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Palindromedary ~ That's a tricky question. Of course, there is no way of really knowing for sure. I can only give my humble opinion. Personally, I believe the Pope spoke on his own, and from the heart. I don't think that the Vatican really wants a pontiff who embodies the SOS. (Same Old Stuff.) That is why they picked this guy in the first place. The church is in very serious danger of losing it's edge. People see it for the opulent and hypocritical entity described in Revelations. People are outraged by the pedophile scandal and the Vatican's perverted way of coping with it. The faithful flock is diminishing at record numbers as people lose faith in the institution. This is a type of situation that only a modern day Saint can cure.
So yes, Pope Francis is speaking his mind instead of an agenda. Yes, he is speaking the truth and the true way of Christianity. Yes, he is placing his head on the chopping block and in the way of danger. Finally, yes, we could very well be seeing a modern day Saint in action.
This is nothing new with this man. He would not do the job any other way. Look at his life and you can see this is nothing new. Like Saint Francis he has embraced modesty and poverty in his own life. He refuses to isolate and protect himself from his flock. He insists of driving his own used car and preparing his own meals. He is a man who knows how to live through his faith and therefore does not fear death. He is an inspiration to all of us. He embodies the empowerment of true faith throughout the world community and right back to the Vatican--just like his namesake, The GREAT SAINT, St. Francis of Assisi did when he saved the church during his lifetime.
Essentially, that is precisely why I believe he was picked for this job. No one else from the inner sanctum of the Vatican could ever pull this job off and they know it.
Is he going to be martyred? Not necessarily! St. Francis wasn't. The same can be said for many other great Saints. You don't have to be killed to live a great and successful life serving God. As the typical Saint believes, 'As God wants so do I want.'
By echoing Christ's teachings Pope Francis sounds a lot like a Democratic Socialist. This is very refreshing in a world where the "God Almighty Dollar " or "God of Money," has caused many to lose sight of what's truly important during this very fleeting moment that we all call life. What good are $billions to the billionaire if he chooses to do nothing good with his billions while he's alive? More importantly, why do we as a society allow someone to possess billions to begin with?
Palindromedary: "diet of worms"......Is this wry humor in reference to Martin Luther's famous 1521 speech to the Imperial Diet in Worms Germany, which also makes them the Diet of Worms? .................just wondering!
interesting how even the Catholic church had to bring in a new CEO to help get back the market share they have been losing over the last couple of decades. Sign of the times I guess. According to Thom Hartman shouldn't the Catholic church share are there wealth with other religions. You know pay there fair share To the Muslims, Buddhists and atheist.
That is your best yet Palin. Nice
Maybe he can get our biggest debts forgiven. You know, China & Social Security.
With sincere gratitude to Pope Francis, and a heart-felt "thank you" to Thom Hartmann for passing this information along. The fact that most US "progressive" groups have turned their backs on the poor since Clinton made it cool has come with some pretty severe consequences. Our homeless have been virtually driven into hiding, often jailed and/or brutalized on the streets. Middle classers don't "get" some basic points about US poverty today. Millions of us are a single job loss from losing absolutely everything, with no way back up. How do you get a job without a home address, phone, bus fare? Now our government is targeting Social Security again. Few know (since media largely overlooked it) that it was Bill Clinton who took the first steps toward dismantling Social Security, starting with the disabled. Because of Clinton, the seriously ill and disabled became the fastest-growing group of homeless Americans. They did quite poorly on the streets. (Upon taking office, President Obama reversed Clinton's policies against the disabled, unquestionably saving lives and significant suffering.) I often think of how different things might have been, had our media chosen to inform the public about just what was happening to so many of the disabled.
Our priest almost every Sunday rails against abortion, birth control and gay marriage and the government. This church should lose it's tax exemption. He is one of these authoritarian, hard core right-wingers who most likely listens to hannity. The Homily was supposed to be about the poor but all he preached was that we must go to confession. He never addressed the issue of the poor in America nor in the World. He also railed against the "liberal" press for twisting the Pope's words. My wife and I were furious. We are sick of his attitude and next Sunday we are going to go to another Catholic church that has a Puerto-Rican priest who we really like. We are sick of being lectured by this authoritarian priest.
I am not a Catholic by any stretch, but I do find your comment rather a vain attempt at dark-satrie. I greatly admirely this new Pope, and he is showing his humility to the world in his actions as well as words. I know the Catholics have their problems, just as I'm sure you have YOURS! Let's not lose sight of the message he is giving!
I don't think Pres. Obama needs any help ticking off the seniors...he's doing just fine all by himself...people know that Obama has shown that he is not a liberal Democrat by far...and is more right wing than left wing. His appointments...his actions.... speak louder than empty campaign rhetoric.
The Republicans didn't force Obama to crack down on whistle blowers. They didn't force Obama to appoint the economic wolves who created the whole financial mess we're in to be his economic advisers. They didn't force Obama to keep our torture chambers in Gitmo, and elsewhere, open. They didn't force the Obama regime to be the most secretive and spying on the people regime ever. They didn't force Obama to accept their ACA (aka Obama Care)...it was originally a Republican plan you know! In fact, Obama Care may be hurting Medicare...hurting Seniors! The damn Democrats are only hurting themselves when the talk the talk but don't walk the walk. It's time all Democrats vote third party candidates...even if it risks putting Republicans in office. The overwhelming numbers would show both parties that we are not going to be held captive by the same old boy two-party system anymore. We won't be held captive by fake Democrats scaring people into believing they have no other choice but to elect fake Democrats (who are merely part of the ruling elite game to control us all).
(Emphasis Added)
Palindromedary ~ Quite frankly, I think you just might be right.
Palindromedary ~ Thanks for clarifying that. You had me a little worried.
Sandlewould ~ I agree! Very well said! The heads up on Ms Feinstein was most enlightening. I made up my mind to vote her out of office long ago anyway for a long laundry list of other reasons; but, now I have even more reason. Trying to establish a law to regulate internet free speech? That's blatant treason and another violation of her oath of office. This woman belongs behind bars. For anyone who might not be up to speed on this story, here is a link to an article and a video of her testimony.
http://www.againstcronycapitalism.org/2013/09/diane-feinstein-defines-free-speech-the-1st-amendment-a-privelage-video/
I can't wait to step into the voting box next election. Bye, bye Diane. I would vote for a hand puppet before ever voting again for you.
DAnneMarc: Atheists do not have much faith in "faith" but if that is your thing then that's ok by me. But, I'm afraid that "one man moving a mountain, if given a shovel", is not very realistic because both the man and the shovel will be worn out much sooner than the mountain.
Unfortunately, we all may be worn out. And any tools we may have also may be worn out, well before we can achieve moving the capitalist mountain. Now, if we had more high-tech tools.....it wouldn't take so long to move those mountains. Other countries have been successful at moving their mountains and their mountains were also very tall...but it took the people to realize that nothing would change playing the same old fake-democracy game. They got way more active...and I don't mean holding little chit-chat and tea rallies in each other homes that most likely had ruling elite agent infiltrator spies present.
Sandlewould: I certainly think that it is about time we purge the Democrat party of all of the fake Democrats...either that or break up the two party stranglehold and send one big loud message to the ruling elite by electing a third party into office...make it an overwhelming defeat for both Republicans and Democrats.
Was it a matter of "allowing" Pope Francis to say those things or did he lay his head on the chopping block headed for Sainthood?
DAnneMarc: Of course I'm trying to be funny again...and sarcastic...but not of Pope Francis...he is, at least, saying all the right things...my suggestion is that just as Pres Obama is most likely limited in what he can say and do by the ruling elite, Pope Francis is as well...except Pope Francis seems to be bucking the trend and going out on a limb. Very dangerous...I believe that Popes have been poisoned before and I sure hope Pope Francis is very careful what he eats. We do need leaders that say things that will possibly work for change for the masses and not make the fat cats fatter. It's time the fat cats went on a very strict diet....A "diet of worms", perhaps! ...let them eat worms! ;-}
World leaders were listening...& laughing...all the way to the bank. The only reason the Pope was allowed by the Catho-Capito machinery to say what he said is because the powers that be know we won't fall for it anymore, talk is cheap, and false hope is profitable. I'm not saying he doesn't mean what he says, just that no money is lost, & money is gained by continuing to string us along. All the talk in the world, whether from the Pontif or the people en mass, can not stop the profitable, intentional genocide & population control the global elites commit every day via austerity, corruption, and polution. Sadly, much, MUCH more to come. Our only hope is to stop looking to our "leaders" & our political systems to make changes, to start looking to ourselves & our communities and to relearn how to survive not only off the grid in terms of energy, but in every conceivable way and for folks like Thom to start addressing this through education in sociology new forms of democratic governance & sustainability...to shift from political discussion which will never go anywhere in our current paradigm to discussion of solutions like OWS found in Zuccotti before they got bulldozed. We can talk about/organize against gvernment surveilence, injustice and economic inequality 'till we're purple in the face, but it won't change or stop anything. We can mobilize every citizen to action, but it will simply be ignored or used as an excuse to jail or kill. Dianne Feinstein a DEMOCRAT, is now proposing legislation that will wipe out freedon of press & speech in 1 fell swoop. This is how gov. will continue to respond to protest. Reinventing capatalist democracy will not work this time. Time for a new paradigm, not for reinvention, but invention. We need to hear from the finest minds in social philosophy, alternative energy & sustainability. Politicians, no matter how well meaning or liberal, if working within the current system, will only fall prey to the corruption of the system, or be powerless to stop it.
Palindromedary ~ Very disturbing indeed. I hope you are being sarcastic. It's hard to tell. This Pope is living up in words and deeds to the moral convictions of his namesake, THE GREAT SAINT, St. Francis of Assisi. What you claim he intends to do is possible however not very wise. He would face grave opposition; and, we need this guy to stay healthy and active. He's doing a great job. Hopefully his wise words won't fall on deaf ears.
He is taking the Church far away from the metaphorical representation of the Great Whore spoken of in Revelations. Surely he is aware that Rome wasn't built in a day; and, it may take longer than a day to deconstruct it as well. To this end he has the hopes and prayers of all the faithful.
Even a small man with just one shovel can move a mountain with time, dedication, and determination. Let Pope Francis be that man, and let faith be that shovel.
Pope Francis announced today that to prove how sincere he was about economic inequality and his comments against those who worship the "God of Money" the Catholic Church will now auction off all it's worldly goods... churches, statues, limosines, jewelry, properties, whore houses, investment holdings, and everything else in order to distribute to all of the world's needy. He said that no church leader needs to live like kings and that they should all live like paupers...in rags...and partake of meager sustenence...just like Jesus did. Of course not all of the Papal heiracrchy agreed with him and are are now baracaded inside the Vatican with arms and munitions and won't let the Pope back inside. They are now desperately plotting on how to respond to such comments...damage control. Rumor has it that they have contracted with the same PR firm, Hill & Knowlton, that sold the 1st Bush administration's first invasion of Iraq (Kuwait babies bayonetted in hospital wards ;-0 )
http://www.prwatch.org/books/tsigfy10.html
RACadmin ~ As you wish...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_politicians_affiliated_with_the_Tea_Party_movement
The Israeli lobby the banks and the Military industrial complex want this war in syria so bad .. .Great brands4italia Great online1test iGreat now Great bo323
During Friday's radio show you referred to this topic several times, asking "why don't the Republicans tell the truth and say they want to completely end food stamps [for ideological reasons]"?
I have my own theory about all of this. First, the individuals at the "top" of the Republican pyramid never tell their footsoldiers either their true endgame nor their true reasons for their strategy. They generate alot of noise which is a smokescreen to the truth.
In the book, "Prison State: The Challenge of Mass Incarceration," by Bert Useem and Anne Morrison Piehl (2008: Cambridge University Press)(available on Amazon) there is alot of valuable analysis of the overall issue. However, one quote really stands out.
"Christopher Jencks has observed, "Like rain on election day, crime is good for Republicans. . . . When the crime rates rise, liberals always find themselves on the defensive." The partisan advantage of high crime rates may have weakened, or even disappeared, with falling crime rates. To the extend the buildup reduced the crime rate, it may have taken away from Republicans an election-winning issue. This may have counterbalanced the immediate effect of excluding felons from voting. We do not know this."
These writers are experts, and the discussion is nuanced. This book is worth buying and reading, no question. My post, here, is to tie together Thom's thinking about "why are Republicans ending Food Stamps," with this academic thought. My personal belief is that Republicans want to plunge America back into serious, widespread crime as quickly as possible. They are aggressively treasonous, making their political strategy with one single goal: control of the Supreme Court, the FISA court, the Senate, the House and the Presidency. And they are willing to make people desperate enough to turn to crime in order to achieve their (the Republican strategists) goals. This is why they want to end Food Stamps. It's why they want to "force" President Obama to do something--anything--to weaken Social Security. The Social Security goal: make seniors angry at President Obama (and frightened of crime) so that they vote Republican one last time. Because after they do that, we may never get an opportunity to have a free and fair election ever again.
Yes
Fox News, the only so called news station whose major agenda since Oboma was elected was to attack him day after day after day in an ongoing effort on all of his proposals to resolve the nations economic problems he had no hand in creating... as they existed and were created long before he ran for the position he currently holds... i.e., Obama won re-election as a result of the majority of this countries voters supporting his views and proposed solutions for turning this economey around since they agreed with his assesment as to what the problems were and who caused them...
Further more, on top of all that criticisim, offer no alternative solutions as they and the tea party they support are not a solution to the problem rather they are the source of it... i.e., pitting the two party system against itself like a house divied so as for it to fall... that is, biblically sjpeaking... for the republi"cons" as in "con"-artistist(s) that can't win an election being truthfull, resort to deception in their attempt to capitalize on the voting republic by making use of supper pack money rather than attempting to overturn citezens united... These Tea party half witts that have been trying to defund "the affordable health care act" don't refer to it by its name as they don't want you and me to think they are against affordable health care when in deed they are... and, they believe that if they keep attempting to do something the same way over and over and over again with no success, success can eventually be accomplished... i.e., how many times have they voted to defund Obama care rather than call it what it is by its name (the affordable health care act) 40 times ??? And, by what means of justification do they attribute to for all these failed attempts? Why thats an easy one to answer... answer solely being to satisfy the whimsical desires of a minority of corporate shills in the house, not the senate, that would rather side with tea party in exchange for more future super pack money while keeping their friendship with all the insurrance companies that contribute to their campaign fund as well... i.e., the good old boys club... you scratch my back i'll scratch yours with a few legilated favors...
This is a prime example of the "same problem" when it comes to getting any sensible coverage of actual news wherein any truth could permiate the major news media statons since the acual news stations don't have the resources between elections to debunk what Fox news airs daily along with all the Clear Channel radio stations such as the ones who gave Rush Limbaugh a $400 million dollar contract for eight years ($50 million dollars a year) to talk out his ass through his golden microphone... Clear Channel a subsidiary of Bain Capital so too know you who signs his pay check sets his agenda...they are the prime leaders and disemulators of falsehoods and or deception (half truths)...
Take for example Monsanto, the major corporate giant capitalizing on geoengineering regardless of the harmful long term effects it will have on consumers of their biproducts while their long term intent is to monopolize the seeds of deception to the extent famers have no choice on whome they get the ones they plant from... Regarding Fox News, as an example, I believe this utube video will shed som light on the bottom line that drives that media station...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=LsglbfZLc_0
What these minority of young so called freshmen republican house members and corporate shills have managed to do is get the rest of the republicans in the house to vote strictly party line against any agenda of the other side or against what the majority of the taxpaying nation wants... affordable health care... I guess thats why they refer to it as Oboma Care since he cares and they don't.. and, by refering to it as such, figure they will have more success in their attempt to defund it by getting all the half witts who are already against Obama, against affordable health care, by signing his name to it and the democratic party rather than a plausable solution by representatives of the peoples choice... since to do otherwise would be an effort to solve a lagitamate problem facing many in this country who are impoverished and in need, of which, they seem to have no regaurd for ...
Perhaps it is because they themselves are not effected by the high cost of health care or, perhaps they have never been denied health care due to pre-existing condisions or the lack of in-affordablity due to not having an impoverished income as others have who would benifit from "the affordable health care act" since, as members of the house, having all the perks that come with that position, can't relate or simply don't care to relate for lack of compasion toward those in need which Oboma and the democratic party evidently has ... i.e., they having the best health care as a member of the house or a senator on top of the wages those positions provide at the expense of the tax payer since it includes otherwise un-affordable health care for them at no coast other than the cost to the taxpayer vis-a vis a taxpayer being covered of not... many of whome can't afford health care for themselves let alone food on the table, something they would like to take away also in addition to the bill they disrespectfully refer to as Oboma care... infact, they want to take foodstamps away and give the equivalent amount that would shave off the budget in one hand and give it in the form of subsadies to corporate welfare giants like Monsanta so as to aid them in feeding us not only a whold lot of bull, but a whole lot of GEO's that are sure to drive up health care costs.
I say get a list of these tea party corporate shills that keep obstructing the will of the people, make it public and use it as a reason to vote their asses out come next election by supporting unions that support both the public and private sectors by voting on paper ballots people can count and not on voting machines that can be rigged by the same corporate shills that manufacture and regulate them or we will end up with more cronnies and possibly a monsanta horned and tailed entity in office having run as a Republican corporate shill legislating more favors for the corporation they actually represent...
Note, I have no spell check and did this in a hurry so expect some spelling errors...
With the Affordable Care for all Act as a stepping stone, we as a nation will soon join the rest of the developed world with the most affordable.....Affordable Care Act known as single payer. The health insurance banking industry with the republican clown party at their sides know this and they ain't going down without a fight, even with the knowledge that it's a kamikaze mission. It's just the nature of rich guys who have always gotten their way no matter what....well guess what, not this time!
I certainly hope so, because I'm sure going to vote OUT every...single...last...one. PERIOD!!!