The old boys club at the Vatican simply doesn't have a clue. That doesn't mean that those who disagree are not Catholics.The Church is broader and more varied than they will ever admit.

Prior to the Pope's visit to Latin America there were a spate of articles about how the Evangelical Protestants were making inroads into Brazil, one reason being that for many people, seeing a priest was such a rare event. Many Catholics don't have access to one for months. In the meantime, Evangelical missionaries are everywhere.

After his visit, he returned to Ro,me and reauthorized the Tridentine Mass in which the priest, with his back to the congregation, represents the people, who, if they don't understand medieval Latin, are more or lless left to their own devices. That's really showing those Evangelicals!?

In the United States, the graying of the clergy proceeds apace. Priests due double duty in more than one parish.

To simply decree half of humanity unfit for the clerical labor pool is irrational and not at all apostolic. St. Paul, who is often used as a scapegoat by feminists for some of the letters attributed to him, had female colleagues who were priests by any reasonable definition.

The Church claims to be Apostolic. It ought to think about emulating those early Apostolic Christians whose leadership included women.

johnklotz.blogspot.com

I can not add much to the sentiment of those who are opposed to HRC as VP. She had a chance last night to do something gracious and didn't. Maybe its canidatitis: the inability to understand that it really, isn’t about me, but us.

But the real problem may be the people around her, whispering in ear, who fear that they need her - as a meal ticket.

I believe, and will apologize if I wrongs, that a few months ago in articles about Bill Clinton's big ticket items, there was a mention that Lanny Davis was making millions off his Clinton connection. He can't afford to have her pushed form the scene and his doubling down by starting a draft HRC movement is a desperate ploy to keep some high profile access that means so much to his business.

Because that's what politics is about to the Clintonites - business. And the people who need Hillary in a high profile position to show that they still have juice for their lobbyist clients will be pushing her to the end.

Maybe we should see Lanny Davis's tax returns.

If they can't have Hillary as VP, they will sabotage Obama big time.

Creating a floor fight for VP is one beautiful move from their viewpoint. If it works, they have Hillary inside. If it doesn’t they elect McCain (they think).

Obama has a rendezvous with a profile in courage moment. Sidestep HRC and go on without her. My bet is he will. If he doesn’t, his administration will begin and end in Clintonite chaos.

johnklotz.blogpsot.com

I don't think we should underestimate the meaning of Hillary's AIPAC appearance. Her praise for Obama was unexpected and welcome. The first step towards binding-up the primary wounds and an important boost for Obama with Jewish voters. NO small thing, a real mitzvah (go look it up).

I haven't been a Hilary fan for awhile, although I played a role in getting the Sierra Club endorsement of her for the Senate in 2000. Some the DC Sierra types liked to play a two party game and her opponent Rick Fazio had a good environmental record for a Republican, which means so-so for anybody else.

Her biggest weakness to my eyes that she was really a regular Democrat who went for the power. It showed in her campaign.

But it's the regulars now who have told her its over. And she listened.

She is an able, talented woman. She still has much to give, just not as President -- or VP.

http://johnklotz.blogspot.com

I hope the chattering class reads Salon. I expect many of them do and Joan's appearances on Hardball et al certainly advance the Salon brand. That's important and this not just a kiss-up.

Why it's important is demonstrated by this article that I file under "Getting to know you."

Before this year, I probably regarded McCain as a hopelessly conflicted but not hopeless Senator. His reversal of some of his earlier positions to kiss-up [word pf the day] to the right wing of the GOP was sad. My positive enthusiasm for my two candidates, first Edwards and then Obama, pushed my growing disdain for McCain to the background. McCain's defeat of Romney was a plus.

But this is different. This is terrifying. As much as McCain taking positions hawked by paid lobbyists on his staff is troubling, it's the positions that count.

I never thought it could be possible, but having suffered through the worst President in the history of the nation for eight years, can it be we are glimpsing a new bottom. Georgia is a bastion of democracy?

It's hard to tell whether McCain really understands his positions or if he is just a tool. But when you put it all together, we are truly standing on the edge of the abyss with the Neocons around McCain yelling "jump."

I don’t know whether Obama's election will have people around the world dancing in the streets. But I expect to hear about six billion sighs of relief.

johnklotz.blogspot.com