Reagan Library Forum with Former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld

Donald Rumsfeld discussed his new memoir, Known and Unknown, at the Reagan Library on Wednesday, March 16. Speaking about 9-11, the former Secretary of Defense stated, "9-11 did not only stop the Department of Defense from transforming, but pushed us even harder." And when asked what one sentence should be used to describe his life, Secretary Rumsfeld replied, "He served."

For more information on the ongoing works of President Reagan's Foundation, please visit http://www.reaganfoundation.org

Lutheran Group Expresses Interest in Ordinariate

From Catholic World News

An American Lutheran group, the Anglo-Lutheran Catholic Church—has expressed a desire to enter an ordinariate established in the US for former Anglicans entering the Catholic Church. 

Leaders of the Lutheran group told Vatican officials of their wish “to undo the mistakes of Father Martin Luther and return to the one, holy, and true Catholic Church.” They were referred by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith to Cardinal Donald Wuerl, who is charged with overseeing the establishment of an American ordinariate. 

Source(s): these links will take you to other sites, in a new window.

• The Lutheran Landslide (National Catholic Register)

Italy at 150

The victory of the Risorgimento seemed a defeat for the papacy. In fact, it led to a rebirth of papal power and, ultimately, the defeat of Communism.

From National Review

By George Weigel

Rome — Italy celebrates the sesquicentennial of its birth as a unified nation today. On March 17, 1861, while Americans were preoccupied with some serious business of their own, the first Italian Parliament met in Turin and declared Rome the capital of unified Italy. That legislative act was given effect nine years later, when Italian troops took advantage of the Franco-Prussian War to enter the rump of the old Papal States.

As the Italians closed in on the city of Peter and Paul, the student body of the Pontifical North American College, the U.S. seminary in Rome, volunteered to a man to take up arms in defense of the pope. Pius IX gently thanked them and wrote back, in his own hand, that he hoped they would be victorious in fighting, not for his territory, but for the truth of Christian faith. Pio Nono ordered his own troops to fire one volley, “for honor’s sake” — to emphasize that Italy was acquiring Rome by force and not consent. And so, after a brief exchange of mis-aimed shots that prefigured Italy’s martial success in the decades to come, the papal forces retired and the Risorgimento, a secularist as well as nationalist affair, had what it wanted: the Eternal City, and the chance to try to reclaim the glory that was Rome in the days of empire. Fifty-nine years later, in the 1929 Lateran Treaty, the papacy regained a smidgeon of sovereign territory: today’s Vatican City and some extraterritorial properties like the papal summer villa at Castel Gandolfo.

Trump Doubts Obama's Birth Place

From The Patriot Update

Donald Trump, the business mogul who continues to claim he is seriously interested in mounting a bid for the White House, says he has doubts about whether President Obama was born in the United States.

In an interview with ABC, Trump said he finds it strange “nobody knew” Obama as a young child in Hawaii.

“Let me tell you, I’m a really smart guy. I was a really good student at the best school in the country. The reason I have a little doubt, just a little, is because he grew up and nobody knew him,” Trump said in the interview that aired Thursday.

“If I got the nomination, if I decide to run, you may go back and interview people from my kindergarten. They’ll remember me. Nobody comes forward. Nobody knows who he is until later in his life. It’s very strange,” the Celebrity Apprentice host added. “The whole thing is very strange.”

The Rising Irrelevance of Obama

By Patrick J. Buchanan

 "This will not stand!" declared George H.W. Bush.

He was speaking of Saddam Hussein's invasion, occupation and annexation of the emirate of Kuwait as his "19th province."

Seven months later, the Iraqi army was fleeing up the "Highway of Death" back into a country devastated by five weeks of U.S. bombing.

When Bush spoke, the world sat up and listened.

Consider the change.

Tempus Fugit: Didn't The One Promise to "Heal the Planet?"

For in his hand are all the ends of the earth: and the heights of the mountains are his.  For the sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land. 

Psalm 94:4-5

"This was the moment," he told us, "when we provided care for the sick, good jobs for the jobless, when the rise of the oceans began to slow, and our planet began to heal.  This was the moment when we ended a war and secured our nation, and restored our image as the last best hope on earth." 

How's that planet healing been working out in Christchurch and Sendai?  About as well as all of Barry Soetoro's other promises.

The Irish Bishops Issue Message for St. Patrick's Day 2011

The Solemnity of Saint Patrick

Irish bishops wish everyone a joyful and peaceful Saint Patrick’s Day tomorrow, 17 March. Patrick was called to serve and bring God to a people far from his homeland. Saint Patrick’s Day, a holy day of obligation for the faithful, is celebrated as a special day for Irish people living at home and abroad. In 2011 we are in the midst of an economic recession which has resulted in unemployment and emigration for many individuals and families in Ireland. The plight of Patrick, himself a migrant, has been faced by many Irish people who have struggled to live and integrate into new cultures. Let us remain in our prayers those who are suffering at this time.

Our national Saint was a pioneer in an inhospitable climate. In the words of Saint Patrick: “May it never befall me to be separated by my God from his people whom he has won in this most remote land. I pray God that he gives me perseverance, and that he will deign that I should be a faithful witness for his sake right up to the time of my passing” (The Confession of St Patrick). All visitors to Ireland for the feast of our patron saint should be afforded the warmest of welcomes.

I arise today

Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through the belief in the threeness,
Through confession of the oneness
Of the Creator of Creation.

I arise today
Through the strength of Christ's birth with His baptism,
Through the strength of His crucifixion with His burial,
Through the strength of His resurrection with His ascension,
Through the strength of His descent for the judgment of Doom.

I arise today
Through the strength of the love of Cherubim,
In obedience of angels,
In the service of archangels,
In hope of resurrection to meet with reward,
In prayers of patriarchs,
In predictions of prophets,
In preaching of apostles,
In faith of confessors,
In innocence of holy virgins,
In deeds of righteous men.

I arise today
Through the strength of heaven:
Light of sun,
Radiance of moon,
Splendor of fire,
Speed of lightning,
Swiftness of wind,
Depth of sea,
Stability of earth,
Firmness of rock.

I arise today
Through God's strength to pilot me:
God's might to uphold me,
God's wisdom to guide me,
God's eye to look before me,
God's ear to hear me,
God's word to speak for me,
God's hand to guard me,
God's way to lie before me,
God's shield to protect me,
God's host to save me
From snares of devils,
From temptations of vices,
From everyone who shall wish me ill,
Afar and anear,
Alone and in multitude.

I summon today all these powers between me and those evils,
Against every cruel merciless power that may oppose my body and soul,
Against incantations of false prophets,
Against black laws of pagandom
Against false laws of heretics,
Against craft of idolatry,
Against spells of witches and smiths and wizards,
Against every knowledge that corrupts man's body and soul.

Christ to shield me today
Against poison, against burning,
Against drowning, against wounding,
So that there may come to me abundance of reward.
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.

I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through belief in the threeness,
Through confession of the oneness,
Of the Creator of Creation.