A whole lotta cold goin on..

Hi Family! So I thought I'd hop on to give a quick update. Cat and I are doing pretty well over here in NJ. Recently I had a chance to go and hang out with the actual members of NazRock! We had a good time, ate at the Golden Arches, and I got to see the progress on the Kitchen and living room remodeling. It looks like the makings of what will be a wonderful space for food, family and friends.
It's getting cold. But it's wonderful to see summer into fall, into winter, and back into spring.
Cat's busy. Very busy. There's a lot going on. December 7th is her Recital, a Recital that will live in infamy, no doubt. She's working hard with two Choirs, including the world-famous Westminster Choir, which is recording an album this year. Last week we headed into New York. She had an audition with Diamond Opera Theatre, the same company I did Red Carnations with last Spring. After her Audition they hired her on the spot, asking her and I to present a recital on Valentines day, 2009. Naturally, the theme will be famous love arias and duets. It's a wonderful opportunity, and we love any reason to go up to the Hudson NY area. It's gorgeous up there.
In other semi-exciting news, things have been looking up for me. My official weight loss since June is now at 34 lbs. We have both set goals for ourselves, and are both doing great. I recently finished a production of a Vienesse Operetta called Sari.
It was a fun little production, and I recieved many complements from peers. Mom and Dad, Jose Melendez, a guy I often refer to, is the gentleman sitting down. I work with him quite a bit. Later this month I'll be a guest singer at a Faculty recital for Neumann College her in Philly. Jose will be playing for that.
Also exciting, I just found out I will be flown to Sardinia, the island off the coast of Italy, to sing in several concerts, participate in masterclasses in November. I will be spending Thanksgiving there, so sorry Wells fam as I will be there singing Italian favorites. It's a daunting task, having to sing Italian songs to Italians. But I'm looking forward to the opportunity to travel, be heard, and see a beautiful piece of the world. Cat will be back in CA spending thanksgiving with her Dad, Brother, and family. I'm sure she'll want to see every one of our side as well. She's already talking about it.
I've got to get to Church rehearsal. Things are busy out here. We miss everybody and think about you guys a lot. I'll post again soon, as things are ever-changing around here these days. God bless you family.

You wont find this on his website..

I thought I would move this discussion to a blog, since I've been so long winded. Those of you who don't know what I'm talking about can refer to our discussion on politics on the Nazarro blog entitled, "suspension of nazrock".

One of the few issues Obama has actually voted on is abortion. In fact, he's done much more than that. He's used it to "excite his base and raise money." In 2004 Michelle Obama sent out a fundraising email on behalf of her husband. The hook was the 2003 Congressional ban on partial-birth abortions. Even certain Democrats voted for the ban referring to it as, "as close to infanticide as anything I have come upon..." (Senator Patrick Moynihan, NY). In the email she describes the law as a "ban on a legitimate medical procedure" that "is clearly unconstitutional and must be overturned.......On march 16th we have a chance to nominate a candidate who will be tireless in the fight to protect women's rights." In 2007 Obama offered a statement against a Supreme court ruling upholding the 2003 ban. He said it was a restriction on "a woman's right to choose", and cited lack of "women's medical concerns". Family, he wasn't just talking about abortion. He was talking about Partial-birth Abortion. In 97 he voted "present" (effectively a "no") on two different partial-birth abortion bans that came to the floor. One bill passed, 44 to 5. Obama tried to explain that the bill contained no exception for the health of the mother in his book, Audicity of Hope. When is partial-birth abortion ever necessary to a mother's health? A health coalition, the Physicians Ad Hoc Coalition for Truth, a group of 600 doctors wrote,"Never is the partial-birth procedure medically indicated."
Obama wants to see all restriction on abortion erradicated. in 2007 speaking before the Planned Parenthood Action Fund he said "The first thing I'll do as President is sign the Freedom of Choice Act." Listen close, this bill would cancel every state, federal , and local regulation on abortion, no matter what. It would abolish all state restrictions on govt funding of abortions. If Obama becomes president and lives up to this promise, everyone who pays income tax would be paying to fund abortions. By promising to sign this into law, he's eliminating laws which protect our nurses (hey, I know a few nurses) and doctors from losing their jobs if they refuse to participate in abortions. He's promising to abolish requirements for parental notification and informed consent for mothers considering the procedure. There are Pro-life groups that argue it would even remove the requirement that only licensed physicians perform abortions.
This is one area where Obama has a real record.