Fr. Jonathan,

Now that the candidates have FINALLY discussed abortion in this last debate, I hope you will address this issue head on in your next article. This is a very important question in voter’s minds, or at least it should be.

Can a Christian vote for someone who supports abortion? Can a Christian vote for Barack Obama? Why is abortion wrong? Is abortion wrong?

Seek the answers at http://www.catholicvoter.blogspot.com

God bless,
An American Catholic

Dear Father Jonathan:

I have read all the comments and I have to say that the anger (and even hate sometimes) of the people is disturbing, the lack of respect is appalling, and if the divisions manifested in this small microcosm of the country are any indication, we are in serious trouble. The one bright shining beacon is Mat. God bless you sir, for telling it like it is, in a kind, gentle and educated manner, and for your unshakable faith and values. You are rare in this world.

Father Jonathan, I respect and admire you. I loved your book. I heard you speak at the Respect Life Luncheon in Miami, FL., and I watch you on FOX…A breath of fresh air amid the poison and banality out there. I can’t imagine what you think when you read all this but it is good that this forum exists so that people can vent, I guess. It is educational as far as getting the pulse of the folks out there. If most of the comments were not so sad, I’d laugh at their absurdity and lack of logic.

May God bless you always, Father, and keep on writing. There are MANY out there who appreciate you.
Katia
PS I saw this quote yesterday and thought I’d share it.

“A woman’s heart should be so lost in God that a man needs to seek Him, in order to find her.”

I agree: Go “negative” not “dirty”! Well said! I sure wish the Republican Party would listen to your wise advise on advertising:

The Sacramento Republican Party has chosen to go dirty. This is from Fox News:

The Sacramento Republican Party’s Web site encouraged readers to “Waterboard Barack Obama” and compared Obama to Usama bin Laden, drawing criticism from state and local Democrats and Republicans.

The Sacramento County Republican Party posted anti-Obama slogans comparing the candidate to Usama bin Laden on its web site. (Sacramentorepublicans.org)

A California county’s Republican Party Web site encouraged readers to “Waterboard Barack Obama” and compared Obama to Usama bin Laden, drawing criticism on Wednesday from Democrats and Republicans in the state.

The Web site of the Sacramento County Republican Party posted five illustrations saying that the terrorist group Hamas supported Obama and that “the only difference between Obama and Osama is BS.” Another attacked Michelle Obama, reading, “Hey Obama! Want to see bitter?”

The graphics were removed from the site by Wednesday, after the state GOP urged the local group to take them down.

The state Republican Party learned of the controversial content when it received a phone call from a reporter, said party spokesman Hector Barajas.

“I called the Sacramento county chairman and I had them remove it,” Barajas said. “I also noted to them that this is a complete distraction from what we’re trying to do, and that’s elect John McCain and Sarah Palin as the next president and vice president of the United States.”

Sacramento County Republican Chairman Craig MacGlashan could not be reached for comment Wednesday afternoon, but the Sacramento Bee reported that he defended the Web site’s content.

“I’m aware of the content,” MacGlashan told the newspaper. “Some people find it offensive, others do not. I cannot comment on how people interpret things.”

By Tuesday night the graphics had been removed. “These types of innuendos have absolutely no place in this election,” Barajas said. “This isn’t a thing we want out there.”

Barajas said the slurs asserting Obama was Muslim and tying him to terrorism were like the Democratic Party’s attempts make race an issue in the election.

“I think it’s a distraction… I figured that we would have moved far beyond this, and as a person of color I’d rather have a discussion on the issues and why Barack Obama is not ready to be commander in chief,” Barajas said.

Bob Mulholland, spokesman for the California Democratic Party, said that the state party wasn’t focusing on the incident.

“The big picture, that’s where we’re focusing,” Mulholland said.

“I think the Republicans will be indicted on Nov. 4, so the jury will speak then. The verdict will be Barack Obama for president. We’ll be picking up House seats. We’ll be picking up Senate seats.”

He called the Sacramento County GOP’s move just one more flailing attempt to stop the Republicans’ slide “down that path of oblivion.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This abominable ad on a Republican Party website indicates a lack of a moral compass by local Republican party leaders.

Sarantos,

I certainly do not want to take options away from others, nor do I want to force others to accept my beliefs. But I do want to make sure that options are in favor of life and not death. I want to make sure that options respect the dignity of the child in the womb who seeks the embrace of its mother; that options respect the dignity of the woman who seeks a man’s sacrificial love in a world filled with selfish desires; that options respect the dignity of the family and its critical role in the formation of children.

To be silent otherwise is to cooperate with it.

Hey Father,

just read your report. My god, somethings never change. I was brought a catholic, educated in a catholic primary school and grammar school and yes, my opinion has been backed up once again.

You guys have always claimed to represent the people but in reality have always represented the right wing.

I would say shame on you but I would be waisting my time. You might as well keep doing what the catholic church has always done…maintain the bigot approach that you have perfected.

Disgusting…………..

Somenone pointed out on a fox website last week: “tell me who your friends are and I’ll tell you who you are”. I think questioning why Bill Ayers was so interested in getting Barack Obama into politics that he hosted a “get to know the candidate” gathering at his house is very relevant. Some of the garbage I’ve seen on earlier postings from some of your readers re; Sara Palin is not. I cannot believe that some people are more frightened of a christian fundamentalist from Alaska than a completely secular person from wherever. I read one of your readers slamming Gov Palins accent. For the record, I’m from Minnesota and the accent Tina Fey uses to mock Palin is the same accent they use in the movie “Fargo”. I guess Tina Fey knows there’s snow in both places.

Remember this comment?

WHAT I AM is disgusted with the Courts who, on one hand, call the murder of a pregnant woman a ‘double homicide,’ but then refer to the abortion of her baby as ‘pro-choice.’

Hi father, I was just watching CBS news and they had a 106 year old American Sister{nun} living in Rome, who hadn’t voted in 56 years. She has now registered to vote and was wearing an Obama button and she is voting for him because he is a statesman!!!!!!!!!!!!!What ever happened to pro-life in the Catholic Church???????????? It appears that the polls show the majority of Catholics are voting for Obama. Are the liberal democrats going to run with the news story, Catholic nun votes prochoice! I don’t suppose you would have any words of wisdom regarding this matter?
God Bless,
Pam in Idaho

Matt. ok let’s assume that you convinced me on contraception (even if I can barely afford the education of my two kids). why should you take the options away from people who don’t.

Courage, Sarantos, courage. You must believe in love — true love — the kind of love that gives everything of self in favor of the other. Indeed, in the cases where family planning is necessary because of some real hardship, family planning is possible without contraception and certainly without abortion.

There are real, viable answers to family planning — answers which respect both the natural law as well as the dignity due all women. Contraception and abortion respect neither of these things; they severely oppose them; they can never be the answer: both are against (contra) life. How can we cooperate with anything that is against life?

Please, Sarantos, consider it … believe in life and sacrifice and heroic virtue. Only in this way do we find the happiness and freedom and peace we all seek.

Unless you can afford 10 kids, you even need contraception after mariage. Contraception ensures that families are kept to manageable sizes.

sarantos s,

Well, as for contraception, all I can offer you is why I believe contraception is evil. Perhaps if I explain myself here in this regard, as a person who believes in the conservative philosophy of government, I will have a good opportunity to communicate a belief that many do not share. For all those who disagree with me, that is, who view contraception as an answer or solution, or rather as something good or beneficial to women and society; my hope is that you will view conservative-based ideals in a better light and, with even more hope, that you will view contraception in the fullness of its darkness and ugliness.

I am against contraception because it treats people — in particular women — as objects; as slaves; as things with no more dignity than as something to be used. I wish every woman would see this. Better yet, I wish all men would respect women in the fullest dignity due them as truly beautiful, wonderful human beings. Women are God’s gift to men. Yet men treat such beauty like nothing more than an object to be used. Contraception is evil.

I am a married man. I love my wife so much. I know I love her so much because even when I’m frustrated with or annoyed by her (for whatever insignificant reason, of course), still, I love her to the point where I couldn’t stop loving her even if I tried to. In fact, I’m so in love with her, I find the ugliest part of her body – her nose – to be the most beautiful part of her body. To use contraception while expressing the fullness of my love for her would be an utter rejection of her beauty; she would be nothing be an object for me to use. No way, I don’t think so. Just the thought of hurting her in this way is scary.

I wish I could tell all the women out there: If a man wants to have sex with you before marriage; if he wants to use contraception; he is not worthy of you. You are far too precious to be used as a thing. You are worthy of marriage and worthy of sacrificial love. This is real freedom.

Contraception begets abortion; divorce; frustration; loneliness; hatred; emptiness; misery; nothing good whatsoever comes for contraception; it is dark and evil.

bedroom means banning contraception - or aid for organizations that push contraception.

Still as for the apologies, the Catholic church should look to resolve their own issues before they mix themselves with something they don’t know anything about (politics) and turn into yellow journalism

vp responsibility for the senate is only to break the ties. He does not do anything else (except Cheney’s famous energy meetings that created Enron). his only role is to wait for the president to die - God forbid it happens if McCain is the president

Sarantos S,

Although the Vice President performs both executive and legislative functions, he or she is attached to neither. But specifically regarding the Constitution, the Vice President is the President of the Senate. One could therefore argue that the Vice President is constitutionally part of the legislature. In addition, the Constitution speaks nothing of the Vice President as being a part of the executive branch; except that he or she becomes President in the case that something happens to the President.

I don’t entirely understand ‘when it comes to my bedroom.’ What do you mean?

Conservatives care about people, our nation, and the world. We believe our philosophy of government truly is best for the common good. Perhaps we seem to be hypocritical because of the heated political environment which seems to frustrate any real chance of productive, considerate dialog. Perhaps too the media shares some of the blame in this regard.

As for the Catholic Church, Pope John Paul II apologized to the Jews, and Pope Benedict VI said that he was ashamed of the molestation.

I guess conservatives are rewritting the constitution when it comes to the Vice President (Palin at the debate, Chenney not a member of the executive) or when it comes to my bedroom.

stop the hypocricy and go back to your caves. (fr) when will you and the papacy apologize for the crimes of the catholic church against

the jews (un)holly inquisition
the orthodox christians (1204)
the papal bulls.
the molestation

Look at your own house before you start attacking other people

Jeannie,

I agree with you: How could Obama vote against a baby, who has just survived an attempted abortion and is suffering, from having access to primary medical care? I believe he voted against this measure four times and that he was the only one who voted against it. Not even NARAL was against it.

So much for universal health care being universal.

Regardless of the imperfections of the Bush administration and the Republican Congress, let’s remember: They passed and signed into law the Born Alive Infant Protection Act in 2002, and then also the Partial Birth Abortion Ban in 2003. President Clinton twice vetoed the Partial Birth Abortion Ban, which was twice passed by the Republican Congress. Partial birth abortion is heinous.

I’m also thankful for Chief Justice Roberts and Justice Alito: both of them know exactly what their job is — interpret the Constitution — and what their job is not — rewrite the Constitution.

I think Obama would not nominate Supreme Court Justices; rather I think he would nominate Supreme Court Legislators.

Fr. Jonathan, I guess the thing I wonder about with regard to the campaigning is why no one is bringing up the fact that Obama is in favor of live birth abortion? I was appalled to find out that he supported measures, while in IL, to keep this atrocity legal.

The Democrats have a very clear agenda: They want to make the United States into a Socialist country. Look at what socialized medicine has done to California and European countries. Giving medicine to everyone when not-everyone is paying into the tax system is unfair and unbalanced. It puts a greater burden on honest citizens, like myself, to pay for others. While I am not against charity, I do not find it fair to have my pocket picked by my government to pay for people who are in the country illegally or who are not making every effort to contribute to society.

That said, if Obama is elected, you can be sure that he will appoint Pro-Abortion judges to the Supreme Court and human life will come to have no meaning whatsoever. He and his elite liberals will enjoy having a government that controls every aspect of our lives. People- remember the Soviet Union from the 1980’s. That’s what we’re looking at here. God help us all.

I saw footage on Fox News where an Obama supporter questioned how appropriate it was for Sarah Palin to bring her baby boy on stage with her. The commentator called Sarah’s innocent baby “it”. The Fox interviewer set her straight and said “He’s her baby”. Her comment really erks me and I have to ask God to be by my side while trying to remain loving and respectful towards people that do not respect the life of a beautiful baby.

Wednesday night I posted twice my first comments to another of these FOXNEWS.COM opinion sections after reading hundreds of comments that had been submitted on a particlar commentary. Now I try to read a multitude of news reports and view points adressing various sides to issues. However this election year I have been extremely concerned with not only the tone of the political ads and the canidates mudslinging but the way average people on both sides of teh fence have expressed their opinions. I attempted to point out and ask that people, journalist, the parties and especially the candidates to stop using rude, insulting and sophomoric wording to debate issues. I meant it to go out to everybody but I did, without regret, point out that the Republican supporters who often speak of honor and family values are (from my observation) quicker to use what seems completely inappropriate words and phases. I feel that our country has been blessed with the freedom of speech but that to often is used to slam, insult and threaten those who oppose view points.

Side note: When did it become legal to publically call for the death of a political canidate?

Yet many relpies back to me quesitoned how dare I say someone can not express theirs views which was never my point. Yes, debate issues, yes challenge facts, past associations and political agendas. I never said that people can’t write in and comment indicating opposing views or even outrage at what someone said or what a journalist reports But even showing outrage doesn’t need to include expressions and words of insult and violence. To support my point though were the replies back to me using exactly the insulting and rude language I was trying to address.

Here is short list of some of the outstanding language used by some to express their view points.

Hey, Beck, you’re overweight, ulgy loser,

backroom boy suckholing

All re-publicans are lying sacks of rotten 5hit.

Up Yours

BECKEL, LISTEN UP! YOU’RE AN EMBECILE!

…or we wont be able to listen to your idiotic remarks as your heart will literally explode.

…know what cry babies the democrats really are.

BOB BECKEL…… AN INSIGNIFICANT PISS ANT.

DOESN’T KNOW HIS ASS FROM A HOLE IN THE GROUND.

I have voted both republican and democrat in the past but belong to neither party. I guess I did touch a nerve by more directly pointing our my concerns with the so called conservatives who write in with these type of comments. I feel tha the conservative party known as Republicans are quick to point our honor, family values and morality and then the supporters of that party (many not all) use language like some of my examples above. Yet the replies back to me seemed to only support my concern. After pointing this out in my write in comments, after asking that both parties to please return to civil debate of the important issues facing our nation and stop the elementary school style mud slinging. The remarks that were sent back to me included that I was a Liar, a hypocrite, and one gentlemen suggested something I should do with my Head.

Democrats are no angels either and they are guilty as well ,by no means think I am picking 100% on just the republicans. Yet, even if you do think I am picking on the Republicans, calling me names only supports my concern.

So I have to ask is the kinder gentler America that the 1st President Bush spoke of is just a myth.
I have no claim to be perfect, I have my own faults but this is my opinion and without the use of harsh and rude wording, so I am no hypocrite, just a concerned fellow citizen.

So after Father Morris’s commentary I wonder if at this column if anyone else sees America abusing and perverting the freedom of speech instead of using this great freedom to debate, challenge, question and express our views in a civilized manner as fellow citizens of the United States.

Dear Judy and Mat,

First I compliment you both for thoughtful comments. I hope mine achieve that same high level.

How can Republicans run a government when they don’t like government? Good question. If you want your chocolate well guarded, hire a guard who does not like chocolate, not a chocololic. History teaches us that governments that acquire too much power do more harm than good. Democracy with frequent elections is the best antidote. We must have government but we must also guard that government to kept from getting too powerful.

Roe v. Wade is an example of too much power being exercised by too few people with too little input from the people. California now has Proposition 8, Defense of Marriage on the November ballot. The time honored, world wide definition of marriage was changed by a 4-3 vote of judges even though 61% of voters wanted marriage to between a man and a women. In California we have “Registered Domestic Partners” that conveys viturally all rights but left “marriage” to be between a man and a women. That is not good enough for some with money and power.

Traditional marriage is children centered. Non-traditional marriage is adult centered. Taken together, Roe v Wade and now the push to weaken marriage are frontal assaults on the basis of any honorable society, the family. We may have to tolerate non-traditional families (my father was a picture on the wall), but we should not promote that condition; we should always assert that the traditonal family is the ideal and then work to teach us all how to achieve and maintain the traditional family. My mother was a great teacher of this ideal we all need to support vigorously.

Science confirms that human life does begin at conception. But Roe v. Wade ignores the right to life (see Declaration of Independence) for the weakest life in our society. The issue is better discussed by considering the proper balance between rights and responsibilities. To keep my comments short, I’ll focus on the responsibility of the father. As long as men are given a legal pass to ignore their responsibilities, many women will continue to be pressured into making a very wrong moral decision. History also teaches that societies that loose their moral way are doomed to the dust bin.

Rights need to be balanced with responsibilities.

Mat,

I will check out Dr. Aveda King’s website as you suggest. I am no student of the law, so I am also prepared to believe you when it comes to the unconstitutionality of the law and state’s rights. I can see how you can logically, legally and democratically want the Roe v. Wade decision overturned. You make very practical points. Points that, you’re right, I never knew before so I am grateful for the education. However, I beg to differ when you say, “This issue is not a Supreme Court issue, but rather a state issue. The people deserve their right.” This a very personal issue and the only people who deserve any right is the woman and the father. This is, assuming of course, that the decision to have intercourse was consensual. But we know this isn’t always the case. So what happens then, is that either decision - to go full term or not - will directly impact HER life. The “people” whom you say should have the right to vote, will have gone their merry way. In all too many cases, only SHE is left to either provide for the child or deal with the repercussions if she decides otherwise.

I find it hard to express what I am about to say without sounding condescending (this is not my intention) but there is no example of the taking away of a man’s right that I can think of that would even compare. I guess when I try to sum up my feelings about it, I feel that “law” wherever it originates, should have no place in deciding what a woman can do with her body. Please don’t misunderstand, I do not advocate abortion. I fully realize the effect that an abortion can have on a woman. I don’t presume that any woman enters into the decision lightly. But that’s kind of my point. Those who vote against a woman making her own choice, are making a huge presumption. The presumption being that she would automatically choose an abortion. That’s why I DO advocate educating people peacefully, about the after effects and other alternatives.

You mention Planned Parenthood. I can’t speak with any authority to the character of Margaret Sanger and her reasons for starting Planned Parenthood. What you say may be true, but I would be willing to bet that today’s Planned Parenthood is also one of the largest distributors of free contraception. I have never had any need to deal with them, but I would find it hard to believe that they don’t also offer up therapists that women can speak to about their decision or at the very least literature about seeking other alternatives. I believe that if our government leaders, religious leaders and pharmacists would leave their religion out of it and make the “morning after pill” and all forms of contraception free and available to anyone in any city, state or neighborhood we could help reduce the amount of abortions in this country dramatically - without stripping away a woman’s personal freedoms. You question Margaret Sanger’s true intentions, and you are right in doing so, but how moral are our religious and government leaders really? Are they suggesting that it’s more important to stop recreational sex than it is to save a life? I’m sorry, but these “abstinence only” programs will never be enough. As we all know, contraception also helps protect us from the spread of disease. Some diseases which could eventually lead to death. Again, which is more important? Viagra in the simplest of definitions is an aid to helping men have sex. This is now covered by insurance, is it not? I don’t hear anyone balking about this. I see this as a double standard.

Judy,

I was thinking about your comment, and would like to add an argument for your consideration. My argument is in regard to Roe v. Wade and the issue of a free society versus a dictatorship.

Roe v. Wade is unconstitutional. It’s an abuse of power because seven Supreme Court justices created law which never gave the people their say. The people were denied their basic freedom of having their voices heard, which occurs through each state’s legislative body.

In this way the Supreme Court acted contrary to the principle of a free, democratic society, in which the people are given the power. Roe v. Wade was a gross abuse of power and is anything but democratic. This issue is not a Supreme Court issue, but rather a state issue. The people deserve their right.

There’s one more thing I’d like to quickly mention here. Our federal government gives $300 million dollars a year to Planned Parenthood, the largest abortion organization. Planned Parenthood was founded by Margaret Sanger. She was a known racist. Today 78 percent of Planned Parenthood’s clinics are in minority neighborhoods. Of the 4000 abortions that occur every day, 1500 of them are blacks. At this rate, in 30 years, the black vote will be insignificant. This is genocide.

Two of the most profound pro-life advocates are Norma McCorvey and Dr. Aveda King. Norma happens to be ‘Jane Roe’ of Roe v. Wade, and Dr. Aveda King is the niece of Dr. Martin Luther King. Both of them realize the horror of abortion, and the terrible effect it has on women, as well as men. Abortion does not empower women. It hurts women terribly.

If you have a moment, please consider checking out Dr. Aveda King’s website and read about her painful experience after an abortion. Norma also has a website. A lot of people don’t know that she never had the abortion. She gave birth to her little baby and then gave it up for adoption.

the whole GOP Bush administration should be persecuted for:

a. destroying an economy
b. waging a war on an innocent nation forgetting the real culprit
c. enron, bear sterns, haliburton, diebold, florida

(fr) check the history of the Catholic church. always wrong from printing the paper to forget the sins and selling it to the people, to Konstantinople and the 4th crusade, to the child molestation of the early 1900’s. fix your house before you destroy the american government

asia down 8 percent, Japan down 10 percent - every time McCain promises a bailout ($300 billion) for the banks holding mortgages, the economy tanks even more.

300 billion dollars for the full value of the mortgages? how about the real value of the mortgages. why reward predatory lending?

why tax the american people with another charge?

Antitheist, since Father Morris is a member of this order, I believe we can all rest assured that he knows what he is allowed to do and not do as it concerns any activity, political or otherwise. I am glad that you didn’t say that he couldn’t offer his opinions as a priest. Some people who have written on here have expressed their beliefs otherwise.

Rebecca,

With all due respect, I didn’t state he can’t offer his opinions as a priest. Nor did I suggest he doesn’t have the freedom of speech we all have. His Order, the Legionaries of christ promulgated the rule I quoted. He is violating his own Orders tenets. That is what I was pointing out.

Antitheist, ‘engaging and meddling in political affairs’ is not the same as expressing an opinion about something politically related. It’s called ‘freedom of speech,’ and as an American, Father Morris has the right to express his feelings and beliefs about this election, just as much as you do. For you and others to say that he should be gagged just because he is a priest is unfair.
By the way, all religious, to include priests, are prohibited from running for elected office, per instructions issued early in Pope John Paul II’s pontificate.

Mat,

Thank you for your response. You make a coherent and understandable argument that I can appreciate. I think I just have to agree to disagree with you. On the subject of taxing the rich… I just believe that there is something fundamentally unfair about people, even after paying 60% of the tax burden, who are retiring or being “let go” with millions to add to their bank accounts while good hard working families are struggling just to hold on to their homes and pay for gas. It just seems that the “trickle down effect” you speak of is either not working or not working fast enough. There is a definite unbalance and I believe something has to be done. I agree that those who bought homes priced way beyond their means do hold some of the responsibility here. You DO have to know your limits. But when you have financial “experts” telling you that you can afford it… I have to say that I can also see the temptation to go for it. Everyone wants the American Dream and these people were being told, “Sign here and it’s all yours”. We are the United States of America. United being the operative word here. The rich should be able to spread their wealth without really feeling the hit. How much would they really be sacrificing? What could be so unimaginably important that they couldn’t do without it? They are certainly not going to be left without the basics. But perhaps this a moral issue and not so much a political one?

Roe V. Wade is such a loaded hot topic that we could probably go around in circles all day debating it. But here are my most basic beliefs about why it is necessary to keep it. I sincerely don’t believe that women that are in trouble are just going to abide by the law if abortion becomes illegal. Just as they did before Roe V. Wade they will seek out other, and most likely less safe ways of going about it. Also, put religious beliefs aside for a moment (as I feel we must do since this country is made up of all different religions and should not be governed by one) and we are talking about government imposed mandates that will dictate what a woman can or cannot do with her own physical body! Again… we are living in the United States of America, in the 21st century, where freedom is supposed to reign. Keep educating the masses about abstinence! I think that’s a good thing, but it needs to be coupled with teaching safe sex. Protection should not be seen as the enemy here. To think that abstinence only programs are going to be completely successful is just naive and dangerous. Keep promoting alternatives to abortion! Peacefully that is. This too is a great thing. Education is power. But to take away the kind of intimate control that Roe V. Wade rightly gives to women - from them - is not something a “free” society should do. To me, that’s something you would find in a dictatorship - not in the USA. Being pro-choice doesn’t automatically mean the choice WILL be abortion. I don’t think women are being given enough credit.

Does Chapter 6, article 5 of your order’s “The Spirit and Discipline of the Congregation ” apply to you? To wit: “410. Our religious are not permitted to engage or meddle in politics, labor unions, war or similar affairs.” Apparently not. Better check with the higher ups about what you are doing Jonathan.

The son of a man targetted in a bombing by the Weather Underground discusses his feelings about this situation, and Obama’s association with Ayers, in the below article:

Weather Underground Victim Says Obama Should have Known About Ayers Past
http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/10/09/weather-underground-victim-says-obama-known-ayers-past/

And why is Ayers not in prison for acts of domestic terrorism?

Judy,

I agree with you on some things, but disagree on others. In the first place, I disagree that Republicans don’t like government. Indeed we like government. But we believe in the philosophy that a smaller, limited government with power given to the states is best with regard to the representation of the people. We believe this philosophy follows the Founding Fathers’ vision and fundamental structure of our nation. In other words, we love government: that is, as long as the federal government respects its appropriate, limited role while respecting the power of the state government.

Now, I agree with you, Judy, that the Bush administration has rather strayed from this philosophy and made the government too big, as it were. Perhaps the 9-11 attacks had a lot to do with this, but I don’t really know.

As for Roe v. Wade, certainly that should be overturned. Clearly this is an abuse of too much power at the federal level because, rather than giving the power to the people through their state legislatures, seven Supreme Court judges made law instead of interpreting law.

Finally, remember that the rich do indeed pay most of our tax burden. I think it’s something like the top 5 percent pay around 60 percent of the tax burden. I agree that there is a lot of greed out there, but we should be careful about raising taxes on the rich: first of all, there is a trickle down effect that I believe, in the end, hurts the middle and lower classes. We want the rich to continue investing and creating new jobs for the rest of us to have jobs and to build our own wealth, to have a chance at prosperity as well. Also, with the Bush tax cuts, I think the government received its largest tax revenue. So why not keep the tax cuts and at the same time slash spending?

This is literally my fourth time trying to respond to this article… to no avail. Let’s see what happens when I try to respond to some of the comments posted here instead.

I have a question for all Republicans… how can you RUN the government when you don’t even LIKE the government? In one breath Sarah Palin called for the government to “get out of the way” and in the next she’s calling for more “oversight”. Well which is it? I think the last eight years definitely calls for more oversight. But you tag this wanting more oversight as “socialist” behavior. We have more of the government encroaching on our personal lives than ever under the Bush administration! The Patriot Act, wanting to overturn Roe v. Wade, illegal wire tapping… talk about “big brother” and socialism! Big business has run a muck and THIS is what the Democrats are trying to reign in. You would rather see the oil companies run away with record breaking profits and not have to give back in some way? You may see this as capitalism at it’s finest and maybe it is, but they are benefiting heavily from being in this country and they should have to give back to this country. You can call it “patriotism”! They are making so much money off of the sweat of the middle class. Absolutely they should be paying more taxes so you can pay less. Somehow I think they will still be able to live a nice cushy life after a tax increase, I wouldn’t worry about them. All those C.E.O.’s who are either retiring with millions or who are given millions in severance packages for doing a poor job… you don’t think any of that money should go back into YOUR pockets? This is an unbelievable notion to me.

Dear Patriot1776,

I don’t quite understand what is the “true American” but I liked your rethorics and i would like to add my own one

How could it be that “true American” voted twice for president someone who:

1) sees the world in Us vs Them
2) trampled on a constitution he promised to protect
3) made those who elected him the laughing stock of the planet
4) bankrupted his country
5) …. to sum up a man who succeeded to change a once respected country into a banana republic

But maybe …… don’t you think that all those “brave and true americans” were just spending too much time waving the flag instead of using their brains?

MMMMMMmmmmmm

I love Father Jonathan’s straight and trusted take. Stay with us. Keep speaking out for us.

I have a comment for Patriot 1776:

Please use a spell checker and please learn to punctuate correctly. While I may agree with some of your comments, it’s hard to take anyone seriously who writes like a fourth grader, unless you actually are a fourth grader.

Also, get rid of the CAPS. That is akin to shouting; we can hear you just fine.

How can true AMERICANS Vote for a person who :
1. Takes the AMERICAN FLAG off his Plane,
2. Refuses to wear the AMERICAN FLAG Pin on his SUIT,
3. Refuses to place his hand over his heart or sing the NATIONAL ANTHEM!
4. Wants to CHANGE Americans into Liberal Socialist, Totally dependant on Government, Raise Taxes on ALL businesses that make money, and employee us AMERICAN WORKERS !
WAKE UP AMERICA !!!
THIS IS THE FALL OF THE GREAT AMERICAN WAY OF LIFE !
GOD BLESS AMERICA: AMEN !!!

Where did he come up with That New symbol on his plane that replaced the AMERICAN FLAG? Looks like the American Flag being flushed down a toilet.

How can true AMERICANS Vote for a person who :
1. Takes the AMERICAN FLAG off his Plane,
2. Refuses to wear the AMERICAN FLAG Pin on his SUIT,
3. Refuses to place his hand over his heart or sing the NATIONAL ANTHEM!
4. Wants to CHANGE Americans into Liberal Socialist, Totally dependant on Government, Raise Taxes on ALL businesses that make money, and employee us AMERICAN WORKERS !
WAKE UP AMERICA !!!
THIS IS THE FALL OF THE GREAT AMERICAN WAY OF LIFE !
GOD BLESS AMERICA: AMEN !!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YChg8giBgqw&feature=related

Fr. Jonathan,

I’ve enjoyed reading your column for some months now, as it is always refreshing to read some good conservative Catholicism amidst the secular nonsense of the day. But your last few posts have caught me off guard, and I have to ask if you aren’t getting a little too close to this whole election.

Don’t get me wrong, I think that the church and priests and all Christians should speak their voices in this election. What I mean is this: your article above is no different than any other pundits. Advice to the candidates about inane political details… leave that to the Republican and Democratic campaign strategists. You are the only voice on mainstream media out there who can speak with authority (or who will speak at all) on the moral issues. Don’t stop on those. Keep hammering away. Write about abortion. Write about stem cell research. I don’t read your column to hear your opinions on the campaign. I read your column to hear a conservative Catholic perspective on these troubled secular times. The Church has always been able to cut through the nonsense of the day with a remarkable clarity. That is your voice, your role right now. Speak for the Church.

God bless you.

in Christ,
An American Catholic

check out my blog: http://www.catholicvoter.blogspot.com . I’d love to post a guest article by you if you wanted to contribute.

Why doesn’t anyone bring up the NATIONAL DEFENSE!
FIND OUT WHY BARACK OBAMA WANTS TO GUT OUR ABILITY TO DEFEND THIS GREAT COUNTRY!
With all the Wars going on, this is not the time to cut “ TENS OF BILLIONS OF DOLLARS FROM OUR RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT, Slow our development of future combat systems. Not develop NUCLEAR WEAPONS, Not Weaponise Space.
Abolish our Nuclear Weapons; at the same time all our enemies are developing them.
Are we being taken over, CONQUERED from the inside, somebody has to bring this subject up! First disarm the American Public, Second disarm American Military!
Where is he getting billions of dollars to BUY THE PRESIDENTSY?
PLEASE WATCH THIS VIDEO!
THANK YOU,
Patriot1776
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YChg8giBgqw&feature=related

The biggest US mistake is that strange belief that supporting a country (or troops) is to support its policy (or wars) when it’s failed (or when they are criminal).

A living democracy needs more debates regarding issues and less marketting adds. It’s just sad to see that your presidents are just marketting products. Going negative on others doesn’t add qualities or virtues to yourself.

It’s time to have a regime change in the US and to educate the masses which for the moment are acting like a crowd of lemmings longing for some “strong leader” able to take them out their mess.

Why doesn’t anyone bring up the NATIONAL DEFENCE!
FIND OUT WHY BARACK OBAMA WANTS TO GUT OUR ABILITY TO DEFEND THIS GREAT COUNTRY!
With all the Wars going on, this is not the time to cut “ TENS OF BILLIONS OF DOLLARS FROM OUR RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT, Slow our development of future combat systems. Not develop NUCLEAR WEAPONS, Not Weaponise Space.
Abolish our Nuclear Weapons; at the same time all our enemies are developing them.
Are we being taken over, CONQURED from the inside, somebody has to bring this subject up! First disarm the American Public, Second disarm American Military!
Where is he getting billions of dollars to BUY THE PRESIDENTSY?
PLEASE WATCH THESE VIDIOS
THANK YOU,
Patriot1776
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sj91NH5fvw&feature=related

Father Jonathan,

You certainly hit a few raw nerves with your column. Why is it that people have to resort to name-calling when they don’t agree with you? We judge the people around us by the company they keep, the things that they say and do when not on a stage, and by what we know lies in their heart. People have a right to examine and know all aspects of a politican’s character when they are running for the highest office in our country and someone has to have the courage to bring these issues up. You would be remiss in your duties to the people if you did not. People owe it to themselves to check out Obama’s voting record at http://www.barackobamatest.com and see if their positions and values are the same as his. If not, vote for McCain. People need to look at who they are and what they believe in before voting in this election.

God bless America!

Did anyone hear that McCain changed overnight how we are going to pay for those mortgages he said he was gonna help out? Now WE the taxpayers will pay for the troubled mortgages!!!NO WAY! When my company closed I worked 2 jobs min wage jobs and my wife worked so we could pay our mortgage every month, now I work nights and it sucks bu I do what I gotta do, and now McCain wants me to help out some fool who bought a house they cant afford? We’re all supposed to pay for someones mortgage and help them when I live in a small home because I knew what I could afford and work nights and weekends and never get to see my kids so I can do the right thng? McCain you have LOST me as a voter!!! I’m not helping out someone who bought a house they couldnt afford when I’ve been scrimping and saving to pay mine!!!!!!!!!!!!!! McCain has lost his mind!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you Father Jonathan for yet again, using the wisdom God gave you to clarify what is important to focus on. And Father, be assured that despite the ignorant and unfair attacks on you on this board, there are some who have the common sense to appreciate what you are saying. You are saying that a candidate’s character, positive or negative, should be revealed - of course! If the candidate’s character is mostly negative, then how can the revelation of them be anything other than mostly negative? Whatever they’ve done consistently in the past (and that has been THEIR choice) is a revelation of who they are.

Along those lines, this one bit of wisdom the moral relativists cannot grasp: when we elect people, we are not electing what they claim as much as we are electing WHO THEY ARE. Your advice is wise because it echos what Jesus instructs us to do, which is to judge people by the fruit of their lives, NOT by what they claim about themselves. People can claim/promise anything that they cannot deliver, because their character is too corrupt. So keep speaking up loudly as a voice of wisdom and reason. America desperately needs it.

Why go negative on non issues like Ayer?
Why not go negative on supporting deregulation of the financial system?
Why not go negative on foreign policy?
Why not go negative on healt care?

If you voted for Bush what do that say about your judgment

Way too late - with McCain and Failin’ Palin losing voters every day, they have resorted to typical Republican tactics - lies, smears, and care tactics. Mr. McCain promised an honorable election - but he and his VP candidate were the first to sling the mud, and they have behaved dishonorably. That s NOT putting America first!

Father Jonathan,

How can anyone who does not support this country win the presidency? Through his deeds (voting record) and connections, Obama has exhibited anti-American behavior and values. If America had a face, he slapped and spit on it, and people still want to vote for him. I thought the most important value to the presidency was patriotism. If he wins, the working peoples’ taxes will rise, terrorist attacks will increase, and family values will fade away. How can any humanitarian vote for a man that will not even help a hurt child that survived an abortion? The questions brought to Obama are not a personal attack; they are the truth. Americans deserve to know the truth behind his connections. If he had such poor judgments in the past, how will he lead us in the future? Come on’ did not know what his pastor’s beliefs were after twenty years?!? I have been attending my current church for two years, and know where my priest lies on most issues. If my priest were to make comments like Pfleger, I would have expressed my displeasure not only with him, but the archbishop and anyone else in the Catholic church.

On another note, I wonder why some people call you pathetic, etc. Why can they not just debate an issue with you. Is wrong to think differently? I believe that one should listen to both sides of all things, and prove their beliefs; and not put the other person down. The problem I find with MOST democrats is that if you do not think THEIR way, then you are completely wrong and a moron.

Furthermore, we should pray for the country anyway, in the good times and the less fortunate ones.

You need to stick to religion. What in the world are you doing commenting on political topics? Am I supposed to believe that God is on someone’s side? I’m not that stupid and neither is the American public.

Dear Father Jonathan, I thought you will also want to bring up the issue of TODD PALIN being a Seccessionist. By association, SARAH Palin and John Mccain are all SECCESSIONISTS. They all deserve to tried for TREASON against the people of this Great land. You are pathetic and make me sick.

Fr. Jonathan: You forget the “Obama Rules”. He can accuse truthfully or not but any questions about him are off limits. Wright, Pflager, Ayers, Rezko..I can add a few from the Illinois Senate who are all off limits. Character and the real heart of what drives a person are not to be discussed, especially while ACORN is filing illegal registrations and votes. We have a crises in our economy and Obama and friends are making a joke of our political system. God Bless Hilary Clinton, I’m not a fan but she was robbed too. May God help us all as we move toward Socialism. Peace…T