Last week, Pope Benedict XVI took a step back from the post-Vatican-II world by authorizing priests to say the Latin Mass whenever they wish. Previously, the vernacular was required except by special dispensation of the bishop. With priests struggling to make church relevant for modern parishioners, it is hard to imagine any great clamor among them for turning the mass into a ritual both longer and incomprehensible to all but a very few parishioners. Full disclosure: I am not a Roman Catholic; I belong to the American branch of the Church of England (the Episcopal Church), which decided nearly five centuries ago that it was wrong to hold public ritual in "a tongue not understanded of the people."
Still, the creeping return of the Latin Mass has relevance for the wider world, which is why I blog about it. The issue is not, by the way, that Latin is a "dead tongue." I read Latin with minimal proficiency and certainly appreciate it. I have no revulsion to Latin. Indeed, the Latin language is not inherently conservative or even catholic. It was the language of the Renaissance and much of the Reformation. It was the language in which Newton wrote. It was the medium through which American founders learned of the history of the Roman republic that so influenced them (the Federalist papers are signed "Publius", after all).
The problem is that the Latin Mass is a symbol of conservatism. It is a victory for those who equate modernity and progress with decay and disease. Clinging to the Latin rite a core mark of identity for church conservatives. And I mean conservatives: those who supported monarchy, opposed democracy and "modernism," worked hard to ban books, preached anti-semitism, and openly sought the of Papal rule over Italy. I'm not talking about the distant past here, crusades and inquisition. No, I'm talking about the very real anti-democratic nature of the Roman church of the 1920 and 1930s.
Make no mistake about it, Benedict is giving these people the nod. It's scary.
The inward focus is alarming. This turning inward and backward parallels the developments in Islam calling for a return to the Caliphate.
Most of all, the Latin Mass is a rebuke to the enlightenment. It represents mystery, secrecy, elitism, obedience, and a distrust of reason. Thomas Mann famously decried fascism as the true rebuke of the enlightenment. I see this at work here.
Turning to the Latin Mass is a statement of just how far unhinged the Western World has become since the fall of communism. During the post-WWII period, with the defeat of fascism, the West lined up (in fits and starts) behind liberalism, with a small "l." The end of imperialism and embrace of liberal democracy in Europe was part of this. I fear we have lost our moorings. In 1989, Liberal Democracy seemed to be the Wave of the Future, even the End of History.
The Right has returned with a vengeance. In the USA, biblical literalism and right-wing theology are everywhere on the rise, creating parallel institutions to the mainstream liberal democracy. Even seizing a political party, the GOP. Pronouncements about "Islamofascism" are not so far off the mark in describing the anti-liberal nature of the movements sweeping the Islamic world, except that the charges are made by those who share the underlying distrust of democracy and liberalism. Republicans today are generally older white males who believe that democratic processes, open deliberation, and "civil rights" mostly get in the way of our security.
So, when Hillary Clinton describes Bush as "the most radical President in history" she is not lying. Starting with being the first president to take office since the 19th century without winning a majority of the popular vote, Bush has paid lip service to democracy while tearing at the roots of post-WWII liberal constitutionalism. Make no mistake about it: we are having serious debates in this country about the fundamental nature of the US constitution for the first time since the 1930s.
The good news is that the majority of the American people are not moving in that direction. Commitment to racial and gender equality is gradually increasing over time, as this year's field of Democratic candidates attests. Even gay marriage, totally unthinkable 20 years ago, is now supported by nearly a third of the country, and that support is growing. The awakening of the right need not be a catastrophe, but the strong center needs to start asserting itself again, awaking from a long political slumber.
Rident stolidi verba latina (Ovid).
Friday, July 20, 2007
Reflections on the Latin Mass
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Two things
1. I don't think that Ben Nelson is anyone's favorite senator here. He is a Democrat, but only jut barely. And his interview with Stephen Colbert reaffirms that -- he is against timetables for withdrawal from Iraq, leaning more on the "let's hope the President changes his mind" plan. But still, check out the video at C&L. While Nelson disagrees with the Democrats' policy, he doesn't take any potshots at them. Instead, he actually takes a few (mild) shots at the president. So I guess what I'm saying is that I'd MUCH rather have a Ben Nelson in the Senate than a Joe Lieberman. Check out the video, leave your thoughts in the comments.
Also, Colbert tries to make the following point: if you fund the war, the President can do whatever he wants with the money; he's the commander-guy. The only way to stop the war is by de-funding it.
2. If Oprah throws all her weight (not a fat joke) behind a Barack Obama candidacy, watch out. What percentage of the female vote would he get? 80%?
Friday, July 13, 2007
Another Family Values Republican
So what else is new? Another "family values" Republican shows his true colors. This time, it's Senator David Vitter (Republican from Louisiana) who has been using a D.C. madam for his private prostitution needs. Apparently, Senator Vitter admitted it was" a serious sin." What a typical right-wing jerk. Sin isn't the issue for a U.S. Senator. Breaking the law is the issue. Vitter is one of the wingnut crowd railing against "homahsekshuls" and such.
If it isn't clear by now, all of the "family values" crowd are hypocrites.
To quote a bumper sticker that should be in wider currency-
Focus on Your Own Damned Family.
Best quote from the NY Times piece, "At home, any fall for Mr. Vitter could be long and hard. "
Oh, my.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Moral Headcount on Iraq
Republicans are gradually abandoning Bush's immoral war in Iraq. Although they won't say so, the truth is that Bush lied to get us into a war, lied about how the war was going, and lies still about our chances of winning. The GOP senators and reps want this over or 2008 will make 2006 look like a walk in the park.
Senators in favor of setting some time withdrawing from Iraq.
49 Dems (50 minus Lieberman)
Hagel, Snowe, Lugar, Domenici, Warner, Smith, Voinovich, Alexander (8)
Total: 57. Need 60 to break filibuster.
Presumed to be on the fence: Sununu, Coleman, Collins, Specter.
Have made noises about September being a big date: McConnell (GOP minority leader), Lott, Sessions, Graham
Real efforts to rein in this war could begin in September.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Say "Bush" three times.
Former U.S. Surgeon General Richard H. Carmona testified in Congress today. He was appointed by Bush and served from 2002 to 2006. Prior to that he had been in a medic in the Army Special Forces and a SWAT team.
Dr. Carmona said that the Bush Administration would not allow him to discuss or issue reports concerning a wide variety of topics, such as stem cell research, sex education, mental health, etc. He said Bush Administration officials repeatedly delayed and tried to "water down" his office's report on secondhand smoke. He added that he was ordered to mention President Bush "three times" on every page of every speech.
It is disgraceful that Bush would abuse a scientific office like this. While it is frustrating that Dr. Carmona did not protest until now, I suppose his military background might have something to do with it. (Think of the retired generals criticizing Rumsfeld.) As a citizen, I am disgusted. As a scientist, I am outraged.
Thursday, July 05, 2007
What the hell happened to Alan Dershowitz?
I think he's gone insane. This article is a must-read to see how far he's sunk.
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
Sicko
I saw Michael Moore's latest film, Sicko last week. I have been thinking about ever since. Like many of Moore's movies, this one glosses over several realities to make a larger point. The larger point in this film is that American's have a vaules problem. We have a highly individualistic society and as such, we fail to place enough importance on communal values.
I don't disagree with that point. European democracy is social democracy. And that, in my opinion, is closer to the enlightenment ideals than our capitalistic democracy. Just the words I used to describe the difference tell the story. So Moore's larger point is well taken. Medicine is a social good and should be treated as such.
But then there are the details. He visits a NHS doctor in the UK. The doctor who is part of "socialized medicine" drives an Audi and claims to make $150K a year. You get to see the inside of his comfortable and fashionable apartment. He explains to Moore that if he gets patients to say stop smoking, he gets paid more. So doctors get results based pay. So my question is, how typical is this doctor in the UK? If doctors are so well paid, why the shortage? And this has a whole new relevance considering this week's terrorist plots in the UK. That, and Moore fails to mention that Brits have been demanding reforms of the NHS since Blair was first elected.
Then he goes to France where he tries to counter the claim that Europeans are over-taxed for their services. He introduces us to a two-income family that claims to make $8000 a month. It is unclear if this is net or gross. But if it is net, then it ain't your typical French family. The typical French family makes about what the average American family makes annually. A more effective argument for Moore would be that if Americans counted the cost of their medical care as part of their taxes, they would find that we actually pay a greater percentage of our gross income if not the same for less. Nor does he discuss that France has double-digit unemployment because companies don't want to hire full time workers because they have to pay out extra taxes. Sounds sort of familiar, no? Nor does he discuss France's debt problem or the fact that European countries are struggling with shrinking birth rates, which then leave them with fewer people to pay for the growth in the aging population.
That said, the French get great benefits for all their taxes. My host dad was very sick and had to have very expensive treatments that would have put the average American into bankruptcy. He had 3 years worth of interferon treatments and is now in remission. He didn't pay a dime. And, yes, doctors do come to your house when you are sick. And yes, you are well cared for. I love that part of the system and would love to see it implemented here.
The French also control their government a bit more than we do. Moore also points out that we Americans are somewhat afraid of our government while European government "fear" their people. Europeans (i.e. the French in this case) hit the streets and protest and the government gives in, not to mention in that in parlimentary systems, governments can be dissolved and elections called very easily. So politicians are a bit more concerened with social unrest.
American's have always distrusted government, but I think the fear set in around the Nixon years and has only increased in the Bush/Cheney years. Further more, we hold elections at set times, we can't just see our government dissolve over night. We are stuck with it for 4 years. On this fourth of July, I say that if our Revolution had started with the violent storming of a nortorious prision followed by the beheading of the nobility, then perhaps our government would be more "afraid" of us as well.
Then he goes to Cuba. Now that is a tear-jerking moment. It is truly touching and again, Moore's larger point is well taken. But, Cuba has a special health program for foreigners. So while he asked the Cubans to treat his band of Americans they way they would the average Cuban, I question if that really took place.
Finally, Moore is focusing on those people who have insurance, but whose insurance companies have denied them care. And he is trying to get those of us with "good" insurance to think again. Will it cover us if we need it? Chances are no. He also exposes the insurance company hit men who will dig back five years into your medical history to find out that you had a yeast infection in 2002 that you failed to mention on your application form. And they will declare that this is a pre-existing condition that you should have mentioned. Since you didn't, they are revoking your coverage. Again, I am not sure how typical this situation is.
Overall, I agree with Moore that our medical system is very messed up. I agree that our individualistic, capitalistic values system contributed to the attitude that everything is for profit. Doctors should practice for the purpose of helping patients, rather than their pocketbooks. And I think there are those that do, and those that don't. I think we have a shortage of doctors in this country as well. We should be building medical schools rather than prisons and limiting the role of insurance companies. I don't think they should be traded on the stock market. This is about our health and well-being and how we care for each other. So for all the loose facts, I still think Moore is on track.
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Keeping Scooter Quiet
Bush's action is much more sinister than the press seems to understand. Scooter Libby knows where the bodies are buried, and he has had to pay for an expensive criminal defense. Scooter needs money and is no doubt angry at being made the scapegoat. If Bush does nothing for him at all, Scooter might cooperate with Fitzgerald to get released early from prison. A full pardon now is also dangerous for Bush, because it would also give Scooter Libby the chance to make a "tell all" book deal for a ton of money. Gratitude only gets you so far.
Under the "Son of Sam" laws, however, a convicted criminal cannot make money from a crime he has committed, so by leaving the felony conviction in place, Libby is blocked from telling his tale for money. He has no incentive to do so for free if he is not in jail. Thus, by commuting the sentence, but hinting at a full pardon later, Bush and Cheney can basically blackmail Libby and keep him quiet, at least until the end of the term.
Monday, July 02, 2007
Oh the hypocrisy
Remember the Republican outrage about Clinton's lying to the American people about an extra marital affair? Remember their slogan back in 2001? "The grownups are back in charge?" They shouted loudly about their supposed return to ethics and morality. And they claimed that they represented a return to a respect for laws.
But today, George W. Bush commuted the 30 month prison term for Scooter Libby. Libby was to serve the term after being convicted of exactly the crime that the Republicans accused Clinton of (he was never actually charged).
The Republican party has mutated into something that goes beyond partisan politics. They need to be stopped in 2008. Democrats and independents need to sweep them from power so decisively that even their most loyal spin doctors will be forced to acknowledge their failings.
First, do no harm
The recent string of botched terror attacks seem to have been carried about by a group of Muslim physicians working and living in the UK.
One of the things that puzzles western observers is the tendency of Islamic fundamentalist terrorists to be educated people. While we are used to seeing the likes of Timothy McVeigh engaging in political violence, it is surprising for us to see doctors, lawyers and engineers getting involved as is so often the case in the Middle East.
I'm not an expert on the political psychology of terrorists and terrorism but perhaps some of our participants or visitors have something to contribute.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Alba Go Bragh!
Hi Everyone,
It's official, England now has a Scottish Prime Minister. It's not the first time. This marks a landmark event. This continues the longest run of Labour government in British history.
Gordon Brown, like Tony Blair, comes from the "third way" faction of the Laobur Party. He wants to emphasize things like health care and education but don't expect a return to the Pre-Thatcher statism of the 50s, 60s and 70s.
The one area where we can expect real change is Iraq. The last thing Brown wants to do is face election (which must happen before 2010) with British Troops still in Iraq. Of course, that's a long time and by the time 2010 rolls around, the American political situation may have solved his problem for him. That said, a Republican win in 2008 or a win for an anti-withdrawal Democrat (like Hilary Clinton) would be a problem for Gordon Brown.
Look for Brown to try to extricate Britain from Iraq and then use the resulting boost in his popularity to call a snap election and ensure a complete 5 year term for himself.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
News Flash: Cheney Abdicates
As if things couldn't get any funnier . . .or more twisted . . .
Under a presidential executive order put in place–by the Bush White House no less–– executive branch offices are required to turn over information to the National Archives about their handling of documents, namely data on the number of documents they classify and declassify.
The Vice-President does not wish to comply and thus, has abdicated from the Executive Branch. Vice-President Dick Cheney now considers himself part of the Legislative Branch. You know, there has to be something quite damning in this energy meeting notes, his war meeting notes, his Plame-gate notes, for him to go to such lengths to hide it all. I mean his actions all but condemn him. Could you even act more guilty?
It is probably silly of me to even give the VP's argument the dignity of acknowledgment by referring to the U.S. Constitution, but:
Article II Section 1: "The executive power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America. He shall hold his office during the term of four years, and, together with the Vice President, chosen for the same term, be elected, as follows . . "
The XXV Amendment explains Presidential succession, which goes first to the Vice President. Seems pretty Executive to me.
Article II Section 4: "Section 4. The President, Vice President and all civil officers of the United States, shall be removed from office on impeachment for, and conviction of, treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors."
Maybe it is time to invoke Art. II Sec 4.
I love the Democrats' response. They have decided to try and cut his office’s budget. Rather than fund his office as part of the Executive branch, they would like to fund it as the office of the Senate President, a much more modest sum. . Brilliant move.
So if the Democrats succeed, would this mean the "Angler" would loose his secret service personnel? Legislators don't get bodyguards, nor do they get to use Presidential helicopters or planes, nor do they have offices in the West Wing . . .
This is a big week for Cheney who is subject of a four part series in the Washington Post that pretty much exposes him as the Oz behind the curtain. His refusal to comply with the executive order comes on the heels of the CIA's release of papers from the 1970s, the "Family Jewels", that explain how the intelligence services spied on American citizens among other things. Yep, I’ve said it before, we are living on the set of “That 70’s Show” or is it “Groundhog’s Day”?
Just a footnote to all of this: Here is a great Op-ed about how our intelligence services are being privatized. It says that contractors now claim a whopping 70% of the budget allotted to the intelligences services.
Monday, June 25, 2007
Bong Hits 4 Jesus...
In a 5-4 ruling (straight conservative vs. liberal/moderate split) the Supreme Court upheld the suspension of a student who unfurled a banner proclaiming "Bong Hits 4 Jesus" while standing on school property, watching the Olympic torch relay go by. Here is what I understand.
1. All justices agreed that, under normal circumstances, the banner is "unquestionably" protected free speech.
2. Even the dissenters conceded that, "the pressing need to deter drug use supports [the school's] rule prohibiting willful conduct that expressly 'advocates the use of substances that are illegal to minors.'"
3. The dispute was that the majority felt the banner could reasonably be interpreted to be supporting drug use, while the minority held that (a) "speech that can be reasonably interpreted as supporting" drug use is not the same as "conduct expressly advocating" drug use, and (b) the obscure phrase was not intended to promote drug use anyhow.
Now I can see how an un-hip, out-of-touch high school principal (is there any other kind?) might assume the banner advocated drug use. I can see how parents might think so as well. But in the context of the situation, where the students waited for the cameras to come by before they unrolled it, it was just a media stunt, never intended to persuade anyone to use drugs. The student always maintained it was just a phrase he got from a snowboarding sticker that he thought would be cool to put on a big banner. The student said he was trying to push the envelope of free speech and mock the heavy-handed administrators.
It was dumb to take down the banner--and it also proved the student's point about their overly rigid rules--but if that were all the administrators had done, I would have thought, oh well, bad call, but that's life. But the principal also suspended the students for 5 days and then tacked on an additional 5 days when they refused to name other people who helped make the banner. That kind of intimidation is wrong.
It should not be the student's burden to refrain from questionable speech just in case it might be interpreted by grown-ups as crossing the line. Students should be encouraged to speak freely! The burden falls to the administrators to step in when--and only when--they believe it has definitely crossed the line. Err, if err we must, on the side of freedom. I am curious to know what the free speech gurus on this site think of that.
Friday, June 22, 2007
Foot-Dragging Association
The FDA issued new rules today concerning the marketing of vitamins, herbal pills, and other dietary supplements. For the first time (!) manufacturers of these concoctions will now have to test their products to show that they actually contain the ingredients claimed on the labels. An LA Times article notes that the new rule took, "13 years to develop"--or in other words, the supplements industry fought even this meager level of oversight successfully for over a decade.
The largest group of these products--protein powders, testosterone boosters, creatine derivatives, thermogenics, etc.--are peddled by modern day snake oil salesmen as supplements to improve athletic performance. Millions of people cheerfully shell out billions of dollars annually for these products. What is most interesting to me about this phenomenon is that the athletes who ingest these special pills and powders, supposedly chemically formulated to give them an extra advantage, for some reason do not equate this with "cheating" or "doping."
Moreover, no major sports regulatory body bans these dietary supplements either. It is certainly true that the supplement manufacturers spend a lot of money to lobby and protect their industry, but the fundamental reason why the supplements don't get banned is that they just don't work. If they worked, they would destabilize the sports like steroids threaten to, and there would be an uproar--a clamor for action. Chemicals that actually do enhance athletic performance are banned right away.
With the new regulations, you can now be assured that the product which claims to contain 200 mg of ginkgo biloba actually does. Unfortunately, you still have no assurance that ginkgo biloba actually does any of the miraculous stuff the manufacturers claim it does. Which leads me to wonder... If it took 13 years for the FDA just to make manufacturers of supplements list their ingredients correctly, how many decades will we have to wait before the FDA finally requires them to show their products work?
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Karma Chameleon
Ok who does Bloomberg hurt if he runs for President? And what happens now that you have 2 New Yorkers and now possibily a third in the race? And how long before someone calls him a cameleon? He was Democrat, changed parties and ran as a Republican. Now he is going to change to Independant. Gee, wouldn't that be seen as waffling?
Saturday, June 16, 2007
G8 and Open Secrets
UM . . . HELLO! Is Bush pouring a real beer here? No wonder he spits food and slurs.
Leaning Towards Edwards
Hi Gang,
I've been busy getting ready to move into my little house on the prairie but I have had time to see a couple of Democratic presidential candidates speak. I've seen Obama twice and Edwards now once. I liked Edwards a lot more than Obama.
Obama is great on the big picture stuff. Very inspirational. But he not just weak on details, he fails completely to be specific on any policy whatsoever.
Edwards moves seemlessly between nuts and bolts details about the costs and benefits of his health care policy and the inspirational stuff that Obama excels at. Edwards also seems much more aware of what the Republicans are going to throw at whoever the Democratic candidate is.
I'm not quite ready to decide who I'll support/root for but I'm really leaning towards Edwards now.
Friday, June 15, 2007
Thoughts about Gaza
After a week of fighting in Gaza that nobody wanted to call a civil war or an insurrection, there is a new political reality: Hamas has conquered Gaza. Fatah controls the West Bank, but Hamas controls Gaza. Mahmoud Abbas, President of the Palestinian Authority, helped prompt the crisis by dissolving the Hamas-led government. Abbas was fatlly undermined by the West, who refused to help him at all so long as he tried to negotiate with Hamas. Now that he's lost big time, Olmert and the USA are reaching out to him. Once again, the Bush strategy of refusing to talk to bad guys has failed. The NY Times reported a masked Hamas gunman shouting into a media microphone, "Condoleeza Rice, now you will have to talk to us!" Gee, did it need to come to that before we would talk to the elected representatives of the Palestinian people? You talk to the democratically elected representatives you have, not the ones you wish you had.
Well, I find that comment fascinating, and a measure of comfort. Even Israel is not sounding the armageddon alarm bells. Hamas wants power, respect, and authority. For all its nasty rhetoric, it is capable of pragmatism. The economy is an unbelievable wreck. Unemployment is the norm, not the exception. Schools and hospitals do not function. Nothing does. ? Can Hamas control Gaza? It has been ungovernable since the Israeli pullout in 2005, if not well before then. If Hamas can control Gaza, that's a step towards stability in the region.
A spokesperson recently said that Hamas won't recognize Israel because Israel does not yet recognize a Palestinian state. Well, recognition, schmecognition. Power is power - are they going to talk to one another or not? If not, what do happens then? Does anyone think that the situation is going to improve if Hamas and the Gazans become more isolated and desperate?
The worst result today is the end of democratic legitimacy in the Palestinian Authority. We had a hand in this. The USA and Israel so crippled the government, refusing even to let it collect tax revenues, that it collapsed. Offers to change course now (Israel today called giving money to a Fatah-led government an "opportunity") is too little, too late. Is there any prospect that Hamas will now surrender Gaza to a newly elected Palestinian Authority if it loses the election? A lot less than last month, that's for sure.
Abbas has one card he can still play. He can declare independence outright and call for an election for a national assembly. That might just have enough legitimacy on the Arab Street to force Hamas to stand down in Gaza.
At least the fighting has stopped for now.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Chalk one up for the good guys.
In a previous post I discussed the effort to stop gay marriage in Massachusetts... and I am now happy to report that--after a three-year struggle--that bid has been defeated! The attempt to amend the MA State Constitution failed today when fewer than 25% of the legislators were willing to support it. (And that is a phenomenal statistic in itself.)
The practical effect of today's vote is that opponents of gay marriage will now have to start the process all over again, and they could at the earliest get such a measure on the state ballot in 2012... but since support for such an amendment is so low in the state legislature, gay marriage looks safe in MA for the foreseeable future.
Friday, June 08, 2007
Black Sites and Turkey Saber Rattling
The Council of Europe and Amnesty International have said that they suspect that there were at least 800 flights over Europe that could have been transporting prisioners to black sites in Romania and Poland. Below is a graphic put together by Le Monde. 
The circles shows the number of flights using European airports between Sept. 2001 and today.
The light orange colored countries are those suspected of housing the prisions (Romainia, Poland, Tchez Republic,Kosovo).
The circles and stars are the locations of U.S. Military bases in Europe.
The accusations have to be verified, and this probably won't happen. No one really wants to know because the Council of Europe would then have to consider taking measures, meaning kicking those countries with secret prisions out of the EU. This is really all they could do. We all know that isn't going to happen.
In other news, Turkey is augementing its presence on its Southwestern border with Northern Iraq. This could get very interesting.
