San Jose, California Bishop Patrick J. McGrath has issued a statement discussing same-sex marriage in California. I found this statement in the Queen of Apostles Church weekly flier which we picked up this morning.
From the statement:
The Church cannot approve of redefining marriage, which has a unique place in God's creation "a faithful, exclusive and lifelong union between one man and one woman joined in an intimate partnership of life and love- a union instituted by God for the mutual fulfillment of the husband and wife as well as for the procreation and education of children." The meaning of marriage is deeply rooted in history and culture and has been shaped considerably by Christian tradition.
I call upon all people of good will to respect the dignity of every person and to protect the sanctity of marriage. Let us ask God to guide us in the same mutual respect and civil discourse that is fundamental in a free and democratic society.
I understand that within the church, marriage is considered to be a sacred union between a man and a woman but it's great to see that prejudice is alive and well in 2008! Come on! Can we get past this already. What is this, 1958?
All I am asking is that you open your eyes and minds. Although it has been a long time coming, times are changing in this country. I'm not just talking about gay rights, I'm talking about civil rights, segregation and everything else we have had to watch happen in this country over the years. I'm hoping someday that my kids can live in a world free from us having to separate certain people from others. I never want to have to explain to either of them why someone is treated different than another because of their color, sexual orientation or religious beliefs.
Whether or not I approve or disapprove of same sex marriage in California is of no consequence. We have the right to agree and we have the right to disagree. I'm choosing to disagree with the Catholic Church on this issue (and many others but that's an entirely different discussion all together).
The fact is that somewhere I read that all are created equal. We can not pick and choose who is equal and who is not. That is not what America is all about. So Patrick J. McGrath, thank you for your thoughts on this issue. I will listen to what you have to say and I will choose to disagree with you. I am glad to see that the Church is still pushing their views on their parishioners. Some things will never change.
This just happens to be the issue at hand right now and I personally have no problems with gays being allowed to marry. If they want to be miserable too, please let them :)
Please feel free to leave your thoughts and comments.
Showing posts with label San Jose. Show all posts
Showing posts with label San Jose. Show all posts
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Day 5 and 6: Keep on Truckin'
Only a few days left of vacation. We have really had a great time in Portland. It's hard to imagine that we ever left. The big difference between Portland and San Jose, people care about each other here. It's really nice to see. I'd love to bring this back with me but people in San Jose wouldn't understand, or have time to care.
Burgerville has been on the menu once a day here and I'll never be tired of the fries and Walla Walla Onion Rings!! By the way, THEY'RE BACK!!!
We went by Haggen and stocked up on Pumpkin and Cinnamon Bread. We'll be making the trip to Oregon City to pick up a few more loaves for the flight home and the people waiting for us there. Tomorrow is the big day! Fourth of July! We have enough firepower to defeat a small army. It should be a lot of fun out in Gresham!!!
We fly home in two days! It's hard to believe that the vacation is almost over already but the kids are getting restless and ready to go home. Caitlyn has been asking for grandma for a few days. She'll see her on Saturday! Well until later, everyone take care and have a great 4th!!!
Burgerville has been on the menu once a day here and I'll never be tired of the fries and Walla Walla Onion Rings!! By the way, THEY'RE BACK!!!
We went by Haggen and stocked up on Pumpkin and Cinnamon Bread. We'll be making the trip to Oregon City to pick up a few more loaves for the flight home and the people waiting for us there. Tomorrow is the big day! Fourth of July! We have enough firepower to defeat a small army. It should be a lot of fun out in Gresham!!!
We fly home in two days! It's hard to believe that the vacation is almost over already but the kids are getting restless and ready to go home. Caitlyn has been asking for grandma for a few days. She'll see her on Saturday! Well until later, everyone take care and have a great 4th!!!
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Vacation: Day 1 (Portland to Poulsbo)
Well, I'm hoping to write a post for each day I'm in the Pacific Northwest. I can't guarantee I'll keep up but we'll see.
So I made my plane flight to Portland in time yesterday. Not a problem since security lines were not as bad as I thought on a Friday afternoon. I can say that the San Jose Airport construction is finally coming along! They still have a long way to go but you can notice the progress.
I ran into Garvin Thomas of NBC11 who was shooting a piece on airline travel and security. Always a nice guy and constant professional.
I gave up my assigned seat to a family who was not going to be able to sit together. It worked out great for me because the only seat they had for me was in 1st class. Nice!
I got into Portland around 5:50 pm and made my way to Hertz. I was lucky enough to get the car my wife had requested (a Mazda 5 which is basically a mini, minivan). If you have a family and have not checked out this vehicle, give it a test drive. We're contemplating purchasing one ourselves. Anyways, I was then off to Seattle. Well to be more precise, Poulsbo.
I made my stop at the usual exit 82, otherwise known as the "outlet mall exit" in Centralia. There I made a quick stop in at Burgerville for my usual, a Tillamook cheeseburger, large fries and the BEST vanilla milkshake. MMM MMM good! That would hold me over for the evening.
I was pleased to see that the Washington troopers were out in force last night. A guy in a Porsche thought he was all that and passed me so fast that I couldn't even see his license plate as he went past. Luckily 2 miles down the road I know that the trooper got it as he had been pulled over.
I got to the in laws house about 9 pm and was able to see Cailtyn and Johnny before they went to bed. They were VERY happy to see me. It had been 4 days!!! Oh, my wife was happy too.
Anyways, its been a good first 24 hours and we'll see what the rest of the week brings. I now have to run off to my favorite place to people watch, Wal-Mart!!! It seems that someone forgot his toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant and razors on his bathroom counter in San Jose.
Have a great weekend out there!!!
So I made my plane flight to Portland in time yesterday. Not a problem since security lines were not as bad as I thought on a Friday afternoon. I can say that the San Jose Airport construction is finally coming along! They still have a long way to go but you can notice the progress.
I ran into Garvin Thomas of NBC11 who was shooting a piece on airline travel and security. Always a nice guy and constant professional.
I gave up my assigned seat to a family who was not going to be able to sit together. It worked out great for me because the only seat they had for me was in 1st class. Nice!
I got into Portland around 5:50 pm and made my way to Hertz. I was lucky enough to get the car my wife had requested (a Mazda 5 which is basically a mini, minivan). If you have a family and have not checked out this vehicle, give it a test drive. We're contemplating purchasing one ourselves. Anyways, I was then off to Seattle. Well to be more precise, Poulsbo.
I made my stop at the usual exit 82, otherwise known as the "outlet mall exit" in Centralia. There I made a quick stop in at Burgerville for my usual, a Tillamook cheeseburger, large fries and the BEST vanilla milkshake. MMM MMM good! That would hold me over for the evening.
I was pleased to see that the Washington troopers were out in force last night. A guy in a Porsche thought he was all that and passed me so fast that I couldn't even see his license plate as he went past. Luckily 2 miles down the road I know that the trooper got it as he had been pulled over.
I got to the in laws house about 9 pm and was able to see Cailtyn and Johnny before they went to bed. They were VERY happy to see me. It had been 4 days!!! Oh, my wife was happy too.
Anyways, its been a good first 24 hours and we'll see what the rest of the week brings. I now have to run off to my favorite place to people watch, Wal-Mart!!! It seems that someone forgot his toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant and razors on his bathroom counter in San Jose.
Have a great weekend out there!!!
Friday, May 23, 2008
Phil Vassar Concert Review: April 24, 2008
Phil Vassar
April 24, 2008
Club Rodeo
San Jose, CA
As a bit of background, Vassar has written hits for Alan Jackson with Right On The Money, Tim McGraw with For A Little While and My Next Thirty Years and Jo Dee Messina's hits Bye Bye and "I'm Alright. Vassar released his debut album in 2000 which produced five hit singles in the U.S. and was certified gold. Helped by constant air play on country radio, GAC and CMT, Vassar has risen to stardom over the past decade.
This night was electric. Previously, I saw Vassar 3 weeks after 9/11 at the KZLA country bash in Irvine, California. This night was special because it was one of only two CD release party's for his "Prayer of a Common Man" CD. KRTY brought Vassar to Club Rodeo in San Jose for this one night event. Tickets were only $10 so this was a must see show of a great performer and song writer, not to mention that the $10 included an autographed copy of the new CD as well!
As the audience packed in, members of the KRTY team took the stage in preparation for Vassar's arrival. When he took the stage, the crowd went crazy! He opened the show with the first hit off his new CD, "Love is a Beautiful Thing" which got the crowd going and followed that up with a past hit "Six Pack Summer". The crowd was into this show! Vassar took audience requests the entire night which was a pleasant surprise. Many times, artists tend to fill their set list with new songs to promote the new album but Vassar took the approach of having a great time with the audience and let us choose the songs that were played. Class act!
The audience was into the show from the very start as Vassar mixed classic hits, with new songs and a few "special" songs courtesy of Grease. The highlights of the show included "Bye Bye", "I'm Alright", "Carlene", "Just Another Day in Paradise" and "Little Red Rodeo" which are always crowd favorites. Vassar concluded the show with a great finale with Billy Joel's "Piano Man" which was a perfect ending to a great show.
The show had very high expectations and did not disappoint. Vassar has an incredible stage presence which was obvious from the moment he first appeared. I have not been to a concert in years where every person in the audience was able to sing every word to every song and it was clear that Vassar was very impressed by the crowd.
In addition, my wife had her hat signed by Vassar after the show and that was an extra, added bonus.
If Phil Vassar comes to your town, make sure that you make an appointment to go see the show. You will not be disappointed. If you went to this, or any other Phil Vassar show, let me know your thoughts.
April 24, 2008
Club Rodeo
San Jose, CA
As a bit of background, Vassar has written hits for Alan Jackson with Right On The Money, Tim McGraw with For A Little While and My Next Thirty Years and Jo Dee Messina's hits Bye Bye and "I'm Alright. Vassar released his debut album in 2000 which produced five hit singles in the U.S. and was certified gold. Helped by constant air play on country radio, GAC and CMT, Vassar has risen to stardom over the past decade.
This night was electric. Previously, I saw Vassar 3 weeks after 9/11 at the KZLA country bash in Irvine, California. This night was special because it was one of only two CD release party's for his "Prayer of a Common Man" CD. KRTY brought Vassar to Club Rodeo in San Jose for this one night event. Tickets were only $10 so this was a must see show of a great performer and song writer, not to mention that the $10 included an autographed copy of the new CD as well!
As the audience packed in, members of the KRTY team took the stage in preparation for Vassar's arrival. When he took the stage, the crowd went crazy! He opened the show with the first hit off his new CD, "Love is a Beautiful Thing" which got the crowd going and followed that up with a past hit "Six Pack Summer". The crowd was into this show! Vassar took audience requests the entire night which was a pleasant surprise. Many times, artists tend to fill their set list with new songs to promote the new album but Vassar took the approach of having a great time with the audience and let us choose the songs that were played. Class act!
The audience was into the show from the very start as Vassar mixed classic hits, with new songs and a few "special" songs courtesy of Grease. The highlights of the show included "Bye Bye", "I'm Alright", "Carlene", "Just Another Day in Paradise" and "Little Red Rodeo" which are always crowd favorites. Vassar concluded the show with a great finale with Billy Joel's "Piano Man" which was a perfect ending to a great show.
The show had very high expectations and did not disappoint. Vassar has an incredible stage presence which was obvious from the moment he first appeared. I have not been to a concert in years where every person in the audience was able to sing every word to every song and it was clear that Vassar was very impressed by the crowd.
In addition, my wife had her hat signed by Vassar after the show and that was an extra, added bonus.
If Phil Vassar comes to your town, make sure that you make an appointment to go see the show. You will not be disappointed. If you went to this, or any other Phil Vassar show, let me know your thoughts.
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