I think the President of the United States should always wear a tie when in an official capacity or speaking as the President.  For me its an image that should be upheld, like so many other things this country was built on, like faith and morals, that seem to be wavering on the brink of extinction.  But it reflects what is happening to us each and every day, the weakening of who we were to become who they want us to be.  There was only one good commercial during the Super Bowl, the one from the Chrysler auto corporation that was narrated by Clint Eastwood, that said we are all at halftime and it’s time to start playing the second half, time to start building up again what we always were.  I hope you all took a copy of Bishop Lennon’s letter home and read it carefully, it was also in last Sunday’s newspaper.  It is a subject that I have been thinking about for a while, the idea that directly attacks our fundamental right to religious freedom for anyone of any faith.  It is no secret that religion has been under attack for some time now with groups confronting our freedoms in many areas, but especially religion.  But for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to force Catholic employers to offer their employees’ health coverage that includes sterilization, abortion-inducing drugs, and contraception is an unjust attempt at dismantling the First Amendment.  Some might argue the necessity of such things but I believe that is exactly what has been bothering me, a softening on our own faith perspectives.  When was the last time any of us spoke out against abortion, or any right to life issue involving the unborn, or the elderly. It is time to care, time to speak up for what our parents and their parents and their parents worked so hard for and fought so hard for.  Thank God the “great generation” is almost gone, because how can they bear to watch it all fall apart in front of their faces.  This healthcare issue is only the beginning.  If we don’t speak up and do our part now who knows what they will “force” us to do next.  I think the President of the United States should always wear a tie when in an official capacity or speaking as the President.  They say it starts at the top but the top needs strong roots and we are the grassroots, we are the strength in numbers – speak up!  As Bishop Lennon stated, we need to pray “that religious liberty remain a fundamental right for all Americans!”  And visit www.usccb.org/conscience to learn more and how to contact Congress.  Together we can truly have hope and peace.