Catholicae Testudines

“Self-Ownership, Abortion, and the Rights of Children: Toward a More Conservative Libertarianism”

An excellent paper from the Journal of Libertarian Studies Vol. 18, No. 3 (Summer 2004) 

What a Waste!

Why just euthanize our most vulnerable, when you can eat them instead?

My kind of Grandma

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/1123044gun1.html

School Bars Declaration Of Independence

Teacher sues for right to use documents that reference God

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/1124041declar1.html

So who exactly gives us our rights?  Why do we have unalienable ones?

This seems likely to lead to either the loss of such rights, witness the rise of school speech codes.  Or it will lead to the rise of a sociopathic ethical system, might means right.  If you have patriotism without having a healthy fear of God, then it seems that the real reason we have rights is because we kill, imprison and expel those who say otherwise.

Catholic Grad Bible Study

As a reminder, this just popped into my mailbox.  All those who are local to College Park, MD are welcome.  We will be going over this coming Sunday's readings.

This Week's Episode
Serpentine Belt
or
Who knew Jesus was Baptist...

The Advent-ure Continues with week two of the season. We've got Snake Handling, Baptizing and Locust Eating to play with tonight promptly at 7:15ish PM in the Catholic Student Center Conference Room.

Plus, tonight's dessert features another freshly baked carrot cake from [name witheld by me]'s kitchen.

So don't forget to bring spiritual curiosity, a sweet tooth, and a dose of anti-venom tonight with you to join in all the fun.

What is an "Alert Reader"?

My criteria for who counts as an "Alert Reader" differ accidentally from Dave Barry's, but the substance of his explanation still applies.  People who bring to our attention cool stuff that enhances other readers' Catholicae Testudines-reading experience are "Alert Readers."  Commenters who miss the satire of a satiric post or express surprise when we say or do something Catholic are Non-Alert Readers.  That is why I refer to people who send neat stuff as "alert reader N." 

Please keep commenting, it's more fun that way and more interesting for all involved.

Interesting...

Grail?  From Zenit.

Update: Alert reader Maureen has provided the Archdiocese of Valencia's Cathedral webpage with the Holy Chalice of Valencia and a site in English devoted to it.  She mentions that the stone cup is the original part, while the base was a newer addition or replacement.  That is interesting to hear because when I saw it I was put in mind of part of Ven. Catherine of Emmerich's description of the Last Supper.  She says that in her vision, the bowl of the chalice was made of a hard, dark, polished material that could not be melted down.  She also noted that the bowl was a distinct part separate from the base, which could be (and had been) changed.  However, she also said that the bowl was "pear-shaped" (?) and had two small handles.  Your thoughts?

Here's a little book report for Peter

How to Kill a Mockingbird

You just can't make this stuff up

$2,500 animated Grinch replaces a massive Christmas display.  Why?  Read and find out.  (Related thought: No doubt in Albert's fantasy Catholic monarchy, the Aertses would be forced to take down their display and replace it with Advent decorations, at least until Christmas Eve.  He'd have to tell us what would happen then.)

Something I saw today:

A billboard that said something to the effect of "Love God, not religion?  VirtualChurch.com"

What if someone were to erect one that said "Love women, not relationships?  VirtualMarriage.com"? 

See what I'm getting at?