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The Right Prescription
Catholic Institutions Revolt En Masse Against HHS Mandate
Forty-three Catholic organizations launch coordinated legal challenge to contraception mandate.
If the President and his apparatchiks at HHS thought the outrage voiced by various cardinals, bishops, and countless lay Catholics over the anti-conscience mandate was mere bluster, they got a wake-up call yesterday. On Monday, 43 high-profile Catholic organizations, including the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C. and the University of Notre Dame, filed suit against the Obama administration. In an open letter, the Archbishop of Washington summed up the collective position of the plaintiffs by explaining that the mandate “fundamentally redefines the nation’s long-standing definition of religious ministry… HHS’s conception of what constitutes the practice of religion is so narrow that even Mother Teresa would not have qualified.”
Of more immediate concern than Mother Teresa’s status, of course, is that of hundreds of Catholic health care organizations, schools, and charities. The anti-conscience mandate is a brazen attack on the autonomy of these institutions, and President Obama’s belated accommodation is nothing more than camouflage for that assault. It requires them, as Cardinal Wuerl correctly puts it, “to provide their employees with coverage for abortion-inducing drugs, contraceptives, and sterilization, even if doing so violates their religious beliefs.” Thus, the Consortium of Catholic Academies, Archbishop Carroll High School, and the Catholic University of America are co-plaintiffs with the Archdiocese of Washington in the federal lawsuit filed yesterday.
Collectively, Catholic organizations provide services to more Americans than any other entity except the federal government itself. Its 600 health care institutions, for example, provide care to one in six patients treated in the United States every year. Catholic schools provide education to millions of elementary and secondary school children, while more than a million students attend the nation’s 200 Catholic colleges and universities. And it is this very ubiquity that is the real target of the anti-conscience mandate. The “fundamental transformation” Obama and his accomplices wish to inflict upon America can’t be managed while large, autonomous institutions like the Catholic Church and its charitable organizations remain in place.
But the leaders of this particular institution are not inclined to surrender their mission or their dignity as easily as have others, like the Fourth Estate and secular academia. As Cardinal Timothy Dolan wrote shortly after the anti-conscience mandate was announced by HHS, “We have made it clear in no uncertain terms to the government that we are not at peace with its invasive attempt to curtail the religious freedom we cherish as Catholics and Americans. We did not ask for this fight, but we will not run from it.” And Cardinal Dolan is a man of his word. Cardinal Dolan’s New York Archdiocese and the Catholic Health Care System were among the 43 plaintiffs who filed lawsuits yesterday against the federal government.
The Obama administration and its many allies in the “news” media will, of course, claim that these lawsuits are without merit, just as they did with the Obamacare challenges that are about to be decided by the Supreme Court. They will characterize them as an attempt by a group of reactionary religious zealots to restrict the “reproductive rights” of women. This is Orwellian nonsense. It is, in fact, the Obama administration that seeks to deny millions of Americans freedom of conscience. As Cardinal Wuerl put it yesterday, “The lawsuit in no way challenges either women’s established legal right to obtain and use contraception or the right of employers to provide coverage for it if they so choose.… This lawsuit is about religious freedom.”
Indeed it is. As a new website launched yesterday by the Archdiocese of Washington phrases it, “This lawsuit is about an unprecedented attack by the federal government on one of America’s most cherished freedoms: the freedom to practice one’s religion without government interference.” And the Obama administration has obviously launched this assault on religious liberty in an effort to propitiate the feminist left, whose support it apparently deems more valuable than that of millions of Catholics and countless other people of faith. This is a bad call. It may garner Obama a few extra votes from naïve college kids, but the American electorate is among the most religious on the planet. The HHS mandate will lose in court and it may cause Obama to lose at the ballot box.
About the Author
David Catron is a health care revenue cycle expert who has spent more than twenty years working for and consulting with hospitals and medical practices. He has an MBA from the University of Georgia and blogs at Health Care BS.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (199) | Leave a comment
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Booger| 5.22.12 @ 12:49AM
From the desk of President for Life B. Hussein Obama:
Dear Comrades and Assorted Subjects,
It has recently come to my attention that there are still a few pockets of resistance to Our Great Leap Forward which will take place upon My Ascension (currently tentatively scheduled for 12/21/2012, get your tickets while they last). These pathetic rebels still insist upon stubbornly clinging to their guns and Bibles, failing to realize that the time for the worship of their so-called savior has long since come and gone (I have it on good authority that the last christian died on the cross, whatever that means). No, these rubes continue to defy My Supreme Will.
In order to quash this rebellious rabble I have instructed my most faithful acolyte, HHS Supreme Potentate and Dominatrix of Doctors Sebelius to institute a plan to sort the wheat from the chaff, as it were. We will begin to issue a set of edicts that will require the peoples of the united states of amerikkka to engage in actions that will both repudiate the false religion of their so-called messiah (some pathetic jewish guy) and instead recognize Me as the Great Messiah and Deliverer of the World. As has been the past with some of my more colorful ancestors and forbears (think Molech), child sacrifice is just the thing. Thus, I will require that all people's of this benighted populace not only allow child sacrifice, but actively contribute to it through their health insurance plans. Thus they may show their allegiance to me while repudiating the so-called "savior" they so stupidly worship now. Any who refuse to do so will be dealt with appropriately. I understand the TSA is already being properly trained to conduct random stop and searches outside of the churches of these heretics (for the public safety, of course). I'm sure a few "minimally invasive" ;) pat-downs of their children will convince this superstitious rabble to toe the line. If not, other measures will soon be in place.
Your Supreme Messiah and Leader in The Struggle,
President for Life B. Hussein Obama
P.S. Don't forget to order a copy of my new recipe book: Hot Dogs, Indonesian Style. Remember, it's for The Cause, so all purchases are tax-deductible.
Jack in Wi.| 5.22.12 @ 6:39AM
Obama is getting people mad. First it was the prolife people, then Catholics, then it was the people who think marriage belongs between a man and a women, He has always hated evangelicals. He is trying to get the country divided to see if his people will be the majority or not. If the Republicnas were pricipled and had an articulate candidate we would have a great chance to really do some good. We don't have a principled, articulate, candidate. We have a bankster, chickenhawk, lukewarm on gay marriage guy, who just held a big fundraiser with the guy who manufactures the Morning After pill. So much for Romney's conversion on abortion.
The public by huge majorities wants out of these wars. Obama is a big warmonger, but nothing compared to Romney and his idiotic Neocon advisors. Obama will again be able to run as the peace candidate. The economy stinks and Obama should be held responsible. How do you hold him responsible when you run a bankster like Romney as your candidate. I sure hope we Catholics prevail in the courts, because if Romney wins I expect little to change on healthcare.
James Van Dorn| 5.22.12 @ 9:30AM
Booger...where have you been? We missed the laughs!
Curtis Rasmussen| 5.22.12 @ 1:07PM
Go sit in your cave and let the election cycle without you. Your guy Ron Paul is out and he isn't coming back.
Or perhaps you can write Ron in. The same as doing nothing, troll.
Teaghan| 5.22.12 @ 7:38AM
Good to see you again Booger. Your post frightens me.
W| 5.22.12 @ 8:01AM
Welcome back, Booger.
Mimi| 5.22.12 @ 9:30AM
BOOGER is that YOU ? Where have you been? Welcome back we sure need you!!
Dixie Pixie| 5.22.12 @ 10:31AM
It is wonderful to read your posts again Booger.
You were sorely missed during the Primary season.
Peppermint Tea| 5.22.12 @ 1:46PM
Booger, welcome back!
Bob S| 5.22.12 @ 1:33AM
Why didn't Georgetown get the memo?
TLP| 5.22.12 @ 8:00AM
Why aren't the Priests electioneering from the Pulpit, like the Black Pastors all do? Why don't they use THEIR Bully Pulpit, for a Call to Arms of the Faithful? This THING must be stopped. This "False Christian" raised in the MUSLIM Schools and Mosques of Indonesia, BORN to a Muslim Father, and Hailed as a SAVIOR, by the Muslim Terrorist Group - HAMAS.
This Creature's coming has been foretold of, for Thousands of Years. The FALSE PROPHET, the GREAT DECIEVER. He, truly is, "The One We've Been Waiting For". The actions we take, now, must not be half hearted.
Let him Threaten. Let him make his Grand Pronouncements. We must not take one step Backwards. Priests and Nuns, and Parishoners must Stand Firm, and Declare that "We will not obey an UNJUST LAW". Jews, and Protestants must lock arms with our Catholic Brothers and Sisters.
The Boy who would be Messiah, stands in the picture, next to a Creature who cried tears of sadness, after the Execution of a One Man Infanticide. The Mass Killer of Thousands of Unborn Babies was, himself, put down, and Kathleen Sebelius cried like a Baby.
She stands next to a CREATURE, who voted 3 times, to Deny Medical Attention to BABIES, Born Alive, after their Abortionist Butcher, failed in his attempt to Murder an Innocent child. He would prefer that they lie in a pile of soiled rags, on the dirty floor of their Murderer's Lair, and Die, ALONE, and in the Dark.
Nathan Hale gave his life for this Country, that it might be Free. John Brown gave his life, that the Abomination of Slavery, would be No More, in this Land. Millions of Men, Women, and Children have lost their lives in the Quest of a Better Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness, here, and all over the world.
We have a DUTY to Honour their Sacrafices, and those of the Saints, and the Martyrs.
This CREATURE, and his Handmaidens, must be pushed back in to the PIT, from whence they came.
It's NOW, or it's NEVER.
Period.
Joellen| 5.22.12 @ 9:38AM
Tim, no such thing as a coincidence. This past Sunday I spoke to the Pastor at the church in my neighborhood, asking him when he was going to get on the Altar and speak the truth of what is going on (i.e., abortion, contraception, changing the defination of marraige). He actually tried to admonish me because he stated the Bishops were doing it. I disagreed. Then he told me the people get it on the website - I again disagreed and stated it is his duty to speak out against the moral relativity that is taken place. He wagged his finger at me (ala Clinton) and said "I dont want to argue with you". Then he pretended I wasnt there. I stood my ground and said "at some point you will have to address these issues" and then walked away. Fact is I AM NOT DONE. I will be a gentle reminder to him that it is his moral duty as an Apostle of GOD to speak truth and be unafraid of the consquences. The Priest here on the east coast need some prayers!
TLP| 5.22.12 @ 10:46AM
You need to find another Church.
Trust me.
It took me YEARS to find a Church that wasn't a Leftist Hole.
Your Pastor is the quintessential WOLF, in Sheep's Clothing.
Of course, the decision is yours. I'm just saying: If it were Me?
I'd be looking elsewhere.
SUBVET| 5.22.12 @ 11:24AM
The priest's need more than prayers....isn't it funny now that $$$ is in the picture we go back to our FAITH.
The church needs to get their own house in order. What is going to happen to the leadership at the church when they stand infront of GOD. Where was the outcry when father "I like little boys" was moved from church to church to hide this SIN.
This is why I quit as an alter boy can you say "hypocrite". Now when it suites the church it's a "come to Jesus" moment.
For all of you democrate catholics that attend once a week........when was the last time you followed IN YOUR BIBLE as the priest was teaching from it. You can't live by God's Word without learing and being taught.
The last time I was at a chatolic service the Mass was still in latin......the preist was loaded by the third service. I know this because I always got the 11 am service.
I don't want anyone here to think I am trying to be disrespectfull of the church, but as I said before the church needs to get it's house in order.
Oh........ before I get the hate mail, yes I was brought up a catholic and found that living my life as a christian was more important.
Jobe| 5.22.12 @ 11:51AM
Subvet: And when you abandoned Catholicism, you became entitled to judge others, right? That must have been some conversion. You weren't on the road to Damascus by any chance, were you?
SUBVET| 5.22.12 @ 11:59AM
My real name is PAUL.........
SUBVET| 5.22.12 @ 12:02PM
JOBE........no one is judging just speaking the truth.
and what did I post that wasen't the truth........?
One Mediator, Jesus| 5.23.12 @ 10:10AM
The truth doesn't matter to him. It interferes with his false Religion.
darcy| 5.22.12 @ 1:31PM
SUBVET:
You wrote, "You can't live by God's Word without lear[n]ing and being taught." The importance of reading the Bible on one's own cannot be over estimated; it is food for our faith just as much as meat and potatoes are food for our bodies. Some churches don't seem to emphasize this as they should. Happily, however, many Christians do understand that the Bible is like manna from heaven and take care not to despise God's Word by ignoring it.
KyMouse| 5.22.12 @ 3:35PM
I gladly join my Catholic friends in causes such as defending the most vulnerable members of our society, including unborn babies, the elderly, and people with disabilities. Religious liberty, too.
The insurmountable difference between Roman Catholics and Bible-based Christians is the question of authority. I'm among those who reject the RC claim of authority to dispense God's grace through RC sacraments (His grace is freely given directly to individuals, Romans 5:1), and to have the final say about the faith and practice of Christianity. Either it is a fact that (as the Bible says) God saves us freely by His grace through our faith in Jesus, or it isn't. All disputes over Mary, Purgatory, and so on arise from that question of authority.
The Bible, not the Magisterium, is the God-given guide for faith and practice. The Holy Spirit alone is our teacher (John 14:16-18, 26). Whenever we hear a priest or pastor speak, we must check what is said against the Word of God (Acts 17:11).
Here is the question for each of us: When the Bible and the teaching of your church or denomination disagree, which do you believe?
The role of Mary is a prime example of this problem. The final time we read in the Bible about "Mary, the mother of Jesus," she is merely a member of a group of believers who gather for prayer (Acts 1:14). This occurred after Jesus' death and resurrection. There is no mention of her role as co-redemptrix, co-mediator, queen of Heaven, intercessor for sinners, or anything else. If she were any of those things, the writers of the New Testament surely would have known about it. But Catholics believe those things are true because the Catholic Church says they are true.
In 2 Timothy 3:15-17, the Scriptures are said to be sufficient for Timothy. If they were sufficient for him, they are for us as well. (While Timothy did not have New Testament writings at that time, this passage is emphasizing the divine origin and nature of Scripture, not the extent of its writings.)
Because the origin of Scripture is God Himself, the authority of Scripture is God's authority.
When any church's teachings conflict with the Bible's -- whether that church is RC, Presbyterian, or whatever -- it is the Bible that should have the last word.
darcy| 5.22.12 @ 5:09PM
I am in complete agreement with your comments, KyMouse. Should you care to have a glimpse into my theological understanding regarding the place of the CC within Christendom, may I humbly suggest you consider reading, Martin Luther and the Long Reformation, Response and Reform in the Church: Pentecost to the Present, by James G. Kiecker, Northwestern Publishing House, 1992.
markenoff| 5.22.12 @ 7:04PM
If the scriptures are sufficient then why are protestant bookstores full of other books? Should just be the bible and that's it.
One Mediator, Jesus| 5.23.12 @ 1:42PM
markenoff,
The Scriptures, along with the New Testament ARE sufficient for Christians.
The teachings of men are acceptable ONLY if they are in agreement with them.
Sadly, too much of what is out there is all kinds of psycho babble and watered down theology.
One Mediator Jesus| 5.22.12 @ 8:50PM
Well now, where are the taunts by the usual revilers here to what KY Mouse just said?
Ahh, the reprobates pick & choose their enemies!
Joellen| 5.22.12 @ 4:42PM
Subvert, I WILL NOT leave the Catholic Church. I WILL Fight with my dying breath for Her, just as I will fight for America. My only answer to you is, I dont go to pray to the Priest; they are men. I do go to celebrate the Sacrament of the BODY/BLOOD/SOUL & DIVINITY OF our Savior, JESUS CHRIST. My only suggestion to you is get on the web site of RealCatholicTV.com and relearn the true Catholic Doctrine . GOD Bless.
One Mediator, Jesus| 5.23.12 @ 1:44PM
True Catholic doctrine is not in agreement with the Word of God.
I suggest you repent and believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
You are taught that Sacraments are the way of Salvation, they are not.
Christ Himself is.
The Only Mediator between God and Man.
All else is deceit.
Vlady| 5.23.12 @ 2:28PM
Mullah Margie Omar is back, masquerading at One Mediator, Jesus!
One Mediator, Jesus| 5.24.12 @ 1:03AM
Vlady, tell that to Clint/Tim*, then get back to me.
Everyone knows it's me, I'm not hiding.
Now, aren't you a Jew who denies that Jesus Christ is Lord?
He is, you know~ and YOU are in danger of Hellfire.
Mickey| 5.24.12 @ 2:22PM
So I'm in danger of hellfire because I'm a Jew?
Only One Mediator Christ Jesus| 5.25.12 @ 11:30AM
Legion Troll,
He has said he is a Jew who rejects Christ. The Word of God is the Judge, not I.
It's called the Gospel of Jesus Christ:
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal Life.
For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.
He who believes in Him is not condemned; he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the Name of the only Son of God." Jn. 3:16-18.
Joe stenger| 5.22.12 @ 10:06AM
They are. Our pastor got a standing O from my mostly minority "Vietnamese and Hispanic" Sunday Mass. Watch for and participite in the upcoming events to protect our freedom.
TLP| 5.22.12 @ 10:48AM
Thanks Joe.
That is truly reassuring to hear.
Frank Natoli| 5.22.12 @ 1:15PM
As someone educated by the Jesuits, Regis High School in Manhattan, 1965-1969, a first class education by any definition, I must regrettably answer that the Jesuits running Georgetown will have a lot to answer for on their individual judgment days.
Darin| 5.22.12 @ 6:31AM
What Catholics (and others) need to understand is this has little to do with contraceptives. The primary goal is to get religious institutions out of the charity business, thus forcing people to turn to government. It's all about control. The underlying belief that the population in general is too stupid and irresponsible to run their own lives, and forcing them to surrender control of their lives to the government is "in their best interest."
Jack in Wi.| 5.22.12 @ 6:53AM
Darin: I agree with you. The Communists and Socialists hate religious people. They most of all hate the Catholic Church because they are atheists and the Church was set up by God himself Jesus Christ to be the Light Unto the World.
The Catholic Church has given the world The Holy Bible, Sacred Tradition, the idea of Universal Brotherhood, mass charity to the poor and sick, the University, the Hospital,The Just War doctrine in the quest for peace on earth. The Church has also given the world great theology, art, literature, philosophy, anarchitecture. Modern science and the scientific method come from the Church's monastaries and universities.
Numerous herisies, Rabbinical Talmudic Judaism, Islam, 35000 squabling Protestant sects, the French Revolution, Atheism, Socialism, Communism, National Socialism, and the new Neopaganism were all set up to replace and destroy the Church. So far they have not suceeded.
Purp| 5.22.12 @ 7:26AM
That's just stupid. What Catholics and others need to understand is this has nothing to do with religion. An insurance company must cover what government regulations require - that is nothing new or complex. I work with insurance companies all the time and they are always changing their system to comply with one state or federal regulation after another. The Church is not mandated to do a d* thing by this regulation. Of course, if they drop their insurance, they are free to avoid any "complications" they have manufactured in their heads.
What this is really about is clerics reaching for political power. And, that is unconstitutional.
Jack in Wi.| 5.22.12 @ 7:40AM
Baloney Perp. Your Boy Obama is a thug who hates all religion. His pals at Unplanned Parenthood hate the Church with a vengence. The 1st Amendment doesn't allow the kind of force against religion that Obama and his gang are using. It is long since time for Unplanned Parenthood to be cut off from all government funding. When the churches, families, and communities ran the nations morals the illegitimacy rates were about 3% for whites and 17% for blacks. Since Unplanned Parenthood took over, the rates have jumped to over 65% for blacks, over 50% for hispanics, and about 30% for whites. There has never been a bigger moral failure then Unplanned Parenthood.
By the way Cardinal Dolan used to be my archbishop. He is one tough old Irishman who is doing what a Cardinal should do, leading his flock. I met him a couple of times at pro-life events. He is a very articulate and holy man.
darcy| 5.22.12 @ 8:31AM
This suit against the administration brought by Catholic entities is welcome news for sure. But what you mentioned about de-funding Planned Parenthood is extremely important because although the lawsuit's goal is to place a roadblock in front of the statist agenda, it only does just that, if it prevails in court.
But what I want to see is that for every single incursion by statist administrations that tamps down our liberties and steals the ground of freedom on which we stand, we must push back harder and make incursions of our own, take back ground we have lost.
For every single assault they advance against us, we must lay siege and destruct key parts of their statist edifice. Very soon they will learn that to advance against us will cause us to rise up in righteous anger and cut off a piece of the territory they thought they held secure.
Progressives have declared war on our country. We WILL return America to its former glory, with all the blood, sweat, and tears that battle requires.
We WILL send statists back under the rock from which they crawled.
Al Adab| 5.22.12 @ 11:39AM
Morning Darcy:
To gain a bit of perspective here, lets envision a scenario where under the rubric of "public health" certain proceedures, such as circumcision, are banned. How would our Jewish and Moslem brothers react to that. Imagine if you will a mandate, on earth day perhaps, to celebrate Gaia with prayer and thanksgiving. Would that violate the conscience of many?
If we allow the exercise of one power beyond the limits we accepted in forming this nation, what is to prevent other more egregious dictats? Have we not a century of history to demonstrate the danger of allowing a "professional" governing class to make our decisions for us?
W| 5.22.12 @ 12:16PM
Al Adab
Your scenario occurred in San Francisco last year when City council wanted to ban circumcision. I am surprised city council has not changed the name of the city to Francisco and dropped the San.
darcy| 5.22.12 @ 1:53PM
And a fond hello to you, too, Al Adab.
Your point is well-taken, and as W states, such restrictions to our religious liberty are fomenting before our very eyes, which to me represent merely the handwriting on the wall, the tip of the iceberg.
The HHS mandate and the San Francisco outrage are waking the sleep-walking to where the technocratic/despotic governing class intends to take us. They expect us to roll over and play the part of dutiful subjects. And why should they not when with every election we send conservatives to Congress who buckle under the pressure to do as DC does or suffer the consequences. Meanwhile, one lefty project after another becomes cemented into law.
It's time for the jackhammer, the bull-dozer, and the dump trucks -- to clear away the debris that separates us from our liberty.
Al Adab| 5.22.12 @ 2:34PM
...and the handwriting on the wall was a judgement that the nation was weighed in the balance and found wanting. I was then destroyed.
Dare we hope that our idolotry, our worship of false gods like Choice, Diversity, Gaia and Tolerance, has not put us in that condition as well?
One Mediator Jesus| 5.22.12 @ 8:51PM
How about the false god of alcohol? Or the false god of Popery?
Purp| 5.22.12 @ 9:32AM
The mandate is to the insurance company, not the Church.
Actually, your statistics are old. Teen pregnancies are down sharply, so are abortions. You should be happy about that.
There is nothing moral about insurance. No one is forced to take contraception against their will, religious or otherwise.
This is just a case of the Church thinking they are a special employer entitled to special handling. But they are wrong. It is the insurance companies that are mandated to cover contraception. If a woman chooses not to use on religious grounds, so be it. No mandate, no force.
It's a manufactured issue.
Boar Hunter| 5.22.12 @ 12:19PM
Purp, why would anyone every read anything you write?
You voted for a communist, who was born into a communist family, mentored by communists and as president he began appointing communist Czars to help rule us.
You voted for a racist who loves and supports the Black Panther Party, thinks the police act stupidly and proudly embraced the weed smoking gangsta Trayvon the burglar as his would be son. Black trumps everything.
You voted for someone who admittedly used marijuana and cocaine, just ask the liberal Penn Jillette why that might be important.
You voted for a muslim. Even Reverend Wright, Obama's anti-American racist mentor, stated that Obama was steeped in Islam and he is not certain Obama ever converted to Christianity.
You voted for someone born in Kenya. Funny all the news outlets that are suddenly discovering print references and sound bites from both Michelle and Ear leader stating that very thing. Funny that Arizona still cannot get Hawaii to produce the required documents even when threatened with the removal of Obama's name from the ballot. Obama's selective service card has not been produced. Oh well, neither has any other record that would identify Obama as the Kenyan born communist that he is.
You voted for an associate of criminals like Tony Rezko who is now serving time.
You voted for an associate of terrorists like Bill Ayres who hates America as much as Obama.
You voted for a liar. Like you, HE never stops, lie after lie after lie.
Most importantly, You voted for someone as close to gay as you could find.
For you, gay trumps everything.
As long as you can be gay, you don't mind being ruled by a communist, muslim, racist, drug using criminal and terrorist loving liar.
Purp| 5.22.12 @ 4:10PM
I voted for Reagan 2x and Papa Bush - and then the right wing fell off the cliff with scorched earth Newt Gingrich. That's hardly a left winger history, now is it, ditz?
You don't like Obama, that's clear. The rest is your childish rant because you want your way or you're going to scream and kick. Go ahead, enjoy yourself. You've drunk the Kool Aid of the Rovian Political Hacks, and reality means nothing to you now.
You are for equal rights or you are not. You are American or you are not. You are not.
Boar Hunter| 5.22.12 @ 4:59PM
Lol, what a pathetic and sad piece of human excrement you are.
Who gives a crap who you say you voted for?
What is the argument your making now retard, that you used to be good but just recently embraced evil?
You lie about everything.
That's the problem with liars like you and Kenya boy. You have lied so many times that even if you ever did tell the truth who cares no one can trust you no one can believe you.
You are simply a liar who no one can believe about anything.
Do you have AIDS yet?
I hear a lot of gay people have AIDS. Maybe Obama will find a cure for you.
One Mediator Jesus| 5.22.12 @ 8:55PM
Why, how dare you speak so derogatorily about homosexuality!
You bigot! You homophobe! You.. you.. conservative Christian you!
Heh, some of us are banned for quietly quoting actual Scripture, actual Words of God. I suppose THAT is what riles them the most.
James Solbakken | 5.24.12 @ 2:32PM
"The mandate is to the insurance company, not the Church." Man, that is pretty effing STOOPID!!!
Who, pray tell, is the insurance company working for? Why is it not the people who are PAYING THE EFFING PREMIUMS!!! See, doofus, the insurance company is supposed to be serving the needs and desires of their CUSTOMERS!!! The stinking interloping government mucks up the system when they try to tell the CUSTOMERS of the insurance companies what they SHOULD want and what they must pay for!!!!!
Dummy. Mandating the insurance company IS mandating that everyone is deprived of the opportunity to write their own contract. Also, the "Church" doesn't have any rights; the individuals who support the "Church" are the ones with rights, and it is their rights to individual choice that you are violating, not the rights of a "Church" as an institution. Dummy.
Seek| 5.22.12 @ 10:57AM
Blacks themselves are responsible for their high illegitimiacy rates. Not whites, Chinese, Planned Parenthood, Hispanics, "atheists" or anyone else. Blacks, and blacks alone, are the problem.
W| 5.22.12 @ 8:09AM
Purp
Your stupidity grows with every post. Government regulations are different from laws passed by Congress. The regulations at issue were issued by Sebellius at HHS and can be challenged in Court like a statute passed by Congress. At least in Congress there is a debate about the proposed law and a vote by elected representatives. This regulation was drafted and issued by the Commissars in HHS without any input or debate from opposing views. Lefties like you like this govenrment by commissars.
If a Church, of any religion, has to pay for services contrary to its teachings, they are mandated to do it.
Logic is not your strong point. Stick to repeating the lefty talking points.
Now you work with insurance companies? You are a laugh a day.
Purp| 5.22.12 @ 9:37AM
Challenge it in court ... go ahead. It is everyone's right as an American.
The Church pays for insurance, not for contraception. No one is forced to take contraception. Logic dictates that just because you must do y it does not follow that I have to do x.
You really don't understand the work I do, nor the business I run - and that's just fine with me. I work with all kinds of companies. It keeps you guessing and you are too dense to figure it out. Mind-boggling isn't it? What job do YOU do btw?
James Van Dorn| 5.22.12 @ 9:41AM
Purp: You are a dedicated Liberal Socialist moron if you can't see the real issue here. It's not just the INSURANCE companies! What about religious affiliated hospitals and other organizations that are SELF INSURED? Many are, whether you are aware of it or not. Drink some plain water once in awhile...get off the Kool Aid.
Purp| 5.22.12 @ 10:02AM
Religious affiliated employers employ many people that are not part of "the religion" ... you would deny them the coverage? Someone who works for and is paid by the Church is exempt of this regulation. Someone who works for an employer "affiliated" to the Church is not.
Once again, if anyone declines contraception on religious grounds, they are not forced to take anything. But the Church affiliated institutions denying coverage to anyone is the same as any other employer denying coverage. Affiliation does not = Church. One side seems to think so, the other doesn't.
So, let the courts decide. It's the conservative way - throw it to activist judges.
Trinacria| 5.22.12 @ 3:42PM
"Religious affiliated employers employ many people that are not part of "the religion" ... you would deny them the coverage?"
Well, Purp, I suppose one might reasonably ask whether that particular employee KNEW the institution for which they were accepting a position was a Catholic institution, in which case it seems rather absurd to suggest that they were aggrieved. They agreed to the terms of employment; if they strongly believed that they needed a prescription drug plan to pay for their $9 month contraceptives, I rather think they would have done well to seek employment with an employer who offered such a plan.
Let's look at it from a slightly different angle. If a young lass decides to try her hand in the entertainment industry and accepts a position as an exotic dancer at a strip club, it seems rather absurd to claim she has a right to bitch about the dress code.
We're all adults, hombre; how about we start acting like it - if you accept a position that doesn't offer something you need, well, that would be a YOU problem!
Al Adab| 5.22.12 @ 4:08PM
Hello my good Sicilian friend. Many religious institutions Baptist Hospitals, even Moslem ones, share the Catholic abhorence of some of these mandated coverage practices. This is indeed a fight we find ourselves in together.
Purp| 5.22.12 @ 4:16PM
Hmmm, Notre Dame University (Our Lady of Notre Dame) might give them a clue. DePaul University (St.Vincent de Paul) might be another clue. How about Christ Hospital or Queen of Hearts Cemetery? Any clues there? Come on, be real.
Surely, they are free to choose where they are employed - what has that to do with anything?
Should an employer be able to decide whether to pay for unemployment insurance or workmen's compensation insurance (both mandates by government, State AND Federal) When the Church becomes the employer of secular employees they are not entitled to be under the protection of Freedom of Religion. Nuns, priests, bishops, even those that work directly for the Church, Synagogue or Mosque are exempt from the regulation.
But let the courts decide - I guess conservatives are seeing the light on activism in the court system.
Trinacria| 5.22.12 @ 6:13PM
"Should an employer be able to decide whether to pay for unemployment insurance or workmen's compensation insurance (both mandates by government, State AND Federal)?"
Ah, Grasshopper, you're on the right track; unfortunately, you're asking the wrong question. It isn't whether an employer has a right to ignore a government mandate, it's whether the government has a right to issue the mandate.
Setting that question aside, let's entertain your suggestion that the government has a right to mandate that religious institutions pay for services that are incompatable with the central tenets of that particular institution. Is it your position that the government has a right to mandate that Catholic institutions pay for and perform abortions?
And if contraception is deemed a medically necessary intervention by the government, should not all insurance companies (and, by extension, employers) be required to pay for condoms? Surely you would agree, then, that given the necessary precondition for the effective use of condoms, insurance companies (and, by extension, employers) should be required by mandate to pay for erectile dysfunction medications.
Let us not forget, however, that not all citizens are blessed with the physical attributes to appeal to the opposite sex, particularly those who have seen the glorious years of middle age come and go. Surely one mustn't discriminate against these individuals on the basis of their age or unfortunate physical appearance (afterall, they need love too...); therefore, should not all insurance companies (and, by extension, employers) be required to pay for Botox, liposuction, plastic surgery, and cosmetic dentistry procedures? And on and on and on....
James Solbakken | 5.24.12 @ 2:36PM
"But let the courts decide - I guess conservatives are seeing the light on activism in the court system."
See how you are so dumb, stupid, thick and slow that you fail to notice that when you say "let the courts decide" you are confirming that you don't want to let the PEOPLE decide!!! The courts are not and should not be the last word in America: The PEOPLE should have and still do have the
last word on this and on every other issue, dummy.
James Van Dorn| 5.22.12 @ 4:03PM
Since Liberal Socialists have no common sense, the courts must act. Sadly, too many Liberal Socialist Judges have been appointed by Purp's hero LS presidents, so we have a serious problem.
Bob K.| 5.22.12 @ 10:16AM
Even a liberal, progressive, socialist like Purp can be in the insurance business. Did you ever see those Progressive Insurance ads on TV? Maybe he owns it?
If the Catholic Church stops buying insurance for it's employees it follows that it hurts his business.
W| 5.22.12 @ 10:38AM
I understand your type perfectly. A lefty troll that repeats the lefty talking points.
It bothers you I don't make claims like you about work? Keep guessing.
Jobe| 5.22.12 @ 11:12AM
Read the paper. The challenge has been filed. In fact, it has been filed in many courtrooms. Do you want to wager as to how it comes out?
Purp| 5.22.12 @ 4:28PM
I don't care how it comes out. If the Church wins, women and families lose. If the Church loses, religion is put back into it's rightful place - not to the front and center of US government policy.
Either way, the President wins.
Trinacria| 5.22.12 @ 6:17PM
If the church wins, women and families lose?
Yes, quite; nothing crushes women and their families more than asking them to shell out $9 a month to fund their responsibility-free sex. Damn those insensitive conservatives. Bastards!
Boar Hunter| 5.22.12 @ 12:57PM
Apparently you don't do anything except post here lol.
Jobe| 5.22.12 @ 11:10AM
My dear boy, it is hard to find someone as mentally callow as you seem to be. Either you are such a poor reader that you cannot understand the language of both the supporters of this disgusting "legislation" and the people who oppose it, or you are being very disingenuous with the rest of us. Insurance companies cover what they choose to cover. The government might have the power to regulate them, but it hasn't the power to dictate what and what not to cover, nor does it have the power to force citizens to purchase insurance under pain of fine and imprisonment.
As for what the insurance covers, religious freedom trumps presidential edict. obama has no power to vitiate the teachings of the Catholic Church any more than Henry VIII had. Your anti-religious posture is playing tricks on your grey matter, which, by the way, seems to be out of its league.
Purp| 5.22.12 @ 4:37PM
Are you that clueless? The government specifically (and this is State after State, not just Federal) expects compliance to all their mandates regarding insurance regulations. Or you do not play in the insurance arena. There are huge monetary penalties when not in compliance. You name it - Health Insurance, Flood insurance, Life Insurance, Auto Insurance, Home Insurance.
It is not whimsy or power grabbing. Ideally, it is all designed in the interest of the population. (I'll grant abuse or neglect does occur)
This entire issue is not about religious freedom. I am not anti-religious. But perhaps you should ask 98% of American women why they are anti-religious when they use contraception. Or ask 100% of men if they would prefer to wear that rubber instead of their woman taking the pill or whatever. In the lofty philosophical realm we can debate the merits, but when it comes down to it, Americans want access to contraception, religion is ignored. The bishops tread on thin ice, again being out of touch with their flocks.
Trinacria| 5.22.12 @ 6:28PM
WTF? 98% of women are anti-religious when they take the pill? WTF are you talking about?
The fact that Americans want access to contraception is wholly unrelated to the question of whether or not an employer should be required to pay for it. If Americans wanted access to Ferraris, should the government mandate that employers pay for them? Trust me, Tonto, I want a lot of shit...doesn't make it anyone else's responsibility to pay for it.
James Solbakken | 5.24.12 @ 2:39PM
I expect compliance with the Constitution on the part of the government, otherwise I want to fire them and find new guardians for my security. Dummy.
Boar Hunter| 5.22.12 @ 11:32AM
You just hate the church because your gay.
Boar Hunter| 5.22.12 @ 11:34AM
Sorry I didn't realize that this would post so far below Purp and become confusing.
Purp is gay, so he hates the church.
Purp loves Obama, so he has to lie.
Von Mises Jr| 5.22.12 @ 12:12PM
Perp heard that ObamaCare provides free plugs. They meant hair plugs so that Cheap Skate Joe "Bite Me" can offload his cosmetic surgery on the public. Perp thinks the plugs are his favorite sex toy.
James Van Dorn| 5.22.12 @ 4:08PM
Goodf one Von Mises Jr. Old "Plugs" Bite Me, our buffoon in second place. What a guy. Obama only keeps him around for laughs!
"Stand up Chuck."
Purp| 5.22.12 @ 4:39PM
Now you have sunk to the level I knew you were all the time. I just had to wait long enough. Now you sound like all the other low-information uneducated types on this site.
Dick Nome| 5.22.12 @ 12:53PM
Twurp is a big government staist who hates this country as it is and further more I think is a female.
Von Mises Jr| 5.22.12 @ 1:02PM
Just because Perp talks about semen all the time does not mean it is a woman. We know it is not a real man, though. If it were a real man, it would take care of itself.
Purp| 5.22.12 @ 4:40PM
Sinking lower and lower... you don't have a summa cum laude son - that is impossible.
Von Mises Jr| 5.22.12 @ 6:34PM
Pick a Von Mises or Hayek tome you have read and I am sure I can debate you, or I mean quiz you.
I am just glad you are not my son.
James Van Dorn| 5.22.12 @ 9:34AM
Darin: You are sooooo right. Obama doesn't give a rat's hind leg about women, blacks or anyother group, except of course he wants their VOTES. What Obams IS about is POWER and AUTHORITY which he doesn't have per the US Constituion. IF Obama and his regime can walk over the 1st Amendment with this bogus "women's health" crap, he can walk over any of the other provisions in our Constitution. We MUST eliminate this Liberal Socialist MENACE at the BALLOT BOX come Novemeber.
Appleby| 5.22.12 @ 6:44AM
I believe we Catholics understand the meaning of Religious Freedom, and freedom of conscience, better than the horde of hippie scum who abjure both religion and conscience but whose internal unease will not (they believe) vanish until "Everybody Else Does" appears to be the law.
For the same reason that those wealthy individuals who demand that others pay "their fair share" are not content to send their own "fair share" by writing cheques to the government -- their real purpose to to force unwilling others to ante up -- so this gang believe that until they can negate the conscience by forcing others to violate same, their own misbehaviour will not be pronounced Normal and their own consciences assuaged.
Sorry, brats; we're not going quietly this time.
Purp| 5.22.12 @ 7:28AM
Who do you know willingly submits to anything they don't want to do? Ridiculous argument.
Clint| 5.22.12 @ 7:40AM
Apparently, You Liberal Democrat Useful Dupes Tax Slaves Willingly Submit.
Purp| 5.22.12 @ 7:44AM
Im not a liberal Democrat, so you missed.
Clint| 5.22.12 @ 7:49AM
Oh !
You're A Commie.
W| 5.22.12 @ 8:11AM
Purp is a lefty troll repeating the lefty talking points. He does not even know what he is.
Purp| 5.22.12 @ 9:03AM
I know, you don't
Boar Hunter| 5.22.12 @ 11:35AM
Purp is gay.
Gay trumps everything.
Clint| 5.22.12 @ 3:16PM
You're A Serial Israel Firster Smear Bund Liar, W.
But, You Already Know That, Israel Firster Traitor Bastard, W.
Let's See Ya Try To Defend The Deliberate Israeli IDF Attack On Our U.S.S. Liberty, Killing 34 Of Our U.S. Seamen & Wounding 174 Others, Inckuding A Marine And A civilian.
You're Up Traitor Bastard Israel Firster Scum, W.
Clint| 5.22.12 @ 4:00PM
Uh Oh !
Israel Firster ,W Was Badmouthin' The Commie, Perpetrator.
Never Mind !
We'll Have That Fight Later.
Jim| 5.22.12 @ 1:21PM
Wow, didn't know purp was one of those, just like my ex-girlfriend, they really believed their lies and no one could convince them otherwise.
Purp, you ARE a liberal, and a whacked out one at that. No true conservative or Independent would think of voting for a socialist like Obama, no way, no how.
Purp, the truth will set you free!
Purp| 5.22.12 @ 5:13PM
And yet, most independents voted for Obama and many conservatives as well. Strange how soon you forget.
I will say if you think Richie Romney is conservative, you're nuts. He's greedy, true, but you just have to look at his record as Governor to know he will blow the way the wind blows. In other words, he blows.
Teaghan| 5.22.12 @ 7:41AM
I do every damn time I pay my taxes to the harpies in DC.
Go away purp, you annoy us.
Purp| 5.22.12 @ 7:45AM
if you willingly submit, then shut up.
Clint| 5.22.12 @ 7:52AM
Yeah, The Commie Wants Catholics To Be Political Weaklin's, So He Can Take Our Lunch Money.
Purp| 5.22.12 @ 9:07AM
Do you realize what you just said? Religion and politics don't play well together - and this is NOT about religious freedom. No one is being forced to take contraception.
James Van Dorn| 5.22.12 @ 9:42AM
No and neither should anyone be FORCED to pay for it!
Purp| 5.22.12 @ 10:05AM
Why not? There are plenty of non-religious persons working for church-affiliated institutions that want contraception.
Trinacria| 5.22.12 @ 6:34PM
"There are plenty of non-religious persons working for church-affiliated institutions that want contraception."
There are plenty of non-religious persons working for church-affiliated institutions that would like a trip to Tuscany. Should the church pay for that, too?
In all my many years on this earth, I'd be hard pressed to recall an argument that was so profoundly stupid. Congratulations, sport.
Appleby| 5.22.12 @ 7:44PM
My Sainted Southern Granny (a staunch lifelong Methodist right back to John Wesley) would have replied, "Yes, and the people in Hell want ice water, and THEY'RE NOT GOING TO GET IT EITHER."
Unless you have helicopter parents, crying "I WANT IT" is not a command. Cry for the moon and you must cry on.
James Solbakken | 5.24.12 @ 2:45PM
They want something, therefore I must pay for it? Where does that end, Mr. Genius? Tell us what if anything taxpayers shouldn't have to pay for?
Dmac | 5.22.12 @ 9:51AM
Okay, that comment got to me Perp. Religion and politics don't play well? I know, all you liberals want to act like religion has nothing to do with anything, but you are so wrong. Believing in God is a "religous" thing. Believing God gave us inalienable rights is also a "religous" thing. Get over yourself. You live in a country where over 80% of the population beiieves in God, it is a religous thing and it is woven into our whole system of government whether you want to admit to it or not.
The idiots like you who truly believe in this seperation of church and state are so naive. Seperation of church and state only means that the government can not tell you what church to go to or endorse one church over another. The government can at anytime it so desires make statements like, "we are a God fearing nation", "In God we trust", "God bless the United States of America".
What your little dictator wannabee has doen is awakened a sleeping giant. It's just the Catholics for the moment, but the Baptist aren't far behind. All the churches of all denominations ans religions are watching and some are getting involved.
Now, go back to watching Sesame Street because it's the only program out there that you are mature enough to understand.
Bob K.| 5.22.12 @ 10:29AM
Purp already stated that he works in a business with Insurance Companies all the time in his post at 7:26 AM above.
That is why he is raising so much hell about this.
If the Catholic Church refuses to buy Health Insurance for their employees this is going to cost him money! Purp is a crony capitalist! What irony!
Purp| 5.22.12 @ 10:42AM
Dmac - you are wrong about me. I am not anti-religious. But I am against religion any where near politics or government. Religious tests for office especially.
You are also wrong about God. He didn't give us our "inalienable rights" - our "Creator endowed us" ... you call him God, others may call him Yahweh or Allah.
You are right about 80% of people believing in God, but that does not translate to organized religion, does it?
You are wrong about religion being woven into our government - it is not. None of what you describe "In God We Trust" or "God Bless the United States of America" came to us from the Founders. Those are 20th century additions. Not that I disagree with them perse, but it's more a cultural issue than a founding issue.
"Congress can make no law respecting an establishment of religion..." The Founders were just as concerned about religion interfering with government (first phrase) as they were government interfering with religion, hence the last phrase "... or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;"
Boar Hunter| 5.22.12 @ 11:38AM
Purp is gay.
tj| 5.22.12 @ 11:46AM
you're wrong each session of congress was OPENED WITH PRAYER... go learn some history before spouting your ugly lies...
Purp| 5.22.12 @ 5:16PM
What prayer, pray tell, TJ? Do you know? And how has it changed over the centuries? Link please...
Jobe| 5.22.12 @ 12:01PM
Purp: Among the things that you should study, the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution loom large. The Federalist Papers wouldn't hurt you either. The founders feared that the government WOULD FORCE A SPECIFIC RELIGION ON THE POPULATION, AND PERSECUTE ALL OTHERS. As for your specious argument, it flies in the face of reason. Had you been around when JFK was running for president, you would know a lot more about the relationship between government and religion. As it is, your best bet is to stop posting these ridiculous screeds and return to the liberal fold to quietly take up making decisions for those misguided conservatives who need you to think for them.
Purp| 5.22.12 @ 5:24PM
Jobe - you are right - because they feared religion and the power it has on people. Ergo the separation of Church and State.
Belief cannot be fought with logic - that was clear back in college in our own lives (mine at least) - that's why you can never win a religious argument. They are not based on fact or logic.
Nothing you have said changes anything. I would encourage you to read as well as the documents you mentioned (which I have read many times btw) are the State conventions that considered the provisions in the Constitution. They are most enlightening and would be for all of you who think the Constitution is some bedrock concrete document that just sprung from the complete agreement from among the Founders.
crossworked| 5.23.12 @ 4:18AM
Purp..the new religion is obama. our kids are frightful in school to even question the socialist norm. Have you any legitimate offspring, or are you so gifted you can speak for all of us Americans?
Dmac | 5.22.12 @ 12:27PM
Perp, you quote from the Constitution, "Congress can make no law respecting an establishment of religion..." What that means is George Washington was not allowed to aski for a divorce and be denied by his pastor, so in anger he starts a new religion and forces all of us to join it. Ever heard of a guy named Henry the 8th?
Our government could if they so desired declare us a Christian nation and it would not violate the costitution. It might piss some people off, but it would not violate the Constitution. I know you libs like to think it would be un-constitutional, but it wouldn't be. As long as they didn't say you must be baptist, or you must be Catholic. Also the word "establishing" would mean to create, as Henry the 8th created the Church of England. Just something for you to ponder over Perp.
Purp| 5.22.12 @ 5:30PM
No shit, Sherlock. Duh.
You must remember the Founders were not of the Henry the VIII's reign. The conditions were very different for them. The Renaissance had come and gone and they were just coming out of the Reformation and into the Enlightenment Era.
I'm not so sure a Declaration as a Christian Nation would not violate the Constitution. Why would that need to be done anyway? You are free to worship as you please. Why the label? Why would any real American want to put one Religion in a higher position than any other by declaring such a thing? If such was the case, are all other religions second class citizens. No, I don't think that would pass the Supreme Court test, regardless of the bloated and bloviating Antonin Scalia.
crossworked| 5.23.12 @ 4:23AM
Pretty soon all questions of your savior obama will be mute. Whether he is, whatever you want to believe will be over. By the way show us your tax return poor socialist.
Pax78| 5.22.12 @ 9:59AM
This has nothing to do with who USES contraception....it is about who PROVIDES it!! This regulation REQUIRES a religious entity to provide something that it deems morally reprehensible! How about if you think you MUST have insurance provide your contraception you find an employer who is willing to provide it instead of FORCING an employer to provide it against his beliefs and conscience.
Purp| 5.22.12 @ 5:32PM
Not a religious entity - an employer, that is also not a Church, Synagogue or Mosque.
I should ask - how do you define "religious entity"
crossworked| 5.23.12 @ 4:26AM
The gov believers and you are a religion. Just wait
Dick Nome| 5.22.12 @ 12:55PM
Being agnostic or Atheist, you don't have any religion.
Purp| 5.22.12 @ 5:33PM
Dick, Dick, Dick - oh, but I do have my religion. It just has no business messing with governmental affairs (eg. insurance regulation)
Clint| 5.22.12 @ 4:10PM
Yeah, Commie Bastard Perpetrator.
I Also Realize What Thomas Jefferson Said About Having Religious Chairs Of Theology Teaching Theology At His State University, The University Of Virginia,Where He Was The Founding Chancellor.
I Also Realize What Thomas Jefferson Said About Four Different Protestant Religious Sects Using His Native Albemarle County Court House On Alternating Sundays.
Purp| 5.22.12 @ 5:35PM
Clintoris ... my, my, my ... see I can make a funny out of your name too... Isn't that fun and oh so mature?
Thomas Jefferson was so enamored of the Holy Bible he chopped out what he didn't like and created his own personal copy. So what?
Clint| 5.22.12 @ 6:02PM
Uh Oh !
I Pushed Perp The Twerp's Button.
Your Constant Craving For Negative Attention Ain't Mature, Pseudo-Intellect Bloviator.
Jefferson Used The Passages Of The Philosopher, Jesus And Jefferson Didn't Have Your Hang Ups With Religion, Nor Religious Proponents Activities Within State Facilities.
Mickey| 5.22.12 @ 3:40PM
Tough choice, Klintie v. Purpie. Klintie is deranged. Purpie makes some sense. Who to pick?
Clint| 5.22.12 @ 4:12PM
I Got Bibi's Cabana Boy, Little Micky Trained To Follow Me Around.
Now, Go Fetch Bibi's Bone, Little Micky.
Mickey| 5.22.12 @ 7:39PM
Klint, you are smarter than Purpie.
Boar Hunter| 5.22.12 @ 11:36AM
I hear you willingly submit to all kinds of things and still won't shut up about it.
Purp| 5.22.12 @ 5:35PM
I'm not the "Boar Hunter" oh, pigmaster ... look it up.
Clint| 5.22.12 @ 6:09PM
You're The Bore.
James Van Dorn| 5.22.12 @ 4:04PM
Purp: You willingly bend over and take it every time a Liberal Socialist decree is handed down. But of course, you most likely enjoy taking it bent over.
Purp| 5.22.12 @ 5:37PM
Why are YOU fixated on bending over? You talk about it, I don't. It never enters my mind like it apparently does yours. Why is that? Do you dream about what you can't have? It's okay, open the closet, come out in the sunshine. Even these people on this site won't hurt you.
Von Mises Jr| 5.22.12 @ 12:22PM
Appleby, the Marxist/Alinsky Dictator has stirred up the bees nest this time. He pissed off the conservatives and libertarians in the TEA Party. Then he alienated the doctors who will earn about $13 per $100 on Medicaid while being subject to lawsuits from an entitlement culture crowd. And now he ticked off the Church. I have never seen my Priest so mad or the Knights so ready for a fight.
When you have all these groups unified in a single cause, Obama will unwittingly be the first casualty of the IPAB "death panels."
Purp| 5.22.12 @ 5:38PM
Then you should be happy, shouldn't you?
Clint| 5.22.12 @ 6:55AM
" The Pew Research Center found that Obama’s support among all Catholics fell from 53 percent to 45 percent. Among white Catholics, it dropped from 45 percent to 37 percent. These numbers have remained depressed. Obama won 54 percent of Catholic voters in 2008. A recent Gallup survey found Obama’s Catholic support at 46 percent. "
Joellen| 5.22.12 @ 7:18AM
What happened yesterday is truly a miracle. The AMERICAN Catholic Church actually standing up for our LORD & SAVIOR and the doctrine. Keep praying folks - dont get to optimistic because we all know how evil Obama and his ilk are. Let's see what they pull out in the next few months. Booger, your piece was a master piece (right up there with TLP); but really not far from realty. So again, keep praying that all the people recognize evil when they see it.
Purp| 5.22.12 @ 7:28AM
They stood up for nothing but political power.
ds80| 5.22.12 @ 8:02AM
Sadly, Purp, you are very much of this world. Have fun at your Particular Judgement.
Purp| 5.22.12 @ 9:25AM
And, what are you from?
Von Mises Jr| 5.22.12 @ 12:25PM
Perp is already in hell. Could you imagine a more pathetic existence than writing garbage for Soros while earning the title of a traitor to his nation?
Perp can't answer any of my riddles nor reference one book on economics that he can debate. He is a piece of garbage and should be treated as such!
Purp| 5.22.12 @ 5:40PM
I did, you didn't answer - you have no answers. Just questions. You have shown yourself to be as low as I thought you were with ad hominem attacks, innuendo and denigration.
Why won't you people get that name-calling is a sign of low intelligence (sometimes frustration, as I have caught myself falling for that tactic), but it solves nothing, moves nothing forward, and just wastes space.
Von Mises Jr| 5.22.12 @ 9:27PM
You got "Road to Serfdom" wrong, try another economic book?
James Solbakken | 5.24.12 @ 2:50PM
They stood up AGAINST political power, dummy. THEY are not trying to make anyone do anything except leave them the hell alone!!!
MikeBee| 5.22.12 @ 9:19AM
Joellen,
You're right. It's truly amazing to me that the Catholic Church hierarchy in America actually found some balls. This is a good sign that things MAY be turning around in the American Catholic Church. As a faithful Catholic, I'm willing to forgive and forget, and to allow the hierarchy back into the fold. Now for the next question: will they stop giving Communion to Nancy Pelosi and Joe Biden?
Perhaps Notre Dame is trying to redeem its reputation, after inviting Obama to speak. Where is Georgetown in this?
Matt| 5.22.12 @ 11:15AM
I asked the diocese where Sebelius was from out in the midwest; KC maybe. The diocese secretary told me that Sebelius was not allowed to take Communion because of her pro death stance.
Clint| 5.22.12 @ 7:27AM
Time To Expose These ObamaBots.
" Major Mainstream Religious Leaders Support White House on Contraceptive
Coverage In Health Care Reform:
Catholics for Choice; the Central Conference of American Rabbis; Concerned Clergy for
Choice; Disciples Justice Action Network; Episcopal Divinity School; Episcopal Women’s
Caucus; Hadassah; the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation; Jewish Women International;
Methodist Federation for Social Action; Muslims for Progressive Values; the National Council of
Jewish Women; Planned Parenthood Clergy Advisory Board; the Rabbinical Assembly; the
Religious Coalition to Reproductive Choice; the Religious Institute; Society for Humanistic
Judaism; The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism; Union Theological Seminary; Unitarian
Universalist Association; and United Church of Christ "
TLP| 5.22.12 @ 8:50AM
And, every one of them, an Oxymoron. They are The Religious Left. You know.....Religious Communists, Religious Marxists, Religious Maoists, and Religious Secularists. Religious Religion Haters for the Abolition of all Religions.
They,re all Democrats.
Duh.
They will all be judged for taking the LORD'S name in Vain.
As will You, for your Worship of the False God - Ron Popeye Paul.
Say Hi to Jack and Purp, for me, when you get to Hell.
Clint| 5.22.12 @ 3:27PM
Apparently, You're Already There, Because You Talk Like Your Ass Is On Fire.
Mickey| 5.22.12 @ 3:41PM
KKKlintie. What names you using today? Time to switch, nobody wants to talk to you.
Clint| 5.22.12 @ 4:16PM
Apparently, You Do Israel Firster , Little Micky.
Say Hi To Victor. Poseur.
Mickey| 5.22.12 @ 10:25PM
Who's Victor?
PattyMor| 5.22.12 @ 8:13AM
It doesn't matter what the issue is, its all big government directives, mandates, and ideas. You send your money to Washington, and then they dole it back out to whoever they want and attach whatever rules or mandates that whoever is making the laws or rules want. Its all screwed up and I want no part of it. How about me keeping my money and I'll spend it on what I want?
kwan| 5.22.12 @ 8:16AM
It's called a counter-revolution. Which is what the Marxist revolutionaries most fear. The townhall uprisings in 2009 which resulted in the formation of the Tea Party Movement. Then the defeat of large numbers of Democrats in the 2010 mid-term elections ( The Mid-Term Massacre).The Supreme Court is about to declare the ObamaCare individual mandate unconstitutional and now 43 Catholic organizations are suing essentially Obama and Sebelius over the contraception mandate. Yes it would seem that the wheels are starting to come off Obama's Marxist Revolution just like it did for his Marxist heroes Bill Ayers (Weathermen Underground) and General Field Marshall Cinque (Symbionese Liberation Army).
Don L| 5.22.12 @ 8:47AM
It's not a contraceptive mandate -that is just the deceptive words of the anti-God left. This attack is upon each and every individual-Catholic, protestant, Muslim, secularist. Why? Because it gives the power-drunk government authority over each and every one of us in what we are, in what we do, in what we chose not to do. Freedom of conscence is essential to all freedoms and Obama has just ruled your conscience to be his property, with the power to mandate its outcome (or go to jail) Even the biggest despots in history have tried that game and failed -but to attack the fundamental freedoms enshrined by western civilization shows the real evil of the left. As if his demanding the starvation if innocent babies that live through abortion attempts didn't expose the foul character of his soul.
Sadly, the man has plenty of company in our morally corrupted culture -and many of those, it the truth be told, are on the right wing in politics. Their open loathing of social conservatives and their non-response to such a serious attack by the GOP tells us that the faithful are very close to a full scale persecution with a lot of citizen thumbs ready and willing to point down.
Dump God, elevate hedonism and unbridled sexual perversion as well as free lunches and irresponsible dependency, and this is the result.
darcy| 5.22.12 @ 8:57AM
DonL, this comment,
"Whittaker Chambers, the man whose own religious conversion made him a witness to one of the terrible traumas of our time, the Hiss-Chambers case, wrote that the crisis of the Western World exists to the degree in which the West is indifferent to God, the degree to which it collaborates in communism's attempt to make man stand alone without God. And then he said, for Marxism-Leninism is actually the second oldest faith, first proclaimed in the Garden of Eden with the words of temptation, "Ye shall be as gods."
. . . is making the rounds lately on various blogs; it seems entirely relevant to your post.
W| 5.22.12 @ 11:32AM
Darcy
Great. Thanks for posting that. Chambers' autobiography "Witness" is very good if you are interested in him and have not read it.
darcy| 5.22.12 @ 2:02PM
Thank you, W. I have read it, happy to say, and have given out copies of it to friends, for birthdays and such. Glad to know you're well-acquainted with Chambers, too.
Sarbo| 5.22.12 @ 9:06AM
Is it true that Obama has offered a blanket waiver to Muslims on the specious plea that insurance is 'haram' in Islam? It is called upon TAS, NRO, PJ Media et all to verify this for all. If it is a false report, (this being the internet where all sorts of untruths flourish) then it must made clear. If not ... God help Obama and God help us all.
saleboter| 5.22.12 @ 9:16AM
Maybe we need a law that mandates that islamic grocery stores sell pork
Truncheon| 5.22.12 @ 9:31AM
Purp writes: "An insurance company must cover what government regulations require - that is nothing new or complex."
Citing previous tyranny, as justification for further tyranny, is infantile.
Leaving aside for the moment the fact that any government dictates regarding how an insurance company operates are questionable at best, government certainly cannot require a church to provide insurance coverage for contraception, because to do so is a violation of the Constitution.
Your "argument" is both specious, and infantile.
Truncheon| 5.22.12 @ 9:35AM
In addition, "logic" in the form of, "Government can require it because government requires it and has required it" is fallacious in its very form.
Tautological. Circular reasoning. Kindergarten level.
Not Special Ops Bill| 5.22.12 @ 9:45AM
Well, but you're mistaking the duality of an insurance company and the government, with the singular entity your post mentions.
Purp| 5.22.12 @ 5:54PM
The Church is not required to do anything here. that's the hype, not truth.
Notary Sojac| 5.22.12 @ 9:46AM
Dear President Obama:
Please remove the one (1) paragraph from your 2,000 page health care bill that requires us to provide contraception coverage in our schools, hospitals, and other Catholic organizations.
Once this is done, we can get back on board with you in supporting unlimited immigration, wealth redistribution, and socialist economics.
Sincerely,
the Catholic Church
darcy| 5.22.12 @ 2:08PM
I must agree that the statists had good reason to believe that the Catholic Church would squish like a wet noodle.
One Mediator, Jesus| 5.24.12 @ 1:08AM
The Catholic church is already dead, it's a dead Religion, an Apostate one.
Having said that, they don't like what's being done to them, do they? Especially after having backed the Leftists for how many eons?
The corrupt kingdom of the Popery is getting a taste of their own medicine, aren't they?
Perhaps they will see fit to repent of their utterly abominable false and unbiblical teachings as well, but I doubt it.
Absolute power corrupts absolutely.
Clint| 5.26.12 @ 5:08AM
Interesting,Who Has A Doubvle Standard For Catholics.
Time To Expose These ObamaBots.
" Major Mainstream Religious Leaders Support White House on Contraceptive
Coverage In Health Care Reform:
Catholics for Choice; the Central Conference of American Rabbis; Concerned Clergy for
Choice; Disciples Justice Action Network; Episcopal Divinity School; Episcopal Women’s
Caucus; Hadassah; the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation; Jewish Women International;
Methodist Federation for Social Action; Muslims for Progressive Values; the National Council of
Jewish Women; Planned Parenthood Clergy Advisory Board; the Rabbinical Assembly; the
Religious Coalition to Reproductive Choice; the Religious Institute; Society for Humanistic
Judaism; The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism; Union Theological Seminary; Unitarian
Universalist Association; and United Church of Christ "
Mimi| 5.22.12 @ 10:02AM
Obama walks onto the landscape of this country...He goes about his business of attempting to destroy all that is GOOD and Holy. Kicks aside the Constitution....gives nary any eye contact to anyone he perceives as not in aggreement with him...Blatently believes he can destroy the peoples Religion if it gets in his way.
when Bishop Timothy Dolin stood up to him...I knew Obama had finally met his match.
Catholics are only one group in this country....ALL religions are at risk. We are living in the MOST STRANGEST of times...call it 1938-1939 ???
I blame the Democratic Party and the news MEDIA for not thoroughly vetting this usurper.
Who really is he ?
Sandra| 5.22.12 @ 10:04AM
@Notary Sojac, you seem to be swallowing the current Administration's line that this is only about contraception (totally legal and very cheap to obtain) and abortion on demand (again, in this country totally legal and cheap to obtain). This is about Religious Rights (not Rites) and being able to PRACTICE your religion. Within Christianity, this includes doing the corporeal works of mercy, clothe the naked, feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, visit those shut-in or in prisons, etc...
What the administration has been is REDEFINE what "religious" is, and unless you meet the Federal "test" well, you aren't who you are.
Mockery and Restrictions are the "first steps."
If "they" can do it to (fill in the blank) they can do it to you too.
Ave Christus Rex! Viva Christo Rey! Hail Christ the King!
darcy| 5.22.12 @ 2:16PM
And a very hearty, Amen!
Notary Sojac| 5.22.12 @ 2:31PM
Not at all. My point is that the Catholic Church has been acquiescent to, if not supportive of, the expansion of government power into many areas that used to be the realm of individual conscience.
Until THIS one.
And since the Church did not give a damn while others' freedoms were being regulated away, pardon me for not joining in a standing O.
darcy| 5.22.12 @ 3:03PM
Hail Christ the King! merits a hearty amen, regardless. And yes, I've said as much about the CC myself.
Christopher| 5.22.12 @ 10:28PM
Notary
Name the areas of government powers.
Matt| 5.22.12 @ 11:13AM
Amen I say amen. My hope is that millions of Americans will wake up and vote for this guy out of office.
Petronius| 5.22.12 @ 11:36AM
There is only one way to stop the Federal Government from commandeering the Catholic hospitals politically, which is the objective of this regulation. The incoming Congress must, (if the Republicans take both houses), pass legislation declaring Liberalism a Religion. Then all of their diktat that has been forced upon Us can be nullified through the Separation clause of the 1st Amendment. The same should go for Environmentalism.
darcy| 5.22.12 @ 2:17PM
I love the way you think outside the box, Petronius.
Dmac | 5.22.12 @ 5:34PM
Do it one better and have Congress declare it (liberalism)a cult so it can be legally outlawed as an enemy of state.
Cobalt| 5.22.12 @ 11:47AM
" Before our very eyes, President Obama is on the verge of establishing the principle that the right to religious freedom comes not from our Creator, but from those who rule us."
The Audacity of Power: President Obama Vs. The Catholic Church
http://www.forbes.com/sites/ch.....ic-church/
Jack London| 5.22.12 @ 12:26PM
Purp is right - this is nothing to do with religious freedom, not least because churches are already exempt. Instead we have an encroachment by organizations - many of which receive state and federal funds - on one of the most important parts of our constitution, the separation of state and church.
Warrior | 5.22.12 @ 1:47PM
There is nothing in the Constitution that calls for a separation of church. Yet, you declare it to be one of the most important parts. Does your ignorance have any limitations?
Jack London| 5.22.12 @ 2:43PM
What? The First Amendment gives us the best of both worlds. It gives any religious freak the right to practise whatever crazy belief system they have, but it does not allow them to establish it as recognized by the state. Go read it.
There's a good article here that explains things.
http://my.firedoglake.com/scar.....ent-clause
MikeBee| 5.22.12 @ 3:08PM
Jack,
You're right. However, the restriction in the constitution is on the STATE, not the Church. The State is not allowed to pass any laws respecting the establishment of religion. The Founders didn't want a State religion, which existed in various states in Europe at the time. Churches are allowed to pursue their agenda, even at the state and federal levels. For example, a state may enact a law declaring that gays may not marry in their state, and that law may have been pushed by various church members in the state. That type of thing is allowed. Early on, Christian prayers were very common at state functions, and lawmakers regularly invoked God in their public statements. They just couldn't establish a state or federal religion, like they do in Muslim-run countries.
There really is no separation of Church and State intended by the founders. Only a restriction on the establishment of a state religion.
Jack London| 5.22.12 @ 3:19PM
'There really is no separation of Church and State intended by the founders. Only a restriction on the establishment of a state religion.'
Yes, that's right. But what it means is that it is unconstitutional to establish the religious views of some over the state laws and regulations for everyone. I believe the supremes have upheld this principle on several occasions.
in practice of course there is some give and take over the freedom vs establishment conflict, and to be sure the government has gone a long way to trying to pave the way in this dispute, which wasn't an issue anyway in many states.
Warrior | 5.22.12 @ 4:26PM
He is not even close to being right and neither are you. The Constitution only speaks to the restriction of the federal government. It does not restrict the individual states at all. The Founders never intended or called for any such separation. CT had its own sponsored religion until 1818.
Boar Hunter| 5.22.12 @ 5:03PM
Don't try and explain yourself to that retard. It does not matter what you show him he will find separation of church right next to the part about the right to abortion and gay marriage.
Jim| 5.22.12 @ 2:48PM
Jack do you REALLY know what that means? Thomas Jefferson made it clear (to anyone witha brain, clearly excluding liberals) when he wrote that it is a one way wall, keeping gov't out of religion, NOT the other way around. Moral, yes, religious, people are necessary for this country to survive, no matter how much you hate us.
I think we should do an experiment, split the states btwn liberal and conservative, and in 5 yrs let's see who is doing well and who isn't.
I already know who the winner will be, in productivity and happiness.
darcy| 5.22.12 @ 3:07PM
If liberals don't back off, that's what it's going to come to. An evil wind blows this way; we must prevail now or be swept up in an unwanted contest.
Jack London| 5.22.12 @ 3:11PM
No - it's a two way wall, as the establishment clause makes clear. Let me ask a simple question – would you see no barrier under the constitution for an archbishop to become head of state and impose a ban on all contraception?
Boar Hunter| 5.22.12 @ 5:04PM
You were right, you did pose a simple question, it was in fact simply ignorant.
Patricia Anderson| 5.22.12 @ 1:16PM
This is a bad call. It may garner Obama a few extra votes from naïve college kids, but the American electorate is among the most religious on the planet. The HHS mandate will lose in court and it may cause Obama to lose at the ballot box. LET US PRAY THAT THIS IS SO !!!
Frank Natoli| 5.22.12 @ 1:17PM
I thought nothing that happens these days would surprise me. But my Church actually showing teeth to the Obama Administration has shocked the Hell out of me. Pardon my sounding a little like the First Lady, but for the first time in a very long time, I am proud of a public action my Church has taken.
Peppermint Tea| 5.22.12 @ 1:56PM
I wonder at the timing. The SCOTUS will rule next month anyway, which will make the lawsuit moot. Unless they are trying to influence the vote of the liberal Roman Catholic on the court--Sonia Baby Sotomayor. I'm hoping the right wing on the court doesn't need her vote.
Juan Jose Morales-Castillo | 5.22.12 @ 3:10PM
Obamination is so eager to be an historically important person! Well, he has succeeded; he is now in the company of such enemies of the Church as:
Henry VIII
Marquis of Pombal
Jose Batlle y Ordon~ez
Plutarco Elias Calles
Manuel Azan~a y Diez
and, of course, the ACLU
Gary Ney| 5.22.12 @ 4:45PM
Speaking of the president and the Catholic Church, here is something to ponder if haven't already. Who cannot go 10 minutes without promoting fairness, or a fair shot or justice for all Americans. Who used the the biblical quote, am I not my brother's keeper? Who claims to be a christian all the while promoting and siding with Islamic principle and people? Well the answer is easy, the man with a muslim name, the most dishonorable barack husein obummer. Now who along with many in his cabinet have seen a abortion law they love to support, and how many abortions have indirectly facilitated by their actions in supporting such laws that allow the murder of millions of baby's? That again will be burack husein obummer.
So mr. president, where is those innocent baby's fair shot at life and the american dream, where is their justice? mr president, you want everybody to have a fair shot, you want everybody to play by the same rules, you want social justice far all, so what about those millions of unborn baby's who never had any shot at life, much less a fair shot you love so much to promote? Maybe you haven't evolved yet, maybe you really do not care about the unborn, but mark my words, your Creator cares about those most innocent that you and your friend so readily like to murder. The justice you so love to speak about will come back on your 10,000 fold. Just wish I would be there to see it.
Susan Benton| 5.22.12 @ 5:33PM
From you mouth to God's ears! Can't wait to see BHO shown the door - it will mean 4 years of holding Mitt's feet to the fire, but hey the guy is a patriotic American and needs to be shown that most Americans are conservatives, not Republicans.
Mr.Bojangles| 5.22.12 @ 11:35PM
Crazypants.
POST American| 5.22.12 @ 11:44PM
Putting aside those latest reports of
dried body parts of the unborn now
rampantly in use for cosmetics ---and beauty
capsules ----and extracts of the same NOW
being used as a flavor enhancer in Pepsi----
---OH! ---and the routine culturing of viruses
for those EUGENICS enriched vaccines you're
gettting --being, IN FACT-- grown in the retinas
of dead Chinese infants -----
---A little side note for those who STILL
may NOT know:
Every single newborn, in America and now
worldwide, has blood drawn at birth to put
in secret government data bases for bio-weapons
testing and 'long term EUGENICS management'.
Certainly, ABORTION is FINALLY emerging
as what it archetypally is ---MURDER---
---BUT ALSO ---let's be aware of the EUGENISTS
dealings ---with the yet living.
"Remember, 'Free Trade', Globalism,
TREASON, USURY and EUGENICS are ALWAYS
intertwined. ----ALWAYS. ----ALWAYS."
-Informed Radio online
--------------HUAC is NOW ----Nuremberg 2012.
dadfly| 5.23.12 @ 1:44AM
finally. our catholic bretheren are begining to take on the heavy reponsiblity handed down from our founding puritan fathers. after 200 years of mostly partaking in the bounty of America, they are finally fighting for her. surely this is a sign from our heavenly Father.
Clint| 5.26.12 @ 4:56AM
Catholics Like Commadore Barry, Pulaski, Kosciusko Have Fought & Died For America From It's Founding, Sport.
crossworked| 5.23.12 @ 4:39AM
I am glad to have found this site. However the intellect that we all prevail is nothing compared to the fact that the US is 43rd in math,19th in simple science and Florida has only 46% of graduates that can read. We need to put our assumed intelligence to bear. How can the Spectators Bright Minds bring individual intelligence to be within our children, and let them to grow and make the next cure?
dougindeap| 5.23.12 @ 4:46PM
Wow! The bishops have doubled down on lies about what the health care law requires of employers. Pretending their religious liberty is at stake, they protest—falsely—that the health care law forces employers to provide or pay for medical services that some employers, e.g., Catholic hospitals, may consider immoral. Notwithstanding widespread assertions by the bishops and others, that is simply and demonstrably false. The law does no such thing.
Many initially worked themselves into a lather with the false idea that the law forces employers to provide their employees with health care plans offering services the employers consider immoral. The fact is that employers have the option of not providing any such plans and instead simply paying assessments to the government (which, by the way, would generally amount to far less than the cost of health plans). Unless one supposes that the employers’ religion forbids payments of money to the government (all of us should enjoy such a religion), then the law’s requirement to pay assessments does not compel those employers to act contrary to their beliefs. Problem solved. Solved--unless an employer really aims not just to avoid a moral bind, but rather to control his employees' health plan choices so they conform to the employer's religious beliefs rather than the law, and avoid paying the assessments that otherwise would be owed. For that, an employer would need an exemption from the law.
Indeed, some have continued clamoring for such an exemption, complaining that by paying assessments to the government they would indirectly be paying for the very things they opposed. They seemingly missed that that is not a moral dilemma justifying an exemption to avoid being forced to act contrary to one’s beliefs, but rather is a gripe common to many taxpayers–who don’t much like paying taxes and who object to this or that action the government may take with the benefit of “their” tax dollars. Should each of us be exempted from paying our taxes so we aren’t thereby “forced” to pay for making war, providing health care, teaching evolution, or whatever else each of us may consider wrong or even immoral? If each of us could opt out of this or that law or tax with the excuse that our religion requires or allows it, the government and the rule of law could hardly operate.
In any event, those complaining made enough of a stink that the government relented and announced that religious employers would be free to provide health plans with provisions to their liking (yay!) and not be required to pay the assessments otherwise required (yay!). Problem solved–again, even more.
Nonetheless, some continue to complain, fretting that somehow the services they dislike will get paid for and somehow they will be complicit in that. They argue that if insurers (or, by the same logic, anyone, e.g., employees) pay for such services, those costs will somehow, someday be passed on to the employers in the form of demands for higher insurance premiums or higher wages. They evidently believe that when they spend a dollar and it thus becomes the property of others, they nonetheless should have some say in how others later spend that dollar. One can only wonder how it would work if all of us could tag “our” dollars this way and control their subsequent use.
The bishops are coming across more and more as just another special interest group with a big lobbying operation and a big budget—one, moreover, that is not above stretching the truth. The bishops want the government to privilege their business enterprises by allowing them to offer their employees health care plans conforming to the bishops’ religious beliefs rather than the law. They’re so keen on this that they have resorted to a media blitz centered on the false claim—sometimes uttered in priestly tones by bishops themselves—that the law forces employers to act contrary to their consciences. Bunk!
Goldwaterite| 5.24.12 @ 1:30PM
In 2009, Barack Obama was invited to Notre Dame as commencement speaker and was treated as if the Second Coming had occurred. The Golden Dome was blessed by The Golden Tongue. Fast forward 3 years: Fr. John Jenkins (ND President), who in 2009 gushed over The Anointed One, finds himself "under the bus". As least Fr. John won't be lonely where he is.