Name:	copperline -	Reply
Subject:	This could be the game-changer we all need
Date:	9/26/2015 10:36:41 AM

I am not a Catholic, and don't agree with some of the positions of the Catholic Church.... but I do admire any man who is principled enough to stand by his beliefs in the way of Pope Francis.   In keeping true to his religious beliefs, he pretty much transcends labels like conservative or liberal, and leaves the rest of us to consider how our politics square with common human virtues like tolerance, forgiveness, care for the poor & sick.   He effectively holds up a big mirror so we can see ourselves more clearly, and our current political conversation suddenly looks petty, mean-spirited & selfish.

At the same time, Bernie Sanders is elevating the conversation by addressing income inequality & social conditions that can only be addressed when we admit that everyone here matters.... and that many people are either too poor or poorly educated to participate in our system.  Sanders' message runs in the same vein as the Pope's.

My guess is that John Boehner was moved by his experience with the Pope to walk away from the political war he was alternately trying to manage or inflame depending on whatever goal he was pursuing that day.   He'd had enough, and I can sympathize with him a bit... it must have been the worst job in the world.   But I think it's important to note that his last big act as Speaker was to bring into Congress a man who spoke about rising to a new level... someone who challenged Congress to act with reason & compassion, kindness and wisdom.    With that gesture, Boehner brought his right wing to a Come To Jesus meeting he hopes will bring some end to the craziness he has been trying to wrangle....and has been partly responsible for.

And then, standing out on the stage as an example of low & mean-spirited America, is Donald Trump.   Listening to him is like hearing a condensed version of the worst of the US character.   Imagining how a uber-rich, arrogant & selfish American proposes to run the country really is a startling contrast to the example of the Pope and Bernie Sanders. 

Here's to hoping that the Pope's visit and Bernie Sanders' messaging brings this conversation to a higher level in the next election cycle.  

Name:	wix -	Reply
Subject:	Copper and communist Bernie....
Date:	9/26/2015 12:03:31 PM

Cop, I know you must wet your panties when you think of the far off, way out there chance your boy bernie could get the nomination, but you really need to read up on the background and the lack of experience of your communist candidate.  Man never held a job (position) till he won some city councilman election, and has never earned a nickel in his life.  Mooched off others his entire worthless, communist life.

Name:	architect -	Reply
Subject:	Wixieland and his burden in life
Date:	9/26/2015 12:54:44 PM (updated 9/26/2015 12:58:42 PM)

I am no fan of Bernie, but based on his campaign appearances and Wix's posts, I sure think Bernie would be the nicer of the two to have a beer.  It must be sad to bear the burden to be so disparaging of so many of your fellow human beings.

Name:	MrHodja -	Reply
Subject:	Wixieland and his burden in life
Date:	9/26/2015 3:11:39 PM

You need to look in a mirror, Pot.

Name:	architect -	Reply
Subject:	Wixieland and his burden in life
Date:	9/26/2015 3:35:29 PM

Mr H l actually we might enjoy sharing an hour or so over an adult beverage with salty snacks...You are one of the few right leaning people on this forum who seems, at least on occasion, to have an open mind.

Name:	wix -	Reply
Subject:	Archypoo
Date:	9/27/2015 12:54:59 AM

Rest assured that having a beer with you is not even a remote nightmare of a thought for me.  Investigate what I have posted about bernie and report back.  The fact that communists and socialists swoon at the mention of his name does not impress any human with the ability to analyse Bernie Sanders and what he is and represents.

Name:	copperline -	Reply
Subject:	Archypoo
Date:	9/27/2015 1:20:34 AM

I'lll happily put a Bernie bumper sticker on my car, but not because I think he is going to be the next President... I doubt that can happen.   The way I see it, he is bringing up some really important issues that we need to be thinking about as a nation.  That's the important thing he's doing.   The Pope, too.   

Name:	waterph -	Reply
Subject:	Archypoo
Date:	9/27/2015 7:18:49 AM

You just described Donald Trump. 

Name:	copperline -	Reply
Subject:	The Trump take-away
Date:	9/27/2015 11:26:05 AM

LOL.   Trump really is someone we should be paying attention to, but not because he is a leader or spokesman for important issues.   We should take notice of him because of what he represents, and that is this:  He pretty much embodies what we should be ashamed of as American voters.   He appears to have distilled down all the ingredients of our political conversation, like our satisfaction with sound bytes rather than substance, the use of character assasination instead of policy to promote his candidacy,  heavy use of misdirection & contradictory statements that he will quickly disavow when confronted.  Hound has described him as the 'anti-politician', and he describes himself as an entertainer.

 He talks without saying anything of substance, beats his own drum while pointing out how proud of himself he is, tells us that his accumulation of wealth is clear evidence that he is a better man than anyone else in the room.   He is counting on us to admire him simply because he is rich...   And if you cross him, he will announce that your wife is ugly and your children are stupid, too.

So, if we want to listen to someone who stopped maturing in the 7th grade, he's our guy.  And the very fact that he is doing so well in the polls is evidence of the decay in the Republican Party.

The Pope and The Donald.  Who would you rather invite to dinner?

Name:	Shortbus -	Reply
Subject:	The Trump take-away
Date:	9/30/2015 8:11:26 AM (updated 9/30/2015 8:17:36 AM)

At least the Donald would eat his dinner without asking for a baby.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mOQOR8kupk

I hear Planned Parenthood has a drive-thru window now.

https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=9th+circle+pope