“CEC Bank va emite carduri cu cip si va lansa servicii pentru plata facturilor de servicii si utilitati prin reteaua de bancomate (ATM) a bancii si pentru acceptarea platii cu cardul la comercianti (POS).”

Este foarte tare. CEC BANK nu acceptă trimiterea documentelor prin fax, acceptă doar copie xerox. Cererile trebuie întocmite în câte 2 exemplare, că una e la sediu, alta la sucursală. E cea mai de căcat bancă pe care am întâlnit-o vreodată. Cele mai idioate persoane lucrează la ea. Jurişti care au în faţă actul de moştenire şi actul de proprietate nou, dar cer primul act de proprietate asupra locuinţei. Directoare de sucursală care se comportă cu tine ca şi cum ai fi un cerşetor de pe stradă care stă la pomană. De fapt, nu văd nicio diferenţă între CEC BANK şi fostul C.E.C. Aceleaşi feţe acrite, aceeaşi bunăvoinţă inexistentă.

Carduri de la CEC…sper că nu o să fie prea mulţi care să facă această greşeală.

For the past ten years, the Computer Engineering Club (CEC) has been the anchor of the student community, and the catalyst for uniting the School together. In celebration of the Club’s 10^th anniversary, the School organised a casual get-together, to celebrate not just the success of the Club but also the people behind it. Alumni members as well as current members of the CEC were invited to an afternoon’s soiree on 14 November, at the Union Square.

This joyous occasion received good support from the CEC Alumni who were delighted to catch-up with old friends and muse over the good times shared. Some even came prepared with videos and photos from the past, which were later screened for all to see. A blast from the past, the videos and photos brought back good memories that had everyone smiling. There to share the memories were members of the SCE faculty, Prof Angela Goh (Acting Chair), Assoc Prof Quek Hiok Chai (Assistant Chair, Students) and Assoc Prof Lau Chiew Tong who were delighted to meet with the graduates. Present also was Ms Yong Tsuey Ling (Asst Director, Alumni Affairs Office).

“One of the most satisfying aspects of being a faculty member is to meet up with graduates. I had a great time at the CEC 10th anniversary event. It is heartening to learn of the careers our alumni have built for themselves and the families that have formed since they left NTU,” said Prof Goh.

The organising committee is encouraged by the turn-out as well as the positive feedback received. More such events will be organised in the coming year, where the goal is to strengthen the friendship between the SCE Alumni and the School.  We’ll see you then!

More photos can be found on SCE Facebook, or Here

First published in The Daily News Pakistan.

This is with reference to Charles Ferndale’s article titled “Allowed to be damaged” (November 16). The views expressed by the writer reflect his ignorance with regard to the political system in Pakistan and the Asian region. President Zardari was unanimously elected as co-chairman of the PPP in a meeting of the party’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) in Larkana. Later at the time of his election as president he was once again unanimously nominated as a candidate by the CEC and the Federal Council, the two most powerful decision-making bodies of the PPP.

This is to be remembered that members of these bodies were never selected or handpicked by Mr Zardari. Most of them have been there since the time of Zia’s dictatorship and belong to different parts of the country. He was elected as president of Pakistan with an overwhelming majority from all the four provincial assemblies, the Senate and the National Assembly of Pakistan.

I humbly suggest that the writer should spend sometime studying the social and political culture of South Asia to have a better understanding of political organisations in the region. Here politics is invariably dominated by political successors, be it India, Thailand, Bangladesh, Malaysia or Indonesia.

The Pakistani establishment has time and again tried to carve out a PPP which is not Bhutto-centred, but all its efforts failed. Any such attempt in future is going to be another exercise in futility. If one cannot imagine the Nawaz League without the Sharifs, the MQM without Altaf Husain and the Indian Congress without Sonia Gandhi then there is little choice but to accept Mr Zardari as a reality in the PPP.

No doubt Aitzaz Ahsan is a popular and respected figure in the PPP but his popularity inside the party is subject to his faithfulness with the Bhuttos. In the past, Mustafa Khar, Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi, Meraj Mohammad Khan and Farooq Leghari were equally popular but were abandoned by PPP workers the moment they abandoned the Bhuttos. Like it or not, even today the PPP is the only party which represents all federating units – and Mr Zardari is its head.

Ahmad Nadeem Gehla

Why does any denomination “need” religious orders?  What do they contribute to the spirituality of a denomination?  Why bother at all?  There are plenty of reasons for an individual to seek to align himself or herself with a particular expression, but why should a denomination encourage growth in these organizations? 

Some religious orders serve as a sort spiritual heavy artillery company for the denomination.  Benedictines, Carmelites, Trappists, and other cloistered contemplative orders dedicate themselves entirely unto prayer, presumably praying for wisdom for their denominational leadership and the like.  Orders, on the other hand, like the Franciscans and Dominicans have neither cloister nor cell.  “Their cloister,” as the old saying goes, “is the world.”  As such these orders become great sources of renewal and reform within a denomination.  They pick up the hairy mantle of St. John the Baptist and become “the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way of the Lord.’”  Their adherence to a Rule of Life and continual struggles to live out their call serves as a living witness to the greater Church.  Throughout the ages, Dominicans and Franciscans have been an irritating reminder to the larger Church that Christ calls us to preach the Gospel to all mankind, rich and poor, in both word and deed.  At their inception both the Franciscans and Dominicans were mendicant orders, they rejected the affluence and luxury which accompanied churchmen in the twelfth century and adhered to Our Lord’s directions to the Apostles wherein He said:

“These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: “Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. Provide neither gold nor silver nor copper in your money belts, nor bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor staffs; for a worker is worthy of his food. (St. Matthew 10:5-10)

For a season “Apostolic Poverty,” as their discipline came to be called, was incredibly effective in converting the pagan and heretic and in reforming the luxurious excesses of the Medieval Church.

The Franciscans and Dominicans now represent this continued call to serve as a visible witness to the greater Church.  The Charismatic Episcopal Church originally saw itself as being called to “make visible the void.”  Men and women who submit themselves to a Rule of Life challenge the larger Church to remember what Our Lord has called all of us to do.  They serve as a visible reminder that there a hundreds of thousands of souls in the world who are lost in their sin, suffering horrible privation, and desperately in need of a Savior.  Both the Franciscans and the Dominicans are living, breathing reminders that all Christians are called to preach the Gospel both in Word and in Deed.  The Franciscans most clearly illustrate the call to preach with deeds, while the Dominicans represent most clearly the call to preach with words.

When St. Francis began attracting followers, he was most concerned that they preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ with their lifestyle.  He did not shy away from preaching with words, but the foremost call of the Order of Little Brothers is to show the Gospel lived out.  One of St. Francis’ most famous quotes is rendered “Go ye into all parts of the world and preach the Gospel.  Use words only as a last resort.”  Clearly, their call is to witness by their lifestyle.

The Dominicans, on the other hand, while acknowledging that one must have a lifestyle consistent with the message one preached, were founded as the Order of Preachers.  St. Dominic knew that the world needed not only to see men and women living saintly lives, but also needed to hear intelligent, well-articulated explanations of why they chose to live in that manner.  He insisted that his followers be diligent in both prayer and study so that they might live out and understand the Gospel that they preached.  He wanted his Order to be a group of men who could not only stand up to the temptation of the world around them, but could also face down the heretics and their damnable arguments, refuting them with sound teaching and well-reasoned explanations. 

So, why does the Charismatic Episcopal Church “need” Dominicans?  The Charismatic Episcopal Church needs the Dominicans because we are a Convergence church.  We believe that the Church is strongest when the Evangelical, Charismatic and Sacramental streams all flow together as one mighty river.  The Dominicans are inherently Evangelical as they are called to light the world on fire with their preaching of the Holy Gospel, to bring souls to a saving knowledge of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and persuade the heretic and the agnostic with effective teaching and preaching of the Word of God.  The Dominicans are inherently Charismatic as they acknowledge that we are nothing without being filled with and anointed with the power of the Holy Spirit, that, when confronted by judges and rulers, heretics and pagans, it is the Holy Spirit who will give us what to say, and that signs and wonders are given to the Church for the sake of winning converts. The Dominicans are inherently Sacramental as they not only worship the Lord and draw strength from partaking in the most holy Body and Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ, but even more so as they themselves are an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual blessing as the Dominican embody the call of all Christians to live lives of obedience, submitted to Our Lord and preach the Gospel to all nations.  The Dominicans embody Convergence Worship and Convergence Worship is one of the very pillars of the ICCEC.

Chek Out the Technology and Media  TAM website of Council for Exceptional Children

Consider Purchasing this Terrific Series (Go to TAM website  for purchasing information)

November 2009 Exercise – Michael Rosen, CEC, Executive Chef, The Speedway Club @ Lowe’s Motor Speedway, Concord, NC

Snake River Kobe Flat Iron Steak and Fresh Maine Lobster

Herb Fingerling Potatoes, Grilled Asparagus with Shitake Mushrooms

Finished with Shallot Demi Reduction

To participate in the next exercise, please send an e mail to: jeffrey@bauscherinc.com

See all your favorite chefs’ collections of past submissions at the Deep Plate page on Facebook.  Please become a “Fan”. 

http://deepplate.wordpress.com and “Deep Plate” on Facebook

Hello all, I recently posted this reply, explanation and apology on CEChealing

First of all… for anyone who felt like I was trying to be malicious towards the CEC, I wish to apologize and ask for forgiveness. That was never my intention, and I am still a faithful and loyal member of the CEC, attending Lifepath Church in New Port, RI.

I would like to address some things to therestofthestorynow…

Yes, in the beginning, my family was given money – enough to virtually to cover everything. For reasons of which I am sure are genuine, that amount continued for about a year I believe, and has gradually decreased… going to sometime next year… I am not sure if it is January or not, to zero. While the amount that was given was enough to cover the mortgage and all the other bills, including medicine and special needs for my dad, yes, the mortgage was being paid… in fact, it was up until June of this year, when one of the cuts in the amount happened, my mother was able to pay the mortgage, since then it has not been possible. Second, I do not expect “unlimited” finances for life, and I, nor my family, ever have. All my mother has wanted is a roof over her head, food on the table, and the finds to get her (she had stage 4 lymphoma the year before the stroke) and dad’s medicine.

I am not upset over my dad’s illness, in fact, in ways, as God always does, it has not been a “blessing,” but it has not been a curse either. For the finances before, ask the 150 people who received two bags of groceries a week every Wednesday at noon, my dad gave everything that he was and had for those in need, even at the expense of everything else. Acts 4:32-37 should be a good reference point.

About the CEC not letting my parents lose the home, I was under the same impression, by direct source. I do not know what has happened since August, I no longer live in Georgia, and I was just as shocked by my mother’s announcement on facebook at the beginning of last month as everyone else.

I agree, the mortgage payment, and stipend for food and needed medicine would be great, in fact, that is all I have ever wanted.

Asx his eldest son, I wish I could be in Georgia taking care of him, etc, however, I am in Rhode Island, with my wife and newborn daughter, and I must also provide for them. When I can do something, I will, etc.

Lastly, I am not mad, nor do I wish to cause any strife or anyone’s “justification.” For causing strife and possible misunderstanding, I do ask everyone for forgiveness. Again, I thank everyone for their prayers, love, and support, both within the CEC and without. For more information on the support effort, please visit the following webpage:

http://hollowayfamily.wordpress.com

Thank you all, God Bless,

Saepe Cogitamus,
Jared Holloway

Our last blog at replyforall covered the worldwide action around climate change, led by 350.org.  With thousands of actions in over 180 countries, it’s hard to deny that we’re serious about the issue.

Climate Change Map

Are we in the minority?  The same weekend that hundreds of thousands of people came out to take a stand for earth, an article was published in the New York Times saying that Americans, at least, are cooling on the issue of global warming.

The research to suggest this comes from the Pew Research Center, which reports that the number of Americans who believe that global warming is a big issue has dropped sharply.  In April of last year, 44% said that global warming was a very serious problem; this year, only 35% of people interviewed did.  Of course, what is categorized as “serious” can be very relative–but facts are facts, right?  The research shows that only 36% of Americans believe that human activity causes rising temperatures, down from 47% last year.

Has the evidence been shoved aside, or has new evidence clouded our understanding of the issue of climate change?  The good news is, according to Pew, a majority of Americans still believe that the United States should join other countries to set standards around global climate change.

Yet, the U.N. has lowered its expectations of the climate change summit in Copenhagen, stating that a legally binding deal between developed nations will take longer than they expected.  And the legislation for cap and trade, or any substantive climate policy, has been buried in Congress.

Maybe truthdig.com is right– Americans won’t believe in global warming until they’re actually melting.  So thank you to our users for staying aware and spreading that awareness to your friends with the fight global warming email signature.  replyforall is so happy that your emails are driving donations to ClimateCounts.org and the Clean Energy Coalition– two organizations who aren’t cooling off when it comes to global climate change and the need to act now.

What do you think about changing perceptions?  We’d love to hear what you have to say, comment below!

Fight the Good Fight,

Johanna Hudgens

Nylon and polyester create nitrous oxide which is 310 times worse than CO2. sponsored by By using this email signature, Johanna and ClimateCounts.org prevented 1,030 kg of CO2 from entering our skies.

Related articles by check out!

• Survey Says: Americans Not Worried About Global Warming (blogs.wsj.com)
• If Cap-and-Trade is So Terrible, What’s the Alternative? (blogs.wsj.com)
• UN Signals Delay in Climate Change Treaty (usnews.com)
• Poor nations accuse rich over climate (guardian.co.uk)

Chris will be at the CEC Conference this weekend. It is a perfect opportunity to see Bridges and YOUDLE products in-person!

November 6 – 7
Ontario CEC Conference, Oakville – Holiday Inn Select

Come on out to try and buy our products! We look forward to seeing you there.

Also, our housewarming is just over a week away. Click here to see more information.

Date: Wednesday, November 11
Time: 3:00 – 5:00 (p.m.)
Location: 2550 Argentia Road, Suite 121 (Mississauga)

We’ll have lots of high-tech and easy-tech products on display for you to try, snacks and drinks, freebies, and big prizes for some lucky winners who drop by!

Try out the latest:
• Co:Writer
• Write:OutLoud
• YOUDLE School Kits
• Classroom manipulatives
…and much more!

15% off of all YOUDLE products on November 11!* (*must be purchased onsite)

I learned yesterday that we might be able to postpone the sale date of our current house until January 1, 2010. Today, Fr. Paul Massey contacted the law firm that is in charge of the foreclosure and requested the sale date be delayed. The person with whom he spoke was very sympathetic and said that they will contact the lender, as the law firm is not in control of the sale date. Fr. Massey was assured that the law firm will contact the lender no later than next Wednesday (November 4th). Fr. Massey will then get back in touch with the law firm next Friday (November 6th) to see if a decision was made.

We ask that you pray that the sale date be postponed until January 1st. This will give us more time to find a better housing solution and will give us the opportunity to get through the holidays in one home.

In terms of the housing search, my mom and I looked at a home today in Thomaston. It looks good, but we are continuing our search. We will keep everyone posted to any developments.

Thank you for your prayers and support.

–Jacob

Update from Jacob and my parents housing situation

Again, thanks to everyone for their support and prayers!
JZ Holloway

I wanted to let everyone know what has been going on the past several days.

On Tuesday, October 27, a joint-signature checking account was opened at First Bank of Pike with Jacob Holloway and Jason Brisendine as the signatories. The purpose of this account is to store and disseminate all funds that have been and are being raised towards finding a solution to my parent’s housing dilemma. In that regard, it was agreed upon by myself and Mr. Brisendine, that all funds raised will go only towards future rent (or mortgage/housing payment) and costs directly associated with home-ownership (i.e. utilities, taxes, etc.). Funds raised will not be used for anything not directly associated with a future home. This is why a joint-signature account was established; to ensure that all funds will be used for their originally intended purpose. If you wish to give towards a different need, please contact Jacob (jbh301@gmail.com or 706-741-0912 [cell]).

Also, Elaine has been diligently searching for another home. She has contacted several realty agencies, as well as numerous individuals who are attempting to sell or rent their homes. There are a few possibilities at the moment, but nothing extraordinary that really seems what God has for us. We will intensify the search this weekend. Please pray that God will direct the entire search process and that the home He has for us will be released!

Thank you to everyone who has contacted us, who is praying, and who has given. We truly appreciate each and every one of you. Please continue to keep us in your prayers.

–Jacob

Fracţiunea municipală a Partidului Comuniştilor a cerut, în şedinţa de astăzi a CMC, să fie examinată activitatea primarului general al capitalei, Dorin Chirtoacă, privind implicarea acestuia în două campanii electorale. În acest sens, consilierii comunişti au înaintat o declaraţie Comisiei Electorale Centrale şi Consiliului Municipal Chişinău.

Potrivit declaraţiei, începînd cu luna februarie anul curent, Chirtoacă nu şi-ar fi îndeplinit atribuţiile de funcţie conform legislaţiei în vigoare. “În această perioadă, Chirtoacă a fost implicat în campania electorală pentru alegerile parlamentare în Republica Moldova. El a continuat să-şi exercite atribuţiile funcţionale în cadrul Primăriei Chişinău, participînd la şedinţele Consiliului municipal, contribuind astfel la luarea unor decizii de importanţă majoră”, a declarat consilierul comunist Ştefan Crudu.

La rîndul său, edilul capitalei a ţinut să amintească că în perioada participării în campaniile electorale pentru scrutinele din 5 aprilie şi respectiv 29 iulie, a fost degrevat din funcţie, conform legislaţiei în vigoare. “Cred că este normal că am participat la şedinţele CMC şi dacă nu au fost eliminaţi din funcţie spicherul, premierul şi preşedintele ţării, care ocupă funcţii mai importante, nu cred că e o problemă”, a opinat Chirtoacă.

Declaraţia a fost semnată de 11 din cei 16 consilieri comunişti şi consilierul neafiliat Oleg Onişcenco. Contactat telefonic, Onişcenco a spus că a semnat deoarece susţine pretenţiile înaintate primarului Chirtoacă, pentru că acesta “nu face nimic nici în Primărie, şi nici în Parlament”, a afirmat Onişcenco.

Con este título el próximo día 24 de noviembre a las 18.30 horas tendrá lugar el próximo acto de la Comisión de Organización y Sistemas de Información (OSI). El acto tendrá lugar en la sede del Colegio de Economistas de Catalunya (Av. Diagonal, 512, pral. – Barcelona) y estará orientado a darnos a conocer en que consiste la Gestión de la Continuidad de Negocio, una disciplina en alza.

El acto es gratuito pero el foro es limitado, las inscripciones se realizan enviando un mail a info@accid.org.

Más información en el Blog de la Comisión OSI.

Please look at this post by my brother on my family’s blog. It contains information about the pending foreclosure, etc. Thanks!

House Update

Also, here is the main link to my family’s blog for more updates and information

The Holloways

Bishop Holloway, Christmas 2008

As many of you know, our home was foreclosed on almost two weeks ago. After much prayer and counsel, it was decided that saving the home was not a viable long-term solution and that we should begin looking for alternative housing. The sale date for the property is presently set at December 1, 2009. We have about 4 weeks, give or take, to find another house and move. We have attempted to negotiate a later sell date with the lender and have thus far been unsuccessful.

We are thankful for your prayers and are now asking for your help. A special bank joint-signature bank account will be opened tomorrow at First Bank of Pike in Zebulon, Georgia. Jacob will be one of the signatories and Jason Brisendine will be the other. All funds raised will be directed towards a “new” residence for our family. Funds will not be used for food, entertainment, or any other non-housing related expense. We are primarily concerned with finding another place to live at the moment. If you need any further information, please contact Jacob (jbh301@gmail.com) directly. He is acting on behalf of the family in this situation and has all of the pertinent information. He asks that you only contact him. We thank you greatly for your willingness to give in any way possible. We understand that this is a difficult time for us all.

Below is information on the situation that was written by Elaine:

“In July 2006, Elaine was diagnosed with stage 4 Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and told there was “no hope”; she had two months to live. She would never get into Emory to get treatment that may help because the Holloway’s had no medical insurance. God opened the door for her to be treated at Emory Hospital and the Winship Clinic. She has now been declared cancer free, but remains under the care of doctors at Emory. Elaine also had to have cataract surgery and remains under the care of a retina specialist in Atlanta for bleeding in her eyes. On June 8, 2007, Bishop John Holloway suffered a massive stroke. He was taken to Emory where they had to remove part of his skull because of swelling of his brain. He has been sent home three times to die, but still gets stronger. He was under Hospice Care until they had to release him because of his improvement. In October 2007, he had to have his left leg amputated above the knee. He still has not had his skull replaced. He is at home, bound to his bed or wheelchair, but always in great humor. Then doctors discovered a quarter-sized hole in Jacob’s heart. In May 2008, he had open-heart surgery to successfully repair his heart. Being the primary caregiver of Bishop John, Elaine also homeschools Josiah and Hannah, who also help with their Dad on a daily basis.

The Holloway family is entirely dependent upon God to meet the overwhelming needs they face every day. Because Bishop John opted out of social security in 1975, they have no government support or income and no medical insurance or assistance. The Charismatic Episcopal Church, where Bishop John is a medically retired bishop, has done over and above what they should have been able to do for this family, but it has not been enough to save their home from foreclosure. Their residence in Thomaston has been home for Bishop John, Elaine, Jacob, Josiah and Hannah for the past 16 years. The Holloways are looking for a new home and are in need of financial support. The Holloway family asks that you help as you can. May God bless your generosity!

Checks from individuals may be made out to: Diocese of the Mid-South and
mailed to: 4881 Highway 34 East Sharpsburg, GA 30277. Please include in the memo “Benevolence”.

Checks from churches should be made out to “Holloway Housing Fund”,

and mailed to First Bank of Pike, Attn. Jason Brisendine, PO Box 1028, Zebulon, GA 30295.

Questions? Please call Jacob Holloway, 706-741-0912 (cell).”

La fel de bine aş putea spune că funcţionarii publici îşi cumpără poşetuţe „luis viton” şi sandale versace din banii mei. Poate o să spuneţi că nu-i nimic nou în asta, şi aveţi dreptate, dar aşa tare mă enervează prostia, nepăsarea şi curbele din parlament încât nu pot să nu scriu despre asta.

Să vă povestesc…

Vine o vreme în viaţa fiecărui posesor de dacie când trebuie să spună adio minunăţiei pe patru roţi legate cu sârmă, iar acea zi este un blestem indiferent de soarta maşinuţei. Dar să mergem pe caz concret, mai exact momentul în care vrei să vinzi „otomobilul”.

Trecem peste faza cu alegerea cumpărătorului – nu o poţi da oricui, doar e piesă de muzeu, nu? – şi ajungem direct la acte. Cuvântul acte implică funcţionari publici, deci vrăjitoare frustrate, pe la 45-50 de ani, divorţate şi experte în calculatoare. Ce să mai, bune la toate.

Pentru a vinde o maşină îţi trebuie, printre multe altele, certificat fiscal. În cazul meu, a fost necesară o vizită la administraţia financiară sector 5 (Kogălniceanu). Când am ajuns acolo, m-am îndreptat către prima doamnă din spatele primului ghişeu şi i-am spus că vreau să-mi elibereze un certificat fiscal.

Zis şi făcut. Mă caută în baza de date – 13 minute după ceas – şi dă verdictul: Nu se poate!. De ce? Păi aveţi o amendă neplătităăăăă, diiiin 2007. După 5 minute de ba nu, ba da mă dau bătută.

Ajung la ANAF – acolo m-a trimis demonu din Kogălniceanu- şi repet figura, în speranţa că a doua oară e cu noroc: prima doamnă, primul ghişeu. Îi explic mimozei care e treaba şi culmea, mă priveşte parcă vrăjită de ceea ce îi spuneam. După 5 minute de explicaţii îmi spune: Nu la noi. La biroul de taxe şi impozite sector 5.

Era deja al treilea drum pe care îl făceam şi deja căutam camerele de filmat. Tre’ să fiu la camera ascunsă. Da, asta e explicaţia. Sunt la camera ascunsă! La biroul de taxe şi impozite aflu, pentru a treia oară, că am o amendă neplătită. Şi din nou…”nuuu la noi, la C.E.C-ul mare de la Alba Iulia unde fie plătiţi amenda, fie vă scoate un duplicat că ar fi achitată”. Eram în spumele mări, vedeam alb negru şi îmi venea să fac ca toate animalele pădurii.

Când am dat peste o faţă cunoscută la C.E.C am zis că sunt cea mai norocoasă persoană din lume. Mă îndrept către faţa cunoscută şi o rog frumos să-mi scoată un duplicat după o amendă plătită în 2007.

Mi-a dat un scaun şi mi-a explicat că pentru asta trebuie făcută o cerere către director şi că durează între două şi trei săptămâni până ajunge la el şi încă pe atât până îmi dă un răspuns. “Păi eu trebuie să înmatriculez maşina într-o lună!!!! Nu pot să aştept 2 luni după un certificat”.

Păăăăi…altfel nu se poate! Ştiţi, suntem în 2009, ar fi cazul să o plătiţi. Păi am plătit-o, de asta sunt aici. Vreau un duplicat.

-Ba nu aţi plătit nimic!

-Ba da, chiar la dumneavoastră am plătit.

-Eu nu-mi aduc aminte.

-Păi nici nu aveţi cum. Dar eu îmi amintesc.

-Eu nu, deci nu e plătită. Şi nici în baza de date nu sunteţi cu afirmativ.

Renunţ, că aşa nu ajung nicăieri, şi îi dau caşalotului 156 de lei, cât spunea că îi datoram. Cu chitanţa în dinţi, am mers frumuşel din nou la biroul taxe şi impozite (în Sebastian, sector 5) de unde am luat o ştampilă şi un post-it. Cu el m-am dus din nou la Kogălniceanu de unde am luat certificatul fiscal.

Mi-au spus să merg la următorul ghişeu pentru a face radierea. “Dar ieri când am sunat mi-aţi spus că se face din oficiu”.

“Da? A fost o greşeală, nu se face. La următorul ghişeu”.

Am mers la ghişeul urmăor unde bineînţeles că îmi trebuia contractul de vânzare-cumpărare în original (pe care nu-l aveam la mine). M-am întors acasă l-am luat şi am revenit la Administraţia Financiară în Kogălniceanu. Era 16.00 şi după 7 ore am terminat cu tot ce aveam de făcut.

Pour déroger à la règle que je me suis fixée de ne jamais publier de billets le dimanche (les bédés sont programmées à l’avance), tu penses bien qu’il me fallait une bonne raison. J’en ai une. Le titre aurait aussi pu être : “Comment le blogueur, en voulant rapidement donner son avis avant le coucher du soleil, s’est vautré en plein dans les défauts de la précipitation” (mais c’était un peu long).

Bon. Reparlons du Père Andrew qui joue au poker à la télé pour sa paroisse. Pour le coup, j’ai effectivement mal compris le fond de cette histoire, et je me suis un peu ramassé en en tirant des conclusions hâtives. En cela, je remercie vraiment le père David Lerouge d’être venu mettre un peu de bon sens dans les commentaires avant qu’ils ne partent en trop forts jugements, et aussi le père Andrew Trapp lui-même, venu donner sa version des faits (en français, s’il vous plaît !).

Là, visiblement, il vient de gagner...

J’avoue ne pas être fâché malgré tout d’avoir dit dans mon précédent billet que je le trouvais vraiment sympathique et que l’initiative m’amusait ; ça m’évitera de trop donner l’impression de retourner ma veste maintenant. De fait, je maintiens absolument : le culot avec lequel il est allé joué a quelque chose qui me plaît. Et je trouve son commentaire beaucoup plus juste dans son expression que les mauvais résumés de la situation lus ici ou là…

Précisons donc un détail, que le Père Andrew éclaircit lui-même : il n’a pas joué l’argent de sa paroisse ! Bon point. Ce n’était vraiment qu’un jeu télévisé, ce qui change pas mal de choses, avouons-le.

Mais qui ne change pas tout… Alors que j’écris, Poussah est en train de me dire : “Tu as raisonné juste sur des assomptions fausses” ; il a raison. Il y a clairement une erreur de ma part, mais que ce soit l’occasion de réaffirmer quelques trucs ! J’avais pris cette histoire aussi comme  un prétexte pour parler des jeux d’argent. Je peux donc maintenir sans rougir tout ce que j’ai dit à ce sujet. En répétant même un point : je trouve mille fois plus convaincante son explication du principe du jeu que les pauvres tentatives de se raccrocher au CEC pour justifier la démarche. Le Catéchisme – comme, a fortiori, l’Évangile – ne peut pas et ne doit pas se laisser contorsionner pour entrer dans les cases de nos propres justifications. Je maintiens donc que la citation censée justifier la démarche ne s’applique pas à un jeu dont le principe est l’intimidation et l’écrasement, dès lors que les sommes des gains sont telles.

La problématique de l’évangélisation continue d’ailleurs de me poser problème (i.e. je suis toujours pas convaincu !), parce qu’autant imaginer un prêtre qui joue des mises symboliques avec des jeunes pour établir une relation me plaît beaucoup, autant aller à la télévision dans un jeu qui me semble contestable dès lors que les enjeux financiers sont trop forts me grattouille un peu… Encore une fois : je me garderai bien de condamner, mais je suis sceptique sur les effets réels et la pertinence de tout cela.

Peut-être peut-on voir dans tout ça une vraie invitation à la prudence dans notre “utilisation” de l’Ecriture et de la Tradition. Citer le Catéchisme, c’est bien (et même très bien), mais ça ne dispense certainement pas de s’interroger. Si on pouvait l’avoir plutôt comme une lumière pour éclairer notre propos, et pas comme un pur argument d’autorité laissant peu de place à la contestation, ce serait pas mal. Cette réflexion s’applique évidemment autant à moi qu’à toi, commentateur régulier ou occasionnel.

En tout cas, à contester les bonnes intentions du Père Andrew, qui me semblaient donner lieu à une démarche inadaptée, j’admets être tombé dans le travers que je dénonçais. La prochaine fois (curieusement, c’est la base de mon métier – comme quoi je suis ici bien plus blogueur que journaliste), je tâcherai de ne pas simplement avoir de bonnes intentions, mais d’aller vérifier un peu plus avant de m’emporter.

Sans rancune, Father ?