Nothing is enough for the person to whom enough is too little.
~ Max Lucado in Grace for the Moment
Patriotism: The last refuge of a scoundrel.
~ Samuel Johnson; definition in his dictionary published in the 18th century

The state has, in order to control us, introduced division into our thinking, so that we come to distrust others and look to the state for protection! But the roots of our individualism remind us that what we are is inseparable from the source from which all others derive; that coercive practices that threaten our neighbor also threaten us.
~ Butler Shaffer

The propagandist’s purpose is to make one set of people forget that certain other sets of people are human.
~ Aldous Huxley

Because we fear the responsibility for our actions, we have allowed ourselves to develop the mentality of slaves. Contrary to the stirring sentiments of the Declaration of Independence, we now pledge “our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor” not to one another for our mutual protection, but to the state, whose actions continue to exploit, despoil, and destroy us.
~ Butler D. Shaffer

As Henyard is executed, Catholics gather in prayer

As Henyard is executed, Catholics gather in prayer
Florida Catholic – Orlando,FL,USA

Catholic Bishops of Florida Urge Mercy for Richard Henyard

For Immediate Release
Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Catholic Bishops of Florida Urge Mercy for Richard Henyard
Implore Governor Crist to End Executions

Tallahassee – Governor Crist, the bishops of Florida continue to plead for an end to the use of the death penalty in our state. The September 23 execution of Richard Henyard will be another example of our failure to recognize the inherent dignity of every human being, even those guilty of horrible crimes.  

While the untimely deaths of the two young victims and serious injury to their mother cry out for justice, we are reminded that executions diminish us as a civil society and perpetuate a culture of death instead of a culture of life that acknowledges all are created in God’s image. The details of this crime, including the culpability of the accomplice and the young age of Mr. Henyard at the time of the crime, are enough reason to question the inconsistencies in sentencing in Florida, a point made by the Florida Death Penalty Assessment Team in 2006. 

Life in prison without possibility of parole is severe punishment for offenders. While the Church acknowledges that society has a right to execute violent transgressors, the ability of the modern penal system to protect society makes the need for the death penalty very rare, if not practically nonexistent.  

We pray for and grieve with Dorothy Lewis who lost her daughters, Jasmine and Jamilya, as the result of this crime. No one can truly comprehend the unimaginable loss of two young children.  

Governor Crist, we ask you to spare the life of Richard Henyard. Killing another human being perpetuates violence in our society. We must respect all life, even those who have done great wrong.          

Archbishop John C. Favalora           

Bishop Victor Galeone                                   

Bishop Robert N. Lynch

Bishop Thomas G. Wenski                

Bishop John H. Ricard, SSJ                         

Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito

Bishop Frank J. Dewane                    

Auxiliary Bishop Felipe J. Estevez             

Auxiliary Bishop John G. Noonan