Links for 10/31/19

Links for 10/31/19
This entire controversy comes from a memo out of CDF on giving Communion to legislators who vote for abortion laws. Abortion in the U.S. is a matter of constitutional law, not legislation. The memo does not apply. Of course, Biden has an obligation to explain the logic of Roe to the hierarchy. He has ducked it for decades. The pluralistic explanation of Cuomo is in line with freedom of conscience promulgated in Dignitatis Humanae. The Ratzinger memo ignored this doctrine. It is not enough to separate the USCCB office of Pro-Life Activities from the a Republican Party. Explaining Roe publicly will shore up the Blue Wall permanentlty.  This will move the movement from using criminal law to fiscal redistribution to oppose abortion, which is in line with the real Magisterium.

The Netherlands are below sea level and manage well. This technology will work for Shanghai and Babcock, but not Vietnam and Florida. They have 30 years to act. We will likely wait for 25 years before acting. A nuclear war by 2050 is more likely.

Without funding minority enterprise, current Pot Entrepeneurs will stay in the unregulated market.

When GOP Senators are sure that donors will not fund opposition from the right Trump will be forced out. McConnell wants just enough dirt revealed to make his case, but not so much that it hurts the party.

The feelings of White Evangelicals matter little without funding to buy ads aimed at them. Without a platform, leftist political outrage is also largely ignored. Until one must find a future employer to fund university education, tenured research will be an insular culture, also irrelevant to the outside world.

Fall meeting agenda sees US bishops making plans to plan priorities

Fall meeting agenda sees US bishops making plans to plan priorities
There is no such thing as pro and anti abortion voting.  Abortion is not a legislative issue. Abortion was made legal for constitutional reasons. No one has explained that to the bishops because arguing with them would look bad to Catholic voters. Not doing so gave us the abomination of Trump.

The Nones, both young and Latino, no longer go to Mass because there is no social consequence to not remaining Catholic. Faith in the Resurrection, not the environment, is the reason to be Catholic.

Links for 10/29/19

Links for 10/29/19
That reactionaries lie to preserve the power of the establishment is a dog bites man story.

The Unitary Executive Theory Barr upholds is part of this, as is the support of Catholic relativism in providing doctrine over arguments based in reality. Still, Barr may be the bright, shiny object distracting Trump into believing he is winning.

When everyone went to Church because of social pressure, the Church thought it was winning. This was an illusion. Also, ignoring pompous hierarchs is not something we just invented. In the end, the reformers win because they value truth over position. Without reform, the reactionaries have nothing to defend against.

Without projects like Syndicate, reactionaries from bishops from Brazil to Burke would have nothing to rail against.

May God bless the baby shark.

Upcoming bishops' meeting reflects current state of US church

Upcoming bishops' meeting reflects current state of US church
The Council of Cardinals (aka the Eight) have become the most important gig in the Church. The Francis bishops are keeping their powder dry for when Cardinal Sean retires. The Conference is now the JV team. My money is on former USCCB President Wilton Gregory, who will likely get the next red cap.

Amazon synod's critics distort Catholic tradition for their convenience

Amazon synod's critics distort Catholic tradition for their convenience
The lunatic fringe in the Church is marvelous at self-promotion. This makes up for their declining numbers and their fear that the creation myth, and much of what they learned in Catholic elementary school may actually not as true as they thought. Like SS. Pius X and John Paul II, they cling to a desire for authoritative teaching and cultural hegemony. Freedom of thought is their enemy. They misunderstand that the narrow road to salvation has more to do with rejecting self-reliance and finding Christ in the poor than in membership in and obedience to the Church. They fear the clear meaning of Dignitatis Humanae, which counters all they hold dear, and how Pope Francis personifies this for them. They are best ignored and pitied.

Links for 10/24/19

Links for 10/24/19
It must be noted that Ecumenical Patriarch Melios and the Great Synod pronounced Anglican Orders valid. Ironic?

The GOP will pull the plug on Trump. Biden has a 2024 problem. The movement will have a June v. Gee problem, win or lose and outreach was not the problem. She had a Catholic VP (who was too White). Her problem was her partial birth abortion answer in debate 3. AOC is a loyal DSA member and Sanders also has a 2024 problem.

Democratic donors want Neoliberals like Bill Clinton. They should get Steyer to run GOP and support him. He will still lose, but Wall Street will all be in one place, which is good for the rest of us. Decent Republicans have left the party, but may come back for anyone but Trump (while MAGA may not). Also Ironic.

Democrats' two camps need to join and fight for dreams — pragmatically

Democrats' two camps need to join and fight for dreams — pragmatically
Trump will not be President. Pence may not be either. Pelosi may either be President, give Biden a shot or make Warren VP, if McConnel will let her. Biden and Sanders both habe a 2024 problem. Iowa won't vote for that. The GOP is collapsing. The ranks of never Trumpers will not support Graham. They either will stay home or run to the conservative wing of the Democrats. If so, the center will not hold.