Michigan, USA – On this day of gratitude, commonly referred to as Thanksgiving, Chaldeans help show the spirit of good will and giving.  Chaldeans throughout the metro-Detroit area are once again out in full force helping their neighbors this thanksgiving.  Chaldean churches, businesses, and Chaldean charity organizations will be giving out well over a thousand turkeys and side foods to needy families.  Chaldean churches and groups like the Chaldean American Ladies of Charity, Chaldean Teens Coming Together, and Chaldean American Professionals plan on distributing thanksgiving meals and turkeys. 

Other Chaldean charity groups like UR of the Chaldees are buying grocery for seniors who live alone. Adopt-A-Refugee-Family is raising funds to help needy refugee families scattered throughout the world.  The Newcomers group is taking underprivileged youth out on field trips.  Chaldean grocery stores and restaurants are also helping. 

Danny Yono, owner of J's Kabob restaurant will provide free Thanksgiving feasts for anyone who can’t afford a meal with the trimmings or doesn’t want to eat alone.  From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, J’s Kabob, 2941 Coolidge, Berkley, will host its second annual free Thanksgiving Day dinner. Anyone can get a carryout of turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn and rolls.

Michigan, USA – These are undoubtedly desperate times.  The economy in the U.S. is on the decline and Michigan’s economy has drifted far to the center of thin ice.  Some are blaming Michigan’s political leaders for their mismanagement and high taxes, others fault the unions for their greedy self-interest.  The rhetoric is tiresome.  Finger pointing does little to help.  So who can we turn to model the leadership we all desperately seek?  The Chaldean American Ladies of Charity, affectionately known as CALC. 

We may think we have it tough, but CACL volunteers will be quick help correct our perceptions should we wallow in self-pity or fictional misery.  CALC has seen some of the most desperate and in need.  Instead of blaming others or complaining, CALC leaders went to work.  They have been diligently working to fill a portable on demand storage (PODS) of common goods to help those in need.  Today and tomorrow (Saturday, Nov 23 and Sunday, Nov 24) are the last two days of a month long campaign of collecting items to help the needy. 

In the parking lot of St. Thomas Chaldean Catholic Church in West Bloomfield, Michigan a large PODS container sits in the parking lot.  Donors are asked to please help those in need by bringing new or good conditioned blankets, comforters, sheets, pillows, and mattress pads and dropping them into the storage truck.

California, USA – The news on California defense of marriage proposal passing is causing a ruckus.  So www.CHALDEAN.org returned for reactions from three friends, Gina Ateek, Jonathan Shayota, and Ira Davidson were interviewed on the proposal.  The three were still at odds over the issue.  The three friends are not the only ones arguing over the passage of the proposal.  Many of the arguments have reached violent levels. 

The nation was shocked when images of an old lady being surrounding, intimidated, threatened, shoved, pushed, and spat upon, while other protestors try to cover the abuse instead of helping the old lady.  Another woman is assaulted and beaten with her own bible as police witness the crime, but fail to arrest the gay assailants.  Envelopes are sent to churches in Utah with white anthrax-like power.  In Colorado bibles are burnt and thrown at churches.  In Michigan, gay activist storm a church cursing, throwing papers, and screaming “it’s okay to be gay,” eyewitnesses tell reporters.  Video surveillance of the crime shows parishioners stunned and worried with fear as the perpetrators attack the house of worship. 

“These are communist and Gestapo type tactics,” says Jonathan Shayota, a leading Chaldean supporter of the proposal.  “Gay activist are trying to ruin people by creating a black-list of individuals who supported defending marriage between one man and one woman.”  Gay activist defend the list and ignore claims their online lists are being used to violently target those who defend marriage.  “What they say is that they have a responsibility to let the world know who the people are and if they get harassed, intimidated, or attacked they can’t stop that or police every gay supporter,” says Shayota.  “I am on some of the lists and have already received harassing phone calls.” 

“Why should it bother you if gays are allowed to marry,” says Ira Davidson, frustrated over the ballot measure passing and the uncontrollable violence of gay protestors.  Gina Ateek is more than happy to refute that gay marriage is harmless and gives her reasons why most Americans are against gay marriage.

Arizona, USA – Justin Meram, the greatest offensive player in the history of the ACCAC takes his team to victory once more.  Chaldeans are known for their incredible soccer skills and the hot dry desert air must have made Justin Meram’s DNA tingle.  

The Yavapai College sophomore star dominated the conference and helped advance the undefeated Roughriders to another Soccer Nationals. 

Meram, a 6-foot-1 attacker who arrived in Prescott by way of Eisenhower High School in Shelby Township, Mich., mesmerized the team his soccer ability.

The soccer sensation sets a record of 49 goals in a career. This year alone he has 28 goals and 17 assists, tied for the single-season program record.  Meram led the conference in assists and tied for the lead in goals in conference play with teammate Francis Khamis with 21. The unstoppable Meram received the ACCAC and Region 1 Player of the Year awards. He's one of only five players in the nation with over 28 goals in 2008, and his 20 assists are the most among the top five scorers.

Michigan, USA – While the automotive giants and industry big houses are off begging for bail-out funds, real business leadership, entrepreneurship, and innovation are busy finding new ways to better serve customers.  Ask John Abbo, owner of Mobil station at Clyde Road and U.S. 23 in Hartland Township, who has transformed the gas station into a convenient one-stop-shop. 

"The general trend is consumption of petroleum has gone down; it has affected our industry a lot," Abbo said. "We're fortunate that we were able to do the different type of things that we did, like put in a new grill, and we've now converted the store into a market. Gas stations aren't what they used to be."

Abbo has expanded offerings at his 5,000-square-foot station, which he now refers to as the "Hartland General Store," including adding a full liquor collection, expanding Hartland Express Pizza into a grill and selling Michigan Department of Natural Resources hunting and fishing licenses on site. Frozen foods, a deli and other offerings are also included in the renovations, which are expected to wrap up within the next month or so.

In all, Abbo said, he's poured nearly a quarter of a million dollars in improvements.

Michigan, USA – St. Joseph Chaldean Catholic Church in Troy, Michigan continues to host an array of services for refugee assistance.  Along with English classes, school tutoring for children, and family support services the church campus will now feature special workshops geared to refugee families.  

“The love and help for us at St. Jospeh and all the churches, makes me thank God every second,” says Habiba Yousip through a translator.  “If it was not for our Church we would all be dead.”

The workshops provide informative sessions to help refugee arrivals transition to life in the United States.  Sessions include knowing your neighbor, taxes and financial planning, keeping your children safe, apartment living, senior housing, food safety, and disaster preparedness.

Baghdad, IRAQ – After ongoing threats, attacks, and kidnappings Chaldean seminarians, students, and staff fled the centuries old Pontifical Babel College in Baghdad.  Abandoning the building to safer territory in northern Iraq, the staff had no choice says the dean of the college. 

A short while after, U.S. military occupied the building as a “combat outpost” and fortified base of operations for the 4th Cavalry Squadron of the First Mechanized Infantry Division, and then by the 2nd Squadron of the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment.

The controversial move by the U.S. military fueled Iraqi Christian conspiracies of collaboration between Chaldeans and the United States.  Radical Islamic leaders used the building as evidence to further persecute Christians as conspirators.  Although Iraqi Christians were innocent in the taking of the building, the appearance was enough to recruit hundreds of terrorists and cause animosity between Iraqi Christians and fanatical foreign Muslims. 

The following is the first of a three-part series on the 2008 Elections. In the next two weeks we will deal with issues of Culture and Conscience.

Now that the election is over, we can separate the real Catholics from those who just act the part. Those still reeling from the results of the election can rest assured that they are in good company with the saints.

Those who have drawn a line in blood and made a decision to stand with the culture of death need a serious examination of conscience.

Now look at what we’ve done to ourselves. America has made her “choice” for maximum leader and it is not pretty. In fact, it is one of the most devastating blows to American civilization that we have ever undergone, and I do not speak in hyperbole. Even such a saintly figure as Mother Theresa said that “a nation that kills its children has no future;” likewise, an authority like Fr. Benedict Groeschel recently commented that we have entered into “the beginning of the twilight” of our country—dire words that touch on the reality of electing the most extreme, pro-abortion candidate America has ever had the misfortune of occupying the highest office of our land.

Michigan, USA – Another remarkable business light shines through the darkness of Michigan’s economy.  Alpine Marketplace in Linden, Michigan, against all business odds refused to allow Michigan’s economy to get in the way of offering Linden residents the very best. 

“They have expanded and really offer the best of quality foods,” says Gina Shiller, customer of Alpine. “All other business are cutting corners trying to save cost, but not this place.  They spared no expense to take care of their customers.”

The “Alpine” name is the only thing that remains the same.  Marvin and Norm Yono say it is in their blood to give their customers their best, a standard of excellence they deserve.  “That means fresh, local, seasonal and gourmet products — priced affordably at regular ‘grocery store’ prices.” 

Michigan, USA – Obama’s ties to Chaldean business leaders is not limited to Chaldean British billionaire Nadhmi Auchi and Chicago millionaire Antoin “Tony” Rezko.  Auchi’s connection to Saddam Huseein and his loan to Obama of 3.5 million dollars through the Panamanian company Fintrade Services SA for his home on 5050 South Greenwood Avenue in Chicago, caught little media attention in the political campaign.  

Despite the fact that Obama’s appeal to Chaldean business owners isn’t in the small businesses policies he campaigned about, Chaldean business leaders are going to make the best of popularity. 

Take for example, gas station owner Sam Bazzi in Detroit.  Bazzi is capitalizing on the President Obama frenzy hoping to cover the eventual tax hikes his station and small business like his will face once Obama takes office.  The owners of the independent gas station re-branded a few months ago, including the roof, the sign, the pumps and even the awnings. The new Obama Oil on the corner of Wyoming Street and Plymouth Road in Detroit is a brilliant marketing move that has been “pumping” up customers and ringing in profits.

Florida, USA – “The family is the nucleus of society.  When it is weakened or destroyed, we all pay,” says Jenny Jabril, a Chaldean nurse in Florida’s Orange County.  “We all pay when families break-down or fail.  We the people, deal with the dysfunction.  Our taxes go up to care for the abandoned or misguided children, our education system spins out of control, we pay more to prevent crimes, protect our families, or hospitalize these people.” 

Jabril is frustrated over the increased number of substance abuse.  In Florida law, citizens can be held against their will under the Marchman Act. Individuals whose substance abuse makes them a threat to themselves or others can be held at a mental-health facility for up to five days while physicians evaluate them.

Jerry Kassab, president and chief executive officer of Lakeside Alternatives, Orange County's receiving center, said his facility receives about 20 patients a day who are committed under the law.   There are three scenarios in which someone can be committed under the Marchman Act.

In Orange County, Kassab said, most patients are taken to Lakeside by law enforcement officers.  "The most common instance is when someone's out on the street who's acting up, or the police might be called by a store owner because someone's acting up or acting weird," Kassab said. "You also get instances when one family member calls the police because someone in their family is out of control."

In 2004 a group of United States Bishops, acting on behalf of the USCCB and requesting counsel about the responsibilities of Catholic politicians and voters, received a memo from the office of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, the future Pope Benedict XVI, which stated: 

“A Catholic would be guilty of formal cooperation in evil, and so unworthy to present himself for Holy Communion, if he were to deliberately vote for a candidate precisely because of the candidate’s permissive stand on abortion and/or euthanasia."  In short, you are not in communion with Christ or His church if you vote for a candidate who supports abortion more.   

This declaration raised a number of questions.  The following 8 answers might offer greater clarity. 

You are My Sunshine, My only Sunshine'….Like any good mother, when Karen found out that another baby was on the way, she did what she could to help her 3-year-old son, Michael, prepare for a new sibling.

They found out that the new baby was going be a girl, and day after day, night after night, Michael sang to his sister in mommy's tummy.   He was building a bond of love with his little sister before he even met her.

The pregnancy progressed normally for Karen.  In time, the labor pains came. Soon it was every five minutes, every three, every minute. But serious complications arose during delivery and Karen found herself in hours of labor.

Would a C-section be required? Would the mother survive?  Would the baby live?  The entire family and medical staff were on pins and needles.  Finally, after a long and exhausting struggle, Michael's little sister was born. But she was in very serious condition.

California, USA – The results are in for the www.CHALDEAN.org voter knowledge survey.  The survey was created to register Chaldean voter knowledge of the presidential campaign and extrapolate which presidential candidate would best address the needs of Chaldeans. 

Dr. James Brothman, psychometric expert and president of Brothman Research, created the survey for www.CHALDEAN.org.  A psychometric survey is a more sophisticated method than the traditional polls that ask respondents who they plan to vote for in the election.  The scientific survey reveals that not every issue carries the same weight of importance to a voter, nor does every voter prioritize the issues in the same way.   

“We create a scientific survey that captures issue concerns and matches the concern to the candidate that would best meet the respondents need.  We do not ask who they are voting for or why.  Instead we apply a reverse engineering process that filters out emotions.  We ask what issues are important to you and how important are those issues to you.  Based on the information we receive are able to determine who the respondents would vote for if they are truly voting on issues only.  The difference between the survey results and the actual voting results tells us how much campaign marketing influenced the vote.”     

Based on Dr. Brothman’s research of Chaldean voter respondents, 88% of the Chaldean community should vote for McCain / Palin if they are driven by the issues important to them.

Dr. Brothman also reveals the leading issues important to Chaldeans this election.

California, USA – Chaldeans in California and Michigan are eager to vote on their state ballot initiatives.  In California an effort to prohibit or allow homosexual marriage is on the ballot as proposition 8. In Michigan, the statewide ballot is asking voters to either allow or reject the use of marijuana (proposal1) and embryo research (proposal 2). 

“Chaldeans in California and Michigan should understand that all three of these issues are very important.  The cost to Chaldeans and America is very high if gay marriage is allowed, embryos are killed for research, or drugs are made legal,” says Ann Bodagh, of El Cajon.  “Chaldeans need to work together to prevent America from slipping even further.”

Bodagh’s opinion is the majority, but liberal corporations, like Apple computers and Levi Straus jeans are throwing big money to help fund the passing of proposition 8.  In Michigan, drug companies, the DNC, and Planned Parenthood are hoping marijuana use and embryo research get passed. 

We examine all three propositions.