Friday, June 30, 2017

Links for 06/30/17

Links for 06/30/17: Kudos to Bishop Patrick McGrath of San Jose, California, for clarifying that in his diocese, families that present themselves for a funeral in good faith are to be given a funeral. As a sign of how th...

MGB:_Most bishops are more pastoral than partisan. Blessings on the former. The latter have cut themselves off from blessedness. Using their offices for partisanship cannot look good to the Big Guy and I am not talking Francis.

Trump’s problems are more existential than health care. The question is when will Pence and the Cabinet do the right thing - or Congress?

Good for the U  I hope the SEIU joins them, as well as their employers.

This piece must have been ghosted by some of those Communist Cardinals the right wing so fear. It is so on point, I am sure the Napa Institute types will ignore it. It also goes against those who would automate everyone out of some kind of work, but is with those of us who support worker solidarity, a high minimum wage and larger child tax credits.


Fred Rotondaro had a knack for friendship across DC divides

Fred Rotondaro had a knack for friendship across DC divides: Distinctly Catholic: Washington's Catholic community lost one of its great personalities -- one who loved family and relished a good argument -- when Rotondaro died this week at age 78.

MGB:_Intermarriage has probably destroyed the days of ethnic Catholicism, at least among Europeans. Indeed, there is a generation out there where one parent is not even Catholic or a convert to Catholicism, whose grandfather was likely to be lodge member back in the days where that meant not only anti-clerical but anti-Catholic. Of course, among the Italians you might find an unrepentant Mason or too, as well as among today’s ethnic Catholics from the south and the Philippines.  Serious anti-clericalism is harder to find, but I do my best where some of our bishops are concerned. Leaving the Church is the coward’s way out and Fred never went anywhere. May he rest in peace.

Thursday, June 29, 2017

Links for 06/29/17

Links for 06/29/17: Buona festa a tutti! As we are are Roman Catholics, this feast day belongs to all of us. Two special shout outs to the good people at Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Omaha, Nebraska, who celebrate the...

MGB:_Look for Cardinal Sean to be named Latin Patriarch of the North American English speaking Church. Then 75 is no barrier.

The only ways out of the violence are to provide guaranteed income for each child and a higher minimum wage for work or education, get the guns out of the nearby suburbs, retrain the police and for Illinois to legalize pot. Ministry will help, but there are systemic problems. The Church needs to get more political on all of them.

On Trinity, I don't tweet or read tweets very often. They will rarely help you.

SPLC and associated firms are in the vanguard against Trumpism and the white nationalism that has plagued us since Obama's nomination caught the right-wing hate machine off guard. Don't shoot the messenger when it is the GOP that became corrupt.

Democrats for Life act like the term "oppose abortion" is somehow innocuous. Like the usual Republican anti-abortionists, they rarely say what "oppose abortion" means. Do they want to criminalize it? If so, how? Do they want federal supremacy in equal protection and due process cases overturned so that states decide these matters, including gay marriage, legal sodomy, contraception and the rights of Catholics in the south or Latinos not to be considered whites and therefore without protection? Do they want Congress to decide the issue of when personhood begins and if so, when? If they succeed, will only abortions be punished or, in like all contract killings, women too? Are they willing to forestall criminalization and instead seek adequate incomes for parents with children (adequate according to USDA is $1000 per child per month) through tax credits? How they answer these questions determines whether the platform changes. Being vague does not.

The church is not a museum, so let Francis change things

The church is not a museum, so let Francis change things: Distinctly Catholic: The four cardinals with their five dubia are back. They requested an audience because they want to know why the pope never answered their questions.

MGB: The four Cardinals are like pharisees confronting the Christ to try to trip him up.  While I would have also preferred that post-marital marriage not be defined as adultery in some situations, at least for the person harmed in the original marriage (the perpetrator should never be allowed to marry again unless given permission by the former spouse), putting into formal direction what happens in most of the Church anyway is at least a step in the right direction.  While it would be petty of Francis to discipline the offensive Cardinals, warning the Register and EWTN about their tendency to cooperate with scandal (as the other NCR was warned by Benedict, as well as America) would be poetic justice indeed. The fact is that, as non-pastors, they have no stake in this issue, while as a divorced man, I do have such a stake.  I am writing an answer to their questions and will post it shortly, since my rank as a retired Catholic guy is the same as theirs.

Wednesday, June 28, 2017

Links for 06/28/17

Links for 06/28/17: At the American Spectator, George Neumyer

MGB: They were actually Benedict's Communist Cardinals.  They helped write Caritas in Veritate.  As for the question, just ignore anything in the Spectator.  Don't read, don't share.  It destroys their power.  Find someone better to read who is being ignored instead.

This decision is the second step (Charter Schools are the first) toward publicly funded Catholic elementary schools (colleges and universities already get support).  Indeed, the prohibition on such funding was explictly anti-Catholic and must be repealed.  Of course, when this happens, the Church should consider allowing unions.

Swim teams usually are formed at the lowest levels from neighborhood pools, which were segregated and unequal, as were the neighborhoods themselves (which largely still are).  It will take a more socialistic workplace that buys housing for employees to stop this, but bravo to our new phenom.

Ain't it a thing.

Tuesday, June 27, 2017

Links for 06/27/17

Links for 06/27/17: At Politico, Mitchell Stephens says good riddance to nonpartisan journalism. I am of two minds about this. It was undoubtedly good for the country to have the likes of Walter Cronkite

MGB: At some point, a president can be so bad that even non-partisan journalists have to call him the liar that he is.  Everyone thought they were cruel to Nixon.  History proves otherwise.  The mainstream press examines whomever is in charge.  No one gets a pass.

There is who loses and who gains.  While the red states have the most pain, it is fairly wide spread.  It is hard to map who gets most of the benefit, since it is a significantly smaller universe.

As I said this morning, the religious left have to focus their eye on reform of Church as well as reform of state and the workplace.  You cannot ignore injustice one place and speak out it in the other.  Talking about full-on socialism is essential, while baptizing it with their own presence so that the secularists lose their perceived monopoly on justice.

Gerson has either seen too many episodes of Orphan Black or maybe not enough.  As long as there is love, we will continue to reach for God.

Catholic left should avoid becoming explicitly partisan

Catholic left should avoid becoming explicitly partisan: Distinctly Catholic: The Catholic left should not become closely tied to any one political party for a variety of reasons.

MGB: Catholicism should never be used to baptize neo-liberalism in the Clinton wing of the Democratic Party, however the Democratic Party won't survive if it remains identified with that wing, which won elections because it got funding. It will never dominate the far left wing of the Democrats, but the Christian Left can become part of it, whether it is a separate party or part of the larger coalition. The Catholic Left should not only be a part of the far left equation, but should also be the yeast for change in the Church itself. It must be in the vanguard when resisting the anti-abortion wing of the USCCB, showing the impossibility of overturning Roe or gay marriage because doing either would baptize rule of the Catholic Right Mob. It must lead the movement toward ordaining women deacons and later priests and in removing control of Church property and institutions from the clergy, for example Bishop Olmsted, giving it to the laity.

The secular far left, the Sanders Democratic Socialists, have a penchant for the atheism of Marx, although the Christian Left is still tolerated. We must be trusted as well, bringing forth a vision where a libertarian democratic socialist cooperative might fund its own school in lieu of taxes and that the school might even be Catholic if the cooperative decides its a good idea. The same is true for using Catholic Health facilities for medical care. Government will eventually fade away, but education and health care will not and the Church can help with that - but not the Church we have now. Catholic Social Thought is an asset to the movement and is foundational on living wages (to each according to their need). It is a natural fit, but only if it plays nice with the other children, especially the girls. It must be Radically Catholic, not just Distinctly Catholic. No having our cake and eating it to.

Supreme Court rules for Missouri church in 'playground' case

Supreme Court rules for Missouri church in 'playground' case: The Supreme Court has ruled for a Missouri church that claimed religious discrimination after it was refused state funds to improve its playground.

MGB: This ruling did not go far enough.  Unless the state does not have a Blaine Amendment, the Amendment, which was originally meant to prevent the funding of Catholic Schools with a very real history of  bad intent against Catholicism, must be struck down in every state.  Of course, this case will be useful in doing so.  Jay Sekulo should drop Trump as a client and file suit for Catholic school in Virginia to get fully funded.

Monday, June 26, 2017

Links for 06/26/17

Links for 06/26/17: At the Washington Post, Amber Phillips on how the Dems lost Georgia's sixth congressional district and the need for different leadership of the party. 

At Vox, an interview with Naomi Klein....

MGB: Amber is from Net Roots Nation originally and was interviewing someone from Democracy for America.  This interview may be a bit slanted to a Millennial point of view, which would favor Sanders.  I would not expect her to like Pelosi, but unless Mr. Ellison of Minnesota can get the votes from the rest of the caucus, removing Pelosi simply gives you Hoyer or Cummings.  The only way to change party leadership is for Sanders voters to start primarying Democrats in safe seats and the don't have the money to do that.

What Klein says about brand as distraction to let Trump's people move freely is correct, but a bit paranoid.  Court challenges will stop much of their administrative program.  She is right about warming, we need to start closing coal plants, not taxing their emissions.

Nones no longer say grace at meals.  Neither do people dining alone or in mixed religious company,

It is time to attack the natural born requirement for president on due process grounds and elect Arnold.

Bishop Paprocki's unhinged decree on same-sex marriage

Bishop Paprocki's unhinged decree on same-sex marriage: Distinctly Catholic: Bishop Thomas Paprocki of Springfield, Illinois, should be sacked. He issued a decree last week setting guidelines and limits for how the pastors in his diocese treat people in same-sex marriages.

MGB: He is using his office to fight the culture wars. It is almost reverse-simony although the original punishment for simony has not so far applied. He is right to suspect that gay priests are probably quietly blessing gay marriages, as they do second marriages and other civil marriages by Catholics.  He is technically correct on Canon 930 grounds, if you believe the Church is correct on homosexuality, which it is not.  This whole kinder and gentle approach does not help when renouncing teaching is needed.  As for denying burial, we used to do that with suicide and it was cruel, especially when the suicide was a teenager.  Now we know that a lot of gay teen suicides are those who are in extreme conflict because the Church condemns them as disordered but their hearts tell them they are not.  We call it mental illness but it is moral angst.  We cause that by not repudiating current teaching on homosexuality.  The irony on burial is thick and sad. Another form of priestly sexual abuse.

Friday, June 23, 2017

Links for 06/23/17

Links for 06/23/17: Asking Rich Lowry for advice about the Democratic Party is a little like asking a vegetarian whether you should go with the veal chop or the ribeye. But, in this essay at Politico, he makes some good ...

MGB: The way to compete in the Georgia sixth is to redistrict it first or enforce Fair Housing regulations so that Democrats people returning from the northern migration balance out the Republicans.  Of course, some of those returning Democrats turned Michigan into a Purple state.

We do need new Democratic leadership.  Instead of pandering to NARAL, we need to explain to Catholic voters that they are being scammed by the right to lifers whose entire strategy is to hope for justices to overturn federal equal protection supremacy, overturning Roe, gay marriage, legal sodomy, Latino rights as separate from whites and contraception.  The Church would love that, but it won't happen.

Bryce is like Joe the Plumber or Trump.  We need more people who know policy. That is how the working class is best served. Maybe if Bryce has a cousin who is a labor lawyer.

The immoral Senate health care bill

The immoral Senate health care bill: Distinctly Catholic: The Senate's "repeal and replace Obamacare" legislation, finally unveiled, is especially harmful to the young and elderly. It is a plague upon the U.S. people.

MGB: Letting insurers charge older people five times as much is the provision that cannot be allowed to stand - which I say as an older person. This kind of pain will hurt the GOP base more than it will help insurance companies. Insurance is about everyone having some pain and no one being overwhelmed, as this bill does.

I doubt that this will pass a Byrd rule challenge - not because it does not on paper but because there is no chance it will pick up seven Democratic votes in its current form. As far as I know, the challenge does not have to be true, it just has to have the requisite votes to overcome. This bill does not. Doesn't anyone in the Senate leadership read the Budget Act?

The reason this debate is happening is because Obama and the Democrats were too cute by half in financing the ACA. Had they not respected the Obama promise that no one under a certain income would pay more taxes, a more broad based funding source, such as a payroll tax or value added tax could have been found and there would be no impetus (donors) to push the GOP bill along. It is almost as if the Democrats wanted the GOP to stage this little morality play. This is fine if they can defeat it with the Byrd Rule or can put a VAT in now to at least partially repeal the high unearned-income taxes, leaving the other provisions to die by amendment. It would be better to simply combine this bill with tax reform (and federalize Medicaid for seniors and the disabled rather than cutting it). Of course, that defies the common sense rule - if it makes sense, it won't be discussed.

The important thing to note about the Republican bills is that they are not designed to make Obamacare better.  They are designed to make it and the prospects of private comprehensive health insurance worse.  The Republican ideal has always been Catastrophic Insurance supplemented by Health Savings Accounts.  The problem is that there are gaps between the two if you really get sick.  While these gaps could be filled with the Medical Line of Credit (which would also fund abortion services), the vast majority of Americans don't want to use their health insurance as just another investment vehicle.  They want full coverage when they get sick because health care is not a normal good.

The Democratic ideal is, of course, single payer.  Some call it Medicare for all, but Medicare Part C and Obamacare are not so very different, so that mission is accomplished.  Real single-payer is Medicaid for all, but that will not end the perpetual battle between health care and tax cutting, which is why the GOP resists VAT funding for entitlements and health because such taxes are easier to increase.  Still, the American public fears such socialistic sounding solutions (even if health insurance companies will likely administer any single-payer plan).  They also like their current comprehensive coverage, especially because employer pay most of it.

It may be that the way to get to single-payer is to let the Republicans destroy Obamacare and Comprehensive Insurance, although that would damage too many people along the way.  The best we can do is to call the GOP out for trying to make Obamacare and private insurance worse so that they can apply their "free market solution" and to note that they don't have the guts to even mention their preferred solution now.  Let's not help keep their secret.

Thursday, June 22, 2017

Link for 06/22/17

Link for 06/22/17: It is with the greatest sadness that we learned Archbishop John Quinn died suddenly this morning. He took ill in November had just gotten out of the hospital so all of his friends were hoping he was o...


MGB: RIP Archbishop Quinn.  One wonders if he ever participated in the commentary here?  At any rate, with Cardinal Bernardin, he was an example of what the Catholic Left should be.  May Pope Francis continue to be guided by his words.

Moral equivalence?

Moral equivalence?: Distinctly Catholic: There is no moral equivalence between the two major political parties from the standpoint of Catholic social teaching.

MGB:  The abortion issue is not really an issue because there are no real proposals to deal with it.  Democratic Catholics are ill-served by politicians who don't explain why Roe was rightly decided rather than invoking pluralism.  The solution to abortion is adequate family income.  The Democrats should lean on this one heavily, proposing a $1000 per month per child tax credit for employers to be distributed with payroll.  If this sounds socialistic, good, it is.  It is also mandated by Catholic Social Teaching, from Leo to Benedict and especially by Pius XI.  Of course, until the Democrats propose it, the Republicans can't be embarrassed into enacting it.  Whatever it takes. The Democratic problem is not abortion, it is neo-liberalism, which is Republican Lite - a way to pander to rich donors.  Until they take care of families, you might as well accept equivalency.

Wednesday, June 21, 2017

Links for 06/21/17

Links for 06/21/17: At the Washington Post, James Hohmann looks at the fallout from last night's special election in GA-6. The Democrat Jon Ossoff centered his campaign around the themes of civility and moderati...

MGB: So much for centrism.  Did not know he was a Clintonite.  He should have attacked Trump more.

It would be stupid for the Democrats to base their leadership decisions on the propaganda against them by non-Democrats.  Whether she retains or not depends on whether Sanders candidates challenge in safe seats and who wins the contested seats in 2018.  Whether large numbers of seats change hands depends on whether the Special Prosecutor finds anything and how these findings are resolved. Censure is predictable, but it won's look good in swing districts.  MSW does not like Pelosi over abortion politics.  Democrats need their Catholic members to explain why Roe was decided how it was, how it won't change and how the GOP is a scam for saying it can be. So far, Pelosi has not had the courage to teach her Catholic brethren the truth.

The religious left is centrist, whereas the left is secular.  Still, as an original Christian leftist, I have not problem supporting Democrats - or Socialists.

Democracy in the church seems like a fine idea -- in theory

Democracy in the church seems like a fine idea -- in theory: Distinctly Catholic: I am all for lots of consultation in the selection of new bishops. But there are pitfalls to increasing lay involvement in decision-making.

MGB: Francis was selected in a democratic election by Cardinals the world over.  There should not be a plebiscite for electing the Pope, however parishioners should be able to elect a lay deacon to administer their parish (who, by the way, should be lay, not clergy - no celibacy) , with the parents electing the board of the school who would hire the principal.   Parish and school employees would be considered outside Hosanna Tabor and would likely be protected by Perry as it is currently being used to prohibit anti-gay discrimination.

Whether the local bishop assigns the pastor and associates or they are hired by the deacon administrator is an interesting question, but the administrator should be able to fire them for cause.  There should be a diocesan level administrator elected by the deacon administrators  with the bishops elected by the clergy.   If Rome keeps appointing bishops, it's property should be vulnerable in child sex abuse lawsuits.  Thy can't have it both ways.

Tuesday, June 20, 2017

Links for 06/20/17

Links for 06/20/17: At the Washington Post, a profile of Jay Sekulow, who has joined President Trump's legal team. If I were hosting a rightwing talk show, I would want this guy on as a guest, but as my lawyer?

At A...

MGB: Jay has a unique view of the Constitution based more on Catholic natural law teaching than history and precedent.  If you want to make a moral statement (or fundraise), hire Jay.  If you want to win, hire someone else.  Such is the naivete of the right-wing legal community (all the way up to Scalia).

People who live by the shore in poor countries are poor and will die in flooding.  U.S. beach goers are richer and can live with plan B.  The same is true with property in fire zones.  In the U.S., warming triggers an insurance payout.  In Asia and Oceana, it means death.

The question is whether suburban Atlanta is looking like the Northern Virginia suburbs and how embarrassed people are about Trump.  Abortion was not an issue here, so it portends nothing to 2018, although the redistricting case may have more to say about that election than this race.

Don't overinterpret the outcome of Georgia's special election today

Don't overinterpret the outcome of Georgia's special election today: Distinctly Catholic: Georgia's 6th Congressional District special election is the most expensive House race in history, and democrats need to win.

MGB: If the Democrat wins this, it is bad news for Trump.  If the Democrat wins this and keeps it in 2018, it is bad news for the GOP as a whole.   A close GOP win is better news for Trump, but it is not good and a bigger win is good news for the local GOP.  Southern races have their own dynamic, although I have not heard that abortion has been an issue.  Until the Dems get more detailed with the voters on why the pro-life movement is a scam, they will lose votes on this.  There is no going back on gay marriage, so this issue will fade with importance.  Suburban Atlanta is a bit less racist than much of Georgia still is, which is why we are even talking about this race repudiating Trump.

Monday, June 19, 2017

Links for 06/19/17

Links for 06/19/17: At the Washington Post, the Supreme Court decides to take a case on redistricting. My prediction: They will defer to the political branches. 

Also in the WaPo, E.J. Dionne on the long, slow evis...

MGB: Redistricting is not a political question is bias is evident.  The current mix of redistricting decisions has been abused both ways.  Expect a new doctrine and expect it to be fairly unanimous.  Alito may dissent, but he may not.  Expect the core to be Bryer, Kennedy, Gorsuch and Thomas.

The Mr. Newt puts party before country is not news.  Nothing is happening now that did not happen among Nixophile in the early 70s.  The young people who came back from Viet Nam, wanted Nixon Now and have hated Carter, Mondale, Clinton, Kerry and Obama are having their last hurrah defending public thuggery.  The College Republican Club, graduates of Liberty and Ave Maria are promising partisanship over truth for the near future, with pro-life legal eagle Jay Sukalo defense attorney spin for Trump using terms even he can't believe.

Tip got negative ads to and used them as a badge of honor when fighting off the GOP. Nancy is protection against any foul constitutional amendment they may put forth.

Democrats and rural America

Democrats and rural America: Distinctly Catholic: Democrats know that the Republicans will play to rural voters' fears: The left must play to their hopes, and you have to get to know people to know what it is they hope for.

MGB: The problem with benefits is that they go to the poor for being poor.  Give every family with a worker or remedial/student trainee a child care tax cut of $1000 per child per month and you will build solidarity behind the concept of living wage and thus de-fang the GOP.

Of course, abortion is still an issue for rural voters.  Catholic politicians need to drop the pluralism line and explain why Roe was decided the way it is and why it cannot be overturned judicially.  Cast the question of when personhood begins as a federal legislative question, debate it until no one has any new ideas, compromise and disband both NARAL an the National right to Life Committee.  The GOP knows what would happen to it if a real compromise were enacted, so don't expect one, ever. Stating the strategy, however, would still take away their meal ticket.  Obama did this on a small scale in 2008.  Time to go big.

Friday, June 16, 2017

Links for 06/16/17

Links for 06/16/17: At Time magazine, Elizabeth Dias looks at the new generation of priests and how their vocations are both similar to and different from those of their predecessors. Really nicely done piece.

It is not...

MGB: Here is hoping that the new Pope Francis priests find ways to cope with the St. John Paul priests who are likely the pastors they serve, although some bishops  still remember the spirit of Vatican II.

Sadly, sometimes centrism leads to tax cuts that never should have been passed and health care reforms that lack a key element that would make them work (the pubic option).  Hopefully, Ron Wyden will take this to heart and oppose any compromise on health care or tax reform in this Congress.  It is time to draw a line in the sand.  There can also be no compromise on the right to privacy, no matter how much the Federalist would like to see the justices do so. Viability was the compromise. Compromise in the Congress on personhood is possible, but it would kill both movements by settling the issue.

Post-modernism is what follows neo-liberalism.  No wonder a neo-con like Berkowitz is peeved at it.  No wonder, since there are few post-modern Zionists. These are Bernie folks, aka the future.

The ice begins to break in conservative chokehold of USCCB

The ice begins to break in conservative chokehold of USCCB: Distinctly Catholic: Change comes to the U.S. bishops' conference slowly, but the latest meeting shows that it is indeed coming.

MGB: The recent promotions by Francis have got some of these bishops worried about their careers.  Whatever it takes.  There is not quite enough steam to start changing staff at the USCCB, although those who have hitched their fortunes to the GOP and Donald Trump have got to be worried, although they are not too worried because they can work with Pence (indeed, probably easier than with Trump, who is erratic).  I suspect that when you say religious liberty to most bishops, including those on the left, they will be thinking religious power - although it is the right-wingers who think of it as raw power rather than the power to make the moral argument.  It may take a generation to flush out those bishops who want to return to the bad old days were the local Monsignor could call the local Police Chief to get Lenny Bruce pulled off the stage.

Thursday, June 15, 2017

Links for 06/15/17

Links for 06/15/17: In this morning

MGB: The New Republican has moved to the right.  It is not yet the Trump Republican, but it is not so progressive anymore.

At some point, dumping on Drumpf becomes pathetic.  It is just not polite to  make fun of the mentally ill.

The post-shooting unity won't last, but it is a good reminder that the people on Capitol Hill are human beings.  Sadly, it often takes tragedy to bring us to truly human moments.  The shooting won't be a reason for Wyden and Schumer to roll over on either tax reform or health reform although it will make impeachment or agreeing on censure easier to do.

I suspect that the Senate wants to be able to make the case that the Democrats were not placated to pass the Senate bill, which is the only way the House Freedom Caucus will accept any changes they make.  It is doubtful that whatever they come up with will pass the Byrd Rule - which is not based on merit but votes.  They don't have those.  They need to try the wrong way before calling Wyden to deal.

'Young Radicals' follows progressives' pursuit of ideals into World War I

'Young Radicals' follows progressives' pursuit of ideals into World War I: Book Review, Part 2: The most fascinating part of Jeremy McCarter's book comes when the U.S. enters the war, and the young radicals face a dangerous new world.

MGB: Debbs, though a bit older, spent the war in prison for resisting it.  That should be worth a chapter.  Most radicals owe their position to the shoulders they stood on.  Suffragette's stand on Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and fellow prohibitionist Margaret Esther Brown Allen - my great-grandmother.  Now that's a story.  Cooperativists, stand on Maggie's husband, Silas Locke Allen, who has as much to do with that movement as Leo XIII, if not more so.

Wednesday, June 14, 2017

Links for 06/14/17

Links for 06/14/17: At the Center for Migration Studies, the text of a recent talk by Cardinal Daniel DiNardo on the topic of immigration. It is very well done which begs the question: Why don't the statements c...

MGB: I don't believe that USCCB Presidents bring their own staff, which is why you have a consistent group of Republican leaning staffers who nourish their relationship with the GOP on the pro-life issue.  They are true believers who seemingly don't understand that Roe will not be overturned in such a way as to turn it over to the states (nor will gay marriage, sodomy, Latino rights, etc.) - and that the GOP mostly uses them to get out Catholic conservative voters from the pulpit.

Secularization is a sign of an emerging middle class.  Using guilt and self-mortification was how the American clergy tried to deal with these issues in the 50s.  It was a miserable failure.  Raising up the poor and the other is much more in line with the Kingdom of God that Jesus announced.

Ossoff should try to not sound like a cultural elitist.  Still, a pro-lifer is not the ideal candidate.  Putting abortion into perspective as a non-issue will work better. Obama won on it. Attacking Trump should do the rest.

Tuesday, June 13, 2017

Links for 06/13/17

Links for 06/13/17: In the Washington Post, Gene Robinson looks at Gov. Sam Brownback's experiment in Kansas and concludes "trickle down economics doesn't work." Of course, it has never worked, but...

MGB: The failure of Kansas (and the success of states and cities who raised tax rates when property values tanked to get the same revenue) shows that Trump's proposals will hurt the country unless they lead to Keynesian deficits (like Reagan generated).

Buying indulgences and endowing a chair at Heritage are both acts of self-glorification.  They are attempts to control the afterlife, either personally or economically.  Neither work.  God will not be placated - the way out of punishment is forgiveness, not piety.  As for Austrian economics, don't get me started.

The Cabinet is either lying to the man because it has to or seriously admire his money so much that they will never consent to a 25th Amendment solution.  Time will tell whether their devotion is stronger than his insanity.

Europe rejects Trumpism

Europe rejects Trumpism: Distinctly Catholic: The backlash against President Trump

MGB: If Trump has been laughed off the stage two years ago and JEB were president, the emerging social democratic movement (not quite that of Benedict, but close) would still be knocking on the door.  What we are seeing now are the social democrats battling the neo-liberals for control of the Left.  This is easier to do in Europe, which is more ideological than here, but not impossible.  Austerity was harsher in Europe, because the banks were stronger than national governments and the continental government could do nothing to help.  Brexit was as much a backlash against austerity as anything, but in the last race it became a distraction.  Revoking austerity and taxing the rich more should have been the battle cry of the left.  Where it is, we win.

Monday, June 12, 2017

God for us

God for us: Spiritual Reflections: Today we celebrate because the God we know, the God whose self-revelation began from the moment of Creation and continues until now, is "God for us."

MGB: We do not worship God for God's sake or the sake of the Church, but for the sake of ourselves.  Even the first three commandments have a selfish component.  Our prayers and worship are refrigerator art for God.  Even the angels are a slightly better version of the same.  The real art is the Trinity itself and nothing can approach it.  It satisfies both itself and us in perfect fashion.  God does not need us to be more complete. Period.

Links for 06/12/17

Links for 06/12/17: In the Washington Post, Andy Slavitt on how the GOP-led Senate is approaching health care. This is despicable.  Sen. Mitch McConnell is from the same as the immediate past president of the b...

MGB: McConnell does not know how to govern, or so it seems. I suspect that reform is supposed to be a colossal failure because the insurance companies and PhARMA like that status quo exactly the way it is. While there is room to compromise on health care reform and trade the high income surtaxes for a more general value-added tax, it would challenge Republican orthodoxy too much - even if it gave the rich a tax cut. Any other change would require certain parts of the law be more liberal. The GOP does not have the votes to move it to the right, so they will lose in a way that they can blame the Democrats.

Vote boycotts are a perversion of democracy. It could be that a deal was made and the major parties wanted someone else to support statehood because their members never would. There may be hope for DC statehood yet if they bring them in as a pair.

Leave it to LifeSiteNews consider marrying for new love a mortal sin. According to Garry Wills, they also misread Paul on Communion.  The term mortal sin had not been coined when Paul was writing. According to Wills, this passage referred to eating at the Agape meal, although MSW does not seem to like the book where this analysis takes place. I agree with LSN on one thing, the long-misunderstood doctrine on Communion and sin needs more formal reconsideration rather than pastoral adjustment. Too many feel too guilty subjectively on what is not sinful at all for most. Catholic divorce should also be codified. Sometimes one spouse hurts another or two spouses hurt each other in ways that cannot be mended without having to claim that marriage was somehow invalid.

Previewing the USCCB meeting in Indianapolis

Previewing the USCCB meeting in Indianapolis: There isn't much on the agenda for the U.S. bishops' annual spring meeting. 2017 is far from typical for the U.S., and the bishops need to find their moral voice.

MGB: It is likely that most employers, including Catholic ones, will work out a deal that keeps them competitive in the marketplace, inside the EEOC ruling that makes actual coverage of contraception a requirement in insurance. That won't change. The question has always been copays. It is a make believe issue, as is the prospect of overturning the ACA. It takes 60 votes to overcome the Byrd rule, even in reconciliation and there is no outside reality test that trumps the need for those votes. The Paris Accords were a statement of principles. Again, symbolic. What was supposed to be symbolic was resisting picking up criminal migrant from jail. Now ICE gets them at their homes AND their families. Get them at the jail and the families go free. Oops.

The Church always has its divisions. That a Church of Immigrants now as old white moralistic xenophobes is not news. Nor is young Catholic hedonism a new thing. They've always read the banned books and heard the indent albums.

Friday, June 9, 2017

Links for 06/09/17

Links for 06/09/17: At the website of the Diocese of Cheyenne, the homily of Cardinal Blase Cupich at the ordination of Bishop Stephen Biegler.

Only in DC: a bar offered free drinks for every tweet from President Trump ...

MGB: The fact that Cupich is doing the homily for Cheyenne's new ordinary is enough evidence anyone needs that Francis is putting his kind of bishop into St. John Paul's kind of diocese.  There will be no pandering to local politics here come 2018.

I have not heard if there were any 3 a.m. tweets, but those would have been after the bars closed.

Unlike Trump, Comey was qualified for his office, although his earnestness got him into trouble on the Clinton e-mails, which led to his ultimate downfall with Trump.  Karma for both Comey and Trump.

America's George III moment: What to do when the sovereign is mad?

America's George III moment: What to do when the sovereign is mad?: Commentary: After the recent testimonies, I suspect most Catholics, like most Americans, are disturbed by what we are learning about the president's behavior, whether they voted for him or not.

MGB: In King George's case, Prime Minister Pitt was safely in charge of the government, it being after the Glorious Revolution. The nation was transitioning to a place where, although George had some influence, by law he was a figurehead. That is not the case with the Madness of King Donald, who has seemingly bought into the Republican notion of the Unitary Executive, meaning all power is his in the executive branch, including over the FBI and the Federal Reserve, even tough the law says otherwise.

He also seems to believe in Omerta, or silence, regarding his own dealings with the government and his private empire, which could be a problem for him if any of his past actions with Russia violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. His children have no immunity from prosecution for these offences because he is president and I am sure that this is driving him batty.

Over and above that, he likely has some sort of mental defect. Should that be disqualifying? I hope not, since I have one and I one day seek the office again, although I have the expert knowledge of government this president solely lacks and a plan to move the country forward. People assume Trump is high functioning because he is wealthy, but he is wealthy because he was born on third base and thinks he hit a triple. His entire attractiveness to his base was his outlandishness, so you cannot say anyone was not aware of his insanity. Indeed, some share it as fellow FoxNews viewers.

His fits of rage, however, are telling of some kind of mental illness over and above progeria. Whether there is a pharmaceutical solution or not is a valid question. Section 4 of the XXVth Amendment has provisions for a President being considered disabled temporarily against his will and petitioning to come back, but Pence and a majority of the cabinet would have to do it and it would take a majority of Congress to back Trump if he resists or wishes to be reinstated, and many like Pence better.

Thursday, June 8, 2017

With Trump, we are not in a 'pro-life moment'

With Trump, we are not in a 'pro-life moment': Distinctly Catholic:

MGB: I disagree with MSW.  This is the ultimate pro-life movement moment.  Being pro-life has nothing to do with ending abortion - which is best done through giving parents enough money to raise their children through high school.  It is about winning elections by marginalizing Democrats (or goading them to marginalize themselves, as Clinton did on Partial Birth Abortion, which she should have just said is a matter of law, not debate).  The movement really did sell Trump to Catholics as anti-abortion and they bought it. For the movement, that is success. Whether Gorsuch turns out to be Scalia rather than Roberts and Kennedy is to be seen - although I suspect the latter is true. GOP presidents usually appoint two pro-Roe Justices for each that write opinions saying it should be repealed.  The odds are not on their side.

I will say one thing for Trump, on jailing women, he told the truth.  You can't jail doctors for abortion without jailing those who order one. Truth hurts.

Wednesday, June 7, 2017

Links for 06/07/17

Links for 06/07/17: In the Washington Post, how the Republicans can make Obamacare so untenable it makes their alternative more palatable. Just to be clear: This is playing politics with people

MGB: If they actually drive insurance companies to bankruptcy, the court and a future administration may use this to enact single payer and the GOP loses.

HIV in the black male community has unique causes, including a kind of fatalism not found among African men.  For others, being on the down low is not considered being gay, so precautions are not taken. There are other reasons as well, having to do with incarceration, but in none of these cases does the black gay community care what the HRC thinks, which in the long run is a problem for the HRC.

No surprises on the weapons story except that China does not have bigger take.  I disagree that these industries can be converted to anything having to do with poverty, at least until they are first converted to space exploration and develop how to do closed loop agriculture, which will forever put a stake in the cold dead heart of Malthus.

Commentary on 'irregular unions' should be required reading for all pastors

Commentary on 'irregular unions' should be required reading for all pastors: Distinctly Catholic: Cardinal Francesco Coccopalmerio's commentary on Chapter 8 of Amoris Laetitia, the contentious chapter that deals with ministering to those in "irregular unions," surprised me.

MGB: I would say that both sacramental unions and the concepts of order and disorder are human inventions.  The former is inspired while the latter is sophistry.  People fall in love on their own terms, not the terms of a celibate clergy and if they are not simply exploiting each other, there is no sin.  Indeed, even without a priest, they may be  sacramental or at least sacerdotal.   Should the Church minister to these people? Of course.  Do most of them care if this happens? No. Do they care at all what Cardinal Burke and his compatriots think? Definitely not. Does God care what Burke et al think? Not in the way Burke hopes He does. God cares that we treat each other with love, both in irregular unions and dealing with them.  God is with the lovers, not the accusers.  I hope the book helps priest sort themselves out on this, especially when families demand that their gay sons' marriage be blessed. It will be a trend none can stop.

Tuesday, June 6, 2017

D-Day a lesson in deliberation, planning

D-Day a lesson in deliberation, planning: Distinctly Catholic: In 1944, American, British and Canadian forces landed at Normandy and began the liberation of Western Europe. Let us consider what lessons D-Day has for us.

MGB: Crossing the channel was easy.  Doing so with surprise was hard.  The Russian front allowed it all to happen because it diverted forces from the coast of France to the east.

 Had Stalin not won at Stalingrad, the eastern forces would have made attacking Normandy impossible.  Planning is what had the U.S. stop their advance in Germany when they could have taken it all.  Russia earned that much in the eyes of the Allies for their disproportionate sacrifice.  The Baby Boom happened because Russia won the war for us.

On Trump (and why you interrupt a hallowed day like this by mentioning him), it is the uncertainty of what warming will do that gives him ammunition in resisting real measures.  He is not wired to worry about the long term.  Luckily, in the short term, he will be gone.  For fortunately, fusion research is bearing fruit in Britain - outside the reach of the Koch brothers who would stop it. There is hope yet. (Hope was the key feature of D-Day).

Monday, June 5, 2017

Links for 06/05/17

Links for 06/05/17: Please remember to donate to our webathon and to mention that your gift goes to support this blog. I just did it and it is very easy to do. Here is the link.

At Politico, they pose the question wheth...

MGB: One more day for the Webathon.

Fighting terrorism requires a fully staffed government.  They have not found someone who can systematically do that for them and I doubt many long time Republican staffers will help this idiot.

The one big thing the Federal government can do is to enact a carbon tax, although a subtraction value added tax is the most useful way to keep paying health care and family size benefits.  You could do a carbon tax and a subtraction VAT and Republicans used to support both ideas, but not with the Freedom Caucus in the House.  States could enact them, but that takes courage and the 30 ALEC states will never challenge their funders in Koch Industries.

Trump's folly on climate change

Trump's folly on climate change: President Donald Trump’s decision to take the United States out of the Paris Accords may have left you appalled, as it did many people. It may have left you angry, as it did many people. What th...

MGB: Donald Trump is a fake president.  Luckily, eco-exit takes until his term is over. He may not even stay in office that long.  Sadly, the accords were more about symbol than substance anyway, much like Trump, his climate change denier friends in and out of the Church and their coal fired funders.

Friday, June 2, 2017

Links for 06/02/17

Links for 06/02/17: Our annual webathon has begun here at NCR. Here is a link to the Donation page. If you are reading this, ask yourself what in life is free? Then clock on the link and send some money. There is a place...

MGB: I'll hit you next week.  Shout out to your frequent commentators who donate as we do.

Trump can't unilaterally change the contraception mandate unless there is an Institute of Medicine finding that shows it is appropriate.  There won't be.  Gorsuch is only 30% likely to be an anti-Roe Justice and if he follows the Federalist Society logic, he would be the only one on the Court.  It would be nice if Lori took freedom of religion (or rather, his agenda for religious power) into immigration, et al.  It would be even better if he insisted on a $1000 per month per child tax credit paid with wages - although most in the movement would be aghast if he did.  The only chance the movement would fold up their tents is a compromise on when legal personhood begins enshrined in federal law.  Fat chance.

Trump was never going to listen to the Catholic Climate Covenant over the Koch brothers.  Never.  Given the voluntary nature of the Paris Accords, both announcements are publicity stunts.

Middlebury 'riot' shows something ill in American higher ed

Middlebury 'riot' shows something ill in American higher ed: Distinctly Catholic: Universities exist to teach students to think, not to protect their feelings. And the societal effects of campus illiberal liberalism, like its conservative cousin, are nasty.

MGB: Charles Murray was our Keynote speaker for the Washington Graduate Public Policy Consortium on Poverty in 1985.  After his talk, I mentioned to him that what he was describing was the worthy v. unworthy poor, which George Bernard Shaw used in the play Pygmalion.  He agreed that the term fit and started using it.  Of course, Murray does not get that Shaw was condemning the idea. He is a bit of an idiot and the kind of true believer you expect to find at AEI and Heritage. Protesting that sort of donor funded non-sense is never just whining, especially if student activity fees plaid for his plane ticket.

Thursday, June 1, 2017

Links for 06/01/17

Links for 06/01/17: At the Catholic Labor Network, Church and Labor stood together to defend sanctuary cities in Texas, but the Republican, and Catholic, governor signed the bill into law anyway. Wait

MGB: Cities are always creatures of the state.  They have no innate sovereignty.  The rule of law means that sometimes you won't like the result.  If the Church still believes in asserting sanctuary rights, it needs to do so without city government.

The GOP giving privileges back to payday lenders is no shock.  The name of the bill is pure truth-speak.  It refers to choices by lenders, not borrowers.

Neo-conservatives were ex-Marxists who decided that Israel needed their help more than workers and the Soviets.  Anti-Trump intellectuals are essentially independent of the Koch Bros. hired guns.  Of course, if the Kochs turn against Trump, its practically over.  Trump is a fascist, he does not get to use the word conservative, so Michael Gerson et al can simply call themselves conservatives without confusing anyone.

Three popes and the power of communications

Three popes and the power of communications: Distinctly Catholic: Fr. Federico Lombardi, retired Vatican spokesman, shares what he experienced at his ringside seat during the papacies of John Paul II, Benedict XVI and Francis.

MGB: Maybe the reactionary Catholic press is so angry because they get nothing like this access to the Popes, whether it by Fr. Z, Church Militant or George Weigel.  They simply don't understand.  Of course, on Francis, it takes a lot of work to be spontaneous, as when he demanded that his bags be brought back to him so he could carry them himself.

Links for 05/31/17

Links for 05/31/17: Sources suggest President Trump may pull the U.S. out of the Paris Climate Accords. Our friends at Public Religion Research Institute sent out this study of Americans

MGB: The masses fear any diminution of their lifestyle. Threatening that will always get them to seek other options, even false ones.  Until homes in Florida start washing away, warming will be a theoretical option.

The GOP seems stuck with most of the Heritage Foundation's health reform.  Sadly, satisfaction  with Romney/Obamacare will keep a single-payer plan or a British National Health Service off the table.  I wonder how many younger doctors would work under an NHS if they had the option?

We should leave Melania alone.  If she follows her heart and receives Communion anyway and finds it efficacious, then she is like most Catholic remarrieds who seem to be ahead of even A.L.  I am wondering how she feels about her husbands new pro-life stance - whether she is relieved or bothered.