Links for 07/17/15 | National Catholic Reporter

Links for 07/17/15 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: His Grace is entirely on target. The Commonwealth needs a way to untangle its credit (although s special master might be as appropriate - but would still need to be authorized), because modern governments get taxes and spend money at different times of the year (for example, property taxes come in twice, mostly from banks).  We also need to get rid of the state and local income tax exemptions for Americans in Puerto Rico - if only because Puerto Rican Americans pay such taxes when they live on the mainland.  I suggest they stop filing until this is done - or send in a note with their return saying they are paying under protest and why.



Pope Francis may or may not be familiar with the honorable trade of pathology, even at PPUSA. Or he may not.  After my wife's second miscarriage, we needed an answer on why (and whether we could be doing something to make another pregnancy go better - sadly no).  I am sure similar tissue preservation procedures were practiced.  The issue is the reaction and the desire for a reaction and it is shameful and offensive.  It cannot be defended as part of the movement.  It is pure emotionalism and is why the best thing Francis could say about abortion is to shut down the USCCB Pro-Life directorate.  I am not even joking.



The Bishop Hughes and Pope Francis article shows that were you stand on capitalism (and most economic issues) depends on where you sit. If you sit in an Irish parish during the famine or as Ordinary of a South American country in deep need of liberation theology, people will call you a socialist too.  If His Holiness wishes to be the Chaplian of our effort to elect Sen. Sanders as President, I would welcome him to the campaign with the kiss of peace and a DSA button.  Sen. Warren, by the way, is not running.



The best studies showed that the culture change (its only a war if you resist) started in 1959 (see the book of the same name).  While science changed earlier, culture did not.  When the the Fundies realized that no one cared that they did keep to themselves, they built TV ministries and colleges from the profits - and the Catholics funded Ave Maria to keep up.  There is no going back on that, althogh they have lost their own youth and will die out.  When the time comes, may they rest in peace.  May they repent of their angry hatred before they are called to account, especially on gay marriage.