Ralph Lauren

Ralph Lauren, designer with Western American chops for chaps, designed the uniforms for the U.S. Olympic team.  Ralph looks like this.

The uniforms he designed look like this.

This evening, this image was projected on the British House of Commons either during or immediately after the Olympic Opening Ceremonies.

It's second degree, Roger Federer's image!  Roger is playing in this summer's Olympics.  He met Pope Benedict XVI.  The Pope issued an Olympic message of hope and peace at today's Angelus. 

Pope:  "Roger, you are Swiss.  Perhaps you could join the Swiss Guard and be the first member of the Vatican Olympic Team?"

Roger:  "I'm not single, you have to be single to be a Swiss guard.  Of course I'm deeply honored by your request."

Pope:  "Shucks!"

Ted Allen

Fourth degree, Ted Allen hosts the show that is my latest obsession, Chopped. 

Third degree, Marcus Samuelsson is a judge on Chopped, and one hell of a cook!  He cooked for this second degree guy

when he had a fundraiser at Samuelsson's restaurant.  

Here is President Obama with  first degree, Pope Benedict XVI. 

Whitney Houston

Whitney Houston has died at the age of 48, a victim of herself.  Each year we receive the news of deaths due to drug and alcohol use with shock and surprise.  Michael Jackson, John Belushi, Lady Diana (the driver was drunk), and others were a real loss to our culture.  Now we have Whitney Houston joining their ranks.

Whitney did a series of concerts in South Africa in 1994 to honor Nelson Mandela.  Here is an excerpt from those concerts.

Nelson Mandela and Pope John Paul II

knew one another.

Mandela and John Paul II knew what Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. knew, besides fight or flight, there is a third, better option. 

Newt Gingrich

Can you believe this guy is such a player?

It was with great pleasure that I received the news that Newt Gingrich had converted to Catholicism.  Now he's running for president.  With South Carolina under his belt, he may well be the Republican nominee, but it is doubtful that Mr. Gingrich has what it takes to be president.  His dirty laundry is being aired, and it ain't sweet smelling! 

He has spoken out powerfully about traditional family structure, but requested an open marriage from the second of his (as of yet) three wives.  He's not handled his personal finances well, leading a life where he is perpetually broke.  He also tried to write an apologetic tell-all book, but was stopped by aides.  He also had a torrid High School affair with his math teacher.  Newt also has a tendency to put his foot in his mouth. 
This leads to awkward headlines, like this one, "Newt Gingrich: Child labor laws are stupid"

What's truly amazing about Gingrich's success in South Carolina is that he probably won because the Evangelical Protestants probably voted for him because they'd rather have a Catholic than a Mormon.  Now that's just sad!  Appealing to racism and religious prejudice seems to be par for the course for Gingrich, but his new found religion won't stand for it.  45 Catholic leaders wrote an open letter to the two Catholic Republican candidates for president, Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum.  The letter was published January 21, 2012 and reads as follows. 

An Open Letter to Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum
As Catholic leaders who recognize that the moral scandals of racism and poverty remain a blemish on the American soul, we challenge our fellow Catholics Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum to stop perpetuating ugly racial stereotypes on the campaign trail. Mr. Gingrich has frequently attacked President Obama as a “food stamp president” and claimed that African Americans are content to collect welfare benefits rather than pursue employment. Campaigning in Iowa, Mr. Santorum remarked: “I don’t want to make black people’s lives better by giving them somebody else’s money.” Labeling our nation’s first African-American president with a title that evokes the past myth of “welfare queens” and inflaming other racist caricatures is irresponsible, immoral and unworthy of political leaders.
Some presidential candidates now courting “values voters” seem to have forgotten that defending human life and dignity does not stop with protecting the unborn. We remind Mr. Gingrich and Mr. Santorum that Catholic bishops describe racism as an “intrinsic evil” and consistently defend vital government programs such as food stamps and unemployment benefits that help struggling Americans. At a time when nearly 1 in 6 Americans live in poverty, charities and the free market alone can’t address the urgent needs of our most vulnerable neighbors. And while jobseekers outnumber job openings 4-to-1, suggesting that the unemployed would rather collect benefits than work is misleading and insulting.
As the South Carolina primary approaches, we urge Mr. Gingrich, Mr. Santorum and all presidential candidates to reject the politics of racial division, refrain from offensive rhetoric and unite behind an agenda that promotes racial and economic justice.

For the 45 signatures and the original posting of the letter, click here.   I'm sure that many of the 45 have met Pope Benedict XVI and perhaps some would have met Blessed John Paul II.

Etta James

The angels are singing "At Last" as their Etta James enters the Kingdom.  May her memory be eternal. 
Perhaps I'm a bit partial to Ms James.  This was the first dance for my husband and me.  No doubt some of you had the pleasure of this being your first song as well.  Let's explore Etta James and link her to Blessed John Paul.

If you're letting this video play while reading the blog, you are realizing that Etta James is more of a jazz singer than strictly a pop or R&B singer.

Reckoning #1, Bloodline and an underworld

Etta's mother, Dorothy Hawkins, was 14 in 1938 when she gave birth to Jamesetta (Etta took her first and last stage name from this original name).  Though she never really knew who her father was, she speculated it was Minnesota Fats, the famous pool player.  Fats never admitted his age, but he was probably born within the first 15 years of the 20th century.  That would make him about 20 years older than Dorothy when Etta was conceived.  Do you see a resemblance? 

Here's Minnesota Fats talking smack and shootin' pool, what he did best.  I remember him on TV in the 70s.  My parents got such a kick out of his smack talk and amazing pool shots. 

Both Etta and Minnesota had movies made about them.  Etta was played by third degree, Beyonce Knowles.  Her possible father, Minnesota Fats, was played by Jackie Gleason in the 1961 movie, "The Hustler."  Gleason won an Academy Award for that role.  In the 60s, he made this campaign ad for Richard Nixon.  We have a bad connotation with Richard Nixon's name now, but, in light of the shenanigans our current government is getting up to with SuperPacs, insider trading in Congress, and swinging Republicans for family values, Nixon is looking more and more like a boy scout!

Nixon and Pope Paul VI

In 1957, before becoming president, Richard Nixon met Pope Pius XII.  Later, as president, he met Pope Paul VI from whom Blessed John Paul II got half of his name. 


Reckoning #2, The Artist

When Etta was 14 her life changed, she was taken under the wing of Johnny Otis, The Godfather of Rhythm and Blues.  Otis' and James' age difference mirrored that of Minnesota Fats and Dorothy Hawkings, but, instead of sexual exploitation, Otis mentored the young girl. 

Otis was born Ioannis Alexandres Veliotes, the son of Greek working classimmigrants.  


Otis' older brother became a diplomat.  He was US Ambassedor to Jordan and then to Egypt, where he knew and worked with First Degree, Hosni Mubarak. 


Otis produced hundreds of albums and discovered scores of artists.  He produced the original version of the Lieber and Stoller tune, Hound Dog, a song later made famous by Elvis Presley.  Here is the original version by Big Mama Thornton.  Guess who met second degree, Richard Nixon?
To recap, Etta James is four degrees from Pope John Paul II.

• Etta to Beyonce to Zahi Hawas to George Bush to Pope John Paul II
• Etta to Johnny Otis to Ambassador Veliotis to Hosni Mubarak to Pope John Paul II

She is 5 degrees by these reckonings.

• Etta to Minnesota Fats to Jackie Gleason to Richard Nixon to Pope Pius XII and Paul VI
• Etta to Johnny Otis to Elvis Presley to Richard Nixon to Pius XII and Paul VI to Pope John Paul II

The "Church" of Scientology

Doyle Mills, a Scientologist Auditor met Blessed John Paul II.
I must inform Mr. Mills that the Pope is weilding a much more
powerful "e meter" than you've ever been hooked up to!

Have you ever taken one of those Cosmo quizzes to find out which personality type you are?  Have you ever read your horoscope and believed it?  Do you believe that these diversions are just insightful entertainment?  You may have primed yourself to take a "stress test" or "personality test" by a practitioner of Dianetics (Scientology).

Many years back, I had a friend who was an ex-Scientologist.  Her family had paid big bucks to get her out of the cult and deprogrammed.  A bunch of us in a dorm sat down and heard her explain Scientology for a few hours.  It blew our minds!  I'll give you a thumbnail sketch of what I learned.

How to become a Scientologist

1. Take a personality test
1. Like many cons, this test makes everyone a "winner".  Since people like to be part of the "in crowd," they are pleased to "pass" the Oxford Capacity Analysis test (OCAT), the main recruiting device of Scientology.  
2. If you don't "pass" the test you an an "S.P."  My friend (we'll call her Heidi) said that if you are approached by a Scientologist, just tell  them you're an s.p. and walk away.  
2. Get Audited



This woman is attached to an e meter.  The Scientologist
Auditor would be with her.  This is a kind of cross between
psychotherapy and lie detection.  The irony of this being the
cornerstone of Scientology is not lost on me.  Scientology
is adamant that modern Psychiatry is a lie.  

1. This is the most ironic part of Scientology!  After you pass the OCAT, you pay for auditing sessions.  In these sessions an e reader machine measures your electrical output and various waves of energy while you talk about your history and your problems with a Scientology Auditor.  The concept is a mix of psychotherapy and lie detection.  
2. Every bad thing that has ever happened to you or you in a past life is stored on you in the form of an "engram" on your mind.  In order to be happy and live up to your potential, you must rid your mind of engrams.  Auditing is how this is done.
3. As a bad experience is discussed, the auditor reads the e meter.  Through this kind of talk therapy, the cult member gradually eliminates the engram through self-empowerment, a bit like ironing wrinkles from a shirt with multiple strokes of the iron.  
4. Evidently, confession to the engram of homosexual attraction is a standard part of all members' auditing experience.  Auditors lead subjects into their present and past lives to find engrams and discuss the experiences in detail.  
5. Did I mention that auditing sessions are recorded?  If you try to leave the group, they use confessions to keep you in.  
6. Once all engrams have been eliminated from your mind, you are "clear."  This might be likened to a state of Nirvana among the Buddhists, but instead of becoming jolly and serene like Buddah, you turn into Tom Cruise!
3. Learn more
1. Once clear, the new Scientologist begins to learn more about the story of Xenu (their god who is L. Ron Hubbard in another form) and other elements of the story of Dianetics.  
4. Recruit
1. This goes without saying.

I believe that the practice of Scientology is antithetical to the practice of Catholicism.  You cannot be a Catholic Scientologist!  While the Vatican has yet to make a pronouncement about Scientology, many Catholics, both clergy and laity have stood up to Scientology.  The Sisters of Saint Paul have courageously published a book that exposes abuses within the cult.  Cardinal Marc Oulette has been strong in his stance against the dangerous cult.

Scientology has stuck by its policy of offensiveness.  It is suing constantly.  Scientology is currently suing an Orthodox Church in Russia because the church had criticised Scientology and warned members about their tactics and stress tests.    They are also seeking a civil judgement against Paul Haggis, a former leader of the "church."  Oh, did I mention that they are suing the Sisters of Saint Paul?

I think it's time for the USCCB and The Vatican to make an official statement.  

Frosty The Snowman

The story of Frosty the Snowman is a kind of miniature of the Gospel.  Not the story of Jesus, but His promise to us of the resurrection.  Frosty prances about with the children, having fun and singing.  When he begins to melt away, he promises a return.  One imagines a glorified Frosty who is even stronger, happier, and even more of an adventure.

The song was recorded in 1950 by Gene Autry.  Autry had struck gold with his hit Rudolf the Red-nosed Reindeer in 1949.  This was indeed the hayday of classic Christmas music. Silver Bells, All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth, Jingle Bell Rock, Santa Baby, Nuttin' for Christmas, and Let it Snow all had their first hit recordings in the 10 years following the war.

A variety of artists have recorded Frosty the Snowman. The Beach Boys, Alvin and the Chipmunks, Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole, The Jackson 5, and even Burt Reynolds have recorded Frosty's song.  Second Degree, Bing Crosby recorded a version of the song too.

Now, we've already done the post on Bing Crosby (click above link), but I wanted to share some unsettling things I discovered while reading Bing's obituary on the Holy Cross Cemetery website.  I had heard that he was a stern father who had disowned his gay son and was harsh with his other children as well.  In his final requests he writes

"Except as otherwise provided in this will and the trust, I have intentionally and with full knowledge omitted to provide for my heirs, and I have specifically failed to provide for any child of mine whether mentioned in this will or in said trust or otherwise."

Okay, so he probably continued the disavowing of his son through the trust.  Perhaps he excluded the others as well, but trust records are not public, so he may have left his straight children or grandchildren something.  You have to admit that the wording is harsh, distant, cold, and final.  He goes on

"my funeral services be conducted in a Catholic church; that they be completely private with attendance limited to my wife and the above-mentioned children; that a low Mass be said and that no memorial service of any kind be held. I further direct that, insofar as possible, services be held without any publicity, other than that which my family permits after my burial, which shall be in a Catholic cemetery."

The obituary continues

 After his death, several of his sons painted a picture of Crosby as a cold and distant father, who severely punished his children. Son Gary Crosby wrote a controversial tell-all biography titled, "Going My Own Way" in 1983. Two other sons, Lindsay and Dennis, committed suicide.

Here he is singing with his wife and three of the seven he would eventually have.  Notice the extreme awkwardness of the family dynamic.  Did one of these boys end up taking his own life?

Does anyone else see a disconnect between the insistence on a Catholic burial and the hateful will?  What about the two suicides and (we read in the article) two marriages.  Do you think Bing is currently being praised for his Catholic faithfulness or suffering purification for the abandonment of souls he was blessed to have as children and charged to raise?  Can a Catholic parent disown a child because they struggle with or are plagued with a sin?   Perhaps Bing should have taken his character from White Christmas' advice and counted his blessings.