The DNC chair contest: Get beyond the Beltway: Distinctly Catholic: The Democratic Party\
MGB:_The main critereon for being DNC Chair is wanting the job. While going back to Dean is attractive, going with Sanders’ choice in Ellison portends the change the party needs the most.
Wednesday, November 30, 2016
Tuesday, November 29, 2016
Links for 11/29/16
Links for 11/29/16: At Catholic New World, Cardinal Blase Cupich writes about the Church's commitment to universal access to health care. The article was published before Donald Trump nominated Cong. Tom Price to be ...
MGB: The Cardinal was writing about global health needs rather than domestic health care reform. Of course, such needs are likely nowhere on Trump's radar.
The Attorney General will have a huge impact undoing things Obama did by discretion. That will be true of any Trump A.G. That we can get Sessions out of the Senate is a bonus.
As Michael is using it, hypocrisy is really realpolitik.
MGB: The Cardinal was writing about global health needs rather than domestic health care reform. Of course, such needs are likely nowhere on Trump's radar.
The Attorney General will have a huge impact undoing things Obama did by discretion. That will be true of any Trump A.G. That we can get Sessions out of the Senate is a bonus.
As Michael is using it, hypocrisy is really realpolitik.
Trump and the 'War on Christmas'
Trump and the 'War on Christmas': Distinctly Catholic: The faux-War on Christmas is
MGB: The War on Christmas meme is not about the loss of religious freedom or the quiet enjoyment of one's faith - it is about Christian symbols dominating the landscape in a show of religious power - something the ACLU will never defend, nor should it. As for consumerism, for some people it is important because they have little else. Let us not preach against it unless we also preach against the economic exploitation of workers and for solidarity among workers, even as they consume. Don't attack consumption unless you are ready for a fully radical message on the workplace.
MGB: The War on Christmas meme is not about the loss of religious freedom or the quiet enjoyment of one's faith - it is about Christian symbols dominating the landscape in a show of religious power - something the ACLU will never defend, nor should it. As for consumerism, for some people it is important because they have little else. Let us not preach against it unless we also preach against the economic exploitation of workers and for solidarity among workers, even as they consume. Don't attack consumption unless you are ready for a fully radical message on the workplace.
Monday, November 28, 2016
Links for 11/28/16
Links for 11/28/16: At Politico, a report on the growing infiltration of the Trump
MGB:_The Koch’s fund most of the significant GOP intellectual infrastructure (not always with doctrinal control). This does not necessarily create a shadow government.
I would count the Russian attempts to incluence the election with College Republican Club pranks.
Every issue advocate wants their issue to be number one. Sadly, Ilyse would add more heat and less light, more women’s empowerment and less constitutional understanding. More’s the pity.
MGB:_The Koch’s fund most of the significant GOP intellectual infrastructure (not always with doctrinal control). This does not necessarily create a shadow government.
I would count the Russian attempts to incluence the election with College Republican Club pranks.
Every issue advocate wants their issue to be number one. Sadly, Ilyse would add more heat and less light, more women’s empowerment and less constitutional understanding. More’s the pity.
The death of Fidel Castro
The death of Fidel Castro: The Church in Cuba: Archbishop Roberto Gonzalez of San Juan Puerto Rico reflects on the more than 60 trips he has made to Cuba since 1989.
MGB: When I was a teen, I saw that socialism might be a good thing if everyone were able to grow their own food and without the repression - a view I formed after viewing a news magazine show on Cuba. Cuba still provokes intellectual challenges and can hopefully advance without becoming a consumerist paradise.
MGB: When I was a teen, I saw that socialism might be a good thing if everyone were able to grow their own food and without the repression - a view I formed after viewing a news magazine show on Cuba. Cuba still provokes intellectual challenges and can hopefully advance without becoming a consumerist paradise.
Wednesday, November 23, 2016
Links for Thanksgiving
Links for Thanksgiving: An open letter from a Bishop Papamanolis, OFM Cap, of Greece to the four cardinals, asking them to retract their challenge to the pope and stop causing scandal.
MGB: Bishop Papamanolis is missing the point of A.L if the tells the four bishops to not take Communion for their dissent. The irony is thick.
It is not too big a leap from appearing regularly with Joe Scarborough to being the token liberal in the Trump Administration.
Lilla is very funny, considering the self conscious white identity of the other campaign - and their propensity to have large dinner checks.
MGB: Bishop Papamanolis is missing the point of A.L if the tells the four bishops to not take Communion for their dissent. The irony is thick.
It is not too big a leap from appearing regularly with Joe Scarborough to being the token liberal in the Trump Administration.
Lilla is very funny, considering the self conscious white identity of the other campaign - and their propensity to have large dinner checks.
The 4 cardinals and their 5 doubts
The 4 cardinals and their 5 doubts: The case of the four cardinals and their five dubia has been well reported and garnered plenty of commentary. Cardinals Brandmuller, Burke, Caffarra and Meisner decided to publish their letter contain...
MGB:_Doctrinal humility should never be a scandal. We just need to admit that sometimes we have gotten it wrong in the past, rather than trying to complicate things. Human nature exists in a changing world. It is not fixed and we should not expect it to be. Francis tried to fudge it. A bit of humble courage would be welcome right now.
MGB:_Doctrinal humility should never be a scandal. We just need to admit that sometimes we have gotten it wrong in the past, rather than trying to complicate things. Human nature exists in a changing world. It is not fixed and we should not expect it to be. Francis tried to fudge it. A bit of humble courage would be welcome right now.
Tuesday, November 22, 2016
Links for 11/22/16
Links for 11/22/16: At Millennial, Meghan Clark has another great article on the election, this time focusing on the inexplicable silence of Church leaders on the subject of sexual assault.
MGB: Trump claimed braggadocio rather than true confession and his voters gave him the benefit of the doubt - mostly because they have the same talent for exaggeration in such matters.
Koch think tank money is too widespread to not have a major influence in a Republican regime.
Americans are optimistic. They don't like to believe that they have totally incompetent government - so they will build up Trump's positives until he proves himself totally incompetent. We will see if he grows in the job or hires the kind of staff that protects him from himself.
MGB: Trump claimed braggadocio rather than true confession and his voters gave him the benefit of the doubt - mostly because they have the same talent for exaggeration in such matters.
Koch think tank money is too widespread to not have a major influence in a Republican regime.
Americans are optimistic. They don't like to believe that they have totally incompetent government - so they will build up Trump's positives until he proves himself totally incompetent. We will see if he grows in the job or hires the kind of staff that protects him from himself.
Trump: The view from Rome
Trump: The view from Rome: Being away from Washington for five days, not reading the Washington Post first thing, and speaking with Italians and ex-pats, as well as other Americans in town for the consistory who came from other...
MGB:_Will there be a Gospel based opposition to Trump on immigration, poverty and the environment? I hope so. Is there a chance that Trump’s campaign statements were pandering? Also possible. Will the next president have to go on another apology tour? Most likely. In the long term, the environmental trend lines and our international relations won’t be too terribly damaged by Trump’s worst. That is the true message of last week’s Gospel.
MGB:_Will there be a Gospel based opposition to Trump on immigration, poverty and the environment? I hope so. Is there a chance that Trump’s campaign statements were pandering? Also possible. Will the next president have to go on another apology tour? Most likely. In the long term, the environmental trend lines and our international relations won’t be too terribly damaged by Trump’s worst. That is the true message of last week’s Gospel.
Monday, November 21, 2016
The new cardinals
The new cardinals: If Pope Francis had lived in the United States all of his life, he could not have selected three finer, more able, more pastoral bishops to become cardinals than Blase Cupich, Kevin Farrell and Joe To...
MGB:_Let the creation of these these three cardinals be a signal to to those culture wariors in archdiocese that traditionally get a red hat but were passed over yet again. May they respond with humility rather than envy or denial.
MGB:_Let the creation of these these three cardinals be a signal to to those culture wariors in archdiocese that traditionally get a red hat but were passed over yet again. May they respond with humility rather than envy or denial.
Friday, November 18, 2016
Review: 'Mercy Matters' part II
Review: 'Mercy Matters' part II: Distinctly Catholic: While reading Mathew Schmalz's book, one catches glimpses of spiritual insight which reveal the way mercy is the foundation of any authentic Christian spirituality.
MGB:_Mercy, whether in the context of AA or Catholicism, includes fogiveness, praying for God’s will rather than our own and service to other. A wonderful book.
MGB:_Mercy, whether in the context of AA or Catholicism, includes fogiveness, praying for God’s will rather than our own and service to other. A wonderful book.
Thursday, November 17, 2016
Review: Mathew Schmalz's book 'Mercy Matters'
Review: Mathew Schmalz's book 'Mercy Matters': Distinctly Catholic: Mercy Matters: Opening yourself to the Life-giving Gift is not the kind of book I normally review because it is not the kind of book I normally read.
MGB: I do hope that this book finds its way into AA circles.
MGB: I do hope that this book finds its way into AA circles.
Links for 11/16/16
Links for 11/16/16: At First Things, Michael Novak delivers his sigh of relief about the loss of Hillary Clinton. It is appalling. He writes: "Whatever the inward intentions of President-elect Trump, one of the cons...
MGB:_Michael Novak and the pro-lifers write like abortion was not already legal and that it is a legislative question. Sadly, those on the other side let them get away with such lies because they help them get out their base.
For the military-industrial complex and the rich, the Trump Administration will be an improvement, even as it is a disaster for the rest of us.
Bannon has Trump’s ear. Whether both he and Trump are dangerous bigots or were merely pandering to them is the question of the hour.
Hogue should not chair the DNC, not because she is pro-choice but because she used the wrong strategy in countering the pro-life con job. She preferred to rally the base. While I doubt this issue cost the election, it did not help.
MGB:_Michael Novak and the pro-lifers write like abortion was not already legal and that it is a legislative question. Sadly, those on the other side let them get away with such lies because they help them get out their base.
For the military-industrial complex and the rich, the Trump Administration will be an improvement, even as it is a disaster for the rest of us.
Bannon has Trump’s ear. Whether both he and Trump are dangerous bigots or were merely pandering to them is the question of the hour.
Hogue should not chair the DNC, not because she is pro-choice but because she used the wrong strategy in countering the pro-life con job. She preferred to rally the base. While I doubt this issue cost the election, it did not help.
USCCB and Pope Francis are singing from different hymnals
USCCB and Pope Francis are singing from different hymnals: Distinctly Catholic: At a time when the country desperately needs a strong moral voice, the USCCB is fretting about things that don't matter and tepidly addressing the things that do.
MGB:_If you read religious liberty as religious power, all becomes clear on gay issues. On climate change, action reduces religous power among some of our biggest donors, so their reticece is not a surpirse. Their view on abortion is also as much coalition politics as moral. The same is true for capitalism. As for consumerism, a consumer surplus is what keeps capitlaism from being slavery. A.L. is considered housekeeping, so the lack of metntion at the conference is no shock. I suspect that many of the bishops liked Trump, so going after him on immiration would diminish their religious power in the Republican coalition.) Some of the bishops can hardly stop the vandals when they are caught holding a can of pray paint.
MGB:_If you read religious liberty as religious power, all becomes clear on gay issues. On climate change, action reduces religous power among some of our biggest donors, so their reticece is not a surpirse. Their view on abortion is also as much coalition politics as moral. The same is true for capitalism. As for consumerism, a consumer surplus is what keeps capitlaism from being slavery. A.L. is considered housekeeping, so the lack of metntion at the conference is no shock. I suspect that many of the bishops liked Trump, so going after him on immiration would diminish their religious power in the Republican coalition.) Some of the bishops can hardly stop the vandals when they are caught holding a can of pray paint.
Tuesday, November 15, 2016
Links for 11/15/16
Links for 11/15/16: At Commonweal, Tony Annett
MGB: Listen Liberal by Thomas Frank is the best take down of the Democratic elitist economics. That also had Tim Kaine as VP rather than Corey Booker. The game was demographics and the Dems did not play. What Tony called social individualism is more rightly thought of as egalitarianism because the low rules environment is mixed with solidarity with gays and women. Sexism is as big a part of the GOP victory as white backlash (although Obama's election did prime the latter). Many white traditionalists would simply not vote for a woman. The right-wing ideology mentioned was bought and paid for by the Kochs and their friends. The worship of the rich is a part of the prosperity gospel, which Catholics are not immune to. As for abortion, Clinton thought her strategy would rally women. Instead, she should have focused on the unlikelihood of there being any action to change abortion policy - that the pro-life movement is a scam and the bishops are complicit.
At some point, Catholics need to reject both Arroyo and Coulter. They are more right wing loyalist irritants than thought leaders.
I will look at Dave later.
MGB: Listen Liberal by Thomas Frank is the best take down of the Democratic elitist economics. That also had Tim Kaine as VP rather than Corey Booker. The game was demographics and the Dems did not play. What Tony called social individualism is more rightly thought of as egalitarianism because the low rules environment is mixed with solidarity with gays and women. Sexism is as big a part of the GOP victory as white backlash (although Obama's election did prime the latter). Many white traditionalists would simply not vote for a woman. The right-wing ideology mentioned was bought and paid for by the Kochs and their friends. The worship of the rich is a part of the prosperity gospel, which Catholics are not immune to. As for abortion, Clinton thought her strategy would rally women. Instead, she should have focused on the unlikelihood of there being any action to change abortion policy - that the pro-life movement is a scam and the bishops are complicit.
At some point, Catholics need to reject both Arroyo and Coulter. They are more right wing loyalist irritants than thought leaders.
I will look at Dave later.
End of the Abp Kurtz tenure
End of the Abp Kurtz tenure: Yesterday, Archbishop Joseph Kurtz gave his last presidential address as leader of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. The speech, like his tenure, was a missed opportunity, reflecting a...
MGB:_Kurtz essentially cast his lots during his tenure in pursuit of religious power, rather than religious liberty, which in turn continued the bishops; embrace of the Republican Party. How said it did not work for social justice with the same fervor, especially in the reign of Francis.
MGB:_Kurtz essentially cast his lots during his tenure in pursuit of religious power, rather than religious liberty, which in turn continued the bishops; embrace of the Republican Party. How said it did not work for social justice with the same fervor, especially in the reign of Francis.
Monday, November 14, 2016
Links for 11/14/16
Links for 11/14/16: Our Republican friends went in to a hissy fit when someone, not a Catholic, emailed John Podesta calling for reforms in the Catholic Church. There were other emails among Catholics who worked for...
MGB:_It is no secret that Kurtz has his finger on the partisan scale and little respect for the opinions and complaints of others. A Church that had that respect would ordain women. That they do not is not counter-cultural, it is misogynistic.
The Gallego situation shows why that the DNC does not like departures from the party line (like the Sanders candidacy).
Americans are mostly decent in private, but give them group expectations and things can get ugly. Churches are the kind of groups that lead to such personal license. Ordain some women or I will continue to hold that view.
MGB:_It is no secret that Kurtz has his finger on the partisan scale and little respect for the opinions and complaints of others. A Church that had that respect would ordain women. That they do not is not counter-cultural, it is misogynistic.
The Gallego situation shows why that the DNC does not like departures from the party line (like the Sanders candidacy).
Americans are mostly decent in private, but give them group expectations and things can get ugly. Churches are the kind of groups that lead to such personal license. Ordain some women or I will continue to hold that view.
Trump's election: What it means for the USCCB and the Church
Trump's election: What it means for the USCCB and the Church: Last week, I wrote about how the election of Donald Trump as our next president challenges both parties. Today, as the bishops gather in Baltimore for their annual plenary meeting, it is worth asking ...
MGB:_The prosect of parents being ripped from their children in the name of enforcing a misdomeanor immigration violation is heart breakig. Cardinal Burke confuses the moral law on abortio with the constitutional issues. Sadly, no Catholic politician has explained the difference to him. They seem to be using him as a foil out of central casting. That did not work out so well.
Trump v. Francis is a false dichotomy. I suspect that the Trump views on abortion, immigration and climate changed were tailored to his base. What he really believes or will do is not known, although it seems that his base is opposed to the views of Francis, which(is inconvenient)for the bishops, some of whom have an affinity to the Republican Party. They also really like their capitalist donors (and friends). While Clinton likes them too, she is not one of them, unlike Trump (who like his class, considers wealth a divine reward - even when you cheat to get it).
The pro-life movement’s recent concern for women is a sham. Mostly the movement is conerned with sexuality, which is evident when you propose a sufficient child tax credit (say $1000 per month per child), at which point they start talking about personal responsibility. If they want collective responsibility to stop abortion, they must must accept it for funding children. That would show a commitment to the dignity of mothers and of all women (as would ordaining them). The latter should be the next project for the Catholic laity. Trump is a small thing in comparison.
MGB:_The prosect of parents being ripped from their children in the name of enforcing a misdomeanor immigration violation is heart breakig. Cardinal Burke confuses the moral law on abortio with the constitutional issues. Sadly, no Catholic politician has explained the difference to him. They seem to be using him as a foil out of central casting. That did not work out so well.
Trump v. Francis is a false dichotomy. I suspect that the Trump views on abortion, immigration and climate changed were tailored to his base. What he really believes or will do is not known, although it seems that his base is opposed to the views of Francis, which(is inconvenient)for the bishops, some of whom have an affinity to the Republican Party. They also really like their capitalist donors (and friends). While Clinton likes them too, she is not one of them, unlike Trump (who like his class, considers wealth a divine reward - even when you cheat to get it).
The pro-life movement’s recent concern for women is a sham. Mostly the movement is conerned with sexuality, which is evident when you propose a sufficient child tax credit (say $1000 per month per child), at which point they start talking about personal responsibility. If they want collective responsibility to stop abortion, they must must accept it for funding children. That would show a commitment to the dignity of mothers and of all women (as would ordaining them). The latter should be the next project for the Catholic laity. Trump is a small thing in comparison.
Friday, November 11, 2016
Catholic church can play vital role in healing the nation
Catholic church can play vital role in healing the nation: Faith and Justice: The Catholic church is uniquely placed to help in the healing of the country. But will the church foster the reconciliation that America needs?
MGB:_Sadly, the bishops put their thumb on the scale on the GOP side. They have become part of the problem. The trumpeting of repealing Roe v. Wade as the essential issue shows no knowledge of costitutional law or how to really reduce abortion. Very sad.
MGB:_Sadly, the bishops put their thumb on the scale on the GOP side. They have become part of the problem. The trumpeting of repealing Roe v. Wade as the essential issue shows no knowledge of costitutional law or how to really reduce abortion. Very sad.
Links for 11/11/16
Links for 11/11/16: At Whispers, Archbishop Jose Gomez delivers a strong defense of immigrants and shares his worries about the fears that have been stoked in that community. This is a good sign that the bishops intend t...
MGB:_Immigration goes beyond electoral politics. The task now is to make sure no punitive immigration reform measures are allowed to pass. We have enough votes in the Senate to also hold out for a path to citizenship. Then we can see if the GOP can put expanding its base before pandering to its current base.
I am heartened that the Pope has a few things to say to Burke out his loud mouth. Perhaps Burke will be given the Secretary of State’s latest interview. Sadly, Burke is too wrapped up in his own ideology to notice such things. So are too many American bishops, who could have used these views a month ago. A day late and a dollar short.
Thank you for linking to the Navy Hymn.
MGB:_Immigration goes beyond electoral politics. The task now is to make sure no punitive immigration reform measures are allowed to pass. We have enough votes in the Senate to also hold out for a path to citizenship. Then we can see if the GOP can put expanding its base before pandering to its current base.
I am heartened that the Pope has a few things to say to Burke out his loud mouth. Perhaps Burke will be given the Secretary of State’s latest interview. Sadly, Burke is too wrapped up in his own ideology to notice such things. So are too many American bishops, who could have used these views a month ago. A day late and a dollar short.
Thank you for linking to the Navy Hymn.
Trump's win and the challenges it poses to the Democrats
Trump's win and the challenges it poses to the Democrats: Yesterday, I discussed the various ways the election of Donald Trump as president makes life challenging for the Republicans. On the Democratic side, the path ahead is currently obscured by a mix of s...
MGB: This election was a demographic war. The cynical play would have been to put Corey Booker on the ticket. It would have also had the Democrats win Pennsylvania and maybe Florida and Michigan. Thomas Frank was right in Listen Liberal and Obama should have been more muscular on bringing back unions - although Republican obstruction is partly to blame - with the GOP reaping the rewards of it. Vocational training should have been championed - but that is also a union thing. The Democrats need to not be Republican Light because doing so has then lose on the demographics.
MGB: This election was a demographic war. The cynical play would have been to put Corey Booker on the ticket. It would have also had the Democrats win Pennsylvania and maybe Florida and Michigan. Thomas Frank was right in Listen Liberal and Obama should have been more muscular on bringing back unions - although Republican obstruction is partly to blame - with the GOP reaping the rewards of it. Vocational training should have been championed - but that is also a union thing. The Democrats need to not be Republican Light because doing so has then lose on the demographics.
Thursday, November 10, 2016
Trump and the challenges he poses for the GOP
Trump and the challenges he poses for the GOP: Distinctly Catholic: While the government is now entirely in the hands of the Republican Party, the party faces some major, immediate challenges.
MGB:_Trump is a member of the glitterati and his voters like famous people on reality TV. He is their hero. He has the image of effectiveness and acted as if the biases of some of his vocal voters were his own. I doubt that this is really the case. Social conservatives will realize that they got played (including the bishops).
The government was in GOP hands under most of Bush. They muffed it anyway. Trump will too, which would be fun to watch if the stakes were not so hi. He is more showman than businessman. He will be great in front of the cameras, but not in day to day policy, especially on defense and foreign policy.
The consumerist white voters who like reality TV got their wish. They should be careful what they wish for (since the person they elected is not who will govern).
MGB:_Trump is a member of the glitterati and his voters like famous people on reality TV. He is their hero. He has the image of effectiveness and acted as if the biases of some of his vocal voters were his own. I doubt that this is really the case. Social conservatives will realize that they got played (including the bishops).
The government was in GOP hands under most of Bush. They muffed it anyway. Trump will too, which would be fun to watch if the stakes were not so hi. He is more showman than businessman. He will be great in front of the cameras, but not in day to day policy, especially on defense and foreign policy.
The consumerist white voters who like reality TV got their wish. They should be careful what they wish for (since the person they elected is not who will govern).
Wednesday, November 9, 2016
Catholic scholars react to Trump's election
Catholic scholars react to Trump's election: Distinctly Catholic: Speaking today with Catholic scholars who study the intersection of religion and politics, it is apparent that the mood is somewhere been fearful and apocalyptic.
MGB: K: I wonder if Trump can imagine his future in the White House now that he won, above some kind of manic fantasy. I don't worry about the nuclear issue, the SECDEF has to concur.
S: Trump can't undo gay marriage and with his Congress, there will be no ENDA. Most of the xenophobic stuff was playing to the crowds. Now that they have been fooled, nothing will come of it. Junking common core would be lovely. Of course, the prospect of authoritarianism is troubling, especially as the Donald meets a permanent bureaucracy which will not follow him into lawlessness.
K : Trump is experienced in going with his gut, however if he has any kind of professional staff they will chafe at letting him. Of course, this gives us the prospect of clever Republican operatives playing him like a fiddle. Kind of like Cheney played Bush.
The question is, what will Trump do when he figures out he is being handled (and if he won't let himself be handled, what kind of disaster will ensue).
MGB: K: I wonder if Trump can imagine his future in the White House now that he won, above some kind of manic fantasy. I don't worry about the nuclear issue, the SECDEF has to concur.
S: Trump can't undo gay marriage and with his Congress, there will be no ENDA. Most of the xenophobic stuff was playing to the crowds. Now that they have been fooled, nothing will come of it. Junking common core would be lovely. Of course, the prospect of authoritarianism is troubling, especially as the Donald meets a permanent bureaucracy which will not follow him into lawlessness.
K : Trump is experienced in going with his gut, however if he has any kind of professional staff they will chafe at letting him. Of course, this gives us the prospect of clever Republican operatives playing him like a fiddle. Kind of like Cheney played Bush.
The question is, what will Trump do when he figures out he is being handled (and if he won't let himself be handled, what kind of disaster will ensue).
The disaster that we chose
The disaster that we chose: Distinctly Catholic: Donald Trump
MGB: This is Reagan all over again, without the capable handlers or the electoral experience. Could this have all been an act? It is possible, but not likely. Is he mentally ill or just amoral? We will see. If the latter, we may have Pence using the 25th Amendment disability in office provisions as a safety valve.
Trumps supporters know about and don't care about the irregularities in the campaign or in Trump's character. He is their savior - from what we are not sure since most of the programs they decry often benefit them directly. Authoritarians cultivate their victims that way.
What the Catholic left should have done was to double down on the child tax credit and to explain why abortion is not going anywhere in the Supreme Court - nor should it. Pluralism does not get you there and calling out the pro-lifers as another scam was the essential act that no one took (because it makes it harder to gin up NARAL - who would go for HRC anyway).
By the way, consumerism is what makes a middle class voting base possible - otherwise workers would become revolutionaries - which kind of happened while the Democrats were doing other things than look after workers. The only way to have prevented what happened yesterday was to nominate Bernie. With last night's win, unless Trump is a total idiot while governing, the GOP will be ascendant and there will be no schism in the Democrats that will create a workers party. Workers will have to organize by other means - which was always the case.
MGB: This is Reagan all over again, without the capable handlers or the electoral experience. Could this have all been an act? It is possible, but not likely. Is he mentally ill or just amoral? We will see. If the latter, we may have Pence using the 25th Amendment disability in office provisions as a safety valve.
Trumps supporters know about and don't care about the irregularities in the campaign or in Trump's character. He is their savior - from what we are not sure since most of the programs they decry often benefit them directly. Authoritarians cultivate their victims that way.
What the Catholic left should have done was to double down on the child tax credit and to explain why abortion is not going anywhere in the Supreme Court - nor should it. Pluralism does not get you there and calling out the pro-lifers as another scam was the essential act that no one took (because it makes it harder to gin up NARAL - who would go for HRC anyway).
By the way, consumerism is what makes a middle class voting base possible - otherwise workers would become revolutionaries - which kind of happened while the Democrats were doing other things than look after workers. The only way to have prevented what happened yesterday was to nominate Bernie. With last night's win, unless Trump is a total idiot while governing, the GOP will be ascendant and there will be no schism in the Democrats that will create a workers party. Workers will have to organize by other means - which was always the case.
Florida, Florida, Florida
Florida, Florida, Florida: Looking at Florida county by county, Miami Dade is coming in strong for Clinton, and she is already garnering more votes there than Obama got in 2012, and only 80 percent of the vote is in yet. In Ora...
MGB:_Oops
MGB:_Oops
Live Blogging Tonight
Live Blogging Tonight: It is early in the evening and already I am getting mixed signals. Exit polls indicate that the Latino vote in Florida is only up from 10 to 11 percent, but a GOTV expert on the ground told me that th...MGB:_When PA was not called early it was not a good sign.
Tuesday, November 8, 2016
Links for 11/08/16
Links for 11/08/16: At Vox, Ezra Klein has one of the smartest pieces written about the election I have read all year. His diagnosis is that we have a real problem in America today, namely, that we have weak parties and ...
MGB: The problem with the parties is the problem with America - inequality in all its forms. Racism, sexism, classism and the opposition to each define our society. Usually the GOP elects people who don't pander so directly to those interests. The question for the future is whether Pandora's box is now open.
Tobin shows why he received a red hat, which is why he was moved east. Now he can keep an eye on Dolan.
Gerson is one of the few conservative commentators still worth reading and is a frequent contributor to the Center for Public Justice web magazine. Of course, I am not sure the nation is any more amenable to healing than it was after Obama was elected. It needs an awakening more than a healing. (or maybe an exorcism).
MGB: The problem with the parties is the problem with America - inequality in all its forms. Racism, sexism, classism and the opposition to each define our society. Usually the GOP elects people who don't pander so directly to those interests. The question for the future is whether Pandora's box is now open.
Tobin shows why he received a red hat, which is why he was moved east. Now he can keep an eye on Dolan.
Gerson is one of the few conservative commentators still worth reading and is a frequent contributor to the Center for Public Justice web magazine. Of course, I am not sure the nation is any more amenable to healing than it was after Obama was elected. It needs an awakening more than a healing. (or maybe an exorcism).
What does it mean for goverance to have an issue-free election?
What does it mean for goverance to have an issue-free election?: Most Americans are only too happy to see the election come to a close. Unlike the life of man in the state of nature as described by Thomas Hobbes, this election has been nasty, brutish, but it wasn&#...
MGB:_Taxes are always an issue, at least for tax geeks. Every candidate releases a tax plan and it is scored by the Tax Policy Center. The fact that this is not covered is on the media, not the candidates.
Abortion got its brief mention, which is all this non-issue ever deserves. The Partial Birth Abortion discussion was a total farce because there is already a law in place that survived consitutional scrutiny.
The immigration reform bill that passed the Senate was a joke designed to embarrass Republicans. It would never have gotten through the Senate if people thought it was the final product, which should be much less draconian.
MGB:_Taxes are always an issue, at least for tax geeks. Every candidate releases a tax plan and it is scored by the Tax Policy Center. The fact that this is not covered is on the media, not the candidates.
Abortion got its brief mention, which is all this non-issue ever deserves. The Partial Birth Abortion discussion was a total farce because there is already a law in place that survived consitutional scrutiny.
The immigration reform bill that passed the Senate was a joke designed to embarrass Republicans. It would never have gotten through the Senate if people thought it was the final product, which should be much less draconian.
Monday, November 7, 2016
Links for 11/07/16
Links for 11/07/16: I was wrong this morning: The alt-right affiliations and sympathies may not be the most important reason to defeat Donald Trump. At the New York Times, they provide an inside look and analysis of his ...
MGB:_That Trump is patholigical is not news. Nor is it news that EWTN and National Catholic Register put party above sanity.
It is amazing that the Vatican is now more progressive than the Alt-Right Catholic media.
MGB:_That Trump is patholigical is not news. Nor is it news that EWTN and National Catholic Register put party above sanity.
It is amazing that the Vatican is now more progressive than the Alt-Right Catholic media.
Friday, November 4, 2016
Links for 11/04/16
Links for 11/04/16: At RNS, Mark Silk both applauds and chides Russell Moore of the Southern Baptist Conference. Hats off for Moore's distancing himself from Trump and calling out the Old Guard in the religious right...
MGB:_The same can be said of the pro-life movement, which is the Evangelical Right and the Catholic Bishops and those who believe their line. Both are entirely partisan and disgustingly authoritarian. The theology is pretty bad too about sex, including ordaining women. Someone like Russell Moore should talk about them too.
Like E.J., I remember arguing with my father about religion and politics. I think that fathers who allow this also allow their kids to become intellectual. He is correct on the need for religion and politics to relate. Brooks is correct about the narcisism of writing. His experieces of spirituality are inspiring. He talks about communitarian religion over utilitarianism, but I favor a more humanistic morality that is, essentially, utilitarian. If God is not a humanist than he is a fairy tale. Sin, therefore, is a problem because of its effect on us, not its effect on God. The comments about Russell Moore are interesting, given Mark Silk article. What both Brooks and Dione say about the Trump campaign being worse than Clinton’s is telling.
I don’t read anything from First Things and if Weigel is in a snit, all is right with the world.
MGB:_The same can be said of the pro-life movement, which is the Evangelical Right and the Catholic Bishops and those who believe their line. Both are entirely partisan and disgustingly authoritarian. The theology is pretty bad too about sex, including ordaining women. Someone like Russell Moore should talk about them too.
Like E.J., I remember arguing with my father about religion and politics. I think that fathers who allow this also allow their kids to become intellectual. He is correct on the need for religion and politics to relate. Brooks is correct about the narcisism of writing. His experieces of spirituality are inspiring. He talks about communitarian religion over utilitarianism, but I favor a more humanistic morality that is, essentially, utilitarian. If God is not a humanist than he is a fairy tale. Sin, therefore, is a problem because of its effect on us, not its effect on God. The comments about Russell Moore are interesting, given Mark Silk article. What both Brooks and Dione say about the Trump campaign being worse than Clinton’s is telling.
I don’t read anything from First Things and if Weigel is in a snit, all is right with the world.
Why do we Americans think business is good training for government?
Why do we Americans think business is good training for government?: My colleague Jamie Manson had a fine piece on how residual attitudes about gender continue to stalk Hillary Clinton. Manson recalled a PBS Newshour segment in which David Brooks asked Clinton campaign...
MGB:_The essential attribute of CEO capitalilsm is authoritarianism. It is the last thing we need in a president. Ideed, we don’t need it in the workplace either. People sought it with Perot and with Bloomberg. I hope the Trump experiece has gotten it out of our system and that Trump becomes a watch word for any time someone suggests a CEO for political office.
MGB:_The essential attribute of CEO capitalilsm is authoritarianism. It is the last thing we need in a president. Ideed, we don’t need it in the workplace either. People sought it with Perot and with Bloomberg. I hope the Trump experiece has gotten it out of our system and that Trump becomes a watch word for any time someone suggests a CEO for political office.
Thursday, November 3, 2016
Links for 11/03/16
Links for 11/03/16: Dr. Jeff Mirus, one of the founders of Christendom College and President of CatholicCulture.org, has a post up ironically entitled
MGB: The Magisterium is the letter of the law. It killith. It is a feature of the hierarchical Church that is best dispensed with. The spirit of the Gospel is what we need to seek, especially the saying where Jesus says he is gentle and humble of heart, his yoke is easy and his burden light.
Except when the right-wing goes to far, most abortion politics is about symbolism. Roe is not going anywhere and there are not enough states to ratify a human life amendment. Sadly, the Democrats use the issue to whip up feminists, rather than explaining it in such a way so as to defuse it by showing how much it is truly settled.
It is not hostility to note how partisan certain bishops have become on any issue they see as having to do with abortion or contraception.
MGB: The Magisterium is the letter of the law. It killith. It is a feature of the hierarchical Church that is best dispensed with. The spirit of the Gospel is what we need to seek, especially the saying where Jesus says he is gentle and humble of heart, his yoke is easy and his burden light.
Except when the right-wing goes to far, most abortion politics is about symbolism. Roe is not going anywhere and there are not enough states to ratify a human life amendment. Sadly, the Democrats use the issue to whip up feminists, rather than explaining it in such a way so as to defuse it by showing how much it is truly settled.
It is not hostility to note how partisan certain bishops have become on any issue they see as having to do with abortion or contraception.
Previewing the USCCB meeting: Will there be a new direction?
Previewing the USCCB meeting: Will there be a new direction?: Yesterday, I wrote about the good the U.S. bishops conference is capable of achieving, and made the case that those who are tempted to give up on the conference should think twice. Today, I would like...
MGB:_Some of out bishops should listen to a Catholic pro-choice politician, who should have the courage to explain to them the logic behind Roe. Law is about the reasoning and the precidents, not the result. Federal supremacy in equal protection is not going away (which also gives us gay marriage), nor should it. The cultural warrior bishops (and USCCB staff) have put Republican coalition poltiics above truth, which is bad for the Church and the bishops, who most of us simply ignore at election time. As for who should be elected president of the conference, the obvious choice is Cupich.
MGB:_Some of out bishops should listen to a Catholic pro-choice politician, who should have the courage to explain to them the logic behind Roe. Law is about the reasoning and the precidents, not the result. Federal supremacy in equal protection is not going away (which also gives us gay marriage), nor should it. The cultural warrior bishops (and USCCB staff) have put Republican coalition poltiics above truth, which is bad for the Church and the bishops, who most of us simply ignore at election time. As for who should be elected president of the conference, the obvious choice is Cupich.
Wednesday, November 2, 2016
Links for 11/02/16
Links for 11/02/16: If you are addicted to checking Nate Silver
MGB: It is too early to say it is going to be close. The Electoral College margin will likely still be over 100 votes, if not more if Trump puts his foot in it again.
Let us hope that local election officials are strong enough to throw out any "monitors" who are there to intimidate. This time the opposition to such racism is more organized. Interesting times.
There are no Justices on the Supreme Court who believe that Roe should be overturned on states rights grounds. The bishop is pushing a hopeless cause. Sadly, the movement is still pushing it rather than adopting a strategy that will reduce abortions - which involves a larger child tax cut and voting for Hillary Clinton.
MGB: It is too early to say it is going to be close. The Electoral College margin will likely still be over 100 votes, if not more if Trump puts his foot in it again.
Let us hope that local election officials are strong enough to throw out any "monitors" who are there to intimidate. This time the opposition to such racism is more organized. Interesting times.
There are no Justices on the Supreme Court who believe that Roe should be overturned on states rights grounds. The bishop is pushing a hopeless cause. Sadly, the movement is still pushing it rather than adopting a strategy that will reduce abortions - which involves a larger child tax cut and voting for Hillary Clinton.
Previewing the USCCB meeting: the good the conference achieves
Previewing the USCCB meeting: the good the conference achieves: Week after next, the plenary meeting of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops will be held in Baltimore. The conference has some clear choices: Will they follow the direction charted for th...
MGB:_The Conference can be very effective when it wants to be, or it can let the cultural warriors act unchecked. It’s work on nuclear war helped untarget civilians, not that this means much when the missiles start flying. One would hope that it takes a stand on expanding the Child Tax Credit. Hillary has proposals, but the Bishops should demand an even higher credit that is paid with wages rather than refunds.
MGB:_The Conference can be very effective when it wants to be, or it can let the cultural warriors act unchecked. It’s work on nuclear war helped untarget civilians, not that this means much when the missiles start flying. One would hope that it takes a stand on expanding the Child Tax Credit. Hillary has proposals, but the Bishops should demand an even higher credit that is paid with wages rather than refunds.
Tuesday, November 1, 2016
Pope Francis confirms finality of ban on ordaining women priests
Pope Francis confirms finality of ban on ordaining women priests: Pressed on whether women are 'forever' barred from priesthood during in-flight press conference, Francis says, 'The last word is clear,' citing St. John Paul II.
MGB: The pronouncements on this issue are not part of the Deposit of Faith. They are a question of discipline and Church politics and reflect a deep misogyny, just as much of the commentary on gay marriage is bigoted (to whit, if the Church employs people in a hetero civil marriage, which it considers invalid, it cannot treat those in a homosexual civil marriage differently). I suspect the reluctance to ordain women comes from the fact that they would think clearly on this issue.
MGB: The pronouncements on this issue are not part of the Deposit of Faith. They are a question of discipline and Church politics and reflect a deep misogyny, just as much of the commentary on gay marriage is bigoted (to whit, if the Church employs people in a hetero civil marriage, which it considers invalid, it cannot treat those in a homosexual civil marriage differently). I suspect the reluctance to ordain women comes from the fact that they would think clearly on this issue.
Links for 11/01/16
Links for 11/01/16: In this morning
MGB: Hillary is not as bad as Gerson portrays. Trump may be spot on, or he could be cynically appealing to the worst angels of his base. Either way, he is correct - although if you look at policy and the fact that Clinton picked up much of what Sanders was saying, the choice becomes easy and positive, unless you hate the poor - the only reason to vote Trump.
The link to Catholic Health does not work. The bishops need to leave issues of Obamacare implementation (last I checked, it is passed and won't be repealed) to CHA, since they have to deal with the nuts and bolts. If they want to speak about anything, it should be the desirability of single-payer, even though there can be no Hyde Amendment in such a regime. They need to pull out their copies of Fagothy's Right and Reason and remember that abortion coverage is so remote for any taxpayer that it is a non-issue in such a scheme.
Catholic politicians have such distinctions on abortion. They should explain Roe to the bishops rather than hiding behind pluralism.
MGB: Hillary is not as bad as Gerson portrays. Trump may be spot on, or he could be cynically appealing to the worst angels of his base. Either way, he is correct - although if you look at policy and the fact that Clinton picked up much of what Sanders was saying, the choice becomes easy and positive, unless you hate the poor - the only reason to vote Trump.
The link to Catholic Health does not work. The bishops need to leave issues of Obamacare implementation (last I checked, it is passed and won't be repealed) to CHA, since they have to deal with the nuts and bolts. If they want to speak about anything, it should be the desirability of single-payer, even though there can be no Hyde Amendment in such a regime. They need to pull out their copies of Fagothy's Right and Reason and remember that abortion coverage is so remote for any taxpayer that it is a non-issue in such a scheme.
Catholic politicians have such distinctions on abortion. They should explain Roe to the bishops rather than hiding behind pluralism.
Ecumenism in our time: A fruit of the Council
Ecumenism in our time: A fruit of the Council: Distinctly Catholic: The Holy Father seemed pitch perfect during his visit to Sweden to join with Lutherans in a joint celebration of the Reformation.
MGB:_It is good that we are joining the Lutherans in prayer. Hopefuly we can join them in ordaining women. The key relationship to mend is with the Orthodox, particularly in recognizing the primacy of the Ecumenical Patriarch of New Rome. Old Rome became a backwater and the papacy’s continued claims of primacy have led some fundamentalists to retain the view that Luther started that Pope was anti-Christ. Recognizing the primacy of New Rome will go a long way to overcoming that belief.
MGB:_It is good that we are joining the Lutherans in prayer. Hopefuly we can join them in ordaining women. The key relationship to mend is with the Orthodox, particularly in recognizing the primacy of the Ecumenical Patriarch of New Rome. Old Rome became a backwater and the papacy’s continued claims of primacy have led some fundamentalists to retain the view that Luther started that Pope was anti-Christ. Recognizing the primacy of New Rome will go a long way to overcoming that belief.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)