|
|
August 21, 2006Anchoress called on to “retract” support for RudyI got a very nice email from Nate Nelson, who runs deuteronomy3019 and has recently put together Catholic Rudy Watch. Nate is calling on me both publicly and privately to retract my support for Rudy Giuliani, should hizzoner decide to run for the White House. Well, as I wrote to Nate, I’m not gonna do it. Not right now, anyway! I am never comfortable writing about other bloggers or their blog content unless I can do so in a positive manner. I’m not into “blog-wars” and I’d just as soon ignore someone who wants to waste his or her energy attacking me, because I don’t intend to waste my (always limited) energy defending myself. This time, I’m not being “attacked,” but I can’t ignore being “called out,” so to speak. I feel a little like someone is standing on my front lawn spitting in both hands and dancing around like a boxer saying, “come on out, ye varmint and we’ll settle this like men!” Or, at least, like Christians. One hopes! As of this moment, I am not going to retract my support of Giuliani, because I see no one else “in the running” whom I trust to carry forth the war on terror as it needs to be carried. I think sometimes we think these candidates are not human, and are not touched by the same circumstances as the rest of us, that somehow we peons “grow” in grace and are capable of change while politicians and celebrities do not grow, are not capable of change. But God raises up whom He will, and very often He uses the most flawed material to do His bidding. Ask St. Augustine. Ask Moses. Is Giuliani the perfect man? No. Will be he a perfect president? Hell no, no such creature can exist. But I do trust him to bring us strict constitutionalist SCOTUS judges. I trust that he’ll say issues like gay marriage and abortion, etc, belong to the states, which they do. I frankly think overall he will be a better president than anyone currently on the scene. Would I prefer that Giuliani’s leadership skills fell completely in line with my creed and my own values? Of course I would. But you know, I go to church every Sunday and see huge lines of people receiving Our Lord in the Holy Eucharist, and I know that most of them haven’t been to confession in ages. Some Catholics have fits about that - “how dare they consume the Flesh and Blood of Christ unworthily,” they gasp. While it would be nice to know that every Catholic is receiving Holy Communion only while in a state of grace - which is the ideal - I am aware that perhaps the only way some souls may ever be touched by grace at all is via the reception of Christ in the Eucharist, consumed unworthily (who among us is truly worthy), but by that act given intimate access. The less-than-perfect avenue can still be the opening in which Christ imparts His grace. God works as God will, regardless of our sensibilities. I believe that God is not done with Rudy Giuliani, just as he is not done with you or me or Mel Gibson. As my Li’l Bro Thom says to me: Grace builds on nature. And all those high-falutin’ social issues won’t matter diddly squat once Iran is armed and aiming its big guns at the West, demanding we convert or die. If someone better than Rudy Giuliani comes along, I’ll be open to looking at him or her, but right now, I don’t see it. Right now the entire world under siege and that siege must urgently be put down. If we are not safe, all the rest of our concerns will never be addressed, because we’ll be too busy fighting for our lives (and frankly, for our faith, because once the “convert or die” Islamofascists have managed to level a few cities and terrify too many Americans into acquiescence, their next step will be to put us under the burka, or under the sword.) In which case, actually, Nate and the rest of you who are “shocked, shocked” by my support of Giuliani won’t have to worry about “abortion and gay marriage” because our Islamofascist overlords will take care of those issue for us. If your daughter procures an abortion, she’ll be buried to her waist in sand, and then stoned to death. If your son is gay? Well…he’ll be hung by the neck, or decapitated, quickly enough. Difficult times demand of us difficult choices. From where I sit, it doesn’t appear that endorsing someone who strictly adheres to orthodox Catholicism will necessarily get the job done that needs doing, to defeat the larger and more ominous forces that are threatening our nation, Western Civilization and, yes, our faith. Can you show me the conservative Christian/Catholic candidate who is electable (yes, that matters) and who would take a strong enough stand in favor of America, and in opposition to appeasement? The ideal does not exist. There are no accidents, and it was not an accident that Rudy Giuliani was the Mayor of NYC on 9/11. Just think, had he not been diagnosed with prostate cancer and forced to withdraw from the 2000 senate race, he might well have been in Washington during that attack - gathered in the Captial Rotunda, (with United 93 bearing down upon him) - along with everyone else in DC (except, oddly, Hillary Clinton) for a big hoo-hah event focusing on Education. Giuliani would not have been in the middle of NYC, and that city would have died under the ministrations of the ineffectual Mark Greene. There is a reason why Giuliani was there that day - perhaps we were meant to see him in action, in that role, on a global stage. Giuliani showed me who he was ‘way back when he was refusing Yassar Arafat access to NYC, at a time when the whole world was lauding the monster and kissing his backside. He showed who he was when we were attacked and he managed to reassure the whole nation that capable, adult people were in charge. He showed me who he was when he attended scores of funerals, comforted hundreds of families, walked a bride down the aisle because there were no men left in her “firefighting” family. He showed me who he was when he returned a “relief check” for ten million dollars to a Saudi Prince, because the money came with a denunciation of Israel and of the Jews and US Policy. We need this unshakable and intrepid man, who is incapable of dithering, in these times. (H/T on that first-person funeral account to mputtre). We know this man, Giuliani, and he is a man-in-full. I would rather have one faulty, imperfect man-in-full in office, (one who is willing to be unpopular, if that’s what it takes) and dealing with our devils, than a dozen “more perfect and palatable” types who either can’t get elected or are too distracted by the demands of “the base” to do what needs doing. And so, no…I won’t be withdrawing my support for Rudy Giuliani at this time. I’m not into throwing people away as “lost causes,” simply because they don’t “fall in line,” and who would want someone who does that, anyway? That sounds a lot like Hillary saying, “you don’t have to fall in love, just fall in line…” Perhaps if you want Giuliani to be an even better man than he is, a holier man, a “more perfect” sort of Christian, so you can feel alright about voting for him…you should pray for him, rather than merely “watching” and excoriating. That’s good advice for all of us, all the time, anyway! UPDATE I: Nate has a very gracious response and we will agree to disagree for a while and see how things develop! UPDATE II: Take a look at this videotape linked to by GatewayPundit. See the young girl who bumps into the terrorist as he is prepping his bomb? Yes, innocent as a babe, in her own way. And deserving of leadership that will not faint or falter, or look the other way. UPDATE III: John Hawkins writes up what is wrong with Rudy and - very disappointingly - joins those who seem to think that because Rudy dressed up in drag for a skit or two that’s a big deal. As to the rest of it, well…we’ll keep an eye on things. It’s two years til the election and clearly Rudy will have to be making some new statements about certain issues…we’ll see how that goes. Clearly, for some on the right, no matter how center/right he moves, they will object. Related: GOP Flavor in ‘08 WELCOME: Instapundit. While you’re here, please look around. Today we’re taking Ben Stein’s bad medicine. Then, to cheer ourselves up, we’re laughing at the people who laugh at President Bush for reading, and we’re talking about The New Orleans Police Chief who admits exaggerating the post-flood crime. We’re also watching an old Operaman clip that praises Giuliani and Derek Jeter (not that I’m trying to wound my Boston readers, or anything) and a fun video of Bryn and Rocky hamming it up and we are mourning the Death-by-Political Correctness of Tom and Jerry. I haven’t yet written my huge review of trashy romance novels that I had promised some days ago, but it’s proving to be a heavy task…check back later for that! http://theanchoressonline.com/2006/08/21/anchoress-called-on-to-retract-support-for-rudy/trackback/ 58 Responses to “Anchoress called on to “retract” support for Rudy” |
August 21st, 2006 at 1:10 pm
IF we survive to November 2008, The Anchoress explains why you-know-who must be President.
IF we survive to November 2008, The Anchoress explains why you-know-who must be President.
August 21st, 2006 at 1:26 pm
Heh, heh, I think you just scored a TKO. He’s unconscious, he just don’t know it yet.
August 21st, 2006 at 1:29 pm
I could not agree with you more. I don’t agree with quite a few of his positions, but the overriding issue of our time, the one that dwarfs all others, is the war on terror. Rudy is the only person in the current field of presidential candidates that I trust to effectively prosecute it. If we can’t prevail against Islamc facism, we are doomed, and nothing else really matters.
P.S. Good point — God isn’t done with ANY of us ’til the fat lady sings.:-)
August 21st, 2006 at 2:01 pm
More Giuliani Pimping, This Time From Catholic-Con The Anchoress
All you babies are gonna be wearin’ Giuliani-plated diapers. Via Heh….
August 21st, 2006 at 2:05 pm
Excellent response!
August 21st, 2006 at 2:31 pm
Early in the Civil War, President Lincoln replaced many ineffective generals until he found Grant. It’s said that he was urged to fire Grant for drinking and replied, “I cannot spare this man. He fights.”
I’m with you, Anchoress. On the basis of what I currently know, Rudy is my candidate.
We cannot spare this man. He leads.
August 21st, 2006 at 2:52 pm
[...] The Anchoress » Anchoress called on to “retract” support for Rudy [...]
August 21st, 2006 at 3:26 pm
Once again, you are the voice of reason in a most insane world! Hope this means you’re feeling better!
August 21st, 2006 at 3:42 pm
Dear Anchoress,
Here is a first-hand Rudy story from recent experience. He has my vote…
http://www.mputtre.com/2006.08.06_arch.html#1154874091782
August 21st, 2006 at 3:44 pm
The 2008 Race Is Well Underway
Glenn Reynolds says The Anchoress is “standing by her man.” I would have said it a little differently. I think she is just voicing the thoughts of many other conservatives who have yet to see any presidential candidate they think…
August 21st, 2006 at 4:06 pm
I liked your reasoning for Rudi. I am personally pro choice (although I think Roe was a terrible decision) and I am all for states figuring out whether to legitimize gay marriage or not, but that is not why I would vote for Giuliani. Those are issues to be determined by the state legislatures (and hopefully Rudi will appoint justices who will make that happen). Giuliani’s appeal is he is one of the few candidates out there who “gets” the GWOT, which is the biggest threat facing us right now. Elections are a choice on who is the best candidate available–not referendums of what you think things should be. Rudi met the test of leadership when it counted–so I trust him at the helm.
I would trust McCain and possibly Gingrich too–but I need to be persuaded on the rest. I would consider a Democrat if he or she could be trusted on national defense–but such a person does not seem to exist.
August 21st, 2006 at 4:10 pm
Some Readers Need To Get A Life
Whose business is it if SHE DECIDES she likes X, Y and or Z candidate? It’s her right to do so. No matter who she wants. Why is it so important to s…
August 21st, 2006 at 4:19 pm
Just a question: What leads you to believe he would appoint strict constitutionalist judge to the SCOTUS? Otherwise, you’ve made me reconsider Rudy.
August 21st, 2006 at 4:31 pm
Nashphil, I think he’d appoint constitutionalists because when Giuliani was U.S. Attorney he was not one to try to make end-runs around the constitution…he respects and works within the framework of the law; I have never seen any indication that he would try to bend it to suit his agenda. He seems quite faithful and bound to precedent, and I believe as president he would look for judges who are as faithful and respectful of the law, and the constitution, as he has always seemed to be. If you look at Rudy’s record you can see that the man may be socially too far to the left for some, but he is no agenda-driven ideologue bent on performing a coup through the courts. I think he’s completely trustworthy in that regard.
August 21st, 2006 at 4:34 pm
mputtre, thanks for that link - I’ve put it into the body of the post.
August 21st, 2006 at 4:39 pm
I have had this discussion with some friends who do not like Rudy’s stand on gun control. I don’t like it either but unless we win this war everything else in going to go down the tubes.
I just hope he builds a fence along the Rio Grande while he is at it.
August 21st, 2006 at 4:57 pm
“I trust that he’ll say issues like gay marriage and abortion, etc, belong to the states, which they do.”
Bravo! Bravo! It is so refreshing when I hear persons of faith give credence to the Constitution. Thank you! Go Rudy!
August 21st, 2006 at 5:05 pm
You’ve enumerated all the reasons that I would vote for Rudi.
In our recent GOP Senate primary here in TN, my vote swung to Bob Corker because I saw an add about his past pro-choice comments/actions and basically accusing him of lying about being pro-life now. I looked at my husband and said, “And God couldn’t possibly have called him to repentence or anything, now could He?”
My point being that I do believe that God changes people because I know He’s changed me.
August 21st, 2006 at 5:13 pm
I love your blog and try to read it daily. Personally, I am not yet in Rudy’s corner. I have met Rudy. He is a terrific, inspirational speaker. He would be terrific in the war on terror. I believe him to be a social liberal, which raises all sorts of concerns. You believe that he will “develop” the position that gay marriage and abortion belong at the state level. At the same time, you suggest that he does not make end runs around the Constitution and obeys precedent. Well, Roe is the law of the land and is established precedent. I am not sure how this squares with your belief that he would leave it up to the states. It is difficult to imagine a President that openly supports abortion and gay marriage/rights appointing justices with opposing view points, at least knowingly (e.g. the Souter experiment). Rudy will have to convince me that he would appoint justices in the mold of Scalia, Thomas, Roberts and Alito before I would consider supporting him. Lastly, with his support of gay rights, is he going to fight the military’s don’t ask don’t tell policy? Lots of unanswered questions and too many right now to ride his horse, at least for me.
August 21st, 2006 at 5:21 pm
Roe is the “law of the land” and an established precedent, but even many supporters of abortion rights agree that it was a poorly presented precedent and bad law. I personally have no problem with gays in the military…they’re the last of my worries…if they ever clue into how badly the enemy wants to kill them, they’ll be ferocious in the field!
August 21st, 2006 at 5:25 pm
Secretary of State?
Secretary of Defense?
Secretary of Homeland Security?
Head of the FBI?
Head of the CIA?
Yes.
Yes.
Yes.
Yes.
Yes.
President of the United States?
No!
To have a Catholic prez who’s on the wrong side of cornerstone Catholic issues (e.g., abortion, embryonic stem cell research, euthanasia, homosexual marriage) would be devastating to society (and harmful to the image of Catholics in general).
It’s called First Principles.
IMHO
August 21st, 2006 at 5:30 pm
Litmus tests have almost completely ruined the Democratic party, not simply in terms of winning elections, but stupefying it internally. Remember when George Allen had a shot at the nomination? That’s the kind of candidate a litmus test will get you: a dunce, and in Allen’s case not even an affable one.
Name me one politician who has done more over the past 25 years to successfully deliver social conservative goods in the real world than Rudy. Remember when Times Square was mostly porn stores and hookers? Now it’s news when a couple tourists get knifed in Times Square at 3am. Pre-Rudy we would have given those people a Darwin Award.
To me the first level of social conservatism is basic norms of civilization, like the idea that you can go walking through the middle of the city after dark without getting held up at gunpoint, and that prostitutes, small-time drug dealers, and other petty criminals don’t congregate and ply their trade in the open. It’s not as though Rudy encouraged or sanctioned all of this stuff, which a long succession of Democrats openly ignored.
August 21st, 2006 at 5:31 pm
The real McCoy…
The Anchoress, on why she will not agree to suggestions she drop her support of Rudy Giuliani, although she disagrees with his positions on social issues like abortion… ….Giuliani showed me who he was ‘way back when he was…
August 21st, 2006 at 6:30 pm
Conservatives/libertarians should only support candidates who publicly, loudly, and proudly proclaim that they will appoint strict constructionists (IMHO).
If Giuliani would make such a pledge, I think he deserves serious consideration for the Republican party’s nomination (I would probably support him over any others).
His personal views on social issues would be nearly irrelevant if he made such a pledge.
August 21st, 2006 at 7:11 pm
Sadly you are endorsing a man who supports the killing of inocents. Maybe your support is best left to your being silent and get off your high horse and maybe save a life or two.
August 21st, 2006 at 7:17 pm
All the more reason, MQ that perhaps you should PRAY for Giuliani instead of simply throwing him and his many talents away. While you’re at it you can pray for me on my high horse, too.
And anyway, I couldn’t “be silent” - I was called out. But telling someone to simply “shut up” because you don’t like the way they think…that says volumes, too. I’m pro-life, but I understand that the world is a very complicated place. I wonder how many innocent lives will be saved if we can defeat the Islamofascists who are breathing down our necks? A couple, I’m sure.
August 21st, 2006 at 7:31 pm
BRAVO to your responses today, Anchoress!!!
August 21st, 2006 at 7:38 pm
[...] I agree with The Anchoress. Filed in: Elections 2008 by newton at 20:42 on Aug 21st, 2006 | No Comments » [...]
August 21st, 2006 at 7:51 pm
I think it is you, MQ who should get off your high horse. Your self-righteousness is showing.
‘
The Anchoress is right. I’ve seen Rudy Giuliani at work. He’s a LEADER - that’s something most Americans seek in a presidential candidate.
‘
And I say it as an Independent, Fundamental, KJV Baptist of origin - I guess that makes me a worthy candidate for an exorcism…
August 21st, 2006 at 7:59 pm
[...] The Anchoress has been "called out" on her support for Rudy Giuliani and challenged to renounce the former mayor of New York City. To "retract" her support. Apparently because Rudy is not perfect in every way on every topic. This time, I’m not being “attacked,” but I can’t ignore being “called out,” so to speak. I feel a little like someone is standing on my front lawn spitting in both hands and dancing around like a boxer saying, “come on out, ye varmint and we’ll settle this like men!” [...]
August 21st, 2006 at 8:15 pm
There are no accidents, and it was not an accident that Rudy Giuliani was the Mayor of NYC on 9/11.
I’m not a big fan of that kind of analysis. Was it not an accident that Ray Nagin was Mayor of New Orleans during Katrina?
You certainly make a clear case for Giuliani, but for many conservatives it’s gay marrage and abortion and gun control and some other core cultural issues. This is giving up rather a lot.
And endorsing someone who strictly adheres to orthodox Catholicism isn’t really the issue, is it?
August 21st, 2006 at 8:16 pm
The Anchoress Support For Pro-Abortion Candidates
Everyone has their battle to fight, but that doesn’t mean that just because a person is fighting the war on terror that he doesn’t have to be moral, and that he shouldn’t condemn immorality and murder. Hitler helped Germany overcome poverty and bro…
August 21st, 2006 at 8:39 pm
Giuliani and the Social-Cons
One of the things I think we forget as elections come up on us is that few candidates, if any, line up 100 percent with our own personal values. It has become the cant of the left to assume that if you support our President on one or two items, that y…
August 21st, 2006 at 8:39 pm
Bottom line is that if the Republicans nominate Rudi with his pro abortion including partial birth abortion and pro gay rights views, the Republicans will see the numbers of voters drop drastically. We have two years to find and nominate a strong person who will protect us from terror by actively going after the nuts, nominate judges who will end the liberal slant on abortion and gay lifestyle, and stop illegal immigration. Those are the issues needed to win again in 2008. Why start by choosing someone who leaves many of the loyal voters home and do not believe for an instant they will show up anyway. In the last 40 years or so we have seen over 40,000,000 babies in the womb buthered. I call that a war on terror that must continue to be fought and 4-8 years of Rudi would allow him to appoint judges that would continue this terror on the innocent babies. Sorry Anchoress but you are just wrong on this issue.
August 21st, 2006 at 8:53 pm
You are wrong on this one Anchoress. Why? In the last 40 years of so we have seen over 40,000,000 million babies in the womb butchered. The world got excited about the so called attack by Israel where anywhere from 20-50 people were killed in the middle of a war where the terrorist were using buildings to shoot and kill innocent civilians with rockets. What has an innocent baby done to anyone other than exist? Rudi, if he served 4-8 years would appoint young judges to the court which would keep this terror alive and well for another generation including partial birth abortion. He would appoint judges who would destroy the sanctity of marriage by giving us gay marriage. Don’t fall for civil unions because it is the next step and Catholic priest will be forced by law to either stop doing marriages or marry gays. Doubt this? how about Catholic Charities being forced out of the adoption field if they would not put children with those who are according to church teaching living perverted lives? We will attack those who attack us and any leader will be forced to fight if they use WMD on our cities. We will not however withstand the rot from inside that a Rudi presidency would give us.
August 21st, 2006 at 9:08 pm
40 million babies have been “thrown away” and that is a tragedy that must be mourned, absolutely, and a fight that must continue. The right judges will take care of that, and I believe Rudy will choose the right judges.
‘
But did you read the part where I said that I “don’t throw people away?”
‘
It seems like some are quite willing to “throw away” a man with tremendous leadership skills, skills that are direly needed at this time. “Throwing away” someone because he is not “good enough” to fit all of their concerns.
‘
If you don’t believe in throwing people away, you don’t. You pray for them, that they might become “good enough” and less “dispensible.” And then you pray for them some more.
‘
Ronald Reagan always said that if he could get 75% of what he wanted, he’d take it and fight for the other 25% later. I keep forgetting that in this world there are some who will let the perfect be the enemy of the good, who will walk away with nothing - not 25%, not 50%, not 75%, and call it a victory, because they held to their principles.
‘
Even if, by holding onto those principles, they find that as many or more babies die over the next 8 years, as well as lots more people, the world over.
‘
Take a look at the video near the end of this post, of a young girl bumping into a terrorist as he is planting his bomb at a train station…she’s every bit as innocent as any baby. And she deserves leadership that is not going to falter. Does she not? Who is going to provide it? The pickings are - today - very slim.
August 21st, 2006 at 11:42 pm
[...] I’ve been doing a fair share of lurking this week, came across a theme in several blogs - that of religion + politics. Over at Innocent Bystanders, they discussed at some length whether the Republican party could get behind the nomination of a Mormon, Mitt Romney. (Kate O’Beirne has an interesting observation about that here.) The Anchoress is standing by her support for pro-choice Rudy Guiliani. And over at the NRO Corner, there’s a lot of commentary on Christian Republicans versus atheists and deists who have found their way to the same conservative conclusions. So is the Republican party the epitome of the “strange bedfellows” aphorism? Not really. It’s about liberty. It’s about that real, organic form of government that comes about as a result of free men and women cooperating voluntarily. Which is something I may right a whole other post about, but for now I’ll leave you with the words of a Republican From Another Time. The beauty of the very system we Republicans are pledged to restore and revitalize, the beauty of this Federal system of ours is in its reconciliation of diversity with unity. We must not see malice in honest differences of opinion, and no matter how great, so long as they are not inconsistent with the pledges we have given to each other in and through our Constitution. Our Republican cause is not to level out the world or make its people conform in computer regimented sameness. Our Republican cause is to free our people and light the way for liberty throughout the world. - Barry Goldwater [...]
August 22nd, 2006 at 6:30 am
Not to harp on the subject, but I’ve seen remarks made on your positive outlook on Rudy on other blogs, appearantly others find comfort in Catholic support for Rudy not unlike the support Kerry found visiting (shopping around) for a church where he could receive Holy Communion. “Newton” supports your support for Rudy because he’s a Leader? Wow, Stalin, Mao and even Hitler were leaders and sadly they all supported the murder of inocents. I am not saying anyone here supports killing anyone, although there is some support for someone who does. LAstly Rudy was a mayor of NYC, great job, but we are talking about the president of the USA, get real.
August 22nd, 2006 at 7:32 am
Anchoress, So because some of us don’t bow to Rudy we are the ones walking away with 0% and calling it a victory? Well then, just pat yourself on the back and run with your 75%, all I know is 100% of the aborted are gone.
August 22nd, 2006 at 8:04 am
Thank you for your intelligent, well reasoned and charity filled comments on current issues and events. I read you almost daily and while I may disagree with your comments, I always find them to be wise, civil and thoughtful. I particularly agreed with your Guiliani analysis.
August 22nd, 2006 at 9:20 am
[...] McCain may seem, on the surface, like the better choice, but where the rubber meets the road, he’s not as strong, and not as trustworthy, as Guiliani. I don’t want a “maverick” in office - where “maverick” really translates to “Republican whose name Democrats can speak without spitting afterwards.” I don’t want a people-pleaser, and I especially don’t want anyone who pleases Democrats because they are even less serious about national security than the Republicans. I don’t want someone who thinks that fighting terrorism is a form of law enforcement. I agree with the Anchoress when she says, “Difficult times demand of us difficult choices.” If someone better than Rudy Giuliani comes along, I’ll be open to looking at him or her, but right now, I don’t see it. Right now the entire world under siege and that siege must urgently be put down. If we are not safe, all the rest of our concerns will never be addressed, because we’ll be too busy fighting for our lives (and frankly, for our faith, because once the “convert or die” Islamofascists have managed to level a few cities and terrify too many Americans into acquiescence, their next step will be to put us under the burka, or under the sword.) [...]
August 22nd, 2006 at 9:52 am
Another Vote For Giuliani
The Anchoress, writing in response to Nate Nelson of the blog Catholic? Rudy Watch, defends her continued support of Rudy Giuliani for President…
August 22nd, 2006 at 1:18 pm
Btw, Anchoress, Giuliani’s PAC is at http://www.solutionsamerica.com . I went there hoping to reinforce my good opinion (Comment #6) but, unfortunately, didn’t learn anything material.
August 22nd, 2006 at 2:01 pm
It’s a Small Blogosphere (After All. . .)
now that I’ve been wondering, I saw this post at the Anchoress, and thought, no way, him?
So I went and looked and seached through the archives and. . . Yes way, him.
August 22nd, 2006 at 4:08 pm
I go to church every Sunday and see huge lines of people receiving Our Lord in the Holy Eucharist, and I know that most of them haven’t been to confession in ages. Some Catholics have fits about that - “how dare they consume the Flesh and Blood of Christ unworthily,” they gasp. While it would be nice to know that every Catholic is receiving Holy Communion only while in a state of grace - which is the ideal - I am aware that perhaps the only way some souls may ever be touched by grace at all is via the reception of Christ in the Eucharist, consumed unworthily (who among us is truly worthy), but by that act given intimate access. The less-than-perfect avenue can still be the opening in which Christ imparts His grace.
I’m not sure how this squares with scripture or Catholic teaching. Perhaps you could cite something for me?
1 Cor 11:27-29 - “Therefore whosoever shall eat this bread, or drink the chalice of the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and of the blood of the Lord. But let a man prove himself: and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of the chalice. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh judgment to himself, not discerning the body of the Lord.”
August 22nd, 2006 at 5:13 pm
mightyduk, it doesn’t “square” with the scriptural passage, if you’re reading the passage without considering “intention.”
‘
It’s quite one thing to knowingly receive our Lord unworthily, and another to be so poorly catechized that you really don’t “get” what the big deal is. (And I have no doubt the church will answer for failing so miserably in educating people). Our church has fallen down on catechesis in a big way over the last 40 years, and there is every indication, given studies, that lots of those people in line who are running up to communion (even though they perhaps go to mass twice a year and haven’t been to confession in a decade) don’t know they’re doing wrong. If you believe the Eucharist is what we say it is, then do you believe that Christ, given intimate access by one who “knows him not,” (like, say, a Samarian woman at a well) might not still interact with that person’s soul, or do you think Christ enters an unworthy body and soul and figuratively taps his toe and folds his arms across his chest, waiting for digestion, because that body/soul is not worth his time.
‘
I know in whom I have believed. If we believe, we cannot put limits on what Christ can do in the Eucharist…only our understanding is bound by limits. And perhaps even wisdom is constrained more by our intentions and willingnesses than by our worthinesses.
‘
Sometimes I think that much of being a Christian is all about WILLINGNESS, not WORTHINESS. And thank God for that…be cause I am much more willing than worthy.
August 22nd, 2006 at 9:58 pm
“The right judges will take care of that, and I believe Rudy will choose the right judges.”
He is firm in his position of pro choice and gay rights. What makes you think he would appoint a judge who would in any way want to change the move to keep abortion legal and gay rights moving forward? Bush 1 gave us pro choice judge and a real loser because at heart he was pro abortion like his wife. Bush 2 was put on the hot seat to keep his campaign committments. Rudi will campaign as a baby killer. What makes you think that is leadership we need as our President? If nominated, millions will stay away and it will cost the Republicans dearly across every state and district election and maybe then they will understand there is no retreat in the war to save lives of innocent children.
I understand and agree with the need to fight the war on terror. I just wish we would fight it rather than try to do so in a politically correct way. I think Bush’s numbers are down because he is sacrificing the lives of our soldiers by worrying about trying to please the faint hearted in time of war. I look at those in leadership today and wonder if any one of them would have had the moral courage of Truman to drop the bomb on Japan to save the lives of millions of soldiers at the end of WWII? We cannot even seem to look for the right folks trying to destroy us as we search little old ladies so as not to offend muslims. We cannot stop people from breaking our laws as the stream accross our borders. Do you think Rudi would change this? I think we need to have a strong leader who says they will go after the right people in the war on terror, protect our borders, and stop the butchering of innocent babies in the womb. Maybe that person is not yet identified but putting something out that says Rudi is OK is flat out wrong.
August 23rd, 2006 at 10:11 am
[...] As I come up for a gulp of air, out of the swirling black-hole project of galactic proportions, I see the Anchoress is up and well again. Hooray! God works as God will, regardless of our sensibilities. I believe that God is not done with Rudy Giuliani, just as he is not done with you or me or Mel Gibson. As my Li’l Bro Thom says to me: Grace builds on nature. And all those high-falutin’ social issues won’t matter diddly squat once Iran is armed and aiming its big guns at the West, demanding we convert or die. [...]
August 23rd, 2006 at 12:47 pm
[...] That having been said, I am truly baffled as to how she can possibly support Rudy Giuliani for president. As K-Lo notes over at the Corner today, there is perhaps no other politician who is more radically proabortion than Giulani. The former mayor of New York City even supports the beyond-evil practice known as partial birth abortion, and has indicated that he would “give my daughter money for it [an abortion].” Translation: “I am willing to help kill my own grandchild.” [...]
August 23rd, 2006 at 2:43 pm
Compromise, Compromise, Compromise
Ali Eteraz, a new acquaintance and humanist/reformist (don’t call him moderate) Muslim, is struggling to decide where he, and other Muslims like him, should stand in the American political landscape. At the same time, The Anchoress and her commenters …
August 24th, 2006 at 10:54 am
“I know in whom I have believed. If we believe, we cannot put limits on what Christ can do in the Eucharist…only our understanding is bound by limits. And perhaps even wisdom is constrained more by our intentions and willingnesses than by our worthinesses.
‘
Sometimes I think that much of being a Christian is all about WILLINGNESS, not WORTHINESS. And thank God for that…be cause I am much more willing than worthy.”
While you are correct that someone who is fully unaware of their sin (unworthy reception of our Lord) is not fully culpable for that sin. However, being poorly catechised is a problem in itself. Every Catholic knows where to find this information. In any event, you make a straw-man when you suggest that I or St. Paul is limiting the power of Christ to act, we’re simply passing on what we have recieved from Christ as our guide to living. It’s certainly possible for Christ to do anything, but He has made it clear that unworthy reception of the Eucharist is a desecration and is to be avoided, therefore there is no “silver lining”, He would not contradict Himself in that way.
Christ taught that our salvation involves believing and obeying His commandments. As is oft quoted “the road to Hell is paved with good intentions”.
August 27th, 2006 at 3:04 am
[...] Rudy Guiliani is a fantastic leader. He made New York City a place where families and businesses felt safe again. And, in the immediate aftermath of September 11, 2001, he calmed a nation with his command of situation. But Rudy is also a moderate-to-liberal Republican - period. He supports abortion “rights” (even partial-birth abortion), gun control, embryonic stell cell research, and gay marriage. That’s right. Not “civil unions”, gay MARRIAGE. Tell me, how many times in American political history has a candidate with those types of left-of-center views ever come to office and “changed his mind” on ALL of them? In a post titled We Elect Presidents. Not Messiahs newton and the Anchoress are in agreement that Guiliani is a great leader. That’s absolutely true. But it doesn’t mean he’ll make a great President. If it’s true that we don’t elect Messiahs (and it is) then what’s wrong with Mass. Govenor Mitt Romney who’s far more conservative and also a very good leader? Oh right. Rudy’s more popular. [...]
August 30th, 2006 at 1:29 am
Submitted for Your Approval
Submitted for Your Approval First off… any spambots reading this should immediately go here, here, here, and here. Die spambots, die! And now… here are all the links submitted by members of the Watcher’s Council for t…
September 1st, 2006 at 12:30 pm
What are your thoughts on Newt Gingrich running for the GOP?
September 1st, 2006 at 12:38 pm
I see Newt rather in the same way I see Clinton: Smart man, too slick by half and transparently self-promoting. I’m kind of tired of that model and would rather not see it back in office.
‘
That said, I don’t think Newt is as needy as Clinton, I don’t think he “needs to be loved” so much, which is a good thing in his favor.
September 12th, 2006 at 8:19 am
[...] Pondering all this - I continue to come back to “Why?”. I’m a great believer that God has a PLAN and none of us are smart enough to understand it. Trust. Faith. Prayer. And I’m also a great believer that the Hand of God can be witnessed. Yesterday, I walked the campus where I work during lunch and came upon a 9/11 memorial sponsored by a student group. For a buck, you could buy a small flag that was stuck in the ground with more small flags. By the time I’d gotten there, there were lots of flags. For my buck, I was also handed a slip of paper. The coed told me that it was the name of a 9/11 victim. (Aside: I wasn’t able to pick a name for the 2996 project - I just couldn’t decide. Who? Why write about this one? Was this one more worthy? Who? What about this one? Who to pick? I was overwhelmed.) The name on my slip of paper is Tariq Amanullah. God gave me a name to write about. (See?!?!?) A native Pakistani Muslim, Tariq Amanullah worked in the World Trade Center at Fiduciary Trust; a father, an uncle, a son, a grandson, a husband. According to his legacy.com entry, he liked to build things. Denise Sanchez wrote this tribute. His son would be 18 now - in his senior year or off to college. His daughter would be 15 - just learning to drive. Eerily close to the ages of my kids. It’s sad that in the blind Islamic killing spree of that day, they killed their own as well. War has been waged against us by stealth and deceit and murder. This nation is peaceful, but fierce when stirred to anger. This conflict was begun on the timing and terms of others; it will end in a way and at an hour of our choosing. [...]
September 26th, 2006 at 10:40 pm
[...] Anchoress Called on to “Retract” Support for RudyThe Anchoress [...]
February 1st, 2007 at 1:46 pm
[...] light my post re-asserting my support for Rudy Giuliani (should he make a WH bid) a reader sent a link to Adam Sandler performing as Operaman at the [...]