Tuesday, November 22, 2005

Michelle McCusker

It broke the news today that a Queens teacher named Michelle McCusker is sueing the Catholic diocese of Brooklyn for firing her after she told the principal of the private, Catholic school that she taught at that she was pregnant, was going to keep the child, and has no plans to marry the father.

Well, a few things here. Aside from the obvious arguments and counter arguments about her lack of a right to be employed against the will of her employer when she has unrepentantly violated her working agreement, lets address the issue of simply asking legitimate questions.

She is quoted as saying:

"I don't understand how a religion that prides itself on forgiving and on valuing life could terminate me because I'm pregnant and choosing to have this baby,"

Parse this with me.

(1) "I don't understand how....because I'm pregnant and choosing to have this baby."

Well. The Catholic church is staunchly anti-abortion, so I guarenee you they're not firing her because she's keeping the baby. In fact, they damn sure would have fired her for NOT keeping it, if they'd known.

(2A) "a religion that prides itself on forgiving..."

You didn't ask forgiveness Michelle. You announced that you weren't going to get married. Asking forgiveness entails admitting you were wrong, and if you felt that you were wrong you would have changed your behavior and gotten married. So obiously, you don't think it was wrong. So how can she be forgiven for something she didn't ask forgiveness for?

(2B)"...and valuing life"

What's that got to do with it? They shouldn't fire you for breaking their rules because they claim to value life? There is no connection here. I suppose you could say that since she made more life, they ought to value her more instead of firing her, but if you said that, you could also say that because they value life so much, you shouldn't be careless with the process that makes it.


Obviously, the statement was a calculated emotional appeal to drum up public outrage. Because, clearly, anyone that would dare go after a pregnant woman is the scourge of enlightened society. My opinion doesn't make me any more worthy to be heard than anyone else, but weather or not anyone feels like reading it, I feel like writing it, if only so I can say something about it, and get it off my chest. And, by that same token, neither does hers. I'm a sinner. I've no stones to throw, but even the Catholic church doesn't deserve an attack like this. They're trying to do the right thing, and their attacker simply doesnt seem to notice that they're only following their own rules, which she was made aware of when they hired her.

That's all from me.

Alexey

Wednesday, November 09, 2005

*WHEW*

OK, I was having a panic reaction.

They're not going to fire me. Everyone in charge of me is going to get notified that I missed it, and I have to sign up to do three more tests to make up for it, but I'm in no danger of loosing my financial support just for this. I suppose it was silly, but then I do like to panic when I drop the ball.

Thanks be to God in the Highest! Hosana!

Alexei

Tuesday, November 08, 2005

Pray for Me.

I screwed something up today.

I was supposed to proctor an exam, and I totally forgot about it.

Not only THAT, but the other proctor (totally unrelated to me in any way) also forgot! Of all the screwups!

I need all your prayers so that I, mercifly, will not be dropped as a GA or otherwise penalized.

Pray to God for me.

Alexei

Thursday, November 03, 2005

Me.



Just so you know who this particular Sinner is.