Early Lunch Break: Mission accomplished! Osama bin Laden assassinated
by Laura Loo
The video below shows New Yorkers celebrating last night after hearing that American intelligence and military had taken 9-11 terrorist mastermind Osama bin Laden out at a compound in Pakistan….
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwJqhPL28Zw[/youtube]
Your thoughts on this historic event? It comes just 4 months shy of the 10th anniversary of the bin Laden-ordered murders of 3,000 innocent people in the 9-11 World Trade Center, the Pentagon in Washington, DC, and Flight 93 in Shanksville, PA.
I thank God for our brave and long-suffering military! I also thank President George W. Bush for the huge part in history that he played as well.
Other questions for you: Despite the critical financial and economic challenges our country faces, will the death of Osama give President Obama the upswing he needs to secure his re-election? And what should this day be historically named?
Email LauraLoo with your Lunch Break suggestions.
Jill Stanek is a nurse turned speaker, columnist and blogger, a national figure in the effort to protect both preborn and postborn innocent human life.
I’m sure President Obama is in the process of planning his apology tour at this time.
So Barack Obama did, in a little over 2 years in office, what George W. Bush couldn’t do in 8. Pretty impressive.
joan, neither of them actually did it. Both played a part, but it was the Navy Seal team that actually got him.
Who do you think signed the order, authorized the intelligence-gathering operations that led up to the action, and appointed the military officials that coordinated it?
Even if he was the most evil man on the planet, I find it difficult to rejoice at the death of another human being. Especially one who had so much repentance to do.
“will the death of Osama give President Obama the upswing he needs to secure his re-election”
He’ll try. We’ll see.
On the overall issue of military action, Obama-voters thought that he would get us out of Iraq & Afghanistan quickly. They voted against McCain because they feared that he would “stay the course” planned under the Bush Administration.
Obama let them down; he didn’t change a single General Officer or military timeline. He left the Bush plan in place to its fulfillment.
I don’t know if Obama-voters will give him credit for “winning the future” and re-elect him, or not. His best hope is the Republican House; Americans like gridlock — when nothing much happens in Washington. The last time we got a balanced budget, it was with a Republican Congress and a Democrat President.
Oh… and bagging Osama bin Laden is just a newsbump. He’s been underground for seven years already.
The intel was being gathered before anyone knew who Barry was, Joan. Starting from the very same Guantanamo that he and his buddies railed against and that he promised to shut down.
But hey, who’s dwelling on the past? Congrats to Barry. but more props to the guy who helped Bin Laden meet his 72 virgins.
And now, for your viewing pleasure, the baddest men on the planet right about now:
http://www.sealswcc.com/seal-default.aspx
… and don’t forget Bill Clinton’s failure to take bin Laden out, which would have preempted 9-11.
I agree, Susan. I lost many loved ones in the WTC but I am made uncomfortable by the idea that Americans celebrating the death of a human being is a patriotic thing. Especially because this is not a traditional war, where the death of the leader effectively ends things. I am not sad to see Bin Laden die, but I’m not happy either. He’s gone. Everyone who died is still dead. The machine of terrorism will continue without him. We have a long road ahead of us.
It all makes me tired.
Thanks for the link to the Navy Seals website, Carder. It is awesome! They rock!
Nothing much will change, one monkey don’t stop no show. Obama will use this to the maximum extent possible in his bid for reelection. I firmly believe we’ve four more years to endure under his incompetence. This only helps to insure it.
But it’s still good news, I doubt any SEALs will have to buy their own drinks for a VERY long time!
So now they are saying that the body was buried at sea. Sounds too convenient. Where are the photos? Where is the proof? I’m sorry, but until they show some casket or something, it does not even need to show the face. Just something. I am not going to sit and think it must be true because the president says so.
Show the proof.
Oh and Joan, the search for Bin Laden, has started years ago. Way before Obama sat in office. Just because, he was supposedly found while Obama is in the white house does not mean he is the only one to be thanked for it.
Its almost like saying that George W Bush was responsible for 9/11 because he was the sitting president. That attacked took at least 8 years to plan and Clinton was the president then.
Just saying.
trying to remove my comment that posted twice… :)
Jeanne,
Something about waterproof machine guns and glocks just have a certain allure, no?
Today is one of the very rare moments in American history that we “celebrate” the death of someone. More often than not, we take death somberly, not dancing in the streets and throwing candy at children and rejoicing that the Great Satan has been attacked.
OBL taunted us, he could have chosen differently, but he made the decision to be hunted.
I, for one, immediately thought of Christ’s words when he said of Judas (paraphrasing): “It would be better for him to never have been born.”
Yes, mercy triumphs over justice. At the end of the day, however, OBL rejected mercy. He could have dropped to his knees with hands up in the air in surrender, but no. He fought back.
Thus, the chips fell.
Bacon, anyone?
Even if he was the most evil man on the planet, I find it difficult to rejoice at the death of another human being.
I agree. and I’m just worried that someone even more evil will pop up to take his place. I’m sure that some of you remember the Greek myth of the Hydra. When one head was chopped up two grew in its place. But even though I’m not a big Obama fan, I must congratulate him and our military, of course.
Well in the Florida Keys we passed a base where the Navy Seals were training. Some were out sunning themselves and . . . they made me want to get my cougar claws out. Talk about HOT!
joan 8:14am
President George W Bush. You forget this hunt originated with him. Its been going on for years.
May I remind you its Obama who wanted to shut down Guantanamo and allow the 9/11 mastermind to have a civil trial in NYC. Yeah, Obama’s a real leader in the fight against terrorism.
Sorry, but there are humans who are evil, dangerous, and a threat to the lives of innocent people. I have no problem with their removal anymore than I am sorry to hear someone killed a murderous intruder in their home. I cheered when Ted Bundy fried.
This panty waist attitude that we are going to make people mad. We had a major world war because a pansya$$ed British PM was afraid to make Hitler mad.
Does the intruder who enters your home respect the owner’s efforts to be nice or the fact the owner has a gun and knows how to use it?
Keep in mind these terrorists respect only one thing, that you are as dirty as they are. Sorry, that’s the business of war. Do you know how these people respond to our efforts to understand them and play fair? They laugh at us.
Do you know how the Chinese put an end to modern day piracy against their ships? They lined up captured pirates and shot them in the head. Guess what, no more piracy against Chinese ships.
I think we should have held onto Bin Laden’s corpse and threatened to feed it to pigs if there is another terrorist attack against Americans anywhere.
John Paul II beatification: Epic win
Bin Laden’s legacy: Epic fail
That people hate him/hated him is no surprise – he inspired much hate. He was a bored little rich kid who wanted to be a troublemaker.Good riddance.
No doubt there is a lot of relief at him finally being dead.I wouldn’t think of having a party over it, more that it’s nice that that story comes to somewhat of a close. However, what the heck – if we want to have a party in the first place, is his passing that bad of a reason?
I think to a large extent it’s a cultural thing. Some people appear to take to the streets, hooting and hollering and shaking their fists in the air at the slightest provocation, be it what they perceive as evil or what they perceive as good. In the US, it’s less frequent, but looks like it can still occur.
For the majority of Muslims, certainly the vast majority of American Muslims, I would think there is a measure of relief in his death, as well – from their point of view I’d bet the hope is that some of the heat will be taken off them.
However, and too bad IMO, it’s not the case that the majority of Muslims have “equal representation” among the bosses – it’s the radicals that have undue influence, who make most of the news, and they result in the rest of the world seeing Muslims in general in certain ways, right or wrong.
The few Muslims I know in the US are exceedingly respectful people, truly wanting to offend no one, and taking care to fit into their communities as well as possible. Heck, they’re nicer than “us” in general, I think.
The flip side is the radical Muslim element, who, whether by action or by policy/wishful thinking on their part, pretty much wants everybody else gone. How in the world can they be reconciled with the peaceful Muslims, let alone the rest of the world?
On Obama’s chances of being re-elected, Bin Laden’s death is a positive, but I don’t see it as any type of game-changer. Still a long time to the election, and in no way is he out of the woods, yet, so to speak. Before the last election, I thought that no matter who won, they had very good odds of being a one-term President, and that’s still the deal, IMO.
in the Florida Keys we passed a base where the Navy Seals were training. Some were out sunning themselves and . . . they made me want to get my cougar claws out. Talk about HOT!
Ha! That’s great, phillymiss. You go! : D
I am glad we got him but it makes me a little more than sad to see people celebrating. Its not that I am comparing the celebrating of the Muslims after 9/11 to the celebrating Americans now, but something just doesn’t seem right about it.
Again, I am happy he is gone, but I cannot celebrate anyones death. I was driving in my neighborhood today and someone had but an American flag in the middle of their yard with a sign that said GOTCHA! I just think it is in poor taste. His death will not bring back those murdered on 9/11.
Does the intruder who enters your home respect the owner’s efforts to be nice or the fact the owner has a gun and knows how to use it?
No, of course not. But if I had to take an intruder out, I would still feel some regret for taking a life. I do not believe in the death penalty. Put the Ted Bundys in a “supermax” type of prison where they are in their concrete cells for 23 hours a day and have no meaningful contact with anyone besides their guards. That, I’m sure, is a living hell. Eric Rudolph is in a supermax facility – good!
The few Muslims I know in the US are exceedingly respectful people, truly wanting to offend no one, and taking care to fit into their communities as well as possible. Heck, they’re nicer than “us” in general, I think.
Agreed. My daughter has a very nice friend, a Pakistani, who said he hated bin Ladin because he made things hard for “the browns,” as he referred to himself and other Pakistani Muslims. Yes, we should be constantly on the lookout for Islamic terrorism, but not all Muslims are terrorists, just as not all prolifers are crazed clinic bombers.
Doug, Im glad you appreciate my sense of humor! Grrrr!
Freedom Day!
Hi phillymiss,
We have friends who’s son is a trouble making sociopath. This kid has been no good since the time he could walk. He’s been made aware more than once that my husband and I own a gun and know how to use it. I don’t trust in the goodness of his heart or friendship with his parents to protect us. I respect where you are coming from phillymiss, but the world is what it is.
Concerning Ted Bundy. No prison has been built that will completely protect people such as you and me from a deranged killer like Bundy. I see killing him as societal self defense. Staying alive is exactly what these killing machines want. When its their time to die they are not so brave and will kill given the opportunity, and that includes a guard or another prisoner. Bundy was one such example. Ditto for Eric Rudolph. He’s only alive because he revealed where some weapons and explosives were hidden. As far as I’m concerned he should have fried too.
Oh and about those SEALs phillymiss, I assume you didn’t mean the ones with tails that bark, let’s just say I ain’t dead yet! Oh, I can only imagine what a feast for the eyes!
Oh and phillymiss,
Concerning the SEALs, of course with my old eyes and not so great vision, I would be forced to move in for a much closer and more prolonged look!
Osama bin Laden sleeps with the fishes.
Now that I’ve had time to sleep on the news, I am suprised by the speed with which he was ‘buried’ at sea. Since the ‘birther’ debate hasn’t even been over for a week, one would think that Barak Hussein Obama might have taken a little more care with this: aren’t some people going to start ‘sighting’ bin Laden, along with Elvis?
I like that he has no tomb, no location on land. Like Jezebel, NO ONE will point to his remains and say, There he is. Like Jezebel, he will be consumed by animals, in this case the fish.
But, like Elvis, I may have just seen him in line for a decaf latte at Starbucks.
Mary, it’s extremely difficult to escape from a Supermax prison:
http://abcnews.go.com/TheLaw/story?id=3435989&page=1
Note the whining from Eric Rudolph. TOO BAD! He should have thought twice before blowing up people.
Ezekiel 33:11 “I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live” and “Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles” proverbs 24:17
also Jesus says in mathew 5:43-45 “you have heard that it was said ‘love your neighbor and hate your enemy’ but I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your father in heaven.”
I have known since 2007 that Osama was dead. It has been known for a while in certain parts of the world, and a certain person (Benazir Bhutto, youtube it) was even murdered soon after causally mentioning that fact on air. Note convenient lack of bodily evidence.
It is also strategic that Osama’s death is being revealed now. The reasons are selfish and self-promoting. The libs (The View) are already suggesting that the 2012 elections be canceled!
mary, carder, jmama are right.
Mary, the difference is that you would likely not throw a celebratory party if your friend’s son invaded your house and you were forced to kill him.
Hi phillymiss 2:09PM
Difficult but not impossible. No one was supposed to escape from Alcatraz either. Those escapees were never found, it was only assumed they died.
I prefer to err on the side of caution.
As for Eric Rudolph, whatever his circumstances, he is alive, which is what he wants.
Don’t ever fall for that horse puckey that living with their crimes is punishment for these people, they couldn’t care less. Staying alive is all that matters to them.
Hi Alexandra,
Its always so good to see you here. I hope all is well. You’re certainly correct, I wouldn’t celebrate, it would devastate me. But it is what it is and he knows we have a gun. Hopefully that will always be enough to protect us.
Good point Mary
Yes Mary – that’s all I really feel, for the most part. Osama certainly knew we had “guns!” It is what it is. This is such a hard world.
Mary – “We have friends whose son is a trouble making sociopath. This kid has been no good since the time he could walk. He’s been made aware more than once that my husband and I own a gun…”
So your friend’s crazy violet son now knows where he can steal a gun if he needs one??? You do know where criminals get their weapons right? Drug addicts break into gun owner’s houses when they are NOT HOME and trade your guns to dealers for dope. Dealers give the guns to their bosses and so on… The only people who know I have a gun or have seen it are my daughter and my wife while I was training them to use it and showed them where i keep it. Other than that it is pretty much a secret.
Back on topic – I am against the death penalty except in rare extreme cases where the crime is over the top heinous and there is absolutely zero doubt of guilt. I am glad they dropped him off the side of one of our ships because bringing him back to the US would only cause us more problems with demonstrations all around the world. I think giving him a Muslim preparation shows that we are not against Islam but rather criminals of any faith and this way there is no making a martyr of him. I like to think of him being slowly digested in the intestines of some very happy sharks only to end up as shark crap on the ocean floor. Not too many things on this planet are lower than shark crap…
In short, I am against the death penalty, but screw Osama Bin Laden!
I lost friends in the towers on 9/11, and have suffered my fair share of the trauma, including the never-to-be-forgotten stench of thousands of bodies deliquescing in the rubble. That said, all I have been able to feel is something of a mixture of numbness and relief that this monster will rot in his Arabian Sea.
Joan,
Only the truly small will try to politicize this by juxtaposing Obama and Bush. This was an American victory, not a partisan win. If that’s not enough for you, many, many brave young Americans lost their lives battling this monster’s forces. Some of the very finest among us have been killed, and many more maimed in our defense. If you can’t be decent for the sake of decency, then perhaps you might try sublimating your partisanship into gratitude for the heroism of our armed forces that brought us this new day.
Biggz, 5:25PM
LOL. Typical liberal. Ever notice Biggz how limousine liberals have their armed guards and gated communities to protect them but oppose gun ownership by the rest of us? This kid can buy or steal a gun off any street thug he wants, or any of his other less than savory associates. He’d be smarter to get it this way as there is no trace. Or he can simply use a knife or a baseball bat. Thugs also break into homes to steal jewelry, etc. and to rape and murder. I just don’t want him in my house and have told my husband as much. I’m more concerned about him casing the place and checking out the locks in our house. The gun is to protect us Biggz, and I hope his knowing we have it and how to use it will discourage him. I’m certainly not hoping he is influenced by his sterling character.
I understand that in Switzerland every homeowner owns a gun and is trained in marksmanship. I also hear its a great crime deterrent.
As for respecting Islam, I hear Obama’s being consigned to the ocean depths has not met with the approval of a number of Muslim clerics. I still think they should have kept his body and threatened to feed it to pigs if another American dies in a terrorist attack.
“John Paul II beatification: Epic win” – does that include the honorable welcome given to Robert Mugabe by the vatican?
Words I will never have to read in the news:
“Abortion Fan ‘Reality’ will be honored this week….”
I doubt you’ll ever see anything about me in the news ninek, don’t worry.
Doesn’t disguise the fact that the vatican continues to repeatedly welcome Robert Mugabe.
Osama may be dead, but the terrorism threat against freedom and democracy (the western world) is NOT. Al Qeada is still out there and we can’t drop our guard.
So, Reagan’s Afghan freedom fighter is finally dead.
Does that include the honorable welcome given to Robert Mugabe by the vatican?
Reality, the Pope repeatedly receives world leaders with whom he does not agree, but the Vatican, as a sovereign state, has diplomatic relations with those countries. It’s one of the ways the Pope can assure his ability to reach the people in those nations, even when run by bad men. The Pope frequently uses his meetings with world leaders to engage them on human rights issues, just as he spoke with Obamba about abortion and bioethics – and even loaded him down with reading material on these subjects.
I can’t make out from the reports I’ve read whether Mugabe had an audience with the Pope after the beatification, but you can be sure that if he did, the Pope would have spoken with Mugabe about his human rights violations. On the other hand, if the Vatican had shunned him as you apparently desire, that opportunity would have been lost.
I’m pretty sure – but not 100% certain – that the pope did not meet with mugabe. There have been numerous occasions when mugabe has surmounted the EU travel ban by turning up in the holy city – without meeting the pope. So it would appear that on most visits its been for mugabe’s benefit, with no admonishments being dished out. It’s probably because mugabe espouses catholic doctrines, including homophobia.
John Paul II beatification: Epic win
Bin Laden’s legacy: Epic fail
Ninek, I’ve been thinking about this contrast all day today. You know, at their beginnings, John Paul II and Osama bin Laden had a few things in common. Both were deeply religious patriotic youths; they grew into men who, with a generous spirit, wanted to turn back those who were oppressing their people.
Osama was regarded as a courageous warrior in the days he fought in the US-backed Afghan rebellion against the Soviet Union. He even comitted his share of the family fortune to the struggle against tyrany. Then somewhere along the way he began to hate. Then to commit atrocities. Then on to delusions of grandeur. Evidently he began to think he was God, or at least too important to kill and had others do his dirty work for him. Thoroughly corrupt, he now became a coward. His last act was to use his own wife as a human shield before he was killed.
In his fight against the oppressors in his native Poland, Karol Wojtyla /John Paul II committed himself completely to love. The Communist officials actually feared him because of his goodness. He defeated the deadly power of an assassin’s bullet, armed only with his love for the Mother of God; he then forgave his attacker. He never relied on his own strength, but on God’s — so, as Pope Benedict so fondly recalled on Sunday, God gave him the strength of a titan to turn back the almost unstoppable tide of Communist oppression — not with weapons, but with his moral authority alone.
Today Osama bin Laden’s body is shark bait, and John Paul II’s remains have been honored and venerated by a million people from all over the world.
The world is busy shrieking in either anger or triumph; I wish people would do more reflecting on truths like these.
So it would appear that on most visits its been for mugabe’s benefit, with no admonishments being dished out. It’s probably because mugabe espouses catholic doctrines, including homophobia.
Reality,
Homophobia is not a Catholic doctrine. The Church has come out again and again against mistreatment of homosexual people. Study what the Church teaches before shooting your mouth off, will you?
And exactly what “benefit” did Mugabe acqire by simply appearing and hanging out the the crowd at the beatification? Not a whole lot, I would imagine.
The catholic church does not espouse true equal rights for homosexuals Lori, therefore it is homophobic. Mugabe is extremely homophobic.
Mrs. Mugabe loves shopping and mugabe himself likes to strut the world stage, hoping that people will see him as someone of significance, so it presents them both with a golden opportunity.
Reality, do you have any idea what the word “homophobia” actually means? It means that someone fears and or hates homosexuals. That’s its original meaning. It’s unfortunately that people have to go around claiming that everyone who disagrees with the highly politicized gay agenda gets slapped with this hate word. It’s a form of blackmail. Say what we like or be labeled a bigot and fearmonger!
The Catholic Church does indeed support all true human rights, that is, it supports everything that is in accordance with human dignity. It does not support trying to label marriage things that are not marriage; this has nothing to do with the true dignity of human beings and their sexuality. Another thing that is a human right is free speech, which all religious people still have, but will no longer have if the above radical agenda is put into practice. It is the practice of truly bigoted people.
Naturally you dont agree, but please hold off with those blackmail words. Gain some understanding of the issues. I don’t know what you mean when you say Mugabe is homophobic ecause I knkow very little about him. But if he is really homophobic, or against true human rights in any way the Church would not agree with him
I don’t know where you get your animus against Catholics and the Church; I suspect you know nothing about the Church at all, but would do anything, sling every bit of mud, and repeat every misunderstood and half-understood smear you’ve every come across simply to avoid having to think about or deal with the Church’s claims to truth. Truth is another name for reality, which frankly you know nothing about.
What was known before release of Obama’s birth certificate. Wow what timing!!!
Obama (through his lawyer) sent in a request for the form on Friday, April 22; it was returned on Monday, April 25
Tues., April 26 Tornados hit Alabama, cross Dixie northward into Virginia. Massive damage reported.
Wed., April 27 Obama released his long-form Hawaiian birth certificate.
Thurs., April 28 – “Obama shuffles key security roles – Secretary Robert Gates retires. Leon Panetta nominated as Sec. of Defense. General Petraeus succeeds Panetta at the CIA. Lt. Gen. John Allen would succeed Petraeus as head of the U.S-led international military force in Afghanistan, and longtime diplomat Ryan Crocker will be nominated as the next U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan.
It is the biggest shakeup of his security team since Obama took office in January 2009, affecting virtually every national security issue including counter-terrorism efforts, the war in Afghanistan, relations with Pakistan, Pentagon spending and the continuing increase of joint CIA-military operations.”
Fri., April 29 Tours storm damage in Alabama, on to Cape Canaveral for launch of Endeavour.
Sat. April 30 Wedding of Prince William and Kate, WH Correspondents Dinner.
Sun., May 1 Beatification of Pope John Paul II (Didn’t Catholic Joe Biden even plan to be there?).
Fox News was first to confirm the news that Osama Bin Laden was dead at 10:40 PM ET on Sun., May 1.
The Christian Hippie: I have known since 2007 that Osama was dead. It has been known for a while in certain parts of the world, and a certain person (Benazir Bhutto, youtube it) was even murdered soon after causally mentioning that fact on air.
Bhutto just made a mistake – she was talking about Sheikh Omar, “The man who killed Daniel Pearl,” but she said “Osama” in error. Ten days later, she spoke to a policeman guarding her house, “Shouldn’t you be looking for Osama Bin Laden?”
____
Patty: What was known before release of Obama’s birth certificate. Wow what timing!!! Obama (through his lawyer) sent in a request for the form on Friday, April 22; it was returned on Monday, April 25.
Yes, and for years we’ve seen all manner of kooks that were determined to believe something that could be easily proven false just by checking public records….
@Biggaz — people have the right to bear arms, but I would be uncomfortable with a gun in my home.
@Mary – if you were governor with a state that had the death penalty, would you sign someone’s death warrant? Why or why not? i remember in my PC days someone asked me if I would perform an abortion if I were a doctor, and I said no. That prolife person asked me why not, and that really starting me thinking about the issue.
@Reality – I have some disagreements with the Catholic church, but they do a great deal to help the poor and suffering, including people with AIDs. I am on the mailing list of the Salesians and the Maryknolls and they are active around the world (BTW, I’m not Catholic).
Unreality,
The Vatican (here I refer to the Pope and the Curia in their role as sovereign international city state) welcomes all heads of state, including Mugabe. It does so for very good reason:
The Pope is functioning in his role as Supreme Bridge Builder.
The bigger the tyrant, the more in need he is of civilizing counsel. I know it’s really too much trouble for a willful ignoramus to actually read Pope John Paul the Great’s homilies from his trips abroad, but if you did, you would see that he excoriated the U.S. and Europe for the excesses of capitalism. He addressed the human rights abuses inherent in socialism and communism. He reminded dictators of human rights, and admonished the poor about their duties as well.
So, yes, Mugabe is welcome for tea whenever he’s in the neighborhood. So is Obama.
Right, Gerard.
For example, I wasn’t outraged when the Pope met with Nancy Pelosi, who isn’t even that important. I hoped he had a good influence on her. Popes have to spend time with people they disagree with from time to time. But some people will always find something wrong with that.
It’s especially hilarious how the Obama fans are trying to spin this news event though. One thing happens during his presidency that is newsworthy and suddenly he’s going to be re-elected. Dream on. He needs more than one lousy accomplishment (that’s not truly to his own credit anyway). Not all of us drank his kool-aid, not all of us will have amnesia at the voting booth.
Oh, I almost missed an opportunity to plug The Theology of the Body. Everyone should look into it. I studied it on a set of CD’s which made it easy. In his teaching on the Theology of the Body, John Paul II fully explained the meaning of male and female from a spiritual perspective. It’s a beautiful teaching. It’s probably a bit over reality’s head, but many of you will get a lot out of it.
Hi phillymiss,
Yes I would sign it unless there was reason to think the person may be innocent or did not receive a fair trial. I can think of a few local dirtballs for whom I would only be too happy to sign a death warrant.
“Reality, do you have any idea what the word “homophobia” actually means?” – yes I do Lori, apparently you don’t.
A quick look around would demonstrate to you that it doesn’t necessarily mean fear or hate.
This gives a fairly basic description of the full scope of homophobia but there are numerous others if you’d care to look:
http://www.ecu.edu.au/equ/resources/docs/Homophobia.pdf
“It does not support trying to label marriage things that are not marriage” – the catholic church is not the final arbiter of what constitutes marriage. They can only define their version of it.
“blackmail words” – I hereby dub you the queen of ad hominem statements.
“Gain some understanding of the issues.” – yet mine would appear to be somewhat broader than yours.
There is no shortage of evidence of mugabe’s homophobia.
“but would do anything, sling every bit of mud, and repeat every misunderstood and half-understood smear you’ve every come across” – more ad hominem.
“simply to avoid having to think about or deal with the Church’s claims to truth.” – I can deal with claims for truth just not the attempted entrenching of truths which are merely claims.
“Truth is another name for reality, which frankly you know nothing about.” – the real truth is much larger than that espoused by power and control systems.
“willful ignoramus” – ah, the ever charming Gerard. I don’t limit my thinking to a singular, closed school of thought. I read some of what the pope says. I also read some of what the pope does.
The thinking that would compare obama and pelosi with mugabe is self-explanatory.
Unreality,
Building on my last comment, if it is your contention that homophobia is an uncivil thing, then all the more reason to welcome Mugabe in Rome for some civilizing dialogue.
That would be nice if it were so Gerard, but is it? And what of his previous visits, has anything changed in Zimbabwe? It would appear that mugabe is using the vatican to parade on the world stage while his wife spends their ill-gotten gains. Meanwhile, he doesn’t seem to be listening to anything the pope or his representatives may be imploring him to do to amend his ways, at all.
Unreality,
I think you earn the right to cast stones at the Vatican when you lead by example and show Mugabe that it is possible for one to show a conversion of heart. Monica prayed for thirty-five years for her son Augustine to convert, and he became one of our greatest saints.
Rome’s job is to be a constant witness, and to show by example God’s patient and loving forbearance. Homophobia is only one of an endless stream of sins committed by a broken humanity, and is not unforgivable.
As I said, Mugabe is welcome anytime. The Church was built for such as him.
Right Gerard!
Mark 2:17 Jesus said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”
I’m not holding myself out to be anything such as the catholic church does Gerard. I’m not a high profile representative of an international organisation claiming certain powers and authority. We criticise governments, we criticise major national and international bodies such as the un, the imf etc. So I can ‘throw stones’ at the vatican. I also disagree that the church always shows “patient and loving forbearance”. And since mugabe seems to gain a lot more from being able to access the vatican for his own purposes than the vatican seems to bring pressure to bear on him, I will continue to criticise.
“The Church was built for such as him” says a whole lot more than you might imagine.