in my VIEW I’ll take
in my VIEW I’ll take more taxes and my friend’s dignity back MICHAEL G. SARAFA SPECIAL TO THE CHALDEAN NEWS The arrest of hundreds of Chaldeans by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) over the last 18 months is well known and has been well documented in these pages. But it is important that we remember, on an individual basis, the human cost of what was done. A friend of mine was one of those picked up by ICE just before Christmas last year. He ended up spending six months in Calhoun County Jail before being released in June. The crime he committed happened more than 35 years ago. He’s now in his 60’s. During his confinement, I visited him twice. Both times he cried when I came and cried when I left. He looked distraught. He was confined to a 10 ft. by 12 ft. cell with another inmate for 18 hours a day. When he couldn’t breathe late at night, they would give him a nebulizer as if he had asthma. One guard, if she was on duty, would let him walk around to calm his anxiety. There were nightmares. Yes, he’s out now, thanks to a ruling by a federal judge – which the Trump Justice Department is appealing. Yes, he’s back with his wife and he’s back to work, though his dog died while he was away. But the nightmares and anxiety continue. He wakes up in a panic at the thought of those in jail he became close to that are still there under the threat of deportation. He dwells on the young Mexican mom that used to walk around mumbling about her kids. In her mid-20’s, she looked 50, he told me. There was the Chaldean guy in a wheelchair. My friend is sure he’ll die in prison. I’ve invited him over the house five or six times for rice and curry. That’s what he was craving when he came out. He called the other day to apologize for being distant. He’s not himself, he said. He’s having trouble sleeping and wants to be by himself all the time. He goes to work but says he’s in a daze. His appetite is gone. He asked me if I knew a psychiatrist. I suggested he start with a psychologist. He still wants to come over for rice and curry, but he needs some time. The scotch we would talk about having together when he came out, that’s not going to happen. Having a drink with a friend is something to do for fun and to celebrate. Life is no fun for him anymore. I reminded him on a visit to jail, that he was a Trump supporter. His wife voted for him with his blessing. He is not a citizen so he can’t vote. She won’t be voting for Trump next time around, that’s for sure. When my friends and colleagues extol the virtues of Trump, we hear about the tax cut, about the low unemployment rate, about Neil Gorsuch being on the Supreme Court. I’m good with all those things. But I would gladly trade all of them for my friend’s dignity and happiness. They were stolen from him by the American government. I hold Trump personally responsible. When I go to the polls in two years, I won’t be thinking about my marginal tax rate. I’ll be thinking about my friend. Michael Sarafa is Co-publisher of the Chaldean News. JOIN OUR GROWING TEAM. The Chaldean News is looking for motivated candidates to fill full-time salaried sales positions. Qualified candidates should email a resume to info@chaldeannews.com. 8 CHALDEAN NEWS AUGUST 2018
where do you STAND? Birth control back in the news The issue of birth control recently resurfaced based on a new book by Monsignor Gilfredo Marengo titled “Birth of an Encyclical: Humanae Vitae in the Light of Vatican Archives”. Much has been written in the past about the actual pre-encyclical commission first appointed by John XXIII in 1963 and then greatly expanded by Pope Paul VI. Both Popes thought it wise to include many non-clerics on the commission. This 72-person commission ultimately produced a report in 1966 suggesting that birth control was not an evil act and that couples should be allowed to decide for themselves what methods of birth control should be employed. Sixty-four members of this commission supported the majority report which Paul VI largely ignored in Humanae Vitae. This majority report, however, raised a ruckus in the Synod of Bishops who pressed Paul VI, prior to his encyclical, to present the matter to the Synod. That is exactly what happened during a 1967 Synod held in the Vatican. Of the 200 Bishops present, only 26 produced written responses. It is those writings that make up part of Marengo’s book. It is surprising both that more did not respond and that most of those responding were in favor of openings for birth control, some 19 out of 26. Also notable were who some of those for and against were. Three American Cardinals were in support of the opening; Shehan of Baltimore; Krol of Philadelphia and Dearden of Detroit. This may come as a surprise to many in the current U.S Conference of Bishops. The lone dissenting American respondent was Fulton Sheen who joined six other Bishops in urging Paul VI to uphold the current magisterium. One other of the seven included a young Bishop from Krakow named Karol Wojtyla (John Paul II). It has been known for fifty years that Human Vitae’s treatment of birth control was contrary to the vast majority of the Commission appointed by John XXIII and expanded by his successor. Less known is that many prominent members of the Synod also favored a more liberal treatment of the issue. We’ll never know for sure what the full complement of Synodal Father’s thought, since so many of them didn’t respond, at least in writing. No doubt, however, that each had a view. Fifty years later, with hundreds of thousands of Catholic married couples living in a technical state of sin, it would have been nice to know. Where do you stand? Michael Sarafa is Co-publisher of the Chaldean News. Porsche of the Motor City 2018 Porsche Cayman 24 MONTH LEASE SPECIAL $ 599 Porsche of the Motor City 24717 Gratiot Avenue 586-435-8200 www.porscheofthemotorcity.com Actual lease price determined by your authorized Porsche dealer, your payments may vary. Closed-end lease offered to qualified lessee with approved credit by Porsche Financial Services through participating U.S. dealers. Must take delivery by 4/2/2018. Estimated payments based upon MSRP of ,520 (includes delivery, processing and handling fees for a Model Year 2018 718 Cayman with the following options: Premium Package (Power 14-way Sport Seats with Memory Package), Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK), 19” Cayman S Wheels, Lane Change Assist, Sport Style Pedals and Footrest, Navigation Module for Porsche Communication Management (PCM). Model pictured may have optional features and equipment. Price excludes any title, taxes, registration, license fees, insurance, maintenance and dealer fees. Lease payments of 9.42 for 24 months total ,386.08 based on the adjusted capitalized cost of ,115 (requires dealer contribution which could affect price). Total due from customer at signing ,599.42 (first months’s payment, acquisition fee of 5 and capitalized cost reduction of ,005). No security deposit required. At lease end, lessee pays excess wear, $.30/mile over 15,000 miles and 0 termination fee. Purchase option at lease end ,964.80 plus taxes. Specific vehicles and options are subject to availability and your price may vary. For additional information see your participating authorized Porsche dealer or visit Porsche.com/usa. AUGUST 2018 CHALDEAN NEWS 9
