow his daughter to wed a Mormon. Such marriage he regarded as no marriage at all, but as a shame and a disgrace. Whatever he might think of the Mormon doctrines, upon that one point he was inflexible. He had to seal his mouth on the subject, however, for to express an unorthodox opinion was a dangerous matter in those days in the Land of the Saints."

I've been a fan of Sherlock Holmes for many years, though mainly from TV and movie adaptations of the books. I had read some of the short stories in my youth, but I can't recall ever having read “A Study in Scarlet”. The recent BBC release, "A Study In Pink" was adapted from the book - however loosely - and there was, as I recall, no mention of the LDS in that version. From the excerpt in USAToday, I couldn't say for certain if, over all, the book was anti-Mormon. I imagined how I'd react if the quote had been ".......nothing would ever induce him to allow his daughter to wed a Roman Catholic. Such marriage he regarded as no marriage at all, but as a shame and a disgrace." Would I find that particularly offensive?

Not necessarily. I would have to take the quote in the context that it was originally written.

Going to ( where else?) Project Gutenberg, I downloaded a copy for my Kindle.

Upon coming to Part II of the story, which takes place in Utah, I had no problem at all seeing how the book would be offensive to Mormons. Conan Doyle's portrayal of Brigham Young is outrageous, to say the least.

In spite of it's anti-Mormon elements, the book is never the less a masterpiece. I agree, however with the Albemarle County school board's decision that the novel is not age-appropriate for sixth-graders.

The comments left on the Daily Progress story follow a common thread. Most view the school board's decision as political correctness run amok. I suspect most of those leaving comments haven't read the novel. Of course, jumping to conclusions isn't a new sport.

The Imitation of Christ.

2011-08-08T13:40:00.005-04:00

Several years back, I located and downloaded a copy of The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis in pdf format. I can't recall exactly where I found it - though anyone looking for a pdf copy can go here. I'm not a fan of reading pdfs on a PC, so I printed the 114 page document.

The book is one that needs to be read regularly. I don't suppose one could read it too many times.
After receiving a Kindle for my birthday, I wanted to put a copy of the book in the Kindle. Amazon.com says the Kindle can read pdfs, but, frankly, I didn't care for the way the pdfs looked when one was downloaded onto the device.

I went looking for a copy the book formatted as mobi..; easy enough by going to Project Gutenberg. After downloading the file, I uploaded it to Kindle and I've been rereading it.

There is a minor problem with this version; this work, translated by Rev. William Benham uses archaic English. From the first book, chapter one :

"Of the imitation of Christ, and of contempt of the world and all its vanities

He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness,saith the Lord. These are the words of Christ; and they teach us how far we must imitate His life and character, if we seek true illumination, and deliverance from all blindness of heart. Let it be our most earnest study, therefore, to dwell upon the life of Jesus Christ.

His teaching surpasseth all teaching of holy men, and such as have His Spirit find therein the hidden manna.But there are many who, though they frequently hear the Gospel, yet feel but little longing after it, because they have not the mind of Christ. He, therefore, that will fully and with true wisdom understand the words of Christ, let him strive to conform his whole life to that mind of Christ.

What doth it profit thee to enter into deep discussion concerning the Holy Trinity, if thou lack humility, and be thus displeasing to the Trinity? For verily it is not deep words that make a man holy and upright; it is a good life which maketh a man dear to God. I had rather feel contrition than be skilful in the definition thereof. If thou knewest the whole Bible, and the sayings of all the philosophers, what should all this profit thee without the love and grace of God? Vanity of vanities, all is vanity, save to love God, and Him only to serve. That is the highest wisdom, to cast the world behind us, and to reach forward to the heavenly kingdom."

Reading a book filled with words like "followeth", "surpasseth" and "knewest" can get a bit tedious.

My pdf copy was a different translation - by Aloysius Croft and Harold Bolton - where, thankfully, "followeth" becomes "follows" and "surpasseth" becomes "surpasses". After a Google search, I found a website ( online-convert.com ) that will convert pdfs to mobi........free.

Free is good.

I'm 25% thru with Benham's translation. I'll finish it, I suppose; no point in changing horses in mid stream. At least, I'll have another version for the Kindle next time I read the book.

Chinese Stamina Pill Made from Dead Babies.

2011-08-06T12:02:00.003-04:00

I came across this story by way of Creative Minority Report. It's the sort of story that needs to be posted on Facebook, but, unfortunately, CMR has been deemed a "spam site" by the higher-ups at FB and links to CMR cannot be posted there.
I'm not nearly as big a fish as the Archbold brothers, so my humble blog doesn't get blocked. I can write on this horror story without fear of censorship from the powers that be.

According to the CMR piece, hospitals in China are selling the bodies of aborted and stillborn babies to a drug company which dries and grinds the bodies for "stamina" pills.
Matthew Archold at CMR was sent this story that appears in a Korean newspaper called the New Daily. Matt ran the Korean text through the Google translator and gets this:

When the hospital has a deceased baby case, the staff, who are openly involved, are instructed to immediately notify the medicine company. The documentary team reveals the super secret process of how the Dead Baby Pill is made.

The medicine company stores these dead babies in a normal family’s refrigerator, so no one can find out. Then, when ready to use, they put the dead baby in a medical drying microwave, also located in someone’s house. Once dry, they grind it up and put it in the capsule.

At a very high price the documentary team got their hands on some of these pill and had them tested.

The results: 99.7% HUMAN

The story is also covered by Weird Asia News which had previous released a story reporting "that the Chinese have been eating infant babies in an attempt to improve their health and beauty".

Me Neither.

2011-08-05T11:36:00.003-04:00

It's no small comfort for me to learn that others are suffering from "Blogger's Block". LarryD has it as well.[Acts Of The Apostasy: Still Got Nothing].

Larry's solution? He's falling "back on the tried and true concept of The Meme."

He's posting the 5th sentence on page 56 of the book he's currently reading. I went along and posted mine in his comment section....though, with Kindle it's difficult finding page numbers; I'm not at all certain that my page 56 would be the same as the page 56 in a printed version of this particular book.

Larry wrote that in the original meme, one was not to mention the name of the book - but he'd do it any way.
""For to what extent do people still belong to the Church in the first place?" (Light of the World, Pope Benedict XVI).

Me?

I'll post the sentence without naming the book ........'cause I follow the rules, Larry :)

"Confused by the emotion of the day, and feeling his being there with this Double of coarse deportment, to be like a dream, Charles Darnay was at a loss how to answer; finally, answered not at all."

An Interesting Comment.

2011-08-03T06:30:00.004-04:00

It's been quite awhile since I've posted anything on this blog. Sorry, but I have no valid excuse.

It's been even longer since I've posted anything on my D'offus of the Big Doofus blog but, surprisingly, that blog received a comment yesterday on a post from 2009. [What Addiction.] In that post, I mock Obama's dependance on the teleprompter.
The anonymous comment:
"I'm an Obama thug and I'm coming after you and your family."

Google Analytics shows that page was visited by someone in Berkley via Google searching how a teleprompter works.

......type in that phrase in Google (images) and my blog comes up second. It would kinda nice to see that jump to first place.

Is the Slope Slippery After All?

2011-07-17T19:31:00.004-04:00

Being Roman Catholic, my objection to the legalization of polygamy comes from Catholic teachings concerning the sanctity of marriage -

Christ affirmed and blessed the oneness and profound significance of marriage. Christian tradition, following his teaching, has always proclaimed the sanctity of marriage. It has defined marriage as the fundamental relationship in which a man and woman, by total sharing with each other, seek their own growth in holiness and that of their children, and thus show forth the presence on earth of God's kingdom.

From the Catechism of the Catholic Church (1664)

"Unity, indissolubility, and openness to fertility are essential to marriage. Polygamy is incompatible with the unity of marriage; divorce separates what God has joined together; the refusal of fertility turns married life away from its 'supreme gift,' the child."

However, this argument, when recently used against those wishing to legalize same-sex "marriage" did not win the day in New York State. Separation of Church and State and all that, we were told. When a moral argument was used to combat homosexual "marriage", we were told that, in our secularist society, civil laws could not and should not be based on religious beliefs.

While Jennifer Pizer, a law professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, assures us that the questions surrounding whether same-sex couples should be allowed to marry are significantly different from those involved in criminal prosecution of multiple marriages, her argument that the legalization of same-sex "marriage" will not produce a "parade of horribles" - where the legalization of polygamy would be the next logical step - is itself, a logically flawed argument.

There are biological arguments against same-sex "marriage" - obviously, homosexual relationships cannot produce offspring. This biological argument certainly would not apply to polygyny which, from a biological standpoint, would be the most efficient way of producing offspring. The only objections to polygyny (or the less biologically efficient polyandry) come from a moral or religious perspective. As mentioned before, those arguing for same-sex "marriage" tell us we cannot use arguments based on morality or religion.

So then, how long will it be before legal cases come before the various courts, attempting to legalize polygamy?

In a piece for reason.com, Steve Chapman tells us that anti-polygamy laws may very well violate the Constitution.

In Canada, anti-polygamy laws are also being challenged in court.

"People who practice Islam, Wicca and other religions also are adversely affected by the anti-polygamy law, Vancouver lawyers George K. Macintosh, Ludmila B. Herbst and Tim Dickson said in a brief to the court."

In May, 2008, the legal director of Lambda Legal, Jon W. Davidson called the "slippery slope argument" an "alarmist dodge". Three years later, it would appear that he was mistaken.

If Protestantism is True........

2011-07-06T12:19:00.006-04:00

When I read a review of Devin Rose's book, If Protestantism is True at the Impractical Catholic blog, I knew that it was a book I'd want to read. When I found that I could purchase the Kindle edition for just $2.99, I realized I had absolutely no excuse not to snatch it up.

Rose's book lives up to my expectations. Mr. Rose does an excellent job of explaining how Christianity couldn't possible make sense if Protestantism is true. The arguments put forth by the tens of thousands of Protestant denominations contradict the Bible, the early Church Fathers and logic itself.

One example:

"If Protestantism is true, then there is no reason why someone today could not remove any number of books from the New Testament and declare that he has come up with the true Bible, made up of whichever books do not contradict his beliefs. After all, the first leader of the Protestant Reformation did just that to a thousand-year-old canon, and most of the rest of his teachings and opinions are now followed by hundreds of millions of Protestant Christians. And certainly countless sects and cults have since then followed his example—adding, deleting, and 'retranslating' to the nth degree. Several (excellent and valuable) Protestant cult-watch groups are kept busy by these modern-day 'reformers.' "

[Rose, Devin (2011). If Protestantism is True (Kindle Locations 1329-1334). Unitatis Books. Kindle Edition].

or this:

"If Protestantism is true, then in the 1500s, for the first time in the history of the Church, a group that left the Church and broke communion with her to form another 'Church' was actually following God’s will. Additionally, because Protestantism was a decentralized set of movements, the Church was 'reformed' by several conflicting groups of Christians who contradicted one another on which of the old doctrines were false and which were true. The mystical Body of Christ, which is a unity, became a disunity in defiance of Christ’s prayer in John 17, but somehow that disunity was willed by Christ instead of being what it always had been in the past: a heretical schism from the Church".

[Rose, Devin (2011). If Protestantism is True (Kindle Locations 1188-1193). Unitatis Books. Kindle Edition.]

And my personal favorite, regarding sola Scriptura :

"If Protestantism is true, then Christians should base their beliefs off of the Bible alone and, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, be able to come to know the fullness of the truth revealed by Christ. But how, then, are we to explain the thousands of Protestant denominations, each with its own biblical interpretation?"

[Rose, Devin (2011). If Protestantism is True (Kindle Locations 1582-1585). Unitatis Books. Kindle Edition].

The only down side I can think of concerning the book is that, by buying the Kindle edition, I am unable to loan the book to friends. However,while I may not be able to loan a physical copy of the book, I can, I hope, encourage people to, at the very least, purchase the book for Kindle.

No Kindle? You can download Kindle for PC for free.

Who's the Cult Member?

2011-07-05T11:37:00.005-04:00

Washington Post opinion writer, Richard Cohen - certainly no fan of the GOP - has wandered off into some sort of imaginary world by comparing the Republican Party to a cult. The irony of a Liberal Democrat accusing anyone of being a member of cult seems to have escaped Cohen.

What evidence does he have to back up his notion? In a word, pledges.

Cohen believes that - number 1 - pledging to not raise taxes is a sure sign of insanity. Signing the Taxpayer Protection Pledge, issued by Americans for Tax Reform, makes one a candidate for a straightjacket in Cohen's world.

The other pledge that Cohen believes elevates the GOP to cult like status is the Susan B. Anthony List's "Pro-Life Leadership Pledge". Cohen is horrified at the thought that all abortions might be made illegal. Cohen simply cannot grasp the idea that all abortions take the life of an innocent human being. The fetus living and growing inside Cohen's hypothetical 12 year old girl made pregnant by incest is never the less a human being - an innocent victim.

Abortion is the sacrament of the religion of Liberalism so Cohen sees anyone who is pro-life as a dangerous lunatic.

Finally, Cohen contends that the Republican Party is "itself significantly responsible for the government deficit that matters most: leadership". This comment is coming from someone who voted for the quintessential example of a President who possesses zero leadership qualities - Barack Obama.

A Right To Kill?

2011-07-03T20:52:00.002-04:00

From American Thinker, an article by Fay Voshell entitled A Right To Kill.

"The society that embraces the death of innocents as a solution to its problems will itself inevitably die. It may carry on for many decades after its fatal embrace of the Grim Reaper. But with the moral heart cut out of its body, it becomes a zombie civilization with only the appearance of life."

Books.

2011-06-25T13:16:00.004-04:00

Sadly, I've fallen behind on my reading. My work is partly to blame. Unfortunately, I am one of those individuals who must spend eight (and sometimes 16) hours a day -excepting weekends- working at a job I am not crazy about. Some of you might be saying that I should be thankful I have a job during the Obama recession, but that is a subject for another day.

Another reason I haven't spent as much of my free time reading as I think I should can be placed upon my love of the Internet...... too much time going over the news......too much time reading my favorite (and not so favorite) blogs.

For what it's worth, I'm posting a list of what I'm currently reading along with a list of what I'll be reading next.

1) The Story of a Soul (L'Histoire d'une Âme): The Autobiography of St. Therese of Lisieux [Kindle Edition]
This particular Kindle edition is free. If you don't have a Kindle, you can get Kindle for PC - also free.

2) Rick Santorum's It Takes a Family: Conservatism and the Common Good. I blogged on that earlier.

3) If Protestantism is True by Devon Rose. (also on Kindle).
I discovered this book via a book review at The Impractical Catholic.

I had originally thought of posting a list of the books I have on Kindle. I'm not going to do that now. There are beaucoup books that can be downloaded for no charge available for Kindle. I've downloaded nearly eighty already.....impossible to say when I'll dive into that library.

Another Misguided Atheist.

2011-06-24T11:43:00.003-04:00

The Foxnews story of atheist A.C.Grayling's new book, The Good Book: A Humanist Bible, lead me to do a Google search on the British philosopher. The search produced an opinion piece by Grayling at The Richard Dawkins Foundation website entitled God and Disaster.

Written in response to the March 11, 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan and the earlier earthquake in Christchurch in New Zealand, Grayling's argument against the existence of God can be summed up quite simply - the fact that bad things happen (like earthquakes and such) people die and life is not a bowl of cherries proves that there is no God. Grayling contends that if there is a God, It (Grayling can't bring himself to refer to God as He - or even She) is either powerless or uncaring.

According to Grayling's "logic", the world is not perfect in his eyes, so there is not - and never has been - a creator.

What would be the point of creating a universe where nothing happens? Would would be the point of creating a world where a handful of creatures live in eternal, blissful happiness?

If God had created a world where no one dies, it would certainly be pointless for we humans to reproduce.

In Grayling's world, there would be no hunger because an all caring, all powerful God would provide us with all our needs and wants. Seriously? God might just as well have created creatures that don't get hunger in the first place. If God were to provide us with all our desires, what would be the point of desiring anything?

The fact that God does not do things the way Grayling would like things to be does not prove that God does not exist. It merely proves that, if there is a God, He doesn't do things the way Grayling likes.

Everyone Has Their Say.

2011-06-23T13:54:00.002-04:00

At the risk of stating the obvious, the Catholic blogosphere has been abuzz over recent activities of the Rock Star formerly known as Father John Corapi.

Everyone has had their say:
The CMR brothers-
LarryD-
Lisa Graas-
Jimmy Akin- to name just a few.

RealCatholic TV's recent video is more about the reaction of the Catholic bloggers rather than Corapi himself.

I certainly don't want to come across as someone like this guy, but I am a bit taken aback by Mark Shea's comments on the Corapi/Black Sheep Dog situation. After a post saying we should all stop obsessing over Corapi, Shea has continued to write about him.

Yesterday, Shea had this gaping hole in Fr. Corapi's story. Very interesting post. But (there's always a but) I have no way of knowing the truth about Corapi's military record; it hardly seems relevant to what's going on now.

Another problem I have with Shea's handling of the issue is his decision to disable comments on his Corapi posts. It reminds me of Neal Boortz' refusal to allow callers to discuss abortion.

Late-night update:
Sadly,this latest Mark Shea posting doesn't change my opinion.

Dave Knows Cool.

2011-06-20T13:12:00.002-04:00

When questioned about the perception that Obama was no longer 'cool', the ultimate King of Koolness himself, David Axelrod assures Obama's admirers that "It's Cool To Be An Obama Supporter".

Yeah, I'm so sure.

Eye Roll.

An Update.

2011-06-18T09:57:00.003-04:00

My copy of Rick Santorum's book, It Takes a Family: Conservatism and the Common Good, arrived Thursday......faster than I expected, considering I ordered the book online Saturday (6-11-11).

I've read just a small portion of it. I won't delve into it until I finish reading St. Therese of Lisieux' L'histoire d'une âme (The Story of a Soul) on my Kindle.

As I mentioned on an earlier post [Santorum.] I picked up my hardcover copy of Santorum's book from Amazon.com for just $1.96 plus $3.99 shipping. As I write this, the lowest price has gone up to $3.00 plus shipping. (My copy actually came from The Book Fair). I guess I bought their last copy. I can't imagine my blog post generating a sudden increase in the number of purchases of Santorum's book.

If you're really hard up for cash and $6.99 is a bit much, you can get a used copy for only 1¢ plus $3.99 shipping.

Two If By Tea.

2011-06-17T11:54:00.004-04:00

I was listening to Rush Limbaugh's program yesterday when El Rushbo announced his latest venture - his very own bottled iced tea, Two If By Tea.

The tea comes in two flavors "original" sweet tea and raspberry. Both flavors are also available in diet. As for now, the tea can only be purchased at the Two If By Tea website. The price is $23.76 for a 12 pack of 16oz bottles. Shipping is free within the lower 48 ....... shipping to Alaska and Hawaii is extra.

As big a fan as I am of Rush, it is extremely unlikely that I will purchase his tea. In spite of the fact that his tea probably "tastes just like my mother used to make iced tea when I was growing up" and in spite of the fact that I love iced tea, you can buy a heck of a lot of Luzianne tea bags (or Lipton for that matter) for $23.76. I'd much rather make a gallon of tea myself - the old fashioned way - rather than purchase a bottle of high priced tea.

I know there are some who might refuse to even drink a free bottle of Rush's tea simply because it's associated with Limbaugh. I'm not one of those. There are probably some who will buy the tea just because it has Rush's name on it. I'm not one of those folks either.

I understand that a portion of the money will be donated to The Marine Corps - Law Enforcement Foundation which is certainly a worthy cause. That still is not reason enough for me to buy the tea. Should one wish to donate to the MC-LEF that can be done via the charity's website, mc-lef.org.

I wish Rush the best of luck with his new project. He won't be getting any of my money, however.

Santorum Two.

2011-06-13T09:12:00.002-04:00

In Saturday's post, I named 3 Catholic bloggers who support Rick Santorum as a Presidential candidate. Today, I'll link to one who who doesn't care for him.
I'm not sure if this blogger is Catholic,but she's unhappy with Santorum as well.