Moral Side

Left-Wing Nuns Signed, Circulated Petitions for Walker Recall

As the Roman Catholic Church takes action to counter the left-wing drift of American nuns, Breitbart.com has learned that hundreds of nuns are involved in the left's campaign to recall Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R)--in favor of pro-choice Democratic challengers.

The nuns who have circulated and signed petitions include sisters from convents and other Catholic institutions across the state.

Over 100 signatures, for example, all of female voters, as verified through iVerifytheRecall, list the same address as a Dominican institution in Sinsinawa, WI, in the southwestern portion of the state. Representatives of that organization could not be reached for comment.

One Catholic official at a school with a large number of signatories stressed that Catholic organizations advocate for the poor and downtrodden, but do not take political positions, and that what their individual members do is up to them alone.

Though many Catholic voters support Walker, and approximatley forty percent of Wisconsin Republican primary voters are Catholic, there is some Catholic opposition to Walker's collective bargaining reforms among those partial to the "social justice" movement within the Catholic Church. Democrats are hoping to tap into that opposition.

Walker is Catholic, as is his most likely Democratic challenger, former congressman and former Milwaukee mayor Tom Barrett, who has been criticized for opposing the ban on federal funding for abortion. Other Democratic candidates--Kathleen Falk, Doug LaFollette, Kathleen Vinehout--appear to be pro-choice.

The Vatican's recent effort to discipline the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR), the largest organization of American nuns, stresses support for the nuns' "social justice" efforts but concludes that the group is not supportive enough of Catholic teachings on abortion and sexuality.

Many nuns who participate in the Leadership Conference supported "Obamacare" in 2010, according to the New York Times, in opposition to many American bishops who opposed the legislation. The law has recently been used by the Obama administration to force Catholic institutions to provide their employees with insurance coverage for abortifacients and contraceptives, contrary to Church teachings--and to Obama's promises.

Thus far, social issues have not played as large a role in the Wisconsin recall as have questions about union power in state government, but the support of some Catholic nuns for gubernatorial challengers whose policies directly contradict Church teachings has already begun to provoke debate and controversy.

-by Joel B. Pollak (article)

Liberals Hate Women ... But It Doesn't Count if the Women Are Conservatives.

Please excuse the language...but not the double standard.

Chris Matthews Explains ‘If You’re Really Anti-Gay, You Become a Catholic Now’ Comment

MSNBC’s Chris Matthews made comments recently that will certainly be taken negatively by some people who embrace the Catholic faith.

“If you’re really anti-gay, you become a Catholic now,“ he reportedly proclaimed during the ”Presidential Leadership Panel,” an event focusing upon politics in America.

Following the panel discussion, which also featured Civil War expert Harold Holzer and presidential historian Michael Beschloss, Scott Whitlock of the Media Research Center asked Matthews — an admitted Catholic himself — to clarify his comment about Catholics and homosexuality.

“Earlier tonight, you were talking about Nixon and the Southern Strategy and bigotry and things like that you and you said, quote, ‘If you’re really anti-gay, you become a Catholic now,’” Whitlock said. “I was wondering if you were saying that bigots become Catholic now and if you wanted to expand or apologize for that?”

Matthews responded, doubling down on his comment, while simultaneously attempting to tempter it.  “I think there are people who have chosen to convert to the Catholic faith because they don’t like the liberal positions taken by their sectarian groups,” Matthews explained. “That’s a fact. So, you can write that down. No, you can write that down.”

Whitlock, though, wasn’t done pushing the issue.  “So, you’re saying Catholicism is drawing bigots? Is that what you’re saying?,” he asked.

“I’m saying that some people who are bigoted against gay people have changed religions,” Matthews answered. “Yes. You got it right.” 

Which Political Party in the House of Representatives Is Dominated by Extremists?

Many political commentators from various media sources have advanced the notion that based on the vote on the "Final Debt Deal," the Republican Party in the House of Representatives is fractured and dominated by extremists.

The repetition of this opinion in the media by commentators ignores the actual vote and is intellectually lazy.  Let us look at the vote and then draw some conclusions.

The 112th House of Representatives has 242 Republicans and 195 Democrats.  It is safe to assert that since Representatives stand for election every two years by a specific district, then the House of Representatives more acurately reflects the mood and direction of the people than does the Senate.

Because of the party affiliation of each Representative it is safe to say that the center of the 112th House of Representatives is within the Republican Party.  I think we can agree that the political "extremes" can be located within each party.  The "exteme right" is within the Republican Party in the House, and the "extreme left" is within the Democratic Party in the House.

The "Final Debt Deal" passed in the House of Representatives with vote of 269 in the affirmative and 161 in the negative.  Three Representatives did not vote, and no judgment is made about those positions.

Republican Representatives supported the "Final Debt Deal" by a vote of 174 - 66.  Democratic Representatives were split on the "Deal" by a vote of 95 - 95.  Three Democrats did not vote.  Speaker of the House Boehner, Majority Leader Cantor, and Minority Leader Pelosi voted in the affirmative.

The broad, bipartisan center for the "Final Debt Deal" - 62.6% - spanned both parties.  The bill would not have passed unless it had the support of both parties' leadaership and the bipartisan support of the majority of Representatives.

If we assume that the "extreme" on both ends of the spectrum voted in the minority opposition, and that the "extreme right" is found among the Republican Representatives and the "Extreme Left" is found among the Democratic Representatives, then what conclusions can we draw from this very important vote?

1. The center of the 112th House of Representatives is within the Republican Party.
2. The Republican Party in the 112th House is not dominated by the "Extreme Right."  Based on this particular vote the "Extreme Right" is 27.3% of the Republican Party - an important, but not dominant minority.
3. The Democratic Party in the 112th House is split by those in the broad center and those on the "Extreme Left."  Based on this particular vote the "Extreme Left" is exactly 50.0% of the Democratic Party - making neither the center, nor extreme the majority or minority.
4. The Democratic Party in the 112th House is the party that is fractured and dominated by "Extremists."

Before making rash and lazy statements based on their own wishful thinking, commentators should look at the facts.

I Can Raise the Average Miles Per Gallon for Every Auto Manufacturer Today

President Obama has begun to push for an average 56 miles per gallon (MPG) for American automobile manufacturers by 2025.  I can go well beyond that goal...today.

As I understand the process, the goal is determined by the average MPG of vehicles sold by each manufacturer.  As a simplified example, if a manufacturer sells one million cars that are rated at 20 MPG and one million cars that are rated at 30 MPG, then that manufacturer has an average fleet MPG of 25.  Simple math.

I would guess that every American automobile manufacturer has in development an all-electric vehicle prototype.  All that automobile manufacturers need to do is sell that vehicle.

Do you know the MPG for an all-electric vehicle?  It is infinity!  All that the manufacturer needs to do is sell one of these all-electric vehicles to raise its MPG average.

Let us simplify the math again.  Let us say that the same automobile manufacturer above who sells one million cars that are rated at 20 MPG and one million cars that are rated at 30 MPG, also sells one car that has an MPG of infinity.  What is the average MPG for the manufacturer now?  Do the math.

If (1,000,000 cars x 20 MPG) + (1,000,000 cars x 30 MPG) = 50,000,000; and 50,000,000/2,000,000 = 25 average MPG

Then (1,000,000 cars x 20 MPG) + (1,000,000 cars x 30 MPG) + 1 car x infinity MPG) = infinity; and infinity/2,000,001 = infinity average MPG.

Problem solved in the Liberal way ... Nothing changes, but we feel better about it.

Of course, from where does that electric power come?  In my state it comes from coal.

Liberal Intolerance

On January 30, 2011 a person who uses the name "John Johns" on FaceBook responded to a broadcast of "The Moral Side of the News" on WHAS-TV.  These broadcasts on WHAS-TV begin at 5:30am on Sunday morning and conclude at 6:00pm.  "John Johns" sent me a message and a friend request at 6:17am on the same day.  I have duplicated the message below.

The message examples of the intolerance of those who preach toleration.  It has been a rare experience for me to encounter a liberal who actually wants to engage in a meaningful discussion of issues with me.  The exceptions are my fellow panelists and friends on "The Moral Side" panel, parishioners, friends on FaceBook, and a few others who know me.

When Liberals stitmatize Conservatives as intellectually, emotionally, and morally inferior

I thought it very telling that this message on FaceBook came to me about two weeks after our President encouraged civility in our discussions.  I guess some did not get the message.

You may know "John Johns." He is from Louisville.  He seems to hold strong liberal political opinions and is an avid news watcher.  He has also sent messages on FaceBook to WLKY-TV news in repsonse to a news report.  He claims to have served in the military, and the majority of his FaceBook friends appear to be African-American.  He is probably a young adult because of his usage of "internet spelling."  His profile picture at the time of his message was an anti-TEA party cartoon.  I have also posted the list of his FaceBook activities and interests below. 

If you know him, please invite him to contact me through WHAS-TV Crusade for Children or at 893.9000.  I would enjoy having a conversation with him in person.

Here is the message that "John Johns" sent to me:

John Johns January 30 at 6:17am

I thought i would try to friend u and tell u that ur nothing more than a fox channel parrot & a RACIST to boot..u & [third party]..but there's no need to tell u that ..im sure ur aware...JUST LOOKING AT Ur pic..he have that classic 50's bigot look....But our creator knows what u r & u'll be exposed & dealt with like all the rest....ur kind are dying off in this time of the end ....and hopefully u'll be alive to experience ALL RACES COMING TOGETHER TO DEFEAT UR KIND !!..and u'll shiver like the COWARD u truly are !! & i served in the INTEGRATED service !!!...u INSECURE ..BALD ....FRIGHTENED...SHRIMP BIGOT!!!

Here is the list of "John Johns'" activities and interests:

The Ed Schultz Show, Your Black World, Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr., Katie Couric, Joe Scarborough, Sheryl Underwood's Fan Page, Reverend Al Sharpton, Conservative Republican Hypocrisy, Eugene Robinson, Chris Matthews, Jack Conway for Kentucky, Mike Papantonio, Thom Hartmann, Ed Koch, Organizing for America - California, The White House, Van Jones, I bet Jon Stewart can reach a million fans before Bill O'Reilly!, Anthony Weiner, Anderson Cooper 360, Bill Maher, Telling Dick Cheney to Shut the Hell Up (by Leftake.com), Tyler Perry, Renee Elise Goldsberry, Roland Martin, Joe Madison - "The Black Eagle", Warren Ballentine, Martin Lawrence, Michael Eric Dyson, Donna Brazile, Tom Joyner, "Mr. Boehner, Where Are The Jobs?", The Red Hat, Clarence Dupnik is my Hero, MoveOn.org, ColorOfChange.org, Stem Cell Research, Bernie Sanders, Women for Harry Reid, Truth Be Told Radio, Nancy Pelosi, OpenSecrets.org: Tracking Money In Politics, MN Political Roundtable, Divorce Court, PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), Howard Dean, Democracy Now!, Bristol Palin, Employee Free Choice Act, I will buy an American made product this week and post here!, Votesane PAC, Robert Jordan WGN, Mediaite, Bill Press (The Bill Press Show), The Raw Story, National Organization for Women, National Women's Law Center, CommonDreams.org, Kentuckians Against Rand Paul, AlterNet, Dick Gregory, NAACP, Barack Obama, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., TURF FEINZ, Matt McCutcheon WAVE 3 News, Steve Harvey, Ricky Smiley Prank Calls, Dr. Cornel West, WAVE 3 Troubleshooter, Brightspot, America is Now a One Party Government: Republicans Refuse to Work, Tim Kaine, Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC), Politics Daily Investigations, The Cram, Politics Daily, Coffee, Tea, and a Conversation with Dorothy Wright Tillman, WAVE 3, Hate on Parade - How the Conservatives Intimidate to Win Elections, WHAS 11, JET 24/7, Ed Schultz, Tim Wise, Media Matters for America, Conservatives Are Full of Hate, Get to Know Your Conservative Enemy, Don't Forget How America Got Screwed Up..., Tactics from Bush Administration or Third Reich?, We won't eat at Restaurants that have Fox News on the TV!, The Other 98%, Maxine Waters, The Urban Journal with Keith Murphy, Talking Points Memo, Benjamin Todd Jealous, Alex Jones, Reggios Pizza, Lawrence O'Donnell is a BABE!, Clarence Page, TV One, Cenk Uygur, Alan Colmes

The Moral Side of the News for October 31, 2010 - President Obama and Jon Stewart, Officer Messer and the New Albany Police

Liberal and Conservative Political Philosophies - What's the Difference?

What is the difference in political philosophies between Liberals and Conservatives?  An easy way to characterize these differences is by looking a a coin!

What are the three "slogans" that you find on a coin?

• "Liberty" - Conservatives tend to be on the side of individual liberty.  Liberals tend to accept limitations on liberty in order to have a equality of outcomes.  Which is more important to you - Liberty, or Equality?  (Please note equality of access is not the same as equality of outcomes.)
• "E Pluribus Unum" - This slogan is Latin and is translated "Out of many, one."  Conservatives tend to see America as a nation united - where persons of different backgrounds and circumstances can form one nation.  Conservatives tend to focus on unity instead of diversity.  Liberals, on the other hand tend to stress the differences between groups and to place individuals in groups.  Liberals encourage diversity and celebrate differences above unity.
• "In God We Trust" - Conservatives tend to recognize the primary formative value of America has been religious faith.  Conservatives see the connection between religious faith and the health of the nation.  Liberals tend to downplay faith and seek to marginalize religion by removing it from the public sphere.

Money has value!  Money talks!

Mixing Religion and Politics

As a conservative I have been told time and time again that I should keep my religion out of politics.  The politicians I have supported have been told that their religion should be private and not brought into the public political discussion.  What do we say about Speaker Nancy Pelosi's invocation of St. Joseph in support of her position on the "Health Care Reforms."

I guess only conservative Christians should muzzle themselves.

"Liberal" Compassion or Shame? - Learning to Laugh at Someone Else's Suffering

When you stigmatize another, it becomes easy to laugh at the other's suffering.  When you see conservatives as evil or stupid - or whatever liberals use to stigmatize conservatives - you laugh at and celebrate their suffering.  I suppose that the only sad thing for those who hate Vice President Cheney is that he did not die.

(A friend of mine - a liberal Christian pastor - once said on air with the "Moral Side of the News", "Cheney is evil." 

Conservatives have learned something:  "The more they hate you, the more effective you are."

Watch the video below and see the compassion and tolerance of two liberals - Joy Behar and Bill Maher of CNN - as they laugh, joke, and celebrate the former Vice President's illness.  These are two comedians whom the Left views as insightful political commentators.

There is no one less compassionate or tolerance than a person who thinks that he or she have a monopoly on compassion and tolerance.

Also, notice the group think that Ms. Behar reveals when she says: "The most reasonable people ... don't really care. ...At least he doesn't get any sympathy from ... people around me anyway."

Ms. Behar should get out or read more, or at least widen her circle of acquaintances.