Circle of Protection

I believe Circle of Protection is a great idea because so many people are effected by today's economy.  Obama and Romney both have different views on how to find a solution to the problem.  Because there are so many people out of work, Romney has a five part economic plan that will create 12 million jobs by the end of his first term.  He also wants to give more money to the poor and less to the rich.  Obama discussed the problems in the economy as well.  The president wants to make the economy better for everyone not just one section of the population.  Obama believes everyone should have access to food, a good education, and retirement.  Obama also intends to encourage others to help the needy while he plans to pay down the nation's debt.

I believe both Obama and Romney have great plans for fixing the economy.  Both politicians are performing works of justice because they are not just giving to those who are less fortunate.  They are both trying to solve the long term problem.  They plan to create more jobs in hopes that those out of work can change their current financial lives for the rest of their lives.  In my eyes both candidates have strong statements, but they are just words.  I am not sure which candidate will actually carry out their plans solve the problem.  I do not see any faults in either plan.

Project H.O.M.E.

Project H.O.M.E in Philadelphia enables people to help break the cycle of homelessness.  I believe Project H.O.M.E promotes justice rather than charity.  Project H.O.M.E is working to make a life long change instead of a temporary change.  This organization is not simply giving out food or supplies to the homeless, but it is trying to focus on stable housing.  This organization is extremely different from many other traditional homeless shelters.  Many homeless shelters such as Saint John's Hospice provide temporary shelter and provide daily food to those in need.

I believe Project H.O.M.E is a better model because those that are homeless need to be educated and they need to have the opportunity to work in order to turn their life around.  They are providing a permanent solution to the problems these homeless people are facing.

After looking on the website, I believe the most important program Project H.O.M.E offers is the Education & Employment Program.  This program offers a wide variety of services that are customized to the specific needs of the individual.  The homeless people are able to learn in a three-story technology center in the hopes of increasing their educational and employment opportunities.

Should We Forgive Osama Bin Laden?

To be honest, the question of whether or not we should forgive Osama Bin Laden has never really come to mind.  My first response would be no.  Why should we forgive someone who maliciously attacked our country and killed thousands of American people?  9/11 is a day that no American will ever forget.  Although I do not remember the day in great detail, I am aware of the effects it had on this country.  Many people who lost family, friends, and loved ones, are still affected eleven years later.  So why should we forgive Osama Bin Laden?

After reading Mike Hayes post, my view on this topic changed a small bit.  Mike Hayes writes, “…forgiveness does not give assent to the horrible actions committed by another.” He later goes on to write that forgiveness allows us to move on with our lives and break free of the anger that still controls our lives.  I believe Hayes has a good point.  If we the American people forgive Bin Laden, we can try and move on.  We do not have to forget what happened and we don’t have to think what happened was okay, but we can take a step in the right direction.  We can learn from what happened on 9/11.

We as Catholics are called to live like Jesus and follow his example.  When thinking about this question, Jesus nailed to the cross comes to mind.  When Jesus was dying on the cross he forgave every single person condemning him.  This in no way is different.  Jesus was in pain, upset, and betrayed, just like the American people on 9/11.  We need to be like Jesus and forgive Osama Bin Laden.  Like Hayes writes, “…we are indeed called to forgive Osama Bin Laden.  In doing so, we become more like God.”