You Tube Debate

I just had a chance to watch some snippets from cnn.com on the you tube debate with the democratic presidential candidates. I liked the idea of 'real' Americans asking questions of the candidates. It's definitely more interesting than the typical q&a.

From a style perspective, big points go to John Edwards. He’s very poised under questioning. He was unabashedly liberal, which clearly played to the crowds. I was impressed that he did not pander on the "gay marriage” question.

Obama was not as polished as Edwards or Clinton. I continue to like his message. I am impressed that he is not totally pandering to the left. His comments on education, "gay marriage" and role of faith were decidedly moderate/somewhat conservative. I am not sure if these are the answers he has practiced b.c he is trying to appeal to the Reagan Republicans, or what. His comments on "gay marriage" I thought were particularly well done. I appreciated the distinction he drew btwn "civil unions", recognized by the govt vs. church recognized "marriage". His point was that gay couples should be granted civil union which afford them financial protection, hospital visits, rights of survivorship etc. whereas religious denominations should be free to make their own determinations on marriage. Well played. I also appreciated his answer on conscience and church/state separation-which allows for the flourishing of churches/religion not the suppression of it-check out his answer on cnn.com. Once again a nicely nuanced argument.

And, what about Hillary? She was poised as always. I don’t know what it is. I don’t trust her. I feel like she'll say whatever it takes to get elected.

I love my block

A few days ago I wrote a note about our block's summer tradition of highballs and highchairs. As if that wasn't enough to love our block, today was another great day on the block.

I love that on a beautiful day like today we can walk outside and usually see a neighbor (or 5) gathered together. Alan had a chance to catch up with one neighbor earlier today when he was watering the garden. Later in the day, while Alan was hanging blinds, I took the kids outside and we had a chance to see a handful of neighbors. Our son was running through the sprinkler with some of the kids while our daughter was watching the world go by. Later she persuaded some of the kids to play hide and seek while I got caught up on new jobs, new baptism, and the latest on the block party planning. I truly feel blessed to be on such a block and part of such a community. These are the best of times.

Pope Benedict's note

Not sure if you have heard about all of the drama around Pope Benedict's note that protestant churches are not "churches". Of course that is how the secular media would cover it. When Mom mentioned this "controversy" earlier this week, I asked for the original doc. I explained this probably had something to do with apostolic succession and that the media was probably sensationalizing the story. i went to relevant radio and found the original doc on the morning air blog. Thankfully it is a short doc. And, sure enough, the church went to great lengths in the doc to affirm the other Christian communities and all of the good that they do.

To quote from the doc "It follows that these separated churches and Communities, though we believe they suffer from defects, are deprived neither of significance nor importance in the mystery of salvation. In fact the Spirit of Christ has not refrained from using them as instruments of salvation, whose value derives from that fullness of grace and of truth which has been entrusted to the Catholic Church”.

Of course we do not hear about that in secular media. What frustrates me is that this such a non-story. Here is the link to the doc.

http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_20070629_responsa-quaestiones_en.html

I can't believe our pastor did not use his homily to explain this teaching on Sunday. To hear that he contradicted the Holy Father on this shocks me. Did he not read the original doc? What a lost opportunity!

highballs and high chairs

What a fun night! Tonight our neighbors hosted highballs and highchairs, a somewhat weekly summertime gathering where most of the families with young children on the block get together to catch up (or build community as I like to say). It all started a few years ago when I was home on maternity leave with B, when many of our kids were in high chairs. It's so hard to believe that the kids are not in high chairs anymore!