DADT

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/04/frank-dont-ask-dont-tell-will-probably-wait-till-next-year.php/
Since 1994 over 12,000 service members have been discharged from the military because of their sexual orientation. After 15 years it's time that the don't ask don't tell policy be put in the dust bin of history. It started as a compromise after President Clinton wanted to sign an executive order allowing gay people to serve openly in the armed forces. The actual name is 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Don't Pursue.' It has been shown that this is not necessarily the case. My opposition to DADT has been for both personal and professional reasons. I firstly believe that it violates Army Values to be forced to lie, plain and simple. It also hurts national security to disallow people to serve who are obviously qualified. I understand that the military is a conservative institution, and that is one of the things that I love about it. I look to Senator Barry Goldwater, the founder of the modern conservative movement, who openly called for DADT to be eliminated. The fact is that there are already countless gay people who serve in their units, many in fear and silence. Some have made the ultimate sacrifice and died for their country. May their memories be not in vain, but eternal.

Happy Easter! Rejoice!

Descent into Hades

Christ, as you descend into Hades, rescuing the captives and giving light to the darkest regions of Hell, deliver us from all darkness and despair, so we may reverse the curse, and be as you created us to be.

Holy Monday

Be Thou My Vision

Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart,
Be all else but naught to me, save that Thou art;
Be Thou my best thought in the day and the night,
Both waking and sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Be Thou my wisdom, be Thou my true Word,
Be Thou ever with me, and I with Thee Lord;
Be Thou my great Father, and I Thy true son;
Be Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

Be Thou my breastplate, my sword for the fight;
Be Thou my whole armor, be Thou my true might;
Be Thou my soul's shelter, be Thou my strong tower:
O raise Thou me heavenward, great Power of my power.

Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise:
Be Thou mine inheritance now and always;
Be Thou and Thou only the first in my heart;
O Sovereign of Heaven, my treasure Thou art.

High King of Heaven, Thou Heaven's bright sun,
O grant me its joys after victory is won;
Great Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be Thou my vision, O Ruler of all.

Happy Passover

'Day by Day' - old Swedish hymn

Day by day, and with each passing moment,
Strength I find, to meet my trials here;
Trusting in my Father's wise bestowment,
I've no cause for worry or for fear.
He Whose heart is kind beyond all measure
Gives unto each day what He deems best”
Lovingly, its part of pain and pleasure,
Mingling toil with peace and rest.

Every day, the Lord Himself is near me
With a special mercy for each hour;
All my cares He fain would bear, and cheer me,
He Whose Name is Counselor and Power;
The protection of His child and treasure
Is a charge that on Himself He laid;
As thy days, thy strength shall be in measure,
This the pledge to me He made.

Help me then in every tribulation
So to trust Thy promises, O Lord,
That I lose not faith's sweet consolation
Offered me within Thy holy Word.
Help me, Lord, when toil and trouble meeting,
Ever to take, as from a father's hand,
One by one, the days, the moments fleeting,
Till I reach the promised land.

AIDS Walk 2009

http://aidswalknewyork2009.kintera.org/AJ

St. Mary of Egypt