:idea: :!: Don't forget that the Democratic Party has shattered too. If it comes down to a choice between Hillary and Bernie in California the people here will go berserk. I don't know anyone here who wants to vote for either one of them and I work with left-wing school teachers. The situation gets even worse for them when they check their alternatives: Crazy Uncle Joe and Pocahontas. This is all that's left of the FDR coalition?
How many electoral votes does Vatican City have? Did not realize that believing we should have a secure border and a rational immigration policy is the dividing line between being Christian or non Christian. http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/E/EU_REL_POPE_TRUMP?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
Also, there have been various articles in recent years showing that Mexico is far harsher than the USA is regarding its treatment of illegals. But, I suspect that subject will not be addressed during the Pope's trip to Mexico.
Apparently the Jesuit doesn't remember much about what's in the Old Testament. He's always ripping Capitalism and cozying up to the Commies and Socialists. Guess he missed the part where it says "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's goods."
Bobda, as a Catholic old schooler who was taught by nuns, I believe that the Pope is infallible in matters of faith and morals. Other matters, like immigration, economics, and politics in general, not so much.
Like most of you guys I don't see any "good" choices. However, I am so opposed to EVERYTHING the Dem party presents I would hit the "REPUBLICAN" button if the devil was leading the ticket. I am mostly voting AGAINST Bernie Marx, or the Felon Hillbillary rather than voting for a candidate I have any belief in. I hate that it's come to that, but it has.
:roll: This is the worst pope I've ever seen, to go along with the worst president I've ever seen. At least Notre Dame found a coach and the Rams returned to LA. I find comfort in the thought that "This too shall pass..."
So...is the Pope not Christian? I've seen the walls around the Vatican. Their control of who comes in and out is pretty much absolute. "Hey kettle, phone's for you. He either said he has some pot or his name is pot, not sure which. There was a whole lot of BS on the line so I couldn't really hear."
To be clear, the wall around the Vatican was built long ago for protection from invading armies. It serves a completely different purpose from the proposed wall on our border. You guys generally seem to be smart people. You are showing incredible ignorance and immaturity by trying to compare apples and oranges. I don't agree with the way he involves himself in political and economic issues, but I understand that his mission is God's work. He's carrying out his mission as he understands it. At least try to show some respect.
So a wall to keep people out of the Vatican is different from a wall keeping people out of our country? And by the way my limited research uncovered that some of the walls were built in the 15 and 16th century as more of a political statement than protection from invading armies.
Sid, the only distinction I would agree to in reference to this pope’s comments about walls is that this pope has neither condoned nor built any of which I’m aware. However, his statements DO directly apply to many popes before him that were sitting when the walls were built, improved, strengthened, repaired, and expanded. I’m sure each of those popes thought they had good reason to do so, including at least some of whom were trying to protect themselves from invaders. Much in the same vein, I’m sure many today feel that the USA is at risk from invaders, most of whom Trump is likely their preferred candidate, thus making Trump the logical focus for the pope’s comments. So maybe hypocrisy is the wrong word for it, but his comments are equally applicable to his predecessors, each of whom I’m pretty sure were Catholics as well, and deserving of as much respect and reverence as he. I don’t really care about the topic enough to get upset about it, nor enough to upset anyone else about it. I was being glib in an attempt at levity in a tough conversation in connection with providing my (unasked-for) POV. So, moving on…
We invite the drug cartels ourselves with our ridiculous drug policies. I know I'll have zero agreement on this, but we've tried everything your way over the course of my lifetime and despite all of the militarized escalation we continue to lose. We fly in the face of history on how to handle said matters. When the now militarized police force can't make a dent in the 'war on drugs' they then turn that militarized machine on the local population. Mind you, I am not a 'hands up, Black Lives Matter, insert ******** slogan here' backer. It's just so amazing to me that in this day and age of instant information, we haven't found a way to process any of it. We're more reactionary than ever before. Until we find a way to make humans smarter, we're better off knowing less because we've proven we can't handle the truth. This election reminds me of the first time I saw Rocky Horror Picture Show. I wasn't totally sure what I was seeing and I couldn't figure out why everyone was so excited. I was left with only 2 realizations; this all sucks and I am out of beer.
That is ridiculous. My son is one of those militarized police that scare you shitless for some reason. And he is working in the trenches fighting the losing battle against drugs. I can assure you that he has no designs on you or your property. They are militarized because the bad guys are, not vice versa. He sees things that would make Breaking Bad look like Mr. Rogers. If I were dictator of the US drug dealers would get a mandatory life sentence without parole. Let's see if it is worth it then.
Kes, to be clear, I don't approve of the Pope wading into political waters, including the Trump comments. I guess I'm just as old school as they come, as I referenced in an earlier post. As such, I have faith in the Pope as the leader of Catholics and consider him infallible in matters of faith and morals. I grew up and have aged with Popes who were traditionally as conservative as they come. This guy is much more liberal in worldly matters, which is a change of pace that makes most old-school Catholics uncomfortable. I just consider it white noise until he speaks specifically on matters of faith and morals. That's when I listen. I have a history here of responding "assertively" when I disagree on emotional (for me) topics. Afterward, I wish I had kept my mouth shut. This is one of those times. I like and respect you and everyone else here. The last thing I want to do is imply disrespect, which upon reflection I did with the words "ignorance" and "immaturity." I apologize.
Longer jail terms have proven to lead to more violence, increased prison gang crime and serve as no real deterrent to enter the world of drugs. I'm not afraid of your son, or any cop. I've been told BY COPS that bothers them. If you know your rights and exercise them, a great many cops will immediately suspect you of wrong doing. When I was a kid, I did as they said and it got me beaten. As a young man, I did as they said and it got me beaten and arrested. As a grown man, I tolerate absolutely none of that **** and it's funny how the tables are turned when you don't give them power. Considering I've seen the end result of a tweaker microwaving their baby on a Thanksgiving, you better slow your roll on assumptions regarding who has seen the worst, or that he's seen things other people such as myself have not. You'd be surprised. The painful truth is that legalization works. It's just not your truth so you don't want to pretend that it exists. As we slowly legalize one drug after the other, we will see the cartels push for something harder. That should tell you that legalization works. Also, we can begin to treat addiction like the disease that it is and not a criminal activity. BTW, I have no problem with your son, you made that interjection. He sounds like a real American hero and I hope to shake his hand one day. My beef is that most of my friends here in Alabama are law enforcement AND THEY SEE the same issues as I do. Then you turn around and act like these conditions/realities don't exist. Perhaps the 2 best officers that we have in this city work in the highest crime areas of this area and all they wear is Kevlar. They've rarely pulled their weapons and care about raising the community while protecting it. If you want new legislation, let's talk about laws making it mandatory that police live in the communities they work in? That one works out pretty well and gives them all new perspective.
You and I better leave this topic alone. I will yields to you obvious expertise on the subject of all things related to law enforcement.