Links for 10/31/16: At RNS, Mark Silk argues that the Al Smith dinner exposed Donald Trump for the boor that he is. This is true. But, what if Trump had used the event to normalize himself? It turns out that Lester Holt
MGB: Given Trump's poll numbers, I think this democracy is well on its way toward stopping this particular demagogue, the Catholic vote included.
The FBI is independent and the Justice Department felt perfectly free to advise Comey on not releasing the existence of Houma's e-mails to Congress (who leaked it anyway). Much ado about nothing, at least for me. I just voted - and it wasn't for Trump, Stein or Johnson. The drama comes from the press, not the Clintons.
Monday, October 31, 2016
The Clinton dramas return
The Clinton dramas return: Distinctly Catholic: The reinvestigation of Hillary Clinton's emails has cast a shadow on a campaign that already was full of ethical questions.
MGB:_First of all, this little side track relates to Huma e-mailing Clinton and is probably nothing. The disclosure was from an excess of caution. Second, the Clintons got rich from speaking fees, not from the foundation, which gives them nothing (unlike the Trump Foundation). As for Huma turning over the computer, did the FBI seize the cmputers of everyone who sent Clinton e-mail? Did’t think so. She will be Chief of Staff and she deserves to be. Trump, by the way, is noted for hiring yes men. It looks to me that the Democrats are going to win everything they could in a gerrymandered House and the Senate was an obvious flip. As for Bill, there is nothing illegal about cashing in on public speaking. That the plan was Bill Clinton, Inc. is no news. As for Comey releasing news on notifying Congress, Congress would have released it anyway, but on Monday rather than Friday. There will be no effect at all. Finally, there is nothing to hold your nose over. Clinton makes history by winning and it is about time. I wish she had been Governor of New York first, but you can’t have everything.
MGB:_First of all, this little side track relates to Huma e-mailing Clinton and is probably nothing. The disclosure was from an excess of caution. Second, the Clintons got rich from speaking fees, not from the foundation, which gives them nothing (unlike the Trump Foundation). As for Huma turning over the computer, did the FBI seize the cmputers of everyone who sent Clinton e-mail? Did’t think so. She will be Chief of Staff and she deserves to be. Trump, by the way, is noted for hiring yes men. It looks to me that the Democrats are going to win everything they could in a gerrymandered House and the Senate was an obvious flip. As for Bill, there is nothing illegal about cashing in on public speaking. That the plan was Bill Clinton, Inc. is no news. As for Comey releasing news on notifying Congress, Congress would have released it anyway, but on Monday rather than Friday. There will be no effect at all. Finally, there is nothing to hold your nose over. Clinton makes history by winning and it is about time. I wish she had been Governor of New York first, but you can’t have everything.
Friday, October 28, 2016
Links for 10/28/16
Links for 10/28/16: A colleague suggested to me that I might have been wrong about Raymond Arroyo auditioning for a job at Fox in my post this morning. Maybe he was auditioning for a job at Trump TV!
MGB: Trump TV is a good guess for Arroyo and the bishops are a house divided, so expect no comments. Unlike the bishops, Fr. Jenkins is not shy in getting his point across. Crisis gets their point across too - that they are both crazy and undeniably Republican before all else. I doubt that their objections can save the Republican Party, as Wall Street Republicans will likely flock to Clinton. The Pastor in Phoenix is also dividing our house, which is a shame.
MGB: Trump TV is a good guess for Arroyo and the bishops are a house divided, so expect no comments. Unlike the bishops, Fr. Jenkins is not shy in getting his point across. Crisis gets their point across too - that they are both crazy and undeniably Republican before all else. I doubt that their objections can save the Republican Party, as Wall Street Republicans will likely flock to Clinton. The Pastor in Phoenix is also dividing our house, which is a shame.
EWTN, Trump and the bishops
EWTN, Trump and the bishops: Last night, EWTN aired an interview with Donald Trump, conducted by Raymond Arroyo, the host of their weekly news magazine show. The whole thing was not exactly surreal, but it was closer to that than...
MGB:_My mother was a big EWTN fan. She and some friends even made a road trip to Alabama (from Iowa) to visit. She is gone now and I suspect many other viewers have joined her in the afterlife. Likewise, many of Trump’s supporters are white males from another era who are having their last hurrah. As for the bishops, my hope is that Barron and Chaput are the exception, not the rule. We are in the era of Vatican II/Pope Francis bishops. The counter-revolution may be over. (and no, I am not whistling past the graveyard).
MGB:_My mother was a big EWTN fan. She and some friends even made a road trip to Alabama (from Iowa) to visit. She is gone now and I suspect many other viewers have joined her in the afterlife. Likewise, many of Trump’s supporters are white males from another era who are having their last hurrah. As for the bishops, my hope is that Barron and Chaput are the exception, not the rule. We are in the era of Vatican II/Pope Francis bishops. The counter-revolution may be over. (and no, I am not whistling past the graveyard).
Thursday, October 27, 2016
Links for 10/27/16
Links for 10/27/16: At the Atlantic, Emma Green on the dissent among young evangelicals at Liberty University, and beyond, over the embrace of Donald Trump and of politics in general by some of their elders.
At Po...
MGB:_That young Evangelicals are no longer accepting the authoritarian party line is the best news of the year.
As long as Republican activists and scholars are essentially craven, the Kochs and their money will always have influence.
Trump and the Freedom Caucus are a function of FoxNews and CNBC. The propoganda drives the politicians.
The Catholic vote reflects more than guides the rest of the electorate. The pro-life Catholics who include immigration and economic justice are likely to vote Democratic. The Catholics who think abortion is the key issue are also likely to be anti tax Republicans.
At Po...
MGB:_That young Evangelicals are no longer accepting the authoritarian party line is the best news of the year.
As long as Republican activists and scholars are essentially craven, the Kochs and their money will always have influence.
Trump and the Freedom Caucus are a function of FoxNews and CNBC. The propoganda drives the politicians.
The Catholic vote reflects more than guides the rest of the electorate. The pro-life Catholics who include immigration and economic justice are likely to vote Democratic. The Catholics who think abortion is the key issue are also likely to be anti tax Republicans.
The Catholic vs. libertarian debate continues
The Catholic vs. libertarian debate continues: Distinctly Catholic: John Gehring recently published a nicely done article at the American Prospect on the influence of libertarians on Catholic institutions and thought.
MGB:_There are two types of economic liberty. The one that people trumpet Is the classic perfectly competitive market for wages and prices where the market price is a true indicator of supply and demand. The second type glorifies the ability to exercise corporate (and) management power over both product markets and labor markets. That is liberty for the few and it is what Cato, Acton and company are really defending because, after all, the wealthy and their CEOs deserve what they are getting. This secular form of the prosperity gospel (which is the heart of conservatism) is what the Church condemns. The question that we argue about is how to remedy this concentration of power without making things worse. Traditionally, the Church has supported regulatory action, as well as a third way cooperative economy. There are companies that nibble around the edges of this, but none have gotten to what is possible (where workers control both the means of production and the means of consumption).
MGB:_There are two types of economic liberty. The one that people trumpet Is the classic perfectly competitive market for wages and prices where the market price is a true indicator of supply and demand. The second type glorifies the ability to exercise corporate (and) management power over both product markets and labor markets. That is liberty for the few and it is what Cato, Acton and company are really defending because, after all, the wealthy and their CEOs deserve what they are getting. This secular form of the prosperity gospel (which is the heart of conservatism) is what the Church condemns. The question that we argue about is how to remedy this concentration of power without making things worse. Traditionally, the Church has supported regulatory action, as well as a third way cooperative economy. There are companies that nibble around the edges of this, but none have gotten to what is possible (where workers control both the means of production and the means of consumption).
Social liberty is different. It can also be seen in two ways. The first is as autonomy, which is a blank check for individuals on morality. The second is humanisticly, that morality is meant for individuals to lead the most fulfilling lives possible, rather than being some test to see who gets to go to Heaven. In the second rendering gays are encouraged to marry rather than be celibate and late term abortion are allowed if they are obviously necessary. Indeed, the whole obsession with allowable sexual pleaseure goes away. That is what the Church growing up looks like. (It would also ordain women).
Links for 10/26/16
Links for 10/26/16: Bishop Eusebio Elizondo speaks out on immigration issues which continue to be the one public policy people Trump still focuses on.
At Millennial, Robert Christian reports on his trip to Hondura...
MGB:The bishop is very clear about who we should be voting for. Unlike promising to overturn Roe, we can actually do something about immigration.
“Daniel” would never have been in the drug business if drugs were legal. Until then, the system will replace him easily.
Someone needs to tell Trump that if he wins, he needs to move away from his toys and giving them to his kids is not enough.
Black Jeopardy was poignant and very funny.
At Millennial, Robert Christian reports on his trip to Hondura...
MGB:The bishop is very clear about who we should be voting for. Unlike promising to overturn Roe, we can actually do something about immigration.
“Daniel” would never have been in the drug business if drugs were legal. Until then, the system will replace him easily.
Someone needs to tell Trump that if he wins, he needs to move away from his toys and giving them to his kids is not enough.
Black Jeopardy was poignant and very funny.
Wednesday, October 26, 2016
What the non-culture warrior prelates have to say: Wuerl and Flores at Notre Dame
What the non-culture warrior prelates have to say: Wuerl and Flores at Notre Dame: Distinctly Catholic: Talks by Washington
MGB: Cardinal Wuerl mentions a failure of allegiance, but allegiance goes both ways. The Cardinal is not even considering that the Church is wrong on some of the issues we are confronting (birth control is an easy one, as is the reaction to Roe and the legal implications of the Church's position). Jesus was humble of heart, especially on moral issues. The Church must be as well.
Flores hits the nail on the head, which is a huge contrast to Chaput. You can tell how each bishop is voting. Flores knows that the essential part of teaching is example. Of course, to offer a really good example on Life, ordaining women is essential.
I bet we could get coverage if we spun Flores as anti-Trump (which is an easy guess) and highlight that both POVs were presented at the conference.
MGB: Cardinal Wuerl mentions a failure of allegiance, but allegiance goes both ways. The Cardinal is not even considering that the Church is wrong on some of the issues we are confronting (birth control is an easy one, as is the reaction to Roe and the legal implications of the Church's position). Jesus was humble of heart, especially on moral issues. The Church must be as well.
Flores hits the nail on the head, which is a huge contrast to Chaput. You can tell how each bishop is voting. Flores knows that the essential part of teaching is example. Of course, to offer a really good example on Life, ordaining women is essential.
I bet we could get coverage if we spun Flores as anti-Trump (which is an easy guess) and highlight that both POVs were presented at the conference.
Tuesday, October 25, 2016
Updating the race for control of the Senate
Updating the race for control of the Senate: Distinctly Catholic: As of this morning, Nate Silver
MGB: The odds have always been long for the GOP to hold the Senate because they had so many seats at stake and no real record of accomplishment, since they don't believe in that kind of thing. I am hoping that either the House turns or that the Republican Freedom Caucus is so decimated by retirements and losses that it can no longer force obstruction on the GOP. As far as abortion, its a non-issue unless you can name five achievable and constitutional legislative goals to accomplish in the next congressional term. I'll even take two and a larger child tax credit does not count (unless you want to start calling Hillary a pro-lifer).
MGB: The odds have always been long for the GOP to hold the Senate because they had so many seats at stake and no real record of accomplishment, since they don't believe in that kind of thing. I am hoping that either the House turns or that the Republican Freedom Caucus is so decimated by retirements and losses that it can no longer force obstruction on the GOP. As far as abortion, its a non-issue unless you can name five achievable and constitutional legislative goals to accomplish in the next congressional term. I'll even take two and a larger child tax credit does not count (unless you want to start calling Hillary a pro-lifer).
Monday, October 24, 2016
Links for 10/24/16
Links for 10/24/16: At Our Sunday Visitor, Bishops Chris Coyne and Danny Flores discuss Amoris Laetitia in a very interesting podcast.
A contrary view, at the Catholic Herald, from Fr. Raymond de Souza. He thinks ...
MGB:_Coyne and Flores get it. de Souza does not. AL is a departure in the importance of personal ministry over doctrine and that bloviating about the Magisterium will no longer cut it. Still, it would have been nice if Francis had changed some doctrine. Annulments are fine, but in some cases divorce is justified, with the injured party able to remarry and the injuring party only able to move on if the injured party both frees and forgives them.
Right-wing personality Eric Metaxas should not have brought up Bonhoeffer, as it let Marsh bring up the Nazi thing in regard to Trump. Marsh’s take down supports what a lot of us have bee saying about Trump’s authoritarianism.
A contrary view, at the Catholic Herald, from Fr. Raymond de Souza. He thinks ...
MGB:_Coyne and Flores get it. de Souza does not. AL is a departure in the importance of personal ministry over doctrine and that bloviating about the Magisterium will no longer cut it. Still, it would have been nice if Francis had changed some doctrine. Annulments are fine, but in some cases divorce is justified, with the injured party able to remarry and the injuring party only able to move on if the injured party both frees and forgives them.
Right-wing personality Eric Metaxas should not have brought up Bonhoeffer, as it let Marsh bring up the Nazi thing in regard to Trump. Marsh’s take down supports what a lot of us have bee saying about Trump’s authoritarianism.
The culture warrior model on display
The culture warrior model on display: Distinctly Catholic: Last week, Archbishop Charles Chaput delivered another classic culture warrior speech, and his view of the church concerns me.
MGB: Bluster about cultural elites plays into the Fox News crowd. Last I checked, the enjoyment of elite culture (whatever that is - it used to have something to do with Judaism) was voluntary.
The views of the Catholic Democratic elites are not a cultural phenomenon. They come from a legal ethic that prizes individual liberty vs. the power of mass bigotry driven by those seeking religious power. That the bigots do not win the day is a good thing. Sadly, we can't force aid to the poor in the same way we can stop official acts against minorities.
Sadly, the Catholic politicians in question have not spoken powerfully on how and why Roe works and is essential. Then the mass of Catholics may understand it more clearly and we can end this debate - or transform it into a way to give parents the help they need to keep the child.
Acceptance of mainstream constitutional law is not a sin. Until Chaput realizes this, most of us will simply ignore him.
If Chaput want to be relevant, he can excommunicate Catholic business owners who don't pay a living wage (varying with family size) - starting with Catholic institutions.
MGB: Bluster about cultural elites plays into the Fox News crowd. Last I checked, the enjoyment of elite culture (whatever that is - it used to have something to do with Judaism) was voluntary.
The views of the Catholic Democratic elites are not a cultural phenomenon. They come from a legal ethic that prizes individual liberty vs. the power of mass bigotry driven by those seeking religious power. That the bigots do not win the day is a good thing. Sadly, we can't force aid to the poor in the same way we can stop official acts against minorities.
Sadly, the Catholic politicians in question have not spoken powerfully on how and why Roe works and is essential. Then the mass of Catholics may understand it more clearly and we can end this debate - or transform it into a way to give parents the help they need to keep the child.
Acceptance of mainstream constitutional law is not a sin. Until Chaput realizes this, most of us will simply ignore him.
If Chaput want to be relevant, he can excommunicate Catholic business owners who don't pay a living wage (varying with family size) - starting with Catholic institutions.
Friday, October 21, 2016
Links for 10/21/16
Links for 10/21/16: In the Washington Post, Charles Krauthammer reminds of what was really disturbing about the Wikileaks emails: Clinton is not entirely sure why she is running to be president according to her closest a...
MGB: The lack of purpose to her candidacy (aside from the demographic victory) is why Bernie took off and why much of Bernie's agenda is part of her own.
Trump represents a very old disease in this country. The answer is education, although there are certainly young cops that are still part of the same problem. Of course, the older cohort is not being replaced as fast as it is dying out, so this may be its last stand.
Republicans being loyal to their congressman may or may not be a problem, since these districts are gerrymandered anyway. The question is whether members of the House Freedom Caucus are coming back. The smaller that group is, the better.
Any ad dissing Trump is a good thing. I doubt there is a downside. Anyone who would be taken aback by Khan's religion and ethnicity was not voting for Hillary anyway.
MGB: The lack of purpose to her candidacy (aside from the demographic victory) is why Bernie took off and why much of Bernie's agenda is part of her own.
Trump represents a very old disease in this country. The answer is education, although there are certainly young cops that are still part of the same problem. Of course, the older cohort is not being replaced as fast as it is dying out, so this may be its last stand.
Republicans being loyal to their congressman may or may not be a problem, since these districts are gerrymandered anyway. The question is whether members of the House Freedom Caucus are coming back. The smaller that group is, the better.
Any ad dissing Trump is a good thing. I doubt there is a downside. Anyone who would be taken aback by Khan's religion and ethnicity was not voting for Hillary anyway.
Trump, the boor, ruins the Al Smith dinner
Trump, the boor, ruins the Al Smith dinner: To be clear: Donald Trump insulted the Catholic Church last night at the Al Smith dinner in a way that was far worse than anything ever emailed to John Podesta. Completely misunderstanding the nature ...
MGB:_Trump has absolutely no self control and he surrounds himself with people who refuse to advise him differently. He is prime example of why we don’t elect CEOs to the White House. Good for the members of the audience who booed him. Sadly, he was incapable of getting the hint and just kept going. As for Clinton, she is using the abortion issue to her advantage. Pity that she does not explain the prospects of overturning Roe to the masses in a way that would end the issue instead. It would be the best thing for the pro-life movement to understand. Until someone does, it will be locked in a strategy that will never succeed (nor should it).
MGB:_Trump has absolutely no self control and he surrounds himself with people who refuse to advise him differently. He is prime example of why we don’t elect CEOs to the White House. Good for the members of the audience who booed him. Sadly, he was incapable of getting the hint and just kept going. As for Clinton, she is using the abortion issue to her advantage. Pity that she does not explain the prospects of overturning Roe to the masses in a way that would end the issue instead. It would be the best thing for the pro-life movement to understand. Until someone does, it will be locked in a strategy that will never succeed (nor should it).
Thursday, October 20, 2016
Clinton, Trump spar over abortion issue as final debate opens
Clinton, Trump spar over abortion issue as final debate opens: In the final presidential debate Oct. 19, Republican Donald Trump used his most explicit language to date to denounce late-term abortions.
MGB:_Hillary ignored laying the truth out in order to play to her base and to undecided women. The fact is, partial birth abortions are already illegal and the law banning them is constitutional. She also left out that of the five justices who upheld the law, three of them declined to overturn Roe in order to do so (and one who did is dead). Scalia was also the only justice who would have turned the issue back to the states. Of course, by claiming victory, this issue loses its political punch. This is a shame, because we need more truth on this issue, which really is not an issue at all because there are few reasonable options for change-and none of them involve overturning Roe. Still, I would have liked Clinton to emphasize she is proposing an increase to the child tax credit, which will actually reduce abortions.
MGB:_Hillary ignored laying the truth out in order to play to her base and to undecided women. The fact is, partial birth abortions are already illegal and the law banning them is constitutional. She also left out that of the five justices who upheld the law, three of them declined to overturn Roe in order to do so (and one who did is dead). Scalia was also the only justice who would have turned the issue back to the states. Of course, by claiming victory, this issue loses its political punch. This is a shame, because we need more truth on this issue, which really is not an issue at all because there are few reasonable options for change-and none of them involve overturning Roe. Still, I would have liked Clinton to emphasize she is proposing an increase to the child tax credit, which will actually reduce abortions.
Links for 10/20/16
Links for 10/20/16: At Politico, the influence of Kris Kobach on Trump. Kobach is one of the most sinister political influences in the country.
At Commonweal, John Gehring is upset that the Al Smith dinner is goin...
MGB:_Trump is responsible for who he listens to and he listens to fringe. Kobach is simply another example. I am surprised he is not a 9/11 truther. As for rigging elections, voter ID is more of an attempt to rig the result than any voting scheme. Luckily, the federal courts are catching them. Sadly, states seem to be igoring the courts.
The Al Smith dinner is always a respite from the election. It is not a time for debate. Sadly, the pro-choice Democratic establishment has not made an effort to explain to the bishops the error in their analysis of Roe and why it can’t be overturned without overturning much of the rest of federal equal protection law. Of course, even a concerted effort won’t change the views of true believers (like MSW) unless, of course, the bishops look at this honestly.
Garvey’s comments are idiotic. He needs to talk to someone in the CUA law school about Roe. I agree that he is too easy on Trump, although one can never be sure when Trump is playing to the rabble.
At Commonweal, John Gehring is upset that the Al Smith dinner is goin...
MGB:_Trump is responsible for who he listens to and he listens to fringe. Kobach is simply another example. I am surprised he is not a 9/11 truther. As for rigging elections, voter ID is more of an attempt to rig the result than any voting scheme. Luckily, the federal courts are catching them. Sadly, states seem to be igoring the courts.
The Al Smith dinner is always a respite from the election. It is not a time for debate. Sadly, the pro-choice Democratic establishment has not made an effort to explain to the bishops the error in their analysis of Roe and why it can’t be overturned without overturning much of the rest of federal equal protection law. Of course, even a concerted effort won’t change the views of true believers (like MSW) unless, of course, the bishops look at this honestly.
Garvey’s comments are idiotic. He needs to talk to someone in the CUA law school about Roe. I agree that he is too easy on Trump, although one can never be sure when Trump is playing to the rabble.
Trump's meltdown in the third debate
Trump's meltdown in the third debate: Distinctly Catholic: Clinton was steady last night, but she did not "win" the debate so much as Trump lost it.
MGB:_On abortion, I was disappointed that Clinton did not point out that Trump was formerly pro-choice when it suited him. She should have also said that Partial Birth Abortion is already illegal, so that it is not an issue, that it does not occur anyway, and that the law was a stalking horse for repealing Roe v. Wade. Most importantly, when given the opportunity, seven justices, including the two Bush appointees rejected repealing Roe and one of the justices who would have is dead. Repealing Roe and sending the matter back to the states would also repeal federal supremacy in equal protection law, including gay marriage and consenual sodomy and it will never happen. Finally, she could even call abortion a non-issue because there are few options for change, although she is proposing one of them, expanding the child tax credit, which will make abortion less likely. Of course, calling abortion a non-issue does not help her pro-choice advocates, but it would be worth seeing this issue go away.
Trump was his usual unqualified self and Wallace seemed to be coming from FoxNews POV, especially on economics. On the issue of not accepting the result, which is pretty obvious by now, Trump showed himself to be a two-bit thug. Sadly, he may have planned to say this. He has been ill-served by his campaign staff, some of which are also quite fringe. They should be fired.
Clinton did well debating. She was able to articulate policy while pushing Trump over the edge. This won’t help her dealing with Ryan but it did win her the election. The real change, of course, would come if Pelosi becomes Speaker instead. It is time to end the unpatriotic obstruction of the Tea Party once and for all.
MGB:_On abortion, I was disappointed that Clinton did not point out that Trump was formerly pro-choice when it suited him. She should have also said that Partial Birth Abortion is already illegal, so that it is not an issue, that it does not occur anyway, and that the law was a stalking horse for repealing Roe v. Wade. Most importantly, when given the opportunity, seven justices, including the two Bush appointees rejected repealing Roe and one of the justices who would have is dead. Repealing Roe and sending the matter back to the states would also repeal federal supremacy in equal protection law, including gay marriage and consenual sodomy and it will never happen. Finally, she could even call abortion a non-issue because there are few options for change, although she is proposing one of them, expanding the child tax credit, which will make abortion less likely. Of course, calling abortion a non-issue does not help her pro-choice advocates, but it would be worth seeing this issue go away.
Trump was his usual unqualified self and Wallace seemed to be coming from FoxNews POV, especially on economics. On the issue of not accepting the result, which is pretty obvious by now, Trump showed himself to be a two-bit thug. Sadly, he may have planned to say this. He has been ill-served by his campaign staff, some of which are also quite fringe. They should be fired.
Clinton did well debating. She was able to articulate policy while pushing Trump over the edge. This won’t help her dealing with Ryan but it did win her the election. The real change, of course, would come if Pelosi becomes Speaker instead. It is time to end the unpatriotic obstruction of the Tea Party once and for all.
Wednesday, October 19, 2016
Links for 10/19/16
Links for 10/19/16: At the Washington Post, MB: Hale is right about the fact that Trump will probably lose. As to the civil war in the Church, sadly there is a desire among conservative Catholics and the hierarchy for renewed religious power for the Church - but in moral/cultural affairs, not economic justice.
Trump's real beef with the system is the electoral college, which heavily favors Democrats at the moment. The GOP represents the power of the wealthy few over the many - so of course they need to continually delegitimize any movement by the many.
Trump believes a variant of what Nixon believed, that if he says it, it has to be the truth. Sadly, many believe him.
Trump's real beef with the system is the electoral college, which heavily favors Democrats at the moment. The GOP represents the power of the wealthy few over the many - so of course they need to continually delegitimize any movement by the many.
Trump believes a variant of what Nixon believed, that if he says it, it has to be the truth. Sadly, many believe him.
Mr. Trump and Archbishop Kurtz
Mr. Trump and Archbishop Kurtz: Distinctly Catholic: The video and statements by USCCB president Archbishop Joseph Kurtz about the U.S. presidential election are puzzling and disturbing.
MB:Sadly, the Kurtz video is easily explained. There are knee-jerk Republicans on the USCCB staff, especially in the Pro-Life Directorate. Kurtz seems to agree with their commitment to coalition politics. Ironically, this action validates the leaked e-mails.
MB:Sadly, the Kurtz video is easily explained. There are knee-jerk Republicans on the USCCB staff, especially in the Pro-Life Directorate. Kurtz seems to agree with their commitment to coalition politics. Ironically, this action validates the leaked e-mails.
Tuesday, October 18, 2016
Links for 10/18/16
Links for 10/18/16: At Commonweal, Anthony Annett on the faux scandal about Catholics who work for Clinton talking about Catholicism. Annett never holds back and he is spot on about the hypocrisy of conservative RCs...
MGB:Tony hits the spot. I sometimes wonder if the Catholic right believes their own nonsense when it totally ignores the Pope. Of course, the stick to abortion because they know that their economic arguments are extreme fringe and would never survive wide discussion.
One Eye of the Tiber, I love the mention of NCR.
Trump is calling the election rigged because they are telling the truth about them and no loger beating the dead horse on the e-mails and servers. What he really hates the most, I suspect is the Electoral College and the fact that a large portion of America was never going to buy his malarky.
MGB:Tony hits the spot. I sometimes wonder if the Catholic right believes their own nonsense when it totally ignores the Pope. Of course, the stick to abortion because they know that their economic arguments are extreme fringe and would never survive wide discussion.
One Eye of the Tiber, I love the mention of NCR.
Trump is calling the election rigged because they are telling the truth about them and no loger beating the dead horse on the e-mails and servers. What he really hates the most, I suspect is the Electoral College and the fact that a large portion of America was never going to buy his malarky.
Death: Catholics versus the 'nones'
Death: Catholics versus the 'nones': Reflection: Last week, we buried my father. In the time from his death until his burial, I was acutely aware of what a priest friend said to me a long time ago: "The church is her best at a funeral." It is so true.
MGB:After a certain age, we all are grieving somone. The funderal liturgy unites us in that grief instead of trying to bury it. Our answer is in another hymn. I know that my Redeemer lives.
MGB:After a certain age, we all are grieving somone. The funderal liturgy unites us in that grief instead of trying to bury it. Our answer is in another hymn. I know that my Redeemer lives.
Monday, October 17, 2016
Links for 10/17/16
Links for 10/17/16: It looks like NCR's Joshua McElwee struck a nerve with his interview with Cardinal-designate Kevin Farrell. Over at 1 Peter 5 they are in full meltdown mode.
You have to admire Ra...
MGB:_I do agree with one thing, it would have been easier if Francis had said the magic words in adjusting doctrine in AL. Of course, it may be that he thinks the use of those formulae add nothing, which would be radical. If Francis were trying to stop controversy from the right, he did not succeed. Ultimately, of course, people are and will go to Communion as they see fit.
The Neo-Trads like Raymond cannot stand that they are on the outs, because they think they have taken the pulse of God.
The key will be turnout and a quick response to any obstruction by Republican elected officials. Trump’s racism makes that all the more possible.
Tobin’s openness to immigrants is a stark contrast to Trump, as it should be.
You have to admire Ra...
MGB:_I do agree with one thing, it would have been easier if Francis had said the magic words in adjusting doctrine in AL. Of course, it may be that he thinks the use of those formulae add nothing, which would be radical. If Francis were trying to stop controversy from the right, he did not succeed. Ultimately, of course, people are and will go to Communion as they see fit.
The Neo-Trads like Raymond cannot stand that they are on the outs, because they think they have taken the pulse of God.
The key will be turnout and a quick response to any obstruction by Republican elected officials. Trump’s racism makes that all the more possible.
Tobin’s openness to immigrants is a stark contrast to Trump, as it should be.
What if the Dems take the House?
What if the Dems take the House?: Distinctly Catholic: Donald Trump is tanking in the polls. If Clinton wins nationally by something like 7 or 8 percent, would the House of Representatives flip?
MB:_Unless the House Freedom Caucus is eliminated in the election, and notion that the House GOP will cooperate with President Clinton is pure fantasy. There is no downside to winning the House-now. The challenge of redistricting is on the state level. As for the Hyde Amendment, most states pay for abortions for the poor with state funds or the medical charities account - which is how hospitals pool their money to pay unpaid bills. Of course, most abortions cost under $200 and 80% are paid for with cash (often from low wage work, like that Big Mac you bought last week). This is not enough of an issue to not hope for a Democratic win - especially because single payer is inevitable and it can’t include the Hyde Amendment.
MB:_Unless the House Freedom Caucus is eliminated in the election, and notion that the House GOP will cooperate with President Clinton is pure fantasy. There is no downside to winning the House-now. The challenge of redistricting is on the state level. As for the Hyde Amendment, most states pay for abortions for the poor with state funds or the medical charities account - which is how hospitals pool their money to pay unpaid bills. Of course, most abortions cost under $200 and 80% are paid for with cash (often from low wage work, like that Big Mac you bought last week). This is not enough of an issue to not hope for a Democratic win - especially because single payer is inevitable and it can’t include the Hyde Amendment.
Friday, October 14, 2016
Links for 10/14/16
Links for 10/14/16: At RNS, the always insightful Mark Silk shares his Yom Kippur atonement ideas for Election 2016.
From Politico, Jerry Falwell Jr. stands by Trump while, at the Washington Post, students at Liberty Un...
MGB: Sadly, confessing the sins of others provides no benefit, especially if the party you principally refer to has no shame.
On Trump, Liberty brought ruin on themselves.
On Aquila's remarks - abortion is not only not the most important issue, it is not an issue at all because there are no realistic proposals on the table (except the Clinton plan to raise the Child Tax Credit, which will reduce abortion).
The pro-life movement of the young is about public relations and moral teaching, not changes in law. The label pro-life is meaningless without them. That is just a version of being pro-choice until they adopt legislative goals. There is no valid legal goal - undoing federal supremacy in equal protection law cannot and should not happen, no matter how much the bishops want it. They can capture state government - not so much with the Feds.
From Politico, Jerry Falwell Jr. stands by Trump while, at the Washington Post, students at Liberty Un...
MGB: Sadly, confessing the sins of others provides no benefit, especially if the party you principally refer to has no shame.
On Trump, Liberty brought ruin on themselves.
On Aquila's remarks - abortion is not only not the most important issue, it is not an issue at all because there are no realistic proposals on the table (except the Clinton plan to raise the Child Tax Credit, which will reduce abortion).
The pro-life movement of the young is about public relations and moral teaching, not changes in law. The label pro-life is meaningless without them. That is just a version of being pro-choice until they adopt legislative goals. There is no valid legal goal - undoing federal supremacy in equal protection law cannot and should not happen, no matter how much the bishops want it. They can capture state government - not so much with the Feds.
The Catholic email scandal is no scandal
The Catholic email scandal is no scandal: When Wikileaks announced it had damaging documents that would harm the candidacy of Hillary Clinton...MGB: What the bishops crave - and what the Clinton operatives are really writing about - is a return to an old authoritarianism that should no longer exist in the Church - at least not in the papacy of Pope Francis. The bishops really lament the fact that when they say something about politics (and the pro-life discussion has been mainly political for a long time), most Catholics simply ignore them. That is a good thing. If those bishops don't get it, I won't shed any tears for them - but instead for the unity of the Church (which they have almost destroyed).
Thursday, October 13, 2016
Review: Yuval Levin's 'The Fractured Republic' part 2
Review: Yuval Levin's 'The Fractured Republic' part 2: Yesterday, I began my review of Yuval Levin’s new book The Fractured Republic: Renewing America’s Social Contract in the Age of Individualism. Today, I shall conclude the review, although ...
MB:Levin is writing from a libertarian/individualist perspective and is blind to the existence of other world views. Many economists also share this blindnerss. He sees the egalitarian movements of the sixties and seventies-as well as the hierarchist/authoritarian movements on the right (such as the Moral Majority and the pro-life movement) as actions of individuals. They are much more than that. The civil rights movement still lives in the SCLC and Black Lives Matter. Occupy is a quntessential egalitarian movement as is the gay rights movement. He is blind to the nature of collective action, however, so he misses a lot.
MB:Levin is writing from a libertarian/individualist perspective and is blind to the existence of other world views. Many economists also share this blindnerss. He sees the egalitarian movements of the sixties and seventies-as well as the hierarchist/authoritarian movements on the right (such as the Moral Majority and the pro-life movement) as actions of individuals. They are much more than that. The civil rights movement still lives in the SCLC and Black Lives Matter. Occupy is a quntessential egalitarian movement as is the gay rights movement. He is blind to the nature of collective action, however, so he misses a lot.
Wednesday, October 12, 2016
'The Fractured Republic' provides intellectually honest conversation
'The Fractured Republic' provides intellectually honest conversation: Book review: Yuval Levin's The Fractured Republic: Renewing America's Social Contract in the Age of Individualism is worth the attention of all of us who are more and less Catholic social doctrine fans.
MGB:A few comments. First the 1950s can be seen as an era of religious power. This was most likely acceptable because parents were raising a genearation of young baby boomers and when you have kids it is likely you go back to church. Also, we were still recoiling from the war, so survivors stayed tuned into the Church. When those kids got older, they rebelled - as did some veterans. The book 1959 explains this well.
Second, the march toward economic individualism comes from the return of capitalist power - which was ascendant in the 1920s and discredited by the crash. Union busting and tax cutting Ronald Reagan brought it back and Bill Clinton did nothing to stop it, leading to the great recession. Sadly, Obama has wasted the crisis.
Third, the civil rights individualism is not individualism at all. It is groups demanding respect - from gays to women to BLM. Neither Loving nor Perry acted only for themselves, but instead for their entire class. The ability to do so has its roots in the 14th Amendment - but it took the right generation of lawyers and judges to finally fulfill its promise. The revolution, then came in law schools across the country. It was as egalitarian as libertarian, the consitent theme being that everyone has a right to be treated decently vis-a-vis the government. These were not new freedoms, just the freedoms everyone else had.
MGB:A few comments. First the 1950s can be seen as an era of religious power. This was most likely acceptable because parents were raising a genearation of young baby boomers and when you have kids it is likely you go back to church. Also, we were still recoiling from the war, so survivors stayed tuned into the Church. When those kids got older, they rebelled - as did some veterans. The book 1959 explains this well.
Second, the march toward economic individualism comes from the return of capitalist power - which was ascendant in the 1920s and discredited by the crash. Union busting and tax cutting Ronald Reagan brought it back and Bill Clinton did nothing to stop it, leading to the great recession. Sadly, Obama has wasted the crisis.
Third, the civil rights individualism is not individualism at all. It is groups demanding respect - from gays to women to BLM. Neither Loving nor Perry acted only for themselves, but instead for their entire class. The ability to do so has its roots in the 14th Amendment - but it took the right generation of lawyers and judges to finally fulfill its promise. The revolution, then came in law schools across the country. It was as egalitarian as libertarian, the consitent theme being that everyone has a right to be treated decently vis-a-vis the government. These were not new freedoms, just the freedoms everyone else had.
Tuesday, October 11, 2016
The state of the race
The state of the race: Distinctly Catholic: The trajectory of the presidential campaign was not affected by the debate so much as by the videotape of Trump. MGB: Trump no longer has 40%, due to the unearthing of what was likely bragadoccio. His authoritarian followers still believe he will be the strong decision-maker they want, even though most of us see that his decision making skills are deeply flawed. The same cannot be said of Clinton. While it would have been nice to have Sanders in the race now, fighting for the working class (the middle class are Hillary's people), he first got in as a message candidate and probably stayed that way. I think Hillary got the message. We will see when she picks her economic team. If Larry Summers is on it, we will get more of the same, which would be sad.
The ugliest debate ever
The ugliest debate ever: Second presidential debate: Trump scored last night when he repeatedly reminded people that Hillary Clinton had been in Washington for 30 years and things had not gotten much better. MGB: The polls show Trump down to the thirties, although his authoritarian base is still with him. They will likely always be with him, since he represents the brute force they so desire in public life - from punishing women for abortion to bombing Iran. Still, he did not shake the creepy factor entirely, but as Lawrence O'Donnell pointed out, the bar was pretty low for him.
3 for 3: The new cardinals
3 for 3: The new cardinals: Distinctly Catholic: It is remarkable whom Pope Francis has chosen to make into cardinals. MGB: Chicago is never unexpected, especially with an exceptional bishop like Cupich. Farrell is a nice surprise, although his association with O'Malley makes it only a small surprise. Tobin is a treat. That Philadelphia was not chosen should be seen as the rebuke that it is, although I am not sure that its Ordinary is too hard headed or hard hearted to get the hint.
Thursday, October 6, 2016
Felix Winters, rest in peace
Felix Winters, rest in peace: My father, who died last night, was a saint. I do not say this in a manner of speaking or as a figure of speech. I say it with all the facticity...MGB: Your prayers for MSW and his father, please.
Wednesday, October 5, 2016
Links for 10/05/16
Links for 10/05/16: At the Christian Post, Eric Sapp makes a really lousy case that Hillary Clinton is the better candidate for pro-life voters. Of course, a concern for poverty is a large part of any effective pro-life ...
MGB: Fagothy's Right and Reason demonstrated that tax boycotts over war and abortion are not moral because the link between any taxpayer and the funding of any abortion is tenuous. Hyde is not morally necessary - it is entirely a symbolic victory - especially since many states fund abortion with their own Medicaid funds. It is time to disregard what is a non-issue. Like Miss Universe - although the latter is instructive on Mr. Trump's (lack of) character.
On Voto Latino, is suspect that many Puerto Ricans can be trusted to register on their own. They have much higher voting rates there and can teach us something about democracy.
Suicide is criminalized so police and break down the door if you try it. That law was never meant to stop compassionate release. Opposition to the law still has the stink of fear of God the Ogre.
MGB: Fagothy's Right and Reason demonstrated that tax boycotts over war and abortion are not moral because the link between any taxpayer and the funding of any abortion is tenuous. Hyde is not morally necessary - it is entirely a symbolic victory - especially since many states fund abortion with their own Medicaid funds. It is time to disregard what is a non-issue. Like Miss Universe - although the latter is instructive on Mr. Trump's (lack of) character.
On Voto Latino, is suspect that many Puerto Ricans can be trusted to register on their own. They have much higher voting rates there and can teach us something about democracy.
Suicide is criminalized so police and break down the door if you try it. That law was never meant to stop compassionate release. Opposition to the law still has the stink of fear of God the Ogre.
Experts on last night's veep debate
Experts on last night's veep debate: Debate Results: Experts Michael Sean Winters spoke to gave Republican Pence the debate win, expressed disappointment with Democrat
MGB: On abortion, I would rather have seen Kaine the lawyer to Kaine the Catholic. There are valid reasons why abortion is legal and they have nothing to do with pluralism.
Silk hits a good point when he mentions that Pence never answered the question about having to wrestle with his faith.
Schneck is right that the attack dog thing went too far, however times are urgent and getting digs in on Trump is always essential. Pence never defended the indefensible, almost proposed war with Russia and only won on style, not substance. Kaveny scored it right, Garnett did not - and Hillary is a better candidate than the last time (although I would have loved to see Bernie win the nomination - alas the Party bosses got their choice, just like with Kerry - hopefully it ends better this time).
MSW, please see my comments on Kaine answering as a lawyer rather than as a Catholic. MSW is correct, however, in that Trump can't stand anyone being better than he is and will retaliate.
MGB: On abortion, I would rather have seen Kaine the lawyer to Kaine the Catholic. There are valid reasons why abortion is legal and they have nothing to do with pluralism.
Silk hits a good point when he mentions that Pence never answered the question about having to wrestle with his faith.
Schneck is right that the attack dog thing went too far, however times are urgent and getting digs in on Trump is always essential. Pence never defended the indefensible, almost proposed war with Russia and only won on style, not substance. Kaveny scored it right, Garnett did not - and Hillary is a better candidate than the last time (although I would have loved to see Bernie win the nomination - alas the Party bosses got their choice, just like with Kerry - hopefully it ends better this time).
MSW, please see my comments on Kaine answering as a lawyer rather than as a Catholic. MSW is correct, however, in that Trump can't stand anyone being better than he is and will retaliate.
Tuesday, October 4, 2016
Links for 10/04/16
Links for 10/04/16: Good news on the debt front: The International Monetary Fund is extending a no interest loan program for poor countries for at least a couple more years. Here is the statement from IMF Director Christ...
MGB: This is good news unless there are austerity provisions attached (they don't work, by the way, unless you are a creditor).
Arlington is in the Baltimore province. It has nothing to do with Wuerl. Loverde had an unenviable job, but he was also a major participant in the pro-life movement and its alliance with the GOP.
Trump really has no path. Hillary starts the race well past third base. Trump had to win all the swing states and it does not look like he will do that. She may not get an Obama majority, although if Trump keeps going the way he is, she may start winning red states.
MGB: This is good news unless there are austerity provisions attached (they don't work, by the way, unless you are a creditor).
Arlington is in the Baltimore province. It has nothing to do with Wuerl. Loverde had an unenviable job, but he was also a major participant in the pro-life movement and its alliance with the GOP.
Trump really has no path. Hillary starts the race well past third base. Trump had to win all the swing states and it does not look like he will do that. She may not get an Obama majority, although if Trump keeps going the way he is, she may start winning red states.
Tonight's veep debate
Tonight's veep debate: Distinctly Catholic: Both VP candidates would more plausibly be successful presidents than either Clinton or Trump, so tonight
MGB: I think you are assuming that because Clinton is a woman, she is the most pro-choice candidate in history. Yet she went to China to condemn the one-child policy. A government that can stop you from having an abortion can also make you have one. I hope Kaine has the courage to explain why Roe cannot be repealed, it's basis in the Constitution and how the movement has become a wing of the Republican Party that the Church should not cooperate with. On liberation theology, I want to know what he thinks of the shift Pope Francis has had in this area.
As for Pence, he has a lot of explaining to do about his time with now Senator Jeff Flake and their vainglorious attempts to cut spending. I want to know what he thinks of the House Freedom Caucus and it's extremism and whether he thinks that kind of nonsense is good for a country with a weak economy.
MGB: I think you are assuming that because Clinton is a woman, she is the most pro-choice candidate in history. Yet she went to China to condemn the one-child policy. A government that can stop you from having an abortion can also make you have one. I hope Kaine has the courage to explain why Roe cannot be repealed, it's basis in the Constitution and how the movement has become a wing of the Republican Party that the Church should not cooperate with. On liberation theology, I want to know what he thinks of the shift Pope Francis has had in this area.
As for Pence, he has a lot of explaining to do about his time with now Senator Jeff Flake and their vainglorious attempts to cut spending. I want to know what he thinks of the House Freedom Caucus and it's extremism and whether he thinks that kind of nonsense is good for a country with a weak economy.
Monday, October 3, 2016
Links for 10/03/16
Links for 10/03/16: At Working-Class Perspectives, Marc Dann examines the Wells Fargo case, and what it illustrates about the difficulty in uncovering unethical banking practices, even for government prosecutors, le...
MGB: I suspect that the consumers found out pretty quickly that they were being taken advantage of. Sadly, the bank's board can't seem to figure that out. The question is, why would anyone keep and account there now?
We could take Donald at his word, that his staff does not want him to release during an audit. Of course, you now have to wonder about the competence of his staff and his ability to tell good from bad advice.
As long as the new Christ Cathedral glorifies the Lord instead of the Bishop, the renovation is a success.
Msgr. Pope's analysis relies on the fact that voting for a Democrat is one step too far - that the pro-life (Republican)/USCCB coalition is inviolate. Just watch me violate it. In Democratic Catholic circles, the meme' is now widespread that the pro-life movement is entirely partisan so that the issue can be ignored safely.
MGB: I suspect that the consumers found out pretty quickly that they were being taken advantage of. Sadly, the bank's board can't seem to figure that out. The question is, why would anyone keep and account there now?
We could take Donald at his word, that his staff does not want him to release during an audit. Of course, you now have to wonder about the competence of his staff and his ability to tell good from bad advice.
As long as the new Christ Cathedral glorifies the Lord instead of the Bishop, the renovation is a success.
Msgr. Pope's analysis relies on the fact that voting for a Democrat is one step too far - that the pro-life (Republican)/USCCB coalition is inviolate. Just watch me violate it. In Democratic Catholic circles, the meme' is now widespread that the pro-life movement is entirely partisan so that the issue can be ignored safely.
David Bentley Hart and the radicalness of the Gospel
David Bentley Hart and the radicalness of the Gospel: Distinctly Catholic: Whatever else the Gospel of Jesus Christ does or does not do, it does not baptize sexual assertiveness. MB: On both sex and economics, we need to get beyond the first century and realize that the authors of the law were writing to distinguish the chosen people from the rest of the world. We are the rest of the world. The Church then lays out a natural law vision to do that, but that vision still dwells in the kind of moralism that one would associate with the Temple priests. Our moral law must be more humanistic, telling the faithful how to live the happiest of human lives - which does not necessarily imply license. The biblical justification is that Jesus is meek and humble of heart, his yoke is easy and his burden light. The law is not for Him, as Rome would teach, but for us - and only us - just as the sacrifice of the cross was for us and not for God. How is that for Gospel radicalism?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)