The Catholic Support For Obama Is A Big Boost
July 3rd, 2008BY FR JOACHIM OMOLO OUKO, AJ
NAIROBI-KENYA
JULY 2, 2008
The Tablet Newsletter of June 28, 2008 has published quite interesting article about Barack Obama and the catholic votes. Although in the last presidential election the Catholic vote was decisive in giving George W. Bush a second term in the White House, the fact that there are signs that Catholics may be deserting the Republicans and the Democrat candidate is making great efforts to woo them leaves a lot to be desired.
Although in the Pennsylvania primary, Obama lost to Hillary Clinton trailing badly among Catholic voters, the fact that since last year’s election, the number of Democrats in Pennsylvania had increased by more than 161,000, it is obvious that Obama has to make a strong outreach to Catholics in that area.
The defectors that include Catholics like Chris Molitoris, 22, who was a registered Republican but switched his party registration so he can vote in the Democratic primary for Obama is another boost. Molitoris is from Plains near Scranton and is the student president at the University of Scranton, a Catholic Jesuit university.
Other Pennsylvania supporters of Senator Obama also include Roman Catholic Rep. Patrick Murphy and former Lt. Gov. Mark Singel, a Byzantine Catholic.
When George W. Bush out-polled John Kerry (a Catholic) among Catholic voters in 2004, it was not about race, but purely on religion. Kerry was a democrat catholic presidential candidate, while Bush was a Protestant Republican.
Historically the Catholics have been voting republican because they are anti-abortion unlike the Democrats. To some extent even the Vatican does support Republicans because of this stand. The Catholic Church teaches that abortion or euthanasia is a grave sin.
This was exactly what happened to Kerry in 2004 presidential election when then Cardinal Ratzinger wrote a letter US bishops in August 2004 that they must refuse Holy Communion to pro-abortionists and those obstinate sin.
Apart from an individuals’s judgement about his worthiness to present himself to receive the Holy Eucharist, Ratzinger said the minister of Holy Communion may find himself in the situation where he must refuse to distribute Holy Communion to someone, such as in cases of a declared excommunication, a declared interdict, or an obstinate persistence in manifest grave sin (cf. can. 915).
Regarding the grave sin of abortion or euthanasia, Ratzinger said in the letter that when a person’s formal cooperation becomes manifest (understood, in the case of a Catholic politician, as his consistently campaigning and voting for permissive abortion and euthanasia laws), his Pastor should meet with him, instructing him about the Church’s teaching, informing him that he is not to present himself for Holy Communion until he brings to an end the objective situation of sin, and warning him that he will otherwise be denied the Eucharist.
When “these precautionary measures have not had their effect or in which they were not possible,” and the person in question, with obstinate persistence, still presents himself to receive the Holy Eucharist, “the minister of Holy Communion must refuse to distribute it” (cf. Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts Declaration “Holy Communion and Divorced, Civilly Remarried Catholics” [2002], nos. 3-4).
Apart from adult Catholic voters, the good news for Obams is that young Catholics, along with other members of their generation, have been energised by Obama’s campaign. His opposition to the war in Iraq and support for economic justice appeal to Catholics who believe in a “consistent ethic of life” that begins but doesn’t end with opposition to abortion are yet some of the reasons why he is able to woe some republican Catholics.
Another fact that Catholic Democrats outnumber Catholic Republicans in the United States, both are outnumbered by the 41 percent of U.S. Catholic voters who are not affiliated with either party, according to new data from the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate at Georgetown University sounds good news to Obama’s road to victory.
In a report titled “Election ‘08 Forecast,” released June 20, CARA compared data on party identification and the social, political and moral views of the estimated 47 million potential Catholic voters in the November election.
The fact that American catholic bishops have also become more assertive in urging their congregations to vote in accord with Catholic teachings on those issues - and in moving to chastise Catholic officials who disagree, in a few cases by threatening to deny them Communion, acting with the support and encouragement of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, now the new pope, who at the time headed the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, one is to wait whose voice will be heard during November elections.
People for Peace in Africa (PPA)
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00800, Westlands
Kenya
E-Mail ppa@africaonline.co.ke
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Website : www.peopleforpeaceinafrica.org
Kimunya’s Actions Stink To Heavens Above
July 3rd, 200807/03/08
By Richard Mageto, New Castle, Delaware, USA
Mr. Kimunya may well be an accountant by profession, a husband, and a father. All these assertions could quite be true as he claims – and none of these are in doubt by the way. What we want him to tell us is how he managed (or is it mismanaged) to sell a profitable public concern at a throw away price. You cannot sell a property valued at 7.9billion at a pittance and then have the audacity to tell Kenyan public that it was a deal we could not let go. This is utter nonsense and complete hogwash, Mr. Kimunya.
When word went rounds to the effect that the hotel has been sold, Mr. Kimunya came out with his poisonous fangs directed towards the whistle blowers denouncing them as daydreamers and their information as a piece bar talk. We believed him because being the man in charge of the treasury we had no reason to doubt his word. It is unfortunate that he lied to the Kenyan people while all along knowing very well that he was telling us lies as he went about his business of protected his Libyan parasites. He betrayed our trust in him and as a result he has no business being at the helm of the treasury department.
What Mr. Kimunya did was not only morally wrong but also criminal. He had sworn to protect the constitution of Kenya and safeguard our resources. But he decided to think with his stomach instead of using his accounting brains. What use are your diplomas and professional qualifications if you are not capable of harnessing them for the common good of the public.
The attorney general, Mr. Wako, should have acted on behalf of the government of Kenya in matters such as this. But Mr. Kimunya decided to let Wako off the loop because he was not sure whether or not Mr. Wako could play ball. The bastard could not learn from the old mathematic professor of Goldenberg saga that one’s actions follow long after you are gone and or transferred from treasury. The money was too good to be true and faithfully to be poor people of Kenya. You shamelessly sold your birthright and that of your fellow Kenyans at a pittance.
It does not wash to claim that Mps are up in arms to make you accountable just because you had planned to tax their loosely earned money. I had written on this issue before encouraging you to make all Kenyans accountable as far as tax collection is concerned, and that includes Mps. But this stupid act of selling the glamorous hotel at a throw away price has no bearing on the former. The Mps must make you accountable in a similar manner as you wanted them to be accountable. This is democracy at its best.
Kenyans have been taken for granted for a long time. It is now time we demanded transparency and accountability on the part of our leaders. We are literally reeling under abject poverty because of poor and or selfish interests of our leaders who are not serious in tackling the crises facing the people but who are instead furtively maneuvering to defraud the public of the meager resources available. Little wonder, then, that public officials become overnight millionaires and billionaires by shortchanging the public of their money and trust so faithfully and innocently bestowed upon these officials. You cannot think of yourself as indispensable as you arrogantly mortgage our country with impunity. Lawyers should start perusing through the constitution and see under what clauses this demagogue should be charged and be put to hang. His actions are treasonable. He cares more about Libyans than he cares about Kenyans.
The opposition in parliament should not relent until this idiot has resigned from the cabinet and then investigated fully. Nothing less than the return of the hotel into the hands of Kenyans and the consequent sending of the culprits to the gallows is going to ameliorate the betrayed faith of Kenyans in this government. Shrouded in hyper secrecy and unnecessary awarding of lucrative remunerative packages to those who need them least, the Kibaki administration has continued to show untamed indifference to the poor while thawing up to the exclusive club of the rich and the powerful.
The deafening silence of Kibaki is quite telling and indicative of his lethargic reign. It is time he redeemed himself and acted for the common good of all Kenyans. Kimunya should immediately be relieved of his duties and any acts of impropriety be prosecuted accordingly. This is not about Kimunya’s ethnic group, but it is about him, Prof. Ndungu, and the director of national security services as individuals. Any Kenyan who acts negligently as did those involved in this saga should be made to pay for their sins of omission and or commission. The tales of eat and let us eat of yesterday must be nipped in the bud or else we shall continue to witness one mega corrupt deal after another until all we bequeath our children and future generations is poverty and more poverty. The vision 2030 is meant for individuals and not the country.
This is a litmus test for Raila to prove himself out. The civil society is all behind you as you diligently compose your team to oversee this fiasco that has the potential of fleecing Kenyans of billions of shillings. You have the brightest in the type of Orengo, Kilonzo, Ringera, Wako, and many others who are willing to do the right thing. The Kenyan people should not be hoodwinked to believe that no stones will be left unturned (the Moi style) and yet there are stones among us so heavy to be touched leave alone being overturned. We are all watching and it is by this that we shall know whether or not you are worthy the salt you claim to be.
Expose the idiot and let him pay dearly for taking Kenyans for granted. At first he said that the hotel had not been sold. Then he said no Kenyan was involved. And that the hotel was sold for 2.9 billion, a good deal we should all be glad about. All these were lies and now we know that the hotel was sold long ago and signed for in May, and at 1.8 billion shillings. And that two Kenyans are part of the deal though their names have been withheld. This is the same nonsense Mr. Kimunya did with Safaricom and Telkom where shoddy individuals bought their way through the shareholding fiasco hence reaping handsomely where they had not sown.
The treasury and the central bank of Kenya need a total overhaul if Kenyans are going to expect anything good from there. We cannot continue to lose money year after year and yet nothing deterring is being fronted to arrest this situation. We want to see people packing from these departments and then being hauled to jail for a long time. Their properties need to be attached and sold to recover what we have lost through their careless undertakings. We must resolve to be tough, decisive, and intolerant to any and all manner of corruption.
All indications are that Mr. Kimunya overtly and co-overtly in concert with others abdicated his solemn responsibility of protecting public resources and also misled Kenyans for the sole purpose of protecting some individuals and also safeguarding his kickback. I have no mercy for you Mr. Kimunya. Go hang.
The Demand Of Food On Last Day Of Camp Meeting At Pine Forge Saturday 07/05/08
July 2nd, 200807/02/08
Leadership of All E. African Churches In MD,DE,PA and NJ have asked all worshippers and those who will attended the last day of this year’s camp meeting to bring food. Churches with many members like Maranatha, Muungano, Bethel, Angaza, West Wilmington, those in Allentown, PA and Poconos, PA are asked to participate with full gear. Eat food so you can worship God with a healthy body.
1. Single males are asked to come with cold drinks, forks, spoons, cups, plates and fruits and paper towels
2. Single females are asked to come with mandazi, chapatti, degu and fruits and drinks
3. Married couples are asked to come with rice, beans, githeri and vegetables ETC.
Come with food which can feed you and twenty other people. Act like Africans in Africa don’t be mean and selfish as Jesus never was. Come in large numbers so we can worship together and share the word of God. Everybody is going there why remain behind if you are free? Share the ride to the camp meeting if possible.
NTV Video On Kimunya’s vote Of No Confidence
July 2nd, 2008Death Announcement Of Josephine Bwari Ratemo
July 2nd, 200807/02/08
It is with profound sadness and sorrow that we announce the untimely demise (death) in Kenya of Omong’ina Josephine Bwari Ratemo of Ichuni - Borabu (North Mugirango).
She was loving Mother to Mrs. Isabella N. Nyanaro of Silver Spring, Maryland;
Mother-law to Spalatin Nyanaro Oire of Silver Spring, Maryland;
Sister in-law to Mr. & Mrs. Nehemiah Nyakondo Anunda of Gaithersburg, MD.
There will be a prayer meeting-cum fundraising to assist the Nyanaros offset incurred medical costs, on Wednesday July 02, 2008, beginning 5.00 pm at their Silver Spring residence:
12005 Veirs Mill Road, Apt # 301
Silver Spring, MD 20906.
419-819-8715 (Cell) & 240-454-6585 (Hse).
Note: For Directions, contact Dr. Choti (240) 273-8363
Mr. & Mrs. Anunda can be reached at # 240-449-5682 (Cell)
Contact Persons:
Joseph Mecha - 301-905-7677
Anderea Onwong’a - 301-731-0422
Evans Ogora - 201-618-7767
Charles Choti - 240-273-8363
Sincerely,
Kepha O Makori
Mwamogusii Association
Armed Raids In Kilgoris Division Transmara District
July 2nd, 200807/02/08
Reported By Kenneth Kibet
Over twenty armed raiders were reported shooting and killing one person before driving away over 150 heads of cattle in Kilgoris Division, Transmara district, on Sunday night, June 29, 2008.
The raiders are reported driving the stolen livestock towards Lolkorian Division, along the Kenya-Tanzania border. None of the livestock stolen had been recovered by yesterday (June 1, 2008).
Although the raids took place about two kilometers away from Kilgoris town, police are reported responding to the incident over six hours later. By yesterday, the police were reported pursuing the raiders along the Mara river towards Tanzania. Following the raids, tension is reported high in the area. Incidents of livestock raids in the area are reported almost every three days.
It is also reported that the fight for political supremacy between the Maasai and Kipsigis ethnic communities in the area have been taken down to the civil level, where the impending civic nominations are reported gathering yet another tension in the area between the two ethnic communities.
It is reported that the Maasai are demanding that Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party must ensure that at least a member of the community is nominated in the three slots allocated to the party, failure to which, they would evict the Kipsigis community from the district. The Party of National Unity on the other hand has got two slots, both of which is believed will automatically nominate from the Maasai community.
The just concluded by-elections were hotly contested by PNU’s Gideon Konchella, a Maasai, who won the election and ODM’s Johanna Ngeno, a Kipsigis.
In Laikipia West district, two people were reported shot at and critically injured last night (June 1, 2008) by armed thugs in Githwamba village, Ngarua Division. The two are reported to be recuperating at Nyahururu district hospital where they were rushed to, after the 8 pm incident. Although police from Ngarua police station were reported to have rushed to the scene, no arrests had been made by today midday (June 2, 2008). However, sustained peace dialogue and community security policing in the area had been credited for calm that had been experienced for the past three weeks. For the last four months, armed livestock raids and killings were reported almost every two days in Ngarua and Olmoran Divisions. Besides livestock raids, armed highway robberies have also been rampant in the area.
The partnership between members of the community and security agents in the area however, saw the arrest of some suspected raiders a few weeks ago.
During the Global Week of Action against Small Arms (June 2-8, 2008), the area District Commissioner (D.C), together with peace-building groups in the area held a peace meeting, where it was decided that village peace committees be established in the two Divisions.
The village peace committees are meant to promote traditional conflict resolution mechanisms to address persistent insecurity in the area. The committees are expected to monitor and respond to any emerging violent conflict.
Food security is also reported to be another emerging security threat in the district. It is reported that most people sold most of last year’s harvest at a throw away price for fear of being burnt down during the post election violence, at the beginning of the year.
It is also feared that the harvest this year may drastically reduce due to scarcity of rainfall in the area. Already, food crops are reported wilting away prematurely, with some farmers uprooting them.
Peace And Development Network Trust
(PeaceNet - Trust )
Maalim Juma Rd, Off Denis Pritt Rd
Next To Royal Media Services
P.O. Box 49806-00100
Nairobi - Kenya
Tel: 254-020-2725270/1
Fax: 254-020-2725271
Email:kenneth@peacenetkenya.org
Website: www.peacenetkenya.org
Plugging The Patriotism Gap
July 2nd, 2008By DICK MORRIS
July 2, 2008.
Barack Obama yesterday kicked off a week of patriotic speeches. It’s much more than the normal politician’s July 4 oration - it’s Obama’s answer to a crucial test.
After all, millions of Americans have seen the tapes of the Rev. Jeremiah Wright - Obama’s longtime pastor - damning America, painting our nation as the world’s villain. So voters have a right to wonder how pro-American Obama really is.
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A question on such an existential level is unusual in politics - but so is Rev. Wright.
Obama’s first “patriotism” speech yesterday struck just the right notes in articulating his love of America. If he keeps it up, it will go far toward easing voters’ concerns. The candidate included the usual anti-war rhetoric and noted our failings (”ongoing racial strife,” “perversions of our political system,” “the wrenching poverty of the Mississippi Delta”) - but also paid due homage to the nation that is giving him the opportunity to become its leader. More, he let us know he understands that America is the leading force for good in the world - referring to his “gut instinct that so many of us have, that America is the greatest country on Earth.” |
He praised “the joys of American life and culture - its vitality, its variety, its freedom” and noted that they had “always outweighed its imperfections.” He said that what “makes America great has never been its perfection, but the belief that it can be made better.”
The president is the high priest of our secular religion. From that pulpit, Ronald Reagan affirmed his belief that God placed us as a unique nation between two oceans to offer a beacon of liberty and hope to the world. Abraham Lincoln called the United States the “last best hope of Earth.”
Does Obama embrace this secular faith ardently enough to be its priest? The question lingered after Wright’s expostulations.
Obama made it worse by dealing defensively with patriotism - attacking those who questioned his and wondering aloud if wearing a flag in his lapel was a form of pandering. These musings left us in doubt that he really disagrees with Wright, and really embraces the idea that America is exceptional.
But his “patriotism offensive” shows that he’s learning how to assuage those fears.
Coming out of the primaries, Obama had separate female and male problems. The Supreme Court’s 5-4 ruling on guns likely solves his woman problem - worries about preserving Roe v. Wade should now bring female voters flocking back.
But Hillary Clinton’s male voters will be a harder sell. In the extreme, their worries about Obama’s patriotism even leave some fearing that he could be a sleeper agent sent to the US to destabilize our system. He needs to soothe them at a very fundamental level.
If he keeps striking the same notes as yesterday, Obama can do that. He’ll still face attacks on his plans to raise taxes to intolerable heights or to wreck our health-care system by covering 15 million illegal immigrants - but that’s normal politics.
At least we’ll know that the next president of the United States, should it be Barack Obama, actually likes us.
Terror Chatter High, Protect Your Family!
Thyroid Linked to Heart and 59 Other Diseases!
Death Announcement Of mzee Peterson Ogalo Opala
July 2nd, 200807/02/08
We regret to announce the death in New Jersey of Mzee Peterson Ogalo Opala following a long battle with cancer. Mzee Peterson was the son of Opala Dande and Mama Dorcas Opala of Kodera Bara, Rongo District. He was the husband to Mama Teresa Obunga Ogalo. He was the father to Chris Ogalo and Joshua Ogalo of New Jersey, Joseph Juma Odundo Ogalo of Kisumu Kenya and Maureen Ogalo of Mbita.
He was uncle to Morris Dande of New Jersey, Richard Dande of Oregon, Doreen Dande, Cephas Kute, Noah Nyalele, and Yunia Agumba all of New Jersey, Okelo Mboo of California and Job Dande of Nairobi, Joseph Omanya of New Jersey, Richard Omanya of Boston, Patrick Omanya of Washinton DC, Pastor John and Mary Ogwel of Seattle Washington.
He was father in law to Mennah Saidi Ogalo, Candice Ogalo, Asenath Dande, Elsa Kute, and Lillian Nyalele, Joyce Dande all of New Jersey and Nelly Dande of Oregon.
He was grandfather to Professor Edward Omolo of Pennsylvania, Peninah Abong, Richard Omolo and William Omolo of New Jersey, Caleb Omolo of Pennsylvania, Kennedy Omolo of Boston, Joel Opiyo Midianga of North Carolina, Japeth Midianga, Paul Midianga, Safan Ochuodho of New Jersey, Herman Ochuodho and Christine Ouma of Texas, Mike and Calvin Odera of Maryland, Rosemary and Roy Kute of California, Ray,Vivienne, Arnold and Mikhael Ngoje, Imani Christina Ogalo, Alexis Adhiambo and Junior Ogalo, Kevin Kute, Kate Ojiambo, Brian Ojiambo, Mark-Harris Dande, Pauline Inda, Vicky Inda, Pauline Agumba, Isabell Agumba, Christine Agumba, Tim Agumba all of New Jersey and Sylvia and Yvonne Dande of Oregon.
Mzee Peterson Opala was also an inlaw to Mr and Mrs Naftali Ombwao of New Jersey and Pastor and Mrs Phares Ombayo of Kadem and New Jersey respectively and Mr and Mrs Wise Lumax of New Jersey.
There will be a fund raising on July 12th 2008 at THE NATIONAL GUARD CENTER, 625 Main Street, Woodbridge, NJ 07095, to help transport the remains of the late Mzee to Kenya and to offset the outstanding medical bills.
NATIONAL GUARD CENTER (Woodbridge)
625 MAIN STREET
WOODBRIDGE, NJ 07095
732-421-5750
For further information, the following members of the Funeral Committee can be contacted.
REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVES/COMMITEE MEMBERS
CHAIRMAN Joshua Obel 609-516-5497
Assistant CHAIRMAN Richard Omolo 732-951-1987
Assistant CHAIRMAN John Arende 609-638-0787
SECRETARY Oluoch Munda 609-937-0247
Assistant SECRETARY Tom Tolo 732-213-3858
TREASURER Ochieng Midianga 732-207-5000
Assistant TREASURER Safan Ochuodho 732-421-5750
.KARACHUONYO Peter Kaula 848-391-2673
Tom Ogindo 845-416-4207
2. LOWLAND Amos Atonga 732-586-2849
Monica Ojera 732-249-6190
3. NDHIWA NYATIKE David Okoth 914-737-7109
Naftali Ombwao 732-939-4504
4. MIGORI Bill Ouma 845-705-5425
5. SIAYA Tim Ochido 551-998-8458
Alex Oluoch 732-207-3836
6. NYAKACH Enos Odera 201-960-6740
Andrew Okungu 845-662-1253
7. KANO Ben Odote 732-421-7233
Ann Angengo 610-704-4091
8. KAMAGAMBO Noah Nyalele 732-589-5810
Maurice Dande 732-619-6224
Jonah Ogalo
9. BONDO Arina DC 732-735-9722
Martin Opiacha 732-207-4060
10. RANGWE George Omburo 201-536-9811
Morris Onyuka 609-275-0299
11. FRIENDS -Patrick Okeyo 551-208-8088
-Abraham Mwangagi 856-304-5131
-Joseph Omanya 732-447-3717
-Augustine Onditi 973-432-8212
-Tom Nyaoke 732-322-8057
-Shem Ongoro 732-619-6880
-Chris Mirasy 732-306-1916