What Did He Say?
Crazy stuff about Pope Francis casting judgment upon Donald Trump's being a Christian. Or did the Pope really say what the news media said he did? If the Pope truly made a direct declaration such as this then he is wrong. After all he is not God and only God can read what is in the hearts of any of us.
The problem is that media often twists and mangles what public figures say in order to create the news rather than report it. Perhaps in the days to come we'll get this controversy unraveled with the media clarifying what really happened. Or maybe not. Whatever we get from the media sources or the Pope himself might result in greater understanding of the truth, but I doubt it. As is often the case, seeds of discord and distrust have been planted in our minds where they will flourish into bigger confusions or wither away covered by way too much fertilizer.
In the meantime, some of us may be wondering why the Vatican is surrounded by walls and protected by armed guards? And how many Muslim refugees have they allowed to come in to stay in the hallowed halls of the papal seat of government?
The Next Round in the Primaries
Something is going to happen on Saturday that could bring us closer to projecting where the presidential primaries are heading. Things have been getting out of hand for the Republicans in South Carolina though some say this is just business as usual. Maybe so if the business is monkey business.
I'll admit it can get entertaining at times watching the antics of the candidates and listening to all of the nonsensical back and forth nasty politics. I'm sure that the Democrats are going to have some rich material for their future political ads when it just comes down to the two main party candidates and they'll be letting the Republicans do all the mean talk for them.
However it might be that the most interesting event on Saturday will be the Democrat caucus in Nevada. Bernie Sanders is gaining ground on Hillary and she might be getting nervous. She's even taken to barking like a dog.
In fact, according to Fox News: Sen. Bernie Sanders leads Hillary Clinton nationally for the first time in the Democratic presidential primary race-- by three points-- in the latest Fox News Poll, which also shows Donald Trump leading his closest rival, Sen. Ted Cruz, by a 36-19 percent margin among self-identified Republican primary voters.
I'm thinking that the old-school establishment politicians might all be in the doghouse together after this year's election. A lot of people are not very happy with those who have been running things in our country and maybe this year will be a huge turning point where we will see the result of too many years of mismanagement in the United States government. The world just keeps getting weirder.
What about Battle of the Band Results?
The results of my most recent Battle of the Bands contest will be coming on Monday February 22nd. You've still got time to go back and cast your vote for your favorite version of the song I used this time, "A Change Is Gonna Come". I'll be tallying the votes on Sunday afternoon so if you'd like to vote this click this link. Are you keeping up with the political shenanigans? What do you think about the comments made by Pope Francis? What breed of dog do you think Hillary was impersonating?
I despise Donald Trump with every fibre of my being so I agree with whatever the Pope allegedly said. Trump is an evil, nasty, misogynist bully. We are in deep trouble if the people of this country elect him. I love how they are able to look past his cheating ways and his sleezy wife, but they put every other politician under the microscope. Makes me sick.
ReplyDeleteHow any woman would vote for him boogles the mind. He clearly has no respect for women and the regular man. I agree with you.
DeleteJoJo, I don't know Donald Trump so I would be hesitant to cast a judgment upon based on what others or the media tell me. All the politicians are carefully scrutinized, as they should be, but they should be examined through the lens of truth which is often not the case.
DeleteLee
I think we have to understand two things. First, the Pope SHOULD come at issues with the ability to strip it down to its simplest level, which he does. Second, THIS Pope is a "liberation theologist" and has a vested interest in coming out against capitalism in all its forms. Like you said, we have to chop through his words and ask WHICH of these two views he was speaking from. Or, as I saw a Catholic FB commenter say, get him "a PR team and a censor"!
ReplyDeleteCW, issues are one thing but to presume a persons spiritual relationship to God is overreaching in my opinion. The Pope might point out that doing something is wrong according to scripture, but when it comes to things like government policy and how those in government pursue those policies I think he should be more careful. Security is a serious issue whether it be in the U.S., Europe, the Vatican, or wherever.
DeleteLee
I am not really into politics Lee but I did enjoy your post, plus video.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful week-end.
Yvonne.
Yvonne, you are perhaps better off avoiding the politics, but then again to be aware can lead to being taken into a bad place as a country. In a democracy it's important for people to be aware of what's going on and try to change things if they are going in the wrong direction.
DeleteLee
You would be surprised how many evangelicals in Georgia listen to what the Pope has to say. Pope John Paul II changed how many people saw the Pope.
ReplyDeleteI follow politics reluctantly. It is a dismal business. One problem in this country is that everyone should vote for each party's nominee to calm some of the fanatics power. People should also show up and vote regardless of the fact we all vote for the lesser of two evils at election time.
I think one thing about our reacting to politics is our age. We have slowed down and have time to follow the news. When I was in my thirties, I kept up with the news; but I had so many pots boiling, I did not have the politics of this country as my priority.
Ann, the first time I ever voted was when I was about 37. Before that, like you, I had other things prioritized over voting. Also I was on the road working most of those years so I was never at home to go to the polls and never bothered to obtain an absentee ballot.
DeleteLee
I'm praying a lot for this election; first time I've really felt the need to in all the years I've been voting. Its scary with what is out there to choose from. I don't think America is as blessed as it used to be by God and I don't blame him considering how America in recent years has chosen to treat him.
ReplyDeletebetty
Betty, I guess we should pray for every election. The United States will definitely lose any blessing from God that it might have if we don't stay close to Him. Sadly we have been straying to Godless places.
DeleteLee
Trump is no angel but neither is anyone else. Hillary sounds like a dog that just got hit by a big rock stone. No idea why she thought doing that was a good idea. Just have a recorded bark play from the background. Now this will live on in infamy. Or at least til Summer. We have elections in Jamaica next Thursday. Our lovely government announced early February that we had less than a month the decide who we want to vote for. Thanks a lot for taking way too long to announce a date then hardly giving us any time Prime Minister Portia Simpson. We seriously need a set date big time.
ReplyDeleteSheena-Kay, maybe Hillary is getting loony from the exhaustion of too much campaigning. In Jamaica your government people have apparently found a way to avoid the nuttiness of our long campaign process by announcing last minute elections. Doesn't seem right, but sure eliminates a lot of crazy political stuff. Then again it might open the way for a different kind of crazy.
DeleteLee
Karen, every election season it seems like we get more bizarre candidates who stray further from traditional values upon which this country was founded.
ReplyDeleteLee
Shame and a sham.
ReplyDeleteOn the one hand, the fact that most Americans seems disinterested in politics is a shame, as if people turned off their devices and got involved, they could effect change.
On the other hand, the whole concept that the two parties are really much different is a sham. Look at how the candidates behave once getting voted in...funny how they are not all that different.
Whether Bernie is gaining ground because the newer additions to our population come from Socialist countries and that resonates, or whether he sounds different from the same old drivel, I do not see the Democrats giving up the White House.
Me, I will find a suitable third party or write-in candidate.
Feel the Bern, I guess...
Larry, it's kind of amazing that Socialism is catching on so much, but it's really not surprising considering the mindset of so many Americans.
DeleteLee
Sadly, I believe a lot of his supporters think that they will be the beneficiaries, and do not realize they'll be asked to pony up.
DeleteAlmost... Yep, I almost got suckered in.
ReplyDeleteI guess this old dog really IS starting to learn.
~ Stephen
STMcC, pretty soon you'll be barking with Hillary.
DeleteLee
Ha! You may be right.
Delete~ D-FensDogG
You know what? This is why I hate politics.
ReplyDeleteJohn, but why exactly?
DeleteLee
Vatican City is the smallest independent state in the world. How many refugees do you want them to take?
ReplyDeleteThe walls were probably built back in the day when Euros would attack each other every time they drank a bad cup of prune juice. Back when the Pope was a secular player, not just religious. They let people in pretty easily, walls or not.
Both major parties are a mess. I need Bush or Kasich to pull off the upset, or my last shred of sanity will be gone.
E-man, we are possibly edging towards a time of instability like those European times you describe. We need to watch our borders more because now it's more than just people coming across looking for jobs. The United States is experiencing a very quiet invasion of many cultures who would like to change what this country is and has been. I don't want to live in a third world or a sharia governed country.
DeleteLee
What's wrong with the Pope making a judgment about Trump? Trump tosses out judgments every day about other candidates, along with innuendos, insults, and just plain lies. Now, he's toning down his reaction, probably realizing how many Catholic votes he might be losing. I don't think his idea about the 2,000 KM border wall makes him a non-Christian. It just makes him silly. What kind of deal does he propose that will convince the President and people of Mexico to pay for it?
ReplyDeleteYou're right when you say the Pope is not God. Neither is Trump. If only God can make judgments of people, he's more out of line, since he's made more than I can count.
Jack, my real point here about the pope is that the news media twists and distorts things that public figures say in order to create news. They bait with questions that lead to answers that can be something different than what had been intended. From what Trump has said today I think he sees this is what happened in the popes case and why he wasn't overly defensive about the popes statements or offensive in attacking the pope. I think Trump handled the situation well. In Trump's other antics I think he is using showmanship from a marketing standpoint and beating the politicos at their own nasty game. Politicians have been dirty before Trump got into the game this election. He been out-politicking the professionals and a lot of people seem to love it.
ReplyDeleteLee
The media always manipulates and we get half truths. On the other hand Trump has often sounded off about people and quite brutally so now he has also been "judged" by someone quite powerful and it nawed at him because Trump does not like to be "told". Where others can take the high road, Trump shows his colours and it will pain me if that SOB gets into office. I also just can't see how he could build an actual wall-it makes no sense. To me he barks more than Hilary (who may need some valium). The wall around the Vatican was not put up in the last 40 years but when the Popes actually fought battles and the Vatican was raided centuries ago. This wall around the Vatican is part of history just like the Great Wall of China. In both cases, the walls never kept the people in or out so walls are truly...stupid. I keep thinking of the Berlin wall which is more akin to Trump's way of thinking
ReplyDeleteBirgit, as I mentioned in my previous response to Jack, I thought Trump handled the pope's comment very well and was quite diplomatic and thoughtful about it.
DeleteAs to the wall, I thought it sounded pretty absurd initially, but the more I began to think about it, the more interesting and practical the idea began to seem to me. I'm not going to going into my vision here and I don't know if what I'm thinking is anywhere near what Trump is envisioning. If Trump is thinking what I'm thinking there is a great deal of genius to the idea--not that I'm saying I'm a genius, but I can imagine something truly amazing as well as something that would be hugely beneficial to the U.S. and Mexico as well. Gosh, I'm starting to sound like Trump now. Maybe I'll have to write a post about this eventually.
Lee
I'm hooked on this year's presidential activities and watch all the debates and bunches of the news interviews. I'm appalled by the media shenanigans, horrified that some voters will still favor establishment candidates who promise the moon and deliver nothing but the same old stuff, and hope just once we can all get it right.
ReplyDeleteAs for Hilary's barking, I hope she doesn't sound like a Scottish terrier because I'm picking up (and adopting) my brother's dog next weekend. I couldn't take that sound for very long.
Patricia, this year for me has been like getting hooked on a television serial that I can't break free from. Drama, comedy, and an interesting line up of characters! I hope something good comes from all this, but I'm afraid it will end up being a rehashing of the same old story we've seen before.
DeleteI'm not fond of barking dog sounds unless they're alerting me to a fire or a burglar or some such thing.
Lee
I am paying attention to the debates but it gets boring when they are not answering the questions and yelling over each other. It is a disgrace to our country. I keep thinking these people want to govern our country. God Help Us! According to the Pope Trump is nonChristian because he wants to build a wall? So all of us who may agree with securing our borders and sending illegal immigrants back to where they came from are NonChristians now? The Pope is not even in the US. Why doesn't he get rid of his security and let them all into his little bubble he lives in. No comment regarding Hillary because every time I see her or hear about her it is like fingernails scratching on a blackboard to me.
ReplyDeleteCajunne, I think we can come to the conclusion that Pope Frances has been promoting a socialist agenda since he came into office. His energies should probably be focused in areas where greater wrong has been done. Security and enforcing laws is important to keep order and safety in any nation and the U.S. has a perfect right to do so. Especially when a country like Mexico is right next to us. I like the traditional Mexico, but I think there a lot of problems that we don't need to allow to infest our country with. Change needs to start South of the Border and not with us.
DeleteHillary's voice truly annoys me. Vocally she sounds like the female counterpart of John Kerry.
Lee
If you have to justify Trump, both you and he have a problem. The news media actions are probably more prominent and less neutral than in the past, but they seem to reflect what the people want to watch. You can get right wing slants from Fox and left wing slants from MSNBC. It is the candidate's challenge to defend his positions and ours, as voters, to judge his performance. In my opinion, his advocacy of a border wall bought by Mexico is silly. You didn't respond to that. What need has Mexico for a wall? Do we quit feeding them money to fight our common enemy - their narco mafia - if they don't pay? Does he contemplate invasion?
ReplyDeleteAsk yourself if this billionaire with FOUR bankruptcies is telling you what you want to hear or cares about anyone but himself.
Jack, there sure are plenty of slants on the political news all over the media--more than ever before in history I'd say. I'm thinking I might want to do a post about the border wall, not to defend Trump, but just to speculate a bit.
DeleteI'm not going to judge the man since I don't know him and can only go on things I've heard about him which is an array of things both good and bad--not as bad though as I've heard about some other people.
Lee
Oops!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a spark has started to turn into an actual fire.
QUICK! To the Bat-water-buckets!!!
~ D-FensDogG
STMcC, a fire of inspiration. I didn't want to discuss too much on my blog about the political situation in any detail, but I'm afraid I feel another blog post coming on. I hope the speculative fiction and futurists enjoy it.
DeleteDon't throw any water on me. Just give me a glass of Tennessee whiskey.
Lee
>>... I didn't want to discuss too much on my blog about the political situation in any detail
DeleteYes, I knew that.
That's why I didn't spend any of my time seriously commenting on this.
The Old Dog has finally learned. (And I ain't yakking about Hellary.)
~ Stephen
STMcC, I'd like to hear what you have to say about it.
DeleteLee
Many Canadians take an interest in American politics, because what happens there also affects us. Plus, it's a bit like a circus sideshow. ;) As a largely liberal nation, most of us are shocked and disgusted at the support Donald Trump is getting, but I think the Pope should keep his nose out of politics. (Yeah, right! This is the Catholic church, after all. :P ) If Trump gets elected POTUS, I fear for the future. (Not that HIllary would be much better, IMO. Everyone knows she's a crook and part of the "good old boys" club.) We await the election with bated breath.
ReplyDeleteDebbie, I think a great many people misunderstand what Trump is saying because of the way the media portrays him. I doubt whether Trump could be much worse that what we've had for the past 8, maybe even last 28 years.
DeleteLee
Can't say I agree with that, Lee. The diplomatic ramifications alone are mind-boggling! Trump has no capacity for self-editing, not to mention his fascist, bigoted and misogynistic viewpoints. We'll have to agree to disagree on this one.
DeleteBefore you post your thoughts on border walls, Lee, I suggest you review their history. The Great Wall of China - far bigger than anything Trump plans - did not keep out Genghis Khan - nor did the Maginot Line impede Hitler. Walls and fences are good for protecting individual properties - they are worthless for protection against mass assaults, and that is what we are talking about from Mexico. A wall would only escalate the assaults to groups with ladders and tunneling ability or to gangs with artillery.
ReplyDeleteIt is a further indictment of Trump, as candidate, that he thinks our problem with illegal immigration can be solved so easily.
Jack, I'll keep your suggestion in mind. Campaign speeches essentially have to be simplistic in order for the masses to hear the gist of what is being conveyed.
DeleteLee
On the road as I was last week, I heard three different versions of exactly what the Pope said, but my only thought was what business did he having saying anything at all?
ReplyDeleteHillary's yipping was definitely that of an ankle biter. Clearly,desperate people resort to desperate measures:-) Which is probably why we're all following politics closer than ever before.
Diedre, on this morning's news I heard the actual question that was asked of the pope and as I suspected it was one of those loaded questions baiting the pope into the kind of answer he gave. The entire episode was lacking in context and filled with media bias.
DeleteThe wackiness and vast disparity of ideas is creating more interest in this presidential than any we have probably yet seen in the past 50 years. We'll see as the story unfolds.
Lee
My last week has been crazy and I only heard reports of the pope talking down Trump. I agree, he doesn't have the right to say he is not Christian, but he does have the right to challenge actions that are not "Christ-like" and many of Trumps antics would fall into that category. I am now curious as to what he said. As a Protestant, I like a lot of what Pope Francis is doing.
ReplyDeleteSage, I don't have the exact details committed to mind, but from what I heard today the pope was responding to a loaded question that was essentially bait from some reporter who probably had an agenda. Trump's response about the incident indicated that he was not really blaming the pope that much and understood that he was being baited.
DeleteLee