Mail Bag: Letter to Fr. Landry and Deal Hudson on SCHIP

Dear Fr. Landry and Mr. Hudson,

On October 12th and October 22nd of this year, you individually posted comments regarding SCHIP on your blogs. While we congratulate you on your attempt to educate Catholics on important public policy issues such as SCHIP, we found several erroneous statements in your posts. We would like to offer corrections to your statements as we are sure you would like to correct them and provide the most accurate information you can to Catholics.

Your blogs state: “Among other things, the rewritten SCHIP pays for contraceptives to be distributed to teenagers without parental permission or oven knowledge.”

THE FACTS ARE: The bill vetoed by the President makes no change to current laws regarding parental notification and permission for contraceptives, which vary from state to state.

Your blogs state: “It authorizes the diversion of previously allocated abstinence education funds to condom pushing campaigns.”

THE FACTS ARE: An earlier House version dealt altered abstinence programs, but those provisions were not included in the version vetoed by the President. In other words, the current rules supporting abstinence programs were unaffected by the final bill.

Your blogs state: “It permits tax dollars to be used for sterilizations according to individual state policies.”

THE FACTS ARE: Some current state laws allow this for adults, not children. However, the bill vetoed by the President removes adults from the SCHIP program over the next two years, so this would no longer be an issue if the President had not vetoed it.

Your blogs state: “And worst of all, it promotes and funds abortions.”

THE FACTS ARE: Not true. The bill vetoed by the President retains in full the longstanding “Hyde amendment” provisions of current law that allow abortions in SCHIP and Medicaid only in cases of rape, incest or when the life of the mother is threatened.

If states provide abortion funding, they can do so with their own state funding, but the bill that President Bush vetoed does not change that, and it has been true since the inception of SCHIP. Federal funds under SCHIP or Medicaid cannot be used for abortion since federal funding of abortion is prohibited by the Hyde Amendment.

The euthanasia claim made in your posts may have been in response to the House bill which had proposed cuts in Medicare that would not have led to the kind of denial of services that some claimed would lead seniors to be w/out medical services, and thus “euthanized.” These provisions were in the House bill, but they were removed since the Senate would not consider Medicare provision in a SCHIP package.

States have considerably leeway when it comes to SCHIP. They can design their own programs in effect within certain guidelines. The bill the President vetoed does nothing to promote any particular procedures. Don’t you both think if there were anything affecting abstinence funding, teen access to contraceptives or any of the other inflammatory issues claimed, we all would have heard about it long ago and certainly during the very long debates in both the House and Senate.

Your blogs are both widely read and you have credibility with the constituency that follows your work. We know that you only want to provide the best and most accurate information to these readers.

We therefore respectfully request that you re-examine your posts and your sources and post statements reflecting the true contents of the SCHIP bill so that the Catholics who read your blogs will be accurately informed.

You might also mention that the USCCB supports SCHIP expansion, as noted by a recently letter to NCR from Richard M. Doerflinger, Secretariat for “Pro-Life” Activities USCCB. As you note in your posts the Catholic Health Association and Catholic Charities USA also support the bill. We have found that many Catholic Conferences and many Diocesan offices around the country also support the bill.

We know you only want the best information shared with your readers, and we look forward to the updated posts with the corrections.

Blessings,

Eamon

Hudson Blog

Fr. Landry Blog

Respect for Life - from Conception to Natural Death

As I ponder on the recent writings of some of our Neo Con friends regarding what is "Pro-Life", I am reminded of some of the basic teachings of the Catholic Church.

We are taught respect for the dignity and life of the human person, from conception to natural death. The foundation of all Catholic Social Teaching is an unwavering commitment to the dignity and worth of every human being without exception. The Book of Genesis teaches that every person is created in the image and likeness of God. Thus all human life, at every stage from conception through natural death, is sacred. The human person is the clearest reflection of God among us. We are therefore called to revere and cherish the life of every person.

In this day in our world, the climate is threatened, countries are at war, children go with out health-care, genocide goes unchecked, human rights are abused, abortion continues to be widely available, and millions live in poverty, Catholics should take the time to look into the mirror and then in the faces of those close to them, and then into the face of a stranger. The reflection should reveal what is sacred to us not only as Christians, but as humans sharing the same home.

The right wing SCHIP myth.

Deal Hudson is claiming there is a “Catholic” problem with SCHIP. He references Father Roger Landry, a Pro Republican Priest from Massachusetts as his reference. In his blog post, Deal points to the wild assertion that Fr. Landry makes regarding SCHIP

” It permits tax dollars to be used for sterilizations according to individual state policies. And worst of all, it promotes and funds abortions."

Well Deal – here are the facts: As you know, SCHIP is just a block grant to states, which set most of the eligibility and coverage guidelines, so it's doubtful that one could claim the bill "promotes" any type of medical procedure, including abortion or euthanasia. If anything, the individual states would be favoring or promoting one procedure over another. Giving the states the power to determine what they'll pay for (or "promote") isn't the same thing as forcing them to promote certain procedures. Deal, you should know this.

Deal should also know that even if it had gotten through, the Hyde amendment is still in place, which prohibits any federal money to fund an abortion.

In an October 2nd, 2007 letter to the National Catholic Register, Richard M. Doerflinger, Secretariat for “Pro-Life” Activities USCCB further debunks the myths reported by Fr. Landry and Hudson even further.

“it (SCHIP) does not turn the entire federal program into a nefarious plot to maximize abortions. Some political obstacles to the "unborn child" amendment, in fact have nothing to with abortion.

The Catholic Bishops' conference strongly supports retaining and expanding SCHIP, and we are working at every step of this process for the best possible legislation to safeguard the life and health for all children, born and unborn - notwithstanding obstacles to this goal coming from any part of the political spectrum.”

Surely Deal and Fr. Landry do not see themselves as obstacles to health-care for all children – born and unborn.

There is no Catholic problem with SCHIP - Only broad support.

Deal should take a closer look at the facts and who he is quoting in the future. We look for Deal to examine the fact further and to update his blog entry regarding SCHIP. With the Church firmly behind SCHIP expansion, we would hope Deal would not be the one lone dissenter.

B16 and Poverty - Do the poor really have a voice?

CNS reports: "Pope calls for greater effort to reduce poverty"

The extreme poverty in which millions of the world's people live is an offense to their human dignity, Pope Benedict XVI said at his weekly general audience.

Focusing on the problem of poverty, the pope said, "The disparity between rich and poor is becoming more evident and disturbing, even within the most economically advanced nations."

According to the United Nations, 980 million people live in "extreme poverty," struggling to survive on less than $1 per day.

"This worrying situation calls on the conscience of humanity because the condition in which a great number of people live offends the dignity of the human person and consequently compromises the authentic and harmonious progress of the world community," Pope Benedict told the estimated 30,000 people at his general audience.

Read more...

And on it goes. In my life time I have witnessed endless calls to end poverty. Endless books have been written and articles published. Politicians pander to religious groups and tell them how they are concerned with those impoverished at election time and vow to implement policy to uplift those impoverished. Celebrities band together and raise money to help those in poverty and community groups organize. And so it goes.

But who speaks for the poor? Do the poor themselves have a voice? Do they tell us what they need? Do they tell us what would truly alleviate their suffering? Do we hear their cry? Their voice? Often not. Often the story of those impoverished is told by those at high altitudes. They have good intentions, but they are not speaking for the impoverished, they are speaking for their own vanity.

As the disparity between the rich and poor increases, so does the experience that many of previous generations had in experiencing hard times.

We have a whole class and generation of Americans who have never really experienced hard times. Americans have become soft, thus it becomes difficult for their conscious to become outraged. A vast majority of Americans can not even relate to poverty.

B16 is correct. Extreme poverty, any poverty is an offense to human dignity, not just to those impoverished, but to all of humankind.

Until those impoverished are organized into a constituency and they have a voice that is actually heard by the politicians, the poor as Jesus tells us, will always be among us.

B16 has tied extreme poverty to human dignity as a life issue. At this time of presidential elections when poverty polls low on the issue totem poll, will we hear the same pandering as before, or maybe at the Popes urging, Catholics will insist, no demand that politicians finally begin to work for the common good.

Bishops' document to offer new guidance on Catholics' political role

CNS is reporting on this new document due out when the hats meet in Baltimore this November.

That engagement must be "shaped by the moral convictions of well-formed consciences and focused on the dignity of every human being, the pursuit of the common good and the protection of the weak and vulnerable," they said. - This may put some emphasis on such issues as the war, poverty, children's health care and climate change, while drawing the ire of our Neo Con friends over in the corner on the right.

The bishops also are to vote on a shortened version of the text, designed for use as a parish bulletin insert. - Our fear here is the the powerful conservative influences on the council might have them produce just another version of the 5 non-negotiable issues. Our experience though tells us that most of the time these guides from the conference rarely make it out to a large audience.

"As Catholics, we should be guided more by our moral convictions than by our attachment to a political party or interest group," the draft document says. "When necessary, our participation should help transform the party to which we belong; we should not let the party transform us in such a way that we neglect or deny fundamental moral truths."
- Indeed it is true that we Catholics are in a political limbo at times. Sometimes we can't tell the difference between the parties. At other times it is easy, as the recent example of the SCHIP vote gives us.

Read More....

Blogosphere Treker

Taking a look see around the Catholic Web world....

Currie joins Colbert

Pillow fight says Mark Shea is "snarky"

Privatization Gone Amok

Pastor Dan on the Values Voter gathering

FIPL - First Impressions of Tony P.

Whispers - TB and the Dark Side

Judy Brown takes aim at the Cardinal

Father Landry still shilling for President Bush -this time on SCHIP

Deal realizes that the GOP should stop targeting Bush's "haves"and the "have mores"

Wow - One Nation Under God is picking on Ah-nold for not being Republican enough

More Catholics ignoring the Vatican on climate change

Some clergy bashing

Rep. McCotter - Pro Life apparently does not include poor children

Either Rep. Thaddeus McCotter is just another flip flopper or a Catholic who is simply not familiar with what his Church advocates.

In a 2002 Michigan Catholic Conference candidate questionnaire, candidate McCotter answered “Support” to the following question:

Health Care
14. Access to services. Will you support or oppose Legislation to provide government-subsidized health-care services to individuals who are not eligible for Medicaid, but who live below the
poverty level (e.g., $15,020 for a family of three)?

McCotter recently voted no for SCHIP and then again no to over ride the Presidents veto of a piece of legislation that over 80% of Americans including an overwhelming number of Catholics support.

In a recent article penned by McCotter , he stated:

“The insidious result is that pro-life Representatives, who supported S-CHIP’s extension but not proposed expansion, are smeared by Catholics United as being neither pro-life nor pro-family. Ergo, these Catholics United ads constitute a lie spoken publicly to establish false public criteria that abets their powerful Leftist friends within the state.”

BUT!

McCotter is a Catholic from Michigan. On its website, the Michigan Catholic Conference lists under its Public Policy section the following advocacy regarding Health Care.

From the Conference:

Health Care

Equitable, accessible and ethical health care is an essential safeguard of human life. Health care is a basic human right, and genuine health care reform, recognizing the dignity of persons and the unique needs of the poor, is a matter of fundamental justice. The Conference supports:

• Expansion of health coverage for low-and moderate-income uninsured individuals and families,

• The protection of adequate Medicaid funding, and

• Opposition to legislation that threatens the institutional integrity of faith-based providers.

It would seem to that SCHIP would fit nicely into this advocacy. Apparently according to McCotter’s thesis, the Michigan Catholic Conference is among those powerful Leftist friends of Catholics United. In his article McCotter notes that Catholics United is not a Catholic Church sanctioned organization. We are guessing the Michigan Catholic Conference is sanctioned by the Church.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, another organization "sanctioned" by the Catholic Church, has supported SCHIP reauthorization that includes higher levels of funding, provides flexibility to cover more immigrant children, allows states to serve more youth aging out of foster care, expands eligibility and income thresholds, and makes it easier for all eligible children to apply.

Clearly McCotter is out step with our Catholic Bishops, the Michigan Catholic Conference and the Catholic Social Teaching we are sure he was taught at Catholic Central High School in Detroit.

Are Romneys flip flops on Pro Life issues running down the GOP ticket now?

Romney, Anti Catholics, Flip Flops, Hypocrisy, Bob Jones and some "Surprising Fruit"

First a bit of history:

March 16, 2000

"In order to leave no doubt in anyone’s mind of the Catholic League’s integrity and absolute commitment to its Catholic principles, our previous accusation that Bob Jones University is anti-Catholic has been reaffirmed by the president’s latest decision." – William Donohue, President of the Catholic League. Read more: Bob Jones just can’t give it up. and Bob Jones makes changes, but not enough.

Then: "The problem with Bush ... is that he just doesn't get it. But I don't think he's a bigot." However, Donohue says he thinks the Republicans will suffer as Catholics "connect the dots" between the B.J.U. issue and the fact that "Timothy O'Brien is being screwed." – William Donohue of the Catholic League. Read more…

Note: We don't think Bush is a bigot either. Bigots while always wrong and misguided, usually exhibit some form of intelligence. This would rule Bush out as a bigot.... or maybe not. Something to ponder.

Bush apology accepted – case closed (there used to be a release on the Catholic League site where Mr. Donohue thoroughly chastised Bush for his embarrassing visit to Bob Jones, but it has since been removed. Only the apology has been retained.

Then: John Ashcroft visits the anti Catholics in 2001 and Donohue exclaims it is much ado about nothing and uses the opportunity to attack NARAL. (of course! Anti Catholics who say the Catholic Church is a Satanic Cult – OK as long as you are a Republican and Neo Conservative) Read More..

So to the present:

Mitt Romney whose numerous Flip Flops on Abortion, Stem Cells, Gay Marriage and a host of other issues, have just given fits to the small but vocal Neo Conservative Catholic movement, recently received an endorsement from the good ole boys down at Bob Jones. Now it seems that not only do the ole boys down there hate Catholics, they consider Mormons to be cult like as well. Mitt’s campaign however gleefully accepted the nod. It seems that endorsements from Militant Fundamentalist Extremists are some how considered important in the South Carolina primary.

Deal Hudson described the endorsement as “surprising fruit” Fruity indeed! Read more..

Deal goes on to give Bush another pass for his Anti Catholic actions in 2000. (we love how the Neo Cons take any opportunity to suck up to Bush, even down to the bitter end)

So in the end, the Neo Cons consider it a smart strategy to consort and take endorsements from Militant Fundamentalist Extremists. The Catholic League, of course ignored it. Romney after all is not Catholic. Now, we suspect that William is busy getting ready a slew of releases to aim at the Democratic nominee next year. That person will also most likely not be Catholic.

The hypocrisy continues. What’s next for the Neo Cons? More surprising fruit? The Hamas endorsement?

As for Romney - was Mitt Pro Catholic before he was Anti Catholic?

Mail Bag: Follow up letter to Deal Hudson

In our last letter, we wrote our friend Deal Hudson. He never replied. We are hurt.
He did make this post on October 8th that still has us scratching our heads. Read here.

So we try again – just a short note today.

Dear Deal,

In your blog posting of October 8th, you assert that “Global Warming is a Natural, not Man-Made, Phenomenon.”

Now we understand that Neo Conservatives such as you are unable at times to separate the politics of issues from the facts. Al Gore is a politician. So let us put him aside.

What has us scratching our heads is that the “Vatican” has stated Climate change is an international concern, and Catholics have a moral imperative to protect environment.

In a Sept. 24 statement to the U.N. General Assembly session on climate change entitled “The future is in our hands: Addressing the leadership challenge of climate change,” Msgr. Piero Parolin, Vatican undersecretary for relations with states, stressed that, despite various interpretations, the “best scientific assessments” have established a clear link between human activity and global warming, which requires the adoption of a “coordinated, effective and prompt international political strategy.”

So we are curious. Deal you have presented yourself as an authority of Catholicism and Catholic issues. You advise very powerful men and women on Catholic issues. So we are wondering how you are reconciling your obvious difference with the Vatican on Climate Change?

Blessings,

Eamon

Ann Coulter and the "Catholic Encyclopedia"

There were those in the 1930s and 40s who wanted to eliminate Jews from the world. Today people of similar thought just want to “perfect” them. Last week the infamous right wing shrill Ann Coulter told CNBC’s Donnie Deutch (A Jew): “We just want Jews to be perfected, as they say … Christians believe the Old Testament (Jews) don’t believe our testament.”

Apparently Ann Coulter is under the impression that “everyone” should be a Christian. This bible lesson is brought to us by the foul mouthed Coulter, whose fashion apparel is more suited to walking the boulevard in Las Vegas than teaching a bible study class. When Ann is done teaching Christianity 101 to the nation, we suggest she take some history: "The constitutional freedom of religion [is] the most inalienable and sacred of all human rights." --Thomas Jefferson: Virginia Board of Visitors Minutes, 1819. ME 19:416

Today from a Newsmax report (online news entertainment for conservatives), an obviously incoherent Ann Coulter replied to criticisms by the National Jewish Democratic Council and Catholics United.

First up was the NJDC statement. Ann says: "Let's rewrite the NJDC statement to refer to what I actually said: 'How does someone who says it would be better if everyone were a Christian or practicing Jew continue to receive a megaphone and platform from the news networks? When will the media say ‘enough is enough’?

Indeed. When will the media say enough is enough of Ann Coulter. At times, watching Ann stumble over herself is more disturbing than Brittney Spears at the MTV awards. They do dress the same it seems.

Next in the ambush set up by Newsmax was Catholics United and their director Chris Korzen.

Korzen stated: "For her to suggest somehow we'd all be better off if we were all Christian is not only insulting to millions of people who aren't Christian, its completely un-American."

Ann says: "That's interesting. Korzen shills for the pro-abortion Democrats and the anti-war left. He used the Catholic label to oppose the nomination of John Bolton to be ambassador to the United Nations. “

The list of the wingnuts, Republicans, Neo Cons and Nutjobs that Coulter shills for would require another post or maybe an entire website.

Now for the translation: Ann and her Catholic consultants (Deal Hudson) are upset because Catholics United has supported SCHiP legislation and challenged the pro life credentials of so called “pro life” Republicans. Apparently Ann and her consultants find it very un Catholic to support health care for poor children. This type of thinking is at the core of the conservative conscious. After all wasn’t Ronald Reagan who poked fun of President Kennedy who once referred to hungry children in America going to bed hungry, by saying it was not hunger, but simply a diet the children were on. The conservative conscious would say that poor kids simply need to build up a natural resistance to disease and do not need health care. Pull up your boot straps.

“He sneered at this year's National Catholic Prayer Breakfast at which President Bush spoke, saying: 'Let's be honest, this event would be more accurately labeled the 'Republican Catholic Strategy Breakfast.”

Umm? What is your point Ann? It is doubtful Mr. Korzen sneered, but you would be the expert on sneering. This so called “Prayer” breakfast has long been a gathering paid for and attended by well healed Neo Con Catholics on the fringe. No Democrats or mainstream grassroots Catholics allowed.

“He was quoted in the Christian Science Monitor of August 27, 2007, defending pro-abortion Democrat politicians: 'There are those who say that Catholics should be robots. There's a formula, and if we don't follow that formula, we shouldn't present ourselves for communion on Sunday morning. That's an absolute misuse of Catholic teaching,' he said, referring to the call of several Catholic bishops in the 2004 campaign to deny communion to Senator Kerry and other Catholic politicians who did not vote in line with Vatican teachings on abortion. “So Korzen believes Catholics should not be 'robots' when it comes to opposing abortion. He believes Catholics should be robots in opposing the teachings of the New Testament - as clearly stated in the Catholic Encyclopedia.”

CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA?? Is this something that we missed when we were young? Was it a special edition sold along side World Book Encyclopedia?? So Ann is an expert on Catholic Teaching now and she gets her word straight from the “Catholic Encyclopedia”? Obviously her consultant missed this part of the interview. We suggest that when Ann recovers from her hangover that she look up “prudence” in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

Of course then under the advice of her Catholic Consultants, Ann throws in the complimentary Fr. Richard John Neuhaus.” quote. Yawn…. we won't reproduce it here. It is the usual right wing blah blah blah.

Said Ann: "Korzen speaks for Catholics like Barry Lynn speaks for Christians or Gloria Steinem speaks for women - or I speak for Muslims."

Aren't Catholics Christians?? Poor Barry - only speak to Christians - leave those Catholics to Ann. And if it weren't for women like Gloria, Ann would be barefoot in some kitchen in Kentucky cooking up bacon for her man and tending to her 12 kids. (ok -we digress - but it is fun to dream)

Our advice to Ann – Don’t try and speak to Catholics or for Catholics again. Better yet – just don’t speak.

The world could not be that fortunate.

BUSH: 190 Billion for WAR: Yes - 35 Billion for Healthy Children: NO

Congress is poised to give Bush 190 Billion more for his bungled war in Iraq. Bush of course will sign it to prolong his bloodbath in Baghdad. Meanwhile here at home, there are approximately 9 million uninsured CHILDREN in the United States. George W. Bush has vowed to VETO any funding that will help insure these children.

As a result of SCHIP, the number of uninsured low-income children has fallen significantly, but a substantial share of this progress will be undone if SCHIP funding is Vetoed by Bush.

Due in large part to the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), the percentage of low-income children in the United States without health coverage has fallen by one-third since SCHIP was created in 1997, despite the erosion of private health coverage over this period. More than 4 million low-income children, most of whom would otherwise be uninsured, are enrolled in SCHIP.

This remarkable success, however, is now threatened. Unlike Medicaid, an entitlement program whose federal funding increases automatically to compensate for increases in health-care costs (as well as increases in caseloads), SCHIP is a block grant with a fixed annual funding level. Consequently, the federal SCHIP funding that states receive has not been keeping pace with the rising cost of health care or population growth.

If Bush Vetoes SCHIP, funding will be frozen at its 2007 level and states will face a shortfall of $12.3 billion to $13.4 billion for 2008-2012.

If SCHIP funding is frozen, 20 states will face a shortfall in 2008 equivalent to the average, annual cost of covering up to 940,000 children. In 2012, some 36 states will face a shortfall equivalent to the average, annual cost of covering up to 1.9 million children.

A new Washington Post - ABC News Poll indicates that 7 out of 10 Americans support an increase to SCHIP. The same poll indicates a vast majority of Americans want Congress to cut funding to the Bush war effort.

Clearly Bush is out of step with the wishes of the American people.

Children's health matters in America. Access to affordable care is especially important to the vulnerable children who live in low-income families in our great country. As a Catholics who believe in the Common Good we believe all children have the right to adequate and affordable health care. What does George W. Bush believe in?

Mail Bag: A letter to Deal Hudson

Dear Deal,

Your post regarding the Vatican's supposed rejection of our current Climate Crisis was indeed a compelling argument to a very select few.

Now I realize you have burned all of your Catholic bridges and your sole use now is that of a Republican operative, but how sad it must be to you and your few conservative comrades that the Neo-Con Pope you had hoped for seems to be broadly Orthodox and concerned with more than your short list of wedge issues. I realize that it must be tough for you to accept that the Holy Father realizes that "Pro-Life" has a little something to do with global enviromental catastrophes.

I also know you may find it repugnant that B16 is using carbon offsets like Al Gore, but have strength my friend, an Encyclical explaining all this Climate mumbo jumbo for the non-believers is on its way.

In the meantime I would like to suggest some reading. His Excellency, Archbishop Celestino Migliore, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations gave a speech in Ohio earlier this year on Climate Change. He made reference to how humans are part of the problem and part of the solution. Surprisingly enough, he also made reference to tilling and taking care of, of course referencing our responsibility to the earth we all live on. You might even be stunned to read the part where Archbishop Migliore talks about a more detailed Catholic vision for common action. Read more of the Archbishops speech here.

You know Deal, the reality is, if we do not have a planet to inhabit, at the end of it all, no other issues really matter, do they?

Best Regards,

Eamon

White House to take on the Greatest Moral Question of our time?

EAMON IS BACK AFTER EXTENDED SABBATICAL....

Doubtful the White House is being up front with the world on Climate Change..... the record remains and has been a dismal FAILURE from this White House. A welcome change in leadership next November does give us hope. Meanwhile it appears the Vatican is preparing a campaign on climate change staring the Pope who will make Climate Change a "Moral Obligation". Read More

The White House Spin
WASHINGTON - The White House convened a two-day conference of the world's major greenhouse-gas-emitting nations here yesterday that served to highlight how isolated the Bush administration is on the issue of global warming.
Read More

Seven signs to indicate that the international community is moving away from justice and charity.

-- The rise of nationalism, particularly with regard to opposition to immigration and to "tensions between protectionism and free trade."

-- A lack of cooperation between developed and developing countries, not only on an economic level, but also in the field of education.

-- Pervasive poverty, even in countries with fast-growing economies.

-- The weakness of international, multilateral institutions, including the United Nations.

-- Evidence that the international community will not be able to meet the Millennium Development Goals for reducing poverty.

-- Insufficient and inefficient international aid.

-- Terrorism and war.

Take a look see....

Whispers in the Loggia - "The US Bishops: Comings... Goings... and Not Goings"

Faith in Public Life - Evangelicals: "when you start talking about global warming, the minimum wage or the death penalty, the consensus breaks down"

Joseph Cella, Fidelis - crititical of Senator Reid - but gets Catholic Teaching wrong.

Joseph Cella of the Ultra Neo Conservative Group "Fidelis" like Dirty Deal Hudson, wants us to believe he is a expert Catholic Commentator....when in fact he is nothing more than a political hack for the GOP who uses Catholicism for political gain. (Cella is pictured to the right of his President at a recent breakfast for Neo Con Republican pseudo Catholics -we hope Cella went to confession after this photo op)

In a so called recent "press release" from "Fidelis" Joe states " Senator Reid’s sudden decision to invoke the moral authority of Pope Benedict on the subject of the Iraq War is wholly disingenuous and it is unfortunate that Senator Reid is using the Pope as a political football." Then he goes on to turn the release into a tirade on the recent Senate Stem Cell bill. Well if Senator Reid is playing "political football" with the Popes words, then Joseph Cella kicked off in the game. Fidelis is nothing more than a front for GOP operatives looking to co-opt the Catholic vote with divisive issues such as Stem Cell Research, while deflecting criticism from their boss - President Bush - on such as issues as the War in Iraq.

See our prior posts on the previous and current Popes statements on the war.

Pope Benedict XVl "nothing positive comes from Iraq"

IRAQ - 4 years of WAR - "This war is ... an offense against God."

What is it that Joseph Cella does not understand about the Vatican's opposition to the war and why is Fidelis avoiding the subject? If this organization ever wants credibility, they must accept all of our Churchs rich tradition and not just a few wedge issues they hope to use to get Republicans elected.

Here are Joseph Cella's GOP credentials: President of the ultra neo conservative group Fidelis, whose political action committee gave exclusively to Republican candidates in 2006, primarily Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania. Cella is a former member of the Ave Maria List political action committee, which contributed more than $50,000 in the 2002 and 2004 election cycles exclusively to Republican campaigns, including those of Saxby Chamblis, Wayne Allard, Norm Coleman, Jim Talent, Elizabeth Dole, and John Thune - all Pro Iraq War Republicans - the same war the Vatican HAS ALWAYS CONDEMMED.

Just Like Rabbits....

Some research to follow up on our recent abstinence post.

Abstinence students still having sex Study tracked 2,057 young people in government-funded programs

WASHINGTON - Students who participated in sexual abstinence programs were just as likely to have sex a few years later as those who did not, according to a long-awaited study mandated by Congress.

Also, those who attended one of the four abstinence classes reviewed reported having similar numbers of sexual partners as those who did not attend the classes, and they first had sex at about the same age as their control group counterparts — 14.9 years, according to Mathematica Policy Research Inc.

The federal government now spends about $176 million annually on abstinence-until-marriage education. Critics have repeatedly said they don’t believe the programs are working, and the study will give them reinforcement.

Read more...

Pope Benedict XVl "nothing positive comes from Iraq"

Pope: 'How much suffering' in the world

In his Easter message on Christianity's most joyous day, B16 decried suffering in the world, and spoke of the "continual slaughter" in Iraq and expressed his worry over unrest and instability in Afghanistan.

B16 told the tens of thousands of the faithful in St. Peters Square -"In the Middle East, besides some signs of hope in the dialogue between Israel and the Palestine Authority, nothing positive comes from Iraq, torn apart by continual slaughter as the civil population flees,"

He also spoke of what he called the "catastrophic, and sad to say, underestimated, humanitarian situation" in Darfur. He noted other hot spots on the African continent including violence and looting in Congo, fighting in Somalia -- which, he said, drove away the prospect of peace -- and the "grievous crisis" in Zimbabwe, marked by crackdowns on dissidents, a disastrous economy and severe corruption.

Benedict read out a litany of troubling current events, saying he was thinking of the "terrorism and kidnapping of people, of the thousand faces of violence which some people attempt to justify in the name of religion, of contempt for life, of the violation of human rights and the exploitation of persons."

Pope Benedict: Rich Nations Have 'Plundered' the Third World

Cross posted from "Catholics United for the Common Good.

In his new book, Jesus of Nazareth, Pope Benedict condemns the effects colonialism has had on Third-World countries, and especially throughout Africa. For the illusory benefits of power and profit, the pope writes, the world's rich nations have "plundered and sacked" Africa and other poor regions, equating the current situation to the parable of the Good Samaritan.

According to Reuters, the pope is calling wealthy nations to task for the current disparity between rich and poor, and says that they must work to rectify the situation and promote the justice and equality of all.

Pope Benedict's words should serve as a reminder to us all that historically speaking, our nation owes its prosperity to the hard work of others, and that before pointing fingers at the poor and dispossessed we must look at how our own lifestyles affect a troubled world. This is especially important when approaching situations in Iraq and Sudan, and the ongoing controversy in our own country over immigration.

lmerlini's blog Posted Thu, 2007-04-05 13:56.

Saint Vincent College has teaching opportunity

George W. Bush will deliver the commencement address May 11th at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, Pa. School president, James Towey led the White House's office of faith-based and community initiatives from 2002 until last April.

St. Vincent is a coed Roman Catholic liberal arts college about 35 miles east of Pittsburgh. The school was founded in 1846.

Archabbot Nowicki, the College's chancellor, believes that Bush's address would help to burnish the schools reputation as one of the finest liberal arts schools in the country. We are thinking "tarnish" may be a better term here.

The Schools Web Site states it "seeks to provide an understanding of the positive contributions which the Catholic Church has made, and continues to make, to human progress, and to emphasize the application of Catholic social teaching to the problems of the world, particularly with respect to the poor, lonely, and marginalized."

We wonder then if the Archabbot and Towey are taking the opportunity to teach Bush about these very Catholic ideals. Ones that he and his administration have totally disregarded over the last 6 years, despite Bush's pandering to Catholics and their votes.

Bush’s War in Iraq is deeply at odds with Catholic teaching.

The Bush has seen government grow larger and more likely to intervene in the economy. The Bush doctrine means preferential option for the rich, not the poor. Their policies on wages, working conditions, unions, antipoverty assistance and Social Security all conflict with Catholic principles. His support for faith-based organizations in delivering social assistance has been token and narrow in focus.

Bush has made no real attempt to address the moral outrage of over 40 million Americans who lack health insurance. Instead policy is aimed to inflate drug company profits.

Issues that affect racial and ethnic minorities like wages, housing, public transportation, and health care and so on are at odds with Catholic social teaching. Bush has done little to change stingy refugee and asylum policies.

Bush has done nothing to address global warming and resource depletion. He has eroded existing standards in clear air, clean water and conservation. Instead policy is aimed at short-term interests of his corporate allies in oil, coal, timber and agribusiness.

All this is at odds with Catholic Teaching.

Bush's foreign policy is marked by an aggressive use of military power without regard for traditional just war principles. His administration has disregarded international treaties and institutions that the United States has worked for a half-century to build. They govern by the assertion that American interests trump those of any other country. Catholic teaching in this area emphasizes nonviolence, economic justice and the importance of multilateral treaties and institutions.

Bush does oppose abortion. He signed partial-birth abortion ban, but thinks the country isn’t ready to outlaw most abortions. He has supported some federal funding for stem cell research. He Opposes cloning and physician-assisted suicide, but neither was much of a priority in his first term. Bush is an enthusiastic supporter of the death penalty.

So with such a dismal record regarding issues important to Catholics - we do indeed look forward to the lesson plan that Towey and the Archabbot have in mind.

Abstinence

Abstinence is the foolproof way to avoid virus, neo conservatives often say. They also state that the only prevention method they know of for sexually transmitted diseases is abstinence.

Condoms, routine screening (preventing further spread), sex education and the new cervical cancer vaccine are all excellent methods for prevention of sexually transmitted infections.

Abstinence, when dutifully practiced, is also an excellent method. Unfortunately, numerous studies have shown that even teens who plan to abstain until marriage often fall short.

Adolescents who take virginity pledges show the same rate of sexually transmitted infection as those who do not.

Abstinence-only education in schools has been shown time and time again to not reduce teen sex, but to significantly reduce condom and other contraceptive use among those teens.

Education is the most powerful weapon we have against these diseases that are so easily prevented. Abstinence-only education merely prevents people from knowing how to protect themselves. When it comes to disease, ignorance is not bliss.

Absolutely, we should be promoting abstinence, but when it comes to preventing these serious, potentially fatal diseases, how can one justify not using every tool we have?

The Sin of Preventable Death

Abortion is an unspeakable sin. However it is not the only unspeakable sin. I am constantly amazed by the way some of my more conservative friends talk about Abortion and protecting the unborn. Yet when it comes to the born, especially innocent children who are just as innocent as unborn children, my friends are silent and turn the other way. Abortion does not touch their lives anymore than the war in Iraq does or a child with out water in Central America, yet onward they march on the abortion issue.

What I have come to learn is that this issue is a more often a vanity issue for them. It makes them feel good. More often than not, it is also a political issue for them. They can easily hide behind the abortion issue and support so called pro-life candidates while turning a blind eye to all the other injustices of the world. At then end of the day, I find these types of people to simply be selfish and uncaring. The world is centered on them and they believe that once born, a person must make their own way in the world.

With the unborn - they do not have to put a face or a personality to the victim. It is a convenient way for them to feel morally superior and at the same time maintain their selfish way of existence.

Narrowly focused on the single issue of abortion, they do not have to concern themselves with the children of Iraq who are suffering from the horrors of war. They do not have to be worried about a child in this world dying every 7 minutes of dehydration. The fact that mothers living in poverty are more often than not forced in the choice of abortion simply because they lack the basic needs to care for their children. Needs like healthcare, childcare and jobs.

I tire of the sanctimonious conservatives obsessed with abortion, when they offer no alternatives or solution. I have no tolerance for them turning a blind eye to death and destruction in this world while they live comfortable lives detached from suffering.

If the day ever comes that these Pharisees ever care about born children dying, or preventable death in this world at any age as much as they care about the unborn - I will be the first in line at the next anti-abortion march. Until then my friends - do not call yourself "pro-life". You are simply "anti-abortion".

Every seven minutes a child dies of dehydration

If so called "pro-lifers" want to show they care about innocent life - then start speaking out on preventable outrages such as this. Or once born, are these children supposed to "pull themselves up by their boot straps" and go find a bottle of water?

Dehydration and poor sanitation throughout the Asia Pacific region is killing a child every seven minutes according to a new report released by World Vision Australia.
READ MORE...

Bush Administration Marks World Water Day by Shirking Responsibility to Fund Clean and Safe Water for America

Thirst Relief International

Once born - you are on your own.

Why are so called "pro-lifers" not speaking out regarding this? Are these children not innocent? Or is there a difference in born and unborn children?

BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- Mustafa Karim, a fourth-grader, now lives with family members in a squalid camp in eastern Baghdad where displaced Shias go after fleeing their homes, often after relatives have been killed. The young boy's eyes fill with tears when he recalls the circumstances that led to his exile. "They killed my father and uncle in front of my eyes," he says. He then breaks down sobbing. He can no longer speak. The anguish is unbearable. Such stories are not uncommon in Iraq four years after the U.S.-led invasion. Health officials say the daily hardships -- bomb blasts, gunfire, killings of family members and sectarian violence -- are taking an increasing toll on Iraq's children.
READ MORE...

IRAQ - 4 years of WAR - "This war is ... an offense against God."

This past Saturday thousands of Christians prayed for peace at an anti-war service Friday night at the Washington National Cathedral, kicking off a weekend of protests around the country to mark the fourth anniversary of the war in Iraq. "This war, from a Christian point of view, is morally wrong - and was from the beginning," the Rev. Jim Wallis, founder of Sojourners/Call to Renewal, said. "This war is ... an offense against God."
Read more...

For Catholics - we remember our Holy Father - Pope John Paul II - who in Janary 2003 condemmed the coming war in Iraq.

Pope John Paul II in January of 2003 expressed renewed opposition to the possibility of war in Iraq, saying the use of military force had to be the "very last option".

In a New Year address to Vatican diplomats, the Pope said war was "always a defeat for humanity", and called instead for more diplomacy and dialogue.

"War is never just another means that one can choose to employ for settling differences between nations," he said.

The Vatican clearly did not consider that America's planned offensive to topple Saddam Hussein meets the conditions of a "just war" laid down by the Roman Catholic Church.

"War cannot be decided upon, even when it is a matter of ensuring the common good, except as the very last option and in accordance with very strict conditions," Pope John Paul said.

He spoke of the Iraqis as a people already sorely tried by 12 years of international embargoes - and he described Iraq as the land of the prophets, because it is believed to be the birthplace of the biblical prophet Abraham.

Those behind a war in Iraq would have to consider "the consequences for the civilian population both during and after the military operations," he said.

The Church teaches that for a war to be "just", the use of military force should meet rigorous conditions of moral legitimacy.

It also says that all other means must first be exhausted, and that the type of force used must be proportionate to the wrong it tries to rectify.

"Everything can change. It depends on each of us. Everyone can develop within himself his potential for faith, for honesty, for respect of others and for commitment to the service of others," he said.

Marjorie Campbell thinks of Nancy while recieving the Body of Christ

The cry towels are out again over at Dirty Deal Hudson's blog. (The Real Deal) This time it is the Canon Lawyer wannabe Majorie. Leading us to believe she is a daily communicate, she states she almost chokes on the body of Christ when she thinks about Nancy Pelosi following her in line. We doubt the Speaker attends the same parish as Marjorie, but who knows. I am not sure where Marjorie's mind is, but when I approach the Priest for the Eucharist, I am not thinking of Speaker Pelosi or any politician for that matter. I think how wonderful it is that I am celebrating the body of Christ, just like Catholics have done for thousands of years. I try to be peaceful and think about what I am about to receive. If people like Marjorie or Dirty Deal are thinking of politics in the Communion line, then maybe they need return to RCIA class again. Even more amazing is the fact that Marjorie and Dirty Deal support an evil thug like George W. Bush. A man who has wrought war and destruction upon this world. Under Bush we have seen a rise in abortion, violent crime, poverty, job loss, decline in values and a decline in US credibility in the world - yet these two are obsessed with a single issue while ignoring so much death and dispair. We won't even get into their buddy Craig Richardson’s ongoing support for his master Tom Delay. All we can do is shake our head and pray for them.

We really hope that the gang over at Dirty Deal Hudson's blog get it together and understand what it really means to be Catholic and receive the Eucharist at mass.

Jesuit magazine says church leaders obligated to comment on politics

By Cindy Wooden, March 15, 2007
Catholic News Service

ROME (CNS) -- When the pope, cardinals or bishops publicly comment on issues being debated by legislators they are not interfering in politics, but exercising their obligation as pastors and their rights as citizens, said an influential Jesuit magazine.

'When churchmen intervene in the public debate, they do so in ways and with instruments similar to those used by any other citizen,' said La Civilta Cattolica (Catholic Civilization) in an editorial reviewed by the Vatican Secretariat of State before publication.

The mid-March editorial used as its starting point the heated public debate in Italy over comments made by church leaders on proposed legislation recognizing unions formed by cohabiting couples, including homosexuals.

Church leaders have been accused of trying to impose the church's moral teaching on the laws of the nation.

The editorial said the church's critics complain 'habitually and only about those churchmen who publicly intervene in the debate and the merits of those questions which secularists consider to be the exclusive terrain of politics and administration.'

However, it said, the same people do not complain about public church campaigns to promote government policies and spending aimed at guaranteeing greater justice, charity and freedom.

'That which the secularists call interference the church calls 'the right to speak about the moral problems that today trouble the consciences of all human beings, particularly legislators and jurists,'' the editorial said, quoting Pope Benedict XVI.

While direct partisan political involvement is the competence of laypeople, the priests and bishops have an obligation to help them know and understand the relevant moral teachings of the church, the editorial said.

'Some say that in any case, the church and its agencies must abstain from addressing Catholic legislators,' the editorial said.

'But the church hierarchy cannot renounce making a statement, giving in to blackmail,' it said.

Particularly on themes such as the sacredness of human life and the value of the family founded on the marriage of a man and a woman, the editorial said, if the church did not speak it would not be fulfilling 'its obligation to give light and strength to the Catholic laity as the Second Vatican Council taught.'

Eucharistic Consistency

We recieved this Press Release a few days ago - we think it is worth sharing.

News stories on the recent apostolic exhortation on the Eucharist (SACRAMENTUM CARITATIS) are causing some confusion with regards to communion and Catholic politicians. The document does not say anything about denying communion to Catholic politicians. While it tells bishops they are “bound to reaffirm constantly these values,” it does not tell them to deny communion to prochoice politicians.

What it does say is that politicians must make decisions based on fundamental values. These values include “respect for human life, its defence from conception to natural death, the family built upon marriage between a man and a woman, the freedom to educate one's children and the promotion of the common good in all its forms.” It goes on to say “These values are not negotiable.” While the exhortation is obviously referring to abortion, euthanasia and gay marriage, it also includes “the promotion of the common good in all its forms” among the values that are “not negotiable.” As a result, the exhortation can be seen as endorsing the consistent ethic of life as proposed by Cardinal Joseph Bernardin and endorsed by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. If communion is going to be denied to politicians based on this document, it would have to be denied to those who do not support “the promotion of the common good in all its forms.”

There follows the complete text of paragraph 83.

83. Here it is important to consider what the Synod Fathers described as Eucharistic consistency, a quality which our lives are objectively called to embody. Worship pleasing to God can never be a purely private matter, without consequences for our relationships with others: it demands a public witness to our faith. Evidently, this is true for all the baptized, yet it is especially incumbent upon those who, by virtue of their social or political position, must make decisions regarding fundamental values, such as respect for human life, its defence from conception to natural death, the family built upon marriage between a man and a woman, the freedom to educate one's children and the promotion of the common good in all its forms (230). These values are not negotiable. Consequently, Catholic politicians and legislators, conscious of their grave responsibility before society, must feel particularly bound, on the basis of a properly formed conscience, to introduce and support laws inspired by values grounded in human nature (231).

There is an objective connection here with the Eucharist (cf. 1 Cor 11:27-29). Bishops are bound to reaffirm constantly these values as part of their responsibility to the flock entrusted to them (232).

Thomas J. Reese, S.J.
Senior Fellow
Woodstock Theological Center
Georgetown University
Washington, DC
http://woodstock.georgetown.edu

A Look Back at the Three-Day Weekend

According to The New Yorker, there is a big discrepancy concerning the name of yesterday's federal holiday. Is it President's Day, Presidents' Day, or Presidents Day??

A true quandary.

The real name for yesterday's federal holiday is WASHINGTON'S Birthday. Now, the 3rd Monday in February will never fall on the date of George Washington's true birthday, but American students, federal employees, bankers, and other celebrants can enjoy a three day winter weekend - not such a bad deal.

Why is the holiday technically known as Washington's Birthday now referred to as President's/s'/s Day? Once again, the greed and materialism of American culture rears its splashy sales signs and tempts us to use our credit cards. So if Valentine's Day is a card-company holiday, President's/s'/s Day has been claimed by the department stores. Bye bye, February holidays!

I hope you enjoyed your three-day weekend. This post may be a day late and a dollar short, but hey, power shopping comes first on a three day weekend!

William Donohue - "Actions generate death threats"

William Donohue must issue statement of apology and reconciliation - and then resign.

According to an op ed on Yahoo news death threats have been issued against Edwards bloggers Amanda Marcotte and Melissa McEwan. We can not confirm or deny these threats, but we are not surprised. We all should be concerned for their safety. We may disagree with them, but certainly wish them no harm.

William Donohue by his actions has created an atmosphere of hate and division. Speaking out against these two and their posts is his right. However it should not be his right to relentlessly persecute them and demand the Edwards campaign do this or that. Who does William Donohue think he is? William Donohue acts like a child when he does not get his way. His reckless actions bring harm to people. He should be held accountable for his actions. We sincerely hope that there is an investigation by the IRS into the activities of the Catholic League and its 501c3 status.

No mainstream Catholic organizations or official offices of the Catholic Church have joined William Donohue in his quest to ruin the lives of the two young ladies. We do not expect that any will join him.

William Donohue does not speak for Catholics or the Catholic Church. He does not officially represent Catholics or the Catholic Church. And he certainly does not represent Catholic Teaching or traditions. We must begin to urge the media community to realize this. While they they book him for entertainment purposes, they must be informed as to the damage he inflicts on the reputation of the Catholic Church.

If the stories of the death threats are true - William Donohue must put out a release today apologizing to Amanda and Melissa. He must call for an end to the cloud of hate and division he has created. He must point out that non violence is the Catholic way. He must call for those issuing death threats to come forward and identify themselves. Then he should resign his position. If William Donohue is one tenth of the Catholic he says he is - he will issue such a release. We suspect he will not.

We strongly suggest that William Donohue seek the counsel of his Parish Priest ASAP.

Update - 2/15/07 More Potential Catholic League IRS Problems
Dirty Deal Hudson has his cry towel out for Uncle Bill - read more......
Uncle Bills "Gook Joke"

Bless me Father for I have sinned - my last confession was...

Remember? Those of you old enough to remember confession remember that opening line and the confessional booth. I remember going with my parents to stand in line on a Saturday night or before holy days to confess to the Priest all the sinning I had done as a 10 yr old. One would enter the confessional booth - a two sided box with a kneeler for the sinner on one side and the Priest hidden on the other. There was a widow with a screen in it and curtain so you could not see him or he you. I know he always peeked to see who was walking in - but it still had the feel of anonymity .

10 yr old Eamon: umm Hi Father - I told a lie, ummm I cursed, umm I looked at the National Geographic and had impure thoughts....ummm. - Father: "For your sins Eamon - you will say 3 Hail Marys - now run along." 10 yr old Eamon: Gee - thanks Father! Golly I feel pure now!

Then came the Confessional Reformation. Down came the booths and in walked Dr. Phil. Now they wanted us to sit eye to eye and tell the Priest our deepest darkest secrets. Right! - so the lines for Confession became smaller and many of us Catholics went less and less and now they call it the "Sacrament of Reconciliation".

I miss the grand ole days of the confessional where I could cleanse my soul of my sinning. Now because of the Dr. Phil experience I feel dirty and my soul is full of sin. Can I get a booth and curtain call?

National Catholic Reporter has a great story on the state of confession today...

Amanda Marcotte Resigns

Who is Amanda Marcotte you say? Oh yeah - she is one of the evil bloggers that was keeping William Donohue up late at night. Seems Uncle Bill had his panties in a bunch for the past week over Amanda and another blogger John Edwards refused to fire. Well today she gave it up.

My thinking on this has progressed over the last week. My initial reaction was to fire them both and move on. I was offended by their remarks. But then I remembered that document that extremists like Donohue dismiss as multiple choice - that pesky US Constitution. You know - gives us free speech, freedom of religion - freedom from tyrants and wannabe tyrants like Uncle Bill. I may disagree with the Ku Klux Klan, but they have their rights. I disagree with William Donhue who is in many ways like the Ku Klux Klan, and he has his rights to blather on. And I disagree with Amanda Marcotte regarding her dim views on Catholicism and Christianity, but she has her rights.

William Donohue has violated Amanda's rights and should be held accountable - that is why we will work with along with other bloggers to do. Read more...

I love being Catholic -but sometimes it is just down right embarrassing to see some of the loony tunes characters that attempt to represent us in the American Media. Amanda points out Francis Kissling in her blog, but what she fails to realize is that Kissling of Catholics for a Free Choice is just as bad as William Donohue and the Catholic League. Both are divisive and both have very little that is Catholic to offer. And just like the term "William Donohue is Sane" is a contradiction in terms - so is "Catholics for a Free Choice".

For awhile - let us reflect what is Catholic and what is not - and put to rest the division of William Donohue, Francis Kissling and Deal Hudson.

In the Land of Lincoln - the Audacity of Hope

In case you missed - Barack Obama's Presidential launch - speech to over 15,000 people in Springfield Illinois -- yes - I said "15,000". This speech is worth a listen.

I must say - one of the better speeches I have heard in a long time.

This weeks Catholic Politician Profile - Ted Kennedy

Ted Kennedy - U.S. Senate - Massachusetts (D)

Based on Catholic Teaching
+ Plus indicates Good Catholic
- Minus indicates not so Good Catholic

The Dignity of the Human Person
Voted YES on $100M to reduce teen pregnancy by education & contraceptives. (Mar 2005) -
Voted NO on criminal penalty for harming unborn fetus during other crime. (Mar 2004) -
Voted NO on banning partial birth abortions except for maternal life. (Mar 2003) -
Voted NO on banning partial birth abortions. (Oct 1999) -
Voted NO on banning human cloning. (Feb 1998)-
Rated 100% by NARAL, indicating a pro-choice voting record. (Dec 2003) -
Expand embryonic stem cell research. (Jun 2004) -
Voted NO on rejecting racial statistics in death penalty appeals. (May 1994)+
Moratorium on death penalty; more DNA testing. (Mar 2001)+
Require DNA testing for all federal executions. (Mar 2001) +
Voted NO on banning lawsuits against gun manufacturers for gun violence. (Mar 2004) +
Voted YES on expanding enrollment period for Medicare Part D. (Feb 2006) +
Voted YES on increasing Medicaid rebate for producing generics. (Nov 2005) +
Collect data on birth defects and present to the public. (Apr 1998) +

The Dignity of Work
Voted YES on raising the minimum wage to $7.25 rather than $6.25. (Mar 2005) +
Voted NO on repealing Clinton's ergonomic rules on repetitive stress. (Mar 2001) +
Voted NO on killing an increase in the minimum wage. (Nov 1999) +
Voted NO on allowing workers to choose between overtime & comp-time. (May 1997) +
Voted NO on replacing farm price supports. (Feb 1996) +
Protect overtime pay protections. (Jun 2003) +
Rated 100% by the AFL-CIO, indicating a pro-union voting record. (Dec 2003) +

The Person in the Community
Voted YES on adding sexual orientation to definition of hate crimes. (Jun 2002) +
Voted YES on setting aside 10% of highway funds for minorities & women. (Mar 1998) +
Steadfast opponent of vouchers. (Jan 2001) -
Voted YES on killing restrictions on violent videos to minors. (May 1999) -
Small Business loans for child care businesses. (Apr 2003) +

Rights and Responsibilities
Voted NO on $40B in reduced federal overall spending. (Dec 2005)+
Voted NO on prioritizing national debt reduction below tax cuts. (Apr 2000) +
Voted YES on reauthorizing the PATRIOT Act. (Mar 2006) +
Voted YES on adopting the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. (Oct 1999)+
Voted NO on cutting nuclear weapons below START levels. (May 1999)+
Voted YES on banning chemical weapons. (Apr 1997)+
Rated 100% by SANE, indicating a pro-peace voting record. (Dec 2003)+

Option for Those in Poverty
Voted NO on welfare block grants. (Aug 1996) +
Voted YES on eliminating block grants for food stamps. (Jul 1996) +
Voted NO on allowing state welfare waivers. (Jul 1996) +
Voted NO on welfare overhaul. (Sep 1995) +
Establish a National Affordable Housing Trust Fund. (Jul 2003) +
Tax credits to promite home ownership in distressed areas. (Apr 2003) +
Fully fund AmeriCorps. (Jun 2003) +

Solidarity
Voted NO on cap foreign aid at only $12.7 billion. (Oct 1999)+
Voted YES on limiting the President's power to impose economic sanctions. (Jul 1998)+
Voted YES on $17.9 billion to IMF. (Mar 1998)+
Voted YES on ending Vietnam embargo. (Jan 1994)+
Voted NO on implementing CAFTA for Central America free-trade. (Jul 2005)+
Rated 25% by CATO, indicating a pro-fair trade voting record. (Dec 2002) +
Voted YES on establishing a Guest Worker program. (May 2006)+
Voted YES on redeploying troops out of Iraq by July 2007. (Jun 2006)+
Voted NO on $86 billion for military operations in Iraq & Afghanistan. (Oct 2003)+
Voted NO on authorizing use of military force against Iraq. (Oct 2002)+

Care for Creation
Voted YES on disallowing an oil leasing program in Alaska's AMWR. (Nov 2005) +
Voted YES on reducing oil usage by 40% by 2025 (instead of 5%). (Jun 2005) +
Voted YES on banning drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. (Mar 2005) +
Voted NO on Bush Administration Energy Policy. (Jul 2003) +
Voted YES on targeting 100,000 hydrogen-powered vehicles by 2010. (Jun 2003) +
Voted YES on removing consideration of drilling ANWR from budget bill. (Mar 2003) +
Voted NO on drilling ANWR on national security grounds. (Apr 2002) +
Rated 89% by the LCV, indicating pro-environment votes. (Dec 2003) +
EPA must do better on mercury clean-up. (Apr 2004) +

100% Rating by NETWORK on issues related to Catholic Social Teaching.

Respect for the dignity of each individual person: No
The common good: Yes
Health and future of the planet: Yes
The dignity of work: Yes
Care for those who are poor and vulnerable: Yes
The dignity of all creation: No
Human rights: Yes

This is a tough decision based on Senator Kennedy's long and vocal support of abortion rights. However nobody champions the least of these in this world in the Senate more than Ted Kennedy. He also has been against the war in Iraq from the beginning. It is our hope that he will take a close and hard look at some of the abortion reduction acts currently in Congress and will sponsor them in the Senate. We could elevate him to good status if he does sponsor one of these bills.

Recomendations - Read Evangelium Vitae, schedule visit with USCCB Pro Life Office

Final Rating: Needs Improvement Catholic Politician

B16 - Incurable, terminally ill have right to care, human dignity

The pope called for the implementation of “just social policies” to help in the elimination of “the causes of many diseases” and the improvement of care for the dying and the terminally ill.

“There is a need to promote policies which create conditions where human beings can bear even incurable illnesses and death in a dignified manner,” he said, pointing to the need for more palliative care centers.

“This is a right belonging to every human being, one which we must all be committed to defend,” the pontiff said.

Read More....

Healthcare should be a basic human right afforded to all humanity. We must work to insure this for the Common Good of all.

Who speaks for Catholics?

UPDATE:

Maybe we have judged Amanda Marcotte and Melissa McEwan a bit to harshly. Who are we to judge anyway. That is not our place. We do not really care for their blog style and we are offended by their remarks about Catholics, the Virgin Mary and people of Faith. We are sure however we could find common ground with them though. Should the staff who brought these two aboard at the Edwards Campaign have googled these two a bit more - yes.

Is John Edwards an anti Catholic? No - no candidate out there is speaking to some of the issues central to Catholic Teaching like Edwards is. Sure we have some candidates pushing the usual wedge issues. Edwards however is talking about the least of these and promoting an agenda that address's the ills of poverty and equality.

Who speaks for Catholics? We do not. Amanda and Melissa do not. John Edwards does not. Nor do Pharasees like William Donohue, Deal Hudson, Mark Shea, Amy Wellborn, Michelle Malkin, Craig Richardson and Dave Hartline. However the Vatican does. The USCCB does. Your Diocesan Bishop does. And you local Parish Priest does. We await the statement of the official Church on this matter - if it even matters to them. We suspect organizations like the "Catholic" League that put such trivial matters on the front page in the name of the Church are more of an embarrassment to the Church than a help.

The "Catholic" League - What is interesting here is the use of "Catholic". It gives one the impression that this organization is legitimate. It is a 501c3 and employees people who are Catholic. However it is not an official organization within the Catholic Church. It has been suggested that its use of the term "Catholic" is a violation of Canon Law - however we discovered that the organization got its 501c3 under the USCCB sponsorship years ago before that loophole was closed. Interesting since Uncle Bill and his cronies often disparage the USCCB. The term "Catholic" according to Canon law should be reserved for official organizations of the Church. The "Catholic League" is not an official organization of the Catholic Church, nor do they speak as an official voice of the church.

So why does William Donohue get so much attention? He makes himself available to the lazy media. We have discussed this with several producers and booker's. Uncle Bill does a great job of getting his press release out and making himself available to the media. Often they (the media) are not presented with an alternative voice. Because of today's fast pace - the media often does not seek out an alternative voice. Uncle Bill also brings entertainment and controversy. This is at times is more important that presenting the facts in today's media.

So while Uncle Bill does not bring an authentic Catholic voice to the media - he does bring controversy and entertainment. He is not much different than Hulk Hogan.

Prior to William Donohue, the Catholic League provided a useful service to Catholics. Now it has become the vehicle for William Donohues off color bigoted remarks and a way to promote his neo conservative political agenda. A review of his archive of press releases will provide little that is truly Catholic. One will find much division and hatred though.

William Donohue is a great fan of the Mel Gibson movie the "Passion" . We remind Uncle Bill of the scene in the garden where Peter raises his sword against the Roman soldiers. Jesus said "Peter, put up thy sword". Instead of hate and division, we remind Uncle Bill that what is central to the Catholic faith is the good news of the gospel, love, non violence and "forgiveness".

Can you imagine the uproar if Sam Brownback has some anti Gays on his payroll?

Are we not a diverse nation? A tolerant nation?

What is a Catholic to do?