https://www.ncronline.org/news/opinion/distinctly-catholic/there-it-synodality
MGB: Synodality is a process rather than the end product, which frightens those who want morality to be an absolute statement on what has always been true. Such a belief is anachronistic, a golden age view of a consensus that never was. On the other side, people who want change are willing to use the process, In the end, however, they also want the Church to outline definitive teaching on sexuality. This includes all people, even if it means forcing less developed nations to proceed farther than their elders are willing to go. We cannot only focus on what the truth is, but why it is so. Of course, there may not be agreement here either because then we are arguing about the underlying relationship between God and Man, whether morality is for God's sake or man's.
Every generation teaches doctrine anew as the language of reason evolves. Traditional societies mist accept change with the march of each generation into its own modernity. Traditional cultures simply allow more latitude to the elders of the Church than those who are called modern. The traditionalists are ultimately right about the human heart being universal - going beyond the relativism of authority to decide what is true regardless of the facts at hand. These facts exist in an intellectual context that favors science, including human development, over tradition in order to seek new absolutes. It does not repudiate the idea of truth.
Until all sides accept this, growth will be a difficult process Those who feel left behind will throw up obstacles for change. Synodality may help that process as long as it is not simply the latest gimmick. We must remember that unless we love one another, no one will recognize our discipleship.
Wednesday, October 31, 2018
Tuesday, October 30, 2018
Links for 10/30/18
https://www.ncronline.org/news/opinion/distinctly-catholic/links-103018
MGB: No one is shocked that a Trump supporter on an anti-immigrant binge shot up a synagogue that helped HIAS efforts to resettle refugees. Trump gave them permission to consider themselves in his class and do so, even though he has no class to speak of. A billionaire racist is still a racist.
Whether competition between disabled peers and abled peers makes sense depends on the character of the competition and the assists available. On the school level, it might make sense. In big time international competition, it would be a distraction, although such competitions are becoming more and more toxic as they become professionalized. Spending one's youth to be better than an entire world-wide generation for an audience of equal size is a poor trade.
In the ancient Church there were two main offices (aside from other ministries), pastor (also bishop or overseer) and apostle - one who had seen the risen Lord. There was one congregation per city. If every pastor is considered like a bishop in witnessing the resurrection, I can think of no higher office.
Impeachment is a political question as well as a juridical one. There is plenty to go after in the Trump Administration that has nothing to do with the Mueller probe. Once the Republican leadership sees the report, the only question will be whether Trump resigns before or after January 20th (so that Pence can run for two terms, as if electing him for one is at all realistic). The only stupid option is to not pursue impeachment at all in the face of Trump's ties to the Oligarchs in Russia, including money laundering. Given Trump's performance this week, any Republican keeping his Senate seat may be considered a long shot.
As I said yesterday, the best thing that the Bishops can do is what they are likely to do, shift with the wind as the Republicans are annihilated in the upcoming election and through episcopal retirements. Like judges of a certain age, bishops will more and more understand Roe and the obligation to fight abortion economically, which the GOP will never do. Expect Granola to be served in Baltimore.
If the GOP is decimated or if the Democrat wins in Georgia, what matters is how the government deals with voter suppression. I would hope that a Democratic Congress will redo the Voting Rights Act preclearance list and put every state where voter suppression occurred or was attempted on it. This won't be limited to the South this time.
Silk is acting under the impression that Gorsuch and Kavenaugh are somehow closer ideologically to Scalia than the Kennedy. I don't see it. Nino was one of a kind. No one who went to any Ivy League law school in the modern age will reverse privacy rights based on sexuality. If anything, the Court will hear the case in the Second Circuit to nationalize the proposition that sex discrimination provisions in the Civil Rights Act already protect LGBT workers and renters. If that occurs, the Human Rights Campaign will be able to fold up its tent, as there will be nothing more to pursue in terms of gay rights. As the money in the Church in America is now with the parents of Millenials, who believe that there is no moral difference between gay and straight relationships, it is the Church that will have to change - and will once the money moves that way.
The trend will be to free tuition, so the question of legacies will not matter, although fundraising will be important. Admission of a rich idiot on economic grounds offers only a semester of advantage, especially if our entitled student is caught cheating. In college admissions, there are obvious yeses and obvious noes. Everyone else can go into a lottery after the first choices are admitted and the incapable rejected.
MGB: No one is shocked that a Trump supporter on an anti-immigrant binge shot up a synagogue that helped HIAS efforts to resettle refugees. Trump gave them permission to consider themselves in his class and do so, even though he has no class to speak of. A billionaire racist is still a racist.
Whether competition between disabled peers and abled peers makes sense depends on the character of the competition and the assists available. On the school level, it might make sense. In big time international competition, it would be a distraction, although such competitions are becoming more and more toxic as they become professionalized. Spending one's youth to be better than an entire world-wide generation for an audience of equal size is a poor trade.
In the ancient Church there were two main offices (aside from other ministries), pastor (also bishop or overseer) and apostle - one who had seen the risen Lord. There was one congregation per city. If every pastor is considered like a bishop in witnessing the resurrection, I can think of no higher office.
Impeachment is a political question as well as a juridical one. There is plenty to go after in the Trump Administration that has nothing to do with the Mueller probe. Once the Republican leadership sees the report, the only question will be whether Trump resigns before or after January 20th (so that Pence can run for two terms, as if electing him for one is at all realistic). The only stupid option is to not pursue impeachment at all in the face of Trump's ties to the Oligarchs in Russia, including money laundering. Given Trump's performance this week, any Republican keeping his Senate seat may be considered a long shot.
As I said yesterday, the best thing that the Bishops can do is what they are likely to do, shift with the wind as the Republicans are annihilated in the upcoming election and through episcopal retirements. Like judges of a certain age, bishops will more and more understand Roe and the obligation to fight abortion economically, which the GOP will never do. Expect Granola to be served in Baltimore.
If the GOP is decimated or if the Democrat wins in Georgia, what matters is how the government deals with voter suppression. I would hope that a Democratic Congress will redo the Voting Rights Act preclearance list and put every state where voter suppression occurred or was attempted on it. This won't be limited to the South this time.
Silk is acting under the impression that Gorsuch and Kavenaugh are somehow closer ideologically to Scalia than the Kennedy. I don't see it. Nino was one of a kind. No one who went to any Ivy League law school in the modern age will reverse privacy rights based on sexuality. If anything, the Court will hear the case in the Second Circuit to nationalize the proposition that sex discrimination provisions in the Civil Rights Act already protect LGBT workers and renters. If that occurs, the Human Rights Campaign will be able to fold up its tent, as there will be nothing more to pursue in terms of gay rights. As the money in the Church in America is now with the parents of Millenials, who believe that there is no moral difference between gay and straight relationships, it is the Church that will have to change - and will once the money moves that way.
The trend will be to free tuition, so the question of legacies will not matter, although fundraising will be important. Admission of a rich idiot on economic grounds offers only a semester of advantage, especially if our entitled student is caught cheating. In college admissions, there are obvious yeses and obvious noes. Everyone else can go into a lottery after the first choices are admitted and the incapable rejected.
Monday, October 29, 2018
US bishops face most critical meeting since Dallas in 2002
https://www.ncronline.org/news/accountability/distinctly-catholic/us-bishops-face-most-critical-meeting-dallas-2002
MGB: The bishops have addressed accountability for sexual abuse. With apologies to the victims, many of whom can remember nothing else about their long ago childhoods, the horse is not only dead, it has been filleted and turned into dog food by now. That both the USCCB and MSW have not dropped everything and called for strict gun control immediately is a sad comment on the intellectual and political life of the Church. Thoughts are prayers are not nearly enough.
That child protection it is being used by right-wingers to attack the Pope shows how it has gone from current to reactionary. They are right that Rome needs to be called to account, however. The unfinished business is to raid the Vatican's walls and take the ethnocentric paintings with the Holy Family as white people with no siblings for Jesus down, selling them to make the diocese whole for settling abuse claims. Making the Vatican responsible will show that the hierarchy is serious, nothing less. Until the supporters of Vigano' go there, they are blowing smoke.
Nothing the bishops say will have any impact on the coming election. The GOP allies of some of the bishops are going down to defeat in a little more than a week, so it is time for some of the bishops and the Conference as a whole to repent for its fealty to the scam which is the pro-life movement.
Legal abortion will not change. Roe cannot and should not be changed on jurisdictional grounds and, unless legal minds can come up with a way to investigate abortion without investigating miscarriage, 90% of abortions are untouchable by the criminal law. The only answer is economic and the conservatives in the movement will not budge on the only solution, which is to use an expanded refundable tax credit of $1000 per child per month, payable with wages, to give all children a middle class lifestyle.
Blood is running through the sewers around abortion clinics because this is not done. Blood is running through the Tree of Life Synagogue and the streets of drug infested neighborhoods because of both the War on Drugs and Republican fealty to the NRA, which makes the Church's support for the Republican Party a life issue for which the Bishops must atone (especially as the Republican Party is about to go the way of the Federalists).
If such an upheaval happens, it is almost impossible that the USCCB will not go with the flow. Loss of reputation seems to be the only thing the bishops understand. Hopefully, this will involve some public contrition for letting the link with the GOP be so blatant that they even sided with them in opposing health care reform and even punished the Holy Sisters who challenged their cupidity. That the Fortnight for Freedom has seen its last commemoration is obvious as well. The bishops will also have a come to Jesus moment on race relations and voting once their Republican cancer is excised.
As for gay bishops and priests, it is not the time to go after those who react normally to their sexuality. Rather, it is time to accept that such sexuality is appropriate to them and to other gays and lesbians, ending both sacred clerical continence and celibacy and perform gay marriages. The role of asexuality in both sex abuse and sexual morality needs to be examined more closely. Doing so should lead to needed changes. This is another area where it is time to out the bishops for their involvement with the Republicans.
MGB: The bishops have addressed accountability for sexual abuse. With apologies to the victims, many of whom can remember nothing else about their long ago childhoods, the horse is not only dead, it has been filleted and turned into dog food by now. That both the USCCB and MSW have not dropped everything and called for strict gun control immediately is a sad comment on the intellectual and political life of the Church. Thoughts are prayers are not nearly enough.
That child protection it is being used by right-wingers to attack the Pope shows how it has gone from current to reactionary. They are right that Rome needs to be called to account, however. The unfinished business is to raid the Vatican's walls and take the ethnocentric paintings with the Holy Family as white people with no siblings for Jesus down, selling them to make the diocese whole for settling abuse claims. Making the Vatican responsible will show that the hierarchy is serious, nothing less. Until the supporters of Vigano' go there, they are blowing smoke.
Nothing the bishops say will have any impact on the coming election. The GOP allies of some of the bishops are going down to defeat in a little more than a week, so it is time for some of the bishops and the Conference as a whole to repent for its fealty to the scam which is the pro-life movement.
Legal abortion will not change. Roe cannot and should not be changed on jurisdictional grounds and, unless legal minds can come up with a way to investigate abortion without investigating miscarriage, 90% of abortions are untouchable by the criminal law. The only answer is economic and the conservatives in the movement will not budge on the only solution, which is to use an expanded refundable tax credit of $1000 per child per month, payable with wages, to give all children a middle class lifestyle.
Blood is running through the sewers around abortion clinics because this is not done. Blood is running through the Tree of Life Synagogue and the streets of drug infested neighborhoods because of both the War on Drugs and Republican fealty to the NRA, which makes the Church's support for the Republican Party a life issue for which the Bishops must atone (especially as the Republican Party is about to go the way of the Federalists).
If such an upheaval happens, it is almost impossible that the USCCB will not go with the flow. Loss of reputation seems to be the only thing the bishops understand. Hopefully, this will involve some public contrition for letting the link with the GOP be so blatant that they even sided with them in opposing health care reform and even punished the Holy Sisters who challenged their cupidity. That the Fortnight for Freedom has seen its last commemoration is obvious as well. The bishops will also have a come to Jesus moment on race relations and voting once their Republican cancer is excised.
As for gay bishops and priests, it is not the time to go after those who react normally to their sexuality. Rather, it is time to accept that such sexuality is appropriate to them and to other gays and lesbians, ending both sacred clerical continence and celibacy and perform gay marriages. The role of asexuality in both sex abuse and sexual morality needs to be examined more closely. Doing so should lead to needed changes. This is another area where it is time to out the bishops for their involvement with the Republicans.
Friday, October 26, 2018
Viganò's third screed unintentionally reveals his true motives
https://www.ncronline.org/news/accountability/distinctly-catholic/vigan-s-third-screed-unintentionally-reveals-his-true
MGB: Thank you, Sir, may I have another? I should not even read this column. If we call treated Vigano' the way he deserved, he would be a non-person in the eyes of the media. The same is true of the Register. The Church has more than its share of those who think that homosexuals either can be saved from themselves or must simply be cast out before they corrupt the Church. They are a dying breed and at some point must be ignored in their dotage. Vagano', if he did know of the sexual abuse by McCarrick et al, was trapped in the culture of secrecy in the Church. It is good that this is lifted. I suspect Vigano' would rather it was still in place and that the Curia still controlled the Pope. Not today.
MGB: Thank you, Sir, may I have another? I should not even read this column. If we call treated Vigano' the way he deserved, he would be a non-person in the eyes of the media. The same is true of the Register. The Church has more than its share of those who think that homosexuals either can be saved from themselves or must simply be cast out before they corrupt the Church. They are a dying breed and at some point must be ignored in their dotage. Vagano', if he did know of the sexual abuse by McCarrick et al, was trapped in the culture of secrecy in the Church. It is good that this is lifted. I suspect Vigano' would rather it was still in place and that the Curia still controlled the Pope. Not today.
Thursday, October 25, 2018
Links for 10/25/18
https://www.ncronline.org/news/opinion/distinctly-catholic/links-102518
MGB: The only danger is that th caravan shows the humanity of immigrants. A real President would send the Asylum judges to Mexico and then drive them where they need to be in the US by bus.
Small donors and dissing the GOP because they don't want to spend good money after bad. I suspect that many major donors are doing the same thing. Follow the money.
President Pence will reverse Trump's decision on INF during his apology tour.
Civil servants do recognize that Trump is their boss, although I suspect that many are starting action in a way that can be easily challenged. There is an old saying in the bureaucracy - if you want it bad, you get it bad. College students aren't the only ones with PTSD after the election, although it may just be true horror rather than PTSD.
Vigano is best ignored. I may take the day off from reading tomorrow's column.
In battles on ideology, which Chaput thinks it is, words are weapons and acknowledging another's reality ends his bigoted argument. Calling it "their truth" makes it seem like the argument is relativistic. Of course, Chaput and his ilk may be practicing Catholic relativism, since fact seems to prove them wrong. Chaput's truth is that he is trying to save their souls because, at heart, he believes that God is an Ogre looking to damn them if they don't submit to Chaput's idea of divine authority. Chaput's truth is not real truth.
MGB: The only danger is that th caravan shows the humanity of immigrants. A real President would send the Asylum judges to Mexico and then drive them where they need to be in the US by bus.
Small donors and dissing the GOP because they don't want to spend good money after bad. I suspect that many major donors are doing the same thing. Follow the money.
President Pence will reverse Trump's decision on INF during his apology tour.
Civil servants do recognize that Trump is their boss, although I suspect that many are starting action in a way that can be easily challenged. There is an old saying in the bureaucracy - if you want it bad, you get it bad. College students aren't the only ones with PTSD after the election, although it may just be true horror rather than PTSD.
Vigano is best ignored. I may take the day off from reading tomorrow's column.
In battles on ideology, which Chaput thinks it is, words are weapons and acknowledging another's reality ends his bigoted argument. Calling it "their truth" makes it seem like the argument is relativistic. Of course, Chaput and his ilk may be practicing Catholic relativism, since fact seems to prove them wrong. Chaput's truth is that he is trying to save their souls because, at heart, he believes that God is an Ogre looking to damn them if they don't submit to Chaput's idea of divine authority. Chaput's truth is not real truth.
Wednesday, October 24, 2018
When the president is running on fear, issues don't matter
https://www.ncronline.org/news/opinion/distinctly-catholic/when-president-running-fear-issues-dont-matter
MGB: It is the President who is afraid. Published polls mean nothing, they do internal polling until they get an answer. A quick way to know who will win is to see which areas have voted early. If they are heavily Democratic, then a Democrat will win the seat. As for issues,there is only one - the corruption of Donald Trump. Independent Republicans will likely either stay home or vote Democratic. Trump is an embarrassment. Women and minorities will never vote for him, but he may fire up the Latino vote, which is bad for Ted Cruz, et al. If corruption is an answer on the exit polls, we will know right away on election night whether there is a blue wave or not.
MGB: It is the President who is afraid. Published polls mean nothing, they do internal polling until they get an answer. A quick way to know who will win is to see which areas have voted early. If they are heavily Democratic, then a Democrat will win the seat. As for issues,there is only one - the corruption of Donald Trump. Independent Republicans will likely either stay home or vote Democratic. Trump is an embarrassment. Women and minorities will never vote for him, but he may fire up the Latino vote, which is bad for Ted Cruz, et al. If corruption is an answer on the exit polls, we will know right away on election night whether there is a blue wave or not.
Tuesday, October 23, 2018
Links for 10/23/18
https://www.ncronline.org/news/opinion/distinctly-catholic/links-102318
MGB: This is a bald attempt to bring out Catholic conservative voters. This issue is so over and so might be the GOP. Donors are giving up, which is all you need to know. Latino apathy is a myth. Once the caravan gets here and Trump reacts, Latinos will come out. You have to ask is he out to destroy the GOP by pulling a Herman Cain or is he just the stupidest POTUS ever? White Evangelical Women may be another reason that GOP donors are shutting their checkbooks. The GOP is about to go the way of the Federalists. This is doubly true for GOP consultants, who need those checkbooks open.
The large spending two-year budget resolution, which has eaten up the entire tax cut, will eat up any asset inflation from the tax cuts, limiting transfers to bond sales on the whole, which obligates the children of the wealthy to pay more taxes rather soon. Once the rich realize this, there will be no more stupid tax cuts. This is because, on the household level, the debt you owe is dependent on the income tax you pay. There is no such thing as per capita debt.
Harvard is thinking about zero tuition. It is not just having donor parents, it is having the money for the private schooling to get an advantage, even in a no-tuition environment.
If Francis-haters really listened to the Gospels, they would hate Jesus as well. They will be one step below GOP political consultants in Hell.
MGB: This is a bald attempt to bring out Catholic conservative voters. This issue is so over and so might be the GOP. Donors are giving up, which is all you need to know. Latino apathy is a myth. Once the caravan gets here and Trump reacts, Latinos will come out. You have to ask is he out to destroy the GOP by pulling a Herman Cain or is he just the stupidest POTUS ever? White Evangelical Women may be another reason that GOP donors are shutting their checkbooks. The GOP is about to go the way of the Federalists. This is doubly true for GOP consultants, who need those checkbooks open.
The large spending two-year budget resolution, which has eaten up the entire tax cut, will eat up any asset inflation from the tax cuts, limiting transfers to bond sales on the whole, which obligates the children of the wealthy to pay more taxes rather soon. Once the rich realize this, there will be no more stupid tax cuts. This is because, on the household level, the debt you owe is dependent on the income tax you pay. There is no such thing as per capita debt.
Harvard is thinking about zero tuition. It is not just having donor parents, it is having the money for the private schooling to get an advantage, even in a no-tuition environment.
If Francis-haters really listened to the Gospels, they would hate Jesus as well. They will be one step below GOP political consultants in Hell.
Monday, October 22, 2018
Nationalized midterms could contradict some recent political norms
https://www.ncronline.org/news/opinion/distinctly-catholic/nationalized-midterms-could-contradict-some-recent-political-norms
MGB: Almost all posters are keeping it close when it is not. The current line is drawn at a 20% shift in favorability from Republican and Democrats, but recent special elections put the shift from the mid-thirties to the low forties. If that is the working assumption, the Republicans are about to go the way of the Federalists. Nate is now THE guru, although I had the same success in predicting the electoral vote count in 2012. This race is 2006 on steroid and is about the same issue, corruption. The only way to avoid it would have required early release of the Mueller report so that Ryan and McConnell could have confronted Trump and get him out for the good of the party, not that Trump would have listened, but Pence would have. A provision that is supposed to not influence the election is going to destroy the GOP.
One of the oft studied concepts in a American politics is divided government, but that was when it was the Democrats with a lock on the Congress with Republican Presidents. The principles might be the same, save for the extreme partisanship of any Republican Congress. In doctoral school, before both I and my dissertation advisor quit, was going to be comparing the generalized median set for Congress or committees as a whole to how partisan median sets predict electoral results. If I had used current data, partisan sets would have been more predictive. In a Congress with a spread of less than 20 points margin and a historical shift of more than 20 - as well as the preference of voters to believe in ticket splitting should lead to a change in regime, especially if the GOP loses big. Many Republicans have become independents because Trump emebarrasses them. Whether they stay home or vote Democratic, the result will be the same.
In the Senate, if the Democrats defend all seats and take the Republican ones, with a few Republicans shifting parties to keep their Chairmanships, a constitutional majority may result, which means removal for Trump and likely resignation and prosecution - because if Pence pardons Trump, he will be gone too. As it is, there may be a deal that Trump goes and Pence stays as long as there is no pardon, though all will deny it publicly. Pardoning Nixon was national healing. Pardoning Trump will cause riots in the streets.
The shift of Republicans to independents, not even Republican leaning independents means that the 2016 electoral map is history. If the election were held today, Clinton would win. If Mueller has enough on Pence to mention him and Pelosi makies Clinton Speaker (the Speaker need not be a member), then we may that chance. Whether any candidate is pro-life will be a detail easily overlooked. The Church is dealing with the child endangerment issue across the nation, so there will be no pastoral letters this year on Life. The GOP Catholic advantage is no more, at least not this year. Anything else is wishful thinking, which the movement seems to be good at to its own peril.
MGB: Almost all posters are keeping it close when it is not. The current line is drawn at a 20% shift in favorability from Republican and Democrats, but recent special elections put the shift from the mid-thirties to the low forties. If that is the working assumption, the Republicans are about to go the way of the Federalists. Nate is now THE guru, although I had the same success in predicting the electoral vote count in 2012. This race is 2006 on steroid and is about the same issue, corruption. The only way to avoid it would have required early release of the Mueller report so that Ryan and McConnell could have confronted Trump and get him out for the good of the party, not that Trump would have listened, but Pence would have. A provision that is supposed to not influence the election is going to destroy the GOP.
One of the oft studied concepts in a American politics is divided government, but that was when it was the Democrats with a lock on the Congress with Republican Presidents. The principles might be the same, save for the extreme partisanship of any Republican Congress. In doctoral school, before both I and my dissertation advisor quit, was going to be comparing the generalized median set for Congress or committees as a whole to how partisan median sets predict electoral results. If I had used current data, partisan sets would have been more predictive. In a Congress with a spread of less than 20 points margin and a historical shift of more than 20 - as well as the preference of voters to believe in ticket splitting should lead to a change in regime, especially if the GOP loses big. Many Republicans have become independents because Trump emebarrasses them. Whether they stay home or vote Democratic, the result will be the same.
In the Senate, if the Democrats defend all seats and take the Republican ones, with a few Republicans shifting parties to keep their Chairmanships, a constitutional majority may result, which means removal for Trump and likely resignation and prosecution - because if Pence pardons Trump, he will be gone too. As it is, there may be a deal that Trump goes and Pence stays as long as there is no pardon, though all will deny it publicly. Pardoning Nixon was national healing. Pardoning Trump will cause riots in the streets.
The shift of Republicans to independents, not even Republican leaning independents means that the 2016 electoral map is history. If the election were held today, Clinton would win. If Mueller has enough on Pence to mention him and Pelosi makies Clinton Speaker (the Speaker need not be a member), then we may that chance. Whether any candidate is pro-life will be a detail easily overlooked. The Church is dealing with the child endangerment issue across the nation, so there will be no pastoral letters this year on Life. The GOP Catholic advantage is no more, at least not this year. Anything else is wishful thinking, which the movement seems to be good at to its own peril.
Friday, October 19, 2018
'Hidden Tribes' report shows poor prospects for 'Exhausted Majority'
https://www.ncronline.org/news/opinion/distinctly-catholic/hidden-tribes-report-shows-poor-prospects-exhausted-majority
MGB: This is an old meme. U.S. News did a survey on tribes in society 15 years ago. People have been committing sociology in this area for quite some time. My old teacher, the late Aaron Wildavsky even found a partnership with Mary Douglass to study grid-group theory, which shows four basic tribes in any society.
This all predates the Internet. Populism is an incarnation of this, as are bosses insisting on employees voting their way before the secret ballot. My ancestors, the Pilgrims were another example, as is Protestantism as a whole and the Humanist v. Traditionalist debate and the Orthodox v. Reform movement in Judaism and the question of Heaven. Oddly, Jesus was a Reform Pharisee. No wonder they executed him.
To use the Theory of Douglas and Wildavsky, heresy is misbehavior for Hierarchs but demands exclusion among Egalitarians, who don't believe in rules, just excommunication. Berry is an individuals. She thinks for herself. Despots (Authoritarians) are the people who insist on their own rule. The Church thrives on despotic action by an elite, asexual clergy. They certainly don't want subgrouping among the faithful, who are their subjects.The Hidden Tribes also feel ruled by Despots in both parties. Abortion, which is essentially settled at the status quo, is an issue around which Despots manipulate the faithful. The faithful. don't form their own groups. The simply hope for a hero to lead them into a more Egalitarian way of life, one without the fear of heresy. Heroes are the people who transform the boundaries. It is why they are killed or killed off..
MGB: This is an old meme. U.S. News did a survey on tribes in society 15 years ago. People have been committing sociology in this area for quite some time. My old teacher, the late Aaron Wildavsky even found a partnership with Mary Douglass to study grid-group theory, which shows four basic tribes in any society.
This all predates the Internet. Populism is an incarnation of this, as are bosses insisting on employees voting their way before the secret ballot. My ancestors, the Pilgrims were another example, as is Protestantism as a whole and the Humanist v. Traditionalist debate and the Orthodox v. Reform movement in Judaism and the question of Heaven. Oddly, Jesus was a Reform Pharisee. No wonder they executed him.
To use the Theory of Douglas and Wildavsky, heresy is misbehavior for Hierarchs but demands exclusion among Egalitarians, who don't believe in rules, just excommunication. Berry is an individuals. She thinks for herself. Despots (Authoritarians) are the people who insist on their own rule. The Church thrives on despotic action by an elite, asexual clergy. They certainly don't want subgrouping among the faithful, who are their subjects.The Hidden Tribes also feel ruled by Despots in both parties. Abortion, which is essentially settled at the status quo, is an issue around which Despots manipulate the faithful. The faithful. don't form their own groups. The simply hope for a hero to lead them into a more Egalitarian way of life, one without the fear of heresy. Heroes are the people who transform the boundaries. It is why they are killed or killed off..
Thursday, October 18, 2018
Links for 10/18/18
https://www.ncronline.org/news/opinion/distinctly-catholic/links-101818 MGB:
Entitlement cuts are a campaign promise that he thinks will fire up the GOP base. It is a cheap move because the base thinks entitlements go to poor people, not retirees (either themselves, their parents or their grandparents for those remaining young Republicans). There is no chance of these passing and doing so would be a disaster for both the beneficiaries and the economy, since more money would be freed up from bond purchases to run up asset inflation. Mostly stocks, oil futures and junk like Bitcoin. 2008, here we come again!
The NYT solution is what we used to call Environmental Socialism, a term created by the late Joel Kovel. We used to discuss these issues as they would apply to cooperatives. BTW, fusion is in our future if we simply ignore the Koch astroturfers who want to cut its funding.
Moral arguments on abortion don't help unless you are abandoning any legal solution, which is fine with most of us. There is already a negative right to life. The U.S. government cannot kill the unborn, either to limit fertility or by executing a pregnant woman. A positive right to life is another matter. It can only be passed legislatively, which would likely cement the status quo with only a few modifications. I'm all for that too, because it would end the electoral politics associated with the issue.
The outrage over voter suppression can be found every night at 9 PM Eastern on MSNBC. Rachel has been focusing on it and the Tribes have been doing a work around. These incidents are fuel for the restoration of the preclearance provisions in the Voting Rights Act. The bigger the Democrats win, the more likely a veto would fail and I don't believe for a second that Trump is not cheering the racists on.
Trump has a thing for reactionaries of all faiths because he is one and because, regardless of what he really believes on abortion, keeping the issue going is good for GOP fundraising and GOTV.
Entitlement cuts are a campaign promise that he thinks will fire up the GOP base. It is a cheap move because the base thinks entitlements go to poor people, not retirees (either themselves, their parents or their grandparents for those remaining young Republicans). There is no chance of these passing and doing so would be a disaster for both the beneficiaries and the economy, since more money would be freed up from bond purchases to run up asset inflation. Mostly stocks, oil futures and junk like Bitcoin. 2008, here we come again!
The NYT solution is what we used to call Environmental Socialism, a term created by the late Joel Kovel. We used to discuss these issues as they would apply to cooperatives. BTW, fusion is in our future if we simply ignore the Koch astroturfers who want to cut its funding.
Moral arguments on abortion don't help unless you are abandoning any legal solution, which is fine with most of us. There is already a negative right to life. The U.S. government cannot kill the unborn, either to limit fertility or by executing a pregnant woman. A positive right to life is another matter. It can only be passed legislatively, which would likely cement the status quo with only a few modifications. I'm all for that too, because it would end the electoral politics associated with the issue.
The outrage over voter suppression can be found every night at 9 PM Eastern on MSNBC. Rachel has been focusing on it and the Tribes have been doing a work around. These incidents are fuel for the restoration of the preclearance provisions in the Voting Rights Act. The bigger the Democrats win, the more likely a veto would fail and I don't believe for a second that Trump is not cheering the racists on.
Trump has a thing for reactionaries of all faiths because he is one and because, regardless of what he really believes on abortion, keeping the issue going is good for GOP fundraising and GOTV.
Adopting political tactics at synod is understandable, but misplaced
https://www.ncronline.org/news/opinion/distinctly-catholic/adopting-political-tactics-synod-understandable-misplaced
MGB: Politics is anther way to say democracy. It is not a bad thing, especially in the Church. We need more of it. Indeed, it should control how lay deacons are hired, priests assigned and bishops elected. Anything else is Medieval despotism. As for women voting at the Synod or being ordained, yes and yes. Democracy only works if individual dignity is valued. For women in the Church, it is not. As the Millenials say, epic fail. Doubly true for our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters, in the clerical, single and married states. We have had enough time for deliberate speed. What we need for conversion in the Church is a sense of Now. That is how the Spirit works. Resistance to the Spirit is placing the hierarchy above God. Our sexual teaching is Neo-platonic, Stoic, Anachronistic and written by Asexuals who have no ability to relate to others and believe their irregularity is a virtue. It is not. Again, we need a sense of Now. Luckily, we have a Holy Father with that kind of sense.
MGB: Politics is anther way to say democracy. It is not a bad thing, especially in the Church. We need more of it. Indeed, it should control how lay deacons are hired, priests assigned and bishops elected. Anything else is Medieval despotism. As for women voting at the Synod or being ordained, yes and yes. Democracy only works if individual dignity is valued. For women in the Church, it is not. As the Millenials say, epic fail. Doubly true for our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters, in the clerical, single and married states. We have had enough time for deliberate speed. What we need for conversion in the Church is a sense of Now. That is how the Spirit works. Resistance to the Spirit is placing the hierarchy above God. Our sexual teaching is Neo-platonic, Stoic, Anachronistic and written by Asexuals who have no ability to relate to others and believe their irregularity is a virtue. It is not. Again, we need a sense of Now. Luckily, we have a Holy Father with that kind of sense.
Tuesday, October 16, 2018
Links for 10/16/18
https://www.ncronline.org/news/opinion/distinctly-catholic/links-101618
MGB: Trump's attempts are likely a violation of the Fifth Amendment (14 regulates conduct by , the States). The courts will never allow it, nor will Congress pass it. These are simply for political consumption Sadly for Trump, fewer people are listening to him than ever before. As to the Evangelicals, they are not monolithic. There are liberal Evangelicals and Black Evangelicals who are not for Trump. Call them Cultural Conservatives, which is a polite way to say they are racists, reactionaries or both. Trump cannot, on his own, restrict immigration. This is all smoke for his political base, although restricting immigration makes illegal migration more likely, which is good for his capitalist crownies, who like slave labor instead of legal labor.
The fact that Warren is from Oklahoma is a sign of her heritage, not just her bloodline. Also, she did use that heritage to a leg up in seeking an education, which does not get her points with those reactionary racists Trump depends on (since he is one of them - it seems to be his heritage).
Turning Dr. Ford into an electoral strategy is both stupid and cynical, if true. Chuck and Diane were either stupid or craven to go public with this.
First Things shows that they are as culturally conservative (reactionary racist) as any other Trumpsters. I am glad MSW has taken up my Catholic Herald beat, as I used to react to them weekly. Another example of Catholic reactionaries. Where Flynn stands is where he sits, which seem to be the cheap seats. Seems to go double for Dougherty, who at least reads your column and comments on it. on Facebook. Hi, Mike. Perhaps MSW should too.
MGB: Trump's attempts are likely a violation of the Fifth Amendment (14 regulates conduct by , the States). The courts will never allow it, nor will Congress pass it. These are simply for political consumption Sadly for Trump, fewer people are listening to him than ever before. As to the Evangelicals, they are not monolithic. There are liberal Evangelicals and Black Evangelicals who are not for Trump. Call them Cultural Conservatives, which is a polite way to say they are racists, reactionaries or both. Trump cannot, on his own, restrict immigration. This is all smoke for his political base, although restricting immigration makes illegal migration more likely, which is good for his capitalist crownies, who like slave labor instead of legal labor.
The fact that Warren is from Oklahoma is a sign of her heritage, not just her bloodline. Also, she did use that heritage to a leg up in seeking an education, which does not get her points with those reactionary racists Trump depends on (since he is one of them - it seems to be his heritage).
Turning Dr. Ford into an electoral strategy is both stupid and cynical, if true. Chuck and Diane were either stupid or craven to go public with this.
First Things shows that they are as culturally conservative (reactionary racist) as any other Trumpsters. I am glad MSW has taken up my Catholic Herald beat, as I used to react to them weekly. Another example of Catholic reactionaries. Where Flynn stands is where he sits, which seem to be the cheap seats. Seems to go double for Dougherty, who at least reads your column and comments on it. on Facebook. Hi, Mike. Perhaps MSW should too.
Monday, October 15, 2018
Midterm elections will be a referendum on Trump, not Kavanaugh
https://www.ncronline.org/news/opinion/distinctly-catholic/midterm-elections-will-be-referendum-trump-not-kavanaugh
MGB: Supreme Court picks do not matter. The Garland incident did not put President Clinton into office. It had no impact at all. Neither will Kavanaugh on the mid-terms. The women who were fired up the Ford charges were fired up anyway. Indeed, if Dr. Ford was used by the Democrats to gin up support, it was wasted time by all for nothing but the solidarity of rape victims (although that is worthy in itself).
As for abortion and gay rights, Kav is probably the 8th justice supporting Roe, as both Trump appointees will follow with the Bush and Obama justices. If social issues were the only thing keeping Justice Ginsberg in office, she could retire in peace. Any new justice would be part of the 8. If Thomas retired or died, the number for Roe would be nine. These cases are now 9-0, not 5-4. As for the culture, it is not going anywhere. Indeed, Catholics will change their minds more the progressives. The only place 14th Amendment law can be changed in Congress and they would simply ratify the status quo, ending the issue forever.
If there were no more Kavanaugh or abortion stories, the silence would be golden. Dumping on the next Speaker is also a parlor game that has worn out its usefulness. It is merely code for wanting Roe overturned. Enough already. Local candidates will always hit local issues, regardless of what the leadership wants, unless, of course, donors are sensitive to the issues discussed. They likely will not be, knowing that in the end, they have bought the votes of even the most ardent progressive. The mid-terms are a definite lock. The only question is whether the GOP will lose big or lose small. To lose small, they can ask Trump to resign, although the lack of a Mueller report kills that possibility. If Mueller also implicates Pence and enough Senate Republicans go along, Speaker Pelosi will become President Pelosi. Even that prospect will not help Trump with any but his most ardent supporters. Many of the rally attendees are paid, so they are no barometer..
MGB: Supreme Court picks do not matter. The Garland incident did not put President Clinton into office. It had no impact at all. Neither will Kavanaugh on the mid-terms. The women who were fired up the Ford charges were fired up anyway. Indeed, if Dr. Ford was used by the Democrats to gin up support, it was wasted time by all for nothing but the solidarity of rape victims (although that is worthy in itself).
As for abortion and gay rights, Kav is probably the 8th justice supporting Roe, as both Trump appointees will follow with the Bush and Obama justices. If social issues were the only thing keeping Justice Ginsberg in office, she could retire in peace. Any new justice would be part of the 8. If Thomas retired or died, the number for Roe would be nine. These cases are now 9-0, not 5-4. As for the culture, it is not going anywhere. Indeed, Catholics will change their minds more the progressives. The only place 14th Amendment law can be changed in Congress and they would simply ratify the status quo, ending the issue forever.
If there were no more Kavanaugh or abortion stories, the silence would be golden. Dumping on the next Speaker is also a parlor game that has worn out its usefulness. It is merely code for wanting Roe overturned. Enough already. Local candidates will always hit local issues, regardless of what the leadership wants, unless, of course, donors are sensitive to the issues discussed. They likely will not be, knowing that in the end, they have bought the votes of even the most ardent progressive. The mid-terms are a definite lock. The only question is whether the GOP will lose big or lose small. To lose small, they can ask Trump to resign, although the lack of a Mueller report kills that possibility. If Mueller also implicates Pence and enough Senate Republicans go along, Speaker Pelosi will become President Pelosi. Even that prospect will not help Trump with any but his most ardent supporters. Many of the rally attendees are paid, so they are no barometer..
Saturday, October 13, 2018
Wuerl hounded from office for becoming face of abuse crisis
https://www.ncronline.org/news/accountability/distinctly-catholic/wuerl-hounded-office-becoming-face-abuse-crisis
MGB: Ever the loyalist, he took one for the team when a Pennsylvania prosecutor tried to make a name for himself using old news, conveniently leaving Philly out of the analysis. We still don't know how high up the food chain that scandal goes. There are a few Cardinals in that town that need to be pried from office.
The hunt for perpetrators often leads to the firing of those who actually try to solve problems rather than the ones who are more organization man than team player. The difference is profound. No good deed goes unpunished. Those who do bad deeds, especially for reasons of power and money, tend to go unpunished. If Wuerl and company did not challenge them it is because some people are better ignored. Martyring them simply gins up their followers.
The resignation of Wuerl is no win for the right wing. Indeed, he was their friend in heresy hounding. I actually look forward to a new Archbishop or Cardinal (as long as it is not Chaput) who will likely shake things up a bit - especially regarding the National Basilica and CUA. Whomever it is, he will be a Francis man. The right-wing needs to learn that they should be careful what they wish for.
The pity is that the clergy still has our checkbook and our only recourse is to stiff the Church and some of its less toxic ministries. Until we make alternate arrangements for funding parishes and owning the grounds democratically, letting abuse go unpunished is a call to a lawyer away. Replacing Wuerl should be our choice, not the Congregation of Bishops or the Nuncio (unless this See becomes the American Patriarchy, then the Archbishops would select him - or her).
MGB: Ever the loyalist, he took one for the team when a Pennsylvania prosecutor tried to make a name for himself using old news, conveniently leaving Philly out of the analysis. We still don't know how high up the food chain that scandal goes. There are a few Cardinals in that town that need to be pried from office.
The hunt for perpetrators often leads to the firing of those who actually try to solve problems rather than the ones who are more organization man than team player. The difference is profound. No good deed goes unpunished. Those who do bad deeds, especially for reasons of power and money, tend to go unpunished. If Wuerl and company did not challenge them it is because some people are better ignored. Martyring them simply gins up their followers.
The resignation of Wuerl is no win for the right wing. Indeed, he was their friend in heresy hounding. I actually look forward to a new Archbishop or Cardinal (as long as it is not Chaput) who will likely shake things up a bit - especially regarding the National Basilica and CUA. Whomever it is, he will be a Francis man. The right-wing needs to learn that they should be careful what they wish for.
The pity is that the clergy still has our checkbook and our only recourse is to stiff the Church and some of its less toxic ministries. Until we make alternate arrangements for funding parishes and owning the grounds democratically, letting abuse go unpunished is a call to a lawyer away. Replacing Wuerl should be our choice, not the Congregation of Bishops or the Nuncio (unless this See becomes the American Patriarchy, then the Archbishops would select him - or her).
Thursday, October 11, 2018
Links for 10/11/18
https://www.ncronline.org/news/opinion/distinctly-catholic/links-101118
MGB: Bless you and you dad in Heaven and bless the Red Sox. I would hate the Cubs to have it too easy.
The Koch's believe racism is a civil right instead of bad and sometimes illegal behavior. They don't realize that if it makes it into actual behavior that it demands a police state to enforce, which is in no way libertarian. Racists can think what they like, but they need to behave. Their outward expression of their hate is essentially terrorism.
The folks who advise the Democrats, be they consultants, staff or their own selves have let public relations overcome policy, even policies that would make things better for workers and their families. People don't despair on politics and voting because the public relations have failed, it is because the ideas that they believe in are not represented. Both sides are "them." Proportional representation overcomes this problem. Where it is in force, everyone votes. It would not be useful in the Senate or in small states, but would work in large states, state governments or even regional governments if representation is entirely by party proportion and not geographic. When everyone has a stake, no one votes but the people who clearly feel represented. At some point, the reactionary party will die - indeed, Trump is killing it - either by bumbling or doing a performance that rivals that of Herman Cain. Can anyone be that stupid?
The bishops need to do more than discipline predator priests, most of whom are retired or dead. At some point, we need to remind everyone that forgiveness helps the victim, not the perpetrator. As for the bishops, this scandal shows that non-profits are more accountable than medievalist bishops who technically own the property in their Sees. It is time for them to give the checkbook back to the people. It destroys the bishop's moral authority to make all things Catholic be about them, which is the height of relativism and subjectivism. They have become what they fear the most.
Blogs have democratized the news business. Newsrooms are becoming more irrelevant by the day, which is a shame, because Yale actually teaches them to do good work. Trump is certainly bothered by them, which is good for our democracy.
Most abortions are cash and (I won't go there, it is a bad pun on a sad thing). You are more likely to directly fund abortion by going to McDonald's then by paying your taxes. Low wage workers paying with cash are those most likely to get abortions. States save money by paying for them. Fix that problem and abortion goes away (by funding family income using a Subtraction VAT that directs pay to larger families with a credit to employers on that tax).
Titular sees are the Church's stab at proportional representation for Trads, unless the pope is modern. Bishops should be locally elected by a body of lay deacons elected by their parishes and the priests of the diocese. The bishops can choose their Metropolitan and the Metropolitans their Patriarchs, who then chose which among them goes to New Rome, for either a fixed term or life. If we wish to get rid of Medievalism (the essence of clericalism) then fixed terms are better.
Greece has too much smog, as does Los Angeles and Beijing. Moscow should be avoided at all costs. Since most of the viewership is American (at least in terms of advertising) maybe the center of world power should get the games. Of course, the people of Landover have enough traffic on game day and the games would make the roads even worse. Maybe we need to build a city and call it Olympus - or go to Olympia, Washington instead.
MGB: Bless you and you dad in Heaven and bless the Red Sox. I would hate the Cubs to have it too easy.
The Koch's believe racism is a civil right instead of bad and sometimes illegal behavior. They don't realize that if it makes it into actual behavior that it demands a police state to enforce, which is in no way libertarian. Racists can think what they like, but they need to behave. Their outward expression of their hate is essentially terrorism.
The folks who advise the Democrats, be they consultants, staff or their own selves have let public relations overcome policy, even policies that would make things better for workers and their families. People don't despair on politics and voting because the public relations have failed, it is because the ideas that they believe in are not represented. Both sides are "them." Proportional representation overcomes this problem. Where it is in force, everyone votes. It would not be useful in the Senate or in small states, but would work in large states, state governments or even regional governments if representation is entirely by party proportion and not geographic. When everyone has a stake, no one votes but the people who clearly feel represented. At some point, the reactionary party will die - indeed, Trump is killing it - either by bumbling or doing a performance that rivals that of Herman Cain. Can anyone be that stupid?
The bishops need to do more than discipline predator priests, most of whom are retired or dead. At some point, we need to remind everyone that forgiveness helps the victim, not the perpetrator. As for the bishops, this scandal shows that non-profits are more accountable than medievalist bishops who technically own the property in their Sees. It is time for them to give the checkbook back to the people. It destroys the bishop's moral authority to make all things Catholic be about them, which is the height of relativism and subjectivism. They have become what they fear the most.
Blogs have democratized the news business. Newsrooms are becoming more irrelevant by the day, which is a shame, because Yale actually teaches them to do good work. Trump is certainly bothered by them, which is good for our democracy.
Most abortions are cash and (I won't go there, it is a bad pun on a sad thing). You are more likely to directly fund abortion by going to McDonald's then by paying your taxes. Low wage workers paying with cash are those most likely to get abortions. States save money by paying for them. Fix that problem and abortion goes away (by funding family income using a Subtraction VAT that directs pay to larger families with a credit to employers on that tax).
Titular sees are the Church's stab at proportional representation for Trads, unless the pope is modern. Bishops should be locally elected by a body of lay deacons elected by their parishes and the priests of the diocese. The bishops can choose their Metropolitan and the Metropolitans their Patriarchs, who then chose which among them goes to New Rome, for either a fixed term or life. If we wish to get rid of Medievalism (the essence of clericalism) then fixed terms are better.
Greece has too much smog, as does Los Angeles and Beijing. Moscow should be avoided at all costs. Since most of the viewership is American (at least in terms of advertising) maybe the center of world power should get the games. Of course, the people of Landover have enough traffic on game day and the games would make the roads even worse. Maybe we need to build a city and call it Olympus - or go to Olympia, Washington instead.
Wednesday, October 10, 2018
US bishops must recapture spirit of collegial governance
https://www.ncronline.org/news/opinion/distinctly-catholic/us-bishops-must-recapture-spirit-collegial-governance
MGB: First we need collegiality among their Holinesses, the Patriarchs of the major Churches of Catholicism: New Rome, Rome, Alexandria, Jerusalem, Moscow and Antioch (if one can be found). They need to add to their number, as it is a very Mediterranean centered group. They are needed in Brazilia, Washington or Galway, Buenos Aires, Beijing and Copenhagen. They need collegiality first before it can be expected of their Metropolitans and Bishops, all recognizing the primacy of New Rome.
Of course, doing so would end the need for the Roman Curia almost entirely because Italy, Spain, Portugal and France do not need a Curia of that size to support the Roman Patriarch. Send them home as Metropolitans or Patriarchs and make the rest of them take a parish. Don't send them to New Rome. Bartholomew has has enough problems dealing with Erdogan to deal with them.
As for America, et al, all Patriarchs need to handle the abuse crisis, which is what the Church was quietly dealing with when Jesus was to have said that any who would lead these astray (in pederasty) would be better off dead by swimming with the fishes in the Sea of Galilee.
The main problem here is that people who are sexually unformed, asexuals, flock to the priesthood because they believe their lack of lust for women (or men) makes them holy rather than weird. They have caused too much mischief in the Roman Church to be allowed to control sexual morality (from Sacred Continence to Birth Control). They needed to be outed, especially to themselves. That problem has nothing to do with collegiality. While Oullet is probably not an abuser, he needs to be outed as well. A bit of self-awareness on his part could be a gift to his fellows.
It does have to do with accountability. That should not be to each other but to their priests and people, who should be the ones electing and removing them, just as the priests and parish or diocesan administrators are responsible to the people they serve (and who pay them). They have shown themselves to be bad with money, following their lawyers rather than Jesus, and can no longer be trusted with a checkbook. The Galatian Patriarch (Galway or Washington) would have disciplinary and teaching authority for his or her Church. Pius feared the Americanist heresy. We need to validate those fears.
As for Vigano', I don't care about anything he says or does. The world can see sour grapes when it occurs. He needed to have his nose rubbed in it and now he needs to be disappeared. He hurt the American Church by siding with traditionalist abusers rather than doing for it what he tried to do with the Vatican Bank. He was a disappointment. Douthat and Dougherty should also both be ignored as right-wing mouth pieces taking shots from the cheap seats.
MGB: First we need collegiality among their Holinesses, the Patriarchs of the major Churches of Catholicism: New Rome, Rome, Alexandria, Jerusalem, Moscow and Antioch (if one can be found). They need to add to their number, as it is a very Mediterranean centered group. They are needed in Brazilia, Washington or Galway, Buenos Aires, Beijing and Copenhagen. They need collegiality first before it can be expected of their Metropolitans and Bishops, all recognizing the primacy of New Rome.
Of course, doing so would end the need for the Roman Curia almost entirely because Italy, Spain, Portugal and France do not need a Curia of that size to support the Roman Patriarch. Send them home as Metropolitans or Patriarchs and make the rest of them take a parish. Don't send them to New Rome. Bartholomew has has enough problems dealing with Erdogan to deal with them.
As for America, et al, all Patriarchs need to handle the abuse crisis, which is what the Church was quietly dealing with when Jesus was to have said that any who would lead these astray (in pederasty) would be better off dead by swimming with the fishes in the Sea of Galilee.
The main problem here is that people who are sexually unformed, asexuals, flock to the priesthood because they believe their lack of lust for women (or men) makes them holy rather than weird. They have caused too much mischief in the Roman Church to be allowed to control sexual morality (from Sacred Continence to Birth Control). They needed to be outed, especially to themselves. That problem has nothing to do with collegiality. While Oullet is probably not an abuser, he needs to be outed as well. A bit of self-awareness on his part could be a gift to his fellows.
It does have to do with accountability. That should not be to each other but to their priests and people, who should be the ones electing and removing them, just as the priests and parish or diocesan administrators are responsible to the people they serve (and who pay them). They have shown themselves to be bad with money, following their lawyers rather than Jesus, and can no longer be trusted with a checkbook. The Galatian Patriarch (Galway or Washington) would have disciplinary and teaching authority for his or her Church. Pius feared the Americanist heresy. We need to validate those fears.
As for Vigano', I don't care about anything he says or does. The world can see sour grapes when it occurs. He needed to have his nose rubbed in it and now he needs to be disappeared. He hurt the American Church by siding with traditionalist abusers rather than doing for it what he tried to do with the Vatican Bank. He was a disappointment. Douthat and Dougherty should also both be ignored as right-wing mouth pieces taking shots from the cheap seats.
Monday, October 8, 2018
Lay-led reform raises question: Can Catholic Church be bought?
https://www.ncronline.org/news/opinion/distinctly-catholic/lay-led-reform-raises-question-can-catholic-church-be-bought
MGB: The Foster article reminds me of Napoleon going to Rome and telling a Cardinal that he would destroy the Church. The Cardinal counseled him that the bishops have been trying to do so fort 1800 years and have not been able. The same is true of any right-wing cabal out to discredit a pope who favors the poor over capitalist reactionaries, swift boat tactics or not. As for Professor Richards, he likely has tenure. Sacking him is out of the question. Rather, his think tank should be disbanded. More sadly, CUA needs money, so they will do no such thing. If its alumni gave any real money, they would not have to take the dirty stuff.
The Augustine Institute is badly misnamed than Ave Maria Law School (our Lady was a bit of a left winger if you read the Magnificat), the Susan B. Anthony Center (Susan was a friend of my great-grandmother and both were feminists) or the Cardinal Newman Society (may his husband forgive them).
Schlumpf's report's quotations say it all. It was reactionary donors that helped bankroll the cover-ups when they happened decades ago. At least they know where the bodies are buried, which is why they are digging where the bodies are not, instead going after the Holy Father.
As for the sexuality of priests, it is not the gay priests who offend (although such red meat will make some of the flock follow them, but only the human relics in the Knights of Columbus), but the Asexual priests whose lack of sexual formation leaves them helpless when their lust bubbles up to the surface. The Asexual crowd is also responsible for the Gnostic and Stoic legacy of the Church, which goes from Sacred Continence to Evangelium Vitae..
Busch is right, the people who covered up abuse must be marginalized, it is just not the people he thinks. Purity, it turns out, is not even healthy in priests. It certainly should not be forced on the faithful, both heterosexual and homosexual. When Jesus taught about purity and righteousness, he was talking about a thirst for justice, not some idealized form of chastity. It is time to out the Aces, especially to themselves.
The reactionary attempt at reform is actually another version of SIMONY, but most of the real laity will likely ignore Busch and his minions. The real answer is for the many to take control, not a rich few. The gates of Hell shall not overcome the Church or it's Pope because when it comes time to do so, the Church will change for the better. Reaction is never better.
MGB: The Foster article reminds me of Napoleon going to Rome and telling a Cardinal that he would destroy the Church. The Cardinal counseled him that the bishops have been trying to do so fort 1800 years and have not been able. The same is true of any right-wing cabal out to discredit a pope who favors the poor over capitalist reactionaries, swift boat tactics or not. As for Professor Richards, he likely has tenure. Sacking him is out of the question. Rather, his think tank should be disbanded. More sadly, CUA needs money, so they will do no such thing. If its alumni gave any real money, they would not have to take the dirty stuff.
The Augustine Institute is badly misnamed than Ave Maria Law School (our Lady was a bit of a left winger if you read the Magnificat), the Susan B. Anthony Center (Susan was a friend of my great-grandmother and both were feminists) or the Cardinal Newman Society (may his husband forgive them).
Schlumpf's report's quotations say it all. It was reactionary donors that helped bankroll the cover-ups when they happened decades ago. At least they know where the bodies are buried, which is why they are digging where the bodies are not, instead going after the Holy Father.
As for the sexuality of priests, it is not the gay priests who offend (although such red meat will make some of the flock follow them, but only the human relics in the Knights of Columbus), but the Asexual priests whose lack of sexual formation leaves them helpless when their lust bubbles up to the surface. The Asexual crowd is also responsible for the Gnostic and Stoic legacy of the Church, which goes from Sacred Continence to Evangelium Vitae..
Busch is right, the people who covered up abuse must be marginalized, it is just not the people he thinks. Purity, it turns out, is not even healthy in priests. It certainly should not be forced on the faithful, both heterosexual and homosexual. When Jesus taught about purity and righteousness, he was talking about a thirst for justice, not some idealized form of chastity. It is time to out the Aces, especially to themselves.
The reactionary attempt at reform is actually another version of SIMONY, but most of the real laity will likely ignore Busch and his minions. The real answer is for the many to take control, not a rich few. The gates of Hell shall not overcome the Church or it's Pope because when it comes time to do so, the Church will change for the better. Reaction is never better.
Friday, October 5, 2018
Let's go a year in America without the elites
https://www.ncronline.org/news/opinion/distinctly-catholic/lets-go-year-america-without-elites
MGB: Power cedes nothing without a struggle. The elites are not taking a holiday, although because the Bishops are also elite, maybe just they could. Democracy must be seized, it will not be given, whether in Lagos or New York.
Fred Trump is a racist ass and the apple does not fall far from the tree. As a result, Donald attracts voters who are also somewhat racist, both in reaction to Obama and just because they feel threatened by the decline of whiteness in America. As a future minority, they have reason to be afraid and voter suppression has already started (it never really ended) in the southern states. These elites did not go to the Ivies, they went to Bama. (Roll Tide).
The hard core Trump contingent thinks the Times is the Zionist Daily and won't believe its reports about Trump being a slacker whose main preoccupation is decorating his personal space. Elites seeking tax breaks also like their Trump, but may be realizing that sane America will not, so they will cut their losses and chastise the Republicans come November unless they shoot their own dog, preferably next week. Elite Republicans, especially the CEO class, use tax cuts as an incentive to keep worker salaries low, including the salaries of competing companies.
If taxes are too high, there is no such incentive because and bonus or dividend earned will simply go to the governrment. When this happens, workers unionize and demand higher pay, which spurs inflation and a decline in asset values for the elites. Additionally, if taxes are low, elites can take money, which is beyond what companies need to grow, and gamble it in the stock, bond (think mortgage backed securities) and commodities markets (especially oil) until a bubble sinks the economy and shows which companies are resilient and which deserve to fail,. This is why elites hate bailouts because it ruins their fun.
Low taxes also cause elites to cheat employees, customers, suppliers and the IRS. This is where racism and elitism support each other. It is the reason that redlining still exists in banking and tax evasion seems to have become a Republican civil virtue. It gives their supporters among the poor a model to emulate, which is why corruption and privilege rule in business, politics (as campaign funds buy members of Congress) and even the Church.
This allows Kavenaugh to be confirmed with a wink and a nod, lest the corrupt past of other elites whose family money or diocesan fortunes are used to buy the silence of their victims. Such lack of virtue prevents no one from entering the best schools, where such conduct continues, or learning to cheat in business, politics and the Church as the young become the old elites. Thus the system preserves itself.
The elites do not surrender power. It must be taken from them, starting with radicalizing firms that are already moving toward democracy, Employee Stock Ownership Plans and Cooperatives. Until workers realize that ownership means cash and prizes from owning the means of consumption, like interest free loans, free housing and education for youth and election of mangers, especially CEOs, they will let the current elites run free. Until they demand more, the elites will not take time off to chill.
As for the Church, elect lay deacons to take the checkbooks away from priests and bishops, see to the posting of the former and election of the latter so that the workers can be comfortable using the Church to provide educational and social services to their families. It is also time to end the elitism of men. Ordain women!
MGB: Power cedes nothing without a struggle. The elites are not taking a holiday, although because the Bishops are also elite, maybe just they could. Democracy must be seized, it will not be given, whether in Lagos or New York.
Fred Trump is a racist ass and the apple does not fall far from the tree. As a result, Donald attracts voters who are also somewhat racist, both in reaction to Obama and just because they feel threatened by the decline of whiteness in America. As a future minority, they have reason to be afraid and voter suppression has already started (it never really ended) in the southern states. These elites did not go to the Ivies, they went to Bama. (Roll Tide).
The hard core Trump contingent thinks the Times is the Zionist Daily and won't believe its reports about Trump being a slacker whose main preoccupation is decorating his personal space. Elites seeking tax breaks also like their Trump, but may be realizing that sane America will not, so they will cut their losses and chastise the Republicans come November unless they shoot their own dog, preferably next week. Elite Republicans, especially the CEO class, use tax cuts as an incentive to keep worker salaries low, including the salaries of competing companies.
If taxes are too high, there is no such incentive because and bonus or dividend earned will simply go to the governrment. When this happens, workers unionize and demand higher pay, which spurs inflation and a decline in asset values for the elites. Additionally, if taxes are low, elites can take money, which is beyond what companies need to grow, and gamble it in the stock, bond (think mortgage backed securities) and commodities markets (especially oil) until a bubble sinks the economy and shows which companies are resilient and which deserve to fail,. This is why elites hate bailouts because it ruins their fun.
Low taxes also cause elites to cheat employees, customers, suppliers and the IRS. This is where racism and elitism support each other. It is the reason that redlining still exists in banking and tax evasion seems to have become a Republican civil virtue. It gives their supporters among the poor a model to emulate, which is why corruption and privilege rule in business, politics (as campaign funds buy members of Congress) and even the Church.
This allows Kavenaugh to be confirmed with a wink and a nod, lest the corrupt past of other elites whose family money or diocesan fortunes are used to buy the silence of their victims. Such lack of virtue prevents no one from entering the best schools, where such conduct continues, or learning to cheat in business, politics and the Church as the young become the old elites. Thus the system preserves itself.
The elites do not surrender power. It must be taken from them, starting with radicalizing firms that are already moving toward democracy, Employee Stock Ownership Plans and Cooperatives. Until workers realize that ownership means cash and prizes from owning the means of consumption, like interest free loans, free housing and education for youth and election of mangers, especially CEOs, they will let the current elites run free. Until they demand more, the elites will not take time off to chill.
As for the Church, elect lay deacons to take the checkbooks away from priests and bishops, see to the posting of the former and election of the latter so that the workers can be comfortable using the Church to provide educational and social services to their families. It is also time to end the elitism of men. Ordain women!
Thursday, October 4, 2018
Links for 10/4/18
https://www.ncronline.org/news/opinion/distinctly-catholic/links-10418
MGB: Blessings on those with pets, ethical farmers and animal rights activists. (Shout out to college buddies Danny Matthews and Stacey Polacco).
The new argument about Kav is whether his outbursts a week ago disqualify him for the Court, if not his current appointment. This is probably better than make him the sin eater for rapists.(probably) Is America Magazine right to pull its endorsement based on his alleged sexual conduct, history demeanor or partisanship (maybe)? Is civility the solution (hardly)?
Polls on Francis reveal a slide due to how sexual abuse has been handled. Vigano got his wish. Should Francs be the sin eater for bishops who ignored the crisis caused by taking the advice of lawyers and handling things quietly while moving priests around? Comments? Should we care about the anonymous criticisms of the current Synod on Children by conservatives? Is First Things even worth reporting about?
Republicans in Congress seem not to like Trump but pander to his voters. Will the latter care (No)? Does Trump denying visas to same sex partners a sign he is pandering or that he favors marriage equality (pandering)?
MGB: Blessings on those with pets, ethical farmers and animal rights activists. (Shout out to college buddies Danny Matthews and Stacey Polacco).
The new argument about Kav is whether his outbursts a week ago disqualify him for the Court, if not his current appointment. This is probably better than make him the sin eater for rapists.(probably) Is America Magazine right to pull its endorsement based on his alleged sexual conduct, history demeanor or partisanship (maybe)? Is civility the solution (hardly)?
Polls on Francis reveal a slide due to how sexual abuse has been handled. Vigano got his wish. Should Francs be the sin eater for bishops who ignored the crisis caused by taking the advice of lawyers and handling things quietly while moving priests around? Comments? Should we care about the anonymous criticisms of the current Synod on Children by conservatives? Is First Things even worth reporting about?
Republicans in Congress seem not to like Trump but pander to his voters. Will the latter care (No)? Does Trump denying visas to same sex partners a sign he is pandering or that he favors marriage equality (pandering)?
Wednesday, October 3, 2018
Kavanaugh hearings, reactions are moral reckoning, not 'national disgrace'
https://www.ncronline.org/news/opinion/distinctly-catholic/kavanaugh-hearings-reactions-are-moral-reckoning-not-national\
MGB: This could have been avoided if Dr. Ford had talked to the FBI rather than Fienstein, the GOP had not stonewalled when they heard about it and the matter addressed in the executive session after the hearings were over, out of public view.
The sad thing is that this was dragged into the public eye, that Kavenaugh was made to be the scapegoat or sin eater for all sexually aggressive teenage boys while the Democrats made it a process issue, boycotting the committee investigation in order to insist on the FBI investigation, all the while trying to mobilize women as the GOP was out to mobilize white men. Sadly, there will be no moral reckoning for this, just continuing cynicism.
Whether Kav abused Ford is a matter for his personal confession and Dr. Ford's willingness to file a criminal complaint in Maryland, which has no statute of limitations on the alleged conduct, thanks to the excesses of the Catholic Church in covering such abuse up with settlements designed to avoid prosecution of priests. Kav gonig to jail is a stronger moral statement as is Kav either resigning his office because he is convinced of his guilt Either or both will chill the will of teenagers to rape or even drink.
Parents will think twice about letting teens party in the basement. Fathers should also tell their daughters to come to them if anything happens, regardless of threats, to use force as necessary against aggressors and be willing to tear off the heads of anyone who does (and shit down their necks) - and their fathers as well .or police who shirk their duties to investigate because they thought the girl had it coming. Girls Lives Matter
As for the Civil War, after federal troops left, the penal system was used to re-enslave black men who could be found not working, just as welfare penalized families with men in the home and the war on drugs locks up black boys and men when whites would be sent to rehab. THAT is still a national disgrace, where moral reckoning is sadly missing. Repealing drug laws and paying both a decent minimum wage and a no-questions-asked $1000 per month tax credit for each child will solve the problem for black men, while causing low wage employers to share their toys.
MGB: This could have been avoided if Dr. Ford had talked to the FBI rather than Fienstein, the GOP had not stonewalled when they heard about it and the matter addressed in the executive session after the hearings were over, out of public view.
The sad thing is that this was dragged into the public eye, that Kavenaugh was made to be the scapegoat or sin eater for all sexually aggressive teenage boys while the Democrats made it a process issue, boycotting the committee investigation in order to insist on the FBI investigation, all the while trying to mobilize women as the GOP was out to mobilize white men. Sadly, there will be no moral reckoning for this, just continuing cynicism.
Whether Kav abused Ford is a matter for his personal confession and Dr. Ford's willingness to file a criminal complaint in Maryland, which has no statute of limitations on the alleged conduct, thanks to the excesses of the Catholic Church in covering such abuse up with settlements designed to avoid prosecution of priests. Kav gonig to jail is a stronger moral statement as is Kav either resigning his office because he is convinced of his guilt Either or both will chill the will of teenagers to rape or even drink.
Parents will think twice about letting teens party in the basement. Fathers should also tell their daughters to come to them if anything happens, regardless of threats, to use force as necessary against aggressors and be willing to tear off the heads of anyone who does (and shit down their necks) - and their fathers as well .or police who shirk their duties to investigate because they thought the girl had it coming. Girls Lives Matter
As for the Civil War, after federal troops left, the penal system was used to re-enslave black men who could be found not working, just as welfare penalized families with men in the home and the war on drugs locks up black boys and men when whites would be sent to rehab. THAT is still a national disgrace, where moral reckoning is sadly missing. Repealing drug laws and paying both a decent minimum wage and a no-questions-asked $1000 per month tax credit for each child will solve the problem for black men, while causing low wage employers to share their toys.
Tuesday, October 2, 2018
Links for 10/2/18
https://www.ncronline.org/news/opinion/distinctly-catholic/links-10218
MGB: Enough of the errant Archbishops. We all know that Vigano' is a vengeful, Pentin is an idiot, DiNardo a disappointment and Chaput is all three. Fr. Z is all three squared. Someone rid us of these meddlesome priests. Francis, call your office!
In the 80's grinding was not sex, although forcible grinding is still molestation, in the 90's, it was oral, but forced is still rape. If the FBI can convince Kav he really did what people say, he should resign is his seat in DC and withdraw his name, else he is still a cad.
Busch want to turn the Church from a medieval despotism to a reactionary plutocracy. That does not invalidate the need for democracy from below, at least as far as the money and power are concerned. Medievalism in the Church has seen it's day. It was a modern form in the middle ages, now it is passe, as are those who cling to it. Fr. Reese, call your office!
Burning a flag is legitimate protest. What is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander. Sometimes it is heroic, other times it is fascist. Highlighting the fascists is not worth our time of day except to know they are out there. Do they have a flag we can burn?
I learned when I was the local Catholic left blogger for the Examiner not to take Elizabeth seriously.
I don't take Ryan seriously either. The House bill was an attempt to pander to GOP donors. The donors don't like wasting money, however, and will not spend any on a lost cause. The only way they will is if Trump resigned or was removed. It looks like the Mueller report is ready, as no new indictments have been issues and Trump is hiding from Rosenstein.
The Chinese Bishops' story is part of a long term issue on who picks bishops, the Holy See, the local government or the people. The only modern solution is the people, else you simply have one despotism arguing with another. Still, I am glad the legitimacy question is settled, so long as the bishops appointed are real pastors and not agents of the government. The Party may find that they will be the voices of reform, which would be both ironic and inconvenient for Beijing.
MGB: Enough of the errant Archbishops. We all know that Vigano' is a vengeful, Pentin is an idiot, DiNardo a disappointment and Chaput is all three. Fr. Z is all three squared. Someone rid us of these meddlesome priests. Francis, call your office!
In the 80's grinding was not sex, although forcible grinding is still molestation, in the 90's, it was oral, but forced is still rape. If the FBI can convince Kav he really did what people say, he should resign is his seat in DC and withdraw his name, else he is still a cad.
Busch want to turn the Church from a medieval despotism to a reactionary plutocracy. That does not invalidate the need for democracy from below, at least as far as the money and power are concerned. Medievalism in the Church has seen it's day. It was a modern form in the middle ages, now it is passe, as are those who cling to it. Fr. Reese, call your office!
Burning a flag is legitimate protest. What is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander. Sometimes it is heroic, other times it is fascist. Highlighting the fascists is not worth our time of day except to know they are out there. Do they have a flag we can burn?
I learned when I was the local Catholic left blogger for the Examiner not to take Elizabeth seriously.
I don't take Ryan seriously either. The House bill was an attempt to pander to GOP donors. The donors don't like wasting money, however, and will not spend any on a lost cause. The only way they will is if Trump resigned or was removed. It looks like the Mueller report is ready, as no new indictments have been issues and Trump is hiding from Rosenstein.
The Chinese Bishops' story is part of a long term issue on who picks bishops, the Holy See, the local government or the people. The only modern solution is the people, else you simply have one despotism arguing with another. Still, I am glad the legitimacy question is settled, so long as the bishops appointed are real pastors and not agents of the government. The Party may find that they will be the voices of reform, which would be both ironic and inconvenient for Beijing.
Monday, October 1, 2018
See nothing, judge everyone, act ridiculously
https://www.ncronline.org/news/opinion/distinctly-catholic/see-nothing-judge-everyone-act-ridiculously\
MGB: Chaput is right about the lack of credibility, given the public image on pedophilia, but he does not want to get down to reasons why because it is filled with unrealized asexuals who don't know the mess they have made of sexual morality or their tendency to act from bad sexual formation. The requirement to try dating first is simply confirmation of how screwed up they are, as asexuals do not do such relationships well.
Chaput does not want to go because he knows he is part of the anti-Francis minority. He does not want to be the cat at a rocking chair convention or the patient committed to the mental ward of the field hospital of Francis' Church.
The theologian not mentioned wants the Church to make its morality by tautology, not reality. He is part of a dying breed. Let them die. Tbhy have nothing to teach in their Scholasticism, which is immune to new information. I is also oblivious to the asexual problem infecting doctrine. There is Truth, but the Church needs to realize it does not possess it in its entirety. To say otherwise is hubris of the worst order. In truth, the Will is the desire for Good and is informed by the Intellect - which is the brain, like it or not and he does not like it (it could not be a she). Insisting the Church has all the truth is simply another form of relativism. Truth is universal, not particular to the Pope. Christian joy is not smug loyalty, it is trust in God, including as found in discordant voices.
Luck for us, Chaput is gone from ministry in a year and because he is not a cardinal, and never will be, he will be retired. May God give us Francis for a much longer time.
MGB: Chaput is right about the lack of credibility, given the public image on pedophilia, but he does not want to get down to reasons why because it is filled with unrealized asexuals who don't know the mess they have made of sexual morality or their tendency to act from bad sexual formation. The requirement to try dating first is simply confirmation of how screwed up they are, as asexuals do not do such relationships well.
Chaput does not want to go because he knows he is part of the anti-Francis minority. He does not want to be the cat at a rocking chair convention or the patient committed to the mental ward of the field hospital of Francis' Church.
The theologian not mentioned wants the Church to make its morality by tautology, not reality. He is part of a dying breed. Let them die. Tbhy have nothing to teach in their Scholasticism, which is immune to new information. I is also oblivious to the asexual problem infecting doctrine. There is Truth, but the Church needs to realize it does not possess it in its entirety. To say otherwise is hubris of the worst order. In truth, the Will is the desire for Good and is informed by the Intellect - which is the brain, like it or not and he does not like it (it could not be a she). Insisting the Church has all the truth is simply another form of relativism. Truth is universal, not particular to the Pope. Christian joy is not smug loyalty, it is trust in God, including as found in discordant voices.
Luck for us, Chaput is gone from ministry in a year and because he is not a cardinal, and never will be, he will be retired. May God give us Francis for a much longer time.
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