Links for 4/30/19

Links for 4/30/19
Unless Biden really screws up, he will be the nominee and Harris will be VP. It is his turn and the DNC and NEA have their fingers on the scale. If he puts Harris on the ticket and actually explains that overturning Roe brings back Plessy, he will win where Clinton should have. Surrogates will blame 2016 on the bishops. We did something similar in 2008 and we won the Catholic vote. Abortion is not an issue in this campaign. 

Bernie has little chance. His minions flocked to DSA rather than to local Democratic committees. The state and national party leadership elections are down ballot, but are most important in making the rules. Ignoring the rules is deadly. HRC ignored the caucus states and lost in 2008. She learned her lesson. The other lesson is that no primary voter cares about fundraising. If they did, no Clinton would have ever been nominated. No mayor will be the nominee, but Mayor Pete will have a huge war chest to become Indiana governor.

The Rooster's editorial page will still be staffed. That is what Iowa listens to in the caucuses.

Not even ALEC can stop the wind. I wonder, who owns the new turbines? China? Koch Energy?

Annie is still a capitalist. Only cooperative ownership will fix the Disney problem. Will she sell her shares to an ESOP?

The term of art that the Trinity Prof used to be Incognegro. He obviously has not paid his dues in the movement. He is safely ignored, including by this column. Cover allies, not idiots. Crux also fits into that category, and it's NETWORK.

'The Election of Pope Francis' is a day-by-day, ballot-by-ballot tale

'The Election of Pope Francis' is a day-by-day, ballot-by-ballot tale
It seems to be a ritual for someone to talk. I am sure Francis probably gave him dispensation. The reality is, it is no sin to ignore a stupid promos of Omerta. The teaser in America makes me want to get the book, even when spoilers are impossible. It looks like the anti-curial intent and the virtual elevation to a kind of continental patriarch is just what the Cardinals ordered. That we got Gregory and Cupich too is a bonus. I wonder who will get Philly.

It seems to be a ritual for someone to talk. I am sure Francis probably gave him dispensation. The reality is, it is no sin to ignore a stupid promos of Omerta. The teaser in America makes me want to get the book, even when spoilers are impossible. It looks like the anti-curial intent and the virtual elevation to a kind of continental patriarch is just what the Cardinals ordered. That we got Gregory and Cupich too is a bonus. I wonder who will get Philly.

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'Hesburgh' documentary portrays a giant in US church and culture

'Hesburgh' documentary portrays a giant in US church and culture
The universities before Land O Lakes reflected the intellectual rot in a Catholic Curia committed to Scholasticism, which is its own brand of relativistic thinking. Dr. Hesburgh was likely the prototype of the modern priest. He is certainly not the last. Vatican II likely would have not happened as it did had it not been for a priests and bishops such as these, Papa Francisco would not be about to finish the job. Ottiavani's last assault on progress was Humanae Vitae. The last echo was St. John Paul. The Millennial generation will soon dominate the priesthood, as the bishops who were in high school after the Council reintroduce its spirit. Any resitence will be useless. It would only result in an anti-pope, unless it quietly dies off. This is not just the story of one, it is the story of us all.

Links for 4/25/19

Links for 4/25/19
The Silence of the Elephants

The policies assume PR is a tax haven. It is not. The policy should be based on poverty, not the number of rich people who use campaign cash to keep taxes low. Medicare for Sen I it's should be generalized and the rest tied to generous paid training programs.

Anti-democracy in the Church goes back to Trent and beyond. Garibaldi made it worse, with futile reaction from Pio Nono and St. Pius resisting modernity, Vatican II accepting it and St. John Paul resisting. That the Trads are in bed with the GOP is new. That will end if there are dots to connect between Kalimik and Naumann on abortion politics in the Trump campaign. I doubt Robert goes this far or that MSW would like it if he did. Christendom College doubles down on the resistance to reality.

Let the GOP. There is enough division in the Democrats for two parties. Let MAGA return to the shadows.

As Paul said, without the Resurrection, there is no point to Christianity. I would add especially for Catholic women like Ms. Balestri. Even the bishops are having trouble, although I doubt they would do what it takes, especially ordaining Catholic women.

Trump deserves impeachment, but failure would harm Constitution

Trump deserves impeachment, but failure would harm Constitution
It is very cynical to believe that the Senate Republicans will support an obviously guilty Trump. Indeed, it is in their interest to remove him, deradicalize his base (who still believe Nixon was innocent and Hillary needed to be punished for helping bring him down) and let their party heal.

There are three ways to let the GOP prove this. One is to wait for Republican Senators to begin denouncing Trump. The second is to actively recruit them to switch parties, give them chairmanship (including offering Budget to make Sanders chose either the Democrats or his own path) and make sure they are not primaries if they do. The third is sending veto bait, making it an open secret that each is a test vote. Start with trying to override the Yemen veto. Fourth is all of the above.

The only reason they may be slow rolling impeachment is that they have something on Pence. If so, bring it out. He is enough of a gentleman to resign. He may even invoke the 25th Amendment on the way, which would allow Mueller to indict Trump and force his resignation. Or just arrest Trump. Nothing in the Constitution prevents it. His protective detail will be relieved, as I doubt no one wants to take a bullet for him. Trump is an obvious Russian spy. Try him for it and even his base will disown him.

Links for 4/23/19

Links for 4/23/19
Barr has an audience of one. He did not recuse because he is running interference for Mueller & Rosenstein. This is choreographed and the Speaker may even be in on it. The only wild card is Pence, and he may be the inside man on what is a very long con. If anyone needs to be removed quickly, it is Miller. Without him and Kushner, there is no Trump.

Wehner is absolutely right. The cross is a divine vision quest into abandonment. There is a line that God cannot look upon evil. Nothing could be further from the truth. The crucifixion was for man, not God. Morality is as well. The alternative is God as priggish Ogre. That would be a God to hide from, not embrace.

Young people are undergoing uncertainty and their hero is not a crazy, immoral billionaire. Bernie offers better stuff, but is more democratic socialist than cooperative socialist. We need the latter eventually.  A generation that believes in self-ownership will never obey a boss like Trump. That breed is dying out.

Because the Government owns the building, they will replace it. They also take care of the poor. If anyone says they are raiding money for rebuilding, grab your wallet for they are scamming you. Trumpism run amok. Wealth is a con based on the premise that we need a stern father or a boss. I detect a theme.

O'Brien gets close yo the truth. All dogma and doctrine comes through human understanding, which changes in every generation. Dogma is based on agreement because the underlying Truth is impossible to know. Vatican II was no minor Council. Dignitatis Humanae demythologized the Church. It undid Vatican I and the Magisterium of St. Pius and its ramblings about modernism. It will eventually lead yo both celebrations of gay marriage and an end to Medieval governance, which never existed before the Church was Hellenized. We went from an Italian Church to a global one. Broadly speaking, the Americanist Heresy won the day. Weigel is a reactionary. Too bad for George and his authoritarian disciples.

In his day, Washington was a progressive who was aware he was changing the world. Trump cannot even manage himself. It makes King Donnie the perfect Fascist. A symbol for the dying of the authoritarian age.

Sometimes a fire is just a fire

Sometimes a fire is just a fire
The Lord made the point that God does not send natural disasters as anything but flaws in construction when he said that those killed by the fall of the Tower of Siloam were not killed because if sin.

This is different from the exiles of Judah and Israel, which were blamed on ignoring the poor (although being prime real estate is closer to the truth).

The question is whether sprinklers could have stopped it or whether a replacement metal roof would have made things worse by causing an explosion if the walls.

The question no one asks, because it is so horrible, is whether this was arson or terrorism. As for the talking heads looking for a metaphysical reason? They do not deserve any ink at all.

The sacred triduum's symbols are sacraments that point to what is real

The sacred triduum's symbols are sacraments that point to what is real
Symbols do matter, as do words, both for what they point to and what is missing. The washing of the feet points to what the Church should be and is not. Francis heads us in that direction, beginning to make real the command of Jesus to not lord their authority over others as the Gentiles do. I am sure he is not pleased that His teachings are interpreted "from the throne" as a Magisterium.

The most powerful words on Thursday are followed by a promise to not drink the fruit of the vine. In John's Gospel, He cries out "I thirst." Either we are part of a fraud or we came into the Kingdom just before that, when Jesus cried out "My God! My God! Why have you left me?" Some say his despair is mystery, but any sufferer will not, for it is the despair at the heart of our humanity. By sharing it, he lets us share his divinity. In the verse before in John, he essentially told his mother that he was dead to her, putting her in John's care and laying down all she had told him of his birth through the Spirit.

So deep was his despair and agony in that moment that he could no longer feel his union with Her. Thus, he did not offer his sacrifice to an angry Father, but took the Father on a quest into our brokenness.

There was no original sin to atone for. Only human suffering to overcome through the fruit of the vine, which he did consume before dying. Sin does not come through women or sex, so the old excuses need to be abandoned. There were women present to witness to the Last Supper, the Passion, the Death and the Resurrection. It is time to honor that witness and ordain them to the priesthood. That is the symbol that we must seek.

Links for 4/17/19

Links for 4/17/19
Jesus was likely a Pharisee because of his belief in the Resurrection. He was among them when John called him out. That is why it bothered them when he spoke against them.

Class analysis has never stopped on the left. People are simply listening now. It is how we explain that non-racists consciously use their comrades as useful idiots in the reactionary cause. The NAZIs were both. So is Bannon. That makes them worse. Ditto regarding those who attack Rep. Omar. Class analysis explains why wealthy interests got to Columbia. Using it without scaring people may be the best thing Warren can do, even if she does not get the nomination, it would be the perfect tool to use as Harris's Chief of Staff.

Good music ministry needs to include the congregation as the true body if Christ. It should lead them rather perform for them. In these trying times, music is what holds people together, both the Ave Maria and the Marseilles.

Bannon helps spread cancer of populist nationalism

Bannon helps spread cancer of populist nationalism
Are Bannon and his reactionary cohort real fascists or just opportunists from racism, to sexism to capitalism. Either way, they truly are deplorable. Shame on anyone who follows them. They are polluting the Church and the nation and, regardless of their true motives, are in it for the money. The only moral vote is against anyone they support, even if one thinks it is in their interests. It is not.

Notre Dame: May lamentations lead to alleluias

Notre Dame: May lamentations lead to alleluias
We all watched with great sadness. We do not mourn for the structure but for a part of ourselves. Like any tragedy, pain must come before renewal. The history of the Cathedral is a memory of how we have come closer to God. That will never change. As we are destined to die, both individually, eventually the Cathedral will be a ruin, though a magnificent one. While it likely also exists, untouched,on the other side of the veil, the ruin will be as magnificent to whatever follows us as the pyramids and the Roman Forum are to us now. But not today. Today the rebuilding process is already being planned. Would that our hearts were as easy to rebuild, although with God, all is possible.

Mark Silk on the history of the term 'Judeo-Christian'

Mark Silk on the history of the term 'Judeo-Christian'
Interesting that the antisemites would agree with John of Patmos about Pauline Christianity, but in reverse. Elaine Pagels brings this out in her analysis of Revelation, which takes the air out of the belief that Jesus is coming back any day now.

It is a a shame that the new use of the term did not happen before the State Department refused entry to Jewish refugees before and after the war, or when Joe McCarthy brought many before his committee as Communist sympathizers. It may be that the friendly us of the term had the same intention in support of Zionism, which held out Israel as an option against mass migration of survivors to America.  From Zion to Falwell to Bannon, it has been used as a political tool rather than a desire for cultural unity.

The early pilgrims use of Old Testament language was as a replacement of the Jews, not solidarity. As for the Founders, they were mainly Deists and Masons, not religious patriots. Indeed, use of religious language by Islamic patriots in the Middle East scares conservatives.

Deep antisemitism is still a core of the right wing wing ideology, morphing the use of the self-styled use of New York Jewish Liberal Elite to the derisive use of Liberal, then Cultural and now Bicoastal as code for the same antisemitism.

Hang on to the ecclesial nature of the theological task

Hang on to the ecclesial nature of the theological task
I will grant that the theological task of forming both seminarians and college students requires a degree. It is also the case that the point of a liberal education is to learn how to learn. That means that you can be a systems or test engineer without an engineering degree, as my father was, although he did need a license to be a broadcast or an amateur radio operator.

You can be your own lawyer, although if it is a criminal procedure, you have a fool for a client. You can be a paralegal with training or no training. Indeed, I have written both work product and drafted briefs for lawyers to file as an amicus. One can be a journalist without a journalism degree. Note that the Apostles do not have theology degrees, nor does Garry Wills - a historian and the premier scholar on Chesterton (he had access to his notes).

The early apostles, male and female (they traveled in married pairs) were not theologians, they were witnesses to the Resurrection. We all are, although the bishops especially so (but not exclusively). Much of what theologians work on is natural law. Everyone has the right to study it. Indeed, no one mucks up natural law reasoning more than the Curia. By definition, natural law is based on Reason, not Authority. Indeed, arguing from authority is a logical fallacy.

The reality is that much theology is actually sociology, whether it is the anthropology of the Old Testament or the Early Church, the Medieval Church and especially the modern Church. Some encyclicals, from the Syllabus of Errors to Veritatis Splendor are about who can do theology. They got the answer wrong.  Authority and Dogma are not the same thing. Anyone with a management degree (like me), can pick these screeds apart, as I have in The Illuminati Respond to the Papal Anachorinists.

Having a theology degree did not give Pius IX or St. Pius X the right to challenge evolution. This went on until Pius XII. Benedict XVI even rejected random selection, not realizing that God works through Chaos rather than teleology. At least Francis is an actual scientist, but loyalty to the organization prevents him from calling out his predecessors. That is good organizational loyalty, but it does not serve the interests of Truth.

Humanae Vitae and Evangelium Vitae  are an attempt by asexuals to write about sex. They have no idea about even their own sexuality, let alone the rest of us. This is especially true with understanding that sacred continence is misogyny and directly leads to these encyclicals.

The Holy Spirit speaks through all of us. Saying so is not Protestantism. The Protestants are not dissenters. They started their own sects rather than staying and fighting. I won't leave. My baptism is as good as Benedict XVI's and I can recognize that papal forays into infallibility are actually relativism in vestments.

So, no, you don't need a union card to do theology. It helps not to have one.

Links for 4/11/19

Links for 4/11/19
Tragically, there are those in the survivors community who will not accept discordant information. It is why they got to sack Wuerl and go after Gregory. I should know, my ancestors come from Salem. I am a Blythe descendant. God help Trump's grandchildren. As for the movie answer, you can love Oz and have it not be your favorite. Frankly, my dear Michael, I don't give a hoot (it us tragic how they would write that line today). As there are speech restrictions from the left, they also come from the right, like modernizing Gable with a flying fork to even mentioning ordaining women to the priesthood or challenging traditional marriage as a Church employee.  So much for aggressive debate.

If only the Catholics would behave like the Presbyterians - Even if I would welcome a bluer response.

God help those of us who support Palestinian rights to full citizenship in Israel and who thinks Bibi is a pig and should be treated like a leper (My father was Catholic and an ethnic Jew, so I can say it with more force than a pure goy and still carry the desired sting). I am glad you said electing Bibi's  party was bad for peace, although sometimes revolution depends on making the tyrant go too far.

Biblical stories are always ripe for reinterpretation. The woman caught in adultery was assumed to be caught in the sex act, but what if she were simply single and pregnant? It could easily be an anti-abortion, just as the admonishing about leading a child into sin can be about either heresy or pederasty. Sadly, Jerome chose to believe that Jesus' siblings were cousins in order to reinforce the glorification of virginity, which is Hellenic and not Judaic. Another topic where rationality is verboten. Bring on the Trolls! They will really love how I am intimating that if the Church wants more prenatal hospice care it must both do late term abortions and insist on a huge increase in funds for Down's parents and a decent life-time subsidy or Down's an autistic spectrum  sufferers. That will attract the same trolls. So much for both free debate and enforced POV from the right.

Rural voters need to seek cooperatives to join locally and nationally. Organic farmers have learned that lesson, which is entirely socialistic, which is OK unless you call it that.

Many populists in the left see the Fed as capitalist running dogs, which they are. Putting those two jokers will help it fail, just as Trump will kill the GOP. Let them both die.

Let us not forget that the leadership of the pro-life Movement among the Evangelicals made a conscious decision to go from defending segregation to attacking abortion. If they don't get certiorari on the inevitable blocks to their recent provocations, their movement is dead. Nationalism is so blatantly indecent that it will meet the same fate, which will pit the fatal stake in the black heart of the GOP. I bet that noting this will provoke the usual suspects to call me a baby killer.

I am either sensing a theme or making one up. Interesting how that happens. All debate is really POV. You stand where you sit and once you sit, you don't like being told to move. It is why reactionaries are louder and meaner. We are comforted that they are also older.

Arroyo's EWTN show is anti-Francis, pro-Trump propaganda

Arroyo's EWTN show is anti-Francis, pro-Trump propaganda
Watching EWTN is like watching Fox News. You will never convince any of their viewers to accept that they are being lied to. Most don't read your column and those that do comment on the NCR Facebook page are trolls. This piece is pure troll bait. Arroyo and Bannon are speaking the Napa party line.

I wish you would quit watching and reviewing them. Even born would be better. Arroyo and Bannon are, essentially pornographic. There are plenty of people and ideas worth covering instead.

If only the American Church lose its money. While I feel that the Vatican should start unloading all the art that shows that the Holy Family is both White and Chaste by dropping the Canard that the Bishops are not it's employees. I would not mind seeing them humbled. It would be especially nice if the GOP bishops retired because they cannot take the poverty. The closure of their pro-life political operations would not make me sad.

Their faith in capitalism and forcing the poor to be self reliant show that they have no clue what the kingdom of God really is. It shall not serve them well.

Bannon and his fans  are White Nationalists. They would even make Goebels cringe. He is so clueless that he does not know that the networks are putting him on to show what an idiot he and Trump are. He is like a car accident. You just can't not look. Please try anyway.

Such racists used to be considered excommunicate. Do they even know what they are affirming? Bannon, Arroyo and their followers are Distictly Noncatholic.

Links for 4/9/2019

Links for 4/9/2019
Being politically intolerant is sometimes necessary if the other party embraces intolerance in service of Tax cuts for the Giga-Rich and a President with no appreciation of the civil rights of others. At some point a larger Democratic will shift on economic grounds, but only after the right wing extremists are marginalized. The candidates themselves will hear from a broad range of people. It is part of running.

Don't blame Catholic education for our youth not knowing Catholic social teaching. It certainly was not in the curriculum when we were young. Sadly, most in the pro-life movement are blissfully unaware. Schools teach self-reliance, which is the exact opposite of the reliance on God which is the essence of the kingdom. This is why they have made Trump their savior.

If the Democrats want to save Puerto Rico from Trump, the answer is impeachment, pass it on. Impeachment also means Trump cannot run for federal office if removed. Mayor Tim needs to run for Governor. So does Beto. If running a city was a qualification, I would run again.

I once got the Johnson treatment from Biden, but without the claw. I was glad he had good breath.

I hope that pastors respond to truth rather than flattery, or Marx was right. Sadly, they  seem to respond to LifeSiteNews.

The problem is not the IRS, its the capitalism. Tax reform can help shift wealth by financing employee ownership. A value added tax on asset sales would help too. Of course, the capitalists own much of Congress too, which is the real problem. See Marx again. Fixing this is an inside job. If workers have a good reason to act like owners, the rest is a snap. Getting rid of the Trump side show must still be job one.

MSW: May the renewed religious left avoid the religious right's mistakes

MSW: May the renewed religious left avoid the religious right's mistakes.
I had not known we had gone anywhere. We just worked with less publicity (except the Berrigan brothers, the Maryknolls, Catholic Near East, et al). I first floated a radio show in 1998 and eventually started a show on Blog Talk Radio 12 years ago yesterday, keeping it going for 6 years in a regular basis. The web page on Geocities and the Blog have been up in one form another since 2002. This blog is an offshoot of the first, which is still going strong. I am not the new kid on the block by any means. What is more important. Truth or sponsorship?

This period even included a run for the White House in 2012 in Americans Elect until the organizers pulled the plug on their goal to duplicate the Lincoln-Johnson ticket. Presidential politics is not new to the movement. There is even a set of online YouTube videos, including this one. There are 15 more answering questions in a virtual debate from taxes to education to energy and trade. More than one of my answers had a Christian Left spin.

The Christian Left goes way beyond politics. While I do have a Christian Left tax reform plan that has, as its core a living wage tax credit large enough to discourage abortion, I do not give the Catholic bishops or the Right to Life Movement a pass for their Republican affiliations. The concept of rights have precise legal meanings. The unborn have the same constitutional right to not be killed by the state as anyone else. What they don't have and could never enforce is a right to life at the expense of their mothers. Attempting to do so in the first trimester is simply not possible and is not a question of theology. The role of the movement is to educate the Church, not fall in line. That WOULD be identity politics.

Education on gay rights to marriage, from the hospital to the courthouse to the Altar (as both priests of either gender or married couples), is as much our obligation to the Church as in the public space. This does not take a theology degree. Knowing the history of Hellenistic sexuality in the Church, from Augustine to John Paul does not take a theology degree. Indeed, it is more the subject of sociology.

The Church does not get a pass for bigotry from either the pulpit or the pews. Indeed, it is likely that the pews will change first as the parents of gay children or the children of gay parents demand religious weddings.

The theology of marriage is that it is self executing, the union of two families, is independent of fertility and is an adult right to create a new family under law and in faith.

The Church has employer has no leg to stand on if it will employ civilly married heterosexuals, even though these marriages are not considered sacramental (which is a fable), while firing or refusing to hire gay married. This just does not pass the smell test and we won't pander to those who think it does. Especially not right-wing bishops an clergy.

We don't give a pass to Catholic neocons on their unwillingness to recognize the basic human rights of Palestinians and Arab Israelis to either their own state or full citizenship, regardless of the demographic implications. Torah is clear on the treatment of the alien, especially if they were already there.

MSW: Why isn't Cory Booker in the lead for the presidential nomination?

MSW: Why isn't Cory Booker in the lead for the presidential nomination?
MSW claims that Cory speaks too pastorally to gain popular support, which is odd for a writer who otherwise demands more religious Social Justice references in campaign speeches. One answer for progressive voters is that he has taken more money from rich donors than they like. They seem to be allergic to money as though it renders a candidate inauthentic.

Personally, I think that if he had been on the ticket in 2016, he would be Vice President today and, if Clinton chose not to run, the only candidate in 2020.

Stop reading if you remember me saying it before. Even now, if Mueller has evidence that will cause Pence to resign and Pelosi gets her head on straight on impeachment, she is the likely President and is as likely to retire in 2020. If she is leaving her options open to run, she will pick Booker as VP, which makes him the nominee in 2020 if she opts out or 2024 if she takes a turn of her own.

If Pelosi makes Harris Veep, then Harris Pelosi is out in 2020 and Harris wins the nomination and the White House. Harris could safely put Kaine on the ticket, or some other White Guy out if central casting. It does not matter who.

If Warren pulls the upset, she will put Booker on the ticket and he will win in 2028, assuming no major realignment because MAGA has killed the GOP. Of course, that is not so unlikely. If Bernie wins, Kamala is Veep and the 2024 nominee.

There is nothing untoward about such distinctions in identity politics. If the Democrats don't give attention to their main constituencies, they will be ignoring the lesson of 2016.

The days of WASP male monopoly over politics are over. No more capitalists either. Not after Trump.  This gets us back to Booker's donor problem. We'll get over it for the win.

MSW: Wilton Gregory will be a great shepherd for Archdiocese of Washington

MSW: Wilton Gregory will be a great shepherd for Archdiocese of Washington
Not  only is Washington getting Apb Wilton, but Wilton is getting a red hat as Chaput retires without one. The right wing crowd is likely seething privately, but cannot say anything without showing their true colors. Moira introduced me to Wilton at a CCUSA annual gathering. That he was there spoke volumes. He was engaging as McCarrick seemed a bit hollow. We have truly been blessed. Atlanta's loss is the nation's gain and a new conscience for CUA. The impossible dream would be reinstating Father Curran and making him Monsignor.  One can dream.

MSW: Honest talk of social programs' mixed history will boost new proposals' chances

MSW: Honest talk of social programs' mixed history will boost new proposals' chances
Affirmative action is nothing new. It's purpose is correction. The Irish and the Italians got defacto affirmative action from the old political machines after Irish Need Not Apply and With Out Papers. Vets still do get special treatment for funding and Federal jobs. Union jobs go to union members. Legacies get preference. This is simply affirmative action for white people. So is having money. Look at the recent scandal about bribing admissions officers.

Catholic colleges practice selective recruiting and then wash out low performers after a year. So do other constituent groups. When quotas happened or happen, Jews and Asians worried about quotas or still do.

A better way is to early admit all over qualified applicants regardless if affiliation or affluence, steer the under qualified to remedial programs or community college and select the rest randomly so that no one can claim either advantage or disadvantage.

The Church should go all in with the ESL, remedial and vocational markets. To not do so is elitist. HBC schools should operate similar community programs and both should take all comers.

Every worker and adult student (in the academic year after they turn 16) should get $15 an hour and each of their children $1000 a month refundable tax credit with pay. The proposal is called a negative income tax, but there should be no phase out.

Students would get the same coverage as the provider employees. Then we can nix categorical and block granted programs. The answer to poverty is to give people real money, not a restrictive allowance. The problem with such programs is underfunding, which has its roots in racism, particularly against Black men.

The movement of communities is a sign of affluence. Great Neck of Fitzgerald's era was Irish, probably with WASPs. My godmother is from there and I have been to Mass where they were married. Mass is usually empty because the Jews moved in and the Irish moved down the LIRR to Port Washington. Stacey is from there and when we were there in in August it was hard to miss the Asian invasion as people move out from Queens.

In DC, white hipsters are certifying neighborhoods as urban renewal occurs and Black families move to PG County. They had lived in Georgetown before the Kennedys and their class. The White elite in Ward 8 had moved to Potomac and Great Falls, and so it goes.

Racism and sexism still exist in both housing and employment. Violations are enforced civilly rather then criminally (again, half measures).

Gays often get the worst of it from some employers and landlords. Ask any gay Church employee who gets married or ordination if out and proud.  Soon sexuality will be added by the Federal Courts to Sex in the Civil Rights Act. Count on the Church to beg for a religious exemption. It should not be granted.

Private to MSW: People who live in a bouncy castle should not throw lawn darts.

MSW: Links for 4/2/19

MSW: Links for 4/2/19
Affirmative action should happen to sort the middle after the best candidates are selected and the worst excluded. If the selected candidates are more than the number of admissions or promotions select by lottery.

Actually knowing the history and politics of Israel and a commitment to minority rights are as important in dealing with Israel. Either make Palestinians full members if society or create an Israeli Arab and Palestinian state apart from Israel. No more settlements or use of Palestinians as cheap labor. Recognizing their rights is not antisemitic. Quit assuming it is. THAT is racist. It is as bad as MAGA insisting that talking about race is racism. Bernie is a Jew. By definition, he cannot be anti-Semitic. This also applies to the UK. The Holocaust is not an excuse for official hatred of Palestinians. Just the opposite. I sense a neoconservative theme in today's links.

Gay clergy are not abusers. Let them be out and proud and see who the abusers really are. The way to end clericalism is to ordain women and the married and let priests marry.

The first edition of Musings from the Religious Left was for sale online in 2004. The current title is Conscience of a Catholic Radical, although the old title is available in paperback. Conscience of a Catholic Radical https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HWWVN49/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_Km6OCb971JJJ9

Mayor Pete and Beto need to run for Governor and give a joint Keynote in Milwaukee.

The fetal heartbeat bill is not constitutional. States do not have the power to diverge from the 14th Amendment. That is why we have such an Amendment. This issue is about the power of states, not the unborn.

It is not pandering to give voice to major party subgroups, especially if they were or are past victims of official discrimination based on group identity and no, this says nothing about the unborn having rights against the interest of their mothers.

MSW: In UK and US, political elites squandered deference they once enjoyed

MSW: In UK and US, political elites squandered deference they once enjoyed
In general, surveys show that citizens have little respect for the civil rights of others. It used to be that most members of Congress were attorneys who would at least try to keep popular prejudice out of the law. Of course, economic and religious elites have an easier go of manipulating state legislators.

When the Catholic bishops hooked up with the Koch brothers (who funded the Tea Party and the American Legislative Exchange Council) to whip up the masses about abortion and marriage, it takes the federal bench to push back. Don't ever say that popular reactionaries lack a religious component. Religion is the vanguard of all populist reactionaries.

An ugly outbreak of racism not seen since the days before abortion was an issue for white evangelicals was stoked by Republican elites from McConnell to Trump. Trump simply rode the tiger to where Fox News told him to go.

Reactionaries always rebel against progress, whether it be on making healthcare a right or electing the son of a continental African and a progressive white girl to the Presidency.

The simmering hatred for government (although the unelected bureaucrats they live to hate are usually partisan assistant secretaries, not the careerists)has been the driving force for the canard that the government should be run like a business. Reagan was that kind of outsider, but the hard core CEO idols were Perot and Bloomberg. And then came Trump, who actually won and brought all the amorality of the C Suite to the Oval.

Fox News is the outgrowth of Roger Ailes project to create a counterweight to the media that brought down President Nixon and came of age going after Clinton and supporting Bush and Cheney's wars. Once Cheney was deranged, Bush actually did a fairly good job getting out if Iraq. It was not Katrina that did his party in as much as simmering corruption, both sexual and financial in the GOP Congress, although the Woodward book had to have some effect.

Britain's anti-immigrants were likely stoked by their right-wing news outfits. Guess who owned both? Sir Rupert himself. The ultimate media elite. Lay Brexit at his feet and the lack of courage by PM may to call for a revote.

It is the other media who seem to think that they must give each side equal weight where the system breaks down. Likewise, when the elite of the GOP lack the courage to tame the monster they created to beat Obama, their party is doomed. Let it die with their MAGA oldsters.

Let the other side find the courage to take down Trump. They have the Congress because Trump scared people, not because they agree with Pelosi on healthcare. Waiting for 2020 will be too cute by half. People who want Trump out may stay home if Pelosi does not do it now rather than milk it for electoral gain.

None of this has to do with shedding religiosity. It has everything to do with putting electoral victory over the common good and the White  Evangelical mega-pastors and the Catholic bishops are in on the game.

It is not so much symbolic leadership we need from Francis as removing the bishops who have put party before pulpit. There are smells stronger than sheep he needs to take care of.