Links for 03/31/15 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: On the Clinton poll, its too early - and being in a statistical tie is pretty good for someone who has not yet campaigned. Lets ask President Dean about how important those early poll numbers are or President McCain.
Silk is right, for the Indiana RFRA to survive, it can't really do anything. It was supposed to be a political statement with a nod and a wink that it really was about gays and Muslims. Of course, the federal Civil Rights Act pretty much trumps anyone open to the public from discriminating against anyone anyway. Period. This was an empty gesture and the fix will be an embarrassment. So much for Pence establishing his social conservative street cred.
I look forward to the notes on the Boston trip, however I would have loved to have been on that panel if someone would pay to get me there (I got peoples to put me up once I do (cousins and such). I hope someone is going as devil's advocate. If I were to, I would say that examples of left libertarianism are the Green Party (social libertarian, economic liberal), Mondragon (substitute for government, economic liberal - cooperativist, social I'm not sure - the Basque know how to party) and Catholic Charities (economic liberal, governmental subsititue, social conservative on some points).
Dr. Carl Milsted of libertarian fame has version of the Norton Chart where he describes both Social Liberals and Left Leaning Freedom Lovers (I would call them social libertarians). Both of these areas combined are the ideology which this panel seems to reject, but is alive and well in American politics, though looking for a partisan home that actually wants to win an election. The problem is, few are willing to fund it because it is anti-privilege for the rich.
Tuesday, March 31, 2015
Inequality: The Problem No One Can Tackle | National Catholic Reporter
Inequality: The Problem No One Can Tackle | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: The problem is the entire debate. It seems to be about marginal improvements in taxes, benefits and wages but no real vision for a different future where executives do not seek to be rock stars at the expense of their workers -and at times their shareholders. It is no wonder the working class, who refuse to even acknowledge such a designation (is a step above or is still in poverty) is not exited by any of the debate - stays home and lets the Republicans have the Congress. Indeed, many in the working class think they are in the middle class, so the working gets nothing while the middle gets more than it needs. What we need to redistribute is not income, its ownership and that is a problem many have tackled - especially yours truly - both how to distribute it and what to do when you get it.
The lack of such a vision is why we have acquiesence. Oddly enough, the creation of the current liberal welfare state, which the Vatican still holds dear in Caritas in Veritate, came about because Pope Leo was answering Marx - and this was essential because Marxism was in the lead in fighting for ownership and income through the union movement - which was attracting ethnics the world over, incluing in the United States. Indeed, during the early party of the depression, there was a real danger the Marxists would win - so FDR triangulated between Industry, Labor and Government, with the help of Msgr. Ryan and made everyone happy until Reagan came along, coached by none other than George Will. That tacit agreement to work together stopped under FDR when the Marxists were thrown under the bus (no ownership) and even the Catholics in the movement were reduced to Bing Corsby movies - with a Red Scare attempting to finish the job, but not so much - it merely radicalized the Socialists and gave them even less reason to think from a religious angle - although a part of my book shows that one can be both religious (indeed Catholic) and still have class conciousness - working for ownership.
Then we have Will's review. I might say he was so much better before, but really, only my father would think so, although I was quite pleased with his column in the late 80s about the pro-life movement giving up on banning abortion. If MSW was even paying attention, I am sure his head was spinning. His subject is nothing new - its just a new version of trickle down. I guess if you deal in high end real estate, cars or cuisine or have ambitions to be a personal servant, life is good in the celebrity actor, athlete or CEO business. I would go the other way with such stories and use them to build a bit of class conciousness - even Duck is a millionaire. It seems that people are more prone to desire that kind of of life than seek justice (which is not envy) for those who are not gifted with the luck, ability or guile of the celebrity. Of course, my little plan would take at least the CEOs out of the celebrity showcase and would require the actors, entertainers and athletes to do more for those who are trying to work their way up. Povery may be a great incentive for some, but others are equally talented and deserve a chance without having starving children - even an aspiring economic writer (now a best selling author) named Marx who did have a child starve.
Bottom line, if becoming an owners became the biggest part of retirement compensation and it actually meant some share in the control of the firm - as much so as the CEO gets if one is a long enough tenured employee (and the same pay by the way - with CEOs bidding on their wage against others), then the whole story of class conciousness may indeed change.
As for the Church, I am sure they will flock to any successful movement - which will gladly tell them to emulate Francis on poverty. Indeed, a morality based on Christian humanism will have the same basic content as one based on secular humanism. Its natural law either way. Indeed, if the Curia can't sell its natural law to secular humanists, its not natural law - its religious tradition. Why is that essential - because atheists need to be convinced, as the Christian Left does, that the Catholci Hierarchy is really teaching truth, not patriarchy. Can't see that the Church is doing a very good job right now, not even with Francis.
The lack of such a vision is why we have acquiesence. Oddly enough, the creation of the current liberal welfare state, which the Vatican still holds dear in Caritas in Veritate, came about because Pope Leo was answering Marx - and this was essential because Marxism was in the lead in fighting for ownership and income through the union movement - which was attracting ethnics the world over, incluing in the United States. Indeed, during the early party of the depression, there was a real danger the Marxists would win - so FDR triangulated between Industry, Labor and Government, with the help of Msgr. Ryan and made everyone happy until Reagan came along, coached by none other than George Will. That tacit agreement to work together stopped under FDR when the Marxists were thrown under the bus (no ownership) and even the Catholics in the movement were reduced to Bing Corsby movies - with a Red Scare attempting to finish the job, but not so much - it merely radicalized the Socialists and gave them even less reason to think from a religious angle - although a part of my book shows that one can be both religious (indeed Catholic) and still have class conciousness - working for ownership.
Then we have Will's review. I might say he was so much better before, but really, only my father would think so, although I was quite pleased with his column in the late 80s about the pro-life movement giving up on banning abortion. If MSW was even paying attention, I am sure his head was spinning. His subject is nothing new - its just a new version of trickle down. I guess if you deal in high end real estate, cars or cuisine or have ambitions to be a personal servant, life is good in the celebrity actor, athlete or CEO business. I would go the other way with such stories and use them to build a bit of class conciousness - even Duck is a millionaire. It seems that people are more prone to desire that kind of of life than seek justice (which is not envy) for those who are not gifted with the luck, ability or guile of the celebrity. Of course, my little plan would take at least the CEOs out of the celebrity showcase and would require the actors, entertainers and athletes to do more for those who are trying to work their way up. Povery may be a great incentive for some, but others are equally talented and deserve a chance without having starving children - even an aspiring economic writer (now a best selling author) named Marx who did have a child starve.
Bottom line, if becoming an owners became the biggest part of retirement compensation and it actually meant some share in the control of the firm - as much so as the CEO gets if one is a long enough tenured employee (and the same pay by the way - with CEOs bidding on their wage against others), then the whole story of class conciousness may indeed change.
As for the Church, I am sure they will flock to any successful movement - which will gladly tell them to emulate Francis on poverty. Indeed, a morality based on Christian humanism will have the same basic content as one based on secular humanism. Its natural law either way. Indeed, if the Curia can't sell its natural law to secular humanists, its not natural law - its religious tradition. Why is that essential - because atheists need to be convinced, as the Christian Left does, that the Catholci Hierarchy is really teaching truth, not patriarchy. Can't see that the Church is doing a very good job right now, not even with Francis.
Monday, March 30, 2015
Links for 03/30/15 | National Catholic Reporter
Links for 03/30/15 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Christian Leftists are not anit-Semetic, many are anti-Zionist. There is a difference - especially if you remember that Arabs are a Semetic people - indeed, some percentage of the Palestinians are likely Jewish in their gealogy or Samaritan turned Christian. Not everyone was a Nomad in the ancient world and middle ages, or even recently.
Rather than being slick in our presentation, lets actually practice our Christaintiy a bit less legalisticly and a bit more humanistically. I am sure Francis would agree.
Millenials may be more pro-life now, but they are less like at present to be in the complicated sexual relationships that make choice something not to be discarded - whether they use abortion services or not. Its easy to be pro-life in a school uniform. Not as easy in college and much harder later on. Lets hope that this generation, if I am wrong, is the one which insists on much higher child tax credits for each child - and paid with payroll, not with a refund.
Rather than being slick in our presentation, lets actually practice our Christaintiy a bit less legalisticly and a bit more humanistically. I am sure Francis would agree.
Millenials may be more pro-life now, but they are less like at present to be in the complicated sexual relationships that make choice something not to be discarded - whether they use abortion services or not. Its easy to be pro-life in a school uniform. Not as easy in college and much harder later on. Lets hope that this generation, if I am wrong, is the one which insists on much higher child tax credits for each child - and paid with payroll, not with a refund.
Indiana's RFRA | National Catholic Reporter
Indiana's RFRA | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: The parallel here is not Hobby Lobby, it is Don't Ask, Don't Tell. Defenders of DADT often asked whether soldiers had a religious freedom issue in having the policy. Luckily, the President, the Secretary, the Chairman of the JCS and the Congress did not think so. Granted, we have a different Congress, but the question is not about the applicability of RFRA - which concerns freedom from governmental action, but the applicability of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. (That trumps a state law by the way).
Like DADT, this is not a religious freedom issuej. Baking a cake is not material cooperation with evil - unless you are baking it to forcevfeed people in Overeaters Anonymous. Forcing them to bake an erotic cake or to provide a cake topper might be. The point is, like DADT, a concern for religious freedom is not the same as one asserting the rigth to moral scorn, or in the case of the USCCB, religious power over employees. The state's interest is in keeping the peace - and I wonder who wins if gay people seeking a wedding cake who are denied one end up staging a sit-in at he baker's shop or the florist shop?
This act seems to authorize public violence to remove those protestors (so much for the libertarian rule about force). I suspect the federal courts will disagree - and yes, this is a big issue and one where I don't care what the bishops actually think - its not their job to make these calls - we have federal courts for that. Sadly, if the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is not considered applicable, this Congress won't help - hopefully the next one will. Final thought - what if a baker refuses to bakea cake for a Catholic couple because he believes the Pope is the anti-Christ? Should that be allowed? I think not. And, yes, the issues are the same.
PS Pence is panderingand he got caught.
Like DADT, this is not a religious freedom issuej. Baking a cake is not material cooperation with evil - unless you are baking it to forcevfeed people in Overeaters Anonymous. Forcing them to bake an erotic cake or to provide a cake topper might be. The point is, like DADT, a concern for religious freedom is not the same as one asserting the rigth to moral scorn, or in the case of the USCCB, religious power over employees. The state's interest is in keeping the peace - and I wonder who wins if gay people seeking a wedding cake who are denied one end up staging a sit-in at he baker's shop or the florist shop?
This act seems to authorize public violence to remove those protestors (so much for the libertarian rule about force). I suspect the federal courts will disagree - and yes, this is a big issue and one where I don't care what the bishops actually think - its not their job to make these calls - we have federal courts for that. Sadly, if the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is not considered applicable, this Congress won't help - hopefully the next one will. Final thought - what if a baker refuses to bakea cake for a Catholic couple because he believes the Pope is the anti-Christ? Should that be allowed? I think not. And, yes, the issues are the same.
PS Pence is panderingand he got caught.
Friday, March 27, 2015
Links for 03/27/15 | National Catholic Reporter
Links for 03/27/15 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: The Indiana Act is not a small thing. It is a stupid thing and, like Prop 8, it will be valuable as a vehicle for a court case to serve as a precedent so no similar stupidity becomes law again. I am not sure whether in principle the Civil Rights Act of 1964 covers public access for gays and lesbians. I think very soon it might be - and that is good. I don't see how Silk gives them comfort - he seems to see it the way I do. Garnett is not correct in letting people call moral spite some kind of religious freedom - I won't dignify what Indiana did as civil rights legislation. The GOP passed sour grapes and dared the world to crush them. Time to make some more whine.
The Catholic Herald is probably correct that the infrequency of Mass attendance has nothing to do with Vatican II. Still, much of what you can read coming from Rome certainly does. Even the recent change in translations was an attempt to undo the prose of the Vatican II Mass in many countries, including this one - and the bishops did not have the nerve to stand up and say no. It used to be said that people stopped going when the changed the Mass. Well, we changed it back and there has been no surge to Church. The list could go on, as anyone familiar with St. John Paul at the Council (he was an outspoken opponent) and as Pope. Benedict tried to settle things and Francis is opening the windows again. Francis has not brought them back either. Humanae Vitae did not send them away as much as is thought - but it gets the blame a lot.
I suspect most who miss are actually taking a Sabbath seriously - not rushing yet again to get dressed up for another thing. Of course, they may go to brunch anyway and dress for that - some nice Dockers and a knit shirt. I have missing a lot because I was definitely missing the Sabbath to. Indeed, people who have to work in low wage jobs to help people who can afford it have fun are likely the least likely to come to Mass (or any kind of Church). Mass, like a big wedding, is a bit of luxury for many. Even more evening Masses won't help those who work. Absent blue laws, I don't see it - maybe more at 2 pm? The Spanish Masses are held then. Wise choice - it was the slot no one wants - now everyone needs it - but Latino youth are among those who are most called to work, so it should not be taken from them.
The Catholic Herald is probably correct that the infrequency of Mass attendance has nothing to do with Vatican II. Still, much of what you can read coming from Rome certainly does. Even the recent change in translations was an attempt to undo the prose of the Vatican II Mass in many countries, including this one - and the bishops did not have the nerve to stand up and say no. It used to be said that people stopped going when the changed the Mass. Well, we changed it back and there has been no surge to Church. The list could go on, as anyone familiar with St. John Paul at the Council (he was an outspoken opponent) and as Pope. Benedict tried to settle things and Francis is opening the windows again. Francis has not brought them back either. Humanae Vitae did not send them away as much as is thought - but it gets the blame a lot.
I suspect most who miss are actually taking a Sabbath seriously - not rushing yet again to get dressed up for another thing. Of course, they may go to brunch anyway and dress for that - some nice Dockers and a knit shirt. I have missing a lot because I was definitely missing the Sabbath to. Indeed, people who have to work in low wage jobs to help people who can afford it have fun are likely the least likely to come to Mass (or any kind of Church). Mass, like a big wedding, is a bit of luxury for many. Even more evening Masses won't help those who work. Absent blue laws, I don't see it - maybe more at 2 pm? The Spanish Masses are held then. Wise choice - it was the slot no one wants - now everyone needs it - but Latino youth are among those who are most called to work, so it should not be taken from them.
Cardinal Burke: Scatenato! | National Catholic Reporter
Cardinal Burke: Scatenato! | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Cardinal Burke is useful foil for reform. While his little rants allow us to count heads to see who is against, say, a renewed look at the natural law regarding marriages and what is truly a marriage (since natural never changes and the Curia is always right) it also allows the rest of us to see how badly the current arguments are (and most of them, like calling homosexuality disordered, never rose to the level of doctrine - they were press release fodder, just like the Cardinal's appearances).
The confusion meme is great fun. It really means resistance and a bit of disloyalty. It is fighting against any change in doctrine that was no more sacrosanct - and probably no less - when it was proposed. I, for one, was "confused" when the whole "intrinsicly disordered" meme came out when it looked like sex was now a gift from God and homosexuals were wonderfully made. Where was the official confusion then?
On pastoral v. doctoral, Burke has it exactly wrong. You cannot have doctrinal teaching that posses the pastoral. The pastoral is real people. The doctrinal is delusions of grandeur that are often wrong - at least when celibates are making pronouncements on sex and marriage.
The Gender Ideology question is interesting because the Church, particularly Catholic hospitals and some civil, created the need for it. If no hospital had ever turned away a committed partner, long time companion or essentiall gay spouse in favor of the family of origin the hue and cry for marriage equality might never have occurred. Did the hospitals themselves decide to behave this way? I doubt it. The Cardinal can look in the mirror if he wants to know why this movement exists.
As to comparing those of (not-nonfamilial, gays have families, blessed or not) non-traditional (no, not that, in many Catholic cultures, people who could not afford marriage cohabitated and gay couples were blessed until the first millenium) non-doctrinal marriage and relationship to murders - Burke is equating all sin. I bet to him Masturbation is still a mortal sin rather a healthy outlet at times when there is no partner.
Funny thing, the only two chapters in Fagothy's Right and Reason (at least when I was in Catholic College) where the author defaulted to authority because the natural law case was too close to call - real natural law with right reason, not something found in the Catechism - were pre-marital sex (not casual, but committed and headed to marriage and homosexual relations. I am sure a few of my fellow throughout time took that as meaning that there is no natural law reason for the doctrine. Pity Burke did not get the hint.
Cardinal Burke was an expert in upholding Canon Law, which made his appointment to the Signatura both good and bad - as I have seen nothing showing he had any capacity for mercy. Worse, as MSW indicates, he seems to have a complete lack of knowledge of Church history - probably good if you are upholding the Church, because the history is both ugly and beautiful - look only to the ancient rites having to do with Bachus and Sergio, a pair of Roman solidier who were martyred and who were a gay couple - in every way married. He might equivacate and say their martyrdom absolved their sins, however we also know them for their love - including the sexual kind. Chaplain to a moribund order of knights is a good place for Burke. I gather he wanted the job (hopefully not to spread the manure he has been throwing around), but the Pope was quite collegial with him and even encouraged him to speak. Still, one can take the role of foil too far.
Links for 03/26/15 | National Catholic Reporter
Links for 03/26/15 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: We have a link to the Pope's latest homily (at least as of yesterday), which seems to follow the season rather than being some dramatic statement on future plans. It could be both, but I would like to think that Francis is a parish priest at heart giving the homily any priest shoud give in keeping with the season and hoping that all priests and bishops use this time in their Lent to reflect on whether they meet the standards Jesus would set for them, rather than those of the Hierarchs in modern Rome or ancient Jerusalem.
The vocations director of Mundelein (most definitely a St. JPII priest, if you know what that means) has a new recruitment video stressing the Eucharist and Basketball. I guess if it only aired during March Madness, but I agree with Cathy Kaveny who asks "Basketball, really?"
It is noted that Politico is looking a bit askance at the now deceased former president of Singapore. I was wondering about that too. The only cane I want is in my tea. I am sure there was some cosmic reason for his authoritarianism to be the right thing then, but I will leave it to others to find it (or the reason some want it here - but you should read John Dean on that).
The vocations director of Mundelein (most definitely a St. JPII priest, if you know what that means) has a new recruitment video stressing the Eucharist and Basketball. I guess if it only aired during March Madness, but I agree with Cathy Kaveny who asks "Basketball, really?"
It is noted that Politico is looking a bit askance at the now deceased former president of Singapore. I was wondering about that too. The only cane I want is in my tea. I am sure there was some cosmic reason for his authoritarianism to be the right thing then, but I will leave it to others to find it (or the reason some want it here - but you should read John Dean on that).
Catholic Mission, Religious Freedom & LGBT Rights: Part III | National Catholic Reporter
Catholic Mission, Religious Freedom & LGBT Rights: Part III | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: MSW is correct that it does seem like the Archbishop of San Francisco is likely the most opposed to gay marriage - so much so that he won't say the g-word. In the Arlington Diocese, a priest by the name of Scalia is part of that movement to call it "same sex attraction" and not gay. Very Orwellian for the Archbishop of the most gay city in America and the son of a Supreme Court Associate Justice. Archbishop Cordileone was one of the original leaders of Proposition 8, which the Supreme Court did allow to be taken up and challenged. If he wants to live in a state with no gay marriage, its not California - and soon it won't be anywhere except the Vatican City State (and even there, one hears rumor and who are we to judge).
He is currently messing with the employee handbook in his diocesean schools - as if the pay was not enough reason to encourage a union. Sadly, there are probably religious exemptions to forcing that and Hosanna Tabor is quite clear that teachers are ministers. Unless the Vatican gets really gay friendly (and with as many gay priests as their are - because many of the straights left to marry or escape egos like the Archbishop), the handbood will stand, with the labor market and the existence of like minded conservatives, even in San Francisco, saving him from himself.
Let me repeat a distinction I have made before - one that liberals and libertarians should use often in course cases against these madmen in purple and red dresses - these prelates (and will not say the Church in this case, because the Church is all of us) are not seeking religious freedom, they are seeking religious power over their employees, patients in their hospitals (which is why gay marriage became a thing) and society at large (gay marriage, contraception, abortion, all the fun ones). That distinction is key in establishment cases. Indeed, it makes the answer obvious to all but those who believe they have the one answer on sexual issues. Of couse, unless you are in the Curia or support their line of reason, natural law dictates individual conclusions provided use of a well informed conscience (and being told the answer does not count as informed, that is coerced - sadly, most bishops don't know the difference).
Then there is George Weigel, who lionized Reagan and St. John Paul. His lions have gone on, but he can’t seem to find anyone to lead the circus parade. Paul Ryan just does not seem to do it for anyone. It is certainly not the Pope from the global south, who represents a Church that is more of liberation than preservation - except he has the power to cleanse the temple, albeit kindly, without being arrested.
Enter the lawyers to defend the rights of the Church (again confusion freedom for power). They guided us (yes us, the work for the people as well as the bishops) into settling sexual abuse law suits and sweeping the incidents under the rug. Look how well that turned out. Now they are going after gay rights in employment and benefits, recruiting Catholic clients of the same mind. Sadly, they are better at keeping up with doctrine than the real law, so their success on both abortion, ultmately sexual abuse and gay marriage has been really bad (and some of it you can blame on the doctrine which does not understand Amerian abortion law or how equal protection works - or, indeed, marriage). The culture warriors associate with lawyers who should explain not how they plan to present doctrine as if it were high law instead of those who know the law who would tell them, regardless of the prestige of representing a bishop or cardinal, that they have no case.
MSW hits the rest really well. Props to the Mormons for dropping the rock on gay rights and distancing themselves from their friend from San Francisco of those Proposition 8 days. Props to the Filipino bishops who are supporting human rights before their own rights. Refreshing, eh. This brings us back to the US Conference of Catholic Bishops (not a synod, just a discusson group, except when its a Synod). MSW has three points on what they should do in June on benefits, non-discrfimination and how their stance effects evangelization. He is right. They may listen to him - me, not so much - although I know a few of them as well - although they also die an retire. Culture war is great for riling up the saved, getting them to vote your way (usually Republican - which is a lost cause in San Francisco) and looking holier than thou - not so much holier. Pointing to Jesus, salvation and the whole loving each other thing that he spoke about in his last discourse - I bet it still works, so does MSW and so does Pope Francis. But do they have ears to hear?
He is currently messing with the employee handbook in his diocesean schools - as if the pay was not enough reason to encourage a union. Sadly, there are probably religious exemptions to forcing that and Hosanna Tabor is quite clear that teachers are ministers. Unless the Vatican gets really gay friendly (and with as many gay priests as their are - because many of the straights left to marry or escape egos like the Archbishop), the handbood will stand, with the labor market and the existence of like minded conservatives, even in San Francisco, saving him from himself.
Let me repeat a distinction I have made before - one that liberals and libertarians should use often in course cases against these madmen in purple and red dresses - these prelates (and will not say the Church in this case, because the Church is all of us) are not seeking religious freedom, they are seeking religious power over their employees, patients in their hospitals (which is why gay marriage became a thing) and society at large (gay marriage, contraception, abortion, all the fun ones). That distinction is key in establishment cases. Indeed, it makes the answer obvious to all but those who believe they have the one answer on sexual issues. Of couse, unless you are in the Curia or support their line of reason, natural law dictates individual conclusions provided use of a well informed conscience (and being told the answer does not count as informed, that is coerced - sadly, most bishops don't know the difference).
Then there is George Weigel, who lionized Reagan and St. John Paul. His lions have gone on, but he can’t seem to find anyone to lead the circus parade. Paul Ryan just does not seem to do it for anyone. It is certainly not the Pope from the global south, who represents a Church that is more of liberation than preservation - except he has the power to cleanse the temple, albeit kindly, without being arrested.
Enter the lawyers to defend the rights of the Church (again confusion freedom for power). They guided us (yes us, the work for the people as well as the bishops) into settling sexual abuse law suits and sweeping the incidents under the rug. Look how well that turned out. Now they are going after gay rights in employment and benefits, recruiting Catholic clients of the same mind. Sadly, they are better at keeping up with doctrine than the real law, so their success on both abortion, ultmately sexual abuse and gay marriage has been really bad (and some of it you can blame on the doctrine which does not understand Amerian abortion law or how equal protection works - or, indeed, marriage). The culture warriors associate with lawyers who should explain not how they plan to present doctrine as if it were high law instead of those who know the law who would tell them, regardless of the prestige of representing a bishop or cardinal, that they have no case.
MSW hits the rest really well. Props to the Mormons for dropping the rock on gay rights and distancing themselves from their friend from San Francisco of those Proposition 8 days. Props to the Filipino bishops who are supporting human rights before their own rights. Refreshing, eh. This brings us back to the US Conference of Catholic Bishops (not a synod, just a discusson group, except when its a Synod). MSW has three points on what they should do in June on benefits, non-discrfimination and how their stance effects evangelization. He is right. They may listen to him - me, not so much - although I know a few of them as well - although they also die an retire. Culture war is great for riling up the saved, getting them to vote your way (usually Republican - which is a lost cause in San Francisco) and looking holier than thou - not so much holier. Pointing to Jesus, salvation and the whole loving each other thing that he spoke about in his last discourse - I bet it still works, so does MSW and so does Pope Francis. But do they have ears to hear?
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
Links for 03/25/15 | National Catholic Reporter
Links for 03/25/15 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Bravo to Archbishop Gomez on his sermon on Romero, who I bet will be canonized soon.
New York has its fair share of Republicans and conservative Democrats, the late term abortion protection measure had no chance - and indeed this particular issue should be federal policy - and by federal I mean congression (with filibuster in place so something real is passed that deals with this issue once and for all - which the pro-life movement could not stand, as there is no money in a settled issue).
The President's Chief of Staff should never be making policy statements at all. Do I agree with him, however? Partially. I think he is naive (not sure about the President - who if in the loop won't fire him) if he expects the demilitarizaiton of a Palestinian state. The IDF is not going anywhere unless there is a one state solution, although then Palestinians could buy the old farm back or at least sue for it. Expect the entire place to be more of a police state than it already is. Kharma is a bitch. Real Kharma will be the other 10 tribes, Catholics of Samaritan descent all, demanding their rights and recognizing the Palestinians as brothers. Now THAT will be messy. Back to the CoS, Obama won't fire him and if he does he will be said to be leaving voluntarily (even if Barack put him up to the speech). Unless Jarrett and Axelrod say he should go, he will stay.
New York has its fair share of Republicans and conservative Democrats, the late term abortion protection measure had no chance - and indeed this particular issue should be federal policy - and by federal I mean congression (with filibuster in place so something real is passed that deals with this issue once and for all - which the pro-life movement could not stand, as there is no money in a settled issue).
The President's Chief of Staff should never be making policy statements at all. Do I agree with him, however? Partially. I think he is naive (not sure about the President - who if in the loop won't fire him) if he expects the demilitarizaiton of a Palestinian state. The IDF is not going anywhere unless there is a one state solution, although then Palestinians could buy the old farm back or at least sue for it. Expect the entire place to be more of a police state than it already is. Kharma is a bitch. Real Kharma will be the other 10 tribes, Catholics of Samaritan descent all, demanding their rights and recognizing the Palestinians as brothers. Now THAT will be messy. Back to the CoS, Obama won't fire him and if he does he will be said to be leaving voluntarily (even if Barack put him up to the speech). Unless Jarrett and Axelrod say he should go, he will stay.
Catholic Mission, Religious Freedom & LGBT Rights, Part II | National Catholic Reporter
Catholic Mission, Religious Freedom & LGBT Rights, Part II | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Part II was less about hiring and more about Councilmember David Grasso of the District of Columbia. I wonder if, on the advice of the Attorney General, Mayor Bowser will veto it. Mayor Grey, who is the former head of Covenant House in DC, almost certainly would. That Hosanna Tabor invalidates the thing (unless the AG enters a consent decree to stop any lawsuit) was obvious from the initial read - but that talks only about ministerial employees which include teachers but not Catholic Charities and Catholic Hospital workers. I would like to discuss more about hiring them, although I suspect most such agencies do not discriminate - even if the information is volunteered. As for the closing arguments regarding the Archbishop of San Francisco, do not get me started. Hierarchs like than are why there was a certain wisdom in Augustine's day in how they eleced bishops (who were really pastors). In that scheme, these issues would not be issues for very long.
Tuesday, March 24, 2015
Links for 03/24/15 | National Catholic Reporter
Links for 03/24/15 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: The Poliico piece is essentailly an editorial - and EMILY's list is not mentioned, The issues mentioned are not new - restricting private funding given to Community Health Centers (in violation of the agreement that no new abortion resrictions woul be added - and the medical charities fund is not federal money and is not covered. I wrote about the Human Trafficking bill last week - which is about a fight between the bishops and HHS over the need for abortion referrals when a woman has been raped while trafficked and has become pregnant. If you argue that trafficked women cannot consent, even if they cmply, then the rape exception must always be triggered - religious freedom protections or not.
The statement of Micheael C. Culhane is one of those rare slips of the tongue that reveal what the Church is really thinking. They are caring more for their reputation for doctrinal consistency than addressing the question of whether Thomas More was right on Euthanasia. The statement comes close, and I think it implies, the belief that only God can end a life, not man. Of course, that God is an ogre.
It is sad that a Smithsonian exhibit on climate change had to be toned down because the donor is a Koch. Better to fund with tax money (although right now the majority in Congess is Koch fundned too. Of course, Climateprogress is not exactly an objective news source either.
My cousin does work with rape victims in Iowa City; I defer to her decades of experience on this, but I will mention that the biggest part of rape culture on college campuses is alcohol, which is what our great-grandmother, a leader in the temperance movement, was all about.
The statement of Micheael C. Culhane is one of those rare slips of the tongue that reveal what the Church is really thinking. They are caring more for their reputation for doctrinal consistency than addressing the question of whether Thomas More was right on Euthanasia. The statement comes close, and I think it implies, the belief that only God can end a life, not man. Of course, that God is an ogre.
It is sad that a Smithsonian exhibit on climate change had to be toned down because the donor is a Koch. Better to fund with tax money (although right now the majority in Congess is Koch fundned too. Of course, Climateprogress is not exactly an objective news source either.
My cousin does work with rape victims in Iowa City; I defer to her decades of experience on this, but I will mention that the biggest part of rape culture on college campuses is alcohol, which is what our great-grandmother, a leader in the temperance movement, was all about.
Catholic Mission, Religious Freedom & LGBT Rights: Part I | National Catholic Reporter
Catholic Mission, Religious Freedom & LGBT Rights: Part I | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: I can see why that article was upsetting. I ignore such garbage and its purveyors. They make us look a little bad, but themselves they make look like intolerant idiots - as if they could go to Canada or Europe to avoid gay marriage. Maybe Moscow? Authoritarianism and anti-homosexuality seem to go hand in hand.
I also don't believe that marriage is reserved for a man and a woman. This is the practice in the Catholic clergy, but not at all the truth. The truth is that marriage is the basic adult right - the right to leave the family of origin and create a new family - and make no mistake, gays and lesbians can have kids - either through inheritance or more scientific means - and I also don't care that this is frowned upon by the Church - they are wrong about that too. There is nothing illicit about medical procedures upon pre-embryonic cells, including termination. The term potenital human life was valid back when I was hanging with the Minor Seminarians at Loras, the only reason it is not validT now is politics. Morality contributes to politics, not the other way around.
The 2003 document is interesting. It seems less concerned with the moral cases and more concerned with the loss of teaching authority on these matters by the CDF. They did not lose it, they gave it away by trying to save it. Humanae Vitae was so important not because every sperm is sacred, but because to not take that position endangers papal infallibility. The 2003 document is of the same ilk. They don't seem to get it that preaching the truth, including revisions, is much more important than consistency will all other teachings, even the ones that are silly (anyone read the condmenation of Moderism lately. I was the Church v. Darwin. Darwin won). The Church's problem is that it believes it is essential to Christendom (which has not existed for a long time) and that Christendom is essential for civilization. No. The Masons, maybe, but not the Church.
The counter point to Notre Dame's action is morally suspect and indeed, bigotry. Church institutions hither and yon did not question honoring civil marriages which it still considers immoral (it could not do so, because marriages are made by the partners, not the priest or judge). The only difference between tolearting one sort of civil (or religious) marriage and not the other is the aversion people who are strongly in one sexuality have for the other (ooooo icky) or covering up their own homosexuality. Either way, its bigotry and that is sinful. As for Notre Dame, it is now singled out for scorn by the right wing because of Barack Obama, seemingly over his stance on what is literally a non-issue - outlawing abortion or reversing Roe - issues have movement and options, abortion has neither).
The Church should hire the best people and pay the benefits required. That should include benefits to religiously married gay couples (yes, they do exist - and when such couples get married, go to the wedding if invited). Drunk driving and messing with kids will and should get you fired. Its interesting that many diocese follow the law without question. One wonders if this is because they are loaded with liberals or gay clergy or whether those who do not have some self-loathing going on.
One thing, I think the Pope was talking about lepers and spiritual lepers, not those whose sexuality varies due to what is called epigenesis and it means it is not a choice. Intolerance, however, is a choice - a spiritual leprosy that Francis was talking about. The authors should go to Confession while it is still Lent.
I also don't believe that marriage is reserved for a man and a woman. This is the practice in the Catholic clergy, but not at all the truth. The truth is that marriage is the basic adult right - the right to leave the family of origin and create a new family - and make no mistake, gays and lesbians can have kids - either through inheritance or more scientific means - and I also don't care that this is frowned upon by the Church - they are wrong about that too. There is nothing illicit about medical procedures upon pre-embryonic cells, including termination. The term potenital human life was valid back when I was hanging with the Minor Seminarians at Loras, the only reason it is not validT now is politics. Morality contributes to politics, not the other way around.
The 2003 document is interesting. It seems less concerned with the moral cases and more concerned with the loss of teaching authority on these matters by the CDF. They did not lose it, they gave it away by trying to save it. Humanae Vitae was so important not because every sperm is sacred, but because to not take that position endangers papal infallibility. The 2003 document is of the same ilk. They don't seem to get it that preaching the truth, including revisions, is much more important than consistency will all other teachings, even the ones that are silly (anyone read the condmenation of Moderism lately. I was the Church v. Darwin. Darwin won). The Church's problem is that it believes it is essential to Christendom (which has not existed for a long time) and that Christendom is essential for civilization. No. The Masons, maybe, but not the Church.
The counter point to Notre Dame's action is morally suspect and indeed, bigotry. Church institutions hither and yon did not question honoring civil marriages which it still considers immoral (it could not do so, because marriages are made by the partners, not the priest or judge). The only difference between tolearting one sort of civil (or religious) marriage and not the other is the aversion people who are strongly in one sexuality have for the other (ooooo icky) or covering up their own homosexuality. Either way, its bigotry and that is sinful. As for Notre Dame, it is now singled out for scorn by the right wing because of Barack Obama, seemingly over his stance on what is literally a non-issue - outlawing abortion or reversing Roe - issues have movement and options, abortion has neither).
The Church should hire the best people and pay the benefits required. That should include benefits to religiously married gay couples (yes, they do exist - and when such couples get married, go to the wedding if invited). Drunk driving and messing with kids will and should get you fired. Its interesting that many diocese follow the law without question. One wonders if this is because they are loaded with liberals or gay clergy or whether those who do not have some self-loathing going on.
One thing, I think the Pope was talking about lepers and spiritual lepers, not those whose sexuality varies due to what is called epigenesis and it means it is not a choice. Intolerance, however, is a choice - a spiritual leprosy that Francis was talking about. The authors should go to Confession while it is still Lent.
Monday, March 23, 2015
Links for 03/23/15 | National Catholic Reporter
Links for 03/23/15 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: That the Archbishop of Los Angeles would endorse the death penalty joint editorial is not news. That the new Archbishop of Chicago is not (although it may be after his beloved and ailing predecessor probably could not.
Big Energy tries to buy what it wants, both in terms of technology and politicians - however it can't escape the fact that low oil prices make some of their wells, especially the high tech ones - unprofitable to continue.
UNG is showing the usual stupdity of that region - I am sure they were saying something about everyone being in the race - but anything short of everyone finishing together (well, those of us with a B in the last name technically do finish sooner in graduation than someone with, say a W, like Winters - Ha!) sends an implict message that may have not been intended. They need a variety of covers, like some TV Guide issues, where various persons cross first. I would love to see who brings which catalog to registration, although I am a fossil, as registration is probably now online.
Big Energy tries to buy what it wants, both in terms of technology and politicians - however it can't escape the fact that low oil prices make some of their wells, especially the high tech ones - unprofitable to continue.
UNG is showing the usual stupdity of that region - I am sure they were saying something about everyone being in the race - but anything short of everyone finishing together (well, those of us with a B in the last name technically do finish sooner in graduation than someone with, say a W, like Winters - Ha!) sends an implict message that may have not been intended. They need a variety of covers, like some TV Guide issues, where various persons cross first. I would love to see who brings which catalog to registration, although I am a fossil, as registration is probably now online.
Is Clinton Running...Backwards? | National Catholic Reporter
Is Clinton Running...Backwards? | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: It is not her own book Mrs. Clinton needs to worry about, its Primary Colors. Expect the movie version focussing on Clinton's loss sometime next year. It appears she has a fouler mouth than Nixon. Speaking of Nixon, the fact that she staffed the House Judiciary Committee on his impeachment has made her some permanent enemies among the John Birch/Swift vote set. They won't attack her publically for it, but they will be outlandish when they do attack (like when they went after Kerry for opposing a war where he was a hero). I suspect that when these so called patriots die off, our politics will be a bit better.
The personal e-mail flap is just that. I have many e-mail. If I rejoin the pubic service, none of them will be closed. Indeed, most public servants have a private e-mail for online shopping (using your government account for that is verboten - as is using it to express your personal politics - which you still have the right to do - hence personal e-mail use at work. The Department can certainly monitor, if only to make sure nothing untoward is being done - but generally it is none of the business of Congress. If it were, every civil servant could be called on the carpet for their personal e-mail. That is too Orwellian for me.
Mrs. Clinton was ill served in 2008. Whether it was her decision or a staff decision not to do caucus states, it was the wrong one. Hew wounds were self inflicted. Hopefully the lessons of that campaign will serve her in this one. After seeing no drama Obama work up close, it would be hard to do anything differently - and this time the Obama for America folks may be at her beck and call. I pity whomever survives the GOP gag fest. As for her probable opponents - Sanders will run as a Socialist or Green - not as a Democrat. Jim Webb might run, but he probably should have challenged McAuley for Governor first. Wes Clark won't run if she is in it - he is loyal friend of theirs. O'Malley seems in it for the practice. He will be out by Sourth Carolina. Biden is the one person who might be able to call in Party resources on his behalf and prevent a coronation, but there is no indication he is ready for another national campaign.
It is interesting she is making nice with the Church - but of course she has NARAL Pro-Choice America in the bag and probably a bag of cash from EMILY's list - or will have one soon. She will not need to run as a pro-choice candidate for the nomination. The election is a different matter. The fact is that whomever wins will be hard pressed to find someone who will vote to repeal Roe v. Wade. The lower federal courts are filled with moderate conservatives who are all for both economic and personal freedom. You must look really hard for a rabid pro-lifer - just remember that Alito and Roberts voted with Kennedy and not Scalia and Thomas - who wanted Roe repealed as part of affirming the partial birth abortion law. There actually could be a legislative compromise on this issue, but it would look a lot like the status quo - with nothing for the first trimester embryoes and little for the second - where abortion is rare anyway. Of course, compromise is not the movement's strong suit.
I spoke with then Senator Clinton (and with then Senator Biden) at a reception on the Hill in 2007. I told her that the way to handle the pro-life movement (and the Catholic bishops who faciltate it) is to point out that it is a fundraising and electoral arm of the Republican Party with little interest in actually stopping abortion. Let's see if she remembers. That meme has actually grown - I put it on the Catholics for Obama web discussion where a GOP troll desparately denied it - however it has infected the pro-life movement with doubt. Its why personhood is being pushed - much to the chargrin of the leadership because it won't work and if it did, the movement would lose its electoral value. It really can't, except in the Congress and the compromises, again, would essentially be the status quo. Of course, it goes without saying that Mrs. Clinton will be much better than any Republican on what matters in this issue - increasing the income of families with Children. (Biden too).
The personal e-mail flap is just that. I have many e-mail. If I rejoin the pubic service, none of them will be closed. Indeed, most public servants have a private e-mail for online shopping (using your government account for that is verboten - as is using it to express your personal politics - which you still have the right to do - hence personal e-mail use at work. The Department can certainly monitor, if only to make sure nothing untoward is being done - but generally it is none of the business of Congress. If it were, every civil servant could be called on the carpet for their personal e-mail. That is too Orwellian for me.
Mrs. Clinton was ill served in 2008. Whether it was her decision or a staff decision not to do caucus states, it was the wrong one. Hew wounds were self inflicted. Hopefully the lessons of that campaign will serve her in this one. After seeing no drama Obama work up close, it would be hard to do anything differently - and this time the Obama for America folks may be at her beck and call. I pity whomever survives the GOP gag fest. As for her probable opponents - Sanders will run as a Socialist or Green - not as a Democrat. Jim Webb might run, but he probably should have challenged McAuley for Governor first. Wes Clark won't run if she is in it - he is loyal friend of theirs. O'Malley seems in it for the practice. He will be out by Sourth Carolina. Biden is the one person who might be able to call in Party resources on his behalf and prevent a coronation, but there is no indication he is ready for another national campaign.
It is interesting she is making nice with the Church - but of course she has NARAL Pro-Choice America in the bag and probably a bag of cash from EMILY's list - or will have one soon. She will not need to run as a pro-choice candidate for the nomination. The election is a different matter. The fact is that whomever wins will be hard pressed to find someone who will vote to repeal Roe v. Wade. The lower federal courts are filled with moderate conservatives who are all for both economic and personal freedom. You must look really hard for a rabid pro-lifer - just remember that Alito and Roberts voted with Kennedy and not Scalia and Thomas - who wanted Roe repealed as part of affirming the partial birth abortion law. There actually could be a legislative compromise on this issue, but it would look a lot like the status quo - with nothing for the first trimester embryoes and little for the second - where abortion is rare anyway. Of course, compromise is not the movement's strong suit.
I spoke with then Senator Clinton (and with then Senator Biden) at a reception on the Hill in 2007. I told her that the way to handle the pro-life movement (and the Catholic bishops who faciltate it) is to point out that it is a fundraising and electoral arm of the Republican Party with little interest in actually stopping abortion. Let's see if she remembers. That meme has actually grown - I put it on the Catholics for Obama web discussion where a GOP troll desparately denied it - however it has infected the pro-life movement with doubt. Its why personhood is being pushed - much to the chargrin of the leadership because it won't work and if it did, the movement would lose its electoral value. It really can't, except in the Congress and the compromises, again, would essentially be the status quo. Of course, it goes without saying that Mrs. Clinton will be much better than any Republican on what matters in this issue - increasing the income of families with Children. (Biden too).
Saturday, March 21, 2015
Links for 03/20/15 | National Catholic Reporter
Links for 03/20/15 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Good day to stay in bed, at least until the rain stopped. I got out for a few hours, but it is just too cold.
It is always good for candidates to get to know the editorial board at the Register. Wall Street reform was done, last I checked, unless you are willing to go to the right of the Gentleman from Vermont (who may go Green).
Funny thing, when I was in NIH getting a tumor out, there was a traveling Priest who visited all who requested with Communion (he did not ask t see your voter card) and who said Mass daily. It is his retired ministry. Top that! While we like to think that Catholic identitity lives, I kind of like to think that these hospitals do more than a little bit to pay for the care of retired religious (and if not, why not!) Of course, the best thing was the organizaiton helping get Obamacare passed. The blacklash by certain bishops was shameful - as is thier craven attempt to publish guidelines when CHA is the proper authority.
I would like to think that this is not the first poverty statement by the Bishops of Indiana, but I fear it might be. Indianapolis has some problems, as to some farmers who have not quite recovered from the crash. Not ue, however, the site is very incompete - although we do see it is proudly powered by Weebly. It probably should not say that. BTW, what is Weebly? - and don't forget the migrant workers and their desire for some status - not only legal but in the parish.
It is always good for candidates to get to know the editorial board at the Register. Wall Street reform was done, last I checked, unless you are willing to go to the right of the Gentleman from Vermont (who may go Green).
Funny thing, when I was in NIH getting a tumor out, there was a traveling Priest who visited all who requested with Communion (he did not ask t see your voter card) and who said Mass daily. It is his retired ministry. Top that! While we like to think that Catholic identitity lives, I kind of like to think that these hospitals do more than a little bit to pay for the care of retired religious (and if not, why not!) Of course, the best thing was the organizaiton helping get Obamacare passed. The blacklash by certain bishops was shameful - as is thier craven attempt to publish guidelines when CHA is the proper authority.
I would like to think that this is not the first poverty statement by the Bishops of Indiana, but I fear it might be. Indianapolis has some problems, as to some farmers who have not quite recovered from the crash. Not ue, however, the site is very incompete - although we do see it is proudly powered by Weebly. It probably should not say that. BTW, what is Weebly? - and don't forget the migrant workers and their desire for some status - not only legal but in the parish.
Friday, March 20, 2015
Netanyahu's Somersaults | National Catholic Reporter
Netanyahu's Somersaults | National Catholic Reporter by MSW MGB: I am not sure a Palestinian State is a certainty, but the right won't like the alternatives of a cosmopolitan state where Palestinians are counted as Isreali Arabs - which is why that second thing - warning about the Arab vote, is so telling - they can vote as long as they can never rule. I know a word, starts with A, that describes it. You said it. Bibi wants with all his heart to set up docile Bantu states not connected to other Arabs - there is that A-word again. What makes this all perfect is that it was part of reforms that changed the voting rules, that essentially surpressed the minority party vote (which is likely fine with him unless its the right wing minority parties).
Netenyahu's statement on a one state solution is perfectly fine - the Arabs won't live in a state where the A word is the rule of the day and the Jews won't live in a state that does not give them majority status - majority or not. At least I give him credit for honesty. Is a two state solution possible? Sure, be ceding land to a larger Arab federation (and Gaza to Egypt). That would require trusting ones neighbors rather than managing a captive population. There is that A word again. Netenyahu calling himself Prime Minister of all Arab Israeli's is like de Clerk calling himself president of all South Africans. There is that A word again.
All of this has nothing to do with ISIL and Iran. The US and Iran will talks with no reference to or veto by Israel (since that would imply Iranian recognition, which won't happen). ISIL is a police action, not a movement - the only question is who will be taking that action. It won't be Israel or the US. Maybe Jordan? I've been saying for a long time a Hashemite restoratatio to Damascus would solve everything, especially if it included a few bombing runs on Riyahd to send a message. We shall likely see. Of course, that gives us the exit plan where at least a majority of the West Bank and some of Arab Northern Israel joins the new Hashemite Syria - no other scenario diverts a coming blood bath in Jerusalem - even that A word.
Bibi coming back is probably not good news. That the Capitol building was a campaign stop is likely not good news for our democracy either. Still, it took Nixon to go to China - and we know Bibi undertands the issues, even if he is on the wrong side. In then end, it will be God's will that wins out. And that means that the A word will not continue.
Netenyahu's statement on a one state solution is perfectly fine - the Arabs won't live in a state where the A word is the rule of the day and the Jews won't live in a state that does not give them majority status - majority or not. At least I give him credit for honesty. Is a two state solution possible? Sure, be ceding land to a larger Arab federation (and Gaza to Egypt). That would require trusting ones neighbors rather than managing a captive population. There is that A word again. Netenyahu calling himself Prime Minister of all Arab Israeli's is like de Clerk calling himself president of all South Africans. There is that A word again.
All of this has nothing to do with ISIL and Iran. The US and Iran will talks with no reference to or veto by Israel (since that would imply Iranian recognition, which won't happen). ISIL is a police action, not a movement - the only question is who will be taking that action. It won't be Israel or the US. Maybe Jordan? I've been saying for a long time a Hashemite restoratatio to Damascus would solve everything, especially if it included a few bombing runs on Riyahd to send a message. We shall likely see. Of course, that gives us the exit plan where at least a majority of the West Bank and some of Arab Northern Israel joins the new Hashemite Syria - no other scenario diverts a coming blood bath in Jerusalem - even that A word.
Bibi coming back is probably not good news. That the Capitol building was a campaign stop is likely not good news for our democracy either. Still, it took Nixon to go to China - and we know Bibi undertands the issues, even if he is on the wrong side. In then end, it will be God's will that wins out. And that means that the A word will not continue.
Thursday, March 19, 2015
Links for 03/19/15 | National Catholic Reporter
Links for 03/19/15 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: We are interdependent - which is why a botched abortion with the mother's death as well was a catalyst for legalization. I susect that in Switzerland, a number of family members witnessing or not witnessing a normal death can be depressed - and probably in the same numbers. We could do more about interdependence, of course, like realizing every child is part of the community - and should be given a thousand dollars through its parents wages on a monthly basis - hopefullly through the government, but if not then Catholic business owners should be excommunicated if they don't do likewise. Lets see if the bishops take that stand - and force it on the Republican who they seem to be so interdependent with.
The trafficking bill's veto comes as the result of Catholic Charities not getting a contract for human trafficking - because HHS believed that pregnant trafficking victims should be entitled to abortion services because the pregnancy is considered the result of rape. My guess is that the anti-abortion language is a bit more stringent that the Hyde Amendment - which I believe excludes rape. Simply put in language that states that and the bill can sail through. We are not talking a single act of rape, we are talking multiple times a day with multiple partners each day and an unknown father. People say in the GOP that the child does not deserve to die for this. Probably not, but they should take it up with Hyde who put in the exemption. Sadly, HHS cannot just divide the contract, because the Bishops will not allow Charities to do the referral. The USCCB needs to get off this issue and quit making it look like the Church is on a gravy train on these contracts. At some point we go from charity to business - and I think we have reached that point.
Berkowitz probably knows that Bibi's win won't do anything about the population problem - sadly I don't believe it will make the sistuation any easier - although perhaps crueler.
The trafficking bill's veto comes as the result of Catholic Charities not getting a contract for human trafficking - because HHS believed that pregnant trafficking victims should be entitled to abortion services because the pregnancy is considered the result of rape. My guess is that the anti-abortion language is a bit more stringent that the Hyde Amendment - which I believe excludes rape. Simply put in language that states that and the bill can sail through. We are not talking a single act of rape, we are talking multiple times a day with multiple partners each day and an unknown father. People say in the GOP that the child does not deserve to die for this. Probably not, but they should take it up with Hyde who put in the exemption. Sadly, HHS cannot just divide the contract, because the Bishops will not allow Charities to do the referral. The USCCB needs to get off this issue and quit making it look like the Church is on a gravy train on these contracts. At some point we go from charity to business - and I think we have reached that point.
Berkowitz probably knows that Bibi's win won't do anything about the population problem - sadly I don't believe it will make the sistuation any easier - although perhaps crueler.
The Catholic Vote Today & Tomorrow | National Catholic Reporter
The Catholic Vote Today & Tomorrow | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: There was not so much a monolithic Catholic vote as an ethnic vote - or rather several ethnic votes. Indeed, in places like Cascade, Iowa there were separate Catholic communities, each with a parish - in this case, one Irish and one German, Young people of each parish could not date those of the other - it was considered a mixed marriage (no thought of interracial or inter-religious dating was even consideed). This is no longer the case. The Catholic ghetto and the Catholic vote have assimilated. Even in Iowa, although the St. Josephs day events in Cedar Rapids are well known among the Czech community. Still, the Catholics vote like the mainstream because they are out of the ghetto, now assimilated into the mainstream. Of course, this means that they are no longer reliable left wing voters, but the Democratic Party is only mildly left wing. On abortion politics, the Catholics are the same - and have been ignoring the Church on this (sadly, including actually having abortions) since Humanae Vitae. The hierarchy is trying to get them to listen, but women will not hear the gospel of life from a male voice - especially when it is fairly clear that mail voice is captured by the Republican Party. If the hierarchy wants its moral authority, it needs to step away from the ambo at election time. It is associating with a movement that has not visible end game - which is a great way to fundraise and get out the vote - but it is a bit of a fraud - which is what liberal Catholics know.
Wednesday, March 18, 2015
Links for 03/18/15 | National Catholic Reporter
Links for 03/18/15 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Fr. John offers a perspective sometimes expressed in relation to cancer patients - about time to get your spiritual house in order. Of course, if your house is already in order, you no longer fear death - although running toward it with abandon is a bit crazy. I do not believe that we execute on an announced time in order for the condemned to confess their way into Righteouness - and what happens to such is for God to know. He did mention, however, how the concern that an inmate is dangerous must be factored in - indeed, I find it the only convincing variable. If some one makes a true confession and is no longer dangerous, then we don't need to kill them - unless they are lying and do kill again. At that point, get a needle and end our suffering - no announcement required or deserved.
Congratulations to Mary Schock on her new found freedom and likely pay raise. I hope she uses care in identifying any interests she represents.
I hope Jeb Bush, the not so recent convert, goes beyond the Republican social agenda in his Catholicism. He and the whole Gospel of Life movement really messed up Terri Schaivo - both on the sanctity of their marriage and the fact that she really was so horribly brain damaged as to be considered already dead - or only partially revived. Luckily, when our Mom died we knew she was never coming back - sadly the doctors and paramedics made too great, yet too incomplete an effort to bring her back. As for the rest of our Faith, we proclaim what we believe (which is why it is called a creed) - or rather what we agree that we believe. We believe but cannot know. That is why it is called Faith. Too much certainty, however, is not Faith, its group dyanamics and hubris - not something I want a politician clinging to. Especially not one who would be President.
Congratulations to Mary Schock on her new found freedom and likely pay raise. I hope she uses care in identifying any interests she represents.
I hope Jeb Bush, the not so recent convert, goes beyond the Republican social agenda in his Catholicism. He and the whole Gospel of Life movement really messed up Terri Schaivo - both on the sanctity of their marriage and the fact that she really was so horribly brain damaged as to be considered already dead - or only partially revived. Luckily, when our Mom died we knew she was never coming back - sadly the doctors and paramedics made too great, yet too incomplete an effort to bring her back. As for the rest of our Faith, we proclaim what we believe (which is why it is called a creed) - or rather what we agree that we believe. We believe but cannot know. That is why it is called Faith. Too much certainty, however, is not Faith, its group dyanamics and hubris - not something I want a politician clinging to. Especially not one who would be President.
The GOP's Budget Joke: Who's Laughing? | National Catholic Reporter
The GOP's Budget Joke: Who's Laughing? | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: The House GOP is perfect - perfect in its reflection of their priorities and expectations, including and especially about the poor - who they feel will be empowered to seek work and the benefits that go with it. Of course, to paraphrase Bruce Bartlett's earlier Rolling Stone quote - where are the feckin jobs?
Former CBO Director, Republic Douglass Holz-Eakin used to sound the alarm on the need to control medical entitlements in order to have any kind of decent discretionary spending program. Obamacare has realized these savings and will continue to - oddly using a framework developed by the conservative Heritage Institute. The only reason to gut Obamacare, aside from eventually repealing the VAT like unearned income taxes on the rich is to go forward with such cuts
Fortunately, if you can call it that - the repeal of Obamacare takes more than a budget resolution, especially one passed by a single House (the GOP members of each House so far do not agree), it takes a law and in the Senate, a law that cuts revenue requires sixy votes, which do not exist in the Senate Republican caucus. Further, the resolution need not pass at all. The Budget Control Act contains spending caps that serve the function of a Section 302 Budget Act allocation between the Appropriations Subcommittees. (That is correct, all that noise about Obama not passing a budget was a lie). Of course, we will now have a House Mark, the Senate Mark and the Law. The Law wins unless agreement can be reached - and even then Obama has a veto. I suspect some confrontation in the Fall of this year (but not the next and no entitlement cuts - which can safely be vetoed with current law remaining in place.
s
Former CBO Director, Republic Douglass Holz-Eakin used to sound the alarm on the need to control medical entitlements in order to have any kind of decent discretionary spending program. Obamacare has realized these savings and will continue to - oddly using a framework developed by the conservative Heritage Institute. The only reason to gut Obamacare, aside from eventually repealing the VAT like unearned income taxes on the rich is to go forward with such cuts
Fortunately, if you can call it that - the repeal of Obamacare takes more than a budget resolution, especially one passed by a single House (the GOP members of each House so far do not agree), it takes a law and in the Senate, a law that cuts revenue requires sixy votes, which do not exist in the Senate Republican caucus. Further, the resolution need not pass at all. The Budget Control Act contains spending caps that serve the function of a Section 302 Budget Act allocation between the Appropriations Subcommittees. (That is correct, all that noise about Obama not passing a budget was a lie). Of course, we will now have a House Mark, the Senate Mark and the Law. The Law wins unless agreement can be reached - and even then Obama has a veto. I suspect some confrontation in the Fall of this year (but not the next and no entitlement cuts - which can safely be vetoed with current law remaining in place.
s
Links for 03/17/15 | National Catholic Reporter
Links for 03/17/15 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Less material than the comment on Ross's article. I am actually getting ready for St. Jospeph's day - although I no longer drink red ale (no food coloring required). Sadly, Missouri wishes to take revenge on somemone who needs asylum - I guess because it can - although hopefully it was stopped already. The drug companies who make the toxic brew used in education have vetoed the states and the right wing states are lashing back. In reality, execution cannot be about right v. wrong - but dangerous v. dangerous. Life without parole in a Supermax prison is effectively a death sentence - the prisoners even agree and they would prefer something quicker - of course if some of these are not dangerous, put them in general populaiton. If they are dangerous - however - the euthanasia is better for all concerned. It beats life in solitary.
The Healthy Working Families Act is probably light on assistance and heavy on training for a job no one wants (say, washing bedpans). If real education, from literacy to trade school or college were provided, with tax subsidies for children equal to those for workers (and high enough to maintain each child by middle class standards) with a much higher state minimum wage, then I would be ecstatic. Of course, voting for what is possible is what we settle for and can hopefully be signed or the veto overridden.
Public schools and their unions are always interesting for Catholic social justice advocates to talk about - since Catholic Schools are rarely unionized - both because our Lord Bishops and Duke Archbishops resist and because of the fact that teachers unions generally are in the forefront of the political discussion to safeguard abortion rights (do teachers get paid enough to not consider birth control or worse - especially in Catholic School?) Abortion should not be the issue here - fair pay should and decent benefits, including a sweeter for each child born - this will make public school teachers fight for the same thing (after the inevitable quandry passes). Unless the Church is willing to talk about the impossiblity of a legislative compromise that deals with the fact that personhood in the first trimester is impossible without major problems on the tort and police side when miscarriage occurs (and equal protection means miscarriage and abortion must be treated alike in these matters) and that there is not enough left to talk about in the second and third trimester to matter (especially if your standard of decision is danger, not innocence - see paragraph one) - then we really could start useful dialogue on unions in both Catholic and public school - and the public funding of Catholic School (Blaine Amendments be damned!).
Notice how this is all related?
The Healthy Working Families Act is probably light on assistance and heavy on training for a job no one wants (say, washing bedpans). If real education, from literacy to trade school or college were provided, with tax subsidies for children equal to those for workers (and high enough to maintain each child by middle class standards) with a much higher state minimum wage, then I would be ecstatic. Of course, voting for what is possible is what we settle for and can hopefully be signed or the veto overridden.
Public schools and their unions are always interesting for Catholic social justice advocates to talk about - since Catholic Schools are rarely unionized - both because our Lord Bishops and Duke Archbishops resist and because of the fact that teachers unions generally are in the forefront of the political discussion to safeguard abortion rights (do teachers get paid enough to not consider birth control or worse - especially in Catholic School?) Abortion should not be the issue here - fair pay should and decent benefits, including a sweeter for each child born - this will make public school teachers fight for the same thing (after the inevitable quandry passes). Unless the Church is willing to talk about the impossiblity of a legislative compromise that deals with the fact that personhood in the first trimester is impossible without major problems on the tort and police side when miscarriage occurs (and equal protection means miscarriage and abortion must be treated alike in these matters) and that there is not enough left to talk about in the second and third trimester to matter (especially if your standard of decision is danger, not innocence - see paragraph one) - then we really could start useful dialogue on unions in both Catholic and public school - and the public funding of Catholic School (Blaine Amendments be damned!).
Notice how this is all related?
Douthat on the Pope's Critics | National Catholic Reporter
Douthat on the Pope's Critics | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: This article MSW refers to tries to unpack the conservatism of the Pope's critics, in response to a piece i the New Republic. First we have the Trads, who long for the return of the Latin Mass. In the past few years, the ban on the Extraordinary Rite has been lifted, although Francis does not sound like he is much of a fan. It would not matter if the only question were giving certain older Catholics what they want. Indeed, with the latest changes to the Roman Missal and the translations thereof, there is very little difference in the essentials of the Latin version and the English version (and with your spirit). Indeed, I could bring my Loras College Manual Missal from the 30s to Mass today and be able to mostly follow it - save for the fequent references to St. Michael the Archangel. Amazing how much they mention an angel known for humility - someone is missing the point.
Even with this victory, I suspect that the Trads want more - and they want it before they die off (which is not long). Latin, of course, is the obvious first point, with the Altar facing the back next (although I am not sure I like the theology of treating the host like an item for worship rather than a vehicle for true worship in Communion), but then comes getting women off the altar (never would they be allowed into the priesthood - a mistake too - since the best gospel of life advocate would be an ordained woman -like Elizabeth Stoker Bruenig - that the same crew resists tells us everything we need to know) and back under the veil (yes before the new Mass, all female heads were covered). Latin would be an inconvenience and Altar placement, interior decorating but it is the treatment of women that makes them more than quaint, to say the least.
Next we have the economic and political conservatives, mainly in the U.S, who fear what Francis says about Capitalism and what he will say about the environment. They certainly have the resources to be loud and they are more the paid thought leaders than the members of the movement - although they do have a following - which may or may not include some Catholic conservatives - many of whom are pro-life, which links them into the whole Republican attack machine. What is important here is not the theological or even the economic argument (which they lose because the Austrian economics they so love has no traction beyond their echo chamber) - but that they ae bought and paid for by industry - from Charles and David Koch to Roger Ailes and his network, FoxNews. Of course, truth does not belog to the loudest - although the loud can try to drown it out occassionally. They have, so far, not done so with Barack Obama and Pope Francis (if you cringe at thei grouping, you are part of the problem - you can figure out which way).
Lastly we have the heirarchy - the Burke's and Chaput's of the world (although it seems Cardinal Dolan has gotten the message of Cardinal O'Malley becoming part of the group of 8 and not him). Douthat notes that in the Church and outside, lesser known figures shout the loudest, while those with something to lose are more discrete. Whether this is respect or careerism, I will let the reader judge. They speak both on economics and the environment as well as the bi-Synodal discussion on marriage and the family (with a final report not as radical as the interim report - maybe Francis and company are less liberal than many fear - or won't appear that way in the end). What happens in the end may depend on what feedback is received on these issues in the interim. Whether such feedback is recieved without filter is up to the local bishops - which is not so encouraging - and the local faithful who must find the avenues of expression and use them.
Of course, in the end, the faithful will make their desires known, Cardinal Kaspar and or the Synod agreeing or disagreeing, process or no process, pope or not pope. Those who most resist will die off and the next conservatives may well yet use Vatican II as the standard of the good old days. Something must be done for those who are Catholic who divorce and remarry - whether they simply join a Protestant sect or become unchurched depends on how they respond to the call of Christ. My former wife's mother, who is also divorced and is married to someon who is (and is not Catholic) goes to Communion each week. Unless she is directly and personally told that even a blessing of their current union (which considered the death of my wife's father but not the survival of her husbands ex-wife) she will continue to go (how do you force a non-Catholic ex to get an annullment?).
I am not arguing doctrine - but that the doctrine is made by the people who present themselves for Communion. Teddy Kennedy, who was a public person, felt he needed an annulment to go to Communion. Most don't, so the challenge is not to allow or not allow taking Communion - but to make room for the fact that it occurs. Gay marriage is the same way. Parents and siblings of those married will throw a party, if possible and those married may even find an Episcopal or resigned Catholic Priest to hear their vows, but the theology of marriage is that it is the couple who makes that marriage - not the Church who is a witness. As some point the Church will realize that gay Catholics are as likely to marry as non-Catholics and that the world has not collapsed (and that gay priests are likely blessing these civil marriages anyway. The people will speak on this, regardless of how many conservative Catholics take to the blogospher and the Church will adapt - as it always does (look how many Catholic-Jewish weddings it has witnessed and blessed - never would have happened when my parents wed).
Conservatives complain because they are more aware of their morality and more desparate for adherents to carry on their views. In many cases, those views may be carred on anyway - but they will be carried on in new language, possibly using the words but not necessarily the meaning of the past. Its why they shout to much. For spiritually exercised Catholics, we have the faith to know that God's will is going to happen anyway - maybe not this minute but eventually. It is why we smile so much.
Even with this victory, I suspect that the Trads want more - and they want it before they die off (which is not long). Latin, of course, is the obvious first point, with the Altar facing the back next (although I am not sure I like the theology of treating the host like an item for worship rather than a vehicle for true worship in Communion), but then comes getting women off the altar (never would they be allowed into the priesthood - a mistake too - since the best gospel of life advocate would be an ordained woman -like Elizabeth Stoker Bruenig - that the same crew resists tells us everything we need to know) and back under the veil (yes before the new Mass, all female heads were covered). Latin would be an inconvenience and Altar placement, interior decorating but it is the treatment of women that makes them more than quaint, to say the least.
Next we have the economic and political conservatives, mainly in the U.S, who fear what Francis says about Capitalism and what he will say about the environment. They certainly have the resources to be loud and they are more the paid thought leaders than the members of the movement - although they do have a following - which may or may not include some Catholic conservatives - many of whom are pro-life, which links them into the whole Republican attack machine. What is important here is not the theological or even the economic argument (which they lose because the Austrian economics they so love has no traction beyond their echo chamber) - but that they ae bought and paid for by industry - from Charles and David Koch to Roger Ailes and his network, FoxNews. Of course, truth does not belog to the loudest - although the loud can try to drown it out occassionally. They have, so far, not done so with Barack Obama and Pope Francis (if you cringe at thei grouping, you are part of the problem - you can figure out which way).
Lastly we have the heirarchy - the Burke's and Chaput's of the world (although it seems Cardinal Dolan has gotten the message of Cardinal O'Malley becoming part of the group of 8 and not him). Douthat notes that in the Church and outside, lesser known figures shout the loudest, while those with something to lose are more discrete. Whether this is respect or careerism, I will let the reader judge. They speak both on economics and the environment as well as the bi-Synodal discussion on marriage and the family (with a final report not as radical as the interim report - maybe Francis and company are less liberal than many fear - or won't appear that way in the end). What happens in the end may depend on what feedback is received on these issues in the interim. Whether such feedback is recieved without filter is up to the local bishops - which is not so encouraging - and the local faithful who must find the avenues of expression and use them.
Of course, in the end, the faithful will make their desires known, Cardinal Kaspar and or the Synod agreeing or disagreeing, process or no process, pope or not pope. Those who most resist will die off and the next conservatives may well yet use Vatican II as the standard of the good old days. Something must be done for those who are Catholic who divorce and remarry - whether they simply join a Protestant sect or become unchurched depends on how they respond to the call of Christ. My former wife's mother, who is also divorced and is married to someon who is (and is not Catholic) goes to Communion each week. Unless she is directly and personally told that even a blessing of their current union (which considered the death of my wife's father but not the survival of her husbands ex-wife) she will continue to go (how do you force a non-Catholic ex to get an annullment?).
I am not arguing doctrine - but that the doctrine is made by the people who present themselves for Communion. Teddy Kennedy, who was a public person, felt he needed an annulment to go to Communion. Most don't, so the challenge is not to allow or not allow taking Communion - but to make room for the fact that it occurs. Gay marriage is the same way. Parents and siblings of those married will throw a party, if possible and those married may even find an Episcopal or resigned Catholic Priest to hear their vows, but the theology of marriage is that it is the couple who makes that marriage - not the Church who is a witness. As some point the Church will realize that gay Catholics are as likely to marry as non-Catholics and that the world has not collapsed (and that gay priests are likely blessing these civil marriages anyway. The people will speak on this, regardless of how many conservative Catholics take to the blogospher and the Church will adapt - as it always does (look how many Catholic-Jewish weddings it has witnessed and blessed - never would have happened when my parents wed).
Conservatives complain because they are more aware of their morality and more desparate for adherents to carry on their views. In many cases, those views may be carred on anyway - but they will be carried on in new language, possibly using the words but not necessarily the meaning of the past. Its why they shout to much. For spiritually exercised Catholics, we have the faith to know that God's will is going to happen anyway - maybe not this minute but eventually. It is why we smile so much.
Tuesday, March 17, 2015
Links for 03/16/15 | National Catholic Reporter
Links for 03/16/15 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Obama was funny - mostly because he takes on the biases people have head on and defuses them - though some idiots still keep coming back for more.
Pope Francis gives us some good Ignatian spirituality on prayer. Sadly, it is true that it takes difficulty to realize how much God loves us. The comfortable use Penance to try to get there - but mostly that just does not work. Sometimes, suffering is a gift - although those who have not been to that place cannot really get how those of us who have can wait for God.
Acton is a characture of itself. I will never watch one of their videos. MSW questions how a well funded Catholic organization can get Catholic social teaching so wrong. The answer is in the question if you think about it. (Hint - donor bias).
As much as I won't look at Acton, I reall won't look at Catholic World Report, which is neither Catholic, about the world or a report. I really wish MSW would cover more of us on the Left - even if we also appear in his comment section. Truth does not depend on funding - look at Acton.
Pope Francis gives us some good Ignatian spirituality on prayer. Sadly, it is true that it takes difficulty to realize how much God loves us. The comfortable use Penance to try to get there - but mostly that just does not work. Sometimes, suffering is a gift - although those who have not been to that place cannot really get how those of us who have can wait for God.
Acton is a characture of itself. I will never watch one of their videos. MSW questions how a well funded Catholic organization can get Catholic social teaching so wrong. The answer is in the question if you think about it. (Hint - donor bias).
As much as I won't look at Acton, I reall won't look at Catholic World Report, which is neither Catholic, about the world or a report. I really wish MSW would cover more of us on the Left - even if we also appear in his comment section. Truth does not depend on funding - look at Acton.
Countdown on Iranian Nuke Negotiations | National Catholic Reporter
Countdown on Iranian Nuke Negotiations | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: We may as well talk about this - as most Bracketology is constructed out of home state or alma mater loyalty rather than either year to year bracket experience (not a good idea) or intimate knowledge of each team (and even then, thre are upsets). Handicapping secret nuclear talks is also a fools errand unless you are getting daily reports on the sly - and even then the real issue is for each side to trust each other - the Iranians trusting the U.S. not to attack and to somehow keep Israel from a unilateral strike and the US trusting Iran that it really has no incentive to burn up all the Muslims in Israel - or even just the Shia - while avoiding the fall out cloud reigning down radiation on everything short of Alburz mountains (although the Zargos in the west may block most of it - but they won't block an American or Israeli counterstrike). All other negotiation points are a detail.
Bibi Netanyahu is making things worse by opening fat mouth - and for reasons of electoral hype more than security. He is not helping. Indeed, his treatment of the Palestinians (and one could argue the Israeli Arabs) has damaged the cause of Zionism, almost to the point of no return - giving support to the affirmative of the question of whether Zionism is racism or Apartheid. Only neoconservatives (and you know who you are) can long stand by as he trounces the rights of people who, by default, are his citizens. Unless he is willing to let the people on the other side of the wall join Jordan, Syria or militarize themselves, these people must be considered Israelis sooner than later and given a full vote in the upcomig elections (which his party could never with Palestinan suffrage). So enough of his opinion. It matters not unless he is about to do something unilateral and stupid. As for Senator Cotton, the jury is out on him. He's an idiot and even is cosignatories to his misbegotten letter are backing away from him - and not even slowly.
The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (what the US Government calls it, so therefore the proper form of it here - calling it Islamic State implies a larger Caliphate which is only comical considerig they are a client of the Saudi Royals who would rather have that title). The backbone of ISIL, of course, is the Sunni Military of Saddam Hussein - though dead he is still with us. Why did you think they were capable of such cruelty? The CIA most likely taught them! With all its flaws, however, it has succeeded in effectively regionalizing Iraq, which was the obvious next step - both to th chagrin of those who did not want to see a Kurdish state - (that would be Turkey) and those who still harbor malice for the taking of our embassy (which should have been closed the first time it was take and released). Given a choice between Baathist fighters and Iranian control of the Shia regions (which we once sponsored after the first Gulf War), I will favor the Shia every time. That Wes Clark is right on how the situation turned our is why he should have been on the ticket (maybe the top) in 2004. Something tells me the region would not be used to justify our outsized military - which was the real reason for all this carnage.
The questiton is why we are in this at all. I suspect that beig a more honest broker than Israel is a top reason, althoug given our institutioal interest in keepig up a "strong defense" I woud not be so sure about our honesty. Hopefully the military advisor to Secretary Kerry can be trusted to aim for peace and not the budgetary health of his Department. That will take some prayer.
Bibi Netanyahu is making things worse by opening fat mouth - and for reasons of electoral hype more than security. He is not helping. Indeed, his treatment of the Palestinians (and one could argue the Israeli Arabs) has damaged the cause of Zionism, almost to the point of no return - giving support to the affirmative of the question of whether Zionism is racism or Apartheid. Only neoconservatives (and you know who you are) can long stand by as he trounces the rights of people who, by default, are his citizens. Unless he is willing to let the people on the other side of the wall join Jordan, Syria or militarize themselves, these people must be considered Israelis sooner than later and given a full vote in the upcomig elections (which his party could never with Palestinan suffrage). So enough of his opinion. It matters not unless he is about to do something unilateral and stupid. As for Senator Cotton, the jury is out on him. He's an idiot and even is cosignatories to his misbegotten letter are backing away from him - and not even slowly.
The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (what the US Government calls it, so therefore the proper form of it here - calling it Islamic State implies a larger Caliphate which is only comical considerig they are a client of the Saudi Royals who would rather have that title). The backbone of ISIL, of course, is the Sunni Military of Saddam Hussein - though dead he is still with us. Why did you think they were capable of such cruelty? The CIA most likely taught them! With all its flaws, however, it has succeeded in effectively regionalizing Iraq, which was the obvious next step - both to th chagrin of those who did not want to see a Kurdish state - (that would be Turkey) and those who still harbor malice for the taking of our embassy (which should have been closed the first time it was take and released). Given a choice between Baathist fighters and Iranian control of the Shia regions (which we once sponsored after the first Gulf War), I will favor the Shia every time. That Wes Clark is right on how the situation turned our is why he should have been on the ticket (maybe the top) in 2004. Something tells me the region would not be used to justify our outsized military - which was the real reason for all this carnage.
The questiton is why we are in this at all. I suspect that beig a more honest broker than Israel is a top reason, althoug given our institutioal interest in keepig up a "strong defense" I woud not be so sure about our honesty. Hopefully the military advisor to Secretary Kerry can be trusted to aim for peace and not the budgetary health of his Department. That will take some prayer.
Sunday, March 15, 2015
Oklahoma bill would abolish state's role in granting marriage licenses, leave it in clergy hands | National Catholic Reporter
Oklahoma bill would abolish state's role in granting marriage licenses, leave it in clergy hands | National Catholic Reporter MB: This has always been the libertarian answer to not tick anyone off on gay marriage. It is hardly brave. Indeed, it allows the studity of Catholic and other hospitals as well as government agencies to ignore the truth that two people of the same sex are a family. In reality, it destroys family law and makes the government your next of kin in all disputes. No legal next of kin? No fight over who makes decisions on treatment and visition. The partner/wife and the family are requally powerless. Luckily, the piece of Libertarian Party homework will never pass.
Friday, March 13, 2015
Links for 03/13/13 | National Catholic Reporter
Links for 03/13/13 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Emily's List, which is primarily about fundraising, not lobbying, is not mentioned directly in the article. Neither is the Catholic Church, but the abortion restriction in the bill implies that it was involved - and mainly to go after the person in HHS (not Sebelius) who put abortion into trafficking programs in the first place - mostly because women who have been prostitutes may be pregnant when rescued - essentially rape victims (which Hyde excludes from restriction anyway). The push and pull on both sides was just wrong. I am not sure it is about being a Democrat as much as in dealing with government policy and providers - with overreach on both sides.
Tom Cotton's colleagues have gone running for the door now that the Iranian Goverment has made them look like idiots. Obama hardly had to say a word (and he is the constitutional expert). Too funny. Not sure the Repubicans are having an easy time being Republicans.
O'Malley is not going to coordinate his candidacy with the Guardian. Whether there is one is not officially known. He will be the first president with Irish roots since, well, Obama. Its just a little early still to deal wih this. At most, O'Malley is going after early money. Nothing big until he can raise it from, you guessed it, O'Malley's List.
Tom Cotton's colleagues have gone running for the door now that the Iranian Goverment has made them look like idiots. Obama hardly had to say a word (and he is the constitutional expert). Too funny. Not sure the Repubicans are having an easy time being Republicans.
O'Malley is not going to coordinate his candidacy with the Guardian. Whether there is one is not officially known. He will be the first president with Irish roots since, well, Obama. Its just a little early still to deal wih this. At most, O'Malley is going after early money. Nothing big until he can raise it from, you guessed it, O'Malley's List.
Pope Francis' 2nd Anniversary, Part II | National Catholic Reporter
Pope Francis' 2nd Anniversary, Part II | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: The parsih priest meme is interesting, not because Francis wants every priest to use his homilies instead of their own, but because he wants them to preach the Gospel for today, just like he does. Calling him the world's parish priest brings us back to the kind of monarchism he is working to defeat.
Francis is in Rome, and this is where the sick are. Not just in the youth prisons or rehabs, but in the Vatican. The Curia should remember that when they criticize Francis for also going out to the city.
Mercy is essential - and is as essential for the small sins - not to bring them to the Sacrament, but to recognize their smallness and leave them alone. How to define that is interesting and in the end is left to the penitent - this is simply judgment, not the soft Pelagianism of the left.
Francis' conservative critics need to realize that preaching the Gospel is his goal - and that their purpose is to do it too (which terrifies them), not make up things like the Gospel of Life which essentially aligns the Church with the Amen wing of the Republicans. There are two Gospel stories that hint at abortion (the kind used if a woman was thought to have slipped one in on an absent husband). In both stories, the herbal test was not used (and in the first case the victim would have been Jesus) and mercy reigned - especially for the women involved who were treated as people by Joseph and by Jesus - not as breeding stock. We could spend the entirity of next year unraveling that one.
Francis is in Rome, and this is where the sick are. Not just in the youth prisons or rehabs, but in the Vatican. The Curia should remember that when they criticize Francis for also going out to the city.
Mercy is essential - and is as essential for the small sins - not to bring them to the Sacrament, but to recognize their smallness and leave them alone. How to define that is interesting and in the end is left to the penitent - this is simply judgment, not the soft Pelagianism of the left.
Francis' conservative critics need to realize that preaching the Gospel is his goal - and that their purpose is to do it too (which terrifies them), not make up things like the Gospel of Life which essentially aligns the Church with the Amen wing of the Republicans. There are two Gospel stories that hint at abortion (the kind used if a woman was thought to have slipped one in on an absent husband). In both stories, the herbal test was not used (and in the first case the victim would have been Jesus) and mercy reigned - especially for the women involved who were treated as people by Joseph and by Jesus - not as breeding stock. We could spend the entirity of next year unraveling that one.
Links for 03/12/15 | National Catholic Reporter
Links for 03/12/15 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: I love the fact that the Archbishop could still take down a Catholic congressman. We need more of that. As for the discharge petition, its dead and should be - that bill was way too punitive and sending it over was not about getting it passed, but about embarrassing the right wing. It backfired on the Democrats who don't have a really good defense to going along with punitive measures, even to get compromise. Maybe this will teach Latino voters that elections are a horse race and they need to enter, not wait until everything is the way they want it, in order to vote their approval.
I like my Cardinal's implict takedown of Cardinal Burke, although I disagree about always following Peter. We must always follow Christ. Peter can make mistakes - see Humanae Vitae - which got some things right and some wrong. Inserting itself into our marriages was insulting and the emryology was good junior high science - but not even good high school biology.
The problem is not the size of the bonuses, its what the Wall Street folks do to workers to get them. The problem is capitalism, not just the financial markets.
God Bless Sister Mary Ann. May he bring her gently to the next part of her journey.
I like my Cardinal's implict takedown of Cardinal Burke, although I disagree about always following Peter. We must always follow Christ. Peter can make mistakes - see Humanae Vitae - which got some things right and some wrong. Inserting itself into our marriages was insulting and the emryology was good junior high science - but not even good high school biology.
The problem is not the size of the bonuses, its what the Wall Street folks do to workers to get them. The problem is capitalism, not just the financial markets.
God Bless Sister Mary Ann. May he bring her gently to the next part of her journey.
Pope Francis' 2nd Anniversary, Part 1 | National Catholic Reporter
Pope Francis' 2nd Anniversary, Part 1 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Is Pope Francis self-conciously revolutionary? It seems so, considering his message has not changed since 1980. What he was for was no secret and he has been effective in making sure he is not alone - and that he is not entirely separated from his predecessors, especially Benedict (no so sure about St. John Paul - whom he canonized with St. John XXIII to send a message). The point of revolution, which he knows well, is to bring a team with you - as he is doing in Chicago and San Diego and presumably across the planet (Boston is already sewn up). It is not a Francis revolution, it is a revolution of like minded priests and bishops who all say the same kind of homilies. All of these homilies are simply about the Gospel. Those of us who love the Spirit of Vatican are saying that it is about time. Hopefully he will let some of those Spirit of Vatican II priests who left to get married back in. Most are older now, but I expect that there are some who would do so. See, all really good revolutions are also conspiracies. For a long time St. John Paul had a network of people like Cardinal Rigali - who like the network of Pius X, used informants to keep priests in line. This is the counter revolution to such madness.
Thursday, March 12, 2015
Links for 03/10/15 | National Catholic Reporter
Links for 03/10/15 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: The problem with campaign finance is not that the rich control elections, but that they control everything, from politics to the workplace to land and natural resources. In essence, the problem is capitalism, not just an adjustment to election laws. Of course, the question is, can capitalism be taken down if election law is not changed first.
I wish washing the feet of women meant that he considers them equal as apostles (they were, by the wa) and therefore appropriate for ordination. I suspect, however, that he is simply including them in the community of penitents - which is very accurate. The best thing is still the reactions of those who take offense. These should be noted and disciplined accordingly - maybe by washing thier feet along with the women.
On Hillary's emai situation, tweets are not binding legal communication - indeed, they are likely uploaded by someone in the campaign press office. Politicians don't do their own tweets and this is a non-issue.
I wish washing the feet of women meant that he considers them equal as apostles (they were, by the wa) and therefore appropriate for ordination. I suspect, however, that he is simply including them in the community of penitents - which is very accurate. The best thing is still the reactions of those who take offense. These should be noted and disciplined accordingly - maybe by washing thier feet along with the women.
On Hillary's emai situation, tweets are not binding legal communication - indeed, they are likely uploaded by someone in the campaign press office. Politicians don't do their own tweets and this is a non-issue.
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
Cotton, Clinton, Ferguson: You've Got Mail! | National Catholic Reporter
Cotton, Clinton, Ferguson: You've Got Mail! | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: The fact that MSW finds the racist police system in Ferguson as leasts worrisome is in fact worrisome and a failure of empathy on his part. They acted with evil intent and are not some aberation - their behavior is endemic to the old south - something that federal laws cannot cure without federal investigation and enforcement. MSW needs to imagine himself in Northern Ireland before the Accords and an official police organizaiton with its eyes on him.
As for Mrs. Clinton, I suspect (and no one knows as yet) that her private emails had to do with her political organization - not the affairs of state. Any such discussions would have been about how whatever is happening would impact 2016. Any other construction would include both the White House and the Department in an off-the-books scandal - which I am sure they are too smart to go into while the GOP is likely hoping to find something beyond the Secretary.
Senator Cotton represents the same kind of people who are OK with Ferguson being just the way it is, so writing publishing something ham handed, which the Iranians have already mocked, won't cost him anything. Sadly, the GOP seems to be staffed with experts on public relations, rather than on public policy. It has not always been so but it leaves them ill qualified to govern. Pity that.
As for Mrs. Clinton, I suspect (and no one knows as yet) that her private emails had to do with her political organization - not the affairs of state. Any such discussions would have been about how whatever is happening would impact 2016. Any other construction would include both the White House and the Department in an off-the-books scandal - which I am sure they are too smart to go into while the GOP is likely hoping to find something beyond the Secretary.
Senator Cotton represents the same kind of people who are OK with Ferguson being just the way it is, so writing publishing something ham handed, which the Iranians have already mocked, won't cost him anything. Sadly, the GOP seems to be staffed with experts on public relations, rather than on public policy. It has not always been so but it leaves them ill qualified to govern. Pity that.
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
Good News & Bad | National Catholic Reporter
Good News & Bad | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: The collapse of ISIL was predictable, first because they are offering nothing new from when they were Al Queda in Iraq and the Sunni Tribal leaders turned on them (no, it was not the surge that did it). That and they are taking money from the Saudis without even considering that perhaps the House of Saud is the Caliphate for most of that region (because the Hashemites, who are rightly the heirs to the prophet are burdened with Palestinian refugees rather than oil money - and the crown's ties to the US - former Queen Noor - make it suspect). In Gaza, whether you like them or not - they were effective at social services. I don't see ISIL governing compassionately. Rather, they are cruel extremists with a power complex which they wrongly base in the Koran. Such groups disburse, sometimes into civil society and sometimes because they are killed or arrested - or just leave.
Sadly, the intractiblity of poverty is not new - it is one of the older findings of social research on poverty and it is not likely to change - although there is some promise in limiting the penalties from the war on drugs - although changing welfare so it is not punitive to intact families is nowhere on the Conservative agenda. They care only for tax reform to make the rich richer. The Democrats are not much better, but everyone fears the socialists who could make some progress. As for consumerism, it is a good thing unless you really want to radicalize the poor into a fighing force for the deprived, joining the ranks of the Red Brigade and ISIL. Lets just start with winning back Congress and go from there - maybe with a few surprise Socialists in the mix.
Sadly, the intractiblity of poverty is not new - it is one of the older findings of social research on poverty and it is not likely to change - although there is some promise in limiting the penalties from the war on drugs - although changing welfare so it is not punitive to intact families is nowhere on the Conservative agenda. They care only for tax reform to make the rich richer. The Democrats are not much better, but everyone fears the socialists who could make some progress. As for consumerism, it is a good thing unless you really want to radicalize the poor into a fighing force for the deprived, joining the ranks of the Red Brigade and ISIL. Lets just start with winning back Congress and go from there - maybe with a few surprise Socialists in the mix.
Links for 03/09/15 | National Catholic Reporter
Links for 03/09/15 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Bravo to Pope Francis for is letter home to people he appointed to do what he said regarding mercy. This is a dog bites man story - although it does offer a look at the future of the Church under Francis - which is why the right wingers should be very much afraid, as what Francis is talking about makes Authoritarianism in the Church impossible - and the right wingers use Authoritarianism as their moral and sometimes financial meal ticket.
The DHS vote tells us little that we did not garner from the January 2, 2013 ATRA vote. This is yet another instance where the Hastert Rule was trashed to get an obviously reasonable bill passed. The problem is that the folks in the Republican Study Group would not know what obviously resonable was if it bit them in their tender parts.
On Cloutier's article - the sample group was not New York Times Readers, it was a New York Times article publishing a survey on second graders. It is of no concern at all. Children don't have the neural connections at that age to go between fact and opinion - indeed they don't know the word opinion. As for relativism, its everywhere. We can say we believe in absolute truth, but the problem is that such truth is in God's mind, not ours and certainly not the Roman hierarchy - no matter how much they insist upon it. The insistence that they know is actually creating truth for the group - which is the height of relativism. Let us end this stupid debate - because all knowledge exists in language and group - which means it is relative, even if we are speaking of absolutes. Sometimes in the past absolute meant something they would kill for and we have had enough of that already.
Oh, BTW, it is absolutely true that MSW got the article wrong. A correction is in order on these pages.
The DHS vote tells us little that we did not garner from the January 2, 2013 ATRA vote. This is yet another instance where the Hastert Rule was trashed to get an obviously reasonable bill passed. The problem is that the folks in the Republican Study Group would not know what obviously resonable was if it bit them in their tender parts.
On Cloutier's article - the sample group was not New York Times Readers, it was a New York Times article publishing a survey on second graders. It is of no concern at all. Children don't have the neural connections at that age to go between fact and opinion - indeed they don't know the word opinion. As for relativism, its everywhere. We can say we believe in absolute truth, but the problem is that such truth is in God's mind, not ours and certainly not the Roman hierarchy - no matter how much they insist upon it. The insistence that they know is actually creating truth for the group - which is the height of relativism. Let us end this stupid debate - because all knowledge exists in language and group - which means it is relative, even if we are speaking of absolutes. Sometimes in the past absolute meant something they would kill for and we have had enough of that already.
Oh, BTW, it is absolutely true that MSW got the article wrong. A correction is in order on these pages.
Let the 2016 Circus Begin! | National Catholic Reporter
Let the 2016 Circus Begin! | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: The field is amazing on both sides, mostly because of the people who aren't running because of the inevitability of Clinton, at least until the second installment of Game Change having to do with her comes out (although I have to say that they either treated Obama with kid gloves or he is one of the most emotionally stable politicians in history). If Clinton bows out, then Biden is the inevitable one - at least for the nomination. Not sure about the general election - although the electoral college math seems pretty good for the Democrats, who could nominate me, run a few ads and win (or even MSW with his pro-life stances - which would be attacked by the GOP if he ran). Anyone else is staying out, although I would love it if Wes Clark got in - although his personal loyalty to the Clintons prevents that. I hope she puts him on the ticket.
The GOP field is impressively stupid, at least below the level of "the smart Bush" - although Terri Schaivo's widower may disagree with that. Dr. Carson is no Herman Cain - Cain was performance art designed with the likely and very cynical intent of making poking fun at Obama. There can be no other reason. Dr. Carson is the new Santorum - and he should know better the difference between pederastry, which happens in prisons, alcoholic homes and some Sacristies and homosexuality (although some in the hierarchy Church don't get the difference either). Senator Santorum had the same series of gaffes and he still won Iowa (who I give to Huckabee if he runs - on the GOP side, Iowa only yields delegates to the winner of the nomination after he or she wins the required votes - it can be skiped - on the Democratic side it cannot be, those votes are binding.
Walker is an ass and everyone knows it but his campaign manager and him. To be clear, evolution is a paradigm, not a theory and one does accept it. Field Theories are not hypothesis base, so belief is actually a reasonable term. Of course, most people have never read the Social Structure of Scientific Revolutions, which anyone who has taken Epistomology at the college or doctoral level is required to read. Neither Walker or anyone who has used creationism as a sound bite seems to have. More interesting is the scientific case against the inerrance of the Bible - especially the first five books (with apologies ot my Jewish relatives - many of whom likely agree with me because the Bible is a different kind of truth).
The silliest prospect, of course, is a Mitt Romney do over. A Romney v. Bush campaign would suddenly look like a real contest and the Walkers and Carsons of the world would know that either staying in or getting out early will have an impact on their consideration for Veep. At least by accepting the Chair of Ways and Means, Paul Ryan has taken himself out. No word yet from the Palin camp, although that would be the darkest of all theater if she threw her hat in the ring.
The GOP field is impressively stupid, at least below the level of "the smart Bush" - although Terri Schaivo's widower may disagree with that. Dr. Carson is no Herman Cain - Cain was performance art designed with the likely and very cynical intent of making poking fun at Obama. There can be no other reason. Dr. Carson is the new Santorum - and he should know better the difference between pederastry, which happens in prisons, alcoholic homes and some Sacristies and homosexuality (although some in the hierarchy Church don't get the difference either). Senator Santorum had the same series of gaffes and he still won Iowa (who I give to Huckabee if he runs - on the GOP side, Iowa only yields delegates to the winner of the nomination after he or she wins the required votes - it can be skiped - on the Democratic side it cannot be, those votes are binding.
Walker is an ass and everyone knows it but his campaign manager and him. To be clear, evolution is a paradigm, not a theory and one does accept it. Field Theories are not hypothesis base, so belief is actually a reasonable term. Of course, most people have never read the Social Structure of Scientific Revolutions, which anyone who has taken Epistomology at the college or doctoral level is required to read. Neither Walker or anyone who has used creationism as a sound bite seems to have. More interesting is the scientific case against the inerrance of the Bible - especially the first five books (with apologies ot my Jewish relatives - many of whom likely agree with me because the Bible is a different kind of truth).
The silliest prospect, of course, is a Mitt Romney do over. A Romney v. Bush campaign would suddenly look like a real contest and the Walkers and Carsons of the world would know that either staying in or getting out early will have an impact on their consideration for Veep. At least by accepting the Chair of Ways and Means, Paul Ryan has taken himself out. No word yet from the Palin camp, although that would be the darkest of all theater if she threw her hat in the ring.
Friday, March 6, 2015
Links for 03/06/15 | National Catholic Reporter
Links for 03/06/15 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Pewsitter and Rorate Caeli both simply use Bishop McElroy's positions against him as if that were all there is to say. Its not. What they really don't like is that he is in the other "party" which has to make him wrong. The reality is, it is what makes him right, which tells you all you need to know about these commentators.
The Crisis article is interesting, although they make the same error that most conservatives make - that of error in the doctrine of God v. error in the doctine on man. Reason can be used on the doctrine on Man - and the Pope is right to use it, as is anyone. Whatever argument is true wins the day - absent a commitment to bring force to that argument. Arguments about God are different. Since there is no evidence, they depend on agreement. Being out of agreement (and we have had Aryan pontiffs) is not so much a sin as a betrayal if you see it right. Of course, some disagreements are reduced to novelty, like the Filioque. Indeed, disagreement is often deliberately made to make a point of separatism (like the Protestant view of Communion as symbol rather than reality - which I pity them for).
I love the Pope's position on cooperatives and wonder what my great-grandfather, Silas Allen, who helped set out the first modern cooperaties, would think of it (I would not call him a Papist, although as a Disciple of Christ, I would not call him an anti-papist either). As for this matter of cooperativism and libertarianism being askew - no they are not. Indeed, cooperativism are an escape from not only outside financial markets and an attempt at having more market power, but they are potentially a way to disregard government if they can pull off an arrangement to provide servies in lieu of paying for and getting them from the goverment. It happens more often than yoo think and will happen more and more as banking, government and industry continue to collude without providing anything more than Walmart and movies to the working class.
The Crisis article is interesting, although they make the same error that most conservatives make - that of error in the doctrine of God v. error in the doctine on man. Reason can be used on the doctrine on Man - and the Pope is right to use it, as is anyone. Whatever argument is true wins the day - absent a commitment to bring force to that argument. Arguments about God are different. Since there is no evidence, they depend on agreement. Being out of agreement (and we have had Aryan pontiffs) is not so much a sin as a betrayal if you see it right. Of course, some disagreements are reduced to novelty, like the Filioque. Indeed, disagreement is often deliberately made to make a point of separatism (like the Protestant view of Communion as symbol rather than reality - which I pity them for).
I love the Pope's position on cooperatives and wonder what my great-grandfather, Silas Allen, who helped set out the first modern cooperaties, would think of it (I would not call him a Papist, although as a Disciple of Christ, I would not call him an anti-papist either). As for this matter of cooperativism and libertarianism being askew - no they are not. Indeed, cooperativism are an escape from not only outside financial markets and an attempt at having more market power, but they are potentially a way to disregard government if they can pull off an arrangement to provide servies in lieu of paying for and getting them from the goverment. It happens more often than yoo think and will happen more and more as banking, government and industry continue to collude without providing anything more than Walmart and movies to the working class.
Physician-Assisted Suicide in Maryland | National Catholic Reporter
Physician-Assisted Suicide in Maryland | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: I think we all agree that third party payers should have no say in when a person dies, either by withdrawing care, suggesting care be withdrawn or that euthanasia be administered. As for second party care, it is physician assisted suicide, not physician mandated suicide. No one is talking about that either. What we do talk about is when the family of origin cannot let go, like in the Terri Schaivo case, where the spouse has made a compassionate decision to withdraw care. In that case, the spouse was correct and the family wrong and how we think of marriage - as leaving the family of origin and clinging to the spouse, applies (whether the spouse is gay or straight). In the cases we are talking about, there is no doubt who is making the decision - the patient. That is why it is called suicide. The traditional method is to stop eating, which for some reason removing and IV and feeding tube is considered different. Cutting of ventilation is always considered OK by all but the most attached spouse (my mother would not do it when my Dad was essentially dead - I don't recommend such a death watch). Physician assisted suicide happens much earlier, of course. It has to do with chronic terminal illness, not cessation of life support. No one should be mandated to use it, but they should not be prevented either. There is still the lingering concern that God will give the ultimate punishment to those who chose death. That is a painful hangover from the days when God was considered an Ogre. Lets get over that view when having this debate - after first gettig it out in the open and discussing it.
Thursday, March 5, 2015
Links for 03/05/15 | National Catholic Reporter
Links for 03/05/15 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Rosshirt's piece on both trust and the perfectionism that comes with no self trust is essential for anyone in politics, sales or, for that matter, clergy.
What is David Brock doing on Morning Joe? Rule one for any Democratic operative, Scarborough is off limits. He's better, has a bigger staff and will not be shy about trying to ruin your point and you. The only good thing is that he has too much self-respect to go on FoxNews.
Wittes briefly mentions the Saudis, while focusing more on Iran. At least the Shia and the Wahabi have not reconciled, as this would lead to many more executions. Interestingly, the Iranians are not more moderate - and much of the animosity against them comes from the Hostage Crisis (which Reagan played for all it was worth - the question is still whether he tried to back channel to keep it going long enough to cost Carter re-election. The Wahabi threat is much more insidious, because it is funded in part by our oil purchases. Maybe we should try an embargo the other way - or do something a bit more, shall we say, direct.
As for Israel, don't get me started. Much will happen on tht front - one of it kind to Bibi.
What is David Brock doing on Morning Joe? Rule one for any Democratic operative, Scarborough is off limits. He's better, has a bigger staff and will not be shy about trying to ruin your point and you. The only good thing is that he has too much self-respect to go on FoxNews.
Wittes briefly mentions the Saudis, while focusing more on Iran. At least the Shia and the Wahabi have not reconciled, as this would lead to many more executions. Interestingly, the Iranians are not more moderate - and much of the animosity against them comes from the Hostage Crisis (which Reagan played for all it was worth - the question is still whether he tried to back channel to keep it going long enough to cost Carter re-election. The Wahabi threat is much more insidious, because it is funded in part by our oil purchases. Maybe we should try an embargo the other way - or do something a bit more, shall we say, direct.
As for Israel, don't get me started. Much will happen on tht front - one of it kind to Bibi.
Today's Joint Editorial Against Capital Punishment | National Catholic Reporter
Today's Joint Editorial Against Capital Punishment | National Catholic Reporter by MSW: This is an interesting development and I hope it coincides with filing an Amicus brief with the SCOTUS on the extant case. The only thing more pro-life would be to mandate a child friendly wage for all children and from all employers - with the support of the tax system, the departisanship of the abortion debate, a commitment to life for the unborn from all Catholics as well as an abortion bill that settles all issues as best they can be. Of course, that would be a very left wing vision and the women of the teachers unions would not likely sign on.
I still have some concerns about this lawsuit. We are following, rather than leading, the drug companies on this. Their decision to drop this line of business and the horrors following from amateur pharmacology in pro-death states have given us nothing but horrors. However, a well formulated lethal cocktail may be essential to executing some - those that we are unable to reach by resocialization and pyschiatry, who still pose a danger to staff and fellow inmate alike - the unredeemable sociopath - must either be confined alone for the rest of their lives (which will make anyone crazy) - with the state remaining the cause of their death, albeit by slow personal torture - or we can give them a shot without ceremony or announcement. We seem to have Euthanasia worked out commerically. I am sure it will work here.
Educating the dangerous is included in the rights and obligations of the king. We are now the kings and we cannot ignore this duty. Its not a question of rights sometimes, its a question of danger and the duty to stop it. That is where the Church has a blind spot - thinking that only God has the right and duty. Nothing is further from the truth. Not a culture of death, just of reality.
I still have some concerns about this lawsuit. We are following, rather than leading, the drug companies on this. Their decision to drop this line of business and the horrors following from amateur pharmacology in pro-death states have given us nothing but horrors. However, a well formulated lethal cocktail may be essential to executing some - those that we are unable to reach by resocialization and pyschiatry, who still pose a danger to staff and fellow inmate alike - the unredeemable sociopath - must either be confined alone for the rest of their lives (which will make anyone crazy) - with the state remaining the cause of their death, albeit by slow personal torture - or we can give them a shot without ceremony or announcement. We seem to have Euthanasia worked out commerically. I am sure it will work here.
Educating the dangerous is included in the rights and obligations of the king. We are now the kings and we cannot ignore this duty. Its not a question of rights sometimes, its a question of danger and the duty to stop it. That is where the Church has a blind spot - thinking that only God has the right and duty. Nothing is further from the truth. Not a culture of death, just of reality.
Wednesday, March 4, 2015
Links for 03/04/15 | National Catholic Reporter
Links for 03/04/15 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: The problematic Thomas Cromwell - the entire alter-ego of Thomas More who wrote about Counselorship in his Utopia in a way that likely applies to his opposite more than the series does. One wonders whether Cromwell worked for Henry Tudor or its the other way around? Or maybe its a bit of both. Of course, if the series has any longevity certain facts must come out.The sad question is why iconoclasm is often accompanied by execution? Were any of these killings out of resistance to the art being destroyed. That would be a pity, because no human life is worth paint on a canvas - especially when the Holy Family are protrayed as white people rather than Palestinian. Art is always self-portrait, which is why Cromwell is genteel and why ISIL is reduced to performance art of the ugliest kind.
P.,S. We could not have gotten to our present as either Catholics or Americans on religion were it not for this chapter in English history.
Archbishop Fitgerald's talk should be interesting. Let us see what kind of picutre he paints on Islam. I am sure one side or the other won't like it.
Scott Walker is who we get if we want charasmatic speakers. God preserve us from such things. Hillary will get her bearings and a better speech writer (I am available and free to travel) - but the short answer for her not running is Joe Biden. That may prove interesting. The presidential race, of course, is about demography. Any Democrat wins by picking up the states he or she should win - and that is for the foreseeable future. Any GOP winner will be an extreme accident and be due to bad campaigining by the Democrat as his own strenghts (can't imagine a GOP woman winning the nomination unless it is a symbolic gesture).
P.,S. We could not have gotten to our present as either Catholics or Americans on religion were it not for this chapter in English history.
Archbishop Fitgerald's talk should be interesting. Let us see what kind of picutre he paints on Islam. I am sure one side or the other won't like it.
Scott Walker is who we get if we want charasmatic speakers. God preserve us from such things. Hillary will get her bearings and a better speech writer (I am available and free to travel) - but the short answer for her not running is Joe Biden. That may prove interesting. The presidential race, of course, is about demography. Any Democrat wins by picking up the states he or she should win - and that is for the foreseeable future. Any GOP winner will be an extreme accident and be due to bad campaigining by the Democrat as his own strenghts (can't imagine a GOP woman winning the nomination unless it is a symbolic gesture).
American Catholics & Immigrations: Past & Present | National Catholic Reporter
American Catholics & Immigrations: Past & Present | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: The conference should be interesting, especially in the comparison of immigration, then and now. The pro-life movement has picked off quite a group of former immigrants and children of immigrants and placed them firmly in the Republican Party - where their current economic interests also lie. They may also be the reason that economic ways to fight abortion by giving more to the poor face a dead end. Shameful. Sadly, the days when the Church or an immigrant community could stop the INS (or whatever they call it now) from seizing undocumented immigrants and putting them into indefinite detention until a deportation hearing are over. Todays undocumented are outside the community, some almost capitve to the bosses that had them trafficked here. Sadly histor is not repeating itself.
Links for 03/03/15 | National Catholic Reporter
Links for 03/03/15 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Someone asked whether you had covered Burke's latest bloviation. I was hoping no. Sometime fools need t simply be ignored - especially when they talk utter nonsense. The problem is he thinks he is closer to God's ear then the Pope. It is time for him to be retired, age or no.
Francis gets it exactly right on labor and cooperatives. This is not liberation theology, it is much more dangerous. A move toward socialism on a mass scale attracts all manner of opposition. Cooperativism does not but it is as effective in banishing capitalists one firm at a time until there are none.
As far as I know, there is no acceptable drug cocktail available, mostly because the drug companies decided they are not going to make on. It is like the parable of the sinful woman - no one stayed to pick up a rock - and those that did have no alternative but to sputter.
Red wine is lovely if you drink one or two glasses and stop. When it becomes one or two bottles, there goes you liver and pancreas (and pancreatic cancer is one of the nastiest and most painful). Above all, don't drink and exercise - one or the other.
Francis gets it exactly right on labor and cooperatives. This is not liberation theology, it is much more dangerous. A move toward socialism on a mass scale attracts all manner of opposition. Cooperativism does not but it is as effective in banishing capitalists one firm at a time until there are none.
As far as I know, there is no acceptable drug cocktail available, mostly because the drug companies decided they are not going to make on. It is like the parable of the sinful woman - no one stayed to pick up a rock - and those that did have no alternative but to sputter.
Red wine is lovely if you drink one or two glasses and stop. When it becomes one or two bottles, there goes you liver and pancreas (and pancreatic cancer is one of the nastiest and most painful). Above all, don't drink and exercise - one or the other.
San Diego hits the episcopal jackpot | National Catholic Reporter
San Diego hits the episcopal jackpot | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: I am sure that there are those who would call this an aberration - that more conservative priests will soon be elevated. I think not. McElroy is the bow wave of the Francis prelates (although to be fair, Benedict did give him his first purple). San Diego is shifted when the new bishop arrives. Sadly, it will take more retirements and appointments to resteer the Conference. I am just wondering when we will see someone who is honest enough to say that the pro-life movemet's infrastructure is part of the GOP - including those bishops who are most involved? The truth coming out has to be inevitable. Someone has to let it slip sometime.
Monday, March 2, 2015
Netanyahu's Blunder | National Catholic Reporter
Netanyahu's Blunder | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: This entire issue is a non-issue in the history of non-issues celebrated by the congressional Republicans. It is not even close to the moral blunders committed by Netanyahu in his career, which include building a wall to set up a mock Palestinian state without stopping the workers who Isreal needs for their daily incursion into Apartheid. It takes no imagination to see this is a problem that needs to be dealt with differently - although worse is the turning of Gaza into a prison filled with desparet people with firecrackers who don't shoot straight. The fact that any Israeli's were killed in that attack is dumb luck, while the deliberate retaliation was murder and should have been forgone. This issue has cache among the neo-conservatives (like MSW) because the unwashed in the GOP have the conversion of the Jews as one of their apocolyptic milestones (which is why Bibi is a fool to come here). Bibi and his Zionist movement is doomed to eventually fail to a more peaceful regime, as cooler heads gather strength wih each of his war crimes - and that is not propoganda, its math. As for Iran, its not going to use nukes against Israel. The blowback would kill Palestinian and Samarita with Jew, as well as many of Israel's Arab neibhbors until finally the fallout lands in Iran. The new Iranian President is not that stupid. Indeed, he is the one who should be visiting and addressing Congress.
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