https://www.ncronline.org/news/accountability/distinctly-catholic/journalists-need-draw-distinctions-reporting-sex-abuse-cases
MGB: Without the asexual idealism found rampant in episcopacy and doctrine, young priests having relationships with older teens would not be news in the first place. Eighteen is an evolutionarily late age of consent for sexuality. Going back to early teens would be a bit much, but sixteen and seventeen year olds are not children. Extreme chastity is fine for asexual clergy and sisters, but it should not be imposed on the laity or the clergy. Even with the facts, unless they include grooming an otherwise unwilling partner (outside of normal courtship), such matters are not any of our business and should not be news. Child rape, on the other hand, is never excusable, although it is likely the result of being a victim as well. Whether Ted was ever a victim is lost in his failing memory and possibly diocesan files on abusing priests. Sadly, they are the ones with the blackmail files, not outsiders.
Saturday, June 30, 2018
Thursday, June 28, 2018
Links for 6/28/18
https://www.ncronline.org/news/opinion/distinctly-catholic/links-62818
MGB:_The significance for DSA is one down, 535 to go. As for the leadership race, let’s see wo runs.
There is a long-standing set of doctrines of how much deference to give presidents on national security. Roberts went into it in detail at his confirmation hearing. No surprise here.
DC and CT bot have lots of exertive types, wo tend to be amoral. Look at the White House.
I doubt any Knight thinks there is anything wrong with their little Catholic cabal.
This case should be a matter for the FTC, not state law. The pregnancy centers are exercising commercial speech in competing with a commercial entity, even if they are free.
In Trumpworld, the donkey would have been killed, but there would be ;plenty of sheep.
MGB:_The significance for DSA is one down, 535 to go. As for the leadership race, let’s see wo runs.
There is a long-standing set of doctrines of how much deference to give presidents on national security. Roberts went into it in detail at his confirmation hearing. No surprise here.
DC and CT bot have lots of exertive types, wo tend to be amoral. Look at the White House.
I doubt any Knight thinks there is anything wrong with their little Catholic cabal.
This case should be a matter for the FTC, not state law. The pregnancy centers are exercising commercial speech in competing with a commercial entity, even if they are free.
In Trumpworld, the donkey would have been killed, but there would be ;plenty of sheep.
Wednesday, June 27, 2018
Janus decision was a blow, but workers point the way forward
https://www.ncronline.org/news/opinion/distinctly-catholic/janus-decision-was-blow-workers-point-way-forward
MGB:_The whole question could be ended by repealing state power to enact right to work laws, although our masters in the Executive Class will never allow it, nor will they allow a return to 91% marginal tax rates, which took away the incentive to play hardball with labor. Don’t look for help from most bishops. The attendance of the Executive Class at the annual Catholic Charities ball blocks all talk of economic justice. Still, the bishops are correct about families, however, union contracts won’t get you a family wage sensitive to family size (not adjusting makes small families richer and large families poorer). That is the job of a large child tax credit. As for workers, their best bet is employee-ownership, where unions will not be opposed to management but a vehicles of management decision by workers.
MGB:_The whole question could be ended by repealing state power to enact right to work laws, although our masters in the Executive Class will never allow it, nor will they allow a return to 91% marginal tax rates, which took away the incentive to play hardball with labor. Don’t look for help from most bishops. The attendance of the Executive Class at the annual Catholic Charities ball blocks all talk of economic justice. Still, the bishops are correct about families, however, union contracts won’t get you a family wage sensitive to family size (not adjusting makes small families richer and large families poorer). That is the job of a large child tax credit. As for workers, their best bet is employee-ownership, where unions will not be opposed to management but a vehicles of management decision by workers.
Tuesday, June 26, 2018
Links for 6/27/18
https://www.ncronline.org/news/opinion/distinctly-catholic/links-62718
MGB:_Not serving Sanders crosses a line I don’t like crossed. Shout her down like my colleagues in DSA did to the DHS Secretary and that fascist Miller are better options.
I would have loved it if Cupich had said Sessions should resign, but the Cardinal probably sees that as leaving his own lane. It is in mine, however. Sessions should resign, provided he is not replaced, which would be bad for Mueller. Interesting, eh?
ICE is not the problem. The Border Patrol is by obstructing justice in blocking migrants for getting to officials to apply for asylum. FBI agents tell me this is being investigated.
An intendent PR likely gets more aid.
Burke was the same class of reactionary as Hayek or Nietzsche or Rand (both Ayn and Paul) that believed the system was designed to benefit the worthy. Wanting Weld is like wanting Colin Powell. It is a fantasy until they shoot their rabid dog.
Sail on Charles, who always seemed to know which way the right wing wind was blowing and came about accordingly.
MGB:_Not serving Sanders crosses a line I don’t like crossed. Shout her down like my colleagues in DSA did to the DHS Secretary and that fascist Miller are better options.
I would have loved it if Cupich had said Sessions should resign, but the Cardinal probably sees that as leaving his own lane. It is in mine, however. Sessions should resign, provided he is not replaced, which would be bad for Mueller. Interesting, eh?
ICE is not the problem. The Border Patrol is by obstructing justice in blocking migrants for getting to officials to apply for asylum. FBI agents tell me this is being investigated.
An intendent PR likely gets more aid.
Burke was the same class of reactionary as Hayek or Nietzsche or Rand (both Ayn and Paul) that believed the system was designed to benefit the worthy. Wanting Weld is like wanting Colin Powell. It is a fantasy until they shoot their rabid dog.
Sail on Charles, who always seemed to know which way the right wing wind was blowing and came about accordingly.
Monday, June 25, 2018
Christian leaders must stop normalizing this presidency
https://www.ncronline.org/news/opinion/distinctly-catholic/christian-leaders-must-stop-normalizing-presidency
MGB:_I don’t have to close my eyes to see Trump as il Duce. It is plain to see. We don’t have to tell most Catholic bishops and some Evangelical pastors to condemn Trump on this issue. Only a few will not, and for the same twin evils, authoritarianism and populism.
It is time to update Faithful Citizenship to remind the Church that both Vatican II and Saint John Paul list deportation as intrinsic evil (Veritas Splendor, 80). No bishop may support him. Of course, I will believe in their resolve when they succeed in getting the National Right to Life Committee to condemn him as well and when Catholic adoption services refuse to permanently place separated infants.
More troubling than separating families is the fact that Border Patrol officers are obstructing justice by blocking migrants from making asylum claims. I mentioned this to some FBI agents Saturday and they were both aware of it and said something was being done by the Public Integrity section. They agree that Special Counsel Mueller would probably be involved eventually. When this day comes, hopefully all the bishops will be on board and urge their flocks to do likewise.
No, not fake news.
MGB:_I don’t have to close my eyes to see Trump as il Duce. It is plain to see. We don’t have to tell most Catholic bishops and some Evangelical pastors to condemn Trump on this issue. Only a few will not, and for the same twin evils, authoritarianism and populism.
It is time to update Faithful Citizenship to remind the Church that both Vatican II and Saint John Paul list deportation as intrinsic evil (Veritas Splendor, 80). No bishop may support him. Of course, I will believe in their resolve when they succeed in getting the National Right to Life Committee to condemn him as well and when Catholic adoption services refuse to permanently place separated infants.
More troubling than separating families is the fact that Border Patrol officers are obstructing justice by blocking migrants from making asylum claims. I mentioned this to some FBI agents Saturday and they were both aware of it and said something was being done by the Public Integrity section. They agree that Special Counsel Mueller would probably be involved eventually. When this day comes, hopefully all the bishops will be on board and urge their flocks to do likewise.
No, not fake news.
Friday, June 22, 2018
Links for 6/22/18
https://www.ncronline.org/news/opinion/distinctly-catholic/links-62218
MGB:_Removing children was a consequence of Zero Tolerance and the decision to obstruct justice on asylum applications.
Burke challenging Trump was like wen Virginia apologized for slaver, a one-tie ting.
Sessions’ sin is greater because he knows wat e is doing.
FoxNews is not used to Trump thinking for himself.
Ireland shows why the pro-life movement needs to figure out what it wants, besides money and volunteers for Republican campaigns. Again, I suggest a $1000 per child per month tax credit with pay., because a free labor market won’t provide it.
Israel is only a pretext to getting out of the UN Human Rights Commission. (The Commission is right, by the way - good staff). The US withdrew because it was about to be sanctioned on kidnapping immigrant babies.
The GOP will go after Trump if they think not impeaching him would help them keep the House.
MGB:_Removing children was a consequence of Zero Tolerance and the decision to obstruct justice on asylum applications.
Burke challenging Trump was like wen Virginia apologized for slaver, a one-tie ting.
Sessions’ sin is greater because he knows wat e is doing.
FoxNews is not used to Trump thinking for himself.
Ireland shows why the pro-life movement needs to figure out what it wants, besides money and volunteers for Republican campaigns. Again, I suggest a $1000 per child per month tax credit with pay., because a free labor market won’t provide it.
Israel is only a pretext to getting out of the UN Human Rights Commission. (The Commission is right, by the way - good staff). The US withdrew because it was about to be sanctioned on kidnapping immigrant babies.
The GOP will go after Trump if they think not impeaching him would help them keep the House.
Thursday, June 21, 2018
McCarrick verdict is the latest marker on the road to conversion
https://www.ncronline.org/news/accountability/distinctly-catholic/mccarrick-verdict-latest-marker-road-conversion
MGB:_I would rather they go after Rigali, whose priest took the fall for him than Cardinal Ted, who is too frail to defend himself or exercise is priestly duties anyway. We don’t know the age of the victim or the nature of the offense. It is too easy to use Ted as a scapegoat, especially as a young priest with a minor of the age of consent. Vigilance is one thing, but it can easily turn to witch hunts. I fear tis day as arrived and it is not good for the victims
MGB:_I would rather they go after Rigali, whose priest took the fall for him than Cardinal Ted, who is too frail to defend himself or exercise is priestly duties anyway. We don’t know the age of the victim or the nature of the offense. It is too easy to use Ted as a scapegoat, especially as a young priest with a minor of the age of consent. Vigilance is one thing, but it can easily turn to witch hunts. I fear tis day as arrived and it is not good for the victims
Wednesday, June 20, 2018
EWTN's hateful 'The World Over' sides with Trump on immigration
https://www.ncronline.org/news/opinion/distinctly-catholic/ewtns-hateful-world-over-arroyo-sides-trump-immigration
MGB:_Removing children is simply a detail in denying the due process rights of Central Americans to asylum officials by the Border Patrol. They are obstructing justice and operating as thugs by following unlawful orders. If they are Christian or Jewish than they are also committing sin, if you buy the remark that the Scriptures are personal morality.
Sister Angelica would never have let Arroyo go where he has gone. As for the programmers, they are simply pandering to the audience and the Administration. Those that know better are committing sin if they support such trash.
That leaves Arroyo. If he is the problem, his bishop should deal with him. If his bishop agrees, than God help his diocese. Then it’s the Nuncio and the Pope’s problem. It is past time to find out the truth
MGB:_Removing children is simply a detail in denying the due process rights of Central Americans to asylum officials by the Border Patrol. They are obstructing justice and operating as thugs by following unlawful orders. If they are Christian or Jewish than they are also committing sin, if you buy the remark that the Scriptures are personal morality.
Sister Angelica would never have let Arroyo go where he has gone. As for the programmers, they are simply pandering to the audience and the Administration. Those that know better are committing sin if they support such trash.
That leaves Arroyo. If he is the problem, his bishop should deal with him. If his bishop agrees, than God help his diocese. Then it’s the Nuncio and the Pope’s problem. It is past time to find out the truth
Tuesday, June 19, 2018
Links for 6/19/18
https://www.ncronline.org/news/opinion/distinctly-catholic/links-61918
MGB:_Arroyo is on because he appeals to Trump voters, who don’t see more Latinos in their parishes as a good thing. Oh, it would be good to see Dolan and Richards discussing the logic behind Roe regarding the 14th Amendment and federal power and why the USCCB is in a blind alley.
The pro-life movement and its friends in the USCCB have been Republican lackeys long before Trump. Kudos to Charles for noticing.
Teachers are mostly public employees, and are already ”socialist.’ the rest of labor needs to catch up. As long as the pro-life movement and bishops hook their wagons to the GOP train, the largely Democratic teachers’ unions will be pro-choice. If the bishops want to change that, fire its GOP-first staffers and let Catholic schools unionize.
If we remove both Trump and Pence after 2018, Pelosi or Clinton will be running to keep the White House.
Trump is content free. Sometimes it is how he is best attacked.
The right wing view of Amoris follows from the right wing narrative. Confronting the truth would be inconvenient.
MGB:_Arroyo is on because he appeals to Trump voters, who don’t see more Latinos in their parishes as a good thing. Oh, it would be good to see Dolan and Richards discussing the logic behind Roe regarding the 14th Amendment and federal power and why the USCCB is in a blind alley.
The pro-life movement and its friends in the USCCB have been Republican lackeys long before Trump. Kudos to Charles for noticing.
Teachers are mostly public employees, and are already ”socialist.’ the rest of labor needs to catch up. As long as the pro-life movement and bishops hook their wagons to the GOP train, the largely Democratic teachers’ unions will be pro-choice. If the bishops want to change that, fire its GOP-first staffers and let Catholic schools unionize.
If we remove both Trump and Pence after 2018, Pelosi or Clinton will be running to keep the White House.
Trump is content free. Sometimes it is how he is best attacked.
The right wing view of Amoris follows from the right wing narrative. Confronting the truth would be inconvenient.
Monday, June 18, 2018
Christians on the left should own populism, make it our own
https://www.ncronline.org/news/opinion/distinctly-catholic/christians-left-should-own-populism-and-make-it-our-own
MGB: The old Democratic populism was linked strongly to socialism before FDR triangulated the New Deal by edging out the socialists. Stalin's bloody cult of personality and the sclerotic gerentocracy that followed him further discredited it, even though real socialists consider the Soviets to be bureaucratic authoritarians. Indeed, we have not changed much since the days of Eugene Debbs and later Michael Harrington.
Obama was a populist and his success was getting black people to vote that never thought it was worth doing. They stayed home for Hillary. Bill made it save for the people now voting for Trump to vote for him, both in the board room and rural south. He was one of them and his policies toward welfare and gays proved it, which is why his wife lost.
MSW's obsession with Democratic positions on abortion and transgender bathrooms is misplaced. If the right wing did not keep the fires burning on both issues, which are substantially settled on the legal fronts, they would not be a focus in primaries or elections. They could, of course, correct their message and say that, accusing the GOP establishment of feathering their nests off of populist Catholic support without doing anything, which we did in the Obama campaign, thus getting the Catholic vote to mirror the society at large, unlike 2016. I not only blogged this on the Catholics for Obama blog, but I made sure NARAL echoed it. If Clinton had kept it up, she might have won the Catholic vote, but not the election.
Liberals will never be populists again. They are divided into cultural liberals, Wall Street Neo-Liberals (think Larry Summers) and Socialists - which go way beyond Bernie Sanders. The latter offer the best hope for a populist solution by channeling unionism and employee-ownership back to socialism, making socialism something to be desired by showing how workers can control the means of consumption, where consumption includes hiring supervisors and CEOs and making home loans. We need to Occupy Capitalism. When we do, Conservatives will beg us to go along with overruling Citizens United.
MGB: The old Democratic populism was linked strongly to socialism before FDR triangulated the New Deal by edging out the socialists. Stalin's bloody cult of personality and the sclerotic gerentocracy that followed him further discredited it, even though real socialists consider the Soviets to be bureaucratic authoritarians. Indeed, we have not changed much since the days of Eugene Debbs and later Michael Harrington.
Obama was a populist and his success was getting black people to vote that never thought it was worth doing. They stayed home for Hillary. Bill made it save for the people now voting for Trump to vote for him, both in the board room and rural south. He was one of them and his policies toward welfare and gays proved it, which is why his wife lost.
MSW's obsession with Democratic positions on abortion and transgender bathrooms is misplaced. If the right wing did not keep the fires burning on both issues, which are substantially settled on the legal fronts, they would not be a focus in primaries or elections. They could, of course, correct their message and say that, accusing the GOP establishment of feathering their nests off of populist Catholic support without doing anything, which we did in the Obama campaign, thus getting the Catholic vote to mirror the society at large, unlike 2016. I not only blogged this on the Catholics for Obama blog, but I made sure NARAL echoed it. If Clinton had kept it up, she might have won the Catholic vote, but not the election.
Liberals will never be populists again. They are divided into cultural liberals, Wall Street Neo-Liberals (think Larry Summers) and Socialists - which go way beyond Bernie Sanders. The latter offer the best hope for a populist solution by channeling unionism and employee-ownership back to socialism, making socialism something to be desired by showing how workers can control the means of consumption, where consumption includes hiring supervisors and CEOs and making home loans. We need to Occupy Capitalism. When we do, Conservatives will beg us to go along with overruling Citizens United.
Friday, June 15, 2018
On immigration and 'faithful citizenship,' US bishops avoid the challenge
https://www.ncronline.org/news/opinion/distinctly-catholic/immigration-and-faithful-citizenship-us-bishops-avoid-challenge
MGB: Good show to the USCCB for heading in the right direction. As for canonical penalties, while some agents are simply doing their job, others relish the process of abusing migrants. They know who they are, from the border to the Office of the Attorney General, and sanctioning such behavior is consistent with the Kingdom of God, as is sanctioning police who use their office to affirm their personal racism.
There is a line between witness and publicity stunts. The bishops know their hearts on this. As for the policy angle, the Senate Bill was designed as a stunt to make the House Republicans look bad for not putting it to vote or adopting what was similar to their position - but would not because their base loathes bipartisanship.
Faithful Citizenship should simply be junked. It was meant to be a concession for those who disagreed with bishops who used their office every election year to condemn Democratic politicians, especially those who are pro-choice (anti-criminalization), although the Susan B. Anthony Fund went after pro-life Democrats anyway. The more reasonable bishops will not call out their brothers for partisanship, even though the condemnation would be accurate. Catholic Democratic politicians are just as guilty of cowardice in explaining why Roe is necessary law, given the 14th Amendment and that relying on that Amendment to move infanticide earlier in pregnancy could lead to a compromise and end the issue. Doing so would take the courage to correct their bishops publicly, as well as incur the wrath of NARAL-Pro-Choice America, who also helps the Democrats use this issue to get elected (and funded).
MGB: Good show to the USCCB for heading in the right direction. As for canonical penalties, while some agents are simply doing their job, others relish the process of abusing migrants. They know who they are, from the border to the Office of the Attorney General, and sanctioning such behavior is consistent with the Kingdom of God, as is sanctioning police who use their office to affirm their personal racism.
There is a line between witness and publicity stunts. The bishops know their hearts on this. As for the policy angle, the Senate Bill was designed as a stunt to make the House Republicans look bad for not putting it to vote or adopting what was similar to their position - but would not because their base loathes bipartisanship.
Faithful Citizenship should simply be junked. It was meant to be a concession for those who disagreed with bishops who used their office every election year to condemn Democratic politicians, especially those who are pro-choice (anti-criminalization), although the Susan B. Anthony Fund went after pro-life Democrats anyway. The more reasonable bishops will not call out their brothers for partisanship, even though the condemnation would be accurate. Catholic Democratic politicians are just as guilty of cowardice in explaining why Roe is necessary law, given the 14th Amendment and that relying on that Amendment to move infanticide earlier in pregnancy could lead to a compromise and end the issue. Doing so would take the courage to correct their bishops publicly, as well as incur the wrath of NARAL-Pro-Choice America, who also helps the Democrats use this issue to get elected (and funded).
Thursday, June 14, 2018
Links for 6/14/2018
https://www.ncronline.org/news/opinion/distinctly-catholic/links-6142018
MGB:_The problem with Trump is that people believe a CEO will use his skills for the nation rather than himself or that someone like that welcomes the opinions of others. It is just not the case. Hopefully this will end the ”Elect a Boss” movement. Turns out Trump probably got a hotel deal, with nothing for South Korea or America.
South Park still has the best Canada takedown. Trump has no guts. He is just an idiot.
I doubt Trump will notice the absence of the Warriors, unless goaded.
The Democrats are convinced it takes money to win elections. As for recent national behavior, Clinton really bought the canard that poor people need to be deprived to seek better lives. Sadly, Obama had too many Clinton holdovers to do much to reverse him.
Ethics flowing from the Resurrection can go one of two ways. The first is toward an unlivable sense of piety which sees all things of the world as evil. The second is a morality based on our human nature rather than the divine nature, where God finds us because we cannot reach Him.
It is good that Fr. Martin is going. I hope he addresses whether gays are wonderfully made and what that should mean for doctrine.
MGB:_The problem with Trump is that people believe a CEO will use his skills for the nation rather than himself or that someone like that welcomes the opinions of others. It is just not the case. Hopefully this will end the ”Elect a Boss” movement. Turns out Trump probably got a hotel deal, with nothing for South Korea or America.
South Park still has the best Canada takedown. Trump has no guts. He is just an idiot.
I doubt Trump will notice the absence of the Warriors, unless goaded.
The Democrats are convinced it takes money to win elections. As for recent national behavior, Clinton really bought the canard that poor people need to be deprived to seek better lives. Sadly, Obama had too many Clinton holdovers to do much to reverse him.
Ethics flowing from the Resurrection can go one of two ways. The first is toward an unlivable sense of piety which sees all things of the world as evil. The second is a morality based on our human nature rather than the divine nature, where God finds us because we cannot reach Him.
It is good that Fr. Martin is going. I hope he addresses whether gays are wonderfully made and what that should mean for doctrine.
Wednesday, June 13, 2018
US bishops need to be shepherds amid deportations, demonizations
https://www.ncronline.org/news/opinion/distinctly-catholic/us-bishops-need-be-shepherds-amid-deportations-demonizations
MGB:_Some bishops may be no more averse to separating migrant families as they are accepting the children of alcoholic, addict or teen mothers for foster care and eventual adoption to infertile Catholic couples, for whom a child is a reward for forsaking modern fertility procedures. On Trump, as long as he speaks as a pro-lifer, what he does is not important, which is the opposite of the parable of the obedient and disobedient son. They put more stock in appearances than reality and they love Trump, who shares a common donor pool. Until Francis starts removing them for this, they will be like the tenants of the vineyard who ignored the landlord’s demands for payment. No encyclical will move them.
MGB:_Some bishops may be no more averse to separating migrant families as they are accepting the children of alcoholic, addict or teen mothers for foster care and eventual adoption to infertile Catholic couples, for whom a child is a reward for forsaking modern fertility procedures. On Trump, as long as he speaks as a pro-lifer, what he does is not important, which is the opposite of the parable of the obedient and disobedient son. They put more stock in appearances than reality and they love Trump, who shares a common donor pool. Until Francis starts removing them for this, they will be like the tenants of the vineyard who ignored the landlord’s demands for payment. No encyclical will move them.
Tuesday, June 12, 2018
Links for 6/12/18
https://www.ncronline.org/news/opinion/distinctly-catholic/links-61218
MGB:_If Jackie was already CUA tenured faculty this is no abuse. Indeed, this kind of job is a pain to have. I am glad she is a willing sacrifice.
I am sure Notre Dame does not teach from the Austrian Hymn book, nor does His Holiness. For the Austrians, only the elites are important. The common worker obeys and scratches out a living. Christ endorses nothing of the sort.
Gay Pride is a good time, but the piercers sometimes show a bit too much skin for polite company. Of course, that may be the point, especially given the horrible impoliteness of the reactionaries who oppose Pride.
Trump and his fascist lackey, Stephen Miller, are beyond redemption and Sessions is no shock. That others would go along with them shows that Nuremberg taught us nothing.
Obama’s blackness is what Trump and the Tea Party exploited. While he could have acted more forcefully on under water mortgages and against Wall Street, getting elected with his constituency requires putting someone who looks like him on the ticket. Please, no more people who get elected like Bill Clinton did. Reforming welfare as we know it was a disaster. No more triangulation or throwing social conservatives a bone.
The Catholic Bishops statement is idiotic. The government is not doing anything to the baker by insisting he treat his customers with dignity. His statement that not baking the cake for religious reasons is as accurate as religion is group dynamics. It was certainly not an expression of faith in God. I expected the artistic excuse to win the case, although Christ would have had him bake a standard wedding cake without the two groom topper (and then officiated). I doubt the baker would have done that either, but we will never know. My statement of faith in this is that the Church will begin celebrating gay weddings.
MGB:_If Jackie was already CUA tenured faculty this is no abuse. Indeed, this kind of job is a pain to have. I am glad she is a willing sacrifice.
I am sure Notre Dame does not teach from the Austrian Hymn book, nor does His Holiness. For the Austrians, only the elites are important. The common worker obeys and scratches out a living. Christ endorses nothing of the sort.
Gay Pride is a good time, but the piercers sometimes show a bit too much skin for polite company. Of course, that may be the point, especially given the horrible impoliteness of the reactionaries who oppose Pride.
Trump and his fascist lackey, Stephen Miller, are beyond redemption and Sessions is no shock. That others would go along with them shows that Nuremberg taught us nothing.
Obama’s blackness is what Trump and the Tea Party exploited. While he could have acted more forcefully on under water mortgages and against Wall Street, getting elected with his constituency requires putting someone who looks like him on the ticket. Please, no more people who get elected like Bill Clinton did. Reforming welfare as we know it was a disaster. No more triangulation or throwing social conservatives a bone.
The Catholic Bishops statement is idiotic. The government is not doing anything to the baker by insisting he treat his customers with dignity. His statement that not baking the cake for religious reasons is as accurate as religion is group dynamics. It was certainly not an expression of faith in God. I expected the artistic excuse to win the case, although Christ would have had him bake a standard wedding cake without the two groom topper (and then officiated). I doubt the baker would have done that either, but we will never know. My statement of faith in this is that the Church will begin celebrating gay weddings.
Monday, June 11, 2018
Democracy's state demands that bishops update 'Faithful Citizenship' document
https://www.ncronline.org/news/opinion/distinctly-catholic/democracys-state-demands-bishops-update-faithful-citizenship
MGB:_The bishops put unity and loyalty over truth. Indeed, if they understood the truth of the issues of abortion and contraception, there would be no dissent. Amending Faithful Citizenship should be undertaken to keep the bishops relevant. Hard core Republicans and Democrats will not change their vote based on the document. Only certain swing voters will, although the insanity of King Donald will have more to do with their voting than anything the bishops can do. Unless the GOP puts down their rabid dog, they are beyond doomed. As for the video, nobody should date show it at Mass.
MGB:_The bishops put unity and loyalty over truth. Indeed, if they understood the truth of the issues of abortion and contraception, there would be no dissent. Amending Faithful Citizenship should be undertaken to keep the bishops relevant. Hard core Republicans and Democrats will not change their vote based on the document. Only certain swing voters will, although the insanity of King Donald will have more to do with their voting than anything the bishops can do. Unless the GOP puts down their rabid dog, they are beyond doomed. As for the video, nobody should date show it at Mass.
Friday, June 8, 2018
Ending polarization takes getting into rabbit holes
https://www.ncronline.org/news/opinion/distinctly-catholic/ending-polarization-takes-getting-rabbit-holes
MGB:_Christ did not come to end polarization but to divide it. If certain bishops are in bed with the Republican Party on abortion for their electoral purposes rather than to save the unborn, then they should be called out by other bishops. Someone needs to actually go down the rabbit hole of Roe v. Wade and explain why electoral politics with the promise overturn it is a scam. Moreover, bishops should be shamed into pushing the consistent theme of Catholic Social Teaching, a family living wage, which would be $1000 per child per month, most likely supported through a tax credit, condemning anyone who resists on the ground that they are opposed to subsidizing other people’s sexuality. We need the Spirit of Prophesy, not consensus.
MGB:_Christ did not come to end polarization but to divide it. If certain bishops are in bed with the Republican Party on abortion for their electoral purposes rather than to save the unborn, then they should be called out by other bishops. Someone needs to actually go down the rabbit hole of Roe v. Wade and explain why electoral politics with the promise overturn it is a scam. Moreover, bishops should be shamed into pushing the consistent theme of Catholic Social Teaching, a family living wage, which would be $1000 per child per month, most likely supported through a tax credit, condemning anyone who resists on the ground that they are opposed to subsidizing other people’s sexuality. We need the Spirit of Prophesy, not consensus.
Thursday, June 7, 2018
Links for 6/7/2018
https://www.ncronline.org/news/opinion/distinctly-catholic/links-672018
MGB:_Let’s see what the Odd Couple can do about Trump. It still does not look good and the bill ignores the hard work of sentencing reform.
Pruitt is a few cards short of a full deck. That got him re-elected but should not keep him working as Administrator.
Oddly, including Rodman may be a good thing. This summit is all hat and no cattle anyway.
I am not sure we should fire Burke’s confessor or give him overtime pay. He certainly has become a symbol of dissent. How much is dissent and how much is Burke is an open matter.
Tim buys into the culture where wealth is a sign of intelligence. It is not so different than having to get the right degree to garner an audience.
Not certain the Post article connects. Many people find that you can stretch that pension as an expat and be in the 9.9% where you live. Puerto Rico is such a place, once you leave the tourist zone. Even better are countries that give all residents health care.
On the same topic, Latinos are the new Irish.
MGB:_Let’s see what the Odd Couple can do about Trump. It still does not look good and the bill ignores the hard work of sentencing reform.
Pruitt is a few cards short of a full deck. That got him re-elected but should not keep him working as Administrator.
Oddly, including Rodman may be a good thing. This summit is all hat and no cattle anyway.
I am not sure we should fire Burke’s confessor or give him overtime pay. He certainly has become a symbol of dissent. How much is dissent and how much is Burke is an open matter.
Tim buys into the culture where wealth is a sign of intelligence. It is not so different than having to get the right degree to garner an audience.
Not certain the Post article connects. Many people find that you can stretch that pension as an expat and be in the 9.9% where you live. Puerto Rico is such a place, once you leave the tourist zone. Even better are countries that give all residents health care.
On the same topic, Latinos are the new Irish.
Wednesday, June 6, 2018
Latinos herald a new path forward for Catholic University of America
https://www.ncronline.org/news/opinion/distinctly-catholic/latinos-herald-new-path-forward-catholic-university-america
MGB:_In my comments on Monday, I said to fire the bishops, make the local Archbishop the titular head and empower the regents. The bishops do have a role in bringing back parish schools as something other than elite institutions for rich, pro-life, Republican Catholic families, both for Latinos and non-Latinos, but not much more.
CUA, with many universities, will face the question of who pays for college and why. Unless you like abortion, it has to be the companies hiring the students, probably after two years of community college combined with the last two of high school, but then paying the students to attend college. The question then becomes, what employers does CUA wish to associate with? It may well be the Koch brothers or Wall Street, but I would hope not. Maybe some law firms, the federal government and Theological College, as well as social work providers. It need not have a Catholic bias, but it should look like it might.
Of course, if we wish to expand the University to include more Latinos, it would associate with employers who wish to hire and do business with them and maybe offer a Latino studies and history major or minor.
Flores would only be Regent if he also became our Archbishop. Interesting idea if we send Wuerl to head CDF.
MGB:_In my comments on Monday, I said to fire the bishops, make the local Archbishop the titular head and empower the regents. The bishops do have a role in bringing back parish schools as something other than elite institutions for rich, pro-life, Republican Catholic families, both for Latinos and non-Latinos, but not much more.
CUA, with many universities, will face the question of who pays for college and why. Unless you like abortion, it has to be the companies hiring the students, probably after two years of community college combined with the last two of high school, but then paying the students to attend college. The question then becomes, what employers does CUA wish to associate with? It may well be the Koch brothers or Wall Street, but I would hope not. Maybe some law firms, the federal government and Theological College, as well as social work providers. It need not have a Catholic bias, but it should look like it might.
Of course, if we wish to expand the University to include more Latinos, it would associate with employers who wish to hire and do business with them and maybe offer a Latino studies and history major or minor.
Flores would only be Regent if he also became our Archbishop. Interesting idea if we send Wuerl to head CDF.
Tuesday, June 5, 2018
Links for 6/5/18
https://www.ncronline.org/news/opinion/distinctly-catholic/links-6518
MGB: Trump voters do not like socialist rhetoric, but they love the results. They key is to start adopting socialism in industry rather than simply talking about it. Occupy Wall Street.
Parents need to control schools, not high priced administrators, who suck up any rise in revenue for themselves.
The pathetic thing is that Kim is an absolute leader. Trump simply thinks he is. Also, they both seem to be idiots. If they luck into something productive, it will be the shock of the century.
I am all for putting controversial ideas to the test. Let's start with a militarized Palestinian state, with or without inclusion of the Arab zones of northern Israel. Both Michael and Peter will think me anti-Semitic for saying this, although I would like to know when Arabs stopped being Semites?
MGB: Trump voters do not like socialist rhetoric, but they love the results. They key is to start adopting socialism in industry rather than simply talking about it. Occupy Wall Street.
Parents need to control schools, not high priced administrators, who suck up any rise in revenue for themselves.
The pathetic thing is that Kim is an absolute leader. Trump simply thinks he is. Also, they both seem to be idiots. If they luck into something productive, it will be the shock of the century.
I am all for putting controversial ideas to the test. Let's start with a militarized Palestinian state, with or without inclusion of the Arab zones of northern Israel. Both Michael and Peter will think me anti-Semitic for saying this, although I would like to know when Arabs stopped being Semites?
Monday, June 4, 2018
Saving the Catholic University of America: The cardinals need to talk
https://www.ncronline.org/news/opinion/distinctly-catholic/saving-catholic-university-america-cardinals-need-talk
MGB:_CUA’s problem is its connection to the bishops. It needs an independent board of regents to run it. The only bishop who needs to be involved is the local Archbishop. The conservative dysfunction of CUA is an outgrowth of the conservatism of the loudest mouths in the USCCB and the divided nature of the conference, which prevent real progress. What is the way forward? The alumni need to approach just one Cardinal, Wuerl, and demand he take the place over and let it be run like a real Catholic university, mostly independent of clergy. Use Loras College as an example, which used to be linked to CUA, but severed its connection long ago.
MGB:_CUA’s problem is its connection to the bishops. It needs an independent board of regents to run it. The only bishop who needs to be involved is the local Archbishop. The conservative dysfunction of CUA is an outgrowth of the conservatism of the loudest mouths in the USCCB and the divided nature of the conference, which prevent real progress. What is the way forward? The alumni need to approach just one Cardinal, Wuerl, and demand he take the place over and let it be run like a real Catholic university, mostly independent of clergy. Use Loras College as an example, which used to be linked to CUA, but severed its connection long ago.
Saturday, June 2, 2018
The 9.9 percent worship themselves and their lifestyles
https://www.ncronline.org/news/opinion/distinctly-catholic/99-percent-worship-themselves-and-their-lifestyles
MGB:_It is not just the 9.9% that like their exclusive neighborhoods. The next 30% do so too. While the 9.9% have an impressive seventy-three percent of net wealth, the next thirty percent hold the next twenty-three percent, leaving about five percent for everyone else. The secret is that the wealth of the top 9.9 is the debt owed by the bottom sixty percent, whether it is monetary debt, like credit cards and mortgages, or the debt of obedience as employees. (Which is why the agents of the rich believe in work programs for the poor). The wealth of the top 40% is the domination of the bottom masses, even if the upper middle twenty percent only have a better job and buy into the system with hopes of moving up to the next 10% and maybe the top, eventually (although it is unlikely).
This is why it is hard for the rich person to enter the kingdom of God. God’s kingdom is with the sixty percent. It was then, it is now. That is why he talked at length about justice and less about sin. Sin is an easy topic for the top 40%. Poverty provides temptation to vice. Wealth avoids it, save the vice of callousness, which in Matthew 25 is the sin of the goats.
The answer is not just moving income, it is moving power and eliminating interest to make the financial system of mortgage and consumer debt impossible. This will require a revolution, not a political one with Bernie Sanders style social democracy, but maximum cooperation, both in working and in consumption. When the workers control the earns of consumption, the 9.9% don’t matter.
MGB:_It is not just the 9.9% that like their exclusive neighborhoods. The next 30% do so too. While the 9.9% have an impressive seventy-three percent of net wealth, the next thirty percent hold the next twenty-three percent, leaving about five percent for everyone else. The secret is that the wealth of the top 9.9 is the debt owed by the bottom sixty percent, whether it is monetary debt, like credit cards and mortgages, or the debt of obedience as employees. (Which is why the agents of the rich believe in work programs for the poor). The wealth of the top 40% is the domination of the bottom masses, even if the upper middle twenty percent only have a better job and buy into the system with hopes of moving up to the next 10% and maybe the top, eventually (although it is unlikely).
This is why it is hard for the rich person to enter the kingdom of God. God’s kingdom is with the sixty percent. It was then, it is now. That is why he talked at length about justice and less about sin. Sin is an easy topic for the top 40%. Poverty provides temptation to vice. Wealth avoids it, save the vice of callousness, which in Matthew 25 is the sin of the goats.
The answer is not just moving income, it is moving power and eliminating interest to make the financial system of mortgage and consumer debt impossible. This will require a revolution, not a political one with Bernie Sanders style social democracy, but maximum cooperation, both in working and in consumption. When the workers control the earns of consumption, the 9.9% don’t matter.
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