Phoenix Catholics Come Home

Mass attendance is up 22% in the Diocese of Phoenix after the airing of these (and other) Catholics Come Home ads. This doesn't surprise me; I don't consider myself too sensitive, but these ads make me "go a big rubbery one." (Thanks Tyler Durdan).

Spanish journalists have some integrity...

Translation: Long live the mother (YES!) who bore me!

Following a huge pro-life manifestation in Spain, all three major Spanish papers (el Pais, el Mundo and ABC) all provide extensive coverage of the events. This is in stark contrast with the complete lack of coverage by the New York Times and all three major networks who completely ignored the American annual March for Life.

Flood Observations

The situation is precarious here in Fargo, North Dakota. After a particularly snow-laden winter, we are possibly about to experience the effects of a "100 year" flood. The members of the community are well-aware of the consequences of such an event; in 1997, Grand Forks, our neighbor to the North, experienced an inundation resulting in evacuation, scattering of families (and school students) and over $3billion worth of damage. After a few days of increasing predictions, the Red River of the North here in Fargo is expected to crest between 39 and 41 ft. (Cf. record of 39.1 in 1897) on Saturday @ 1pm and stay there a few days. However, this prediction could be shaky considering the unprecedented water levels coming from the Wild Rice (a source tributary). The thousand of volunteers are expected to have filled nearly 2 million sandbags for temporary levees by tomorrow. Unfortunately, many rural residents have already lost their homes, including in small-town neighboring Oxbow. I've spent many hours working with people in the community and the solidarity I've witnessed is startling. Truly, the Salt of the Earth dwells here in Fargo. Pray for us if you're from afar and if you're from "anear," do whacha can.

UPDATE (Mar 25th): Fr. Z. in Rome offers the "Blessing of a Community against Floods" for us here in North Dakota.

UPDATE (Mar 27th): Sooo...the new crest predictions are as follows: the Red may crest between 41 and 43ft. by Saturday evening and linger until Thursday before letting up. Meritcare Hospital has evacuated all non-emergency patients (critical or otherwise) to neighboring hospitals. Portions of Moorhead south of the Interstate have been evacuated by mandate as well as Riverview Estates and Lindenwood neighborhoods in Fargo. My parents' home is smack-dab in the Fargo "Red Zone," i.e., the place to which other residents will seek refuge should 'the worst' occur. Thus, we have a house full of guests, family, friends and pets. Woohoo.

Gov. Hoeven has activated some 1400 Guardsmen in order to raise levees to 44 ft.

Fargo Mayor Walaker's phrases of the day?: 'We're entering un-chartered territory' and 'The only thing we haven't had yet is a tornado.' Rough quotes of course.

Self-Deprecating Anecdote of the Day?: My brother and his fiancee were sandbaggin' on the other end of the line as me when they heard: Who's that bossy guy at the end of the line? My brother's fiancee's response: that's my future brother-in-law. : )

NYTimes Krugman: Obama/Geitner plan will almost certainly fail.

The New York Times liberal and Obamaphile Paul Krugman says financial plan will fail. (Via: Say Anything blog)

Steyn-o-mania

The Outrage Kabuki
And the limits of telepromptered cool.

By Mark Steyn

Iran: Obama, try harder!

Iran (that tiny country) rebuffs Obama's outstretched hand.

Oooops! CBO: Obama's budget projections off by a couple trillion dollars

According to the Washington Post, the first non-partisan assessment by the Congressional Budget Office projects a budget deficit of $9.3 trillion by the end of the decade; Allahpundit's analysis.