MSW v. the Catholic Left | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Catholic politicians who are pro-choice should not be defended. They should speak for themselves rather than hiding behind some pseudo-constitutional commitment to pluralism. In truth, whatever you feel about abortion, repealing Roe v. Wade is not the route to diminish it. Catholic politicians who are usually also lawyers should explain that to the bishops publicly and in great detail, regardless of any fear that Catholic voters may rebel against what would look like an act of disrespect - when instead it would be an act of political courage. Don't expect non-Catholic pro-choicers to wade into this if the Catholic ones won't talk honestly with their own bishops.
On gay marriage, only fecundity, which is not a deal breaker in marriage, is missing for gays - and they can adopt or have often had kids previously. My neice is a step child of my brother when he married his husband, for example. Thinking their sex life is icky is not a moral argument.
As I stated yesterday, liberal Catholic morality does come from our view of Calvary as a vision quest rather than a blood offering to an angry God. It is for us, not for God's benefit. Of course, this does not justify abortion - but justifying abortion and permitting it because a criminal approach - even a fetal rights approach (which brings with it a crimial approach) is simply not a good idea. There is nothing in the gospel that mandates a police state on any isue, from alcohol prohibition to abortion. Indeed, the Torah mandates abortion when adultery is suspected - because adultery was as much a property crime as it was a sexual offense.
It seems that abortion has taken its place among those who would regard women as property - and rejecting that impression is the reason many are adamant about abortion as a right. Still, you don't have to agree with them to think criminalization won't work - while throwing money at families with kids likely would. Of course, it is at this point that the pro-lifers start talking about personal responsibility for paying for your own children - at which point the pro-choicers yell "Checkmate!"
Don't talk about solidarity unless you include solidarity with a woman who has decided she must have an abortion - and that it is not about the inconvenience of pregnancy. Don't talk solidarity until you are willing to defy Rome about ordaining women - as the suitable vessels argument is purely sexism. Until a woman priest - indeed a married lesbian woman priest - is the voice of the pro-life movement, it will continue to be regarded as sexist.
Of course, the fun debates occur when we talk about essential late term abortions. This is where the hierarchy is not even open to a therapeutic abortion when the child is doomed - never to survive pregnancy - while the woman cannot live - or even would be better off if the pregnancy were ended now. Prelates sometimes seem that God will strike them head if they ascent to the reasonableness of abortion in such circumstances - or maybe they are worried about retribution from fellow prelates. Either way, their God is an Ogre - not because they believe God would damn the woman but because they believe God would damn them. Their thoughts on God are not worthy of God - and certaily not of Jesus.
Of course, there are those who think even publicly disputing this is mortally sinful. They are wrong. I go to Communion and Jesus is perfectly happy with me doing so.
Thursday, February 4, 2016
Links for 02/03/1 | National Catholic Reporter
Links for 02/03/1 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Pilate was an imperialist who deserves Hell, however Christ desiring their salvation does not overcome their ability to reject it. Whether the cosmic drama, as people call it, give the damned a second chance is something for our future - though it is all but a moment in the eyes of God.
I am not sure why one is afraid when people who have been suffering for thrity years and who are dependent on parents who are probably soon to die themselves might want to join their parents rather than having to live where they cannot cope - unless one believes God is Ogre who will damn them for it. Its not like their parents or the government are mandating their extinction - now that would be scary. Should they have to jump through some hoops, including trying a new mode of living in semi-autonomy, before they take such a step - but its their step. Punishing them for trying to end their lives on their own by criminalizing suicide - now that is scary unless it just leads to treatment. Autism is not depression, however - and if they are not diagnosed as bipolar, again, its their call and none of MSW's business.
I am sure that today's statement from Chicago has elicited howls from Rigali -wherever he is hiding for eventual justice - and his successor in Philadelphia. Bravo to the priest in question who trusted in the judgment of his Archbishop. Of course, I would allow that priest a husband while still fulfilling his duties.
I am not sure why one is afraid when people who have been suffering for thrity years and who are dependent on parents who are probably soon to die themselves might want to join their parents rather than having to live where they cannot cope - unless one believes God is Ogre who will damn them for it. Its not like their parents or the government are mandating their extinction - now that would be scary. Should they have to jump through some hoops, including trying a new mode of living in semi-autonomy, before they take such a step - but its their step. Punishing them for trying to end their lives on their own by criminalizing suicide - now that is scary unless it just leads to treatment. Autism is not depression, however - and if they are not diagnosed as bipolar, again, its their call and none of MSW's business.
I am sure that today's statement from Chicago has elicited howls from Rigali -wherever he is hiding for eventual justice - and his successor in Philadelphia. Bravo to the priest in question who trusted in the judgment of his Archbishop. Of course, I would allow that priest a husband while still fulfilling his duties.
Wednesday, February 3, 2016
Kaveny v. First Things | National Catholic Reporter
Kaveny v. First Things | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: First, let me repeat what I wrote in response to Kaveny: The politicization of the Church predates Francis by a long way, including the suppression of liberation theology and the one man orthodoxy team named Rigali back in that era. Of course, one can always look back from there - all the way to the Book of Revelation - which was a reaction to the Council at Jerusalem and the whole Judasization controversy in the early Church.
Of course First Things would rebel against Kaveny. They would like what I say worse. We have our fights - indeed in ancient times they sometimes became blood feuds over basic beliefs. We have mostly gotten past that. For some, moral politics is part of the political order without morals, as Reno demonstrates. Of course, Reno may be compartmentalizing - with all of First Things - for political but not moral ends - but that gives the wrong impression to those of the faith who take their words seriously on moral matters. On abortion and the GOP's Catholic project this means undertaking the appearance of a moral crusade but never wishing to carry it out - which is using the pro-life movement as an instrument of politics and deceipt. That's really slimy. Like the Cruz campaign.
I will agree that all moral issues lead back to Calvary - but the main issue is whether or not God is an Ogre. If we are afraid that doing the wrong thing for the right reason (such as allowing a late term abortion when the child could never be born anyway) - or worse that allowing such a thing will be damnable then God is an Ogre who demanded a blood sacrifice to save humanity. I suspect First Things falls into that camp. If, however, you believe that Calvary was God abandoning himself on the cross in moral agony because that is what it took for the deity to feel like one of his creatures - in other words that it was a vision quest - and that morality is meant to serve human happiness in this world - including letting the fetus die, or even inducing labor very early - so the mother may live - then perhaps what you say is morally useful for both ethics and worship.
Of course First Things would rebel against Kaveny. They would like what I say worse. We have our fights - indeed in ancient times they sometimes became blood feuds over basic beliefs. We have mostly gotten past that. For some, moral politics is part of the political order without morals, as Reno demonstrates. Of course, Reno may be compartmentalizing - with all of First Things - for political but not moral ends - but that gives the wrong impression to those of the faith who take their words seriously on moral matters. On abortion and the GOP's Catholic project this means undertaking the appearance of a moral crusade but never wishing to carry it out - which is using the pro-life movement as an instrument of politics and deceipt. That's really slimy. Like the Cruz campaign.
I will agree that all moral issues lead back to Calvary - but the main issue is whether or not God is an Ogre. If we are afraid that doing the wrong thing for the right reason (such as allowing a late term abortion when the child could never be born anyway) - or worse that allowing such a thing will be damnable then God is an Ogre who demanded a blood sacrifice to save humanity. I suspect First Things falls into that camp. If, however, you believe that Calvary was God abandoning himself on the cross in moral agony because that is what it took for the deity to feel like one of his creatures - in other words that it was a vision quest - and that morality is meant to serve human happiness in this world - including letting the fetus die, or even inducing labor very early - so the mother may live - then perhaps what you say is morally useful for both ethics and worship.
Tuesday, February 2, 2016
Links for 02/02/16 | National Catholic Reporter
Links for 02/02/16 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: That is good advertising in Flint for the plumbers, who stand to gain big from a crash program to swap out all lead pipe from mains to meters. This should actually be done everywhere and be funded both by disaster money and bonds to be redeemed with future water bills over a long period of time. Sometimes solidarity must meet good public finance. OK, all the time.
That there is really no issue to be dealt with on abortion is where journalism has abrogated its responsibility. Roe is going nowhere. Of the three justices that might be replaced soon, two are of the opinion that Roe should be overturned - the other seven won't do so. Abortion is, therefore, a general election issue only - and the only issue there is whether something can be done to add some time limits to the nascent partial birth abortion ban (now there is a story - a SCOTUS decision and not one prosecution since) and to apply the same hard limits to other procedures - using the proper 14th Amendment language to justify it. Of course, all of that would bring a real end to the issue (the recent Trap Law cases will likely be reversed by the Court under the undue burdens test - proving the entire recent abortion effort was about looking busy for the movement). Obama actually promised to deal with this issue. Now that he has no more elections ahead of him, perhaps he will - although the Right to Lifers will run away quickly - since settlement hurts their fundraising.
I am sorry, but adding Eucharistic piety simply confuses the discussion on climate change. Indeed, it is one step away from asking God to fix what we have broken - which we can and can't do. God is not going to work a natural miracle here - what He will do is to give us the strength to work together through Him in the Eucharist. Of course, we seek God's help for our common work for the environment OUTSIDE the Eucharist as well, since more than the the Church is needed for this effort. I have no problem with God providing inspiration to an atheist to help the common work, even without seeking the conversion of that atheist, who can make up his own mind and demonstrate his Love (which comes from God, even if he does not know it) through his actions.
That there is really no issue to be dealt with on abortion is where journalism has abrogated its responsibility. Roe is going nowhere. Of the three justices that might be replaced soon, two are of the opinion that Roe should be overturned - the other seven won't do so. Abortion is, therefore, a general election issue only - and the only issue there is whether something can be done to add some time limits to the nascent partial birth abortion ban (now there is a story - a SCOTUS decision and not one prosecution since) and to apply the same hard limits to other procedures - using the proper 14th Amendment language to justify it. Of course, all of that would bring a real end to the issue (the recent Trap Law cases will likely be reversed by the Court under the undue burdens test - proving the entire recent abortion effort was about looking busy for the movement). Obama actually promised to deal with this issue. Now that he has no more elections ahead of him, perhaps he will - although the Right to Lifers will run away quickly - since settlement hurts their fundraising.
I am sorry, but adding Eucharistic piety simply confuses the discussion on climate change. Indeed, it is one step away from asking God to fix what we have broken - which we can and can't do. God is not going to work a natural miracle here - what He will do is to give us the strength to work together through Him in the Eucharist. Of course, we seek God's help for our common work for the environment OUTSIDE the Eucharist as well, since more than the the Church is needed for this effort. I have no problem with God providing inspiration to an atheist to help the common work, even without seeking the conversion of that atheist, who can make up his own mind and demonstrate his Love (which comes from God, even if he does not know it) through his actions.
The Iowa results: Clinton wins small, the GOP has a three-way race | National Catholic Reporter
The Iowa results: Clinton wins small, the GOP has a three-way race | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Cruz won by pointing out the ugly truth that Donald Trump is pro-choice - and Trump did not flip-flop on this, much to his credit. Still, pandering to the pro-life lobby works well in Iowa and the South and has some effect in New Hampshire, but there are a lot of Republicans who say they don't like abortion but won't do anything about it and none of them will be voting for Cruz. Not sure they will be voting for Rubio either, who takes on those voters on the conservative side who don't think Cruz is a nice man. He also tries to be the establishment guy. Not sure he can make both work,. Also not sure if one of the lesser candidates won't surprise us all in New Hampshire. I am not sure why anyone would get out so soon after putting so much in. Of course, if Thompson had gotten out before South Carolina in 2008, Huckabee might have been the nominee, winning SC and Florida.
Four county convention equivalents out of almost 1400 is not a loss. It's a tie and it produces the same number of state delegates. A loss by four is no less fatal for Sanders than a win by him is to Clinton in New Hampshire (or New York - actually, if HRC lost New York, she should hang it up). Bernie won the right to fight for as long as the grass roots keep coming to hear him speak and work the polls for him on primary or caucus day - and that could be a long time. I just mailed my voter registration to cancel out MSW's vote for Hillary about an hour ago.
Four county convention equivalents out of almost 1400 is not a loss. It's a tie and it produces the same number of state delegates. A loss by four is no less fatal for Sanders than a win by him is to Clinton in New Hampshire (or New York - actually, if HRC lost New York, she should hang it up). Bernie won the right to fight for as long as the grass roots keep coming to hear him speak and work the polls for him on primary or caucus day - and that could be a long time. I just mailed my voter registration to cancel out MSW's vote for Hillary about an hour ago.
Monday, February 1, 2016
Links for 02/01/16 | National Catholic Reporter
Links for 02/01/16 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: The politicization of the Church predates Francis by a long way, including the suppression of liberation theology and the one man orthodoxy team named Rigali back in that era. Of course, one can always look back from there - all the way to the Book of Revelation - which was a reaction to the Council at Jerusalem and the whole Judasization controversy in the early Church.
I don't think reactionaries start off being reactionary - it is when people demand change that the cultural wars start - although the resistance to change by reactionaries is certainly the reason it happens.
I fully expect HRC, if elected, to have Treasury Secretary from Goldmann-Sachs. If I thought she would make Elizabeth Warren the Treasury Secretary, I might not be voting for Jill Stein if Bernie loses. The other key post in this is the Attorney General, who can also obstruct prosecutions - or pursue them. Elliot Abrams, scandals or not, comes to mind.
I don't think reactionaries start off being reactionary - it is when people demand change that the cultural wars start - although the resistance to change by reactionaries is certainly the reason it happens.
I fully expect HRC, if elected, to have Treasury Secretary from Goldmann-Sachs. If I thought she would make Elizabeth Warren the Treasury Secretary, I might not be voting for Jill Stein if Bernie loses. The other key post in this is the Attorney General, who can also obstruct prosecutions - or pursue them. Elliot Abrams, scandals or not, comes to mind.
Countdown in Iowa | National Catholic Reporter
Countdown in Iowa | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: That Hillary is still regarded as the front runner is evident from the fact that MSW does not do a similar analysis of the Sanders campaign. By the way, Sanders has grass roots campaigns in every state - and will contest them all the same way Obama did. The questions for her really are whether she is contesting them all as well and how voters think about having Bill Clinton back in the White House - especially since progressives don't really look back at his presidency with the nostaligia that some Democratic Party officials do. If they think that Bill will be anywhere near the Oval Office in her administration, her campaign is doomed. If she wants to hang his welfare reform around her neck, her vaunted African American support may just move somewhere else. Same for Wall Street.
On Trump and Cruz - the former is an authoritarian - which is why he leads among Iowa Republicans, especially in Steven King territory. Cruz is a whacky libertarian - known mostly for shutting down the government is a libertarian publicity stunt which would have been worse for them had Iowa farmers not gotten crop support payments in time. Rubio voters probably voted for Cruz in Iowa - and if he wins he will take voters from Cruz, not Trump. The real surprise candidate would be John Ellis Bush - who could benefit from the Trump - Cruz feud (I can't see how that Iowa voters, given a Florida former governor and a Florida former House Speaker from the same era would not pick the Governor).
The lesson from 2004 was that in 2003, I spoke with a DNC staffer on the train who said Kerry was going to be the nominee. I am sure there is some RNC staffer in the know about this who knows who the precinct leadership will be picking. By the way, I have a friend in Dubuque who is a precinct leader who is backing Bernie - but he may be an outlier. Film at 11.
On Trump and Cruz - the former is an authoritarian - which is why he leads among Iowa Republicans, especially in Steven King territory. Cruz is a whacky libertarian - known mostly for shutting down the government is a libertarian publicity stunt which would have been worse for them had Iowa farmers not gotten crop support payments in time. Rubio voters probably voted for Cruz in Iowa - and if he wins he will take voters from Cruz, not Trump. The real surprise candidate would be John Ellis Bush - who could benefit from the Trump - Cruz feud (I can't see how that Iowa voters, given a Florida former governor and a Florida former House Speaker from the same era would not pick the Governor).
The lesson from 2004 was that in 2003, I spoke with a DNC staffer on the train who said Kerry was going to be the nominee. I am sure there is some RNC staffer in the know about this who knows who the precinct leadership will be picking. By the way, I have a friend in Dubuque who is a precinct leader who is backing Bernie - but he may be an outlier. Film at 11.
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