Why did a Catholic university ban a pro-life speaker?
posted at 9:37 am on April 14, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
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Here in the Twin Cities, conservatives have long been inured to the strange policy decisions made by liberal administrations colleges and universities in our community, but the University of St. Thomas may have surprised even the most resigned conservatives here. St. Thomas denied permission for a presentation by a young African-American woman to speak on abortion. Normally, this wouldn’t seem surprising for a Catholic university, but the woman wanted to speak out against abortion — and the university apparently believes that to violate its community standards:
Star Parker is a bestselling author who travels the country speaking to young audiences about the harmful impact of abortion, especially in minority communities. What better place than the University of St. Thomas — an urban, Catholic campus — for this dynamic African-American woman to bring her prolife message?
For almost two months, St. Thomas’ Students for Human Life organization looked forward to sponsoring Parker’s planned appearance on campus April 21. Her fee was to be split by the St. Thomas Standard, a conservative student newspaper, and the Young America’s Foundation, a Herndon, Va., group that brings conservative speakers and ideas to college campuses.
Students for Human Life applied to the university’s Student Life Committee for a campus site where Parker could speak. But the committee turned thumbs down. Star Parker, it seems, was not welcome at St. Thomas.
Katie Kieffer, an alumna who helped plan Parker’s visit, says that Vice President for Student Affairs Jane Canney, who oversees the committee, blocked the way. “She told me, ‘As long as I’m a vice president at St. Thomas, we will not deal with Young America’s Foundation,’” said Kieffer.
Why the hostility for YAF? The group brought Ann Coulter to their campus in 2005 — and the university still bears a grudge against YAF and Kieffer for it. The appearance caused plenty of dissent on campus, which spilled into premeditated disruptions of Coulter’s talk. Did university president Father Dennis Dease crack down on the provocateurs in his student body? Of course not. Instead, he launched a tirade directed at Coulter for criticizing Ted Kennedy and calling Barbara Boxer “learning disabled”.
Apparently, part of a Catholic university’s mission is teaching students how to hold a grudge. Not only did Dease and his administration declare Coulter persona non grata, but also every conservative speaker connected to the YAF in perpetuity.
Now, Coulter isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, and I’ve been very critical of her in the past. However, the notion that a university would ban all conservative speakers because they didn’t like Ann Coulter is akin to banning all liberals from speaking because of Ward Churchill’s “Little Eichmanns” remarks. It’s absurd. It’s even more offensive that Dease and Canney would insist on some sort of “speech code” for conservatives to sign prior to speaking on their campus.
Universities used to value intellectual diversity and debate. Catholic universities have a centuries-long tradition of this, in and out of the US, a diversity that includes staging “The Vagina Monologues” at Notre Dame, for example. Dease’s actions to stifle dissent at St. Thomas — and to demand the equivalent of a loyalty oath as a prerequisite to speak one’s mind — are not only un-Catholic, but also un-American and un-academic. He has turned St. Thomas into the Zimbabwe of American universities, most of which have already succumbed to a lesser extent to the stultifying grasp of political correctness.
All of this comes, as I have noted, because Dease and Canney feel that an appearance by a young woman speaking against abortion violates the mission of this Catholic university. If Dease and Canney truly believe that, then both need to find new careers, and the Catholic Church needs to reconsider St. Thomas and its entire administration.
Update: Never let it be said that I failed to listen to the Hot Air community. I replaced the front-page pic with one of Star Parker, but I failed to mention in this post that the two young women flanking Coulter in the original photo are Amie and Katie Kieffer. Amie has taken her older sister’s place on the St. Thomas conservative newspaper, and both have played an important part in this story.
Update II: Star Parker is 52? I had no idea. I thought she was much younger. I wouldn’t mind looking that young at 45, let alone 52.
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raised as an irish catholic, i can tell you that irish catholics, and many other catholics are simply out of their minds.
as for coulter, we had her here at Stony Brook University last week, and it was awesome meeting her in private, and the event was great. im surprised my uber liberal left wing diversity loving college actually let her come..
blatantblue on April 14, 2008 at 9:42 AM
Catholic no longer == conservative. DePaul university in Chicago is another example.
SunSword on April 14, 2008 at 9:50 AM
The Pope’s US visit has on its agenda for him to address a meeting of the the American Catholic University Presidents. It seems, as reported on FoxNews, only 20 of the 213 Catholic Universities measure up to Vatican standards. They have pretty much abandoned most if not all Catholic principles on morality.
Zaire67 on April 14, 2008 at 9:54 AM
As a Maronite Catholic, I agree 100% with the above statement. That liberal priest and his minions need to leave. And where is the alumni association in all this? I would cut off all financial support until that politically correct priest and his staff are gone.
Zorro on April 14, 2008 at 10:04 AM
Liberal Fascism.
Political Correctness is the modern liberals favorite argument: “you can’t say that.”
Political correctness means you agree with us or shut up.
Terribly persuasive.
Angry Dumbo on April 14, 2008 at 10:06 AM
Catholics in America have pretty much been socially conservative and fiscally liberal for much of their time in the United States. Only over the last 40 years, closely rhyming with the Goldwater surge for smaller government, have Catholics trended towards fiscal conservatism.
Your Catholic universities were mainly built on top of ideas that support redistribution of wealth by the government.
This is a ridiculous decision to prohibit any and all speakers if their fees are partially paid for by the YAF.
gabriel sutherland on April 14, 2008 at 10:07 AM
So Coulter is no good for CPAC and McCain and Bush are OK?
.
With watered down pseudo Conservatism such as this, no wonder we ended up with McCain as the Republican candidate.
.
I also think that Coulter’s comment about gays in relation to Edwards was misinterpreted. Additionally, why all the sensitivity about gays? Gay is a lifestyle choice and not a race and many are not in favor of this unhealthy lifestyle.
.
What is your position on abusive Gay rights such as not allowing those who disagree with it to not be involved with it. http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=61342
FactsofLife on April 14, 2008 at 10:07 AM
My husband’s whole super devout Catholic family in Minneapolis are rabid liberals. The disconnect is quite bizarre.
funky chicken on April 14, 2008 at 10:07 AM
On the one hand this is mind-boggling; on the other it’s to be expected because political correctness is nothing but the rules of Marxism, and many Catholics are very susceptible to its seduction. Pope Benedict really needs to get his views opposing Socialism made clear to the leaders of his flock.
Ironically, like a good liberal, and like many American churches, Tutu is for the divestment of Israel and equates the Israeli treatment of Palestinians with South African apartheid.
Oh what a tangled web we weave when trying not to make people “uncomfortable” with “hurtful” comments.
Buy Danish on April 14, 2008 at 10:09 AM
And you really should find a picture of Ms. Parker instead of Coulter. The article is about Ms. Parker’s being banned from speaking.
funky chicken on April 14, 2008 at 10:09 AM
Very often the administrations of private and religious colleges have been infiltrated by the same hippie dreck whom have ruined many public skools and universities. Much like clones of Duke University president Brodhead who happily went along with the railroading of the Duke Lacrosse Team. The dirtbag Brodhead is still there… happily passing the on costs of his corruption and the Hate 88 in the form of tuition and fees increases. It is unfortunate that a high (pun optional) percentage of professors and preachers pursued undergraduate, graduate, and theology schools solely to avoid conscription. Naturally, many of those majors had no employment future but for teaching. Now that generation has seniority at those same schools. More than a few are doing their best to splinter the churches as well.
Many church colleges suffer the same socialist disease which infects non-church education. That being administrative rot which hires and fires on the basis of socialist and Marxist philosophy whereby eventually the only ones doing the hiring and firing and granting of tenure are lockstep against the faith, philosophy and morals of the church which funds them. Therein lies the danger of tenure. It permits administrators and their hires to thumb their noses at the parent’s beliefs, while indoctrinating their children in opposition to them, while charging the flustered parents ever higher tuition for the privilege to undermine them.
viking01 on April 14, 2008 at 10:10 AM
As a former Roman Catholic, this is no surprise. If the institution can have their way, they would crush dissent.
A majority of Roman Catholics think they are still RC’s until they read their cathecism. Catholicism here in the U.S. is vastly different from countries dominated by the RCC.
maynila on April 14, 2008 at 10:12 AM
Why is the picture with the post Ann Coulter instead of Star Parker? Wasn’t the post mainly about Parker?
Is it that Coulter drives more traffic?
With that said, isn’t the University of St. Thomas teaching by example about stifling free speech? Students aren’t stupid-this will hurt the University.
Doug on April 14, 2008 at 10:13 AM
It is appalling, I agree, but the Catholic church encourages some this stuff by its pronouncements and policies. The Vatican and the Pope still basically refuse to believe that Jews have a right to life in Israel. The Pope could very easily go to Jerusalem and tell the world that he is on the side of the Israel and against the muslim terrorist that have been stalking it since for over a century, even before the modern state. Instead the Vatican constantly issues pronoucements about how it is neutral between the terrorists and the Jews. The same goes for the counsel of bishops in the US; they are even more vociferously anti-Israel. What goes around comes around.
georgealbert on April 14, 2008 at 10:13 AM
The libs co-opt these Christian institutions. The rat will have a purpose to rise to power within the institution and then purge the Christians while bringing in rats to replace them. The Christian charities are the same way. Most of the money you put on the offerings plate goes towards advancing liberal and anti Christian agendas.
This is why people like Michael Moore and Bernie Ward go to seminary.
Buddahpundit on April 14, 2008 at 10:16 AM
“Why did a Catholic university ban a pro-life speaker?”
Um, because it isn’t Catholic? I’d suggest the majority of them are really just CINO’s now, anyway.
Dusty on April 14, 2008 at 10:16 AM
same here.
I was born RC and was taught to hate Americans by my relatives some of which are priests and nuns.
The only thing I can agree with them is on the matter of abortion.
maynila on April 14, 2008 at 10:20 AM
Wow, Ann Coulter’s poisonous rhetoric is taking down other folks guilty by association. After her getting banned from CPAC I thought a lot of this would simmer down. It looks like she to radioactive that even catholics don’t want to be near speakers who even associate with her or her contacts. ouch.
THE CHOSEN ONE on April 14, 2008 at 10:30 AM
All government funding to any university applying PC speech codes should be cut off. This should include all NSF and Humanities grants to the individual professors. That would get action in about 30 minutes.
If the Catholic universities are to promote the same secularist sociological drivel as the non-religious institutions of “higher” learning they really ought to shut them down and find a more cost effective way to “save souls.”
I always find it hard to believe that people are willing to shell out hard earned money for indoctrination classes that Pol Pot, Mao and their successors provide(d) for free.
Annar on April 14, 2008 at 10:30 AM
That’s good stuff, and is why my kids may do home school college with me. Bill Bennett is working on an online college like his K-12 thing (which is excellent, btw). Why on earth would I spend $40 grand a year to have my kids tormented by leftists?
funky chicken on April 14, 2008 at 10:32 AM
Catholic university bans a pro-life speaker. Pope declines dinner with President Bush. hhhhhmmmmmmmmmm
Wade on April 14, 2008 at 10:34 AM
Ed, really, change the pic to Ms. Parker. Ms. Parker is an attractive woman with an important message, and doesn’t deserve to have you put the Coulter pic on a story about her.
funky chicken on April 14, 2008 at 10:34 AM
On FNC’s Pope Benedict “Mission to America” last night, the comment was made that out of 200 so-called Catholic universities and organizations, only 20 passed Catholic criteria. I can’t pass judgment without looking more closely at the institution. I am always very wary about making a blanket assumption that just because “Catholic” is in the name, something is truly Catholic. And considering the current Pope’s opposition to liberation theology/Marxism, I’d be doubly careful.
Connie on April 14, 2008 at 10:36 AM
http://www.urbancure.org/dev/starphoto.htm
Lovely pic, nice purple background. Perhaps if we all found nice Star Parker pics and posted them in comments the hosts would get the idea?
funky chicken on April 14, 2008 at 10:37 AM
Star Parker is 52 years old (b. 1956) yet twice you refer to her as a young woman. Whats up with that?
aengus on April 14, 2008 at 10:37 AM
That was a pretty good presentation on Fox. I once was in charge of Pro-Life ministry at a Catholic church. The congregation complained about posters and literature being made available. It got pretty nasty. In a parish of over twenty-five hundred, only three people ever came to the Pro-Life workshops and gatherings. There was small and vocal minority that supported abortion on demand, and the rest hid.
Der Pope is doing the right thing with addressing these issues. Lay Catholics have been running the parishes and their social agendas are reflected in the church and schools. Priests need to get a swift Papal kick, and do their job. Yes, God loves you but if you sin you are going to hell. Spread the word, Father.
Hening on April 14, 2008 at 10:38 AM
Why do conservatives always “preface” their remarks about Ann Coulter?
She’s our one-woman shock troop! She is the best hard-right debator in the entire world, bar none. She’s sharper than a tack. I wish other conservatives were as in-your-face and tough. Most fold up like a tent the first time they’re called “racist” or some other meaningless epithet. Then they start crying and pandering like Bill Richardson. Now call Coulter a “racist”, and it’s like you’re in a cage with a bobcat.
Coulter has brought millions into the conservative movement by being outrageous and unbending. If her shtick offends many people, then so does Rush Limbaugh’s. But rememeber, without Limbaugh, the conservative movement would never have had control of congress or had 8 years of a Republican administration.
People are always attracted to speakers who can take the blows and dish it out. Compare Coulter with McCain, who flips and flops and kisses asses as fast as he can. He frantically hunts for nonexistant “independent” voters like pronghorn antelope, disparages his own base and ruins the entire Republican brand.
At least Coulter is consistent – the most important attribute of anyone putting forward an powerful ideology. She’s like Limbaugh, without all the golf and cigar BS.
And, by the way, isn’t Barbara Boxer “learning diabled”, as Coulter put it? To Senator McCain, she may be a distinguished colleague and “good friend”, but to an average actual college-educated voting American, she’s a freaking moron!
Talk about speaking truth to power.
Love her or hate her, you have to admit that Coulter has huevos!
TexasJew on April 14, 2008 at 10:38 AM
She’s only two years younger than Condoleezza Rice.
aengus on April 14, 2008 at 10:40 AM
http://www.urbancure.org/starparkerimages.asp?show=1
better pics, I like the new hairdo.
Yeah, I’m a girl.
funky chicken on April 14, 2008 at 10:42 AM
aengus…..watch who yer callin’ old there, skippy
LOL. She looks amazing for being over 50. I’m well under that age but a little jealous
funky chicken on April 14, 2008 at 10:43 AM
Amen!
Connie on April 14, 2008 at 10:45 AM
http://www.urbancure.org/starparkerimages.asp?show=1
amazing skin
funky chicken on April 14, 2008 at 10:46 AM
The Catholic Church does hold some rather conservative views on a few issues. However, the concept of social justice is very strong. The Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace speaks specifically about these issues.
It’s not much of a stretch for some Catholics who feel that inequities in life should be ’smoothed’ by the intervention of government to take the idea of social justice in the Church and morph it into some kind of pseudo-religious Marxism. In fact, this is somewhat common among the laity and priesthood in places like Mexico and Central/South America.
Asher on April 14, 2008 at 10:49 AM
If I recall correctly, this is the same university that was up in arms when their valedictorian’s speech a few years ago included references to avoiding excesses such as promiscuous sex, drugs and alcohol. He had the audacity to tell the graduates to look outside of their own personal gratification for true happiness. The university fell all over itself apologizing for his remarks. I read what he said. It was not judgmental, it was kind and thoughtful. I couldn’t understand the outrage.
As an aside, the Vagina Monologues have no place on a Catholic University campus. Fr. Jenkins, of Notre Dame, is a spiritual coward, as are all of the other Catholic Universities who sponsor this crap in the name of higher education. I hope the Pope is able to get through to them, because our local diocesan bishop’s pleading with ND did no good. Jenkins likened the Vag. Mon. to other classic great books that may contain objectionable material but help enhance the educational pursuits of higher learning. What a crock!
sheesh on April 14, 2008 at 10:54 AM
Haha I’ll be careful what I say. I never actually used the word old. 52 is not old its just.. not young. :)
aengus on April 14, 2008 at 10:57 AM
St. Mary’s in San Antonio is another radical Catholic university. I went to an anti-Colombia FTA forum there awhile ago that was organized by priests, communists, and Human Rights Groups.
Golden Boy on April 14, 2008 at 10:58 AM
aengus :-)
funky chicken on April 14, 2008 at 10:58 AM
Just like the majority of American Jews are Liberals, the majority of American Catholics are Liberals too.
I wonder why I’m one of the few sane-minded Catholics in this country.
Is it because I’m not a coward, not part of a cattle or group-thinking, not politically correct and not an idiot?
Is it because I’m religious, conservative, family oriented, I have alienable principles and morals, and I love America?
Indy Conservative on April 14, 2008 at 10:59 AM
Ah-hah. I knew they’d castrated the football team, just knew it!
funky chicken on April 14, 2008 at 11:00 AM
With remarks like this – in her column from April 2nd entitled OBAMA’S DIMESTORE ‘MEIN KAMPF’ she says –
He says the reason black people keep to themselves is that it’s “easier than spending all your time mad or trying to guess whatever it was that white folks were thinking about you.”
Here’s a little inside scoop about white people: We’re not thinking about you. Especially WASPs. We think everybody is inferior, and we are perfectly charming about it.
Oh please, and who’s the real elitiest?
I know plenty of WASPS and they hardly act that she thinks they do.
AprilOrit on April 14, 2008 at 11:03 AM
Rebuilding year(s). ;)
sheesh on April 14, 2008 at 11:03 AM
All of the above. Although I assume you meant to say inalienable.
aengus on April 14, 2008 at 11:04 AM
Sometimes the truth is bitter. If you look at just the cases where Palestinians have lost their land to the settlers, and have tried to take that loss into the Israeli court system, you’ll see what Tutu means. The military is allowed to confiscate Palestinian land for military uses, and often makes use of those laws to aid settlers to establish “facts on the ground”. Of course, if you’ve read Alan Dershowitz, there is no such thing as “Palestinian land” and you can conveniently ignore everything else.
Naftali, where are you?
That said, the University is certainly selective about which bitter truths they choose to showcase. The truth that abortion is murder is one that should be front and center at any Catholic institution.
And someone above said Starr Parker isn’t young. When you get to be as old as I am, she is.
unclesmrgol on April 14, 2008 at 11:07 AM
As if being Catholic wasn’t challenging enough… :-)
At Mass yesterday, I listened to one of my priests expound upon the notion of advertising and how “easily led” people tend to be. He specifically mentioned, as an example, that “advertising and messaging” effectively led millions of Americans to believe that a decorated war hero was, in fact, NOT a patriot in the last presidential election which, in his mind, was particularly stunning, because the war hero’s opponent had never served in battle… can you imagine this tripe from a catholic pulpit?
Well I wasn’t able to catch up with him after Mass, so I emailed him and told him, with all due respect, that it wasn’t advertising or messaging that created “the illusion” that Kerry wasn’t patriotic — it was a simple recounting of history! I provided the necessary links, naturally.
My own alma mater – Boston College – had a minor meltdown two years ago when Secretary Rice was to receive an honorary degree and serve as Commencement Speaker. It turned out to be a tempest in a teapot with 50 (out of several thousand) graduates turning their back on her while the rest cheered vociferously in approval. And to their credit, the Jesuit authorities at the university refused to back down to nitwit faculty tantrums and the protests of the other crybabies.
D2Boston on April 14, 2008 at 11:08 AM
Another example of how Ann Coulter ruins everything she come into contact with. Why conservatives don’t shame her into isolation is beyond me.
DanKenton on April 14, 2008 at 11:10 AM
Thank God my priest is sane and leaves politics outside the church doors.
crabtree on April 14, 2008 at 11:11 AM
NEVER!
D2Boston on April 14, 2008 at 11:15 AM
Yes, thank you.
Indy Conservative on April 14, 2008 at 11:16 AM
Here are a couple of interesting links.
The first will give you a clue about the faculty. Scroll down and you will note the anti-capitalist “areas of interest.”
John D. Holst
The second has to do with Liberation Theology, which is not supported by the Vatican.
Ex-priest says silencing of Father Sobrino will reanimate liberation theology in Latin America
Connie on April 14, 2008 at 11:16 AM
Indy, you’re off the reservation, here.
Yes, a bizarre percentage of U.S. Jews are liberals or leftists, and partisan Dems. But not a majority of Catholics. A lot, but not a majority, and that includes the Christmas and Easter Catholics (who don’t know if the church is air conditioned because they’ve never been there after April 12th and before December). The more serious Catholics are largely conservative, and overwhelmingly pro-life.
This one I really don’t know what to do with, so rather than details, let’s stick to the broader point — despite my antipathy toward the liberal point of view, I know lots of liberals that I like, a lot. And nearly all of them defy your generic description here. I know liberals who are devout Christians, have wonderful families that they love and protect, give to their communities with great patriotic pride, are not cowards nor idiots, and are not “part of a cattle”, whatever that means.
Re-think your position; I’m sure you had a point in their somewhere.
Jaibones on April 14, 2008 at 11:19 AM
Just like the majority of American Jews are Liberals, the majority of American Catholics are Liberals too.
I wonder why I’m one of the few sane-minded Catholics in this country.
Is it because I’m not a coward, not part of a cattle or group-thinking, not politically correct and not an idiot?
Is it because I’m religious, conservative, family oriented, I have inalienable principles and morals, and I love America?
——————————–
I wish there is an “edit” button here.
Can’t Hot Air do anything about it?
People can misquote us if they have bad intention.
And usually we’re not just typing, we also eat, drink, surf the web, all at the same time.
Indy Conservative on April 14, 2008 at 11:20 AM
Preview
Jaibones on April 14, 2008 at 11:24 AM
I think Ann Coulter should apologize to this chic.
THE CHOSEN ONE on April 14, 2008 at 11:27 AM
Bottom line:
“Why did a Catholic university ban a pro-life speaker?”
“The Zimbabwe of American higher education” should read instead “Because they are pseudo-Catholic.”
Connie on April 14, 2008 at 11:27 AM
And lo…the pic changes. Thanks Ed!
I agree with ya funky…
JetBoy on April 14, 2008 at 11:27 AM
Another example of how Ann Coulter ruins everything she come into contact with. Why conservatives don’t shame her into isolation is beyond me.
DanKenton on April 14, 2008 at 11:10 AM
So basically any liberal can excuse their behavior by pointing to Ann Coulter and you’ll back them up? Don’t you feel kinda toolish?
Buddahpundit on April 14, 2008 at 11:28 AM
I go to Church, and it’s usually packed. But when you start talking to people outside the Church, opinions are more liberals. I hope you’re right about the majority.
“Part of the cattle” is a figure of speech: sheep, herd, etc. It’s group-thinking.
Most Liberals have twisted minds, to say it mildly.
Their view of life and the world is the complete opposite of a sane-minded, rational, Conservative mind.
Oh I’m sure they love America in their own way, but they are reluctant to defend her against her enemies. They are taking America for granted. They blame America for all the miseries of the world. They just “live here.”
If they are “devout Christians” as you say, then they shouldn’t be Liberals, it’s as simple as that.
You can’t have it both ways. And this is the problem with many Americans, they are hypocrites and liars.
Indy Conservative on April 14, 2008 at 11:32 AM
And a second thought on this, the above would have been especially provocative this week. It would help further the Pope’s mission by exposing the truth about “Catholic” leftists.
Connie on April 14, 2008 at 11:34 AM
Indy, you are drawing a caricature of a liberal that you have in your head. But that’s not the point, the point is that St. Thomas is run by knucklehead liberals who are – in our shared view – either hypocrites or pretend Catholics, or both.
Jaibones on April 14, 2008 at 11:40 AM
Anne Coulter should be cloned. She is by far the funniest and most creative conservative writer around. You folks that seriously dislike her, clearly just don’t get the humor.
Lighten Up. Anne Coulter for President!!! And I say this even though I am Jew and she wants to covert me.
georgealbert on April 14, 2008 at 11:41 AM
It truly is one, holy, catholic and apostolic church.
/sarcasm off
shick on April 14, 2008 at 11:44 AM
This has nothing to do with Coulter. If the university had a problem with her, then it’s with her, not other speakers. It’s disingenuous to claim otherwise.
Esthier on April 14, 2008 at 11:45 AM
Maybe it’s because she’s black?
Jaibones on April 14, 2008 at 11:49 AM
Exactly. Ann Coulter is an Elitiest, plain and simple.
If anyone would have challenged that line in her column about WASPS thinking everyone is inferior (but no on did because she’s tired and no on cares about what she says anymore) she would have backed it up with some provocative distortion highlighting her own insanity at it’s least common denominator.
And all the members of her cult would be fawning and rolling on the ground speaking in tongues, defending her to the bitter end.
Kathryn Lopez said it best, keep her away from our youth, please.
AprilOrit on April 14, 2008 at 11:51 AM
Again, Liberals can’t have it both ways.
I know it’s easy to compromise, to play in the ‘gray zone,” to concede, to be free from commitments and strong beliefs.
That’s the Liberal mind.
But a Conservative mind is more into Black or White, Right or Wrong, it adheres to principles and never compromises.
At least that’s my Conservative mind.
Indy Conservative on April 14, 2008 at 11:52 AM
Well, after all, Jesus was a liberal.
davidk on April 14, 2008 at 12:00 PM
The term WASPS is used stereotypically to define people who are elitists and by very definition look down on others.
It’s not a kind term in the first place.
Esthier on April 14, 2008 at 12:01 PM
Common misconception.
When did Jesus ever ask Caesar to redistribute wealth or change any law?
If anything, in regards to taxes, Jesus was quite clear.
He submitted to the government execution and admonished Peter for trying to stop it.
Jesus’ view is the one most conservatives have. That it’s our job to take care of the poor, not the government’s. That’s what liberals do not seem to grasp. It’s not that we don’t believe in helping poor people. We simply disagree on who should be helping.
Esthier on April 14, 2008 at 12:04 PM
When charity is forced by legislation and taxation, it is no longer charity.
Connie on April 14, 2008 at 12:08 PM
Well, after all, Jesus was a liberal.
davidk on April 14, 2008 at 12:00 PM
——————————-
Actually, Jesus lived his entire life not as a Christian, but as an Orthodox Jew. Hardly a liberal.
georgealbert on April 14, 2008 at 12:16 PM
From where I sit, 52 is young. Not all of us are just out of college, in diapers when Reagan was President, kids, you know.
rightwingprof on April 14, 2008 at 12:20 PM
The general concensus is he was Liberal, but any idealogue could bend these verses to mean what they think they mean.
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. [Matthew 5:9]
For instance – Liberals see peacemakers as Cindy Sheehan, Susan and Tim or Code Pink, Conservatives see them as The Marines.
I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despite-fully use you, and persecute you; [Matthew 5:44]
Liberals see this as a reason not to go to war with anyone.
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy [Matthew 5:7]
Or in this case Liberals see themself as more merciful because they oppose Capital Punishment, Conservatives see themselves as providing mercy to the victim.
But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. You will be repaid at the resurrection of the just. [Luke 14:13 &14.]
Liberals see this as coming from Government, Conservatives see it coming from private donation and good will of the most fortunate.
And when thou pray, thou shall not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou pray, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret…[Matthew 6:6 & 7]
Liberals always fault Conservatives with this, accuse them of being hypocrites. Liberals believe the most devout should not wear their faith on their sleeve or flaunt religion anywhere or in anyway.
AprilOrit on April 14, 2008 at 12:25 PM
You could make the analogy that the Catholic church in the US has become akin to the Jewish leaders of Jesus time.
PappaMac on April 14, 2008 at 12:25 PM
As long as popes call for governments to “give” (Robin Hood style) to the poor, & for governments to be pacifist, those who follow them will tend to be liberals.
jgapinoy on April 14, 2008 at 12:26 PM
Jesus called for individuals to give generously & turn the other cheek, not nations. And where does Jesus commend homosexuality? Or high taxes? Or abortion?
jgapinoy on April 14, 2008 at 12:28 PM
I’m an Irish Catholic, but conservative. I’m convinced that the Catholic support of government implementing social welfare programs is incongruous with the faith. Giving money to the government to redistribute to the poor 1) does nothing for the poor other than provide a check and 2) doesn’t guarantee any or all of the money will end up in the social programs desired. I feel that if Catholics want to give their money to promote social welfare, it’s best to give it to local charities directly than waiting for State Run Health Care or some other bollocks like that.
Besides, charity is tenet of the Catholic dogma. If you expect to be charitable through taxation, you’re being stupid and lazy. What’s worse is you’re forcing “charity” from others, which is not a Catholic ideal.
Where we got this idea that Catholicism = Social Welfare is beyond me.
Nethicus on April 14, 2008 at 12:36 PM
Um, Im 49 and was in the MILITARY under Reagan.
Diapers?
Romeo13 on April 14, 2008 at 12:37 PM
One reason I wasn’t happy with the RC church was its focus on Paul’s writings more than Old Testament and Gospel stuff.
But they don’t ever seem to remember the thing about how those who refuse to work don’t have to be fed by the rest of the church either.
funky chicken on April 14, 2008 at 12:42 PM
As a born and raised catholic, and now recovering, the church has become more political and less focused on the religion.
I haven’t lost my faith, my faith lost me.
Kini on April 14, 2008 at 12:50 PM
Star Parker kicks liberal azz. This is a woman who KNOWS first hand what kind of damage welfare can do.
Tony737 on April 14, 2008 at 12:50 PM
Now Star Parker is what I am talking about! Check her out at Heritage. She takes no prisoners, bashes the liberals like conservatives are supposed to.
Agrippa2k on April 14, 2008 at 1:02 PM
So it begins again. Hot Air: where the anti-Catholics of the Right hang out.
Sydney Carton on April 14, 2008 at 1:03 PM
Agreed 100%, her books are wonderful and she comes armed with knowledge first hand.
I would much rather hear her than Coulter anyday of the week, she offers real valid solutions as opposed to Ann’s usual hate Liberal stand-up routine.
AprilOrit on April 14, 2008 at 1:05 PM
True, but Townhall is making inroads in becoming the favored home of the Know Nothings.
corona on April 14, 2008 at 1:07 PM
I really don’t like that picture! It is very old, like late 80s, early 90s.
She is a very hip lady and is very intimidating to liberals. Try this picture. Do her justice.
Agrippa2k on April 14, 2008 at 1:08 PM
Come to think of it. This would be a good time for a special HotAir series on black conservatives. What happened to those interviews Michelle used to do?
Agrippa2k on April 14, 2008 at 1:12 PM
Does Jane Canney not realize how “intolerant” she appears by refusing to let a pro-life black woman address the college? I’ve read a lot of Star Parker’s writings, and she became a conservative the hard way, by tasting the bitter fruits of liberalism, and thinking things through for herself. Ann Coulter can go “over the top” sometimes, but Ms. Canney needs to be more open-minded…Star Parker could build many bridges by helping conservative Catholics and African Americans to understand each other, and in the name of “liberalism”, she has been denied that chance.
So much for the “tolerance” of liberals…
Steve Z on April 14, 2008 at 1:12 PM
You and this university give Ann far more power than she has. Why?
Wade on April 14, 2008 at 1:19 PM
agrippa, yeah, that pic is great, love the hair and her skin is enviable for a woman her age, or ya know, 3/4 of her age.
funky chicken on April 14, 2008 at 1:19 PM
People are being politically correct. What she is is hot.
Agrippa2k on April 14, 2008 at 1:21 PM
She’s great looking, she guset co hosted on The View last year. She tried to put the old dowager in her place, but you know how Wawa hangs on to that show like the fountain of youth, she cut Star off.
AprilOrit on April 14, 2008 at 1:24 PM
DePaul is a cesspool of Catholic denial.
Hey, but thanks to Ed for the Coulter picture, anyway. Love that. Love that.
Jaibones on April 14, 2008 at 1:26 PM
What happened to those interviews Michelle used to do? – Agrippa2k
What happened to ANYTHING Michelle used to do here? It seems like Michelle just doesn’t work here anymore :-(
Tony737 on April 14, 2008 at 1:27 PM
It’s obvious that Michelle “doesn’t work here anymore”.
She wouldn’t have let the site become a home for Know Nothings.
corona on April 14, 2008 at 1:30 PM
Here’s an idea, “The Black View”, with Ayaan Hirsi Ali, Star Parker and Angela McGowen … and token white liberal woman … Alan Colmbs!
Tony737 on April 14, 2008 at 1:31 PM
georgealbert on April 14, 2008 at 12:16 PM
Connie on April 14, 2008 at 12:08 PM
You could make the analogy that the Catholic church in the US has become akin to the Jewish leaders of Jesus time.
PappaMac on April 14, 2008 at 12:25 PM
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Sure, some of the Jewish leaders. Of course Jesus never in his lifetime claimed to be anyything other than a Jew and in current times Jews have many different factions, just as the Christians/Catholics have many different factions. But you just can’t blame some of the Catholics; I mean the United Counsel of Churches is Barak Obama/Jerimiah Wright left wing, as is the ruling body of the Methodists. Also, as a Jew, I think, clearly, that Jesus was wrong about some things and is still wrong. But at least he was honest and trying to be moral, which is more than can be said of some of the Christian/Catholic and Jewish leaders of today. They engage in secular politics and they call it religion and they invoke the word of G_d as their justification.
When the true mosiach enters Jerusalem, this will all get sorted out. Hopefully sooner than later. But as a Jew we have obligations to do good deeds every day to make that happen. G_d gave us some pretty good directions on what to do. I and many others need to do a better job that we have in the past to make that happen. But then again, maybe I am just bitter and clinging to my religion and guns and hating people that don’t look like me (lucky them) and new immigrants because of economic problems…. Oh wait, I don’t have any economic problems…
georgealbert on April 14, 2008 at 1:47 PM
My first guess would be they were too busy accommodating the needs of pro-muslim speakers.
(That said, I do wish to add that I have complete contempt for the lies of this woman. Abortion does not harmed women and the pro-lifers should hang their head shame for their compulsive lying.)
thuja on April 14, 2008 at 1:49 PM
Some of you have made some really good points about Catholicism. It would behoove the rest of you haters to read them rather than spew your anti-Catholic rhetoric and one sentence jabs against the religion.
sheesh on April 14, 2008 at 1:50 PM
I haven’t read any anti-Catholic comments yet. Perhaps you are referring to comments that disagree with Rome’s politics or theology. How this make those commenters haters or anti-catholic?
It is unfair to label them anti-catholic simply because they disagree with Rome. Please show one quote that displays this “hate” you refer to.
I am a former Roman Catholic well educated in it’s doctrine. I’ll tell you what I am against Rome’s doctrine but not its people.
You’re beginning to sound like Wright.
shick on April 14, 2008 at 2:23 PM
Amen. Love her.
whitetop on April 14, 2008 at 2:26 PM
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