Heading for the Hawkeye State by MSW
My response:
Kerry's win was no surprise. The DNC decided he was going to win a lot sooner than Iowa. The reason no one is going after Romney is because they can count delegates and read fundraising reports. They want to have a chance at the VP nod. As for abortion, are you saying that Barack Obama is more pro-life in practice than is Mitt Romney? That is an interesting development.
On end of life, I doubt that removing a feeding tube from a child rises to gubernatorial decisionmaking. As for Schaivo, the Florida Catholic Conference originally sided with her husband, finding a feeding tube is an extraordinary measure. She is not like a declining cancer patient - she was incompletely resuccitated and efforts to revive her should have been ended sooner. Nowadays, using hypothermia as part of the process, she might have both lived and woken up. This issue should never have been demagogued by self-serving pro-lifers.
Newt was on a book tour until his wife got designs on the East Wing. He will be out of the race shortly.
Santorum made his career campaigning on policy positions outside the sphere of legislation. Abortion is in the realm of constitutional law and his partial birth abortion law was not designed to be enforced, but to try to change the status quo - something Bush appointees Alito and Roberts declined to do - which shows why abortion is not an electoral issue. The courts are about to make gay marriage a national right - and barring a constitutional convention to overturn it, will be settled law soon. Still, he has a shot of picking up Paul, Gingrich, Bachmann and Perry castoffs, though he will likely falter after South Carolina.
Ron Paul's doctrinaire supporters may alienate his casual supporters, causing them to flee to either Romney or Santorum. Perry won't attack Romney, since he can do the math on who Romney is most likely to pick to shore up his strength in the South - and its not Newt (who can't be counted on to behave) or the publicly Catholic Santorum.
I suspect football and parties will probably take up most people's time, although the Sunday morning news programs will likely focus on Iowa.
Friday, December 30, 2011
Friday, December 23, 2011
Bishop Aquila's Outrageous Statement
Bishop Aquila's Outrageous Statement by Michael Sean Winters.
My response:
Someone needs to inform the Bishop that Hitler considered himself a faithful Catholic. He was not an atheist. He delusionally believed he was the Great Catholic Monarch whose line would rule in Christ's name for a thousand years of peace. I suspect Rick Perry is laboring under the evangelical equivalent of this delusion.
Someone also needs to tell him that secularism and atheism are not the same thing. Secularism means that society is not subject to the dictates of Christendom, which allows the Church to veto the actions of Catholic kings and princes or declare them unfit to rule. Christendom is not compatible in a constitutional republic, where the divine right to rule comes from the free will of voters rather than the dictates of the Church.
Atheism should make the Bishop uncomfortable. Modern atheists justify their position in part from abuses of power by the hierarchy. All bishops should pay attention to what they say and change their behavior accordingly, especially before telling us how to vote.
My response:
Someone needs to inform the Bishop that Hitler considered himself a faithful Catholic. He was not an atheist. He delusionally believed he was the Great Catholic Monarch whose line would rule in Christ's name for a thousand years of peace. I suspect Rick Perry is laboring under the evangelical equivalent of this delusion.
Someone also needs to tell him that secularism and atheism are not the same thing. Secularism means that society is not subject to the dictates of Christendom, which allows the Church to veto the actions of Catholic kings and princes or declare them unfit to rule. Christendom is not compatible in a constitutional republic, where the divine right to rule comes from the free will of voters rather than the dictates of the Church.
Atheism should make the Bishop uncomfortable. Modern atheists justify their position in part from abuses of power by the hierarchy. All bishops should pay attention to what they say and change their behavior accordingly, especially before telling us how to vote.
The Event of Christmas
The Event of Christmas by Michael Sean Winters
My response:
To do the New Evangelization, the Bishops must first reestablish its teaching credibility, which requires new ventures in humility that I don't see some of them making. Even now, there is resistance to the Dallas norms and some bishops reject Faithful Citizenship as not binding on them, nor the determination not to use the Body of Christ as a political weapon. Seeking a conscience right not available to other employers is also not a move which inspires confidence in the messengers, unless you are seeking a New Evangelization based on the threat of Hell.
As to the signifance of the Infancy narrative, the key verse in the entire story is that Mary treasured all these things and saved them in her heart and how this relates to how Jesus understood his divinity and how this relates to the story of salvation. Understanding how Jesus experienced these events as a person, rather than as an icon, is key to an adult understanding of both these events and morality as a whole. I don't believe that the bishops are ready to take this step either.
Be that as it may, Happy Christmas! There is hope in the engagement over the New Evangelization - with the Spirit working in ways that the Bishops cannot contain, and should not try to.
My response:
To do the New Evangelization, the Bishops must first reestablish its teaching credibility, which requires new ventures in humility that I don't see some of them making. Even now, there is resistance to the Dallas norms and some bishops reject Faithful Citizenship as not binding on them, nor the determination not to use the Body of Christ as a political weapon. Seeking a conscience right not available to other employers is also not a move which inspires confidence in the messengers, unless you are seeking a New Evangelization based on the threat of Hell.
As to the signifance of the Infancy narrative, the key verse in the entire story is that Mary treasured all these things and saved them in her heart and how this relates to how Jesus understood his divinity and how this relates to the story of salvation. Understanding how Jesus experienced these events as a person, rather than as an icon, is key to an adult understanding of both these events and morality as a whole. I don't believe that the bishops are ready to take this step either.
Be that as it may, Happy Christmas! There is hope in the engagement over the New Evangelization - with the Spirit working in ways that the Bishops cannot contain, and should not try to.
Friday, December 9, 2011
New Data from Pew
New Data from Pew by Michael Sean Winters
It is amazing that Santorum, who is promoting his Catholicism, is still stuck at 2 percent. White evangelical/Tea Party voters have less influence in the nomination process than they did in 2010. What has changed is that there is no John McCain in the race. If Newt becomes the new Huckabee (and I don't think he is working hard enough to do that good), who get's the McCain cross-overs? I don't think it will be Newt.
That still leaves Mitt. He will keep his 2008 base and with the McCain voters, should clean up. He may need some Evangelical ticket balancing, which keeps Newt out when people start paying attention to his conversion. Its a long time until August. Primaries are not just about poll support. They are about mobiliizing party infrastructure. Getting the grass roots to give you money with a hot button fundraising letter is not the same thing as getting the support of state party elites.
It is amazing that Santorum, who is promoting his Catholicism, is still stuck at 2 percent. White evangelical/Tea Party voters have less influence in the nomination process than they did in 2010. What has changed is that there is no John McCain in the race. If Newt becomes the new Huckabee (and I don't think he is working hard enough to do that good), who get's the McCain cross-overs? I don't think it will be Newt.
That still leaves Mitt. He will keep his 2008 base and with the McCain voters, should clean up. He may need some Evangelical ticket balancing, which keeps Newt out when people start paying attention to his conversion. Its a long time until August. Primaries are not just about poll support. They are about mobiliizing party infrastructure. Getting the grass roots to give you money with a hot button fundraising letter is not the same thing as getting the support of state party elites.
HHS, Plan B & Scientism
HHS, Plan B & Scientism by Michael Sean Winters
My response: I don't see the FDA as promoting scientism so much as professionalism, however we have civilian control of the Uniformed Public Health Service for the same reason we have civilian control of the uniformed military services. Secretary Sebelius charge is the public health, not the public morals and it is OK with me that she brought her experience as a mother and a woman to her job. There are no other implications.
She was not swayed by some Catholic Illuminati nor by the need to even things up with the Church regarding their desire for conscience protections for the bishops but not Catholics doctors, employees, patients or students. If she had been, she would have been bowing to some impulse of Christendom, where direction from the hierarchy trumps her obligation to discharge the public good using her best judgment. If she had done this for a quid pro quo to go back to the communion rail, then she would have to resign and the Papal Nuncio would have to be expelled.
I can also see the other side. If Plan B would prevent an abortion (it is not the same thing as one - life begins at gastrulation, not fertilization), then it is better than putting a 13 year old in the position of getting one or in facing parents who may prove less than understanding. There is also the possibility a relative fathered the child and the trauma of revelation adds yet more pressure - adding a risk of suicide - or that the parent is the father. Sometimes, feminists speak in the best interest of the child.
Finally, any decision the under 17 child makes as a parent is their right, not the right of their child. Allowing Plan B follows that legality.
My response: I don't see the FDA as promoting scientism so much as professionalism, however we have civilian control of the Uniformed Public Health Service for the same reason we have civilian control of the uniformed military services. Secretary Sebelius charge is the public health, not the public morals and it is OK with me that she brought her experience as a mother and a woman to her job. There are no other implications.
She was not swayed by some Catholic Illuminati nor by the need to even things up with the Church regarding their desire for conscience protections for the bishops but not Catholics doctors, employees, patients or students. If she had been, she would have been bowing to some impulse of Christendom, where direction from the hierarchy trumps her obligation to discharge the public good using her best judgment. If she had done this for a quid pro quo to go back to the communion rail, then she would have to resign and the Papal Nuncio would have to be expelled.
I can also see the other side. If Plan B would prevent an abortion (it is not the same thing as one - life begins at gastrulation, not fertilization), then it is better than putting a 13 year old in the position of getting one or in facing parents who may prove less than understanding. There is also the possibility a relative fathered the child and the trauma of revelation adds yet more pressure - adding a risk of suicide - or that the parent is the father. Sometimes, feminists speak in the best interest of the child.
Finally, any decision the under 17 child makes as a parent is their right, not the right of their child. Allowing Plan B follows that legality.
Friday, December 2, 2011
Belgian Catholics issue reform manifesto
Belgian Catholics issue reform manifesto
My comments on their demands:
•Parish leadership be entrusted to trained laypeople;
I would still ordain the lead administrator as a Lay Deacon (no promise of celibacy), but I would entrust the parish council with more responsibility and strip the other clergy of all control of property
•Communion services be held even if no priest is available;
This goes without saying, although the lay deacon could lead it.
•Laypeople be allowed to preach;
See lay deacon above
•Divorced people be allowed to receive Communion;
They should be now - it is only remarriage without an annulment when receiving communion is discouraged - although this should be changed with divorce allowed with remarriage if one spouse either abused the other physically or sexually or was otherwise dangerous (for example, if the person was an addict or alcoholic) or if the partner committed adultery. It should be the wronged person's option to remain within the marriage or let it be dissolved - but the offending party who committed adultery should never be allowed to remarry, nor should the dangerous party unless they are in recovery.
•"As quickly as possible, both married men and women be admitted to the priesthood.
That makes sense too.
My comments on their demands:
•Parish leadership be entrusted to trained laypeople;
I would still ordain the lead administrator as a Lay Deacon (no promise of celibacy), but I would entrust the parish council with more responsibility and strip the other clergy of all control of property
•Communion services be held even if no priest is available;
This goes without saying, although the lay deacon could lead it.
•Laypeople be allowed to preach;
See lay deacon above
•Divorced people be allowed to receive Communion;
They should be now - it is only remarriage without an annulment when receiving communion is discouraged - although this should be changed with divorce allowed with remarriage if one spouse either abused the other physically or sexually or was otherwise dangerous (for example, if the person was an addict or alcoholic) or if the partner committed adultery. It should be the wronged person's option to remain within the marriage or let it be dissolved - but the offending party who committed adultery should never be allowed to remarry, nor should the dangerous party unless they are in recovery.
•"As quickly as possible, both married men and women be admitted to the priesthood.
That makes sense too.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Albacete Nails It
Albacete Nails It by MSW. My comments:
Emphasizing a thread that binds is coming dangerously close to supporting the idea of Christendom, where being a Christian is reduced to being a member of a secret lodge that acts in the interest of the Church without claiming to.
Except for the fact that it might alienate Catholic voters, I am surprised that none of the Catholic's in Democratic governance and politics doesn't read the bishops the riot act about subverting American democracy or laying out some of the flaws in the Church's teaching on such matters as gay marriage, stem cell research/birth control, what the government can and can't do constitutionally about abortion and the attempts by some bishops to subvert American process in a way that borders on sedition.
These comments also ignore the extent to which there are those in Catholic Health and Catholic Charities who ARE in the inner circle of this White House and who do bring in a knowledge of the relatedness between salvation and charity.
Emphasizing a thread that binds is coming dangerously close to supporting the idea of Christendom, where being a Christian is reduced to being a member of a secret lodge that acts in the interest of the Church without claiming to.
Except for the fact that it might alienate Catholic voters, I am surprised that none of the Catholic's in Democratic governance and politics doesn't read the bishops the riot act about subverting American democracy or laying out some of the flaws in the Church's teaching on such matters as gay marriage, stem cell research/birth control, what the government can and can't do constitutionally about abortion and the attempts by some bishops to subvert American process in a way that borders on sedition.
These comments also ignore the extent to which there are those in Catholic Health and Catholic Charities who ARE in the inner circle of this White House and who do bring in a knowledge of the relatedness between salvation and charity.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Why is our country just not functioning?
Why is our country just not functioning? by Sister Joan Chittister
My response:
Gore lost because he could not win Ohio and because he did not insist that "double votes" where he was written in and voted for be counted. The recount ignoring double votes still had Bush win. Hillary has only herself to blame for staying out of caucus states - and if you read Game Change - we dodged a bullet.
Obama has indeed messed up on the economy - mostly because he listened to advisors who did not want to do radical things to benefit under water mortgage borrowers - although the Democratic congress was not exactly brimming with compassion for this group either by not enacting bankruptcy reform when it could. As it is, the 111th Congress was the most productive in recent memory even as the 112th is a disappointment.
The 112th has a big problem - leaders who feel vulnerable to primary challenges. If the Republican Party refuses to put the loonies in its place because of this, there is not much we can do about it but hope that their own conduct costs them control of the House, Senate and White House in 2012.
Some of these problems, of course, go back to Reagan and tax policies that incentize productivity gains at the expense of workers who are also consumers. Until those workers decide that enough as enough, they can't be led to something better, like employee ownership of their workplaces and an ousting of the plutocracy. They certainly won't get that from either party and media, like NCR, don't seem particularly eager about covering the alternatives. You need proof? Ask Michael Sean Winters why he does not cover my tax plan.
My response:
Gore lost because he could not win Ohio and because he did not insist that "double votes" where he was written in and voted for be counted. The recount ignoring double votes still had Bush win. Hillary has only herself to blame for staying out of caucus states - and if you read Game Change - we dodged a bullet.
Obama has indeed messed up on the economy - mostly because he listened to advisors who did not want to do radical things to benefit under water mortgage borrowers - although the Democratic congress was not exactly brimming with compassion for this group either by not enacting bankruptcy reform when it could. As it is, the 111th Congress was the most productive in recent memory even as the 112th is a disappointment.
The 112th has a big problem - leaders who feel vulnerable to primary challenges. If the Republican Party refuses to put the loonies in its place because of this, there is not much we can do about it but hope that their own conduct costs them control of the House, Senate and White House in 2012.
Some of these problems, of course, go back to Reagan and tax policies that incentize productivity gains at the expense of workers who are also consumers. Until those workers decide that enough as enough, they can't be led to something better, like employee ownership of their workplaces and an ousting of the plutocracy. They certainly won't get that from either party and media, like NCR, don't seem particularly eager about covering the alternatives. You need proof? Ask Michael Sean Winters why he does not cover my tax plan.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Guidelines on Women's Health Issued
Guidelines on Women's Health Issued by Michael Sean Winters
My comments: The reason that the Bishops should have played nicer is to be able to count on the support of liberal Catholics when such issues as this come up. Not sure I feel like backing their play on Ella, although I probably will. However, they are simply wrong on sterilization and contraception - since these work before gastrulation and cannot be considered equivalent to abortion (unlike Ella).
The Church's stance on contraception works best when it sticks to economic empowerment issues for the poor, who should not have to resort to birth control to secure their economic well being. It does not do so well when it takes a stand against contraception that is medically indicated because the woman should not get pregnant. Their suggested practice of natural family planning lessens the power of its economic message and is inadequate to the health needs of women whose lives may be in jeapordy if they become pregnant.
My comments: The reason that the Bishops should have played nicer is to be able to count on the support of liberal Catholics when such issues as this come up. Not sure I feel like backing their play on Ella, although I probably will. However, they are simply wrong on sterilization and contraception - since these work before gastrulation and cannot be considered equivalent to abortion (unlike Ella).
The Church's stance on contraception works best when it sticks to economic empowerment issues for the poor, who should not have to resort to birth control to secure their economic well being. It does not do so well when it takes a stand against contraception that is medically indicated because the woman should not get pregnant. Their suggested practice of natural family planning lessens the power of its economic message and is inadequate to the health needs of women whose lives may be in jeapordy if they become pregnant.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Chaput: The Problem With Culture Warrior Bishops
Chaput: The Problem With Culture Warrior Bishops by Michael Sean Winters
My response: I suspect Cardinals Law and Burke had a say in this, yet Chaput may well overcome the culture of clericalism left by Rigali and bring reform. How he deals with Bob Casey will be telling on the political front. Unless he understands that Casey has the upper hand in this, he will do damage to himself and wreck any bipartisanship in the pro-life movement.
My response: I suspect Cardinals Law and Burke had a say in this, yet Chaput may well overcome the culture of clericalism left by Rigali and bring reform. How he deals with Bob Casey will be telling on the political front. Unless he understands that Casey has the upper hand in this, he will do damage to himself and wreck any bipartisanship in the pro-life movement.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Mary and Jesus as mother and son
Mary and Jesus as mother and son by Thomas C. Fox
My reaction: This is the most important relationship in scripture, because unless you understand it, you cannot understand why Jesus finally called out in despair on the Cross.
While it is fashionable to believe that the nativity stories are an add-on, I believe they are essential - since they locate Jesus' knowledge of himself in His mother's telling of them and in His reading of the scripture, rather than in some proto-gnostic self-awareness. When He entrusted her to John's care, He rejected both this origin belief and His mission. He did not give John instructions to baptize all nations or even await the Resurrection. He essentially told those He loved that He was a he - dead man hanging.
Understand this and you understand all of Christianity, including that the purpose of morality is not to placate God, but to live well on Earth. This view is mutually exclusive from the view that God is angry and his anger must be satisfied by blood. Instead, the blood is to be shared as Jesus shared our despair (I thirst).
My reaction: This is the most important relationship in scripture, because unless you understand it, you cannot understand why Jesus finally called out in despair on the Cross.
While it is fashionable to believe that the nativity stories are an add-on, I believe they are essential - since they locate Jesus' knowledge of himself in His mother's telling of them and in His reading of the scripture, rather than in some proto-gnostic self-awareness. When He entrusted her to John's care, He rejected both this origin belief and His mission. He did not give John instructions to baptize all nations or even await the Resurrection. He essentially told those He loved that He was a he - dead man hanging.
Understand this and you understand all of Christianity, including that the purpose of morality is not to placate God, but to live well on Earth. This view is mutually exclusive from the view that God is angry and his anger must be satisfied by blood. Instead, the blood is to be shared as Jesus shared our despair (I thirst).
Friday, June 24, 2011
Crazy Cons Attack Card. O'Malley
Crazy Cons Attack Card. O'Malley by Michael Sean Winters
Cardinal O'Malley is moving in the right direction, but is not there yet. The crazy cons, however, shoudl follow his advice and go to confession for their hate. If a position in natural law needs a strong PR strategy, it may not be as natural as you think. I still think it comes down to marriage as the social tool that creates families (calling them civil unions is a PC copout). To not allow gays to create their own families is to infantalize them into their families of origin - and there is nothing natural about that.
Cardinal O'Malley is moving in the right direction, but is not there yet. The crazy cons, however, shoudl follow his advice and go to confession for their hate. If a position in natural law needs a strong PR strategy, it may not be as natural as you think. I still think it comes down to marriage as the social tool that creates families (calling them civil unions is a PC copout). To not allow gays to create their own families is to infantalize them into their families of origin - and there is nothing natural about that.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Debating Faithful Citizenship
Debating Faithful Citizenship by Michael Sean Winters
My response:
Faithful Citizenship has never been used as intended. It is at best a Band-Aid on addressing the intricacies of both abortion law and poverty. Until these issues are more explicitly addressed, it will prove caustic as some seize on abortion as a non-negotiable without actually saying what is to be done about it, while others use it as an excuse to ignore the issue altogether. Neither view is correct. We should instead agree to either a realistic program to end abortion through criminal law or admit that it cannot be done and instead agree on an economic strategy to reduce it.
My response:
Faithful Citizenship has never been used as intended. It is at best a Band-Aid on addressing the intricacies of both abortion law and poverty. Until these issues are more explicitly addressed, it will prove caustic as some seize on abortion as a non-negotiable without actually saying what is to be done about it, while others use it as an excuse to ignore the issue altogether. Neither view is correct. We should instead agree to either a realistic program to end abortion through criminal law or admit that it cannot be done and instead agree on an economic strategy to reduce it.
Monday, June 6, 2011
The Veep at the Vatican
The Veep at the Vatican by Michael Sean Winters
My response: I disagree. Biden is not wrong and I hope he explained the difference between supporting abortion and not using the criminal law to regulate it in American Society. There was never an "abortion law" enacted and in a society that grants equal protection to all individuals, making a fetus an individual in the first trimester is so legally problematic that the pro-life movement does not attempt it. Until they do attempt it, there is nothing for pro-choice Catholic (or non-Catholic politicians) to oppose. You cannot say we are wrong for opposing non-existent legilation (and neither can the Pope). Hopefully, Biden explained this. One more thing, John the Divine was Jesus best friend, not Peter.
My response: I disagree. Biden is not wrong and I hope he explained the difference between supporting abortion and not using the criminal law to regulate it in American Society. There was never an "abortion law" enacted and in a society that grants equal protection to all individuals, making a fetus an individual in the first trimester is so legally problematic that the pro-life movement does not attempt it. Until they do attempt it, there is nothing for pro-choice Catholic (or non-Catholic politicians) to oppose. You cannot say we are wrong for opposing non-existent legilation (and neither can the Pope). Hopefully, Biden explained this. One more thing, John the Divine was Jesus best friend, not Peter.
Friday, June 3, 2011
The resurrection of the dead -- Part 2
The resurrection of the dead -- Part 2 by Fr. Richard McBrian
My response: The resurrection of the dead is really the only belief that does not boil down to annihilation, since being unressurrected in the pressence of God would amount to your reality being all God and no you. Only faith in a resurrection makes individuality possible and it is the biggest leap of faith one can have.
My response: The resurrection of the dead is really the only belief that does not boil down to annihilation, since being unressurrected in the pressence of God would amount to your reality being all God and no you. Only faith in a resurrection makes individuality possible and it is the biggest leap of faith one can have.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Run, Sarah, Run
Run, Sarah, Run by Michael Sean Winters
My response: She's not running. The only money she has raised is for her personal fortune, not her campaign. She has not campaign structure and if she tried to build one, it is hard to believe she will get anyone worth having.
My response: She's not running. The only money she has raised is for her personal fortune, not her campaign. She has not campaign structure and if she tried to build one, it is hard to believe she will get anyone worth having.
Silk Takes on Donohue Over John Jay Report
Silk Takes on Donohue Over John Jay Report by Michael Sean Winters
My comment: Donohue speaks for his tribe. His response, however, is not that much different in kind than the Jay's, which blames sexual liberation for the problem rather than seeing it as the reason people are coming forward to report a centuries old phenomenon.
My comment: Donohue speaks for his tribe. His response, however, is not that much different in kind than the Jay's, which blames sexual liberation for the problem rather than seeing it as the reason people are coming forward to report a centuries old phenomenon.
Romney Gives Obama an "F"
Romney Gives Obama an "F" by Michael Sean Winters
The secret to getting this economy moving is not giving everyone a benefit, but in helping underwater borrowers, which will allow them to sell their houses if they desire, take new jobs, or simply feel OK about spending money. If they start doing better, everyone else will feel more secure and the economy will rebound. Obama gets an F for not doing this, but I don't see Romney going down this road either.
The secret to getting this economy moving is not giving everyone a benefit, but in helping underwater borrowers, which will allow them to sell their houses if they desire, take new jobs, or simply feel OK about spending money. If they start doing better, everyone else will feel more secure and the economy will rebound. Obama gets an F for not doing this, but I don't see Romney going down this road either.
Friday, May 20, 2011
Obama, Israel & the '67 Borders
Obama, Israel & the '67 Borders by Michael Sean Winters
My reaction:
It is more about trying to pander to Jewish voters, who seem out of the reach of the GOP. I suspect that the land swaps required to keep a Jewish state Jewish without resort to minority oppression will involve much more than nibbling around the edges of the 1967 borders. Major portions of Arab northern Israel will have to be joined with the West Bank to avoid the destiny of demography, with relocations to match where Jews have settled in those areas.
Of course, a two state solution is a cop out. One motivation for a united Israel is the re-establishment of the Temple, but I can not see the God of the Old Testament allowing this as long as the Palestinians are oppressed. Indeed, if there is anything to the belief of the Ethiopean Copts that they actually have the Ark of the Covenant, I can't see the Coptic Church allowing its return while the Jewish state represses anyone, particularly Christians.
The end times meme has an interesting twist, as the part of it that most don't get is the return of the lost tribes of the north, not just the return of the Jews (who come from Levi and Judah only). There are those in the Romany community who are coming to believe that we are the exiles of the Northern kingdom, having migrated from Assyria through Persia to India. The real irony is the fact that our legends clearly state that we were Christianized by the Apostle Thomas. Indeed, our tradition is older than Rome and as such is a "purer" Christianity - although most of us have assimilated into the Roman Church - with growing numbers becoming Evangelical as well.
We are related to the Samaritans, who are few - although it is likely that many of them were converts to Christianity in the early years or prior to that took up Judaism. Some undoubtedly are Palestinian Muslims, adopting Islam to get along. This is the sad tragedy of the entire situation - that those most persecuted by the state of Israel are most likely ethnically Jewish from generations in the past.
Going back to the Romany narrative, since we are already Christian, the end times prophesy on our conversion has already occurred. What is necessary is repatriation for the prophesy to be fulfilled. Given the low esteem we are held in by much of the world, it is unlikely the cause of Romany return will be taken up any time soon - although that is clearly what is required by the prophesy.
My reaction:
It is more about trying to pander to Jewish voters, who seem out of the reach of the GOP. I suspect that the land swaps required to keep a Jewish state Jewish without resort to minority oppression will involve much more than nibbling around the edges of the 1967 borders. Major portions of Arab northern Israel will have to be joined with the West Bank to avoid the destiny of demography, with relocations to match where Jews have settled in those areas.
Of course, a two state solution is a cop out. One motivation for a united Israel is the re-establishment of the Temple, but I can not see the God of the Old Testament allowing this as long as the Palestinians are oppressed. Indeed, if there is anything to the belief of the Ethiopean Copts that they actually have the Ark of the Covenant, I can't see the Coptic Church allowing its return while the Jewish state represses anyone, particularly Christians.
The end times meme has an interesting twist, as the part of it that most don't get is the return of the lost tribes of the north, not just the return of the Jews (who come from Levi and Judah only). There are those in the Romany community who are coming to believe that we are the exiles of the Northern kingdom, having migrated from Assyria through Persia to India. The real irony is the fact that our legends clearly state that we were Christianized by the Apostle Thomas. Indeed, our tradition is older than Rome and as such is a "purer" Christianity - although most of us have assimilated into the Roman Church - with growing numbers becoming Evangelical as well.
We are related to the Samaritans, who are few - although it is likely that many of them were converts to Christianity in the early years or prior to that took up Judaism. Some undoubtedly are Palestinian Muslims, adopting Islam to get along. This is the sad tragedy of the entire situation - that those most persecuted by the state of Israel are most likely ethnically Jewish from generations in the past.
Going back to the Romany narrative, since we are already Christian, the end times prophesy on our conversion has already occurred. What is necessary is repatriation for the prophesy to be fulfilled. Given the low esteem we are held in by much of the world, it is unlikely the cause of Romany return will be taken up any time soon - although that is clearly what is required by the prophesy.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Bishops at center of abuse scandal, and potential reform
Bishops at center of abuse scandal, and potential reform
The report has it wrong. This has always been a problem in the Church. The sexual revolution simply opened up discussion of sex so that victims who would have suffered in silence began coming forward. This, more than anything else, is what stopped the ongoing patterns of abuse.
The report has it wrong. This has always been a problem in the Church. The sexual revolution simply opened up discussion of sex so that victims who would have suffered in silence began coming forward. This, more than anything else, is what stopped the ongoing patterns of abuse.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Assessing the GOP Field
Assessing the GOP Field by Michael Sean Winters
My response: Gerson is not the only one trying to sell T-Paw to Christian Conservatives. Mitch Daniels is the only other possible choice (the very same Daniels who presided over the economic debacle that was the Bush II presidency). The establishment and the cultural conservatives hate Romney, so the GOP does not have many options. Of course, if the deal to extend the debt limit leads to a much feared palace coup in the House, there won't be a GOP to run in.
My response: Gerson is not the only one trying to sell T-Paw to Christian Conservatives. Mitch Daniels is the only other possible choice (the very same Daniels who presided over the economic debacle that was the Bush II presidency). The establishment and the cultural conservatives hate Romney, so the GOP does not have many options. Of course, if the deal to extend the debt limit leads to a much feared palace coup in the House, there won't be a GOP to run in.
Medicaid Cuts & Subsidiarity
Medicaid Cuts & Subsidiarity by Michael Sean Winters
Medicaid is actually three programs. With the passage of the ACA, it will be the chief health insurance provider for the working poor. It is the payer of last resort for Seniors in nursing homes. Finally, it cares for the chronically poor who don't work - either due to medical reasons or illiterarcy - which makes it a target for those whose Christianity includes the Protestant work ethic (and those Catholics who have bought into that, through Rand).
The Senior portion should simply be fedralized - which Reagan offerred to do in New Federalism in 1982 (in an echo of Nixon's proposal). Ryan is probably too young to remember the Gipper's proposal. More's the pity.
Health care for the working poor should probably be provided through employers rather than Medicaid. The way to force this is not a mandate but a tax deduction (which would also be how to get employers to cover retirees - including the chronically ill). Taxes on employers could be consolidated from personal income taxes on all but the wealthiest, the Hospital Insurance payroll tax and the corporate income tax into a Value Added Tax (to cover discretionary spending) and a Net Business Receipts Tax. The NBRT would be like a VAT, but would not be on the receipt because businesses would have the option of taking deductions for family support, education and health care costs for employees and retirees. The tax should be set high enough that even marginal employers would have an interest to offer care rather than have employees use a "public option."
Such a plan would meet the needs of subsidiarity. It could not be entirely voluntary, however. If voluntary charity could meet social needs, coffers would be full for this purpose since tax rates for the wealthy are at historic lows. (A parallel is the current evidence aganist supply side economics - which, if true, would have led to historically low unemployment as employers are flush with cash).
Libertopia could exist, however it takes a high nominal tax rate on business to get us there.
Medicaid is actually three programs. With the passage of the ACA, it will be the chief health insurance provider for the working poor. It is the payer of last resort for Seniors in nursing homes. Finally, it cares for the chronically poor who don't work - either due to medical reasons or illiterarcy - which makes it a target for those whose Christianity includes the Protestant work ethic (and those Catholics who have bought into that, through Rand).
The Senior portion should simply be fedralized - which Reagan offerred to do in New Federalism in 1982 (in an echo of Nixon's proposal). Ryan is probably too young to remember the Gipper's proposal. More's the pity.
Health care for the working poor should probably be provided through employers rather than Medicaid. The way to force this is not a mandate but a tax deduction (which would also be how to get employers to cover retirees - including the chronically ill). Taxes on employers could be consolidated from personal income taxes on all but the wealthiest, the Hospital Insurance payroll tax and the corporate income tax into a Value Added Tax (to cover discretionary spending) and a Net Business Receipts Tax. The NBRT would be like a VAT, but would not be on the receipt because businesses would have the option of taking deductions for family support, education and health care costs for employees and retirees. The tax should be set high enough that even marginal employers would have an interest to offer care rather than have employees use a "public option."
Such a plan would meet the needs of subsidiarity. It could not be entirely voluntary, however. If voluntary charity could meet social needs, coffers would be full for this purpose since tax rates for the wealthy are at historic lows. (A parallel is the current evidence aganist supply side economics - which, if true, would have led to historically low unemployment as employers are flush with cash).
Libertopia could exist, however it takes a high nominal tax rate on business to get us there.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Crucifixion helps make meaning of pain in church, world
Crucifixion helps make meaning of pain in church, world by Jamie L. Manson
The author is reducing his death to a political act. Don't ignore the salvic implications of it. One can still reject the scandal of an angry God who demands the blood of his own Son as an act of atonement without reducing Good Friday to just another martyrdom.
Jesus came to experience something that he could not experience in any other way. Looking at the Gospels together shows what that was.
Start with the Last Supper and the promise to not drink of the fruit of the vine until He does so in the Father's kingdom. Then move forward to John's Gospel where He said, "I thirst" and was given wine or vinegar, which he drank. He either than became an unworthy servant or what happened just prior to His thirst was salvic.
The synoptic gospels simply deny what John witnessed by saying that He was prevented from getting wine by those who wanted to wait to see if Elijah came for him - however John is fairly clear - although the meaning of the paradox has been lost.
The question becomes, why did Jesus cry out for Elijah as the suffering servant? John answers that question too.
When He said "Woman, behold your son - John, behold your mother," he was abandoning his divine origins - which Mary had told him of ("And she kept all these things in her heart") as well as his mission (He did not command John to baptize all nations, but to take care of his grandmother - John was son of Zebedee and Salome - Joseph's daughter). Picture the reaction of Mary to this. It likely broke her spirit and any emotion support she had provided to Jesus on the cross was lost in a torrent of tears and likely a turning away. Without this support, Jesus could finally be crushed as the sinner is crushed - causing him to cry out in despair to Elijah - not in a fulfillment of prophesy but as an authentic act of grief.
This clearly puts the locus of salvation not on bloody atonement, but on the atonement of the spirit - where Jesus shared the separation from God the way mankind does in a world of sin.
Of course, the implications of this for morality are profound, since it points to a humanistic rather than a theistic formulation. If morality is for man, a version of natural law where homoesexuals are "disordered" is clearly not in keeping with God's will. Just the opposite - as is the Church's prior fetish with adolescent masturbation. If one need no longer fear Hell for violating "God's rights" when a possibly fatal pregnancy presents itself, the decision to allow an indirect, or even a direct, abortion in Phoenix can be seen in a much different light.
The author is reducing his death to a political act. Don't ignore the salvic implications of it. One can still reject the scandal of an angry God who demands the blood of his own Son as an act of atonement without reducing Good Friday to just another martyrdom.
Jesus came to experience something that he could not experience in any other way. Looking at the Gospels together shows what that was.
Start with the Last Supper and the promise to not drink of the fruit of the vine until He does so in the Father's kingdom. Then move forward to John's Gospel where He said, "I thirst" and was given wine or vinegar, which he drank. He either than became an unworthy servant or what happened just prior to His thirst was salvic.
The synoptic gospels simply deny what John witnessed by saying that He was prevented from getting wine by those who wanted to wait to see if Elijah came for him - however John is fairly clear - although the meaning of the paradox has been lost.
The question becomes, why did Jesus cry out for Elijah as the suffering servant? John answers that question too.
When He said "Woman, behold your son - John, behold your mother," he was abandoning his divine origins - which Mary had told him of ("And she kept all these things in her heart") as well as his mission (He did not command John to baptize all nations, but to take care of his grandmother - John was son of Zebedee and Salome - Joseph's daughter). Picture the reaction of Mary to this. It likely broke her spirit and any emotion support she had provided to Jesus on the cross was lost in a torrent of tears and likely a turning away. Without this support, Jesus could finally be crushed as the sinner is crushed - causing him to cry out in despair to Elijah - not in a fulfillment of prophesy but as an authentic act of grief.
This clearly puts the locus of salvation not on bloody atonement, but on the atonement of the spirit - where Jesus shared the separation from God the way mankind does in a world of sin.
Of course, the implications of this for morality are profound, since it points to a humanistic rather than a theistic formulation. If morality is for man, a version of natural law where homoesexuals are "disordered" is clearly not in keeping with God's will. Just the opposite - as is the Church's prior fetish with adolescent masturbation. If one need no longer fear Hell for violating "God's rights" when a possibly fatal pregnancy presents itself, the decision to allow an indirect, or even a direct, abortion in Phoenix can be seen in a much different light.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Rep. Ryan's Budget
Rep. Ryan's Budget by Michael Sean Winters
This budget will score points for Ryan in GOP land, but it is as dead in the Senate as Obama's budget was in the House. Unless the GOP can pick up 13 Senate seats in 2012, with 26 possible, it can't dictate terms. As it is, they may lose seats due to Tea Party challenges.
It is a bit irresponsible for Ryan to hang his hat on repealing health care reform, since doing so undos valuable fixes to Medicare that put it on the road to solvency. His major objection appears to be that the funding fixes are one big step toward VAT funding, or something similar like a Business Receipts Tax as proposed by Lawrence B. Lindsey. While the entire fiscal establishment is looking at such a broad based tax as a solution, Ryan is going the other way. This is a great way to get moderate Republicans and Democrats to roll him on every issue.
It is a bit early to worry about Medicare and Medicaid in the long term, considering that Ryan is correct in the need for a major overhaul in the Affordable Care Act. This is not the case because mandates are unconstitutional or even unpopular, although the latter enters into it. It is because they are inadequate and are not likely to be raised in the face of pre-existing condition reforms which may well cause people to drop insurance coverage until they get sick. We are not sure how consumers will react, but if it becomes clear that they are economically rational, the health insurance industry's stock price will tank before most policies are cancelled, leading to a bailout by the Federal government and a defacto single-payer system funded by a broad based payroll or consumption tax. The other alternative is to enact a public option as part of deal to drop patient protections, with funding done in the same way.
When funding the next round of reform is settled, funding the shortfalls in Medicare and Medicaid will likely be settled as well.
We can't do this with budget cuts, even if they are masked in premium support schemes. The annual doc fix shows that Medicare provider rates will never be cut to the extent required by law (Ryan is right about that conclusion), so the only alternative really is enhanced funding. Bifurcating Medicare won't fly either, since it would likely be more expensive to fund parallel plans than can be saved in cutting benefits for younger retirees. Once that becomes clear, the GOP loses its base. Indeed, recent analysis shows that the only way that the Ryan Medicare plan might work is under the Exchange Ruberic of the ACA. Cut out the exchanges and seniors go without.
As for giving more power to the states on Medicaid, one need only look how they are coping with higher costs now to see that this is a bad idea. Provider cuts look good in the short term, but they will eventually put more people in the ER for primary care. While in the ACA transition period, that may get them coverage under federal health care reform, such a move is unsustainable in the long run. A more viable option for the states is to simply take a page from Reagan and federalize Medicaid entirely in exchange for dropping the deductibility of state income, sales and property taxes. As long as the feds develop a sound funding source for health care as a whole as part of comprehensive tax reform (which eliminates the requirement that most people file taxes at all), it is a win-win for everyone.
This budget will score points for Ryan in GOP land, but it is as dead in the Senate as Obama's budget was in the House. Unless the GOP can pick up 13 Senate seats in 2012, with 26 possible, it can't dictate terms. As it is, they may lose seats due to Tea Party challenges.
It is a bit irresponsible for Ryan to hang his hat on repealing health care reform, since doing so undos valuable fixes to Medicare that put it on the road to solvency. His major objection appears to be that the funding fixes are one big step toward VAT funding, or something similar like a Business Receipts Tax as proposed by Lawrence B. Lindsey. While the entire fiscal establishment is looking at such a broad based tax as a solution, Ryan is going the other way. This is a great way to get moderate Republicans and Democrats to roll him on every issue.
It is a bit early to worry about Medicare and Medicaid in the long term, considering that Ryan is correct in the need for a major overhaul in the Affordable Care Act. This is not the case because mandates are unconstitutional or even unpopular, although the latter enters into it. It is because they are inadequate and are not likely to be raised in the face of pre-existing condition reforms which may well cause people to drop insurance coverage until they get sick. We are not sure how consumers will react, but if it becomes clear that they are economically rational, the health insurance industry's stock price will tank before most policies are cancelled, leading to a bailout by the Federal government and a defacto single-payer system funded by a broad based payroll or consumption tax. The other alternative is to enact a public option as part of deal to drop patient protections, with funding done in the same way.
When funding the next round of reform is settled, funding the shortfalls in Medicare and Medicaid will likely be settled as well.
We can't do this with budget cuts, even if they are masked in premium support schemes. The annual doc fix shows that Medicare provider rates will never be cut to the extent required by law (Ryan is right about that conclusion), so the only alternative really is enhanced funding. Bifurcating Medicare won't fly either, since it would likely be more expensive to fund parallel plans than can be saved in cutting benefits for younger retirees. Once that becomes clear, the GOP loses its base. Indeed, recent analysis shows that the only way that the Ryan Medicare plan might work is under the Exchange Ruberic of the ACA. Cut out the exchanges and seniors go without.
As for giving more power to the states on Medicaid, one need only look how they are coping with higher costs now to see that this is a bad idea. Provider cuts look good in the short term, but they will eventually put more people in the ER for primary care. While in the ACA transition period, that may get them coverage under federal health care reform, such a move is unsustainable in the long run. A more viable option for the states is to simply take a page from Reagan and federalize Medicaid entirely in exchange for dropping the deductibility of state income, sales and property taxes. As long as the feds develop a sound funding source for health care as a whole as part of comprehensive tax reform (which eliminates the requirement that most people file taxes at all), it is a win-win for everyone.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
String theory forces us to abandon small images of God
String theory forces us to abandon small images of God by Rich Heffern
My response:
It is not natural science that is the enemy of relgion, but psychology and religion itself. The deeper questions can't be answered in string theory. Indeed, they can't be answered at all. This is why they are great questions.
One can explain human conciousness with a combination of linguistics,
chaos theory and neuroscience. Whether God can exist within that formulation is an unknowable which comes down to belief, not knowledge.
Militant Atheism is actually the best proof of God. Why do militant atheists bother? At the deepest of levels, they bother because they love other people and don't want to see them abused by religion. One could explain that as a biological quirk or one can posit that it is God that gives them this concern for others.
Love is either a trick of biology, a viral idea or a driving force that we can never understand, but that we call God - and that Christians call the Holy Spirit. The more deeply one experiences the Spirit, the more deeply one believes in Her.
My response:
It is not natural science that is the enemy of relgion, but psychology and religion itself. The deeper questions can't be answered in string theory. Indeed, they can't be answered at all. This is why they are great questions.
One can explain human conciousness with a combination of linguistics,
chaos theory and neuroscience. Whether God can exist within that formulation is an unknowable which comes down to belief, not knowledge.
Militant Atheism is actually the best proof of God. Why do militant atheists bother? At the deepest of levels, they bother because they love other people and don't want to see them abused by religion. One could explain that as a biological quirk or one can posit that it is God that gives them this concern for others.
Love is either a trick of biology, a viral idea or a driving force that we can never understand, but that we call God - and that Christians call the Holy Spirit. The more deeply one experiences the Spirit, the more deeply one believes in Her.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Patrick Reilly Slanders Jesuits
Patrick Reilly Slanders Jesuits by Michael Sean Winters
I suspect that the Provincial did not know of the activities of the University in this area. It would be below his attention. Sometimes one must be obnoxious to be noticed.
I also suspect that health care reform will remove the need for Planned Parenthood to provide many of the services they now provide. Eventually, they will be defunded because there will be nothing left to them but abortion.
If the child tax credit is raised to living wage levels (with state matches), most clients would not go to Planned Parenthood at all. One would think that this is enough to get Republicans to support both the ACA and the expansion of the credit. If you expect that, though, you would likely be mistaken.
The GOP needs Planned Parenthood to distract us from the plutocracy they have created. The provisions defunding it would have never passed if it was not a sure bet that the Senate would evicerate them.
I suspect that the Provincial did not know of the activities of the University in this area. It would be below his attention. Sometimes one must be obnoxious to be noticed.
I also suspect that health care reform will remove the need for Planned Parenthood to provide many of the services they now provide. Eventually, they will be defunded because there will be nothing left to them but abortion.
If the child tax credit is raised to living wage levels (with state matches), most clients would not go to Planned Parenthood at all. One would think that this is enough to get Republicans to support both the ACA and the expansion of the credit. If you expect that, though, you would likely be mistaken.
The GOP needs Planned Parenthood to distract us from the plutocracy they have created. The provisions defunding it would have never passed if it was not a sure bet that the Senate would evicerate them.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
New Report on Catholic Attitudes Towards LGBT Issues
New Report on Catholic Attitudes Towards LGBT Issues from Michael Sean Winters
There are fewer older Latinos in the US among Latino families, since many are recent immigrants and people who immigrate are likely more socially liberal because of both youth and openess to change.
Studies like this give bishops the Willies, since eventually Catholic families will demand that gay unions are blessed, even if they are originally contracted civilly. Indeed, many post divorce unions are "blessed" this way, even if there has been no annullment.
The number of gay priests makes this a problematic one for episcopal discipline. I have a feeling more than a few priests have the attitude that what the bishop does not know, won't hurt him.
In a generation, many of those priests will be bishops and once they compare notes in private, you will see profound doctrinal change on this issue.
All comments about relativism aside, the Church only exists in the conversations people have about it. When the conversation changes overtly, there is not much CDF can do about it - if CDF even survives the predicted (and quickly upcoming) destruction of Rome by both St. Malachy and Our Lady of Fatima.
There are fewer older Latinos in the US among Latino families, since many are recent immigrants and people who immigrate are likely more socially liberal because of both youth and openess to change.
Studies like this give bishops the Willies, since eventually Catholic families will demand that gay unions are blessed, even if they are originally contracted civilly. Indeed, many post divorce unions are "blessed" this way, even if there has been no annullment.
The number of gay priests makes this a problematic one for episcopal discipline. I have a feeling more than a few priests have the attitude that what the bishop does not know, won't hurt him.
In a generation, many of those priests will be bishops and once they compare notes in private, you will see profound doctrinal change on this issue.
All comments about relativism aside, the Church only exists in the conversations people have about it. When the conversation changes overtly, there is not much CDF can do about it - if CDF even survives the predicted (and quickly upcoming) destruction of Rome by both St. Malachy and Our Lady of Fatima.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Pastor says it's time to 'let go,' accept new missal as inevitable
Pastor says it's time to 'let go,' accept new missal as inevitable by Tom Roberts
This could go one of two ways. The people may actually like the new translation, especially those of us who are older. Some say it is quite impressive, as the Extraordinary Rite is impressive. Indeed, I see little difference between the new Roman Rite and most of the Extraordinary Rite.
They could have saved a lot of time and trouble by simply translating the Extraordinary Rite at Vatican II, rather than also writing a new Mass. I suspect the new Roman Rite is an attempt at synthesis.
The other option is that people will hate the new Roman Rite and the process by which it was foisted upon us. Given the current Reapproachment with Orthodoxy, this might well be the moment that the American Church demands a more, to use the term of art, Autocephalic Status - our own Patriarch and Rite.
The English speaking Church could also demand the same thing as a whole - although given how the African Church in both the Anglican and Catholic Traditions is growing ever more conservative while the English North is not, perhaps this would be a good time for Africa to link with Alexandria rather than Rome. Indeed, when such things were being worked out originally, the ancient Church of Alexandria was given jurisdiction for all of African Christianity. Perhaps this is the moment to honor that traditional right.
This could go one of two ways. The people may actually like the new translation, especially those of us who are older. Some say it is quite impressive, as the Extraordinary Rite is impressive. Indeed, I see little difference between the new Roman Rite and most of the Extraordinary Rite.
They could have saved a lot of time and trouble by simply translating the Extraordinary Rite at Vatican II, rather than also writing a new Mass. I suspect the new Roman Rite is an attempt at synthesis.
The other option is that people will hate the new Roman Rite and the process by which it was foisted upon us. Given the current Reapproachment with Orthodoxy, this might well be the moment that the American Church demands a more, to use the term of art, Autocephalic Status - our own Patriarch and Rite.
The English speaking Church could also demand the same thing as a whole - although given how the African Church in both the Anglican and Catholic Traditions is growing ever more conservative while the English North is not, perhaps this would be a good time for Africa to link with Alexandria rather than Rome. Indeed, when such things were being worked out originally, the ancient Church of Alexandria was given jurisdiction for all of African Christianity. Perhaps this is the moment to honor that traditional right.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Cardinal Rigali Must Go | National Catholic Reporter
Cardinal Rigali Must Go | National Catholic Reporter by Michael Sean Winters
The solution is easy. Each parish council needs to establish itself as a legal non-profit corporation and set up a new checking account controlled by it and not the pastor and insruct the parishoners to give to it and not the parish. That account would then pay for everything but would not send any money to the Cardinal until 1. he transfers all parish property to the corporation, 2. establishes all diocesan entities as non-profits with independent boards 3. let the council hire the priest and 4. resigns when this is done. Peter's pence should be withheld until the same bodies, in unison, elect the new archbishop and the Vatican recognizes this as legitimate.
The faithful realize that until they set up alternate payment arrangements, things like this will continue.
The solution is easy. Each parish council needs to establish itself as a legal non-profit corporation and set up a new checking account controlled by it and not the pastor and insruct the parishoners to give to it and not the parish. That account would then pay for everything but would not send any money to the Cardinal until 1. he transfers all parish property to the corporation, 2. establishes all diocesan entities as non-profits with independent boards 3. let the council hire the priest and 4. resigns when this is done. Peter's pence should be withheld until the same bodies, in unison, elect the new archbishop and the Vatican recognizes this as legitimate.
The faithful realize that until they set up alternate payment arrangements, things like this will continue.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Why We March | National Catholic Reporter
Why We March National Catholic Reporter by Michael Sean Winters
My reaction:
In most jurisdictions, abortion was not considered manslaughter. It was considered the equivalent of killing a puppy.
Overturning Roe judicially would actually make things worse, at least in the way that Scalia would do it, by denying federal supremacy on the question. Now, the way Justice Clarence Thomas would do it, by not allowing the states latitude but instead declaring the humanity of the unborn, might not.
The experience of slavery showed how a multi-state solution to this problem will not work. Indeed, overturning Roe would simply have more people travel to other states for abortion than they do currently (or to other countries), while those who cannot afford to travel would seek back alley abortions again (as some do now). Also, overturning Roe in this way would also gut other federal precident on equal protection.
That would be worse.
The March for Life is destructive because it focuses on Roe, which though unjust to the unborn, was constitutional (because the Constitution is unjust to the unborn until the Congress uses its power to make it not so). As long as Roe is the focus, the movement remains locked in the pipe dream of its removal and will find itself in the swarmy embrace of the Federalist Society and its fringe theories about the rights of states.
My reaction:
In most jurisdictions, abortion was not considered manslaughter. It was considered the equivalent of killing a puppy.
Overturning Roe judicially would actually make things worse, at least in the way that Scalia would do it, by denying federal supremacy on the question. Now, the way Justice Clarence Thomas would do it, by not allowing the states latitude but instead declaring the humanity of the unborn, might not.
The experience of slavery showed how a multi-state solution to this problem will not work. Indeed, overturning Roe would simply have more people travel to other states for abortion than they do currently (or to other countries), while those who cannot afford to travel would seek back alley abortions again (as some do now). Also, overturning Roe in this way would also gut other federal precident on equal protection.
That would be worse.
The March for Life is destructive because it focuses on Roe, which though unjust to the unborn, was constitutional (because the Constitution is unjust to the unborn until the Congress uses its power to make it not so). As long as Roe is the focus, the movement remains locked in the pipe dream of its removal and will find itself in the swarmy embrace of the Federalist Society and its fringe theories about the rights of states.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Abortion policy's legal and moral realities | National Catholic Reporter
Abortion policy's legal and moral realities | National Catholic Reporter An NCR Interview with George Dennis O'Brien
My response:
I disagree with the authorn and Aquinas on ensoulment. The question of ensoulment centers on what a soul is. Materialistically, which is the only thing we can test out, it is the life force that begins deliberative development and holds off entropy, which occurs rather markedly at death and does not occur before gasrulation.
Prior to gastrulation, removing stem cells from the blastocyst won't result in any lasting damage to the child - indeed twinning could occur - either by nature or manufacture. Of late, Catholic theologians have been making the unfounded claim that at this time God adds a soul. Poppycock! During this time period before gastrulation, hybids with a non-human parent develop in exactly the same way as fully human blastocysts. Unless you infer that the non-human hybrid has a soul, you cannot infer that the human blastocyst does as well. Science has also shown that the maternal DNA controls developoment at this stage - that development based on both parents does not occur until gastrulation.
At gastrulation, something is different. Development comes from the genes of both parents and seems to have a different motivating force, which could be called a soul.
As to the question of the Bishops and abortion - if they have a position on outlawing abortion, it is incumbent upon them to produce legislation that deals with the issues of criminality, malpractice if the fetus dies and enforcement, including the onerous power to investigate miscarriages (without which your abortion law contains an exception planned parenthood could drive a truck through). Until the bishops man up and produce a bill, they cannot deny anyone Communion for opposing something that does not exist.
My response:
I disagree with the authorn and Aquinas on ensoulment. The question of ensoulment centers on what a soul is. Materialistically, which is the only thing we can test out, it is the life force that begins deliberative development and holds off entropy, which occurs rather markedly at death and does not occur before gasrulation.
Prior to gastrulation, removing stem cells from the blastocyst won't result in any lasting damage to the child - indeed twinning could occur - either by nature or manufacture. Of late, Catholic theologians have been making the unfounded claim that at this time God adds a soul. Poppycock! During this time period before gastrulation, hybids with a non-human parent develop in exactly the same way as fully human blastocysts. Unless you infer that the non-human hybrid has a soul, you cannot infer that the human blastocyst does as well. Science has also shown that the maternal DNA controls developoment at this stage - that development based on both parents does not occur until gastrulation.
At gastrulation, something is different. Development comes from the genes of both parents and seems to have a different motivating force, which could be called a soul.
As to the question of the Bishops and abortion - if they have a position on outlawing abortion, it is incumbent upon them to produce legislation that deals with the issues of criminality, malpractice if the fetus dies and enforcement, including the onerous power to investigate miscarriages (without which your abortion law contains an exception planned parenthood could drive a truck through). Until the bishops man up and produce a bill, they cannot deny anyone Communion for opposing something that does not exist.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Bp Tobin "Unimpressed" With Obama's Tucson Speech | National Catholic Reporter
Bp Tobin "Unimpressed" With Obama's Tucson Speech | National Catholic Reporter by Michael Sean Winters
As long as repealing Roe is the sin qua non of the pro-life movement, Bishop Tobin, A/B Dolan and Michael Sean Winters will be stuck in a rut. While Roe was tragic, it was not wrong.
Jurisdictionally, the ruling is correct - whether a fetus is a person or not cannot be an issue decided by the States (and should not be - doing so would tear the nation apart much as the question of slavery did). The 14th Amendment makes this a federal question. The unambiguous language of the amendment also makes birth the absolute marker for recognition - however Congress can adjust it under its enforcement powers under the amendment and its rights as THE sovereign legislature.
Focusing on Roe is also irresponsible, meaning it relieves the pro-life movement and its leaders in the hierarchy from dealing with the quandry of HOW to extend rights to the unborn. It is not up to Obama,or even to Catholic legislators to come up with this solution - it is up to the partisans to do so.
The onus of change is clearly on the movement. Until it has a proposal, neither Obama nor Biden need do the movement's work for them. We can, however, point out the obstacles the movement must overcome to put forward legislation:
- dealing with making sure that natural miscarriages don't produce malpractice suits because a legal person dies without at the same time violating the equal protection rights of these legal persons
- deciding how criminal responsibility is meted out in killing a legal person without violating the equal protection rights of doctors by exempting mothers
- deciding how much power to give the state in investigating the deaths of legal persons - or how to avoid investigators borrowing families who have had miscarriages without leaving a hole in the law so big that the law is unenforceable.
It is not up to pro-choice Catholic politicians to resolve these quandries for you and until you propose a bill that deals with them (essentially by ignoring first trimester pregnancies), it is irresponsible to say that Abortion is the number one issue on which politicians are to be judged. In fact, without some draft legislation that addresses the issues I raise responsibly, ABORTION IS NOT A PUBLIC POLICY ISSUE AT ALL.
As long as repealing Roe is the sin qua non of the pro-life movement, Bishop Tobin, A/B Dolan and Michael Sean Winters will be stuck in a rut. While Roe was tragic, it was not wrong.
Jurisdictionally, the ruling is correct - whether a fetus is a person or not cannot be an issue decided by the States (and should not be - doing so would tear the nation apart much as the question of slavery did). The 14th Amendment makes this a federal question. The unambiguous language of the amendment also makes birth the absolute marker for recognition - however Congress can adjust it under its enforcement powers under the amendment and its rights as THE sovereign legislature.
Focusing on Roe is also irresponsible, meaning it relieves the pro-life movement and its leaders in the hierarchy from dealing with the quandry of HOW to extend rights to the unborn. It is not up to Obama,or even to Catholic legislators to come up with this solution - it is up to the partisans to do so.
The onus of change is clearly on the movement. Until it has a proposal, neither Obama nor Biden need do the movement's work for them. We can, however, point out the obstacles the movement must overcome to put forward legislation:
- dealing with making sure that natural miscarriages don't produce malpractice suits because a legal person dies without at the same time violating the equal protection rights of these legal persons
- deciding how criminal responsibility is meted out in killing a legal person without violating the equal protection rights of doctors by exempting mothers
- deciding how much power to give the state in investigating the deaths of legal persons - or how to avoid investigators borrowing families who have had miscarriages without leaving a hole in the law so big that the law is unenforceable.
It is not up to pro-choice Catholic politicians to resolve these quandries for you and until you propose a bill that deals with them (essentially by ignoring first trimester pregnancies), it is irresponsible to say that Abortion is the number one issue on which politicians are to be judged. In fact, without some draft legislation that addresses the issues I raise responsibly, ABORTION IS NOT A PUBLIC POLICY ISSUE AT ALL.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Much-praised pastor becomes a bishop | National Catholic Reporter
Much-praised pastor becomes a bishop | National Catholic Reporter
On the Communion issue, the bishops have not coherently said HOW abortion should be banned. Until that happens, there is no policy for Catholic politicians to adhere to.
I like what he is doing with Administrators - however this role should be given the office of Deacon or Deaconness, without any kind of promise of celibacy or duty of continence. I suspect he knows this but is taking small steps.
On the Communion issue, the bishops have not coherently said HOW abortion should be banned. Until that happens, there is no policy for Catholic politicians to adhere to.
I like what he is doing with Administrators - however this role should be given the office of Deacon or Deaconness, without any kind of promise of celibacy or duty of continence. I suspect he knows this but is taking small steps.
Phoenix bishop's response to hospital ignites questions of authority, identity | National Catholic Reporter
Phoenix bishop's response to hospital ignites questions of authority, identity | National Catholic Reporter
The bottom line really is that its not his hospital. Perhaps the bishops should get out of the business of judging the bioethics of hospitals that they do not own, since the seem to own most everything else in the diocese under the conventions of Canon Law. Their moral voice would be stronger without the perception that they are attempting to exercise ownership where they have none. Indeed, it would really be strengthened if they turned over all administration and property rights to more modern non-profit corporate structures and became official paupers - like the sisters who do actually own the hospitals.
On the bioethics question, perhaps the locus of study should be with Catholic Health Association and its owning Orders rather than the Bishops. While the Bishops should surely discuss and advise CHA, they should not try to micromanage within someone else's structure, either individually or as a group. CHA does its own work on Catholic identity. They don't need the USCCB for that function.
Catholic Higher Education institutes should also be the locus of the Church's response to bioethics in research, both in their institutions and in society at large. The bishops have enough to deal with on the ethical side without messing up someone else's sandbox.
The bottom line really is that its not his hospital. Perhaps the bishops should get out of the business of judging the bioethics of hospitals that they do not own, since the seem to own most everything else in the diocese under the conventions of Canon Law. Their moral voice would be stronger without the perception that they are attempting to exercise ownership where they have none. Indeed, it would really be strengthened if they turned over all administration and property rights to more modern non-profit corporate structures and became official paupers - like the sisters who do actually own the hospitals.
On the bioethics question, perhaps the locus of study should be with Catholic Health Association and its owning Orders rather than the Bishops. While the Bishops should surely discuss and advise CHA, they should not try to micromanage within someone else's structure, either individually or as a group. CHA does its own work on Catholic identity. They don't need the USCCB for that function.
Catholic Higher Education institutes should also be the locus of the Church's response to bioethics in research, both in their institutions and in society at large. The bishops have enough to deal with on the ethical side without messing up someone else's sandbox.
Obama's Problem | National Catholic Reporter
Obama's Problem | National Catholic Reporter by Michael Sean Winters
My comments:
Many who oppose Obama on health care want a more generous benefit. About a third of the opposition to his approach is liberal. If you simply poll pro-reform of some kind vs. the prior status quo, the numbers are much higher than 43%.
Many don't approve of his handling of the economy because they see too many people in trouble - and they are right to feel that way. Some of his economic advisors, luckily of the former variety, discouraged more radical action and the result is obvious. If a bigger stimulus and more direct aid for underwater home borrowers had been insisted upon and obtained, the economy likely would be in better shape now.
As to the speech, oddly enough every wonk in town, as well as every cause, wants their issue included. Statehood advocates want their mention. Aging issue wonks want demographic issues to be highlighted for both health and Social Security.
He can't listen to everyone. Hopefuly his new chief of staff will get him to listen to the right people. I am sure it will be a good speech - as it is the last hurrah of Robert Gibbs and the opening salvo in the 2012 election. This will set the tone. If he muffs it, he may get primaried. I don't think he'll muff it.
My comments:
Many who oppose Obama on health care want a more generous benefit. About a third of the opposition to his approach is liberal. If you simply poll pro-reform of some kind vs. the prior status quo, the numbers are much higher than 43%.
Many don't approve of his handling of the economy because they see too many people in trouble - and they are right to feel that way. Some of his economic advisors, luckily of the former variety, discouraged more radical action and the result is obvious. If a bigger stimulus and more direct aid for underwater home borrowers had been insisted upon and obtained, the economy likely would be in better shape now.
As to the speech, oddly enough every wonk in town, as well as every cause, wants their issue included. Statehood advocates want their mention. Aging issue wonks want demographic issues to be highlighted for both health and Social Security.
He can't listen to everyone. Hopefuly his new chief of staff will get him to listen to the right people. I am sure it will be a good speech - as it is the last hurrah of Robert Gibbs and the opening salvo in the 2012 election. This will set the tone. If he muffs it, he may get primaried. I don't think he'll muff it.
Canonist Says Deacons Must Refrain From Sex | National Catholic Reporter
Canonist Says Deacons Must Refrain From Sex | National Catholic Reporter by Michael Sean Winters
Frankly, I hope this sparks a debate about the Canons on continence and how these just might be based in misogyny from the classical era. Indeed, re-examining the Canons should cause a rethinking of priestly celibacy, female ordination and the entire body of teaching on sexuality, since one obviously affects the other.
Frankly, I hope this sparks a debate about the Canons on continence and how these just might be based in misogyny from the classical era. Indeed, re-examining the Canons should cause a rethinking of priestly celibacy, female ordination and the entire body of teaching on sexuality, since one obviously affects the other.
Catholic and Orthodox Unity: Close Enough to Imagine | National Catholic Reporter
Catholic and Orthodox Unity: Close Enough to Imagine | National Catholic Reporter by Fr. Thomas Ryan
My comments:
The claim of Rome to be first among bishops may be scuttled if the current Pope is identified as urging the Church in Irelad to cover up sexual abuse. If this crisis goes on much longer, Rome will be too damaged to lead anything - and rightly so.
At some point, recognizing the equality of the Church of England is essential as well to this - indeed, it may be more productive for the Orthodox to have separate talks with Canterbury rather than including Rome in the loop - while letting the African Anglicans (and African anglophone Catholics) pusue unity with Alexandria.
If a more orthodox approach is indicated as far as government, than this new set of agreements is but a short step away from a single North American, or even northern anglophone Patriarch for the Anglican, Catholic and Orthodox Churchs, with England, Scotland and Ireland joining with Canada and the United States to form a single Church - allowing the Orthodox of South America and the Catholics of spanish South American to form a single Church, with or without Spain, and leaving Brazil and Portugal to their own Patriarch. Quebec, Haiti and France could also unite under one Patriarch. This bridges the gap between having national churches and a universal church. Linguistic divisions seem to be the best organizational modality, at least to me.
My comments:
The claim of Rome to be first among bishops may be scuttled if the current Pope is identified as urging the Church in Irelad to cover up sexual abuse. If this crisis goes on much longer, Rome will be too damaged to lead anything - and rightly so.
At some point, recognizing the equality of the Church of England is essential as well to this - indeed, it may be more productive for the Orthodox to have separate talks with Canterbury rather than including Rome in the loop - while letting the African Anglicans (and African anglophone Catholics) pusue unity with Alexandria.
If a more orthodox approach is indicated as far as government, than this new set of agreements is but a short step away from a single North American, or even northern anglophone Patriarch for the Anglican, Catholic and Orthodox Churchs, with England, Scotland and Ireland joining with Canada and the United States to form a single Church - allowing the Orthodox of South America and the Catholics of spanish South American to form a single Church, with or without Spain, and leaving Brazil and Portugal to their own Patriarch. Quebec, Haiti and France could also unite under one Patriarch. This bridges the gap between having national churches and a universal church. Linguistic divisions seem to be the best organizational modality, at least to me.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Aging Index: A Wake-Up Call for Policymakers - TheFiscalTimes.com
Aging Index: A Wake-Up Call for Policymakers - TheFiscalTimes.com by Michael Hodin
The answer is more kids and possibly higher taxes, rather than lower benefits. That expands GDP in the long term, so that in concert with more technical productivity, makes longer retirement - and indeed - younger retirement - more affordable.
Another piece of the long term sustainability puzzle is the development of self-sustaining environments with food production facilities. If people could grow much of their own food hydproponically, they could spend down their savings less quickly (and receive lower pensions where those still exist) - keeping active in retirement without taking a job away from younger workers. Indeed, as retirees age, they might even provide shelter and a job to younger workers so that they can assit them in growing their food while learning how to run a hydroponic house. This would be the perfect part time job for a young family or couple to take while still in training for a primary career.
The answer is more kids and possibly higher taxes, rather than lower benefits. That expands GDP in the long term, so that in concert with more technical productivity, makes longer retirement - and indeed - younger retirement - more affordable.
Another piece of the long term sustainability puzzle is the development of self-sustaining environments with food production facilities. If people could grow much of their own food hydproponically, they could spend down their savings less quickly (and receive lower pensions where those still exist) - keeping active in retirement without taking a job away from younger workers. Indeed, as retirees age, they might even provide shelter and a job to younger workers so that they can assit them in growing their food while learning how to run a hydroponic house. This would be the perfect part time job for a young family or couple to take while still in training for a primary career.
Monday, January 10, 2011
What Tucson Doesn't Mean | National Catholic Reporter
What Tucson Doesn't Mean National Catholic Reporter by Michael Sean Winters.
There is definitely reason to politicize this tragedy, but not regarding the political discourse. Instead, this should open the conversation about how poorly we fund services to the mentally ill (giving them Medicaid does not help if doctors won't take it) and how hard it is to confine them when they refuse treatment or relapse within it.
This guy should not only not have had a gun, he should not have been walking around at-large. His college should have not only been able to insist he go, but alert the authorities so that he was both evaluated and treated.
How the mentally ill are treated in the criminal justice system should be changed. Obviously deranged killers (through either addiction, alcoholism or mental illness) should be able to plead Guilty By Reason of Insanity and be confined to at least the minimum treatment for the crime committed or until safe, whichever comes last. In the present example, the period would be for six counts of voluntary manslaughter with some leeway as to whether they should be consecutive or concurrent.
There is definitely reason to politicize this tragedy, but not regarding the political discourse. Instead, this should open the conversation about how poorly we fund services to the mentally ill (giving them Medicaid does not help if doctors won't take it) and how hard it is to confine them when they refuse treatment or relapse within it.
This guy should not only not have had a gun, he should not have been walking around at-large. His college should have not only been able to insist he go, but alert the authorities so that he was both evaluated and treated.
How the mentally ill are treated in the criminal justice system should be changed. Obviously deranged killers (through either addiction, alcoholism or mental illness) should be able to plead Guilty By Reason of Insanity and be confined to at least the minimum treatment for the crime committed or until safe, whichever comes last. In the present example, the period would be for six counts of voluntary manslaughter with some leeway as to whether they should be consecutive or concurrent.
Dolan, Abortion & NOW | National Catholic Reporter
Dolan, Abortion & NOW National Catholic Reporter by Michael Sean Winter
It is good A/B Dolan is taking this step - but he needs to take one step farther and give free tuition to any teenage couple in a family way at both the high school and college level and make sure their living and day care expenses are met as well.
He should also pay families in his employ a living wage, meaning that if someone has a child, they get a $1000 per month raise to cover expenses (if not more, given housing prices in NYC). He should also lobby for tax policy so that the state and the fed each kick in $500 per month per child.
As for Roe being unjust - yes and no. It was surely unfortunate, but under the constitutional rules for who has protection and how they should get it, the ruling was absolutely just. Who is a person is a matter of federal jurisdiction, not state and until someone is a person, their interests are not to be considered in public policy (that's privacy). A constitutional amendment is not needed to do this, however caution is.
One cannot begin life at conception - or even gastrulation - and not consider what would happen to society if each person were given equal access to justice after that point (meaning that abortion would not be punished as a medical misdomeanor but as a felony with all concerned - including mothers - subject to punishment and that all failed pregnancies would be subject to some type of investigation - including natural miscarriage - as well as tort action - thereby denying care for anyone who has a pregnancy until the danger of miscarriage is passed (at the behest of insurers). An adult policy would take the paranthetical issues into consideration. It is not up to pro-choice Catholic politicians to come up with work-arounds and until the pro-life side does, pro-choice pols get a free ride.
As for NOW, they are pretty much pro-abortion - however, unless they had a draft of his speech, they protested because they expected the worst. It would take both the economic measures I mentioned previously, the ordination of women and a rethinking of how crisis pregnancies are dealt with - like in Phoenix and Brazil where the child has no chance of living and therefore no right to life - for them to stop their opposition to Church policy.
It is good A/B Dolan is taking this step - but he needs to take one step farther and give free tuition to any teenage couple in a family way at both the high school and college level and make sure their living and day care expenses are met as well.
He should also pay families in his employ a living wage, meaning that if someone has a child, they get a $1000 per month raise to cover expenses (if not more, given housing prices in NYC). He should also lobby for tax policy so that the state and the fed each kick in $500 per month per child.
As for Roe being unjust - yes and no. It was surely unfortunate, but under the constitutional rules for who has protection and how they should get it, the ruling was absolutely just. Who is a person is a matter of federal jurisdiction, not state and until someone is a person, their interests are not to be considered in public policy (that's privacy). A constitutional amendment is not needed to do this, however caution is.
One cannot begin life at conception - or even gastrulation - and not consider what would happen to society if each person were given equal access to justice after that point (meaning that abortion would not be punished as a medical misdomeanor but as a felony with all concerned - including mothers - subject to punishment and that all failed pregnancies would be subject to some type of investigation - including natural miscarriage - as well as tort action - thereby denying care for anyone who has a pregnancy until the danger of miscarriage is passed (at the behest of insurers). An adult policy would take the paranthetical issues into consideration. It is not up to pro-choice Catholic politicians to come up with work-arounds and until the pro-life side does, pro-choice pols get a free ride.
As for NOW, they are pretty much pro-abortion - however, unless they had a draft of his speech, they protested because they expected the worst. It would take both the economic measures I mentioned previously, the ordination of women and a rethinking of how crisis pregnancies are dealt with - like in Phoenix and Brazil where the child has no chance of living and therefore no right to life - for them to stop their opposition to Church policy.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
St. Joseph’s Hospital: A phoenix in the desert | National Catholic Reporter
St. Joseph’s Hospital: A phoenix in the desert | National Catholic Reporter
While the Bishop directed that the Eucharist be removed, a little reporting is warranted as to whether this has, in fact, occurred. I would hope that it is being reserved somewhere clandestinely in the same way that the archbishop who confirmed me, Nick Elko, would sneak the Eucharist through Kremlin Square when he was the Catholic Archbishop of Moscow or when he said Mass in the Gulag - and yes, I am equating Olmsted with Stalin.
While the Bishop directed that the Eucharist be removed, a little reporting is warranted as to whether this has, in fact, occurred. I would hope that it is being reserved somewhere clandestinely in the same way that the archbishop who confirmed me, Nick Elko, would sneak the Eucharist through Kremlin Square when he was the Catholic Archbishop of Moscow or when he said Mass in the Gulag - and yes, I am equating Olmsted with Stalin.
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