A Prayer For Inauguration Day
O Lord our Governor, whose glory is in all the world: We commend this nation to your merciful care, that, being guided by your Providence, we may dwell secure in your peace. Grant to Joseph, the new President of the United States wisdom and strength to know and to do your will. Fill him with the love of truth and righteousness, and make him ever mindful of their calling to serve this people in your fear; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.
Watching the inauguration- sad day for the United States of America and the world at large.
Jimmie T
Wholly inappropriate.
I am not hoping for miracles from the new president. I learned long ago that I trust in God much more than the people in power. I haven’t yet met a perfect president. But, I do hope we can learn to talk to each other again, to reason together, despite our differences, and to drop all the labels.
Bit we pray… for those in authority over us
AMEN
Amen.
Today is a grand day for America and the rest of the world.
We successfully transferred power and our republic survived despite the worst attack on it in history.
For me, the new President is addressing most everything that concerns me today and tomorrow, so I can ignore it all for the next four years…
Michael
He quoted St. Francis yesterday, he quoted Augustine today… 3 points in my book.
He stopped construction on the wall and is providing a way forward to citizenship for millions…so now I have time to read Francis and Augustine… 🙂
For myself, I am going to try to see the best in everyone from now on. I will not agree with everything President Biden does or says, but I do believe he is a decent, kind-hearted human being and I appreciated his speech today. I am in a very good mood today.
I thought VP Pence did really well recently.
I at first cringed when Lady Gaga first came out but I gotta admit, that was a great rendition of the National Anthem and the other 2 singers did well, too. (I’m not too familiar with popular musicians so I didn’t know what to expect.)
I think the young lady poet did well but I know those tight braids are painful.
It was a nice to hear a presidential speech where the speaker did not talk about his own wonderfulness. I kind of forgot what that sounded like.
Basically, I just feel like saying “Whew!”
I think the most meaningful thing was the inauguration taking place on the exact spot where very recently a mob of delusional thugs tried to overturn the US government.
Amen Xenia. Jan 6th was the sad day, not today.
And former VP Pence took the high road the last few weeks. It was nice to see.
BTW, Fr. O’Donovan S.J. (who gave the invocation) is not only a former president of Georgetown, but a superb systematic theologian. He did his doctorate in theology under Karl Rahner… Also a nice man.
Basically, I just feel like saying “Whew!”
I second that emotion! 🙂
Sad day? Perhaps, but praying those of us with concerns for this nation WILL be proven wrong…. 🙏
I believe this is a great day for America, the world and the earth.
One thing in particular that I am grateful for is the new Administration’s commitment to the fight and victory of the Coronavirus pandemic. The new Administration has made this its highest priority. It’s risky, because the President said it publicly and everyone will be able to measure its accomplishment.
The greatest benefit to the largest group of Americans would be a return to life approximately the same as before the pandemic. It effects jobs, businesses, the economy, education and liberty, so virtually everyone would benefit if the President is successful.
The pandemic has proved more challenging than most of us contemplated. It is difficult to get Americans to buy into a shared responsibility to slow the spread. It is difficult to get vaccinations out and in arms. The virus is now mutating substantially, jeopardizing existing therapeutics and vaccine designs. Hospitals are continually under duress. Many survivors suffer long term symptoms. And hundreds of thousands of family members are mourning lost loved ones.
So, I am grateful to welcome a new Administration that won’t deny the seriousness of the pandemic, ignore it, or pretend it’s going to go away on its own. As I said, it’s risky to commit to an all out, all of government, war on the virus, because the commitment is not only measurable but is also a test of whether American institutions deliver value to the American people.
Hmmm…
Guess someone missed the last administration’s efforts to curb the corona virus… ? ? ?
Em,
I think many in the FDA, CDC and NIH did the best they could under a President who often worked against them, and at best was generally disinterested.
Em
400,000 dead. Enough said…
The failure is us. Not systematic racism where i live, but cultural machismo in large gatherings and parties, the first a huge one on May 5th which even other Mexicans were calling foolish. Then spring breaker kids. Sturgis. The BLM protests. “Medical freedom” (code for anti-vaxxers which is neither left nor right). Lockdown protests. MAGA rallies. Churches violating orders (CCSJ’s court date is tomorrow). I talked to my buddy last night about his rural CA county of 39k and he said there are mask violators who publicly call mask wearers “sheep.” Likely MAGA types.
And so on… short of a police state, it isn’t going to end.
Finally, biological males who identify as females can now compete in women’s sports and use women’s bathrooms and locker rooms again. It’s not demonic it’s science.
Yay Biden!
I have never been a fan of all the inauguration hoopla no matter who is assuming the presidency. Call me weird.
Dr Duane @6:40… ?
You think Joe B. would have produced a better outcome?
😳
Em
Yes…
Duane,
The news coming out on what the new Administration found, regarding vaccine distribution planning, testing and PPE procurement appears to be quite bleak. Apparently, there are no plans the new Administration can continue or rework. They are going to have be begin practically from scratch. The many months in the lead up to the vaccine approval, which could have been used to produce comprehensive plans was for the most part wasted.
For the skeptics, I’m not exaggerating or politicizing. It’s apparent to anyone that the vaccine rollout has been way, way below expectations and the promises of the last administration. Remember the name was “Operation Warp Speed.”
Not only has it been slow, but there is no inventory control or data, so that no one knows where the vaccines are, when states can receive more, and what is in stock. That would be supply chain 101 for a first world country. I don’t think “train wreck” is too strong a description.
Jean
At the risk of being burned at the stake, I’ve always thought they should have turned over the distribution to Tim Cook of Apple… a supply chain genius with a proven record.
Early on my thought was to draft Bill Gates. Tim Cook would do a splendid job, if Apple would give him a sabbatical. But, get an expert, invest him with authority, and then back him.
Duane,
I think that part of restoring a commitment to truth, is restoring the doctrine of vocation.
My first thought back in March was Gates to organize (his foundation has a stellar record on infectious disease) and Cook for supply chain…
Having been part of Seattle as Bill Gates rose to prominence, he’s not as smart as some think… He was blessed with parents who were
DH,
If you have a case, bring it up on Open Blogging and let’s bring the concrete case into the light.
I can’t argue against secret knowledge. According to public information, Microsoft is the 3rd largest worldwide and 2nd largest in US by market capitalization. Bill Gates co-founded it, ran it as CEO, and was a board member until (I believe) 2019. His intelligence is unimpeachable within the technology world and has gained tremendous respect and reputation for the work of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
For many years, Warren Buffet had Bill on the board of directors of Berkshire Hathaway. Not sure if he still is. Warren has donated billions to the Gates foundation because he sees the value of the work being done by it.
Many would view Buffet’s opinion of someone as very credible.
Jean,
Just pointing out how we can finally trust an Administration to make good judgement decisions like Biden’s nomination of Dr. Rachel Levine for U.S. assistant secretary of health.
DH,
And what would do you know about Rachel Levine’s professional abilities that would make her a poor choice of judgment to nominate to the position of U.S. Assistant Secretary of Health?
DH,
Do you have concerns regarding Dr. Levine’s qualifications for the position? Or does her gender identification alone disqualify her for the position? I knew nothing about her until you mentioned her name, but I notice that she has been serving as Pennsylvania Secretary of Health since 2017 and is a Professor of Pediatrics and Psychiatry at Penn State College of Medicine.
I’m wondering what people like you feel should be done with citizens that don’t share your sexual morals? Should they be shunned and prevented from making a living and putting food on their tables? Can people who don’t share your sexual morals make a positive contribution to our society through their education and labor?
Are serial philanderers and adulterers more acceptable to you than a transgender person? If so, why?
It could be a prejudice against Harvard and Tulane… although I’ve heard that they are pretty good schools…
Co-founded is a clue regarding Microsoft and CEO? Well his father at that time was one of the top business attorneys in Seattle…. Bill isn’t dumb, but his success is definitely not his doing…according to some top level programmers of the day his skill level wasn’t that great. I will give him credit, though, for one thing, if he couldn’t read the code and follow the logic, he’d sent it back for a rewrite…… Who knows? Weel, guess i don’t. 🙆
Enough examining the lay of the land
Bill Gates through his foundation is a major donor to the abortion industry.
https://www.familyplanning2020.org/news/how-billionaire-philanthropy-provides-reproductive-health-care-when-politicians-wont
https://www.lifenews.com/2020/06/11/bill-gates-funds-pharmaceutical-companies-using-aborted-baby-parts-to-make-coronavirus-vaccines/
“Perhaps it is no surprise that some of the top 5 pharmaceutical companies working on a COVID vaccine are using aborted baby cell lines in their research and all of them are funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.”
Has this been shared on the blog yet?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wz4YuEvJ3y4
A beautiful poem by Amanda Gorman, performed by her at the inauguration.
I think Whitney Houston was right…
Just a fact check on Jim V.’s 3:51 pm, regarding Covid-19 vaccine development:
https://www.health.nd.gov/sites/www/files/documents/COVID%20Vaccine%20Page/COVID-19%20Vaccine%20Fetal%20Cell%20Handout.pdf
I don’t know anything about Dr. Rachel Levine’s sexual morals just gender identification. Karen Carpenter was excellent at her job even though she thought she needed to lose more weight.
Jean,
Are saying being transgendered is a sin like serial philanderers and adulterers?
Speaking of Bill Gates, there is a strong rumor goin round that his organization has been buying up our productive farmland. Enough to make him the single largest private owner of farmland in the U.S. True truth? Dunno…. ? ? ?
The fact check above confirms the facts. Thank you.
Buffett and Gates are doing all they can and a considerable part of their fortune to promote abortion, especially in African countries. Racist eugenics is alive and well.
As is typical, Google search buries information about billionaires funding abortion. I urge all of you to use Duckduckgo if you want neutral internet searches.
Brave is also preferable to Chrome, Edge or Safari for numerous reasons and works great on all devices.
Conspiracy theories abound… it is all that some have left at this point.
That Gates and Buffett are aggressively promoting and paying for abortions the world over is not a conspiracy theory.
Ignore Duane he has a clear political agenda and personal narrative, as we all do.
I too grew up in Seattle and what EM posted is well known, but to me not a negative at all. The history of Bill Gates is one of brilliance and an ability to brutally lead, controlling, and all while having (which his still does) a disarming look and public persona.
Microsoft happened because of his leadership and driven passion, not just wealthy, influential parents. However it sure is a benefit.
It is also no secret he is very much for population control and is very easy to find Ted Talks where he states so. Unlike most of us he, being one of the richest men in world history can easily spend billions and influence others to do the same to forward his passions.
Regardless of Duane’s misinformation and myopic views, Gates is what is said out there in internet land. The real issue is whether or not individuals agree with Gates.
From the day to day trenches there’s really nothing regular people can do about it.
Like it or not It’s not a conspiracy at all, just the verifiable truth.
Is still like to know who put up the Georgia Guidestones! A very expensive troll, or is it serious???
Let’s see the proof of your assertions.
Repeating a falsehood 1,000 times means it’s still a lie.
Put up or shut up
Gates is what is said out there in internet land.
Are you friggin’ serious?
Out there in internet land is full of fakery and a great deal of cherry picking, false information, inferences and a boatload of straw men arguments.
Why don’t you present your “evidence” to Snopes and see what they have to say?
I’d love to see you do that.
Thaknkfully Bill Gates knows software like he knows healthcare.
Anon
Beside you acting like the end of a particular animal, proving anything about Bill Gates is very well documented even long before internet land and COVID. You just simply deny truth and are filled with rage and hatred against anyone who disagrees with you.
Let me head you over to Ted Talks and check out from the mouth of Mr. Gates himself. I believe his talk about world population and passion for vaccination (yes he combined them in one talk) was in 2011. But I think you have a computer and can do the work, it will be more meaningful to you. Then, do some simple or maybe complex research on the funding of the various organizations out there. It really isn’t hard or maybe you would rather just believe a lie or your person misinformation, I don’t know. We all have choices; don’t we?
Personally I have always admired Mr. Gates for his abilities, shrewdness and now willingness to put his money where his heart is.
BTW admiration and agreement are two completely different things.
Dude you are the one in denial.
Now hey to work!
“Regardless of Duane’s misinformation and myopic views, Gates is what is said out there in internet land.”
As I said, conspiracy theories abound… some things never change.
In parts of the world where food and water are scarce and population density is enormous, like in parts of India and Africa, should poor women have the same access to safe contraception as women in 1st world economies have?
Do families benefit when they are able to plan the number of children they can afford to raise (feed, cloth, shelter and educate) with an acceptable standard of living?
Does access to safe contraception in poor parts of the world help contribute to the amelioration of poverty?
“Safe contraception” I guess that is what we should call it now.
Actually President Biden is again allowing federal funds to be used for abortions abroad, by rolling back the Mexico City Policy which had been renewed by the Trump administration. This was a top, day one priority for our new regime.
“An analysis published in 2019 in the medical journal The Lancet found that the Mexico City Policy increased the abortion rate in at least some affected countries, likely because it also reduced access to contraception….” I believe that was what Jean was referring to in his comment.
Do you approve of using Federal funds to those who provide and actively promote abortion? The Mexico City Policy speaks only to abortion funding and directed family planning funds to NGOs not focused on abortion.
“The Mexico City Policy is a U.S. government policy that – when in effect – has required foreign NGOs to certify that they will not “perform or actively promote abortion as a method of family planning” using funds from any source (including non-U.S. funds) as a condition of receiving U.S. global family planning assistance and, as of Jan. 23, 2017, most other U.S. global health assistance.” https://www.kff.org/global-health-policy/fact-sheet/mexico-city-policy-explainer/
If a female family member has cancer of the uterus and needs an emergency hysterectomy, and the only available doctor also provides abortion services, would you advise your family member to go in for the hysterectomy or skip it?
Jean, I am not sure how your question fits into this discussion.
Again, do you approve of sending Federal funds to those who provide and actively promote abortion?
Jim V,
Sorry you don’t see the connection.
I oppose taxpayer funds going to fund or promote abortion as a method of family planning.
As to the prayer offered above, I would add:
I also pray that you will thwart every evil and diabolical plan from every corner including those from Joseph and those who support him; that I and all your people who are called by your name will humble ourselves, and pray and seek your face and turn from our wicked ways so that you will hear from heaven and will forgive our sin and heal our land.
Did you pray that one when Trump was elected?
I’ll take the silence as a “No.” Unless you say otherwise.
Anon
It’s alright, haters are gonna hate…
No. I should have. However, when Trump was elected I did not see him promoting evil and diabolical plans like generously funding NGOs which provide abortion and promote it as a form of family planning. Can you think of any of his plans that would qualify?
Is that the only issue that should concern the Church, in your opinion?
Not at all. I think Jeremiah’s advice applies: “And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the LORD for it; for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace.”
Trump campaigned on opposition to stupid, endless wars and the out of control military industrial complex. This was, I believe, the underlying reason the statists opposed him.
Again, what evil and diabolical plans did Trump promote?
His border policies were as evil as any abortion law.
Really, Duane?
I have never been called a hater before. Why did you call me that?
Mchael @12:23
I can think of some rebuttals, but they are a bit gruesome, so 🙊
God keep us, God keep us all….
“I also pray that you will thwart every evil and diabolical plan from every corner including those from Joseph and those who support him…”
Evil and diabolical… all 80 million… really?
Read again, “I also pray that you will thwart every evil and diabolical plan from every corner including…” Evil and diabolical plans lurk in many corners. May God thwart them all and grant us peace.
Read enough…
Jim V,
“Trump campaigned on opposition to stupid, endless wars and the out of control military industrial complex.”
Does this look like opposition to you:
DOD Spending:
2016 $767.6B
2017 $818.9B
2018 $890.8B
2019 $904.3B
2020 $935.8B
2021 (budgeted) $933.8B
I find many of your and some of the others’ comments here to be short on facts and long on partisan talking points, gossip or conspiracy theories.
I think we owe each other here a higher level of self-discipline in the information we share than what random strangers might promote on a social network.
You know what I think evil is? When the POTUS stands up in front of the America people on national television and says that the Coronavirus will be gone by April, States should ignore the coronavirus mitigation tools recommended by his own CDC and open up their economies, and promotes unproven and untested therapies, giving the American people false hope and sowing division in this country which has had long lasting negative consequences that have cost the needless loss of 10s or 100s of thousands of lives.
Marjori Taylor Green, Georgia Representative, is being asked to resign her post as comments have surface where she called into question the Parkland shooting that left 17 dead, including 14 students. She is a Qanon supporter.
You know, she’s a Republican. I don’t see Republicans stepping over each other to call for her resignation and to confront her support of a LYING group like Qanon.
The Devil is the father of lies. THE FATHER OF LIES. You cannot quote scripture and say you love God and then turn around and defend deliberate LIARS, like some politicians. From day 1 of the Trump regime, it was obvious the hypocrisy of those who said “character matters” in the 1990s, and then turned around and gave Trump a mulligan.
There is more diabolical things going on in politics besides abortion.
Duane’s prayer up top was more than appropriate.
Dan
Not mine, adapted from the 1979 Book of Common Prayer. Agree, however, with your comment…
Oh. Thanks Duane.
Dan,
Qanon is a cancer within one of our major parties. I hope for the sake of our country that the GOP cut it out with a sharp and deliberate scalpel.
Conspiracies like the one about the Parkland massacre sound like something no less devious than what a foreign adversary would want to invent and spread in its adversary in order to foment division and anarchy, thereby weakening their adversary from within.
No one who follows, promotes or believes such disinformation, lies and conspiracies should IMO ever be allowed to hold an elective or appointed office in any party or governmental body, law enforcement organization or our military.
Agreed Jean. I knew in moving from Minnesota to Georgia there would be some political and cultural adjustments…and for the record I am conservative. But I find this absolutely unconscionable and scary, and unacceptable.
In addition, it’s sick that such a system of lies has found root in conservative circles. I don’t take anyone seriously who says the Democrats are all bad, while giving a pass to this disease.
Giving a pass to republicans. The reverse is true as well (see most progressive Christians blogs/Twitter feeds).