Watch this entire clip; it is great and this guy would make a great presidential candidate! The rhetoric in this video is what our Church and country need!
16 comments:
The Egyptian
said...
seems to be a Real man, and this guy our acting head of the DOJ. both look like they could mean business. I just like the cut of both of them. Think if we could have priests like them
The video clip is heartening (thank you for posting it, Father McDonald). And Crenshaw is impressive—Congress and the nation are well served by having veterans (with their many virtues) answer this particular call to public service as well. So, I am quite prepared to accept that Crenshaw is a “real” man, as The Egyptian suggests.
I don’t know about Whitaker, however. Someone who tries so hard to project a “macho” image seems to me to “protest too much” (not to mention that such an image projected by the chief law officer of the country impliedly, and ironically, appears to call into question the “rule of law” in favor of the “rule of men”). We already know that President Trump “doth protest too much” in this way—and he is about as far from being a “real” man as one can imagine. Real men simply do not behave as Trump does.
Related, when will Trump, who notably never served in the military himself, stop demeaning those veterans who criticize him and also apologize to those he has already demeaned? I think we know the answer to those questions, no? In this respect at least, Peter “Bug” Davidson seems to be more of a “real” man than Trump does.
Then Obama isn't a real man, look at the childish and narcissistic way he behaved: jailing journalists he didn't agree with and threatening to bring a gun to a fight if the others bring a life.
Please do us all a favor, keep your idiotic Trump comments out and we will not comment on your demi-god, Obama, the Abortion King.
Ironically, I typed "life" instead of "knife." One should never confuse life with the Party of Death, as Cardinal Burke has termed what we used to know as the Democratic Party.
The issue of presidential qualities, including the proper treatment of veterans, was fairly raised by Father McDonald’s post. Moreover, Father McDonald explicitly suggested that Lt. Com. Crenshaw would make a great presidential candidate. Therefore comparisons between Crenshaw and our current president (and indeed any president) seem entirely appropriate.
What is astonishing is how many Trump supporters seem so willing to apply a double standard—one standard for President Trump and for his family and associates, and another standard for everyone else. For example, Trump can unload on veterans, such as Senator John McCain or Admiral McRaven, who dare to criticize him, and that’s just fine. Also, I doubt we will hear any “lock her up” in reference to Ivanka and her email use, will we? And Trump himself can use an unsecured cell phone, and that’s just fine too, isn’t it? Please prove me wrong.
And if you do prove me wrong, then I hope we can move beyond partisanship to agree on the importance of choosing people of virtue for elected office, which I take to be part of the central significance of Father McDonald’s post.
Sexual predators while holding public office: Ted Kennedy, Bill Clintoon, Jerry Studds, nuff said. Top it off with crazies like Mad Maxine and Fake Catholic Pelosi and you have quite a lot of fodder for how NOT to act in public life. The press (Dem operatives with bylines) work assidiously to bury anything positive Trump does both professionally and personally. By the way, Trump was right about the California fires, even Governor Moonbeam is quietly admitting it. I guess you prefer that Trump act like Bush and just take the crap they dish out. Remember, Trump is just part of a long line of Repubican presidents and presidential candidates who are Nazis: George Bush, Mitt Romney, John McCain. The press and your party are evil, fighting to preserve abortion at all costs. Just look what they did to Justice Kavanaugh. So much for "civility."
The difference between you and me, it seems, is that I am quite prepared to accept criticism of politicians other than Trump and to recognize the shortcomings and failings of the people you mention. By contrast, you will not accept one word of criticism of Trump. He is always right, never wrong, and never needs to apologize for anything. I cannot believe that, as a rational person, you actually mean what you say. So, I put it down to extreme partisanship in which you assert something even though you know it is not true, and you do so for the sake of the party, the cause, or the cult. Sadly, then, you have not proven me wrong.
By the same token, you frequently respond to my posts by characterizing me as a Democrat, although I have told you ad nauseam that I am not, as you do again here: “The press and your party are evil, fighting to preserve abortion at all costs.” And as this quote also indicates, pathetically, you play the A card in almost every post, whether it is germane to the discussion or not.
Sadly, then, you have not proven me wrong.
Once again: I am neither Republican nor Democrat but a nonpartisan Independent. In the spirit of the video clip in this post, I invited you to move beyond partisanship and to find common ground with me on the importance of choosing people of virtue for elected office.
Perhaps you should consider how many Republicans have left the party out of disgust with Trump and urged voters in the to vote Democrat in the 2018 midterms to help restrain his dangerous tendencies. And perhaps you should also consider how the same is true of people of heroic virtue such as Captain “Sully” Sullenberger:
Anonymous 2 says, "What is astonishing is how many Trump supporters seem so willing to apply a double standard—one standard for President Trump and for his family and associates, and another standard for everyone else. For example, Trump can unload on veterans, such as Senator John McCain or Admiral McRaven, who dare to criticize him, and that’s just fine. Also, I doubt we will hear any 'lock her up' in reference to Ivanka and her email use, will we? And Trump himself can use an unsecured cell phone, and that’s just fine too, isn’t it? Please prove me wrong."
Simply being a veteran does mean one cannot be criticized. There were many things to criticize about John McCain, as there are for any politician.
As for the rest, though, you're exactly right. One of the problems with politics is that it apparently necessarily becomes a matter of personalities. I say apparently necessarily because I can't think of an example where it hasn't. In America, for example, it should be the case that the elected representatives represent the views of the people that elect them. Instead, we have the complete opposite -- people associate their views with the views of the person elected. It's hard to imagine this could ever result in anything other than a cult of personality. Combined with the absurd influence of corporations and the wealthy, our country has a broken political system, but it's hard to imagine what else it could be, given the foundations.
I agree, regrettably, that our Republic’s politics is in a degraded state and is suffering from the problems you identify. That is why I advocate the election of people of virtue and am so appalled by presidential candidates such as Trump and Clinton.
In the meantime (and it may be a long, mean time), it falls to people like you and me and other members of the legal profession (TJM, what on earth happened to you?) to help hold the line against the savage attacks on the Rule of Law being launched by Trump. So far the line appears to be holding, and just today received reinforcement in the person of Chief Justice John Roberts.
I don't delve into politics and make it the focal point of my life. But, I would like to comment on this discussion. Who's to say God is not using the election of Donald Trump for His purposes. Read Habakkuk 1:5-11 and Romans 8:28. He can use both existing good or evil to accomplish His plan. For one, I find Trump offensive and abusive at times towards others and his past history of immorality is not something to be proud of. From what I see, the secular atheistic side of the political spectrum now has someone who confronts them as they have confronted others and it is bringing into focus their hidden evils in addition to driving them crazy. As for his former immorality, that's between him and God and anybody can change. Two, God also may be using him to cause disruption to our country by dividing all people to our country's detriment. I feel that as a country we deserve chastisement for our law allowing the murder of innocent children through abortion. Three, there has also been discussion about Pope Francis and what is happening to the Church. The same assumption applies here, is it good or bad and what will be the outcome. I do not know what God's plans are but I know for sure whatever it is it will be accomplished. God, who is goodness and Love will prevail. These are definitely interesting times we are living in. Will Jesus fine faith on earth when He returns?
Well, I agree, A2. But I also would point out Obama’s attacks on the rule of law contributed greatly to this present situation. The misuse of executive orders and commenting on open criminal cases come to mind as troubling examples.
Our country would be served by a congress keen on returning the executive to its constitutionally limited role. And just to be balanaced, stamping out misuse of the war powers that came about under Bush II would be nice too.
Our checks are not being balanced, which contributes to the problems as apparently we’re going to continue having egomaniacs like Obama and Trump as president.
Thank you for your thoughtful comment. I agree, of course, that God can bring forth good out of evil, or at least that we can legitimately so interpret events and ascribe such meaning to them without knowing for sure whether this interpretation is correct, but in either case surely it cannot mean that God wills the evil or that the evil is not evil. Otherwise, where and how do we draw the line? If Trump is on the right side of the line, who is on the wrong side—Obama? Bin Laden? Hitler, Stalin, Mao, Pol Pot?—and why?
I am far from suggesting, of course, that it is possible to equate Trump with terrorists and genocidal monsters, and as a Catholic I do see the force of the abortion argument in distinguishing Trump from Obama because I share the premises (although I also accept that many otherwise decent people do not share these premises and require persuasion that they are correct and that the apparent distinctions between killing the unborn, especially in the early part of a pregnancy, and gassing Jewish children and adults, for example, are ultimately irrelevant theologically).
This said, isn’t the argument from the Babylonians or King David just a little too politically convenient and likely wielded from partisan motives or at least influenced by partisan biases? Thus: Trump yes, Obama no, or even (today): Trump yes, Chief Justice John Roberts no. Doesn’t it make more sense, in either case, to distinguish what is genuinely good and praiseworthy from what is genuinely bad and worthy of condemnation, according to morally objective criteria? When I do this, I find some things to praise about Trump (or at least certain of his policies, or rather aspects of them) but I also find much to condemn in both his policies and his person (while obviously making no claims about the state of his soul which, as you rightly suggest, is a matter between him and God).
Given this, it troubles me greatly that so many Trump supporters appear so uncritical of him. In this regard, isn’t it highly telling that according to candidate Trump himself, he would not lose voters even if he shot someone on Fifth Avenue? Judging from the lack of criticism from his base, I am beginning to think that this apparently hyperbolic assertion should be taken literally and not only seriously. And this, I submit, is genuinely terrifying.
I agree that Obama’s commentary on open criminal cases was unwise. I have a different view about the executive orders, at least those in the area of immigration—DACA and DAPA. There were good legal arguments to support that particular use of executive orders but that is not the central point. The main point is that when the Supreme Court effectively upheld the Fifth Circuit’s striking down of DAPA as unconstitutional, Obama accepted it. By contrast, when the courts strike down one of Trump’s executive orders or other actions, he whines and complains and attacks the judges. Indeed, whenever he doesn’t get his way about anything, he whines and complains and attacks those he sees as standing in his way. This is either the conduct of an overgrown child or a tyrant, or indeed both, and it must be resisted or the Republic is doomed.
Anonymous 2 said "This said, isn’t the argument from the Babylonians or King David just a little too politically convenient and likely wielded from partisan motives or at least influenced by partisan biases?"
The object of my statements was to show how God has used "existing" evil as apposed to "existing" good to accomplish His plans. God never wills evil, only good. I put no faith in any man or secular institution for my salvation. The Catholic Church and God alone suffice. Additionally, I judge no man by his actions, only God knows the heart and that is what counts. By some of the discussions I have read in previous blogs also concern Pope Francis. The Holy Spirit installed him for a purpose. What the purpose is only God knows. If we live long enough, we may find out.
I also posed the question Jesus asked, "When He returns will he find faith on Earth" Was that statement meant to be motivational or prophetic? Some food for thought.
16 comments:
seems to be a Real man, and this guy our acting head of the DOJ. both look like they could mean business. I just like the cut of both of them. Think if we could have priests like them
https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRfEjZtl3HOfLiwgwp-2EiNmYwBeI0N3LsQsQWtYM8mbwdFMioS
Pete Davidson is like a bug compared to either of them
The video clip is heartening (thank you for posting it, Father McDonald). And Crenshaw is impressive—Congress and the nation are well served by having veterans (with their many virtues) answer this particular call to public service as well. So, I am quite prepared to accept that Crenshaw is a “real” man, as The Egyptian suggests.
I don’t know about Whitaker, however. Someone who tries so hard to project a “macho” image seems to me to “protest too much” (not to mention that such an image projected by the chief law officer of the country impliedly, and ironically, appears to call into question the “rule of law” in favor of the “rule of men”). We already know that President Trump “doth protest too much” in this way—and he is about as far from being a “real” man as one can imagine. Real men simply do not behave as Trump does.
Related, when will Trump, who notably never served in the military himself, stop demeaning those veterans who criticize him and also apologize to those he has already demeaned? I think we know the answer to those questions, no? In this respect at least, Peter “Bug” Davidson seems to be more of a “real” man than Trump does.
Anon 2: I am a veteran, a woman, and a Trump supporter.
Anonymous 2,
Then Obama isn't a real man, look at the childish and narcissistic way he behaved: jailing journalists he didn't agree with and threatening to bring a gun to a fight if the others bring a life.
Please do us all a favor, keep your idiotic Trump comments out and we will not comment on your demi-god, Obama, the Abortion King.
Ironically, I typed "life" instead of "knife." One should never confuse life with the Party of Death, as Cardinal Burke has termed what we used to know as the Democratic Party.
TJM:
The issue of presidential qualities, including the proper treatment of veterans, was fairly raised by Father McDonald’s post. Moreover, Father McDonald explicitly suggested that Lt. Com. Crenshaw would make a great presidential candidate. Therefore comparisons between Crenshaw and our current president (and indeed any president) seem entirely appropriate.
What is astonishing is how many Trump supporters seem so willing to apply a double standard—one standard for President Trump and for his family and associates, and another standard for everyone else. For example, Trump can unload on veterans, such as Senator John McCain or Admiral McRaven, who dare to criticize him, and that’s just fine. Also, I doubt we will hear any “lock her up” in reference to Ivanka and her email use, will we? And Trump himself can use an unsecured cell phone, and that’s just fine too, isn’t it? Please prove me wrong.
And if you do prove me wrong, then I hope we can move beyond partisanship to agree on the importance of choosing people of virtue for elected office, which I take to be part of the central significance of Father McDonald’s post.
Anonymous 2:
Sexual predators while holding public office: Ted Kennedy, Bill Clintoon, Jerry Studds, nuff said. Top it off with crazies like Mad Maxine and Fake Catholic Pelosi and you have quite a lot of fodder for how NOT to act in public life. The press (Dem operatives with bylines) work assidiously to bury anything positive Trump does both professionally and personally. By the way, Trump was right about the California fires, even Governor Moonbeam is quietly admitting it. I guess you prefer that Trump act like Bush and just take the crap they dish out. Remember, Trump is just part of a long line of Repubican presidents and presidential candidates who are Nazis: George Bush, Mitt Romney, John McCain. The press and your party are evil, fighting to preserve abortion at all costs. Just look what they did to Justice Kavanaugh. So much for "civility."
They botth seemed to be gently mocking themselves and each other. That shows huge strength.
TJM:
The difference between you and me, it seems, is that I am quite prepared to accept criticism of politicians other than Trump and to recognize the shortcomings and failings of the people you mention. By contrast, you will not accept one word of criticism of Trump. He is always right, never wrong, and never needs to apologize for anything. I cannot believe that, as a rational person, you actually mean what you say. So, I put it down to extreme partisanship in which you assert something even though you know it is not true, and you do so for the sake of the party, the cause, or the cult. Sadly, then, you have not proven me wrong.
By the same token, you frequently respond to my posts by characterizing me as a Democrat, although I have told you ad nauseam that I am not, as you do again here: “The press and your party are evil, fighting to preserve abortion at all costs.” And as this quote also indicates, pathetically, you play the A card in almost every post, whether it is germane to the discussion or not.
Sadly, then, you have not proven me wrong.
Once again: I am neither Republican nor Democrat but a nonpartisan Independent. In the spirit of the video clip in this post, I invited you to move beyond partisanship and to find common ground with me on the importance of choosing people of virtue for elected office.
Perhaps you should consider how many Republicans have left the party out of disgust with Trump and urged voters in the to vote Democrat in the 2018 midterms to help restrain his dangerous tendencies. And perhaps you should also consider how the same is true of people of heroic virtue such as Captain “Sully” Sullenberger:
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/sully-sullenberger-trump-is-remarkably-incurious-doesnt-value-learning
Anonymous 2 says, "What is astonishing is how many Trump supporters seem so willing to apply a double standard—one standard for President Trump and for his family and associates, and another standard for everyone else. For example, Trump can unload on veterans, such as Senator John McCain or Admiral McRaven, who dare to criticize him, and that’s just fine. Also, I doubt we will hear any 'lock her up' in reference to Ivanka and her email use, will we? And Trump himself can use an unsecured cell phone, and that’s just fine too, isn’t it? Please prove me wrong."
Simply being a veteran does mean one cannot be criticized. There were many things to criticize about John McCain, as there are for any politician.
As for the rest, though, you're exactly right. One of the problems with politics is that it apparently necessarily becomes a matter of personalities. I say apparently necessarily because I can't think of an example where it hasn't. In America, for example, it should be the case that the elected representatives represent the views of the people that elect them. Instead, we have the complete opposite -- people associate their views with the views of the person elected. It's hard to imagine this could ever result in anything other than a cult of personality. Combined with the absurd influence of corporations and the wealthy, our country has a broken political system, but it's hard to imagine what else it could be, given the foundations.
Marc:
I agree, regrettably, that our Republic’s politics is in a degraded state and is suffering from the problems you identify. That is why I advocate the election of people of virtue and am so appalled by presidential candidates such as Trump and Clinton.
In the meantime (and it may be a long, mean time), it falls to people like you and me and other members of the legal profession (TJM, what on earth happened to you?) to help hold the line against the savage attacks on the Rule of Law being launched by Trump. So far the line appears to be holding, and just today received reinforcement in the person of Chief Justice John Roberts.
I don't delve into politics and make it the focal point of my life. But, I would like to comment on this discussion. Who's to say God is not using the election of Donald Trump for His purposes. Read Habakkuk 1:5-11 and Romans 8:28. He can use both existing good or evil to accomplish His plan. For one, I find Trump offensive and abusive at times towards others and his past history of immorality is not something to be proud of. From what I see, the secular atheistic side of the political spectrum now has someone who confronts them as they have confronted others and it is bringing into focus their hidden evils in addition to driving them crazy. As for his former immorality, that's between him and God and anybody can change. Two, God also may be using him to cause disruption to our country by dividing all people to our country's detriment. I feel that as a country we deserve chastisement for our law allowing the murder of innocent children through abortion. Three, there has also been discussion about Pope Francis and what is happening to the Church. The same assumption applies here, is it good or bad and what will be the outcome. I do not know what God's plans are but I know for sure whatever it is it will be accomplished. God, who is goodness and Love will prevail. These are definitely interesting times we are living in. Will Jesus fine faith on earth when He returns?
Well, I agree, A2. But I also would point out Obama’s attacks on the rule of law contributed greatly to this present situation. The misuse of executive orders and commenting on open criminal cases come to mind as troubling examples.
Our country would be served by a congress keen on returning the executive to its constitutionally limited role. And just to be balanaced, stamping out misuse of the war powers that came about under Bush II would be nice too.
Our checks are not being balanced, which contributes to the problems as apparently we’re going to continue having egomaniacs like Obama and Trump as president.
David,
Thank you for your thoughtful comment. I agree, of course, that God can bring forth good out of evil, or at least that we can legitimately so interpret events and ascribe such meaning to them without knowing for sure whether this interpretation is correct, but in either case surely it cannot mean that God wills the evil or that the evil is not evil. Otherwise, where and how do we draw the line? If Trump is on the right side of the line, who is on the wrong side—Obama? Bin Laden? Hitler, Stalin, Mao, Pol Pot?—and why?
I am far from suggesting, of course, that it is possible to equate Trump with terrorists and genocidal monsters, and as a Catholic I do see the force of the abortion argument in distinguishing Trump from Obama because I share the premises (although I also accept that many otherwise decent people do not share these premises and require persuasion that they are correct and that the apparent distinctions between killing the unborn, especially in the early part of a pregnancy, and gassing Jewish children and adults, for example, are ultimately irrelevant theologically).
This said, isn’t the argument from the Babylonians or King David just a little too politically convenient and likely wielded from partisan motives or at least influenced by partisan biases? Thus: Trump yes, Obama no, or even (today): Trump yes, Chief Justice John Roberts no. Doesn’t it make more sense, in either case, to distinguish what is genuinely good and praiseworthy from what is genuinely bad and worthy of condemnation, according to morally objective criteria? When I do this, I find some things to praise about Trump (or at least certain of his policies, or rather aspects of them) but I also find much to condemn in both his policies and his person (while obviously making no claims about the state of his soul which, as you rightly suggest, is a matter between him and God).
Given this, it troubles me greatly that so many Trump supporters appear so uncritical of him. In this regard, isn’t it highly telling that according to candidate Trump himself, he would not lose voters even if he shot someone on Fifth Avenue? Judging from the lack of criticism from his base, I am beginning to think that this apparently hyperbolic assertion should be taken literally and not only seriously. And this, I submit, is genuinely terrifying.
Marc:
I agree that Obama’s commentary on open criminal cases was unwise. I have a different view about the executive orders, at least those in the area of immigration—DACA and DAPA. There were good legal arguments to support that particular use of executive orders but that is not the central point. The main point is that when the Supreme Court effectively upheld the Fifth Circuit’s striking down of DAPA as unconstitutional, Obama accepted it. By contrast, when the courts strike down one of Trump’s executive orders or other actions, he whines and complains and attacks the judges. Indeed, whenever he doesn’t get his way about anything, he whines and complains and attacks those he sees as standing in his way. This is either the conduct of an overgrown child or a tyrant, or indeed both, and it must be resisted or the Republic is doomed.
Anonymous 2 said "This said, isn’t the argument from the Babylonians or King David just a little too politically convenient and likely wielded from partisan motives or at least influenced by partisan biases?"
The object of my statements was to show how God has used "existing" evil as apposed to "existing" good to accomplish His plans. God never wills evil, only good. I put no faith in any man or secular institution for my salvation. The Catholic Church and God alone suffice. Additionally, I judge no man by his actions, only God knows the heart and that is what counts. By some of the discussions I have read in previous blogs also concern Pope Francis. The Holy Spirit installed him for a purpose. What the purpose is only God knows. If we live long enough, we may find out.
I also posed the question Jesus asked, "When He returns will he find faith on Earth" Was that statement meant to be motivational or prophetic? Some food for thought.
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