Flattered and Honored

I account it quite an honor for a blogger whose work I think so highly of as Jean at Catholic Fire to award me the Thinking Blogger Award. And all the moreso for being placed in company with such outstanding blogs as the Dawn Patrol, The Curt Jester, Pro Ecclesia * Pro Familia * Pro Civitate, and Happy Catholic. Jean writes of this blog:

Paul has a unique and wonderful way of expressing his thoughts about politics and the faith. He isn't afraid to say what's on his mind and often speaks with holy boldness - particularly when it comes to defending the unborn and the Catholic faith.

It seems to me that this is an excellent opportunity for me to begin to fulfill my resolution to share the spotlight with other good bloggers. So it falls to me now to:

1. Write a post with links to 5 blogs that make you think.

2. Link to this post so that people can easily find the exact origin of the meme.

3. Optional: Proudly display the ‘Thinking Blogger Award’ with a link to the post that you wrote.

So I am well-pleased to award, in my turn, the Thinking Blogger Award to:

• The Lair of the Catholic Cavemen - Lest we become complacent and think that all is well, the Catholic Caveman is there to go toe-to-toe with heterodoxy, apostasy and heresy wherever he finds it, and also to hail the good news when he comes across it, too. I am a passionate fellow, and I think passion is a virtue; Vir Speluncae Catholicus has it by the bucketful.


• The Unseen Blogger - One of the few non-Catholics on my blogroll, The Unseen One brings a mixture of good humor, personal experience and evangelical Protestantism to his political, cultural and religious commentary. His respect for differing faiths sets a worthy example, and his untiring defense of life makes him a welcome ally in the fight.


• man with black hat - David L. Alexander has a specific blogging niche: thoughtful commentary. He's not first off the block on the story, and he doesn't take on every topic going 'round the blogs. Instead, he picks his topics and makes considered, thoughtful and very interesting observations.


• Shaking Off Sleep - Another fellow Catholic dad and Air Force veteran, St. Jimbob of the Apokalypse usually has good and interesting things to offer, and almost never what I would have thought of saying.


• Thermidor Rising - Until recently a Democrat (!), Matt Walker is a pro-life Catholic attorney. He's ostensibly an independent now, but has just started a new "Catholics for Romney" blog, so it's being very interesting to see his growth into a Republican. Sort of reminds me of the Bl. William Roper.

Congratulations, guys! Pass it on!