Rise and Shine --- To pray or not to pray

Good Morning and welcome to a new day!

First of all, let's get this out in the open. I grew up Roman Catholic. I went to Catholic school through eighth grade. I was an alter boy. I went to church every Sunday until I reached college (the reason for that is another story).
I believed what was taught. I believed in the laws the Vatican handed down. I believed priests, nuns, bishops, etc. were somehow closer to God. They were touched by the divine.
It isn't until you take the time to really look at what was going on when you can make an informed decision. The past couple of weeks the Vatican in general and the Pope in particular has come under fire for not taking a (correct) stand when it came to priests abusing children.
Those who took advantage of children should have been put out in front, prosecuted like any other person and sent away.
Instead, the Church took those offenders and moved them around from parish to parish, somehow thinking it would all change with every move.
Lawsuit after lawsuit later, it became apparent the moves did nothing more than change where the abuse was happening.
Now, much too late, the Vatican is saying these priests should be prosecuted, should be sent away. Well, talk about too little too late.
Unless the Vatican is ready to take a hardline stand for what's right, they are giving nothing else but lip service. As long as these people are protected, they will continue to abuse.
It's time for somebody to come in and make a clean sweep of everything. Until then, the Church is like any other business that gives 'corporate answers' to every question.
Then, and only then, can the rest of the problems be addressed.

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RISE AND SHINE

GOOD MORNING, DELAWARE COUNTY!

The big story of the week continues, no not Ed Wade's return to Philadelphia as G.M. of the Astros, the Pope is still in Washington D.C.
The pomp and circumstance on the White House lawn yesterday was a bit over the top, to say the least. Wait a minute, we have an economic system in the toilet, too many people fighting an unwinnable war in the Middle East and the Daily Times was shut out of a Tyeke Evans news conference.
Isn't there more pressing issues for our President to address?
By the way, think Bush ran up to the Pope and said: "I'd like to welcome you, Dalai Lama, to the United States."
Really, though, has there been a president in recent memory easier to make fun of.
Bush does stuff every day that is a comedy writer's dream. Whether it be that smarmy little smirk at every news conference or the misspoken words, our President is ripe for the picking.
Maybe it's too easy, but even the Democratic candidates got into the act during Wednesday night's debate.
When asked if they would use George W. Bush, as an ex-president, to help in their administration, both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama did their best to avoid the question. Only Hillary gave a semi-answer, but that was after a chuckle. She eventually said it would take a long evaluation.
Yeah, like maybe 50 years or so.
But, I digress, back to the Pope.
Wouldn't it be cool if the Pope had a little fun. Maybe if during the Mass in Washington today he leaped into the stands after giving the homily. Of how about this:
After giving a sermon he could pause and say: "Now, ladies, gentleman and fellow priests, I give you ... a special AMERICAN IDOL!!!"


If you have any cool links or photos, send them along to onlinedelco@gmail.com

RISE AND SHINE

GOOD MORNING, DELAWARE COUNTY!

I wanted to thank the Pope for checking in yesterday. I did forget he was German and, although he probably knows Italian, today's message is in his native tongue.
Wie Sie fertig werden, mit dem Präsidenten hinzusitzen, essen Sie nicht das Huhn!

Maybe it's just me, but watching the city get ready for tonight's Democratic debate is almost funny. I say almost, because it's going to bring a host of headaches today.
Traffic will be changed. TV trucks will dominate the streets and there will be a lot of strange people milling around.
Then, you have to get out of Delaware County.
So, the big debate between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama will talk tonight at the Constitution Center in Philadelphia. It's being billed as the 'last, big debate' of the primary season.
Does anybody really think they are going to say anything worthwhile. By now, we've heard it all. We've listened to the rhetoric. We know where they stand on every issue and we've made up our minds on how to vote.
While it might make for some interesting moments, this latest election biz will probably be nothing more than hot air.
I'm betting most of America will be watching 'American Idol' instead.
Here was the last great debate:


If you have any cool links or photos, drop us a line at onlinedelco@gmail.com

RISE AND SHINE

GOOD MORNING, DELAWARE COUNTY!

Hey, it appears the Pope has reached the airport in Italy, so say the talking heads this morning. Why that's news, I don't know.
Still, it appears the Pope is coming to America. While it probably won't be the same as when Eddie Murphy Came to America many seem to be excited.
So, having no doubt the Pope will check Rise and Shine when he lands in Washington and gets ready to meet President Bush, here's a shout out:
Nonli incolpi di. Non abbiamo votato per lui.

Anyway, it appears to be getting nice out there. There's nothing better than when the weather turns nice and you can get outside. Sure, throwing the ball around with the children is fun and heading out to the playground is fun, but it can also be fun to get the yard ready after the winter.
All those extra tree branches can be picked up. Dig out the weeds, cut the grass, maybe plant a few flowers and vegetables.
Now, if I can only find somebody to do all those things so I can throw the ball around and go to the playground.


If you have any cool links or photos, send them along to onlinedelco@gmail.com