So, here comes a somewhat ordinary political story – Obama has chosen very poorly by naming Cardinal James Dolan, the Archbishop of New York to give the closing prayer at the DNC Convention (and why the hell is there a prayer anyway!). The choice is not going down well in the LGBT community, a key Democratic constituency. Dolan is a heavyweight and plays a big role in the Catholic Church’s opposition to gay rights (otherwise a not-bad guy by all reports). So, all the ingredients for a good solid and typical political story.
But then there’s this:
Dolan . . . is also slated to give the closing prayer at this week’s Republican National Convention in Tampa.
Both conventions? Both?
Hey, let’s just invite him to join the Cabinet – whoever’s Cabinet it ends up being since he’s already seated at the table.
You can have wealth concentrated in the hands of a few, or democracy. But you cannot have both.
Whatever Works 
Oh for crying out loud.
LikeLike
Yup. Elvis help us Elyse.
LikeLike
Maybe one day we can fully separate politics from religion, that would be so nice.
LikeLike
Hi ‘Merica, still love that name! I think that separation thing gets harder every day.
LikeLike
It’s called ‘being realistic’ by all those involved — Demo, Rep, Cath… This election will be 100% about turnout — wring every vote possible out and alienate nobody.
LikeLike
I think you’re right Pat. Makes sense that way. Sure looks like the Catholic vote is mighty, doesn’t it!
LikeLike
is there a problem with a short prayer? I don’t see anything about the two hour Muslim shindig.
LikeLike
I don’t like prayers at secular public events – and what’s that got to do with a ‘Muslim shindig’ Steve?
LikeLike
Who said this is a “secular public event”? It’s their convention, I guess they can have what they want. But like I said if there’s prayer being held why is it that liberals only mention “Christian” or Catholic prayers but never Islamic?
The Muslims are offering an opening prayer service for the Democraps Convention.
LikeLike
Well, the RNC has Sikhs, rabbis, Mormons, Catholics – all addressing convention. They probably have skipped Muslims since the base thinks all Muslims are out to get us.
And Steve, when the event is largely paid for by the taxpayer ($50 million to each party and host city for their conventions), it is a secular public event.
And yes, liberals focus on Christian intrustion into ‘the State” – because Republlicans and the right keep insisting this is a ‘Christian Nation’. I haven’t heard them say it’s a “Jewish Nataion” or a “Mormon Nation” or a “Hindu Nation.” Have you? If I’ve missed it, I’d object just as strenuously.
LikeLike
First, you haven’t been paying attention to Islamic intentions …
Be not deceived, the Republicans haven’t skipped the Muslims.
But it’s like your friend patsouthward suggested … a vote is a vote.
LikeLike
Obama has called the Republicans bluff
(they “claimed” that the Democratic Convention was holding a two hour Muslim service while at the same time excluding the good ole Cardinal) -AND- he added an opposing Catholic voice at the Democratic Convention from Sister Simone Campbell.
As for the Cardinal: I’d like to humbly remind the good Cardinal Dolan,
as he parades and preens under the spotlights of the political conventions:
there is room for only ONE real super-star in your religion.
The guy who started it.
So as the Cardinal addresses and blesses the Republicans and their billionaire buddies,
and as he smiles upon those who would destroy Social Security & voucher Medicare to death,
and as the he joins with those who readily admit they “don’t care about the very poor”……
it would be good, it would be very good …for the dear Cardinal
to remember -and to take to heart- the words of his boss,
who once said “Whatsoever you do for the least of these – you do for me”.
Unless perhaps, …just perhaps,
the Cardinal is working for someone else these days?
As our Founding Fathers so wisely realized:
Politics, secular power, and Religion do not mix.
They bring out the worst in each other.
And ultimately…..they would destroy each other, and us.
LikeLike
This charmer didn’t pay victims of sexual abuse by his priests, he PAID OFF THE PRIESTS to disappear. What’s Latin for “scumbag?”
Wikipedia:
In June 2012 it was revealed that Dolan “authorized payments of as much as $20,000 to sexually abusive priests as an incentive for them to agree to dismissal from the priesthood when he was the archbishop of Milwaukee” and that ” a document unearthed during bankruptcy proceedings for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee and made public by victims advocates reveals that the archdiocese did make such payments to multiple accused priests to encourage them to seek dismissal, thereby allowing the church to remove them from the payroll”.[15]
LikeLike
The worst of it Shep, is that Dolan is considered to be one of the ‘better’ bishops when it came to the scandal. He paid off the priests to leave and said the Church had a committment to make lifelong provision for them – which clearly meant those priests had more moral standing than the victims? Lovely.
LikeLike
To the nay-sayers, the tired cynics and the holier-then-thou purists among us:
Go ahead – vote for the Republicans, and then you’ll REALLY have something to complain about!
THANK GOD that Obama called the bluff of the Republicans (The Party of Wealth) who had “claimed” that the Democratic Convention was scheduling a two hour Muslim service (!) while deliberately
( and no-doubt demonically) excluding the good ole Cardinal. In addition, Obama balanced Dolan with an opposing Catholic voice from Sister Simone Campbell at the Convention. Good move.
Let’s face it: Cardinal Dolan is a Prince of the Church who wants to be King-maker.
But I’d like to humbly remind the good Cardinal, as he parades under the spotlights
of the political conventions: that there is room for only ONE real super-star in his religion.
The one who started it!
For as the Cardinal addresses and blesses the Republicans and their billionaire buddies,
as he smiles upon those who would destroy Social Security & voucher Medicare to death,
and as he struts on the stage with those who readily admit they “don’t care about the very poor”
……it would be good for the dear Cardinal to remember -and take to heart-
the words of his boss, who once said “Whatsoever you do for the least of these – you do for me”.
Unless perhaps, …just perhaps, the Cardinal is working for someone else these days?
Just asking.
Our Founding Fathers wisely realized that politics, secular power, and religion do not mix.
That they bring out the worst in each other, ….that ultimately they would destroy each other, and us.
A pastor…..should stick to his pulpit, not political conventions. Period.
But perhaps he’s (shudder) running for Pope?
LikeLike
Well welcome Stan. How right you are, but of course ‘speaking truth to power’ and reminding those who have much .. . ahhh, we know it won’t happen.
LikeLike
Like Medieval church politics.. And in the words of Machiavelli; a Prince should NOT be religious – but absolutely give the impression he is. Governing at consent from above.
LikeLike
Reagan. Clinton. Obama. All knelt/kneel in public, but I never sensed a real religious bone in their bodies. Especially Reagan.
LikeLike
Obama knows that no LGBT person in his/her right mind would vote GOP so he is shoring ;things up with “the others”. I think he is smart to do so but not so smart in choosing Dolan. Like you, I think prayer has not place there but then, that’s just me. I guess other find some sense of hope in prayer.
LikeLike
Ed, see mac’s comment above – Machiavelli hit it on the head.
LikeLike
Good day! I know this is kind
of off topic but I was wondering which blog platform are you using for this
website? I’m getting fed up of WordPress because I’ve had
problems with hackers and I’m looking at options for another platform. I
would be awesome if you could point me in the direction of a good
platform.
LikeLike