When I was a kid very few people received communion because they felt they had to go to confession first. Most didn't go to confession and so the church had to impose a once-a-year confession requirement.

Today, when I stay in the pew during communinion (the few times I attend, being a recovering Catholic, because some event requires my presence) I find yourself alone--actually, in the way as the rest of the people in the pew have to climb over me to get in line! Everyone goes to communion. And, I'm certain, almost everyone doesn't go to confession (that being an activity in which even fewer Catholics than in my youth participate these days) nor are they without sin in the sense that the church says what's sinful and what's not. (Interestingly, just today I read an obituary in which the woman, a Eucharistic Minister, is survived by her live-in boyfriend of 10 years. She was one of those people who not only regularly receive communion from a priest, but also distributed communion to others and, in order to hold that position, a person is usually held to a higher standard than ordinary Catholics. In my youth, she's be condemned because she was living in sin.)

The vast majority of practicing Catholics also practice birth control. Statistics show most support the laws allowing abortion and some avail themselves of that option more than the church "fathers" like to acknowledge. Those politicians whom the bishops decree should not receive communion can easily participate in the sacrament. Either their parish priest simply ignores the dictates of the bishop (because, let's face it, bishops seldom have any real contact with the folks out there in the broader community) or they go to a church in a different area.

In other words, those threats are merely hollow threats and nothing more.

Sebellius, of course, has another option. Like me, she can just leave. It's not all that difficult. Trying to get your name off the fundraising lists, however, if another thing!

That says it all..........

At least from the time of the Second World War (my scope of knowledge only goes back that far) our military being sent to combat zones have been taught how to resist torture techniques used by the enemy! It goes without saying that the enemy has also been teaching its military how to resist our torture techniques. We know the techniques they use and they know the ones we use. The memos won't tell them anything more than is already common knowledge in military circles throughout the world.

Frankly, the hoopla about making the memos public is a silly waste of time. The only issue here is that those ordering illegal torture will be exposed and held to public scrutiny and, possibly, shamed for their lies and their despicable actions. Unfortunately, the chances of them facing prosecution for their offenses are almost nonexistent with the let-us-not-look-backward-but-concentrate-on-the-future outlook of this administration.

The fourth memo cites the Supreme Court's term involving torture as not allowing an action that "shocks the conscience."

Reading through the ever-increasing descriptions of the torture techniques being approved convinces me that those writing the memos had no consciences to shock.

Now I see why the Bush DOJ folks are so upset at having these memos made public. We are now seeing the depth of deprivation to which they were willing to go---and take our good name with them.

I'm not a religious person, but the thought that keeps running through my mind as I write this is "God have mercy on their souls....or maybe not!"

I agree that someone needs to initiate impeachment proceedings against Jay Bybee...and all the others who approved torture in such graphic details in those memos.

But I don't think we should ignore Rahm, because he's the gatekeeper to the president's office. And, as the gatekeeper for a person who has very little time to independently seek out varied opinions on the many issues facing this country, Emmanuel has far too much power with regard to decision-making. He can (and, I believe, does) limit access by people who disagree with him and way he wants President Obama to go politically.

Frankly, I think Rahm Emmanuel needs to be moved (if not totally let go) to a position that doesn't allow him daily access to the Oval Office.

Personally, I've worried about this from the day his appointment was announced.

You're too good for them, so now is the time to leave those nutjob republicans and COME ON OVER TO THE DEMOCRAT SIDE, Susan and Olympia!

Do you really, seriously, honestly think using that George Orwell quote is a GOOD thing?

....the video, Alex. You're much younger and cuter than I thought! Oh, and congratulations on the win. But I wonder something: Are you getting a photo of Dubya's BRAIN (as in scan), or Dubya himself, of Rove, or of the psychiatrist who wrote Bush's Brain? I'm not into twitter, being an old person and such.

Also, he never was a serious candidate either for the U.S. Senate post in Illinois nor - as if this needs to be said - for President.

Keyes was a carpetbagger recruited by right-wingers from the IL Republican party after one after another candidate had to bow out for one reason or another.

And it WAS Keyes who threw out his DAUGHTER when she came out as a lesbian.

He's not only a nut, he's a narcissist who will take any and every opportunity to be recognized.

Keyes makes Randall Terry look almost normal!

Perhaps if this administration pursued criminal charges against Cheney he wouldn't have the upper hand toward gaining positive support from the people!

Why isn't this happening???????