US Supreme Court can strengthen recovery effort for Puerto Rico
There are many juicy issues before the Court, but the impact of an earthquake is not one of them.
The first is whether the Supreme Court should have any jurisdiction over a bankruptcy case. Unless the Bankruptcy Court requested the state government to resolve the matter, the Court may hold that the Puerto Rican Supreme Court had no authority in this matter.
The second is whether Free Exercise can be used to short circuit the bankruptcy process. Probably not. If it could, sexual abuse cases would vanish nation-wide.
A third question is whether old law can be applied to this case. Absolutely. English law is controlling in modern land ownership cases.
This case could also reopen the issue of whether the buck stops with the bishops or can be assigned to the Vatican. Current rulings are based on the question of whether bishops are colleagues or employees of the Holy See for purposes of bankruptcy. For now, collegiality is the rule, but the Court could change its mind.
Regardless, on the earthquake, a special collection is appropriate, as are Catholic Charities USA, Catholic Relief Services and Caritas stepping up to help in assisting recovery efforts in the short and long terms. The latter question is up to parishioners and major donors. In other words, to each of us.
Friday, January 10, 2020
Thursday, January 9, 2020
Links for 1/9/20
Links for 1/9/20
There should be a balance between imposed guilt and education. The German psyche has gone too far on the former and the rest of the world is too lite on the latter. Most valuable is the connection between going from victim to oppressor. This was true in the Classical Church, is true in Gaza. It happens in nations and families. The only way to fix it is to make everyone well. We have done a poor job of this in the United States. Being Black in much of the South and living on the Reservation are no picnic. Russia too. Sadly, the Russian Orthodox Church has become a part of the problem.
The Democratic Billionaires should both run as Republicans. The GOP faithful love billionaires and do what they say. Look at how they have left $50 on Trump's dresser.
In some states, the third language is an outlier. In others, it is a very significant part of the population among older residents. The commonality of Chinese is no surprise. The interesting question is how this affects voting.
The way to really see the risen Lord is to love ourselves and others as God does (and not just in avoiding sin). As for dogs, mediums relate that they serve as guardian angels until their owners join them in Heaven.
There should be a balance between imposed guilt and education. The German psyche has gone too far on the former and the rest of the world is too lite on the latter. Most valuable is the connection between going from victim to oppressor. This was true in the Classical Church, is true in Gaza. It happens in nations and families. The only way to fix it is to make everyone well. We have done a poor job of this in the United States. Being Black in much of the South and living on the Reservation are no picnic. Russia too. Sadly, the Russian Orthodox Church has become a part of the problem.
The Democratic Billionaires should both run as Republicans. The GOP faithful love billionaires and do what they say. Look at how they have left $50 on Trump's dresser.
In some states, the third language is an outlier. In others, it is a very significant part of the population among older residents. The commonality of Chinese is no surprise. The interesting question is how this affects voting.
The way to really see the risen Lord is to love ourselves and others as God does (and not just in avoiding sin). As for dogs, mediums relate that they serve as guardian angels until their owners join them in Heaven.
Wednesday, January 8, 2020
We stand at the brink of war, and no one is exactly sure why
We stand at the brink of war, and no one is exactly sure why
As a Jesuit, Francis knows that the purpose of prayer is to divine what the Divine would have us do, not buy him off. Still, he must please his base who thinks otherwise. It may or may not be the same with Trump. He is either an incompetent who believes what Fox News dishes out or craven, meaning he is playing to his base of avid Fox viewers. Is Trump really Anonymous, seeking plausible deniability for the damage he has wreaked, or truly stupid? We may never know. I suspect the answer is both.
Trump likely thought that a wartime president would never be removed, so his real enemies were Pelosi and Schiff. Last night, the circumstances changed. The mention Dubai was mentioned, Trump realized he had personal skin in the game. In order to save Trump Golf World, he demured, showing that Iranian leadership is neither craven nor stupid. Disaster averted.
As a Jesuit, Francis knows that the purpose of prayer is to divine what the Divine would have us do, not buy him off. Still, he must please his base who thinks otherwise. It may or may not be the same with Trump. He is either an incompetent who believes what Fox News dishes out or craven, meaning he is playing to his base of avid Fox viewers. Is Trump really Anonymous, seeking plausible deniability for the damage he has wreaked, or truly stupid? We may never know. I suspect the answer is both.
Trump likely thought that a wartime president would never be removed, so his real enemies were Pelosi and Schiff. Last night, the circumstances changed. The mention Dubai was mentioned, Trump realized he had personal skin in the game. In order to save Trump Golf World, he demured, showing that Iranian leadership is neither craven nor stupid. Disaster averted.
Tuesday, January 7, 2020
Links for 1/7/20
Links for 1/7/20
The Democratic field needs to talk about criminalizing abortion as a settled issue and challenge the GOP to a bidding war on supporting families.
The TCJA was sold as a boon to workers. It wasn't. The joke is on the wealthy, however. Their grandchildren are the only demographic who can pay it back.
Neoliberalism is in no way collapsing. They are in favor of modest tax increases, but not the kind that would cost donors too much.
Barr and Parton are both stoking their bases. It hides the real issues. Donors on both sides fund such distractions. Religious liberty too.
The institutional Church should take on the housing and treatment of both public and private prisons. At least for non-violent offenders.
Pelosi is more likely President than Vatican ambassador. The safest current bet for November is Klobuchar. If Mayor Pete does not run for Indiana governor, he would make a good SECDEF.
The Democratic field needs to talk about criminalizing abortion as a settled issue and challenge the GOP to a bidding war on supporting families.
The TCJA was sold as a boon to workers. It wasn't. The joke is on the wealthy, however. Their grandchildren are the only demographic who can pay it back.
Neoliberalism is in no way collapsing. They are in favor of modest tax increases, but not the kind that would cost donors too much.
Barr and Parton are both stoking their bases. It hides the real issues. Donors on both sides fund such distractions. Religious liberty too.
The institutional Church should take on the housing and treatment of both public and private prisons. At least for non-violent offenders.
Pelosi is more likely President than Vatican ambassador. The safest current bet for November is Klobuchar. If Mayor Pete does not run for Indiana governor, he would make a good SECDEF.
Monday, January 6, 2020
Geofencing at church is dead wrong
Geofencing at church is dead wrong
Efforts to spam Catholic voters will likely backfire. Few progressive minds will change, nor will non-voting Catholics decide to suddenly vote pro-life. The nefarious thing is using such data for fundraising. Indeed, the pro-life movement is more meal ticket for the few than votes from the many. Only Congress can allow using the police power to investigate how every pregnancy ends. It won't. The geofencers will never admit that this is what being pro-life really means. It would ruin their cash flow.
Efforts to spam Catholic voters will likely backfire. Few progressive minds will change, nor will non-voting Catholics decide to suddenly vote pro-life. The nefarious thing is using such data for fundraising. Indeed, the pro-life movement is more meal ticket for the few than votes from the many. Only Congress can allow using the police power to investigate how every pregnancy ends. It won't. The geofencers will never admit that this is what being pro-life really means. It would ruin their cash flow.
Friday, January 3, 2020
Impending bishop appointments set to put a stamp on US church in 2020
Impending bishop appointments set to put a stamp on US church in 2020
I wonder how much say Cardinal Sean has in these issues for the American Church, as well as the extent to which Cardinal Cupich is being groomed to replace him. Finally, will the new Archbishop of Philly get a red hat? That would certainly send a message to the culture warriors.
I wonder how much say Cardinal Sean has in these issues for the American Church, as well as the extent to which Cardinal Cupich is being groomed to replace him. Finally, will the new Archbishop of Philly get a red hat? That would certainly send a message to the culture warriors.
Thursday, January 2, 2020
Divided nation: Looking ahead to 2020 in US politics
Divided nation: Looking ahead to 2020 in US politics
Politics for most people is a spectator sport. It is only important to players, fans and the media who cover it. Indepents often don't watch it. Indeed, unless asked, most people ignore it. When the Senate is reminded if this, Trump will be gone. The rest of the GOP team do not like him. If faced with who pays GRUdy becomes the narrative, the game is over. No President will ever be convicted. He or she will resign first.
The perfect phone call was a cover for the true story. Treason. Trump never wanted to release the aid at all, but got caught. If election meddling is the issue, Trump wins. Most voters trust their local poll workers. As long as that is the case, meddling is not the issue. Getting Zelensky to make a statement that will only be seen by Fox News viewers has zero impact in 2020. Pruning election rolls mostly gets rid on non-voters. It has no electoral impact either.
If Trump is in the ballot, enough people hate him in the GOP to stay home and no one really likes Pence. As for Iowa and momentum, Amy is the most likely winner. Iowa Democratic caucus goers want to select a two-term President. Only Klobuchar is the right age. Her win will muddy the waters enough to keep the game alive. If Amy is team captain and puts Booker or Harris on the ticket, her side wins. If Trump quits, the GOP race is much more interesting.
A Midwestern candidate will neutralize Midwestern bishops. If Klobuchar wins Michigan and Ohio, she wins, especially if she ignores abortion. If June is decided narrowly, no one cares. If it is unanimous in favor of June, the pro-life movement may not survive. Such a clear signal ends the debate, especially if the Alabama case is never heard.
Most people have not seen larger paychecks and even GOP bosses will not grow them enough for a Trump win. Without Russia in the Olympics, China winning diving and Bailes setting more records are as predictable as a Trump loss. Most people won't turn it on because nothing will be live. The only way the Dems lose is by giving Biden his turn. That would be a 2020 redux. Of course, Pence getting his turn may give Biden the win anyway. Pence has no answer to the question of why he did not invoke the 25th Amendment.
Politics for most people is a spectator sport. It is only important to players, fans and the media who cover it. Indepents often don't watch it. Indeed, unless asked, most people ignore it. When the Senate is reminded if this, Trump will be gone. The rest of the GOP team do not like him. If faced with who pays GRUdy becomes the narrative, the game is over. No President will ever be convicted. He or she will resign first.
The perfect phone call was a cover for the true story. Treason. Trump never wanted to release the aid at all, but got caught. If election meddling is the issue, Trump wins. Most voters trust their local poll workers. As long as that is the case, meddling is not the issue. Getting Zelensky to make a statement that will only be seen by Fox News viewers has zero impact in 2020. Pruning election rolls mostly gets rid on non-voters. It has no electoral impact either.
If Trump is in the ballot, enough people hate him in the GOP to stay home and no one really likes Pence. As for Iowa and momentum, Amy is the most likely winner. Iowa Democratic caucus goers want to select a two-term President. Only Klobuchar is the right age. Her win will muddy the waters enough to keep the game alive. If Amy is team captain and puts Booker or Harris on the ticket, her side wins. If Trump quits, the GOP race is much more interesting.
A Midwestern candidate will neutralize Midwestern bishops. If Klobuchar wins Michigan and Ohio, she wins, especially if she ignores abortion. If June is decided narrowly, no one cares. If it is unanimous in favor of June, the pro-life movement may not survive. Such a clear signal ends the debate, especially if the Alabama case is never heard.
Most people have not seen larger paychecks and even GOP bosses will not grow them enough for a Trump win. Without Russia in the Olympics, China winning diving and Bailes setting more records are as predictable as a Trump loss. Most people won't turn it on because nothing will be live. The only way the Dems lose is by giving Biden his turn. That would be a 2020 redux. Of course, Pence getting his turn may give Biden the win anyway. Pence has no answer to the question of why he did not invoke the 25th Amendment.
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