Links for 07/29/16 | National Catholic Reporter

Links for 07/29/16 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: I have never heard of googling as a measure of an acceptance speech's success, but it makes sense.  It was a good speech.



I must have told God that I would rather have prayers than money, since it seems to have worked out that way.  Most secularists are not militantly so - and those that are usually are only hostile to clergy - especially the wealthy kind.



The Greens do have a set of activists who are conspiratorial.  Just ask some of them about 9/11.  Cyndy went to the right place.  It's not evil, it is simply distrustful of the common narrative.  The Libertarians fall for the same stuff.



I am not surprised that bishops hit GOP sites in election years.  The bishop is blaming bad things by bad people on the world ignoring God.  ISIL does not think that they are doing so, but they are as much a tool of their Imams as the movement is of the bishops.  Jesus said that bad things happen because they happen (very Zen of Jesus), but that the individuals involved should be prepared in their own righteousness.



Young pro-lifers are generally those that have never been in a serous sexual relationship.  Oncne they pass that point, they quickly become pro-choice.  I am not sure who is corrupting the young - their teachers who give them simplistic attitudes to complicated issues or life when hormones kick up.  I tennd to notice that after that age, the pro-life movement is mostly dominated by men.  Not a good sign that its not really about sex.

Links for 07/27/16 | National Catholic Reporter

Links for 07/27/16 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Obama got into the Senate because Jack Ryan's campaign imploded.  These things happen.  They should run his wife.



Kaine has got Obama smarts.  He can use half his brain and outthink the big brain of Donald Trump.



Interestinng speculation on Kaine and Laudato Si'.  Of course, when it really comes down to reality, dealing with global warming is a huge public works project - largely benefiting the South.  When the money starts flow (maybe from a carbon tax?) the Republican South will have its hands out first.

The second night of the Democratic convention: Meet the Northern Methodist church lady | National Catholic Reporter

The second night of the Democratic convention: Meet the Northern Methodist church lady | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: This was a very good program, which was preceded by the Roll Call Vote and Bernie Sanders and the Vermont Delegation moving Clinton's nomination by acclamation.  It was the touch that was essentail to unifty most of the delegates (although some walked out).



Many of the speakers made me cry.  I missed Goveror Richards' little girl (I had not known of the connection) - but I think she did not mention abortion because she no longer needs to.  Roe is going nowhere - the only one who feels likewise, Justice Thomas, is  leaving the Court after the Spring Term - although Alito my hold that chair - he certainly didn't during the partial birth abortion case.  The people have mostly accepted the inevitability of first trimester abortion and the GOP won't compromise on the second (and the rare third) because then everyone would say that the issue is done. Hopefully Obama addresses it now as promised.



I loved Clinton's speech.  We saw her through his eyes - and anyone who knows her history knows she was a bookish chick in law school and has never been glamorous.  His speech put us right there and that is very humanizing.  You have to be a fan of the Clintons as people to be moved by it.  He also listed her accomplishments at State - something she was loathe to do because the ethics of a cabinet secretary are to give all praise to the President and not take credit for anything.  That is true is city and state government, as I experienced first hand.  I am interested in what Obama is saying, which is going to be on within the hour of my writing this.

Links for 07/26/16 | National Catholic Reporter

Links for 07/26/16 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: I would hope that Tim Kaine does what Pelosi did badly and Biden failed to do - explain why abortion legalization in America is not a parliamentary issue like it is in Europe (where abortion is less permissive and the Churches are empty) but is a constitutional issue and how that works - and why it is essential.  He gets bonus points for continuing the rather successful meme that the pro-life movement - with the assistance of the bishops - has become a fundraising racket and GOP GOTV machine - something we started (meaning I called my old colleagues at NARAL and they put into play) in 2008.  If he explains that Roberts and Kennedy are in the Roe camp and Alito might be as well, then with Thomas retiring, the prospects for overturning Roe are slim and none.  Then he can segue into the need for higher child tax credits - and explain why the GOP does not like them - because the GOP sees them as a reward for not sinning, with controlling female sexuality the real reason for their pro-life stance.  It would be killer and would help end this caustic debate, both in the public square and in the Church.



Trump is definitely the poster child for privilege, white and otherwise, and for using minorities for jobs white people would rather not do - while hating them for coming and doing them.  That, and his Islamophobia and his association with David Duke and other Klan figures is, in a word, damning.



Assange is the only person who actually knows that Russia did not provide the source for his latest leak that knocked out Debbie Wasserman Schultz.  Bravo to him for not revealing his sources - its how he gets his data.  As for other accusations, you expect such crap from authority when pricked.



My ex and I got married in a parish dedicated to St. Ann, also Romanesque.  Of course, that meant the light was bad too. The sunlight through the windows mas magical, however.

First night at the Democratic convention in Philly | National Catholic Reporter

First night at the Democratic convention in Philly | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: A lot of the Bernie people are new at this.  The convention is, to a large measure, about bringing them around.  I recall Hillary's people having sour grapes until the last possible moment - until she personally cast her super-delegate vote for Barack Obama - putting him over the top.  It was a class move that I hope is repeated today.



Hearing from people helped by Clinton and Obama is a great way to begin any convention Monday.  If MSW was looking for poster children for the ACA and the Dream Executive Order, there it is.  I did not see Sarah Silverman's piece, but there is no one like a comedian to deliver it straight when necessary.  I don't have cable, so I missed Senator Booker was well.



Michelle Obama had the best Trump take-downs.  She has been a good First Mother, relying on Hillary, Laura Bush and the Bush girls (and presumably Chelsea) to help them survive in the White House bubble (being studiously bored when used as props too much - oh, teenagers).  Her going from the micro to the macro needs of parents was killer.  Michelle 2024?



Elizabeth Warren was an effective curtain raiser for Bernie and party unity, bringing to the fore what we, as Democrats, believe in.  Even more than Michelle, she made Trump the issue.



Bernie did not give the speech of his life, but he gave the speech he promised, beginning to move his supporters to Hillary by claiming mission accomplished - but only if Democrats win the Congress and the White House.   While I would have liked one of the Clintons to have joined Bernie on the dais, that would be more appropriate had he been the VP nominee.  Kaine will get that privilege.  If Bernie casts the deciding vote for Hillary tonight, that is the time for the unity moment with Hillary and Bernie (and their wives and the Kaines).



Will last night make the difference between 1980, where Kennedy people obviously took a pass, and 2008, where Hillary people signed on to Obama?  Let us hope so - and let us hope that the Congress comes with her.  Now that will be a political revolution.

Links for 07/25/16 | National Catholic Reporter

Links for 07/25/16 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: There are no important points on abortion.  It is settled law, with one, maybe two, Justices who might think otherwise - one of whom is retiring soon.  Any legislative compromise on the subject will essentially codify the status quo - no abortion after week 26 - and all terminations after that are by induction. Everything else is hype and fundraising.



538 is showing bounce. However, even the governor of Ohio does not think Trump will win there.  I doubt Florida or Pennsylvania either.  Or Iowa.  This map will look bluer after this next convention and will stay that way.



Our Catholic Man only finds effeminent priests (his real concern) because many of  the heterosexual ones had already left and the gay ones had no reason to.  Now they can pursue legal marriage as well, so watch their exodus or the Church may finally geek on gay marriage and married priests (and let some of those released come back, wives and maybe husbands, in tow).  The author seems like he is an authoritarian, which is why he is not alarmed by an authoritarian Trump presidency.

Four questions for the Democrats | National Catholic Reporter

Four questions for the Democrats | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: First, the Republicans offered the safety of authoritarianism (much like Chaput does).  Immigration reform is good - but repealing right to work laws is better (companies won't hire Mexican union members).  More importantly, go after the guns and ecourage police to forego them as well.



Second, Clinton needs an assist for registering Latino voters - have the justice department take a microscope to Texas and other places and seek out where there must be voter suppression.



Third, Kaine should explain why overturning Roe is a dead issue and giving more money to families - preferably a higher child tax credit and higher TANF for parents of both genders to become literate. Also, explain how being pro-life is a politicized view - that Trump and Palin called themselves that without knowing much about what it means - and that Trump was and probably is pro-choice.  Highlight that the pro-life movement has done more for Republican fundraisers and poll workers than it has for the unborn.



Fourth, get real on Hyde.  If we get to single-payer, Hyde is dead. Period.  And we need single payer.  Speaking out against the Quixotic ACLU lawsuit is fine, but not at the convention, which is about party unity.