Name:	lucky67 -	Reply
Subject:	Pope
Date:	9/18/2015 5:39:07 PM

You have to wonder if John Boehner knew what he was getting into.

Boehner, the Republican House Speaker, is a lifelong Catholic who says he’s been trying for 20 years to get a pope to address Congress. He finally succeeded. On Sept. 24, Francis will be the first pontiff ever to speak before a joint session of Congress. He’ll speak in English rather than his native Spanish. And he’ll most likely say a lot of things objectionable to the Republicans who hold majorities in both branches of Congress, and to many champions of American-style capitalism.

Francis has decried western policies that have generated “a “new idolatry of money,” as he wrote in a lengthy papal “exhortation” in 2013. “The earnings of a minority are growing exponentially,” he wrote, producing “a new tyranny.” He also attacked “trickle-down theories” such as cutting taxes on the wealthy to stimulate growth, which many business leaders support. Such tax-cut plans are also favored by Jeb Bush, Donald Trump and other Republican presidential candidates.

Meanwhile, if you do a web search for “Pope Francis socialist,” you’ll find lots of nervous chatter about the pontiff endorsing a “noxious ideology” and fomenting “a revolt that will overthrow American capitalism.” Even the usually understated Economist magazine called the pope an “ultra-radical” who seems to be a devotee of Vladimir Lenin. If Francis were a U.S. presidential candidate, he’d be to the left of Bernie Sanders.

Name:	architect -	Reply
Subject:	Pope
Date:	9/19/2015 10:01:58 AM

You may not know it BA, but please be aware that you will lose much more than you will gain by bashing Pope Francis.

Name:	waterph -	Reply
Subject:	Pope
Date:	9/19/2015 10:25:47 AM

Who suggested this "Guest List" to the President for a visit by the Pope. The President would never invite a former SS Concentration Camp Guard to a visit by the Israeli PM. Or, KKK's David Duke to a Dinner honoring the retiring President of the NAACP. Totally Ridiculous.

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	Pope
Date:	9/19/2015 11:04:06 AM

I agree, Architect.  Let's lay off the Pope.  He's a religious leader, not a politician. 

Name:	lucky67 -	Reply
Subject:	Pope
Date:	9/19/2015 11:54:41 AM

Architect: not everything is a conspiracy; if you couldn't tell, I copied & pasted this, [for informational purposes],  from your favorite news outlet CNN--I would never disrespect the Pope & I resent the implication

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	Pope
Date:	9/19/2015 12:06:56 PM

Where is your attribution to CNN if you lifted it from that source?   And what about discretion?

Name:	MrHodja -	Reply
Subject:	Pope
Date:	9/19/2015 1:53:14 PM

Disagree.  He is interjecting himself into social and political issues.  If he does so he opens himself to criticism.

Name:	architect -	Reply
Subject:	Pope
Date:	9/19/2015 2:16:02 PM (updated 9/19/2015 2:22:08 PM)

GOOD GRIEF...there has never been a more paranoid bunch than most of this forum (as demonstrated by the ongoing silly flagging of posts)!!! I did not "disrespect" anybody, nor accuse anybody of "disrespecting" the Pope, nor say that I did or did not think this Pope has ventured beyond his charge.   I DID SAY an individual will lose rather than gain by speaking against this Pope because the vast majority of the people of this nation, Catholic and otherwise, think VERY VERY highly of current Bishop of Rome...he is a rock star!!

Name:	MartiniMan -	Reply
Subject:	Don't fret about the criticism
Date:	9/20/2015 7:22:51 AM

I am a life long orthodox Catholic and in my view when any Pope steps into the arena of politics, science or economics they become fair game.  I am quite sure that those that like his message on economics would not like his message on say the sanctity of marriage between one man and one woman or abortion or contraception or the primacy of the papacy, etc.

One only has to look at Pope Francis' background to understand that he is going to be inclined toward big government socialism. That is his frame of reference. Combine that with being a Jesuit and you know all you need to know. When I will grow worried is if he tries to alter some fundamental tenet of the faith and moral teachings of the Catholic Church. Then I will worry about his sanity.  But he can say what he wants on these other issues and I and other Catholics are free to dissent.  

So if he wanders into these areas I and others are free to critique him, including you.  I can assure you these faux defenders of the Pope would not be so quick to jump to his defense on issues that they may disagree with him about. 

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	Don't fret about the criticism
Date:	9/20/2015 11:59:48 AM

I am also a Catholic and I find attacks on the Pope inappropriate.  While you are entitled to your opinion, I find your giving "permission" for others to be offensive, a bit presumptuous.  Just because it doesn't bother you doesn't make it right.  I think a number of others on here would be very offended if I, as a Catholic, started criticizing the Southern Baptist Convention for their views. 

Name:	architect -	Reply
Subject:	Don't fret about the criticism
Date:	9/20/2015 2:18:30 PM (updated 9/20/2015 2:24:05 PM)

I basically agree Hound, but would restate it in a way I suspect you might endorse.  It is fine and appropriate for you me or anybody else to be critical of the views of any religious movement or institution such as the Southern Baptist Convention or Roman Catholic Church, and I certainly do my share, but it is not appropriate to condemn any member of such a group for holding those views.  It may be legitimate to ask them as to why they so believe and even ask them to reconsider, that is evangelism after all, but we need to draw the line at black balling any individual because of their deeply held religious beliefs.  Now, political beliefs is another matter entirely.

Name:	Shortbus -	Reply
Subject:	Of course there is a pope conspiracy......
Date:	9/20/2015 2:33:15 PM

Google littlehorn.

Name:	MartiniMan -	Reply
Subject:	Pot, meet kettle
Date:	9/21/2015 8:20:51 AM

Well I think its pretty presumptuous of you to take on the role as arbiter of who is fair game for criticism.  In my view when any religious leader, entertainer, sports figure, etc. decides to step out and use their celebrity to opine on matters of politics, economics or science they are fair game.  To maintain they are immune from criticism because they are a religious leader like Pope Francis is way more presumptuous than my belief that when they stray from their area of expertise, especially when they are demonstrably wrong, that they are open to a response.  

Pope Francis is wrong on economics and wrong on climate change.  I say bring on the response.  He's a big boy and can take it.  Telling people they can't is evidence that his views are not defensible so you have to try to quiet the critics.  Pretty weak.