text:
Systems and methods that provide for event driven downloading, via defining storage thresholds in an embedded historian (e.g. micro historian). Upon reaching predetermined thresholds (e.g., low/high water marks), stored data in the embedded historians can automatically down load to a central plant historian. An automatic download engine is provided that down loads historian data based on satisfaction of such conditions defined for the download. The download engine can further include a detector component, which detects whether a predetermined condition (e.g., associated with the storage capacity of the micro-historians have been met. Moreover, a notification component can notify the embedded historians that the data have been permanently persisted in the central historian.
1. An industrial automation system, comprising: a hierarchical data model with nodes that represent units associated with the industrial automation system;
a plurality of embedded historians that collect data associated with the industrial automation system, at least one of the embedded historians directly interfaces with at least one controller of the industrial automation system;
a download engine that downloads the data from the at least one of the embedded historians to a central plant historian upon the satisfaction of the predetermined criteria; and a publish and subscribe component that identifies the at least one of the embedded historians to the download engine upon satisfaction of the predetermined criteria.
2. The industrial automation system of
3. The industrial automation system of
4. The industrial automation system of
5. The industrial automation system of
6. The industrial automation system of
7. The industrial automation system of
8. The industrial automation system of
9. The industrial system of
10. The industrial system of
11. The industrial automation system of
12. The industrial automation system of
13. The industrial automation system of
14. The industrial automation system of
15. The industrial automation system of
16. A method of managing embedded historians within an industrial plant comprising: representing industrial units associated with the industrial plant as nodes in a hierarchical data model;
collecting data via a plurality of volatile memory embedded historians;
detecting that a predetermined condition associated with one or more of the embedded historians has been satisfied;
identifying the one or more of the embedded historians to a central plant historian upon occurrence of the predetermined condition;
downloading the data to a central plant historian upon occurrence of the predetermined condition;
persisting data in the central plant historian;
notifying the one or more of embedded historians regarding the success or failure of the persistence of the data in the central historian; and
purging the data from the one or more of embedded historians upon notification of the successful persistence of the data in the central historian.
17. The method of
18. The method of
19. The method of
20. The method of
21. The method of
22. The method of
23. A computer implemented system comprising the following computer executable components:
a download engine that downloads data from an embedded historian to a central plant historian upon a storage capacity of the embedded historian reaching a predetermined level, the embedded historian directly interfaces a control unit of an industrial plant; a hierarchical data model with nodes that represent units associated with the industrial plant;
a detector component associated with the download engine to detect occurrence of the predetermined level;
a publish and subscribe component to identify the embedded historian to the download engine upon the embedded historian reaching the predetermined level; and
a notification component that sends a trusted confirmation to the embedded historian upon the successful persistence of the downloaded data in the central historian.
24. The computer implemented system of
25. The computer implemented system of
26. The computer implemented system of
27. An industrial controller system comprising:
means for collecting and retaining data through a direct interface to an industrial process; means for representing industrial units associated with the industrial process as nodes in a hierarchical data model;
means for downloading the data to a central location collecting data upon satisfaction of a predetermined condition;
means for identifying the data upon satisfaction of the predetermined condition;
means for detecting satisfaction of the predetermined condition;
means for transmitting a successful download to the central location collecting data through a trusted confirmation; and
means for purging the retained data directly collected through the direct interface with the industrial process after the transmission of the trusted confirmation.
28. The industrial controller system of
29. The industrial controller system of
The subject invention relates generally to historian components associated with industrial controllers, and more particularly to conditional download of data collected by embedded historian components, based on a predetermined condition(s) such as respective storage level(s).
Manufacturing control and monitoring modules typically produce significant amounts of data. Industrial controller produce both real-time and historical data about the status of a given process including alarms, process values, and audit/error logs. Typically, industrial controllers are special-purpose computers utilized for controlling industrial processes, manufacturing equipment, and other factory automation, such as data collection or networked systems. At the core of the industrial control system, is a logic processor such as a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) or PC-based controller. Programmable Logic Controllers for instance, are programmed by systems designers to operate manufacturing processes via user-designed logic programs or user programs. The user programs are stored in memory and generally executed by the PLC in a sequential manner although instruction jumping, looping and interrupt routines, for example, are also common. Associated with the user program are a plurality of memory elements or variables that provide dynamics to PLC operations and programs. Differences in PLCs are typically dependent on the number of Input/Output (I/O) they can process, amount of memory, number and type of instructions, and speed of the PLC central processing unit (CPU).
In a more macro sense than the controller, businesses have become more complex in that higher order business systems or computers often need to exchange data with such controllers. For instance, an industrial automation enterprise may include several plants in different locations. Modern drivers such as efficiency and productivity improvement, and cost-reduction, are requiring manufacturers to collect, analyze, and optimize data and metrics from global manufacturing sites. For example, a food company can have several plants located across the globe for producing a certain brand of food. These factories in the past were standalone, with minimum data collection and comparison of metrics with other similar factories. In the networked world of today, manufacturers are demanding real-time data from their factories to drive optimization and productivity. Unfortunately, conventional control systems architectures are not equipped to allow a seamless exchange of data between these various components of the enterprise.
Another requirement of modern control system architectures is the ability to record and store data in order to maintain compliance with Food and Drug Administration regulations such as Regulation 21 CFR Part 11. One common solution for recording data includes providing a local recording module that often occupies a slot in a controller backplane such as a PC-Historian which is an industrial computer for the controller backplane, and employs a transitional layer to supply an indirect interface to the controller. This includes a platform that provides high speed, time series, data storage and retrieval with both local and remote control processors. The PC-Historian communicates with controllers directly through the backplane and can communicate remotely via a network interface. The PC-Historian allows archiving data from the controller to an Archive Engine which provides additional storage capabilities.
In general, conventional historian processors enable high-speed real-time data collection by communicating directly with the control processor across the backplane for fast data collection speeds. This includes handling large quantities of data over extended time periods while providing efficient storage and retrieval of process data over extended periods of time. These solutions are generally employed for electronic documentation and provide an audit trail and data flags for tracking modified, inserted, or incomplete data. In order to configure such products, a Graphical User Interface (GUI) can be provided to map controller tags defined in a local or remote processor to a data historian file.
Moreover, process control workstation displays can show the current state of process variables to an operator, and historical trend objects can display historical data from a persistent store such as a database or log file. Such data can be collected and recorded via historians, which are industrial computer(s) associated with the controller backplane.
Nonetheless and in contrast to PC historians, when employing embedded historian components that supply a direct interface to controllers, data backup, and risk of loss for data stored on a RAM residing on such embedded historians can create complexities. The size of the RAM in such embedded historians is limited and can eventually overload. In general an operator should periodically upload the data to remove it from the historian memory to avoid overloading.
The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects described herein. This summary is not an extensive overview nor is intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope of the various aspects described herein. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The subject innovation provides for systems and methods of event driven downloading, via defining storage thresholds in an embedded historian(s), wherein upon reaching such predetermined threshold (e.g., low/high water marks), stored data in embedded historians can automatically down load to a central plant historian. In general, such embedded historians (unlike conventional PC historians) supply a direct interface to controllers without employing a transitional layer, and hence provide a substantially higher data exchange rate as compared to conventional PC historians. An automatic download engine is provided that down loads historian data, based on satisfaction of such conditions defined for the download. The download engine of the subject invention can include a detector component, which detects whether a predetermined condition (associated with the storage capacity of the embedded historians have been met. Moreover, a notification component can notify the embedded historians that the data have been permanently persisted in the central historian.
Accordingly, event driven down loads can be enabled based on memory usage and/or other predetermined events. For example, various levels of storage capacity for an embedded historian can be associated with a full level and an empty level—wherein the embedded historian (e.g., micro-historian) can down load itself to the plant historian (e.g., a central plant) upon reaching a full level. Subsequently, the central plant historian can persistently store such data, and send a confirmation signal on a secure channel (e.g., a trusted confirmation signal) to the embedded historian. Upon receipt of such confirmation, the embedded historian can avail its memory for data override. Such an arrangement can reduce data backup, and mitigate risk of loss for data stored on a RAM, wherein size of the RAM in such embedded historians is limited and can eventually overload, for example.
In a related methodology, data can be initially stored via embedded historians, wherein such storage can continue until a predetermined threshold is reached. Upon reaching such predetermined threshold, the automatic download component can download stored data in such embedded historians to a central plant historian. Upon completion of data transfer to the central plant historian, then a trusted confirmation signal can be sent to the embedded historians for indicating that the data is persisted, and hence data in the embedded historians can be purged. Moreover, various artificial intelligence component to predict and/or infer whether predetermined thresholds have been satisfied.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative of various ways which can be practiced, all of which are intended to be covered herein. Other advantages and novel features may become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.
The various aspects of the subject innovation are now described with reference to the annexed drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like or corresponding elements throughout. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description relating thereto are not intended to limit the claimed subject matter to the particular form disclosed. Rather, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter.
Such download threshold criteria associated with the download engine 110 can determine whether to commence, pause, resume and/or halt data transfer on any embedded historian 121, 122, 123 that requests data exchange with the central plant historian 170, for example. As depicted, the embedded historian 121 has a storage capacity that is partially full; embedded historian 122 is substantially full and storage capacity of embedded historian 123 is at an empty level. Such storage capacity can be employed as criteria for downloading data to the central plant historian; (e.g., immediately download substantially full embedded historians, down load after a predetermined duration embedded historians that have half of their storage capacity filled, and the like.) Such an arrangement can reduce data backup, and mitigate risk of loss for data stored on a RAM, wherein size of the RAM in such micro-historians is limited and can eventually overload, for example.
Typically, when a message transfer session (e.g., a connection) is initiated for download of historian data 121, 122, 123; the download engine 110 can generate a connection instance to the central plant historian for the download session. The connection instance can be populated with information indicative of the embedded historian 121, 122, 123, the type of data for download, identifying message(s), and/or a connection ID (e.g., a keep-alive message), for example. Such information can be utilized to begin data transfer between the embedded historians 121, 122, 123 and the central plant historian 170. Furthermore, the connection ID can further be employed to track message transmission within the embedded historians, download engine, and central plant historian 170.
The established connection instance between the embedded historians 121, 122, 123 and the central plant historian 170 can additionally be dynamically updated, to reflect transmission progress and provide transmission history. For example, indicia indicative of any portions—(including the entire message or data download)—that have been transmitted successfully or failed can be associated with such connection instance. Transmission history can include information related to transfer commencement and completion, pauses and resumes, the level of communication activity errors, re-submissions, changes in the servicing machine, and the like. It is to be appreciated that any number of embedded historians can request download transfer connection to the central plant historian 170.
A network system (not shown) can be associated with the industrial automation system 100, which can be employed via the download engine 110. The network system can further include additional hosts (not shown), which may be personal computers, servers or other types of computers. Such hosts are generally capable of running or executing one or more application-level (or user-level) programs, as well as initiating an I/O request (e.g., I/O reads or writes). In addition, the network system can further include one or more input/output units (I/O units), wherein such I/O units can includes one or more I/O controllers connected thereto, and each of the I/O can be any of several types of I/O devices, such as storage devices (e.g., a hard disk drive, tape drive) or other I/O device. The hosts and I/O units and their attached I/O controllers and devices can be organized into groups such as clusters, with each cluster including one or more hosts and typically one or more I/O units (each I/O unit including one or more I/O controllers). The hosts and I/O units can be interconnected via a collection of routers, switches and communication links (such as wires, connectors, cables, and the like) that connects a set of nodes (e.g., connects a set of hosts and I/O units) of one or more clusters. Moreover, the network system can be, for example, an Ethernet LAN, a token ring LAN, or other LAN, or Wide Area Network (WAN). Also, the network system can include hardwired and/or optical and/or wireless connection paths. The download engine 110 can supply data exchange between the micro historians and the central plant historian 170, to supply information such as: portions of the data that are to be downloaded to the central plant historian, from each of the micro historians.
It is noted that as used in this application, terms such as "engine" "component," "hierarchy," "model," and the like are intended to refer to a computer-related entity, either hardware, a combination of hardware and software, software, or software in execution as applied to an automation system for industrial control. For example, a component may be, but is not limited to being, a process running on a processor, a processor, an object, an executable, a thread of execution, a program and a computer. By way of illustration, both an application running on a server and the server can be components. One or more components may reside within a process and/or thread of execution and a component may be localized on one computer and/or distributed between two or more computers, industrial controllers, and/or modules communicating therewith.
For example, data can be initially stored via embedded historians 335, 337, and 339, and such storage can continue until predetermined threshold storage capacities associated with these embedded historians are reached. Upon reaching such predetermined threshold, the download engine 310 can download the embedded historian data to the central plant historian 340. After completion of the data transfer to the central plant historian 340, the notification component 305 can send a trusted confirmation signal to the embedded historians 335, 337, 339 to indicate that the data is properly persisted, and hence data in the embedded historians 335, 337, and 339 can be purged.
Initially and at 410, a plurality of embedded historians within the industrial plant can collect data that is related to an industrial operation. Such collected data can subsequently be stored in a storage medium associated with the embedded historians at 420. Next, and at 430 a determination is made as to whether the storage capacity has reached a predetermined storage. If so, the methodology proceeds to act 440, and a download to the central plant can be initiated. Otherwise, the methodology 400 proceeds to act 410 wherein additional data associated with the industrial process can be collected.
As will be readily appreciated from the subject specification, the subject invention can employ classifiers that are explicitly trained (e.g., via a generic training data) as well as implicitly trained (e.g., via observing user behavior, receiving extrinsic information) so that the classifier is used to automatically determine according to a predetermined criteria which answer to return to a question. For example, with respect to SVM's that are well understood, SVM's are configured via a learning or training phase within a classifier constructor and feature selection module. A classifier is a function that maps an input attribute vector, x=(x1, x2, x3, x4, xn), to a confidence that the input belongs to a class—that is, f(x)=confidence(class). As shown in
Moreover, the directory interface 640 can be employed to provide data from an appropriate location such as the data source 660, a server 670 and/or a proxy server 680. Accordingly, the directory interface 640 can point to a source of data based upon role and requirements (needs) of a requester (e.g., database 610, HMI 620, PLC 630, and the like.) The database 610 can be any number of various types such as a relational, network, flat-file or hierarchical systems. Typically, such databases can be employed in connection with various enterprise resource planning (ERP) applications that can service any number of various business related processes within a company. For example, ERP applications can be related to human resources, budgeting, forecasting, purchasing and the like. Accordingly, particular ERP applications can require data that has certain desired attributes associated therewith. Thus, in accordance with an aspect of the subject invention, the directory interface 640 can provide data to the database 610 from the server 670, which provides data with the attributes desired by the database 610.
As illustrated in
Moreover, the HMI 620 can employ the directory interface 640 to point to data located within the system 600. The HMI 620 can be employed to graphically display various aspects of a process, system, factory, etc. to provide a simplistic and/or user-friendly view of the system. Accordingly, various data points within a system can be displayed as graphical (e.g., bitmaps, jpegs, vector based graphics, clip art and the like) representations with desired color schemes, animation, and layout.
The HMI 620 can request data to have particular visualization attributes associated with data in order to easily display such data thereto. For example, the HMI 620 can query the directory interface 640 for a particular data point that has associated visualization attributes. The directory interface 640 can determine that the proxy server 680 contains the attributed data point with the desired visualization attributes. For instance, the attributed data point can have a particular graphic that is either referenced or sent along with the data such that this graphic appears within the HMI environment instead of or along with the data value.
The PLC 630 can be any number of models such as Allen Bradley PLC5, SLC-500, MicoLogix, and the like. The PLC 630 is generally defined as a specialized device employed to provide high-speed, low-level control of a process and/or system. The PLC 630 can be programmed using ladder logic or some form of structured language. Typically, the PLC 630 can utilize data directly from a data source (e.g., data source 660) that can be a sensor, encoder, measurement sensor, switch, valve and the like. The data source 660 can provide data to a register in a PLC, and such data can be stored in the PLC if desired. Additionally, data can be updated (e.g., based on a clock cycle) and/or output to other devices for further processing.
Typically, the system 700 can be viewed as a Distributed Historian that spans machines, plants, and enterprises. At level 730, the historian collects data at the rack level and is coupled to Common Plant Data Structure described above. Such can include collecting process & discrete data, alarms & events in a single archive if desired. Other aspects can include auto-discovery of data and context from controllers in local chassis including store/forward data capabilities from local buffers. Data can be collected without polling within a network that has a low communications bandwidth, for example. The plant level 720 aggregates data from Micro or rack-embedded Historians and/or other data sources (e.g., Live Data source). Such can include plant-level querying, analytics, reporting while efficiently storing, retrieving, and managing large amounts of data. Such level can also auto-discover data and data model context from Micro Historians located at level 730. Other features of the system 700 can include analysis components, logical units, components for interaction with report elements, embeddable presentation components, replication of configuration, storage, archiving, data compression, summarization/filtering, security, and scalability.
Moreover, such system 700 enables combining organizational information such as an organizational or hierarchical data model which represents a common model of a plant that can be based in the S88 or S95 model, for example, and is distributed among computers of the enterprise and industrial controllers, for example. The model can be viewed as an Organizational Data Model—a tree-like hierarchical and heterogeneous structure of organizational Units. For instance, respective Organizational Units can include other Organizational Units. Organizational Units can be either physical locations (e.g., Site, Area) or logical grouping node or collection (e.g., Enterprise as a collection of Sites). The nodes in the organizational hierarchy or model can have associated items representing the plant's production and control equipment, tags, backing tags (e.g., Alarm & Event and the like), programs, equipment phases, I/O devices, and other application related entities. These organizational units thus can form an application view of the user's system.
With reference to
The system bus 918 can be any of several types of bus structure(s) including the memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus or external bus, and/or a local bus using any variety of available bus architectures including, but not limited to, 9-bit bus, Industrial Standard Architecture (ISA), Micro-Channel Architecture (MSA), Extended ISA (EISA), Intelligent Drive Electronics (IDE), VESA Local Bus (VLB), Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI), Universal Serial Bus (USB), Advanced Graphics Port (AGP), Personal Computer Memory Card International Association bus (PCMCIA), and Small Computer Systems Interface (SCSI).
The system memory 916 includes volatile memory 920 and nonvolatile memory 922. The basic input/output system (BIOS), containing the basic routines to transfer information between elements within the computer 912, such as during start-up, is stored in nonvolatile memory 922. By way of illustration, and not limitation, nonvolatile memory 922 can include read only memory (ROM), programmable ROM (PROM), electrically programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable ROM (EEPROM), or flash memory. Volatile memory 920 includes random access memory (RAM), which acts as external cache memory. By way of illustration and not limitation, RAM is available in many forms such as synchronous RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), Synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM), and direct Rambus RAM (DRRAM).
Computer 912 also includes removable/non-removable, volatile/non-volatile computer storage media.
It is to be appreciated that
A user enters commands or information into the computer 912 through input device(s) 936. Input devices 936 include, but are not limited to, a pointing device such as a mouse, trackball, stylus, touch pad, keyboard, microphone, joystick, game pad, satellite dish, scanner, TV tuner card, digital camera, digital video camera, web camera, and the like. These and other input devices connect to the processing unit 914 through the system bus 918 via interface port(s) 938. Interface port(s) 938 include, for example, a serial port, a parallel port, a game port, and a universal serial bus (USB). Output device(s) 940 use some of the same type of ports as input device(s) 936. Thus, for example, a USB port may be used to provide input to computer 912, and to output information from computer 912 to an output device 940. Output adapter 942 is provided to illustrate that there are some output devices 940 like monitors, speakers, and printers, among other output devices 940 that require special adapters. The output adapters 942 include, by way of illustration and not limitation, video and sound cards that provide a means of connection between the output device 940 and the system bus 918. It should be noted that other devices and/or systems of devices provide both input and output capabilities such as remote computer(s) 944.
Computer 912 can operate in a networked environment using logical connections to one or more remote computers, such as remote computer(s) 944. The remote computer(s) 944 can be a personal computer, a server, a router, a network PC, a workstation, a microprocessor based appliance, a peer device or other common network node and the like, and typically includes many or all of the elements described relative to computer 912. For purposes of brevity, only a memory storage device 946 is illustrated with remote computer(s) 944. Remote computer(s) 944 is logically connected to computer 912 through a network interface 948 and then physically connected via communication connection 950. Network interface 948 encompasses communication networks such as local-area networks (LAN) and wide-area networks (WAN). LAN technologies include Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI), Copper Distributed Data Interface (CDDI), Ethernet/IEEE 802.3, Token Ring/IEEE 802.5 and the like. WAN technologies include, but are not limited to, point-to-point links, circuit switching networks like Integrated Services Digital Networks (ISDN) and variations thereon, packet switching networks, and Digital Subscriber Lines (DSL).
Communication connection(s) 950 refers to the hardware/software employed to connect the network interface 948 to the bus 918. While communication connection 950 is shown for illustrative clarity inside computer 912, it can also be external to computer 912. The hardware/software necessary for connection to the network interface 948 includes, for exemplary purposes only, internal and external technologies such as, modems including regular telephone grade modems, cable modems and DSL modems, ISDN adapters, and Ethernet cards.
As used herein, the terms "component," "system" and the like are intended to refer to a computer-related entity, either hardware, a combination of hardware and software, software, or software in execution. For example, a component may be, but is not limited to being, a process running on a processor, a processor, an object, an executable, a thread of execution, a program, and/or a computer. By way of illustration, both an application running on computer and the computer can be a component. One or more components may reside within a process and/or thread of execution and a component may be localized on one computer and/or distributed between two or more computers. The word "exemplary" is used herein to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any aspect or design described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs.
The internal bus 1034 joins the backplane interface 1032 with a memory 1036, a microprocessor 1028, front panel circuitry 1038, I/O interface circuitry 1039 and communication network interface circuitry 1041. The microprocessor 1028 can be a general purpose microprocessor providing for the sequential execution of instructions included within the memory 1036 and the reading and writing of data to and from the memory 1036 and the other devices associated with the internal bus 1034. The microprocessor 1028 includes an internal clock circuit (not shown) providing the timing of the microprocessor 1028 but may also communicate with an external clock 1043 of improved precision. This clock 1043 may be a crystal controlled oscillator or other time standard including a radio link to an external time standard. The precision of the clock 1043 may be recorded in the memory 1036 as a quality factor. The panel circuitry 1038 includes status indication lights such as are well known in the art and manually operable switches such as for locking the module 1014 in the off state.
The memory 1036 can comprise control programs or routines executed by the microprocessor 1028 to provide control functions, as well as variables and data necessary for the execution of those programs or routines. For I/O modules, the memory 1036 may also include an I/O table holding the current state of inputs and outputs received from and transmitted to the industrial controller 1010 via the I/O modules 1020. The module 1014 can be adapted to perform the various methodologies of the innovation, via hardware configuration techniques and/or by software programming techniques.
What has been described above includes various exemplary aspects. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing these aspects, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations are possible. In particular regard to the various functions performed by the above described components (assemblies, devices, circuits, systems, etc.), the terms (including a reference to a "means") used to describe such components are intended to correspond, unless otherwise indicated, to any component which performs the specified function of the described component (e.g., that is functionally equivalent), even though not structurally equivalent to the disclosed structure, which performs the function in the herein illustrated exemplary aspects of the innovation. In this regard, it will also be recognized that the innovation includes a system as well as a computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing the acts and/or events of the various methods of the innovation. Furthermore, to the extent that the term "includes" is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term "comprising" as "comprising" is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.
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Bishop Lori is not happy with 'America.'
Grant Gallicho March 2, 2012 - 4:27pm
From the Could Have Seen This Coming a Mile Away Department: Bishop Lori of Bridgeport -- chairman of the USCCB Ad Hoc Committee on Religious Freedom -- has sent a strongly worded letter to America magazine in response to their strong editorial on the contraception-coverage mandate, "Policy, Not Liberty."The bishop writes:
The March 5th America editorial takes the United States Bishops to task for entering too deeply into the finer points of health care policy as they ponder what the slightly revised Obama Administration mandate might mean for the Catholic Church in the United States. These details, we are told, do not impinge on religious liberty. We are also told that our recent forthright language borders on incivility.
At which point he crosses that border, delivering a thoroughly uncivil scolding to the editors of America.
Ignoring the substantive theological critique made by the editors, Lori rehearses the points you've probably memorized by now. Here's one:
What details are we talking about? For one thing, a government mandate to insure, one way or another, for an abortifacient drug called Ella. Here the details would seem to be fertilized ova, small defenseless human beings, who will likely suffer abortion within the purview of a church-run health insurance program.
Never mind that Ella is not designed to act on existing pregnancies, that its primary function is to delay ovulation, that the science on its abortifacient properties in the human body remains inconclusive, and that it is only in animal studies where it's been shown that very high doses of the drug terminated pregnancies. (An overdose of aspirin would have the same effect.) The bishop would rather score rhetorical points by making it seem as though the editors of America believe the bishops should not concern themselves with innocent human life. Nonsense.Has Bishop Lori forgotten his 2007 decision to allow Catholic hospitals to comply with Connecticut state law requiring hospitals to provide emergency contraception to rape victims? The law held that patients must have a pregnancy test before receiving such drugs, but not an ovulation test, as the bishops wanted. (At the time, Plan B [levonorgestrel]was the only FDA-approved emergency-contraception drug. The statute doesn't specify which drug should be provided, only those deemed safe by the FDA. Perhaps Ella is now provided to rape victims -- trying to run that down.) Arguing that Plan B can act as an abortifacient, the bishops sent a letter to the governor pleading with her not to sign the bill. Cooperating with the law, the bishops wrote, would force Catholic institutions to act in "direct opposition to our religious belief that life begins at the moment of conception and as such is a serious violation of a basic tenet of the Catholic faith."That was May 2007. Just four moths later, the bishops experienced "an evolution in thinking," according to a spokesman for the Connecticut Catholic Conference, owing to "the state of existing science and the lack of definitive teaching by the church and the fact that there are many who are affiliated with the church that believe the ovulation test isnt necessary. Or, as the Connecticut bishops put it in their statement explaining their reversal: "The administration of Plan B pills in this instance cannot be judged to be the commission of an abortion because of such doubt about how Plan B pills and similar drugs work and because of the current impossibility of knowing from the ovulation test whether a new life is present."In other words, five years ago the bishops of Connecticut made a prudential judgment to allow Catholic hospitals to provide rape victims with pharmaceutical agents the USCCB now routinely refers to as "abortion-causing drugs." That would be the same sort of judgment Bishop Morlino of Madison made when he decided to comply with Wisconsin law and provide contraception coverage to diocesan employees.If the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops was planning to make an actual moral-theological argument at some point -- one that goes beyond repeating that Catholic institutions will be "forced to provide for" services inimical to church teaching -- now would be a good time. While they're at it, maybe someone could point out to the chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee on Religious Freedom that not all women can tolerate the outmoded pills offered at Walmart for $9 a month.
Commenting Guidelines
That was a pretty snippy letter, but as I recall, it was a pretty snippy editorial.
David. that's a pretty snippy post.The coments at America tend to fall into the usual kind of divide.So it goes.....
Thanks - had simultaneously posted this below on your Kaveny blog:Jean to your excellent point about style read John OMalleys wonderful book about Vatican II in which he highlights the complete and deliberate decision to change the tone and style of concilar language no anathemas; no condemnations. Statements were almost always put in the affirmative to be supportive and induce discussion.Here is a written response from Bishop William Lori to America magazine editorial:The tone is whinny and petulant almost sophomoric in its statements. Lori states: .abortifacient drug called Ella. Here the details would seem to be fertilized ova, small defenseless human beings, who will likely suffer abortion within the purview of a church-run health insurance program. (natural law & HV as Kaveny says there isnt just one interpretation and HV is really discredited); IOM disputes this conclusion about the drug Ella- tubal ligations have been a part of most insurance plans for years (catholic hospitals deal with this in another manner does he have a clue?)- Lori states: bishops should regard it not as a matter of religious liberty but merely policy that, as providers they teach one thing but as employers they are made to teach something else. In other words, we are forced to be a countersign to Church teaching and to give people plenty of reason not to follow it. The detail in question here is called scandal. (very narrow definition in fact, catholic hospitals, universities, agencies have been a sign of church teaching within the public arena that, obviously, includes birth control, abortion, etc. His way of defining this could actually impact these ministries as a countersign HHS compromise does not create scandal?)Catholic insurance companies and catholic self-insured comapnies well, that is being negotiated and there is a period of time to do this in. Lori makes a statement that refuses to acknowledge this and, in effect, skews his accuracy.His easy dismissal and quote about $10 bc at Walmart ignores the reality of millions of very poor women, immigrants, non-insured, etc. He is disingenous at best.Like his congressional committee hearings and talks, Lori is not a very good advocate for what Prof. Kaveny said in less than 10 minutes. He reminds me of a scolding Southern Baptist minister in my youth.
Grant, I agree that Bishop Lori encountered a teaching moment and fed us sarcasm instead of wisdom. Maybe some other bishop will write the response to the America editorial that it deserves - the original piece much completely miscasts the nature of the dispute, thus making a number of its major points null and void. Lori's letter tries to make that critique, but the tone is all wrong.
Lori asks: "Have I forgotten any other details we bishops shouldnt be attending to?" Indeed, while he works in pre-implantation embryos, incorrect pharmacology, Pope Paul VI, Moses, Pharoah, and even the TV detective Colombo, there's not a word about women and their thoughts on this question. Access to comprehensive health care that includes contraception is very important to most American women. His previous comment comparing contraceptive coverage to whether or not a goy can get a ham sandwich in a Kosher deli showed a similar insensitivity to the importance of this question in women's lives.Yes there are women who agree with the bishops on this. (Women are not monolithic.) But this stance of the bishops appears to reveal them as out of touch with the experience of most of those whose health care they would micro-manage. They should beware scandal--if it's not too late already.
Jim: I'm curious about your perception of the 'America' editorial as confused about the nature of the dispute. How do you think the editors got it wrong?
those whose health care they would micro-manage. You can buy your own contraceptives anywhere; no one is stopping you or micro-managing you just because they won't humor your wish to get it for free.
Lisa,Although your point about the bishops' seemingly not listening to women is well taken, you seem to be avoiding the substance of his arguments. I would like to see some debate on them. I myself am very conflicted on this. I do think his tone is inappropriate. We will get no where on this if we don't presume the good faith of others, especially when they are fellow members of the same church.AA
Bishop Lori must feel much better after getting that load off his chest. It is too bad that, as Chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee, he can't find professional help in the office to tell him where such letters should be filed. To the extent that he had some facts and principles to make a coherently argued critique tearing apart the America editorial, he managed to bury them all in a juvenile-sounding whine. If, as Jim P. suggests, some other bishop comes along to "write the response to the America editorial that it deserves", which wouldn't be too hard to compose, he will be greeted by the Lori letter already hanging on the door, online and in print. The USCCB appears incapable of functioning effectively in the multi-sided interactive world in which we women and men all live.
I think Bishop Lori's references to $10 co-pays at Walmart and the Columbo mention are just perfect! Pefect in demonstrating the primal scream that the hierarachy is making at this time as so many of the sexuality related issues aren't breaking their way... and they may still have to deal with the Philadephia fallout and the episode of the priest refusing Communion...and to quote Kurt Vonnegut.. "and so it goes..."
@AA, In addition to Grant's good point in the original post, I'd refer you to the other threads on this topic to deal with the details. I don't think he raises anything we haven't already tossed around here on dotCommonweal somewhere. (It's been a really thorough discussion that way.) I'm not ducking your question, I just don't want to be repetitive.
Jack Barry said: "The USCCB appears incapable of functioning effectively in the multi-sided interactive world in which we women and men all live."Years ago, Tim Unsworth of blessed memory said:" Bishops break out in shingles in the face of ambiguity; laity live with it each day in their homes, jobs and social life. "" Chancery offices constantly view the faithful as so befuddled that, without unctuous instruction, they would confuse the holy water fountain with a birdbath. "As for me and my family, we will listen to Tim Unsworth any day.
Evidence Matters - per the manufacturer of Ella the mode of action is "... ella postpones follicular rupture. The likely primary mechanism of action of ulipristal acetate for emergency contraception is therefore inhibition or delay of ovulation; however, alterations to the endometrium that may affect implantation may also contribute to efficacy." The manufacturer considers it a potential abortafacient. The teaching moment missed here is that tu quoque is a logical fallacy (what Lori thought/did in 2007 has no bearing on the accuracy of his statements today and if his statement/acts in 2007 is in error Lori should change his mind). This also blurs post rape protocols (which properly are not considered to be the sin of contraception) and a "morning after pill" which is properly considered contraception which has always been a sin. It also fails to identify the Administration as a bully - using the force of law to compel a Church or a person of good will who considers contraception a sin to fund it. It dilutes healthcare and for every $1000 per year contraceptive patient, there is a $1000 not spent on ADHD, vaccinations, breast cancer or HIV. Healthcare is a zero sum game. Also ignored is a person's social decision to have a sexual encounter with prescription contraception should not be funded by the totality of the insured population it is simply unjust.
"using the force of law to compel a Church or a person of good will who considers contraception a sin to fund it." Nope--that was exactly the point of the Obama revision/compromise. That person/institution will NOT have to fund contraception. It's really as simple as that. Not a single precious dollar will be spent."It dilutes healthcare and for every $1000 per year contraceptive patient, there is a $1000 not spent on ADHD, vaccinations, breast cancer or HIV." Nope again. Contraception saves money or is AT WORST cost neutral. So for every $ spent there, MORE money is available for the conditions you list, or AT WORST no less. And as to uses of drugs--do you really want your doctor or your health care provider to determine your health care options based on what your employer's particular religious group considers sinful, as in your example? Really? What if your employer is of a religion whose tenets YOU find objectionable? Do you still want your employer to call the shots?
Daniel Kane, the Prescribing information or Plan B, which Bishop Lori and the other Connecticut bishops approved says:There are many misconceptions about emergency contraception, so its important for your patients to know that Plan B One-Step works similar to regular birth control pills; it simply contains a larger dose of the hormone levonorgestrel. Plan B One-Step works primarily by:- Preventing ovulation- Possibly preventing fertilization by altering tubal transport of sperm and/or egg- Altering the endometrium, which may inhibit implantationhttp://planbonestep.com/plan-b-prescribers/how-plan-b-works.aspxThe Prescribing information for Ella says:12.1 Mechanism of ActionWhen taken immediately before ovulation is to occur, ella postpones follicular rupture. The likely primary mechanism of action of ulipristal acetate for emergency contraception is therefore inhibition or delay of ovulation; however, alterations to the endometrium that may affect implantation may also contribute to efficacy. It appears that they both say that they "may" inhibit implantation if the other mechanisms don't work.Regarding Plan B, Bishop Lori said in 2007::Last spring, the Connecticut Bishops worked hard to defeat the so-called Plan B legislation. Its not that the Church opposes administering Plan B to victims of rape; these women have suffered a gravely unjust assault. Last year, nearly 75 rape victims were treated in the four Connecticut Catholic hospitals; no one was denied Plan B as the result of the Catholic hospital protocols which required both a pregnancy test and an ovulation test prior to the administration of that drug.Whats really at issue here is how much testing is appropriate to ensure that Plan B does not induce the chemical abortion of a fertilized ovum. There is uncertainty about how Plan B works. Its effect is to prevent fertilization of the ovum. Some believe, however, that in rare instances Plan B can render the lining of the uterus inhospitable to the fertilized ovum which must implant in it in order to survive and grow; many other experts dispute this. For their part, the Bishops of Connecticut felt it was best not only to administer the standard FDA-approved pregnancy test, but also an ovulation test. However, this course of action was only a prudential judgment, not a matter of settled Church teaching and practice. Other bishops and moral theologians hold that a pregnancy test alone suffices. Indeed, the Church does not teach that it is intrinsically evil to administer Plan B without first giving an ovulation test or that those who do so are committing an abortionhttp://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/1905953/postsNote also that, in 2007, the issue was not simply proving insurance coverage or Plan B but actually administering th drug in a Catholic Hospital.
That person/institution will NOT have to fund contraception. Its really as simple as that. Not a single precious dollar will be spent.Lisa, this shows a failure to understand basic economics. Money is being paid to an insurance company. The insurance company is then supposed to provide something that does cost money for "free." Even if the insurance company supposedly saves money in the long run, it still has to expend dollars paying for the thing that supposedly helps it save money. And the insurance company therefore has to include the price of that thing in the premium. Grant, here's just one way that America magazine is confused:
Then, on Feb. 10, President Obama announced a compromise solution by which religious institutions would be exempt from paying the objectionable premiums but women would not be denied contraceptive coverage. A confrontation that should never have happened was over.
There is no truthful depiction of events by which the confrontation was "over" as of Feb. 10. The original rule went into effect as planned. It doesn't apply to church organizations for the first year, but there is as yet no actual or even proposed "compromise" rule that would displace the original rule. Another point of confusion:
The campaign fails to acknowledge that in the present instance, claims of religious liberty may collide with the right to health care, or that the religious rights of other denominations are in tension with those of Catholics.
There is no plausible claim that anyone has a "religious right" to obtain contraceptives for free. No one has ever suggested such a thing except when the purpose is to create a false equivalence, as if there are religious rights at issue on both sides.
Lisa -- an analogy might help you understand. If I spend $300 every year to have a wooden deck treated with a special chemical that prevents rot, I may be saving lots of money in the long run by not having to replace the entire deck. Still, it's a complete falsehood to say that "not a single precious dollar will be spent" on the deck treatment. Obviously, I'm spending money on the deck treatment -- I may be able to avoid spending money on something else down the road, but I'm still writing out a check for $300 here and now. And guess what: if my wife says, "I hate buying this deck treatment, because it's tested on animals in horribly painful conditions, and I am morally opposed to that," I'm not going to get very far if I respond, "But we're not actually spending any money, because we're saving money in the long run." That is both a falsehood (as I really am writing out a check) and a complete evasion of the issue (the issue isn't how many net dollars are spent over a lifetime, but being involved in buying something here and now).
Studebaker Here is a shorter more accurate analogy. Your city passes an ordinance that every contractor must treat all his new decks with with the special chemical. The ordinance says decks will last longer and be safe from collapse and will save everyone down the line. Contractor will not give a damn about your wife's animal concerns if you hire him to do the deck.. he will follow the city ordnance.
The bishops' "religious liberty" mantra is such a sham.Want to know about so-called "religious liberty", bishops?Talk to your counterparts in China and other places that make it difficult if not impossible to be truly free in exercising episcopal duties.Then you'll know something about (quote)religious liberty(endquote).I hope our bishops end up becoming the worst kind of friends any Republican candidate might ever hope of having in a presidential election.
"There is no plausible claim that anyone has a religious right to obtain contraceptives for free. No one has ever suggested such a thing except when the purpose is to create a false equivalence, as if there are religious rights at issue on both sides."Studebaker --I'm with you here. But your contention that the insurance company's decision to buy the contraceptives and take a slight immediate loss, implies that it is the bishops who are responsible for the act of buying them is just nonsense. If the bishops were buying them, then money would have to pass between the bishops and the insurers *for the contraceptives*. But that is not what the revised plan calls for. What is it you mainly object to? You seem to be confusing remote cooperation with immediate cooperation, or maybe you don't permit *either* remote or immediate cooperation You seem to think that the bishops are somehow sending money to pay for the contraceptives.But ALL the bishops are doing is contracting for a policy which in fact does NOT include contraceptive coverage. Since the policy doesn't cover them, I can't see how you can claim that the bishops are paying for them. They're paying ONLY for what they've contracted for.
Cardinal Dolan remarks on an administration tactic that, to my knowledge, has never been used before and which has deeply disturbing implications:"And a recent meeting between staff of the bishops conference and the White House staff ended with the Presidents people informing us that the broader concerns of religious freedom that is, revisiting the straight-jacketing mandates, or broadening the maligned exemptionare all off the table. Instead, they advised the bishops conference that we should listen to the 'enlightened' voices of accommodation, such as the recent hardly-surprising but terribly unfortunate editorial in America. The White House seems to think we bishops are hopelessly out of touch with our people, and with those whom the White House now has nominated as official Catholic teachers."http://blog.archny.org/?p=2291
Leave it to the bishops to complicate the uncomplicated in order to suit their political (and obviously partisan political) agenda. The administration has granted a reasonable and good faith accommodation. The Church will not be buying contraceptives. Insurance companies will be saving monies that would otherwise be going for pregnancy-related expenses. "The White House seems to think we bishops are hopelessly out of touch with our people, and with those whom the White House now has nominated as official Catholic teachers.I've got news for Dolan: The White House folks are not the only people who believe the bishops are hopelessly out of touch with Catholics, and most Catholics would likely agree that the hierarchs --- as "official Catholic teachers" --- have not demonstrated the competence to teach in any authoritative way. They simply lack any moral or other credibility. Perhaps we're seeing a role-reversal here: The laity are teaching the bishops, and the bishops are having a hard time accepting this new reality.
I say bishop Lori picked up support from Rush Limbaugh but lost the Georgetown Law school. If you walk into the political arena/ring to play the political game it's always been ' you win some and lose some'.
You seem to think that the bishops are somehow sending money to pay for the contraceptives. But ALL the bishops are doing is contracting for a policy which in fact does NOT include contraceptive coverage.Ann -- you're using the present tense about a rule that doesn't even exist yet. Leaving that aside, the point has been made by several commenters (and never refuted) that it's a mere matter of semantics to say the policy wouldn't include contraceptive coverage, when every policy is automatically accompanied by an offer of "free" contraceptive coverage (while such an offer is never made without the underlying policy). If someone said we should make every health insurance policy come with a monthly package of marijuana, and objections were raised, would it really fool so many people if the "compromise" were this: "every single health insurance policy has to come with a 'separate' offer of a 'free' monthly package of marijuana." It would obviously be silly to describe that as a "compromise" at all -- the insurance policy would still be covering the marijuana the same as before. Another analogy: suppose someone said, "I want it to be illegal to sell a hamburger without a large French fries along with it." (French fries, after all, are more expensive than most contraceptives on a monthly basis.) Would anyone be fooled as to what was going on if a "compromise" were that with every purchase of a hamburger, a third drive-through window handed out "free" sacks of French fries? Would anyone be gullible enough to believe, "Oh, gee, I guess the French fries really are free, and have nothing to do with the hamburger purchase at all."
To supplement my 9:56 pm comment last night which quoted Bishop Lori's blog on administering Plan B in Catholic hospitals in CT, the official announcement by the bishops as a group pointed out that it was the doubt about how Plan B worked that allowed Catholic hospitals to administer it - but that if it became clear that Plan B did cause an abortion, the matter would have to be reopened. Since the teaching authority of the Church has not definitively resolved this matter and since there is serious doubt about how Plan B pills work, the Catholic Bishops of Connecticut have stated that Catholic hospitals in the State may follow protocols that do not require an ovulation test in the treatment of victims of rape. A pregnancy test approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration suffices. If it becomes clear that Plan B pills would lead to an early chemical abortion in some instances, this matter would have to be reopened. I have no personal knowledge of Plan B (or Ella) other than the prescribing information I quoted that says they both "may" inhibit implantation. If there is new information that has become available since 2007, the bishops would certainly be justified in reopening the question of whether Catholic hospitals can administer Plan B or Ella. It's not clear from the statements I have read whether the bishops are saying that new information has become available since 2007 which makes clear that Plan B does result in an abortion - and that information available for Ella makes clear that it does as well.
Cdl. Dolan in his blog to which Patrick M. linked proudly mentions Fidelis Care New York, a Medicare/Medicaid insurance provider owned by the Church. ( http://blog.archny.org/?p=2291 ). It limits its provision of Family Planning Services benefits and notifies doctors accordingly. It is interesting to note the detailed efforts Fidelis appears to make (2007 Manual) to ensure that patients who are Fidelis members and their doctors will be informed of the identity and telephone number of other sources of the services that Fidelis elects not to provide. http://www.fideliscare.org/downloads/prov_manual/pm_16.pdf It is difficult for me to see how this situation differs substantially from the HHS grant contract issue in which Cdl. Dolan in his blog refers to "their exclusion from contracts just because they will not refer victims of human trafficking, immigrants and refugees, and the hungry of the world, for abortions, sterilization, or contraception."
Lori's comments are no more snippy than posts from regular contributors here. Give me a break. Some seem downright incensed that the bishops are daring to talk back to those tut-tittering their decidedly inappropriate fetishizing (in their view) of this issue. But "uncivil?" Come on.
A suggestion: Both here and elsewhere I think it would help the conversation if we men refrained (abstained?) from using analogies to make our points (whatever they may be) about contraception. So far, just in this thread, I've read analogies to ham sandwiches, house decks, marijuana and french fries. None of them (in my opinion) has clarified, elevated or illuminated the issues involved. All of them (again, in my opinion) are befuddling, unfortunate and/or insensitive to varying degrees.As for what Lisa Fullam said at 3/2, 5:08 pm regarding the importance of listening to women's voices on this issue---yes, yes, a thousand times yes.
Luke, I don't think I agree that this is a "women's issue". What the pill does to an individual woman is that woman's issue, but what it does to society is everyone's concern.
Luke Hill,What a bizarre, illiberal, infantilizing suggestion! I presume you don't think men should forever not use analogies. I trust that you will inform us when in your view the time is appropriate so that we can make use of analogies once again.
Luke, I think you don't quite understand what an analogy even is. The point of an analogy isn't to compare birth control itself to French fries, but to think about the (ridiculous) things that are said about how birth control is going to be "free" under some new system. If it helps, feel free to replace any analogy with the abstract terms X and Y. Here's an example: Suppose someone said, I want it to be illegal to sell X without Y along with it. But suppose a small segment of the population believed that buying Y is immoral. Would anyone be fooled as to what was going on if a compromise were that with every purchase of X, the provider of X had to make Y available for "free"? (Note: even here, one has to avoid getting distracted by the thought that birth control isn't literally the letter "X.")
" Leaving that aside, the point has been made by several commenters (and never refuted) that its a mere matter of semantics to say the policy wouldnt include contraceptive coverage, when every policy is automatically accompanied by an offer of free contraceptive coverage (while such an offer is never made without the underlying policy)."Studebaker --Yes, the point was made, and I disagreed with it. You think it wsan't refuted, I think it was. (It's those apodictic pronouncements that turn people off, Stu, "It was refuted" -- as if all that needs doing is for Studebaker to decide who won the argument.)Your post here goes off into "iffy" situaions which might be relevant as illustrative of your points. But we already know your points. Now the thing to do is to present your "sed contras", your arguments against criticism of your view. You don't win any converts until they see that you position holds up under criticism.
Ann, it's not my decision. As far as I can tell (amidst hundreds and hundreds of comments, some of which I admittedly might have missed), no one has even tried to refute the following point: If (1) The sale of X is automatically accompanied by an offer of "Free Y!", and (2) "Free Y" itself isn't ever offered outside of a particular sale of X, then obviously the sale of X and the offer of "Free Y" are being tied together. And just as obviously, since Y isn't literally free here and now (drug companies make Y, and someone has to pay them), the average cost of Y will be built into the average price of X. The difference is only cosmetic. What the Obama administration has done is exactly like this: "We'll sell you a value meal that includes a hamburger, fries, and Coke for $5.00. Never mind, actually what we'll do is sell you a hamburger for $5.00, and you can get the fries and Coke for 'free.'" Why would anyone think that the second economic transaction is so different?
Studebaker ==Your argument misses the point of the other side. You keep saying that because the insurance company pays for the contraceptives (somhow at the instigation of the bishops), qnd because other buyers of ins. will have to make up for the ins. co.'s outlay for the contraceptives that the cooperation of the bishops is so close to the buying of contraceptives that they are guilty of proximate material cooperation.Your problem seems to be you don't accept the notion of remote material cooperation as qualifyung a moral situation.
On rereading Lori's letter, I looked in vain for his strong, stage-setting statement to the effect of "Religious freedom in the United States in 2012 is ..". Instead, he leaves it to the patient reader to induce his and, presumably, the USCCB's concept from a laundry list of sore points. Is he unable to define it? Or, is it a vague, flexible, general-purpose umbrella over several challenges the Church authorities hope to settle in the public square, given their difficulties in doing so internally amongst the Catholic faithful? And, in conclusion (his), it is difficult to identify the constructive alternative he would propose that offers an ending for Church and State better than the one that is coming. The American editors tried to do that. What are the bishops interested in achieving?
Sorry, I thought I'd made a relatively innocuous comment, and then went off to do my usual Saturday errands and chores. It appears I've partially derailed the thread, for which I apologize to all. By way of quick response to those kind enough to reply to my comment at 3/3, 12:11 pm:@David Smith (3/3, 1:12 pm) I didn't state, or mean to imply, that contraception is a "women's issue" (so I perhaps we actually agree?). @Patrick Molloy (3/3, 1:43 pm) Sorry, I thought it was a liberal do-gooding, how-can-we-all-work-together-to-improve-the-quality-and-value-of-our-conversation-type suggestion. Analogize away.@Studebaker (3/3, 2:14 pm) With all due respect, I think I do know something about what an analogy is, and is used for. Again, analogize away. My experience so far in this conversation over the past few weeks is that analogies have generated more heat than light. However, I recognize that other folks may well have had a different, even opposite experience.And now (hopefully), back to the main topic.
Ann -- You keep saying that because the insurance company pays for the contraceptives (somhow at the instigation of the bishops), qnd because other buyers of ins. will have to make up for the ins. co.s outlay for the contraceptives that the cooperation of the bishops is so close to the buying of contraceptives that they are guilty of proximate material cooperation.No, I say the bishops themselves would be paying for contraception. More specifically, any insurance policy that is accompanied by an offer of "free" anything will incorporate the price of that "free anything" into the price of the policy. Therefore, whoever buys the policy is THEMSELVES actually paying money for the "free anything," just as much as you're really paying something for the "free ginsu knife if you order in the next 20 minutes" on a late night info-mercial.Another analogy: suppose that a home warranty company offers you a warranty for all structural repairs for 5 years, for $5,000. Suppose the warranty company tells you, "Look, we used to have to charge $6,000 for this policy, but we're saving money because we now supply a 'free' service that maintains your A/C and heating units every year, so that we don't have to replace them as often. This service really does cost us $500, but we're throwing it in for 'free.'" Even if all of those figures really are true (not just sales pitches), and even if you accept that the warranty company is indeed saving money in the long run by offering A/C and heating maintenance, would anyone really think that the $5,000 cost of the warranty literally included nothing whatsoever that went towards the $500 cost of the maintenance? Would anyone really contend that people who buy the warranty are not spending "one precious dollar" for the maintenance?
"Access to comprehensive health care that includes contraception is very important to most American women."Lisa - shouldn't the government devise a way to distribute contraception to women that doesn't impinge on religious liberty? Why set the two in opposition to one another?
I hold out hope that this whole brouhaha might open up a discussion on the real issue - which is not, I think, the government's intrusion on our religious liberty but rather the absurdity of the Catholic bishops' insistence that contraception - one of the most important advances in women's health - is still morally unacceptable. We Catholics came close once - until Paul VI quashed it. Are there no members of the Catholic hierarchy who are unafraid to speak on behalf of - and with - women?
Jim Pauwels, to avoid the arguments about the accomodation for Catholic Hopitals, Universities, etc, let me limit my comment to just the Catholic Taco Bell stand owner wih 50 or more employees.He will ask insurance brokers for quotes on health insurance policies that meet the government minimum standard to avoid the tax penalty for not providing adequate health insurance for your employees. All of he policies for which he receives quotes will include coverage of contraception. It is not a decision over which he has any control other than to just not buy insurance - and not provide health insurance for his employees.That issue has been discussed many times here and (I believe) most people see it as, at most, remote cooperation with evil which is allowable.You may say that, even if it is remote and allowable, he shouldn't haves to be involved in cooperation in evil at all. That is essentially the position of the person who doesn't want to pay income taxes that will, in part, be used to support an unjust war.As the editor of "America" said in their recent editorial "The campaign also risks ignoring two fundamental principles of Catholic political theology. Official Catholic rights theory proposes that people should be willing to adjust their rights claims to one another. It also assigns to government the responsibility to coordinate contending rights and interests for the sake of the common good"When Bishop Hunthausen withheld some of his income tax, the IRS garnished his salary from the diocese. I honor him for holding to his moral principles but I also believe that the IRS did what is necessary to deal with competing claims in a diverse society.
"Are there no members of the Catholic hierarchy who are unafraid to speak on behalf of and with women?"Noreen, the American bishops were once men of conscience who would warn the Vatican when they believed it was wrong. Then the Vatican started to insist that the American bishops obey Rome. Bishop Bernardin, a bishop of conscience, complained that the Vatican was treating them like altar boys. Then Cardinal Law, O'connor and the rest started to ridicule bishops like Bernardine. As a result, the bishops have become....altar boys. They complain of maltreatment from the laity. Dolan complains that the Pew study shows the laity love Jesus but not the hierarchy. Nor realizing that what the laity wants is leadership. Not altar boys.
@noreen connolly (3/3, 7:04 pm) No. Apparently there aren't. (This has been another edition of Simple Answers to Simple Questions.)@Bill Mazzella (3/3, 7:51 pm) (There's no reason to drag altar boys into this and start insulting them.)
Lisa shouldnt the government devise a way to distribute contraception to women that doesnt impinge on religious liberty?Exactly. For example, if you've determined that an extra $50 a month is just too much for all of the women-working-at-Catholic-institutions-who-have-no-significant-other-who-can-help-out, then why not have a universal redistribution program that gives more women an extra $50 a month? That way, you'd be helping the women like my wife, who is infertile due to cancer treatment and whose life would be endangered by birth control. Giving her birth control coverage is useless, and it's puzzling that the putatively women-friendly commenters/bloggers don't seem to care about people like her.
Daniel Kane "It also fails to identify the Administration as a bully using the force of law to compel a Church or a person of good will who considers contraception a sin to fund it."Studebaker and Ann have been going back and forth over this very issue, which I would think might at least prove it's NOT a given. Even before the President expanded (or proposed to expand) the religious exemption to include hospitals and universities, etc., churches weren't "compelled" to fund contraceptives. As I recall, way back then (before Feb. 10) the bishops said the Issue was how insulting it was that the Obama administration didn't "get" that the Church's mission covers far more than mere worship and that hospitals, social welfare agencies, etc., should clearly be exempted too since anybody who knows anything about Christianity knows they're part and parcel of the Church's work. Once Obama extended the exemption, they immediately changed focus to claim that the exemption isn't really an exemption, and then settled on the assertion that NO employer should have to pay for an insurance plan that covers something he considers morally objectionable. The only constant has been the hostile tone. Really, if Obama's the bully, he's been muffling his message with civility. The bishops, on the other hand, have been doing a darn good job of mimicking what bullies sound like. All of which just goes to show...I'm not sure what.
Beverly, I'm afraid you're falling for the misinformation some people have been peddling. You say, "Once Obama extended the exemption . . . ." But Obama did no such thing. The original rule went into effect, and today is the law. Obama merely says that there might be a change in the policy at some future date, but as I explained at great length above, the change that Obama has so far suggested cannot possibly make any difference, and it certainly isn't "extending" anything, as you say.
Actually, even if we assume that the promised accommodation is delivered, it is not an extension of the religious exemption.
In our local Sunday paper this morning out here in Dakota land, a letter writer used an expression I hadn't seen before in reading many online articles and columns: "the Republican bishops." This captures it very succinctly. I'm sure others have said or written this, maybe above in the comments. But it's worth stating again. It sure feels like Republican bishops more than Catholic (diversity-within-unity) bishops. As far as diversity of perspective (or gifts of the Holy Spirit), it seems the Church's large tent has shrunk to a pup tent.
Another report from very conservative and very Republican North Dakota. Our local paper this morning also has yesterday's results from the Online Poll: "Is discussion about who should pay for contraceptives a political diversion or a legitimate presidential campaign issue? Diversion 62%, Real issue 15%, A bit of both 23%"
Please God, no! Violent language leads to violence. It's past time to tamp down the rhetoric. Whatever happened to "Blessed are the peacemakers"?Where are the Carrolls, the Englands, the (Francis Patrick) Kenricks, the (Martin and John Lancaster) Spaldings, the Gibbonses, the Irelands, the Hayeses, the Mundeleins, the Spellmans, the Cushings, the Hallinans, the Deardens, the Bernardins?Why not send a delegation made up of Bishop Kicanas (the almost USCCB president), Archbishop Aymond, Bishop Cupich to the White House for quiet talks with principal White House aides? Or is the only end the defeat of President Obama?It won't be, I fear, just denying Communion to politicians this time round, but every Catholic who works for, or volunteers for, or contributes to Democratic presidential, senatorial, congressional campaigns will be said to be co-operating in evil. To say nothing of voting.There has to be some way forward other than crying "fire" in a crowded hall.


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v-rog wrote:It is going to be a blast. I'll be SOing one of the strings.
koolaid wrote:I just moved to the Spring area and have been wanting to get into IDPA, but have never had a chance to go. Is one or the other of these places more conducive to complete newbies? I've shot a lot for fun, but never in any sort of competitive or "action" environment.
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In keeping with the Valley Forge Christian College (VFCC) institutional mission to prepare individuals for a life of service and leadership in the church and in the world, the education program at VFCC seeks to prepare competent professionals for a life of service in Christian, private, and public schools.
For those Students who wish to earn a Degree in Education, but do not wish to pursue state teaching Certification, The Education Department of VFCC Provides a Non-Certification degree in Early Childhood Education, Grades Pre-K - grade 4. The requirements of this program are identical to those listed on the following page with one exception- student teaching and its accompanying seminar is not required. During the students' final semester, in place of student teaching, the students must take at least 13 credits of courses aligned with their personal interest and approved by their advisors. Because this non-certification program does not allow the students to be eligible for teacher certification, students must have a minimal cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.00 to graduate from this Early Childhood Education Program. Eligible students will receive the Bachelor of Science-Education degree. The goal of the education program is to produce Christ-like, qualified individuals who, through the integration of biblical truth and professional knowledge and skills, will serve children in a variety of diverse educational venues.
Upon graduation students will demonstrate competency in instructional and developmental theory, and in planning, organizing and implementing learning experiences for students. Having participated in the total college experience according to the principles found in Luke 2:52, VFCC graduates will be prepared to begin their roles as intellectually, physically, spiritually, and socially mature leaders.
For students seeking to pursue graduate education, most graduate programs require a minimum GPA of 3.0 for entrance.
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A practical introduction to the study of the Bible. The course provides an overview of fundamental issues of interpretation, inspiration, manuscripts, and translation. Emphasis is on basic approaches to Bible study and appropriate use of biblical reference tools. Only required for non-ministry majors.
This course provides an in-depth examination of technology used in the educational setting. Included are digital media applications, along with projected, non-projected and audio media. The integration of media into the lesson planning process is a crucial component of the course.
A basic course in public speaking designed to provide both theory and practice in principles of effective speech composition and communication.
This course stresses the writing process and introduces the skills necessary to conduct college-level research. Emphasis is placed on argumentative and analytical writing supported by research. A passing grade of C- or higher is required.
This course is designed to develop and expand an appreciation for music, art, and aesthetics. Introduces major movements and ideas in art, music, and architecture. Examines historical time periods and major figures including their philosophy, style, and view of aesthetics. Requires participation in cultural excursions. $90 lab fee.
A critical and historical study of selected English literature from the fifth century to the present. Representative authors from each period are selected so that students may gain an appreciation for outstanding authors and an understanding of the society in which each lived.
Prerequisite: ENG 123 or 497.
This course will offer students the opportunity to read widely among the various literatures of the Bible and its literary counterparts found in poetry, prose, and fiction. The course will attempt to explore and analyze the relationship between the sacred and the secular by using works from John Milton, C.S. Lewis, T.S. Eliot, George Herbert, William Shakespeare, Emily Dickinson, and several others. Several traditional as well as modern models of literary criticism will be considered.
Prerequisite: ENG 123 or 497.
A survey of the major events and individuals in United States history from Colonization to Reconstruction. Critically examines various topics of interpretive interest in American history such as the coming of the Europeans, Puritanism, religious freedom, the Revolution, slavery, immigration, industrialization, urbanization, the Civil War, and Reconstruction.
A survey of the major events and individuals in United States history from just after Reconstruction to the present. Critically examines various topics of interpretive interest in American history such as immigration, industrialization, urbanization, the rise of Big Business, imperialism, the New Deal, the Cold War, Vietnam, the civil rights movement, etc. No prerequisites required.
This course is the first part of a six-credit mathematics requirement designed specifically for early childhood, elementary, and music education majors to give them a deep conceptual understanding of the mathematics taught in the elementary and middle school. Topics covered include numeration, operations with rational numbers, and number theory. A
problem-solving approach will be employed.
Prerequisite: Minimum Score of 420 on Mathematics SAT OR successful completion of MTH 107 with a grade of C- or higher.
Specifically designed for education majors, this course is the second part of a six-credit mathematics requirement. Content includes algebraic reasonings, geometry, measurement, and probability and statistics. Critical thinking and problem-solving strategies are emphasized. The course will include a unit on interpreting statistics in an educational setting.
Prerequisite: Completion of MTH 133 with a passing grade.
A panoramic view of the chief events, prominent characters, main themes and salient teachings of each New Testament book in relation to its historical, geographical and cultural contexts.
A study of the historical settings, literary features, authorship, theological teachings, and general content of the books of the Hebrew Bible. This survey provides a factual and practical groundwork for further studies in the Old Testament.
This course is an overview of personal health and stress management strategies for identifying and preventing health problems. Successful exercise, wellness, and nutrition programs are introduced.
May be taken one time only. This course is required of all students.
This course will examine and apply principles involved in the development of a worldview. The course will emphasize the development and application of a Christian worldview. Special emphasis will be given to critical, creative, and Christian thinking skills.
An introduction to the basic concepts of human behavior, motivation, emotion and personality, and a survey of the contemporary psychological field.
A practical study of the classic spiritual disciplines that are essential to lifelong spiritual formation from a Pentecostal perspective. The course will emphasize intentional and holistic applications in daily living.
A study of Assemblies of God antecedents, history, government, doctrinal emphases, distinctives, and missions.
This course examines current philosophies in the field of Early Childhood Education, the tension created by opposing philosophies, and how adherence to these philosophies is translated into educational principles and practices. The relationship between play and learning will be explored. Integration of curriculum into the learning experience in a developmentally appropriate environment will be stressed.
This course focuses on developing an integrated curriculum based on the socio-emotional, sensorimotor, and cognitive skills of the 0-8 year-old child. Emphasis will be on providing an integrated, hands-on learning environment that parallels the maturation of the young child. Students will gain experience in lesson planning and practical use of curriculum materials. This course will include classroom observations and fieldwork.
Prerequisites: ECE 123 and EDU 103.
This course examines the physical, intellectual, emotional and social development of the child from birth through the childhood years (0-12), including the study of how children learn and acquire knowledge. Special attention will be given to leading theories of development and their implications in the early childhood and elementary classrooms.
This course offers an exploration of the integration of the creative arts in an elementary school setting. Special emphases will be given to the areas of art, music, and creative dramatics and on how to integrate skills and activities in these areas into the elementary curriculum. A hands-on, thematic approach will be explored and adaptations for teaching the exceptional child, including the gifted, will be included. Prerequisite: FNA 113.
A course designed to prepare students to teach English language learners in ESL classes and in
mainstream content area classes in public and private schools in the United States and to teach EFL in a foreign country. Included are theories of second language acquisition, program models for ELLs,
curriculum development, and lesson planning using a variety of methods to integrate the teaching of
English listening, speaking, conversation, pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary, reading and writing with
content area objectives.
Prerequisite: CMS 233.
An analysis of the content, scope and sequence, trends, materials, and skills integral to the various social science disciplines found in elementary social studies. The course is process oriented and focuses on gathering, organizing, reporting, and interpreting social science data in hands-on activities. Thematic and/or integrated units of study are emphasized. Units on Pennsylvania history and physical and cultural geography are also studied.
Prerequisites: CMS 233, HIS 233 or HIS 243.
This course introduces students to how to teach science and health via an inquiry approach. Students will learn questioning strategies for inquiry instruction and how to plan multidisciplinary units that meet the needs of diverse learners and that address state and national standards. Strategies for integrating technology into science and health will be explored.
Prerequisites: CMS 233 and 6 credits of Science courses.
This is an exploratory course investigating language acquisition, learning theories, the reading process, and their relation to the teaching of reading. The relationship between language development and emergent literacy, language models, communication and listening competencies, and the effect of a print-rich environment will be emphasized. Study will include the teaching of reading and language skills to elementary school-aged children, with an emphasis on listening, speaking, reading and writing development. Various approaches to teaching reading will be explored such as the use of phonics, basal readers, guided reading, balanced literacy, and reading workshop.
The aim of the field experience program at Valley Forge Christian College is to provide education students with a progression of opportunities to apply theory to practice in an authentic educational setting. During the two semesters prior to student teaching, students spend one full day or two half days per week (secondary education only) in a local P-12 classroom at a grade level appropriate for their certification. The VFCC Field Experience Coordinator secures all field experience placements. Every education student at VFCC, regardless of the certification program, takes EDU 383. Students are concurrently registered for specific methods courses required for their degree program that have assignments related to the field experience.
This course explores what it means to be an effective teacher in a society that is increasingly diverse. We will focus on the skills and dispositions teachers need to provide high quality instruction for all students, regardless of their class, race, ethnicity, gender, or religion.
This course is designed to help develop an understanding of, and plan instruction for those students with varying levels of ability and developmental need. A variety of assessment procedures, strategies and techniques for teaching reading, as well as
remedial programs will be examined as a means to differentiate and teach reading to these different levels. Students will learn to tailor instruction and remediate minor reading problems identified through assessment. An emphasis will be placed on reading in the content areas where many of these difficulties present themselves. This course includes a related Field Experience.
Prerequisites: CMS 233, EDU 373.
This course is designed to prepare students to use a problem-solving approach to effectively teach elementary mathematics. Students will learn to plan and assess lessons that are developmentally appropriate and that address state and national content and process standards. Topics include: lesson and unit planning, appropriate use of technology, state and national standards, assessment, mathematics/literature connections, and meeting needs of diverse learners.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of MTH 133 and MTH 233, CMS 233.
This course is an overview of various strategies related to classroom instruction. Topics include effective teaching strategies, generation of classroom rules and procedures, maintaining appropriate student behavior, and strengthening communication skills. Note: This is a senior level practicum course designed to be taken just prior to the student teaching experience. All lower level education courses should be completed before taking this course. Prerequisites: EDU 103, EDU 263, CMS 233.
This is an introductory overview of the policies and procedures used in the measurement and assessment of educational performance. This course provides the foundation of basic measurement concepts as well as hands-on experience with assessment tools. The primary focus of the course is on measurement and assessment strategies for all learners including the use of standardized, informal, and curriculum-based procedures. Attention is also given to the diagnosis and program planning of students with exceptional learning needs. The field experience portion of this course is designed to provide students with school-based experiences relevant to academic assessment methods and procedures of all learners.
Prerequisites: all methods courses.
A survey of children's literary classics. Students will learn to analyze and evaluate a wide range of children's literature. In addition, the role of literature in children's growth and development will be explored.
Prerequisites: ENG 123 or 497.
A study of learning processes with practical applications for classroom teaching. Topics include human development, the impact of culture and community on learning, learning theory, motivation, testing, and assessment. This course includes a practicum involving observations and interviews with persons working in educational settings.
Provides an overview of the basic characteristics and unique life and educational needs of individuals who have been determined to be exceptional in mental, physical, and/or emotional characteristics. Topics of study include but are not limited to: learning disabilities, mental impairment, emotional and/or behavioral disorders, mental health disorders and multiple and severe disabilities. Emphasis is placed upon understanding differences from a biblical perspective. This class is open to all majors and is required for education majors.
This course is a survey of the basic characteristics and unique educational and life needs of children who have been determined to be exceptional in mental, physical, and/or emotional characteristics. It is also a brief introduction to those educational and related services that are collectively known as "special education" in contemporary public schools and the inclusion of those students in the regular classroom. A ten-hour field experience is included as part of the course. Prerequisite: SPE 223.
The University of Valley Forge is a private Christian University located in Chester County, Pennsylvania, 35 miles northwest of downtown Philadelphia. UVF offers on its sprawling park-like campus, as well as online, over 50+ undergraduate and eight graduate degrees in the Arts, the Sciences and the Professions. The university's mission is to prepare individuals for a life of service and leadership in the church and in the world.
University of Valley Forge is a private Christian University located in Chester County, Pennsylvania, 35 miles northwest of downtown Philadelphia. UVF offers on its sprawling park-like campus, as well as online, over 50+ undergraduate and eight graduate degrees in the Arts, the Sciences and the Professions. The university's mission is to prepare individuals for a life of service and leadership in the church and in the world.


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The Safety Office, working as a branch of the Human Resources office in Roberts Union, is charged with ensuring that all members of the Colby community - students, faculty, staff, contractors, and visitors - live, work, and play in a hazard free environment.
The Director of Safety is responsible for several distinct categories of regulatory compliance and risk management:
For more information on any of the College's safety programs, click on the appropriate link at left, or call Wade Behnke at x5504.
Driving for Colby College requires all students and employees to become Colby Certified Operators and adhere to Colby's Fleet Safety Policy.
Students driving for the College must complete the following steps annually:
Full-time continuing employees are not required to complete the defensive driving session. However, they must complete the background check and sign the operator's acknowledgement. Employees who wish to drive the 15 passenger mini-bus are required to complete an on-the-road safety briefing before they are eligible to drive it.


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