From a reader….

Here is an opportunity to oppose Bill 13. There is a hearing in Ottawa on Tuesday  May 22, in which citizens can participate with a 15-minute presentation. If you would like to present to the Standing Committee on Social Policy, please contact the Clerk of the Committee, Katch Koch at 416-325-3526 or email him at Katch_Koch@ontla.ola.org. Public delegation slotswill quickly fill up, so I urge you to make arrangements immediately..

Loving, respectful, well-reasoned presentations will make the greatest impact. It would be great to see the views of francophones, mothers and minorities represented.

I think we need to fill up those public consultation spots on May 22nd with concerned parents. Otherwise the spots could be filled with anti-Christian sentiment and who are looking to publicly vilify the Catholic worldview. Hopefully this will lead to a positive hearing of Respecting Difference, the position paper produced by the Ontario Catholic School Trustees’Association. See above to register.

You may also want to visit these websites to be fullyinformed on the issues:

• Government of Ontario site on Bill 13
• Government of Ontario site on Bill 14, which the Conservative party has proposed as an alternative to Bill 13.
•  Commentary on the Respecting Difference document
• Excellent critique of the dangers of Bill 13
• Press release on public hearings in Toronto andOttawa

Fight like there’s no tomorrow for your kids…because if we lose this fight, there won’t be any more tomorrows in the governtment-funded, gay-controlled education system.

Four walls and a sign that says “school” doesn’t make it so.

If we lose this fight, the little salt that’s left in the System is going to soon evaporate.

But that’s OK, because then sacrifice and responsibility then enter the mix within families as they seek to educate their children and pay for it. Things are put in their correct priority and parents won’t have to tolerate the lame excuses either from the School Board administrators, diocesan bureaucrats, “trustees”, or the teachers’ unions as to why their kids are learning filth.

Money talks and bull—- walks, as the saying goes.

…that’s why they lost.

…The Habsburg Empire for which Grandpa Santorum fought is dust, and, according to the Vienna Institute of Demography, by mid-century a majority of Austrians under the age of 15 will be Muslim. As I wrote here last year: Salzburg, 1938 — singing nuns, Julie Andrews, “How do you solve a problem like Maria?” Salzburg 2038 — How do you solve a problem like sharia?

…

Our fiscal crisis is not some unfortunate bookkeeping accident that a bit of recalibration by a savvy technocrat can fix. In the United States as in Greece, it is a reflection of the character of a people. The problem isn’t that Rick Santorum’s weird, but that a government of record-breaking brokeness already busting through its newest debt-ceiling increase even as it announces bazillions in new spending is entirely normal. (Source)

Exactly.  What’s fair is foul and what’s foul is fair.

H/T Concerned for Life

Street Called Straight with commentary on current socio-political events from a Christian world view.

Michael Voris

Talk: Igniting the Firewall: Drawing Boundaries & Preserving Catholic Identity

Thurs. May 24, 2012 | 7:15PM

DETAIILS HERE

Ah c’mon. Are you that surprised?

My letter to donors and supporters….

Although we were hoping for better results,  on reflection, the 396 votes which I received was not so surprising. Typically during elections where the economy plays a more central role, smaller parties like the FCP typically do not garner as many votes as in other campaigns where the economy is less of an election issue.  This election followed that pattern.

As I reflected on the results of this past campaign, I think I came to a realization that our approach as a socially conservative political movement has not been correctly focused.

It has always been my belief that if you do not ask the correct question, you will not get the correct answer.   I firmly believe this maxim is true during elections as well.  I am convinced that the thousands of socially conservative voters who do not vote for smaller parties like the FCP already believe in what we believe.  Two rather painful examples during my campaign only confirmed this realization that we are preaching to the converted (as far as policy goes).

Now this may sound strange since we would expect people who believe in the principles of faith, family, and freedom to vote for political parties which espouse these principles.   But obviously that is not the case.   So where is the rub?  If it’s not about policies, then why aren’t we attracting those voters?

That’s the real question.  And if we fail to appreciate that this is the real question, we’ll spin around for decades and get no where.

The answer to that question is found in the same problem that the West finds itself in, generally:  there is a lack of willingness to hold firm to absolute principles and a lack of resolve not to breach those principles under any circumstances.  Once we concede the most fundamental and essential principles of our own integrity, we invite society’s collapse, albeit incrementally and over time.  And indeed, during every election, the “decency boundary” is invariably pulled back to the point now where our children are being corrupted in our own schools.   Ask yourselves, in sober reflection, where do you think this is going to end up, unless voting patterns change against the establishment parties which keep pushing us off of the proverbial cliff?

As conservatives, every time we vote “strategically” for the establishment parties, we reinforce their conduct of not holding firm to absolutes, but tragically give them tacit permission to concede the moral spectrum, inch by inch, until we all arrive at a point where there are no more inches to concede and the open air, rather than solid ground, is what society is standing on.   (Believe me, if FCP candidates were to receive even a mere 20% of socially conservative voters alone during the last election, the political establishment would take notice and things would begin to change drastically.)

So, why is this important to know?  For the simple reason that preaching to the converted on issues which they already know to be sound and true should not be our only, or even principle, focus.  Our focus should be to convince “strategic voters” that their voting conduct is actually hastening the demise of our society because if we

a)      don’t recognize that there are non-negotiable issues

and

b)      don’t stand on them when the time comes and call upon politicians to take notice,

in due time we won’t be standing at all.  And it takes one voter at a time to concern themselves about their own fundamental beliefs about themselves and about how they believe society should be run instead of worrying what the herd is doing.  

Voting with the herd only means hastening the stampede off of the cliff. 

Social conservatives need to stop.  Look around. Get the big picture.  Lasso one or two of the herd.  And begin running away from the cliff.

And that, my dear voter and supporter, is what you can “strategically” do between now and the next election.

Yours very truly,

John Pacheco
FCP Candidate
Ottawa West Nepean
www.johnpacheco.ca
pacheco377@gmail.com

#1 – Children of Paraguay – I had the wonderful opportunity to meet the foundress of a wonderful Catholic charity based in Ottawa which helps the poor children of Paraguay.  Here’s the website:

http://www.childrenofparaguay.org/

If you’re looking for a small charity that you can get involved with, this is it. No large administration costs.  Tax receipts available.  No pro-abort pimps getting any money, either.  Socon or Bust has been busy kicking the “social justice” butt for a few years, but we can’t just keep tearing down.  We need to build up. And here’s the Catholic Blogosphere and its readers’ chance to do it.  It’s time to step in and take over the “social justice” industry.

As a kick-off incentive,  I have a gift certificate for a “foursome” to a local Ottawa Golf Club that I’d be willing to part with, if any reader would like to make a donation to this Catholic Charity.  You get the gift certificate (Value: $172) AND you get a tax receipt.  Can’t beat that.  Interested readers should contact me for bids and other details.

#2 – Provincial Election – It’s that time again.  I have been approached by the Family Coalition Party to consider running…again.  If you’re interested in helping out, including obtaining signatures to put me on the ballot in Ottawa West Nepean, email me at pacheco377@gmail.com.   If you don’t care about voting for a pro-abort politician this October 6, then do nothing and it will come to pass.

#3 – Legionnaires of St. Maurice – It’s going to happen in some form.  The Holy Spirit has been at work among many men, as I found out last night. Will keep you posted.

Details here.

Because there’s plenty to cry out about.

Last day of fundraising drive. Please donate.

About Canadian Observer

In 1950 a relatively unknown group of political thinkers and activists in Quebec led by Pierre Trudeau founded the magazine Cité Libre. The goal was to provide a platform for the development and dissemination of left-wing ideas that were not in vogue at that time in Quebec and that were difficult to get into print due to the political and social climate that existed in that province. Read the rest of this entry »

The aim of the meeting, which is being organised by the Pontifical Councils for Culture and Social Communications, is to allow for a dialogue between bloggers and Church representatives, to listen to the experiences of those who are actively involved in this arena, and to achieve a greater understanding of the needs of that community. The meeting will also allow for a presentation of some of the initiatives to engage with new media practitioners being taken by the Church, both in Rome and at the local level.

In two panels, speakers will open up some of the key issues in order to set up a more general discussion open to all participants. The first panel will involve 5 bloggers – they will be chosen to represent different language groups and each will address a specific theme of general relevance. The second panel will draw on people involved in the Church’s communications outreach – they will speak of their experiences in working with new media and initiatives aimed at ensuring an effective engagement by the Church with bloggers….(Source)

First blog to address the Committee: 

Socon or Bust

Title of Talk: Using the Blog to hold Professional Catholics and the bishops accountable to the Gospel.

All joking aside, LifeSite News (even though it is not a blog per se) has to be one of the main contributing influences which has precipitated this meeting.  That’s why all of our readers should flip them a few bucks as a thank you.

Read the rest of this entry »

REAL Women of Canada Annual Spring Luncheon:  A luncheon  will be held on Saturday, April 30, 2011, 11:30 to 2:30 pm, at the Best Western Conference Centre, 700 Lakeshore Drive, North Bay., ON.  The speaker is Garnett Genuis, from the Canadian Centre for Policy and Training, Ottawa, ON.  His topic is “Winning the Argument and Winning Elections”.  With a federal election on the horizon, Mr.Genuis will provide information on how we can vote responsibly. He will also touch on the major social issues facing Canadians.  Tickets are $20.00 a person and can be purchased from Jeannine, 705- 724-3424, or Shirley, 705-472-7964.  Tickets must be purchased in advance.  All are welcome, members, non-members, men and women. This event is sponsored by the Northern Ontario Chapter of REAL Women of Canada.

Poster here.

	17 Mar	17:18:06	IE 8.0	WinXP	1280×1024		Washington, District Of Columbia, United States	Executive Office Of The President Usa (198.137.241.3) [Label IP Address] Socon or Bust » Social Conservativism
	17 Mar	17:18:04	IE 8.0	WinXP	1280×1024		Washington, District Of Columbia, United States	Executive Office Of The President Usa (198.137.241.3) [Label IP Address] Socon or Bust » Blog Archive » Biography, John Pacheco www.socon.ca/?cat=11
	17 Mar	17:18:02	IE 8.0	WinXP	1280×1024		Washington, District Of Columbia, United States	Executive Office Of The President Usa (198.137.241.3) [Label IP Address] Socon or Bust » Social Conservativism

I hope he learned something.

A special event called “Celebrate a Real Catholic Man Gala” will take place at Croatian Hall in Kitchener on Saturday, March 19 at 5:30PM. In honour of Canada’s Patron, St. Joseph, the event is a fundraiser for youth attending the Madrid World Youth Day. The event features special guest, Michael Voris of “The Vortex” and St. Michael’s Media.

Apparently, hundreds of tickets have already been sold! Don’t get left out!

If you’d like tickets, please contact David here.