Links for 09/30/16: From our friends at the Africa Faith & Justice Network and the Oakland Institute, a report on the involvement of the U.S. embassy in Cameroon helping a land grab. Your tax dollars at work. La...
MGB: Africa shows that the problem is still Capitalism.
Between carbon taxes and fusion powered electric cars, the latter still has the most promise. Once the latter is ready, rapid conversion is possible.
Human organizations demand loyalty even when it is not deserved. The
Church does that too.
Trumka is getting it but he needs to embrace advanced concepts like employee-owership. So do the bishops.
Friday, September 30, 2016
Checking in with the third parties
Checking in with the third parties: Distinctly Catholic: This election cycle, because of the record high unfavorable ratings of the two major candidates, speculation about the potential for a third party bid to shake up the race has been greater than usual.
MB: If Trump voters want to go Libertarian instead of voting for Hillary, who am I to judge?The likely insurgent third going to major party are the Sanders faction joining with Libertarians and Greens.
MB: If Trump voters want to go Libertarian instead of voting for Hillary, who am I to judge?The likely insurgent third going to major party are the Sanders faction joining with Libertarians and Greens.
Thursday, September 29, 2016
Links for 09/29/16
Links for 09/29/16: At Commonweal, David Bentley Hart has an extraordinary article about the New Testament. It is easy to see how Hart challenges the facile attempt to baptize capitalism by Tim Busch, that I linked to ye...
MGB: I use the Gospel to baptize humanism, as have many before me. I just wonder how someone can avoid that, especially the Curia and the Burke's of the world.
I will pass on the Arroyo video and just say that the Prosperity Gospel has more to do with Calivinism than Christ. I is amazing how many crypto-Calvinists are in the Church today. Most of them are rich and seem to ignore the story of Lazarus.
Note to Bishop Barron, humanism and the Gospel (and the Epistles) encourage people to think for themselves rather than simply following the corrupt example of elders.
MGB: I use the Gospel to baptize humanism, as have many before me. I just wonder how someone can avoid that, especially the Curia and the Burke's of the world.
I will pass on the Arroyo video and just say that the Prosperity Gospel has more to do with Calivinism than Christ. I is amazing how many crypto-Calvinists are in the Church today. Most of them are rich and seem to ignore the story of Lazarus.
Note to Bishop Barron, humanism and the Gospel (and the Epistles) encourage people to think for themselves rather than simply following the corrupt example of elders.
Trump's unseriousness and the GOP's moment of truth
Trump's unseriousness and the GOP's moment of truth: Distinctly Catholic: The finger-pointing within the Trump campaign has moved to the nation. MGB: The day the Tea Party gave us the House Freedom Caucus is the day that the Republican Party became unserious. Trump is just using their playbook, which so far has only worked in the House and thrown a monkey wrench into the government's ability to act.
As for Trump, the reason you can see he is unserious is that he has made no arrangements for a non-family trustee to take over his assets (and possibly sell them). As long as he is unwilling to consider this step, he is as unserious as Mitt was when he kept building his garage with a car elevator.
As for Trump, the reason you can see he is unserious is that he has made no arrangements for a non-family trustee to take over his assets (and possibly sell them). As long as he is unwilling to consider this step, he is as unserious as Mitt was when he kept building his garage with a car elevator.
Wednesday, September 28, 2016
Links for 09/28/16
Links for 09/28/16: At Politico, and as discussed in morning post, the Trump campaign seems eager to charge Hillary Clinton with being an enabler of her husband's affairs. It is hard to imagine a worse strategy for T...
MGB: Going after Bill on infidelity and blaming Hillary just shows that the vast right wing conspiracy is still in play.
538 indulges in a bit of levity. This is that silly time before October surprises start coming out.
The problem with most libertarian analysis is that it ignores market distortions based on wealth and power, which turn free markets for labor and goods on their head, giving us oligopsony, oligpoly and eventually oligarchy. Of course, the authoritarians at the Register love that kind of thing because it keeps people in line. No thank you.
MGB: Going after Bill on infidelity and blaming Hillary just shows that the vast right wing conspiracy is still in play.
538 indulges in a bit of levity. This is that silly time before October surprises start coming out.
The problem with most libertarian analysis is that it ignores market distortions based on wealth and power, which turn free markets for labor and goods on their head, giving us oligopsony, oligpoly and eventually oligarchy. Of course, the authoritarians at the Register love that kind of thing because it keeps people in line. No thank you.
After the first debate, what's next?
After the first debate, what's next?: Distinctly Catholic: One day after the first presidential debate, each candidate
MGB: Clinton's people love how she performed and most reasonable people give her the win. She should not worry about bringing stuff up for the town hall, but in the final debate she needs to ask repeatedly how Trump will distance himself from his business empire if elected - and having Ivanka manage it is not enough. The word is blind trust. Who knows, the trustee might actually pay vendors.
Trump's base is firmly committed, from the voters to FoxNews. It is the undecideds that will determine whether he has any chance (my bet is that he does not) - and they will not decide until after the final debate - at which time pollsters will know but won't say who will win.
MGB: Clinton's people love how she performed and most reasonable people give her the win. She should not worry about bringing stuff up for the town hall, but in the final debate she needs to ask repeatedly how Trump will distance himself from his business empire if elected - and having Ivanka manage it is not enough. The word is blind trust. Who knows, the trustee might actually pay vendors.
Trump's base is firmly committed, from the voters to FoxNews. It is the undecideds that will determine whether he has any chance (my bet is that he does not) - and they will not decide until after the final debate - at which time pollsters will know but won't say who will win.
Tuesday, September 27, 2016
Links for 09/27/16
Links for 09/27/16: At Politico, Donald Trump and his allies are casting aspersions at Lester Holt and anybody else they can blame for the candidate
MB: Trump originally said Holt did a good job, so his handlers are putting him up to it. Trump was unprepared for the debate and is unprepared for the presidency.
Lot of fact checking going on. Things don't look good for Trump, although authoritarians don't care about facts - either the Donald or his supporters. The study Silk cites seems to confirm this - churchgoers without an education support Trump - I argue because they are strongly supportive of authority over free thinking. Scary.
MB: Trump originally said Holt did a good job, so his handlers are putting him up to it. Trump was unprepared for the debate and is unprepared for the presidency.
Lot of fact checking going on. Things don't look good for Trump, although authoritarians don't care about facts - either the Donald or his supporters. The study Silk cites seems to confirm this - churchgoers without an education support Trump - I argue because they are strongly supportive of authority over free thinking. Scary.
Trump slips on his own ego in first debate
Trump slips on his own ego in first debate: Distinctly Catholic: If last night's debate had ended at the 20-minute mark, Donald Trump would have been declared the winner, but it didn't, and Trump missed an opportunity to make himself acceptable to voters he needs
MGB: As important as the actual performance is what the press says about it, and they gave it to Clinton. By the way, she was right about trickle down economics causing the crash and it is unclear whether trade deals had that much of an effect on outsourcing.
MGB: As important as the actual performance is what the press says about it, and they gave it to Clinton. By the way, she was right about trickle down economics causing the crash and it is unclear whether trade deals had that much of an effect on outsourcing.
Monday, September 26, 2016
Links for 09/26/16
Links for 09/26/16: The great thing about LifeSiteNews is that they unintentionally serve as research assistant to those of us charged with policing the culture of the Church for fanaticism. This latest is about the elec...
MGB: Any Catholic organization or college which even considers Donald Trump as a reasonable candidate has forfeited any legitimacy or right to receive funds from any mainstream Catholic donor.
Young people definitely came out for Obama and most assuredly for Bernie. We will see if Bernie and Obama can get those voters to come out in November. Of course,getting them to watch the news in the common room TV is almost impossible.
Sadly, authoritarians are about feeling over fact and other authoritarians let them get away with it. If all voters were objective, Clinton would win 50 states and the District.
MGB: Any Catholic organization or college which even considers Donald Trump as a reasonable candidate has forfeited any legitimacy or right to receive funds from any mainstream Catholic donor.
Young people definitely came out for Obama and most assuredly for Bernie. We will see if Bernie and Obama can get those voters to come out in November. Of course,getting them to watch the news in the common room TV is almost impossible.
Sadly, authoritarians are about feeling over fact and other authoritarians let them get away with it. If all voters were objective, Clinton would win 50 states and the District.
Tonight's debate: Why it matters at both the micro and macro level
Tonight's debate: Why it matters at both the micro and macro level: Distinctly Catholic: People who think debates don't matter need to do their history, but, sadly, tonight's debate, like the entire political season so far, will not get America out of our political nightmare.
MGB: The key is to make Trump sound grandiose or insulting. That is not a hard task. This is also not the only debate, so any voters who are undecided can stay that way. I am not sure it is worth watching. Maybe the last one. Of course, if Trump does really badly, this may be the last one - or the one where Trump loses enough support to Gary Johnson so that they have to let him on the stage for the next one - which won't help Trump either.
MGB: The key is to make Trump sound grandiose or insulting. That is not a hard task. This is also not the only debate, so any voters who are undecided can stay that way. I am not sure it is worth watching. Maybe the last one. Of course, if Trump does really badly, this may be the last one - or the one where Trump loses enough support to Gary Johnson so that they have to let him on the stage for the next one - which won't help Trump either.
Friday, September 23, 2016
Links for 09/23/16
Links for 09/23/16: At Philly.com, the list of Trump MGB: Sadly, the Catholic Trumpsters like the parade of fools endorsing him. What is needed is a counter-list of people from the Catholic Left to endorse Hillary. Count me in.
As I said this morning, the disability community does not want MSW's advice on whether their loved ones should be jailed for helping them end it all when it becomes too much. Most also don't care about the Hyde Amendment. What we care about is the record of compassionate service Hillary has demonstrated with the poor - and the fact that Trump is truly a loon.
It does look like American parents are more balkanized and less clear on what Muslims and atheists believe - that most Muslims are not Jihadists and that atheists hold up a mirror to the Church for it to see itself - and it is not pretty. Of course, I still want my daughter to marry a nice Catholic boy.
As I said this morning, the disability community does not want MSW's advice on whether their loved ones should be jailed for helping them end it all when it becomes too much. Most also don't care about the Hyde Amendment. What we care about is the record of compassionate service Hillary has demonstrated with the poor - and the fact that Trump is truly a loon.
It does look like American parents are more balkanized and less clear on what Muslims and atheists believe - that most Muslims are not Jihadists and that atheists hold up a mirror to the Church for it to see itself - and it is not pretty. Of course, I still want my daughter to marry a nice Catholic boy.
Clinton's dreadful campaign
Clinton's dreadful campaign: Distinctly Catholic: Since the close of the convention, Clinton has done, yet again, what she did in 2008 and almost did during the primaries this year: squander what should have been an insurmountable lead.
MGB: It's a bit early to say this is a bad campaign, since there is no indication that Trump can breach the blue wall and every indication that he will look like an ass in the debates - which seems to drive the undecided and independent voters. As for the disabled, I suspect that they don't share your view that they should be jailed if they attempt suicide. The picture will be clear after the last debate and after all the Hillary ads for October have run. I am looking at a 51 state majority.
MGB: It's a bit early to say this is a bad campaign, since there is no indication that Trump can breach the blue wall and every indication that he will look like an ass in the debates - which seems to drive the undecided and independent voters. As for the disabled, I suspect that they don't share your view that they should be jailed if they attempt suicide. The picture will be clear after the last debate and after all the Hillary ads for October have run. I am looking at a 51 state majority.
Thursday, September 22, 2016
Links for 09/21/16
Links for 09/21/16: Glad to be back. I was abroad for a bit, leading a seminar on Catholic Social Teaching in the land of my ancestors, Poland. Thanks to our host at the European Centre of Communication and Culture and t...
MGB: Welcome back MSW. Thanks for the view from abroad. On EJ, I suspect the New York business community does not want him back. Too bad.
Being a fool for Putin is not good US foreign policy.
To a large extent, religion adds to GDP as a government purchase or a purchase in lieu of government, from education to health to charitable services. It is much better for the economy than tax breaks for the rich.
MGB: Welcome back MSW. Thanks for the view from abroad. On EJ, I suspect the New York business community does not want him back. Too bad.
Being a fool for Putin is not good US foreign policy.
To a large extent, religion adds to GDP as a government purchase or a purchase in lieu of government, from education to health to charitable services. It is much better for the economy than tax breaks for the rich.
Book review: 'The End of White Christian America' part II
Book review: 'The End of White Christian America' part II: Distinctly Catholic: Jones writes about the role gay rights issues have played in the recent history of white Christian America.
By MGB: The reason religion and class are so important in this election is that Trump chose his voters that way. White protestants are the core of the Republican Party, although more authoritarian Catholics fall into that category too. It is why Trump clumsily changed his public stance on abortion (no one really knows what he really believes about it or anything else). Note that the black church has been has anti-gay as the white Protestants - but Obama may be changing that, even among the pastors.
Using the stages of grief,is not a bad way to look at this. White Protestants (and Trad Catholics) tend to be biblical literalists and the literal references are clear on homosexuality - although most of them are dicta, not revelation. Anyone with any kind of sound biblical scholarship knows that Leviticus is the work of Rabbis during the Babilonian exile and was about differentiating the Jewish people for the wider world. That this is not a Mosaic text is heresy to biblical literalists - yet pro-gay Christians argue quite effectively that the bans on homosexuality are equivalent to those against eating shellfish and having tatoos. Quite shattering if you believe Leviticus was dictated by God to Moses - for the Bishops too. That takes some grieving and the end result must be a rethinking of biblical authority and eventual relgious gay marriage.
By MGB: The reason religion and class are so important in this election is that Trump chose his voters that way. White protestants are the core of the Republican Party, although more authoritarian Catholics fall into that category too. It is why Trump clumsily changed his public stance on abortion (no one really knows what he really believes about it or anything else). Note that the black church has been has anti-gay as the white Protestants - but Obama may be changing that, even among the pastors.
Using the stages of grief,is not a bad way to look at this. White Protestants (and Trad Catholics) tend to be biblical literalists and the literal references are clear on homosexuality - although most of them are dicta, not revelation. Anyone with any kind of sound biblical scholarship knows that Leviticus is the work of Rabbis during the Babilonian exile and was about differentiating the Jewish people for the wider world. That this is not a Mosaic text is heresy to biblical literalists - yet pro-gay Christians argue quite effectively that the bans on homosexuality are equivalent to those against eating shellfish and having tatoos. Quite shattering if you believe Leviticus was dictated by God to Moses - for the Bishops too. That takes some grieving and the end result must be a rethinking of biblical authority and eventual relgious gay marriage.
Wednesday, September 21, 2016
Book review: 'The End of White Christian America' part I
Book review: 'The End of White Christian America' part I: Distinctly Catholic: With his new book, The End of White Christian America, Robert P. Jones establishes himself in the top ranks of public intellectuals on the American left.
MGB: Although it is beyond the scope of the book, 1950s were also the high water mark for Catholic cultural power (as opposed to religious freedom). Of course, there are still white Christians who bomb Catholic Churches in Alabama - still adopting Luther's line that the Pope is the anti-Christ. I am sure that there are some WCAs who dislike Francis for his politics who are willing to go to that extreme. As for the 1980s, that unity was all about the faux issue of abortion (you have to have an agenda to be a real issue and trying to get the SCOTUS to decide against federal supremacy is no plan) and continuing resistance to gay rights (another settled issue - at least as far as marriage). Of course, scamming voters on whether an issue has any real possibility of change is a hallmark of reactionaries - which is certainly a feature of WCA, the USCCB and Trump (except that Trump does not know enough to know when an issue is dead).
So why the decline? I am going to guess what may be in tomorrow's essay and say it is people staying home on Sunday (and counting that as quitting religion) and intermarriage, both on racial and religious grounds. While this is more likely among Catholics, it is a trend everywhere - even in the South.
MGB: Although it is beyond the scope of the book, 1950s were also the high water mark for Catholic cultural power (as opposed to religious freedom). Of course, there are still white Christians who bomb Catholic Churches in Alabama - still adopting Luther's line that the Pope is the anti-Christ. I am sure that there are some WCAs who dislike Francis for his politics who are willing to go to that extreme. As for the 1980s, that unity was all about the faux issue of abortion (you have to have an agenda to be a real issue and trying to get the SCOTUS to decide against federal supremacy is no plan) and continuing resistance to gay rights (another settled issue - at least as far as marriage). Of course, scamming voters on whether an issue has any real possibility of change is a hallmark of reactionaries - which is certainly a feature of WCA, the USCCB and Trump (except that Trump does not know enough to know when an issue is dead).
So why the decline? I am going to guess what may be in tomorrow's essay and say it is people staying home on Sunday (and counting that as quitting religion) and intermarriage, both on racial and religious grounds. While this is more likely among Catholics, it is a trend everywhere - even in the South.
Tuesday, September 20, 2016
Book review: Nancy Isenberg's 'White Trash' part II | National Catholic Reporter
Book review: Nancy Isenberg's 'White Trash' part II | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Her treatment of land is interesting. It almost sounds like something you would hear from the followers of Henry George. The lack of religious treatment could have been easily remedied with a chapter on the Prosperity Gospel, whereby giving to the Church was to lead one to wealth and that wealth was a sign of favor from God. Maybe this explains why today's white trash voters gravitate to Donald Trump, who was raised on the Prosperity Gospel teachings of Norman Vincent Peale. Interestingly, it seems to be why some African American men like Trump toom as well as his condemnation of Mexicans - who have long been the new underclass.
Monday, September 19, 2016
Book review: 'White Trash: The 400-Year Untold History of Class in America' | National Catholic Reporter
Book review: 'White Trash: The 400-Year Untold History of Class in America' | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Listen, Liberal by Thomas Frank also covers how the Democrats cast off the working class.
That the original colonies were peopled with cheap labor from transportees and slaves was not an accident (and this is before the Scotch-Irish migrations). The salacious details certainly set the stage for what is coming, especially the setting one race in the poor class agains another.
That the original colonies were peopled with cheap labor from transportees and slaves was not an accident (and this is before the Scotch-Irish migrations). The salacious details certainly set the stage for what is coming, especially the setting one race in the poor class agains another.
Sunday, September 18, 2016
Links for 09/16/16 | National Catholic Reporter
Links for 09/16/16 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: I oppose Trump because he is totally unqualified for the job and is likely insane in some way shape or form. The fact that he lacks the moral courage to condemn white nationalism, aka cultural conservatism aka racism is just more evidence of this.
The fact that he also picked a pro-life advisor whose actions show that the movement is entirely political - and not at all about having some strategy to protect the unborn aside from electing Republicans (and then doing nothing) is also telling about his moral compass, especially given his pro-choice past (which was also likely pandering -I doubt he has any real beliefs either way).
Trump is winning where white resentment is stong. That is not something to brag about and it won't win him the election.
Anyone honoring Ted McCarrick deserves a check. If you can give, drop a line to Catholic Extension.
The fact that he also picked a pro-life advisor whose actions show that the movement is entirely political - and not at all about having some strategy to protect the unborn aside from electing Republicans (and then doing nothing) is also telling about his moral compass, especially given his pro-choice past (which was also likely pandering -I doubt he has any real beliefs either way).
Trump is winning where white resentment is stong. That is not something to brag about and it won't win him the election.
Anyone honoring Ted McCarrick deserves a check. If you can give, drop a line to Catholic Extension.
Friday, September 16, 2016
The Civil Rights Commission report: Ignore it | National Catholic Reporter
The Civil Rights Commission report: Ignore it | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: The Civil Rights Commission was following the conventional language on religious liberty, which is inexact. What they were condemning was what I condemn - attempts to exercise religious power over the culture and individuals. There is a long history of that, especially in the Catholic Church. In one instance, civil rights, it was a good thing. Lately, not so much. Archbishop Lori and company often speak religious liberty but mean religious power. Of course, if they admitted what they meant, we would laugh him out of the room, BTW, to reiterate, the Church disapproves of all civil marriage - and if it gives benefits to hetero couples anyway while denying them to gay couples, that is bigotry, pure and simple.
Thursday, September 15, 2016
Links for 09/15/16 | National Catholic Reporter
Links for 09/15/16 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Mandating medically necessary abortions and protecting the rights of Whistleblowers are different things. Note that media outlets publishing Snowden's information are constitutionally protected. It is a major oversight that the leaker should not be protected as well - especially when what he leaked embarrassed policy makers rather than endangered troops. As for you, MSW, you are a neo-conservative in the way the term is meant regarding foreign policy.
Hillary can win without Florida and can win Puerto Rican votes without solidarity with the island over the banks - but I hope she does not want to. She has had a lot on her chest lately.
Most clergy know, even if their bishops do not, that abortion is a closed subject - and not just for now - and there is much more to do with access to the bully pulpit of the presidency. Sadly, they have focused on their own health and charitable organizations and not on really doing something about abortion - that is - enacting a refundable $1000 per month child tax credit distributed with pay (and raising parental salaries by that much themselves in their organizations).
Hillary can win without Florida and can win Puerto Rican votes without solidarity with the island over the banks - but I hope she does not want to. She has had a lot on her chest lately.
Most clergy know, even if their bishops do not, that abortion is a closed subject - and not just for now - and there is much more to do with access to the bully pulpit of the presidency. Sadly, they have focused on their own health and charitable organizations and not on really doing something about abortion - that is - enacting a refundable $1000 per month child tax credit distributed with pay (and raising parental salaries by that much themselves in their organizations).
America: Are we two or one? | National Catholic Reporter
America: Are we two or one? | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: NARAL and the NRA don't control the purse strings - they control the volunteer bases of their respective parites.
The reason that rural America and the middle class are still angry is that their homes are still underwater. Even with an adequate income to buy a bigger house, they cannot afford to move because they can't sell what they have. It is called deflation and it is the hallmark of a Depression, not a Recession, and Obama did nothing for it (at the behest of Larry Summers and the Clintonite economic team) - but neither will Trump and his Tea Party backers (many of whom are financed by people who hold the mortgage securities). That has created a level of anger among those likely to say deplorable things - particularly on the subject of race - which includes class but class does not explain it all. There are just white people who hate black peope and they are out in force for Trump.
The significant keynote address of our time was that of Elizabeth Warren. She may be our future and the one who can do something about underwater finance. If you want inspiration, show her speech, although it is not a unifying speech as she gives Trump the treatment he deserves. Truth-telliing can be devisive but it is sometimes more necessary than the myth of unity.
The reason that rural America and the middle class are still angry is that their homes are still underwater. Even with an adequate income to buy a bigger house, they cannot afford to move because they can't sell what they have. It is called deflation and it is the hallmark of a Depression, not a Recession, and Obama did nothing for it (at the behest of Larry Summers and the Clintonite economic team) - but neither will Trump and his Tea Party backers (many of whom are financed by people who hold the mortgage securities). That has created a level of anger among those likely to say deplorable things - particularly on the subject of race - which includes class but class does not explain it all. There are just white people who hate black peope and they are out in force for Trump.
The significant keynote address of our time was that of Elizabeth Warren. She may be our future and the one who can do something about underwater finance. If you want inspiration, show her speech, although it is not a unifying speech as she gives Trump the treatment he deserves. Truth-telliing can be devisive but it is sometimes more necessary than the myth of unity.
Wednesday, September 14, 2016
Links for 09/14/16 | National Catholic Reporter
Links for 09/14/16 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: The Holy Father knows the difference between Islamic and Satanic and he called Daesh correctly. Their souls are soaked in the blood of innocents.
Turkson is correct. The economy is about meeting needs and making promises, not in keeping money flowing. I have devised a system of social cooperation without money - which is really only essential for paying taxes. The financialists, by creating hyperliquidity, are essentially making themselves someone who collects a tax on the rest. Of course, the ideal is growing your own food - and most people prefer using liquid money to pulling weeds and picking fruit. We can teach them. Napa and Action should pounce on such a libertarian vision, but they have sold their souls to money.
Ann is a TV shock jock who occasionally writes books. She is best left ignored. Not to be too sexist, but she uses her looks to stay relevant. Its a FoxNews thing.
The rules about transgender bathroom use and transgender rights in schools have been on the books for a long time. What is different is the unlawful and scandalous behavior of the State of North Carolina who should have known they were breaking settled law and regulation and should not have even tried. This is all about choosing someone to bully because their egos were bruised with the constitutionalization of marriage rights for gays and lesbians. They deserve all the scorn they are getting for their stupidity and meanness.
Turkson is correct. The economy is about meeting needs and making promises, not in keeping money flowing. I have devised a system of social cooperation without money - which is really only essential for paying taxes. The financialists, by creating hyperliquidity, are essentially making themselves someone who collects a tax on the rest. Of course, the ideal is growing your own food - and most people prefer using liquid money to pulling weeds and picking fruit. We can teach them. Napa and Action should pounce on such a libertarian vision, but they have sold their souls to money.
Ann is a TV shock jock who occasionally writes books. She is best left ignored. Not to be too sexist, but she uses her looks to stay relevant. Its a FoxNews thing.
The rules about transgender bathroom use and transgender rights in schools have been on the books for a long time. What is different is the unlawful and scandalous behavior of the State of North Carolina who should have known they were breaking settled law and regulation and should not have even tried. This is all about choosing someone to bully because their egos were bruised with the constitutionalization of marriage rights for gays and lesbians. They deserve all the scorn they are getting for their stupidity and meanness.
Truth vs. balance in journalism this year | National Catholic Reporter
Truth vs. balance in journalism this year | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: There is no fair and balanced reporting on Hillary Clinton. That reporting would have to include the list of enemies she has pushing the story. If the emails are mentioned, the people raising them should be and their motives. That is balanced reporting. Balanced reporting on Trump would include his supposed incompetence on policy but his competence in business - plus all the ways he cut cornes and cheated people. Sometimes one side really is virtuous and the other craven - and most people who which is which and will form their opinions on the media accordingly.
Tuesday, September 13, 2016
Links for 09/13/16 | National Catholic Reporter
Links for 09/13/16 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Garnett is whistling in the dark. Hillary will have both houses of Congress - the GOP reputation is so bad. The Senate Republicans need to decide whether they want to obstruct or deal - and I don't trust McConnell. There will be a movement to get rid of the 60 vote threshold for doing business. Members should remember that without it, the Republicans would have passed a lot more bad legislation for Obama to veto this year. As for Clinton's character - she is fine. The Alt-Right has been badgering her and her husband (remember, she was the target of Whitewater) as pure harassment. She has earned the benefit of the doubt and has already served her country honorably - Trump has only served himself and McConnell only his party (and the Alt-Right racists who did not like Obama).
LifeSiteNews is cheering loudly for a losing effort. Truth speaks with a quite voice. Not sure why they still get coverage when my web site does not.
Aside from changing the rules, which is the only thing that will shut LifeSiteNews up or bring them to the verge of open rebellion, the reality is that most remarrieds - indeed most people who used to be considered guilty of mortal sin (Mass missers, porn watchers, meat eaters on Friday) simply ignore the direction not to go to Communion (which Garry Wills attacks rather effectively anyway). For those who are more outwardly obedient, the new direction lays out a good path for those who feel a need to reconcile. Still, more work is needed to make clear that for the faithful much change is self-generated and is not bad - but it would be nice if the rest of the Church would catch up - and have an adult conversation on marriage failure and a legitimate way to recognize this without trying to rewrite the past on the validity of the marriage.
LifeSiteNews is cheering loudly for a losing effort. Truth speaks with a quite voice. Not sure why they still get coverage when my web site does not.
Aside from changing the rules, which is the only thing that will shut LifeSiteNews up or bring them to the verge of open rebellion, the reality is that most remarrieds - indeed most people who used to be considered guilty of mortal sin (Mass missers, porn watchers, meat eaters on Friday) simply ignore the direction not to go to Communion (which Garry Wills attacks rather effectively anyway). For those who are more outwardly obedient, the new direction lays out a good path for those who feel a need to reconcile. Still, more work is needed to make clear that for the faithful much change is self-generated and is not bad - but it would be nice if the rest of the Church would catch up - and have an adult conversation on marriage failure and a legitimate way to recognize this without trying to rewrite the past on the validity of the marriage.
Conscience: Still the aboriginal Vicar of Christ, now for adults | National Catholic Reporter
Conscience: Still the aboriginal Vicar of Christ, now for adults | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Sometimes conscience speaks to us and tells us that what the bishop's say is wrong. It was Huck Finn escaping with Jim, even though that is stealing and saying "OK, then I'll go to Hell" when he was actually, in the story, following his conscience. In the end, morals and conscience must highlight what is natural and human for the individual person - how they can be the best human being they can possibly be - including the gay ones. Woe to the prelates, like Chaput, who ignore the pricks of their own conscience to uphold established teaching which is unconzcionable.
Monday, September 12, 2016
Links for 09/12/16 | National Catholic Reporter
Links for 09/12/16 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: What the press calls secrecy most of us call privacy. Granted, she should have admitted to having pneumonia and then took a week off - but she is driven to seek this job. She has the pressure of her entire gender on her shoulders. As a Catholic, don't make her burdens harder. Pray for her health instead.
The Values Voters are under the impression that Trump is not lying to them and will not take the best ABA nominee - who will unlikley be socially liberal. Stick a fork in overturning either Roe or gay marriage at the Court, they are done.The logic of privacy (being left alone) and of the fetus not being a person unless Congress says so is beyond question.
The press needs to get over itself. Trump won because he struck a cord the others did not. The emails are frankly overcovered, but the press does not have the subtlety to differentiate between a security lapse and a crime.
The Values Voters are under the impression that Trump is not lying to them and will not take the best ABA nominee - who will unlikley be socially liberal. Stick a fork in overturning either Roe or gay marriage at the Court, they are done.The logic of privacy (being left alone) and of the fetus not being a person unless Congress says so is beyond question.
The press needs to get over itself. Trump won because he struck a cord the others did not. The emails are frankly overcovered, but the press does not have the subtlety to differentiate between a security lapse and a crime.
Memo to Chaput and Kaine: Stay in your lane! | National Catholic Reporter
Memo to Chaput and Kaine: Stay in your lane! | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Too bad Kaine did not respond to Chaput on life issues - not the morality but the politics and law. Some Catholic politician needs to be brave enough to do so, or else they will hold onto the old idea that the Supreme Court will eventually do something. I won't and it shouldn't.
As for the political opinions of the Church, we should not trust the clergy for this. If the Church corporate is to have political opinions, then parishoners must be consulted as to their formation. If you want to know what the Catholic vote should be, you should ask a wider swath of Catholic voters.
Kaine is right by the way in his speculation, but he should have clarified that it is not the government who will change Catholic doctrine, it is the families of gay couples who want a marriage in Church. Again, the voice of the faithful - which Kaine is also a part of. In marriage class, they taught that the couple performs the Sacrament. Gays do that. They also taught that functionality rather than fecundity is required. Gays have that. The Church as employer (and politicians do have an opinion on this) regularly hires people in civil marriages. To distinguish gay and straight civil marriages (civil marriages are still regarded as sinful) is simply bigotry. That must change - especially since there are vindictive pastors and bishops who punish gay marrieds as an act of sour grapes. They are not doing this in our names but their own and it's a sin.
As for the political opinions of the Church, we should not trust the clergy for this. If the Church corporate is to have political opinions, then parishoners must be consulted as to their formation. If you want to know what the Catholic vote should be, you should ask a wider swath of Catholic voters.
Kaine is right by the way in his speculation, but he should have clarified that it is not the government who will change Catholic doctrine, it is the families of gay couples who want a marriage in Church. Again, the voice of the faithful - which Kaine is also a part of. In marriage class, they taught that the couple performs the Sacrament. Gays do that. They also taught that functionality rather than fecundity is required. Gays have that. The Church as employer (and politicians do have an opinion on this) regularly hires people in civil marriages. To distinguish gay and straight civil marriages (civil marriages are still regarded as sinful) is simply bigotry. That must change - especially since there are vindictive pastors and bishops who punish gay marrieds as an act of sour grapes. They are not doing this in our names but their own and it's a sin.
Friday, September 9, 2016
Links for 09/09/16 | National Catholic Reporter
Links for 09/09/16 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Any Republican who thinks Trump can win has Stolkhom Syndrome.
Hillary and Trump have not gong head to head - and from what most people saw he lost the debate with separation - although he did look authoritarian. The electoral math is still with Hillary and the Blue Wall.
The Georgetown Relgious Freedom Project is to be forgiven for going down a blind alley. The Bishops mean religious power when they say religious freedom and pursusing the issue any other way can lead to nonsense, no matter how well intentioned.
FoxNews is from the same pond as Fox Entertainment, which is the raunchies to networks. Its preference for cute blond anchors shows its penchant for giggle entertainment - so it's not just Ailes, but he certainly is part of it. The corruption, however, is at the core.
Hillary and Trump have not gong head to head - and from what most people saw he lost the debate with separation - although he did look authoritarian. The electoral math is still with Hillary and the Blue Wall.
The Georgetown Relgious Freedom Project is to be forgiven for going down a blind alley. The Bishops mean religious power when they say religious freedom and pursusing the issue any other way can lead to nonsense, no matter how well intentioned.
FoxNews is from the same pond as Fox Entertainment, which is the raunchies to networks. Its preference for cute blond anchors shows its penchant for giggle entertainment - so it's not just Ailes, but he certainly is part of it. The corruption, however, is at the core.
The post-forum fun house | National Catholic Reporter
The post-forum fun house | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: The Clinton campaign is so far ahead, they simply need to drive home the fact that Trump is neither serious nor qualified. They need someone to be constantly on attack for every gaffe. As for Hillary, she and her staff do get spun up about non-sensical issues that they should ignore. It's why I went for Bernie, but we have what we have. Like Trump, Hillary should not be running her own staff. Hire someone good and let them control the agenda.
Thursday, September 8, 2016
Links for 09/08/16 | National Catholic Reporter
Links for 09/08/16 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: I suspect that Catholics are more likely to be educated and thus less likely to fall for the brutishness of the Trump campaign.
St. Teresa acted in charity. That sort of action begets repeating, even among drug addled football players. The miracle of St. Teresa is that she motivated others to see the God of Charity.
It is sad that we regard a natural human relationship as scandal and a break in discipline. I would prefer the Bishop be allowed to marry his secretary and that there be a lot of that. It is not good to be alone, which can still happen even among the promised and avowed.
St. Teresa acted in charity. That sort of action begets repeating, even among drug addled football players. The miracle of St. Teresa is that she motivated others to see the God of Charity.
It is sad that we regard a natural human relationship as scandal and a break in discipline. I would prefer the Bishop be allowed to marry his secretary and that there be a lot of that. It is not good to be alone, which can still happen even among the promised and avowed.
Last night's C-in-C forum: Clinton gets a C, Lauer a D, and Trump is expelled | National Catholic Reporter
Last night's C-in-C forum: Clinton gets a C, Lauer a D, and Trump is expelled | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Clinton handled herself well, despite having to face questions that should not have been asked. Lauer proves he is a pretty boy and not a journalist and, from what I hear - I could not bring myself to watch him, Trump was his usual fascist self. Most of the audience were military veterans. I can't help but think they saw through his insanity.
Wednesday, September 7, 2016
Links for 09/07/16 | National Catholic Reporter
Links for 09/07/16 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: I would prefer Down's children not be aborted, but I also prefer that the government not use state violence to enforce my preference. Rather, the state and the Church should provide care to the children and respite care to the parents so that dealing with such a child is no more difficult than dealing with a child with asthma (I would not abort them either - I was one of those). The point is that you can't make these policies on what the government does based on emotionalism alone, which is the besetting flaw of the pro-life movement, which has a problem with thinking things through.
I wonder what relationship the Ignatian Spirituality Network has to the Jesuits. It sounds tenuous. Indeed, except for the fact that AA does not do voters guides, it could very well be considered an Ignatian organization. Hopefully they are freer to tell the truth about the pro-life movement's lack of a real practical legislative agenda, but I somehow doubt it. At least they should be good on taxes and poverty - and if not I have no use for them.
I am less concerned with national polls than the state by state - and both likely underestimate the strength of Clinton. A landslide is within reason. We will see after the Commander in Chief event tonight.
Burke can't be trusted for even the smallest things. I hope that the CDF reviews and condemns his book. They also need to take away his gold robes. He looks like a little boy play acting. I think I know what he is doing as far as creating controversy and going back to the bad old days when Catholic prophesy targeted Islam, but now is not the time for such nonsense. Burke has a triumphalist view of Medieval Europe, when in reality, it was a backwater full of barbarians and bastards, where disease ran rampant and bathroom habits were course. The Muslims and the Monguls bypassed it because there was no reason to conquer such a sewer. That was a mercy and from whom mercy is shown, mercy is expected. Burke does not seem to get that part.
I wonder what relationship the Ignatian Spirituality Network has to the Jesuits. It sounds tenuous. Indeed, except for the fact that AA does not do voters guides, it could very well be considered an Ignatian organization. Hopefully they are freer to tell the truth about the pro-life movement's lack of a real practical legislative agenda, but I somehow doubt it. At least they should be good on taxes and poverty - and if not I have no use for them.
I am less concerned with national polls than the state by state - and both likely underestimate the strength of Clinton. A landslide is within reason. We will see after the Commander in Chief event tonight.
Burke can't be trusted for even the smallest things. I hope that the CDF reviews and condemns his book. They also need to take away his gold robes. He looks like a little boy play acting. I think I know what he is doing as far as creating controversy and going back to the bad old days when Catholic prophesy targeted Islam, but now is not the time for such nonsense. Burke has a triumphalist view of Medieval Europe, when in reality, it was a backwater full of barbarians and bastards, where disease ran rampant and bathroom habits were course. The Muslims and the Monguls bypassed it because there was no reason to conquer such a sewer. That was a mercy and from whom mercy is shown, mercy is expected. Burke does not seem to get that part.
A first look at Catholic voter guides | National Catholic Reporter
A first look at Catholic voter guides | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: I should do my own Catholic Left voter's guide. It would start with the assertion that no matter how much an issue tugs at your conscience, if there are no viable options for moving it forward, its use is propoganda. That would be abortion. Global warming may or may not be such an issue - guns certainly are. Tax and welfare policy are really where its at - and there the choice is more than obvious, it's startk Trump would give massive money to the rich and create a recovery based on borrowing and government spending. Clinton would tax the rich and add a lesser amount of government spending (I think she should tax more people and spend more money), but the choice is particulary easy this year - especially when you add in the racism of the Trump coalition. I suspect most people know most of these things - or should - and will be starting and ending there in the voting booth casting their ballots for Hillary.
Tuesday, September 6, 2016
Links for 09/06/16 | National Catholic Reporter
Links for 09/06/16 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: The majority of Imam's are reasonable men of peace. They should be highlighted on a regular basis, especially to the extent that they challenge the radicals.
The sponsors of Hyde have lost their credibility by their knee-jerk Republicanism, especially with regard to the lies they told about the Affordable Care Act. Will Hyde fail? I doubt it, at least not in the near future. Will it survive single-payer health care or a public option? Absolutely not. As Fagothy said in his Right and Reason (the ethics book for undergraduate Catholic seminarians) - no single taxpayer is responsible for a more than a trivial amount of these funds (the denial of which, by the way, stops no abortions). It is not an ethical issue, merely a symbolic one reflecting the power of certain Catholic politicians who were voted out thanks to the Susan B. Anthony Fund. You reap what you sew.
If Politico is profiling candidates to make them look equivalent, that says more about Politico than Hillary. Hillary has some personality quirks, but Trump has serious personality disorders and is probably a sociopath. If he only drooled it would not be a problem.
I thought every day was buy a priest a beer day?
The sponsors of Hyde have lost their credibility by their knee-jerk Republicanism, especially with regard to the lies they told about the Affordable Care Act. Will Hyde fail? I doubt it, at least not in the near future. Will it survive single-payer health care or a public option? Absolutely not. As Fagothy said in his Right and Reason (the ethics book for undergraduate Catholic seminarians) - no single taxpayer is responsible for a more than a trivial amount of these funds (the denial of which, by the way, stops no abortions). It is not an ethical issue, merely a symbolic one reflecting the power of certain Catholic politicians who were voted out thanks to the Susan B. Anthony Fund. You reap what you sew.
If Politico is profiling candidates to make them look equivalent, that says more about Politico than Hillary. Hillary has some personality quirks, but Trump has serious personality disorders and is probably a sociopath. If he only drooled it would not be a problem.
I thought every day was buy a priest a beer day?
How money corrupts the Catholic Church | National Catholic Reporter
How money corrupts the Catholic Church | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: The problem with public fundraising is that those who do not have a treasure trove of money don't get listened to. That includes the Church. That includes my responses to this column. Because someone does not pay me to make my comments, I am ignored - just as Jesus was ignored because he was a prophet in poverty.
Catholic Charities, Catholic urban charter schools, Catholic Universities and Catholic health get much of their operating budgets from the government to provide services. It is only in building a new Cathedral, a new Hospital Wing or a new University building that fundraising comes into play. Sadly, there are raised with cash rather than with debt financing and debt service. This will continue as long as bishops are the envoys appointed from Rome rather than servant leaders elected by their fellow priests and the sheep of the dioceses. You can't change one without changing the other.
Catholic Charities, Catholic urban charter schools, Catholic Universities and Catholic health get much of their operating budgets from the government to provide services. It is only in building a new Cathedral, a new Hospital Wing or a new University building that fundraising comes into play. Sadly, there are raised with cash rather than with debt financing and debt service. This will continue as long as bishops are the envoys appointed from Rome rather than servant leaders elected by their fellow priests and the sheep of the dioceses. You can't change one without changing the other.
Friday, September 2, 2016
Links for 09/02/16 | National Catholic Reporter
Links for 09/02/16 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Labor should go with organized religion, but more importantly with organized socialism. Whether they go with the Clinton wing is problematic - but there is a Sanders/Warren wing of the party they can help build.
The roll of faith in climate change is compassion for the poor as changes begin to happen. Simply preventing change while the poor remain with us in hot zones is simply not enough.
Catholics4Trump is more proof that the right to life movement is all about Republican political futures. If that is all they got, they got nothing.
I am glad the article mentions the gypsies. No one from our camps survived. And people wonder why I hate Trump so much for letting the NAZI ilk into his campaign.
The roll of faith in climate change is compassion for the poor as changes begin to happen. Simply preventing change while the poor remain with us in hot zones is simply not enough.
Catholics4Trump is more proof that the right to life movement is all about Republican political futures. If that is all they got, they got nothing.
I am glad the article mentions the gypsies. No one from our camps survived. And people wonder why I hate Trump so much for letting the NAZI ilk into his campaign.
Pope Francis' care for Creation message | National Catholic Reporter
Pope Francis' care for Creation message | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: There are conservative Catholics who would be lost in an examination of conscience that was not all about sex and how our sexual sins could jeapordize our after-life. The idea that we must act for the world now without the sterility of the confessional will frankly shock them. Of course, mindfulness also involves setting up systems, which can be as little as having a few recycle bins in the kitchen, although taking the bus takes both mindfullness and humility. Francis took public transit - will his brother bishops do the same? What about their donor class? Do they really think that their time is that important?
Thursday, September 1, 2016
Links for 09/01/16 | National Catholic Reporter
Links for 09/01/16 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: I can sympathize with Burke, but only because the piece is about relationships rather than divine dogma. That does not make it less valid or less necessary - especially in a world with Donald Trump in it. If Burke is carrying anti-Muslim water from afar for the Donald, than Burke needs to be immediately retired after being denounced.
You will find the true intellectuals, Christian and otherwise, in academic journals (for the ones who play nice) and on the Internet - say maybe commenting on Distictly Catholic and crossposting (for those who don't play the credential game). The decline in numbers is about recognition, not effort or quality.
My, but how very fascist of the Spectator. When someone calls a bishop a socialist then the identifies him with the Christ. Sometimes your quality is determined by the enemies you make.
The Trump campaign has been paying attention - because some of the commentary on this site has raised the question of hispanic immigrants being "our people." I will give an unapologetic yes to that too, although many Latino peasants are actually Adventist.
You will find the true intellectuals, Christian and otherwise, in academic journals (for the ones who play nice) and on the Internet - say maybe commenting on Distictly Catholic and crossposting (for those who don't play the credential game). The decline in numbers is about recognition, not effort or quality.
My, but how very fascist of the Spectator. When someone calls a bishop a socialist then the identifies him with the Christ. Sometimes your quality is determined by the enemies you make.
The Trump campaign has been paying attention - because some of the commentary on this site has raised the question of hispanic immigrants being "our people." I will give an unapologetic yes to that too, although many Latino peasants are actually Adventist.
Trump sows the immigration fear: What will he reap? | National Catholic Reporter
Trump sows the immigration fear: What will he reap? | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: I simply wonder how much money Trump gave to the President of Mexico.
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