Mitch "Truce" Daniels' Presidential Aspirations Now Officially DOA

They've been given the kiss of death by David "Pantcrease" Brooks.

"These Aren't the Droids You're Looking For"

Should Obi Wan Kenobi have told the "truth" to the imperial stormtroopers?

At the very least, it wouldn't have made for much of a movie.


UPDATE
By the way, in case you're REALLY struggling with this "moral conundrum", the actual correct answer is HELL NO, HE SHOULDN'T HAVE TOLD THE SCIENCE FICTION EQUIVALENT OF THE SS THE TRUTH!

Now THAT'S What I'd Call a "Debate Club at Auschwitz"

I'm not sure I could find a more apt example of a so-called "Debate Club at Auschwitz" than the current handwringing and Catholic angst over the Lila Rose exposes. I mean, this is the equivalent of us all standing around and expending all our efforts debating for days on end whether the military tactics used to liberate the death camp at Auschwitz met just war requirements while ignoring the horrible facts of the death camp itself.

I'm making no judgment whatsoever on the licity of what Lila Rose did (and I do have some doubts about the morality of Live Action's activity), but rather on the inordinate amount of time spent by Catholics handwringing over it. Just seems completely disproportionate to the alleged evil done by Lila Rose vs. the evil that was exposed via the sting operation.

CPAC

(sē-pak) noun: Where RINOs go to obtain their fraudulent "conservative" credentials.

Digest of Today's Posts (11 February 2011)

Pelosi Says No "Common Ground" on Abortion: Calls for Scorched-Earth War Against Catholic Church, Pro-Lifers, GOP, et al

Paperback Romney vs. Hardback Romney

Pelosi Says No "Common Ground" on Abortion: Calls for Scorched-Earth War Against Catholic Church, Pro-Lifers, GOP, et al

Notwithstanding the "common ground on abortion" nonsense that we often hear from the Doug Kmiecs, the "progressive Catholic" blogs, and practically every other Catholic who wishes to justify voting for the pro-abortion party, House Minority Leader (and former Speaker of the House) Nancy Pelosi is at least honest enough ... yes, I know: I struggled with putting "Nancy Pelosi" and "honest" in the same sentence ... but she's at least honest enough to admit that, WHEN IT COMES TO ABORTION, THERE IS NO COMMON GROUND.

Tom Peters reports:

I like Pelosi for this reason: she makes the fight we are in absolutely unambiguous.

[...]

Pelosi acknowledged that Dems could not stop Republicans from passing their anti-abortion agenda through the House. But she said it was crucial that pro-choice forces and Dems kick up enough noise to ensure that it dies in the Senate: “We have to make this issue too hot to handle.”

Pelosi added that the irreconcilable philosophical differences between Republicans and Dems on abortion left Dems no choice but to adopt a scorched-earth approach to the war ahead. “We don’t have a set of shared values,” she said. “We have to fight this out in the public domain, so when we move to the Senate it has no popular support.” [source]

[...]

The big deal is how Pelosi characterized the “philosophy” of her pro-life enemies:

“‘They are at a different philosophical place,’ she said, characterizing their view as: ‘all engagement has to result in a child.’ Pelosi noted that contraception and family planning is ‘not consistent with their belief that it’s all about procreation.’”

Where does this talk about “it’s all about procreation” come from? From Pelosi’s understanding of the Catholic Church’s teaching on the unitive and procreative dimensions of sex. This report of what Pelosi said is more clear:

“[the anti-choice crowd is] in a different philosophical place on…all engagements that result in a child. So that’s why homosexuality, that’s why birth control, all these things that are not consistent with their beliefs that are all about procreation.”

Pelosi struggles to be coherent sometimes, so allow me to explain what she is saying (and make no mistake, this is exactly what she is saying): “I disagree with the Church that sex must be unitive and procreative. I believe birth control, condomized sex and homosexual acts are okay.”

Pelosi is not expressing a practical disagreement with the USCCB (and pro-lifers, and the Catholic bishops, and the GOP) about what bills should pass Congress, she is firmly planting herself against the teachings of the Church and calling for a scorched-earth war against those teachings when they are put into practice.

[On the related excommunication question, my father Canon Lawyer Ed Peters wrote in 2010: "If [Pelosi's] prolonged public conduct does not qualify as obstinate perseverance in manifest grave sin, then, in all sincerity, I must admit to not knowing what would constitute obstinate perseverance in manifest grave sin.”]

[Read the whole thing]

(emphasis in Tom's original post)

Paperback Romney vs. Hardback Romney

At The Corner, Deroy Murdock writes that "Flip" Romney is once again doing what he does best:

As Andy Warhol once said, “That’s not fake. It’s real plastic.” Warhol’s immortal words came to mind as I learned about Willard Mitt Romney’s latest flip flop. The 2011 paperback version of his book No Apology is at war with last year’s hardback edition. The fairly accommodating Romney who said nice things about President Obama has been hauled off and replaced with an angrier, more combative Romney — perfect for the GOP presidential primary season, which will heat up as Romney addresses the Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington this morning at 10:30.

As the Boston Phoenix’s David S. Bernstein wrote yesterday, “Times change, and so does Mitt.”

[Read the whole thing]

What a fraud.

This reminds me that I owe the Archbold boys a guest piece on why I won't ever - under any circumstances - vote for Mitt Romney. One of these days I'll get around to writing it.


Previous Pro Ecclesia posts on this subject:
Just Another One of My Occasional Reminders ...

Mitt Romney: Pro-Choice? Who, Me?

Time for Yet Another Periodic Reminder to the GOP Power Brokers and Pundits ...

Is Mitt Romney the REAL WINNER of the Massachusetts Special Election?

Have I Mentioned Lately ...

Regarding Mitt Romney, My Sentiments Exactly

A Theory [UPDATED]

Why Does Kmiec Criticize McCain for Positions on Which He Gave Romney a Pass?

You Stay Classy, Mitt

The Anchoress: "Convince Me of the Merits of Mitt"

Romney's Free Ride On Abortion

Romney and the Florida GOP Debate

InsideCatholic: "Why Mitt Romney Is the Best Choice for Catholic Conservatives"

Sam Brownback Says Mitt Romney Needs to Address Abortion Change

Massachusetts Conservatives Back Brownback Over Romney

GoDaddy (et al) Can Go to Hell

The NFL needs to apply their "personal conduct policy" to their Super Bowl ads.

What a bunch of hypocrites. They rightly punish Ben Rapistburger for his abusive off-the-field actions, but condone ads that celebrate the mentality that leads to players' off-the-field problems in the first place: the objectification of women and sex.

And all while the kids are watching. I guess the Super Bowl is not fit for family viewing any more (and really hasn't been for several years now).


UPDATE
By the way, GoDaddy wasn't even the worst offender this year. No, that dubious distinction, at least in my book, goes to Pepsi Max. Jerks.

The Kids Are Already Out of Snow Days - Something Must Be Done to Bring This Winter to an End

Previous Pro Ecclesia posts on this subject:
Jonah Goldberg on "Groundhog Day"

Who Cares ...

... what George W. Bush's or John McCain's daughters (or wives, for that matter) think about any subject? These women have done absolutely nothing to earn the public's attention regarding anything they wish to spout off about. Every time the Bush or McCain offspring (or wives, for that matter) opens their mouths, it makes me glad that Bush and McCain are basically done as prominent figures on the political scene.

Ladies, if I want your opinion about something, I'll elect you to some office suitable to your talents.