Friday, January 29, 2016

Links for 01/29/16 | National Catholic Reporter

Links for 01/29/16 | National Catholic Reporter This sounds like Burke, but without even attribution of an interview or a source piece, even I won't pile on to a hit piece like this.



I am glad Abp. Gomez in on board with the Administration on Immigration.  I suspect he is overseeing an Amicus brief in this case, which will cause some of the GOP bishops to simmer.



That Chicago is going green and saving money is not really news, but it is worth repeating.

Review: Catholic Economics, Part II | National Catholic Reporter

Review: Catholic Economics, Part II | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Modern economics in a culturally libertarian space ARE more scientific.  Scientific study is not really possible in either egalitarian realms where your intentions are constantly questioned, despotism (unless the despot approves of and can profit from your work) or hierarchism, which sees truth as something to control via dogma, not science - hence the Church's unscientific views on birth control.  Whether we culturally like the answer economics gives us is different than challenging its ability to find fact.  It can still work with a non-individual actor assumption.



Silby is conflating competition with pure competition.  There are types of competition where the powerful have an advantage, like oligopoly/oligopsony.  As an analytical principle, however violated by capitalism, competition works.  Indeed, welfare economics condemns capitalist restraint of trade from the inside as much as government act (which is usually taken at the behest of some interest).



The Affordable Care Act was not about commodifying health care - it was due to tax advantages possessed by employees of large firms that small firm employees did not get.  ACA merely have the small guys the same tax advantages.  As I said earlier this week (MSW should read the comments more), the advantages that increase prices come from monopolistic factors like one or two hospitals dominating a region (can you say INOVA or Medstar) and drug patents.  Of course, the GOP plan is to force competition onto buyers by taking away all tax advantages but not on sellers who keep their territories and patents.



Sibley's critique of global competition (and free trade) could also have been taken from the introduction to Capital, by Karl Marx, who decries the same thing.  The problem is not compeition, its the economic power of capitalism.  At least Marx said the word (OK, he coined it). Marx also got labor right, even before the term monopsony was coined.  The Church gets it right too, but calling for capitalists to be moral, even Catholic capitalists, is too much to ask.  While solidarity helps, ownership of the workplace is what is essential - not in revolutionary terms like Marx advocated - its too hard to work that - but in cooperative terms, like Mondragon and American cooperative farmers (who were organized by "Dad" Allen - my great grandfather - who was a member of the Disciples of Christ - so the Popes do not have a monopoly on proper economic thinkig.



The answer to free and even fair trade is multi-national employee ownership - where employees at the same firm are paid at the same standard of living, so exploitation is no longer an issue.



If Catholic Social Teaching does not have some distrust of government then it should.  Not in goverenmetn as a useful authority, but in legislators captured by the financial favors of the capitalists.  Its why Citizens United is so important and so impossible to overturn, because capitalism is the problem that simple finance reform won't solve. Finding firms to shift away from capitalism to more cooperative ownership and control and having those firms beat capitalist firm in competition is the answer here - for coopeation will win.  That is the way forward.

Thursday, January 28, 2016

Links for 01/28/16 | National Catholic Reporter

Links for 01/28/16 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Senator Sanders faith, or lack thereof, is probably not a problem with his fellow Jews. Its certainly not a problem for most Catholic Democrats nor is it a constitutional difficulty. White evangelicals are not voting for him anyway, so the only political problem is with African American Pastors, who are integral to the politics of their members. Of course, Bernie is highly ethical, especially economically. If he can do this without a professed faith, what does that say about the rest of us?

Jerry Jr. is, like his father, an authoritarian - which is the frame of mind of Trump (as a capitalist) and Trump's GOP supporters. That Trump was either lying before or is lying now on abortion is a fact that most of these supporters will likely and deliberately ignore.
Rubio has wandered from Catholicism to Mormonism and back (with one other stop). Whether this is political or an honest reflection of his inner soul is for him to know and the rest of us not to care about - much in the same way that Sanders' atheism is not our concern. What is concerning is using that faith as a basis to further pander on abortion, where as a lawyer he should know better than to question the basis of Roe v. Wade (which rested on the fact that the unborn have no personal rights until Congress says they do - which is constitutionally correct - whether Catholics like it or not). As far as the hyphen, blame Microsoft grammar checker.

Review: Catholic Economics, Part I | National Catholic Reporter

Review: Catholic Economics, Part I | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: While Adam Smith's observations were the start of modern economics, they were not its end. Welfare economics owes much of its content to Pareto and Keynes, who can hardly be called libertarians in the Austrian School of Hayek and von Mises. While much of economics assumes a libertarian/individualist way of life is all that there is, there are others who are either egalitarian (like Marx) or even hierarchical, like the Distributists who believe both that small is beautiful and that the Church will take over civil authority after an inevitable environmental or resource collapse. I look forward to tomorrow's post to see if the Distributists are mentioned.



Of course, in cooperative economics we do get limits on consumption - with most cooperative members consuming mostly what they cooperative produces or trades for (although they may have a cash card to facilitate that trading). While the free market is the most efficient allocation mechanism to make sure supply and demand are roughly approximate, it can be simulated with a well managed egalitarian system - which can have both external and internal price cues - using standard labor hours both internally and externally. Such a currency is possible if the basic wage is standardized - with such items as education and longevity compensated by making the education free and by compensating longevity with stock accumulation - with dividends either reinvested, spent or some combination of the two. Finally for now, it goes without saying that if you internalize stock accumulation and home mortgages to the cooperative, there will be no markets for either mortgage backed securities or shares of stock and therefore no financial economics outside the cooperative. You can find more about this in my online book, Musings from the Christian Left (a non-doctrinal Catholic economics), which is available on blogspot, Facebook and oocities.

Links for 01/28/16 | National Catholic Reporter

Links for 01/28/16 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Senator Sanders faith, or lack thereof, is probably not a problem with his fellow Jews. Its certainly not a problem for most Catholic Democrats nor is it a constitutional difficulty. White evangelicals are not voting for him anyway, so the only political problem is with African American Pastors, who are integral to the politics of their members.  Of course, Bernie is highly ethical, especially economically.  If he can do this without a professed faith, what does that say about the rest of us?



Jerry Jr. is, like his father, an authoritarian - which is the frame of mind of Trump (as a capitalist) and Trump's GOP supporters.  That Trump was either lying before or is lying now on abortion is a fact that most of these supporters will likely and deliberately ignore.



Rubio has wandered from Catholicism to Mormonism and back (with one other stop).  Whether this is political or an honest reflection of his inner soul is for him to know and the rest of us not to care about - much in the same way that Sanders' atheism is not our concern.  What is concerning is using that faith as a basis to further pander on abortion, where as a lawyer he should know better than to question the basis of Roe v. Wade (which rested on the fact that the unborn have no personal rights until Congress says they do - which is constitutionally correct - whether Catholics like it or not).  As far as the hyphen, blame Micrsooft grammar checker.

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Links for 01/27/16 | National Catholic Reporter

Links for 01/27/16 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Secretary Clinton did not magically shed her 2008 flaws by working her job - she magnified them.  She really has no answer to the bold actions put forward by Sanders - its not in her nature to do so.



I suspect that Worship Wars are part of the Evangelical movement growing up.  Of course, might grown up Evangelicals just become mainline Protestants - or even Catholics if we finally get an language patriarch (thus ending the objection to Roman overreach)?



Bravo to the 46 Democratic Senators.  Hopefully we can fin 14 Republicans to go with them, as well as Speaker Ryan.  Lets hope we don't have to wait until January 2017 for justice in this crisis.  P.R. should still simply default on its Hedge Fund debts - which will force the GOP to act.



I suspect the President himself would not be scandalized, but the coverage helps him back home - especially if only a token number were covered for the sake of his press corps.  Call it Potempkin puritanicalism.

Debate Drama in Iowa | National Catholic Reporter

Debate Drama in Iowa | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Trump does not like Ms. Kelly because she asked a feminist question that he had no answer for, as if he said his remarks were confined to Rosie, all sorts of footage would spring up.  He is probably afraid Megan will ask him an abortion question, which she should.  Trump is as much of a P.R. fraud as any other GOP candidate, except that he is too much of a blowhard to face the music when its his turn to dance.

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Links for 01/26/16 | National Catholic Reporter

Links for 01/26/16 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: In Flint, it was up to the hydrologists to remind the elected leaders that without first relining the pipes, bad things would happen.  Of course, if Snyder did not want any bad news, then he is at fault.



I don't look to Forbes for any type of sane economic thinking.  This is one place where we must be merciful to the ignorant.



I don't think the lack of a good come to Jesus moment will hurt Cruz with Iowa and those negative ads may play into the evangelical persecution complex - so they may help him.  The question is what will happen when the less popular candidates lose their caucus goers to either Trump or Cruz or someone else.  This is where Iowa GOP precinct chairs may have more power than the pastors.  Iowa is funny, of course.  The caucus is a beauty contest that also elects delegates to the county conventions.  The question of the night is really whose delegates get sent higher in the process.  Ron Paul played this process well, which is why the party rammed through rules that disadvantaged his knowledge of the process.  Is Cruz that smart?  Is Trump?  Will Rand be a suprise winner?  Is it important? Probably not.  New Hampshire is important and that will be all Trump.

Pope Francis on Communication & Mercy | National Catholic Reporter

Pope Francis on Communication & Mercy | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Jesus also said that he came to bring division, not peace.  It is an act of mercy to admonish the sinner, even and especially if that sin is being committed by the Church.  Mercy comes not only in forgiving wrongs but in delineating whether an act is even a sin - which is a challenging change for the Church, which has been less consistent in all things than it likes to think.  For instance, until the pietousness of the first millenium, bishops married and men married each other under the Rite of Bachus and Sergio.  In the early Church, women were apostles with their husbands and benefactors, such as St. Priscilla who may have been the Benefactor of Rome before Peter ever hit town.  Yet we never quite give her credit for founding the Roman Church.  It is not enough for the Church to preach mercy - it must be open to seeking forgiveness and accepting it.  It only takes a few minutes on the Internet to see that there is much to atone for.  The promise of Francis is that he just might take the Church down this path.

Monday, January 25, 2016

Links for 01/25/16 | National Catholic Reporter

Links for 01/25/16 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: When the consequence is the mass murder of war, the law is clear that public officials who misbehave are to be treated as war criminals, both under U.S. and International Law.  Its why Cheney, Bush and Rumsfeld can't really leave the country for fear of arrest.  Since the statute of limitations does not expire on war crime, only the Pearly Gates may eventually keep Rumsfeld and Cheney out of prison.



Actually, Catholic canon law about homosexuality gobbledygook.  If people are born gay (we now know that the mechanism is epigenesis in the womb) and are entitled to sexuality, then their sexuality should be channeled like hetosexual desire, toward permanent loving relationships.  Marriage as a Roman sacrament is performed by the couple.  Gays do that too.  Fecundity is not a requirement of Catholic marriage - just functionality.  Thinking that because you think gay sex is icky that it is not functional (heterosexuals do the same things, by the way, and its none of the Church's business) is gobbledygook.



The fact is that marriage is both the joining of two families and the creation of a separate family that repaces the families of origin legally (divorce undoes that, legal separation does not).  It is the height of either political correctness or pandering (take your pick) to think religious sensibilities need to be assuaged by a separate category of civil unions.  It is also bigotry, because gay citizens deserve the same rights and privileges in marriages as heterosexuals - at least under the law.  The courts considered the argument by the Institute of Marriage and its colleagues as gobbledygook. We need religious gay weddings, not because the state requires it, but because families deserve, both the couples and families of origin.  Its time for the Catholic press to report the truth rather than enabling bad theology on marriage.l



Tom Cotton is a pandering idiot who is probably also a racist.  Some of what is needed can be accomplished in the short term by the pardoning power - although Obama would have to put serious pressure on the DOJ pardon office or create an end around - although true reform would medicalize criminal justice in almost all respects - and Catholic Health Care and other private providers don't have the resources to do what is needed - or don't want to put them forth.  This is as shameful as Tom Cotton.

Health Care Is Not a Commodity | National Catholic Reporter

Health Care Is Not a Commodity | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Health care usage responds to supply and demand - which means it really is a commodity.  This is why the GOP wants to end the tax benefits for employers who offer comprehensive insurance (which was offered because workers were an expensive commodity - more expensive than wage and price controls allowed to pay them) and replace it with a tax credit big enough to buy a catastrophic policy, with some provision made for a Health Savings Account to fill the gap - at least partially.  Most economists actually think this makes sense - as comprehensive insurance invites overuse of services, especially in so called Cadillac plans.



The reality is that the Affordable Care Act was designed to give hospitals someone to bill, rather than having to deal with uninsured patients - and to direct care elsewhere - although that is hard without madatory sick leave to take your sick kids in.  I was in the Alexandria Hospital ER a few years ago with chest pains and the lobby was full of kids with the flu and their working class parents.  Without paid sick leave as a right, rather than a privilege, this will continue.



The problem with that is in a labor intensive business, like a restaraunt, sick leave leaves huge staffing holes where staffing is done without much slack.  You would think that getting a meal from non-sick people would be a right, but danger to all who eat out during flu season.  Its not that kitchen and wait staff are well paid, but the margins are short because restaraunts sit on premium land and its the rent that must be paid - whether you have covers or not.



Single-payer is hard to do, because it denies the right of insurers to offer this line of business except as an adjunct to the government run plan (the same people will process the paperwork and will be paid by the same firms, regardless).  Since insurers have a constitutional right to buy members of Congress, it will take a real movement to pass single payer, which will better commodify health costs because the goverment will have the power to squeeze monopoly benefits out of the system (most drugs and hospitals operate in a monopoly and monopsony environment, which is why employees - even doctors - are on the short end of the stick).



The best way out would be a national health service.  We can start with increasing the U.S. Public Health Service to treat Medicaid patients, including behavioral patients, as well as the uninsured.  Then expand to Medicare and lastly become a monopsony buyer (and monopolist seller) of health care.  Then health insurance really would be a right.



The other best alternative is in a cooperative economy.  In order to opt out of single-payer or national health service tax payments, employers, likely cooperatives, would hire their medical staffs rather than pay for third or second party providers.  That way the group who pays is also the group who can control costs - the supply and demand could therefore by synchronized and people will get the right amount of health care.



The main market problem with care is that it is not a normal good.  People do not use it as a budget item.  If you are sick, you go to the doctor and the doctor - with minimal consent from you - orders tests or does treatments.  If I had known that my chest pains were most likely from a cramp, I would not have consented to a stress-radioloogical exam that, while replacing interventional radiology, was not really needed.  If someone told me it was unlikely to find anything - or even said what the situation was, I would not have had that test.



Now, as for moral tone, the question is morality for whom?  For doctors?  For hospitals? For taxpayers? For drug makers?  For gynecologists and their patients?  The reality is that both politics and economics ARE moral fields.  When we in policy talk of wanting ethics, we sometimes forget that we deal with ethical questions - like all of the above.  Ethics cannot be reduced to the calls people get upset about, like abortion or end of life care - ethics is the whole thing - so it is all a moral discussion.  Everyone in the thing has human dignity, including drug company researchers, to an extent - their executives - although CEO morality needs a deeper study, and even abortion providers who see their work as very moral because the alternative is deadly care (often self induced - as the fallout of Trap Laws has shown again) takes two lives.



These are serious questions that cannot be off-loaded to theologians - unless they also have public policy degrees (which is what I have) or degrees in law (where they do deal in rights - including intellectual property rights - as well as the common good).  Ultimately, in our system, it will be the legislators who decide.  God help us.  Of course, if they act like grown-ups, we will get a decent result.



What will actually happen?  Eventually we will get u public option  and the number of people covered will expand until it essentially becomes a single payer program - or the ACA's light mandates will allow people to sign up when sick and drop when healthy, leading to high permiums and unsustainable private plans, which will go into bankruptcy and become single-payer plans under court supervision.  We will get there anyway, the question is how soon and with how much disruption. Again, that last bit will be up to legislators and lawyers.

Friday, January 22, 2016

Obama's Deportation Raids Are Horrific | National Catholic Reporter

Obama's Deportation Raids Are Horrific | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: I hope that this was not a presidential level decision, or even at the level of the Secretary of Homeland Security - and if it was it would be because honoring refugee claims would acknowledge that allied governments have failed.  My hope is that some SES-3 has been developing these plans and was now ready to put them into action.  Sometimes the permanent government does things like that in enforcing the law with too much zeal.  I hope it was not an Obama appointee who blessed this.  If it was, he should be publicly fired.  If it was an SES member acting on his own, it is time for him to be retired with no doubt left that more care should be taken in deporting families.  Of course, the immigration law is among the worst for due process.  Deportees are never advised of their rights and culture of DHS is fine with getting rid of them without challenge.  Sadly, changing that culture is probably below the President's level of visibility.  Only reports such as this can raise that level.

Thursday, January 21, 2016

Links for 01/21/16 | National Catholic Reporter

Links for 01/21/16 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: In comments other places I noted on the Reich article that abortion may have been an issue - not necessarily abortion itself, but the Catholic bishop's insistence that it was the key issue of the day (which is not true, by the way - abortion has been happening at the hands of midwives as long as there have been midwives).



The same kind of locational data is presented for minority neighborhoods - these new data are a reason do discount those old data.  Planned Parenthood likely locates to where it can find cheap and clean office space with parking.  Five miles is a long way to say something is up.  If they moved facilities across the street and they were busy then I might be concerned.



Just after we were married, the priest who married us invited us both to have our feet washed.  We declined because of other spiritual commitments, but my wife's gender would not have gotten in the way.  The Pope has signaled that he knows he can act unilaterally, so a few bishops should start becoming very cautious on opposing him.  I wonder if the whole female agenda thing at the March for Life is providing cover for the Pope telling the American Bishops to stay away?

The Pro-Life Movement & the Blizzard It Created | National Catholic Reporter

The Pro-Life Movement & the Blizzard It Created | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: The sponsors of the March for Life should see this blizzard as a sign from God to quit chasing the dubious victory of overturning Roe (which would have the effect of de-nationalizing equal protection law - something that cannot be allowed) and seeking a legislative solution for the second and third trimesters (at least specifying that abortions in these terms, or at least post assisted viability, be conducted by induction rather than D&X and D&C).  First trimester abortions are impossible to stop through criminal law without requiring a death certificate and a possible witch hunt for every miscarriage (that is what equal protection would do if you made first trimester embryos legal people).



As for the Church's involvement - I suspect the reason the NRLC does not post its board information is because too many Catholic bishops are on it.  The movement certainly gets lots of funding from the Church, as the Lenten Appeal funds Catholic pro-life groups, probably in their entirety.  Such a coalition is as important as NARAL-Pro Choice America and Emily's list (and I am quite sure there are bundling campaigns for the pro-life cause).  Note well that the start of most appeals is soon after January 22nd.



There is more than one way to skin a cat.  Mostly abortions happen because the child would disrupt the marriage, education or career of the mother.  Treat these problems by enacting a child tax credit large enough to take care of the child and have husbands look the other way in adultery - and have Catholic and other schools, as well as employers, accomodate teen mothers and fathers in their educations and careers while having the child (instead of trying to send the message that doing so is cooperating with the evil of pre-marital sex - a message which causes abortion) and you will find plenty of feminist supporters, but probably not so many Republicans.

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Links for 01/20/16 | National Catholic Reporter

Links for 01/20/16 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: This could simply be a Pastor preaching the readings of the day.  Would that every pastor did likewise.  Of course, I can see where this particular homily might have some geo-relgious meaning that the old guard who thinks change is a mark of error would not like.



While attacking racism is essential, attacking classism is as essential in the Church if it is to accomplish its gospel mission.  That means establishing adult education high schools for remedial students - black, white and Latino and seeking to compete with for-profit private prisons by establishing secure Catholic Hospitals who will treat rather than simply house non-violent (and even violent) drug or mental health related offenders.  For too long Catholic Charities organizations have worked with organizations like Corrections Corporation of America - doing good work but at the same time cooperating with evil.  The Church must be the lead partner.  Likewise, our academic system has been about steering people to college - especially future priests.  There are a whole lot of people who won't ever go to college who need a trade - although even these programs might intervene on poor past education and send the under-served onto a college track.



Mark Silk says what I did a few days ago, that the New York thing is really a Jewish thing.  Of course, the New York Jewish Elite was self-conscious about its status way back when and its values did inform the social liberal movement, from the women's movement to gay rights - and for that I say thank you.

Sarah Palin Endorses Trump, You Betcha! | National Catholic Reporter

Sarah Palin Endorses Trump, You Betcha! | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Recent studies show that the connection Donald Trump voters have with each other is profound authoritarianism - from an authoritarian government that makes people - especially "those people" - behave, to authoritarian pastors that condemn abortion, gays and gay marriage to an authoritarian God who will punish evildoers with Hell.  The same crowd loved Sarah Palin and they love Ted Cruz (who is at least aware of tax policy and other issues).  Game change showed how little Palin valued preparation, at least at first - I am sure preparing Donald Trump is equally a chore.  Of course, Game Change the book, rather than Game Change the move, also presents a rather unflattering picture of the Clintons.  I wonder if anyone is releasing a movie on that part sometime in the next few months?  That would be interesting - better now when it can influence the nomination to after the nomination is secured and it becomes a general election tool.

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Links for 01/19/16 | National Catholic Reporter

Links for 01/19/16 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Much was actually done in reaction to the financial crisis - however it was mostly hijacked by big business.  The Federal Reserve maintained liquidity - which is the one thing that benefited everyone - there were few lines at banks and ATMs. TARP was passed, but because a provision was added to prohibit paying big salaries to TARP banks, they all paid off their loans rather than helping borrowers.  Lastly, Dodd-Frank put forward many essential reforms - which the Banks have sought to get out from under (not much luck) - but which did change the oil futures market at NYMEX to such an extent that garbage oil in Canada is now selling for negative fifty cents a barrell - meaning it is now considered toxic waste - rather than being a growth industry.  What has not been done are criminal prosecutions (although these take time to develop and the personnel that understands this stuff is rare if the federal goverment), though civil actions are going forward.  Most sadly missing is help for underwater borrowers - with the system using bankruptcy instead to aid them (which is what happened to us).  A write down might have saved my home and my marriage.  The origin of the modern Tea Party (post Obama) was to block any such action - but Larry Summers beat them to the punch from within the White House.  Larry has a foot in high finance as well as in the Democratic Party.



That there are no bishops on the agenda for the March for Life is a nice change.  Unless they are being witheld as surprise guests, call it the Francis Effect!



Notice to all that Bishop Flores will be at CUA for a Hispanic Innovators in the Faith Event.  Click for details.

Mr. Trump At Rev. Falwell's University | National Catholic Reporter

Mr. Trump At Rev. Falwell's University | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Frankly, I was not at all surprised at Trump going to Liberty.  The reality is that, rather than libertarian, both are authoritarian.  Neither tolerates dissent from either within or without (there are some bishops like that who are probably secretly on the Trump bandwagon).  Donald "Your fired" Trump is no compassionate egalitarian, except maybe with his family - although his ex-wifes may support my original thesis.  Trump, his spiritual mentor, Fallwell and his followers are all essentially devotees of the Prosperity Gospel, which goes farther than Mani - indeed it is a western form of Brahmanism.  In that view,some people will never win - especially the brownest of the brown (which is why this ilk hates Barack Obama so much). The anti-intellectualism is another common trait.  As MSW says, they deserve each other.

Monday, January 18, 2016

Links for 01/18/16 | National Catholic Reporter

Links for 01/18/16 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Both Pope Francis of last week and Richard Trumka in 2010 essentially called for a renewal of FDR's vision and accomplishment of Democratic Socialism - which is supported in Catholic Doctrine where the Church bemoans the diminishing of social security systems - what we would call welfare.  I could turn each address into a campaign speech for Bernie Sanders with very little effort (even though the reality is there are more poor - but also more rich as the result of the 2000s - and the new rich are not so quick to go back to any form of socialism).  I am fairly sure that Democratic Socialism is necessary but not sufficient.  Some form of cooperative socialism should be our eventual goal - and not the model in Distributism that would roll back industrial and scientific advance.  Indeed, and cooperative socialism must be more like Star Trek than the high middle ages, even if individuals grow their own food as part of it.



I see nothing new from Cupich abortion, which is a shame.  The pro-life movement is full of self-justified platitudes about the babies but no realistic agenda (i.e., one that does not become the poster child of the Federalist Society) - and as long as that is the case, most elected officials on both sides can either safely ignore it or join in the pro-life group hug supporting actions that are either of no consequence or that are clearly unconstitutional under Justice O'Connor's undue burdens test - one that Justice Kennedy and his middle of the road friends Roberts and Alito will continue to uphold.  There have been no new right winger's on the court and it is likely that the next of them will replace Scalia and Thomas - but with justices more like Kennedy.  In other words, some kind of legislative compromise that either brilliantly deals with first trimester abortions without burdening families facing miscarriage or ignores them because no equal protection solution is possible, is really what is required.  Obama said he is willing to go there - at least in the last and probably the middle trimester - but it is the pro-liferes who won't void their meal ticket.  Ideally, the solution should be more like Democratic Socialism, with more benefits and no criminal penalties - but that will neverf come with the GOP.

Last Night's Democratic Debate | National Catholic Reporter

Last Night's Democratic Debate | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Clinton is clearly running on her resume.  I see no vision but breaking the glass ceiling at the White House.  That appeals to liberal white women, so if MSW thinks Obama pays to much attention to Emily's List, wait until HRC is elected president.  While her other flaws are known, knowledge does not cancel them out.  Some of the same insecurities are on display in this campaign as in 2008 and in her tenure as Secretary of State.  I can't see that the woman featured in Game Change has changed in the last eight years.



As for Sanders, he is a Democratic Socialist on the order of FDR - so we have elected one before.  While many would like a cooperative socialist with a bit more familiarity with Marx (don't expect Bible quotes), we can live with a Democratic Socialist - which has its own vision. That vision has to start with campaign finance reform if we are ever going to get the kind of Congress that will pass things like a VAT, Single Payer healthcare and possibly even reforms that bring more ownership and control to rank and file workers.



The last time the need and the candidate merged so well was 1932, so its Bernie all the way, starting in Iowa (where second is enough to go on) and New Hampshire.  South Carolina may mean something, but because Clinton is building expectations, anything less than a big win is a loss.  The real lynch pin in New York, where native Bernie Sanders has an advantage.

Saturday, January 16, 2016

Last Night's GOP Debate in SC | National Catholic Reporter

Last Night's GOP Debate in SC | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: I am shocked, shocked I tell you, that this event was a FoxNews/GOP infomercial.  And people wonder why I don't watch these things.



As for Trump, he cited Larry Tribe because Tribe said the question of natural born citizenship is not yet settled. Of course, there are troubles locating Mama Cruz's birth certificate and the SCOTUS has never ruled - and if it did would likely say this is a political question to be settled January 6, 2017.  I hate it that I actually agree with Trump on part of this.  Just as shockingly, I agree with Cruz's Business Tax reform, which amounts to a subtraction Value Added Tax - although I would go further than Cruz.  I talk more about that on a comment on TaxVox today.



New York Values is a backhanded way to keep anti-semitism alive in the GOP.  It is the latest iteration of the Cultural Elite, which evolved in many stages from the New York Jewish Elite.  Think Woody Allen.



Not having watched the debate, I won't be responding to comments on style points, which are probably not as important as organization and retail politics in Iowa and New Hampshire.  Let us see who is still standing then and whether Trump makes one manic gaffe too many so that people start questioning his sanity. Some will get out when their 15 minutes are up.  Others, who want the job, may stay in, even with bad early numbers (like McCain had in 2008).

Thursday, January 14, 2016

Links for 01/14/16 | National Catholic Reporter

Links for 01/14/16 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Puerto Rico is sovereign because it can leave.  On the financial issue, if it leaves, it can have its own currency and print money to pay back its creditors - or default without a control board.  Until it leaves, however, it is linked to the U.S. the same way Canada is linked to the U.K. - with the Congress having more say in our relationship than Parliment does over Canada, although the Canadian head of state is the representative of the Queen - the governor of Puerto Rico has no connection to presidential appointing power.  The interesting case in parallel is the District of Columbia, which is the only territory that cannot decide to unilaterally kick the U.S. out.  In DC, the prosecutor is the U.S. Attorney, so all cases are essentially federal - allowing no separate local trial for the same offense.

The USCCB Brief in Zubik v. Burwell | National Catholic Reporter

The USCCB Brief in Zubik v. Burwell | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: The implied theat in the USCCB brief is tacky and endangers the possiblity that the Church could ever be trusted to act entirely in place of the government in education, corrections and social services.  One almost hopes that the case will go against them (which it will) and that they try to make good on their threat - closing Catholic Charities agencies (they can't touch Catholic Health) that don't deny their female employees access to birth control.  I suspect that most of these organizations will reorganize as private charities with no connection to the local bishop and that would be a good thing.  It would be bad for the Lenten Appeal, however, since most people won't give without the Charities component - thereby defunding most dicoesan Offices of Pro-Life Activities.  For those of us who think these are GOP cells, it is worth the price of admission.



As for the form argument, its not a permission slip, its a doctor's note or parental absense excuse.  The Church really has no case and I wonder what the Amicus from the Solicitor General says.  I hope they address this Amicus.



The Church is essentially trying to undo Griswold v. Connecticut for its female workers (which established the right to privacy - meaning that some private conduct is beyond the reach of the government).  Currently, the payment for these services is organized under the color of federal action - and a win by the Church would essentially put the employer in the place of the state - and it would therefore partially overturn Griswold, which cannot be allowed.  This is another case where the Church is speaking religious freedom but actually meaning religious power.  I find no moral compunction to tell them no.

Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Links for 01/13/16 | National Catholic Reporter

Links for 01/13/16 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Happy conferencing to environmental Catholics gathering in New York this weekend.



Opinionator and academic philosophy departments notwithstanding, philosophy, like theology, can actually still be done everywhere - with special thanks to Al Gore for inventing the Internet so that we can at least try to get our studies out for discussion. Additionally, all academic departments consider their doctorates to be of philosophy - sadly in the social sciences - which is much more relevant nowadays to questions of the good life - truth has become equated with regression analysis - essentially philosophy is now more math than anything else. Pity that - and pity on the Governor of Kentucky for messing with poor people. As some philosophers would say - bad Karma. I don't even want to get into Osteen's Karma, which is the politically correct way to say that I agree that he and his followers are sabotaging their after-lives.

Obama's last, thwarted state of the union address | National Catholic Reporter

Obama's last, thwarted state of the union address | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: This SOTU was essentially the President's swan song - or possibly throwing down the gauntlet to Republican legislators to quit listening to voters who hate him due to his age and race (although he is as much a son of the pilgrim founders as I am - and I am and we are all three equally old in our mid-50s). He cannot force the GOP to behave itself, we are not that kind of country - but maybe Ryan might.



Some things can be done unilaterally, like foreign policy - and if Obama has a grand strategy it is best not to share it - such things are kept close to the vest when negotiating with both adversaries and allies.



One thing that did not get mentioned was what he did mention in his second debate with John McCain - coming to some agreement on all forms of late term abortion, not just partial birth - likely also including trimester limits. I suspect that the whole FOCA effort by the bishops was an attempt to prevent compromise on this, since no Supreme Court will overturn Roe if a compromise is in place on these issues - they would not have to - the compromise would be the law of the land.



I suspect it is the USCCB and the NRLC who resist compromise more than Emily's List, NARAL-Pro Choice America and NOW. This would be the year to do it - and since Obama is a seemless garment of life kind of guy, it would likely include huge aid package for Down's families and higher Child Tax Credits for all. Again, it is the GOP who would resist such things - but maybe Biden and Ryan, both good Catholic boys, can work something out behind the scenes.

Links for 01/12/16 | National Catholic Reporter

Links for 01/12/16 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: One wonders if Ms. Davis knows that she can't demonstrate during the speech, and will be arrested if she does. As far as I know, she behaved herself. I am sure it was torture for her.



I suspect that everyone at Ave Maria knows what they are getting into.  I am sure there is an apocolyptic literature book club (like my grandmother used to read).



Hopefully some other young snot won't buy TNR.  Of course, when I read political screeds, I favor The Nation.  Long live Greta!



When I was in college, leg warmers were the thing.  My roommate, Frank, had a particular fondness for how they looked - kind of like yoga pants to do now.  Markets are about commodities, but they are also about human tastes and preferences.  Don't blame economics for the fact that people behave shamefully - especially capitalists who wring every dollar out of both workers and consumers they can.  The problem there is market failure - oligopoly, oligopsony (in labor), monopoly, monopsony, and to a lesser extent monopolistic competition and monopsonistic competition.  Both of the last two have product differentiation as a key factor separating products and individuals.  Which is why the white guy gets hired most of the time, as well as the younger guy.  Note may repeating the word guy - especially when the air gets rarer in the Executive Suite.  Oddly enough, a coopertate socialist model may be the closest we can get to pure competition in labor markets - as those things like education and longevity can be priced separately by paying the tuition of workers and giving stock rather than a pay raise every year.  If you are looking for a third way, that is it.

The Supreme Court & Unions | National Catholic Reporter

The Supreme Court & Unions | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: The problem here is that union membership in these cases is optional - so non-members are outsiders in debates on educational policy issues.  Something has to give. In other words, the problem is an open shop.  In a closed shop, teachers could be heard on these issues in democratic discussions.  One could argue that because they have no voice, they should not have to pay.  I would counter, however, that the aggreived teachers have their own remedy - join.  When they declined to do so, they gave up their right to speak.  Membership has its privileges - and non-membership should not benefit from a free ride.  Indeed, their problem of not being able to help make education policy for the union is not grounds to stiff the union.  The best answer is a closed shop.  And Catholic bishops should quit resisting unionization in their schools.  Until they do, they, they don't get a place at the table in this debate either.

Tuesday, January 12, 2016

Links for 01/11/16 | National Catholic Reporter

Links for 01/11/16 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Francis did not manipulate the Synod - the Holy Spirit did - which is as it should be.



Salt & Light give us basic stuff on papal teachings. Rather than recommending that this Pope wrote E.G., let us remember that this is part of the year of mercy and will be presented to the bishops and the Church as an offer that they can't refuse. One that hears the people, not those who think that pietousness is more important than morality that is explained in terms of the human condition as it is now.  We are cultural creatures, which means human nature does change with time.  This pope gets that.



The Governor of Texas is mimicking a long held belief that we need a constitutional convention to fix things.  However, the members of the state legislatures who call conventions and who will likely be among the conventioneers will be from the same political committees as their local member of Congress.  My guess is that unless there is a ground-swell against gay marriage, no convention will happen.  The amendments offered are for public consumption.  They are not serious.  They represent a grade school understanding of the way our government works.  Going to college, graduate school or law school actually changes how most people think about these issues.

No Nostalgia For Reagan | National Catholic Reporter

No Nostalgia For Reagan | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: A few things - it was the lower tax rates on the wealthy that made union busting pay.  Also, Paul Volker wringing inflation out of the economy was aided by such cuts and union busting - ending the demand pull on inflation by labor.  That wringing did not cause growth.  It was entirely due to deficit spending.



On the Soviets, the establishment in defense and intelligence knew exactly how poor they were, even before the defense buildup.  The buildup then, as now, was a jobs program for defense firms and their congressional districts.  The link to actual defense needs was minimal.  We are buying the latest thing because it is the latest thing - not because we can't win with what we have.



The other point on foreign policy is that Reagan yielded his Central American policy to the CIA and probably to its former director, his Vice President, who has never been held responsible for the excesses of El Salvador, Hondures or Guatemala.  The waive of immigration by criminals started under Reagan.  Bush and Obama sent the criminals back - leading to the current humanitarian crisis.

Friday, January 8, 2016

Links for 01/08/16 | National Catholic Reporter

Links for 01/08/16 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: I suspect Burke means that the documents are deception because he cannot believe they will ever be considered true - that doctrine is unchangeable.  Watch it change, Ray, watch it change.



Congratulations for being attacked by Lepanto.  When such scoundrels say bad things about you, your rewards in Heaven will be great.  They seem to conflate attacking the hierarchy to attacking the Church - which is in fact untrue.



Kaveny hits the nail on the head as far as the conundrum the pro-life movement exists in.  If they really believe that being fertilized makes you a person (rather than a fertilized seed), then the extreme actions taken by murderers for life must be just - yet it is not because we live in a country dominated by the rule of law.  If the justices say abortion is not unjust - indeed that restricting abortion is unjust to women - then that law must be enforced, even by Christian policemen going against a deluded pro-lifer.  Indeed, the so-called strategy for overturning Roe seems just as unjust - as it would end a rule of law tool of minorities who are otherwise at the mercy of majorities who would ban contraception, consider Latinos whites who can be discrimiated against legally (they often are anyway under the color of police power - but not explicitly), ban consensual private sodomy by both gays and heterosexuals,deny benefits to the children of undocumented aliens (including education), deny gay people the right to marry, and who would ban or supress the Catholic Church in the south because it is led by the anti-Christ . Now, the Church does not like some of these results - but the method we used to get there is beyond reproach and overturning Roe by denying federal supremacy in equal protection would be unjust indeed.  The fact that the Church benefits from such equal protection - and will eventually benefit when the Blaine Amendments are ruled unconstitutional should give it pause.  The sanctuary movement, by the way, is revolutionary and disobedient - not covered the same way under the rule of law.



I agree with Presidet Obama about the Queen of Soul performing Natural Woman.  I also cried.  Lets stipulate that this was an anthem of the sexual revolution and that maybe that was not a bad thing.  Also a good thing is that we have events that a President attends that are special in our national life.

Cardinal Turkson on Business Vocation | National Catholic Reporter

Cardinal Turkson on Business Vocation | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Interesting stuff by Cardinal Turkson.  Since I do a lot of writing and thinking in this are, I have a few comments.  In the end, business needs to not be just more ethical - it must transform who owns it, who controls it and how those people are selected.  If micro-enterprise can be cooperatively owed, so can large, global firms.  Indeed, enough large global firms, owned and democratically controlled by their employees will not provide microenterprise, it will educate the peasants, give them a job and give them a vote in the larger business.  Of course, that also makes them consumers - as capitalism does - but cooperative consumers usually purchase internally - including a modern house that might even produce food - which would provide everyone fulfilling work even after the house is paid for and a lifetime dividend income is secured.  Interestingly, because such cooperatives might include social services in lieu of external taxes - likely provided by the Church - the Koch brothers may even get on board with it.

Links for 01/07/06 | National Catholic Reporter

Links for 01/07/06 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Sometimes the good guys win the day - being honored even by those you would expect to take an opposing view.

The Church and Her 'Enemies': Garnett versus Pius VII | National Catholic Reporter

The Church and Her 'Enemies': Garnett versus Pius VII | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: The only people looking for a fight on this are the Authoritarians, and they have already won the legal battle.  They at least believe their lawyers when they say there is no case  The moral battle, of course, if fought in every heart and the Church is losing that one.  Most educated Catholics know that the Church is but a witness to a marriage performed by the party and that fecundity is not a requirement for a Catholic union - just functionality.  While Authoritarians don't like how gay functionality exists, they cannot doubt that function is present - nor the bond between the parties.  The clergy will likely begin to quietly bless gay weddings - at least the gay clergy - as families with gay members ask for such a blessing.  There might also be a rush to the exits by gay priests who can finally marry that special man - possibly another priest.  In that case, things may happen very quickly on both married priests and gay marriage.



The major sin, of course, was the hierarchy forcing (or just causing people to assume) that long time companions did not have spousal rights when in the hospital (at least now the Catholic hospitals recognize such rights) - deferring to the family of origin (thus infantalizing gays) in vainglorious hope of some recanting in a death bed confession - which would not be necessary because being gay and acting on that in responsible sex is arguably not sinful (Fagothy's Right and Reason concedes as much - saying that only theistic authority prevents outright acceptance of gay relationships - which is a world of reason is throwing in the towel).  That little bit of logic has let thousands of gay men become priests in good conscience.  That so many clery speak out shows evidence of a cover-up more than doctrinal certainty.



In Pius VII's day, the practice of kings nominating bishops made the evolution toward papal appointment necessary,even as the Pope and bishops were losing secular power, as well as having to concede that religious freedom was the reality, even though they were grumpy about it until Vatican II (see the parallels with gay marriage).  What we have left is doctrinal authoritarianism - which is also wrong.  Give election of bishops back to the clergy or the people and that authoritarianism goes away - which would be refreshing.



So, what is left for the Church without doctrinal authoritarianism (replaced by right reason and conscience)?  I contend that the Church excels much more in providing Catholic Schools (even to non-Catholic kids), social services (although Catholic adoption sometimes seems like kidnapping) and health care.  I believe expanding these to managing welfare caseloads, adult literacy and mental health care - including residential care in lieu of corrections would better fulfill the commands of Christ and grousing over gay marriage - and that a more democratic management of Catholic affairs (say through lay deacon(ness)s who elect a diocesean administrator (while the pastors elect the bishop or a local abbess) would facilitate, not hamper, such a movement.  Over-reacing to HHS contraception mandates shows why both democratization is necessary and how essential the social mission of the Church is.

Thursday, January 7, 2016

Links for 01/06/06 | National Catholic Reporter

Links for 01/06/06 | National Catholic Reporter Garnett provides good legal advice, although I am not sure about trusting the Church's lawyers - which are bringing what amount to nuissance lawsuits over contraception and who failed so miserably in serving the people of God, rather than the clergy, in the many instances of child sexual abuse - especially those which sealed the records and moved the priests.  In the end, the legal rights of the Church to religious power over its employees are, while constitutional, not likely to last in the face of a people of God radicalized to accept the holiness of their gay children's marriages and to seek that holiness recognized by the clergy. (feel free to borrow that line).



Something has to give with giving services to poor and minority populations underserved by banks.  While those with cash benefits do have a card to use - it often does not have a Visa plate, so it is only good for withdrawing money, sometimes with fees.  Using the postal service for cashing paychecks or withdrawing welfare dollars (and for Heaven's sakes, while you are at it allow some SNAP benefits to be converted to cash - as the underground interest rate is 100% per month - or 1200% per year - when you turn your card over to these modern day loan sharks who give you 50 cents on the dollar for your food stamps).



The Holy Father again says about what any parish should say.  Too bad he does not publish his homilies in advance or send them privately to parish priests in time for them to preach on these themes.  Of course, while on the Magi, reverse engineering the Star of Bethlehem to what would attract the astrologers shows Jesus was likely born April 17, 6 BCE - which has unfortunate reincarnation overtones during Eastertide, while leaving Yuletide to the mercy of the pagans who invented it (and whose rites remain with us to this day for very good reasons of human psychology).  It would also irritate the Trads to tell the truth on this issue, so Happy Three Kings Day!

Obama's Speech on Gun Violence | National Catholic Reporter

Obama's Speech on Gun Violence | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: The problem with Democrats in pro-life districts is that when a pro-life Democrat wins, the Susan B. Anthony Fund tells lies about him to rile GOP pro-life voters.  It is more the reason for the 2010 swing than anything else.  That swing, however, made even a glimmer of hope on gun legislation fade out entirely - although there were plenty of pro-gun Democrats in 2009 - enough to derail voting rights for D.C. when a gun rider was added (a rider made unnecessary thanks to Scalia).



The myth behind gun rights is that there is some constitutional right to overthrow the government if necessary.  The thing is, the Supreme Court ruled on that issue.  No such right exists - at least under the current Constitution.  Indeed, voting as if it did is actually a violation of a member of Congress' oath of office, as such a view gives sympathy to domestic enemies of the Constitution.  Even Scalia only concedes gun rights for individual protection in the home.  Patriotic insurrection - a contradiction in terms - is not allowed.  Here is hoping that when the Oregon squatters are finally arrested, their guns are taken and they are added to the database of people not allowed to purchase a gun.



On the mentally ill, the use of the registry should be expanded to include voluntary commits as well.  At that time, most patients would even be willing to sign away their gun rights, especially those who have attempted suicide.  For all the talk about not supporting assisted suicide, this is a much more important provision than going after compassionate doctors who would end their patient's suffering.  I would much prefer to die before cancer gets me with an injection than by my own hand with a legal or illegal gun because of an episode of depression that could be cured with a medication adjustment.

Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Links for 01/05/16 | National Catholic Reporter

Links for 01/05/16 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: I guess it is just irony that Bishop Barron's column recirculated when it did (unless the Chancery is lying because someone noticed).  I have never thought to reprint a column based on random number generation, but I guess that would save work when I don't feel like writing, not that readers would notice.  Still, I at least like to keep it topical and am glad for dialogue - although the worst impediment to dialogue is not a slated response, it is ignoring what the other person has to say - especially when the point they make is uncomfortably closer to the truth than you would like.



The Sister Carol "Dear Abby" link does not work.



The Luttrell is not specifically anti-Obama, although I can see how some could take it that way.  There is enough wiggle room in the language to make it seem he is really talkingn about civilian militia who would respond with violence to any armed invasion by ISIL or its agents.  Of course, you don't need a gun to resist.  Ask anyone who has tackled a terrorist trying to light a shoe or his underwear on an international flight.  Once Americans are faced with a real threat they act without orders.  Its what makes this country great.  Of course, if he intentds to make this about Obama, he's simply going to lose, since Barack is from the same pilgrim stock as any other American patriot.

Hiring & Firing LGBT Catholics | National Catholic Reporter

Hiring & Firing LGBT Catholics | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: That the Church can fire ministers, including music ministers, is beyond legal dispute and no lawyer would litigate that.  Snark about post-Vatican II liberals aside, music is a very visible ministry - and if not the legal case for the firing is sketchy at best. The remarks that all people who believe are entitled to be treated with dignity by the Church are troubling - as he is essentially saying that dignity (and therefore truth) is relative to membership.  The Church must respect the dignity of all, including those within its ranks that disagree with it.  Otherwise, the Church is essentially an authoritarianism with legal sanction - which would make Hossanna Tabor a wrong decision, respecting religious power rather than religious freedom.  Indeed, had the Church respected the points made by Luthur as a counter-witness to its wrongful actions, he would be listed among the saints rather than a cause for hundreds of years of intersectarian strife - including violence in the name of God - which is a blasphemy.



As to the truth of what the Church did, its is absolutely wrong.  No question at all.  The only Gospel witness against homosexuality is against pederastry - the sexual leading astry of children (some authoritarians claim doctrinal heresy was the issue Jesus was addressing, but then he would have been guilty since in the eyes of the Sanhedran, he was a heretic and a blasphemer).  Those who condoned child sexual abuse should reflect on that, especially if they are uncharitable to gay marrieds - for charity must be given to all (says the Samaritan Romany).  Of course, in this case, charity and justice will be demanded not by gay couples (except for some gay priests who leave in pairs to get married) but by their families who want to put on a gay wedding, including a wedding Mass.  They will ultimately win.



This will happen soon given the propensity of Catholic voters to vote like the rest of the population (no more Catholic electoral ghetto) - and assuming this similarity applies to identity politics issues, like gay rights and marriage.  The doctrinal reality is that, in the Catholic Church, marriage is not a magic act - it is a sacrament performed by the couple with the priest as the optional witess for God and the community.  Furhter, there is no prohibition on marriage based on fecundity, only functionality. The traditionalist objection is ultimately based on the sex acts gays engage in - and that objection is basically worthy of sixth grader (ewww, icky).  Sexual aversion is not an indicator of moral reprobation - it is itself a sin of the flesh to be overcome with faith.  Those who announce that faith are to be commended, not fired - regardless of the legal protections of the Church.

Links for 1/4/16 | National Catholic Reporter

Links for 1/4/16 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Harold shines a light on the change in our economic classes - which owe more to tax policy than rule 10b-18.  Tax policy changes will be needed to fix them, including encouragiing and probably subsidizing employee-ownership of the workplace.  10b-18 is a tool - and it is a tool that can be used as much for consolidating employee-owership from shareholders to workers as from shareholders to CEOs.  Still, Harold will be missed, although he is not going far.



The pope at Mary Major is simply amplifying the gospel of the day, although I have never heard her used as the mother of forgiveess, so this may an overreach by Francis.  I actually think the Holy Spirit is the mother of forgiveness, but that is because I know that Spirit in biblical greek is a feminine word.



Crisis is another publication that burns the eyes.  The whole buy guns because Obama may take them is bunk.  That whole movement is more buy guns because Obama is black.  That kind of racism should make fools like Ruse excommunicate.

Ross Douthat's Erasmus Lecture | National Catholic Reporter

Ross Douthat's Erasmus Lecture | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: I will start by saying I am commenting on the comments, not the lecture.  My eyes burn if they are exposed to such garbage as First Things.  I also don't know why they would publish an Erasmus lecture or why it would be about conservatives.  Erasmus was a Christian Humanist - a humanist believes that natural law comes from and is for the human life, not some divine after-life.  In other words, morality is about this life, not the next - at least for us humanists, Christian and secular.  That is as far from the authoritarian right as you can get.



Douthat should not call these people conservatives.  They are traditionalists at best and authoritarians more acurately.  The liberal trads cite encyclicals for their economic points, which the authoritarians ignore because authoritarians are about organization from the top - and Rerum Novarum is about counter-organizing from the bottom.  Modernists do not dislike these encyclicals, but are not limited by them as the sole truth.  What has people upset with Francis is his liberation theology, which essentially goes the same place - outside the magisterium - for answers.  The conservative support for the war was all about authoritarianism, which loves the military - and the sexual revolution was about both anti-authoritarianism and a modern acceptance of sexuality as a good thing.  Its not about consumerism, its about rejection of sexual advice by celibates - whether in the single or married lifestyles - and including the gay ones.



Douthat is right about the smugness of the conservatives.  They thought all the Vatican II priests had left to get married.  They did not believe one of them would become pope!  The Hegelian reference is to the evolution of God (the idea, not God Herself - note the Her -which is actually ancient in Christianity) in human understanding.  It is also a reference to Modernism, albeit an unknowing one.



There was nothing revolutionary about the result of Vatican II (save a decade where its spirit was honored), however the victor rights the rules - and at the time the victor was St. John Paul II, who was an opponent of any change.  While the Index of Forbidden Books is gone, it would have been gone anyway as so many titles published annually would have made it impossible to uphold - and now the CDF merely goes after doctrinal rebels - not Harry Potter.  Still, Saint JPII did reject capitalism explicitly, which the authoritarians ignored because capitalism is also a source of authority.  They really freaked at Benedict and Francis gives them well deserved nightmares.



Maciel and Law and all the episcopal enablers did so in the interest of authority, thinking that their authority would damaged if the truth got out (and that they could do no wrong anyway).  They were not wrong about  their loss of authority, but it was about time.  That is the difference between authority and leadership (which is the antithesis of authority because it depends on participation by those led - which is also why the pro-life movement in the Church is a banging gong).  Archbishop Cupich is a leader, which frightens the authoritarians, as well as conservatives, like Douthat, in general. They don't like Francis either.  Oddly, it is not Francis who is the relativist.  Francis actually seeks truth - for all, not just for Catholics under his authority.  The authoritarian Magisterium is the height of relativism, but is blind that fact because it really cares little for those outside the Church, or the Catholic sect of Western Christianity.  Francis reaches outside the group with love, not scorn, as the authoritarians do.



That Francis is looking remarriage is good and as a modernists, I hope he does change doctrines.  The view of marriage the old authoritarians cling to is an authoritarian one where women are chattel.  Those days are really gone and divorce is a part of that.  While that is painful for some males who liked their privileged place and hate that their wives leave them (including me).  That is not bowing to the world, it is accepting reality.  Modernism is about reality over tradition - a good bet in most cases when human conduct is the subject.



MSW and Douthat talk about the weakness of the Catholic Center.  I think the Center is strong.  It goes to Church, sometimes weekly, sometimes monthly, sometimes CEO - or not at all.  Its the vast majority that simply don't care for our little debates.  They come to pray - not because they are told to but because it feeds their souls.  They don't necessarily all pay, but many do (which the authoritarians wrongly see as other than charity - they think its an endorsement) - and they don't necessarily obey - they vote Democratic and Republican the same as others and practice contraception almost universally.  They come for spirituality, not politics.  Perhaps they are the smart ones.