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User's avatar
Ed's avatar

In the past day of so Pope Leo said: "I am not afraid"!

Significant he is also reminding Catholics that "respect for life" is more than railing against Planned Parenthood!

Now Bishop Barron, a popular Catholic podcaster is suggesting Trump apologize.

Trump sounds like Stalin!

Pope Leo needs no divisions!

Alex's avatar

Trump doesn't apologize to nobody no way no how. It's one of his defining characteristics.

Bill Astore's avatar

He's utterly shameless. Everyone must apologize to Trump for breathing his air.

Duncan Saunders's avatar

I wish as well that the 3 bishops had been willing to label all of the wars since WWII as unjust (even that war was unjust in many actions), but glad they were willing to support the Pope. As a conscientious objector/war resister during the Vietnam War, I deeply appreciated the Catholics who did take a strong stand against the Vietnam War (such as the Berrigan Brothers), and glad to see the Catholic Church evolving even more towards seeking alternatives to war.

TomR's avatar

Trump, as a megalomaniac responding to the Pope's criticism of him, is easy to understand - no one is allowed to question or challenge his views. But there is a darker more sinister aspect to it.

In January, the Vatican's ambassador to the U.S. was brought in by Eldridge Colby, the Assistant Secretary of Defense (note - not State) for a lecture on what the U.S. can and will do when it wants. The Trump regime denies it, but reports from outside the room said Colby was screaming at the ambassador.

So why the attack on the Pope?

There has been a long-standing enmity against the Catholic Church among some of the most conservative elements of the various Protestant sects in the U.S.; every immigration from Catholic countries (e.g., Ireland, Italy) has seen a rise in nativism and anti-Catholic sentiment. Those old enough may remember JFK had to sit before a group of Protestant ministers to explain to them how he wouldn't take orders from the Pope.

The Pentagon holds conservative prayer meetings in the center court; military officers tell their troops that the war on Iran is a divine mission; and recall all the photos of Trump at his desk with the "Christian" pastors praying over him with pronouncements of his divine mission.

I believe this is the dark face of Christian Dominionism showing itself. Where this leads I don't know - but their goal is a country ruled by biblical law. I assume that is unless the Dispensationalists prevail first and bring on the End Times.

Gregory Laxer's avatar

No question about the anti-Catholic bias seen in US history. In some respects, the KKK is a Protestant sect! Catholics are right there on their Hate List!! I understand that this is the real symbolism of the cross they like to burn, to shed the "light" of their version of Jesus upon a lucky world, and that the celebrants are to circle around the cross three times as part of the ritual. These most extreme idiots of the "Evangelical" crusade want to establish a regime that's mirror-image to Iran's here in the US, likely even MORE oppressive and anti-democratic than what the Iranian people have been subjected to since 1979. They are idiots, but they are deadly serious, well organized, well funded. :-(

TomR's avatar

And the organized part is a key element. They can deliver the voters to their chosen candidates.

Apache's avatar

Hello TomR.... "recall all the photos of Trump at his desk with the "Christian" pastors praying over him with pronouncements of his divine mission.".... DJT is a Human Anti-Christ, those pastors have lost all Integrity...

Alex's avatar

Trump seems bound and determined to offend as many people as possible. Except for the Christian (sic) Zionists of course. Although that could be coming.

Bill Astore's avatar

An equal opportunity offender!

Alex's avatar

More than equal. Everybody gets an extra dose.

Gregory Laxer's avatar

Bill, I totally agree (been saying it for years now myself) that--to phrase it slightly differently than you did--EVERY U.S. war (undeclared in every case) since the end of WW II has been a WAR OF CHOICE. Americans of course on the whole still believe it was "necessary" to try to halt "Communist expansion" in Korea and Viet Nam. This is the tragedy resulting from an ignorant, brainwashed population (readers of "Bracing Views" excepted, of course!). So now we see "terrorism" substituted for "Communism," but they're still selling the same old snake oil. I am not a lapsed or Catholic of any variety, but Leo has won my respect by taking on the Extremely Stable Genius currently wrecking our planet. I hadn't previously been able to view the entire insane image "TruthSocial" posted, so thanks for providing it. Those 4 bizarre figures at the very top--would those be the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse perhaps?? (Never mind they lack horses! But this image was certainly posted by a horse's ass!!) Trump keeps working tirelessly to bring on something like "The Apocalypse"!

Bill Astore's avatar

I don't want to think too hard about what those figures represent ...

Fireman1110's avatar

Nothings sacred when it comes to Trump his AI Jesus Picture-- they'd all run for the Corners like cock roaches when a bright light goes on, if somehow the real jesus ever returns in his celestial airplane, but bashing the "Boss" Bruce Springsteen I'll just say God may forgive him (if he exists), but I can never...! He's gone absolutely bananas, bonkers, bat guano, insane! He's absolutely Fucking Nuts!! I guess the Jesus Post is down now. Then his Delivery to the WH from Mickey D's., and the C-note Tip GMAFB lols Its like a real life episode of SNL.! EFFing"Dire Straits"! We are Winning, we won-- repeat it enough times and you'll believe it! lmao What a gutless wonder every day is stupider than the last. Respect to Leo to standing up to that clown of a snake- oil salesman.

Apache's avatar

Hello Fireman... "Respect to Leo to standing up to that clown of a snake- oil salesman."... Pope Leo will out-live DJT... The Catholic Church which has stood for Centuries, will Outlast Trumpism...

Gregory Laxer's avatar

The C-note tip, with recipient thanking the Big Man for eliminating taxes on tips, was so obviously a blatant PR stunt it ain't even funny!

RobinB's avatar

I've wondered how all these so-called Christians could insist that the Ten Commandments be in schools, courthouses, etc. but just ignore (especially now the First Commandment) in their minds or the actions of our country's government here and abroad.

Fireman1110's avatar

Oops I just dropped that piece of Slate that had that first one on it..! :/ :o)

RobinB's avatar
19hEdited

Ha!

Perhaps it fell on D.Trump's head and that's why he can't remember it.

(don't know about the rest of the "believers")

Fireman1110's avatar

As an X-womanizer, and quite likely more than that even if the past now that he's fast approaching Octogenarian status no doubt he's slowed down a bit, and he's thinking about his immortal soul maybe he'll get Religion before its too late for him. But.., I think where he's probably going I hope he's packing an Asbestos Suit!! Unfortunately for him there are no luggage racks on hearses...:/ :O) I don't think Leo, or the College of Cardinals will be staying up late doing any all Nite. Novenas for him either....

Fireman1110's avatar

Imagine you're defending this Horses Ass and the next thing you see is that Picture!! Lmfao-- not... :/ :o)

Alex's avatar

Jim Geraghty is National Review's senior neocon. For once, Bill, you two seem to be on the same page: https://www.nationalreview.com/the-morning-jolt/president-trumps-self-inflicted-divine-mess/

wilrodx's avatar
14hEdited

WHAT’S GOOD FOR THE GOOSE IS GOOD FOR THE GANDER

What would Americans think if Russia and China decided that America was a terrorist state with nuclear weapons that posed an existential threat?

Furthermore, Russia and China declared that the real government in America was overthrown 47 years ago by a radical religion and since then it has engaged in regime change activities and started numerous terrorist wars against neighboring countries in the Caribbean and elsewhere. Also it is currently randomly bombing and killing people in small boats in the area claiming they were drug traffickers without providing evidence or due process. Russia and China then proclaimed that if the US did not immediately turn over all its nuclear weapons and allow international inspections of all its nuclear facilities Russia and China would start bombing US cities with the intention of invading and killing all US political and religious leaders. All factories, universities, hospitals, homes, apartments, infrastructure are declared targets. Russia and China then announce that their combined naval strength of aircraft carriers, destroyers, submarines and support ships were heading to the Gulf of Mexico to attack US oil tankers and blockade gulf ports to prevent American and Mexican oil from leaving. Russia and China also declare that they must do this to rescue the American people from an illegal tyrannical government and want the rest of the world to join them in the fight. Rise up Americans and take back your country. Russia and China are doing this for you.

https://wilrodx108853.substack.com/p/whats-good-for-the-goose-is-good?publication_id=8245392&post_id=194256902&isFreemail=false&r=r6mi&triedRedirect=true

X K's avatar

“Of course, the moderator for ‘60 Minutes’ had to assert that Iran is the world’s chief exporter of terror, as if the United States, with all its murderous wars and extensive bombing and killing, doesn’t export terror. I guess the moderator wants to keep her job at CBS.”

Just to pick up on this one, of many, critical points. This is pure MICIMATT-SH-ese, instilled in and mouthed by a lazy, incurious, sycophantic, careerist – and dominant – form of journalism in this country. “A free and unfettered press is crucial for the health of our democracy” is both a truism and an irony given the example above, maybe particularly so in that CBS was once regarded as “The Tiffany Network” and the home of Edward R. Murrow. It’s fair to say that to the extent we do have a free, unfettered, and informative press, we have a healthy, functioning democracy. Take it from there where we stand.

Denise Donaldson's avatar

One small quibble: I don't think for a nanosecond that Rump produced that bizarre Jesus image. Betcha one of his many staffer minions did it.