Draining the Swamp

[Shapley]

Calls for Burris' Resignation Mount

Two leading Illinois Newspapers are now calling for him to step down, following his latest revision to his testimony, in which he admitted he did try to raise money for then-governor Blagojevich.

[Shapley]

Nancy Pelosi Talked To The Pope, But Apparently Didn't Listen To Him.

[jamiebk]

And so it is with many Catholic women...

[Shapley]

I was merely noting that her statement seems to omit any reference to pro-life policies, even though the Pontiff's statement seems to suggest that was the primary focus of their meeting.

[jamiebk]

Well...she obviously disagrees with the Church's stand on the matter. So why be conforntational about it? It would serve no purpose. I am sure the Pope was hoping to make some headway with her on the subject, however, she and any other women are free to practice their opinions and keep to them. I am no fan of Mrs Pelosi but she can hold to whatever belief or interpretation she chooses within the law.

[Shapley]

Well...she obviously disagrees with the Church's stand on the matter. So why be conforntational about it? It would serve no purpose. I am sure the Pope was hoping to make some headway with her on the subject, however, she and any other women are free to practice their opinions and keep to them. I am no fan of Mrs Pelosi but she can hold to whatever belief or interpretation she chooses within the law.

The Catholic Church is not a democracy. The Pope has made it clear that you cannot be a Catholic and be pro-abortion. The Catholic bishops correct Ms. Pelosi with regard to statements she made previously concerning abortion and the Church, so she is well aware of the Church' position in the matter.

She can hold whatever belief she chooses, but she can't call it a Catholic belief if she chooses one that runs contrary to the teachings of the Church. There are many Catholics who sometimes act contrary to church law, and they repent and ask forgiveness. Ms. Pelosi has taken the position that she is right and Catholic dogma is wrong, and yet continues to call herself Catholic. That is the issue at hand.

[jamiebk]

As you describe the Catholic church is exactly why I am a Presbyterian

[Haggis@wk]

It seems alot like joining AA then getting offended when they oject to your bringing a bottle to the meetings.

Why belong in the first place? Presumably at sometime in her early life she came to a decision that put her at a fundamental cross purpose with her church; why didn't she leave?

[Shapley]

It seems alot like joining AA then getting offended when they oject to your bringing a bottle to the meetings.

Why belong in the first place? Presumably at sometime in her early life she came to a decision that put her at a fundamental cross purpose with her church; why didn't she leave?

That's my question. I can only assume the 'fact' that she is Catholic has some appeal to a large part of her voter base.

As you describe the Catholic church is exactly why I am a Presbyterian

I'm not really familiar with the cathecism of the Presyterian church. I take it their dogma is not rigidly dogmatic?

[Shapley]

It seems alot like joining AA then getting offended when they oject to your bringing a bottle to the meetings.

Why belong in the first place? Presumably at sometime in her early life she came to a decision that put her at a fundamental cross purpose with her church; why didn't she leave?

That's my question. I can only assume the 'fact' that she is Catholic has some appeal to a large part of her voter base.

As you describe the Catholic church is exactly why I am a Presbyterian

I'm not really familiar with the cathecism of the Presyterian church. I take it their dogma is not rigidly dogmatic?

Seriously, there are things that have to be accepted if you are to be Catholic. Everyone has differences of opinions at times (moments of doubt, as they are called). However, once you start to actively oppose them and even challenge them in an open forum, you are no longer an adherent to the faith, and really shouldn't call yourself a Catholic. Martin Luther left the Church, and took his followers with him, when he had issues with the faith, as did the Anglicans, although they claim some allegiance to the Universal Church in Rome.

[Shapley]

It seems alot like joining AA then getting offended when they oject to your bringing a bottle to the meetings.

Why belong in the first place? Presumably at sometime in her early life she came to a decision that put her at a fundamental cross purpose with her church; why didn't she leave?

That's my question. I can only assume the 'fact' that she is Catholic has some appeal to a large part of her voter base.

As you describe the Catholic church is exactly why I am a Presbyterian

I'm not really familiar with the cathecism of the Presyterian church. I take it their dogma is not rigidly dogmatic? [/quote]

Seriously, there are things that have to be accepted if you are to be Catholic. Everyone has differences of opinions at times (moments of doubt, as they are called). However, once you start to actively oppose them and even challenge them in an open forum, you are no longer an adherent to the faith, and really shouldn't call yourself a Catholic. Martin Luther left the Church, and took his followers with him, when he had issues with the faith, as did the Anglicans, although they claim some allegiance to the Universal Church in Rome.[/quote]

[Shapley]

Gov. Palin, other politicians told to pay back taxes

Do any politicians pay their taxes?

[jamiebk]

As they say....my Karma just ran over your dogma.

[Selma in Sandy Eggo]

As they say....my Karma just ran over your dogma.

*Splat*
Actually, from my viewpoint, the problem between the Pope and the Politician is that the Pope is pressing the Politician to impose the Pope's morality on all the Politician's constituents.

His Holiness took the opportunity to speak of the requirements of the natural moral law and the Church's consistent teaching on the dignity of human life from conception to natural death

Natural moral law. OK, This very pious man is also the authority on Natural Moral Law, whatever that is, as well as being the (self-declared) Infallible Voice Of God.

I don't much care for natural law, moral or otherwise. Or "natural death". I like modern technology and medicine, with the concomitant high survival rate among our infants and the resulting requirement that we control conception to avoid overwhelming our food supplies. A healthy woman can have another baby every couple of years, from puberty to menopause. In my case, that would add up to about eighteen children. Since I believe in vaccination and sanitation and public health, I'd probably have had to raise most or all of them. Forbidding effective conception control, as His Holiness With The High Horse does, is just crazy. Do the math.

[Shapley]

Actually, from my viewpoint, the problem between the Pope and the Politician is that the Pope is pressing the Politician to impose the Pope's morality on all the Politician's constituents.

Actually, no. What his Holiness is saying is that, if you are going to promote moral viewpoints that are inconsistent with Catholic teaching, then stop telling people you are a Catholic.

I don't much care for natural law, moral or otherwise. Or "natural death". I like modern technology and medicine, with the concomitant high survival rate among our infants and the resulting requirement that we control conception to avoid overwhelming our food supplies. A healthy woman can have another baby every couple of years, from puberty to menopause. In my case, that would add up to about eighteen children. Since I believe in vaccination and sanitation and public health, I'd probably have had to raise most or all of them. Forbidding effective conception control, as His Holiness With The High Horse does, is just crazy. Do the math.

Modern technology and modern medicine are available at Catholic hospitals worldwide. The use some of the finest technology and newest medicines available to prolong life, just not to end it. If you want that kind of technology and medicine, you have to go elsewhere.

Nor does the Catholic Church tell you you have to procreate every time you have sex, but they do say you cannot use contrceptive methods if you are a Catholic. Many Catholics break this rule, but that does not become a serious issue within the Church until they become vocal about it. The Church also tells us (us being Catholics) that we must accept children when they are conceived, and we (we being all people) cannot terminate them at any stage of natural life except, of course, in just war.

[Shapley]

Gov. Palin, other politicians told to pay back taxes

Do any politicians pay their taxes?

UPDATE: Governor Palin To Pay Back Taxes

In her defense, the State (which she presides over) did not notify her that the per diem was taxable income, and did not report it on her W-2's. Thus, unlike Mr. Geithner, she was not made aware in advance that the money should be claimed as taxable income. Mr. Geithner actually signed an affidavit acknowledging the fact, and accepted reimbursment from his employer for the taxes he didn't pay...

[Shapley]

Illinois Governor To Burris: "Time To Resign"

[Haggis@wk]

Given his reputation for self promotion and grandstanding I don't think he's going to go or at least not of his own freewill. The other Democrats might distance themselves but none of them have called for him to resign. The reversal of the black pastors in Chicago, now calling on him to resign, might give cover to Reid et al to also call for his resignation but the black caucus will keep those calls to a minimum.

Burris is probably going to be an ongoing gift to Republicans, especially in Chicago, for the next two years.

[jamiebk]

Given his reputation for self promotion and grandstanding I don't think he's going to go or at least not of his own freewill.

You can take that to the bank....this guy's ego is off the chart. No way will he resign. They will have to indict him or something.

[Haggis@wk]

They will have to indict him or something.

Well, indict and convict. Look at "Dollar Bill" Jefferson. He was indicted over a year ago and he's still going strong.