Thursday, July 14, 2016

I'M REACHING OUT

Posted by Robert Klitzkie




I’m going to reach out to someone I don’t, never will and can’t ever know.  Even though I don’t know who he is I’m going to reach out to Anonymous.  Wait--he or she, I don’t know, but I will still reach out to Anonymous.


Here’s Anonymous’ comment on the PALE’ MIKE WITH PATTI ARROYO ON K57 POST:

Someone needs to define "reach out." Did anyone offer the services of the church to them? Did anyone offer to put them in touch with professional help? And it appears from the interview that not even Fr. Mike even thought of asking Archbishop Hon to apologize to the victims for Apuron's attack on them. Apparently our priests think that showing up to stuff is reaching out.”

Here I’m going to reach out to Anonymous but in order to do so I’ll need to ask the reader’s leave for me to engage in three P’s—parse, pedantic and precision.  OK? then reaching out I am.

I’ll start reaching out with a quote I plucked from the ‘net at a site called Quora: 


“Why do people use the term "reach out" when they mean "contact"?

reach out used to have the sense of attempting to contact someone who is extremely reluctant to be contacted .  Lately, people use it to simply mean contact someone you either don't know or haven't talked to in a while.  The old meaning of reach out is best demonstrated in the Four Tops song Reach Out (I'll be There).
When you feel lost and about to give up (to give up)
Cause your life just ain't good enough (just ain't good enough)
And you feel the world has grown cold (has grown cold)
And your drifting out all on your own (drifting out on your own)
And you need a hand to hold, darling
reach out come on girl reach out for me
reach out reach out for me

The new meaning can be heard in just about any HR department: “We reached out to Tyrone Slothrop about working at Yoyodyne.”
Our friend Anonymous shows that some of our priests go Quora one better stating Apparently our priests think that showing up to stuff is reaching out.” The implication here is that for some priests  it isn’t even necessary to try to contact someone in order to use the phrase “reach out” to describe what he did or didn’t do. Pale’ Mike claimed to have “reached out” and listed a few other priests as also having “reached out.” Even under the new definition of “reach out,” i.e. attempting to contact someone, did anyone reach out to Roy, Doris, Walter or Roland? No. Did any priest call any of the four and impart the sentiments expressed by the Four Tops (albeit in a different context), offer any kind of assistance or commiserate with them? No.  Or did the “reaching out” mean a shake-and-howdy at a public gathering, lip service rendered at a chance meeting or anonymously  including them in a verbal recognition of diverse abuse victims of worldwide dimension.

Hey Anonymous, (using your explanation) I know people who did reach out to Roy, Doris, Walter and Roland and none of them were priests. I know people who did reach out to Roy, Doris, Walter and Roland when they were being viciously attacked by Apuron and his henchmen and none of them were priests. I even know people who reached out to priests when they were being viciously attacked by Apuron and his henchmen and, once again, none were priests.

So we’re left with four definitions for the phrase, “reach out” i.e.: Four Tops, New definition, Pale’ Jeff and Fr. Barry.

Four Tops=the sentiments expressed in the song.
New definition=try to contact
Pale’ Mike= showing up to stuff
Fr. Barry=see spoiler alert

Later I’m going to take another crack at “reaching out.” Spoiler alert: If you don’t like Marlon Brando don’t read that post,

“…A one-way ticket to Palooka-ville! You was my brother, Charley, you shoulda looked out for me a little bit. You shoulda taken care of me just a little bit so I wouldn't have to take them dives for the short-end money.
Charlie: Oh I had some bets down for you. You saw some money.
Terry: You don't understand. I coulda had class. I coulda been a contender. I coulda been somebody, instead of a bum, which is what I am, let's face it. It was you, Charley.”

11 comments:

  1. Spot on Bob!

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  2. The lack of courage of the clergy is almost as big a shame as the crimes of the Archbishop and the chancery.

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  3. Sad commentary on the condition of our local church and the clergy. Several choice four letter words come to mind that I will attempt to civilize. Let's try discombubilated! According to spell check it doesn't exist so how about "disconnected" or "desensitized". I get the impression the clergy are sheepish when it comes to being the good Samaritan, especially when the victims were abused by a comrade. I got the impression that they (clergy) felt "awkward"..try impotent, irrelevant or coward.

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  4. Just curious what's going on with these priest going around checking on each parish. Especially for "financial" information. Should we be "concerned". Looks & sounds fishy.

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  5. Well said. Yet ANOTHER example of how leadership in the Church on Guam has broken down to a scandalous state. And it all started from the complete collapse of pastoring at the top. So what's left: us. How sad is that (no, really)?!

    Arch Hon: if we keep giving you more and more examples of why you should act with justice and mercy--to borrow a phrase from John 21--I don't think all the books in the world could contain them.

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  6. Reaching out should not be about a concern of self for helping someone in need, rather it is about the concern for someone if help is withheld. As for Roy, Doris, Walter, and Roland, and others similarly suffering, we can choose to be like the priest, the Levite, or the Samaritan in Luke's Gospel. Who has the mercy? Will that real person please stand up.

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  7. I discussed this issue with my very good friend Pale' Paul. He is a priest without a jursidic office; he is currently assigned under a NEO Cult friendly Pastor whom we all know too well as Monsignor BB.

    My thoughts: Pale' Paul reached out; but he cannot make any offers that will ultimately be disapproved by this NEO Cult friendly Pastor. We don't want to put him in a position where this evil Pastor will keep him from his duties as a priest (presiding mass; tending to the poor and the sick). Our fight is with the NEO Cult Presbyters who think they own our parishes. Let us not bring these men of God into this fight; for we need them to help rebuild the church after we rid this NEO Cult that has slithered into our island.

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  8. I'm saving my energy to be at the protest on Sunday. And maybe even the Wave. I absolutely will not get in any discussions about definitions or impressions. Our church needs us all now if we are to "get things fixed".

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  9. Priest are placed in a committee. If I may suggest, It'll be a priority for them to revisit the sexual abuse policy bringing the "Zero Tolerance" to date, in order and ready for assimilation for future use with no repeats of pure actions.. With respect to the already victims, no one should be treated like they have. To say, I don't know what to do about the victims? This can be the truth? Also it is not enough and I'm not sure if it should be part of the answer. It's hurtful? And so sad? The people of Guam are aware with the know how to prepare with flash lights, batteries, food, and water for any incoming typhoon. So as to call 911 in emergency statues as accidents occur on the road, at home..etc.. On Guam there are rape, abuse, domestic agency readily available to reach out to. With the learning tools we have on our island plus our common sense. What's the reason that we still don't know! Just a thought-and a victim myself.

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  10. Where was this advice when I needed it the most.

    DianaJuly 12, 2016 at 11:40 PM
    Dear Anonymous at 5:22 pm,

    "If you cannot trust the Vatican, then who are you supposed to trust.........(???) ???"

    I guess it comes with the person's experience. You see, I felt pain internally and I've noticed something wrong with my body. I went to the Dr. for help? He checked me out and found nothing wrong with me. because of my gov't. job my absence at work I was required to turn in a Dr.'s excuse. I requested one from the Dr.. My visit ending with his reply "So you are here for a work excuse" and he walked out the door. Rejection, It really hurts on top of our existing pain. Lord, You say to trust in You, Yes, Jesus I trust in You. Amen

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  11. Later I’m going to take another crack at “reaching out.” Spoiler alert: If you don’t like Marlon Brando don’t read that post. Finally, I'm about to post
    "MORE REACHING OUT-- A MEMBER OF THE LAITY "REACHES OUT" TO A PRIEST ON THE WATERFRONT" It'll be up in a few minutes!

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