This is to all the conservative bloggers who made ridiculous statements about Mike Huckabee being a "big government Republican" because he defended Michelle Obama's anti-obesity efforts--GROW UP! ! ! !
Being reflexively anti-Obama doesn't make you conservative.
Being reflexively pro-Palin doesn't make you conservative.
Being a thoughtless drone makes you identical to the people who make the liberal side so boring, monotonous, and ridiculous.
And who is better than Huckabee?
The undependable Palin (sometimes pro-life, sometimes not)?
The even worse Mitt Romney (pro life before pro choice before pro life)?
Monday, January 03, 2011
Saturday, December 11, 2010
The Fifth Column: The AP Is Bewitched
The Fifth Column: The AP Is Bewitched
Leave it to historians to call sacraments "magic". I find many things academic historians teach to be intrinsically anti-Catholic. When Estase was an undergraduate, he used the book Charles II: The Last Rally by Hilaire Belloc to prepare for a debate on the Restoration. My professor, Caroline Hibbard told my not to consult Belloc, sniffing that he was "a victorian." Hibbard found fault with much of what I argued, despite the fact that it was entirely consistent with what Eamon Duffy argued a few years later in The Stripping of the Altars, and with documents in the collection The Stuart Constitution. Anti-Catholic historians? Next you'll tell me journalists like Obama.
Leave it to historians to call sacraments "magic". I find many things academic historians teach to be intrinsically anti-Catholic. When Estase was an undergraduate, he used the book Charles II: The Last Rally by Hilaire Belloc to prepare for a debate on the Restoration. My professor, Caroline Hibbard told my not to consult Belloc, sniffing that he was "a victorian." Hibbard found fault with much of what I argued, despite the fact that it was entirely consistent with what Eamon Duffy argued a few years later in The Stripping of the Altars, and with documents in the collection The Stuart Constitution. Anti-Catholic historians? Next you'll tell me journalists like Obama.
Obama's Catholic-Bashing Speechwriter
Obama speechwriter Jon Lovett spoke to a crowd recently, joking that the TSA groping was designed to give defrocked Catholic priests a job opportunity. Well, which is it? Either the TSA searches are a proper law enforcement move, or they are akin to sexual abuse. And why is the same regime that continually tells us that Muslims cannot be offended so quick to make a defamatory joke about Catholic priests?
Wednesday, December 01, 2010
Once Upon a Time in the West - Exposing the Twenty-First-Century Communist Conspiracy
Once Upon a Time in the West - Exposing the Twenty-First-Century Communist Conspiracy
Golitsyn has a point-- if the Cold War is over, why would the Russians be making nice with Cuba and Nicaragua? If communism really were dead and buried, why would relations with Cuba matter?
Golitsyn has a point-- if the Cold War is over, why would the Russians be making nice with Cuba and Nicaragua? If communism really were dead and buried, why would relations with Cuba matter?
Monday, November 29, 2010
Thomas and TEA
Is Catholicism incompatible with the TEA party ethic? Many prominant churchmen and the usual CST drones say no. Frederick Copleston's A History of Philosophy,Volume Two says of Aquinas,
"If this principle, that the part is ordered to the whole, which represents St.Thomas's Aristotelianism, were pressed, it would seem that he subordinates the individual to the State to a remarkable degree; but St. Thomas also insists that he who seeks the common good of the multitude seeks his own good as well, since one's own good cannot be attained unless the common good is attained, though it is true that in the corpus of the article in question he remarks that right reason judges that the common good is better than the good of the individual. But the principle should not be overemphasized, since St. Thomas was a Christian theologian as well as an admirer of Aristotle, and he was well aware, as we have already seen, that man's final end is outside the sphere of the State: man is not simply a member of the State, indeed the most important thing about him is his supernatural vocation. There can, then, be no question of 'totalitarianism' in St. Thomas, though it is obvious that his Aristotelianism would make it imposssible for him to accept such a theory of the State as that of Herbert Spencer: the State has a positive function and a moral function. The human being is a person, with a value of his own; he is not simply an 'individual'."
The first remark I would make is that Aristotelianism cuts both ways. Maybe Aristotle wasn't Ayn Rand or Herbert Spencer, but he was certainly no collectivist either. Read the Politics, and you will see somebody who thought that spending money on others was praiseworthy, but always saw private giving as a sign of moral worth, and certainly never would have endorsed a monolithic government of spoils and largesse.
The second remark I would make is that St. Thomas also would never have approved of tolerance for Protestant sects, much less the easy access to pornography that distinguishes modern America. In other words, Thomas's dream of a government that helps us to Heaven is rather inconsistent with the American system. If government is supposed to get us to heaven, how do public schools and housing projects do that, other than by seperating our bodies from our souls?
"If this principle, that the part is ordered to the whole, which represents St.Thomas's Aristotelianism, were pressed, it would seem that he subordinates the individual to the State to a remarkable degree; but St. Thomas also insists that he who seeks the common good of the multitude seeks his own good as well, since one's own good cannot be attained unless the common good is attained, though it is true that in the corpus of the article in question he remarks that right reason judges that the common good is better than the good of the individual. But the principle should not be overemphasized, since St. Thomas was a Christian theologian as well as an admirer of Aristotle, and he was well aware, as we have already seen, that man's final end is outside the sphere of the State: man is not simply a member of the State, indeed the most important thing about him is his supernatural vocation. There can, then, be no question of 'totalitarianism' in St. Thomas, though it is obvious that his Aristotelianism would make it imposssible for him to accept such a theory of the State as that of Herbert Spencer: the State has a positive function and a moral function. The human being is a person, with a value of his own; he is not simply an 'individual'."
The first remark I would make is that Aristotelianism cuts both ways. Maybe Aristotle wasn't Ayn Rand or Herbert Spencer, but he was certainly no collectivist either. Read the Politics, and you will see somebody who thought that spending money on others was praiseworthy, but always saw private giving as a sign of moral worth, and certainly never would have endorsed a monolithic government of spoils and largesse.
The second remark I would make is that St. Thomas also would never have approved of tolerance for Protestant sects, much less the easy access to pornography that distinguishes modern America. In other words, Thomas's dream of a government that helps us to Heaven is rather inconsistent with the American system. If government is supposed to get us to heaven, how do public schools and housing projects do that, other than by seperating our bodies from our souls?
The Fifth Column: Moral Pygmies
The Fifth Column: Moral Pygmies
Kellmeyer is right, once again. Contraception is always morally wrong because God is always the author of life, not us. The church is pandering to modern notions about sex only being procreative when man wishes for it to be procreative. It is crazy to expect Catholics to regard contraception as intrinsically immoral so long as professional theologians keep inventing exceptions to the immorality. It is the logic of the secular world that says that, well, you can commit sins, but prudence dictates that you make it safe for yourself to commit such sins. Isn't that the same logic as "safe, legal, and rare" abortion? If anything is safe to do, it isn't likely to be rare. What the Pope might have said is this: "Using condoms to prevent AIDS may be a good idea, but it is still a sin for the same reason that wearing a mask during the commission of a robbery doesn't change the nature of a robbery. And while wearing a mask isn't in itself immoral, contraception in and of itself is immoral."
Kellmeyer is right, once again. Contraception is always morally wrong because God is always the author of life, not us. The church is pandering to modern notions about sex only being procreative when man wishes for it to be procreative. It is crazy to expect Catholics to regard contraception as intrinsically immoral so long as professional theologians keep inventing exceptions to the immorality. It is the logic of the secular world that says that, well, you can commit sins, but prudence dictates that you make it safe for yourself to commit such sins. Isn't that the same logic as "safe, legal, and rare" abortion? If anything is safe to do, it isn't likely to be rare. What the Pope might have said is this: "Using condoms to prevent AIDS may be a good idea, but it is still a sin for the same reason that wearing a mask during the commission of a robbery doesn't change the nature of a robbery. And while wearing a mask isn't in itself immoral, contraception in and of itself is immoral."
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
From Sinai's Height, Part Two
Catholic Nurse Catherine Cenzon De Carlo, whose horrendous account of being forced by her employer Mount Sinai Hospital to perform an abortion appeared in Q.E.D.'s sister blog Aristotelian Moments last December, had her lawsuit against her employer thrown out by a judge. Apparently, the judge thinks that, although any other form of emotional trauma can make one extremely wealthy, being forced to commit murder by your employer against your will is something your employer bears no liability for. Maybe DeCarlo should have just taken the wrong acne medication--that is far more serious than being forced to betray your faith.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
The Limits of "Fiscal Conservatism"
There is quite a debate going on in conservative circles right now over whether or not pro-lifers should stuff their principles right now. The argument is that economic issues are more important. Social issues are "divisive." We need a "big tent." Where was all this talk about a big tent during the years when economic conservatives got free trade, and pro-lifers got nothing? Where was the big tent when Bush cut taxes, and succeeded in doing nothing outside of appointing two pro-life supreme court justices? I really love it when we social conservatives are fine when it comes to unseating Bela Pelosi, but now that we won, we get to sit back and let the Ayn Rand club rule the roost. Really? Don't think so.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Monday, October 18, 2010
Representative Driehaus Contra Free Speech
Ohio Representative Steve Driehaus wants to jail Mrs. Dannenfelser, head of the Susan B. Anthony Fund, for stating that ObamaCare includes abortion.
The Fifth Column: Tom Lehrer's TOB
The Fifth Column: Tom Lehrer's TOB
Excellent article about "Theology of the Bawdy."
Excellent article about "Theology of the Bawdy."
Caroline Glick :: Latma brings you...Pallywood!
Caroline Glick :: Latma brings you...Pallywood!
I really think Drek O'Hara represents the anti-semetic tone of many Irish people.
I really think Drek O'Hara represents the anti-semetic tone of many Irish people.
What is This?
www.islamoncapitalhill.com
This site describes an Islamic prayer meeting in Washington. The President announced that he would not attend the National Prayer Breakfast this year, also stating that America is not a Christian nation. Allegedly, the event involving Islam is supported by the White House. Estase does not know if this is true.
This site describes an Islamic prayer meeting in Washington. The President announced that he would not attend the National Prayer Breakfast this year, also stating that America is not a Christian nation. Allegedly, the event involving Islam is supported by the White House. Estase does not know if this is true.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Why Are People Scared?
The President claims that the Democrats are behind because people are scared, ignoring totally his role in scaring them with:
*a one trillion dollar stimulus
*a byzantine health care bill
*an aimless war in Afghanistan
*no remedy for the imbalance in Social Security payments versus revenue.
In addition, we have Obama ally Representative Phil Hare calling the debt a myth!
Why wouldn't people be scared?
*a one trillion dollar stimulus
*a byzantine health care bill
*an aimless war in Afghanistan
*no remedy for the imbalance in Social Security payments versus revenue.
In addition, we have Obama ally Representative Phil Hare calling the debt a myth!
Why wouldn't people be scared?
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Why the Double Standard?
For several weeks, liberal talking heads have told us how backward the minister in Florida was for proposing to burn a Koran on September 11th. Oh how illiberal, hateful, un-American! This would never do!
Last week it came to light that the State of Colorado paid for an exhibition full of anti-Catholic propaganda, including a depiction of the Savior performing a sex act. Did the same people who told us we had to embrace Islam (a faith that sees no obligation to return the favor) have any objection to insulting Catholicism? No. Why is that?
Last week it came to light that the State of Colorado paid for an exhibition full of anti-Catholic propaganda, including a depiction of the Savior performing a sex act. Did the same people who told us we had to embrace Islam (a faith that sees no obligation to return the favor) have any objection to insulting Catholicism? No. Why is that?
Wednesday, October 06, 2010
Earth to Phil Hare, Come In Phil Hare
Phil Hare is now claiming that the United States isn't in debt, and can spend at will.
Total liabilities of the U.S. Government are 53 TRILLION!
Much of this is owed to COMMUNIST CHINA!
I cannot believe this clown is my congressman.
Total liabilities of the U.S. Government are 53 TRILLION!
Much of this is owed to COMMUNIST CHINA!
I cannot believe this clown is my congressman.
Dropping the Ball
Dropping the ball in religion--
Catholic liberals who get freaked out by making scriptural references in Mass prayers that no one questioned before 1962.
Dropping the ball in politics--
Illinois Republicans who made a lying pro-abort their Senate candidate.
Good job on both!
Catholic liberals who get freaked out by making scriptural references in Mass prayers that no one questioned before 1962.
Dropping the ball in politics--
Illinois Republicans who made a lying pro-abort their Senate candidate.
Good job on both!
Sunday, October 03, 2010
Crass Money Grubbers? Or Sincere Voices?
Dawn Eden, who bravely questions the pseudo-Catholic ramblings of Christopher West, has found herself accused of being a crass money-grubber by Dr. Janet Smith.
Coincidentally, Riehl World View is now accusing Glenn Beck of the same thing, comparing Mr. Beck to a feminine televangelist. Touche!
Remember reader, no one has any legitimate opinions about anything. It is all just a ploy to make money.
Unless you are Christopher West or Dan Riehl.
Such can be described either as cynicism or as psychological projection of one's own faults onto others.
Coincidentally, Riehl World View is now accusing Glenn Beck of the same thing, comparing Mr. Beck to a feminine televangelist. Touche!
Remember reader, no one has any legitimate opinions about anything. It is all just a ploy to make money.
Unless you are Christopher West or Dan Riehl.
Such can be described either as cynicism or as psychological projection of one's own faults onto others.
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