"Show me what a police state looks like!"

I got back from Pittsburgh, and it has sobered my ideas of American Democracy.

On this permitted "PEACE MARCH" there were officers in riot gear carrying batons and tear gas lining the entire (over 5 mile) route. There were children on this march who now understand that the police are not our friends.

Officers came from as far as Alabama to take part and tried to provoke the marchers, but we would not be provoked. Even the militant anarchists agreed to behave themselves, and did.

We were there to protest the direction the participants in the G-20 summit were taking the world. Some were there to protest capitalism, others were anti-war, while others advocated for environmental sustainability, but no one was in the mood to "start something." This wasn't the time.

The police didn't like that. Under the auspices of a free concert, the police rounded up over 100 potential attendees, and arrested them, many are still unaccounted for.

I read in the local paper that authorities expected protests to be as far as Pittsburgh Airport. The airport is very far. IF they had bothered to ask the people planning the protest, they would have known no one was interested in that.

We simply want to exercise our first amendments rights and apparently the authorities don't like that.

Visit http://www.flickr.com/photos/40256030@N08/ for more photos.

Update on G-20

Today there was a non-permited march.

PITTSBURGH - Police threw canisters of pepper spray and smoke at anarchists protesting the Group of 20 summit Thursday after the marchers responded to calls to disperse by rolling trash bins and throwing rocks.

The march turned chaotic at just about the same time that President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle arrived for a meeting with leaders of the world's major economies
Read it all...

G-20

For those of you who don't know, the G-20 (Group of 20) Summit is taking place this weekend in Pittsburgh, PA. This is a group of the world's 20 largest economies getting together to discuss economic issues. There was a "People's Summit" in Pittsburgh last weekend and people have been gathering all week to draw attention to the summit and to show to the leaders that we have been paying attention, and we know capitalism doesn't work!

While I'm sure that very little media will be paying attention to these actions and demonstrations, you can keep up to date on a variety of sources, including:
http://resistg20.org/
http://www.guardian.co.uk
www.g20pittsburghsummit.org/
www.huffingtonpost.com/
http://www.organizepittsburgh.org/ (not advocating their stance)

There will be a variety of other outlets as well I am sure.

I'm back

I have a job, I have an apartment. My life is very different, but I think it's returning to life.

I'm still settling in, but I should be back in action.

Informal poll

Is the font/contrast/size of the typeface on my blog difficult to read? If so how/why?
Please comment.
Thank you

Prayers Please

Hello,
As many of you know, I've been considering a call to priestly ministry since I was about 15. All through high school I was convinced that this was my call, and it wasn't until I got to college that I realised that God was making it abundantly clear that it was not the time.

A lot has happened between then and now. And in part, I now feel that I had stopped listening to God and simply decided that this would happen at a later date.

Last two Sundays ago was "Passion and Purpose" Sunday. I had been feeling a bit numb of late, and started to question, "What am I passionate about?" "Without what, would I not be me?" "What is missing from my life that makes me passionate?" and I kept coming back with the same answer - God. I love praying to God, talking to God, talking to people about God, arguing with God, living God's work, praising God, helping people determine their place with God and where God fits in their lives. I love relationships and God relationship with the world.

All of this has resulted in my asking my rector if she can meet with me tomorrow to discuss some sort of informal discernment or at least spiritual direction.

I'm nervous, she knows that I haven't been the most stable of late, and that my job is ending soon - long before I would be able to start seminary. So staying within commuting distance of the diocese would be necessary, but as I've been looking for jobs, I truly feel it is in God's hands.

I love the term "discernment." It makes it clear that discerning not to do something is not a failure, but is in fact simply one of the options that is okay in the process.

The Swine Flu Epidemic

(...or the Crisis of illness in the west)

Influenza A(H1N1) also known as the "Swine Flu" has hit over 3 continents with 7 deaths in countries including Mexico, the US, Britain, Germany, Austria and Spain. According to the CDC in the US alone there have been 109 cases in 11 states with one death.

There was an 18 day delay in announcing the Swine Flu issue, which I am convinced is at least in part because it was in Mexico and not the US or Britain. People are talking about schools and care facilities being shut down. As Katie Sherrod, a resident of Texas pointed out:

"Cleburne, just south of FW, has closed its schoools. The state UIL competitions have been cancelled. any day care centers and private schools also are closing or are considering closing.

Parents all over Tarrant County are scrambling to make arrangements to take care of their children as the ripple effect of this spreads.

Employers will be affected as frantic parents try to cobble together ways to take care of their kids AND meet their work responsibilities.

The bulk of this burden is falling on mothers, and it is hitting single mothers particularly hard. And as usual, the working poor are the hardest hit.

With no school, many children whose families depend on school breakfast and lunch programs will get less food or no food at all."

Just one more case of hurting the least of these to help the most of these.

And really: In Africa Malaria kills over 2700 people per DAY and THIS is an epidemic?

People and the news just want the world to end and people to panic. Please don't think I do not take illness seriously, but in truth, I take all illness seriously.

Radio Quote of the Day

Heard during the traffic report:

"If you love construction, you'll love the parkway"

Shane Claiborne

"When we really embrace and embody God's love, capitalism won't be possible, Marxism won't be necessary."

Alleluia! Christus Resurrexit!

From: A Paschal Sermon By St. John Chrysostom (347-407)

Are there any who are devout lovers of God?
Let them enjoy this beautiful bright festival!

Are there any who are grateful servants?
Let them rejoice and enter into the joy of their Lord!

Are there any weary from fasting?
Let them now receive their due!

If any have toiled from the first hour,
let them receive their reward.

If any have come after the third hour,
let them with gratitude join in the feast!

Those who arrived after the sixth hour,
let them not doubt; for they shall not be short-changed.

Those who have tarried until the ninth hour,
let them not hesitate; but let them come too.

And those who arrived only at the eleventh hour,
let them not be afraid by reason of their delay.

For the Lord is gracious and receives the last even as the first.

The Lord gives rest to those who come at the eleventh hour,
even as to those who toiled from the beginning.

To one and all the Lord gives generously.
The Lord accepts the offering of every work.
The Lord honours every deed and commends their intention.

Let us all enter into the joy of the Lord!

First and last alike, receive your reward.
Rich and poor, rejoice together!

Let no one grieve being poor,
for the universal reign has been revealed.

Let no one lament persistent failings,
for forgiveness has risen from the grave.

Let no one fear death,
for the death of our Saviour has set us free.

The Lord has destroyed death by enduring it.
The Lord vanquished hell when he descended into it.
The Lord put hell in turmoil even as it tasted of his flesh.

O death, where is your sting?
O hell, where is your victory?

Christ is risen, and you are cast down!

Christ is risen, and the demons are fallen!
Christ is risen, and the angels rejoice!
Christ is risen, and life is set free!
Christ is risen, and the tomb is emptied of its dead.

For Christ, having risen from the dead,
is become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep.

To Christ be glory and power forever and ever. Amen!

Alleluia! Christus Resurrexit!

Vere Resurrexit, Alleluia!

Alleluia! Christus Resurrexit!

Vere Resurrexit, Alleluia!

Alleluia! Christus Resurrexit!

Vere Resurrexit, Alleluia!